bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-Temperature-Sensing Smart Bolt Based on Indium Tin Oxide/In2O3 Thin-Film Thermocouples with Nickel-Based Single-Crystal Superalloy via Screen Printing
Authors: Zhang Zhongkai , Liu Jiangjiang , Cai Rongfu , Liu Zhaojun , Lei Jiaming , Sun Ruolin , Wu Ningning , Zhao Na , Tian Bian , Zhao Libo
Published: August 2022

In this study, thin-film thermocouples (TFTCs) were combined with a smart bolt to design a smart bolt that can directly test high temperature in service monitoring and parameter calculation for gas turbine structure design. The first-principles calculation was used to analyze the design of the surface properties of nickel-based alloys and insulating layers, and finite element analysis was used to optimize dimension parameters by controlling the thermal stress matching of insulating layers and sensitive layers. The effect of the glass powder with different particle sizes on the microstructure of the ITO and In2O3 films was studied via SEM. The preferred particle size of the additive glass powder is 400 nm. The XRD pattern shows the (222) peak has the highest intensity. The intensities of the (222) and (622) peaks increase after the heat treatment. The calibration results show that the average Seebeck coefficient of the TFTCs can reach 64.9 μV/°C at 1100 °C with a maximum voltage of 71.4 mV. The repeatability error of the cycles of the sensor after heat treatment is ±1.05%. The repeatability of the sensor is up to 98.95%. The smart bolts were tested for application in small aero engines. It can be seen that under the impact of 1000 °C, the thermal response of the prepared smart bolt is better than that of the K-type armored thermocouple, and the thermal balance is achieved faster. The intelligent bolt sensor proposed in this work has better engineering application prospects owing to its convenience of installation in harsh environments.
Neurological Involvement in Pediatric Patients with Acute Leukemia: A Retrospective Cohort
Authors: Cruz-Chávez Diana Alejandra , López-Pérez Brian Javier , Solórzano-Gómez Elsa , Venta-Sobero José Antonio , Flores-Villegas Luz Victoria , Toledo-Lozano Christian Gabriel , Castro-Loza Gabriela Vianney , Sandoval-Pacheco Roberto , Torres-Vallejo Andrea , Marmol-Realpe Karen Sharlot Faisury , Flores-Jurado Yazmín Evelyn , Hernández-Soriano Cristal Lucero , Alcaraz-Estrada Sofía Lizeth , Mondragón-Terán Paul , Suárez-Cuenca Juan Antonio , Coral-Vázquez Ramón Mauricio , Garcia Silvia
Published: August 2022

Acute leukemia (AL) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children, and neurological manifestations (NM) are frequent. The objective of this study was to analyze neurological manifestations in children with acute leukemia from cases attended in the last five years at the Centro Médico Nacional “20 de Noviembre”. Methods: Conducting a retrospective and analytical study from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2020 in children with AL classified according to sex, age range and AL type. Participants were grouped according the presence of NM. Results: We analyzed 607 patients: 54.85% boys and 44.14% girls, with a mean age of 7.27 ± 4.54 years. When comparing groups, the NM group was significantly older (p = 0.01), and the highest prevalence was between 6 and 12 years old. ALL was predominant over the other lineages (p ≤ 0.01). The most frequent NM was CNS infiltration, seizures, headache and neuropathy. Death outcomes occurred in 18.7% of children with AML, 11.8% with ALL and 50% with MPAL (p ≤ 0.002). The NM group was associated with higher mortality during a follow-up time of 77.9 ± 49 months (44.4% vs. 8.9% deaths, NM vs. non-NM, respectively; OR = 3.3; 95% CI 2.4 to 4.6; p ≤ 0.0001). Conclusions: ALL was the most prevalent leukemia type. CNS infiltration, seizures, headache, neuropathy and PRES were the most frequent symptoms in the NM group. NM was associated with a higher mortality rate.
Saudi Expert Consensus-Based Autism Spectrum Disorder Statement: From Screening to Management
Authors: Alenezi Shuliweeh , Alyahya Ahmad , AlKhalifah Shahad , Bakhsh Hadeel , Alismail Eiman , Aldhalaan Hesham , Alwazna Talat , Alzrayer Nouf , AlSuwailem Saleh , Alnemary Faisal , AlAnsari Ahmed , Alqulaq Enas , Alyamani Amal , Amer Yasser , Albawardi Ibrahim , Albalawi Waled , Alhassan Mohammed , Algazlan Maha , Alramady Malak , Ad-Dab’bagh Yasser
Published: August 2022

Background: There is a large gap between the needs of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the currently available services in Saudi Arabia. Services are often difficult to access, inconsistent in quality, incomplete, unsatisfactory, and costly. As such, there is a national need for expert consensus on the appropriate standards for the assessment and management of children on the autism spectrum. Methodology: A guideline development group (GDC) was formed by professionals representing all related specialties and institutions involved in the management of individuals on the autism spectrum in Saudi Arabia. They met on a regular basis over 21 months. The guideline development process consisted of five steps starting from reviewing existing guidelines and ending with discussing and writing this manuscript. A formal voting process was utilized and recommendations were discussed until a consensus was reached. Results: There was consensus on the following: A specialized diagnostic assessment needs to be carried out by an experienced multidisciplinary team for children referred to assess for ASD. They should be assessed for medical etiology, their behavioral history carefully reviewed, and symptoms directly observed. Longitudinal assessments are encouraged to reflect the effects of symptoms on the individual’s ability to function while with their family, among peers, and in school settings. An additional formal assessment of language, cognitive, and adaptive abilities as well as sensory status is essential to complete the diagnostic process. Interventions should be individualized, developmentally appropriate, and intensive, with performance data relevant to intervention goals to evaluate and adjust interventions. Target symptoms must be identified to address and develop monitoring systems to track change. Conclusion: ASD is a complex condition with widely varying clinical manifestations, thus requiring evaluation and intervention by a range of professionals working in coordination. Behavioral and environmental interventions are the key to optimal outcomes, in conjunction with medications when indicated for specific symptoms. Parental involvement in interventions is vital to sustaining therapeutic gains.
Predictive Factors for Bilateral Disease in Papillary Microcarcinoma: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Lindner Kirsten , Iwen K. Alexander , Kußmann Jochen , Fendrich Volker
Published: August 2022

Background: Based on risk stratification, the therapeutic options in papillary microcarcinoma (PTMC) can be active surveillance or surgery. Multifocal tumor occurrence can be decisive in determining the treatment strategy. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for bilateral tumor occurrence in PTMC to enable individual therapy planning. Methods: A total of 545 PTMC patients who underwent thyroidectomy from 2008 to 2020 were retrieved. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate risk factors for bilateral PTMC. Results: 25.1% (n = 137) of all patients had multifocal PTMC, and 13.2% (n = 72) bilateral PTMC, respectively. In contrast to the maximum tumor size, the total tumor size significantly influenced a bilateral tumor manifestation (median total tumor size 5 mm versus 8.5 mm for bilateral PTMC, p < 0.001). A cut-off level for the total tumor size of >10 mm resulted in a sensitivity and specificity of 29.2% and 94.7%, respectively, in predicting a bilateral tumor manifestation, AUC 0.680 (95% CI, 0.611–0.748, p < 0.001). A cut-off of >4 tumors showed a sensitivity of 99.4% and a specificity of 97.5%, AUC 0.897 (95% CI, 0.870–0.924, p < 0.001) in predicting bilaterality. Conclusion: We could demonstrate for the first time that a total tumor size of >10 mm and more than four tumors significantly increased the risk of bilateral PTMC tumor involvement. These findings enable a risk-adjusted patient treatment.
Anthropogenic Pressure and Climate Change Could Severely Hamper the Avian Metacommunity of the Sicilian Wetlands
Authors: Ferrarini Alessandro , Celada Claudio , Gustin Marco
Published: August 2022

Our study shows that the current levels of anthropogenic exploitation of the Sicilian wetlands (Italy), combined with the likely exacerbation of climate-driven variables, are unsustainable and could soon exclude many bird species from this metacommunity. Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and its wetlands represent a network of unreplaceable stopover sites that allow waterbirds to rest and refuel during migratory journeys along the central-eastern Mediterranean bird flyway. During the summer period, these species experience higher levels of environmental stress as water scarcity and anthropogenic pressure are at their peak. Through field surveys, geoprocessing and statistical analyses, we investigated: (a) the structure of the avian metacommunity of the largest Sicilian wetlands during July–September and (b) the effects of 10 (geographic, hydrological and anthropogenic) wetland attributes on avian diversity. We sampled 73 bird species, of which 30 are listed in annex I of the Birds Directive. The avian metacommunity was significantly nested and non-modular; in addition, it presented elevated beta diversity and random species assemblage. Environmental filtering superseded biotic interactions in determining species composition. Avian diversity was significantly favored by higher water levels, water-level fluctuations and water discharges, and disfavored by water diversion, salinity and tourism pressure. The knowledge concerning the particular structure of the avian metacommunity of the Sicilian wetlands can facilitate the implementation of conservation policies that could mitigate and compensate the effects of short- and mid-term risks.
Sonographic Images of Hepatic Portal Venous Gas in a Patient with Gastrointestinal Ischemia
Authors: Czempik Piotr F. , Bożek Oskar , Krzych Łukasz J.
Published: August 2022

Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) detected by ultrasound (US) following liver transplantation or in suppurative cholangitis was described previously. To our knowledge, there have been no descriptions of HPVG detected by US in acute mesenteric ischemia. Here we present diagnostic images of a 52-year-old female who was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) following successful embolization of a ruptured saccular aneurysm of the right vertebral artery. During their stay in the ICU, the patient developed hypotension with low systemic vascular resistance and hypovolemia. Based on physical examination of the abdomen and laboratory results, preliminary diagnosis of intra-abdominal sepsis was made. Early abdominal US was performed to find the source of sepsis. The preliminary diagnosis of stomach/small intestine ischemia was made by ultrasonic detection of HPVG. Other less likely diagnoses were pneumobilia due to cholangitis, hepatic micro-abscesses, and punctuate calcifications. The diagnosis was confirmed by multi-phase abdominal computed tomography. The explorative laparotomy revealed necrosis of the stomach, small intestine, and liver. Due to the severity of necrosis, surgical treatment was abandoned. Provided sonographic images show HPVG as an ominous sign of small intestine and stomach ischemia. Early liver US should be performed whenever intra-abdominal pathology is suspected.
Could [18F]FDG PET/CT or PET/MRI Be Useful in Patients with Skull Base Osteomyelitis?
Authors: Dondi Francesco , Albano Domenico , Treglia Giorgio , Bertagna Francesco
Published: August 2022

Skull base osteomyelitis (SBO) is an uncommon infection that can have a devastating impact on patient survival if not timely recognized and treated [...]
Dynamic Weight Agnostic Neural Networks and Medical Microwave Radiometry (MWR) for Breast Cancer Diagnostics
Authors: Li Jolen , Galazis Christoforos , Popov Larion , Ovchinnikov Lev , Kharybina Tatyana , Vesnin Sergey , Losev Alexander , Goryanin Igor
Published: August 2022

Background and Objective: Medical microwave radiometry (MWR) is used to capture the thermal properties of internal tissues and has usages in breast cancer detection. Our goal in this paper is to improve classification performance and investigate automated neural architecture search methods. Methods: We investigated extending the weight agnostic neural network by optimizing the weights using the bi-population covariance matrix adaptation evolution strategy (BIPOP-CMA-ES) once the topology was found. We evaluated and compared the model based on the F1 score, accuracy, precision, recall, and the number of connections. Results: The experiments were conducted on a dataset of 4912 patients, classified as low or high risk for breast cancer. The weight agnostic BIPOP-CMA-ES model achieved the best average performance. It obtained an F1-score of 0.933, accuracy of 0.932, precision of 0.929, recall of 0.942, and 163 connections. Conclusions: The results of the model are an indication of the promising potential of MWR utilizing a neural network-based diagnostic tool for cancer detection. By separating the tasks of topology search and weight training, we can improve the overall performance.
Determinants of Post-COVID-19 Conditions among SARS-CoV-2-Infected Patients in Saudi Arabia: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Samannodi Mohammed , Alwafi Hassan , Naser Abdallah Y. , Al Qurashi Abdullah A. , Qedair Jumanah T. , Salawati Emad , Almatrafi Mohammed A. , Ekram Rakan , Bukhari Rahaf I. , Dahlawi Maryam , Hafiz Bayan , Mandora Roaa , Alsindi Ranin K. , Tayeb Sarah , Minshawi Faisal
Published: August 2022

Background: Large numbers of people infected with COVID-19 developed acute symptoms. Post-COVID-19 conditions have been reported after recovery or discharge from the hospital. However, little is known about the prevalence and possible risk factors of post-COVID-19 conditions in the Saudi community. Here, we describe the incidence of post-COVID-19 conditions among the general population of Saudi Arabia. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, nationwide study using an online survey in Saudi Arabia from 1 September 2021 to 28 February 2022. The survey was distributed using social media platforms, such as Twitter, WhatsApp, and Facebook. Patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were included in the questionnaire adapted from published studies. Result: The study enrolled 7520 individuals who were previously infected with SARS-CoV-2. Most patients in our study were symptomatic and their acute symptoms may persist for more than six days. On the other hand, long-term complications may develop and continue for an extended period (post-COVID-19 conditions). Most of these complications are respiratory, neurological, psychological, or skin related. The proportion of long-term complications reported in this study is 36% among SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals. In addition, being female, old age, number of chronic complications, long-term medication, length of stay in hospital and intensive care unit, and duration of acute symptoms may be significant predictors of post-COVID-19 symptoms. Conclusion: In conclusion, the incidence of post-COVID-19 conditions among the Saudi population was high, which urges further investigation into the risk factors associated with post-COVID-19 symptoms.
Recent Progresses and Perspectives of UV Laser Annealing Technologies for Advanced CMOS Devices
Authors: Tabata Toshiyuki , Rozé Fabien , Thuries Louis , Halty Sébastien , Raynal Pierre-Edouard , Karmous Imen , Huet Karim
Published: August 2022

The state-of-the-art CMOS technology has started to adopt three-dimensional (3D) integration approaches, enabling continuous chip density increment and performance improvement, while alleviating difficulties encountered in traditional planar scaling. This new device architecture, in addition to the efforts required for extracting the best material properties, imposes a challenge of reducing the thermal budget of processes to be applied everywhere in CMOS devices, so that conventional processes must be replaced without any compromise to device performance. Ultra-violet laser annealing (UV-LA) is then of prime importance to address such a requirement. First, the strongly limited absorption of UV light into materials allows surface-localized heat source generation. Second, the process timescale typically ranging from nanoseconds (ns) to microseconds (μs) efficiently restricts the heat diffusion in the vertical direction. In a given 3D stack, these specific features allow the actual process temperature to be elevated in the top-tier layer without introducing any drawback in the bottom-tier one. In addition, short-timescale UV-LA may have some advantages in materials engineering, enabling the nonequilibrium control of certain phenomenon such as crystallization, dopant activation, and diffusion. This paper reviews recent progress reported about the application of short-timescale UV-LA to different stages of CMOS integration, highlighting its potential of being a key enabler for next generation 3D-integrated CMOS devices.
A Novel IC-Stripline Cell Design Based on Image Theory
Authors: Chen Ledong , Wu Jianfei , Zheng Yifei , Wang Hongyi , Zheng Liming
Published: August 2022

With the purpose of radiation emissions and immunity measurement of large size and high-frequency integrated circuits (ICs), three closed version IC-Stripline cells conforming to the IEC standardswere designed in this paper to expand the uniform field region and the working frequency band of the traditional IC-Stripline cell. In these cells, the long version IC-Stripline cell expands the 3 dB uniform field region of the traditional IC-Stripline cell from 3 × 3 cm to 3 × 8 cm, with the working bandwidth remaining as 6 GHz. The IC-Stripline cell based on image theory further expands the 3 dB uniform field region into two 3 × 8 cm areas with the working bandwidth unchanged. The third cell is a scaled-down IC-Stripline cell based on image theory, which can expand the working bandwidth from 6 GHz to 12 GHz and the total area of the uniform field region is equivalent to that of the traditional IC-Stripline cell.
Application of a Tuned Inductor in a DC Power Supply with an Active Compensation Function
Authors: Ciepliński Łukasz , Gwóźdź Michał , Wojciechowski Rafał M.
Published: August 2022

This work focuses on the use of a one-phase direct current (DC) power supply equipped with a shunt active filter feature, which enabled the possibility of compensation (minimisation) of reactive and distortion power, generated by a group of loads, that was connected to the same power grid node as the power supply. A tuned inductor, which was included at the input of the controlled current source (constituting the main part of the power supply) allowed for an improvement in the quality of the compensation process, compared to a device with a fixed inductive filter This resulted in a visible reduction of the nonlinear distortions of the grid current. The improvement was made possible by extending the frequency response of the current source, which allowed to increase the dynamics of the current changes at the input of the power supply. This solution represents a new approach to such power devices. This work describes the principle of operation of the proposed converter solution and presents selected test results for a laboratory model of an electric system with this device.
Effective Fault Detection and Diagnosis for Power Converters in Wind Turbine Systems Using KPCA-Based BiLSTM
Authors: Yahyaoui Zahra , Hajji Mansour , Mansouri Majdi , Abodayeh Kamaleldin , Bouzrara Kais , Nounou Hazem
Published: August 2022

The current work presents an effective fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) technique in wind energy converter (WEC) systems. The proposed FDD framework merges the benefits of kernel principal component analysis (KPCA) model and the bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM) classifier. In the developed FDD approach, the KPCA model is applied to extract and select the most effective features, while the BiLSTM is utilized for classification purposes. The developed KPCA-based BiLSTM approach involves two main steps: feature extraction and selection, and fault classification. The KPCA model is developed in order to select and extract the most efficient features and the final features are fed to the BiLSTM to distinguish between different working modes. Different simulation scenarios are considered in this study in order to show the robustness and performance of the developed technique when compared to the conventional FDD methods. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed KPCA-based BiLSTM approach, we utilize data obtained from a healthy WTC, which are then injected with several fault scenarios: simple fault generator-side, simple fault grid-side, multiple fault generator-side, multiple fault grid-side, and mixed fault on both sides. The diagnosis performance is analyzed in terms of accuracy, recall, precision, and computation time. Furthermore, the efficiency of fault diagnosis is shown by the classification accuracy parameter. The experimental results show the efficiency of the developed KPCA-based BiLSTM technique compared to the classical FDD techniques (an accuracy of 97.30%).
Robust Voltage Control of a Buck DC-DC Converter: A Sliding Mode Approach
Authors: Hamed Salah Beni , Hamed Mouna Ben , Sbita Lassaad
Published: August 2022

This paper deals with voltage control in a buck DC-DC converter. In fact, dynamic mathematical equations describing the principle behavior of the above system have been derived. Due to the nonlinearity of the established model, a nonlinear control algorithm is adopted. It is based on the sliding mode control approach. To highlight the performance of the latter, a comparative study with four control algorithms is carried out. The validity of the model and the performance of the conceived algorithms are verified in simulation. Both the system and the algorithm controls are implemented in the Matlab/Simulink environment. Extensive results under different operational conditions are presented and discussed.
Development of the Concept of Space up to Newton
Authors: Capecchi Danilo
Published: August 2022

The concept of space, ubiquitous among all humans from birth, has changed profoundly in the course of the history of Western civilization, the only one to be considered here. An important contribution to this change was the theoretical elaborations of the philosophers of nature and mathematicians, started in Ancient Greece. Here, the process is considered up to Newton, when the concept of space for physicists, who then replaced the traditional philosophers of nature, took on a connotation that remained substantially undisputed for two centuries—that of absolute space.
Kinetic Model for Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Cellulose from Pre-Treated Rice Husks
Authors: Efrinalia Winta , Novia Novia , Melwita Elda
Published: August 2022

Rice husks contain cellulose as a raw material for manufacturing second-generation bioethanol. Cellulose from pre-treated rice husks was converted into reducing sugars through enzymatic hydrolysis using enzymes derived from Aspergillus niger. This study aims to determine the kinetics of enzymatic hydrolysis at enzyme concentrations of 10, 15, and 20% (v/w) and hydrolysis times of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 h. The results showed that cellulose was hydrolyzed to form reducing sugars. The CMCase activity and FPase activity reached 548.940 and 314.892 U mL−1, respectively, much higher than most previous reports on this genus. From the calculation of the reaction rate using the Michaelis–Menten kinetic model, the value of the Michaelis constant ranges from 0.001 to 0.0007, and the maximum rate is 1.3 × 10−7 to 2.7 × 10−7 Mol L−1 s−1. The highest reducing sugar concentration was obtained (1.80 g L−1) at an enzyme concentration of 20% (v/w) and a hydrolysis time of 25 h.
Federated Learning and Its Role in the Privacy Preservation of IoT Devices
Authors: Alam Tanweer , Gupta Ruchi
Published: August 2022

Federated learning (FL) is a cutting-edge artificial intelligence approach. It is a decentralized problem-solving technique that allows users to train using massive data. Unprocessed information is stored in advanced technology by a secret confidentiality service, which incorporates machine learning (ML) training while removing data connections. As researchers in the field promote ML configurations containing a large amount of private data, systems and infrastructure must be developed to improve the effectiveness of advanced learning systems. This study examines FL in-depth, focusing on application and system platforms, mechanisms, real-world applications, and process contexts. FL creates robust classifiers without requiring information disclosure, resulting in highly secure privacy policies and access control privileges. The article begins with an overview of FL. Then, we examine technical data in FL, enabling innovation, contracts, and software. Compared with other review articles, our goal is to provide a more comprehensive explanation of the best procedure systems and authentic FL software to enable scientists to create the best privacy preservation solutions for IoT devices. We also provide an overview of similar scientific papers and a detailed analysis of the significant difficulties encountered in recent publications. Furthermore, we investigate the benefits and drawbacks of FL and highlight comprehensive distribution scenarios to demonstrate how specific FL models could be implemented to achieve the desired results.
Abundance and Growth of the European Eels (Anguilla anguilla Linnaeus, 1758) in Small Estuarine Habitats from the Eastern English Channel
Authors: Denis Jérémy , Mahé Kélig , Amara Rachid
Published: August 2022

Abundance and growth of the European eel from six small northern French estuaries during their growth phase were examined to explore variations according to the local habitat characteristics. The length–weight relationships and growth models fitted to length-at-age back-calculated otolith growth increments were used to compare the growth. Higher abundances were observed in the smaller estuaries (2.4 to 10.5 ind. fyke nets 24 h−1). The eel length ranged from 215–924 mm with an age range of 4–21 years. There was no significant difference in fish eel lengths or age except in the Liane estuary where the individuals were larger. The length–weight relationships showed an isometric or positive allometric growth in most estuaries. The Gompertz growth models, which best fits the growth, showed no significant differences between estuaries except for female eels from the Liane and the Somme estuaries where the growth performance index was higher. The estimated annual growth rate varied from 2.7 to 115.0 mm·yr−1 for female and from 4.4 to 90.5 mm·yr−1 for male. The present study shows that eels in the six estuaries had CPUE and growth rates similar to those previously reported in larger habitats. These results reinforce the idea that small estuaries are important habitats that contribute significantly to the eel population and, therefore, play an essential role in conservation strategies for European eel.
Study on the Sensitivity of the Streamwise Location of MVG on SWBLI in MVG-Based Supersonic Flow Control
Authors: Yan Yonghua , Baines Demetric L. , Yang Yong , Chen Caixia , Kwembe Tor A.
Published: August 2022

Micro vortex generator (MVG) is a currently facile, robust, and feasible device for supersonic and hypersonic flow control. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact on SWBLI from the streamwise location of MVG. Large eddy simulation (LES) was conducted on MVG controlled supersonic ramp flow to reveal the sensitivity of MVG streamwise position on shock-wave boundary-layer interaction (SWBLI) control. Numerical cases with minor different distances between MVG and ramp corner are carried out. The results are analyzed in time-averaged and instantaneous view, respectively. The results show that streamwise position has a significant effect on SWBLI in some aspects. With minor changes on the streamwise position, the ring-like vortices generated by MVG were very similar, with only small changes in height and intensity. However, the small changes made on the ring-like vortices produced relatively significant changes to the separation region in front of the ramp. In terms of the time-averaged solution, the farther the MVG is from the ramp, the higher the ring-like vortices are lifted, and the shock wave is also disturbed/reduced more strongly. Further, the flow separation zone on the wall also appears smaller. The results of this study play a guiding role for further optimal configuration of MVG in flow control.
Opinion: Multi-Mycotoxin Reference Materials
Authors: Zhang Kai , Phillips Melissa
Published: August 2022

The analysis of mycotoxins in food and feed using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry is considered advantageous because the hyphenated technology enables simultaneous determination of multiple mycotoxins. Multi-mycotoxin analysis requires special consideration of quality control parameters to ensure proper evaluation of data quality for all target mycotoxins in method development and routine sample analysis. Mycotoxin matrix reference materials, especially certified reference materials, are stable and homogeneous matrices with certified traceability, concentrations, and uncertainty for mycotoxin(s) of interest. The use of these reference materials for single mycotoxin analysis has been a well-accepted practice and should be extended to multi-mycotoxin analysis. This opinion piece discusses the following essential metrological and operational components to improve data quality: (1) purposes of multi-mycotoxin reference materials; (2) comparison of reference materials, certified reference materials, and in-house quality control materials; (3) advantages of using reference materials for multi-mycotoxin analysis; (4) current trends and challenges of multi-mycotoxin reference materials. Potential applications of reference materials discussed here can improve routine mycotoxin determination and will lead to better accuracy and consistency of results. Quality control processes that incorporate reference materials in the field of mycotoxin analysis ensure successful development and implementation of liquid chromatography mass spectrometry-based multi-mycotoxin methods.
Existence and Stability Results for Fractional Hybrid q-Difference Equations with q-Integro-Initial Condition
Authors: Agarwal Ravi P. , Al-Hutami Hana , Ahmad Bashir , Alharbi Boshra
Published: August 2022

This article is concerned with the study of a new class of hybrid fractional q-integro-difference equations involving Caputo type q-derivatives and Riemann-Liouville q-integrals of different orders with a nonlocal q-integro-initial condition. An existence result for the given problem is obtained by means of Krasnoselskii’s fixed point theorem, whereas the uniqueness of its solutions is shown by applying the Banach contraction mapping principle. We also discuss the stability of solutions of the problem at hand and find that it depends on the nonlocal parameter in contrast to the initial position of the domain. To demonstrate the application of the obtained results, examples are constructed.
Informal Caregivers’ Perceptions of Self-Efficacy and Subjective Well-Being When Using Telecare in the Home Environment: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Hvalič-Touzery Simona , Smole-Orehek Kaja , Dolničar Vesna
Published: August 2022

Background: Self-efficacy (SE) can be used to explain informal caregivers’ ability to cope with the challenges of caregiving. Although SE impacts informal caregivers’ subjective well-being, its effects have not yet been studied from the perspective of telecare use. This study aimed to explore informal caregivers’ perceptions of and associations between SE and subjective well-being when using different telecare functionalities. Methods: A four-month intervention study using a qualitative research design was conducted. In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 informal caregivers of older people who tested one of two telecare devices in their homes. Results: Five task-specific dimensions of caregiver SE were identified that were shaped by telecare use: controlling upsetting thoughts about the care recipient, managing protective vigilance, obtaining support in emergency situations, managing caregiving, work, family life, and responding in a timely manner to changes in the care recipient’s daily routine. These SE dimensions were associated with caregivers’ subjective well-being. Conclusions: Telecare use may contribute to greater caregiver SE and higher subjective well-being. Therefore, future studies should pay more attention to these potential benefits of telecare. Additional dimensions of caregiver SE should be included in existing caregiver SE scales when examining caregiver SE related to telecare use.
Joint Investigation with Ground Penetrating Radar and Infrared Thermography as a Diagnostic Support for the Restoration of Two Wall Mosaics in the Church of St. Mary of the Admiral in Palermo, Italy
Authors: Martorana Raffaele , Capizzi Patrizia
Published: August 2022

The church of S. Mary of the Admiral in Palermo, known as “La Martorana” and very famous for its Byzantine mosaics, has been a World Heritage site since 2015. The mosaic system of the church includes several groups of figures and scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. From the western part of the ancient church only two mosaics survive, detached from their original position, and are now located in two internal chapels. On the occasion of several restoration works, these two mosaic panels were investigated with non-invasive techniques, in order to provide diagnostic support to the restoration and consolidation interventions. The investigations were aimed at detecting any air pockets that could cause the detachment of the tesserae or of possible differences between cement mortars under the tesserae. For this purpose, the integrated use of two non-invasive techniques namely infrared thermography (IRT) and ground penetrating radar (GPR) was considered. The joint analysis of IRT and GPR data allowed the interpretative uncertainties inherent in each technique to be reduced. Furthermore, for both techniques differentiated analyses were performed for layers at different depths under the mosaic surface. The results of these analyses were found to be more reliable regarding GPR data, compared to infrared thermography, the latter being more influenced by the reflectivity of the tesserae. However, the results partially confirmed the restorers’ diagnosis, also allowing the identification of further critical areas that could be affected by deterioration or compositional differences in the layers supporting the mosaics
Transcriptome-Based Identification, Characterization, Evolutionary Analysis, and Expression Pattern Analysis of the WRKY Gene Family and Salt Stress Response in Panax ginseng
Authors: Liu Tao , Yu En , Hou Lihe , Hua Panpan , Zhao Mingzhu , Wang Yanfang , Hu Jian , Zhang Meiping , Wang Kangyu , Wang Yi
Published: August 2022

WRKY transcription factors are some of the most important transcription factors in planta, and they are involved in biological and abiotic stresses, growth and development, and biochemical processes. The WRKY gene family has been found in many higher plants, while little is known about WRKY-encoding genes in ginseng. As a traditional and important economic medicinal herb and health food, ginseng has been a model species for other related medicinal plants. Here, we analyze the WRKY transcript factor gene family in ginseng from a genetics and genomics perspective in the hope that this study can create a new avenue for understanding the role of PgWRKYs. By identifying and analyzing all candidate WRKY transcription factor family members based on the transcriptome of ginseng, a total of 118 PgWRKY genes was obtained following gene classification, the phylogenetic relationship, conserved domain structure, functional differentiation, and an expression activity analysis. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that the PgWRKYs were clustered into three groups: I, II, and III transcription factors. Members in group Ⅱ were further divided into five sub-groups: Ⅱa to Ⅱe. An expression analysis showed a trend of co-expression among most PgWRKY genes, forming an interaction network. The coding sequences were WRKYGQK; only two genes were WRKYGKK, and only one gene was WSKYGQK. Moreover, a salt stress treatment analysis of the response of PgWRKY39-01, PgWRKY062, and PgWRKY064 genes was investigated using RT-qPCR. After salt stress treatment, the expression of three PgWRKY genes was increased, indicating that PgWRKYs can participate in regulating the response to salt stresses in ginseng. These comprehensive data provide a reference for elucidating the functions of this transcription factor family in the growth, development, and salt stress response of ginseng.
Green Total Factor Productivity Growth: Policy-Guided or Market-Driven?
Authors: Wang Shuai , Yang Cunyi , Li Zhenghui
Published: August 2022

The green growth mode of modern economy is affected by both policy and market, but previous studies have lacked a comparison between the two effects on green economy development. Which is the leading factor of green growth: policy or market? Using the Panel Smooth Transition Regression (PSTR) model and the twelve-year data of more than 200 prefecture-level cities in China, we compared and analyzed the linear and non-linear effects of environmental regulation and marketization degree on green total factor productivity (GTFP). The results show that: (1) both environmental regulation and marketization degree have a non-linear promoting effect on GTFP. (2) GTFP is mainly market-driven rather than policy-guided. (3) Environmental regulation and marketization promote the improvement of GTFP through the industrial upgrading effect and the innovation development effect, respectively. This paper makes up for the comparative analysis gap of factors in the field of green growth and extends from the single determination of influencing factors to the importance of the comparison of influencing factors with the transition perspective. The conclusions provide a reference for the green development of countries and regions, emphasizing the importance of green development policies adapting to local conditions and time and providing evidence for market-oriented green economy development.
Association of Vegetable and Fruit Consumption with Urinary Oxidative Biomarkers in Teenaged Girls: A School-Based Pilot Study in Japan
Authors: Sato Yoshiko , Yamada Ai , Miyanaga Masamitsu , Wang Da-Hong
Published: August 2022

Hexanoyl-lysine (HEL), 8-hydroxy-2′deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and dityrosine (DT) have served as potential biomarkers for detecting oxidative modified lipids, DNA, and proteins in biological samples, respectively. Whether regular higher levels of consumption of vegetables/fruit (V/F) would decrease oxidative modification of these biomolecules in the body remain unelucidated. To examine the association of regular V/F consumption with the generation of these reactive oxygen species-induced biomarkers, this study evaluated V/F consumption in a school-based sample of teenaged girls (mean age 15.6 ± 1.7 years, n = 103), and quantified the formation of oxidative stress biomarkers in their urine. Only 19.4% and 23.3% of participants reported that they consumed the recommended daily amount of vegetables and fruits, respectively. Individuals who consumed lower levels of fruit (<100g/day) or vegetables (<250g/day) had significantly higher HEL excretion in their urine than those who consumed higher levels of fruit (≥100g/day) (p < 0.05) or vegetables (≥250g/day) (p = 0.057). The results of a multiple regression analysis showed that vegetable consumption was an important inhibiting factor of early lipid peroxidation measured as HEL in urine, independent of various confounders (β = − 0.332, p < 0.05). The findings suggest that relatively higher consumption of vegetables would help in the prevention of early lipid peroxidation in adolescents.
Steam Gasification of Torrefied/Carbonized Wheat Straw for H2-Enriched Syngas Production and Tar Reduction
Authors: Wang Kejie , Kong Ge , Zhang Guanyu , Zhang Xin , Han Lujia , Zhang Xuesong
Published: August 2022

Torrefaction/carbonization integrated with steam gasification of agricultural biomass for gas production and tar reduction was not investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the torrefaction/carbonization severity on H2-enriched syngas production and tar reduction during steam gasification of wheat straw (WS). The torrefaction/carbonization experiments were initially performed at 220–500 °C to examine the effect of pretreated temperature on the fuel properties of torrefied/carbonized WS. Then, the gasification temperature (700–900 °C) was optimized at 900 °C in terms of gas formation behaviors. Afterward, steam gasification of raw and torrefied/carbonized WS feedstocks was conducted. WS carbonized at 500 °C (WS-500) possessed the highest H2 concentration (54.21 vol%) and syngas purity (85.59%), while the maximum H2/CO molar ratio (1.83), high carbon conversion efficiency (90.33 C%) and cold gas efficiency (109.24%) were observed for WS torrefied at 280 °C. Notably, the cumulative gas yield, H2 yield, and syngas yield respectively reached 102.68 mmol/g, 55.66 mmol/g, and 87.89 mmol/g from steam gasification of WS-500. In addition, the carbonized WS feedstocks, especially WS-500, revealed a lower tar content. Simply put, integrating torrefaction/carbonization with steam gasification provided a novel and effective route to manufacture H2-enriched syngas with extremely low tar content from agricultural biomass.
Characteristics of Individuals in Japan Who Regularly Manage Their Oral Health by Having a Family Dentist: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Web-Based Survey
Authors: Oshima Katsuo , Miura Hiroko , Tano Rumi , Fukuda Hideki
Published: August 2022

Dental healthcare systems may differ between countries; however, having a family dentist is generally important for proper oral health management. This study aims to analyze the proportion of people in Japan who have a family dentist, and their characteristics. A nationwide web-based survey with 3556 participants (1708 men and 1848 women) showed that 45.6% of men and 54.1% of women had a family dentist (FD group). A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that men in the FD group mostly belonged to older age groups (≥70 s, OR: 2.41), received higher household incomes (≥8000 K JPY, OR: 1.47), brushed their teeth three or more times daily (OR: 1.60), practiced habitual interdental cleaning (OR: 3.66), and fewer lived in rural areas (towns and villages, OR: 0.52). Regarding the women, the majority belonged to older age groups (60 s, OR: 1.52; ≥70 s, OR: 1.73), practiced habitual interdental cleaning (OR: 3.68), and fewer received lower household incomes (<2000 K JPY, OR: 0.61). These results suggest that despite Japan being a country with a public insurance coverage system for both men and women, having a family dentist is associated with disparities in individual socioeconomic factors, particularly age and household income.
Assessment of Mancozeb Exposure, Absorbed Dose, and Oxidative Damage in Greenhouse Farmers
Authors: Costa Chiara , Teodoro Michele , Giambò Federica , Catania Stefania , Vivarelli Silvia , Fenga Concettina
Published: August 2022

Mancozeb (MNZ) is a fungicide commonly employed in many countries worldwide. This study assesses MNZ absorption dynamics in 19 greenhouse farmers, specifically following dermal exposure, aiming to verify the efficacy of both preventive actions and protective equipment. For data collection, a multi-assessment approach was used, which included a survey to record study population features. MNZ exposure was assessed through the indirect measurement of ethylene thiourea (ETU), widely employed as an MNZ biomarker. The ETU concentration was measured with the patch method, detecting environmental ETU trapped in filter paper pads, applied both on skin and working clothes, during the 8 h work shift. Urine and serum end-of-shift samples were also collected to measure ETU concentrations and well-known oxidative stress biomarkers, respectively, namely reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), and biological antioxidant potential (BAP). It was observed that levels of ETU absorbed and ETU excreted were positively correlated. Additionally, working clothes effectively protected workers from MNZ exposure. Moreover, following stratification of the samples based on the specific working duty (i.e., preparation and spreading of MNZ and manipulation of MNZ-treated seedlings), it was found that the spreading group had higher ETU-related risk, despite lower chronic exposure levels. AOPP and ROM serum levels were higher in MNZ-exposed subjects compared with non-exposed controls, whereas BAP levels were significantly lower. Such results support an increase in the oxidative stress upon 8 h MNZ exposure at work. In particular, AOPP levels demonstrated a potential predictive role, as suggested by the contingency analysis results. Overall, this study, although conducted in a small group, confirms that ETU detection in pads, as well as in urine, might enable assessment of the risk associated with MNZ exposure in greenhouse workers. Additionally, the measurement of circulating oxidative stress biomarkers might help to stratify exposed workers based on their sensitivity to MNZ. Pivotally, the combination of both ETU measurement and biological monitoring might represent a novel valuable combined approach for risk assessment in farmhouse workers exposed to pesticides. In the future, these observations will help to implement effective preventive strategies in the workplace for workers at higher risk, including greenhouse farmers who are exposed to pesticides daily, as well as to clarify the occupational exposure levels to ETU.
Exploring Professionalism Dilemma and Moral Distress through Medical Students’ Eyes: A Mixed-Method Study
Authors: Cho Cordelia , Ko Wendy Y. K. , Ngan Olivia M. Y. , Wong Wai Tat
Published: August 2022

This study aims to understand professionalism dilemmas medical students have experienced during clinical clerkships and the resulting moral distress using an explanatory mixed-method sequential design—an anonymous survey followed by in-depth interviews. A total of 153 students completed and returned the survey, with a response rate of 21.7% (153/706). The top three most frequently occurring dilemmas were the healthcare team answering patients’ questions inadequately (27.5%), providing fragmented care to patients (17.6%), and withholding information from a patient who requested it (13.7%). Students felt moderately to severely distressed when they observed a ward mate make sexually inappropriate remarks (81.7%), were pressured by a senior doctor to perform a procedure they did not feel qualified to do (77.1%), and observed a ward mate inappropriately touching a patient, family member, other staff, or student (71.9%). The thematic analysis based on nine in-depth interviews revealed the details of clinicians’ unprofessional behaviors towards patients, including verbal abuse, unconsented physical examinations, bias in clinical decisions, students’ inaction towards the dilemmas, and students’ perceived need for more guidance in applying bioethics and professionalism knowledge. Study findings provide medical educators insights into designing a professional development teaching that equips students with coping skills to deal with professionalism dilemmas.