bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in Plasma Phospholipid Metabolism Are Associated with Clinical Manifestations of Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: Geroldinger-Simić Marija , Bögl Thomas , Himmelsbach Markus , Sepp Norbert , Buchberger Wolfgang
Published: November 2021

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease with fibrosis of the skin and/or internal organs, causing a decrease in quality of life and survival. There is no causative therapy, and the pathophysiology of the SSc remains unclear. Studies showed that lipid metabolism was relevant for autoimmune diseases, but little is known about the role of lipids in SSc. In the present study, we sought to explore the phospholipid profile of SSc by using the lipidomics approach. We also aimed to analyze lipidomics results for different clinical manifestations of SSc. Experiments were performed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry for the lipidomic profiling of plasma samples from patients with SSc. Our study showed, for the first time, significant changes in the level of phospholipids such as plasmalogens and sphingomyelins from the plasma of SSc patients as compared to controls. Phosphatidylcholine plasmalogens species and sphingomyelins were significantly increased in SSc patients as compared to controls. Our results also demonstrated a significant association of changes in the metabolism of phospholipids (phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogens species and sphingomyelins) with different clinical manifestations of SSc. Further lipidomic studies might lead to the detection of lipids as new biomarkers or therapeutic targets of SSc.
Anticancer Impact of Nitric Oxide (NO) and NO Combination with SMYD-3 Inhibitor on Breast Carcinomas
Authors: Gordon Jenna L. , Hinsen Kristin J. , Reynolds Melissa M. , Brown Mark A.
Published: November 2021

Despite enormous advances in the detection and treatment of breast cancer, it still remains the leading cancer diagnosis and has the second highest mortality rate. Thus, breast cancer research is a high priority for academics and clinicians alike. Based on previous research indicating the potential of nitric oxide (NO) and SMYD-3 inhibition, this work sought to expand upon these concepts and combine the two approaches. Both NO (from S-Nitrosoglutathione (GSNO)), termed Group 1, and a combination therapeutic, inhibitor-4 (SMYD-3 inhibitor) plus NO (from GSNO), termed Group 2, were evaluated for their efficacy on breast carcinoma cell lines MCF7 and MDA-MB-231, and the normal MCF10A breast cell line, using cellular viability, colony formation capacity, cytotoxicity, and cellular apoptosis analysis. These results indicated that, in Group 1, breast carcinoma lines MCF7 and MDA-MB-231, cells experienced a moderate reduction in cellular viability (~20–25%), a large reduction in colony formation capacity (~80–90%), a moderate increase in the relative number of dead cells, and a moderate increase in cellular apoptosis. Group 2 was significantly more impactful, with a ~50% knockdown in cellular viability, a 100% reduction in colony formation capacity, a large increase in the relative number of dead cells, and a large increase in cellular apoptosis. Additionally, Group 2 induced a very small impact on the normal MCF10A cell line. Cumulatively, this work revealed the exciting impact of this combination therapeutic, indicating its potential for clinical application and further research.
Knowledge of Dental Students from Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina about Dental Care of Oncology Patients
Authors: Pedic Iva , Cigic Livia , Kalibovic Govorko Danijela , Vodanovic Katarina , Bandic Ruzica , Glavinic Robert , Medvedec Mikic Ivana
Published: November 2021

The central role of the dentist in the treatment of oncology patients is to care for the patient’s oral cavity before, during, and after radio/chemotherapy. The aim of this research was to determine the knowledge of dental students from five universities in three neighboring countries, Croatia (Split, Rijeka, and Zagreb), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sarajevo), and Slovenia (Ljubljana), about oncology patients’ dental care. A total of 140 students in their fourth, fifth, and sixth year of dental medicine studies participated in this research. A questionnaire with 36 specific questions was designed for this research and included questions about dental care of oncologic patients before, during, and after the oncology therapy. Most students are familiar with the incidence and most common type of head and neck tumors, while knowledge about tumor treatment and the side-effects of radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy is weak. Students did not show satisfactory knowledge about osteoradionecrosis, which is the most serious side-effect of radiotherapy; therefore, the emphasis on additional education should be greatest in this area. Teaching staff should be aware of lack of student knowledge and try to offer more information and practice in providing dental care for oncology patients.
Experimental Investigation of the Robustness of a New Bell-Type Inequality of Triphoton GHZ States in Open Systems
Authors: Zhao Jiaqiang , Wang Meijiao , Cao Lianzhen , Yang Yang , Liu Xia , Zhang Qinwei , Lu Huaixin , Driscoll Kellie Ann
Published: November 2021

Knowing the level of entanglement robustness against quantum bit loss or decoherence mechanisms is an important issue for any application of quantum information. Fidelity of states can be used to judge whether there is entanglement in multi-particle systems. It is well known that quantum channel security in QKD can be estimated by measuring the robustness of Bell-type inequality against noise. We experimentally investigate a new Bell-type inequality (NBTI) in the three-photon Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger (GHZ) states with different levels of spin-flip noise. The results show that the fidelity and the degree of violation of the NBTI decrease monotonically with the increase of noise intensity. They also provide a method to judge whether there is entanglement in three-particle mixed states.
A Visual Approach for Solving Problems with Fractions
Authors: Barbosa Ana , Vale Isabel
Published: November 2021

This article discusses the importance of visual models in problem solving, in the scope of rational numbers. We seek to highlight the potential of this approach, as a structuring theme in the mathematical development of students in elementary education and the connections it allows to establish. In order for students to be mathematically competent and creative, they must be able not only to solve traditional computational problems but also to use models/visual representations when solving all types of mathematical problems, including those in which the visual component is not evident. We developed a qualitative study based on a didactical experience involving 14 future teachers who were attending a Didactics of Mathematics unit course that included a module about problem solving with emphasizes in visual approaches. The main purpose of the study was to identify the strategies used by the future teachers when solving problems with multiple solutions, before and after that module. Data was collected through observation and the written productions of the participants. It was possible to conclude that they tended to privilege analytical approaches before the intervention and, after the teaching experience, they started to value visual approaches, which generated an increase of the productions involving this type of solutions.
Finding Spaces: Teacher Education Technology Competencies (TETCs)
Authors: Burrows Andrea C. , Swarts Gabriel P. , Hutchison Linda , Katzmann Jason M. , Thompson Rod , Freeman Lindsey , Schanke Angela , Kilty Trina , Reynolds Todd
Published: November 2021

This article explores technology’s integration, assessment, and reflection within a single secondary education program at a Mountain West university. In light of the publication of the Teacher Education Technology Competencies (TETCs), faculty members of a secondary education program focused on existing practices and pathways for expansion to better align with the TETC standards in the future. The purpose of this study was to explore existing practices of incorporating technology into secondary methods coursework and to search for new spaces to implement the TETC guidelines and structure, as well as explore the roles faculty play in the adoption and implementation of technologies. Vignettes authored by faculty in each content area provide a rich depth of faculty experience and dispositions regarding technology integration, as well as spaces for the deeper use of technology based on the TETC recommendations. Key questions emerged about the efficacy of current technology practices, as well as the experiences and dispositions of the faculty within the secondary education program. Findings show that secondary education faculty use domain/content-specific technologies in their course; are expected to be “meta-experts”, both discovering and implementing technology simultaneously; and tend to discover technologies through content-specific interactions and discussions.
Efficient Wireless Power Transfer via Magnetic Resonance Coupling Using Automated Impedance Matching Circuit
Authors: Ali Esraa Mousa , Alibakhshikenari Mohammad , Virdee Bal S. , Soruri Mohammad , Limiti Ernesto
Published: November 2021

In this paper, an automated impedance matching circuit is proposed to match the impedance of the transmit and receive resonators for optimum wireless power transfer (WPT). This is achieved using a 2D open-circuited spiral antenna with magnetic resonance coupling in the low-frequency ISM band at 13.56 MHz. The proposed WPT can be adopted for a wide range of commercial applications, from electric vehicles to consumer electronics, such as tablets and smartphones. The results confirm a power transfer efficiency between the transmit and receive resonant circuits of 92%, with this efficiency being sensitive to the degree of coupling between the coupled pair of resonators.
Estimation of Compressible Channel Impulse Response for OFDM Modulated Transmissions
Authors: Dziwoki Grzegorz , Kucharczyk Marcin
Published: November 2021

Channel estimation scheme for OFDM modulated transmissions usually combines an initial block-pilot-assisted stage with a tracking one based on comb or scattered pilots distributed among user data in the signal frame. The channel reconstruction accuracy in the former stage has a significant impact on tracking efficiency of the channel variations and the overall transmission quality. The paper presents a new block-pilot-assisted channel reconstruction procedure based on the DFT-based approach and the Least Square impulse response estimation. The proposed method takes into account a compressibility feature of the channel impulse response and restores its coefficients in groups of automatically controlled size. The proposition is analytically explained and tested in a OFDM simulation environment. The popular DFT-based methods including compressed sensing oriented one were used as references for comparison purposes. The obtained results show a quality improvement in terms of Bit Error Rate and Mean Square Error measures in low and mid ranges of signal-to-noise ratio without significant computational complexity growth in comparison to the classical DFT-based solutions. Moreover, additional multiplication operations can be eliminated, compared to the competitive, in terms of estimation quality, compressed sensing reconstruction method based on greedy approach.
An Eigenmode Study of Nanoantennas from Terahertz to Optical Frequencies
Authors: Paschaloudis Konstantinos D. , Zekios Constantinos L. , Trichopoulos Georgios C. , Farmakis Filippos , Kyriacou George A.
Published: November 2021

In this work, we present a rigorous full-wave eigenanalysis for the study of nanoantennas operating at both terahertz (THz) (0.1–10 THz), and infrared/optical (10–750 THz) frequency spectrums. The key idea behind this effort is to reveal the physical characteristics of nanoantennas such that we can transfer and apply the state-of-the-art antenna design methodologies from microwaves to terahertz and optics. Extensive attention is given to penetration depth in metals to reveal whether the surface currents are sufficient for the correct characterization of nanoantennas, or the involvement of volume currents is needed. As we show with our analysis, the penetration depth constantly reduces until the region of 200 THz; beyond this point, it shoots up, requiring volume currents for the exact characterization of the corresponding radiating structures. The cases of a terahertz rectangular patch antenna and a plasmonic nanoantenna are modeled, showing in each case the need of surface and volume currents, respectively, for the antenna’s efficient characterization.
Adaptive Robust Control for Networked Strict-Feedback Nonlinear Systems with State and Input Quantization
Authors: Liu Yanbin , Wang Jue , Gomes Luis , Sun Weichao
Published: November 2021

Backstepping method is a successful approach to deal with the systems in strict-feedback form. However, for networked control systems, the discontinuous virtual law caused by state quantization introduces huge challenges for its applicability. In this article, a quantized adaptive robust control approach in backsetpping framework is developed in this article for networked strict-feedback nonlinear systems with both state and input quantization. In order to prove the efficiency of the designed control scheme, a novel form of Lyapunov candidate function was constructed in the process of analyzing the stability, which is applicable for the systems with nondifferentiable virtual control law. In particular, the state and input quantizers can be in any form as long as they meet the sector-bound condition. The theoretic result shows that the tracking error is determined by the pregiven constants and quantization errors, which are also verified by the simulation results.
Rollover Prevention Control for Autonomous Electric Road Sweeper
Authors: Yim Seongjin , Kim Wongun
Published: November 2021

This paper presents a method to prevent the rollover of autonomous electric road sweepers (AERS). AERS have an articulated frame steering (AFS) mechanism. Moreover, the heights of the center of gravity of the front and rear bodies are high. As such, they are prone to rolling over at low speeds and at small articulation angles. A bicycle model with a nonlinear tire model was used as a vehicle model for AERS. Using that vehicle model, path tracking and speed controllers were designed in order to follow a predefined path and speed profile, respectively. To check the rollover propensity of AERS, load transfer ratio (LTR) based the rollover analysis was completed. Based on the results of the analysis, a rollover prevention scheme was proposed. To validate the proposed scheme, a simulation was conducted using a U-shaped path under constant speed conditions. From the simulation, it was shown that the proposed scheme is effective in preventing AERS from rolling over.
Motion Planning for Vibration Reduction of a Railway Bridge Maintenance Robot with a Redundant Manipulator
Authors: Chang Qing , Wang Huaiwen , Wang Dongai , Zhang Haijun , Li Keying , Yu Biao
Published: November 2021

Motivated by the potential applications of maintenance and inspection tasks for railway bridges, we have developed a biped climbing robot. The biped climbing robot can climb on the steel guardrail of the railway bridge with two electromagnetic feet and implement the maintenance and inspection tasks by a redundant manipulator with 7 degrees of freedom. To reduce the vibration of the manipulator caused by the low rigidity of the guardrail and the discontinuous trajectories of joints, a motion planning algorithm for vibration reduction is proposed in this paper. A geometric path accounting for obstacle avoidance and the manipulator’s center of gravity is determined by the gradient projection method with a singularity-robust inverse. Then, a piecewise quintic polynomial S shape curve with a smooth jerk (derivative of joint angular acceleration) profile is used to interpolate the sequence of joint angular position knots that are transformed from the via-points in the obstacle-avoidance path. The parameters of the quintic polynomial S-curve are determined by a nonlinear programming problem in which the objective function is to minimize the maximus of the torque exerted by the manipulator on the guardrail throughout the jerk-continuous trajectory. Finally, a series of simulation experiments are conducted to validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. The simulation results show that the tracking errors of the trajectory with the proposed optimization algorithm are significantly smaller than the tracking errors of the trajectory without optimization. The absolute values of mean deviation of the tracking errors of the three coordinate axes decreased by at least 48.3% compared to the trajectory without vibration-reduction in the triangle working path and linear working path trajectory following simulations. The analysis results prove that the proposed algorithm can effectively reduce the vibration of the end effector of the manipulator.
Advanced Alarm Method Based on Driver’s State in Autonomous Vehicles
Authors: Han Ji-Hyeok , Ju Da-Young
Published: November 2021

In autonomous driving vehicles, the driver can engage in non-driving-related tasks and does not have to pay attention to the driving conditions or engage in manual driving. If an unexpected situation arises that the autonomous vehicle cannot manage, then the vehicle should notify and help the driver to prepare themselves for retaking manual control of the vehicle. Several effective notification methods based on multimodal warning systems have been reported. In this paper, we propose an advanced method that employs alarms for specific conditions by analyzing the differences in the driver’s responses, based on their specific situation, to trigger visual and auditory alarms in autonomous vehicles. Using a driving simulation, we carried out human-in-the-loop experiments that included a total of 38 drivers and 2 scenarios (namely drowsiness and distraction scenarios), each of which included a control-switching stage for implementing an alarm during autonomous driving. Reaction time, gaze indicator, and questionnaire data were collected, and electroencephalography measurements were performed to verify the drowsiness. Based on the experimental results, the drivers exhibited a high alertness to the auditory alarms in both the drowsy and distracted conditions, and the change in the gaze indicator was higher in the distraction condition. The results of this study show that there was a distinct difference between the driver’s response to the alarms signaled in the drowsy and distracted conditions. Accordingly, we propose an advanced notification method and future goals for further investigation on vehicle alarms.
Improved Hybrid Parameters Extraction of a PV Module Using a Moth Flame Algorithm
Authors: Hamadi Safi Allah , Chouder Aissa , Rezaoui Mohamed Mounir , Motahhir Saad , Kaddouri Ameur Miloud
Published: November 2021

The identification of actual photovoltaic (PV) model parameters under real operating condition is a crucial step for PV engineering. An accurate and trusted model depends mainly on the accuracy of the model parameters. In this paper, an accurate and enhanced methodology is intended for PV module parameters extraction in outdoor conditions. The proposed methodology combines numerical methods and analytical formulations of the one diode model to derive the five unknown parameters in any operating condition of irradiance and temperature. First, the measured I-V curves at a random weather condition are translated to standard test conditions (i.e., G = 1000 W/m2, T = 25 °C), using translation equations. The second step consists of using an optimization algorithm namely the moth flame algorithm (MFO) to find out the five parameters at standard test conditions. Analytical formulations, at a random irradiance and temperature, are then used to express the unknown parameters at any irradiance and temperature. The proposed approach is validated under outdoor conditions against measured I-V curves at different irradiances and temperatures. The validation has also been performed under dynamic operation where the measured maximum power point coordinates (MPP) are compared to the predicted maximum power points. The obtained results from the adopted hybrid methodology confirm the accuracy of the parameter extraction procedure.
Optimal Hybridization of Conventional ICE Vehicles
Authors: Hu Zhemin , Mehrjardi Ramin Tafazzoli , Lai Lin , Ehsani Mehrdad
Published: November 2021

Most commercially available hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) drivetrains are made of small internal combustion (IC) engines and large electric drives to improve fuel economy. They usually have higher cost than the conventional IC-engine-based vehicles because of the high costs of the electric drives. This paper proposes a hybridized powertrain composed of the original full-size engine of the vehicle and a universally optimum size parallel electric drive. The dynamic programming (DP) algorithm was used to obtain the sensitivity of the maximum miles per gallon (MPG) values versus the power rating of the electric drive. This sensitivity was then analyzed to determine the optimal window of the electric drive power ratings. This was proven to be universal for all passenger cars of various masses and engine powers. The fuel economy and vehicle performance of this HEV was compared with those of the 2019 Toyota Corolla, a conventional IC-engine-based vehicle, and the 2019 Toyota Prius, a commercially available HEV. The results showed that the proposed universally optimized HEV powertrain achieved better fuel economy and vehicle performance than both the original ICE and HEV vehicles, at low additional vehicle cost.
Characterization of Antioxidant Peptides from Thai Traditional Semi-Dried Fermented Catfish
Authors: Chaijan Manat , Rodsamai Tanutchaporn , Charoenlappanit Sawanya , Roytrakul Sittiruk , Panya Atikorn , Phonsatta Natthaporn , Cheong Ling-Zhi , Panpipat Worawan
Published: November 2021

Herein, the antioxidant peptides from a Thai traditional semi-dried fermented farmed hybrid catfish (Clarias macrocephalus × Clarias gariepinus) catfish, Pla Duk Ra, were characterized. After extraction and deproteinization, Pla Duk Ra crude peptide extract (CPE) was fractioned using 2 connected Hitrap Sephadex-G25 columns, yielding two significant fractions, F1 with higher browning intensity (A420) and F2. CPE, F1, and F2 had different amino acid profiles, contents, and sequences evaluated by LC-MS/MS, which could be responsible for their antioxidant properties. F2 contained the highest numbers of hydrophobic amino acid (HBA) (47.45%) and aromatic amino acid (27.31%), followed by F1, and CPE. The peptides with 8–24 amino acid residues were detected in CPE and its fractions. In CPE, F1, and F2, there were 69, 68, and 85 peptides with varied HBA content, respectively. ARHSYGMLYCSCPPND (50% HBA), ALRKMGRK (37.5% HBA), and ANWMIPLM (87.5% HBA) were the most prevalent peptides found in CPE, F1, and F2. Overall, F2 was the most effective at inhibiting free radicals (DPPH● and ABTS●+) and reactive oxygen species (hydroxyl radical, singlet oxygen, and hydrogen peroxide), followed by F1 and CPE. The metal chelation of F1 was, however, superior to that of F2 and CPE. For the stability test, the effects of pH, heating temperature, and in vitro digestion on the DPPH● scavenging activity of F2 were investigated. The activity was boosted by lowering the pH and raising the heating temperature. In the gastrointestinal tract model system, however, roughly 50% of DPPH● scavenging activity reduced after digesting.
Enhanced Volatile Fatty Acid Production from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch through Acidogenic Fermentation—A Novel Resource Recovery Strategy for Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch
Authors: Mondylaksita Kinanthi , Ferreira Jorge A. , Budhijanto Wiratni , Niklasson Claes , Taherzadeh Mohammad J. , Millati Ria
Published: November 2021

The glucan-rich fraction, hemicellulosic compounds-rich fraction, and a mixture of both fractions obtained from organosolv pretreatment of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) were used as substrates to produce volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in acidogenic fermentation. In this study, the effects of medium adjustment (carbon to nitrogen ratio and trace elements supplementation) and methanogenesis inhibition (through the addition of 2-bromoethanesulfonate or by heat shock) to enhance VFAs yield were investigated. The highest VFA yield was 0.50 ± 0.00 g VFAs/g volatile solid (VS), which was obtained when methanogens were inhibited by heat shock and cultivated in a mixture of glucan-rich and hemicellulosic compounds-rich fractions. Under these conditions, the fermentation produced acetic acid as the only VFA. Based on the results, the mass balance of the whole process (from pretreatment and fermentation) showed the possibility to obtain 30.4 kg acetic acid and 20.3 kg lignin with a 70% purity from 100 kg OPEFB.
Development of Multifunctional Pullulan/Chitosan-Based Composite Films Reinforced with ZnO Nanoparticles and Propolis for Meat Packaging Applications
Authors: Roy Swarup , Priyadarshi Ruchir , Rhim Jong-Whan
Published: November 2021

Pullulan/chitosan-based multifunctional edible composite films were fabricated by reinforcing mushroom-mediated zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and propolis. The ZnONPs were synthesized using enoki mushroom extract and characterized using physicochemical methods. The mushroom-mediated ZnONPs showed an irregular shape with an average size of 26.7 ± 8.9 nm. The combined incorporation of ZnONPs and propolis pointedly improved the composite film’s UV-blocking property without losing transparency. The reinforcement with ZnONPs and propolis improved the mechanical strength of the pullulan/chitosan-based film by ~25%. Additionally, the water vapor barrier property and hydrophobicity of the film were slightly increased. In addition, the pullulan/chitosan-based biocomposite film exhibited good antioxidant activity due to the propolis and excellent antibacterial activity against foodborne pathogens due to the ZnONPs. The developed edible pullulan/chitosan-based film was used for pork belly packaging, and the peroxide value and total number of aerobic microorganisms were significantly reduced in meat wrapped with the pullulan/chitosan/ZnONPs/propolis film.
Diversity of Listeria monocytogenes Strains Isolated from Food Products in the Central European Part of Russia in 2000–2005 and 2019–2020
Authors: Psareva Ekaterina K. , Liskova Elena A. , Razheva Irina V. , Yushina Yulia K. , Grudistova Maria A. , Gladkova Nadezda A. , Potemkin Eugene A. , Zhurilov Pavel A. , Sokolova Elena V. , Andriyanov Pavel A. , Voronina Olga L. , Kolbasov Denis V. , Ermolaeva Svetlana A.
Published: November 2021

Totally, 45 L. monocytogenes strains isolated from meat, poultry, dairy, and fish products in the Central European part of Russia in 2001–2005 and 2019–2020 were typed using a combined MLST and internalin profile (IP) scheme. Strains belonged to 14 clonal complexes (CCs) of the phylogenetic lineages I and II. Almost half of the strains (20 of 45) belonged to six CCs previously recognized as epidemic clones (ECs). ECI and ECV strains were isolated during both studied periods, and ECII, ECIV, ECVI, and ECVII strains were isolated in 2001–2005, but not in 2019–2020. ECI, ECIV, ECV, and ECVII strains were isolated from products of animal origin. ECII and ECVI were isolated from fish. Testing of invasion efficiencies of 10 strains isolated in different years and from different sources and belonging to distinct CCs revealed a statistically significant difference between phylogenetic lineage I and II strains but not between ECs and non-EC CCs or strains differing by year and source of isolation. Strains isolated in 2001–2005 were characterized by higher phylogenetic diversity and greater presentation of ECs and CCs non-typical for natural and anthropogenic environments of the European part of Russia comparatively to isolates obtained in 2019–2020.Closing of the Russian market in 2019–2020 for imported food might be responsible for these differences.
Mathematical Modelling of Canola Oil Biodegradation and Optimisation of Biosurfactant Production by an Antarctic Bacterial Consortium Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Zahri Khadijah Nabilah Mohd , Khalil Khalilah Abdul , Gomez-Fuentes Claudio , Zulkharnain Azham , Sabri Suriana , Convey Peter , Lim Sooa , Ahmad Siti Aqlima
Published: November 2021

An Antarctic soil bacterial consortium (reference BS14) was confirmed to biodegrade canola oil, and kinetic studies on this biodegradation were carried out. The purpose of this study was to examine the ability of BS14 to produce biosurfactants during the biodegradation of canola oil. Secondary mathematical equations were chosen for kinetic analyses (Monod, Haldane, Teissier–Edwards, Aiba and Yano models). At the same time, biosurfactant production was confirmed through a preliminary screening test and further optimised using response surface methodology (RSM). Mathematical modelling demonstrated that the best-fitting model was the Haldane model for both waste (WCO) and pure canola oil (PCO) degradation. Kinetic parameters including the maximum degradation rate (μmax) and maximum concentration of substrate tolerated (Sm) were obtained. For WCO degradation these were 0.365 min−1 and 0.308%, respectively, while for PCO they were 0.307 min−1 and 0.591%, respectively. The results of all preliminary screenings for biosurfactants were positive. BS14 was able to produce biosurfactant concentrations of up to 13.44 and 14.06 mg/mL in the presence of WCO and PCO, respectively, after optimisation. The optimum values for each factor were determined using a three-dimensional contour plot generated in a central composite design, where a combination of 0.06% salinity, pH 7.30 and 1.55% initial substrate concentration led to the highest biosurfactant production when using WCO. Using PCO, the highest biosurfactant yield was obtained at 0.13% salinity, pH 7.30 and 1.25% initial substrate concentration. This study could help inform the development of large-scale bioremediation applications, not only for the degradation of canola oil but also of other hydrocarbons in the Antarctic by utilising the biosurfactants produced by BS14.
Potential Activity of Abrantes Pollen Extract: Biochemical and Cellular Model Studies
Authors: Gonçalves Ana C. , Lahlou Radhia Aitfella , Alves Gilberto , Garcia-Viguera Cristina , Moreno Diego A. , Silva Luís R.
Published: November 2021

The aim of this study was to determine the grain composition and (poly)phenolic profile of pollen from Abrantes (Portugal), as well as its antioxidative and antidiabetic properties, and abilities to protect human erythrocytes against induced hemoglobin oxidation, lipid peroxidation, and hemolysis. The phytochemical profile of the Abrantes’ bee pollen revealed twenty phenolic compounds, identified by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry coupled with photodiode array detection. Among them, quercetin derivatives were the most abundant. Concerning the biological potential, the pollen extract showed notable capacity for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, nitric oxide, and superoxide radicals, as well as for inhibition of α-glucosidase action, and protection of human erythrocytes against oxidative damage. Non-cytotoxic effects regarding the NHDF normal cell line, human adenocarcinoma Caco-2, and human liver HepG2 cells were observed. The results obtained contributed to further research on modes of action related to oxidative damage and metabolic health problems, to generate deeper knowledge of potential health-promoting effects to develop novel pharmaceutical drugs, nutraceuticals, and dietary supplements.
Has the Lack of a Unified Halal Standard Led to a Rise in Organised Crime in the Halal Certification Sector?
Authors: Abdallah Ali
Published: November 2021

In recent years, halal certification has become an area of significant interest due to the high level of Muslim awareness about halal products, with the development of halal hubs and investments in Muslim countries. Unfortunately, the halal market is negatively affected by various factors, like the multiplicity of halal standards, disagreements between halal certification bodies and halal accreditation bodies, an increase in halal food crime in some countries, weakness of the authorities in ensuring the integrity of halal certification, and involvement with politics and religion, which have caused some anxiety among Muslim consumers. Therefore, the aim of this work is to inform lawmakers and animal welfare organisations in the EU regarding halal food. It shows data from literature regarding animal welfare in the EU and Islam, provides a critical consideration on the aim of a religious diet and its correlation with public health and food safety, and describes the state of the art of halal accreditation bodies (HAB) and halal certification bodies (HCB), in addition to providing information about gaps in the halal market, and a description of the unethical behaviour of some HCBs. The integrity of these bodies is necessary to make halal standards more comprehensive and efficient, and this can be achieved through the activation of a harmonised monitoring system for halal accreditation bodies in Muslim countries and national EU accreditation bodies.
Existence and Uniqueness Results of Coupled Fractional-Order Differential Systems Involving Riemann–Liouville Derivative in the Space Wa+γ1,1(a,b)×Wa+γ2,1(a,b) with Perov’s Fixed Point Theorem
Authors: Laksaci Noura , Boudaoui Ahmed , Abodayeh Kamaleldin , Shatanawi Wasfi , Shatnawi Taqi A. M.
Published: November 2021

This paper is devoted to studying the existence and uniqueness of a system of coupled fractional differential equations involving a Riemann–Liouville derivative in the Cartesian product of fractional Sobolev spaces E=Wa+γ1,1(a,b)×Wa+γ2,1(a,b). Our strategy is to endow the space E with a vector-valued norm and apply the Perov fixed point theorem. An example is given to show the usefulness of our main results.
Numerical Solution of Variable-Order Fractional Differential Equations Using Bernoulli Polynomials
Authors: Nemati Somayeh , Lima Pedro M. , Torres Delfim F. M.
Published: November 2021

We introduce a new numerical method, based on Bernoulli polynomials, for solving multiterm variable-order fractional differential equations. The variable-order fractional derivative was considered in the Caputo sense, while the Riemann–Liouville integral operator was used to give approximations for the unknown function and its variable-order derivatives. An operational matrix of variable-order fractional integration was introduced for the Bernoulli functions. By assuming that the solution of the problem is sufficiently smooth, we approximated a given order of its derivative using Bernoulli polynomials. Then, we used the introduced operational matrix to find some approximations for the unknown function and its derivatives. Using these approximations and some collocation points, the problem was reduced to the solution of a system of nonlinear algebraic equations. An error estimate is given for the approximate solution obtained by the proposed method. Finally, five illustrative examples were considered to demonstrate the applicability and high accuracy of the proposed technique, comparing our results with the ones obtained by existing methods in the literature and making clear the novelty of the work. The numerical results showed that the new method is efficient, giving high-accuracy approximate solutions even with a small number of basis functions and when the solution to the problem is not infinitely differentiable, providing better results and a smaller number of basis functions when compared to state-of-the-art methods.
Development and Calibration of a 3D Micromodel for Evaluation of Masonry Infilled RC Frame Structural Vulnerability to Earthquakes
Authors: Anić Filip , Penava Davorin , Sarhosis Vasilis , Abrahamczyk Lars
Published: November 2021

Within the scope of literature, the influence of openings within the infill walls that are bounded by a reinforced concrete frame and excited by seismic drift forces in both in- and out-of-plane direction is still uncharted. Therefore, a 3D micromodel was developed and calibrated thereafter, to gain more insight in the topic. The micromodels were calibrated against their equivalent physical test specimens of in-plane, out-of-plane drift driven tests on frames with and without infill walls and openings, as well as out-of-plane bend test of masonry walls. Micromodels were rectified based on their behavior and damage states. As a result of the calibration process, it was found that micromodels were sensitive and insensitive to various parameters, regarding the model’s behavior and computational stability. It was found that, even within the same material model, some parameters had more effects when attributed to concrete rather than on masonry. Generally, the in-plane behavior of infilled frames was found to be largely governed by the interface material model. The out-of-plane masonry wall simulations were governed by the tensile strength of both the interface and masonry material model. Yet, the out-of-plane drift driven test was governed by the concrete material properties.
Morton Filter-Based Security Mechanism for Healthcare System in Cloud Computing
Authors: Bhatia Sugandh , Malhotra Jyoteesh
Published: November 2021

Electronic health records contain the patient’s sensitive information. If these data are acquired by a malicious user, it will not only cause the pilferage of the patient’s personal data but also affect the diagnosis and treatment. One of the most challenging tasks in cloud-based healthcare systems is to provide security and privacy to electronic health records. Various probabilistic data structures and watermarking techniques were used in the cloud-based healthcare systems to secure patient’s data. Most of the existing studies focus on cuckoo and bloom filters, without considering their throughputs. In this research, a novel cloud security mechanism is introduced, which supersedes the shortcomings of existing approaches. The proposed solution enhances security with methods such as fragile watermark, least significant bit replacement watermarking, class reliability factor, and Morton filters included in the formation of the security mechanism. A Morton filter is an approximate set membership data structure (ASMDS) that proves many improvements to other data structures, such as cuckoo, bloom, semi-sorting cuckoo, and rank and select quotient filters. The Morton filter improves security; it supports insertions, deletions, and lookups operations and improves their respective throughputs by 0.9× to 15.5×, 1.3× to 1.6×, and 1.3× to 2.5×, when compared to cuckoo filters. We used Hadoop version 0.20.3, and the platform was Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6; we executed five experiments, and the average of the results has been taken. The results of the simulation work show that our proposed security mechanism provides an effective solution for secure data storage in cloud-based healthcare systems, with a load factor of 0.9. Furthermore, to aid cloud security in healthcare systems, we presented the motivation, objectives, related works, major research gaps, and materials and methods; we, thus, presented and implemented a cloud security mechanism, in the form of an algorithm and a set of results and conclusions.
Diffusion-Weighted MRI—The Way Forward for MRI in Myeloma?
Authors: Hillengass Jens , Merz Maximilian , Alberico Ronald , Chalian Majid
Published: November 2021

Multiple myeloma and other plasma cell disorders infiltrate the bone marrow in different patterns. While some patients show a homogeneous distribution of the clonal plasma cells others present with focal accumulations, commonly called focal lesions. Novel imaging techniques can provide information on these infiltration patterns and, due to their low invasiveness, can be performed repeatedly and therefore be used for monitoring. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a high sensitivity for bone marrow assessment but cannot safely differentiate between active and inactive lesions. Therefore, positron emission tomography, especially combined with computed tomography (PET/CT), has been more widely used, at least for the monitoring of treatment response. Comparative, but mostly retrospective studies, have shown that functional MRI techniques, namely diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), which assesses the movement of water molecules, can evaluate tissue cellularity with high sensitivity, which challenges the dominance of PET/CT in treatment response assessment. This review will discuss the benefits and challenges of DWI and compare it to other available imaging techniques used in patients with monoclonal plasma cell disorders.
Development of the University Food Environment Assessment (Uni-Food) Tool and Process to Benchmark the Healthiness, Equity, and Environmental Sustainability of University Food Environments
Authors: Mann Davina , Kwon Janelle , Naughton Shaan , Boylan Sinead , Chan Jasmine , Charlton Karen , Dancey Jane , Dent Carolyn , Grech Amanda , Hobbs Victoria , Lamond Sophie , Murray Sandra , Yong Melissa , Sacks Gary
Published: November 2021

Globally, there is increasing interest in monitoring actions to create healthy, equitable and environmentally sustainable food environments. Currently, there is a lack of detailed tools for monitoring and benchmarking university food environments. This study aimed to develop the University Food Environment Assessment (Uni-Food) tool and process to benchmark the healthiness, equity, and environmental sustainability of food environments in tertiary education settings, and pilot test its implementation in three Australian universities in 2021. The Uni-Food tool development was informed by a review of the literature and input from an expert advisory panel. It comprises three components: (1) university systems and governance, (2) campus facilities and environments, and (3) food retail outlets. The process for implementing the tool is designed for universities to self-assess the extent to which they have implemented recommended practice in 68 indicators, across 16 domains, weighted based on their relative importance. The pilot implementation of the tool identified moderate diversity in food environments across universities and highlighted several opportunities for improvements at each institution. The assessment process was found to be reliable, with assessors rating the tool as easy to use, requiring minimal resources. Broad application of the tool has the potential to increase accountability and guide best practice in tertiary education and other complex institutional settings.
Hypothermia Outcome Prediction after Extracorporeal Life Support for Hypothermic Cardiac Arrest Patients: Assessing the Performance of the HOPE Score in Case Reports from the Literature
Authors: Grin Nolan , Rousson Valentin , Darocha Tomasz , Hugli Olivier , Carron Pierre-Nicolas , Zingg Tobias , Pasquier Mathieu
Published: November 2021

Aims: The hypothermia outcome prediction after extracorporeal life support (ECLS) score, or HOPE score, provides an estimate of the survival probability in hypothermic cardiac arrest patients undergoing ECLS rewarming. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of the HOPE score in case reports from the literature. Methods: Cases were identified through a systematic review of the literature. We included cases of hypothermic cardiac arrest patients rewarmed with ECLS and not included in the HOPE derivation and validation studies. We calculated the survival probability of each patient according to the HOPE score. Results: A total of 70 patients were included. Most of them (62/70 = 89%) survived. The discrimination using the HOPE score was good (Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve = 0.78). The calibration was poor, with HOPE survival probabilities averaging 54%. Using a HOPE survival probability threshold of at least 10% as a decision criterion for rewarming a patient would have resulted in only five false positives and a single false negative, i.e., 64 (or 91%) correct decisions. Conclusions: In this highly selected sample, the HOPE score still had a good practical performance. The selection bias most likely explains the poor calibration found in the present study, with survivors being more often described in the literature than non-survivors. Our finding underscores the importance of working with a representative sample of patients when deriving and validating a score, as was the case in the HOPE studies that included only consecutive patients in order to minimize the risk of publication bias and lower the risk of overly optimistic outcomes.
Co-Production within Child and Adolescent Mental Health: A Systematic Review
Authors: Norton Michael John
Published: November 2021

Background: Mental health services are currently experiencing much systemic and organisational change. Many countries have adopted a recovery approach to service provision through the development of national policies and frameworks. Within an Irish context, co-production has been identified as one of the four pillars required for services to become recovery orientated. However, there is a paucity of literature relating to the concept within child and adolescent mental health services. This paper aims to synthesise the peer-reviewed evidence on co-production within such services. Methods: A PRISMA compliant systematic review was undertaken. This includes how the reviewer retrieved, shortlisted, and selected studies for inclusion in the review. It outlines the inclusion/exclusion criteria and how these were further developed through the PICO framework. Finally, the methods also outline how the reviewer assessed bias and quality, as well as the process of data synthesis. Results: Two studies were included in this review, both focusing on co-production, but in different contexts within child and adolescent mental health. Two themes were identified: ‘road less travelled’ and ‘co-producing equality’. These themes and the associated sub-themes describe how co-production works in these services. Discussion: These results highlight the paucity of quality literature in co-production within child and adolescent mental health. Both studies scored poorly in terms of quality. Resulting from this review, a number of actions relating to the therapeutic environment need to be taken into account for co-production to be further implemented. Other: The reviewer has not received any funding for this paper. A protocol was not created or registered for this review.
Validity of the Perceived Physical Ability Scale for Children: An Actigraphic Study
Authors: Tonetti Lorenzo , Carissimi Alicia , Fabbri Marco , Filardi Marco , Giovagnoli Sara , Martoni Monica , Natale Vincenzo
Published: November 2021

This study aimed to provide evidence of the validity of the Perceived Physical Ability Scale for Children against an external-objective criterion of the 24 h motor activity pattern assessed through actigraphy. A total of 107 children (60 females; mean age 10.25 ± 0.48) were originally enrolled. Children wore the actigraph model Actiwatch AW64 (Cambridge Neurotechnology Ltd., Fenstanton, UK) for seven days, 24 h per day, around the non-dominant wrist. At the beginning of the actigraphic recording, participants filled in the Perceived Physical Ability Scale for Children. Functional Linear Modeling was used to examine variation in the 24 h motor activity pattern according to the total score in the Perceived Physical Ability Scale for Children. Higher physical self-efficacy was significantly related to greater levels of motor activity in the afternoon. Overall, this pattern of results supports the validity of the Perceived Physical Ability Scale for Children against the external-objective criterion of the 24 h motor pattern. The Perceived Physical Ability Scale for Children could represent a promising endpoint for studies assessing the effectiveness of physical activity promotion interventions.