bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Incidence and Causes of Unplanned Reoperations as a Quality Indicator in Pediatric Surgery
Authors: Jukić Miro , Biuk Ivona , Pogorelić Zenon
Published: January 2022

Background: Unplanned return to the operating room (uROR) within the 30-day postoperative period can be used as a quality indicator in pediatric surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate uROR as a quality indicator. Methods: The case records of pediatric patients who underwent reoperation within the 30-day period after primary surgery, from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The primary outcome of the study was the rate of uROR as a quality indicator in pediatric surgery. Secondary outcomes were indications for primary and secondary surgery, types and management of complications, factors that led to uROR, length of hospital stay, duration of surgery and anesthesia, and starting time of surgery. Results: A total of 3982 surgical procedures, under general anesthesia, were performed during the three-year study period (2018, n = 1432; 2019, n = 1435; 2020, n = 1115). Elective and emergency surgeries were performed in 3032 (76.1%) and 950 (23.9%) patients, respectively. During the study period 19 (0.5%) pediatric patients, with the median age of 11 years (IQR 3, 16), underwent uROR within the 30-day postoperative period. The uROR incidence was 6 (0.4%), 6 (0.4%), and 7 (0.6%) for years 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively (p = 0.697). The incidence of uROR was significantly higher in males (n = 14; 73.7%) than in females (n = 5; 26.3%) (p = 0.002). The share of unplanned reoperations in studied period was 4.5 times higher in primarily emergency surgeries compared to primarily elective surgeries (p < 0.001). The difference in incidence was 0.9% (95% CI, 0.4–1.4). Out of children that underwent uROR within the 30-day period after elective procedures, 50% had American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score three or higher (p = 0.016). The most common procedure which led to uROR was appendectomy (n = 5, 26.3%) while the errors in surgical technique were the most common cause for uROR (n = 11, 57.9%). Conclusion: Unplanned reoperations within the 30-day period after the initial surgical procedure can be a good quality indicator in pediatric surgery. Risk factors associated with uROR are emergency surgery, male gender, and ASA score ≥3 in elective pediatric surgery.
Epitaxial Growth and Optical Properties of Laser Deposited CdS Thin Films
Authors: Gadalla Atef S. , Al-shamiri Hamdan A. S. , Alshahrani Saad Melhi , Khalil Huda F. , El Nahas Mahmoud M. , Khedr Mohamed A.
Published: January 2022

In this study, cadmium Sulfide (CdS) thin films were synthesized on quartz substrates using an infrared pulsed laser deposition (IR-PLD) technique under high vacuum (~10−6 Torr) conditions. X-ray diffraction was used to evaluate the structural features. According to X-ray analysis, the deposited CdS films are crystalline and have a favored orientation on a plane (110) of an orthorhombic. The peak intensity and the average crystallite size increases with increasing the film thickness. After annealing at 300 °C, the orthorhombic phase transformed into a predominant hexagonal phase and the same result was obtained by SEM photographs as well. Spectrophotometric measurements of transmittance and reflectance of the CdS films were used to derive optical constants (n, k, and absorption coefficient α). The optical band gap energy was found to be 2.44 eV. The plasma plume formation and expansion during the film deposition have also been discussed. The photocurrent response as a function of the incident photon energy E (eV) at different bias voltages for different samples of thicknesses (85, 180, 220 and 340 nm) have been studied, indicating that the photocurrent increases by increasing both the film thickness and photon energy with a peak in the vicinity of the band edge. Thus, the prepared CdS films are promising for application in optoelectronic field.
Viscoelastic Properties, Rutting Resistance, and Fatigue Resistance of Waste Wood-Based Biochar-Modified Asphalt
Authors: Zhang Ran , Wang Haoxiang , Ji Jie , Wang Hainian
Published: January 2022

The purpose of this study is to explore the viscoelastic properties, rutting resistance, and fatigue resistance of waste wood-based biochar-modified asphalt. The biochar with 2%, 4%, and 8% mixing amounts and two kinds of particle size, 75–150 μm and <75 μm, were used as modifiers of petroleum asphalt. Meanwhile, in the control group, a graphite modifier with a particle size of 0–75 μm and mixing amount of 4% was used for comparison. Aged asphalts were obtained in the laboratory by the Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO) test and the Pressure Aging Vessel (PAV) test. The viscoelastic properties, rutting resistance, and fatigue resistance of biochar-modified asphalt were evaluated by phase angle, critical high temperature, and fatigue cracking index by the Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) test. In addition, the micromorphology of biochar and graphite was compared and observed by using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results show that increasing the mixing amount of biochar gave a higher elastic property and significantly better rutting resistance of the modified asphalt at high temperature. Compared with graphite, the biochar has a rougher surface and more pores, which provides its higher specific surface area. Therefore, it is easier to bond with asphalt to form a skeleton network structure, then forming a more stable biochar–asphalt base structure. In this way, compared to graphite-modified asphalt, biochar-modified asphalt showed better resistance to rutting at high temperature, especially for the asphalt modified with biochar of small particle size. The critical high temperature T(G*/sinδ) of 4% Gd, 4% WD, and 4% Wd was 0.31 °C, 1.57 °C, and 2.92 °C higher than that of petroleum bitumen. In addition, the biochar asphalt modified with biochar of small particle size had significantly better fatigue cracking resistance than the asphalt modified with biochar of large particle size. The fatigue cracking indexes for 2% Wd, 4% Wd, and 8% Wd were 29.20%, 7.21%, and 37.19% lower by average than those for 2% WD, 4% WD, and 8% WD at 13–37 °C. Therefore, the waste wood biochar could be used as the modifier for petroleum asphalt. After the overall consideration, the biochar-modified asphalt with 2%–4% mixing amount and particle size less than 75 μm was recommended.
The Effects of a Gum Arabic-Based Edible Coating on Guava Fruit Characteristics during Storage
Authors: El-Gioushy Sherif Fathy , Abdelkader Mohamed F. M. , Mahmoud Mohamed H. , Abou El Ghit Hanan M. , Fikry Mohammad , Bahloul Asmaa M. E. , Morsy Amany R. , A. Lo’ay A. , Abdelaziz Adel M. R. A. , Alhaithloul Haifa A. S. , Hikal Dalia M. , Abdein Mohamed A. , Hassan Khairy H. A. , Gawish Mohamed S.
Published: January 2022

Guava is a nutritious fruit that has perishable behavior during storage. We aimed to determine the influences of some edible coatings (namely, cactus pear stem (10%), moringa (10%), and henna leaf (3%) extracts incorporated with gum Arabic (10%)), on the guava fruits’ properties when stored under ambient and refrigeration temperatures for 7, 14, and 21 days. The results revealed that the coating with gum Arabic (10%) only, or combined with the natural plant extracts, exhibited a significant reduction in weight loss, decay, and rot ratio. Meanwhile, there were notable increases in marketability. Moreover, among all tested treatments, the application of gum Arabic (10%) + moringa extract (10%) was the superior treatment for most studied parameters, and exhibited for the highest values for maintaining firmness, total soluble solids, total sugars, and total antioxidant activity. Overall, it was suggested that coating guava with 10% gum Arabic combined with other plant extracts could maintain the postharvest storage quality of the cold-storage guava.
Effect of Graphene Nanoparticles Addition on Superconductivity of YBa2Cu3O7~δ Synthesized via the Thermal Treatment Method
Authors: Kamarudin Aliah Nursyahirah , Awang Kechik Mohd Mustafa , Abdullah Siti Nabilah , Baqiah Hussein , Chen Soo Kien , Abdul Karim Muhammad Khalis , Ramli Aima , Lim Kean Pah , Shaari Abdul Halim , Miryala Muralidhar , Murakami Masato , Talib Zainal Abidin
Published: January 2022

The development of high-temperature superconductor (HTS) YBa2Cu3O7~δ (Y123) bulks in industrial applications were established years ago. It is one of the developments that currently attracts great attention especially in transportation, superconductor cables and wires. This study is focused on the preparation of the Y123 bulk superconductors by the thermal treatment method due to the promising ways to develop high-quality Y123 superconductors with its simplicity, low cost, and relatively low reaction temperature used during the process. Y123 were added with graphene nanoparticles (x = (0.0–1.0) wt.%). Samples were then characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and alternating current susceptibility (ACS). It was found that Y123 confirmed that the majority of phases in all the XRD patterns was the orthorhombic crystal structure and the Pmmm space group with secondary phases belonged to Y2Ba1Cu1O5 (Y211). The highest Tc obtained when graphene nanoparticles were added in the Y123 sample was x = 1.0 wt.%, followed by x = 0.5 wt.% with 92.64 and 92.59 K, respectively. From the microstructure analysis, the average grain size significantly decreased to 4.754 µm at x = 0.5 wt.%. The addition of graphene nanoparticles had disturbed the grain growth of Y123, affecting the superconducting properties of the samples. On the other hand, the intergranular critical current density, Jcm, was found to increase with graphene nanoparticle addition and had the highest value at x = 1.0 wt.%, indicating that graphene nanoparticles acted as pinning centers in the Y123 matrix.
Crystallographic Orientation Relationship between α and β Phases during Non-Equilibrium Heat Treatment of Cu-37 wt. % Zn Alloy
Authors: Heidarzadeh Akbar , Javidani Mousa , St-Georges Lyne
Published: January 2022

The crystallographic orientation relationship between α and β phases during the non-equilibrium heat treatment of a Cu-37 wt. % Zn alloy was investigated. With this aim, Cu-37 wt. % Zn alloy plates with a thickness of 2 mm were heated at 810 °C for 1 h and then were quenched in water. The microstructure and texture of heat-treated samples were analyzed using optical microscopy and electron backscattered diffraction. By this non-equilibrium heat treatment, β phase was formed on both the grain boundaries and grain interiors. In addition, the Σ3 twin boundaries acted as preferred areas for α→β transformation. The orientation imaging microscopy results revealed a Kurdjumov–Sachs (K–S) orientation relationship between α and β phases. Furthermore, the details of microstructural evolution and texture analysis were discussed.
Serial X-ray Crystallography
Authors: Nam Ki Hyun
Published: January 2022

Serial crystallography (SX) is an emerging technique to determine macromolecules at room temperature. SX with a pump–probe experiment provides the time-resolved dynamics of target molecules. SX has developed rapidly over the past decade as a technique that not only provides room-temperature structures with biomolecules, but also has the ability to time-resolve their molecular dynamics. The serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) technique using an X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) has now been extended to serial synchrotron crystallography (SSX) using synchrotron X-rays. The development of a variety of sample delivery techniques and data processing programs is currently accelerating SX research, thereby increasing the research scope. In this editorial, I briefly review some of the experimental techniques that have contributed to advances in the field of SX research and recent major research achievements. This Special Issue will contribute to the field of SX research.
Numerical Investigation into the Influence of Grain Orientation Distribution on the Local and Global Elastic-Plastic Behaviour of Polycrystalline Nickel-Based Superalloy INC-738 LC
Authors: Engel Benedikt , Huth Mark , Hyde Christopher
Published: January 2022

Polycrystalline nickel-based superalloys tend to have large grains within component areas where high loads are dominant during operation. Due to these large grains, caused by the manufacturing and cooling process, the orientation of each grain becomes highly important, since it influences the elastic and plastic behaviour of the material. With the usage of the open source codes NEPER and FEPX, polycrystalline models of Inconel 738 LC were generated and their elastic and crystal plasticity behaviour simulated in dependence of different orientation distributions under uniaxial loading. Orientation distributions close to the [100] direction showed the lowest Young’s moduli as well as the highest elastic strains before yielding, as expected. Orientations close to the [5¯89] direction, showed the lowest elastic strains and therefore first plastic deformation under strain loading due to the highest shear stress in the slip systems caused by the interaction of Young’s modulus and the Schmid factor.
Processing of Multicrystal Diffraction Patterns in Macromolecular Crystallography Using Serial Crystallography Programs
Authors: Nam Ki Hyun
Published: January 2022

Cryocrystallography is a widely used method for determining the crystal structure of macromolecules. This technique uses a cryoenvironment, which significantly reduces the radiation damage to the crystals and has the advantage of requiring only one crystal for structural determination. In standard cryocrystallography, a single crystal is used for collecting diffraction data, which include single-crystal diffraction patterns. However, the X-ray data recorded often may contain diffraction patterns from several crystals. The indexing of multicrystal diffraction patterns in cryocrystallography requires more precise data processing techniques and is therefore time consuming. Here, an approach for processing multicrystal diffraction data using a serial crystallography program is introduced that allows for the integration of multicrystal diffraction patterns from a single image. Multicrystal diffraction data were collected from lysozyme crystals and processed using the serial crystallography program CrystFEL. From 360 images containing multicrystal diffraction patterns, 1138 and 691 crystal lattices could be obtained using the XGANDALF and MOSFLM indexing algorithms, respectively. Using this indexed multi-lattice information, the crystal structure of the lysozyme could be determined successfully at a resolution of 1.9 Å. Therefore, the proposed approach, which is based on serial crystallography, is suitable for processing multicrystal diffraction data in cryocrystallography.
Safety Profile of Niraparib as Maintenance Therapy for Ovarian Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Pagkali Antonia , Mamais Ioannis , Michalinos Adamantios , Agouridis Aris P.
Published: January 2022

Background: Patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), treated with niraparib maintenance, present with haematological and gastrointestinal toxicities. Limited data exist on niraparib safety assessment. Objective: To evaluate niraparib safety profile, as maintenance therapy, in women with platinum-sensitive EOC. Methods: PubMed and Cochrane searches were carried out up to April 2021 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating niraparib versus placebo in EOC patients with a response to platinum-based chemotherapy. Regarding the meta-analysis, for dichotomous data, the pooled risk ratio (RR) was calculated. Results: A total of 1539 patients from three RCTs revealed that niraparib-treated patients are associated with a significantly higher risk of any grade of nausea (RR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.86 to 2.48), fatigue (RR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.52, p < 0.00001), anemia (RR, 6.86; 95% CI, 2.54 to 18.52, p = 0.0001), thrombocytopenia (RR, 7.02; 95% CI, 1.68 to 29.38, p < 0.00001), vomiting (RR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.50 to 4.19, p = 0.0005), neutropenia (RR, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.13 to 7.73, p < 0.00001), headache (RR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.57 to 2.74, p < 0.00001), constipation (RR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.72 to 2.57, p < 0.00001) and insomnia (RR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.52 to 2.89, p = 0.0003) when compared with placebo. For grade 3 or 4 adverse effects, significantly higher risk was only noted for fatigue (RR,6.25; 95% CI, 1.70 to 23.05, p = 0.006), anemia (RR, 16.23; 95% CI, 4.86 to 54.17, p < 0.00001), thrombocytopenia (RR, 35.12; 95% CI, 12.23 to 100.82, p < 0.00001) and neutropenia episodes (RR, 6.35; 95% CI, 2.08 to 19.39, p = 0.001) for those taking niraparib. Notably, incidents of adverse effects and discontinuation rates were substantially lower among patients treated with an individualised niraparib dose than those treated with the standard one. Efficacy was not reduced, and no treatment-related deaths occurred during the included trials. Conclusion: Niraparib is considered an effective and well-tolerated choice, with an improved safety profile, for the maintenance treatment of EOC patients.
A Portrait of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Bailey Adrian J. M. , Kirkham Aidan M. , Monaghan Madeline , Shorr Risa , Buchan C. Arianne , Bredeson Christopher , Allan David S.
Published: January 2022

The management of COVID-19 in hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients represents a special challenge given the variable states of immune dysregulation and altered vaccine efficacy in this population. A systematic search (Ovid Medline and Embase on 1 June 2021) was needed to better understand the presenting features, prognostic factors, and treatment options. Of 897 records, 29 studies were identified in our search. Most studies reporting on adults and pediatric recipients described signs and symptoms that were typical of COVID-19. Overall, the mortality rates were high, with 21% of adults and 6% of pediatric HCT recipients succumbing to COVID-19. The factors reported to be associated with increased mortality included age (HR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.03–1.43, p = 0.02), ICU admission (HR = 4.42, 95% CI 2.25–8.65, p < 0.001 and HR = 2.26, 95% CI 1.22–4.20, p = 0.01 for allogeneic and autologous HCT recipients), and low platelet count (OR = 21.37, 95% CI 1.71–267.11, p = 0.01). Performance status was associated with decreased mortality (HR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.74–0.93, p = 0.001). A broad range of treatments was described, although no controlled studies were identified. The risk of bias, using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale, was low. Patients undergoing HCT are at a high risk of severe morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19. Controlled studies investigating potential treatments are required to determine the efficacy and safety in this population.
Beekeeping and Managed Bee Diversity in Indonesia: Perspective and Preference of Beekeepers
Authors: Buchori Damayanti , Rizali Akhmad , Priawandiputra Windra , Raffiudin Rika , Sartiami Dewi , Pujiastuti Yulia , Jauharlina  , Pradana Mahardika Gama , Meilin Araz , Leatemia Johanna Audrey , Sudiarta I Putu , Rustam Rusli , Nelly Novri , Lestari Puji , Syahputra Edy , Hasriyanti  , Watung Jackson F. , Daud Itji Diana Amin , Hariani Nova , Jihadi Amrul , Johannis Midzon
Published: January 2022

There is a high diversity of bees in the tropics, including honey bees and stingless bees, which are the main sources for honey and other ecosystem services. In Indonesia, beekeeping practices have been developed for centuries, and they have been part of many cultural practices in many traditional communities. The objective of this research was to study the beekeeping status and managed bee diversity in Indonesia and to investigate beekeepers’ perspectives on the factors and obstacles related to beekeeping. Direct interview and online interview were conducted to gain data on bees and beekeepers. In total, 272 beekeepers were interviewed across 25 provinces. Samplings of honey bees and stingless bees were also done during direct interviews for further identification and, when possible, pollen identification. All data and specimens were then sent to IPB Bogor for compilation and identification. We recorded 22 species of bees, including 3 species of honey bees and 19 species of stingless bees, that are reared by Indonesian beekeepers, with Apis cerana and Tetragonula laeviceps as the most common species. Our research also found that the majority of beekeepers fall into the category of the younger generation (30–39 years old) with educational background mostly from senior high school. Based on the beekeepers’ perspectives, there are several obstacles to beekeeping, especially the occurrence of death of bee foragers attributed to climate, food source, and pesticides. In conclusion, there is a need to develop a strategy for beekeeping and bee conservation in Indonesia, especially for adaptation and mitigation from environmental changes with a particular focus on climate and land-use change.
Performance of the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytology in Multi-Institutional Large Cohort of Pediatric Thyroid Nodules: A Detailed Analysis
Authors: Canberk Sule , Barroca Helena , Girão Inês , Aydın Ozlem , Uguz Aysun , Erdogan Kıvılcım , Tastekin Ebru , Bongiovanni Massimo , Soares Paula , Máximo Valdemar , Schmitt Fernando
Published: January 2022

Background: To evaluate the performance of TBSRTC through multi-institutional experience in the paediatric population and questioning the management recommendation of ATA Guidelines Task Force on Paediatric Thyroid Cancer; Methods: A retrospective search was conducted in 4 institutions to identify consecutive thyroid FNAC cases in paediatric population between 2000 and 2018. Following the 2nd TBSRTC, the risk of malignancy ratios (ROMs) was given in ranges and calculated by 2 different ways. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and DA ratios were calculated using histologic diagnosis as the gold standard; Results: Among a total of 405 specimens, the distribution of cases for each category was, 44 (11%) for ND, 204 (50%) for B category, 40 (10%) for AUS/FLUS, 36 (9%) for FN/SFN, 24 (6%) for SFM and 57 (14%) for M categories. 153 cases have a histological diagnosis. The ratio of surgery was 23% in ND, 16% in the B, 45% for AUS/FLUS, 75% for SFN/FN and 92% for SFM and 75% in M categories; Conclusions: The data underlines the high ROM values in paediatric population which might be clinically meaningful. The high rate of malignancy of the cohort of operated patients (50%) also underlines the need of better preoperative indicators for stratification. Considering that more than half of the nodules in AUS/FLUS category were benign, direct surgery recommendation could be questionable as proposed in ATA 2015 guidelines.
Perioperative Hyperspectral Imaging to Assess Mastectomy Skin Flap and DIEP Flap Perfusion in Immediate Autologous Breast Reconstruction: A Pilot Study
Authors: Pruimboom Tim , Lindelauf Anouk A. M. A. , Felli Eric , Sawor John H. , Deliaert An E. K. , van der Hulst René R. W. J. , Al-Taher Mahdi , Diana Michele , Schols Rutger M.
Published: January 2022

Mastectomy skin flap necrosis (MSFN) and partial DIEP (deep inferior epigastric artery perforator) flap loss represent two frequently reported complications in immediate autologous breast reconstruction. These complications could be prevented when areas of insufficient tissue perfusion are detected intraoperatively. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is a relatively novel, non-invasive imaging technique, which could be used to objectively assess tissue perfusion through analysis of tissue oxygenation patterns (StO2%), near-infrared (NIR%), tissue hemoglobin (THI%), and tissue water (TWI%) perfusion indices. This prospective clinical pilot study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of HSI for tissue perfusion assessment and to identify a cut-off value for flap necrosis. Ten patients with a mean age of 55.4 years underwent immediate unilateral autologous breast reconstruction. Prior, during and up to 72 h after surgery, a total of 19 hyperspectral images per patient were acquired. MSFN was observed in 3 out of 10 patients. No DIEP flap necrosis was observed. In all MSFN cases, an increased THI% and decreased StO2%, NIR%, and TWI% were observed when compared to the vital group. StO2% was found to be the most sensitive parameter to detect MSFN with a statistically significant lower mean StO2% (51% in the vital group versus 32% in the necrosis group, p < 0.0001) and a cut-off value of 36.29% for flap necrosis. HSI has the potential to accurately assess mastectomy skin flap perfusion and discriminate between vital and necrotic skin flap during the early postoperative period prior to clinical observation. Although the results should be confirmed in future studies, including DIEP flap necrosis specifically, these findings suggest that HSI can aid clinicians in postoperative mastectomy skin flap and DIEP flap monitoring.
Aerobic Vaginitis Diagnosis Criteria Combining Gram Stain with Clinical Features: An Establishment and Prospective Validation Study
Authors: Dong Mengting , Wang Chen , Li Huiyang , Yan Ye , Ma Xiaotong , Li Huanrong , Li Xingshuo , Wang Huihui , Zhang Yixuan , Qi Wenhui , Meng Ke , Tian Wenyan , Wang Yingmei , Fan Aiping , Han Cha , Donders Gilbert G. G. , Xue Fengxia
Published: January 2022

Wet-mount microscopy aerobic vaginitis (AV) diagnostic criteria need phase-contrast microscopy and keen microscopists, and the preservation of saline smears is less common in clinical practice. This research work developed new AV diagnostic criteria that combine Gram stain with clinical features. We enrolled 325 AV patients and 325 controls as a study population to develop new AV diagnostic criteria. Then, an independent group, which included 500 women, was used as a validation population. AV-related microscopic findings on Gram-stained and wet-mount smears from the same participants were compared. The accuracy of bacterial indicators from the two methods was verified by bacterial 16S rRNA V4 sequencing (n = 240). Logistic regression was used to analyse AV-related clinical features. The screened clinical features were combined with Gram-stain microscopic indicators to establish new AV diagnostic criteria. There were no significant differences in the leukocyte counts or the parabasal epitheliocytes (PBC) proportion between the Gram-stain and wet-mount methods (400×). Gram stain (1000×) satisfied the ability to identify bacteria as verified by 16S rRNA sequencing but failed to identify toxic leukocytes. The new criteria included: Lactobacillary grades (LBG) and background flora (Gram stain, 1000×), leukocytes count and PBC proportion (Gram stain, 400×), and clinical features (vaginal pH > 4.5, vagina hyperemia, and yellow discharge). These criteria satisfied the accuracy and reliability for AV diagnosis (Se = 86.79%, Sp = 95.97%, and Kendall’s W value = 0.899) in perspective validation. In summary, we proposed an alternative and valuable AV diagnostic criteria based on the Gram stain, which can make it possible to diagnose common vaginitis like AV, BV, VVC, and mixed infections on the same smear and can be available for artificial intelligence diagnosis in the future.
Validity and Test-Retest Reliability of a Novel Push Low-Cost Hand-Held Dynamometer for Knee Strength Assessment during Different Force Ranges
Authors: Macedo Maria de Cássia , Souza Matheus Almeida , Ferreira Kariny Realino , Campos Laura Oliveira , Souza Igor Sérgio Oliveira , Barbosa Michelle Almeida , Brito Ciro José , Intelangelo Leonardo , Barbosa Alexandre Carvalho
Published: January 2022

The objective was to assess the instrumental validity and the test–retest reliability of a low-cost hand-held push dynamometer adapted from a load-cell based hanging scale (tHHD) to collect compressive forces in different ranges of compressive forces. Three independent raters applied 50 pre-established compressions each on the tHHD centered on a force platform in three distinct ranges: ~70 N, ~160 N, ~250 N. Knee isometric strength was also assessed on 19 subjects in two sessions (48 h apart) using the tHHD anchored by an inelastic adjustable strap. Knee extension and flexion were assessed with the participant seated on a chair with the feet resting on the floor, knees, and hips flexed at 90°. The isometric force peaks were recorded and compared. The ICC and the Cronbach’s α showed excellent consistency and agreement for both instrumental validity and test–retest reliability (range: 0.89–0.99), as the correlation and determination coefficients (range: 0.80–0.99). The SEM and the MDC analysis returned adequate low values with a coefficient of variation less than 5%. The Bland–Altman results showed consistency and high levels of agreement. The tHHD is a valid method to assess the knee isometric strength, showing portability, cost-effectiveness, and user-friendly interface to provide an effective form to assess the knee isometric strength.
Attaining Fairness in Communication for Omniscience
Authors: Ding Ni , Sadeghi Parastoo , Smith David , Rakotoarivelo Thierry
Published: January 2022

This paper studies how to attain fairness in communication for omniscience that models the multi-terminal compress sensing problem and the coded cooperative data exchange problem where a set of users exchange their observations of a discrete multiple random source to attain omniscience—the state that all users recover the entire source. The optimal rate region containing all source coding rate vectors that achieve omniscience with the minimum sum rate is shown to coincide with the core (the solution set) of a coalitional game. Two game-theoretic fairness solutions are studied: the Shapley value and the egalitarian solution. It is shown that the Shapley value assigns each user the source coding rate measured by their remaining information of the multiple source given the common randomness that is shared by all users, while the egalitarian solution simply distributes the rates as evenly as possible in the core. To avoid the exponentially growing complexity of obtaining the Shapley value, a polynomial-time approximation method is proposed which utilizes the fact that the Shapley value is the mean value over all extreme points in the core. In addition, a steepest descent algorithm is proposed that converges in polynomial time on the fractional egalitarian solution in the core, which can be implemented by network coding schemes. Finally, it is shown that the game can be decomposed into subgames so that both the Shapley value and the egalitarian solution can be obtained within each subgame in a distributed manner with reduced complexity.
Variational Bayesian-Based Improved Maximum Mixture Correntropy Kalman Filter for Non-Gaussian Noise
Authors: Li Xuyou , Guo Yanda , Meng Qingwen
Published: January 2022

The maximum correntropy Kalman filter (MCKF) is an effective algorithm that was proposed to solve the non-Gaussian filtering problem for linear systems. Compared with the original Kalman filter (KF), the MCKF is a sub-optimal filter with Gaussian correntropy objective function, which has been demonstrated to have excellent robustness to non-Gaussian noise. However, the performance of MCKF is affected by its kernel bandwidth parameter, and a constant kernel bandwidth may lead to severe accuracy degradation in non-stationary noises. In order to solve this problem, the mixture correntropy method is further explored in this work, and an improved maximum mixture correntropy KF (IMMCKF) is proposed. By derivation, the random variables that obey Beta-Bernoulli distribution are taken as intermediate parameters, and a new hierarchical Gaussian state-space model was established. Finally, the unknown mixing probability and state estimation vector at each moment are inferred via a variational Bayesian approach, which provides an effective solution to improve the applicability of MCKFs in non-stationary noises. Performance evaluations demonstrate that the proposed filter significantly improves the existing MCKFs in non-stationary noises.
Models of Instructional Design in Gamification: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: González-Fernández Alberto , Revuelta-Domínguez Francisco-Ignacio , Fernández-Sánchez María Rosa
Published: January 2022

Gamification allows for the implementation of experiences that simulate the design of (video) games, giving individuals the opportunity to be the protagonists in them. Its inclusion in the educational environment responds to the need to adapt teaching–learning processes to the characteristics of homo videoludens, placing value once again on the role of playful action in the personal development of individuals. The interest that has arisen in studying the implications of gamification processes in the different educational stages, in order to determine their impact and suitability, has led to an increase in scientific publications. With the intention of studying the presence and implications of gamification in teacher training as a methodological principle implemented in the teaching–learning process, both in its initial and permanent stages, this systematic review of the literature identifies those instructional design models applied in the field of gamification, as well as its educational significance. Thus, the need to introduce gamified practices in the field of teacher training is observed, providing an experiential learning that allows teachers to apply this methodology in a relevant way in their professional development, based on their own experience.
An Improved Recommender System Solution to Mitigate the Over-Specialization Problem Using Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Stitini Oumaima , Kaloun Soulaimane , Bencharef Omar
Published: January 2022

Nowadays, recommendation systems offer a method of facilitating the user’s desire. It is useful for recommending items from a variety of areas such as in the e-commerce, medical, education, tourism, and industry domains. The e-commerce area represents the most active research we found, which assists users in locating the things they want. A recommender system can also provide users with helpful knowledge about things that could be of interest. Sometimes, the user gets bored with recommendations which are similar to their profiles, which leads to the over-specialization problem. Over-specialization is caused by limited content data, under which content-based recommendation algorithms suggest goods directly related to the customer profile rather than new things. In this study, we are particularly interested in recommending surprising, new, and unexpected items that may likely be enjoyed by users and will mitigate this limited content. In order to recommend novel and serendipitous items along with familiar items, we need to introduce additional hacks and note of randomness, which can be achieved using genetic algorithms that brings diversity to recommendations being made. This paper describes a Revolutionary Recommender System using a Genetic Algorithm called RRSGA which improves the fitness functions for recommending optimal results. The proposed approach employs a genetic algorithm to address the over-specialization issue of content-based filtering. The proposed method aims to incorporate genetic algorithms that bring variety to recommendations and efficiently adjust and suggest unpredictable and innovative things to the user. Experiments objectively demonstrate that our technology can recommend additional products that every consumer is likely to appreciate. The results of RRSGA have been compared against recommendation results from the content-based filtering approach. The results indicate the effectiveness of RRSGA and its capacity to make more accurate predictions than alternative approaches.
Actively MEMS-Based Tunable Metamaterials for Advanced and Emerging Applications
Authors: Xu Rui-Jia , Lin Yu-Sheng
Published: January 2022

In recent years, tunable metamaterials have attracted intensive research interest due to their outstanding characteristics, which are dependent on the geometrical dimensions rather than the material composition of the nanostructure. Among tuning approaches, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) is a well-known technology that mechanically reconfigures the metamaterial unit cells. In this study, the development of MEMS-based metamaterial is reviewed and analyzed based on several types of actuators, including electrothermal, electrostatic, electromagnetic, and stretching actuation mechanisms. The moveable displacement and driving power are the key factors in evaluating the performance of actuators. Therefore, a comparison of actuating methods is offered as a basic guideline for selecting micro-actuators integrated with metamaterial. Additionally, by exploiting electro-mechanical inputs, MEMS-based metamaterials make possible the manipulation of incident electromagnetic waves, including amplitude, frequency, phase, and the polarization state, which enables many implementations of potential applications in optics. In particular, two typical applications of MEMS-based tunable metamaterials are reviewed, i.e., logic operation and sensing. These integrations of MEMS with metamaterial provide a novel route for the enhancement of conventional optical devices and exhibit great potentials in innovative applications, such as intelligent optical networks, invisibility cloaks, photonic signal processing, and so on.
Rough Set-Game Theory Information Mining Model Considering Opponents’ Information
Authors: Yan Ruixia , Peng Liangui , Xie Yanxi , Wang Xiaoli
Published: January 2022

In multi-strategy games, the increase in the number of strategies makes it difficult to make a solution. To maintain the competition advantage and obtain maximal profits, one side of the game hopes to predict the opponent’s behavior. Building a model to predict an opponent’s behavior is helpful. In this paper, we propose a rough set-game theory model (RS-GT) considering uncertain information and the opponent’s decision rules. The uncertainty of strategies is obtained based on the rough set method, and an accurate solution is obtained based on game theory from the rough set-game theory model. The players obtain their competitors’ decision rules to predict the opponents’ behavior by mining the information from repeated games in the past. The players determine their strategy to obtain maximum profits by predicting the opponent’s actions, i.e., adopting a first-mover or second-mover strategy to build a favorable situation. The result suggests that the rough set-game theory model helps enterprises avoid unnecessary losses and allows them to obtain greater profits.
Rescheduling of Distributed Manufacturing System with Machine Breakdowns
Authors: Zhang Xiaohui , Han Yuyan , Królczyk Grzegorz , Rydel Marek , Stanislawski Rafal , Li Zhixiong
Published: January 2022

This study attempts to explore the dynamic scheduling problem from the perspective of operational research optimization. The goal is to propose a rescheduling framework for solving distributed manufacturing systems that consider random machine breakdowns as the production disruption. We establish a mathematical model that can better describe the scheduling of the distributed blocking flowshop. To realize the dynamic scheduling, we adopt an “event-driven” policy and propose a two-stage “predictive-reactive” method consisting of two steps: initial solution pre-generation and rescheduling. In the first stage, a global initial schedule is generated and considers only the deterministic problem, i.e., optimizing the maximum completion time of static distributed blocking flowshop scheduling problems. In the second stage, that is, after the breakdown occurs, the rescheduling mechanism is triggered to seek a new schedule so that both maximum completion time and the stability measure of the system can be optimized. At the breakdown node, the operations of each job are classified and a hybrid rescheduling strategy consisting of “right-shift repair + local reorder” is performed. For local reorder, we designed a discrete memetic algorithm, which embeds the differential evolution concept in its search framework. To test the effectiveness of DMA, comparisons with mainstream algorithms are conducted on instances with different scales. The statistical results show that the ARPDs obtained from DMA are improved by 88%.
Recognition of Bio-Structural Anisotropy by Polarization Resolved Imaging
Authors: Fazio Eugenio , Batool Sidra , Nisar Mehwish , Alonzo Massimo , Frezza Fabrizio
Published: January 2022

In this paper, we develop a simple technique to identify material texture from far, by using polarization-resolved imaging. Such a technique can be easily implemented into industrial environments, where fast and cheap sensors are required. The technique has been applied to both isotropic references (Teflon bar) and anisotropic samples (wood). By studying the radiance of the samples illuminated by linearly polarized light, different and specific behaviours are identified for both isotropic and anisotropic samples, in terms of multipolar emission and linear dichroism, from which fibre orientation can be resolved.
Experimental Study and CFD Modeling of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer Characteristics in a Mini-Channel Heat Sink Using Simcenter STAR-CCM+ Software
Authors: Piasecka Magdalena , Piasecki Artur , Dadas Norbert
Published: January 2022

The present work describes an experimental study and CFD modeling of fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics in a heat sink with several asymmetrical heated mini-channels. The data from the experimental research were the basis for numerical calculations. During experiments, the temperature measurement of the outer heater surface was performed by infrared thermography to verify the results of numerical calculations performed in Simcenter STAR-CCM+ software. The main objective was to determine the values of the parameters tested to evaluate the intensity of the heat transfer processes. In the numerical simulations, important variables, mainly the working fluid, heater material, the spatial orientation of the test section, and the number of mini-channels, were assumed. The results of the numerical computations were discussed. Due to simulations, it was possible to indicate which parameters tested in terms of heat transfer turned out to be the most effective. Furthermore, a mesh dependency analysis based on the grid convergence index (GCI) was performed. The residuals, as good indicators of convergence, achieved low values. Generally, the data presented showed satisfactory convergence of the results achieved as a result of the computational procedure.
Home Energy Management Strategy-Based Meta-Heuristic Optimization for Electrical Energy Cost Minimization Considering TOU Tariffs
Authors: Liemthong Rittichai , Srithapon Chitchai , Ghosh Prasanta K. , Chatthaworn Rongrit
Published: January 2022

It is well documented that both solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and electric vehicles (EVs) positively impact the global environment. However, the integration of high PV resources into distribution networks creates new challenges because of the uncertainty of PV power generation. Additionally, high power consumption during many EV charging operations at a certain time of the day can be stressful for the distribution network. Stresses on the distribution network influence higher electricity tariffs, which negatively impact consumers. Therefore, a home energy management system is one of the solutions to control electricity consumption to reduce electrical energy costs. In this paper, a meta-heuristic-based optimization of a home energy management strategy is presented with the goal of electrical energy cost minimization for the consumer under the time-of-use (TOU) tariffs. The proposed strategy manages the operations of the plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) and the energy storage system (ESS) charging and discharging in a home. The meta-heuristic optimization, namely a genetic algorithm (GA), was applied to the home energy management strategy for minimizing the daily electrical energy cost for the consumer through optimal scheduling of ESS and PEV operations. To confirm the effectiveness of the proposed methodology, the load profile of a household in Udonthani, Thailand, and the TOU tariffs of the provincial electricity authority (PEA) of Thailand were applied in the simulation. The simulation results show that the proposed strategy with GA optimization provides the minimum daily or net electrical energy cost for the consumer. The daily electrical energy cost for the consumer is equal to 0.3847 USD when the methodology without GA optimization is used, whereas the electrical energy cost is equal to 0.3577 USD when the proposed methodology with GA optimization is used. Therefore, the proposed optimal home energy management strategy with GA optimization can decrease the daily electrical energy cost for the consumer up to 7.0185% compared to the electrical energy cost obtained from the methodology without GA optimization.
Analysis and Recommendations for LED Catastrophic Failure Due to Voltage Stress
Authors: Letha Shimi Sudha , Bollen Math H. J. , Rönnberg Sarah K.
Published: January 2022

Light-emitting diode (LED) lighting has, compared to other types of lighting, a significantly lower energy consumption. However, the perceived service life is also important for customer satisfaction and here there is a discrepancy between customers’ experience and manufacturers’ statements. Many customers experience a significantly shorter service life than claimed by the manufacturers. An experiment was carried out in the Pehr Högström Laboratory at Luleå University of Technology in Skellefteå, Sweden to investigate whether voltage disturbances could explain this discrepancy. Over 1000 LED lamps were exposed to high levels of voltage disturbances for more than 6000 h; the failure rate from this experiment was similar to the one from previous experiments in which lamps were exposed to normal voltage. The discrepancy thus remains, even though some possible explanations have emerged from the project’s results. The lamps were exposed to five different types of voltage disturbances: short interruptions; transients; overvoltage; undervoltage; and harmonics. Only overvoltage resulted in failure of the lamps, and only for a single topology of lamp. A detailed analysis has been made of the topology of lamps that failed. This lamp type contains a different internal electronics circuit than the other lamp types. Failures of the lamps when exposed to overvoltage are due to the heat development in the control circuit increasing sharply when the lamps are exposed to a higher voltage. Hence, it is concluded that there are lamps that are significantly more sensitive to voltage disturbances than other lamp types. Manufactures need to consider the voltage quality that can be expected at the terminal of the lamp to prevent failure of lamps due to voltage disturbances. This paper therefore contains recommendations for manufacturers of lighting; the recommendations describe which voltage disturbances lamps should cope with.