bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrogen Sulfide Donor GYY4137 Rescues NRF2 Activation in Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Authors: Haas de Mello Aline Haas , Liu Tianshuang , Garofalo Roberto P. , Casola Antonella
Published: July 2022

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause severe respiratory illness in infants, immunocompromised, and older adults. Despite its burden, no vaccine or specific treatment is available. RSV infection is associated with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, degradation of the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), and decreased antioxidant enzymes (AOEs), leading to oxidative damage and lung injury. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an endogenous gaseous molecule that plays a physiological role in numerous cellular processes and a protective role in multiple pathological conditions, displaying vasoactive, cytoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. H2S can promote NRF2 activation through the sulfhydration of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1, the cytoplasmic repressor of NRF2. Here we investigated whether increasing cellular H2S levels could rescue NRF2 and NRF2-dependent gene expression in RSV-infected primary airway epithelial cells. We found that treatment with the H2S donor GYY4137 significantly increased NRF2 levels and AOEs gene expression by decreasing KEAP1 levels, and by modulating pathways involved in RSV-induced NRF2 degradation, such as NRF2 ubiquitination, and promyelocytic leukemia (PML) protein levels. These results suggest that the administration of exogenous H2S can positively impact the altered redox balance associated with RSV infection, which represents an important determinant of RSV-induced lung disease.
Responses of Vegetation NDVI to Climate Change and Land Use in Ordos City, North China
Authors: Li Jiuyi
Published: July 2022

Ordos City lies in a semiarid-arid farm pastoral region in north China. In recent years, as an ecological security barrier and ecological vulnerable and sensitive region, the intensification of human activities and climate change in the foreseeable future have aroused people’s attention to ecological security issues. Based on the meteorological data of MOD13Q1 and the socioeconomic activity data in the same period, the variation characteristics of annual and seasonal vegetation NDVI, the response of vegetation NDVI to climate change, and the impact of human activities on vegetation NDVI in Ordos City from 2000 to 2020 were obtained by using trend analysis, sustainability analysis, and path analysis. The results showed that: (1) Ordos City vegetation NDVI showed an obvious growth trend, except for the interannual growth rate (0.0075/a), the growth rate in autumn increased faster than in other seasons (0.0067/a); (2) the future trend of vegetation NDVI in Ordos City is mainly anti-continuous improvement. If no effective measures are taken, the vegetation NDVI will degrade in the future; (3) precipitation was the main climate factor in the vegetation growth compared with temperature. An increase in precipitation promoted vegetation growth directly, while an increase in temperature showed a negative effect by reducing precipitation in the whole growing season; (4) the utilization pattern greatly affects the spatial distribution of vegetation NDVI, and stable land use can improve the utilization of vegetation.
Aerodynamic Window Sealing of a Large-Aperture Channel for High-Power Laser Transmission
Authors: Huang Xunqing , Wu Yunhan , Shi Yingzhong , Shao Shuai
Published: July 2022

In this study, the sealing of a large-aperture channel for high-power laser transmission is achieved using an aerodynamic window. Further, a numerical model of the gas and dust particle motion in the channel is established under three different blowing schemes, and the sealing performance of the large-aperture channel is analyzed and compared under different blowing schemes. The results indicate that the larger the proportion of purge gas volume flows in the axial direction, the better the sealing effect of the channel. More importantly, the axial blowing scheme can ensure that the large-aperture channel maintains the relative positive pressure to the external environment, effectively blocking the ambient gas and dust particles blowing in. The axial blowing scheme can achieve the sealing requirements of the large-aperture channel in an environment where the ambient wind speed is less than 20 m/s, and the dust particle mass concentration is less than 8×10−3 kg/m3. In this case, the minimum non-zero z-directional wind speed is stable and positive at a position 100 mm away from the port in the channel, and the particle mass concentration is zero.
Consensus Cooperative Encirclement Interception Guidance Law for Multiple Vehicles against Maneuvering Target
Authors: Guo Mingkun , Xia Guangqing , Yang Feng , Liu Cong , Liu Kai , Yang Jingnan
Published: July 2022

This paper studies a cooperative encirclement interception guidance law against a maneuvering target that utilizes a leader–follower control scheme. The control design is decoupled into two parts. In the line-of-sight (LOS) direction, a fixed-time distributed disturbance observer is presented to estimate the maneuvering of the target. Based on the proposed disturbance observer, the guidance law is designed for the followers to guarantee that each follower’s total flight time achieves consensus with that of the leader. In the normal direction of the LOS, the control command is designed to realize the encirclement interception with a predefined-time consensus protocol. The convergence of the guidance algorithm is proven by the Lyapunov stability theory. Numerical simulations are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed cooperative-guidance law.
Sample-Efficient Deep Learning Techniques for Burn Severity Assessment with Limited Data Conditions
Authors: Shin Hyunkyung , Shin Hyeonung , Choi Wonje , Park Jaesung , Park Minjae , Koh Euiyul , Woo Honguk
Published: July 2022

The automatic analysis of medical data and images to help diagnosis has recently become a major area in the application of deep learning. In general, deep learning techniques can be effective when a large high-quality dataset is available for model training. Thus, there is a need for sample-efficient learning techniques, particularly in the field of medical image analysis, as significant cost and effort are required to obtain a sufficient number of well-annotated high-quality training samples. In this paper, we address the problem of deep neural network training under sample deficiency by investigating several sample-efficient deep learning techniques. We concentrate on applying these techniques to skin burn image analysis and classification. We first build a large-scale, professionally annotated dataset of skin burn images, which enables the establishment of convolutional neural network (CNN) models for burn severity assessment with high accuracy. We then deliberately set data limitation conditions and adapt several sample-efficient techniques, such as transferable learning (TL), self-supervised learning (SSL), federated learning (FL), and generative adversarial network (GAN)-based data augmentation, to those conditions. Through comprehensive experimentation, we evaluate the sample-efficient deep learning techniques for burn severity assessment, and show, in particular, that SSL models learned on a small task-specific dataset can achieve comparable accuracy to a baseline model learned on a six-times larger dataset. We also demonstrate the applicability of FL and GANs to model training under different data limitation conditions that commonly occur in the area of healthcare and medicine where deep learning models are adopted.
Inorganic–Organic Hybrid Electrolytes Based on Al-Doped Li7La3Zr2O12 and Ionic Liquids
Authors: Tsurumaki Akiko , Rettaroli Rossella , Mazzapioda Lucia , Navarra Maria Assunta
Published: July 2022

Organic–inorganic hybrid electrolytes based on Al-doped Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) and two different ionic liquids (ILs), namely N-ethoxyethyl-N-methylpiperidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (FSI IL) and N-ethoxyethyl-N-methylpiperidinium difluoro(oxalato)borate (DFOB IL), were prepared with the aim of improvement of inherent flexibilities of inorganic solid electrolytes. The composites were evaluated in terms of thermal, spectroscopical, and electrochemical properties. In the impedance spectra of LLZO composites with 15 wt% ILs, a semi-circle due to grain boundary resistances was not observed. With the sample merely pressed with 1 ton, without any high-temperature sintering process, the ionic conductivity of 10−3 S cm−1 was achieved at room temperature. Employing a ternary composite of LLZO, FSI IL, and LiFSI as an electrolyte, all-solid-state lithium metal batteries having LiFePO4 as a cathode were assembled. The cell exhibited a capacity above 100 mAh g−1 throughout the course of charge–discharge cycle at C/20. This confirms that FSI IL is an effective additive for inorganic solid electrolytes, which can guarantee the ion conduction.
Age, Sex, and Maxillary Position Are Associated with Successful Microimplant-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion in Adults
Authors: Choi Jae-Hong , Gil Byung Gyu , Kim Yoon-Ji , Lee Dong-Yul
Published: July 2022

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible predictors of success of microimplant-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) in skeletally mature patients. Additionally, factors associated with the amount of maxillary expansion were analyzed. Factors associated with MARPE success were analyzed in 53 adult patients (27 males, 26 females, mean age 25.8 ± 8.9 years, and range 18.0 to 56.6 years) who had a maxillary transverse deficiency greater than 2 mm and a cervical vertebral maturation stage of 6. Age at pretreatment (T1), sex, sutural bone density at T1, type of appliance, mode of microimplant fixation, and lateral cephalometric variables at T1 were considered for inclusion as predictors for MARPE success. In patients who showed successful maxillary skeletal expansion, the linear distances of maxillary widths were measured on cone-beam-computed-tomography images at T1 and after MARPE (T2), and factors associated with the amount of expansion were analyzed. In total, 41 of the 53 patients showed successful maxillary expansion. Age (p = 0.019), sex (p = 0.002), and A-N perp (p = 0.015) were significantly associated with the success of MARPE. The factors associated with the amount of maxillary skeletal expansion were SN-MP and midpalatal-suture density at T1. In conclusion, there is a greater chance of failure in male patients who are older and have maxillary retrusion. A greater amount of maxillary expansion can be expected in patients with a higher mandibular-plane angle and with lower midpalatal-suture density.
Impact of the Choice of Available Brake Discs and Brake Pads at Different Prices on Selected Vehicle Features
Authors: Synák František , Jakubovičová Lenka , Klačko Matúš
Published: July 2022

The purpose of a road vehicle’s friction brakes is to convert a vehicle’s kinetic energy to thermal energy. When doing so, the brakes should not be heated to such temperatures at which their efficiency could be reduced. The objective of the measurements in this article is to assess the ability of passenger brakes’ spare parts, brake discs and brake pads to meet the requirements for brakes. For the experimental measurements, brake discs and brake pads of high, middle and low prices were selected from advertisements intended for a particular vehicle. The measurements were performed via driving test measurements as well as under laboratory conditions. Driving test measurements determined the brake distance and mean fully developed deceleration of the brake components of all three price categories. On the other hand, the dependence between the effort to control the steering and the brake force, as well as the temperature of brake discs during repeated interrupted braking and continuous uninterrupted braking, were determined under laboratory conditions. Attention was also given to prevention against corrosion. The results show a sufficient ability of all the brake pads and brake discs tested to generate braking force under common conditions. However, when using the lowest-priced brake discs and brake pads, a substantial reduction in their efficiency can occur if braking intensively or over a long period.
Response of Osteoblasts to Electric Field Line Patterns Emerging from Molecule Stripe Landscapes
Authors: Voelkner Christian , Assi Issam , Karberg Willi , Lange Regina , Neuber Sven , Helm Christiane A. , Gruening Martina , Nebe J. Barbara , Barke Ingo , Speller Sylvia
Published: July 2022

Molecular surface gradients can constitute electric field landscapes and serve to control local cell adhesion and migration. Cellular responses to electric field landscapes may allow the discovery of routes to improve osseointegration of implants. Flat molecule aggregate landscapes of amine- or carboxyl-teminated dendrimers, amine-containing protein and polyelectrolytes were prepared on glass to provide lateral electric field gradients through their differing zeta potentials compared to the glass substrate. The local as well as the mesoscopic morphological responses of adhered osteoblasts (MG-63) with respect to the stripes were studied by means of Scanning Ion Conductance Microscopy (SICM) and Fluorescence Microscopy, in situ. A distinct spindle shape oriented parallel to the surface pattern as well as a preferential adhesion of the cells on the glass site have been observed at a stripe and spacing width of 20 μm. Excessive ruffling is observed at the spindle poles, where the cells extend. To explain this effect of material preference and electro-deformation, we put forward a retraction mechanism, a localized form of double-sided cathodic taxis.
Design and Acceleration of Field Programmable Gate Array-Based Deep Learning for Empty-Dish Recycling Robots
Authors: Wang Zhichen , Li Hengyi , Yue Xuebin , Meng Lin
Published: July 2022

As the proportion of the working population decreases worldwide, robots with artificial intelligence have been a good choice to help humans. At the same time, field programmable gate array (FPGA) is generally used on edge devices including robots, and it greatly accelerates the inference process of deep learning tasks, including object detection tasks. In this paper, we build a unique object detection dataset of 16 common kinds of dishes and use this dataset for training a YOLOv3 object detection model. Then, we propose a formalized process of deploying a YOLOv3 model on the FPGA platform, which consists of training and pruning the model on a software platform, and deploying the pruned model on a hardware platform (such as FPGA) through Vitis AI. According to the experimental results, we successfully realize acceleration of the dish detection using a YOLOv3 model based on FPGA. By applying different sparse training and pruning methods, we test the pruned model in 18 different situations on the ZCU102 evaluation board. In order to improve detection speed as much as possible while ensuring detection accuracy, for the pruned model with the highest comprehensive performance, compared to the original model, the comparison results are as follows: the model size is reduced from 62 MB to 12 MB, which is only 19% of the origin; the number of parameters is reduced from 61,657,117 to 9,900,539, which is only 16% of the origin; the running time is reduced from 14.411 s to 6.828 s, which is only less than half of the origin, while the detection accuracy is decreased from 97% to 94.1%, which is only less than 3%.
Real-Time Object Tracking Algorithm Based on Siamese Network
Authors: Zhao Wenjun , Deng Miaolei , Cheng Cong , Zhang Dexian
Published: July 2022

Object tracking is aimed at tracking a given target that is only specified in the first frame. Due to the rapid movement and the interference of cluttered backgrounds, object tracking is a significant challenging issue in computer vision. This research put forward an innovative feature pyramid and optical flow estimation based on the Siamese network for object tracking, which is called SiamFP. The SiamFP jointly trains the optical flow and the tracking task under the Siamese network framework. We employ the optical flow network based on the pyramid correlation mapping to evaluate the movement information of the target in two contiguous frames, to increase the accuracy of the feature representation. Simultaneously, we adopt spatial attention as well as channel attention to effectively restrain the ambient noise, stress the target area, and better extract the features of the given object, so that the tracking algorithm has a higher success rate. The proposed SiamFP obtains state-of-the-art performance on OTB50, OTB2015, and VOT2016 benchmarks while exhibiting better real-time and robustness.
Empirical Perturbation Analysis of Two Adversarial Attacks: Black Box versus White Box
Authors: Chitic Raluca , Topal Ali Osman , Leprévost Franck
Published: July 2022

Through the addition of humanly imperceptible noise to an image classified as belonging to a category ca, targeted adversarial attacks can lead convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to classify a modified image as belonging to any predefined target class ct≠ca. To achieve a better understanding of the inner workings of adversarial attacks, this study analyzes the adversarial images created by two completely opposite attacks against 10 ImageNet-trained CNNs. A total of 2×437 adversarial images are created by EAtarget,C, a black-box evolutionary algorithm (EA), and by the basic iterative method (BIM), a white-box, gradient-based attack. We inspect and compare these two sets of adversarial images from different perspectives: the behavior of CNNs at smaller image regions, the image noise frequency, the adversarial image transferability, the image texture change, and penultimate CNN layer activations. We find that texture change is a side effect rather than a means for the attacks and that ct-relevant features only build up significantly from image regions of size 56×56 onwards. In the penultimate CNN layers, both attacks increase the activation of units that are positively related to ct and units that are negatively related to ca. In contrast to EAtarget,C’s white noise nature, BIM predominantly introduces low-frequency noise. BIM affects the original ca features more than EAtarget,C, thus producing slightly more transferable adversarial images. However, the transferability with both attacks is low, since the attacks’ ct-related information is specific to the output layers of the targeted CNN. We find that the adversarial images are actually more transferable at regions with sizes of 56×56 than at full scale.
Does Set Theory Really Ground Arithmetic Truth?
Authors: Freire Alfredo Roque
Published: July 2022

We consider the foundational relation between arithmetic and set theory. Our goal is to criticize the construction of standard arithmetic models as providing grounds for arithmetic truth. Our method is to emphasize the incomplete picture of both theories and to treat models as their syntactical counterparts. Insisting on the incomplete picture will allow us to argue in favor of the revisability of the standard-model interpretation. We start briefly characterizing the expansion of arithmetic ‘truth’ provided by the interpretation in a set theory. Interpreted versions of an arithmetic theory into set theories generally have more theorems than the original. This theorem expansion is not complete however. Using this, the set theoretic multiversalist concludes that there are multiple legitimate standard models of arithmetic. We suggest a different multiversalist conclusion: while there is a single arithmetic structure, its interpretation in each universe may vary or even not be possible. We continue by defining the coordination problem. We consider two independent communities of mathematicians responsible for deciding over new axioms for ZF and PA. How likely are they to be coordinated regarding PA’s interpretation in ZF? We prove that it is possible to have extensions of PA not interpretable in a given set theory ST. We further show that the number of extensions of arithmetic is uncountable, while interpretable extensions in ST are countable. We finally argue that this fact suggests that coordination can only work if it is assumed from the start.
The Application of Bony Labyrinth Methods for Forensic Affinity Estimation
Authors: Uhl Alexandra , Karakostis Fotios Alexandros , Harvati Katerina
Published: July 2022

Population affinity identification is important for reconstructing the biological profile of human skeletal remains. Most anthropological methods for predicting population affinity rely on complete crania or cranial parts. However, complete parts are frequently not found in forensic and bioarchaeological contexts. In contrast, the petrous portion of the cranium presents a unique rate of preservation in the field. Therefore, this study aimed to develop stepwise discriminant function formulae to determine population affinity using measurements on three-dimensional models of the human adult bony labyrinth. The sample utilised consisted of 30 German, 38 African Zulu, and 30 Oneota individuals. A total of four function equations were developed. The function involving all three populations presented an average accuracy of 90.8%. Mathematical equations were also derived to discriminate between Zulu and Germans (91.2%), Zulu and Oneota (95.5%), as well as Oneota and Germans (96.7%). These results indicate this new method of population affinity identification is highly successful, even with fragmentary remains.
Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase in the Perivascular Adipose Tissue
Authors: Man Andy W. C. , Zhou Yawen , Xia Ning , Li Huige
Published: July 2022

Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) is a special type of ectopic fat depot that adheres to most vasculatures. PVAT has been shown to exert anticontractile effects on the blood vessels and confers protective effects against metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. PVAT plays a critical role in vascular homeostasis via secreting adipokine, hormones, and growth factors. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS; also known as NOS3 or NOSIII) is well-known for its role in the generation of vasoprotective nitric oxide (NO). eNOS is primarily expressed, but not exclusively, in endothelial cells, while recent studies have identified its expression in both adipocytes and endothelial cells of PVAT. PVAT eNOS is an important player in the protective role of PVAT. Different studies have demonstrated that, under obesity-linked metabolic diseases, PVAT eNOS may be even more important than endothelium eNOS in obesity-induced vascular dysfunction, which may be attributed to certain PVAT eNOS-specific functions. In this review, we summarized the current understanding of eNOS expression in PVAT, its function under both physiological and pathological conditions and listed out a few pharmacological interventions of interest that target eNOS in PVAT.
A Neural Sensor with a Nanocomposite Interface for the Study of Spike Characteristics of Hippocampal Neurons under Learning Training
Authors: Xu Shihong , Deng Yu , Luo Jinping , Liu Yaoyao , He Enhui , Yang Yan , Zhang Kui , Sha Longze , Dai Yuchun , Ming Tao , Song Yilin , Jing Luyi , Zhuang Chengyu , Xu Qi , Cai Xinxia
Published: July 2022

Both the cellular- and population-level properties of involved neurons are essential for unveiling the learning and memory functions of the brain. To give equal attention to these two aspects, neural sensors based on microelectrode arrays (MEAs) have been in the limelight due to their noninvasive detection and regulation capabilities. Here, we fabricated a neural sensor using carboxylated graphene/3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene:polystyrenesulfonate (cGO/PEDOT:PSS), which is effective in sensing and monitoring neuronal electrophysiological activity in vitro for a long time. The cGO/PEDOT:PSS-modified microelectrodes exhibited a lower electrochemical impedance (7.26 ± 0.29 kΩ), higher charge storage capacity (7.53 ± 0.34 mC/cm2), and improved charge injection (3.11 ± 0.25 mC/cm2). In addition, their performance was maintained after 2 to 4 weeks of long-term cell culture and 50,000 stimulation pulses. During neural network training, the sensors were able to induce learning function in hippocampal neurons through precise electrical stimulation and simultaneously detect changes in neural activity at multiple levels. At the cellular level, not only were three kinds of transient responses to electrical stimulation sensed, but electrical stimulation was also found to affect inhibitory neurons more than excitatory neurons. As for the population level, changes in connectivity and firing synchrony were identified. The cGO/PEDOT:PSS-based neural sensor offers an excellent tool in brain function development and neurological disease treatment.
Performance Evaluation of Reinforced Concrete Columns under Simultaneously Combined Fire and Cyclic Loads
Authors: Chen Qingjun , Jiang Yu
Published: July 2022

Reinforced concrete (RC) structures could suffer from the combined action of fires, earthquakes, and other loads during their life cycle; more importantly, coupled disasters lead to further deterioration and damage to structural performance. This paper investigated the multiple performances and distinguished the safe working conditions of the RC column subjected to simultaneously combined fire and cyclic loads. The numerical model considered the degradation of the mechanical properties of steel and concrete and the bond-slip performance between steel and concrete at high temperatures. The results show that the performance of RC columns with different section sizes, longitudinal reinforcement ratios, cover thicknesses, axial load ratios, and cyclic loads differs greatly under simultaneously combined fire-cyclic loads. In specific, when the cyclic load application time is less than 2 h, the cyclic load has little effect on the response of the RC column. According to the different characteristics of RC columns when subjected to combined fire-cyclic loads, the firing process of RC columns is divided into four stages. To avoid the excessive performance degradation of RC columns, the minimum designed fire resistance time of RC columns is recommended to be 2.5 times the fire resistance time of the RC column under static loads.
The Impact of Insulin-Induced Lipodystrophy on Glycemic Variability in Pediatric Patients with Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Lombardo Fortunato , Bombaci Bruno , Alibrandi Angela , Visalli Giulia , Salzano Giuseppina , Passanisi Stefano
Published: July 2022

Lipodystrophy is the most common dermatological complication in patients with diabetes on insulin therapy. Despite the high frequency of lipodystrophy, there are still several difficulties in giving advice about avoidance into practice among children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes and their caregivers. This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the prevalence of insulin-induced lipodystrophy in a cohort of pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes, to identify associated clinical factors and to assess its influence on glycemic control. Two hundred and twelve patients attending our Diabetes Center during a three-month period were enrolled. The presence of lipodystrophy was assessed by inspection and palpation procedures. Demographic and clinical data including type of treatment, frequency of rotation of insulin administration sites, and glucose metrics of the previous 30 days were assessed and statistically analyzed. Prevalence of lipohypertrophy was 44.3%. Two patients were affected by lipoatrophy (0.9%). Improper rotation of insulin administration sites and low awareness on lipodystrophy were associated to the occurrence of this skin condition (p = 0.050 and p = 0.005, respectively). When comparing patients with and without lipodystrophy, a significant difference in glycemic variability parameters was detected (p = 0.036 for coefficient of variation, p = 0.029 for standard deviation score of glucose levels). Lipodystrophy still represents a common complication in patients on insulin therapy. The present study reveals its negative impact on glycemic variability. This finding emphasizes the importance of prevention strategies to minimize the occurrence of this dermatological complication that may interfere with clinical history of the disease.
Alkali−Silica Activity and Inhibition Measures of Concrete Aggregate in Northwest China
Authors: Wen Jing , Dong Jinmei , Chang Chenggong , Xiao Xueying , Zheng Weixin
Published: July 2022

The alkali−silica reaction (ASR)-induced expansion of mortar bars containing four types of aggregates originating from different regions in northwest China was studied. The chemical composition, mineral composition, vitreous and amorphous substances, and expansion rates were determined using X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, polarizing microscope images, and the accelerated mortar bar test (AMBT). The inhibitory effects of fly ash and silica fume on the aggregate activity were evaluated. The binary mortar mixes were produced and tested, containing cement and fly ash or silica fume as the partial cement replacement. The microstructure and composition of the ASR products were analyzed by scanning electron microscope energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM–EDS). The results show that all four types of aggregates exhibited an alkali activity, and that all expansion rates on the 14th day were higher than the standard of 0.1%. The lowest and highest values were 0.2% and 0.3%, respectively. The primary constituent in the chemical compositions of these aggregates was found to be silica. Polarization microscopy also confirmed that they contained alkali-active cryptolites. Fly ash and silica fume could both inhibit alkali activity expansion and the silica fume exhibited a superior inhibition effect. When the fly ash and silica fume contents were 20% and 10%, respectively, the expansion rates of the mortar bar on the 14th day were all less than 0.03%.
Actinic Keratoses (AK): An Exploratory Questionnaire-Based Study of Patients’ Illness Perceptions
Authors: Sgouros Dimitrios , Milia-Argyti Adamantia , Arvanitis Dimitrios K. , Polychronaki Eleni , Kousta Fiori , Panagiotopoulos Antonios , Theotokoglou Sofia , Syrmali Anna , Theodoropoulos Konstantinos , Stratigos Alexander , Rigopoulos Dimitrios , Katoulis Alexander
Published: July 2022

Background: Decreased illness perception among actinic keratoses (AK) patients is a major barrier to the effective management of AK. Objective: We aimed to investigate patients’ illness and treatment perceptions, their correlation to demographics and AK/skin cancer history, and secondarily the influence of these perspectives on treatment and sunscreen use. Materials and Methods: Participants completed questionnaires based on the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and statistical analysis was performed. Results: In total, 208 AK patients were enrolled. A large proportion were poorly aware of the disease (41.4%), with less than half (43%) being familiar with AK. Patients were aware of the chronic nature of the disease and its correlation to sunlight regardless of demographic characteristics. The level of education played a role in disease awareness (p = 0.006), and treatment plan perception (p = 0.002). The increase in sunscreen protection after AK diagnosis was higher in women (p = 0.009) and younger patients (p = 0.044). Patients’ concerns regarding treatment were mainly related to the duration (30%) and effectivity (25%). Dermatologists’ statements highlighting that AK are precancerous lesions (86.2%) influenced patients’ willingness for treatment. Conclusion: Improved awareness of AK is necessary to increase treatment seeking and compliance, regarding both treatment and sunscreen use. Dermatologists’ statements may have critical influence on patients’ decisions to receive treatment for AK.
MiR-155 Dysregulation Is Associated with the Augmentation of ROS/p53 Axis of Fibrosis in Thioacetamide-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Is Protected by Resveratrol
Authors: Dawood Amal F. , Al Humayed Suliman , Momenah Maha A. , El-Sherbiny Mohamed , Ashour Hend , Kamar Samaa S. , ShamsEldeen Asmaa M. , Haidara Mohamed A. , Al-Ani Bahjat , Ebrahim Hasnaa A.
Published: July 2022

Liver fibrosis is a hallmark of thioacetamide (TAA) intoxications. MicroRNAs (miRs), such as miR-155, have been implied in the pathogenesis of liver disease, and regulated by the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound resveratrol (RES). The link between reactive oxygen species (ROS), tumour suppressor p53 (p53), and liver fibrosis-during the pathogenesis of TAA-induced liver injury-associated with miR-155 dysregulation with and without RES incorporation has not been previously studied. Therefore, one group of rats received TAA injections of 200 mg/kg; twice a week at the beginning of week 3 for 8 weeks (TAA group; or model group), whereas the protective group was pretreated daily with RES suspension (20 mg/kg; orally) for the first two weeks and subsequently sustained on receiving both RES and TAA until being sacrificed at the 10th week. Liver injuries developed in the model group were confirmed by a significant (p < 0.0001) elevation of hepatic tissue levels of miR-155, ROS, p53, and the profibrogenic biomarkers: tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 and α-smooth muscle actin, as well as collagen deposition (fibrosis). All these parameters were significantly (p ≤ 0.0234) protected by resveratrol (RES + TAA). In addition, we observed a significant (p < 0.0001) correlation between ROS/p53 axis mediated liver fibrosis and miR-155. Thus, TAA intoxication induced miR-155 imbalance and ROS/p53-mediated liver fibrosis, with resveratrol, conversely displaying beneficial hepatic pleiotropic effects for a period of 10 weeks.
Ultrasound Imaging of Facial Vascular Neural Structures and Relevance to Aesthetic Injections: A Pictorial Essay
Authors: Wu Wei-Ting , Chang Ke-Vin , Chang Hsiang-Chi , Kuan Chen-Hsiang , Chen Lan-Rong , Mezian Kamal , Ricci Vincenzo , Özçakar Levent
Published: July 2022

The facial and submental regions are supplied by complicated neurovascular networks; therefore, facial aesthetic injections may be associated with serious adverse events such as skin necrosis and blindness. Pre-injection localization of neurovascular structures using high-resolution ultrasound can theoretically prevent unexpected complications. Therefore, a systematic protocol that focuses on these facial neurovascular structures is warranted. In this pictorial essay, we discuss the sonoanatomy of facial and submental neurovascular structures and its relevance to aesthetic injections. Moreover, we have highlighted the mechanisms underlying potential neurovascular injuries during aesthetic injections.
Autoimmune Connective Tissue Diseases-Related Pruritus: Proper Diagnosis and Possible Mechanisms
Authors: Wong Lai-San , Yen Yu-Ta
Published: July 2022

Pruritus is a well-known bothersome symptom among skin disorders, especially inflammatory skin disorders. Lately, a high prevalence of pruritus in patients with autoimmune connective tissue diseases (ACTDs) has been revealed. Patients with ACTDs may suffer from varying degrees of pruritus, which affect their quality of life. However, it is rarely recognized both by patients and physicians. Meanwhile, pruritus is not only a symptom but is also related to the disease severity of some ACTDs. The pathophysiology of ACTD related pruritus is ambiguous. This review summarizes the features and possible mechanisms of ACTD-related pruritus, which might lead to proper diagnosis and treatment.
Exposing Deep Representations to a Recurrent Expansion with Multiple Repeats for Fuel Cells Time Series Prognosis
Authors: Berghout Tarek , Benbouzid Mohamed , Bentrcia Toufik , Amirat Yassine , Mouss Leïla-Hayet
Published: July 2022

The green conversion of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) has received particular attention in both stationary and transportation applications. However, the poor durability of PEMFC represents a major problem that hampers its commercial application since dynamic operating conditions, including physical deterioration, have a serious impact on the cell performance. Under these circumstances, prognosis and health management (PHM) plays an important role in prolonging durability and preventing damage propagation via the accurate planning of a condition-based maintenance (CBM) schedule. In this specific topic, health deterioration modeling with deep learning (DL) is the widely studied representation learning tool due to its adaptation ability to rapid changes in data complexity and drift. In this context, the present paper proposes an investigation of further deeper representations by exposing DL models themselves to recurrent expansion with multiple repeats. Such a recurrent expansion of DL (REDL) allows new, more meaningful representations to be explored by repeatedly using generated feature maps and responses to create new robust models. The proposed REDL, which is designed to be an adaptive learning algorithm, is tested on a PEMFC deterioration dataset and compared to its deep learning baseline version under time series analysis. Using multiple numeric and visual metrics, the results support the REDL learning scheme by showing promising performances.
Sub-Synchronous Oscillation Suppression Strategy Based on Impedance Modeling by Attaching Virtual Resistance Controllers for Doubly-Fed Induction Generator
Authors: Liu Yingming , Guo Guoxian , Wang Xiaodong , Wang Hanbo , Wang Liming
Published: July 2022

A sub-synchronous oscillation (SSO) suppression strategy of attaching virtual resistance controllers to the rotor-side converter (RSC) of the doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) is proposed in this study to suppress sub-synchronous oscillation (SSO) caused by series compensation and grid connection of DFIG. A DFIG-based frequency domain impedance model considering RSC control under small signal perturbations is developed in a three-phase stationary coordinate system. Subsequently, the factors and mechanisms of SSO in the system with different phase sequences are analyzed in combination with the equivalent RLC resonant circuit of a DFIG-based series-compensated grid-connected system (SCGCS). SSO occurs when RSC and rotor winding generate a large equivalent negative resistance at the SSO frequency, resulting in a negative total system resistance. Additionally, the influences of series compensation degree (SCD) of line and inner loop parameters (ILPs) of RSC related to the total impedance of the system on the SSO characteristics are analyzed to optimize the parameters and improve the system stability. Based on the causes of SSO, virtual resistance controllers are attached to RSC to provide positive resistance to the system and to offset the equivalent negative resistance of RSC and rotor winding at the SSO frequency, thereby avoiding SSO of the system. Finally, time-domain simulations using power system computer aided design/electromagnetic transients including dc (PSCAD/EMTDC) show that the SSO of the system is effectively suppressed.
Bibliometric Analysis of Solar Desalination Systems Powered by Solar Energy and CFD Modelled
Authors: Sonawane Chandrakant R. , Panchal Hitesh N. , Hoseinzadeh Siamak , Ghasemi Mohammad Hadi , Alrubaie Ali Jawad , Sohani Ali
Published: July 2022

Solar desalination is a sustainable approach to producing fresh water from saline water. Researchers have tried modifications to solar desalination systems to enhance the distillate output. This survey aims to recognize the characteristics of research work for investigating solar desalination systems. The essential terms to be focused on are computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and solar radiation consideration for the investigation. The data for this bibliometric study was taken from Scopus, with 1932 publications. The characteristics of the research work were analyzed by identifying the research publications, research subject areas, journals, most contributed countries, and data from the authors. The research trend was investigated utilizing yearly research growth, geographical contributions, source quality of publications, and participation of various institutions. VOSviewer software was used for network analysis of essential keywords used in relevant research works and to understand collaborations between the authors and co-authors. About 76% of the total publications belong to the document type articles. It illuminates research tendencies related to the topic under consideration. Results show that desalination research work concerned with CFD or solar radiation was mainly investigated in Engineering and Environmental Science, with their share of more than 50% of the total publications. Further study of relevant research works was assessed using network analysis that helped to link different keywords and authors’ collaborations. This survey helps to spot the increasing research trends and the necessity of further research.
Review of Selected Advances in Electrical Capacitance Volume Tomography for Multiphase Flow Monitoring
Authors: Rasel Rafiul K. , Chowdhury Shah M. , Marashdeh Qussai M. , Teixeira Fernando L.
Published: July 2022

Electrical Capacitance Volume Tomography (ECVT) has emerged as an attractive technology for addressing instrumentation requirements in various energy-related multiphase flow systems. ECVT can monitor multiple flow conditions and reconstruct real-time 3D images from capacitance measurements using a large set of electrode plates placed around the processes column enclosing the sensed flow system. ECVT is non-intrusive and allows the measurement of changes in mutual capacitance between all possible plate pair combinations. The objective of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of recent advances in ECVT, enabling robust monitoring of multiphase flows, especially water-containing multiphase flows.
Ce:Nd:YAG Solar Laser with 4.5% Solar-to-Laser Conversion Efficiency
Authors: Garcia Dário , Liang Dawei , Vistas Cláudia R. , Costa Hugo , Catela Miguel , Tibúrcio Bruno D. , Almeida Joana
Published: July 2022

The efficiency potential of a small-size solar-pumped laser is studied here. The solar laser head was composed of a fused silica aspheric lens and a conical pump cavity, which coupled and redistributed the concentrated solar radiation from the focal zone of a parabolic mirror with an effective collection area of 0.293 m2 to end-side pump a Ce (0.1 at%):Nd (1.1 at%):YAG rod of 2.5 mm diameter and 25 mm length. Optimum solar laser design parameters were found through Zemax© non-sequential ray-tracing and LASCAD™ analysis. The utilization of the Ce:Nd:YAG medium with small diameter pumped by a small-scale solar concentrator was essential to significantly enhance the end-side pump solar laser efficiency and thermal performance. For 249 W incoming solar power at an irradiance of 850 W/m2, 11.2 W multimode solar laser power was measured, corresponding to the record solar-to-laser power conversion efficiency of 4.50%, being, to the best of our knowledge, 1.22 times higher than the previous record. Moreover, the highest solar laser collection efficiency of 38.22 W/m2 and slope efficiency of 6.8% were obtained, which are 1.18 and 1.02 times, respectively, higher than the previous records. The lowest threshold solar power of a Ce:Nd:YAG solar-pumped laser is also reported here.
Dynamic Characteristics and Demonstration of an Integrated Linear Engine Generator with Alternative Electrical Machines
Authors: Moeini Korbekandi Ramin , Baker Nick J. , Kulan Mehmet C. , Jalal Aslan S. , Wu Dawei , Li Mingqiang
Published: July 2022

A linear engine generator with a compact double-acting free piston mechanism allows for full integration of the combustion engine and generator, which provides an alternative chemical-to-electrical energy converter with a higher volumetric power density for the electrification of automobiles, trains, and ships. This paper aims to analyse the performance of the integrated engine with alternative permanent magnet linear tubular electrical machine topologies using a coupled dynamic model in Siemens Simcenter software. Two types of alternative generator configurations are compared, namely long translator-short stator and short translator-long stator linear machines. The dynamic models of the linear engine and linear generator, validated with lab-scale prototypes, are applied to investigate the influence of alternative topologies of the generator on system performance. The coupled model will facilitate the early design phase and reveal the optimal match of the key parameters of the engine and generator. Then, experimental tests on an integrated compressor cylinder-generator prototype were successfully performed, and it is shown that this concept is feasible and electrical power and compressed working fluid, such as air, can be generated by this prototype.
Short-Term Load Forecasting with a Novel Wavelet-Based Ensemble Method
Authors: Kondaiah V. Y. , Saravanan B.
Published: July 2022

“Short-term load forecasting (STLF)” is increasingly significant because of the extensive use of distributed energy resources, the incorporation of intermitted RES, and the implementation of DSM. This paper provides a novel ensemble forecasting model with wavelet transform for the STLF depending on the decomposition principle of load profiles. The model can effectively capture the portion of daily load profiles caused by seasonal variations. The results indicate that it is possible to improve STLF accuracy with the proposed method. The proposed approach is tested with the data taken from Ontario’s electricity market in Canada. The results show that the proposed technique performs well in-terms of prediction when compared to existing traditional and cutting-edge methods. The performance of the model was validated with different datasets. Moreover, this approach can provide accurate load forecasting using ensemble models. Therefore, utilities and smart grid operators can use this approach as an additional decision-making tool to improve their real-time decisions.
Cogeneration Economics
Authors: Giannini Eugenia
Published: July 2022

This editorial provides a synopsis of the contributions published during 2020–2021 in a Special Issue of Energies entitled “Cogeneration Economics” [...]
Structure, Physicochemical Property, and Functional Activity of Dietary Fiber Obtained from Pear Fruit Pomace (Pyrus ussuriensis Maxim) via Different Extraction Methods
Authors: Peng Fei , Ren Xin , Du Bin , Chen Linan , Yu Zuoqing , Yang Yuedong
Published: July 2022

In this study, soluble dietary fiber (SDF) and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) were extracted from Pyrus ussuriensis Maxim pomace via three methods including enzymic extraction (EE), microwave-assisted enzymatic extraction (MEE), and three-phase partitioning (TPP). The effects of different extraction methods on the structure, physicochemical property, and functional activity of the extracted dietary fiber were evaluated. The results showed that different extraction methods had significant effects on the extraction yield, molecular weight distribution, thermal stability, antioxidant activity, and hypoglycemic activity in vitro, but resulted in no difference in the structure and composition of functional groups. It is noteworthy that SDF extracted by TPP has a more complex and porous structure, lower molecular weight, and higher thermal stability, as well as better physicochemical properties and in vitro hypoglycemic activity. IDF extracted by MEE showed the greatest water and oil holding capacity; the highest adsorption capacity for glucose, cholesterol, and nitrite ion; as well as the strongest inhibitory activity on α-amylase. These results suggest that PUP may be a source of cheap natural dietary fiber.