bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial Properties of AgNP/TEMPO-Oxidized Cellulose Nanofiber/Chitosan Composite Fibers
Authors: Dechojarassri Duangkamol , Komatsu Kazuki , Sawara Atsuhito , Tamura Hiroshi , Furuike Tetsuya
Published: August 2023

This study successfully synthesized functionalized silver nanoparticle/TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber/chitosan (AgNP/TOCN/CS) composite fibers. First, the TOCN/CS composite fibers were prepared through the wet-spinning technique, yielding Ag/TOCN/CS composite fibers after immersion in a 5 mM AgNO3 aqueous solution for 3 h, followed by washing with 100 mL of deionized water five times. Second, upon heat treatment without adding other reducing agents, TOCN reduced the Ag+ in the Ag/TOCN/CS composite fibers to AgNP/TOCN/CS composite fibers on the surface of the CS fibers. The fiber color changed from white to yellow-orange when the temperature changed from 100 to 170 °C. In addition, the results suggest that the heat treatment at 130 °C for 20 min was the optimal heat treatment condition. Meanwhile, soaking the fibers in 50 mM ascorbic acid for 1 min is the best condition for ascorbic acid reduction. The antibacterial test results showed that the AgNP/TOCN/CS composite fibers formed via ascorbic acid reduction exhibited better antibacterial activity against both Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis than those produced via heat treatment. In summary, AgNPs formed on the fiber surface of AgNP/TOCN/CS composite fibers and showed antibacterial activity, confirming the successful addition of antibacterial properties to TOCN/CS composite fibers.
Effects of Wildland Fuel Composition on Fire Intensity
Authors: Dong Ziyu , Williams Roger A.
Published: August 2023

Assessing the characteristics of fuel flammability during fire is of major significance regarding fire intensity and fire spread control. Under the background of shifting forest composition from heliophytic to mesophytic species in mixed-oak forests, our objective is to determine the impacts of species-driven changes in fuel flammability characteristics and the specific relationships between fuel ignition variations at the species level. Oak and maple fuels were collected from ninety-four plots established in Zaleski State Forest, Ohio. A total of 30 combustion samples were separated (15 oak samples and 15 maple samples), with each combustion sample weighing 20 g to ignite under a laboratory fume hood. Our results determined that oak fuel showed significantly higher flame temperatures than maple fuel, and the fuel consumption and combustion duration time both varied between oak and maple fuel. These findings indicated that the shift from oak forest to mesophytic species could change a fire’s behavior. Combined with the cooler, moister, and less-flammable forest conditions generated by these mesophytic species, fires may not be able to reach their historical fire intensities, suggesting that updated data and new insights are needed for fire management.
Video Fire Detection Methods Based on Deep Learning: Datasets, Methods, and Future Directions
Authors: Jin Chengtuo , Wang Tao , Alhusaini Naji , Zhao Shenghui , Liu Huilin , Xu Kun , Zhang Jin
Published: August 2023

Among various calamities, conflagrations stand out as one of the most-prevalent and -menacing adversities, posing significant perils to public safety and societal progress. Traditional fire-detection systems primarily rely on sensor-based detection techniques, which have inherent limitations in accurately and promptly detecting fires, especially in complex environments. In recent years, with the advancement of computer vision technology, video-oriented fire detection techniques, owing to their non-contact sensing, adaptability to diverse environments, and comprehensive information acquisition, have progressively emerged as a novel solution. However, approaches based on handcrafted feature extraction struggle to cope with variations in smoke or flame caused by different combustibles, lighting conditions, and other factors. As a powerful and flexible machine learning framework, deep learning has demonstrated significant advantages in video fire detection. This paper summarizes deep-learning-based video-fire-detection methods, focusing on recent advances in deep learning approaches and commonly used datasets for fire recognition, fire object detection, and fire segmentation. Furthermore, this paper provides a review and outlook on the development prospects of this field.
Algae Incorporation and Nutritional Improvement: The Case of a Whole-Wheat Pasta
Authors: Oliveira Bárbara C. C. , Machado Marlene , Machado Susana , Costa Anabela S. G. , Bessada Sílvia , Alves Rita C. , Oliveira Maria Beatriz P. P.
Published: August 2023

Algae contain high-quality proteins, dietary fiber, minerals, and phenolic compounds, making them promising alternative ingredients. Since pasta is consumed worldwide, it can be an effective vehicle for incorporating algae. This study compares the nutritional and antioxidant composition of whole-wheat pasta without and with enrichment of an algae mixture (containing Himanthalia elongata and Spirulina) and ascertains the influence of the cooking procedure on their features. Spirulina and H. elongata were also analyzed in parallel for comparison purposes. Macronutrients, chlorides and salt, total and free amino acid profiles, and antioxidant properties (total phenolic content and ferric reducing antioxidant power) were analyzed using AOAC, Mohr’s, high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection, and spectrophotometric methods, respectively. The results show a significant increase in fat (70.4%), protein (29.7%), ash (26.5%), and total amino acid (except for serine, tryptophan, isoleucine, and threonine) contents in the raw algae-enriched pasta. The antioxidant activity was also higher (4.15 versus 3.68 g ferrous sulfate eq./g dw, respectively). After cooking, protein, dietary fiber, total amino acids (except threonine) and antioxidant activity were stable in the algae-enriched pasta. Thus, algae can be an excellent ingredient for food applications with health benefits.
Insights into the Mechanism Underlying the Influence of Glycation with Different Saccharides and Temperatures on the IgG/IgE Binding Ability, Immunodetection, In Vitro Digestibility of Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) Tropomyosin
Authors: Zhao Jinlong , Wang Jin , Xu Lili , Wang Hao , Zhang Ziye , Lin Hong , Li Zhenxing
Published: August 2023

Tropomyosin (TM) is a heat-stable protein that plays a crucial role as a major pan-allergen in crustacean shellfish. Despite the high thermal stability of the TM structure, its IgG/IgE binding ability, immunodetection, and in vitro digestibility can be negatively influenced by glycation during food processing, and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, TM was subjected to glycosylation using various sugars and temperatures. The resulting effects on IgG/IgE-binding capacity, immunodetection, and in vitro digestibility were analyzed, meanwhile, the structural alterations and modifications using spectroscopic and LC-MS/MS analysis were determined. Obtained results suggested that the IgG/IgE binding capacity of glycosylated TM, immunodetection recovery, and in vitro digestibility were significantly reduced depending on the degree of glycosylation, with the greatest reduction occurring in Rib-TM. These changes may be attributable to structural alterations and modifications that occur during glycosylation processing, which could mask or shield antigenic epitopes of TM (E3: 61–81, E5b: 142–162, and E5c: 157–183), subsequently reducing the immunodetection recognition and digestive enzyme degradation. Overall, these findings shed light on the detrimental impact of glycation on TMs potential allergenicity and digestibility immunodetection and provide insights into the structural changes and modifications induced by thermal processing.
Comment on Moralee (2018). It’s in the Water: Byzantine Borderlands and the Village War. Humanities 7: 86
Authors: Robins Christine , Xelef Zêdan , Bashar Emad , Levinson-LaBrosse Alana Marie
Published: August 2023

This response to Jason Moralees’ article comes from members and associates of the Êzidi (Yazidi) team working on Sinjar Lives/Shingal Lives, a community-driven oral history project funded by the UK’s Arts and Humanities Research Council. They are all survivors of the Êzidi genocide committed by ISIS in 2014. They explore Moralee’s themes of securitisation, imperialism and violence—especially the ‘village war’, its roots in imperialist thought and its consequences—from the perspective of those who call the village home. Beyond securitisation, they discuss borders both geographical and socio-cultural and the contemporary political significance of the elusive victim voice.
Discussion of the Non-Destructive Testing Possibilities for the Study of the Great Pyramid of Giza
Authors: Ivashov Sergey , Bugaev Alexander , Razevig Vladimir
Published: August 2023

Many constructions built by ancient civilization hold many mysteries and attract the attention of historians, archaeologists and tourists from all over the world. The most famous and enigmatical among them is the Great (Khufu’s-Cheops’) Pyramid on the Giza plateau in Egypt. The assignment, construction methods and especially the inside structure of the Pyramid have been the cause of heated debate among historians and researchers since ancient times. Unfortunately, not only researchers are interested in ancient structures and excavation sites of archaeological values, but also robbers and illegal seekers of archaeological values. This led to the partial destruction of the Pyramid by the order of the Arab caliph Al-Ma’mun in the 9th century AD. From the middle of the last century, the point of view has prevailed that only non-destructive testing methods are acceptable when examining ancient structures. In the 1960s, a technology was proposed for transilluminating the pyramids of Giza by muons, which are generated by cosmic rays in the Earth’s atmosphere. This method gave promising results. Other means were also proposed, which include radar, as well as gravitational and vibration technologies. However, despite numerous attempts to use them, no significant success or discovery has been achieved. A discussion of these methods, their applications and partial successes is the subject of this article.
Prediction of Transient Hydrogen Flow of Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer Using Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Biswas Mohammad , Wilberforce Tabbi , Biswas Mohammad A.
Published: August 2023

A proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer is fed with water and powered by electric power to electrochemically produce hydrogen at low operating temperatures and emits oxygen as a by-product. Due to the complex nature of the performance of PEM electrolyzers, the application of an artificial neural network (ANN) is capable of predicting its dynamic characteristics. A handful of studies have examined and explored ANN in the prediction of the transient characteristics of PEM electrolyzers. This research explores the estimation of the transient behavior of a PEM electrolyzer stack under various operational conditions. Input variables in this study include stack current, oxygen pressure, hydrogen pressure, and stack temperature. ANN models using three differing learning algorithms and time delay structures estimated the hydrogen mass flow rate, which had transient behavior from 0 to 1 kg/h, and forecasted better with a higher count (>5) of hidden layer neurons. A coefficient of determination of 0.84 and a mean squared error of less than 0.005 were recorded. The best-fitting model to predict the dynamic behavior of the hydrogen mass flow rate was an ANN model using the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm with 40 neurons that had a coefficient of determination of 0.90 and a mean squared error of 0.00337. In conclusion, optimally fit models of hydrogen flow from PEM electrolyzers utilizing artificial neural networks were developed. Such models are useful in establishing an agile flow control system for the electrolyzer system to help decrease power consumption and increase efficiency in hydrogen generation.
Profiling Public Transit Passenger Mobility Using Adversarial Learning
Authors: Li Yicong , Zhang Tong , Lv Xiaofei , Lu Yingxi , Wang Wangshu
Published: August 2023

It is important to capture passengers’ public transit behavior and their mobility to create profiles, which are critical for analyzing human activities, understanding the social and economic structure of cities, improving public transportation, assisting urban planning, and promoting smart cities. In this paper, we develop a generative adversarial machine learning network to characterize the temporal and spatial mobility behavior of public transit passengers, based on massive smart card data and road network data. The Apriori algorithm is extended with spatio-temporal constraints to extract frequent transit mobility patterns of individual passengers based on a reconstructed personal trip dataset. This individual-level pattern information is used to construct personalized feature vectors. For regular and frequent public transit passengers, we identify similar transit mobility groups using spatio-temporal constraints to construct a group feature vector. We develop a generative adversarial network to embed public transit mobility of passengers. The proposed model’s generator consists of an auto-encoder, which extracts a low-dimensional and compact representation of passenger behavior, and a pre-trained sub-generator containing generalization features of public transit passengers. Shenzhen City is taken as the study area in this paper, and experiments were carried out based on smart card data, road network data, and bus GPS data. Clustering analysis of embedding vector representation and estimation of the top K transit destinations were conducted, verifying that the proposed method can profile passenger transit mobility in a comprehensive and compact manner.
Humus Forms of Moist and Wet Forest Stands. A Review
Authors: Frank Tina , Brauckmann Hans-Jörg , Broll Gabriele
Published: August 2023

The organic layer of forest soils (forest floor) provides important ecosystem functions and serves as a habitat for soil organisms. This review provides an overview of research on humus forms of moist and wet forest stands based on a systematic literature review. Detailed information was collected from around 80 articles and books. It was examined whether the articles include the chemical, physical, or biological properties of humus forms. In addition, selected topics associated with and often used in relation to moist or wet humus forms, like information on morphological properties or information on specific classification systems, are considered. In general, it was found that many articles include the importance of moist or wet humus forms in their classification system. However, there was less or insufficient explanation on morphological properties. The humus forms on poorly drained or even waterlogged sites differ from humus forms on well-drained sites because the water factor affects the processes and thus the morphology very much. High soil moisture (=water saturation) means periodically anaerobic conditions in mineral soil and also very often in organic layers. Hence, soil organic carbon and soil organisms are affected. Especially, the recent literature often deals with climate change and soil organic carbon in moist and wet forest stands.
Matching Polynomial-Based Similarity Matrices and Descriptors for Isomers of Fullerenes
Authors: Balasubramanian Krishnan
Published: August 2023

I have computed the matching polynomials of a number of isomers of fullerenes of various sizes with the objective of developing molecular descriptors and similarity measures for isomers of fullerenes on the basis of their matching polynomials. Two novel matching polynomial-based topological descriptors are developed, and they are demonstrated to have the discriminating power to contrast a number of closely related isomers of fullerenes. The number of ways to place up to seven disjoint dimers on fullerene isomers are shown to be identical, as they are not structure-dependent. Moreover, similarity matrices that provide quantitative similarity measures among a given set of isomers of fullerenes are developed from their matching polynomials and are shown to provide robust quantitative measures of similarity.
Trends in Octogenarian Pathology
Authors: Keidar Haran Tal , Haran Arnon , Pillar Nir
Published: August 2023

The global population has been gradually aging over the past few decades, with a growing proportion of people aged 65 years or older. Simultaneously, the medical profession has shifted towards promoting the concept of “positive” gerontology, emphasizing healthy aging. In this context, we investigated the trends in pathological specimen submissions from patients aged 85 or older over ten years at a single center. We observed a nearly two-fold increase in submissions during 2015–2019 compared to 2010–2014, out of proportion to the change in the fraction of older adults in the population, suggesting a changing attitude towards medical care in these older patients. Dermatologic samples were the main driver of growth, followed by gastrointestinal and urinary tract samples. However, other samples, like breast and lung, did not significantly increase. Although further research is needed to understand the implications of increasing invasive procedures in the oldest old, a noteworthy trend has emerged towards increased and more active healthcare for this population. Healthcare providers and administrators should be prepared for a continued rise in invasive interventions in this age group.
How to Enable Participation until the End of Life? A Survey of German Occupational Therapists Working in Palliative Care
Authors: Volberg Christian , Fleck Pauline , Vradelis Paula , Morin Astrid , Gschnell Martin , Pape Anna
Published: August 2023

Background: In palliative care, the needs of people with life-limiting illnesses must be addressed with the support of a multidisciplinary team. Occupational therapy is a profession that focuses on activity and participation. In Germany, there are no surveys to date that demonstrate the work of occupational therapists in palliative care and which problems can occur in this field. Aim: The aim of this study is to describe the work and problems of occupational therapists in German palliative care. Design: The survey consists of 17 questions and could be conducted anonymously. Descriptive statistics and a thematic analysis of the free text responses were used to analyze data. Setting/participants: Respondents were German occupational therapists who are members of the “German Association of Occupational Therapy”. Results: A total of 281 valid responses were evaluated, of which 120 respondents work in the context of palliative care. Most of them provide needs-based therapies (74%), train relatives (69%), or help patients with positioning (69%) or relaxation therapy (66%). Four themes were developed in the free text responses that describe problems in the utilization of occupational therapy in palliative care. Conclusions: The evaluation shows that occupational therapy in palliative care offers a variety of possible applications and approaches. The findings urgently need to be implemented in daily practice to improve the status of occupational therapists. This requires appropriate billing modalities and clear guidelines. There is still a significant need for research and training in this area.
Analgesia and Sedation of Pediatric Patients with Major Trauma in Pre-Hospital and Emergency Department Settings—A Narrative Review
Authors: Cohen Neta , Cohen Daniel M. , Barbi Egidio , Shavit Itai
Published: August 2023

Children who sustain major injuries are at risk of receiving insufficient pain relief and sedation, which can have physical and psychological repercussions. Heightened emotional distress can increase the likelihood of developing symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Providing sufficient analgesia and sedation for children with major trauma presents specific challenges, given the potential for drug-related adverse events, particularly in non-intubated patients. The current literature suggests that a relatively low percentage of pediatric patients receive adequate analgesia in pre-hospital and emergency department settings following major trauma. There are only sparse data on the safety of the provision of analgesia and sedation in children with major trauma in the pre-hospital and ED settings. The few studies that examined sedation protocols in this context highlight the importance of physician training and competency in managing pediatric airways. There is a pressing need for prospective studies that focus upon pediatric major trauma in the pre-hospital and emergency department setting to evaluate the benefits and risks of administering analgesia and sedation to these patients. The aim of this narrative review was to offer an updated overview of analgesia and sedation management in children with major trauma in pre-hospital and ED settings.
Analysis of Urinary Glycosaminoglycans to Predict Outcome in COVID-19 and Community-Acquired Pneumonia—A Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: Rovas Alexandros , Neumann Julia Katharina , Drost Carolin Christina , Vollenberg Richard , Thölking Gerold , Fobker Manfred , Witzenrath Martin , Kümpers Philipp ,   AGAMOTTO Study Group,   CAPNETZ Study Group
Published: August 2023

Although coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is considered a systemic disease associated with vascular inflammation and eventual destruction of the protective endothelial glycocalyx (eGC), biomarkers of eGC damage are not yet available in the clinic. The most prominent components of eGC are sulphated glycosaminoglycans (sGAGs) attached to core proteoglycans. We hypothesised that the amount of sGAG fragments shed in urine (as a surrogate for systemic eGC damage) would correlate with disease severity and outcome. Total urinary sGAG concentration was measured using an in-house optimised 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue (DMMB) assay, which is highly accurate and insensitive to interferences. The median urinary sGAG concentration was significantly higher in 67 hospitalised patients with COVID-19 compared to 72 hospitalised patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). In both groups, urinary sGAG concentrations predicted a combined endpoint (including intubation and death) with an area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of 0.72 (95% CI 0.55–0.88, p = 0.01) and 0.70 (95% CI 0.57–0.83, p = 0.007), respectively. In conclusion, the inexpensive and easy-to-perform DMMB assay provides a surrogate parameter for eGC damage that may be useful for risk stratification of patients with COVID-19 and CAP.
Photodynamic Therapy with Tolonium Chloride and a Diode Laser (635 nm) in the Non-Surgical Management of Periodontitis: A Clinical Study
Authors: El Mobadder Marwan , Nammour Samir , Grzech-Leśniak Kinga
Published: August 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using tolonium chloride and a 635 nm diode laser as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontitis treatment, specifically scaling and root planing (SRP) alone. A total of 32 patients with a pocket probing depth > 5 mm were included in the study. Among them, 16 patients underwent SRP alone (control group), and the remaining 16 patients received SRP along with PDT (study group). The PDT procedure utilized a 635 nm diode laser (Smart M, Lasotronix, Poland) and tolonium chloride. Clinical periodontal parameters, such as the plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), gingival recession (GR), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment loss (CAL), were assessed before treatment (T0) and at 3 months after treatment (T3). At T3, both groups demonstrated a significant reduction in the PI, BOP, PD, and CAL compared to T0. The SRP + PDT group displayed a significant reduction in PPD (3.79 mm ± 0.35) compared to the SRP alone group (4.85 mm ± 0.42) at T3. Furthermore, the SRP + PDT group exhibited a significant reduction in CAL (5.01 ± 0.81) compared to the SRP group (5.99 ± 1.08) at T3. Within the study’s limitations, it was concluded that PDT, with tolonium chloride and a 635 nm diode laser, significantly contributed to the non-surgical treatment of periodontitis.
Effects of Smoothing and Adaptive Filtering in Multifocal Electroretinography (mfERG)
Authors: Long Christopher Patrick , Ameri Hossein
Published: August 2023

(1) Background: mfERG testing is used to study the function of cone photoreceptors in the central retina. Various filters including “smoothing” (Smooth) and “adaptive data filtering” (Adapt) are used to simplify raw data. This study will seek to characterize the effect of data modification on raw patient data. (2) Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients with mfERG results at our institution. For each patient, raw mfERG data without filtering, with smooth level 4 modifier applied, and with adapt level 4 applied were collected and compared. (4) Conclusions: In all patients, smoothing and adaptive filter modifiers create statistically significant differences in both P1 latency and P1 amplitude values when compared to raw data. The impacts of these filters demonstrated in this study should impact physicians’ decision making when interpreting mfERG results.
Stapled Anastomosis for Side-to-Side Cavo-Cavostomy in Orthotopic Liver Transplantation
Authors: Kruk Emilia , Kalinowski Piotr , Gibiński Krzysztof , Dudek Krzysztof , Skalski Michał , Przybysz Marta , Zhylko Andriy , Nazarewski Łukasz , Morawski Marcin , Grąt Michał
Published: August 2023

In liver transplantation, a side-to-side anastomosis is one of the commonly performed techniques of the inferior vena cava reconstruction. The authors report a case of an application of an endoscopic vascular linear stapler for a side-to-side caval anastomosis during deceased-donor liver transplantation. The back table procedure was performed in a standard fashion for a side-to-side anastomosis. The linear vascular stapler was introduced during the temporary clamping of the recipient’s inferior vena cava and the anastomosis was created without problems. Suturing of the resulting defect completed the anastomosis. The use of the stapler resulted in a shortening of the anastomosis time. The staple line after the reperfusion of the graft was completely sealed. The patient’s postoperative course was uncomplicated and post-operative ultrasound and computed tomography confirmed the patency of the anastomosis. This case demonstrates a novel approach to a side-to-side caval reconstruction during liver transplantation that enables a shortening of the implantation time and may improve the quality of anastomoses.
Research on Spatial Restructuring of Farmers’ Homestead Based on the “Point-Line-Surface” Characteristics of Mountain Villages
Authors: Feng Yingbin , Li Jingjing , Feng Dedong
Published: August 2023

The spatial restructuring of rural settlements is conducive to the realization of rural transition and development. This study constructed a “point-line-surface” framework for the spatial reconstruction of the homestead in a typical mountain village and used the weighted Voronoi diagram and buffer analysis method to analyze. The results are as follows. (1) The development capacity of rural homesteads in Longfeng Village was divided into three levels: high, medium, and low. Among them, the high-level homesteads clustered in the north and south of the village in the form of a “T” and a long strip, respectively; the medium-level homesteads are mostly aggregated in the middle of the village; the low-level homesteads are mainly distributed along the Fenghuang Mountain. (2) The layout of homesteads in Longfeng Village was axis-oriented, which is manifested by the number and scale being in a gradient-decreasing pattern with the main road axis as the centerline. (3) According to the principle of “maximum” development capacity of the homestead, nine reconstruction units are divided. By calculating the location entropy, it is found that the dominant functions of each reconstruction unit mainly include supporting life services, operational production, ecological agricultural production, and traditional agricultural production, and there are obvious differences in the development patterns of homesteads in different functional units. (4) Based on the “point-line-surface” characteristics of the homestead, four reconstruction modes, namely, modern community type, field and garden integration type, road-pointing type, and traditional residential type, are summarized, and the reconstruction strategies are proposed accordingly. The “point-line-surface” framework of rural settlements is of practical significance and theoretical value, which can provide a decision-making reference for the optimization and reorganization of residential land space in villages of the same type in mountain areas. Moreover, the integrated and innovative framework proposed in the paper has also international significance, thanks to the possibility of replicating the research strategy and methodological approach in other contexts.
Simultaneous Decisions to Undertake Off-Farm Work and Straw Return: The Role of Cognitive Ability
Authors: Zeng Jutao , Lyu Jie
Published: August 2023

Using a sample of 1166 maize-planting farmers from Liaoning province in China, in this paper, we provide a new explanation for the slow-proliferation situation of straw return. Both our theoretical and empirical results indicate that the low rate of adoption of straw return can be partly attributed to the farmers’ choice to undertake off-farm work. Probit, PSM, IV-probit, and bivariate probit models are utilized to estimate the interdependent nature of these two simultaneous decisions, with an identified causal effect ranging from −0.115 to −0.287. Instead of the “income-increasing effect”, our research supports the dominant existence of the “lost-labor effect”. Furthermore, intelligent and risk-tolerant farmers undertaking off-farm work are found to have additional negative impacts on the likelihood of straw return adoption. With regard to the mediating mechanisms, we find that the choice of off-farm work may decrease the probability of raising cattle and also downscale arable land, thereby reducing the likelihood of straw return adoption. In line with our proposed model, fluid cognitive ability contributes to the farmers’ adoption of straw return by increasing their learning and updating efficiency. In contrast, crystal cognitive ability deters the undertaking of nonfarm work by establishing a comparative advantage in agricultural production, thus indirectly promoting the proliferation of straw incorporation. According to our theoretical and empirical findings, the proper policy interventions proposed mainly include three points. First, governments should endeavor to increase agricultural specialization by further promoting arable land transfer and human capital accumulation in farming. Second, it is beneficial to facilitate the process of learning by doing and social learning by enhancing the human capital levels of farmers. Last, it is necessary to cultivate farmers’ inclination towards long-term investment by explaining the concrete benefits of straw return to farmers on a timely basis.
The Influence of Phenol on the Growth, Morphology and Cell Division of Euglena gracilis
Authors: Lukáčová Alexandra , Lihanová Diana , Beck Terézia , Alberty Roman , Vešelényiová Dominika , Krajčovič Juraj , Vesteg Matej
Published: August 2023

Phenol, a monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with various commercial uses, is a major pollutant in industrial wastewater. Euglena gracilis is a unicellular freshwater flagellate possessing secondary chloroplasts of green algal origin. This protist has been widely used for monitoring the biological effect of various inorganic and organic environmental pollutants, including aromatic hydrocarbons. In this study, we evaluate the influence of different phenol concentrations (3.39 mM, 3.81 mM, 4.23 mM, 4.65 mM, 5.07 mM, 5.49 mM and 5.91 mM) on the growth, morphology and cell division of E. gracilis. The cell count continually decreases (p < 0.05–0.001) over time with increasing phenol concentration. While phenol treatment does not induce bleaching (permanent loss of photosynthesis), the morphological changes caused by phenol include the formation of spherical (p < 0.01–0.001), hypertrophied (p < 0.05) and monster cells (p < 0.01) and lipofuscin bodies. Phenol also induces an atypical form of cell division of E. gracilis, simultaneously producing more than 2 (3–12) viable cells from a single cell. Such atypically dividing cells have a symmetric “star”-like shape. The percentage of atypically dividing cells increases (p < 0.05) with increasing phenol concentration. Our findings suggest that E. gracilis can be used as bioindicator of phenol contamination in freshwater habitats and wastewater.
Structural Phenomena in a Vesicle Membrane Obtained through an Evolution Experiment: A Study Based on MD Simulations
Authors: Dávila María J. , Mayer Christian
Published: August 2023

The chemical evolution of biomolecules was clearly affected by the overall extreme environmental conditions found on Early Earth. Periodic temperature changes inside the Earth’s crust may have played a role in the emergence and survival of functional peptides embedded in vesicular compartments. In this study, all-atom molecular dynamic (MD) simulations were used to elucidate the effect of temperature on the properties of functionalized vesicle membranes. A plausible prebiotic system was selected, constituted by a model membrane bilayer from an equimolar mixture of long-chain fatty acids and fatty amines, and an octapeptide, KSPFPFAA, previously identified as an optimized functional peptide in an evolution experiment. This peptide tends to form the largest spontaneous aggregates at higher temperatures, thereby enhancing the pore-formation process and the eventual transfer of essential molecules in a prebiotic scenario. The analyses also suggest that peptide–amphiphile interactions affect the structural properties of the membrane, with a significant increase in the degree of interdigitation at the lowest temperatures under study.
Applications of Artificial Intelligence Methods for the Prediction of Osteoporotic Fractures
Authors: Lis-Studniarska Dorota , Lipnicka Marta , Studniarski Marcin , Irzmański Robert
Published: August 2023

Background: Osteoporosis is a socio-economic problem of modern aging societies. Bone fractures and the related treatments generate the highest costs. The occurrence of osteoporotic fractures is a cause of chronic disability, many complications, reduced quality of life, and often premature death. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to determine which of the patient’s potential risk factors pertaining to various diseases and lifestyle have an essential impact on the occurrence of low-energy fractures and the hierarchy of these factors. Methods: The study was retrospective. The documentation of 222 patients (206 women and 16 men) from an osteoporosis treatment clinic in Łódź, Poland was analyzed. Each patient was described by a vector consisting of 27 features, where each feature was a different risk factor. Using artificial neural networks, an attempt was made to create a model that, based on the available data, would be able to predict whether the patient would be exposed to low-energy fractures. We developed a neural network model that achieved the best result for the testing data. In addition, we used other methods to solve the classification problem, i.e., correctly dividing patients into two groups: those with fractures and those without fractures. These methods were logistic regression, k-nearest neighbors and SVM. Results: The obtained results gave us the opportunity to assess the effectiveness of various methods and the importance of the features describing patients. Using logistic regression and the recursive elimination of features, a ranking of risk factors was obtained in which the most important were age, chronic kidney disease, neck T-score, and serum phosphate level. Then, we repeated the learning procedure of the neural network considering only these four most important features. The average mean squared error on the test set was about 27% for the best variant of the model. Conclusions: The comparison of the rankings with different numbers of patients shows that the applied method is very sensitive to changes in the considered data (adding new patients significantly changes the result). Further cohort studies with more patients and more advanced methods of machine learning may be needed to identify other significant risk factors and to develop a reliable fracture risk system. The obtained results may contribute to the improved identification patients at risk of low-energy fractures and early implementation of comprehensive treatment.
The Protective Effect of Vitamin D on Dementia Risk in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Lin Chih-Lang , Chen Wan-Ming , Jao An-Tzu , Shia Ben-Chang , Wu Szu-Yuan
Published: August 2023

Background: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis are at an elevated risk of developing dementia, potentially linked to the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in this population, which may contribute to cognitive impairment. Nevertheless, the impact of vitamin D supplementation on the risk of dementia in hemodialysis patients remains uncertain, necessitating further investigation to elucidate the potential benefits of vitamin D intervention in this vulnerable group. Methods: In this propensity-score-matched comparative cohort study, we sought to assess the impact of vitamin D supplementation on the occurrence of dementia in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis. A total of 1424 patients were included and matched 1:1 using propensity scores. The study population was divided into two groups: those receiving vitamin D supplementation at a dose of ≥70 μg/week and those without any supplementation. The primary outcome of interest was the incidence of dementia. We calculated adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) to examine the association between vitamin D supplementation and the risk of dementia while controlling for relevant covariates. Results: The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) comparing vitamin D supplementation to no supplementation was 0.44 (95% CI 0.29–0.69; p < 0.0001), demonstrating a significant decrease in the risk of dementia associated with vitamin D supplementation. The aHRs for vitamin D supplementation at different dose ranges (70–105, 106–350, 351–1000, and >1000 μg/week) were 0.51, 0.49, 0.43, and 0.41, respectively (p for trend < 0.0001). These findings suggest a potential dose-dependent relationship between vitamin D supplementation and the reduction of dementia risk. Conclusions: In our study, we found that vitamin D supplementation at doses of ≥70 μg/week significantly reduced the risk of dementia in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis. Furthermore, our results indicated a dose-dependent effect, with higher doses of supplementation correlating with a greater reduction in dementia risk. These findings underscore the potential of vitamin D supplementation as a preventive approach for cognitive impairment in this high-risk population.
The Role of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Based on Maximum-Intensity Projection in Young Patients with Marked Background Parenchymal Enhancement on Contrast-Enhanced Breast MRI
Authors: Park Ga-Eun , Kang Bong-Joo , Kim Sung-hun , Jung Na-Young
Published: August 2023

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) utilizing maximum-intensity projection (MIP) was suggested as a cost-effective alternative tool without the risk of gadolinium-based contrast agents. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether DWI MIPs played a supportive role in young (≤60) patients with marked background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) on contrast-enhanced MRI (CE-MRI). The research included 1303 patients with varying degrees of BPE, and correlations between BPE on CE-MRI, the background diffusion signal (BDS) on DWI, and clinical parameters were analyzed. Lesion detection scores were compared between CE-MRI and DWI, with DWI showing higher scores. Among the 186 lesions in 181 patients with marked BPE on CE-MRI, the main lesion on MIPs of CE-MRI was partially or completely seen in 88.7% of cases, while it was not seen in 11.3% of cases. On the other hand, the main lesion on MIPs of DWI was seen in 91.4% of cases, with only 8.6% of cases showing no visibility. DWI achieved higher scores for lesion detection compared to CE-MRI. The presence of a marked BDS was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of a higher DWI score (p < 0.001), and non-mass lesions were associated with a decreased likelihood of a higher DWI score compared with mass lesions (p = 0.196). In conclusion, the inclusion of MIPs of DWI in the preoperative evaluation of breast cancer patients, particularly young women with marked BPE, proved highly beneficial in improving the overall diagnostic process.
Pilot Translational Precision Biobehavioral Assays for Early Detection of Motor Impairments in a Rat Model of Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Gerner Gwendolyn , Burton Vera Joanna , Kitase Yuma , Robinson Shenandoah , Jantzie Lauren L.
Published: August 2023

Background: Cutting-edge neonatal programs diagnose cerebral palsy (CP) or “high risk of CP” using validated neurobehavioral exams in combination with risk history and neuroimaging. In rat models, digital gait analyses are the gold standard adult assessment, but tools in infant rats are limited. Refinement of infant rat neurobehavioral correlates of CP will establish translational behavioral biomarkers to delineate early mechanisms of CP in both humans and rodent models of CP. Objective: To facilitate precision medicine approaches of neurodevelopmental health and integrate basic and clinical research approaches for CP, we developed and piloted a new assay of neonatal rat neurobehavior to mimic human neonate exams. Methods: Our established rat model of CP secondary to chorioamnionitis (CHORIO) that induces bilateral motor impairment reminiscent of spastic CP was used. On postnatal day 10 (P10), 5 min videos were recorded of 26 (6 sham and 20 CHORIO) animals moving freely in a cage were reviewed by an evaluator trained in the human General Movements Assessment (GMA). Non-blinded observation revealed two behaviors that differed between rat pups in each group (time spent rearing; multi-dimensional nose sweeping; and sniffing). Each video was re-coded for these criteria by an evaluator blind to group status. Differences between sham and CP groups were analyzed using a Mann–Whitney U-test or Student’s t-test (p < 0.05 level of significance). Results: Neonatal rats with CP exhibited sensorimotor impairment and decreased spatial exploration. CP rats spent significantly less time rearing (17.85 ± 1.60 s vs. 34.8 ± 2.89 s, p = 0.007) and engaged in multi-dimensional nose sweeping and sniffing (2.2 ± 0.58 episodes vs. 5.5 ± 0.96 episodes, p = 0.03) than sham controls. Conclusions: These pilot findings of harmonized translational and precision biobehavioral assays provide an opportunity for increased expediency of clinical trials at the earliest stages of brain development.
The Effect of Natural and Synthesised Zeolites on Cement-Based Materials Hydration and Hardened State Properties
Authors: Girskas Giedrius , Pundienė Ina , Pranckevičienė Jolanta
Published: August 2023

The synthesis of zeolites from difficult-to-utilise waste materials facilitates the creation of more financially attractive and efficient synthetic zeolites. These can be incorporated into construction materials, resulting in a reduction in cement usage and the production of superior, clean, and sustainable construction materials. The potential to enhance the hydration rate of fresh cement paste by substituting up to 10% of the cement with two synthetic zeolites—one commercially produced and the other synthesised from waste and natural zeolite—was explored. Due to a higher Al/Na ratio, newly sintered waste-based zeolite possesses six times higher electrical conductivity compared to industrially produced 4A zeolite and more than 20 times higher electrical conductivity compared to natural zeolite. As the sequence of this fact, substituting up to 10% of the cement with AX zeolite cement paste accelerates the maximum heat release rate time and increases the total heat by 8.5% after 48 h of hydration. The structure, compressive strength, and water absorption of the hardened cement paste depends on the Al/Na ratio, pH, and electrical conductivity values of the zeolite used. The findings revealed that AX zeolite, due to presence of mineral gibbsite, which speeds up hydration products, such as CSH development, increases the compressive strength up to 28.6% after 28 days of curing and reduces the water absorption by up to 1.5%. Newly synthesised waste-based AX zeolite is cheap because its production is based on waste materials and is mostly promising due to superior properties of created construction materials compared to the other presented zeolites.
Comparisons of Loss Reduction Techniques Based on Pulsewidth Modulation and Model Predictive Control for Three-Phase Voltage Source Inverters
Authors: Nguyen Minh Hoang , Kwak Sangshin , Choi Seungdeog
Published: August 2023

Due to the lack of comparative studies between discontinuous pulse-width modulation and model predictive control methods for reducing switching losses in two-level three-phase voltage source inverter, a comparative analysis of a generalized discontinuous pulse-width modulation and two model predictive control approaches for reducing switching losses is studied in this paper. Both generalized discontinuous pulse-width modulation and two model predictive control approaches are described and conducted in the simulation and experiment. The output performance is obtained by these methods after conducting in various conditions, including switching frequency, output power, and load conditions. It is validated that the generalized discontinuous pulse-width modulation control scheme achieves a better control performance at steady-state, while two model predictive control schemes have better transient-state performance with a superior dynamic. Additionally, the generalized discontinuous pulse-width modulation approach achieves better reducing switching losses performance and has slightly higher efficiency than that of two model predictive control approaches.
Correlation between the Material System and the Magnetic Properties in Thermoset-Based Multipolar Ring Magnets
Authors: Rösel Uta , Drummer Dietmar
Published: August 2023

Multipolar bonded magnets based on thermosets offer the opportunity to expand the applications of bonded magnets with respect to an increasing chemical and thermal resistance compared to thermoplastics. To utilise this option, the correlation between the material system and the magnetic properties must be explored amongst other influencing factors. This paper investigates the magnetic properties and the orientation of thermoset- (epoxy resin and phenolic resin) based bonded ring magnets with a hard magnetic filler of strontium-ferrite-oxide. The influence of the matrix material and the filler grade on the magnetic properties is correlated with the material characterisation showing a high impact of the embedding of the fillers into the matrix on the orientation and with that the magnetic properties. Based on a network theory, it can be justified that the magnetic properties can be increased due to a phenolic resin and a high filler grade. Further, it was shown that the orientation along the sample depth is highly affected by the strength of the outer magnetic field and limited in terms of the high-tool temperature in a thermoset-based production. With that, the sample depth, which reveals a proper orientation, is restricted so far.