bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maradó fogazatot érintő balesetet követő komplex rehabilitáció az esztétikai zónában
Authors: Miklós Réka , Kemper Róbert
Published: December 2021

Esetismertetésünk célja, hogy egy általunk követett kezelési útvonalat bemutassunk balesetben sérült fogak helyreállítására. Nehézsége az esetnek, hogy a felső négy frontfog mind érintett volt, így a kezelés időbeni lefolyásának tervezése külön figyelmet érdemelt. A 11, 12 és 22 fogak nem voltak megtarthatók, a 21-es fog rotálódott és elszíneződött a baleset következtében. A helyesen kivitelezett és jól időzített sebészi folyamatokkal célunk az volt, hogy megőrizzük az eredeti nyálkahártyalefutást és papillamagasságokat, ezért az implantátumok behelyezését socket shield technikával kiegészített azonnali implantációval végeztük, két részletben. Az implantátumokon azonnali ideiglenes korona készítése csak a 11-es esetében volt lehetséges, a többi esetben a három hónapos gyógyulási idő leteltével terheltük az implantátumokat. Az ideiglenes koronákat az esztétikus nyálkahártya-lefutásnak megfelelően formáztuk a lenyomatvétel előtt. Az elszíneződött 21-es fogat préskerámia-héjjal borítottuk. A lenyomatot egyéni lenyomati fejes módszerrel vettük. Végeredményben stabil, eredeti állapotában megőrzött lágyszövetet kaptunk, fémmentes eljárással készített implantátumra felcsavarozható esztétikus koronákkal és héjjal, ami igazolta a kezelési tervünk helyes megválasztását.
Towards Bio-Inspired Anomaly Detection Using the Cursory Dendritic Cell Algorithm
Authors: Pinto Carlos , Pinto Rui , Gonçalves Gil
Published: December 2021

The autonomous and adaptable identification of anomalies in industrial contexts, particularly in the physical processes of Cyber-Physical Production Systems (CPPS), requires using critical technologies to identify failures correctly. Most of the existing solutions in the anomaly detection research area do not consider such systems’ dynamics. Due to the complexity and multidimensionality of CPPS, a scalable, adaptable, and rapid anomaly detection system is needed, considering the new design specifications of Industry 4.0 solutions. Immune-based models, such as the Dendritic Cell Algorithm (DCA), may provide a rich source of inspiration for detecting anomalies, since the anomaly detection problem in CPPS greatly resembles the functionality of the biological dendritic cells in defending the human body from hazardous pathogens. This paper tackles DCA limitations that may compromise its usage in anomaly detection applications, such as the manual characterization of safe and danger signals, data analysis not suitable for online classification, and the lack of an object-oriented implementation of the algorithm. The proposed approach, the Cursory Dendritic Cell Algorithm (CDCA), is a novel variation of the DCA, developed to be flexible and monitor physical industrial processes continually while detecting anomalies in an online fashion. This work’s contribution is threefold. First, it provides a comprehensive review of Artificial Immune Systems (AIS), focusing on AIS applied to the anomaly detection problem. Then, a new object-oriented architecture for the DCA implementation is described, enabling the modularity and abstraction of the algorithm stages into different classes (modules). Finally, the CDCA for the anomaly detection problem is proposed. The CDCA was successfully validated in two industrial-oriented dataset benchmarks for physical anomaly and network intrusion detection, the Skoltech Anomaly Benchmark (SKAB) and M2M using OPC UA. When compared to other algorithms, the proposed approach exhibits promising classification results. It was placed fourth on the SKAB scoreboard and presented a competitive performance with the incremental Dendritic Cell Algorithm (iDCA).
Preparation of Magnetically Driven Nickel Phosphide Nanowires and Their Electrochemical Properties
Authors: Kim Hye-Won , Shin Heon-Cheol
Published: December 2021

In this study, nickel phosphide nanowires with various structures and compositions were fabricated for the first time via magnetically-assisted liquid phase synthesis. The curvature and aspect ratio of the nanowires largely depended on the strength of the magnetic field applied during synthesis. Their phosphorus content together with the morphology were significantly modified according to the pH and reducing agent concentration. Nanowires with different structures and phosphorus contents were preliminarily tested for their capabilities to serve in general electrochemical applications. The degree of reaction (i.e., amount of reaction charge) increased with increases in the reaction area and phosphorus content of the nanowires. The rate characteristics of the reaction showed a peculiar increasing trend for a small reaction surface area and low phosphorus content. A change in the ohmic overpotential according to the nanowire curvature (aspect ratio) and porosity was suggested to be the reason for this unusual trend. Electrodes with high phosphorus contents or high reaction surface areas rapidly deteriorated during repetitive redox reactions. Based on the results for the degradation degree, the effect of the reaction surface area dominated that of the phosphorus content in the deterioration of the nickel phosphide nanowires.
Quality Identification of Sauce-Flavor Liquor Based on the Tyndall Phenomenon
Authors: Liu Huizi , Yang Xuezhou , Su Xiaofeng , Li Shuzhi , Du Qiyuan , Peng Yangyang , Shi Mingming , Guo Chunfeng , Zou Jun
Published: December 2021

There is an obvious colloid state in sauce-flavor liquor due to its unique brewing process and long storage time, which is an important quality feature of sauce-flavor. Aiming at the problems of time, cost, and the strong professionalism of the traditional quality identification method, we proposed a method to identify the quality of sauce-flavored liquor based on the Tyndall phenomenon. The influence of different wavelengths of light on the light scattering in liquor was explored, and it was concluded that the ultraviolet and blue light bands have a certain efficiency in the identification of liquor. Additionally, we analyzed the relationship between the particle size uniformity of liquor colloids and liquor quality according to the Tyndall phenomenon. We found that higher quality liquor has a brighter and lighter Tyndall path and a smaller light flooding angle due to the uniformity of the particles in it. This method can be used to achieve qualitative identification and is suitable for the identification of sauce-flavored liquor.
ALDH1A3 Segregated Expression and Nucleus-Associated Proteasomal Degradation Are Common Traits of Glioblastoma Stem Cells
Authors: Fauß Julian , Sprang Bettina , Leukel Petra , Sommer Clemens , Nikolova Teodora , Ringel Florian , Kim Ella L.
Published: December 2021

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 isoforms A1 and A3 have been implicated as functional biomarkers associated with distinct molecular subtypes of glioblastoma and glioblastoma stem cells. However, the exact roles of these isoforms in different types of glioma cells remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to dissect the association of A1 or A3 isoforms with stem and non-stem glioblastoma cells. This study has undertaken a systematic characterization of A1 and A3 proteins in glioblastoma tissues and a panel of glioblastoma stem cells using immunocytochemical and immunofluorescence staining, Western blot and the subcellular fractionation methodology. Our main findings are (i) human GSCs express uniformly ALDH1A3 but not the ALDH1A1 isoform whereas non-stem glioma cells comparably express both isoforms; (ii) there is an abundance of ALDH1A3 peptides that prevail over the full-length form in glioblastoma stem cells but not in non-stem glioma cells; (iii) full-length ALDH1A3 and ALDH1A3 peptides are spatially segregated within the cell; and (vi) the abundance of full-length ALDH1A3 and ALDH1A3 peptides is sensitive to MG132-mediated proteasomal inhibition. Our study further supports the association of ALDH1A3 with glioblastoma stem cells and provide evidence for the regulation of ALDH1A3 activities at the level of protein turnover.
Venetoclax in Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Are Supporting Evidences Enough?
Authors: Brancati Serena , Gozzo Lucia , Romano Giovanni Luca , Vetro Calogero , Dulcamare Ilaria , Maugeri Cinzia , Parisi Marina , Longo Laura , Vitale Daniela Cristina , Di Raimondo Francesco , Drago Filippo
Published: December 2021

Despite the progress in the development of new therapeutic strategies, relapsed/refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) still represents a high unmet medical need. Treatment options in this setting include enrollment into clinical trials, allogeneic stem cell transplantation and/or targeted therapy. Nevertheless, it is associated with poor outcomes. Thus, the development of new treatments, which could ameliorate the prognosis of these patients with a good safety profile are highly demanded. Recently, venetoclax (VEN) has been approved for naïve AML patients unfit for intensive chemotherapy. In this regard, regimens including VEN could represent a valuable treatment option even in those with R/R disease and several studies have been conducted to demonstrate its role in this clinical setting. This review aims to summarize the current evidence on the use of VEN regimens in the treatment of R/R AML.
tRNAGlyGCC-Derived Internal Fragment (i-tRF-GlyGCC) in Ovarian Cancer Treatment Outcome and Progression
Authors: Panoutsopoulou Konstantina , Dreyer Tobias , Dorn Julia , Obermayr Eva , Mahner Sven , Gorp Toon van , Braicu Ioana , Zeillinger Robert , Magdolen Viktor , Avgeris Margaritis , Scorilas Andreas
Published: December 2021

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) remains a highly-lethal gynecological malignancy, characterized by frequent recurrence, chemotherapy resistance and poor 5-year survival. Identifying novel predictive molecular markers remains an overdue challenge in the disease’s clinical management. Herein, in silico analysis of TCGA-OV highlighted the tRNA-derived internal fragment (i-tRF-GlyGCC) among the most abundant tRFs in ovarian tumors, while target prediction and gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis predicted its implication in key biological processes. Thereafter, i-tRF-GlyGCC levels were quantified in a screening EOC (n = 98) and an institutionally-independent serous ovarian cancer (SOC) validation cohort (n = 100, OVCAD multicenter study). Disease progression and patient death were used as clinical endpoints for the survival analysis. Internal validation was performed by bootstrap analysis and the clinical net benefit was estimated by decision curve analysis. The analysis highlighted the significant association of i-tRF-GlyGCC with advanced FIGO stages, suboptimal debulking and most importantly, with early progression and poor overall survival of EOC patients. The OVCAD validation cohort corroborated the unfavorable predictive value of i-tRF-GlyGCC in EOC. Ultimately, evaluation of i-tRF-GlyGCC with the established/clinically used prognostic markers offered superior patient risk-stratification and enhanced clinical benefit in EOC prognosis. In conclusion, i-tRF-GlyGCC assessment could aid towards personalized prognosis and support precision medicine decisions in EOC.
Converging Proton Minibeams with Magnetic Fields for Optimized Radiation Therapy: A Proof of Concept
Authors: Cavallone Marco , Prezado Yolanda , De Marzi Ludovic
Published: December 2021

Proton MiniBeam Radiation Therapy (pMBRT) is a novel strategy that combines the benefits of minibeam radiation therapy with the more precise ballistics of protons to further optimize the dose distribution and reduce radiation side effects. The aim of this study is to investigate possible strategies to couple pMBRT with dipole magnetic fields to generate a converging minibeam pattern and increase the center-to-center distance between minibeams. Magnetic field optimization was performed so as to obtain the same transverse dose profile at the Bragg peak position as in a reference configuration with no magnetic field. Monte Carlo simulations reproducing realistic pencil beam scanning settings were used to compute the dose in a water phantom. We analyzed different minibeam generation techniques, such as the use of a static multislit collimator or a dynamic aperture, and different magnetic field positions, i.e., before or within the water phantom. The best results were obtained using a dynamic aperture coupled with a magnetic field within the water phantom. For a center-to-center distance increase from 4 mm to 6 mm, we obtained an increase of peak-to-valley dose ratio and decrease of valley dose above 50%. The results indicate that magnetic fields can be effectively used to improve the spatial modulation at shallow depth for enhanced healthy tissue sparing.
Near-Haploidy and Low-Hypodiploidy in B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: When Less Is Too Much
Authors: Molina Oscar , Bataller Alex , Thampi Namitha , Ribera Jordi , Granada Isabel , Velasco Pablo , Fuster José Luis , Menéndez Pablo
Published: December 2021

Hypodiploidy with less than 40 chromosomes is a rare genetic abnormality in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). This condition can be classified based on modal chromosome number as low-hypodiploidy (30–39 chromosomes) and near-haploidy (24–29 chromosomes), with unique cytogenetic and mutational landscapes. Hypodiploid B-ALL with <40 chromosomes has an extremely poor outcome, with 5-year overall survival rates below 50% and 20% in childhood and adult B-ALL, respectively. Accordingly, this genetic feature represents an adverse prognostic factor in B-ALL and is associated with early relapse and therapy refractoriness. Notably, half of all patients with hypodiploid B-ALL with <40 chromosomes cases ultimately exhibit chromosome doubling of the hypodiploid clone, resulting in clones with 50–78 chromosomes. Doubled clones are often the major clones at diagnosis, leading to “masked hypodiploidy”, which is clinically challenging as patients can be erroneously classified as hyperdiploid B-ALL. Here, we summarize the main cytogenetic and molecular features of hypodiploid B-ALL subtypes, and provide a brief overview of the diagnostic methods, standard-of-care treatments and overall clinical outcome. Finally, we discuss molecular mechanisms that may underlie the origin and leukemogenic impact of hypodiploidy and may open new therapeutic avenues to improve survival rates in these patients.
Prognostic Role of the Removed Vaginal Cuff and Its Correlation with L1CAM in Low-Risk Endometrial Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Vizza Enrico , Bruno Valentina , Cutillo Giuseppe , Mancini Emanuela , Sperduti Isabella , Patrizi Lodovico , Certelli Camilla , Zampa Ashanti , Giannini Andrea , Corrado Giacomo
Published: December 2021

Objective: The aim of our study was to investigate the role of the excised vaginal cuff length as a prognostic factor in terms of DFS and recurrence rate/site, in low-risk endometrial cancer (EC) patients. Moreover, we correlated the recurrence with the expression of L1CAM. Material and Methods: From March 2001 to November 2016, a retrospective data collection was conducted of women undergoing surgical treatment for low-risk EC according to ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO consensus guidelines. Patients were divided into three groups according to their vaginal cuff length: V0 without vaginal cuff, V1 with a vaginal cuff shorter than 1.5 cm and V2 with a vaginal cuff longer than or equal to 1.5 cm. Results: 344 patients were included in the study: 100 in the V0 group, 179 in the V1 group and 65 in the V2 group. The total recurrence rate was 6.1%: the number of patients with recurrence was 8 (8%), 10 (5.6%) and 3 (4.6%), in the V0, V1 and V2 group, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found in the recurrence rate among the three groups. Although the DFS was higher in the V2 group, the result was not significant. L1CAM was positive in 71.4% of recurrences and in 82% of the distant recurrences. Conclusions: The rate of recurrence in patients with EC at low risk of recurrence does not decrease as the length of the vaginal cuff removed increases. Furthermore, the size of the removed vaginal cuff does not affect either the site of recurrence or the likelihood of survival.
Review of the Geant4-DNA Simulation Toolkit for Radiobiological Applications at the Cellular and DNA Level
Authors: Kyriakou Ioanna , Sakata Dousatsu , Tran Hoang Ngoc , Perrot Yann , Shin Wook-Geun , Lampe Nathanael , Zein Sara , Bordage Marie Claude , Guatelli Susanna , Villagrasa Carmen , Emfietzoglou Dimitris , Incerti Sébastien
Published: December 2021

The Geant4-DNA low energy extension of the Geant4 Monte Carlo (MC) toolkit is a continuously evolving MC simulation code permitting mechanistic studies of cellular radiobiological effects. Geant4-DNA considers the physical, chemical, and biological stages of the action of ionizing radiation (in the form of x- and γ-ray photons, electrons and β±-rays, hadrons, α-particles, and a set of heavier ions) in living cells towards a variety of applications ranging from predicting radiotherapy outcomes to radiation protection both on earth and in space. In this work, we provide a brief, yet concise, overview of the progress that has been achieved so far concerning the different physical, physicochemical, chemical, and biological models implemented into Geant4-DNA, highlighting the latest developments. Specifically, the “dnadamage1” and “molecularDNA” applications which enable, for the first time within an open-source platform, quantitative predictions of early DNA damage in terms of single-strand-breaks (SSBs), double-strand-breaks (DSBs), and more complex clustered lesions for different DNA structures ranging from the nucleotide level to the entire genome. These developments are critically presented and discussed along with key benchmarking results. The Geant4-DNA toolkit, through its different set of models and functionalities, offers unique capabilities for elucidating the problem of radiation quality or the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of different ionizing radiations which underlines nearly the whole spectrum of radiotherapeutic modalities, from external high-energy hadron beams to internal low-energy gamma and beta emitters that are used in brachytherapy sources and radiopharmaceuticals, respectively.
The Bioeconomy–Biodiversity Nexus: Enhancing or Undermining Nature’s Contributions to People?
Authors: Bastos Lima Mairon G. , Palme Ulrika
Published: December 2021

Bioeconomy has become fundamental for a post-fossil-resources society, in line with climate change mitigation ambitions. Although it does not have a single, consensual definition, the bioeconomy encompasses various bio-based value chains and economic activities relying on biodiversity. How these burgeoning developments may affect biodiversity, however, still needs further examination. This article explores the bioeconomy–biodiversity nexus through the lens of nature’s contributions to people (NCPs). Drawing from the bioeconomy literature and Amazonian experiences, we argue that the bioeconomy may: (i) help conserve or restore habitats, (ii) improve knowledge on biodiversity, (iii) valorize livelihoods and increase social participation, and (iv) aid in moving beyond the commodification of nature. However, none of these achievements can be taken for granted. To date, the bioeconomy has focused mainly on extracting goods from nature (e.g., food, energy, or biochemicals), often at the expense of NCPs that require integral ecosystems and are decisive for a sustainable society in the longer run. Moreover, we assert that it is critical to discern the beneficiaries of various contributions, as “people”, in reality, are composed of distinct groups that relate differently to nature and have different preferences regarding trade-offs. The NCPs framework can help broaden synergies in the bioeconomy–biodiversity nexus, but inclusive governance remains critical.
Detection and Characterization of Stressed Sweet Cherry Tissues Using Machine Learning
Authors: Chaschatzis Christos , Karaiskou Chrysoula , Mouratidis Efstathios G. , Karagiannis Evangelos , Sarigiannidis Panagiotis G.
Published: December 2021

Recent technological developments in the primary sector and machine learning algorithms allow the combined application of many promising solutions in precision agriculture. For example, the YOLOv5 (You Only Look Once) and ResNet Deep Learning architecture provide high-precision real-time identifications of objects. The advent of datasets from different perspectives provides multiple benefits, such as spheric view of objects, increased information, and inference results from multiple objects detection per image. However, it also raises crucial obstacles such as total identifications (ground truths) and processing concerns that can lead to devastating consequences, including false-positive detections with other erroneous conclusions or even the inability to extract results. This paper introduces experimental results from the machine learning algorithm (Yolov5) on a novel dataset based on perennial fruit crops, such as sweet cherries, aiming to enhance precision agriculture resiliency. Detection is oriented on two points of interest: (a) Infected leaves and (b) Infected branches. It is noteworthy that infected leaves or branches indicate stress, which may be due to either a stress/disease (e.g., Armillaria for sweet cherries trees, etc.) or other factors (e.g., water shortage, etc). Correspondingly, the foliage of a tree shows symptoms, while this indicates the stages of the disease.
Reduction of Artifacts in Capacitive Electrocardiogram Signals of Driving Subjects
Authors: Škorić Tamara
Published: December 2021

The development of smart cars with e-health services allows monitoring of the health condition of the driver. Driver comfort is preserved by the use of capacitive electrodes, but the recorded signal is characterized by large artifacts. This paper proposes a method for reducing artifacts from the ECG signal recorded by capacitive electrodes (cECG) in moving subjects. Two dominant artifact types are coarse and slow-changing artifacts. Slow-changing artifacts removal by classical filtering is not feasible as the spectral bands of artifacts and cECG overlap, mostly in the band from 0.5 to 15 Hz. We developed a method for artifact removal, based on estimating the fluctuation around linear trend, for both artifact types, including a condition for determining the presence of coarse artifacts. The method was validated on cECG recorded while driving, with the artifacts predominantly due to the movements, as well as on cECG recorded while lying, where the movements were performed according to a predefined protocol. The proposed method eliminates 96% to 100% of the coarse artifacts, while the slow-changing artifacts are completely reduced for the recorded cECG signals larger than 0.3 V. The obtained results are in accordance with the opinion of medical experts. The method is intended for reliable extraction of cardiovascular parameters to monitor driver fatigue status.
Inertia Control Strategy of DFIG-Based Wind Turbines Considering Low-Frequency Oscillation Suppression
Authors: Liu Haoming , Yang Suxiang , Yuan Xiaoling
Published: December 2021

It has become a basic requirement for wind turbines (WTs) to provide frequency regulation and inertia support. The influence of WTs on the low-frequency oscillation (LFO) of the system will change after adopting inertia control methods. This paper intends to investigate and compare in detail the IC effects on LFO characteristics in two systems with different structures. First, the mechanism of inertia control of doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)-based WTs is analyzed. Then, the small-signal analysis method and modal analysis method are used to study the influence of the inertia control on the LFO characteristics based on the two-machine infinite-bus system and the four-machine two-area system, respectively. The difference in impact rules of IC on LFO is compared in detail. Finally, considering that the inertia control might worsen the LFO in some systems, an improved inertia control strategy of DFIG-based WTs is proposed to suppress the LFO. The simulation results demonstrate that, in systems with different structures, the impact rules of the inertia control parameters on LFO are different. With the improved inertia control strategy, DFIG-based WTs can suppress the LFO of the system and provide inertia support for the system.
A Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Model for Municipal Waste Treatment Systems Evaluation including Energy Recovery
Authors: Giel Robert , Kierzkowski Artur
Published: December 2021

One of the recent problems on waste sorting systems is their performance evaluation for proper decision making and management. For this purpose, multi-criteria methods can be used to evaluate the sorting system from both operational and financial perspectives. According to a recent literature review, there are no solutions for evaluating waste sorting systems that take into account: sorting point utilisation, sorting efficiency, waste stream irregularity, and technical system availability. In addition, the problem of data uncertainty and the need to use expert judgements indicate the need for the implementation of methods adjusted to the qualitative and quantitative assessment, such as the fuzzy approach. Following this, in order to overcome the presented limitations, the authors introduced the new assessment method for waste sorting systems based on multi-criteria model implementation and fuzzy theory use. Therefore, the developed model was based on a hierarchical fuzzy logic model for which appropriate membership function parameters and inference rules were defined. The specificity of the chosen assessment criteria and their justification was provided. The model has been implemented to evaluate one of the waste sorting plants in Wroclaw, Poland. Tests have been conducted for seven different configurations of waste sorting lines (with variable input parameters). The study focuses on analysing the amount of selected waste at each station in relation to the total stream size of each fraction. Efficiency was measured by the mass of the collected waste and the number of pieces of waste in each fraction. Based on the obtained results, estimations of particular parameters of the model were made, and the results were presented and commented on. It was shown that there is a significant relationship between the level of system evaluation and sorting efficiency and an inverse relationship with the level of RDF obtained. The analysis was based on Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient estimation and linear regression implementation.
What Makes the Difference Is the Size and Proximity to the Centre: A Research Approach and Results of Territorial Cohesion Assessment at the Local Level
Authors: Gospodarowicz Marcin , Chmieliński Paweł
Published: December 2021

The aim of this paper is to assess the territorial cohesion of municipalities (gminas) in Poland using quantitative data and non-parametric modelling techniques. The full population of 2174 Polish municipalities divided into rural and urban-rural municipalities was examined. The time interval of the study, i.e., 2005–2017, allows us to capture the changes stimulated by the implementation of the cohesion policy, i.e., the programme of socio-economic transformation in Poland, implemented in the programming period 2007–2013. Using the DEA approach, a general decline in the cohesion index value over time was recorded in the period of analysis. The results of estimating autocorrelation measures indicate a progressive tendency to build spatial clusters, where the size of the local administrative unit (municipality), measured by the population potential and spatial location of the municipality significantly affect the cohesion level. It was also found that there are limits of positive influence of the EU income on the possibility of achieving a high level of cohesion, hampered by a limited resource of own funds. The research method in this paper has been empirically validated and can be applied to territorial cohesion studies in other EU countries.
Risk Identification in Cogeneration (Combined Heat and Power) Projects: A Polish Case Study
Authors: Rzempała Joanna , Borkowski Daniel , Rzempała Artur Piotr
Published: December 2021

The purpose of the article is to define the risk factors in cogeneration projects and to demonstrate that a lack of sufficient identification of risks in different phases affects project implementation. A theoretical study is conducted, which aims to identify risk factors in cogeneration projects, based on case studies of such projects in Poland. The study offers a view at CHP (combined heat and power) projects as extremely dependent on the external environment of the organisation. These projects are subject to many external regulations due to their environmental impact and dynamically changing technical aspects. The biggest technical errors occur at the planning and construction stages. The biggest economic and financial risks occur at the execution stage after 2% and 3% of additional design costs occur, respectively. The authors estimated the risks at different stages of the project and concluded that the total cost of failure in correct identification of the risks at the planning stage exceeded PLN 1.5 billion, which amounted to almost 60% of the total additional costs of materialised project risk. Consequently, the biggest challenges in the area of CHP project management at the planning stage are a thorough identification of risks, and the pricing and planning reactions to risk.
Residents’ Living Environments, Self-Rated Health Status and Perceptions of Urban Green Space Benefits
Authors: Liu Fenghua , Tian Yuhong , Jim Chiyung , Wang Tiantian , Luan Jingya , Yan Mengxuan
Published: December 2021

Urban green space (UGS) could contribute to sustainable urban development. Studying residents’ perception of UGS ecological benefits could provide the empirical basis to improve UGS management and quality of life. Based on the questionnaire surveys of 432 residents in Beijing, assisted by non-parametric statistical tests, this paper assessed the relationships between residents’ living environments and self-rated health status and their impacts on residents’ perceptions of UGS ecological benefits. We paid attention to residents’ perceptions of UGS’s notable thermal environmental benefits under the climate-change backdrop. The results showed that: (1) Residents were inclined to perceive direct UGS ecological benefits better than the indirect types; (2) Residents growing up in the city had better self-rated health status than those growing up in the suburb and the village; and residents growing up in the suburb had a better understanding of the cooling benefits of green walls; (3) Residents currently dwelling in the city had a better understanding of UGS benefits, including shading, cooling by green roofs, mitigating the heat island effect and enhancing urban biodiversity, than those dwelling in the village; and (4) Residents with “very good” self-rated health status had a significantly better understanding of UGS benefits regarding shading, providing varied colors and habitats, storing carbon, purifying air, and collecting rainwater.
Application of a Panel Data Quantile-Regression Model to the Dynamics of Carbon Sequestration in Pinus kesiya var. langbianensis Natural Forests
Authors: Liu Chang , Ou Guanglong , Fu Yao , Zhang Chengcheng , Yue Cairong
Published: December 2021

Even though studies on forest carbon storage are relatively mature, dynamic changes in carbon sequestration have been insufficiently researched. Therefore, we used panel data from 81 Pinus kesiya var. langbianensis forest sample plots measured on three occasions to build an ordinary regression model and a quantile-regression model to estimate carbon sequestration over time. In the models, the average carbon reserve of the natural forests was taken as the dependent variable and the average diameter at breast height (DBH), crown density, and altitude as independent variables. The effects of the DBH and crown density on the average carbon storage differed considerably among different age groups and with time, while the effect of altitude had a relatively insignificant influence. Compared with the ordinary model, the quantile-regression model was more accurate in residual and predictive analyses and removed large errors generated by the ordinary model in fitting for young-aged and over-mature forests. We are the first to introduce panel-data-based modeling to forestry research, and it appears to provide a new solution to better grasp change laws for forest carbon sequestration.
MEK Inhibition in a Newborn with RAF1-Associated Noonan Syndrome Ameliorates Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy but Is Insufficient to Revert Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Authors: Mussa Alessandro , Carli Diana , Giorgio Elisa , Villar Anna Maria , Cardaropoli Simona , Carbonara Caterina , Campagnoli Maria Francesca , Galletto Paolo , Palumbo Martina , Olivieri Simone , Isella Claudio , Andelfinger Gregor , Tartaglia Marco , Botta Giovanni , Brusco Alfredo , Medico Enzo , Ferrero Giovanni Battista
Published: December 2021

The RAF1:p.Ser257Leu variant is associated with severe Noonan syndrome (NS), progressive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and pulmonary hypertension. Trametinib, a MEK-inhibitor approved for treatment of RAS/MAPK-mutated cancers, is an emerging treatment option for HCM in NS. We report a patient with NS and HCM, treated with Trametinib and documented by global RNA sequencing before and during treatment to define transcriptional effects of MEK-inhibition. A preterm infant with HCM carrying the RAF1:p.Ser257Leu variant, rapidly developed severe congestive heart failure (CHF) unresponsive to standard treatments. Trametinib was introduced (0.022 mg/kg/day) with prompt clinical improvement and subsequent amelioration of HCM at ultrasound. The appearance of pulmonary artery aneurysm and pulmonary hypertension contributed to a rapid worsening after ventriculoperitoneal shunt device placement for posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus: she deceased for untreatable CHF at 3 months of age. Autopsy showed severe obstructive HCM, pulmonary artery dilation, disarrayed pulmonary vascular anatomy consistent with pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis. Transcriptome across treatment, highlighted robust transcriptional changes induced by MEK-inhibition. Our findings highlight a previously unappreciated connection between pulmonary vascular disease and the severe outcome already reported in patients with RAF1-associated NS. While MEK-inhibition appears a promising therapeutic option for HCM in RASopathies, it appears insufficient to revert pulmonary hypertension.
Hospitalization for Oral Health-Related Conditions of the Australian Ageing Population: Two Decades of Analysis
Authors: Kamil Wisam , Kruger Estie , Turlach Berwin , Tennant Marc
Published: December 2021

The burden of oral health care increases among older people, with a profound challenge in utilising dental services in primary dental care settings. This study aimed to analyse two decades of nationwide hospital separation patterns due to oral health-related conditions among older people. Ageing population data were obtained from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, including people aged 65 years and older. All principal diagnoses of oral health conditions (ICD-10-AM) were analysed in this study. The hospitalisation data included all separations of older people for the financial years 1998–1999 to 2018–2019. A total of 205,461 hospital separations were recorded for older people over a period of twenty-one years. More than 60% of these separations were collectively attributed to dental caries, disorders of teeth and supporting structures, diseases of the jaws, diseases of the pulp and periapical tissues. However, the average rate of separations per 10,000 people due to dental caries was the highest among the dental conditions (8.68). Furthermore, the remaining oral health-related conditions predict an annual percentage increase in the rate that would compromise their oral health quality of life. Dental caries and its sequela seem to be the leading cause for oral health-related hospital admissions in Australia for people aged 65 and older. This could be an indicator of the inadequacy of disease management in the primary dental care setting.
Leigh Whannell’s The Invisible Man Discussing Narratives of Domestic Abuse and Gaslighting through the Cassandra Myth
Authors: Payne Alice
Published: December 2021

Renowned for its hard-hitting exploration of gaslighting and domestic abuse, Leigh Whannell’s 2020 film The Invisible Man has inevitably been linked to the #MeToo movement. Despite the film’s contemporary premise, however, its narrative of male violence and female silencing is fundamentally rooted within classical literature and can be seen as an appropriation of the Cassandra myth. This article will be reviewing the continued relevance of the Cassandra myth today and the impact of her appearance within the horror movie genre. It will identify how Cassandra’s narrative as a truth-speaker, who is met with disbelief, has been appropriated for both thematic and critical effect. It will also consider the gendered implication of truth-speakers in horror and the impact of representing a female Cassandra onscreen to critique gendered issues, such as female silencing, domestic abuse, and gaslighting. By applying the classical figure of Cassandra to Whannell’s The Invisible Man, this article will continue by highlighting the patriarchal mechanisms which have historically dictated the reliability of female truth-speaker, thus connecting modern truth-speakers to their ancient counterparts.
Learning from Patients: The Interplay between Clinical and Laboratory Research in AL Amyloidosis
Authors: Gatt Moshe E. , Pick Marjorie
Published: December 2021

Primary systemic light chain amyloidosis (AL) is a rare monoclonal plasma cell disorder. Much research has been performed to determine the factors that underly amyloidogenicity. However, there is increasing evidence that the primary clone, and also patient-related factors, influence the mechanism and rate of the process. The lessons learnt from patient care definitely imply that this is not solely due to the deposition of material in the tissues that cause organ injury but amyloid light chain precursors are likely to mediate cellular toxicity. The disease rarity, combined with the lack of in vitro tools, and that multi-organ failure has a wide clinical spectrum, result in investigative challenges and treatment limitations (due to AL patient frailty). All these characteristics make the disease difficult to diagnose and indicate the need to further study its origins and treatments. This review will focus on the various aspects of the amyloidogenic plasma cell clone, as learnt from the patient care and clinics, and its implications on basic as well as clinical trials of AL research. Details regarding the etiology of the plasma cell clone, understanding the diagnosis of AL, and improvement of patient care with specific consideration of the future perspectives of individualized patient therapy will be described.
High NH4+/NO3− Ratio Inhibits the Growth and Nitrogen Uptake of Chinese Kale at the Late Growth Stage by Ammonia Toxicity
Authors: Wang Yudan , Zhang Xiaoyun , Liu Houcheng , Sun Guangwen , Song Shiwei , Chen Riyuan
Published: December 2021

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of various NH4+/NO3− ratios in a nutrient solution on the growth and nitrogen uptake of Chinese kale under hydroponic conditions. The four NH4+/NO3− ratios in the nutrient solution were CK (0/100), T1 (10/90), T2 (25/75), and T3 (50/50). An appropriate NH4+/NO3− ratio (10/90, 25/75) promoted the growth of Chinese kale. T2 produced the highest fresh and dry weight among treatments, and all indices of seedling root growth were the highest under T2. A high NH4+/NO3− ratio (50/50) promoted the growth of Chinese kale seedlings at the early stage but inhibited growth at the late growth stage. At harvest, the nutrient solution showed acidity. The pH value was the lowest in T3, whereas NH4+ and NH4+/NO3− ratios were the highest, which caused ammonium toxicity. Total N accumulation and N use efficiency were the highest in T2, and total N accumulation was the lowest in T3. Principal component analysis showed that T2 considerably promoted growth and N absorption of Chinese kale, whereas T3 had a remarkable effect on the pH value. These findings suggest that an appropriate increase in NH4+ promotes the growth and nutrient uptake of Chinese kale by maintaining the pH value and NH4+/NO3− ratios of the nutrient solution, whereas excessive addition of NH4+ may induce rhizosphere acidification and ammonia toxicity, inhibiting plant growth.
Crustaceans (Malacostraca and Thecostraca) from the International Minho River, Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Gomes Nuno , Costa Dimítri A. , Cantallo Harold , Antunes Carlos
Published: December 2021

Crustaceans (Arthropoda) are a diverse and abundant group with chitinous exoskeleton, living on coastal/estuarine environments, at community invertebrate fauna. A survey on the species of some crustacean groups found on the Minho River estuary (international section) in the Iberian Peninsula, is presented with specimens collected through glass eel fishing bycatch, grab sampler, trammel net, beam trawl and fyke net sampling methods. A total of 98 specimens were examined belonging to 7 orders, 21 genera and 23 species (17 new records from Minho River, including one for Portugal). Brief diagnosis, ecological notes, species distributions and figures are provided intending to present taxonomic support on future projects in this region.
Salivary Ferritin Changes in Patients with COVID-19
Authors: Franco-Martínez Lorena , Cerón José J. , Vicente-Romero María R. , Bernal Enrique , Torres Cantero Alberto , Tecles Fernando , Sánchez Resalt Cristina , Martínez Mónica , Tvarijonaviciute Asta , Martínez-Subiela Silvia
Published: December 2021

High ferritin serum levels can be found in patients with macrophage activation syndrome, and increased serum ferritin due to cytokine storm have been reported in severe COVID-19 patients. Saliva is being increasingly used in COVID-19 tests as a diagnostic sample for virus detection and quantification. This study aimed to evaluate the possible changes in ferritin in saliva in COVID-19 patients. In addition, the effects of different inactivation SARS-CoV-2 treatments in ferritin measurements in saliva, the correlation between ferritin in saliva and serum, and the possible effects of correction of ferritin values by total protein were assessed. Ferritin was measured in saliva from healthy (n = 30) and COVID-19 (n = 65) patients with severe, (n = 18) or mild (n = 47) disease, depending on the need for nasal flow oxygen or assisted respiration. Ferritin was also measured in paired serum and saliva samples (n = 32) from healthy and COVID-19 patients. The evaluated inactivation protocols did not affect the assay’s results except the addition of 0.5% SDS. Significantly higher ferritin was found in the saliva of COVID-19 patients (median; 25–75th percentile) (27.75; 9.77–52.2 µg/L), compared with healthy controls (4.21; 2.6–8.08 µg/L). Individuals with severe COVID-19 showed higher ferritin values in saliva (48.7; 18.7–53.9) than mild ones (15.5; 5.28–41.3 µg/L). Significant correlation (r = 0.425; p < 0.001) was found between serum and saliva in ferritin. Ferritin levels were higher in COVID-19 patients in serum and saliva, and the highest values were found in those patients presenting severe symptomatology. In conclusion, ferritin in saliva has the potential to be a biomarker to evaluate severity in patients with COVID-19.
Comparisons of the Prevalence, Severity, and Risk Factors of Dysmenorrhea between Japanese Female Athletes and Non-Athletes in Universities
Authors: Momma Reiko , Nakata Yoshio , Sawai Akemi , Takeda Maho , Natsui Hiroaki , Mukai Naoki , Watanabe Koichi
Published: December 2021

This study aimed to investigate the difference in the prevalence, severity, and risk factors of dysmenorrhea between Japanese female athletes and non-athletes in universities. The participants were 18 to 30 years old with no history of a previous pregnancy and/or childbirth. After application of the exclusion criteria, the cohort comprised 605 athletes and 295 non-athletes. An anonymous questionnaire, which included self-reported information on age, height, weight, age at menarche, menstrual cycle days, menstrual duration, dysmenorrhea severity, sleeping hours, dietary habits, exercise habits, training hours, and competition level was administered. Compared with athletes, non-athletes had a higher prevalence of dysmenorrhea (85.6% in athletes, 90.5% in non-athletes, p < 0.05); non-athletes also demonstrated increased severity (none/mild 27.8%, moderate 19.3%, and severe 52.9% in athletes; none/mild 21.2%, moderate 17.2%, and severe 61.6% in non-athletes; p < 0.05). Factors related to severe dysmenorrhea in athletes included long training hours, early menarche, and prolonged menstrual periods. In non-athletes, short menstrual cycle days and extended menstrual periods were related to severe dysmenorrhea. The prevalence and severity of dysmenorrhea were higher among non-athletes than among athletes; different factors were related to severe dysmenorrhea in these two groups. Thus, different strategies are necessary to manage dysmenorrhea for athletes and non-athletes in universities.
Phenomenology of the COVID-19 Pandemic Experience in Patients Suffering from Chronic Schizophrenia—A Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Kotlarska Katarzyna , Wielgus Benita , Cichocki Łukasz
Published: December 2021

Many studies have shown that the COVID-19 pandemic can have a great influence on mental health. However, there is still not enough research to fully understand how people suffering from schizophrenia experience crisis situations such as a pandemic. This qualitative study aims to explore this subject. Ten outpatients suffering from schizophrenia were interviewed in a semi-structured format using an interview designed by the authors for the purpose of this study. The interviews were transcribed, and a conventional qualitative content analysis was conducted. The general themes identified in the content analysis were organized into four categories: first reactions to information about the pandemic; subjective assessment of the pandemic’s impact on patients’ mental health; patients’ attitudes towards the temporary limitations and lockdowns; psychiatric treatment and psychotherapy during the pandemic. A variety of different experiences were observed, but the general conclusion arising from the study suggests that the majority of the interviewed patients coped quite well with the pandemic and that the observed reactions were similar to the reactions of other groups described in the literature. The study also confirmed the importance of the continuity of psychiatric care for patients with schizophrenia.