bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design, Synthesis and Molecular Modeling Study of Radiotracers Based on Tacrine and Its Derivatives for Study on Alzheimer’s Disease and Its Early Diagnosis
Authors: Koźmiński Przemysław , Gniazdowska Ewa
Published: March 2024

From 1993 to 2013, tacrine was an approved drug for Alzheimer’s disease. Due to its strong inhibitory properties towards cholinesterase, tacrine causes an increase in the level of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the cholinergic system of the central nervous system. This work presents a review of articles in which tacrine or its derivatives labeled with the radionuclides 3H, 11C, 14C, 123I, 99mTc and 68Ga were used as vectors in radiotracers dedicated to the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. The possibility of clinical applications of the obtained radiopreparations was assessed by analyzing their physicochemical properties, ability to cross the blood–brain barrier and the level of uptake in the brain. Based on these data, it was shown that radiopreparations based on the tacrine molecule or its very close analogues retain the ability to cross the blood–brain barrier, while radiopreparations containing a more modified tacrine molecule (connected via a linker to a radionuclide chelator) lose this ability. This is probably the result of the addition of a chelator, which significantly increases the size of the radiopreparation and reduces its lipophilicity. Computer docking studies of tacrine derivatives and/or radiopreparations showed how these compounds bind to the active sites of acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase.
Advancements in Healthcare: Development of a Comprehensive Medical Information System with Automated Classification for Ocular and Skin Pathologies—Structure, Functionalities, and Innovative Development Methods
Authors: Ștefan Ana-Maria , Rusu Nicu-Răzvan , Ovreiu Elena , Ciuc Mihai
Published: March 2024

This article introduces a groundbreaking medical information system developed in Salesforce, featuring an automated classification module for ocular and skin pathologies using Google Teachable Machine. Integrating cutting-edge technology with Salesforce’s robust capabilities, the system provides a comprehensive solution for medical practitioners. The article explores the system’s structure, emphasizing innovative functionalities that enhance diagnostic precision and streamline medical workflows. Methods used in development are discussed, offering insights into the integration of Google Teachable Machine into the Salesforce framework. This collaborative approach is a significant stride in intelligent pathology classification, advancing the field of medical information systems and fostering efficient healthcare practices.
Age Encoded Adversarial Learning for Pediatric CT Segmentation
Authors: Gheshlaghi Saba Heidari , Kan Chi Nok Enoch , Schmidt Taly Gilat , Ye Dong Hye
Published: March 2024

Organ segmentation from CT images is critical in the early diagnosis of diseases, progress monitoring, pre-operative planning, radiation therapy planning, and CT dose estimation. However, data limitation remains one of the main challenges in medical image segmentation tasks. This challenge is particularly huge in pediatric CT segmentation due to children’s heightened sensitivity to radiation. In order to address this issue, we propose a novel segmentation framework with a built-in auxiliary classifier generative adversarial network (ACGAN) that conditions age, simultaneously generating additional features during training. The proposed conditional feature generation segmentation network (CFG-SegNet) was trained on a single loss function and used 2.5D segmentation batches. Our experiment was performed on a dataset with 359 subjects (180 male and 179 female) aged from 5 days to 16 years and a mean age of 7 years. CFG-SegNet achieved an average segmentation accuracy of 0.681 dice similarity coefficient (DSC) on the prostate, 0.619 DSC on the uterus, 0.912 DSC on the liver, and 0.832 DSC on the heart with four-fold cross-validation. We compared the segmentation accuracy of our proposed method with previously published U-Net results, and our network improved the segmentation accuracy by 2.7%, 2.6%, 2.8%, and 3.4% for the prostate, uterus, liver, and heart, respectively. The results indicate that our high-performing segmentation framework can more precisely segment organs when limited training images are available.
Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease Outcomes: Critical Mechanisms of Liver Injury Progression
Authors: Osna Natalia A. , Tikhanovich Irina , Ortega-Ribera Martí , Mueller Sebastian , Zheng Chaowen , Mueller Johannes , Li Siyuan , Sakane Sadatsugu , Weber Raquel Carvalho Gontijo , Kim Hyun Young , Lee Wonseok , Ganguly Souradipta , Kimura Yusuke , Liu Xiao , Dhar Debanjan , Diggle Karin , Brenner David A. , Kisseleva Tatiana , Attal Neha , McKillop Iain H. , Chokshi Shilpa , Mahato Ram , Rasineni Karuna , Szabo Gyongyi , Kharbanda Kusum K.
Published: March 2024

Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and represents a spectrum of liver injury beginning with hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) progressing to inflammation and culminating in cirrhosis. Multiple factors contribute to ALD progression and disease severity. Here, we overview several crucial mechanisms related to ALD end-stage outcome development, such as epigenetic changes, cell death, hemolysis, hepatic stellate cells activation, and hepatic fatty acid binding protein 4. Additionally, in this review, we also present two clinically relevant models using human precision-cut liver slices and hepatic organoids to examine ALD pathogenesis and progression.
Metachronal Motion of Biological and Artificial Cilia
Authors: Cui Zhiwei , Wang Ye , den Toonder Jaap M. J.
Published: March 2024

Cilia are slender, hair-like cell protrusions that are present ubiquitously in the natural world. They perform essential functions, such as generating fluid flow, propulsion, and feeding, in organisms ranging from protozoa to the human body. The coordinated beating of cilia, which results in wavelike motions known as metachrony, has fascinated researchers for decades for its role in functions such as flow generation and mucus transport. Inspired by nature, researchers have explored diverse materials for the fabrication of artificial cilia and developed several methods to mimic the metachronal motion observed in their biological counterparts. In this review, we will introduce the different types of metachronal motion generated by both biological and artificial cilia, the latter including pneumatically, photonically, electrically, and magnetically driven artificial cilia. Furthermore, we review the possible applications of metachronal motion by artificial cilia, focusing on flow generation, transport of mucus, particles, and droplets, and microrobotic locomotion. The overall aim of this review is to offer a comprehensive overview of the metachronal motions exhibited by diverse artificial cilia and the corresponding practical implementations. Additionally, we identify the potential future directions within this field. These insights present an exciting opportunity for further advancements in this domain.
Chorda Dorsalis System as a Paragon for Soft Medical Robots to Design Echocardiography Probes with a New SOM-Based Steering Control
Authors: Sayahkarajy Mostafa , Witte Hartmut , Faudzi Ahmad Athif Mohd
Published: March 2024

Continuum robots play the role of end effectors in various surgical robots and endoscopic devices. While soft continuum robots (SCRs) have proven advantages such as safety and compliance, more research and development are required to enhance their capability for specific medical scenarios. This research aims at designing a soft robot, considering the concepts of geometric and kinematic similarities. The chosen application is a semi-invasive medical application known as transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). The feasibility of fabrication of a soft endoscopic device derived from the Chorda dorsalis paragon was shown empirically by producing a three-segment pneumatic SCR. The main novelties include bioinspired design, modeling, and a navigation control strategy presented as a novel algorithm to maintain a kinematic similarity between the soft robot and the rigid counterpart. The kinematic model was derived based on the method of transformation matrices, and an algorithm based on a self-organizing map (SOM) network was developed and applied to realize kinematic similarity. The simulation results indicate that the control method forces the soft robot tip to follow the path of the rigid probe within the prescribed distance error (5 mm). The solution provides a soft robot that can surrogate and succeed the traditional rigid counterpart owing to size, workspace, and kinematics.
Assessing the Impact of Agents with Antiviral Activities on Transmembrane Ionic Currents: Exploring Possible Unintended Actions
Authors: Lin Geng-Bai , Shih Chia-Lung , Liutkevičienė Rasa , Rovite Vita , So Edmund Cheung , Wu Chao-Liang , Wu Sheng-Nan
Published: March 2024

As the need for effective antiviral treatment intensifies, such as with the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) infection, it is crucial to understand that while the mechanisms of action of these drugs or compounds seem apparent, they might also interact with unexplored targets, such as cell membrane ion channels in diverse cell types. In this review paper, we demonstrate that many different drugs or compounds, in addition to their known interference with viral infections, may also directly influence various types of ionic currents on the surface membrane of the host cell. These agents include artemisinin, cannabidiol, memantine, mitoxantrone, molnupiravir, remdesivir, SM-102, and sorafenib. If achievable at low concentrations, these regulatory effects on ion channels are highly likely to synergize with the identified initial mechanisms of viral replication interference. Additionally, the immediate regulatory impact of these agents on the ion-channel function may potentially result in unintended adverse effects, including changes in cardiac electrical activity and the prolongation of the QTc interval. Therefore, it is essential for patients receiving these related agents to exercise additional caution to prevent unnecessary complications.
Development of a LAMP-Based Diagnostic for the Detection of Multiple HIV-1 Strains
Authors: Makler-Disatham Amy , Caputi Massimo , Asghar Waseem
Published: March 2024

Since its first appearance in 1981, HIV-1 has remained a global concern. Current methods for diagnosing HIV-1, while effective, are mostly specific to a given subtype of HIV-1 and often require expensive equipment and highly trained individuals to collect and process the sample. It is necessary to develop a sensitive diagnostic method that can be administered with minimal equipment to provide better care in low-resource settings. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification is a rapid and sensitive method for detecting the presence of specific nucleic acid sequences. Herein we report the development and comparison of two different HIV LAMP assays, integrase and VPR, as well as the comparison between TRIZol and magnetic beads RNA extraction methods for each assay. Our analysis shows that the integrase assay was able to detect the virus from multiple subtypes in under 30 min with a variable limit of detection (LOD) that was dependent on the HIV-1 subtype.
Integration of Phase Change Materials in Service Areas of Building Envelopes for Improved Thermal Performance: An Experimental Study in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alrashdan Abdalla , Ghaleb Atef M. , Ahmad Khalid Haj , Daoud Abdel Naser
Published: March 2024

This experimental study explores the integration of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) within building envelopes. The research specifically centers on the utilization of two microencapsulated paraffin-based PCMs with melting points of 37 °C and 43 °C. The study assesses their performance within cement and gypsum-based PCM composites, concentrating on service areas often overlooked in thermal analysis, including underground garages, staircases, and utility rooms. The experimental setup included constructing three chambers inside an underground garage during the hot months of June and July in Saudi Arabia. Two chambers were assigned to integrate the PCM, while the third chamber served as a control without PCM. The experiment unfolds in two phases. In the initial phase, the objective was to determine which PCM is more effective in reducing the heat load inside the chambers. This led to the adoption of the 43 °C PCM for the subsequent stage. The adoption of the 43 °C PCM resulted in a fourfold decrease in heat compared to the 37 °C PCM. The second phase investigates the integration of the selected PCM with cement and gypsum composites. The percentage of PCM incorporated into the concrete and gypsum composites was determined experimentally. For cement-based composites, the identified percentage that maintains material integrity is 20%, and for gypsum-based composites, it is 22%. The findings demonstrate a significant reduction in cooling load with PCM incorporation, with cement-based composites exhibiting superior thermal performance compared to gypsum-based alternatives and reducing the heat load by approximately 63%. Additionally, it was observed that concrete reduced the highest temperature during the day by 5.2 °C, which equates to about a 10% reduction, further enhancing comfort. Conducted over the course of two summer seasons, this study contributes valuable insights toward improving the quality of life for building occupants, considering various factors such as their living environment.
Thermo-Environmental Performance of Modular Building Envelope Panel Technologies: A Focused Review
Authors: Mohammed Mohammed Alhaji , Budaiwi Ismail M. , Al-Osta Mohammed A. , Abdou Adel A.
Published: March 2024

Modular construction is becoming famous for buildings because it allows a high degree of prefabrication, with individual modules easily transported and installed. Building envelope optimization is vital as it protects buildings from undesirable external environments by expressly preventing the incursion of outside elements. This research uses a systematic literature review to appraise the characteristics of modular envelope panels, focusing on hygrothermal and energy performance. A total of 265 articles were subjected to rigorous filtering and screening measures. The findings reveal notable inconsistencies in modular envelope terminologies and a lack of consistent performance measures, which present significant challenges for research and development efforts. Furthermore, the results indicate a predominant focus on hygrothermal and energy performance in existing studies, with limited attention to environmental impacts and other performance factors. Moreover, the existing literature primarily addresses modular envelope solutions in temperate climates, offering inadequate information for hot and hot–humid climate contexts. To address these gaps, this study proposes categorizing modular envelope panels into four distinct categories: active, passive, smart, and green/vegetated wall panels. These findings will benefit researchers, architects, building envelope designers, policymakers, and organizations developing building performance-related assessment ratings, standards, and codes. The study suggests adopting the categorization of modular envelope panels provided in this study and developing modular panels suitable for hot and humid climates to fill the existing knowledge gap.
Association of Physiological Performance, Physical Fitness, and Academic Achievement in Secondary School Students
Authors: Canli Umut , Aldhahi Monira I. , Küçük Hamza
Published: March 2024

This study aimed to compare the physiological performance and physical fitness based on the academic achievement levels of secondary school students and to explore the effect of gender on the relationship between physiological performance, physical fitness, and academic achievement. In this cross-sectional study, 304 children aged 13–14 years were recruited. To assess physical fitness, students performed a 20 m sprint test, a pro-agility test, a one-mile endurance run/walk test, and a countermovement jump test. At the end of the one-mile endurance run/walk test, the estimated VO2peak value of the participants was calculated. The physiological performance of the students was determined by measuring their resting heart rate and blood pressure. Students were grouped into three categories based on their academic achievement levels. The assessment of academic achievement considered their scores from the previous academic year. The scores were divided into three levels: poor (average score of 69 points or less), average (scores ranging from 70 to 84 points), and good (scores of 85 points or higher). The study revealed a notable disparity among students’ VO2Max measurements based on their academic achievement (F = 8.938, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.056). However, we observed that the group with poor academic achievement displayed lower diastolic blood pressure values than the groups with average and good performances. Finally, no significant gender differences were evident in the relationship between academic achievement and any of the physical and physiological parameters.
Molecular Mechanisms and Pathophysiology of Acute Stroke: Recent Advances and Controversies
Authors: Gasull Teresa , Arboix Adrià
Published: March 2024

Stroke is a prevalent neurological disorder defined as an abnormality in brain function resulting from the disruption of cerebral circulation [...]
Microstructure and Impact Toughness of Laser-Arc Hybrid Welded Joint of Medium-Thick TC4 Titanium Alloy
Authors: Luo Peng , Feng Wanxi , Zu Gang , Luo Linyin , Xiao Jun
Published: March 2024

This study delves into the impact toughness of medium-thick (12 mm thick) titanium alloy joints crafted through a multi-layer, multi-pass welding technique that blends laser-arc (MIG) hybrid welding technology. Microstructural scrutiny, employing optical microscopy, SEM and TEM, unveils a consistent composition across weld passes, with prevailing α/α′ phases interspersed with some β phase, resulting in basket-weave structures primarily dominated by acicular α′ martensite. However, upper regions exhibit Widmanstatten microstructures, potentially undermining joint toughness. Hardness testing indicates higher values in cosmetic layers (~420 HV) compared to backing layers and bending tests manifest superior toughness in lower joint regions, attributed to smaller grain sizes induced by repetitive welding thermal cycles. Impact toughness assessment unveils diminished values in the weld metal (WM) compared to the heat-affected zone (HAZ) and base material (BM), amounting to 91.3% of the base metal’s absorption energy. This decrement is ascribed to heightened porosity in upper regions and variations in grain size and phase composition due to multi-layer, multi-pass welding. Microstructural analysis proximal to failure sites suggests one mechanism wherein crack propagation is impeded by the β phase at acute crack angles. In essence, this study not only underscores the practicality of laser-MIG hybrid welding for medium-thick TC4 alloy plates but also underscores the reliability of joint mechanical properties.
A New Computational Algorithm for Assessing Overdispersion and Zero-Inflation in Machine Learning Count Models with Python
Authors: Fávero Luiz Paulo Lopes , Duarte Alexandre , Santos Helder Prado
Published: March 2024

This article provides an overview of count data and count models, explores zero inflation, introduces likelihood ratio tests, and explains how the Vuong test can be used as a model selection criterion for assessing overdispersion. The motivation of this work was to create a Vuong test implementation from scratch using the Python programming language. This implementation supports our objective of enhancing the accessibility and applicability of the Vuong test in real-world scenarios, providing a valuable contribution to the academic community, since Python did not have an implementation of this statistical test.
Tissue Expression of Growth Differentiation Factor 11 in Patients with Breast Cancer
Authors: Chen Chia-Chi , Lee Thung-Lip , Tsai I-Ting , Hsuan Chin-Feng , Hsu Chia-Chang , Wang Chao-Ping , Lu Yung-Chuan , Lee Chien-Hsun , Chung Fu-Mei , Lee Yau-Jiunn , Wei Ching-Ting
Published: March 2024

Protein growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) plays crucial roles in cellular processes, including differentiation and development; however, its clinical relevance in breast cancer patients is poorly understood. We enrolled 68 breast cancer patients who underwent surgery at our hospital and assessed the expression of GDF11 in tumorous, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and non-tumorous tissues using immunohistochemical staining, with interpretation based on histochemical scoring (H-score). Our results indicated higher GDF11 expressions in DCIS and normal tissues compared to tumorous tissues. In addition, the GDF11 H-score was lower in the patients with a tumor size ≥ 2 cm, pathologic T3 + T4 stages, AJCC III-IV stages, Ki67 ≥ 14% status, HER2-negative, and specific molecular tumor subtypes. Notably, the patients with triple-negative breast cancer exhibited a loss of GDF11 expression. Spearman correlation analysis revealed associations between GDF11 expression and various clinicopathological characteristics, including tumor size, stage, Ki67, and molecular subtypes. Furthermore, GDF11 expression was positively correlated with mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and negatively correlated with neutrophil count, as well as standard deviation and coefficient of variation of red cell distribution width. These findings suggest that a decreased GDF11 expression may play a role in breast cancer pathogenesis.
The Influence of Pericardial Fat on Left Ventricular Diastolic Function
Authors: Coelho Patrícia , Duarte Hugo , Alcafache Carlos , Rodrigues Francisco
Published: March 2024

Background: Heart failure is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide; left ventricular diastolic dysfunction plays a leading role in this clinical context. Diastolic dysfunction may be predisposed by increased abdominal fat and, consequently, increased pericardial and epicardial adiposity. This study aimed to determine whether pericardial fat (PF) and epicardial fat (EF) are associated with left ventricular diastolic function. Methods: A total of 82 patients had their abdominal circumference measured and underwent transthoracic echocardiography to measure the thickness of PF and EF and assess the left ventricular diastolic function. Two groups were created based on mean pericardial fat (PF) thickness (4.644 mm) and were related to abdominal circumference and echocardiographic parameters. Results: Subjects in the PF High group showed a significant decrease in septal e’ (p < 0.0001), lateral e’ (p < 0.0001), and E/A ratio (p = 0.003), as well as a significant increase in E/e’ ratio (p < 0.0001), E wave deceleration time (p = 0.013), left atrial volume (p < 0.0001), the left ventricle mass (p = 0.003), tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity (p < 0.0001), and the left ventricle diameter (p = 0.014) compared to the PF Low group. Correlations were found between pericardial fat and nine echocardiographic parameters in the study, while epicardial fat (EP) only correlated with eight. Conclusions: Measurement of abdominal circumference, PF, and EF is an early indicator of diastolic changes with transthoracic echocardiography being the gold standard exam.
Neuropathology, Neuroimaging, and Fluid Biomarkers in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Colvee-Martin Helena , Parra Juan Rayo , Gonzalez Gabriel Antonio , Barker Warren , Duara Ranjan
Published: March 2024

An improved understanding of the pathobiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) should lead ultimately to an earlier and more accurate diagnosis of AD, providing the opportunity to intervene earlier in the disease process and to improve outcomes. The known hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease include amyloid-β plaques and neurofibrillary tau tangles. It is now clear that an imbalance between production and clearance of the amyloid beta protein and related Aβ peptides, especially Aβ42, is a very early, initiating factor in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis, leading to aggregates of hyperphosphorylation and misfolded tau protein, inflammation, and neurodegeneration. In this article, we review how the AD diagnostic process has been transformed in recent decades by our ability to measure these various elements of the pathological cascade through the use of imaging and fluid biomarkers. The more recently developed plasma biomarkers, especially phosphorylated-tau217 (p-tau217), have utility for screening and diagnosis of the earliest stages of AD. These biomarkers can also be used to measure target engagement by disease-modifying therapies and the response to treatment.
Comments and Illustrations of Ultrasound Findings in Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis Manifestations
Authors: Möller Kathleen , Löwe Axel , Jenssen Christian , Chaubal Nitin , Gottschall Heike , Misselwitz Benjamin , Kurapati Meghana , Puritipati Anoop , Dong Yi , Faiss Siegbert , Dietrich Christoph
Published: March 2024

This review describes the appearance of extrapulmonary tuberculosis manifestations in comprehensive and multiparametric ultrasound imaging. The aim is to increase awareness of typical ultrasound findings regarding extrapulmonary tuberculosis, correlate those with pathological features, and facilitate differential diagnosis. Point of care ultrasound protocols can be used as a screening method in high-risk populations, although the negative findings do not exclude tuberculosis. Conversely, the diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis can never be made using ultrasound alone, as many ultrasound findings in extrapulmonary tuberculosis are non-specific. However, ultrasound-based sampling techniques can significantly facilitate the collection of samples for microbiological or molecular proof of tuberculosis, as well as facilitating the establishment of alternative diagnoses.
Markov Blankets and Mirror Symmetries—Free Energy Minimization and Mesocortical Anatomy
Authors: Wright James , Bourke Paul
Published: March 2024

A theoretical account of development in mesocortical anatomy is derived from the free energy principle, operating in a neural field with both Hebbian and anti-Hebbian neural plasticity. An elementary structural unit is proposed, in which synaptic connections at mesoscale are arranged in paired patterns with mirror symmetry. Exchanges of synaptic flux in each pattern form coupled spatial eigenmodes, and the line of mirror reflection between the paired patterns operates as a Markov blanket, so that prediction errors in exchanges between the pairs are minimized. The theoretical analysis is then compared to the outcomes from a biological model of neocortical development, in which neuron precursors are selected by apoptosis for cell body and synaptic connections maximizing synchrony and also minimizing axonal length. It is shown that this model results in patterns of connection with the anticipated mirror symmetries, at micro-, meso- and inter-arial scales, among lateral connections, and in cortical depth. This explains the spatial organization and functional significance of neuron response preferences, and is compatible with the structural form of both columnar and noncolumnar cortex. Multi-way interactions of mirrored representations can provide a preliminary anatomically realistic model of cortical information processing.
Lagrangian Partition Functions Subject to a Fixed Spatial Volume Constraint in the Lovelock Theory
Authors: Lu Mengqi , Mann Robert B.
Published: March 2024

We evaluate here the quantum gravity partition function that counts the dimension of the Hilbert space of a simply connected spatial region of a fixed proper volume in the context of Lovelock gravity, generalizing the results for Einstein gravity. It is found that there are sphere saddle metrics for a partition function at a fixed spatial volume in Lovelock theory. Those stationary points take exactly the same forms as in Einstein gravity. The logarithm of Z corresponding to a zero effective cosmological constant indicates that the Bekenstein–Hawking entropy of the boundary area and that corresponding to a positive effective cosmological constant points to the Wald entropy of the boundary area. We also show the existence of zeroth-order phase transitions between different vacua, a phenomenon distinct from Einstein gravity.
Parental Stress and Child Quality of Life after Pediatric Burn
Authors: Atapattu Dinithi , Shoesmith Victoria M. , Wood Fiona M. , Martin Lisa J.
Published: March 2024

Parents’ emotions after their child’s burn might be influenced by the injury circumstances or demographic characteristics of the patient and family. Parents’ post-traumatic stress symptoms and their child’s distress may interact and affect emotional states. The psychosocial outcomes of parents were measured using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, the CARe Burn Scale, and the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory-Brief. The psychosocial quality of life outcomes of the pediatric burn patients were measured using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). Regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between patient psychosocial quality of life and the related parent scores. A total of 48 patients and parents participated, with 36 giving full data at 12 months. Parental post-traumatic stress symptoms were initially high, settling by six months, although outliers remained. Parents reported higher IESR scores if their child was female, if they felt helpless at the time of the incident, and if a language other than English was spoken in the home. Parents’ scores of their child’s psychosocial function were similar to their child’s self-scores. Parents who perceived poorer emotional functioning in their child reported higher IESR scores.
Smartphones at School: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Educators’ and Students’ Perspectives on Mobile Phone Use at School
Authors: Gath Megan E. , Monk Lauren , Scott Amy , Gillon Gail T.
Published: March 2024

As smartphone ownership and use by children and youth has increased over the past decade, so has the presence of phones within the classroom. This has created unique challenges for teachers, school leaders, and policymakers. In this research study, we used a cross-sectional survey design to examine educator (n = 217) and student (n = 332) perspectives on students’ mobile phone use in New Zealand schools through a mixed-methods approach. The results indicate that both educators and students were in favour of regulating students’ phone use at the school level, but they were less in favour of a total ban approach. Most participants thought that students should not be allowed to have phones during class time, with rationale that centred around student learning and safety. Mobile phones were viewed as a distraction to student learning and compromised student safety through inappropriate use (e.g., photos and videos being taken at school and shared), cyberbullying, and social media-related issues. The findings of our research provide insights that are relevant to the development of educational policies around students’ mobile phone use at school and contribute to a broader understanding of the impacts of mobile phone use at school on child and youth achievement and well-being.
Analysis of Kinematics and Dynamics of Rolling Ring Based on Finite Element Method
Authors: Wu Haihong , Liu Chengshan , Qian Zhiyuan , Kang Xiao , Liu Huiqun
Published: March 2024

The working performance of the conductive rolling ring has a crucial impact on the overall energy security and on-orbit life of a satellite. To ensure the real-time transmission of signal and current, it is necessary to control the motion pattern of the rolling ring. In this paper, the finite element analysis method is used to carry out kinematics and dynamics simulation analysis, analyze the motion stability of the rolling ring, and discuss the relationship between the size of the idler gear, the driving torque, and the flexible contact pressure. The research results show that the numerical simulation and theoretical analysis show that the deviation angle is between 0 and 1.52 when the initial installation of the rolling ring is deviated by using the existing camber design of the inner and outer rings. Both have a self-recovery function. The driving torque and the size of the idler gear are nonlinear, and the contact force is proportional to the radius of the idler gear. With the increase in the compression of the radius of the flexible ring, the driving torque and the contact force will increase accordingly. The method of reducing the compression or increasing the size of the idler gear can be used to reduce the driving torque and maintain a certain contact to facilitate the transmission of electrical signals.
Assessment of Mental Workload Level Based on PPG Signal Fusion Continuous Wavelet Transform and Cardiopulmonary Coupling Technology
Authors: Zhang Han , Wang Ziyi , Zhuang Yan , Yin Shimin , Chen Zhencheng , Liang Yongbo
Published: March 2024

Mental workload is an important predisposing factor for mental illnesses such as depression and is closely related to individual mental health. However, the suboptimal accuracy of utilizing photoplethysmography (PPG) exclusively for mental workload classification has constrained its application within pertinent professional domains. To this end, this paper proposes a signal processing method that combines continuous wavelet transform (CWT) and cardiopulmonary coupling mapping (CPC) to classify mental load via a convolutional neural network (ResAttNet). The method reflects changes in mental workload, as assessed by changes in the association between heart rate variability and respiration. In this paper, the strengths and weaknesses of this method are compared with other traditional psychological workload monitoring methods, such as heart rate variability (HRV), and its validation is performed on the publicly available dataset MAUS. The experiments show that the method is significantly better than previous machine learning methods based on heart rate variability correlation. Meanwhile, the accuracy of the method proposed in this paper reaches 80.5%, which is 6.2% higher than in previous studies. It is comparable to the result of 82.4% for the ECG-based mental workload monitoring system. Therefore, the method of combining CWT and CPC has considerable potential and provides new ideas for mental workload classification.
Measurement and Analysis of Loran-C Sky Waves throughout the Day
Authors: Zhao Zhenzhu , Liu Jiangfan , Zhao Yuchen , Zhang Jinsheng , Song Jiaxin , Xi Xiaoli
Published: March 2024

In this study, Loran-C signals were collected throughout the day, and the characteristics of the received signals at different propagation distances were analyzed. Because the signal amplitude is small and difficult to recognize at a long distance and there is mutual interference between stations, a linear average method is used to process the received signal. At locations closer to the receiver, clear observations of the time delay and amplitude variation in the one-hop sky wave can be made by using the ground wave as a reference, which can be applied to studying the characteristics and parameter inversion of the lower ionosphere. When the distance is further, the significant enhancement of the sky-wave signal during the night may lead to decreased accuracy in timing and positioning. When the distance is much larger than the propagation range of the ground wave, only the sky-wave signal can be received, and the signal is more stable than when the distance is closer. During the night, multiple amplitude-comparable multi-path signals may appear in the sky wave, making the identification of the one-hop sky wave more difficult.
Analytical Design of Gaussian Anisotropic 2D FIR Filters and Their Implementation Using the Block Filtering Approach
Authors: Matei Radu , Chiper Doru Florin
Published: March 2024

This work proposes an analytical design procedure for a particular class of 2D filters, namely anisotropic Gaussian FIR filters. The design is achieved in the frequency domain and starts from a low-pass Gaussian 1D prototype with imposed specifications, whose frequency response is efficiently approximated by a factored trigonometric polynomial using the Chebyshev series. Then, using specific 1D to 2D frequency mappings applied to the prototype, the frequency response for a 2D anisotropic filter with a specified orientation angle is directly derived in two versions, namely with a straight or elliptical shape in the frequency plane. The resulting filters have an accurate shape with low distortion. Several design examples for specified parameters (angle and selectivity) are provided. Then, simulations of directional filtering on various test images are given, which show their capability of extracting oriented lines or other various oriented objects from synthetic or real-life images. Finally, a computationally efficient implementation at the system level is proposed, based on a polyphase decomposition and block-filtering approach, which yields a 2D filter with a high degree of parallelism and low arithmetic complexity.
Design of Universal Code Generator for Multi-Constellation Multi-Frequency GNSS Receiver
Authors: Ba Xiaohui , Liu Taibin , Jiang Wei , Wang Jian , Cai Baigen , Chai Linguo , Liang Kun
Published: March 2024

A multi-constellation, multi-frequency Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver is capable of simultaneously receiving signals from multiple satellite constellations across various frequency bands. This allows for increased observations, thereby enhancing navigation accuracy, continuity, effectiveness, and reliability. The spread spectrum code structures used in satellite navigation signals differ among systems. Compatible code generators are employed in multi-constellation, multi-frequency GNSS receivers to support tasks such as signal acquisition and tracking. There are three main types of spread spectrum code structures: Linear Feedback Shift Register (LFSR), Legendre sequences, and Memory codes. The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) released the L1-SPS (Standard Positioning Service) signal format in August 2023, which utilizes the Interleaved Z4-linear ranging code (IZ4 code) as its spread spectrum code. Currently, there is no universal code generator design compatible with the IZ4 code. In this paper, a proposed universal code generator is based on the hardware structure of the IRNSS IZ4 code generator. It achieves compatibility with all LFSR-based spread spectrum codes and enables parallel generation of multiple sets of GNSS signal spread spectrum codes, thereby improving hardware utilization efficiency. The proposed structure is implemented and validated using FPGA design, and resource consumption is provided as part of the validation results.
Numerical Study on the Influence of Separation Time Sequence on the Initial Thermal Separation
Authors: Ma Chenhui , Wang Sihang , Yu Jianyang
Published: March 2024

The process of separating stages is crucial for multistage rockets, directly influencing the success of the launch plan. Different separation timing methods alter the flow field structure within the interlevel zone at separation, influencing the separation of the two-stage rockets. This paper employs the SST k-ω turbulence model to investigate the structure of the flow field and its aerodynamic and motion characteristics under different nozzle baffle opening and separation times, taking into account variable properties, supersonic compressibility, and the upstream–downstream interference. First, we examined the standard flow field structure, considering the engine jet, the lateral jet between stages, and the disturbance from the external supersonic inflow. Then, we discussed the displacement characteristics and axial force coefficient curves of the first and second steps of the separation process. Finally, we explored the impact of baffle opening and separation times on the flow field structure and axial force coefficients of the two stages at the onset of separation. For the flow field structure, a delay in the baffle opening and separation moment led to a gradual increase in downstream and separation regions until they stabilized after a certain range. However, the axial force coefficients displayed different behavior before and after the design point.
Experimental Analysis of a Polygeneration System: Assessment of the Thermal Sub-System
Authors: Rodrigues André , Palmero-Marrero Ana I. , Soares João , Varga Szabolcs , Oliveira Armando C.
Published: March 2024

In this paper, the experimental results of the thermal sub-system of a reliable and cost-effective polygeneration solar system are presented. This polygeneration system produces heating, cooling, and electricity from solar energy, which is used in an existing test building. Heat is generated in four evacuated tube solar collectors (ETCs). The heat may be used for space cooling through a variable geometry ejector (VGE) heat pump. In order to reduce the mismatches between generation and consumption, two thermal storage tanks were added. The performance of a new thermal storage, with 400 L, able to store both sensible and latent heat, was tested. The heating performances of the test building were assessed. Ejector cycle tests were also performed, and the variation of the cooling coefficient of performance (COP) was calculated for different flow rates. For heating, the results showed that the heat storage was capable of heating the test building for 8 h, with temperatures between 22 °C and 26 °C. All results showed that this polygeneration prototype could be capable of meeting the heating and cooling needs when applied to a real building.
Secondary Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Deficit Persists over the Years: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study Involving 1003 Consecutive Patients from Greece
Authors: Paparodis Rodis D. , Androulakis Ioannis , Askitis Dimitrios , Perogamvros Ilias , Angelopoulos Nicholaos , Rizoulis Andreas , Livadas Sarantis , Boniakos Anastasios
Published: March 2024

Purpose: Lipid lowering treatments (LLTs) can reduce the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Despite the availability of potent LLTs, our clinical observations suggest an inadequate use of such agents. To evaluate this treatment deficit, we designed the present study. Methods: We reviewed the charts of all patients with a history of ASCVD (coronary artery disease—CAD; carotid stenosis—CS; or peripheral artery disease—PAD) diagnosed prior to their first visit to one of our clinics. We recorded their gender, age, ASCVD risk factors (diabetes, hypertension, tobacco use, body mass index), lipid values during that visit and the LLT used. We estimated the rates of the attainment of guideline-specific lipid goals by year, and assessed factors influencing the likelihood of treatment success. Results: Overall, n = 1003 subjects were recruited: CAD n = 703 (70.1%), PAD n = 168 (16.8%), CS n = 325 (32.4%); age 64.7 ± 11.2 years; n = 376 (37.5%) females; n = 642 (64.0%) had diabetes; n = 740 (73.8%) had hypertension; n = 299 (29.8%) were former and n = 367 (36.6%) were current smokers. An appropriate LLT was used in 361 (36.0%) subjects, n = 159 (15.9%) were on no treatment, n = 483 (48.2%) were receiving inadequate therapy, n = 434 (43.3%) were on a high-intensity LLT and n = 361 (36.0%) had achieved the year-specific LDL goals. Success rates ranged from 5.7% to 81.5%, with the lowest being 2020–2023 (5.7–14.5%), p < 0.001. The use of a combination of LLTs and PCSK9 inhibitors led to higher rates of LDL-C goals achievement (p < 0.001). Discussion: Recent secondary ASCVD risk prevention guidelines’ goals are rarely achieved in daily clinical practice, producing a major treatment deficit in this population. Newer systematic interventions are needed to curb this public health issue.
Argumentation Schemes for Blockchain Deanonymisation
Authors: Deuber Dominic , Gruber Jan , Humml Merlin , Ronge Viktoria , Scheler Nicole
Published: March 2024

Cryptocurrency forensics have become standard tools for law enforcement. Their basic idea is to deanonymise cryptocurrency transactions to identify the people behind them. Cryptocurrency deanonymisation techniques are often based on premises that largely remain implicit, especially in legal practice. On the one hand, this implicitness complicates investigations. On the other hand, it can have far-reaching consequences for the rights of those affected. Argumentation schemes could remedy this untenable situation by rendering the underlying premises more transparent. Additionally, they can aid in critically evaluating the probative value of any results obtained by cryptocurrency deanonymisation techniques. In the argumentation theory and AI community, argumentation schemes are influential as they state the implicit premises for different types of arguments. Through their critical questions, they aid the argumentation participants in critically evaluating arguments. We specialise the notion of argumentation schemes to legal reasoning about cryptocurrency deanonymisation. Furthermore, we demonstrate the applicability of the resulting schemes through an exemplary real-world case. Ultimately, we envision that using our schemes in legal practice can solidify the evidential value of blockchain investigations, as well as uncover and help to address uncertainty in the underlying premises—thus contributing to protecting the rights of those affected by cryptocurrency forensics.
Effect of Ethanol Extract of Tea on the Microstructural Features and Retrogradation Characteristics of Glutinous Rice Starch
Authors: Cong Shanzi , Ji Jie , Zhang Xinxin , Sun Jingyi , Zhao Hongji , Liu Xiaolan , Hu Nan
Published: March 2024

The glutinous rice starch (GRS) regeneration process could lead to decreased product quality and shorter shelf life. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of an ethanol extract of tea (EET) on the regeneration properties of GRS. The microstructure of starch was determined via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was used to determine the microstructure of starch-polyphenol molecular groups, an X-ray diffraction (XRD) instrument was used to determine the starch crystal structure, a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) was used to determine the thermodynamic properties of starch, and the inhibitory effect of EET on GRS regeneration was comprehensively evaluated. The effect of EET on the in vitro digestion properties of GRS was also determined. The results showed that the addition of EET in GRS resulted in an increase in solubility and swelling power and a decrease in crystallinity and ΔHr. Compared to the control group, when retrograded for 10 days, the ΔHr of GRS with 1%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10% addition of EET decreased by 34.61%, 44.53%, 52.93%, and 66.79%, respectively. Furthermore, the addition of EET resulted in a decrease in the content of RDS and an increase in the content of SDS and RS in GRS. It was shown that the addition of EET could significantly inhibit the retrogradation of GRS, improve the processability, and prolong the shelf life of GRS products.
Existence of Solutions for the Initial Value Problem with Hadamard Fractional Derivatives in Locally Convex Spaces
Authors: Liu Weiwei , Liu Lishan
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we investigate an initial value problem for a nonlinear fractional differential equation on an infinite interval. The differential operator is taken in the Hadamard sense and the nonlinear term involves two lower-order fractional derivatives of the unknown function. In order to establish the global existence criteria, we first verify that there exists a unique positive solution to an integral equation based on a class of new integral inequality. Next, we construct a locally convex space, which is metrizable and complete. On this space, applying Schäuder’s fixed point theorem, we obtain the existence of at least one solution to the initial value problem.