bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Technology of university cooperation with engineering classes of schools as the first stage of a continuous educational trajectory
Authors: Solnyshkova O. V.
Published: August 2022

In the presented work, the educational technology of cooperation between universities and engineering or specialized classes of schools is considered. The article describes the experience of the staff of the Department of Engineering Geodesy of NGASU (Sibstrin) with several schools of the city of Novosibirsk and the Novosibirsk region in terms of preparing students for choosing a future profession through project activities in laboratories and equipped classrooms of the university. As tools for communication and structuring the work of project teams, virtual communication tools for project teams, teachers and parents are considered, such as ''Discord'' - a free messenger with VoIP and video conferencing support, as well as a means of structuring the work of project teams - ''Trello'' virtual boards, which are one of the most popular online project management systems.
Experience of Using Archicad and Unreal Engine Software in Extracurricular Classes in the Course "Creating 3D Interactive Models of Buildings" for Students of the Novosibirsk Regional Education Center
Authors: Bugakov P. Yu. , Golovachev N. S.
Published: August 2022

The article describes the use of Archicad and Unreal Engine software products in extracurricular classes on creating interactive three-dimensional models of buildings and adjacent territories with students of 7-10 grades of the Regional Center of Education (RCE) of Novosibirsk. The result of the course is an individual project implemented in the form of an application that allows taking a virtual walk through the created models of buildings with the possibility of interaction with objects. The article describes the results obtained by students when attending extracurricular classes, describes the peculiarities of the perception of educational material, and presents work tasks that caused the greatest difficulties in solving them. In general, the knowledge, skills and abilities acquired by students can further strengthen their interest to three-dimensional modeling, as well as in the development of interactive applications and games.
GIS as a way to individualize teaching Earth science in secondary school
Authors: Nikolaeva O. N. , Dubinina A. А.
Published: August 2022

The latest computer and geoinformation technology developments allow the improvement of spatial thinking skills of secondary school students and expand their view on the world around. The speed and simplicity of processing of geospatial data in GIS make it possible to individualize the process of training students. The article considers the main aspects of the individualization of secondary school education using GIS in teaching Geography. Differences between individual and individualized forms of education are formulated. The typical structure of a modern school course in Geography is described. The role of project-based learning as an element of the individualization of secondary school education is noted. The place of GIS in the school educational process is indicated. The use of GIS technologies in teacher training is characterized. Examples of geoinformation items developed for secondary school Geography are given. Conclusions are drawn about perspectives on teaching and learning secondary school Geography with GIS, which would be a subject of further research.
“Democratizing” artificial intelligence in medicine and healthcare: Mapping the uses of an elusive term
Authors: Rubeis Giovanni , Dubbala Keerthi , Metzler Ingrid
Published: August 2022

Introduction:“Democratizing” artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine and healthcare is a vague term that encompasses various meanings, issues, and visions. This article maps the ways this term is used in discourses on AI in medicine and healthcare and uses this map for a normative reflection on how to direct AI in medicine and healthcare towards desirable futures.

Methods:We searched peer-reviewed articles from Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed along with grey literature using search terms “democrat*”, “artificial intelligence” and “machine learning”. We approached both as documents and analyzed them qualitatively, asking: What is the object of democratization? What should be democratized, and why? Who is the demos who is said to benefit from democratization? And what kind of theories of democracy are (tacitly) tied to specific uses of the term?

Results:We identified four clusters of visions of democratizing AI in healthcare and medicine: 1) democratizing medicine and healthcare through AI, 2) multiplying the producers and users of AI, 3) enabling access to and oversight of data, and 4) making AI an object of democratic governance.

Discussion:The envisioned democratization in most visions mainly focuses on patients as consumers and relies on or limits itself to free market-solutions. Democratization in this context requires defining and envisioning a set of social goods, and deliberative processes and modes of participation to ensure that those affected by AI in healthcare have a say on its development and use.
The first evidence of microplastic presence in pumice stone along the coast of Thailand: A preliminary study
Authors: Pradit Siriporn , Puttapreecha Ratchanee , Noppradit Prakrit , Buranapratheprat Anukul , Sompongchaiyakul Penjai
Published: August 2022

In February and March 2022, a large amount of pumice stone appeared along the shoreline of Thailand. Pumice is a type of extrusive volcanic rock, and since there are no volcanoes in the Gulf of Thailand, an interesting question was where the pumice stones originated from. Another question was whether the pumice could be a vehicle for microplastics (MPs) which could then journey across the ocean until reaching the coast of Thailand. A preliminary study was begun, which randomly collected samples from seven beaches in five provinces along the coast of Thailand. Grayish-green pumice stones are tiny, porous, and lightweight, ranging from 0.3 to 5.0 cm in size. The examination found 5.7–12.6 MP items per pumice stone. Most of the MP particles observed were less than 1 mm in length. From Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, the MPs were characterized as polystyrene, polypropylene, poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET), rayon, and nylon. The MP could have entered the holes in pumice stones while floating on the water surface over long periods. From the seasonal flow patterns, it was revealed that pumice from the South China Sea was more likely to have floated with surface currents into the Gulf of Thailand
Value of serum GGT level in the timing of diagnosis of choledochal cyst perforation
Authors: Zhang Shuhao , Cai Duote , Chen Qingjiang , Zhang Yuebin , Chen Ken , Jin Yi , Luo Wenjuan , Huang Zongwei , Hu Di , Gao Zhigang
Published: August 2022

Background

Choledochal cyst perforation is extremely rare, and early diagnosis or prediction is important for the immediate therapeutic intervention of perforations. This study aimed to define the predictor(s) of an impending or complete spontaneous perforation of choledochal cyst and establish the optimal operative timing.

Methods

All 429 consecutive choledochal cyst patients from January 2015 to December 2021, were included. A retrospective study was performed based on Kaplan-Meier analysis, and Cox univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

A total of 429 patients were included, among which, 21 had choledochal cyst perforations (group A), and 408 did not (group B). Compared to group B, the serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, direct bilirubin, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, indirect bilirubin, total bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase were significantly higher in group A (p = 0.025, 0.006, < 0.0001, 0.0001, 0.001, < 0.0001, and 0.033). High serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase was negatively associated with perforation-free preoperative survival, and multivariate Cox regression revealed that serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase was an independent predictive factor for an impending or complete perforation (p = 0.042).

Conclusions

A gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase level ≥ 346.5 U/L accompanied with significantly elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin levels was indicative of the possibility of an impending or complete choledochal cyst perforation, and a proactive surgical approach should be considered.
Adult attachment and trait anxiety among Chinese college students: A multiple mediation model
Authors: Li Xu , Sun Peizhen , Li Li
Published: August 2022

The present study discusses the relationship between adult attachment and trait anxiety of Chinese college students based on the “internal working models” theory. Six hundred and seventy-two valid data were collected using a self-reported questionnaire. The mediating roles of self-esteem, perceived social support, and security in the relationship between adult attachment orientations (anxiety and avoidance) and trait anxiety were investigated using the structural equation model and bootstrap methods. The results showed that: self-esteem and security play mediating roles in the relationship between attachment anxiety and trait anxiety. self-esteem, perceived social support, and security play mediating roles in the relationship between attachment avoidance and trait anxiety. In addition, there were different mediation mechanisms in the correlation between different attachment dimensions and trait anxiety. This study provided empirical data for exploring the formation and maintenance of trait anxiety in college students and had a specific significance for the early prevention and clinical intervention of anxiety-related disorders.
Hospital emergency department visits made by developmentally disabled adolescents with oral complications
Authors: Atchison Kathryn A. , Bhoopathi Vinodh , Wells Christine R.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

We used Andersen's Behavioral Model in a cross-sectional study to determine the factors associated with utilization of the emergency department (ED), controlling for whether an adolescent has a developmental disability (DD) and one or more oral complications (toothaches, decayed teeth, bleeding gums, eating or swallowing problems).

Methods

Data from the 2016–2019 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) was used for this secondary data analysis study. We used frequencies and percentages to describe the sample characteristics. Chi-square tests were used for bivariate analyses. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was conducted to predict ED visits by adolescents aged 10–17 controlling for predisposing, enabling, and need variables.

Results

The sample consisted of 68,942 adolescents who were primarily male, non-Hispanic White, and born in the U.S. Parents reported that 69% of the adolescents had neither a DD nor an oral complication; 10% had no DD but experienced one or more oral complication; 16% had a DD but no oral complication; and 5% had both DDs and one or more oral complication. Adolescents with both a DD and an oral complication reported the highest level of ED visits at 33%, compared to 14% of adolescents with neither DD nor oral complication. Regression analysis showed that adolescents with a DD and oral complication (OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.64–2.54, p < 0.0001), and those with DDs but no oral complications (OR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.25–1.68, p < 0.0001) were at higher odds of having an ED visit compared to those with neither a DD nor an oral complication. Not having a Medical Home increased the likelihood of ED visits by 14% (p = 0.02). Those with private insurance (OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.53–0.75, p < 0.0001) and those from a family where the highest level of education was some college and above (OR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.73–0.98, p = 0.03) were less likely than their counterparts to have had an ED visit.

Conclusion

Adolescents with DDs and oral complications utilize ED visits more frequently than those with neither DDs nor oral complications. Integrating the dental and medical health systems and incorporating concepts of a Patient-Centered Medical Home could improve overall health care and reduce ED visits for adolescents.
Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Filifactor alocis: Two exotoxin-producing oral pathogens
Authors: Ozuna Hazel , Snider Ian , Belibasakis Georgios N. , Oscarsson Jan , Johansson Anders , Uriarte Silvia M.
Published: August 2022

Periodontitis is a dysbiotic disease caused by the interplay between the microbial ecosystem present in the disease with the dysregulated host immune response. The disease-associated microbial community is formed by the presence of established oral pathogens like Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans as well as by newly dominant species like Filifactor alocis. These two oral pathogens prevail and grow within the periodontal pocket which highlights their ability to evade the host immune response. This review focuses on the virulence factors and potential pathogenicity of both oral pathogens in periodontitis, accentuating the recent description of F. alocis virulence factors, including the presence of an exotoxin, and comparing them with the defined factors associated with A. actinomycetemcomitans. In the disease setting, possible synergistic and/or mutualistic interactions among both oral pathogens might contribute to disease progression.
Type III secretion system genes hrcJ and hrpE affect virulence, hypersensitive response and biofilm formation of group II strains of Acidovorax citrulli
Authors: Wang Tielin , Huang Qi , An Xin , Yang Yuwen , Guan Wei , Zhao Tingchang
Published: August 2022

Bacterial fruit blotch (BFB) caused by Acidovorax citrulli is a worldwide threat to watermelon and melon production. The type III secretion system (T3SS) plays an important role in the virulence of A. citrulli in its host plants and to induce hypersensitive response (HR) in its non-host plants. Little is known, however, about the contribution of the T3SS to biofilm formation in A. citrulli. We mutated two T3SS-related genes hrcJ and hrpE, respectively, and compared the mutants with their wild-type strain Aac-5 of A. citrulli, and their complementation strains on virulence, HR, and biofilm formation. Both mutants significantly reduced virulence in watermelon and melon seedlings and their ability to induce HR in tobacco leaves. Such reduction phenotypes were significantly recovered to the wild-type level, when the mutant strains were complemented with the wild-type hrcJ and hrpE genes. Interestingly, the two T3SS-related gene mutants also displayed enhanced ability to form biofilm, suggesting a different role of biofilm in the virulence of the group II stains of A. citrulli.
Adversarial Training Methods for Deep Learning: A Systematic Review
Authors: Zhao Weimin , Alwidian Sanaa , Mahmoud Qusay H.
Published: August 2022

Deep neural networks are exposed to the risk of adversarial attacks via the fast gradient sign method (FGSM), projected gradient descent (PGD) attacks, and other attack algorithms. Adversarial training is one of the methods used to defend against the threat of adversarial attacks. It is a training schema that utilizes an alternative objective function to provide model generalization for both adversarial data and clean data. In this systematic review, we focus particularly on adversarial training as a method of improving the defensive capacities and robustness of machine learning models. Specifically, we focus on adversarial sample accessibility through adversarial sample generation methods. The purpose of this systematic review is to survey state-of-the-art adversarial training and robust optimization methods to identify the research gaps within this field of applications. The literature search was conducted using Engineering Village (Engineering Village is an engineering literature search tool, which provides access to 14 engineering literature and patent databases), where we collected 238 related papers. The papers were filtered according to defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and information was extracted from these papers according to a defined strategy. A total of 78 papers published between 2016 and 2021 were selected. Data were extracted and categorized using a defined strategy, and bar plots and comparison tables were used to show the data distribution. The findings of this review indicate that there are limitations to adversarial training methods and robust optimization. The most common problems are related to data generalization and overfitting.
Parameter Identification Method for a Fractional-Order Model of Lithium-Ion Batteries Considering Electrolyte-Phase Diffusion
Authors: Jia Yanbo , Dong Lei , Yang Geng , Jin Feng , Lu Languang , Guo Dongxu , Ouyang Minggao
Published: August 2022

The physics-based fractional-order model (FOM) for lithium-ion batteries has shown good application prospects due to its mechanisms and simplicity. To adapt the model to higher-level applications, this paper proposes an improved FOM considering electrolyte-phase diffusion (FOMe) and then proposes a complete method for parameter identification based on three characteristic SOC intervals: the positive solid phase, negative solid phase, and electrolyte phase. The method mainly determines the above three characteristic intervals and identifies four thermodynamic parameters and five dynamic parameters. Furthermore, the paper describes a framework, which first verifies the model and parameter identification method separately based on pseudo two-dimensional model simulations, and secondly verifies FOMe and its parameters as a whole based on the experiments. The results, which are based on simulations and actual Li0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 lithium-ion batteries under multiple typical operating profiles and comparisons with other parameter identification methods, show that the proposed model and parameter identification method is highly accurate and efficient.
Adaptive Neural-Network-Based Nonsingular Fast Terminal Sliding Mode Control for a Quadrotor with Dynamic Uncertainty
Authors: Huang Shurui , Yang Yueneng
Published: August 2022

This paper proposes an adaptive neural-network-based nonsingular fast terminal sliding mode (NN-NFTSMC) approach to address the trajectory tracking control problem of a quadrotor in the presence of model uncertainties and external disturbances. First, the dynamic model of the quadrotor with uncertainty is derived. Then, a control scheme using nonsingular fast terminal sliding mode control (NFTSMC) is proposed to guarantee the finite-time convergence of the quadrotor to its desired trajectory. NFTSMC is firstly formulated for the case that the upper bound of the lumped uncertainty is known in advance. Under this framework, a disturbance observer by using the hyperbolic tangent nonlinear tracking differentiator (TANH-NTD) is designed to estimate the external interference, and a neural network (NN) approximator is used to develop an online estimate of the model uncertainty. Subsequently, adaptive algorithms are designed to compensate the approximation error and update the NN weight matrix. An NN-NFTSMC algorithm is formulated to provide the system with robustness to the model uncertainty and external disturbance. Moreover, Lyapunov-based approach is employed to prove the global stability of the closed-loop system and the finite-time convergence of the trajectory tracking errors. The results of a comparative simulation study with other recent methods illustrate the proposed control method reduces the chattering effectively and has remarkable performance.
Dominant Species-Physiognomy-Ecological (DSPE) System for the Classification of Plant Ecological Communities from Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Sharma Ram C.
Published: August 2022

This paper presents the Dominant Species-Physiognomy-Ecological (DSPE) classification system developed for large-scale differentiation of plant ecological communities from high-spatial resolution remote sensing images. In this system, the plant ecological communities are defined with the inference of dominant species, physiognomy, and shared ecological settings by incorporating multiple strata. The DSPE system was implemented in a cool-temperate climate zone at a regional scale. The deep recurrent neural networks with bootstrap resampling method were employed for evaluating performance of the DSPE classification using Sentinel-2 images at 10 m spatial resolution. The performance of differentiating DSPE communities was compared with the differentiation of higher, Dominant Genus-Physiognomy-Ecological (DGPE) communities. Overall, there was a small difference in the classification between 58 DSPE communities (F1-score = 85.5%, Kappa coefficient = 84.7%) and 45 DGPE communities (F1-score = 86.5%, Kappa coefficient = 85.7%). However, the class wise accuracy analysis showed that all 58 DSPE communities were differentiated with more than 60% accuracy, whereas more than 70% accuracy was obtained for the classification of all 45 DGPE communities. Since all 58 DSPE communities were classified with more than 60% accuracy, the DSPE classification system was still effective for the differentiation of plant ecological communities from satellite images at a regional scale, indicating its applications in other regions in the world.
Identification of Potential Barriers to Electric Vehicle Adoption in Oil-Producing Nations—The Case of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alotaibi Saleh , Omer Siddig , Su Yuehong
Published: August 2022

Electric vehicles (EVs) are important elements in the global strategy to tackle climate change; however, research often fails to sufficiently identify the range of barriers which affect their adoption. Taking Saudi Arabia as a case study, this paper analyses responses from 698 potential drivers in order to identify and rank the infrastructure, performance, financial, social, and policy barriers to EV adoption in a major oil-producing nation with a hot climate and a desert terrain. According to this study’s findings, the most important barriers in this context are the lack of charging infrastructure and the additional load placed on the national grid, while others include the safety and effectiveness of batteries at high temperatures, and the ability of EVs to perform in desert conditions. Common themes also include concerns that EVs may damage Saudi’s oil-based economy, cost of purchase and maintenance, low resale value, and the absence of awareness about EVs. The study concludes that EV manufacturers must demonstrate that their vehicles are suitable for the Saudi climate. Governments should also provide subsidies, or other incentives, to promote adoption of EVs as the study also found that variations in the cost of different EV models in Saudi Arabia, for example, the Tesla Model 3, is up to 40% more expensive to own than a Toyota Camry, mean that owning EVs can cost significantly more than small sized internal combustion engine-based vehicles (ICEVs). This paper identifies and ranks the barriers to EV ownership in a desert nation which is a leading petroleum producer and compares the relative costs of EVs and ICEVs in the country. As such, it has immediate relevance in countries with similar economic, geographic, and climatic conditions.
Effect of Dietary Compound Acidifiers Supplementation on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Parameters, and Body Composition of Juvenile American Eel (Anguilla rostrata)
Authors: Zhang Mingliang , Wu Xinyi , Zhai Shaowei
Published: August 2022

As growth-promoting feed additives, compound acidifiers (CAs) have been widely reported in many farmed fish species, whereas there is little information on the application of CAs in the eel diet. The present trial was conducted to evaluate the supplementation effects of CAs on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, and body composition of the juvenile American eel (Anguilla rostrata). The CAs supplementation levels in the diet of American eel were 0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0 g/kg, respectively. The trial lasted for 12 weeks. The most beneficial effects of CAs on promoting growth performance, decreasing levels of serum lipid, modifying parameters of the liver function and immune function in the serum, and increasing the utilization of calcium and phosphorus in the diet were observed in the fish fed with 4.0 g/kg CAs. Dietary CAs supplementation had no significant effects on the body composition of whole fish, whereas 5.0 g/kg of dietary CAs supplementation exerted negative effects on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, and utilization of calcium and phosphorus. The recommended level of CAs in the diet was 3.5–3.7 g/kg to achieve the optimal weight gain and feed conversion ratio for the juvenile American eel.
Heat Treatment of Aluminum Alloys with the Natural Combination of Dopants
Authors: Tsepeleva Alisa , Novák Pavel , Kolesnichenko Evdokim , Michalcová Alena , Kačenka Zdeněk , Kubásek Jiří
Published: August 2022

Aluminothermic reduction without the separation of individual metals is currently considered as a possible method for processing ferromanganese sea nodules and creating new alloys. In this study, the product of their reduction—a manganese-based polymetallic mixture—was added to pure aluminum, as a mixture of alloying elements in their natural ratios. After extrusion, two new aluminum alloys with a total percentage of metallic additives ranging from 1 to 6 percent were prepared. The possibilities of the precipitation strengthening of these aluminum alloys, especially those containing Mn, Fe, Si, Ni, and Cu, were investigated under a wide range of heat treatment conditions. After each tested combination of annealing and artificial aging temperatures, the phase composition and the microstructure changes were recorded by X-ray diffraction, optical, and scanning electron microscopy with EDS analysis. Under none of the tested heat treatment conditions is a significant hardening effect observed, even though the precipitate phases are observed by TEM. However, the changes in the morphology of the present intermetallic phases caused by the heat treatment are revealed, which highlights the further possible development of these multicomponent alloys.
Numerical Analysis of the Forming Mechanism of Exit Burrs in Metal Milling under Ice Boundary Constraint
Authors: Wang Chengxin , Xiong Wentao , Ding Guo , Li Pengchao , Zhu Zhixiang , Liu Haibo
Published: August 2022

In metal processing, exit burrs are usually inevitable, which is a huge challenge for high-precision manufacturing. This paper innovatively proposes an ice boundary constraint (IBC) method to actively suppress exit burrs to obtain better workpiece edge quality. Firstly, the formation mechanism of the exits burr is analyzed from the perspective of material flow at the edge of the workpiece, and the principle of the IBC method is explained. Secondly, a finite element model (FEM) is established to analyze the stress distribution and flow at the edge of the workpiece, so as to reveal the suppression mechanism of IBC on the exit burrs. Finally, the feasibility of IBC method and the validity of FEM are verified by the milling experiments. The experimental results show that the IBC method can reduce the exit burr height by 51.4% on average, and FEM can effectively predict the height of the exit burr. The IBC method proposed in this study can provide some reference and guidance for the active suppression of exit burrs in industry.
Effect of Mass on the Dynamic Characteristics of Single- and Double-Layered Graphene-Based Nano Resonators
Authors: Makwana Manisha , Patel Ajay M. , Oza Ankit D. , Prakash Chander , Gupta Lovi Raj , Vatin Nikolai Ivanovich , Dixit Saurav
Published: August 2022

Graphene has been widely and extensively used in mass sensing applications. The present study focused on exploring the use of single-layer graphene (SLG) and double-layer graphene (DLG) as sensing devices. The dynamic analysis of SLG and DLG with different boundary conditions (BDs) and length was executed using the atomistic finite element method (AFEM). SLG and DLG sheets were modelled and considered as a space–frame structure similar to a 3D beam. Spring elements (Combin14) were used to identify the interlayer interactions between two graphene layers in the DLG sheet due to the van der Waals forces. Simulations were carried out to visualize the behavior of the SLG and DLG subjected to different BDs and when used as mass sensing devices. The variation in frequency was noted by changing the length and applied mass of the SLGs and DLGs. The quantity of the frequency was found to be highest in the armchair SLG (6, 6) for a 50 nm sheet length and lowest in the chiral SLG (16, 4) for a 20 nm sheet length in the bridged condition. When the mass was 0.1 Zg, the frequency for the zigzag SLG (20, 0) was higher in both cases. The results show that the length of the sheet and the various mass values have a significant impact on the dynamic properties. The present research will contribute to the ultra-high frequency nano-resonance applications.
Numerical Simulation and Experimental Study on Energy Absorption of Foam-Filled Local Nanocrystallized Thin-Walled Tubes under Axial Crushing
Authors: Wang Wei , Wang Yajing , Zhao Zhen , Tong Zhenzhen , Xu Xinsheng , Lim Chee Wah
Published: August 2022

A crashworthiness design of foam-filled local nanocrystallized thin-walled tubes (FLNTs) is proposed by using foam-filled structures and ultrasonic impact surface treatment. The crashworthiness and deformation modes of FLNTs are studied using an experiment and numerical analysis. A finite element numerical model of FLNTs is established, and the processing and test platform of FLNTs is set up to verify the numerical predication and analytical design. The results show that local nanocrystallization is an effective method to enhance crashworthiness for hexagonal FLNTs. The FLNTs with four circumferential continuous stripes of surface nanocrystallization exhibit a level of 47.12% higher specific energy absorption than the untreated tubes in numerical simulations for tubes with a 50% ratio of nanocrystallized area. Inspired by the strength mechanism, a novel nested foam-filled local surface nanocrystallization tube is further designed and studied in detail.
Micromechanical Modeling of AlSi10Mg Processed by Laser-Based Additive Manufacturing: From as-Built to Heat-Treated Microstructures
Authors: Nammalvar Raja Rajan Aravindh , Krochmal Marcel , Wegener Thomas , Biswas Abhishek , Hartmaier Alexander , Niendorf Thomas , Moeini Ghazal
Published: August 2022

The unique microstructure of the alloy AlSi10Mg produced by the laser-based powder bed fusion of metals (PBF-LB/M) provides high-strength and high-strain-hardening capabilities of the material. The microstructure and mechanical properties of 3D-printed, i.e., additively manufactured, AlSi10Mg are significantly altered by post-building heat-treatment processes applied in order to tailor the final properties of the parts. Using an accurate computational model to predict and improve the mechanical performance of 3D-printed samples considering their microstructural features can accelerate their employment in envisaged applications. The present study aims to investigate the correlation between microstructural features and the mechanical behavior of as-built, direct-aged, and T6 heat-treated samples of PBF-LB/M AlSi10Mg under tensile loading using experiment and microstructure-sensitive modeling approaches. Nanoindentation tests are used to calibrate the parameters of the constitutive models for the Al and Si-rich phases. The experimental investigations revealed that heat treatment significantly changes the sub-grain morphology of the Si-rich phase, and this can have a considerable effect on the mechanical behavior of the components. The effect of the modeling of the Si-rich phase in the representative volume elements on the prediction of mechanical behavior is investigated using the J2 plasticity model. The combination of the crystal plasticity model for Al and the J2 plasticity model for the Si-rich phase is used to predict the tensile properties of the as-built and heat-treated states. The predicted results are in good agreement with the experimental results. This approach can be used to understand the microstructure–property relationship of PBF-LB/M AlSi10Mg and eventually tailor heat treatment for PBF-LB/M AlSi10Mg based on the requirement of the application.
Surface Properties of Medium-Entropy Alloy Coatings Prepared through a Combined Process of Laser Cladding and Ultrasonic Burnishing
Authors: Shen Xuehui , Liu Chang , Wang Baolin , Zhang Yu , Su Guosheng , Li Anhai
Published: August 2022

The preparation of functional coatings on metal substrates is an effective method to enhance the surface of steel structures with good serviceability in applications for engineering parts. The objective of this research is to analyze the surface properties of two sorts of medium-entropy alloy (MEA) coatings prepared by laser cladding. After cladding, the two prepared coatings were strengthened by ultrasonic burnishing (UB) treatment. Cladding coating samples before and after being UB-treated were comparatively tested in order to investigate the process effects of UB. When compared with corresponding untreated coating samples, the roughness values of the two sorts of UB-treated samples were decreased by 88.7% and 87.6%, the porosities were decreased by 63.8% and 73.4%, and the micro-hardness values were increased by 41.7% and 32.7%, respectively. Furthermore, the two sorts of UB-treated coating samples exhibited better mechanical properties and wear resistance than corresponding untreated samples.
The Successful Recovery of a Critically Ill COVID-19 Patient, Following the Combination of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange and Convalescent Plasma Transfusion: A Case Report
Authors: Novacescu Alexandru Noris , Duma Georgiana , Sandesc Dorel , Sorescu Teodora , Licker Monica
Published: August 2022

With an intricate symptom pattern involving a dysregulated host response to infection, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can cause severe inflammation and cytokine storms, acute respiratory distress syndrome, coagulopathy, multi-organ failure, and finally death. The uniqueness of this case report lies in the nature of the therapeutic intervention performed. While numerous studies are available on both the use of therapeutic plasma exchange in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and convalescent plasma transfusion as separate treatment methods, there is very little information regarding the combination of these procedures. We present the case of a 52-year-old male, unvaccinated for COVID-19, who tested positive on reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for SARS-CoV-2 for the first time and presented in the emergency room with fever, chills, severe cough, tachypnea, tachycardia, and dyspnea that started two days before presentation. Upon rapid assessment, the patient showed signs of acute respiratory failure, so it was decided to transfer the patient to the intensive care unit, COVID-19 ward, after preliminary radiological examination. For the next 24 days, the patient was stationed in the intensive care unit, where he was closely monitored and treated. Invasive mechanical ventilation was required following the initial worsening of his respiratory status. We performed therapeutic plasma exchange on the first day of his stay in the intensive care unit, and immediately after the procedure, the patient was transfused with 500 mL of convalescent plasma from healthy donors. The patient’s condition improved over the next few days, which led to the cessation of mechanical ventilation and, after treating the superinfection, the patient was discharged home, making a full recovery. The early initiation of therapeutic plasma exchange followed by transfusion of convalescent plasma in severe and critical forms of COVID-19 may reduce the risk of the progression of the disease and ultimately reduce the risk of negative outcomes in a selected group of patients.
Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: An Observational Study
Authors: Ruaro Barbara , Confalonieri Paola , Caforio Gaetano , Baratella Elisa , Pozzan Riccardo , Tavano Stefano , Bozzi Chiara , Lerda Selene , Geri Pietro , Biolo Marco , Cortale Maurizio , Confalonieri Marco , Salton Francesco
Published: August 2022

Background and Objectives: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) has a high mortality. The treatment of CTEPH could be balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA), medical (MT) or pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA). This study aims to assess the clinical characteristics of CTEPH patients, surgically or medically treated, in a pulmonology referral center. Materials and Methods: A total of 124 patients with PH with suspected CTEPH (53 male subjects and 71 female subjects; mean age at diagnosis 67 ± 6) were asked to give informed consent and then were evaluated. The presence of CTEPH was ascertained by medical evaluations, radiology and laboratory tests. Results: After the evaluation of all clinical data, 65 patients met the inclusion criteria for CTEPH and they were therefore enrolled (22 males and 43 females; mean age at diagnosis was 69 ± 8). 26 CTEPH patients were treated with PEA, 32 with MT and 7 with BPA. There was a statistically significant age difference between the PEA and MT groups, at the time of diagnosis, the PEA patients were younger than the MT patients, whereas there was no statistically significant difference in other clinical characteristics (e.g., smoking habit, thrombophilia predisposition), as well as functional and hemodynamic parameters (e.g., 6-min walk test, right heart catheterization). During three years of follow-up, no patients in the PEA groups died; conversely, eleven patients in the MT group died during the same period (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a significant decrease in plasma BNP values and an increase in a meter at the six-minute walk test, 1 and 3 years after surgery, were observed in the PEA group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study seems to confirm that pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) can provide an improvement in functional tests in CTEPH.
Does Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Only Mimic Acute Appendicitis in Children or Can It Coexist: When Should We Suspect MIS-C?
Authors: Vansevičienė Idilė , Krunkaitytė Ugnė , Dekerytė Inga , Beržanskis Mindaugas , Lukošiūtė-Urbonienė Aušra , Malcius Dalius , Barauskas Vidmantas
Published: August 2022

Background and Objectives: Acute abdominal pain in children has been noticed to be a primary reason to seek medical attention in multisystem inflammatory disorder (MIS-C), which can prevail separately or together with acute appendicitis. Our aim was to distinguish regular appendicitis cases from MIS-C and to suggest the best clinical and laboratory criteria for it. Materials and methods: Cases of patients, admitted to the Pediatric Surgery Department over a six-month period in 2021, were retrospectively analyzed. Confirmed MIS-C or acute appendicitis cases were selected. MIS-C cases were either separate/with no found inflammation in the appendix or together with acute appendicitis. Acute appendicitis cases were either regular cases or with a positive COVID-19 test. Four groups were formed and compared: A-acute appendicitis, B-MIS-C with acute appendicitis, C-MIS-C only and D-acute appendicitis with COVID-19. Results: A total of 76 cases were overall analyzed: A-36, B-6, C-29 and D-5. The most significant differences were found in duration of disease A—1.4 days, B—4.5 days, C—4 days, D—4 days (p < 0.0001), C reactive protein (CRP) values A-19.3 mg/L B-112.5 m/L, C-143.8 mg/L and D-141 mg/L (p < 0.0001), presence of febrile fever A-13.9%, B-66.7%, C-96.6% and D-40% (p < 0.0001) and other system involvement: A 0%, B 100%, C 100% and D 20%. A combination of these factors was entered into a ROC curve and was found to have a possibility to predict MIS-C in our analyzed cases (with or without acute appendicitis) with an AUC = 0.983, p < 0.0001, sensitivity of 94.3% and specificity of 92.7% when at least three criteria were met. Conclusions: MIS-C could be suspected even when clinical data and performed tests suggest acute appendicitis especially when at least three out of four signs are present: CRP > 55.8 mg, symptoms last 3 days or longer, febrile fever is present, and any kind of other system involvement is noticed, especially with a known prior recent COVID-19 contact, infection or a positive COVID-19 antibody IgG test.
Anesthetics and Long Term Cancer Outcomes: May Epigenetics Be the Key for Pancreatic Cancer?
Authors: Mokini Zhirajr , Cama Alessandro , Forget Patrice
Published: August 2022

Knowledge shows a divergence of results between preclinical and clinical studies regarding anesthesia and postoperative progression of cancer. While laboratory and animal data from then 2000s onwards raised much enthusiasm in this field of research leading to several clinical investigations worldwide, data from randomized trials seem to have killed off hope for many scientists. However several aspects of the actual knowledge should be reevaluated and there is space for new strategies of investigation. In this paper, we perform a critical review of actual knowledge and propose new research strategies with a special focus on anesthetic management and repurposed anesthetic adjuvants for pancreatic cancer.
ON THE METHODOLOGY OF THE COMPLEMENTARY CURRENCIES PROJECT ANALYSIS
Authors: Valiullin Hasan H. , Shiryaeva Liubov’ A.
Published: August 2022

The paper is devoted to some methodological aspects of interdisciplinary analysis of Projects for Complementary Currencies (CC-Projects) have been sometime realized both in domestic and foreign economic practice. The analysis is focused mostly on the revealing both of the CC-projects’ basic characteristics and conditions necessary for the effective CCs emission and their circulation. An emphasis is also paid to sampling of possible methodological approaches to an elaboration of successful projects and relevant payment systems. Among the main missions carried out by the projects (especially based on the local currencies, LCs) the authors have highlighted the revival of the local economies, mitigation or even complete absorption of external shocks (due to the countercyclical nature of the action of complementary currency acting as a buffer, countercyclical buffer) and, in addition, the supporting of social trust. It might be suggested that in some sense CCs are focused on turning the target territories for them into reliable islands of socio-economic stability. The paper contains its authors’ effort to reveal why some observed projects with a multifunctional load relevant to them do not always manage to serve as an effective tool for strengthening market relations on the ground. This is one of the important components of the undertaken empirical analysis of different CCs which one time were implemented in various areas of many countries of the world.
A Fusion Approach Based on HOG and Adaboost Algorithm for Face Detection under Low- Resolution Images
Authors: Navabifar Farhad , Emadi Mehran
Published: August 2022

Detecting human faces in low-resolution images is more difficult than high quality images because people appear smaller and facial features are not as clear as high resolution face images. Furthermore, the regions of interest are often impoverished or blurred due to the large distance between the camera and the objects which can decrease detection rate and increase false alarms. As a result, the performance of face detection (detection rate and the number of false positives) in low-resolution images can affect directly subsequent applications such as face recognition or face tracking. In this paper, a novel method, based on cascade Adaboost and Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG), is proposed to improve face detection performance in low resolution images, while most of researches have been done and tested on high quality images. The focus of this work is to improve the performance of face detection by increasing the detection rate and at the same time decreasing the number of false alarms. The concept behind the proposed combination is based on the a-priori rejection of false positives for a more accurate detection. In other words in order to increase human face detection performance, the first stage (cascade Adaboost) removes the majority of the false alarms while keeping the detection rate high, however many false alarms still exist in the final output. To remove existing false alarms, a stage (HOG+SVM) is added to the first stage to act as a verification module for more accurate detection. The method has been extensively tested on the Carnegie Melon University (CMU) database and the low-resolution images database. The results show better performance compared with existing techniques.
Social Intelligence and its Relationship With Communication Skills among Physical Education Students at Jordanian Universities
Authors: Al-Ayoub Zaid , Eliwah Saddam , Al-Garalleh Fouad
Published: August 2022

The present study aims at recognizing social intelligence and its relationship with communication skills among physical education students at Jordanian Universities, and recognizing the differences in the relationship between social intelligence and communication skills according to variables of (gender, educational level, and universities). The researchers used the descriptive approach (survey). The study sample consisted of (418) male and female students whom were chosen randomly. Study instruments consisted of the social intelligence and the communication skills scales. Scales were standardized in terms of validity and reliability. Sample of the study consisted of the faculties of physical education in Jordanian universities, namely (The University of Jordan, The Hashemite University, Mut’ah University, and Yarmouk University). In order to answer the objectives of the study, the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) program was used, in addition to the frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. The study concluded that there is a medium positive relationship between social intelligence and communication skills, which means that the more social intelligence, the greater communication skills students have, where the level of social intelligence reached (3.89) and the level of communication skills reached (3.86). The researchers recommend using the two scales to measure social intelligence and communication skills for another sample equivalent to the research sample at Jordanian universities.
Aesthetics of Experimentation in Arabic Contemporary Interactive Art
Authors: Mohsen Ali Sameer AlKabi Kareem , Hassan Muslim Ghasaq
Published: August 2022

The study aims to represent aesthetics of experimentation in Arabic Contemporary interactive art. Three models were selected from the Sharjah exhibition (March 30th –July 30th, 2015). The sample was analyzed using analytical descriptive method intentionally. The research reached to a result that: 1. Interactive art was able to transform the experimental action on the level of performance into a collective ritual inspired by the forms of experience from the culture of the daily society. 2.The aesthetic of interactive art stands out through experimentation and as a participatory act, which is constantly transformed because it relies on the pristine and improvisational human experience and improvement. The study concluded with recommendations, proposals and sources.
Short duration growth of high-quality multi-layered graphene by temperature-controlled rapid heating chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Kitano Atsushi , Tanaka Miyuki , Kubo Toshitaka , Shimizu Tetsuo
Published: August 2022

Chemical vapor deposition using a rapid thermal annealing (RTA) system at atmospheric pressure with diluted methane gas (0.48 vol%)/Ar enabled the growth of high-quality multi-layered graphene on a Cu substrate at 1000 °C within a short time span. The minimum temperature rise time (including the reduction time) and growth time were 300 and 90 s, respectively. These conditions gave graphene films exhibiting 98.6% substrate coverage. The lateral sizes of the resulting graphene domains ranged from 0.2 to 1.2 μm with an average size of 0.46 μm while the film thicknesses were estimated to range from two to several layers based on the Raman 2D/G peak ratios. The Raman D peak indicative of defects was not detected on the graphene films. Precise control of the growth temperature within the range of 900 °C–1000 °C promoted reduction reactions and improved the quality of the graphene.