bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utility of Functional Lumen Imaging Probe in Long-Term Follow-Up of Children with Esophageal Atresia: A Single-Center Retrospective Study
Authors: Destro Francesca , Costanzo Sara , Durante Eleonora , Carcassola Maria Sole , Meroni Milena , Brunero Marco , Riccio Angela , Calcaterra Valeria , Pelizzo Gloria
Published: September 2022

Long term follow-up of patients with esophageal atresia (EA) may be hampered by esophageal dysmotility, which affects quality of life and might lead to late complications. The endoluminal functional lumen imaging probe (EndoFlip™ Medtronic, Crospon Inc.) is an innovative diagnostic tool that assesses esophageal distensibility. Our aim was to report the use of EndoFlip™ in an EA follow-up, in order to describe distensibility patterns and to determine its possible role for functional evaluation of patients. We retrospectively collected data of EA patients, with a minimum follow-up of 9 years, who required endoscopic evaluation and underwent EndoFlip™. An adaptation of the Medtronic EF-322 protocol was applied and distensibility data were compared to those reported by Pandolfino et al. Nine patients (median age 13 years) were included in the study. The median minimum distensibility was 2.58 mm2/mmHg. Signs of peristalsis were observed in three patients. In one case, the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) after Toupet fundoplication showed low distensibility. EGJ distensibility values of 2.58 mm2/mmHg (median) confirmed both good esophagogastric continence and compliance. Esophagitis and absent peristalsis were found in one patient together with partial stenosis of the fundoplication, confirming the importance of surgical adaptation. Esophageal body distensibility was higher than that of the EGJ. Considering the presence of symptoms, the EndoFlip™ results seem to correlate better with the clinical picture. EndoFlip™ use was safe and feasible in children. It allowed for the measurement of esophageal distensibility and diameter and the acquisition of indirect information on motility with clinical implications. The routine use of EndoFlip™ could be part of EA follow-up, although considerable research is needed to correlate Endoflip™ system measurements to EA patient outcomes.
Study of Adhesive Wear Test on TiSi, AlTi, and WTi Coatings
Authors: Gordillo Oscar , Hincapie Williams , Piamba Oscar , Olaya Jhon , Trava-Airoldi Vladimir
Published: September 2022

Coatings based on Ti, Si, W, and Al synthesized by different techniques have been investigated in order to better understand their properties; however, there are few results related to their wear behavior. In this paper, TiSi, AlTi, and WTi coatings were applied by means of a sputtering system on 316L stainless steel substrates in order to evaluate their behavior through a ball-on-disc wear test. Adhesive wear tests were carried out using the ball-on-disc technique, which allowed the coefficient of friction to be measured. The morphological characterization was based on an analysis of the SEM images and on the optical profilometry of the wear traces of the coatings, used to calculate the wear rate. An analysis of the wear products was carried out based on information provided by the SEM-EDS, Raman spectroscopy, and XPS techniques, which provided information about the tribo-chemical behavior of the coatings subjected to the ball-on-disc test. The morphological analysis showed that the TiSi and AlTi coatings exhibited premature failure, which was corroborated by means of the coefficient of friction curves. It was also observed that the WTi coating exhibited better behavior against the wear test, with a coefficient of friction lower than that of the stainless-steel substrate, without showing evidence of premature failure, which can be explained as a consequence of the tribo-chemical behavior of the WxOy produced in the coating.
The DLC Coating on 316L Stainless Steel Stochastic Voronoi Tessellation Structures Obtained by Binder Jetting Additive Manufacturing for Potential Biomedical Applications
Authors: Laskowska Dorota , Bałasz Błażej , Kaczorowski Witold , Grabarczyk Jacek , Svobodova Lucie , Szatkiewicz Tomasz , Mitura Katarzyna
Published: September 2022

The DLC coating of samples produced by additive manufacturing with complex shapes is a challenge but also shows the possibility of obtaining a diffusive barrier for biomedical applications. In this study, stochastic porous structures based on Voronoi tessellation were fabricated using binder jetting technology from 316L SS powder and modified using DLC coating. The DLC coating was deposited using the RF PACVD technology. The chamber pressure was 40 Pa with a methane gas flow rate of 60 sccm. The negative bias voltage was 700 V. The deposition time was 5 min. Dimensional analysis was performed using optical microscopy. Surface morphology and topography were evaluated using SEM and confocal microscopy. Raman spectroscopy was used to examine the chemical structure of DLC coating. Finally, the HR TEM was used to evaluate the physicochemical characterization of the DLC coating. The interconnected complex spatial network of the Voronoi structure was accurately duplicated by the binder jetting technology. The obtained substrates were characterized by high roughness (Ra = 6.43 µm). Moreover, the results indicated that the conditions of the RF PACVD process allow for the deposition of the continuous and tightened DLC coating with a thickness from 30 nm to 230 nm and defined the content of Cr2O3 and SiO2.
Graphene Based FET Biosensor for Organic-Phosphorous Sample Detection and the Enzymatic Analysis
Authors: Zhu Jieyi , Feng Meiyan , Lian Guofu
Published: September 2022

Our paper presents a flexible enzymatic acetylcholinesterase graphene based FET biosensor of the target organic phosphorous. The sensor’s purpose is to detect pesticide residues in the field of food safety. In our sensor design, the material is graphene with its functionalization, and graphene based FET structure will be discussed in one section of this paper. The mechanism of this graphene sensor is the enzymatic linked reaction on a sensor surface. The enzyme is fixed on the sensor surface by the linker 3-mercapto propionic acid. Measurement experiments using the biosensor were performed for detecting the concentration of isocarbophos (an organophosphate). The enzymatic biosensor has successfully detected 100 μg/mL isocarbophos from the water sample, presenting a significant detection limit index for organophosphate detection.
Improved Optoelectronic Properties of Nanostructured Eu Doped Bi2S3 Thin Films for the Detection of UV Light
Authors: Shkir Mohd , Ben Gouider Trabelsi Amira , Alkallas Fatemah H. , AlFaify Salem , Pandit Bidhan , Ubaidullah Mohd
Published: September 2022

Due to a suitable band gap and high light absorption behavior, Bi2S3 is showing major success in photo-to-current conversion applications. In this current work, the authors used a low-cost nebulizer spray pyrolysis method to create nano-sized pure and unique Eu contents (1–5 wt.%)-loaded Bi2S3 thin layers by taking bismuth nitrate and thiourea as the source materials. The parent and Eu doped Bi2S3 thin films, deposited on a well-cleaned glass substrate at 350 °C, were analyzed using a variety of characterization approaches, including FESEM, EDS, XRD, PL, UV-Vis, and I-V, to describe the morphologies, compositions, crystallinity, defect states, band gap, and photodetection capability, respectively. The X-ray diffraction outcomes confirmed an orthorhombic polycrystalline structure for all Eu concentrations, and they were highly oriented along the (130) plane. Incorporation of Eu into the host matrix improves the intensity of all the peaks, and the crystallite size (25 nm) was found to be highest for the 3% Eu doped Bi2S3 thin film. The formation of a nanowire-like morphology was confirmed thorough field emission electron microscopy analysis, which is preferred for photo detectors. Upon excitation at 325 nm, grown pure and Eu doped Bi2S3 thin films indicated five emission peaks at 387, 418, 439, 480, and 523 nm, respectively. All the films showed significant absorption in the UV region, and importantly, a narrowing of the band gap is seen from 2.29 to 2.17 eV. Finally, the current-voltage characteristics of the pure and Eu doped Bi2S3 thin films were tested using silver contacts as electrodes. The results showed that the 3% Eu doped Bi2S3 sample showed a higher UV photocurrent characteristic, with high specific detectivity (1.82 × 1010 Jones), photoresponsivity (3.88 × 10−1 AW−1), external quantum efficiency (125%), and rapid photo response, as well as a recovery speed of 0.3 s and 0.4 s, due to the effective light absorption and photocarrier generation. We believe that our study may provide a cost-effective approach for UV photosensor applications.
A Case Report on Longitudinal Collection of Tumour Biopsies for Gene Expression-Based Tumour Microenvironment Analysis from Pancreatic Cancer Patients Treated with Endoscopic Ultrasound Guided Radiofrequency Ablation
Authors: Lawrence Patrick V. , Desai Krisha , Wadsworth Christopher , Mangal Nagina , Kocher Hemant M. , Habib Nagy , Sadanandam Anguraj , Sodergren Mikael H.
Published: September 2022

Background: Most patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are metastatic at presentation with dismal prognosis warranting improved systemic therapy options. Longitudinal sampling for the assessment of treatment response poses a challenge for validating novel therapies. In this case study, we evaluate the feasibility of collecting endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided longitudinal fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNABs) from two PDAC patients and conduct gene expression studies associated with tumour microenvironment changes associated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Methods: EUS-guided serial/longitudinal FNABs of tumour were collected before and after treatment from two stage III inoperable gemcitabine-treated PDAC patients treated with targeted RFA three times. Biopsies were analysed using a custom NanoString panel (144 genes) consisting of cancer and cancer-associated fibroblast (CAFs) subtypes and immune changes. CAF culture was established from one FNAB and characterised by immunofluorescence and immunoblotting. Results: Two-course RFA led to the upregulation of the CD1E gene (involved in antigen presentation) in both patients 1 and 2 (4.5 and 3.9-fold changes) compared to baseline. Patient 1 showed increased T cell genes (CD4—8.7-fold change, CD8—35.7-fold change), cytolytic function (6.4-fold change) and inflammatory response (8-fold change). A greater than 2-fold upregulation of immune checkpoint genes was observed post-second RFA in both patients. Further, two-course RFA led to increased PDGFRα (4.5-fold change) and CAF subtypes B and C genes in patient 1 and subtypes A, B and D genes in patient 2. Patient 2-derived CAFs post-first RFA showed expression of PDGFRα, POSTN and MYH11 proteins. Finally, RFA led to the downregulation of classical PDAC subtype-specific genes in both patients. Conclusions: This case study suggests longitudinal EUS-FNAB as a potential resource to study tumour and microenvironmental changes associated with RFA treatment. A large sample size is required in the future to assess the efficacy and safety of the treatment and perform comprehensive statistical analysis of EUS-RFA-based molecular changes in PDAC.
Optimizing Implementation of Preventive Chemotherapy against Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis and Intestinal Schistosomiasis Using High-Resolution Data: Field-Based Experiences from Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: Coulibaly Jean T. , Hürlimann Eveline , Patel Chandni , Silué Dieudonné K. , Avenié Deles J. , Kouamé Nadège A. , Silué Ulrich M. , Keiser Jennifer
Published: September 2022

Background: Despite efforts to control neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) using preventive chemotherapy (PC), soil-transmitted helminthiases and schistosomiasis remain widely prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. The current PC regimen in endemic settings is defined based on health district-level prevalence. This work aims to highlight the need for high-resolution data when elimination, rather than morbidity control, is the targeted goal. Methodology: Cross-sectional parasitological surveys were conducted from July to August 2019 and from September to October 2019, respectively, across the entire Dabou and Jacqueville health districts in southern Côte d’Ivoire. From every village, 60 school-aged children (6–15 years) were randomly selected and invited to provide one fresh stool sample, whereof duplicate Kato–Katz thick smears were prepared and read by two independent technicians. Principal Findings: 4338 school-aged children from 77 villages were screened from the Dabou (n = 2174; 50.12%, 39 villages) and Jacqueville (n = 2164; 49.88%, 38 villages) health districts. The prevalence of any soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection was 12.47% and 11.09% in the Dabou and Jacqueville health districts, respectively. Species-specific district-level prevalence remained below 10%, varying between 0.51% (hookworm in Jacqueville) and 9.06% (Trichuris trichiura in Dabou). However, when considering sub-districts or villages only, several STH infection hotspots (five sub-districts with ≥20% and four villages with more than 50% infected) were observed. Schistosoma mansoni infection was found in less than 1% of the examined children in each health district. Conclusions/Significance: We conclude that keeping health district-level prevalence as a reference for PC implementation leaves many high-risk sub-districts or villages requiring PC (≥20% prevalence) untreated. To avoid maintaining those high-risk villages as STH reservoirs by skipping control interventions and jeopardizing the successes already achieved in STH control through PC during the past two decades, precision mapping is required. Further investigation is needed to assess cost-efficient approaches to implement small-scale disease surveillance.
An Efficient Authentication Scheme Using Blockchain as a Certificate Authority for the Internet of Drones
Authors: Javed Sana , Khan Muhammad Asghar , Abdullah Ako Muhammad , Alsirhani Amjad , Alomari Abdullah , Noor Fazal , Ullah Insaf
Published: September 2022

The Internet of Drones (IoD) has recently gained popularity in several military, commercial, and civilian applications due to its unique characteristics, such as high mobility, three-dimensional (3D) movement, and ease of deployment. Drones, on the other hand, communicate over an unencrypted wireless link and have little computational capability in a typical IoD environment, making them exposed to a wide range of cyber-attacks. Security vulnerabilities in IoD systems include man-in-the-middle attacks, impersonation, credential leaking, GPS spoofing, and drone hijacking. To avoid the occurrence of such attacks in IoD networks, we need an extremely powerful security protocol. To address these concerns, we propose a blockchain-based authentication scheme employing Hyperelliptic Curve Cryptography (HECC). The concepts of a blockchain as a Certificate Authority (CA) and a transaction as a certificate discussed in this article are meant to facilitate the use of a blockchain without CAs or a Trusted Third Party (TTP). We offer a security analysis of the proposed scheme, which demonstrates its resistance to known and unknown attacks. The proposed scheme resists replay, man-in-the-middle, device impersonation, malicious device deployment, Denial-of-Service (DoS), and De-synchronization attacks, among others. The security and performance of the proposed scheme are compared to relevant existing schemes, and their performance is shown to be better in terms of security attributes as well as computation and communication costs than existing competitive schemes. The total computation cost of the proposed scheme is 40.479 ms, which is 37.49% and 49.79% of the two comparable schemes. This shows that the proposed scheme is better suited to the IoD environment than existing competitive schemes.
Fully Distributed Robust Formation Flying Control of Drones Swarm Based on Minimal Virtual Leader Information
Authors: Gao Huanli , Li Wei , Cai He
Published: September 2022

This paper studies the robust formation flying problem for a swarm of drones, which are modeled as uncertain second order systems. By making use of minimal virtual leader information, a fully distributed robust control scheme is proposed, which includes three parts. First, the output based adaptive distributed observer is adopted to recover the global flying path vector as well as the coefficients of the minimal polynomial of the system matrix of the virtual leader system for each drone based on neighboring information from the communication network. Second, based on the estimated minimal polynomial of the system matrix of the virtual leader system, an asymptotic internal model is conceived to deal with uncertain system parameters. Third, by combining the asymptotic internal model and a certainty equivalent dynamic state feedback control law, a local trajectory tracking controller is synthesized to solve the robust formation flying problem. Numerical simulations are provided to validate the proposed control scheme.
Measurements and Modeling of Long Continuing Current in the Lightning Protection System of a Residential Building
Authors: Masłowski Grzegorz , Hajder Sebastian
Published: September 2022

Experimental and computer investigations were conducted into long-duration impulse current distribution in the lightning protection system, supplying network, and electrical installation of a test house that was equipped with household appliances. Long-duration impulse currents simulating lightning continuing currents were injected from the unique current generator into the test object. The current distributions in the elements of the test object were measured using current shunts, coaxial cables, and digital oscilloscopes, then they were modeled using the ATP-EMTP software package. The obtained results show a quite good agreement between the measured and computed current waveforms. The relationships between the values of currents at different points of the conductive installation are similar, as reported in previous studies on the fast-changing lightning return stroke component distribution, although the efficiency of the lightning protection system (LPS) is a few percent better for the long continuing current component in the case of a strongly conductive ground at the test site in Huta Poręby, part of the Rzeszów University of Technology. Due to the relatively low content of high-frequency components in the long continuing current spectrum, the waveshape of this lightning component is practically the same throughout the entire tested installation.
Three-Dimensional Modeling for the Internal Shorting Caused Thermal Runaway Process in 20Ah Lithium-Ion Battery
Authors: Liu Xinyu , Zhou Zhifu , Wu Weitao , Gao Linsong , Li Yang , Huang Heng , Huang Zheng , Li Yubai , Song Yongchen
Published: September 2022

Better understanding of how internal short circuit causes thermal runaway will benefit the engineering for safer lithium-ion batteries. In this study, three-dimensional (3D) numerical simulations of a 20Ah lithium battery under internal shorting condition are performed. The effects of internal short circuit area, resistance, penetration depth, convective heat transfer coefficient and internal short circuit position, on the thermal runaway are investigated with the simulations in this work. This study demonstrates that the average cell temperature is only weakly affected by the internal short circuit area, penetration depth, and position. On the other hand, the internal short circuit resistance and the convective heat transfer coefficient have large impacts on the thermal runaway propagation in the lithium-ion battery. A high convective heat transfer coefficient can effectively suppress the thermal runaway propagation. However, such a high convective heat transfer coefficient is hard to achieve at the cell surface.
Comparison of Real and Forecasted Domestic Hot Water Consumption and Demand for Heat Power in Multifamily Buildings, in Poland
Authors: Rzeźnik Wojciech , Rzeźnik Ilona , Hara Paweł
Published: September 2022

Determining the demand for heat power for domestic hot water preparation is necessary to perform a building energy assessment. For this, we need to predict domestic hot water consumption. Considering the number of factors influencing domestic hot water consumption, it is difficult to develop a highly accurate methodology. The aim of the study was to compare the real domestic hot water consumption and heat power for its preparation with the values calculated based on the available prediction methods in multi-family buildings. The analysis was carried out based on annual monitoring (2021 year) of domestic hot water consumption and the actual demand for heat power in eight multi-family buildings located in Grudziądz, in Central Poland. The results of these measurements were compared with the values determined based on the available methodologies for forecasting the demand for heat power and domestic hot water consumption: Sander’s, Recknagel’s, the standard method and the method according to Polish regulations from 2008 and 2015. The real average demand for heat power for domestic hot water was 89.8 ± 8.5 W/person, 211.2 ± 13.7 W/apartment and 4.8 ± 0.3 W/m2, and the daily domestic hot water consumption was 26.7 ± 3.6 dm3/person·day, 62.6 ± 5.8 dm3/apartment·day and 1.4 ± 0.1 dm3/m2·day. The real demand for heat power for domestic hot water was lower than that determined by the analyzed methods. The values obtained from the modified standard method based on Standard PN-92/B-01706/A1: 1999, with mean relative error of 10.5 ± 4.1%, were the closest to the real values. The current ordinance method (Regulation 2015) is characterized by an error of 45.4 ± 10.2%. The predicted domestic hot water consumption using the current ordinance was the closest to the real consumption. On average, it was higher by 7.7 ± 5.0%.
Life Test Optimization for Gas Turbine Engine Based on Life Cycle Information Support and Modeling
Authors: Valeev Sagit , Kondratyeva Natalya
Published: September 2022

The task of choosing the modes and duration of life tests of complex technical objects, such as aircraft engines, is a complex and difficult-to-formalize task. Experimental optimization of the parameters of life tests of complex technical objects is costly in terms of material and time resources, which makes such an approach to the choice of test parameters practically difficult. The problem of life test optimization for gas turbine engines on the basis of the engine life cycle information support and statistical modeling is discussed. Within the framework of the research, the features of the optimization of life tests based on simulation modeling of the life cycle of gas turbine engines were studied. The criterion of the efficiency of the life tests was introduced, and this characterized the predicted effect (technical and economic) of the operation of a batch of engines, the reliability of which was confirmed by life tests; a method of complex optimization of resource tests in the life cycle system was developed. An objective function was formed for the complex optimization of life tests based on life cycle simulation. The principles of formation and refinement of the simulation model of the life cycle for the optimization of life tests were determined. A simulation model of the main stages of the life cycle of an auxiliary gas turbine engine was developed. A study was performed on the influence of the quality of the production of “critical” engine elements, the system of engine acceptance and shipment, as well as the effect of a range of parameters of the engine loading mode on the efficiency of the life tests of an auxiliary gas turbine engine. The optimal parameters of periodic life tests of an auxiliary gas turbine engine were determined by simulation modeling in the life cycle system, which made it possible to increase the equivalence of tests by several times and reduce their duration in comparison with the program of serial tests.
Assessment of the Brittle–Ductile State of Major Injection and Confining Formations in the Alberta Basin
Authors: Samaroo Mahendra , Chalaturnyk Rick , Dusseault Maurice , Chow Judy F. , Custers Hans
Published: September 2022

Subsurface interaction between critically stressed seismogenic faults and anthropogenic fluid injection activities has caused several earthquakes of concern over the last decade. Proactive detection of the reverse and strike-slip faults inherent in the Alberta Basin is difficult, while identification of faults likely to become seismogenic is even more challenging. We present a conceptual framework to evaluate the seismogenic potential of undetected faults, within the stratigraphic sequence of interest, during the site-selection stage of fluid injection projects. This method uses the geomechanical properties of formations present at sites of interest and their current state of stress to evaluate whether hosted faults are likely to be brittle or ductile since the hazard posed by faults in brittle-state formations is generally significantly higher than that of faults in ductile-state formations. We used data from approximately 3100 multi-stress triaxial tests to calculate the Mogi brittle–ductile state line for 51 major injection and confining formations in the Alberta Basin and in situ stress and pore pressure data from approximately 1200 diagnostic fracture-injection tests to assess the last-known brittle–ductile state of each formation. Analysis of these data shows that the major injection formations assessed in the Alberta Basin were in a ductile state, with some confining (caprock) formations in a brittle state at the time of the stress measurements. Once current site-specific in situ stress data are available, our method enables site-specific assessment of the current brittle–ductile state of geologic formations within the zone of influence of large-volume fluid-injection projects and an evaluation of the associated potential for fault seismogenesis.
A Supply and Use Model for Estimating the Contribution of Costs to Energy Prices
Authors: Rodousakis Nikolaos , Soklis George , Tsekeris Theodore
Published: September 2022

This paper develops a supply and uses a model to estimate the direct and indirect contribution of costs to the formation of energy prices. The model is implemented into the Greek economy based on data from the supply and use tables. The findings of the analysis indicate that the main component of energy prices are profits, mainly distributed to the energy sector itself, and imports, which mostly concern Mining and quarrying products and Coke and refined petroleum products imported from non-EU countries. As far as the contribution of the energy sector to the price formation of the other industries of the Greek economy is concerned, it is found that the energy sector mainly contributes to the price formation of industrial sectors. The results imply that the containment of energy prices should be principally based on an income policy that would limit excessive profits within the energy sector and an import substitution policy towards the exploitation of domestic mining and quarrying products as well as coke and refined petroleum products.
A Novel Dynamic Event-Triggered Mechanism for Distributed Secondary Control in Islanded AC Microgrids
Authors: Huang Boyang , Xiao Yong , Jin Xin , Feng Junhao , Li Xin , Ding Li
Published: September 2022

In this paper, the frequency/voltage restoration and active power sharing problems of islanded AC microgrids are studied. A novel distributed dynamic event-triggered secondary control scheme is proposed to reduce the communication burden. The continuous monitoring of event-triggered conditions and Zeno behavior can be fundamentally avoided by periodically evaluating event-triggered conditions. In addition, by introducing an adaptive coefficient related to the system deviations, the control performance can be improved. Sufficient conditions to ensure the stability of the system are provided through a Lyapunov function. Lastly, the effectiveness of our proposed secondary control scheme is verified in a MATLAB/SimPowerSystems environment.
Composition of Flue Gases during Oxy-Combustion of Energy Crops in a Circulating Fluidized Bed
Authors: Kosowska-Golachowska Monika , Luckos Adam , Czakiert Tomasz
Published: September 2022

In recent years, global warming and climate change associated with emissions of CO2 from fossil fuel-fired power systems are a big worry for authorities in many countries worldwide. The utilization of biomass as an alternative, carbon-neutral fuel can reduce emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases. Furthermore, the coupling of oxy-combustion of biomass with CO2 capture is an option for carbon-negative power generation technology. In this study, emissions of NOx, SO2, and CO from the air- and oxy-combustion of three energy crops (Miscanthus giganteus, Sida hermaphrodita, and Salix viminalis) are presented and compared with emissions from other biomass fuels and reference coal. Combustion tests in air and O2/CO2 mixtures were conducted in a 12-kW bench-scale CFB combustor at 850 °C. Measurements of flue gas compositions were taken using an FTIR spectrometer. In all tested atmospheres, emissions of SO2, N2O, and CO for biomass were lower than those for the reference coal. The oxidation of volatile nitrogen compounds was behind high emissions of NOx from biomass burned in air and O2/CO2 mixtures. The lowest concentrations of NO were found in the 21% O2/70% CO2 mixture. Combustion in mixtures containing more oxygen (30% and 40% O2) led to a decrease in emissions of N2O and CO and an increase in emissions of NO and SO2.
Effect of Filter Medium on Water Quality during Passive Biofilter Activation in a Recirculating Aquaculture System for Oncorhynchus mykiss
Authors: Nędzarek Arkadiusz , Bonisławska Małgorzata , Tórz Agnieszka , Tański Adam , Formicki Krzysztof
Published: September 2022

High-performance biofilters for water purification in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) ensure the safety of cultures of highly nutritious fish. As the most critical step in the functioning of biofilters is their activation, the objective of this study was to evaluate the suitability of commercial artificial media, namely RK Plast (BR-1), Mutag-BioChip30 (BR-2), and LevaPor (BR-3), for the passive activation of biofilters used in rainbow trout farming. Changes in NH4+-N, NO2−-N, NO3− -N, phosphorus, and carbon concentrations were analyzed. In the first period, an increase in NH4+-N concentration was recorded, before an increase in NO2−-N concentration (maximum concentrations ranged 0.728–1.290 and 0.982–5.198 mg N dm−3, respectively), followed by a reduction and stabilization to a level safe for the fish (both below 0.100 mg N dm−3). Concurrently, a steady increase in NO3−-N concentration was noted, with a maximum concentration between 6.521 and 7.326 mg N dm−3. Total phosphorus and total carbon ranged from 0.423 to 0.548 mg P dm−3, and from 43.8 to 45.2 mg C dm−3. The study confirmed the feasibility of using the tested artificial biofilter media for rainbow trout farming in RAS with passive biofilter activation. Biofilter activation efficiency was highest for the media with the highest specific surface area (BR-2 and BR-3). The removal of ammonium nitrogen and nitrite nitrogen was above 90%. Nitrogen biotransformation was not limited by phosphorus or carbon concentrations.
On Benford’s Law and the Coefficients of the Riemann Mapping Function for the Exterior of the Mandelbrot Set
Authors: Beretta Filippo , Dimino Jesse , Fang Weike , Martinez Thomas C. , Miller Steven J. , Stoll Daniel
Published: September 2022

We investigate Benford’s law in relation to fractal geometry. Basic fractals, such as the Cantor set and Sierpinski triangle are obtained as the limit of iterative sets, and the unique measures of their components follow a geometric distribution, which is Benford in most bases. Building on this intuition, we aim to study this distribution in more complicated fractals. We examine the Laurent coefficients of a Riemann mapping and the Taylor coefficients of its reciprocal function from the exterior of the Mandelbrot set to the complement of the unit disk. These coefficients are 2-adic rational numbers, and through statistical testing, we demonstrate that the numerators and denominators are a good fit for Benford’s law. We offer additional conjectures and observations about these coefficients. In particular, we highlight certain arithmetic subsequences related to the coefficients’ denominators, provide an estimate for their slope, and describe efficient methods to compute them.
Genetic Dysruption of the Histaminergic Pathways: A Novel Deletion at the 15q21.2 locus Associated with Variable Expressivity of Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Authors: Lintas Carla , Sacco Roberto , Azzarà Alessia , Cassano Ilaria , Laino Luigi , Grammatico Paola , Gurrieri Fiorella
Published: September 2022

The involvement of the Histaminergic System (HS) in neuropsychiatric disease is not well-documented, and few studies have described patients affected by different neuropsychiatric conditions harbouring disruptions in genes involved in the HS. In humans, histamine is synthetised from histidine by the histidine decarboxylase enzyme encoded by the HDC gene (OMIM*142704). This is the sole enzyme in our organism able to synthetise histamine from histidine. Histamine is also contained in many different food types. We hereby describe a twenty-one-year-old female diagnosed with a borderline intellectual disability with autistic traits and other peculiar neuropsychological features carrying a 175-Kb interstitial deletion on chromosome 15q21.2. The deletion was inherited from the mother, who was affected by a severe anxiety disorder. The deleted region contains entirely the HDC and the SLC27A2 genes and partially the ATP8B4 gene. The HDC gene has been previously associated with Tourette Syndrome (TS). Based on the functional role of the HDC, we propose this gene as the best candidate to explain many traits associated with the clinical phenotype of our patient and of her mother.
Iron Biofortification of Greenhouse Cherry Tomatoes Grown in a Soilless System
Authors: Buturi Camila Vanessa , Coelho Silvia Renata Machado , Cannata Claudio , Basile Federico , Giuffrida Francesco , Leonardi Cherubino , Mauro Rosario Paolo
Published: September 2022

Iron (Fe) biofortification is a strategy to increase the amount of iron in food crops. The goal of this work was to assess the possibility of maximizing the Fe content in cherry tomatoes grown in a soilless system. The cultivar Creativo was grown with three concentrations of Fe (as Fe-HBED) in the nutrient solution (0.022, 1, and 2 mmol L−1), and received further foliar applications of the element (as Fe-DTPA) at 0, 250, and 500 µmol L−1. The addition of 2 mmol Fe L−1 to the nutrient solution, together with foliar sprays at 500 µmol Fe L−1, induced the highest increase in fruit Fe concentration in clusters 1 and 2 (by 163% and 190%, respectively). The Fe added to the nutrient solution increased the fruit dry matter (up to +10.21%) but decreased the fruit’s fresh weight (up to −11.06%). The higher Fe concentrations provided to the crop synergistically increased the contents of other minerals (i.e., K, Mg, Na, and Zn), along with the fruit’s titratable acidity and soluble solids content, improving multiple functional and quality traits of the cherry tomatoes. These results show that Fe biofortification of cherry tomatoes can be effective to address Fe deficiency while obtaining high-quality products.
Breastfeeding, Community Vulnerability, Resilience, and Disasters: A Snapshot of the United States Gulf Coast
Authors: Grubesic Tony H. , Durbin Kelly M.
Published: September 2022

Climate change-induced disasters are increasing in intensity and frequency in the United States. Infant feeding in the aftermath of an extreme event is particularly challenging, especially given large variations in community vulnerability and resilience. The aim of this study was to identify the physical, social, and spatial vulnerabilities of communities along the Gulf Coast and highlight locations where high (or low) breastfeeding initiation rates have the potential to offset (or exacerbate) infant feeding challenges in the wake of a disaster. We structured this study as a retrospective, spatial data analysis of breastfeeding initiation, the risk for extreme events, social vulnerability, and community resilience to uncover locations that may need post-disaster intervention. The results suggested that significant gaps in the geographic distribution of community risk, vulnerability, resilience, and breastfeeding initiation existed. While many metropolitan areas benefitted from high breastfeeding initiation rates, they were also the most “at risk” for disasters. Conversely, many rural communities faced less risk for extreme events but exhibited more social vulnerability and less resilience should a disaster strike. Prioritizing emergency response resources to support infant feeding after a disaster is critically important, but urban and rural communities have divergent profiles that will require variable strategies to ensure recovery. Our results highlight this variability and provide prescriptive guidance regarding where to potentially allocate emergency resources.
Changes in Mental Health during Three Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Slovakia: Neurotypical Children versus Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Parents
Authors: Polónyiová Katarína , Rašková Barbara , Ostatníková Daniela
Published: September 2022

The main goal of our research was to monitor changes in the mental health of Slovak families with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to families with neurotypical children during three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. We focused on the prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress and different stressors of parents. In children, we explored maladaptive behavior and the availability of interventions for children with ASD. The data were collected using an extensive questionnaire including the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-42 questionnaire (DASS-42) and two subscales of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS-3). The research sample consisted of a total of 506 parents, 236 of whom have a child with ASD. Parents of children with ASD reported elevated anxiety during the first wave, while changes were found in parents of neurotypical children. During the second wave, the prevalence of anxiety, depression and stress experienced by parents in both groups increased, but significantly more in parents with ASD children. The internalizing maladaptive behavior of children with ASD also increased. During the third wave, no significant differences between the groups of parents were found in stress and anxiety, but parents of ASD children scored higher in depression. Externalized maladaptive behavior of neurotypical children increased, with minimal changes in children with ASD, which can be explained by the improved therapy availability for children with ASD, also observed in our study.
Evaluation of Common Prosperity Level and Regional Difference Analysis along the Yangtze River Economic Belt
Authors: Wang Yuhan , Huo Zenghui , Li Dongpo , Zhang Mei
Published: September 2022

Common prosperity is the essential requirement of socialism as well as the common aspiration of social people. This article constructed an evaluation index system of 25 indicators for common prosperity, covering four dimensions of material wealth, harmonious social life, rich spiritual life, and livable ecological environment. The TOPSIS method was used to comprehensively rank nine provinces and two municipalities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt. The results show that the level of common prosperity along the Yangtze River Economic Belt increased significantly from 2010 to 2019, and the level of common prosperity in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River Economic Belt is much higher than that in the middle and upper reaches. According to the differences in common prosperity levels among regions, provinces and cities are divided into three categories: high, unbalanced, and low. Combined with the characteristics of each type of region, policy suggestions were put forward from the perspectives of strengthening the regional industrial cooperation mechanism, deepening the construction of regional livelihood infrastructure and basic public services, and improving the ability of regional environmental coordination.
Estimation of Shipping Emissions in Developing Country: A Case Study of Mohammad Bin Qasim Port, Pakistan
Authors: Hussain Iftikhar , Wang Haiyan , Safdar Muhammad , Ho Quoc Bang , Wemegah Tina D. , Noor Saima
Published: September 2022

Transportation has the highest dependence on fossil fuels of any sector and accounts for 37% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Maritime transportation is responsible for around 940 million tons of CO2 and approximately 3% of global emissions annually. The significant increase in shipping activities around the globe has magnified the generation of toxic pollutants. In recent years, shipping emissions have received significant attention in developed countries due to global climate change, while in developing countries, researchers are making enormous efforts to tackle this catastrophic and pressing issue. This study considers Muhammad Bin Qasim Port (MBQP), Karachi, Pakistan as a case study. This study employed an activity-based or bottom-up approach with a standard procedure to estimate the various anthropogenic pollutants emissions including particular matters (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), CO2, methane (CH4), non-methane volatile organic compound (NMVOC), and hydrocarbon (HC) under different operational modes, i.e., hoteling, maneuvering, and reduced speed zones. The results indicated that CO2 was the highest contributor with a proportion of 92%, NOx 5%, and SO2 1.5% for all three operational modes. Moreover, the results indicated that container ships account for 64% of overall emissions, followed by tankers for 24%. Regarding the monthly trend, the findings revealed that November and December had the highest emission rates, with over 20% of the total emissions recorded. This study’s findings will assist stakeholders and policymakers to prioritize maritime emissions in developing countries.
Impact of the COVID-19 and Socioeconomic Status on Access to Care for Otorhinolaryngology Patients
Authors: Kim Minju , Park Jin-A , Cha Hyunkyung , Lee Woo Hyun , Hong Seung-No , Kim Dae Woo
Published: September 2022

Since December 2019, COVID-19 has greatly influenced public healthcare systems around the globe in various aspects, including limitation of healthcare accessibility due to lack of both human and financial resources, suspension of clinics, and fear of infection causing healthcare avoidance. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on access to healthcare for otorhinolaryngology patients from different socioeconomic status (SES) groups. Otorhinolaryngology patients’ disease severity status, diagnosed at the first hospital visit, was investigated during the pre -and post-COVID-19 pandemic era in a single medical center located in Seoul, Korea. An ordinal regression model was used to assess the impact of both SES and the COVID-19 pandemic on otorhinolaryngology diseases. Within the chronic rhinosinusitis group, lower SES was associated with a higher disease severity at the first visit compared to higher SES (OR = 3.25). During the COVID-19 pandemic, while the total number of outpatients was reduced, the severity of these ENT diseases seemed to increase compared to the pre-pandemic severity in every SES group. Our study demonstrates the negative impact a worldwide pandemic can have on healthcare inequity and disease severity, and highlights the importance of re-allocating fundamental resources for those in need during periods of public health crisis.
Privacy-by-Design Environments for Large-Scale Health Research and Federated Learning from Data
Authors: Zhang Peng , Kamel Boulos Maged N.
Published: September 2022

This article offers a brief overview of ‘privacy-by-design (or data-protection-by-design) research environments’, namely Trusted Research Environments (TREs, most commonly used in the United Kingdom) and Personal Health Trains (PHTs, most commonly used in mainland Europe). These secure environments are designed to enable the safe analysis of multiple, linked (and often big) data sources, including sensitive personal data and data owned by, and distributed across, different institutions. They take data protection and privacy requirements into account from the very start (conception phase, during system design) rather than as an afterthought or ‘patch’ implemented at a later stage on top of an existing environment. TREs and PHTs are becoming increasingly important for conducting large-scale privacy-preserving health research and for enabling federated learning and discoveries from big healthcare datasets. The paper also presents select examples of successful TRE and PHT implementations and of large-scale studies that used them.
Influence of the Demographic, Social, and Environmental Factors on the COVID-19 Pandemic—Analysis of the Local Variations Using Geographically Weighted Regression
Authors: Rząsa Krzysztof , Ciski Mateusz
Published: September 2022

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, an increasing number of different research studies focusing on various aspects of the pandemic are emerging. Most of the studies focus on the medical aspects of the pandemic, as well as on the impact of COVID-19 on various areas of life; less emphasis is put on analyzing the influence of socio-environmental factors on the spread of the pandemic. In this paper, using the geographically weighted regression method, the extent to which demographic, social, and environmental factors explain the number of cases of SARS-CoV-2 is explored. The research was performed for the case-study area of Poland, considering the administrative division of the country into counties. The results showed that the demographic factors best explained the number of cases of SARS-CoV-2; the social factors explained it to a medium degree; and the environmental factors explained it to the lowest degree. Urban population and the associated higher amount and intensity of human contact are the most influential factors in the development of the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis of the factors related to the areas burdened by social problems resulting primarily from the economic exclusion revealed that poverty-burdened areas are highly vulnerable to the development of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using maps of the local R2 it was possible to visualize how the relationships between the explanatory variables (for this research—demographic, social, and environmental factors) and the dependent variable (number of cases of SARS-CoV-2) vary across the study area. Through the GWR method, counties were identified as particularly vulnerable to the pandemic because of the problem of economic exclusion. Considering that the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing, the results obtained may be useful for local authorities in developing strategies to counter the pandemic.