bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interaction of Neural Stem Cells (NSCs) and Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) as a Promising Approach in Brain Study and Nerve Regeneration
Authors: Kaminska Agnieszka , Radoszkiewicz Klaudia , Rybkowska Paulina , Wedzinska Aleksandra , Sarnowska Anna
Published: April 2022

Rapid developments in stem cell research in recent years have provided a solid foundation for their use in medicine. Over the last few years, hundreds of clinical trials have been initiated in a wide panel of indications. Disorders and injuries of the nervous system still remain a challenge for the regenerative medicine. Neural stem cells (NSCs) are the optimal cells for the central nervous system restoration as they can differentiate into mature cells and, most importantly, functional neurons and glial cells. However, their application is limited by multiple factors such as difficult access to source material, limited cells number, problematic, long and expensive cultivation in vitro, and ethical considerations. On the other hand, according to the available clinical databases, most of the registered clinical trials involving cell therapies were carried out with the use of mesenchymal stem/stromal/signalling cells (MSCs) obtained from afterbirth or adult human somatic tissues. MSCs are the multipotent cells which can also differentiate into neuron-like and glia-like cells under proper conditions in vitro; however, their main therapeutic effect is more associated with secretory and supportive properties. MSCs, as a natural component of cell niche, affect the environment through immunomodulation as well as through the secretion of the trophic factors. In this review, we discuss various therapeutic strategies and activated mechanisms related to bilateral MSC–NSC interactions, differentiation of MSCs towards the neural cells (subpopulation of crest-derived cells) under the environmental conditions, bioscaffolds, or co-culture with NSCs by recreating the conditions of the neural cell niche.
Two-Pore Channels Regulate Inter-Organellar Ca2+ Homeostasis in Immune Cells
Authors: Steiner Philip , Arlt Elisabeth , Boekhoff Ingrid , Gudermann Thomas , Zierler Susanna
Published: April 2022

Two-pore channels (TPCs) are ligand-gated cation-selective ion channels that are preserved in plant and animal cells. In the latter, TPCs are located in membranes of acidic organelles, such as endosomes, lysosomes, and endolysosomes. Here, we focus on the function of these unique ion channels in mast cells, which are leukocytes that mature from myeloid hematopoietic stem cells. The cytoplasm of these innate immune cells contains a large number of granules that comprise messenger substances, such as histamine and heparin. Mast cells, along with basophil granulocytes, play an essential role in anaphylaxis and allergic reactions by releasing inflammatory mediators. Signaling in mast cells is mainly regulated via the release of Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum as well as from acidic compartments, such as endolysosomes. For the crosstalk of these organelles TPCs seem essential. Allergic reactions and anaphylaxis were previously shown to be associated with the endolysosomal two-pore channel TPC1. The release of histamine, controlled by intracellular Ca2+ signals, was increased upon genetic or pharmacologic TPC1 inhibition. Conversely, stimulation of TPC channel activity by one of its endogenous ligands, namely nicotinic adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) or phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate (PI(3,5)P2), were found to trigger the release of Ca2+ from the endolysosomes; thereby improving the effect of TPC1 on regulated mast cell degranulation. In this review we discuss the importance of TPC1 for regulating Ca2+ homeostasis in mast cells and the overall potential of TPC1 as a pharmacological target in anti-inflammatory therapy.
Development of a Bioactive Sauce: Effect of the Packaging and Storage Conditions
Authors: Giménez Cecilia G. , Traffano-Schiffo María Victoria , Sgroppo Sonia C. , Sosa Carola A.
Published: April 2022

Consumers’ interest in a high-quality healthy diet is creating a growing trend in the food industry, focusing on the design and development of new products rich in bioactive compounds. This work involves the formulation of a vegetable sauce obtained from a mixture of pumpkin and pepper, the study of the evolution of bioactive compounds, quality and sensory parameters during storage at 4 and 25 °C, the influence of the packaging materials (PVC, PE/PA, and PS), and the migration degree. Antioxidant activity, polyphenols, carotenoids, and brown pigments contents were studied at 25 °C. Overall migration of the containers and the evolution of the physicochemical parameters and sensory attributes of the sauce were analyzed. All plastic materials showed an overall migration lower than the limit of EU and Mercosur Regulations. PVC better preserved polyphenols, antioxidant activity, and carotenoids until 50, 10, and 30 days, respectively, and lower development of brown pigments was observed. Higher storage temperatures favored undesirable changes in sensory attributes before 50 days of storage. PVC can be used to achieve greater conservation of the sensory attributes of sauce, regardless of the storage temperature. It could be considered the best material to preserve the bioactive properties and sensory attributes of the sauce until 30 days.
Label-Free ZnIn2S4/UiO-66-NH2 Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode for Electrochemically Assessing Fish Freshness by Monitoring Xanthine and Hypoxanthine
Authors: Song Debin , Chen Qiaowei , Zhai Chunyang , Tao Hengcong , Zhang Lina , Jia Tianbo , Lu Zhiwang , Sun Wuyang , Yuan Pengxiang , Zhu Baikang
Published: April 2022

Considering that simultaneous detection of xanthine (XA) and hypoxanthine (HXA) has been proved to be a reliable and feasible method for assessing fish freshness, a novel electrochemical sensing platform based on the ZnIn2S4/UiO-66-NH2 modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was constructed in this study for XA and HXA determination. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were performed to exhibit the morphology and structural characteristics of ZnIn2S4/UiO-66-NH2. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) displayed that the introduction of UiO-66-NH2 can improve the specific surface area of the hybrid. Besides, the electrochemical sensing performance of ZnIn2S4/UiO-66-NH2 was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). For simultaneously detecting XA and HXA, the fabricated electrochemical sensor shows wide linear ranges (0.025–40 µM and 0.3–40 µM) with low detection limits (0.0083 µM and 0.1 µM). This sensor also has 96–103% recovery in detecting XA and HXA content in large yellow croaker meat samples, demonstrating a promising application in the marine food industry.
Association between Body Mass Index (BMI) and Dental Caries among 6–12-Year-Old School Children
Authors: Kotha Sunil Babu , Terkawi Shayma Abdulaziz , Mubaraki Sarah Ali , Saffan Abdulrahman Dahham Al , Kotha Sree Lalita , Mallineni Sreekanth Kumar
Published: April 2022

This study aimed to identify the association between BMI and dental caries in 6–12-year-old children. This cross-sectional study was carried out among 6–12-year-old school children and their parents. The data on Body Mass Index (BMI) and dental caries for study participants were included in the study. The association between BMI and dental caries was evaluated using SPSS software. The study comprises 400 school children (157 boys and 243 girls) aged an average of 8.9 years. The overall prevalence of dental caries was 84% in primary dentition and 75% in permanent dentition, with a mean DMFT and dmft (decayed, missing and filled teeth) of 2.85 and 5.48, respectively. There was a significant association witnessed between mothers’ education and BMI status. A significant association was also evident between decayed (d), missing (m) and filled (f) teeth and overall dmft with different BMI categories (p < 0.05). There was no significant association evident between DMFT and each category of BMI (p > 0.05). The dmft and DMFT within the four BMI categories by one-way ANOVA were highly significant (p < 0.001). Post hoc analysis helped us identify the relationship among the various categories of BMI with dental caries. There was a positive association evident between the BMI of the children and dental caries.
Clinical Course of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin Lymphadenitis
Authors: Ko Dayoung , Han Ji-Won , Youn Joongkee , Yang Hee-Beom , Oh Chaeyoun , Yun Ki-Wook , Kim Hyun-Young
Published: April 2022

Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination can cause lymphadenitis. The purpose of the current study was to describe patient characteristics and clinical courses of lymphadenitis associated with BCG vaccination. A total of 171 patients who visited a tertiary hospital with a diagnosis of BCG-associated lymphadenitis between January 2012 and June 2017 were included. The diagnostic criteria were a history of BCG vaccination on the symptomatic side, absence of tenderness and raised temperature over the swelling, absence of fever and constitutional symptoms, and isolated axillary (or supraclavicular/cervical) lymph node (LN) enlargement. Treatment strategies included observation, antibiotics, incision and drainage or needle aspiration (I&D/NA), and surgical excision. The median follow-up period was 40 days (range 1–1245 days). The median age at the first visit was 5.5 months (range 0.9–83.7 months). The most common location was the axilla (81.3%). The respective numbers of patients managed via observation, I&D/NA, antibiotics, and surgical excision were 99, 47, 5, and 20. LNs were significantly more enlarged in the I&D/NA group than in the antibiotics group and the observation group. The respective times taken for residual lesions to reduce to < 20% were approximately 3 months, 4 months, and 5 months in the antibiotics, observation, and I&D/NA groups. The surgery group had significantly fewer residual lesions than the observation group at the last visit, but there was no significant difference in current residual lesions between the groups. LNs were significantly larger in the I&D/NA group. The surgery group exhibited the least residual lesions at the last visit, but there was no significant difference in current status.
Traumatic Hip Dislocation Associated with Proximal Femoral Physeal Fractures in Children: A Systematic Review
Authors: Haram Oana , Odagiu Elena , Florea Catalin , Tevanov Iulia , Carp Madalina , Ulici Alexandru
Published: April 2022

Traumatic hip dislocation might lead to serious complications and a poor outcome. Fortunately, it is a rare condition in pediatric patients. The purpose of this study is to establish and describe the complications caused by hip dislocations associated with transphyseal femoral neck fractures. Therefore, we conducted a literature review that resulted in 11 articles, including 32 patients, older than 10 years of age, suffering from traumatic hip dislocation associated with a transphyseal femoral neck fracture. We presented a case series of three patients with hip fracture-dislocation treated in our clinic that were also evaluated and included in the study. For the 35 patients included in the study group, the percentage of avascular osteonecrosis after hip fracture-dislocation was 88.57%. Traumatic hip dislocation associated with transphyseal femoral neck fracture is a rare condition and has a poor prognosis because of the high incidence of femoral head avascular necrosis (AVN). Reduction should be attempted within six hours the from injury, but this may not minimize the risk of AVN if transphyseal separation occurs. The approach may influence the development of AVN; lateral approach of the hip with great trochanter osteotomy seems to have the lowest number of cases of AVN.
Establishing Trauma-Informed Primary Care: Qualitative Guidance from Patients and Staff in an Urban Healthcare Clinic
Authors: Matthew Andrea , Moffitt Cynthia , Huth-Bocks Alissa , Ronis Sarah , Gabriel Mary , Burkhart Kimberly
Published: April 2022

Patients present to primary care clinics with a variety of experiences, including exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and other social determinants of health. The pervasive impact of early adversity on later healthcare outcomes has resulted in the development of trauma-informed care principles that can be applied to healthcare settings. The primary aim of this study is to improve understanding of patient and staff experiences within a trauma-informed urban healthcare setting to guide considerations and recommendations when implementing such a model. A phenomenologic approach was taken using an interpretivist paradigm to collect qualitative data by conducting patient and staff focus groups. The following themes were identified: the communal experience of significant trauma, lack of continuity of care and time for each appointment, the importance of a sense of community and standardization and normalization of asking about trauma, development of social support networks, and creating a safe and non-judgmental healthcare space. Based on findings, considerations for implementing a trauma-informed healthcare model are provided.
Retropharyngeal, Parapharyngeal and Peritonsillar Abscesses
Authors: Esposito Susanna , De Guido Claudia , Pappalardo Marco , Laudisio Serena , Meccariello Giuseppe , Capoferri Gaia , Rahman Sofia , Vicini Claudio , Principi Nicola
Published: April 2022

Deep neck infections (DNIs) include all the infections sited in the potential spaces and fascial planes of the neck within the limits of the deep layer of the cervical fascia. Parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal infections leading to parapharyngeal abscess (PPA) and retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) are the most common. DNIs remain an important health problem, especially in children. The aim of this narrative review is to describe the management of peritonsillar, retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscesses in pediatric age. Despite relatively uncommon, pediatric DNIs deserve particular attention as they can have a very severe course and lead to hospitalization, admission to the intensive care unit and, although very rarely, death. They generally follow a mild upper respiratory infection and can initially present with signs and symptoms that could be underestimated. A definite diagnosis can be made using imaging techniques. Pus collection from the site of infection, when possible, is strongly recommended for definition of diseases etiology. Blood tests that measure the inflammatory response of the patient may contribute to monitor disease evolution. The therapeutic approach should be targeted toward the individual patient. Regardless of the surgical treatment, antibiotics are critical for pediatric DNI prognosis. The diagnostic-therapeutic procedure to be followed in the individual patient is not universally shared because it has not been established which is the most valid radiological approach and which are the criteria to be followed for the differentiation of cases to be treated only with antibiotics and those in which surgery is mandatory. Further studies are needed to ensure the best possible care for all children with DNIs, especially in this era of increased antimicrobial resistance.
Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals LncRNAs Associated with Flowering of Angelica sinensis during Vernalization
Authors: Liu Xiaoxia , Luo Mimi , Li Mengfei , Wei Jianhe
Published: April 2022

Angelica sinensis is a “low-temperature and long-day” perennial plant that produces bioactive compounds such as phthalides, organic acids, and polysaccharides for various types of clinical agents, including those with cardio-cerebrovascular, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulatory effects. To date, the regulatory mechanism of flowering under the photoperiod has been revealed, while the regulatory network of flowering genes during vernalization, especially in the role of lncRNAs, has yet to be identified. Here, lncRNAs associated with flowering were identified based on the full-length transcriptomic analysis of A. sinensis at vernalization and freezing temperatures, and the coexpressed mRNAs of lncRNAs were validated by qRT-PCR. We obtained a total of 2327 lncRNAs after assessing the protein-coding potential of coexpressed mRNAs, with 607 lncRNAs aligned against the TAIR database of model plant Arabidopsis, 345 lncRNAs identified, and 272 lncRNAs characterized on the SwissProt database. Based on the biological functions of coexpressed mRNAs, the 272 lncRNAs were divided into six categories: (1) chromatin, DNA/RNA and protein modification; (2) flowering; (3) stress response; (4) metabolism; (5) bio-signaling; and (6) energy and transport. The differential expression levels of representatively coexpressed mRNAs were almost consistent with the flowering of A. sinensis. It can be concluded that the flowering of A. sinensis is positively or negatively regulated by lncRNAs, which provides new insights into the regulation mechanism of the flowering of A. sinensis.
Sorption of 71 Pharmaceuticals to Powder Activated Carbon for Improved Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Hörsing Maritha , Andersen Henrik Rasmus , Grabic Roman , Jansen Jes la Cour , Ledin Anna
Published: April 2022

In this study, sorption distribution coefficients were determined for 71 pharmaceuticals, aiming to describe their sorption behavior to powder activated carbon (PAC). The data are expected to be applied when designing and upgrading wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) for improved removal of pharmaceuticals by applying sorption to PAC as an additional removal technique. Sorption isotherms were determined for the pharmaceuticals over a concentration interval covering a wide range from 0.08 to 10 µg/L using PAC at a concentration of 10 mg/L. The best fitted sorption isotherms were used to calculate the distribution coefficients (Kd) and these were applied to estimate that the PAC doses needed to achieve a target concentration of 10 ng/L in the effluent. A target concentration was used since neither discharge limit values nor environmental quality standards in general have been defined for these compounds. Using a %-removal approach does not guarantee achievement of concentrations low enough to protect the water ecosystems. Some of the pharmaceuticals will be reduced by the addition of small amounts of PAC. Examples are atenolol, carbamazepine, citalopram, codeine, fluoxetine and ibuprofen. For others, e.g., oxazepam, an alternative treatment has to be considered since the requested dose is too high to be realistic for a target concentration of 10 ng/L.
Access to Early Warning for Climate Change-Related Hazards in Informal Settlements of Accra, Ghana
Authors: Adams Ishmael , Ghosh Sumita , Runeson Goran
Published: April 2022

Climate change-related hazards will aggravate and impact differently on urban societies. Although early warning systems will be important for reducing the hazard risks in cities, the nature of early warning systems that are available to residents of informal settlements remains less understood. This paper aimed to assess the early warning systems through which informal dwellers reduce their hazard risks in an African city. Using Accra as the case, data were collected from 582 households using a structured questionnaire along with 25 institutional key informant interviews and 14 focus discussions with state and settlement actors in this study. Findings of the paper show that a mix of formal and informal early warning systems are utilized by residents of informal settlements, but the majority of them perceived state disaster management institutions as not performing optimally in their resident settlements. The nature of land ownership in the informal settlements influenced their political exclusion and state institutions’ decisions not to locate weather monitoring equipment in their settlements. Respondents without the security of land tenure perceived state disaster management institutions as not performing optimally, which negatively affects their capacity to respond to climate change-related hazards. The paper thus recommends the incorporation of informal early warning systems into city-wide hazard early warning systems through participatory planning in Accra and similar contexts. Future scholars may extend this discourse by examining the effect of the use of informal early warning systems on the uptake of formal hazard early warning sources in informal settlements.
Grating Structure Broadband Absorber Based on Gallium Arsenide and Titanium
Authors: Zhang Cai , Chen Yongheng , Yang Hua , Wang Shifa , Qin Feng , Liu Li , Yi Zao , Zhang Jianguo , Liu Chao , Wu Pinghui
Published: April 2022

We designed a broadband absorber based on a multilayer grating structure composed of gallium arsenide and titanium. The basic unit is a grating structure stacked on top of a semiconductor of gallium arsenide and titanium metal. We used the finite difference time domain method to simulate the designed model and found that the absorber absorption efficiency exceeded 90% in the range from 736 nm to 3171 nm. The absorption efficiency near perfect absorption at 867 nm was 99.69%. The structure had good angle insensitivity, and could maintain good absorption under both the TE mode and TM mode polarized light when the incident angle of the light source changed from 0° to 50°. This kind of metamaterial grating perfect absorber is expected to be widely used in optical fields such as infrared detection, optical sensing, and thermal electronics.
An In-Depth Analysis of CdTe Thin-Film Deposition on Ultra-Thin Glass Substrates via Close-Spaced Sublimation (CSS)
Authors: Amin Nowshad , Karim Mohammad Rezaul , ALOthman Zeid Abdullah
Published: April 2022

This study evaluated the impact of the deposition pressure on the formation of cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin films on ultra-thin (100 µm) Schott glass substrate at high temperature (T > 450 °C) by Close-Spaced Sublimation (CSS) technique. CdTe thin films were grown under the pressure range of 1 Torr to 200 Torr to explore the impact of deposition pressure on CdTe thin-film properties. The microstructural, compositional and optoelectrical characteristics were examined. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the cubic phase crystallite CdTe films with (111) preferential orientation. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) demonstrated that the CdTe morphology and grain size could be regulated via the deposition pressure, whereby maximum grain growth was detected at low pressure (1–5 Torr). The thickness of CdTe films was reduced from 6 µm to 1.5 µm with the rise in deposition pressure. Moreover, the optical direct energy gap was derived in the range of 1.65–1.69 eV for the pressure value of 200 Torr to 1 Torr. Carrier density and resistivity were found to be in the order of 1013 cm−3 and 104 Ω cm, respectively. The experimental results suggest that the pressure range of 1–5 Torr may be ideal for CSS-grown CdTe films on flexible ultra-thin glass (UTG) substrates.
Effects of Oil Phase on the Inversion of Pickering Emulsions Stabilized by Palmitic Acid Decorated Silica Nanoparticles
Authors: González-González Andrés , Sánchez-Arribas Natalia , Santini Eva , Rodríguez-Villafuerte José Luis , Carbone Carlo , Ravera Francesca , Ortega Francisco , Liggieri Libero , Rubio Ramón G. , Guzmán Eduardo
Published: April 2022

Pickering emulsions stabilized by the interaction of palmitic acid (PA) and silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) at the water/oil interface have been studied using different alkane oil phases. The interaction of palmitic acid and SiNPs has a strong synergistic character in relation to the emulsion stabilization, leading to an enhanced emulsion stability in relation to that stabilized only by the fatty acid. This results from the formation of fatty acid-nanoparticle complexes driven by hydrogen bond interactions, which favor particle attachment at the fluid interface, creating a rigid armor that minimizes droplet coalescence. The comparison of emulsions obtained using different alkanes as the oil phase has shown that the hydrophobic mismatch between the length of the alkane chain and the C16 hydrophobic chain of PA determines the nature of the emulsions, with the solubility of the fatty acid in the oil phase being a very important driving force governing the appearance of phase inversion.
Impact of Polymer Nanoparticles on DPPC Monolayer Properties
Authors: Bykov Alexey , Milyaeva Olga , Akentiev Alexander , Panaeva Maria , Isakov Nikolaj , Miller Reinhard , Noskov Boris
Published: April 2022

The application of surface rheology and Brewster angle microscopy on mixed monolayers of DPPC and polymeric nanoparticles (cationic and anionic) showed that the sign of the particle charge affects the dynamic properties of the monolayers less than the nanoparticles’ ability to aggregate. Under almost physiological conditions, the effect of nanoparticles on the elasticity of DPPC monolayer is insignificant. However, the particles prevent the surface tension from decreasing to extremely low values. This effect could affect the functionality of pulmonary surfactants.
A Stochastic Model for Determining Static Stability Margins in Electric Power Systems
Authors: Bulatov Yuri , Kryukov Andrey , Senko Vladislav , Suslov Konstantin , Sidorov Denis
Published: April 2022

This paper aims to develop a method for determining margins of static aperiodic stability for electric power systems equipped with distributed generation plants. To this end, we used generalized equations of limiting modes in a stochastic formulation. Computer simulation showed that the developed methodology can be used in solving problems of operational control of the modes of electric power systems. On the basis of the results obtained, we arrived at the following conclusions: the modified equations do not allow the iterative process to converge to a trivial solution and, therefore, they ensure high reliability of results when determining stability margins in a stochastic statement; a technique based on the introduction of an additional variable can be used to improve the convergence of computational processes when determining the stability margins in a deterministic statement; the parameters of the limiting modes obtained in the deterministic and stochastic formulations may significantly differ; with an increase in the variance of the load graphs, the risk of stability violation significantly increases; at the same time, the amount of the margin determined on the basis of the Euclidean norm remains overly optimistic; in the illustrative example, a significant increase in the risk of stability violation takes place during planned and emergency shutdowns of the EPS elements.
A Comprehensive DFT Investigation of the Adsorption of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons onto Graphene
Authors: Mehmeti Valbonë , Sadiku Makfire
Published: April 2022

To better understand graphene and its interactions with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), density-functional-theory (DFT) computations were used. Adsorption energy is likely to rise with the number of aromatic rings in the adsorbates. The DFT results revealed that the distance between the PAH molecules adsorbed onto the G ranged between 2.47 and 3.98 Å depending on the structure of PAH molecule. The Non-Covalent Interactions (NCI) plot supports the concept that van der Waals interactions were involved in PAH adsorption onto the Graphene (G) structure. Based on the DFT-calculated adsorption energy data, a rapid and reliable method employing an empirical model of a quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) was created and validated for estimating the adsorption energies of PAH molecules onto graphene.
Window-Based Multi-Objective Optimization for Dynamic Patient Scheduling with Problem-Specific Operators
Authors: Mahmed Ali Nader , Kahar M. N. M.
Published: April 2022

The problem of patient admission scheduling (PAS) is a nondeterministic polynomial time (NP)-hard combinatorial optimization problem with numerous constraints. Researchers have divided the constraints of this problem into hard (i.e., feasible solution) and soft constraints (i.e., quality solution). The majority of research has dealt with PAS using integer linear programming (ILP) and single objective meta-heuristic searching-based approaches. ILP-based approaches carry high computational demand and the risk of non-feasibility for a large dataset. In a single objective optimization, there is a risk of local minima due to the non-convexity of the problem. In this article, we present the first pareto front-based optimization for PAS using set of meta-heuristic approaches. We selected four multi-objective optimization methods. Problem-specific operators were developed for each of them. Next, we compared them with single objective optimization approaches, namely, simulated annealing and particle swarm optimization. In addition, this article also deals with the dynamical aspect of this problem by comparing historical window-based decomposition with day decomposition, as has previously been proposed in the literature. An evaluation of the models proposed in the article and comparison with traditional models reveals the superiority of our proposed multi-objective optimization with window incorporation in terms of optimality.
Production of Nanocellulose Film from Abaca Fibers
Authors: Lapuz Anniver , Tsuchikawa Satoru , Inagaki Tetsuya , Ma Te , Migo Veronica
Published: April 2022

Abaca fibers were subjected to a TEMPO mediated oxidation to extract nanocellulose on a 500 L capacity locally fabricated reactor. A yield of 46.7% white gel material with 2.23% solid content was obtained from an overnight reaction. Transmission electron microscopy scan of the white gel material confirms the production of relatively short highly individualized cellulose nanofibril (CNF) as the diameter of abaca fiber was reduced from 16.28 μm to 3.12 nm with fiber length in the range of 100 nm to 200 nm. Nanocellulose film was prepared using air drying (CNF-VC) and vacuum oven drying (CNF-OD). The effect of CNF concentration on the physical, morphological, thermal and mechanical properties were evaluated. FTIR spectra showed cellulose I spectra between abaca fiber with both the CNF-VC film and CNF-OD film with two distinct peaks at 1620 cm−1 and 1720 cm−1 attributed to the carboxyl group resulting from the TEMPO oxidation. In addition, the carboxyl group decreases in thermal stability of cellulose. Moreover, the XRD scan showed a decrease in crystallinity index of CNF films compared to abaca fibers. CNF-VC film showed the highest tensile strength at 0.4% concentration with 88.30 MPa, while a 89.72 MPa was observed for CNF-OD film at 0.8% concentration.
Elastic Metamaterials of Hexagonal Unit Cells with Double-Cone Arms from Pentamode to Band Gap at Low Frequencies
Authors: Li Qi , Zhang Mingquan
Published: April 2022

Metamaterials are artificial materials with properties that can be designed by man-made structures. Pentamode metamaterials only support compressional stresses at specific frequency ranges, and a band gap is a frequency range where no stresses are supported. In this paper, an elastic metamaterial with hexagonal unit cells is studied where pentamode bands or band gaps at low frequencies are obtained by varying the inner structures. The effects of structural and geometric parameters on the band width of pentamode bands or band gaps are analyzed. Simulations of materials composed of primitive cells with pentamode or band gap properties are conducted with harmonic stimulation based on the finite element method. The metamaterials can be applied as pentamode metamaterials or vibration isolation materials.
Fabrication of Q-Carbon Nanostructures, Diamond and Their Composites with Wafer-Scale Integration
Authors: Khosla Nayna , Narayan Jagdish
Published: April 2022

We report the formation of Q-carbon nanolayers, Q-carbon nanoballs, nanodiamonds, microdiamonds, and their composites by controlling laser and substrate variables. The choice of these parameters is guided by the SLIM (simulation of laser interactions with materials) computer modeling. For a constant film thickness and initial sp3 content, we obtain different microstructures with increasing pulse energy density as a result of different quenching rate and undercooling. This is related to decreasing undercooling with increasing pulse energy density. The structure of thin film Q-carbon evolves into Q-carbon nanoballs with the increase in laser annealing energy density. These Q-carbon nanoballs interestingly self-organize in the form of rings with embedded nanodiamonds to form Q-carbon nanoballs/diamond composites. We form high quality, epitaxial nano, and micro diamond films at a higher energy density and discuss a model showing undercooling and quenching rate generating a pressure pulse, which may play a critical role in a direct conversion of amorphous carbon into Q-carbon or diamond or their composites. This ability to selectively tune between diamond or Q-carbon or their composites on a single substrate is highly desirable for a variety of applications ranging from protective coatings to nanosensing and field emission to targeted drug delivery. Furthermore, Q-carbon nanoballs and nanodiamonds are utilized as seeds to grow microdiamond films by HFCVD. It is observed that the Q-carbon nanoballs contain diamond nuclei of critical size, which provide available nucleation sites for diamond growth, leading to stress-free, adherent, and denser films, which are needed for a variety of coating applications.
Fundamental Concepts, Knowledge Gaps and Key Concerns Relating to Welfare and Survival of Stranded Cetaceans
Authors: Boys Rebecca M. , Beausoleil Ngaio J. , Pawley Matthew D. M. , Littlewood Katherine E. , Betty Emma L. , Stockin Karen A.
Published: April 2022

Wildlife management can influence animal welfare and survival, although both are often not explicitly integrated into decision making. This study explores fundamental concepts and key concerns relating to the welfare and survival of stranded cetaceans. Using the Delphi method, the opinions of an international, interdisciplinary expert panel were gathered, regarding the characterisation of stranded cetacean welfare and survival likelihood, knowledge gaps and key concerns. Experts suggest that stranded cetacean welfare should be characterised based on interrelated aspects of animals’ biological function, behaviour, and mental state and the impacts of human interventions. The characterisation of survival likelihood should reflect aspects of stranded animals’ biological functioning and behaviour as well as a 6-month post-re-floating survival marker. Post-release monitoring was the major knowledge gap for survival. Welfare knowledge gaps related to diagnosing internal injuries, interpreting behavioural and physiological parameters, and euthanasia decision making. Twelve concerns were highlighted for both welfare and survival likelihood, including difficulty breathing and organ compression, skin damage and physical traumas, separation from conspecifics, and suffering and stress due to stranding and human intervention. These findings indicate inextricable links between perceptions of welfare state and the likely survival of stranded cetaceans and demonstrate a need to integrate welfare science alongside conservation biology to achieve effective, ethical management at strandings.
Effects of Exogenous Fibrolytic Enzyme Derived from Trichoderma reesei on Rumen Degradation Characteristics and Degradability of Low-Tannin Whole Plant Faba Bean Silage in Dairy Cows
Authors: Yang Jen-Chieh , Guevara-Oquendo Victor H. , Refat Basim , Yu Peiqiang
Published: April 2022

The objectives of this study were to (1) determine the effect of exogenous fibrolytic enzyme derived from Trichoderma reesei on dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) degradability of whole plant faba bean silage (Snowbird), (2) evaluate the effects of fibrolytic enzyme (FETR) on DM and NDF degradation kinetics of whole plant faba bean silage, and (3) compare the difference between in the vitro approach (DaisyII incubation method) and the in situ assay-biological approach (nylon bag technique) in the determination of degradability of dry matter (DMD) and neutral detergent fibre (NDFD). The fibrolytic enzyme from Trichoderma reesei was a mixture of xylanase and cellulase. The whole plant faba bean silage was treated with seven doses of fibrolytic enzyme, with 0 as a control and 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25 and 1.5 mL of FETR/kg DM of silage. The results obtained from the in situ method show that fibrolytic enzyme cubically (p < 0.05) affected DMD and quadratically (p < 0.01) affected NDFD with increasing level of enzyme application. In vitro DM and NDF degradability were quadratically and cubically (p < 0.01) affected by the increasing dosage of enzyme. Correlation analysis between the in situ assay-biological approach and the In vitro DaisyII approach showed a strong correlation (r = 0.98, p < 0.01) on overall DMD and also a satisfactory relationship (r = 0.84, p < 0.01) was found on overall NDFD. The enzyme application showed a great impact on NDF rumen degradation kinetics by decreasing the undegradable fraction and increasing the potential degradable fraction and the effective degradable content of fiber. The washable (W) and potential degradation fraction (D) were linearly (p = 0.05) increased by the enzyme treatments. Therefore, the undegradable fraction was linearly decreased (p = 0.05) with increasing dosage of enzyme. Both bypass (BNDF) and effective degradable NDF (EDNDF) were cubically (p = 0.05) affected by fibrolytic enzyme. In conclusion, the exogenous fibrolytic enzyme derived from Trichoderma reesei highly impacted rumen degradation characteristics and degradability of whole plant faba bean silage and could be used to improve fibre digestion of whole plant faba silage in dairy cows.
Dataset: Traffic Images Captured from UAVs for Use in Training Machine Vision Algorithms for Traffic Management
Authors: Bemposta Rosende Sergio , Ghisler Sergio , Fernández-Andrés Javier , Sánchez-Soriano Javier
Published: April 2022

A dataset of Spanish road traffic images taken from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) is presented with the purpose of being used to train artificial vision algorithms, among which those based on convolutional neural networks stand out. This article explains the process of creating the complete dataset, which involves the acquisition of the data and images, the labeling of the vehicles, anonymization, data validation by training a simple neural network model, and the description of the structure and contents of the dataset (which amounts to 15,070 images). The images were captured by drones (but would be similar to those that could be obtained by fixed cameras) in the field of intelligent vehicle management. The presented dataset is available and accessible to improve the performance of road traffic vision and management systems since there is a lack of resources in this specific domain.
Establishing an Appropriate Pressure for the Transparent Disc Method to Distinguish Early Pressure Injury and Blanchable Erythema
Authors: Chen Lu , Yuan Yuan , Takashi En , Kamijo Akio , Liang Jingyan , Fan Jianglin
Published: April 2022

Background: Non-blanchable erythema is used as a diagnostic indicator for stage 1 pressure injury (early PI); it is distinguished from blanchable erythema (BE) by the application of “light pressing”. Considering the low of the accuracy of the degree of pressure applied, it is difficult to use this method in clinical settings. Methods: We constructed models of BE and early PI in order to determine the most appropriate pressure values using the transparent disc method. We observed erythema by using a Dermo-camera to quantify the gray and a* values of the wound area along with a spectrophotometer. Results: BE started to fade at 50 mmHg, while the gray values became statistically significant when the pressure was increased to 100 mmHg (p < 0.05). However, erythema remained even when the pressure was increased to 150 mmHg soon after decompression. By contrast, the early PI was showed to be non-blanchable for the longest time under a pressure of 150 mmHg, but by 18 h it had decreased and the erythema faded more obviously after applying pressure. Conclusions: We proposed that a pressure of 50–100 mmHg was more appropriate for light pressure, but this may vary when different instruments are used. Variations may occur in either BE or early PI, therefore, careful attention should be paid during observations.
Colorimetric and Real-Time Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) for Detection of Loa loa DNA in Human Blood Samples
Authors: Febrer-Sendra Begoña , Fernández-Soto Pedro , Crego-Vicente Beatriz , Diego Juan García-Bernalt , Ta-Tang Thuy-Huong , Berzosa Pedro , Nguema Rufino , Ncogo Policarpo , Romay-Barja María , Herrador Zaida , Benito Agustín , Muro Antonio
Published: April 2022

Loiasis, caused by the filarial nematode Loa loa, is endemic in Central and West Africa. Loa loa has been associated with severe adverse reactions in high Loa-infected individuals receiving ivermectin during mass drug administration programs for the control of onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. Diagnosis of loiasis still depends on microscopy in blood samples, but this is not effective for large-scale surveys. New diagnostics methods for loiasis are urgently needed. Previously, we developed a colorimetric high-sensitive and species-specific LAMP for Loa loa DNA detection. Here, we evaluate it in a set of 100 field-collected clinical samples stored as dried blood spots. In addition, Loa loa-LAMP was also evaluated in real-time testing and compared with microscopy and a specific PCR/nested PCR. A simple saponin/Chelex-based method was used to extract DNA. Colorimetric and real-time LAMP assays detected more samples with microscopy-confirmed Loa loa and Loa loa/Mansonella perstans mixed infections than PCR/nested-PCR. Samples with the highest Loa loa microfilariae counts were amplified faster in real-time LAMP assays. Our Loa loa-LAMP could be a promising molecular tool for the easy, rapid and accurate screening of patients for loiasis in endemic areas with low-resource settings. The real-time testing (feasible in a handheld device) could be very useful to rule out high-microfilariae loads in infected patients.
Patellar Tracking in Total Knee Arthroplasty—Influence on Clinical and Functional Outcome
Authors: Dahlmann Sebastian , Ziegeler Katharina , Mau-Möller Anett , Mittelmeier Wolfram , Bergschmidt Philipp
Published: April 2022

Anterior knee pain is a common problem after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The aim of this study was to find parameters in patellar positioning which influence the clinical and functional outcome after TKA. Included were 59 patients who underwent TKA, of which three patients were treated bilaterally (n = 62 included knees). In a periodical follow-up of up to 5 years, each patient had to answer three questionnaires (HSS, WOMAC, SF-36) and underwent three radiographies of the knee (including merchant view) and a clinical examination, including Range Of Motion (ROM). All radiographs were evaluated by a single observer blinded to clinical data, who collected multiple parameters of sagittal and axial patellar alignment including newly developed methods for measuring patellar shift and tilt. Depending on the measurement results, three groups were built for each parameter and the influence on the outcome was determined. A lateral patellar tilt of more than 4° resulted in lower scores for both the HSS and WOMAC. The rarely investigated patellar facet angle showed a significantly inferior clinical and functional outcome in late follow-up of >24 months if lower than 142°, possibly due to progressive osteosclerotic changes of the patella caused by increased contact stress with corresponding patellar morphology. No significant difference was found for all other parameters. The newly developed method for measuring patellar shift has proven to be a valuable and easy instrument in the postoperative setting.
Quantum Information Entropies on Hyperbolic Single Potential Wells
Authors: Gil-Barrera Carlos Ariel , Santana Carrillo Raymundo , Sun Guo-Hua , Dong Shi-Hai
Published: April 2022

In this work, we study the quantum information entropies for two different types of hyperbolic single potential wells. We first study the behaviors of the moving particle subject to two different hyperbolic potential wells through focusing on their wave functions. The shapes of these hyperbolic potentials are similar, but we notice that their momentum entropy densities change along with the width of each potential and the magnitude of position entropy density decreases when the momentum entropy magnitude increases. On the other hand, we illustrate the behaviors of their position and momentum entropy densities. Finally, we show the variation of position and momentum entropies Sx and Sp with the change of the potential well depth u and verify that their sum still satisfies the BBM inequality relation.
Driving Technological Innovation through Intellectual Capital: Industrial Revolution in the Transportation Sector
Authors: Zemlyak Svetlana Vasilievna , Kiyashchenko Ludmila Timofeevna , Ganicheva Elena Victorovna
Published: April 2022

The purpose of this research is to investigate intellectual capital as a driver of technological innovation considering the industrial revolution in Russia’s transportation sector. The study was driven by the recent technological advancements in Russia’s transportation industry and the huge economic importance of the sector to the economy, showing the need to understand the progress achieved in the sector. The study was carried out using primary data collected from respondents in managerial positions in firms operating in the transportation sector. A total of 455 respondents were used, and data were collected using a structured closed-ended questionnaire. The fields of intellectual capital considered were structural, social, human, and relational capital. The model was evaluated using CFA, reliability, and validity tests, while the study hypotheses were tested using SEM. The results reveal that structural capital, social capital, human capital, and relational capital have a significant and positive influence on technological innovation in Russia’s transportation sector. Human and social capital was found to have the largest effect. The study recommends that, for firms to implement technological innovation, they should consider human capital, such as specialized knowledge, skills, expertise, experiences, and abilities embedded within organizations personnel, and social capital, such as effective communication, the laid down mechanisms of coordination and communications within the organization, human ties, trust, and relationships. They should also improve their absorptive technology capacity.
Educating Informal Educators
Authors: Alldred Pam , Howard Frances
Published: April 2022

As Youth and Community Work courses in Higher Education dwindle across the UK, following years of austerity and cuts to Youth Services, the diverse pedagogies of informal education are more needed than ever [...]