bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Defective Leukocyte β2 Integrin Expression and Reactive Oxygen Species Production in Neonates
Authors: Capolupo Irma , De Rose Domenico Umberto , Pascone Roberto , Danhaive Olivier , Orzalesi Marcello
Published: April 2022

Neonates are highly susceptible to bacterial infections, which represent a major source of mortality and morbidity in this age category. It is recognized that β2 integrins play a critical role in innate immunity by mediating leukocyte vascular adhesion, transmigration and bacterial phagocytosis. Therefore, we aimed to assess if the impaired immune functions seen in newborns may derive, in part, from a transient insufficient β2 integrin expression. In the present study we measured baseline lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1 or CD11a/CD18), macrophage-1 antigen (MAC-1 or CD11b/CD18) and leukocyte integrin p150-95 (CD11c/CD18) expression on cord blood, and on the third day of life in a cohort of 35 healthy neonates, compared with a control group of 12 healthy adults. For any of the three β2 integrins, the expression on polymorphonuclear cells was significantly lower on cord blood than in adults and increased from birth to day 3. We also compared superoxide radical (SR) production in these neonates with 28 non-smoking adults. SR production in response to integrin stimulation by Zymosan was significantly lower at birth than in adults, and it decreased further in the third day of life. These findings suggest that innate immune impairment in newborns may be, in part, accounted for by a lower β2 integrin expression on phagocytes in the neonatal period, but also by a functional impairment of free radical production.
Chrysophanol Suppresses Cell Growth via mTOR/PPAR-α Regulation and ROS Accumulation in Cultured Human Tongue Squamous Carcinoma SAS Cells
Authors: Hsu Po-Chih , Hsu Chia-Chen , Hsia Yi-Jan , Kuo Chan-Yen
Published: April 2022

Oral cancer, a type of head and neck cancer, can pose a significant risk of death unless diagnosed and treated early. Alternative treatments are urgently needed owing to the high mortality rate, limitations of conventional treatments, and many complications. The anthraquinone compound chrysophanol acts as a tumor suppressor on some types of cancer cells. To date, it has not been clarified how chrysophanol affects human tongue squamous carcinoma. This study was aimed to examine the effects of chrysophanol on oral cancer treatment. The results show that chrysophanol caused cell death, reduced the expression of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-α), and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. We also used two ion chelators, deferoxamine (DFO) and liproxstatin-1 (Lipro), to further determine whether chrysophanol inhibits cell growth and regulates mTOR/PPAR-α expression and ROS production, both of which are involved in iron homeostasis. The results show that DFO and Lipro reversed the increase in cell death, downregulation of mTOR/PPAR-α, and decrease in ROS accumulation. In conclusion, chrysophanol inhibits the growth of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells by modulating mTOR/PPAR-α and by causing ROS accumulation.
Eggshell and Walnut Shell in Unburnt Clay Blocks
Authors: Jannat Nusrat , Latif Al-Mufti Rafal , Hussien Aseel
Published: April 2022

Agricultural residues/by-products have become a popular choice for the manufacturing of building materials due to their cost-effectiveness and environmental friendliness, making them a viable option for achieving sustainability in the construction sector. This study addresses the utilisation of two agro-wastes, i.e., eggshell and walnut shell, in the manufacture of unburnt clay blocks. The experiments were carried out on three series of samples in which first eggshell (10–50%) and walnut shell (5–20%) were incorporated individually and then combined (5% walnut, 10–30% eggshell) in the mixture to assess their influences on the physical and mechanical properties of the unburnt clay blocks. This study performed the following tests: Density, capillary water absorption, linear shrinkage, flexural and compressive strength. The results indicated that eggshell enhanced the strength relative to the control sample when the materials were employed individually, but walnut shell lowered it. Moreover, combining the two materials in the mixer reduced the strength of the samples even further. Nevertheless, the inclusion of the waste materials decreased the density, capillary water absorption coefficient and linear shrinkage of the samples. The findings indicate that eggshell has great potential for unburnt clay block manufacture. However, walnut shell integration needs further research.
Mike 21 Model Based Numerical Simulation of the Operation Optimization Scheme of Sedimentation Basin
Authors: Yan Jun , Chen Meng , Xu Linjuan , Liu Qingyan , Shi Hongling , He Na
Published: April 2022

The sedimentation basin is an important part of hydraulic engineering. Because the prototype size is too large and not easy to analyze, Mike 21 has the advantages of easy input, conversion, analysis, and demonstration of data results, which are flexible and convenient; however, this method has not been used in hydraulic engineering by previous researchers. This research used the sedimentation basin of the Yellow River Diversion Project as the research object, and a simulation model of the sedimentation basin channel #1 was developed using Mike 21 software to analyze its water and sediment characteristics and conditions in different periods. Using numerical simulation methods, three types of sedimentation basin operation schemes were targeted, the sedimentation changes and sedimentation law of channel #1 were evaluated in each scheme, and the sedimentation effects were compared. The results show that in conditions of different incoming water and sediment and diversion timings during the flood and non-flood seasons, the sedimentation basin adopts an operation scheme to lower the outlet water level, and the siltation volumes are 180,000 and 150,000 m3 lower than the high-outlet water levels, respectively. Moreover, its siltation status is significantly improved, which can effectively extend the service life of the sedimentation basin, prolong the period of silting removal by about 3.5 months, and provide a scientific basis and reference for the optimization of the operation mode of the sedimentation basin in other types of hydraulic engineering.
Biopaper Based on Ultralong Hydroxyapatite Nanowires and Cellulose Fibers Promotes Skin Wound Healing by Inducing Angiogenesis
Authors: Gao Jing , Hao Liang-Shi , Ning Bing-Bing , Zhu Yuan-Kang , Guan Ju-Bo , Ren Hui-Wen , Yu Han-Ping , Zhu Ying-Jie , Duan Jun-Li
Published: April 2022

Skin injury that is difficult to heal caused by various factors remains a major clinical challenge. Hydroxyapatite (HAP) has high potential for wound healing owing to its high biocompatibility and adequate angiogenic ability, while traditional HAP materials are not suitable for wound dressing due to their high brittleness and poor mechanical properties. To address this challenge, we developed a novel wound dressing made of flexible ultralong HAP nanowire-based biopaper. This biopaper is flexible and superhydrophilic, with suitable tensile strength (2.57 MPa), high porosity (77%), and adequate specific surface area (36.84 m2·g−1) and can continuously release Ca2+ ions to promote the healing of skin wounds. Experiments in vitro and in vivo show that the ultralong HAP nanowire-based biopaper can effectively induce human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) treated with hypoxia and rat skin tissue to produce more angiogenic factors. The as-prepared biopaper can also enhance the proliferation, migration, and in vitro angiogenesis of HUVECs. In addition, the biopaper can promote the rat skin to achieve thicker skin re-epithelialization and the formation of new blood vessels, and thus promote the healing of the wound. Therefore, the ultralong HAP nanowire-based biopaper has the potential to be a safe and effective wound dressing and has significant clinical application prospects.
Application of Metal Nanoparticles for Production of Self-Sterilizing Coatings
Authors: Góral Dariusz , Góral-Kowalczyk Małgorzata
Published: April 2022

Metal nanoparticles (NPs) are increasingly being used in many areas, e.g., industry, pharmacy, and biomedical engineering. NPs can be obtained through chemical and biological synthesis or using physical methods. AgNPs, AuNPs, CuNPs, FeNPs, MgNPs, SnO2NPs, TiO2NPs, and ZnONPs are the most commonly synthesized metal nanoparticles. Many of them have anti-microbial properties and documented activity supported by many tests against some species of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and fungi. AgNPs, which are used for the production of commercial self-sterilizing packages, are one of the best-explored nanoparticles. Moreover, the EFSA has approved the use of small doses of silver nanoparticles (0.05 mg Ag·kg−1) to food products. Recent studies have shown that metal NPs can be used for the production of coatings to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has caused the global pandemic. Some nanoparticles (e.g., ZnONPs and MgONPs) have the Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status, i.e., they are considered safe for consumption and can be used for the production of edible coatings, protecting food against spoilage. Promising results have been obtained in research on the use of more than one type of nanometals, which prevents the development of pathogen resistance through various mechanisms of inactivation thereof.
Thermal Analysis Tools for Physico-Chemical Characterization and Optimization of Perfluorocarbon Based Emulsions and Bubbles Formulated for Ultrasound Imaging
Authors: Corvis Yohann , Rosa Frédéric , Tran Minh-Tien , Renault Gilles , Mignet Nathalie , Crauste-Manciet Sylvie , Espeau Philippe
Published: April 2022

Self-emulsifying microbubbles, especially designed to increase the contrast of ultrasound images by the inclusion of perfluorocarbon molecules, have been studied by thermal analysis techniques. The microbubbles were made of a blend of gas (20%), surfactants (50%) and water (30%). The surfactants were mixtures of polysorbate-85, Span-80, poloxamer 188, glycerol and fluorinated surfactant (Zonyl®). Microbubbles have been characterized by means of diffusion light scattering and optical imaging. The effect of Zonyl® on encapsulation rate, as well as gas vaporization temperature and gas release temperature, has been assessed by means of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analyses (TGA). Microscopy and laser granulometry techniques have been also carried out for each formulation in order to determine the number of microbubbles and their size, respectively. Moreover, stability of the emulsions has been evaluated by DSC and confronted with the results obtained from the ultrasound experiments. Average microbubble concentrations of 7.2 × 107 and 8.9 × 107 per mL were obtained for perfluorohexane and perfluoropentane based emulsions, respectively. The present study demonstrates that the amount of encapsulated perfluorocarbon increases and the gas evaporation temperature decreases with the concentration of Zonyl®. Furthermore, the best ultrasound contrast images have been obtained in vitro with the samples containing the lowest Zonyl® concentration. An explication regarding the role of Zonyl® in the emulsion/microbubbles preparations is proposed here in order to optimize self-emulsifying microbubble formulation for pharmaceutical development.
Superconductivity in the α-Form Layer Structured Metal Nitride Halide
Authors: Tanaka Masashi , Kataoka Noriyuki , Yokoya Takayoshi
Published: April 2022

Layered metal nitride halides MNX (M = Ti, Zr, Hf; X = Cl, Br, I) have two polymorphs, including α- and β-forms, which have the FeOCl and SmSI structures, respectively. These compounds are band insulators and become metals and show superconductivity after electron doping by intercalating alkali metals between the layers. The superconductivity of β-form had been extensively characterized from decades ago, but it is not easy to consistently interpret all experimental results using conventional phonon-mediated Bardeen–Cooper–Schriefer mechanisms. The titanium compound TiNCl crystallizes only in the α-form structure. TiNCl also exhibits superconductivity as high as ~16 K after electron doping by intercalating metals and/or organic basis. It is important to compare the superconductivity of different M–N networks. However, α-form compounds are vulnerable to moisture, unlike β-form ones. The intercalation compounds are even more sensitive to humid air. Thus, there are few experimental studies on the superconducting mechanism of α-form, although it has been discussed for exotic Cooper-pairing mechanisms. This short review gathers the recent progress in experimental studies of TiNCl.
Benchmark Analysis of YOLO Performance on Edge Intelligence Devices
Authors: Feng Haogang , Mu Gaoze , Zhong Shida , Zhang Peichang , Yuan Tao
Published: April 2022

In the 5G intelligent edge scenario, more and more accelerator-based single-board computers (SBCs) with low power consumption and high performance are being used as edge devices to run the inferencing part of the artificial intelligence (AI) model to deploy intelligent applications. In this paper, we investigate the inference workflow and performance of the You Only Look Once (YOLO) network, which is the most popular object detection model, in three different accelerator-based SBCs, which are NVIDIA Jetson Nano, NVIDIA Jetson Xavier NX and Raspberry Pi 4B (RPi) with Intel Neural Compute Stick2 (NCS2). Different video contents with different input resize windows are detected and benchmarked by using four different versions of the YOLO model across the above three SBCs. By comparing the inference performance of the three SBCs, the performance of RPi + NCS2 is more friendly to lightweight models. For example, the FPS of detected videos from RPi + NCS2 running YOLOv3-tiny is 7.6 times higher than that of YOLOv3. However, in terms of detection accuracy, we found that in the process of realizing edge intelligence, how to better adapt a AI model to run on RPi + NCS2 is much more complex than the process of Jetson devices. The analysis results indicate that Jetson Nano is a trade-off SBCs in terms of performance and cost; it achieves up to 15 FPSs of detected videos when running YOLOv4-tiny, and this result can be further increased by using TensorRT.
Structure Strength Correction Value for Concrete’s Mix Proportion Strength Using Low-Quality Recycled Aggregate
Authors: Dosho Yasuhiro
Published: April 2022

To develop a design method for concrete using low-quality recycled aggregates, an experimental study was conducted on applicability to examine the structural strength correction value (S value) and calculation of mix proportion strength of recycled aggregate concrete-Class M, which used recycled aggregate class L mixing with the normal aggregate. Cement used in the experiment was ordinary Portland cement (in this case, fly ash type II was used as a fine aggregate substitute), Portland blast-furnace slag cement type B, and low-heat Portland cement. As a result, the mix proportion strength of recycled aggregate concrete-Class M could be determined using the S value according to JASS 5 (2018) as normal-weight concrete.
Mode-Locked YDFL Using Topological Insulator Bismuth Selenide Nanosheets as the Saturable Absorber
Authors: Haris Hazlihan , Batumalay Malathy , Tan Sin Jin , Markom Arni Munira , Muhammad Ahmad Razif , Harun Sulaiman Wadi , Megat Hasnan Megat Muhammad Ikhsan , Saad Ismail
Published: April 2022

Fiber lasers have long remained relevant for various applications worldwide in many industries. This paper presents a mode-locked ytterbium-doped fiber laser (YDFL) using our home-made topological insulator Bi2Se3 nanosheets (TI Bi2Se3) as the saturable absorber. The fabricated TI Bi2Se3 is transported to the end of the fiber ferrule using an optical deposition process, which is a key ingredient for initiating a pulsed fiber laser. With a pump power of 211.1 mW, the captured repetition rate and pulse width are 8.3 MHz and 6.2 ns, respectively. The length of the setup configuration is approximately 20 m, which corresponds to an output power measurement of 12.4 mW with a calculated pulse energy of 1.5 nJ. There are no significant Kelly sidebands, but the strong stability of the pulsed laser is defined by a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of around 60.35 dB.
Monte Carlo Simulations of the Metal-Directed Self-Assembly of Y-Shaped Positional Isomers
Authors: Nieckarz Karolina , Nieckarz Damian
Published: April 2022

The rational fabrication of low-dimensional materials with a well-defined topology and functions is an incredibly important aspect of nanotechnology. In particular, the on-surface synthesis (OSS) methods based on the bottom-up approach enable a facile construction of sophisticated molecular architectures unattainable by traditional methods of wet chemistry. Among such supramolecular constructs, especially interesting are the surface-supported metal–organic networks (SMONs), composed of low-coordinated metal atoms and π-aromatic bridging linkers. In this work, the lattice Monte Carlo (MC) simulation technique was used to extract the chemical information encoded in a family of Y-shaped positional isomers co-adsorbed with trivalent metal atoms on a flat metallic surface with (111) geometry. Depending on the intramolecular distribution of active centers (within the simulated molecular bricks, we observed a metal-directed self-assembly of two-dimensional (2D) openwork patterns, aperiodic mosaics, and metal–organic ladders. The obtained theoretical findings could be especially relevant for the scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) experimentalists interested in a surface-assisted construction of complex nanomaterials stabilized by directional coordination bonds.
Effect of Hermaphrodite–Gynomonoecious Sexual System and Pollination Mode on Fitness of Early Life History Stages of Offspring in a Cold Desert Perennial Ephemeral
Authors: Mamut Jannathan , Cheng Junhui , Tan Dunyan , Baskin Carol C. , Baskin Jerry M.
Published: April 2022

Gynomonoecy, the occurrence of both pistillate (female) and perfect (hermaphroditic) flowers on the same plant, has received little attention compared to gynodioecy and other plant sexual systems. Eremurus anisopterus is a perennial ephemeral in the cold desert of northwest China with a hermaphrodite–gynomonoecious sexual system in the same population. The primary aim of this study was to compare the early life history traits and inbreeding depression between progeny from pistillate and hermaphrodite flowers in hermaphrodites and gynomonoecious individuals. All of the traits of progeny from outcrossed pistillate flowers on gynomonoecious plants were significantly greater than for other pollination types. Selfing (vs. outcrossing) resulted in a decrease in all traits, indicating inbreeding depression (ID) during early life history stages of gynomonoecious and hermaphroditic plants. ID for seed mass, seed germination and seedling survivorship under water stress for pistillate flowers on gynomonoecious plants was significantly higher than it was for hermaphrodite flowers on both gynomonoecious and hermaphrodite plants. The advantage of the offspring of pistillate (vs. hermaphrodite) flowers may contribute to the maintenance of gynomonoecy in E. anisopterus in its cold desert sand dune habitat.
Genomic Characterization of SNPs for Genetic Differentiation and Selection in Populations from the American Oil Palm [Elaeis oleifera (Kunth) Cortés] Germplasm Bank from Brazil
Authors: Leão André , Filho Jaire , Pereira Valquiria , Alves Alexandre , Souza Júnior Manoel
Published: April 2022

In this study, we used SNP markers to access the genetic components occurrence of genetic differentiation resulting from the selection processes applied to collect and maintain the germplasm bank of Elaeis oleifera (Kunth) Cortés from the Brazilian Amazon rainforest. A set of 1667 higher quality SNPs—derived from a previous GBS study—was used for genomic characterization and calculation of genetic parameters. There is differentiation in the distribution of alleles between populations for 78.52% of the tested loci. Genotypic diversity test results indicated strong evidence of genotypic differentiation between populations. Sixteen out of the nineteen tested deviated significantly from the expected allele frequencies in HWE, reinforcing the hypothesis that there was maybe a selection in the evaluated populations. A group of 568 loci with a higher probability of being under selection effects were selected, both directional and stabilizing. In total, 1546 and 1274 SNPs aligned in the genomes of E. oleifera and E. guineensis Jacq., respectively. These markers showed a wide distribution throughout the genome of the two species. In conclusion, the E. oleifera GB from the Brazilian Amazon rainforest has specific genetic structures and good genetic variability within populations.
Dataset: Variable Message Signal Annotated Images for Object Detection
Authors: Puertas Enrique , De-Las-Heras Gonzalo , Sánchez-Soriano Javier , Fernández-Andrés Javier
Published: April 2022

This publication presents a dataset consisting of Spanish road images taken from inside a vehicle, as well as annotations in XML files in PASCAL VOC format that indicate the location of Variable Message Signals within them. Additionally, a CSV file is attached with information regarding the geographic position, the folder where the image is located and the text in Spanish. This can be used to train supervised learning computer vision algorithms such as convolutional neural networks. Throughout this work, the process followed to obtain the dataset, image acquisition and labeling and its specifications are detailed. The dataset constitutes 1216 instances, 888 positives and 328 negatives, in 1152 jpg images with a resolution of 1280 × 720 pixels. These are divided into 756 real images and 756 images created from the data-augmentation technique. The purpose of this dataset is to help in road computer vision research since there is not one specifically for VMSs.
Routine Tracheal Intubation and Meconium Suctioning in Non-Vigorous Neonates with Meconium-Stained Amniotic Fluid: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Dikou Maria , Xanthos Theodoros , Dimitropoulos Ioannis , Iliodromiti Zoi , Sokou Rozeta , Kafalidis Georgios , Boutsikou Theodora , Iacovidou Nicoletta
Published: April 2022

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is the comparison of endotracheal intubation and suctioning to immediate resuscitation without intubation of non-vigorous infants > 34 weeks’ gestation delivered through meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF). Randomized, non-randomized clinical trials and observational studies were included. Data sources were PubMed/Medline and Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials, from 2012 to 2021. Inclusion criteria were non-vigorous infants born through MSAF with gestational age > 34 weeks and sample size ≥ 5. We calculated overall relative risks (RR) and mean differences (MD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) to determine the impact of endotracheal suction (ETS) in non-vigorous infants born through MSAF. The outcomes presented are the incidence of neonatal mortality, meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), transient tachypnea, need for positive pressure ventilation, respiratory support, persistent pulmonary hypertension treatment, neonatal infection, ischemic encephalopathy, admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and the duration of hospitalization between ETS and non-ETS group. Six studies with a total sample of 1026 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Statistically non-significant difference was observed in RR between two groups with regards to mortality (1.22, 95% CI 0.73–2.04), occurrence of MAS (1.08, 95% CI 0.76–1.53) and other outcomes, and MD in hospitalization duration. There is no sufficient evidence to suggest initiating endotracheal suction soon after birth in non-vigorous meconium-stained infants as routine.
Loss of CXC-Chemokine Receptor 1 Expression in Chorioamnionitis Is Associated with Adverse Perinatal Outcomes
Authors: Wong Yin Ping , Wagiman Noorhafizah , Tan Jonathan Wei De , Hanim Barizah Syahirah , Rashidan Muhammad Syamil Hilman , Fong Kai Mun , Norhazli Naufal Naqib , Qrisha Yashini , Shah Raja Norazah Raja Alam , Mustangin Muaatamarulain , Zakaria Haliza , Chin Siew Xian , Tan Geok Chin
Published: April 2022

Background: Chorioamnionitis complicates about 1–5% of deliveries at term and causes about one-third of stillbirths. CXC-chemokine receptor 1 (CXCR1) binds IL-8 with high affinity and regulates neutrophil recruitment. We aimed to determine the immunoexpression of CXCR1 in placentas with chorioamnionitis, and its association with adverse perinatal outcomes. Methods: A total of 101 cases of chorioamnionitis and 32 cases of non-chorioamnionitis were recruited over a period of 2 years. CXCR1 immunohistochemistry was performed, and its immunoexpression in placentas was evaluated. The adverse perinatal outcomes included intrauterine death, poor APGAR score, early neonatal death, and respiratory complications. Results: Seventeen cases (17/101, 16.8%) with chorioamnionitis presented as preterm deliveries. Lung complications were more common in mothers who were >35 years (p = 0.003) and with a higher stage in the foetal inflammatory response (p = 0.03). Notably, 24 cases (23.8%) of histological chorioamnionitis were not detected clinically. Interestingly, the loss of CXCR1 immunoexpression in the umbilical cord endothelial cells (UCECs) was significantly associated with foetal death (p = 0.009). Conclusion: The loss of CXCR1 expression in UCECs was significantly associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes and could be used as a biomarker to predict adverse perinatal outcomes in chorioamnionitis. Further study is warranted to study the pathophysiology involved in the failure of CXCR1 expression in these cells.
Relationship between Biodistribution and Tracer Kinetics of 11C-Erlotinib, 18F-Afatinib and 11C-Osimertinib and Image Quality Evaluation Using Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Analysis in Advanced Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients
Authors: van de Stadt Eveline Annette , Yaqub Maqsood , Schuit Robert C. , Bartelink Imke H. , Leeuwerik Anke F. , Schwarte Lothar A. , de Langen Adrianus J. , Hendrikse Harry , Bahce Idris
Published: April 2022

Background: Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) driven by activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are best treated with therapies targeting EGFR, i.e., tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). Radiolabeled EGFR-TKI and PET have been investigated to study EGFR-TKI kinetics and its potential role as biomarker of response in NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations (EGFRm). In this study we aimed to compare the biodistribution and kinetics of three different EGFR-TKI, i.e., 11C-erlotinib, 18F-afatinib and 11C-osimertinib. Methods: Data of three prospective studies and 1 ongoing study were re-analysed; data from thirteen patients (EGFRm) were included for 11C-erlotinib, seven patients for 18F-afatinib (EGFRm and EGFR wild type) and four patients for 11C-osimertinib (EGFRm). From dynamic and static scans, SUV and tumor-to-blood (TBR) values were derived for tumor, lung, spleen, liver, vertebra and, if possible, brain tissue. AUC values were calculated using dynamic time-activity-curves. Parent fraction, plasma-to-blood ratio and SUV values were derived from arterial blood data. Tumor-to-lung contrast was calculated, as well as (background) noise to assess image quality. Results: 11C-osimertinib showed the highest SUV and TBR (AUC) values in nearly all tissues. Spleen uptake was notably high for 11C-osimertinib and to a lesser extent for 18F-afatinib. For EGFRm, 11C-erlotinib and 18F-afatinib demonstrated the highest tumor-to-lung contrast, compared to an inverse contrast observed for 11C-osimertinib. Tumor-to-lung contrast and spleen uptake of the three TKI ranked accordingly to the expected lysosomal sequestration. Conclusion: Comparison of biodistribution and tracer kinetics showed that 11C-erlotinib and 18F-afatinib demonstrated the highest tumor-to-background contrast in EGFRm positive tumors. Image quality, based on contrast and noise analysis, was superior for 11C-erlotinib and 18F-afatinib (EGFRm) scans compared to 11C-osimertinib and 18F-afatinib (EGFR wild type) scans.
Myocardial Infarction in Children after COVID-19 and Risk Factors for Thrombosis
Authors: Cinteză Eliza , Voicu Cristiana , Filip Cristina , Ioniță Mihnea , Popescu Monica , Bălgrădean Mihaela , Nicolescu Alin , Mahmoud Hiyam
Published: April 2022

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in children is rather anecdotic. However, following COVID-19, some conditions may develop which may favor thrombosis, myocardial infarction, and death. Such a condition is Kawasaki-like disease (K-lD). K-lD appears in children as a subgroup of the multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). In some cases, K-lD patients may develop giant coronary aneurysms. The evolution and characteristics of coronary aneurysms from K-lD appear to be different from classical Kawasaki disease (KD) aneurysms. Differences include a lower percentage of aneurysm formation than in non-COVID-19 KD, a smaller number of giant forms, a tendency towards aneurysm regression, and fewer thrombotic events associated with AMI. We present here a review of the literature on the thrombotic risks of post-COVID-19 coronary aneurysms, starting from a unique clinical case of a 2-year-old boy who developed multiple coronary aneurysms, followed by AMI. In dehydration conditions, 6 months after COVID-19, the boy developed anterior descending artery occlusion and a slow favorable outcome of the AMI after thrombolysis. This review establishes severity criteria and risk factors that predispose to thrombosis and AMI in post-COVID-19 patients. These may include dehydration, thrombophilia, congenital malformations, chronic inflammatory conditions, chronic kidney impairment, acute cardiac failure, and others. All these possible complications should be monitored during acute illness. Ischemic heart disease prevalence in children may increase in the post-COVID-19 era, due to an association between coronary aneurysm formation, thrombophilia, and other risk factors whose presence will make a difference in long-term prognosis.
Prenatal Sonographic Features of Ring Chromosome 15: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Traisrisilp Kuntharee , Yanase Yuri , Phirom Krittaya , Tongsong Theera
Published: April 2022

Ring chromosome 15, a rare genetic disease, is very rarely prenatally diagnosed. We present a unique case of fetal ring chromosome 15 with ultrasound findings at 32 weeks of gestation including congenital diaphragmatic hernia, hypoplasia of the aorta with persistent left SVC, growth restriction, clubfeet and scoliosis. We also performed an analytical literature review of prenatal sonographic findings of the disease. This review suggests that ring chromosome 15 has a relatively specific sonographic pattern that could facilitate early detection. The specific sonographic features of ring chromosome 15 include fetal growth restriction, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, abnormal limb postures, cardiac defects, low-set ears and other less frequent, non-specific anomalies that can be identified in more than 50% of cases.
Soluble Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 as a Prognostic Biomarker for Disease Progression in Patients Infected with SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Díaz-Troyano Noelia , Gabriel-Medina Pablo , Weber Stephen , Klammer Martin , Barquín-DelPino Raquel , Castillo-Ribelles Laura , Esteban Angels , Hernández-González Manuel , Ferrer-Costa Roser , Pumarola Tomas , Rodríguez-Frías Francisco
Published: April 2022

Predicting disease severity in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 is difficult. Soluble angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (sACE2) arises from the shedding of membrane ACE2 (mACE2), which is a receptor for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. We evaluated the predictive value of sACE2 compared with known biomarkers of inflammation and tissue damage (CRP, GDF-15, IL-6, and sFlt-1) in 850 patients with and without SARS-CoV-2 with different clinical outcomes. For univariate analyses, median differences between biomarker levels were calculated for the following patient groups (classified by clinical outcome): RT-PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 positive (Groups 1–4); RT-PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 negative following previous SARS-CoV-2 infection (Groups 5 and 6); and ‘SARS-CoV-2 unexposed’ patients (Group 7). Median levels of CRP, GDF-15, IL-6, and sFlt-1 were significantly higher in hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 compared with discharged patients (all p < 0.001), whereas levels of sACE2 were significantly lower (p < 0.001). ROC curve analysis of sACE2 provided cut-offs for predicting hospital admission (≤0.05 ng/mL (positive predictive value: 89.1%) and ≥0.42 ng/mL (negative predictive value: 84.0%)). These findings support further investigation of sACE2, as a single biomarker or as part of a panel, to predict hospitalization risk and disease severity in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Dietetics—A New Open Access Journal
Authors: Arjmandi Bahram H.
Published: April 2022

Food is inarguably a vital key to our survival as humans [...]
Prevalence of Moderate to Severe Periodontitis in an 18–19th Century Sample—St. Bride’s Lower Churchyard (London, UK)
Authors: Al-Mutairi Ruqayah , Liversidge Helen , Gillam David Geoffrey
Published: April 2022

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of moderate to severe periodontitis in 18–19th century skulls in the St Bride’s Lower Churchyard in London, UK. Materials and methods: A total of 105 adult skulls (66 M: F 39) from the Museum of London collection were examined for evidence of dental disease. The primary method was to measure the presence of moderate to severe periodontitis. Other dental pathologies were recorded such as tooth wear, calculus, and caries. Results: Overall, the prevalence of moderate to severe periodontitis in the sample was 21–24%. Males were observed to be more susceptible to periodontal disease than females. The severity of bone loss in the skull collection also increased with age. There was no significant difference in the amount of calculus deposition when comparing either age or sex. A total of 14% of the individuals in the sample showed signs of smoking. Conclusion: The results of the study indicated that the prevalence of moderate to severe periodontitis in an 18–19th century skull sample was 21–24%, which was higher than in previous studies. This may be due to the lack of basic personal mouth care and professional dental treatment as well as known risk factors such as smoking, stress, low socioeconomic status, and malnutrition.
Maximizing Student Clinical Communication Skills in Dental Education—A Narrative Review
Authors: Moore Rod
Published: April 2022

Dental student training in clinical communication skills and behavioral aspects of treatment are lauded as clinically meaningful in the dental education literature. However, many dental school curricula still only provide didactic, one-time coursework with multiple choice examination assessment and little or no student skill-activating activities. This article aims to review literature relevant to optimizing clinical communication and behavioral skills in dental education. The review summarizes findings of several relevant reviews and usable models to focus on four themes: (1) special characteristics of dentistry relevant to communication skill needs, (2) essential components of dental student learning of communications skills, (3) clinical consultation guides or styles and (4) optimal curricular structure for communication learning effectiveness. Contexts of communications in the dental chair differ from medical and other allied health professions, given the current mostly dentist-dominant and patient-passive relationships. Patient-centered communication should be trained. Dental students need more practical learning in active listening and patient-centered skills including using role-play, videotaping and ultimately, real patient training. Medical consultation guides are often unwieldy and impractical in many dental contexts, so a shortened guide is proposed. Communication skills need to be learned and taught with the same rigor as other core dental skills over the entire course of the dental curriculum.
Stochastic Density Functional Theory on Lane Formation in Electric-Field-Driven Ionic Mixtures: Flow-Kernel-Based Formulation
Authors: Frusawa Hiroshi
Published: April 2022

Simulation and experimental studies have demonstrated non-equilibrium ordering in driven colloidal suspensions: with increasing driving force, a uniform colloidal mixture transforms into a locally demixed state characterized by the lane formation or the emergence of strongly anisotropic stripe-like domains. Theoretically, we have found that a linear stability analysis of density dynamics can explain the non-equilibrium ordering by adding a non-trivial advection term. This advection arises from fluctuating flows due to non-Coulombic interactions associated with oppositely driven migrations. Recent studies based on the dynamical density functional theory (DFT) without multiplicative noise have introduced the flow kernel for providing a general description of the fluctuating velocity. Here, we assess and extend the above deterministic DFT by treating electric-field-driven binary ionic mixtures as the primitive model. First, we develop the stochastic DFT with multiplicative noise for the laning phenomena. The stochastic DFT considering the fluctuating flows allows us to determine correlation functions in a steady state. In particular, asymptotic analysis on the stationary charge-charge correlation function reveals that the above dispersion relation for linear stability analysis is equivalent to the pole equation for determining the oscillatory wavelength of charge–charge correlations. Next, the appearance of stripe-like domains is demonstrated not only by using the pole equation but also by performing the 2D inverse Fourier transform of the charge–charge correlation function without the premise of anisotropic homogeneity in the electric field direction.
Damage Control Surgery after Burn Injury: A Narrative Review
Authors: Rennekampff Hans-Oliver , Tenenhaus Mayer
Published: April 2022

Burn injuries with cutaneous loss result in a severe systemic response when profound injuries exceed 20% of the total body surface area. The management of severely burned patients is a complex and dynamic process. Timely and safe operative interventions are critical components of multidisciplinary care. Effective management of severely burned patients, their cutaneous injuries, and the associated systemic disease requires a comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiologic response to trauma, objective indicators of patient status, and an appreciation for the dynamic nature of these parameters. Progress in both clinical and basic science research has advanced our understanding of these concepts and our approach to the management of burn patients. Incorporating concepts such as early total care, damage control surgery (DCS), and safe definitive surgery (SDS) in the polytraumatized patient may further aid in optimizing outcomes and quality of care for burn patients. This article connects current knowledge of the lethal triad, inflammation, immunosuppression, and eschar-derived toxins, with surgical burn care, especially burn wound debridement. The concepts of DCS and SDS for the care and management of burn patients are strongly advocated. Experimental and clinical studies are encouraged to validate these concepts in an effort to optimize patient outcomes.
Measuring the Effect of the Misery Index on International Tourist Departures: Empirical Evidence from Mexico
Authors: Sánchez López Fernando
Published: April 2022

Tourism’s capacity to alleviate poverty is one of the most important subjects in tourism studies, as tourism is capable of boosting economic growth and generating employment. On the other hand, it is known that lack of income and unemployment have negative effects on outbound tourism; however, the relationship between outbound tourism and poverty has been understudied. In this paper, we compute a vector autoregressive (VAR) model to analyze the relationship between tourist departures from Mexico and a modified misery index to measure the effect of the loss of well-being, measured in terms of this index, on the number of outbound tourists. The results indicate that increases in the misery index have negative effects on the number of outbound tourists. Conversely, there is no statistically significant effect of tourist departures on the misery index. The results also suggest that the depreciation of the national currency exerts a positive effect on the misery index. Finally, based on the historical decomposition analysis, it was verified that the misery index was not closely related to outbound tourism during the first COVID-19 wave.
Technical Efficiency’s Nonparametric Analysis of Ecuadorian Saving and Credit Cooperatives before and during the Pandemic
Authors: Torres-Inga Carlos S. , Velasco-Heras Cristina , Juana A. Javier Aguirre-de , Guevara-Viera Guillermo E. , Guevara-Viera Raúl V.
Published: April 2022

Ecuador’s credit unions or COACs play a key role inside the local economy, and the pandemic period has shown the weakness of the entities. Understanding the efficiency of the country’s largest COACs and the different factors related to it can provide important information for policymakers and the sector in general. Therefore, our main goal was the evaluation of technical efficiency and the factors that influenced it during the years from 2009 to 2020 which included the pandemic period. For this, the DEA model was applied with production and intermediation focus, and this was applied to 19 COACs from the first segment of the sector. Findings reveal that the level of technical efficiency was larger in the pre-pandemic than the pandemic period. Efficient credit unions were characterized by higher profitability, low levels of liquidity and portfolio coverage, and a high rate of financial intermediation, among others, through the pre-pandemic period; however, debt restructuring was one the most important characteristics of nonefficient Credit Unions. The most important contribution of this study is the possible projection of different decisions that will allow the COACs to improve their role in the system given all the difficulties that the pandemic is causing around the world.
Simulating Electronic Absorption Spectra of Atmospherically Relevant Molecules: A Systematic Assignment for Enhancing Undergraduate STEM Education
Authors: Stelz-Sullivan Eleanor J. , Marchetti Barbara , Karsili Tolga
Published: April 2022

Computational and atmospheric chemistry are two important branches of contemporary chemistry. With the present topical nature of climate change and global warming, it is more crucial than ever that students are aware of and exposed to atmospheric chemistry, with an emphasis on how modeling may aid in understanding how atmospherically relevant chemical compounds interact with incoming solar radiation. Nonetheless, computational and atmospheric chemistry are under-represented in most undergraduate chemistry curricula. In this manuscript, we describe a simple and efficient method for simulating the electronic absorption spectral profiles of atmospherically relevant molecules that may be utilized in an undergraduate computer laboratory. The laboratory results give students hands-on experience in computational and atmospheric chemistry, as well as electronic absorption spectroscopy.
The Basic Cycles of Vocational Training: Student Satisfaction and Perceived Benefit
Authors: Martínez-Carmona María José , Gil del Pino Carmen , Álvarez-Castillo José Luis
Published: April 2022

This study aims to better understand students who attend Basic Vocational Training Cycles (Basic Professional Training, BTP) by implementing measures that ensure diversity. This quantitative research project approximated students’ perception of their passage through previous studies and their satisfaction and goals after finishing the school year. The sample consisted of 352 students from Cordoba (Spain). A questionnaire was used that follows the CIPP model. After exploratory factor analysis was completed with different groups of items and their descriptive analyses, various tests were carried out to consider the hypotheses (Pearson’s correlation (r), one-factor analysis of variance, and repeated ANOVA measures). The results indicate that the educational interest of the students is academic and professional. Likewise, there is no relationship detected between socio-professional goals and average academic levels and attributions with respect to repetitions of previous courses, although these goals vary depending on students’ satisfaction with the vocational cycles. We conclude that the course of the FPB influences decisions regarding academic–professional projects.
Detection, Characterization and Modeling of Localized Defects and Thermal Breakdown in Photovoltaic Panels from Thermal Images and IV Curves
Authors: Azkona Nekane , Llaria Alvaro , Curea Octavian , Recart Federico
Published: April 2022

In this work, a defective commercial module with a rounded IV characteristic is analyzed in detail to identify the sources of its malfunction. The analysis of the module includes thermography images taken under diverse conditions, the IV response of the module obtained without any shadow, and shadowing one cell at a time, as recommended by the IEC 61215 Standard. Additionally, a direct measurement of the IV characteristic and resistance of single cells in the panel has been conducted to verify the isolation between the p and n areas. In parallel, theoretical cell and module behaviors are presented. In this frame, simulations show how cell mismatch can be the explanation to the rounded IV output of the solar panel under study. From the thermal images of the module, several localized hot spots related to failing cells have been revealed. During the present study, thermal breakdown is seen before avalanche breakdown in one of the cells, evidencing a hot spot. Not many papers have dealt with this problem, whereas we believe it is important to analyze the relationship between thermal breakdown and hot spotting in order to prevent it in the future, since hot spots are the main defects related to degradation of modern modules.
Low Phase-Noise, 2.4 and 5.8 GHz Dual-Band Frequency Synthesizer with Class-C VCO and Bias-Controlled Charge Pump for RF Wireless Charging System in 180 nm CMOS Process
Authors: Jo Jongwan , Kim David , Hejazi Arash , Pu YoungGun , Jung Yeonjae , Huh Hyungki , Kim Seokkee , Yoo Joon-Mo , Lee Kang-Yoon
Published: April 2022

This paper presents an integer-N phase-locked loop (PLL) for an RF wireless charging system. To improve the phase-noise characteristics under low power, a constant amplitude control class-C voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) with a DC-DC converter, and a bias-controlled charge pump with a feedback loop are proposed. The frequency range of the VCO is 4.5–6.1 GHz, the target frequency of the proposed PLL is 2.4 and 5.8 GHz in the industry–science–medical band. It is designed with a same phase margin and bandwidth using one loop filter. The proposed PLL consumes less than 8 mW from a 1.8 V power supply with a settling time of fewer than 20 μs and an area of 1200 μm × 800 μm in the 180 nm CMOS process. For a carrier frequency offset of 1 MHz, the measured phase noise is −118.5 dBc/Hz at 2.4 GHz and −116.6 dBc/Hz at 5.8 GHz. Its FoM including the phase noise is −197 dB at 2.4 GHz and −202.8 GHz at 5.8 GHz, outperforming other PLLs designed in the 180 nm CMOS process.