bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serological and Molecular Characterization of Small Ruminant Lentiviruses in Morocco
Authors: Colitti Barbara , Daif Soukaina , Choukri Imane , Scalas Daniela , Jerre Anniken , El Berbri Ikhlass , Fassi Fihri Ouafaa , Rosati Sergio
Published: February 2024

Recent studies that investigated the origins of SRLV strains offered new insights into their distribution among domestic ruminants. The aim of the study was to investigate SRLV circulation in Morocco. A total of 51 farms were selected in different geographical locations and tested by screening and genotyping ELISA. Whole blood was used for DNA extraction and nested gag PCR. The sample size allowed for an estimation of prevalence lower than 20% (CI 95%). Surprisingly, a large proportion of screening-positive samples were not correctly serotyped. Sanger and NGS amplicon sequencing approaches allowed us to obtain new sequences even from difficult-to-amplify samples. The serological data support the evidence of an intrinsic difficulty of SRLV to spread, likely due to management practices. The low rate of success by genotyping ELISA led us to suppose that divergent strains might have escaped from diagnostic tools, as partially confirmed by the evidence of an A subtype carrying a mismatch in serotyping epitope. The sequence analysis revealed the circulation of novel B and recombinant A/B subtypes. This study highlights the importance of monitoring viral sequences and their evolution to develop specific diagnostic tests, particularly in countries where control measures are in place.
Effects of Intratesticular Lidocaine in Pet Rabbits Undergoing Orchiectomy
Authors: Serpieri Matteo , Bonaffini Giuseppe , Ottino Chiara , Quaranta Giuseppe , Mauthe von Degerfeld Mitzy
Published: February 2024

The use of local anesthetics for castration is both simple and cost-effective, and it may contribute to reducing the anesthetic requirements. Despite its common use in clinical practice, the literature regarding the effects of intratesticular lidocaine in rabbits is limited. In this study, nine rabbits per group were assigned to intratesticularly receive either 2% lidocaine (0.05 mL/kg into each testicle) or an equivalent volume of saline prior to elective orchiectomy. Anesthesia was induced by intranasal administration of ketamine, medetomidine, and butorphanol. During intraoperative assessment, no significant differences in vital parameters (heart rate, respiratory rate, and peripheral saturation of oxygen) were observed between the groups. However, rabbits receiving intratesticular saline displayed a higher incidence of responses to surgical stimuli. Postoperative pain was evaluated using the composite Centro Animali Non Convenzionali Rabbit Scale (CANCRS), revealing a significantly lower score at the initial post-surgery assessment in rabbits treated with intratesticular lidocaine. All subjects exhibited rapid resumption of food intake and fecal output. While all rabbits demonstrated satisfactory perioperative performances, the use of intratesticular lidocaine was associated with a diminished response to surgical stimuli. Consequently, this practice has the potential to reduce the requirement for additional anesthetics or analgesics, promoting faster recovery.
Detection and Characterization of Zoonotic Pathogens in Game Meat Hunted in Northwestern Italy
Authors: Floris Irene , Vannuccini Andrea , Ligotti Carmela , Musolino Noemi , Romano Angelo , Viani Annalisa , Bianchi Daniela Manila , Robetto Serena , Decastelli Lucia
Published: February 2024

Wildlife can represent a reservoir of zoonotic pathogens and a public health problem. In the present study, we investigated the spread of zoonotic pathogens (Salmonella spp., Yersinia enterocolitica, Listeria monocytogenes, Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), and hepatitis E virus (HEV)) considering the presence of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes in game meat from animals hunted in northwest Italy. During two hunting seasons (2020 to 2022), samples of liver and/or muscle tissue were collected from chamois (n = 48), roe deer (n = 26), deer (n = 39), and wild boar (n = 35). Conventional microbiology and biomolecular methods were used for the detection, isolation, and characterization of the investigated pathogens. Two L. monocytogenes serotype IIa strains were isolated from wild boar liver; both presented fosfomycin resistance gene and a total of 22 virulence genes were detected and specified in the text. Eight Y. enterocolitica biotype 1A strains were isolated from chamois (2), wild boar (5), and deer (1) liver samples; all showed streptogramin and beta-lactam resistance genes; the virulence genes found were myfA (8/8 strains), ymoA (8/8), invA (8/8), ystB (8/8), and ail (4/8). Our data underscore the potential role of wildlife as a carrier of zoonotic and antibiotic-resistant pathogens in northwest Italy and a food safety risk for game meat consumers.
Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy (IMNM): A Story of Antibodies
Authors: Julien Sarah , Challier Inès , Malleter Marine , Jouen Fabienne , Drouot Laurent , Boyer Olivier
Published: February 2024

Immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM) is a rare and severe disease that corresponds to a specific entity of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy. Patients with IMNM suffer from proximal muscle weakness, and present high levels of creatine kinase and necrotic myofibers. Anti-Signal Recognition Particle (SRP) and anti-3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase autoantibodies (HMGCR) have recently been identified in two thirds of patients with IMNM and are used as a hallmark of the disease. In this review, we provide a detailed description of these antibodies and the tests used to detect them in the serum of patients. Based on in vitro studies and mouse models of IMNM, we discuss the role of autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of the disease. Finally, in the light of the latest knowledge, we conclude with a review of recent therapeutic approaches in IMNM.
Use of Essential Oils to Counteract the Phenomena of Antimicrobial Resistance in Livestock Species
Authors: Lupia Carmine , Castagna Fabio , Bava Roberto , Naturale Maria Diana , Zicarelli Ludovica , Marrelli Mariangela , Statti Giancarlo , Tilocca Bruno , Roncada Paola , Britti Domenico , Palma Ernesto
Published: February 2024

Antimicrobial resistance is an increasingly widespread phenomenon that is of particular concern because of the possible consequences in the years to come. The dynamics leading to the resistance of microbial strains are diverse, but certainly include the incorrect use of veterinary drugs both in terms of dosage and timing of administration. Moreover, the drug is often administered in the absence of a diagnosis. Many active ingredients in pharmaceutical formulations are, therefore, losing their efficacy. In this situation, it is imperative to seek alternative treatment solutions. Essential oils are mixtures of compounds with different pharmacological properties. They have been shown to possess the antibacterial, anti-parasitic, antiviral, and regulatory properties of numerous metabolic processes. The abundance of molecules they contain makes it difficult for treated microbial species to develop pharmacological resistance. Given their natural origin, they are environmentally friendly and show little or no toxicity to higher animals. There are several published studies on the use of essential oils as antimicrobials, but the present literature has not been adequately summarized in a manuscript. This review aims to shed light on the results achieved by the scientific community regarding the use of essential oils to treat the main agents of bacterial infection of veterinary interest in livestock. The Google Scholar, PubMed, SciELO, and SCOPUS databases were used for the search and selection of studies. The manuscript aims to lay the foundations for a new strategy of veterinary drug use that is more environmentally friendly and less prone to the emergence of drug resistance phenomena.
Role of Perilipins in Oxidative Stress—Implications for Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Cinato Mathieu , Andersson Linda , Miljanovic Azra , Laudette Marion , Kunduzova Oksana , Borén Jan , Levin Malin C.
Published: February 2024

Oxidative stress is the imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants in a cell. In the heart, oxidative stress may deteriorate calcium handling, cause arrhythmia, and enhance maladaptive cardiac remodeling by the induction of hypertrophic and apoptotic signaling pathways. Consequently, dysregulated ROS production and oxidative stress have been implicated in numerous cardiac diseases, including heart failure, cardiac ischemia–reperfusion injury, cardiac hypertrophy, and diabetic cardiomyopathy. Lipid droplets (LDs) are conserved intracellular organelles that enable the safe and stable storage of neutral lipids within the cytosol. LDs are coated with proteins, perilipins (Plins) being one of the most abundant. In this review, we will discuss the interplay between oxidative stress and Plins. Indeed, LDs and Plins are increasingly being recognized for playing a critical role beyond energy metabolism and lipid handling. Numerous reports suggest that an essential purpose of LD biogenesis is to alleviate cellular stress, such as oxidative stress. Given the yet unmet suitability of ROS as targets for the intervention of cardiovascular disease, the endogenous antioxidant capacity of Plins may be beneficial.
Automatic Generation System for Autonomous Driving Simulation Scenarios Based on PreScan
Authors: Cao Liling , Feng Xinxin , Liu Junli , Zhou Guofeng
Published: February 2024

The advancement of autonomous driving technology has urgently necessitated enhanced safety testing measures. Traditional road testing methods face significant challenges due to their high costs and prolonged durations. In response to the inefficiencies of manual scenario construction and the difficulties in selecting effective scenarios using common scenario generation methods in autonomous driving safety testing, this study proposes an innovative automatic SG system based on PreScan2021.1.0. The SG process is significantly simplified by this system’s capability to swiftly and accurately generate a vast array of specific scenarios through the input of scene parameters. The results indicate that this system achieves SG at a rate 2.5-fold faster than manual methods, alongside substantial improvements in accuracy. This system introduces a novel approach to virtual simulation, which is vital for the progress of autonomous driving safety. It offers a new paradigm for quickly and precisely generating test scenarios for autonomous driving.
Multi-Head Transformer Architecture with Higher Dimensional Feature Representation for Massive MIMO CSI Feedback
Authors: Chen Qing , Guo Aihuang , Cui Yaodong
Published: February 2024

To achieve the anticipated performance of massive multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems in wireless communication, it is imperative that the user equipment (UE) accurately feeds the channel state information (CSI) back to the base station (BS) along the uplink. To reduce the feedback overhead, an increasing number of deep learning (DL)-based networks have emerged, aimed at compressing and subsequently recovering CSI. Various novel structures are introduced, among which Transformer architecture has enabled a new level of precision in CSI feedback. In this paper, we propose a new method named TransNet+ built upon the Transformer-based TransNet by updating the multi-head attention layer and implementing an improved training scheme. The simulation results demonstrate that TransNet+ outperforms existing methods in terms of recovery accuracy and achieves state-of-the-art.
Fabrication and Properties of Blended Calcium Sulfoaluminate Cements Based on Thermally Treated Reservoir Sediments
Authors: Telesca Antonio , Marroccoli Milena
Published: February 2024

In 2021, approximately 4.1 billion tonnes of cement were globally produced and the annual CO2 emissions from cement plants reached almost 2.8 billion metric tonnes. In recent years, many efforts have been made to manufacture low-CO2 cements. In this regard, great consideration has been given towards calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) binders for both their technical features and sustainable properties, principally connected to their industrial process. The use of blended cements composed by CSA binders and supplementary cementitious materials (SCMS) can be an effective way to (a) reduce the CO2 footprint and (b) produce greener binders. This scientific work studied the utilization of different amounts (15–35 wt%) of calcined reservoir sediments (RS) as SCMS in blended CSA binders, where the binders were cured for up to 56 days and characterised by various analytical techniques. It was found that thermally treated RS were particularly noteworthy as their utilization allowed for a dilution of the CSA clinker, thus implying a decrease in CO2 emissions and a reduction in costs related to their production. However, compared to a plain CSA cement, the blended systems showed rather similar volume stability levels, whilst their compressive strength and porosity values were, respectively, lower and higher at all the investigated aging periods.
Sources, Processing, Transport, Health and Climate Impacts of Air Pollutants
Authors: Irei Satoshi , Chan Tak W.
Published: February 2024

Atmospheric pollutants exist in both gaseous and particulate form and they have significant impacts on human health, air quality, and the climate [...]
A Proof of Principle Study Conducted by Community-Dwelling Seniors Using a Novel Passive Gait Assist System
Authors: Kim Jaewook , Kim Yekwang , Kang Seonghyun , Park Seunghan , Moon Juhui , Kim Nackhwan , Kim Seung-Jong
Published: February 2024

It is vital for rehabilitating patients to perform as many task-related exercises as possible. These patients often need either force or trajectory assistance in order to perform gait. While this can be provided in the form of traditional gait rehabilitation or currently emerging robot-assisted gait training, there is a need for an affordable means to assist gait training. In this study, we present a passive gait assistance device that is composed of a spring-bar system attached to an elastic cord and a specialized shoe. The shoe has two straps attached such that both plantar and dorsiflexion torque can be applied to the user depending on the angle of the pulling force. The merit of the devices is that it is an affordable means to provide the user with gait assistance while allowing some freedom of one’s foot movement. We show that, with 20 community-dwelling seniors, our system successfully produces plantar flexion and dorsiflexion torque according to the gait cycle. Furthermore, electromyography analysis suggests that plantar flexor demand during the late stance phase and dorsiflexor demand during the swing phase are significantly reduced.
Analysis of the Dynamic Mechanical Properties and Energy Dissipation of Water-Saturated Fissured Sandstone Specimens
Authors: Ping Qi , Sun Shijia , Li Xiangyang , Wu Shiwei , Xu Yijie , Hu Jing , Hu Wei
Published: February 2024

To investigate the dynamic mechanical properties of water-saturated fissure rock at different strain rates, prefabricated sandstone specimens with a 45° dip angle were treated with water saturation and the impact compression test was performed with a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) test device at different impact pressures. The results show that the clusters of dynamic stress–strain curves of water-saturated and natural sandstone specimens with a 45° dip angle of prefabricated fissures are basically similar under different impact air pressures. A distinct strain rate effect was observed for dynamic strain and dynamic compressive strength, both of which increased with increasing strain rate. From the failure pattern of the specimen, it can be seen that cracks appeared from the tip of the prefabricated fissure under axial stress, spreading to both ends and forming wing cracks and anti-wing cracks associated with shear cracks. As the strain rate increased, the energy dissipation density of the specimen gradually increased, and the macroscopic cracks cross-expanded with each other. The fracture form of the specimen showed a small block distribution, and the average particle size of the specimen gradually decreased. The specimen crushing energy dissipation density was negatively correlated with fracture size, reflecting a certain rate correlation. The sandstone fragments’ fractal dimension increases with the increase in crushing energy dissipation density, and the fractal dimension may be applied as a quantitative index to characterize sandstone crushing.
Influence of Selected Compositions of Wall Materials and Drying Techniques Used for Encapsulation of Linseed Oil and Its Ethyl Esters
Authors: Ogrodowska Dorota , Tańska Małgorzata , Banaszczyk Paweł , Dąbrowski Grzegorz , Czaplicki Sylwester , Wachowicz Marta , Konopka Iwona Zofia
Published: February 2024

The aim of the study was to compare the encapsulation of linseed oil and its ethyl esters using two coating materials (maltodextrin with whey protein concentrate (WPC) vs. maltodextrin with gum arabic) and two drying methods (spray-drying vs. freeze-drying) to obtain powders with the highest oxidative stability. A comparison was made based on the properties of emulsions (morphology, particle size distribution, and stability) and powders (morphology, physicochemical properties, fatty acid composition, and oxidative stability). The powder’s oxidative stability was determined based on the Rancimat protocol. The most uniform distribution of oil droplets in prepared emulsions was stated for ethyl esters in a mixture of maltodextrin and gum arabic. Emulsions with WPC had a bimodal character, while those with gum arabic had a monomodal character. Gum arabic promoted emulsion stability, while in samples containing WPC, sedimentation and creaming processes were more visible. Powders obtained using spray-drying had a spherical shape, while those obtained by freeze-drying were similar to flakes. Although encapsulation efficiency was the highest for freeze-dried powders made of linseed ethyl esters with gum arabic, the highest oxidative stability was stated for powders made by spray-drying with WPC as wall material (independently of linseed sample form). These powders can be easily applied to various food matrices, increasing the share of valuable α-linolenic acid.
Focus Estimation Methods for Use in Industrial SFF Imaging Systems
Authors: Sioma Andrzej , Lenty Bartosz
Published: February 2024

A Shape-From-Focus (SFF) is a three-dimensional imaging method based on focus information. It is not yet widely used for in-line industrial inspection or measurement tasks. The main reasons are the time it takes to capture a 3D image of the inspected product and the presence of interference affecting image quality. This paper compares operators for estimating focus in source images in the scope of their use in constructing an industrial 3D scanner. Interferences were introduced by using additional illuminators and changing the acquisition parameters. The use of industrial-grade cameras, industrial-grade illuminators, and electrically controlled optics are discussed. A novel approach in the research is using an electrically tunable lens to move the position of the image plane during 3D image acquisition. The research was conducted on various surfaces found on typical industrial products. The research showed which focus estimation operators can be applied to SFF imaging within the range of interference considered. It was also confirmed that using the centre of gravity method for scene reconstruction allows for an increase in resolution compared to the maximum method.
Ball Tracking Based on Multiscale Feature Enhancement and Cooperative Trajectory Matching
Authors: Han Xiao , Wang Qi , Wang Yongbin
Published: February 2024

Most existing object tracking research focuses on pedestrians and autonomous driving while ignoring sports scenes. When general object tracking models are used for ball tracking, there are often problems, such as detection omissions due to small object sizes and trajectory loss due to occlusion. To address these challenges, we propose a ball detection and tracking model called HMMATrack based on multiscale feature enhancement and multilevel collaborative matching to improve ball-tracking results from the entire process of sampling, feature extraction, detection, and tracking. It includes a Heuristic Compound Sampling Strategy to deal with tiny sizes and imbalanced data samples; an MNet-based detection module to improve the ball detection accuracy; and a multilevel cooperative matching and automatic trajectory correction tracking algorithm that can quickly and accurately correct the ball’s trajectory. We also hand-annotated SportsTrack, a ball-tracking dataset containing soccer, basketball, and volleyball scenes. Extensive experiments are conducted on the SportsTrack, demonstrating that our proposed HMMATrack model outperforms other representative state-of-the-art models in ball detection and tracking.
An Interprofessional Approach to Aural Rehabilitation for Adults with Hearing Loss and Cognitive Concerns
Authors: Tillery Kate Helms , Rao Aparna
Published: February 2024

Individuals with hearing loss are at risk for cognitive decline. The traditional approach to audiological care does not typically involve a team approach that addresses cognitive concerns. While cognitive screening is within the scope of practice in audiology, audiologists are not typically trained in interpreting screening results or providing rehabilitation that supports cognitive health. However, as growing evidence shows that hearing loss is tied to cognitive decline, a team approach is required to support whole-person care. Speech–language pathologists, who specialize in optimizing communication, are best situated to collaborate with audiologists to provide holistic aural rehabilitation. Audiologists and speech–language pathologists who partner to support a client’s communication skills and social relationships play an important role in the life of an individual with hearing loss. In this perspective, we describe relevant background information about hearing loss and cognition and present an interprofessional approach to aural rehabilitation for adults with hearing loss who have cognitive concerns. We also discuss implications for future research.
Factors and Mechanisms of Thyroid Hormone Activity in the Brain: Possible Role in Recovery and Protection
Authors: Sabatino Laura , Lapi Dominga , Del Seppia Cristina
Published: February 2024

Thyroid hormones (THs) are essential in normal brain development, and cognitive and emotional functions. THs act through a cascade of events including uptake by the target cells by specific cell membrane transporters, activation or inactivation by deiodinase enzymes, and interaction with nuclear thyroid hormone receptors. Several thyroid responsive genes have been described in the developing and in the adult brain and many studies have demonstrated a systemic or local reduction in TH availability in neurologic disease and after brain injury. In this review, the main factors and mechanisms associated with the THs in the normal and damaged brain will be evaluated in different regions and cellular contexts. Furthermore, the most common animal models used to study the role of THs in brain damage and cognitive impairment will be described and the use of THs as a potential recovery strategy from neuropathological conditions will be evaluated. Finally, particular attention will be given to the link observed between TH alterations and increased risk of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the most prevalent neurodegenerative and dementing condition worldwide.
Probiotics as Potential Therapeutic Agents: Safeguarding Skeletal Muscle against Alcohol-Induced Damage through the Gut–Liver–Muscle Axis
Authors: Sausa Martina , Fucarino Alberto , Paladino Letizia , Zummo Francesco Paolo , Fabbrizio Antonio , Di Felice Valentina , Rappa Francesca , Barone Rosario , Marino Gammazza Antonella , Macaluso Filippo
Published: February 2024

Probiotics have shown the potential to counteract the loss of muscle mass, reduce physical fatigue, and mitigate inflammatory response following intense exercise, although the mechanisms by which they work are not very clear. The objective of this review is to describe the main harmful effects of alcohol on skeletal muscle and to provide important strategies based on the use of probiotics. The excessive consumption of alcohol is a worldwide problem and has been shown to be crucial in the progression of alcoholic liver disease (ALD), for which, to date, the only therapy available is lifestyle modification, including cessation of drinking. In ALD, alcohol contributes significantly to the loss of skeletal muscle, and also to changes in the intestinal microbiota, which are the basis for a series of problems related to the onset of sarcopenia. Some of the main effects of alcohol on the skeletal muscle are described in this review, with particular emphasis on the “gut-liver-muscle axis”, which seems to be the primary cause of a series of muscle dysfunctions related to the onset of ALD. The modulation of the intestinal microbiota through probiotics utilization has appeared to be crucial in mitigating the muscle damage induced by the high amounts of alcohol consumed.
A Preliminary Evaluation on the Antifungal Efficacy of VT-1161 against Persister Candida albicans Cells in Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
Authors: Sinoca Marica , Maione Angela , Gambino Edvige , Imparato Marianna , Galdiero Marilena , de Alteriis Elisabetta , Galdiero Emilia , Guida Marco
Published: February 2024

Persister cells are a small fraction of the microbial population that survive lethal concentrations of antimicrobial agents. Candida albicans causes vaginal candidiasis, including recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis, and may survive common antifungal treatments. The triazole VT-1161 is an antifungal agent that specifically targets fungal CYP51, as opposed to the human CYP enzyme. This work illustrates a new role of VT-1161 in eradicating the biofilm created from the persister cells of a primary biofilm of a clinical vaginal isolate of C. albicans. Antifungal activity was determined by the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and the primary biofilm was treated with amphotericin B to obtain persister cells that were able to form a new biofilm. Results obtained using the new azole VT-1161 showed that VT-1161 not only eradicated a secondary biofilm formed from the persister-derived biofilm and counteracted the adhesion of C. albicans in vitro to human cells but also ameliorated C. albicans-induced infection in vivo in Galleria mellonella larvae, suggesting that it could be proposed as an alternative therapeutic strategy for the treatment of recurrent candidiasis.
Toward Cancer Chemoprevention: Mathematical Modeling of Chemically Induced Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention
Authors: Boucharas Dimitrios G. , Anastasiadou Chryssa , Karkabounas Spyridon , Antonopoulou Efthimia , Manis George
Published: February 2024

Cancer, which is currently rated as the second-leading cause of mortality across the globe, is one of the most hazardous disease groups that has plagued humanity for centuries. The experiments presented here span over two decades and were conducted on a specific species of mice, aiming to neutralize a highly carcinogenic agent by altering its chemical structure when combined with certain compounds. A plethora of growth models, each of which makes use of distinctive qualities, are utilized in the investigation and explanation of the phenomena of chemically induced oncogenesis and prevention. The analysis ultimately results in the formalization of the process of locating the growth model that provides the best descriptive power based on predefined criteria. This is accomplished through a methodological workflow that adopts a computational pipeline based on the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm with pioneering and conventional metrics as well as a ruleset. The developed process simplifies the investigated phenomena as the parameter space of growth models is reduced. The predictability is proven strong in the near future (i.e., a 0.61% difference between the predicted and actual values). The parameters differentiate between active compounds (i.e., classification results reach up to 96% in sensitivity and other performance metrics). The distribution of parameter contribution complements the findings that the logistic growth model is the most appropriate (i.e., 44.47%). In addition, the dosage of chemicals is increased by a factor of two for the next round of trials, which exposes parallel behavior between the two dosages. As a consequence, the study reveals important information on chemoprevention and the cycles of cancer proliferation. If developed further, it might lead to the development of nutritional supplements that completely inhibit the expansion of cancerous tumors. The methodology provided can be used to describe other phenomena that progress over time and it has the power to estimate future results.
Performance Evaluation of a Multifunctional Road Marking Coating for Tunnels Based on Nano SiO2 and TiO2 Modifications
Authors: Quan Xiujie , Yang Liang , Li Hui , Chen Yan , Shi Shuang
Published: February 2024

Multifunctional road marking coatings with the functions of high-temperature stability, degradation of exhaust gas, and self-cleaning are of great significance for the safe operation and environmental protection of tunnels. This article uses active acrylic resin and an organosilicon hydrophobic agent as the base material, selects expanded vermiculite and glass microspheres as insulation fillers, and uses ammonium polyphosphate, pentaerythritol, melamine, and aluminum hydroxide as high-thermal-stability systems to prepare a two-component road marking coating base material. Then, nano SiO2 and modified nano TiO2 are added as modifiers to prepare a multifunctional road marking coating for tunnels. The physical and chemical properties of multifunctional road marking coatings are evaluating based on laboratory tests including thermogravimetry and derivative thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, exhaust degradation, and contact angle tests. The results indicate that the developed multifunctional road marking coating effectively reduces the thermal conductivity of the carbon layer through physical changes in the flame retardant system and the heat resistance formed by the high breaking bond energy of nano SiO2 during the combustion process. It forms a ceramic-like structure of titanium pyrophosphate with nano TiO2 that is beneficial for improving flame retardancy without generating harmful volatile gases and has good flame retardant properties. N–V co-doping reduces the bandgap of TiO2, broadens the absorption range of visible light by nano TiO2, improves the catalytic efficiency of visible light, and achieves the degradation efficiency of the four harmful components NOx, HC, CO, and CO2 in automotive exhaust by 23.4%, 8.3%, 2.5%, and 2.9%, respectively. The solid–liquid phase separation in the multifunctional road marking coating in the tunnel causes the formation and accumulation of nano SiO2 and TiO2 particles on the coating surface, resulting in a microstructure similar to the “micro–nano micro-convex” on the lotus leaf surface and making a water droplet contact angle of 134.2° on the coating surface.
Roles and Autonomous Motivation of Safety Officers: The Context of Construction Sites
Authors: Khun-anod Kritsada , Watanabe Tsunemi , Tsuchiya Satoshi
Published: February 2024

Safety officers have been underlined as key individuals in the implementation of safety programmes at construction sites. However, previous research mentioned that some project managers predominantly focus on other aspects, such as the productivity of construction and the management of time and cost. Such emphases may potentially demotivate safety officers from fully engaging in safety initiatives for construction projects. Moreover, scholars have devoted piecemeal discussions to the motivation of such practitioners. These problems were addressed in the current work through the development of a conceptual paradigm that captures the actual situation between project managers and safety officers. To this end, four constructs were extensively examined: (1) autonomy-oriented support from project managers; (2) the motivation of safety officers; (3) the engagement of safety officers in safety programmes (covering four major categories of safety-related tasks); and (4) safety performance. From August to September 2022, valid data from 195 safety officers working in construction projects were considered, after which the proposed paradigm was analysed via structural equation modelling. The results showed that the autonomous motivation of safety officers was activated by autonomy-oriented support from project managers (β = 0.520, sig. = 0.000). Such motivation significantly affected their safety performance (β = 0.231, sig. = 0.007) and levels of engagement with safety initiatives (β = 0.529, sig. = 0.000). These findings indicate that in the implementation of safety programmes, the autonomous motivation of safety officers serves as the engine, while autonomy-oriented support from project managers functions as the ignition key. Policymakers in construction companies can use the results as a reference for decision-making on initiating safety policy that highlights methods of training project managers in supporting safety officers.
Comparison of Linear and Nonlinear Procedures for the Analysis of the Seismic Performance of Straight Multi-Span RC Bridges
Authors: Pettorruso Carlo , Quaglini Virginio
Published: February 2024

The assessment of the seismic performance of transportation infrastructures is of primary importance for the management of the aftermath of an earthquake. To perform such an assessment, various modeling approaches characterized by different levels of accuracy are available and modern seismic design codes provide recommendations about their use. Non-linear time-history analysis (NLTHA) is acknowledged as the most reliable method, but is difficult to implement and is computationally expensive. This paper aims to investigate the viability of less complex methods, but with low computational cost, for the assessment of straight, multi-span bridges and compare their performance against the results of NLTHA in order to quantify the expected accuracy. The study is developed considering three bridge archetypes with either simply-supported or continuous-deck layouts, representative of typical features of the Italian bridge stock. The bridges are analyzed first through nonlinear dynamic analyses, to define the benchmark solution; then linear dynamic analyses, such as Linear Time-History and Response Spectrum Analysis, nonlinear static analyses, such as MPA (Modal Pushover Analysis), and Equivalent Static Analysis are considered. A comparison among the examined procedures is eventually proposed, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each approach.
Seismic Damage Assessment of Reinforced Concrete Slab-Column Connections—Review of Test Data, Code Provisions and Analytical Models
Authors: Genikomsou Aikaterini S.
Published: February 2024

Reinforced concrete slab-column connections are vulnerable to punching shear failure when subjected to combined gravity and lateral loadings during earthquakes. Over the years, many experimental campaigns have been conducted and assessed the seismic performance of flat slabs. The experimental findings were used to derive empirical equations for the design provisions. The paper aims to provide a detailed description of the code development for seismic punching shear. Two current code provisions (ACI 318-19, EC 2 & EC 8-2004) for seismic punching shear are presented and discussed. Relevant and updated experimental data of interior slab-column connections without and with shear reinforcement are selected and assessed against the current design provisions with a focus on key response parameters such as the drift ratio and the gravity shear ratio. The ACI 318-19 limit drift line is considered to assess the lateral deformation demand for the connections with respect to the updated database. The gravity shear ratio is shown to have a considerable impact on the limit drift ratio of slab-column connections without shear reinforcement. The majority of the test specimens with no shear reinforcement experienced punching shear failure, followed by the specimens which showed a combined flexure–punching failure. Punching shear failures occurred for a range of gravity shear ratios of 0.2 to 0.9, while all combined flexure–punching shear failures occurred for gravity shear ratio values below 0.5. The shear-reinforced concrete slab-column connections can achieve much higher drift ratios. Most of the slabs were reinforced with shear studs, particularly in the range of gravity shear ratios of 0.4 to 0.6. Most test specimens failed by flexure for gravity shear ratio values of 0.1 to 0.7, followed by the specimens which failed in combined flexure–punching for gravity shear ratio values that ranged from 0.3 to 0.9. Finally, the available numerical and analytical models for seismic punching shear are presented with the objective of observing their potential strengths and limitations.
Catalysis on Zeolites and Zeolite-like Materials
Authors: Reschetilowski Wladimir
Published: February 2024

When the Swedish mineralogist Axel F [...]
Insight into the Catalytic Performance of a Zinc-Pillared Curcumin/Bentonite Composite for Enhanced Oxidation of Ibuprofen Residuals into Environmental Products: The Pathway and Toxicity
Authors: Othman Sarah I. , Shemy Marwa H. , Alfassam Haifa E. , Alqhtani Haifa A. , Allam Ahmed A. , Abukhadra Mostafa R. , Bellucci Stefano
Published: February 2024

Environmental organo bentonite synthesis using curcumin-derived chemicals is used as catalyst support for zinc with a Zn-pillaring structure (Zn@CU/BEN). The obtained composite was assessed as an affordable, highly effective, and multifunctional photocatalyst for enhanced oxidation of ibuprofen (IBU) residuals in water supplies. The Zn@CU/BEN composite (0.4 g/L) displayed significant catalytic activities, resulting in the complete oxidation of IBU (25 mg/L) after 80 min. Then, the complete mineralization based on the full elimination of TOC content was recognized after 160 min, with significant indications about the formed intermediates. The identified intermediates, together with the identification of hydroxyl radicals as the essential oxidizing agent, declared an oxidation pathway of IBU over Zn@CU/BEN that involved three steps: hydroxylation, decarboxylation/demethylation, and ring-opening processes. The toxic properties of raw pollutants as well as the oxidizing product at different durations were assessed based on the cell viability results of kidney (HEK293T) and liver (HepG2) cell lines. The partially oxidized sample in the initial duration displayed a higher toxicity impact than the raw IBU. However, the treated sample after 160 min reflected high biosafety and non-toxic properties (cell viability > 97%). The synergetic impact of bentonite and bentonite organo-modified by curcumin extract reflects enhancements in the adsorption as well as the oxidation performance of pillared zinc as a catalyst.
Cell Surface Parameters for Accessing Neutrophil Activation Level with Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Tilinova Oksana M. , Inozemtsev Vladimir , Sherstyukova Ekaterina , Kandrashina Snezhanna , Pisarev Mikhail , Grechko Andrey , Vorobjeva Nina , Sergunova Viktoria , Dokukin Maxim E.
Published: February 2024

In this study, we examine the topography and adhesion images of the cell surface of neutrophils during the activation process. Our analysis of cell surface parameters indicates that the most significant changes in neutrophils occur within the first 30 min of activation, suggesting that reactive oxygen species may require approximately this amount of time to activate the cells. Interestingly, we observed surface granular structure as early as 10 min after neutrophil activation when examining atomic force microscopy images. This finding aligns with the reorganization observed within the cells under confocal laser scanning microscopy. By analyzing the cell surface images of adhesion, we identified three spatial surface parameters that correlate with the activation time. This finding enables us to estimate the degree of activation by using atomic force microscopy maps of the cell surface.
FGF9, a Potent Mitogen, Is a New Ligand for Integrin αvβ3, and the FGF9 Mutant Defective in Integrin Binding Acts as an Antagonist
Authors: Chang Chih-Chieh , Takada Yoko K. , Cheng Chao-Wen , Maekawa Yukina , Mori Seiji , Takada Yoshikazu
Published: February 2024

FGF9 is a potent mitogen and survival factor, but FGF9 protein levels are generally low and restricted to a few adult organs. Aberrant expression of FGF9 usually results in cancer. However, the mechanism of FGF9 action has not been fully established. Previous studies showed that FGF1 and FGF2 directly bind to integrin αvβ3, and this interaction is critical for signaling functions (FGF–integrin crosstalk). FGF1 and FGF2 mutants defective in integrin binding were defective in signaling, whereas the mutants still bound to FGFR suppressed angiogenesis and tumor growth, indicating that they act as antagonists. We hypothesize that FGF9 requires direct integrin binding for signaling. Here, we show that docking simulation of the interaction between FGF9 and αvβ3 predicted that FGF9 binds to the classical ligand-binding site of αvβ3. We show that FGF9 bound to integrin αvβ3 and generated FGF9 mutants in the predicted integrin-binding interface. An FGF9 mutant (R108E) was defective in integrin binding, activating FRS2α and ERK1/2, inducing DNA synthesis, cancer cell migration, and invasion in vitro. R108E suppressed DNA synthesis and activation of FRS2α and ERK1/2 induced by WT FGF9 (dominant-negative effect). These findings indicate that FGF9 requires direct integrin binding for signaling and that R108E has potential as an antagonist to FGF9 signaling.
School-Based Pre- and Post-Intervention Tests Assessing Knowledge about Healthy Lifestyles: A National School Health Awareness Campaign on Children Aged between 3 and 12 Years Old
Authors: Moussi Charbel , Tahan Léa , Habchy Peter , Kattan Ogarite , Njeim Alain , Abou Habib Leila , El Bitar Wassim , El Asmar Béchara , Chahine Mirna N.
Published: February 2024

In response to the diverse health challenges faced by today’s youth and their extensive time spent in schools, we conducted a school health awareness campaign aimed at prioritizing well-being and academic performance. This analytical longitudinal study, spanning 27 schools in Lebanon, aimed to assess the impact of the awareness campaign on the health knowledge and practices of 5-, 8-, and 11-year-old students throughout pre- and post-intervention testing focused on general health and healthy habits, employing 11, 14, and 15 questions tailored to 5, 8, and 11 year olds, respectively. The questions covered various aspects, including sleep, personal and dental hygiene, nutrition, physical activity, addiction, security measures, and bullying. Out of the 7100 students who participated, 16.11% (1144 students) were evaluated before and after the campaign. The results indicated a significant increase in health awareness post-intervention across all age groups. For instance, in 5-year-olds, limited awareness decreased from 91.6% to 36.38%, while adequate awareness rose from 8.03% to 62.3%. Improvement varied across health knowledge topics, with security-related questions showing the highest enhancement. Factors such as governorate, normal-weight status, and close supervision influenced improvement. However, no significant correlations were found with school type, size, gender, age, nationality, parental factors, or comorbidities. The study concludes that the school health awareness campaign successfully heightened children’s health awareness, advocating for the integration of regular health promotions into the standard educational curriculum.
Predictors of Gastrointestinal Involvement in Children with IgA Vasculitis: Results from a Single-Center Cohort Observational Study
Authors: Rigante Donato , Guerriero Cristina , Silvaroli Sara , Paradiso Filomena Valentina , Sodero Giorgio , Laferrera Francesco , Franceschi Francesco , Candelli Marcello
Published: February 2024

Background and objective: IgA vasculitis (IgAV), a predominantly pediatric leukocytoclastic disease, has an unpredictable, though largely benign, evolution. The aim of this study was to retrospectively investigate any potential clinical or laboratory predictors of gastrointestinal involvement in a single-center cohort of children with IgAV. Patients and methods: A total of 195 children with a history of IgAV, regularly followed-up for an average period of 1 ± 2.6 years via outpatients clinics of the pediatric rheumatology unit in our University, were assessed, analyzing their clinical and laboratory variables in relationship with their disease evolution and outcome. Results: Univariate analysis showed that a higher neutrophil granulocyte count and lower lymphocyte count (expressed as a percentage of the total white blood cells) were significantly associated with the presence of gastrointestinal involvement at the first examination (65.2 ± 13% versus 58.8 ± 12%, p = 0.02, and 26.4 ± 11% versus 32.1 ± 11%, p = 0.02, respectively). A positive pharyngeal swab for Streptococcus pyogenes, a deficiency of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, a persistence of purpuric rash for more than 1 month, and purpuric lesions in the genital area were also associated with gastrointestinal involvement (p = 0.0001, p = 0.0001, p = 0.007 and p = 0.001, respectively). However, multiple logistic regressions with correction for the patients’ sex and age showed that lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, persistent rash, and genital lesions were independently and significantly associated with signs of gastrointestinal involvement. We then performed a secondary analysis (both univariate and multivariate) to investigate whether vitamin D deficiency was associated with other IgAV manifestations: we found that only 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency remained significantly associated with gastrointestinal involvement in IgAV. Conclusions: Patients with IgAV and vitamin D deficiency might be more prone to developing gastrointestinal manifestations of variable severity.
Assessment of Sensory Processing Issues in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Experiences of Maltreatment
Authors: Ide-Okochi Ayako , He Mu , Tokieda Tomofumi , Nakamura Satsuki , Matsunaga Nobutomo
Published: February 2024

This study aims to identify the sensory characteristics of children with both developmental disabilities such as ASD and ADHD and a history of child maltreatment (DM group), children with developmental disabilities (DD group), and typically developed children (TD group). The sensory characteristics of 24 children were assessed through virtual reality and self-administered questionnaires. The results elucidated that the duration of gazing at the “teacher” (60–75 s) was significantly different with the DM group’s gaze being shorter than the DD group’s gaze (p = 0.042). The duration of the “others” gaze (45–60 s) was also significantly different with the DM group’s gaze being longer than the DD and TD groups’ gaze (p = 0.018; p = 0.030). Additionally, the scores for tactile sensitivity, taste/smell sensitivity, under-responsive/seeks sensation, and the total short-term sensory profile were significantly different between the DM-DD and DD-TD groups. The scores of the heart rate perception test and Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness were significantly lower in the DM and DD groups. In conclusion, children who have experienced trauma and developmental disabilities may have different sensory characteristics than children with only developmental disabilities or none, implying the need for further research and tailored care.