bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crisis Experience and Purpose in Life in Men and Women: The Mediating Effect of Gratitude and Fear of COVID-19
Authors: Lasota Agnieszka
Published: August 2023

Aim: This study investigated whether gratitude and fear of COVID-19 mediated the relationship between crisis experience during the pandemic and purpose in life in men and women. Methods: Six hundred and five participants aged between 18 and 60 years (M = 25.6; SD = 8.39) completed the Gratitude, Resentment, and Appreciation Scale—Short Form (GRAT-S), Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and Purpose in Life Test (PIL). In addition, the respondents were questioned about life crises during the previous six months (e.g., the death of a loved one or illness). Results: Men and women differed in their endorsement of gratitude or fear of COVID-19 as a mediator. Women’s experiences of the crisis related both directly and indirectly to purpose in life, with gratitude and fear of COVID-19 mediating this relationship. In men, only the indirect path, from crisis experience, through gratitude, to purpose in life, turned out to be significant. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that coping styles differ in men and women and, as a consequence, that crisis interventions need to take gender into account.
Essentials to Improve the Effectiveness of Healthy Aging Programming: Consideration of Social Determinants and Utilization of a Theoretical Model
Authors: Friberg-Felsted Katarina , Caserta Michael
Published: August 2023

Older adult health, while partially determined by genetics, is mostly determined by behavioral and lifestyle choices. Researchers and interventionists develop and administer behavioral health interventions with older adults, and interventions are advertised in any number of settings, for example, by providers in healthcare settings and by activity directors in senior centers or assisted living facilities. However, previous studies and metanalyses indicate that many interventions targeting older adults are unsuccessful in recruitment or in retention. While providers and activity directors may assume older adults are unwilling to participate in behavioral change, in reality, low participation may be caused by erroneous design and administration. The objective of this manuscript is to recommend to creators and implementers of behavioral interventions for older adults that they focus on two critical considerations: the contextual perspective pertaining to healthy aging as well as an appropriately employed theoretical model that most effectively informs program design and implementation. In this commentary, we discuss how Prochaska and DiClemente’s Transtheoretical Model of Health Behavior Change may lead to more desirable outcomes as it considers that a person may be at any one of six stages of change, from pre-contemplation to maintenance. Currently, many behavioral interventions are targeted at individuals who are poised for action or in maintenance phases, ignoring those in earlier phases, resulting in limited overall success. Regarding viewing healthy aging in a contextual manner, determinants external to the individual may remain unnoted and unconsidered when designing or recruiting for a behavioral intervention. In conclusion, the integration of an intrapersonal health behavior model such as the Transtheoretical Model of Health Behavior Change, coupled with clearer considerations of the interplay of contextual factors operating in the lives of older adults, may allow for more effective design and implementation, as well as resulting in higher participation in behavioral interventions targeted toward older adults.
Trends in Prescription Chronic Pain Medication Use before and during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Québec, Canada: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis
Authors: De Clifford-Faugère Gwenaëlle , Nguena Nguefack Hermine Lore , Choinière Manon , Pagé M. Gabrielle , Blais Lucie , Guénette Line , Dorais Marc , Lacasse Anaïs
Published: August 2023

Background: In Canada, a state of health emergency was declared in May 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess trends in the use of prescription medication for pain management by people living with chronic pain before and during the first wave of the pandemic. Methods: Participants (n = 177) were adults reporting chronic pain who had completed a web-based questionnaire in 2019 and for whom complete longitudinal private and public insurance prescription claims were available. The monthly prevalence of medication use for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, and prescribed cannabinoids was assessed. An interrupted time series analysis was then performed to evaluate if the COVID-19 pandemic had had an impact on trends in pain medication use. Results: The beginning of the first wave of the pandemic was associated with the onset of a downward trend in opioid use (p < 0.05); no such association was found regarding NSAIDs. However, point prevalence of opioid use at the beginning (Nov. 2019) and at the end (Mai 2020) of the study period remained somewhat stable (17.0% vs. 16.4%). Regarding prescribed cannabinoids, a gradual increase in use was observed over the entire study period independently from the impact of the first wave of the pandemic (15.3% vs. 22.6%, p < 0.05). Conclusion: While the occurrence of the first wave did have an impact on opioid use among people living with chronic pain, access to and use of opioids appear to have returned to normal before the end of the first wave of COVID-19.
Attitudes and Beliefs of Mental Health Professionals towards Trans People: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Cutillas-Fernández María Asunción , Jiménez-Barbero José Antonio , Herrera-Giménez María , Forcén-Muñoz Luis Alberto , Jiménez-Ruiz Ismael
Published: August 2023

A systematic review was conducted to assess and synthesize recent research on mental health professionals’ attitudes towards trans people. The main objectives of our research were (a) to identify, synthesize, and analyze the scientific evidence available so far about the attitudes of mental health professionals towards the trans community, and (b) to determine the factors related to these professionals’ attitudes, paying special attention to psychosocial and cultural aspects. A systematic search was carried out in the following electronic databases: Pubmed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, Gender Studies Database, and Lilacs. A total of 32 articles of quantitative (n = 19), qualitative (n = 11), and mixed (n = 2) design, published up to March 2023, were included. Most studies used a cross-sectional or qualitative design, limiting the possibility of generalizing the results. The studies reviewed indicated mostly positive attitudes among the professionals, depending on their psychosocial characteristics. In line with the results of our review, we recommend that the training of professionals is important to improve their positive attitudes towards transgender and gender diverse people.
Ethyl Methanesulphonate (EMS)-Mediated Mutagenesis Induces Genetic and Morphological Variations in Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)
Authors: Subramaniam Ranjita , Kumar Vijay Subbiah
Published: August 2023

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is a vegetable that holds high economic and nutritional value and is renowned for its distinct shape, color and flavor. There has been a considerable focus on enhancing the genetic makeup of eggplant, with specific attention given to breeding for better agronomic characteristics. However, the crop suffers from a narrow genetic base. As part of the efforts to broaden the gene pool of eggplant, a chemical mutagenesis approach has been employed, aimed to generate eggplant genotypes with distinctive characteristics. Altogether 180 seeds of eggplant cultivar, Surya was treated with EMS at 0.7% v/v concentration. In the development of M2 generation, members of 16 M2 families were inspected for phenotypic variation. Notable variations were observed in traits such as plant height, leaf, flower and fruit morphologies. Furthermore, a subset of the mutants was selected to screen for any DNA alterations in a few targeted genes belonging to the Flowering Locus T/Terminal Flower 1 (FT/TFL1) gene family, via amplicon sequencing performed using Pacbio RSII. A mutant sample was discovered to carry a heterozygous mutation at the upstream region of the coding sequence of one of those particular genes. Taken together, the M2 families developed here represent valuable genetic resources that can be explored for gene functional analysis and future breeding programs of eggplant.
Heat Transfer Analysis of Damaged Shrouded High-Pressure Turbine Rotor Blades
Authors: Carta Mario , Ghisu Tiziano , Shahpar Shahrokh
Published: August 2023

Due to the increasingly high turbine inlet temperatures, heat transfer analysis is now, more than ever, a vital part of the design and optimization of high-pressure turbine rotor blades of a modern jet engine. The present study aimed to find out how shape deviation and in-service deterioration affect heat exchange patterns on the rotor blade. The rotor geometries used for this analysis are represented by a set of high-resolution 3D structured light scans of blades with the same number of in-service hours. An automatic meshing technique was employed to generate high-resolution meshes directly on the scanned rotor geometries, which captured all the surface features with high fidelity. Steady-state 3D RANS flow simulations with a k-ω SST turbulence model were conducted on a one-and-a-half stage computational domain of the scanned geometries. First, the distribution of the heat transfer coefficient was calculated for each blade; then, a correlation was sought between the heat transfer coefficient and parametrized shape deviation, to assess the impact of each parameter on HTC levels.
Exploring a Multi-Layered Cross-Genre Corpus of Document-Level Semantic Relations
Authors: Williamson Gregor , Cao Angela , Chen Yingying , Ji Yuxin , Xu Liyan , Choi Jinho D.
Published: August 2023

This paper introduces a multi-layered cross-genre corpus, annotated for coreference resolution, causal relations, and temporal relations, comprising a variety of genres, from news articles and children’s stories to Reddit posts. Our results reveal distinctive genre-specific characteristics at each layer of annotation, highlighting unique challenges for both annotators and machine learning models. Children’s stories feature linear temporal structures and clear causal relations. In contrast, news articles employ non-linear temporal sequences with minimal use of explicit causal or conditional language and few first-person pronouns. Lastly, Reddit posts are author-centered explanations of ongoing situations, with occasional meta-textual reference. Our annotation schemes are adapted from existing work to better suit a broader range of text types. We argue that our multi-layered cross-genre corpus not only reveals genre-specific semantic characteristics but also indicates a rich contextual interplay between the various layers of semantic information. Our MLCG corpus is shared under the open-source Apache 2.0 license.
Topic Mining and Future Trend Exploration in Digital Economy Research
Authors: Zhang Changlu , Yang Qiong , Zhang Jian , Gou Liming , Fan Haojie
Published: August 2023

This work proposes a new literature topic clustering analysis framework, based on which the topics of digital-economy-related studies are condensed. First, we calculated the word vector of keywords using the FastText model, and then the keywords were merged according to semantic similarity. A hierarchical clustering method based on the Jaccard coefficient was employed to cluster the domain documents. Finally, the information gain method was applied to estimate the high-gain feature words for each category of topics. Based on the above framework, 23 categories of research topics were formed. We divided these topics into layers of digital technology, convergence innovation and digital governance, and we constructed a three-level digital economy research framework. Thereafter, the current hot spots and frontier trends were derived based on the number and growth rate of the literature. Our study revealed that the research on digital technology, which is the basic layer of the digital economy, has waned. The field related to the integration and innovation of digital technology and the real economy was the current research focus, among which the results with respect to “New Business Forms in the Digital Age”, “Circular Economy” and “Gig Economy” were abundant. The problems of the unbalanced development of the digital economy and digital monopoly have strengthened research on digital governance. Furthermore, research on “Regional Digital Economy”, “Chinese Digital Economy” and “Data Management” is in its initial stage and is a potential area of future research.
A Series of Lanthanide Complexes with Keggin-Type Monolacunary Phosphotungstate: Synthesis and Structural Characterization
Authors: Korenev Vladimir S. , Sukhikh Taisiya S. , Sokolov Maxim N.
Published: August 2023

The coordination of rare-earth metal ions (Ln3+) to polyoxometalates (POM) is regarded as a way of modifying and controlling their properties, such as single-molecular magnetism or luminescent behavior. The half-sandwich complexes of Ln3+ with monolacunary Keggin POMs (Ln3+/POM = 1:1) are of particular interest, since the Ln3+ retains its ability to coordinate extra ligands. Thus, the knowledge of the exact structures of 1:1 Ln/POM complexes is important for the development of reliable synthetic protocols for hybrid complexes. In this work, we isolated three 1:1 Gd3+/POM complexes of the general formula Cat4Gd(PW11O39)·xH2O (Cat = K+ or Me4N+). Complex (Me4N)2K2[Gd(H2O)2PW11O39]·5H2O (1) is polymeric, revealing a layered structural motif via bridging Gd3+ and K+ ions. Complexes (Me4N)6K2[Gd(H2O)3PW11O39]2·20H2O (2) and (Me4N)7K[Gd(H2O)3PW11O39]2·12H2O (3) are classified as dimeric; the difference between them consists of the different crystal packing of the polyoxometalates, which is induced by a variation in the cationic composition. Isostructural complexes have also been characterized for praseodymium, europium, terbium and dysprosium. The coordination number of Ln3+ (8) persists in all the compounds, while the binding mode of the POM varies, giving rise to different architectures with two or three H2O co-ligands per Ln3+. However, whatever the particular structure and exact composition, the {Ln(PW11O39)} moieties are always involved in bonding with each other with the formation either of polymeric chains or dimeric units. In water, these aggregates can dissociate with the formation of [Ln(H2O)4PW11O39]4-. This behavior must be taken into account when choosing L for the design of hybrid {Ln(L)POM} complexes.
Evaluation and Selection of New Trichogramma spp. as Biological Control Agents of the Guatemalan Potato Moth (Tecia solanivora) in Europe
Authors: Gavara Jorge , Cabello Tomás , Gámez Manuel , Bastin Saskia , Hernández-Suárez Estrella , Piedra-Buena Ana
Published: August 2023

The Guatemalan potato moth (Tecia solanivora) is designated a quarantine pest by the European Union, causing severe production losses in potato crops. No effective chemical control alternatives are currently available, and cultural techniques are unable to reduce harvest losses to acceptable levels. With a focus on biological control, two egg parasitoids (Trichogramma euproctidis and Trichogramma achaeae) were selected and evaluated for use under field and storage conditions. Laboratory assays (choice and no-choice) indicated the preference of both parasitoids for T. solanivora vs. Phthorimaea operculella. Trichogramma euproctidis showed the highest parasitic activity for both moths. Analysis of functional response (at 15, 20, 25 and 27 °C) confirmed the high parasitic potential of T. euproctidis. Furthermore, in assays conducted under darkness conditions, T. achaeae was unable to parasitize eggs. However, in semi-field assays, T. achaeae was more efficient in searching for eggs in the soil than T. euproctidis. Based on these results, T. achaeae was selected to be tested under field conditions, and T. euproctidis was selected for testing under storage conditions.
ICU Delirium Is Associated with Cardiovascular Burden and Higher Mortality in Patients with Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia
Authors: Gutowski Mateusz , Klimkiewicz Jakub , Michałowski Andrzej , Ordak Michal , Możański Marcin , Lubas Arkadiusz
Published: August 2023

Background: COVID-19 can lead to functional disorders and complications, e.g., pulmonary, thromboembolic, and neurological. The neuro-invasive potential of SARS-CoV-2 may result in acute brain malfunction, which manifests as delirium as a symptom. Delirium is a risk factor for death among patients hospitalized due to critical illness. Taking the above into consideration, the authors investigated risk factors for delirium in COVID-19 patients and its influence on outcomes. Methods: A total of 335 patients hospitalized due to severe forms of COVID-19 were enrolled in the study. Data were collected from medical charts. Results: Delirium occurred among 21.5% of patients. In the delirium group, mortality was significantly higher compared to non-delirium patients (59.7% vs. 28.5%; p < 0.001). Delirium increased the risk of death, with an OR of 3.71 (95% CI 2.16–6.89; p < 0.001). Age, chronic atrial fibrillation, elevated INR, urea, and procalcitonin, as well as decreased phosphates, appeared to be the independent risk factors for delirium occurrence. Conclusions: Delirium occurrence in patients with severe COVID-19 significantly increases the risk of death and is associated with a cardiovascular burden. Hypophosphatemia is a promising reversible factor to reduce mortality in this group of patients. However, larger studies are essential in this area.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Advances and Prospects
Authors: Boentert Matthias , Hermann Andreas , Großkreutz Julian
Published: August 2023

The JCM Topical Collection “Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Latest Advances and Prospects” started in 2020 and currently includes 11 publications reflecting a broad range of clinical research areas in the ALS field [...]
Molecular Biomarkers for the Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Pharmacodynamics of Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Authors: Babić Marija , Banović Maria , Berečić Ivana , Banić Tea , Babić Leko Mirjana , Ulamec Monika , Junaković Alisa , Kopić Janja , Sertić Jadranka , Barišić Nina , Šimić Goran
Published: August 2023

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a progressive degenerative illness that affects 1 in every 6 to 11,000 live births. This autosomal recessive disorder is caused by homozygous deletion or mutation of the SMN1 gene (survival motor neuron). As a backup, the SMN1 gene has the SMN2 gene, which produces only 10% of the functional SMN protein. Nusinersen and risdiplam, the first FDA-approved medications, act as SMN2 pre-mRNA splicing modifiers and enhance the quantity of SMN protein produced by this gene. The emergence of new therapies for SMA has increased the demand for good prognostic and pharmacodynamic (response) biomarkers in SMA. This article discusses current molecular diagnostic, prognostic, and pharmacodynamic biomarkers that could be assessed in SMA patients’ body fluids. Although various proteomic, genetic, and epigenetic biomarkers have been explored in SMA patients, more research is needed to uncover new prognostic and pharmacodynamic biomarkers (or a combination of biomarkers).
Special Issue “Infective Endocarditis: What Is New in the Clinical Research?”
Authors: Ioannou Petros
Published: August 2023

Infective Endocarditis (IE) is a disease that carries high morbidity and mortality risks and involves the infection of the endocardium, and more commonly of the cardiac valves and prosthetic material, like implantable defibrillators or pacemakers [...]
Atrial Fibrillation Associated with Heart Failure: Perspectives from Recent Large Clinical Studies and Translational Research
Authors: Bentounes Sid Ahmed , Bisson Arnaud , Fauchier Laurent
Published: August 2023

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major public health issue [...]
Advances in the Study of Bionic Mineralized Collagen, PLGA, Magnesium Ionomer Materials, and Their Composite Scaffolds for Bone Defect Treatment
Authors: Zhou Shuai , Liu Shihang , Wang Yan , Li Wenjing , Wang Juan , Wang Xiumei , Wang Shuo , Chen Wei , Lv Hongzhi
Published: August 2023

The healing of bone defects after a fracture remains a key issue to be addressed. Globally, more than 20 million patients experience bone defects annually. Among all artificial bone repair materials that can aid healing, implantable scaffolds made from a mineralized collagen (MC) base have the strongest bionic properties. The MC/PLGA scaffold, created by adding Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) copolymer (PLGA) and magnesium metal to the MC substrate, plays a powerful role in promoting fracture healing because, on the one hand, it has good biocompatibility similar to that of MC; on the other hand, the addition of PLGA provides the scaffold with an interconnected porous structure, and the addition of magnesium allows the scaffold to perform anti-inflammatory, osteogenic, and angiogenic activities. Using the latest 3D printing technology for scaffold fabrication, it is possible to model the scaffold in advance according to the requirement and produce a therapeutic scaffold suitable for various bone-defect shapes with less time and effort, which can promote bone tissue healing and regeneration to the maximum extent. This study reviews the material selection and technical preparation of MC/PLGA scaffolds, and the progress of their research on bone defect treatment.
Anti-Tumor Activity of Novel Nimotuzumab-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles as a Potential Immunotherapeutic Agent against Skin and Lung Cancers
Authors: Anisuzzman Mohammad , Komalla Varsha , Tarkistani Mariam Abdulaziz M. , Kayser Veysel
Published: August 2023

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is vital for many different types of cancer. Nimotuzumab (NmAb), an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody (mAb), is used against some of EGFR-overexpressed cancers in various countries. It targets malignant cells and is internalized via receptor-mediated endocytosis. We hypothesized that mAb-nanoparticle conjugation would provide an enhanced therapeutic efficacy, and hence we conjugated NmAb with 27 nm spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to form AuNP-NmAb nanoconjugates. Using biophysical and spectroscopic methods, including ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), the AuNP-NmAb complex was characterized. Furthermore, in vitro studies were performed using a medium-level EGFR-expressing skin cancer cell (A431, EGFRmedium) and low-level EGFR-expressing lung cancer cell (A549, EGFRlow) to evaluate anti-tumor and cellular uptake efficiency via MTT assay and single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS), respectively. In comparison to NmAb monotherapy, the AuNP-NmAb treatment drastically reduced cancer cell survivability: for A431 cells, the IC50 value of AuNP-NmAb conjugate was 142.7 µg/mL, while the IC50 value of free NmAb was 561.3 µg/mL. For A549 cells, the IC50 value of the AuNP-NmAb conjugate was 163.6 µg/mL, while the IC50 value of free NmAb was 1,082.0 µg/mL. Therefore, this study highlights the unique therapeutic potential of AuNP-NmAb in EGFR+ cancers and shows the potential to develop other mAb nanoparticle complexes for a superior therapeutic efficacy.
Programmable Energy-Efficient Analog Multilayer Perceptron Architecture Suitable for Future Expansion to Hardware Accelerators
Authors: Dix Jeff , Holleman Jeremy , Blalock Benjamin J.
Published: August 2023

A programmable, energy-efficient analog hardware implementation of a multilayer perceptron (MLP) is presented featuring a highly programmable system that offers the user the capability to create an MLP neural network hardware design within the available framework. In addition to programmability, this implementation provides energy-efficient operation via analog/mixed-signal design. The configurable system is made up of 12 neurons and is fabricated in a standard 130 nm CMOS process occupying approximately 1 mm2 of on-chip area. The system architecture is analyzed in several different configurations with each achieving a power efficiency of greater than 1 tera-operations per watt. This work offers an energy-efficient and scalable alternative to digital configurable neural networks that can be built upon to create larger networks capable of standard machine learning applications, such as image and text classification. This research details a programmable hardware implementation of an MLP that achieves a peak power efficiency of 5.23 tera-operations per watt while consuming considerably less power than comparable digital and analog designs. This paper describes circuit elements that can readily be scaled up at the system level to create a larger neural network architecture capable of improved energy efficiency.
Performance Optimization of Underwater Crushing Unit Based on AHP
Authors: Wang Lijun , Jiang Shitong , Ping Dongzhi , Feng Weilong , Shang Liyang , Tian Baoqiang , Xu Donglai
Published: August 2023

An underwater crushing unit loaded on the underwater cleaning robot was intended to handle marine biofouling that adhered to the surface of the ship and the dam, and a prototype was initially built. A Computational Fluid Dynamics–Discrete Element Model (CFD-DEM) was created to boost the prototype’s crushing performance, and its rationale was validated by contrasting the simulation results with the results of experimental tests. Accordingly, the primary influences on crushing performance and the laws governing their influence were investigated. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was then used to establish a prediction model for the comprehensive evaluation indicator of crushing performance. The AHP was used, in this case, because of its ability to generate the weight of indicators. The prediction model was a quadratic polynomial function with the rotational speed, the normal velocity component at the outlet of the propeller, the mass flow rate of the particles at the inlet of the unit, and the thickness of the bushing as independent variables. The prediction model fitting effect met the requirements after the test. The primary elements influencing the underwater crushing unit’s performance were optimized using the prediction model. The average accumulation speed of particles in the crushing unit was reduced by 59.05%, and the mass flow rate of particles at the outlet was reduced by 11.93%. The maximum wear height of the bushing was reduced by 33.36%. The specific power was up 20.88%, and the overall crushing performance was up 9.87% when compared to before optimization.
Analytical and Numerical Study of Underwater Tether Cable Dynamics for Seabed Walking Robots Using Quasi-Static Approximation
Authors: Khan Asghar , Wang Xiangyu , Li Zhenyu , Wang Liquan , Elahi Ahsan , Imran Muhammad
Published: August 2023

In this study, the dynamics of tether cables (TCs) that connect a surface ship and a walking robotic vehicle on the seabed are numerically investigated. The main aim of this study is to develop a reliable prediction model for the dynamic behavior of TCs attached to a seabed walking robot. This system consists of a surface ship, underwater manned seabed walking robot (UMSWR), TC, and winch. The study is comprised of mathematical modeling and numerical simulations of the developed governing equations for the TC dynamics. A relatively simple and efficient mathematical analysis method is proposed to determine the configuration and forces on the TC under a steady state. The problem is solved using the quasi-static technique and lumped mass parameters for discretizing and modeling the dynamics of the TC. Based on the static analysis of the Morrison equation and finite segment method, analytical formulas of the steady-state equation of TC were obtained and solved. The effects of variable water density and variable underwater currents are included in the cable behavior. Consequently, the two-dimensional TC profile and axial tension were estimated in a steady-state configuration. The developed equations were simulated in MATLAB software. Several numerical simulation examples were worked out, demonstrating the accurate performance of the method. Various input parameters of the system and their relationships with the output values were investigated, thereby demonstrating the versatility of the method.
Rethinking Sports Journalism
Authors: Rojas-Torrijos José Luis , Nölleke Daniel
Published: August 2023

In current digital media landscapes, sports journalism has lost its status as the undisputed playmaker in delivering sports-related information to audiences [...]
Phenotype-Specific Outcome and Treatment Response in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction with Comorbid Hypertension and Diabetes: A 12-Month Multicentered Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Nguyen Ngoc-Thanh-Van , Nguyen Hoai-An , Nguyen Hai Hoang , Truong Binh Quang , Chau Hoa Ngoc
Published: August 2023

Despite evidence of SGLT2 inhibitors in improving cardiovascular outcomes of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), the heterogenous mechanism and characteristic multimorbidity of HFpEF require a phenotypic approach. Metabolic phenotype, one common HFpEF phenotype, has various presentations and prognoses worldwide. We aimed to identify different phenotypes of hypertensive-diabetic HFpEF, their phenotype-related outcomes, and treatment responses. The primary endpoint was time to the first event of all-cause mortality or hospitalization for heart failure (HHF). Among 233 recruited patients, 24.9% experienced primary outcomes within 12 months. A total of 3.9% was lost to follow-up. Three phenotypes were identified. Phenotype 1 (n = 126) consisted of lean, elderly females with chronic kidney disease, anemia, and concentric hypertrophy. Phenotype 2 (n = 62) included younger males with coronary artery disease. Phenotype 3 (n = 45) comprised of obese elderly with atrial fibrillation. Phenotype 1 and 2 reported higher primary outcomes than phenotype 3 (p = 0.002). Regarding treatment responses, SGLT2 inhibitor was associated with fewer primary endpoints in phenotype 1 (p = 0.003) and 2 (p = 0.001). RAAS inhibitor was associated with fewer all-cause mortality in phenotype 1 (p = 0.003). Beta blocker was associated with fewer all-cause mortality in phenotype 1 (p = 0.024) and fewer HHF in phenotype 2 (p = 0.011). Our pioneering study supports the personalized approach to optimize HFpEF management in hypertensive-diabetic patients.
Pectoralis Major in Salvage Total Laryngectomy after Irradiation: Morbidity, Mortality, Functional, and Oncological Results in a Referral Center in Egypt
Authors: Abdelghany Mahmoud , Amin Ayman , Degni Emilia , Crescio Claudia , Hassan Asem Elsani M. A. , Ftohy Tarek , Bussu Francesco
Published: August 2023

Background: Nonsurgical organ preservation protocols have seen a large diffusion worldwide in the last decades. Their oncological and functional effectiveness in a real-world setting has been recently questioned because of the high morbidity of salvage procedures. The aim of this study is to review the outcomes of postirradiation salvage total laryngectomy (STL) and reconstruction with pectoralis major flap. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 37 cases of STL in the period from January 2015 to December 2021. Data for each patient were extracted from the hospital information system and reviewed. Results: The 3-year overall and disease-specific survival are, respectively, 28% and 51%. Only seven recurrences after salvage surgery were recorded and all of them died from the disease. The other 14 deaths derived from comorbidities, with diabetes being the most significant predictive parameter for overall survival. Also, lower postoperative albumin levels were associated with a higher risk of death. Conclusions: Overall survival after STL and reconstruction with PMMF is low but most deaths are due to comorbidities and not to cancer progression or recurrence.
Safe Data-Driven Lane Change Decision Using Machine Learning in Vehicular Networks
Authors: Naja Rola
Published: August 2023

This research proposes a unique platform for lane change assistance for generating data-driven lane change (LC) decisions in vehicular networks. The goal is to reduce the frequency of emergency braking, the rate of vehicle collisions, and the amount of time spent in risky lanes. In order to analyze and mine the massive amounts of data, our platform uses effective Machine Learning (ML) techniques to forecast collisions and advise the driver to safely change lanes. From the unprocessed large data generated by the car sensors, kinematic information is retrieved, cleaned, and evaluated. Machine learning algorithms analyze this kinematic data and provide an action: either stay in lane or change lanes to the left or right. The model is trained using the ML techniques K-Nearest Neighbor, Artificial Neural Network, and Deep Reinforcement Learning based on a set of training data and focus on predicting driver actions. The proposed solution is validated via extensive simulations using a microscopic car-following mobility model, coupled with an accurate mathematical modelling. Performance analysis show that KNN yields up to best performance parameters. Finally, we draw conclusions for road safety stakeholders to adopt the safer technique to lane change maneuver.
Performance Assessment and Mitigation of Timing Covert Channels over the IEEE 802.15.4
Authors: Severino Ricardo , Rodrigues João , Alves João , Ferreira Luis Lino
Published: August 2023

The fast development and adoption of IoT technologies has been enabling their application into increasingly sensitive domains, such as Medical and Industrial IoT, in which safety and cyber-security are paramount. While the number of deployed IoT devices increases annually, they still present severe cyber-security vulnerabilities, becoming potential targets and entry points for further attacks. As these nodes become compromised, attackers aim to set up stealthy communication behaviours, to exfiltrate data or to orchestrate nodes in a cloaked fashion, and network timing covert channels are increasingly being used with such malicious intents. The IEEE 802.15.4 is one of the most pervasive protocols in IoT and a fundamental part of many communication infrastructures. Despite this fact, the possibility of setting up such covert communication techniques on this medium has received very little attention. We aim to analyse the performance and feasibility of such covert-channel implementations upon the IEEE 802.15.4 protocol, particularly upon the DSME behaviour, one of the most promising for large-scale time critical communications. This enables us to better understand the involved risk of such threats and help support the development of active cyber-security mechanisms to mitigate these threats, which, for now, we provide in the form of practical network setup recommendations.
A Review of the Lightning Network’s Evolution: Unraveling Its Present State and the Emergence of Disruptive Digital Business Models
Authors: Dasaklis Thomas K. , Malamas Vangelis
Published: August 2023

The Lightning Network (LN), a second-layer protocol built on top of the Bitcoin blockchain, is an innovative digital payment solution that offers increased convenience, speed, and cost-effectiveness to consumers and businesses alike. However, there is limited literature available on the characteristics of this nascent technology, the depth and breadth of the various business LN-related applications as well as relevant adoption/implementation challenges. This study aims to contribute to the understanding of the LN’s characteristics, its potential in enhancing business operations and its applicability across different sectors, while taking into account adoption and implementation challenges. We apply a narrative review methodology using a semi-systematic approach to examine new and emerging business models empowered by the LN and its characteristics, topology, performance, privacy and security. We analyze the data to identify key themes and trends in the literature, offering a critical analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the existing literature. Based on the findings, we provide several clusters of fruitful areas for future research directions. This study not only provides crucial insights for businesses contemplating the adoption of LN to improve their operations and customer experience, but it also represents a substantial academic contribution, offering valuable knowledge and fostering further research in the fields of blockchain technology, FinTech and cryptocurrencies.
The Emerging Role of NaF-PET/CT in Detecting Vascular Microcalcification in the Pathogenesis of Neurological Dysfunction
Authors: Teichner Eric M. , Subtirelu Robert C. , Ashok Arjun B. , Su Yvonne , Anderson Victoria A. , Writer Milo , Al-Daoud Omar , Ismoilov Miraziz , Raynor William Y. , Werner Thomas J. , Høilund-Carlsen Poul F. , Alavi Abass , Revheim Mona-Elisabeth
Published: August 2023

Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is a global health concern, and early detection is crucial for effective intervention. This case report presents a 31-year-old male patient with multiple cardiac risk factors who underwent positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with 18F-sodium fluoride (NaF) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) to evaluate for the presence and degree of atherosclerosis in the aorta, carotid arteries, coronary arteries, iliac arteries, and the femoral arteries. Elevated NaF uptake within the bilateral carotid arteries signified substantial ongoing vascular microcalcification. Reduced global brain metabolism and region-specific hypometabolism measured with FDG PET indicated potential cerebrovascular mechanisms that may be influencing neurological function. The findings highlight the potential of emerging PET tracers, such as NaF, to improve the diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic management of CVD. This case emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive diagnostic approach as well as continued investigation into CVD pathophysiology using PET-based techniques, which may guide the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.
Ecosystem Service Flow Perspective of Urban Green Land: Spatial Simulation and Driving Factors of Cooling Service Flow
Authors: Zhou Yanru , Feng Zhe , Xu Kaiji , Wu Kening , Gao Hong , Liu Peijia
Published: August 2023

The linking of ecosystem service flows (ESFs) with urban land management is still in its nascent stage. The spatial process modeling of ESFs plays a crucial role in establishing connections between urban land sustainability and human benefits. However, the spatial processes and driving mechanisms associated with urban cooling services (UCS) remain ambiguous. In this study, we selected the area within the 6th Ring Road of Beijing as the study area, where the population is highly concentrated and the urban greenery is relatively developed. We modeled the spatial processes of cooling service flow (UCSF) in this area and elucidated the contribution of landscape patterns to UCSF. Firstly, the cooling capacity, referred to as UCS, of the urban blue–green landscape, was estimated using the InVEST tool. Subsequently, the UCSF spatial process was simulated by employing a two-dimensional Gaussian function at the pixel level. In order to characterize the landscape features in the study area, eight landscape indices were selected, and Fragstats v4.2 was employed for their calculation. Finally, GeoDetector was utilized to explore the driving mechanisms of landscape patterns on UCSF. The predominant area for both UCS and UCSF lies between the 5th and 6th Ring Road in Beijing, exhibiting a declining trend from the 6th Ring Road toward the city center. The UCSF coverage area, which represents the beneficiary area, accounted for approximately 87.78% of the study area, with the largest increase occurring within the 2nd Ring Road. The Landscape Shape Index demonstrated the strongest individual contribution to UCSF, while its combined bivariate contribution was significant. Geometry exerted a greater influence on UCSF compared to landscape scale and spatial configuration. This study presents novel insights for assessing the omnidirectional flow of ESFs through the modeling of flow functions. The findings of this study can serve as a valuable reference for sustainable urban landscape management and planning.
Regulatory T Cell-Targeted Immunomodulatory Therapy for Long-Term Clinical Improvement of Atopic Dermatitis: Hypotheses and Perspectives
Authors: Nahm Dong-Ho
Published: August 2023

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronically relapsing inflammatory skin disorder characterized by itching and eczematous lesions. It is often associated with a personal or familial history of allergic diseases. Allergic inflammation induced by immunoglobulin E and T-helper type 2 (Th2) cell responses to common environmental agents has been suggested to play an essential role in AD pathogenesis. The standard therapies for AD, including topical or systemic agents, focus on controlling skin inflammation. Recently developed monoclonal antibody to interleukin-4 receptor alpha or Janus kinase inhibitors can provide significant clinical improvements in patients with AD by inhibiting Th2 cell-mediated skin inflammation. However, the clinical efficacy of the Th2 cell-targeted therapy is transient and incomplete in patients with AD. Patients with AD are seeking a permanent cure. Therefore, the development of novel immunomodulatory strategies that can improve a long-term clinical outcome and provide a long-term treatment-free clinical remission of AD (disease-modifying therapy) is needed. Regulatory T (Treg) cells play a critical role in the maintenance of immune tolerance and suppress the development of autoimmune and allergic diseases. This review provides three working hypotheses and perspectives for the treatment of AD by Treg cell activation. (1) A decreased number or function of Treg cells is a critical event that causes the activation of Th2 cells, leading to the development and maintenance of AD. (2) Activation of Treg cells is an effective therapeutic approach for AD. (3) Many different immunomodulatory strategies activating Treg cells can provide a long-term clinical improvement of AD by induction of immune tolerance. The Treg cell-targeted immunomodulatory therapies for AD include allergen immunotherapy, microbiota, vitamin D, polyvalent human immunoglobulin G, monoclonal antibodies to the surface antigens of T cell or antigen-presenting cell, and adoptive transfer of autologous Treg cells or genetically engineered Treg cells expanded in vitro.
Properties of Geopolymers Based on Metakaolin and Soda-Lime Waste Glass
Authors: Kotsay Galyna , Grabowski Paweł
Published: August 2023

The paper determines the properties of geopolymer pastes based on metakaolin and soda-lime waste glass. The density, alkaline activity, strength and microstructure of the reference geopolymer, as well as geopolymers with a 10%, 30% and 50% soda-lime waste glass content instead of metakaolin, were tested. The experimental results indicate that the properties of the geopolymers with waste glass largely depend on the ratio of the liquid to solid substance. Increasing the content of waste glass causes an increase in the fluidity of the geopolymer paste, which in turn allows the amount of water glass, i.e., an activator during the obtaining of geopolymers, to be reduced. On the basis of the conducted tests, it was found that the strength of geopolymers can be increased by adding up to 50% of soda-lime waste glass instead of metakaolin and by having a lower content of water glass.
Two-Dimensional Graphene-Based Potassium Channels Built at an Oil/Water Interface
Authors: Wang Xiaoyuan , Yang Hanhan , Yu Zhenmei , Zhang Zengtao , Chen Yong
Published: August 2023

Graphene-based laminar membranes exhibit remarkable ion sieving properties, but their monovalent ion selectivity is still low and much less than the natural ion channels. Inspired by the elementary structure/function relationships of biological ion channels embedded in biomembranes, a new strategy is proposed herein to mimic biological K+ channels by using the graphene laminar membrane (GLM) composed of two-dimensional (2D) angstrom(Å)-scale channels to support a simple model of semi-biomembrane, namely oil/water (O/W) interface. It is found that K+ is strongly preferred over Na+ and Li+ for transferring across the GLM-supported water/1,2-dichloroethane (W/DCE) interface within the same potential window (-0.1-0.6 V), although the monovalent ion selectivity of GLM under the aqueous solution is still low (K+/Na+~1.11 and K+/Li+~1.35). Moreover, the voltammetric responses corresponding to the ion transfer of NH4+ observed at the GLM-supported W/DCE interface also show that NH4+ can often pass through the biological K+ channels due to their comparable hydration–free energies and cation-π interactions. The underlying mechanism of as-observed K+ selective voltammetric responses is discussed and found to be consistent with the energy balance of cationic partial-dehydration (energetic costs) and cation-π interaction (energetic gains) as involved in biological K+ channels.
The Effect of Substitution of Mn by Pd on the Structure and Thermomagnetic Properties of the Mn1−xPdxCoGe Alloys (Where x = 0.03, 0.05, 0.07 and 0.1)
Authors: Kutynia Karolina , Przybył Anna , Gębara Piotr
Published: August 2023

In the present paper, the influence of partial substitution of Mn by Pd on structure, thermomagnetic properties, and phase transitions in the MnCoGe alloys was investigated. The studies of phase constitution revealed an occurrence of the orthorhombic TiNiSi-type and hexagonal Ni2Ti- type phases. Deep analysis of the XRD pattern supported by the Rietveld analysis allowed us to notice the changes in lattice parameters and quantity of recognized phases depending on the Pd content. An increase of palladium in alloy composition at the expense of manganese induced a rise in the Curie temperature. The values of ΔSM measured for the variation of external magnetic field ~5 T equaled 8.88, 23.99, 15.63, and 11.09 for Mn0.97Pd0.03CoGe, Mn0.95Pd0.05CoGe, Mn0.93Pd0.07CoGe, and Mn0.9Pd0.1CoGe alloy, respectively. The highest magnetic entropy change ΔSM was observed for samples with Pd content x = 0.05 induced by magnetostructural transformation. The analysis of the n vs. T curves allowed confirmation of the XRD and DSC results of an occurrence of the first-order magnetostructural transition in Mn0.95Pd0.05CoGe and Mn0.93Pd0.07CoGe alloys samples.
Assessment of Processing Parameters of Pack Silicon Cementation onto P265GH Grade Steel
Authors: Cojocaru Mihai Ovidiu , Branzei Mihai , Morariu Mircea Dan
Published: August 2023

The quantification of the single or combined variation of the process parameters specific to a thermochemical treatment is the key to a full factorial experiment and a first step in the development of computer-aided process engineering. Powdery solid media are frequently used in the practice of thermochemical treatments when the number of processed products is reduced, additional investments are not justified, or when there are no technological alternatives. The control of the process carried out in such powdery solid media involves both the control of the thermal and temporal parameters of the process on the layer growth kinetics and its phase composition, as well as the ratio of the powdery solid mixture mass percentage (active and neutral components, reaction activators, and components with the role of blocking the sintering tendency of the medium particles). In this paper, using the specific full factorial experiment (that is, a first-order complete factorial experiment (CFE)), the full model of the regression equation of the interactions between the specific process parameters of the silicide layer formation in a powdery solid media, applied to the low alloy P265GH steel grade and used in the petrochemical industry, were evaluated. Fe-ARMCO was chosen as the reference in the experimental research carried out.