bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plant diversity as a sustainable strategy for mitigating biotic and abiotic stresses in tomato cultivation
Authors: Cruz-López Vianii , Granados-Echegoyen Carlos Alejandro , Pérez-Pacheco Rafael , Robles Celerino , Álvarez-Lopeztello Jonás , Morales Isidro , Bastidas-Orrego Lina María , García-Pérez Florinda , Dorantes-Jiménez Jaime , Landero-Valenzuela Nadia
Published: February 2024

Sustainable agriculture has become a global priority in response to increasing food demand and the challenges confronting agricultural production, such as biotic and abiotic stresses. In this review, we delve into the role of plant diversity in mitigating these stressors within tomato cultivation. Our investigation reveals that the most extensively studied companion species areVicia villosaRoth,Coriandrum sativumL., andAllium cepaL., while the primary stressors under scrutiny include nutrient deficiencies, aerial pests, and soil-borne pathogenic diseases. Regarding nutrient deficiencies, the cover crop system has demonstrated its capacity to provide essential nutrients directly and indirectly to plants. In addressing aerial pests and pathogens, all cultivation systems exhibit contributions. Finally, we assert that incorporating plant diversity into agroecosystems can effectively counteract various types of stressors. These benefits align with the application of agroecological principles and the development of sustainable agroecosystems. Further assessments of the effects of additional companion plant species are imperative. This should encompass the identification of their distribution, optimal plant quantities, and cultivation systems that enhance their benefits. Ultimately, these evaluations will aid in the formulation of comprehensive guidelines to facilitate the selection and utilization of plant diversity for long-term sustainability.
Problematic Smartphone Use and Communication in Families with Adolescents
Authors: Merkaš Marina , Bodrožić Selak Matea , Žulec Ivanković Ana
Published: February 2024

Research examining the relations among adolescent’s problematic smartphone use, parent–adolescent conflicts about smartphone use, family communication, and adolescent communication skills is scarce. Thus, the study empirically examined a model of the direct and indirect effects of adolescents’ problematic smartphone use on adolescent communication skills via family communication and parent–adolescent conflicts about smartphone use. The data used for the creation of this paper came from a sample of 284 adolescents (59.4% girls), aged 10 to 15, who participated in a four-wave longitudinal study (2021–2023) examining the effects of smartphone use on well-being and development. Adolescents rated their problematic smartphone use (wave 1), conflicts with parents about their smartphone use (wave 2), family communication (wave 3), and communication skills (wave 4). There was no support for the direct effect of problematic smartphone use on communication skills. Our path analysis showed a significant indirect effect of problematic smartphone use on communication skills via family communication. Our analysis also showed a significant direct effect of problematic smartphone use on conflicts between parents and adolescents about the time spent using smartphones and balancing activities with smartphone use. The findings of this study imply that excessive and extensive smartphone use may pose a risk factor for frequent parent–adolescent conflicts, poor family communication, and poor adolescent communication skills.
Analysis of Visual and Vestibular Information on Motion Sickness in Flight Simulation
Authors: Javaid Ahmad , Rasool Shahzad , Maqsood Adnan
Published: February 2024

Virtual reality (VR) is in its nascent technological advancement and market diffusion stages. Interestingly, the scientific exploration concerning the impact of non-isometric mapping disparities within visual–vestibular stimuli on motion sickness remains deficient. This investigation focuses on scrutinizing the visual–vestibular implications for motion sickness within the context of flight simulation. The developed motion platform, offering specific pitch and roll ranges of ±16 and ±17 degrees, respectively, was employed to induce varying ratios of simulated visual–vestibular cues. Involving a cohort of five participants, the study exposed them to two prevalent simulated mission profiles, subsequently assessing their motion sickness symptoms. Sixty responses were analyzed using the subjective assessment of the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ). The findings reveal a reduction in cybersickness severity with congruent visual–vestibular stimuli in proportion to the variance observed among visual–vestibular coupling ratios. A comparative analysis of SSQ sub-categories demonstrates that disorientation holds the most significance in the hierarchy of motion sickness contributors, followed by oculomotor discomfort, with nausea manifesting as the least influential. This study can lead to situation awareness analysis by integrating VR-based flight-simulation setups in the formal training of pilots and UAV operators.
Alpha-EIOU-YOLOv8: An Improved Algorithm for Rice Leaf Disease Detection
Authors: Trinh Dong Cong , Mac Anh Tuan , Dang Khanh Giap , Nguyen Huong Thanh , Nguyen Hoc Thai , Bui Thanh Dang
Published: February 2024

Early detection of plant leaf diseases is a major necessity for controlling the spread of infections and enhancing the quality of food crops. Recently, plant disease detection based on deep learning approaches has achieved better performance than current state-of-the-art methods. Hence, this paper utilized a convolutional neural network (CNN) to improve rice leaf disease detection efficiency. We present a modified YOLOv8, which replaces the original Box Loss function by our proposed combination of EIoU loss and α-IoU loss in order to improve the performance of the rice leaf disease detection system. A two-stage approach is proposed to achieve a high accuracy of rice leaf disease identification based on AI (artificial intelligence) algorithms. In the first stage, the images of rice leaf diseases in the field are automatically collected. Afterward, these image data are separated into blast leaf, leaf folder, and brown spot sets, respectively. In the second stage, after training the YOLOv8 model on our proposed image dataset, the trained model is deployed on IoT devices to detect and identify rice leaf diseases. In order to assess the performance of the proposed approach, a comparative study between our proposed method and the methods using YOLOv7 and YOLOv5 is conducted. The experimental results demonstrate that the accuracy of our proposed model in this research has reached up to 89.9% on the dataset of 3175 images with 2608 images for training, 326 images for validation, and 241 images for testing. It demonstrates that our proposed approach achieves a higher accuracy rate than existing approaches.
Visual Analytics for Robust Investigations of Placental Aquaporin Gene Expression in Response to Maternal SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Isokpehi Raphael D. , Abioye Amos O. , Hamilton Rickeisha S. , Fryer Jasmin C. , Hollman Antoinesha L. , Destefano Antoinette M. , Ezekiel Kehinde B. , Taylor Tyrese L. , Brooks Shawna F. , Johnson Matilda O. , Smile Olubukola , Ramroop-Butts Shirma , Makolo Angela U. , Hayward Albert G.
Published: February 2024

The human placenta is a multifunctional, disc-shaped temporary fetal organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy, connecting the mother and the fetus. The availability of large-scale datasets on the gene expression of placental cell types and scholarly articles documenting adverse pregnancy outcomes from maternal infection warrants the use of computational resources to aid in knowledge generation from disparate data sources. Using maternal Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection as a case study in microbial infection, we constructed integrated datasets and implemented visual analytics resources to facilitate robust investigations of placental gene expression data in the dimensions of flow, curation, and analytics. The visual analytics resources and associated datasets can support a greater understanding of SARS-CoV-2-induced changes to the human placental expression levels of 18,882 protein-coding genes and at least 1233 human gene groups/families. We focus this report on the human aquaporin gene family that encodes small integral membrane proteins initially studied for their roles in water transport across cell membranes. Aquaporin-9 (AQP9) was the only aquaporin downregulated in term placental villi from SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers. Previous studies have found that (1) oxygen signaling modulates placental development; (2) oxygen tension could modulate AQP9 expression in the human placenta; and (3) SARS-CoV-2 can disrupt the formation of oxygen-carrying red blood cells in the placenta. Thus, future research could be performed on microbial infection-induced changes to (1) the placental hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells; and (2) placental expression of human aquaporin genes, especially AQP9.
Kubism™: Picasso, Trademarks and Bouillon Cube
Authors: Elcott Noam M.
Published: February 2024

Pablo Picasso’s Landscape with Billboards (1912) evinces a deep and complex relationship with emergent trademark and related intellectual property law in France. Among the three trademarked logos featured prominently in the work is that for Bouillon Kub. Critics, caricaturists, and the Cubists themselves toyed with the visual and textual rhymes between Cubism and Bouillon Kub. But only Picasso in his Landscape with Billboards engaged deeply with the nascent trademark and design protection laws exploited more forcefully by Bouillon Kub than nearly any other brand. This essay is a small part of a larger chapter on Picasso, Cubism, and the semiotics of trademark, which, in turn, is a part of the book project Art™: A History of Modern Art, Authenticity, and Trademarks.
Optical Extreme Learning Machines with Atomic Vapors
Authors: Silva Nuno A. , Rocha Vicente , Ferreira Tiago D.
Published: February 2024

Extreme learning machines explore nonlinear random projections to perform computing tasks on high-dimensional output spaces. Since training only occurs at the output layer, the approach has the potential to speed up the training process and the capacity to turn any physical system into a computing platform. Yet, requiring strong nonlinear dynamics, optical solutions operating at fast processing rates and low power can be hard to achieve with conventional nonlinear optical materials. In this context, this manuscript explores the possibility of using atomic gases in near-resonant conditions to implement an optical extreme learning machine leveraging their enhanced nonlinear optical properties. Our results suggest that these systems have the potential not only to work as an optical extreme learning machine but also to perform these computations at the few-photon level, paving opportunities for energy-efficient computing solutions.
Consumer Acceptance and Physicochemical Properties of a Yogurt Beverage Formulated with Upcycled Yogurt Acid Whey
Authors: Shukla Viral , Villarreal Marcela , Padilla-Zakour Olga I.
Published: February 2024

Drinkable yogurts are low-viscosity beverages often created by diluting yogurt with water or high-value-fluid milk. Yogurt acid whey, a typically discarded byproduct of the Greek yogurt industry, may serve as an upcycled ingredient for these types of products with minimal processing. In this study, differing concentrations of acid whey (35%, 40%, and 45% w/w) were added to a mango yogurt beverage with 0.2% and 0.4% w/w stabilizer and analyzed for physicochemical properties over a 40-day period. The analysis indicated that the percentage of acid whey was positively correlated with both viscosity and water-holding capacity. A hedonic sensory analysis of the beverages indicated positive consumer acceptance of such upcycled products, with enhanced acceptance at 25–35% addition. This study demonstrates the potential for consumer acceptance of yogurt beverages upcycled with native-acid whey, providing insights into sustainable practices within the food industry.
Recent Advances and Challenges in the Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Preterm Labor
Authors: Gondane Prashil , Kumbhakarn Sakshi , Maity Pritiprasanna , Kapat Kausik
Published: February 2024

Preterm birth (PTB) is the primary cause of neonatal mortality and long-term disabilities. The unknown mechanism behind PTB makes diagnosis difficult, yet early detection is necessary for controlling and averting related consequences. The primary focus of this work is to provide an overview of the known risk factors associated with preterm labor and the conventional and advanced procedures for early detection of PTB, including multi-omics and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML)- based approaches. It also discusses the principles of detecting various proteomic biomarkers based on lateral flow immunoassay and microfluidic chips, along with the commercially available point-of-care testing (POCT) devices and associated challenges. After briefing the therapeutic and preventive measures of PTB, this review summarizes with an outlook.
The Efficacy and Safety of High-Dose Cholecalciferol Therapy in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Tarasewicz Agnieszka , Komorniczak Michał , Zakrzewska Agnieszka , Biedunkiewicz Bogdan , Małgorzewicz Sylwia , Jankowska Magdalena , Jasiulewicz Katarzyna , Płonka Natalia , Dąbrowska Małgorzata , Dębska-Ślizień Alicja , Tylicki Leszek
Published: February 2024

Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are highly prevalent in CKD, affecting over 80% of hemodialysis (HD) patients and requiring therapeutic intervention. Nephrological societies suggest the administration of cholecalciferol according to the guidelines for the general population. The aim of the observational study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the therapy with a high dose of cholecalciferol in HD patients with 25(OH)D deficiency and insufficiency to reach the target serum 25(OH)D level > 30 ng/mL. A total of 22 patients (16 M), with an average age of 72.5 ± 13.03 years and 25(OH)D concentration of 13.05 (9.00–17.90) ng/mL, were administered cholecalciferol at a therapeutic dose of 70,000 IU/week (20,000 IU + 20,000 IU + 30,000 IU, immediately after each dialysis session). All patients achieved the target value > 30 ng/mL, with a mean time of 2.86 ± 1.87 weeks. In the first week, the target level of 25(OH)D (100%) was reached by 2 patients (9.09%), in the second week by 15 patients (68.18%), in the fourth week by 18 patients (81.18%), and in the ninth week by all 22 patients (100%). A significant increase in 1,25(OH)2D levels was observed during the study. However, only 2 patients (9.09%) achieved a concentration of 1,25(OH)2D above 25 ng/mL—the lower limit of the reference range. The intact PTH concentrations remained unchanged during the observation period. No episodes of hypercalcemia were detected, and one new episode of hyperphosphatemia was observed. In conclusion, our study showed that the administration of a high-therapeutic dose of cholecalciferol allowed for a quick, effective, and safe leveling of 25(OH)D concentration in HD patients.
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Management of Primary Orbital Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs): Systematic Literature Review and Clinical Case Presentation
Authors: Arrivi Giulia , Specchia Monia , Pilozzi Emanuela , Rinzivillo Maria , Caruso Damiano , Santangeli Curzio , Prosperi Daniela , Ascolese Anna Maria , Panzuto Francesco , Mazzuca Federica
Published: February 2024

Background: The ocular involvement of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) is uncommon and mainly represented by metastases from gastrointestinal and lung neuroendocrine tumors. Primary orbital NENs are even less common and their diagnostic and therapeutic management is a challenge. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted from 1966 to September 2023 on PubMed to identify articles on orbital NENs and to summarize their clinical–pathological features, diagnosis and therapeutic management. Furthermore, we presented a case of a locally advanced retro-orbital primary neuroendocrine tumor that was referred to the certified Center of Excellence of Sant’Andrea Hospital, La Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. Results: The final analysis included 63 records on orbital NENs and 11 records focused on primary orbital NENs. The localization was mostly unilateral and in the right orbit; proptosis or exophthalmos represented the initial symptoms. The diagnostic work-up and therapeutic management was discussed and a diagnostic algorithm for the suspicion of primary orbital NENs was proposed. Conclusions: A multidisciplinary approach is required for the management of primary orbital NENs, emphasizing the importance of early referral to dedicated centers for prompt differential diagnosis, tailored treatment, and an improved quality of life and survival.
An Interactive Dashboard for Statistical Analysis of Intensive Care Unit COVID-19 Data
Authors: Dias Rúben , Ferreira Artur , Pinto Iola , Geraldes Carlos , Von Rekowski Cristiana , Bento Luís
Published: February 2024

Background: COVID-19 caused a pandemic, due to its ease of transmission and high number of infections. The evolution of the pandemic and its consequences for the mortality and morbidity of populations, especially the elderly, generated several scientific studies and many research projects. Among them, we have the Predictive Models of COVID-19 Outcomes for Higher Risk Patients Towards a Precision Medicine (PREMO) research project. For such a project with many data records, it is necessary to provide a smooth graphical analysis to extract value from it. Methods: In this paper, we present the development of a full-stack Web application for the PREMO project, consisting of a dashboard providing statistical analysis, data visualization, data import, and data export. The main aspects of the application are described, as well as the diverse types of graphical representations and the possibility to use filters to extract relevant information for clinical practice. Results: The application, accessible through a browser, provides an interactive visualization of data from patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), throughout the six waves of COVID-19 in two hospitals in Lisbon, Portugal. The analysis can be isolated per wave or can be seen in an aggregated view, allowing clinicians to create many views of the data and to study the behavior and consequences of different waves. For instance, the experimental results show clearly the effect of vaccination as well as the changes on the most relevant clinical parameters on each wave. Conclusions: The dashboard allows clinicians to analyze many variables of each of the six waves as well as aggregated data for all the waves. The application allows the user to extract information and scientific knowledge about COVID-19’s evolution, yielding insights for this pandemic and for future pandemics.
Mechanical Performance Comparison of Sandwich Panels with Graded Lattice and Honeycomb Cores
Authors: Georges Hussam , García Solera Diego , Aguilar Borasteros Carlos , Metar Mohmad , Song Gyeongseob , Mandava Rahul , Becker Wilfried , Mittelstedt Christian
Published: February 2024

The design of graded and multifunctional lattice cores is driven by the increasing demand for high-performance components in lightweight engineering. This trend benefits from significant achievements in additive manufacturing, where the lattice core and the face sheets are fabricated simultaneously in a single print job. This work systematically compares the mechanical performance of sandwich panels comprising various graded lattice cores subjected to concentrated loads. In addition to graded lattice cores, uniform lattices and conventional honeycomb cores are analyzed. To obtain an optimized graded lattice core, a fully stressed design method is applied. Stresses and displacements are determined using a linear elastic analytical model that allows grading the core properties in a layerwise manner through the core thickness. The analysis indicates the superior performance of graded lattice cores compared to homogeneous lattice cores. However, conventional honeycombs outperform graded lattice cores in terms of load-to-weight ratio and stiffness-to-weight ratio. This study provides valuable insights for the design of lattice core sandwich panels and the advantages of several design approaches.
Zebra Finch Females Avoided the Scent of Males with Greater Body Condition
Authors: Amo Luisa , López-Rull Isabel
Published: February 2024

The role of chemical communication in the social relationships of birds is receiving growing attention, but our knowledge is still scarce compared to that of other taxa. Previous evidence suggests that chemical cues emitted by birds may carry information about their characteristics, which may be useful in the context of sexual selection. However, experimental studies are needed to investigate the role of bird chemical cues in signalling the quality of potential partners. We performed an experimental study aimed at disentangling whether the female Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia guttata), use chemical cues to assess the body condition of potential partners. We offered focal females (N = 28) the scent of two males differing in body condition (body mass/tarsus length ratio) (N = 28 scent donor males). Our results showed that females can assess the body condition of potential partners using olfaction. However, contrary to what should be expected in a mate choice context, females avoided the scent of males with greater body condition. Our results, therefore, suggest that, despite performing the study during the breeding period, social interactions may be mediating the avoidance of the scent of the male in better condition in this gregarious species, probably to avoid a conspecific competitor with better body condition.
Plasma Actuators Based on Alumina Ceramics for Active Flow Control Applications
Authors: Rodrigues Frederico F. , Shvydyuk Kateryna O. , Nunes-Pereira João , Páscoa José C. , Silva Abílio P.
Published: February 2024

Plasma actuators have demonstrated great potential for active flow control applications, including boundary layer control, flow separation delay, turbulence control, and aircraft noise reduction. In particular, the material used as a dielectric barrier is crucial for the proper operation of the device. Currently, the variety of dielectrics reported in the literature is still quite restricted to polymers including Kapton, Teflon, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Cirlex, polyisobutylene (PIB) rubber, or polystyrene. Nevertheless, several studies have highlighted the fragilities of polymeric dielectric layers when actuators operate at significantly high-voltage and -frequency levels or for long periods. In the current study, we propose the use of alumina-based ceramic composites as alternative materials for plasma actuator dielectric layers. The alumina composite samples were fabricated and characterized in terms of microstructure, electrical parameters, and plasma-induced flow velocity and compared with a conventional Kapton-based actuator. It was concluded that alumina-based dielectrics are suitable materials for plasma actuator applications, being able to generate plasma-induced flow velocities of approximately 4.5 m/s. In addition, it was verified that alumina-based ceramic actuators can provide similar fluid mechanical efficiencies to Kapton actuators. Furthermore, the ceramic dielectrics present additional characteristics, such as high-temperature resistance, which are not encompassed by conventional Kapton actuators, which makes them suitable for high-temperature applications such as turbine blade film cooling enhancement and plasma-assisted combustion. The high porosity of the ceramic results in lower plasma-induced flow velocity and lower fluid mechanical efficiency, but by minimizing the porosity, the fluid mechanical efficiency is increased.
Cardiac Implications of Adenotonsillar Hypertrophy and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Pediatric Patients: A Comprehensive Systematic Review
Authors: Zaffanello Marco , Ersu Refika Hamutcu , Nosetti Luana , Beretta Giulio , Agosti Massimo , Piacentini Giorgio
Published: February 2024

This review investigates the relationship between pediatric obstructive sleep apnea, often associated with adenotonsillar hypertrophy, and cardiovascular health, particularly pulmonary hypertension. We conducted a comprehensive literature search using electronic databases, including Medline Pub-Med, Scopus, and the Web of Science. The study analyzed a total of 230 articles and screened 48 articles, with 20 included in the final analysis, involving 2429 children. The PRISMA flowchart visually illustrates the selection process, and the ROBINS-E and –I tools help ensure the reliability and validity of the evidence produced by these studies. These studies explored various aspects, including the severity of obstructive sleep apnea, cardiac anomalies, cardiac stress markers, risk factors for pulmonary hypertension, and the impact of adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy on cardiac function. The research found that adenotonsillar hypertrophy and obstructive sleep apnea are significant risk factors for cardiovascular complications, especially pulmonary hypertension, in children. Adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy may provide effective treatments. Following adenoidectomy in relation to obstructive sleep apnea, there appears to be a reduction in mean pulmonary artery pressure during echocardiographic examination. However, the efficacy of these procedures can vary based on the severity of obstructive sleep apnea and individual cardiac conditions. The study also identified concerns regarding data bias. The authors emphasize the need for well-designed clinical studies, including both healthy patients with adenotonsillar hypertrophy and vulnerable children with genetic disorders, to ensure that clinical decisions are based on solid scientific evidence.
Discordance between Glucose Management Indicator and Glycated Hemoglobin in a Pediatric Cohort with Type 1 Diabetes: A Real-World Study
Authors: Foti Randazzese Simone , Bombaci Bruno , Costantino Serena , Giorgianni Ylenia , Lombardo Fortunato , Salzano Giuseppina
Published: February 2024

The introduction of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems in clinical practice has allowed a more detailed picture of the intra- and interdaily glycemic fluctuations of individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, CGM-measured glucose control indicators may be occasionally inaccurate. This study aims to assess the discrepancy between the glucose management indicator (GMI) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (ΔGMI-HbA1c) within a cohort of children and adolescents with T1D, exploring its correlation with other CGM metrics and blood count parameters. In this single-center, cross-sectional study, we gathered demographic and clinical data, including blood count parameters, HbA1c values, and CGM metrics, from 128 pediatric subjects with T1D (43% female; mean age, 13.4 ± 3.6 years). Our findings revealed higher levels of the coefficient of variation (CV) (p < 0.001) and time above range > 250 mg/dL (p = 0.033) among subjects with ΔGMI-HbA1c > 0.3%. No association was observed between blood count parameters and ΔGMI-HbA1c. In conclusion, despite the advancements and the widespread adoption of CGM systems, HbA1c remains an essential parameter for the assessment of glycemic control, especially in individuals with suboptimal metabolic control and extreme glycemic variability.
A Concise Review of Biomolecule Visualization
Authors: Li Hui , Wei Xinru
Published: February 2024

The structural characteristics of biomolecules are a major focus in the field of structural biology. Molecular visualization plays a crucial role in displaying structural information in an intuitive manner, aiding in the understanding of molecular properties. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of core concepts, key techniques, and tools in molecular visualization. Additionally, it presents the latest research findings to uncover emerging trends and highlights the challenges and potential directions for the development of the field.
Posterior Polar Annular Choroidal Dystrophy: Genetic Insights and Differential Diagnosis in Inherited Retinal Diseases
Authors: Ruggeri Francesco , Ciancimino Chiara , Guillot Antonio , Fumi Daniele , Tizio Federico Di , Fragiotta Serena , Abdolrahimzadeh Solmaz
Published: February 2024

Posterior polar annular choroidal dystrophy (PPACD) is a rare ocular disorder and presents as symmetric degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the underlying choriocapillaris, encircling the retinal vascular arcades and optic disc. This condition distinctively preserves the foveal region, optic disc, and the outermost regions of the retina. Despite its distinct clinical presentation, due to the infrequency of its occurrence and the limited number of reported cases, the pathophysiology, and the genetic foundations of PPACD are still largely uncharted. This review aims to bridge this knowledge gap by investigating potential genetic contributors to PPACD, assessing current findings, and identifying genes that warrant further study. Emphasis is also placed on the crucial role of multimodal imaging in diagnosing PPACD, highlighting its importance in understanding disease pathophysiology. By analyzing existing case reports and drawing comparisons with similar retinal disorders, this paper endeavors to delineate the possible genetic correlations in PPACD, providing a foundation for future genetic research and the development of targeted diagnostic strategies.
A Narrative Review of Preclinical In Vitro Studies Investigating microRNAs in Myocarditis
Authors: Grodzka Olga , Procyk Grzegorz , Wrzosek Małgorzata
Published: February 2024

According to the World Health Organization’s statement, myocarditis is an inflammatory myocardium disease. Although an endometrial biopsy remains the diagnostic gold standard, it is an invasive procedure, and thus, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging has become more widely used and is called a non-invasive diagnostic gold standard. Myocarditis treatment is challenging, with primarily symptomatic therapies. An increasing number of studies are searching for novel diagnostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets. Microribonucleic acids (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules that decrease gene expression by inhibiting the translation or promoting the degradation of complementary mRNAs. Their role in different fields of medicine has been recently extensively studied. This review discusses all relevant preclinical in vitro studies regarding microRNAs in myocarditis. We searched the PubMed database, and after excluding unsuitable studies and clinical and preclinical in vivo trials, we included and discussed 22 preclinical in vitro studies in this narrative review. Several microRNAs presented altered levels in myocarditis patients in comparison to healthy controls. Moreover, microRNAs influenced inflammation, cell apoptosis, and viral replication. Finally, microRNAs were also found to determine the level of myocardial damage. Further studies may show the vital role of microRNAs as novel therapeutic agents or diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers in myocarditis management.
Investigation of the Misinformation about COVID-19 on YouTube Using Topic Modeling, Sentiment Analysis, and Language Analysis
Authors: Thakur Nirmalya , Cui Shuqi , Knieling Victoria , Khanna Karam , Shao Mingchen
Published: February 2024

The work presented in this paper makes multiple scientific contributions with a specific focus on the analysis of misinformation about COVID-19 on YouTube. First, the results of topic modeling performed on the video descriptions of YouTube videos containing misinformation about COVID-19 revealed four distinct themes or focus areas—Promotion and Outreach Efforts, Treatment for COVID-19, Conspiracy Theories Regarding COVID-19, and COVID-19 and Politics. Second, the results of topic-specific sentiment analysis revealed the sentiment associated with each of these themes. For the videos belonging to the theme of Promotion and Outreach Efforts, 45.8% were neutral, 39.8% were positive, and 14.4% were negative. For the videos belonging to the theme of Treatment for COVID-19, 38.113% were positive, 31.343% were neutral, and 30.544% were negative. For the videos belonging to the theme of Conspiracy Theories Regarding COVID-19, 46.9% were positive, 31.0% were neutral, and 22.1% were negative. For the videos belonging to the theme of COVID-19 and Politics, 35.70% were positive, 32.86% were negative, and 31.44% were neutral. Third, topic-specific language analysis was performed to detect the various languages in which the video descriptions for each topic were published on YouTube. This analysis revealed multiple novel insights. For instance, for all the themes, English and Spanish were the most widely used and second most widely used languages, respectively. Fourth, the patterns of sharing these videos on other social media channels, such as Facebook and Twitter, were also investigated. The results revealed that videos containing video descriptions in English were shared the highest number of times on Facebook and Twitter. Finally, correlation analysis was performed by taking into account multiple characteristics of these videos. The results revealed that the correlation between the length of the video title and the number of tweets and the correlation between the length of the video title and the number of Facebook posts were statistically significant.
Study of Reinforced Concrete with the Addition of Pozzolanic against the Penetration of Chlorides through Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Domínguez Anilé Ossorio , Filho Romildo Dias Toledo , Gomes José Antônio da Cunha Ponciano , Silva Ralph dos Santos , de Souza Eduardo Alencar , Silva Adriana Barbosa da
Published: February 2024

The present work analyzes the behavior in terms of corrosion resistance of three reinforced concrete formulations over a period of 1 year. The samples were subject to a monitoring methodology using the Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIE) technique, working only with the real component over time. Three mixtures were used, one conventional without pozzolanic addition (REF) and two others with pozzolanic additions, rice husk ash (RHA) and metakaolin (MK). Prototypes were created and exposed to the action of a 165 g/L NaCl sodium chloride solution. The characterization of the materials was carried out by determining the chloride diffusion profile (ASTM 1556), analyzing images using tomography and with the support of analytical techniques such as X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction. The monitoring methodology using EIE demonstrated the positive effect of the insertion of pozzolans, rice husk ash (RHA) and metakaolin (MK) in delaying the process of chloride diffusion in the concrete, resulting in greater resistance to corrosion. The EIE also showed that the active mineral addition in concrete, resulting in aluminum-silicic composition (MK), had a predominant protective effect on the steel/concrete interface against the attack of chloride ions.
Melanocortins and Their Potential for the Treatment, Prevention and Amelioration of Complications of Diabetes
Authors: Robinson Gardner N. , Pickering Raelene J.
Published: February 2024

Diabetes mellitus (type I and II) is an advancing global health problem, concerningly increasing in prevalence in most of the developed and developing world. Current therapies, such as the subcutaneous injection of insulin, are invasive and require a close monitoring of blood glucose levels to prevent hypo- or hyperglycaemia from occurring. Despite an inexorable search for a cure since Banting and Best discovered and purified insulin in 1921, insulin remains a solitary insula, still the gold standard for treatment of type I and late-stage type II diabetes mellitus. Apropos of complications, diabetes causes a myriad of secondary maladies, ranging from diabetic kidney disease, diabetic retinopathy and diabetic neuropathy to erectile dysfunction and peripheral vascular disease. While scientists continue to interminably tinker with perfecting mechanical insulin pumps or dampening the immune response to pancreatic beta cells, an important aspect of the aetiology of diabetes should not be neglected, that of the metabolism. At its heart, diabetes can arguably be considered a metabolic disease, and this review suggests a return to focusing on preventing and treating diabetes by focussing on its metabolic causes. This narrative review summarises the potential of a recent class of synthetic peptides, the melanocortins, to help prevent and treat the complications of diabetes mellitus. The review summarises recent work showing the potential benefits of the melanocortins in treating diabetic complications through various pathways.
“Bezoar Egg”—A Rare Cause of Small Bowel Obstruction
Authors: Milosevic Stefan , Kovac Jelena Djokic , Lazic Ljubica , Mitrovic Milica , Stosic Katarina , Basaric Dragan , Tadic Boris , Stojkovic Stefan , Rasic Slobodan , Ivanovic Nenad , Skrobic Ognjan
Published: February 2024

Small bowel obstruction is a frequent medical condition with various causes, the most common being postoperative adhesions, volvulus, intussusception, hernias, and tumors. A bezoar-induced blockage of the small intestine is a rare condition that accounts for approximately 4% of all small bowel obstruction cases. Herein, we present the case report of a 71-year-old patient with diffuse abdominal pain caused by a small bowel obstruction due to a calcified bezoar (bezoar egg) resulting from a post-radiation intestinal stricture. The patient underwent a small bowel excision with the extraction of the bezoar, after which a full recovery was made.
Polarization-Sensitive Optical Coherence Tomography for Monitoring De- and Remineralization of Bovine Enamel In Vitro
Authors: Hund Stella M. M. , Golde Jonas , Tetschke Florian , Basche Sabine , Meier Melina , Kirsten Lars , Koch Edmund , Hannig Christian , Walther Julia
Published: February 2024

Early caries diagnosis still challenges dentistry. Polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) is promising to detect initial lesions non-invasively in depth-resolved cross-sectional visualization. PS-OCT with determined degree of polarization (DOP) imaging provides an intuitive demineralization contrast. The aim of this study is to evaluate the suitability of DOP-based PS-OCT imaging to monitor controlled de- and remineralization progression for the first time and to introduce it as a valid, non-destructive in vitro detection method. Twelve standardized bovine enamel specimens were divided in different groups and demineralized with hydrochloric acid (HCl) as well as partly remineralized with fluoride over a 14-day pH-cycling experiment. The specimens were stored in artificial saliva and sodium chloride (NaCl), respectively. Progress measurements with PS-OCT were made with polarization-sensitive en faceand B-scan mode for qualitative evaluation. The specimens demineralized in HCl showed the most pronounced surface change (lowest DOP) and the most significant increase in depolarization. Additional fluoride treatment and the storage in artificial saliva resulted in the opposite (highest DOP). Therefore, DOP-based PS-OCT imaging appears to be a valuable technique for visualization and monitoring of enamel demineralization and remineralization processes in vitro. However, these findings need to be confirmed in human teeth ex vivo or in situ.
The Impact of Educational Sessions on Anxiety Levels among Women Undergoing Caesarean Section: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Authors: Alsufyani Fatimah , Katooa Nouran , Al-Zahrani Ahlam , Felemban Ohood , Badr Hanan , Thabet Hala
Published: February 2024

Although the Caesarean section (CS) is considered a harmless surgery, it has various complications. Women scheduled for elective CSs often have high levels of anxiety due to a lack of knowledge. The aim of this quantitative quasi-experimental study was to determine the relationship between preoperative educational sessions and anxiety levels among women undergoing CSs. The study was conducted at the antenatal unit in the King Faisal Medical Complex (KFMC) in Taif, Saudi Arabia, using a structured interview questionnaire, the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and satisfaction interviews. A total of 50 pregnant women participated in this study, who were divided into two groups: 25 participants in the intervention group and 25 in the control group. Most participants (92%) in the intervention group had low anxiety levels following educational sessions, and 96% of the participants were very satisfied with the preoperative information they had been given. Women in the control group (again, 92%) had high anxiety levels, and there was a significant difference in the anxiety levels of the intervention and control groups (p ≤ 0.5) after the educational sessions. Providing proper preoperative education about CSs can reduce preoperative anxiety, improve patient outcomes, and enhance patients’ involvement in their care and decision-making.
Comparative Study of the Quality of Life and Coping Strategies in Oncology Patients
Authors: Meneguin Silmara , Alves Izadora Gama , Camargo Heloiza Thais Felipe , Pollo Camila Fernandes , Segalla Amanda Vitoria Zorzi , de Oliveira Cesar
Published: February 2024

Background: Despite the current data on morbidity and mortality, a growing number of patients with a diagnosis of cancer survive due to an early diagnosis and advances in treatment modalities. This study aimed to compare the quality of life and coping strategies in three groups of patients with cancer and identify associated clinical and sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: A comparative study was conducted with outpatients at a public hospital in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The 300 participants were assigned to three groups: patients in palliative care (Group A), patients in post-treatment follow-up with no evidence of disease (Group B), and patients undergoing treatment for cancer (Group C). Data collection involved the use of the McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire and the Ways of Coping Questionnaire. No generic quality-of-life assessment tool was utilized, as it would not be able to appropriately evaluate the impact of the disease on the specific group of patients receiving palliative care. Results: Coping strategies were underused. Participants in the palliative care group had poorer quality of life, particularly in the psychological well-being and physical symptom domains. Age, currently undergoing treatment, and level of education were significantly associated with coping scores. Age, gender, income, and the absence of pharmacological pain control were independently associated with quality-of-life scores. Moreover, a positive association was found between coping and quality of life. Conclusion: Cancer patients in palliative care generally report a lower quality of life. However, male patients, those who did not rely on pharmacological pain control, and those with higher coping scores reported a better perception of their quality of life. This perception tended to decrease with age and income level. Patients currently undergoing treatment for the disease were more likely to use coping strategies. Patients with higher education and quality-of-life scores also had better coping scores. However, the use of coping strategies decreased with age.
Performance Analysis of a Waste Heat Recovery System for a Biogas Engine Using Waste Resources in an Industrial Complex
Authors: Cho Kyung-Chul , Shin Ki-Yeol , Shim Jaesool , Bae San-Su , Kwon Oh-Dae
Published: February 2024

To achieve carbon neutrality and address global energy supply issues by 2050, there is active progress in the industrial sector for waste energy recovery and commercialization projects. It is necessary to consider both the energy recovery efficiency and economic feasibility based on the production volume for the resource utilization of waste energy, along with eco-friendly processing methods. In this study, a waste heat recovery system was designed to recover a large amount of thermal energy from high-temperature exhaust gases of gas engines for power generation by using biogas produced from organic waste in industrial complexes. Types and sizes of components for a waste heat recovery system that were suitable for various engine sizes depending on biogas production were designed, and the energy recovery efficiency was analyzed. The waste heat recovery system consisted of a smoke tube boiler that generated superheated steam at 161 °C under 490 kPa of pressure from the exhaust gas as the heat source, along with two economizers for heating both supply water and hot water. Heat exchangers that were suitable for three different engine sizes were configured, and their performance and energy flow were calculated. In particular, when operating two engines with a power output of 100 kW, the boiler showed the highest steam production efficiency, and the superheated steam production from high-temperature exhaust gas at 600 °C was designed to be 191 kg/h, while hot water at 58 °C was designed to be produced at 1000 kg/h. In addition, further research on the heat exchanger capacity ratio confirmed that it was within a certain range despite the difference in heat exchanger capacity and efficiency depending on the engine size. It was confirmed that the heat exchange capacity ratio of the boiler was important as an optimal-capacity design value for the entire system, as it ranged from 46% to 47% of the total heat exchanger size.
A Data-Based Hybrid Chemistry Acceleration Framework for the Low-Temperature Oxidation of Complex Fuels
Authors: Alqahtani Sultan , Gitushi Kevin M. , Echekki Tarek
Published: February 2024

The oxidation of complex hydrocarbons is a computationally expensive process involving detailed mechanisms with hundreds of chemical species and thousands of reactions. For low-temperature oxidation, an accurate account of the fuel-specific species is required to correctly describe the pyrolysis stage of oxidation. In this study, we develop a hybrid chemistry framework to model and accelerate the low-temperature oxidation of complex hydrocarbon fuels. The framework is based on a selection of representative species that capture the different stages of ignition, heat release, and final products. These species are selected using a two-step principal component analysis of the reaction rates of simulation data. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are used to model the source terms of the representative species during the pyrolysis stage up to the transition time. This ANN-based model is coupled with C0–C4 foundational chemistry, which is used to model the remaining species up to the transition time and all species beyond the transition time. Coupled with the USC II mechanism as foundational chemistry, this framework is demonstrated using simple reactor homogeneous chemistry and perfectly stirred reactor (PSR) calculations for n-heptane oxidation over a range of composition and thermodynamic conditions. The hybrid chemistry framework accurately captures correct physical behavior and reproduces the results obtained using detailed chemistry at a fraction of the computational cost.