bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
It Is Advisable to Control the Duration of Hypothermia Circulatory Arrest During Aortic Dissection Surgery: Single-Center Experience
Authors: Song Jian , Wu Jinlin , Sun Xiaogang , Qian Xiangyang , Wei Bo , Wang Wei , Wang De , Qiu Jiawei , Cao Fangfang , Gao Wei , Zhao Rui , Dai Lu , Fan Shuya , Xie Enzehua , Qiu Juntao , Luo Xinjin , Yu Cuntao
Published: December 2021

Objective: The duration of hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) is one of the important factors affecting the prognosis of arch surgery, which is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of HCA duration on early prognosis in type A aortic dissection (TAAD) patients who underwent arch surgery in our center.

Methods: All consecutive patients who underwent surgical treatment for TAAD in Fuwai Hospital from January 2013 to December 2018 were included in this study and divided into four quartile groups based on HCA time. Baseline characteristics, perioperative indicators, and early mortality were statistically analyzed by propensity score matching (PSM) and restricted cubic spline (RCS) method. Perioperative adverse events were confirmed according to the American STS database and Penn classification.

Results: About 1,018 consecutive patients (mean age 49.11 ± 1.4 years, male 74.7%) with TAAD treated surgically were eventually included in this study. After PSM, with the prolongation of HCA time, the surgical mortality rates of group [2,15], (15,18], (18,22], and (22,73] were 4.1, 6.6, 7.8, and 10.9% with p = 0.041, respectively. As shown in RCS, the mortality rate increased sharply after the HCA time exceeded 22 min. And from the subgroup analysis, the HCA time of 22 min or less was associated with better clinical outcomes (OR 2.09, 95%CI 1.25–3.45, p = 0.004).

Conclusions: The early mortality increases significantly with the duration of HCA time when arch surgery was performed. And multiple systems throughout the body can be adversely affected.
A Multi-Frequency Focused Impedance Measurement System Based on Analogue Synchronous Peak Detection
Authors: Kadir Muhammad Abdul , Wilson Adrian J. , Siddique-e Rabbani K.
Published: December 2021

Monitoring of anatomical structures and physiological processes by electrical impedance has attracted scientists as it is noninvasive, nonionizing and the instrumentation is relatively simple. Focused Impedance Method (FIM) is attractive in this context, as it has enhanced sensitivity at the central region directly beneath the electrode configuration minimizing contribution from neighboring regions. FIM essentially adds or averages two concentric and orthogonal combinations of conventional Tetrapolar Impedance Measurements (TPIM) and has three versions with 4, 6, and 8 electrodes. This paper describes the design and testing of a multi-frequency FIM (MFFIM) system capable of measuring all three versions of FIM at 8 frequencies in the range 10 kHz—1 MHz. A microcontroller based multi-frequency signal generator and a balanced Howland current source with high output impedance (476 kΩ at 10 kHz and 58.3 kΩ at 1 MHz) were implemented for driving currents into biological tissues with an error <1%. The measurements were carried out at each frequency sequentially. The peak values of the amplified voltage signals were measured using a novel analogue synchronous peak detection technique from which the transfer impedances were obtained. The developed system was tested using TPIM measurements on a passive RC Cole network placed between two RC networks, the latter representing skin-electrode contact impedances. Overall accuracy of the measurement was very good (error <4% at all frequencies except 1 MHz, with error 6%) and the resolution was 0.1 Ω. The designed MFFIM system had a sampling rate of >45 frames per second which was deemed adequate for noninvasive real-time impedance measurements on biological tissues.
A Circular Approach for Making Fischer–Tropsch E-fuels and E-chemicals From Biogas Plants in Europe
Authors: Marchese Marco , Gandiglio Marta , Lanzini Andrea
Published: December 2021

In a mature circular economy model of carbon material, no fossil compound is extracted from the underground. Hence, the C1 molecule from non-fossil sources such as biogas, biomass, or carbon dioxide captured from the air represents the raw material to produce various value-added products through carbon capture and utilization routes. Accordingly, the present work investigates the utilization of the full potential of biogas and digestate waste streams derived from anaerobic digestion processes available at the European level to generate synthetic Fischer–Tropsch products focusing on the wax fraction. This study estimates a total amount of available carbon dioxide of 33.9 MtCO2/y from the two above-mentioned sources. Of this potential, 10.95 MtCO2/y is ready-to-use as separated CO2 from operating biogas-upgrading plants. Similarly, the total amount of ready-to-use wet digestate corresponds to 29.1 Mtdig/y. Moreover, the potential out-take of Fischer–Tropsch feedstock was evaluated based on process model results. Utilizing the full biogas plants’ carbon potential available in Europe, a total of 10.1 Mt/h of Fischer–Tropsch fuels and 3.86 Mt/h of Fischer–Tropsch waxes can be produced, covering up to 79% of the global wax demand. Utilizing only the streams derived from biomethane plants (installed in Europe), 136 ton/h of FT liquids and 48 ton/h of FT wax can be generated, corresponding to about 8% of the global wax demand. Finally, optimal locations for cost-effective Fischer–Tropsch wax production were also identified.
Flight Mill Experiments and Computer Simulations Indicate Islands Recruit More Capable Flyers of Moths
Authors: Zheng Yu-xuan , Wang Ying , Dai Bo-ya , Li Zheng , Huo Qi-run , Cui Jian-xin , Liu Hao , Li Xin-hai , Hughes Alice C. , Zhang Ai-bing
Published: December 2021

Understanding the traits related to species colonization and invasion, is a key question for both pest management and evolution. One of the key components is flight, which has been measured for a number of insect species through radar and tethered flight mill systems, but a general understanding of insect flight at a community level is lacking. In this study, we used flight mill experiments to quantify flight abilities of moth species, and simulation experiments to study which moths in mainland China have the potential for cross-island dispersal. We found that moths from superfamily Geometroidea (family Geometridae) have the weakest flight ability among the seven Lepidoptera superfamilies, which is characterized by the shortest longest single flight (LSF), the shortest time corresponding to the longest single flight (TLSF) (timecorrespondingtothelongestsingleflight), the lowest total distance flown (TDF), and the lowest average speed during the flight (VTDF). Surprisingly, the family Pyralidae (superfamily Pyraloidea) has the highest flight endurance of all 186 species of 12 families in this study, which is unexpected, given its small size and morphological traits yet it shows the longest LSF and TLSF. The comparison between species common to mainland and islands shows that flight distance (LSF) may be more important for species spread than flight speed. The results of mainland-island simulations show that when P(LSF>CD) (the proportion of individuals whose LSF is greater than the closest distance (CD) between mainland and island to the total number of individuals in the population) is less than 0.004, it is difficult for moth species to disperse to across islands without relying on external factors such as airflow. Over extended periods, with the immigration of species with strong flight abilities, islands are more likely to recruit species with stronger flight abilities.
Grazing Reduces the Soil-Atmosphere Exchange of Greenhouse Gases During Freeze-Thaw Cycles in Meadow Steppes in Inner Mongolia
Authors: Wang Fangfang , Chen Yongzhe , Li Ting , Wang Cong , Wang Dongbo , Fu Bojie , Lv Yihe , Wu Xing
Published: December 2021

Both livestock grazing and soil freeze-thaw cycles (FTCs) can affect the soil-atmosphere exchange of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in grasslands. However, the combined effects of grazing and FTCs on GHG fluxes in meadow steppe soils remain unclear. In this study, we collected soils from paired grazing and enclosed sites and conducted an incubation experiment to investigate the effect of grazing on soil GHG fluxes in the meadow steppes of Inner Mongolia during three FTCs. Our results showed that FTCs substantially stimulated the emissions of soil N2O and CO2 and the uptake of CH4 in the meadow steppes. However, compared with enclosure treatments, grazing significantly reduced the cumulative N2O, CO2 and CH4 fluxes by 13.3, 14.6, and 26.8%, respectively, during the entire FTCs experiment. The soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON), NH4+-N and NO3–-N, significantly increased after three FTCs and showed close correlations with N2O and CO2 emissions. Structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that the increase in NO3–-N induced by FTCs dominated the variance in N2O emissions and that DOC strongly affected CO2 emissions during thawing periods. However, long-term grazing reduced soil substrate availability and microbial activity and increased soil bulk density, which in turn decreased the cumulative GHG fluxes during FTCs. In addition, the interaction between grazing and FTCs significantly affected CO2 and CH4 fluxes but not N2O fluxes. Our results indicated that livestock grazing had an important effect on soil GHG fluxes during FTCs. The combined effect of grazing and FTCs should be taken into account in future estimations of GHG budgets in both modeling and experimental studies.
Noctiluca scintillans: Dynamics, Size Measurements and Relationships With Small Soft-Bodied Plankton in the Belgian Part of the North Sea
Authors: Ollevier Anouk , Mortelmans Jonas , Aubert Anaïs , Deneudt Klaas , Vandegehuchte Michiel B.
Published: December 2021

Climate driven changes and anthropogenic pressures on the marine environment have been shown to favor the increase in certain potentially harmful species. Among them, Noctiluca scintillans, a common dinoflagellate, often blooms during warm summers and is known to affect plankton communities. In this study, we assessed the dynamics in abundance and cell size of N. scintillans as well as the relationship between N. scintillans and small soft-bodied zooplankton in the Belgian part of the North Sea (BPNS), since negative correlations between these plankton groups have been previously reported for nearby regions. This study is the first to present consistently counted N. scintillans cell numbers and measured cell lengths, through the analysis of ZooScan images from samples taken monthly at stations throughout the coastal zone of the BPNS. The results show that N. scintillans demonstrated clear seasonal dynamics with both high densities and large cell sizes in spring/summer (May-July). The occurrence of N. scintillans in the analyzed plankton samples and the abundance of N. scintillans at the observed peak intensities nearly tripled over a period of 5 years. A zero-inflated model showed a correlation of N. scintillans abundance with temperature as well as with phosphate concentrations, suggesting that anthropogenic influences such as climate change and riverine nutrient inputs could affect the temporal dynamics of the species. The results, on the other hand, did not show any negative impact of N. scintillans on the soft-bodied plankton community.
Strength Model of Backfill-Rock Irregular Interface Based on Fractal Theory
Authors: Zhang Yue , Zhang Zhihong , Guo Lijie , Du Xiuli
Published: December 2021

In the two-step open stope subsequent filling mining method, the determination of the strength model for the backfill-rock interface is of great engineering significance to study the stress distribution and stability of the backfill in the stope. Considering the deformation mechanism of the interface and the interaction of the asperities, a strength model for backfill-rock with irregular interface has been proposed based on fractal theory, which can effectively describe the shear mechanical behavior of interfaces with random roughness. The model has been compared with the two-body mechanistic model and good agreements have been achieved. The results show that the shear strength of the interface changes non-linearly with increasing fractal dimension D, when the fractal dimension D is in the range of 1∼1.12. The complete relationship between the interface shear strength and the fractal dimension is given, as the fractal dimension increases from 1 to 2 based on the presented model. At the same time, the quantitative relationship between the interface and backfill friction angles during direct shear testing is analyzed.
A Systematic Study on the Effects of Process Parameters on Spinning of Thin-Walled Curved Surface Parts With 2195 Al-Li Alloy Tailor Welded Blanks Produced by FSW
Authors: Zhang Hongrui , Zhan Mei , Zheng Zebang , Li Rui , Lyu Wei , Lei Yudong
Published: December 2021

The manufacturing process is inevitably accompanied with the production of scraps, which leads to resource waste and environmental pollution. Recycling and remanufacturing are the most commonly used approaches for metal scraps due to their well-established advantages from economic and environmental perspectives. In this study, spinning experiments with 2195 Al-Li alloy tailor welded blanks produced by friction stir welding from metal scraps were conducted under different process parameter designs. And then the effects of various process parameters on spinning of thin-walled curved surface parts were systematically studied. The results of the corresponding experimental groups show that the roller attack angle, the spinning clearance, and the installation method of tailor welded blanks have the most significant effect on the weld torsion angle. In addition, it was found that along the longitude direction of spun parts, the surface roughnesses of the weld of spun parts were greatly improved under the roller nose radius of 10 mm, the spinning clearance of 1.0 mm, the constant linear velocity, and the installation method of tailor welded blanks (the lower surface of tailor welded blanks is spun by rollers), while the process parameters have little significant effect on the surface roughness along the latitude direction of spun parts. Furthermore, it can be concluded that the forming profiles of spun parts fitted the mandrel well under the roller nose radius of 6 mm, double rollers, the roller attack angle of 30° and 45°, spinning clearance of 1.5 mm, and the installation method of tailor welded blanks (the upper surface of tailor welded blanks is spun by rollers). The research results will provide guidance for the precise spinning of thin-walled curved surface parts with tailor welded blanks. Thereby, it is also beneficial for green manufacturing involving recycling and remanufacturing of metal scraps.
The Seroprevalence of Dengue Virus Infection and Its Association With Iron (Fe) Level in Pregnant Women in Guangzhou, China
Authors: Wang Jiong , Sun Jiufeng , Sun Limei , Ye Yufeng , Chen Hanwei , Xiao Jianpeng , He Guanhao , Hu Jianxiong , Chen Guimin , Zhou He , Dong Xiaomei , Ma Wenjun , Zhang Bo , Liu Tao
Published: December 2021

Dengue fever is regarded as the most prevalent mosquito-borne viral disease in humans. However, information of dengue virus (DENV) infection in pregnant women and the influence factors remain unclear. In this study, we extracted information of 2,076 pregnant women from the Prenatal Environment and Offspring Health (PEOH) birth cohort conducted since 2016 in Guangzhou, China. Peripheral blood and clean midstream urine samples of participants were collected during their hospitalization for childbirth. Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies of DENV in serum samples, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was applied to determine the Fe concentrations in the urine samples, which were then adjusted for by urine creatinine and transformed by natural logarithm (ln-Fe). The seroprevalence of DENV IgG antibody in all included participants was 2.22% (46/2,076). We observed higher seroprevalence of IgG antibody in women aged ≥35 years (2.9%), education ≤ 12 years (2.5%), yearly income per capita <100,000 yuan (2.4%), no use of air-conditioner (2.4%), no use of mosquito coils (2.3%), and no exercise during pregnancy (4.1%). A U-shaped relationship was found between ln-Fe concentration and the risk of positive IgG antibody. Compared with women with ln-Fe concentration of 2.0–2.9 μg/g creatinine, slightly higher risks of positive IgG antibody were found among women with ≤2.0 (RR = 4.16, 95% CI: 0.78, 19.91), 3.0–3.9 (RR = 1.93, 95% CI: 0.65, 7.08), 4.0–4.9 (RR = 2.19, 95% CI: 0.65, 8.51), and ≥5.0 μg/g creatinine of ln-Fe (RR = 2.42, 95% CI: 0.46, 11.33). Our findings suggested that the seroprevalence of dengue IgG antibody in pregnant women was comparable to the general population in Guangzhou, China. The risk of DENV infection may be associated with maternal demographic characteristics and behaviors. Both maternal low and high Fe concentrations may be positively associated with the risk of DENV infection.
Development and Validation of a Simplified Prehospital Triage Model Using Neural Network to Predict Mortality in Trauma Patients: The Ability to Follow Commands, Age, Pulse Rate, Systolic Blood Pressure and Peripheral Oxygen Saturation (CAPSO) Model
Authors: Li Yun , Wang Lu , Liu Yuyan , Zhao Yan , Fan Yong , Yang Mengmeng , Yuan Rui , Zhou Feihu , Zhang Zhengbo , Kang Hongjun
Published: December 2021

Objective: Most trauma scoring systems with high accuracy are difficult to use quickly in field triage, especially in the case of mass casualty events. We aimed to develop a machine learning model for trauma mortality prediction using variables easy to obtain in the prehospital setting.

Methods: This was a retrospective prognostic study using the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB). Data from 2013 to 2016 were used for model training and internal testing, and data from 2017 were used for validation. A neural network model (NN-CAPSO) was developed using the ability to follow commands (whether GCS-motor was <6), age, pulse rate, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and peripheral oxygen saturation, and a new score (the CAPSO score) was developed based on logistic regression. To achieve further simplification, a neural network model with the SBP variable removed (NN-CAPO) was also developed. The discrimination ability of different models and scores was compared based on the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). Furthermore, a reclassification table with three defined risk groups was used to compare NN-CAPSO and other models or scores.

Results: The NN-CAPSO had an AUROC of 0.911(95% confidence interval 0.909 to 0.913) in the validation set, which was higher than the other trauma scores available for prehospital settings (all p < 0.001). The NN-CAPO and CAPSO score both reached the AUROC of 0.904 (95% confidence interval 0.902 to 0.906), and were no worse than other prehospital trauma scores. Compared with the NN-CAPO, CAPSO score, and the other trauma scores in reclassification tables, NN-CAPSO was found to more accurately classify patients to the right risk groups.

Conclusions: The newly developed CAPSO system simplifies the method of consciousness assessment and has the potential to accurately predict trauma patient mortality in the prehospital setting.
Cervical Cancer, Papillomavirus, and miRNA Dysfunction
Authors: Bañuelos-Villegas Evelyn Gabriela , Pérez-yPérez María Fernanda , Alvarez-Salas Luis Marat
Published: December 2021

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of death by cancer in women from developing countries. Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 is a major risk factor for cervical carcinogenesis. Nevertheless, only a few women with morphologic expression of HPV infection progress into invasive disease suggesting the involvement of other factors in cervical carcinogenesis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are conserved small non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression including genes involved in fundamental biological processes and human cancer. Dysregulation of miRNAs has been widely reported in cervical cancer. This work focuses on reviewing the miRNAs affected during the HPV infection process, as well relevant miRNAs that contribute to the development and maintenance of malignant cervical tumor cells. Finally, we recapitulate on miRNAs that may be used to distinguish between healthy individuals from patients with precancerous lesions or cervical tumors.
Nutritional Risk, Health Outcomes, and Hospital Costs Among Chinese Immobile Older Inpatients: A National Study
Authors: Liu Hongpeng , Song Baoyun , Jin Jingfen , Liu Yilan , Wen Xianxiu , Cheng Shouzhen , Nicholas Stephen , Maitland Elizabeth , Wu Xinjuan , Zhu Dawei , Chen Wei
Published: December 2021

Purpose:Evidence of the impact of nutritional risk on health outcomes and hospital costs among Chinese older inpatients is limited. Relatively few studies have investigated the association between clinical and cost outcomes and nutritional risk in immobile older inpatients, particularly those with neoplasms, injury, digestive, cardiac, and respiratory conditions.

Methods:This China-wide prospective observational cohort study comprised 5,386 immobile older inpatients hospitalized at 25 hospitals. All patients were screened for nutritional risk using the Nutrition Risk Screening (NRS 2002). A descriptive analysis of baseline variables was followed by multivariate analysis (Cox proportional hazards models and generalized linear model) to compare the health and economic outcomes, namely, mortality, length of hospital stay (LoS), and hospital costs associated with a positive NRS 2002 result.

Results:The prevalence of a positive NRS 2002 result was 65.3% (n= 3,517). The prevalence of “at-risk” patients (NRS 2002 scores of 3+) was highest in patients with cardiac conditions (31.5%) and lowest in patients with diseases of the respiratory system (6.9%). Controlling for sex, age, education, type of insurance, smoking status, the main diagnosed disease, and Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), the multivariate analysis showed that the NRS 2002 score = 3 [hazard ratio (HR): 1.376, 95% CI: 1.031–1.836] were associated with approximately a 1.5-fold higher likelihood of death. NRS 2002 scores = 4 (HR: 1.982, 95% CI: 1.491–2.633) and NRS scores ≥ 5 (HR: 1.982, 95% CI: 1.498–2.622) were associated with a 2-fold higher likelihood of death, compared with NRS 2002 scores <3. An NRS 2002 score of 3 (percentage change: 16.4, 95% CI: 9.6–23.6), score of 4 (32.4, 95% CI: 24–41.4), and scores of ≥ 5 (36.8, 95% CI 28.3–45.8) were associated with a significantly (16.4, 32.4, and 36.8%, respectively) higher likelihood of increased LoS compared with an NRS 2002 scores <3. The NRS 2002 score = 3 group (17.8, 95% CI: 8.6–27.7) was associated with a 17.8%, the NRS 2002 score = 4 group (31.1, 95% CI: 19.8–43.5) a 31.1%, and the NRS 2002 score ≥ 5 group (44.3, 95% CI: 32.3–57.4) a 44.3%, higher likelihood of increased hospital costs compared with a NRS 2002 scores <3 group. Specifically, the most notable mortality-specific comorbidity and LoS-specific comorbidity was injury, while the most notable cost-specific comorbidity was diseases of the digestive system.

Conclusions:This study demonstrated the high burden of undernutrition at the time of hospital admission on the health and hospital cost outcomes for older immobile inpatients. These findings underscore the need for nutritional risk screening in all Chinese hospitalized patients, and improved diagnosis, treatment, and nutritional support to improve immobile patient outcomes and to reduce healthcare costs.
Total Body Irradiation Forever? Optimising Chemotherapeutic Options for Irradiation-Free Conditioning for Paediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
Authors: Ben Hassine Khalil , Powys Madeleine , Svec Peter , Pozdechova Miroslava , Versluys Birgitta , Ansari Marc , Shaw Peter J.
Published: December 2021

Total-body irradiation (TBI) based conditioning prior to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is generally regarded as the gold-standard for children >4 years of age with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Retrospective studies in the 1990's suggested better survival with irradiation, confirmed in a small randomised, prospective study in the early 2000's. Most recently, this was reconfirmed by the early results of the large, randomised, international, phase III FORUM study published in 2020. But we know survivors will suffer a multitude of long-term sequelae after TBI, including second malignancies, neurocognitive, endocrine and cardiometabolic effects. The drive to avoid TBI directs us to continue optimising irradiation-free, myeloablative conditioning. In chemotherapy-based conditioning, the dominant myeloablative effect is provided by the alkylating agents, most commonly busulfan or treosulfan. Busulfan with cyclophosphamide is a long-established alternative to TBI-based conditioning in ALL patients. Substituting fludarabine for cyclophosphamide reduces toxicity, but may not be as effective, prompting the addition of a third agent, such as thiotepa, melphalan, and now clofarabine. For busulfan, it's wide pharmacokinetic (PK) variability and narrow therapeutic window is well-known, with widespread use of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) to individualise dosing and control the cumulative busulfan exposure. The development of first-dose selection algorithms has helped achieve early, accurate busulfan levels within the targeted therapeutic window. In the future, predictive genetic variants, associated with differing busulfan exposures and toxicities, could be employed to further tailor individualised busulfan-based conditioning for ALL patients. Treosulfan-based conditioning leads to comparable outcomes to busulfan-based conditioning in paediatric ALL, without the need for TDM to date. Future PK evaluation and modelling may optimise therapy and improve outcome. More recently, the addition of clofarabine to busulfan/fludarabine has shown encouraging results when compared to TBI-based regimens. The combination shows activity in ALL as well as AML and deserves further evaluation. Like busulfan, optimization of chemotherapy conditioning may be enhanced by understanding not just the PK of clofarabine, fludarabine, treosulfan and other agents, but also the pharmacodynamics and pharmacogenetics, ideally in the context of a single disease such as ALL.
Lyophilized Symbiotic Mitigates Mucositis Induced by 5-Fluorouracil
Authors: Savassi Bruna , Cordeiro Bárbara F. , Silva Sara H. , Oliveira Emiliano R. , Belo Giovanna , Figueiroa Alessandra Gomes , Alves Queiroz Maria Izabel , Faria Ana Maria Caetano , Alves Juliana , Silva Tales Fernando da , Campos Gabriela Munis , Esmerino Erick A. , Rocha Ramon S. , Freitas Monica Q. , Silva Marcia C. , Cruz Adriano G. , Vital Kátia Duarte , Fernandes Simone O.A. , Cardoso Valbert N. , Acurcio Leonardo Borges , Jan Gwénaël , Le Loir Yves , Gala-Garcia Alfonso , do Carmo Fillipe Luiz R. , Azevedo Vasco
Published: December 2021

Mucositis is an adverse effect of cancer chemotherapies using 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). It is characterized by mucosal inflammation, pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. Some studies reported promising healing effects of probiotic strains, when associated with prebiotics, as adjuvant treatment of mucositis. We developed a lyophilized symbiotic product, containing skimmed milk, supplemented with whey protein isolate (WPI) and with fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and fermented by Lactobacillus casei BL23, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum B7, and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus B1. In a mice 5-FU mucositis model, this symbiotic lyophilized formulation was able to reduce weight loss and intestinal permeability. This last was determined in vivo by quantifying blood radioactivity after oral administration of 99mTc-DTPA. Finally, histological damages caused by 5-FU-induced mucositis were monitored. Consumption of the symbiotic formulation caused a reduced score of inflammation in the duodenum, ileum, and colon. In addition, it decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-α in the mice ileum. The symbiotic product developed in this work thus represents a promising adjuvant treatment of mucositis.
Computational Model for Therapy Optimization of Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator: Shockable Rhythm Detection and Optimal Electrotherapy
Authors: Mazumder Oishee , Banerjee Rohan , Roy Dibyendu , Mukherjee Ayan , Ghose Avik , Khandelwal Sundeep , Sinha Aniruddha
Published: December 2021

Wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) is a life saving, wearable, noninvasive therapeutic device that prevents fatal ventricular arrhythmic propagation that leads to sudden cardiac death (SCD). WCD are frequently prescribed to patients deemed to be at high arrhythmic risk but the underlying pathology is potentially reversible or to those who are awaiting an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. WCD is programmed to detect appropriate arrhythmic events and generate high energy shock capable of depolarizing the myocardium and thus re-initiating the sinus rhythm. WCD guidelines dictate very high reliability and accuracy to deliver timely and optimal therapy. Computational model-based process validation can verify device performance and benchmark the device setting to suit personalized requirements. In this article, we present a computational pipeline for WCD validation, both in terms of shock classification and shock optimization. For classification, we propose a convolutional neural network-“Long Short Term Memory network (LSTM) full form” (Convolutional neural network- Long short term memory network (CNN-LSTM)) based deep neural architecture for classifying shockable rhythms like Ventricular Fibrillation (VF), Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) vs. other kinds of non-shockable rhythms. The proposed architecture has been evaluated on two open access ECG databases and the classification accuracy achieved is in adherence to American Heart Association standards for WCD. The computational model developed to study optimal electrotherapy response is an in-silico cardiac model integrating cardiac hemodynamics functionality and a 3D volume conductor model encompassing biophysical simulation to compute the effect of shock voltage on myocardial potential distribution. Defibrillation efficacy is simulated for different shocking electrode configurations to assess the best defibrillator outcome with minimal myocardial damage. While the biophysical simulation provides the field distribution through Finite Element Modeling during defibrillation, the hemodynamic module captures the changes in left ventricle functionality during an arrhythmic event. The developed computational model, apart from acting as a device validation test-bed, can also be used for the design and development of personalized WCD vests depending on subject-specific anatomy and pathology.
Unbreakable Resolutions as an Effective Tactic for Self-Control: Lessons From Mahatma Gandhi and a 19th-Century Prussian Prince
Authors: Powell Russell A. , Schmaltz Rodney M. , Radke Jade L.
Published: December 2021

Despite the relative consensus in the self-management literature that personal resolutions are not an effective stand-alone tactic for self-control, some individuals seem capable of using them to exert a remarkable level of control over their behavior. One such individual was Mahatma Gandhi, the famous Indian statesman. Gandhi often used personal resolutions—or “vows”—to commit himself to a range of challenging behaviors, such as extreme diets, sexual abstinence, and fasting. Similarly, Prince Pückler-Muskau, a celebrated 19th-Century adventurer, landscape designer and travel author, described using personal resolutions to unfailingly accomplish numerous tasks in his everyday life. In this article, we examine the historical writings of Gandhi and Pückler-Muskau concerning their use of resolutions. We describe three defining characteristics of their resolutions, which we will refer to asunbreakable resolutions, and outline Gandhi’s advice for making and keeping such resolutions. Our analysis suggests that the effectiveness of unbreakable resolutions may be primarily due to the temporally extended contingencies of reinforcement associated with their use, and can be usefully interpreted from the perspective of delay-discounting and say-do correspondence models of self-control. The implications of this examination for understanding the concept of willpower and for enhancing modern research into self-control training are also discussed. Based on this analysis, we additionally offer a tentative set of guidelines on how to make and keep unbreakable resolutions.
Assessment of Personality in Basque Public Sector Employees and Its Role in Predicting Organizational Citizenship Behaviors in Selection Processes
Authors: Balluerka Nekane , Gorostiaga Arantxa , Rodríguez-López Alexander , Aliri Jone
Published: December 2021

Organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) are an important aspect of job performance as they enhance the effectiveness of organizations. Research has shown that personality is a moderate predictor of job performance. This study, involving a sample of 678 public sector employees in the Basque Country (northern Spain), pursued two aims: First, to develop and validate a Basque-language version of the Overall Personality Assessment Scale (OPERAS), a scale designed to assess the Big Five personality factors in a wide range of settings; and second, to examine whether person-organization fit (PO fit) and adaptive performance improve the capacity of personality to predict OCBs. The results indicated that the adapted scale was a suitable instrument for assessing personality in the Basque-speaking population. Furthermore, PO fit and adaptive performance improved the capacity of personality to predict OCBs. Based on these results, we propose a new predictive model that may enhance the efficiency of personnel selection processes.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Health in the Countries of the European Union
Authors: Gavurova Beata , Rigelsky Martin , Ivankova Viera
Published: December 2021

In the current era of globalization, a clean environment remains a crucial factor for the health of the population. Thus, improving air quality is a major focus of environmental policies, as it affects all aspects of nature, including humans. For these reasons, it is appropriate to take into account the health risks posed by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions released into the atmosphere. With regard to global GHG emissions, there are concerns about the loss of protection of the ozone layer and it is very likely that climate change can be expected, which multiplies the environmental threat and has potentially serious global consequences. In this regard, it is important to pay increased attention to emissions that enter the atmosphere, which include countless toxic substances. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between selected GHG emissions and the health of the European Union (EU) population represented by disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). This aim was achieved using several analytical procedures (descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, cluster analysis, and panel regression analysis), which included five environmental variables (carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) in CO2 equivalent, nitrous oxide (N2O) in CO2 equivalent, hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) in CO2 equivalent, sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) in CO2 equivalent) and one health variable (DALYs). An emphasis was placed on the use of quantitative methods. The results showed that CO2 emissions have a dominant position among selected GHG emissions. The revealed positive link between CO2 and DALYs indicated that a decrease in CO2 may be associated with a decrease in DALYs, but it is also true that this cannot be done without reducing emissions of other combustion products. In terms of CO2, the least positive scores were observed in Luxembourg and Estonia. Germany had the lowest score of DALYs, representing the most positive health outcome in the EU. In terms of total GHG emissions, Ireland and Luxembourg were considered to be less positive countries compared to the other analyzed countries. Countries should focus on reducing GHG emissions in general, but from a health point of view, reducing CO2 emissions seems to be the most beneficial.
Longitudinal Association of Salaries for Medical Staff With Medical Service Utilization and Expenditure in China, 2007–2016
Authors: Zhu Dawei , Guo Na , Wang Jian , Nicholas Stephen , Chen Li
Published: December 2021

Objectives: To test the hypothesis that higher salary levels of the medical staff are associated with lower medical service utilization and expenditure.

Methods: Using longitudinal data from 31 Chinese provinces for the period 2007-2016, we constructed fixed effects models to analyze the association between the salary of medical staff and medical service utilization, medical expenditure, medication expenditure, and medication proportion.

Results: A 10,000 CNY increase in medical staff's salaries was associated with a 0.89% decrease in the average number of annual inpatient admissions per person; 1.88 and 1.59% decreases in average expenditures per outpatient visit and inpatient admission, respectively; 3.05 and 2.66% decreases in drug expenditures per outpatient visit and inpatient admission, respectively; 0.58 percent point and 0.39 percent point decreases in the share of drug expenditure in outpatient and inpatient, respectively. When medical staff's salaries increased by 450,000 CNY, the turning point was reached when the maximum medical expenditure savings offset the medical staff salary increases, yielding a 634 billion CNY surplus from medical expenditure.

Conclusions: Our results supported the hypothesis that higher salary levels of the medical staff are associated with lower medical service utilization and expenditure. Further studies are requested to test whether higher medical staff's salaries will attenuate over-treatment and that savings from reduced prescriptions and service charges will offset the increased salaries of medical staff.
What Does “Asymmetric VR” Mean? A Directed Content Analysis of Co-Located Use of VR by Users on Reddit
Authors: Ouverson Kaitlyn Michelle , Scherber Carsten , Oldham Emily , Gilbert Stephen B.
Published: December 2021

Technology is often framed in terms of space and time of use, such that a mobile phone is used to either send asynchronous messages or host synchronous conversations with remote others, while a classroom smartboard supports co-located, synchronous learning. As the technology becomes more immersive, the applicability of frameworks such as the time/place matrix becomes less clear. This study attempts to provide clarity by applying the Composite framework for Asymmetric VR (CAVR) to online forum descriptions of the use of immersive virtual reality (VR) in co-located groups. A related framework, Roles of Technology, is also explored; however, the authors argue the framework must be expanded before application of it beyond mobile technology. To better understand one possible solution to co-located VR’s isolation problem, a directed content analysis was conducted, exploring the discussion of co-located and asymmetric VR use on various subreddits. As a result, 11 patterns of co-located use of VR, including 8 which specify asymmetric VR designs, are identified. The researchers update the dimensions of CAVR according to these results, compare CAVR to another nascent framework, and offer suggestions for future work and applicability to practice. This work is intended to help guide future creation and research of asymmetric VR experiences through the deconstruction of existing asymmetric VR experiences to their key parts via the application of CAVR.
Storage Changes Stable Isotope Composition of Cucumbers
Authors: Horacek Micha , Papesch Wolfgang
Published: December 2021

Vegetable food stuff produced under controlled and identical conditions from one farm of identical “age” (batch) has a similar isotopic composition. This fact can be used to control the origin of vegetables. This question is of special relevance when food-contaminations have to be traced back to the producer, or certain production claims have to be controlled. However, as vegetables are harvested, brought to whole-sale merchants and to retail shops, where they remain until being bought by the consumer, one has to consider possible changes in isotopic composition during this transfer period, when comparing vegetables of questioned origin with reference samples taken directly from the field/producer. We investigated changes in the isotope composition of vegetables during storage by studying as an example cucumbers from one batch. We stored the cucumbers in a vegetable storage under controlled conditions and removed one sample every day and analyzed its isotopic composition. We found changes in the δ15N and δ18O isotope values over the investigated period of 21 days, with both parameters showing positive linear correlations, and maximum enrichments with time of more than 1.5‰ for δ15N and more than 2‰ for δ18O. However, within the interval the samples remained in a saleable condition the isotope variations remained more or less within the variability of the sample batch. Our study demonstrates that changes in the isotopic signature in vegetables might occur after harvest during storage and have to be taken into account when (commercial) samples collected in a market are investigated.
Educational Materials and Didactic Tools in Engineering Training Practices
Authors: Bitay Enikő , Bagyinszki Gyula
Published: December 2021

Educational materials are closely related to educational (didactic) tools, as they allow their preparation and presentation. The production of technical higher education (engineering training) materials or preparation can be approached from many perspectives. This article deals with some aspects of this.
A Comparison between a Classical and a Modified Root Fillet
Authors: Hodgyai Norbert , Tolvaly-Roșca Ferenc , Máté Márton
Published: December 2021

The main purpose of this paper consists in improving the rigidity of the gear tooth by applying various root fillet forms that differ from the classical 0.38m radius circle arc. During the research the necessity of the re-formulation of the undercut appeared. It appears much later in case of applying rounded addendum edge planing comb as in case of using a classic generating profile tool. Therefore, the limits of the profile shifting can be significantly extended without weakening the tooth dedendum.

The paper presents the stress repartitions under equal load, which occur on classic teeth, and on teeth having a modified root fillet. In this last case, the modified root fillet is the envelope of the curve family constituted by the rounded edge curves, in the relative motion of the comb related to the cut gear.
Control of a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor in Simulink
Authors: Katona Mihály , Kiss Péter
Published: December 2021

Nowadays, before the era of modern Steer-by-wire steering systems, the most widely used steering technology is Electric Power Steering (EPS). This paper contains the developing of a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) control circuit for EPS systems, in Matlab Simulink environment. The mathematical model of the Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor was created via the four equations that represent the relation between the fluxes, voltages and currents in d-q reference frame and the motor torque equation. Mathematical transformations are required to generate the equivalent input values of the model from analog input waves. In this way, the embedded software is able to communicate with the motor through the analog input and output signals. The control model was also tested in a physically implemented system. The control software is executed on a dSpace AutoBox hardware. The output interface block creates the output phase voltages specified by the control module, and the input interface block allows the phase currents generated by the output voltage to be measured back.
Analysis of the Treatment of Synthetic Bathing Waters and Their Effects on Seedlings
Authors: Pál Krisztina , Szabolcsik Andrea Izbékiné , Bodnár Ildikó , Bellér Gábor
Published: December 2021

Synthetically produced bathing waters and their effect on seedlings were analysed in our research. The artificially produced bath waters were treated in different ways. Primarily, simple filtration was performed through a layer of silica sand. During the tests, the obtained greywater was investigated before and after the treatment with the help of various water quality parameters. Irrigation was set as the goal of recycling, and germination experiments were performed on mustard seeds. In these experiments, the synthetically generated treated and untreated bath water was used as irrigation water. Considering the results obtained during the germination, it can be said that the treatment is necessary in any case. Based on the results, it was shown that the filtration was not sufficient, so coagulation was used as an additional treatment method, for which we determined the optimal amount of treatment agent as a starting step.
Method for Efficient Regeneration of Solvent Mixture: Extractive Heterogeneous-Azeotropic Distillation
Authors: Tóth András József , Schmidt Szilvia
Published: December 2021

The fine chemical and pharmaceutical industries use large amounts of various organic solvents in their manufacturing processes. By reusing them, production costs can be significantly reduced. If we can regenerate waste solvent mixtures, we have the opportunity to reuse them in the production process or in other production processes. Our study illustrates an efficient regeneration process using the example of a four-component solvent mixture. Calculations were performed in a professional process simulator to demonstrate that the highly non-ideal Water-Ethyl Alcohol-Methyl Ethyl Ketone-Ethyl Acetate solvent mixture can be efficiently decomposed into azeotropic pairs and thus regenerated by the extractive heterogeneous-azeotropic distillation technique.
Oil Fumes, Flight Safety, and the NTSB
Authors: Anderson Judith , Scholz Dieter
Published: December 2021

During its investigations into a series of ten aircraft crashes from 1979 to 1981, US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials were presented with a hypothesis that “several” of the crashes could have been caused by pilot impairment from breathing oil fumes inflight. The NTSB and their industry partners ultimately dismissed the hypothesis. The authors reviewed the crash reports, the mechanics of the relevant engine oil seals, and some engine bleed air data to consider whether the dismissal was justified. Four of the nine aircraft crash reports include details which are consistent with pilot impairment caused by breathing oil fumes. None of the tests of ground-based bleed air measurements of a subset of oil-based contaminants generated in the engine type on the crashed aircraft reproduced the inflight conditions that the accident investigators had flagged as potentially unsafe. The NTSB’s conclusion that the hypothesis of pilot incapacitation was “completely without validity” was inconsistent with the evidence. Parties with a commercial conflict of interest should not have played a role in the investigation of their products. There is enough evidence that pilots can be impaired by inhaling oil fumes to motivate more stringent design, operation, and reporting regulations to protect safety of flight.