bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microglia and Other Cellular Mediators of Immunological Dysfunction in Schizophrenia: A Narrative Synthesis of Clinical Findings
Authors: Nguyen Khoa D. , Amerio Andrea , Aguglia Andrea , Magnani Luca , Parise Alberto , Conio Benedetta , Serafini Gianluca , Amore Mario , Costanza Alessandra
Published: August 2023

Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric condition that may involve immune system dysregulation. Since most putative disease mechanisms in schizophrenia have been derived from genetic association studies and fluid-based molecular analyses, this review aims to summarize the emerging evidence on clinical correlates to immune system dysfunction in this psychiatric disorder. We conclude this review by attempting to develop a unifying hypothesis regarding the relative contributions of microglia and various immune cell populations to the development of schizophrenia. This may provide important translational insights that can become useful for addressing the multifaceted clinical presentation of schizophrenia.
Emerging Role of Kinin B1 Receptor in Persistent Neuroinflammation and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Mice Following Recovery from SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Sriramula Srinivas , Theobald Drew , Parekh Rohan Umesh , Akula Shaw M. , O’Rourke Dorcas P. , Eells Jeffrey B.
Published: August 2023

Evidence suggests that patients with long COVID can experience neuropsychiatric, neurologic, and cognitive symptoms. However, these clinical data are mostly associational studies complicated by confounding variables, thus the mechanisms responsible for persistent symptoms are unknown. Here we establish an animal model of long-lasting effects on the brain by eliciting mild disease in K18-hACE2 mice. Male and female K18-hACE2 mice were infected with 4 × 103 TCID50 of SARS-CoV-2 and, following recovery from acute infection, were tested in the open field, zero maze, and Y maze, starting 30 days post infection. Following recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection, K18-hACE2 mice showed the characteristic lung fibrosis associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, which correlates with increased expression of the pro-inflammatory kinin B1 receptor (B1R). These mice also had elevated expression of B1R and inflammatory markers in the brain and exhibited behavioral alterations such as elevated anxiety and attenuated exploratory behavior. Our data demonstrate that K18-hACE2 mice exhibit persistent effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on brain tissue, revealing the potential for using this model of high sensitivity to SARS-CoV-2 to investigate mechanisms contributing to long COVID symptoms in at-risk populations. These results further suggest that elevated B1R expression may drive the long-lasting inflammatory response associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Amniotic Membrane and Its Derivatives: Novel Therapeutic Modalities in Liver Disorders
Authors: Arki Mandana Kazem , Moeinabadi-Bidgoli Kasra , Hossein-Khannazer Nikoo , Gramignoli Roberto , Najimi Mustapha , Vosough Massoud
Published: August 2023

The liver is a vital organ responsible for metabolic and digestive functions, protein synthesis, detoxification, and numerous other necessary functions. Various acute, chronic, and neoplastic disorders affect the liver and hamper its biological functions. Most of the untreated liver diseases lead to inflammation and fibrosis which develop into cirrhosis. The human amniotic membrane (hAM), the innermost layer of the fetal placenta, is composed of multiple layers that include growth-factor rich basement membrane, epithelial and mesenchymal stromal cell layers. hAM possesses distinct beneficial anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory and pro-regenerative properties via the secretion of multiple potent trophic factors and/or direct differentiation into hepatic cells which place hAM-based therapies as potential therapeutic strategies for the treatment of chronic liver diseases. Decellularized hAM is also an ideal scaffold for liver tissue engineering as this biocompatible niche provides an excellent milieu for cell proliferation and hepatocytic differentiation. Therefore, the current review discusses the therapeutic potential of hAM and its derivatives in providing therapeutic solutions for liver pathologies including acute liver failure, metabolic disorders, liver fibrosis as well as its application in liver tissue engineering.
Development of Beta-Amyloid-Specific CAR-Tregs for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Saetzler Valerie , Riet Tobias , Schienke Andrea , Henschel Pierre , Freitag Kiara , Haake Alexander , Heppner Frank L. , Buitrago-Molina Laura Elisa , Noyan Fatih , Jaeckel Elmar , Hardtke-Wolenski Matthias
Published: August 2023

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that remains uncured. Its pathogenesis is characterized by the formation of β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques. The use of antigen-specific regulatory T cells (Tregs) through adoptive transfer has shown promise for the treatment of many inflammatory diseases, although the effectiveness of polyspecific Tregs is limited. Obtaining a sufficient number of antigen-specific Tregs from patients remains challenging. Aims and Methods: To address this problem, we used an antibody-like single-chain variable fragment from a phage library and subsequently generated a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting β-amyloid. Results: The β-amyloid-specific CARs obtained were stimulated by both recombinant and membrane-bound Aβ isolated from the murine brain. The generated CAR-Tregs showed a normal Treg phenotype, were antigen-specific activatable, and had suppressive capacity. Conclusion: This study highlights the potential of CAR technology to generate antigen-specific Tregs and presents novel approaches for developing functional CARs.
Ubiquitin Engineering for Interrogating the Ubiquitin–Proteasome System and Novel Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Tang Jason Q. , Marchand Mary M. , Veggiani Gianluca
Published: August 2023

Protein turnover, a highly regulated process governed by the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS), is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Dysregulation of the UPS has been implicated in various diseases, including viral infections and cancer, making the proteins in the UPS attractive targets for therapeutic intervention. However, the functional and structural redundancies of UPS enzymes present challenges in identifying precise drug targets and achieving target selectivity. Consequently, only 26S proteasome inhibitors have successfully advanced to clinical use thus far. To overcome these obstacles, engineered peptides and proteins, particularly engineered ubiquitin, have emerged as promising alternatives. In this review, we examine the impact of engineered ubiquitin on UPS and non-UPS proteins, as well as on viral enzymes. Furthermore, we explore their potential to guide the development of small molecules targeting novel surfaces, thereby expanding the range of druggable targets.
Influence of Alkali Metal Ions on the Structural and Spectroscopic Properties of Sm3+-Doped Silicate Glasses
Authors: Matos Israel R. Montoya
Published: August 2023

In the present work, the influence of alkali ions (Li, Na, K) on the structural and spectroscopic properties of silica glasses doped with Sm3+ was investigated. Infrared and Raman spectroscopy techniques were used to investigate the structural properties of the alkali silicate glasses. The optical absorption showed bands characteristic of Sm3+ ions in alkali silicate glasses, and this was investigated. The Judd–Ofelt theory was applied to evaluate the phenomenological intensity parameters (Ω2, Ω4, and Ω6) of the optical absorption measurements. The multi-channel visible and near infrared emission transitions originating from the 4G5/2-emitting state of the Sm3+ in alkali silicate glasses with a maximum phonon energy of ~1050 cm−1 were investigated. From the evaluated Judd–Ofelt parameters, radiative parameters such as spontaneous emission probabilities, radiative lifetimes, branching ratios, and stimulated emission cross-sections were calculated. The recorded luminescence spectra regions revealed intense green, orange, red, and near-infrared emission bands, providing new traces for developing tunable laser and optoelectronic devices.
Tris(3-nitropentane-2,4-dionato-κ2 O,O′) Complexes as a New Type of Highly Energetic Materials: Theoretical and Experimental Considerations
Authors: Kretić Danijela S. , Veljković Ivana S. , Veljković Dušan Ž.
Published: August 2023

Decreasing the sensitivity towards detonation of high-energy materials (HEMs) is the ultimate goal of numerous theoretical and experimental studies. It is known that positive electrostatic potential above the central areas of the molecular surface is related to high sensitivity towards the detonation of high-energy molecules. Coordination compounds offer additional structural features that can be used for the adjustment of the electrostatic potential values and sensitivity towards detonation of this class of HEM compounds. By a careful combination of the transition metal atoms and ligands, it is possible to achieve a fine-tuning of the values of the electrostatic potential on the surface of the chelate complexes. Here we combined Density Functional Theory calculations with experimental data to evaluate the high-energy properties of tris(3-nitropentane-2,4-dionato-κ2 O,O′) (nitro-tris(acetylacetonato)) complexes of Cr(III), Mn(III), Fe(III), and Co(III). Analysis of the Bond Dissociation Energies (BDE) of the C-NO2 bonds and Molecular Electrostatic Potentials (MEP) showed that these compounds may act as HEM molecules. Analysis of IR spectra and initiation of the Co(AcAc-NO2)3 complex in the open flame confirmed that these compounds act as high-energy molecules. The measured heat of combustion for the Co(AcAc-NO2)3 complex was 14,133 J/g, which confirms the high-energy properties of this compound. The results also indicated that the addition of chelate rings may be used as a new tool for controlling the sensitivity towards the detonation of high-energy coordination compounds.
The Impact of Swimming on Fundamental Movement Skill Development in Children (3–11 Years): A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Sinclair Lauren , Roscoe Clare M. P.
Published: August 2023

Swimming is the only sport providing lifesaving skills, reducing the risk of death by drowning, a top cause of deaths in children aged 1–14 years. Research shows swimming amongst other sports can aid fundamental movement skill (FMS) development. Therefore, this review investigated the following: (1) how swimming impacts FMS development in children aged 3–11 years, (2) successful tools assessing swimming and FMS, and (3) recommendations appropriate to the UK curriculum based on findings of this study. A systematic literature review using Google Scholar, PubMed, and SPORTDiscuss was conducted to investigate the effects of swimming on FMS development. Methods included database searching, finalising articles appropriate to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and identifying relevant articles using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool assessed data quality and bias risk, whilst thematic analysis synthesised data alongside descriptive results. Ten papers were synthesised, identifying significant positive impacts of swimming on FMS, including significant pre–post testing (p < 0.01), significant improvements compared to other sports (p < 0.001), and significant improvements in specific motor skills (Balance; p = 0.0004). Future research specifically addressing swimming and FMS is essential to improving the curriculum.
Comorbidities Affecting Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Retrospective Chart Review
Authors: Burns Jessy , Phung Ryan , McNeill Shayna , Hanlon-Dearman Ana , Ricci M. Florencia
Published: August 2023

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interaction/communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. Recent discussions have emerged worldwide regarding the heterogeneity around presentation/etiology and comorbidities. This study aimed to determine the frequency and characteristics of comorbidities among children diagnosed with ASD in Manitoba and to evaluate differences in presentation between those with and without medical comorbidities. We conducted a retrospective chart review of >1900 electronic charts at the only publicly funded referral site for children ≤6 years requiring evaluation for ASD in Manitoba. All children aged 0–6 years diagnosed with ASD at this site between May 2016 and September 2021 were identified. χ2 and t-tests were used to compare groups. Of the total of 1858 children identified, 1452 (78.1%) were boys, 251 (13.5%) were prematurely born, and 539 (29.0%) had ≥1 medical comorbidity. Global developmental delay (GDD) was diagnosed in 428 (23.0%). The age of referral and diagnosis did not differ between groups. Comorbidities were more common among premature children (16.0% vs. 12.5%, p: 0.005) and children with comorbid GDD (34.9% vs. 18.2%, p < 0.001). Neurological comorbidities were most common (37.1%). No sex difference in the overall presence of comorbidities was found (boys = 77.1% vs. 78.5%, p: 0.518); however, girls had a higher incidence of neurological comorbidities, e.g., cerebral palsy, seizures, hypotonia (14.8% vs. 9.64%, p: 0.009), as well as genetic comorbidities (4.92% vs. 2.75%, p: 0.04). The high rates of associated neurological conditions, GDD, and prematurity add heterogeneity to this group leading to potential difficulties with prognosis and service allocation. Primary vs. secondary ASD can be a way of separating individuals based on relevant medical comorbidities.
Influence of Lexical Development on Reading and Spelling Skills: Effects of Enhancement on Second-Grade Children in Primary School
Authors: Incognito Oriana , Mercugliano Alice , Bigozzi Lucia
Published: August 2023

Previous studies suggest that lexical competence is an important factor that influences reading skills and spelling accuracy in primary school children. Understanding the relationship between these skills will provide valuable insights to improve reading and writing enhancement and intervention strategies. The aim of this pre-post longitudinal study is to examine the effectiveness of an enhancement program, in which there are activities proposed through a narrative and metacognitive methodology, designed to develop the cognitive processes of lexical acquisition and its effects on reading and writing ability. A total of 74 primary school children (M-age = 7.04 years) participated in the research. They were divided into groups: experimental, which carried out the enhancement, and control groups, which carried out the typical school program. The results show that children who carried out the enhancement obtained higher scores in reading skills, specifically in reading accuracy and text comprehension and spelling accuracy, in comparison with their peers in the control group. These results suggest that strengthening the lexical semantic pathway, as theorized by Coltheart’s two-way model, can lead to improved reading comprehension and diminished reading errors and spelling inaccuracies.
State of the Art Bowel Management for Pediatric Colorectal Problems: Hirschsprung Disease
Authors: Bokova Elizaveta , Prasade Ninad , Janumpally Sanjana , Rosen John M. , Lim Irene Isabel P. , Levitt Marc A. , Rentea Rebecca M.
Published: August 2023

After an initial pull-though, patients with Hirschsprung disease (HD) can present with obstructive symptoms, Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis (HAEC), failure to thrive, or fecal soiling. This current review focuses on algorithms for evaluation and treatment in children with HD as a part of a manuscript series on updates in bowel management. In constipated patients, anatomic causes of obstruction should be excluded. Once anatomy is confirmed to be normal, laxatives, fiber, osmotic laxatives, or mechanical management can be utilized. Botulinum toxin injections are performed in all patients with HD before age five because of the nonrelaxing sphincters that they learn to overcome with increased age. Children with a patulous anus due to iatrogenic damage of the anal sphincters are offered sphincter reconstruction. Hypermotility is managed with antidiarrheals and small-volume enemas. Family education is crucial for the early detection of HAEC and for performing at-home rectal irrigations.
Multivocal Didaktik Modelling in Early Childhood Education—For a Sustainable Future in a World of Change
Authors: Vallberg Roth Ann-Christine , Palla Linda
Published: August 2023

In times of democratic decline, unanimous choices and approaches and the idea of a singular best practice may be less conducive to democracy and sustainability. Therefore, the aim of this study is to suggest a multivocal approach to education and teaching by studying the question of what may characterise teaching in preschool for a sustainable future. The knowledge contribution and originality of the article is evident in the introduction, method, and results. In abductive analyses, models can summarize what we need to know and teach in pursuit of the creation of open life chances for every child. The results show that didaktik models are open and can provide support for teachers and leaders to consider and base informed decisions on, as well as to motivate their didaktik choices based on scientific foundations and proven experiences. Multivocal didaktik mo-delling intends to open up teaching—cultivating collaboration in preschool for a sustainable future in a world of change. In conclusion, we recommend cultivating an orientation (1) between knowledges, values and didaktik/education/special education in the pursuit of the creation of conditions for good education for all children; (2) between teaching realities and scientific foundations, which are founded in a critical–reflective didaktik, with a choice of direction in relation to an uncertain future; and (3) between continuity, progression and teaching adventures—which can include consolidating, deepening, broadening, raising, and cultivating knowledge and values for multivocality, democracy and sustainability in teaching realities. In the future the concept of multivocal didaktik modelling can be studied in relation to complex teaching realities as in a teaching universe or a teaching multiverse.
Maternal Oxygen Administration during Labor: A Controversial Practice
Authors: Abati Isabella , Micaglio Massimo , Giugni Dario , Seravalli Viola , Vannucci Giulia , Di Tommaso Mariarosaria
Published: August 2023

Oxygen administration to the mother is commonly performed during labor, especially in the case of a non-reassuring fetal heart rate, aiming to increase oxygen diffusion through the placenta to fetal tissues. The benefits and potential risks are controversial, especially when the mother is not hypoxemic. Its impact on placental gas exchange and the fetal acid–base equilibrium is not fully understood and it probably affects the sensible placental oxygen equilibrium causing a time-dependent vasoconstriction of umbilical and placental vessels. Hyperoxia might also cause the generation of radical oxygen species, raising concerns for the developing fetal cells. Moreover, this practice affects the maternal cardiovascular system, causing alterations of the cardiac index, heart rate and vascular resistance, and unclear effects on uterine blood flow. In conclusion, there is no evidence that maternal oxygen administration can provide any benefit in the case of a non-reassuring fetal heart rate pattern, while possible collateral effects warn of its utilization. Oxygen administration during labor should be reserved for cases of maternal hypoxia.
Abdominal Wall Movements Predict Intra-Abdominal Pressure Changes in Rats: A Novel Non-Invasive Intra-Abdominal Pressure Detection Method
Authors: Vincent Deirdre , Mietzsch Stefan , Braun Wolfgang , Trochimiuk Magdalena , Reinshagen Konrad , Boettcher Michael
Published: August 2023

(1) Background: As increases in intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) result in irreversible tissue damage, monitoring IAP in critically ill patients using the common urinary bladder catheter method is essential. However, this method can result in complications and is not suitable for very low birth weight neonates. The aim of this study was to establish a non-invasive and accurate method to detect IAP changes using an animal model. (2) Methods: IAP changes via intra-abdominal air application (up to 20 mmHg) were measured in 19 Wistar rats via an intra-abdominally placed intracranial pressure probe. Concurrently, abdominal surface tension was measured using a Graseby capsule (GC). (3) Results: A high correlation between abdominal wall distension and IAP (r = 0.9264, CI 0.9249–0.9279) was found for all subjects. (4) Conclusions: IAP changes in rats can be detected non-invasively using a GC. However, further studies are necessary to assess whether IAP changes can be measured using a GC in the neonatal population.
Exploring the Intricate Links between Adenotonsillar Hypertrophy, Mouth Breathing, and Craniofacial Development in Children with Sleep-Disordered Breathing: Unraveling the Vicious Cycle
Authors: Nosetti Luana , Zaffanello Marco , De Bernardi di Valserra Francesca , Simoncini Daniela , Beretta Giulio , Guacci Pietro , Piacentini Giorgio , Agosti Massimo
Published: August 2023

Adenotonsillar hypertrophy has been well-acknowledged as the primary instigator of sleep-disordered breathing in the pediatric population. This condition spans a spectrum, from typical age-related growth that the immune system influences to persistent pathological hypertrophy. Reduction in air spaces, metabolic changes, neurobehavioral alterations, and chronic inflammation characterizes the latter form. As the go-to treatment, adenotonsillectomy has proven effective. However, it is not a guarantee for all patients, leaving us without reliable predictors of treatment success. Evidence suggests a connection between adenotonsillar hypertrophy and specific oral breathing patterns resulting from craniofacial development. This finding implies an intricate interdependence between the two, hinting at a self-sustaining vicious cycle that persists without proper intervention. The theories regarding the relationship between craniofacial conformation and sleep-disordered breathing have given rise to intriguing perspectives. In particular, the “gracilization theory” and the “gravitational hypothesis” have provided fascinating insights into the complex interaction between craniofacial conformation and SDB. Further investigation is crucial to unraveling the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms behind this relationship. It is also vital to explore the risk factors linked to adenotonsillectomy failure, study the long-term effects of adenotonsillar hypertrophy on craniofacial growth, and devise innovative diagnostic techniques to detect upper airway compromise early. Moreover, to assess their efficacy, we must delve into novel therapeutic approaches for cases that do not respond to traditional treatment, including positional therapy and orofacial myofunctional therapy. Though complex and unpredictable, these challenges promise to enhance our understanding and treatment of adenotonsillar hypertrophy and its related complications in children. By taking on this task, we can pave the way for more effective and targeted interventions, ultimately improving affected individuals’ well-being and quality of life.
Effects of Climate Change on Temperate Forests in the Northwest Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Nunes Leonel J. R.
Published: August 2023

This review summarizes the intricate relationship between climate change and forest ecosystems in the Northwest Iberian Peninsula, outlining both their resilience and vulnerabilities. The study asserts the significant impact of climate change on these ecosystems, reinforcing earlier theories about their responsive behavior to global climatic alterations. However, the impacts are highly localized, contingent upon specific forest compositions, topography, and interaction with other environmental stressors. The temperate forests of the Northwest Iberian Peninsula manifest a delicate balance of resilience and vulnerability in the face of these phenomena. Notably, the study underscores that this region’s forest ecosystems remain a relatively uncharted research territory, promising fruitful prospects for future exploration. Although existing studies offer vital insights into the climate change impacts, there is a stark need for further research to gain a deeper understanding of, and formulate appropriate responses to, the challenges that these specific ecosystems confront in the wake of climate change.
TiO2-Based Photocatalytic Coatings on Glass Substrates for Environmental Applications
Authors: Tian Shuang , Feng Yuxiao , Zheng Ziye , He Zuoli
Published: August 2023

To address environmental pollution and energy shortage issues, titanium dioxide (TiO2)-based photocatalysts, as an efficient pollution removal and fuel production technology, have been widely used in the field of photocatalysis. In practical applications, TiO2-based photocatalysts are usually prepared on various substrates to realize the separation of the catalyst from water and improve photocatalytic stability. Herein, the research progress of TiO2-based heterogeneous photocatalytic coatings deposited on glass substrates with various deposition techniques is reviewed. Such TiO2-based composite coatings obtained using different techniques showed excellent self-cleaning, pollution removal, air purification, and antibiosis performance. The various deposition techniques used for the preparation of TiO2 coatings, such as wet chemical deposition (WCD), electrodeposition, physical vapor deposition (PVD), and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) were discussed together with photocatalytic applications by highlighting the typical literature. Finally, the challenges and prospects of developing TiO2-based heterogeneous coatings were put forward.
Enhancing Data Security: A Cutting-Edge Approach Utilizing Protein Chains in Cryptography and Steganography
Authors: Mawla Noura A. , Khafaji Hussein K.
Published: August 2023

Nowadays, with the increase in cyber-attacks, hacking, and data theft, maintaining data security and confidentiality is of paramount importance. Several techniques are used in cryptography and steganography to ensure their safety during the transfer of information between the two parties without interference from an unauthorized third party. This paper proposes a modern approach to cryptography and steganography based on exploiting a new environment: bases and protein chains used to encrypt and hide sensitive data. The protein bases are used to form a cipher key whose length is twice the length of the data to be encrypted. During the encryption process, the plain data and the cipher key are represented in several forms, including hexadecimal and binary representation, and several arithmetic operations are performed on them, in addition to the use of logic gates in the encryption process to increase encrypted data randomness. As for the protein chains, they are used as a cover to hide the encrypted data. The process of hiding inside the protein bases will be performed in a sophisticated manner that is undetectable by statistical analysis methods, where each byte will be fragmented into three groups of bits in a special order, and each group will be included in one specific protein base that will be allocated to this group only, depending on the classifications of bits that have been previously stored in special databases. Each byte of the encrypted data will be hidden in three protein bases, and these protein bases will be distributed randomly over the protein chain, depending on an equation designed for this purpose. The advantages of these proposed algorithms are that they are fast in encrypting and hiding data, scalable, i.e., insensitive to the size of plain data, and lossless algorithms. The experiments showed that the proposed cryptography algorithm outperforms the most recent algorithms in terms of entropy and correlation values that reach −0.6778 and 7.99941, and the proposed steganography algorithm has the highest payload of 2.666 among five well-known hiding algorithms that used DNA sequences as the cover of the data.
Efficacy of a Cosmetic Treatment in Decreasing the Mild-to-Moderate Atopic Dermatitis in Babies, Children, and Adults: A Pilot Study
Authors: Nobile Vincenzo , Zanoletti Valentina , Pisati Marta , Cestone Enza
Published: August 2023

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory and pruritic skin disease with a worldwide progressive increase in its incidence. In this clinical study, we studied the effect of a cosmetic treatment composed of a cleanser, and a body and face cream, on subjects (babies, children, and adults) suffering from mild-to-moderate AD. The product effect on AD clinical signs was investigated by SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index, subjective evaluation, skin erythema index, and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) measurements. The products were shown to be effective in improving the AD scoring by SCORAD in all the groups, and a trend towards the decrease of the erythema index and the TEWL in the adult population. An improvement in itching sensation, skin redness, and skin dryness scoring was also reported by the subjects. Results from this study demonstrate the efficacy of the tested products in decreasing the overall AD severity through 28 days of treatment. Overall, the first results occurred within 14 days of treatment.
Magnetite @ Zinc Cobalt Ferrite Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Magnetic Behavior, and Optical Properties
Authors: Darwish Mohamed S. A.
Published: August 2023

One of the main challenges is using an effective photocatalyst that responds to a broad range of visible light for hydrogen production during water splitting. Series types of photocatalysts based on magnetic ferrite nanostructure were fabricated via a two-step co-precipitation technique. Precisely, four types of magnetic structures: magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs), zinc cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (ZCFNPs), hybrid magnetite/zinc cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (MNPs @ ZCFNPs), and hybrid zinc cobalt ferrite/magnetite nanoparticles (ZCFNPs @ MNPs) were used to fabricate magnetic photocatalysts. The characterizations of the fabricated magnetic photocatalysts were investigated via TEM, zeta potential, XRD, VSM, and UV–VIS spectroscopy. ZCFNPs @ MNPs showed the smallest particle with size ≈11 nm. The magnetization value of ZCFNPs @ MNPs (59.3 emu/g) was improved compared to the MNPs (41.93 emu/g). The produced hydrogen levels via photocatalyst were 60, 10, 24, and 1.4 mmole min−1 g−1 for MNPs, ZCFNPs, MNPs @ ZCFNPs, and ZCFNPs @ MNPs, respectively, under visible light with magnetic force. MNPs displayed outstanding performance as magnetic photocatalysts for the water-splitting process.
Combined Effect of In and Ce on Microstructure and Properties of Ag10CuZnSn Low-Silver Brazing Filler Metals
Authors: Xu Jiachen , Fu Yucan , Yang Yan , Li Zhen , Wang Li , Xue Songbai , Wu Jie
Published: August 2023

In this study, trace amounts of In and Ce elements were composite added into a Ag10CuZnSn low-silver brazing filler metal, and the effects of the composite alloying on the solidus and liquidus temperatures, the spreading performance, the microstructure of the filler metal, and the mechanical properties of the joints prepared with these filler metals were studied. The results reveal that the In element can significantly decrease the solidus and the liquidus temperatures of the Ag10CuZnSn alloy, while the Ce element has little effect on the melting temperature. Trace amounts of In and Ce elements can obviously increase the spreading areas of the filler metals on the pure Cu and 304 stainless steel base metals. The In and Ce elements can refine the microstructure of the filler metals. When the contents of In and Ce are 1.5 wt% and 0.15 wt%, respectively, the microstructure refinement effect is the most obvious, and the shear strength of the 304 stainless steel brazed joint also achieves a maximum value of 375 MPa. Excessive addition of In and Ce can form brittle intermetallic compounds in the filler metal, decreasing the brazed joints' shear strength.
Surgery for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in the Personalized Therapy Era
Authors: Chiappetta Marco , Sassorossi Carolina , Cusumano Giacomo
Published: August 2023

Lung cancer remains one of the tumours with the highest incidence and the poorestprognosis, with an estimated incidence of more than 220,000 cases with 135,000 cancerrelateddeaths annually in the United States [1,2].[...]
Quantifying Webpage Performance: A Comparative Analysis of TCP/IP and QUIC Communication Protocols for Improved Efficiency
Authors: Nepomuceno Thyago Celso Cavalcante , Nepomuceno Késsia Thais Cavalcanti , da Silva Fabiano Carlos , de Carvalho Santos Silas Garrido Teixeira
Published: August 2023

Browsing is a prevalent activity on the World Wide Web, and users usually demonstrate significant expectations for expeditious information retrieval and seamless transactions. This article presents a comprehensive performance evaluation of the most frequently accessed webpages in recent years using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) adapted to the context (inverse DEA), comparing their performance under two distinct communication protocols: TCP/IP and QUIC. To assess performance disparities, parametric and non-parametric hypothesis tests are employed to investigate the appropriateness of each website’s communication protocols. We provide data on the inputs, outputs, and efficiency scores for 82 out of the world’s top 100 most-accessed websites, describing how experiments and analyses were conducted. The evaluation yields quantitative metrics pertaining to the technical efficiency of the websites and efficient benchmarks for best practices. Nine websites are considered efficient from the point of view of at least one of the communication protocols. Considering TCP/IP, about 80.5% of all units (66 webpages) need to reduce more than 50% of their page load time to be competitive, while this number is 28.05% (23 webpages), considering QUIC communication protocol. In addition, results suggest that TCP/IP protocol has an unfavorable effect on the overall distribution of inefficiencies.
The Role of the Evans Index and the Maximal Width of the Frontal Horns of the Lateral Ventricles in the Diagnostic Imaging of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Multiple-System Atrophy
Authors: Kutyłowski Michał , Alster Piotr , Madetko-Alster Natalia , Migda Anna Marta , Królicki Leszek , Migda Bartosz
Published: August 2023

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Multiple-System Atrophy are entities within the spectrum of atypical parkinsonism. The role of imaging methods in the diagnosis and differentiation between PSP and MSA is limited and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is currently used as a reference modality. In this study, the authors examined a group of patients with atypical parkinsonism using a 1.5 T MRI system and aimed to find simple and repeatable measurements that may be useful to distinguish between these diseases. The results of the study indicate that the maximal width of the frontal horns of the lateral ventricles and Evans’ Index may, to some extent, be useful as basic and simple measurements in the diagnostic imaging of patients with atypical parkinsonism.
Keratoconus Diagnosis: From Fundamentals to Artificial Intelligence: A Systematic Narrative Review
Authors: Niazi Sana , Jiménez-García Marta , Findl Oliver , Gatzioufas Zisis , Doroodgar Farideh , Shahriari Mohammad Hasan , Javadi Mohammad Ali
Published: August 2023

The remarkable recent advances in managing keratoconus, the most common corneal ectasia, encouraged researchers to conduct further studies on the disease. Despite the abundance of information about keratoconus, debates persist regarding the detection of mild cases. Early detection plays a crucial role in facilitating less invasive treatments. This review encompasses corneal data ranging from the basic sciences to the application of artificial intelligence in keratoconus patients. Diagnostic systems utilize automated decision trees, support vector machines, and various types of neural networks, incorporating input from various corneal imaging equipment. Although the integration of artificial intelligence techniques into corneal imaging devices may take time, their popularity in clinical practice is increasing. Most of the studies reviewed herein demonstrate a high discriminatory power between normal and keratoconus cases, with a relatively lower discriminatory power for subclinical keratoconus.
Assessment and Monitoring of Nail Psoriasis with Ultra-High Frequency Ultrasound: Preliminary Results
Authors: Michelucci Alessandra , Dini Valentina , Salvia Giorgia , Granieri Giammarco , Manzo Margiotta Flavia , Panduri Salvatore , Morganti Riccardo , Romanelli Marco
Published: August 2023

Psoriatic onychopathy is one of the clinical presentations of psoriasis and a well-known risk factor for the development of psoriatic arthritis. High-frequency ultrasounds (HFUS > 20 MHz) have recently been used to evaluate the nail apparatus of healthy and psoriatic subjects. The aim of our study was to detect by means of ultra-high-frequency ultrasound (UHFUS 70–100 MHz) alterations of the nail bed and matrix in patients with psoriatic onychopathy and to monitor these parameters during the treatment with monoclonal antibody (mAb). We enrolled 10 patients with psoriatic onychopathy and naive to previous biologic therapies. Patients were evaluated at baseline, after 1 month and after 3 months from the beginning of mAb therapy by a complete clinical assessment and US evaluation. A UHFUS examination with a 70 MHz probe was performed on the thumbnail (I), the index fingernail (II) and the nail with greater clinical impairment (W). The following measurements were analyzed: nail plate thickness (A), nail bed thickness (B), nail insertion length (C), nail matrix length (D) and nail matrix thickness (E). Among the various parameters analyzed, some measures showed a statistically significant decrease with p-value < 0.05 (t0 WA = 0.52 mm vs. t2 WA = 0.42 mm; t0 WB = 2.8 mm vs. t2 WB = 2.4 mm; t0 WE = 0.76 mm vs. t2 WE = 0.64 mm; t0 IIA = 0.49 mm vs. t2 IIA = 0.39 mm). In conclusion, UHFUS could represent a viable imaging technique for the real-time evaluation and monitoring of psoriatic onychopathy, thus supporting the clinical parameters and revealing any subclinical signs of early drug response.
The Dynamic Nature of Wrack: An Investigation into Wrack Movement and Impacts on Coastal Marshes Using sUAS
Authors: Morgan Grayson R. , Morgan Daniel R. , Wang Cuizhen , Hodgson Michael E. , Schill Steven R.
Published: August 2023

This study investigates the use of small unoccupied aerial systems (sUAS) as a new remote sensing tool to identify and track the spatial distribution of wrack on coastal tidal marsh systems. We used sUAS to map the wrack movement in a Spartina alterniflora-dominated salt marsh monthly for one year including before and after Hurricane Isaias that brought strong winds, rain, and storm surge to the area of interest in August 2020. Flight parameters for each data collection mission were held constant including collection only during low tide. Wrack was visually identified and digitized in a GIS using every mission orthomosaic created from the mission images. The digitized polygons were visualized using a raster data model and a combination of all of the digitized wrack polygons. Results indicate that wrack mats deposited before and as a result of a hurricane event remained for approximately three months. Furthermore, 55% of all wrack detritus was closer than 10 m to river or stream water bodies, 64% were within 15 m, and 71% were within 20 m, indicating the spatial dependence of wrack location in a marsh system on water and water movement. However, following the passing of Isaias, the percentage of wrack closer than 10 m to a river or creek decreased to a low of 44%, which was not seen again during the year-long study. This study highlights the on-demand image collection of a sUAS for providing new insights into how quickly wrack distribution and vegetation can change over a short time.
A Study on Wetland Cover Map Formulation and Evaluation Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle High-Resolution Images
Authors: Lim Tai Yang , Kim Jiyun , Kim Wheemoon , Song Wonkyong
Published: August 2023

Wetlands possess significant ecological value and play a crucial role in the environment. Recent advancements in remote exploration technology have enabled a quantitative analysis of wetlands through surveys on the type of cover present. However, the classification of complex cover types as land cover types in wetlands remains challenging, leading to ongoing studies aimed at addressing this issue. With the advent of high-resolution sensors in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), researchers can now obtain detailed data and utilize them for their investigations. In this paper, we sought to establish an effective method for classifying centimeter-scale images using multispectral and hyperspectral techniques. Since there are numerous classes of land cover types, it is important to build and extract effective training data for each type. In addition, computer vision-based methods, especially those that combine deep learning and machine learning, are attracting considerable attention as high-accuracy methods. Collecting training data before classifying by cover type is an important factor that which requires effective data sampling. To obtain accurate detection results, a few data sampling techniques must be tested. In this study, we employed two data sampling methods (endmember and pixel sampling) to acquire data, after which their accuracy and detection outcomes were compared through classification using spectral angle mapper (SAM), support vector machine (SVM), and artificial neural network (ANN) approaches. Our findings confirmed the effectiveness of the pixel-based sampling method, demonstrating a notable difference of 38.62% compared to the endmember sampling method. Moreover, among the classification methods employed, the SAM technique exhibited the highest effectiveness, with approximately 10% disparity observed in multispectral data and 7.15% in hyperspectral data compared to the other models. Our findings provide insights into the accuracy and classification outcomes of different models based on the sampling method employed in spectral imagery.
Stockpile Volume Estimation in Open and Confined Environments: A Review
Authors: Alsayed Ahmad , Nabawy Mostafa R. A.
Published: August 2023

This paper offers a comprehensive review of traditional and advanced stockpile volume-estimation techniques employed within both outdoor and indoor confined spaces, whether that be a terrestrial- or an aerial-based technique. Traditional methods, such as manual measurement and satellite imagery, exhibit limitations in handling irregular or constantly changing stockpiles. On the other hand, more advanced techniques, such as global navigation satellite system (GNSS), terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), drone photogrammetry, and airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR), have emerged to address these challenges, providing enhanced accuracy and efficiency. Terrestrial techniques relying on GNSS, TLS, and LiDAR offer accurate solutions; however, to minimize or eliminate occlusions, surveyors must access geometrically constrained places, representing a serious safety hazard. With the speedy rise of drone technologies, it was not unexpected that they found their way to the stockpile volume-estimation application, offering advantages such as ease of use, speed, safety, occlusion elimination, and acceptable accuracy compared to current standard methods, such as TLS and GNSS. For outdoor drone missions, image-based approaches, like drone photogrammetry, surpass airborne LiDAR in cost-effectiveness, ease of deployment, and color information, whereas airborne LiDAR becomes advantageous when mapping complex terrain with vegetation cover, mapping during low-light or dusty conditions, and/or detecting small or narrow objects. Indoor missions, on the other hand, face challenges such as low lighting, obstacles, dust, and limited space. For such applications, most studies applied LiDAR sensors mounted on tripods or integrated on rail platforms, whereas very few utilized drone solutions. In fact, the choice of the most suitable technique/approach depends on factors such as site complexity, required accuracy, project cost, and safety considerations. However, this review puts more focus on the potential of drones for stockpile volume estimation in confined spaces, and explores emerging technologies, such as solid-state LiDAR and indoor localization systems, which hold significant promise for the future. Notably, further research and real-world applications of these technologies will be essential for realizing their full potential and overcoming the challenges of operating robots in confined spaces.
Identifying Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas in Antarctica Using RPAS Surveys—A Case Study of Cape Melville, King George Island, Antarctica
Authors: Fudala Katarzyna , Bialik Robert Józef
Published: August 2023

A remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) survey of an area containing the eastern extremity of King George Island, including Cape Melville and an extensive part of Destruction Bay, as well as small offshore islands, was undertaken in December 2022. Using RPAS, an inventory of the Destruction Bay area was performed. Chinstrap penguin and Antarctic shag nests were found on Cape Melville and on Trowbridge Island, Middle Island, and an unnamed area located between the Ørnen Rocks formation and Trowbridge Island. During the survey, 507 Antarctic shag nests and over 9000 chinstrap penguin nests were mapped in the investigated area; 458 Antarctic shag nests and 4960 ± 19 chinstrap penguin nests aggregated together on an 8.61 ha land section of Cape Melville were identified. The quantity of Antarctic shag nests found allows for the classification of the area of Cape Melville as an IBA. Among the 175 currently known colonies of Antarctic shags in Antarctica, this is the fifth largest. In this paper, we present the results of the survey, including orthophotos with mapped nest locations. We propose the following recommendations to policy makers and the scientific community: (1) the area of Cape Melville should be classified as an Antarctic Important Bird and Biodiversity Area; (2) based on the RPAS flight, a new boundary of the Cape Melville IBA is proposed; (3) the threshold value (based on >1% of species) to establish an IBA for Antarctic shags should be changed to 122 to reflect the increased estimate of the global population of Antarctic shags; and (4) an inventory of all areas, including previous IBAs that can be qualified as “major colonies of breeding native birds”, should be recommended at the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM). In logistically inaccessible bird breeding sites, such as the one presented here, RPASs should be used to carry out regular monitoring of Antarctic Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas.