bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A regulatory pathway model of neuropsychological disruption in Havana syndrome
Authors: Chacko Thomas P. , Toole J. Tory , Morris Matthew C. , Page Jeffrey , Forsten Robert D. , Barrett John P. , Reinhard Matthew J. , Brewster Ryan C. , Costanzo Michelle E. , Broderick Gordon
Published: October 2023

Introduction

In 2016 diplomatic personnel serving in Havana, Cuba, began reporting audible sensory phenomena paired with onset of complex and persistent neurological symptoms consistent with brain injury. The etiology of these Anomalous Health Incidents (AHI) and subsequent symptoms remains unknown. This report investigates putative exposure-symptom pathology by assembling a network model of published bio-behavioral pathways and assessing how dysregulation of such pathways might explain loss of function in these subjects using data available in the published literature. Given similarities in presentation with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), we used the latter as a clinically relevant means of evaluating if the neuropsychological profiles observed in Havana Syndrome Havana Syndrome might be explained at least in part by a dysregulation of neurotransmission, neuro-inflammation, or both.

Method

Automated text-mining of >9,000 publications produced a network consisting of 273 documented regulatory interactions linking 29 neuro-chemical markers with 9 neuropsychological constructs from the Brief Mood Survey, PTSD Checklist, and the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale. Analysis of information flow through this network produced a set of regulatory rules reconciling to within a 6% departure known mechanistic pathways with neuropsychological profiles in N = 6 subjects.

Results

Predicted expression of neuro-chemical markers that jointly satisfy documented pathways and observed symptom profiles display characteristically elevated IL-1B, IL-10, NGF, and norepinephrine levels in the context of depressed BDNF, GDNF, IGF1, and glutamate expression (FDR < 5%). Elevations in CRH and IL-6 were also predicted unanimously across all subjects. Furthermore, simulations of neurological regulatory dynamics reveal subjects do not appear to be “locked in” persistent illness but rather appear to be engaged in a slow recovery trajectory.

Discussion

This computational analysis of measured neuropsychological symptoms in Havana-based diplomats proposes that these AHI symptoms may be supported in part by disruption of known neuroimmune and neurotransmission regulatory mechanisms also associated with mTBI.
Synergistic Effects of Applying Potassium Nitrate Spray with Putrescine on Productivity and Fruit Quality of Mango Trees cv. Ewais
Authors: Alebidi Abdullah , Abdel-Sattar Mahmoud , Mostafa Laila Y. , Hamad Alhussein S. A. , Rihan Hail Z.
Published: October 2023

The current investigation represents of the synergistic effects of application of potassium nitrate (KNO3) in combination with putrescine (Put) on flowering, productivity, and fruit quality on Ewais mango (Mangifera indica L.) trees during the seasons 2021/2022 and 2022/2023. The selected trees were sprayed at three different stages, including flower bud differentiation, full bloom, and beginning of the fruit set, with one of the following treatments: control, 2% KNO3, 4% KNO3, 50 ppm Put, 75 ppm Put, 2% KNO3 + 50 ppm Put, 2% KNO3 + 75 ppm Put, 4% KNO3 + 50 ppm Put, 4% KNO3 + 75 ppm Put. Results showed that all treatments were successful in improving the productivity of mango trees by increasing flowering terminal shoots, fruit set, fruit retention, number of fruits/tree, yield, and fruit yield increment while reducing the percentage of fruit drop, as well as improving the quality of mango fruits cv. Ewais by increasing fruit length, fruit diameter, TSS, total sugars, V.C, and total phenol and carotenoid content, but at the same time, diminishing the total acidity, as compared with control. Based on this research, the application of 4% KNO3 in conjunction with 75 ppm Putrescine has shown the most prominent advances in enhancing Ewais tree productivity and fruit quality. The investigation successfully highlighted the synergistic effect of using KNO3 and putrescine to improve mango fruit yield and quality.
Preliminary Study on the Diversity of Soil Oribatid Mite (Acari: Oribatida) Community Reveals Both Longitudinal and Latitudinal Patterns in Paddy Fields along the Middle and Lower Reaches of Yangtze River, China
Authors: Sun Jiahuan , Liu Yifei , Ye Yanyan , Lai Jiangshan , Zheng Ye , Liu Dong , Gao Meixiang
Published: October 2023

Soil biodiversity plays an important role in maintaining soil fertility and agricultural health. Exploring the patterns of soil fauna diversity across geographical gradients is a fundamental and crucial scientific topic for understanding the mechanisms of soil biodiversity in farmlands. However, the spatial pattern of soil fauna diversity across longitudinal gradients has received far less attention. In order to explore the longitudinal pattern (west to east) of the composition and diversity of the soil oribatid mite community in paddy fields along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River (MLYR), an investigation was carried out in July 2021 at nine sites spanning a longitudinal range of 8.86° (906 km) in southeastern China. In total, 19 taxa and 2392 individuals were observed with a density of 1535.47/m2. Protoribates and Ceratozetes were the most dominant and widely distributed genera along MLYR. The distribution patterns of the richness, abundance, and diversity index were obvious across the longitudinal and latitudinal gradients. The longitudinal pattern showed a quadratic distribution of first increasing and then decreasing, while the latitudinal pattern showed an increasing pattern with the increase in latitude (unimodal pattern). The influence of latitude on the abundance of the soil oribatid mite community was greater than that of longitude, and the influence of longitude on richness and the corresponding diversity index was greater. The dominance index did not show a distribution pattern in the longitudinal and latitudinal directions, while the evenness index showed only the distribution pattern in the longitudinal direction, and the latitudinal pattern was not significant. The results of this study suggest that the diversity of the soil oribatid mite community along MLYR displays both longitudinal and latitudinal patterns in paddy fields. Moreover, we highlighted the importance of integrating longitudinal and latitudinal patterns into spatial patterns of the soil fauna community in farmlands at a regional scale.
Dietary Betaine Supplementation Enhances Colonic Barrier Function through the Nrf2/Keap1 and TLR4-NF-κB/MAPK Signaling Pathways and Alters Colonic Microbiota in Bama Mini-Pigs
Authors: Xiong Liang , Wang Kai , Song Mingtong , Azad Md. Abul Kalam , Zhu Qian , Kong Xiangfeng
Published: October 2023

This study evaluated the effects of betaine supplementation in sows and/or their offspring’s diets on the redox status, immune and inflammatory levels, colonic barrier function, and colonic microbial community of offspring piglets. Thirty-six Bama mini-sows on day 3 of gestation and their weaned offspring piglets (28 d of age) were randomly allocated to the following treatments: (1) sows and their weaned offspring fed the basal diet (control group, Con group); (2) sows fed the basal diet with 3.50 kg/t betaine, and their weaned offspring fed the basal diet (sows betaine group, SB group); (3) sows fed the basal diet with 3.50 kg/t betaine, and their weaned offspring fed the basal diet with 2.50 kg/t betaine (sow-offspring betaine group, S-OB group). Six offspring piglets from each group were selected to collect plasma and colon samples on d 30, 60, and 90 after weaning. Compared with the Con group, the plasma levels of IgA, IgM, GSH-Px, and SOD during d 30–90 after weaning, IFN-α, T-AOC, and GSH on d 30 and 60 after weaning were increased, while MDA during d 30–90 after weaning was decreased in the SB and S-OB groups (p < 0.05). In addition, the plasma levels of IFN-γ on d 60 and T-AOC on d 30 after weaning were higher in the S-OB group than those in the Con group (p < 0.05). In the colon, betaine supplementation increased plasma T-AOC, GSH, and SOD levels while decreasing MDA concentration (p < 0.05). Betaine supplementation improved the colonic protein abundances of ZO-1, occludin, and claudin in offspring and activated the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway while inhibiting the TLR4-NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway on d 90 after weaning. The 16S rRNA sequencing results showed that betaine supplementation altered colonic microbiota composition by increasing the relative abundances of Verrucomicrobia and Actinobacteria in the SB group while decreasing proinflammatory-associated microbiota abundances (Tenericutes, Prevotella, and Parabacteroides) (p < 0.05). Collectively, these findings suggest that dietary betaine supplementation in sows and/or their offspring could improve offspring piglets’ redox status and immune and anti-inflammatory levels and enhance the colonic barrier function by activating Nrf2/Keap1 and inhibiting TLR4-NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways.
Data Fusion for Smart Civil Infrastructure Management: A Conceptual Digital Twin Framework
Authors: Hakimi Obaidullah , Liu Hexu , Abudayyeh Osama , Houshyar Azim , Almatared Manea , Alhawiti Ali
Published: October 2023

Effective civil infrastructure management necessitates the utilization of timely data across the entire asset lifecycle for condition assessment and predictive maintenance. A notable gap in current predictive maintenance practices is the reliance on single-source data instead of heterogeneous data, decreasing data accuracy, reliability, adaptability, and further effectiveness of engineering decision-making. Data fusion is thus demanded to transform low-dimensional decisions from individual sensors into high-dimensional ones for decision optimization. In this context, digital twin (DT) technology is set to revolutionize the civil infrastructure industry by facilitating real-time data processing and informed decision-making. However, data-driven smart civil infrastructure management using DT is not yet achieved, especially in terms of data fusion. This paper aims to establish a conceptual framework for harnessing DT technology with data fusion to ensure the efficiency of civil infrastructures throughout their lifecycle. To achieve this objective, a systematic review of 105 papers was conducted to thematically analyze data fusion approaches and DT frameworks for civil infrastructure management, including their applications, core DT technologies, and challenges. Several gaps are identified, such as the difficulty in data integration due to data heterogeneity, seamless interoperability, difficulties associated with data quality, maintaining the semantic features of big data, technological limitations, and complexities with algorithm selection. Given these challenges, this research proposed a framework emphasizing multilayer data fusion, the integration of open building information modeling (openBIM) and geographic information system (GIS) for immersive visualization and stakeholder engagement, and the adoption of extended industry foundation classes (IFC) for data integration throughout the asset lifecycle.
Reusing Ceramic Waste as a Fine Aggregate and Supplemental Cementitious Material in the Manufacture of Sustainable Concrete
Authors: Elemam Walid E. , Agwa Ibrahim Saad , Tahwia Ahmed M.
Published: October 2023

A viable strategy for promoting sustainable development and a cleaner environment is the reuse of demolition-related ceramic waste and ceramic manufacturing byproducts in the production of concrete. The purpose of this study is to assess the possibilities for using ceramic waste in the production of concrete as a fine aggregate and cementitious material. The effectiveness of concrete mixtures incorporating 20–100% ceramic waste fine (CWF) as a replacement for natural fine aggregate and 10–30% ceramic waste powder (CWP) in place of cement was evaluated. Their influence was assessed with respect to workability, mechanical performance, durability, and elevated temperature resistance. The results were analyzed via energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The findings illustrated that the increase in the replacement levels of CWP and CWF decreases the concrete workability. The mechanical performance of concrete mixtures is enhanced under compression and flexural tests as the replacement ratios of CWF and CWP increase up to 50% and 10% as replacements of sand and cement, respectively. The increases in compressive and flexural strength were 5.33% and 8.14%, respectively, at age 28 days. The concrete water permeability significantly increases as the CWF replacement ratio increases, and the incorporation of CWP reduces this negative impact. After exposure to 200, 400, 600, and 800 °C, the residual compressive strengths of concrete mixtures incorporating CWF and CWP were up to 95.02%, 89.66%, 74.33%, and 51.34%, respectively, compared to control mixtures, which achieved 84.25%, 76.03%, 59.36%, and 35.84% of their initial strength. Microstructure analysis revealed that combining CWP and CWF significantly improves cement hydration when compared to the reference mixture. Thus, the use of CWF and CWP in the production of masonry mortar might be an economical alternative that would aid in raising the recycling rate of demolition and construction debris and supporting sustainable growth in the building sector.
Is Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing Predictive of Surgical Complications in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Ovarian Cancer?
Authors: Smits Anke , Agius Claire-Marie , Blake Dominic , Ang Christine , Kucukmetin Ali , Ham Maaike van , Pijnenborg Johanna M. A. , Knight Joanne , Rundle Stuart
Published: October 2023

Preoperative cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) provides an objective assessment of functional capability. In other intra-abdominal surgical specialties, CPET outcomes are predictive of operative morbidity. However, in ovarian cancer surgery, its predictive value remains unknown. In this study, we evaluated the association between CPET performance and surgical morbidity in ovarian cancer patients. Secondly, we assessed the association between CPET performance and other surgical outcomes (i.e., hospital stay, readmission and residual disease). This was a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing primary surgery for ovarian cancer between 2020 and 2023. CPET performance included peak oxygen uptake (VO2 max), ventilatory efficiency (VE/VO2) and anaerobic threshold. Outcomes were operative morbidity and included intra- and postoperative complications (Clavien–Dindo), hospital stay, readmission within 30 days and residual disease. A total of 142 patients were included. A lower VO2 peak and a higher VE/VCO2 were both associated with the occurrence of postoperative complications, and a poorer anaerobic threshold was associated with more transfusions. VE/VCO2 remained significantly associated after multivariate analysis (p = 0.035). None of the CPET outcomes were associated with length of stay, readmission or residual disease. In conclusion, VE/VCO2 was significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause postoperative complications in ovarian cancer patients undergoing primary surgery.
Impact of Low Skeletal Muscle Mass on Long-Term Outcomes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with Trans-Arterial Radioembolization: A Retrospective Multi-Center Study
Authors: Nam Heechul , Yang Hyun , Chun Ho Soo , Lee Han Ah , Nam Joon Yeul , Jang Jeong Won , Seo Yeon Seok , Kim Do Young , Kim Yoon Jun , Bae Si Hyun
Published: October 2023

Trans-arterial radioembolization (TARE) is a form of radiation therapy performed for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) via selective intra-arterial injection of Yttrium-90-loaded microspheres. This was a multi-center retrospective study of consecutive patients with HCC who underwent TARE between July 2009 and May 2019. Using pre-treatment computed tomography imaging, the total cross-sectional area (cm2) of the abdominal skeletal muscle at the third lumbar vertebra was measured. The skeletal muscle index (SMI) was calculated by normalizing the muscle area to patient height. In total, 347 patients (median age, 65 years; 284 male) were included in the study. A total of 108 (31.1%) patients had portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT), and 126 (36.3%) were classified as LSMM. The median overall survival (OS) was 28.1 months (95% CI, 24.8–35.7), and median progression-free survival was 8.0 months (95% CI, 6.4–9.4). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that LSMM (hazard ratio [HR], 1.36; 95% CI, 1.00–1.85, p = 0.05), PVTT (HR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.33–2.49, p < 0.01), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (≥200 ng/mL) (HR 1.41; 95% CI, 1.04–1.92, p = 0.03), and albumin–bilirubin grade (2–3) (HR 1.74; 95% CI, 1.24–2.43, p < 0.01) were independently associated with poor OS. TARE provided favorable long-term outcomes for patients with advanced HCC. Pre-treatment LSMM independently associated with survival, suggesting its utility as a surrogate biomarker for identifying TARE candidates.
Low Expectancy of Conversion Surgery with R0 Resection in Patients with CEA > 5.0 ng/mL at the Initial RECIST Evaluation for Metastatic Gastric Cancer
Authors: Nakanishi Koki , Tanaka Chie , Kanda Mitsuro , Miyata Kazushi , Furukawa Kazuhiro , Maeda Osamu , Shimizu Dai , Sugita Shizuki , Kakushima Naomi , Furune Satoshi , Kawashima Hiroki , Ando Yuichi , Ebata Tomoki , Kodera Yasuhiro
Published: October 2023

This retrospective study examined early the predictive factors for successful conversion surgery (CS) with R0 resection in patients with metastatic gastric cancer (MGC) who underwent systemic chemotherapy. This study included 204 patients diagnosed with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma, who received chemotherapy between 2009 and 2019. Of these patients, 31 (15%) underwent CS with R0 resection. The incidence of CS with R0 resection was not affected by the volume of metastatic lesions or the presence of peritoneal metastasis. The overall survival time of the CS with R0 resection group was significantly longer than that of the non-CS group (hazard ratio, 0.12; 95% confidence interval, 0.07–0.23; p < 0.0001), with a 5 year overall survival rate of 50.2%. Multivariate analysis of 150 patients, excluding those with disease progression until the initial Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) evaluation, showed that carcinoembryonic antigen > 5.0 ng/mL at the initial RECIST evaluation was an independent, significant, and unfavorable predictor of CS with R0 resection (odds ratio, 0.21; p = 0.0108), whereas systemic chemotherapy with trastuzumab for HER2-positive cancer was a favorable factor (odds ratio, 4.20; p = 0.0119). Monitoring serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels during chemotherapy may be a useful predictor of the CS implementation in patients with MGC.
A Multidisciplinary Approach as a Goal for the Management of Complications in Systemic Scleroderma: A Literature Review and Case Scenario
Authors: Pătrîntașu Dariana-Elena , Sárközi Hédi Katalin , Lupușor Eugeniu , Vlangăr Irina Elena , Rotariu Gheorghe-Marian , Rența Ionuț-Alexandru , Nan Anda-Nicoleta , Budin Corina Eugenia
Published: October 2023

Systemic sclerosis (also known as scleroderma) is a chronic fibrosing autoimmune disease with both skin and multisystem organ involvement. Scleroderma has the highest mortality among all rheumatic diseases. The pathophysiology mechanism of systemic sclerosis is a progressive self-amplifying process, which involves widespread microvascular damage, followed by a dysregulation of innate and adaptive immunity and inflammation and diffuse fibrosis of the skin and visceral organs. Fibrosis of internal organs is a hint for systemic sclerosis, moreover associated with interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) is a complex process. In order to correlate scientific data from the literature with clinical experience, we present the case of a 56-year-old woman who was diagnosed with systemic sclerosis 16 years ago. The association of numerous comorbidities characterized by a considerable level of seriousness characterizes this case: the highly extensive systemic damage, the cardiovascular impact of the illness, and the existence of severe pulmonary arterial hypertension. The systemic and clinical manifestations, respiratory functional tests, radiological features, and specific therapy are discussed.
The Reference Wideband Inductive Current Transformer
Authors: Kaczmarek Michal , Kaczmarek Piotr , Stano Ernest
Published: October 2023

The aim of this paper is to show that the developed inductive current transformer may ensure the required wideband transformation accuracy and it may be applied, as the reference source, in the measuring system for the evaluation of the transformation accuracy of inductive current transformers for harmonics of distorted current. This device ensures 5 A and 1 A RMS secondary currents to provide the opportunity to use the differential measuring setup. Such solutions are characterized by the significantly reduced measurement uncertainty in relation to the comparative measurements made between two current/voltage channels. The problems required to ensure the high wideband transformation accuracy, including the self-generation phenomenon of the low order higher harmonics to the secondary current and a too-low frequency range of operation, were overcome in the design process. The values of its ratio error and the phase displacement of the developed reference wideband inductive current transformer did not exceed ±0.2%/° up to 1 kHz, ±0.4%/° from 1 kHz up to 1.5 kHz and ±0.5%/° from 1.5 kHz up to 3 kHz, as is required to perform the test procedure in accordance with the optional requirements for the inductive current transformers defined in the new edition of the standard IEC 61869-1.
Rational Use of Energy in Sport Centers to Achieving Net Zero—The SAVE Project (Part B: Indoor Sports Hall)
Authors: Katsaprakakis Dimitris Al. , Papadakis Nikos , Giannopoulou Efi , Yiannakoudakis Yiannis , Zidianakis George , Katzagiannakis George , Dakanali Eirini , Stavrakakis George M. , Kartalidis Avraam
Published: October 2023

Sports centers are significant energy consumers. This article outlines the engineering design for a comprehensive energy performance upgrade of the indoor sports hall in Arkalochori, Greece, and presents the projected results. The indoor sports hall constitutes a major sport facility on the mainland of Crete, hosting a broad cluster of sport municipal activities and the official basketball games of the local team in the 2nd national category. Having been constructed in the mid-1990s, the facility exhibits very low thermal performance, with considerably high U-factors for all constructive elements (from 4 to 5 W/m2∙K), still use of diesel oil for indoor space heating and domestic heat water production, and ineffective old lamps and luminaries covering the lighting needs of the facility. The energy performance upgrade of the indoor sports hall was studied, and the following passive and active measures were considered: Opaque-surfaces’ thermal insulation and openings’ replacement, stone wool panels, installation of heat pumps for indoor space conditioning, removal of diesel oil for any end use, production of domestic hot water from a novel solar-combi system, upgrade of lighting equipment, installation of solar tubes on the main sports hall roof for natural lighting as well as of a photovoltaic system for covering the remaining electricity consumption. With the proposed interventions, the studied building becomes a zero-energy facility. The payback period of the investment was calculated at 26 years on the basis of the avoided energy cost. This work was funded by the “NESOI” Horizon 2020 project and received the public award “Islands Gamechanger” competition of the NESOI project and the Clean Energy for EU Islands initiative.
Review of Fluidized Bed Technology Application for Adsorption Cooling and Desalination Systems
Authors: Lasek Lukasz , Zylka Anna , Krzywanski Jaroslaw , Skrobek Dorian , Sztekler Karol , Nowak Wojciech
Published: October 2023

Adsorption technology utilizes low-temperature renewable and waste heat sources for cost-effective and environmentally friendly cooling and water desalination systems. However, the problem with existing adsorption refrigerators is the low COP. This is caused by poor heat and mass transfer in existing packed bed designs. The solution to this problem lies in the use of fluidized bed technology, which enhances heat and mass transfer mechanisms. Various approaches to the construction and operation of adsorption systems with a fluidized bed of adsorbent can be found in the literature; hence, the aim of the work is to analyze the existing applications of a fluidized bed in adsorption refrigerators and other systems utilizing sorption beds. There are many methods for improving the energy efficiency of adsorption refrigerators. However, the literature suggests that fluidized bed systems have the potential to significantly improve the energy efficiency of adsorption cooling and desalination systems. Based on the review, it was concluded that using fluidization technology in adsorption cooling and desalination systems can be beneficial and represents significant potential for future research.
A Comprehensive Review of Fault Diagnosis and Prognosis Techniques in High Voltage and Medium Voltage Electrical Power Lines
Authors: Bindi Marco , Piccirilli Maria Cristina , Luchetta Antonio , Grasso Francesco
Published: October 2023

This paper presents an extensive review of the most effective and modern monitoring methods for electrical power lines, with particular attention to high-voltage (HV) and medium-voltage (MV) systems. From a general point of view, the main objective of these techniques is to prevent catastrophic failures by detecting the partial damage or deterioration of components and allowing maintenance operations to be organized. In fact, the protection devices commonly used in transmission and distribution networks guarantee the location of faults, such as short-circuits, putting the non-functioning branch of the network out of service. Nowadays, alongside these devices, it is possible to introduce new intelligent algorithms capable of avoiding the total loss of functionality, thus improving the reliability of the entire network. This is one of the main challenges in modern smart grids, which are characterized by the massive integration of renewable energy sources and a high level of complexity. Therefore, in the first part of this paper, a general overview of the most common protection devices is proposed, followed by an analysis of the most modern prevention algorithms. In the first case, the coordination of the relays plays a fundamental role in obtaining the fault location with a high level of selectivity, while in the field of preventive analysis, it is necessary to address the implementation of artificial intelligence methods. The techniques presented in this paper provide a comprehensive description of the different monitoring approaches currently used in distribution and transmission lines, highlighting the coordination of protection relays, the computational algorithms capable of preventing failures, and the influence of the distributed generation in their management. Therefore, this paper offers an overview of the main diagnostic techniques and protection devices, highlights the critical issues that can be overcome through the introduction of artificial intelligence, and describes the main prognostic methods, focusing on their invasive level and the possibility of operating directly online. This work also highlights the main guidelines for the classification and choice between the different approaches.
Developing and Implementing a Culturally Consonant Treatment Fidelity Support Plan with the Apsáalooke Nation
Authors: Keene Shannen , Allen Sarah , McCormick Alma Knows His Gun , Trottier Coleen , Bull Shows Brianna , Hallett John , Deernose Rae , Held Suzanne
Published: October 2023

Treatment fidelity remains underreported in health intervention research, particularly among Indigenous communities. One explanation for this gap is the lack of culturally consonant strategies listed in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Behavior Change Consortium (BCC) treatment fidelity framework, the gold standard for understanding and measuring fidelity. This paper focuses on the development and implementation of a culturally consonant treatment fidelity support plan across two of the five BCC fidelity areas, provider training and treatment delivery, within a chronic illness self-management program for the Apsáalooke (Crow) Nation. Our team selected and adapted strategies from, and added strategies to, the BCC framework, that centered on relational accountability and the Apsáalooke culture. To be culturally consonant, we approached treatment fidelity as supporting Aakbaabaaniilea (Apsáalooke program facilitators) rather than monitoring them. This resulted in the development of a fifth treatment fidelity area: building and fostering relationships. We propose that fidelity to relational accountability is the foundation of successful programs in Indigenous communities. This suggests an important shift from tracking what was conducted in an intervention to prioritizing how things were conducted. We encourage others to view the BCC framework as a starting point in developing fidelity strategies that are consonant with local cultures.
Efficacy of Guardian Cap Soft-Shell Padding on Head Impact Kinematics in American Football: Pilot Findings
Authors: Sinnott Aaron M. , Chandler Madison C. , Van Dyke Charles , Mincberg David L. , Pinapaka Hari , Lauck Bradley J. , Mihalik Jason P.
Published: October 2023

Sport-related concussion prevention strategies in collision sports are a primary interest for sporting organizations and policy makers. After-market soft-shell padding purports to augment the protective capabilities of standard football helmets and to reduce head impact severity. We compared head impact kinematics [peak linear acceleration (PLA) and peak rotational acceleration (PRA)] in athletes wearing Guardian Cap soft-shell padding to teammates without soft-shell padding. Ten Division I college football players were enrolled [soft-shell padding (SHELL) included four defensive linemen and one tight end; non-soft-shell (CONTROL) included two offensive linemen, two defensive linemen, and one tight end]. Participants wore helmets equipped with the Head Impact Telemetry System to quantify PLA (g) and PRA (rad/s2) during 14 practices. Two-way ANOVAs were conducted to compare log-transformed PLA and PRA between groups across helmet location and gameplay characteristics. In total, 968 video-confirmed head impacts between SHELL (n = 421) and CONTROL (n = 547) were analyzed. We observed a Group x Stance interaction for PRA (F1,963 = 7.21; p = 0.007) indicating greater PRA by SHELL during 2-point stance and lower PRA during 3- or 4-point stances compared to CONTROL. There were no between-group main effects. Protective soft-shell padding did not reduce head impact kinematic outcomes among college football athletes.
A Non-Coding Fc Gamma Receptor Cis-Regulatory Variant within the 1q23 Gene Cluster Is Associated with Plasmodium falciparum Infection in Children Residing in Burkina Faso
Authors: Cretin Jules , Adjemout Mathieu , Dieppois Christelle , Gallardo Frederic , Torres Magali , Merard Zachary , Sawadogo Serge Aimé , Picard Christophe , Rihet Pascal , Paul Pascale
Published: October 2023

Antibodies play a crucial role in activating protective immunity against malaria by interacting with Fc-gamma receptors (FcγRs). Genetic variations in genes encoding FcγRs can affect immune cell responses to the parasite. In this study, our aim was to investigate whether non-coding variants that regulate FcγR expression could influence the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum infection. Through bioinformatics approaches, we selected expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) for FCGR2A, FCGR2B, FCGR2C, FCGR3A, and FCGR3B genes encoding FcγRs (FCGR), in whole blood. We prioritized two regulatory variants, rs2099684 and rs1771575, located in open genomic regions. These variants were identified using RegVar, ImmuNexUT, and transcription factor annotations specific to immune cells. In addition to these, we genotyped the coding variants FCGR2A/rs1801274 and FCGR2B/rs1050501 in 234 individuals from a malaria-endemic area in Burkina Faso. We conducted age and family-based analyses to evaluate associations with the prevalence of malarial infection in both children and adults. The analysis revealed that the regulatory rs1771575-CC genotype was predicted to influence FCGR2B/FCGR2C/FCGR3A transcripts in immune cells and was the sole variant associated with a higher prevalence of malarial infection in children. In conclusion, this study identifies the rs1771575 cis-regulatory variant affecting several FcγRs in myeloid and neutrophil cells and associates it with the inter-individual capacity of children living in Burkina Faso to control malarial infection.
Evaluation of Austenite–Ferrite Phase Transformation in Carbon Steel Using Bayesian Optimized Cellular Automaton Simulation
Authors: Sun Fei , Mino Yoshihisa , Ogawa Toshio , Chen Ta-Te , Natsume Yukinobu , Adachi Yoshitaka
Published: October 2023

Austenite–ferrite phase transformation is a crucial metallurgical tool to tailor the properties of steels required for particular applications. Extensive simulation and modeling studies have been conducted to evaluate the phase transformation behaviors; however, some fundamental physical parameters still need to be optimized for better understanding. In this study, the austenite–ferrite phase transformation was evaluated in carbon steels with three carbon concentrations during isothermal annealing at various temperatures using a developed cellular automaton simulation model combined with Bayesian optimization. The simulation results show that the incubation period for nucleation is an essential factor that needs to be considered during austenite–ferrite phase transformation simulation. The incubation period constant is mainly affected by carbon concentration and the optimized values have been obtained as 10−24, 10−19, and 10−21 corresponding to carbon concentrations of 0.2 wt%, 0.35 wt%, and 0.5 wt%, respectively. The average ferrite grain size after phase transformation completion could decrease with the decreasing initial austenite grain size. Some other parameters were also analyzed in detail. The developed cellular automaton simulation model combined with Bayesian optimization in this study could conduct an in-depth exploration of critical and optimal parameters and provide deeper insights into understanding the fundamental physical characteristics during austenite–ferrite phase transformation.
Lock-In Thermography with Cooling for the Inspection of Composite Materials
Authors: Łukaszuk Ryszard Dymitr , Marques Rafael Monteiro , Chady Tomasz
Published: October 2023

This paper presents the development of the lock-in thermography system with an additional cooling system. System feasibility is tested by investigating a square-shaped glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) with artificially made outer flaws. The influence of heating mode and sinusoidal excitation period on the defect detectability is considered. Thus, the experiment is split into two modes: the sample is solely heated in the first mode or simultaneously heated and cooled in the second. In each mode, the temperature measurement is performed first with a shorter excitation signal period and second with a longer one. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is used to assess defect detection quantitatively. The comparative analysis shows that employing a mixed heating–cooling mode improves the SNR compared to the conventional heating mode. The further enhancement of the SNR is obtained by extending the excitation period. The combination of simultaneous heating and cooling with longer periods of the excitation signal allows for the best SNR values for the most detected defects.
Experimental and Theoretical Studies of the Thermal Contact Conductance for Bundles of Round Steel Bars
Authors: Wyczółkowski Rafał , Bagdasaryan Vazgen , Strycharska Dominika
Published: October 2023

The paper presents investigations devoted to the analysis of the thermal contact conduction in a bundle of round steel bars. The phenomenon can be expressed quantitatively with the use of thermal contact conductance (hct). The starting points for the presented analysis were the results of the experimental measurements of the effective thermal conductivity. The measurements were performed for samples of a medium in the form of flat packed beds of bars with three different arrangements: staggered, in-line, and crossed and four bar diameters: 10, 20, 30, and 40 mm. Next, a mathematical model was developed, thanks to which the values of the hct coefficient were calculated for the analyzed cases. This approach consists in analyzing thermal resistances in the medium model, which is defined with an elementary cell. It was established that the value of the hct coefficient in the temperature range of 50–600 °C changes within the range of 50–175 W/(m2·K), and it decreases with an increase in the bar diameter. The final effect of the present study was to develop generalized approximation equations describing changes in thermal contact conductance in the heated bar bundle simultaneously in the temperature and bar diameter function.
Effects of Pre-Stretching on the Mechanical Behavior of Cold-Rolled 5%Mn Medium Manganese Steel
Authors: Fan Lifeng , Yang Yulong , Huang Jiao , Yue Erbin , Hu Wenhao , Gao Jun
Published: October 2023

Studies about the pre-stretching effect on the mechanical behavior of cold-rolled 5%Mn medium manganese steel have adopted optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques. Results showed that pre-stretching would change the ferrite morphology from massive and lath-like to strip-like. With the pre-stretching increasing from 0% to 14%, the dislocation density and yield strength both grew gradually, which corresponded to growth from 6.49 × 1014 m−2 to 7.98 × 1014 m−2 and growth from 765 MPa to 1109 MPa, respectively. Meanwhile, the austenite volume fraction, elongation and product of strength and elongation were all reduced with the pre-stretch increase. The stabilized retained austenite with pre-stretch delayed the occurrence of the TRIP effect and improved the work hardening rate. As a result, the Lüders band disappeared at 2% pre-stretch and the PLC band vanished from the stress–strain curve at 14% pre-stretch.
Hard and Highly Adhesive AlMgB14 Coatings RF Sputtered on Tungsten Carbide and High-Speed Steel
Authors: Grishin Alexander M. , Putrolaynen Vadim V.
Published: October 2023

We report a new industrial application of aluminum magnesium boride AlMgB14 (BAM) coatings to enhance the hardness of tungsten carbide ceramic (WC-Co) and high-speed steel tools. BAM films were deposited by RF magnetron sputtering of a single dense stoichiometric ceramic target onto commercial WC-Co turning inserts and R6M5 steel drill bits. High target sputtering power and sufficiently short target-to-substrate distance were found to be critical processing conditions. Very smooth (6.6 nm RMS surface roughness onto Si wafers) and hard AlMgB14 coatings enhance the hardness of WC-Co inserts and high-speed R6M5 steel by a factor of two and three, respectively. Complete coating spallation failure occurred at a scratch adhesion strength of 18 N. High work of adhesion and low friction coefficient, estimated for BAM onto drill bits, was as high as 64 J/m2 and as low as 0.07, respectively, more than twice the surpass characteristics of N-doped diamond-like carbon (DLC) films deposited onto nitride high-speed W6Mo5Cr4V2 steel.
Development of Eco-Mortars with the Incorporation of Municipal Solid Wastes Incineration Ash
Authors: Vilarinho Inês S. , Guimarães Gonçalo , Labrincha João A. , Seabra Maria P.
Published: October 2023

The cement sector is the second largest contributor to anthropogenic CO2 emissions, and several efforts have been made to reduce its environmental impact. One alternative that has gained interest in recent years involves the use of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) bottom ash (BA) as clinker/cement replacement. This paper studies the application of MSWI BA in three different ways: (i) aggregate (0 to 100 v/v %), (ii) partial binder substitute (0 to 30 v/v %), and (iii) filler (5 v/v %). It stands out for its approach in characterizing seven distinct BA particle sizes and for the development and analysis of eco-cement mortars with only mechanically pre-treated BA. Hardened state properties showed that the use of BA as aggregate leads to deterioration and efflorescence formation on the surface of the mortars, making this application unfeasible. The replacement of 15 v/v % of OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement) by BA and the use of finer (<63 μm) BA as filler caused a decrease in the compressive strength of the mortar, from 15.8 to 9.3 and 11.0, respectively. However, these materials are suitable for use in walls where the minimum required mechanical resistance is 5 MPa. Furthermore, these mortars demonstrated resilience against freeze–thaw cycles and even exhibited increased compressive strength after 25 cycles. Thus, this work showed that MSWI BA can be used as an OPC substitute (up to 15 v/v %) and as a filler, promoting circular economy principles and reducing CO2 emissions related to the construction industry.
A Numerical Assessment of Mitigation Strategies to Reduce Local Oxygen and Proton Transport Resistances in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells
Authors: García-Salaberri Pablo A.
Published: October 2023

The optimized design of the catalyst layer (CL) plays a vital role in improving the performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The need to improve transport and catalyst activity is especially important at low Pt loading, where local oxygen and ionic transport resistances decrease the performance due to an inevitable reduction in active catalyst sites. In this work, local oxygen and ionic transport are analyzed using direct numerical simulation on virtually reconstructed microstructures. Four morphologies are examined: (i) heterogeneous, (ii) uniform, (iii) uniform vertically-aligned, and (iv) meso-porous ionomer distributions. The results show that the local oxygen transport resistance can be significantly reduced, while maintaining good ionic conductivity, through the design of high porosity CLs (ε≃ 0.6–0.7) with low agglomerated ionomer morphologies. Ionomer coalescence into thick films can be effectively mitigated by increasing the uniformity of thin films and reducing the tortuosity of ionomer distribution (e.g., good ionomer interconnection in supports with a vertical arrangement). The local oxygen resistance can be further decreased by the use of blended ionomers with enhanced oxygen permeability and meso-porous ionomers with oxygen transport routes in both water and ionomer. In summary, achieving high performance at low Pt loading in next-generation CLs must be accomplished through a combination of high porosity, uniform and low tortuosity ionomer distribution, and oxygen transport through activated water.
Fabrication of Laser-Induced Graphene Based Flexible Sensors Using 355 nm Ultraviolet Laser and Their Application in Human–Computer Interaction System
Authors: Sun Binghua , Zhang Qixun , Liu Xin , Zhai You , Gao Chenchen , Zhang Zhongyuan
Published: October 2023

In recent years, flexible sensors based on laser-induced graphene (LIG) have played an important role in areas such as smart healthcare, smart skin, and wearable devices. This paper presents the fabrication of flexible sensors based on LIG technology and their applications in human–computer interaction (HCI) systems. Firstly, LIG with a sheet resistance as low as 4.5 Ω per square was generated through direct laser interaction with commercial polyimide (PI) film. The flexible sensors were then fabricated through a one-step method using the as-prepared LIG. The applications of the flexible sensors were demonstrated by an HCI system, which was fabricated through the integration of the flexible sensors and a flexible glove. The as-prepared HCI system could detect the bending motions of different fingers and translate them into the movements of the mouse on the computer screen. At the end of the paper, a demonstration of the HCI system is presented in which words were typed on a computer screen through the bending motion of the fingers. The newly designed LIG-based flexible HCI system can be used by persons with limited mobility to control a virtual keyboard or mouse pointer, thus enhancing their accessibility and independence in the digital realm.
Rapid Spheroidization Process of S Phase (Al2CuMg) in the As-Cast 2024 Al Alloy Induced by High-Energy Electropulsing
Authors: Wei Lai , Xu Xiaofeng , Zhao Yang , Yan Xudong , Zhou Yachong , Yu Yongqiang , Wu Zhicheng
Published: October 2023

The effect of electropulsing treatment (EPT) on the microstructure of the as-cast 2024 Al alloy at room temperature was investigated. The results show that EPT remarkably accelerated the spheroidizing of second phase (S phase) in the as-cast 2024 Al alloy. The mechanism for rapid spheroidizing of the second phase was proposed based on not only the accelerated dissolution, but also the growth of particles. The morphology and size of the secondary phase could be controlled by changing the cooling speed of the specimen after EPT. Furthermore, the dissolving process of the randomly distributed S phase was recognized as the combination effect of the two basic dissolving ways. Hence, the EPT can be applied to improve the microstructure and properties of the alloys.
Efficient Federated Learning with Pre-Trained Large Language Model Using Several Adapter Mechanisms
Authors: Kim Gyunyeop , Yoo Joon , Kang Sangwoo
Published: October 2023

Recent advancements in deep learning have led to various challenges, one of which is the issue of data privacy in training data. To address this issue, federated learning, a technique that merges models trained by clients on servers, has emerged as an attractive solution. However, federated learning faces challenges related to data heterogeneity and system heterogeneity. Recent observations suggest that incorporating pre-trained models into federated learning can mitigate some of these challenges. Nonetheless, the main drawback of pre-trained models lies in their typically large model size, leading to excessive data transmission when clients send these models to the server. Additionally, federated learning involves multiple global steps, which means transmitting a large language model to multiple clients results in too much data exchange. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to address this challenge using adapters. Adapters demonstrate training efficiency by training a small capacity adapter layer alongside a large language model. This unique characteristic reduces the volume of data transmission, offering a practical solution to the problem. The evaluation results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves a reduction in training time of approximately 20–40% and a transmission speed improvement of over 98% compared to previous approaches.