bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Meta-Analysis of Sampled Maximal Aerobic Capacity Data for Boys Aged 11 Years Old or Less Obtained by Cycle Ergometry
Authors: Jurov Iva , Demšar Jure , McCurdy Thomas
Published: January 2023

The aim of this study was to develop distributions of VO2max based on measured values that exist in the literature in prepubertal boys using cycle ergometry. PRISMA guidelines were followed in conducting this research. One database was searched for peak and maximal VO2 values in healthy boys with mean age under 11 years old. Data were split into articles reporting absolute and relative VO2max values and analyzed accordingly. Multilevel models grounded in Bayesian principles were used. We investigated associations between VO2max and body mass, year of the study, and country of origin. Differences in “peak” and “maximal” VO2 were assessed. Absolute VO2max (Lmin−1) increases with age (P ~100%) but mean relative VO2max does not change (P ~100%). Absolute VO2max is higher in more recent studies (P = 95.7 ± 0.3%) and mean relative VO2max is lower (P = 99.6 ± 0.1%). Relative VO2max in the USA is lower compared with boys from other countries (P = 98.8 ± 0.2%), but there are no differences in absolute values. Mean aerobic capacity estimates presented as “peak” values are higher than “maximal” values on an absolute basis (P = 97.5 ± 0.3%) but not on a relative basis (P = 99.6 ± 0.1%). Heavier boys have lower cardiorespiratory fitness (P ≈ 100%), and body mass seems to be increasing faster with age in the USA compared with other countries (P = 92.3 ± 0.3%). New reference values for cardiorespiratory fitness are presented for prepubertal boys obtained with cycle ergometry. This is new, as no reference values have been determined so far based on actual measured values in prepubertal boys. Aerobic capacity normalized to body weight does not change with age. Cardiorespiratory fitness in prepubertal boys is declining, which is associated with increasing body mass over the last few decades. Lastly, this study did not find any statistically significant difference in the sample’s mean aerobic capacity estimates using the ”peak” and “maximum” distinctions identified in the literature.
The Efficacy of the Partial Glossectomy for Prevention of Airway Volume Reduction in Orthognathic Surgery of Class III Patients
Authors: Seon Suyun , Jung Junho , Lee Baek-Soo , Kwon Yong-Dae , Choi Byung-Joon , Ohe Joo-Young
Published: January 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a partial glossectomy on volumetric changes of pharyngeal airway space (PAS) in patients with mandibular setback surgery. Overall, 25 patients showing clinical features related to macroglossia treated with mandibular setback surgery were included in this retrospective study. Subjects were divided into two groups: the control group (G1, n = 13, with BSSRO) and the study group (G2, n = 12, with both BSSRO and partial glossectomy). The PAS volume of both groups was measured by the OnDemand 3D program on CBCT taken shortly before operation (T0), 3 months post-operative (T1), and 6 months post-operative (T2). A paired t-test and repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for statistical correlation. Total PAS and hypopharyngeal airway space were increased after operation in Group 2 compared to Group 1 (p < 0.05), while oropharyngeal airway space showed no significant statistical difference with the tendency of increasing. The combination of partial glossectomy and BSSRO surgical techniques had a significant effect on increasing the hypopharyngeal and total airway space in class III malocclusion patients (p < 0.05).
Improving the Effective Spatial Resolution in 1H-MRSI of the Prostate with Three-Dimensional Overdiscretized Reconstructions
Authors: Tenbergen Carlijn J. A. , Ruhm Loreen , Ypma Sjoerd , Heerschap Arend , Henning Anke , Scheenen Tom W. J.
Published: January 2023

In in vivo 1H-MRSI of the prostate, small matrix sizes can cause voxel bleeding extending to regions far from a voxel, dispersing a signal of interest outside that voxel and mixing extra-prostatic residual lipid signals into the prostate. To resolve this problem, we developed a three-dimensional overdiscretized reconstruction method. Without increasing the acquisition time from current 3D MRSI acquisition methods, this method is aimed to improve the localization of metabolite signals in the prostate without compromising on SNR. The proposed method consists of a 3D spatial overdiscretization of the MRSI grid, followed by noise decorrelation with small random spectral shifts and weighted spatial averaging to reach a final target spatial resolution. We successfully applied the three-dimensional overdiscretized reconstruction method to 3D prostate 1H-MRSI data at 3T. Both in phantom and in vivo, the method proved to be superior to conventional weighted sampling with Hamming filtering of k-space. Compared with the latter, the overdiscretized reconstructed data with smaller voxel size showed up to 10% less voxel bleed while maintaining higher SNR by a factor of 1.87 and 1.45 in phantom measurements. For in vivo measurements, within the same acquisition time and without loss of SNR compared with weighted k-space sampling and Hamming filtering, we achieved increased spatial resolution and improved localization in metabolite maps.
External Subretinal Fluid Drainage in Scleral Buckling: Before Versus after Cryotherapy and Buckle Placement, A Pilot Study
Authors: Ahmad Tessnim R. , Bever Gregory J. , Stewart Jay M.
Published: January 2023

In this retrospective comparative case series at a teaching hospital, we reviewed adult patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment who underwent scleral buckling surgery with external drainage of subretinal fluid performed before versus after placement of the scleral buckle. Eight eyes in each group were roughly matched for age, sex, baseline visual acuity (VA), and detachment characteristics. The complication rate was 0% for the “before” group and 37% for the “after” group (p = 0.100). In the “after” group, two eyes (25%) developed iatrogenic retinal holes and one eye (12%) developed self-limited subretinal hemorrhage during external needle drainage. The duration of surgery was significantly shorter for the “before” group (mean 89 ± 16 min) compared to the “after” group (118 ± 20 min) (p = 0.008). The primary anatomic success rate was 100% for the “before” group and 75% for the “after” group (p = 0.233). Final VA was not significantly different between the groups or from baseline. In conclusion, while limited by our small sample size, this pilot study suggests that drainage of subretinal fluid before scleral buckle placement may be safer and more efficient compared to draining after buckle placement. Initial drainage may facilitate retinochoroid apposition to allow targeted cryopexy and precise buckle placement.
Acknowledgment to the Reviewers of Livers in 2022
Authors:   Livers Editorial Office
Published: January 2023

High-quality academic publishing is built on rigorous peer review [...]
Scope for Sustainable Development of Small Holder Farmers in the Palm Oil Supply Chain—A Systematic Literature Review and Thematic Scientific Mapping
Authors: Abideen Ahmed Zainul , Sundram Veera Pandiyan Kaliani , Sorooshian Shahryar
Published: January 2023

Background: The expansion of oil palm agriculture across the nations, especially in countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, is growing at exacerbated levels. However, there is still a lack of awareness of the environmental, social, and economic challenges among the sector, ranging from the combination of ecological, economic, and ecosystem sustainability to the livelihoods of plantation workers and small holder communities. Small holders struggle to attain the primary standards on market governance, debt-free livelihood enhancements, certification norms, proper land rights and usage, outsourcing quality seeds, harvesting technologies, labor usage, etc. Method: There is a need to systematize the existing literature toward one that addresses the most fundamental and urgent questions that govern the palm oil small holder sustainability in the palm oil supply chain. The objective of this article is two-fold. One approach was to undertake an integrated systematic review and thematic scientific mapping of the last 10 years of research effort (2009–2020) on the specified research agenda, using data from the Web of Science (WoS) core collection database. Another objective was to gain insights and research direction. Results: The defined gaps and insights from the study helped to form the basis for developing a conceptual framework for achieving the sustainability and livelihood of small holders in the palm oil sector. Conclusions: There is a stringent need to focus on the sustainability factors of small holders in the palm oil upstream logistics to address and improve the overall efficiency of the supply chain.
Methyl 3-Bromo-5-carbamoylisothiazole-4-carboxylate
Authors: Kalogirou Andreas S. , Koutentis Panayiotis A.
Published: January 2023

Reaction of methyl 3-bromo-5-cyanoisothiazole-4-carboxylate with conc. H2SO4 gave methyl 3-bromo-5-carbamoylisothiazole-4-carboxylate in 93% yield. The compound was fully characterized.
Surface and Structural Characterization of PVTMS Films Treated by Elemental Fluorine in Liquid Perfluorodecalin
Authors: Belov Nikolay A. , Alentiev Aleksandr Y. , Pashkevich Dmitrii S. , Voroshilov Fedor A. , Dvilis Edgar S. , Asanov Igor P. , Nikiforov Roman Y. , Chirkov Sergey V. , Syrtsova Daria A. , Kostina Julia V. , Bogdanova Yulia G.
Published: January 2023

Poly(vinyl trimethylsilane) (PVTMS) films were subjected to direct surface fluorination in liquid medium (perfluorodecalin). The samples were investigated using several techniques: SEM-XEDS, XPS, ATR-IR, and contact angle measurement. The methods used allowed us to estimate chemical changes occurring because of the treatment. ATR-IR showed that most of the changes occurred in the Si(CH3)3 group. Monofluorinated Si(CH3)3 groups formed in the near-surface layer (Ge crystal, 0.66 µm penetration) after 30 min of fluorination, and then di- and trifluorinated groups appeared. Oxidation of the film with oxygen was also shown with the use of ZnSe crystal (2 µm penetration). The XPS method allowed an assessment of the ratio of the main elements at the surface of the fluorinated film. Two different exponential models were proposed to fit the experimental data of SEM-XEDS. Based on the model with the intercept, the depth of fluorination was estimated to be ≤1.1 µm, which is consistent with the result from the literature for the gas-phase fluorination. Contact angle measurements showed that oxidation of the PVTMS surface prevailed for the first 45 min of fluorination (surface hydrophilization) with a subsequent fluorine content increase and hydrophobization of the surface upon 60 min of fluorination.
Geochemical Modeling of Heavy Metal Removal from Acid Mine Drainage in an Ethanol-Supplemented Sulfate-Reducing Column Test
Authors: Oyama Keishi , Hayashi Kentaro , Masaki Yusei , Hamai Takaya , Fuchida Shigeshi , Takaya Yutaro , Tokoro Chiharu
Published: January 2023

A passive treatment process using sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) is known to be effective in removing heavy metals from acid mine drainage (AMD), though there has been little discussion of the mechanism involved to date. In this work, a sulfate-reducing column test was carried out using supplementary ethanol as an electron donor for microorganisms, and the reaction mechanism was examined using geochemical modeling and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analysis. The results showed that Cu was readily removed from the AMD on the top surface of the column (0–0.2 m), while Zn and Cd depletion was initiated in the middle of the column (0.2–0.4 m), where sulfide formation by SRB became noticeable. Calculations by a developed geochemical model suggested that ethanol decomposition by aerobic microbes contributed to the reduction of Cu, while sulfide produced by SRB was the major cause of Zn and Cd removal. XAFS analysis of column residue detected ZnS, ZnSO4 (ZnS oxidized by atmospheric exposure during the drying process), and CuCO3, thus confirming the validity of the developed geochemical model. Based on these results, the application of the constructed geochemical model to AMD treatment with SRB could be a useful approach in predicting the behavior of heavy metal removal.
How Can We Overcome the Strength–Ductility Tradeoff in Light Alloys and Related Composites?
Authors: Gao Tong , Liu Xiangfa
Published: January 2023

In recent decades, the design and development of light alloys and related composites to achieve a good combination of strength and ductility have attracted huge attention [...]
Development of Strong and Tough β-TCP/PCL Composite Scaffolds with Interconnected Porosity by Digital Light Processing and Partial Infiltration
Authors: Wu Yanlong , Chen Ruomeng , Chen Xu , Yang Yongqiang , Qiao Jian , Liu Yaxiong
Published: January 2023

Strong and tough β-TCP/PCL composite scaffolds with interconnected porosity were developed by combining digital light processing and vacuum infiltration. The composite scaffolds were comprised of pure β-TCP, β-TCP matrix composite and PCL matrix composite. The porous β-TCP/PCL composite scaffolds showed remarkable mechanical advantages compared with ceramic scaffolds with the same macroscopic pore structure (dense scaffolds). The composite scaffolds exhibited a significant increase in strain energy density and fracture energy density, though with similar compressive and flexural strengths. Moreover, the composite scaffolds had a much higher Weibull modulus and longer fatigue life than the dense scaffolds. It was revealed that the composite scaffolds with interconnected porosity possess comprehensive mechanical properties (high strength, excellent toughness, significant reliability and fatigue resistance), which suggests that they could replace the pure ceramic scaffolds for degradable bone substitutes, especially in complex stress environments.
Acknowledgment to the Reviewers of Machines in 2022
Authors:   Machines Editorial Office
Published: January 2023

High-quality academic publishing is built on rigorous peer review [...]
Nanomaterial Endocytosis: Quantification of Adsorption and Ingestion Mechanisms
Authors: Sannidhi Abhinav , Zhou Chen , Choi Young Suk , David Allan E. , Todd Paul W. , Hanley Thomas R.
Published: January 2023

The widespread use of nanomaterials in vaccines, therapeutics, and industrial applications creates an increasing demand for understanding their ingestion by living cells. Researchers in the field have called for a more robust understanding of physical/chemical particle–cell interactions and a means to determine the particles ingested per cell. Using superparamagnetic nanobeads, we measured the beads per cell and quantified the kinetics of the receptor-independent endocytosis of particles having seven surface chemistries. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-coated nanoparticles were ingested less effectively by cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells and more effectively by aminated nanoparticles than starch-coated particles. The cells ingested 2 to 4 × 105 of the most attractive particles. The interplay between Van der Waals and coulombic potentials was quantified on the basis of Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) theory modified to include hydration repulsion using physical parameters of the seven surface chemistries. Using dose–response curves for inhibitors of clathrin- or caveolae-dependent ingestion, we quantified how particle surface chemistry determines which endocytic pathway is used by the cell. Such characterization can be useful in predicting nanomaterial uptake in medical and toxicological applications and in the selection of particle surface chemistries for receptor-dependent endocytosis.
Performance of Magnetic Fluid and Back Blade Combined Seal for Sealing Water
Authors: Wang Hujun , Gao Zhongquan , He Xinzhi , Li Zhenkun , Zhao Jinqiu , Luo Zhuo , Wei Yaqun
Published: January 2023

When sealing liquids with magnetic fluid, the interfacial stability problem caused by the interaction between the magnetic fluid and the sealed liquid leads to poor sealing performance. Centrifugal force is generated by the rotation of the sealed liquid in the back blade seal, which forms back pressure to reduce the load of the seal or prevents the sealed liquid from leaking. To reduce the influence of the shaft speed on the sealing performance, a combined magnetic fluid and back blade seal was designed for sealing liquids and a combined seal experiment stand was set up. Theoretical and experimental studies were carried out. The results showed that under a higher shaft speed, the combined seal structure had better sealing performance in which the back blade seal played the main role; the magnetic fluid seal played a major role in stopping and lowering the speed to prevent seal leakage. The combined seal could run stably under different shaft speeds.
A Novel Hybrid Approach for Evaluation of Resilient 4PL Provider for E-Commerce
Authors: Pajić Vukašin , Kilibarda Milorad , Andrejić Milan
Published: January 2023

Today, e-commerce allows consumers access to a wide range of products on the global market, quick and convenient selection, purchase, ordering, and payment of products. Consumers expect to receive the products they bought online, very quickly, at favorable prices and delivery conditions. However, it is often not possible, because global supply chains are realized over large geographical distances, with a whole range of disruptions and challenges that need to be successfully overcome. With the aim of efficiently delivering products and meeting consumer expectations, retailers often leave this job to specialized and resilient logistics companies better known as fourth-party logistics (4PL) providers. On this occasion, it is necessary to conduct a very thorough evaluation of the logistics provider based on appropriate scientific approaches and models. In this paper, a new hybrid approach for the evaluation of resilient 4PLs was proposed, with the aim of providing appropriate support for the decision-making system on product delivery in e-commerce. The hybrid approach is based on the fuzzy full consistency method (FUCOM), evidence theory (ET), rule-based transformation (RBT), and weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS) methods. The proposed model was tested and applied to an example of an online retailer, which sells and delivers products originating from China and the countries of the Far East to the market of the Western Balkans and Southeastern Europe. Five 4PL providers were evaluated and ranked according to 10 criteria. According to the results, the most important criterion was IT capabilities, while the least important was cooperation. Additionally, sensitivity analysis was carried out to determine whether the final ranking will change. The obtained results showed that the proposed methodology represents a valuable decision support tool that can be used for solving not only the problem described in this paper but also similar problems.
Reductions and Exact Solutions of Nonlinear Wave-Type PDEs with Proportional and More Complex Delays
Authors: Polyanin Andrei D. , Sorokin Vsevolod G.
Published: January 2023

The study gives a brief overview of publications on exact solutions for functional PDEs with delays of various types and on methods for constructing such solutions. For the first time, second-order wave-type PDEs with a nonlinear source term containing the unknown function with proportional time delay, proportional space delay, or both time and space delays are considered. In addition to nonlinear wave-type PDEs with constant speed, equations with variable speed are also studied. New one-dimensional reductions and exact solutions of such PDEs with proportional delay are obtained using solutions of simpler PDEs without delay and methods of separation of variables for nonlinear PDEs. Self-similar solutions, additive and multiplicative separable solutions, generalized separable solutions, and some other solutions are presented. More complex nonlinear functional PDEs with a variable time or space delay of general form are also investigated. Overall, more than thirty wave-type equations with delays that admit exact solutions are described. The study results can be used to test numerical methods and investigate the properties of the considered and related PDEs with proportional or more complex variable delays.
The Slash Half-Normal Distribution Applied to a Cure Rate Model with Application to Bone Marrow Transplantation
Authors: Gallardo Diego I. , Gómez Yolanda M. , Gómez Héctor J. , Gallardo-Nelson María José , Bourguignon Marcelo
Published: January 2023

This paper proposes, for the first time, the use of an asymmetric positive and heavy-tailed distribution in a cure rate model context. In particular, it introduces a cure-rate survival model by assuming that the time-to-event of interest follows a slash half-normal distribution and that the number of competing causes of the event of interest follows a power series distribution, which defines six new cure rate models. Several properties of the model are derived and an alternative expression for the cumulative distribution function of the model is presented, which is very useful for the computational implementation of the model. A procedure based on the expectation–maximization algorithm is proposed for the parameter estimation. Two simulation studies are performed to assess some properties of the estimators, showing the good performance of the proposed estimators in finite samples. Finally, an application to a bone marrow transplant data set is presented.
Characterization of Flow under Impervious Dams: Dimensionless Groups and Universal Solutions
Authors: Martínez-Moreno Encarnación , García-Ros Gonzalo , Alhama Iván , Alhama Francisco
Published: January 2023

As far as we know, no dimensionless solutions for infiltrated flow under dams in anisotropic media exist since those that can be found in manuals refer to isotropic soils. The novelty of this work is the presentation of universal solutions in the form of abaci for water flow, average exit gradient, uplift force, and its application point for this type of soil. These solutions are obtained by the application of the discriminated nondimensionalization technique to the governing equations in order to find accurate dimensionless groups that control the results of the problem. In particular, the ratio of permeabilities corrected by a geometrical aspect relationship appears as a governing group, so anisotropy can be considered as input information. In this way, the sought solutions are a function of the emerging groups. Numerical solutions are used to successfully verify the results obtained, which in turn are compared to those of other authors for isotropic scenarios.
Acknowledgment to the Reviewers of MCA in 2022
Authors:   MCA Editorial Office
Published: January 2023

High-quality academic publishing is built on rigorous peer review [...]
Characterization of the Biophysical Properties and Cell Adhesion Interactions of Marine Invertebrate Collagen from Rhizostoma pulmo
Authors: Smith Ian P. , Domingos Marco , Richardson Stephen M. , Bella Jordi
Published: January 2023

Collagen is the most ubiquitous biomacromolecule found in the animal kingdom and is commonly used as a biomaterial in regenerative medicine therapies and biomedical research. The collagens used in these applications are typically derived from mammalian sources which poses sociological issues due to widespread religious constraints, rising ethical concern over animal rights and the continuous risk of zoonotic disease transmission. These issues have led to increasing research into alternative collagen sources, of which marine collagens, in particular from jellyfish, have emerged as a promising resource. This study provides a characterization of the biophysical properties and cell adhesion interactions of collagen derived from the jellyfish Rhizostoma pulmo (JCol). Circular dichroism spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy were used to observe the triple-helical conformation and fibrillar morphology of JCol. Heparin-affinity chromatography was also used to demonstrate the ability of JCol to bind to immobilized heparin. Cell adhesion assays using integrin blocking antibodies and HT-1080 human fibrosarcoma cells revealed that adhesion to JCol is primarily performed via β1 integrins, with the exception of α2β1 integrin. It was also shown that heparan sulfate binding plays a much greater role in fibroblast and mesenchymal stromal cell adhesion to JCol than for type I mammalian collagen (rat tail collagen). Overall, this study highlights the similarities and differences between collagens from mammalian and jellyfish origins, which should be considered when utilizing alternative collagen sources for biomedical research.
Assessment of Salvage Surgery in Persistent Cervical Cancer after Definitive Radiochemotherapy: A Systematic Review
Authors: Conte Carmine , Della Corte Luigi , Pelligra Silvia , Bifulco Giuseppe , Abate Biagio , Riemma Gaetano , Palumbo Marco , Cianci Stefano , Ercoli Alfredo
Published: January 2023

Background and Objectives: The standard treatment approach in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) is exclusive concurrent chemoradiation therapy (RTCT). The risk of local residual disease after six months from RTCT is about 20–30%. It is directly related to relapse risk and poor survival, such as in patients with recurrent cervical cancer. This systematic review aims to describe studies investigating salvage surgery’s role in persistent/recurrent disease in LACC patients who underwent definitive RTCT. Materials and Methods: Studies were eligible for inclusion when patients had LACC with radiologically suspected or histologically confirmed residual disease after definitive RTCT, diagnosed with post-treatment radiological workup or biopsy. Information on complications after salvage surgery and survival outcomes had to be reported. The methodological quality of the articles was independently assessed by two researchers with the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. Following the recommendations in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, we systematically searched the PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Medline, and Medscape databases in May 2022. We applied no language or geographical restrictions but considered only English studies. We included studies containing data about postoperative complications and survival outcomes. Results: Eleven studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and all were retrospective observational studies. A total of 601 patients were analyzed concerning the salvage surgery in LACC patients for persistent/recurrent disease after RTCT treatment. Overall, 369 (61.4%) and 232 (38.6%) patients underwent a salvage hysterectomy (extrafascial or radical) and pelvic exenteration (anterior, posterior, or total), respectively. Four hundred and thirty-nine (73%) patients had histologically confirmed the residual disease in the salvage surgical specimen, and 109 patients had positive margins (overall range 0–43% of the patients). The risk of severe (grade ≥ 3) postoperative complications after salvage surgery is 29.8% (range 5–57.5%). After a median follow-up of 38 months, the overall RR was about 32% with an overall death rate of 40% after hysterectomy or pelvic exenteration with or without lymphadenectomy. Conclusions: There is heterogeneity between the studies both in their design and results, therefore the effect of salvage surgery on survival and recurrence cannot be adequately estimated. Future homogeneous studies with an appropriately selected population are needed to analyze the safety and efficacy of salvage hysterectomy or pelvic exenteration in patients with residual tumors after definitive RTCT.
Using Text Mining and Data Visualization Approaches for Investigating Mental Illness from the Perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Authors: Lin Wan-Ling , Liang Yu-Chi , Chung Kuo-Hsuan , Chen Ping-Ho , Chang Yung-Chun
Published: January 2023

Background and Objectives. Anxiety and depressive disorders are the most prevalent mental disorders, and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more people are suffering from anxiety and depressive disorders, and a considerable fraction of COVID-19 survivors have a variety of persistent neuropsychiatric problems after the initial infection. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a different perspective on mental disorders from Western biomedicine. Effective management of mental disorders has become an increasing concern in recent decades due to the high social and economic costs involved. This study attempts to express and ontologize the relationships between different mental disorders and physical organs from the perspective of TCM, so as to bridge the gap between the unique terminology used in TCM and a medical professional. Materials and Methods. Natural language processing (NLP) is introduced to quantify the importance of different mental disorder descriptions relative to the five depots and two palaces, stomach and gallbladder, through the classical medical text Huangdi Neijing and construct a mental disorder ontology based on the TCM classic text. Results. The results demonstrate that our proposed framework integrates NLP and data visualization, enabling clinicians to gain insights into mental health, in addition to biomedicine. According to the results of the relationship analysis of mental disorders, depots, palaces, and symptoms, the organ/depot most related to mental disorders is the heart, and the two most important emotion factors associated with mental disorders are anger and worry & think. The mental disorders described in TCM are related to more than one organ (depot/palace). Conclusion. This study complements recent research delving into co-relations or interactions between mental status and other organs and systems.
Demographics and Etiology for Lower Extremity Amputations—Experiences of an University Orthopaedic Center in Germany
Authors: Eidmann Annette , Kamawal Yama , Luedemann Martin , Raab Peter , Rudert Maximilian , Stratos Ioannis
Published: January 2023

Background and Objectives: Currently, the worldwide incidence of major amputations in the general population is decreasing whereas the incidence of minor amputations is increasing. The purpose of our study was to analyze whether this trend is reflected among orthopaedic patients treated with lower extremity amputation in our orthopaedic university institution. Materials and Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective study and included patients referred to our orthopaedic department for lower extremity amputation (LEA) between January 2007 and December 2019. Acquired data were the year of amputation, age, sex, level of amputation and cause of amputation. T test and Chi² test were performed to compare age and amputation rates between males and females; significance was defined as p < 0.05. Linear regression and multivariate logistic regression models were used to test time trends and to calculate probabilities for LEA. Results: A total of 114 amputations of the lower extremity were performed, of which 60.5% were major amputations. The number of major amputations increased over time with a rate of 0.6 amputation/year. Men were significantly more often affected by LEA than women. Age of LEA for men was significantly below the age of LEA for women (men: 54.8 ± 2.8 years, women: 64.9 ± 3.2 years, p = 0.021). Main causes leading to LEA were tumors (28.9%) and implant-associated complications (25.4%). Implant-associated complications and age raised the probability for major amputation, whereas malformation, angiopathies and infections were more likely to cause a minor amputation. Conclusions: Among patients in our orthopaedic institution, etiology of amputations of the lower extremity is multifactorial and differs from other surgical specialties. The number of major amputations has increased continuously over the past years. Age and sex, as well as diagnosis, influence the type and level of amputation.
Resolution of Otitis Media with Effusion in Adults after a Three-Day Course of Treatment with a Manosonic Nebulizer—A Pilot Study
Authors: Zasadzińska-Stempniak Katarzyna , Karwat Bartosz , Jarmołowicz-Aniołkowska Natalia , Zajączkiewicz Hanna
Published: January 2023

Background and Objectives: Aerosol drug administration is the primary treatment modality of otitis media with effusion (OME). An automatic manosonic aerosol generator (AMSA) delivers, with an acoustic overpressure, a therapeutic dosage of a drug by inhalation of the aerosol. However, available studies confirming their efficacy, especially in adults, are limited. Therefore, this pilot single-arm trial aimed to analyze changes in adults with OME following AMSA treatment. Materials and Methods: A group of 36 patients (mean age 51.4 years) with OME underwent a three-day treatment with inhaled mucolytic and steroids administered by AMSA. Tympanometry (tympanogram type, volume, compliance, pressure, and gradient) was performed to measure middle ear effusion before and after the intervention. Results: Following the intervention, partial and complete OME remission was observed in, respectively, 29 (81%) and 14 (39%) patients. The tympanogram type of the affected ears differed between baseline and after intervention measurements (p < 0.001). Tympanometry-based normalization, improvement deterioration and no change were observed in, respectively, 34 (68%), 1 (2%) 2 (4%), and 13 (26%) affected ears. Following the intervention, we observed an increase in continuously assessed middle ear volume (∆median 0.19 mL, p = 0.002) and pressure (∆median 142 daPa, p < 0.001), as well as a higher proportion of patients achieving categorical normalization of compliance (16% vs. 54%, p < 0.001) and pressure (28 vs. 64%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Treatment efficacy was not affected by age, sex, or season of recruitment (all p > 0.05). The results of this pilot study are encouraging, however, the use of AMSA management of OME in adults needs to be verified in future studies.
Temperature Dependence of Light Hydrocarbons Sorption and Transport in Dense Membranes Based on Tetradecyl Substituted Silicone Rubber
Authors: Malakhov Alexander O. , Sokolov Stepan E. , Grushevenko Evgenia A. , Volkov Vladimir V.
Published: January 2023

Solubility-selective polymer membranes are promising materials for C3+ hydrocarbons removal from methane and other permanent gas streams. To this end, a dense solubility-selective membrane based on crosslinked poly(tetradecyl methyl siloxane) was synthesized. Sorption of methane, ethane, and n-butane in the polymer was measured in the temperature range of 5–35 °C. An abnormal temperature dependence of sorption was detected, contradicting the generally accepted view of sorption as an exothermic process. In particular, methane shows minimal sorption at 5 °C. The abnormal temperature behavior was found to be related to crystallization of the alkyl side chains at temperatures below ~10 °C. Gas permeability determined by sorption and permeation methods are in reasonable agreement with each other and decrease in the order n-C4H10 > C2H6 > CH4. The solubility of these alkanes changes in the same order indicating that poly(tetradecyl methyl siloxane) is indeed the sorption-selective membrane. The diffusivities and permeabilities of studied alkanes declined with decreasing temperature, whereas the n-C4H10/CH4 permselectivity increases with decreasing temperature, reaching a value of 23 at 5 °C.
Electrokinetic Properties of Mesoporous Vitreous Membranes Doped by Silver-Silver Halides
Authors: Ermakova Ludmila , Kuznetsova Anastasiia , Girsova Marina , Volkova Anna , Antropova Tatiana
Published: January 2023

Silver/silver halide materials are considered as efficient and highly stable plasmonic photocatalysts for the organic pollutant degradation and hydrogen evolution from water splitting under solar irradiation, and they possess promising antibacterial activity. Ordered mesoporous silica materials including porous glasses are considered as the most promising template for silver-containing structures. In the present work, Ag/AgHal-doped (Hal = Cl, Br) vitreous membranes on a base of the mesoporous glasses were prepared via step-by-step single-stage impregnation procedure. The chemical and phase composition of the modified membranes were identified by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the X-ray diffraction and the energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The structure and morphology of inner membrane space were studied by the scanning electron microscopy. Electrokinetic properties of the silver-containing vitreous membranes were determined by the differential method and the streaming potential method. The inner membrane space is modified unevenly with appearance of the clearly defined regions with different silver content. The formation of the Ag/AgCl clusters along with the individual nanoparticles over thickness of the 1-mm membrane with mean pore radius of 23 nm was detected. The modification of the pore space by Ag-containing structures and the type of halogen ion almost do not affect the electrochemical behavior of the mesoporous vitreous membranes.
Determining the Bending Rigidity of Free-Standing Planar Phospholipid Bilayers
Authors: Zabala-Ferrera Oscar , Liu Paige , Beltramo Peter J.
Published: January 2023

We describe a method to determine membrane bending rigidity from capacitance measurements on large area, free-standing, planar, biomembranes. The bending rigidity of lipid membranes is an important biological mechanical property that is commonly optically measured in vesicles, but difficult to quantify in a planar, unsupported system. To accomplish this, we simultaneously image and apply an electric potential to free-standing, millimeter area, planar lipid bilayers composed of DOPC and DOPG phospholipids to measure the membrane Young’s (elasticity) modulus. The bilayer is then modeled as two adjacent thin elastic films to calculate bending rigidity from the electromechanical response of the membrane to the applied field. Using DOPC, we show that bending rigidities determined by this approach are in good agreement with the existing work using neutron spin echo on vesicles, atomic force spectroscopy on supported lipid bilayers, and micropipette aspiration of giant unilamellar vesicles. We study the effect of asymmetric calcium concentration on symmetric DOPC and DOPG membranes and quantify the resulting changes in bending rigidity. This platform offers the ability to create planar bilayers of controlled lipid composition and aqueous ionic environment, with the ability to asymmetrically alter both. We aim to leverage this high degree of compositional and environmental control, along with the capacity to measure physical properties, in the study of various biological processes in the future.
The Application of Polymer Inclusion Membranes for the Removal of Emerging Contaminants and Synthetic Dyes from Aqueous Solutions—A Mini Review
Authors: Kaczorowska Małgorzata A. , Bożejewicz Daria , Witt Katarzyna
Published: January 2023

Pollution of the environment, including water resources, is currently one of the greatest challenges due to emerging new contaminants of anthropogenic origin. Of particular concern are emerging organic pollutants such as pharmaceuticals, endocrine disruptors, and pesticides, but also other industrial pollutants, for example, synthetic dyes. The growing demand for environmentally friendly and economical methods of removing emerging contaminants and synthetic dyes from wastewater resulted in increased interest in the possibility of using techniques based on the application of polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) for this purpose. PIM-based techniques are promising methods for eliminating emerging contaminants and synthetic dyes from aqueous solutions, including wastewater, due to high efficiency, membranes versatility, ease/low cost of preparation, and high selectivity. This review describes the latest developments related to the removal of various emerging contaminants and synthetic dyes from aqueous solutions using PIMs over the past few years, with particular emphasis on research aimed at increasing the effectiveness and selectivity of PIMs, which may contribute to wider use of these methods in the future.
Enhanced Precipitation of Gibbsite from Sodium Aluminate Solution by Adding Agglomerated Active Al(OH)3 Seed
Authors: Shoppert Andrei , Valeev Dmitry , Alekseev Konstantin , Loginova Irina
Published: January 2023

The addition of active seed for increasing the precipitation rate leads to the formation of fine Al(OH)3 particles that complicates separation of solid from the mother liquor. In this study, the enhanced precipitation of coarse Al(OH)3 from sodium aluminate solution using active agglomerated seed was investigated. Aluminum salt (Al2(SO4)3) were used for active agglomerated seed precipitation at the initial of the process. About 50% of precipitation rate was obtained when these agglomerates were used as a seed in the amount of 20 g L−1 at 25 °C within 10 h. The agglomerated active seed and precipitate samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). SEM images showed that agglomerates consist of flake-like particles that can be stick together by bayerite (β-Al(OH)3) acting as a binder. The precipitation temperature above 35 °C and the high concentration of free alkali (αk = 1.645Na2Ok/Al2O3 > 3) lead to the agglomerates refinement that can be associated with the bayerite dissolution.
Study on the Effect of Pulse Waveform Parameters on Droplet Transition, Dynamic Behavior of Weld Pool, and Weld Microstructure in P-GMAW
Authors: Huang Jie , Chen Tao , Huang Daqing , Xu Tengzhou
Published: January 2023

The heating and impact of arc and droplet acting on the weld pool lead to the transfer of mass, heat, and momentum, which affects the dynamic behavior of the weld pool and the microstructure in the P-GMAW process. In this paper, an image processing program is used to extract the dynamic behavior characteristics of the droplet transition and the weld pool in high-speed photography. The influence of the current waveform on the arc pressure and the impact of the droplet is quantitatively analyzed with different parameters. The dynamic behavior of the weld pool and the microstructure under different current waveform conditions are further studied. The internal relation of current waveform parameters to weld pool behavior and weld microstructure was expounded. The results show that the droplet impact is positively correlated with the pulse peak current. The rectangular wave pulse has a more significant droplet impact than the exponential wave with the same waveform parameters. The impact of droplet transition on the weld pool enhances the convective intensity of the weld pool. It slows down the cooling rate of the solidified weld microstructure below the tail of the weld pool, increasing the grain size of the weld microstructure.
Effects of a Calorie-Restricted Cafeteria Diet and Oleuropein Supplementation on Adiposity and mRNA Expression of Energy Balance Related Genes in Obese Male Rats
Authors: Subias-Gusils Alex , Álvarez-Monell Adam , Boqué Noemi , Caimari Antoni , Mariné-Casadó Roger , Escorihuela Rosa M. , Solanas Montserrat
Published: January 2023

Supplementation with natural bioactive compounds has been proposed to be a complementary tool to the calorie-restricted diets and physical exercise programs used to tackle human overweight, obesity and Metabolic syndrome. Herein, we evaluated the effects of 14 weeks of calorie-restricted cafeteria diet either alone or combined with oral administration of the polyphenol oleuropein in obese adult male rats, compared with a control group fed standard chow and a group fed cafeteria diet. Animals were sacrificed at the age of 26 weeks and several tissues of interest were removed. The results showed that both dietary interventions reduced the adiposity index (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively), and specifically the abdominal fat depots (mesenteric: p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively; and epididymal: both diets p < 0.001) and restored the decreased soleus skeletal muscle mass. Both interventions decreased leptin mRNA expression in mesenteric white adipose tissue (p < 0.05) and normalized hypothalamic Agrp mRNA expression compared to cafeteria-fed obese rats (p < 0.05). However, only the calorie-restricted cafeteria diet supplemented with oleuropein induced additional lower retroperitoneal adipose accretion (p < 0.05) and increased hypothalamic leptin receptor mRNA levels (p < 0.05). Experiments with female animals, at different doses and longer intervention periods, are needed to better determine the potential benefits of this dietary treatment.
Impact of Cesarean Delivery and Breastfeeding on Secretory Immunoglobulin A in the Infant Gut Is Mediated by Gut Microbiota and Metabolites
Authors: Chen Yuan Yao , Tun Hein M. , Field Catherine J. , Mandhane Piushkumar J. , Moraes Theo J. , Simons Elinor , Turvey Stuart E. , Subbarao Padmaja , Scott James A. , Kozyrskyj Anita L.
Published: January 2023

How gut immunity in early life is shaped by birth in relation to delivery mode, intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) and labor remains undetermined. We aimed to address this gap with a study of secretory Immunoglobulin A (SIgA) in the infant gut that also tested SIgA-stimulating pathways mediated by gut microbiota and metabolites. Among 1017 Canadian full-term infants, gut microbiota of fecal samples collected at 3 and 12 months were profiled using 16S rRNA sequencing; C. difficile was quantified by qPCR; fecal metabolites and SIgA levels were measured by NMR and SIgA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. We assessed the putative causal relationships from birth events to gut microbiota and metabolites, and ultimately to SIgA, in statistical sequential mediation models, adjusted for maternal gravida status in 551 infants. As birth mode influences the ability to breastfeed, the statistical mediating role of breastfeeding status and milk metabolites was also evaluated. Relative to vaginal birth without maternal IAP, cesarean section (CS) after labor was associated with reduced infant gut SIgA levels at 3 months (6.27 vs. 4.85 mg/g feces, p < 0.05); this association was sequentially mediated through gut microbiota and metabolites of microbial or milk origin. Mediating gut microbiota included Enterobacteriaceae, C. difficile, and Streptococcus. The milk or microbial metabolites in CS-SIgA mediating pathways were galactose, fucose, GABA, choline, lactate, pyruvate and 1,2-propanediol. This cohort study documented the impact of birth on infant gut mucosal SIgA. It is the first to characterize gut microbe-metabolite mediated pathways for early-life SIgA maturation, pathways that require experimental verification.