bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface Modification via Dielectric Barrier Discharge Atmospheric Cold Plasma (DBD–ACP): Improved Functional Properties of Soy Protein Film
Authors: Li Zhibing , Deng Shanggui , Chen Jing
Published: April 2022

Atmospheric cold plasma (ACP), a novel technology, has been widely adopted as an efficient approach in surface modification of the film. The effect of ACP treatment on the physicochemical and structural properties of soy protein film were investigated. As a result, the optimal conditions for the preparation of the film were determined for soy protein (10%), glycerol (2.8%), ACP treatment at 30 kV for 3 min, on the basis of elongation at the break, and water vapor permeability. Under the optimal conditions, the ACP–treated films exhibited enhanced polarity according to the increased values of solubility, swelling index, and moisture content, compared with the untreated counterpart. An increase in the hydrophilicity is also confirmed by the water contact angle analysis, which decreased from 87.9° to 77.2° after ACP pretreatment. Thermostability was also improved by ACP exposure in terms of DSC analysis. SEM images confirmed the tiny pores and cracks on the surface of film could be lessened by ACP pretreatment. Variations in the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that some hydrophilic groups were formed by ACP pretreatment. Atomic force microscopy data revealed that the roughness of soy protein film which was pretreated by ACP was lower than that of the control group, with an Rmax value of 88.4 nm and 162.7 nm for the ACP- treated and untreated samples, respectively. The soy protein film was characterized structurally by FT–IR and DSC, and morphological characterization was done by SEM and AFM. The soy protein film modified by ACP was more stable than the control group. Hence, the great potential in improving the properties of the film enables ACP treatment to be a feasible and promising alternative to other modification methods.
Influence of Selenium Biofortification of Soybeans on Speciation and Transformation during Seed Germination and Sprouts Quality
Authors: Huang Yatao , Lei Ningyu , Xiong Yangyang , Liu Yanfang , Tong Litao , Wang Fengzhong , Fan Bei , Maesen Philippe , Blecker Christophe
Published: April 2022

Selenium (Se) biofortification during seed germination is important not only to meet nutritional demands but also to prevent Se-deficiency-related diseases by producing Se-enriched foods. In this study, we evaluated effects of Se biofortification of soybeans on the Se concentration, speciation, and species transformation as well as nutrients and bioactive compounds in sprouts during germination. Soybean (Glycine max L.) seedlings were cultivated in the dark in an incubator with controlled temperature and water conditions and harvested at different time points after soaking in Se solutions (0, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 60 mg/L). Five Se species and main nutrients in the sprouts were determined. The total Se content increased by 87.3 times, and a large portion of inorganic Se was transformed into organic Se during 24 h of germination, with 89.3% of the total Se was bound to soybean protein. Methylselenocysteine (MeSeCys) and selenomethionine (SeMet) were the dominant Se species, MeSeCys decreased during the germination, but SeMet had opposite trend. Se biofortification increased contents of total polyphenol and isoflavonoid compounds and amino acids (both total and essential), especially in low-concentration Se treatment. In conclusion, Se-enriched soybean sprouts have promising potential for Se supplementation and as functional foods.
Development of Apremilast Nanoemulsion-Loaded Chitosan Gels: In Vitro Evaluations and Anti-Inflammatory and Wound Healing Studies on a Rat Model
Authors: Ahmed Mohammed Muqtader , Anwer Md. Khalid , Fatima Farhat , Alali Amer S. , Kalam Mohd Abul , Zafar Ameeduzzafar , Alshehri Sultan , Ghoneim Mohammed M.
Published: April 2022

Apremilast (APL) has profound anti-inflammatory and wound healing activity, alongside other dermal care. This study aims to develop APL-loaded NEs (ANE1-ANE5) using eucalyptus oil (EO) as the oil and Tween-80 and transcutol-HP (THP) as a surfactant and co-surfactant, respectively. The prepared NEs were then evaluated based on mean droplet size (12.63 ± 1.2 nm), PDI (0.269 ± 0.012), ZP (−23.00 ± 5.86), RI (1.315 ± 0.02), and %T (99.89 ± 0.38) and ANE4 was optimized. Further, optimized NEs (ANE4) were incorporated into chitosan gel (2%, w/v). The developed ANE4-loaded chitosan gel was then evaluated for pH, spreadability, in vitro diffusion, and wound healing and anti-inflammatory studies. Moreover, in vivo studies denoted improved anti-inflammatory and wound healing activity and represented a decrease in wound size percentage (99.68 ± 0.345%) for the APNE2 gel test compared to a negative control (86.48 ± 0.87%) and standard control (92.82 ± 0.34%). Thus, the formulation of ANE4-loaded chitosan gels is an efficient topical treatment strategy for inflammatory and wound healing conditions.
Severe Infantile Axonal Neuropathy with Respiratory Failure Caused by Novel Mutation in X-Linked LAS1L Gene
Authors: Stembalska Agnieszka , Rydzanicz Małgorzata , Walas Wojciech , Gasperowicz Piotr , Pollak Agnieszka , Pienkowski Victor Murcia , Biela Mateusz , Klaniewska Magdalena , Gamrot Zuzanna , Gronska Ewa , Ploski Rafal , Smigiel Robert
Published: April 2022

LAS1L encodes a nucleolar ribosomal biogenesis protein and is also a component of the Five Friends of Methylated CHTOP (5FMC) complex. Mutations in the LAS1L gene can be associated with Wilson–Turner syndrome (WTS) and, much more rarely, severe infantile hypotonia with respiratory failure. Here, we present an eighteen-month old boy with a phenotype of spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress (SMARD). By applying WES, we identified a novel hemizygous synonymous variant in the LAS1L gene inherited from an unaffected mother (c.846G > C, p.Thr282=). We suggest that the identified variant impairs the RNA splicing process. Furthermore, we proved the absence of any coding regions by qPCR and sequencing cDNA using amplicon deep sequencing and Sanger sequencing methods. According to the SMARD phenotype, severe breathing problems causing respiratory insufficiency, hypotonia, and feeding difficulties were observed in our patient from the first days of life. Remarkably, our case is the second described patient with a SMARD-like phenotype due to a mutation in the LAS1L gene and the first with a variant impacting splicing.
Effect of Zeolite Supplementation on Gene Expression in the Intestinal Mucosa in the Context of Immunosafety Support in Poultry
Authors: Dunislawska Aleksandra , Biesek Jakub , Banaszak Mirosław , Siwek Maria , Adamski Marek
Published: April 2022

Zeolite is an effective and non-toxic silicate mineral. Its properties are widely used in industry due to its sorption and ion exchange properties. Due to its excellent chemical properties, it has also great potential in poultry production as a food additive or supplement to bedding. This is of great importance for the biosafety and hygiene of production. The study aimed to analyse the effects of simultaneous application of zeolite to feed and bedding on production parameters and expression of genes related to intestinal tightness, organism defence, and immune response. Male Ross 308 broiler chickens were used in the experiment. In the experimental group, an external factor in the form of a powdery zeolite was used for feed and pelleted bedding. On the day of slaughter, the caecal mucosa was collected for gene expression analysis. We showed no significant changes in the tissue composition of the carcasses, but zeolite had a beneficial effect on the carcass yield. The analysis of the immune gene panel showed a significant increase in the expression of the interleukins and interferons genes. We have demonstrated the effect of zeolite on the improvement of the intestinal barrier and increasing the tightness of the intestines. There were no changes in gene expression related to the host’s defence against infections; therefore, based on the obtained results, it was concluded that zeolite can be considered an immunomodulating factor of the immune system.
Assessing Psychological Impact of COVID-19 among Parents of Children Returning to K-12 Schools: A U.S. Based Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Batra Kavita , Pharr Jennifer R. , Terry Emylia , Labus Brian
Published: April 2022

Background and Purpose: While impacts of the pandemic on family well-being have been documented in the literature, little is known about the psychological challenges faced by children and their parents as schools reopen after mandated closures. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if sending children back to in-person school impacts the mental health of parents and the perceived mental health of their children. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study recruited a nationally representative, non-probability sample of parents or guardians (n = 2100) of children attending grades K-12 in the United States (U.S.) through a 58-item web-based survey. The univariate, bivariate, and multivariate statistical tests were used to analyze the data. Results: The mean scores of parental Coronavirus anxiety and Coronavirus obsession were significantly different between race/ethnic groups of parents. Parents with children going to private schools had significantly higher mean scores for Coronavirus anxiety and obsession compared to parents whose children are attending public schools. Nearly 55% of parental Coronavirus anxiety was explained by the generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, child’s vulnerability to infection, and school type of the child. Similarly, 52% of parental Coronavirus obsession was explained by the generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, child’s vulnerability to infection, and social phobia of the children. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has a substantial impact on psychological well-being of parents and their school-going children. Findings of this study will inform policy makers in developing targeted interventions to address unique needs of families with school-going children.
Decay Incidence and Quality Changes of Film Packaged ‘Simeto’ Mandarins Treated with Sodium Bicarbonate
Authors: D’Aquino Salvatore , Strano Maria Concetta , Gentile Alessandra , Palma Amedeo
Published: April 2022

Not rinsing sodium bicarbonate (SBC) treated fruit with freshwater can reduce post-harvest decay, but it can also be phytotoxic to peel tissues. Film packaging delays the ageing of peel, due to the high in-package humidity, but this also stimulates the growth of pathogens. Thus, as stand-alone treatments, both SBC and film packaging present advantages, but also drawbacks. In this study, SBC phytotoxicity was effectively mitigated when ‘Simeto’ mandarins, subjected to a 2 min dip treatment in a 2% SBC solution, were packaged using Omni film (highly permeable to water vapor and gases) or Coralife SWAF 400 film (with a low permeability to water vapor, but moderately permeable to gases). In particular, the combination Coralife SWAF 400 film allowed the fruit to be stored for 7 d at 5 °C, or 14 d at 20 °C, with negligible changes in overall appearance, almost no loss caused by decay, and an average weight loss of 1.3%. The in-package air composition, similar to air in Omni packages, and with an average between 5 kPa CO2 and 16 kPa O2 in Coralife SWAF 400 packages, slightly affected the sensory and chemical qualities. Combining SBC with film packaging is a feasible method to prolong the post-harvest life of citrus fruit, and control post-harvest diseases, while avoiding the use of synthetic fungicides.
System Complexity in Influenza Infection and Vaccination: Effects upon Excess Winter Mortality
Authors: Jones Rodney P. , Ponomarenko Andriy
Published: April 2022

Unexpected outcomes are usually associated with interventions in complex systems. Excess winter mortality (EWM) is a measure of the net effect of all competing forces operating each winter, including influenza(s) and non-influenza pathogens. In this study over 2400 data points from 97 countries are used to look at the net effect of influenza vaccination rates in the elderly aged 65+ against excess winter mortality (EWM) each year from the winter of 1980/81 through to 2019/20. The observed international net effect of influenza vaccination ranges from a 7.8% reduction in EWM estimated at 100% elderly vaccination for the winter of 1989/90 down to a 9.3% increase in EWM for the winter of 2018/19. The average was only a 0.3% reduction in EWM for a 100% vaccinated elderly population. Such outcomes do not contradict the known protective effect of influenza vaccination against influenza mortality per se—they merely indicate that multiple complex interactions lie behind the observed net effect against all-causes (including all pathogen causes) of winter mortality. This range from net benefit to net disbenefit is proposed to arise from system complexity which includes environmental conditions (weather, solar cycles), the antigenic distance between constantly emerging circulating influenza clades and the influenza vaccine makeup, vaccination timing, pathogen interference, and human immune diversity (including individual history of host-virus, host-antigen interactions and immunosenescence) all interacting to give the observed outcomes each year. We propose that a narrow focus on influenza vaccine effectiveness misses the far wider complexity of winter mortality. Influenza vaccines may need to be formulated in different ways, and perhaps administered over a shorter timeframe to avoid the unanticipated adverse net outcomes seen in around 40% of years.
Performance Assessment of ESP8266 Wireless Mesh Networks
Authors: Santos Luís , Costa Tiago , Caldeira João M. L. P. , Soares Vasco N. G. J.
Published: April 2022

This paper presents a wireless mesh network testbed based on ESP8266 devices using painlessMesh library. It evaluates its feasibility and potential effectiveness as a solution to monitor perishable goods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, which are often stored and transported inside refrigerated containers. Performance testing experiments with different numbers of nodes and traffic loads and different message payload sizes are conducted under unicast transmission. The impact on network performance is evaluated in terms of delivery ratio and delivery delay, which, consequently, affect the energy consumption and, hence, network lifetime. The results of this investigation are an important contribution to help researchers to propose mechanisms, schemes, and protocols to improve performance in such challenging networks.
Exploiting Incremental Virtual Full Duplex Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access Systems
Authors: Guo Weidong
Published: April 2022

This paper investigates the throughput performance of an incremental virtual full-duplex non-orthogonal multiple access (I-VFD-NOMA) communication system, where two energy harvesting (EH) enabled near users are willing to forward message for far user using decode-and-forward (DF) protocol. If the direct link between the source and the far user exists, I-VFD-NOMA scheme is used to save the channel resources. If the direct link between the source and the far user does not exist, I-VFD-NOMA can not be used and only VFD-NOMA can be used. With this structure, The analytical expressions of the system throughput considering imperfect successive interference cancellation (I-SIC) and selection combining (SC) are derived when the direct link exists or not. With the aim of maximizing the throughput, the expression for the optimal power splitting factor at near users is also derived when the direct link does not exist. All theoretical results are validated by numerical simulations which demonstrate that the proposed I-VFD-NOMA scheme is superior to existing NOMA systems.
Electrochemical Synthesis of Precursors of Al2O3-ZrO2 Ceramic Stabilized with Cerium Oxide and Magnesium Aluminate
Authors: Dresvyannikov Alexander F. , Petrova Ekaterina V. , Kashfrazyeva Laysan I.
Published: April 2022

This article presents a new approach to preparing the precursors of complex oxide systems Al2O3-ZrO2-MXOY (M = Mg, Ce). The approach is based on the electrogeneration and interaction of reagents with electrolyte components in a coaxial electrochemical reactor. The design of the electrolyzer provides the suspension homogenization due to the turbulence induced by the intensive hydrogen bubbles and electrolyte movement in opposite directions relative to the central electrode in a closed space. Hydrogen evolution leads to the mixing of the solution. The transfer of OH− ions generated at the cathode into the electrolyte and interaction with metal ions (Zr, Al, Ce, Mg) leads to the formation of hydroxoaqua complexes of these metals. They participate in the polycondensation reaction, forming polymerized hydroxides and oxyhydroxides, which are the basis of the primary particles. The process of hydroxylation of nanoparticle surface of the formed precursors of oxide systems stabilizes the dispersion and prevents particle aggregation. The stabilized tetragonal t-ZrO2 was obtained by sintering the precursor of the synthesized oxide system at 1100 °C with the formation of an alumina phase (γ-Al2O3, or an aluminum–magnesium spinel MgAl2O4) with a low CeO2 content (2–3 wt%).
Modeling Human Heart Development and Congenital Defects Using Organoids: How Close Are We?
Authors: Jiang Shan , Feng Wei , Chang Cindy , Li Guang
Published: April 2022

The emergence of human-induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSCs) has dramatically improved our understanding of human developmental processes under normal and diseased conditions. The hiPSCs have been differentiated into various tissue-specific cells in vitro, and the advancement in three-dimensional (3D) culture has provided a possibility to generate those cells in an in vivo-like environment. Tissues with 3D structures can be generated using different approaches such as self-assembled organoids and tissue-engineering methods, such as bioprinting. We are interested in studying the self-assembled organoids differentiated from hiPSCs, as they have the potential to recapitulate the in vivo developmental process and be used to model human development and congenital defects. Organoids of tissues such as those of the intestine and brain were developed many years ago, but heart organoids were not reported until recently. In this review, we will compare the heart organoids with the in vivo hearts to understand the anatomical structures we still lack in the organoids. Specifically, we will compare the development of main heart structures, focusing on their marker genes and regulatory signaling pathways.
Baseline Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Levels Moderate Psychological Inflexibility in Behavioral Treatment for Chronic Pain
Authors: Karshikoff Bianka , Åström Jenny , Holmström Linda , Lekander Mats , Kemani Mike K. , Wicksell Rikard K.
Published: April 2022

Background: The medical and scientific communities struggle to understand chronic pain and find effective treatments. Multimodal approaches are encouraging but show significant individual differences. Methods: Seventy-eight persons (56 women) with chronic pain received Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and provided blood samples before and after treatment. The participants completed surveys with the blood sampling. Blood plasma was analyzed for IL-6 and TNF-α levels with the Olink Inflammation Panel (Olink Bioscience Uppsala, Sweden). The treatment effects and moderating effects of low-grade inflammation on changes in outcomes were analyzed using linear mixed models. Results: Pain interference (p < 0.001) and psychological inflexibility (p < 0.001) improved significantly during treatment, but pain intensity did not (p = 0.078). Cytokine levels did not change over the course of the treatment (IL-6/TNF-α p = 0.086/0.672). Mean baseline levels of IL-6 and TNF-α moderated improvement in psychological inflexibility during the course of treatment (p = 0.044), but cytokine levels did not moderate changes in pain interference (p = 0.205) or pain intensity (p = 0.536). Conclusions: Higher baseline inflammation levels were related to less improvement in psychological inflexibility. Low-grade inflammation may be one factor underlying the variability in behavioral treatment in chronic pain.
Reduced Intracortical Facilitation to TMS in Both Isolated REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) and Early Parkinson’s Disease with RBD
Authors: Lanza Giuseppe , Cosentino Filomena Irene Ilaria , Lanuzza Bartolo , Tripodi Mariangela , Aricò Debora , Figorilli Michela , Puligheddu Monica , Fisicaro Francesco , Bella Rita , Ferri Raffaele , Pennisi Manuela
Published: April 2022

Background: a reduced intracortical facilitation (ICF), a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) measure largely mediated by glutamatergic neurotransmission, was observed in subjects affected by isolated REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD). However, direct comparison between iRBD and Parkinson’s disease (PD) with RBD is currently lacking. Methods: resting motor threshold, contralateral cortical silent period, amplitude and latency of motor evoked potentials, short-interval intracortical inhibition, and intracortical facilitation (ICF) were recorded from 15 drug-naïve iRBD patients, 15 drug-naïve PD with RBD patients, and 15 healthy participants from the right First Dorsal Interosseous muscle. REM sleep atonia index (RAI), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were assessed. Results: Groups were similar for sex, age, education, and patients for RBD duration and RAI. Neurological examination, MMSE, ESS, and GDS were normal in iRBD patients and controls; ESS scored worse in PD patients, but with no difference between groups at post hoc analysis. Compared to controls, both patient groups exhibited a significantly decreased ICF, without difference between them. Conclusions: iRBD and PD with RBD shared a reduced ICF, thus suggesting the involvement of glutamatergic transmission both in subjects at risk for degeneration and in those with an overt α-synucleinopathy.
Common Variable Immunodeficiency Associated with a De Novo IKZF1 Variant and a Low Humoral Immune Response to the SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine
Authors: Díaz-Alberola Irene , Espuch-Oliver Andrea , García-Aznar José María , Ganoza-Gallardo Christian , Aguilera-Franco María , Sampedro Antonio , Jiménez Pilar , López-Nevot Miguel Ángel
Published: April 2022

Background and Aims: Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) comprises a group of diseases with heterogeneous clinical and immunological manifestations. Several mutations have been identified in genes encoding proteins essential for immune function. Our aim was to phenotypically and genotypically characterize a patient diagnosed with CVID and study his response to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Methods: We performed a next-generation sequencing analysis, a CMIA, and an ELISA to analyze the humoral and cellular response to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, respectively. We also employed flow cytometry and immunoturbidimetry to assess the patient’s global immune status. Results: We found a low humoral but positive cellular response to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. NGS screening revealed a transition from guanine to adenine at position c.485 of the IKZF1 gene in heterozygosity, giving rise to the R162Q variant, which was not present in his parents. Conclusions: The R162Q variant of the IKZF1 gene has been associated with CVID type 13, but always with an autosomal dominant inheritance with high penetrance. Therefore, we present for the first time a case of CVID associated with a de novo heterozygous R162Q variant in the IKZF1 gene in a patient with a low humoral immune response to the complete COVID-19 vaccination program.
Is There a Better Biomaterial for Dental Implants than Titanium?—A Review and Meta-Study Analysis
Authors: Haugen Håvard J. , Chen Hongyu
Published: April 2022

This article focuses on preclinical studies and reviews the available evidence from the literature on dental implant and abutment materials in the last decade. Specifically, different peri-implantitis materials and how surface modifications may affect the peri-implant soft-tissue seal and subsequently delay or hinder peri-implantitis are examined. This review analyzed more than 30 studies that were Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), Controlled Clinical Trials (CCTs), or prospective case series (CS) with at least six months of follow-up. Meta-analyses were performed to make a comparison between different implant materials (titanium vs. zirconia), including impact on bone changes, probing depth, plaque levels, and peri-implant mucosal inflammation, as well as how the properties of the implant material and surface modifications would affect the peri-implant soft-tissue seal and peri-implant health conditions. However, there was no clear evidence regarding whether titanium is better than other implant materials. Clinical evidence suggests no difference between different implant materials in peri-implant bone stability. The metal analysis offered a statistically significant advantage of zirconia implants over titanium regarding developing a favorable response to the alveolar bone.
Shoreline Change from Optical and Sar Satellite Imagery at Macro-Tidal Estuarine, Cliffed Open-Coast and Gravel Pocket-Beach Environments
Authors: Paz-Delgado Maria Victoria , Payo Andrés , Gómez-Pazo Alejandro , Beck Anne-Laure , Savastano Salvatore
Published: April 2022

Coasts are continually changing and remote sensing from satellite has the potential to both map and monitor coastal change at multiple scales. This study aims to assess the application of shorelines extracted from Multi-Spectral Imagery (MSI) and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) from publicly available satellite imagery to map and capture sub-annual to inter-annual shoreline variability. This is assessed at three macro-tidal study sites along the coastline of England, United Kingdom (UK): estuarine, soft cliff environment, and gravel pocket-beach. We have assessed the accuracy of MSI-derived lines against ground truth datum tideline data and found that the satellite derived lines have the tendency to be lower (seaward) on the Digital Elevation Model than the datum-tideline. We have also compared the metric of change derived from SAR lines differentiating between ascending and descending orbits. The spatial and temporal characteristics extracted from SAR lines via Principal Component Analysis suggested that beach rotation is captured within the SAR dataset for descending orbits but not for the ascending ones in our study area. The present study contributes to our understanding of a poorly known aspect of using coastlines derived from publicly available MSI and SAR satellite missions. It outlines a quantitative approach to assess their mapping accuracy with a new non-foreshore method. This allows the assessment of variability on the metrics of change using the Open Digital Shoreline Analysis System (ODSAS) method and to extract complex spatial and temporal information using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) that is transferable to coastline evolution assessments worldwide.
Predictors of Colorectal Cancer Screening among Average and High-Risk Saudis Population
Authors: Abuadas Fuad H. , Alsharari Abdalkarem F. , Abuadas Mohammad H.
Published: April 2022

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening intention is one of the most important elements influencing the longstanding effectiveness of community-based CRC screening programs. The primary purpose of this study is to generate and validate a predictive screening model that investigates the influence of Saudis’ demographics, CRC knowledge, and beliefs on intention to undergo CRC screening via fecal occult blood test (FOBT). Convenience sampling was used to recruit 600 average and high-risk participants from multiple primary health care centers in three major Saudi provinces. A valid and reliable self-administered online survey was used to collect data from March 2021 to October 2021. The final modified screening prediction model explained 57.35% of the variance in screening intention. Intention to screen was significantly influenced by seven factors in which the perceived barriers factor (β = −0.55, p < 0.001) was the strongest predictor. Those who had lower perceived barriers and greater levels of knowledge (β = 0.36, p < 0.001), health motivation (β = 0.35, p < 0.001), perceived benefits of screening (β = 0.35, p < 0.001), severity (β = 0.29, p < 0.001), and susceptibility (β = 0.28, p < 0.001) were more likely to become involved in screening practices. Health care practitioners and various media forms could benefit from the prediction model playing a significant role in raising awareness, reducing perceived barriers, and enhancing Saudi screening rates.
Relationship between Social Distancing and Admissions for Cerebrovascular Accidents at a Tertiary Medical Center during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective, Community-Based Study
Authors: Ko Shin-Woong , Chun Hyoung-Joon , Yi Hyeong-Joong , Choi Kyu-Sun
Published: April 2022

We evaluated the trend of admission of patients with acute cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) during social distancing measures implemented during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era. The data of patients admitted with transient ischemic attack, ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) to the emergency department of the Hanyang University Seoul Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The data were compared between the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods. Poisson regression analysis was performed to evaluate changes in admission rates as a function of the year, social distancing level, and the interaction between the year and social distancing level. The number of admissions for CVAs dropped from 674 in the pre-COVID-19 period to 582 in the COVID-19 period. The decline in the number of admissions for ICH during social distancing measures was statistically significant, while the declines in SAH and ischemic stroke admissions were not. When the social distancing level was raised, admissions for CVAs dropped by 19.8%. The correlation between social distancing and decreased admissions for CVAs is a paradoxical relationship that may be of interest to the field of public health.
Distributed Renewable Energy Management: A Gap Analysis and Proposed Blockchain-Based Architecture
Authors: Henninger Annegret , Mashatan Atefeh
Published: April 2022

The heterogeneous and decentralized nature of renewable energy sources is too much to handle for traditional and centralized IT grid infrastructure. Blockchain technology can address many of the associated challenges. This paper provides an overview of the state-of-the-art technology layers of grid system infrastructure, a proposed future state using blockchain technology, and gap analysis. The paper also contributes a set of architectural requirements for a blockchain-enabled future state and a proposed hybrid architecture using blockchain technology, verifiable credentials, and smart contracts. This architecture can uniquely support the technology layers critical to renewable energies, including system architecture, registries, grid management, billing, privacy, and interoperability.
Extracellular Vesicles and Cell Pathways Involved in Cancer Chemoresistance
Authors: Console Lara , Scalise Mariafrancesca
Published: April 2022

Chemoresistance is a pharmacological condition that allows transformed cells to maintain their proliferative phenotype in the presence of administered anticancer drugs. Recently, extracellular vesicles, including exosomes, have been identified as additional players responsible for the chemoresistance of cancer cells. These are nanovesicles that are released by almost all cell types in both physiological and pathological conditions and contain proteins and nucleic acids as molecular cargo. Extracellular vesicles released in the bloodstream reach recipient cells and confer them novel metabolic properties. Exosomes can foster chemoresistance by promoting prosurvival and antiapoptotic pathways, affecting cancer stem cells and immunotherapies, and stimulating drug efflux. In this context, a crucial role is played by membrane transporters belonging to ABC, SLC, and P-type pump families. These proteins are fundamental in cell metabolism and drug transport in either physiological or pathological conditions. In this review, different roles of extracellular vesicles in drug resistance of cancer cells will be explored.
New Fundamental Results on the Continuous and Discrete Integro-Differential Equations
Authors: Tunç Osman , Tunç Cemil , Yao Jen-Chih , Wen Ching-Feng
Published: April 2022

This work studies certain perturbed and un-perturbed nonlinear systems of continuous and discrete integro-delay differential equations (IDDEs). Using the Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional (LKF) method and the Lyapunov–Razumikhin method (LRM), uniform asymptotic stability (UAS), uniform stability (US), integrability and boundedness of solutions as well as exponential stability (ES) and instability of solutions are discussed. In this paper, five new theorems and a corollary are given and three numerical applications are provided with their simulations. With this work, we aim to make new contributions to the theory of the continuous and discrete integro-differential equations.
Elite Directed Particle Swarm Optimization with Historical Information for High-Dimensional Problems
Authors: Yang Qiang , Zhu Yuanpeng , Gao Xudong , Xu Dongdong , Lu Zhenyu
Published: April 2022

High-dimensional optimization problems are ubiquitous in every field nowadays, which seriously challenge the optimization ability of existing optimizers. To solve this kind of optimization problems effectively, this paper proposes an elite-directed particle swarm optimization (EDPSO) with historical information to explore and exploit the high-dimensional solution space efficiently. Specifically, in EDPSO, the swarm is first separated into two exclusive sets based on the Pareto principle (80-20 rule), namely the elite set containing the top best 20% of particles and the non-elite set consisting of the remaining 80% of particles. Then, the non-elite set is further separated into two layers with the same size from the best to the worst. As a result, the swarm is divided into three layers. Subsequently, particles in the third layer learn from those in the first two layers, while particles in the second layer learn from those in the first layer, on the condition that particles in the first layer remain unchanged. In this way, the learning effectiveness and the learning diversity of particles could be largely promoted. To further enhance the learning diversity of particles, we maintain an additional archive to store obsolete elites, and use the predominant elites in the archive along with particles in the first two layers to direct the update of particles in the third layer. With these two mechanisms, the proposed EDPSO is expected to compromise search intensification and diversification well at the swarm level and the particle level, to explore and exploit the solution space. Extensive experiments are conducted on the widely used CEC’2010 and CEC’2013 high-dimensional benchmark problem sets to validate the effectiveness of the proposed EDPSO. Compared with several state-of-the-art large-scale algorithms, EDPSO is demonstrated to achieve highly competitive or even much better performance in tackling high-dimensional problems.
On the Efficiency of Staggered C-Grid Discretization for the Inviscid Shallow Water Equations from the Perspective of Nonstandard Calculus
Authors: Zijlema Marcel
Published: April 2022

This paper provides a rationale for the commonly observed numerical efficiency of staggered C-grid discretizations for solving the inviscid shallow water equations. In particular, using the key concepts of nonstandard calculus, we aim to show that the grid staggering of the primitive variables (surface elevation and normal velocity components) is capable of dealing with flow discontinuities. After a brief introduction of hyperreals through the notion of infinitesimal increments, a nonstandard rendition of the governing equations is derived that essentially turns into a finite procedure and permits a convenient way of modeling the hydraulic jumps in open channel flow. A central result of this paper is that the discrete formulations thus obtained are distinguished by the topological structures of the solution fields and subsequently provide a natural framework for the staggered discretization of the governing equations. Another key of the present study is to demonstrate that the discretization naturally regularizes the solution of the inviscid flow passing through the hydraulic jump without the need of non-physical dissipation. The underlying justification is provided by analytically studying the distributions of the flow variables across an infinitesimal thin hydraulic jump along with the use of hyperreal Heaviside step functions. This main finding is shown to be useful to comprehend the importance of the application of staggered finite difference schemes to accurately predict rapidly varying free-surface flows. A numerical experiment is provided to confirm this result.
Coarsening Mechanisms of CaS Inclusions in Ca-Treated Steels
Authors: Miao Keyan , Nabeel Muhammad , Dogan Neslihan
Published: April 2022

In this work, the coarsening mechanisms of CaS inclusions in liquid steel were investigated by analyzing inclusions in experimental and industrial samples. A detailed particle size distribution evolution was reported. The observed CaS coarsening rate was compared with the theoretical coarsening rate calculated by using the models proposed in the literature. For both experimental and industrial data, it was observed that the coarsening mechanisms varied during different stages of Ca treatment. It was found that in the early stage (after Ca addition) of experiments and during Ca addition under industrial conditions, the coarsening of CaS was governed by diffusion-controlled growth. As the Ca dissolved in steel diminished, the coarsening was governed by collision-dependent mechanisms. For experimental conditions, the growth of CaS was controlled by the Brownian collisions, while the coarsening by turbulent collisions was the dominant mechanism under industrial conditions.
The Effect of the Bending Beam Width Variations on the Discrepancy of the Resulting Quadrature Errors in MEMS Gyroscopes
Authors: Azier Alexandre , Kacem Najib , Chaumet Bernard , Bouhaddi Noureddine
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we develop a new approach in order to understand the origin of the quadrature error in MEMS gyroscopes. As the width of the flexure springs is a critical parameter in the MEMS design, it is necessary to investigate the impact of the width variations on the stiffness coupling, which can generate a quadrature signal. To do so, we developed a method to determine the evolution of the stiffness matrix of the gyroscope springs with respect to the variation of the bending beams width of the springs through finite element analysis (FEA). Then, a statistical analysis permits the computation of the first two statistical moments of the quadrature error for a given beam width defect. It turns out that even small silicon etching defects can generate high quadrature level with up to a root mean square (RMS) value of 1220°/s for a bending beam width defect of 0.9%. Moreover, the quadrature error obtained through simulations has the same order of magnitude as the ones measured on the gyroscopes. This result constitutes a great help for designing MEMS gyroscopes, as the consideration of the bending beams width defects is needed in order to avoid high quadrature error.
A Method to Determine the Efficacy of a Commercial Phage Preparation against Uropathogens in Urine and Artificial Urine Determined by Isothermal Microcalorimetry
Authors: Sigg Aurelia Pahnita , Mariotti Max , Grütter Anabel E. , Lafranca Tecla , Leitner Lorenz , Bonkat Gernot , Braissant Olivier
Published: April 2022

Background: Urinary tract infections are commonly encountered and often treated with antibiotics. However, the inappropriate use of the latter has led to the appearance of resistant strains. In this context we investigate the use of calorimetry to rapidly determine if a phage cocktail can be used as alternative to antibiotics. Methods: We used a commercially available phage cocktail from an online pharmacy and tested it against a strain of Escherichia coli and a strain of Proteus mirabilis. We used isothermal microcalorimetry to follow the metabolic activity of the bacterial culture treated with the phage cocktail. Results: Isothermal microcalorimetry was able to follow the dynamic of the bacterial metabolic activity reduction by the phage cocktail. Both pathogens were strongly inhibited; however, some regrowth was observed for E. coli in urine. Conclusions: Isothermal microcalorimetry proved to be a valuable technique when investigating the efficacy of phage cocktails against uropathogens. We foresee that isothermal microcalorimetry could be used to obtain rapid phagograms.
Study on Microstructure Evolution of Oolitic Hematite during Microwave Fluidization Roasting
Authors: Zhou Wentao , Zhao Yongqiang , Lyu Xianjun , Gao Wenhao , Su Huili , Li Chuanming
Published: April 2022

To explore the microstructure evolution of oolitic hematite during microwave fluidization roasting, COMSOL multiphysics and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)–energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS) were used to simulate and explore the microstructure evolution. The simulation results indicated that with the extension of microwave heating time and the increase of microwave power, the surface temperature in the particle model progressively increased, and the heating rate of hematite was the fastest, followed by quartz and apatite; simultaneously, the temperature stress and difference between the three mineral interfaces in the model were increased. The SEM–EDS results illustrated that there were microcracks at the interface between iron minerals and gangue minerals, such as quartz and apatite, and the microcracks were more obvious at the interface between iron minerals and quartz minerals. With the extension of microwave treatment time, the microcracks were gradually extended and expanded inward along the outer edge of oolitic and gradually formed in the core of the oolitic structure. Appropriately increasing the roasting temperature, prolonging the roasting time, and increasing the CO concentration made the particle surface more loose and rough, and produced more cracks and pores, while the ore surface presented a honeycomb morphology.
CO2 Curing of Ca-Rich Fly Ashes to Produce Cement-Free Building Materials
Authors: Usta Mustafa Cem , Yörük Can Rüstü , Uibu Mai , Hain Tiina , Gregor Andre , Trikkel Andres
Published: April 2022

In this study, fly ash (FA) compacts were prepared by accelerated carbonation as a potential sustainable building material application with the locally available ashes (oil shale ash (OSA), wood ash (WA) and land filled oil shale ash (LFA)) of Estonia. The carbonation behaviour of FAs and the performance of 100% FA based compacts were evaluated based on the obtained values of CO2 uptake and compressive strength. The influence of different variables (compaction pressure, curing temperature, CO2 concentration, and pressure) on the CO2 uptake and strength development of FA compacts were investigated and the reaction kinetics of the carbonation process were tested by different reaction-order models. A reasonable relation was noted between the CO2 uptake and compressive strength of the compacts. The porous surface structure of the hydrated OSA and WA compacts was changed after carbonation due to the calcite formations (being the primary carbonation product), especially on portlandite crystals. The increase of temperature, gas pressure, and CO2 concentration improved the CO2 uptake levels of compacts. However, the positive effect of increasing compaction pressure was more apparent on the final strength of the compacts. The obtained compressive strength and CO2 uptake values of FA compacts were between 10 and 36 MPa and 11 and 13 wt%, respectively, under various operation conditions. Moreover, compacts with mixed design (OSA/LFA and WA/LFA) resulted in low-strength and density compared to the single behaviour of OSA and WA compacts, yet a higher CO2 uptake was achieved (approximately 15% mass) with mixed design. The conformity of Jander equation (3D-diffusion-limited reaction model) was higher compared to other tested reaction order models for the representation of the carbonation reaction mechanism of OSA and WA. The activation energy for OSA compact was calculated as 3.55 kJ/mol and for WA as 17.06 kJ/mol.
Methyl Internal Rotation in Fruit Esters: Chain-Length Effect Observed in the Microwave Spectrum of Methyl Hexanoate
Authors: Dang Nhu-Ngoc , Pham Hoang-Nam , Kleiner Isabelle , Schwell Martin , Grabow Jens-Uwe , Nguyen Ha Vinh Lam
Published: April 2022

The gas-phase structures of the fruit ester methyl hexanoate, CH3-O-(C=O)-C5H11, have been determined using a combination of molecular jet Fourier-transform microwave spectroscopy and quantum chemistry. The microwave spectrum was measured in the frequency range of 3 to 23 GHz. Two conformers were assigned, one with Cs symmetry and the other with C1 symmetry where the γ-carbon atom of the hexyl chain is in a gauche orientation in relation to the carbonyl bond. Splittings of all rotational lines into doublets were observed due to internal rotation of the methoxy methyl group CH3-O, from which torsional barriers of 417 cm−1 and 415 cm−1, respectively, could be deduced. Rotational constants obtained from geometry optimizations at various levels of theory were compared to the experimental values, confirming the soft degree of freedom of the (C=O)-C bond observed for the C1 conformer of shorter methyl alkynoates like methyl butyrate and methyl valerate. Comparison of the barriers to methyl internal rotation of methyl hexanoate to those of other CH3-O-(C=O)-R molecules leads to the conclusion that though the barrier height is relatively constant at about 420 cm−1, it decreases in molecules with longer R.
Analysis of Microplastics in Takeaway Food Containers in China Using FPA-FTIR Whole Filter Analysis
Authors: Zhou Xuejun , Wang Jin , Ren Jiefang
Published: April 2022

With the rapid development and popularization of the internet and smartphone industry for ordering and delivery, the consumption of takeaway food is increasing globally, especially in China. However, there is little information about microplastics in takeaway food containers, so their potential risks to human health remain unknown. This study explored the possibility of using focal plane array (FPA)-based micro-FT-IR imaging to detect microplastics released from food containers and evaluated their contents using an automated database matching analysis method. We investigated microplastics in seven types of food containers widely used in China. The most common plastic types observed were polyamide (PA), polyurethane (PU) and polystyrene (PS), which were found to comprise 22.8%, 18.2%, and 8.5% (number of particles) of all microplastics, respectively. Microplastics were found in all seven types of food containers, and the content excluding cellulose was 29–552 items/container. Our research shows that microplastics in takeaway food containers might originate from atmospheric sediment or flakes from the inside surface of the container. According to the content of microplastics in takeaway food containers, people who order takeaway food 5–10 times a month might consume 145–5520 microplastic pieces from food containers.