bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Utility of Rectal Water Contrast Transvaginal Ultrasound for Assessment of Deep Bowel Endometriosis
Authors: Masternak Martyna , Grabczak Malwina , Szaflik Tomasz , Mroczkowska Beata , Mokros Łukasz , Smolarz Beata , Romanowicz Hanna , Szyłło Krzysztof
Published: May 2023

Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity that infiltrates at least 5-mm deep below the peritoneal layer. Imagining examinations are the first-choice methods to detect DIE. The aim of this study is to assess whether rectal water contrast transvaginal sonography (RWC-TVS) can be a useful tool for the estimation of the size of deep bowel endometriotic nodules. This retrospective study includes 31 patients subjected to RWC-TVS who underwent surgery due to deep bowel endometriosis between January 2021 and December 2022. Nodule dimensions measured via ultrasound were compared to those of histopathological samples taken after surgery. In total, 52% of patients had endometriosis limited only to the intestines, 19% had endometriotic nodules located at uterosacral ligaments and posterior vaginal fornix, 6% at the anterior compartment, and 13% at a different location. Additionally, 6% of patients had nodules at more than two locations. In all but one case, the intestinal nodules could be seen on RWC-TVS images. The largest nodule dimension measured via RWC-TVS and the size of the equivalent histopathological sample correlated (R = 0.406, p = 0.03). Thus, RWC-TVS allows for the detection of DIE and moderate estimation of the nodule sizes and should be practiced during a diagnostic process.
How to Optimize the Results of Liver Transplantation for Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure
Authors: Sacleux Sophie-Caroline , Saliba Faouzi
Published: May 2023

Cirrhotic patients who developed a decompensation episode requiring an admission to an intensive care unit are not equal in term of prognosis. This led to the definition of a syndrome, acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), marked by the severity of systemic inflammation, the development of organ failures and a high short-term mortality. The most common underlying liver etiology is related to acute alcohol hepatitis in western countries and to HBV or HCV cirrhosis in eastern countries. Twenty-eight and 90-days high mortality rates are well linked to the number of organ failure and defined, merely ten years ago, by a modified SOFA score. ACLF is a dynamic syndrome and grading can vary from hospital admission. ACLF grading between day 3–7 of admission is more accurate for determining outcome. ACLF-3 patients with ≥3 organ failures remain very challenging with >75% mortality rate. Despite recent advances in the medical management of critically ill cirrhotic patients, the prognosis of these patients remains poor. Currently, the main effective treatment is an urgent liver transplantation (LT) which is performed in a very selected patients eligible to transplant given the limited availability of organ donors and the low post-transplant survival rates reported in earlier studies. Recently, large retrospective multicenter studies and registries showed an improved 1-year post-transplant survival rate >83% in several transplant centers. Nevertheless, only few proportions of the ACLF-2 and ACLF-3 patients are transplanted representing 0–10% of most liver transplant programs. A careful selection of these patients (excluding major comorbidities i.e., older age, addictology criteria, severe malnutrition…) and optimal timing for transplant (infection control, hemodynamic stability, low oxygen and vasopressor requirements) are associated with excellent post-transplant survival rate.
Microalgae Oil-Based Metal Working Fluids for Sustainable Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) Operations—A Perspective
Authors: Farfan-Cabrera Leonardo I. , Rojo-Valerio Alejandro , Calderon-Najera Juan de Dios , Coronado-Apodaca Karina G. , Iqbal Hafiz M.N. , Parra-Saldivar Roberto , Franco-Morgado Mariana , Elias-Zuñiga Alex
Published: May 2023

This article presents a perspective on the potential use of microalgae oils in the production of metal working fluids (MWFs) used for minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) operations. The generalities of MQL operations and requirements of MWFs, and current advances in the development of the most promising microalgae oils with high contents of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids were reviewed and discussed. The analysis of data, discussions, and conclusions of numerous studies published recently and combined with the experience of the multidisciplinary team of authors strongly suggest that microalgae oils do indeed have great potential as sustainable and eco-friendly base oils for producing semi-synthetic MWFs, soluble oils and straight cutting fluids for MQL operations. Additionally, gaps and challenges focused on the use of agro-industry wastewater in microalgae production, green harvesting and oil extraction methods, and replacement of toxic additives in MWFs by green nanoparticles and biopolymers were identified and highlighted for achieving massive microalgae oil-based MWFs production and truly green machining processes.
Multi-Objective Optimization of Machining Parameters for Drilling LM5/ZrO2 Composites Using Grey Relational Analysis
Authors: Jebarose Juliyana Sunder , Udaya Prakash Jayavelu , Čep Robert , Karthik Krishnasamy
Published: May 2023

In today’s world, engineering materials have changed dramatically. Traditional materials are failing to satisfy the demands of present applications, so several composites are being used to address these issues. Drilling is the most vital manufacturing process in most applications, and the drilled holes serve as maximum stress areas that need to be treated with extreme caution. The issue of selecting optimal parameters for drilling novel composite materials has fascinated researchers and professional engineers for a long time. In this work, LM5/ZrO2 composites are manufactured by stir casting using 3, 6, and 9 wt% zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) as reinforcement and LM5 aluminium alloy as matrix. Fabricated composites were drilled using the L27 OA to determine the optimum machining parameters by varying the input parameters. The purpose of this research is to find the optimal cutting parameters while simultaneously addressing the thrust force (TF), surface roughness (SR), and burr height (BH) of drilled holes for the novel composite LM5/ZrO2 using grey relational analysis (GRA). The significance of machining variables on the standard characteristics of the drilling as well as the contribution of machining parameters were found using GRA. However, to obtain the optimum values, a confirmation experiment was conducted as a last step. The experimental results and GRA reveal that a feed rate (F) of 50 m/s, a spindle speed (S) of 3000 rpm, Carbide drill material, and 6% reinforcement are the optimum process parameters for accomplishing maximum grey relational grade (GRG). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) reveals that drill material (29.08%) has the highest influence on GRG, followed by feed rate (24.24%) and spindle speed (19.52%). The interaction of feed rate and drill material has a minor impact on GRG; the variable reinforcement percentage and its interactions with all other variables were pooled up to the error term. The predicted GRG is 0.824, and the experimental value is 0.856. The predicted and experimental values match each other well. The error is 3.7%, which is very minimal. Mathematical models were also developed for all responses based on the drill bits used.
Crack Inhibition and Performance Modification of NiCoCr-Based Superalloy with Y2O3 Nanoparticles by Laser Metal Deposition
Authors: Li Xiaodong , Du Jiaxin , Xu Jijin , Wang Shuai , Shen Mengling , Jiang Chuanhai
Published: May 2023

A new precipitation strengthening NiCoCr-based superalloy with favorable mechanical performance and corrosion resistance was designed for ultra-supercritical power generation equipment. The degradation of mechanical properties and steam corrosion at high temperatures put forward higher requirements for alternative alloy materials; however, when the superalloy is processed to form complex shaped components through advanced additive manufacturing techniques such as laser metal deposition (LMD), hot cracks are prone to appear. This study proposed that microcracks in LMD alloys could be alleviated with powder decorated by Y2O3 nanoparticles. The results show that adding 0.5 wt.% Y2O3 can refine grains significantly. The increase in grain boundaries makes the residual thermal stress more uniform to reduces the risk of hot cracking. In addition, the addition of Y2O3 nanoparticles enhanced the ultimate tensile strength of the superalloy at room temperature by 18.3% compared to original superalloy. The corrosion resistance was also improved with 0.5 wt.% Y2O3, which was attributed to the reduction of defects and the addition of inert nanoparticles.
Fabrication and Arc Erosion Behavior of Ag-SnO2-ZnO Electrical Contact Materials
Authors: Guzmán Danny , González Felipe , Muranda Diego , Aguilar Claudio , Guzmán Alexis , Soliz Álvaro , Lozada Lorena , Iturriza Iñigo , Castro Felipe
Published: May 2023

This study investigated the synthesis of Ag-SnO2-ZnO by powder metallurgy methods and their subsequent electrical contact behavior. The pieces of Ag-SnO2-ZnO were prepared by ball milling and hot pressing. The arc erosion behavior of the material was evaluated using homemade equipment. The microstructure and phase evolution of the materials were investigated through X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that, although the mass loss of the Ag-SnO2-ZnO composite (9.08 mg) during the electrical contact test was higher than that of the commercial Ag-CdO (1.42 mg), its electrical conductivity remained constant (26.9 ± 1.5% IACS). This fact would be related to the reaction of Zn2SnO4’s formation on the material’s surface via electric arc. This reaction would play an important role in controlling the surface segregation and subsequent loss of electrical conductivity of this type of composite, thus enabling the development of a new electrical contact material to replace the non-environmentally friendly Ag-CdO composite.
Survey on Physiological Computing in Human–Robot Collaboration
Authors: Savur Celal , Sahin Ferat
Published: May 2023

Human–robot collaboration has emerged as a prominent research topic in recent years. To enhance collaboration and ensure safety between humans and robots, researchers employ a variety of methods. One such method is physiological computing, which aims to estimate a human’s psycho-physiological state by measuring various physiological signals such as galvanic skin response (GSR), electrocardiograph (ECG), heart rate variability (HRV), and electroencephalogram (EEG). This information is then used to provide feedback to the robot. In this paper, we present the latest state-of-the-art methods in physiological computing for human–robot collaboration. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive guide for new researchers to understand the commonly used physiological signals, data collection methods, and data labeling techniques. Additionally, we have categorized and tabulated relevant research to further aid in understanding this area of study.
Achieving a Secure and Traceable High-Definition Multimedia Data Trading Scheme Based on Blockchain
Authors: Zhao Shuguang , Zeng Zhihua , Peng Jiahui , Yu Feng
Published: May 2023

The Internet has penetrated into every aspect of life. Large amounts of data are generated by multimedia collection equipment every day. As an asset, data can achieve value circulation through transactions. However, the existing centralized transaction model is not secure enough, has the risk of user privacy leakage, and the protection of data copyright is insufficient. In this paper, in order to solve the transaction security and traceability problems of multimedia data, especially high-definition data such as vector graphics, we implement a transaction scheme STTS without third-party based on blockchain. For high-definition multimedia data, we use zero watermarking combined with oblivious transfer to embed copyright information. A two-stage verification process is then implemented by using group signature and a secret sharing scheme to complete data distribution. Finally, the smart contract is used to complete copyright tracking. We test the performance of our scheme by simulating the real transaction environment in the Internet of Things (IoT) and demonstrate the feasibility of our scheme, which can be applied to large-scale multimedia data trading schemes in the IoT.
Preface to the Special Issue “Mathematical Optimization and Evolutionary Algorithms with Applications”
Authors: Ponsich Antonin , Domenech Bruno , Vilà Mariona
Published: May 2023

It is recognized that many real-world problems can be interpreted and formulated as optimization problems [...]
Thoracic Mobilization and Respiratory Muscle Endurance Training Improve Diaphragm Thickness and Respiratory Function in Patients with a History of COVID-19
Authors: Lee Yang-Jin
Published: May 2023

Background and Objectives: Common problems in people with COVID-19 include decreased respiratory strength and function. We investigated the effects of thoracic mobilization and respiratory muscle endurance training (TMRT) and lower limb ergometer (LE) training on diaphragm thickness and respiratory function in patients with a history of COVID-19. Materials and Methods: In total, 30 patients were randomly divided into a TMRT training group and an LE training group. The TMRT group performed thoracic mobilization and respiratory muscle endurance training for 30 min three times a week for 8 weeks. The LE group performed lower limb ergometer training for 30 min three times a week for 8 weeks. The participants’ diaphragm thickness was measured via rehabilitative ultrasound image (RUSI) and a respiratory function test was conducted using a MicroQuark spirometer. These parameters were measured before the intervention and 8 weeks after the intervention. Results: There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the results obtained before and after training in both groups. Right diaphragm thickness at rest, diaphragm thickness during contraction, and respiratory function were significantly more improved in the TMRT group than in the LE group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In this study, we confirmed the effects of TMRT training on diaphragm thickness and respiratory function in patients with a history of COVID-19.
The Need for Psychiatric Treatment among Polish Users of Psychoactive Substances Is Increasing: This and Other Results from the Newest PolDrugs Survey
Authors: Więckiewicz Gniewko , Marek Julia , Stokłosa Iga , Szafoni Sandra , Pluta Szymon , Smukowska Katarzyna , Żebrowska Gabriela , Stokłosa Maciej , Gorczyca Piotr , Pudlo Robert
Published: May 2023

Background and Objectives: PolDrugs is the largest Polish naturalistic nationwide survey to present basic demographic and epidemiological data that could potentially prevent harm from illicit substances intake in drugs users. The most recent results were presented in 2021. The goal of this year’s edition was to re-present the above data and compare it to the previous edition’s data to identify and describe the differences. Materials and Methods: The survey included original questions about basic demographics, substance use, and psychiatric treatment. The survey was administered via the Google Forms platform and promoted via social media. The data was collected from 1117 respondents. Results: People of all ages use a variety of psychoactive substances in many situations. The three most commonly used drugs are marijuana, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, and hallucinogenic mushrooms. The most common reason for seeking professional medical help was amphetamine use. A total of 41.7 percent of respondents were receiving psychiatric treatment. The three most common psychiatric diagnoses among the respondents were depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and ADHD. Conclusions: Key findings include increases in the use of psilocybin and DMT, increases in the use of heated tobacco products, and a near doubling in the percentage of individuals receiving psychiatric help in the past two years. These issues are discussed in the discussion section of this paper, which also addresses the limitations to the article.
Gender Disparities after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement with Newer Generation Transcatheter Heart Valves: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Trongtorsak Angkawipa , Thangjui Sittinun , Adhikari Pabitra , Shrestha Biraj , Kewcharoen Jakrin , Navaravong Leenhapong , Kanjanauthai Somsupha , Attanasio Steve , Saudye Hammad A.
Published: May 2023

Previous studies have demonstrated gender disparities in mortality and vascular complications after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with early generation transcatheter heart valves (THVs). It is unclear, however, whether gender-related differences persist with the newer generation THVs. We aim to assess gender disparities after TAVR with newer generation THVs. The MEDLINE and Embase databases were thoroughly searched from inception to April 2023 to identify studies that reported gender-specific outcomes after TAVR with newer generation THVs (Sapien 3, Corevalve Evolut R, and Evolut Pro). The outcomes of interest included 30-day mortality, 1-year mortality, and vascular complications. In total, 5 studies (4 databases) with a total of 47,933 patients (21,073 females and 26,860 males) were included. Ninety-six percent received TAVR via the transfemoral approach. The females had higher 30-day mortality rates (odds ratio (OR) = 1.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.31–1.79, p-value (p) < 0.001) and vascular complications (OR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.23–1.65, p < 0.001). However, one-year mortality was similar between the two groups (OR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.61–1.00, p = 0.28). The female gender continues to be associated with higher 30-day mortality rates and vascular complications after TAVR with newer generation transcatheter heart valves, while there was no difference in 1-year mortality between the genders. More data is needed to explore the causes and whether we can improve TAVR outcomes in females.
Numerical Simulation of Crack Condition in Forging Products of M50 Bearing Steel Based on Processing Map Theory
Authors: Park Joonhee , Han Byeongchan , Kwon Hyukjoon , Kim Naksoo
Published: May 2023

The microstructure of forged products significantly impacts their properties, and defects or carbide distribution are not visible to the naked eye. Isothermal compression tests on M50 steel with a Gleeble 3500 tester were conducted to study microstructure behavior during forging. Tests examined the hot deformation behavior within a temperature range of 900–1200 °C and a strain rate range of 0.01–10 s−1. Power dissipation efficiency (η) and flow instability (ξ), which are crucial processing map parameters, were employed to analyze the high-temperature deformation behavior of M50 steel. The 3D processing map determined the optimum forging conditions, indicating that hot working should start at an initial temperature of 1050 °C or higher and a strain rate of 1 s−1, decreasing the strain rate and temperature as the strain increases. The 3D power dissipation efficiency map displayed an average value of 0.43 or higher at a strain rate of 0.1 s−1 and a temperature of 1150 °C before reaching a strain rate of 0.8. The Finite Element Method (FEM) simulated results, revealing ξ and η distributions, and confirmed that microstructure observation during deformation matched the hot forging parameters. This approach can effectively predict microstructure changes during hot forging.
Halobacteria-Based Biofertilizers: A Promising Alternative for Enhancing Soil Fertility and Crop Productivity under Biotic and Abiotic Stresses—A Review
Authors: Masmoudi Fatma , Alsafran Mohammed , Jabri Hareb AL , Hosseini Hoda , Trigui Mohammed , Sayadi Sami , Tounsi Slim , Saadaoui Imen
Published: May 2023

Abiotic and biotic stresses such as salt stress and fungal infections significantly affect plant growth and productivity, leading to reduced crop yield. Traditional methods of managing stress factors, such as developing resistant varieties, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides, have shown limited success in the presence of combined biotic and abiotic stress factors. Halotolerant bacteria found in saline environments have potential as plant promoters under stressful conditions. These microorganisms produce bioactive molecules and plant growth regulators, making them a promising agent for enhancing soil fertility, improving plant resistance to adversities, and increasing crop production. This review highlights the capability of plant-growth-promoting halobacteria (PGPH) to stimulate plant growth in non-saline conditions, strengthen plant tolerance and resistance to biotic and abiotic stressors, and sustain soil fertility. The major attempted points are: (i) the various abiotic and biotic challenges that limit agriculture sustainability and food safety, (ii) the mechanisms employed by PGPH to promote plant tolerance and resistance to both biotic and abiotic stressors, (iii) the important role played by PGPH in the recovery and remediation of agricultural affected soils, and (iv) the concerns and limitations of using PGHB as an innovative approach to boost crop production and food security.
Arbovirus Transmission Predictions Are Affected by Both Temperature Data Source and Modeling Methodologies across Cities in Colombia
Authors: Peña-García Víctor Hugo , Luvall Jeffrey C. , Christofferson Rebecca C.
Published: May 2023

Weather variables has been described as major drivers of vector proliferation and arbovirus transmission. Among them, temperature has consistently been found to be impactful in transmission dynamics, and models that incorporate temperature have been widely used to evaluate and forecast transmission or arboviruses like dengue, zika, or chikungunya virus. Further, there is growing evidence of the importance of micro-environmental temperatures in driving transmission of Aedes aegypti-borne viruses, as these mosquitoes tend to live within domiciles. Yet there is still a considerable gap in our understanding of how accounting for micro-environmental temperatures in models varies from the use of other widely-used, macro-level temperature measures. This effort combines field-collected data of both indoor and outdoor household associated temperatures and weather station temperature data from three Colombian cities to describe the relationship between the measures representing temperature at the micro- and macro-levels. These data indicate that weather station data may not accurately capture the temperature profiles of indoor micro-environments. However, using these data sources, the basic reproductive number for arboviruses was calculated by means of three modeling efforts to investigate whether temperature measure differences translated to differential transmission predictions. Across all three cities, it was determined that the modeling method was more often impactful rather than the temperature data-source, though no consistent pattern was immediately clear. This suggests that temperature data sources and modeling methods are important for precision in arbovirus transmission predictions, and more studies are needed to parse out this complex interaction.
Special Issue “Biodegradation and Environmental Microbiomes”: Editorial
Authors: Liu Shuang-Jiang
Published: May 2023

The Earth is unique, and we as human beings rely on its air, water, and land [...]
Dietary Berberine and Ellagic Acid Supplementation Improve Growth Performance and Intestinal Damage by Regulating the Structural Function of Gut Microbiota and SCFAs in Weaned Piglets
Authors: Qin Wenxia , Yu Zhendong , Li Zhechang , Liu Hengfeng , Li Wei , Zhao Jianan , Ren Yin , Ma Libao
Published: May 2023

Early weaning is an effective method for improving the utilization rate of sows in intensive pig farms. However, weaning stress induces diarrhea and intestinal damage in piglets. Berberine (BBR) is known for its anti-diarrhea properties and ellagic acid (EA) is known for its antioxidant properties, however, whether their combination improves diarrhea and intestinal damage in piglets has not been studied, and the mechanism remains unclear. To explore the combined effects in this experiment, a total of 63 weaned piglets (Landrace × Yorkshire) were divided into three groups at 21 days. Piglets in the Ctrl group were treated with a basal diet and 2 mL saline orally, while those in the BE group were treated with a basal diet supplemented with 10 mg/kg (BW) BBR, 10 mg/kg (BW) EA, and 2 mL saline orally. Piglets in the FBE group were treated with a basal diet and 2 mL fecal microbiota suspension from the BE group orally, respectively, for 14 days. Compared with the Ctrl group, dietary supplementation with BE improved growth performance by increasing the average daily gain and average daily food intake and reducing the fecal score in weaned piglets. Dietary supplementation with BE also improved intestinal morphology and cell apoptosis by increasing the ratio of villus height to crypt depth and decreasing the average optical density of apoptotic cells; meanwhile, improvements also involved attenuating oxidative stress and intestinal barrier dysfunction by increasing the total antioxidant capacity, glutathione, and catalase, and upregulating the mRNA expressions of Occludin, Claudin-1, and ZO-1. Interestingly, the oral administration of a fecal microbiota suspension to piglets fed BE had similar effects to those of the BE group. According to 16S rDNA sequencing analysis, dietary supplementation with BE altered the composition of the microbiota, including firmicutes, bacteroidetes, lactobacillus, phascolarctobacterium, and parabacteroides, and increased the metabolites of propionate and butyrate. In addition, Spearman analysis revealed that improvements in growth performance and intestinal damage were significantly correlated with differential bacteria and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). In brief, dietary supplementation with BE improved the growth performance and intestinal damage by altering the gut microbiota composition and SCFAs in weaned piglets.
Rational Design of Monolithic g-C3N4 with Floating Network Porous-like Sponge Monolithic Structure for Boosting Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline under Simulated and Natural Sunlight Illumination
Authors: Cao Delu , Wang Xueying , Zhang Hefan , Yang Daiqiong , Yin Ze , Liu Zhuo , Lu Changyu , Guo Feng
Published: May 2023

In order to solve the problems of powder g-C3N4 catalysts being difficult to recycle and prone to secondary pollution, floating network porous-like sponge monolithic structure g-C3N4 (FSCN) was prepared with a one-step thermal condensation method using melamine sponge, urea, and melamine as raw materials. The phase composition, morphology, size, and chemical elements of the FSCN were studied using XRD, SEM, XPS, and UV–visible spectrophotometry. Under simulated sunlight, the removal rate for 40 mg·L−1 tetracycline (TC) by FSCN reached 76%, which was 1.2 times that of powder g-C3N4. Under natural sunlight illumination, the TC removal rate of FSCN was 70.4%, which was only 5.6% lower than that of a xenon lamp. In addition, after three repeated uses, the removal rates of the FSCN and powder g-C3N4 samples decreased by 1.7% and 2.9%, respectively, indicating that FSCN had better stability and reusability. The excellent photocatalytic activity of FSCN benefits from its three-dimensional-network sponge-like structure and outstanding light absorption properties. Finally, a possible degradation mechanism for the FSCN photocatalyst was proposed. This photocatalyst can be used as a floating catalyst for the treatment of antibiotics and other types of water pollution, providing ideas for the photocatalytic degradation of pollutants in practical applications.
Evaluation of Selected Medicinal, Timber and Ornamental Legume Species’ Seed Oils as Sources of Bioactive Lipophilic Compounds
Authors: Grygier Anna , Chakradhari Suryakant , Ratusz Katarzyna , Rudzińska Magdalena , Patel Khageshwar Singh , Lazdiņa Danija , Segliņa Dalija , Górnaś Paweł
Published: May 2023

Bioactive lipophilic compounds were investigated in 14 leguminous tree species of timber, agroforestry, medicinal or ornamental use but little industrial significance to elucidate their potential in food additive and supplement production. The tree species investigated were: Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia concinna, Albizia lebbeck, Albizia odoratissima, Bauhinia racemosa, Cassia fistula, Dalbergia latifolia, Delonix regia, Entada phaseoloides, Hardwickia binata, Peltophorum pterocarpum, Senegalia catechu, Sesbania sesban and Vachellia nilotica. The hexane-extracted oils of ripe seeds were chromatographically analysed for their fatty acid composition (GC-MS), tocochromanol (RP-HPLC/FLD), squalene and sterol (GC-FID) content. A spectrophotometrical method was used to determine total carotenoid content. The results showed generally low oil yield (1.75–17.53%); the highest was from H. binata. Linoleic acid constituted the largest proportion in all samples (40.78 to 62.28% of total fatty acids), followed by oleic (14.57–34.30%) and palmitic (5.14–23.04%) acid. The total tocochromanol content ranged from 100.3 to 367.6 mg 100 g−1 oil. D. regia was the richest and the only to contain significant amount of tocotrienols while other oils contained almost exclusively tocopherols, dominated by either α-tocopherol or γ-tocopherol. The total carotenoid content was highest in A. auriculiformis (23.77 mg 100 g−1), S. sesban (23.57 mg 100 g−1) and A. odoratissima (20.37 mg 100 g−1), and ranged from 0.7 to 23.7 mg 100 g−1 oil. The total sterol content ranged from 240.84 to 2543 mg 100 g−1; A. concinna seed oil was the richest by a wide margin; however, its oil yield was very low (1.75%). Either β-sitosterol or Δ5-stigmasterol dominated the sterol fraction. Only C. fistula oil contained a significant amount of squalene (303.1 mg 100 g−1) but was limited by the low oil yield as an industrial source of squalene. In conclusion, A. auriculiformis seeds may hold potential for the production of carotenoid-rich oil, and H. binata seed oil has relatively high yield and tocopherol content, marking it as a potential source of these compounds.
Usability Assessments for Augmented Reality Head-Mounted Displays in Open Surgery and Interventional Procedures: A Systematic Review
Authors: Brown Ellenor J. , Fujimoto Kyoko , Blumenkopf Bennett , Kim Andrea S. , Kontson Kimberly L. , Benz Heather L.
Published: May 2023

Augmented reality (AR) head-mounted displays (HMDs) are an increasingly popular technology. For surgical applications, the use of AR HMDs to display medical images or models may reduce invasiveness and improve task performance by enhancing understanding of the underlying anatomy. This technology may be particularly beneficial in open surgeries and interventional procedures for which the use of endoscopes, microscopes, or other visualization tools is insufficient or infeasible. While the capabilities of AR HMDs are promising, their usability for surgery is not well-defined. This review identifies current trends in the literature, including device types, surgical specialties, and reporting of user demographics, and provides a description of usability assessments of AR HMDs for open surgeries and interventional procedures. Assessments applied to other extended reality technologies are included to identify additional usability assessments for consideration when assessing AR HMDs. The PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases were searched through September 2022 for relevant articles that described user studies. User assessments most often addressed task performance. However, objective measurements of cognitive, visual, and physical loads, known to affect task performance and the occurrence of adverse events, were limited. There was also incomplete reporting of user demographics. This review reveals knowledge and methodology gaps for usability of AR HMDs and demonstrates the potential impact of future usability research.
Structure and Frictional Properties of Ultrahard AlMgB14 Thin Coatings
Authors: Tkachev Dmitrii , Zhukov Ilya , Nikitin Pavel , Sachkov Victor , Vorozhtsov Alexander
Published: May 2023

This paper presents the results of studies on AlMgB14-based ceramic coatings deposited on WC-Co hard alloy substrates using RF plasma sputtering. The aim of this work is to study the structure, phase composition, and mechanical properties of AlMgB14-based coatings depending on the sputtering mode. According to the results of the microstructural study, the bias voltage applied to the substrate during the sputtering process significantly contributed to the formation of the coating morphology. Based on the results of compositional and structural studies by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy, it was found that the coatings are composed of nanocrystalline B12 icosahedrons distributed in an amorphous matrix consisting of Al, Mg, B, and O elements. The nanohardness of the coatings varied from 24 GPa to 37 GPa. The maximum value of the hardness together with the lowest coefficient of friction (COF) equal to 0.12 and wear resistance of 7.5 × 10−5 mm3/N·m were obtained for the coating sputtered at a bias voltage of 100 V. Compared with the COF of the original hard alloy substrate, which is equal to 0.31, it can be concluded that the AlMgB14-based coatings could reduce the COF of WC-based hard alloys by more than two times. The hardness and tribological properties of the coatings obtained in this study are in good agreement with the properties of AlMgB14-based materials obtained by other methods reported in the literature.
Large-Scale Moth-Eye-Structured Roll Mold Fabrication Using Sputtered Glassy Carbon Layer and Transferred Moth-Eye Film Characterization
Authors: Kato Kazuhiro , Sugawara Hiroyuki , Taniguchi Jun
Published: May 2023

Currently, there is high demand for the development of a highly mass-producible technology for manufacturing moth-eye-structured films with an antireflection function. Conventional moth-eye-structured films have been produced by roll-to-roll (RTR) ultraviolet nanoimprint lithography (UV-NIL) using porous alumina, but the process of manufacturing the roll mold with aluminum is both complicated and time-consuming. To solve this problem, we proposed a sputtering process for forming a thin film of glassy carbon on a roll substrate and fabricated a moth-eye structure through the irradiation of oxygen plasma. A glassy carbon (GC) moth-eye-structure roll mold with a uniform reflectance of less than 0.1% over a length of 1560 mm was fabricated following this method. In addition, a superhydrophobic moth-eye-structured film was produced by RTR UV-NIL using the proposed roll mold, which exhibited a reflectance of 0.1%. In this study, a moth-eye-structure roll using porous alumina was compared with a film transferred from it. The GC moth-eye-structure roll mold was found to be superior in terms of antireflection, water repellency, and productivity. When the proposed large-area GC moth-eye-structured film was applied to window glass, significant anti-reflection and water-repellent functionalities were obtained.
Tuning SERS Signal via Substrate Structuring: Valves of Different Diatom Species with Ultrathin Gold Coating
Authors: Gilic Martina , Ghobara Mohamed , Reissig Louisa
Published: May 2023

The discovered light modulation capabilities of diatom silicious valves make them an excellent toolkit for photonic devices and applications. In this work, a reproducible surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) enhancement was achieved with hybrid substrates employing diatom silica valves coated with an ultrathin uniform gold film. Three structurally different hybrid substrates, based on the valves of three dissimilar diatom species, have been compared to elucidate the structural contribution to SERS enhancement. The comparative analysis of obtained results showed that substrates containing cylindrical Aulacoseira sp. valves achieved the highest enhancement, up to 14-fold. Numerical analysis based on the frequency domain finite element method was carried out to supplement the experimental results. Our results demonstrate that diatom valves of different shapes can enhance the SERS signal, offering a toolbox for SERS-based sensors, where the magnitude of the enhancement depends on valve geometry and ultrastructure.
Neoadjuvant Gastric Cancer Treatment and Associated Nutritional Critical Domains for the Optimization of Care Pathways: A Systematic Review
Authors: Correia Marta , Moreira Ines , Cabral Sonia , Castro Carolina , Cruz Andreia , Magalhães Bruno , Santos Lúcio Lara , Irving Susana Couto
Published: May 2023

(1) Background: Gastric cancer patients are known to be at a high risk of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and cachexia, and the latter impairs the patient’s nutritional status during their clinical course and also treatment response. A clearer identification of nutrition-related critical points during neoadjuvant treatment for gastric cancer is relevant to managing patient care and predicting clinical outcomes. The aim of this systematic review was to identify and describe nutrition-related critical domains associated with clinical outcomes. (2) Methods: We performed a systematic review (PROSPERO ID:CRD42021266760); (3) Results: This review included 14 studies compiled into three critical domains: patient-related, clinical-related (disease and treatment), and healthcare-related. Body composition changes during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) accounted for the early termination of chemotherapy and reduced overall survival. Sarcopenia was confirmed to have an independent prognostic value. The role of nutritional interventions during NAC has not been fully explored. (4) Conclusions: Understanding critical domain exposures affecting nutritional status will enable better clinical approaches to optimize care plans. It may also provide an opportunity for the mitigation of poor nutritional status and sarcopenia and their deleterious clinical consequences.
Conditioning by a Previous Experience Impairs the Rewarding Value of a Comfort Meal
Authors: Nieto Adoracion , Livovsky Dan M. , Azpiroz Fernando
Published: May 2023

Background. Meal ingestion induces a postprandial experience that involves homeostatic and hedonic sensations. Our aim was to determine the effect of aversive conditioning on the postprandial reward of a comfort meal. Methods: A sham-controlled, randomised, parallel, single-blind study was performed on 12 healthy women (6 per group). A comfort meal was tested before and after coupling the meal with an aversive sensation (conditioning intervention), induced by infusion of lipids via a thin naso-duodenal catheter; in the pre- and post-conditioning tests and in the control group, a sham infusion was performed. Participants were instructed that two recipes of a tasty humus would be tested; however, the same meal was administered with a colour additive in the conditioning and post-conditioning tests. Digestive well-being (primary outcome) was measured every 10 min before and 60 min after ingestion using graded scales. Results: In the aversive conditioning group, the comfort meal in the pre-conditioning test induced a pleasant postprandial experience, which was significantly lower in the post-conditioning test; the effect of aversive conditioning (change from pre- to post-conditioning) was significant as compared to sham conditioning in the control group, which showed no differences between study days. Conclusion: The hedonic postprandial response to a comfort meal in healthy women is impaired by aversive conditioning. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04938934.
Effects of Consuming Heat-Treated Dodamssal Brown Rice Containing Resistant Starch on Glucose Metabolism in Humans
Authors: Park Jiyoung , Oh Sea-Kwan , Doo Miae , Chung Hyun-Jung , Park Hyun-Jin , Chun Hyejin
Published: May 2023

Rice is a major source of carbohydrates. Resistant starch (RS) is digested in the human small intestine but fermented in the large intestine. This study investigated the effect of consuming heat-treated and powdered brown rice cultivars ‘Dodamssal’ (HBD) and ‘Ilmi’ (HBI), with relatively high and less than 1% RS content, respectively, on the regulation of glucose metabolism in humans. Clinical trial meals were prepared by adding ~80% HBI or HBD powder to HBI and HBD meals, respectively. There was no statistical difference for protein, dietary fiber, and carbohydrate content, but the median particle diameter was significantly lower in HBI meals than in HBD meals. The RS content of HBD meals was 11.4 ± 0.1%, and the HBD meals also exhibited a low expected glycemic index. In a human clinical trial enrolling 36 obese participants, the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance decreased by 0.05 ± 0.14% and 1.5 ± 1.40% after 2 weeks (p = 0.021) in participants in the HBI and HBD groups, respectively. The advanced glycation end-product increased by 0.14 ± 0.18% in the HBI group and decreased by 0.06 ± 0.14% in the HBD group (p = 0.003). In conclusion, RS supplementation for 2 weeks appears to have a beneficial effect on glycemic control in obese participants.
Childhood Food Experiences and Selected Eating Styles as Determinants of Diet Quality in Adulthood—A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Małachowska Aleksandra , Gębski Jerzy , Jeżewska-Zychowicz Marzena
Published: May 2023

Available studies suggest that childhood food experiences (CFE) may be linked with eating behaviors in adulthood, as well as eating style (ES); thus, both CFE and ES can determine dietary intake. Little is known about the role of both of these factors in explaining the diet quality (DQ) of adults. The aim was to investigate to what extent selected ESs, i.e., intuitive (IE), restrained (ResEat), and external (ExtEat) eating, and CFE related to parental feeding practices (PFPs) will predict the DQ of women and men. Data from 708 Polish adults (477 women and 231 men) aged 18–65 were collected via the Internet from October 2022 to January 2023. Mann–Whitney’s U Test was used to compare ES and CFE levels among women and men, while DQ determinants were tested with the multiple linear regression (MLR). In the total study sample, “Healthy Eating Guidance” (CFE), “Child Control” (CFE), “Body–Food Choice Congruence” (IE), and ResEat favored higher DQ scores, while “Unconditional Permission to Eat” (IE), “Eating for Physical Rather Than Emotional Reasons” (IE), and ExtEat predisposed to lower DQ scores. After the MLR was conducted separately in women and men, differences were noted in the role of “Healthy Eating Guidance” (CFE), “Pressure and Food Reward” (CFE), “Unconditional Permission to Eat” (IE), “Eating for Physical Rather Than Emotional Reasons” (IE), ExtEat, and ResEat in predicting DQ indices. Our findings suggest that childhood food experiences and selected eating styles may differently determine the DQ of women and men. Future studies conducted within representative samples are needed to confirm these results.
The Richness of Sarcocystis Species in the Common Gull (Larus canus) and Black-Headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) from Lithuania
Authors: Juozaitytė-Ngugu Evelina , Prakas Petras
Published: May 2023

The common gull (Larus canus) and the black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus) are common waterbird species in Lithuania. Until now, the composition of Sarcocystis species in these birds was unknown. The current study aimed to identify Sarcocystis spp. by the morphological examination of sarcocysts found in the muscle tissues and by DNA sequence analysis. Between 2011 and 2019, the leg muscles of 42 common gulls and 63 black-headed gulls were tested for Sarcocystis spp. Based on the methylene blue staining of squashed muscle samples, sarcocysts were detected in six common gulls (14.3%) and in six black-headed gulls (9.5%). Under a light microscope, one type of microcyst was observed. Sarcocysts were thread-like (2860–8250 × 40–180 μm) and had a smooth and thin (0.8–1.4 μm) cyst wall, while bradyzoites were banana-shaped and 5.0–9.2 × 1.3–2.4 μm in size. The sequencing of complete ITS1 showed the presence of S. columbae, S. halieti and S. wobeseri in the common gull and S. columbae and S. halieti in the black-headed gull. The highest intraspecific genetic variability was established for S. halieti, which is characterized by a wide host range. This species is considered to be pathogenic, therefore further histopathological examination of the various organs of gulls is needed.
African Swine Fever Outbreak in an Enclosed Wild Boar Hunting Ground in Serbia
Authors: Prodanov-Radulović Jasna , Mirčeta Jovan , Djurdjević Biljana , Lazić Sava , Aleksić-Kovačević Sanja , Petrović Jelena , Polaček Vladimir
Published: May 2023

African swine fever (ASF) has been detected in many European countries since its introduction in Georgia in 2007. Serbia suffered its first case of ASF in the domestic pig population in 2019. At the beginning of 2020, ASF was detected in wild boars in open hunting grounds in the southeastern region of the country in districts along the country’s borders with Romania and Bulgaria. Since then, all ASF outbreaks in wild boar were clustered in the population located in the same bordering areas. Despite the newly implemented biosecurity protocols for hunters in 2019, ASF was detected for the first time in June 2021 in the wild boar population located in an enclosed hunting ground in the northeast region of the country. In this study, we reported the first ASF outbreak in a wild boar population located in an enclosed hunting ground in close proximity to the Serbian–Romanian border. The epizootiological data on the field investigation of the ASF outbreak, with descriptions of the clinical signs and gross pathological lesions detected, including the total number as well as the estimated age, sex, and postmortem interval, were analyzed. Clinical signs were detected only in nine diseased wild boars, while in total, 149 carcasses were found in the open and enclosed part of the hunting ground. In addition, 99 carcasses from which samples (parts of spleen or long bones) were collected for molecular diagnostics (RT-PCR) were confirmed as ASF-positive. The results of the epidemiological investigations indicate the central role of wild boar movements as well as the constant risk of human-related activities in the countries bordering area.
Identification of Trichomonas vaginalis 5-Nitroimidazole Resistance Targets
Authors: Graves Keonte J. , Reily Colin , Tiwari Hemant K. , Srinivasasainagendra Vinodh , Secor William Evan , Novak Jan , Muzny Christina A.
Published: May 2023

Trichomonas vaginalis is the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infection. 5-nitroimidazoles are the only FDA-approved medications for T. vaginalis treatment. However, 5-nitroimidazole resistance has been increasingly recognized and may occur in up to 10% of infections. We aimed to delineate mechanisms of T. vaginalis resistance using transcriptome profiling of metronidazole (MTZ)-resistant and sensitive T. vaginalis clinical isolates. In vitro, 5-nitroimidazole susceptibility testing was performed to determine minimum lethal concentrations (MLCs) for T. vaginalis isolates obtained from women who had failed treatment (n = 4) or were successfully cured (n = 4). RNA sequencing, bioinformatics, and biostatistical analyses were performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the MTZ-resistant vs. sensitive T. vaginalis isolates. RNA sequencing identified 304 DEGs, 134 upregulated genes and 170 downregulated genes in the resistant isolates. Future studies with more T. vaginalis isolates with a broad range of MLCs are needed to determine which genes may represent the best alternative targets in drug-resistant strains.