bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Usage of Evolutionary Algorithms in Swarm Robotics and Design Problems
Authors: Türkler Levent , Akkan Taner , Akkan Lütfiye Özlem
Published: June 2022

In this study, the general structure of swarm robotics is examined. Algorithms inspired by nature, which form the basis of swarm robotics, are introduced. Communication topologies in robotic swarms, which are similar to the communication methods between living things moving in nature, are included and how these can be used in swarm communication is emphasized. With the developed algorithms, how the swarm can imitate nature and what tasks it can perform have been explained. The various problems that will be encountered in terms of the design of the optimization methods used during the control of the swarm and the solutions are simulated using the Webots software. As a result, ideas on the solutions of these problems and suggestions are proposed.
A Novel System for Quasi-Continuous THz Signal Transmission and Reception
Authors: Sarjaš Andrej , Pongrac Blaž , Gleich Dušan
Published: June 2022

This paper presents a novel system for generating and receiving quasi-continuous (QC) TeraHertz (THz) waves. A system design and theoretical foundation for QC-THz signal generation are presented. The proposed QC-THz system consists of commercially available photo-conductive antennas used for transmission and reception of THz waves and a custom-designed QC optical signal generator, which is based on a fast optical frequency sweep of a single telecom distributed-feedback laser diode and unbalanced optical fiber Michelson interferometer used for a high-frequency modulation. The theoretical model for the proposed system is presented and experimentally evaluated. The experimental results were compared to the state-of-the-art continuous-wave THz system. The comparison between the continuous-wave THz system and the proposed QC-THz system showed the ability to transmit and receive QC-THz waves up to 300 GHz. The upper-frequency limit is bounded by the length of the used Michelson interferometer. The presented design of THz signal generation has a potential for industrial application because it is cost-efficient and can be built using commercially available components.
A Variable-Volume Heart Model for Galvanic Coupling-Based Conductive Intracardiac Communication
Authors: Liu Yiming , Gao Yueming , Chen Liting , Liu Tao , Yang Jiejie , Pun Siohang , Vai Mangi , Du Min
Published: June 2022

Conductive intracardiac communication (CIC) has become one of the most promising technologies in multisite leadless pacemakers for cardiac resynchronization therapy. Existing studies have shown that cardiac pulsation has a significant impact on the attenuation of intracardiac communication channels. In this study, a novel variable-volume circuit-coupled electrical field heart model, which contains blood and myocardium, is proposed to verify the phenomenon. The influence of measurements was combined with the model as the equivalent circuit. Dynamic intracardiac channel characteristics were obtained by simulating models with varying volumes of the four chambers according to the actual cardiac cycle. Subsequently, in vitro experiments were carried out to verify the model’s correctness. Among the dependences of intracardiac communication channels, the distance between pacemakers exerted the most substantial influence on attenuation. In the simulation and measurement, the relationship between channel attenuation and pulsation was found through the variable-volume heart model and a porcine heart. The CIC channel attenuation had a variation of less than 3 dB.
Editorial: Special Issue “Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-Enabled Wireless Communications and Networking”
Authors: Deruyck Margot
Published: June 2022

In the last decade, the behavior of mobile data users has completely changed [...]
Work-Related Driving of Heavy Goods Vehicles: Factors That Influence Road Safety and the Development of a Framework for Safety Training
Authors: Grinerud Katrine
Published: June 2022

Road traffic accidents are a major health concern all over the world. Each year, 1.3 million people die in fatal road traffic accidents. Fatal and serious heavy goods vehicle (HGV) crashes are over-represented in many countries. This paper is a contribution to the road safety literature and has two aims. First, the study seeks to identify important factors in managing road safety for work-related driving of HGVs. Second, the study proposes an overall framework for how safety training could be executed and its overall content. Methods used were a literature review and a case study. The results show that important factors for management of road safety could be arranged at different levels: governmental level, third-party level, organizational level and driver level. Most important is that a systematic approach to road traffic safety for HGVs is essential. Every party is jointly responsible for road traffic safety, and parties must communicate and work together to increase road traffic safety for work-related driving of HGVs. By developing a safety training program for all parties in the system, the study proposes a method for increased communication, collaboration and cooperation between parties.
Aromaticity Concepts Derived from Experiments
Authors: Szatylowicz Halina , Wieczorkiewicz Paweł A. , Krygowski Tadeusz M.
Published: June 2022

Aromaticity, a very important term in organic chemistry, has never been defined unambiguously. Various ways to describe it come from different phenomena that have been experimentally observed. The most important examples related to some theoretical concepts are presented here.
Comparative Study of the Selective Sorption of Organic Dyes on Inorganic Materials—A Cost-Effective Method for Waste Treatment in Educational and Small Research Laboratories
Authors: Bankole Anifat Adenike , Poulose Vijo , Ramachandran Tholkappiyan , Hamed Fathalla , Thiemann Thies
Published: June 2022

Educational and research laboratories often produce relatively small amounts of highly diverse organic wastes. Treating waste can contribute significantly to the cost of running laboratories. This study introduced a simple and economical waste management system such that readily available used chromatography-grade inorganic materials, such as silica and alumina (basic and acidic), are utilized to treat remnant dye solutions and solution wastes from educational and small research laboratories. To recycle the adsorbents, they were heated to 600 °C, where the adsorbates were combusted. The results showed that acidic alumina is an effective adsorbent material for azo dyes and anionic dyes/stains, as well as textile dyes, with a 98 to 100% removal efficiency. Furthermore, alumina and silica possess excellent regeneration properties, where the dye removal efficiency of the materials was retained after regeneration at 600 °C. The adsorption properties of the materials were compared with those of aliginite and activated biomass from coffee grounds. Kinetic and thermodynamic studies of the sorption processes on the different materials were carried out. Overall, the inorganic materials used were efficient at removing contaminating remnant organic dyes stemming from educational and small research laboratories.
Evaluation of Greenness of LC-MS Chromatographic Methods for Simultaneous Analysis of Mixtures of Serotonin, Dopamine, Acetylcholine, GABA and Glutamate: AGREE Tool Application
Authors: Almalki Atiah H. , Alsalahat Izzeddin , Alharthi Muath A. , Panda Dibya Sundar , Almahri Albandary , Naguib Ibrahim A.
Published: June 2022

The analytical GREEnness metric (AGREE) tool is widely used as a reliable greenness assessment method for chromatographic analyses. The AGREE tool has the ability to determine the greenness of analytical methods in terms of both quality and quantity, whereas other commonly used methods assess the greenness either quantitatively or qualitatively. Greenness profiles of six chromatographic methods for simultaneous estimations of serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine, GABA and glutamate were assessed using AGREE and NEMI tools as a case study. The AGREE assessment tool proved to be user-friendly, and provides a full profile of assessment, hence it can be described as the tool of choice for the assessment of LC-MS chromatographic methods. For optimum application, the weights of 4 of the 12 assessment criteria were set high (weight of four) due to their importance, namely criteria number 7 (waste), number 8 (analysis thruput/number of analytes per run), number 11 (toxicity) and number 12 (operator’s safety). Setting proper weights of the assessment criteria contributed significantly to the discrimination of greenness of the compared methods. The selected greenest method for the analysis of the proposed quinary mixture showed an AGREE tool pictogram with a 0.66 score. Additionally, the selected method allows simultaneous estimation of seven constituents in total. It offers high sensitivity, allowing detection of acetylcholine, serotonin and glutamate at levels as low as 2 pg, and dopamine, norepinephrine, GABA and glycine at levels as low as 10 pg, and finally offers fast analysis where all components can be analyzed within 5 min.
Current Role of Mass Spectrometry in the Determination of Pesticide Residues in Food
Authors: Hernández-Mesa Maykel , Moreno-González David
Published: June 2022

The extensive use of pesticides represents a risk to human health. Consequently, legal frameworks have been established to ensure food safety, including control programs for pesticide residues. In this context, the performance of analytical methods acquires special relevance. Such methods are expected to be able to determine the largest number of compounds at trace concentration levels in complex food matrices, which represents a great analytical challenge. Technical advances in mass spectrometry (MS) have led to the development of more efficient analytical methods for the determination of pesticides. This review provides an overview of current analytical strategies applied in pesticide analysis, with a special focus on MS methods. Current targeted MS methods allow the simultaneous determination of hundreds of pesticides, whereas non-targeted MS methods are now applicable to the identification of pesticide metabolites and transformation products. New trends in pesticide analysis are also presented, including approaches for the simultaneous determination of pesticide residues and other food contaminants (i.e., mega-methods), or the recent application of techniques such as ion mobility–mass spectrometry (IM–MS) for this purpose.
Nanoporosity and Isosteric Enthalpy of Adsorption of CH4, H2, and CO2 on Natural Chabazite and Exchanged
Authors: Hernández Miguel Ángel , Quiroz-Estrada Karla , Hernandez-Salgado Gabriela I. , Portillo Roberto Ignacio , Santamaría-Juárez Juana Deisy , Velasco Ma de los Ángeles , Rubio Efraín , Petranovskii Vitalii
Published: June 2022

This paper describes the isosteric enthalpy through narrow pores at low levels of coverage through adsorption of CO2, CH4, and H2 on pores in natural chabazite exchanged with aqueous solutions of Na+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ salts at different concentrations, and with variable time and temperature of treatment. Experimental data of CO2, CH4, and H2 adsorption were treated by the Freundlich and Langmuir equations. Complementarily, the degree of interaction of these gases with these zeolites was evaluated by the evolution of isosteric enthalpy of adsorption. The exchange with Mg2+ and Na+ favors an increase in the adsorption capacity for CO2. while that of Ca2+ and Mg2+ favor adsorption through to H2 and CH4. These cations occupy sites in strategic positions S4 and S4’, which are located in the channels and nanocavities of these zeolites. The presence of Ca2+ and Mg2+ at S4 and S4′ sites causes increased adsorption into the nanocavities and on the external area of the ion-exchanged zeolites. Depending on the conditions of the exchange treatment, Ca2+ and Mg2+, and Na+ were found to be most favorable, well distributed, and accessible for CO2, CH4, and H2 adsorption.
‘We Want to Help but We Don’t Know What to Do’: Service Providers Working with Indigenous LGBTIQ+ Youth in Australia
Authors: Sullivan Corrinne T. , Tran Duy , Trewlynn William , Spurway Kim , Leha John , Briskman Linda , Soldatic Karen
Published: June 2022

Access to adequate and appropriate service provision has a direct positive impact on health and wellbeing. Experiences of inaccessible, discriminatory, and culturally unsafe services and/or service providers are considered a root cause for the health inequalities that exist among Indigenous queer youth. Experiences of discrimination and cultural inappropriateness are commonplace, with Indigenous queer youth noting issues related to access to services and treatment, stereotyping, and a lack of quality in the care provided, which discourage Indigenous people from accessing care. This paper examines the perspectives of Indigenous LGBTIQ+ youth and health service providers to identify what challenges, obstacles and opportunities are currently being faced and what could be implemented to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for Indigenous LGBTIQ+ youth in the future.
Energy Consumption of Water Running and Cycling at Four Exercise Intensities
Authors: Demarie Sabrina , Chirico Emanuele , Bratta Cecilia , Cortis Cristina
Published: June 2022

Water exercise provides a workload in every direction of motion for training in a reduced impact environment. The selection of an appropriate physical activity and an individual exercise prescription are essential to obtain training effects. The aim of the present study was to determine individualised relative exercise intensities at four speeds of motion for water cycling and water running. Running was tested both in buoyancy and with the feet in contact with the bottom of the pool. To this purpose, gas exchanges, heart rate, and blood lactate were measured in each test session. Fourteen active, healthy females (23.2 ± 1.6 years) underwent a dry land maximal incremental protocol to exhaustion on a treadmill and hydrobike (HB); they engaged in water running with ground contact (RC) and water running suspended (RS) tests in a swimming pool at 30, 40, 50, and 60 cycles per minute (cpm), submerged at the individual xiphoid level. The four motion speeds of the three water exercise modalities ranged from 50% to 95% of the maximal heart rate and the maximal oxygen uptake, representing a moderate-to-vigorous training stimulus. RS elicited the lowest oxygen consumption, whereas HB demanded the significantly highest oxygen consumption and presented the highest blood lactate accumulation, with vigorous intensity being reached at 50 cpm and near maximal intensity at 60 cpm. It appears that water cycling could be more suitable for athletic training, whereas water running could be more appropriate for health and fitness purposes.
Golf Swing Biomechanics: A Systematic Review and Methodological Recommendations for Kinematics
Authors: Bourgain Maxime , Rouch Philippe , Rouillon Olivier , Thoreux Patricia , Sauret Christophe
Published: June 2022

Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate golf swing performance in both preventing injury and injury occurrence. The objective of this review was to describe state-of-the-art golf swing biomechanics, with a specific emphasis on movement kinematics, and when possible, to suggest recommendations for research methodologies. Keywords related to biomechanics and golf swings were used in scientific databases. Only articles that focused on golf-swing kinematics were considered. In this review, 92 articles were considered and categorized into the following domains: X-factor, crunch factor, swing plane and clubhead trajectory, kinematic sequence, and joint angular kinematics. The main subjects of focus were male golfers. Performance parameters were searched for, but the lack of methodological consensus prevented generalization of the results and led to contradictory results. Currently, three-dimensional approaches are commonly used for joint angular kinematic investigations. However, recommendations by the International Society of Biomechanics are rarely considered.
Extractivism and Unjust Food Insecurity for Peru’s Loreto Indigenous Communities
Authors: Rondoni Caterina
Published: June 2022

Background. Many scholars have examined Indigenous food security and sovereignty yet the topic still represents a small share of environmental justice scholarship. Therefore, we completed a case study of the environmental justice challenges concerning food security faced by the Indigenous communities of Peru’s Loreto region. Methods. During 2019, we conducted fieldwork in 64 Indigenous communities of Kukama Kukamiria and Urarina in the Amazon rainforests of Loreto, Peru. Based on a semi-stratified sample and snowball sampling method, we combined participant observation with 139 interviews focused on feeding habits, production and availability, access, utilization, food stability, and perception of food insecurity with the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) method. Results. Analyzing these themes led to worrisome assessments of the food insecurity and institutional limits of Indigenous communities. Because of their geographic location, these communities experience a degraded and unhealthy environment with water and food contaminated by hydrocarbon extraction activity. Furthermore, Peru’s policy of food and nutrition security has public management deficiencies especially in the Loreto region. Thus, many of the efforts adopted remain ineffective. Conclusion. Indigenous communities that live following ancestral culture often lack resources to change their diets. Thus, they frequently suffer the most following the contamination of an environment with which they experience an interdependent relation.
Using Animated Videos to Enhance Vocabulary Learning at the Noble Private Technical Institute (NPTI) in Northern Iraq/Erbil
Authors: Ridha Shivan Khudhur , Bostanci Hanife Bensen , Kurt Mustafa
Published: June 2022

Vocabulary is one of the three essential components of the English language for mastering all skills. When the number of recognized words is insufficient, listening and reading comprehension suffers. A study was done at the Noble Private Technical Institute (NPTI) to assess the influence of animated videos on vocabulary learning in an effort to improve students’ vocabulary. Forty students participated in an experiment designed to test the main hypothesis, which posits that students who are taught through animated videos demonstrate significant gains in vocabulary mastery and learning results. The data were subjected to paired sample t-test and assessed statistically. The majority of students in this study agreed that animated videos aid in assimilation, make studying more interesting, aid in vocabulary development, and make English learning more productive. Also, the results of this study suggest that watching animated videos improves students’ comprehension and assimilation of terminology.
An Application of Artificial Neural Networks to Estimate the Performance of High-Energy Laser Weapons in Maritime Environments
Authors: Lionis Antonios , Tsigopoulos Andreas , Cohn Keith
Published: June 2022

Efforts to develop high-energy laser (HEL) weapons that are capable of being integrated and operated aboard naval platforms have gained an increased interest, partially due to the proliferation of various kinds of unmanned systems that pose a critical asymmetric threat to them, both operationally and financially. HEL weapons allow for an unconstrained depth of magazine and cost exchange ratio, both of which are essential characteristics to effectively oppose small unmanned systems, compared to their kinetic weapons counterparts. However, HEL performance is heavily affected by atmospheric conditions between the weapon and the target; therefore, the more precise and accurate the atmospheric characterization, the more accurate the performance estimation of the HEL weapon. To that end, the Directed Energy Group of the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) is conducting experimental, theoretical and computational research on the effects of atmospheric conditions on HEL weapon efficacy. This paper proposes a new approach to the NPS laser performance code scheme, which leverages artificial neural networks (ANNs) for the prediction of optical turbulence strength. This improvement could allow for near real-time and location-independent HEL weapon performance estimation. Two experimental datasets, which were obtained from the NPS facilities, were utilized to perform regression modeling using an ANN, which achieved a decent fit (R2 = 0.75 for the first dataset and R2 = 0.78 for the second dataset).
Two-Step Validation of a New Wireless Inertial Sensor System: Application in the Squat Motion
Authors: Blandeau Mathias , Guichard Romain , Hubaut Rémy , Leteneur Sébastien
Published: June 2022

The use of Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) can provide embedded motion data to improve clinical application. The objective of this study was to validate a newly designed IMU system. The validation is provided through two main methods, a classical sensor validation achieved on a six-degrees-of-freedom hexapod platform with controlled linear and rotation motions and a functional validation on subjects performing squats with segmental angle measurement. The kinematics of the sensors were measured by using an optoelectronic reference system (VICON) and then compared to the orientation and raw data of the IMUs. Bland–Altman plots and Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient were computed to assess the kinematic parameter errors between the IMUs and VICON system. The results showed suitable precision of the IMU system for linear, rotation and squat motions.
Analysis of the Influence of Temperature on the Anaerobic Digestion Process in a Plug Flow Reactor
Authors: Calise Francesco , Cappiello Francesco Liberato , Cimmino Luca , Napolitano Marialuisa , Vicidomini Maria
Published: June 2022

The production of biogas by means of the anaerobic digestion process is becoming increasingly attractive in the green economy context. When municipal organic waste is used to produce biogas, a further positive effect on urban waste disposal is obtained. Starting from the anaerobic digestion model n.1, an accurate analysis of the temperature effects on the anaerobic digestion process in a plug flow reactor is performed. This paper aims at presenting a comprehensive and integrated one-dimensional biological and thermal model for a plug flow reactor. Partial differential equations with respect to time and space are considered to model the heat transfer between the reactor and the internal heat exchanger and between the reactor and the environment. In this scope, a suitable simulation code was developed in MATLAB and validated using the data available in literature. The results of the calculations show that temperature plays a crucial role in the anaerobic digestion process, since it strongly affects the kinetic rates of the microbial species and the methane production. The results obtained in terms of temperature fields and biogas production are compared with the ones available in literature, dealing with a continuously stirred tank reactor. The comparison is conducted considering that both reactors process a volumetric waste flow rate of 20 m3/d and have the same structural characteristics. The plug flow reactor resulted better performance with a produced biogas flow rate equal to 2300 Nm3/year.
Changes of Brain Structures and Psychological Characteristics in Predatory, Affective Violent and Nonviolent Offenders
Authors: Chou Ming-Chung , Cheng Tien-Cheng , Yang Pinchen , Lin Rueih-Chin , Wu Ming-Ting
Published: June 2022

Purpose: Violent subjects were demonstrated to exhibit abnormal brain structures; however, the brain changes may be different between criminals committing affective (VA), predatory violence (VP), and non-violence (NV). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the differences in brain structures and psychological characteristics between VA, VP, and NV offenders. Methods: Twenty male criminal subjects (7 VP; 6 VA; and 7 NV) offenders; and twenty age-matched male healthy non-criminals were enrolled in this study. All subjects received psychological assessments as well as magnetic resonance imaging scans of the brain. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to understand the differences among four groups with Bonferroni correction. The voxel-based morphometry and voxel-wise diffusion tensor imaging analyses were performed to compare the gray matter (GM) volume and white matter (WM) integrity between the groups. In significant regions, a Spearman correlation analysis was performed to understand the relationship between the brain changes and psychological scores. Results: The ANOVA analysis showed that AUDIT scores were significantly different among four groups, but no significant group difference was noted after Bonferroni correction. The imaging comparisons further demonstrated that the VP and NV offenders exhibited significant alterations of WM and GM tissues in the rectus and superior temporal gyrus, respectively. In addition, the VP offenders exhibited greater GM volumes than VA offenders in the right middle frontal gyrus, and NV offenders had greater GM volumes than VP offenders in the bilateral thalamus. Conclusion: We concluded that the VA, VP, and NV groups exhibited different degrees of alterations in GM and WM tissues in regions involved in emotion and cognition.
What Findings on Chest CTs Can Delay Diagnosis of Pleuropulmonary Paragonimiasis?
Authors: Li Kai Ke , Jin Gong Yong , Kwon Keun Sang
Published: June 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate which findings were delayed in diagnosis with respect to chest CT findings of paragonimiasis. Methods: This retrospective, informed questionnaire study was conducted to evaluate chest CT scans of 103 patients (58 men and 45 women; mean age 46.1 ± 14.6 years). The patients were diagnosed with paragonimiasis from 2003 to 2008 in four tertiary hospitals. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test to identify differences between an initially correct diagnosis and an incorrect one of paragonimiasis on chest CT scans, for which we evaluated such variables as the location of lesion, type of parenchymal lesions, and worm migration track. Results: Nodular opacities on chest CT scans were the most common findings (53/94, 56.4%). The sign of worm migration tracks was only present in 18.1% of cases (17/94). Although statistically insignificant, the form of consolidation (18/25, 72%) and mass (6/8, 75%) on CT was common in correct diagnostics, and the form of the worm migration track (12/17, 70.6%) was high in correct diagnostics. Conclusion: A delayed diagnosis of paragonimiasis may often be made in patients with non-nodular, parenchymal lesions who are negative for worm migration track on chest CT scans.
Evaluation of Thirdhand Smoke Exposure after Short Visits to Public Facilities (Noraebang and Internet Cafés): A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Park Myung-Bae , Sim Boram
Published: June 2022

We aimed to evaluate the degree of thirdhand smoke (THS) caused by short-term exposure to smoking-related substances. To this end, we evaluated the change in concentration of a smoking-related urine biomarker in volunteers before and after visiting public spaces where there is likely THS exposure. We hypothesized that a visit to such public spaces would result in an increase in such biomarkers. Participants visited one of the predetermined facilities (noraebang, PC café) and revisited the same facility after 24 h, spending around 2 h per visit. We selected creatinine-corrected urine cotinine (CUC) as a biomarker to evaluate THS. In addition, we collected nicotine-derived nitrosamine ketone (NNK) from surface dust at each site with cotton swabs (diameter of 2.5 cm). We examined whether CUC concentration significantly changed across three time points (baseline, first visit, and second visit) via repeated-measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA). Moreover, we analyzed the interaction to determine whether cigarette smell affects the CUC concentration. Finally, CUC and dust NNK were analyzed with Pearson’s correlation. The CUC concentration did not increase from baseline to the first visit, but increased from the baseline to the second visit (Diff = Ln [0.565] ng/mg, P < 0.01). Further, the CUC concentration increased from the first to the second visit (Diff = Ln [0.393] ng/mg, p < 0.01). In the case of the interaction effect, there were statistically significant differences in CUC concentration depending on the smell of smoke in the facility (Diff = Ln [0.325], F value = 4.438, p value = 0.041). The change in CUC concentration from baseline to the second visit (r = 0.562, p < 0.001) and from the first to the second visit (r = 0.544, p < 0.001) were correlated with NNK concentration. We evaluated whether a short stay in a facility with smoke-related substances that adhere to the surrounding environment would expose individuals to THS even if they do not smell or are directly exposed to cigarette smoke. We confirmed that even two relatively short stays (approximately 2 h each) in a facility in which people had previously smoked can lead to THS exposure.
The Bisphenols Found in the Ejaculate of Men Does Not Pass through the Testes
Authors: Ješeta Michal , Franzová Kateřina , Machynová Simona , Kalina Jiří , Kohoutek Jiří , Mekiňová Lenka , Crha Igor , Kempisty Bartosz , Kašík Marek , Žáková Jana , Ventruba Pavel , Navrátilová Jana
Published: June 2022

Exposure to bisphenols is related to negative effects on male reproduction. The bisphenols exposure is associated with several modes of action including negative impact on the blood–testis barrier (BTB) in testes or direct effect on spermatozoa. Bisphenols have been detected in human seminal plasma, but the possible mechanism of seminal transfer of bisphenols is not clear. Some authors consider the transfer through the blood–testis barrier to be crucial. Therefore, in this work, we compared normozoospermic men and men after vasectomy who have interrupted vas deferens and their ejaculate does not contain testicular products. We measured the concentration of bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF) in the urine and seminal plasma of these men using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MSMS). We found that the ratio of urinary and seminal plasma content of bisphenols did not differ in normozoospermic men or men after vasectomy. From the obtained data, it can be concluded that the pathways of transport of bisphenols into seminal plasma are not primarily through the testicular tissue, but this pathway is applied similarly to other routes of transmission by a corresponding ejaculate volume ratio. To a much greater extent than through testicular tissue, bisphenols enter the seminal plasma mainly as part of the secretions of the accessory glands.
Impact of Particles on Pulmonary Endothelial Cells
Authors: Almeida-Silva Marina , Cardoso Jéssica , Alemão Catarina , Santos Sara , Monteiro Ana , Manteigas Vítor , Marques-Ramos Ana
Published: June 2022

According to the WHO, air quality affects around 40 million people, contributing to around 21,000 premature deaths per year. Severe respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, can be promoted by air pollution, which has already been documented; this is one of the reasons why air quality is a very relevant factor for human health and well-being. Aerosols are an aggregation of solid or liquid particles dispersed in the air and can be found in the form of dust or fumes. Aerosols can be easily inhaled or absorbed by the skin, which can lead to adverse health effects according to their sizes that range from the nanometre to the millimetre scale. Based on the PRISMA methodology and using the Rayyan QCRI platform, it was possible to assess more than four hundred research articles. This systematic review study aimed to understand the impact of particles on pulmonary endothelial cells, namely particulate matter in different sizes, cigarette smoke, diesel exhaust particles and carbon black. The main conclusions were that particles induce multiple health effects on endothelial cells, namely endothelial dysfunction, which can lead to apoptosis and necrosis, and it may also cause necroptosis in lung structure.
Simultaneous Removal of Cu2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ by Modified Wheat Straw Biochar from Aqueous Solution: Preparation, Characterization and Adsorption Mechanism
Authors: Wang Yangyang , Zheng Kaixuan , Jiao Zhiqiang , Zhan Wenhao , Ge Shiji , Ning Shaopeng , Fang Shiyuan , Ruan Xinling
Published: June 2022

As an eco-friendly and efficient adsorbent for removal of potential toxic metals from aqueous solution, biochar has received widespread attention. In the present study, wheat straw biochar (BC) and corresponding modified biochar (HNC) were used to remove Cu2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ from an aqueous solution. The influence of the environment factors on metals adsorption and adsorption mechanism were discussed in detail. The results showed that the HNC had porous structures and owned ample functional groups (−OH, −COOH and C−N groups) compared with the BC. In the single system, the adsorption capacities of HNC for Cu2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ at a pH of 5.5 were 18.36, 22.83 and 49.38 mg/g, which were 76.89%, 164.36% and 22.75% higher than that of the BC, respectively. In addition, the adsorption process of Cu2+ and Cd2+ on BC and HNC fitted to the Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetics, but the adsorption of Pb2+ on BC and HNC fitted to the Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo-first-order kinetics. Adsorption isotherms indicated that the adsorption of Cu2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ by BC and HNC was a spontaneous endothermic process. The competitive adsorption of mixed metal ions (Cu2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+) revealed that HNC was more preferential to adsorb Cu2+ compared with Cd2+ and Pb2+. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses revealed that the main adsorption mechanisms were surface complexation and precipitation, and the adsorbed Cu2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ on HNC mainly exist as CuO, Cd(OH)2, Pb3O4 and Pb(OH)2.
Cortical Blindness Due to Neurocysticercosis in an Adolescent Patient
Authors: Opara Nnennaya U.
Published: June 2022

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a common cause of recent-onset seizures in both adults and children in tropical areas, especially when there is no other suggestion of another underlying neurological disorder. In addition, there have been reports of very rare cases of bilateral cortical blindness caused by this helminth in children. It is still unclear whether healthy adolescents with no pre-existing health problems could be vulnerable to developing such sequelae due to NCC. We report a case of a 14-year-old African boy from Nigeria with bilateral cortical blindness caused by NCC due to Taenia solium. According to the boy’s mother, symptoms began with headaches, vomiting, fatigue, visual loss, and fever (40.0 °C). Clinical investigations led to a diagnosis of cortical blindness and encephalitis due to NCC. Appropriate treatment was administered, and it resulted in the resolution of most symptoms, though the patient remained permanently blind.
Covariant Evolution of Gravitoelectromagnetism
Authors: Danehkar Ashkbiz
Published: June 2022

The long-range gravitational terms associated with tidal forces, frame-dragging effects, and gravitational waves are described by the Weyl conformal tensor, the traceless part of the Riemann curvature that is not locally affected by the matter field. The Ricci and Bianchi identities provide a set of dynamical and kinematic equations governing the matter coupling and evolution of the electric and magnetic parts of the Weyl tensor, so-called gravitoelectric and gravitomagnetic fields. A detailed analysis of the Weyl gravitoelectromagnetic fields can be conducted using a number of algebraic and differential identities prescribed by the 1+3 covariant formalism. In this review, we consider the dynamical constraints and propagation equations of the gravitoelectric/-magnetic fields and covariantly debate their analytic properties. We discuss the special conditions under which gravitational waves can propagate, the inconsistency of a Newtonian-like model without gravitomagnetism, the nonlinear generalization to multi-fluid models with different matter species, as well as observational effects caused by the Weyl fields via the kinematic quantities. The 1+3 tetrad and 1+1+2 semi-covariant methods, which can equally be used for gravitoelectromagnetism, are briefly explained, along with their correspondence with the covariant formulations.
Leading Singularities in Higher-Derivative Yang–Mills Theory and Quadratic Gravity
Authors: Menezes Gabriel
Published: June 2022

In this work, we explore general leading singularities of one-loop amplitudes in higher-derivative Yang–Mills and quadratic gravity. These theories are known to possess propagators which contain quadratic and quartic momentum dependence, which leads to the presence of an unstable ghostlike resonance. However, unitarity cuts are not to be taken through unstable particles and therefore unitarity is still satisfied. On the other hand, this could engender issues when calculating leading singularities which are generalizations of unitarity cuts. Nevertheless, we will show with explicit examples how leading singularities are still well defined and accordingly they are able to capture relevant information on the analytic structure of amplitudes in such higher-derivative theories. We discuss some simple one-loop amplitudes which clarify these features.
Onset of Electron Captures and Shallow Heating in Magnetars
Authors: Chamel Nicolas , Fantina Anthea Francesca
Published: June 2022

The loss of magnetic pressure accompanying the decay of the magnetic field in a magnetar may trigger exothermic electron captures by nuclei in the shallow layers of the stellar crust. Very accurate analytical formulas are obtained for the threshold density and pressure, as well as for the maximum amount of heat that can be possibly released, taking into account the Landau–Rabi quantization of electron motion. These formulas are valid for arbitrary magnetic field strengths, from the weakly quantizing regime to the most extreme situation in which electrons are all confined to the lowest level. Numerical results are also presented based on experimental nuclear data supplemented with predictions from the Brussels-Montreal model HFB-24. This same nuclear model has been already employed to calculate the equation of state in all regions of magnetars.
A New Top-Down Governance Approach to Community Gardens: A Case Study of the “We Garden” Community Experiment in Shenzhen, China
Authors: Zhang Xunyu , Pan Dongxu , Wong Kapo , Zhang Yuanzhi
Published: June 2022

Over the past few decades, development in China (including Shenzhen) has been led by the State, meaning that the government has been responsible for major decisions in urban construction and management. However, the current enormous contradiction between people’s demand for livability and Shenzhen’s unequal and inadequate urban development means that leaving all the administrative work to the government alone has become unsustainable. Since 2020, Shenzhen has introduced a new urban management approach called “We Garden”, in which the government supports public participation aimed to transform idle public lands into green spaces in the form of community gardens. Because this ongoing but novel community garden experiment is a recent development in China, literature investigating the phenomenon context, especially the associated motivations and governance structure, remains scarce. This paper aims to clarify the governance structure and operation mechanism of the Shenzhen community garden program through all stages: from planning and design through construction or implementation to management. Fieldwork with active participation, direct observation, and semi-structured, qualitative interviews as participant in a nonprofit organization revealed that the Shenzhen experiment was driven by urban environmental public governance rather than individual needs. The community garden development approach is a new top-down governance structure that expands on existing governance types in the literature, while emphasizing the key role that nonprofit organizations play in the process. Therefore, this new governance approach expands beyond the environmental improvement of urban communities, serving as a new mechanism for sustainable public participation in urban environmental protection.
Comparison of qPCR with ddPCR for the Quantification of JC Polyomavirus in CSF from Patients with Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy
Authors: Ngouth Nyater , Monaco Maria Chiara , Walker Lorenzo , Corey Sydney , Ikpeama Ijeoma , Fahle Gary , Cortese Irene , Das Sanchita , Jacobson Steven
Published: June 2022

Background: Lytic infection of oligodendrocytes by the human JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) results in the demyelinating disease called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). The detection of viral DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by PCR is an important diagnostic tool and, in conjunction with defined radiological and clinical features, can provide diagnosis of definite PML, avoiding the need for brain biopsy. The main aim of this study is to compare the droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assay with the gold standard quantitative PCR (qPCR) for the quantification of JC viral loads in clinical samples. Methods: A total of 62 CSF samples from 31 patients with PML were analyzed to compare the qPCR gold standard technique with ddPCR to detect conserved viral DNA sequences in the JCPyV genome. As part of the validation process, ddPCR results were compared to qPCR data obtained in 42 different laboratories around the world. In addition, the characterization of a novel triplex ddPCR to detect viral DNA sequence from both prototype and archetype variants and a cellular housekeeping reference gene is described. Triplex ddPCR was used to analyze the serum from six PML patients and from three additional cohorts, including 20 healthy controls (HC), 20 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who had never been treated with natalizumab (no-NTZ-treated), and 14 patients with MS who were being treated with natalizumab (NTZ-treated); three from this last group seroconverted during the course of treatment with natalizumab. Results: JCPyV DNA was detected only by ddPCR for 5 of the 62 CSF samples (8%), while remaining undetected by qPCR. For nine CSF samples (15%), JCPyV DNA was at the lower limit of quantification for qPCR, set at <250 copies/mL, and therefore no relative quantitation could be determined. By contrast, exact copies of JCPyV for each of these samples were quantified by ddPCR. No differences were observed between qPCR and ddPCR when five standardized plasma samples were analyzed for JCPyV in 42 laboratories in the United States and Europe. JCPyV-DNA was undetected in all the sera from HC and MS cohorts tested by triplex ddPCR, while serum samples from six patients with PML tested positive for JCPyV. Conclusion: This study shows strong correlation between ddPCR and qPCR with increased sensitivity of the ddPCR assay. Further work will be needed to determine whether multiplex ddPCR can be useful to determine PML risk in natalizumab-treated MS patients.
Variation in the Humoral Immune Response Induced by the Administration of the BNT162b2 Pfizer/BioNTech Vaccine: A Systematic Review
Authors: Cortés-Sarabia Karen , Gutiérrez-Torres Mayralina , Mendoza-Renteria Escarlet Maleny , Leyva-Vázquez Marco Antonio , Vences-Velázquez Amalia , Hernández-Sotelo Daniel , Beltrán-Anaya Fredy Omar , Del Moral-Hernández Oscar , Illades-Aguiar Berenice
Published: June 2022

The BNT162b2 Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was the first emergency approved vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the variations in the humoral immune response induced by the administration of the BNT162b2 vaccine in patients with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, the elderly, and those with comorbidities and immunosuppression states. Additionally, we analyzed the effect of generated neutralizing antibodies against the new variants of concern of SARS-CoV-2. Pubmed, Science Direct, Mendeley, and WorldWide Science were searched between 1 January 2020 and October 2021 using the keywords “BNT162b2”, “serology”, “comorbidity”, “immunosuppression”, and “variants of concern”dA total of 20 peer-reviewed publications were selected. The analysis showed that those individuals with previous infections have a considerably higher antibody response after the administration of BNT162b2 vaccine in contrast with seronegative individuals. With regard to variation in immune responses, elderly individuals, patients with cancer, or patients who had undergone a kidney transplant, dialysis, or who were pregnant had a lower antibody response in comparison to healthy individuals. Finally, antibodies developed against the S protein produced by the BNT162b2 vaccine, possessed lower neutralizing activity against the alpha, beta, gamma, and delta variants of SARS-CoV-2. In conclusion, patients with immunodeficiencies and comorbidities have a lesser antibody response, about which further studies need to be performed in order to analyze the effectiveness and duration of the humoral immunity associated with vaccination in these specific populations.
Biological Properties of SARS-CoV-2 Variants: Epidemiological Impact and Clinical Consequences
Authors: Hoteit Reem , Yassine Hadi M.
Published: June 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a virus that belongs to the coronavirus family and is the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). As of May 2022, it had caused more than 500 million infections and more than 6 million deaths worldwide. Several vaccines have been produced and tested over the last two years. The SARS-CoV-2 virus, on the other hand, has mutated over time, resulting in genetic variation in the population of circulating variants during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has also shown immune-evading characteristics, suggesting that vaccinations against these variants could be potentially ineffective. The purpose of this review article is to investigate the key variants of concern (VOCs) and mutations of the virus driving the current pandemic, as well as to explore the transmission rates of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs in relation to epidemiological factors and to compare the virus’s transmission rate to that of prior coronaviruses. We examined and provided key information on SARS-CoV-2 VOCs in this study, including their transmissibility, infectivity rate, disease severity, affinity for angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors, viral load, reproduction number, vaccination effectiveness, and vaccine breakthrough.
Vaccination with the Inactivated Vaccine (Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV) Ensures Protection against SARS-CoV-2 Related Disease
Authors: Wang Chao , Chen Lin-Yi , Lu Qing-Bin , Cui Fuqiang
Published: June 2022

Vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become an important public health solution. Developing a safe and effective vaccine against COVID-19 is a viable long-term solution to control the pandemic. As one of the two inactivated severe acute respiratory syndrome virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines developed in China that entered the WHO emergency use list, Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV, an aluminum-hydroxide-adjuvanted, inactivated whole-virus vaccine, has been widely distributed, with more than 400 million doses administered in more than 40 countries. The evidence of the safety, efficacy, and effectiveness of BBIBP-CorV is gathered and reviewed. We further comment on one of the latest papers that disclosed the effectiveness results between BBIBP-CorV, rAd26-rAd5, and ChAdOx1.