bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear Vibration of Moving Orthotopic Films Under Oblique Support
Authors: Shao Mingyue , Zhao Xingshui , Wu Jimei , Wu Qiumin , Qing Jiajuan , Guo Xuxia
Published: February 2023

To reduce product damage caused by the vibration instability phenomenon associated with the commutation of new material films during long-path transportation, the nonlinear vibration of orthotropic films transported under oblique support is investigated. First, on the basis of von Karman’s large deflection theory and D’Alembert’s principle, then through coordinate system transformation, the vibration partial differential equations of the system in an oblique coordinate system are established, taking into account the influence of damping. Next, the equations are discretized by the Galerkin method to obtain the system’s nonlinear vibration ordinary differential equations. Finally, the fourth-order Runge-Kutta method is used to carry out numerical calculations of the system to analyze the effects of the oblique support angle, orthotopic coefficient, and damping on the nonlinear vibration of films in transportation. The research results show that the selection of these three important parameters has an impact on the vibration characteristics of moving orthotopic films, and reasonable suggestions are made based on the parameter range for the stable motion of the system, which will help in structural adjustment and stability control during actual printing and manufacturing.
Formulation and Analysis of a Cubic B-Spline-Based Time Integration Procedure for Structural Seismic Response Analysis
Authors: Liu Tianhao , Wang Pan , Wen Weibin , Feng Fan
Published: February 2023

In this study, an explicit time integration scheme based on cubic B-spline interpolation strategy and momentum corrector is extended for structural seismic response analysis. The acquisition strategy for the required seismic load is provided. The cubic B-spline-based scheme with moment corrector is generalized for the nonlinear hysteresis system. The analysis shows that the explicit scheme has more desirable stability and accuracy properties than other competitive schemes. The effectiveness of the scheme is demonstrated by the linear and nonlinear numerical examples.
A Hybrid DEMATEL-TOPSIS Approach Using 2-Tuple Linguistic q-Rung Orthopair Fuzzy Information and Its Application in Renewable Energy Resource Selection
Authors: Naz Sumera , Akram Muhammad , ul Hassan Muhammad Muneeb , Fatima Areej
Published: February 2023

Vietnam, a country in Southeast Asia, is anticipated to experience an increase in energy consumption due to the growth of its manufacturing and industrial sectors, which aims to establish Vietnam as the world’s new production hub. Fossil fuels, which are ecologically unfriendly and quickly running out, are now Vietnam’s primary energy source. Due to the detrimental effects of fossil fuels on the environment, we can apply strategic decision-making in the industrial sector to choose the best alternative for a renewable energy resource (RER). RERs such as solar energy, wind energy, solid waste energy, biomass energy, geothermal energy, biofuel energy, and hydropower energy are important for generating energy and will be crucial for the survival of humanity, the planet, and other living things in the future. The actions of RER-based industrial development must be encouraged since they will make a significant contribution to overcome environmental impact limitations. The 2-tuple linguistic [Formula: see text]-rung orthopair fuzzy set (2TL[Formula: see text]-ROFS) is a novel development in fuzzy set theory that presents a decision-making method for selecting the most appropriate alternative. In this paper, we develop a family of the 2TL[Formula: see text]-ROF Maclaurin symmetric mean aggregation operators such as the 2TL[Formula: see text]-ROF Maclaurin symmetric mean (2TL[Formula: see text]-ROFMSM) operator, the 2TL[Formula: see text]-ROF dual Maclaurin symmetric mean (2TL[Formula: see text]-ROFDMSM) operator and its weighted forms. We also look into a few of the proposed operators’ properties and special cases. Then based on 2TL[Formula: see text]-ROFS, a new Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) model is constructed, which can use the decision makers’ preferences to get the optimum objective weights for attributes. Next, we extend the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method to 2TL[Formula: see text]-ROF version which not only covers the uncertainty of human cognition but also gives decision makers a larger space to represent their decisions. Utilizing this model the best RER for Vietnam is selected. The outcomes of the hybrid 2TL[Formula: see text]-ROF-DEMATEL-TOPSIS method reveal that among the energy resources, hydropower energy ranked highest, followed by biofuel energy.
Numerical Modeling of Interface Bond Behavior Between Hybrid Steel-PVA Fiber-Reinforced Engineered Cementitious Composite and Concrete
Authors: Qasim M. , Lee C. K. , Zhang Y. X.
Published: February 2023

This paper presents a numerical study on interfacial behavior between hybrid steel and polyvinyl-alcohol fiber-reinforced engineered cementitious composite (HSP-ECC) and concrete. Concrete damage plasticity (CDP) model was used to define the mechanical behavior of HSP-ECC and concrete materials. Interfacial behavior was simulated for as-cast and sandblasted surfaces by adopting traction-separation constitutive model. Key interface parameters were determined by calibration of finite element (FE) modeling results with experimental results. The FE modeling results illustrated the reliability and efficiency of the proposed numerical approach in the prediction of interface bond behaviors between HSP-ECC and concrete for different degrees of surface roughness.
Is the Implementation of Big Data Analytics in Sustainable Supply Chain Really a Challenge? The Context of the Indian Manufacturing Sector
Authors: Jain Prashant , Tambuskar Dhanraj P. , Narwane Vaibhav S.
Published: February 2023

Purpose : In this age, characterized by the incessant generation of a huge amount of data in social and economic life due to the widespread use of digital devices, it has been well established that big data (BD) technologies can bring about a dramatic change in managerial decision-making. This work addresses the challenges of implementation of big data analytics (BDA) in sustainable supply chain management (SSCM).

Design/methodology : The barriers to the implementation of BDA in SSCM are identified through an extensive literature survey as per PESTEL framework which covers political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal barriers. These barriers are then finalized through experts’ opinion and analyzed using DEMATEL and AHP methods for their relative importance and cause-and-effect relationships.

Findings : A total of 13 barriers are identified out of which the lack of policy support regarding IT, lack of data-driven decision-making culture, compliance with laws related to data security and privacy, inappropriate selection and adoption of BDA technologies, and cost of implementation of BDA are found to be the key barriers that have a causative effect on most of the other barriers.

Research limitations : This work is focused on the Indian manufacturing supply chain (MSC). It may be diversified to other sectors and geographical areas. The addition of missed-out barriers, if any, might enrich the findings. Also, the fuzzy or grey versions of MCDM methods may be used for further fine-tuning of the results.

Practical implications : The analysis presented in this work gives hierarchy of the barriers as per their strength and their cause-and-effect relationships. This information may be useful for decision makers to assess their organizational strengths and weaknesses in the context of the barriers and fix their priorities regarding investment in the BDA project.

Social implications : The research establishes that the successful implementation of BDA through minimizing the effect of critical causative barriers would enhance the environmental performance of the supply chain (SC) which in turn would benefit society.

Originality/value : This is one of the first studies of BDA in SSCM in the Indian manufacturing sector using PESTEL framework.
Blockchain Framework for Insurance Industry
Authors: Trivedi Sonal
Published: February 2023

The traditional financial industry has changed drastically with innovations in digital technology in the sector of finance. The new technology has not only altered the operations of financial services, but also changes the value chain of financial sector. Blockchain is one such technology which has proved to be a game changer in the financial industry. There are various studies on application of blockchain technology in the financial sector. This paper recommends a blockchain-based framework for the insurance industry. The need for this study is that there is an increasing requirement to improve the efficiency and customer experience, reduce the chances of fraud in insurance industry. Blockchain technology can prove to be a solution to the above-mentioned challenges. The methodology used to conduct this study is secondary data analysis and vast literature review. This study finds that there are various studies conducted in identifying the scope and application of blockchain in insurance industry but none of them suggests any framework to be implemented. This study suggests a framework to implement blockchain technology in insurance industry based on industry and academic literature.
Invariants associated to a variational problem
Authors: Álvarez Javier Pérez , Sánchez Julio Cambronero
Published: February 2023

New conservation laws associated to a variational problem are stated, to this aim the Poincaré–Cartan form assumed to be an essential element in the multisymplectic description of Classical Field Theories.
On the existence of parallel one forms
Authors: Kozma László , Elgendi Salah G.
Published: February 2023

In this paper, using the Finslerian settings, we study the existence of parallel one forms (or, equivalently parallel vector fields) on a Riemannian manifold. We show that a parallel one form on a Riemannian manifold [Formula: see text] is a holonomy invariant function on the tangent bundle [Formula: see text] with respect to the geodesic spray. We prove that if the metrizability freedom of the geodesic spray of [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text], then the [Formula: see text] does not admit a parallel one form. We investigate a sufficient condition on a Riemannian manifold to admit a parallel one form. As by-product, we relate the existence of a proper affine Killing vector field by the metrizability freedom. We establish sufficient conditions for the existence of a parallel one form on a Finsler manifold. By counter-examples, we show that if the metrizability freedom is greater than 1, then the manifold (Riemannian or Finslerian) does not necessarily admit a parallel one form. Various special cases and examples are studied and discussed.
Transit string dark energy models in f(Q) gravity
Authors: Maurya Dinesh Chandra , Dixit Archana , Pradhan Anirudh
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we have investigated an anisotropic cosmological model in [Formula: see text] gravity with string fluid in LRS Bianchi type-I universe. We have considered the arbitrary function [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is model free parameter and [Formula: see text] is the cosmological constant. We have established a relationship between matter energy density parameter [Formula: see text] and dark energy density parameter [Formula: see text] through Hubble function using constant equation of state parameter [Formula: see text]. We have made observational constraint on the model using [Formula: see text]-test with observed Hubble datasets [Formula: see text] and SNe Ia datasets, and obtained the best fit values of cosmological parameters. We have used these best fit values in the result and discussion. We have discussed our result with cosmographic coefficients and found a transit phase dark energy model. Also, we analyzed the Om diagnostic function for anisotropic universe and found that our model is quintessence dark energy model.
Conformal vector field and gradient Einstein solitons on η-Einstein cosymplectic manifolds
Authors: Chaubey Sudhakar Kumar , De Uday Chand , Suh Young Jin
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we characterize the [Formula: see text]-Einstein cosymplectic manifolds with the gradient Einstein solitons and the conformal vector fields. It is proven that if an [Formula: see text]-Einstein cosymplectic manifold [Formula: see text] of dimension [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] admits a gradient Einstein soliton, then either [Formula: see text] is Ricci flat or the gradient of Einstein potential function is pointwise collinear with the Reeb vector field of [Formula: see text]. Also, we prove that if [Formula: see text] admits a conformal vector field [Formula: see text], then either [Formula: see text] is Ricci flat or [Formula: see text] is homothetic. We also establish that a conformal vector field [Formula: see text] on [Formula: see text] is a strict infinitesimal contact transformation, provided the scalar curvature of [Formula: see text] is constant. Finally, the non-trivial examples of cosymplectic manifolds admitting the gradient Einstein solitons are given.
A Flexible Triboelectric Nanogenerator Integrated with CMCh-Fe/LiCl Hydrogel Electrode for Cheerleading Monitoring
Authors: Gai Liangzi , Wang Fatao , Zhou Fangzhu
Published: February 2023

Conductive hydrogel is a high-performance conductive electrode that can be used for flexible and stretchable sensors. Furthermore, the self-powered sensor devices integrated with conductive hydrogel conductive can play the role in dance posture monitoring. In this work, we proposed a carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCh)-Fe/LiCl hydrogel-based triboelectric nanogenerator (CL-TENG) to harvest human motion mechanical energy. Based on the experimental results, the average transmissivity of CMCh-Fe/LiCl hydrogel can arrive at 91.53%. Also the CMCh-Fe/LiCl hydrogel has a high rate of mechanical healing, especially at high temperatures. The CL-TENG can reach the maximum power density of 81.48[Formula: see text]mW/m2 when the external load is 200[Formula: see text]M[Formula: see text]. The open-circuit voltage ([Formula: see text]) and transferred charge ([Formula: see text]) of CL-TENG can arrive at 96[Formula: see text]V and 32.4[Formula: see text]nC, and the short-circuit current ([Formula: see text] of CL-TENG can reach 1.2[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]A. The CL-TENG can also serve as the self-powered dance motion sensor to monitor the action specifications of actors in cheerleading performance. This research will promote the development of dance pose sensors.
Natural Polyphenol Modified Cotton for Efficient Uranium Extraction from Seawater
Authors: Zhou Li , Lian Jie , Zhou Hao , Gong Xi , Liu Yuzhou , Tao Chen , Zhu Wenkun
Published: February 2023

Exploiting advanced regenerable adsorbents for efficient uranium adsorption from seawater is a promising route to address uranium resources shortages. Herein, inspired by the mechanism of plant homeostasis, natural polyphenols are combined with cotton matrix to construct a polyphenol-functionalized cotton (Cot-TA-APTES) for efficient uranium extraction. Compared with pristine cotton, the polyphenol-functionalized cotton displays a rapid adsorption kinetic, and the maximum extraction efficiency for U(VI) is up 96.07% at pH 5.0 and 30[Formula: see text]C. Additionally, Cot-TA-APTES shows a higher adsorption selection ability for U(VI) than other interfering ions. Based on FT-IR and XPS, the excellent extraction efficiency and favorable selectivity of Cot-TA-APTES for U(VI) are due to the combination of U(VI) and functional coating groups. This natural polyphenol/cotton-based absolutely bio-derived adsorbent provides a novel and potentially applicable strategy for constructing an adsorbent for nuclear environmental remediation and uranium extraction from seawater with cost-effective and biosafety.
Electrochemical Fabrication and Characterization of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) Thin Film Deposits on Gold Substrate for Hydrogen Production
Authors: Bouhjar Feriel , Derbali Lotfi , Zahi Nesrine , Alkabsh Asma
Published: February 2023

In this paper, room temperature one-step electrodeposition of chalcogenide CZTS followed by annealing at different temperatures was studied. The scanning electron microscopy images of the deposits confirmed the presence of agglomerated particles in the deposits. The deposits annealed at [Formula: see text]C did not show the presence of voids whereas deposits annealed at [Formula: see text]C showed severe sulfur loss and were off-stoichiometric. Annealing at [Formula: see text]C resulted in the deposits of compositions closer to the required ratio. Good absorbance over the entire visible range makes both the annealed deposits suitable absorber materials for thin-film photovoltaic cells. Current–voltage characteristics resulted in Ohmic trend and the slope of the plot increased with annealing temperature. The deposits showed good photosensitive behavior where resistance decreased upon shining the light source. The Mott–Schottky plot showed that the deposits were made of positively charged particles. CZTS thin film annealed at [Formula: see text]C provided higher H2 production rate (68.68 [Formula: see text]mol ⋅ [Formula: see text] ⋅ [Formula: see text], which was 32 times higher than that of CZTS annealed at [Formula: see text]C (2.08 [Formula: see text]mol ⋅ [Formula: see text] ⋅ [Formula: see text]. What’s more, photocatalytic activity of CZTS thin film remained 94% after 48 h which confirmed the good stability and reusability of CZTS thin film. CZTS thin film is a potential and durable candidate for photocatalysis.
SimE4KG: Distributed and Explainable Multi-Modal Semantic Similarity Estimation for Knowledge Graphs
Authors: Draschner Carsten Felix , Jabeen Hajira , Lehmann Jens
Published: February 2023

In recent years, exciting sources of data have been modeled as knowledge graphs (KGs). This modeling represents both structural relationships and the entity-specific multi-modal data in KGs. In various data analytics pipelines and machine learning (ML), the task of semantic similarity estimation plays a significant role. Assigning similarity values to entity pairs is needed in recommendation systems, clustering, classification, entity matching/disambiguation and many others. Efficient and scalable frameworks are needed to handle the quadratic complexity of all-pair semantic similarity on Big Data KGs. Moreover, heterogeneous KGs demand multi-modal semantic similarity estimation to cover the versatile contents like categorical relations between classes or their attribute literals like strings, timestamps or numeric data. In this paper, we propose the SimE4KG framework as a resource providing generic open-source modules that perform semantic similarity estimation in multi-modal KGs. To justify the computational costs of similarity estimation, the SimE4KG generates reproducible, reusable and explainable results. The pipeline results are a native semantic RDF KG, including the experiment results, hyper-parameter setup and explanation of the results, like the most influential features. For fast and scalable execution in memory, we implemented the distributed approach using Apache Spark. The entire development of this framework is integrated into the holistic distributed Semantic ANalytics StAck (SANSA).
A Scalable Recommendation System Approach for a Companies — Seniors Matching
Authors: Guyard Kévin Cédric , Deriaz Michel
Published: February 2023

Recommendation systems are becoming more and more present in our daily lives, whether it is for suggesting items to buy, movies to watch or music to listen. They can be used in a large number of contexts. In this paper, we propose the use of a recommendation system in the context of a recruitment platform. The use of the recommendation system allows to obtain precise profile recommendations based on the competences of a candidate to meet the stated requirements and to avoid companies to have to perform a very time-consuming manual sorting of the candidates. Thus, this paper presents the context in which we propose this recommendation system, the data preprocessing, the general approach based on a hybrid content-based filtering (CBF) and similarity index (SI) system, as well as the means implemented to reduce the computational cost of such a system with the increasing evolution of the platform.
Situational Factor Determinants of the Allocation of Decision Rights to Edge Computers
Authors: Chua Cecil Eng Huang , Niederman Fred
Published: February 2023

Internet of Things (IoT) designers frequently must determine whether action-oriented decisions should be made by edge computers or whether they should be made only by central servers combining input from all edge computers. An important example of this design problem occurs in fire protection IoT, where individual edge computers attached to sensors might be empowered to make decisions (have decision rights) about how to manage the fire. Alternatively, decision rights could be held exclusively by a central server isolated from the fire, because the designer is concerned damage to edge computers could cause them to act unreliably. This research models this allocation of decision rights to identify the relative influence of various decision factors. We first model the allocation of decision rights under the following assumptions: (1) The central server cannot make an error the edge computer cannot make; (2) the central server cannot update the edge computer with its information in a timely manner; and (3) the central server cannot reverse an action initiated by the edge computer to explore the factors impacting decision rights conferral. We then relax each of these three assumptions. We show how relaxing each assumption radically changes the factors impacting decision rights conferral. We also show that allowing the central server to update information on the edge computer or reverse the edge computer's decision making can result in overall lower system performance. We then perform a series of numerical experiments to understand how changing various parameters affect the problem. We show for the general real-world scenario, the key factor influencing the decision is the ability of the edge computer to detect false alarms. We also show magnitude of loss and ratio of real to false incidents have a linear and logarithmic relationship to the reliability of the edge computer.
How Do We Perceive Our Trainee Robots? Exploring the Impact of Robot Errors and Appearance When Performing Domestic Physical Tasks on Teachers’ Trust and Evaluations
Authors: Aliasghari Pourya , Ghafurian Moojan , Nehaniv Chrystopher L. , Dautenhahn Kerstin
Published: February 2023

To be successful, robots that can learn new tasks from humans should interact effectively with them while being trained, and humans should be able to trust the robots’ abilities after teaching. Typically, when human learners make mistakes, their teachers tolerate those errors, especially when students exhibit acceptable progress overall. But how do errors and appearance of a trainee robot affect human teachers’ trust while the robot is generally improving in performing a task? First, an online survey with 173 participants investigated perceived severity of robot errors in performing a cooking task. These findings were then used in an interactive online experiment with 138 participants, in which the participants were able to remotely teach their food preparation preferences to trainee robots with two different appearances. Compared with an untidy-looking robot, a tidy-looking robot was rated as more professional, without impacting participants’ trust. Furthermore, while larger errors at the end of iterative training had a greater impact, even a small error could significantly reduce trust in a trainee robot performing the domestic physical task of food preparation, regardless of the robot’s appearance. The present study extends human–robot interaction knowledge about teachers’ perception of trainee robots, particularly when teachers observe them accomplishing domestic physical tasks.
Core Challenges of Social Robot Navigation: A Survey
Authors: Mavrogiannis Christoforos , Baldini Francesca , Wang Allan , Zhao Dapeng , Trautman Pete , Steinfeld Aaron , Oh Jean
Published: February 2023

Robot navigation in crowded public spaces is a complex task that requires addressing a variety of engineering and human factors challenges. These challenges have motivated a great amount of research resulting in important developments for the fields of robotics and human-robot interaction over the past three decades. Despite the significant progress and the massive recent interest, we observe a number of significant remaining challenges that prohibit the seamless deployment of autonomous robots in crowded environments. In this survey article, we organize existing challenges into a set of categories related to broader open problems in robot planning, behavior design, and evaluation methodologies. Within these categories, we review past work and offer directions for future research. Our work builds upon and extends earlier survey efforts by (a) taking a critical perspective and diagnosing fundamental limitations of adopted practices in the field and (b) offering constructive feedback and ideas that could inspire research in the field over the coming decade.
Sex differences in cardiovascular disease and dysregulation in Down syndrome
Authors: Bates Melissa L. , Vasileva Anastasiia , Flores Laura D. M. , Pryakhina Yana , Buckman Michelle , Tomasson Michael H. , DeRuisseau Lara R.
Published: February 2023

In patients with Down syndrome (DS), CHD is the leading cause of death <20 yr old and cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in individuals >20 yr old. Men with DS live longer than women. It is unknown if sex differences are present in cardiovascular disease and dysregulation in DS across the lifespan. We observed higher risk of hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease in females and a higher risk of CHD in males with DS.
Research on Multistage Dynamic Trading Model Based on Gray Model and Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average Model
Authors: Xu Zishan , Lin Chuanggeng , Zhuang Zhe , Wang Lidong
Published: February 2023

Quantitative portfolio investment mainly depends on historical data analysis and market trend prediction to make appropriate decisions, which is an important mean to reduce risks and increase returns. Based on summarizing the existing traditional single forecasting models and multiobjective dynamic programming models, this paper puts forward a new quantitative portfolio model to improve the accuracy of asset price forecasting results and the appropriateness of investment trading strategies, to better realize the maximization of investment returns. This model analyzes and forecasts daily price data by establishing a combination forecasting model of the gray GM (1,1) model and the ARIMA time series model and establishes a multiobjective dynamic programming model with moving average convergence divergence (MACD) and Sharpe ratio indicators as risk constraints to formulate appropriate investment trading strategies. The results show that by solving the quantitative portfolio trading model established in this paper and analyzing the sensitivity and robustness of the model, the price of gold and Bitcoin, two volatile assets, can be accurately predicted, and the best investment portfolio trading strategy can be effectively worked out on the premise of considering the risk level.
Curcumin Ameliorates Age-Induced Tight Junction Impaired in Porcine Sertoli Cells by Inactivating the NLRP3 Inflammasome through the AMPK/SIRT3/SOD2/mtROS Signaling Pathway
Authors: Xiao Longfei , Fang Zihao , Wang Qian , Sheng Xihui , Qi Xiaolong , Xing Kai , Guo Yong , Ni Hemin , Wang Xiangguo , Zhang Yong
Published: February 2023

Blood-testis barrier (BTB) made of concomitant junction apparatus between Sertoli cells (SCs) is crucial for spermatogenesis. The tight junction (TJ) function is impaired in SCs with age, exhibiting an intimate relationship to testicular dysfunction induced by age. In this study, compared with those in young boars, TJ proteins (i.e., Occludin, ZO-1, and plus Claudin-11) were discovered to have reduced expressions in testes, and spermatogenesis ability declined in old boars. An in vitro age model for D-gal-treated porcine SCs was established, the performance of Curcumin as a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound in affecting the TJ function of SCs was appraised, and related molecular mechanisms were exploited. The results manifested that 40 g/L D-gal downregulated ZO-1, Claudin-11, and Occludin in terms of the expression in SCs, whereas Curcumin restored such expressions in D-gal-treated SCs. Using the AMPK and SIRT3 inhibiters demonstrated that activation of the AMPK/SIRT3 pathway was associated with Curcumin, which not only rescued the expression of ZO-1, Occludin, Claudin-11, and SOD2 but also inhibited the production of mtROS and ROS and the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and release of IL-1β in D-gal-treated SCs. Furthermore, with mtROS scavenger (mito-TEMPO), NLRP3 inhibitor (MCC950) plus IL-1Ra treatment ameliorated D-gal-caused TJ protein decline in SCs. In vivo data also showed that Curcumin alleviated TJ impairment in murine testes, improved D-gal-triggered spermatogenesis ability, and inactivated the NLRP3 inflammasome by virtue of the AMPK/SIRT3/mtROS/SOD2 signal transduction pathway. Given the above findings, a novel mechanism where Curcumin modulates BTB function to improve spermatogenesis ability in age-related male reproductive disorder is characterized.
Prognostic Value of the Systemic Immune Inflammation Index after Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair in Patients with Type B Aortic Dissection
Authors: Zhao Yufei , Jiang Junhao , Yuan Ye , Shu Xiaolong , Wang Enci , Fu Weiguo , Wang Lixin
Published: February 2023

The study aimed at investigating the association between postoperative inflammatory scores and aorta-related adverse events (AAEs) after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for patients with type B aortic dissection (TBAD). This single-centre, retrospective cohort included all patients who underwent TEVAR for TBAD between November 2016 and November 2020 at a university hospital. The risk factors for AAEs were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards model regression. Prediction accuracy was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves. This study included 186 patients with a mean age of 58.5 years and a median follow-up period of 26 months. A total of 68 patients developed AAEs. Age and postoperative systemic immune inflammation index (SII) (>2893) were associated with post-TEVAR AAEs (hazard ratio (HR) 1.03,

p
=
0.003

; HR 1.88,

p
=
0.043

, respectively). Increased postoperative SII and age are independent risk factors for AAE post-TEVAR in patients with TBAD.
Study on Characteristics of Acoustic Emission b Value of Coal Rock with Outburst-Proneness under Coupled Static and Dynamic Loads
Authors: Zhang Kun , Zhang Sen , Ren Jianxi , Wang Man , Jing Shuai , Zhang Weijun
Published: February 2023

In this paper, a rock dynamic and static triaxial mechanical test system is adopted to conduct triaxial compression failure acoustic emission test on coal rock with outburst-proneness. The purpose is to study the evolution law of the acoustic emission (AE) b value of coal rock under static and dynamic load of varying frequencies. The test results show that the dynamic load disturbance will accelerate the instability failure process of coal rock, that the average stress level/ultimate strain of coal rock decline/rises correspondingly with the increasing dynamic load frequency. Moreover, the overall AE b value after dynamic load disturbance is relatively low, and the higher the dynamic load frequency, the larger the decrease in the b value. In addition, as the dynamic load frequency increases, the AE ringing count and AE energy show a trend of first increasing and then decreasing, and they are negatively correlated with the evolution characteristics of the acoustic emission b value. Furthermore, the change rule of AE b value is closely related to the instability and failure process of coal rock. A second-stage of the overall b value of acoustic emission shows a “cliff jumping type” decrease dip angle or “fault cliff type” decrease dip angle indicates the imminent failure of coal rock, which can be used as an evaluation index for real-time monitoring of dynamic disasters of coal rock with outburst-proneness.
The Association between Genetic Variants and Gene Expression in RAAS Genes Using Captive-Bred Vervet Monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops)
Authors: Khoza Sanele , Ghai Meenu , Chauke Chesa G. , Magwebu Zandisiwe E.
Published: February 2023

Mendelian genetics contribute largely to the development of hypertension; therefore, the identification of genetic variants related to blood pressure (BP) regulation remains crucial and may reveal new therapeutic drug targets. The purpose of the present study was to screen the captive-bred Vervet colony for salt-sensitive sequence variants or single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the selected Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) genes associated with salt sensitivity. Blood samples were collected from 16 captive-bred Vervet monkeys for genotyping and gene expression analysis. The impact of the identified sequence variants was determined using online prediction tools. Sanger sequencing analysis revealed 21 sequence variants in AGT, CYP3A5, GRK4, and SCL4A5, of which 19 were novel and two were previously reported in humans. All novel variants were either predicted to be polymorphic, disease-causing, or possibly damaging by prediction tools. Furthermore, the mRNA expression for AGT was significantly higher in the normal BP group (

p

value = 0.02), and a similar trend was observed for CYP3A5 and GRK4, whereas SCL4A5 was higher in the hypertensive group. The identified salt-sensitive variants specifically in GRK4 may be suggestive to be the attributing factor of the elevated BP levels in these captive-bred Vervet monkeys. Therefore, RAAS variants could be considered as a biomarker to identify the potential risk of developing hypertension in both humans and nonhuman primates.
Monitoring COVID-19 and Influenza: The Added Value of a Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Surveillance System in Portugal
Authors: Torres Ana Rita , Gómez Verónica , Kislaya Irina , Rodrigues Ana Paula , Fernandes Tavares Margarida , Pereira Ana Catarina , Pereira Débora , Côrte-Real Rita , Flores Carlos Humberto , Verdasca Nuno , Guiomar Raquel , Machado Ausenda
Published: February 2023

Background. Severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) surveillance is recommended to assess the severity of respiratory infections disease. In 2021, the National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, in collaboration with two general hospitals, implemented a SARI sentinel surveillance system based on electronic health registries. We describe its application in the 2021/2022 season and compare the evolution of SARI cases with the COVID-19 and influenza activity in two regions of Portugal. Methods. The main outcome of interest was the weekly incidence of patients hospitalized due to SARI, reported within the surveillance system. SARI cases were defined as patients containing ICD-10 codes for influenza-like illness, cardiovascular diagnosis, respiratory diagnosis, and respiratory infection in their primary admission diagnosis. Independent variables included weekly COVID-19 and influenza incidence in the North and Lisbon and Tagus Valley regions. Pearson and cross-correlations between SARI cases, COVID-19 incidence and influenza incidence were estimated. Results. A high correlation between SARI cases or hospitalizations due to respiratory infection and COVID-19 incidence was obtained (ρ = 0.78 and ρ = 0.82, respectively). SARI cases detected the COVID-19 epidemic peak a week earlier. A weak correlation was observed between SARI and influenza cases (ρ = −0.20). However, if restricted to hospitalizations due to cardiovascular diagnosis, a moderate correlation was observed (ρ = 0.37). Moreover, hospitalizations due to cardiovascular diagnosis detected the increase of influenza epidemic activity a week earlier. Conclusion. In the 2021/2022 season, the Portuguese SARI sentinel surveillance system pilot was able to early detect the COVID-19 epidemic peak and the increase of influenza activity. Although cardiovascular manifestations associated with influenza infection are known, more seasons of surveillance are needed, to confirm the potential use of cardiovascular hospitalizations as an indicator of influenza activity.
Standardization of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques by Calibration and Quantification to the First WHO International Standard for SARS-CoV-2 RNA
Authors: Voermans Jolanda J. C. , Mulders Daphne G. J. C. , Beerkens Rob J. J. , Duijn Marlize van , Zwaan Liesbeth van der , Rahamat-Langendoen Janette , Eijk Annemiek van der , Koopmans Marion P. G. , Molenkamp Richard
Published: February 2023

Clinical decision-making regarding isolation of SARS-CoV-2 patients is usually based on semiquantitative cycle-threshold (Ct) values without standardization. However, not all molecular assays produce Ct values, and there is ongoing discussion about whether Ct values can be safely used for decision-making. In this study, we standardized two molecular assays which use different nucleic acid amplification techniques (NAAT): the Hologic Aptima SARS-CoV-2/Flu (TMA) and Roche Cobas 6800 SARS-CoV-2 assays. We calibrated these assays against the first WHO international standard for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by using linear regression of log10 dilution series. These calibration curves were used to calculate viral loads for clinical samples. Clinical performance was assessed retrospectively using samples collected between January 2020 and November 2021, including known positives of the wild-type SARS-CoV-2 virus, the VOCs (alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and omicron) and quality control panels. Linear regression and Bland–Altman analysis showed good correlations for SARS-CoV-2 between Panther TMA and Cobas 6800 when standardized viral loads were used. These standardized quantitative results can benefit clinical decision-making and standardization of infection control guidelines.
The Role of Pulmonary Function Testing and Lung Imaging in the Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia
Authors: Sanna Arianna , Pellegrino Daniela , Messina Emanuele , Siena Leonardo Maria , Baccolini Valentina , D’Antoni Letizia , Landini Nicholas , Baiocchi Pia , Villari Paolo , Catalano Carlo , Panebianco Valeria , Palange Paolo
Published: February 2023

Background: Post-COVID-19 Interstitial Lung Disease (PC-ILD) is characterized by fibrotic-like signs at high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) abnormalities after SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is still not clear how frequent these tests should be performed to rule out long-term consequences of COVID-19 pneumonia. Objectives: The aims of our study were to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of PC-ILD and possibly to propose a long-term follow-up program. Method: One-hundred patients, hospitalized in our ward for moderate to critical COVID-19, underwent two follow-up visits at three and 15 months in which PFTs and HRCT were performed. Results: At the 15-month follow-up, 8% of patients showed residual radiological and functional signs consistent with PC-ILD. All but one of these patients had already demonstrated PFTs and HRCT alterations at first follow-up visit, and the last 1 patient showed worsening of lung function during follow-up. These findings highlight the negative predictive value of PFTs at 3-month follow-up for the development of PC-ILD. Aging, severity of COVID-19, and degree of pulmonary involvement during acute infection proved to be significant risk factors for developing PC-ILD. Conclusions: Our study highlights the importance of PFTs in the long-term follow-up of patients affected by moderate to critical COVID-19 pneumonia. Further studies are needed to confirm our hypothesis that HRCT should be performed only in patients with PFTs abnormalities.
Primary Pleural Angiosarcoma Treated with Nivolumab and Ipilimumab: A Case Report
Authors: Nakamura Mikako , Watanabe Kaoru , Nishimura Taku , Yoshida Keishi , Fukumoto Kento , Hiyama Noriko , Masuda Yoshio , Morikawa Teppei , Matsumoto Jun , Usui Kazuhiro
Published: February 2023

Primary pleural angiosarcoma (PPA) is a rare and clinically fatal pleural tumor originating from vascular endothelial cells. Herein, we presented the case of a 73-year-old man who was referred to our emergency room with complaints of right chest and back pain for a few days. Chest computed tomography revealed massive pleural effusion and a large mass in the right chest cavity. Thoracoscopic examination demonstrated a large hemorrhagic tumor on the parietal pleura whose pathological analysis indicated PPA. The patient received immunotherapy combined with nivolumab and ipilimumab. A cycle of nivolumab and ipilimumab improved his hemorrhagic anemia and reduced the pleural effusion and tumor size. This treatment outcome suggests that nivolumab and ipilimumab comprise a vital treatment option for PPA.
Validation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of Croatian Self-Evaluation of Communication Experiences after Laryngectomy Questionnaire
Authors: Laksar Klarić Željka , Danic Hadzibegovic Ana , Včeva Andrijana , Karadža Lapić Ljerka , Babler Danijela , Kralik Kristina , Bonetti Ana , Benšić Anja
Published: February 2023

Introduction: The Self-Evaluation of Communication Experiences after Laryngectomy (SECEL) is a 35-item patient-reported questionnaire developed to address the communication needs of patients with laryngectomies. The aim was to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and validate the Croatian version. Methods: The SECEL was translated from English by two independent translators and back-translated by a native speaker, after which it was approved by an expert committee. The Croatian version of the Self-Evaluation of Communication Experiences after Laryngectomy questionnaire (SECEL:HR) was filled in by 50 laryngectomised patients who had completed their oncological treatment a year prior to inclusion in the study. Patients also filled in the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) on the same day. All patients completed the SECEL:HR twice, the second time being 2 weeks after the initial test. Maximum phonation time and diadochokinesis of articulation organs were used for objective assessment. Results: Among the Croatian patients, the questionnaire was well-accepted and demonstrated good test-retest reliability and internal consistency for two out of three subscales. The correlations between VHI, SF-36, and SECEL:HR were moderate to strong. There were no significant differences between patients who are using oesophageal speech, tracheoesophageal speech, or the electrolarynx based on the SECEL:HR. Conclusion: Preliminary findings of the research indicate that the Croatian version of the SECEL has sufficient psychometric qualities, high reliability, and good internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.89 for the total score. The Croatian version of SECEL can be recommended as a reliable and clinically valid measure for the assessment of substitution voices in Croatian-speaking patients.
Sobre o Estilo na História Intelectual
Authors: Santos Filho Gildo Magalhães dos , Pyenson Lewis
Published: February 2023

O estilo no passado denotava sensibilidades gerais que guiam o pensamento e a ação. Tentativas de mostrar como o estilo deriva das circunstâncias materiais da vida permanecem inconclusivas por causa da dificuldade em decidir quais partes da cultura do passado estão no centro dele. As vantagens e desvantagens dos modelos e esquemas oferecidos pelos principais teóricos das gerações passadas são usadas para apoiar a proposição de que a filosofia é um guia duvidoso para praticantes da história intelectual, que se saem melhor quando criam seus próprios métodos a partir do material que estudam.
Las colecciones de la división antropología del Museo de La Plata, Argentina
Authors: Del Papa Mariano Carlos
Published: February 2023

La División Antropología del Museo de Ciencias Naturales de La Plata, posee bajo su guarda institucional, una de las colecciones de restos humanos más amplia de Sudamérica. Su conformación, representó el ideario imperante en las clases dominantes durante las últimas décadas del siglo XIX y principios del siglo XX, y cuyo objetivo era posicionar a ésta entre las instituciones del mundo civilizado. Ninguna de estas acciones podría ser entendidas fuera del marco social y económico que imperó en la república argentina de esa época. La necesidad de ampliar los territorios llevó a la implementación de políticas expansionistas sobre territorios aún no explorados, habitados por poblaciones originarias. De este modo, los vínculos entre los colonizadores y las poblaciones originarias fueron transformándose hacia manifestaciones con mayor grado de violencia, encontrando en la Conquista del Desierto, la expresión más acabada de la coyuntura socio-política reinante. En este contexto, la ciencia cumplió un rol preponderante en varios sentidos, ya que no sólo dio legitimidad a las acciones militares, sino también se sirvió de las mismas con el objetivo de crear grandes colecciones naturalistas y antropológicas. Ciento veinte años después, los reclamos de las comunidades originarias, las acciones de un estado presente ante los mismo y la interpelación de la comunidad científica comenzaron a revertir esta situación mediante diferentes mecanismos cuyos objetivos es la instauración de políticas reparatorias para comunidades originarias.
Museos interdisciplinarios: Investigación arqueológica, conservación y comunicación en el santuario arqueológico de Pachacamac
Authors: Pozzi-Escot Denise , Abad Susana , Carrión Rosangela , Isa-Adaniya Angélica , Fuentes Sarita , Patazca Cynthia , Brignole Carmen Rosa Uceda
Published: February 2023

El santuario arqueológico de Pachacamac, ubicado en la ciudad de Lima, es uno de los sitios más representativos de la historia prehispánica y simboliza un momento fundacional de la identidad nacional peruana. El Museo Pachacamac expone una importante colección, producto de las investigaciones arqueológicas en el sitio, que permiten el conocimiento sobre el significado de Pachacamac. Estos bienes atendidos por especialistas son analizados y sujetos a conservación preventiva para su exposición. La metodología para el manejo de las colecciones en el museo considera varias líneas de acción desarrolladas en un contexto de sostenibilidad y uso de la tecnología para la utilización de las colecciones en beneficio de la comunidad. El museo cuenta con un Programa de Desarrollo Comunitario que incluye acciones educativas y de trabajo con la comunidad local, eje prioritario de la actual gestión, ya que permite que los valores del santuario sean socializados y apropiados por la comunidad, para contribuir a su protección. Las labores que desarrolla el museo: investigación arqueológica, conservación preventiva, adecuado manejo de las colecciones, trabajo con la comunidad local, han podido potenciarse con la colaboración interinstitucional de entidades académicas y de cooperación internacional, alianzas que el museo gestiona y constituyen importantes aportes para la generación de conocimiento y preservación de los bienes culturales. El Museo Pachacamac considera importante la difusión de sus acciones y a través de un plan de publicaciones y la utilización de la plataforma digital ha logrado llegar a diversos públicos. Estas metas son posibles de cumplir con el esfuerzo de un equipo multidisciplinario que considera el uso social del patrimonio, primordial para el futuro.