bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a Dual-Modality Gamma-ray/Fast Neutron Imaging System for Air Cargo Inspection
Authors: Park Jae Yeon , Mun Jungho , Lee Jae Hyun , Yeon Yeong-Heum , Chae Moonsik , Lee Minwoong , Lee Nam-Ho
Published: September 2022

High-energy radiation sources have provided a strong security inspection capability using a non-invasive imaging system. The use of multiple radiation sources in one imaging system can also lead to a more powerful system that can classify various materials compared to using a single radiation source. The Advanced Radiation Technology Institute of Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute has developed an air cargo inspection system using multiple radiation sources such as fast neutrons and gamma-rays to classify the plastics, metals, and organics among various sample materials. The fast neutron beam with an energy of 14.1 MeV, generated using the D-T neutron generator, and the gamma-ray beam with an energy of 6 MeV, generated by an electron linear accelerator, are projected onto the vertically aligned scintillator-based radiation detectors. The neutron and gamma-ray images of a cargo container moved by a motorized linear translation stage are acquired, and the image data processing shows good material classification results. In this paper, we describe a multi-radiation imaging system for air cargo inspection and investigate its material classification capability using various sample materials.
Utilising Neutrosophic Logic in the Design of a Smart Air-Conditioning System
Authors: Karunakaran Hemalatha , Bhumireddy Venkateswarlu
Published: September 2022

Air conditioners, which have become the most widely used cooling system, have already been employed in both household and commercial environments. Automation in air conditioning is a very complex and demanding task today. When a sensor in an automatic human detection air conditioner detects the motion and activity of people, it will automatically turn on and set the temperature accordingly. However, in situations in which there are no humans around or in which human presence is unstable for an extended period, energy and power are wasted. In this regard, a control system was created utilising a Neutrosophic logic controller to regulate the AC temperature to a specific level by reducing the compressor and fan speeds without considering other parameters. Since neutrosophic logic handles the truth, ambiguity, and untruth of people in a closed environment, a more intelligent air-conditioning system is created by the suggested approach. As a result, massive quantities of energy savings are achieved. To accomplish the desired outcome, a MATLAB simulation is applied.
In Situ Annealing Behavior of Cu Thin Films Deposited over Co-W Diffusion Barrier Layers
Authors: Oliveira Bruno M. C. , Santos Ruben F. , Vieira Manuel F.
Published: September 2022

The development of new materials for the electronics industry has been in focus in recent years, as circuit miniaturization poses challenges for conventional solutions. Dewetting of Cu films over diffusion-barrier layers has fostered an interest in developing new solutions with lower interfacial energies, to withstand processing and service life. Co-W is a candidate material for seedless Cu-interconnect deposition, but its behavior during annealing is still not properly addressed. This study used an in situ scanning-electron-microscopy (SEM) approach to assess how heating rates affect dewetting behavior, as well as to determine the limits of annealing of 40 nm-thick Cu films deposited over this substrate. The 10 °C/min heating rate used showed copper dewetting starting at 450 °C, whereas the higher 30 °C/min rate induced dewetting at 400 °C. The Cu film deposited over Ta exhibited slightly different dewetting, with its onset starting earlier, but developing a slower progression throughout the temperature range analyzed in the annealing treatments.
Parameter Optimisation in Selective Laser Melting on C300 Steel
Authors: Cuesta I. I. , Díaz A. , Rojo M. A. , Peral L. B. , Martínez J. , Alegre J. M.
Published: September 2022

Additive manufacturing (AM) of metallic materials is increasingly being adopted in numerous sectors, such as biomedicine, aerospace or automotive industries, due to its versatility in the creation of complex geometries and the minimisation of material waste when compared to traditional subtractive methods. In order to ensure a reliable operation of these parts, however, an in-depth study of the effect of additive manufacturing on mechanical properties, including tensile, fatigue and fracture resistance, is necessary. Among the vast number of methods and materials, this project is focused in one of the most promising techniques for the industry: Selective Laser Melting (SLM) for the production of a tools steel, in particular C300 steel components for the automotive sector. The main objective of this paper is to optimise some of the key parameters in the printing process, such as laser power, laser speed and hatch spacing. These variables are essential to obtain parts with good resistance. To that purpose, tensile tests were performed in 3D printed specimens, and then elastoplastic properties were extracted, organised and analysed through a design of experiments for the subsequent output fitting using the response surface methodology.
The Sources of the Psychology of Art and Its Place among the Disciplines That Study Art and Creativity
Authors: Andrijauskas Antanas
Published: September 2022

The goal of this article is to analyze, on the basis of today’s research strategies and the sources that deal with the psychology of Western art during the 20th century, the emerging field of the psychology of art and of its component, the psychology of the creative process, in different national traditions and in various fields of the humanities (aesthetics, the philosophy of art, experimental and general psychology, physiology, psychiatry, psychoanalysis, art history). Through comparative analysis, this article reveals how German-speaking countries, France, Great Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union changed their attitude toward the artist, his creative potential, creative work, the creative process, and other problems of the psychology of art. The author devotes special attention to highlighting the distinctive ideas, theoretical positions, and main categories of the psychology of art in the West and in the great civilizations of the East (India, China, Japan). All of this has acquired exceptional importance in today’s metacivilizational culture, in which, as never before, there is active interaction between the ideas of various Eastern and Western peoples about the psychology of art. Finally, on the basis of a comparative analysis of today’s main national traditions relating to the psychology of art, this article highlights its place, functions, and role in the disciplines that study art.
The Characteristics of Nonlinear Trends and the Complexity of Hydroclimatic Change in China from 1951 to 2014
Authors: Tang Wanru , Zhou Feifei , Mei Zepeng , Dong Zhipeng , Bai Maowei
Published: September 2022

Hydroclimatic change across China has received considerable attention due to its vital significance for regional ecosystem stability and economic development, yet the spatiotemporal dynamics of its nonlinear trends and complexity have not been fully understood. Herein, the spatiotemporal evolution of Dai’s self-calibrating Palmer drought severity index (scPDSI) trends in China during the period from 1951 to 2014 is diagnosed using the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) method. A persistent and noticeable drying has been identified in North and Northeastern China (NNEC) since the 1950s. Significant wetting in the north of the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and the south of the western parts of Northwestern China (WNWC) started sporadically at first and accelerated until around 1980. A slight wetting trend was found in Southwest China (SC) before 1990, followed by the occurrence of a dramatic drying trend over the following decades. In addition, we have found that the scPDSI variations in WNWC and the TP are more complex than those in NNEC and SC based on our application of Higuchi’s fractal dimension (HFD) analysis, which may be related to complex circulation patterns and diverse geomorphic features.
Polymorphisms in ARNTL/BMAL1 and CLOCK Are Not Associated with Multiple Sclerosis in Spanish Population
Authors: de Rojas Isabel , Martin-Montero César , Fedetz Maria , González-Jiménez Adela , Matesanz Fuencisla , Urcelay Elena , Espino-Paisán Laura
Published: September 2022

Disrupted circadian cycle has been reported in multiple sclerosis (MS). Previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) singled out over 230 variants associated with MS. A study performed in a Slavic population identified two new single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs6811520 (CLOCK) and rs3789327 (ARNTL/BMAL1), associated with MS risk. However, these regions that codify the capital regulators of circadian rhythm had not been linked to the disease before, so replication in independent populations is warranted to ascertain possible geographical differences. Our aim was to replicate the associations reported in the ARNTL/BMAL1 and CLOCK genes in a Spanish cohort with a maximum of 974 MS patients and 626 controls. In this study, 956 MS patients and 612 controls were successfully genotyped for rs6811520 and 943 MS patients and 598 controls for rs3789327.Clinical variables (age at disease onset, EDSS, or relapses) were collected in a maximum of 549 patients. No statistically significant differences were found between cases and controls for the analyzed SNPs, even after stratifications by sex, clinical form, or HLA-DRB1*15:01 status. No influence of the SNPs was found on age at disease onset, EDSS, or annual relapse rate at 5 years after onset. In conclusion, our study does not replicate the associations observed in the previously investigated Slavic population.
Cellular Senescence and Periodontitis: Mechanisms and Therapeutics
Authors: Chen Sijia , Zhou Dian , Liu Ousheng , Chen Huan , Wang Yuehong , Zhou Yueying
Published: September 2022

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease which increases in prevalence and severity in the older population. Aging is a leading risk factor for periodontitis, which exacerbates alveolar bone loss and results in tooth loss in the elderly. However, the mechanism by which aging affects periodontitis is not well understood. There is considerable evidence to suggest that targeting cellular senescence could slow down the fundamental aging process, and thus alleviate a series of age-related pathological conditions, likely including alveolar bone loss. Recently, it has been discovered that the senescent cells accumulate in the alveolar bone and promote a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Senescent cells interacting with bacteria, together with secreted SASP components altering the local microenvironment and inducing paracrine effects in neighboring cells, exacerbate the chronic inflammation in periodontal tissue and lead to more alveolar bone loss. This review will probe into mechanisms underlying excessive alveolar bone loss in periodontitis with aging and discuss potential therapeutics for the treatment of alveolar bone loss targeting cellular senescence and the SASP. Inspecting the relationship between cellular senescence and periodontitis will lead to new avenues of research in this field and contribute to developing potential translatable clinical interventions to mitigate or even reverse the harmful effects of aging on oral health.
The Multicellular Effects of VDAC1 N-Terminal-Derived Peptide
Authors: Anand Uttpal , Shteinfer-Kuzmine Anna , Sela Gal , Santhanam Manikandan , Gottschalk Benjamin , Boujemaa-Paterski Rajaa , Medalia Ohad , Graier Wolfgang F. , Shoshan-Barmatz Varda
Published: September 2022

The mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channel-1 (VDAC1) protein functions in a variety of mitochondria-linked physiological and pathological processes, including metabolism and cell signaling, as well as in mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. VDAC1 interacts with about 150 proteins to regulate the integration of mitochondrial functions with other cellular activities. Recently, we developed VDAC1-based peptides that have multiple effects on cancer cells and tumors including apoptosis induction. Here, we designed several cell-penetrating VDAC1 N-terminal-derived peptides with the goal of identifying the shortest peptide with improved cellular stability and activity. We identified the D-Δ(1-18)N-Ter-Antp comprising the VDAC1 N-terminal region (19–26 amino acids) fused to the Antp, a cell-penetrating peptide. We demonstrated that this peptide induced apoptosis, autophagy, senescence, cell volume enlargement, and the refusion of divided daughter cells into a single cell, it was responsible for reorganization of actin and tubulin filaments, and increased cell adhesion. In addition, the peptide induced alterations in the expression of proteins associated with cell metabolism, signaling, and division, such as enhancing the expression of nuclear factor kappa B and decreasing the expression of the nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor, alpha. These cellular effects may result from the peptide interfering with VDAC1 interaction with its interacting proteins, thereby blocking multiple mitochondrial/VDAC1 pathways associated with cell functions. The results of this study further support the role of VDAC1 as a mitochondrial gatekeeper protein in controlling a variety of cell functions via interaction with associated proteins.
Characterization of Novel Pectinolytic Enzymes Derived from the Efficient Lignocellulose Degradation Microbiota
Authors: Miao Qin , Zhang Xiaoling , Wang Yitong , Li Xiaoqi , Wang Zheng , Tian Lingmin , Qu Lingbo , Wei Yongjun
Published: September 2022

Diverse pectinolytic enzymes are widely applied in the food, papermaking, and other industries, and they account for more than 25% of the global industrial enzyme demands. Efficient lignocellulose degradation microbiota are reservoirs of pectinolytic enzymes and other lignocellulose-degrading genes. Metagenomics has been widely used to discover new pectinolytic enzymes. Here, we used a metagenomic strategy to characterize pectinolytic genes from one efficient lignocellulose-degrading microbiota derived from pulp and paper wastewater treatment microbiota. A total of 23 predicted full-length GH28 and PL1 family pectinolytic genes were selectively cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, and 5 of the expressed proteins had pectinolytic activities. Among them, the characterization of one pectinolytic enzyme, PW-pGH28-3, which has a 58.4% identity with an exo-polygalacturonase gene of Aquipluma nitroreducens, was further investigated. The optimal pH and optimal temperature of PW-pGH28-3 were 8.0 and 40 °C, respectively, and its pectinolytic activity at the optimal condition was 13.5 ± 1.1 U/mg protein. Bioinformatics analyses and structural modeling suggest that PW-pGH28-3 is a novel secretory exo-polygalacturonase, which is confirmed by its hydrolysates of polygalacturonic acid. The detection of PW-pGH28-3 and other pectinolytic genes showed that efficient lignocellulose degradation microbiota could provide potential efficient pectinolytic enzymes for industrial application. In the future, improving metagenomic screening efficiency would discover efficient lignocellulose-degrading enzymes and lead to the sustainable and green utilization of lignocellulose.
Production of Bio-Ethanol from the Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste and Refuse-Derived Fuel
Authors: Verhe Roland , Varghese Saju , Thevelein Johan M. , Nikroo Jasmijn Hazegh , Lambrecht Margaux , Redant Emile , De Clercq Gilles
Published: September 2022

The organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) and refuse-derived fuel (RDF) mainly consisting of paper/cardboard can be used as feedstock for the production of cellulosic ethanol. In this paper, an efficient technology is described to convert waste paper/cardboard into cellulosic ethanol. The process involves separation of the OF from the other components in the waste stream. An acid pretreatment is used to liberate the cellulosic fibers and the accessibility of the enzyme Cellic CTEC3 loading 3.75–11.25 FPU/g paper in a fed-batch addition up to 22.5% solid yield, 15 g sugars/l with a saccharification yield up to 90%. A semi-simultaneous fermentation process (SSFP) with a saccharomyces cerevisae strain MDS130 capable of fermenting both pentoses and hexoses are growing an ethanol titer (%v/v) of 8.4% on pilon-plant scale.
Multispecialty Approach to a Very Large Congenital Head and Neck Cystic Lymphatic Malformation in an Infant Born by SARS-CoV-2 Positive Mother—A Case Report
Authors: Sibrecht Greta , Wróblewska-Seniuk Katarzyna , Kornacki Jakub , Boroń Daniel , Szydłowski Jarosław , Kłosowska Anna , Bień Ewa , Wender-Ożegowska Ewa , Szczapa Tomasz
Published: September 2022

Masses of the head and neck are often diagnosed prenatally and require special care due to the risk of airway obstruction. The EXIT procedure is a preferable mode of delivery. A congenital cystic lymphatic malformation is one of the most common lesions of the cervical region described in neonates. The treatment consists of different strategies and involves the cooperation of multiple specialists. Up to now, no guidelines or protocols are available. We report a case of a congenital cystic lymphatic malformation of the head and neck delivered during the EXIT procedure by a mother who was SARS-CoV-2 positive. We analyzed clinical characteristics, radiologic features, and treatment with injections of sclerotic agents and orally administrated sirolimus. Sirolimus seems a valuable and safe therapeutic option for treating lymphatic malformations, especially with adjunct therapies.
EEG Markers of Treatment Resistance in Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy: From Standard EEG Findings to Advanced Signal Analysis
Authors: Cerulli Irelli Emanuele , Leodori Giorgio , Morano Alessandra , Di Bonaventura Carlo
Published: September 2022

Idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) represents a common form of epilepsy in both adult and pediatric epilepsy units. Although IGE has been long considered a relatively benign epilepsy syndrome, a remarkable proportion of patients could be refractory to treatment. While some clinical prognostic factors have been largely validated among IGE patients, the impact of routine electroencephalography (EEG) findings in predicting drug resistance is still controversial and a growing number of authors highlighted the potential importance of capturing the sleep state in this setting. In addition, the development of advanced computational techniques to analyze EEG data has opened new opportunities in the identification of reliable and reproducible biomarkers of drug resistance in IGE patients. In this manuscript, we summarize the EEG findings associated with treatment resistance in IGE by reviewing the results of studies considering standard EEGs, 24-h EEG recordings, and resting-state protocols. We discuss the role of 24-h EEG recordings in assessing seizure recurrence in light of the potential prognostic relevance of generalized fast discharges occurring during sleep. In addition, we highlight new and promising biomarkers as identified by advanced EEG analysis, including hypothesis-driven functional connectivity measures of background activity and data-driven quantitative findings revealed by machine learning approaches. Finally, we thoroughly discuss the methodological limitations observed in existing studies and briefly outline future directions to identify reliable and replicable EEG biomarkers in IGE patients.
Human Lactoferrin Synergizes with Etoposide to Inhibit Lung Adenocarcinoma Cell Growth While Attenuating Etoposide-Mediated Cytotoxicity of Human Endothelial Cells
Authors: Olszewska Paulina , Pazdrak Barbara , Kruzel Marian L.
Published: September 2022

Lung cancer continues to be the deadliest cancer worldwide. A new strategy of combining chemotherapeutics with naturally occurring anticancer compounds, such as lactoferrin, might improve the efficacy and toxicity of current chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of recombinant human lactoferrin (rhLf) in combination with etoposide on anticancer activity in human lung adenocarcinoma cells. In addition, we examined the impact of rhLf on etoposide-induced cytotoxicity of human endothelial cells. We found that treatment of A549 cells with a combination of etoposide and rhLf resulted in significantly greater inhibition of cancer cell growth as compared to etoposide alone. The combination repressed cancer cell growth by cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and induction of apoptosis. In contrast to cancer cells, rhLf did not affect endothelial cell viability. Importantly, rhLf significantly diminished the etoposide-induced cytotoxicity of endothelial cells. Analysis of the type of drug interaction based on combination index value showed that rhLf synergized with etoposide to induce anticancer activity. The calculated dose reduction index indicated that the combination treatment reduced a 10-fold of etoposide dose to achieve the same anticancer effect. Our data demonstrate that rhLf enhanced the anticancer activity of etoposide and diminished etoposide-induced cytotoxic effect in endothelial cells.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Cross-Sectional Mechanical Behavior of a Steel–Concrete Immersed Tube Tunnel
Authors: Zhu Yao-Yu , Song Shen-You , Liu Wei , Guo Ya-Wei , Zhu Li , Li Jia-Xin
Published: September 2022

This paper presents a proposed static test and numerical study on the mechanical properties of steel-shell–concrete-structure-immersed tunnel nodes, which is used to investigate the seismic performance and damage mechanism of steel-shell–concrete-structure-immersed tunnel nodes. The test is based on the immersed tube tunnel project in the deep China channel, and the nodes representing the outermost and innermost vertical walls of the immersed tube tunnel, i.e., L-shaped and T-shaped node specimens, were designed and fabricated at a scale of 1:5, and the specimens were mainly subjected to the combined effect of vertical axial compression and lateral displacement loads. The test results show that the L-shaped node will exhibit brittle damage characteristics with high lateral load carrying capacity and energy dissipation capacity during the ultimate load phase, while the T-shaped node exhibits bending damage with better ductility, so the outermost vertical wall should be locally reinforced to ensure the necessary ductility of the structure in the actual project. In addition, by comparing the numerical calculation and experimental results, it is found that there is good agreement in terms of load–displacement curves and crack distribution, which shows that the modeling method proposed in this paper can accurately simulate the mechanical properties of immersed tunnel nodes and can guide the section design of immersed tunnels with steel shell–concrete structures.
Facade Photometry: Linking Annual Daylight Performance to Facade Design
Authors: Sawyer Azadeh Omidfar , Navvab Mojtaba , Weissman Dan , Ji Guanzhou
Published: September 2022

This concept paper illustrates a new simulation method to assess how building facades distribute light into interior spaces and how data from simulation studies can inform design for better facade performance. Facade photometry, a term developed by the authors, uses annual simulations and localized weather data to create temporally based illuminance and luminance distributions. This photometric chart is a unique signature of a particular facade design measured at a specific point in a specific climate. By linking data from the daylight simulation to the facade, the areas of the facade that need to be adjusted for improved performance are highlighted. Facade photometry is intended to allow designers to easily compare the performance of complex building geometry and daylight control systems, thus becoming an efficient tool to further aid designers in creating highly energy-efficient, high-performance, and comfortable building facades.
Experimental and Numerical Study of an Innovative Infill Web-Strips Steel Plate Shear Wall with Rigid Beam-to-Column Connections
Authors: Abdul Ghafar Wahab , Tao Zhong , Tao Yan , He Yingcheng , Wu Lei , Zhang Zhiqi
Published: September 2022

Steel plate shear walls (SPSWs) offer good energy dissipation capability when subjected to seismic forces as a robust lateral load resisting structure. This research investigated the cyclic behaviors of innovative infill web-strips (IWS-SPSW) and conventional unstiffened steel plate shear (USPSW) experimentally and numerically. As a result, two specimens of a 1:3 scale three-story single-bay IWS-SPSW and USPSW were fabricated and tested under cyclic lateral loading. Rigid moment-resistant connections were used for the steel plate shear wall beam-column connection. The steel shear walls with infill web strips showed high ductility and less shear load-bearing than the USPSW. The hysteresis results showed that the IWS-SPSW had high energy dissipation with no severe beam-columns damages. On the other hand, the USPSW displayed severe post-buckling, infill panel cracks, and first-floor column damages. Moreover, the IWS-SPSW shear strength did not fall in the test specimen beyond 2.5% average story drift, where the structure exhibited great seismic behavior. FE models were created and validated with experimental data. It has been proven that the infill web-strips can affect an SPSW system’s high performance and overall energy dissipation. From a parametric study, the material features of the infill web-strips, such as steel strength and thickness, can enhance the system’s impact even more.
Post-Translational Modifications of cGAS-STING: A Critical Switch for Immune Regulation
Authors: Yu Yang , Liu Jingyang , Liu Cun , Liu Ruijuan , Liu Lijuan , Yu Zhenhai , Zhuang Jing , Sun Changgang
Published: September 2022

Innate immune mechanisms initiate immune responses via pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs). Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), a member of the PRRs, senses diverse pathogenic or endogenous DNA and activates innate immune signaling pathways, including the expression of stimulator of interferon genes (STING), type I interferon, and other inflammatory cytokines, which, in turn, instructs the adaptive immune response development. This groundbreaking discovery has rapidly advanced research on host defense, cancer biology, and autoimmune disorders. Since cGAS/STING has enormous potential in eliciting an innate immune response, understanding its functional regulation is critical. As the most widespread and efficient regulatory mode of the cGAS-STING pathway, post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as the covalent linkage of functional groups to amino acid chains, are generally considered a regulatory mechanism for protein destruction or renewal. In this review, we discuss cGAS-STING signaling transduction and its mechanism in related diseases and focus on the current different regulatory modalities of PTMs in the control of the cGAS-STING-triggered innate immune and inflammatory responses.
An Electrochemical Sensor Based on Reduced Graphene Oxide and Copper Nanoparticles for Monitoring Estriol Levels in Water Samples after Bioremediation
Authors: Barreto Francisco Contini , Silva Martin Kassio Leme , Cesarino Ivana
Published: September 2022

Water contamination from endocrine disruptors has become a major problem for health issues. Estriol is a hormone often detected in several aquatic matrices, due to the inefficient removal of such compounds through conventional water treatment methods. Therefore, there is a continuous need to develop new, efficient, and low-cost treatment methods for this hormone removal, as well as analytical devices able to detect estriol at low concentrations. In this present study, we report the use of the Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) as a phytoremediation agent for estriol removal from aqueous matrices, in addition to a newly developed electrochemical sensor based on reduced graphene oxide and copper nanoparticles as a quantification and monitoring tool of the hormone. The developed sensor presented a linear detection region from 0.5 to 3.0 μmol L−1, with detection and quantification limits of 0.17 μmol L−1 and 0.56 μmol L−1, respectively. Phytoremediation experiments were conducted in 2 L beakers and the reducing levels of the hormone were studied. Water hyacinth was able to reduce contaminant levels by approximately 80.5% in 7 days and below detection limits in less than 9 days, which is a good alternative for water decontamination with this endocrine disruptor. Due to the hydrophobicity of estriol, the probable mechanism involved in the bioremediation process is rhizodegradation, and the decrease in pH in the beakers that contained the plants indicated a possible formation of biofilms on the roots.
Clinical Findings in Children with Noonan Syndrome—A 17-Year Retrospective Study in an Oral Surgery Center
Authors: Janas-Naze Anna , Malkiewicz Konrad , Zhang Wei
Published: September 2022

To date, only a limited number of publications have studied the specific oral and maxillofacial findings in patients diagnosed with Noonan syndrome (NS), which is an example of a genetically heterogeneous RASopathy. In this retrospective study, we aimed to ascertain the genotype–phenotype correlations between genetic mutations and certain diagnoses in the field of oral surgery. We collected surgical and genetic data from 42 children (median age, 12 years) who had a confirmed diagnosis of NS and underwent surgery in the Department of Oral Surgery, Medical University of Lodz, over a 17-year period, from 2004 to 2021. In total, 17 patients with mutations of the PTPN11 gene were diagnosed with over-retained deciduous teeth and supernumerary teeth. An amount of 7 patients with mutations of the SOS1 gene were diagnosed with mandibular compound odontomas. Finally, 12 patients with mutations of the LZTR1 gene were diagnosed with bilateral or unilateral central giant cell granulomas in the mandible. Although craniofacial features of many genetic disorders have been previously described in the literature, this study determined the genotype–phenotype correlations in the field of oral surgery.
Non-Communicable Diseases and Rare Diseases: A Current and Future Public Health Challenge within Pediatrics
Authors: Calcaterra Valeria , Zuccotti Gianvincenzo
Published: September 2022

The global burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and rare diseases constitutes a current and future public health challenge within pediatrics [...]
Scrutinizing Competitiveness of Construction Companies Based on an Integrated Multi-Criteria Decision Making Model
Authors: Badawy Ahmed , Al-Sakkaf Abobakr , Alfalah Ghasan , Mohammed Abdelkader Eslam , Zayed Tarek
Published: September 2022

The construction sector continues to experience significant challenges brought by new techniques and technologies. Hence, there is a dire need for construction companies to address critical issues concerning changing environmental conditions, construction innovations, market globalization and many other aspects, thereby enhancing their competitive edge. Thus, the primary goal for this research is to develop a multi-criteria decision making model that would consider and evaluate all essential factors in determining the competitiveness index of construction companies. In the developed model, three new pillars (3P) for competitiveness are introduced: (1) non-financial internal pillar; (2) non-financial external pillar; and (3) financial pillar. The 3P includes 6 categories and 26 factors that are defined and incorporated in the developed assessment model for the purpose of measuring the companies’ competitiveness. The weights for the identified factors are computed using fuzzy analytical network process (FANP) to diminish the uncertainty inherited within the judgment of the respondents. The weight of factors and their affiliated performance scores are used as an input for the preference ranking organization method for enrichment evaluation (PROMETHEE II) technique. In this regard, PROMETHEE II is undertaken as a ranking technique to prioritize any given construction company by determining its respective competitiveness index. The developed model is validated through five cases studies that reveal its potential of illustrating detailed analysis with respect to the competitive ability of construction companies. A sensitivity analysis is carried out to determine the most influential factors that affect the competitiveness of construction companies. It is anticipated that the developed evaluation model can be used in the decision-making process by all parties involved in construction projects. For instance, contractors can leverage the evaluation model in taking better decisions pertinent to the markup values. In addition, it can benefit employers in the evaluation process of contractors.
RETRACTED: Mechanical Properties Study on Sandwich Composites of Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastics (GFRP) Using Liquid Thermoplastic Resin, Elium®: Preliminary Experiments
Authors: Alshahrani Hassan , Ahmed Azzam , Kabrein Hashim , Prakash V.
Published: September 2022

Composite sandwich structures have been used in high performance applications such as wind turbine blades, due to their unique lightweight structure and superior mechanical properties. In the current study, a new liquid thermoplastic and thermoset resin were used to fabricate four different composite sandwich panels with two various foam types and densities. Composites made with epoxy resin are presented to comprehensively compare the mechanical properties of sandwich structures to elium resin. In the case of the mechanical properties and due to a new liquid thermoplastic resin, extensive comparisons of three-point bending, climbing drum peel, and flatwise tensile strength were investigated and compared with each other. The flexural and flatwise strength of sandwich composite increased by 53% and 75%, respectively, when using Elium resin. Then, the highest value was shown in the GF/PVC/ELIUM structure. The results revealed that Elium resin could be excellent in the case of mechanical properties to replace traditional resins to fabricate various composite structures and manage the challenge of recyclable composites. Elium resin can replace thermoset-based resins for the manufacturing of laminates and composites that are fully recyclable at room temperature with comparable mechanical properties.
Why Natural-Based Bioactive Coatings?
Authors: Santamaria-Echart Arantzazu , Barreiro Filomena
Published: September 2022

The design of bioactive coatings through combining green strategies and natural formulations prevails over conventional synthetic systems [...]
Structural Modification of Jackfruit Leaf Protein Concentrate by Enzymatic Hydrolysis and Their Effect on the Emulsifier Properties
Authors: Calderón-Chiu Carolina , Calderón-Santoyo Montserrat , Barros-Castillo Julio César , Díaz José Alfredo , Ragazzo-Sánchez Juan Arturo
Published: September 2022

Jackfruit leaf protein concentrate (LPC) was hydrolyzed by pepsin (H–Pep) and pancreatin (H–Pan) at different hydrolysis times (30–240 min). The effect of the enzyme type and hydrolysis time of the LPC on the amino acid composition, structure, and thermal properties and its relationship with the formation of O/W emulsions were investigated. The highest release of amino acids (AA) occurred at 240 min for both enzymes. H–Pan showed the greatest content of essential and hydrophobic amino acids. Low β-sheet fractions and high β-turn contents had a greater influence on the emulsifier properties. In H–Pep, the β-sheet fraction increased, while in H–Pan it decreased as a function of hydrolysis time. The temperatures of glass transition and decomposition were highest in H–Pep due to the high content of β-sheets. The stabilized emulsions with H–Pan (180 min of hydrolysis) showed homogeneous distributions and smaller particle sizes. The changes in the secondary structure and AA composition of the protein hydrolysates by the effect of enzyme type and hydrolysis time influenced the emulsifying properties. However, further research is needed to explore the use of H–Pan as an alternative to conventional emulsifiers or ingredients in functional foods.
Insurance Premium Determination Model and Innovation for Economic Recovery Due to Natural Disasters in Indonesia
Authors: Kalfin  , Sukono  , Supian Sudradjat , Mamat Mustafa
Published: September 2022

Climate change that occurs causes the risk of natural disasters to continue to increase throughout the world. Economic losses are unavoidable, leading to the need for continuous innovation in post-disaster economic recovery efforts. Insurance is one of the offers in providing funding for the economic recovery that occurs. This study aimed to develop innovations and models for determining natural disaster insurance premiums with a subsidy and tax system. In addition, the developed model considers the disaster risk index in the form of the level of risk distribution, the frequency of events, and economic losses. In this study, the data used were the frequency of events and economic losses obtained from the Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency. The data used were 20 database periods from 2000 to 2019. This study used the collective risk method from the index of natural disaster risk parameters. From the results of the analysis, it was found that the level of distribution of disaster risk affected the determination of insurance premiums. The amount of insurance premiums is increasing along with the increase in the magnitude of the spread of disaster risk. In addition, if taxes and subsidies are reduced, then for high-risk areas, there will be a decrease in the burden of insurance premiums, and for low-risk areas, there will be an increase in the premium burden that must be paid. On the basis of the results of the analysis on the insurance model, it was found that the insurance premiums in each province varied. The results of this study are expected to be a reference for the government and private companies in implementing disaster insurance in Indonesia. In addition, the results of this study can be a means of developing innovations for disaster risk management that occurs.
High Thermal Stability and Color Purity of Y2SrAl4SiO12: Eu3+ Garnet-Variant-Structured Phosphor for Warm White Light LED-Lamp
Authors: Chen Xinhua , Xu Qingliang , Hussain Fayaz , Yang Chen , Sheng Weiqin , Luo Xinjiang , Liu Bing , Sun Shikuan , Wang Dawei , Song Kaixin
Published: September 2022

Red LEDs with a high color purity and high color rendering index are often used to compensate for the lack of red-light components in current white LEDs. Therefore, the new type of garnet-structured high color purity red phosphor Y2−xSrAl4SiO12: xEu3+ was synthesized by the solid-state method. The band gap structure of the host matrix was studied through the DFT calculation and found that the matrix belongs to a direct band gap structure with a band gap size of 4.535 ev. The phosphor exhibits a wide excitation spectrum under the monitoring of 710 nm. The strongest excitation wavelength is 393 nm, and it exhibits bright red light under the excitation of 393 nm, and the emission peak positions are located at 570 nm, 597 nm, 613 nm, 650 nm, 710 nm and 748 nm, respectively, which are attributed to the 5D0→7Fj of Eu3+ (j = 0–5) electronic transitions. In the crystal structure of Y2SrAl4SiO12, Eu3+ occupies a symmetry site. The compositional changes and thermal studies found favorable at 20% mol. At this concentration, the luminescence intensity gradually weakened due to the Eu3+ electric multi-level interaction. It is worth noting that the emission intensity of Y2SrAl4SiO12: 20%Eu3+ at 433 K can be maintained to 92% of that at 293 K. Finally, we combined it with the NUV chip and packaged it into a red LED with a color purity of up to 90% and a correlated color temperature of 1492 K. The high purity, low color temperature and thermal stability indicate that it has a place in LED applications.
Association of Acne Tarda with Endocrinological Disorders
Authors: Makrantonaki Evgenia , Zouboulis Christos C.
Published: September 2022

Acne tarda is defined as acne that develops (late-onset acne) or continues (persistent acne) after 25 years of age. The disease is more common in women. The etiology of acne tarda is still controversial, and a variety of factors such as endocrinological disorders including hyperandrogenism and hyperandrogenemia, stress, modern western diet, ultraviolet irradiation, drugs and cosmetics have been implicated. In particular, women with acne tarda and other symptoms of hyperandrogenism such as hirsutism and androgenetic alopecia have a high probability of endocrine abnormalities such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, primary ovarian insufficiency, Cushing’s syndrome and late-onset adrenogenital syndrome. Virilization is a relatively uncommon feature of hyperandrogenemia and its presence often suggests an androgen-producing tumor. Treatment is similar to that of acne in adolescence; however, long-term treatment over years or decades may be required. A thorough history, a focused clinical examination and an interdisciplinary approach together with gynecologists and endocrinologists are extremely helpful in diagnostic evaluation and therapy of patients with acne tarda.
Reliability of Ulnar Nerve Sensation Tests in Patients with Cubital Tunnel Syndrome and Healthy Subjects
Authors: Wolny Tomasz , Fernández-de-las Peñas César , Granek Arkadiusz , Linek Paweł
Published: September 2022

Static two-point discrimination (2PD) and Semmes–Weinstein monofilament (SWM) tests are commonly used to evaluate sensory disorders in the hand. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of 2PD and SWM tests in the ulnar nerve innervation area in patients with cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) and healthy individuals. This was a two-group repeated-measures inter-rater and intra-rater reliability study. Twenty-one patients with CuTS and 30 healthy adults participated. The static 2PD test was performed using a standardized Dellon discriminator, whereas the SWM test was conducted using TOUCH TEST monofilaments. Two examiners performed both tests at the hypothenar eminence and the fourth and fifth digits (ulnar nerve innervation hand territory). First, examiner A conducted three series of 2PD and SWM tests twice with a 15-min rest period (within-day intra-rater reliability). Next, examiner B repeated the same examination 5 min after (inter-rater reliability). Examiner A conducted the same examination 7 days after (between-day intra-rater reliability). For single measurements, the inter-rater reliability and within-day intra-rater reliability in the 2PD was at least 0.81 in patients with CuTS or healthy subjects. The between-days intra-rater reliability for a single measurement varied from 0.56 to 0.95 in CuTS patients and healthy subjects. The between-days intra-rater reliability for mean value from three measurements was above 0.80. The kappa for SWM was above 0.8 and the percentage of agreement was at least 90% for all sessions and trials. In conclusion, the 2PD and SWM tests are reliable for assessing sensation in the ulnar nerve innervation area of the hand in patients with CuTS and healthy subjects.
Significance of Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase Expression in the Immunological Response of Kidney Graft Recipients
Authors: Wiśnicki Krzysztof , Donizy Piotr , Remiorz Agata , Janczak Dariusz , Krajewska Magdalena , Banasik Mirosław
Published: September 2022

Kidney transplantation is unquestionably the most advantageous and preferred treatment when patients with end-stage renal disease are considered. It does have a substantially positive influence on both the quality and expectancy of their lives. Thus, it is quintessential to extend the survival rate of kidney grafts. On account of T-cell-focused treatment, this is being exponentially achieved. The kynurenine pathway, as an immunosuppressive apparatus, and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1), as its main regulator, are yet to be exhaustively explored. This review presents the recognised role of IDO1 and its influence on the kynurenine pathway, with emphasis on immunosuppression in kidney transplant protection.
Liquid Biopsy: A Multi-Parametric Analysis of Mutation Status, Circulating Tumor Cells and Inflammatory Markers in EGFR-Mutated NSCLC
Authors: Barr Martin P. , Baird Anne-Marie , Halliday Sophia , Martin Petra , Allott Emma H. , Phelan James , Korpanty Greg , Coate Linda , O’Brien Cathal , Gray Steven G. , Sui Jane S. Y. , Hayes Brian , Cuffe Sinead , Finn Stephen P.
Published: September 2022

The liquid biopsy has the potential to improve patient care in the diagnostic and therapeutic setting in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Consented patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) positive disease (n = 21) were stratified into two cohorts: those currently receiving EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy (n = 9) and newly diagnosed EGFR TKI treatment-naïve patients (n = 12). Plasma genotyping of cell-free DNA was carried out using the FDA-approved cobas® EGFR mutation test v2 and compared to next generation sequencing (NGS) cfDNA panels. Circulating tumor cell (CTC) numbers were correlated with treatment response and EGFR exon 20 p.T790M. The prognostic significance of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was also investigated. Patients in cohort 1 with an EGFR exon 20 p.T790M mutation progressed more rapidly than those with an EGFR sensitizing mutation, while patients in cohort 2 had a significantly longer progression-free survival (p = 0.04). EGFR exon 20 p.T790M was detected by liquid biopsy prior to disease progression indicated by computed tomography (CT) imaging. The cobas® EGFR mutation test detected a significantly greater number of exon 20 p.T790M mutations (p = 0.05). High NLR and derived neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (dNLR) were associated with shorter time to progression and worse survival outcomes (p < 0.05). High LDH levels were significantly associated with shorter time to disease progression (p = 0.03). These data support the use of liquid biopsy for monitoring EGFR mutations and inflammatory markers as prognostic indicators in NSCLC.
Psychophysiological Adaptations to Pilates Training in Overweight and Obese Individuals: A Topical Review
Authors: Batrakoulis Alexios
Published: September 2022

The prevalence of overweightness and obesity has been documented as a major public health issue since it has increased at an alarming rate worldwide. Structured physical exercise programs have been reported as an essential strategy for preventing, managing, and treating obesity, inducing critical improvements in various physiological and psychological markers. However, it is unclear whether Pilates training can elicit positive changes in body composition, physical fitness, cardiometabolic health, and well-being among overweight and obese populations. The purpose of this topical review was to catalog studies investigating the physiological and psychological adaptations to Pilates training in order to identify what outcomes have been assessed, the research methods used, and the results. The inclusion/exclusion criteria were met by 14 published articles involving 582 participants (83% female) who were overweight or obese. The present topical review on Pilates training-induced adaptations shows that this widely used exercise type can significantly improve the majority of the selected indicators. These beneficial changes are frequently focused on anthropometric parameters, body composition, glucose, and lipid metabolism, as well as blood pressure in sedentary overweight or obese women. Specialized equipment-based Pilates interventions and trials investigating various mental health indices were limited. Further research is warranted in this area, emphasizing the Pilates training configuration and potential mechanisms behind positive alterations in several psychophysiological markers through large-scale randomized controlled trials with superior methodological quality, implementing long-term interventions in various populations that are overweight and obese.