bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Sports Involvement on Body Image Perception and Ideals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zaccagni Luciana , Gualdi-Russo Emanuela
Published: March 2023

Concerns about body image may affect athletes, mainly because of specific sports models to achieve successful performance. This systematic review reports on body image dissatisfaction (BID) in athletes following the guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. From a total of 887 articles identified through a systematic search of electronic databases, 15 articles conducted on 2412 athletes were included in this review. To be eligible for inclusion, the studies must have been published in the last ten years up until September 2022 and analyze body image perception using body figure drawings and anthropometric profiles. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the adapted Newcastle–Ottawa Scale for observational studies. These studies were compared through thematic analysis of BID to develop four general issues, including gender, sport type and level, and weight status. According to the meta-analyses, the significant medium and small effect sizes found for gender and weight status, respectively, indicated that male athletes had lower BID than females and that, among the latter, normal-weight athletes had a higher BID than underweight ones. The implications and limitations of the included studies are discussed extensively in this review, highlighting the need for further research on BID examined both in the social and the sports contexts. Sports activity should be carried out following healthy lifestyles, and promoting positive BI.
Role of Portion Size in the Context of a Healthy, Balanced Diet: A Case Study of European Countries
Authors: Carruba Michele O. , Ragni Maurizio , Ruocco Chiara , Aliverti Sofia , Silano Marco , Amico Andrea , Vaccaro Concetta M. , Marangoni Franca , Valerio Alessandra , Poli Andrea , Nisoli Enzo
Published: March 2023

Over the past decades, a generalised increase in food portion sizes has probably contributed to the growing global obesity epidemic. Increasing awareness of appropriate portion sizes could contribute to reversing this trend through better control of calorie intake. In this study, a comparison of standard portion sizes in European countries for various food categories shows a wide variability of their importance for food, nutrient, and energy consumption according to government and institutional websites. On the other hand, the overall averages appear to be largely in line with the values indicated by the Italian Society of Human Nutrition, which is the most comprehensive and detailed document among those evaluated. The exceptions are milk and yoghurt, for which the reference portions in Europe are generally higher, and vegetables and legumes, for which portions are smaller than those reported in the Italian document. Moreover, the portion sizes of staple foods (e.g., pasta and potatoes) vary according to different food traditions. It is reasonable to consider that the creation of harmonised standard reference portions common to the European countries, based on international guidelines and scientific evidence, would significantly contribute to consumers’ nutritional education and ability to make informed choices for a healthy diet.
Unintended Consequences of COVID-19 Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) for Population Health and Health Inequalities
Authors: ÓhAiseadha Coilín , Quinn Gerry A. , Connolly Ronan , Wilson Awwad , Connolly Michael , Soon Willie , Hynds Paul
Published: March 2023

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, governments around the world have adopted an array of measures intended to control the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, using both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). NPIs are public health interventions that do not rely on vaccines or medicines and include policies such as lockdowns, stay-at-home orders, school closures, and travel restrictions. Although the intention was to slow viral transmission, emerging research indicates that these NPIs have also had unintended consequences for other aspects of public health. Hence, we conducted a narrative review of studies investigating these unintended consequences of NPIs, with a particular emphasis on mental health and on lifestyle risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCD): physical activity (PA), overweight and obesity, alcohol consumption, and tobacco smoking. We reviewed the scientific literature using combinations of search terms such as ‘COVID-19′, ‘pandemic’, ‘lockdowns’, ‘mental health’, ‘physical activity’, and ‘obesity’. NPIs were found to have considerable adverse consequences for mental health, physical activity, and overweight and obesity. The impacts on alcohol and tobacco consumption varied greatly within and between studies. The variability in consequences for different groups implies increased health inequalities by age, sex/gender, socioeconomic status, pre-existing lifestyle, and place of residence. In conclusion, a proper assessment of the use of NPIs in attempts to control the spread of the pandemic should be weighed against the potential adverse impacts on other aspects of public health. Our findings should also be of relevance for future pandemic preparedness and pandemic response teams.
Predictors of Feeling of Threat Caused by COVID-19 Pandemic, the Distinctive Effects of Automatic vs. Reflective Emotions
Authors: Pastwa Maciej , Imbir Kamil K. , Wielgopolan Adrianna , Adach Ernest
Published: March 2023

The worldwide pandemic that started in December 2019 was a cause of a great rise in the feeling of threat in society. A feeling of threat and distress can be influenced by the span of emotions experienced by a person, and as it is rather clear, that the situation of pandemic evokes negative emotions, they can range from fear to depression, to even disgust. In this study, we wanted to verify the influence of the negative emotions of automatic origin, related to the well-being and homeostasis of the organism and the negative emotions of reflective origin, which are related to social constructs, on the feeling of threat caused by the pandemic outbreak. We expected automatic emotions to have a greater influence on the feeling of threat. We used an online questionnaire to measure the intensity of negative emotions and the feeling of threat among Polish participants in the time of the early outbreak of the pandemic (March–April 2020). Regression analyses were used to identify the predictors of the feeling of threat. The results show the distinctive effect of automatic and reflective groups of emotions. While automatic emotions always increased the feeling of threat, the reflective emotions suppressed the distress, especially in the group of middle-aged and elderly participants. As reflective emotions are developing in the process of socialization, the observed results could suggest, that young people do not process the situation of the pandemic in reflective categories, which leaves them more worried about the situation. We suggest, that promoting reflective thinking can be helpful in interventions in the cases of anxiety caused by the pandemic, as well as in social communication regarding the topic of the pandemic.
Experiences of Non-Pharmaceutical Primary Care Interventions for Common Mental Health Disorders in Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Groups: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies
Authors: Bernard Kate , Wildman Josephine M. , Tanner Louise M. , Stoniute Akvile , Still Madeleine , Green Rhiannon , Eastaugh Claire , Sowden Sarah , Thomson Katie H.
Published: March 2023

Common mental health disorders (CMDs) disproportionately affect people experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage. Non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as ‘social prescribing’ and new models of care and clinical practice, are becoming increasingly prevalent in primary care. However, little is known about how these interventions work and their impact on socioeconomic inequalities in health. Focusing on people experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, this systematic review aims to: (1) explore the mechanisms by which non-pharmaceutical primary care interventions impact CMD-related health outcomes and inequalities; (2) identify the barriers to, and facilitators of, their implementation in primary care. This study is a systematic review of qualitative studies. Six bibliographic databases were searched (Medline, ASSIA, CINAHL, Embase, PsycInfo and Scopus) and additional grey literature sources were screened. The included studies were thematically analysed. Twenty-two studies were included, and three themes were identified: (1) agency; (2) social connections; (3) socioeconomic environment. The interventions were experienced as being positive for mental health when people felt a sense of agency and social connection. The barriers to effectiveness and engagement included socioeconomic deprivation and underfunding of community sector organisations. If non-pharmaceutical primary care interventions for CMDs are to avoid widening health inequalities, key socioeconomic barriers to their accessibility and implementation must be addressed.
Portfolio Optimization Using Minimum Spanning Tree Model in the Moroccan Stock Exchange Market
Authors: Berouaga Younes , El Msiyah Cherif , Madkour Jaouad
Published: March 2023

Portfolio optimization is a pertinent topic of significant importance in the financial literature. During the portfolio construction, an investor confronts two important steps: portfolio selection and portfolio allocation. This article seeks to investigate portfolio optimization based on the Minimum Spanning Tree (MST) method applied on the Moroccan All Shares Index (MASI) historical stock log returns covering the period from 2 January 2013 to 27 October 2022 allowing us to build two portfolios: MST-Portfolio and MST-Portfolio 2. Portfolio selection was carried out for MST-Portfolio and MST-Portfolio 2, respectively, based on 63 stocks or using the Degree Centrality (DC) measure and portfolio allocation for both portfolios was carried through the use of the Inverse Degree Centrality Portfolio (IDCP). The obtained portfolios were compared with the Minimum Variance Portfolio (MV Portfolio) and Equal Weighting Portfolio (EW Portfolio) using centrality measures, diversification, and backtesting. According to the used indicators analysis, MST-Portfolio and MST-Portfolio 2 are the most well-performed and robust portfolios showing a good performance during the studied period, even during the COVID-19 crisis, and ensuring a good level of diversification. The findings demonstrate that both suggested methods can enhance portfolio performance, evidence that can help investors or active managers when optimizing their portfolios.
Simultaneous Electrochemical Detection of LDL and MDA-LDL Using Antibody-Ferrocene or Anthraquinone Conjugates Coated Magnetic Beads
Authors: Rudewicz-Kowalczyk Daria , Grabowska Iwona
Published: March 2023

The simultaneous detection of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACSVD) biomarkers was recently of great scientific interest. In this work, magnetic beads-based immunosensors for the simultaneous detection of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and malondialdehyde-modified low density lipoprotein (MDA-LDL) were presented. The approach proposed was based on the formation of two types of specific immunoconjugates consisting of monoclonal antibodies: anti-LDL or anti-MDA-LDL, together with redox active molecules: ferrocene and anthraquinone, respectively, coated on magnetic beads (MBs). The decrease in redox agent current in the concentration range: 0.001–1.0 ng/mL for LDL and 0.01–10.0 ng/mL for MDA-LDL, registered by square wave voltammetry (SWV), was observed upon the creation of complex between LDL or MDA-LDL and appropriate immunoconjugates. The detection limits of 0.2 ng/mL for LDL and 0.1 ng/mL for MDA-LDL were estimated. Moreover, the results of selectivity against the possible interferents were good, as human serum albumin (HSA) and high density lipoprotein (HDL), stability and recovery studies demonstrated the potential of platform proposed for early prognosis and diagnosis of ASCVD.
Generation and Next-Generation Sequencing-Based Characterization of a Large Human Combinatorial Antibody Library
Authors: Choi Hye Lim , Yang Ha Rim , Shin Ha Gyeong , Hwang Kyusang , Kim Ji Woong , Lee Ji Hyun , Ryu Taehoon , Jung Yushin , Lee Sukmook
Published: March 2023

Antibody phage display is a key technology for the discovery and development of target-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for use in research, diagnostics, and therapy. The construction of a high-quality antibody library, with larger and more diverse antibody repertoires, is essential for the successful development of phage display-derived mAbs. In this study, a large human combinatorial single-chain variable fragment library (1.5 × 1011 colonies) was constructed from Epstein–Barr virus-infected human peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with a combination of two of the activators of human B cells, the Toll-like receptor 7/8 agonist R848 and interleukin-2. Next-generation sequencing analysis with approximately 1.9 × 106 and 2.7 × 106 full-length sequences of heavy chain variable (VH) and κ light chain variable (Vκ) domains, respectively, revealed that the library consists of unique VH (approximately 94%) and Vκ (approximately 91%) sequences with greater diversity than germline sequences. Lastly, multiple unique mAbs with high affinity and broad cross-species reactivity could be isolated from the library against two therapeutically relevant target antigens, validating the library quality. These findings suggest that the novel antibody library we have developed may be useful for the rapid development of target-specific phage display-derived recombinant human mAbs for use in therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
The Role of Gasotransmitter-Dependent Signaling Mechanisms in Apoptotic Cell Death in Cardiovascular, Rheumatic, Kidney, and Neurodegenerative Diseases and Mental Disorders
Authors: Rodkin Stanislav , Nwosu Chizaram , Sannikov Alexander , Tyurin Anton , Chulkov Vasilii Sergeevich , Raevskaya Margarita , Ermakov Alexey , Kirichenko Evgeniya , Gasanov Mitkhat
Published: March 2023

Cardiovascular, rheumatic, kidney, and neurodegenerative diseases and mental disorders are a common cause of deterioration in the quality of life up to severe disability and death worldwide. Many pathological conditions, including this group of diseases, are based on increased cell death through apoptosis. It is known that this process is associated with signaling pathways controlled by a group of gaseous signaling molecules called gasotransmitters. They are unique messengers that can control the process of apoptosis at different stages of its implementation. However, their role in the regulation of apoptotic signaling in these pathological conditions is often controversial and not completely clear. This review analyzes the role of nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) in apoptotic cell death in cardiovascular, rheumatic, kidney, and neurodegenerative diseases. The signaling processes involved in apoptosis in schizophrenia, bipolar, depressive, and anxiety disorders are also considered. The role of gasotransmitters in apoptosis in these diseases is largely determined by cell specificity and concentration. NO has the greatest dualism; scales are more prone to apoptosis. At the same time, CO, H2S, and SO2 are more involved in cytoprotective processes.
Cancer Risk in Barrett’s Esophagus: A Clinical Review
Authors: Beydoun Ahmed Sam , Stabenau Kaleigh A. , Altman Kenneth W. , Johnston Nikki
Published: March 2023

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is rapidly increasing in incidence and is associated with a poor prognosis. Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is a known precursor of esophageal adenocarcinoma. This review aims to explore Barrett’s esophagus, esophageal adenocarcinoma, and the progression from the former to the latter. An overview of the definition, diagnosis, epidemiology, and risk factors for both entities are presented, with special attention being given to the areas of debate in the literature. The progression from Barrett’s esophagus to esophageal adenocarcinoma is reviewed and the relevant molecular pathways are discussed. The definition of Barrett’s esophagus remains debated and without international consensus. This, alongside other factors, has made establishing the true prevalence of Barrett’s esophagus challenging. The degree of dysplasia can be a histological challenge, but is necessary to guide clinical management. The progression of BE to EAC is likely driven by inflammatory pathways, pepsin exposure, upregulation of growth factor pathways, and mitochondrial changes. Surveillance is maintained through serial endoscopic evaluation, with shorter intervals recommended for high-risk features.
Autophagy: A Potential Therapeutic Target to Tackle Drug Resistance in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Bashiri Hamed , Tabatabaeian Hossein
Published: March 2023

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most prevalent hematologic malignancy. In the past few years, the survival of MM patients has increased due to the emergence of novel drugs and combination therapies. Nevertheless, one of the significant obstacles in treating most MM patients is drug resistance, especially for individuals who have experienced relapses or developed resistance to such cutting-edge treatments. One of the critical processes in developing drug resistance in MM is autophagic activity, an intracellular self-digestive process. Several possible strategies of autophagy involvement in the induction of MM-drug resistance have been demonstrated thus far. In multiple myeloma, it has been shown that High mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1)-dependent autophagy can contribute to drug resistance. Moreover, activation of autophagy via proteasome suppression induces drug resistance. Additionally, the effectiveness of clarithromycin as a supplemental drug in treating MM has been reported recently, in which autophagy blockage is proposed as one of the potential action mechanisms of CAM. Thus, a promising therapeutic approach that targets autophagy to trigger the death of MM cells and improve drug susceptibility could be considered. In this review, autophagy has been addressed as a survival strategy crucial for drug resistance in MM.
Development of Novel Pt(IV)-Carbohydrate Derivatives as Targeted Anticancer Agents against Osteosarcoma
Authors: Moynihan Eoin , Panseri Silvia , Bassi Giada , Rossi Arianna , Campodoni Elisabetta , Dempsey Eithne , Montesi Monica , Velasco-Torrijos Trinidad , Montagner Diego
Published: March 2023

Despite the enormous importance of cisplatin as a chemotherapeutic agent, its application is impacted by dose-limiting side effects and lack of selectivity for cancer cells. Researchers can overcome these issues by taking advantage of the pro-drug nature of the platinum(IV) oxidation state, and by modifying the coordination sphere of the metal centre with specific vectors whose receptors are overexpressed in tumour cell membranes (e.g., carbohydrates). In this paper we report the synthesis of four novel carbohydrate-modified Pt(IV) pro-drugs, based on the cisplatin scaffold, and their biological activity against osteosarcoma (OS), a malignant tumour which is most common in adolescents and young adults. The carbohydrate-targeting vectors and Pt scaffold are linked using copper-catalysed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) chemistry, which is synonymous with mild and robust reaction conditions. The novel complexes are characterised using multinuclear 1D-2D NMR (1H, 13C and 195Pt), IR, HR-MS, Elem. Analyses, and CV. Cytotoxicity on 2D and 3D and cell morphology studies on OS cell lines, as well as non-cancerous human foetal osteoblasts (hFOBs), are discussed.
Synthesis and Anticancer Evaluation of 4-Anilinoquinolinylchalcone Derivatives
Authors: Yang Cheng-Yao , Lee Min-Yu , Chen Yeh-Long , Shiau Jun-Ping , Tsai Yung-Hsiang , Yang Chia-Ning , Chang Hsueh-Wei , Tseng Chih-Hua
Published: March 2023

A series of 4-anilinoquinolinylchalcone derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for antiproliferative activities against the growth of human cancer cell lines (Huh-7 and MDA-MB-231) and normal lung cells (MRC-5). The results exhibited low cytotoxicity against human lung cells (MRC-5). Among them, (E)-3-{4-{[4-(benzyloxy)phenyl]amino}quinolin-2-yl}-1-(4-methoxyphenyl) prop-2-en-1-one (4a) was found to have the highest cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells and low cytotoxicity in normal cells. Compound 4a causes ATP depletion and apoptosis of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and triggers reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent caspase 3/7 activation. In conclusion, it is worth studying 4-anilinoquinolinylchalcone derivatives further as new potential anticancer agents for the treatment of human cancers.
Multifunctional Lysyl Oxidases
Authors: Trackman Philip C.
Published: March 2023

This Special Issue on lysyl oxidases, which are proteins derived from five related genes known as Lox, and Loxl1–Loxl4, brings together articles that reflect some of the diverse approaches and perspectives needed to better understand the biology of these multifunctional proteins [...]
Cell–Material Interactions 2022
Authors: Neffe Axel T.
Published: March 2023

Cell–material interactions are the defining feature of biomaterials, and they are relevant for evaluating material residues and pollutants [...]
Feature Selection Engineering for Credit Risk Assessment in Retail Banking
Authors: Jemai Jaber , Zarrad Anis
Published: March 2023

In classification, feature selection engineering helps in choosing the most relevant data attributes to learn from. It determines the set of features to be rejected, supposing their low contribution in discriminating the labels. The effectiveness of a classifier passes mainly through the set of selected features. In this paper, we identify the best features to learn from in the context of credit risk assessment in the financial industry. Financial institutions concur with the risk of approving the loan request of a customer who may default later, or rejecting the request of a customer who can abide by their debt without default. We propose a feature selection engineering approach to identify the main features to refer to in assessing the risk of a loan request. We use different feature selection methods including univariate feature selection (UFS), recursive feature elimination (RFE), feature importance using decision trees (FIDT), and the information value (IV). We implement two variants of the XGBoost classifier on the open data set provided by the Lending Club platform to evaluate and compare the performance of different feature selection methods. The research shows that the most relevant features are found by the four feature selection techniques.
Applications of Text Mining in the Transportation Infrastructure Sector: A Review
Authors: Chowdhury Sudipta , Alzarrad Ammar
Published: March 2023

Transportation infrastructure is vital to the well-functioning of economic activities in a region. Due to the digitalization of data storage, ease of access to large databases, and advancement of social media, large volumes of text data that relate to different aspects of transportation infrastructure are generated. Text mining techniques can explore any large amount of textual data within a limited time and with limited resource allocation for generating easy-to-understand knowledge. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the various applications of text mining techniques in transportation infrastructure research. The scope of this research ranges across all forms of transportation infrastructure-related problems or issues that were investigated by different text mining techniques. These transportation infrastructure-related problems or issues may involve issues such as crashes or accidents investigation, driving behavior analysis, and construction activities. A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA)-based structured methodology was used to identify relevant studies that implemented different text mining techniques across different transportation infrastructure-related problems or issues. A total of 59 studies from both the U.S. and other parts of the world (e.g., China, and Bangladesh) were ultimately selected for review after a rigorous quality check. The results show that apart from simple text mining techniques for data pre-processing, the majority of the studies used topic modeling techniques for a detailed evaluation of the text data. Other techniques such as classification algorithms were also later used to predict and/or project future scenarios/states based on the identified topics. The findings from this study will hopefully provide researchers and practitioners with a better understanding of the potential of text mining techniques under different circumstances to solve different types of transportation infrastructure-related problems. They will also provide a blueprint to better understand the ever-evolving area of transportation engineering and infrastructure-focused studies.
Timing of Fungal Insecticide Application to Avoid Solar Ultraviolet Irradiation Enhances Field Control of Rice Planthoppers
Authors: Xu Wan-Ying , Wen Zhen-Xin , Li Xin-Jie , Hu En-Ze , Qi Dan-Yi , Feng Ming-Guang , Tong Sen-Miao
Published: March 2023

Thechemical control of rice planthoppers (RPH)is prohibited in annual rice–shrimp rotation paddy fields. Here, the fungal insecticides Beauveria bassiana ZJU435 and Metarizhium anisoplae CQ421 were tested for control of RPH populations dominated by Nilaparvata lugens in three field trials. During four-week field trials initiated from the harsh weather of high temperatures and strong sunlight, the rice crop at the stages from tillering to flowering was effectively protected by fungal sprays applied at 14-day intervals. The sprays of either fungal insecticide after 5:00 p.m. (solar UV avoidance) suppressed the RPH population better than those before 10 a.m. The ZJU435 and CQ421 sprays for UV avoidance versus UV exposure resulted in mean control efficacies of 60% and 56% versus 41% and 45% on day 7, 77% and 78% versus 63% and 67% on day 14, 84% and 82% versus 80% and 79% on day 21, and 84% and 81% versus 79% and 75 on day 28, respectively. These results indicate that fungal insecticides can control RPH in the rice–shrimp rotation fields and offer a novel insight into the significance of solar-UV-avoiding fungal application for improved pest control during sunny summers.
Fast Timing Detectors and Applications in Cosmic Ray Physics and Medical Science
Authors: Royon Christophe , d’Assignies D. William , Gautier Florian , Isidori Tommaso , Minafra Nicola , Novikov Alexander
Published: March 2023

We use fast silicon detectors and the fast sampling method originally developed for high energy physics for two applications: cosmic ray measurements in collaboration with NASA and dose measurements during flash beam cancer treatment. The cosmic ray measurement will benefit from the fast sampling method to measure the Bragg peak where the particle stops in the silicon detector and the dose measurement is performed by counting the number of particles that enter the detector.
Perimyocarditis as First Manifestation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Successfully Treated with Heart Failure and Immunosuppressive Therapy
Authors: Ikić Matijašević Marina , Grubić Rotkvić Petra , Planinić Zrinka , Ikić Lucija , Zadro Kordić Ines , Galić Edvard
Published: March 2023

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) myocarditis is presumed to be rare, but associated with adverse outcomes. If SLE diagnosis has not previously been established, its clinical presentation is often unspecific and difficult to recognize. Furthermore, there is a lack of data in the scientific literature regarding myocarditis and its treatment in systemic immune-mediated diseases, leading to its late recognition and undertreatment. We present the case of a young woman whose first lupus manifestations included acute perimyocarditis, among other symptoms and signs that provided clues to the diagnosis of SLE. Transthoracic and speckle tracking echocardiography were helpful in detecting early abnormalities in the myocardial wall thickness and contractility while waiting for cardiac magnetic resonance. Since the patient presented with acute decompensated heart failure (HF), HF treatment was promptly started in parallel with immunosuppressive therapy, with a good response. In the treatment of myocarditis with heart failure, we were guided by the clinical signs, echocardiographic findings, biomarkers of myocardial stress, necrosis, and systemic inflammation, as well as markers of SLE disease activity.
Vagal Nerve Activity and Short-Term Clinical Outcomes after Stroke: What Is Left May Not Be Right
Authors: Badarny Samih , Abu Ayash Amal , Keigler Galina , Ryder Chen Hanna , Gidron Yori
Published: March 2023

Stroke is a leading cause of death worldwide. Multiple factors influence the severity of stroke. Normal functional and biological differences seen between the hemispheres may also be related to stroke severity. In the present study, we examined the differences in the severity of stroke as a function of stroke side, and whether patients’ vagal nerve activity moderated such differences. We included 87 patients with an ischemic stroke, whose medical records were retrospectively examined for background information (age, gender), stroke side and severity by NIHSS, length of stay in hospital, inflammation such as C-reactive protein, and vagal nerve activity. The vagal activity was indexed by patients’ heart-rate variability (HRV), fluctuations in the intervals between normal heartbeats, derived from patients’ ECG. Results revealed that patients with left-side stroke had significantly worse NIHSS scores (10.6) than those with right-sided stroke (7.6, p < 0.05). However, when dividing the sample into those with low versus high HRV (at the median), only when HRV was low, did patients with left-side stroke have a worse NIHSS score (10.9) compared to those with right-sided stroke (6.5, p < 0.05). In contrast, no differences in stroke severity were seen between left stroke (10.2) and right stoke (8.7, p > 0.05), when HRV was high. These results tended to remain the same when statistically controlling for age effects, which was related to NIHSS, but not to the stroke side. These findings suggest that patients with left-sided stroke may have more severe strokes than those with right-sided ones, but that adequate vagal nerve activity may protect against such differences. Possible mechanisms and suggestions for future directions are provided.
Assessing the Cleanliness of Dental Implants Using Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy Analysis—A SEM and EDS In Vitro Study
Authors: Mtanis Tarek , Biadsee Ameer , Ormianer Zeev
Published: March 2023

A wide variety of titanium (Ti) alloy dental implant systems are available and as a result, choosing the correct system has become a challenge. Cleanliness of the dental implant surface affects osseointegration but surface cleanliness may be jeopardized during manufacturing. The purpose of this study was to assess the cleanliness of three implant systems. Fifteen implants per system were examined with scanning electron microscopy to identify and count foreign particles. Particle chemical composition analysis was performed with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Particles were categorized according to size and location. Particles on the outer and inner threads were quantitatively compared. A second scan was performed after exposing the implants to room air for 10 min. Carbon, among other elements, was found on the surface of all implant groups. Zimmer Biomet dental implants had higher particle numbers than other brands. Cortex and Keystone dental implants showed similar distribution patterns. The outer surface had higher particle numbers. Cortex dental implants were the cleanest. The change in particle numbers after exposure was not significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Most of the implants studied were contaminated. Particle distribution patterns vary with the manufacturer. The wider and outer areas of the implant have a higher probability of contamination.
Full-Mouth Rehabilitation of a Patient with Sjogren’s Syndrome with Maxillary Titanium-Zirconia and Mandibular Monolithic Zirconia Implant Prostheses Fabricated with CAD/CAM Technology: A Clinical Report
Authors: Azpiazu-Flores Francisco X. , Lee Damian J. , Jurado Carlos A. , Afrashtehfar Kelvin I. , Alhotan Abdulaziz , Tsujimoto Akimasa
Published: March 2023

Dental implants have become a well-established treatment modality for the management of complete and partial edentulism. Recent advancements in dental implant systems and CAD/CAM technologies have revolutionized prosthodontic practice by allowing for the predictable, efficient, and faster management of complex dental scenarios. This clinical report describes the interdisciplinary management of a patient with Sjogren’s syndrome and terminal dentition. The patient was rehabilitated using dental implants and zirconia-based prostheses in the maxillary and mandibular arches. These prostheses were fabricated using a combination of CAD/CAM and analog techniques. The successful outcomes for the patient demonstrate the importance of appropriate use of biomaterials and the implementation of interdisciplinary collaboration in treating complex dental cases.
Techno-Economic Optimal Sizing Design for a Tidal Stream Turbine–Battery System
Authors: Toumi Sana , Amirat Yassine , Elbouchikhi Elhoussin , Zhou Zhibin , Benbouzid Mohamed
Published: March 2023

This article deals with the techno-economic optimal sizing of a tidal stream turbine (TST)–battery system. In this study, the TST system consists of a turbine rotor and a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) associated with a three-phase converter coupled to a DC bus. A battery is used within the system as an energy storage system to absorb excess produced power or cover power deficits. To determine the optimal sizing of the system, an iterative approach was used owing to its ease of implementation, high accuracy, and fast convergence speed, even under environmental constraints such as swell and wave effects. This technique is based on robust energy management, and the recursive algorithm includes the deficiency of power supply probability (DPSP) and the relative excess power generation (REPG) as technical criteria for the system reliability study, and the energy cost (EC) and the total net present cost (TNPC) as economic criteria for the system cost study. As data inputs, the proposed approach used the existing data from the current speed profile, the load, and economic parameters. The desired output is the system component optimal sizing (TST power, and battery capacity). In this paper, the system sizing was studied during a one-year time period to ensure a more reliable and economical system. The results are compared to well-known methods such as genetic algorithms, particle swarm optimization, and software-based (HOMER) approaches. The optimization results confirm the efficiency of the proposed approach in sizing the system, which was simulated using real-world tidal velocity data from a specific deployment site.
Tidal and Ocean Current Energy
Authors: Morales Rafael , Segura Eva
Published: March 2023

Renewable energy resources (for example, wind, solar or ocean currents, among others) possess an enormous potential, owing to the fact that they are a pollution-free and inexhaustible resource [...]
Studies on the Proteinaceous Structure Present on the Surface of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Spore Wall
Authors: Yang Yan , Yang Ganglong , Li Zi-Jie , Liu Yi-Shi , Gao Xiao-Dong , Nakanishi Hideki
Published: March 2023

The surface of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae spore wall exhibits a ridged appearance. The outermost layer of the spore wall is believed to be a dityrosine layer, which is primarily composed of a crosslinked dipeptide bisformyl dityrosine. The dityrosine layer is impervious to protease digestion; indeed, most of bisformyl dityrosine molecules remain in the spore after protease treatment. However, we find that the ridged structure is removed by protease treatment. Thus, a ridged structure is distinct from the dityrosine layer. By proteomic analysis of the spore wall-bound proteins, we found that hydrophilin proteins, including Sip18, its paralog Gre1, and Hsp12, are present in the spore wall. Mutant spores with defective hydrophilin genes exhibit functional and morphological defects in their spore wall, indicating that hydrophilin proteins are required for the proper organization of the ridged and proteinaceous structure. Previously, we found that RNA fragments were attached to the spore wall in a manner dependent on spore wall-bound proteins. Thus, the ridged structure also accommodates RNA fragments. Spore wall-bound RNA molecules function to protect spores from environmental stresses.
Correction: Mackay-Smith et al. A Framework for Reviewing Silvopastoralism: A New Zealand Hill Country Case Study. Land 2021, 10, 1386
Authors: Mackay-Smith Thomas H. , Burkitt Lucy , Reid Janet , López Ignacio F. , Phillips Chris
Published: March 2023

The authors would like to make the following correction to the published article [...]
Measures of Greenspace Exposure and Their Association to Health-Related Outcomes for the Periods before and during the 2020 Lockdown: A Cross-Sectional Study in the West of England
Authors: Fouad Ahmed Tarek Zaky , Sinnett Danielle , Bray Isabelle , McClatchey Rachael , Reece Rebecca
Published: March 2023

Greenspaces are argued to be one of the important features in the urban environment that impact the health of the population. Previous research suggested either positive, negative, or no associations between greenspaces and health-related outcomes. This paper takes a step backward to, first, explore different quantitative spatial measures of evaluating greenspace exposure, before attempting to investigate the relationship between those measures and health-related outcomes. The study uses self-reported health data from an online cross-sectional survey conducted for residents in the West of England. This yielded data of greenspace use, physical activity, wellbeing (ICECAP-A score), and connectedness to nature for 617 participants, divided into two sets: health outcomes for the period before versus during the 2020 lockdown. The study uses the participants’ postcodes (provided in the survey) to calculate eleven spatial measures of greenspace exposure using the software ArcGIS Pro 2.9.5. A total of 88 multivariate regression models were run while controlling for eleven confounders of the participants’ characteristics. Results inferred 57 significant associations such that six spatial measures of greenspace exposure (NDVI R200m, NDVI R300m, NDVI R500m, Network Distance to nearest greenspace access, Euclidean Distance to nearest greenspace access, and Euclidean Distance to nearest 0.5 ha doorstep greenspace access) have significant association to at least one of the four health-related outcomes, suggesting a positive impact on population health when living in greener areas or being closer to greenspaces. Moreover, there are further significant associations between the frequency of use of greenspaces and increasing physical activity or feeling more connected to nature. Still, the residents’ patterns of using greenspaces significantly changed during versus before lockdown and has impacted the relationships between health outcomes and the greenspace exposure measures.
Protein Binding: A Fuzzy Concept
Authors: Williamson Mike P.
Published: March 2023

Our understanding of protein binding interactions has matured significantly over the last few years, largely as a result of trying to make sense of the binding interactions of intrinsically disordered proteins. Here, we bring together some disparate ideas that have largely developed independently, and show that they can be linked into a coherent picture that provides insight into quantitative aspects of protein interactions, in particular that transient protein interactions are often optimised for speed, rather than tight binding.
Erosion in Helico-Axial Pumps
Authors: Ben-Mansour Rached , Raza Hamza , Toor Zakria
Published: March 2023

With recent advancements in the petroleum industry, the need for multiphase pumps to transport multiphase products, such as the product of oil, water, and natural gas, arises along with their challenges. A helico-axial multiphase pump should be capable of converting fluid kinetic energy into pressure by avoiding gas–liquid separation and the gas-locking phenomenon, enabling smooth pump operation at higher gas volume fractions. In this paper, erosion on a helico-axial pump is evaluated at different flow conditions using sand particles mixed with water. A very important practical finding of this investigation is that the erosion rate increased when the flow conditions deviated from the design point of 3600 RPM. Operating the pump in off-design conditions not only reduced its hydraulic efficiency but also increased the erosion rates and hence reduces its life. It was observed that at 4800 RPM, the pump efficiency decreased by 11% and the erosion rate increased by 80%. This increase in erosion rate was attributed to the formation of local vortices upstream of the blade leading edge affecting the particle flow path and increasing its impact on the blade surface.
3-[4-(2-Phenylethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-7H-benzo[de]anthracen-7-one
Authors: Fridmans Romans , Puckins Aleksandrs , Osipovs Sergejs , Belyakov Sergey , Kirilova Elena
Published: March 2023

The present work describes the synthesis of the new benzanthrone dye-3-[4-(2-phenylethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-7H-benzo[de]anthracen-7-one by bromine atom nucleophilic substitution reaction. The structure of the obtained benzanthrone derivative is characterized by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The photophysical properties of the target compound are investigated by means of UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy in various organic solvents.
1-(2-Chlorophenyl)-6,7-dimethoxy-3-methyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline
Authors: Milusheva Miglena , Gledacheva Vera , Stefanova Iliyana , Nikolova Stoyanka
Published: March 2023

This article concerns the synthesis and in silico evaluation of 1-(2-chlorophenyl)-6-7-dimethoxy-3-methyl-3,4-dihydrogioquinoline (DIQ). A variety of in silico simulations were applied to assess the potential biological activity and toxicity of the compound. Based on these analyses, the target molecule DIQ was chosen for the synthesis. DIQ was synthesized from starting 2-chloro-N-(1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)propan-2-yl)benzamide applied in the Bischler–Napieralski reaction. The newly obtained 3,4-dihydroisoquinoline derivative was fully analyzed and characterized. Based on the in silico calculations, the target molecule was synthesized with respect to its contractile activity, which is a permanent interest of our studies. Thus, further investigation into the possible medicinal applications of this compound is warranted in the future.
The Study of Radius End Mills with TiB2 Coating When Milling a Nickel Alloy
Authors: Grigoriev Sergey , Volosova Marina , Mosyanov Mikhail , Fedorov Sergey
Published: March 2023

Nickel alloy high-speed processing technology using ball-end mills is characterized by high contact temperature and leads to accelerated tool wear. One of the effective ways to increase its reliability and service life is to modify the surface by applying functional antifriction layers in addition to wear-resistant coatings. Diamond-like carbon is often used as the latter. However, at cutting speed, when a cutting-edge temperature exceeding 650 °C is reached, the material of this coating reacts actively with oxygen in the air, and the sharply increasing adhesive component of wear quickly incapacitates the milling tooth, limiting its performance. Applying a coating of titanium diboride as an antifriction layer on top of nanocrystalline composite nitride coatings with good resistance to abrasive wear can be a solution to this problem. Our experiments have shown that such technology makes it possible to obtain a twofold increase in durability compared to a tool with a diamond-like antifriction coating in conditions when the cutting edge of the tool is subjected to cyclic thermal shocks above 800 °C, and the durability period of the radius end mill is about 50 min.
Effect of Femtosecond Laser Processing Parameters on the Ablation Microgrooves of RB-SiC Composites
Authors: Yang Feng , Kang Renke , Ma Hongbin , Ma Guangyi , Wu Dongjiang , Dong Zhigang
Published: March 2023

Because of the high hardness, brittleness, and anisotropy of reaction-bonded silicon carbide composites (RB-SiC), it is challenging to process high-quality textures on their surfaces. With the advantages of high processing accuracy and low processing damage, femtosecond laser processing is the preferred technology for the precision processing of difficult-to-process materials. The present work used a femtosecond laser with a linear scanning path and a spot diameter of 18 µm to process microgrooves on RB-SiC. The influence of different processing parameters on the microgroove profile, dimensions, and ablation rate (AR) was investigated. The ablation width Wa and average ablation depth Da of microgrooves were evaluated, and the various patterns of varying processing parameters were obtained. A model for Wa prediction was developed based on the laser fluence within the finite length (FL). As a result, the experimental values were distributed near the prediction curve with a maximum error of 20.4%, showing an upward trend of gradually decreasing increments. For a single pass, the AR value was mainly determined by the laser energy, which could reach the scale of 106 μm3/s when the laser energy was greater than 50 μJ. For multiple passes, the AR value decreased as the number of passes increased and it finally stabilized. The above research will provide theoretical and experimental support for the high-quality and efficient processing of RB-SiC surface textures.
Studies of Electrical Parameters and Thermal Stability of HiPIMS Hafnium Oxynitride (HfOxNy) Thin Films
Authors: Puźniak Mirosław , Gajewski Wojciech , Seweryn Aleksandra , Klepka Marcin T. , Witkowski Bartłomiej S. , Godlewski Marek , Mroczyński Robert
Published: March 2023

This work demonstrated the optimization of HiPIMS reactive magnetron sputtering of hafnium oxynitride (HfOxNy) thin films. During the optimization procedure, employing Taguchi orthogonal tables, the parameters of examined dielectric films were explored, utilizing optical methods (spectroscopic ellipsometry and refractometry), electrical characterization (C-V, I-V measurements of MOS structures), and structural investigation (AFM, XRD, XPS). The thermal stability of fabricated HfOxNy layers, up to 800 °C, was also investigated. The presented results demonstrated the correctness of the optimization methodology. The results also demonstrated the significant stability of hafnia-based layers at up to 800 °C. No electrical parameters or surface morphology deteriorations were demonstrated. The structural analysis revealed comparable electrical properties and significantly greater immunity to high-temperature treatment in HfOxNy layers formed using HiPIMS, as compared to those formed using the standard pulsed magnetron sputtering technique. The results presented in this study confirmed that the investigated hafnium oxynitride films, fabricated through the HiPIMS process, could potentially be used as a thermally-stable gate dielectric in self-aligned MOS structures and devices.