bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Study on the Properties and TCLP of GGBFS-Based Heavy-Metal-Contaminated Soil Geopolymer
Authors: Chen Yi-Chen , Ding Yung-Chin , Lee Wei-Hao , Liu Xiao , Li Shiyu , Xie Hui , Luo Qifeng
Published: June 2022

The objective of this study is to use the geopolymer technique to solidify/stabilize heavy metal contaminated soil. There are over 739,700 square meters of heavy-metal-contaminated sites in Taiwan; most sites are soil farmlands. These heavy metal contaminants in soil can also infiltrate into groundwater and cause more serious pollution problems. This study explores the possibility of using the geopolymer technique to solidify heavy metal contaminated soil (CS), stabilize heavy metal, and produce good mechanical and physical properties. The ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) was activated by an alkali solution to form a geopolymer binder that can be used to solidify CS and stabilize the heavy metal. The effect of GGBFS and CS mixing ratio on the mechanical and physical properties and the TCLP test was investigated. The test results show that the compressive strength of specimens made with a 1.5 CS/GGBFS ratio can reach 46.61 MPa and 47.66 MPa after curing for 14 and 28 days, respectively. TCLP tests show only 2 ppm Cu was detected from a geopolymer-treated contaminated soil sample. The influence of alkali solution, such as the molarity of the NaOH, SiO2/Na2O, and SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio, were also evaluated. The specimens prepared with 8 M NaOH, 0.96 SiO2/Na2O, and 1.28 SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio alkali solution have a compressive strength of 51.74 MPa and 58.63 MPa after 14 and 28 days of curing. The TCLP tests show no heavy metal ions leached from the sample.
Elastic Metagratings with Simultaneous Modulation of Reflected and Transmitted Waves
Authors: Mei Jun , Fan Lijuan , Hong Xiaobin
Published: June 2022

Elastic metagratings enabling independent and complete control of both reflection and transmission of bulk longitudinal and transverse waves are highly desired in application scenarios such as non-destructive assessment and structural health monitoring. In this work, we propose a kind of simply structured metagrating composed only of elliptical hollow cylinders carved periodically in a steel background. By utilizing the grating diffraction theory and genetic algorithm, we endow these metagratings with the attractive functionality of simultaneous and high-efficiency modulation of every reflection and transmission channel of both longitudinal and transverse waves. Interesting wave-front manipulation effects including pure mode conversion and anomalous deflection along the desired direction are clearly demonstrated through full-wave numerical simulations. Due to its subwavelength thickness and high manipulation efficiency, the proposed metagrating is expected to be useful in the design of multifunctional elastic planar devices.
2-Pyridinyl-Terminated Iminobenzoate: Type and Orientation of Mesogenic Core Effect, Geometrical DFT Investigation
Authors: Al-Humaidi Jehan , Nada Shady , Gerges Mariam , Ehab Marwa , Jaremko Mariusz , Emwas Abdul-Hamid , Hagar Mohamed
Published: June 2022

A new liquid crystal series of pyridin-2-yl 4-[4-(alkylphenyl)iminomethyl]benzoate was synthesized and characterized for their mesomorphic behavior. These compounds contain Schiff base and carboxylate ester mesogenic cores, in addition to terminal alkyl chains with a different number of carbons. The structures were confirmed via FT-IR, and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The phase transitions were studied by differential thermal analysis (DSC) and the mesophase types were identified by polarized optical microscopy (POM). A comparative study was performed between the synthesized compounds and previously reported compounds. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were included in the study to compute the dipole moment and the polarizability, as well as the frontier molecular orbitals and the charge distribution mapping, which impact the terminal and lateral interactions of the compounds. The theoretical results were discussed to confirm the experimental data and explain the mesomorphic behavior of the compounds. Finally, the energy gap, global softness, and chemical hardness were calculated to determine the suitability of the liquid crystalline compounds to be employed in applications.
Cytotoxic Activity of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Mediated by Euphorbia Retusa
Authors: Alqahtani Abdulsalam A. , Attia Gouda H. , Elgamal Abdelbaset , Aleraky Mohamed , Youns Mahmoud , Ibrahim Ammar M. , Abdou Randa , Shaikh Ibrahim Ahmed , El Raey Mohamed A.
Published: June 2022

Background: Cancer is a dangerous threat that creates extremely high rates of death and morbidity in various regions of the world. Finding suitable therapeutics to improve cancer therapy while avoiding side effects is critical. The most appropriate innovative therapeutics, which combine natural ingredients and nanomaterials, can improve the biological activity of cancer chemotherapeutics. Methods: Phenolic profiling using high-resolution mass spectrometry and the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles was achieved through the reaction of zinc acetate with Euphorbia retusa extract. The characterization of ZnONPs was performed by UV, IR, Zeta potential, XRD, SEM, and TEM. The cytotoxic activity of the ZnONPs was evaluated using a SRB assay against lung, liver, and breast cancer cell lines. Moreover, the mechanism of cytotoxic activity was evaluated in the form of caspase-8 promoters and anti-inflammatory mechanisms using the Western blot method. Results: The high-resolution LC/MS/MS of the E. retusa led to the identification of 22 compounds in the plant for the first time. The Er-ZnONPs had hexagonal shapes, were approximately 100 nm in size, and consisted of aggregated particles of about 10 nm. The E. retusa ZnONPs exhibited cytotoxic activity against HA-549 (IC50 = 22.3 µg/mL), HepG2 (IC50 = 25.6), Huh-7 (IC50 = 25.7), MCF-7 (IC50 = 37.7), and MDA-MB-231 (IC50 = 37). Conclusions: E. retusa are rich in phenolics that are capable of synthesizing ZnONPs, which possess cytotoxic activity, via caspase-8 promotion and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
Analysis of Floquet Waves in Periodic Multilayered Isotropic Media with the Method of Reverberation-Ray Matrix
Authors: Li Qiangqiang , Guo Yongqiang , Wang Yajun
Published: June 2022

The in-plane elastic waves in periodically multilayered isotropic structures, which are decoupled from the out-of-plane waves, are represented mainly by the frequency–wavenumber spectra and occasionally by the frequency–phase velocity spectra as well as being studied predominantly for periodic bi-layered media along and perpendicular to the thickness direction in the existing research. This paper investigates their comprehensive dispersion characteristics along arbitrary in-plane directions and in entire (low and high) frequency ranges, including the frequency–wavelength, wavenumber–phase velocity, wavelength–phase velocity spectra, the dispersion surfaces and the slowness curves with fixed frequencies, as well as the frequency–wavenumber and frequency–phase velocity spectra. Specially, the dispersion surfaces and the slowness curves completely reflect the propagation characteristics of in-plane waves along all directions. First, the method of reverberation-ray matrix (MRRM) combined with the Floquet theorem is extended to derive the dispersion equation of in-plane elastic waves in general periodic multilayered isotropic structures by means of the elastodynamic theory of isotropic materials and the state space formalism of layers. The correctness of the derivation and the numerical stability of the method in both low and high frequency ranges, particularly its superiority over the method of the transfer matrix (MTM) within the ranges near the cutoff frequencies, are verified by several numerical examples. From these demonstrations for periodic octal- and bi-layered media, the comprehensive dispersion curves are provided and their general characteristics are summarized. It is found that although the frequencies associated with the dimensionless wavenumber along thickness ql=nπ (n is an integer) are always the demarcation between pass and stop bands in the case of perpendicular incident wave, but this is not always exist in the case of the oblique incident wave due to the coupling between the two modes of in-plane elastic waves. The slowness curves with fixed frequencies of Floquet waves in periodically multilayered isotropic structures, as compared to their counterpart of body waves in infinite isotropic media obtained from the Christoffel equation now have periodicity along the thickness direction, which is consistent to the configuration of the structures. The slowness curves associated with higher frequencies have a smaller minimum positive period and have more propagation modes due to the cutoff properties of these additional modes.
Hematite Exsolutions in Corundum from Cenozoic Basalts in Changle, Shandong Province, China: Crystallographic Orientation Relationships and Interface Characters
Authors: Zhao Qianyi , Zhao Shanrong , Xu Chang
Published: June 2022

Here, we present well-oriented hematite exsolutions in corundum megacrysts from Cenozoic basalt in China. Crystallographic orientation relationships (CORs) and the interface characters between the hematite exsolutions and the corundum host were analyzed by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), respectively. The CORs and the regular interface confirm the exsolution and the exsolution was formed under depressurization based on the crystal chemistry theory. There are three groups of exsolutions intersected with ~60°. Two groups of the exsolutions have the same orientation with the host and the other group is twinned to those two groups. Focused ion beam (FIB) for HRTEM foil preparation was carried out. HRTEM photographs show that there are periodic coherency units at (0001) interface. The measured unit lengths are 6.71–6.72 nm, which are in good agreement with every 17-DCrn011¯2projection or 16-DHem011¯2projection. Based on the results, the possibility is that at the interface, the hematite-corundum phases tend to modulate to achieve the maximum coherency in the geological process during exsolution. This research is helpful to understand the interface characters between the exsolution and host.
Spin-Resolved Visible Optical Spectra and Electronic Characteristics of Defect-Mediated Hexagonal Boron Nitride Monolayer
Authors: Yu Sheng , Neupane Tikaram , Tabibi Bagher , Li Qiliang , Seo Felix
Published: June 2022

Defect-mediated hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) supercells display visible optical spectra and electronic characteristics. The defects in the hBN supercells included atomic vacancy, antisite, antisite vacancy, and the substitution of a foreign atom for boron or nitrogen. The hBN supercells with VB, CB, and NB-VN were characterized by a high electron density of states across the Fermi level, which indicated high conductive electronic characteristics. The hBNs with defects including atomic vacancy, antisite at atomic vacancy, and substitution of a foreign atom for boron or nitride exhibited distinct spin-resolved optical and electronic characteristics, while defects of boron and nitrogen antisite did not display the spin-resolved optical characteristics. The hBNs with positively charged defects exhibited dominant optical and electronic characteristics in the longer spectral region. Acknowledgment: This work at HU is supported by ARO W911NF-15-1-0535, NSF HRD-1137747, and NASA NNX15AQ03A.
Near-Infrared Spectroscopic Study of OH Stretching Modes in Kaolinite and Dickite
Authors: Wu Shaokun , He Mingyue , Yang Mei , Peng Bijie
Published: June 2022

Kaolinite and dickite are differently ordered polytypes of kaolinite-group minerals, whose differences are in the stacking mode of layers and ion occupation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to collect information about the differences between the two minerals. The common characteristics of kaolinite and dickite are bands near 4530 and 7068 cm−1, which are attributed to the combination of the inner Al-OH stretching vibration and outer Al-OH bending vibration and the overtone of the inner Al-OH stretching vibration, respectively. The difference is that kaolinite has secondary peaks at 4610 and 7177 cm−1, and the secondary peak of dickite is near 4588 cm−1. The OH stretching vibration has the first fundamental overtone of the stretching vibration in the range of 7000–7250 cm−1. In addition to the overtones generated by single OH stretching vibrations, overtones combining different OH stretching vibrations are also found, which are formed by adjacent peaks of OH stretching vibrations. The average factor of the first fundamental overtone with an OH-group stretching vibration is approximately 1.95. The near-infrared spectrum (NIR) of phyllosilicates is closely related to their structure and isomorphism. Therefore, the near-infrared region can distinguish between kaolinite and dickite and provide a basis for deposit research and geological remote sensing.
Characterization of Cu(II) and Zn(II) Sorption onto Zeolite
Authors: Bakalár Tomáš , Pavolová Henrieta , Kyšeľa Kamil , Hajduová Zuzana
Published: June 2022

In this study, a batch sorption study approach was combined with an instrumental analytical approach of atomic absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for the sorption of copper and zinc ions from aqueous solution on zeolites. Both copper and zinc are biogenic elements; nevertheless, many industrial processes produce an excessive amount, which is why their efficient removal from water must be studied. Two types of zeolites, Zeolite Micro 20 (Z-M20) and Zeolite Micro 50 (Z-M50), were used. The results showed that the maximum sorption capacities for removal of Cu and Zn were 1.06 for CuSO4, 42.35 for Cu(NO3)2, 1.15 for ZnSO4 and 2.29 for Zn(NO3)2 adsorption onto Z-M20 and 0.45 for CuSO4, 1.67 for Cu(NO3)2, 0.39 for ZnSO4 and 1.51 for Zn(NO3)2 adsorption onto Z-M50. The maximum sorption capacities are higher for sulfates and the sorbent with smaller particle size. The sorption capacities of Cu and Zn for corresponding anion and particle size differ only up to 5–15%. Using XRD and XPS analyses before and after the sorption process, it was found that the content of both Cu and Zn in the surface layer and the bulk are the same for sorption onto sorbent with smaller particle size, but are higher in the surface layer than in the bulk for sorption onto sorbent with larger particle size. One of the main findings of this study is that a zeolite with smaller particles takes Cu and Zn by the whole particle, while with bigger particles, Cu and Zn concentrate in the surface of the particle. The results of the study may be used as an indicator for sorption efficiency of the studied zeolites for their application in the treatment of copper and zinc contaminated effluents.
Implementation of an International Vessel Wall MR Plaque Imaging Research Network: Experience with the ChAMPION Study
Authors: Yu Yannan , Xu Wei-Hai , Chatterjee Arindam Rano , LeMatty Todd , Yao Meng , Li Ming-Li , Brown Truman , Spampinato Maria Vittoria , Martin Renee , Chimowitz Marc I. , Derdeyn Colin , Turan Tanya N.
Published: June 2022

Background and Objective: Intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) is one of the most common causes of stroke worldwide. High-resolution Vessel Wall MR imaging (VW-MR) is commonly used to study ICAS, but in order to accelerate advances in the field of VW-MR ICAS research, the establishment of a multicenter research network is needed. We introduce our experience in establishing a collaborative international VW-MR ICAS research network in China and North America using an innovative, disease-specific ICAS imaging phantom for standardization of VW-MR sequences at the sites. Methods: Both the Medical University of South Carolina and Peking Union Medical College functioned as Central Coordinating Centers in the network. PUMC identified research centers within China that had the potential for collaboration on VW-MR ICAS research based on networking and prior experience. All selected centers refined MRI sequences using an ICAS phantom with study principal investigators virtually present in real-time during scanning. MRI sequences were efficiently calibrated utilizing the broad expertise of all members of the research team. All centers further validated MRI sequences with human subjects. Results: We identified 11 Chinese hospitals as the potential collaborating sites for the network. Of the 11 selected sites, six sites were able to complete the required VW-MR scanning and sequence refinement using the ICAS phantom and subsequent human subjects. Conclusion: The study demonstrated the feasibility of establishing a cross-continent collaborative VW-MR research network and the use of a disease-specific phantom to facilitate convenient and efficient sequence modification for image quality standardization, which is needed for future multicenter VW-MR studies.
Verges as Fragments of Loess Grasslands in the Carpathian Basin and Their Festuca Species
Authors: Szentes Szilárd , Sutyinszki Zsuzsanna , Kiss Tímea , Fűrész Attila , Saláta Dénes , Harkányiné Székely Zsuzsanna , Penksza Károly
Published: June 2022

Loess vegetations of the Carpathian Basin have been ploughed for a thousand years. Therefore, loess steppes of verges of the Transdanubia have nearly disappeared. Therefore, in Hungary, it is also important to find out the composition of loess vegetation. The aims of our study were to date the age of the sample verges and explore types of verges. Is there a correlation between the types, location, expanse and vegetation types of the verges? Which of the coenologically important species of the genus Festuca occur in the verges and patches of loess grassland? The studies were carried out in three areas. We examined the age of the verges and their natural condition. Floristic and coenological surveys were applied to analyse the diversity of the verges. Inflorescence morphological analysis of the dominant Festuca species in the vegetation was carried out by analysing 25 parameters. Our results showed that not only the age of verges was valuable and natural. Most of the loess species did not appear in old verges. Consequently, we should not rely only on the age of the verges to make hypotheses about its natural condition and vegetation. Based on the coenological data, there were two types of verges, which were the interspaced verge and the border verge. Based on the diversity assessment from the survey, data of the interspaced verge showed the highest diversity value, the diversity value was higher than 4. Among the studied taxa, Festuca pseudovina was separated clearly as a homogeneous group. The morphotaxonomic parameters were not enough for species identification of F. valesiaca and F. callieri, but they were not enough for F. rupicola neither, so the examination of the sclerenchyma is required. Overall, in contrast to the previous hypothesis, the age of the grassland fragments is not the most important factor, but rather their location, size, the number of species and the diversity are adapted to them.
A Validated Molecular Protocol to Differentiate Pure Wolves, Dogs and Wolf x Dog Hybrids through a Panel of Multiplexed Canine STR Markers
Authors: Lorenzini Rita , Attili Lorenzo , Tancredi Chantal , Fanelli Rita , Garofalo Luisa
Published: June 2022

The conservation of pure wolf populations in Europe is currently threatened by anthropogenic hybridization with dogs, through potential extinction of local gene pools due to replacement with domestic gene variants. Distinction of wolf–dog hybrids from wild ancestors is essential for development and implementation of management and conservation plans. Morphological traits are rarely helpful, and a genetic approach is the most effective to distinguish admixed individuals back to old backcrosses. To provide a molecular tool to address the issue, we optimized and validated a cost-effective protocol in multiplexed PCR format based on 22 STR canine loci, which allows us to distinguish genetically pure wolves from dogs, and, when used in association with a Bayesian assignment approach, is capable of statistically assigning admixed individuals to classes of hybrids with different levels of dog ancestry. Our method demonstrated high reliability, showing full repeatability and reproducibility of data with as little as 0.125 ng of genomic DNA, and was therefore suitable for the analysis of non-invasively collected samples and degraded DNA. The application of our STR panel to the appropriate assignment procedure unambiguously defined two genetically separated clusters for wolves and dogs, and successfully identified known hybrids as admixed individuals, which eventually were classified as recent hybrids and older backcrosses. The protocol, which is described here in detail, can be adopted by various laboratories that need this kind of diagnosis; furthermore, it would be capable of producing concordant results through inter-laboratory comparisons with wolf and dog control DNAs.
A Socio-Ecological Approach to Understanding How Land Use Challenges Human-Elephant Coexistence in Northern Tanzania
Authors: Sanare John Erasto , Valli Davide , Leweri Cecilia , Glatzer Gregory , Fishlock Vicki , Treydte Anna Christina
Published: June 2022

A globally rapid land use/land cover change (LULC) in human-transformed landscapes alters the interface of human-wildlife interactions due to shifting socio-ecological and environmental pressures. Understanding these shifts is crucial for mitigating repeated negative interactions that escalate conflict states between people and wildlife. This study aimed to understand LULC changes over 30 years (1989–2019), with more recent spatio-temporal patterns of high pressure at the human-elephant interface, and potentially underlying environmental and human-driven factors that affect elephant movement patterns. We analyzed a dataset of 923 human-elephant conflict occurrences, mainly crop foraging incidents, in the Enduimet Wildlife Management Area (EWMA) between the years 2016 and 2020 and combined these data with LULC for year 2019 to understand potential drivers of conflict and assess how agricultural land and settlement have increased over time. We further used GPS datasets of elephants collared between 2019 to 2020 to understand elephant movement patterns in changing land use types. Landsat image analysis revealed that 41% of the area had been converted into farmlands and settlements within the last three decades, which creates elephant-intolerant habitats and the potential to increase pressure at the human-elephant interface. Collared elephants using EWMA moved through all land use types and did not avoid settlements, although they moved through these at higher speeds, reflecting perception of risk. Elephants travelled slightly more slowly in farmland, likely reflecting the availability of foraging opportunities. Our analysis shows that human-induced LULC changes and the encroachment into elephant habitats have resulted in spatially and temporally predictable increases in HEC in EWMA, driven by the proximity of farmlands and protected areas (PAs), so that incompatible land uses are the principal drivers of damage to human livelihoods and increased risks to Tanzanian (and Kenyan) natural capital. Communities in Enduimet urgently need support to increase the effective distance between their farming activities and the PAs. Village-level crop protection and small-scale land-use planning around PAs are important first steps to halt an escalating conflict situation but need to be supported with longer-range strategies that separate incompatible land-use types and encourage the cultivation of alternative crops and livelihood diversification.
Bacterial Community in the Gut of Neanthes japonica and Its Association with Surrounding Environment
Authors: Shang Shuai , Li Liangyu , Liu Xiaoxue , Wang Jun , Tang Xuexi
Published: June 2022

Neanthes japonica has high commercial value. The gut microbes in N. japonica can maintain the normal biological functions of the host. However, information on the gut bacterial community of N. japonica and its relationship with the surrounding environment is unclear. In this study, we used high-throughput sequencing technology to investigate the bacterial communities in the gut of N. japonica and soil. The results showed that the bacterial community diversity and structure differed obviously between the gut and soil samples. Bacterial richness and diversity in the gut samples decreased considerably compared to soil samples. In addition, dominant bacterial taxa varied significantly between the gut and soil samples. The dominant phyla in the gut and soil samples were Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota and Planctomycetota. The dominant genus in the gut was Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia, while the dominant genera in the soil were Woeseia and Subgroup_23. In conclusion, the similarity between the bacterial communities in soil and the gut of N. japonica was small, indicating that soil had little effect on the establishment of the gut bacterial community. This study provides a better understanding of the gut bacterial community in N. japonica and the influence of the external environment on the colonization of the gut bacterial community.
Differential Effects of Tree Species on Soil Microbiota 45 Years after Afforestation of Former Pastures
Authors: Gere Richard , Kočiš Mikuláš , Židó Ján , Gömöry Dušan , Gömöryová Erika
Published: June 2022

Several decades ago, many former pastures in Central Europe were afforested or colonized by trees after being abandoned. Knowledge of the effects of tree species on soil properties is important for planning of the composition of future forests. In this regard, a research location in Vrchdobroč (Central Slovakia), which is former agricultural land used as pasture, enables the exploration of ecosystem processes and properties in stands of different tree species after afforestation. The goal of our study was to find out whether changes in soil properties, including soil microbial activity and diversity among different stands, were already observable 45 years after the afforestation, and how the effects differed among stands of different tree species. The study was conducted in the pure stands of Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesi (Mirb.) Franco), European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.). Multivariate analyses of physico-chemical soil properties indicated an overlap between the soils under the Douglas fir and the spruce, but a clear separation of beech from sycamore. In general, both microbial activity and diversity were, surprisingly, highest under the Douglas fir, followed by the sycamore, with the beech and the spruce showing mostly lower values.
An Update on South African Indigenous Sheep Breeds’ Extinction Status and Difficulties during Conservation Attempts: A Review
Authors: Ngcobo Jabulani Nkululeko , Nedambale Tshimangadzo Lucky , Nephawe Khathutshelo Agree , Mpofu Takalani Judas , Chokoe Tlou Caswell , Ramukhithi Fhulufhelo Vincent
Published: June 2022

South African indigenous breeds’ population is decreasing at a time when their genetic material is mandatory due to the rising climate change and global warming. South African indigenous sheep breeds include Namaqua Afrikaner, Zulu, BaPedi, and Damara sheep. These breeds are the most preferred breeds by rural farmers in South Africa due to their adaptability, low feed, and veterinary requirements. However, since they are characterized by small body sizes, farmers tend to crossbreed them with exotic breeds. An early survey conducted in Kwa-Zulu Natal revealed a 7.5% decline in Zulu sheep between 2008–2011. It has recently been observed that the population left is genotypically mixed with exotic genetic material due to uncontrolled breeding techniques that rural farmers apply. Therefore, the aim of this review is to address the present status, difficulties, and conservation approaches applied to save these breeds. However, this review will be limited to the current extinction status as it appears in the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) system, data from recent studies, difficulties limiting the conservation success of these breeds, and the current conservation approaches in use to conserve these breeds.
Collection and Processing of Behavioural Data of the Olive Fruit Fly, Bactrocera oleae, When Exposed to Olive Twigs Treated with Different Commercial Products
Authors: Daher Elissa , Chierici Elena , Cinosi Nicola , Rondoni Gabriele , Famiani Franco , Conti Eric
Published: June 2022

The need for the development of sustainable control methods of herbivorous insects implies that new molecules are proposed on the market. Among the different effects the new products may have on the target species, the alteration of insect oviposition behaviour might be considered. At the scope, parallel simple behavioural assays can be conducted in arena. Freely available software can be used to track observed events, but they often need intensive customization to the specific experimental design. Hence, integrating such software with, e.g., R environment, can provide a much more effective protocol development for data collection and analysis. Here we present a dataset and protocol for processing data of the oviposition behaviour of the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae, when exposed to olive twigs treated with different commercial products. Treatments were rock powder, propolis, a mixture of rock powder and propolis, copper oxychloride, copper sulphate, and water as the experimental control. JWatcher was used to simultaneously collect data from 12 arena assays and ad-hoc developed R code was used to process raw data for data analyses. The procedure described here is novel and represents a valuable and transferable protocol to analyse observational events in B. oleae, as well as other biological systems.
First Molars–Incisors Rate and Pattern of Bone Loss: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of CBCT Images
Authors: Zardawi Faraedon Mostafa
Published: June 2022

Background: Periodontitis causes attachment and alveolar bone loss; hence, this study aimed to determine the prevalence, frequency, and pattern of bone loss at first molar–incisor areas using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) images. Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional analysis was conducted of 250 randomly selected CBCT images of clearly defined full arches of patients aged from 18 to 70 years who were divided into six age groups and into male and female groups. Four sites around each tooth were scanned at several accesses for bone loss detection. Distance beyond 2 mm apical to the cementoenamel junction to the level of the remaining bone was considered to indicate bone loss. The Shapiro–Wilk test was used to test the normality of the data, and statistical tests were applied for data analysis at the 0.05 p-value level. Results: The rate and amount of bone loss within the examined sample were relatively high. The examined images generally revealed a higher rate of bone loss on proximal than on labial/buccal and lingual/palatal surfaces of the first upper and lower molars. The highest amount of bone loss among all the teeth scanned in this study was seen on the mesial and distal bone of mandibular incisors, 4.36 mm and 4.31 mm, respectively, exceeding that in the labial and lingual bone, 3.23 mm and 1.89 mm, respectively, and it was highly horizontal rather than vertical in pattern. Conclusions: Based on 250 randomly selected CBCT images of clearly defined, full upper and lower arches scanned for this study, it was concluded that the rate and amount of horizontal bone loss were less than vertical bone loss and was focused mainly in the interproximal areas of the first molars. However, the highest recorded amount of bone loss was at the proximal and labial aspects of the mandibular incisors. Furthermore, younger age groups displayed significantly higher rates and amounts of bone loss than older groups, with a slight predilection for males.
A Novel Mathematical Method to Diagnose the Transverse Growth Deficit of the Nasomaxillary Complex
Authors: Guinot-Barona Clara , Soler Segarra Inmaculada , Arias de Luxán Santiago , Laparra Hernández Raquel , Marqués Martínez Laura , García Miralles Esther
Published: June 2022

The diagnosis of transverse growth deficit of the maxilla in daily clinical practice is carried out mainly through the experience of a well-trained clinician, which implies a lack of objective criteria applicable in a protocolized manner. The objective of this study was to establish a mathematical method to diagnose maxillary compression in relation to the dimensions of the skull and mandible. Methods: Records of 97 cases with an overall mean age of 9.8 ± 2.6 years were analyzed by three experienced orthodontists. The group of transverse compression was comprised of 62 cases and the control group of 35 cases. The main measurements of the widths were made on a frontal teleradiography of the skull (cranial, zygomatic, orbital, maxillary, bigonial and biantegonial width) and a lateral teleradiography of the skull (facial axis, mandibular plane, SNA, SNB, ANB and Wits). It was established that from the cranial width it is possible to predict the group to which each subject studied belongs—the compression group or the control group. A mathematical formula was obtained in the form of logistic regression that allows for the diagnosis of the presence of maxillary compression based on the cranial, maxillary and orbital widths with a sensitivity of 88.7% and a specificity of 77.1%.
Understanding Sensitization, Cognitive and Neuropathic Associated Mechanisms behind Post-COVID Pain: A Network Analysis
Authors: Fernández-de-las-Peñas César , Herrero-Montes Manuel , Cancela-Cilleruelo Ignacio , Rodríguez-Jiménez Jorge , Parás-Bravo Paula , Varol Umut , del-Valle-Loarte Pablo , Flox-Benítez Gema , Arendt-Nielsen Lars , Valera-Calero Juan A.
Published: June 2022

This study aimed to describe a network including demographic, sensory-related, psychological/cognitive and other variables in individuals with post-COVID pain after hospitalization. Demographic (i.e., age, height, weight, months with symptoms), sensory-related (Central Sensitization Inventory -CSI-, Self-Report Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms -S-LANSS-, PainDETECT), psychological/cognitive (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale -HADS-A/HADS-D-, Pain Catastrophizing Scale -PCS-, Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia -TSK-11-) and other (sleep quality and health-related quality of life -EQ/5D/5L) variables were collected in 146 COVID-19 survivors with post-COVID pain. A network analysis was conducted to quantify the adjusted correlations between the modelled variables, and to assess their centrality indices (i.e., the connectivity with other symptoms in the network and the importance in the system modelled as network). The network revealed associations between sensory-related and psychological/cognitive variables. PainDETECT was associated with S-LANSS (ρ: 0.388) and CSI (ρ: 0.207). Further, CSI was associated with HADS-A (ρ: 0.269), TSK-11 (ρ: 0.165) and female gender (ρ: 0.413). As expected, HADS-A was associated with HADS-D (ρ: 0.598) and TSK-11 with PCS (ρ: 0.405). The only negative association was between sleep quality and EQ-5D-5L (ρ: −0.162). Gender was the node showing the highest strength, closeness, and betweenness centralities. In addition, CSI was the node with the second highest closeness and betweenness centralities, whereas HADS-D was the node with the second highest strength centrality. This is the first study applying a network analysis for phenotyping post-COVID pain. Our findings support a model where sensitization-associated symptoms, neuropathic phenotype, and psychological aspects are connected, reflecting post-COVID pain as a nociplastic pain condition. In addition, post-COVID pain is gender dependent since female sex plays a relevant role. Clinical implications of current findings, e.g., developing treatments targeting these mechanisms, are discussed.
Long-Standing Lambert–Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome Caused by Undetectable Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Why We Should Follow-Up LEMS
Authors: Hong Bo Young , An Ho Jung , Lim Seong Hoon
Published: June 2022

Physicians often encounter patients with unexplained muscle weakness and dysphagia. Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) can cause unexplained weakness or dysphagia and is often accompanied by neoplastic conditions. A 64-year-old man who had several risk factors—14 kg weight loss over the last 4 years, 20 years of experience working as a coal miner, and being a 50 pack-year ex-smoker—complained of dysphagia, intermittent diplopia, mild weakness, and hypotonia. The initial computed tomography (CT) and follow-up positron emission tomography (PET) CT did not reveal any malignancy. After continuous follow-up for this LEMS, small-cell lung cancer (SCLC, cTxN1M0) was found on a serial follow-up chest CT 21 months after the LEMS diagnosis. The patient was treated with chemotherapy. LEMS is rare and is often accompanied by malignancy. This case highlights the importance of being concerned about LEMS diagnoses and of long-term follow-up for unexplained LEMS.
A Novel Fuzzy Parameterized Fuzzy Hypersoft Set and Riesz Summability Approach Based Decision Support System for Diagnosis of Heart Diseases
Authors: Rahman Atiqe Ur , Saeed Muhammad , Mohammed Mazin Abed , Jaber Mustafa Musa , Garcia-Zapirain Begonya
Published: June 2022

Fuzzy parameterized fuzzy hypersoft set (Δ-set) is more flexible and reliable model as it is capable of tackling features such as the assortment of attributes into their relevant subattributes and the determination of vague nature of parameters and their subparametric-valued tuples by employing the concept of fuzzy parameterization and multiargument approximations, respectively. The existing literature on medical diagnosis paid no attention to such features. Riesz Summability (a classical concept of mathematical analysis) is meant to cope with the sequential nature of data. This study aims to integrate these features collectively by using the concepts of fuzzy parameterized fuzzy hypersoft set (Δ-set) and Riesz Summability. After investigating some properties and aggregations of Δ-set, two novel decision-support algorithms are proposed for medical diagnostic decision-making by using the aggregations of Δ-set and Riesz mean technique. These algorithms are then validated using a case study based on real attributes and subattributes of the Cleveland dataset for heart-ailments-based diagnosis. The real values of attributes and subattributes are transformed into fuzzy values by using appropriate transformation criteria. It is proved that both algorithms yield the same and reliable results while considering hypersoft settings. In order to judge flexibility and reliability, the preferential aspects of the proposed study are assessed by its structural comparison with some related pre-developed structures. The proposed approach ensures that reliable results can be obtained by taking a smaller number of evaluating traits and their related subvalues-based tuples for the diagnosis of heart-related ailments.
The Matrix Effect in the RT-PCR Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Using Saliva without RNA Extraction
Authors: Morais Orlando , Alves Manuel Rui , Ramos Carla , Ferreira Fernando , Fernandes Paulo
Published: June 2022

The present work focuses on the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in saliva, contributing to understanding the inhibition effect of the matrix and its influence on the results. Detection of viral genes ORF1ab, N, and E was performed by RT-PCR using saliva directly in the reaction without RNA extraction. Different amounts of saliva were spiked with increasing amounts of viral RNA from COVID-19 patients and subjected to RT-PCR detection. In parallel, 64 saliva samples from confirmed COVID-19 patients were used in two different amounts directly in the RT-PCR reaction and their results compared. The presence of saliva in the RT-PCR always causes a positive shift of the Ct values, but a very high between-person variability of its magnitude was obtained, with increases ranging from 0.93 to 11.36. Viral targets are also affected differently depending on the initial number of viral particles. Due to inhibitors present in saliva, the duplication of sample volume causes only 48 to 61% of the expected Ct value decrease depending on the viral target gene. The use of saliva has advantages, but also limitations, due to potential inhibitors present in the matrix. However, the choice of the target and the right amount of sample may significantly influence the results.
Transformers Improve Breast Cancer Diagnosis from Unregistered Multi-View Mammograms
Authors: Chen Xuxin , Zhang Ke , Abdoli Neman , Gilley Patrik W. , Wang Ximin , Liu Hong , Zheng Bin , Qiu Yuchen
Published: June 2022

Deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been widely used in various medical imaging tasks. However, due to the intrinsic locality of convolution operations, CNNs generally cannot model long-range dependencies well, which are important for accurately identifying or mapping corresponding breast lesion features computed from unregistered multiple mammograms. This motivated us to leverage the architecture of Multi-view Vision Transformers to capture long-range relationships of multiple mammograms from the same patient in one examination. For this purpose, we employed local transformer blocks to separately learn patch relationships within four mammograms acquired from two-view (CC/MLO) of two-side (right/left) breasts. The outputs from different views and sides were concatenated and fed into global transformer blocks, to jointly learn patch relationships between four images representing two different views of the left and right breasts. To evaluate the proposed model, we retrospectively assembled a dataset involving 949 sets of mammograms, which included 470 malignant cases and 479 normal or benign cases. We trained and evaluated the model using a five-fold cross-validation method. Without any arduous preprocessing steps (e.g., optimal window cropping, chest wall or pectoral muscle removal, two-view image registration, etc.), our four-image (two-view-two-side) transformer-based model achieves case classification performance with an area under ROC curve (AUC = 0.818 ± 0.039), which significantly outperforms AUC = 0.784 ± 0.016 achieved by the state-of-the-art multi-view CNNs (p = 0.009). It also outperforms two one-view-two-side models that achieve AUC of 0.724 ± 0.013 (CC view) and 0.769 ± 0.036 (MLO view), respectively. The study demonstrates the potential of using transformers to develop high-performing computer-aided diagnosis schemes that combine four mammograms.
Whole-Body Vibration Associated with Strength Training on the Lower-Limb Blood Flow and Mobility in Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Rodrigues François Talles Medeiros , Ferreira Ana Paula de Lima , Alves Kennedy Freitas Pereira , Marques Thais Vitorino , de Lima Daniel Florentino , de Lucena Larissa Coutinho , Campos Shirley Lima , Leite Wagner Souza , Guerra Ricardo Oliveira , Rapin Amandine , de Araújo Maria das Graças Rodrigues , Taiar Redha
Published: June 2022

Vascular endothelium insults caused by high serum glucose levels affect the oxygen supply to tissues, via the microvascular endothelium, resulting in an increased perfusion heterogeneity. These insults may lead to the underuse of blood capillaries, while other vessels are overused and effectively overload their oxygen supply capacity, which eventually causes damages to distal parts of the peripheral nervous system. Therefore, the proprioceptive and exteroceptive feedback information will be gradually lost and contribute to a mobility reduction. This study aims to assess the efficacy of whole-body vibration (WBV) associated with strength training (ST) on lower-limb blood flow and mobility in older adults with type 2 diabetes (DM2). Methods and analyses: This is a protocol (1st version) for Pa single-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial guided by the SPIRIT guidelines. Our sample will consist of 51 older adults with DM2 randomly allocated to three groups: low frequency WBV (16–26 Hz) associated to ST (G1), WBV sham (G2) and nonintervention control (G3). The study protocol is set for a 12-week (three times per week) schedule. Primary outcomes: skin temperature using infrared thermographic imaging (ITI); mean peripheral arterial blood flow velocity (MBF) by a handheld Doppler ultrasound (DU), and functional mobility by Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Secondary outcomes: quasi-static posture using the DX100 BTS Smart optoelectronic system, and plantar pressure and body balance using the MPS stabilometric platform. Data will be collected and analyzed at baseline and post-intervention, considering p-value < 0.05 level of significance. The analyses will also be conducted with an intention-to-treat method and effect size. Dissemination: All results will be published in peer-reviewed journals as well as presented in conferences.
Individualized Contrast Media Application Based on Body Weight and Contrast Enhancement in Computed Tomography of Livers without Steatosis
Authors: de Jong Daan J. , van Cooten Véronique V. , Veldhuis Wouter B. , de Jong Pim A. , Kok Madeleine
Published: June 2022

This study analyzes the homogeneity in liver attenuation of a body-weight-based protocol compared to a semi-fixed protocol. Patients undergoing abdominal multiphase computed tomography received 0.500 g of iodine (gI) per kilogram of body weight. Liver attenuation and enhancement were determined using regions of interest on scans in the pre-contrast and portal venous phases. The outcomes were analyzed for interpatient uniformity in weight groups. The subjective image quality was scored using a four-point Likert scale (excellent, good, moderate, and nondiagnostic). A total of 80 patients were included (56.3% male, 64 years, 78.0 kg) and were compared to 80 propensity-score-matched patients (62.5% male, 63 years, 81.7 kg). The liver attenuation values for different weight groups of the TBW-based protocol were not significantly different (p = 0.331): 109.1 ± 13.8 HU (≤70 kg), 104.6 ± 9.70 HU (70–90 kg), and 105.1 ± 11.6 HU (≥90 kg). For the semi-fixed protocol, there was a significant difference between the weight groups (p < 0.001): 121.1 ± 12.1 HU (≤70 kg), 108.9 ± 11.0 HU (70–90 kg), and 105.0 ± 9.8 HU (≥90 kg). For the TBW-based protocol, the enhancement was not significantly different between the weight groups (p = 0.064): 46.2 ± 15.1 HU (≤70 kg), 59.3 ± 6.8 HU (70–90 kg), and 52.1 ± 11.7 HU (≥90 kg). Additionally, for the semi-fixed protocol, the enhancement was not significantly different between the weight groups (p = 0.069): 59.4 ± 11.0 HU (≤70 kg), 53.0 ± 10.3 HU (70–90 kg), and 52.4 ± 7.5 HU (≥90 kg). The mean administered amount of iodine per kilogram was less for the TBW-based protocol compared to the semi-fixed protocol: 0.499 ± 0.012 and 0.528 ± 0.079, respectively (p = 0.002). Of the TBW-based protocol, 17.5% of the scans scored excellent enhancement quality, 76.3% good, and 6.3% moderate. Of the semi-fixed protocol, 70.0% scored excellent quality, 21.3% scored good, and 8.8% scored moderate. In conclusion, the TBW-based protocol increased the interpatient uniformity of liver attenuation but not the enhancement in the portal venous phase compared to the semi-fixed protocol, using an overall lower amount of contrast media and maintaining good subjective image quality.