bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analytic Solution for Nonlinear Impact-Angle Guidance Law with Time-Varying Thrust
Authors: Cho Sungjin
Published: November 2022

This paper presents an impact-angle guidance law of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with time-varying thrust in a boosting phase. Most current research on impact-angle guidance law assumes that UAV speed is constant in terms of controlled thrust. However, the UAV speed and the acceleration in a boosting phase keep changing because of time-varying thrust. Environmental factors and manufacturing process error may prohibit accurately predicting vehicle-thrust profiles. We propose a nonlinear impact-angle guidance law by analytically solving second-order error dynamics with nonlinear time-varying coefficients. The proposed analytic solution enables one to update guidance gains according to initial and current states so that desired impact angle is met while the miss-distance error is reduced. We prove the finite-time error convergence of the proposed guidance law with the Lyapunov stability theory. Various simulation studies are performed to verify the proposed guidance law.
A Class of Fibonacci Matrices, Graphs, and Games
Authors: Brimkov Valentin E. , Barneva Reneta P.
Published: November 2022

In this paper, we define a class of Fibonacci graphs as graphs whose adjacency matrices are obtained by alternating binary Fibonacci words. We show that Fibonacci graphs are close in size to Turán graphs and that their size-stability tradeoff defined as the product of their size and stability number is very close to the maximum possible over all bipartite graphs. We also consider a combinatorial game based on sequential vertex deletions and show that the Fibonacci graphs are extremal regarding the number of rounds in which the game can terminate.
Equilibrium Optimizer and Slime Mould Algorithm with Variable Neighborhood Search for Job Shop Scheduling Problem
Authors: Wei Yuanfei , Othman Zalinda , Daud Kauthar Mohd , Yin Shihong , Luo Qifang , Zhou Yongquan
Published: November 2022

Job Shop Scheduling Problem (JSSP) is a well-known NP-hard combinatorial optimization problem. In recent years, many scholars have proposed various metaheuristic algorithms to solve JSSP, playing an important role in solving small-scale JSSP. However, when the size of the problem increases, the algorithms usually take too much time to converge. In this paper, we propose a hybrid algorithm, namely EOSMA, which mixes the update strategy of Equilibrium Optimizer (EO) into Slime Mould Algorithm (SMA), adding Centroid Opposition-based Computation (COBC) in some iterations. The hybridization of EO with SMA makes a better balance between exploration and exploitation. The addition of COBC strengthens the exploration and exploitation, increases the diversity of the population, improves the convergence speed and convergence accuracy, and avoids falling into local optimum. In order to solve discrete problems efficiently, a Sort-Order-Index (SOI)-based coding method is proposed. In order to solve JSSP more efficiently, a neighbor search strategy based on a two-point exchange is added to the iterative process of EOSMA to improve the exploitation capability of EOSMA to solve JSSP. Then, it is utilized to solve 82 JSSP benchmark instances; its performance is evaluated compared to that of EO, Marine Predators Algorithm (MPA), Aquila Optimizer (AO), Bald Eagle Search (BES), and SMA. The experimental results and statistical analysis show that the proposed EOSMA outperforms other competing algorithms.
Anti-Rumor Dissemination Model Based on Heat Influence and Evolution Game
Authors: Chen Jing , Wei Nana , Xin Chen , Liu Mingxin , Yu Zeren , Liu Miaomiao
Published: November 2022

Aiming at the problem that the existing rumor dissemination models only focus on the characteristics of rumor dissemination and ignore anti-rumor dissemination, an evolution game model, SDIR, based on heat influence is proposed in this paper. Firstly, in order to solve the problem that rumor and anti-rumor information of emergency events disseminate simultaneously in social networks, the model extracts the factors that affect information dissemination: user behavior characteristics, user closeness and heat influence of participating topics. Secondly, anti-rumor information and an evolutionary game mechanism are introduced into the traditional SIR model, binary information is introduced to analyze the anti-rumor dissemination model SDIR, and the four state transitions and dissemination processes of SDIR are discussed. Finally, the SDIR model is experimentally validated in different datasets and dissemination models. The experimental results show that the SDIR model is in line with the actual dissemination law, and it can be proved that high self-identification ability plays a certain role in suppressing rumors; the anti-rumor information effectively inhibits the spread of rumor information to a certain extent. Compared with other models, the SDIR model is closer to the real diffusion range in the dataset.
Adaptive Finite-Time Control of Stochastic Genetic Regulatory Networks with Time-Varying Delays
Authors: Wu Lulu , Liu Feifei , Gu Haibo , Wang Pei
Published: November 2022

This article discusses the finite-time stability problem for stochastic genetic regulatory networks (SGRNs) with time-varying delays. By designing suitable adaptive controllers and skillfully choosing appropriate Lyapunov and multi-Lyapunov functions, respectively, the above non-switched and switched SGRNs can achieve finite time stability in probability. Superior to some existing controllers for GRNs, the above adaptive design procedures can reduce the dependence of the system parameters. Finally, two numerical simulation examples illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
A Novel Hybrid Price Prediction Model for Multimodal Carbon Emission Trading Market Based on CEEMDAN Algorithm and Window-Based XGBoost Approach
Authors: Zhang Chao , Zhao Yihang , Zhao Huiru
Published: November 2022

Accurate prediction of the carbon trading price (CTP) is crucial to the decision-making of relevant stakeholders, and can also provide a reference for policy makers. However, the time interval for the CTP is one day, resulting in a relatively small sample size of data available for predictions. When dealing with small sample data, deep learning algorithms can trade only a small improvement in prediction accuracy at the expense of efficiency and computing time. In contrast, fine-grained configurations of traditional model inputs and parameters often perform no less well than deep learning algorithms. In this context, this paper proposes a novel hybrid CTP prediction model based on the complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (CEEMDAN) and a windowed-based XGBoost approach. First, the initial CTP data is decomposed into multiple subsequences with relatively low volatility and randomness based on the CEEMDAN algorithm. Then, the decomposed carbon valence series and covariates are subject to windowed processing to become the inputs of the XGBoost model. Finally, the universality of the proposed model is verified through case studies of four carbon emission trading markets with different modal characteristics, and the superiority of the proposed model is verified by comparing with seven other models. The results show that the prediction error of the proposed XGBoost(W-b) algorithm is reduced by 4.72%~81.47% compared to other prediction algorithms. In addition, the introduction of CEEMDAN further reduces the prediction error by 25.24%~89.28% on the basis of XGBoost(W-b).
Reduced Awareness for Osteoporosis in Hip Fracture Patients Compared to Elderly Patients Undergoing Elective Hip Replacement
Authors: Kraus Moritz , Neuerburg Carl , Thomasser Nicole , Stumpf Ulla Cordula , Blaschke Matthias , Plötz Werner , Saller Maximilian Michael , Böcker Wolfgang , Keppler Alexander Martin
Published: November 2022

Background: Osteoporotic fractures are associated with a loss of quality of life, but only few patients receive an appropriate therapy. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the awareness of musculoskeletal patients to participate in osteoporosis assessment and to evaluate whether there are significant differences between acute care patients treated for major fractures of the hip compared to elective patients treated for hip joint replacement.; Methods: From May 2015 to December 2016 patients who were undergoing surgical treatment for proximal femur fracture or total hip replacement due to osteoarthritis and were at risk for an underlying osteoporosis (female > 60 and male > 70 years) were included in the study and asked to complete a questionnaire assessing the awareness for an underlying osteoporosis. ASA Score, FRAX Score, and demographic information have also been examined. Results: In total 268 patients (female = 194 (72.0%)/male = 74 (28%)), mean age 77.7 years (±7.7) undergoing hip surgery were included. Of these, 118 were treated for fracture-related etiology and 150 underwent total hip arthroplasty in an elective care setting. Patients were interviewed about their need for osteoporosis examination during hospitalization. Overall, 76 of 150 patients receiving elective care (50.7%) considered that an examination was necessary, whereas in proximal femur fracture patients the awareness was lower, and the disease osteoporosis was assessed as threatening by significantly fewer newly fractured patients. By comparison, patients undergoing trauma surgery had a considerably greater risk of developing another osteoporotic fracture than patients undergoing elective surgery determined by the FRAX® Score (p ≤ 0.001).; Conclusions: The patients’ motivation to endure additional osteoporosis diagnostic testing is notoriously low and needs to be increased. Patients who underwent acute care surgery for a fragility proximal femur fracture, although acutely affected by the potential consequences of underlying osteoporosis, showed lower awareness than the elective comparison population that was also on average 6.1 years younger. Although elective patients were younger and at a lower risk, they seemed to be much more willing to undergo further osteoporosis assessment. In order to better identify and care for patients at risk, interventions such as effective screening, early initiation of osteoporosis therapy in the inpatient setting and a fracture liaison service are important measures.
Internal Fixation of Garden Type III Femoral Neck Fractures with Sliding Hip Screw and Anti-Rotation Screw: Does Increased Valgus Improve Healing?
Authors: Hackl Simon , von Rüden Christian , Weisemann Ferdinand , Klöpfer-Krämer Isabella , Stuby Fabian M. , Högel Florian
Published: November 2022

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of valgus versus anatomic reduction on internal fixation of Garden type III femoral neck fractures using the sliding hip screw (SHS) and anti-rotation screw (ARS) regarding the radiographic and therapeutic outcome. Patients and Methods: A retrospective case-controlled study was performed in a level I trauma center. All patients between 2006 and 2020 aged younger than 70 years with a Garden type III femoral neck fracture and a Kellgren–Lawrence score under grade III stabilized using SHS and ARS were identified. One-hundred and nine patients were included, with a group distribution of sixty-eight patients in group A (anatomic reduction) and forty-one patients in group B (valgus reduction). Results: Mean age was 55 years, and the mean Kellgren–Lawrence score was 1 in both groups. Mean femoral neck angle was 130.5 ± 3.8° in group A and 142.8 ± 4.3° in group B (p = 0.001), with an over-correction of 12° in group B. Tip-apex distance was 10.0 ± 2.8 mm in group A versus 9.3 ± 2.8 mm in group B (p = 0.89). Healing time was 9 weeks in group A compared to 12 weeks in group B (p = 0.001). Failure rate was 4.4% in group A and 17.1% in group B (p = 0.027). Conclusions: Anatomic reduction of Garden type III femoral neck fractures in patients younger than 70 years treated using SHS and ARS resulted in significantly lower failure rates and shorter healing times than after valgus reduction. Therefore, it can be recommended to achieve anatomic reduction.
Patients’ Fears and Perceptions Associated with Anesthesia
Authors: Jovanovic Ksenija , Kalezic Nevena , Sipetic Grujicic Sandra , Zivaljevic Vladan , Jovanovic Milan , Savic Milica , Trailovic Ranko , Vjestica Mrdak Milica , Novovic Maja , Marinkovic Jelena , Kukic Biljana , Dimkic Tomic Tijana , Cvetkovic Slobodan , Davidovic Lazar
Published: November 2022

Background and Objectives: It has been suggested that intense feelings of fear/anxiety and significant patient concerns may affect the perioperative course. Those findings emphasize the importance of surgical patients’ preoperative feelings. Still, current knowledge in this area is based on a limited number of studies. Thus, we think that there is a need to further explore patients’ preoperative fears, better characterize risk factors and reasons for their occurrence, and evaluate patients’ perspectives associated with anesthesia. Materials and Methods: A total of 385 patients undergoing vascular surgery were preoperatively interviewed using a questionnaire that included demographics and questions related to patients’ fears and perceptions of anesthesia. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson’s χ2 and McNemar tests, and multivariate ordinal logistic regression. Results: The main causes of patients’ preoperative fear were surgery (53.2%), potential complications (46.5%), and anesthesia (40%). Female sex was a predictor of surgery and anesthesia-related fear (OR = 3.07, p = 0.001; OR = 2.4, p = 0.001, respectively). Previous experience lowered the fear of current surgery (OR = 0.65, p = 0.031) and anesthesia (OR = 0.6, p = 0.017). Type of surgery, type of anesthesia, educational and socioeconomic status, and personal knowledge of an anesthesiologist affected specific anesthesia-related fears. Over 25% of patients did not know that an anesthesiologist is a physician, and only 17.7% knew where anesthesiologists work. Level of education and place of residence influenced patients’ perceptions of anesthesia. Conclusions: Anesthesia-related fears are affected by the type of surgery/anesthesia, experience with previous surgery, and personal knowledge of an anesthesiologist. Women, patients with lower education levels, and patients with poorer socioeconomic status are at higher risk of developing those fears. The perception of anesthesiologists is inadequate, and knowledge of anesthesia is poor. Promotion of patient education regarding anesthesia is needed to alleviate those fears and increase understanding of anesthesia.
Effect of Constraint and Crack Contact Closure on Fatigue Crack Mechanical Behavior of Specimen under Negative Loading Ratio by Finite Element Method
Authors: Miao Xinting , Hong Haisheng , Hong Xinyi , Peng Jian , Bie Fengfeng
Published: November 2022

Mechanical behaviors at fatigue crack tips of cracked specimens under negative loading ratios are studied in detail by the finite element method in this paper. Three factors induced by specimen type and loading type on fatigue crack field are discussed, including constraint, compressive loading effect (CL effect) and crack contact closure. For mode I crack under negative loading ratios, the effects of the CL effect and crack contact closure on plastic strain accumulations are dominant, with the constraint effect being minor. The constraint effect has effects on the monotonous plastic zone, while the CL effect and contact closure both have effects on the reversed plastic zone (RPZ) and residual tensile plastic zone (RTPZ). That is, the higher the constraint, the smaller the size of the monotonous plastic zone; the greater the CL effect, or the smaller the contact degree, the larger the size of RPZ and RTPZ. For mode II crack, there is only CL effect on the crack tip field without the effect of constraint and contact closure, so plastic strain accumulation at the mode II crack tip is much greater than that at the mode I crack tip when they are under the same loading level.
Laser Beam Machining of Tungsten Alloy: Experimental and Numerical Analysis
Authors: Begic-Hajdarevic Derzija , Bijelonja Izet
Published: November 2022

Laser beam machining of various materials has found wide applications in the industry due to its advantages of high-speed machining, no tool wear and no vibration, precision and accuracy, low cost of machining, etc. Investigations into the laser beam machining of uncommon alloy are still limited and more research is needed in this field. In this paper, an analysis of the laser beam machining of tungsten alloy was performed, for cutting and drilling machining processes. First, an experimental analysis of microhardness and microstructure on the laser-cut samples was performed, and then the numerical simulation of the laser beam drilling process and its experimental validation was carried out. The experiments were carried out on a tungsten alloy plate of two different thicknesses, 0.5 and 1 mm. No significant changes in the microhardness, nor in the microstructure characteristics in the heat-affected zone (HAZ), were observed for the cutting conditions considered. A two-dimensional axisymmetric mathematical model for the simulation of the laser beam drilling process is solved by a finite volume method. The model was validated by comparing numerical and experimental results in terms of the size of HAZ and the size and shape of the drilled hole. Experimental and numerical results showed that HAZ is larger in the 0.5-mm-thick plate than in the 1-mm-thick plate under the same drilling conditions. Good agreement was observed between the experimental and numerical results. The developed model improves the understanding of the physical phenomena of laser beam machining and allows the optimization of laser and process parameters.
Microstructure and Properties of Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing of Inconel 625
Authors: Akselsen Odd M. , Bjørge Ruben , Ånes Håkon Wiik , Ren Xiaobo , Nyhus Bård
Published: November 2022

In the present investigation, wire arc additive manufacturing of Inconel 625 was carried out with the cold metal transfer variant of the metal inert gas process. The heat input varied between 0.46 and 0.63 kJ/mm, which is a rather low heat input with low deposition rate. The built walls were subjected to Charpy V and crack tip opening displacement (CTOD) fracture toughness testing, in addition to microstructure examination with light microscope and scanning and transmission electron microscope. The results obtained show that hardness increases from the base metal level of 210, via the heat-affected zone (in the building plate) with HV of 220, to the weld metal, with a hardness of around 240–250. All individual Charpy V values fall within the range from 160 to 200 J, while the CTOD fracture toughness is within the range from 0.49 to 1.05 mm. The microstructure examination revealed the microsegregation of certain elements to the interdendritic regions, causing three different particle types to form. Particles with a spherical morphology were identified as spinel (MgAl2O4). Some of the spinel particles were surrounded by disc-shaped precipitates, which were identified as (NbTi)(CN), having the same orientation as the spinel.
Non-Unified Constitutive Models for the Simulation of the Asymmetrical Cyclic Behavior of GH4169 at Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Hu Xuteng , Zhuang Shuying , Zheng Haodong , Zhao Zuopeng , Jia Xu
Published: November 2022

The tensile, creep, fatigue and creep-fatigue tests of the nickel-based superalloy GH4169 were carried out. According to the deformation characteristics of GH4169 alloy, the Ohno-Karim kinematic model (O-K model) can be used to describe the tensile behavior. The creep constitutive model presented in this paper can be used to predict the three-stage creep characteristics of the GH4169 alloy. The modified Ohno-Karim kinematic hardening model, combined with an isotropic hardening model, can well predict the cyclic softening behavior of the material under symmetric loads and the mean stress relaxation behavior under asymmetric loads. Based on the modified Ohno-Karim kinematic hardening model, isotropic hardening model and creep constitutive model, a non-unified constitutive model was established. The creep-fatigue behavior of the GH4169 alloy under symmetric and asymmetric loads is simulated by using the non-unified constitutive model. The simulation results are very close to the experimental results; however, the prediction results of the time-dependent relaxation load are relatively small.
Development of an Inkjet Setup for Printing and Monitoring Microdroplets
Authors: Cavaleiro de Ferreira Beatriz , Coutinho Tiago , Ayala Botto Miguel , Cardoso Susana
Published: November 2022

Inkjet printing is a digitally controlled additive technology that allows the precise deposition of droplets. Because it is additive, it enables geometries usually unattainable by other technologies. Because it is digitally controlled, its output is easily modulated, even during operation. Combined with the development of functional materials and their micrometer precision, it can be applicable in a wide range of fields beyond the traditional graphic industry, such as medical diagnosis, electronics manufacturing, and the fabrication of microlenses. In this work, a solution based on open-source hardware and software was implemented instead of choosing a commercial alternative, making the most of inkjet flexibility in terms of inks, substrates, and actuation signal. First, a piezoelectric printhead from MicroFab, driven by an ArduinoDue, was mounted in a 3D printer adapted to ensure precise movement in three dimensions. Then, a monitoring system using a USB digital microscope and a computational algorithm was integrated. Both systems combined allow the printing and measurement of microdroplets by digital regulation of a unipolar signal. Finally, based on a theoretical model and a set of experimentally collected samples, the curve that relates the unipolar signal amplitude to the size of the microdroplets was estimated with an acceptable range of prediction uncertainty.
A Shear-Mode Magnetoelectric Heterostructure with Enhanced Magnetoelectric Response for Stray Power-Frequency Magnetic Field Energy Harvesting
Authors: He Wei
Published: November 2022

This paper devises a magnetoelectric (ME) heterostructure to harvest ambient stray power-frequency (50 Hz or 60 Hz) magnetic field energy. The device explores the shear piezoelectric effect of the PZT-5A plates and the magnetostrictive activity of the Terfenol-D plates. The utilization of the high-permeability films helps to enhance the magnetoelectric response to the applied alternating magnetic field. A theoretical model is developed based on the piezomagnetic and piezoelectric constitutive equations as well as the boundary conditions. The ME response of the device is characterized theoretically and experimentally. The measured ME voltage coefficient attains 165.2 mV/Oe at the frequency of 50 Hz, which shows a good agreement with the theoretical result. The feasibility for extracting energy from the 50 Hz magnetic field is validated. Under an external alternating magnetic field of 30 Oe, a maximum power of 8.69 μW is generated across an optimal load resistance of 693 kΩ. Improvements of the ME heterostructure are practicable, which allows an enhancement of the ME voltage coefficient and the maximum power by optimizing the structural parameters and utilizing PMN-PT with a higher shear-mode piezoelectric voltage coefficient (g15).
Thrombospondin-Related Anonymous Protein (TRAP) Family Expression by Babesia bovis Life Stages within the Mammalian Host and Tick Vector
Authors: Masterson Hayley E. , Taus Naomi S. , Johnson Wendell C. , Kappmeyer Lowell , Capelli-Peixoto Janaina , Hussein Hala E. , Mousel Michelle R. , Hernandez-Silva Diego J. , Laughery Jacob M. , Mosqueda Juan , Ueti Massaro W.
Published: November 2022

The tick-transmitted disease bovine babesiosis causes significant economic losses in many countries around the world. Current control methods include modified live-attenuated vaccines that have limited efficacy. Recombinant proteins could provide effective, safe, and low-cost alternative vaccines. We compared the expression of the Babesia bovis thrombospondin-related anonymous protein (TRAP) family from parasites in bovine blood, in vitro induced sexual stages, and kinetes from tick hemolymph. Quantitative PCR showed that in blood and sexual stages, TRAP3 was highly transcribed as compared to the other TRAPs. In contrast, the TRAP1 gene was highly transcribed in kinetes as compared to the other TRAPs. Fixed immunofluorescence assays showed that TRAP2, 3, and 4 proteins were expressed by both blood and sexual stages. Conversely, TRAP1 protein, undetected on blood and induced sexual stages, was the only family member expressed by kinetes. Live IFA revealed that TRAP2, 3, and 4 proteins were expressed on the surface of both B. bovis blood and sexual stages. Modeling of B. bovis TRAP1 and TRAP4 tertiary structure demonstrated both proteins folded the metal-ion-dependent adhesion site (MIDAS) domain structure of Plasmodium TRAP. In conclusion, TRAP proteins may serve as potential vaccine targets to prevent infection of bovine and ticks with B. bovis essential for controlling the spread of bovine babesiosis.
Late Permian High-Ti and Low-Ti Basalts in the Songpan–Ganzi Terrane: Continental Breakup of the Western Margin of the South China Block
Authors: Shao Yumeng , Yan Danping , Qiu Liang , Mu Hongxu , Zhang Yi
Published: November 2022

Although the Emeishan Large Igneous Province (ELIP) has been thoroughly researched, the role of the ELIP in the tectonics of the Songpan–Ganzi extensional basin in the eastern Tibetan Plateau has long been argued without any corroborated and robust evidence. We have investigated the basalt succession of the Dashibao Formation along Xindianzi and Xuecheng sections in the southeast margin of the Songpan–Ganzi Terrane (SGT). New SIMS zircon U-Pb ages and geochemical features of the Dashibao Formation are reported in this paper. Zircons of basalt sample XDZ02-1 yielded a weighted mean age of 259.1 ± 1.66 Ma, which is in alignment with the period when the main eruption of the ELIP occurred. Zircons from two tuff samples XDZ05-1 and XC05-2, overlying the basalt succession, were dated at 251.8 ± 1.57 Ma and 251.5 ± 0.27 Ma, respectively. These new dating results revealed a ~10 Ma eruption for the Dashibao basalts. The Dashibao basalts are geochemically classified into alkaline basalts (Group 1) and tholeiitic basalts (Group 2), which are a part of the Emeishan basalt. We thus propose that the Dashibao basalts erupted in a continental rift setting, located at the margin of the ELIP. The temporal and spatial coincidence of the Dashibao basalt, ELIP, and continental rifting in the western margin of the South China Block suggest that the continental breakup is a response to the Permian mantle plume that triggered the separation of the SGT in the eastern Tibetan Plateau.
Femtosecond Er-Doped All-Fiber Laser with High-Density Well-Aligned Carbon-Nanotube-Based Thin-Film Saturable Absorber
Authors: Dvoretskiy Dmitriy A. , Sazonkin Stanislav G. , Orekhov Ilya O. , Kudelin Igor S. , Denisov Lev K. , Karasik Valeriy E. , Agafonov Viatcheslav N. , Khabashesku Valery N. , Davydov Valeriy A.
Published: November 2022

We have studied the ultrafast saturation behavior of a high-density well-aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes saturable absorber (HDWA-SWCNT SA), obtained by a high-pressure and high-temperature treatment of commercially available single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and related it to femtosecond erbium-doped fiber laser performance. We have observed the polarization dependence of a nonlinear optical saturation, along with a low saturation energy level of <1 fJ, limited to the detector threshold used, and the ultrafast response time of <250 fs, while the modulation depth was approximately 12%. We have obtained the generation of ultrashort stretched pulses with a low mode-locking launching threshold of ~100 mW and an average output power of 12.5 mW in an erbium-doped ring laser with the hybrid mode-locking of a VDVA-SWNT SA in combination with the effects of nonlinear polarization evolution. Dechirped pulses with a duration of 180 fs were generated, with a repetition rate of about 42.22 MHz. The average output power standard deviation was about 0.06% RMS during 3 h of measurement.
A Review on Metasurface Beam Splitters
Authors: Shen Zhe , Huang Dingxin
Published: November 2022

Beam splitters are widely used in various optical systems, but traditional beam splitters are bulky and heavy, which are not conducive to the integrated utilization of optical devices. Metamaterials have attracted extensive attention as a kind of miniature artificial materials, and there have been many works on the design of metasurface beam splitters. Using metasurfaces, multiple functions of traditional beam splitters can be achieved. Meanwhile, metasurface beam splitters have the advantages of small size, easy integration, flexible design of beam-splitting performance, and tunable functions. This review surveys the current work on metasurface beam splitters and provides a classification and introduction to metasurface beam splitters. Metasurface beam splitters are expected to play a huge role in interferometers, multiplexing, multi-beam communications, and more.
Predictive Glycaemic Response of Pasta Enriched with Juice, Puree, and Pomace from Red Cabbage and Spinach
Authors: Wang Jinghong , Brennan Margaret Anne , Brennan Charles Stephen , Serventi Luca
Published: November 2022

This study reports the digestibility and nutritional quality of pasta made from durum wheat semolina which was partially substituted by puree, juice or pomace from spinach and red cabbage. The results show that 10% substitution of semolina with red cabbage pomace and spinach pomace, 1% substitution of spinach juice, and 2% substitution of spinach puree significantly reduced the area under the curve of the in vitro starch digestion. This reduction was due to a combined effect of decreased starch content, increased dietary fibre content and inhibition of α-amylase caused by vegetable material addition. Total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity increased significantly on raw, cooked and digested samples of vegetable fortified pasta compared to control. The β-carotene content of spinach pasta (raw, cooked, and digested) was also higher than that of control. At the 1% substitution level, the juice was more efficient in improving the antioxidant capacity of resultant pasta compared to puree or pomace.
Improving Obesogenic Dietary Behaviors among Adolescents: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Nonguierma Elodie , Lesco Emily , Olak Regan , Welch Hunter , Zar Alam Nagina , Bonyadi Jamila , Hopkins Laura
Published: November 2022

The overweight and obesity epidemic persists, and over 340 million children and adolescents aged 5–19 were classified as overweight or obese worldwide in 2020. Obesity intervention becomes crucial during the adolescent years due to the increased autonomy and adolescent motivation to oversee one’s own behaviors and lifestyle-related decisions. The objective of the current study was to conduct a systematic review of randomized controlled trials aimed at improving dietary intake and behaviors among adolescents. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were utilized. The key terms used in the searches referred to the study population and the topic of interest and included words and phrases such as “obesity or overweight and adolescents”, “dietary behaviors and adolescents”, “dietary intake and adolescents”, and “dietary habits and adolescents.” A tertiary screening process was employed, and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Quality Assessment of Controlled Intervention Studies quality scoring tool was utilized to assess the quality of research articles independently by n = 2 researchers. A total of 7441 articles were identified through the database search, and 36 were included in the current systematic review. The most common outcomes explored included dietary behaviors, anthropometric or biometric outcomes, and physical activity. Approximately half of the studies demonstrated significant improvements in the primary outcomes investigated. The majority of the high-impact studies where significant improvements in primary outcomes were demonstrated were conducted in school settings or were multicomponent or multilevel in nature. Thus, interventions targeting dietary behaviors in adolescents that are delivered in the school setting and are multicomponent or multilevel in nature are the most effective in terms of impact on dietary intake, anthropometric or biometric outcomes, and physical activity.
Does a Plant-Based Diet Stand Out for Its Favorable Composition for Heart Health? Dietary Intake Data from a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Dressler Justina , Storz Maximilian Andreas , Müller Carolin , Kandil Farid I. , Kessler Christian S. , Michalsen Andreas , Jeitler Michael
Published: November 2022

A plant-based diet (PBD) can provide numerous health benefits for patients with cardiovascular risk factors. However, an inadequately planned PBD also bear the potential for deficiencies in certain macro- and micronutrients. The present study analyzed nutrient profiles of individuals who adopted a PBD as part of the CardioVeg study. Participants with cardiovascular risk factors were randomly assigned to either a whole-food PBD intervention (n = 36; eight 90 min group meetings including two 120 min cooking sessions) or a control group asked to maintain an omnivorous diet (n = 34) for eight weeks. Food intake data were collected using three-day weighed food records and analyzed with NutriGuide software, including the German Nutrient Data Base (German: Bundeslebensmittelschlüssel). Nutrient intake was compared before and after eight weeks as well as between the groups. The results for both groups were then contrasted to the current dietary recommendations published by the societies for nutrition in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Moreover, anthropometric/laboratory data and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were determined at baseline and after 8 weeks. Data of a subsample (n = 18 in the PBD group and n = 19 in the control group) were used for the present analyses of the dietary intake data. A PBD yielded several benefits including (but not limited to) a lower energy density, a lower intake of cholesterol and saturated fat, an increased consumption of fiber, and a lower intake of salt. Recommended intakes of most vitamins and minerals were generally met, except for vitamin B12 in the PBD group. A low intake of several other critical nutrients (vitamin D, iodine) was observed in both groups. Compared with the control group, PBD resulted in a significant decrease in body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, HbA1c, and fasting blood glucose after 8 weeks. Overall, it can be concluded that a PBD had a more favorable nutrient composition for cardiovascular health than the omnivorous dietary pattern of the control group.
Select Dietary Supplement Ingredients for Preserving and Protecting the Immune System in Healthy Individuals: A Systematic Review
Authors: Crawford Cindy , Brown LaVerne L. , Costello Rebecca B. , Deuster Patricia A.
Published: November 2022

Immune health products represent approximately 10% of all US dietary supplement sales. Claims made on products to support or boost the immune system are attractive to the otherwise healthy consumer who may or may not be experiencing certain life stressors. The purpose of this systematic review is to critically evaluate the purported benefits and/or potential harms of select dietary supplement ingredients frequently listed on the labels of products having immune health or related market claims. With a focus on resilience, research questions were related to whether dietary supplement ingredients are efficacious in preserving and protecting immune health in healthy individuals; and when faced with a stressor, whether taking a supplement prophylactically can assist in maintaining health and resisting or bouncing back more quickly. Thirty-nine randomized controlled studies involving populations including children, adults and seniors exposed to stressors, such as air travel, intense exercise, academic stress, and/or exposure to winter weather, met eligibility criteria. The studies included eight of the 27 supplement ingredients identified through a market-driven scoping review. Those ingredients used in single ingredient products were echinacea, elderberry, garlic, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and zinc. Whereas some studies may point to evidence for benefit, specific gaps preclude the authors from making firm statements with regard to the overall evidence-base for these products and ingredients and in answering the research questions. As we move toward a vision of health promotion and resilience rather than a sole focus on disease prevention and treatment, further work in this area of dietary supplements is of utmost importance.
How to Decide the Iodine Content in Salt for a Country—China as an Example
Authors: Fan Lijun , Du Yang , Meng Fangang , Liu Lixiang , Li Ming , Liu Peng , Sun Dianjun
Published: November 2022

Globally, many countries have implemented universal salt iodization to prevent and control iodine deficiency disorders. Therefore, it is important to determine the optimal iodine content in salt and to adjust it in a timely manner. This article aims to establish a process for selecting, deciding, and evaluating the iodine content in salt for China and, if possible, providing references for other countries. Information on salt intake, water iodine, and iodine stability in salt was collected. A field investigation was carried out in different populations in four provinces. Iodine intake was calculated and the appropriate iodine content for salt preliminarily obtained, then verified for suitability with 2020 China National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Surveillance data. In total, 2837 children, 1660 adults, and 2145 pregnant women were enrolled, and their iodine intake from food was 3.7–96.1, 60.0–156.0 and 65.0–112.0 µg/d, respectively. After calculation, when the iodine content in salt was 20, 25 and 30 mg/kg, for children and adults, the total iodine intake ranged from 173.4 to 253.5 µg/d and 230.3 to 379.8 µg/d, respectively. When the iodine content in salt was 30 and 35 mg/kg, for pregnant women, the total iodine intake was 296.8–408.9 µg/d, which was between the recommended nutrient intake and tolerable upper intake level. Therefore, in China, the iodine content in salt in the general population can be preset as 20, 25 and 30 mg/kg, and that in pregnant women 30 and 35 mg/kg, with a variation of ±5 mg/kg based on the automatic spraying technique used in the salt processing plant. Iodine nutritional status was then evaluated according to the preset iodine content in the salt, and it reached the appropriate level for the different populations. The iodine content in salt in China was decided and verified, and the procedure of selecting the iodine content in salt was established for the reference of different countries.
Natural Substances, Probiotics, and Synthetic Agents in the Treatment and Prevention of Honeybee Nosemosis
Authors: Kunat-Budzyńska Magdalena , Budzyński Michał , Schulz Michał , Strachecka Aneta , Gancarz Marek , Rusinek Robert , Ptaszyńska Aneta A.
Published: November 2022

Honeybees are important pollinators, but they are continuously exposed to a variety of fungal and bacterial diseases. One of the various diseases affecting honeybees is nosemosis caused by microsporidia from the Nosema genus. Honeybees are mainly infected through consumption of infected food or faeces containing Nosema spp. spores. Nosemosis causes damage to the middle intestine epithelium, which leads to food absorption disorders and honeybee malnutrition. Fumagillin, i.e., the antibiotic used to treat nosemosis, was withdrawn in 2016 from EU countries. Therefore, researchers have been looking for compounds of both natural and synthetic origin to fight nosemosis. Such compounds should not have a negative impact on bees but is expected to inhibit the disease. Natural compounds tested against nosemosis include, e.g., essential oils (EOs), plant extracts, propolis, and bacterial metabolites, while synthetic substances tested as anti-nosemosis agents are represented by porphyrins, vitamins, antibiotics, phenolic, ascorbic acids, and others. This publication presents an 18-year overview of various studies of a number of natural and synthetic compounds used in the treatment and prevention of nosemosis cited in PubMed, GoogleScholar, and CrossRef.
The Role of the Microbiome in the Metabolic Health of People with Schizophrenia and Related Psychoses: Cross-Sectional and Pre-Post Lifestyle Intervention Analyses
Authors: O’Donnell Maryanne , Teasdale Scott B. , Chua Xin-Yi , Hardman Jamie , Wu Nan , Curtis Jackie , Samaras Katherine , Bolton Patrick , Morris Margaret J. , Shannon Weickert Cyndi , Purves-Tyson Tertia , El-Assaad Fatima , Jiang Xiao-Tao , Hold Georgina L. , El-Omar Emad
Published: November 2022

The microbiome has been implicated in the development of metabolic conditions which occur at high rates in people with schizophrenia and related psychoses. This exploratory proof-of-concept study aimed to: (i) characterize the gut microbiota in antipsychotic naïve or quasi-naïve people with first-episode psychosis, and people with established schizophrenia receiving clozapine therapy; (ii) test for microbiome changes following a lifestyle intervention which included diet and exercise education and physical activity. Participants were recruited from the Eastern Suburbs Mental Health Service, Sydney, Australia. Anthropometric, lifestyle and gut microbiota data were collected at baseline and following a 12-week lifestyle intervention. Stool samples underwent 16S rRNA sequencing to analyse microbiota diversity and composition. Seventeen people with established schizophrenia and five people with first-episode psychosis were recruited and matched with 22 age-sex, BMI and ethnicity matched controls from a concurrent study for baseline comparisons. There was no difference in α-diversity between groups at baseline, but microbial composition differed by 21 taxa between the established schizophrenia group and controls. In people with established illness pre-post comparison of α-diversity showed significant increases after the 12-week lifestyle intervention. This pilot study adds to the current literature that detail compositional differences in the gut microbiota of people with schizophrenia compared to those without mental illness and suggests that lifestyle interventions may increase gut microbial diversity in patients with established illness. These results show that microbiome studies are feasible in patients with established schizophrenia and larger studies are warranted to validate microbial signatures and understand the relevance of lifestyle change in the development of metabolic conditions in this population.
Phylogenetic Inference of the 2022 Highly Pathogenic H7N3 Avian Influenza Outbreak in Northern Mexico
Authors: Navarro-Lopez Roberto , Xu Wanhong , Gomez-Romero Ninnet , Velazquez-Salinas Lauro , Berhane Yohannes
Published: November 2022

The Mexican lineage H7N3 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) has persisted in Mexican poultry since its first isolation in 2012. To date, the detection of this virus has gradually expanded from the initial one state to 18 states in Mexico. Despite the HPAIV H7N3 outbreak occurring yearly, the transmission pathways have never been studied, disallowing the establishment of effective control measures. We used a phylogenetic approach to unravel the transmission pathways of 2022 H7N3 HPAIVs in the new outbreak areas in Northern Mexico. We present genetic data of H7N3 viruses produced from 18 poultry farms infected in the spring of 2022. Our results indicate that the virus responsible for the current outbreak in Northern Mexico evolved from the Mexican lineage H7N3 HPAIV discovered in 2012. In the current outbreak, we identified five clusters of infection with four noticeably different genetic backgrounds. It is a cluster IV-like virus that was transmitted into one northern state causing an outbreak, then spreading to another neighboring northern state, possibly via a human-mediated mechanical transmission mechanism. The long-distance transmission event highlights the necessity for the more rigorous enforcement of biosafety measures in outbreaks. Additionally, we examined the evolutionary processes shaping the viral genetic and antigenic diversities. It is imperative to enhance active surveillance to include birds, the environment, and humans to detect HPAI in domestic poultry at an earlier point and eliminate it.
Augmented Oral Bioavailability and Prokinetic Activity of Levosulpiride Delivered in Nanostructured Lipid Carriers
Authors: Arif Sadia Tabassam , Zaman Shahiq uz , Khan Muhammad Ayub , Tabish Tanveer A. , Sohail Muhammad Farhan , Arshad Rabia , Kim Jin-Ki , Zeb Alam
Published: November 2022

The present study is aimed to develop and optimize levosulpiride-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (LSP-NLCs) for improving oral bioavailability and prokinetic activity of LSP. LSP-NLCs were optimized with D-optimal mixture design using solid lipid, liquid lipid and surfactant concentrations as independent variables. The prepared LSP-NLCs were evaluated for physicochemical properties and solid-state characterization. The in vivo oral pharmacokinetics and prokinetic activity of LSP-NLCs were evaluated in rats. LSP-NLCs formulation was optimized at Precirol® ATO 5/Labrasol (80.55/19.45%, w/w) and Tween 80/Span 80 concentration of 5% (w/w) as a surfactant mixture. LSP-NLCs showed a spherical shape with a particle size of 152 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.230 and an entrapment efficiency of 88%. The DSC and PXRD analysis revealed conversion of crystalline LSP to amorphous state after loading into the lipid matrix. LSP-NLCs displayed a 3.42- and 4.38-flods increase in AUC and Cmax after oral administration compared to LSP dispersion. In addition, LSP-NLCs showed enhanced gastric emptying (61.4%), intestinal transit (63.0%), and fecal count (68.8) compared to LSP dispersion (39.7%, 38.0% and 51.0, respectively). Taken together, these results show improved oral bioavailability and prokinetic activity of LSP-NLCs and presents a promising strategy to improve therapeutic activity of LSP for efficient treatment of gastric diseases.
Evaluation of a Proposed Approach for the Determination of the Bioequivalence Acceptance Range for Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs in the European Union
Authors: Paixão Paulo , Silva Nuno , Guerreiro Rita Bento , Blake Kevin , Bonelli Milton , Morais José Augusto Guimarães , García-Arieta Alfredo , Gouveia Luís Filipe
Published: November 2022

Bioequivalence (BE) of products containing narrow therapeutic index (NTI) drugs in the European Union is currently established by demonstrating that the 90% confidence interval for the ratio of the population geometric means of the test compared to the reference product’s AUC, and in certain cases Cmax, is included within the tighter acceptance range of 90.00–111.11%. An alternative criterion, consisting of narrowed limits based on the within-subject variability of the reference product, was recently proposed. Its performance for a three-period partial replicate design was tested by simulation in terms of power to show BE, type I error (T1E) and sample size requirements. A new condition, a constraint on the test-to-reference geometric mean ratio (cGMR) to be contained within the range of 90.00–111.11%, was also tested. The probability of showing BE when the products differ more than 10% was increased, but only if the reference product’s within-subject variability was moderate-to-high. The inclusion of the additional cGMR limited this. An increase in the T1E (<7%) was observed. The inclusion of the additional cGMR did not change the highest inflation of the T1E. Finally, a significant sample size reduction was observed and the inclusion of the cGMR usually did not increase the required sample size.