bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Mental Health Problems and Its Associated Factors Among Recovered COVID-19 Patients During the Pandemic: A Single-Center Study
Authors: Khademi Mojgan , Vaziri-Harami Roya , Shams Jamal
Published: March 2021

Introduction:The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is profoundly affecting the mental health status. Although the burden of mental health problems has been reported in the general population and health care workers, little is known about the prevalence of mental health disorders among recovered COVID-19 patients and their associated factors.

Methods:A cross-sectional telephonic-study of recovered COVID-19 patients with and without a history of hospitalization was conducted from April 20 to June 20, 2020, in Tehran, Iran. We assessed the anxiety symptoms, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among participants, using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4) and PTSD checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Logistic regression analyses were used to explore the risk factors associated with mental health problems.

Results:A total of 602 individuals with a mean age of 53.2 years (SD: 14.7), completed the study. The rates of mental health symptoms among the respondents were 5.8% (95% CI: 4.2–7.8%) for anxiety, 5.0% (95% CI: 3.5–7.0%) for depression, and 3.8% (95% CI: 2.3–5.3%) for PTSD disorders. Moreover, being younger than 50 years and female gender was significantly associated with a higher probability of reporting anxiety (p< 0.01), and depression (p< 0.001 for being younger than 50 years,p< 0.02 for female gender).

Conclusions:The current study indicated that patients with COVID-19 presented features of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. These results may help implement appropriate mental health intervention policies for those at risk and minimize the mental health consequences of the COVID-19.
Personality Functioning and Mentalizing in Patients With Subthreshold or Diagnosed Borderline Personality Disorder: Implications for ICD-11
Authors: Rishede Marie Zerafine , Juul Sophie , Bo Sune , Gondan Matthias , Bjerrum Møeller Stine , Simonsen Sebastian
Published: March 2021

The 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics (ICD-11) defines personality disorder according to personality functioning, which relates to self- and interpersonal functioning. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between mentalizing and personality functioning in patients with subthreshold or diagnosed borderline personality disorder. A total of 116 eligible participants were included. Mentalizing was assessed using the Mentalization Questionnaire (MZQ), personality functioning (self- and interpersonal functioning) was assessed using the Level of Personality Functioning Scale-Brief Form 2.0 (LPFS-BF), and borderline severity was assessed using the Zanarini Rating Scale (ZAN-BPD). Mediation analysis was employed to test if mentalizing accounted for the relationship between borderline severity and self- and interpersonal functioning. We found a significant relationship between borderline severity and both subscales of the LPFS-BF. Mentalizing fully and significantly mediated the relationship between borderline severity and interpersonal functioning. However, mentalizing only partly mediated the relationship between borderline severity and self-functioning. Controlling for the covariates gender and age did not impact the results. Mentalizing is likely to be involved in the ICD-11 model of personality functioning, especially interpersonal functioning. This could emphasize the relevance of therapy aimed at strengthening mentalizing abilities when treating personality pathology in general and people with borderline personality disorder in particular. However, self-functioning may be more nuanced, as aspects other than mentalizing also influence self-functioning. The study is explorative in nature and has methodological limitations that require caution in the interpretation and generalizability.
Case Report: Treatment of Kratom Use Disorder With a Classical Tricyclic Antidepressant
Authors: Vento Alessandro E. , de Persis Simone , De Filippis Sergio , Schifano Fabrizio , Napoletano Flavia , Corkery John M. , Kotzalidis Georgios D.
Published: March 2021

Kratom or Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) is an evergreen tree of the coffee family native to South-East Asia and Australasia. It is used by locals recreationally to induce stimulant and sedative effects and medically to soothe pain and opiate withdrawal. Its leaves are smoked, chewed, or infused, or ground to yield powders or extracts for use as liquids. It contains more than 40 alkaloids; among these, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are endowed with variable mu, delta, and kappa opioid stimulating properties (with 7-hydroxymitragynine having a more balanced affinity), rhynchophylline, which is a non-competitive NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist, but is present in negligible quantities, and raubasine, which inhibits α1-adrenceptors preferentially over α2-adrenceptors, while the latter are bound by 7-hydroxymitragynine, while mitragynine counters 5-HT2A receptors. This complexity of neurochemical mechanisms may account for kratom's sedative-analgesic and stimulant effects. It is commonly held that kratom at low doses is stimulant and at higher doses sedative, but no cut-off has been possible to define. Long-term use of kratom may produce physical and psychological effects that are very similar to its withdrawal syndrome, that is, anxiety, irritability, mood, eating, and sleep disorders, other than physical symptoms resembling opiate withdrawal. Kratom's regulatory status varies across countries; in Italy, both mitragynine and the entire tree and its parts are included among regulated substances. We describe the case of a patient who developed anxiety and dysphoric mood and insomnia while using kratom, with these symptoms persisting after withdrawal. He did not respond to a variety of antidepressant combinations and tramadol for various months, and responded after 1 month of clomipramine. Well-being persisted after discontinuing tramadol.
Possible Advantages of a Twin Spacecraft Heliospheric Mission at the Sun-Earth Lagrangian Points L4 and L5
Authors: Bemporad A.
Published: March 2021

After the launch of STEREO twin spacecraft, and most recently of Solar Orbiter and Parker Solar Probe spacecraft, the next mission that will explore Sun-Earth interactions and how the Sun modulates the Heliosphere will be the “Lagrange” mission, which will consist of two satellites placed in orbit around L1 and L5 Sun-Earth Lagrangian points. Despite the significant novelties that will be provided by such a double vantage point, there will be also missing information, that are briefly discussed here. For future heliospheric missions, an alternative advantageous approach that has not been considered so far would be to place two twin spacecraft not in L1 and L5, but in L4 and L5 Lagrangian points. If these two spacecraft will be equipped with in situ instruments, and also remote sensing instruments measuring not only photospheric but also coronal magnetic fields, significant advancing will be possible. In particular, data provided by such a twin mission will allow to follow the evolution of magnetic fields from inside the Sun (with stereoscopic helioseismology), to its surface (with classical photospheric magnetometers), and its atmosphere (with spectro-polarimeters); this will provide a tremendous improvement in our physical understanding of solar activity. Moreover, the L4-L5 twin satellites will take different interesting configurations, such as relative quadrature, and quasi-quadrature with the Earth, providing a baseline for monitoring the Sun-to-Earth propagation of solar disturbances.
A Group-Based 8-Week Functional Interval-Type Outdoor Training Program Improves Physical Performance in Recreationally Active Adults
Authors: Hendker Anna , Eils Eric
Published: March 2021

Even though physical activity is an important aspect of health, lack of time or motivation impede people from working out regularly. One type of training program that is both efficient and motivating is functional interval-type outdoor training. To evaluate this, our study had 81 participants complete a battery of physical performance tests (incremental treadmill test, core stability test and functional fitness test) before and after an 8-week outdoor interval-type training intervention. Training procedures included multimodal and high-intensity exercises performed in consistent, small groups. Results showed that the interval training program produced significant increases in the intervention group (n = 43) in functional and strength exercises (p < 0.001; squat (+27%), burpee (+24%), bridge (+39%), push-up (+34%), sit-up (+25%), high knees (+25%), row (+19%), effect sizes 0.4–0.11) for almost all parameters in comparison to a non-intervention control population (n = 38). Interestingly, trunk stability increased significantly (p < 0.001; flexion (+86%), extension (+43%), lateral left (+39%), lateral right (+32%), effect sizes 0.3–0.15) even though it was not explicitly trained; this was rather a secondary outcome of the functional exercises. Drop-out rates (Intervention group: 27%) suggest that this form of training seems to improve adherence to exercise and may help participants to stay committed to regular, intense activity. By simultaneously triggering adaptations in functional fitness, endurance and whole-body movements, this program can be used by people at different training levels.
Energetic Valorization of Cereal and Exhausted Coffee Wastes Through Anaerobic Co-digestion With Pig Slurry
Authors: Sousa Sílvia , Duarte Elizabeth , Mesquita Marta , Saraiva Sandra
Published: March 2021

In the past years, there has been steady growth in work relating to improve resource efficiency through waste minimization and bioenergy recovery to mitigate climate change. Agro-food industries produce large amounts of bio-waste, challenging innovative energetic valorization strategies in the framework of circular economy principles. Anaerobic digestion (AD) technology is an interesting route to stabilize organic matter and produce biogas as a renewable energy source. This study involves continuous co-digestion of pig slurry (PS), cereal and exhausted coffee wastes (CECW) performed in a continuously stirred tank reactor, with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 16 days under at mesophilic conditions (36.9 ± 0.3°C). The experimental trials, were designed to include different cereal and exhausted coffee liquor (CECL) shares in the feeding mixture, corresponding to different PS to CECL ratios (PS:CECL), respectively: 100:0 (T0), 90:10 (T1), 80:20 (T2), and 70:30 (T3), in terms of percentage of inlet feeding rate (v:v). The results obtained for the feeding rate (70:30) yield to the highest specific methane production (SMP = 341 ml.gVS−1) led to a 3.5-fold improvement in comparison with the reference scenario. The synergetic effect between the microbial consortia of PS and the high carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N) of CECL explain the improvements achieved. The maximum soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) reduction (84.0%) due to the high content and soluble chemical oxygen demand to total chemical oxygen demand ratio (SCOD/TCOD) corroborate the results achieved. The digester stability, evaluated by specific energetic loading rate, was below the limit (0.4 d−1). Results from ANOVA showed a significant effect of CECL on the resulting GPR and SMP values. Additionally, Tukey's “Honest Significant Difference” method, confirmed statistically significant differences between the trials T3-T0, T3-T1, T3-T2, and T2-T0. Thus, co-digestion of PS and of CECL seems to be a promising approach for bioenergy recovery and promoting biowastes circularity.
Perioperative and Pathological Outcome of Nerve-Sparing Radical Cystectomy With Ileal Neobladder
Authors: Vogt Katharina , Netsch Christopher , Becker Benedikt , Oye Sebastian , Gross Andreas J. , Rosenbaum Clemens M.
Published: March 2021

Purpose: So far, it has not been described whether the perioperative course and the pathologic outcome of patients who undergo radical cystectomy (RC) with orthotopic bladder substitution differs if nerve sparing (NS) is performed or not.

Material and Methods: In all, there were 472 patients who underwent RC between 2012 and 2019 at our department. We performed a retrospective analysis of 116 patients who underwent RC with ileal neobladder. We analyzed perioperative complications according to the Clavien–Dindo classification system, as well as the pathological outcome.

Results: Of 116 patients, 68 (58.6%) underwent RC, and 48 (41.4%) underwent NS RC. Clavien–Dindo complications ≥3b occurred in 15 (12.9%) of all patients. Only infectious complications differed among the groups [NS RC: 25 patients (52.1%) vs. RC: 20 patients (29.4%); p = 0.02]. There was no significant difference concerning tumor stage. Concomitant Cis was present in 24 patients (35.3%) of the RC group and in 27 patients (56.3%) of the NS RC group (p = 0.036). Nodal status and positive surgical margin status of the bladder tumor did not differ among the groups. In all, 42 of all male patients (45.7%) had an incidental prostatic carcinoma. Positive surgical margins concerning the prostate carcinoma occurred in six patients, with all cases in the RC group (p = 0.029).

Conclusions: Our data suggest that performing NS during RC in carefully selected patients is a safe procedure and does not impair perioperative outcome. Pathological outcome of NS RC is comparable as well.
Parenteral Antimicrobial Treatment Diminishes Fecal Bifidobacterium Quantity but Has No Impact on Health in Neonatal Dairy Calves: Data From a Field Trial
Authors: O'Keefe Olivia C. , Moore Dale A. , McConnel Craig S. , Sischo William M.
Published: March 2021

There is evidence that neonatal calves are over treated with antimicrobials that may disrupt colonization of their gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiota. The study objectives were to assess the decision-making process of antimicrobial use on a commercial dairy and impacts of parenteral antibiotics on dairy calves' GIT Bifidobacterium and calf health. Unhealthy pre-weaned dairy calves were enrolled based on farm personnel identification with age-matched healthy calves. Half the calves in each group were treated with a 3-day course of IM ampicillin and half were given supportive therapy as needed. Health scores (appetite, fecal consistency, attitude, and temperature) were recorded twice daily throughout the study. Because of inconsistency in employee health decisions, the 121 enrolled calves were reassessed using objective clinical observations plus fecal dry matter and placed into 1 of 3 health categories: healthy, uncomplicated diarrhea (bright attitude and good appetite but with diarrhea), and sick. Accounting for treatment group allocation, this resulted in six post-enrollment health and treatment categories. Calves were followed daily for 14 days post-enrollment and fecal samples collected at 6 time points and Bifidobacterium was quantified from these samples using quantitative PCR. The objective criteria for disease definition reclassified many “unhealthy” calves as uncomplicated diarrhea. Including all calves, on average, the quantity of Bifidobacterium decreased from the day of enrollment (median 8 days of age) across time to 14 days post-enrollment. Calves given an antibiotic the day of enrollment had a greater decrease in Bifidobacterium 4 and 9 days later relative to enrollment Bifidobacterium compared to untreated calves. At enrollment, sick calves and those categorized as uncomplicated diarrhea were more likely to have low Bifidobacterium counts and less likely to be categorized as healthy following antimicrobial treatment. Our results indicate that relying on farm personnel to identify morbidity may lead to some clinical misclassification. There was no indication that antimicrobials affected subsequent health outcomes, but antimicrobials did impact Bifidobacterium dynamics. These results highlight the importance and difficulty in assigning appropriate illness classification on farms and point to a need to develop better point of care diagnostics that improve calf husbandry and stewardship of antimicrobials.
Crystalloid and Colloid Compositions and Their Impact
Authors: Rudloff Elke , Hopper Kate
Published: March 2021

This manuscript will review crystalloid (hypo-, iso-, and hyper-tonic) and colloid (synthetic and natural) fluids that are available for intravenous administration with a focus on their electrolyte, acid-base, colligative, and rheological effects as they relate to each solution's efficacy and safety. The goal is for the reader to better understand the differences between each fluid and the influence on plasma composition, key organ systems, and their implications when used therapeutically in animals with critical illness.
Strategic Tillage Effects on Crop Yields, Soil Properties, and Weeds in Dryland No-Tillage Systems
Authors: Obour Augustine K. , Holman Johnathon D. , Simon Logan M. , Schlegel Alan J.
Published: March 2021

Long-term no-till (NT) systems in the semiarid central Great Plains of the United States require flexible management strategies to minimize the impacts of herbicide resistant (HR) kochia (Kochia scoparia L.) and tumble windmill grass (Chloris verticillata Nutt.) as well as nutrient stratification on soil and crop productivity. This study examined strategic tillage (ST) to control HR weeds and improve crop yields in an otherwise long-term NT cropping system. Treatments were three crop rotations: (1) continuous winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (WW); (2) wheat-fallow (WF); and (3) wheat-grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)-fallow (WSF); as main plots. Subplots were reduced tillage (RT), continuous NT, and ST of NT. Results showed ST and RT treatments provided significant control of HR weeds. Soil water content at wheat planting was significantly less with RT compared to NT or ST. Strategic tillage did not affect wheat or grain sorghum yields, but RT decreased sorghum yields by 15% compared to NT. Increasing cropping intensity reduced wheat yields. Strategic tillage reduced bulk density and had no effect on aggregate size distribution or mean weight diameter (MWD) compared to NT though RT reduced the proportion of large macroaggregates and MWD. Similarly, ST compared to NT had no effect on soil organic carbon (SOC) or nitrogen (N) concentrations. Soil phosphorus (P) was not different among the tillage treatments though RT increased potassium (K) concentration near the soil surface. The SOC, MWD, and micronutrient availability were greatest with WW though it had significantly lower pH and K concentration. Our results suggest ST could provide a mitigation option for HR weeds in NT systems with little impact on crop yields and soil properties.
Microalgae Oil as an Effective Alternative Source of EPA and DHA for Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata) Aquaculture
Authors: Santigosa Ester , Brambilla Fabio , Milanese Luca
Published: March 2021

Microalgal oils (AOs) emerged recently as an alternative to fish oil and to nutritionally poorer vegetable oils for fish species. In this trial, two experimental diets containing fish oil (negative control: 2.1%; positive control: 13.8%) and two diets incorporating AO at 3.5 and 0.7% were fed to grow out gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) of 64.5 g initial body weight. After 110 days of experimental feeding, performance (final body weight mean = 147 g) and survival (>99%) were similar across treatments. The highest eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content in positive control (PC) and 3.5 AO feeds (3.11 and 2.18% of diet, respectively) resulted in the highest EPA + DHA deposition in the fillets (18.40 and 12.36 g/100 g fatty acid, respectively), which entirely reflected the dietary fatty acid profile. Feed and fillets from fish fed the AO diets had lower levels of dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Moreover, sensory quality of AO fillets scored equally to the PC fish. Collectively, these findings offer a more resilient means for sustaining the future growth of seabream aquaculture, whilst maintaining the nutritional value of the resulting seafood. The data supports the addition of seabream to the list of aquaculture species where microalgal oil can be used as an ingredient to fulfil their challenging nutritional demands.
Biodiversity of Ligilactobacillus salivarius Strains from Poultry and Domestic Pigeons
Authors: Dec Marta , Stępień-Pyśniak Dagmara , Puchalski Andrzej , Hauschild Tomasz , Pietras-Ożga Dorota , Ignaciuk Szymon , Urban-Chmiel Renata
Published: March 2021

Ligilactobacillus salivarius is an important member of the human and animal gut microbiota, and selected strains are promising probiotics, but knowledge of the characteristics of avian isolates is still limited. In this study, we examined selected phenotypic and genotypic traits of 33 L. salivarius strains from geese, chickens, turkeys and pigeons. The strains varied in terms of cell size, colony morphology, broth growth characteristics, biofilm formation, tolerance to bile, hydrophobicity and phenotypic and genotypic antibiotic resistance profiles. Large variation among strains was noted for the utilization of sorbitol, salicin, trehalose, rhamnose, inulin and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. The presence of genes related to sugar metabolism, i.e., mipB, tktA, rhaB and LSL_1894, was not always correlated with the biochemical phenotypic profile. Correlations were recorded between the host and utilization of certain sugars as well as tolerance to bile. The repA-type megaplasmid and genes coding for Abp118 bacteriocin were detected in 94% and 51.5% of L. salivarius strains, respectively. Phylogeny based on groEL gene sequences was partly correlated with the origin of the strains and revealed an evolutionary distance between L. salivarius strains from humans and birds. The results of the study contribute to knowledge of the characteristics of the species L. salivarius. Intraspecies variations of L. salivarius strains may affect their ability to colonize specific niches and utilize nutrients and reveal potential strain-dependent effects on host health.
Effect of Environmental Enrichment on the Brain and on Learning and Cognition by Animals
Authors: Zentall Thomas R.
Published: March 2021

The humane treatment of animals suggests that they should be housed in an environment that is rich in stimulation and allows for varied activities. However, even if one’s main concern is an accurate assessment of their learning and cognitive abilities, housing them in an enriched environment can have an important effect on the assessment of those abilities. Research has found that the development of the brain of animals is significantly affected by the environment in which they live. Not surprisingly, their ability to learn both simple and complex tasks is affected by even modest time spent in an enriched environment. In particular, animals that are housed in an enriched environment are less impulsive and make more optimal choices than animals housed in isolation. Even the way that they judge the passage of time is affected by their housing conditions. Some researchers have even suggested that exposing animals to an enriched environment can make them more “optimistic” in how they treat ambiguous stimuli. Whether that behavioral effect reflects the subtlety of differences in optimism/pessimism or something simpler, like differences in motivation, incentive, discriminability, or neophobia, it is clear that the conditions of housing can have an important effect on the learning and cognition of animals.
Optimization of 2-Acylaminocycloalkylthiophene Derivatives for Activity against Staphylococcus aureus RnpA
Authors: Chojnacki Michaelle , Cao Xufeng , Flaherty Daniel P. , Dunman Paul M.
Published: March 2021

Staphylococcus aureus is well-recognized to cause debilitating bacterial infections that are difficult to treat due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. As such, there is a need to develop new antimicrobials for the therapeutic intervention of S. aureus disease. To that end, S. aureus RnpA is an essential enzyme that is hypothesized to participate in two required cellular processes, precursor tRNA (ptRNA) maturation and mRNA degradation. Corresponding high throughput screening campaigns have identified the phenylcarbamoyl cyclic thiopenes as a chemical class of RnpA inhibitors that display promising antibacterial effects by reducing RnpA ptRNA and mRNA degradation activities and low human cell toxicity. Herein, we perform a structure activity relationship study of the chemical scaffold. Results revealed that the cycloalkane ring size and trifluoroacetamide moiety are required for antibacterial activity, whereas modifications of the para and/or meta positions of the pharmacophore’s phenyl group allowed tuning of the scaffold’s antimicrobial performance and RnpA inhibitory activity. The top performing compounds with respect to antimicrobial activity also did not exhibit cytotoxicity to human cell lines at concentrations up to 100 µM, greater than 100-fold the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Focused studies of one analog, RNP0012, which exhibited the most potent antimicrobial and inhibition of cellular RnpA activities revealed that the compound reduced bacterial burden in a murine model of S. aureus disease. Taken together, the results presented are expected to provide an early framework for optimization of next-generation of RnpA inhibitor analogues that may represent progenitors of a new class of antimicrobials.
Influence of Maxwell Stiffness in Damage Control and Analysis of Structures with Added Viscous Dampers
Authors: Conde Jorge , Bernabeu Alejandro
Published: March 2021

Viscous damping systems are often implemented in structures to reduce seismic damage. The stiffness of these elements is dominated by the most flexible part of the set including brace extender, auxiliary mounting elements and damping unit. Existing experimental data are used in this study to show that the actual stiffness of the set is about 25% to 50% of the value generally adopted in current engineering practice, which is based solely on the brace extender. A numerical study shows that this reduction has large implications for several variables related to damage control: residual drift ratio, storey acceleration and plastic strain energy dissipated by the frame members. Other variables, such as member forces and rotations, can experience large variations, particularly for non-linear dampers and high damping levels, especially in the top part of the building and more conspicuously for moderate earthquake intensities. In the absence of accurate data, Maxwell stiffness for analysis based on brace extender properties should be substantially reduced, with recommended factors between 0.25 and 0.50. Given the scarcity of experimental data, these results should be considered preliminary.
Power System Reconfiguration in Distribution Network for Improving Reliability Using Genetic Algorithm and Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Kahouli Omar , Alsaif Haitham , Bouteraa Yassine , Ben Ali Naim , Chaabene Mohamed
Published: March 2021

This paper presents an optimal method for optimizing network reconfiguration problems in a power distribution system in order to enhance reliability and reduce power losses. Network reconfiguration can be viewed as an optimization problem involving a set of criteria that must be reduced when adhering to various constraints. The energy not supplied (ENS) during permanent network faults and active power losses are the objective functions that are optimized in this study during the reconfiguration phase. These objectives are expressed mathematically and will be integrated into various optimization algorithms used throughout the study. To begin, a mathematical formulation of the objectives to be optimized, as well as all the constraints that must be met, is proposed. Then, to solve this difficult combinatorial problem, we use the exhaustive approach, genetic algorithm (GA), and particle swarm optimization (PSO) on an IEEE 33-bus electrical distribution network. Finally, a performance evaluation of the proposed approaches is developed. The results show that optimizing the distribution network topology using the PSO approach contributed significantly to improving the reliability, node voltage, line currents, and calculation time.
MADDPG-Based Security Situational Awareness for Smart Grid with Intelligent Edge
Authors: Lei Wenxin , Wen Hong , Wu Jinsong , Hou Wenjing
Published: March 2021

Advanced communication and information technologies enable smart grids to be more intelligent and automated, although many security issues are emerging. Security situational awareness (SSA) has been envisioned as a potential approach to provide safe services for power systems’ operation. However, in the power cloud master station mode, massive heterogeneous power terminals make SSA complicated, and failure information cannot be promptly delivered. Moreover, the dynamic and continuous situational space also increases the challenges of SSA. By taking advantages of edge intelligence, this paper introduces edge computing between terminals and the cloud to address the drawbacks of the traditional power cloud paradigm. Moreover, a deep reinforcement learning algorithm based on the edge computing paradigm of multiagent deep deterministic policy gradient (MADDPG) is proposed. The minimum processing cost under the premise of minimum detection error rate is taken to analyze the smart grids’ SSA. Performance evaluations show that the algorithm under this paradigm can achieve faster convergence and the optimal goal, namely the provision of real-time protection for smart grids.
Study on the Ozone Gas Sensing Properties of rf-Sputtered Al-Doped NiO Films
Authors: Paralikis Athanasios , Gagaoudakis Emmaouil , Kampitakis Viktoras , Aperathitis Elias , Kiriakidis George , Binas Vassilios
Published: March 2021

Al-doped NiO (NiO:Al) has attracted the interest of researchers due to its excellent optical and electrical properties. In this work, NiO:Al films were deposited on glass substrates by the radio frequencies (rf) sputtering technique at room temperature and they were tested against ozone gas. The Oxygen content in (Ar-O2) plasma was varied from 2% to 4% in order to examine its effect on the gas sensing performance of the films. The thickness of the films was between 160.3 nm and 167.5 nm, while the Al content was found to be between 5.3 at% and 6.7 at%, depending on the oxygen content in plasma. It was found that NiO:Al films grown with 4% O2 in plasma were able to detect 60 ppb of ozone with a sensitivity of 3.18% at room temperature, while the detection limit was further decreased to 10 ppb, with a sensitivity of 2.54%, at 80 °C, which was the optimum operating temperature for these films. In addition, the films prepared in 4% O2 in plasma had lower response and recovery time compared to those grown with lower O2 content in plasma. Finally, the role of the operating temperature on the gas sensing properties of the NiO:Al films was investigated.
Production of Chlorella vulgaris Biomass in Tubular Photobioreactors during Different Culture Conditions
Authors: Ratomski Patryk , Hawrot-Paw Małgorzata
Published: March 2021

Biomass of microalgae and the components contained in their cells can be used for the production of heat, electricity, and biofuels. The aim of the presented study was to determine the optimal conditions that will be the most favorable for the production of large amounts of microalgae biomass intended for energy purposes. The study analyzed the effect of the type of lighting, the time of lighting culture, and the pH of the culture medium on the growth of Chlorella vulgaris biomass. The experiment was carried out in vertical tube photobioreactors in three photoperiods: 12/12, 18/6, and 24/0 h (light/dark). Two types of lighting were used in the work: high-pressure sodium light and light-emitting diode. The increase in biomass was determined by the gravimetric method, by the spectrophotometric method on the basis of chlorophyll a contained in the microalgae cells. The number of microalgae cells was also determined with the use of a hemocytometer. The optimal conditions for the production of biomass were recorded at a neutral pH, illuminating the cultures for 18 h a day. The obtained results were 546 ± 7.88 mg·L−1 dry weight under sodium lighting and 543 ± 1.92 mg·L−1 dry weight under light-emitting diode, with maximum biomass productivity of 27.08 ± 7.80 and 25.00 ± 5.1 mg·L−1∙d−1, respectively. The maximum content of chlorophyll a in cells was determined in the 12/12 h cycle and pH 6 (136 ± 14.13 mg∙m−3) under light-emitting diode and 18/6 h, pH 7 (135 ± 6.17 mg∙m−3) under sodium light, with maximum productivity of 26.34 ± 2.01 mg·m−3∙d−1 (light-emitting diode) and 24.21 ± 8.89 mg·m−3∙d−1 (sodium light). The largest number of microalgae cells (2.1 × 106) was obtained at pH 7 and photoperiod of 18/6 h under sodium light, and 12/12 h under light-emitting diode. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the determination of the optimal parameters for the growth and development of microalgae determines the production of their biomass, and such research should be carried out before starting the large-scale production process. In quantifying the biomass during cultivation, it is advantageous to use direct measurement methods.
The INSESS-COVID19 Project. Evaluating the Impact of the COVID19 in Social Vulnerability While Preserving Privacy of Participants from Minority Subpopulations
Authors: Gibert Karina , Angerri Xavier
Published: March 2021

In this paper, the results of the project INSESS-COVID19 are presented, as part of a special call owing to help in the COVID19 crisis in Catalonia. The technological infrastructure and methodology developed in this project allows the quick screening of a territory for a quick a reliable diagnosis in front of an unexpected situation by providing relevant decisional information to support informed decision-making and strategy and policy design. One of the challenges of the project was to extract valuable information from direct participatory processes where specific target profiles of citizens are consulted and to distribute the participation along the whole territory. Having a lot of variables with a moderate number of citizens involved (in this case about 1000) implies the risk of violating statistical secrecy when multivariate relationships are analyzed, thus putting in risk the anonymity of the participants as well as their safety when vulnerable populations are involved, as is the case of INSESS-COVID19. In this paper, the entire data-driven methodology developed in the project is presented and the dealing of the small subgroups of population for statistical secrecy preserving described. The methodology is reusable with any other underlying questionnaire as the data science and reporting parts are totally automatized.
Ruthenium–Thymine Acetate Binding Modes: Experimental and Theoretical Studies
Authors: Bordoni Silvia , Cerini Stefano , Tarroni Riccardo , Monari Magda , Micheletti Gabriele , Boga Carla
Published: March 2021

Ruthenium complexes have proved to exhibit antineoplastic activity, related to the interaction of the metal ion with DNA. In this context, synthetic and theoretical studies on ruthenium binding modes of thymine acetate (THAc) have been focused to shed light on the structure-activity relationship. This report deals with the reaction between dihydride ruthenium mer-[Ru(H)2(CO)(PPh3)3], 1 and the thymine acetic acid (THAcOH) selected as model for nucleobase derivatives. The reaction in refluxing toluene between 1 and THAcOH excess, by H2 release affords the double coordinating species κ1-(O)THAc-, κ2-(O,O)THAc-[Ru(CO)(PPh3)2], 2. The X-ray crystal structure confirms a simultaneous monohapto, dihapto- THAc coordination in a reciprocal facial disposition. Stepwise additions of THAcOH allowed to intercept the monohapto mer-κ1(O)THAc-Ru(CO)H(PPh3)3] 3 and dihapto trans(P,P)-κ2(O,O)THAc-[Ru(CO)H(PPh3)2] 4 species. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies, associated with DFT (Density Function Theory)-calculations energies and analogous reactions with acetic acid, supported the proposed reaction path. As evidenced by the crystal supramolecular hydrogen-binding packing and 1H NMR spectra, metal coordination seems to play a pivotal role in stabilizing the minor [(N=C(OH)] lactim tautomers, which may promote mismatching to DNA nucleobase pairs as a clue for its anticancer activity.
Assistance of a Person with Muscular Weakness Using a Joint-Torque-Assisting Exoskeletal Robot
Authors: Choi Hyunjin
Published: March 2021

Robotic systems for gait rehabilitation have been actively developed in recent years; many of the rehabilitation robots have been commercialized and utilized for treatment of real patients in hospitals. The first generation of gait rehabilitation robots was a tethered exoskeleton system on a treadmill. While these robots have become a new trend in rehabilitation medicine, there are several arguments about the effectiveness of such robots due to the passiveness of the motions that the robots generate, i.e., the continuous passive motions may limit the active involvement of patients’ voluntary motion control. In order to let a patient be more actively involved by requiring the self-control of whole-body balance, untethered powered exoskeletons, wearable robots that patients can wear and walk on the ground, are receiving great attention. While several powered exoskeletons have been commercialized already, the question about their effectiveness has not been cleared in the viewpoint of rehabilitation medicine because most of the powered exoskeletons provide still continuous passive motions, even though they are on the ground without tethering. This is due to their control strategy; the joints of a powered exoskeleton are position-controlled to repeatedly follow a predefined angle trajectory. This may be effective when a wearer is completely paraplegic such that the powered exoskeleton must generate full actuation power for walking. For people with muscular weakness due to various reasons, the powered exoskeleton must assist only the lack of muscular force without constraining human motion. For assistance and rehabilitation of people with partial impairment in walking ability, Angel Legs is introduced in this paper. The proposed powered exoskeleton system is equipped with a transparent actuation system such that the assistive force is accurately generated. The overall design and control of Angel Legs are introduced in this paper, and a clinical verification with a human subject is also provided.
Spatial and Temporal Variability in Positive Degree-Day in Western China under Climate Change
Authors: Liu Guohua , Chen Rensheng , Wang Xiqiang
Published: March 2021

Positive degree-day (PDD) indicates the accumulated positive temperature in a given time period; it directly relates to the melting of snow and ice, and it is a key parameter between global warming and cryosphere changes. In this study, we calculated the PDD based on the daily mean temperatures from 1960 to 2018 at meteorological stations, and we used measured and interpolated data to determine spatial and temporal distribution and changes in PDD in western China (WC). Results show that the mean annual, warm season, and cold season PDD values at 209 meteorological stations were 3652.2, 2832.9, and 819.3 °C, respectively. PDD spatial distribution in WC is similar to that of air temperature. In WC, PDD mainly ranged from 0 to 5000, 1000 to 4000, and 0 to 1000 °C year−1, respectively for annual, warm season, and cold season. From 1960 to 2018, the observed mean initial day of PDD moved forward by 8.3 days, and the final day was delayed by 8.2 days, with the duration expanding to 16.6 days; the trend in PDD reversed in the 1980s and the change rate in PDD for annual, warm season and cold season was 6.6, 3.8, and 2.7 °C year−1, respectively. Regionally, PDD increased in almost all areas; the high PDD advanced from south to north, east to west, desert to mountain, and low to high altitudes. The results also showed that the warming rate of PDD was lower in the cold season and in high-altitude areas, which was opposite to the observed temperature patterns, however, the non-linear relationship between PDD and mean temperature over a period of time is the main reason for this phenomenon. This study adds more details for the understanding of climate change in WC, and suggests that more attention should be paid to PDD in the study of cryosphere changes.
Feasibility for Operationally Monitoring Ground-Based Multichannel Microwave Radiometer by Using Solar Observations
Authors: Lei Lianfa , Wang Zhenhui , Qin Jiang , Zhu Lei , Chen Rui , Lu Jianping , Ma Yingying
Published: March 2021

Ground-based multichannel microwave radiometers can observe the atmospheric microwave radiation brightness temperature and continuously provide temperature and humidity profiles of the troposphere. At present, microwave radiometers are operated in many countries for monitoring climate and meteorological phenomena, and there have been many microwave radiometers of this kind presently implemented in China, but they lack a unified monitor for their operational condition, which is necessary if they are taken as a network. For this reason, a real-time monitoring receiving system of radiometer is fundamental and important. In order to check the system stability and the antenna performances, this paper studied the feasibility of applying the solar signals to monitor the antenna alignment, antenna pattern and stability of a radiometer system in working for operational field applications. An experiment was performed and the results from the analysis of the annual variation features with long-term solar observation data at four frequencies, 22.235, 26.235, 30.000 and 51.250 GHz, show that an antenna pattern retrieved from solar observations agrees well with that retrieved from the traditional method. In addition, a daily analysis of the solar signals in online data of a radiometer can be used for monitoring the alignment of the antenna and the stability of the ground-based microwave radiometer system.
Biosurfactants from Trichoderma Filamentous Fungi—A Preliminary Study
Authors: Piegza Michał , Pietrzykowska Joanna , Trojan-Piegza Joanna , Łaba Wojciech
Published: March 2021

Biosurfactants represent a structurally diverse group of secondary metabolites produced by bacteria, yeasts, and filamentous fungi. Their character is often associated with numerous additional properties. The observation of Trichoderma fungi of various species used as a source of bioinhibitors against pathogenic plants fungi focuses attention to the often quite specific behavior of preparations in contact with, among others, plant leaves, dependent on strain. Thus, an evaluation of the selected strains belonging to the species: T. atroviride, T. citrinoviride,T. reesei and T. harzianum was conducted towards their capability of the extracellular secretion of surfactants, with a simultaneous attempt to pre-determine their chemical nature. Two mineral-organic media were used for this purpose, and the culture fluid was extensively tested using a variety of methods. A decrease in surface tension was observed in culture fluid of each tested strain, especially T. citrinoviride HL and C1. The results strongly depended on medium composition, of which Saunders 1 and MGP 1 were most beneficial. The secreted compounds were further analyzed to pre-determine their chemical nature using IR, GC, and NMR. In the case of most efficient biosurfactant producers, a lipopeptide structure of the surfactants was concluded.
Caffeic Acid, One of the Major Phenolic Acids of the Medicinal Plant Antirhea borbonica, Reduces Renal Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis
Authors: Veeren Bryan , Bringart Matthieu , Turpin Chloe , Rondeau Philippe , Planesse Cynthia , Ait-Arsa Imade , Gimié Fanny , Marodon Claude , Meilhac Olivier , Gonthier Marie-Paule , Diotel Nicolas , Bascands Jean-Loup
Published: March 2021

The renal fibrotic process is characterized by a chronic inflammatory state and oxidative stress. Antirhea borbonica (A. borbonica) is a French medicinal plant found in Reunion Island and known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities mostly related to its high polyphenols content. We investigated whether oral administration of polyphenol-rich extract from A. borbonica could exert in vivo a curative anti-renal fibrosis effect. To this aim, three days after unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), mice were daily orally treated either with a non-toxic dose of polyphenol-rich extract from A. borbonica or with caffeic acid (CA) for 5 days. The polyphenol-rich extract from A. borbonica, as well as CA, the predominant phenolic acid of this medicinal plant, exerted a nephroprotective effect through the reduction in the three phases of the fibrotic process: (i) macrophage infiltration, (ii) myofibroblast appearance and (iii) extracellular matrix accumulation. These effects were associated with the mRNA down-regulation of Tgf-β, Tnf-α, Mcp1 and NfkB, as well as the upregulation of Nrf2. Importantly, we observed an increased antioxidant enzyme activity for GPX and Cu/ZnSOD. Last but not least, desorption electrospray ionization-high resolution/mass spectrometry (DESI-HR/MS) imaging allowed us to visualize, for the first time, CA in the kidney tissue. The present study demonstrates that polyphenol-rich extract from A. borbonica significantly improves, in a curative way, renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis progression in the UUO mouse model.
Improving Survivors’ Quality of Life Post-Treatment: The Perspectives of Rural Australian Cancer Survivors and Their Carers
Authors: Gunn Kate M. , Olver Ian , Skrabal Ross Xiomara , Harrison Nathan , Livingston Patricia M. , Wilson Carlene
Published: March 2021

The transition from urban centres back to rural and remote communities can be challenging for rural cancer survivors after treatment. This study aimed to (a) provide deeper understanding of the experiences of rural survivors who have completed active cancer treatment and returned to their rural communities, and (b) determine strategies to re-orient existing services or develop new interventions to more appropriately meet rural survivors’ service preferences and needs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 adults (64% female) who lived outside of a metropolitan area and had completed active cancer treatment (n = 13), were the carer for a rural/remote cancer survivor (n = 6), or were both a survivor and carer (n = 3). Thematic analysis was conducted to identify dominant themes in the qualitative data. A range of physical, psychological and practical challenges that impact quality of life among rural survivors post-treatment were found. These challenges appeared to be compounded by a lack of trust in local rural healthcare services and a lack of clear post-treatment pathways to quality of life-enhancing support services. Acceptable strategies to overcome barriers included nurse-led, telephone-based, or face-to-face interventions, initiated and continued by the same service provider, and that included support to manage emotional challenges associated with post-treatment survivorship. The findings will inform the design of interventions to better meet rural cancer survivors’ post-treatment support needs.