bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Review on Drilling of Multilayer Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites and Aluminum Stacks: Optimization of Strategies for Improving the Drilling Performance of Aerospace Assemblies
Authors: Franz Gérald , Vantomme Pascal , Hassan Muhammad Hafiz
Published: September 2022

In recent years, the use of hybrid composite stacks, particularly CFRP/Al assemblies, and fiber metal laminates (FMLs) has progressively become a convincing alternative to fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) and conventional metal alloys to meet the requirements of structural weight reduction in the modern aerospace industry. These new structural materials, which combine greater mechanical properties with low specific mass, are commonly assembled by riveted and bolted joints. The drilling operation, which represents the essential hole-making process used in the aerospace industry, proves particularly challenging when it comes to achieving damage-free holes with tight tolerances for CFRP/Al stacks in one-shot operations under dry conditions due to the dissimilar mechanical and thermal behavior of each constituent. Rapid and severe tool wear, heat damage, oversized drilled holes and the formation of metal burrs are among the major issues induced by the drilling of multi-material stacks. This paper provides an in-depth review of recent advancements concerning the selection of optimized strategies for high-performance drilling of multi-material stacks by focusing on the significant conclusions of experimental investigations of the effects of drilling parameters and cutting tool characteristics on the drilling performance of aerospace assemblies with CFRP/Al stacks and FML materials. The feasibility of alternative drilling processes for improving the hole quality of hybrid composite stacks is also discussed.
Differential Post-Fire Recovery of Tree and Shrub Growth and Water-Use Efficiency in a Mediterranean Coastal Dune System
Authors: Camarero Jesús Julio , Díaz-Delgado Ricardo , Colangelo Michele , Valeriano Cristina , Sánchez-Salguero Raúl , Madrigal Javier
Published: September 2022

Assessing post-fire recovery is essential to forecast how ecosystems will respond to future warmer conditions and higher fire severity. Such assessments must consider site conditions and the post-fire recovery of trees and shrubs. We used tree-ring data and intrinsic water-use efficiency (WUEi) to quantify the post-fire responses of a tree (Pinus pinea) and a shrub (Juniperus phoenicea) in Mediterranean coastal dunes located in the Doñana protected area, SW Spain. We compared pines and junipers growing in an inter-dune slack with those growing in a nearby dune ridge. We quantified crown damage and bark char in pines impacted by a wildfire. Pines with lower crown damage after the fire showed a higher growth rate one year later. Growth decreased afterwards in the case of fast-growing pines from the slack site, whereas slow-growing dune pines showed increasing growth rates one to three years after the fire. The fire did not change the pines’ WUEi, whereas the junipers located in dunes presented the highest WUEi values. Severe crown damage (damage > 60%) impairs long-term growth recovery in P. pinea. Open and heterogeneous landscapes can reduce the wildfire risk in the study Mediterranean area, where slack vs. dune and tree vs. shrub differences should be considered in post-fire management plans.
Region-Specific Remote-Sensing Models for Predicting Burn Severity, Basal Area Change, and Canopy Cover Change following Fire in the Southwestern United States
Authors: Reiner Alicia L. , Baker Craig , Wahlberg Maximillian , Rau Benjamin M. , Birch Joseph D.
Published: September 2022

Estimates of burn severity and forest change following wildfire are used to determine changes in forest cover, fuels, carbon stocks, soils, wildlife habitat, and to evaluate fuel and fire management strategies and effectiveness. However, current remote-sensing models for assessing burn severity and forest change in the U.S. are generally based on data collected from California, USA, forests and may not be suitable in other forested ecoregions. To address this problem, we collected field data from 21 wildfires in the American Southwest and developed region-specific models for assessing post-wildfire burn severity and forest change from remotely sensed imagery. We created indices (delta normalized burn ratio (dNBR), relative delta normalized burn ratio (RdNBR), and the relative burn ratio (RBR)) from Landsat and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery using pre- and post-fire image pairs. Burn severity models built from southwest U.S. data had clear advantages compared to the current California-based models. Canopy cover and basal area change models built from southwest U.S. data performed better as continuous predictors but not as categorical predictors.
Detuned Resonances
Authors: Colyer Greg , Asahi Yuuichi , Tobisch Elena
Published: September 2022

Detuned resonance, that is, resonance with some nonzero frequency mismatch, is a topic of widespread multidisciplinary interest describing many physical, mechanical, biological, and other evolutionary dispersive PDE systems. In this paper, we attempt to introduce some systematic terminology to the field, and we also point out some counter-intuitive features: for instance, that a resonant mismatch, if nonzero, cannot be arbitrarily small (in some well-defined sense); and that zero-frequency modes, which may be omitted by studying only exact resonances, should be considered. We illustrate these points with specific examples of nonlinear wave systems. Our main goal is to lay down the common language and foundations for a subsequent study of detuned resonances in various application areas.
Experimental Validation of a Test Apparatus for the Evaluation of Hydrogen Permeation in Silane-Modified Sealants on Fuel-Cell-Powered Vehicles
Authors: Locatelli Quacchia Patrizio Tiziano , Sisca Lorenzo , Ripa Pietro , Giorcelli Noemi , Inferrera Alessandro
Published: September 2022

Silane-modified sealants are widely used for the construction of railway vehicles and have several advantages in the production of elastic structural joints and seals featuring high bond thickness. The use of hydrogen fuel cells to power newly developed rolling stock places further safety constraints on the design of the sealing elements of those technical compartments that contain the storage tanks of the propulsion system. Given the lack of solutions based on the use of silane-modified sealants validated for operating environments in which leaks of gaseous hydrogen may occur, an experimental test was carried out to characterize the permeability of some adhesive products according to the requirements of the BS ISO 15105-2:2003 standard, and a specific test bench was developed for this. Two different sealants were subjected to the hydrogen permeability test. The processing of the results provided by the apparatus designed specifically for the execution of the test made it possible to determine a permeability rate dependent on the thickness of the adhesive in the order of ng/(min × cm2). The results of the test were subsequently contextualized within the technical application to rolling stock, with the ultimate aim of verifying that the permeability rate determined experimentally is compatible with the design safety criteria. The developed test bench allowed the correct execution of the permeability test. In general, the two sealants showed hydrogen permeability values compatible with the application. In particular, the hydrogen permeation rate (Rp) was lower than 0.25 ng/min for both sealants.
Variation in Tocochromanols Level and Mycotoxins Content in Sweet Maize Cultivars after Inoculation with Fusarium verticillioides and F. proliferatum
Authors: Waśkiewicz Agnieszka , Muzolf-Panek Małgorzata , Stępień Łukasz , Czembor Elżbieta , Uwineza Pascaline , Górnaś Paweł , Bryła Marcin
Published: September 2022

A major problem in maize production is the contamination of the grain with Fusarium spp., mainly F. proliferatum and F. verticillioides and their secondary metabolites—mycotoxins. Under biotic stress conditions, caused by a fungal pathogen, plants initiate a series of defense mechanisms that may cause quantitative and qualitative changes in the composition of phenolic compounds. We analyzed the resistance of four sweet maize cultivars (Syngenta Group: Overland, Sweetstar, GSS 8529, Shinerock) to the infection with Fusarium verticillioides and F. proliferatum isolates, along with fumonisins B1, B2, and B3 grain contamination and the levels of tocopherols and tocotrienols accumulated. Differences in ear rot levels were found between the cultivars and isolates used. The phenotypic evaluation positively correlated with the concentrations of fumonisins. The results obtained also indicate a significant dependence on tocochromanols content in sweet maize cultivars tested on the infection of plants with Fusarium isolates and fumonisin biosynthesis. Further studies are needed to investigate the mechanisms of the plant reaction and the effect of different levels of tocopherols and tocotrienols on Fusarium resistance and grain contamination with mycotoxins.
Consumption Patterns of Processed Foods in Singapore—A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Gan Patrick , Er Jun Cheng , Chow Kenneth , Er Benjamin , Chan Joanne Sheot Harn , Li Angela , Aung Kyaw Thu
Published: September 2022

The consumption of processed foods is increasingly widespread and could have an impact on diet quality and health. Understanding the factors influencing people’s eating habits is useful for assessing such impact. There are limited data on the consumption patterns of processed foods and associated factors influencing the dietary patterns in Singapore. This cross-sectional study based on a food frequency questionnaire aimed to examine how the consumption of processed foods among 2079 Singapore residents aged 18 to 89 years varies with sociodemographic factors. The analysis of the consumption by processed food groups showed that the studied factors, i.e., age, gender, ethnicity, housing and health status, all contributed to differences in processed food consumption to varying extents, with ethnicity being the key factor driving the variation. Such differences were also confirmed to a limited degree by determining another measure of consumption, i.e., a processed food variety score. The findings in this study could inform further work in relation to dietary risks.
Evaluation of pH in Sausages Stuffed in a Modified Casing with Orange Extracts by Hyperspectral Imaging Coupled with Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Feng Chao-Hui , Arai Hirofumi , Rodríguez-Pulido Francisco J.
Published: September 2022

The pH values of sausages stuffed in natural hog casings with different modifications (soy lecithin, soy oil, orange extracts (OE) from waste orange peels, lactic acid in slush salt, and treatment time) after 16-day 4 °C storage were evaluated for the first time by hyperspectral imaging (350–1100 nm) coupled with response surface methodology (RSM). A partial least squares regression (PLSR) model was developed to relate the spectra to the pH of sausages. Spectral pretreatment, including first derivative, second derivative, multiplicative scatter correction (MSC), standard normal variate (SNV), normalization, and normalization, with different combinations was employed to improve model performance. RSM showed that only soy lecithin and OE interactively affected the pH of sausages (p < 0.05). The pH value decreased when the casing was treated with a higher concentration of soy lecithin with 0.26% OE. As the first and second derivatives are commonly used to eliminate the baseline shift, the PLSR model derived from absorbance pretreated by the first derivative in the full wavelengths showed a calibration coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.73 with a root mean square error of calibration of 0.4283. Twelve feature wavelengths were selected with a comparable R2 value compared with the full wavelengths. The prediction map enables the visualization of the pH evolution of sausages stuffed in the modified casings added with OE.
Protective Effect of Virgin Coconut Oil on Osteopenia Induced by High Refined Carbohydrate-Containing Diet in Mice
Authors: Zicker Marina C. , Montalvany-Antonucci Carina C. , Lacerda Débora R. , Oliveira Marina C. , Silva Tarcília A. , Macari Soraia , Madeira Mila F. M. , Ferreira Adaliene V. M.
Published: September 2022

Background: Obesity leads to chronic low-grade inflammation, promoting detrimental effects on bone. The consumption of virgin coconut oil (VCO) is associated with benefits related to meta-inflammation. We evaluated the effect of VCO supplementation on osteopenia promoted by diet-induced obesity in mice. Methods: Male BALB/c mice were fed a control (C) or highly refined carbohydrate-containing (HC) diet for eight weeks. After that, the HC diet group was supplemented with three doses of VCO for four weeks. Results: The HC diet increased the adiposity and leptin levels associated with augmented systemic inflammatory cells improved with VCO supplementation. The HC diet reduced the trabecular bone in the tibia, lumbar vertebrae, distal and proximal femur, as well as the bone mineral density of the femur and alveolar bone. The VCO supplementation reverted bone osteopenia by increasing the trabecular bone in different sites and improving femur and alveolar bone microarchitecture. Although the reduced number of osteoblasts in the alveolar bone of the HC diet group was not significantly enhanced by VCO supplementation, the reduced Alp expression in the HC diet group was enhanced in the VCO group. These beneficial effects were associated with lowering the Rankl/Opg ratio. Conclusion: VCO supplementation might be an effective strategy to attenuate bone osteopenic effects induced by obesity.
The Controlled Semi-Solid Fermentation of Seaweeds as a Strategy for Their Stabilization and New Food Applications
Authors: Maiorano Gabriele , Ramires Francesca Anna , Durante Miriana , Palamà Ilaria Elena , Blando Federica , De Rinaldis Gianluca , Perbellini Ezio , Patruno Valeria , Gadaleta Caldarola Carlo , Vitucci Santa , Mita Giovanni , Bleve Gianluca
Published: September 2022

For centuries, macroalgae, or seaweeds, have been a significant part of East Asian diets. In Europe, seaweeds are not considered traditional foods, even though they are increasingly popular in Western diets in human food applications. In this study, a biological processing method based on semi-solid fermentation was optimized for the treatment of the seaweed Gracilaria gracilis. For the first time, selected lactic acid bacteria and non-conventional coagulase-negative staphylococci were used as starter preparations for driving a bio-processing and bio-stabilization of raw macroalga material to obtain new seaweed-based food prototypes for human consumption. Definite food safety and process hygiene criteria were identified and successfully applied. The obtained fermented products did not show any presence of pathogenic or spoilage microorganisms, thereby indicating safety and good shelf life. Lactobacillus acidophilus-treated seaweeds revealed higher α-amylase, protease, lipase, endo-cellulase, and endo-xylanase activity than in the untreated sample. This fermented sample showed a balanced n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio. SBM-11 (Lactobacillus sakei, Staphylococcus carnosus and Staphylococcus xylosus) and PROMIX 1 (Staphylococcus xylosus) treated samples showed fatty acid compositions that were considered of good nutritional quality and contained relevant amounts of isoprenoids (vitamin E and A). All the starters improved the nutritional value of the seaweeds by significantly reducing the insoluble indigestible fractions. Preliminary data were obtained on the cytocompatibility of G. gracilis fermented products by in vitro tests. This approach served as a valid strategy for the easy bio-stabilization of this valuable but perishable food resource and could boost its employment for newly designed seaweed-based food products.
Effects of Acidulants on the Rheological Properties of Gelatin Extracted from the Skin of Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)
Authors: Zhou Qijia , Zhang Zhiping , Huang Yiqun , Niu Lihong , Miao Junjian , Lai Keqiang
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of lactic acid (LA), citric acid (CA), and malic acid (MA) varying in concentration (0.5–2.0% w/w) on the rheological properties of fish gelatin (1.5–6.67% w/w) obtained from the skin of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus). The addition of LA, CA, or MA in gelatin dispersions significantly (p < 0.05) weakened their gel strengths, leading to a 14.3–62.2 reduction in gel strength. The gel strength, elastic (G′), and viscous (G″) moduli, as well as the gelling (TG) and melting (TM) temperatures of gelatin dispersions decreased with an increased level of acid added, implying the weakening effects of these acids on junction zones of the gelatin network in aqueous media. The addition of LA had less effect on these rheological properties of gelatin dispersions as compared to that of MA and CA, which were consistent with their effects on the pH of gelatin dispersions. Moreover, the reductions of TG and TM for gelatin dispersions with a higher gelatin concentration (e.g., 6.67% gelatin with 0.5% LA, TG dropped 0.4 °C) due to the addition of LA, CA, or MA were less pronounced compared to those with a lower gelatin content (e.g., 2% gelatin with 0.5% LA, TG dropped 7.1 °C), likely attributing to the stronger buffering effect of the high gelatin dispersion and less percentage reduction in the junction zones in the dispersion due to the addition of an acid. Incorporation of the effects of acids on the linear relationships (R2 = 0.9959–0.9999) between the square of gelatin concentrations and G′ or G″ could make it possible to develop a model to predict G′, G″, phase transition temperatures of gelatin dispersions containing different amounts of gelatin and acid (within the tested range) in the future.
Study on Interfacial Crack Initiation of Jointed Rock Mass Based on Interface Fracture Mechanics
Authors: Gao Wei , Chen Xin , Hu Chengjie
Published: September 2022

The fracture of interfacial crack is the main failure type of jointed rock mass. Therefore, it is very important to study the interfacial fracture of jointed rock mass. For the similarity of jointed rock mass and composites (all are composed by two parts, intact materials and their contact interfaces), the interface fracture mechanics widely used for analysis the interface crack of the composites (bimaterials) can be applied to study the interfacial fracture of jointed rock mass. Therefore, based on the basic theories of interface fracture mechanics, the interfacial fracture of jointed rock mass was analyzed, and one new criterion of interfacial crack initiation for jointed rock mass is proposed. Moreover, based on the proposed interfacial crack initiation criterion, the effect of main influence factors on the interfacial crack initiation of jointed rock mass was analyzed comprehensively. At last, by using the triaxial compression numerical tests on a jointed rock mass specimen with interfacial crack, the theoretical studies were verified.
Classification of Multispectral Airborne LiDAR Data Using Geometric and Radiometric Information
Authors: Morsy Salem , Shaker Ahmed , El-Rabbany Ahmed
Published: September 2022

Classification of airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) point cloud is still challenging due to the irregular point cloud distribution, relatively low point density, and the complex urban scenes being observed. The availability of multispectral LiDAR systems allows for acquiring data at different wavelengths with a variety of spectral information from land objects. In this research, a rule-based point classification method of three levels for multispectral airborne LiDAR data covering urban areas is presented. The first level includes ground filtering, which attempts to distinguish aboveground from ground points. The second level aims to divide the aboveground and ground points into buildings, trees, roads, or grass using three spectral indices, namely normalized difference feature indices (NDFIs). A multivariate Gaussian decomposition is then used to divide the NDFIs’ histograms into the aforementioned four classes. The third level aims to label more classes based on their spectral information such as power lines, types of trees, and swimming pools. Two data subsets were tested, which represent different complexity of urban scenes in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. It is shown that the proposed method achieved an overall accuracy up to 93%, which is increased to over 98% by considering the spatial coherence of the point cloud.
Mild Cognitive Impairment Is Associated with Poorer Nutritional Status on Hospital Admission and after Discharge in Acutely Hospitalized Older Patients
Authors: Bornæs Olivia , Andersen Aino L. , Houlind Morten B. , Kallemose Thomas , Tavenier Juliette , Aharaz Anissa , Nielsen Rikke L. , Jørgensen Lillian M. , Beck Anne M. , Andersen Ove , Petersen Janne , Pedersen Mette M.
Published: September 2022

In acutely hospitalized older patients (≥65 years), the association between mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and malnutrition is poorly described. We hypothesized that (1) MCI is associated with nutritional status on admission and after discharge; (2) MCI is associated with a change in nutritional status; and (3) a potential association is partly explained by frailty, comorbidity, medication use, and age. We combined data from a randomized controlled trial (control group data) and a prospective cohort study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01964482 and NCT03052192). Nutritional status was assessed on admission and follow-up using the Mini Nutritional Assessment—Short Form. MCI or intact cognition (noMCI) was classified by three cognitive performance tests at follow-up. Data on frailty, comorbidity, medication use, and age were drawn from patient journals. MCI (n = 42) compared to noMCI (n = 47) was associated with poorer nutritional status with an average difference of −1.29 points (CI: −2.30; −0.28) on admission and −1.64 points (CI: −2.57; −0.70) at 4-week follow-up. Only age influenced the estimates of −0.85 (CI: −1.86; 0.17) and −1.29 (CI: −2.25; −0.34), respectively. In acutely hospitalized older patients, there is an association between MCI and poorer nutritional status upon admission and four weeks after discharge. The association is partly explained by higher age.
Endonasal Septoplasty Using a Septal Cartilaginous Batten Graft for Managing Caudal Septal Deviation
Authors: Chi Jessie Chao-Yun , Lee Shin-Da , Lee Chia-Yi , Liu Stanley Yung , Ting Hua , Tsai Yih-Jeng
Published: September 2022

Caudal nasal septal deviation is an important condition altering nasal obstruction and cosmetic appearance and many surgical techniques have been published on how to correct caudal septal deviation, as successful management of caudal septal deviation is challenging. The goal of our study was to explore the effect of endonasal septoplasty using a septal cartilaginous batten graft for managing caudal septal deviation. We tested 26 participants with caudal septal deviation who received endonasal septoplasty using a septal cartilaginous batten graft from 1 April 2019 to 29 June 2022, and followed up for at least 6 months. Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) Scale and visual analog scale (VAS) were recorded at baseline, 1 month, and 6 months after surgery. Valid samples were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA and paired sample t-test. Average participant age was 36.15 ± 11.02 years old. The preoperative, 1-month postoperative, and 6-month postoperative NOSE scale decreased significantly (75.38 ± 15.62, 13.85 ± 7.79, and 14.04 ± 9.90; p < 0.001), while preoperative, 1-month postoperative, and 6-month postoperative VAS (convex/concave side) also improved (7.50 ± 0.81/3.38 ± 0.94, 2.27 ± 0.53/1.54 ± 0.58, and 2.31 ± 0.55/1.58 ± 0.58; p < 0.001). Our results showed that endonasal septoplasty using a septal cartilaginous batten graft had good surgical outcomes without an open scar or severe complications.
Impact of Daycare Service Interruption during COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Functions and Nutrition in Older People with Dementia
Authors: Wang Ya-Shin , Lin Cheng-Fu , Kuo Fu-Hsuan , Chou Ying-Chyi , Lin Shih-Yi
Published: September 2022

This study evaluated changes of cognitive, physical, and nutritional status before and after the interruption and resumption of daycare services during the COVID-19 pandemic in older dementia people in a daycare center. Comprehensive geriatric assessment data were analyzed before and after the lockdown of daycare center services, including mini-mental state examination, activities of daily living (ADL) scores, mini-nutritional assessment-short forms (MNA-SF), and timed up-and-go (TUG) tests. Among 19 dementia people participating in daycare services, 17 participants were enrolled in the study with, finally, two excluded because of incomplete follow-ups. They had a median age of 81 years; their MNA-SF scores and TUG values deteriorated significantly after a 3-month closure of daycare services (p < 0.05), and after resumption of daycare services the MNA-SF scores and TUG values recovered to near the pre-lockdown levels (p < 0.05). Besides, baseline ADL scores predicted a decline and recovery of TUG and MNA-SF values. Our findings suggest that planning continuous support for older dementia adults is important for daycare facilities during COVID-19 pandemic confinement.
Satellite-Based Quantification of Methane Emissions from Wetlands and Rice Paddies Ecosystems in North and Northeast India
Authors: Singh Abhishek , Singh Anil K. , Rawat Sapna , Pal Neeraj , Rajput Vishnu D. , Minkina Tatiana , Sharma Ragini , Singh Narendra P. , Tripathi Jayant N.
Published: September 2022

Methane is produced by various natural processes that directly or indirectly contribute to the entire Earth’s methane budget. If the Earth’s overall methane budget becomes imbalanced, CH4 has an impact on climate change. Wetlands, rice fields, animals, factories, and fossil fuels are major sources of methane emissions. Among all the resources, wetlands and rice fields are more prominent factors in methane emission, dependent on the water table, temperature, and vegetation. Our study employed the GIS remote sensing technique to analyze methane emissions from 2003 to 2021 in the northern part of India, East Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, and the northeast region of India that is Assam. We also predicted the water table, temperature, and vegetation as raw materials for methane creation. Water table, temperature, and vegetation are essential for wetland ecosystem life, particularly for methanogenic organisms; however, the water table and temperature are critical for rice plant growth and development. With the help of GIS remote sensing, India’s monthly rainfall pattern and the water table, vegetation, and temperature pattern over 41 years were analyzed. Our key findings highlight the importance of GIS remote-sensing-based monitoring of methane gas emissions from wetlands and rice fields for their management.
Metabolism and Intracranial Epileptogenicity in Temporal Lobe Long-Term Epilepsy-Associated Tumor
Authors: Mo Jiajie , Zhang Jianguo , Hu Wenhan , Sang Lin , Shao Xiaoqiu , Zhang Chao , Zhang Kai
Published: September 2022

Brain tumors are common in epilepsy surgery and frequently occur in the temporal lobe, but the optimal surgical strategies to remove the tumor and epileptogenic zone remain controversial. We aim at illustrating the positron emission tomography (PET) metabolism and the stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) epileptogenicity of temporal lobe long-term epilepsy-associated tumors (LEAT). In this study, 70 patients and 25 healthy controls were included. Our analysis leveraged group-level analysis to reveal the whole-brain metabolic pattern of temporal lobe LEATs. The SEEG-based epileptogenicity mapping was performed to verify the PET findings in the epileptic network. Compared to controls, patients with a temporal lobe LEAT showed a more widespread epileptic network based on 18FDG-PET in patients with a mesial temporal lobe LEAT than in those with a lateral temporal lobe LEAT. The significant brain clusters mainly involved the paracentral lobule (ANOVA F = 9.731, p < 0.001), caudate nucleus (ANOVA F = 20.749, p < 0.001), putamen (Kruskal–Wallis H = 19.258, p < 0.001), and thalamus (ANOVA F = 4.754, p = 0.011). Subgroup analysis and SEEG-based epileptogenicity mapping are similar to the metabolic pattern. Our findings demonstrate the metabolic and electrophysiological organization of the temporal lobe LEAT epileptic network, which may assist in a patient-specific surgical strategy.
Retrospective 1- to 8-Year Follow-Up Study of Complete Oral Rehabilitation Using Monolithic Zirconia Restorations with Increased Vertical Dimension of Occlusion in Patients with Bruxism
Authors: Matalon Shlomo , Heller Hadas , Beitlitum Ilan , Weinberg Evgeny , Emodi-Perlman Alona , Levartovsky Shifra
Published: September 2022

Aim: The aim of this paper is to perform a retrospective assessment of the clinical performance of the complete oral rehabilitation of patients with bruxism treated with implants and teeth-supported veneered and non-veneered monolithic zirconia restorations with increased occlusal vertical dimension. Methods: In this retrospective follow-up study, 16 bruxer patients, mean age 59.5 ± 14.9 years, were treated with 152 veneered and 229 non-veneered monolithic zirconia and followed for a mean of 58.8 ± 18.8 months (range 1–8 years). The patients were examined clinically and radiographically, annually. Clinical data were extracted from the medical records. In the recall appointments, modified California Dental Association (CDA) criteria were used to evaluate the restorations. Implant and restoration survival and success rates were recorded and analyzed. Results: The cumulative survival rates of implants and restorations were 97.7% and 97.6%, respectively. Nine restorations were replaced: three due to horizontal tooth fractures, two because of implant failure and four had secondary caries. A total of 43 biologic and technical complications were recorded. In the veneered group, the predominant complication was minor veneer chipping (16.4%), which required polishing only (grade 1). In the non-veneered group, the main complication was open proximal contacts between the implant restorations and adjacent teeth (14.5%). Conclusions: The survival rates of restorations and implants in patients with bruxism are excellent, even though veneered zirconia restoration exhibited a high rate of minor veneer chipping, which required polishing only. The biologic complication of fractured single-tooth abutment may occur.
Surgical Success Rate of Scleral Buckling Surgery and Postoperative Incidence of Cystoid Macular Edema: 10 Years of Experience at a Single Academic Hospital
Authors: Watanabe Amaka , Ishida Masahiro , Takeyama Asuka , Ichikawa Yoshikazu , Mizushima Akio , Imamura Yutaka
Published: September 2022

The purposes of this study were to report the surgical success rate of scleral buckling surgery (SB) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in a single academic hospital, analyze the incidence of cystoid macular edema (CME) after SB using optical coherence tomography (OCT), and reveal the factors associated with the development of CME. This was a retrospective observational study of patients with RRD who underwent SB from 2010 to 2020 in a single academic hospital. The anatomical success was initially achieved in 267 of 288 eyes (92.7%), and finally achieved in 288 eyes (100%). After excluding 17 eyes that underwent vitrectomy for reoperations, a total of 271 eyes of 267 patients (173 men; age, 43.5 ± 16.9 years) were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the incidence of postoperative CME. CME occurred in 6 of 271 eyes (2.2%) within 3 months after initial surgery. Pseudophakic and aphakic eyes appeared more likely to develop CME (chi-squared test: p = 0.0078). Five of the six cases with postoperative CME were able to be medically treated. Scleral buckling surgery showed a high success rate even in the era of small-gauge vitreous surgery, and the postoperative frequency of CME after SB was low (2.2%). Previous cataract surgery may be associated with the development of postoperative CME, which is mostly medically manageable.
Circadian Blood Pressure Profile in Pediatric Patients with Primary Hypertension
Authors: Szyszka Michał , Skrzypczyk Piotr , Ofiara Anna , Wabik Anna Maria , Pietrzak Radosław , Werner Bożena , Pańczyk-Tomaszewska Małgorzata
Published: September 2022

Our study aimed to evaluate factors affecting circadian BP profile and its association with hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD) in pediatric patients with primary hypertension (PH). The study included 112 children (14.7 ± 2.1 age, 79 boys, 33 girls) with untreated PH. Non-dipping was defined as a nocturnal drop in systolic or diastolic BP (SBP, DBP) < 10%, and a nocturnal drop >20% was defined as extreme dipping. The nocturnal SBP drop was 10.9 ± 5.9 (%), and the DBP drop was 16.2 ± 8.5 (%). Non-dipping was found in 50 (44.6%) children and extreme dipping in 29 (25.9%) patients. The nocturnal SBP decrease correlated with BMI Z-score (r = −0.242, p = 0.010) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) (r = −0.395, p = 0.006); diastolic DBP decrease correlated with augmentation index (AIx75HR) (r = 0.367, p = 0.003). Patients with a disturbed blood pressure profile had the highest LVMI (p = 0.049), while extreme dippers had the highest augmentation index (AIx75HR) (p = 0.027). Elevated systolic and diastolic BP dipping were risk factors for positive AIx75HR (OR 1.122 95CI (1.009–1.249) and OR 1.095 95CI (1.017–1.177). We concluded that disturbed circadian BP profile was common in children with PH and should not be considered a marker of secondary hypertension. A disturbed circadian BP profile may be associated with higher body weight. In pediatric patients with PH, non-dipping is associated with increased left ventricular mass, and extreme dipping may be a risk factor for increased arterial stiffness.
In Vitro Induction of Eryptosis by Uremic Toxins and Inflammation Mediators in Healthy Red Blood Cells
Authors: Virzì Grazia Maria , Mattiotti Maria , Clementi Anna , Milan Manani Sabrina , Battaglia Giovanni Giorgio , Ronco Claudio , Zanella Monica
Published: September 2022

Eryptosis is the stress-induced RBC (red blood cell) death mechanism. It is known that eryptosis is largely influenced by plasma and blood composition, and that it is accelerated in patients affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study is to evaluate the eryptosis rate in healthy RBCs treated with different concentration of IL-6, IL-1β, urea and p-cresol, comparable to plasmatic level of CKD patients, at different time points. We exposed healthy RBCs to increasing concentrations of IL-6, IL-1β, urea and p-cresol. Morphological markers of eryptosis (cell membrane scrambling, cell shrinkage and PS exposure at RBC surface) were evaluated by flow cytometric analyses. The cytotoxic effect of cytokines and uremic toxins were analyzed in vitro on healthy RBCs at 4, 8 and 24 h. Morphology of treated RBCs was dramatically deranged, and the average cell volume was significantly higher in RBCs exposed to higher concentration of all molecules (all, p < 0.001). Furthermore, healthy RBCs incubated with each molecules demonstrated a significant increase in eryptosis. Cytofluorimetric analysis of eryptosis highlighted significantly higher cell death rate in RBCs incubated with a higher concentration of both cytokines compared with RBCs incubated with a lower concentration (all, p < 0.05). In conclusion, our data show that cytokines and uremic toxins have a harmful effect on RBCs viability and trigger eryptosis. Further studies are necessary to validate these results in vivo and to associate abnormal eryptosis with cytokine levels in CKD patients. The eryptosis pathway could, moreover, become a new promising target for anemia management in CKD patients.
Microballoon Interventions for Liver Tumors: Review of Literature and Future Perspectives
Authors: Lucatelli Pierleone , Rocco Bianca , Ciaglia Simone , Damato Elio , Mosconi Cristina , Argirò Renato , Catalano Carlo
Published: September 2022

Background: Microballoon interventions (MBIs) have been proposed as useful tools to improve the efficacy of locoregional liver treatments. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the existing evidence on procedural characteristics, safety, and efficacy of MBIs. Methods: PubMed and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were queried for original research articles evaluating MBIs in patients with liver malignancies from 2012 to August 2022. Search terms employed were liver malignancies, hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, liver metastases, microballoon transarterial chemoembolization, balloon-occluded trans-arterial chemoembolization, balloon-occluded selective internal radiation therapies, balloon-occluded TACE and ablation, and safety or oncological results or efficacy. Merely technical studies and animal studies were excluded. Results: Thirty-four original research studies and one abstract involving 744 patients treated with MBIs were included; 76% of the studies were retrospective, with low risk of bias and moderate-to-poor levels of evidence. Heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis. All studies proved MBI safety, which was not inferior to non-occlusive procedures. Balloon employment ameliorates oncological results, improving time to recurrence, objective response rate, and lowers need for retreatment. Conclusions: MBIs appear to be potential game changers in the treatment of liver malignancies. Multicentric, prospective and randomized studies are necessary to confirm these findings.
Analysis of the Results of Cytomegalovirus Testing Combined with Genetic Testing in Children with Congenital Hearing Loss
Authors: Jin Yuan , Liu Xiaozhou , Chen Sen , Xiang Jiale , Peng Zhiyu , Sun Yu
Published: September 2022

To improve the etiological diagnosis of congenital hearing loss by combining whole-exome sequencing (WES) with cytomegalovirus (CMV) testing and to explore the potential benefits of adding CMV screening to newborn hearing screening, 80 children under 2 years of age with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss were recruited. Peripheral venous blood was extracted from the children for WES analysis. Saliva after mouthwash and the first urine in the morning were collected and used as samples to quantify CMV DNA copy number in urine and saliva by qPCR; among the 80 children with congenital deafness, 59 (74%) were found to have genetic variants that may cause congenital deafness, including 44 with GJB2 or SLC26A4 gene variant, 1 with STRC gene variant, and 14 with other genetic variants. A total of 12 children carried deafness gene variants associated with a syndrome; CMV test results showed that in two children, the CMV DNA copy number in saliva was >1000/mL, which indicates that they were CMV-positive, and their genetic test results were negative. A neonatal CMV test combined with genetic screening can improve the etiological diagnosis rate of congenital deafness, and the direct evidence of neonatal CMV infection deserves further verification.
Association of Fundus Autofluorescence Abnormalities and Pachydrusen in Central Serous Chorioretinopathy and Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy
Authors: Lai Timothy Y. Y. , Tang Ziqi , Lai Adrian C. W. , Szeto Simon K. H. , Lai Ricky Y. K. , Cheung Carol Y.
Published: September 2022

A specific form of drusen, known as pachydrusen, has been demonstrated to be associated with pachychoroid eye diseases, such as central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). These pachydrusen have been found in up to 50% of eyes with CSC and PCV and may affect the disease progression and treatment response. This study aims to investigate the association between pachydrusen and changes in fundus autofluorescence (FAF) in eyes with CSC and PCV. A total of 65 CSC patients and 32 PCV patients were evaluated. Pachydrusen were detected using both color fundus photography and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. The relationships between pachydrusen and FAF changes were then investigated. The prevalence of pachydrusen in CSC and PCV eyes was 16.7% and 61.8%, respectively. The mean age of patients with pachydrusen was significantly older than those without pachydrusen (CSC: 56.3 vs. 45.0 years, p < 0.001; PCV: 68.8 vs. 59.5 years, p < 0.001). No significant difference was found in the mean subfoveal choroidal thickness between eyes with or without pachydrusen. Eyes with pachydrusen were significantly associated with more extensive FAF changes in both CSC and PCV (p < 0.001 and p = 0.037, respectively). The study demonstrated that pachydrusen are more prevalent in PCV than CSC. Increasing age and more extensive abnormalities in FAF are associated with the presence of pachydrusen, suggesting that dysfunction of retinal pigment epithelial cells is associated with pachydrusen.
Adaptive Posture-Balance Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise Significantly Improved Physical Tolerance in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Ma Mei , Zhang Bowen , Yan Xinxin , Ji Xiang , Qin Deyu , Pu Chaodong , Zhao Jingxiang , Zhang Qian , Lowis Heinz , Li Ting
Published: September 2022

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) requires more professional exercise modalities to improve the efficiency of treatment. Adaptive posture-balance cardiac rehabilitation exercise (APBCRE) is an emerging, balance-based therapy from clinical experience, but lacks evidence of validity. Our study aimed to observe and assess the rehabilitation effect of APBCRE on patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). All participants received one-month APBCRE therapy evenly three times per week and two assessments before and after APBCRE. Each assessment included cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), resting metabolic rate (RMR) detection, and three questionnaires about general health. The differences between two assessments were analyzed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of APBCRE. A total of 93 participants (80.65% male, 53.03 ± 12.02 years) were included in the analysis. After one-month APBCRE, oxygen uptake (VO2, 11.16 ± 2.91 to 12.85 ± 3.17 mL/min/kg, p < 0.01) at anaerobic threshold (AT), ventilation (VE, 28.87 ± 7.26 to 32.42 ± 8.50 mL/min/kg, p < 0.01) at AT, respiratory exchange ratio (RER, 0.93 ± 0.06 to 0.95 ± 0.05, p < 0.01) at AT and oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES, 1426.75 ± 346.30 to 1547.19 ± 403.49, p < 0.01) significantly improved in CVD patients. The ≤55-year group had more positive improvements (VO2 at AT, 23% vs. 16%; OUES, 13% vs. 6%) compared with the >55-year group. Quality of life was also increased after APBCRE (47.78 ± 16.74 to 59.27 ± 17.77, p < 0.001). This study proved that APBCRE was a potentially available exercise rehabilitation modality for patients with CVDs, which performed significant increases in physical tolerance and quality of life, especially for ≤55-year patients.
School Readiness Test and Intelligence in Preschool as Predictors of Middle School Success: Result of an Eight-Year Longitudinal Study
Authors: Józsa Krisztián , Amukune Stephen , Zentai Gabriella , Barrett Karen Caplovitz
Published: September 2022

Research has shown that the development of cognitive and social skills in preschool predicts school readiness in kindergarten. However, most longitudinal studies are short-term, tracking children’s development only through the early elementary school years. This study aims to investigate the long-term impact of preschool predictors, intelligence, and mothers’ education on grade six school performance. This study presents the results of an eight-year-long longitudinal study. The sample includes 202 Hungarian children (89 boys) from a disadvantaged region of southeastern Hungary. The independent variables were the preschool measures: DIFER (Diagnostic System for Assessing Development), a widely used, standardized school readiness test that measures cognitive and social skills; the Raven intelligence test; and socioeconomic status. The dependent variables in grade six were: National Standardized tests in math and reading (NABC, National Assessment of Basic Competencies) and school grades (GPA). Cronbach’s alpha reliability of each test is above 0.76. Correlations and a series of multiple regressions were used for analysis. All three independent variables have significant predictive power for school performance in sixth grade. DIFER skills were the best predictors for reading achievement, intelligence for math achievement, and GPA was best predicted by mothers’ education. The results show that developing preschool skills, mothers’ education and IQ in preschool are essential to long-term learning success.
Spatial Patterns of Tourist Attractions in the Yangtze River Delta Region
Authors: Wang Yuewei , Wu Xinyang , Liu Zhizheng , Chen Hang , Zhao Yuyan
Published: September 2022

Tourism is distinctly regional with respect to the regional distribution of tourism resources, tourist attractions and supply, and spatial continuity of tourist activities. Using point-of-interest data from 2166 tourist attractions in the Yangtze River Delta, this study analyzes the spatial distribution pattern of tourist attractions and their influencing factors by applying the methods of nearest proximity index, kernel density analysis, standard deviation ellipse, hotspot analysis, and spatial superposition analysis. The results show that the number of modern recreational tourist attractions accounts for the largest proportion. The spatial distribution pattern shows more attractions in the north than the south and more in the east than the west. The spatial density of tourist attractions in Shanghai is far greater than that in other regions, followed by Jiangsu and Zhejiang. The five types of tourist attractions show a significant aggregation state. Natural ecological tourist attractions are clustered near Nanjing and Huangshan; historical and cultural tourist attractions are formed in a T-shape by Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Nanjing; modern recreational tourist attractions are clustered in Shanghai and Hangzhou; and industrial integration tourist attractions are clustered in Shanghai, Nanjing, and Hangzhou. Physical geography, traffic, and social economy are the main factors affecting the spatial distribution of tourist attractions.