bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Boldness Personality Traits Are Associated With Reduced Risk Perceptions and Adoption of Protective Behaviors During the First COVID-19 Outbreak
Authors: Paiva Tiago O. , Cruz-Martins Natália , Pasion Rita , Almeida Pedro R. , Barbosa Fernando
Published: May 2021

The containment measures imposed during the first COVID-19 outbreak required economic, social, and behavioral changes to minimize the spread of the coronavirus. Some studies have focused on how personality predicts distinct patterns of adherence to protective measures with psychopathic and antisocial traits predicting reduced engagement in such measures. In this study we extended previous findings by analyzing how boldness, meanness, and disinhibition psychopathic traits relate with both risk perceptions and protective behaviors during the first COVID-19 outbreak. A sample of 194 individuals (24% male) engaged in the survey, were assessed for psychopathic traits with the Triarchic Psychopathy Measure, and completed a COVID-19 survey targeting risk perceptions (spread, risk of becoming infected, state anxiety toward the COVID-19, and perceived risk of specific behaviors) and frequency of protective behaviors (e.g., not engaging in social distancing). Overall results show that boldness predicts reduced estimate of COVID-19 spread, reduced perceived risk of becoming infected, reduced state anxiety toward COVID-19, and reduced frequency of protective behaviors. Exploratory mediation models suggest that risk perceptions are not significant mediators of the association between psychopathic traits and reduced engagement in protective behaviors. Our results unveil that psychopathic traits affect risk perceptions and the propensity to engage in protective measures, emphasizing the need to accommodate these personality features in the public health strategy to control the COVID-19 spread.
Flow Immersive: A Multiuser, Multidimensional, Multiplatform Interactive Covid-19 Data Visualization Tool
Authors: DiBenigno Michael , Kosa Mehmet , Johnson-Glenberg Mina C.
Published: May 2021

Covid-19 has prompted a surge of data visualizations that have been published for public consumption, yet, many have not had broad appeal or may have not been well-understood by laypeople. A data storytelling platform called Flow Immersive has been created to successfully engage both laypeople and experts in understanding complex information. This tool integrates emerging technologies [e.g., augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR)] with a multiplatform, multiuser publishing approach. From October 2020 to December 2020, Flow’s Covid-19 AR videos captured 9 million (9,000,000) views, and have been used in multiple professional presentations. This paper documents the journey from development to deployment, and some user feedback which all led to breakthroughs in scalability and higher levels of engagement.
Should We Re-think Regulations and Standards for Lighting at Workplaces? A Practice Review on Existing Lighting Recommendations
Authors: Stefani Oliver , Cajochen Christian
Published: May 2021

Nowadays lighting projects often include temporal variations of the light, both spectrally and in terms of intensity to consider non-visual effects of light on people. However, as of today there are no specific regulations. Compliance with common lighting standards that address visual aspects of light, often means that only little non-visually effective light reaches the eye. In this practice review we confront existing regulations and standards on visual lighting aspects with new recommendations on non-visual aspects and highlight conflicts among them. We conclude with lighting recommendations that address both aspects.
A Matrix-Variate t Model for Networks
Authors: Billio Monica , Casarin Roberto , Costola Michele , Iacopini Matteo
Published: May 2021

Networks represent a useful tool to describe relationships among financial firms and network analysis has been extensively used in recent years to study financial connectedness. An aspect, which is often neglected, is that network observations come with errors from different sources, such as estimation and measurement errors, thus a proper statistical treatment of the data is needed before network analysis can be performed. We show that node centrality measures can be heavily affected by random errors and propose a flexible model based on the matrix-variate t distribution and a Bayesian inference procedure to de-noise the data. We provide an application to a network among European financial institutions.
Sexual Violence and the Coach–Athlete Relationship—a Scoping Review From Sport Sociological and Sport Psychological Perspectives
Authors: Gaedicke Sonja , Schäfer Alina , Hoffmann Brit , Ohlert Jeannine , Allroggen Marc , Hartmann-Tews Ilse , Rulofs Bettina
Published: May 2021

Sexual violence against athletes in elite and leisure sport has become of growing interest in recent years. In line with social media initiatives such as #SportToo and #CoachDontTouchMe and a rise in general media coverage, research in this field indicates an urgent need for action. These recent developments occasionally have led to no-touch policies, which may result in moral panic, uncertainty, and fear of unjustified suspicion among coaches. However, the role of closeness and distance in the development of sexual violence within the coach–athlete relationship has not yet been researched systematically. In this scoping review, the authors focus on the coach–athlete relationship, particularly its predispositions to sexual violence and how to prevent abusive relationships. Some characteristics typical of elite sport may predispose coaches to commit abuse, such as gender and power relations, the need for physical touch, hierarchical structures in sport, and trust and closeness between coaches and athletes. This scoping review follows an interdisciplinary approach combining sociological and psychological perspectives. It comprises 25 publications in English and German published from 2000 to 2019. The literature review highlights that closeness, power, blurred boundaries, and ambiguous roles are areas that seem to be crucial to the analysis of the coach–athlete relationship from both sociological and psychological perspectives.
Bacillus Co-Inoculation Alleviated Salt Stress in Seedlings Cucumber
Authors: Qi Ruixue , Lin Wei , Gong Kaixuan , Han Zeyu , Ma Hui , Zhang Miao , Zhang Qiannan , Gao Yanming , Li Jianshe , Zhang Xueyan
Published: May 2021

Soil salinity has become a serious threat to crop growth and productivity and has aggravated the gap between sustainable food supply and population growth. Application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) has emerged as a novel way of alleviating the harmful effects of salt stress and improving soil nutrients. The aim of this study was to study the effects of exposure cucumber seedlings at one co-inoculation of Bacillus licheniformis and B. subtilis, a mitigation of salt stress in cucumber seedlings. In this study, we isolated salt tolerant (NX-3 and NX-4) and growth-promoting (NX-48, NX-59, and NX-62) bacteria from the rhizosphere of cucumber. NX-3 and NX-59 were identified as B. licheniformis, and NX-4, NX-48 and NX-62 were identified as B. subtilis. Under salt stress, relative to non-inoculation, co-inoculation with B. licheniformis and B. subtilis increased stem diameter and plant fresh weight. Moreover, the concentration of substrate available phosphorus increased (except for NX4-59). The catalase and sucrase activities of NX4-62 were the highest. Meanwhile, NX3-62 and NX3-59 had the highest phosphorus content and NX3-59 had the highest urease activities. Comprehensive analysis indicated that NX4-62 and NX3-59 showed the best effect on promoting cucumber seedlings growth, activating substrate nutrients, and alleviate salt stress in seedlings of cucumber.
Correction: Shakil, H.; Saleem, S. Genetic Deletion of Prostacyclin IP Receptor Exacerbates Transient Global Cerebral Ischemia in Aging Mice. Brain Sci. 2013, 3, 1095–1108
Authors: Shakil Hania , Saleem Sofiyan
Published: May 2021

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper: ref [...]
Precision Therapy for Mesothelioma: Feasibility and New Opportunities
Authors: Dulloo Sean , Bzura Aleksandra , Fennell Dean Anthony
Published: May 2021

Malignant pleural mesotheliomas (MPMs) are characterised by their wide variation in natural history, ranging from minimally to highly aggressive, associated with both interpatient and intra-tumour genomic heterogeneity. Recent insights into the nature of this genetic variation, the identification of drivers, and the emergence of novel strategies capable of targeting vulnerabilities that result from the inactivation of key tumour suppressors suggest that new approaches to molecularly strategy therapy for mesothelioma may be feasible.
Magnetization Reversal in Concave Iron Nano-Superellipses
Authors: Öncü Emre , Ehrmann Andrea
Published: May 2021

Square magnetic nanodots can show intentional or undesired shape modifications, resulting in superellipses with concave or convex edges. Some research groups also concentrated on experimentally investigating or simulating concave nano-superellipses, sometimes called magnetic astroids due to their similarity to the mathematical shape of an astroid. Due to the strong impact of shape anisotropy in nanostructures, the magnetization-reversal process including coercive and reversibility fields can be expected to be different in concave or convex superellipses than that in common squares. Here, we present angle-dependent micromagnetic simulations on magnetic nanodots with the shape of concave superellipses. While magnetization reversal occurs via meander states, horseshoe states or the 180° rotation of magnetization for the perfect square, depending on the angle of the external magnetic field, more complicated states occur for superellipses with strong concaveness. Even apparently asymmetric hysteresis loops can be found along the hard magnetization directions, which can be attributed to measuring minor loops since the reversibility fields become much larger than the coercive fields.
Dynamical Analysis of the Dow Jones Index Using Dimensionality Reduction and Visualization
Authors: Lopes António M. , Tenreiro Machado Jóse A.
Published: May 2021

Time-series generated by complex systems (CS) are often characterized by phenomena such as chaoticity, fractality and memory effects, which pose difficulties in their analysis. The paper explores the dynamics of multidimensional data generated by a CS. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) index is selected as a test-bed. The DJIA time-series is normalized and segmented into several time window vectors. These vectors are treated as objects that characterize the DJIA dynamical behavior. The objects are then compared by means of different distances to generate proper inputs to dimensionality reduction and information visualization algorithms. These computational techniques produce meaningful representations of the original dataset according to the (dis)similarities between the objects. The time is displayed as a parametric variable and the non-locality can be visualized by the corresponding evolution of points and the formation of clusters. The generated portraits reveal a complex nature, which is further analyzed in terms of the emerging patterns. The results show that the adoption of dimensionality reduction and visualization tools for processing complex data is a key modeling option with the current computational resources.
Biases and Variability from Costly Bayesian Inference
Authors: Prat-Carrabin Arthur , Meyniel Florent , Tsodyks Misha , Azeredo da Silveira Rava
Published: May 2021

When humans infer underlying probabilities from stochastic observations, they exhibit biases and variability that cannot be explained on the basis of sound, Bayesian manipulations of probability. This is especially salient when beliefs are updated as a function of sequential observations. We introduce a theoretical framework in which biases and variability emerge from a trade-off between Bayesian inference and the cognitive cost of carrying out probabilistic computations. We consider two forms of the cost: a precision cost and an unpredictability cost; these penalize beliefs that are less entropic and less deterministic, respectively. We apply our framework to the case of a Bernoulli variable: the bias of a coin is inferred from a sequence of coin flips. Theoretical predictions are qualitatively different depending on the form of the cost. A precision cost induces overestimation of small probabilities, on average, and a limited memory of past observations, and, consequently, a fluctuating bias. An unpredictability cost induces underestimation of small probabilities and a fixed bias that remains appreciable even for nearly unbiased observations. The case of a fair (equiprobable) coin, however, is singular, with non-trivial and slow fluctuations in the inferred bias. The proposed framework of costly Bayesian inference illustrates the richness of a ‘resource-rational’ (or ‘bounded-rational’) picture of seemingly irrational human cognition.
A Review of Electrospun Carbon Nanofiber-Based Negative Electrode Materials for Supercapacitors
Authors: Tiwari Arjun , Mukhiya Tanka , Muthurasu Alagan , Chhetri Kisan , Lee Minju , Dahal Bipeen , Lohani Prakash , Kim Hak-Yong
Published: May 2021

The development of smart negative electrode materials with high capacitance for the uses in supercapacitors remains challenging. Although several types of electrode materials with high capacitance in energy storage have been reported, carbon-based materials are the most reliable electrodes due to their high conductivity, high power density, and excellent stability. The most common complaint about general carbon materials is that these electrode materials can hardly ever be used as free-standing electrodes. Free-standing carbon-based electrodes are in high demand and are a passionate topic of energy storage research. Electrospun nanofibers are a potential candidate to fill this gap. However, the as-spun carbon nanofibers (ECNFs) have low capacitance and low energy density on their own. To overcome the limitations of pure CNFs, increasing surface area, heteroatom doping and metal doping have been chosen. In this review, we introduce the negative electrode materials that have been developed so far. Moreover, this review focuses on the advances of electrospun nanofiber-based negative electrode materials and their limitations. We put forth a future perspective on how these limitations can be overcome to meet the demands of next-generation smart devices.
The Synergy of Two Biofuel Additives on Combustion Process to Simultaneously Reduce NOx and PM Emissions
Authors: Cisek Jerzy , Lesniak Szymon , Stanik Winicjusz , Przybylski Włodzimierz
Published: May 2021

The article presents the results of research on the influence of two fuel additives that selectively affect the combustion process in a diesel engine cylinder. The addition of NitrON® reduces the concentration of nitrogen oxides (NOx), due to a reduction in the kinetic combustion rate, at the cost of a slight increase in the concentration of particulate matter (PM) in the engine exhaust gas. The Reduxco® additive reduces PM emissions by increasing the diffusion combustion rate, while slightly increasing the NOx concentration in the engine exhaust gas. Research conducted by the authors confirmed that the simultaneous use of both of these additives in the fuel not only reduced both NOx and PM emissions in the exhaust gas but additionally the reduction of NOx and PM emissions was greater than the sum of the effects of these additives—the synergy effect. Findings indicated that the waveforms of the heat release rate (dQ/dα) responsible for the emission of NOx and PM in the exhaust gas differed for the four tested fuels in relation to the maximum value (selectively and independently in the kinetic and diffusion stage), and they were also phase shifted. Due to this, the heat release process Q(α) was characterized by a lower amount of heat released in the kinetic phase compared to fuel with NitrON® only and a greater amount of heat released in the diffusion phase compared to fuel with Reduxco® alone, which explained the lowest NOx and PM emissions in the exhaust gas at that time. For example for the NOx concentration in the engine exhaust: the Nitrocet® fuel additive (in the used amount of 1500 ppm) reduces the NOx concentration in the exhaust gas by 18% compared to the base fuel. The addition of a Reduxco® catalyst to the fuel (1500 ppm) unfortunately increases the NOx concentration by up to 20%. On the other hand, the combustion of the complete tested fuel, containing both additives simultaneously, is characterized, thanks to the synergy effect, by the lowest NOx concentration (reduction by 22% in relation to the base). For example for PM emissions: the Nitrocet® fuel additive does not significantly affect the PM emissions in the engine exhaust (up to a few per cent compared to the base fuel). The addition of a Reduxco® catalyst to the fuel greatly reduces PM emissions in the engine exhaust, up to 35% compared to the base fuel. On the other hand, the combustion of the complete tested fuel containing both additives simultaneously is characterized by the synergy effect with the lowest PM emission (reduction of 39% compared to the base fuel).
Quantification of Energy Flexibility and Survivability of All-Electric Buildings with Cost-Effective Battery Size: Methodology and Indexes
Authors: Homaei Shabnam , Hamdy Mohamed
Published: May 2021

All-electric buildings are playing an important role in the electrification plan towards energy-neutral smart cities. Batteries are key components in all-electric buildings that can help the demand-side energy management as a flexibility asset and improve the building survivability in the case of power outages as an active survivability asset. This paper introduces a novel methodology and indexes for determining cost-effective battery sizes. It also explores the possible trade-off between energy flexibility and the survivability of all-electric buildings. The introduced methodology uses IDA-ICE 4.8 as a building performance simulation tool and MATLAB® 2017 as a post-processing calculation tool for quantifying building energy flexibility and survivability indexes. The proposed methodology is applied to a case study of a Norwegian single-family house, where 10 competitive designs, 16 uncertainty scenarios, and 3 dynamic pricing tariffs suggested by the Norwegian regulators are investigated. The methodology provides informative support for different stakeholders to compare various building designs and dynamic pricing tariffs from the flexibility and survivability points of view. Overall, the results indicate that larger cost-effective batteries usually have higher active survivability and lower energy flexibility from cost- effectiveness perspective. For instance, when the time of use tariff is applied, the cost-effective battery size varies between 40 and 65 kWh (daily storage). This is associated with a cost-effective flexibility index of 0.4–0.55%/kWh and an active survivability index of 63–80%.
Assessment of Indonesia’s Future Renewable Energy Plan: A Meta-Analysis of Biofuel Energy Return on Investment (EROI)
Authors: Prananta Wiraditma , Kubiszewski Ida
Published: May 2021

In early 2020, Indonesia implemented the biodiesel 30 (B30) program as an initiative to reduce Indonesia’s dependency on fossil fuels and to protect Indonesia’s palm oil market. However, palm oil has received international criticism due to its association with harmful environmental externalities. This paper analysed whether an investment in palm oil-based biofuel (POBB) provides Indonesia with the ability to achieve its environmental and financial goals. In this research, we performed a meta-analysis on biofuel energy return on investment (EROI) by examining 44 biofuel projects using ten types of biofuel feedstocks from 13 countries between 1995 and 2016. Results showed an average EROI of 3.92 and 3.22 for POBB and other biomass-based biofuels (OBBB), respectively. This shows that if only energy inputs and outputs are considered, biofuels provide a positive energy return. However, biofuels, including those from palm oil, produce externalities especially during land preparation and land restoration. We also compared these EROI biofuel results with other renewable energy sources and further analysed the implications for renewable energies to meet society’s energy demands in the future. Results showed that biofuel gives the lowest EROI compared to other renewable energy sources. Its EROI of 3.92, while positive, has been categorised as “not feasible for development”. If Indonesia plans to continue with its biofuel program, some major improvements will be necessary.
Boon and Bane of DNA Double-Strand Breaks
Authors: Schubert Ingo
Published: May 2021

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), interrupting the genetic information, are elicited by various environmental and endogenous factors. They bear the risk of cell lethality and, if mis-repaired, of deleterious mutation. This negative impact is contrasted by several evolutionary achievements for DSB processing that help maintaining stable inheritance (correct repair, meiotic cross-over) and even drive adaptation (immunoglobulin gene recombination), differentiation (chromatin elimination) and speciation by creating new genetic diversity via DSB mis-repair. Targeted DSBs play a role in genome editing for research, breeding and therapy purposes. Here, I survey possible causes, biological effects and evolutionary consequences of DSBs, mainly for students and outsiders.
Hypoxia, Acidification and Inflammation: Partners in Crime in Parkinson’s Disease Pathogenesis?
Authors: Burtscher Johannes , Millet Grégoire P.
Published: May 2021

Like in other neurodegenerative diseases, protein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Differentiating characteristics of PD include the central role of α-synuclein in the aggregation pathology, a distinct vulnerability of the striato-nigral system with the related motor symptoms, as well as specific mitochondrial deficits. Which molecular alterations cause neurodegeneration and drive PD pathogenesis is poorly understood. Here, we summarize evidence of the involvement of three interdependent factors in PD and suggest that their interplay is likely a trigger and/or aggravator of PD-related neurodegeneration: hypoxia, acidification and inflammation. We aim to integrate the existing knowledge on the well-established role of inflammation and immunity, the emerging interest in the contribution of hypoxic insults and the rather neglected effects of brain acidification in PD pathogenesis. Their tight association as an important aspect of the disease merits detailed investigation. Consequences of related injuries are discussed in the context of aging and the interaction of different brain cell types, in particular with regard to potential consequences on the vulnerability of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. A special focus is put on the identification of current knowledge gaps and we emphasize the importance of related insights from other research fields, such as cancer research and immunometabolism, for neurodegeneration research. The highlighted interplay of hypoxia, acidification and inflammation is likely also of relevance for other neurodegenerative diseases, despite disease-specific biochemical and metabolic alterations.
Rescheduling Strategy for Berth Planning in Container Terminals: An Empirical Study from Korea
Authors: Kim Armi , Park Hyun-Ji , Park Jin-Hyoung , Cho Sung-Won
Published: May 2021

The rapid increase in international trade volume has caused frequent fluctuation of the vessels’ arrival time in container terminals. In order to solve this problem, this study proposes a methodology for rescheduling berth and quay cranes caused by updated information on the arrival time of vessels. A mixed-integer linear programming model was formulated for the berth allocation and crane assignment problem, and we solved the problem using a rolling-horizon approach. Numerical experiments were conducted under three scenarios with empirical data from a container terminal located in Busan, Korea. The experiments revealed that the proposed model reduces penalty costs and overall delayed departure time compared to the results of the terminal planner.
Lubricity of Ethanol–Diesel Fuel Blends—Study with the Four-Ball Machine Method
Authors: Kuszewski Hubert , Jaworski Artur , Mądziel Maksymilian
Published: May 2021

Due to the increasing consumption of fuels in heavy industries, especially in road transportation, significant efforts are being made to increase the market participation of renewable fuels, including ethanol. In diesel engines, however, ethanol cannot be used as a pure fuel, primarily due to its very low cetane number and lubricity. For this reason, greater attention is being paid to blended fuels containing diesel and varying percentages of ethanol. Tests of lubricating properties carried out in accordance with the standard HFRR (high frequency reciprocating rig) method for ethanol–diesel fuel blends have long durations, which leads to ethanol evaporation and changes in the composition of the tested fuel sample under elevated temperatures. Therefore, this study presents an alternative lubricity assessment criterion based on the measurement of the scuffing load with a four-ball machine. Lubricity tests of blends of typical diesel fuel and ethanol, with ethanol volume fractions up to 14% (v/v), were conducted using a four-ball machine with a continuous increase of the load force of the friction node. In this method the lubrication criterion was the scuffing load of the tribosystem. The obtained results provided insights into the influence of the addition of ethanol to diesel fuel on lubricating properties, while limiting the ethanol evaporation process. The results also showed that an increase in the fraction of ethanol up to 14% (v/v) in diesel fuel resulted in a decrease in the scuffing load and a corresponding deterioration in the lubricating properties of the diesel–ethanol blend. For an ethanol volume fraction of 6–14%, the changes in the scuffing load were smaller than in ethanol volume fractions of 0–6%.
Copper and Nickel Microsensors Produced by Selective Laser Reductive Sintering for Non-Enzymatic Glucose Detection
Authors: Tumkin Ilya I. , Khairullina Evgeniia M. , Panov Maxim S. , Yoshidomi Kyohei , Mizoshiri Mizue
Published: May 2021

In this work, the method of selective laser reductive sintering was used to fabricate the sensor-active copper and nickel microstructures on the surface of glass-ceramics suitable for non-enzymatic detection of glucose. The calculated sensitivities for these microsensors are 1110 and 2080 μA mM−1·cm−2 for copper and nickel, respectively. Linear regime of enzymeless glucose sensing is provided between 0.003 and 3 mM for copper and between 0.01 and 3 mM for nickel. Limits of glucose detection for these manufactured micropatterns are equal to 0.91 and 2.1 µM for copper and nickel, respectively. In addition, the fabricated materials demonstrate rather good selectivity, long-term stability and reproducibility.
Combined Manufacturing Process of Copper Electrodes for Micro Texturing Applications (AMSME)
Authors: Sánchez Carlos J. , Hernández Pedro M. , Martínez María D. , Marrero María D. , Salguero Jorge
Published: May 2021

Surface texturing has brought significant improvements in the functional properties of parts and components. Sinker electro discharge machining (SEDM) is one of the processes which generates great texturing results at different scale. An electrode is needed to reproduce the geometry to be textured. Some geometries are difficult or impossible to achieve on an electrode using conventional and even unconventional machining methods. This work sets out the advances made in the manufacturing of copper electrodes for electro erosion by additive manufacturing, and their subsequent application to the functional texturing of Al-Cu UNS A92024-T3 alloy. A combined procedure of digital light processing (DLP) additive manufacturing, sputtering and micro-electroforming (AMSME), has been used to produce electrodes. Also, a specific laboratory equipment has been developed to reproduce details on a microscopic scale. Shells with outgoing spherical geometries pattern have been manufactured. AMSME process has shown ability to copper electrodes manufacturing. A highly detailed surface on a micrometric scale have been achieved. Copper shells with minimum thickness close to 300 µm have been tested in sinker electro discharge machining (SEDM) and have been shown very good performance in surface finishing operations. The method has shown great potential for use in surfaces texturing.
Emerging Technology for a Green, Sustainable Energy-Promising Materials for Hydrogen Storage, from Nanotubes to Graphene—A Review
Authors: Jastrzębski Krzysztof , Kula Piotr
Published: May 2021

The energetic and climate crises should pose a challenge for scientists in finding solutions in the field of renewable, green energy sources. Throughout more than two decades, the search for new opportunities in the energy industry made it possible to observe the potential use of hydrogen as an energy source. One of the greatest challenges faced by scientists for the sake of its use as an energy source is designing safe, usable, reliable, and effective forms of hydrogen storage. Moreover, the manner in which hydrogen is to be stored is closely dependent on the potential use of this source of green energy. In stationary use, the aim is to achieve high volumetric density of the container. However, from the point of view of mobile applications, an extremely important aspect is the storage of hydrogen, using lightweight tanks of relatively high density. That is why, a focus of scientists has been put on the use of carbon-based materials and graphene as a perspective solution in the field of H2 storage. This review focuses on the comparison of different methods for hydrogen storage, mainly based on the carbon-based materials and focuses on efficiently using graphene and its different forms to serve a purpose in the future H2-based economy.
Recovery of Chloride Penetration Resistance of Cement-Based Composites Due to Self-Healing of Cracks
Authors: Yoo Kyung Suk , Jang Seung Yup , Lee Kwang-Myong
Published: May 2021

This study proposed a method of applying coating on uncracked surfaces of test specimens in the electrical migration–diffusion test for the evaluation of the chloride penetration resistance of cracked cement-based composites. It was shown that, by applying the proposed method, the recovery of the chloride penetration resistance from self-healing of cracks can be evaluated more accurately because the application of surface coating reduces the test time and the error introduced by over-simplification. Based on observations of the self-healing-induced recovery of chloride penetration resistance, a phenomenological model for predicting the progress of crack self-healing in cement-based composites was suggested. This model is expected to evaluate the chloride penetration resistance more accurately in actual concrete structures with cracks.
Stochastic Thermal Properties of Laminates Filled with Long Fibers
Authors: Turant Jan
Published: May 2021

In this paper, the stochastic parameters of the effective thermal conductivity of multilayer composites are considered. The examined specimens of composites were built with a different number of layers and each had a different saturation density of a composite matrix with fibers. For each case of laminate built with a prescribed number of layers and assumed saturation density, 10,000 tests of its effective thermal conductivity were carried out using numerical experiments. It was assumed that the fibers located in each layer were rectilinear, had a circular cross-section and that they could take random positions in their repeatable volume elements (RVEs). In view of the mentioned assumptions, the heat flux passing throughout a cross-section of a composite sample, perpendicular to the fibers’ direction, was considered. The probability density functions were fitted to the obtained data and then the chosen stochastic parameters of the effective thermal conductivity coefficients were determined.
Characteristics of Waste Iron Powder as a Fine Filler in a High-Calcium Fly Ash Geopolymer
Authors: Nongnuang Toon , Jitsangiam Peerapong , Rattanasak Ubolluk , Tangchirapat Weerachart , Suwan Teewara , Thongmunee Suriyah
Published: May 2021

Geopolymer (GP) has been applied as an environmentally-friendly construction material in recent years. Many pozzolanic wastes, such as fly ash (FA) and bottom ash, are commonly used as source materials for synthesizing geopolymer. Nonetheless, many non-pozzolanic wastes are often applied in the field of civil engineering, including waste iron powder (WIP). WIPs are massively produced as by-products from iron and steel industries, and the production rate increases every year. As an iron-based material, WIP has properties of heat induction and restoration, which can enhance the heat curing process of GP. Therefore, this study aimed to utilize WIP in high-calcium FA geopolymer to develop a new type of geopolymer and examine its properties compared to the conventional geopolymer. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction were performed on the geopolymers. Mechanical properties, including compressive strength and flexural strength, were also determined. In addition, setting time and temperature monitoring during the heat curing process were carried out. The results indicated that the addition of WIP in FA geopolymer decreased the compressive strength, owing to the formation of tetrahydroxoferrate (II) sodium or Na2[Fe(OH)4]. However, a significant increase in the flexural strength of GP with WIP addition was detected. A flexural strength of 8.5 MPa was achieved by a 28-day sample with 20% of WIP addition, nearly three times higher than that of control.
A Comparison among Different Ways to Investigate Composite Materials with Lock-In Thermography: The Multi-Frequency Approach
Authors: D’Accardi Ester , Palumbo Davide , Galietti Umberto
Published: May 2021

The main goal of non-destructive testing is the detection of defects early enough to avoid catastrophic failure with particular interest for the inspection of aerospace structures; under this aspect, all methods for fast and reliable inspection deserve special attention. In this sense, active thermography for non-destructive testing enables contactless, fast, remote, and not expensive control of materials and structures. Furthermore, different works have confirmed the potentials of lock-in thermography as a flexible technique for its peculiarity to be performed by means of a low-cost set-up. In this work, a new approach called the multi-frequency via software approach (MFS), based on the superimposition via software of two square waves with two different main excitation frequencies, has been used to inspect a sample in carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) material with imposed defects of different materials, sizes and depths, by means of lock-in thermography. The advantages and disadvantages of the multi-frequency approach have been highlighted by comparing quantitatively the MFS with the traditional excitation methods (sine and square waves).
Al and Zr Porous Clay Heterostructures as Removal Agents of Basic Blue-41 Dye from an Artificially Polluted Solution: Regeneration Properties and Batch Design
Authors: Al Dmour Hmoud , Kooli Fethi , Mohmoud Ahmed , Liu Yan , Popoola Saheed A.
Published: May 2021

The removal of Basic Blue-41 dye molecules was carried out by using two doped porous clay heterostructures by aluminum (Al) or zirconium (Zr) species. The proposed method of synthesis showed its efficiency, starting from Al or Zr intercalated hydrolyzed species, prior to its reaction with dodecylamine (C12 amine) and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as a silica source. The intercalated precursors and their porous clay heterostructures (PCH) derivatives were characterized by different techniques. Solid NMR technique proved the presence of Al species into the intercalated silica between the clay sheets, and in addition to Si in different environments within the PCH materials. The Zr-PCH material exhibited a higher surface area and pore volume compared to its Al-PCH counterpart, with a mesoporous character for both materials. A maximum removed amount of 279 and 332 mg/g was achieved and deduced from the Langmuir equation. The regeneration tests revealed that the removal efficiency of Zr-PCH was retained after five regeneration runs, with a loss of 15% of the original value; meanwhile, the Al-PCH lost 45% of its efficiency after only three cycles. A single-stage batch design was proposed based on the Langmuir isotherm parameters. The increase of the removal capacity of Zr-PCH led to the reduction of the required amounts for the target removal of BB-41 dye compared to Al-PCH.
On Growth and Morphology of TiO2 Nanotubes on Ti6Al4V by Anodic Oxidation in Ethylene Glycol Electrolyte: Influence of Microstructure and Anodization Parameters
Authors: Ribeiro Bruno , Offoiach Ruben , Rahimi Ehsan , Salatin Elisa , Lekka Maria , Fedrizzi Lorenzo
Published: May 2021

Different studies demonstrated the possibility to produce TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs) on Ti6Al4V alloy by electrochemical anodization. However, the anodizing behavior of α and β-phases in organic electrolytes is not yet clarified. This study reports on the anodizing behavior of the two phases in an ethylene glycol electrolyte using different applied potentials and anodizing times. Atomic force and scanning electron microscopies were used to highlight the anodic oxides differences in morphology. It was demonstrated that the initial compact oxide grew faster over the β-phase as the higher Al content of the α-phase caused its re-passivation, and the higher solubility of the V-rich oxide led to earlier pores formation over the β-phase. The trend was inverted once the pores formed over the compact oxide of the α-phase. The growth rate of the α-phase TNTs was higher than that of the β-phase ones, leading to the formation of long and well defined nanotubes with thin walls and a honeycomb tubular structure, while the ones grown over the β-phase were individual, shorter, and with thicker walls.
Smoking in Teenagers from the Social Protection System—What Do We Know about It?
Authors: Budin Corina Eugenia , Râjnoveanu Ruxandra-Mioara , Bordea Ioana Roxana , Grigorescu Bianca Liana , Todea Doina Adina
Published: May 2021

Background and Objectives: The impact of smoking on the young population is an extremely important issue for the public health system. As the prevalence of smoking is considerably increasing amongst the pubescent and adolescent population, the prevention of smoking at this age should be considered of high priority. The primary aim of this observational study was to assess tobacco use in teenagers included in the social protection system. Materials and Methods: 275 foster care teenagers (155 from the Professional Maternal Assistance System (AMP) and 120 from the residential system) from two different counties were enrolled. After a brief interactive session focused on the main consequences of smoking, a self-administered questionnaire was anonymously completed. Results: The mean age of the study group was 14 years, with a significant difference between the residential system and AMP (p = 0.001). Smoking status was significantly higher in participants from family-type houses (36.7%) than in those from the AMP (11.7%) (p < 0.001). The presence of smokers in the family (78.3%) and passive smoking (64.7%) were significantly higher in children from the residential system than in those from the AMP (32.9% and 31.8%, respectively) (p < 0.001). The number of cigarettes consumed daily was associated with the age of the participants (p = 0.01, rho 0.42). In total, 82.3% were cigarette users and 19.4% were e-cigarette users. Smokers bought the majority of their cigarettes from the store (63.2%) or asked a friend (19.3%) or an adult to buy them on their behalf (12.3%). Conclusions: The null hypothesis, according to which children who are abandoned but raised and cared for by professional nursing assistants are predisposed to earlier tobacco activity compared to children raised in a normal familiar environment, is supported. Future education and prevention campaigns conveying the benefits of a healthy long-term lifestyle to this population category are needed.
Leriche Syndrome Misdiagnosed as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in a Patient with Neuropathic Pain Caused by a Chip Fracture: A Case Report
Authors: Lee Byeong-Cheol , Oh Dae-Seok , Lee Hyun-Seong , Kim Se-Hun , Park Jae-Hong , Lee Ki-Hwa , Kim Hyo-Joong , Yang Ji-Hyun , Lee Sang-Eun
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Leriche syndrome is an aortoiliac occlusive disease caused by atherosclerotic occlusion. We report a case of Leriche syndrome with a fracture that was suspected as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), as the post-traumatic pain gradually worsened in the form of excruciating neuropathic pain. Case Report: A 52-year-old woman with a history of hypertension was referred to the Department of Pain Medicine from a local orthopedic clinic because of suspected CRPS for excruciating neuropathic pain for one month. She complained of gait dysfunction and severe pain in the right foot following an incident of trauma with the right first toe. The average pain intensity assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) was 90 (0: no pain, 100: the worst pain imaginable), and the neuropathic pain was evident as a score of 6/10 on Douleur neuropathique 4. Allodynia, hyperalgesia, blue discoloration of the skin, asymmetric temperature change (1.38 °C), and edematous soft tissue changes were observed. Ultrasonography showed a chip fracture in the first distal phalanx of the right first toe. The diagnosis was most probably CRPS type I according to the Budapest research criteria for CRPS. However, multiple pain management techniques were insufficient in controlling the symptoms. A month and a half later, an ankle-brachial index score of less than 0.4 suggested severe peripheral artery disease. Computed tomography angiography showed total occlusion between the infrarenal abdominal aorta and the bilateral common iliac arteries. Therefore, she underwent aortic-bifemoral bypass surgery with a diagnosis of Leriche syndrome. Three months after the surgery, the average pain intensity was graded as 10 on the VAS (0–100), the color of the skin of the right first toe improved and no gait dysfunction was observed. Conclusion: A chip fracture in a region with insufficient blood flow could manifest as excruciating neuropathic pain in Leriche syndrome.
Toxic Metals and Non-Communicable Diseases in HIV Population: A Systematic Review
Authors: Folorunso Opeyemi M. , Frazzoli Chiara , Chijioke-Nwauche Ifeyinwa , Bocca Beatrice , Orisakwe Orish E.
Published: May 2021

Background and Objectives: HIV has been a serious global health concern since its discovery, with about 37.9 million people living with HIV worldwide as of 2018. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) accounts for 68% of the infection and contributed 74% of the 1.5 million deaths in 2013 despite having only 12% of the total world population residing in the region. This systematic review has attempted to determine the association between heavy metal toxicity and the occurrence of non-communicable diseases in the HIV/AIDS population. Materials and Methods: Three databases were systematically searched: PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar for studies written in English and published between 1 April 2000 and 12 April 2020. Studies were excluded if the main outcomes were not measured or did not meet the inclusion criteria. Results: All the six included studies are cross-sectional in design, and therefore were evaluated using the STROBE checklist. The data extraction was done using an extraction table; the ratio of female to male participants included in the study was 1.09:1. Qualitative analysis was used due to the heterogeneity in the heavy metal biomarkers and the outcome measured by the included studies. Two studies compared the concentration of heavy metals in HIV-positive and HIV-negative participants while one compared the levels between HAART-naïve and HAART-treated participants, and three determined the association between heavy metal toxicity and non-communicable diseases (liver fibrosis, anaemia, and reproductive parameters, respectively) in HIV-positive patients. Conclusions: Blood lead, cadmium, and mercury levels were higher in HIV-seropositive than -seronegative subjects, whereas serum zinc level was lower in HIV-seropositive than -seronegative subjects, but the causal association between heavy metals and non-communicable diseases in HIV subjects is largely unknown. Interdisciplinary research between nutrition, toxicology, and human health is envisaged for primary and secondary prevention and treatment.
Simultaneous Grafting Polymerization of Acrylic Acid and Silver Aggregates Formation by Direct Reduction Using γ Radiation onto Silicone Surface and Their Antimicrobial Activity and Biocompatibility
Authors: Velazco-Medel Marlene A. , Camacho-Cruz Luis A. , Magaña Héctor , Palomino Kenia , Bucio Emilio
Published: May 2021

The modification of medical devices is an area that has attracted a lot of attention in recent years; particularly, those developments which search to modify existing devices to render them antimicrobial. Most of these modifications involve at least two stages (modification of the base material with a polymer graft and immobilization of an antimicrobial agent) which are both time-consuming and complicate synthetic procedures; therefore, as an improvement, this project sought to produce antimicrobial silicone (PDMS) in a single step. Using gamma radiation as both an energy source for polymerization initiation and as a source of reducing agents in solution, PDMS was simultaneously grafted with acrylic acid and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (AAc:EGDMA) while producing antimicrobial silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) onto the surface of the material. To obtain reproducible materials, experimental variables such as the effect of the dose, the intensity of radiation, and the concentration of the silver salt were evaluated, finding the optimal reaction conditions to obtain materials with valuable properties. The characterization of the material was performed using electronic microscopy and spectroscopic techniques such as 13C-CPMAS-SS-NMR and FTIR. Finally, these materials demonstrated good antimicrobial activity against S. aureus while retaining good cell viabilities (above 90%) for fibroblasts BALB/3T3.