bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Clinical Symptoms and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) Patients Utilizing the Piper MRI Diagnostic System
Authors: Tegnander Tor , Chladek Grzegorz , Hovland Anders , Żmudzki Jarosław , Wojtek Piotr
Published: October 2021

Clinical problems of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the masticatory musculature are both included in the term temporomandibular disorder (TMD). The purpose of the present study was to examine the pathology of the joints of patients diagnosed with TMD utilizing the dedicated Piper MRI-based classification, and to link these pathologies with various symptoms while considering their severity. In total, 64 patients with clinical TMD were examined. Symptoms were recorded using a questionnaire. The clinical examination included diagnosing the occlusion in centric relation, which was followed by a standardized MRI. It was confirmed that, although they occurred in a high percentage in all classes, muscle pain and occlusal interference are not indicators of TMJ damage. The results indicate that the progressive degradation of the TMJ, represented by qualification to the higher Piper classes, is associated with an increase in TMJ pain only up to a certain stage. For the highest Piper classes, the joint pain occurs in a smaller percentage of patients, but sounds are more frequent.
All I Need Is Two: The Clinical Potential of Adding Evaluative Pairing Procedures to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Changing Self-, Body- and Food-Related Evaluations
Authors: Halbeisen Georg , Paslakis Georgios
Published: October 2021

Pairing procedures are among the most frequently used paradigms for modifying evaluations of target stimuli related to oneself, an object, or a specific situation due to their repeated pairing with evaluative sources, such as positive or negative images or words. Because altered patterns of evaluations can be linked to the emergence and maintenance of disordered cognitions and behaviors, it has been suggested that pairing procedures may provide a simple yet effective means of complementing more complex intervention approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Here, we summarize recent studies that explored the clinical potential of pairing procedures for improving self-esteem, body satisfaction, and food and consumption preferences. While no study has yet combined pairing procedures with CBT, there are several successful examples of pairing procedures in clinically relevant domains and clinical populations. We discuss potential sources of heterogeneity among findings, provide methodological recommendations, and conclude that pairing procedures may bear clinical potential as an add-on to classical psychotherapy.
Clinical Diagnostic Imaging Study of Osteoradionecrosis of the Jaw: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Miyamoto Ikuya , Tanaka Ryoichi , Kogi Shintaro , Yamaya Genki , Kawai Tadashi , Ohashi Yu , Takahashi Noriaki , Izumisawa Mitsuru , Yamada Hiroyuki
Published: October 2021

Radiation therapy (RT) plays a significant role in the management of head and neck malignancies. This study aimed to review the clinical symptoms and various imaging findings of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) and provide a clinical perspective on the development of ORN. The retrospective cohort was composed of 57 sites in 54 patients who had a history of RT and suspected ORN and 48 sites in 45 patients who were confirmed to have ORN. Image analyses included computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET)/CT, bone scintigraphy, and single-photon emission CT (SPECT). The irradiated tissue was damaged by RT, and the extent of damage was correlated with clinical symptoms. The bone marrow showed sclerotic changes and the devitalized bone showed bone resorption after invasive stimulation. Chronic trismus and pathological fracture are considered severe conditions, typically occurring in the last stage of ORN. Furthermore, neurological symptoms were an important sign of tumor recurrence, since diagnostic imaging was difficult. The possible treatment options vary depending on the stage of ORN. We speculate that bone sclerosis reactions and bone resorption are sequential reactions that seem to be protective measures of the bone to radiation injury.
Effect of Intraoral Drainage after Impacted Mandibular Third Molar Extraction on Non-Infectious Postoperative Complications
Authors: Trybek Grzegorz , Jarzęcka Joanna , Preuss Olga , Jaroń Aleksandra
Published: October 2021

Surgical removal of mandibular third molars is associated with non-infectious postoperative complications, including pain, swelling, trismus. Intraoral drains are noteworthy because of their ease of application, availability, and effectiveness. This study aimed to evaluate the use of latex and calcium–sodium alginate mouth flat drains on the severity of postoperative complications such as pain, trismus, and edema after surgical removal of mandibular third molars. Ninety patients who underwent surgical removal of wisdom teeth were studied. The patients were divided into three groups. Group A—with a latex flat drain, group B—with a sodium–calcium alginate (Kaltostat) flat drain, and group C—with a wound closed with knotted sutures. Patients were assessed for pain on a VAS scale every day from surgery to postoperative day 7. Before the procedure and on postoperative days 1, 2, and 7, the pain level, edema, and trismus were measured, respectively. Intraoral drainage with a flat drain after mandibular third molar removal does not significantly reduce pain, as measured by the VAS scale, or postoperative swelling, as measured by lines between craniometric points. Intraoral drainage with a latex drain after mandibular third molar removal does not significantly reduce trismus, while intraoral drainage with a calcium–sodium alginate drainage bag significantly increases trismus.
Comparison of the Effects of Normocapnia and Mild Hypercapnia on the Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter and Regional Cerebral Oxygen Saturation in Patients Undergoing Gynecological Laparoscopy with Total Intravenous Anesthesia
Authors: Park Chun-Gon , Jung Wol-Seon , Park Hee-Yeon , Kim Hye-Won , Kwak Hyun-Jeong , Jo Youn-Yi
Published: October 2021

Cerebral hemodynamics may be altered by hypercapnia during a lung-protective ventilation (LPV), CO2 pneumoperitoneum, and Trendelenburg position during general anesthesia. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of normocapnia and mild hypercapnia on the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD), regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2), and intraoperative respiratory mechanics in patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopy under total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA). Sixty patients (aged between 19 and 65 years) scheduled for laparoscopic gynecological surgery in the Trendelenburg position. Patients under propofol/remifentanil total intravenous anesthesia were randomly assigned to either the normocapnia group (target PaCO2 = 35 mmHg, n = 30) or the hypercapnia group (target PaCO2 = 50 mmHg, n = 30). The ONSD, rSO2, and respiratory and hemodynamic parameters were measured at 5 min after anesthetic induction (Tind) in the supine position, and at 10 min and 40 min after pneumoperitoneum (Tpp10 and Tpp40, respectively) in the Trendelenburg position. There was no significant intergroup difference in change over time in the ONSD (p = 0.318). The ONSD increased significantly at Tpp40 when compared to Tind in both normocapnia and hypercapnia groups (p = 0.02 and 0.002, respectively). There was a significant intergroup difference in changes over time in the rSO2 (p < 0.001). The rSO2 decreased significantly in the normocapnia group (p = 0.01), whereas it increased significantly in the hypercapnia group at Tpp40 compared with Tind (p = 0.002). Alveolar dead space was significantly higher in the normocapnia group than in the hypercapnia group at Tpp40 (p = 0.001). In conclusion, mild hypercapnia during the LPV might not aggravate the increase in the ONSD during CO2 pneumoperitoneum in the Trendelenburg position and could improve rSO2 compared to normocapnia in patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopy with TIVA.
Acute Coronary Syndromes and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The Gut–Heart Connection
Authors: Jaaouani Ayman , Ismaiel Abdulrahman , Popa Stefan-Lucian , Dumitrascu Dan L.
Published: October 2021

(1) Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) induces a process of systemic inflammation, sharing common ground with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Growing evidence points towards a possible association between IBD and an increased risk of ACS, yet the topic is still inconclusive. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review aiming to clarify these gaps in the evidence. (2) Methods: We conducted a systematic search on EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and PubMed, identifying observational studies published prior to November 2020. The diagnosis of IBD was confirmed via histopathology or codes. Full articles that fulfilled our criteria were included. Quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale (NOS). (3) Results: We included twenty observational studies with a total population of ~132 million subjects. Fifteen studies reported a significant association between ACS and IBD, while the remaining five studies reported no increase in ACS risk in IBD patients. (4) Conclusions: ACS risk in IBD patients is related to hospitalizations, acute active flares, periods of active disease, and complications, with a risk reduction during remission. Interestingly, a general increase in ACS risk was reported in younger IBD patients. The role of corticosteroids and oral contraceptive pills in increasing the ACS risk of IBD patients should be investigated.
Influence of the Geometrical Cross-Section Design on the Dynamic Cyclic Fatigue Resistance of NiTi Endodontic Rotary Files—An In Vitro Study
Authors: Faus-Llácer Vicente , Hamoud-Kharrat Nirmine , Marhuenda Ramos María Teresa , Faus-Matoses Ignacio , Zubizarreta-Macho Álvaro , Ruiz Sánchez Celia , Faus-Matoses Vicente
Published: October 2021

The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the influence of the geometrical cross-section design on the dynamic cyclic fatigue resistance of NiTi endodontic rotary files. Materials and Methods: Forty sterile endodontic rotary files were selected and distributed into the following study groups: A: 25.06 double S-shaped cross-section NiTi alloy endodontic rotary files (Mtwo) (n = 10); B: 20.04 rectangular cross-section NiTi alloy endodontic rotary files (T Pro E1) (n = 10); C: 25.04 convex triangular cross-section NiTi alloy endodontic rotary files (T Pro E2) (n = 10); and D: 25.06 triangular cross-section NiTi alloy endodontic rotary files (T Pro E4) (n = 10). A cyclic fatigue device was used to conduct the static cyclic fatigue tests with stainless steel artificial root canal systems with 200 µm and 250 µm apical diameter, 60° curvature angle, 3 mm radius of curvature, 20 mm length, and 4% and 8% taper. The results were analyzed using the ANOVA test and Weibull statistical analysis. Results: All the pairwise comparisons presented statistically significant differences between the time to failure and number of cycles to failure for the cross-section design study groups (p < 0.001). Conclusions: the double S-shaped cross-section of Mtwo NiTi endodontic files shows higher cyclic fatigue resistance than the rectangular cross-section of T Pro E1 NiTi endodontic files, the convex triangular cross-section of T Pro E2 NiTi endodontic files, and the triangular cross-section of T Pro E4 NiTi endodontic files.
Farmed Salmon Show No Pathological Alterations When Exposed to Acoustic Treatment for Sea Lice Infestation
Authors: Solé Marta , Constenla Maria , Padrós Francesc , Lombarte Antoni , Fortuño José-Manuel , van der Schaar Mike , André Michel
Published: October 2021

The use of bioacoustic methods to address sea lice infestation in salmonid farming is a promising innovative method but implies an exposure to sound that could affect the fish. An assessment of the effects of these techniques related to the salmon’s welfare is presented here. The fish were repeatedly exposed to 350 Hz and 500 Hz tones in three- to four-hour exposure sessions, reaching received sound pressure levels of 140 to 150 dB re 1 µPa2, with the goal of reaching total sound exposure levels above 190 dB re 1 µPa2 s. Gross pathology and histopathological analysis performed on exposed salmons’ organs did not reveal any lesions that could be associated to sound exposure. The analysis of their otoliths through electron microscopy imaging confirmed that the sound dose that was used to impair the lice had no effects on the fish auditory organs.
Evaluating the Effects Related to Restocking and Stock Replenishment of Penaeus penicillatus in the Xiamen Bay, China
Authors: Wang Jia-Qiao , Shih Yi-Jia , Huang Liang-Ming , Li Jun , Li Wei-Wen , Shih Chun-Han , Chu Ta-Jen
Published: October 2021

The quantitative evaluation of restocking and stock replenishment is essential for providing operational feedback and implementing adaptive management for future restoration projects. Since 2010, approximately 700 million juvenile shrimp (Penaeus penicillatus) have been released into Xiamen Bay, Fujian Province, China, each year, through stock replenishment programs. The recruited shrimp were sampled through three-year bottom trawl surveys from 2014 to 2017. The biological characteristics and catch equation were used to evaluate the effect of restocking and stock replenishment. The analysis uses the FAO-ICLARM Stock Assessment Tool (FISAT II) program. In general, there are two sources of recruitments—one from spawning brood stock and the other from released juvenile shrimp. We constructed an evaluation model for an effect evaluation based on Baranov’s catch equation to separate the initial recruitment volume using survey data. The relationship between body weight and total length was W = 1.638 TL2.9307. There is no statistically significant difference between males and females. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters derived for prawns, using FiSAT II, were L∞ = 209.6 mm and K = 0.51 per year. In spring 2014, the initial resource amount was 49,200, while the ratio of effective recruitment and parent amount was 3.92. The survival rate of the released shrimp larvae, 1.88‱, seems to be very unsatisfactory. The resource amount in summer and autumn is higher than in winter and spring. Obviously, the restocking effect is lower and the programs need to be improved. To improve the restocking effect, the replenishment performance should be adjusted to reduce the mortality rate and increase its release effectiveness. Therefore, corresponding implementations are recommended, including standard extensive culture, reduction in stress during transportation, and temporary culture.
Update on Dihydropteroate Synthase (DHPS) Mutations in Pneumocystis jirovecii
Authors: de la Horra Carmen , Friaza Vicente , Morilla Rubén , Delgado Juan , Medrano Francisco J. , Miller Robert F. , de Armas Yaxsier , Calderón Enrique J.
Published: October 2021

A Pneumocystis jirovecii is one of the most important microorganisms that cause pneumonia in immunosupressed individuals. The guideline for treatment and prophylaxis of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PcP) is the use of a combination of sulfa drug-containing trimethroprim and sulfamethoxazole. In the absence of a reliable method to culture Pneumocystis, molecular techniques have been developed to detect mutations in the dihydropteroate synthase gene, the target of sulfa drugs, where mutations are related to sulfa resistance in other microorganisms. The presence of dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) mutations has been described at codon 55 and 57 and found almost around the world. In the current work, we analyzed the most common methods to identify these mutations, their geographical distribution around the world, and their clinical implications. In addition, we describe new emerging DHPS mutations. Other aspects, such as the possibility of transmitting Pneumocystis mutated organisms between susceptible patients is also described, as well as a brief summary of approaches to study these mutations in a heterologous expression system.
Fungal Biomarkers Stability in Mars Regolith Analogues after Simulated Space and Mars-like Conditions
Authors: Cassaro Alessia , Pacelli Claudia , Baqué Mickael , de Vera Jean-Pierre Paul , Böttger Ute , Botta Lorenzo , Saladino Raffaele , Rabbow Elke , Onofri Silvano
Published: October 2021

The discovery of life on other planets and moons in our solar system is one of the most important challenges of this era. The second ExoMars mission will look for traces of extant or extinct life on Mars. The instruments on board the rover will be able to reach samples with eventual biomarkers until 2 m of depth under the planet’s surface. This exploration capacity offers the best chance to detect biomarkers which would be mainly preserved compared to samples on the surface which are directly exposed to harmful environmental conditions. Starting with the studies of the endolithic meristematic black fungus Cryomyces antarcticus, which has proved its high resistance under extreme conditions, we analyzed the stability and the resistance of fungal biomarkers after exposure to simulated space and Mars-like conditions, with Raman and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry, two of the scientific payload instruments on board the rover.
Genome Comparisons of the Fission Yeasts Reveal Ancient Collinear Loci Maintained by Natural Selection
Authors: Acs-Szabo Lajos , Papp Laszlo Attila , Sipiczki Matthias , Miklos Ida
Published: October 2021

Fission yeasts have a unique life history and exhibit distinct evolutionary patterns from other yeasts. Besides, the species demonstrate stable genome structures despite the relatively fast evolution of their genomic sequences. To reveal what could be the reason for that, comparative genomic analyses were carried out. Our results provided evidence that the structural and sequence evolution of the fission yeasts were correlated. Moreover, we revealed ancestral locally collinear blocks (aLCBs), which could have been inherited from their last common ancestor. These aLCBs proved to be the most conserved regions of the genomes as the aLCBs contain almost eight genes/blocks on average in the same orientation and order across the species. Gene order of the aLCBs is mainly fission-yeast-specific but supports the idea of filamentous ancestors. Nevertheless, the sequences and gene structures within the aLCBs are as mutable as any sequences in other parts of the genomes. Although genes of certain Gene Ontology (GO) categories tend to cluster at the aLCBs, those GO enrichments are not related to biological functions or high co-expression rates, they are, rather, determined by the density of essential genes and Rec12 cleavage sites. These data and our simulations indicated that aLCBs might not only be remnants of ancestral gene order but are also maintained by natural selection.
Killing the Comments: Why Do News Organizations Remove User Commentary Functions?
Authors: Nelson Maria N. , Ksiazek Thomas B. , Springer Nina
Published: October 2021

User commentary in digital journalism is commonly understood as a form of public user engagement and participation, a stance that reframes news organizations’ role as discussion curators as necessarily consequential. Yet, in recent years many news organizations have limited, or abandoned altogether, their commentary functions. This paper examines statements and policies published by such news organizations. Based on a thematic analysis of 20 comment removal statements, we found that the most common rationale for this shift was an effort to reduce incivility and misinformation among user comments. The statements analyzed also indicate that organizations are moving to outsource commentary to social media platforms. Tapping into normative discourses of (avoiding) uncivil, conspiracy-prone commentary seems to be an acceptable rationale for abandoning infrastructures established for public discussions or to move these to social media; yet, we found no reflection whatsoever about the additional power afforded to social media companies through such a shift.
Trends in Intelligent Communication Systems: Review of Standards, Major Research Projects, and Identification of Research Gaps
Authors: Koufos Konstantinos , EI Haloui Karim , Dianati Mehrdad , Higgins Matthew , Elmirghani Jaafar , Imran Muhammad Ali , Tafazolli Rahim
Published: October 2021

The increasing complexity of communication systems, following the advent of heterogeneous technologies, services and use cases with diverse technical requirements, provide a strong case for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven machine learning (ML) techniques in studying, designing and operating emerging communication networks. At the same time, the access and ability to process large volumes of network data can unleash the full potential of a network orchestrated by AI/ML to optimise the usage of available resources while keeping both CapEx and OpEx low. Driven by these new opportunities, the ongoing standardisation activities indicate strong interest to reap the benefits of incorporating AI and ML techniques in communication networks. For instance, 3GPP has introduced the network data analytics function (NWDAF) at the 5G core network for the control and management of network slices, and for providing predictive analytics, or statistics, about past events to other network functions, leveraging AI/ML and big data analytics. Likewise, at the radio access network (RAN), the O-RAN Alliance has already defined an architecture to infuse intelligence into the RAN, where closed-loop control models are classified based on their operational timescale, i.e., real-time, near real-time, and non-real-time RAN intelligent control (RIC). Different from the existing related surveys, in this review article, we group the major research studies in the design of model-aided ML-based transceivers following the breakdown suggested by the O-RAN Alliance. At the core and the edge networks, we review the ongoing standardisation activities in intelligent networking and the existing works cognisant of the architecture recommended by 3GPP and ETSI. We also review the existing trends in ML algorithms running on low-power micro-controller units, known as TinyML. We conclude with a summary of recent and currently funded projects on intelligent communications and networking. This review reveals that the telecommunication industry and standardisation bodies have been mostly focused on non-real-time RIC, data analytics at the core and the edge, AI-based network slicing, and vendor inter-operability issues, whereas most recent academic research has focused on real-time RIC. In addition, intelligent radio resource management and aspects of intelligent control of the propagation channel using reflecting intelligent surfaces have captured the attention of ongoing research projects.
Development of Reading Comprehension in Bilingual and Monolingual Children—Effects of Language Exposure
Authors: Papastefanou Theodora , Marinis Theodoros , Powell Daisy
Published: October 2021

The current study aimed at investigating the performance of bilingual children with English as an additional language (EAL) on language and literacy measures compared to monolinguals across the first four years of primary school in the U.K. Moreover, it addressed whether bilinguals and monolinguals’ performance on reading comprehension was consistent with the Simple View of Reading. An additional area of interest was to examine the extent to which use of and exposure to both heritage and majority language affected the development of the children’s reading comprehension in both of their spoken languages. A total of forty bilingual and forty monolingual children were assessed in oral language skills and decoding in Year 1 and Year 3 in primary school. After one school year, they were assessed in oral language skills, decoding, and reading comprehension in Year 2 and Year 4. The results showed that the bilinguals performed better than the monolinguals in decoding in all years, suggesting that exposure to a first language with transparent orthography (Greek) may benefit the development of word reading skills. However, the bilinguals scored lower in oral language skills and reading comprehension than their monolingual peers. This finding underlined the significant role of oral language skills in the development of bilinguals’ reading comprehension. Both oral language skills and decoding contributed to reading comprehension in bilinguals but the effects of oral language skills on reading comprehension were stronger than the effects of decoding. Finally, we found that language use of the minority language outside the home could significantly predict reading comprehension in the minority language, underlining the importance of language exposure through complementary schools and other activities outside the home to the maintenance and development of the heritage language.
Human Rights beyond Ideal Morality: The ECHR and Political Judgment
Authors: Tsarapatsanis Dimitrios
Published: October 2021

The aim of the article is to propose and defend a distinctively political reading of the European Convention of Human Rights. Drawing on a range of different sources, my core claim is that realistically construed considerations of political legitimacy, stemming from the institutional context within which ECtHR judges operate, can explain and justify a morally non-ideal understanding of Convention rights on the part of the Court. I call the kind of non-ideal reading of the ECHR that I defend ‘political’ because it results from distinctive concerns regarding the Court’s legitimacy in a wider context marked by the circumstances of politics, broadly understood. These concerns depend on apprehending the ECHR as a distinctive institutional-cum-legal regime or system whose stability has political underpinnings. Tackling them requires resorting to some form of political judgment aimed at working out how various normative parameters, including legitimacy and stability, interact with a morally ideal (or ‘first-best’) understanding of any given ECHR right.
A Novel Paradigm Based on ST2 and Its Contribution towards a Multimarker Approach in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Heart Failure: A Prospective Study during the Pandemic Storm
Authors: Miftode Radu-Stefan , Constantinescu Daniela , Cianga Corina Maria , Petris Antoniu Octavian , Timpau Amalia-Stefana , Crisan Adrian , Costache Irina-Iuliana , Mitu Ovidiu , Anton-Paduraru Dana-Teodora , Miftode Ionela-Larisa , Pavel-Tanasa Mariana , Cianga Petru , Serban Ionela-Lacramioara
Published: October 2021

Background: Acute heart failure (HF) represents an increasingly common and challenging presentation in the emergency room, also inducing a great socio-economic burden. Extensive research was conducted toward finding an ideal biomarker of acute HF, both in terms of sensitivity and specificity, but today practicians’ interest has shifted towards a more realistic multimarker approach. Natriuretic peptides (NPs) currently represent the gold standard for diagnosing HF in routine clinical practice, but novel molecules, such as sST2, emerge as potentially useful biomarkers, providing additional diagnostic and prognostic value. Methods: We conducted a prospective, single-center study that included 120 patients with acute HF and 53 controls with chronic HF. Of these, 13 patients (eight with acute HF, five from the control group) associated the coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19). The diagnosis of HF was confirmed by a complete clinical, biological and echocardiographic approach. Results: The serum levels of all studied biomarkers (sST2, NT-proBNP, cardiac troponin) were significantly higher in the group with acute HF. By area under the curve (AUC) analysis, we noticed that NT-proBNP (AUC: 0.976) still had the best diagnostic performance, closely followed by sST2 (AUC: 0.889). However, sST2 was a significantly better predictor of fatal events, showing positive correlations for both in-hospital and at 1-month mortality rates. Moreover, sST2 was also associated with other markers of poor prognosis, such as the use of inotropes or high lactate levels, but not with left ventricle ejection fraction, age, body mass index or mean arterial pressure. sST2 levels were higher in patients with a positive history of COVID-19 as compared with non-COVID-19 patients, but the differences were statistically significant only within the control group. Bivariate regression showed a positive and linear relationship between NT-proBNP and sST2 (r(120) = 0.20, p < 0.002). Conclusions: we consider that sST2 has certain qualities worth integrating in a future multimarker test kit alongside traditional biomarkers, as it provides similar diagnostic value as NT-proBNP, but is emerging as a more valuable prognostic factor, with a better predictive value of fatal events in patients with acute HF.
Grape Berry Detection and Size Measurement Based on Edge Image Processing and Geometric Morphology
Authors: Luo Lufeng , Liu Wentao , Lu Qinghua , Wang Jinhai , Wen Weichang , Yan De , Tang Yunchao
Published: October 2021

Counting grape berries and measuring their size can provide accurate data for robot picking behavior decision-making, yield estimation, and quality evaluation. When grapes are picked, there is a strong uncertainty in the external environment and the shape of the grapes. Counting grape berries and measuring berry size are challenging tasks. Computer vision has made a huge breakthrough in this field. Although the detection method of grape berries based on 3D point cloud information relies on scanning equipment to estimate the number and yield of grape berries, the detection method is difficult to generalize. Grape berry detection based on 2D images is an effective method to solve this problem. However, it is difficult for traditional algorithms to accurately measure the berry size and other parameters, and there is still the problem of the low robustness of berry counting. In response to the above problems, we propose a grape berry detection method based on edge image processing and geometric morphology. The edge contour search and the corner detection algorithm are introduced to detect the concave point position of the berry edge contour extracted by the Canny algorithm to obtain the best contour segment. To correctly obtain the edge contour information of each berry and reduce the error grouping of contour segments, this paper proposes an algorithm for combining contour segments based on clustering search strategy and rotation direction determination, which realizes the correct reorganization of the segmented contour segments, to achieve an accurate calculation of the number of berries and an accurate measurement of their size. The experimental results prove that our proposed method has an average accuracy of 87.76% for the detection of the concave points of the edge contours of different types of grapes, which can achieve a good edge contour segmentation. The average accuracy of the detection of the number of grapes berries in this paper is 91.42%, which is 4.75% higher than that of the Hough transform. The average error between the measured berry size and the actual berry size is 2.30 mm, and the maximum error is 5.62 mm, which is within a reasonable range. The results prove that the method proposed in this paper is robust enough to detect different types of grape berries.
Challenges in Winding Design and Thermal Calculations: Physical Model of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine
Authors: Laksar Jan , Veg Lukáš , Pechánek Roman
Published: October 2021

Interest in multilayer windings is increasing with the application of the hairpin winding technology to the manufacturing of electrical machines. Therefore, the four-layer fractional slot concentrated winding is used for the initial design of the machine in this paper. The proposed physical model of the machine uses winding with a relatively high number of turns which is inappropriate to hairpin winding. Therefore the round-wire winding is created and the three-layer winding is derived and analyzed including the effect on the slot leakage inductance. The thermal analysis is then applied to the physical model of the machine to evaluate the slot-related thermal properties of the slot and the whole machine. The measurement is compared with the finite element analysis (FEA) and the equivalent slot thermal conductivity and heat transfer coefficients of the stator and rotor are obtained.
Sustainability, Big Data and Mathematical Techniques: A Bibliometric Review
Authors: Lafuente-Lechuga Matilde , Cifuentes-Faura Javier , Faura-Martínez Ursula
Published: October 2021

This article has reviewed international research, up to the first half of 2021, focused on sustainability, big data and the mathematical techniques used for its analysis. In addition, a study of the spatial component (city, region, nation and beyond) of the works has been carried out and an analysis has been made of which Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have received the most attention. A bibliometric analysis and a fractal cluster analysis were performed on the papers published in the Web of Science. The results show a continuous increase in the number of published articles and citations over the whole period, demonstrating a growing interest in this topic. China, the United States and India are the most productive countries and there are more papers at the regional level. It has been found that the environmental dimension is the most studied and the least studied is the social dimension. The mathematical techniques used in the empirical work are mainly regression analysis, neural networks and multi-criteria decision methods. SDG9 and SDG11 are the most worked on. The trend shows a convergence in recent years towards big data applied to supply chains, Industry 4.0 and the achievement of sustainable cities.
Complex Investigations of a Piecewise-Smooth Remanufacturing Bertrand Duopoly Game
Authors: Askar Sameh
Published: October 2021

This paper considers a Bertrand competition between two firms whose decision variables are derived from a quadratic utility function. The first firm produces new products with their own prices while the second firm re-manufactures returned products and sells them in the market at prices that may be less than or equal to the price of the first firm. Dynamically, this competition is constructed on which boundedly rational firms apply a gradient adjustment mechanism to update their prices in each period. According to this mechanism and the nature of the competition, a two-dimensional piecewise smooth discrete dynamic map was constructed in order to study the complex dynamic characteristics of the game. The phase plane of the map was divided into two different regions, separated by border curve. The equilibrium points of the map, in each region on where they are defined, were calculated, and their stability conditions were investigated. Furthermore, we conducted a global analysis to investigate the complex structure of the map, such as closed invariant curves, periodic cycles, and chaotic attractors and their basins, which cause qualitative changes as some parameters are allowed to vary.
Qualitative Analysis of a Single-Species Model with Distributed Delay and Nonlinear Harvest
Authors: Li Zuxiong , Fu Shengnan , Xiang Huili , Wang Hailing
Published: October 2021

In this paper, a single-species population model with distributed delay and Michaelis-Menten type harvesting is established. Through an appropriate transformation, the mathematical model is converted into a two-dimensional system. Applying qualitative theory of ordinary differential equations, we obtain sufficient conditions for the stability of the equilibria of this system under three cases. The equilibrium A1 of system is globally asymptotically stable when br−c>0 and η<0. Using Poincare-Bendixson theorem, we determine the existence and stability of limit cycle when br−c>0 and η>0. By computing Lyapunov number, we obtain that a supercritical Hopf bifurcation occurs when η passes through 0. High order singularity of the system, such as saddle node, degenerate critical point, unstable node, saddle point, etc, is studied by the theory of ordinary differential equations. Numerical simulations are provided to verify our main results in this paper.
Effects of Surface Rotation on the Phase Change Process in a 3D Complex-Shaped Cylindrical Cavity with Ventilation Ports and Installed PCM Packed Bed System during Hybrid Nanofluid Convection
Authors: Kolsi Lioua , Selimefendigil Fatih , Omri Mohamed
Published: October 2021

The combined effects of surface rotation and using binary nanoparticles on the phase change process in a 3D complex-shaped vented cavity with ventilation ports were studied during nanofluid convection. The geometry was a double T-shaped rotating vented cavity, while hybrid nanofluid contained binary Ag–MgO nano-sized particles. One of the novelties of the study was that a vented cavity was first used with the phase change–packed bed (PC–PB) system during nanofluid convection. The PC–PB system contained a spherical-shaped, encapsulated PCM paraffin wax. The Galerkin weighted residual finite element method was used as the solution method. The computations were carried out for varying values of the Reynolds numbers (100≤Re≤500), rotational Reynolds numbers (100≤Rew≤500), size of the ports (0.1L1≤di≤0.5L1), length of the PC–PB system (0.4L1≤L0≤L1), and location of the PC–PB (0≤yp≤0.25H). In the heat transfer fluid, the nanoparticle solid volume fraction amount was taken between 0 and 0.02%. When the fluid stream (Re) and surface rotational speed increased, the phase change process became fast. Effects of surface rotation became effective for lower values of Re while at Re = 100 and Re = 500; full phase transition time (tp) was reduced by about 39.8% and 24.5%. The port size and nanoparticle addition in the base fluid had positive impacts on the phase transition, while 34.8% reduction in tp was obtained at the largest port size, though this amount was only 9.5%, with the highest nanoparticle volume fraction. The length and vertical location of the PC–PB system have impacts on the phase transition dynamics. The reduction and increment amount in the value of tp with varying location and length of the PC–PB zone became 20% and 58%. As convection in cavities with ventilation ports are relevant in many thermal energy systems, the outcomes of this study will be helpful for the initial design and optimization of many PCM-embedded systems encountered in solar power, thermal management, refrigeration, and many other systems.
Detecting Jump Risk and Jump-Diffusion Model for Bitcoin Options Pricing and Hedging
Authors: Chen Kuo-Shing , Huang Yu-Chuan
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we conduct a fast calibration in the jump-diffusion model to capture the Bitcoin price dynamics, as well as the behavior of some components affecting the price itself, such as the risk of pitfalls and its ambiguous effect on the evolution of Bitcoin’s price. In addition, in our study of the Bitcoin option pricing, we find that the inclusion of jumps in returns and volatilities are significant in the historical time series of Bitcoin prices. The benefits of incorporating these jumps flow over into option pricing, as well as adequately capture the volatility smile in option prices. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to analyze the phenomenon of price jump risk and to interpret Bitcoin option valuation as “exceptionally ambiguous”. Crucially, using hedging options for the Bitcoin market, we also prove some important properties: Bitcoin options follow a convex, but not strictly convex function. This property provides adequate risk assessment for convex risk measure.
Anticoagulant Use as an Independent Risk Factor and Higher In-Hospital Mortality in Patients Showing Alveolar Hemorrhage in Diffuse Lung Disease
Authors: Ugajin Motoi , Kani Hisanori , Hattori Hideo
Published: October 2021

Background and objectives: Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is commonly performed to evaluate diffuse lung disease and occasionally to identify alveolar hemorrhage. However, the clinical impact of alveolar hemorrhage and its risk factors in patients with diffuse lung disease have not been clarified. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of all patients who underwent BAL to evaluate diffuse lung disease from January 2017 to December 2020. Alveolar hemorrhage was defined as progressive hemorrhagic BAL fluid or the presence of ≥20% hemosiderin-laden macrophages in the BAL fluid. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between alveolar hemorrhage and other factors. Results: Sixty subjects were enrolled in this study. Alveolar hemorrhage was observed in 19 subjects (31.7%) with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features, drug-induced lung injury, eosinophilic pneumonia, adenocarcinoma, and systemic lupus erythematosus. The use of anticoagulants was a significant risk factor for alveolar hemorrhage (odds ratio 7.57, p = 0.049). Patients with alveolar hemorrhage required intubated mechanical ventilation more frequently (63.2% vs. 24.4%, p = 0.005) and had higher in-hospital mortality rates (26.3% vs. 4.9%, p = 0.028) than those without alveolar hemorrhage. Conclusions: Alveolar hemorrhage was observed in various etiologies. The use of anticoagulants was a significant risk factor for alveolar hemorrhage. Patients with alveolar hemorrhage showed more severe respiratory failure and had higher in-hospital mortality than those without alveolar hemorrhage.
Cell Attachment Capacity and Compounds of Fibrin Membranes Isolated from Fresh Frozen Plasma and Cryoprecipitate
Authors: Hinsenkamp Adél , Kun Kiara , Gajnut Fatime , Majer Aliz , Lacza Zsombor , Hornyák István
Published: October 2021

Fibrin membranes are widely used in regenerative medicine because they are biocompatible, biodegradable, contain growth factors, and support cell attachment. Most commonly they are produced from serum, but they can also be isolated from activated plasma. To increase the fibrinogen concentration of plasma, cryoprecipitate isolation is a possible solution. In this work, cryoprecipitate was prepared from fresh frozen plasma, isolated by plasmapheresis. The concentration of cellular elements, fibrinogen, total protein, and immunoglobulins among others was measured in different concentrations of cryoprecipitates. After activation with Ca-gluconate, fibrin membranes were produced in different thicknesses, and human mesenchymal stem cells were seeded onto the membranes. They were visualized by live-dead staining and their viability was determined by XTT. The platelet-derived growth factor AB content was quantified by ELISA. Our results showed that fibrinogen and platelet concentration can be multiplied in plasma by cryoprecipitate isolation, which affects the thickness and slightly the growth factor content of the membranes. According to live-dead staining, the thickness of the membranes does not influence cell attachment, and XTT measurement did not reveal a significant difference in cell attachment capacity either; however, a growing trend could be observed in the case of some membranes.
Investigations into Ti-Based Metallic Alloys for Biomedical Purposes
Authors: Peter Ildiko
Published: October 2021

In the present research paper, two systems based on Ti-Nb-Zr-Ta and Ti-Nb-Zr–Fe, containing non-toxic elements, are considered and investigated. The first aim of the paper is to enlarge up-to-date developed β-type Ti alloys, analyzing three different compositions, Ti-10Nb-10Zr-5Ta, Ti-20Nb-20Zr-4Ta and Ti-29.3Nb-13.6Zr-1.9Fe, in order to assess their further employment in biomedical applications. To achieve this, structural, microstructural, compositional and mechanical investigations were performed as part of this study. Based on the results obtained, the alloy with the highest Nb content seems to be the most appropriate candidate for advanced biomedical applications and, in particular, for bone substitution.
Chromoblastomycosis Due to a Never-before-Seen Dematiaceous Fungus in a Kidney Transplant Patient
Authors: Guegan Hélène , Cailleaux Marine , Le Gall François , Robert-Gangneux Florence , Gangneux Jean-Pierre
Published: October 2021

Chromoblastomycosis is a neglected fungal infection of the epidermis and subcutaneous tissue that predominates in tropical areas and results from the traumatic inoculation of environmental dematiaceous filamentous fungi. We describe the case of an immunosuppressed patient diagnosed with foot chromoblastomycosis due to an uncommon dematiaceous fungus. A 52-year-old Congolese kidney transplant woman presented with a painful lesion located on the foot. No trauma to the lower limbs was reported during the previous months. She lived in France and had not returned to the Congo over the previous eight years. Histology and mycological examination from skin biopsy revealed swollen dark filaments associated with dematiaceous muriform cells, pathognomonic of chromoblastomycosis. Cultures grew with dark pigmented colonies, yielding poor microscopic features. The phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the isolate was a member of Kirschsteiniotheliales (Dothideomycetes) and unrelated to the Chaetotyriales, of which most species commonly responsible for chromoblastomycosis belong. As there was no bone spreading, excision surgery of the entire lesion followed by liposomal amphotericin B therapy resulted in complete healing after six months. This original case illustrates the potential diversity of environmental dematiaceous fungi responsible for phaeohyphomycosis, especially chromoblastomycosis, and the need to send samples to mycology labs for appropriate diagnosis.
Effect of Environmental Exposures on the Gut Microbiota from Early Infancy to Two Years of Age
Authors: Sugino Kameron Y. , Ma Tengfei , Paneth Nigel , Comstock Sarah S.
Published: October 2021

The gut microbiota undergoes rapid changes during infancy in response to early-life exposures. We have investigated how the infant gut bacterial community matures over time and how exposures such as human milk and antibiotic treatment alter gut microbiota development. We used the LonGP program to create predictive models to determine the contribution of exposures on infant gut bacterial abundances from one month to two years of age. These models indicate that infant antibiotic use, human milk intake, maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, and sample shipping time were associated with changes in gut microbiome composition. In most infants, Bacteroides, Lachnospiraceae unclassified, Faecalibacterium, Akkermansia, and Phascolarctobacterium abundance increased rapidly after 6 months, while Escherichia, Bifidobacterium, Veillonella, and Streptococcus decreased in abundance over time. Individual, time-varying, random effects explained most of the variation in the LonGP models. Multivariate association with linear models (MaAsLin) displayed partial agreement with LonGP in the predicted trajectories over time and in relation to significant factors such as human milk intake. Multiple factors influence the dynamic changes in bacterial composition of the infant gut. Within-individual differences dominate the temporal variations in the infant gut microbiome, suggesting individual temporal variability is an important feature to consider in studies with a longitudinal sampling design.