bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parental Education Moderates the Relation between Physical Activity, Dietary Patterns and Atopic Diseases in Adolescents
Authors: Antonogeorgos George , Panagiotakos Demosthenes , Priftis Kostas , Liakou Evangelia , Koutsokera Alexandra , Drakontaeidis Pavlos , Thanasia Marina , Mandrapylia Maria , Moriki Dafni , Ellwood Philippa , García-Marcos Luis , Douros Konstantinos
Published: May 2022

Background: Atopic diseases, particularly asthma, eczema, and rhinitis, are among the most common chronic diseases in childhood, with several factors implicated in their pathogenesis. Our study examined the role of parental education in the association between diet, physical activity, and atopy in adolescents. Methods: 1934 adolescents (47.5% boys) aged 13–14 years old reported information about their diet and physical activity and their parents reported their highest educational level. The moderating role of parental education level (primary/secondary vs. tertiary) in the relation between lifestyle patterns and atopic diseases was examined with logistic regression analyses. Results: High consumption of dairy products was inversely associated to adolescents’ asthma and rhinitis symptoms overall, but this relation was almost 50% stronger for the adolescents with high parental education level background. The same pattern of reduction of the odds was noticed also regarding the association among the high intake of fruits, vegetables, pulses, with all three atopic diseases and the adherence to a physically active lifestyle only with current asthma and eczema (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: Adolescents who are physically active and consume a higher intake of fruits, vegetables, and pulses and a lower intake of fast-food and sweets, and their parents/guardians having higher education, are less likely to have any current symptoms of asthma, eczema, and rhinitis than the ones who have low educated parents.
Regional Splanchnic Oxygenation during Continuous versus Bolus Feeding among Stable Preterm Infants
Authors: Sirota Gisela , Litmanovitz Ita , Vider Carmel , Arnon Shmuel , Moore Shiran , Grinblatt Eynit , Levkovitz Orly , Bauer Rusek Sofia
Published: May 2022

Introduction: There is no agreement regarding the best method for tube-feeding preterm infants. Few studies, to date, have evaluated the influence of different methods of enteral feeding on intestinal oxygenation. The use of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has permitted the noninvasive measurement of splanchnic regional oxygenation (rSO2S) in different clinical conditions. The aim of this prospective, single-center study was to compare rSO2S during continuous versus bolus feeding among stable preterm infants. Methods: Twenty-one preterm infants, less than 32 weeks gestation and appropriate for gestational age, were enrolled. All infants were clinically stable and on full tube feedings. Each infant received a bolus feeding initially (20 min duration), and after 3 h, a continuous feeding (5 h duration). Infants were evaluated 30 min before and 30 min after the bolus and continuous feedings. The regional splanchnic saturation (rSO2S) was measured using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology and systemic saturation was measured with pulse oximetry. From these measurements, we calculated the splanchnic fractional oxygen extraction ratio (FOES) for each of the four intervals. Results: rSO2S decreased after continuous vs. bolus feeding (p = 0.025), while there was a trend toward decreased SaO2 after bolus feeding (p = 0.055). The FOES, which reflects intestinal oxygen extraction, was not affected by the feeding mode (p = 0.129). Discussion/Conclusion: Continuous vs. bolus feeding decreases rSO2S but does not affect oxygen extraction by intestinal tissue; after bolus feeding there was a trend towards decreased systemic saturation.
Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography, Shear Wave Dispersion and Attenuation Imaging of Pediatric Liver Disease with Histological Correlation
Authors: Cetinic Ivan , de Lange Charlotte , Simrén Yvonne , Ekvall Nils , Östling Maja , Stén Liselotte , Boström Håkan , Lagerstrand Kerstin , Hebelka Hanna
Published: May 2022

Aim: To evaluate the feasibility of multiple ultrasound markers for the non-invasive characterization of fibrosis, inflammation and steatosis in the liver in pediatric patients. Materials and methods: The quantitative ultrasound measures shear wave elastography (SWE), shear wave dispersion (SWD) and attenuation imaging (ATI) were compared and correlated with percutaneous liver biopsies and corresponding measures in a control cohort. Results: The median age of the 32 patients was 12.1 years (range 0.1–17.9), and that of the 15 controls was 11.8 years (range: 2.6–16.6). Results: There was a significant difference in SWE values between histologic grades of fibrosis (p = 0.003), with a positive correlation according to the grade (r = 0.7; p < 0.0001). Overall, a difference in SWD values between grades of inflammation was found (p = 0.009) but with a lack of correlation (r = 0.1; p = 0.67). Comparing inflammation grades 0–1 (median:13.6 m/s kHz [min; max; 8.4; 17.5]) versus grades 2–3 (16.3 m/s kHz [14.6; 24.2]) showed significant differences between the groups (p = 0.003). In the 30 individuals with a steatosis score of 0, ATI was measured in 23 cases with a median value of 0.56 dB/cm/MHz. Conclusion: Comprehensive ultrasound analysis was feasible to apply in children and has the potential to reflect the various components of liver affection non-invasively. Larger studies are necessary to conclude to what extent these image-based markers can classify the grade of fibrosis, inflammation and steatosis.
Chest Pain and Suspected Myocarditis Related to COVID-19 Vaccination in Adolescents—A Case Series
Authors: Roh Da-Eun , Na Hyejin , Kwon Jung-Eun , Choi Insu , Kim Yeo-Hyang , Cho Hwa-Jin
Published: May 2022

As adolescents started to be vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), suspected myocarditis and pericarditis related to the vaccine were reported in adolescents. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), 2,796,270 persons aged 12–18 years were fully vaccinated by December 8. Among these, 9223 adverse events were reported (0.33%). We aimed to elucidate the clinical courses and short-term outcomes for adolescents aged 12–18 with cardiac symptoms and suspected myo- or peri-carditis related to COVID-19 vaccination in South Korea. Methods: We retrospectively collected data on patients ≤ 18 years of age who had suspected myocarditis or pericarditis within 30 days of COVID-19 vaccination, from July 2021 to January 2022. Results: We reported on 40 adolescents in different South Korean provinces at two centers. Twenty-six cases (65%) were male, and the median age was 16 years (range, 13–18; IQR 14.5–17). Twenty-five cases (62.5%) occurred at the first dose, and fifteen (37.5%) occurred after the second dose. Symptoms started at a median of 2 days (range 0–29 days; IQR 1–5 days) after vaccination. The patients were treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (77.5%), intravenous immunoglobulin (2.5%), glucocorticoids (20%), colchicine (5%), or no therapy (15%). Five patients (12.5%) required intensive care unit admission; one patient needed inotropic/vasoactive support. No patients required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or died. The median hospital stay was one day (range 0–8 days; IQR 0–2 days). Twenty-one patients (52.5%) had an abnormal electrocardiogram; among these, seven patients had an elevated ST segment, six patients (15%) had decreased ejection fraction (<55%), and LV function was completely recovered in all of them. Conclusions: Most cases of suspected myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination in adolescents ≤ 18 years had mild symptoms and clinical courses, as well as a complete recovery. Further studies are needed to evaluate long-term outcomes.
Identification of Hub Genes and Immune Infiltration in Pediatric Biliary Atresia by Comprehensive Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Li Yajing , Ye Huichu , Ding Yingxue
Published: May 2022

Background: Biliary atresia (BA) is the leading cause of pediatric liver failure and pediatric liver transplantation worldwide. Evidence suggests that the immune system plays a central role in the pathogenesis of BA. Methods: In this work, the novel immune-related genes between BA and normal samples were investigated based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and the deconvolution algorithm of CIBERSORT. Results: Specifically, 650 DEGs were identified between the BA and normal groups. The blue module was the most positively correlated with BA containing 3274 genes. Totally, 610 overlapping BA-related genes of DEGs and WGCNA were further used to identify IRGs. Three IRGs including VCAM1, HLA-DRA, and CD74 were finally identified as the candidate biomarkers. Particularly, the CD74 biomarker was discovered for the first as a potential immune biomarker for BA. Conclusions: Possibly, these 3 IRGs might serve as candidate biomarkers and guide the individualized treatment strategies for BA patients. Our results would provide great insights for a deeper understanding of both the occurrence and the treatment of BA.
Accessing Insurance Flood Losses Using a Catastrophe Model and Climate Change Scenarios
Authors: Palán Ladislav , Matyáš Michal , Váľková Monika , Kovačka Vít , Pažourková Eva , Punčochář Petr
Published: May 2022

Impact Forecasting has developed a catastrophe flood model for Czechia to estimate insurance losses. The model is built on a dataset of 12,066 years of daily rainfall and temperature data for the European area, representing the current climate (LAERTES-EU). This dataset was used as input to the rainfall–runoff model, resulting in a series of daily river channel discharges. Using analyses of global and regional climate models dealing with the impacts of climate change, this dataset was adjusted for the individual RCP climate scenarios in Europe. The river channel discharges were then re-derived using the already calibrated rainfall–runoff models. Based on the changed discharges, alternative versions of the standard catastrophe flood model for the Czechia were created for the various climate scenarios. In outputs, differences in severity, intensity, and number of events might be observed, as well as the size of storms. The effect on the losses might be investigated by probable maximum losses (PML) curves and average annual loss (AAL) values. For return period 1 in 5 years for the worst-case scenario, the differences can be up to +125 percent increase in insurance losses, while for the return period 1 in 100 years it is a −40 percent decrease. There is no significant effect of adaptation measures for the return period 1 in 100 years, but there is a −20 percent decrease in the return period 1 in 5 years.
Preparation of High-Thickness n−-Ga2O3 Film by MOCVD
Authors: Zhao Chunlei , Jiao Teng , Chen Wei , Li Zeming , Dong Xin , Li Zhengda , Diao Zhaoti , Zhang Yuantao , Zhang Baolin , Du Guotong
Published: May 2022

The homoepitaxial Si-doped Ga2O3 film prepared by metal–organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) was reported in this paper. The film thickness reached 4.5 microns, a relatively high value for MOCVD. The full width at half maxima of the (002) diffraction plane of the film was 26.3 arcsec, thus showing high crystalline quality. The film showed n−-type properties with a doping concentration of 3.6 × 1016 cm−3 and electron mobility of 137 cm2/V·s. In addition, the element composition and stress state of the film were characterized and analyzed. This indicates that the MOCVD, supporting high-quality, high-precision epitaxy, is promising for Ga2O3 power devices.
Co-Design of Multicore Hardware and Multithreaded Software for Thread Performance Assessment on an FPGA
Authors: Adam George K.
Published: May 2022

Multicore and multithreaded architectures increase the performance of computing systems. The increase in cores and threads, however, raises further issues in the efficiency achieved in terms of speedup and parallelization, particularly for the real-time requirements of Internet of things (IoT)-embedded applications. This research investigates the efficiency of a 32-core field-programmable gate array (FPGA) architecture, with memory management unit (MMU) and real-time operating system (OS) support, to exploit the thread level parallelism (TLP) of tasks running in parallel as threads on multiple cores. The research outcomes confirm the feasibility of the proposed approach in the efficient execution of recursive sorting algorithms, as well as their evaluation in terms of speedup and parallelization. The results reveal that parallel implementation of the prevalent merge sort and quicksort algorithms on this platform is more efficient. The increase in the speedup is proportional to the core scaling, reaching a maximum of 53% for the configuration with the highest number of cores and threads. However, the maximum magnitude of the parallelization (66%) was found to be bounded to a low number of two cores and four threads. A further increase in the number of cores and threads did not add to the improvement of the parallelism.
Study on the Grain Rotation of High-Purity Tantalum during Compression Deformation
Authors: Zhu Qianqian , Liu Yahui , Song Kexing , Zhou Yanjun , Yang Xiaokang , Liu Shifeng , Cao Lingfei
Published: May 2022

A compression experiment with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) measurements was designed to characterize the effect of the microtexture on the grain rotation process. The rotation degrees of more than 180 grains before and after the compression were calculated. Results showed that grains with different crystallographic orientations experienced various rotation degrees. Furthermore, grains in certain microtexture regions also had varying degrees of rotation. The compression led to the lattice rotation and change in orientation of individual grains, but the relative misorientation between grains has not changed much in the microtexture region. The microtexture region, as a whole, participated in the compression process. The similar slipping behavior of the grains in the region promoted the slip transmission between the neighboring grains. Thus, the amount of piled-up dislocations at grain boundaries inside the microtexture region are less than that at grain boundaries outside the microtexture region, leading to a small stored energy density for grain boundaries inside the microtexture region.
Revealing Microstructural Evolution and Deformation Mechanism of Pure Titanium through a Quasi In Situ Compression Method at High Strain Rate
Authors: Luo Yumeng , Guo Wenqi , Wang Boya , Wei Rui
Published: May 2022

In this paper, a quasi in situ method is established to study the microstructural evolution and deformation mechanism transition behavior of pure Ti under a high strain rate of 4000 s−1. The main deformation mechanism is found to be influenced by deformation strain level. In the strain range from 0 to 0.05, {101¯2} and {112¯2} twinning is proved to be the main mechanism, while the grains without any deformation twin (about 32% of the whole grains) are deformed by dislocation slip. When the strain increases from 0.05 to 0.10, the growth of twins, secondary twinning, and dislocation movement are proved to be the main deformation mechanism. In the strain range from 0.10 to 0.15, dislocation movement becomes the dominant deformation mechanism. Compared with the traditional observation method, the new quasi in situ method effectively permits observing the microstructure evolution and recording the deformation behavior progressively step by step, which is more suitable to reveal the deformation mechanism of materials at high strain rates.
An Ensemble Model for Predicting Retail Banking Churn in the Youth Segment of Customers
Authors: Bharathi S Vijayakumar , Pramod Dhanya , Raman Ramakrishnan
Published: May 2022

(1) This study aims to predict the youth customers’ defection in retail banking. The sample comprised 602 young adult bank customers. (2) The study applied Machine learning techniques, including ensembles, to predict the possibility of churn. (3) The absence of mobile banking, zero-interest personal loans, access to ATMs, and customer care and support were critical driving factors to churn. The ExtraTreeClassifier model resulted in an accuracy rate of 92%, and an AUC of 91.88% validated the findings. (4) Customer retention is one of the critical success factors for organizations so as to enhance the business value. It is imperative for banks to predict the drivers of churn among their young adult customers so as to create and deliver proactive enable quality services.
Perceived Stress in Hepatitis C Virus Infected Patients under the DAA-Based Therapy
Authors: Danilescu Claudia Monica , Ionescu Mihaela , Sandulescu Daniela Larisa , Pirlog Mihail Cristian , Streba Costin Teodor , Rogoveanu Ion
Published: May 2022

The Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection often associates medical and mental health conditions which lead to increased levels of distress. Our study aimed at assessing the level of perceived stress on a sample of 90 HCV infected patients treated with Direct-Acting Antiviral (DAA) agents for 12 weeks, and its possible correlations with clinical and evolutionary elements. The evaluation was conducted in three phases: before administration of the DAAs (BSL), at the End of the Treatment (EOT), and 24 weeks after the BSL (Sustained Viral Response—SVR). The perceived stress was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The efficiency of the DAA treatment reduced the levels of stress (98.99% moderate and high stress at BSL to 70.00% at SVR). It was observed, for the entire study period (BSL to SVR), that the decrease in the perceived stress severity was significantly associated with demographic items such as gender (p < 0.01), urban environment (p < 0.001), the age of the subjects (p < 0.05), and clinical data such as F4 degree of fibrosis (p = 0.001) and overweight or obesity class II (p < 0.01). The perceived stress is directly associated with the severity of the HCV infection, and it could be significantly lowered by an efficient therapeutic approach, as DAAs are nowadays.
Multi-Omics Analyses to Identify FCGBP as a Potential Predictor in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Lin Yu-Hsuan , Yang Yi-Fang , Shiue Yow-Ling
Published: May 2022

(Purpose) Previous studies have pointed out the significance of IgG Fc binding protein (FCGBP) in carcinogenesis, cancer progression, and tumor immunity in certain malignancies. However, its prognostic values, molecular interaction, and immune characteristics in the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) remained unclear. (Methods) To evaluate the potential role of the FCGBP gene, we used GEPIA2 and UALCAN platforms to explore the differential levels, survivals, and genetic alteration through cBioPortal (based on The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset). STRING, GeneMania, and TIMER2.0 identified the interacting networks. LinkedOmics performed Gene enrichment analysis, and TISIDB and TIMER2.0 evaluated the role of FCGBP in the tumor microenvironment. (Results) The expression level of FCGBP is lower in cancer tissues. A high FCGBP level is significantly associated with better overall- and disease-specific-survivals, regardless of human papillomavirus infection. Low FCGBP levels correlated to a higher tumor protein p53 (TP53) mutation rate (p = 0.018). FCGBP alteration significantly co-occurred with that of TP53 (q = 0.037). Interacting networks revealed a significant association between FGFBP and trefoil factor 3 (TFF3), a novel prognostic marker in various cancers, at transcriptional and translational levels. Enrichment analyses identified that the top gene sets predominantly related to immune and inflammatory responses. Further investigation found that the FCGBP mRNA level positively correlated to the infiltration rates of B cells, Th17/CD8+ T lymphocytes, T helper follicular cells, mast cells, and expression levels of various immune molecules and immune checkpoints in HNSC. (Conclusions) We found that the FCGBP mRNA level negatively correlated to TP53 mutation status while positively correlated to the TFF3 level. Additionally, FCGBP may regulate the tumor microenvironment. These findings support the FCGBP as a potential biomarker to estimate HNSC prognoses.
Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor of the Uterus: A Report of Molecularly Confirmed Case with EWSR1-WT1 Fusion
Authors: Dundr Pavel , Drozenová Jana , Matěj Radoslav , Bártů Michaela , Němejcová Kristýna , Robová Helena , Rob Lukáš , Hojný Jan , Stružinská Ivana
Published: May 2022

We report a case of a 49-year-old female with desmoplastic small round cell tumor of the uterus (DSRCT). Histologically, in some areas the tumor showed typical features with ample desmoplastic stroma, while in other areas the tumor cells diffusely infiltrated myometrium with only focal desmoplastic reaction. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells showed diffuse positivity for desmin, CD56, CD57, EMA and cyclin D1. Focal positivity was present for antibodies against cytokeratin AE1/3, BerEP4, NSE, IFITM1 and CD10. The WT-1 antibody (against the N-terminus) showed cytoplasmic positivity in some tumor cells, while the nuclei were negative. P53 expression was wild-type. The Ki-67 index (MIB1 antibody) was about 55%. Other markers examined including transgelin, myogenin, synaptophysin, chromogranin, h-caldesmon, PAX8, and CD117 were all negative. NGS analysis revealed a fusion transcript of the EWSR1 and WT1 genes. DSRCT of the uterus is a rare neoplasm, as only two cases have been reported so far. However, only one of these cases was examined molecularly with a confirmation of the characteristic EWSR1-WT1 fusion. We report a second case of molecularly confirmed DSRCT of the uterus and discuss its clinical features, differential diagnosis and the significance of molecular testing.
Selective Angiographic Flat Detector Computer Tomography Blood Volume Imaging in Pre-Operative Vascular Mapping and Embolization of Hypervascular Intracranial Tumors—Preliminary Clinical Experience
Authors: van der Zijden Thijs , Mondelaers Annelies , Franck Caro , Voormolen Maurits , Menovsky Tomas
Published: May 2022

Pre-operative embolization of hypervascular intracranial tumors can be performed to reduce bleeding complications during resection. Accurate vascular mapping of the tumor is necessary for both the correct indication setting for embolization and for the evaluation of the performed embolization. We prospectively examined the role of whole brain and selective parenchymal blood volume (PBV) flat detector computer tomography perfusion (FD CTP) imaging in pre-operative angiographic mapping and embolization of patients with hypervascular intracranial tumors. Whole brain FD CTP imaging with a contrast injection from the aortic root and selective contrast injection in the dural feeding arteries was performed in five patients referred for tumor resection. Regional relative PBV values were obtained pre- and post-embolization. Total tumor volumes with selective external carotid artery (ECA) supply volumes and post-embolization devascularized tumor volumes were determined as well. In all patients, including four females and one male, with a mean age of 54.2 years (range 44–64 years), the PBV scans were performed without adverse events. The average ECA supply was 54% (range 31.5–91%). The mean embolized tumor volume was 56.5% (range 25–94%). Relative PBV values decreased from 5.75 ± 1.55 before embolization to 2.43 ± 1.70 post-embolization. In one patient, embolization was not performed because of being considered not beneficial for the resection. Angiographic FD CTP imaging of the brain tumor allows 3D identification and quantification of individual tumor feeder arteries. Furthermore, the technique enables monitoring of the efficacy of pre-operative endovascular tumor embolization.
Vascular Complications Caused by Tibial Osteochondroma: Focus on the Literature and Presentation of a Popliteal Artery Thrombosis with Acute Lower Limb Ischemia
Authors: Angelini Andrea , Cerchiaro Mariachiara , Maturi Carlo , Ruggieri Pietro
Published: May 2022

Osteochondromas are common benign bone tumors, frequently found in adolescents or young adults. Most often asymptomatic and discovered by accidental findings, they may be diagnosed because of compression or dislocation. Vascular complications are an atypical presentation of osteochondromas, and include vessel perforation and thrombosis, arterial thromboembolic events and pseudoaneurysm formation. Popliteal artery thrombosis and acute lower limb ischemia caused by a tibial osteochondroma are rarely observed. Starting from a case of temporary lower extremity ischaemia caused by thrombosis of the subarticular popliteal artery due to an osteochondroma of the proximal tibial protruding in popliteal fossa, we focused a literature analysis on diagnostic and management aspects. A combined vascular-orthopedic approach was performed with intra-arterial locoregional thrombolytic therapy and then a surgical tangential resection of the tibial osteochondroma. The adequate approach for these patients includes clinical evaluation, plain radiographs, CT scan and MRI. The purpose of the present review article is to underline the importance of a combined vascular-orthopedic approach to correct diagnosis and prompt surgical management of vascular complications caused by tibial osteochondromas.
A Review of Safety Risk Theories and Models and the Development of a Digital Highway Construction Safety Risk Model
Authors: Bortey Loretta , Edwards David J. , Roberts Chris , Rillie Iain
Published: May 2022

This study conducts a systematic review of safety risk models and theories by summarizing and comparing them to identify the best strategies that can be adopted in a digital ‘conceptual’ safety risk model for highway workers’ safety. A mixed philosophical paradigm was adopted (that used both interpretivism and post-positivism couched within inductive reasoning) for a systematic review and comparative analysis of existing risk models and theories. The underlying research question formulated was: can existing models and theories of safety risk be used to develop this proposed digital risk model? In total, 607 papers (where each constituted a unit of analysis and secondary data source) were retrieved from Scopus and analysed through colour coding, classification and scientometric analysis using VOSViewer and Microsoft Excel software. The reviewed models were built on earlier safety risk models with minor upgrades. However, human elements (human errors, human risky behaviour and untrained staff) remained a constant characteristic, which contributed to safety risk occurrences in current and future trends of safety risk. Therefore, more proactive indicators such as risk perception, safety climate, and safety culture have been included in contemporary safety risk models and theories to address the human contribution to safety risk events. Highway construction safety risk literature is scant, and consequently, comprehensive risk prevention models have not been well examined in this area. Premised upon a rich synthesis of secondary data, a conceptual model was recommended, which proposes infusing machine learning predictive models (augmented with inherent resilient capabilities) to enable models to adapt and recover in an event of inevitable predicted risk incident (referred to as the resilient predictive model). This paper presents a novel resilient predictive safety risk conceptual model that employs machine learning algorithms to enhance the prevention of safety risk in the highway construction industry. Such a digital model contains adaptability and recovery mechanisms to adjust and bounce back when predicted safety risks are unavoidable. This will help prevent unfortunate events in time and control the impact of predicted safety risks that cannot be prevented.
Development of a Clinically Relevant Index for Tooth Wear Treatment Needs
Authors: Deeban Yahya , Moharamzadeh Keyvan , Abuzayeda Moosa , Martin Nicolas
Published: May 2022

Background: This study aimed to develop a tooth wear classification system that combined the extent, severity, and aesthetic impact of tooth wear and correlated them with the most appropriate clinical management strategy. Methods: Three hundred photographs were used to develop a classification tool that contained four levels of severity and aesthetic impact (0, 1, 2, and 3) in three age groups of patients. Ten examiners assessed and classified the cases using validated forms. Additionally, they selected the recommended treatment modality for each level. The analysis was conducted using a coefficient correlation test. Results: The coefficient correlation for the severity was 0.81, 0.82 in the upper anterior and posterior segments, and 0.85 and 0.77 for the lower anterior and posterior segments, respectively. The aesthetic impact correlation coefficient was 0.84. Examiners had agreed that minor cases required monitoring or simple restorative interventions. The moderate-level cases had variety in the recommended management options depending on the aim of treatment. The severe level cases often required rehabilitation at an increased occlusal vertical dimension. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this preliminary study, a good agreement between the examiners was found using the provided tools. More strict criteria in the classification part of the tool can further improve the examiners’ agreement.
UAV-Based Landfill Land Cover Mapping: Optimizing Data Acquisition and Open-Source Processing Protocols
Authors: Wyard Coraline , Beaumont Benjamin , Grippa Taïs , Hallot Eric
Published: May 2022

Earth observation technologies offer non-intrusive solutions for monitoring complex and risky sites, such as landfills. In particular, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) offer the ability to acquire data at very high spatial resolution, with full control of the temporality required for the desired application. The versatility of UAVs, both in terms of flight characteristics and on-board sensors, makes it possible to generate relevant geodata for a wide range of landfill monitoring activities. This study aims to propose a robust tool and to provide data acquisition guidelines for the land cover mapping of complex sites using UAV multispectral imagery. For this purpose, the transferability of a state-of-the-art object-based image analysis open-source processing chain was assessed and its sensitivity to the segmentation approach, textural and contextual information, spectral and spatial resolution was tested over the landfill site of Hallembaye (Wallonia, Belgium). This study proposes a consistent open-source processing chain for the land cover mapping using UAV data with accuracies of at least 85%. It shows that low-cost red-green-blue standard sensors are sufficient to reach such accuracies and that spatial resolution of up to 10 cm can be adopted with limited impact on the performance of the processing chain. This study also results in the creation of a new operational service for the monitoring of the active landfill sites of Wallonia.
Kibble–Zurek Scaling from Linear Response Theory
Authors: Nazé Pierre , Bonança Marcus V. S. , Deffner Sebastian
Published: May 2022

While quantum phase transitions share many characteristics with thermodynamic phase transitions, they are also markedly different as they occur at zero temperature. Hence, it is not immediately clear whether tools and frameworks that capture the properties of thermodynamic phase transitions also apply in the quantum case. Concerning the crossing of thermodynamic critical points and describing its non-equilibrium dynamics, the Kibble–Zurek mechanism and linear response theory have been demonstrated to be among the very successful approaches. In the present work, we show that these two approaches are also consistent in the description of quantum phase transitions, and that linear response theory can even inform arguments of the Kibble–Zurek mechanism. In particular, we show that the relaxation time provided by linear response theory gives a rigorous argument for why to identify the “gap” as a relaxation rate, and we verify that the excess work computed from linear response theory exhibits Kibble–Zurek scaling.
Information Architecture for Data Disclosure
Authors: Pflughoeft Kurt A. , Soofi Ehsan S. , Soyer Refik
Published: May 2022

Preserving confidentiality of individuals in data disclosure is a prime concern for public and private organizations. The main challenge in the data disclosure problem is to release data such that misuse by intruders is avoided while providing useful information to legitimate users for analysis. We propose an information theoretic architecture for the data disclosure problem. The proposed framework consists of developing a maximum entropy (ME) model based on statistical information of the actual data, testing the adequacy of the ME model, producing disclosure data from the ME model and quantifying the discrepancy between the actual and the disclosure data. The architecture can be used both for univariate and multivariate data disclosure. We illustrate the implementation of our approach using financial data.
A Systematic Multiple Studies Review of Low-Income, First-Generation, and Underrepresented, STEM-Degree Support Programs: Emerging Evidence-Based Models and Recommendations
Authors: Pearson Jill , Giacumo Lisa A. , Farid Arvin , Sadegh Mojtaba
Published: May 2022

The dramatic lack of diversity within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) higher-education graduates is a serious issue facing the future of the STEM workforce. Colleges and universities are attempting to fix this disparity through targeted intervention programs aimed at increasing the persistence and retention of low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented (UR) students in STEM. A comprehensive synthesis of adopted strategies and analysis of their effectiveness is lacking. We conducted a systematic multiple-studies review, considering 31 empirical articles published between 2005 and 2020 that shared the outcomes of intentional intervention programs in place across the United States. We uncovered essential characteristics of successful programs and highlighted the top 10 critical program components to consider. These can be used to guide the development and execution of future programs’ support systems and interventions. This is a relatively new area of research, with most programs just in the earliest stages of implementation. It is essential to continue to follow the data on the outcomes of these programs, particularly their longitudinal impacts on the diversification of the STEM workforce, to be able to implement effective evidence-based practices.
Impact of COVID-19 on eLearning in the Earth Observation and Geomatics Sector at University Level
Authors: Dubois Clémence , Vynohradova Anastasiia , Svet Anna , Eckardt Robert , Stelmaszczuk-Górska Martyna , Schmullius Christiane
Published: May 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has a high impact on education at many different levels. In this study, the focus is set on the impact of digital teaching and learning at universities in the field of Earth observation during the COVID-19 pandemic situation. In particular, the use of different digital elements and interaction forms for specific course types is investigated, and their acceptance by both lecturers and students is evaluated. Based on two distinct student and lecturer surveys, the use of specific digital elements and interaction forms is suggested for the different course types, e.g., academic courses could be either performed asynchronously using screencast or synchronously using web meetings, whereas practical tutorials should be performed synchronously with active participation of the students facilitated via web meeting, in order to better assess the student’s progress and difficulties. Additionally, we discuss how further digital elements, such as quizzes, live pools, and chat functions, could be integrated in future hybrid educational designs, mixing face-to-face and online education in order to foster interaction and enhance the educational experience.
Empowering the Internet of Things Using Light Communication and Distributed Edge Computing
Authors: Ateya Abdelhamied A. , Mahmoud Mona , Zaghloul Adel , Soliman Naglaa. F. , Muthanna Ammar
Published: May 2022

With the rapid growth of connected devices, new issues emerge, which will be addressed by boosting capacity, improving energy efficiency, spectrum usage, and cost, besides offering improved scalability to handle the growing number of linked devices. This can be achieved by introducing new technologies to the traditional Internet of Things (IoT) networks. Visible light communication (VLC) is a promising technology that enables bidirectional transmission over the visible light spectrum achieving many benefits, including ultra-high data rate, ultra-low latency, high spectral efficiency, and ultra-high reliability. Light Fidelity (LiFi) is a form of VLC that represents an efficient solution for many IoT applications and use cases, including indoor and outdoor applications. Distributed edge computing is another technology that can assist communications in IoT networks and enable the dense deployment of IoT devices. To this end, this work considers designing a general framework for IoT networks using LiFi and a distributed edge computing scheme. It aims to enable dense deployment, increase reliability and availability, and reduce the communication latency of IoT networks. To meet the demands, the proposed architecture makes use of MEC and fog computing. For dense deployment situations, a proof-of-concept of the created model is presented. The LiFi-integrated fog-MEC model is tested in a variety of conditions, and the findings show that the model is efficient.
Feedback ARMA Models versus Bayesian Models towards Securing OpenFlow Controllers for SDNs
Authors: Aly Wael Hosny Fouad , Kanj Hassan , Mostafa Nour , Alabed Samer
Published: May 2022

In software-defined networking (SDN), the control layers are moved away from the forwarding switching layers. SDN gives more programmability and flexibility to the controllers. OpenFlow is a protocol that gives access to the forwarding plane of a network switch or router over the SDN network. OpenFlow uses a centralized control of network switches and routers in and SDN environment. Security is of major importance for SDN deployment. Transport layer security (TLS) is used to implement security for OpenFlow. This paper proposed a new technique to improve the security of the OpenFlow controller through modifying the TLS implementation. The proposed model is referred to as the secured feedback model using autoregressive moving average (ARMA) for SDN networks (SFBARMASDN). SFBARMASDN depended on computing the feedback for incoming packets based on ARMA models. Filtering techniques based on ARMA techniques were used to filter the packets and detect malicious packets that needed to be dropped. SFBARMASDN was compared to two reference models. One reference model was Bayesian-based and the other reference model was the standard OpenFlow.
Combining Event-Based Maneuver Selection and MPC Based Trajectory Generation in Autonomous Driving
Authors: Dang Ni , Brüdigam Tim , Leibold Marion , Buss Martin
Published: May 2022

Maneuver planning, which plays a key role in selecting desired lanes and speeds, is an essential element of autonomous driving. Generally, for a vehicle driving on a multilane road, there are several potential maneuvers in both longitudinal and lateral directions. Selecting the best maneuver from the various options represents a significant challenge. In this paper, we propose a maneuver selection algorithm and combine it with a trajectory generation algorithm, which is based on model predictive control (MPC). The maneuver selection method is a higher-level planner, which selects only one maneuver from all possible maneuvers based on the current situation and delivers it to a lower-level MPC-based trajectory tracking controller. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is validated by simulating an overtaking scenario on a multilane highway.
Intelligent Bus Scheduling Control Based on On-Board Bus Controller and Simulated Annealing Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Yu Jiehan , Xie Zhendong , Dong Zhiguo , Song Haina , Su Jiayi , Wang Honggang , Xiao Jinchao , Liu Xiaosong , Yang Jingfeng
Published: May 2022

The stable and fast service of a bus network is one of the important indicators of the service quality and management level of urban public transport. With the continuous expansion of cities, the bus network complexity has been increasing accordingly. The application of new technologies such as self-driving buses has made the bus network more complex and its vulnerability more obvious. Therefore, how to collect information on passenger flow, traffic flow, and transport distribution using intelligent means, and how to establish an effective intelligent bus scheduling control method have been important questions surrounding the improvement of the level of urban bus operation. To address this challenge, this paper proposes the design method of a bus controller based on data collection and the edge computing requirements of autonomous driving buses; and installs them widely on buses. In addition, an intelligent bus control scheduling method based on the simulated annealing genetic algorithm was developed according to the current scheduling requirements. The proposed method combines the strong local search ability of the simulated annealing algorithm, which prevents the search process from falling into a local optimum, and the strong search ability of the genetic algorithm in the overall search process, leading an intelligent bus control scheduling method based on the simulated annealing genetic algorithm. The proposed method was verified by experiments on the optimal scheduling of multi-destination public transport as an example, we verified the research method, and finally, simulated it using historical data. There is good model prediction of the experimental results. Therefore, the intelligent traffic control can be realized through efficient bus scheduling, thus improving the robustness of the bus network operation.
Eco-Friendly and Effective Diatomaceous Earth/Peat (DEP) Microbial Carriers in the Anaerobic Biodegradation of Food Waste Products
Authors: Pilarska Agnieszka A. , Pilarski Krzysztof , Adamski Mariusz , Zaborowicz Maciej , Cais-Sokolińska Dorota , Wolna-Maruwka Agnieszka , Niewiadomska Alicja
Published: May 2022

This article aims to present the results of research on anaerobic digestion (AD) of waste wafers (WF-control) and co-substrate system—waste wafers and cheese (WFC-control), combined with digested sewage sludge. The aim of this study was to assess the physicochemical parameters of the diatomaceous earth/peat (DEP; 3:1) carrier material and to verify its impact on the enzymatic activity and the process performance. The experiment was conducted in a laboratory, in a periodical mode of operation of bioreactors, under mesophilic conditions. The results of analyses of morphological-dispersive, spectroscopic, adsorption, thermal, and microbiological properties confirmed that the tested carrier material can be an excellent option to implement in biotechnological processes, especially in anaerobic digestion. As part of the experiment, the substrates, feedstock, and fermenting slurry were subjected to the analysis for standard process parameters. Monitoring of the course of AD was performed by measuring the values of key parameters for the recognition of the stability of the process: pH, VFA/TA ratio (volatile fatty acids/total alkalinity), the content of NH4+, and dehydrogenase activity, as an indicator of the intensity of respiratory metabolism of microorganisms. No significant signals of destabilization of the AD process were registered. The highest dehydrogenase activity, in the course of the process, was maintained in the WFC + DEP system. The microbial carrier DEP, used for the first time in the anaerobic digestion, had a positive effect on the yield of methane production. As a result, an increase in the volume of produced biogas was obtained for samples fermented with DEP carrier material for WF + DEP by 13.18% to a cumulative methane yield of 411.04 m3 Mg−1 VS, while for WFC + DEP by 12.85% to 473.91 m3 Mg−1 VS.
Numerical Study on the Long-Term Performance and Load Imbalance Ratio for Medium-Shallow Borehole Heat Exchanger System
Authors: Wang Ruifeng , Wang Fenghao , Xue Yuze , Jiang Jinghua , Zhang Yuping , Cai Wanlong , Chen Chaofan
Published: May 2022

To contribute to the goal of carbon neutralization, the closed-loop borehole heat exchanger system is widely applied to use geothermal energy for building cooling and heating. In this work, a new type of medium-shallow borehole heat exchanger (MSBHE) is proposed, which is coaxial type and has a depth range between 200 m to 500 m. To investigate the long-term performance of MSBHE in the area with unbalanced cooling and heating load of buildings and the sustainable load imbalance ratio under different design parameters, a comprehensive numerical model is established. The results show that the drilling depth significantly influences the sustainable load imbalance ratio of MSBHE. As the drilling depth is increased from 200 m to 500 m, the load imbalance ratio of the MSBHE increases from 20.76% to 60.29%. In contrast, the load imbalance ratio is always kept at the same level with different inlet velocities and operation modes. Furthermore, in a 9-MSBHE array system, the heat exchanger located in the middle of the array has the lowest load imbalance ratio of 48.97%, which is 15.98% lower than the borehole in the edge location. This is caused by the significant influence of the shifted-load phenomenon among MSBHEs in an array system. The findings of the work imply that this newly proposed MSBHE can sustain a notable load imbalance ratio, which is particularly applicable to the areas with a strong imbalance of annual building load.
Indonesia’s Vast Off-River Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Potential
Authors: Silalahi David Firnando , Blakers Andrew , Lu Bin , Cheng Cheng
Published: May 2022

Indonesia has vast solar energy potential, far more than needed to meet all its energy requirements without the use of fossil fuels. This remains true after per capita energy consumption rises to match developed countries, and most energy functions are electrified to minimize the use of fossil fuels. Because Indonesia has relatively small energy potential from hydro, wind, biomass, geothermal and ocean energy, it will rely mostly on solar for its sustainable energy needs. Thus, Indonesia will require large amounts of storage for overnight and longer periods. Pumped hydro comprises 99% of global energy storage for the electricity industry. In this paper, we demonstrate that Indonesia has vast practical potential for low-cost off-river pumped hydro energy storage with low environmental and social impact; far more than it needs to balance a solar-dominated energy system.