bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Day/Night Leader-Following Method Based on Adaptive Federated Filter for Quadruped Robots
Authors: Zhang Jialin , Guo Jiamin , Chai Hui , Zhang Qin , Li Yibin , Wang Zhiying , Zhang Qifan
Published: January 2023

The quadruped robots have superior adaptability to complex terrains, compared with tracked and wheeled robots. Therefore, leader-following can help quadruped robots accomplish long-distance transportation tasks. However, long-term following has to face the change of day and night as well as the presence of interference. To solve this problem, we present a day/night leader-following method for quadruped robots toward robustness and fault-tolerant person following in complex environments. In this approach, we construct an Adaptive Federated Filter algorithm framework, which fuses the visual leader-following method and the LiDAR detection algorithm based on reflective intensity. Moreover, the framework uses the Kalman filter and adaptively adjusts the information sharing factor according to the light condition. In particular, the framework uses fault detection and multisensors information to stably achieve day/night leader-following. The approach is experimentally verified on the quadruped robot SDU-150 (Shandong University, Shandong, China). Extensive experiments reveal that robots can identify leaders stably and effectively indoors and outdoors with illumination variations and unknown interference day and night.
Liquid Metal-Based Electronics for On-Skin Healthcare
Authors: Cao Jinwei , Li Xin , Liu Yiwei , Zhu Guang , Li Run-Wei
Published: January 2023

Wearable devices are receiving growing interest in modern technologies for realizing multiple on-skin purposes, including flexible display, flexible e-textiles, and, most importantly, flexible epidermal healthcare. A ‘BEER’ requirement, i.e., biocompatibility, electrical elasticity, and robustness, is first proposed here for all the on-skin healthcare electronics for epidermal applications. This requirement would guide the designing of the next-generation on-skin healthcare electronics. For conventional stretchable electronics, the rigid conductive materials, e.g., gold nanoparticles and silver nanofibers, would suffer from an easy-to-fail interface with elastic substrates due to a Young’s modulus mismatch. Liquid metal (LM) with high conductivity and stretchability has emerged as a promising solution for robust stretchable epidermal electronics. In addition, the fundamental physical, chemical, and biocompatible properties of LM are illustrated. Furthermore, the fabrication strategies of LM are outlined for pure LM, LM composites, and LM circuits based on the surface tension control. Five dominant epidermal healthcare applications of LM are illustrated, including electrodes, interconnectors, mechanical sensors, thermal management, and biomedical and sustainable applications. Finally, the key challenges and perspectives of LM are identified for the future research vision.
Automated Detection for Concrete Surface Cracks Based on Deeplabv3+ BDF
Authors: Shen Yonggang , Yu Zhenwei , Li Chunsheng , Zhao Chao , Sun Zhilin
Published: January 2023

Concrete cracks have always been the focus of research because of the serious damage they cause to structures. With the updating of hardware and algorithms, the detection of concrete structure surface cracks based on computer vision has received extensive attention. This paper proposes an improved algorithm based on the open-source model Deeplabv3+ and names it Deeplabv3+ BDF according to the optimization strategy used. Deeplabv3+ BDF first replaces the original backbone Xception with MobileNetv2 and further replaces all standard convolutions with depthwise separable convolutions (DSC) to achieve a light weight. The feature map of a shallow convolution layer is additionally fused to improve the detail segmentation effect. A new strategy is proposed, which is different from the two-stage training. The model training is carried out in the order of transfer learning, coarse-annotation training and fine-annotation training. The comparative test results show that Deeplabv3+ BDF showed good performance in the validation set and achieved the highest mIoU and detection efficiency, reaching real-time and accurate detection.
Degradation Model Applied to the Plasterwork of the Palace of Pedro I (Royal Alcazar of Seville)
Authors: Torres-González Marta , Freire Maria , Alejandre F. , Blasco-López F. , Silva Ana
Published: January 2023

This study proposes a model to evaluate the overall degradation condition of historical plasterworks in three different locations inside the Royal Alcazar of Seville, Spain. A Severity of Degradation Index (Sw) is proposed to establish a priority of intervention while also improving the durability and conservation of plasterworks with exceptional heritage features. The Sw is a numerical index that considers the area affected by the different anomalies, their severity, and the relative importance of each anomaly on the overall conservation condition of the plasterworks, while also considering its influence on the overall performance of the plasterworks and its propensity to generate new anomalies. Visual inspections and non-destructive tests (NDT) were adopted to evaluate the conservation condition of the plasterworks of the Palace of Pedro I, which revealed that cracking and metal fixing elements represent the most common and severe anomalies detected. The method proposed allows for a more rational and cost-effective use of resources in the conservation of patrimonial-built heritage.
Study on the Relationship between Early Shrinkage Cracking and Mechanical Properties of Nano-Clay Cement Mortar Based on Fractal Theory
Authors: Zhang Shiyi , Fang Zhisheng , Qi Wenjie , Fan Yingfang , Shah Surendra P.
Published: January 2023

In order to study the influence of nano-clay on the crack resistance of cement-based materials, two kinds of nano-metakaolin (NMK) and two kinds of nano-attapulgite clay (NMA) were considered. The early cracking process and mechanical properties of nano-clay cement mortar (NCM) was studied by using a plate knife-edge constraint test. Based on fractal theory, the distribution characteristics of NCM surface cracks were revealed, and the calculation method forNCM maximum crack width was given. The results show that the cracking time of the NMK-3 specimen is 2 and 6 h later than that of NMK-1 and NMA-2, respectively; the smaller the particle size of nano-clay, the earlier the cracking time of the specimen. However, nano-clay effectively inhibited the expansion of mortar cracks, and the cracks on the surface of NCM were thin and sparse. At 28 days, the maximum crack width of NMK-3 was 46.7% and 33.3% lower than that of NMK-1 and NMA-2, respectively. NMK hadthe best improvement effect on the mechanical properties cement mortar. The smaller the particle size, the more pronounced the improvement effect.The flexural strength ratio and compressive strength ratio at 7 and 28 days are 76.7%, 67.4%, and 61.2%, respectively.The distribution of surface cracks on NCM has fractal characteristics, and the fractal dimension of surface cracks is smaller than that of ordinary cement mortar. The larger the particle size of nano-clay, the smaller the fractal dimension of cracks. The quantitative relationship between fracture fractal dimension and NCM elastic modulus and shrinkage tensile stress is established.
Seismic Fragility Assessment of RC Columns Exposed to the Freeze-Thaw Damage
Authors: Cui Fengkun , Guan Guangzhu , Cui Long , Li Mian , Deng Shuwen , Li Huihui
Published: January 2023

Freeze–thaw damage is one of the primary causes deteriorating the seismic resistance of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. This paper proposed a freeze–thaw damage deterioration model for C30 concrete, and it can be employed to study the time-varying seismic performance of aging RC columns. Next, this study developed a seismic fragility analysis framework for deteriorating RC columns considering the effect of freeze–thaw damage. Considering the geometric parameters of the case-study bridge, the deterioration characteristics of material, and the uncertainties involved in structural modeling and ground motions, a probabilistic seismic fragility analysis on aging RC columns was conducted. The results indicate that the influence of freeze–thaw damage cannot be ignored in studying the seismic performance of aging RC structures. The seismic fragilities of deteriorating RC columns shown a nonlinear increase trend as the increased of freeze–thaw cycles and severity of the damage state. In the early stage of freeze–thaw cycles, the seismic fragilities of RC columns increased slowly. However, the closer to the later stage of freeze–thaw cycles, the more significant of the increase in the seismic fragilities of the columns.
British Gynaecological Cancer Society Recommendations for Evidence Based, Population Data Derived Quality Performance Indicators for Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Sundar Sudha , Nordin Andy , Morrison Jo , Wood Nick , Ghaem-Maghami Sadaf , Nieto Jo , Phillips Andrew , Butler John , Burton Kevin , Gornall Rob , Dobbs Stephen , Glasspool Rosalind , Peevor Richard , Ledermann Jonathan , McNeish Iain , Ratnavelu Nithya , Duncan Tim , Frost Jonathan , Lim Kenneth , Michael Agnieszka , Brockbank Elly , Gajjar Ketankumar , Taylor Alexandra , Bowen Rebecca , Andreou Adrian , Ganesan Raji , Nicum Shibani , Edmondson Richard , Clayton Richard , Balega Janos , Rolland Phil , Maxwell Hilary , Fotopoulou Christina
Published: January 2023

Ovarian cancer survival in the UK lags behind comparable countries. Results from the ongoing National Ovarian Cancer Audit feasibility pilot (OCAFP) show that approximately 1 in 4 women with advanced ovarian cancer (Stage 2, 3, 4 and unstaged cancer) do not receive any anticancer treatment and only 51% in England receive international standard of care treatment, i.e., the combination of surgery and chemotherapy. The audit has also demonstrated wide variation in the percentage of women receiving anticancer treatment for advanced ovarian cancer, be it surgery or chemotherapy across the 19 geographical regions for organisation of cancer delivery (Cancer Alliances). Receipt of treatment also correlates with survival: 5 year Cancer survival varies from 28.6% to 49.6% across England. Here, we take a systems wide approach encompassing both diagnostic pathways and cancer treatment, derived from the whole cohort of women with ovarian cancer to set out recommendations and quality performance indicators (QPI). A multidisciplinary panel established by the British Gynaecological Cancer Society carefully identified QPI against criteria: metrics selected were those easily evaluable nationally using routinely available data and where there was a clear evidence base to support interventions. These QPI will be valuable to other taxpayer funded systems with national data collection mechanisms and are to our knowledge the only population level data derived standards in ovarian cancer. We also identify interventions for Best practice and Research recommendations.
Special Issue “Heavy Oil In Situ Upgrading and Catalysis”
Authors: Vakhin Alexey V. , Khelkhal Mohammed Amine , Maksimov Anton L.
Published: January 2023

Until now, fossil fuels have played an important role in the daily life of human beings and civilization [...]
Multienzyme Synthesis of Glycyrrhetic Acid 3-O-mono-β-d-glucuronide by Coupling UGT73F15 to UDP-Glucuronic Acid Regeneration Module
Authors: Li Jiao , Chen Taiyan , Zhang Xuewen , Yang Jiangang , Zeng Yan , Men Yan , Sun Yuanxia
Published: January 2023

Glycyrrhetic acid 3-O-mono-β-d-glucuronide (GAMG), a rare and innovative compound in licorice, exhibits high-potency sweetness and improved physiological activities. However, low amounts of GAMG from plants cannot meet the demands of growing markets. In this study, an efficient one-pot multienzyme cascade reaction for GAMG biosynthesis was constructed using a coupled catalysis of glycosyltransferase and uridine 5′-diphosphate (UDP) glucuronic acid (GlcA) regeneration system. The Glycyrrhiza uralensis glycosyltransferase UGT73F15 was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The optimal reaction conditions of UGT73F15 were found to be pH 7.5 and 35 °C. The catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) for glycyrrhetic acid (GA) was 2.14 min−1 mM−1 when using UDP-GlcA as sugar donor. To regenerate costly UDP-GlcA, the one-pot multienzyme cascade reaction including UGT73F15, sucrose synthase, UDP-glucose dehydrogenase, and lactate dehydrogenase was adopted to synthesize GAMG from GA on the basis of the UDP-GlcA regeneration system. By optimizing the cascade reaction conditions, the GAMG production successfully achieved 226.38 mg/L. Our study developed an economical and efficient one-pot multienzyme cascade method for facile synthesis of GAMG and other bioactive glucuronosides.
Cobalt-Copper Oxide Catalysts for VOC Abatement: Effect of Co:Cu Ratio on Performance in Ethanol Oxidation
Authors: Kupková Květa , Topka Pavel , Balabánová Jana , Koštejn Martin , Jirátová Květuše , Giraudon Jean-Marc , Lamonier Jean-Francois , Maixner Jaroslav , Kovanda František
Published: January 2023

The effect of the Co-Cu oxide catalysts composition on their physicochemical properties and performance in the deep oxidation of ethanol was studied. The catalysts with Co:Cu molar ratios of 4:1, 1:1, and 1:4 were obtained by calcination (4 h at 500 °C in air) of the coprecipitated precursors and characterized in detail using powder XRD, Raman spectroscopy, N2 physisorption, H2-TPR, and XPS. The powder XRD and Raman spectroscopy indicated the formation of Co3O4 and CuO mixtures rather than Co-Cu mixed oxides. The CuO promoted the Co3O4 reduction; the Co-Cu catalysts were reduced more easily than the single-component Co and Cu oxides and the main reduction maxima were shifted to lower temperatures with increasing cobalt content in the catalysts. The Co-Cu oxide catalyst with a Co:Cu molar ratio of 4:1 exhibited the best performance in ethanol gas-phase oxidation, showing the lowest T50 (91 °C) and T90(CO2) (159 °C) temperatures needed for 50% ethanol conversion and 90% conversion to CO2, respectively. The excellent catalytic properties of this Co-Cu oxide catalyst were ascribed to the synergistic effect of Co and Cu components. The high activity and selectivity of the Co-Cu catalyst was attributed to the presence of finely dispersed CuO particles on the surface of Co3O4.
Biocatalysis as a Green Approach for Synthesis of Iron Nanoparticles—Batch and Microflow Process Comparison
Authors: Benković Maja , Valinger Davor , Jurina Tamara , Gajdoš Kljusurić Jasenka , Jurinjak Tušek Ana
Published: January 2023

There is a growing need for production of iron particles due to their possible use in numerous systems (e.g., electrical, magnetic, catalytic, biological and others). Although severe reaction conditions and heavy solvents are frequently used in production of nanoparticles, green synthesis has arisen as an eco-friendly method that uses biological catalysts. Various precursors are combined with biological material (such as enzymes, herbal extracts, biomass, bacteria or yeasts) that contain chemicals from the main or secondary metabolism that can function as catalysts for production of nanoparticles. In this work, batch (“one-pot”) biosynthesis of iron nanoparticles is reviewed, as well as the possibilities of using microfluidic systems for continuous biosynthesis of iron nanoparticles, which could overcome the limitations of batch synthesis.
Aglianico Grape Seed Semi-Polar Extract Exerts Anticancer Effects by Modulating MDM2 Expression and Metabolic Pathways
Authors: Cuciniello Rossana , Di Meo Francesco , Sulli Maria , Demurtas Olivia Costantina , Tanori Mirella , Mancuso Mariateresa , Villano Clizia , Aversano Riccardo , Carputo Domenico , Baldi Alfonso , Diretto Gianfranco , Filosa Stefania , Crispi Stefania
Published: January 2023

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) seeds are rich in polyphenols including proanthocyanidins, molecules with a variety of biological effects including anticancer action. We have previously reported that the grape seed semi-polar extract of Aglianico cultivar (AGS) was able to induce apoptosis and decrease cancer properties in different mesothelioma cell lines. Concomitantly, this extract resulted in enriched oligomeric proanthocyanidins which might be involved in determining the anticancer activity. Through transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses, we investigated in detail the anticancer pathway induced by AGS. Transcriptomics analysis and functional annotation allowed the identification of the relevant causative genes involved in the apoptotic induction following AGS treatment. Subsequent biological validation strengthened the hypothesis that MDM2 could be the molecular target of AGS and that it could act in both a p53-dependent and independent manner. Finally, AGS significantly inhibited tumor progression in a xenograft mouse model of mesothelioma, confirming also in vivo that MDM2 could act as molecular player responsible for the AGS antitumor effect. Our findings indicated that AGS, exerting a pro-apoptotic effect by hindering MDM2 pathway, could represent a novel source of anticancer molecules.
Correction: Liang et al. Highly Sensitive Hydrogen Sensing Based on Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy with a 2.1 μm Diode Laser. Chemosensors 2022, 10, 321
Authors: Liang Tiantian , Qiao Shunda , Liu Xiaonan , Ma Yufei
Published: January 2023

In the original publication [...]
Characterization of Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) Anthocyanin Biosynthesis Related MYBs and Functional Analysis of VcMYB Gene
Authors: Zhang Yongyan , Huang Dingquan , Wang Bin , Yang Xuelian , Wu Huan , Qu Pengyan , Yan Li , Li Tao , Cheng Chunzhen , Qiu Dongliang
Published: January 2023

As one of the most important transcription factors regulating plant anthocyanin biosynthesis, MYB has attracted great attentions. In this study, we identified fifteen candidate anthocyanin biosynthesis related MYB (ABRM) proteins, including twelve R2R3-MYBs and three 1R-MYBs, from highbush blueberry. The subcellular localization prediction results showed that, with the exception of VcRVE8 (localized in chloroplast and nucleus), all of the blueberry ABRMs were nucleus-localized. The gene structure analysis revealed that the exon numbers of the blueberry ABRM genes varied greatly, ranging between one and eight. There are many light-responsive, phytohormone-responsive, abiotic stress-responsive and plant growth and development related cis-acting elements in the promoters of the blueberry ABRM genes. It is noteworthy that almost all of their promoters contain light-, ABA- and MeJA-responsive elements, which is consistent with the well-established results that anthocyanin accumulation and the expression of MYBs are influenced significantly by many factors, such as light, ABA and JA. The gene expression analysis revealed that VcMYB, VcMYB6, VcMYB23, VcMYBL2 and VcPH4 are expressed abundantly in blueberry fruits, and VcMYB is expressed the highest in the red, purple and blue fruits among all blueberry ABRMs. VcMYB shared high similarity with functionally proven ABRMs from many other plant species. The gene cloning results showed that VcMYB had three variable transcripts, but only the transient overexpression of VcMYB-1 promoted anthocyanin accumulation in the green fruits. Our study can provide a basis for future research on the anthocyanin biosynthesis related MYBs in blueberry.
Assessing the Effects of Drought on Rice Yields in the Mekong Delta
Authors: Lavane Kim , Kumar Pankaj , Meraj Gowhar , Han Tran Gia , Ngan Luong Hong Boi , Lien Bui Thi Bich , Van Ty Tran , Thanh Nguyen Truong , Downes Nigel K. , Nam Nguyen Dinh Giang , Minh Huynh Vuong Thu , Singh Suraj Kumar , Kanga Shruti
Published: January 2023

In contrast to other natural disasters, droughts may develop gradually and last for extended periods of time. The World Meteorological Organization advises using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) for the early identification of drought and understanding of its characteristics over various geographical areas. In this study, we use long-term rainfall data from 14 rain gauge stations in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (1979–2020) to examine correlations with changes in rice yields. Results indicate that in the winter–spring rice cropping season in both 2016 and 2017, yields declined, corresponding with high humidity levels. Excessive rainfall during these years may have contributed to waterlogging, which in turn adversely affected yields. The results highlight that not only drought, but also humidity has the potential to adversely affect rice yield.
Dispersive FSO Performance Estimation with Gaussian Pulses and Laplace Modeled Time Jitter
Authors: Gripeos P. J. , Oreinos D. , Kriempardis D. , Tsigopoulos A. D. , Kapotis E. , Katsis A. , Nistazakis H. E.
Published: January 2023

FSO communications tend to be one of most convenient, wireless, high-data-rate communications technologies of global telecom networking, and they are implemented and operated with low-cost resources. Despite their advantages, FSO systems’ performance is delimited by several physical phenomena, which act on propagating signal beams through the atmospheric path. Among other effects, chromatic dispersion and time jitter affect the shape and the detection instant of the incoming optical pulse, respectively. This results in signal fading and probable misdetections, and the signal fades along the propagation path due to power losses. Particularly, chromatic dispersion affects the width of the longitudinal information pulse, while the stochastic nature of the time jitter effect is treated with the use of a statistical model for the instantly received irradiance of the detecting pulse at the corresponding time slot. In this study, the symmetrical Laplace distribution was chosen for weak time jitter effect emulation because of its symmetry in pulse detection before or after the center of the specific timeslot. Thus, the joint influence of all three effects could considered, including all the parameters involved. Moreover, new-closed-form mathematical expressions were derived in order to accurately estimate the availability and the reliability of the FSO links under consideration. Next, using the derived mathematical forms, performance outcomes were presented for typical parameter values for realistic FSO links.
The Fifteen Puzzle—A New Approach through Hybridizing Three Heuristics Methods
Authors: Hasan Dler O. , Aladdin Aso M. , Talabani Hardi Sabah , Rashid Tarik Ahmed , Mirjalili Seyedali
Published: January 2023

The Fifteen Puzzle problem is one of the most classical problems that has captivated mathematics enthusiasts for centuries. This is mainly because of the huge size of the state space with approximately 1013 states that have to be explored, and several algorithms have been applied to solve the Fifteen Puzzle instances. In this paper, to manage this large state space, the bidirectional A* (BA*) search algorithm with three heuristics, such as Manhattan distance (MD), linear conflict (LC), and walking distance (WD), has been used to solve the Fifteen Puzzle problem. The three mentioned heuristics will be hybridized in a way that can dramatically reduce the number of states generated by the algorithm. Moreover, all these heuristics require only 25 KB of storage, but help the algorithm effectively reduce the number of generated states and expand fewer nodes. Our implementation of the BA* search can significantly reduce the space complexity, and guarantee either optimal or near-optimal solutions.
Arctigenin-Enriched Burdock Seed Oil (ABSO): A New Skin Brightening Botanical Extract
Authors: Ishii Tsuyoshi , Shimizu Takashi , Imai Momoko , Healy Jason , Rouzard Karl , Tamura Masanori , Fitzgerald Corey
Published: January 2023

The Arctium lappa L. plant, commonly known as burdock, has been used therapeutically for hundreds of years. Arctigenin (ATG) is an active ingredient in burdock, albeit at low quantities or mostly in the form of acrtiin (arctigenin-4-glucoside). ATG has been touted for its anti-inflammatory properties in many cell types and disease states; however, its role in skin and melanin production has not been extensively studied. Our aims for this study were to develop a burdock seed extract enriched for ATG that is amenable to quasi-drug development, determine in vitro brightening activity, and evaluate safety and skin brightening efficacy clinically in human subjects. Arctiin and ATG content were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In vitro studies utilized EpiDermTM tissues for skin irritation test, and MelanoDermTM tissues for melanin reduction capacity. A 45 subject clinical study was performed in adult subjects ranging in age from 30 to 60 years old (mean = 41.9 ± 6.7) to test the safety and skin brightening potential of 1% ABSO lotion. We demonstrate by HPLC that ABSO is a natural extract that contains ~5-times more arctigenin than BSO. Furthermore, ABSO inhibits melanin production better than BSO and retains the same melanin-reducing capacity as synthetic ATG in vitro in MelanoDerm™ 3D skin cultures. ABSO also adheres to quasi-drug criteria according to the Japanese Standards of Quasi-Drug Ingredients as determined by infrared absorption spectrum method, unsaponifiable matter, heavy metal and arsenic content, and acid, saponification, and iodine value methods. Clinical assessment of 1% ABSO lotion shows it is well-tolerated in human skin and demonstrates improved brightness and skin tone evenness. ABSO is a natural arctigenin-enriched burdock seed extract that reduces melanin content in vitro and clinically improves skin brightness.
Current Scenario of Clinical Cancer Research in Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Gössling Gustavo , Rebelatto Taiane F. , Villarreal-Garza Cynthia , Ferrigno Ana S. , Bretel Denisse , Sala Raul , Giacomazzi Juliana , William William N. , Werutsky Gustavo
Published: January 2023

In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), progress has been made in some national and regional cancer control initiatives, which have proved useful in reducing diagnostic and treatment initiation delays. However, there are still significant gaps, including a lack of oncology clinical trials. In this article, we will introduce the current status of the region’s clinical research in cancer, with a special focus on academic cancer research groups and investigator-initiated research (IIR) initiatives. Investigators in LAC have strived to improve cancer research despite drawbacks and difficulties in funding, regulatory timelines, and a skilled workforce. Progress has been observed in the representation of this region in clinical trial development and conduct, as well as in scientific productivity. However, most oncology trials in the region have been sponsored by pharmaceutical companies, highlighting the need for increased funding from governments and private foundations. Improvements in obtaining and/or strengthening the LAC cancer research group’s financing will provide opportunities to address cancer therapies and management shortcomings specific to the region. Furthermore, by including this large, ethnic, and genetically diverse population in the world’s research agenda, one may bridge the gap in knowledge regarding the applicability of results of clinical trials now mainly conducted in populations from the Northern Hemisphere.
Descriptive Characteristics and Cheesemaking Technology of Greek Cheeses Not Listed in the EU Geographical Indications Registers
Authors: Pappa Eleni C. , Kondyli Efthymia
Published: January 2023

Greece has a variety of cheeses that are registered as protected designation of origin and protected geographical indications, and many others that are produced in a traditional way, without such registration. This article aims to describe the characteristics of these cheeses, which do not bear a certification of geographical indication, in order to increase their significance. Therefore, in this work, the scientific data published about the history, production, composition, and other specific properties of some milk cheeses (Kariki, hard Xinotyri, soft Xinotyri, Kefalotyri, Kashkaval Pindos, Graviera, Manoura Sifnos, Teleme, Tsalafouti, Tyraki Tinou, Ladotyri Zakynthou, Touloumotyri, and Melichloro) and whey cheeses (Anthotyros, Myzithra, and Urda) are presented. This information may contribute to their better promotion and recognition, protecting their heritage, and supporting the local economy.
Right Ventricle and Radiotherapy: More Questions than Answers
Authors: Tadic Marijana , Kersten Johannes , Buckert Dominik , Rottbauer Wolfgang , Cuspidi Cesare
Published: January 2023

The injury of the left ventricle (LV) during anticancer therapy has long been recognized, and guidelines recommend a specific set of parameters for determination of LV impairment. The influence of anticancer therapy on the right ventricle (RV) has been insufficiently investigated, and there are only a few studies that have considered the effect of radiotherapy on RV remodeling. On the other hand, large number of patients with different types of cancers located in the chest are treated with radiotherapy, and the negative clinical effects of this treatment such as accelerated coronary artery disease, valve degeneration and heart failure have been documented. The anatomical position of the RV, which is in the front of the chest, is responsible for its large exposure during radiation treatment, particularly in patients with left-sided breast and lung cancers and mediastinal cancers (hematological malignancies, esophagus cancers, thymomas, etc.). For the same reason, but also due to its anatomical complexity, the RV remains under-investigated during echocardiographic examination, which remains the cornerstone of cardiac imaging in everyday practice. In the last decade many new echocardiographic imaging techniques that enable better evaluation of RV structure, function and mechanics appeared, and they have been used in detection of early and late signs of RV injuries in oncological patients. These investigations are related to some important restrictions that include limited numbers of patients, used parameters and imaging techniques. Many questions about the potential impact of these changes and possible predictions of adverse events remain to be evaluated in future large longitudinal studies. The current body of evidence indicates an important role of radiotherapy in RV remodeling, and therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize currently available data regarding RV changes in patients with various oncological conditions and help clinicians in the assessment of possible cardiac damage.
Wear Management of Colored Foils for the Assessment of Sleep Bruxism Patterns—A Prospective, Randomized Crossover Study
Authors: Besirevic-Bulic Ferida , Schmid-Schwap Martina , Kundi Michael , Sagl Benedikt , Piehslinger Eva
Published: January 2023

The assessment of bruxism relies on clinical examinations, questionnaires, and polysomnography. The additional use of colored foils (BruxChecker®) could enable a more precise evaluation of bruxing patterns. To assess differences between use of the foils during stress periods or just on consecutive nights and to determine a reasonable duration of using the foils, 28 patients were classified according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) and were randomly assigned to wearing the 12 foils for six consecutive nights (alternately in the upper and lower jaw; “consecutive”) or six nights within one month following days of high stress (“stress”) in a crossover design. The sizes of the attrition areas were measured with ImageJ. Stress was evaluated using the Perceived Stress Scale. The Stress Coping Questionnaire (SVF-120) was used for assessing habitual stress coping strategies. Areas of attrition increased significantly from day 1/2 to 5/6, both for the upper and lower jaw. Molars in the mandible had significantly larger attrition areas than in the maxilla. No significant differences were detected between “consecutive” and “stress” phases. The foils were suitable for differentiating teeth more or less affected by bruxism and were able to show that areas of attrition increased with days, indicating that some adaptation takes place and several days of wearing the foils are required to show the full picture. However, no differences between low/moderate- and high-stress phases were detected.
Digital Planning for Immediate Implants in Anterior Esthetic Area: Immediate Result and Follow-Up after 3 Years of Clinical Outcome—Case Report
Authors: Salviano Saulo Henrique , Lopes João Carlos Amorim , da Silva Brum Igor , Machado Kelly , Pedrazzi Marco Tulio , de Carvalho Jorge José
Published: January 2023

In this case report, we demonstrate how the correct positioning of implants, associated with optimal gingival conditioning, and the correct choice of biomaterial can yield very predictable and fantastic aesthetic results. Objective: We aimed to use dental implants to rehabilitate the area of elements #11 and #21 in a satisfactory surgical and prosthetic manner, using guided surgery, connective tissue, nano-biomaterials, and a porcelain prosthesis. Case Report: A 32-year-old male patient presented with bone loss of elements #11 and #21, which was proven radiographically and clinically. Thus, oral rehabilitation with the use of dental implants was required. It was decided to proceed via digital planning with the DSD program (Digital smile design) and with the software Exoplan, (Smart Dent-Germany) whenever it was possible to plan immediate provisional and accurate dental implant positioning through reverse diagnostics (Software Exoplan, Smart Dent-German). The dental elements were extracted atraumatically; then, a guide was established, the implants were positioned, the prosthetic components were placed, the conjunctive tissue was removed from the palate and redirected to the vestibular wall of the implants, the nano-graft (Blue Bone®) was conditioned in the gaps between the vestibular wall and the implants, and, finally, the cemented provision was installed. Results: After a 5-month accompaniment, an excellent remodeling of the tissues had been achieved by the implants; consequently, the final prosthetic stage could begin, which also achieved a remarkable aesthetic result. Conclusions: This report demonstrates that the correct planning of dental implants, which is associated with appropriate soft tissue and bone manipulation, allows for the achievement of admirable clinical results.
Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis in a Girl Child: Immunochemical Evaluation of Tissue Material Obtained from Repeated Arthroplasty Surgeries
Authors: Jain Nityanand , Pilmane Mara , Skagers Andrejs , Jain Shivani , Fedirko Pavlo
Published: January 2023

Temporomandibular joint ankylosis (TMJA) is a rare, but debilitating, condition that leads to TMJ joint hypomobility. Surgery is the mainstay for treatment, which is accompanied by rehabilitative and psychological support. Despite the advances in surgical techniques, the recurrence of TMJA post-surgery has been reported as a common complication. Therefore, it becomes essential to investigate and understand the histo-morpho-pathological processes governing these ankylotic changes. Given the lack of such studies in the literature, herein we present a case of a girl child who underwent primary surgery at the age of six years, followed by a second surgery at the age of twelve years. Ankylotic tissue samples collected during both surgeries were studied using various immunohistochemical markers for tissue remodeling, inflammation, antimicrobial activity, and transcriptional regulation. The expression of MMP-2 and -9 was downregulated in repeated surgery materials, whilst MMP-13 was rarely detected in both tissues. Strong MMP-8, TIMP-2, and TIMP-4 expressions were noted in both tissues, showing their anti-inflammatory and protective roles. Moderately strong expression of bFGF, FGFR-1, IL-1α, and TNF-α could indicate sustained tissue growth in the background of inflammation (wound healing). Interestingly, the expression of β-defensin-2 was found to be constant in both tissues, thereby indicating possible ECM remodeling and collagen breakdown. Finally, a moderate expression of RUNX-2, coupled with a low expression of WNT-1 and -3a, could indicate a slow and delayed bone regeneration process. Our results showcase the complex myriad of pathways that could be involved in the progression of TMJA and post-surgery healing processes. Immunopathological studies could aid in improving the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis for patients affected with TMJA.
The Effect of General Bone Mineral Density on the Quantity and Quality of the Edentulous Mandible: A Cross-Sectional Clinical Study
Authors: Slaidina Anda , Springe Baiba , Abeltins Andris , Uribe Sergio E. , Lejnieks Aivars
Published: January 2023

Background: Osteoporosis is a disease which is characterized by a decrease in general bone mineral density (BMD), resulting in decreased bone strength and an increased risk of bone fractures. The effect of reduced BMD on the jawbones is still not fully understood. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of BMD on the quality and quantity of the edentulous mandible. Methods: The present study included 127 edentulous postmenopausal women who underwent cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) examinations. BMD measurements of the lumbar spine and femoral necks were performed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. In the cross-sectional CBCT images, three different areas of the mandible (lateral incisor, first premolar, and first molar) were selected. The complete mandibular, trabecular, and cortical bone volumes were measured. All measurements were performed on the total mandibular area, and the basal and alveolar parts of the mandible. Results: The volume of the cortical bone was reduced for females with reduced BMD in the lateral incisor and first premolar regions, both in the total mandibular area and in the basal part of the mandible. The trabecular bone volume statistically significantly increased when the BMD decreased in the complete mandibular area and the basal part of the mandible (linear regression). The total bone volume significantly decreased with a decrease in BMD in the basal part of the mandible. Conclusions: Reduced BMD has a negative effect on the quantity and quality of bone in the basal part of the edentulous mandible.
Software Aging Effects on Kubernetes in Container Orchestration Systems for Digital Twin Cloud Infrastructures of Urban Air Mobility
Authors: Costa Jackson , Matos Rubens , Araujo Jean , Li Jueying , Choi Eunmi , Nguyen Tuan Anh , Lee Jae-Woo , Min Dugki
Published: January 2023

It is necessary to develop a vehicle digital twin (DT) for urban air mobility (UAM) that uses an accurate, physics-based emulator to model the statics and dynamics of a vehicle. This is because the use of digital twins in the operation and control of UAM vehicles is essential for the UAM operational digital twin infrastructure (UAM-ODT). There are several issues that need to be addressed in this process: (i) the lack of digital twin engines for the digitalization (twinization) of the dynamics and control of UAM vehicles at the core of UAM-ODT systems; (ii) the lack of back-end system engineering in the development of UAM vehicle DTs; and (iii) the lack of fault-tolerant mechanisms for the DT cloud back-end system to run uninterrupted operations 24/7. On the other hand, software aging and rejuvenation are becoming increasingly important in a variety of computing scenarios as the demand for reliable and available services increases. With the increasing use of containerized systems, there is also a need for an orchestrator to support easy management and reduce operational costs. In this paper, an operational digital twin (ODT) of a typical urban air mobility (UAM) infrastructure is developed on a private cloud system based on Kubernetes using a proposed cloud-in-the-loop simulation approach. To ensure the ODT can provide uninterrupted operational control and services in UAM around the clock, we propose a methodology for investigating software aging in Kubernetes-based containerized clouds. We evaluate the behavior of Kubernetes software using the Nginx and K3S tools while they manage pods in an accelerated lifetime experiment. We continuously execute operations for creating and terminating pods, allowing us to observe the utilization of computing resources (e.g., CPU, memory, and I/O), the performance of the Nginx and K3S environments, and the response time of an application hosted in those environments. In some conditions and for specific metrics, such as virtual memory usage, we observed the effects of software aging, including a memory leak that is not fully cleared when the cluster is stopped. These issues could lead to system performance degradation and eventually compromise the reliability and availability of the system when it crashes due to memory space exhaustion or full utilization of swap space on the hard disk. This study helps with the deployment and maintenance of virtualized environments from the standpoint of system dependability in digital twin computing infrastructures where a large number of services are running under strict continuity requirements.
Entanglement Dynamics and Classical Complexity
Authors: Wang Jiaozi , Dietz Barbara , Rosa Dario , Benenti Giuliano
Published: January 2023

We study the dynamical generation of entanglement for a two-body interacting system, starting from a separable coherent state. We show analytically that in the quasiclassical regime the entanglement growth rate can be simply computed by means of the underlying classical dynamics. Furthermore, this rate is given by the Kolmogorov–Sinai entropy, which characterizes the dynamical complexity of classical motion. Our results, illustrated by numerical simulations on a model of coupled rotators, establish in the quasiclassical regime a link between the generation of entanglement, a purely quantum phenomenon, and classical complexity.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of High-Specific-Strength (TiVCrZr)100−xWx (x = 5, 10, 15 and 20) Refractory High-Entropy Alloys
Authors: Wang Haitao , Xu Kuang , Zhang Juchen , Zhang Junsheng
Published: January 2023

With the increasing demand for high-specific-strength materials for high-temperature applications, particularly in the aerospace field, novel (TiVCrZr)100−xWx (x = 5, 10, 15 and 20) refractory high-entropy alloys (RHEAs) were developed. The phase formation, microstructure, and mechanical properties were studied. The (TiVCrZr)100−xWx RHEAs exhibit a relatively high specific strength and low density compared with the W-containing RHEAs and most of the W-free RHEAs. In (TiVCrZr)100−xWx RHEAs, Laves, BCC and Ti-rich phases are formed, where the Laves phase is the major phase, and the volume fraction of the BCC phase increases with increasing W content. (TiVCrZr)100−xWx RHEAs exhibit dendrite structures, where W is enriched in the dendrite region, and increasing W-rich precipitations corresponding to the BCC phase are observed. The improvement of the strength and hardness of RHEAs is mainly attributed to the evolution of the microstructure and corresponding strengthening effect of W. The empirical parameters and calculated phase diagram were investigated, which further explain and verify the formation and variation of phases. The present findings give more insights into the formation of multi phases in (TiVCrZr)100−xWx RHEAs, and explore their application potential in the aerospace industry and nuclear reactors due to their high specific strength and low-activation constituent elements.
The COVID-19 Pandemic Impact and Responses in Emerging Economies: Evidence from Vietnamese Firms
Authors: Kien Nguyen Duc , Hung Pham Xuan , Quan Truong Tan , Hien Nguyen Minh
Published: January 2023

A nationwide survey of 162,738 firms in Vietnam asked firms to report the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health of the business, coping strategies used, and various firm and situational characteristics. More than 80% of firms reported negative impacts from the pandemic with fewer than 4% reporting positive effects; 63% of the firms adopted at least one coping strategy. The coping strategies were categorized into seven groups as follows: (1) Non-adoption, (2) promoting e-commerce, (3) transforming key products/services, (4) training employees to improve professional qualifications, (5) finding new markets for input materials, (6) finding markets for products outside of the traditional market, (7) producing new products/services according to market demand during the epidemic period, and (8) other strategies. A multinomial logit regression model showed statistically significant associations between a firm’s selected coping strategy and several independent variables, as follows: (1) Firm size, (2) impact of the pandemic on firm health, firm access to inputs, and firm access to domestic markets, (3) decrease in firm revenue, and (4) receipt of government support. However, many businesses have not implemented coping strategies, leading to concerns regarding their resilience to upcoming threats and uncertainties.
Maintaining Academic Integrity in Programming: Locality-Sensitive Hashing and Recommendations
Authors: Karnalim Oscar
Published: January 2023

Not many efficient similarity detectors are employed in practice to maintain academic integrity. Perhaps it is because they lack intuitive reports for investigation, they only have a command line interface, and/or they are not publicly accessible. This paper presents SSTRANGE, an efficient similarity detector with locality-sensitive hashing (MinHash and Super-Bit). The tool features intuitive reports for investigation and a graphical user interface. Further, it is accessible on GitHub. SSTRANGE was evaluated on the SOCO dataset under two performance metrics: f-score and processing time. The evaluation shows that both MinHash and Super-Bit are more efficient than their predecessors (Cosine and Jaccard with 60% less processing time) and a common similarity measurement (running Karp-Rabin greedy string tiling with 99% less processing time). Further, the effectiveness trade-off is still reasonable (no more than 24%). Higher effectiveness can be obtained by tuning the number of clusters and stages. To encourage the use of automated similarity detectors, we provide ten recommendations for instructors interested in employing such detectors for the first time. These include consideration of assessment design, irregular patterns of similarity, multiple similarity measurements, and effectiveness–efficiency trade-off. The recommendations are based on our 2.5-year experience employing similarity detectors (SSTRANGE’s predecessors) in 13 course offerings with various assessment designs.
Legal and Illegal Drug Consumption among Students at the University of Seville (Spain)
Authors: Llorent-Bedmar Vicente , Torres-Zaragoza Lucía , Vidigal-Alfaya Susana
Published: January 2023

In current society, the fight against drug abuse is an important social challenge given its harmful effects on health and quality of life, globally. Numerous studies show that university life fosters drug use among university students. This research explores the perceptions of legal and illegal drug use of undergraduate students at the University of Seville (Spain). The research design is quantitative: a specific questionnaire was administered to a sample of 1478 students. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis using SPSS v.27 software. It is found that the majority of students do not use illegal drugs, although they do use alcohol and tobacco. Students with a failing grade average use more legal and illegal drugs than those who have outstanding grade averages. There are gender differences in drug use, with males using legal and illegal drugs more than females. Nevertheless, women report taking more tranquillizers and sleeping pills. It is necessary for universities to develop policies for the prevention of legal and illegal drug use, as well as the creation of training programs and counselling courses to promote good health.