bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digitalization and Strategic Changes in Romanian Retail Fuel Networks: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Panduru Dan Andrei , Scarlat Cezar
Published: September 2022

The oil and gas industry is among the most affected industries as a result of war in Ukraine, on top of other economic, political, and environmental global turbulences that culminated with the coronavirus pandemic. The purpose of this qualitative, explorative study was to identify strategic changes as well as the role played by newer technologies—digital technologies in particular—in this industry. The focus is on the Romanian oil and gas industry, more specifically on the retail fuel networks of the top companies. In addition to secondary research (literature and company documents), interview-based primary research was conducted. The data were collected during spring of 2022 by conducting interviews with two groups of subjects: the strategists—consisting of top managers from the largest companies active in the oil and gas industry in Romania; and the informed consumers—selected from people working in the oil and gas industry. The interview guides were slightly different depending on the two groups targeted, and the structure of the interview guide was developed according to research questions. Among the findings, we can observe that the fuel retail market and consumer behaviour changed due to a series of factors, such as the global economic crisis, COVID-19, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and inflation. Those factors forced fuel retail companies, at the global level, to invest in filling station shops, services development, digitalization, and divestment—selling gas station networks in countries with poor integration with refineries. Romanian fuel retail companies are following the global trends and focusing on filling station shops, alternative fuels development, and digitalization. The results are followed by discussions, and several managerial implications are suggested. The study limitations and several further research paths are also identified. Based on the data available, we can conclude that the strategic directions at the level of products and services are aligned, but at the execution level, specialists offer different solutions for customer expectations.
Architectural Ultrasound Pennation Angle Measurement of Lumbar Multifidus Muscles: A Reliability Study
Authors: Monsalve-Vicente Cristina , Muñoz-Zamarro Daniel , Cuenca-Zaldívar Nicolás , Fernández-Carnero Samuel , Selva-Sarzo Francisco , Nunez-Nagy Susana , Naranjo-Cinto Fermin , Gallego-Izquierdo Tomás
Published: September 2022

The pennation angle has been shown to be a relevant parameter of muscle architecture. This parameter has not previously been measured in the lumbar multifidus musculature, and it is for this reason that it has been considered of great interest to establish an assessment protocol to generate new lines of research in the future. Objective: The objective of this study was to establish a protocol for measuring the pennation angle of the multifidus muscles, with a study of intra-rater and interrater reliability values. Design: This was a reliability study following the recommendations of the Guidelines for Reporting Reliability and Agreement Studies (GRRAS). Setting: The study was carried out at University of Alcalá, Department of Physiotherapy. Subjects: Twenty-seven subjects aged between 18 and 55 years were recruited for this study. Methods: Different ultrasound images of the lumbar multifidus musculature were captured. Subsequently, with the help of ImageJ software, the pennation angle of this musculature was measured. Finally, a complex statistical analysis determined the intra- and interrater reliability. Results: The intra-rater reliability of the pennation angle measurement protocol was excellent for observer 1 in the measurement of the left-sided superficial multifidus 0.851 (0.74, 0.923), and for observer 2 in the measurement of the right-sided superficial 0.711 (0.535, 0.843) and deep multifidus 0.886 (0.798, 0.942). Interrater reliability was moderate to poor, and correlation analysis results were high for thickness vs. pennation angle. Conclusions: The designed protocol for ultrasound measurement of the pennation angle of the lumbar multifidus musculature has excellent intra-rater reliability values, supporting the main conclusions and interpretations. Normative ranges of pennation angles are reported. High correlation between variables is described.
Do Otolaryngologists Over- or Underestimate Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Symptoms and Findings in Clinical Practice? A Comparison Study between the True Prevalence and the Otolaryngologist-Estimated Prevalence of Symptoms and Findings
Authors: Lechien Jerome R.
Published: September 2022

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of symptoms and signs of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and to compare them with the otolaryngologist-estimated prevalence of the most common LPR-related symptoms and signs. Methods: The prevalence of LPR symptoms and signs was determined through the clinical data of 403 patients with a positive LPR diagnosis on hypopharyngeal–esophageal multichannel intraluminal impedance pH monitoring. The otolaryngologist-estimated prevalence was assessed through an international survey investigating the thoughts of 824 otolaryngologists toward LPR symptom and sign prevalence. The determination of potential over- or underestimation of LPR symptoms and findings was investigated through a data comparison between the ‘true’ prevalence and the ‘estimated prevalence’ of symptoms and findings by otolaryngologists. Results: The prevalence of breathing difficulties, coated tongue, and ventricular band inflammation was adequately evaluated by otolaryngologists. The prevalence of hoarseness, throat pain, odynophagia, dysphagia, throat clearing, globus sensation, excess throat mucus, tongue burning, heartburn, regurgitations, halitosis, cough after eating or lying down, and troublesome cough was overestimated by otolaryngologists (p < 0.01), while the prevalence of chest pain was underestimated as an LPR symptom. Most laryngeal signs, e.g., arytenoid/laryngeal erythema, inter-arytenoid granulation, posterior commissure hypertrophy, retrocricoid edema/erythema, and endolaryngeal sticky mucus, were overestimated (p < 0.01). The occurrence of anterior pillar erythema and tongue tonsil hypertrophy was underestimated by participants. Conclusion: Most laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms and laryngeal signs were overestimated by otolaryngologists, while some non-laryngeal findings were underestimated. Future studies are needed to better understand the reasons for this phenomenon and to improve the awareness of otolaryngologists toward the most and least prevalent reflux symptoms and signs.
Sharenting of Portuguese Male and Female Celebrities on Instagram
Authors: Porfírio Francisca , Jorge Ana
Published: September 2022

In a contemporary era, strongly characterized by digital omnipresence, celebrities share, via their social media accounts, experiences related to parenthood or, in other words, adopt sharenting practices. This article focuses on the visual and textual representation of the children of six Portuguese female and male celebrities active on Instagram in 2020. The study aimed to explore whether the narratives and content strategies conveyed by celebrities about their children are integrated into authentic and advertising content, and how these vary according to the celebrity’s gender. A quantitative and qualitative content analysis was carried out, on a corpus of 1116 pieces of content related to children, in the four Instagram formats—Post, Instastory, IGTV, and Reels. The results showed that children are mostly depicted in spontaneous moments of everyday life that are often perceived as intimate and exclusive moments. While content explicitly identifying advertising or partnerships is infrequent, in many of these contents there was some sort of commercial presence, e.g., through brands identified in children’s content. There were also substantial differences in the themes of the content posted by mothers, in contrast to fathers. These differences were especially evident, on the one hand, regarding the categories of the identified brands—male celebrities are associated with outdoor activities and tend to fall into the categories “Leisure” and “Food and Drinks”, while the brand categories most often identified by female celebrities are associated with “Clothing and Footwear” and “Childcare and Health”, categories that are related to the daily care of children. On the other hand, as for the speech, we found that not only the gender but also the celebrity’s persona is relevant when considering the sharenting they do. Generally, the study found that celebrity sharenting is associated with demonstrations of affection towards children, regardless of gender, a fact that highlights the importance of family ties and parental values in a pandemic context.
Discomfort and Pain Related to Protective Mask-Wearing during COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Padua Luca , Castelli Letizia , Gatto Dario M. , Hokkoku Keichii , Reale Giuseppe , Pastorino Roberta , Loreti Claudia , Giovannini Silvia
Published: September 2022

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic made the use of facemasks mandatory to prevent contact with the virus. Recent studies have revealed that intensive use of facemasks significantly exacerbated pre-existing headaches and triggered de novo headaches. In our experience, some subjects also complain of symptoms of neuropathic pain in the head/facial regions. Until now, the relationship between neuropathic pain and facemasks has not been documented. The aim of the study is to investigate the occurrence of neuropathic pain related to facemask use. It is a cross-sectional survey using a questionnaire, developed following a commonly accepted outcome research methodology. Participants, both health care and non-health care workers, responded to items included in the questionnaire about the type of facemasks, time and manner of wearing them, side effects such as skin lesions, symptoms of neuropathic pain, etc.
Choriocapillaris Flow Deficits Quantification in Hydroxychloroquine Retinopathy Using Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
Authors: Halouani Safa , Le Hoang Mai , Cohen Salomon Yves , Terkmane Narimane , Herda Nabil , Souied Eric H. , Miere Alexandra
Published: September 2022

This study aims to quantitatively analyze choriocapillaris (CC) alterations using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) in eyes presenting with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) toxic retinopathy and to compare it to patients under HCQ without toxic retinopathy and to healthy controls. For image analysis, CC en-face slabs were extracted from macular 6 × 6 mm SS-OCTA scans and a compensation method followed by the Phansalkar local thresholding was performed. Percentage of flow deficits (FD%) and other related biomarkers were computed for comparison. Fourteen eyes (7 patients) presenting with HCQ toxic retinopathy, sixty-two eyes (31 patients) under HCQ without signs of toxicity, and sixty eyes of 34 healthy controls were included. With regards to FD%, FD average size, and FD number there was a significant difference between the three groups (p < 0.05 with radius 4 and radius 8 pixels). Eyes presenting with HCQ toxicity had significantly higher FD% and average size, and a significantly lower number of FDs, with both radius 4 and 8 pixels. In conclusion, FD quantification demonstrates that CC involvement is present in HCQ toxic retinopathy, therefore giving pathophysiological insights with regards to the CC as being either the primary or secondary target of HCQ toxicity.
Personalized Medicine in Coronary Artery Disease: Where Are We in 2022?
Authors: Shchekochikhin Dmitry , Kopylov Philipp
Published: September 2022

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developed and in most developing countries [...]
Immunoglobulins G of Patients with Schizophrenia Protects from Superoxide: Pilot Results
Authors: Mednova Irina , Smirnova Liudmila , Vasilieva Alisa , Kazantseva Daria , Epimakhova Elena , Krotenko Nina , Semke Arkadiy , Ivanova Svetlana
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of IgG in patients with schizophrenia. After signing informed consent, we included 67 patients with schizophrenia (34 people with acute schizophrenia and 33 individuals were on outpatient treatment in therapeutic remission) and 14 healthy volunteers. IgGs from blood serum were isolated by affinity chromatography. SOD activity of antibodies was determined spectrophotometrically. We have shown for the first time that IgGs from patients with schizophrenia have SOD activity and this activity is an intrinsic property of antibodies. The maximum increase in SOD activity was registered in the group of patients in therapeutic remission compared with acute schizophrenia (p = 0.005) and in healthy individuals (p = 0.001). Based on the data of inhibitory analysis using a specific SOD inhibitor enzyme, triethylenetetramine (TETA), we can assume that the mechanism of the SOD activity of IgG is similar to the mechanism of classical enzyme catalysis. According to the kinetic analysis, the affinity of the IgGs to the substrate is higher than that of the classical SOD enzyme.
Sputum Microbiome Composition in Patients with Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma
Authors: Baranova Elizaveta , Druzhinin Vladimir , Matskova Ludmila , Demenkov Pavel , Volobaev Valentin , Minina Varvara , Larionov Alexey , Titov Victor
Published: September 2022

Background: Recent findings indicate that the host microbiome can have a significant impact on the development of lung cancer by inducing an inflammatory response, causing dysbiosis, and generating genome damage. The aim of this study was to search for bacterial communities specifically associated with squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). Methods: In this study, the taxonomic composition of the sputum microbiome of 40 men with untreated LUSC was compared with that of 40 healthy controls. Next-Generation sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA genes was used to determine the taxonomic composition of the respiratory microbiome. Results: There were no differences in alpha diversity between the LUSC and control groups. Meanwhile, differences in the structure of bacterial communities (β diversity) among patients and controls differed significantly in sputum samples (pseudo-F = 1.53; p = 0.005). Genera of Streptococcus, Bacillus, Gemella, and Haemophilus were found to be significantly enriched in patients with LUSC compared to the control subjects, while 19 bacterial genera were significantly reduced, indicating a decrease in beta diversity in the microbiome of patients with LUSC. Conclusions: Among other candidates, Streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae) emerges as the most likely LUSC biomarker, but more research is needed to confirm this assumption.
Consideration of Photoactivity of TiO2 Pigments via the Photodegration of Methyl Orange under UV Irradiation
Authors: Zhou Shuolin , Bai Junzhuo , Huang Keying , Ye Xinlu , Peng Yingqing , Lei Min
Published: September 2022

Developing a rapid and reliable method for measuring the photoreactivity of TiO2 pigments is of great importance for industrial application. The photoactivity of industrial TiO2 pigments were evaluated via the photodegradation of a model azo dye, methyl orange (MO), in the present work. The TiO2 pigments were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The photoactivity test results showed that the anatase TiO2 pigment was responsible for accelerating MO degradation, while the rutile pigment acted as a stabilizer, and effective UV absorber retarded the photodegradation of MO. It was found that the photodegradation of MO was driven mainly by photoholes (h+) and hydroxyl radicals (•OH), in the presence of TiO2 pigment with high photoactivity. With the help of the degradation intermediates during the photodegradation process and the calculated data, the preliminary degradation mechanism including azo bond cleaving, h+ oxidation, and hydroxylated products’ generation for MO was also elucidated. The photoactivity of TiO2 pigments can be rapidly evaluated in this work, which would be an efficient approach for assessing the product quality control and the end-use performance of TiO2 pigments.
Biochar Nanocomposite as an Inexpensive and Highly Efficient Carbonaceous Adsorbent for Hexavalent Chromium Removal
Authors: Mortazavian Soroosh , Murph Simona E. Hunyadi , Moon Jaeyun
Published: September 2022

Biochar is commonly used for soil amendment, due to its excellent water-holding capacity. The Cr(VI) contamination of water is a current environmental issue in industrial regions. Here, we evaluated the effects of two-step modifications on boosting biochar’s performance in terms of the removal of aqueous hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), along with investigating the alterations to its surface properties. The first modification step was heat treatment under air at 300 °C, producing hydrophilic biochar (HBC). The resulting HBC was then impregnated with zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI), creating an HBC/nZVI composite, adding a chemical reduction capability to the physical sorption mechanism. Unmodified biochar (BC), HBC, and HBC/nZVI were characterized for their physicochemical properties, including surface morphology and elemental composition, by SEM/EDS, while functional groups were ascertained by FTIR and surface charge by zeta potential. Cr(VI) removal kinetic studies revealed the four-time greater sorption capacity of HBC than BC. Although unmodified BC showed faster initial Cr(VI) uptake, it rapidly worsened and started desorption. After nZVI impregnation, the Cr(VI) removal rate of HBC increased by a factor of 10. FTIR analysis of biochars after Cr(VI) adsorption showed the presence of Cr(III) oxide only on the used HBC/nZVI and demonstrated that the carbonyl and carboxyl groups were the main groups involved in Cr(VI) sorption. Modified biochars could be considered an economical substitute for conventional methods.
Neuropathic Pain Component in Patients with Cervical Radicular Pain: A Single-Center Retrospective Study
Authors: Kwon Jiyeon , Oh Daeseok , Lee Byeongcheol , Lee Hyunseong , Ko Myoungjin , Moon Sungho , Park Yeiheum , Kim Sehun , Kim Sunyoung
Published: September 2022

Background and Objectives: Evidence regarding the prevalence of neuropathic pain in patients with cervical radicular pain is limited. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of neuropathic pain components in patients with cervical radicular pain using established screening tools and identify the relationship between neuropathic pain components and clinical factors. Materials and Methods: Data from 103 patients (aged ≥ 20 years) with cervical radicular pain who visited our pain clinic were analyzed retrospectively. Demographic characteristics, history of neck surgery, pain intensity using numeric rating score, dominant pain site, duration of symptoms, and neck disability index were assessed. The prevalence of neuropathic pain components was defined according to the Douleur Neuropathique 4 questions and painDETECT questionnaire tools. Patient characteristics were compared using the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables and the independent t-test or Mann–Whitney U test for continuous variables. The correlation between neck disability index and other variables was analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: Of the 103 patients, 29 (28.1%) had neuropathic pain components. The neck disability index was significantly higher (p < 0.001) for patients in the neuropathic pain group (23.79 ± 6.35) than that in the non- neuropathic pain group (18.43 ± 7.68). The Douleur Neuropathique 4 questions (r = 0.221, p < 0.025) and painDETECT questionnaire (r = 0.368, p < 0.001) scores positively correlated with the neck disability index score. Conclusions: The prevalence of neuropathic pain components in patients with cervical radicular pain was low. The patients in our study showed a strong correlation between functional deterioration and their neuropathic pain screening score. This study may be useful in understanding the characteristics of cervical radicular pain.
Emergency General Surgery and COVID-19 Pandemic: Are There Any Changes? A Scoping Review
Authors: Karlafti Eleni , Kotzakioulafi Evangelia , Peroglou Dimitrios-Christos , Gklaveri Styliani , Malliou Petra , Ioannidis Aristeidis , Panidis Stavros , Netta Smaro , Savopoulos Christos , Michalopoulos Antonios , Paramythiotis Daniel
Published: September 2022

Background and Objectives: The pandemic of SARS-CoV-19 has affected the overall spectrum of General Surgery, either in the case management part, or in the type of cases. The purpose of this review is to gather all the parameters affected and to compare these changes between the pandemic period and the corresponding time frame of the previous year. Materials and Methods: A review of literature in two electronic databases (PubMed and Scopus) was performed examining studies during the pre-pandemic (March to May 2019) and pandemic (March to May 2020) period about emergency surgeries. The differences in case presentation in emergency rooms, patient characteristics, length of hospitalization, type of surgery, complications and mortality rate were compared. Results: The comparison of the studies revealed significant results highlighting the differences between the two time periods for each parameter. There has been observed an overall decrease in the number of cases presented for emergency and urgent surgery. In terms of age, sex, and BMI, there were no significant variations amongst the patients. About the length of hospitalization, the patients hospitalized longer during the pandemic period. In terms of pathologies, the most common types of surgery were appendectomy, gastrointestinal, and colorectal resection. Mortality did not differ between the two study periods. Conclusions: COVID-19 affected a large part of Emergency General Surgery mainly concerns the type of operations performed. The hospitalization of patients, the complications that may have arisen and the recognition of emergencies were the most important issues faced by health care officials in hospitals during the period of COVID-19; however, there were parameters like mortality and patients’ characteristics that did not appear to differ with pre-pandemic era.
The Effects of COVID-19 on Skeletal Muscles, Muscle Fatigue and Rehabilitation Programs Outcomes
Authors: Pescaru Camelia Corina , Marițescu Adelina , Costin Emanuela Oana , Trăilă Daniel , Marc Monica Steluța , Trușculescu Ana Adriana , Pescaru Andrei , Oancea Cristian Iulian
Published: September 2022

Background and Objectives: Consequences due to infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus can have a direct impact on skeletal muscle, due to the fact that both cardiac and skeletal muscle tissue show robust ACE2(angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) expression, suggesting a potential susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection in both types of tissues. From the articles analyzed we concluded that the musculoskeletal damage is firstly produced by the inflammatory effects, cytokine storm and muscle catabolism. However, myopathy, polyneuropathy and therapies such as corticoids were also considered important factors in muscle fatigue and functional incapacity. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs and early mobilization had a highly contribution during the acute phase and post-illness recovery process and helped patients to reduce dyspnea, increase the capacity of physical effort, overcome psychological disorders and improved the quality of their life. Materials and Methods: We have included in this review 33 articles that contain data on muscle damage following SARS-CoV-2 infection. We used the following keywords to search for articles: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, muscle weakness, muscle disease, muscle fatigue, neurological disorders. As a search strategy we used PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects and Health Technology Assessment Database to collect the information. We also have chosen the most recent articles published in the last 5 years. Conclusions: Muscular damage, as well as the decrease in the quality of life, are often a consequence of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection through: systemic inflammation, corticotherapy, prolonged bed rest and other unknown factors. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs and early mobilization had a highly contribution during the acute phase and post-illness recovery process and helped patients to reduce dyspnea, increase the capacity of physical effort, overcome psychological disorders and improve the quality of their life.
The Human Skin Volatolome: A Systematic Review of Untargeted Mass Spectrometry Analysis
Authors: Mitra Anuja , Choi Sunyoung , Boshier Piers R. , Razumovskaya-Hough Alexandra , Belluomo Ilaria , Spanel Patrik , Hanna George B.
Published: September 2022

The analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can provide important clinical information (entirely non-invasively); however, the exact extent to which VOCs from human skin can be signatures of health and disease is unknown. This systematic review summarises the published literature concerning the methodology, application, and volatile profiles of skin VOC studies. An online literature search was conducted in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis, to identify human skin VOC studies using untargeted mass spectrometry (MS) methods. The principal outcome was chemically verified VOCs detected from the skin. Each VOC was cross-referenced using the CAS number against the Human Metabolome and KEGG databases to evaluate biological origins. A total of 29 studies identified 822 skin VOCs from 935 participants. Skin VOCs were commonly sampled from the hand (n = 9) or forearm (n = 7) using an absorbent patch (n = 15) with analysis by gas chromatography MS (n = 23). Twenty-two studies profiled the skin VOCs of healthy subjects, demonstrating a volatolome consisting of aldehydes (18%), carboxylic acids (12%), alkanes (12%), fatty alcohols (9%), ketones (7%), benzenes and derivatives (6%), alkenes (2%), and menthane monoterpenoids (2%). Of the VOCs identified, 13% had putative endogenous origins, 46% had tentative exogenous origins, and 40% were metabolites from mixed metabolic pathways. This review has comprehensively profiled the human skin volatolome, demonstrating the presence of a distinct VOC signature of healthy skin, which can be used as a reference for future researchers seeking to unlock the clinical potential of skin volatolomics. As significant proportions of identified VOCs have putative exogenous origins, strategies to minimise their presence through methodological refinements and identifying confounding compounds are discussed.
Inhibition of Hepatic AMPK Pathway Contributes to Free Fatty Acids-Induced Fatty Liver Disease in Laying Hen
Authors: Huang Cheng , Gao Xiaona , Shi Yan , Guo Lianying , Zhou Changming , Li Ning , Chen Wei , Yang Fan , Li Guyue , Zhuang Yu , Liu Ping , Hu Guoliang , Guo Xiaoquan
Published: September 2022

Metabolism-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is one of the most common causes of liver disease; however, the underlying processes remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate the changes of free fatty acids (FFA) on the expression of genes related to the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway in the primary hepatocytes of laying hens. The primary hepatocytes of laying hens were treated with FFA (containing a 2:1 ratio of oleic and palmitic acids) for 24 h. FFA significantly increased lipid droplet accumulation, decreased glycogen synthesis, increased the levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glucose content in the supernatant (GLU) in the primary hepatocytes of laying hens, and decreased the levels of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). The results of the PCR array combined with Western blotting experiments showed that the activity of AMPK was inhibited. Inhibition of AMPK signaling pathway decreases the expression of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation, increases the expression of genes involved in lipid synthesis, decreases the expression of genes involved in glycogen synthesis, increases the expression of genes involved in glycolysis, increases the expression of genes involved in oxidative stress, and increases the expression of genes involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis. Taken together, our results suggest that FFA can affect the homeostasis of the AMPK signaling pathway by altering energy metabolic homeostasis, inducing oxidative stress, and adjusting the onset of cell proliferation and apoptosis.
A Natural GMS Laboratory (Granulometry-Morphometry-Situmetry): Geomorphological-Sedimentological-Mineralogical Terrain Analysis Linked to Coarse-Grained Siliciclastic Sediments at the Basement-Foreland Boundary (SE Germany)
Authors: Dill Harald G. , Buzatu Andrei , Kleyer Christopher , Balaban Sorin-Ionut , Pöllmann Herbert , Füssel Martin
Published: September 2022

The “natural GMS laboratory” (granulometry-morphometry-situmetry) is located within the Variscan Basement in SE Germany (Fichtelgebirge Mts.), which is uplifted relative to its Permo-Mesozoic foreland along a deep-seated lineamentary fault zone. This transitional study area is crossed by straight to low drainage systems in the basement, turning meandering channel systems into high sinuosity when entering the foreland. Due to its good geological coverage, the entire region is subjected to an advanced-level terrain analysis and completed with a sedimentological study focusing on the GMS tool. Unlike many applications in the past, the three components of the GMS tool that are of almost equal value ought to be used in combination and not as stand-alone procedures so as to be integrated into other near-surface geoscientific methods, e.g., sediment petrography. The strong points of granulometry of coarse-grained/gravel-sized sediments are its extension into the smaller sand and clay grain size intervals using the sorting, mean and/or median values for an environmental analysis. Morphometry can be linked to the compositional geosciences, e.g., mineralogy and geochemistry. The grain shape is intimately connected with the lithology, providing options from triaxial measuring of the lithoclast to the digital image analysis. It is a favorable tool to supplement the provenance of lithoclasts. Situmetry is the key element of hydrodynamic research and directly builds upon its sister methods. Its applications and numerical approaches are useful for the identification and quantification of physical land-forming processes. It is the fan sharpness and the orientation of lithoclasts relative to the direction of the talweg and in relation cross-sectional valley features that integrate the GMS tool into geological and geomorphological mapping, both of which result in a digital terrain model. Horizontal rose diagrams are useful for the upper reaches of drainage systems, be they of alluvial or non-alluvial types, and vertical ones for alluvial channels in the distal and proximal foreland where stacked patterns of depositional terraces are of widespread occurrence. In general, the GMS tool can be applied to sedimentological, geomorphological, petrographic and tectonic objects in basements and foreland basins; in applied geosciences, it is suitable for the identification of mineral resources and of areas vulnerable to geohazards, and in genetic geosciences for the discrimination of supergene chemical and physical depositional and land-forming processes.
Silica-Decorated NiAl-Layered Double Oxide for Enhanced CO/CO2 Methanation Performance
Authors: Yan Wenxia , Li Yangyang , Zeng Junming , Bao Wentao , Zhao Huanhuan , Li Jiangbing , Gunawan Poernomo , Yu Feng
Published: September 2022

CO/CO2 hydrogenation has attracted much attention as a pathway to achieve carbon neutrality and production of synthetic natural gas (SNG). In this work, two-dimensional NiAl layered double oxide (2D NiAl-LDO) has been successfully decorated by SiO2 nanoparticles derived from SiCl4 and used as CO/CO2 methanation catalysts. The as-obtained H-SiO2-NiAl-LDO exhibited a large specific surface area of 201 m2/g as well as high ratio of metallic Ni0 species and surface adsorption oxygen that were beneficial for low-temperature methanation of CO/CO2. The conversion of CO methanation was 99% at 400 °C, and that of CO2 was 90% at 350 °C. At 250 °C, the CO methanation reached 85% whereas that of CO2 reached 23% at 200 °C. We believe that this provides a simple method to improve the methanation performance of CO and CO2 and a strategy for the modification of other similar catalysts.
Influence of Nanosized CoTiO3 Synthesized via a Solid-State Method on the Hydrogen Storage Behavior of MgH2
Authors: Ali Nurul Amirah , Yahya Muhammad Syarifuddin , Sazelee Noratiqah , Din Muhamad Faiz Md , Ismail Mohammad
Published: September 2022

Magnesium hydride (MgH2) has received outstanding attention as a safe and efficient material to store hydrogen because of its 7.6 wt.% hydrogen content and excellent reversibility. Nevertheless, the application of MgH2 is obstructed by its unfavorable thermodynamic stability and sluggish sorption kinetic. To overcome these drawbacks, ball milling MgH2 is vital in reducing the particle size that contribute to the reduction of the decomposition temperature. However, the milling process would become inefficient in reducing particle sizes when equilibrium between cold-welding and fracturing is achieved. Therefore, to further ameliorate the performance of MgH2, nanosized cobalt titanate (CoTiO3) has been synthesized using a solid-state method and was introduced to the MgH2 system. The different weight percentages of CoTiO3 were doped to the MgH2 system, and their catalytic function on the performance of MgH2 was scrutinized in this study. The MgH2 + 10 wt.% CoTiO3 composite presents the most outstanding performance, where the initial decomposition temperature of MgH2 can be downshifted to 275 °C. Moreover, the MgH2 + 10 wt.% CoTiO3 absorbed 6.4 wt.% H2 at low temperature (200 °C) in only 10 min and rapidly releases 2.3 wt.% H2 in the first 10 min, demonstrating a 23-times-faster desorption rate than as-milled MgH2 at 300 °C. The desorption activation energy of the 10 wt.% CoTiO3-doped MgH2 sample was dramatically lowered by 30.4 kJ/mol compared to undoped MgH2. The enhanced performance of the MgH2–CoTiO3 system is believed to be due to the in situ formation of MgTiO3, CoMg2, CoTi2, and MgO during the heating process, which offer a notable impact on the behavior of MgH2.
Adsorption of Selected Molecules on (TiO2)20 Nano-Clusters: A Density-Functional-Theory Study
Authors: Aguilera-Granja Faustino , Aguilera-del-Toro Rodrigo H. , Díaz-Cervantes Erik
Published: September 2022

In this work, the adsorption energies and some of the main electronic properties of selected biological molecules adsorbed onto a (TiO2)20 cluster were studied. With this aim, Density-Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were performed using SIESTA code. The Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof (PBE) functional within the Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA) was used for the exchange and correlation potential. For this study, we chose molecules with very different characteristics and applications in everyday life, including antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamins, and so on. The TiO2 substrate was considered due to its harmlessness and versatility of application in various industries. In particular, we studied the changes in some of the main electronic properties of the molecules after adsorption onto titanium dioxide. For all of the molecules studied here, we observed that this substrate can increase the stability of the adsorbed molecules, with values in the range of 12–150 meV/atom. The reliability of our calculations was verified through additional optimizations with other DFT codes, considering the hybrid functionals B3LYP and M06-L. Our results showed a reasonably good agreement among these three functionals, thereby revealing the possibility of adsorption of the selected biological molecules onto the vertex of the TiO2 nanoclusters. Some of these molecules were considered as possible candidates for the delivery of drugs into the SARS-CoV-2 main protease, promoting the inhibition of this virus. We are not aware of any systematic study that has focused on the adsorption of the selected molecules on a (TiO2)20 substrate within the same framework, including the analysis of the differences in electronic properties through the use of different functionals.
A Mediterranean-Diet-Based Nutritional Intervention for Children with Prediabetes in a Rural Town: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Blancas-Sánchez Isabel María , Del Rosal Jurado María , Aparicio-Martínez Pilar , Quintana Navarro Gracia , Vaquero-Abellan Manuel , Castro Jiménez Rafael A. , Fonseca Pozo Francisco Javier
Published: September 2022

Prediabetes is a pathological condition in which the blood glucose concentration is higher than normal concentrations but lower than those considered necessary for a type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosis. Various authors have indicated that the Mediterranean Diet is one of the dietary patterns with the most healthy outcomes, reducing high levels of HbA1c, triglycerides, BMI, and other anthropometric parameters. The main objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of the nutritional intervention for children with prediabetes, including the effectiveness of this nutritional education regarding anthropometric parameters. A randomized pilot trial with two groups, an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG), using intervention in dietary habits with nutritional reinforcement was carried out on 29 children with prediabetes from a rural area. The nutritional intervention was analyzed through astrophotometric and glycemic measurements and validated surveys. Results: The results indicated improvement in eating habits, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, anthropometric measurements, mainly body mass index and perimeters, and analytical parameters, with a significant decrease in glycated hemoglobin in the EG compared to the CG (p < 0.001). Although the results showed that both groups’ anthropometric parameters improved, a more significant decrease was observed in the experimental group compared to the control.
Optical Remote Sensing Image Cloud Detection with Self-Attention and Spatial Pyramid Pooling Fusion
Authors: Pu Weihua , Wang Zhipan , Liu Di , Zhang Qingling
Published: September 2022

Cloud detection is a key step in optical remote sensing image processing, and the cloud-free image is of great significance for land use classification, change detection, and long time-series landcover monitoring. Traditional cloud detection methods based on spectral and texture features have acquired certain effects in complex scenarios, such as cloud–snow mixing, but there is still a large room for improvement in terms of generation ability. In recent years, cloud detection with deep-learning methods has significantly improved the accuracy in complex regions such as high-brightness feature mixing areas. However, the existing deep learning-based cloud detection methods still have certain limitations. For instance, a few omission alarms and commission alarms still exist in cloud edge regions. At present, the cloud detection methods based on deep learning are gradually converted from a pure convolutional structure to a global feature extraction perspective, such as attention modules, but the computational burden is also increased, which is difficult to meet for the rapidly developing time-sensitive tasks, such as onboard real-time cloud detection in optical remote sensing imagery. To address the above problems, this manuscript proposes a high-precision cloud detection network fusing a self-attention module and spatial pyramidal pooling. Firstly, we use the DenseNet network as the backbone, then the deep semantic features are extracted by combining a global self-attention module and spatial pyramid pooling module. Secondly, to solve the problem of unbalanced training samples, we design a weighted cross-entropy loss function to optimize it. Finally, cloud detection accuracy is assessed. With the quantitative comparison experiments on different images, such as Landsat8, Landsat9, GF-2, and Beijing-2, the results indicate that, compared with the feature-based methods, the deep learning network can effectively distinguish in the cloud–snow confusion-prone region using only visible three-channel images, which significantly reduces the number of required image bands. Compared with other deep learning methods, the accuracy at the edge of the cloud region is higher and the overall computational efficiency is relatively optimal.
Water Level Change Monitoring Based on a New Denoising Algorithm Using Data from Landsat and ICESat-2: A Case Study of Miyun Reservoir in Beijing
Authors: Xie Junfeng , Li Binbo , Jiao Huihui , Zhou Qingqing , Mei Yongkang , Xie Donghai , Wu Yu , Sun Xiaoyang , Fu Ying
Published: September 2022

Inland lakes or reservoirs are the main surface water resources, related to people’s survival and social development. On-site water level data are critical for water resource management, while satellite laser and remote sensing data are a significant tool for long-term change monitoring. In this study, we took the Miyun Reservoir, the most important source of drinking water in Beijing, as the research area. We used Landsat images and the Ice, Cloud, and Land Elevation Satellite (ICESat-2) for small-scale water level change monitoring and inversion across unrecorded periods. First, we proposed a new two-step denoising method based on local statistics to denoise the ATL03 single photon data from 2018 to 2020, and extracted the effective elevation information of Miyun Reservoir. Second, based on Landsat images from 1984 to 2020, the MNDWI index was used to extract the water area and generated a percentage map of water occurrence. Finally, the water and land boundary elevation were selected from the effective photon elevation information according to the boundary position under each percentage of the water generation percentage graph, the area, and the water level elevation model (A–E model) was established, and the water level values of unrecorded periods were inverted. The denoising results showed that the denoising accuracy of all data is higher than 95%. The area of Miyun Reservoir has changed greatly in the past 37 years, especially in the northeast corner and northern region. The inverted water level elevation had a strong correlation with the measured value, the correlation coefficient reached 0.97, the root mean square error (RMSE) was 0.553 m, and the estimated water level value was highly consistent with the recorded value and fluctuated dramatically from 1984 to 2020. This method complements the traditional water level mapping method, provides a new idea for the monitoring of water level changes in lakes or reservoirs without field records, and also contributes to the timely and effective monitoring and management of global lake and reservoir water level and time changes.
A Deep Learning Approach to Classify Sitting and Sleep History from Raw Accelerometry Data during Simulated Driving
Authors: Tuckwell Georgia A. , Keal James A. , Gupta Charlotte C. , Ferguson Sally A. , Kowlessar Jarrad D. , Vincent Grace E.
Published: September 2022

Prolonged sitting and inadequate sleep can impact driving performance. Therefore, objective knowledge of a driver’s recent sitting and sleep history could help reduce safety risks. This study aimed to apply deep learning to raw accelerometry data collected during a simulated driving task to classify recent sitting and sleep history. Participants (n = 84, Mean ± SD age = 23.5 ± 4.8, 49% Female) completed a seven-day laboratory study. Raw accelerometry data were collected from a thigh-worn accelerometer during a 20-min simulated drive (8:10 h and 17:30 h each day). Two convolutional neural networks (CNNs; ResNet-18 and DixonNet) were trained to classify accelerometry data into four classes (sitting or breaking up sitting and 9-h or 5-h sleep). Accuracy was determined using five-fold cross-validation. ResNet-18 produced higher accuracy scores: 88.6 ± 1.3% for activity (compared to 77.2 ± 2.6% from DixonNet) and 88.6 ± 1.1% for sleep history (compared to 75.2 ± 2.6% from DixonNet). Class activation mapping revealed distinct patterns of movement and postural changes between classes. Findings demonstrate the suitability of CNNs in classifying sitting and sleep history using thigh-worn accelerometer data collected during a simulated drive. This approach has implications for the identification of drivers at risk of fatigue-related impairment.
Bearing Fault Diagnosis Using Piecewise Aggregate Approximation and Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise
Authors: Hu Lei , Wang Ligui , Chen Yanlu , Hu Niaoqing , Jiang Yu
Published: September 2022

Complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (CEEMDAN) effectively separates the fault vibration signals of rolling bearings and improves the diagnosis of rolling bearing faults. However, CEEMDAN has high memory requirements and low computational efficiency. In each iteration of CEEMDAN, fault vibration signals are added with noises, both the vibration signals added with noises and the added noises are decomposed with classical empirical mode decomposition (EMD). This paper proposes a rolling bearing fault diagnosis method that combines piecewise aggregate approximation (PAA) with CEEMDAN. PAA enables CEEMDAN to decompose long signals and to achieve enhanced diagnosis. In particular, the method first yields the vibration envelope using bandpass filtering and demodulation, then compresses the envelope using PAA, and finally decomposes the compressed signal with CEEMDAN. Test data verification results show that the proposed method is more effective and more efficient than CEEMDAN.
Strip-Type Embeddable Shape Sensor Based on Fiber Optics for In Situ Composite Consolidation Monitoring
Authors: Minakuchi Shu , Niwa Shoma , Takeda Nobuo
Published: September 2022

Carbon fibers and resin used in manufacturing carbon fiber-reinforced plastic composite structures flow before the resin solidifies, resulting in disrupted fiber orientation and non-uniform thickness. This process, known as consolidation, is critical for the quality of the composite structure, but no technology exists to measure the deformation in situ. This study proposes a strip-type embeddable shape sensor based on fiber optics for in situ monitoring of consolidation deformation. The sensor consists of a thin, flexible sheet with optical fibers embedded in the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet, and it can monitor out-of-plane bending deformation in composite materials during consolidation. Finite element analysis and experiments are used to evaluate the basic performance of the shape sensor before it is applied to composite gap/lap monitoring. For the first time, the relaxation of consolidation deformation due to the flow of fiber-resin suspension is measured. The proposed sensor will be a powerful tool for elucidating consolidation mechanisms and for validating composite manufacturing simulations.