bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementation of Shared Laser–LED Sources in a Free Space Optics (FSO) Network under Environmental Impact
Authors: Hassan Abu Sufian Abdallah , Ahmed Hassan Yousif , Fadhil Hilal A. , Zeghid Medien , Chehri Abdellah , Abd El-Mottaleb Somia A.
Published: February 2023

This paper is devoted to evaluating the combined coherent and incoherent sources (CCIS) technique for different applications in the optical domain and future optical code division multiple access (OCDMA) networks. Spectral amplitude coding (SAC) has gained significant attention in optical processing systems due to its increased capabilities in dealing with multiple-access interference (MAI) efficiently. Fixed right shift (FRS) is adopted as a signature code in this study. Furthermore, performance analysis is studied in terms of bit error rate (BER) for the system using CCIS in both the free space optics (FSO) and sky mesh network using an aerial altitude platform system (AAPS). Simulation results confirmed that a CCIS design significantly improves system performance with moderate cost. An acceptable BER value of 10−9 at 1.25 Gbps data rate and 60 km, 38 km, and 6 km distances for the laser, CCIS, and LED sources, respectively, can be supported. In particular, at Q-factor ~4.5, the FSO ranges under low haze, moderate haze, and heavy haze are, respectively, 3.7 km, 2.5 km, and 1.5 km. The reason is that a CCIS design causes an increase in the effective transmitted power. It can be summarized that a CCIS design can provide reliable solutions and an affordable cost for future optical fiber and wireless network applications.
The Development of Snapshot Multispectral Imaging Technology Based on Artificial Compound Eyes
Authors: Hao Qun , Song Yanfeng , Cao Jie , Liu Hao , Liu Qianghui , Li Jie , Luo Qiang , Cheng Yang , Cui Huan , Liu Lin
Published: February 2023

In the present study, the advantages of multispectral imaging over hyperspectral imaging in real-time spectral imaging are briefly analyzed, and the advantages and disadvantages of snapshot spectral imaging and other spectral imaging technologies are briefly described. The technical characteristics of artificial compound eyes and multi-aperture imaging and the research significance of snapshot artificial compound eye multispectral imaging are also introduced. The classification and working principle of the snapshot artificial compound eye multispectral imaging system are briefly described. According to the realization method of the optical imaging system, the ACE snapshot multi-aperture multispectral imaging system is divided into plane and curved types. In the planar compound eye spectral imaging system, the technical progress of the multispectral imaging system based on the thin observation module by bound optics (TOMBO) architecture and the multispectral imaging system based on the linear variable spectral filter are introduced. At the same time, three curved multispectral imaging systems are introduced. Snapshot artificial compound eye multispectral imaging technology is also briefly analyzed and compared. The research results are helpful to comprehensively understand the research status of snapshot multispectral multi-aperture imaging technology based on artificial compound eyes and to lay the foundation for improving its comprehensive performance even further.
Design of Predefined Time Convergent Sliding Mode Control for a Nonlinear PMLM Position System
Authors: Riaz Saleem , Yin Chun-Wu , Qi Rong , Li Bingqiang , Ali Sadia , Shehzad Khurram
Published: February 2023

The significant role for a contemporary control algorithm in the position control of a permanent magnet linear motor (PMLM) system is highlighted by the rigorous standards for accuracy in many modern industrial and robotics applications. A robust predefined time convergent sliding mode controller (PreDSMC) is designed for the high precision position tracking of a permanent magnet linear motor (PMLM) system with external disturbance, and its convergence time is independent of the system’s initial value and model parameters. We verified theoretically that the performance function conditions are satisfied, the motor speed is steady and constrained, and the motor position tracking error converges to zero within the prescribed time. First, we designed a sliding mode (SM) surface with predetermined time convergence, which mathematically demonstrates that the tracking error converges to zero within the predefined time and shows that the position tracking accuracy is higher. Secondly, we developed a PreDSMC law that is independent of initial state and based on the predefined time convergence Lyapunov stability criterion. Finally, to prove the accuracy and higher precision of the proposed PreDSMC, comparative numerical simulations are performed for PMLM with compound disturbances. Simulation findings show that the suggested robust predefined control method considerably reduces the impacts of friction and external disturbances; consequently, it may increase the control performance when compared to the typical proportional integral derivative (PID) controller, the nonsingular fast terminal SMC, and the linear SMC.
Non-Rigid Point Cloud Matching Based on Invariant Structure for Face Deformation
Authors: Li Ying , Weng Dongdong , Chen Junyu
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we present a non-rigid point cloud matching method based on an invariant structure for face deformation. Our work is guided by the realistic needs of 3D face reconstruction and re-topology, which critically need support for calculating the correspondence between deformable models. Our paper makes three main contributions: First, we propose an approach to normalize the global structure features of expressive faces using texture space properties, which decreases the variation magnitude of facial landmarks. Second, we make a modification to the traditional shape context descriptor to solve the problem of regional cross-mismatch. Third, we collect a dataset with various expressions. Ablation studies and comparative experiments were conducted to investigate the performance of the above work. In face deformable cases, our method achieved 99.89% accuracy on our homemade face dataset, showing superior performance over some other popular algorithms. In this way, it can help modelers to build digital humans more easily based on the estimated correspondence of facial landmarks, saving a lot of manpower and time.
Premixed Propane–Air Flame Propagation in a Narrow Channel with Obstacles
Authors: Yakush Sergey , Semenov Oleg , Alexeev Maxim
Published: February 2023

Flame interaction with obstacles can affect significantly its behavior due to flame front wrinkling, changes in the flame front surface area, and momentum and heat losses. Experimental and theoretical studies in this area are primarily connected with flame acceleration and deflagration to detonation transition. This work is devoted to studying laminar flames propagating in narrow gaps between closely spaced parallel plates (Hele–Shaw cell) in the presence of internal obstacles separating the rectangular channel in two parts (closed and open to the atmosphere) connected by a small hole. The focus of the research is on the penetration of flames through the hole to the adjacent channel part. Experiments are performed for fuel-rich propane–air mixtures; combustion is initiated by spark ignition near the far end of the closed volume. Additionally, numerical simulations are carried out to demonstrate the details of flame behavior prior to and after penetration into the adjacent space. The results obtained may be applicable to various microcombustors; they are also relevant to fire and explosion safety where flame propagation through leakages may promote fast fire spread.
A Review on Adaptive Thermal Comfort of Office Building for Energy-Saving Building Design
Authors: Lamsal Prativa , Bajracharya Sushil Bahadur , Rijal Hom Bahadur
Published: February 2023

The thermal environment quality of office buildings has an important role because thermal comfort is directly related to human productivity. Thermal comfort conditions are influenced by climate, location, and the built environment; hence, comfort standards are required to assist building designers in creating a comfortable indoor environment for building occupants. In this context, the present study analyzes the adaptive thermal comfort studies conducted in office buildings from various countries. A large number of research articles selected from the Scopus database were considered for this study. Based on the analysis, outdoor climatic conditions have a greater influence on indoor thermal conditions in naturally ventilated than in air-conditioned office buildings. The temperature required for comfort is as low as 17.6 °C and as high as 31.2 °C in naturally ventilated buildings. An adaptive comfort equation for naturally ventilated and air-conditioned office buildings has also been proposed to predict the indoor comfort temperature. Various studies show that a substantial amount of energy can be saved by changing the set point and natural ventilation. Furthermore, this study successfully provides hearty evidence that there is a need for climate-specific standards on thermal comfort for energy-efficient design development because existing comfort standards might not be applicable to all climates.
A Review on Techno-Economic Study for Supporting Building with PV-Grid-Connected Systems under Saudi Regulations
Authors: Alharbi Sultan J. , Alaboodi Abdulaziz S.
Published: February 2023

As the demand for electricity continues to grow in Saudi Arabia, finding ways to increase power generation becomes increasingly important. However, conventional power generation methods such as burning fossil fuels contribute significantly to environmental pollution and harm human health through the emissions of greenhouse gases. One potential solution to this problem is the use of solar energy, which has the advantage of being abundant in Saudi Arabia due to its location in the sun belt. When compared to conventional power generation methods, solar energy is a viable alternative, particularly when the indirect costs of fossil fuels, such as harm to the environment and human health, are considered. Using photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electrical energy is a key method for producing clean energy. Despite the initial cost of investing in solar energy infrastructure, it is ultimately less expensive than electricity derived from fossil fuels. In recognition of the potential of solar energy, the Saudi government has outlined an ambitious plan to install 41 GW of solar capacity and invest USD 108.9 billion by 2032. Additionally, financing and significant tax benefits have been provided to promote the development of the solar industry. This research article reviews the techno-economic analysis of PV power plants and examines previous policy papers and the existing research on the topic.
Six Days Ahead Forecasting of Energy Production of Small Behind-the-Meter Solar Sites
Authors: Bezerra Menezes Leite Hugo , Zareipour Hamidreza
Published: February 2023

Due to the growing penetration of behind-the-meter (BTM) photovoltaic (PV) installations, accurate solar energy forecasts are required for a reliable economic energy system operation. A new hybrid methodology is proposed in this paper with a sequence of one-step ahead models to accumulate 144 h for a small-scale BTM PV site. Three groups of models with different inputs are developed to cover 6 days of forecasting horizon, with each group trained for each hour of the above zero irradiance. In addition, a novel dataset preselection is proposed, and neighboring solar farms’ power predictions are used as a feature to boost the accuracy of the model. Two techniques are selected: XGBoost and CatBoost. An extensive assessment for 1 year is conducted to evaluate the proposed method. Numerical results highlight that training the models with the previous, current, and 1 month ahead from the previous year referenced by the target month can improve the model’s accuracy. Finally, when solar energy predictions from neighboring solar farms are incorporated, this further increases the overall forecast accuracy. The proposed method is compared with the complete-history persistence ensemble (CH-PeEn) model as a benchmark.
Computational Analysis of Tube Wall Temperature of Superheater in 1000 MW Ultra-Supercritical Boiler Based on the Inlet Thermal Deviation
Authors: Li Pei , Bao Ting , Guan Jian , Shi Zifu , Xie Zengxiao , Zhou Yonggang , Zhong Wei
Published: February 2023

Local over-temperature is one of the main reasons for boiler tube failures (BTF). By accurately monitoring and controlling tube wall temperature, local over-temperature can be avoided. Based on the measured flue gas parameters and numerical simulation, a method of thermal deviation calculation is proposed in this study for the on-line calculation of the tube wall temperature of boiler superheaters. The full-size three-dimensional numerical simulation was presented on the combustion in a pulverized coal-fired boiler of 1000 MW ultra-supercritical (USC) unit. A difference in the thermal deviation of the vertical direction was innovatively introduced into a segmented discrete model, and the thermal deviation condition conforming to reality was introduced into the calculation. An on-line calculation system developed based on the current calculation method was applied in a 1000 MW USC unit. The calculated local high-temperature zone was consistent with the actual over-temperature position and conformed to the law of the allowable metal temperature of the final superheater (FSH) serpentines segment. The comparison results showed that the calculated data by this method were more reflective of tube wall temperature change with boiler loads than the measured data. According to the calculated local over-temperature zone, the immediate warning response can effectively reduce the possibility of over-temperature BTF.
The Use of a Regulating Transformer for Shaping Power Flow in the Power System
Authors: Żurek Szymon , Przygrodzki Maksymilian
Published: February 2023

The current situation in world energy requires a new approach to the control of the power flow in power systems. On the one hand, regulations within the EU require the transition to renewable energy. On the other hand, there are no conventional sources available. Thus, there is a need to use known control tools in non-standard applications. One such example is the use of a regulating transformer inside the power grid to use it to shape the power flow in the system. This article presents a proposal of an algorithm for determining new locations for regulating transformers from the point of view of active power control. By analyzing the parameters of the power grid, it is possible to determine which branch of the grid is the most suitable for installing a regulating transformer in it. The use of a regulating transformer inside the grid improves the transmission capabilities of the national power system.
Evolutionary Game and Simulation Analysis of Power Plant and Government Behavior Strategies in the Coupled Power Generation Industry of Agricultural and Forestry Biomass and Coal
Authors: Yu Dan , Zhang Caihong , Wang Siyi , Zhang Lan
Published: February 2023

Under the background of “dual carbon”, the coupled power generation of agricultural and forestry biomass (AFB) and coal, as a new path of coal-power transformation, is key to achieving energy conservation and reducing emissions in the power sector. Timely and effective government subsidies as well as regulation policies will play important roles in the development of the coupled power generation industry. Previous studies usually assumed government policy as singular and static, rarely considering the dynamic changes in government policies. In this study, evolutionary game theory and systematic dynamics research methods were combined. The game relationship and the dynamic evolution process of the behavioral strategies of both sides are analyzed through the construction of a mixed-strategies game model of the government and power plants. A system dynamics model is built for simulations based on the results of the dynamic game evolution, and the influence paths of key factors on the behavioral strategies of the government and power plants were further demonstrated. The results indicated the following: (1) The behavioral strategies of the government and power plants were not stable for a long period of time, but fluctuated during their mutual influence. The dynamic policies and measures formulated by the government according to changes in the behavioral strategies of power plants will promote industrial development more effectively. (2) Increasing subsidization and the strengthening of supervision caused by government policy can increase the enthusiasm of power plants to choose the coupled power generation of AFB and coal. (3) If the government improves the benefits or reduces the transformation costs caused by coupled power generation the industry will be fundamentally improved. The results clearly show the interactions as well as adjustment processes of the behavioral strategies of power plants and the government in the coupled power generation industry of AFB and coal, and the specific effects of key factors on the behavioral strategies of power plants and the government were investigated. This study can provide a theoretical basis for the government to formulate reasonable industrial policies and measures for the coupled power generation of AFB and coal, in addition to being a valuable reference for other countries to develop a coupled power generation industry.
Thermodynamic Performance Comparison of CCHP System Based on Organic Rankine Cycle and Two-Stage Vapor Compression Cycle
Authors: Li Tailu , Wang Jingyi , Zhang Yao , Gao Ruizhao , Gao Xiang
Published: February 2023

Owing to different temperature rages of power generation and refrigeration in the cogeneration system, for the sake of selecting the working fluids that are suitable for both power generation and refrigeration simultaneously, 17 commonly used working fluids are evaluated in this paper, based on an organic Rankine cycle coupled with a two-stage vapor compression cycle system in different geothermal fluid temperatures. The performances of working fluids under different working conditions, and the maximum power generation as well as cooling capacity are analyzed. Additionally, the main parameters are analyzed to optimize the system performance. The results indicate that net power output has a local maximum where it corresponds to the optimal evaporation temperature. Besides, the lower the critical temperature, the greater the thermal conductance, and the pressure ratio decreases with evaporation temperature. Hydrocarbons all have higher total heat source recovery efficiency. R1234yf, propane and R1234ze, R152a have excellent maximum net power output when the geothermal fluid temperature is low and high, respectively. R134a always has better maximum net power output and cooling capacity. The net power output is used for cooling, and the COP is closed, therefore, maximum net power output results in the maximum cooling capacity. In addition, that of propane and R1234yf are excellent until the geothermal fluid temperature are 140 °C and 120 °C separately. R1234ze and R152a are good when the geothermal fluid temperatures are 140 °C and 150 °C, respectively.
Discount as an Example of a Guarantee Instrument in the Field of the Consumer’s Right to Energy of an Adequate Quality
Authors: Białkowski Michał , Szetela Beata
Published: February 2023

The European Union obliged the member states to introduce monitoring and control tools in order to improve the quality of provided transmission services and to guarantee the contracted amount of energy to end users. However, the EU has left the member states the freedom to create and implement compensation tools, enabling customers to claim their rights arising from non-compliance by transmission companies with the provisions of distribution agreements. The introduction of quantitative energy monitoring and an appropriate compensation mechanism is of great importance not only for end users but also for distribution companies. For end users, this would be a tool to enforce their rights against transmission companies, while transmission companies would gain a tool to control and manage both legal and financial risks. The aim of this study is to analyze discount as an example of a guarantee instrument in the field of the consumer’s right to energy of an adequate quality based on the Polish example supported by a systematic legal review. In the EU, discount is not regulated directly at the EU level; hence, it is impossible to base it on acquis and analyze it through the prism of EU regulation. In Poland, the possibility for recipients to apply for a discount for poor-quality electricity was introduced into the first version of the Energy Law in 1998, long before the adoption of Directive 2019/944 by the EU. The fundamental issues that were addressed and discussed in this paper were as follows: (1) Is the discount compensatory in nature? (2) Should it be included in the compensation due to the consumer? (3) Is it possible to reduce it when the power supply interruption results from circumstances beyond the control of the energy company (e.g., unforeseen weather conditions)?
Human Performance Detection Using Operator Action Log of Nuclear Power Plant
Authors: Dai Xinyu , Yang Ming , Wang Jipu , Xu Zhihui , Wen Hanguan
Published: February 2023

The introduction of digital technologies into the main control room of a nuclear power plant also introduces new human errors. The operator log records the control information of operators on systems and equipment, and provides an important data source for the retrospective investigation of operating events in a nuclear power plant. A traditional operator log review is conducted manually, which has some major problems, such as being time-consuming and inefficient. This paper proposes an automatic detection method for operator logs, which models an operating procedure at three levels, including procedure, step and action. Such a model clarifies the overall logic and basic attributes of the operating procedure, and can be used as a standardized template of a control action sequence to compare with the actual operation actions in the operator log, so as to identify possible human performance deviations. This paper explains the method, and discusses the advantages and limitations of the proposed method.
TSxtend: A Tool for Batch Analysis of Temporal Sensor Data
Authors: Morcillo-Jimenez Roberto , Gutiérrez-Batista Karel , Gómez-Romero Juan
Published: February 2023

Pre-processing and analysis of sensor data present several challenges due to their increasingly complex structure and lack of consistency. In this paper, we present TSxtend, a software tool that allows non-programmers to transform, clean, and analyze temporal sensor data by defining and executing process workflows in a declarative language. TSxtend integrates several existing techniques for temporal data partitioning, cleaning, and imputation, along with state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms for prediction and tools for experiment definition and tracking. Moreover, the modular architecture of the tool facilitates the incorporation of additional methods. The examples presented in this paper using the ASHRAE Great Energy Predictor dataset show that TSxtend is particularly effective to analyze energy data.
A Fully Coupled Hydro-Mechanical Approach for Multi-Fracture Propagation Simulations
Authors: Deng Yinghao , Wang Di , Jin Yan , Xia Yang
Published: February 2023

Hydraulic fracturing is a complex nonlinear hydro-mechanical coupled process. Accurate numerical simulation is of great significance for reducing fracturing costs and improving reservoir development benefits. The aim of this paper is to propose an efficient numerical simulation method for the fracturing-to-production problem under a unified framework that has good convergence and accuracy. A hydro-mechanical coupled fracturing model (HMFM) is established for poroelastic media saturated with a compressible fluid, and the local characteristics of the physical field are fully considered. Each fracture is explicitly characterized using the discrete fracture model (DFM), which can better reflect the physical characteristics near fractures. Based on the extended finite element method (XFEM) and the Newton–Raphson method, a fully coupled approach named Unified Extended Finite Element (UXFEM) is developed, which can solve the nonlinear system of equations that describe the solution under a unified framework. UXFEM can accurately capture the local physical characteristics of different physical fields on the orthogonal structured grids. It realizes the grid-fracture decoupling, and fractures can propagate in any direction, which shows greater flexibility in simulating fracture propagation. The fully coupled approach can better reflect the essential relationship between pressure, stress, and fracture, which is beneficial to studying hydro-mechanical coupled problems. To validate the UXFEM, UXFEM is compared with the classical KGD model, analytic solution, and COMSOL solution. Finally, based on UXFEM, the interference phenomenon and fracturing-to-production study are carried out to prove the broad practical application prospect of this new fully coupled approach.
An Evaluation on Sectoral Competitiveness of Guangdong in China: The Role of Carbon Taxation Policy
Authors: Cheng Beibei , Wang Peng , Ren Songyan
Published: February 2023

Given the spatial heterogeneity of the social-economic situations across different regions in China, the decomposition of emission reduction targets should be designed according to the actual characteristics of the industrial economy. There is concern about the loss of industrial competitiveness and leakage of CO2 emissions if just seven pilot carbon markets operate independently, so the national carbon market of the power sector was established in 2021. In this study, a China two-region CGE model including Guangdong (GD) and the rest of China (ROC) is built on an analysis of the long-term effects of CO2 prices in industrial sectors at the target 2030 peak. Based on this model, we constructed one business-as-usual scenario and six comparison carbon tax scenarios to quantify the CO2 cost impact for a wide range of manufacturing sectors and identify specific economic activities that face relatively high CO2 costs between the two regions. Based on the China two-region CGE model, the risks of leakage and competitiveness distortions in these potentially exposed sectors are qualitatively assessed. The results show that chemical, nonferrous metal, and machinery are GD’s competitive sectors, and agriculture, food, textile, paper, cement, construction, and service belong to ROC’s competitive industry. Both GD and ROC need to further unify carbon pricing policies at the same time to effectively coordinate the carbon intensity reduction target and industrial development, which is 2.6% and 3.2% of the severe GDP loss compared with BaU when implementing carbon tax policy. The results can support the setting of the carbon tax and industrial competitiveness promotion policy and with a strong reference to support the provincial emission reduction path.
Reinforcement Learning-Based Intelligent Control Strategies for Optimal Power Management in Advanced Power Distribution Systems: A Survey
Authors: Al-Saadi Mudhafar , Al-Greer Maher , Short Michael
Published: February 2023

Intelligent energy management in renewable-based power distribution applications, such as microgrids, smart grids, smart buildings, and EV systems, is becoming increasingly important in the context of the transition toward the decentralization, digitalization, and decarbonization of energy networks. Arguably, many challenges can be overcome, and benefits leveraged, in this transition by the adoption of intelligent autonomous computer-based decision-making through the introduction of smart technologies, specifically artificial intelligence. Unlike other numerical or soft computing optimization methods, the control based on artificial intelligence allows the decentralized power units to collaborate in making the best decision of fulfilling the administrator’s needs, rather than only a primitive decentralization based only on the division of tasks. Among the smart approaches, reinforcement learning stands as the most relevant and successful, particularly in power distribution management applications. The reason is it does not need an accurate model for attaining an optimized solution regarding the interaction with the environment. Accordingly, there is an ongoing need to accomplish a clear, up-to-date, vision of the development level, especially with the lack of recent comprehensive detailed reviews of this vitally important research field. Therefore, this paper fulfills the need and presents a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art successful and distinguished intelligent control strategies-based RL in optimizing the management of power flow and distribution. Wherein extensive importance is given to the classification of the literature on emerging strategies, the proposals based on RL multiagent, and the multiagent primary secondary control of managing power flow in micro and smart grids, particularly the energy storage. As a result, 126 of the most relevant, recent, and non-incremental have been reviewed and put into relevant categories. Furthermore, salient features have been identified of the major positive and negative, of each selection.
Zero-Energy Bound States of Neutron–Neutron or Neutron–Muon Systems
Authors: Oks Eugene
Published: February 2023

There exists the following paradigm: for interaction potentials U(r) that are negative and go to zero as r goes to infinity, bound states may exist only for the negative total energy E. For E > 0 and for E = 0, bound states are considered to be impossible, both in classical and quantum mechanics. In the present paper we break this paradigm. Namely, we demonstrate the existence of bound states of E = 0 in neutron–neutron systems and in neutron–muon systems, specifically when the magnetic moments of the two particles in the pair are parallel to each other. As particular examples, we calculate the root-mean-square size of the bound states of these systems for the values of the lowest admissible values of the angular momentum, and show that it exceeds the neutron radius by an order of magnitude. We also estimate the average kinetic energy and demonstrate that it is nonrelativistic. The corresponding bound states of E = 0 may be called “neutronium” (for the neutron–neutron systems) and “neutron–muonic atoms” (for the neutron–muon systems). We also point out that this physical system possesses higher-than-geometric (i.e., algebraic) symmetry, leading to the approximate conservation of the square of the angular momentum, despite the geometric symmetry being axial. We use this fact for facilitating analytical and numerical calculations.
Digital Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Assessing Health-Related Quality of Life in Skull Base Diseases—Analysis of Feasibility and Pitfalls Two Years after Implementation
Authors: Steiert Christine , Lambeck Johann , Grauvogel Tanja Daniela , Beck Juergen , Grauvogel Juergen
Published: February 2023

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessment is becoming increasingly important in neurosurgery following the trend toward patient-centered care, especially in the context of skull base diseases. The current study evaluates the systematic assessment of HRQoL using digital patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in a tertiary care center specialized in skull base diseases. The methodology and feasibility to conduct digital PROMs using both generic and disease-specific questionnaires were investigated. Infrastructural and patient-specific factors affecting participation and response rates were analyzed. Since August 2020, 158 digital PROMs were implemented in skull base patients presenting for specialized outpatient consultations. Reduced personnel capacity led to significantly fewer PROMs being conducted during the second versus (vs.) the first year after introduction (mean: 0.77 vs. 2.47 per consultation day, p = 0.0002). The mean age of patients not completing vs. those completing long-term assessments was significantly higher (59.90 vs. 54.11 years, p = 0.0136). Follow-up response rates tended to be increased with recent surgery rather than with the wait-and-scan strategy. Our strategy of conducting digital PROMs appears suitable for assessing HRQoL in skull base diseases. The availability of medical personnel for implementation and supervision was essential. Response rates during follow-up tended to be higher both with younger age and after recent surgery.
Caregiver Burden among Family Caregivers of Cancer Survivors Aged 75 Years or Older in Japan: A Pilot Study
Authors: Kitamura Yoshiko , Nakai Hisao , Maekawa Yukie , Yonezawa Hisako , Kitamura Kazuko , Hashimoto Tomoe , Motoo Yoshiharu
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this study was to assess the burden of caregiving among family caregivers of cancer survivors aged 75 years or older in Japan. We included family caregivers of cancer survivors aged 75 years or older who were attending two hospitals in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, or receiving treatment during home visits. A self-administered questionnaire was developed based on previous studies. We obtained 37 responses from 37 respondents. Excluding those with incomplete responses, we had data from 35 respondents for analysis. The factor that significantly influenced the burden of caregiving for cancer survivors aged 75 years or older and family caregivers living together was the provision of full-time care (p = 0.041). Helping cancer survivors manage money (p = 0.055) was also associated with a higher burden. For family caregivers living separately, a more detailed examination of the association between the sense of caregiving burden and distance of travel to provide home-visit care is necessary, along with more support to attend hospitals with cancer survivors.
Pain-Pressure Threshold Changes throughout Repeated Assessments with No Sex Related Differences
Authors: Konrad Andreas , Kasahara Kazuki , Yoshida Riku , Murakami Yuta , Koizumi Ryoma , Nakamura Masatoshi
Published: February 2023

Algometers are commonly used to measure the pain-pressure threshold (PPT) in various tissues, such as muscle, tendons, or fascia. However, to date, it is not clear if the repeated application of a PPT assessment can adjust the pain thresholds of the various muscles. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the repeated application of PPT tests (20 times) in the elbow flexor, knee extensor, and ankle plantar flexor muscles in both sexes. In total, 30 volunteers (15 females, 15 males) were tested for their PPT using an algometer on the respective muscles in random order. We found no significant difference in the PPT between the sexes. Moreover, there was an increase in the PPT in the elbow flexors and knee extensors, starting with the eighth and ninth assessments (out of 20), respectively, compared to the second assessment. Additionally, there was a tendency to change between the first assessment and all the other assessments. In addition, there was no clinically relevant change for the ankle plantar flexor muscles. Consequently, we can recommend that between two and a maximum of seven PPT assessments should be applied so as not to overestimate the PPT. This is important information for further studies, as well as for clinical applications.
Indicators of Healthcare Services Utilization among the Syrian Refugee Population in Jordan: An Observational Study
Authors: Al-Qadi Mahmoud , Al-Hussami Mahmoud , Riza Elena , Athamnah Esra’a , Shehadeh Jumana , Kleisiaris Christos , Almegewly Wafa Hamad , Karavasileiadou Savvato
Published: February 2023

Background: Sufficient healthcare services utilization among the Syrian refugee population is one of the most important human rights. Vulnerable populations, such as refugees, are often deprived of sufficient access to healthcare services. Even when healthcare services are accessible, refugees vary in their level of utilization of these services and their health-seeking behavior. Purpose: This study aims to examine the status and indicators of healthcare service access and utilization among adult Syrian refugees with non-communicable diseases residing in two refugee camps. Methods: The cross-sectional descriptive design was conducted by enrolling 455 adult Syrian refugees residing in the Al-Za’atari and Azraq camps in northern Jordan, using demographical data, perceived health, and the “Access to healthcare services” module, which is a part of the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS). A logistic regression model with binary outcomes was used to explore the accuracy of the variables influencing the utilization of healthcare services. The individual indicators were examined further out of 14 variables, according to the Anderson model. Specifically, the model consisted of healthcare indicators and demographic variables to find out if they have any effect on healthcare services utilization. Results: Descriptive data showed that the mean age of the study participants (n = 455) was 49.45 years (SD = 10.48), and 60.2% (n = 274) were females. In addition, 63.7% (n = 290), of them were married; 50.5% (n = 230) held elementary school-level degrees; and the majority 83.3% (n = 379) were unemployed. As expected, the vast majority have no health insurance. The mean overall food security score was 13 out of 24 (±3.5). Difficulty in accessing healthcare services among Syrian refugees in Jordan’s camps was significantly predicted by gender. “Transportation problems, other than fee problems” (mean 4.25, SD = 1.11) and “Unable to afford transportation fees” (mean 4.27, SD = 1.12) were identified as the most important barriers to accessing healthcare services. Conclusion: Healthcare services must imply all possible measures to make them more affordable to refugees, particularly older, unemployed refugees with large families. High-quality fresh food and clean drinking water are needed to improve health outcomes in camps.
Variation in Yield, Berry Distribution and Chemical Attributes of Coffea arabica Beans among the Canopy Strata of Four Genotypes Cultivated under Contrasted Water Regimes
Authors: Rakocevic Miroslava , dos Santos Scholz Maria Brigida , Pazianotto Ricardo Antônio Almeida , Matsunaga Fabio Takeshi , Ramalho José Cochicho
Published: February 2023

Water availability, light, management practices, and harvest time impacts on Coffea arabica L. yield and bean quality remain uncertain. It was hypothesized that the soil water and light availability could impact berry distribution, yield, and bean chemical attributes within the plant canopy. Therefore, it was aimed to study berry yield, berry distribution, and bean chemical traits along the canopy strata of four coffee genotypes (Iapar 59, Catuaí 99 and two Ethiopian wild accessions, ‘E083’ and ‘E027’), cultivated with (IRR) and without irrigation (NI) in the two initial harvest years. The maximum height of berry occurrence was lower in NI than in IRR plants in both harvest years. In the 2nd harvest year, higher leaf-to-fruit ratio was found under NI than under IRR for all genotypes, except for Catuaí 99, while the most regular berry distribution among canopy strata was obtained in IRR ‘E083’, the highest bean yield in IRR ‘E083’ and Iapar 59, and the highest percent of useful bean biomass in NI Catuaí 99. The reduced lipid content under IRR was more important in the 1st (all genotypes) than in the 2nd harvest year (Iapar 59 and ‘E027’). As a novelty, chemical bean composition was additionally impacted by light availability along the canopy strata. Proteins declined from bottom (shaded) to upper (highly light exposed) strata, regardless of genotype and harvest year. Similar stratification was observed in caffeine in the 2nd year. Although some traits were somewhat changed among strata, no substantial quality changes occurred, thus allowing that harvest might include the entire plant and not only some specific strata. Iapar 59 and ‘E083’ showed chemical composition usually associated with high bean quality, with the highest lipid, sucrose, and soluble sugar contents, and the lowest caffeine, chlorogenic acids, and phenolic components among four genotypes, but Iapar 59 plants were less affected in their yield under NI. Based on additional responses from space occupation and yield only under IRR, the wild accession ‘E083’ must be considered in future breeding programs as promising material for intensive input conditions. High bean quality and the less variated yield under lower soil water availability qualified the Iapar 59 as the most prominent among the four genotypes.
Evolutionary Dynamics of Avian Influenza Viruses Isolated from Wild Birds in Moscow
Authors: Postnikova Yulia , Treshchalina Anastasia , Gambaryan Alexandra , Belyakova Alla , Ishmukhametov Aydar , Matrosovich Mikhail , Sadykova Galina , Prilipov Alexey , Lomakina Natalia , Boravleva Elizaveta
Published: February 2023

Forty-five strains of AIVs were isolated from wild aquatic birds during their autumn migration through Moscow (Russia). The aim of this work is to study the dynamics of AIV genomes in their natural habitat. Viruses were isolated from fecal sample in embryonated chicken eggs; their complete genomes were sequenced, and a phylogenetic analysis was performed. The gene segments of the same lineage persisted over the years in the absence of persistence of complete viral genomes. The genes for internal proteins of the same lineage were often maintained by the viruses over few years; however, they were typically associated with the genes of novel HA and NA subtypes. Although frequent reassortment events were observed for any pair of internal genes, there was no reassortment between HA and NA segments. The differences in the persistence of phylogenetic lineages of surface and internal proteins and the different evolutionary strategy for these two types of genes of AIVs in primary hosts are discussed.
How the Innate Immune DNA Sensing cGAS-STING Pathway Is Involved in Apoptosis
Authors: Zheng Wanglong , Liu Anjing , Xia Nengwen , Chen Nanhua , Meurens François , Zhu Jianzhong
Published: February 2023

The cGAS–STING signaling axis can be activated by cytosolic DNA, including both non-self DNA and self DNA. This axis is used by the innate immune system to monitor invading pathogens and/or damage. Increasing evidence has suggested that the cGAS-STING pathway not only facilitates inflammatory responses and the production of type I interferons (IFN), but also activates other cellular processes, such as apoptosis. Recently, many studies have focused on analyzing the mechanisms of apoptosis induced by the cGAS-STING pathway and their consequences. This review gives a detailed account of the interplay between the cGAS-STING pathway and apoptosis. The cGAS-STING pathway can induce apoptosis through ER stress, NLRP3, NF-κB, IRF3, and IFN signals. Conversely, apoptosis can feed back to regulate the cGAS-STING pathway, suppressing it via the activation of caspases or promoting it via mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) release. Apoptosis mediated by the cGAS-STING pathway plays crucial roles in balancing innate immune responses, resisting infections, and limiting tumor growth.
The Effects of Epicuticular Wax on Anthracnose Resistance of Sorghum bicolor
Authors: Xiong Wangdan , Liao Longxin , Ni Yu , Gao Hanchi , Yang Jianfeng , Guo Yanjun
Published: February 2023

Cuticular waxes are mixtures of hydrophobic compounds covering land plant surfaces and play key roles in plant resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. However, it is still not clear whether the epicuticular wax could protect the plants from infection by anthracnose, one of the most important plant diseases worldwide, which seriously infects sorghum and causes great yield loss. In this study, Sorghum bicolor L., an important C4 crop with high wax coverage, was selected to analyze the relationship between epicuticular wax (EW) and anthracnose resistance. In vitro analysis indicated that the sorghum leaf wax significantly inhibited the anthracnose mycelium growth of anthracnose on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium, with the plaque diameter smaller than that grown on medium without wax. Then, the EWs were removed from the intact leaf with gum acacia, followed by the inoculation of Colletotrichum sublineola. The results indicated that the disease lesion was remarkably aggravated on leaves without EW, which showed decreased net photosynthetic rate and increased intercellular CO2 concentrations and malonaldehyde content three days after inoculation. Transcriptome analysis further indicated that 1546 and 2843 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were regulated by C. sublineola infection in plants with and without EW, respectively. Among the DEG encoded proteins and enriched pathways regulated by anthracnose infection, the cascade of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathway, ABC transporters, sulfur metabolism, benzoxazinoid biosynthesis, and photosynthesis were mainly regulated in plants without EW. Overall, the EW increases plant resistance to C. sublineola by affecting physiological and transcriptome responses through sorghum epicuticular wax, improving our understanding of its roles in defending plants from fungi and ultimately benefiting sorghum resistance breeding.
Effects of Berries, Phytochemicals, and Probiotics on Atherosclerosis through Gut Microbiota Modification: A Meta-Analysis of Animal Studies
Authors: Khalili Leila , Centner Ann Marie , Salazar Gloria
Published: February 2023

Atherosclerosis is a major cause of death and disability. The beneficial effects of phytochemicals and probiotics on atherosclerosis have gained significant interest since these functional foods can improve inflammation, oxidative stress, and microbiome dysbiosis. The direct effect of the microbiome in atherosclerosis, however, needs further elucidation. The objective of this work was to investigate the effects of polyphenols, alkaloids, and probiotics on atherosclerosis using a meta-analysis of studies with mouse models of atherosclerosis. Identification of eligible studies was conducted through searches on PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Science Direct until November 2022. The results showed that phytochemicals reduced atherosclerosis, which was significant in male mice, but not in females. Probiotics, on the other hand, showed significant reductions in plaque in both sexes. Berries and phytochemicals modulated gut microbial composition by reducing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio and by upregulating health-promoting bacteria, including Akkermansia muciniphila. This analysis suggests that phytochemicals and probiotics can reduce atherosclerosis in animal models, with a potentially greater effect on male animals. Thus, consumption of functional foods rich in phytochemicals as well as probiotics are viable interventions to improve gut health and reduce plaque burden in patients suffering from cardiovascular disease (CVD).