bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Techno-economic analysis of the co-gasification of sewage sludge and petroleum coke
Authors: Adeyemi Idowu , Khan Haider , Ghenai Chaouki , Janajreh Isam
Published: August 2023

In this study, the co-gasification of sewage sludge and petroleum coke is assessed with equilibrium and numerical modeling. The gasification process of these binary wastes provides a potential pathway for waste management and environmental sustainability. First, the thermodynamic equilibrium approach is used to calculate the maximum cold gasification efficiency (CGE) at different mixture ratios in an attempt to narrow down and focus on the appropriate composition of the two kinds of feedstock within the entrained flow gasifier. Furthermore, a parametric study is conducted to show the gasification metrics, i.e., CGE and feedstock conversion, and the syngas composition at different gasification conditions. The equilibrium model is based on eight unknowns in the gasification product, namely, H2, CO, CO2, H2O, CH4, O2, Csolid, and the temperature, under variable O2 and H2O molar ratios. Using three elemental mass balances, four equilibrium (Csolid) constant relations, and energy balance, the mathematical model is developed. The model incorporates the solid unburnt carbon in the product species. The temperature of gasification is determined through an iterative process. Using the result of the equilibrium model, a high-fidelity reactive flow model that accounts for the reactor geometry and the devolatilization kinetics is developed. This model accounts for an extended set of reactions covering the char combustion, water and gas shifts, Boudouard and devolatilization. Finally, economic analysis is carried out to assess the conditions when such a process can be deemed to be profitable. The result of the model shows that the maximum CGE is achieved when all the solid carbon is converted into carbon monoxide with nearly all hydrogen present in the feedstock converted into hydrogen gas. The maximum conversion was attained with sewage sludge and petroleum coke ratio of 1 at 1,200°C. The mole fraction of the syngas species obtained is XH2 = 0.4227 and XCO = 0.5774 and a small fraction of XCH4 = 0.0123. Moreover, the cold gasification efficiency (CGE) measures 87.02% for the H2 and CO syngas species and reached 91.11% for the three species, including CH4. The gasification of the sewage sludge and petroleum coke at 50:50 is economically viable at temperatures higher than 950°C. A peak net gain of 0.16 $/kg of fuel blend was achieved at 1,250°C. At temperatures lower than 950°C, net losses were realized. This could be associated with less product gas yield, which is not significant enough to counteract the input costs. For instance, the net losses were −0.03 and −0.17 $/kg of feedstock at 950 and 800°C, respectively.
Different realities: a comparison of augmented and virtual reality for the sensemaking process
Authors: Lisle Lee , Davidson Kylie , Gitre Edward J. K. , North Chris , Bowman Doug A.
Published: August 2023

Analysts perform sensemaking on large complex multimedia datasets in order to extract concepts, themes, and other kinds of insights from them. Immersive analytics, in particular, puts users in virtual environments that allow them to explore data in a unique way where they can interact and move through the data. Previous research using virtual reality immersive analytics tools found users wanting to refer to real-world objects or understand the physical world around them while continuing to perform their analysis. Therefore, we designed and ran a comparative study looking at the tradeoffs between virtual and augmented reality for our immersive analytics approach: Immersive Space to Think. Through two mixed-methods studies we found that virtual reality affords users a space where users can focus more on their task, but augmented reality allows them to use various real-world tools that can increase user satisfaction. In future immersive analytics tools, we recommend a blend of the two—augmented virtuality—with pass-through portals which allow users to see various real-world tools, such as whiteboards or desks and keyboards, while still giving themselves a space to focus.
Impacts to canine dermal microbiota associated with repeated bathing
Authors: Discepolo Dakota , Kelley Russell , Watson Adrian , Perry Erin
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Working dogs routinely operate in environmental conditions which may necessitate daily bathing to remove contaminants or soilage. The impacts of frequent or repeated bathing on the canine dermal microbiota are unknown. The objective of this study was to characterize changes in canine dermal microbial populations following repeated daily bathing.

Methods

Labrador retrievers (n= 16) were bathed daily using a dilute dish detergent solution (1.6% detergent solution) over the course of 14 days. Dermal microbial DNA was collectedviasterile swabs (n= 142) taken at days 0, 7, 14, 16, 21, 28, 35, 42, and 49 and analyzed for alpha diversity, beta diversity and relative abundance to assess changes in the dermal microbiotavia16 s sequencing.

Results

Results indicate that daily bathing significantly increased Shannon diversity, Chao1, and several rare amplicon sequence variants. Although typically reported in highest abundance, relative abundance was decreased in the phyla Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria (p< 0.05).

Conclusion

Repeated daily bathing with dilute dish detergent significantly reduced normal healthy dermal microbial taxa and created significant changes in the dermal microbiota of canines. Disruption to the canine dermal microbiota may cause negative impacts to canine dermal health and require further investigation.
Application of Artificial Intelligence for Modeling the Internal Environment Condition of Polyethylene Greenhouses
Authors: Bolandnazar Elham , Sadrnia Hassan , Rohani Abbas , Marinello Francesco , Taki Morteza
Published: August 2023

Accurate temperature prediction and modeling are critical for effective management of agricultural greenhouses. By optimizing control and minimizing energy waste, farmers can maintain optimal environmental conditions, leading to improved crop yields and reduced financial losses. In this study, multiple models, including Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), Radial Basis Function (RBF), and Support Vector Machine (SVM), were compared to predict greenhouse air temperature. External parameters, such as air temperature (Tout), relative humidity (Hout), wind speed (W), and solar radiation (S), were used as inputs for these models, and the output was the inside temperature. The results showed that the RBF model with the LM (Levenberg–Marquardt) learning algorithm outperformed the other models, achieving the lowest error and the highest coefficient of determination (R2) value. The RBF model produced RMSE, MAPE, and R2 values of 1.32 °C, 3.23%, and 0.931, respectively. These results demonstrate that the RBF model with the LM learning algorithm can reliably predict greenhouse air temperatures for the next two hours. The ANN model can be applied to optimize time management and reduce energy losses, improving the overall efficiency of greenhouse operations.
Double-Wound O-Ring Retraction for Chylothorax Surgery in Dogs
Authors: Trębacz Piotr , Frymus Jan , Galanty Marek
Published: August 2023

A suitable wound retraction is crucial for open surgical treatment of chylothorax in dogs. A single paracostal approach for transabdominal/transdiaphragmatic thoracic duct ligation and cisterna chyli ablation is an effective procedure. For the procedure, the use of stay sutures and handheld or automatic soft tissue retractors is recommended. However, it is often necessary to adjust the retractors several times during the surgery to provide sufficient exposure of the thoracic duct. This prolongs the operation and increases infection risk. In this report, we describe the modified application of two o-ring elastic wound retractors (O-WRs) in three large breed dogs with idiopathic chylothorax. We conclude that the O-WRs provide a static circumferential vision of the operation field and good access to the cisterna chyli, especially to the thoracic duct. The usage of other surgical instruments is not hampered by the O-WRs, and the elastic rings are not damaged by the metal instruments. Once placed in the diaphragmatic area, indeed, they do not require further manual retraction.
The Assessment of Withdrawal Interval for Enrofloxacin in Yellow Catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) after Multiple Oral Administrations at Disparate Temperatures
Authors: Xu Ning , Sun Weiyu , Zhang Huan , Li Zhi , Cheng Bo , Ding Yongzhen , Ai Xiaohui
Published: August 2023

The objective of the present study was to investigate the residue depletion of EF and CF in yellow catfish to estimate its WTs in plasma and tissues after multiple oral doses for 3 days at 20 mg/kg at 15, 20, and 25 °C. Samples were collected at pre-designed time points after oral doses. A validated method was performed to quantify EF and CF in plasma and tissues by high-performance liquid chromatography. Statistical differences were conducted using one-way ANOVA analysis. According to the maximum residue limit of China and Europe considering 95% percentile with 95% confidence, the WTs were estimated to be 44, 72, 66, 99, and 95 days at 15 °C; 32, 66, 65, 86, and 73 days at 20 °C; and 32, 61, 64, 55, and 59 days at 25 °C in the plasma, muscle and skin, gill, liver, and kidney, respectively. We found that increased temperature shortened the WTs in plasma and tissues. Therefore, this study can help the risk assessment of EF in aquatic products for human health at different temperatures to avoid residue violation.
Anomalous Incidence of Fatal Musculoskeletal Injury in North American 2-Year-Old Thoroughbred Racehorses in the Year 2020
Authors: Bennet Euan D. , Parkin Tim D. H.
Published: August 2023

Racehorse training and racing schedules in many parts of the United States and Canada were interrupted or otherwise reduced during the first three to six months of 2020. This was an indirect consequence of mitigations to prevent the spread of the pandemic virus COVID-19. Data from the Equine Injury Database, a census-level survey of all race starts made in the USA and Canada, were used to analyse the incidence of fatalities in 2009–2022 among three age cohorts of racehorses within each year. There was a statistically significant increase in the incidence of musculoskeletal fatalities among 2-year-old Thoroughbreds in 2020, compared to the period 2009–2019. In 2021 and 2022, the training schedules of 2-year-old horses returned to pre-2020 levels, as did the incidence of fatalities. The delayed start to training for 2-year-old horses was associated with an increase in risk of fatal musculoskeletal injury for those horses during 2020, but the risk for the same horses in 2021—when they were 3 years old—was not significantly different to the risk for 3-year-olds in any other year. The increased risk of fatal musculoskeletal injury in 2020 was only found among horses that were 2 years old in 2020—horses aged 3 years or more in 2020 were not at increased risk.
Preliminary Results of Measurements of Frontal Plane Knee Alignment Using a Standardized, Sonographic-Assisted Digital Photograph—A Reliable and Accurate Alternative to a Full-Leg Radiograph?
Authors: Memmel Clemens , Meier Christoph , Huber Lorenz , Szymski Dominik , Achenbach Leonard , Koch Matthias , Alt Volker , Krutsch Werner , Weber Johannes
Published: August 2023

(1) Clinical alternatives to the full-leg radiograph (FLR) for determining frontal plane lower limb alignment have shown mixed results so far concerning reliability and accuracy. In addition, intercondylar respectively intermalleolar distance (ICD/IMD) measurement is limited in the interpretation of its results. The purpose of the study is to present a standardized, sonographic-assisted photographic measurement (SPM) of the leg axis in the frontal plane using a digital photograph and compare it with the gold standard of the anterior–posterior FLR. (2) Adults who had recently received an FLR were included in the study. After determining the center of the hip joint and knee joint gap in a standing position via ultrasound, a standardized digital photograph was taken. Subsequently, the hip–knee–ankle angle (HKA) was measured using an image editing program for SPM and FLRs. Mean deviation (MD), Pearson’s correlation coefficient and the clinical method’s interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were calculated. (3) Of 18 subjects (8 male and 10 female), respectively, 34 lower extremities have been included in the study. Their mean BMI was 25.5 kg/m2. The correlation between the two measurement methods for subjects with BMI < 30 kg/m2 was reliably high (r = 0.93, p < 0.001). The HKAs derived from SPM and FLRs showed a mean deviation (MD) of 2.4° (range 0.1–6.0°) for subjects with BMI < 30 kg/m2. The average ICC among all examiners conducting the SPM was 0.99 (CI 0.95–0.99, p < 0.001). The MD for subjects ≥ 30 kg/m2 increased significantly (MD = 5.5°; n = 10, p < 0.001). (4) SPM of the leg axis in the frontal plane allows sufficiently accurate results in patients with a BMI lower than 30 kg/m2. The methodology is limited in cases of increased BMI and needs well-trained examiners. Nevertheless, as a screening method in the field of children and adolescents, this method can be recommended in clinical daily routine.
Incidence of Injuries in Elite Spanish Male Youth Football Players: A Season-Long Study with Under-10 to Under-18 Athletes
Authors: Barguerias-Martínez Jesus , Espada Mário C. , Perdomo-Alonso Abian , Gomez-Carrero Sergio , Costa Aldo M. , Hernández-Beltrán Víctor , Gamonales José M.
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study was to analyse the injuries sustained by youth football players from a professional team of the Spanish League integrated into an elite academy, considering the sporting context, the month, and the category of the player throughout the 2017–2018 football season. A total of 227 players in under (U) age categories from U-10 to U-18, with two age-groups in each category (A and B), except U-18, with three groups (A, B and, C), were evaluated. Of the 242 cases, 196 injuries were observed. Injury recurrence or different injuries were observed in the same football player during the season, specifically in the older age categories. With regard to the location of injuries, sixteen different parts of the body were associated with injuries, with five of those totalizing the majority of incidence (162 injuries): the ankle (19), the foot (10), the hip (22), the knee (27), and the thigh (74). A negative relationship was observed between the sporting context and the number of injuries sustained (Rho = −0.203; p = 0.002), and a positive relationship between the category and the number of injuries was identified (Rho = 0.488; p < 0.001). Of the total, 118 injuries were sustained during training (62.8%), 70 were sustained in competitive moments (37.2%), and the remaining cases were associated with accidents outside football. The majority of injuries were muscular (101), followed by articular injuries (49), with both combined accounting for 150 of the total injuries. Though no relationship was observed between month and number of injuries (Rho = −0.024; p = 0.707), the months associated with the restart of training routines after interruptions (August, September, and January) were the highest, other than May, in which the highest number of injuries was observed. The findings in this study suggested that it is advisable to carry out a greater number of hours of injury prevention training in U-16 and U-18. Coaches should routinely monitor young players’ development in order to adapt and balance training interventions to individual needs, and they should consider implementing specific injury risk mitigation strategies in youth football based on the long-term development of the football players. Additionally, it is our understanding that it is essential to program, perform, and monitor specific training sessions or even specific training tasks considering the player’s category and long-term sporting development.
Composite Fault Diagnosis of Rolling Bearings: A Feature Selection Approach Based on the Causal Feature Network
Authors: Gao Kuo , Wu Zongning , Yu Chongchong , Li Mengxiong , Liu Sihan
Published: August 2023

A rolling bearing is a complex system consisting of the inner race, outer race, rolling element, etc. The interaction of components may lead to composite faults. Selecting the features that can accurately identify the fault type from the composite fault features with causality among components is key to composite fault diagnosis. To tackle this issue, we propose a feature selection approach for composite fault diagnosis based on the causal feature network. Based on the incremental association Markov blanket discovery, we first use the algorithm to mine the causal relationships between composite fault features and construct the causal feature network. Then, we draw upon the nodes’ centrality indicators in the complex network to quantify the importance of composite fault features. We also propose the criteria for threshold selection to determine the number of features in the optimal feature subset. Experimental results on the standard dataset for composite fault diagnosis show that our approach of using the causal relationship between features and the nodes’ centrality indicators of complex network can effectively identify the key features in composite fault signals and improve the accuracy of composite fault diagnosis. Experimental results thus verify our approach’s effectiveness.
Measurement Uncertainty Analysis of the Stitching Linear-Scan Method for the Measurable Dimension of Small Cylinders
Authors: Zhao Jiali , Zhang Liang , Wu Dan , Shen Bobo , Li Qiaolin
Published: August 2023

A stitching linear scan method is proposed for roundness and diameter measurement of small cylindrical workpieces instead of the conventional rotary scan method due to the crucial alignments of eccentricity and inclination. To verify the reliability of the proposed method, by which the coordinates of the cross-sectional circle of a small cylinder is divided into several equal parts to be obtained and reconstructed, the diameter and roundness measurement uncertainties of the small cylinders with a diameter 1.5 mm are evaluated to be 0.047 μm and 0.095 μm, respectively, which can meet the uncertainty target of 0.1 μm. To investigate the measurable dimension by the proposed method, measurement uncertainty analysis of the small cylinders with various dimensions has been conducted according to the previous evaluation, since all the procedures are the same except for the uncertainty of X coordinates, which changes with the measured dimension’s change. The results show that the small cylinders with a diameter range from 0.01 mm to 50 mm can be measured by the proposed method when the position error θZ is reduced to the corresponding value. There is no measuring limitation set by the proposed model theoretically in the case of θX = θZ = 0.1°, while the machine has a measuring limitation.
The Laplace Transform Shortcut Solution to a One-Dimensional Heat Conduction Model with Dirichlet Boundary Conditions
Authors: Wu Dan , Tao Yuezan , Ren Honglei
Published: August 2023

When using the Laplace transform to solve a one-dimensional heat conduction model with Dirichlet boundary conditions, the integration and transformation processes become complex and cumbersome due to the varying properties of the boundary function f(t). Meanwhile, if f(t) has a complex functional form, e.g., an exponential decay function, the product of the image function of the Laplace transform and the general solution to the model cannot be obtained directly due to the difficulty in solving the inverse. To address this issue, operators are introduced to replace f(t) in the transformation process. Based on the properties of the Laplace transform and the convolution theorem, without the direct involvement of f(t) in the transformation, a general theoretical solution incorporating f(t) is derived, which consists of the product of erfc(t) and f(0), as well as the convolution of erfc(t) and the derivative of f(t). Then, by substituting f(t) into the general theoretical solution, the corresponding analytical solution is formulated. Based on the general theoretical solution, analytical solutions are given for f(t) as a commonly used function. Finally, combined with an exemplifying application demonstration based on the test data of temperature T(x, t) at point x away from the boundary and the characteristics of curve T(x, t) − t and curve 𝜕T(x, t)/𝜕t − t, the inflection point and curve fitting methods are established for the inversion of model parameters.
Vascular Dysfunctions Contribute to the Long-Term Cognitive Deficits Following COVID-19
Authors: Shabani Zahra , Liu Jialing , Su Hua
Published: August 2023

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a single-stranded RNA virus and a member of the corona virus family, primarily affecting the upper respiratory system and the lungs. Like many other respiratory viruses, SARS-CoV-2 can spread to other organ systems. Apart from causing diarrhea, another very common but debilitating complication caused by SARS-CoV-2 is neurological symptoms and cognitive difficulties, which occur in up to two thirds of hospitalized COVID-19 patients and range from shortness of concentration and overall declined cognitive speed to executive or memory function impairment. Neuro-cognitive dysfunction and “brain fog” are frequently present in COVID-19 cases, which can last several months after the infection, leading to disruption of daily life. Cumulative evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 affects vasculature in the extra-pulmonary systems directly or indirectly, leading to impairment of endothelial function and even multi-organ damage. The post COVID-19 long-lasting neurocognitive impairments have not been studied fully and their underlying mechanism remains elusive. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the effects of COVID-19 on vascular dysfunction and how vascular dysfunction leads to cognitive impairment in patients.
The Impact of Head-Up Tilt Sleeping on Orthostatic Tolerance: A Scoping Review
Authors: van der Stam Amber H. , Shmuely Sharon , de Vries Nienke M. , Bloem Bastiaan R. , Thijs Roland D.
Published: August 2023

To systematically summarize the evidence of head-up tilt sleeping (HUTS) on orthostatic tolerance, we conducted a systematic, predefined search in PubMed, OVID Embase, Cochrane and Web of Science. We included studies assessing the effect of HUTS on orthostatic tolerance and other cardiovascular measures and rated the quality with the American Academy of Neurology risk of bias tool. We included 10 studies (n = 185) in four groups: orthostatic hypotension (OH; 6 studies, n = 103), vasovagal syncope (1 study, n = 12), nocturnal angina pectoris (1 study, n = 10) and healthy subjects (2 studies, n = 58). HUTS duration varied (1 day–4 months) with variable inclinations (5°–15°). In two of six OH studies, HUTS significantly improved standing systolic blood pressure. Orthostatic tolerance was consistently enhanced in OH studies with higher angles (≥12°), in 2 out of 3 with smaller angles (5°) but also in one studying horizontal sleeping. In vasovagal syncope, HUTS significantly augmented resilience to extreme orthostatic stress. One study was rated as a class II risk of bias, one of Class II/III and eight of Class IV. The evidence favouring HUTS to improve orthostatic tolerance is weak due to variable interventions, populations, small samples and a high risk of bias. Despite this, we found some physiological signs suggesting a beneficial effect.
Bright NIR-Emitting Styryl Pyridinium Dyes with Large Stokes’ Shift for Sensing Applications
Authors: Wickramasinghe Nirasha I. , Corbin Brian , Kanakarathna Devni Y. , Pang Yi , Abeywickrama Chathura S. , Wijesinghe Kaveesha J.
Published: August 2023

Two NIR-emitting donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) type regioisomeric styryl pyridinium dyes (1a–1b) were synthesized and studied for their photophysical performance and environment sensitivity. The two regioisomers, 1a and 1b, exhibited interesting photophysical properties including, longer wavelength excitation (λex ≈ 530–560 nm), bright near-infrared emission (λem ≈ 690–720 nm), high-fluorescence quantum yields (ϕfl ≈ 0.24–0.72) large Stokes’ shift (∆λ ≈ 150–240 nm) and high-environmental sensitivity. Probe’s photophysical properties were studied in different environmental conditions such as polarity, viscosity, temperature, and concentration. Probes (1a–1b) exhibited noticeable changes in absorbance, emission and Stokes’ shift while responding to the changes in physical environment. Probe 1b exhibited a significant bathochromic shift in optical spectra (∆λ ≈ 20–40 nm) compared to its isomer 1a, due to the regio-effect. Probes (1a–1b) exhibited an excellent ability to visualize bacteria (Bacillus megaterium, Escherichia coli), and yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) via fluorescence microscopy.
The Improved para-Selective C(sp2)-H Borylation of Anisole Derivatives Enabled by Bulky Lewis Acid
Authors: Li Dai-Yu , Yu Rui-Mu , Li Jin-Ping , Yang Deng-Feng , Pang Qi , Li Hong-Liang
Published: August 2023

An improved para-selective C(sp2)-H borylation of anisole derivatives is described. The selective borylation is probably dominated by the change in electron density on the aromatic ring when a Lewis acid is coordinated with an anisole substrate. In addition, a sterically hindered bipyridyl ligand used in the reaction also favors para-selectivity. With this strategy, it has been demonstrated that the ratio of para-borylated products could be dramatically improved. The reaction proceeds at a milder temperature, and most substrates display moderate to good site-selectivity.
Recyclable Ni-Containing Coordination Polymer as an Efficient Catalyst for the Synthesis of Oxindole and Quinoline Derivatives through the Borrowing Hydrogen Strategy
Authors: Li Jiahao , Tang Jiajie , Wang Likui , Wang Dawei , Duan Zheng-Chao
Published: August 2023

A coordination polymer Ni-CIA has been designed, synthesized, and characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The resulting polymer reveals a slice layer stacked combination structure and good stability. Importantly, this polymer exhibited high catalytic activity for the synthesis of oxindole and quinoline derivatives via borrowing hydrogen and dehydrogenation reactions. Meanwhile, several control reactions were carried out to investigate the possible mechanisms of this transformation. Finally, the results of the recycling experiment indicate that the coordination polymer Ni-CIA could be recovered and reused at least five times.
Planetary Health—Global Environmental Change and Emerging Infectious Disease: A New Undergraduate Online Asynchronous Course
Authors: Monteiro Kristina , Davy Ciciely , Maurier Jesse , Smith Katherine F.
Published: August 2023

Will a warmer world be a sicker world? What is it about the New England landscape that supports the proliferation of Lyme disease? How are local wildlife trade and global species invasions contributors to emerging diseases such as the 2003 outbreak of monkey pox virus in the midwestern United States? Undergraduate students explore these and related questions in BIOL 1455 Planetary Health: global environmental change and emerging infectious disease—a new online asynchronous course at Brown University. Planetary health is gaining traction in the curricula of institutions of higher learning and online asynchronous courses offer the promise of scaling up to make grand challenges education accessible to many. In our new course, we assessed student learning outcomes (LOs) and sentiment towards the health of humans and the planet using a mixed-methods approach. Students demonstrated competency in each of the LOs after course completion as measured in a pre–post assessment scored with a standardized rubric. Student sentiment was analyzed with an immersion–crystallization qualitative analysis to elucidate themes in responses to the assessments. Many themes on the pre-assessment focused on barriers and problems associated with the health of humans and the planet, while themes on the post-assessment centered on more solutions-based thinking. Collectively, these findings indicate that this online asynchronous course successfully educated students about the myriad challenges facing human and planetary health, broadened knowledge of environmental changes (beyond climate change) that impact health, formalized understanding of now common terms such as “emerging infectious diseases”, and bolstered hope by offering solutions and peer community (even when virtual). Future efforts to integrate planetary health into higher education should focus on broadly accessible and scalable courses, full programs of study (i.e., majors/scholarly concentrations), and extension into institutional programs focused on ensuring equity and wellness for all.
Handle with Care: A Narrative Review of Infant Safe Sleep Practices across Clinical Guidelines and Social Media to Reduce SIDS
Authors: Jawed Aysha , Ehrhardt Catherine , Rye Molly
Published: August 2023

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a leading cause of infant mortality across the United States and the world. There are multiple environmental and behavioral determinants of sudden infant death which are modifiable risk factors and potential targets for intervention. In this increasingly digital era, health education and communication on SIDS have taken many forms, which extend to social media. Current published studies on coverage of infant safe sleep practices are scant and were published well before the newly revised guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics that review ways to prevent infant sleep-related deaths based on evidence-based SIDS-reduction measures. In this Perspective: Review of a Pediatric Field, the current state of published knowledge and coverage on a range of infant safe sleep considerations across social media are reviewed. We delineate gaps in the knowledge and practice as well as the central differences between the 2016 and 2022 AAP Safe Sleep guidelines. We also present recommendations for further research and practice which support coverage of future content on the revised guidelines across social media as the basis to present the most up-to-date and evidence-based information for reducing sudden infant death from sleep-related causes. Tapping into the potential of social media as a learning modality in health promotion also contributes towards the larger goal of the World Health Organization, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and Healthy People 2030 to reduce infant mortality on both global and national levels.
Genetic Approach to Improve Cryptographic Properties of Balanced Boolean Functions Using Bent Functions
Authors: Özçekiç Erol , Kavut Selçuk , Kutucu Hakan
Published: August 2023

Recently, balanced Boolean functions with an even number n of variables achieving very good autocorrelation properties have been obtained for 12≤n≤26. These functions attain the maximum absolute value in the autocorrelation spectra (without considering the zero point) less than 2n2 and are found by using a heuristic search algorithm that is based on the design method of an infinite class of such functions for a higher number of variables. Here, we consider balanced Boolean functions that are closest to the bent functions in terms of the Hamming distance and perform a genetic algorithm efficiently aiming to optimize their cryptographic properties, which provides better absolute indicator values for all of those values of n for the first time. We also observe that among our results, the functions for 16≤n≤26 have nonlinearity greater than 2n−1−2n2. In the process, our search strategy produces balanced Boolean functions with the best-known nonlinearity for 8≤n≤16.
Nanoscale MOF–Protein Composites for Theranostics
Authors: Zhou Xiantai , Zhong Zhiying , Xu Ning , Zhong Shenghui
Published: August 2023

Nanoscale metal–organic frameworks (nMOFs) have gained increasingly more attention as attractive support materials in the immobilization and delivery of proteins for disease theranostics in recent years owing to their various advantages, such as large specific surface areas, well-ordered pore structures, aperture channel distributions, and ease of functionalization. Here, we present an overview of recent progress in nMOF–protein composites for disease theranostics. First, advantages and construction strategies of nMOF–protein composites as drug carriers are introduced. Then, therapeutic modalities and theranostic nanosystems based on nMOF–protein composites are reviewed. Next, we pay specific attention to their biosafety, biodistribution, and excretion in vivo. Finally, the challenges and limitations of nMOF–protein composites for biomedical applications are discussed, along with future perspectives in the field.
Small Bowel Neuroendocrine Tumors—10-Year Experience of the Ottawa Hospital (TOH)
Authors: Alfagih Abdulhameed , AlJassim Abdulaziz , Alqahtani Nasser , Vickers Michael , Goodwin Rachel , Asmis Timothy
Published: August 2023

(1) Aim: The prevalence and incidence of small bowel NETs have increased significantly over the past two decades. This study aims to report the 10-year experience of SB-NET management at a regional cancer center in Canada. (2) Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective study of the clinical and pathological data of patients diagnosed with biopsy-proven SB-NET at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH), Ottawa, Canada between 2011 and 2021. We report the clinicopathological characteristics of these patients, as well as their outcomes data, including survival rates. (3) Results: Between 2011 and 2021, a total of 177 SB-NET cases were identified with 51% (n = 91) of cases being males. The most common sites of the tumors were the ileum 53% (n = 94), followed by the duodenum 9% (n = 16) and jejunum 7% (n = 12). Approximately 24% (n = 42) of the patients had symptoms for over six months prior to diagnosis and 18% (n = 32) had functioning SB-NET during the course of the disease. The majority of patients had locally advanced or metastatic disease at the time of presentation with stage III, and stage IV representing 42% (n = 75), and 41% (n = 73) respectively. The majority of patients 84% (n = 148) had well-differentiated histology. One hundred twenty patients underwent surgical resection of the primary tumor including 28 patients (16%) with limited metastatic disease. A total of 21 patients (18%) had recurrence after curative surgery. A total of 62 patients (35%) received first-line somatostatin analog (SSA) therapy for unresectable disease and seven patients had PRRT after progression on SSA. Five years OS was 100%, 91%, 97%, and 73% for stages I, II, III, and IV respectively. In univariate analysis, carcinoid symptoms, T stage, and differentiation were significant predictors for worse overall survival, but not RFS. (4) Conclusions: Compared to published historical controls, our study suggests improvement in the 5-year survival rate of SB-NETs over the last 10 years.
Comparison of Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms Identification Using Different Machine Learning Algorithms and Radiomics
Authors: Yang Beisheng , Li Wenjie , Wu Xiaojia , Zhong Weijia , Wang Jing , Zhou Yu , Huang Tianxing , Zhou Lu , Zhou Zhiming
Published: August 2023

Different machine learning algorithms have different characteristics and applicability. This study aims to predict ruptured intracranial aneurysms by radiomics models based on different machine learning algorithms and evaluate their differences in the same data condition. A total of 576 patients with intracranial aneurysms (192 ruptured and 384 unruptured intracranial aneurysms) from two institutions are included and randomly divided into training and validation cohorts in a ratio of 7:3. Of the 107 radiomics features extracted from computed tomography angiography images, seven features stood out. Then, radiomics features and 12 common machine learning algorithms, including the decision-making tree, support vector machine, logistic regression, Gaussian Naive Bayes, k-nearest neighbor, random forest, extreme gradient boosting, bagging classifier, AdaBoost, gradient boosting, light gradient boosting machine, and CatBoost were applied to construct models for predicting ruptured intracranial aneurysms, and the predictive performance of all models was compared. In the validation cohort, the area under curve (AUC) values of models based on AdaBoost, gradient boosting, and CatBoost for predicting ruptured intracranial aneurysms were 0.889, 0.883, and 0.864, respectively, with no significant differences among them. Of note, the performance of these models was significantly superior to that of the other nine models. The AUC of the AdaBoost model in the cross-validation was within the range of 0.842 to 0.918. Radiomics models based on the machine learning algorithms can be used to predict ruptured intracranial aneurysms, and the prediction efficacy differs among machine learning algorithms. The boosting algorithms might be superior in the application of radiomics combined with the machine learning algorithm to predict aneurysm ruptures.
Update on the Pathogenesis of Enteropathy-Associated T-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Abdullah Shahed Azzam Ahmed , Goa Patricia , Vandenberghe Elisabeth , Flavin Richard
Published: August 2023

EATL is an aggressive T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma with poor prognosis and is largely localized to the small intestine. EATL is closely associated with coeliac disease (CD) and is seen mostly in patients originating from Northern Europe. Various factors are associated with an increased risk of developing EATL, such as viral infection, advanced age, being male, and the presence of the HLA-DQ2 haplotype. Clonal rearrangements in the TCR-β and γ genes have been reported in all EATL morphological variants with distinctive immunophenotypic characteristics. Although EATL can occur de novo, individuals with RCDII are at a higher risk of developing EATL. The cells of origin of EATL has been postulated to be normal small intestinal intraepithelial T-lymphocytes (IELs), and more recent evidence suggests a link between innate precursor IELs and EATL derived from refractory coeliac disease type II (RCDII). The immune microenvironment of mucosal cells within the small intestine enhances the process of neoplastic transformation of IELs into EATL. Cytokines such as IL-15 can activate and crucially deregulate the JAK-STAT signaling pathway by binding to receptors on the surface of IELs. Furthermore, mutations in the JAK/STAT pathway have been associated with RCDII-derived EATL.
Skin Lesion Synthesis and Classification Using an Improved DCGAN Classifier
Authors: Behara Kavita , Bhero Ernest , Agee John Terhile
Published: August 2023

The prognosis for patients with skin cancer improves with regular screening and checkups. Unfortunately, many people with skin cancer do not receive a diagnosis until the disease has advanced beyond the point of effective therapy. Early detection is critical, and automated diagnostic technologies like dermoscopy, an imaging device that detects skin lesions early in the disease, are a driving factor. The lack of annotated data and class-imbalance datasets makes using automated diagnostic methods challenging for skin lesion classification. In recent years, deep learning models have performed well in medical diagnosis. Unfortunately, such models require a substantial amount of annotated data for training. Applying a data augmentation method based on generative adversarial networks (GANs) to classify skin lesions is a plausible solution by generating synthetic images to address the problem. This article proposes a skin lesion synthesis and classification model based on an Improved Deep Convolutional Generative Adversarial Network (DCGAN). The proposed system generates realistic images using several convolutional neural networks, making training easier. Scaling, normalization, sharpening, color transformation, and median filters enhance image details during training. The proposed model uses generator and discriminator networks, global average pooling with 2 × 2 fractional-stride, backpropagation with a constant learning rate of 0.01 instead of 0.0002, and the most effective hyperparameters for optimization to efficiently generate high-quality synthetic skin lesion images. As for the classification, the final layer of the Discriminator is labeled as a classifier for predicting the target class. This study deals with a binary classification predicting two classes—benign and malignant—in the ISIC2017 dataset: accuracy, recall, precision, and F1-score model classification performance. BAS measures classifier accuracy on imbalanced datasets. The DCGAN Classifier model demonstrated superior performance with a notable accuracy of 99.38% and 99% for recall, precision, F1 score, and BAS, outperforming the state-of-the-art deep learning models. These results show that the DCGAN Classifier can generate high-quality skin lesion images and accurately classify them, making it a promising tool for deep learning-based medical image analysis.
Storylines in Voices of Frustration: Implications for Mathematics Teacher Education in Changing Times
Authors: Andersson Annica , Foyn Trine , Simensen Anita Movik , Wagner David
Published: August 2023

We have interviewed becoming mathematics teachers, in the last semester of their education, asking how they experience their time as teacher students with the focus on inclusive teaching. In their forthcoming daily work, they will be responsible for arranging for inclusive teaching that addresses all the learners’ needs in mathematics. We believe the voices of future teachers are important to include in conversations about how programs prepare future mathematics teachers for the work of teaching in today’s schools and classrooms. We used storylines as a theoretical construct to discuss the socio-political aspects of mathematics teacher education through the lens of two research questions: What storylines emerged in interviews with becoming mathematics teachers in their last semester of teacher education when they talked about teaching in diverse classrooms? What implications might these storylines have on mathematics teacher education? Our analysis made us aware of three important storylines: (1) storylines about the importance of language in mathematics education; (2) storylines about the importance of accepting diverse methods when doing mathematics; and (3) storylines about issues of invisibility at play in mathematics classrooms. In this paper, we discuss the importance of creating space for discussions in teacher education about issues that may challenge inclusive practices in mathematics classrooms.
Election of MPR Nodes and Detection of Malicious Nodes Based on a Byzantine Fault in the OLSR Protocol Case of a Scale-Free Network
Authors: Idboufker Noureddine , Mssassi Souhail , Alaoui Chahid Mohamed , Zougagh Hicham
Published: August 2023

V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) communications play a crucial role in enabling the efficient and reliable exchange of information among vehicles, infrastructure, and other entities in smart transportation systems. However, the inherent vulnerabilities and dynamic nature of V2X networks present significant challenges for ensuring secure and trustworthy communication. By enhancing the security of the OLSR (Optimized Link State Routing) protocol through secure MultiPoint Relays (MPRs) Selection, this research aims to provide a robust approach that enhances the overall security posture of V2X networks, enabling safe and secure interactions between vehicles and their environment. The proposed method is based on the Byzantine general’s problem, which is the principle used in blockchain. Compared to the classical flooding mechanism, this technique greatly reduces network traffic overhead and improves the efficiency of bandwidth utilization. The results demonstrated that the proposed algorithm performed better than the well-used UM-OLSR implementation. The outcome proved that our MPR election algorithm guarantees a better packet delivery ratio, and it also performs very well in the detection and isolation of malicious nodes, leading to increased security of the OLSR protocol control plane.
Detection of Forest Fires through Deep Unsupervised Learning Modeling of Sentinel-1 Time Series
Authors: Di Martino Thomas , Le Saux Bertrand , Guinvarc’h Régis , Thirion-Lefevre Laetitia , Colin Elise
Published: August 2023

With an increase in the amount of natural disasters, the combined use of cloud-penetrating Synthetic Aperture Radar and deep learning becomes unavoidable for their monitoring. This article proposes a methodology for forest fire detection using unsupervised location-expert autoencoders and Sentinel-1 SAR time series. The models are trained on SAR multitemporal images over a specific area using a reference period and extract any deviating time series over that same area for the test period. We present three variations of the autoencoder, incorporating either temporal features or spatiotemporal features, and we compare it against a state-of-the-art supervised autoencoder. Despite their limitations, we show that unsupervised approaches are on par with supervised techniques, performance-wise. A specific architecture, the fully temporal autoencoder, stands out as the best-performing unsupervised approach by leveraging temporal information of Sentinel-1 time series using one-dimensional convolutional layers. The approach is generic and can be applied to many applications, though we focus here on forest fire detection in Canadian boreal forests as a successful use case.
SARS-CoV-2 Spike Proteins and Cell–Cell Communication Induce P-Selectin and Markers of Endothelial Injury, NETosis, and Inflammation in Human Lung Microvascular Endothelial Cells and Neutrophils: Implications for the Pathogenesis of COVID-19 Coagulopathy
Authors: Bhargavan Biju , Kanmogne Georgette D.
Published: August 2023

COVID-19 progression often involves severe lung injury, inflammation, coagulopathy, and leukocyte infiltration into pulmonary tissues. The pathogenesis of these complications is unknown. Because vascular endothelium and neutrophils express angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 and spike (S)-proteins, which are present in bodily fluids and tissues of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients, we investigated the effect of S-proteins and cell–cell communication on human lung microvascular endothelial cells and neutrophils expression of P-selectin, markers of coagulopathy, NETosis, and inflammation. Exposure of endothelial cells or neutrophils to S-proteins and endothelial–neutrophils co-culture induced P-selectin transcription and expression, significantly increased expression/secretion of IL-6, von Willebrand factor (vWF, pro-coagulant), and citrullinated histone H3 (cit-H3, NETosis marker). Compared to the SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan variant, Delta variant S-proteins induced 1.4–15-fold higher P-selectin and higher IL-6 and vWF. Recombinant tissue factor pathway inhibitor (rTFPI), 5,5′-dithio-bis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (thiol blocker), and thrombomodulin (anticoagulant) blocked S-protein-induced vWF, IL-6, and cit-H3. This suggests that following SARS-CoV-2 contact with the pulmonary endothelium or neutrophils and endothelial–neutrophil interactions, S-proteins increase adhesion molecules, induce endothelial injury, inflammation, NETosis and coagulopathy via the tissue factor pathway, mechanisms involving functional thiol groups, and/or the fibrinolysis system. Using rTFPI, effectors of the fibrinolysis system and/or thiol-based drugs could be viable therapeutic strategies against SARS-CoV-2-induced endothelial injury, inflammation, NETosis, and coagulopathy.