bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation of a Novel NiAlO Composite Oxide Catalyst for the Dehydrogenation of Methylcyclohexane
Authors: Wang Dongliang , Lei Qian , Li Hongwei , Li Guixian , Zhao Yu
Published: August 2022

A series of NiAlO composite oxide catalysts with high surface areas and high Ni dispersion were prepared through an improved co-precipitation method. The new preparation method effectively improved the specific surface area and pore volume of the catalyst, promoted the dispersion of nickel species, alleviated the agglomeration of the catalyst, and improved the stability of the catalyst by strengthening the interaction between Ni and Al. The typical catalyst Ni20Al had a specific surface area of 359 m2/g and a NiAl2O4 phase. In the dehydrogenation of methylcyclohexane over the Ni20Al catalyst, the conversion of methylcyclohexane could reach 77.4%, with toluene selectivity of 85.6%, and a hydrogen release rate of 63.94 mmol g−1 h−1, and did not show any significant inactivation during the stability test over 29 h under the reaction conditions of reaction temperature 450 °C and LHSV = 4 mL g−1 h−1. However, the conversion of methylcyclohexane with the IM-NiAl catalyst prepared through the traditional impregnation method was only 50.75%, with toluene selectivity of 70.5%, and with a hydrogen release rate of 35.84 mmol g−1 h−1, and the lifetime of the catalyst was only 15 h.
LLDPE-like Polymers Accessible via Ethylene Homopolymerization Using Nitro-Appended 2-(Arylimino)pyridine-nickel Catalysts
Authors: Sage Desalegn , Zhang Qiuyue , Liu Ming , Solan Gregory , Sun Yang , Sun Wen-Hua
Published: August 2022

Four examples of para-nitro substituted 2-(arylimino)pyridine-nickel(II) bromide complexes of general formula, [2-{(2,6-R-4-NO2C6H2)N=CMe}C5H4N]NiBr2, but differentiable by the steric/electronic properties displayed by the ortho-groups [R = i-Pr (Ni1), Et (Ni2), CHPh2 (Ni3), CH(4-FPh)2 (Ni4)], have been prepared in good yield. For comparative purposes, the meta-nitro complex, [2-{(2,6-i-Pr2-3-NO2-4-(4-FPh)2C6H)N=CMe}C5H4N]NiBr2 (Ni5), has also been synthesized. The molecular structures of mononuclear Ni3·xH2O (x = 2, 3) and bromide-bridged dinuclear Ni4 and Ni5 are disclosed. Upon activation with either ethylaluminum dichloride (EtAlCl2) or modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO), all precatalysts displayed good catalytic performance at operating temperatures between 30 °C and 60 °C with higher activities generally seen using EtAlCl2 [up to 4.7 × 106 g PE (mol of Ni)−1 h−1]: Ni2 ~ Ni5 > Ni1 ~ Ni4 > Ni3. In terms of the resultant polyethylene (PE), Ni4/EtAlCl2 formed the highest molecular weight of the series (Mw up to 1.4 × 105 g mol−1) with dispersities (Mw/Mn) ranging from narrow to broad (Mw/Mn range: 2.2–24.4). Moreover, the melting temperatures (Tm) of the polymers generated via EtAlCl2 activation fell in a narrow range, 117.8–126.0 °C, which resembles that seen for industrial-grade linear-low density polyethylene (LLDPE). Indeed, their 13C NMR spectra revealed significant amounts of uniformly distributed long-chain branches (LCBs), while internal vinylene groups constituted the major type of chain unsaturation [vinylene:vinyl = 5.3:1 (EtAlCl2) and 9.9:1 (MMAO)].
Coupling Interface Construction of Ni(OH)2/MoS2 Composite Electrode for Efficient Alkaline Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Liu Ge , Ouyang Xuezhi , Wei Xue-Ling , Bao Wei-Wei , Feng Xiao-Hua , Zhang Jun-Jun
Published: August 2022

The transition metal-based catalysts have excellent electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction catalytic activity in alkaline electrolytes, attracting a significant number of researchers’ attention. Herein, we used two-step hydrothermal and solvothermal methods to prepare a Ni(OH)2/MoS2/NF electrocatalyst. The electrocatalyst displayed outstanding OER activity in 1.0 M KOH electrolyte with lower overpotential (296 mV at 50 mA·cm−2) and remarkable durability. Comprehensive analysis shows that reinforcement of the catalytic function is due to the synergistic effect between Ni(OH)2 and MoS2, which can provide more highly active sites for the catalyst. This also provides a reliable strategy for the application of heterogeneous interface engineering in energy catalysis.
Drosophila as a Model for Human Viral Neuroinfections
Authors: Benoit Ilena , Di Curzio Domenico , Civetta Alberto , Douville Renée N.
Published: August 2022

The study of human neurological infection faces many technical and ethical challenges. While not as common as mammalian models, the use of Drosophila (fruit fly) in the investigation of virus–host dynamics is a powerful research tool. In this review, we focus on the benefits and caveats of using Drosophila as a model for neurological infections and neuroimmunity. Through the examination of in vitro, in vivo and transgenic systems, we highlight select examples to illustrate the use of flies for the study of exogenous and endogenous viruses associated with neurological disease. In each case, phenotypes in Drosophila are compared to those in human conditions. In addition, we discuss antiviral drug screening in flies and how investigating virus–host interactions may lead to novel antiviral drug targets. Together, we highlight standardized and reproducible readouts of fly behaviour, motor function and neurodegeneration that permit an accurate assessment of neurological outcomes for the study of viral infection in fly models. Adoption of Drosophila as a valuable model system for neurological infections has and will continue to guide the discovery of many novel virus–host interactions.
Potential Therapeutic Role of Mesenchymal-Derived Stem Cells as an Alternative Therapy to Combat COVID-19 through Cytokines Storm
Authors: Upadhyay Tarun Kumar , Trivedi Rashmi , Khan Fahad , Pandey Pratibha , Sharangi Amit Baran , Goel Harsh , Saeed Mohd , Park Moon Nyeo , Kim Bonglee
Published: August 2022

Medical health systems continue to be challenged due to newly emerging COVID-19, and there is an urgent need for alternative approaches for treatment. An increasing number of clinical observations indicate cytokine storms to be associated with COVID-19 severity and also to be a significant cause of death among COVID-19 patients. Cytokine storm involves the extensive proliferative and hyperactive activity of T and macrophage cells and the overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Stem cells are the type of cell having self-renewal properties and giving rise to differentiated cells. Currently, stem cell therapy is an exciting and promising therapeutic approach that can treat several diseases that were considered incurable in the past. It may be possible to develop novel methods to treat various diseases by identifying stem cells’ growth and differentiation factors. Treatment with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in medicine is anticipated to be highly effective. The present review article is organized to put forward the positive arguments and implications in support of mesenchymal stem cell therapy as an alternative therapy to cytokine storms, to combat COVID-19. Using the immunomodulatory potential of the MSCs, it is possible to fight against COVID-19 and counterbalance the cytokine storm.
IL-10 Producing B Cells Protect against LPS-Induced Murine Preterm Birth by Promoting PD1- and ICOS-Expressing T Cells
Authors: Busse Mandy , Zenclussen Ana Claudia
Published: August 2022

B cells and in particular IL-10-secreting B cells emerge as important players in immune balance during pregnancy. We have recently revealed that CD19-deficient (CD19−/−), B cell-specific IL-10-deficient (BIL-10−/−) and B cell-deficient µMT pregnant mice are highly susceptible to LPS-induced preterm birth (PTB). We aimed to analyze the ability of IL-10-secreting cells to protect from PTB and the underlying mechanisms. Wild type (WT), CD19−/−, BIL-10−/− and µMT mice were treated with LPS at gd16 and the cellular immune response was investigated 24 h later. LPS-treated BIL-10−/− dams showed a more pronounced PTB phenotype compared to WT, CD19−/− and µMT females, and increased inflammatory and reduced anti-inflammatory mediator concentrations in the peritoneal cavity and serum. CD19−/−, BIL-10−/− and µMT mice displayed altered immune cell population frequencies in the blood and uterus with lower numbers of IL-10-secreting B cells and T cells. BIL-10−/− mothers presented decreased frequencies of uterine CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells. Co-stimulatory molecules are critical for feto-maternal tolerance and IL-10 secretion. We found dysregulated PD-1 expression in peripheral blood and ICOS expression in the uterus of CD19−/−, BIL-10−/− and µMT dams. Our data show that B cell-specific IL-10-signaling is essential for a balanced maternal immune response to an inflammatory stimulant that cannot be hampered without IL-10-secreting B cells.
Contribution from MHC-Mediated Risk in Schizophrenia Can Reflect a More Ethnic-Specific Genetic and Comorbid Background
Authors: Srinivas Lekshmy , Vellichirammal Neetha N. , Nair Indu V. , Nair Chandrasekharan M. , Banerjee Moinak
Published: August 2022

The immune system seems to play a significant role in the development of schizophrenia. This becomes more evident with the emerging role of MHC complex and cytokines in schizophrenia. In the recent past, several GWAS have implied that the 6p21 region was associated with schizophrenia. However, the majority of these studies were performed in European populations. Considering tremendous variations in this region and the probability of South Indian populations being quite different from the European gene-pool from an immunogenetic point, the present study was initiated to screen SNPs in the 2.28 MB region, spanning the extended MHC locus, in 492 cases and controls from a South Indian population. We found a very strong association of rs3815087 with schizophrenia at both allelic and genotypic levels with a 7.3-fold increased risk in the recessive model. Interestingly, the association of none of the earlier reported GWAS hits, such as rs3130375, rs3131296, rs9272219, or rs3130297 were found to be replicable in our study population. rs3815087 lies in the 5′UTR region of the psoriasis susceptibility 1 candidate 1 (PSORS1C1) gene, which further suggests that inflammatory processes might be an important common pathogenic pathway leading to both schizophrenia and psoriasis. The study hints at ethnic specific gene–environment interaction in determining the critical threshold for disease initiation and progression.
Zoonotic Spillover in an Era of Rapid Deforestation of Tropical Areas and Unprecedented Wildlife Trafficking: Into the Wild
Authors: Tajudeen Yusuf Amuda , Oladunjoye Iyiola Olatunji , Bajinka Ousman , Oladipo Habeebullah Jayeola
Published: August 2022

Rapid deforestation and unprecedented wildlife trafficking are important factors triggering the rate of zoonotic spillover from animals to humans. Consequently, this leads to the emergence and re-emergence of zoonotic infectious diseases among the human population. Deforestation is an important ecological disruption that leads to the loss of biodiversity. The loss of biodiversity results in the persistence of highest-quality hosts of zoonotic pathogens dominating the low-diversity communities, a process termed the dilution effect. Activities like intensive farming and logging that resulted in deforestation bring vulnerable people in close contact with these highest-quality reservoir hosts (wildlife). As a result of this vulnerability, there is an increased risk of spillover, leading to zoonotic infection in humans and eventually disease outbreaks during human–human transmission. One prominent example of a disease of wildlife origin is the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus 2), even though the original source has not been found. Another important factor facilitating the risk of spillover and emergence of zoonotic infectious diseases is wildlife trafficking. This involves illegal hunting and trading of wildlife and their products, which increases the risk of spillover as a result of exchange of bodily fluids and bloodmeals between humans and wildlife during the hunting and butchering of animals’ carcasses. Consequently, little or no hygiene protocol and poor handling practices during the wildlife-trade chain expose poachers, consumers, and local market sellers to the risk of zoonotic diseases. Despite the interventions on deforestation-induced spillover and wildlife trafficking-associated spillover, there are still knowledge and research gaps that need to be addressed towards preventing the outbreaks of future zoonotic infectious diseases. In response to this, there is a need for interdisciplinary and intersectoral collaborations among researchers from various fields as well as sectors in minimizing the risk of zoonotic spillover driven by deforestation and wildlife trafficking at the human–animal–environmental nexus. In addition, there is a need for integrated and unified evidence-based policy formulation that puts an end to deforestation and wildlife trafficking, especially in tropical areas such as Africa and Asia.
Recent Advances in Synthesis and Properties of Pyrazoles
Authors: Ríos María-Camila , Portilla Jaime
Published: August 2022

Pyrazole-containing compounds represent one of the most influential families of N-heterocycles due to their proven applicability and versatility as synthetic intermediates in preparing relevant chemicals in biological, physical-chemical, material science, and industrial fields. Therefore, synthesizing structurally diverse pyrazole derivatives is highly desirable, and various researchers continue to focus on preparing this functional scaffold and finding new and improved applications; this review highlights some of the most recent and strategic examples regarding the synthesis and properties of different pyrazole derivatives, mainly reported from 2017–present. The discussion involves strategically functionalized rings (i.e., amines, carbaldehydes, halides, etc.) and their use in forming various fused systems, predominantly bicyclic cores with 5:6 fusion taking advantage of our experience in this field and the more recent investigations of our research group.
Postoperative Urinary Catheterization in Children Treated with or without Epidural Analgesia after Orthopedic Surgery: A Retrospective Review of Practice
Authors: Lior Yotam , Haim Shimon , Katz Idan , Danino Barry , Bar-Yosef Yuval , Ekstein Margaret
Published: August 2022

Epidural analgesia is effective and an accepted treatment for postoperative pain. Urinary retention is a known complication, but its description is mostly in the adult literature. Management of urinary catheter (UC) placement and removal is an important consideration in children receiving epidural analgesia. This is a single-center, retrospective observational study which examined UC management in children undergoing lower extremity orthopedic surgery under general anesthesia with or without epidural analgesia from January 2019–June 2021. Of 239 children included, epidural analgesia was used in 57 (23.8%). They were significantly younger and had more co-morbidities. In total, 75 UCs were placed in the OR, 9 in the ward, and 7 re-inserted. UC placement in the epidural group was more common (93% vs. 17%, p < 0.001) and remained longer (3 days vs. 1 day, p = 0.01). Among children without intra-operative UC, ward placement was more common in the epidural cohort (60% vs. 1.6%, p = 0.007). OR UC placement and ward re-insertion were more common in children with neuromuscular disease (61% vs. 22%, p < 0.001), (17% vs. 3%, p = 0.001), respectively. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that it is justifiable to routinely place a UC intra-operatively in children who undergo hip or lower extremity surgery and are treated with epidural analgesia, and caution is advised before early UC removal in orthopedic children with NMD.
Pragmatics: Mapping Evidence on Enhancing Children’s Use of Linguistic and Non-Linguistic Capacities for Interactive Communication
Authors: Alduais Ahmed , Al-Qaderi Issa , Alfadda Najla , Alfadda Hind
Published: August 2022

New-born infants communicate from the first minute they come to life. This non-linguistic and non-verbal capacity to interact from the first day they come to life enables them to express their needs and evidence their typical development. This capacity to interact develops to include linguistic and non-linguistic use of verbal and non-verbal interaction, that is, pragmatics. Because pragmatics is heterogeneously structured of semiotic, cognitive, motor and sensory elements so it is vital to ensure successful human interaction. The other language elements (i.e., phonological, morphological, syntactic and semantic) are essential inputs for this human interaction outcome (i.e., pragmatics). Accordingly, this study sought to map evidence that pragmatics can enhance children’s use of linguistic and non-linguistic capacities for interactive communication. This was addressed by conducting bibliometric and scientometric analyses of 6554 documents from Scopus, 1167 from WOS and 11,230 from Lens between 1939 and 2022. We analysed the past, present and future developments of the field of pragmatics using bibliometric and scientometric indicators. The scientometric analysis was conducted using CiteSpace 5.8.R3 and VOSviewer 1.6.18 software, which enabled the tabulation, visualisation and measurement of the impact of central influencers in the field of pragmatics. In the light of our results, pragmatics continues to expand in order to understand human interaction in a deeper way and to enhance children’s typical interactions with the environment around them. The group should also include adults or elderly people whose pragmatic language skills have been impaired due to any acquired or developmental disorder, such as a brain injury.
Controlling Morphology and Wettability of Intrinsically Superhydrophobic Copper-Based Surfaces by Electrodeposition
Authors: Akbari Raziyeh , Mohammadizadeh Mohammad Reza , Antonini Carlo , Guittard Frédéric , Darmanin Thierry
Published: August 2022

Electrodeposition is an effective and scalable method to grow desired structures on solid surfaces, for example, to impart superhydrophobicity. Specifically, copper microcrystals can be grown using electrodeposition by controlling deposition parameters such as the electrolyte and its acidity, the bath temperature, and the potential modulation. The aim of the present work is the fabrication of superhydrophobic copper-based surfaces by electrodeposition, investigating both surface properties and assessing durability under conditions relevant to real applications. Accordingly, copper-based layers were fabricated on Au/Si(100) from Cu(BF4)2 precursor by electrodeposition, using cyclic voltammetry and square-pulse voltage approaches. By increasing the bath temperature from 22 °C to 60 °C, the growth of various structures, including micrometric polyhedral crystals and hierarchical structures, ranging from small grains to pine-needle-like dendrite leaves, has been demonstrated. Without any further physical and/or chemical modification, samples fabricated with square-pulse voltage at 60 °C are superhydrophobic, with a contact angle of 160° and a sliding angle of 15°. In addition, samples fabricated from fluoroborate precursor are carefully compared to those fabricated from sulphate precursor to compare chemical composition, surface morphology, wetting properties, and durability under UV exposure and hard abrasion. Results show that although electrodeposition from fluoroborate precursor can provide dendritic microstructures with good superhydrophobicity properties, surfaces possess lower durability and stability compared to those fabricated from the sulphate precursor. Hence, from an application point of view, fabrication of copper superhydrophobic surfaces from sulphate precursor is more recommended.
In Vitro Degradation Behavior, Mechanical Properties, and Cytocompatibility of Biodegradable Mg-1Zn-xSn Alloys
Authors: Jiang Weiyan , Yu Wenzhou
Published: August 2022

The application of biodegradable alloys in orthopedic implants has gained widespread attention globally. Magnesium alloys with controllable degradation rate and suitable mechanical properties have been regarded as potential orthopedic implant material. In this paper, a Mg-1Zn-xSn (x = 0, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 wt.%) ternary alloy was designed and its performance was investigated. Compared with the Mg-1Zn alloy, the Mg-1Zn-xSn alloys showed enhanced mechanical properties and in vitro degradation performance. Above all, the extruded Mg-1Zn-1.0Sn alloy exhibited an extremely low corrosion rate of 0.12 mm/y with a low hydrogen release of 0.021 mL/cm2/day, which can be attributed to the hydrogen release suppression effect caused by Sn and SnO2 formation in the surface of the alloy. The cytotoxicity of the Mg-1Zn-1.0Sn alloy was evaluated by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method, the results of which show that its cytotoxicity grade is zero, and the MC3T3-E1 cells spread well on the alloy surface. The findings in this paper demonstrated that Mg-1Zn-1.0Sn is a potential candidate for biodegradable material in the orthopedic implant field.
A Biomineralization, Mechanical and Durability Features of Bacteria-Based Self-Healing Concrete—A State of the Art Review
Authors: Kashif Ur Rehman Sardar , Mahmood Faisal , Jameel Mohammed , Riaz Nadia , Javed Muhammad , Salmi Abdelatif , Awad Youssef
Published: August 2022

Cracking is one of the main ways that concrete ages, allowing pollutants to seep within and potentially lowering the physical and mechanical strength and endurance of concrete structures. One of the healing procedures that merits research is the use of bacterially generated calcium carbonate precipitation in concrete mixtures to mend concrete cracks. The impact of different variables, including the nucleation location, bacterial type, concentration, uratolytic activities, pH, nutrition, and temperature on the bio-mineralization of calcium carbonate are discussed in this review article. ATR-IR (Attenuated Internal Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy)/FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy)/NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) and FESEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope) are among the micro test techniques reviewed along with the biosynthetic pathway of bio mineralized calcium carbonate. The sealing ability and recovery of mechanical and durability properties of bio-mineralized concrete specimen is discussed. Moreover, we discussed the corrosion, damages, and challenges and their detection methods. Also, in-depth knowledge on the use, advancements, and drawbacks of bio-mineralized calcium carbonate is presented. Future potential for bio-mineralized (MICP) self-healing concrete are discussed in the final section.
The Impact of Virtual Cancer Care on Chemotherapy Delivery and Clinical Outcomes in Colorectal Cancer Patients Receiving Systemic Therapy: A Pre- and Intra-Pandemic Analysis
Authors: Phillips William J. , Leung Macyn , Thavorn Kednapa , Asmis Timothy R.
Published: August 2022

(1) Background: The coronavirus 2019 pandemic has resulted in an abrupt transition to virtual oncology care worldwide. This study’s objective is to evaluate chemotherapy delivery and clinical outcomes in patients on systemic treatment for colorectal cancer before and during the pandemic. (2) Methods: Clinical data was collected on patients with colorectal cancer receiving intravenous chemotherapy at The Ottawa Hospital from June 2019 to March 2021. Patients were stratified by whether they were started on chemotherapy pre-pandemic (June 2019–January 2020) or intra-pandemic (February 2020–March 2021). Multiple regression analysis was used to compare outcomes between pandemic periods; (3) Results: There were 220 patients included in this study. The proportion of virtual consultations (1.2% to 64.4%) and follow-up visits (5.2% to 83.3%) increased during the pandemic. There was no difference in the incidence of treatment delays (OR = 1.01, p = 0.78), chemotherapy dose reductions (OR = 0.99, p = 0.69), emergency department visits (OR = 1.23, p = 0.37) or hospitalizations (OR = 0.73, p = 0.43) between pandemic periods. A subgroup analysis revealed no difference in outcomes independent of the presence of metastases; (4) Conclusion: These findings serve as an important quality-care indicator and demonstrate that virtual oncology care appears safe in a cohort of high-risk colorectal cancer patients.
Investigating Co-occurrence among Look-alike Species: The Case of Three Bears in Northeast India
Authors: Garshelis David L. , Dharaiya Nishith , Sharp Thomas R. , Pigeon Karine E.
Published: August 2022

At the most basic level, the assessment of a species’ status involves knowing where it occurs. Determining the presence of rare species is difficult, and can be further confounded by the presence of a more common look-alike species. We investigated one of the few places in the world where three species of bears have been reported to co-occur at a fine scale: Balpakram National Park, Meghalaya, India. Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) are fairly common, and we sought to determine whether sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) and/or sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) also resided there. The local Garo language has words for three types of bears, and some local people reported the continued presence of a small type of bear, possibly the sun bear, but the probable extirpation of sloth bears. Because these bears look somewhat alike, local people and government forest officers could not provide convincing accounts of the presence of more than one species. We measured claw marks on climbed trees, a method used to differentiate sun bears from Asiatic black bears where both are known to occur; however, this method turned out to be unreliable for detecting sun bears where their presence was unknown because sun bear-sized marks are not distinguishable from juvenile black bears. We recommend targeted camera trapping near recent purported sightings of the other two bear species.
Utility of Diffusion and Magnetization Transfer MRI in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: A Pilot Study
Authors: Yang Hea-Eun , Kim Wan-Tae , Kim Dae-Hyun , Kim Seok-Woo , Yoo Woo-Kyoung
Published: August 2022

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and magnetization transfer (MT) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help detect spinal cord pathology, and tract-specific analysis of their parameters, such as fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity (AD), radial diffusivity (RD) and MT ratio (MTR), can give microstructural information. We performed the tract-based acquisition of MR parameters of three major motor tracts: the lateral corticospinal (CS), rubrospinal (RuS) tract, and lateral reticulospinal (RS) tract as well as two major sensory tracts, i.e., the fasciculus cuneatus (FC) and spinal lemniscus, to detect pathologic change and find correlations with clinical items. MR parameters were extracted for each tract at three levels: the most compressed lesion level and above and below the lesion. We compared the MR parameters of eight cervical spondylotic myelopathy patients and 12 normal controls and analyzed the correlation between clinical evaluation items and MR parameters in patients. RuS and lateral RS showed worse DTI parameters at the lesion level in patients compared to the controls. Worse DTI parameters in those tracts were correlated with weaker power grasp at the lesion level. FC and lateral CS showed a correlation between higher RD and lower FA and MTR with a weaker lateral pinch below the lesion level.
Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Cytokines Expression and Fibrotic Markers in Comparison to Celiac Disease
Authors: Pronio Annamaria , Covotta Francesco , Pallotta Lucia , Palma Rossella , Badiali Danilo , Sacchi Maria Carlotta , Lamazza Antonietta , Severi Carola
Published: August 2022

Introduction: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is now recognized as the main inflammatory condition that leads to fibrosis, unlike other chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases, such as celiac disease. The aim of our study is to characterize the collagen deposition and cytokine expression involved in the fibrogenic response in patients affected by EoE in comparison to celiac disease. Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients with a clinical suspicion of untreated EoE or active celiac disease were enrolled. In the control group, patients with negative upper endoscopy were included. Total RNA was isolated from biopsy specimens using a commercial kit (SV Total RNA Isolation System, Promega Italia Srl). Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed in triplicate using a StepOne™ Real-Time PCR instrument (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Monza, Italy). mRNA encoding for inflammatory molecules: interleukin 4 (IL-4), interleukin 5 (IL-5), interleukin 13 (IL-13), and fibrotic markers: transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 7 (MAP3K7), serpin family E member 1 (SERPINE1), were quantified using TaqMan Gene Expression Assays (Applied Biosystems). RESULTS. In EoE, the qPCR analysis showed an increase in all the inflammatory cytokines. Both IL-5 and Il-3 mRNA expression resulted in a statistically significant increase in oesophageal mucosa with respect to the celiac duodenum, while no differences were present in IL-4 expression. TGF-β expression was similar to the controls in the mid esophagus but reduced in the distal EoE esophagus (RQ: 0.46 ± 0.1). MAP3K7 expression was reduced in the mid esophagus (RQ: 0.59 ± 0.3) and increased in the distal esophagus (RQ: 1.75 ± 0.6). In turn, the expression of SERPINE1 was increased in both segments and was higher in the mid than in the distal esophagus (RQ: 5.25 ± 3.9, 1.92 ± 0.9, respectively). Collagen deposition was greater in the distal esophagus compared to the mid esophagus [18.1% ± 8 vs. 1.3% ± 1; p = 0.008]. Conclusions: The present study confirms the esophageal fibrotic involution involving the distal esophagus and shows that the inflammatory pathway in EoE is peculiar to this disease and different from other chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders such as celiac disease.
Percutaneous CT-Guided Bone Lesion Biopsy for Confirmation of Bone Metastases in Patients with Breast Cancer
Authors: Kovacevic Lucija , Cavka Mislav , Marusic Zlatko , Kresic Elvira , Stajduhar Andrija , Grbanovic Lora , Dumic-Cule Ivo , Prutki Maja
Published: August 2022

We aimed to determine diagnostic accuracy of CT-guided bone lesion biopsy for the confirmation of bone metastases in patients with breast cancer and assessment of hormone receptor status in metastatic tissue. A total of 56 female patients with breast cancer that underwent CT-guided biopsy of suspected bone metastasis were enrolled in this retrospective study. Three different techniques were employed to obtain samples from various sites of skeleton. Collectively, 11 true negative and 3 false negative findings were revealed. The sensitivity of CT-guided biopsy for diagnosing bone metastases was 93.6%, specificity was 100% and accuracy was 94.8%. Discordance in progesterone receptor status and complete concordance in estrogen receptor status was observed. Based on our single-center experience, bone metastasis biopsy should be routinely performed in patients with breast cancer and suspicious bone lesions, due to the impact on further treatment.
Trends in Infectious Keratitis in Taiwan: An Update on Predisposing Factors, Microbiological and Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns
Authors: Wang Jin-Jhe , Lai Chien-Hsiung , Chen Chau-Yin , Liu Chia-Yen , Lin Meng-Hung , Yang Yao-Hsu , Wu Pei-Lun
Published: August 2022

Infectious keratitis (IK) represents a major cause of corneal blindness. This study aims to investigate the demographics, risk factors, microbiological characteristics and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of IK in Taiwan over the past 15 years. A retrospective population-based study was conducted using the Chang Gung Research Database. Patients with IK were identified by diagnostic codes for corneal ulcer from 2004 to 2019. Of 7807 included subjects, 45.2% of patients had positive corneal cultures. The proportion of contact lens-related IK declined, while that of IK related to systemic diseases grew. The percentage of isolated gram-positive bacteria surpassed that of gram-negative bacteria in the 15-year period. The prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed a decreasing trend (p = 0.004), whereas coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS) and Propionibacterium species were increasingly detected (p < 0.001). Overall, the trend of antibiotic susceptibility of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria did not change throughout the study period. The susceptibility to the test antibiotics maintained over 90% in gram-negative isolates over 15 years. Vancomycin preserved 100% susceptibility to all gram-positive isolates. Since most tested antibiotics exhibited stable susceptibility over decades, this study reinforced that fluoroquinolones and fortified vancomycin continue to be good empiric therapies for treating bacterial keratitis in Taiwan.
Self-Reduction in Proximal Humerus Fractures through Upright Patient Positioning: Is It up to Gravity?
Authors: Razaeian Sam , Krettek Christian , Hawi Nael
Published: August 2022

Background: The self-reduction in proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) remains a poorly explored myth, and it was rarely investigated in the past. One of the oldest hypotheses suggests that gravity and the weight of the affected arm alone are driving forces, which facilitate a self-reducing potential in PHFs. However, thus far, clear radiographic evidence for this theory is missing in the literature. This study aimed to investigate the immediate effect of upright patient positioning on self-reducing of PHFs. Methods: Between November 2019 and November 2020, seven consecutively bedridden but mentally competent patients were admitted to our emergency department with an acute proximal humerus fracture. Within routinely attempts of closed reductions under the control of an image converter (C-arm), immobile patients were mobilized into an upright sitting position on a stretcher while the affected arm was immobilized in a sling. Fluoroscopic controls were performed before and after upright positioning. Changes in the head-shaft angle (HSA), as well as the medial hinge index (MHI), were determined on plain true anteroposterior (AP) fluoroscopic images. Results: In all cases, upright patient positioning had an immediate self-reducing effect. This effect could be seen in five out of seven cases for both HSA and MHI. Changes in HSA and MHI averaged 21.2° and 0.25, respectively. Mean deviation from an ideal, anatomic HSA of 135° decreased through upright positioning from 25.5° to 13.8°. Mean deviation from an ideal, anatomic MHI of 1 decreased through upright positioning from 0.28 to 0.19. Conclusions: Upright patient positioning might contribute immediately to the self-reduction in PHF through the force of gravity. This underlines the importance of being aware of patients’ position when interpreting X-ray images within treatment decision-making processes.
Accuracy of a Novel Preoperative Failure Risk Model for Debridement Antibiotics and Implant Retention (DAIR) in Acute Prosthetic Joint Infection
Authors: Sancho Ignacio , Otermin-Maya Iñaki , Gutiérrez-Dubois Jorge , Aláez Ignacio , Hidalgo-Ovejero Ángel , Librero Julián , Portillo María Eugenia
Published: August 2022

Given the variable success of the debridement, antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR) procedure in patients with acute prosthetic joint infection (PJI), an accurate selection of candidates is critical. In this study, we set about calculating the predictive value of a novel algorithm for predicting outcome following DAIR developed by Shohat et al. Sixty-four patients who underwent debridement for (early and late) acute PJI in a tertiary-level university hospital were selected, and the aforementioned algorithm was retrospectively applied. Patients with model scores of 40–50%, 50–60%, 60–70%, 70–80% and 80–90% displayed success rates of 33.34%, 41.18%, 57.9%, 78.27% and 100%, respectively. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed an area under the curve of 0.69. The calibration intercept value was 0, and the calibration slope value was 1. Failure rates were significantly higher for the following variables: revision surgery (p = 0.012) index surgery for reasons other than osteoarthritis (p = 0.01), and C-reactive protein level >30 mg/L (p = 0.042). This analysis demonstrated that the Shohat algorithm is associated with an optimal calibration value and a moderate predictive value for failure of a DAIR procedure in patients with acute PJI. Its validation is recommended before it can be routinely applied in daily practice.
Study of the Imbibition Phenomenon in Porous Media by the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamic (SPH) Method
Authors: Liu Jie , Zhang Tao , Sun Shuyu
Published: August 2022

Over recent decades, studies in porous media have focused on many fields, typically in the development of oil and gas reservoirs. The imbibition phenomenon, a common mechanism affecting multi-phase flows in porous media, has shown more significant impacts on unconventional reservoir development, where the effect of the pore space increases with decreased pore sizes. In this paper, a comprehensive SPH method is applied, considering the binary interactions among the particles to study the imbibition phenomenon in porous media. The model is validated with physically meaningful results showing the effects of surface tension, contact angle, and pore structures. A heterogeneous porous medium is also constructed to study the effect of heterogeneity on the imbibition phenomenon; it can be referred from the results that the smaller pore throats and wetting surfaces are more preferred for the imbibition. The results show that the SPH method can be applied to solve the imbibition problems, but the unstable problem is still a sore point for the SPH method.
Exploring the Ability to Classify Visual Perception and Visual Imagery EEG Data: Toward an Intuitive BCI System
Authors: Lee Sunghan , Jang Sehyeon , Jun Sung Chan
Published: August 2022

Providing an intuitive interface for the actual use of brain–computer interface (BCI) can increase BCI users’ convenience greatly. We explored the possibility that visual imagery can be used as a paradigm that may constitute a more intuitive, active BCI. To do so, electroencephalography (EEG) data were collected during visual perception and imagery experiments. Three image categories (object, digit, shape) and three different images per category were used as visual stimuli. EEG data from seven subjects were used in this work. Three types of visual perception/imagery EEG data were preprocessed for classification: raw time series data; time–frequency maps; and common spatial pattern (CSP). Five types of classifiers (EEGNet, 1D convolutional neural network (CNN), MultiRocket, MobileNet, support vector machine (SVM)) were applied to each applicable data type among the three preprocessed types. Thus, we investigated the feasibility of classifying three-category or nine-class visual perception/imagery over various classifiers and preprocessed data types. We found that the MultiRocket network showed the best classification performance: yielding approximately 57.02% (max 63.62%) for three-category classification in visual perception and approximately 46.43% (max 71.38%) accuracy for three-category classification in visual imagery. However, no meaningfully improved performance was achieved in the nine-class classification in either visual perception or imagery, although visual perception yielded slightly higher accuracy than visual imagery. From our extensive investigation, we found that visual perception and visual imagery data may be classified; however, it is somewhat doubtful whether either may be applicable to an actual BCI system. It is believed that introducing better-designed advanced deep learning networks together with more informative feature extractions may improve the performance of EEG visual perception/imagery classifications. In addition, a more sophisticated experimental design paradigm may enhance the potential to achieve more intuitive visual imagery BCI.
Path Loss Prediction in Tropical Regions using Machine Learning Techniques: A Case Study
Authors: Famoriji Oluwole John , Shongwe Thokozani
Published: August 2022

In optimization of wireless networks, path loss prediction is of great importance for adequate planning and budgeting in wireless communications. For efficient and reliable communications in the tropics, determination or estimation of channel parameters becomes important. Research for this article employed different machine learning techniques—AdaBoost, support vector regression (SVR), and back propagation neural networks (BPNNs)—to construct path loss models for Akure metropolis, Ondo state, Nigeria. An experimental measurement campaign was conducted for three different broadcasting stations (Ondo State Radiovision Corporation (OSRC), Orange FM, and FUTA FM) all situated within Akure metropolis. Furthermore, we designed machine learning-based models for path loss prediction at various observation points at a particular frequency, and demonstrated how these algorithms agree with the measured data. For instance, for OSRC (operating at 96.5 MHz) measurement, the RMSEs (root mean square errors) of AdaBoost, SVR, BPNN, and the classical model (log-distance model) predictors were 4.15 dB, 6.22 dB, 6.75 dB, and 1.41 dB, respectively. Additionally, path loss prediction at a new frequency according to the available data at specific frequencies was evaluated. In order to resolve the challenge of limited or insufficient samples at a new frequency, a framework hybridizing classical models and machine learning algorithms was developed. The developed framework employs estimated values that are computed by the classical model based on the prior information for the training set expansion. Performance evaluation of the framework was conducted using measured data of Orange FM (94.5 MHz) and FUTA FM (93.1 MHz), and the samples computed from the classical model were used as training datasets for path loss prediction at a new frequency. RMSEs of AdaBoost, SVR, BPNN, and log-distance predictors were 1.77 dB, 1.52 dB, 1.45 dB, and 2.61 dB, respectively. However, adding measured data generated by the classical-based model, the RMSEs of AdaBoost, SVR, BPNN, and log-distance algorithms were 1.81 dB, 1.63 dB, 1.45 dB, and 1.88 dB, respectively. The results demonstrate how the proposed sample expansion framework enhances prediction performance in the scenario of few measured data at a new frequency. Finally, these results are promising enough for the deployment of the proposed technique in practical scenarios.
A Fusion Model for Saliency Detection Based on Semantic Soft Segmentation
Authors: Tao Jie , Wu Yaocai , Zhou Xiaolong , Shao Qike , Chan Sixian
Published: August 2022

With the rapid development of neural networks in recent years, saliency detection based on deep learning has made great breakthroughs. Most deep saliency detection algorithms are based on convolutional neural networks, which still have great room for improvement in the edge accuracy of salient objects recognition, which may lead to fuzzy results in practical applications such as image matting. In order to improve the accuracy of detection, a saliency detection model based on semantic soft segmentation is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the semantic segmentation module combines spectral extinction and residual network model to obtain low-level color features and high-level semantic features, which can clearly segment all kinds of objects in the image. Then, the saliency detection module locates the position and contour of the main body of the object, and the edge accurate results are obtained after the processing of the two modules. Finally, compared with the other 11 algorithms on the DUTS-TEST data set, the weighted F-measure value of the proposed algorithm ranked first, which was 5.8% higher than the original saliency detection algorithm, and the accuracy was significantly improved.
Genetic Clustered Federated Learning for COVID-19 Detection
Authors: Kandati Dasaradharami Reddy , Gadekallu Thippa Reddy
Published: August 2022

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused a global disaster with adverse effects on global health and the economy. Early detection of COVID-19 symptoms will help to reduce the severity of the disease. As a result, establishing a method for the initial recognition of COVID-19 is much needed. Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays a vital role in detection of COVID-19 cases. In the process of COVID-19 detection, AI requires access to patient personal records which are sensitive. The data shared can pose a threat to the privacy of patients. This necessitates a technique that can accurately detect the COVID-19 patients in a privacy preserving manner. Federated Learning (FL) is a promising solution, which can detect the COVID-19 disease at early stages without compromising the sensitive information of the patients. In this paper, we propose a novel hybrid algorithm named genetic clustered FL (Genetic CFL), that groups edge devices based on the hypertuned parameters and modifies the parameters cluster wise genetically. The experimental results proved that the proposed Genetic CFL approach performed better than conventional AI approaches.
New Class of Power Converter for Performing the Multiple Operations in a Single Converter: Universal Power Converter
Authors: Mudadla Dhananjaya , Potnuru Devendra , Satish Raavi , Abdelaziz Almoataz Y. , El-Shahat Adel
Published: August 2022

Universal power converters (UPCs) have aroused significant attention in performing multiple operations in a single power converter. Furthermore, they contribute to economic operation and improved system performance. In this work, a new configuration of the universal power converter (UPC) was proposed by using a simple switching arrangement. It can perform different modes of operations, such as AC–DC, DC–DC, DC–AC, AC–AC, and cyclo-converter operations. In DC–DC conversion, the proposed configuration can perform buck mode, boost mode, and buck–boost mode of operations. Moreover, in DC–AC conversion, it gives better total harmonic distortion (THD). The effectiveness of the proposed configuration was verified by an extensive simulation, using MATLAB/Simulink environment. A low-power prototype circuit was designed to test the viability of the proposed circuit configuration and validated with simulation results.