bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Design and synthesis of bioinspired nanomaterials for biomedical application
Authors: Tang Kai , Xue Jianmin , Zhu Yufang , Wu Chengtie 
Published: July 2023

AbstractNatural materials and bioprocesses provide abundant inspirations for the design and synthesis of high‐performance nanomaterials. In the past several decades, bioinspired nanomaterials have shown great potential in the application of biomedical fields, such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, and cancer therapy, and so on. In this review, three types of bioinspired strategies for biomedical nanomaterials, that is, inspired by the natural structures, biomolecules, and bioprocesses, are mainly introduced. We summarize and discuss the design concepts and synthesis approaches of various bioinspired nanomaterials along with their specific roles in biomedical applications. Additionally, we discuss the challenges for the development of bioinspired biomedical nanomaterials, such as mechanical failure in wet environment, limitation in scale‐up fabrication, and lack of deep understanding of biological properties. It is expected that the development and clinical translation of bioinspired biomedical nanomaterials will be further promoted under the cooperation of interdisciplinary subjects in future.This article is categorized under:
Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanomaterials and Implants
Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies
Notes on Spatial Implications of COVID-19. Evidence from Piedmont Region, Italy
Authors: Brunetta Grazia , Caldarice Ombretta , Mohabat Doost Danial , Pellerey Franco 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has been studied by many scholars from a wide range of disciplines. Among these investigations, planners and regional scientists have researched the spatial spread of the contagion. Most of these studies tried to explore the spread of the disease in a fixed period, like annually, and analysed the spatial variables that are most influential on the COVID-19 spread over territories. On the same line, the chapter investigates the pattern of virus transmission in the 1.181 municipalities of the Piedmont Region during two years of the pandemic over different periods by providing 24 monthly and two annual hot spot maps using the Spatial Statistics Tools on ArcGIS. Consequently, the chapter analyses the correlation between the spread of contagion with three spatial variables (population density, annual average traffic flow, and the ageing index) by performing a statistical analysis on the municipalities which showed unexpectedly higher or unexpectedly lower numbers of contagion. The results show that the impacts of population density and annual average traffic flow are verified on the transmission rate of the cities with unexpectedly higher or lower exposure to COVID-19 contagion than their neighbours both in the first and the second year of the pandemic. For the ageing index, an association is noticed during the first year while not confirmed for the second. In conclusion, the chapter proposes that studying the disease’s variations—at different times and on a regional scale—uncovers the spatial dimension of the phenomenon and would suggest insights for both scientists and policymakers to enrich preparedness as the preferable approach in future planning policies towards transformative resilience.
The Role of the Minor Hydrographic System in Increasing the Ecological Network
Authors: La Riccia Luigi , Ferraris Stefano 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThis contribution describes the definition of the structure of the local ecological network. It was carried out as part of the support activities for the construction of the new urban plan of Mappano (Turin, Italy). The knowledge of the minor hydrographic system in Mappano allowed the construction of the structural map of the local ecological network, which contemplates the structural elements of the network (primary ecological network), the contiguous portions to the structural elements (areas with ecological functionality areas where it is a priority to intervene to increase ecological network), the areas of possible expansion of the network, i.e., areas with residual ecological functionality. However, there it is possible to carry out interventions useful for the protection of habitats and species of interest for conservation of biodiversity. Peripheral strips and connecting corridors, consisting of minor water canals, have therefore made it possible to better define the areas of possible expansion of the network: wetlands and marshes, in these relevant areas, represent steppingstones of fundamental importance for rest and reproduction of many species and which need to be safeguarded in the design of the new local urban plan.
Ecosystem Services and Territorial Resilience: The Role of Green and Blue Infrastructure
Authors: Giaimo Carolina , Giudice Benedetta , Pantaloni Giulio Gabriele , Voghera Angioletta 
Published: July 2023

AbstractResponding to the new environmental, ecological, and social emergencies requires a shift in strategies and urban design models. In the contexts of sustainability and resilience, green and blue infrastructure (GBI) is a wide-ranging concept that can help overcome the usual dichotomies of urban growth versus green or the built environment versus nature. This provides different benefits, both environmental and ecological and social and economic. In urban contexts, green spaces play a strategic role due to the number of typologies and functions that vary from neighborhood spaces to green, play, and sports facilities to protected areas of territorial scale. In this way, the planning and design of GBI take on the triple objective of regenerating fragile and degraded ecosystems from an environmental, social, and economic point of view. Focusing on this assumption, we describe how the GBI that develops along the axe of the Stura di Lanzo river in a multiscalar mosaic of soils at both local and territorial levels can determine options for the ecosystem quality of the metropolitan area of northern Turin. We suppose that mapping ecosystem services (based on a correct land use/land cover design) can support designing new urban and regional plans to improve resilience.
Indicators and Scenarios for Sustainable Development at the Local Level
Authors: Borsari Alice , Lombardi Patrizia , Moghadam Sara Torabi 
Published: July 2023

AbstractCities around the world have faced the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with unprecedented speed, due to our hyper-connected society. As history teaches us, epidemics plague society because of the vulnerabilities generated by humans through their relationships with the environment, with other species and with each other. The recent pandemic is a stark reminder that urbanization has changed the way people and communities live, work, and interact, and it is even more necessary than in the past to adopt a multidisciplinary approach to the development of systemic operational skills that can address complex issues within cities. This work showed how many measures adopted during the emergency have now become part of daily life. The lesson of the pandemic is that people’s health is connected to and dependent on the health of the planet, and cities are at the center of this relationship. The objective of the research starts from the need to identify a selection of post-COVID indicators providing an analysis methodology suitable for the creation of its own final set with the identification of specific key performance indicators (KPIs) of the project, replicable in other urban contexts, on which to base the analysis of the level of local sustainability, especially at the neighborhood scale. The proposed methodological framework is developed in two phases: (1) indicator selection and (2) baseline scenario, set out to investigate the existing correlations between the urban environment and the neighborhood level of cities. On the basis of the assessment of the KPIs, selected on the basis of numerous comparisons with the project's internal and external stakeholders, thanks to the creation of an interactive dashboard with Tableau software, it was possible to analyze the basic scenario of proximity at the neighborhood scale for the City of Turin, highlighting weak points and priority areas on which to act, experimenting with the theme “Inhabiting proximity” as an urban response to the pandemic.
Towards Neighbourhoods as Minimum Units of Resilience?
Authors: Pede Elena , Scalas Mattia , Staricco Luca 
Published: July 2023

AbstractCOVID-19 restrictions have changed the perception of space: travel limitations and diffusion of remote activities have narrowed the spaces of everyday life, leading to a rediscovery of proximity. We are both witnessing a re-appropriation of the domestic environment and re-discovering the neighbourhood and those small portions of the city often neglected. This rediscovery is evident in the use of nearby public spaces and in transport, with the decongestion of many urban areas following the reduction of commuting. Even if this is a contingent situation, it is reasonable to think that part of these changes will persist at the end of the emergency. For these reasons, there is a need to focus on neighbourhoods’ quality, spatial organization and adaptive capacity towards both emergencies such as the pandemic and the great urban challenges towards resilience and sustainability. Essentially, sub-local scale must be rethought to meet not only the ordinary needs of its inhabitants but also health or other issues. In this sense, the potential of spatial units based in the concepts of proximity and walkability is explored, giving an interpretation that starting from the 15-min city and the superilla models explore the perspective of “minimum units of resilience” for facing pandemics.
NO2 Concentrations and COVID-19 in Local Systems of Northwest Italy
Authors: Sarzotti Ettore , Pignocchino Gianmarco , Pezzoli Alessandro , Besana Angelo 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThis paper aims to further investigate the relationship between the concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and the severity of COVID-19 by analyzing the data of three Italian Regions (Piedmont, Valle d’Aosta and Liguria) during the first wave of the pandemic (February–May 2020). The analyses were conducted at a local scale using Local Labor Systems of ISTAT. The annual average of NO2 concentrations, obtained from space satellite Sentinel-5P, was used to assess environmental data. While excess mortality data were used to estimate the severity of the pandemic, calculated as the percentage change in deaths recorded in 2020 compared to the average number of deaths of the previous five years (2015–2019). Using quasi-Poisson multivariate regression models, it was possible to estimate the correlation between the incidence rate of the pandemic and some risk factors, including in particular the concentration of NO2.
Venous 3D Phase Contrast Magnetic Resonance Angiography Increases Diagnostic Certainty in Children with Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt and Suspected Shunt Failure
Authors: Huhndorf M. , Peters S. , Cordt J. , Margraf N. G. , Salehi Ravesh M. , Jansen O. , Synowitz M. , Cohrs G. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Clinical symptoms in children with suspected malfunction of ventriculoperitoneal shunt may not be specific and difficult to interpret. The presence or absence of ventricular enlargement on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) does not reliably predict raised intracranial pressure (ICP) in these patients. Therefore, the aim was to investigate the diagnostic utility of 3D venous phase-contrast MR angiography (vPCA) in these patients.

Materials
The MR studies of two groups of patients at two different examination dates were retrospectively analyzed; one group without clinical symptoms on both examinations and one with symptoms of shunt dysfunction on one examination receiving surgery. Both MRI examinations had to have been performed including axial T2 weighted (T2-w) images and 3D vPCA. Two (neuro)radiologists evaluated T2-w images alone and in combination with 3D vPCA in terms of suspected elevated ICP. Interrater reliability, sensitivity and specificity were assessed.

Results
Compression of venous sinuses was seen significantly more often in patients with shunt failure (p = 0.00003). Consequently, evaluation of 3D vPCA and T2-w images increases sensitivity to 0.92/1.0 compared to T2-w images alone with 0.69/0.77, the interrater agreement for the diagnosis of shunt failure rises from κ = 0.71 to κ = 0.837. Concerning imaging markers, three groups could be identified in children with shunt failure.

Conclusion
In accordance with the literature, the results show that ventricular morphology alone is an unreliable marker for elevated ICP in children with shunt malfunction. The findings confirmed 3D vPCA as a valuable supplemental diagnostic tool improving diagnostic certainty for children with unchanged ventricular size in cases of shunt failure.
Pregnancy, folic acid, and antiseizure medication
Authors: Bjørk Marte-Helene , Vegrim Håkon , Alvestad Silje , Bjørke-Monsen Anne-Lise , Riedel Bettina Maria Ingeborg , Gilhus Nils Erik , Husebye Elisabeth Synnøve Nilsen 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundAlthough some antiseizure medications (ASMs) are teratogenic, most people with epilepsy need treatment in pregnancy. The risk of ASM fetotoxicity may be mitigated with folic acid. High-dose folic acid supplementation has traditionally been recommended before and during gestation despite little evidence of efficacy and safety for this patient group. Several studies have investigated the potential benefits and risks of folic acid supplements.ObjectiveTo provide an updated overview of the risks, benefits, and rationale for use of folic acid supplementation in relation to pregnant people of childbearing age using ASM.Materials and methodsThis is a narrative review based on an unstructured literature search of PubMed. We also scrutinized neurological and obstetrical guidelines.ResultsAntiseizure medication can decrease folate concentrations. In children exposed to ASM prenatally, those born to persons using folic acid supplements periconceptionally had lower risk of adverse neurodevelopment and preterm birth. It remains unclear whether the risk for congenital malformations can be equally alleviated. In studies of the general population, high plasma folate concentrations and/or high-dose folic acid supplements were associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. This has not been seen in children of mothers with epilepsy. However, an increased cancer risk has been found in children of mothers with epilepsy using high-dose folic acid supplements in pregnancy.ConclusionThe optimal folic acid dose is not clear for persons of childbearing potential with epilepsy using ASM. Both low and excess folate status during pregnancy have been associated with adverse neurodevelopment. We propose an individual folic acid supplement dose that should be titrated based on maternal plasma folate concentrations during pregnancy.
Exponentially fitted methods with a local energy conservation law
Authors: Conte Dajana , Frasca-Caccia Gianluca 
Published: July 2023

AbstractA new exponentially fitted version of the discrete variational derivative method for the efficient solution of oscillatory complex Hamiltonian partial differential equations is proposed. When applied to the nonlinear Schrödinger equation, this scheme has discrete conservation laws of charge and energy. The new method is compared with other conservative schemes from the literature on a benchmark problem whose solution is an oscillatory breather wave.
Closed-loop supply chain decision considering information reliability and security: should the supply chain adopt federated learning decision support systems?
Authors: Wan Xiaole , Yang Dongqian , Wang Tongtong , Deveci Muhammet 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe study considers the closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) decision using federated learning platform (FL platform), establishes a CLSC game model including one manufacturer, one retailer and one third party, analyzes the influence of FL platform on optimal decisions and revenues of CLSC system from the perspectives of information reliability, information security and investment cost, and establishes a cost-sharing and revenue-sharing contract (CSRS contract) to coordinate CLSC system. Results show that, the greater consumers' recognition of the remanufactured product, the higher its price and revenue; using FL platform can guarantee the degree of consumer information security, which in turn has a constructive effect on the CLSC; when the FL platform is not adopted, the manufacturer will raise more revenue by misrepresenting the manufacturing and remanufacturing costs; the FL platform would provide some incentive for manufacturers to disclose true cost information and improve the CLSC revenue; an increase in investment costs would lead to a reduction in revenue, so CLSC members would need to make investment decisions based on revenue comparisons before and after using the platform; finally, within the feasibility of the contract parameters, the CSRS contract both maximizes optimal revenue of CLSC system and improves revenue per member.
Real-Time Estimation of Jet-Surface Interaction Noise
Authors: Mancinelli Matteo , Jordan Peter , Lebedev Anton 
Published: July 2023

AbstractMotivated by the growing concerns for the noise emissions generated by the interaction between the engine jet and the airframe surfaces consequent to the progressive increase of the engine by-pass ratio in commercial aircraft architectures, we study the estimation of the far-field noise radiated by a jet in an installed configuration based on sensor readings in the near field of the jet. We carry out an experimental investigation of the jet-surface interaction phenomena in a simplified set-up where a flat plate is installed parallel to the nozzle axis of a subsonic jet. Real-time estimation is performed using empirical linear transfer functions identified between near-field sensors and far-field observers. The transfer function and the accuracy of the noise estimation performed are characterised as a function of jet flow conditions, type and streamwise position of near-field sensors and radial distance between the jet and the edge. This analysis can guide the positioning of near-field sensors for the implementation of closed-loop control strategies for the jet-surface interaction noise.
Artificial Intelligence in K-12 Education: eliciting and reflecting on Swedish teachers' understanding of AI and its implications for teaching & learning
Authors: Velander Johanna , Taiye Mohammed Ahmed , Otero Nuno , Milrad Marcelo 
Published: July 2023

AbstractUncovering patterns and trends in vast, ever-increasing quantities of data has been enabled by different machine learning methods and techniques used in Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems. Permeating many aspects of our lives and influencing our choices, development in this field continues to advance and increasingly impacts us as individuals and our society. The risks and unintended effects such as bias from input data or algorithm design have recently stirred discourse about how to inform and teach AI in K-12 education. As AI is a new topic not only for pupils in K-12 but also for teachers, new skill sets are required that enable critical engagement with AI. AI literacy is trying to close the gap between research and practical knowledge transfer of AI-related skills. Teachers' AI-related technological, pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK) are important factors for AI literacy. However, as teachers' perspectives, beliefs and views impact both the interpretation and operationalisation of curriculum. this study explores teachers' and teacher educators' understanding and preconceptions of AI to inform teacher education and professional development. To gain a comprehensive understanding of teachers’ conceptualisations regarding AI an anonymous questionnaire together with focus group discussions were employed. The qualitative content analysis underpinned by the theoretical framework Intelligent TPACK reveals that teachers' AI-related content knowledge is generally gained through incidental learning and often results in pre- and misconceptions of AI. Our analysis also revealed several potential challenges for teachers in achieving core constructs of Intelligent TPACK, examples of such challenges are vague and unclear guidelines in both policy and curriculum, a lack of understanding of AI and its limitations, as well as emotional responses related to participants' preconceptions. These insights are important to consider in designing teacher education and professional development related to AI literacy.
Aldose reductase and glutathione in senile cataract nucleus of diabetics and non-diabetics
Authors: Khare Kanishk , Mendonca Teena , Rodrigues Gladys , Kamath Manjunath , Hegde Anupama , Nayak Shyamala , Kamath Ajay , Kamath Sumana 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Purpose
The aim is to evaluate the aldose reductase (AR) and glutathione (GSH) activity in the nucleus of senile cataract in type 2 diabetes and non-diabetic group of patients.

Methods
A total of 62 patients including 31 diabetics and 31 non- diabetics who were undergoing cataract surgery were included. Nucleus extracted was sent for analysis of AR and GSH activity while blood sample was taken for glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels.

Statistical analysis
Data were analysed using IBM SPSS 25. Comparison was carried out by unpaired T-test and correlations were established by Pearson’s correlation. The p value less than 0.05 was considered significant for all analyses.

Study design
This is a prospective cross-sectional comparative study.

Results
In this study, diabetic group patients showed earlier progression of cataract as compared to the non-diabetic group (p-value 0.0310). Mean HbA1c in the diabetic group was 7.34% compared to the non-diabetic group of 5.7% (p value < 0.001). AR in the diabetic patients was 2.07 mU/mg while the non-diabetic group was 0.22 mU/mg (p-value < 0.001). GSH in the diabetic group was 3.38 μMol/g and the non-diabetic group was 7.47 μMol/g (p value < 0.001). HbA1c showed positive correlation with AR among the diabetic group (p-value 0.028).

Conclusion
Elevated oxidative stress can be strongly attributed to high AR and low GSH activity among the diabetic group as compared to the non-diabetic group and can lead to early cataract formation.