The goal of this paper is to design a broadband acoustic camera using micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) microphones. The paper describes how an optimization of the microphone array has been carried out. Furthermore, the final goal of the described optimization is that the gain in the desired direction and the attenuation of side lobes is maximized at a frequency up to 4 kHz. Throughout the research, various shapes of microphone arrays and their directivity patterns have been considered and analyzed using newly developed algorithms implemented in Matlab. A hemisphere algorithm, genetic algorithm, and genetic square algorithm were used to find the optimal position and number of microphones placed on an acoustic camera. The proposed acoustic camera design uses a large number of microphones for high directional selectivity, while a field programmable gate array system on a chip (FPGA SoC) is selected as the processing element of the system. According to the obtained results, three different acoustic camera prototypes were developed. This paper presents simulations of their characteristics, compares the obtained measurements, and discusses the positive and negative sides of each acoustic camera prototype. Full article

Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) has become an increasingly utilized alternative to surgical resection for the treatment of glioma in patients. However, treatment outcomes in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (IDH1/2) mutant glioma, specifically, have not been reported. The objective of this study was to characterize a single institution’s cohort of IDH1/2 mutant grade 2/3 glioma patients treated with LITT. We collected data on patient presentation, radiographic features, tumor molecular profile, complications, and outcomes. We calculated progression-free survival (PFS) and tested factors for significant association with longer PFS. Overall, 22.7% of our cohort experienced progression at a median follow up of 1.8 years. The three- and five-year estimates of PFS were 72.5% and 54.4%, respectively. This is the first study to characterize outcomes in patients with IDH1/2 mutant glioma after LITT. Our results suggest that LITT is an effective treatment option for IDH1/2 mutant glioma. Full article

Approximately 20% of breast cancers overexpress human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), providing an actionable target for many different therapies. In the metastatic setting, prognosis has improved greatly with the use of anti-HER2 drugs such as trastuzumab, pertuzumab, and trastuzumab-emtansine. In the third line setting and beyond, several emerging treatments have shown benefits, including novel small molecule targeted agents and antibody-drug conjugates. Systemic treatment of brain metastases in HER2-positive patients and the role of endocrine-based treatment for patients with hormone receptor (HR) positive disease remain areas of research interest. This article will review the current approach to systemic management of metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer in Canada, and present novel treatments that may be available in the near future. Full article

Antihistamines have potent efficacy to alleviate COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) symptoms such as anti-inflammation and as a pain reliever. However, the pharmacological mechanism(s), key target(s), and drug(s) are not documented well against COVID-19. Thus, we investigated to decipher the most significant components and how its research methodology was utilized by network pharmacology. The list of 32 common antihistamines on the market were retrieved via drug browsing databases. The targets associated with the selected antihistamines and the targets that responded to COVID-19 infection were identified by the Similarity Ensemble Approach (SEA), SwissTargetPrediction (STP), and PubChem, respectively. We described bubble charts, the Pathways-Targets-Antihistamines (PTA) network, and the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network on the RPackage via STRING database. Furthermore, we utilized the AutoDock Tools software to perform molecular docking tests (MDT) on the key targets and drugs to evaluate the network pharmacological perspective. The final 15 targets were identified as core targets, indicating that Neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction might be the hub-signaling pathway of antihistamines on COVID-19 via bubble chart. The PTA network was constructed by the RPackage, which identified 7 pathways, 11 targets, and 30 drugs. In addition, GRIN2B, a key target, was identified via topological analysis of the PPI network. Finally, we observed that the GRIN2B-Loratidine complex was the most stable docking score with −7.3 kcal/mol through molecular docking test. Our results showed that Loratadine might exert as an antagonist on GRIN2B via the neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction pathway. To sum up, we elucidated the most potential antihistamine, a key target, and a key pharmacological pathway as alleviating components against COVID-19, supporting scientific evidence for further research. Full article

This paper proposes the application of a multivariate diffusion model, based on ordinary differential equations, to investigate the energy transition in Germany. Specifically, the model is able to analyze the dynamic interdependencies between coal, gas and renewables in the energy market. A system dynamics representation of the model is also performed, allowing a deeper understanding of the system and the set-up of suitable strategic interventions through a simulation exercise. Such simulation provides a useful indication of how renewable energy consumption may be stimulated as a result of well-specified policies. Full article

Burn survivors may benefit from screening for a broad area of problems to improve communication and inform referral needs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate clinical utility aspects such as appropriateness and acceptability to clinicians and completers of an existing, frequently used screening instrument in oncological populations, the Distress Thermometer and Problem List (DT and PL). Methods: Paediatric and adult patients visiting the outpatient clinic after admission to the burn centre were invited to complete the instrument. The DT and (problem domains of) the PL were related and compared to the need to discuss the reported problems. Results: A total of 160 patients were invited to complete the DT and PL, of which 139 agreed. The study shows evidence for appropriateness and high acceptability to clinicians and completers, although the effectiveness of the PL may be lower compared to the DT and needs adaptation to better meet the burn survivors’ situation. Discussion: The use of a screening instrument in the outpatient clinic environment has shown to be appropriate and acceptable and informs clinical practice to identify supportive needs in patients with burns. However, the PL needs to be adapted to the situation of the burn survivors. Full article

Statins are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors used worldwide to manage dyslipidaemia and thus limit the development of atherosclerotic disease and its complications. These atheroprotective drugs are now known to exert pleiotropic actions outside of their cholesterol-lowering activity, including altering immune cell function. Macrophages are phagocytic leukocytes that play critical functional roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and are directly targeted by statins. Early studies documented the anti-inflammatory effects of statins on macrophages, but emerging evidence suggests that these drugs can also enhance pro-inflammatory macrophage responses, creating an unresolved paradox. This review comprehensively examines the in vitro, in vivo, and clinical literature to document the statin-induced changes in macrophage polarization and immunomodulatory functions, explore the underlying mechanisms involved, and offer potential explanations for this paradox. A better understanding of the immunomodulatory actions of statins on macrophages should pave the way for the development of novel therapeutic approaches to manage atherosclerosis and other chronic diseases and conditions characterised by unresolved inflammation. Full article

In curtain wall applications, anchor channels are frequently installed near the edge of composite slabs with profiled steel decking. The complex concrete geometry of these floor slabs affects the capacity of all concrete failure modes, but there are currently no guidelines or investigations available on this topic. The main objective of the present research is to investigate how the position of anchor channels and the complex slab geometry influence the tensile capacity of anchor channels. For this purpose, an extensive numerical parametric study was performed using the 3D nonlinear FE code MASA, which is based on the microplane constitutive model. In order to validate the numerical results, an experimental program was carried out for some of the configurations possible in practice. Based on the results, recommendations are given for the reduction in the tensile capacity of anchor channels in composite slabs with profiled steel decking. Full article

The paper evaluates the performance of an adsorption-based technology for CO₂ capture directly from the air at the industrial scale. The approach is based on detailed mass and energy balance dynamic modeling of the vacuum temperature swing adsorption (VTSA) process in Aspen Adsorption software. The first step of the approach aims to validate the modeling thanks to published experimental data for a lab-scale bed module in terms of mass transfer and energy performance on a packed bed using amine-functionalized material. A parametric study on the main operating conditions, i.e., air velocity, air relative moisture, air temperature, and CO₂ capture rate, is undertaken to assess the global performance and energy consumption. A method of up-scaling the lab-scale bed module to industrial module is exposed and mass transfer and energy performances of the industrial module are provided. The scale up from lab scale to the industrial size is conservative in terms of thermal energy consumption while the electrical consumption is very sensitive to the bed design. Further study related to the engineering solutions available to reach high global gas velocity are required. This could be offered by monolith-shape adsorbents. Full article

Anecdotal reports suggest that adequate housing and transportation could be fundamental elements required to ensure quality of life (QOL) for people with mobility limitations. Certain home- and community-based services (HCBS) are also necessary to ensure that housing and transportation needs are met. Understanding QOL as it relates to housing and transportation is critical for people with mobility limitations but requires appropriate assessment of these constructs. The aims of this research were to explore the relationships between housing and transportation on QOL for people with mobility limitations, to describe the current conceptual measurement issues and to propose dimensions of access that could facilitate assessment of QOL as it relates to housing, transportation and HCBS. A critical review of the literature was conducted by experts in disability, QOL and access theory. While evidence indicated a potential influence of housing and transportation on QOL for people with mobility limitations, the relationships between these concepts were weak and inconclusive. Moreover, the measurement tools used lacked appropriateness to specifically measure these constructs. Approaching these measurement issues within an access theory may better position future research to address the housing, transportation and HSBS needs of people with mobility limitations. Future research may consider elements of availability, accessibility, accommodation, affordability, acceptability and awareness to ensure access for people with mobility limitations. A better understanding of QOL as it relates to housing, transportation and HCBS will improve the quality of research, which may in turn improve access of adequate services for people with mobility limitations. Full article

Despite loose restrictions and a low mortality rate due to COVID-19, Japan faced the challenge of stabilizing its economy during the pandemic. Here, we analyzed how the Japanese government attempted to maintain a balance between the health of the population and the health of the economy. We used a mix of quantitative data, information from policy documents, and news agency publications. Features of the Japanese government’s handling of the pandemic include the lack of constitutional authority to enforce a lockdown, the laxer restrictions compared with other countries in which citizens were advised only to exercise self-restraint and avoid close social contact, and the existence of expert panels that had only an advisory role. Our findings address the slow initial response of the government, which feared that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics would be canceled, and the increased testing when the Olympics were postponed, as well as the expansion of vaccination efforts after the Olympics. In addition, there was a targeted campaign to promote national travel to increase economic revenue in the tourism sector, but this led to an increase in COVID-19 cases. Full article

The reduction in the inherent brittleness of coatings applied on parts of ceramic shielding used for continuous steel casting (CSC) processes is highly desired, since it can significantly diminish losses occurring during post-application handling and mounting. One of such coatings, prepared mostly from fused silica, ludox, tabular alumina, chamotte, cenospheres, dextrine and aluminum powder, is known commercially as Thermacoat™. The present experiment is focused on the effect of the modification of its composition by rising the content of the cenospheres (max. 2.5 wt.%) or by introducing up to 1.5 wt.% of polymer Belmix™ fibers (~34 μm diameter/12 mm length) on the microstructure and mechanical properties. The maximum amount of introduced additions was limited by the accompanying loss of mass viscosity, which must allow for deposition through immersion. Next, the differential scanning calorimetry and differential thermogravimetric analysis techniques were employed to evaluate the extent of the weight change and heat response of the mass during the drying and annealing stages. The dried materials’ microstructure was investigated with light and scanning electron microscopy, while the chemical composition was studied by energy dispersive spectroscopy. Finally, a three-point flexural bending method was used to determine changes in the material mechanical properties. The performed experiments proved that the small addition (~1 wt.%) of polymer fibers is sufficient for the significant improvement of the Thermacoat™ green mechanical strength at ambient temperature, presenting a reproducible ultimate flexural strength of ~0.2 MPa. Full article

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) represents a major public health issue, currently posing an important burden on healthcare systems. Renin–angiotensin system (RAS) blockers are considered the cornerstone of treatment of albuminuric DKD. However, a high residual risk of progression to more advanced CKD stages under RAS blockade still remains, while relevant studies did not show significant declines in cardiovascular events with these agents in patients with DKD. Among several other pharmacological classes, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) have received increasing interest, due to a growing body of high-quality evidence showing that spironolactone and eplerenone can significantly lower blood pressure and albuminuria in patients with CKD. Furthermore, finerenone, a novel nonsteroidal MRA with unique physicochemical properties, was shown to effectively reduce cardiovascular events and death, as well as the incidence of end-stage kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. This review discusses previous and recent clinical evidence on the issue of nephroprotection and cardioprotection in DKD offered by mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism, aiming to aid clinicians in their treatment decisions for diabetic patients. Full article

The calculation of electrical loads is the first and most significant stage in the design of the power supply system. It is essential to make the right choice when choosing the power electrical equipment: transformers, power lines, and switching devices. Underestimation or overestimation of the calculated values can lead to large losses and an increase in capital costs. Therefore, the reliability of the results plays a key role. The use of energy-saving technologies and energy-efficient electrical equipment leads to a change in the nature and level of power consumption, which must be taken into account when determining the electrical loads. The existing methods leave out dynamic characteristics of electrical load curves, so the calculated values are overestimated by up to 40%. This study shows a load calculation method with the normalized correlation functions and its parameters at the level of the individual and group electricity consumers. As a result, the difference between the calculated and experimental values does not exceed 5%. Full article

Patients with end stage renal disease require some form of vascular access for treatment, with Arterio-Venous Fistulas (avf) being the preferred form available due to better patency rates. However, they continue to present complications after creation, leading to early or late failure. While many studies are examining the flow in patient-specific fistulas, they often neglect the influence of vessel compliance on its hemodynamics. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of wall compliance on the complex hemodynamics of a patient-specific brachio-cephalic avf and how it differs from a rigid fistula. Particle Image Velocimetry (piv) was used to capture the flow pattern within the fistula for both steady (Re = 1817) and pulsatile (${\mathrm{Re}}_{\mathrm{av}}=1817$, ${\mathrm{Re}}_{\max }=2232$) flow conditions. The results were compared to rigid model measurements performed under the same Reynolds number. The streamline plots and coefficient of variation results did not differ significantly between the models; however, the non-dimensional velocity and directional variability results did vary between the two fistulas. A difference of approximately 8% was seen between the two models for both steady and pulsatile flow. The findings of this study suggest that to determine the bulk flow, a rigid model is adequate, but to capture the finer details of the flow, a compliant model is necessary. Full article

Seventeenth-century travel accounts written by ordinary people are a rarity. In this article, we analyze the unusual travel report by Gregorio de Robles, a Castilian peasant (labrador) who travelled several European empires in Western Europe and America at the end of the seventeenth and the beginning of the eighteenth centuries. The approach we offer is that of a global microhistory. The aim of this article is mainly methodological: we try to delineate the methodological steps we had to undertake to trace Robles in the sources. Looking for an early modern peasant traveler is comparable to searching for a needle in a haystack, but we argue that this endeavor is worthwhile because Robles offers a unique perspective on how ordinary people traveled in early modern times and on imperial frontier zones. We show that his convivial ties and the places he mentions were key elements in the methodology. Full article

Salinity is a dominant obstacle to the proper germination of seeds, growth of seedlings, and, consequently, the production of crops. The priming of seeds with different treating agents can efficiently impart salinity tolerance. Kidney bean is a nutritious and popular vegetable crop in the world. Literature shows that salt stress negatively disturbs the germination and growth of kidney beans. In the present research, we investigated the potentiality of salicylic acid (SA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as priming and exogenous agents to alleviate the salinity-inhibited germination and growth of kidney beans. The seeds were pretreated with SA (1 mM and 2 mM) and H₂O₂ (0.1 mM and 0.15 mM) and soaked in normal tap water (hydro-priming) for 60 min. In addition, for the control experiment, untreated seeds were used. Finally, primed seeds were subjected to salt stress (150 mM NaCl). Our results exhibited that salt stress considerably lowered the percentage of germination (GP), germination index (GI), seed vigor index (SVI), shoot length (SL), root length (RL), shoot–root fresh and dry biomass, and plant growth. The results also exhibited that salt stress significantly decreased the relative water content (RWC) and photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophyll, carotenoids, lycopene, and beta-carotene contents. The SA- and H₂O₂- and hydro-priming stimulated the GP, GI, SL, RL, SVI, and seedling growth. Data also revealed that the supplementation of SA and H₂O₂ enhanced RWC and photosynthetic pigments. When compared to other treatments, pretreatment with 1 mM SA was determined to be comparatively more effective at imparting the salt tolerance of kidney beans. Overall, these results, via a heatmap and principal component analysis, uncovered that priming and exogenous applications of SA and H₂O₂ can improve salt tolerance and enhance germination and seedling characteristics of kidney beans. Full article

One of the reasons for our interest in the past, or history, is our concern for the future, including the future of our planet and its many and varied inhabitants. It has been suggested that “historians are particularly suited” to exploring and teaching about the future. This suggestion recalls earlier ideas of philosophical approaches to the study of history that sought to find patterns or purpose in history. These approaches are associated with ideas of progress and teleological accounts of history more generally. The underlying philosophical approach to history is a broader search for meaning. Full article

Cognitive training approaches are promising to manage the effects of normal cognitive decline for the aging adult, especially with the development and integration of computerized cognitive training. Supportive community models for older adults, such as senior centers, may provide engagement opportunities for occupation-based cognitive training programming. Fourteen older adults (n = 13 Black) from an urban older adult community center participated. This feasibility trial used a two-group, pretest-posttest design to examine differences between an occupation-based computerized cognitive training (CCT) program (n = 7) and a traditional cognitive training (TCT) program (n = 7), as assessed by participants’ perceptions of the perceived benefits, tolerance of time of sessions, and on executive functioning measures. There were no significant differences in the tolerance of time of sessions (p = 0.81) between CCT (average session time = 43.64 min) and TCT (average session time = 44.27 min). Additionally, there were no significant differences in how the two program groups perceived the training based on helpfulness (p = 1.00), positive opinions (p = 0.46), and executive functioning measurement changes. All participants reported “enjoyment” of the training. Including occupation-based CCT and TCT programming is feasible and positive within community-based programming focusing on a diverse population. Short-term improvements in executive functioning should not be expected but are worthy of longer-term observation, considering a socialization component, telehealth integrations, and expansion of supportive technology-based models. Full article

Post-tensioned (PT) construction incorporating bonded tendons with cementitious grouts has been used for highway bridges. The tendon duct and the encapsulating grout materials provide barrier corrosion protection for the embedded high-strength steel strand. Although generally used in good engineering practice, cases of PT tendon corrosion have been documented relating to inadequate detailing for joints and development of grout bleed water. Recently, in the past several years, unexpected severe localized strand corrosion has related to the segregation of thixotropic grouts. In the latter case, thixotropic grouts (that have been developed to mitigate grout bleeding) formed physical and chemical deficiencies that have been characterized to have high moisture content and elevated sulfate ion concentrations. The early presence of elevated sulfate ion concentrations in the deficient grout hinders stable steel passivation. The corrosion mechanism can be complicated due to the compounding effects of physical grout deficiency, moisture content, pore water pH, and the presence of sulfate ions. There remains interest to reliably assess corrosion of PT tendons with deficient grout. A review of electrochemical techniques and test methods used in earlier research by the authors to identify the role of sulfates on localized steel corrosion in alkaline solutions is presented. It was evident that different testing methods can reveal various aspects of the corrosion of strands in the deficient PT grout. The open-circuit potential and linear polarization method could differentiate corrosion activity between hardened and deficient grout environments but did not reveal the development of localized corrosion. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was useful to identify grout deficiencies by the differentiation of its bulk electrical properties. Potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical noise technique were used to identify metastable and pitting in alkaline sulfate solutions representative of the deficient grout pore water. Full article

Idiopathic achalasia is a motility disorder affecting the lower esophageal sphincter. Dysphagia is a hallmark symptom, but patients may exhibit other symptoms. The aim of this review is to compare achalasia symptoms globally. PubMed and Google Scholar were filtered from 1952–2021 with the search terms achalasia, epidemiology, diet, countries, and genetics. A total of 14 articles addressed demographics, symptom profiles, genetics, and diagnosis criteria amongst 2463 patients. Data on countries’ climate and diet were obtained through Arc Geographic Information System (GIS) and Our World in Data. Countries were grouped by similar climate zones and diets. Achalasia symptoms varied by region. In West Africa, patients exhibit parotid swelling, anemia, and dehydration; diminished appetite in East Asia; dysphagia and weight loss in West Asia and Europe; respiratory symptoms, reflux, and retrosternal pain in North America; and vomiting in Southern Asia. Weighted percentages of dietary oils/fats were (24.3%) in North America, Western Asia (17.8%); Europe (17.7%); East Asia (17.6%); West Africa (14.7%); Southern Asia (13.8%); North Africa (12.4%); Northeast Africa (10.1%). Conditions such as Down Syndrome and Triple A syndrome are associated with achalasia. There was no correlation for achalasia presentation and climate zones. Achalasia symptoms are likely multifactorial. Diet, genetics, and environmental factors may play significant roles. Full article

Although the presence of an arrector pili smooth muscle is documented in many monkey species, its regional peculiarities are hitherto not well documented. We aimed to study this aspect in the face of rhesus monkeys with different areas of hair coat. Eight different regions of six monkeys (male and female) were studied using light microscopy and immunohistochemistry (antibody against smooth muscle alpha actin). We identified two regions (lips and eyelids) with vellus hairs that did not show an arrector pili muscle. In the eyelids, the hairs are rather small and short; in the lips, the vellus hairs were surrounded by striated muscle fibers from the orbicularis oris muscle. In all other regions (frontal region, forehead, cheek, chin), the vellus hairs contained an arrector pili muscle with comparable morphology. Only in the chin region, where additional striated muscles from the face muscles were present, the arrector pili muscles were thinner. All vibrissae showed a close relation to striated muscle fiber bundles of the facial muscles. They never developed smooth muscle bundles assigned as arrector pili equivalent. Full article

The purpose was to evaluate the prognostic performance of the derived neutrophil–to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR) in patients with metastatic cutaneous melanoma (CM) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). We retrospectively investigated 41 CM patients with stage IV disease who had the indication for treatment with ICI. dNLR as well as NLR were routinely determined prior to the start of ICI treatment. The dNLR and NLR were calculated as follows: dNLR = absolute neutrophil counts (ANC)/white blood cell count −ANC and NRL = ANC/absolute lymphocyte counts, respectively. Follow-up of the patients was performed in line with current guidelines. In univariate analysis, dNLR (p = 0.027 and p = 0.032) as well as NLR (p = 0.0023 and p = 0.0036) were the only parameters which were significantly associated with the best overall response (BOR) and disease control rate (DCR) on ROC curve analyses. NLR negatively correlated with CM-specific survival (r = −0.32, p = 0.043). CM-specific deaths were significantly associated with the absence of immune-related adverse events (p = 0.043), elevated S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) at baseline (p = 0.0006), and dNLR (p = 0.024). In multivariate analyses, NLR was the only significant independent predictor for BOR (p = 0.014; odds ratio: 1.7; and 95% CI 1.11 to 2.61) and DCR (p = 0.019; odds ratio: 1.5; and 95% CI 1.07 to 2.19). Regarding CM-specific death, however, normal baseline S100B was the only significant independent predictor (p = 0.0020; odds ratio: 0.074; and 95% CI 0.014 to 0.38) for survival. Our data demonstrate that baseline NLR seems to be superior to dNLR in the prediction of ICI response in CM patients. Full article