ALOK K. SAHU^a, RAJSHREE VIJAYVARGIYA^a, R. M. SARVIYA^b

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.39, No.3-4, pp. 183-193, 2022, DOI:10.32381/JPM.2022.39.3-4.1

Abstract HDPE material is found to be best suited material for the manufacturing of floating bed structure for the solar photovoltaic (PV) system due to its light weight and excellent mechanical & chemical resistant properties. However, the major restriction in this regard is the limited engineering design and also the effect of UV radiations present in the natural environment that leads to the degradation of the plastic materials. Hence, in order to improve its UV stability carbon black is incorporated into it as UV resistant additive and hollow cubical floats of such HDPE/carbon black composite material has been manufactured by rotational… More >

Rohollah Fallah Madvari¹, Hamideh Bidel², Ahmad Mehri³, Fatema Babaee⁴, Fereydoon Laal^5,*

Sound & Vibration, Vol.58, pp. 119-131, 2024, DOI:10.32604/sv.2024.048861

Abstract Noise is one of the environmental factors with mental and physical effects. The workload is also the multiple mental and physical demands of the task. Therefore, his study investigated the relationship between noise exposure and mood states at different levels of workload. The study recruited 50 workers from the manufacturing sector (blue-collar workers) as the exposed group and 50 workers from the office sector (white-collar workers) as the control group. Their occupational noise exposure was measured by dosimetry. The Stress-Arousal Checklist (SACL) and the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) were used to measure mood and workload, respectively. The equivalent noise… More >

Kristi K. Westphaln^1,2,*, Karen Kay Imagawa^2,3, Lorena Espinosa Smith^1,4, Julia Srivastava⁵, Nancy A. Pike^1,5

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.18, No.6, pp. 657-670, 2023, DOI:10.32604/chd.2023.044179

Abstract Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a chronic medical condition often diagnosed at birth and requires surgical intervention, multiple hospitalizations, and lifelong care. This can put significant stress on the family, leading to altered maternal mental health, bonding and attachment issues, and the potential for child abuse. The purpose of this study is to explore the characteristics of a sample of young children with CHD who experienced hospitalization with concurrent concern for child abuse in a free-standing pediatric tertiary care hospital. Methods: Electronic medical records were reviewed for children aged 0–5 years old who were hospitalized with concern for child… More >

Demiao Chu¹, Redžo Hasanagić², Leila Fathi³, Mohsen Bahmani^3,*, Miha Humar⁴

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.12, pp. 4061-4078, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.043657

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the water absorption capacity of thermally modified and non-modified spruce and blue-stained spruce wood. The wettability of wood depends on various factors, including its type, density, porosity, and surface treatment. Wood can swell and become distorted when exposed to water or humidity, impacting its structural integrity. Hence, it is crucial to consider the water and water vapour uptake in the wood when choosing materials for applications that are likely to be exposed to moisture. Various moisture absorption tests were conducted to assess water absorption capacity, including short-term and long-term water absorption and water vapour absorption.… More > Graphic Abstract

Tian Ma, Chenhui Fu^*, Jiayi Yang, Jiehui Zhang, Chuyang Shang

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.77, No.1, pp. 1103-1122, 2023, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2023.042416

Abstract Low-light image enhancement methods have limitations in addressing issues such as color distortion, lack of vibrancy, and uneven light distribution and often require paired training data. To address these issues, we propose a two-stage unsupervised low-light image enhancement algorithm called Retinex and Exposure Fusion Network (RF-Net), which can overcome the problems of over-enhancement of the high dynamic range and under-enhancement of the low dynamic range in existing enhancement algorithms. This algorithm can better manage the challenges brought about by complex environments in real-world scenarios by training with unpaired low-light images and regular-light images. In the first stage, we design a… More >

Henry P. Foote¹, Huali Wu², Stephen J. Balevic^1,2, Elizabeth J. Thompson^1,2, Kevin D. Hill^1,2, Eric M. Graham³, Christoph P. Hornik^1,2, Karan R. Kumar^1,2,*

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.18, No.3, pp. 295-313, 2023, DOI:10.32604/chd.2023.026262

Abstract Background: Infants undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) frequently receive intra-operative methylprednisolone (MP) to suppress CPB-related inflammation; however, the optimal dosing strategy and efficacy of MP remain unclear. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all infants under 90 days-old who received intra-operative MP for cardiac surgery with CPB from 2014–2017 at our institution. We combined real-world dosing data from the electronic health record (EHR) and two previously developed population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic models to simulate peak concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve for 24 h (AUC24) for MP and the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10). We evaluated the relationships… More > Graphic Abstract

Philippe Apparicio¹ , Jérémy Gelb¹, Paula Negron-Poblete², Mathieu Carrier¹, Stéphanie Potvin¹ , Élaine Lesage-Mann¹

Revue Internationale de Géomatique, Vol.30, No.2, pp. 155-179, 2020, DOI:10.3166/rig.2021.00110

Abstract Air pollution and road traffic noise are two important environmental nuisances that could be harmful to the health and well-being of urban populations. In Mexico City, as in many North American cities, there has been an upsurge in bicycle ridership. However, Mexico City is also well known for having high levels of noise and air pollution. The purpose of this study is threefold: 1) evaluate cyclists’ exposure to air pollution (nitrogen dioxide) and road traffic noise; 2) identify local factors that increase or reduce cyclists’ exposure, in paying particular attention to the type of road and bicycle path or lane… More >

V. Banupriya^1,*, S. Anusuya²

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.75, No.3, pp. 5597-5613, 2023, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2023.038696

Abstract In the modern world, one of the most severe eye infections brought on by diabetes is known as diabetic retinopathy (DR), which will result in retinal damage, and, thus, lead to blindness. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) can be well treated with early diagnosis. Retinal fundus images of humans are used to screen for lesions in the retina. However, detecting DR in the early stages is challenging due to the minimal symptoms. Furthermore, the occurrence of diseases linked to vascular anomalies brought on by DR aids in diagnosing the condition. Nevertheless, the resources required for manually identifying the lesions are high. Similarly,… More >

CHEN WANG, CHAOFAN HE, YUANYUAN GAO, KAIXIAN WANG, MENG LIANG^*

BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 155-164, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.024657

Abstract Heat stress is an important influence on the male reproductive organs. Therefore, the effects of heat stress on genes or pathways related to the reproductive system of male mice were experimentally explored in this paper to further determine the effects of heat stimulation on mammals. Herein, models of heat-exposed mouse testicular tissue and heat-excited cells were successfully established. Many scorched vesicles were found after heat excitation of testis supporting cells, testicular mesenchymal (TM4) cells. Western blot, in situ terminal deoxynucleotide transferase dUTP Nick end labeling (TUNEL) and transmission electron microscopy showed that membrane rupture, mitochondrial damage and autophagic vesicles occurred… More >

Xiaoxuan Zhu¹, Xueyan Wang², Li Lei^1,*, Yuting Zhao¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.132, No.2, pp. 661-679, 2022, DOI:10.32604/cmes.2022.020427

Abstract In this study, numerical simulations were used to explore the effects of roadside green belt, urban street spatial layout, and wind speed on vehicle exhaust emission diffusion in street canyon. The diffusion of different sized particles in the street canyon and the influence of wind speed were investigated. The individual daily average pollutant intake was used to evaluate the exposure level in a street canyon microenvironment. The central and leeward green belts of the road were the most conducive to the diffusion of pollutants, while the positioning of the green belts both sides of a road was least conducive to… More >