bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Liquid Biopsy in NSCLC: An Investigation with Multiple Clinical Implications
Authors: Bertoli Elisa , De Carlo Elisa , Basile Debora , Zara Diego , Stanzione Brigida , Schiappacassi Monica , Del Conte Alessandro , Spina Michele , Bearz Alessandra
Published: June 2023

Tissue biopsy is essential for NSCLC diagnosis and treatment management. Over the past decades, liquid biopsy has proven to be a powerful tool in clinical oncology, isolating tumor-derived entities from the blood. Liquid biopsy permits several advantages over tissue biopsy: it is non-invasive, and it should provide a better view of tumor heterogeneity, gene alterations, and clonal evolution. Consequentially, liquid biopsy has gained attention as a cancer biomarker tool, with growing clinical applications in NSCLC. In the era of precision medicine based on molecular typing, non-invasive genotyping methods became increasingly important due to the great number of oncogene drivers and the small tissue specimen often available. In our work, we comprehensively reviewed established and emerging applications of liquid biopsy in NSCLC. We made an excursus on laboratory analysis methods and the applications of liquid biopsy either in early or metastatic NSCLC disease settings. We deeply reviewed current data and future perspectives regarding screening, minimal residual disease, micrometastasis detection, and their implication in adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy management. Moreover, we reviewed liquid biopsy diagnostic utility in the absence of tissue biopsy and its role in monitoring treatment response and emerging resistance in metastatic NSCLC treated with target therapy and immuno-therapy.
Comparison of Monoamine Oxidase-A, Aβ Plaques, Tau, and Translocator Protein Levels in Postmortem Human Alzheimer’s Disease Brain
Authors: Syed Amina U. , Liang Christopher , Patel Krystal K. , Mondal Rommani , Kamalia Vallabhi M. , Moran Taylor R. , Ahmed Shamiha T. , Mukherjee Jogeshwar
Published: June 2023

Increased monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) activity in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) may be detrimental to the point of neurodegeneration. To assess MAO-A activity in AD, we compared four biomarkers, Aβ plaques, tau, translocator protein (TSPO), and MAO-A in postmortem AD. Radiotracers were [18F]FAZIN3 for MAO-A, [18F]flotaza and [125I]IBETA for Aβ plaques, [124/125I]IPPI for tau, and [18F]FEPPA for TSPO imaging. Brain sections of the anterior cingulate (AC; gray matter GM) and corpus callosum (CC; white matter WM) from cognitively normal control (CN, n = 6) and AD (n = 6) subjects were imaged using autoradiography and immunostaining. Using competition with clorgyline and (R)-deprenyl, the binding of [18F]FAZIN3 was confirmed to be selective to MAO-A levels in the AD brain sections. Increases in MAO-A, Aβ plaque, tau, and TSPO activity were found in the AD brains compared to the control brains. The [18F]FAZIN3 ratio in AD GM versus CN GM was 2.80, suggesting a 180% increase in MAO-A activity. Using GM-to-WM ratios of AD versus CN, a >50% increase in MAO-A activity was observed (AD/CN = 1.58). Linear positive correlations of [18F]FAZIN3 with [18F]flotaza, [125I]IBETA, and [125I]IPPI were measured and suggested an increase in MAO-A activity with increases in Aβ plaques and tau activity. Our results support the finding that MAO-A activity is elevated in the anterior cingulate cortex in AD and thus may provide a new biomarker for AD in this brain region.
Mitochondrial Effects of Hydromethylthionine, Rivastigmine and Memantine in Tau-Transgenic Mice
Authors: Kondak Constantin , Leith Michael , Baddeley Thomas C. , Santos Renato X. , Harrington Charles R. , Wischik Claude M. , Riedel Gernot , Klein Jochen
Published: June 2023

Tau protein aggregations are important contributors to the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Hydromethylthionine (HMT) is a potent inhibitor of tau aggregation in vitro and in vivo and is being developed as a possible anti-dementia medication. HMT was also shown to affect the cholinergic system and to interact with mitochondria. Here, we used tau-transgenic (L1 and L66) and wild-type NMRI mice that were treated with HMT, rivastigmine and memantine and with combinations thereof, for 2–4 weeks. We measured HMT concentrations in both brain homogenates and isolated mitochondria and concentrations of glucose, lactate and pyruvate in brain by microdialysis. In isolated brain mitochondria, we recorded oxygen consumption of mitochondrial complexes by respirometry. While rivastigmine and memantine lowered mitochondrial respiration, HMT did not affect respiration in wild-type animals and increased respiration in tau-transgenic L1 mice. Glucose and lactate levels were not affected by HMT administration. The presence of HMT in isolated mitochondria was established. In summary, traditional anti-dementia drugs impair mitochondrial function while HMT has no adverse effects on mitochondrial respiration in tau-transgenic mice. These results support the further development of HMT as an anti-dementia drug.
Dependence of Induced Biological Damage on the Energy Distribution and Intensity of Clinical Intra-Operative Radiotherapy Electron Beams
Authors: Colmenares Rafael , Carrión-Marchante Rebeca , Martín M. Elena , Salinas Muñoz Laura , García-Bermejo María Laura , Oller Juan C. , Muñoz Antonio , Blanco Francisco , Rosado Jaime , Lozano Ana I. , Álvarez Sofía , García-Vicente Feliciano , García Gustavo
Published: June 2023

The survival fraction of epithelial HaCaT cells was analysed to assess the biological damage caused by intraoperative radiotherapy electron beams with varying energy spectra and intensities. These conditions were achieved by irradiating the cells at different depths in water using nominal 6 MeV electron beams while consistently delivering a dose of 5 Gy to the cell layer. Furthermore, a Monte Carlo simulation of the entire irradiation procedure was performed to evaluate the molecular damage in terms of molecular dissociations induced by the radiation. A significant agreement was found between the molecular damage predicted by the simulation and the damage derived from the analysis of the survival fraction. In both cases, a linear relationship was evident, indicating a clear tendency for increased damage as the averaged incident electron energy and intensity decreased for a constant absorbed dose, lowering the dose rate. This trend suggests that the radiation may have a more pronounced impact on surrounding healthy tissues than initially anticipated. However, it is crucial to conduct additional experiments with different target geometries to confirm this tendency and quantify the extent of this effect.
Recent Advances in Functional Nanomaterials for Diagnostic and Sensing Using Self-Assembled Monolayers
Authors: Basso Caroline R. , Crulhas Bruno P. , Castro Gustavo R. , Pedrosa Valber A.
Published: June 2023

Functional nanomaterials have attracted attention by producing different structures in any field. These materials have several potential applications, including medicine, electronics, and energy, which provide many unique properties. These nanostructures can be synthesized using various methods, including self-assembly, which can be used for the same applications. This unique nanomaterial is increasingly being used for biological detection due to its unique optical, electrical, and mechanical properties, which provide sensitive and specific sensors for detecting biomolecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins. This review highlights recent advances in the field and discusses the fabrication and characterization of the corresponding materials, which can be further applied in optical, magnetic, electronic, and sensor fields.
U-Net_dc: A Novel U-Net-Based Model for Endometrial Cancer Cell Image Segmentation
Authors: Ji Zhanlin , Yao Dashuang , Chen Rui , Lyu Tao , Liao Qinping , Zhao Li , Ganchev Ivan
Published: June 2023

Mutated cells may constitute a source of cancer. As an effective approach to quantifying the extent of cancer, cell image segmentation is of particular importance for understanding the mechanism of the disease, observing the degree of cancer cell lesions, and improving the efficiency of treatment and the useful effect of drugs. However, traditional image segmentation models are not ideal solutions for cancer cell image segmentation due to the fact that cancer cells are highly dense and vary in shape and size. To tackle this problem, this paper proposes a novel U-Net-based image segmentation model, named U-Net_dc, which expands twice the original U-Net encoder and decoder and, in addition, uses a skip connection operation between them, for better extraction of the image features. In addition, the feature maps of the last few U-Net layers are upsampled to the same size and then concatenated together for producing the final output, which allows the final feature map to retain many deep-level features. Moreover, dense atrous convolution (DAC) and residual multi-kernel pooling (RMP) modules are introduced between the encoder and decoder, which helps the model obtain receptive fields of different sizes, better extract rich feature expression, detect objects of different sizes, and better obtain context information. According to the results obtained from experiments conducted on the Tsinghua University’s private dataset of endometrial cancer cells and the publicly available Data Science Bowl 2018 (DSB2018) dataset, the proposed U-Net_dc model outperforms all state-of-the-art models included in the performance comparison study, based on all evaluation metrics used.
Regularized Mislevy-Wu Model for Handling Nonignorable Missing Item Responses
Authors: Robitzsch Alexander
Published: June 2023

Missing item responses are frequently found in educational large-scale assessment studies. In this article, the Mislevy-Wu item response model is applied for handling nonignorable missing item responses. This model allows that the missingness of an item depends on the item itself and a further latent variable. However, with low to moderate amounts of missing item responses, model parameters for the missingness mechanism are difficult to estimate. Hence, regularized estimation using a fused ridge penalty is applied to the Mislevy-Wu model to stabilize estimation. The fused ridge penalty function is separately defined for multiple-choice and constructed response items because previous research indicated that the missingness mechanisms strongly differed for the two item types. In a simulation study, it turned out that regularized estimation improves the stability of item parameter estimation. The method is also illustrated using international data from the progress in international reading literacy study (PIRLS) 2011 data.
Scene Text Recognition Based on Improved CRNN
Authors: Yu Wenhua , Ibrayim Mayire , Hamdulla Askar
Published: June 2023

Text recognition is an important research topic in computer vision. Scene text, which refers to the text in real scenes, sometimes needs to meet the requirement of attracting attention, and there is the situation such as deformation. At the same time, the image acquisition process is affected by factors such as occlusion, noise, and obstruction, making scene text recognition tasks more challenging. In this paper, we improve the CRNN model for text recognition, which has relatively low accuracy, poor performance in recognizing irregular text, and only considers obtaining text sequence information from a single aspect, resulting in incomplete information acquisition. Firstly, to address the problems of low text recognition accuracy and poor recognition of irregular text, we add label smoothing to ensure the model’s generalization ability. Then, we introduce the smoothing loss function from speech recognition into the field of text recognition, and add a language model to increase information acquisition channels, ultimately achieving the goal of improving text recognition accuracy. This method was experimentally verified on six public datasets and compared with other advanced methods. The experimental results show that this method performs well in most benchmark tests, and the improved model outperforms the original model in recognition performance.
Modulation of Cell Response through the Covalent Binding of Fibronectin to Titanium Substrates
Authors: Rezvanian Parsa , Álvarez-López Aroa , Tabraue-Rubio Raquel , Daza Rafael , Colchero Luis , Elices Manuel , Guinea Gustavo V. , González-Nieto Daniel , Pérez-Rigueiro José
Published: June 2023

Titanium (Ti-6Al-4V) substrates were functionalized through the covalent binding of fibronectin, and the effect of the existence of this extracellular matrix protein on the surface of the material was assessed by employing mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) cultures. The functionalization process comprised the usage of the activation vapor silanization (AVS) technique to deposit a thin film with a high surface density of amine groups on the material, followed by the covalent binding of fibronectin to the amine groups using the N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride/N-hydroxysuccinimide (EDC/NHS) crosslinking chemistry. The biological effect of the fibronectin on murine MSCs was assessed in vitro. It was found that functionalized samples not only showed enhanced initial cell adhesion compared with bare titanium, but also a three-fold increase in the cell area, reaching values comparable to those found on the polystyrene controls. These results provide compelling evidence of the potential to modulate the response of the organism to an implant through the covalent binding of extracellular matrix proteins on the prosthesis.
Fabrication and Evaluation of Porous dECM/PCL Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: Wang Weiwei , Zhou Xiaqing , Yin Zhuozhuo , Yu Xiaojun
Published: June 2023

Porous scaffolds play a crucial role in bone tissue regeneration and have been extensively investigated in this field. By incorporating a decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) onto tissue-engineered scaffolds, bone regeneration can be enhanced by replicating the molecular complexity of native bone tissue. However, the exploration of porous scaffolds with anisotropic channels and the effects of dECM on these scaffolds for bone cells and mineral deposition remains limited. To address this gap, we developed a porous polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold with anisotropic channels and functionalized it with dECM to capture the critical physicochemical properties of native bone tissue, promoting osteoblast cells’ proliferation, differentiation, biomineralization, and osteogenesis. Our results demonstrated the successful fabrication of porous dECM/PCL scaffolds with multiple channel sizes for bone regeneration. The incorporation of 100 μm grid-based channels facilitated improved nutrient and oxygen infiltration, while the porous structure created using 30 mg/mL of sodium chloride significantly enhanced the cells’ attachment and proliferation. Notably, the mechanical properties of the scaffolds closely resembled those of human bone tissue. Furthermore, compared with pure PCL scaffolds, the presence of dECM on the scaffolds substantially enhanced the proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow stem cells. Moreover, dECM significantly increased mineral deposition on the scaffold. Overall, the dECM/PCL scaffold holds significant potential as an alternative bone graft substitute for repairing bone injuries.
Study on the Vibration Characteristics of Marine Riser Based on Flume Experiment and Numerical Simulation
Authors: Cai Qiurui , Li Zhengnong , Chan Ricky W. K. , Luo Han , Duan Guodi , Huang Bin , Wu Honghua
Published: June 2023

This study investigated vortex-induced vibrations of marine risers in Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion systems. Flume experiments were conducted under two conditions: Condition 1 was with a fixed riser bottom, and Condition 2 was with a fixed bottom on a mooring platform. The cross-flow acceleration of the riser was measured at different current velocities, and corresponding vibration responses were analyzed. Numerical simulations based on the flume experiments were employed to validate the reliability of the simulation method. Results from the flume experiments revealed vortex-induced resonance in Condition 1 when the flow velocity approached the riser’s natural frequency. In Condition 2, similar vibration responses were observed, with maximum acceleration occurring during flow velocity-induced vortex-induced vibrations. However, at higher flow velocities, the acceleration response showed a decrease followed by an increase, indicating the excitation of higher-order modes. The numerical simulations matched the flume experiments in Condition 1. In Condition 2, while the acceleration response and frequency agreed during vortex-induced resonance, discrepancies arose in the flow velocity that caused vortex-induced vibrations compared to the flume experiments. This study demonstrated the accuracy of numerical simulations in reflecting vortex-induced vibrations of risers, providing a foundation for further research on complex riser systems.
MAP Kinase FgHog1 and Importin β FgNmd5 Regulate Calcium Homeostasis in Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Zhang Lixin , Li Yiqing , Dong Lanlan , Sun Kewei , Liu Hao , Ma Zhonghua , Yan Leiyan , Yin Yanni
Published: June 2023

Maintaining cellular calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis is essential for many aspects of cellular life. The high-osmolarity glycerol (HOG) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway responsible for signal integration and transduction plays crucial roles in environmental adaptation, especially in the response to osmotic stress. Hog1 is activated by transient Ca2+ increase in yeast, but the functions of the HOG pathway in Ca2+ homeostasis are largely unknown. We found that the HOG pathway was involved in the regulation of Ca2+ homeostasis in Fusarium graminearum, a devastating fungal pathogen of cereal crops. The deletion mutants of HOG pathway displayed increased sensitivity to Ca2+ and FK506, and elevated intracellular Ca2+ content. Ca2+ treatment induced the phosphorylation of FgHog1, and the phosphorylated FgHog1 was transported into the nucleus by importin β FgNmd5. Moreover, the increased phosphorylation and nuclear accumulation of FgHog1 upon Ca2+ treatment is independent of the calcineurin pathway that is conserved and downstream of the Ca2+ signal. Taken together, this study reported the novel function of FgHog1 in the regulation of Ca2+ homeostasis in F. graminearum, which advance the understanding of the HOG pathway and the association between the HOG and calcineurin pathways in fungi.
Natural Urease Inhibitors Reduce the Severity of Disease Symptoms, Dependent on the Lifestyle of the Pathogens
Authors: Aliyeva-Schnorr Lala , Schuster Carola , Deising Holger B.
Published: June 2023

The development of new anti-ureolytic compounds is of great interest due to the newly discovered role of urease inhibitors in crop protection. Purine degradation and the generation of ammonium by urease are required for the full virulence of biotrophic and hemibiotrophic fungal plant pathogens. Accordingly, chemicals displaying urease inhibitor activity may be used as a novel class of fungicides. Several urease inhibitors belonging to different chemical classes are known, and some compounds have been developed as urea fertilizer additives. We tested whether the natural urease inhibitors p-benzoquinone (p-HQ) and hydroquinone (HQ), as well as the synthetic inhibitors isopropoxy carbonyl phosphoric acid amide (iCPAA), benzyloxy carbonyl phosphoric acid amide (bCPAA), and dipropyl-hexamino-1,3 diphosphazenium chloride (DDC), prevent or delay plant infection caused by pathogens differing in lifestyles and host plants. p-BQ, HQ, and DCC not only protected maize from infection by the hemibiotroph C. graminicola, but also inhibited the infection process of biotrophs such as the wheat powdery mildew fungus Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici and the broad bean rust fungus Uromyces viciae-fabae. Interestingly, the natural quinone-based compounds even reduced the symptom severity of the necrotrophic fungi, i.e., the grey mold pathogen B. cinerea and the Southern Leaf Spot fungus C. heterostrophus, to some extent. The urease inhibitors p-BQ, HQ, and DCC interfered with appressorial penetration and confirmed the appropriateness of urease inhibitors as novel fungicidal agents.
Risk Planning and Management in Portuguese Companies—A Statistical Approach
Authors: Tavares Fernando Oliveira , Santos Eulália , Tavares Vasco Capela , Ratten Vanessa
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this article is to study risk management planning and risk management in Portuguese companies. The methodology used is of a quantitative nature, based on a questionnaire survey that analyzes the risk management planning and risk management of 1647 Portuguese companies from different sectors of activity. The results allow us to conclude that the aspects that most manifest themselves in the perceptions of risk management planning are having a management plan that includes the relationship with customers, suppliers, and employees, as well as an updated security plan. This study intends to contribute to academic knowledge and for companies to know and master the concepts of risk management planning and risk management in its different aspects, helping the adoption of strategies to better plan risk management. The results make it possible to understand the differences in planning and risk management between larger and smaller companies, between older and younger companies, and between family and non-family companies. These results can contribute to increasing corporate sustainability and improving performance in planning and managing corporate risks.
Montenegrin Stock Exchange Market on a Short-Term Perspective
Authors: Backović Tamara , Karadžić Vesna , Gričar Sergej , Bojnec Štefan
Published: June 2023

The objective of this study is to analyse the constitution of the emerging Montenegrin stock exchange. Four methodological time-series econometric steps are involved: the augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF) test, run test, autocorrelation function (ACF) test, and Hurst test. The study utilises a daily data vector from 5 January 2004 to 20 June 2023, with a specific focus on the period encompassing the growth and peak of market stocks in 2007, followed by the significant 2008 financial crisis and subsequent developments thereafter. The analysis culminates on 28 May 2018, which is considered one of the lowest points in the Montenegrin stock exchange market in a comparative time-series assessment. The results of the tests conducted in this study do not provide empirical evidence supporting the random walk theory and its returns on aggregated shocks in the Montenegrin stock exchange market. By reviewing previous empirical studies and presenting new empirical findings, this study confirms the presence of stochastic trends in co-movements in finance, contributing to a deeper understanding of emerging stock exchange markets. Study implications support greater reliance on market efficiency, risk management, and portfolio diversification.
A Method for Improving the Performance of Ensemble Neural Networks by Introducing Randomization into Their Training Data
Authors: Richards Bryn , Emekwuru Nwabueze
Published: June 2023

We propose a methodology for training neural networks in which ensembles of under-trained neural networks are used to obtain broadly repeatable predictions, and we augment their performance by disrupting their training, with each neural network in the ensemble being trained on a potentially different data set generated from the base data by a method that we call randomization with full range sampling. Sleep habits in animals are a function of innate and environmental factors that determine the species’ place in the ecosystem and, thus, its requirement for sleep and opportunity to sleep. We apply the proposed methodology to train neural networks to predict hours of sleep from only seven correlated observations in only 39 species (one set of observations per species). The result was an ensemble of neural networks making more accurate predictions (lower mean squared error) and predictions that are more robust against variations in any one input parameter. The methodology presented here can be extended to other problems in which the data available for training are limited, or the neural network is to be applied, post-training, on a problem with substantial variation in the values of inputs (independent variables).
Effect of Thermal Treatments and Ion Substitution on Sintering and Crystallization of Bioactive Glasses: A Review
Authors: Mecca Francesco Gerardo , Bellucci Devis , Cannillo Valeria
Published: June 2023

Bioactive glasses (BGs) are promising materials for bone regeneration due to their ability to bond with living bone tissue. However, thermal stability and mechanical properties of BGs need improvement for better clinical performance. In this paper, we present an overview of the influence of different ions on the sintering and crystallization of BGs. Specifically, this review focuses on the impact of thermal treatments on the crystallization of 45S5 and other significant BG compositions. Potential applications of these thermally treated BGs, such as scaffolds, BG-based composites, and thermally sprayed coatings, are explored. Moreover, the substitution of ions has been investigated as a method to enhance the thermal properties of BGs. Notably, zinc, potassium, and strontium have been studied extensively and have demonstrated promising effects on both the thermal and the mechanical properties of BGs. However, it is important to note that research on ion inclusion in BGs is still in its early stages, and further investigation is necessary to fully comprehend the effects of different ions on sintering and crystallization. Therefore, future studies should focus on optimizing the ion substitution method to improve the thermal, mechanical, and even biological properties of BGs, thereby enhancing their potential for various biomedical applications.
Microstructural Characterization and Prior Particle Boundary (PPB) of PM Nickel-Based Superalloys by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS)
Authors: Qin Zijun , Li Qianyi , Wang Guowei , Liu Feng
Published: June 2023

This research investigates the microstructure and defects of powder metallurgy (PM) nickel-based superalloys prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The densification, microstructural evolution, and precipitate phase evolution processes of FGH96 superalloy after powder heat treatment (PHT) and sintering via SPS are specifically analyzed. Experimental results demonstrate that SPS technology, when applied to sinter at the sub-solidus temperature of the γ’ phase, effectively mitigates the formation of a prior particle boundary (PPB). Based on experimental and computational findings, it has been determined that the presence of elemental segregation and Al2O3 oxides on the surface of pre-alloyed powders leads to the preferential precipitation of MC-type carbides and Al2O3 and ZrO2 oxides in the sintering necks during the hot consolidation process, resulting in the formation of PPB. This study contributes to the understanding of microstructural modifications achieved through SPS technology, providing crucial information for optimizing sintering conditions and reducing the widespread occurrence of PPB, ultimately enhancing the material performance of PM nickel-based superalloys.
Influence of Ni Contents on Microstructure and Mechanical Performance of AlSi10Mg Alloy by Selective Laser Melting
Authors: Wang Hui , He Like , Zhang Qingyong , Yuan Yiqing
Published: June 2023

To improve the tensile strength and wear resistance of AlSi10Mg alloys, a novel in situ synthesis method of selective laser melting (SLM) was used to fabricate the Ni-reinforced AlSi10Mg samples. The eutectic Si networks formed around the α-Al crystals by diffusion and transportation via Marangoni convection in the SLM process. Moreover, the XRD and TEM results verified that the Al3Ni nanoparticles were created by the in situ reaction of the Ni and aluminum matrix in the Ni/AlSi10Mg samples. Therefore, the microstructure of the Ni-containing alloys was constituted by the α-Al + Si network + Al3Ni phases. The dislocations accumulated at the continuous Si network boundaries and cannot transmit across the dislocation walls inside the Si network. SEM results revealed that the continuity and size of eutectic Si networks can be tailored by adjusting the Ni contents. Furthermore, the Al matrix also benefited from the Al3Ni nanoparticles against the dislocation movement due to their excellent interfacial bonding. The 3Ni-AlSi10Mg sample exhibited high mechanical properties due to the continuous Si networks and Al3Ni nanoparticles. The tensile strength, elongation, Vickers hardness, friction coefficient, and wear volumes of the 3Ni-AlSi10Mg samples were 401.15 ± 7.97 MPa, 6.23 ± 0.252%, 144.06 ± 0.81 HV, 0.608, 0.11 mm3, respectively, which outperformed the pure AlSi10Mg samples (372.05 ± 1.64 MPa, 5.84 ± 0.269%, 123.22 ± 1.18 HV, 0.66, and 0.135 mm3).
Area-Selective Atomic Layer Deposition of ZnO on Si\SiO2 Modified with Tris(dimethylamino)methylsilane
Authors: Moeini Behnam , Avval Tahereh G. , Brongersma Hidde H. , Průša Stanislav , Bábík Pavel , Vaníčková Elena , Strohmeier Brian R. , Bell David S. , Eggett Dennis , George Steven M. , Linford Matthew R.
Published: June 2023

Delayed atomic layer deposition (ALD) of ZnO, i.e., area selective (AS)-ALD, was successfully achieved on silicon wafers (Si\SiO2) terminated with tris(dimethylamino)methylsilane (TDMAMS). This resist molecule was deposited in a home-built, near-atmospheric pressure, flow-through, gas-phase reactor. TDMAMS had previously been shown to react with Si\SiO2 in a single cycle/reaction and to drastically reduce the number of silanols that remain at the surface. ZnO was deposited in a commercial ALD system using dimethylzinc (DMZ) as the zinc precursor and H2O as the coreactant. Deposition of TDMAMS was confirmed by spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and wetting. ALD of ZnO, including its selectivity on TDMAMS-terminated Si\SiO2 (Si\SiO2\TDMAMS), was confirmed by in situ multi-wavelength ellipsometry, ex situ SE, XPS, and/or high-sensitivity/low-energy ion scattering (HS-LEIS). The thermal stability of the TDMAMS resist layer, which is an important parameter for AS-ALD, was investigated by heating Si\SiO2\TDMAMS in air and nitrogen at 330 °C. ALD of ZnO takes place more readily on Si\SiO2\TDMAMS heated in the air than in N2, suggesting greater damage to the surface heated in the air. To better understand the in situ ALD of ZnO on Si\SiO2\TDMAMS and modified (thermally stressed) forms of it, the ellipsometry results were plotted as the normalized growth per cycle. Even one short pulse of TDMAMS effectively passivates Si\SiO2. TDMAMS can be a useful, small-molecule inhibitor of ALD of ZnO on Si\SiO2 surfaces.
Investigation on the Design of Double-Stage Scissor Lifts Based on Parametric Dimension Technique
Authors: Dang Anh-Tuan , Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga
Published: June 2023

Scissor lifts are widely used in industry. The selection of a configuration of lift table system plays an important role since this depends on the working requirements of the systems and also the type of lift object. In this paper, based on the parametric dimension technique, the mathematical model of the configuration and the load calculation for the double-stage scissor lifts, which depends on the design parameters, were investigated in order to enhance the operation of scissor lift systems (e.g., lifting height, loading, and stability). A 2D-model of the system was constructed and simulated in the Working Model software to verify the accuracy of the proposed method. The results obtained from the simulation indicate that by adjusting the mounting positions of cylinders, the elevation of the platform and reactions on joints of the components can be calculated, which assists in improving the performance of the system. Furthermore, the results also prove the practical significance in the calculating process and dimensional design of scissor lifts, especially for double-stage structures.
Process-Gas-Influenced Anti-Site Disorder and Its Effects on Magnetic and Electronic Properties of Half-Metallic Sr2FeMoO6 Thin Films
Authors: Yadav Ekta , Navale Ketan S. , Prajapati Gulloo L. , Mavani Krushna R.
Published: June 2023

Anti-site disorder, arising due to the similar size of Fe and Mo ions in Sr2FeMoO6 (SFMO) double perovskites, hampers spintronic applicability by deteriorating the magnetic response of this double perovskite system. A higher degree of anti-site disorder can also completely destroy the half-metallicity of the SFMO system. To study the effects of different process gas conditions on the anti-site disorder, we have prepared a series of SFMO thin films on SrTiO3 (001) single-crystal substrate using a pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. The films are grown either under vacuum or under N2/O2 partial gas pressures. The vacuum-grown SFMO film shows the maximum value of saturation magnetization (MS) and Curie temperature (TC), signaling the lowest anti-site disorder in this series. In other words, there is a long-range Fe/Mo-O-Mo/Fe ferrimagnetic exchange in the vacuum-grown thin film, thereby enhancing the magnetization. Further, all the SFMO films show a semiconducting state with a systematic increase in overall resistivity with the increased anti-site disorder. The electrical conduction mechanism is defined by the variable-range hopping model at low temperatures. Raman spectra show a weak Fano peak, suggesting the presence of electron–phonon coupling in SFMO thin films. These results show the significance of the process gas in causing anti-site disorder, tuning the degree of this disorder and therefore its influence on the structural, magnetic, electrical, and vibrational properties of SFMO thin films.
Building of a Mathematical Model for Solving the Elastic–Gas-Dynamic Task of the Gas Lubrication Theory for Petal Bearings
Authors: Surovtcev Sergey , Zadorozhnaya Elena , Khozenyuk Nadezhda , Mashkov Oleg
Published: June 2023

Petal gas bearings are widely used in industrial turbine installations. However, there are practically no mathematical models that take into account the nonlinear dependence of the elastic element deformations of the gas-dynamic bearing on the pressure. It is very difficult to obtain a converged solution with a given accuracy in an acceptable time. On this basis, a mathematical model of the motion of a gas-dynamic bearing with a petals package was proposed. The model takes into account the pressure dependence of the elastic element deflections of the bearing, as well as the bearing design features and its elastic elements. A feature of solving the presented task was the joint solution of two subtasks: gas lubrication and deformations of the elastic elements of the bearing. The problem was that the contact areas of the elastic elements are not known in advance. The search for deflections or the formulation of the elasticity problem was based on the Lagrange variational principle. Petals are in the shape of thin cylindrical shells. The solution was achieved by minimizing the potential energy of the system of deformed petal shells using the first-order gradient method. The solution to the gas-dynamics problem was achieved by applying an explicit finite-difference approximation in time. To implement the proposed model, a numerical algorithm was developed to solve the related tasks of dynamics and elasticity by combining the methods of variational calculus, optimization, and an explicit finite-difference time scheme. The order of accuracy of convergence of the solution corresponded to 10−5. The study demonstrated that the load-carrying capability of the bearing increased by 2–4 times with an increase in the number of petals. The results of experimental studies allowed us to estimate the interval for the ascent speed of the rotor, which was used as the initial conditions for numerical modeling.
The Impact of Fear on a Harvested Prey–Predator System with Disease in a Prey
Authors: Ibrahim Hiba Abdullah , Naji Raid Kamel
Published: June 2023

A mathematical eco-epidemiological model consisting of harvested prey–predator system involving fear and disease in the prey population is formulated and studied. The prey population is supposed to be separated into two groups: susceptible and infected. The susceptible prey grows logistically, whereas the infected prey cannot reproduce and instead competes for the environment’s carrying capacity. Furthermore, the disease is transferred through contact from infected to susceptible individuals, and there is no inherited transmission. The existence, positivity, and boundedness of the model’s solution are discussed. The local stability analysis is carried out. The persistence requirements are established. The global behavior of the system is investigated with the use of the Lyapunov method. An application to the Sotomoyar theorem of local bifurcation is performed around the equilibrium points. In the end, the system is numerically simulated to confirm our obtained analytical results and specify the control set of parameters. Bifurcation diagrams are used to show the dynamical behavior as a function of some parameters. It is obtained that the prey’s fear stabilizes the system, while the disease and harvest cause extinction in one or more species.
Stability and Bifurcations in a Nutrient–Phytoplankton–Zooplankton Model with Delayed Nutrient Recycling with Gamma Distribution
Authors: Sterpu Mihaela , Rocşoreanu Carmen , Efrem Raluca , Campbell Sue Ann
Published: June 2023

Two nutrient–phytoplankton–zooplankton (NZP) models for a closed ecosystem that incorporates a delay in nutrient recycling, obtained using the gamma distribution function with one or two degrees of freedom, are analysed. The models are described by systems of ordinary differential equations of four and five dimensions. The purpose of this study is to investigate how the mean delay of the distribution and the total nutrients affect the stability of the equilibrium solutions. Local stability theory and bifurcation theory are used to determine the long-time dynamics of the models. It is found that both models exhibit comparable qualitative dynamics. There are a maximum of three equilibrium points in each of the two models, and at most one of them is locally asymptotically stable. The change of stability from one equilibrium to another takes place through a transcritical bifurcation. In some hypotheses on the functional response, the nutrient–phytoplankton–zooplankton equilibrium loses stability via a supercritical Hopf bifurcation, causing the apparition of a stable limit cycle. The way in which the results are consistent with prior research and how they extend them is discussed. Finally, various application-related consequences of the results of the theoretical study are deduced.
Enhanced Automated Deep Learning Application for Short-Term Load Forecasting
Authors: Laitsos Vasileios , Vontzos Georgios , Bargiotas Dimitrios , Daskalopulu Aspassia , Tsoukalas Lefteri H.
Published: June 2023

In recent times, the power sector has become a focal point of extensive scientific interest, driven by a convergence of factors, such as mounting global concerns surrounding climate change, the persistent increase in electricity prices within the wholesale energy market, and the surge in investments catalyzed by technological advancements across diverse sectors. These evolving challenges have necessitated the emergence of new imperatives aimed at effectively managing energy resources, ensuring grid stability, bolstering reliability, and making informed decisions. One area that has garnered particular attention is the accurate prediction of end-user electricity load, which has emerged as a critical facet in the pursuit of efficient energy management. To tackle this challenge, machine and deep learning models have emerged as popular and promising approaches, owing to their having remarkable effectiveness in handling complex time series data. In this paper, the development of an algorithmic model that leverages an automated process to provide highly accurate predictions of electricity load, specifically tailored for the island of Thira in Greece, is introduced. Through the implementation of an automated application, an array of deep learning forecasting models were meticulously crafted, encompassing the Multilayer Perceptron, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), One Dimensional Convolutional Neural Network (CNN-1D), hybrid CNN–LSTM, Temporal Convolutional Network (TCN), and an innovative hybrid model called the Convolutional LSTM Encoder–Decoder. Through evaluation of prediction accuracy, satisfactory performance across all the models considered was observed, with the proposed hybrid model showcasing the highest level of accuracy. These findings underscore the profound significance of employing deep learning techniques for precise forecasting of electricity demand, thereby offering valuable insights with which to tackle the multifaceted challenges encountered within the power sector. By adopting advanced forecasting methodologies, the electricity sector moves towards greater efficiency, resilience and sustainability.
Ultrasound-Guided Infiltrative Treatment Associated with Early Rehabilitation in Adhesive Capsulitis Developed in Post-COVID-19 Syndrome
Authors: Donati Danilo , Vita Fabio , Tedeschi Roberto , Galletti Stefano , Biglia Alessandro , Gistri Tommaso , Arcuri Pasquale , Origlio Flavio , Castagnini Francesco , Faldini Cesare , Pederiva Davide , Benedetti Maria Grazia
Published: June 2023

Background and Objectives: Post-COVID-19 syndrome is commonly used to describe signs and symptoms that continue or develop after acute COVID-19 for more than 12 weeks. The study aimed to evaluate a treatment strategy in patients with adhesive capsulitis (phase 1) developed in post-COVID-19 syndrome. Materials and Methods: The method used was an interventional pilot study in which 16 vaccinated patients presenting with the clinical and ultrasound features of adhesive capsulitis (phase 1) developed during post-COVID-19 syndrome were treated with infiltrative hydrodistension therapy under ultrasound guidance associated with early rehabilitation treatment. Results: Sixteen patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome treated with ultrasound-guided infiltration and early rehabilitation treatment showed an important improvement in active joint ROM after 10 weeks, especially in shoulder elevation and abduction movements. The VAS mean score before the treatment was 6.9 ± 1.66. After 10 weeks of treatment, the VAS score was 1 ± 0.63. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that the management of adhesive capsulitis (phase 1) developed in post-COVID-19 syndrome, as conducted by physiotherapists in a primary care setting using hydrodistension and a rehabilitation protocol, represented an effective treatment strategy.
Antibiotic Susceptibility Surveillance in the Punjab Province of Pakistan: Findings and Implications
Authors: Saleem Zikria , Haseeb Abdul , Abuhussain Safa , Moore Catrin , Kamran Sairah , Qamar Muhammad , Azmat Aisha , Pichierri Giuseppe , Raees Fahad , Asghar Shahzad , Saeed Amna , Amir Afreenish , Hashmi Furqan , Meyer Johanna , Sefah Israel , Rehman Inaam , Nadeem Muhammad , Godman Brian
Published: June 2023

Background and Objectives: The increase in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across countries has seriously impacted the effective management of infectious diseases, with subsequent impact on morbidity, mortality and costs. This includes Pakistan. Antimicrobial surveillance activities should be mandatory to continually assess the extent of multidrug-resistant bacteria and the implications for future empiric prescribing. The objective of this retrospective observational study was to monitor the susceptibility pattern of microbes in Pakistan. Materials and Methods: Clinical samples from seven laboratories in Punjab, Pakistan were collected between January 2018 and April 2019, with Punjab being the most populous province in Pakistan. The isolates were identified and their antimicrobial susceptibility was tested using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion assay and micro broth dilution methods. The antibiotics assessed were those typically prescribed in Pakistan. Results: In total, 2523 bacterial cultural reports were studied. The most frequently isolated pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus (866, 34.3%), followed by Escherichia coli (814, 32.2%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (454, 18.0%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (269, 10.7%). Most pathogens were isolated from pus (1464, 58.0%), followed by urine (718, 28.5%), blood (164, 6.5%) and sputum (81, 3.2%). Conclusions: The findings suggest that current antimicrobial options are severally restricted in Pakistan due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens. This calls for urgent actions including initiating antimicrobial stewardship programs to enhance prudent prescribing of antibiotics. This includes agreeing on appropriate empiric therapy as part of agreed guidelines, in line with the WHO EML and AWaRe book, whilst awaiting culture reports. This is alongside other measures to reduce inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing and reverse the threat of rising AMR.
A Pilot Test of the Measures of the Greek Version of Upper Extremity Functional Index in Patients with Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy
Authors: Paraskevopoulos Eleftherios , Plakoutsis George , Papandreou Maria
Published: June 2023

Lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET) is a common upper limb pathology in people involved in manual occupations. The upper extremity functional index (UEFI) was specifically designed to evaluate functional limitations in patients with upper limb pathology. The UEFI was developed in English and has been translated into several languages, including Greek. However, it has been assessed only in patients with shoulder pathology. Thus, the aim of this study was to pilot-test the Greek version of the UEFI (GV-UEFI) questionnaire and assess its measurement properties in patients with LET. Thirty patients with LET were recruited and asked to fill in the GV-UEFI twice and the disabilities of arm, shoulder, and hand questionnaire (DASH) once. The internal consistency and test–retest reliability were examined using Cronbach’s alpha and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The standard error of measurement (SEM) and the minimum detectable change (MDC) were calculated and possible ground or ceiling effects were also examined. Convergent validity was evaluated with the Greek DASH using Pearson’s correlation. Lastly, the unidimensionality of the scale was examined through principal component analysis to verify construct validity. Internal consistency was high for the GV-UEFI (Cronbach’s a = 0.98) and test–retest reliability was excellent (ICC = 0.98). The SEM was 2.95 and the MDC was 6.85. Test–retest reliability of each item was good (ICC > 0.87). The correlation analysis demonstrated a strong correlation between the GV-UEFI and the DASH. No floor or ceiling effects were found. Principal component analysis verified the construct validity and the unidimensionality of the scale. The GV-UEFI was successfully tested in patients with LET. It seems that the GV-UEFI can be used reliably in Greek-speaking patients with LET. However, the measurement properties of this scale should be examined in a larger sample of LET patients.