bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robust Classification Using Posterior Probability Threshold Computation Followed by Voronoi Cell Based Class Assignment Circumventing Pitfalls of Bayesian Analysis of Biomedical Data
Authors: Ultsch Alfred , Lötsch Jörn
Published: November 2022

Bayesian inference is ubiquitous in science and widely used in biomedical research such as cell sorting or “omics” approaches, as well as in machine learning (ML), artificial neural networks, and “big data” applications. However, the calculation is not robust in regions of low evidence. In cases where one group has a lower mean but a higher variance than another group, new cases with larger values are implausibly assigned to the group with typically smaller values. An approach for a robust extension of Bayesian inference is proposed that proceeds in two main steps starting from the Bayesian posterior probabilities. First, cases with low evidence are labeled as “uncertain” class membership. The boundary for low probabilities of class assignment (threshold ε) is calculated using a computed ABC analysis as a data-based technique for item categorization. This leaves a number of cases with uncertain classification (p < ε). Second, cases with uncertain class membership are relabeled based on the distance to neighboring classified cases based on Voronoi cells. The approach is demonstrated on biomedical data typically analyzed with Bayesian statistics, such as flow cytometric data sets or biomarkers used in medical diagnostics, where it increased the class assignment accuracy by 1–10% depending on the data set. The proposed extension of the Bayesian inference of class membership can be used to obtain robust and plausible class assignments even for data at the extremes of the distribution and/or for which evidence is weak.
Cell-Type Specific Inhibition Controls the High-Frequency Oscillations in the Medial Entorhinal Cortex
Authors: Gurgenidze Shalva , Bäuerle Peter , Schmitz Dietmar , Vida Imre , Gloveli Tengis , Dugladze Tamar
Published: November 2022

The medial entorhinal cortex (mEC) plays a critical role for spatial navigation and memory. While many studies have investigated the principal neurons within the entorhinal cortex, much less is known about the inhibitory circuitries within this structure. Here, we describe for the first time in the mEC a subset of parvalbumin-positive (PV+) interneurons (INs)—stuttering cells (STUT)—with morphological, intrinsic electrophysiological, and synaptic properties distinct from fast-spiking PV+ INs. In contrast to the fast-spiking PV+ INs, the axon of the STUT INs also terminated in layer 3 and showed subthreshold membrane oscillations at gamma frequencies. Whereas the synaptic output of the STUT INs was only weakly reduced by a μ-opioid agonist, their inhibitory inputs were strongly suppressed. Given these properties, STUT are ideally suited to entrain gamma activity in the pyramidal cell population of the mEC. We propose that activation of the μ-opioid receptors decreases the GABA release from the PV+ INs onto the STUT, resulting in disinhibition of the STUT cell population and the consequent increase in network gamma power. We therefore suggest that the opioid system plays a critical role, mediated by STUT INs, in the neural signaling and oscillatory network activity within the mEC.
Biological Activity of Picrorhiza kurroa: A Source of Potential Antimicrobial Compounds against Yersinia enterocolitica
Authors: Thapa Anju , Kaushik Ravinder , Arora Smriti , Jaglan Sundeep , Jaswal Varun , Yadav Virendra Kumar , Singh Manjeet , Bains Aarti , Chawla Prince , Khan Azhar , Fogarasi Melinda , Fogarasi Szabolcs
Published: November 2022

Yersiniosis, caused by Yersinia enterocolitica, is the third most rampant zoonotic disease in Europe; the pathogen shows high antibiotic resistance. Herbs have multiple anti–microbial components that reduce microorganism resistance. Therefore, an extract of Picrorhiza kurroa (P. kurroa) was evaluated for potential antimicrobial activity. We report that the ethanolic extract of P. kurroa showed effective antimicrobial activity (zone of inhibition: 29.8 mm, Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC): 2.45 mg/mL, minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC): 2.4 mg/mL) against Yersinia enterocolitica. Potential bioactive compounds from P. kurroa were identified using LC–MS, namely, cerberidol, annonidine A, benzyl formate, picroside–1, and furcatoside A. P. kurroa showed effective antimicrobial potential in skim milk at different pH, acidity, and water activity levels. P. kurroa affected the physiology of Yersinia enterocolitica and reduced the number of live cells. Yersinia enterocolitica, when incubated with P. kurroa extract, showed lower toxin production. Picroside–1 was isolated and showed higher antimicrobial potential in comparison to the standard antibiotic. Picroside–1 lysed the Yersinia enterocolitica cells, as observed under scanning electron microscopy. Docking revealed that picroside–1 (ligand) showed both hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions with the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) protein of Yersinia enterocolitica and that DHFR is a possible drug target. The high activity and natural origin of Picroside–1 justify its potential as a possible drug candidate for Yersinia enterocolitica.
Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitor-Related Bullous Pemphigoid: Clinical, Laboratory, and Histological Features, and Possible Pathogenesis
Authors: Hung Chih-Tsung , Chang Yung-Lung , Wang Wei-Ming
Published: November 2022

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP4i) is a widely used antidiabetic agent. Emerging cases of DPP4i-associated bullous pemphigoid (DBP), whose pathogenesis remains unclear, have been reported. Thus, a retrospective study was conducted from January 2016 to June 2021 to determine the clinical, laboratory, and histopathological features of DBP and idiopathic bullous pemphigoid (IBP). We set up in vitro experiments using vildagliptin-treated HaCaT keratinocytes to validate what we found by analyzing published RNA sequencing data about the genes related to the dermal–epidermal junction. We also observed IL-6 expression by HaCaT cells treated with vildagliptin. We enrolled 20 patients with DBP and 40 patients with IBP. The total Bullous Pemphigoid Disease Area Index (BPDAI) score was similar in both groups. However, the BPDAI score of erosions and blisters in DBP was significantly higher than that in IBP (24.6 vs. 16.68, p = 0.0189), and the score for urticaria and erythema was lower in DBP (12 vs. 19.05, p = 0.0183). The pathological features showed that the mean infiltrating eosinophil number per high-power field was significantly lower in DBP than in IBP (16.7 vs. 27.08, p = 0.023). The expression of LAMA3, LAMB3, LAMC2, DST, and COL17A1 decreased significantly in vildagliptin-treated human keratinocytes. On the other hand, IL-6, the hallmark cytokine of bullous pemphigoid (BP) severity, was found to be upregulated in HaCaT cells by vildagliptin. These experimental findings imply less of a requirement for eosinophil infiltration to drive the inflammatory cascades in DBP blistering. Both immunologic and non-immunologic pathways could be employed for the development of DBP. Our findings may help explain the higher incidence of non-inflammatory BP that was observed in DBP.
Assessment of RACGAP1 as a Prognostic and Immunological Biomarker in Multiple Human Tumors: A Multiomics Analysis
Authors: Eid Refaat A. , Soltan Mohamed A. , Eldeen Muhammad Alaa , Shati Ayed A. , Dawood Samy A. , Eissa Mohamed , Zaki Mohamed Samir A. , Algahtani Mohammad , Theyab Abdulrahman , Abdel-Daim Mohamed M. , Kim Bonglee
Published: November 2022

Several recent studies have pointed out that arc GTPase activating protein 1 (RACGAP1) is a putative oncogene in many human tumors. However, to date, no pan-cancer analysis has been performed to study the different aspects of this gene expression and behavior in tumor tissues. Here, we applied several bioinformatics tools to perform a comprehensive analysis for RACGAP1. First, we assessed the expression of RACGAP1 in several types of human tumors and tried to correlate that with the stage of the tumors analyzed. We then performed a survival analysis to study the correlation between RACGAP1 upregulation in tumors and the clinical outcome. Additionally, we investigated the mutation forms, the correlation with several immune cell infiltration, the phosphorylation status of the interested protein in normal and tumor tissues, and the potential molecular mechanisms of RACGAP1 in cancerous tissue. The results demonstrated that RACGAP1, a highly expressed gene across several types of tumors, correlated with a poor prognosis in several types of human cancers. Moreover, it was found that RACGAP1 affects the tumor immune microenvironment by influencing the infiltration level of several immune cells. Collectively, the current study provides a comprehensive overview of the oncogenic roles of RACGAP1, where our results nominate it as a potential prognostic biomarker and a target for antitumor therapy development.
Involvement of circRNAs in the Development of Heart Failure
Authors: Sygitowicz Grażyna , Sitkiewicz Dariusz
Published: November 2022

In recent years, interest in non-coding RNAs as important physiological regulators has grown significantly. Their participation in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases is extremely important. Circular RNA (circRNA) has been shown to be important in the development of heart failure. CircRNA is a closed circular structure of non-coding RNA fragments. They are formed in the nucleus, from where they are transported to the cytoplasm in a still unclear mechanism. They are mainly located in the cytoplasm or contained in exosomes. CircRNA expression varies according to the type of tissue. In the brain, almost 12% of genes produce circRNA, while in the heart it is only 9%. Recent studies indicate a key role of circRNA in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, fibrosis, autophagy and apoptosis. CircRNAs act mainly by interacting with miRNAs through a “sponge effect” mechanism. The involvement of circRNA in the development of heart failure leads to the suggestion that they may be promising biomarkers and useful targets in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we will provide a brief introduction to circRNA and up-to-date understanding of their role in the mechanisms leading to the development of heart failure.
An Overview of the Current Known and Unknown Roles of Vitamin D3 in the Female Reproductive System: Lessons from Farm Animals, Birds, and Fish
Authors: Grzesiak Malgorzata , Tchurzyk Marcelina , Socha Magdalena , Sechman Andrzej , Hrabia Anna
Published: November 2022

Recent studies have clearly shown that vitamin D3 is a crucial regulator of the female reproductive process in humans and animals. Knowledge of the expression of vitamin D3 receptors and related molecules in the female reproductive organs such as ovaries, uterus, oviduct, or placenta under physiological and pathological conditions highlights its contribution to the proper function of the reproductive system in females. Furthermore, vitamin D3 deficiency leads to serious reproductive disturbances and pathologies including ovarian cysts. Although the influence of vitamin D3 on the reproductive processes of humans and rodents has been extensively described, the association between vitamin D3 and female reproductive function in farm animals, birds, and fish has rarely been summarized. In this review, we provide an overview of the role of vitamin D3 in the reproductive system of those animals, with special attention paid to the expression of vitamin D3 receptors and its metabolic molecules. This updated information could be essential for better understanding animal physiology and overcoming the incidence of infertility, which is crucial for optimizing reproductive outcomes in female livestock.
Progesterone: The Key Factor of the Beginning of Life
Authors: Bulletti Carlo , Bulletti Francesco Maria , Sciorio Romualdo , Guido Maurizio
Published: November 2022

Progesterone is the ovarian steroid produced by the granulosa cells of follicles after the LH peak at mid-cycle. Its role is to sustain embryo endometrial implantation and ongoing pregnancy. Other biological effects of progesterone may exert a protective function in supporting pregnancy up to birth. Luteal phase support (LPS) with progesterone is the standard of care for assisted reproductive technology. Progesterone vaginal administration is currently the most widely used treatment for LPS. Physicians and patients have been reluctant to change an administration route that has proven to be effective. However, some questions remain open, namely the need for LPS in fresh and frozen embryo transfer, the route of administration, the optimal duration of LPS, dosage, and the benefit of combination therapies. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the uterine and extra-uterine effects of progesterone that may play a role in embryo implantation and pregnancy, and to discuss the advantages of the use of progesterone for LPS in the context of Good Medical Practice.
Pre-Stroke Statin Use Is Associated with Mild Neurological Deficits at the Onset of Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Mori Takahisa , Yoshioka Kazuhiro , Miyazaki Yuichi
Published: November 2022

Pre-stroke statin use reduces infarct size. Therefore, this retrospective study aimed to investigate whether pre-stroke statin use is associated with mild neurological deficits (mND) at the onset of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We included patients with AIS admitted to our institution within 24 h of stroke onset between 2011 and 2019. We collected data on age, sex, pre-stroke use of statins, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, the serum biomarker levels, and stroke subtypes at admission. In addition, we defined mND as an NIHSS score ≤3 points. We conducted a logistic regression analysis using variables for pre-stroke statin initiation, calculated the propensity scores for pre-stroke statin use, and implemented propensity score matching (PSM). Finally, we used the McNemar test to evaluate whether pre-stroke statin administration significantly affected mND. Of 4370 patients, 2615 met our inclusion criteria. Among the 594 patients with pre-stroke statin use, 308 presented with mND. After PSM, 555 patients received pre-stroke statin treatment, while 286 patients with pre-stroke statin use presented with mND at admission (p = 0.0411). The binary matched pairs contingency table of mND was not symmetrical (p = 0.0385). Pre-stroke statin use is thus associated with mND at the onset of AIS.
Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy—Related Inflammation: A Single-Center Experience and a Literature Review
Authors: Theodorou Aikaterini , Palaiodimou Lina , Safouris Apostolos , Kargiotis Odysseas , Psychogios Klearchos , Kotsali-Peteinelli Vasiliki , Foska Aikaterini , Zouvelou Vasiliki , Tzavellas Elias , Tzanetakos Dimitrios , Zompola Christina , Tzartos John S. , Voumvourakis Konstantinos , Paraskevas Georgios P. , Tsivgoulis Georgios
Published: November 2022

Background: Limited data exist regarding the prevalence of clinical, neuroimaging, and genetic markers among patients diagnosed with Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy–related inflammation (CAA-ri). We sought to determine these characteristics in patients diagnosed in our center and to summarize available literature published either as single-case reports or small case series (<5 patients). Methods: We reported our single-center experience of patients diagnosed with CAA-ri according to international criteria during a seven-year period (2015–2022), and we abstracted data from 90 previously published cases. Results: Seven patients (43% women, mean age 70 ± 13 years) were diagnosed with CAA-ri in our center. The most common symptom at presentation was focal neurological dysfunction (71%), and the most prevalent radiological finding was the presence of T2/FLAIR white matter hyperintensities (100%). All patients were treated with corticosteroids and had a favorable functional outcome. Among 90 previously published CAA-ri cases (51% women, mean age 70 ± 9 years), focal neurological dysfunction was the most common symptom (76%), followed by a cognitive decline (46%) and headache (34%). The most prevalent neuroimaging findings were cerebral microbleeds (85%), asymmetric T2/FLAIR white matter hyperintensities (81%), and gadolinium-enhancing T1-lesions (37%). Genetic testing for the Apolipoprotein-E gene was available in 27 cases; 59% carried the APOE ε4/ε4 genotype. The majority of the published CAA-ri cases (78%) received corticosteroid monotherapy, while 17 patients (19%) were treated with additional immunosuppressive treatment. Favorable functional outcome following treatment was documented in 70% of patients. Conclusion: Improving the vigilance of clinicians regarding the early recognition and accurate diagnosis of CAA-ri is crucial for swift therapy initiation, which may result in improved functional outcomes.
Tibia Multiplanar Deformities and Growth Disturbance Following Expandable Endoprosthetic Distal Femur Replacement
Authors: Shehadeh Ahmad , Al-Qawasmi Muhamad , Al Btoush Omar , Obeid Zeinab
Published: November 2022

Background: Expandable distal femur endoprosthesis (EDFE) is commonly used to compensate for the loss of the distal femoral epiphyseal plate in skeletally immature children who have undergone surgical resection of bone malignancies. However, the effect of the passive tibial component of the EDFE on tibial growth has not been extensively studied in the literature. This study aims to delineate the type, frequency, and associated risk factors of multiplanar proximal tibial deformities in skeletally immature children following the use of the expandable distal femur endoprosthesis (EDFE). Moreover, we plan to detect how these deformities influence the long-term functionality of the endoprosthesis in defining the need for subsequent implant revision or further surgical management. Patients and Methods: A total of 20 patients aged (7–12) years underwent expandable distal femur replacement. Two types of implants were used: Juvenile Tumor System (JTS) non-invasive prosthesis in 14 patients, and Modular Universal Tumor and Revision System (MUTARS)® Xpand Growing Prostheses in six patients. A scanogram and CT scan documented the measurements of longitudinal and multiplanar growth as leg length discrepancy (LLD), femur length discrepancy (FLD), tibia length discrepancy (TLD), and the yield values of rotational, sagittal, and coronal deformities of the tibia. The patients were followed up to assess the need for further management. Sex, age, size of tibial plate perforation, and type of implant used were studied for possible correlation with deformities or growth disturbance. Results: The patients were followed up for a mean of 3 (2–7) years. A total of 14 patients, (10 JTS, 4 implant cast) had a tibial deformity and/or growth disturbance. A single patient was found to have all deformities (growth, rotational, coronal, and sagittal). Fourteen patients were found to have an LLD ranging from 5.3 to 59 mm (median 21 mm), 12 had a TLD from 3 to 30 mm, (median 10 mm), and 11 patients showed evidence of malrotation from 6 to 32 degrees (median 11 degrees). TLD was found to contribute entirely to LLD in three patients, and >50% of LLDs in seven patients. All LLDs were treated conservatively, except in three patients; two received contralateral tibia epiphysiodesis and one received revision with a new implant. A single patient had a posterior tibia slope angle (PTSA) of −2.8 degrees, and three patients had a coronal deformity with a mean medial proximal tibia angle (MPTA) of 80.3 (77–83 degrees). Conclusions: Tibial growth disturbance and multiplanar deformities occur in the majority of patients following EDFE replacement, exacerbating LLD. Yet, these disturbances may be well tolerated, managed conservatively, and rarely mandate endoprosthetic revision or subsequent corrective surgery. Age at the time of surgery was found to be the only significant contributor to the development of tibia growth disturbance.
The Challenging Diagnosis of Interstitial Lung Disease in Children—One Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Ionescu Marcela Daniela , Popescu Nicoleta Aurelia , Stănescu Diana , Enculescu Augustina , Bălgrădean Mihaela , Căpitănescu Georgiana Mihaela , Bumbăcea Dragos
Published: November 2022

Childhood interstitial lung disease (chILD) includes a heterogeneous spectrum of rare respiratory disorders in children associated with substantial morbi-mortality. Interstitial tissue, and other pulmonary structures, epithelium, blood vessels, or pleura are involved, resulting in a restrictive lung disfunction. Respiratory symptoms set in progressively and are often subtle, making thorough clinical history and physical examination fundamental. The etiology often is obscure. The clinical presentation mimics pneumonia or asthma, leading to a diagnostic delay. Challenging diagnosis may require genetic tests, bronchoalveolar lavage, or lung biopsy. Alongside general supportive therapeutic measures, anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive or antifibrotic agents may be used, based on data derived from adult studies. However, if accurate diagnosis and treatment are delayed, irreversible chronic respiratory failure may ensue, impacting prognosis. The most frequent chILD is hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), although it is rare in children. HP is associated with exposure to an environmental antigen, resulting in inflammation of the airways. Detailed antigen exposure history and identification of the inciting trigger are the cornerstones of diagnostic. This article provides the current state of chILD, revealing specific features of HP, based on a clinical case report of a patient admitted in our clinic, requiring extensive investigations for diagnosis, with a favorable long-term outcome.
Regulating Macrophages through Immunomodulatory Biomaterials Is a Promising Strategy for Promoting Tendon-Bone Healing
Authors: Gao Haihan , Wang Liren , Jin Haocheng , Lin Zhiqi , Li Ziyun , Kang Yuhao , Lyu Yangbao , Dong Wenqian , Liu Yefeng , Shi Dingyi , Jiang Jia , Zhao Jinzhong
Published: November 2022

The tendon-to-bone interface is a special structure connecting the tendon and bone and is crucial for mechanical load transfer between dissimilar tissues. After an injury, fibrous scar tissues replace the native tendon-to-bone interface, creating a weak spot that needs to endure extra loading, significantly decreasing the mechanical properties of the motor system. Macrophages play a critical role in tendon-bone healing and can be divided into various phenotypes, according to their inducing stimuli and function. During the early stages of tendon-bone healing, M1 macrophages are predominant, while during the later stages, M2 macrophages replace the M1 macrophages. The two macrophage phenotypes play a significant, yet distinct, role in tendon-bone healing. Growing evidence shows that regulating the macrophage phenotypes is able to promote tendon-bone healing. This review aims to summarize the impact of different macrophages on tendon-bone healing and the current immunomodulatory biomaterials for regulating macrophages, which are used to promote tendon-bone healing. Although macrophages are a promising target for tendon-bone healing, the challenges and limitations of macrophages in tendon-bone healing research are discussed, along with directions for further research.
Review on Biocompatibility and Prospect Biomedical Applications of Novel Functional Metallic Glasses
Authors: Biały Michał , Hasiak Mariusz , Łaszcz Amadeusz
Published: November 2022

The continuous development of novel materials for biomedical applications is resulting in an increasingly better prognosis for patients. The application of more advanced materials relates to fewer complications and a desirable higher percentage of successful treatments. New, innovative materials being considered for biomedical applications are metallic alloys with an amorphous internal structure called metallic glasses. They are currently in a dynamic phase of development both in terms of formulating new chemical compositions and testing their properties in terms of intended biocompatibility. This review article intends to synthesize the latest research results in the field of biocompatible metallic glasses to create a more coherent picture of these materials. It summarizes and discusses the most recent findings in the areas of mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, in vitro cellular studies, antibacterial properties, and in vivo animal studies. Results are collected mainly for the most popular metallic glasses manufactured as thin films, coatings, and in bulk form. Considered materials include alloys based on zirconium and titanium, as well as new promising ones based on magnesium, tantalum, and palladium. From the properties of the examined metallic glasses, possible areas of application and further research directions to fill existing gaps are proposed.
Diversity Analysis of the Rice False Smut Pathogen Ustilaginoidea virens in Southwest China
Authors: Fu Rongtao , Chen Cheng , Wang Jian , Liu Yao , Zhao Liyu , Lu Daihua
Published: November 2022

Rice false smut caused by Ustilaginoidea virens is a destructive disease in rice cropping areas of the world. The present study is focused on the morphology, pathogenicity, mating-type loci distribution, and genetic characterization of different isolates of U. virens. A total of 221 strains of U. virens were collected from 13 rice-growing regions in southwest China. The morphological features of these strains exhibited high diversity, and the pathogenicity of the smut fungus showed significant differentiation. There was no correlation between pathogenicity and sporulation. Mating-type locus (MAT) analysis revealed that all 221 isolates comprised heterothallic and homothallic forms, wherein 204 (92.31%) and 17 (7.69%) isolates belonged to heterothallic and homothallic mating types, respectively. Among 204 strains of heterothallic mating types, 62 (28.05%) contained MAT1-1-1 idiomorphs, and 142 isolates (64.25%) had the MAT1-2-1 idiomorph. Interestingly, strains isolated from the same fungus ball had different mating types. The genetic structure of the isolates was analyzed using simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). All isolates were clustered into five genetic groups. The values of Nei’s gene diversity (H) and Shannon’s information index (I) indicated that all strains as a group had higher genetic diversity than strains from a single geographical population. The pairwise population fixation index (FST) values also indicated significant genetic differentiation among all compared geographical populations. The analysis of molecular variation (AMOVA) indicated greater genetic variation within individual populations and less genetic variation among populations. The results showed that most of the strains were not clustered according to their geographical origin, showing the rich genetic diversity and the complex and diverse genetic background of U. virens in southwest China. These results should help to better understand the biological and genetic diversity of U. virens in southwest China and provide a theoretical basis for building effective management strategies.
Improving Machine Learning Diabetes Prediction Models for the Utmost Clinical Effectiveness
Authors: Shin Juyoung , Lee Joonyub , Ko Taehoon , Lee Kanghyuck , Choi Yera , Kim Hun-Sung
Published: November 2022

The early prediction of diabetes can facilitate interventions to prevent or delay it. This study proposes a diabetes prediction model based on machine learning (ML) to encourage individuals at risk of diabetes to employ healthy interventions. A total of 38,379 subjects were included. We trained the model on 80% of the subjects and verified its predictive performance on the remaining 20%. Furthermore, the performances of several algorithms were compared, including logistic regression, decision tree, random forest, eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Cox regression, and XGBoost Survival Embedding (XGBSE). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of the XGBoost model was the largest, followed by those of the decision tree, logistic regression, and random forest models. For the survival analysis, XGBSE yielded an AUROC exceeding 0.9 for the 2- to 9-year predictions and a C-index of 0.934, while the Cox regression achieved a C-index of 0.921. After lowering the threshold from 0.5 to 0.25, the sensitivity increased from 0.011 to 0.236 for the 2-year prediction model and from 0.607 to 0.994 for the 9-year prediction model, while the specificity showed negligible changes. We developed a high-performance diabetes prediction model that applied the XGBSE algorithm with threshold adjustment. We plan to use this prediction model in real clinical practice for diabetes prevention after simplifying and validating it externally.
A Comparative Study of Compliance Management Frameworks: PENELOPE vs. PCL
Authors: Lam Ho-Pun , Hashmi Mustafa
Published: November 2022

Due to pressure from regulatory authorities, the requirement to remain compliant has tremendously increased over the last decade. To support compliance-related activities, a plethora of compliance management frameworks (CMFs), compliance languages and systems have emerged, which is on one hand advantageous, but may cause confusion when deciding which CMF can be used to best fulfil the organisation’s internal requirements. This is due to the lack of acceptable compliance tools and methodologies in the compliance domain to uncover and compare the multidimensionality of capability between different frameworks and users’ needs, which give raise to the question of how to formally evaluate a CMF. In this paper, we propose methodologies to formally evaluate CMFs, compliance languages and systems, in particular the underlying formal language of a CMF; and present the formal evaluation of two prominent formal language-based CMFs, namely, PENELOPE and PCL, with a business contract using formal analysis approach. Our evaluations formally validate that the proposed methodologies are instrumental in deciding on the suitability of a CMF when is comes to evaluating the underlying formal logic of the framework to represent different types of norms.
Forecasting of SPI and Meteorological Drought Based on the Artificial Neural Network and M5P Model Tree
Authors: Pande Chaitanya B. , Al-Ansari Nadhir , Kushwaha N. L. , Srivastava Aman , Noor Rabeea , Kumar Manish , Moharir Kanak N. , Elbeltagi Ahmed
Published: November 2022

Climate change has caused droughts to increase in frequency and severity worldwide, which has attracted scientists to create drought prediction models to mitigate the impacts of droughts. One of the most important challenges in addressing droughts is developing accurate models to predict their discrete characteristics, i.e., occurrence, duration, and severity. The current research examined the performance of several different machine learning models, including Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and M5P Tree in forecasting the most widely used drought measure, the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), at both discrete time scales (SPI 3, SPI 6). The drought model was developed utilizing rainfall data from two stations in India (i.e., Angangaon and Dahalewadi) for 2000–2019, wherein the first 14 years are employed for model training, while the remaining six years are employed for model validation. The subset regression analysis was performed on 12 different input combinations to choose the best input combination for SPI 3 and SPI 6. The sensitivity analysis was carried out on the given best input combination to find the most effective parameter for forecasting. The performance of all the developed models for ANN (4, 5), ANN (5, 6), ANN (6, 7), and M5P models was assessed through the different statistical indicators, namely, MAE, RMSE, RAE, RRSE, and r. The results revealed that SPI (t-1) is the most sensitive parameters with highest values of β = 0.916, 1.017, respectively, for SPI-3 and SPI-6 prediction at both stations on the best input combinations i.e., combination 7 (SPI-1/SPI-3/SPI-4/SPI-5/SPI-8/SPI-9/SPI-11) and combination 4 (SPI-1/SPI-2/SPI-6/SPI-7) based on the higher values of R2 and Adjusted R2 while the lowest values of MSE values. It is clear from the performance of models that the M5P model has higher r values and lesser RMSE values as compared to ANN (4, 5), ANN (5, 6), and ANN (6, 7) models. Therefore, the M5P model was superior to other developed models at both stations.
Inhibitory Effects of Protopanaxadiol-Producing Transgenic Rice Seed Extracts on RANKL-Induced Osteoclast Differentiation
Authors: Lee Yongjin , Kantayos Vipada , Kim Jin-Suk , Rha Eui-Shik , Son Young-Jin , Baek So-Hyeon
Published: November 2022

(1) Background: Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones are weakened and fractured easily because of various factors. It is mainly observed in elderly and postmenopausal women, and it continues to carry high economic costs in aging societies. Normal bone maintains a healthy state through a balanced process of osteoclast suppression and osteoblast activation; (2) Methods: In this study, osteoclast inhibition was induced by inhibiting osteoclast differentiation using ginseng protopanaxadiol-enriched rice (PPD-rice) seed extract. To analyze the effect of PPD-rice extract on the inhibition of osteoclast differentiation, bone marrow macrophages extracted from mice were treated with PPD-rice and Dongjin seed (non-transformed rice) extracts and analyzed for the inhibition of osteoclast differentiation; (3) Results: The results illustrated that PPD-rice extract reduced the transcription and translation of NFATc1, a modulator of osteoclast formation, decreased the mRNA expression of various osteoclast differentiation marker genes, and reduced osteoclast activity. Moreover, the bone resorptive activity of osteoclasts was diminished by PPD-rice extract on Osteo Assay plates; (4) Conclusions: Based on these results, PPD-rice extract is a useful candidate therapeutic agent for suppressing osteoclasts, an important component of osteoporosis, and it could be used as an ingredient in health supplements.
Small Mammal Diversity Changes in a Baltic Country, 1975–2021: A Review
Authors: Balčiauskas Linas , Balčiauskienė Laima
Published: November 2022

The structure and diversity of small mammal (SM) communities over the long term may show the influences of climate change, landscape changes and local disturbances. We review published data regarding SM trapping and owl pellet analysis from Lithuania (the most southerly of the three Baltic States, Northern Europe), covering the period 1975–2021. Over decades, we analysed trends in the diversity of SM communities and the proportions of species and proportions of trophic groups. The large increase in granivores, from 6.9% in 1975–1980 to 45.4% in 2011–2020 and 54.7% in 2021, coincided with a decrease in omnivores and insectivores. The proportion of herbivores increased less notably. At the species level, significant decreases in the proportions of M. arvalis, C. glareolus and S. araneus were accompanied by notable increases in the proportions of A. flavicollis and A. agrarius, the latter from 1.0% in 1975–1980 to 25.3% in 2021. Concluding, two periods were identified, specifically before the 1990s and subsequently. In the second period, in the aftermath of land-use changes within the country in 1990, diversity increased, and dominance decreased, a situation that has not subsequently changed. Not excluding the concomitant effects of climate change, we relate these patterns to the alterations in habitat and anthropogenic impact.
Structural, Optical, and Magnetic Studies of the Metallic Lead Effect on MnO2-Pb-PbO2 Vitroceramics
Authors: Rada Simona , Unguresan Mihaela , Zagrai Mioara , Popa Adriana
Published: November 2022

MnO2-lead materials have attracted attention in their applications as electrodes. This work reports a detailed spectroscopic study of the compositional variation of MnO2-xLead vitroceramic materials with varied Pb contents. The concentration variation of lead and manganese ions issystematically characterized throughthe analysis of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy.The MnO2-xLead samples consist of a vitroceramic structure with Pb, PbO, PbO2,and Mn3O4 crystalline phases. The introduction of higher Pb content in the host vitroceramic reveals the [PbO6]→[PbOn] conversion, where n = 3, 4, and the formation of distorted [MnO6] octahedral units. The UV–Vis data of the samples possess the intense bands between 300 and 500 nm, which are due to the presence of divalent lead ions (320 nm) and divalent and trivalent manganese ions (420 and 490 nm, respectively) in the structure of glass ceramics. The EPR data show resonance lines located around g ~ 8 and 4.3, and a sextet hyperfine structure at g ~ 2, which isascribed to the Mn+3 and Mn+2 ions.
Design Suggestions on Resistance from Flange of Sorbite Stainless Steel Plate Girder under Shear
Authors: Xue Xuanyi , Wang Neng , Huang Lepeng , Hua Jianmin , Wang Fei , Chen Zengshun , Liao Ji , Hai Letian
Published: November 2022

A new S600E sorbite stainless steel (SS), which performs outstanding mechanical properties, was introduced in a plate girder to enhance the resistant performance and durability. The resistance from the flange for S600E sorbite SS plate girders developing post-buckling capacity was investigated through numerical analyses, which included the material and geometrical nonlinearity. The value of distance between plastic hinges performed significant effects on resistance from flange. There was a certain distribution range of the flange plastic hinge. Hence, it was difficult to determine the value of distance between plastic hinges accurately based merely on the failure behavior. Considering the theoretical basis of EN 1993-1-4: 2006+A1, the new methods to obtain resistance from the flange and determine the value of distance between the plastic hinges were proposed to avoid the aforementioned error. The parametric study was conducted to investigate the effect of key parameters on the resistance from the flange. To take the above effect into account, a correction factor was proposed for the design equation in EN 1993-1-4: 2006+A1 to predict the distance between flange plastic hinges accurately. The comparison was conducted to validate the accuracy of the proposed equations. The results indicated that the new modified equation could be used to predict the resistance from the flange of the S600E sorbite SS plate girder more accurately.
Studying Acoustic Behavior of BFRP Laminated Composite in Dual-Chamber Muffler Application Using Deep Learning Algorithm
Authors: Altabey Wael A. , Noori Mohammad , Wu Zhishen , Al-Moghazy Mohamed A. , Kouritem Sallam A.
Published: November 2022

Over the last two decades, several experimental and numerical studies have been performed in order to investigate the acoustic behavior of different muffler materials. However, there is a problem in which it is necessary to perform large, important, time-consuming calculations particularly if the muffler was made from advanced materials such as composite materials. Therefore, this work focused on developing the concept of the indirect dual-chamber muffler made from a basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) laminated composite, which is a monitoring system that uses a deep learning algorithm to predict the acoustic behavior of the muffler material in order to save effort and time on muffler design optimization. Two types of deep neural networks (DNNs) architectures are developed in Python. The first DNN is called a recurrent neural network with long short-term memory blocks (RNN-LSTM), where the other is called a convolutional neural network (CNN). First, a dual-chamber laminated composite muffler (DCLCM) model is developed in MATLAB to provide the acoustic behavior datasets of mufflers such as acoustic transmission loss (TL) and the power transmission coefficient (PTC). The model training parameters are optimized by using Bayesian genetic algorithms (BGA) optimization. The acoustic results from the proposed method are compared with available experimental results in literature, thus validating the accuracy and reliability of the proposed technique. The results indicate that the present approach is efficient and significantly reduced the time and effort to select the muffler material and optimal design, where both models CNN and RNN-LSTM achieved accuracy above 90% on the test and validation dataset. This work will reinforce the mufflers’ industrials, and its design may one day be equipped with deep learning based algorithms.
Adhesive Bioinspired Coating for Enhancing Glass-Ceramics Scaffolds Bioactivity
Authors: Bellucci Devis , Scalzone Annachiara , Ferreira Ana Marina , Cannillo Valeria , Gentile Piergiorgio
Published: November 2022

Bioceramic scaffolds, composed of a biphasic composite containing bioactive glass and hydroxyapatite, were prepared in this work to overcome the intrinsic limits of the two components taken separately (in particular, their specific reactivities and dissolution rates, which should be tunable as a function of the given clinical requirements). To mimic the biological environment and tune the different stages of cellular response, a coating with gelatin and chondroitin sulphate via Layer-by-Layer (LbL) assembly was presented and discussed. The resulting functionalized scaffolds were affected by the coating in terms of microstructure and porosity. In addition, the LbL coating significantly enhanced the seeded cell behaviour, with high adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic activity, as revealed by the alkaline phosphatase activity and overexpression of osteopontin and osteocalcin.
Preparation and Properties of New Thermal Reflective Coating for Asphalt Pavement
Authors: Li Zhenxia , Guo Tengteng , Chen Yuanzhao , Wang Chaohui , Chen Qian , Ding Siqing , Chen Qi , Chen Haijun
Published: November 2022

This paper aims to study the applicability of an epoxy resin modification to improve its anti-aging properties, which are conducive to road performance. To achieve this goal, a wide range of laboratory activities were conducted, including an emulsion mixed with epoxy resin and liquid phenolic resin as the coating substrate; surface-modified titanium dioxide, silica, hollow glass beads and sericite powder as functional fillers; then adding pigments and various additives to prepare a new asphalt pavement heat-reflective coating. Secondly, the optimum brushing amount of the coating was obtained, and the cooling effect was clarified. Finally, the road performance was evaluated by testing the coating’s skid resistance, wear resistance and impermeability. The results show that the skid resistance, abrasion resistance and impermeability of the heat reflection coating meet the specification requirements.
Ag-Decorated Si Microspheres Produced by Laser Ablation in Liquid: All-in-One Temperature-Feedback SERS-Based Platform for Nanosensing
Authors: Gurbatov Stanislav , Puzikov Vladislav , Modin Evgeny , Shevlyagin Alexander , Gerasimenko Andrey , Mitsai Eugeny , Kulinich Sergei A. , Kuchmizhak Aleksandr
Published: November 2022

Combination of dissimilar materials such as noble metals and common semiconductors within unified nanomaterials holds promise for optoelectronics, catalysis and optical sensing. Meanwhile, difficulty of obtaining such hybrid nanomaterials using common lithography-based techniques stimulates an active search for advanced, inexpensive, and straightforward fabrication methods. Here, we report one-pot one-step synthesis of Ag-decorated Si microspheres via nanosecond laser ablation of monocrystalline silicon in isopropanol containing AgNO3. Laser ablation of bulk silicon creates the suspension of the Si microspheres that host further preferential growth of Ag nanoclusters on their surface upon thermal-induced decomposition of AgNO3 species by subsequently incident laser pulses. The amount of the AgNO3 in the working solution controls the density, morphology, and arrangement of the Ag nanoclusters allowing them to achieve strong and uniform decoration of the Si microsphere surface. Such unique morphology makes Ag-decorated Si microspheres promising for molecular identification based on the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect. In particular, the designed single-particles sensing platform was shown to offer temperature-feedback modality as well as SERS signal enhancement up to 106, allowing reliable detection of the adsorbed molecules and tracing their plasmon-driven catalytic transformations. Considering the ability to control the decoration degree of Si microspheres by Ag nanoclusters via amount of the AgNO3, the developed one-pot easy-to-implement PLAL synthesis holds promise for gram-scale production of high-quality hybrid nanomaterial for various nanophotonics and sensing applications.
CuAPO-5 as a Multiphase Catalyst for Synthesis of Verbenone from α-Pinene
Authors: Wang Hongyun , Cheng Haijun , Lai Fang , Xiong Deyuan
Published: November 2022

Copper(II)-containing aluminum phosphate material (CuAPO-5) was synthesized hydrothermally and used as a multiphase catalyst for the oxidation of α-pinene to verbenone. The catalysts were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area techniques, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and ammonia temperature programmed reduction (NH3-TPD). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray energy spectrometry (EDS), inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) were performed to characterize the material. The effects of reaction temperature, reaction time, n(α-pinene)/n(TBHP), and solvent on the catalytic performance of CuAPO-5 were investigated. The results show that all the prepared catalysts have AFI topology and a large specific surface area. Copper is evenly distributed in the skeleton in a bivalent form. The introduction of copper increases the acid content of the catalyst. Under the optimized reaction conditions, 96.8% conversion of α-pinene and 46.4% selectivity to verbenone were achieved by CuAPO-5(0.06) molecular sieve within a reaction time of 12 h. CuAPO-5(0.06) can be recycled for five cycles without losing the conversion of α-pinene and the selectivity to verbenone.