bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Implementation of HIV Self-Testing in Resource-Limited Settings Where the HIV Disease Burden is High
Authors: Balakrishnan Pachamuthu , Smiline Girija A. S. , Shanmugam Saravanan , Kannan Iyanar , Vignesh Ramachandran , Shankar Esaki M. , Sucharitha Sree T.
Published: May 2023

In resource-limited settings, there is growing evidence that HIV testing is lacking among high-risk key populations such as men having sex with men, injection drug users, and transgenders largely due to stigma, discrimination, and lack of confidentiality. Findings from recent studies among high-risk key populations and the general population from various regions including resource-limited settings support the need for wider accessibility of HIV self-testing (HIV-ST) to reach those who may not otherwise have access to testing. Therefore, HIV-ST has untapped potential as a strategy to improve access to HIV testing and to increase testing frequency among key high-risk populations and their partners. Though HIV-ST has emerged as a safe, acceptable, and effective way to reach people, there are several roadblocks to implementing the HIV-ST policy, and fast-track policy implementation needs to be necessitated with newer or modified strategic plans.
Study of the Group Vibrational Detachment Characteristics of Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn) Clusters
Authors: Chen Xing , Wang Weizu , Huang Chaowei , Wang Yanfei , Fu Han , Li Jun
Published: May 2023

A high-speed camera was applied to observe the shaking detachment tests with ‘Guiwei’ litchi clusters using 7 Hz, 9.5 Hz, and 12 Hz and the amplitudes of 40 mm, 60 mm, and 80 mm. The fruit’s detachment time and the number of fruit–fruit impacts were affected by the vibrational parameters and the fruit position (inside or outside of the cluster). A high and stable detachment speed and a low number of impacts could be achieved with the parameter combination of 9.5 Hz/80 mm. The cluster index, considering both the shaking position and the total fruit mass, was found to have a stronger correlation with the detachment time than the average fruit-to-shaker distance (distance from the shaker to the fruit). Thus, the detachment time can be estimated based on the cluster indexes. The fruit-to-shaker distance also affected the fruit-to-shaker impact. A fruit-to-shaker distance of 50~60 mm was recommended to avoid almost all the impacts, depending on the shaking parameters. The horizontal throw distance of the fruit was calculated based on the detachment velocity and angle, which can be used as the design basis for the catching devices. With a high enough drop height, a disc-shaped catching surface with a radius of 475 mm, 489 mm, 591 mm, 741 mm, 844 mm, and 832 mm, respectively, could collect 90% of all the fruit at six different vibrational parameter combinations. A closer catching surface to the fruit could effectively reduce the horizontal throw distance.
Effect of Dietary Starch-to-Fat Ratio on Lipid Metabolism, Inflammation, and Microbiota of Multiparous Sow and Newborn Piglets
Authors: Wang Wenhui , Yu Zirou , Yin Xindi , Wang Zijie , Xu Song , Shi Chenyu , Zang Jianjun , Liu Hu , Wang Fenglai
Published: May 2023

This experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary starch-to-fat ratio on reproductive performance and lipid metabolism of sows and newborn piglets. A total of 75 Landrace × Yorkshire multiparous sows at d 84 of gestation were selected and randomly divided into three groups based on body weight. From d 85 of gestation to farrowing, sows were fed one of three dietary starch-to-fat ratios (20:1, 10:1, and 5:1). Dietary high starch-to-fat ratio increased the birth weight of piglets (p < 0.05). The apparent total digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and gross energy of sows was improved by an increasing starch-to-fat ratio during gestation (p < 0.05). Decreased dietary starch-to-fat ratio increased the concentration of plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, and GSH-Px in sows (p < 0.05). During parturition, sows had increased plasma interleukin (IL) -1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α in the low ratio group (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Streptococcaceae in the low ratio group was significantly higher (p < 0.05). The medium dietary starch-to-fat ratio significantly increased the concentrations of short chain fatty acids. In conclusion, this study suggested that for sows a diet with ahigh starch to fat ratio could ameliorate lipid metabolism disorder and maternal inflammation during late gestation.
Core Germplasm Construction Based on Genetic and Phenotypic Diversity of Buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides (Nutt.) Columbus) from the Great Plains of America
Authors: Qian Yongqiang , Jiang Manhua , Zou Bokun , Li Deying
Published: May 2023

Buffalograss is a valuable forage and turfgrass species native to the Great Plains of America. Utilization of genetic resources and conservation of germplasm rely on effective methods to differentiate and identify genetic differences quickly and at a relatively low cost. The lack of correlation between DNA marker-based genetic diversity and the geographic distance in buffalograss indicates that the interaction between genotype and environment needs to be evaluated. The objective of this study was to establish a core collection of buffalograss germplasm based on SRAP, then solidify the construction with important phenotypic traits. A total of 143 accessions were collected from 16 regions in 10 states of the U.S. A total of 1033 bands were scored from the 10 combinations of forward and reverse primers, of which 1031 were polymorphic within the accessions. After evaluating multiple clustering approaches, we determined that using symmetric distance (such as DMATCH, SM) in the hierarchical Ward’s method was the best clustering method, resulting in five groups. A least distance stepwise clustering approach using the simple match similarity coefficient was most efficient in creating core collections. Adding the phenotypic information and a final core collection size of 59 accessions was recommended to balance representativeness and diversity. We proposed a reverse power function for the percentage of accessions to be included in a core collection. We started at a high value for small numbers of accessions, and the percentage decreased as the accession number increased. then level off at 10% as the accession number reached 1000 and above.
Some Variation Factors of Freezing Point in Camel Milk
Authors: Konuspayeva Gaukhar , Al-Gedan Mubarak M. , Alzuraiq Fuad , Faye Bernard
Published: May 2023

The freezing point degree of milk (FPD) is a classical indicator of cow milk quality. In camel milk, few references are available in the literature regarding the main factors of variation. In the present paper, two methods of FPD determination were used: the Reference method (RM) (using Cryostar) and the Express method (EM), using a milk analyzer (Milkoscan-FT1). The RM was used to determine FPD in 680 bulk raw or pasteurized camel milk samples. Regarding EM, 736 individual milk samples, 1323 bulk samples, 635 samples of pasteurized milk and 812 samples of raw milk used for cheese making were available. The variability of FPD was investigated according to month, lactation stage, milk composition, milk production and microbiological status. Correlations between methods were explored. FPD was highly correlated with most of the milk components and tended to decrease in cases of high contamination by coliforms or high total flora count. However, the weak significant correlations between the two methods indicated the necessity to specifically calibrate an automatic milk analyzer for camel milk.
The Real Practice Prescribing Antibiotics in Outpatients: A Failed Control Case Assessed through the Simulated Patient Method
Authors: Miranda-Novales María Guadalupe , Flores-Moreno Karen , Rodríguez-Álvarez Mauricio , López-Vidal Yolanda , Soto-Hernández José Luis , Solórzano Santos Fortino , Ponce-de-León-Rosales Samuel
Published: May 2023

The first level of medical care provides the largest number of consultations for the most frequent diseases at the community level, including acute pharyngitis (AP), acute diarrhoea (AD) and uncomplicated acute urinary tract infections (UAUTIs). The inappropriate use of antibiotics in these diseases represents a high risk for the generation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria causing community infections. To evaluate the patterns of medical prescription for these diseases in medical offices adjacent to pharmacies, we used an adult simulated patient (SP) method representing the three diseases, AP, AD and UAUTI. Each person played a role in one of the three diseases, with the signs and symptoms described in the national clinical practice guidelines (CPGs). Diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic management were assessed. Information from 280 consultations in the Mexico City area was obtained. For the 101 AP consultations, in 90 cases (89.1%), one or more antibiotics or antivirals were prescribed; for the 127 AD, in 104 cases (81.8%), one or more antiparasitic drugs or intestinal antiseptics were prescribed; for the scenarios involving UAUTIs in adult women, in 51 of 52 cases (98.1%) one antibiotic was prescribed. The antibiotic group with the highest prescription pattern for AP, AD and UAUTIs was aminopenicillins and benzylpenicillins [27/90 (30%)], co-trimoxazole [35/104 (27.6%)] and quinolones [38/51 (73.1%)], respectively. Our findings reveal the highly inappropriate use of antibiotics for AP and AD in a sector of the first level of health care, which could be a widespread phenomenon at the regional and national level and highlights the urgent need to update antibiotic prescriptions for UAUTIs according to local resistance patterns. Supervision of adherence to the CPGs is needed, as well as raising awareness about the rational use of antibiotics and the threat posed by AMR at the first level of care.
Employing Gamma-Ray-Modified Carbon Quantum Dots to Combat a Wide Range of Bacteria
Authors: Marković Zoran M. , Mišović Aleksandra S. , Zmejkoski Danica Z. , Zdravković Nemanja M. , Kovač Janez , Bajuk-Bogdanović Danica V. , Milivojević Dušan D. , Mojsin Marija M. , Stevanović Milena J. , Pavlović Vladimir B. , Marković Biljana M. Todorović
Published: May 2023

Nowadays, it is a great challenge to develop new medicines for treating various infectious diseases. The treatment of these diseases is of utmost interest to further prevent the development of multi-drug resistance in different pathogens. Carbon quantum dots, as a new member of the carbon nanomaterials family, can potentially be used as a highly promising visible-light-triggered antibacterial agent. In this work, the results of antibacterial and cytotoxic activities of gamma-ray-irradiated carbon quantum dots are presented. Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were synthesized from citric acid by a pyrolysis procedure and irradiated by gamma rays at different doses (25, 50, 100 and 200 kGy). Structure, chemical composition and optical properties were investigated by atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectrometry and photoluminescence. Structural analysis showed that CQDs have a spherical-like shape and dose-dependent average diameters and heights. Antibacterial tests showed that all irradiated dots had antibacterial activity but CQDs irradiated with dose of 100 kGy had antibacterial activity against all seven pathogen-reference bacterial strains. Gamma-ray-modified CQDs did not show any cytotoxicity toward human fetal-originated MRC-5 cells. Moreover, fluorescence microscopy showed excellent cellular uptake of CQDs irradiated with doses of 25 and 200 kGy into MRC-5 cells.
Knowledge-Based Investigation of Seismic Vulnerability Assessment and Compatible Strengthening Design of an Existing Masonry Building
Authors: Cristofaro Maria Teresa , Tanganelli Marco
Published: May 2023

Most existing masonry buildings were built without following code regulations for seismic criteria. Hence, their performance compared to the demands of the current codes, for both seismic and static actions, could be very low. In engineering practice, strengthening interventions can be pursued at different levels, based on qualitative assessments of masonry structures. Firstly, the structures are evaluated through in situ inspections. Then, based on the structural system of the building a strengthening design is proposed. The design can be targeted at guaranteeing a box behavior of structures acting through macro-elements, or at strengthening the in-plane capacity of piers and spandrels. However, lower cognitive levels may drive inaccurate impressions about the capacity of structures, leading to unreliable strengthening solutions. While in some cases the confidence factor could underestimate the effects of the reinforcements, in other cases lower knowledge levels could lead to incorrect reinforcements that do not provide helpful solutions. In this paper, the issues concerning the strengthening design of masonry structures are presented and discussed with regard to an existing building. The construction is a 20th century masonry building used as a nursing home for elderly persons. The study follows a knowledge-based procedure where, after achievement of the highest knowledge level and the proposal of compatible and effective strengthening interventions, the analysis of the potential effects of achieving lower knowledge levels is discussed both in terms of vulnerability computations and in terms of strengthening effectiveness. Regarding vulnerability assessment, a lower knowledge level leads to non-conservative results, with an increase in the estimated capacity of around 80%. Critical evaluation of the different configurations for the case study makes it clear that for the considered masonry building the mortar investigation represented the most important parameter to be investigated. The proposal of strengthening interventions before assessment of this parameter may lead to ineffective improvements resulting in index values lower than 0.60. The study represents the opportunity to assess comparisons in the setting of different investigation strategies and their effect on the definition of the strengthening solutions.
A Medical Image Encryption Scheme for Secure Fingerprint-Based Authenticated Transmission
Authors: Castro Francesco , Impedovo Donato , Pirlo Giuseppe
Published: May 2023

Secure transmission of medical images and medical data is essential in healthcare systems, both in telemedicine and AI approaches. The compromise of images and medical data could affect patient privacy and the accuracy of diagnosis. Digital watermarking embeds medical images into a non-significant image before transmission to ensure visual security. However, it is vulnerable to white-box attacks because the embedded medical image can be extracted by an attacker that knows the system’s operation and does not ensure the authenticity of image transmission. A visually secure image encryption scheme for secure fingerprint-based authenticated transmission has been proposed to solve the above issues. The proposed scheme embeds the encrypted medical image, the encrypted physician’s fingerprint, and the patient health record (EHR) into a non-significant image to ensure integrity, authenticity, and confidentiality during the medical image and medical data transmission. A chaotic encryption algorithm based on a permutation key has been used to encrypt the medical image and fingerprint feature vector. A hybrid asymmetric cryptography scheme based on Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) and AES has been implemented to protect the permutation key. Simulations and comparative analysis show that the proposed scheme achieves higher visual security of the encrypted image and higher medical image reconstruction quality than other secure image encryption approaches.
Combinatorial Effect of Multiple Abiotic Factors on Up-Regulation of Carotenoids and Lipids in Monoraphidium sp. for Pharmacological and Nutraceutical Applications
Authors: Yadav Kushi , Kumar Shashi , Nikalje Ganesh Chandrakant , Rai Monika Prakash
Published: May 2023

Carotenoids have attracted significant interest due to their potential use in human health and nutrition, and their global demand increases by 3.7% annually. Currently, synthetic carotenoids dominate the market, but possess challenges such as low antioxidant ability, issues with health benefits, and safety concerns. Microalgae are potential producers of natural carotenoids with extraordinary antioxidant properties, although the yield is often low in their natural cycle. The present investigation aimed to analyze the effect of multiple abiotic factors on enhancing algal carotenoids synthesis and other metabolites without affecting growth. The potential microalgae Monoraphidium sp. were grown under altered nutrient and light conditions employing RSM-CCD. The optimized conditions, such as Nitrogen (5 g·L−1), Phosphorus +Potassium (250 mg·L−1), Sulphur (70 mg·L−1), and light (137.5 µmol·m−2·S−1), resulted in increased biomass (1357.36 mg·L−1), lipid accumulation (40.28% of dry biomass), and carotenoids (16.26 µg·mL−1) as compared to the control conditions. The total carotenoids fraction consisted of astaxanthin (14.8%), violaxanthin (3.61%), lutein, (45.12%), 9-cis-β carotene (7.62%), and β-carotene-5,6-epoxide (24.21%). Among them, violaxanthin (1.32-fold), astaxanthin (1.19-fold), 9-cis- β carotene (1.07-fold), and β-carotene-5,6-epoxide (1.08-fold) content increased while lutein (1.32-fold) content decreased significantly. The improvement in algal carotenoids under novel culture conditions provides a significant advantage to pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries.
A Field Communication System for Volunteer Urban Search and Rescue Teams Combining 802.11ax and LoRaWAN
Authors: Douklias Athanasios , Dadoukis Aris , Athanasiadis Spyros , Amditis Angelos
Published: May 2023

Despite the technological progress achieved by our society, natural or man-made disasters continue to pose a challenge and put to the test the organization and preparedness of government apparatuses. The loss of life and property following calamities motivates citizens into action. In response, volunteer Urban Search And Rescue (USAR) organizations are established with the aim of providing help when needed. Just like their government funded and run counterparts, these organizations try to use what technology has to offer to improve their efficiency. However, they face challenges due to their limited funding and inability to access certain resources such as licensed spectrum for their communications. This situation is further deteriorated because civilian communication infrastructure cannot be relied upon to be available in case of disasters. Communications are paramount for any operation, let alone USAR. To address this need, we have designed and built a field deployable communication system that is able to leverage what existing communication infrastructure is available and utilizes 802.11ax and LoRaWAN that operate in unlicensed spectrum to provide wireless local connectivity. The performance and suitability of the system have been tested in various small and large-scale exercises, while the range and transmission speed achieved by 802.11ax over its predecessors are determined through a measurement campaign. In this article, we report the results and lessons learned from our approach to fill this communication gap and the suitability of the selected technologies for the role.
Enhancing Skills Demand Understanding through Job Ad Segmentation Using NLP and Clustering Techniques
Authors: Lukauskas Mantas , Šarkauskaitė Viktorija , Pilinkienė Vaida , Stundžienė Alina , Grybauskas Andrius , Bruneckienė Jurgita
Published: May 2023

The labor market has been significantly impacted by the rapidly evolving global landscape, characterized by increased competition, globalization, demographic shifts, and digitization, leading to a demand for new skills and professions. The rapid pace of technological advancements, economic transformations, and changes in workplace practices necessitate that employees continuously adapt to new skill requirements. A quick assessment of these changes enables the identification of skill profiles and the activities of economic fields. This paper aims to utilize natural language processing technologies and data clustering methods to analyze the skill needs of Lithuanian employees, perform a cluster analysis of these skills, and create automated job profiles. The hypothesis that applying natural language processing and clustering in job profile analyzes can allow the real-time assessment of job skill demand changes was investigated. Over five hundred thousand job postings were analyzed to build job/position profiles for further decision-making. In the first stage, data were extracted from the job requirements of entire job advertisement texts. The regex procedure was found to have demonstrated the best results. Data vectorization for initial feature extraction was performed using BERT structure transformers (sentence transformers). Five dimensionality reduction methods were compared, with the UMAP technique producing the best results. The HDBSCAN method proved to be the most effective for clustering, though RCBMIDE also demonstrated a robust performance. Finally, job profile descriptions were generated using generative artificial intelligence based on the compiled job profile skills. Upon expert assessment of the created job profiles and their descriptions, it was concluded that the automated job advertisement analysis algorithm had shown successful results and could therefore be applied in practice.
Predicting Adherence to Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation with Data-Driven Methods
Authors: Filos Dimitris , Claes Jomme , Cornelissen Véronique , Kouidi Evangelia , Chouvarda Ioanna
Published: May 2023

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) focuses on the improvement of health or the prevention of further disease progression after an event. Despite the documented benefits of CR programs, the participation remains suboptimal. Home-based CR programs have been proposed to improve uptake and adherence. The goal of this study was to apply an end-to-end methodology including machine learning techniques to predict the 6-month adherence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients to a home-based telemonitoring CR program, combining patients’ clinical information with their actual program participation during a short familiarization phase. Fifty CVD patients participated in such a program for 6 months, enabling personalized guidance during a phase III CR study. Clinical, fitness, and psychological data were measured at baseline, whereas actual adherence, in terms of weekly exercise session duration and patient heart rate, was measured using wearables. Hierarchical clustering was used to identify different groups based on (1) patients’ clinical baseline characteristics, (2) exercise adherence during the familiarization phase, and (3) the whole program adherence, whereas the output of the clustering was determined using repetitive decision trees (DTs) and random forest (RF) techniques to predict long-term adherence. Finally, for each cluster of patients, network analysis was applied to discover correlations of their characteristics that link to adherence. Based on baseline characteristics, patients were clustered into three groups, with differences in behavior and risk factors, whereas adherent, non-adherent, and transient adherent patients were identified during the familiarization phase. Regarding the prediction of long-term adherence, the most common DT showed higher performance compared with RF (precision: 80.2 ± 19.5% and 71.8 ± 25.8%, recall: 94.5 ± 14.5% and 71.8 ± 25.8% for DT and RF accordingly). The analysis of the DT rules and the analysis of the feature importance of the RF model highlighted the significance of non-adherence during the familiarization phase, as well as that of the baseline characteristics to predict future adherence. Network analysis revealed different relationships in different clusters of patients and the interplay between their behavioral characteristics. In conclusion, the main novelty of this study is the application of machine learning techniques combining patient characteristics before the start of the home-based CR programs with data during a short familiarization phase, which can predict long-term adherence with high accuracy. The data used in this study are available through connected health technologies and standard measurements in CR; thus, the proposed methodology can be generalized to other telerehabilitation programs and help healthcare providers to improve patient-tailored enrolment strategies and resource allocation.
Aquasafe: A Remote Sensing, Web-Based Platform for the Support of Precision Fish Farming
Authors: Chatziantoniou Andromachi , Papandroulakis Nikos , Stavrakidis-Zachou Orestis , Spondylidis Spyros , Taskaris Simeon , Topouzelis Konstantinos
Published: May 2023

Marine aquaculture has been expanding rapidly in recent years, driven by the growing demand for marine products. However, this expansion has led to increased competition for space and resources with other coastal zone activities, which has resulted in the need for larger facilities and the relocation of operations to offshore areas. Moreover, the complex environment and exposure to environmental conditions and external threats further complicate the sustainable development of the sector. To address these challenges, new and innovative technologies are needed, such as the incorporation of remote sensing and in-situ data for comprehensive and continuous monitoring of aquaculture facilities. This study aims to create an integrated monitoring and decision support system utilizing both satellite and in-situ data to monitor aquaculture facilities on various scales, providing information on water quality, fish growth, and warning signs to alert managers and producers of potential hazards. This study focuses on identifying and estimating parameters that affect aquaculture processes, establishing indicators that can act as warning signs, and evaluating the system’s performance in real-life scenarios. The resulting monitoring tool, called “Aquasafe”, was evaluated for its effectiveness and performance by test users through real-life scenarios. The results of the implemented models showed high accuracy, with an R2 value of 0.67. Additionally, users were generally satisfied with the usefulness of the tool, suggesting that it holds promise for efficient management and decision making in marine aquaculture.
A Characterization of Multipliers of the Herz Algebra
Authors: Feichtinger Hans G.
Published: May 2023

For the characterization of multipliers of Lp(Rd) or more generally, of Lp(G) for some locally compact Abelian group G, the so-called Figa-Talamanca–Herz algebra Ap(G) plays an important role. Following Larsen’s book, we describe multipliers as bounded linear operators that commute with translations. The main result of this paper is the characterization of the multipliers of Ap(G). In fact, we demonstrate that it coincides with the space of multipliers of Lp(G),∥·∥p. Given a multiplier T of (Ap(G),∥·∥Ap(G)) and using the embedding (Ap(G),∥·∥Ap(G))↪C0(G),∥·∥∞, the linear functional f↦[T(f)(0)] is bounded, and T can be written as a moving average for some element in the dual PMp(G) of (Ap(G),∥·∥Ap(G)). A key step for this identification is another elementary fact: showing that the multipliers from Lp(G),∥·∥p to C0(G),∥·∥∞ are exactly the convolution operators with kernels in Lq(G),∥·∥q for 1<p<∞ and 1/p+1/q=1. The proofs make use of the space of mild distributions, which is the dual of the Segal algebra S0(G),∥·∥S0, and the fact that multipliers T from S0(G) to S0′(G) are convolution operators of the form T:f↦σ∗f for some uniquely determined σ∈S0′. This setting also allows us to switch from the description of these multipliers as convolution operators (by suitable pseudomeasures) to their description as Fourier multipliers, using the extended Fourier transform in the setting of S0′(G),∥·∥S0′. The approach presented here extends to other function spaces, but a more detailed discussion is left to future publications.
Review of Quaternion Differential Equations: Historical Development, Applications, and Future Direction
Authors: Kartiwa Alit , Supriatna Asep K. , Rusyaman Endang , Sulaiman Jumat
Published: May 2023

Quaternion is a four-dimensional and an extension of the complex number system. It is often viewed from various fields, such as analysis, algebra, and geometry. Several applications of quaternions are related to an object’s rotation and motion in three-dimensional space in the form of a differential equation. In this paper, we do a systematic literature review on the development of quaternion differential equations. We utilize PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analyses) framework in the review process as well as content analysis. The expected result is a state-of-the-art and the gap of concepts or problems that still need to develop or answer. It was concluded that there are still some opportunities to develop a quaternion differential equation using a quaternion function domain.
Overview of the Impact of Pathogenic LRRK2 Mutations in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Ito Genta , Utsunomiya-Tate Naoko
Published: May 2023

Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is a large protein kinase that physiologically phosphorylates and regulates the function of several Rab proteins. LRRK2 is genetically implicated in the pathogenesis of both familial and sporadic Parkinson’s disease (PD), although the underlying mechanism is not well understood. Several pathogenic mutations in the LRRK2 gene have been identified, and in most cases the clinical symptoms that PD patients with LRRK2 mutations develop are indistinguishable from those of typical PD. However, it has been shown that the pathological manifestations in the brains of PD patients with LRRK2 mutations are remarkably variable when compared to sporadic PD, ranging from typical PD pathology with Lewy bodies to nigral degeneration with deposition of other amyloidogenic proteins. The pathogenic mutations in LRRK2 are also known to affect the functions and structure of LRRK2, the differences in which may be partly attributable to the variations observed in patient pathology. In this review, in order to help researchers unfamiliar with the field to understand the mechanism of pathogenesis of LRRK2-associated PD, we summarize the clinical and pathological manifestations caused by pathogenic mutations in LRRK2, their impact on the molecular function and structure of LRRK2, and their historical background.
Unique Electron-Transfer-Mediated Electrochemiluminescence of AuPt Bimetallic Nanoclusters and the Application in Cancer Immunoassay
Authors: Zhou Huiwen , Liu Ruanshan , Pan Guangxing , Cao Miaomiao , Zhang Ling
Published: May 2023

Noble Metal nanoclusters (NCs) are promising electrochemiluminescence (ECL) emitters due to their amazing optical properties and excellent biocompatibility. They have been widely used in the detection of ions, pollutant molecules, biomolecules, etc. Herein, we found that glutathione-capped AuPt bimetallic NCs (GSH-AuPt NCs) emitted strong anodic ECL signals with triethylamine as co-reactants which had no fluorescence (FL) response. Due to the synergistic effect of bimetallic structures, the ECL signals of AuPt NCs were 6.8 and 94 times higher than those of monometallic Au and Pt NCs, respectively. The electric and optical properties of GSH-AuPt NCs differed from those of Au and Pt NCs completely. An electron-transfer mediated ECL mechanism was proposed. The excited electrons may be neutralized by Pt(II) in GSH-Pt and GSH-AuPt NCs, resulting in the vanished FL. Furthermore, abundant TEA radicals formed on the anode contributed electrons to the highest unoccupied molecular orbital of GSH-Au2.5Pt NCs and Pt(II), booming intense ECL signals. Because of the ligand effect and ensemble effect, bimetallic AuPt NCs exhibited much stronger ECL than GSH-Au NCs. A sandwich-type immunoassay for alpha fetoprotein (AFP) cancer biomarkers was fabricated with GSH-AuPt NCs as signal tags, which displayed a wide linear range from 0.01 to 1000 ng·mL−1 and a limit of detection (LOD) down to 1.0 pg·mL−1 at 3S/N. Compared to previous ECL AFP immunoassays, this method not only had a wider linear range but also a lower LOD. The recoveries of AFP in human serum were around 108%, providing a wonderful strategy for fast, sensitive, and accurate cancer diagnosis.
Immobilization of TiO2 Photocatalysts for Water Treatment in Geopolymer Based Coatings
Authors: Dufner Lukas , Ott Felix , Otto Nikolai , Lembcke Tom , Kern Frank
Published: May 2023

This study presents a simple and sustainable coating technology for the deposition of photocatalytic coatings based on titanium dioxide and geopolymers, which requires no thermal post-treatment. Titania powder P25, potassium silicate and a calcium aluminate-based hardener were dispersed in water and applied to aluminum substrates using a paintbrush, a roller and a spray gun. The coatings were air-dried for 12 h. The photocatalytic activities were tested via degradation of an aqueous methylene blue solution in a batch reactor under artificial UV-A light. The roller and the spray gun-based coatings yielded well-adhering coatings with high photocatalytic activity. Brushed coatings were inhomogeneous and unstable. The presented method of producing photocatalytic coatings is very simple to apply and does not require complex technologies or energy-intensive thermal treatments.
Ginsentide TP1 Protects Hypoxia-Induced Dysfunction and ER Stress-Linked Apoptosis
Authors: Dutta Bamaprasad , Loo Shining , Kam Antony , Sze Siu Kwan , Tam James P.
Published: May 2023

Hypoxia-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction (VED) is a significant contributor to several severe human diseases, including heart disease, stroke, dementia, and cancer. However, current treatment options for VED are limited due to the lack of understanding of the underlying disease mechanisms and therapeutic leads. We recently discovered a heat-stable microprotein in ginseng, called ginsentide TP1, that has been shown to reduce vascular dysfunction in cardiovascular disease models. In this study, we use a combination of functional assays and quantitative pulsed SILAC proteomics to identify new proteins synthesized in hypoxia and to show that ginsentide TP1 provides protection for human endothelial cells against hypoxia and ER stress. Consistent with the reported findings, we also found that hypoxia activates various pathways related to endothelium activation and monocyte adhesion, which in turn, impairs nitric oxide (NO) synthase activity, reduces the bioavailability of NO, and increases the production of reactive oxygen species that contribute to VED. Additionally, hypoxia triggers endoplasmic reticulum stress and initiates apoptotic signaling pathways associated with cardiovascular pathology. Treatment with ginsentide TP1 reduced surface adhesion molecule expression, prevented activation of the endothelium and leukocyte adhesion, restored protein hemostasis, and reduced ER stress to protect against hypoxia-induced cell death. Ginsentide TP1 also restored NO signaling and bioavailability, reduced oxidative stress, and protected endothelial cells from endothelium dysfunction. In conclusion, this study shows that the molecular pathogenesis of VED induced by hypoxia can be mitigated by treatment with ginsentide TP1, which could be one of the key bioactive compounds responsible for the “cure-all” effect of ginseng. This research may lead to the development of new therapies for cardiovascular disorders.
PAI-1 Overexpression in Valvular Interstitial Cells Contributes to Hypofibrinolysis in Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Kopytek Magdalena , Ząbczyk Michał , Mazur Piotr , Undas Anetta , Natorska Joanna
Published: May 2023

Aortic stenosis (AS) is associated with hypofibrinolysis, but its mechanism is poorly understood. We investigated whether LDL cholesterol affects plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) expression, which may contribute to hypofibrinolysis in AS. Stenotic valves were obtained from 75 severe AS patients during valve replacement to assess lipids accumulation, together with PAI-1 and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) expression. Five control valves from autopsy healthy individuals served as controls. The expression of PAI-1 in valve interstitial cells (VICs) after LDL stimulation was assessed at protein and mRNA levels. PAI-1 activity inhibitor (TM5275) and NF-κB inhibitor (BAY 11-7082) were used to suppress PAI-1 activity or NF-κB pathway. Clot lysis time (CLT) was performed to assess fibrinolytic capacity in VICs cultures. Solely AS valves showed PAI-1 expression, the amount of which was correlated with lipid accumulation and AS severity and co-expressed with NF-κB. In vitro VICs showed abundant PAI-1 expression. LDL stimulation increased PAI-1 levels in VICs supernatants and prolonged CLT. PAI-1 activity inhibition shortened CLT, while NF-κB inhibition decreased PAI-1 and SERPINE1 expression in VICs, its level in supernatants and shortened CLT. In severe AS, valvular PAI-1 overexpression driven by lipids accumulation contributes to hypofibrinolysis and AS severity.
GILZ Modulates the Recruitment of Monocytes/Macrophages Endowed with a Resolving Phenotype and Favors Resolution of Escherichia coli Infection
Authors: Grossi Laís C. , Zaidan Isabella , Souza Jéssica Amanda Marques , Carvalho Antônio Felipe S. , Sanches Rodrigo C. O. , Cardoso Camila , Lara Edvaldo S. , Montuori-Andrade Ana Clara M. , Bruscoli Stefano , Marchetti Maria Cristina , Riccardi Carlo , Teixeira Mauro M. , Tavares Luciana P. , Vago Juliana P. , Sousa Lirlândia P.
Published: May 2023

Macrophages are important effectors of inflammation resolution that contribute to the elimination of pathogens and apoptotic cells and restoration of homeostasis. Pre-clinical studies have evidenced the anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving actions of GILZ (glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper). Here, we evaluated the role of GILZ on the migration of mononuclear cells under nonphlogistic conditions and Escherichia coli-evoked peritonitis. TAT-GILZ (a cell-permeable GILZ-fusion protein) injection into the pleural cavity of mice induced monocyte/macrophage influx alongside increased CCL2, IL-10 and TGF-β levels. TAT-GILZ-recruited macrophages showed a regulatory phenotype, exhibiting increased expression of CD206 and YM1. During the resolving phase of E. coli-induced peritonitis, marked by an increased recruitment of mononuclear cells, lower numbers of these cells and CCL2 levels were found in the peritoneal cavity of GILZ-deficient mice (GILZ−/−) when compared to WT. In addition, GILZ−/− showed higher bacterial loads, lower apoptosis/efferocytosis counts and a lower number of macrophages with pro-resolving phenotypes. TAT-GILZ accelerated resolution of E. coli-evoked neutrophilic inflammation, which was associated with increased peritoneal numbers of monocytes/macrophages, enhanced apoptosis/efferocytosis counts and bacterial clearance through phagocytosis. Taken together, we provided evidence that GILZ modulates macrophage migration with a regulatory phenotype, inducing bacterial clearance and accelerating the resolution of peritonitis induced by E. coli.
Highly Improved Dielectric and Thermal Performance of Polyalphaolefin Oil-Based Fluids Using MgO Nanoparticles
Authors: Thanh Nguyen Van , Ngoc Nguyen Thi Hong , Thuy Dang Minh , Tuynh Luu Van , Son Ha Huu , Long Nguyen Phi
Published: May 2023

Polyalphaolefin (PAO) oil is widely used as a dielectric liquid due to its outstanding dielectric strength, high flash point, good oxidation resistance, and stability. The dispersion of MgO nanoparticles in PAO yields nanofluids with many properties superior to base oils. This study clarifies the influence of MgO nanoparticles on the dielectric properties (breakdown voltage, volume resistivity, and relative permittivity) and heat transfer properties of PAO/MgO nanofluids. Changes in the concentration and size and the modification of MgO nanoparticles with surfactants change the dielectric and thermal performance of PAO/MgO nanofluids. Using PAO/MgO nanofluids as raw material to prepare dielectric fluid obtains a product with higher dielectric strength and thermal conductivity than those using PAO. The results show that PAO/MgO nanofluid-based dielectric fluid has the potential to be applied as a soft coating to protect electronic equipment in industries.
Mechanical Characterization of Asphalt Mixtures Based on Polymeric Resin and Thixotropic Filler as a Substitute for Bitumen
Authors: Emminger Carina , Cakmak Umut D. , Lackner Michael , Major Zoltan
Published: May 2023

Transportation infrastructure relies heavily on asphalt pavement, but conventional bitumen-based mixtures present several drawbacks. This study assesses the potential of poly(methyl methacrylate) resins and thixotropic fillers as substitutes for bitumen to improve pavement performance. The research concentrates on enhancing current formulations that incorporate a thermosetting polymer and mineral (stiffening) fillers, with the objective of increasing durability, extending the product life cycle, and optimizing raw material usage. Utilizing dynamic thermomechanical analyses, the viscoelastic characteristics of resins are examined, with a focus on their mechanical properties’ dependence on load frequency and temperature. The investigation also evaluates the impact of different fillers, including silica sand, silica dust, and basalt sand, on viscoelastic behavior and load-bearing capacity, offering valuable insights into the relationships between material structure and properties. The findings reveal that stiffness is predominantly affected by the quantity of silica dust, whereas the force plateau depends on the amount of sand. This study contributes crucial information for the development of more sustainable and robust pavement materials for future applications.
A Driving Waveform with a Narrow Falling and High-Voltage Reset Structure for Improving the Stability of Electrowetting Displays
Authors: Long Zhengxing , Yi Zichuan , Wang Jiashuai , Liu Liming , Chi Feng , Shui Lingling , Tan Ding , Wang Huan
Published: May 2023

An electrowetting display (EWD) is a new reflective display device with the advantages of paper display, high reflectivity, and fast response times. However, the display performance of EWDs has been restricted by oil film splitting and luminance oscillation. Therefore, a new driving waveform based on a falling slope function and a high-voltage, square-wave reset signal is proposed to solve these defects. It consists of a shrinkage stage and a stabilizing stage. First, the oil film of a pixel can be quickly ruptured by applying a falling slope function during the shrinkage stage according to the oil film-splitting theory. Then, a direct current (DC) voltage is applied to promote the complete fusion of the dispersed oil films by analyzing the voltage characteristic curves of EWDs. Finally, a high-voltage, square-wave reset signal is applied during the stabilizing stage to reduce luminance oscillations and suppress oil film backflow. Experimental results show that the average luminance was increased by 6.5% compared with a PWM driving waveform. The display stability of EWDs was improved by 89.1% compared with a driving waveform with a rising gradient.
Low-Threshold Optical Bistability Based on Photonic Crystal Fabry–Perot Cavity with Three-Dimensional Dirac Semimetal
Authors: Li Fengyu , Xu Jiao , Li Jianbo , Peng Yuxiang , He Mengdong
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we investigate theoretically the tunable low threshold optical bistability (OB) in the terahertz range based on photonic crystals’ Fabry–Perot (FP) cavity with a three-dimensional Dirac semimetal (3D DSM). On the one hand, a 3D DSM with a high nonlinear refractive index coefficient creates conditions for the generation of OB. Additionally, the finite film thickness of 3D DSMs leads to significantly a enhanced interaction volume compared to graphene, which allows easier preparation and has stable properties. On the other hand, the resonance of the FP cavity plays a positive role in promoting the tunable low-threshold OB. It was found that the OB threshold and hysteresis curve can be continuously adjusted by manipulating the Fermi energy and relaxation times of a 3D DSM. Additionally, the bistable curve of the composite structure is also closely related to the angle of incident light. Through parameter optimization, OB with a threshold approaching 105 V/m can be obtained. The photonic crystal’s FP cavity with a 3D DSM structure provides a feasible way to achieve low-threshold OB and a building block for future integrated all-optical devices.
Morphological Features of Polycrystalline CdS1−xSex Films Obtained by Screen-Printing Method
Authors: Strateichuk Diana , Martyushev Nikita , Klyuev Roman , Gladkikh Vitaliy , Kukartsev Vladislav , Tynchenko Yadviga , Karlina Antonina
Published: May 2023

The results of studying the morphological peculiarities of polycrystalline CdS1−xSex films, obtained by screen printing, with well-formed grain boundaries of high structural quality are presented here. The developed method for screen printing provides the formation of polycrystalline films of a specified area per cycle, provided that there is a possibility for varying their thickness from tens of microns to units, which allows reducing the solar cell’s thickness and facilitating the process of its connection with the substrate. Therefore, the application of the films to a sitall substrate by screen printing contributes to reducing the product weight and facilitating the process of joining sheet materials intended for solar panels, namely attaching the lasing element to the substrate. The purpose of this work is to study the morphological peculiarities of polycrystalline CdS1−xSex films obtained by an optimized screen-printing method and to create a model of their formation process. The structural and morphological peculiarities of the samples were studied using electron microscopy, AFM, XPA, and XFS. As a result of the work, based on the obtained experimental data, a model of the film formation process was developed. The model validity is justified by the conformity of the data of the experiment performed on its basis.