bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization-Based High-Frequency Circuit Miniaturization through Implicit and Explicit Constraint Handling: Recent Advances
Authors: Pietrenko-Dabrowska Anna , Koziel Slawomir , Mahrokh Marzieh
Published: September 2022

Miniaturization trends in high-frequency electronics have led to accommodation challenges in the integration of the corresponding components. Size reduction thereof has become a practical necessity. At the same time, the increasing performance demands imposed on electronic systems remain in conflict with component miniaturization. On the practical side, the challenges related to handling design constraints are aggravated by the high cost of system evaluation, normally requiring full-wave electromagnetic (EM) analysis. Some of these issues can be alleviated by implicit constraint handling using the penalty function approach. Yet, its performance depends on the arrangement of the penalty factors, necessitating a costly trial-and-error procedure to identify their optimum setup. A workaround is offered by the recently proposed algorithms with automatic adaptation of the penalty factors using different adjustment schemes. However, these intricate strategies require a continuous problem-dependent adaptation of the penalty function throughout the entire optimization process. Alternative methodologies have been proposed by taking an explicit approach to handle the inequality constraints, along with correction-based control over equality conditions, the combination of which proves to be demonstrably competitive for some miniaturization tasks. Nevertheless, optimization-based miniaturization, whether using implicit or explicit constraint handling, remains a computationally expensive task. A reliable way of reducing the aforementioned costs is the incorporation of multi-resolution EM fidelity models into the miniaturization procedure. Therein, the principal operation is based on the simultaneous monitoring of factors such as quality of the constraint satisfaction, as well as algorithm convergence status. This paper provides an overview of the abovementioned size-reduction algorithms, in which theoretical considerations are illustrated using a number of antenna and microwave circuit case studies.
Nexus between Nuclear Energy Consumption and Carbon Footprint in Asia Pacific Region: Policy toward Environmental Sustainability
Authors: Ahmed Nihal , Mahboob Farhan , Hamid Zeeshan , Sheikh Adnan Ahmed , Ali Muhammad Sibt e , Glabiszewski Waldemar , Wysokińska-Senkus Aneta , Senkus Piotr , Cyfert Szymon
Published: September 2022

The distribution of energy sources is regarded to be an act of compassion in many of the Sustainable Development Goals outlined by the United Nations. In order to build a firm foundation for competitiveness and prosperity, nations should maintain equilibrium with the three key aspects of the global energy trilemma, which are energy affordability, energy access, and ecological balance. In light of this, the purpose of this research was to investigate the impact that nuclear energy, technological advancements, renewable energy, non-renewable energy, and natural resources have had on carbon footprints. We selected the top five nuclear energy countries by consumption in the Asia Pacific region, including China, India, Japan, Pakistan, and South Korea. We devised an exhaustive and all-encompassing empirical inquiry and used contemporary econometric methods. The second-generation panel’s long-run cointegration promotes the idea of long-term relationships between the series. According to the data, using nuclear and renewable sources of energy significantly contributes to an improvement in environmental quality. On the other hand, advancements in technology and the use of energy sources that do not replenish themselves considerably decrease environmental sustainability. In addition, natural resources end up playing a negative role in the long term. The results of the panel’s investigation into the chain of events that led to the development of nuclear power showed that the chain of events was unidirectional. In addition, there is causality that runs in both directions between technological innovation, renewable energy sources, non-renewable energy sources, and natural resources that have a carbon footprint. In light of this, it is recommended that these countries should combine energy policy actions and build energy strategy consistency by harmonizing the essential features of global nuclear energy in order to aid in the development of a well-calibrated energy structure.
Lead-Free and Stable Potassium Titanium Halide Perovskites: Synthesis, Characterization and Solar Cell Simulation
Authors: Kumar Saranya , Murugesan Malathi
Published: September 2022

Titanium based double perovskites have shown good optical properties along with remarkable stability, making them promising lead-free perovskites for optoelectronic applications. In this work, Potassium Titanium Halide (K2TiBr6, K2TiI6 and K2TiI2Br4) double perovskites are synthesized for the first time. Surface topology and chemical composition are studied. Photoluminescence characterization shows a peak in the UV region. The perovskites exhibit quasi bandgap with K2TiI6 having 1.62 eV direct bandgap, conducive for single junction solar cell fabrication. K2TiBr6 and K2TiI2Br4 have bandgaps 2.14 eV and 2.44 eV, respectively, which is favorable for tandem solar cell application. The decomposition temperature of K2TiI6 is notable at 678 °C, bestowing it with stability in ambient atmosphere. Inherent to its optical properties, Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator-1D (SCAPS-1D) is used to simulate perovskite solar cell (PSC) with K2TiI6 as the absorber. Utilizing the absorption data from UV-Vis spectroscopy, these PSCs are designed to give maximum efficiency. Upon numerical optimization of perovskite layer thickness, we propose an efficient, practically realizable PSC with a power conversion efficiency of 4.382%. Besides, various electron and hole transport layers are investigated and the effect of their thickness on the PSC performance are studied.
Bioconversion of Glycerol into Lactic Acid by a New Bacterial Strain from the Brazilian Cerrado Soil
Authors: Barroso Raissa G. M. R. , Lima Jamille R. C. , Fávaro Léia C. L. , Machado Fabricio , Gonçalves Sílvia B.
Published: September 2022

A lactic-acid-producing strain was isolated from the Brazilian Cerrado soil (Brazilian savanna). Glycerol, a byproduct of the biodiesel industry, can be converted into various chemical intermediates of industrial value by biotechnological routes. Klebsiella pneumoniae can metabolize glycerol in environments with or without oxygen and bioconvert it into several chemicals with high value-added, such as lactic acid, 3-hydroxypropionic acid and 1,3 propanediol. The wild-type bacterial strain (2GPP) isolated from a soil sample from the Brazilian Cerrado was determined to be a K. pneumoniae complex that was capable of successfully metabolizing glycerol. Fermentations were performed with different temperatures, pH, and inoculum concentrations to evaluate the best lactic acid production. At first, 1,3-propanediol and L-(+)-lactic acid were produced in mini reactors. A lactic acid production of 3.8 g·L−1 and a decrease in 1,3-propanediol output were observed. Thus, by adjusting process variables such as pH and temperature during fermentation, it was possible to maximize the production of lactic acid and decrease the formation of 1,3-propanediol by utilizing experimental design strategies.
Process Modelling and Simulation of Key Volatile Compounds of Maillard Reaction Products Derived from Beef Tallow Residue Hydrolysate Based on Proxy Models
Authors: Cui Jingwei , Wang Yinhan , Zhang Huihuang , Li Jiulin , Wang Qiaojun , Yang Lixue , Zhang Hui , Jin Qingzhe , Wu Gangcheng , Wang Xingguo
Published: September 2022

The hydrolysis time is directly related to the flavor of the Maillard reaction, but existing proxy models cannot simulate and model the variation curves of vital volatile components. This study developed a predictive model for modelling and simulating key volatile compounds of Maillard reaction products (MRPs) derived from beef tallow residue hydrolysate. Results showed the degree of hydrolysis increased with hydrolysis time, and the most significant improvement in the roast flavor and overall acceptance was when hydrolyzing 4 h. Based on flavor dilution value and the relative odor activity value, nine key volatile components were identified, and 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine with roast flavor was the highest. Compared with Polynomial Curve Fitting (PCF) and Cubic Spline Interpolation (CSI), key volatile compounds of MRPs could be better modeled and simulated by the Curve Prediction Model (CPM). All results suggested that CPM could predict the changes in key volatile components produced by MRPs.
Influence of Food Safety Concerns and Satisfaction with Government Regulation on Organic Food Consumption of Chinese Urban Residents
Authors: Chai Duo , Meng Ting , Zhang Dong
Published: September 2022

In order to study the impact of food safety concerns and government regulation on Chinese urban residents’ organic food consumption willingness and behavior, an “online + offline” survey of 799 urban residents in Beijing has been conducted. Based on the theory of planned behavior, a structural equation model (SEM) was established and the government’s food production support regulation (GP) and sales guarantee regulation (GC) were incorporated separately into the SEM as moderator variables. The path influence coefficients of respondents’ food safety concerns, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control on organic food consumption willingness were 0.065 (p < 0.05), 0.174 (p < 0.01) and 0.574 (p < 0.01), respectively. The influence of GP on organic food consumption willingness was 0.243 (p < 0.01), but its moderating effect on the promotion effect of food safety concerns and attitude to organic food consumption willingness was −0.001 (p < 0.01). The moderating effect of GC on the transformation from consumption willingness to behavior was 0.083 (p < 0.05). The results show that respondents attach the most importance to the comparison of costs and the benefits of organic food. Although the government’s food production regulation will weaken the driving effect of food safety concern and benefit perception of organic food consumption willingness, it will still promote organic food consumption willingness on the whole. The government’s supervision of food processing and sales is conducive to the occurrence of organic food consumption behavior.
Effect of Single and Dual Modifications on Properties of Lotus Rhizome Starch Modified by Microwave and γ-Irradiation: A Comparative Study
Authors: Chandak Ankita , Dhull Sanju Bala , Chawla Prince , Fogarasi Melinda , Fogarasi Szabolcs
Published: September 2022

A comparative study between two novel starch modification technologies, i.e., microwave (MI) and γ-irradiation (IR), is of important significance for their applications. The objective of this work is to compare the changes in lotus rhizome starch (LRS) subjected to single modifications by MI (thermal treatment) and IR (non-thermal treatment), and dual modification by changing the treatment sequence, i.e., microwave followed by irradiation (MI-IR) and irradiation followed by microwave (IR-MI). The amylose content of native and modified LRS varied from 14.68 to 18.94%, the highest and lowest values found for native and MI-LRS, respectively. IR-treated LRS showed the lowest swelling power (4.13 g/g) but highest solubility (86.9%) among native and modified LRS. An increase in light transmittance value suggested a lower retrogradation rate for dual-modified starches, making them more suitable for food application at refrigeration and frozen temperatures. Dual-modified LRS showed the development of fissures and dents on the surface of granules as well as the reduction in peak intensities of OH and CH2 groups in FTIR spectra. Combined modifications (MI and IR) reduced values of pasting parameters and gelatinization properties compared to native and microwaved LRS and showed improved stability to shear thinning during cooking and thermal processing. The sequence of modification also affected the rheological properties; the G′ and G″ of MI-IR LRS were lower (357.41 Pa and 50.16 Pa, respectively) than the IR-MI sample (511.96 Pa and 70.09 Pa, respectively), giving it a soft gel texture. Nevertheless, dual modification of LRS by combining MI and IR made more significant changes in starch characteristics than single modifications.
Fabrication and Characterizations of Pharmaceutical Emulgel Co-Loaded with Naproxen-Eugenol for Improved Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Authors: Khan Barkat Ali , Ahmad Sajeel , Khan Muhammad Khalid , Hosny Khaled M. , Bukhary Deena M. , Iqbal Haroon , Murshid Samar S. , Halwani Abdulrahman A. , Alissa Mohammed , Menaa Farid
Published: September 2022

The aim of this study was to fabricate and characterize a pharmaceutical emulgel co-loaded with naproxen/eugenol for transdermal delivery to improve the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects and to eliminate GIT adverse reactions. Emulgel was prepared using a slow emulsification method and evaluated for physical appearance, thermodynamic stability, viscosity, pH, spreadability, extrudability, in-vitro drug release, drug content, ex-vivo permeation, drug retention studies and in-vivo studies. The emulgel exhibited good physical attributes, being thermodynamically stable with no phase separation, having excellent homogeneity, and pH 5.5 to 6.5. Slight changes in viscosity, spreadability and extrudability with respect to high temperature were observed (p > 0.05). The drug content was 96.69 ± 1.18% and 97.24 ± 1.27% for naproxen and eugenol, respectively. The maximum release of naproxen after 12 h was 85.14 ± 1.11%, whereas eugenol was 86.67 ± 1.23% from emulgel following anomalous non-Fickian mechanism. The maximum % permeation of naproxen across skin was 78.5 ± 1.30, whereas maximum % permeation of eugenol was 83.7 ± 1.33 after 12 h. The skin retention of eugenol and naproxen was 8.52 ± 0.22% and 6.98 ± 0.24%, respectively. The optimized emulgel inhibited the carrageenan induced paw edema. The pain reaction times of optimized emulgel and standard marketed product (Voltral®) were 11.16 ± 0.17 and 10.36 ± 0.47, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). This study concluded that transdermal delivery of naproxen-eugenol emulgel synergized the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of naproxen and eugenol.
Everyday Practices of Gender in the Serbian Community of Post-War South-East Kosovo
Authors: Zlatanović Sanja
Published: September 2022

This article aims to explore the everyday practices of gender in the Serbian community of south-east Kosovo, in a post-war context marked by sudden and radical political and social changes that deeply altered everyday life after 1999 and the establishment of the UN administration. As family and kinship ties are strongly expressed in the researched community, gender practices have been considered within that framework. This article is based on extensive multi-sited fieldwork conducted with members of the Serbian community in south-east Kosovo, and with displaced people from this region in several towns in Serbia. The field research focuses on everyday interactions and perspectives ‘from below’. The sudden and complex social and political changes that occurred after 1999 resulted in the transformation of the family structure and family roles, and thus to changes in gender practices. With the establishment of the international administration, influences linked to globalisation intensified. The migration of part of the community to Serbia, and the life of many of its members as ‘both here and there’, played an important role. Influences from Serbia, community guidance from the Serbian Orthodox Church, and changes in the ethnic and social landscape because of the war all combined to create opposing processes within the family. In family and gender relations, intensive, oppositional processes unfolded. These generated tensions within the community: the nuclearisation of the family and, for certain aspects, the liberalisation of relations in it and, at the same time, repatriarchalisation.
Coarse-Clast Storm Deposit and Solitary Boulders on the Island of Mana (NP Kornati, Central Adriatic, Croatia)
Authors: Korbar Tvrtko , Navratil Dražen , Denamiel Cléa , Kordić Branko , Biolchi Sara , Vilibić Ivica , Furlani Stefano
Published: September 2022

There is growing evidence that many large coastal boulder deposits found on the exposed rocky ocean shores were deposited by extreme storm waves rather than by catastrophic tsunamis, as previously thought. In addition, before the first discovery in the northern Adriatic a few years ago, such deposits were not expected in relatively shallow semi-enclosed inland basins. Here we report on a large coastal coarse-clast deposit on the central Adriatic island of Mana, which also contains numerous large storm boulders that weigh up to several tons. Large solitary boulders are also located outside of the deposit, closer to the partly submerged sea cliff and the wave impact. The erosion of the cliff top and displacement of the carbonate bedrock fragments began when the extreme waves inundated the lowermost part of the cliff edge, probably during the late Holocene sea-level rise. The UAS photogrammetry-based fragmentation analysis of the storm deposit and the calculated fractal dimension value indicate that the material was fragmented by multiple high-energy events. A comparison of the available photographs indicates that displacements of the most exposed solitary boulders probably occurred during Vaia, the last extreme storm that hit the Adriatic on the 29th of October 2018. However, the modeled maximum wave height south of Mana during the peak of the storm would be insufficient to move these boulders. Yet local geomorphology probably further influenced the increase in wave height that, in combination with specific geological features, caused displacements of the boulders. There is a shorter fetch affecting Mana Island with respect to the northern Adriatic boulder field in southern Istria. Thus, such an active local erosion of the generally stable eastern Adriatic karstic coast depends on the extreme storms that have a weaker impact in the central than in the northern Adriatic.
Deep Learning Techniques for the Effective Prediction of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Shastry K Aditya , Vijayakumar V , V Manoj Kumar M , B A Manjunatha , B N Chandrashekhar
Published: September 2022

“Alzheimer’s disease” (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder in which the memory shrinks and neurons die. “Dementia” is described as a gradual decline in mental, psychological, and interpersonal qualities that hinders a person’s ability to function autonomously. AD is the most common degenerative brain disease. Among the first signs of AD are missing recent incidents or conversations. “Deep learning” (DL) is a type of “machine learning” (ML) that allows computers to learn by doing, much like people do. DL techniques can attain cutting-edge precision, beating individuals in certain cases. A large quantity of tagged information with multi-layered “neural network” architectures is used to perform analysis. Because significant advancements in computed tomography have resulted in sizable heterogeneous brain signals, the use of DL for the timely identification as well as automatic classification of AD has piqued attention lately. With these considerations in mind, this paper provides an in-depth examination of the various DL approaches and their implementations for the identification and diagnosis of AD. Diverse research challenges are also explored, as well as current methods in the field.
Systematic Characterization of Brassica napus HIR Gene Family Reveals a Positive Role of BnHIR2.7 in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Resistance
Authors: Li Mengqi , Tang Yuqiao , Yu Mengna , Fan Yonghai , Khan Shahid Ullah , Chang Wei , Li Xiaodong , Wei Siyu , Wei Lijuan , Qu Cunmin , Li Jiana , Lu Kun
Published: September 2022

Hypersensitive-induced response protein (HIR) is a class of plant immune proteins that play pivotal roles in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary resistance. However, there has been no systematic investigation and identification of HIR genes in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.). Hence, we identified 50 BnHIR genes and classified them into four groups. Subcellular localization prediction suggested that HIR proteins are mainly localized in the mitochondria. Cis-acting elements involved in light and diverse abiotic stress were found in the promoter regions of BnHIR. The majority of BnHIR genes in Groups 1/3/4 were expressed in most examined tissues, especially in leaves and siliques pericarp, while the BnHIR genes in Group 2 were not or had low expression in all detected tissues. In the case of S. sclerotiorum inoculation, HIR genes in Groups 1/3/4 were strongly induced, especially homologous genes in Group 1, which exhibited different expression patterns. Moreover, overexpression of BnHIR2.7 in Arabidopsis thaliana illustrated its prominent resistance to S. sclerotiorum. Our study provides insight into the evolutionary relationships of the HIR family genes in B. napus and lays the foundation for their resistance to S. sclerotiorum in B. napus.
Does Trade Credit Financing Affect Firm Performance? Evidence from an Emerging Market
Authors: Mahmud Abdullah Al , Miah Muhammad Shahin , Bhuiyan Mohammad Rakib Uddin
Published: September 2022

In this study, we examine the association between interim financing and firm performance in an emerging economy. Prior research shows that firms utilize trade credit to boost their operating performance or market valuation. However, recent research on the relation between trade credit as alternative financing and firm performance provides mixed evidence. Nevertheless, limited research has been conducted in developing economies; hence, we attempt to fill this gap in the present paper. We argue that trade credit may not be attractive to external debt financing as trade credit may not contribute to business growth while external debt financing does. To test our conjecture, we employed ordinary least squares (OLS), firm fixed effects, and random effects regressions. By utilizing 1002 firm-year observations, our findings suggest a negative relationship between trade credit and firm performance. To check and control endogeneity and reverse causality issues we use instrumental variable approach (i.e., Heckman two-stage least squares regression). Our results remain robust through different measures of firm performance and trade credit. Our study provides policy implications and contributions to trade credit and firm performance literature.
Identification of an Optimal TLR8 Ligand by Alternating the Position of 2′-O-Ribose Methylation
Authors: Nicolai Marina , Steinberg Julia , Obermann Hannah-Lena , Solis Francisco Venegas , Bartok Eva , Bauer Stefan , Jung Stephanie
Published: September 2022

Recognition of RNA by receptors of the innate immune system is regulated by various posttranslational modifications. Different single 2′-O-ribose (2′-O-) methylations have been shown to convert TLR7/TLR8 ligands into specific TLR8 ligands, so we investigated whether the position of 2′-O-methylation is crucial for its function. To this end, we designed different 2′-O-methylated RNA oligoribonucleotides (ORN), investigating their immune activity in various cell systems and analyzing degradation under RNase T2 treatment. We found that the 18S rRNA-derived TLR7/8 ligand, RNA63, was differentially digested as a result of 2′-O-methylation, leading to variations in TLR8 and TLR7 inhibition. The suitability of certain 2′-O-methylated RNA63 derivatives as TLR8 agonists was further demonstrated by the fact that other RNA sequences were only weak TLR8 agonists. We were thus able to identify specific 2′-O-methylated RNA derivatives as optimal TLR8 ligands.
Differential Response of Ileal and Colonic Microbiota in Rats with High-Fat Diet-Induced Atherosclerosis
Authors: Wen Lingmiao , Xiong Wei , Wei Guihua , Zhang Liudai , Liu Yanjun , Zhang Tinglan , Altamirano Alvin , Yin Qiaozhi , Zhang Tiane , Yan Zhiyong
Published: September 2022

Growing evidence suggests that gut microbiota are associated with atherosclerosis (AS). However, the functional heterogeneity of each gut segment gives rise to regional differences in gut microbiota. We established a rat model of AS by feeding the rats a high-fat diet for a long period. The pathological and microbiota changes in the ileum and colon of the rats were examined, and correlations between AS and microbiota were analyzed. The aortic mesothelium of the experimental rats was damaged. The intima showed evident calcium salt deposition, indicating that the AS rat model was successfully developed. We noted varying degrees of pathological damage in the ileum and colon of the experimental rats. The 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing showed significant differences in α-diversity, β-diversity, and microbiota comparisons in the ileum and colon. Furthermore, the ileum and colon of AS rats showed varying degrees of intestinal microbiota disturbance. This article contributes to the study of the relationship between the microbiota in different regions of the gut and AS, and provides new approaches in gut microbiota intervention for the treatment of AS.
Genotype and Phenotype Landscape of 283 Japanese Patients with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
Authors: Togi Sumihito , Ura Hiroki , Hatanaka Hisayo , Niida Yo
Published: September 2022

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by multiple dysplastic organ lesions and neuropsychiatric symptoms, caused by loss of function mutations in either TSC1 or TSC2. Genotype and phenotype analyses are conducted worldwide, but there have been few large-scale studies on Japanese patients, and there are still many unclear points. This study analyzed 283 Japanese patients with TSC (225 definite, 53 possible, and 5 genetic diagnoses). A total of 200 mutations (64 TSC1, 136 TSC2) were identified, of which 17 were mosaic mutations, 11 were large intragenic deletions, and four were splicing abnormalities due to deep intronic mutations. Several lesions and symptoms differed in prevalence and severity between TSC1 and TSC2 patients and were generally more severe in TSC2 patients. Moreover, TSC2 missense and in-frame mutations may attenuate skin and renal symptoms compared to other TSC2 mutations. Genetic testing revealed that approximately 20% of parents of a proband had mild TSC, which could have been missed. The patient demographics presented in this study revealed a high frequency of TSC1 patients and a low prevalence of epilepsy compared to global statistics. More patients with mild neuropsychiatric phenotypes were diagnosed in Japan, seemingly due to a higher utilization of brain imaging, and suggesting the possibility that a significant amount of mild TSC patients may not be correctly diagnosed worldwide.
Metabolism and Signaling of Plant Mitochondria in Adaptation to Environmental Stresses
Authors: Barreto Pedro , Koltun Alessandra , Nonato Juliana , Yassitepe Juliana , Maia Ivan de Godoy , Arruda Paulo
Published: September 2022

The interaction of mitochondria with cellular components evolved differently in plants and mammals; in plants, the organelle contains proteins such as ALTERNATIVE OXIDASES (AOXs), which, in conjunction with internal and external ALTERNATIVE NAD(P)H DEHYDROGENASES, allow canonical oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) to be bypassed. Plant mitochondria also contain UNCOUPLING PROTEINS (UCPs) that bypass OXPHOS. Recent work revealed that OXPHOS bypass performed by AOXs and UCPs is linked with new mechanisms of mitochondrial retrograde signaling. AOX is functionally associated with the NO APICAL MERISTEM transcription factors, which mediate mitochondrial retrograde signaling, while UCP1 can regulate the plant oxygen-sensing mechanism via the PRT6 N-Degron. Here, we discuss the crosstalk or the independent action of AOXs and UCPs on mitochondrial retrograde signaling associated with abiotic stress responses. We also discuss how mitochondrial function and retrograde signaling mechanisms affect chloroplast function. Additionally, we discuss how mitochondrial inner membrane transporters can mediate mitochondrial communication with other organelles. Lastly, we review how mitochondrial metabolism can be used to improve crop resilience to environmental stresses. In this respect, we particularly focus on the contribution of Brazilian research groups to advances in the topic of mitochondrial metabolism and signaling.
Integrated Analyses of m6A Regulator-Mediated Methylation Modification Patterns and Tumor Microenvironment Infiltration Characterization in Pan-Cancer
Authors: Cao Qingkang , Chen Yuanyuan
Published: September 2022

The invasion of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is closely related to cancer development. Studies have demonstrated that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) can affect the invasion of immune cells in TME as well as cancer development. We comprehensively analyzed the RNA-seq data of 16 different cancer types based on 20 m6A regulators and identified two distinct m6A modification patterns, which were closely associated with TME cell infiltration and overall patient survival. Then, we used principal component analysis (PCA) to construct m6Ascore based on the expression of m6A-related prognostic genes, which can successfully predict patient survival. The low-m6Ascore subtype is characterized by more immune cell infiltration, good prognosis and lower TNM stages, while the high-m6Ascore subtype is characterized by low immune infiltration, stromal activation, and poor prognosis. m6Ascore was also closely associated with immunotherapy response and was significantly higher in complete response/partial response (CR/PR) patients than in stable disease/progressive disease (SD/PD) patients in both immunotherapy cohorts. Therefore, our study indicates that m6A modification plays an important role in the prognosis of pan-cancer and the formation of complex TME in pan-cancer. Our research helps to improve the cognition of m6A modifications at pan-cancer levels and identify more effective strategies for immunotherapy.
Is Tocilizumab Plus Dexamethasone Associated with Superinfection in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients?
Authors: Camou Fabrice , Issa Nahéma , Hessamfar Mojgan , Guisset Olivier , Mourissoux Gaëlle , Pedeboscq Stéphane , Minot Aimée , Bonnet Fabrice
Published: September 2022

Background: Dexamethasone and tocilizumab are used to treat severely ill COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). We explored whether combination therapy increased the risk of superinfection compared to dexamethasone alone. Methods: This observational, retrospective study included critically ill COVID-19 adult patients admitted to our ICU because of respiratory failure. Patients received dexamethasone with (Group 1) or without (Group 2) tocilizumab. Data were collected from electronic medical files. Results: A total of 246 patients were included, of whom 150 received dexamethasone and tocilizumab, while 96 received dexamethasone alone. Acute respiratory distress syndrome was evident on admission in 226 patients, 56 of whom required mechanical ventilation (MV). Superinfections, mainly respiratory, were diagnosed in 59 patients, including 34/150 (23%) in Group 1 and 25/96 (26%) in Group 2 (p = 0.32). After multivariate analysis, the factors associated with a higher risk of superinfection included hematological malignancy (hazard ratio (HR): 2.47 (1.11–5.47), p = 0.03), MV (HR: 3.74 (1.92–7.26), p = 0.0001), and a higher SAPS-II score on admission (HR: 1.03 (1.01–1.06), p = 0.006). Conclusion: In critically ill COVID-19 patients, the addition of tocilizumab to dexamethasone was not associated with an increased risk of superinfection.
Plasma Endocan as a Biomarker of Thrombotic Events in COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Chenevier-Gobeaux Camille , Ducastel Morgane , Meritet Jean-François , Ballaa Yassine , Chapuis Nicolas , Pene Frédéric , Carlier Nicolas , Roche Nicolas , Szwebel Tali-Anne , Terrier Benjamin , Borderie Didier
Published: September 2022

(1) Background: Endocan is a marker of endothelial dysfunction that may be associated with thrombotic events. The aim of the study was to investigate the performance of endocan as a marker of thrombotic events in COVID-19 patients. (2) Methods: We measured endocan in plasma from 79 documented COVID-19 patients classified according to disease severity (from mild to critical). Thrombotic events were recorded. (3) Results: Endocan concentrations at admission were significantly increased according to COVID-19 severity. Levels of endocan were significantly increased in patients experiencing thrombotic events in comparison with those without (16.2 (5.5–26.7) vs. 1.81 (0.71–10.5) ng/mL, p < 0.001). However, endocan concentrations were not different between pulmonary embolism and other thrombotic events. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis for the identification of thrombotic events showed an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.776 with an optimal threshold at 2.83 ng/mL (93.8% sensitivity and 54.7% specificity). When combining an endocan measurement with D-dimers, the AUC increased to 0.853. When considering both biomarkers, the Kaplan–Meier survival curves showed that the combination of endocan and D-dimers better discriminated patients with thrombotic events than those without. The combination of D-dimers and endocan was independently associated with thrombotic events. (4) Conclusions: Endocan might be a useful and informative biomarker to better identify thrombotic events in COVID-19 patients.
Bone Densities Assessed by Hounsfield Units at L5 in Computed Tomography Image Independently Predict Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development in Cirrhotic Patients
Authors: Yeh Christopher , Lai Ming-Wei , Yeh Chau-Ting , Lin Yang-Hsiang , Tseng Jeng-Hwei
Published: September 2022

A previous study identified that bone density (BD) assessed by Hounsfield unit (HU) at T12 in computed tomography (CT) image was a predictor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in cirrhotic patients. Here, we conducted a verification study, where clinical variables together with BDs (assessed from three different bone areas: T12, L5, and femur trochanter) were assessed for their predictive values for time-to-HCC development in cirrhotic patients. Univariate Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that age (p = 0.017), T12 BD (p = 0.013) and L5 BD (p = 0.005), but not femur BD, were significant predictors. Multivariate analysis revealed that L5 BD was the only independent factor associated with time-to-HCC development (adjusted p = 0.007). Kaplan-Meier analysis confirmed that BD which was lower than median HU was associated with a shorter time-to-HCC development for both T12 BD and L5 BD (p = 0.001 each). Longitudinal follow-ups for BDs in HCC patients having received serial CT imaging studies unveiled a significantly rapid reduction in BD, right before HCC was diagnosed (p = 0.025 when compared with the average BD reduction rate). In conclusion, BD assessed by HU at L5 was an independent predictor for HCC development in cirrhotic patients. Rapid BD reduction during CT scan follow-ups could serve as a warning sign for HCC development.
Spontaneous Hyperventilation Is Common in Patients with Spontaneous Cerebellar Hemorrhage, and Its Severity Is Associated with Outcome
Authors: Miao Zhuangzhuang , Wang Huajian , Cai Zhi , Lei Jin , Wan Xueyan , Li Yu , Wang Junwen , Zhao Kai , Niu Hongquan , Lei Ting
Published: September 2022

Background: The spontaneous hyperventilation (SHV) accompanying spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage has yet to attract a sufficient amount of attention. This study aimed to analyze the incidence of SHV in spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage patients and its risk factors as well as its association with the outcome. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage patients who underwent surgical treatment at Tongji Hospital from July 2018 to December 2020. Arterial blood gas (ABG) test results and clinical characteristics, including demographics, comorbidities, imaging features, laboratory tests, and therapy choices, were collected. The Glasgow Outcome Scale was used to assess the outcome at two weeks and six months after admission. Results: A total of 147 patients were included, and of these patients 44.9% had spontaneous hyperventilation. Hypertension (OR, 3.175; CI, 1.332–7.569), usage of sedation drugs (OR, 3.693; CI, 1.0563–8.724), and hypernatremia (OR, 2.803; CI, 1.070–7.340) seemed to positively correlate to SHV occurrence. Hematoma removal had an inverse association with SHV (OR, 0.176; CI, 0.068–0.460). Patients with poor and good outcomes had significant differences in pH, PaCO2, and HCO3− values, and the severity of SHV was associated with the PaCO2 level. Conclusions: Spontaneous hyperventilation is common in patients with spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage, and its severity is associated with the outcome.
The Pancreas and Known Factors of Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Walkowska Julia , Zielinska Nicol , Karauda Piotr , Tubbs R. Shane , Kurtys Konrad , Olewnik Łukasz
Published: September 2022

Pancreatitis is regarded by clinicians as one of the most complicated and clinically challenging of all disorders affecting the abdomen. It is classified on the basis of clinical, morphological, and histological criteria. Causes of acute pancreatitis can easily be identified in 75–85% of patients. The main causes of acute, recurrent acute, and chronic pancreatitis are gallstone migration and alcohol abuse. Other causes are uncommon, controversial, or unexplained. For instance, cofactors of all forms of pancreatitis are pancreas divisum and hypertriglyceridemia. Another factor that should be considered is a complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography acute pancreatitis. The aim of this study is to present the known risk factors for acute pancreatitis, beginning with an account of the morphology, physiology, and development of the pancreas.
Particularities of Catheter Ablation in Women with Atrial Fibrillation and Associated Ischemic Heart Disease
Authors: Irimie Diana Andrada , Sitar-Tăut Adela Viviana , Caloian Bogdan , Frîngu Florina , Cismaru Gabriel , Roşu Radu , Puiu Mihai , Minciună Ioan Alexandru , Simu Gelu , Zdrenghea Dumitru , Pop Dana
Published: September 2022

Background: Atrial fibrillation is more common in men, but in the presence of ischemic heart disease, this arrhythmia is more frequent in women. However, like in coronary heart disease, women with atrial fibrillation are suboptimally treated. Methods: To identify particularities of ablation, in women with atrial fibrillation and ischemic heart disease. Results: 29 women and 26 men, with documented ischemic heart disease and atrial fibrillation, who underwent catheter ablation, were admitted in the study. No significant differences were registered regarding the heart rate control treatment. Electrical cardioversion was significantly higher in men, while pharmacological cardioversion was predominantly recommended in women. The ablation was performed later in women, after 2.55 ± 1.84 years versus 1.80 ± 1.05 in men (p = 0.05). The time elapsed until the ablation was performed was statistically correlated with atypical symptomatology and with the number of antiarrhythmics used prior to the ablation. There were no significant differences for the relapse of atrial fibrillation at 3 months. Quality of life at 3 months after ablation was increased in both groups. Conclusion: Catheter ablation is performed much later in women, and the causes responsible for this delay would be more atypical symptoms and a greater number of antiarrhythmics tried before the ablation.
New Model of Coastal Evolution in the Ria de Vigo (NW Spain) from MIS2 to Present Day Based on the Aeolian Sedimentary Record
Authors: Arce-Chamorro Carlos , Vidal-Romaní Juan Ramón , Sanjurjo-Sánchez Jorge
Published: September 2022

Galician Rias are fluvial valleys that were flooded during the last marine transgression in the Atlantic margin. The study of fossil dunes in the Cies Islands, a small archipelago in the mouth of the one of the rias (Ria de Vigo), allowed us to reconstruct the coastal evolution from the end of the Late Pleistocene to the present day. During this period, sea-level was 100 metres below the present one and the shoreline located about 5–10 kilometres away. About 15,000 years ago, sea-level rise began, radically modifying the coastline. This started with a gradual advance of large dune fields on both sides of the valley. The aeolian accretion continued until the Late Holocene, finishing when the sea reached its present level.
Dynamic Lifetime Prediction of Fishing Nets Based on the Model of Wave Return Period and Residual Strength
Authors: Wang Hong , Yuan Hua , Zhao Yao , Yan Jun
Published: September 2022

The classical cumulative damage method based on the S-N curve or crack growth model is unrealistic for predicting the lifetime of fishing nets under actual service conditions. In this paper, a novel and practical method based on the wave return period model and residual strength model is presented to estimate the dynamic lifetime of fishing nets under different numbers of damaged netting bars. The tension distribution rules, dangerous breakage zones, damage-developing-paths, and breakage patterns of two types of tensioned nettings are calculated using the commercial software RIFLEX. The most dangerous breakage zones appear in the areas near the midpoint of the upper fixing boundary side for both square mesh and diamond mesh netting. The tension distribution of diamond mesh netting is more uniform than that of square mesh netting, which implies that diamond mesh is more durable than square mesh. The dynamic lifetime prediction shows that the netting will be damaged more and more quickly after its initial fracture. Relative dynamic lifetime curves provide a way to forecast the subsequent damage time according to the net’s initial fracture lifetime. Adjusting the installation angle of the polygon cage can reduce the maximum tension of a fishing net under the wave load, thus increasing the lifetime of the fishing net.
A Review of High-Fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics for Floating Offshore Wind Turbines
Authors: Xu Shun , Xue Yingjie , Zhao Weiwen , Wan Decheng
Published: September 2022

The design and development of floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) is an attractive issue in the wind energy harvesting field. In this study, the research related to the high-fidelity computational fluid dynamic simulations of FOWTs is comprehensively summarized and analyzed. Specifically, the component-level studies including aerodynamics, aeroelasticity and hydrodynamics are presented. The system studies with increasing complexity are performed, such as the simplified aerodynamics, prescribed platform motions and fully coupled aero-hydrodynamics, as well as a little knowledge relevant to the aero-hydro-elastic behaviors. This study emphasizes that some efforts should shift to the research on strongly coupled aero-hydro-elastic performance of FOWTs with the increasing rotor diameter. Moreover, further investigations of more realistic atmospheric inflows and strong interactions between multi-FOWTs are required. This study aims to introduce the hotspots of high-fidelity simulations of FOWTs to novel researchers, as well as to provide some suggested solutions.
Discrete Element Method Approach to Modeling Mechanical Properties of Three-Dimensional Ice Beams
Authors: Song Seongjin , Park Sunho
Published: September 2022

The mechanical properties of ice were numerically studied using the discrete element method (DEM). For ice beam simulations, an open-source DEM library was used. The uniaxial compression test and three-point bending test for modeled ice particles with a bond model were simulated. The mechanical properties of ice were dependent on the parameters of the contact model and the bond model. The bond model was applied to simulate the failure of ice. To model the Young’s modulus, flexural strength, and compressive strength of ice, the relationship with the model parameters of the contact and bonding models was investigated, and equations proposed. Real ice in the Bohai Sea was modeled using the proposed relational equations, and its mechanical properties were predicted. Simulated mechanical properties were compared with measured data in the Bohai Sea.
Typhoon Wave Simulation Responses to Various Reanalysis Wind Fields and Computational Domain Sizes
Authors: Chen Wei-Bo
Published: September 2022

A fully coupled tide-surge-wave model was developed to study the influence of different computational domains on typhoon wave characteristics in the waters surrounding Taiwan. Three typhoons were selected as study cases: Meranti, Malakas, and Megi, which successively impacted Taiwan in September 2016. Superposition of the CFSV2 winds blended with ERA5 winds onto the tide-surge-wave model yielded optimum simulations of typhoon waves. Storm wave responses along the eastern shelf of Taiwan resulting from three typhoons were examined in four model domains. The first domain (D01) was primarily situated in the region where giant waves were generated. The second domain (D02) covered an area extending from 114° E to 130° E and 19° N to 29° N. The third domain (D03) southwardly included the entire Bashi Channel, from longitudes of 111° E to 135° E and latitudes of 18° N to 30° N. The fourth domain (D04) was the largest among the four computational domains; it extended from longitudes of 105° E to 140° E and latitudes of 15° N to 31° N. The simulated sea state responses indicated that the smaller computational domains were inadequate for typhoon-driven storm wave computation purposes, although the areas of D01 and D02 reached approximately 0.75 and 1.38 million km2, respectively, encompassing all of Taiwan Island and adjacent waters. Our results suggest that utilizing at least D03 or a larger model domain (e.g., D04) is essential to account for the remote wind effect of typhoons on wave simulations in Taiwanese waters.
Microsurgical Strategies after Free Flap Failure in Soft Tissue Reconstruction of the Lower Extremity: A 17-Year Single-Center Experience
Authors: Struebing Felix , Xiong Lingyun , Bigdeli Amir K. , Diehm Yannick , Kneser Ulrich , Hirche Christoph , Gazyakan Emre
Published: September 2022

Background: There is no clear consensus on the optimal surgical strategy for providing safe coverage in salvage free flap surgery after total free flap failure. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate patients with total failure of the primary free flap in lower extremity reconstruction between 2000 and 2017. Results: In a cohort of 1.016 patients, we identified 43 cases of total flap failure (4.2%). A total of 30 patients received a salvage free flap with a success rate of 83.3% (25/30). One patient received a secondary salvage free flap. Overall limb salvage after primary free flap loss was 83.7% (36/43). Conclusions: Microsurgical management of free flap loss in the lower extremity is challenging and requires a decisive re-evaluation of risk factors and alternative strategies. This should include reconsidering the flap choice with a tendency towards traditional and safe workhorse flaps, a low-threshold switch to different recipient vessels, including arteriovenous (AV) loops, bypasses (especially in case of venous insufficiency) and back-up procedures, such as negative pressure wound therapy or dermal regeneration templates with skin grafting in cases of lower demand and critically ill patients. We derived one suggestion from our previous practice: replacing perforator flaps with axial pattern flaps (“safe workhorses”).