bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multimodal interaction enhanced representation learning for video emotion recognition
Authors: Xia Xiaohan , Zhao Yong , Jiang Dongmei
Published: December 2022

Video emotion recognition aims to infer human emotional states from the audio, visual, and text modalities. Previous approaches are centered around designing sophisticated fusion mechanisms, but usually ignore the fact that text contains global semantic information, while speech and face video show more fine-grained temporal dynamics of emotion. From the perspective of cognitive sciences, the process of emotion expression, either through facial expression or speech, is implicitly regulated by high-level semantics. Inspired by this fact, we propose a multimodal interaction enhanced representation learning framework for emotion recognition from face video, where a semantic enhancement module is first designed to guide the audio/visual encoder using the semantic information from text, then the multimodal bottleneck Transformer is adopted to further reinforce the audio and visual representations by modeling the cross-modal dynamic interactions between the two feature sequences. Experimental results on two benchmark emotion databases indicate the superiority of our proposed method. With the semantic enhanced audio and visual features, it outperforms the state-of-the-art models which fuse the features or decisions from the audio, visual and text modalities.
Selective nourishing of gut microbiota with amino acids: A novel prebiotic approach?
Authors: Beaumont Martin , Roura Eugeni , Lambert William , Turni Conny , Michiels Joris , Chalvon-Demersay Tristan
Published: December 2022

Prebiotics are dietary substrates which promote host health when utilized by desirable intestinal bacteria. The most commonly used prebiotics are non-digestible oligosaccharides but the prebiotic properties of other types of nutrients such as polyphenols are emerging. Here, we review recent evidence showing that amino acids (AA) could function as a novel class of prebiotics based on: (i) the modulation of gut microbiota composition, (ii) the use by selective intestinal bacteria and the transformation into bioactive metabolites and (iii) the positive impact on host health. The capacity of intestinal bacteria to metabolize individual AA is species or strain specific and this property is an opportunity to favor the growth of beneficial bacteria while constraining the development of pathogens. In addition, the chemical diversity of AA leads to the production of multiple bacterial metabolites with broad biological activities that could mediate their prebiotic properties. In this context, we introduce the concept of “Aminobiotics,” which refers to the functional role of some AA as prebiotics. We also present studies that revealed synergistic effects of the co-administration of AA with probiotic bacteria, indicating that AA can be used to design novel symbiotics. Finally, we discuss the difficulty to bring free AA to the distal gut microbiota and we propose potential solutions such as the use of delivery systems including encapsulation to bypass absorption in the small intestine. Future studies will need to further identify individual AA, dose and mode of administration to optimize prebiotic effects for the benefit of human and animal health.
Reconstruction after resection of C2 vertebral tumors: A comparative study of 3D-printed vertebral body versus titanium mesh
Authors: Hu Panpan , Du Suiyong , Wei Feng , Zhai Shuheng , Zhou Hua , Liu Xiaoguang , Liu Zhongjun
Published: December 2022

Background

Surgical resection of C2 vertebral tumors is challenging owing to the complex anatomy of C2 vertebrae and the challenges to surgical exposure. Various surgical approaches are available, but some are associated with excessively high risks of complications. An additional challenge is reconstruction of the upper cervical spine following surgery. In the last decade, additive-manufacturing personalized artificial vertebral bodies (AVBs) have been introduced for the repair of large, irregular bony defects; however, their use and efficacy in upper cervical surgery have not been well addressed. Therefore, in this study, we compared instrumented fixation status between patients who underwent conventional titanium mesh reconstruction and those who underwent the same resection but with personalized AVBs.

Methods

We performed a retrospective comparative study and recruited a single-institution cohort of patients with C2 vertebral tumors. Clinical data and imaging findings were reviewed. Through data processing and comparative analysis, we described and discussed the feasibility and safety of surgical resection and the outcomes of hardware implants. The primary outcome of this study was instrumented fixation status.

Results

The 31 recruited patients were divided into two groups. There were 13 patients in group A who underwent conventional titanium mesh reconstruction and 18 group B patients who underwent personalized AVBs. All patients underwent staged posterior and anterior surgical procedures. In the cohort, 9.7% achieved total en bloc resection of the tumor, while gross total resection was achieved in the remaining 90.3%. The perioperative complication and mortality rates were 45.2% and 6.5%, respectively. The occurrence of perioperative complications was related to the choice of anterior approach (p < 0.05). Group A had a higher complication rate than group B (p < 0.05). Four patients (4/13, 30.8%) developed hardware problems during the follow-up period; however, this rate was marginally higher than that of group B (1/18, 5.6%).

Conclusions

Total resection of C2 vertebral tumors was associated with a high risk of perioperative complications. The staged posterior and retropharyngeal approaches are better surgical strategies for C2 tumors. Personalized AVBs can provide a reliable reconstruction outcome, yet minor pitfalls remain that call for further modification.
Spatial heterogeneity of cancer associated protein expression in immunohistochemically stained images as an improved prognostic biomarker
Authors: Failmezger Henrik , Hessel Harald , Kapil Ansh , Schmidt Günter , Harder Nathalie
Published: December 2022

The identification of new tumor biomarkers for patient stratification before therapy, for monitoring of disease progression, and for characterization of tumor biology plays a crucial role in cancer research. The status of these biomarkers is mostly scored manually by a pathologist and such scores typically, do not consider the spatial heterogeneity of the protein’s expression in the tissue. Using advanced image analysis methods, marker expression can be determined quantitatively with high accuracy and reproducibility on a per-cell level. To aggregate such per-cell marker expressions on a patient level, the expression values for single cells are usually averaged for the whole tissue. However, averaging neglects the spatial heterogeneity of the marker expression in the tissue. We present two novel approaches for quantitative scoring of spatial marker expression heterogeneity. The first approach is based on a co-occurrence analysis of the marker expression in neighboring cells. The second approach accounts for the local variability of the protein’s expression by tiling the tissue with a regular grid and assigning local spatial heterogeneity phenotypes per tile. We apply our novel scores to quantify the spatial expression of four different membrane markers, i.e., HER2, CMET, CD44, and EGFR in immunohistochemically (IHC) stained tissue sections of colorectal cancer patients. We evaluate the prognostic relevance of our spatial scores in this cohort and show that the spatial heterogeneity scores clearly outperform the marker expression average as a prognostic factor (CMET: p-value=0.01 vs. p-value=0.3).
Trellis-forming stems of a tropical liana Condylocarpon guianense (Apocynaceae): A plant-made safety net constructed by simple “start-stop” development
Authors: Soffiatti Patricia , Fort Emilien , Heinz Christine , Rowe Nick P.
Published: December 2022

Tropical vines and lianas have evolved mechanisms to avoid mechanical damage during their climbing life histories. We explore the mechanical properties and stem development of a tropical climber that develops trellises in tropical rain forest canopies. We measured the young stems of Condylocarpon guianensis (Apocynaceae) that construct complex trellises via self-supporting shoots, attached stems, and unattached pendulous stems. The results suggest that, in this species, there is a size (stem diameter) and developmental threshold at which plant shoots will make the developmental transition from stiff young shoots to later flexible stem properties. Shoots that do not find a support remain stiff, becoming pendulous and retaining numerous leaves. The formation of a second TYPE II (lianoid) wood is triggered by attachment, guaranteeing increased flexibility of light-structured shoots that transition from self-supporting searchers to inter-connected net-like trellis components. The results suggest that this species shows a “hard-wired” development that limits self-supporting growth among the slender stems that make up a liana trellis. The strategy is linked to a stem-twining climbing mode and promotes a rapid transition to flexible trellis elements in cluttered densely branched tropical forest habitats. These are situations that are prone to mechanical perturbation via wind action, tree falls, and branch movements. The findings suggest that some twining lianas are mechanically fine-tuned to produce trellises in specific habitats. Trellis building is carried out by young shoots that can perform very different functions via subtle development changes to ensure a safe space occupation of the liana canopy.
Exogenous melatonin ameliorates drought stress in Agropyron mongolicum by regulating flavonoid biosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism
Authors: Wang Jing , Gao Xueqin , Wang Xing , Song Wenxue , Wang Qin , Wang Xucheng , Li Shuxia , Fu Bingzhe
Published: December 2022

Drought is one of the most common abiotic stressors in plants. Melatonin (MT) is a high-efficiency and low-toxicity growth regulator that plays an important role in plant responses to drought stress. As a wild relative of wheat, Agropyron mongolicum has become an important species for the improvement of degraded grasslands and the replanting of sandy grasslands. However, the physiological and molecular mechanisms by which exogenous MT regulates drought stress in A. mongolicum remain unclear. To assess the effectiveness of MT intervention (100 mg·L−1), polyethylene glycol 6000 was used to simulate drought stress, and its ameliorating effects on drought stress in A. mongolicum seedlings were investigated through physiology, transcriptomics, and metabolomics. Physiological analysis indicated that MT treatment increased the relative water content and chlorophyll content and decreased the relative conductivity of A. mongolicum seedlings. Additionally, MT decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation by enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities. The transcriptome and metabolite profiling analysis of A. mongolicum seedlings treated with and without MT under drought stress identified the presence of 13,466 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 271 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs). The integrated analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics showed that DEGs and DEMs participated in diverse biological processes, such as flavonoid biosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism. Moreover, MT may be involved in regulating the correlation of DEGs and DEMs in flavonoid biosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism during drought stress. In summary, this study revealed the physiological and molecular regulatory mechanisms of exogenous MT in alleviating drought stress in A. mongolicum seedlings, and it provides a reference for the development and utilization of MT and the genetic improvement of drought tolerance in plants from arid habitats.
CRISPR/Cas9 based mlo-mediated resistance against Podosphaera xanthii in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
Authors: Tek Mumin Ibrahim , Calis Ozer , Fidan Hakan , Shah Mehraj D. , Celik Sefanur , Wani Shabir Hussain
Published: December 2022

Powdery mildews (PM) are common and severe pathogen groups that threaten plants, and PM resistance is complex and polygenic in cucumbers. Previously mlo-based resistance was reported in various plants, including cucumber, with generated loss-of CsaMLO function mutants. However, mlo-based resistance in cucumber is also complex and involves additional mechanisms such as hypersensitive response (HR) and papillae formation. For this reason, we focused on determining the mlo-based powdery mildew resistance mechanism in cucumber. CRISPR/Cas9 was used in the present study to generate loss-of-function mutants for CsaMLO1, CsaMLO8, and CsaMLO11 of PM susceptible ADR27 cucumber inbred lines and CsaMLO mutants were obtained and validated. Trypan Blue and DAB staining were performed to detect Podosphaera xanthii germination/penetration rates and accumulation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Our results indicate that PM-susceptibility associated CsaMLOs in cucumber are negative regulators in different defense mechanisms against powdery mildew at early and late stages of infection. Further, the experiment results indicated that CsaMLO8 mutation-based resistance was associated with the pre-invasive response, while CsaMLO1 and CsaMLO11 could be negative regulators in the post-invasive defense response in cucumber against P. xanthii. Although the loss-of CsaMLO8 function confers the highest penetration resistance, CsaMLO1 and CsaMLO11 double mutations could be potential candidates for HR-based resistance against PM pathogen in cucumber. These results highlighted the crucial role of CRISPR/Cas9 to develop PM resistant cucumber cultivars, possessing strong pre-invasive defense with CsaMLO8 or post-invasive with CsaMLO1/CsaMLO11 mutations.
The grape powdery mildew resistance loci Ren2, Ren3, Ren4D, Ren4U, Run1, Run1.2b, Run2.1, and Run2.2 activate different transcriptional responses to Erysiphe necator
Authors: Massonnet Mélanie , Riaz Summaira , Pap Dániel , Figueroa-Balderas Rosa , Walker M. Andrew , Cantu Dario
Published: December 2022

Multiple grape powdery mildew (PM) genetic resistance (R) loci have been found in wild grape species. Little is known about the defense responses associated with each R locus. In this study, we compare the defense mechanisms associated with PM resistance in interspecific crosses segregating for a single R locus from Muscadinia rotundifolia (Run1, Run1.2b, Run2.1, Run2.2), Vitis cinerea (Ren2), V. romanetii (Ren4D and Ren4U), and the interspecific hybrid Villard blanc (Ren3). By combining optical microscopy, visual scoring, and biomass estimation, we show that the eight R loci confer resistance by limiting infection at different stages. We assessed the defense mechanisms triggered in response to PM at 1 and 5 days post-inoculation (dpi) via RNA sequencing. To account for the genetic differences between species, we developed for each accession a diploid synthetic reference transcriptome by incorporating into the PN40024 reference homozygous and heterozygous sequence variants and de novo assembled transcripts. Most of the R loci exhibited a higher number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with PM resistance at 1 dpi compared to 5 dpi, suggesting that PM resistance is mostly associated with an early transcriptional reprogramming. Comparison of the PM resistance-associated DEGs showed a limited overlap between pairs of R loci, and nearly half of the DEGs were specific to a single R locus. The largest overlap of PM resistance-associated DEGs was found between Ren3+, Ren4D+, and Ren4U+ genotypes at 1 dpi, and between Ren4U+ and Run1+ accessions at 5 dpi. The Ren3+, Ren4D+, and Ren4U+ were also found to have the highest number of R locus-specific DEGs in response to PM. Both shared and R locus-specific DEGs included genes from different defense-related categories, indicating that the presence of E. necator triggered distinct transcriptional responses in the eight R loci.
Case Report: A Chlamydia psittaci pulmonary infection presenting with migratory infiltrates
Authors: Wang Jundi , Zhu Yurou , Mo Qiongya , Yang Yanfei
Published: December 2022

Community-acquired pneumonia is a public health problem in all countries in the world, with a broad range of causative agents and Chlamydia psittaci infection tends to be overlooked. Pulmonary migratory infiltrates are commonly seen in eosinophilic pneumonia, cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, etc. However, the association of Chlamydia psittaci and pulmonary migratory infiltrates has been seldom described in literatures before. We reviewed a 64-year-old man referred to our hospital for treatment against Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia which was diagnosed by metagenomics next generation sequencing (mNGS). During the treatment period, chest imaging showed migratory infiltrates, which has been rarely described before.
Measuring the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on university resumption and suggestions for countermeasures
Authors: Yin Shi , Ma Lijun , Dong Tong , Wang Ying
Published: December 2022

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, universities around the world had to find a balance between the need to resume classes and prevent the spread of the virus by ensuring the health of students. The purpose of our study was to effectively assess the overall risk of universities reopening during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Design and methods

Using the pressure–state–response model, we designed a risk evaluation method from a disaster management perspective. First, we performed a literature review to find the main factors affecting the virus spread. Second, we used the pressure–state–response to represent how the considered hazards acts and interacts before grouping them as disaster and vulnerability factors. Third, we assigned to all factors a risk function ranging from 1 to 4. Fourth, we modeled the risk indexes of disaster and of system vulnerability through simple and appropriate weights and combined them in an overall risk for the university resumption. Finally, we showed how the method works by evaluating the reopening of the Hebei Province University in 2022 and highlighted the resulting advice for reducing related risks.

Results

Our model included 20 risk factors, six representing exogenous hazards (disaster factors) that university can only monitor and 14 related to system vulnerability that can also control. Disaster factors included epidemic risk level of students' residence and the school's location, means of transportation back to school, size of the university population, the number of migrants on and off campus and express carrier infection. Vulnerability factors included student behaviors, routine campus activities and all the other actions the university can take to control the virus spread. The university of Baoding city (Hebei Province) showed a disaster risk of 1.880 and a vulnerability of 1.666 which combined provided a low risk of school resumption.

Conclusion

Our study judged the risks involved in resuming school and put forward specific countermeasures for reducing the risk levels. This not only protects public health security but also has some practical implications for improving the evaluation and rational decision-making abilities of all parties.
Predictors of fear of diabetes progression: A multi-center cross-sectional study for patients self-management and healthcare professions education
Authors: Wang Yanhao , Yu Qiuhua , Zeng Zihuan , Yuan Ruizhu , Wang Ruiding , Chen Jianli , Zhou Hengyu , Tang Jiao
Published: December 2022

Objective

Excessive fear of progression can affect the mental health, social function, and wellbeing of patients with chronic diseases. This study investigated the fear of progression (FoP) and the socio-demographic and clinical predictors among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Method

The present study is a multi-center cross-sectional study. Inpatients with T2DM were recruited by a multi-stage convenience sampling method from the department of endocrinology in 5 tertiary hospitals in Southwest China. 459 T2DM patients were consecutively enrolled. Socio-demographic, clinical data, and answers to the fear of progression questionnaire (FoP-Q) were collected.

Results

385 patients with complete data were eligible. The average score of FoP-Q-SF was 26.84 and 23.1% of patients reached the dysfunctional fear of progression criterion. The greatest fears were worrying about “disease progression,” “the adverse reactions of medication,” and “relying on strangers for activities of daily living.” Health education (P < 0.001), age (P = 0.002), hypoglycemia history (P = 0.006), employment status (P = 0.025) and duration since being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (P = 0.032) were the related factors of fear of progression.

Conclusion

Early assessment of the fear of progression was imperative to identify dysfunctional fear of progression in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Meanwhile, the meaning of these predictors for strengthening healthcare professions education and patients self-management might help healthcare givers timely perform related interventions and help patients reduce their fear of progression thus actively cooperate with T2DM treatments.
Evaluation of the antimicrobial effects of Capsicum, Nigella sativa, Musa paradisiaca L., and Citrus limetta: A review
Authors: Bhatti Sonia Abid , Hussain Muhammad Hammad , Mohsin Muhammad Zubair , Mohsin Ali , Zaman Waqas Qamar , Guo Meijin , Iqbal Muhammad Waheed , Siddiqui Shahida Anusha , Ibrahim Salam A. , Ur-Rehman Saeed , Korma Sameh A.
Published: December 2022

The extensive use of antibiotics and vaccines against microbial infections can result in long-term negative effects on humans and the environment. However, there are a number of plants that have antimicrobial effects against various disease-causing microbes such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi without negative side effects or harm to the environment. In this regard, four particular plants- Capsicum, Nigella sativa, Musa paradisiaca L., and Citrus limetta have been widely considered due to their excellent antimicrobial effect and ample availability. In this review, we discuss their antimicrobial effects due to the presence of thymoquinone, p-cymene, pinene, alkaloids, limonene, camphene, and melanin. These antimicrobial compounds disrupt the cell membrane of microbes, inhibit cellular division, and form biofilm in bacterial species, eventually reducing the number of microbes. Extraction of these compounds from the respective plants is carried out by different methods such as soxhlet, hydro-distillation, liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), solid-phase extraction (SPE), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), pulsed electric field (PEF), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and high-voltage electrical discharge. Suitable selection of the extraction technique highly depends upon the associated advantages and disadvantages. In order to aid future study in this field, this review paper summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of each of these approaches. Additionally, the discussion covers how antimicrobial agents destroy harmful bacteria. Thus, this review offers in-depth knowledge to researchers on the antibacterial properties of Capsicum, Nigella sativa, Musa paradisiaca L. peels, and Citrus limetta.
Impact of Coxiella burnetii vaccination on humoral immune response, vaginal shedding, and lamb mortality in naturally pre-infected sheep
Authors: Bauer Benjamin Ulrich , Schoneberg Clara , Herms Thea Louise , Kleinschmidt Sven , Runge Martin , Ganter Martin
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Sheep are considered to be one of the main reservoirs for Coxiella burnetii, a gram-negative bacterium with high zoonotic potential. Infected sheep shed tremendous amounts of the pathogen through birth products which caused human Q fever epidemics in several countries. Information about the impact of an inactivated C. burnetii Phase I vaccine on humoral immune response, vaginal shedding, and lamb mortality in naturally pre-infected sheep is scarce.

Methods

Two identically managed and naturally C. burnetii-infected sheep flocks were examined for two lambing seasons (2019 and 2020). One flock (VAC) received a primary vaccination against Q fever before mating and the second flock served as control (CTR). In each flock, one cohort of 100 ewes was included in follow-up investigations. Serum samples at eight different sampling dates were analyzed by C. burnetii phase-specific ELISAs to differentiate between the IgG Phase I and II responses. Vaginal swabs were collected within three days after parturition and examined by a C. burnetii real-time PCR (IS1111). Lamb losses were recorded to calculate lamb mortality parameters.

Results

After primary vaccination, almost all animals from cohort VAC showed a high IgG Phase I response up until the end of the study period. In cohort CTR, the seropositivity rate varied from 35.1% to 66.3%, and the Phase I and Phase II pattern showed an undulating trend with higher IgG Phase II activity during both lambing seasons. The number of vaginal shedders was significantly reduced in cohort VAC compared to cohort CTR during the lambing season in 2019 (p < 0.0167). There was no significant difference of vaginal shedders in 2020. The total lamb losses were low in both cohorts during the two investigated lambing seasons (VAC 2019: 6.8%, 2020: 3.2%; CTR 2019: 1.4%, 2020: 2.7%).

Discussion

Neither the C. burnetii vaccine nor the C. burnetii infection seem to have an impact on lamb mortality. Taken together, the inactivated C. burnetii Phase I vaccine induced a strong IgG Phase I antibody response in naturally pre-infected sheep. It might also reduce vaginal shedding in the short term but seems to have little beneficial impact on lamb mortality.
Rövid üvegszál megerősítésű kompozit által kifejtett polimerizációs stressz
Authors: Néma Viktória , Sáry Tekla , Szántó Lili Fanni , Braunitzer Gábor , Fráter Márk
Published: December 2022

Bevezetés: Kutatásunkban arra kerestük a választ, hogy két eltérő töméstechnika esetében van-e különbség a rövidüvegszál megerősítésű kompozit (short fiber-reinforced composite, SFRC) tömőanyag zsugorodása miatt kialakult repedésekszámában.Anyag és módszer: Két csoportban, 20-20 extrahált bölcsességfogba standardizált nagyságú MOD üreget preparáltunk,majd a fogakat az alábbiak szerint restauráltuk SFRC-vel: 1. csoportnál bulk, rétegzés nélküli technikával, 2. csoportbanpedig ferde rétegzéssel 2 mm vastag rétegekben. Mindegyik minta esetén az SFRC-t 1 mm kompozittal fedtük.A tömés elkészítését követően D-Light Pro lámpával megvizsgáltuk a fogzománcot, és a keletkezett repedések számátrögzítettük. Az összrepedésszámot egy hét elteltével is rögzítettük.Eredmények: A két töméstechnika között az eltérés nem szignifikáns a repedésszám tekintetében. 1 héttel későbba bulk, rétegzés nélküli csoportban 4,95 (340%-os növekedés), a rétegzéses csoportban 4,30 (410%-os növekedés) voltaz átlagos repedésszám. Ez a korábbi adatokhoz képest szignifikáns eltérés (p = 0,000). A két töméstechnika közötta végső összrepedésszám tekintetében nem tapasztaltunk szignifikáns eltérést.Következtetések: SFRC anyag esetén a vizsgált két töméstechnikával közel azonos mértékű repedésképződés jönlétre, és mindkét esetben jelentősen megnő a repedések száma a posztpolimerizációs időszakban.
Cogging Torque Minimization of Surface-Mounted Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Based on RSM and NSGA-II
Authors: Yu Yinquan , Pan Yue , Chen Qiping , Zeng Dequan , Hu Yiming , Goh Hui-Hwang , Niu Shuangxia , Zhao Zhao
Published: December 2022

A high-end permanent magnet (PM) synchronous motor’s cogging torque is a significant performance measure (PMSM). During the running of the motor, excessive cogging torque will amplify noise and vibration. Therefore, the cogging torque must be taken into account while optimizing the design of motors with precise motion control. In this research, we proposed a local optimization-seeking approach (RSM+NSGA-II-LR) based on Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II (NSGA-II), which reduced the cogging torque of a permanent magnet synchronous motor (SPMSM). To reduce the complexity of optimization and increase its efficiency, the sensitivity analysis method was utilized to identify the structural parameters that had a significant impact on the torque performance. Second, RSM was utilized to fit the functional relationship between the structural parameters and each optimization objective, and NSGA-II was integrated to provide the Pareto solution for each optimization objective. The solution with a greater average torque than the initial motor and the lowest cogging torque was chosen, and a new finite element model (FEM) was created. On the basis of the sensitivity analysis, the structural factors that had the highest influence on the cogging torque were selected, and the RSM is utilized for local optimization to lower the cogging torque as much as feasible. The numerical results demonstrated that the optimization strategy presented in this study effectively reduced the cogging torque of the motor without diminishing the motor’s average torque or increasing its torque ripple.
Dual Synthetic Jet Actuator and Its Applications—Part IV: Analysis of Heat Dissipation and Entropy Generation of Liquid Cooling with Dual Synthetic Jet Actuator
Authors: Kang Ying , Luo Zhenbing , Deng Xiong , Zhu Yinxin , Xia Zhixun
Published: December 2022

Increasing heat flux restricts the development of the miniaturization of electronic devices. There is an urgent need for a heat dissipation method that will efficiently cool the chip. This paper presents a novel liquid cooling device based on dual synthetic jets actuator (DSJA) technology. The characteristics of the temperature and velocity field of the device are numerically studied by a three-dimensional coupled heat transfer model. The entropy generation rate caused by heat transfer and fluid friction was studied to analyze the effective work loss and irreversibility of the heat transfer process. When the DSJA is turned on, the temperature of the heat source with a heat flux of 200 W/cm2 is 73.07 ∘C, and the maximum velocity is 24.32 m/s. Compared with the condition when the the DSJA is closed, the temperature decreases by 25.15 ∘C, and the velocity increases by nearly 20 m/s. At this time, the total inlet flow is 1.26 L/min. The larger frictional entropy generation is mainly distributed near the inlet and outlet of the channel and the jet orifice. The higher the velocity is, the more obvious the frictional entropy generation is. Due to the large temperature gradient, there is a large thermal entropy generation rate at the fluid–solid interface.
A Homogenization Method for Replacement Stator Models in an Aero-Engine
Authors: Wang Wenjun , Fan Yu , Li Lin , Zhang Yuning , Song Zhiqiang
Published: December 2022

Generally, the high-fidelity finite element models of aero-engines comprise millions of degrees of freedom (DOFs). Although they can provide precise predictions of structural dynamics, the computational cost will be often unaffordable if appropriate dimension reduction techniques are not adopted. The homogenization of the substructure, also termed as the physical replacement, reduces the model scale by simplifying the unnecessary details of the substructure, thus speeding up the dynamic analysis of the whole engine. In this study, we design the physical replacements for the stators of an aero-engine based on the long-wave assumption. These replacements have the same wave features as the stators in long-wave cases while possessing fewer DOFs. The core steps include the analytical description of the stators and the corresponding physical replacement design through two homogenizations. Specifically, we first investigate the wave characteristics of the stators using the wave finite element method and find two dominant waves: flexural and flexural–torsional coupled waves. The first homogenization introduces two analytical Timoshenko beams to describe the two wave motions of the stators. These two analytical beams are subsequently solidified into physical replacements with I, box, and open cross-sections in the second homogenization. The mechanical and geometric parameters are identified through a combination of the static analysis and the genetic algorithm (GA). The search processes are of great efficiency, because all the descriptions are analytical. Results show that the relative errors of the natural frequencies between the pristine stators and the physical replacements associated with the nodal diameters 6–15 are less than 5%.
Trajectory Planning and Tracking for a Re-Entry Capsule with a Deployable Aero-Brake
Authors: D’Amato Egidio , Notaro Immacolata , Panico Giulia , Blasi Luciano , Mattei Massimiliano , Nocerino Alessia
Published: December 2022

In the last decade, the increasing use of NanoSats and CubeSats has made the re-entry capsule an emerging research field needing updates in configuration and technology. In particular, the door to advancements in terms of efficiency and re-usability has been opened by the introduction of inflatable and/or deployable aerodynamic brakes and the use of on-board electronics for active control. Such technologies allow smaller sizes at launch, controlled re-entries, and safe recovery. This paper deals with the design of a guidance and control algorithm for the re-entry of a capsule with a deployable aero-brake. A trajectory optimization model is used both in the mission planning phase to design the reference re-entry path and during the mission to update the trajectory in case of major deviations from the prescribed orbit, thanks to simplifications aimed at reducing the computational burden. Successively, a trajectory tracking controller, based on Nonlinear Model Predictive Control (NMPC), is able to modulate the opening of the aero-brake in order to follow the planned trajectory towards the target. A robustness analysis was carried out, via numerical simulations, to verify the reliability of the proposed controller in the presence of model uncertainties, orbital perturbations, and measurement noise.
An Onboard Adaptive Model for Aero-Engine Performance Fast Estimation
Authors: Jiang Zhen , Yang Shubo , Wang Xi , Long Yifu
Published: December 2022

The onboard adaptive model is essential to the model-based control and diagnosis of the engine. However, current methods, such as the Kalman-based and the data-driven ones, cannot meet the demands of performance estimation well. Their self-tuning processes lead to a long period of model mismatch and, thus, degrade the quality of control and diagnosis, even causing engine failures. To overcome this disadvantage, a novel onboard adaptive model with fast estimation capability is proposed. The proposed method employs a component level model as the benchmark and introduces some scaling factors as the model tuners. These tuners are derived from the measurements and defined to quantify the characteristic deviations of the engine components at a certain operating condition. An algorithm with memory function is introduced to store the correlations between the tuners and the operating condition and, thus, predict these tuners according to the operating condition of inputs. By feeding the predicted tuners to the benchmark model, the engine performance can be estimated rapidly. Simulations are implemented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model. The results show that it has not only a high estimation accuracy at steady operating states, but also a short dynamic response time and the memory ability to avoid repeated self-tuning processes when the operating state of the engine varies.
Multilocation Evaluation of Virginia and Runner -Type Peanut Cultivars for Yield and Grade in Virginia–Carolina Region
Authors: Kumar Naveen , Haak David C. , Dunne Jeffrey C. , Balota Maria
Published: December 2022

The peanut is mostly grown in semi-arid tropical regions of the world, characterized by unpredictable rainfall amounts and distribution. Average annual precipitation in the Virginia–Carolina (VC) region is around 1300 mm; however, unpredictable distribution can result in significant periods of water deficit and subsequent reduction in yield and gross income. The development of new peanut cultivars with high yield and acceptable levels of yield stability across various water-availability scenarios is an important component of the peanut breeding program in Virginia and the Carolinas, where the large-seeded Virginia-type peanut is the predominantly grown market type. In addition, the simultaneous use of runner cultivars developed in the dryer southeastern region has been proposed as a practical solution to limited irrigation availability in the VC region. Still, the identification and adequate utilization of available commercial cultivars with the best combination of yield, drought tolerance, and gross income is more immediately beneficial to the peanut industry, yet this assessment has not been carried out to date. The aim of this study was to identify cultivars that maintain high yield and grade, therefore gross income, across a wide range of environmental conditions. We evaluated five commercially available Virginia and runner-type peanut cultivars for pod yield stability using multilocation trials over four years across 13 environments. Additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) and different stability approaches were used to study genotype (G), environment (E), and their interaction (G × E) on pod yield. Pod yield stability was specifically assessed by using the Lin and Binn approach, Wricke’s ecovalence, Shukla’s stability, and the Finlay–Wilkinson approach. The combined analysis of variance showed highly significant effects (p ≤ 0.001) for genotypes, environments, and G × E for pod yield. The environments varied in yield (2840–8020 kg/ha). Bailey, Sullivan, and Wynne are Virginia-type cultivars. The grade factors SMK, SS, and TK changed with water regime within both market types. Among the runner cultivars, TUFRunner 297 presented high mean productivity; however, it showed specific adaptation to limited environmental conditions. Based on different stability approaches, this study concludes that Sullivan and Bailey are the most stable and adaptable cultivars across the testing environments, whereas Wynne exhibited specific adaptability to some environments. These findings have important implications for peanut cultivar recommendations in terms of meeting peanut industry standards for yield, grading quality, and breeding progress.
Delivery of Drugs into Cancer Cells Using Antibody–Drug Conjugates Based on Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis and the Enhanced Permeability and Retention Effect
Authors: Tashima Toshihiko
Published: December 2022

Innumerable people worldwide die of cancer every year, although pharmaceutical therapy has actualized many benefits in human health. For background, anti-cancer drug development is difficult due to the multifactorial pathogenesis and complicated pathology of cancers. Cancer cells excrete hydrophobic low-molecular anti-cancer drugs by overexpressed efflux transporters such as multiple drug resistance 1 (MDR1) at the apical membrane. Mutation-driven drug resistance is also developed in cancer. Moreover, the poor distribution of drug to cancer cells is a serious problem, because patients suffer from off-target side effects. Thus, highly selective and effective drug delivery into solid cancer cells across the membrane should be established. It is known that substances (10–100 nm in diameter) such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) (approximately 14.2 nm in diameter) or nanoparticles spontaneously gather in solid tumor stroma or parenchyma through the capillary endothelial fenestration, ranging from 200–2000 nm, in neovasculatures due to the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Furthermore, cancer antigens, such as HER2, Nectin-4, or TROP2, highly selectively expressed on the surface of cancer cells act as a receptor for receptor-mediated endocytosis (RME) using mAbs against such antigens. Thus, antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are promising anti-cancer pharmaceutical agents that fulfill accurate distribution due to the EPR effect and due to antibody–antigen binding and membrane permeability owing to RME. In this review, I introduce the implementation and possibility of highly selective anti-cancer drug delivery into solid cancer cells based on the EPR effect and RME using anti-cancer antigens ADCs with payloads through suitable linkers.
The Anti-Virulence Effect of Vismia guianensis against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata
Authors: Motta Elizangela Pestana , Farias Josivan Regis , Costa Arthur André Castro da , Silva Anderson França da , Oliveira Lopes Alberto Jorge , Cartágenes Maria do Socorro Sousa , Nicolete Roberto , Abreu Afonso Gomes , Fernandes Elizabeth Soares , Nascimento Flavia Raquel Fernandes , Rocha Cláudia Quintino da , Monteiro Cristina Andrade , Guerra Rosane Nassar Meireles
Published: December 2022

In folk medicine, Vismia guianensis is used to treat skin diseases and mycoses in the Amazon region. We evaluated the anti-Candida activity of the hydroalcoholic extract from the leaves of Vismia guianensis (EHVG). HPLC-PDA and FIA-ESI-IT-MSn were used to chemically characterize EHVG. The anti-Candida activity was determined in vitro by the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against Candida glabrata (ATCC-2001); Candida albicans (ATCC-90028, ATCC-14053, and ATCC-SC5314), and C. albicans clinical isolates. EHVG effects on adhesion, growth, and biofilm formation were also determined. Molecular docking was used to predict targets for EHVG compounds. The main compounds identified included anthraquinone, vismione D, kaempferol, quercetin, and vitexin. EHVG was fungicidal against all tested strains. C. albicans ATCC 14053 and C. glabrata ATCC 2001 were the most sensitive strains, as the extract inhibited their virulence factors. In silico analysis indicated that vismione D presented the best antifungal activity, since it was the most effective in inhibiting CaCYP51, and may act as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent, according to the online PASS prediction. Overall, the data demonstrate that EHVG has an anti-Candida effect by inhibiting virulence factors of the fungi. This activity may be related to its vismione D content, indicating this compound may represent a new perspective for treating diseases caused by Candida sp.
β-Lactam Dosing in Critical Patients: A Narrative Review of Optimal Efficacy and the Prevention of Resistance and Toxicity
Authors: Pereira João Gonçalves , Fernandes Joana , Duarte Ana Rita , Fernandes Susana Mendes
Published: December 2022

Antimicrobial prescription in critically ill patients represents a complex challenge due to the difficult balance between infection treatment and toxicity prevention. Underexposure to antibiotics and therapeutic failure or, conversely, drug overexposure and toxicity may both contribute to a worse prognosis. Moreover, changes in organ perfusion and dysfunction often lead to unpredictable pharmacokinetics. In critically ill patients, interindividual and intraindividual real-time β-lactam antibiotic dose adjustments according to the patient’s condition are critical. The continuous infusion of β-lactams and the therapeutic monitoring of their concentration have both been proposed to improve their efficacy, but strong data to support their use are still lacking. The knowledge of the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic targets is poor and is mostly based on observational data. In patients with renal or hepatic failure, selecting the right dose is even more tricky due to changes in drug clearance, distribution, and the use of extracorporeal circuits. Intermittent usage may further increase the dosing conundrum. Recent data have emerged linking overexposure to β-lactams to central nervous system toxicity, mitochondrial recovery delay, and microbiome changes. In addition, it is well recognized that β-lactam exposure facilitates resistance selection and that correct dosing can help to overcome it. In this review, we discuss recent data regarding real-time β-lactam antibiotic dose adjustment, options in special populations, and the impacts on mitochondria and the microbiome.
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Sargassum macrocarpum Extracts
Authors: Kim Hoon , Shin Hyun Young , Jeong Eun-Jin , Lee Hak-Dong , Hwang Ki Cheol , Yu Kwang-Won , Lee Sullim , Lee Sanghyun
Published: December 2022

Oxidative stress and the inflammatory response are known to be the most important pathological factors for aging skin cells. Therefore, substances that protect skin cells from oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions of the skin have potential as functional ingredients for skin care. In the present study, we investigated the potential of Sargassum macrocarpum as an anti-inflammatory candidate for inflammatory skin disease. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities are desirable properties in such functional materials. The total polyphenol content as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated in hot-water (HES) and ethanol (EES) extracts of S. macrocarpum. The polyphenol content was higher in the HES (HES: 115.9 ± 15.3 mg GA/g, EES: 3.9 ± 0.5 mg GA/g), and the HES also had ABTS (HES: IC50 1.0 ± 0.0 mg/mL, EES: IC50 16.09 ± 0.7 mg/mL) and DPPH (HES: IC50 6.50 ± 0.3 mg/mL, EES: IC50 35.3 ± 3.1 mg/mL) radical scavenging capacities as well as FRAP activity (HES: IC50 18.8 ± 0.4 mg/mL, EES: IC50 n.d.). Compared with the EES at the equivalent concentration range (1.25–20 μg/mL), the HES exerted a more potent inhibitory activity on LPS-stimulated nitric oxide (10.3–43.1%), IL-6 (15.7–45.0%), and TNF-α (14.1–20.8%) in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells in addition to TNF-α and IFN-γ-facilitated IL-6 (10.9–84.1%) and IL-8 (7.7–73.2%) in HaCaT keratinocytes. These results suggested that water-soluble materials might be deeply involved in the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in S. macrocarpum. General composition analysis indicated that the HES contains more carbohydrates and polyphenols than the EES, and the monosaccharide composition analysis suggested that fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharide and β-glucan might be potent anti-inflammatory candidates in the HES. The present study presents important preliminary results and a valuable strategy for developing novel anti-skin dermatitis candidates using a hot-water extract of S. macrocarpum.
Ellagic Acid Triggers the Necrosis of Differentiated Human Enterocytes Exposed to 3-Nitro-Tyrosine: An MS-Based Proteomic Study
Authors: Díaz-Velasco Silvia , Delgado Josué , Peña Fernando J. , Estévez Mario
Published: December 2022

To study the molecular basis of the toxicological effect of a dietary nitrosated amino acid, namely, 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), differentiated human enterocytes were exposed to dietary concentrations of this species (200 μM) and analyzed for flow cytometry, protein oxidation markers and MS-based proteomics. The possible protective role of a dietary phytochemical, ellagic acid (EA) (200 μM), was also tested. The results revealed that cell viability was significantly affected by exposure to 3-NT, with a concomitant significant increase in necrosis (p < 0.05). 3-NT affected several biological processes, such as histocompatibility complex class II (MHC class II), and pathways related to type 3 metabotropic glutamate receptors binding. Addition of EA to 3-NT-treated cells stimulated the toxicological effects of the latter by reducing the abundance of proteins involved in mitochondrial conformation. These results emphasize the impact of dietary nitrosated amino acids in intestinal cell physiology and warn about the potential negative effects of ellagic acid when combined with noxious metabolites.