bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy Initiatives of Shanghai Cooperation Organization
Authors: Seregina A.
Published: June 2023

Sustainable energy supply and the more complex concept of energy security that has developed are a condition and guarantee for ensuring economic growth. The achievement of this task seems possible in the current situation, provided that joint efforts are combined within the framework of integration associations. For Russia, the SCO is chosen as a reliable outpost – a circle of friendly states, the basis of relations with each of which is many years of experience in reliable cooperation. For example, in order to ensure the full realization of Russia’s export potential, on the one hand, and to meet the growing energy demand from Asian partners, on the other hand, programs are being developed and projects are being implemented to create appropriate trunk transport and energy corridors. Thus, in the eastern direction, the construction of the Power of Siberia main gas pipeline has been completed, the design of the Power of Siberia‑2 main pipeline is underway, work continues to increase the capacity of the transport infrastructure, and the task is to modernize and expand the main infrastructure. Recognizing the need to guarantee the right of all states and peoples to energy security while providing access to reliable, sustainable and modern energy sources, and taking into account current energy trends in the use of clean and low-carbon energy sources, the SCO, in a statement issued in 2022, laid the foundation for its own energy course the common and complementary benefits of fossil fuels and clean energy sources, while taking into account the conditions and characteristics of each state. Ways and directions for expanding the energy cooperation of the member states of this integration association, taking into account the identified priorities, will be studied in this article.
The Justice and Development Party and “New Turkey”
Authors: Sherstyukov S. , Kurnykin O.
Published: June 2023

After 2010, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) returned the concept of “New Turkey” to the official political vocabulary. This return took place against the backdrop of such changes in Turkish foreign and domestic policies that gave observers grounds to talk of Erdogan’s “revolution” and compare it with the “revolution” of Ataturk. Although Erdogan’s “New Turkey” is largely thought of as a project significantly opposite to Ataturk’s “New Turkey”, in fact, both these projects are in a complex and confusing relationship with each other. Despite all the differences between them, they intend to make Turkey a member of the club of the leading powers that shape the basic contours of the world order. However, while Ataturk tried to achieve this goal by integrating Turkey to the Western world, Erdogan seeks to make the “New Turkey” one of the centers of the emerging post-Western world order. Despite the ongoing changes in Turkey and the AKP’s narrative of a successful transition from “Old” to “New” Turkey, the model of a new political order, which is seen as post-Kemalist, post-Western and post-Westphalian, is still poorly theorized. The understanding of modernity offered by the AKP is vague, fluid and contains many uncertainties. This article examines the case of Erdogan’s “New Turkey” as an example of finding one’s own path to modernity based on the simultaneous rejection and selective use of the Kemalist legacy.
The history of the study of the Cherkaskul Culture at the present stage
Authors: Shorin A.F.
Published: June 2023

The article presents the analysis of the current stage of the history of study of the Late Bronze Age Cherkas-kul Culture, mostly distributed in the forest, forest-steppe and steppe areas of the Trans-Urals, including the Tobol region. The source base of the study is a critical analysis of scientific publications concerning the problems of the culture. Five stages in the history of the study of the Cherkaskul Culture were identified, but the achievements of the first four are presented only briefly, as these have been previously published. At the fifth stage (the end of the past — first two decades of the present century), new knowledge on various problems of the culture, as can be seen from the bibliography, was formed primarily by the efforts of scientific centers of Yekaterinburg, Tyumen and Chelyabinsk. These publications provide various concepts for the genesis of the culture, new calibrated radiocar-bon dates are analyzed, which determine the age of the Cherkaskul Culture within the middle — beginning of the third quarter of the 2nd mil. BC. These also demonstrate the intense spread of the sites of this culture to adjacent regions to the west, east and south. Yet, a reasonable point has been raised regarding apparently not so signifi-cant influence of the Cherkaskul migrants on the archaeological sites of the eastern regions of Tataria (in particu-lar, the Taktalachuk burial ground), and the Middle Volga region — the Suskan Culture. At the same time, the first publications have appeared on the technical and typological analysis of the Cherkaskul ceramics, the specifics of its metal complex and other categories of the grave goods. The research continues on different aspects of the diversified economy of the Cherkaskul communities in various natural and climatic zones of their habitat; the first data about possible acquaintance of some communities of the forest-steppe Tobol region with the basics of cereal cultivation have been introduced into scientific circulation. However, not all the issues are close to their final solu-tion, which is in particular due to the specifics of the archaeological sites of the region, multi-layered and non-stratified nature of the majority of the settlements, small number of semi-closed housing complexes within them, as well as small number of identified and analysed closed burial sites.
Centralization and Sharing of Information to Improve Local Decision-Making in a Home Health Care Center
Authors: Dessevre Guillaume , Martinez Cléa , Zhang Liwen , Bortolaso Christophe , Fontanili Franck
Published: June 2023

Home care centers face both an increase in demand and many variations during the execution of routes, compromising the routes initially planned: robust solutions are not effective enough, it is necessary to move on to resilient approaches. We create a close to reality use case supported by interviews of staff at home health care centers, where caregivers are faced with unexpected events that compromise their initial route. We model, analyze and compare three resilient approaches to deal with these disruptions: a baseline approach without any collaboration, a distributed collaborative approach, and a centralized collaborative approach, where we propose a centralization and sharing of information to improve local decision-making. The latter reduces the number of late arrivals by 11% and the total time of late arrival by 21%, and also halves the number of routes exceeding the end of work time (contrary to the distributed collaborative approach, due to the time wasted reaching colleagues). The use of a device, such as a smartphone application, to centralize and share information thus allows better mutual assistance between caregivers. Moreover, we highlight several possible openings like the coupling of simulation and optimization to propose a more resilient approach.
Temporal Estimation of Non-Rigid Dynamic Point Cloud Sequence using 3D Skeleton-based Deformation for Compression
Authors: Kim Jin-Kyum , Jang Ye-Won , Lee Sol , Hwang Eui-Seok , Seo Young-Ho
Published: June 2023

This paper proposes an algorithm for transmitting and reconstructing the estimated point cloud using temporally estimating a dynamic point cloud sequence. When a non-rigid 3D point cloud sequence (PCS) is input, the sequence is divided into groups of point cloud frames (PCF), and a key PCF is selected. After the 3D skeleton is predicted through 3D pose estimation, the motion of the skeleton is estimated by analyzing the joints and bones of the 3D skeleton. For the deformation of the non-rigid human PC, the 3D PC model is transformed into a mesh model, and the key PCF is rigged using the 3D skeleton. After deforming the key PCF into the target PCF utilizing the motion vector of the estimated skeleton, the residual PC between the motion compensation PCF and the target PCF is generated. If there is a key PCF, the motion vector of the target PCF, and a residual PC, the target PCF can be reconstructed. Just as compression is performed using pixel correlation between frames in a 2D video, this paper compresses 3D PCF by estimating the non-rigid 3D motion of a 3D object in a 3D PC. The proposed algorithm can be regarded as an extension of the 2D motion estimation of a rigid local region in a 2D plane to the 3D motion estimation of a non-rigid object (human) in 3D space. Experimental results show that the proposed method can successfully compress 3D PC sequences. If it is used together with a PC compression technique such as MPEG PCC (point cloud compression) in the future, a system with high compression efficiency may be configured.
Fractionation of Anaerobic Digestion Liquid Effluents Through Mechanical Treatment and Filtration
Authors: Sfetsas Themistoklis , Sarikaki Georgia , Chioti Afroditi G. , Tziakas Vassilis , Falaras Polycarpos , Romanos George Em.
Published: June 2023

Organic wastes and by-products from several activities, including food industries, farming, and animal husbandry, are a hygiene threat when aerobically decomposed. Therefore, their manage-ment is crucial for public health. In this direction, anaerobic digestion (AD) systems may be the solution by transforming waste into energy, which may decrease the environmental impact. However, their efficacy should be carefully examined. In this innovative study, we evaluated the physicochemical and microbial characteristics of liquid digestate (LD) retrieved from organic animal wastes in northern Greece using nanofiltration. Using treatment technologies including physical (solid-liquid separation, microfiltration and nanofiltration) and biological (anaerobic digestion), heavy metals and microbial (i.e., Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis) concentrations reduced and nutrients were recovered. This work sets the basis for the efficient management of liquid digestate. Our method may enable the use of treated liquid digestate for unlimited irrigation water and other industrial applications of water. Apart from the sanitation process, the recovery of nutrients for soil fertilization seems to be a more sustainable way for fu-ture agricultural practices.
Assessing the Vulnerability and Adaptation Needs of Mozambique’s Health Sector to Climate Change: A Comprehensive Study
Authors: Muleia Rachid , Maure Genito , José Américo , Maholela Plácida , Adjei Isaac , Karim Rezaul , Trigo Sónia , Kutane Waltaji , Inlamea Osvaldo , Kazembe Lawrence , Marrufo Tatiana
Published: June 2023

Climate change (CC) poses severe consequences, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where poverty rates may escalate by 2050 without significant climate and development action. The health impacts are diverse, encompassing communicable and non-communicable diseases. Mozambique, a climate-vulnerable nation, has experienced significant natural disasters in the past 42 years, impacting its health system. This study aims to assess Mozambique’s health sector vulnerability and adaptation needs to climate change. Following a methodology proposed by the World Health Organization and Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change, a six-step vulnerability and adaptation assessment was conducted. The Health Vulnerability Index (HVI), integrating historical climate, epidemiological, and socio-economic data at the district level (n=162), was computed using exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity dimensions. The Results revealed spatial patterns in exposure to climate variables, extreme weather events, and variations in sensitivity and adaptive capacity across the country. The HVI mirrored the exposure findings. Notably, high vulnerability was observed in several districts, while major urban centers displayed lower vulnerability. These findings highlight the country’s vulnerability to climate change and underscore the potential for adverse impacts on livelihoods, the economy, and human health. The study provides a foundation for developing strategies and adaptation actions.
Head and Neck Low Grade Chondrosarcoma– A Rare Entity
Authors: Mirestean Camil , Eugenia Simionescu Cristiana , Iancu Roxana Irina , STAN MIHAI COSMIN , Iancu Dragoș Petru Teodor , BADULESCU FLORINEL
Published: June 2023

Chondrosarcoma, represents approximately 0.1% of all neoplasms of the head and neck, being considered a rare disease, but with a relatively good prognosis. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate is estimated at 70-80%, being considered a disease with a low growth rate. About 13% of all cases of chondrosarcoma, are located in the region of the head and neck. We present the case of a young patient treated multimodally, lost from the oncological records less than two years after the diagnosis, without evidence of disease progression. The early loss from the oncological follow-up programs of patients with a lower risk of early repalpse, without evidence of a recurrence or metastasis could be the consequence of a major complication among which we could assume an aspiration pneumonia secondary to a dysphagia, associated with an aggressive multidisciplinary treatment. Large tumor size and positive resection margins (R1 resection) are risk factors that support an intensive adjuvant approach in order to reduce the risk of recurrence, but the low grade of tumor, associating a lower risk of recurrence as well as the adverse events (AE) of adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy justifies a more reserved therapeutic approach. Taking into account the longer life expectancy of these patients, it is recommended to use a more conformal irradiation technique in order to reduce doses to radiosensitive structures as well as to omit elective neck irradiation, taking into account the lower risk of lymph node involvement. The lack of guidelines that include very rare tumors including low grade chondrosarcoma of head and neck make a unified approach difficult, but the data presented even in case reports could contribute to choosing the regimen that offers the best therapeutic ratio.
Pharmaceutical Evaluation of Levofloxacin Orally Disintegrating Tablet Formulation Using Low Frequency Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Yamamoto Yoshihisa , Kajita Mizuho , Hirose Yutaro , Shimada Naoki , Fukami Toshiro , Koide Tatsuo
Published: June 2023

: We evaluated the pharmaceutical properties of levofloxacin (LV) in the form of an orally disintegrating tablet (LVODT) to find a new usefulness of low frequency (LF) Raman spectroscopy. LVODT contained dispersed granules with diameters in the order of several hundred micrometers, which were composed of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), as confirmed by infrared (IR) microspectroscopy. On the contrary, the API and inactive pharmaceutical ingredients (non-APIs) were homogeneously distributed in LV tablet (LVT) formulations. Microscopic IR spectroscopy and thermal analyses showed that LVODT and LVT contained the API in different crystalline forms or environment around the API each other. Furthermore, powder X-ray diffraction showed that LVT contained a hemihydrate of the API, while LVODT showed a partial transition to the monohydrate form. This result was confirmed by microscopic LF Raman spectroscopy. Moreover, this method confirmed the presence of thin layers coating the outer edges of the granules that contained the API. Spectra obtained from these thin layers indicated the presence of titanium dioxide, suggesting that the layers coexisted with a polymer that masks the bitterness of API. The microscopic LF Raman spectroscopy results in this study indicated new applications of this method in pharmaceutical science.
TECHNOLOGY OF HYBRID MODIFICATION WITH HUMIC ACIDS OF BROWN COAL HYDROXYPROPYLMETHYL CELLULOSE FILMS
Authors: Lebedev Vladimir Vladimirovich , Miroshnichenko Denys Viktorovych , Savchenko Dmytro Oleksandrovich , Cherkashina Ganna Mykolayvna , Lytvynenko Еvgenia Ihorivna
Published: June 2023

The peculiarities of the technology of hybrid modification of lignite humic acids of biodegradable films based on hydroxypropylmethylcellulose are considered. As a result of the conducted research, hybrid biodegradable films with antibacterial properties were obtained for the first time. Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose of the Walocel brand was used for the production of biodegradable films, and citric acid (99.88%) according to GOST 3652 is used as a catalyst for crosslinking biodegradable polymer films. As part of the research, the hybrid structures of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose modified with different types of humic acids were actually determined by IR spectroscopy. As a result of the study, the regularities of changes in the time of appearance of mold of films within the framework of the technology of hybrid modification with lignite humic acids were established. It was also established that the technology of hybrid modification of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose films with humic acids of lignite and giving them antibacterial properties allows to preserve the properties of biodegradation. It was established that the technology of hybrid modification of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose with lignite humic acids of biodegradable hydroxypropylmethylcellulose films with different types of humic acids, while giving them antibacterial properties, allows the biodegradation of films based on them to be at least 91% within 6 months with an optimal humic acid content of 10% by mass. Biodegradable films with bactericidal properties based on hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, obtained according to the technology of hybrid modification with humic acids of lignite, in terms of their operational characteristics, are superior to known similar biodegradable films based on natural biopolymers and can be recommended for the manufacture of packaging of dry food products (bread, cereals, nuts, etc.) with an extended storage period.
APPLICATION OF UHF INSTALLATIONS FOR THE MANUFACTUREOF MOLDED THERMAL INSULATION PRODUCTS BASED ON LIQUID GLASS
Authors: Rymar Tetyana Ernstivna
Published: June 2023

The article investigates the processes of swelling of liquid-glass compositions and the production of heat-insulating materials based on them under convective and microwave heating. In the work, it was established that the nature of the swelling curves of liquid-glass compositions under the conditions of microwave radiation and convective heating are significantly different. Thus, during convection heating, there is an induction period, but then the speed increases sharply and then the process gradually slows down. In the case of microwave radiation, there is no induction period, and the process proceeds at a high speed from the very beginning, and then slows down as the concentration of gas-forming substances decreases. In contrast to the swelling process under the influence of microwave radiation, during convective heating, the process proceeds uniformly with gradual release of water, as a result of which the material is mostly dried, and not swollen. A comparative analysis of the processes of swelling of liquid-glass compositions under convective and microwave heating showed a higher efficiency of swelling with the help of microwave radiation. The necessary duration of such heat treatment is 8-10 minutes. The materials obtained by convective heating at a temperature of 300 0C are the closest to such materials in terms of the swelling coefficient, the duration of such heating lasts more than 15 minutes. In addition, the calculated efficiency of the microwave installation is almost two times higher than the efficiency of the drying installation, for example, it is 0.79 for the microwave installation, and only 0.46 for the drying installation. Therefore, under the influence of microwave radiation, it is possible to produce effective heat-insulating materials based on liquid glass at lower temperatures and during a significantly shorter heat treatment time, compared to traditional convective heating. The work presents industrial microwave installations that can be used for the swelling process. These are chamber microwave installations of periodic action, which are used mainly for drying or heating large-sized products.
Анализ динамики эпидемического процесса COVID-19 в мире за неделю с 27.05.2023 г. по 02.06.2023 г.
Authors: Зимирова Анастасия , Поспелов Михаил , Иванова Александра , Дмитриева Людмила , Чумачкова Елена , Карнаухов Игорь , Щербакова Светлана , Кутырев Владимир
Published: June 2023

В обзоре представлен анализ эпидемиологической ситуации в странах мира по COVID-19 за неделю с 27.05.2023 г. по 02.06.2023 г.
Intracerebroventricular delivery of glatiramer acetate: proof-of-concept for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease by promoting innate phagocytosis and antagonizing amyloid-β toxicity
Authors: Huang Xin , Chen Feng , Doughty Larissa , Li Qiao-Xin , Ou Wensi , Li Yihan , Drysdale Candace , Alrehaili Arwa , Birchall Ian E. , Wong Joelyn , Park Keunha , Lim Michael , Sun Mujun , Semple Bridgette D. , Shultz Sandy R. , Adlard Paul A. , Parker Michael W. , McKinley Michael , Masters Colin L. , Wiley James S. , Gu Ben J
Published: June 2023

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques in the brain, leading to neuroinflammation, synaptic dysfunction and cognitive decline. Developing therapeutic strategies that enhance Aβ clearance is an active area of research.
Methods: In this study, we investigated glatiramer acetate (GA) that has demonstrated the ability to promote Aβ phagocytosis by mouse microglia. Through a series of experiments, we aimed to understand the underlying mechanisms and their implications for AD pathogenesis. First, the interaction between GA and Aβ was investigated using circular dichroism and microscale thermophoresis. Second, the reduction of Aβ-mediated toxicity and attenuation of neuroinflammation were investigated using MTT assay, membrane fluidity assay and long-term potentiation (LTP). Third, the long-term therapeutic effect was investigated by directly delivering GA into lateral cerebral ventricles of 22-month-old APP/PS1 mice and evaluating with behavioural tests, LTP, ELISA and IHC. Finally, biosafety and pharmacokinetics were investigated in sheep.
Results: Our findings suggest that the binding between GA and Aβ contributes to the reduction of Aβ-mediated toxicity. Additionally, by enhancing Aβ clearance and attenuating microglial activation, GA creates an environment more conducive to synaptic plasticity and the restoration of long-term potentiation (LTP), contributing to the improvement of cognitive function and behavioural deficits observed in mouse model of AD.
Conclusions: Overall, these results highlight the potential of the phagocytosis-promoting drugs to enhance Aβ clearance and its therapeutic implications for AD.
Arctic and red fox population responses to climate and cryosphere changes at the Arctic’s edge
Authors: Verstege Jacqueline S , Johnson-Bice Sean , Roth James
Published: June 2023

Responses of one species to climate change may influence population dynamics of others, particularly in the Arctic where food webs are strongly linked. Specifically, changes to the cryosphere may limit prey availability for predators. We examined Arctic (Vulpes lagopus) and red fox (V. vulpes) population dynamics near the southern edge of the Arctic fox distribution using fur harvest records from Churchill, Manitoba, Canada between 1955–2012. Arctic foxes showed a declining population trend over time (inferred from harvest records corrected for trapping effort), whereas the red fox population trend was relatively stable. The positive relationship between annual Arctic and red fox harvests suggested interspecific competition did not promote the Arctic fox decline. To investigate alternative mechanisms, we evaluated the relative influence of sea-ice phenology, snow depth, snow duration, winter thaws, and summer temperature on the harvest dynamics of both species in the most recent 32 years (1980–2012; n = 29) of our data. Arctic fox harvests were negatively related to the length of time Hudson Bay was free of sea ice. Shorter sea ice duration may reduce access to seal carrion as an alternative winter food source when lemming densities decline. Contrary to our prediction, red fox harvest was not related to summer temperature but was positively related to snow depth, suggesting winter prey availability may limit red fox population growth. Predators have an important ecological role, so understanding the influence of changes in the cryosphere on predator-prey interactions may better illuminate the broader influence of climate change on food-web dynamics.
Atmospheric small-scale turbulence from three-dimensional hot-film data
Authors: Freire Livia , Chamecki Marcelo , Patton Edward
Published: June 2023

The behavior of small-scale atmospheric turbulence is investigated using the three-dimensional CHATS hot-film data. The analysis relies on an in situ calibration from simultaneous sonic anemometer measurements. The calibration is based on King’s law and geometric relationships between the sensors, and is able to account for the errors associated with sensors’ misalignment and the high turbulence intensity. The details of the calibration are provided, and its performance is validated by comparing results of spectra and structure functions with standard wind-tunnel data and model spectra. A single 3h block of data was selected, containing 33 subblocks of 2 min data without error gaps, whose statistics were averaged to provide smooth results. These data were measured above canopy under stable conditions, and correspond to a Taylor Reynolds number Re λ ≈ 1550. The agreement with wind tunnel results for a similar Reλ and with model predictions provides a validation for the in situ calibration method applied. Furthermore, the results indicate a presence of the bottleneck effect in the lateral and vertical spectra, in addition to a lack of inertial range in the second-order structure function due to the low Reynolds number. An additional analysis of the effect of Reynolds number on the inertial range is provided using atmospheric data from the literature.
Race and Income Inequality: A Case of the U.S.A
Authors: Fawaz Fadi
Published: June 2023

Racial inequality in the U.S. is typically described in terms of categorical discrimination. We use released data from the U.S. from 1973- 2019 to show income inequality by perceived skin color and racial self-identification and examine which measure better captures racial disparities. We document color and racial hierarchies across the Americas, revealing some unexpected patterns. Whereas blacks at times have higher mean incomes than other racial populations. Results complicate theoretical debates about U.S. racial exceptionalism and methodological debates about how best to measure income. Rather than supporting one measure over another, our analysis underscores race’s multidimensionality.
We employ a fixed effects regression model to uncover structural change in the Kuznets curves for the U.S. aggregate, Black, White, Asian, and Hispanic American segments of the population. Unlike to prior studies, we find that the Kuznets curves does not switch to a U-shape. We found conclusive evidence linking income inequality to race.
JEL Codes: C13, C30, E25, O51
Vitamin D Receptor BsmI and Vitamin D Binding Protein Polymorphisms associated with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Susceptibility in Cirrhotic HCV Patients
Authors: El-masry Asmaa Samir , Medhat Amina Mohamed , El-Bendary Mahmoud , Mohamed Rania Hassan
Published: June 2023

Background: The severity of chronic hepatitis C and susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are currently associated with specific genetic variations within vitamin D receptor (VDR). This study aims to assess the association of VDR and vitamin D binding protein (DBP) gene polymorphisms with HCC susceptibility in Egyptian cirrhotic HCV patients.
Methods: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the VDR (rs2228570, rs3782905, rs11568820) and DBP rs7041 genes were genotyped using single-stranded polymorphism PCR (SSP-PCR) or restriction fragment length-PCR (RFLP-PCR) techniques. These SNPs genotypes, haplotypes and linkage disequilibrium analyses were examined in 299 Egyptian individuals (100 HCV-cirrhotic patients, 99 HCC- HCV patients, and 100 healthy controls). Logestic regression analysis was also applied to determine association with HCC progression risk.
Result: The VDR rs2228570 CC genotype, VDR rs3782905 GC and CC genotypes, and DBP rs7041 GG genotype are significantly correlated with a higher risk of HCC. It is noteworthy that, VDR rs3782905 CC and DBP rs7041 TG genotypes are more associated with higher risk of HCV induced liver cirrhosis than with HCC progression in HCV infected patients. Furthermore, among patients, the relationship between these SNPs and smoking status, gender, and HCC susceptibility was reported.
Conclusion: Among the four investigated SNPs, there is an association between VDR rs3782905 and DBP rs7041 and the HCC progression in Egyptian patients chronically infected with HCV. The combinations of these SNPs with smoking status and gender are statistically linked to a high risk of HCC. These results suggest that VDR polymorphisms may be potential determinants for HCC susceptibility in Egyptian HCV patients.
Effects of CD44 siRNA on inhibition, survival, and apoptosis of breast cancer cells
Authors: Dehbokri Shaho Ghahremani , Olyaei Saeid Nour , Baghbani Elham , Moghaddamneshat Niloofar , Javaheri Tohid , Baradaran Behzad
Published: June 2023

Background
Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers in the world. Despite the many advances that have been made in the treatment of patients, a large number of patients are still resistant to treatment. CD44 is one of the surface glycoproteins of BC cells that plays an important role in the proliferation of these cells and inhibition of their apoptosis. Therefore, targeting it can be a treatment way for BC patients.
Methods
In this study, the effect of anti-CD44 siRNA on proliferation, apoptosis, and migration rate of MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 cells was investigated. The techniques used in this study were MTT assay, RT-PCR, Flowcytometry.
Results
The rates of apoptosis and proliferation in CD44 siRNA-treated cells were higher and lower, respectively, compared to untreated cells. Also, cell migration was less in treated cells compared to untreated cells. CD44 siRNA also decreased the expression of CXCR4, c-myc, Vimentin, ROCK, and MMP-9.
Conclusion
Finally, it can be said that CD44 targeting can be a good treatment option to make BC cells more sensitive to apoptosis.
Dynamics of edible oils/water separation using Milkweed floss fiber
Authors: Moghaddam Meghdad Kamali , Moezzi Meysam , Dannandeh Fatemeh
Published: June 2023

One of the environmental oil pollutants is kitchen sewage, which is made up of a mixture of water and cooking oil, particularly frying oils. By trapping the oil droplets in their fibrous network, the milkweed plant's inherent cellulose fibers may separate the oil from the water. Milkweed packing densities of 0.07, 0.09, and 0.1 g/cm3; the fiber arrangement inside the kit (regular and random); and the liquid flow rates of 0.04 and 0.02 m3/h were tested in order to assess the dynamics of oil/water separation in milkweed filters. The adsorbent kit manufactured from milkweed fruit fibers may adsorb more oil at a low flow rate than at a high flow rate, according to the findings of the oil adsorption capacity tests. The oil absorption capacity of the adsorbent kit is also influenced by the fiber packing density; hence, a high packing density results in a reduction in oil absorption capacity. Contrarily, the positioning of the fibers within the adsorption kit is crucial because regular arrangement of the fibers in the direction of the sewage flow path will increase oil absorption more than tangled and random placement. The milkweed floss fibers were tested for water wettability, and the results showed that they are hydrophobic, with a water contact angle of roughly 140o. Nevertheless, performing the same test in the fiber's channel is virtually impossible. To solve this issue, a novel analytical computation of the oil's contact angle was performed, and the conclusions were supported by in-process microscopic photographs of oil absorption.
A Real-time Control System of Upper-limb Human Musculoskeletal Model with Environmental Integration
Authors: Saputra Azhar Aulia , Matsuda Tadamitsu , Kubota Naoyuki
Published: June 2023

The intricate dynamics of the human musculoskeletal system require complex mathematical
computations for accurate simulation, posing challenges in estimating muscle activity. Real-time processes
and comprehensive analysis greatly influence the effectiveness of monitoring applications. The objective
of our research was to enhance real-time muscle activity predictions by incorporating environmental data
into human musculoskeletal simulations, focusing on the upper extremity. Our model, developed using
MuJoCo software, consisted of 50 Hill-type muscles and integrated environmental context. Information
on human posture was collected from single RGBD sensors positioned at 32 three-dimensional node
locations. We used inverse kinematics computations to convert this data into joint angle parameters for
our simulation model. The stretch reflex of each muscle was regulated to initiate movement in the target
joints. Desired muscle stretch length was derived from the mechanical interaction between the bone
structure and the muscle-tendon actuator connected to it. Our model also allowed for the application of
artificial force to simulate external load conditions. To validate our model, we performed basic movements
with the upper extremity and measured muscle activity using EMG sensors. Our results confirmed the
model’s ability to accurately predict muscle activation and the force exerted by each muscle. Further
experiments demonstrated its potential for seamless integration with dynamic environmental conditions,
thereby enhancing its utility as a comprehensive human physical monitoring system.
Modelling flood susceptibility zones using hybrid machine learning models of an agricultural dominant landscape of India
Authors: Saini Satish Kumar , Mahato Susanta , Pandey Deep Narayan , Joshi Pawan Kumar
Published: June 2023

One of the most destructive natural disasters is flood because it destroys a significant amount of property and infrastructure, and often causes death. Due to complexity and ferocity of severe flooding, predicting flood-prone areas is a difficult task. Each year, flooding results in destruction of agriculture, damage to resources, and fatalities in the Asia and the Pacific. Thus, creating flood susceptibility maps at local level is though challenging but inevitable task. In order to implement a flood management plan for the Balrampur district, an agricultural dominant landscape of India, and strengthen its resilience flood susceptibility modeling and mapping is carried out. In the present study, three hybrid machine learning models namely Fuzzy-ANN (Artificial Neural Network), Fuzzy-RBF (Radial Basis Function) and Fuzzy-SVM (Support Vector Machine) with 12 topographic, hydrological and other flood influencing factors were used to determine flood susceptible zones. To ascertain the relationship between the occurrences and flood influencing factors, Correlation Attributes Evaluation (CAE) and multicollinearity diagnostics tests were used. The predictive power of these models was validated and compared using a variety of statistical techniques, including Wilcoxon signed-rank, t-paired tests, and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. Result shows the Fuzzy-RBF model out performed other hybrid machine learning models for modelling flood susceptibility, followed by Fuzzy-ANN and Fuzzy-SVM. Overall, these models have shown promise in identifying flood-prone areas in the basin and other basins around the world. The outcomes of the work would benefit policymakers and government bodies to capture the flood-affected areas for necessary planning, action and implementation.
Softening of a flat phonon mode in the kagome ScV6Sn6
Authors: Blanco-Canosa Santiago , Korshunov Artem , Hu Haoyu , Subires David , Jiang Yi , Calugaru Dumitru , Feng Xiaolong , Rajapitamahuni Anil , Yi Changjiang , Roychowdhury Subhajit , Vergniory Maia , Strempfer Joerg , Shekhar Chandra , Vescovo Elio , Chernyshov Dmitry , Said Ayman , Bosak Alexey , Felser Claudia , Bernevig Bogdan
Published: June 2023

The long-range electronic modulations recently discovered in the geometrically frustrated kagome lattice have opened new avenues to explore the effect of correlations in materials with topological electron flat bands. Charge density waves (CDW), magnetism and superconducting phases are thought to be - depending on the electron number - the result of either the flat bands, the multiple Dirac crossings or the van Hove singularities close to the Fermi level. Nevertheless, the observation of the lattice response to the emergent new phases of matter, a soft phonon mode, has remained elusive and the microscopic origin of CDWs is still unknown. Here, we show, for the first time, a complete melting of the ScV$_6$Sn$_6$ (166) kagome lattice.
The low energy longitudinal phonon with propagation vector $\frac{1}{3} \frac{1}{3} \frac{1}{2}$ collapses at 98 K, without the emergence of long-range charge order, which, remarkably, sets in with a propagation vector $\frac{1}{3} \frac{1}{3} \frac{1}{3}$. The CDW is driven (but locks at a different vector) by the softening of an overdamped phonon flat plane at k$_z$=$\pi$, characterized by an out-of-plane vibration of the trigonal Sn atoms. We observe broad phonon anomalies in momentum space, pointing to \hhy{(1)} the existence of approximately flat phonon bands which gain some dispersion due to electron renormalization, and \hhy{(2)} the effects of the momentum-dependent electron-phonon interaction in the CDW formation.
\textit{Ab initio} and analytical calculations corroborate the experimental finding to indicate that the weak leading order phonon instability is located at the wave vector $\frac{1}{3} \frac{1}{3} \frac{1}{2}$ of a rather flat collapsed mode. In particular, we analytically calculate the phonon frequency renormalization from high temperatures to the soft mode, and relate it to a peak in the orbital-resolved susceptibility of the trigonal Sn atoms, obtaining excellent match with both ab initio and experimental results, and explaining the origin of the approximately flat phonon dispersion. Our data report the first example of the collapse of a kagome bosonic mode (softening of a flat phonon plane)
and promote the 166 compounds of the kagome family as primary candidates to explore correlated flat phonon-topological flat electron physics.
Competing charge-density wave instabilities in the kagome metal ScV6Sn6
Authors: Song Yu , Cao Saizheng , Xu Chenchao , Fukui Hiroshi , Manjo Taishun , Shi Ming , Liu Yang , Cao Chao
Published: June 2023

Owing to its unique geometry, the kagome lattice hosts various many-body quantum states including frustrated magnetism, superconductivity, charge-density waves (CDWs), and topologically nontrivial phases of matter. Kagome metals with 2×2 CDWs, corresponding to the nesting of van Hove saddle points, are found to exhibit a number of exotic electronic phases, and have been the focus of much recent research. More recently, a √3×√3 CDW was discovered in the kagome metal ScV6Sn6 below TCDW≈91 K, whose underlying mechanism and formation process remain unclear, particularly in comparison with the 2×2 kagome CDWs. Using inelastic X-ray scattering, we discover a short-range √3×√3×2 CDW that is dominant in ScV6Sn6 well above TCDW, distinct from the √3×√3×3 CDW below TCDW. The short-range CDW grows upon cooling, and is accompanied by the softening of phonons, indicative of its dynamic nature. As the √3×√3×3 CDW appears, the short-range CDW becomes suppressed, revealing a competition between these CDW instabilities. The competing CDW instabilities in ScV6Sn6 lead to an unusual CDW formation process, with the most pronounced phonon softening and the static CDW occurring at different wavevectors. Our first-principles calculations indicate that the √3×√3×2 CDW is energetically favored, consistent with experimental observations at high temperatures. However, the √3×√3×3 CDW is selected as the ground state due to a large wavevector-dependent electron-phonon coupling (EPC), which also accounts for the enhanced electron scattering above TCDW. Our findings reveal the dominance of EPC-driven correlated many-body physics in ScV6Sn6, making it an ideal system to study emergent quantum matter in the strong EPC regime.
Multi-objective parallel human-machine steering coordination control strategy of intelligent vehicles path tracking based on deep reinforcement learning
Authors: Wang Hongbo , Feng Lizhao , Li Shaohua , Chen Wuwei , Zhou Juntao
Published: June 2023

In the parallel steering coordination control strategy for path tracking, it is difficult to match the current driver steering model using the fixed parameters with the actual driver, and the designed steering coordination control strategy under a single objective and simple conditions is difficult to adapt to the multi-dimensional state variables’ input. In this paper, we propose a deep reinforcement learning algorithm-based multi-objective parallel human-machine steering coordination strategy for path tracking considering driver mis-operation and external disturbance. Firstly, the driver steering mathematical model is constructed based on the driver preview characteristics and steering delay response, and the driver characteristic parameters are fitted after collecting the actual driver driving data. Secondly, considering that the vehicle is susceptible to the influence of external disturbances during the driving process, the Tube MPC (Tube Model Predictive Control) based path tracking steering controller is designed based on vehicle system dynamics error model. After verifying that the driver steering model meets the driver steering operation characteristics, DQN (Deep Q-network), DDPG (Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient) and TD3 (Twin Delayed Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient) deep reinforcement learning algorithms are utilized to design a multi-objective parallel steering coordination strategy which satisfies the multi-dimensional state variables’ input of the vehicle. Finally, the tracking accuracy, lateral safety, human-machine conflict and driver steering load evaluation index are designed in different driver operation states and different road environments, and the performance of the parallel steering coordination control strategies with different deep reinforcement learning algorithms and fuzzy algorithms are compared by simulations and hardware in the loop experiments. The results show that the parallel steering collaborative strategy based on deep reinforcement learning algorithm can more effectively assist the driver in tracking the target path under lateral wind interference and driver misoperation, and the TD3 based coordination control strategy has better overall performance.
Industrial Sources of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) to a Sewershed in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Payne Mark , Kleywegt Sonya , Ng Chi-Fai
Published: June 2023

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous in the environment despite global regulatory action to reduce or restrict their use in industrial processes and products. Fourteen PFAS were analyzed in effluents from four sectors; electroplaters (3), laundry and carpet cleaners (2), landfill leachate (2), and circuit board manufacturers (3) that (in)directly discharge to sewersheds and connected wastewater treatment plants. Circuit board manufacturers had relatively lower levels of total summed PFAS (∑PFAS14) concentrations (average 21.6 ng/L) than the other sectors; laundry and carpet cleaners > electroplaters > landfill leachate > circuit boarders. Maximum concentrations for individual PFAS were seen in carpet cleaning wastewater with values of 79,000 ng/L for perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS); 26,000 ng/l perfluorooctane sulfate (PFOS) and 9,400, ng/l perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). These concentrations represent some of the highest measured PFAS concentrations in wastewater samples reported in the literature.
Reprogramming biocatalytic futile cycles through computational engineering of stereochemical promiscuity to create an amine racemase
Authors: Han Sang-Woo , Jang Youngho , Song Jimin , Kook Jihyun , Shin Jong-Shik
Published: June 2023

Repurposing the intrinsic properties of natural enzymes can offer a viable solution to current synthetic challenges through the development of novel biocatalytic processes. Although amino acid racemases are ubiquitous in living organisms, an amine racemase (AR) has not yet been discovered despite its synthetic potential for producing chiral amines. Here, we report the creation of an AR based on the serendipitous discovery that amine transaminases (ATAs) can perform stereoinversion of 2-aminobutane. Kinetic modeling revealed that the unexpected off-pathway activity results from stereochemically promiscuous futile cycles due to incomplete stereoselectivity for 2-aminobutane. This finding motivated us to engineer an S-selective ATA through in silico alanine scanning and empirical combinatorial mutations, creating an AR with broad substrate specificity. The resulting AR, carrying double point mutations, enables the racemization of both enantiomers of diverse chiral amines in the presence of a cognate ketone. This strategy may be generally applicable to a wide range of transaminases, paving the way for the development of new-to-nature racemases.
A Review of Automatic Generation of Test Cases from Use Case Specification
Authors: Asefa Surafiel Habib
Published: June 2023

Software testing is an integral phase in the software development life cycle (SDLC). It refers to the process of verifying and evaluating the function of a software product. Among the testing activities, test case generation affects the effectiveness and efficiency of the testing process and requires a significant amount of effort and time. To reduce the effort and time involved in the manual test case generation process, significant research effort has been dedicated to the automatic generation of test cases. Although the majority of the proposed approaches are based on UML models, some works have presented a test case generation approach based on specifications. This literature review (LR) discusses use case specification-based automatic test case generation approaches and the methods used to validate them. Additionally, the review shows how the approaches differ in addressing some current issues in software testing.