bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parameter Estimation of LFM Signal Based on RD Compressed Sampling and DFRFT Dictionary
Authors: Meng Shuo , Meng Chen , Wang Cheng
Published: October 2022

In order to estimate the parameters of linear frequency modulation (LFM) signals directly from compressed sampled data, a method combining random demodulator (RD) and discrete fractional Fourier transform (DFRFT) dictionary is proposed in this manuscript. Firstly, according to the characteristics of LFM signal, the RD system parameters are adjusted to obtain effective compressed sampling data; Then, based on the fractional Fourier transform theory, a DFRFT dictionary is constructed, and sparse representation coefficients are obtained by reconstructing the compressed sampling data through the recovery algorithm and DFRFT dictionary. The signal has the characteristics of impact under the optimal fractional transform order, so the problem of signal parameter estimation can be converted into searching the location of the maximum value of sparse representation coefficients, and the location is determined by parameter optimization algorithm, then the initial frequency and frequency modulation (FM) slope of LFM signal can be estimated. Finally, simulation and real data experiments are carried out to verify that the proposed method not only has a good sparse representation ability for LFM signals, but also can directly be used to estimate the parameter of LFM signals with compressed sampling data.
Rats Conserve Passive Avoidance Retention Level Throughout the Light Phase of Diurnal Cycle
Authors: Popović Natalija , Morales-Delgado Nicanor , Cruz-Sánchez Ernesto , Popović Miroljub
Published: October 2022

Most studies indicated a marked change in memory acquisition and recall across the day. The present study aimed to evaluate whether the time of day during the light phase of the diurnal cycle influences emotional memory trace in passive avoidance task. The passive avoidance test was performed in young adult male Wistar rats at the beginning (08:30-10:00h; defined as Zeitgeber time (ZT) ZT0.5-2), mid-time (13:00-14:30h, ZT5-6.5) and at the end (18:30-20:00h, ZT10.5-12) of the light period. The results show no significant daytime effect on acquisition trial in the passive avoidance task. In all test periods, the transfer latency significantly increased on the retention trial of passive avoidance. The significance increased in following order ZT10.5-12 < ZT0.5-2 < ZT5-6.5. In conclusion, time of day does not affect emotional response on acquisition trials of passive avoidance tasks but slightly influences cognitive response on 24 h retention trial.
Detection of Image Tampering Using Deep Learning, Error Levels & Noise Residuals
Authors: Chakraborty Sunen , Chatterjee Kingshuk , Dey Paramita
Published: October 2022

Images once were considered as a reliable source of information. However, when photo-editing software started to get noticed it gave rise to illegal activities that is called image tampering. These days we can came across innumerable tampered images across the internet. Software such as Photoshop, GNU Image Manipulation Program, etc. are applied to form tampered images from real ones in just a few minutes. When it comes to discover hidden signs of tampering in an image deep learning models are far more effective than any other methods. Models used in deep learning are capable of extracting intricate features from an image automatically. To differentiate between authentic and tampered images we presented a dual-branch Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) in conjunction with Error Level Analysis (ELA) and noise residuals from Spatial Rich Model (SRM). For our experiment we utilized the freely accessible CASIA dataset. After training the dual-branch network for 16 epochs, it generated an accuracy of 98.55%. We have also provided a comparative analysis with other previously proposed work in the field of image forgery detection. This experiment is done to prove that deep learning models along with some well known traditional approaches can provide better results for detecting tampered images.
Synthesis of carboxyl cellulose nanocrystals/copper nanohybrids to endow waterborne polyurethane film with improved mechanical and antibacterial properties
Authors: Hu Xiaoxiao , Zhao Yonghuan , Meng Yang , Shi Chen , Han Jian
Published: October 2022

The multifunctional nanohybrid fillers have attracted widespread attention in the field of polymer nanocomposites. In this study, carboxyl cellulose nanocrystals/copper nanoparticles (TCNC/Cu NP) nanohybrids were prepared by in situ growth of copper ions on the modified carboxyl CNC, and further doped into waterborne polyurethane (WPU)via solution blending. TEM, FTIR, XRD, and UV-vis analysis were used to characterize the morphology, composition, crystallization and structure of the as-prepared nanohybrid. TCNC/Cu NP nanohybrids exhibited good dispersion and interface compatibility in WPU matrix thanks to the modified CNC. The nanocomposite film obtained significantly enhanced mechanical, thermal stability and scratch resistance properties, which was attributed to a hydrogen bond network structure formed in the WPU matrix. Additionally, colony count method was performed to test antibacterial properties of various films. Compared to the pure WPU film, all of nanocomposite films showed good antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The antibacterial ratio of the WPU nanocomposite film with the addition of TCNC/Cu NP (1:1) reach 99%. Furthermore, the results of a copper ion sustained release experiment showed that the nanocomposite film had a long-term release effect, which was ascribe to the strong bonding between TCNC/Cu NP nanohybrids and WPU matrix. Thus, Cu NP was firmly embedded in the hydrogen bonding network structure formed. This work gives a new approach to prepare the antibacterial WPU film with well mechanical properties.
Comparisons of a sodium selenite and a selenium-enriched Spirulina supplementation after a selenium deficiency on growth, tissue selenium concentrations, antioxidant activities and selenoprotein expression in rat
Authors: Castel Thomas , Léon Karelle , Gandubert Charlotte , Gueguen Bleuenn , Amérand Aline , Guernec Anthony , Théron Michaël , Pichavant-Rafini Karine
Published: October 2022

Selenium contributes to physiological functions through its incorporation into selenoproteins. It is involved in oxidative stress defense. A selenium deficiency results in the onset or aggravation of pathologies. Following a deficiency, the repletion of selenium leads to a selenoprotein expression hierarchy still misunderstood. Moreover, spirulina, a microalgae, exhibits antioxidant properties and can be enriched in selenium during its cultivation. Our objective was to determine the effects of a sodium selenite or selenium-enriched spirulina supplementation. Thirty-two female wistar rats were fed for 12 weeks with a selenium-deficient diet. After 8 weeks, rats were divided into 4 groups of 8 rats and were fed with water, sodium selenite (20µg Se/kg body weight), spirulina (3 g/kg bw) or selenium-enriched spirulina (20µg Se/kg bw + 3g spirulina/kg bw). In parallel, another group of 8 rats were fed with normal diet during 12 weeks. Selenium concentration and antioxidant enzyme activities (GPx, SOD, CAT) were measured in plasma, urines, liver, brain, kidney, heart and soleus. Expression of GPx (1, 3), Sel (P, S, T, W), SEPHS2, TrxR1, ApoER2 and Megalin were quantified in liver, kidney, brain and heart. Our results showed that a selenium deficiency leads to a growth retardation, reversed by selenium supplementation. All tissues displayed a decrease in selenium concentration following deficiency. Brain seemed protected. Our results demonstrated a hierarchy in selenium distribution and selenoprotein expression depending on selenium supplementation form. A supplementation of sodium selenite improved GPx activities and selenoprotein expression while a selenium-enriched spirulina was more effective to restore selenium concentration.
Optimization methods in Environmental-Economic Dispatch problems: a hybrid analysis in the literature
Authors: Santino Carine Nogueira , Rodríguez Jorge Laureano Moya , Fontes Cristiano Hora Oliveira
Published: October 2022

Companies have sought better alignment among the organization's strategic objectives, technology management, and sustainability management using process optimization strategies. This paper presents a hybrid approach that combines bibliometric and content analysis on optimizations in Environmental-Economic Dispatch (EED) problems. This work analyzes the main contributions and trends for that topic, as well as identifies future work directions. A sample of three hundred and thirty articles (330) was considered, which enabled the identification of routes, the countries with the most activity in this topic, the authors with the highest number of publications, the most cited works, the main journals that published in this subject, presentation of co-citation networks by authors and co-authorship between countries, and the characterization of the numerous optimization models that involve conflicting objectives. It is important to notice that from the content analysis it was possible to identify the state of expansion of the main evolutionary algorithms on the area studied in the world.
Machine learning to identify lung cancer with tuberculosis from isolated tuberculosis
Authors: Li Zhenhao , Wei Chaojun , Yang Xiaojuan , Jia Yanjuan , Guo Rui , Jia Jing , Wei Zhenhong , Li YuanTing , Qi Xiaoming , Wang Anqi , Wang Wanxia , Li Yonghong
Published: October 2022

Background: Patients with the coexistence of lung cancer and tuberculosis (TB) are a special but certain population. Although the differential diagnosis of this comorbidity from isolated tuberculosis is quite difficult, and this can lead to missing or delaying in diagnosis of lung cancer, few have focused on this special group. This study aims to develop a prediction model for identifying this comorbidity group from the isolated TB group.
Methods: In this work, all patients who tested TB-PCR from 2017-09 to 2019-07 in Gansu Provincial Hospital were included in our study(n=7394). After various exclusions, a total of 389 patients with 81 features were retained in the study. We used the Spatially Uniform ReliefF (SURF) algorithm to determine feature importance for these 81 features and they are sorted based on their feature importance. All the remained samples were randomly split into four training sets and one test set, the training set was used to construct a random forest model by using accumulating top-ranking features, and the test set was used to validate the model’s predictive performance.
Results: Of the 387 patients retained in the analysis, 53 patients were lung cancer with TB. The selected important predictors are composed of four tumor markers (Scc, Cyfra21-1, CEA, ProGRP, and NSE), fifteen blood biochemical indices (GLU, IBIL, K, CL, Ur, NA, TBA, CHOL, SA, TG, A/G, AST, CA, CREA, and CRP), six routine blood indices (EO#, EO%, MCV, RDW-S, LY#, and MPV) and four coagulation indices (APTT ratio, APTT, PTA, TT ratio). The machine learning RandomForest (RF) model presented a robust and stable classification performance, which also performed well in the test set and can easily differentiate the comorbidity group from the isolated TB group with AUC, ACC, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.8817, 0.8654, 0.8594, and 0.8656 for the training set, respectively.
Conclusion: Overall, this RF model was able to identify the comorbidity group from the isolated TB group by using routine admission lab examination. This result may reveal that machine learning techniques have excellent discriminative performance in clinical research.
A rapid scoping review of harm reduction strategies for ecstasy (MDMA) users in recreational settings
Authors: Edwards Deborah , Csontos Judit , Pascoe Michael J , Westwell Andrew , Gillen Elizabeth , Bennett Clare , Hannigan Ben , Carrier Judith , Harden Jane
Published: October 2022

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) can occur due to ecstasy use, and the number of people dying due to drug-related deaths has increased in the past 10 years. Harm reduction strategies could help prevent ADRs or decrease the incidence of life-threatening health consequences due to ecstasy use. However, no reviews have explored the breadth of evidence available on ecstasy harm reduction strategies.
Methods: A rapid scoping review was conducted using adapted JBI methodology to identify the prevalence and nature of harm reduction strategies that ecstasy users employ in recreational settings, with both peer-reviewed research and user-oriented drug information websites explored. Five databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, Medline, PsycINFO, CENTRAL) were searched for English language records from database inception to August 2022. User-oriented websites were identified via the project’s stakeholder group and Google searches.
Results: Twenty reports representing 19 studies (one randomised control trial, nine quantitative descriptive studies and nine qualitative studies) were included. A wide variety of harm reduction strategies were reported, including drug-specific strategies (for example, limiting the amount of ecstasy consumed, buying from trusted sources, drug checking (pill testing)); behavioural strategies (for example, monitoring fluid (water) consumption, taking a rest break to regulate temperature, avoiding alcohol and mixing with other drugs; preloading and post-loading); and peer-related strategies (for example not using alone, looking out for friends). Ecstasy users obtain information on ecstasy’s effects and/or harm reduction practices from a variety of sources including friends, nightclubs, TV news, drug leaflets, music magazines and user-oriented information websites. Fourteen user-oriented websites providing ecstasy-specific harm reduction information were identified, and strategies focused on dosage and frequency of use, interaction with other substances and prevention of health consequences, such as heatstroke, or dehydration among others. However, only two webpages provided citations to the evidence used for the content.
Conclusions: While numerous harm reduction strategies exist, employing them can depend on the users’ overall goal/s which might also encompass avoiding comedown or increasing their high. Moreover, users’ previous experience can influence how and when they adhere to harm reduction. More efficient ways of communicating harms and harm reduction strategies might be needed.
Reaction Pathway of Nitrate and Ammonia Formation in the Plasma Electrolysis Process with Nitrogen and Oxygen Gas Injection
Authors: Saksono Nelson , Harianingsih Harianingsih , Farawan Bening , Luvita Veny , Zakaria Zainal
Published: October 2022

The plasma electrolysis method using N2 and O2 injection is an effective and environmentally friendly solution for nitrogen fixation into nitrate and ammonia. The reaction pathway, the effect of the N2 and O2 gas injection composition are important parameters in understanding the mechanism and effectiveness of these processes. This study aims to determine the formation pathway of nitrate and ammonia by observing the formation and role of reactive species as well as intermediate compounds. Two reaction pathways of NOx and ammonia formation have been observed. The NOx compound formed in the solution was oxidized by •OH to NO2, followed by the production of a stable nitrate compound. The ammonium produced from the ammonia pathway was generated from nitrogen reacting with •H from H2O. The amount of NH3 formed was lesser compared to the NOx compounds in the liquid and gas phases. This indicates that the NOx pathway is more dominant than that of ammonia. The gas injection test with a ratio of N2/O2 = 79/21 was the most effective for nitrate formation compared to another ratio. The results of the emission intensity measurement test show that the reactive species •N, •N2*, •N2+, •OH, and •O have a significant role in the nitrate formation through the NOx pathway, while the reactive species •N and •H lead to the formation of NH3. The highest nitrate product was obtained at a ratio of N2/O2: 79/21 by 1889 mg L-1, while the highest ammonia product reached 31.5 mg L-1 at 100% N2 injection.
Effect of Drawdown Strategy on Risk and Return in Nigerian Stock Market
Authors: Adaramola Anthony Olugbenga , Oyedeko Yusuf Olatunji
Published: October 2022

The study examined effect of drawdown on return in the Nigerian stock market. The study covered the period of 2005 to 2020. Purposive sampling was employed and the sample size comprising 90 regularly traded stocks were used for the analysis. Monthly data sourced from the CBN statistical bulletin and Nigeria Stock Exchange on stock prices, market index, risk-free rate ownership shareholdings, market capitalization, book value of equity, earnings before interest and taxes, total assets and drawdown were used for study. The Fama-MacBeth two-step regression method was employed. The study found that the drawdown has a negative and significant effect on stock returns but has a positive and significant effect on risk in the Nigerian stock market over the whole sample period. Findings also revealed that the sub-period are not stable in terms of the magnitude of effect and significance on risk and return. Our findings contradict the a-priori expectation that drawdown could improve performance through risk minimization and return maximization in the Nigerian stock market. Based on the findings investors and other market participant are encouraged to use drawdown as one of the investment performance measures to guide investors’ expectation and their tolerance on the size of stock market disruption or crashes or rallies in Nigeria.
The role of inflammatory mediators in the development of endometrosis in mare
Authors: ANNA SZÓSTEK-MIODUCHOWSKA , ANNA WÓJTOWICZ , AGNIESZKA SADOWSKA , DARIUSZ SKARŻYŃSKI
Published: October 2022

Equine endometrosis is a chronic degenerative condition with progressive fibrosis that forms in the endometrial stroma and around the endometrial glands. Equine endometrosis causes histological changes and alterations in the secretory function of endometrial cells. These alterations lead to changes in the endometrium and early pregnancy dysfunction. Thus, this condition is one of the main causes of subfertility in mares, resulting in enormous economic losses to the horse-breeding industry. In general, fibrosis is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. It destroys normal tissue architecture and compromises tissue function. The cellular and molecular events associated with the development of tissue fibrosis are complex and poorly understood. In recent years, research has been carried out on the involvement of immune cells and their products in the pathogenesis of endometrosis in mares. These studies focused mainly on the role of cytokines, such as transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, interleukin (IL) 6, IL-1β, prostaglandin (PG), and components of neutrophil extracellular traps (NET), such as myeloperoxidase, cathepsin G, and elastase, in the most important processes associated with the development of endometrosis. The results showed that TGF-β1, IL-1β, IL-6, and PGs act on myofibroblast differentiation, fibroblast proliferation, deposition of ECM protein, and expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and their inhibitors. It suggests their involvement in processes associated with pathological endometrial remodeling. Moreover, the response of endometrial tissue to selected factors changes according to the stage of endometrosis. The action of inflammatory mediators on processes related to the development of fibrosis shows a connection between inflammation and endometrosis.
Development of items in Acid-Base Identification Experiments Using Natural Materials: Validity Test with Rasch Model Analysis
Authors: Mulyanti Sri , Sukmawati Wati , Tarkin Nur Elisa Hawa
Published: October 2022

The development of the test in the form of multiple choice items as 18 questions, aims to measure students' abilities in the experiment of identifying acid-base compounds with natural indicators. The study used descriptive quantitative methods. 79 high school students who have studied acid-base experiment with natural indicators, as the subject of validity test. Validity analyzed by Rasch model in the Winsteps program, including the level of problem difficulty, item validity, construct validity, content validity, and instrument reliability. The results obtained are evenly distributed, so that it can measure students' abilities at various levels of knowledge. Construct validity is evidenced by the raw variance value of 31%, and content validity shows that the questions fit the Rasch model. The feasibility of the instrument can also be seen from its very good reliability value of 0.91. The developed test can be used as a measuring tool for the success of acid-base identification practicum with natural indicators, which have been developed in various researches on the development of environmentally friendly acid-base practicums from natural materials.
The energy, water supply, and ecology coordination for middle-long-term reservoirs scheduling with different connection modes using an elite mutation strategy-based NMOSFLA
Authors: Yang Zhe , Wang Yufeng , Yang Kan , Hu Hu , Song Songbai , Xu Shiqin , Zhang Xuguang , Ye Sumeng , Li Jiaxin
Published: October 2022

Conventional reservoir operation emphasizes power generation (PG) with ignoring downstream river ecosystem and water supply benefits for sustainable development. Compared with the model defining water supply and ecological flow requirements as constraints, a novel long-term multi-objective scheduling model in complex parallel reservoir system (LTMOSCPRS) is developed to assess and achieve win–win and sustainable development for energy, water supply, and ecological benefits. The suitable and ideal ecological water requirements are calculated based on the requirement level index. Afterward, the novel multi-objective shuffled frog leaping algorithm (NMOSFLA) including renewed frog grouping, local search, and external elite frog set mutation strategies is proposed. Results indicate that three optimization objectives expose a mutual competing relationship. The benefit of the river ecosystem will increase at a loss of PG and water supply guarantee rate (WSGR). Therefore, the parallel reservoir system should be adjusted to improve the benefits of WSGR and ecological water spill and shortage (EWSS) with minimizing the loss of PG, simultaneously. Finally, the NMOSFLA is verified to outperform other compared methods at the solution diversity and convergence which is evaluated by multiple indicators. Overall, the NMOSFLA provides efficient reservoir operation schemes for decision-makers to select optimal trade-off schemes and feasible ways to solve the LTMOSCPRS.
The rising swarms of jellyfish in Indian waters: the environmental drivers, ecological, and socio-economic impacts
Authors: Siddique Alfisa , Purushothaman Jasmine , Madhusoodhanan Rakhesh , Raghunathan Chelladurai
Published: October 2022

A four-decade data of jellyfish aggregation from 1980 to 2020 were taken to discern whether there has been an actual rise in jellyfish swarm in Indian coastal and estuarine waters. Despite frequent jellyfish aggregations and beach strandings in Indian waters, jellyfish aggregations have been poorly investigated and there is a dearth of information on the swarm-forming jellyfish, their preferred season, and the location of swarming. Therefore, our review aims to account for the frequency of swarming phenomenon annually and the appearance of new swarm-forming jellyfish species. The term ‘jellyfish’ refers to the medusae stage of phylum Cnidaria (Cubozoa, Hydrozoa, and Scyphozoa) only in this review. The present work postulates a geospatial spread and swarm-forming jellyfish species to increase in recent times. More than 23 coastal locations of India have witnessed jellyfish aggregations and beach stranding in the last four decades. Seasonal oceanographic conditions prevailing during the summer monsoon, fall, and early winter promoted jellyfish aggregations and swarming. Only two jellyfish species were known to form aggregates during 1981–1990, but the diversity of jellyfish species increased to nine by 2011–2020. The development of predictive models from remote sensing data can be useful to warn humans and coastal industries of the approaching swarm.
Machine learning-based prediction of harmful algal blooms in water supply reservoirs
Authors: Jeong Bongseok , Chapeta Maria Renee , Kim Mingu , Kim Jinho , Shin Jihoon , Cha YoonKyung
Published: October 2022

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) pose a potential risk to human and ecosystem health. HAB occurrences are influenced by numerous environmental factors; thus, accurate predictions of HABs and explanations about the predictions are required to implement preventive water quality management. In this study, machine learning (ML) algorithms, i.e., random forest (RF) and extreme gradient boosting (XGB), were employed to predict HABs in eight water supply reservoirs in South Korea. The use of synthetic minority oversampling technique for addressing imbalanced HAB occurrences improved classification performance of the ML algorithms. Although RF and XGB resulted in marginal performance differences, XGB exhibited more stable performance in the presence of data imbalance. Furthermore, a post hoc explanation technique, Shapley additive explanation was employed to estimate relative feature importance. Among the input features, water temperature and concentrations of total nitrogen and total phosphorus appeared important in predicting HAB occurrences. The results suggest that the use of ML algorithms along with explanation methods increase the usefulness of predictive models as a decision-making tool for water quality management.
Hydrogeochemical evolution of Taiyuan Formation limestone water under the disturbance of water inrush from karst collapse column in Taoyuan Coal Mine, China
Authors: Guo Yan , Gui Herong , Wei Jiuchuan , Pang Yingchun , Hu Mancong , Zhang Zhi , Nie Feng , Hong Huang , Cui Yali , Zhao Jin
Published: October 2022

The project implementation of water inrush and its treatment ensures the safe mining of coal mines, but also causes certain disturbance to the hydrogeochemistry of primary limestone water. Based on the water inrush event in Taoyuan Coal Mine of Huaibei coalfield in 2013, the water rock interaction mechanism of Taiyuan Formation limestone water (namely, ‘Taihui water’) was discussed. The results showed that: (1) the relationship of cation mass concentration before and after water inrush was Na+ + K+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+; the correlation of anionic mass concentration before water inrush was SO42− > HCO3− > Cl−, while it was HCO3− > SO42− > Cl− after the event. Before the event, the main water quality types were SO4•Cl-Ca and SO4•Cl-Na; after the event, they mainly included HCO3-Na and SO4•Cl-Na; (2) There is a strong positive correlation between mineral saturation index and pH value, that is, minerals are easy to dissolve under acidic conditions, while alkaline conditions will inhibit the dissolution and transformation of minerals; (3) The hydrogeochemical processes of limestone aquifer mainly included cation exchange, carbonate dissolution, pyrite oxidation, sulfate and silicate dissolution.
Excess sludge biochar facilitates persulfate activation for highly efficient tetracycline removal
Authors: Lv Bowen , Zhang Weiliang , Liu Yu , Xu Dezhi , Fan Xiulei
Published: October 2022

This study proposed a novel advanced oxidation system to treat metal and antibiotic pollution in water simultaneously. Meanwhile, the enhancement effect of absorbed metal pollution on the activation of persulfate in the system was also investigated. As the most widely used and polluting material, tetracycline (TC) and metal Fe were used as the pollutant models. In this study, a carbonaceous material (BC) was prepared from excess sludge and then combined with the persulfate system (Fe/BC/PS). It was found that the best biochar was obtained when the pyrolysis temperature reached 500 °C (BC500), with the specific surface area of 39.712 m2/g. Combining it with 300 mg/L PS, the removal rate of 120 mg/L TC reached 70.6%. Moreover, the sludge biochar itself possessed numerous reaction sites and good defective structure, which provided a perfect reaction site for the variable metals absorbed by BC. They accelerated electron conduction greatly, which led to the activation of PS very active and generating far more active radicals than normal. In addition, it also proposed the rational pathway and potential mechanism of TC degradation based on the degradation intermediates. This study has a high reference value for resource utilization of sewage sludge and antibiotics removal from water.
Vascular Indications for Integrin αv Antagonists
Authors: Samanen James , Jonak Zdenka , Rieman David , Yue Tian-Li
Published: October 2022

During early investigations into the biology associated with the platelet integrin αlIbβ3, monoclonal antibodies to αllbβ3 indicated that an αllbβ3-like integrin was expressed on endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and on a variety of cancer cell lines. That integrin became known as the vitronectin receptor. It was shown to contain the same β3 subunit as αllbβ3, but it contained a different alpha subunit, named αv. Instead of a large family of β3 integrins, a large family of av integrins was discovered. To date, the family includes αvβI, αvβ3, αvβ5, αvβ6 and αvβ8. Two members of the family, αvβ3 and αvβ5, have received the most attention, showing potential in therapeutic targets as diverse as osteoporosis, restenosis and angiogenesis. This paper focuses on the potential vascular indications for av antagonists. It reviews the role of αvβ3 and αvβ5 as smooth muscle cell and endothelial cell adhesion receptors, as well as their capacity to mediate cell spreading and migration as signaling receptors. The current evidence for the role of αvβ3 and αvβ5 in restenosis and angiogenesis is reviewed. Endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and macrophages (mΦ) express either integrin, depending upon the cytokine that drives the migratory phenotype. Accessory membrane-bound molecules and matrix-degrading proteinases, as well as subcellular second messengers are reviewed. A model for the involvement of Integrin Associated Protein (IAP), and its ligation by thrombospondin is also proposed. A number of αv antagonists that inhibit cell adhesion to αvβ3 and αvβ5 have succeeded in proof of concept experiments in animal disease models. Nonpeptide av antagonists with high selectivity and adequate oral bioavailability have also been discovered. Thus, the field of av antagonists is poised to move into clinical development in the areas of restenosis, cancer, and ocular angiogenesis. Other areas that could blossom with potential for av antagonists include rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis.
Recent Advances in the Discovery and Development of Vasopressin Antagonists: Peptide and Nonpeptide Vta and V2 Receptor Antagonists
Authors: Albright J. Donald , Chan Peter S.
Published: October 2022

Arginine. vasopressin (AVP) (antidiuretic harmone) exerts its action through three membrane-bound G-protein-coupled receptor subtypes (VI a, renal V2, and V3). The vasopressin-induced antidiuresis (via V2 receptors coupled to aquaporins) helps maintain normal plasma osmolality and salt (NaCl) balances. The human V1, V2 and V3 (V lb) recep­
receptors and water selective membrane proteins (aquaporins) in the kidney have been cloned. Recent advances are the discovery and development of selective non-peptide antagonists (without agonist activity) that have been shown to be aquaretic agents in animals and humans. This review covers the characterization of vasopressin receptors V la, V2 and V3 (V1 b) (function, cloning, species variations, molecular modeling) and the discovery of non-peptide small molecules (of diverse structural types) that are potent AVP receptor antagonists. Animal and clinical studies of non-peptide AVP antagonists OPC-21268, OPC-31260, SR-49059, YM087 and VPA-985 are reported.
Hypercaloric Diet Promotes Metabolic Disorders and Impaired Kidney Function
Authors: Meléndez-Salcido Cecilia Gabriela , Ramírez-Emiliano Joel , Pérez-Vázquez Victoriano
Published: October 2022

Poor dietary habits such as overconsumption of hypercaloric diets characterized by a high content of
fructose and fat are related to metabolic abnormalities development such as obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia.
Accumulating evidence supports the hypothesis that if energy intake gradually exceeds the body's ability to
store fat in adipose tissue, the prolonged metabolic imbalance of circulating lipids from endogenous and exogenous
sources leads to ectopic fat distribution in the peripheral organs, especially in the heart, liver, and kidney.
The kidney is easily affected by dyslipidemia, which induces lipid accumulation and reflects an imbalance between
fatty acid supply and fatty acid utilization. This derives from tissue lipotoxicity, oxidative stress, fibrosis,
and inflammation, resulting in structural and functional changes that lead to glomerular and tubule-interstitial
damage. Some authors indicate that a lipid-lowering pharmacological approach combined with a substantial
lifestyle change should be considered to treat chronic kidney disease (CKD). Also, the new therapeutic target
identification and the development of new drugs targeting metabolic pathways involved with kidney lipotoxicity
could constitute an additional alternative to combat the complex mechanisms involved in impaired kidney
function. In this review article, we first provide the pathophysiological evidence regarding the impact of hypercaloric
diets, such as high-fat diets and high-fructose diets, on the development of metabolic disorders associated
with impaired renal function and the molecular mechanisms underlying tissue lipid deposition. In addition,
we present the current progress regarding translational strategies to prevent and/or treat kidney injury related to
the consumption of hypercaloric diets.
Protein Phosphorylation Mechanism of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in
the Treatment of Sepsis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Hongwu , Luo Junlin , Zhong Yong , Ma Lian
Published: October 2022

Background:

The severity and mortality of sepsis are related to excessive
inflammation and cytokine storm. Nevertheless, little is known about why sepsis has a
significant increase in proinflammatory cytokine production, which leads to more severe
inflammatory damage.

Methods:

Mesenchymal stem cells have achieved certain results in the treatment of
sepsis, but the specific mechanism remains to be further clarified.

Results:

Therefore, this paper will elaborate on the currently recognized mechanism
of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of sepsis, the protein phosphorylation mechanism
of sepsis inflammatory response, and the possibility that mesenchymal stem
cells may block the occurrence and development of sepsis by regulating relevant
pathways or protein phosphorylation.

Conclusion:

It provides a novel target for mesenchymal stem cells to prevent intervention
or therapeutically block the development of sepsis.
Targeting ADAM10 in Renal Diseases
Authors: Wang Jie-Na , Cao Xiao-Jing
Published: October 2022

ADAM10 is part of the ADAM superfamily containing cell surface proteins
with special structures and potential adhesion and protease domains. This paper provides
a review of the specific effects of ADAM10 in kidney development as well as its
relations with renal diseases. ADAM10 plays an important role in developing tissues
and organs and the pathogenesis of multiple diseases. The catalytic mechanism of
ADAM10 on kidney-related molecules, including Notch, epidermal growth factor receptors,
tumor necrosis factor-α, CXCL16, E-cadherin, cell adhesion molecule 1, meprin
and klotho. ADAM10 is also closely associated with the progress of glomerular diseases,
acute kidney injury and renal fibrosis. It probably is a good therapeutic target for
renal diseases.
Higher NT-proBNP Levels are Related to Poor Functional Outcome and
Pneumonia in Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage Patients
Authors: You Shoujiang , Hu Weidong , Pan Xinjia , Wu Huan , Zhou Yi , Song Liyan , Zhai Wanqing , Cao Yongjun
Published: October 2022

Background:

We investigated the association between N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP) levels upon hospital admission and early hematoma growth (HG), in-hospital pneumonia and major disability in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

Methods:

A total of 353 ICH patients from January 2014 to February 2019 were included in the present study. Patients was divided into three groups based on the admission NT-proBNP levels (T1: <61; T2: 61-199; T3: ≥199 pg/mL). Logistic regression models were used to estimate the effect of NT-proBNP on early HG, in-hospital pneumonia, and major disability upon hospital discharge (modified Rankin Scale score ≥5) in ICH patients.

Results:

There are no significant association between baseline NT-proBNP levels and early HG (P-trend =0.249). The risk of in-hospital pneumonia was significantly higher in patients with highest NT-proBNP level (T3) (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-4.08) and higher NT-proBNP level (T2) (adjusted OR 2.18; 95% CI, 1.19-4.00) compared to those with lowest NT-proBNP level (T1). The highest NT-proBNP level (T3) was associated with a 3.55-fold increase in the risk of major disability at hospital discharge (adjusted OR 3.55; 95% CI, 1.23-10.26; P-trend =0.013) in comparison to T1 after adjustment for potential covariates including pneumonia.

Conclusions:

Increased NT-proBNP at admission was independently associated with in-hospital pneumonia and major disability upon discharge, but not early hematoma growth in acute ICH patients.
Combined Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapies for Cancer Treatment:
Recent Advances and Future Perspectives
Authors: Muluh Tobias Achu , Lu Xiaohong , Zhang Yan , Li Yafei , Fu Qiuxia , Han Zhiqiang , Wang Daijie , Umar Shinge Shafiu A.
Published: October 2022

The previous year's worldview for cancer treatment has advanced from general to more precise therapeutics approaches. Chemotherapies were first distinguished as the most reliable and brief therapy with promising outcomes in cancer patients. However, patients could also suffer from severe toxicities resulting from chemotherapeutic drug usage. An improved comprehension of cancer pathogenesis has led to new treatment choices, including tumor-targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Subsequently, cancer immunotherapy and targeted therapy give more hope to patients since their combination has tremendous therapeutic efficacy. The immune system responses are also initiated and modulated by targeted therapies and cytotoxic agents, which create the principal basis that when targeted therapies are combined with immunotherapy, the clinical outcomes are of excellent efficacy, as presented in this review. This review focuses on how immunotherapy and targeted therapy are applicable in cancer management and treatment. Also, it depicts promising therapeutic results with more extensive immunotherapy applications with targeted therapy. Further elaborate that immune system responses are also initiated and modulated by targeted therapies and cytotoxic agents, which create the principal basis that this combination therapy with immunotherapy can be of great outcome clinically.
Burnout Related to Diabetes Mellitus: A Critical Analysis
Authors: Kontoangelos Konstantinos , Raptis Athanasios , Lambadiari Vaia , Economou Marina , Tsiori Sofia , Katsi Vasiliki , Papageorgiou Christos , Martinaki Sofia , Dimitriadis George , Papageorgiou Charalabos
Published: October 2022

Background:

Diabetes burnout is a condition when a patient with diabetes feels tired from his/her disease and neglects it for a certain period or continuously.

Objective:

Diabetes burnout is frequent, and there is extended literature about psychosocial stress and its negative effects on health.

Methods:

A search for relevant studies was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar and ResearchGate. A systematic review was conducted on the relevant articles after critical appraisal. Only publications in English were selected. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between burnout syndrome and diabetes mellitus.

Results:

This article mainly focused on studies that evaluated the presence of burnout and diabetes mellitus effects. Diabetes can influence psychological health equally with somatic strength. Relatives can also express depression, guilt, fright, worry, rage, and burnout. Psychosocial job stress and extended working hours are linked with a higher possibility of myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension.

Conclusion:

Diabetes burnout is a combination of emotions and practices, ranging from tiredness to indifference, linked with a distressing sense of hopelessness. Revealing this health condition is necessary so that preventive measures can be taken.
Phytochemical and Pharmacological Aspects of Hygrophila Spinosa: An
Overview
Authors: Kothapalli Lata , Gaikwad Smruti , Thomas Asha
Published: October 2022

Background:

A plant from the Acanthaceae family, Hygrophila spinosa T. Ander is geographically distributed throughout Asia and is noted for its diuretic and aphrodisiac properties in Ayurvedic literature. In the last four decades, various research teams have conducted experiments with the plant Hygrophila spinosa for screening of the plant as hepatoprotective, anti-urolithiasis, diuretic, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, chemoprotective, and anticancer activities along withanalgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. Flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, and triterpenoids are among the phytochemicals separated from different plant components, along with vitamins and minerals.

Objective:

Considering thetherapeutic value of the plant, focus on using current technology to quantify and confirm the pharmacological effects with in vitro and in vivo assays was felt and to shed light on in silico investigations.

Results:

Relevant analytical tools for characterizing and quantifying phytoconstituents in the plant along with emphasis on well-established pharmacological screening experiments on parts and/or whole plant extracts, commercially available formulations of H.spinosahave been elaborated.It has been discussed how to further validate the pharmacological effects using insilicomethods and predictions from ADME/T analyses. H. spinosa-based Phyto fabricated nanoparticle systems with gold and silver have broadened the use of plant extract as a metal carrier which minimizes metal toxicity to further boost its synergistic effects in response to the growing need for targeted medicine delivery systems.

Conclusión:

In light of the necessity to investigate a thorough mechanism of action for each of the specific phytoconstituents contained in the plant, the present review summarizes the phytochemical and pharmacological importance of the plant in chronic illness.
Research on Information Fusion Preview Control for Freight Train Speed
Tracking
Authors: Jiang Peng , Li Wang , Jin Xinmiao , Yi Lingzhi
Published: October 2022

Background:

With the increase in the speed and capacity of freight trains, the safety, energy efficiency and intelligent operation of train operation have become increasingly important. Automatic freight trains operation can replace manual operation with automated control systems, which can guarantee the safety of train operation, and improve operational efficiency and reduce operational energy consumption.

Objective:

Solve the problem of tracking accuracy and stability deterioration caused by multi-information of freight train.

Methods:

Global navigation satellite system, inertial navigation system and speed measuring motor are selected to construct a speed fusion measurement model by using loosely coupled integrated navigation and improved entropy weight method. Calculate the information quantity of performance index and control quantity in preview control, get the controlled quantity of information fusion optimal preview control.

Results:

The average tracking error of the multi-source information fusion preview controller is 0.038m/s, which is 49% lower than that of the control experiment.

Conclusion:

Multi-source information fusion preview controller can effectively reduce the tracking error of freight train speed tracking system and improve the accuracy of automatic freight trains operation.
CoviCare: An Integrated System for COVID-19
Authors: Yeruva Sagar , Ding Junhua , Gaddam Ankitraj , Reddy A Brahmananda
Published: October 2022

Pandemics are large-scale infectious disease outbreaks that can dramatically
increase morbidity and mortality over a wider geographic region and trigger substantial
economic, social, and political damage. Currently, the world is facing the coronavirus
(COVID-19) pandemic. COVID-19 is considered a dangerous disease affecting all
entire humanity and reports death cases in the thousands each day (as per the source
from Wikipedia, it is 3,690,000 deaths and 172,000,000 cases identified as COVID-19
positive as of 04-June-2021) and quietly throws dangerous bells on the entire humanity,
causing health emergencies in every country, worldwide. Due to the ongoing
pandemic, the healthcare infrastructure has been stretched. With the limited healthcare
infrastructure and the number of COVID-19 cases spiking up, many countries have
opted to treat their patients from the patient home, providing at-home medical facilities
and continuous monitoring by medical officials at regular intervals. Health is of
considerable importance in the new global situation. Providing smart healthcare is
important for all people to monitor continuously and maintain good health. A powerful
new mobile application and the usage of machine learning techniques can be an
innovative solution to the healthcare problems in these pandemic times for patient
management and disease management. This solution can directly impact clinical
decision-making. The proposed mobile application is a utility tool for COVID-19
patients during and after the quarantine period/home isolation. This application is
aimed at being a friendly interface that can record every detail of COVID-19 patient
activity from the day of admission to the day of discharge. This facilitates the proposed
system to record all symptoms, medication, responses to medicine, diet aspects, and
physical and mental aspects of the patients. The proposed system is designed in such a
way that we can get the data from the application that monitors the person’s health
activities, and that data will be used for the analysis to extract useful information by
using machine learning techniques. The data that is collected from each patient is
provided to the machine learning domain to find common features and patterns that
help us to gain further insights into the disease and could help to develop better
medications, vaccine development, immunisation knowledge base, recovery aspects, and symptomatic approaches for the future generation. This knowledge extracted from
the machine learning techniques can be used for better treatment and prediction of
disease at the initial stages, which could mitigate the life risk and help to stop the
spread of the disease.