bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemo-Immunotherapy: A New Trend in Cancer Treatment
Authors: Sordo-Bahamonde Christian , Lorenzo-Herrero Seila , Gonzalez-Rodriguez Ana P. , Martínez-Pérez Alejandra , Rodrigo Juan P. , García-Pedrero Juana M. , Gonzalez Segundo
Published: May 2023

Chemotherapy has been the basis of advanced cancer treatment for decades. This therapy has largely been considered immunosuppressive, yet accumulated preclinical and clinical evidence shows that certain chemotherapeutic drugs, under defined conditions, may stimulate antitumor immunity and potentiate immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based therapy. Its effectiveness has been highlighted by recent regulatory approvals of various combinations of chemotherapy with ICIs in several tumors, particularly in some difficult-to-treat cancers. This review discusses the immune modulatory properties of chemotherapy and how they may be harnessed to develop novel chemo-immunotherapy combinations. It also highlights the key determinants of the success of chemo-immunotherapy and provides an overview of the combined chemo-immunotherapies that have been clinically approved.
Sub-Lobar Resection: The New Standard of Care for Early-Stage Lung Cancer
Authors: Lee Benjamin E. , Altorki Nasser
Published: May 2023

The Lung Cancer Study Group previously established lobectomy as the standard of care for treatment of clinical T1N0 NSCLC. Advances in imaging technology and refinements in staging have prompted a re-investigation to determine the non-inferiority of sub-lobar resections to lobectomies. Two recent randomized studies, JCOG 0802 and CALGB 140503, are reviewed here in the context of LCSG 0821. The studies confirm non-inferiority for sub-lobar resection (wedge or segmentectomy) compared to lobectomy for peripheral T1N0 NSCLC less than or equal to 2 cm. Sub-lobar resection should therefore be considered the new standard of care in this sub-set of patients with NSCLC.
Efficacy of Tango Argentino for Cancer-Associated Fatigue and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Schad Friedemann , Rieser Thomas , Becker Sarah , Groß Jessica , Matthes Harald , Oei Shiao Li , Thronicke Anja
Published: May 2023

Background: Persistent impairments of quality of life—in particular, cancer-associated fatigue—are a major limitation for breast cancer survivors. As physical activity and mindfulness interventions have been shown to be effective in reducing fatigue symptoms, we investigated the efficacy of a six-week Argentine tango program. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 60 breast cancer survivors diagnosed with stage I-III tumors 12–48 months prior to study enrollment and who had increased symptoms of fatigue. The participants were randomly assigned with a 1:1 allocation to either the tango or the waiting group. The treatment consisted of six weeks of supervised weekly one-hour tango group-sessions. Self-reported fatigue and further quality of life parameters were assessed at baseline and six weeks post-baseline. Longitudinal changes, correlations, Cohen’s D (d) effect sizes, and association factors were also calculated. Results: Superiority of the tango intervention over the waiting list control was found in terms of improvement in fatigue (d = −0.64; 95%CI, −1.2 to −0.08; p = 0.03), especially cognitive fatigue. In addition, a superiority of the tango intervention over the waiting list was found in the improvement of diarrhea (d = −0.69; 95%CI, −1.25 to −0.13; p = 0.02). A pooled pre-post analysis of the 50 participants completing the six-week tango program revealed a close to 10% improvement of fatigue (p = 0.0003), insomnia (p = 0.008) and further quality of life outcomes. Adjusted multivariate linear regression analyses revealed the greatest improvements for participants who were more active in sports. In particular, survivors who received endocrine therapies, were obese, or had no prior dance experience seemed to especially benefit from the tango program. Conclusions: This randomized controlled trial demonstrated that a six-week Argentine tango program improves fatigue in breast cancer survivors. Further trials are warranted to determine whether such improvements lead to better long-term clinical outcomes. Trial registration: trial registration number DRKS00021601. Retrospectively registered on 21 August 2020.
Selective Hydrogenation of Adiponitrile to 6-Aminocapronitrile over Ni/α-Al2O3 Catalysts Doped with K2O and La2O3
Authors: Zhao Lei , Wang Caiyun , Chen Jixiang , Nie Ziyang , Zhang Jiyan , Lu Xuebin
Published: May 2023

A series of Ni/Al2O3, Ni/K2O-Al2O3 and Ni/La2O3-K2O-Al2O3 catalysts that possess high activities for partial hydrogenation of adiponitrile to 6-aminocapronitrile has been successfully synthesized by the impregnation method. The catalytic performance was investigated under atmospheric pressure and in the absence of ammonia and a significant enhancement in the activity after the introduction of potassium oxide and lanthana was observed. Aiming to study the influence of K2O and La2O3 promoters on the physicochemical properties, we characterized the catalysts by N2 adsorption/desorption, XRD, H2-TPR, H2-chemisorption, H2-TPD and TEM techniques. A combination of XRD, TEM and H2-chemisorption showed that Ni0 particles with a higher dispersion are obtained after the addition of La2O3. Compared with the Ni/Al2O3 catalyst, the Ni/La2O3-K2O-Al2O3 catalyst with an appropriate amount of promoter enjoys a more catalyst surface alkalescence, enhances the electronic density of nickel and higher dispersion of nickel and exhibits higher activity and 6-aminocapronitrile selectivity than Ni/α-Al2O3 during the hydrogenation of adiponitrile in the absence of ammonia, i.e., K2O and La2O3 improved the performance of the nickel-based catalyst.
Microphysiological Models for Mechanistic-Based Prediction of Idiosyncratic DILI
Authors: Stern Sydney , Wang Hongbing , Sadrieh Nakissa
Published: May 2023

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a major contributor to high attrition rates among candidate and market drugs and a key regulatory, industry, and global health concern. While acute and dose-dependent DILI, namely, intrinsic DILI, is predictable and often reproducible in preclinical models, the nature of idiosyncratic DILI (iDILI) limits its mechanistic understanding due to the complex disease pathogenesis, and recapitulation using in vitro and in vivo models is extremely challenging. However, hepatic inflammation is a key feature of iDILI primarily orchestrated by the innate and adaptive immune system. This review summarizes the in vitro co-culture models that exploit the role of the immune system to investigate iDILI. Particularly, this review focuses on advancements in human-based 3D multicellular models attempting to supplement in vivo models that often lack predictability and display interspecies variations. Exploiting the immune-mediated mechanisms of iDILI, the inclusion of non-parenchymal cells in these hepatoxicity models, namely, Kupffer cells, stellate cells, dendritic cells, and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, introduces heterotypic cell–cell interactions and mimics the hepatic microenvironment. Additionally, drugs recalled from the market in the US between 1996–2010 that were studies in these various models highlight the necessity for further harmonization and comparison of model characteristics. Challenges regarding disease-related endpoints, mimicking 3D architecture with different cell–cell contact, cell source, and the underlying multi-cellular and multi-stage mechanisms are described. It is our belief that progressing our understanding of the underlying pathogenesis of iDILI will provide mechanistic clues and a method for drug safety screening to better predict liver injury in clinical trials and post-marketing.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Unaccompanied Refugee Minors: Prevalence, Contributing and Protective Factors, and Effective Interventions: A Scoping Review
Authors: Oberg Charles , Sharma Hayley
Published: May 2023

In 2021, there were close to 37 million children displaced worldwide. There were 13.7 million refugees and an additional 22.8 million internally displaced. In Europe, this included 23,255 unaccompanied minors seeking asylum, up 72% compared with 2020 (13,550). The objective was to review the current literature regarding PTSD in unaccompanied refugee minors (URM). The authors searched Ovid Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library from 1 January 2008 through 15 January 2019. Thirty full texts were chosen that specifically studied unaccompanied refugee minors (URM). The results showed that URM had a prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD of 17–85% across the studies reviewed. There were numerous factors that contributed to PTSD, including cumulative stress and trauma, guilt, shame, and uncertainty about legal status. Protective factors included resilience, a trusted mentor, belonging to a social network, religion, having an adult mentor, and having a family (even if far away). Immigrant youth can thrive most easily in multiculturally affirming countries. Five interventions demonstrated effectiveness, comprising trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT); “Mein Weg”, a TF-CBT combined with a group-processing mixed therapy approach; teaching recovery techniques (TRT), narrative exposure therapy for children (KIDNET), and expressive arts intervention (EXIT). The significant mental health conditions include depression, anxiety, internalizing and externalizing behaviors, and frequently PTSD. It is fair to conclude that the high levels of mental health problems experienced in URM are due to exposure to traumatic experiences, separation from parents, and lack of social support.
Lifestyle Pathways Affecting Children’s Mental Health in Japan during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Sawa Satomi , Hagihara Akihito
Published: May 2023

The recent prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the daily lives of preschoolers and elementary school children worldwide. Although these changes may have affected their mental health, the full picture still remains unknown. Since March 2020, Japan has intermittently experienced several COVID-19 waves. This survey was conducted between February and March 2022. In this study, we investigated the pathways by which specific lifestyle factors (such as exercise, sleep, diet, and life skills) affect physical/psychosocial health (PPH) in 1183 preschoolers (3–5 years old) and 3156 elementary school children (6–11 years old) in Toyama Prefecture, Japan. These pathways were examined using a path analysis. Consequently, “life skills” was found to be the factor most strongly associated with PPH in both preschoolers and elementary school children (p < 0.001). Furthermore, it was associated with the physical activity score and with PPH via physical activity. Moreover, both boys’ and girls’ mental health declined with age among elementary school children (p < 0.001). The results of the current study may be helpful for early interventions (around the start of elementary school) at home and at school to improve children’s mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Experimental Dengue Virus Type 4 Infection Increases the Expression of MicroRNAs-15/16, Triggering a Caspase-Induced Apoptosis Pathway
Authors: Casseb Samir Mansour Moraes , Melo Karla Fabiane Lopes de , Carvalho Carlos Alberto Marques de , Santos Carolina Ramos dos , Franco Edna Cristina Santos , Vasconcelos Pedro Fernando da Costa
Published: May 2023

The World Health Organization has estimated the annual occurrence of approximately 392 million dengue virus (DENV) infections in more than 100 countries where the virus is endemic, which represents a serious threat to humanity. DENV is a serologic group with four distinct serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4) belonging to the genus Flavivirus, in the family Flaviviridae. Dengue is the most widespread mosquito-borne disease in the world. The ~10.7 kb DENV genome encodes three structural proteins (capsid (C), pre-membrane (prM), and envelope (E)) and seven non-structural (NS) proteins (NS1, NS2A, NS2B, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, and NS5). The NS1 protein is a membrane-associated dimer and a secreted, lipid-associated hexamer. Dimeric NS1 is found on membranes both in cellular compartments and cell surfaces. Secreted NS1 (sNS1) is often present in patient serum at very high levels, which correlates with severe dengue symptoms. This study was conducted to discover how the NS1 protein, microRNAs-15/16 (miRNAs-15/16), and apoptosis are related during DENV-4 infection in human liver cell lines. Huh 7.5 and HepG2 cells were infected with DENV-4, and miRNAs-15/16, viral load, NS1 protein, and caspases-3/7 were quantified after different durations of infection. This study demonstrated that miRNAs-15/16 were overexpressed during the infection of HepG2 and Huh 7.5 cells with DENV-4 and had a relationship with NS1 protein expression, viral load, and the activity of caspases-3/7, thus making these miRNAs potential injury markers during DENV infection in human hepatocytes.
Microstructural and Morphological Characterization of the Cobalt-Nickel Thin Films Deposited by the Laser-Induced Thermionic Vacuum Arc Method
Authors: Dinca Virginia , Mandes Aurelia , Vladoiu Rodica , Prodan Gabriel , Ciupina Victor , Polosan Silviu
Published: May 2023

Laser Induced-Thermionic Vacuum Arc (LTVA) technology was used for depositing uniform intermetallic CoNi thin films of 100 nm thickness. LTVA is an original deposition method using a combination of the typical Thermionic Vacuum Arc (TVA) system and a laser beam provided by a QUANTEL Q-Smart 850 Nd:YAG compact Q-switched laser with a second harmonic module. The novelty is related to the simultaneous deposition of a bi-component metallic thin film using photonic processes of the laser over the plasma deposition, which improves the roughness but also triggers the composition of the deposited thin film. Structural analysis of the deposited thin films confirms the formation of face-centered cubic (fcc) as the main phase CoNi and hexagonal Co3Ni as the minority phase, observed mainly using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The magneto-optical measurements suggest an isotropic distribution of the CoNi alloy thin films for the in-plan angular rotation. From the low coercive field of Hc = 40 Oe and a saturation field at 900 Oe, the CoNi thin films obtained by LTVA are considered semi-hard magnetic materials. Magnetic force microscopy reveals spherical magnetic nanoparticles with mean size of about 40–50 nm. The resistivity was estimated at ρ = 34.16 μΩ cm, which is higher than the values for bulk Co and Ni.
Mechanism of Sodium Dodecyl Diphenyl Ether Disulfonate Filled Hydrotalcite Inhibiting the Photo-Degradation of Polyvinyl Chloride under Different Ranges of Ultraviolet Wavelength Irradiation
Authors: Zhou Enguo , Liu Yuan , Yuan Huajin , Cheng Xiaoling , Zhong Yuanhong , He Jiebing , Lu Xi
Published: May 2023

This content introduces a novel Ultraviolet (UV)-shielding material, Zn2Al-MADS-LDH (MADS-LDH), which was synthesized through co-precipitation method to insert sodium dodecyl diphenyl ether disulfonate (MADS) into the interlayer of Zn2Al-LDH layered double hydroxide (LDH), to improve the photoaging resistance of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The characterization results indicated that MADS-LDH had a host-guest interaction between the LDH host layer and MADS guest anion, and it exhibited superior UV absorption capabilities than Zn2Al-CO3-LDH (CO3-LDH) and a broader absorption spectrum compared to MADS. A series of LDHs/PVC film composite materials containing LDHs nanosheets were prepared by incorporating the prepared LDHs into a PVC matrix via a solvent casting method. As expected, the MADS-LDH/PVC film composite materials exhibited enhanced photoaging resistance. The results of photoaging tests indicated that MADS-LDH inhibits the rate of carbonyl generation during photoaging of MADS-LDH/PVC film composite materials, resulting in a decrease in the carbonyl index (ΔCl) and relative degradation rate (RDR) compared to pristine PVC film and CO3-LDH/PVC film composite materials. Furthermore, the study evaluated the influence of different UV light wavelength ranges, such as UVB (280~315 nm), UVC (200~280 nm), and UV (200~400 nm), on the aging performance of PVC film and LDHs/PVC film composite materials. The results demonstrated that UV had the highest aging effect on PVC composite films, followed by UVC and UVB. Therefore, the MADS-LDH is a highly efficient and promising UV-shielding material with excellent potential for wide applications in the field of PVC.
Performance-Based Expressway Asphalt Pavement Structural Surface Layer Modulus Matching Mode Research
Authors: He Yonghai , Pu Changyu , Xu Peng , Li Xujia , Yang Guangqing , Meng Huilin
Published: May 2023

The current asphalt pavement design theory is a traditional line elastic theory. The voltage resistance recovery modulus is used as the material stiffness parameter in the design, which does not fully consider the significant differences between the road material pull-up modulus. Therefore, to improve the overall stress of the pavement structure, this article started from the perspective of the volume of the structure layer, analyzed the development characteristics of reflected cracks in terms of the modular volume of different surface layers, and studied the size of each layer. It is proposed to match the asphalt pavement layer modulus with the crack development level. Based on structural computing and simulation, the application of different modular matching modes was verified, and support was provided for the design of the pavement structure. The results showed that with the increase of the surface modulus, the stress intensity factor determined by a semi-analytical method showed a nonlinear decrease trend, and the change of stress intensity factor was not obvious when the modulus was greater than 10,000; the surface layer compression mode ratio increased, and the vertical deformation of the road surface and the top surface pressure of the road base slowly increased, especially when the volume of the pressure pull-up ratio was greater than 1.5. In addition, the impact of the constraint between the surface layer on the vertical deformation of the road table decreased with the decrease in the volume of the surface layer.
Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Ag/TiBx Nanocomposite Thin Films with Strong Antibacterial Effect Prepared by Magnetron Co-Sputtering
Authors: Vidiš Marek , Truchlý Martin , Izai Vitalii , Fiantok Tomáš , Rajninec Miroslav , Roch Tomáš , Satrapinskyy Leonid , Haršáni Marián , Nagy Štefan , Turiničová Veronika , Mikula Marián
Published: May 2023

The use of silver-based antimicrobial materials has been growing recently. Considering the threat of developing silver-resistant bacteria, it is essential to address the endurance of such materials and the amount of silver released into the environment. Here we report on a durable, antibacterial Ag/TiBx nanocomposite coating prepared by conventional magnetron sputtering. The coating consists of fine Ag clusters embedded in extremely hard, wear-resistant overstoichiometric TiBx, which serves as a protective matrix. The highest E. coli growth inhibition of 97% is observed for the coating containing 24 at.% of Ag. A strong antibacterial effect is also maintained after 45 days of immersion in the Luria–Bertani + 5% HNO3 solution. Despite a marked hardness decrease from 40 GPa for TiBx to 6.4 GPa for Ag/TiBx with 28 at.% of Ag, the coating maintains a good specific wear rate of 6 × 10−5 mm3/Nm. Moreover, the addition of Ag, which acts as a solid lubricant, decreases the coefficient of friction from 0.77 to 0.35, even at room temperature. Thanks to the combination of antibacterial properties and enhanced wear resistance, such material can find application as a protective coating for cutlery, door handles, water taps, and other daily-used objects in public areas.
Evaluation of the BioFire® FilmArray® Pneumonia Panel with Conventional Bacterial Culture in Conjunction with Leukocyte Esterase Test
Authors: Yoo In Young , Seok Hyun Soo , Kwon Joo An , Lee Jongmin , Jo Sungjin , Kim Soo Young , Park Yeon-Joon
Published: May 2023

We evaluated the performance of the BioFire® FilmArray® Pneumonia panel (PN-panel) in detecting bacterial pathogens by comparing it to cultures and to the usefulness of the leukocyte esterase (LE) urine strip test. Between January and June 2022, a total of 67 sputum specimens were obtained from community-acquired pneumonia patients. The PN-panel and LE test were performed simultaneously with conventional cultures. The pathogen detection rates of the PN-panel and culture were 40/67 (59.7%) and 25/67 (37.3%), respectively. The concordance rate between the PN-panel and culture was high (76.9%) when the bacterial burden was high (107 copies/mL), but it was low (8.6%) when it was 104−6 copies/mL, irrespective of the sputum quality. According to the LE positivity, the overall culture positive rate and PN-panel positive rate were significantly higher among the LE-positive specimens (23/45, 31/45) than among the LE-negative specimens (2/21, 8/21). Moreover, the difference in concordance rate between the PN-panel test and culture was significant according to the LE positivity, but not the Gram stain grading. In conclusion, the PN-panel showed high concordance when the bacterial burden was high (107 copies/mL) and ancillary use of LE test will be helpful in interpreting the PN-panel results, especially when the copy number of bacterial pathogens is low.
Design of an Over-Actuated Hexacopter Tilt-Rotor for Landing and Coupling in Power Transmission Lines
Authors: Leal Lopes Vitor , Honório Leonardo , Santos Murillo , Pancoti Antônio , Silva Mathaus , Diniz Lucas , Mercorelli Paolo
Published: May 2023

It is known that new power transmission line inspection techniques have been developed over the last few years with great potential to improve and, in some cases, even replace traditional inspection procedures such as using helicopters and cars. A series of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) such as fixed-wing or rotary-wing UAVs, and vehicles that climb on the power transmission line, promise to revolutionize the inspection market. In this light, at least 39 new research studies and/or products have been conducted and/or introduced to the market, respectively. However, in an incipient way, some works point to the fusion of some technologies: the development of multi-rotor UAVs and the ability to connect and move over the power transmission line. In line with this, the current work was proposed, with significant unprecedented advances (such as an over-actuated control capacity with tilt rotors, the capability of a displacement in the angle, and the maintenance of active motors on the power transmission line), and the design, modeling, and control of an over-actuated UAV able to move over the conductor cable without the need for a new locomotion system is presented. The aircraft allows for a greater response and the indispensable ability to approximate landing in a power transmission line arbitrary position rather than the catenary lowest point (due to its ability to forward/backward move using the tilting rotors). Its design is detailed, its subsystems are described, and its normal and coupled flight mode dynamics are modeled. The results show good stability and reliable maneuvers for the coupling-to-power-transmission-line flight mode, without any overshoots, and the ability to follow the entire catenary through different Real Control Action (RCA) sets.
Unknown Input Observer-Based Fixed-Time Trajectory Tracking Control for QUAV with Actuator Saturation and Faults
Authors: Shao Shikai , Xu Shuangyin , Zhao Yuanjie , Wu Xiaojing
Published: May 2023

The trajectory tracking control problem of a quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle (QUAV) subject to external disturbances, inertia uncertainties, actuator faults, and input saturation is addressed in this paper. In contrast with previous works, input saturation herein refers to rotor speed saturation rather than thrust and torque saturation. First, the control system is decoupled into translational and rotational subsystems. Then, for both subsystems, two novel fixed-time unknown input observers (UIO) based on disturbance filtering are developed to estimate the lumped disturbance rapidly and precisely without awareness of the boundary of disturbances. Furthermore, fixed-time tracking controllers for translational and rotational subsystems are proposed based on the estimation values provided by UIO to stabilize tracking errors into a small region in fixed time regardless of the initial values. The theoretical analysis based on the Lyapunov method is presented to demonstrate the stability. Finally, the simulation results show that the proposed control method is effective. The comparison simulation is carried out to validate superiority of the proposed observer and its advantage can be summed up as: (1) the upper bound of the disturbance or its derivative is not needed; (2) the estimation results are smoother and the observation precision is higher due to the absence of sign function; (3) the mutant disturbance can be also estimated quickly and precisely.
The Second Derivative of the NDVI Time Series as an Estimator of Fresh Biomass: A Case Study of Eight Forage Associations Monitored via UAS
Authors: Sánchez Nilda , Plaza Javier , Criado Marco , Pérez-Sánchez Rodrigo , Gómez-Sánchez M. Ángeles , Morales-Corts M. Remedios , Palacios Carlos
Published: May 2023

The estimation of crop yield is a compelling and highly relevant task in the scenario of the challenging climate change we are facing. With this aim, a reinterpretation and a simplification of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) fundamentals are presented to calculate the fresh biomass of forage crops. A normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) series observed from a multispectral camera on board an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) was the basis for the estimation. Eight fields in Spain of different rainfed intercropping forages were flown over simultaneously, with eight field measurements from February to June 2020. The second derivative applied to the NDVI time series determined the key points of the growing cycle, whereas the NDVI values themselves were integrated and multiplied by a standardized value of the normalized water productivity (WP*). The scalability of the method was tested using two scales of the NDVI values: the point scale (at the precise field measurement location) and the plot scale (mean of 400 m2). The resulting fresh biomass and, therefore, the proposal were validated against a dataset of field-observed benchmarks during the field campaign. The agreement between the estimated and the observed fresh biomass afforded a very good prediction in terms of the determination coefficient (R2, that ranged from 0.17 to 0.85) and the agreement index (AI, that ranged from 0.55 to 0.90), with acceptable estimation errors between 10 and 30%. The best period to estimate fresh biomass was found to be between the second fortnight of April and the first fortnight of May.
Laplacian Spectra of Persistent Structures in Taiwan, Singapore, and US Stock Markets
Authors: Yen Peter Tsung-Wen , Xia Kelin , Cheong Siew Ann
Published: May 2023

An important challenge in the study of complex systems is to identify appropriate effective variables at different times. In this paper, we explain why structures that are persistent with respect to changes in length and time scales are proper effective variables, and illustrate how persistent structures can be identified from the spectra and Fiedler vector of the graph Laplacian at different stages of the topological data analysis (TDA) filtration process for twelve toy models. We then investigated four market crashes, three of which were related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In all four crashes, a persistent gap opens up in the Laplacian spectra when we go from a normal phase to a crash phase. In the crash phase, the persistent structure associated with the gap remains distinguishable up to a characteristic length scale where the first non-zero Laplacian eigenvalue changes most rapidly. Before , the distribution of components in the Fiedler vector is predominantly bi-modal, and this distribution becomes uni-modal after Our findings hint at the possibility of understanding market crashs in terms of both continuous and discontinuous changes. Beyond the graph Laplacian, we can also employ Hodge Laplacians of higher order for future research.
Recognition of Ellipsoid-like Herbaceous Tibetan Medicinal Materials Using DenseNet with Attention and ILBP-Encoded Gabor Features
Authors: Zhou Liyuan , Gao Hongmei , Gao Dingguo , Zhao Qijun
Published: May 2023

Tibetan medicinal materials play a significant role in Tibetan culture. However, some types of Tibetan medicinal materials share similar shapes and colors, but possess different medicinal properties and functions. The incorrect use of such medicinal materials may lead to poisoning, delayed treatment, and potentially severe consequences for patients. Historically, the identification of ellipsoid-like herbaceous Tibetan medicinal materials has relied on manual identification methods, including observation, touching, tasting, and nasal smell, which heavily rely on the technicians’ accumulated experience and are prone to errors. In this paper, we propose an image-recognition method for ellipsoid-like herbaceous Tibetan medicinal materials that combines texture feature extraction and a deep-learning network. We created an image dataset consisting of 3200 images of 18 types of ellipsoid-like Tibetan medicinal materials. Due to the complex background and high similarity in the shape and color of the ellipsoid-like herbaceous Tibetan medicinal materials in the images, we conducted a multi-feature fusion experiment on the shape, color, and texture features of these materials. To leverage the importance of texture features, we utilized an improved LBP (local binary pattern) algorithm to encode the texture features extracted by the Gabor algorithm. We inputted the final features into the DenseNet network to recognize the images of the ellipsoid-like herbaceous Tibetan medicinal materials. Our approach focuses on extracting important texture information while ignoring irrelevant information such as background clutter to eliminate interference and improve recognition performance. The experimental results show that our proposed method achieved a recognition accuracy of 93.67% on the original dataset and 95.11% on the augmented dataset. In conclusion, our proposed method could aid in the identification and authentication of ellipsoid-like herbaceous Tibetan medicinal materials, reducing errors and ensuring the safe use of Tibetan medicinal materials in healthcare.
Vertical Integration in the Pediatrics Clerkship: A Case Study
Authors: Hall Julianne M. , Anand Rahul , Copes Lynn E. , Moran-Crusio Kelly , Davis J. Nathan , Doyle Maya , Maffeo Christine , Kilchevsky Eitan S.
Published: May 2023

Since the end of the twentieth century, medical educators continue to review and call for changes that will improve how medical students apply their knowledge of basic sciences to the clinical management of their patients. The traditional 2 + 2 curriculum, where basic sciences are taught during the first two years and were followed by clinical clerkships, was challenged with calls to move towards a Z-shaped integrated curriculum, a model which presents bio-medical sciences and clinical cases in parallel or in connection with one another. Faculty at the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine developed a vertical integration didactic session that presented an eight-year-old child with an acute asthmatic episode. After a brief introduction, clinical and pre-clinical faculty who teach in Years 1–3 and social work faculty met with medical students placed in small groups to discuss their pertinent field; faculty members rotated among the groups. At the end of the session, the students provided feedback and comments for the continuous quality improvement of the session. The session has been taught four times thus far. A majority of the students expressed satisfaction with the opportunity to review basic science concepts during the clerkship and apply these concepts to develop clinical management skills. Students were also excited to discuss social determinants and the effects of a pediatric chronic illness on the whole family. Combining a review of basic and social science concepts with clinical management, with faculty from pre-clinical and clinical years, was enjoyed by our students, who felt this educational approach expanded their ability to better manage clinical problems. While our case is in pediatrics, we believe the method can be applied to other specialties.
Assessing Cultural Intelligence and Its Antecedents in the Portuguese Higher Education Context
Authors: Sousa Marina , Fontão Eunice , Machado Isabel , Mendonça Jorge , Rodrigues José , Freitas Carlos
Published: May 2023

The concept of cultural intelligence has been the object of increasing attention from the scientific community due to its importance in a globalized world. To fulfil their mission, higher education institutions need individuals capable of effectively interacting with others who come from different cultural backgrounds. This study analyzes the level of cultural intelligence and its background in a Portuguese engineering higher education institution. This study used a cultural intelligence scale and applied it to a sample of 445 participants. The results show that individuals in this Portuguese institution have an interesting level of awareness of others’ cultural preferences. However, particular attention should be paid to improving the outcome of the cognitive dimension. The results show the potential of international experiences and activities that foster cultural exposure. Consequently, the managers of institutions should make efforts to promote Erasmus programs or similar internships abroad. In addition, they should promote activities that foster multicultural contact, whether extracurricular activities or multicultural clubs or associations, meetings, lectures or classes with appropriate pedagogical methodologies, for example, experiential or collaborative teaching.
Securely Computing Protocol of Set Intersection under the Malicious Model
Authors: Liu Xin , Chen Weitong , Xiong Neal , Luo Dan , Xu Gang , Chen Xiubo
Published: May 2023

Private set intersection (PSI) is a valuable technique with various practical applications, including secure matching of communication packets in the Internet of Things. However, most of the currently available two-party PSI protocols are based on the oblivious transfer (OT) protocol, which is computationally expensive and results in significant communication overhead. In this paper, we propose a new coding method to design a two-party PSI protocol under the semi-honest model. We analyze possible malicious attacks and then develop a PSI protocol under the malicious model using the Paillier cryptosystem, cut-and-choose, zero-knowledge proof, and other cryptographic tools. By adopting the real/ideal model paradigm, we prove the protocol’s security under the malicious model, which is more efficient compared to the existing related schemes.
Experimental Performance Analysis of Hardware-Based Link Quality Estimation Modelling Applied to Smart Grid Communications
Authors: Tangsunantham Natthanan , Pirak Chaiyod
Published: May 2023

The smart grid is the modern electricity grid, which significantly improves the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of electricity transmission systems. The advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system, which is the essential system in the smart grid, enables real-time data collection and data analysis obtained from smart meters (SMs) and other devices through last-mile communication networks. In this paper, the hardware-based link quality estimation (LQE) was modeled, namely an SNR-based model, a mapping model, and an RSSI- and PRR-based logistic regression model, and their performance was then evaluated by the root mean-squared error (RMSE) with the empirical data. The SNR-based and mapping models were formulated by the packet error probability, whereas the RSSI- and PRR-based logistic regression model was formulated by the empirical data fitting. The RSSI- and PRR-based logistic regression model outperformed the other two models, with an RMSE difference of 111–122%. These LQE models can be implemented on SMs or modems to monitor the reliability and efficiency of the AMI last-mile communication network.
Research and Application of Fast Plugging Method for Fault Zone Formation in Tarim Basin, China
Authors: He Zhong , Fan Sheng , Fang Junwei , Yu Yang , Zhang Jun , Li Shuanggui , Xu Peng
Published: May 2023

The Silurian strata in the Shunbei No. 5 fault zone have the characteristics of long open holes, easy leakage and complex leakage. In the early stages, plugging technologies and methods such as bridging plugging, cement, chemical consolidation and high-water-loss plugging have poor effects and low plugging efficiency. Plugging slurry directly prepared with drilling fluid has low filtration characteristics, and the main reason is that the plugging material cannot filter quickly after the fluid enters the fracture. Based on the basic principle of fast filtration, the main plugging fluid M-Fluid, the micro-elastic high-strength main plugging agent M-Block and the filling agent Filling-Seal have been developed. In combination with the water-loss and wall-building properties of the circulating drilling fluid after plugging, a fast plugging technology for fractured volcanic rock formation has been established. The laboratory evaluation experiment showed that the filtration rate increased rapidly with the increase of temperature, and the filtration rate was about 0.31~0.79 mL/s, while the filtration rate of the drilling fluid was 0.0067 mL/s under the same conditions. The pressure-bearing capacity of various plugging evaluation methods, such as the simulated fracture of a large-grain sand bed, artificial fracture of small core and full-size core and multi-form fracture of double core, all exceed 5 MPa, and the system has a good plugging effect for complex fractures.
A Synergistic Effect of Potassium and Transition Metal Compounds on the Catalytic Behaviour of Hydrolysis Lignin in CO2-Assisted Gasification
Authors: Medvedev Artem A. , Kustov Alexander L. , Beldova Daria A. , Polikarpova Svetlana B. , Ponomarev Valeriy E. , Murashova Elena V. , Sokolovskiy Pavel V. , Kustov Leonid M.
Published: May 2023

CO2-assisted gasification of carbon-based waste materials is one of the processes that both utilises waste carbon chemicals and produces CO, which is a highly sought after raw material. In this work, we aimed at finding and clarifying the synergistic effects of simultaneous potassium and Fe, Co, or Ni-driven catalysis. To reveal the behaviour of such systems, a series with different potassium loadings and a fixed second metal loading of 5 wt.% was prepared. The following methods were applied for this purpose: SEM, TEM, EDX, XRD, electron diffraction, and catalytic tests. The most active sample was found to be 3 wt.% K and 5 wt.% Co- or Fe-loaded hydrolysis lignin. The attained CO2 conversion was up to 92%, while the pure lignin sample demonstrated only 62% conversion under the same conditions.
Forecasting Development of Green Hydrogen Production Technologies Using Component-Based Learning Curves
Authors: Revinova Svetlana , Lazanyuk Inna , Ratner Svetlana , Gomonov Konstantin
Published: May 2023

Hydrogen energy is expected to become one of the most efficient ways to decarbonize global energy and transportation systems. Green hydrogen production costs are currently high but are likely to decline due to the economy of scale and learning-by-doing effects. The purpose of this paper is to forecast future green hydrogen costs based on the multicomponent learning curves approach. The study investigates the learning curves for the main components in hydrogen value chains: electrolyzers and renewable energy. Our findings estimate the learning rates in the production of PEM and AE electrolyzers as 4%, which is quite conservative compared to other studies. The estimations of learning rates in renewable energy electricity generation range from 14.28 to 14.44% for solar-based and 7.35 to 9.63% for wind-based production. The estimation of the learning rate in green hydrogen production ranges from 4% to 10.2% due to uncertainty in data about the cost structure. The study finds that government support is needed to accelerate electrolysis technology development and achieve decarbonization goals by 2050.
Using Microorganismal Consortium and Bioactive Substances to Treat Seeds of Two Scots Pine Ecotypes as a Technique to Increase Re-Afforestation Efficiency on Chalk Outcrops
Authors: Kosolapov Vladimir M. , Cherniavskih Vladmir I. , Dumacheva Elena V. , Sajfutdinova Luiza D. , Zhuchenko Alexander A. , Glinushkin Alexey P. , Grishina Helena V. , Kalinitchenko Valery P. , Akimova Svetlana V. , Semenova Natalia A. , Perelomov Leonid V. , Kozmenko Svetlana V.
Published: May 2023

The present research is focused on various pine ecotypes’ seed reproduction in the chalky substrate, challenging environmental conditions on the carbonate soils on chalk outcrops in the south of the Central Russian Upland in relation to pine woods re-afforestation. The winter and spring sowing methods were studied, along with a pre-seeding treatment, by biopreparations based on a consortium of Glomales fungi, bacteria of the genus Bacillus, and bioactive substances. The seeds of two pine ecotypes, Pinus sylvestris L.; Pinus sylvestris var. cretacea Kalenicz exKom, underwent treatment. The study revealed that biopreparations and bioactive substances promote higher pine seed germination rates and ensure the stability and survivability of seedlings in an environment that is unfavorable for plant and tree ontogenesis. Applying biopreparations proved effective during spring sowing, whereas, in the case of winter sowing, their positive impact was not statistically significant. The net effect size of the three organized factors studied in the experiment (pine ecotype, biopreparation, sowing term) (h2x) on the “survivability of P. sylvestris seedlings” effective feature significantly increased from 90.8 to 93.8%. The effect size of the “pine ecotype” factor on seedling survivability in P. sylvestris was at its highest (14.4%) during the seedlings’ first-year growth period. The effect size of the “sowing term” factor was at its highest (79.4%) at the stage of seed germination. The effect size of the “biopreparation” factor was at its highest (44.0%) during the seedlings’ second-year growth stage. Our results indicate that it is preferable to create forest plantations on chalk outcrops using Pinus sylvestris var. cretacea ecotypes and with pre-sowing seed treatment via biopreparations based on a microorganismal consortium and Biogor KM. The Spearman correlation between the nitrification capacity of soil substrate and seedling survivability during the first three growth periods (from planting till the next year’s springtime) was of a moderate size (rs = 0.617–0.673, p < 0.05). To improve the growth and productivity of young and mature Scots pine stands, a Biogeosystem Technique (BGT*) methodology was developed.
Sclerotia Formation of Phlebopus portentosus under Natural and Artificial Conditions
Authors: Yang Tianwei , Liu Jing , Xu Xinjing , He Mingxia , Gao Feng , Fang Yiwei , Wang Wenbing , Dai Liming , Wang Yun , Zhang Chunxia
Published: May 2023

Phlebopus portentosus is a favorite wild, edible mushroom in the tropical region of China and northern Thailand. P. portentosus is the only bolete in the Boletales order that has been commercially cultivated. Sclerotia produced by the mushroom are often found in its natural habitats and cultivated media. These sclerotia play a key role in its life cycle. However, the regularity and growth characteristics of the sclerotium are unknown. In this paper, the whole process of birth, growth, death and rebirth of the sclerotium of P. portentosus under natural and lab conditions is reported for the first time. Sclerotium formation in nature is due to environmental stress, such as drought or low temperature. The less rainfall, the more sclerotia are produced. It appears that a lower temperature can also initiate sclerotium formation; however, the relationship between sclerotium formation and temperature is not as clear as that between sclerotium formation and rainfall. Under artificial conditions, the sclerotium formation of P. portentosus is related to the fungus’ physiological maturation. The presence of sclerotia is always accompanied by the exudation of liquid droplets on the colony. The results of this study should provide a platform for research on the importance of sclerotium formation in the life cycle of P. portentosus.
Exploring the Influence of Forest Tenure and Protection Status on Post-Fire Recovery in Southeast Australia
Authors: Huettermann Sven , Jones Simon , Soto-Berelov Mariela , Hislop Samuel
Published: May 2023

Research Highlights: We used Landsat time series data to investigate the role forest tenure and protection status play in the recovery of a forest after a fire. Background and Objectives: Changing fire regimes put forests in southeast Australia under increasing pressure. Our investigation aimed to explore the impact of different forest management structures on a forest’s resilience to fire by looking at the post-fire recovery duration. Materials and Methods: The analysis included a total of 60.6 Mha of land containing 25.4 Mha of forest in southeast Australia. Multispectral time series data from Landsat satellites and a local reference dataset were used to model attributes of disturbance and recovery over a period of 33 years. Results: Protected public forest spectrally recovered 0.4 years faster than protected private forest. No other significant effects in relation to different tenure and protection status were found. Climatic and topographic variables were found to have much greater influence on post-fire spectral recovery. Conclusions: Protected area status in public forests resulted in slightly faster recovery, compared with the private protected forest estate. However, factors outside the control of land managers and policy makers, i.e., climatic and topographic variables, appear to have a much greater impact on post-fire recovery.
Spatiotemporal Variations and Determinants of Supply–Demand Balance of Ecosystem Service in Saihanba Region, China
Authors: Liu Chong , Xu Liren , Li Donglin , Huang Yinran , Kang Jiemin , Peng Bo , Huang Xuanrui , Zhang Zhidong
Published: May 2023

Maintaining a supply–demand balance of ecosystem services (ES) is essential for enhancing the effectiveness of ecosystem restoration. However, inappropriate land use and reforestation practices can negatively impact this balance. In this study, the ES balance of the Saihanba region in China was quantified by integrating land use/cover change (LUCC) data, landscape metrics, and ES indicators. The relationship between ES balance and its driving factors was analyzed using spatial panel models. The spatiotemporal changes of landscape patterns from 2002 to 2020 were also explored. The results indicated that the overall ES supply capacity of the study region, especially in the southwestern area, increased during the research period. The ES balance and its determining factors exhibited significant spatial heterogeneity and spillover effects. Large–scale afforestation increased the local ES supply and provided economic benefits, but it also led to ecological issues, including declines in wetland area and landscape fragmentation. Our study emphasized the importance of considering the supply–demand balance in the planning and decision–making of ES, providing insight into multifunctional management and the sustainable development in the Saihanba area.