bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential of the Red Macroalga Bonnemaisonia hamifera in Reducing Methane Emissions from Ruminants
Authors: Guinguina Abdulai , Hayes Maria , Gröndahl Fredrik , Krizsan Sophie Julie
Published: September 2023

Researchers have been exploring seaweeds to reduce methane (CH4) emissions from livestock. This study aimed to investigate the potential of a red macroalga, B. hamifera, as an alternative to mitigate CH4 emissions. B. hamifera, harvested from the west coast of Sweden, was used in an in vitro experiment using a fully automated gas production system. The experiment was a randomized complete block design consisting of a 48 h incubation that included a control (grass silage) and B. hamifera inclusions at 2.5%, 5.0%, and 7.5% of grass silage OM mixed with buffered rumen fluid. Predicted in vivo CH4 production and total gas production were estimated by applying a set of models to the gas production data and in vitro fermentation characteristics were evaluated. The results demonstrated that the inclusion of B. hamifera reduced (p = 0.01) predicted in vivo CH4 and total gas productions, and total gas production linearly decreased (p = 0.03) with inclusion of B. hamifera. The molar proportion of propionate increased (p = 0.03) while isovalerate decreased (p = 0.04) with inclusion of B. hamifera. Chemical analyses revealed that B. hamifera had moderate concentrations of polyphenols. The iodine content was low, and there was no detectable bromoform, suggesting quality advantages over Asparagopsis taxiformis. Additionally, B. hamifera exhibited antioxidant activity similar to Resveratrol. The findings of this study indicated that B. hamifera harvested from temperate waters of Sweden possesses capacity to mitigate CH4 in vitro.
Antibody-Based Assessment of Coxiella burnetii Circulation in Algerian Goat Herds
Authors: Bento Jaqueline T. , Dahmane Abdeldjalil , Santos-Silva Sérgio , Reghaissia Nassiba , Almeida Daniela , Mesquita João R.
Published: September 2023

Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii), a pathogen with a high capability for infection. The disease primarily affects ruminants, leading to reproductive disorders, but can also be transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals or their products. In Algeria, Q fever is endemic, but little is known about the presence and circulation of C. burnetii in domestic goats. This study aimed to perform a multicentric serological analysis of C. burnetii antibodies in domestic goats from four provinces in the North East Region of Algeria. A total of 504 goat serum samples were collected from 77 herds, and serological analysis was performed using an indirect ELISA. The overall seroprevalence at the herd level was 35.06%, and 8.73% at the individual level. Herds with a history of abortions showed a high seropositivity rate of 88.9%. This research indicates the wide distribution of C. burnetii in goats in this region, suggesting the potential for zoonotic transmission to humans. Further studies and monitoring programs are essential to gain a comprehensive understanding of C. burnetii epidemiology in Algeria and to prevent or mitigate potential outbreaks. Awareness among practitioners and farmers is crucial to address this public health concern effectively.
Bearing Capacity of Foundation and Soil Arching in Rigid Floating Piled Embankments: Numerical Study
Authors: Zhuang Yan , Hu Shunlei , Fan Hu
Published: September 2023

The definition of rigid floating piles in engineering applications remains ambiguous. This paper develops a numerical model of piled embankments and the modeling method is verified through engineering cases. Utilizing this model, the critical bearing capacity of the foundation for rigid floating piles is firstly determined to be approximately 150 kPa. Subsequent parametric studies show that soil arching in a rigid floating piled embankment begins to occur when the ratio of the embankment height to the clear pile spacing H/(s − a) ≥ 1.6. However, plastic failure does not occur in rigid floating piled embankments due to the weaker foundation, indicating that soil arching cannot fully develop. Finally, factors of the embankment fill properties are examined and it is shown that the large friction angle and high cohesion greatly enhance soil arching and reduce settlement in the embankment. The vertical stress above the subsoil decreased by 34.9% with an increase in the friction angle from 20° to 40°. Also shown is that the increase in the cohesion from 1 kPa to 7 kPa reduced the settlement on the top of and the base of embankment by approximately 72% and 58%, respectively. It has also been found that rigid floating piles rely on end resistance and skin friction to sustain the superimposed load.
Memory Allocation Strategy in Edge Programmable Logic Controllers Based on Dynamic Programming and Fixed-Size Allocation
Authors: Cheng Guanghe , Wan Zhong , Ding Wenkang , Sun Ruirui
Published: September 2023

With the explosive growth of data at the edge in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), edge devices are increasingly performing more data processing tasks to alleviate the load on cloud servers. To achieve this goal, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) are gradually transitioning into edge PLCs. However, efficiently executing a large number of computational tasks in memory-limited edge PLCs is a significant challenge. Therefore, there is a need to design an efficient memory allocation strategy for edge PLCs. This paper proposes a dynamic memory allocation strategy for edge PLCs. It adopts an approach of organizing memory into small blocks to handle memory requests from real-time tasks and utilizes a well-performing dynamic programming method for resource allocation problems to handle memory requests from non-real-time tasks. This approach ensures real-time performance while improving the efficiency of non-real-time task processing. In the simulation experiments, the algorithm implemented based on this allocation strategy is compared with the default method and several open-source memory allocators. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm, on average, improves the speed of real-time task processing by 13.7% and achieves a maximum speed improvement of 17.0% for non-real-time task processing. The experimental results show that the allocation strategy effectively improves memory allocation efficiency in memory-limited environments.
Reward Function and Configuration Parameters in Machine Learning of a Four-Legged Walking Robot
Authors: Kubacki Arkadiusz , Adamek Marcin , Baran Piotr
Published: September 2023

In contemporary times, the use of walking robots is gaining increasing popularity and is prevalent in various industries. The ability to navigate challenging terrains is one of the advantages that they have over other types of robots, but they also require more intricate control mechanisms. One way to simplify this issue is to take advantage of artificial intelligence through reinforcement learning. The reward function is one of the conditions that governs how learning takes place, determining what actions the agent is willing to take based on the collected data. Another aspect to consider is the predetermined values contained in the configuration file, which describe the course of the training. The correct tuning of them is crucial for achieving satisfactory results in the teaching process. The initial phase of the investigation involved assessing the currently prevalent forms of kinematics for walking robots. Based on this evaluation, the most suitable design was selected. Subsequently, the Unity3D development environment was configured using an ML-Agents toolkit, which supports machine learning. During the experiment, the impacts of the values defined in the configuration file and the form of the reward function on the course of training were examined. Movement algorithms were developed for various modifications for learning to use artificial neural networks.
Screening of Chemicals to Enhance Oil Recovery in a Mature Sandstone Oilfield in Kazakhstan: Overcoming Challenges of High Residual Oil
Authors: Dauyltayeva Amina , Mukhtarov Aibek , Sagandykova Dilyara , Shakeel Mariam , Pourafshary Peyman , Musharova Darya
Published: September 2023

Chemical flooding, such as alkaline-surfactant (AS) or nanoparticles-surfactant (NS) flooding, is an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technique that has been increasingly utilized to enhance the oil production rate and recovery factor while reducing chemical adsorption. The AS/NS flooding process involves the injection of a mixture of surfactant and alkali/nanoparticles solutions into an oil reservoir to reduce the interfacial tension between the oil and water phases by surfactant and lower surfactant adsorption by alkali or nanoparticles (NPs) to improve the residual oil recovery. In this study, the AS/NS flooding is evaluated for a Kazakhstani oilfield by systematically screening the chemical constituents involved. Field A in Kazakhstan, one of the oldest fields in the country, has been waterflooded for decades and has not produced even 50% of the original oil in place (OOIP). Currently, the water cut of the field is more than 90%, with a high residual oil saturation. Therefore, besides polymer flooding to control mobility, chemical EOR is proposed as a tertiary recovery method to mobilize residual oil. This study aimed to screen chemicals, including surfactant, alkali, and NPs, to design an effective AS/NS flooding program for the target field. The study focused on conducting laboratory experiments to identify the most effective surfactant and further optimize its performance by screening suitable alkaline and NPs based on their compatibility, stability, and adsorption behavior under reservoir conditions. The performance of the screened chemicals in the porous media was analyzed by a set of coreflood experiments. The findings of the study indicated that alkali agents, particularly sodium carbonate, positively affected surfactant performance by reducing its adsorption by 9–21%. The most effective surfactant combination was found, which gave Winsor type III microemulsion and the lowest interfacial tension (IFT) of 0.2 mN/m. The coreflood tests were conducted with the screened surfactant, alkali, and NPs. Both AS and NS tests demonstrated high residual oil recovery and microemulsion production. However, NS flooding performed better as the incremental oil recovery by NS flooding was 5% higher than standalone surfactant flooding and 9% higher than AS flooding. The results of this screening study helped in designing an efficient chemical formulation to improve the remaining oil recovery from Field A. The findings of this study can be used to design EOR projects for oil fields similar to Field A.
DFU-Helper: An Innovative Framework for Longitudinal Diabetic Foot Ulcer Diseases Evaluation Using Deep Learning
Authors: Toofanee Mohammud Shaad Ally , Dowlut Sabeena , Hamroun Mohamed , Tamine Karim , Duong Anh Kiet , Petit Vincent , Sauveron Damien
Published: September 2023

Diabetes affects roughly 537 million people, and is predicted to reach 783 million by 2045. Diabetes Foot Ulcer (DFU) is a major complication associated with diabetes and can lead to lower limb amputation. The rapid evolution of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) necessitates immediate intervention to prevent the severe consequences of amputation and related complications. Continuous and meticulous patient monitoring for individuals with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) is crucial and is currently carried out by medical practitioners on a daily basis. This research article introduces DFU-Helper, a novel framework that employs a Siamese Neural Network (SNN) for accurate and objective assessment of the progression of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) over time. DFU-Helper provides healthcare professionals with a comprehensive visual and numerical representation in terms of the similarity distance of the disease, considering five distinct disease conditions: none, infection, ischemia, both (presence of ischemia and infection), and healthy. The SNN achieves the best Macro F1-score of 0.6455 on the test dataset when applying pseudo-labeling with a pseudo-threshold set to 0.9. The SNN is used in the process of creating anchors for each class using feature vectors. When a patient initially consults a healthcare professional, an image is transmitted to the model, which computes the distances from each class anchor point. It generates a comprehensive table with corresponding figures and a visually intuitive radar chart. In subsequent visits, another image is captured and fed into the model alongside the initial image. DFU-Helper then plots both images and presents the distances from the class anchor points. Our proposed system represents a significant advancement in the application of deep learning for the longitudinal assessment of DFU. To the best of our knowledge, no existing tool harnesses deep learning for DFU follow-up in a comparable manner.
High-Speed Vehicles in Low-Pressure Tunnels—Influence of Choked Flows
Authors: Vardy Alan E.
Published: September 2023

The aerodynamics of high-speed vehicles in evacuated tunnels is studied with particular reference to the consequences of choked flow conditions at the tails of the vehicles. It is shown that this has a dominant influence on overall conditions (pressure, temperature, velocity). Together with the need for the evacuated tunnel system to be closed, the high speeds cause the aerodynamic behaviour to differ greatly from that in conventional railway tunnels. A key purpose of the paper is to assess the relative importance of a large range of parameters and, for clarity, this is completed by focussing on a single vehicle in a single tunnel that is closed at both ends. Consideration is then given to interactions between more than one vehicle and to a twin-tube tunnel configuration in which interactions occur between vehicles moving in opposite directions. The paper closes with a brief mention of system-dependent matters that need to be considered in addition to the generic parameters investigated herein.
Emergent Strings at an Infinite Distance with Broken Supersymmetry
Authors: Basile Ivano
Published: September 2023

We investigate the infinite-distance properties of families of unstable flux vacua in string theory with broken supersymmetry. To this end, we employ a generalized notion of distance in the moduli space and we build a holographic description for the non-perturbative regime of the tunneling cascade in terms of a renormalization group flow. In one limit, we recover an exponentially-light tower of Kaluza-Klein states, while in the opposite limit, we find a tower of higher-spin excitations of D1-branes, realizing the emergent string proposal. In particular, the holographic description includes a free sector, whose emergent superconformal symmetry resonates with supersymmetric stability, the CFT distance conjecture and S-duality. We compute the anomalous dimensions of scalar vertex operators and single-trace higher-spin currents, finding an exponential suppression with the distance which is not generic from the renormalization group perspective, but appears specific to our settings.
Regional Climate Simulation Ensembles within CORDEX-EA Framework over the Loess Plateau: Evaluation and Future Projections
Authors: Liu Siliang
Published: September 2023

As a semi-arid to semi-humid transitional zone, the Loess Plateau is sensitive to climate change due to its fragile ecological environment and geographic features. This study assesses the performance of six historical experiments from the Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) in this region during 1980–2005. In addition, projected future changes in surface air temperature and precipitation are investigated under the representative concentration pathways (RCP) 2.6 and 8.5 during three periods in the 21st century: the early future (2011–2040), middle future (2041–2070), and late future (2071–2099). Results show that experiments reasonably reproduce the spatial pattern of 2m temperature and precipitation for all seasons, yet with a slight warm bias and prominent wet bias. In the future, the area-averaged magnitude of change will be 1.1 °C, 1.4 °C, and 1.4 °C under RCP2.6 and 1.3 °C, 2.7 °C, and 4.5 °C under RCP8.5 for the early, middle, and late periods, respectively. The warming effect is greater in elevated areas. Precipitation change in future periods is more complex, with both increasing and decreasing trends, depending on the season, location, and scenario. The results are expected to provide regional climate information for decision makers and benefit applications such as agriculture, ecological environment protection, and water resource management.
Studying the Regional Transmission of Air Pollution Based on Spatiotemporal Multivariable Data
Authors: Lu Xi , Xue Yong , He Botao , Jiang Xingxing , Wu Shuhui , Wang Xiangkai
Published: September 2023

Imported air pollution has a significant impact on urban air quality. Relevant studies have shown that many urban air pollution events are not resourced by local emissions but are imported by air pollution from surrounding areas transported across regions. The prevention and control of air pollution is very necessary. However, the existing supervision of urban air quality mostly relies on ground monitoring stations, which are extremely limited in time and space, and cannot satisfy continuous time-space air pollution research. Therefore, aiming at the problem of urban air pollution control, this paper used MERRA-2 reanalysis data and ground monitoring data to establish a “Time-Longitude-Latitude” three-dimensional pollution curve, and then a genetic algorithm was used to optimize its fitting. This study finally reconstructed the imported air pollution transmission route. This paper takes an air pollution event that occurred in Xuzhou City, China, on 12 January 2020, as an example. Through the analysis of aerosol optical depth (AOD), particulate matter (PM), wind speed, and other factors, we found the source, transmission route, and impact time of this pollution. We have verified the correctness and accuracy of the reconstructed contamination transport paths. It is proved that the method is universal and it can quickly and accurately restore the air pollution transmission route and identify the urban imported air pollution transmission entrance. This method will also provide strong data support for the division of responsibilities of environmental protection departments in various regions for severe air pollution transmission events and provide effective governance ideas for the prevention and control of imported air pollution in recipient cities.
The Safety Profiles of Two First-Generation NTRK Inhibitors: Analysis of Individual Case Safety Reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) Database
Authors: Liguori Valerio , Gaio Mario , Zinzi Alessia , Cagnotta Cecilia , Riccardi Consiglia , Docimo Giovanni , Capuano Annalisa
Published: September 2023

The first-generation tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) inhibitors, larotrectinib and entrectinib, represent exciting new developments in cancer treatment that offer relevant, rapid, and long-lasting clinical benefits. Larotrectinib and entrectinib are recommended as first-line treatments for locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with positive TRK gene fusions. In this study, using the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database between 2019 and 2022, a retrospective analysis was conducted to evaluate the safety profiles of these drugs. During our study period, 807 individual case safety reports (ICSRs) related to larotrectinib or entrectinib were retrieved from the FAERS database, of which 48.7% referred to females and 24.7% referred to adult patients (18–64 years) with a median age of 61.0 years. A total of 1728 adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were identified. The most frequently reported ADRs were dizziness and pain, which belong to the System Organ Classes (SOCs) “nervous system disorders” and “general disorders and administration site conditions”. Regarding all ADRs, the median time to onset was 37.0 days for larotrectinib and 12.0 days for entrectinib. No evident safety concerns emerged in the long-term safety profiles (>365 days). Only 18 ICSRs were related to pediatric populations (≤16 years), of which 94.0% of the ICSRs were related to larotrectinib. The median age was 10.5 years, while most patients were female (44.4%). Our results show favorable risk-benefit profiles for larotrectinib and entrectinib. Considering the increased use of neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) inhibitors, continuous safety monitoring of larotrectinib and entrectinib is required for the detection of possible new adverse drug reactions.
The Stability of Analytes of Ionized Magnesium Concentration and Its Reference Range in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Al-Maqbali Juhaina Salim , Al Alawi Abdullah M. , Al-Falahi Zubaida , Falhammar Henrik , Al-Zakwani Ibrahim , Al Za’abi Mohammed
Published: September 2023

This study aimed to determine the stability of refrigerated analytes of iMg concentration at different time intervals and to establish iMg reference range in a cohort of healthy Omani volunteers (≥18 years). The concentrations of iMg were measured using the direct ion-selective electrode technique. Pearson’s and Lin’s concordance correlation coefficients along with the Bland–Altman plot were used to assess the levels of agreement between iMg concentrations of fresh and refrigerated blood samples at different time intervals. The study included 167 volunteers (51% females) with a median age of 21 (range: 20–25) years. The median, 2.5th, and 97.5th percentiles for fresh iMg reference ranges were 0.55, 0.47, and 0.68 mmol/L, respectively. The overall agreement between the fresh and refrigerated iMg concentrations was poor (rho-c = 0.51; p < 0.001). However, according to Altman’s definition, iMg concentrations of the refrigerated samples for a period of ≤1 h had an excellent correlation with the fresh iMg concentrations (Lin’s rho-c = 0.80), with a small average bias difference of 0.009 (95%CI; −0.025–0.043). A cut-off refrigeration period within ≤1 h at 2–8 °C can be considered an alternate time frame for the gold standard measurement (fresh or within 0.5 h).
Systematic Exploration of Functional Group Relevance for Anti-Leishmanial Activity of Anisomycin
Authors: Nguyen Anh Minh Thao , Shalev-Benami Moran , Rosa-Teijeiro Chloé , Ibarra-Meneses Ana Victoria , Yonath Ada , Bashan Anat , Jaffe Charles L. , Olivier Martin , Fernandez-Prada Christopher , Lubell William D.
Published: September 2023

Assessment of structure–activity relationships for anti-protozoan activity revealed a strategy for preparing potent anisomycin derivatives with reduced host toxicity. Thirteen anisomycin analogs were synthesized by modifying the alcohol, amine, and aromatic functional groups. Examination of anti-protozoal activity against various strains of Leishmania and cytotoxicity against leucocytes with comparison against the parent natural product demonstrated typical losses of activity with modifications of the alcohol, amine, and aromatic meta-positions. On the other hand, the para-phenol moiety of anisomycin proved an effective location for introducing substituents without significant loss of anti-protozoan potency. An entry point for differentiating activity against Leishmania versus host has been uncovered by this systematic study.
Sensory Gating during Voluntary Finger Movement in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis with Sensory Cortex Hyperexcitability
Authors: Shimizu Toshio , Nakayama Yuki , Bokuda Kota , Takahashi Kazushi
Published: September 2023

Cortical responses in somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) are enhanced in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This study investigated whether sensory gating is involved in the pathophysiology of sensory cortical hyperactivity in ALS patients. The median nerve SEP was recorded at rest and during voluntary finger movements in 14 ALS patients and 13 healthy control subjects. The parietal N20, P25, and frontal N30 were analyzed, and sensory gating was assessed by measuring the amplitude of each component during finger movement. The amplitudes of the N20 onset–peak, N20 peak–P25 peak, and N30 onset–peak were higher in ALS patients than in controls. Nonetheless, there were no significant differences in the amplitude reduction ratio of SEPs between patients and controls. There was a significant correlation between the baseline amplitudes of the N20 onset–peak or N20 peak–P25 peak and their gating ratios in patients with ALS. Our findings indicate that the excitability of the primary sensory cortex and secondary motor cortex is enhanced in ALS, while sensory gating is preserved in the early stages of ALS. This result suggests that enhanced SEP is caused by the hyperexcitability of the primary sensory and secondary motor cortices but not by the dysfunction of inhibitory mechanisms during voluntary movements.
Effects of a Standardized DBT—A Program on Identity Development in Adolescents
Authors: Dixius Andrea , Möhler Eva
Published: September 2023

Background: Identity diffusion plays a central role in the onset of borderline personality disorders. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents (DBT-A) is a treatment program for adolescents with emotional instability and dysregulation. The interest of this study is to examine the potential effects of a standardized and certified DBT-A therapy program on the identity development of adolescents in an inpatient setting. Methods: A total of 138 adolescents aged 13 to 18 years with symptoms of severe emotional instability were assessed before and after a certified and standardized 12-week in-patient DBT-A program targeting emotional regulation with the following standardized instruments: the Assessment of Identity Development in Adolescence (AIDA), Scale of the Experience of Emotions (SEE), and Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R). Results: The results indicate a significant change in identity development, emotion regulation, and general symptoms of psychopathology after treatment with DBT-A. Conclusions: In this large sample of adolescents, DBT-A significantly improved identity development and reduced identity diffusion, however, without a treatment-as-usual control group as a limitation. Nevertheless, our results may become clinically relevant for the prevention of chronic impairment in emotionally unstable adolescents.
Overview of Ni-Based Catalysts for Hydrogen Production from Biogas Reforming
Authors: Manfro Robinson L. , Souza Mariana M. V. M.
Published: September 2023

The environmental impact and the forecasted scarcity of fossil fuels have intensified research on renewable energy sources. Hydrogen is a versatile energy carrier that can be produced from renewable sources and plays a key role in achieving global decarbonization targets. Biogas, produced by anaerobic digestion of organic compounds, is rich in methane and carbon dioxide and can be used to produce renewable hydrogen by dry reforming. This review focuses on the recent advances in Ni-based catalysts for biogas reforming. The effect of supports and promoters on catalyst activity, stability, and resistance to carbon deposition will be systematically discussed. This review provides a better understanding of the influence of the synthesis method, metal-support interaction, acid/base sites, and oxygen mobility on catalytic activity. Special emphasis will be given to the development of core-shell structure catalysts and bimetallic catalysts of Ni with other transition metals and noble metals.
The Biological Functions and Intestinal Inflammation Regulation of IL-21 in Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) during Infection with Aeromonas hydrophila
Authors: Yuan Gaoliang , Zhao Weihua , Zhang Yanwei , Jia Zhao , Chen Kangyong , Wang Junya , Feng Hao , Zou Jun
Published: September 2023

Interleukin (IL) 21 is a pleiotropic cytokine that plays an important role in regulating innate and adaptive immune responses. In fish, the biological functions and cell source of IL-21 remain largely unknown. In this study, we performed qRT-PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescent microscopy to examine the expression of IL-21 at the mRNA and protein levels. We found that il21 expression was induced in the primary head kidney leukocytes of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) by heat-inactivated Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila) and LPS and in tissues after infection with A. hydrophila. Recombinant IL-21 protein produced in the CHO-S cells was effective in elevating the expression of antibacterial genes, including β-defensin and lysozyme, and, interestingly, inhibited the NF-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, we investigated the response of the IL-21 expressing cells to A. hydrophila infection. Immunofluorescent assay showed that IL-21 protein was detected in the CD3γ/δ T cells and was markedly accumulated in the anterior, middle and posterior intestine. Collectively, the results indicate that IL-21 plays an important role in regulating the intestinal inflammation induced by bacterial infection in grass carp.
The Impact of Ca2+ on Intracellular Distribution of Hemoglobin in Human Erythrocytes
Authors: Livshits Leonid , Peretz Sari , Bogdanova Anna , Zoabi Hiba , Eitam Harel , Barshtein Gregory , Galindo Cindy , Feldman Yuri , Pajić-Lijaković Ivana , Koren Ariel , Gassmann Max , Levin Carina
Published: September 2023

The membrane-bound hemoglobin (Hb) fraction impacts red blood cell (RBC) rheology and metabolism. Therefore, Hb–RBC membrane interactions are precisely controlled. For instance, the signaling function of membrane-bound deoxy-Hb and the structure of the docking sites in the cytosolic domain of the anion exchanger 1 (AE-1) protein are well documented; however, much less is known about the interaction of Hb variants with the erythrocyte’s membrane. Here, we identified factors other than O2 availability that control Hb abundance in the membrane-bound fraction and the possible variant-specific binding selectivity of Hb to the membrane. We show that depletion of extracellular Ca2+ by chelators, or its omission from the extracellular medium, leads to membrane-bound Hb release into the cytosol. The removal of extracellular Ca2+ further triggers the redistribution of HbA0 and HbA2 variants between the membrane and the cytosol in favor of membrane-bound HbA2. Both effects are reversible and are no longer observed upon reintroduction of Ca2+ into the extracellular medium. Fluctuations of cytosolic Ca2+ also impact the pre-membrane Hb pool, resulting in the massive transfer of Hb to the cellular cytosol. We hypothesize that AE-1 is the specific membrane target and discuss the physiological outcomes and possible clinical implications of the Ca2+ regulation of the intracellular Hb distribution.
Investigation of Tumor Heterogeneity Using Integrated Single-Cell RNA Sequence Analysis to Focus on Genes Related to Breast Cancer-, EMT-, CSC-, and Metastasis-Related Markers in Patients with HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
Authors: Shiino Sho , Tokura Momoko , Nakayama Jun , Yoshida Masayuki , Suto Akihiko , Yamamoto Yusuke
Published: September 2023

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein, which is characterized by the amplification of ERBB2, is a molecular target for HER2-overexpressing breast cancer. Many targeted HER2 strategies have been well developed thus far. Furthermore, intratumoral heterogeneity in HER2 cases has been observed with immunohistochemical staining and has been considered one of the reasons for drug resistance. Therefore, we conducted an integrated analysis of the breast cancer single-cell gene expression data for HER2-positive breast cancer cases from both scRNA-seq data from public datasets and data from our cohort and compared them with those for luminal breast cancer datasets. In our results, heterogeneous distribution of the expression of breast cancer-related genes (ESR1, PGR, ERBB2, and MKI67) was observed. Various gene expression levels differed at the single-cell level between the ERBB2-high group and ERBB2-low group. Moreover, molecular functions and ERBB2 expression levels differed between estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and ER-negative HER2 cases. Additionally, the gene expression levels of typical breast cancer-, CSC-, EMT-, and metastasis-related markers were also different across each patient. These results suggest that diversity in gene expression could occur not only in the presence of ERBB2 expression and ER status but also in the molecular characteristics of each patient.
Benign Mesothelial Proliferations of the Tunica Vaginalis Testis
Authors: Manini Claudia , López-Fernández Estíbaliz , Cruciano Nicola , Comandone Alessandro , López José I.
Published: September 2023

The correct diagnosis of mesothelial proliferations is a classic problem for pathologists, and one which has important clinical implications. A significant number of such cases appear associated with recurrent hydrocele, as an irritative/reactive response to this condition. The morphological spectrum of mesothelial lesions in this topography is broad, and a set of benign conditions may appear, sometimes with florid gross features and cytologic pseudo-atypia. Here, we present two different examples in which malignancy was initially considered in the differential diagnosis.
Application of Machine Learning Algorithm in Predicting Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis from Breast Cancer on Preoperative Chest CT
Authors: Park Soyoung , Kim Jong Hee , Cha Yoon Ki , Chung Myung Jin , Woo Jung Han , Park Subin
Published: September 2023

Axillary lymph node (ALN) status is one of the most critical prognostic factors in patients with breast cancer. However, ALN evaluation with contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) has been challenging. Machine learning (ML) is known to show excellent performance in image recognition tasks. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the performance of the ML algorithm for predicting ALN metastasis by combining preoperative CECT features of both ALN and primary tumor. This was a retrospective single-institutional study of a total of 266 patients with breast cancer who underwent preoperative chest CECT. Random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and neural network (NN) algorithms were used. Statistical analysis and recursive feature elimination (RFE) were adopted as feature selection for ML. The best ML-based ALN prediction model for breast cancer was NN with RFE, which achieved an AUROC of 0.76 ± 0.11 and an accuracy of 0.74 ± 0.12. By comparing NN with RFE model performance with and without ALN features from CECT, NN with RFE model with ALN features showed better performance at all performance evaluations, which indicated the effect of ALN features. Through our study, we were able to demonstrate that the ML algorithm could effectively predict the final diagnosis of ALN metastases from CECT images of the primary tumor and ALN. This suggests that ML has the potential to differentiate between benign and malignant ALNs.
The Value of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio to Identify Bacterial Infection and Predict Short-Term Mortality in Patients with Acutely Decompensated Cirrhosis
Authors: Janka Tamás , Tornai Dávid , Papp Mária , Vitális Zsuzsanna
Published: September 2023

Liver cirrhosis patients are highly susceptible to infections, affecting survival, but current parameters for detecting infection are not reliable enough in this population. We investigated the ability of white blood cell (WBC), ∆WBC, neutrophil and ∆neutrophil counts, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) and ∆NLR ratios and C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) levels to identify infection and predict short-term mortality in liver cirrhosis patients. We recruited 233 patients with liver cirrhosis hospitalized with acute decompensation (AD) who had an outpatient visit within 1 month (baseline laboratory data) and followed them for 90 days. Difference between laboratory values at baseline and the AD episode was defined as delta (∆) values of the parameters. Delta values did not increase the diagnostic and predictive ability of investigated parameters. The CRP level was found to be the best diagnostic marker for infection in patients with cirrhosis. However, NLR seems to be superior for short-term mortality prediction, better than the WBC count. Distinguishing inflammations of different origin is a remaining clinical challenge in acutely decompensated cirrhosis. Based on our results, NLR might be more suitable for predicting short-term mortality in patients with AD than the WBC count currently included in the CLIF-C AD score.
Predicting Peri-Operative Outcomes in Patients Treated with Percutaneous Thermal Ablation for Small Renal Masses: The SuNS Nephrometry Score
Authors: Musi Gennaro , Luzzago Stefano , Mauri Giovanni , Mistretta Francesco Alessandro , Varano Gianluca Maria , Vaccaro Chiara , Guzzo Sonia , Maiettini Daniele , Di Trapani Ettore , Della Vigna Paolo , Bianchi Roberto , Bonomo Guido , Ferro Matteo , Tian Zhe , Karakiewicz Pierre I. , de Cobelli Ottavio , Orsi Franco , Piccinelli Mattia Luca
Published: September 2023

Our objective was to develop a new, simple, and ablation-specific nephrometry score to predict peri-operative outcomes and to compare its predictive accuracy to PADUA and RENAL scores. Overall, 418 patients were treated with percutaneous thermal ablation (microwave and radiofrequency) between 2008 and 2021. The outcome of interest was trifecta status (achieved vs. not achieved): incomplete ablation or Clavien–Dindo ≥ 3 complications or postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate decrease ≥ 30%. First, we validated the discrimination ability of the PADUA and RENAL scoring systems. Second, we created and internally validated a novel scoring (SuNS) system, according to multivariable logistic regression models. The predictive accuracy of the model was tested in terms of discrimination and calibration. Overall, 89 (21%) patients did not achieve trifecta. PADUA and RENAL scores showed poor ability to predict trifecta status (c-indexes 0.60 [0.53–0.67] and 0.62 [0.55–0.69], respectively). We, therefore, developed the SuNS model (c-index: 0.74 [0.67–0.79]) based on: (1) contact surface area; (2) nearness to renal sinus or urinary collecting system; (3) tumour diameter. Three complexity classes were created: low (3–4 points; 11% of no trifecta) vs. moderate (5–6 points; 30% of no trifecta) vs. high (7–8 points; 65% of no trifecta) complexity. Limitations include the retrospective and single-institution nature of the study. In conclusion, we developed an immediate, simple, and reproducible ablation-specific nephrometry score (SuNS) that outperformed PADUA and RENAL nephrometry scores in predicting peri-operative outcomes. External validation is required before daily practice implementation.
Adjusting the ChildProgramming Methodology to Educational Robotics Teaching and Debugging
Authors: Zúñiga Muñoz Rene Fabián , Mejía Córdoba Isabel Cristina , Salazar España Byron Giovanny , Tenorio Melenje Marilyn , Trujillo Medina María Alejandra , Hurtado Alegría Julio Ariel
Published: September 2023

In 2013, the ChildProgramming methodology was presented as a model for teaching programming to groups of children between 10 and 12 years old, applying collaborative, playful, and agile development strategies. Different projects have been developed at the undergraduate and graduate levels at the Universidad del Cauca, where this methodology has been applied in case studies that have allowed its validation and adjustment, making contributions to the conceptual model (abstraction, transactive memory, gender, and gamification). In this article, a general review of the evolution of the methodology is conducted, and two new approaches that enrich the ChildProgramming methodology, the application of debugging practices, and the inclusion of educational robotics, are presented. The objectives, conceptual model, proposed practices, and the conclusions or results obtained in the validation process of these new elements, carried out in a real work environment applying the case study methodology, are presented. Likewise, the future of the methodology is presented in terms of work in progress and proposals for future work.
Research on Multiple Air-To-Air Refueling Planning Based on Multi-Dimensional Improved NSGA-II Algorithm
Authors: Zhang Zhihao , Huang Zhouhang , Liu Xiaodong , Feng Boyu
Published: September 2023

Reasonable air-to-air refueling planning (AARP) is essential for the successful completion of remote flight missions. A comprehensive task model for air refueling planning is proposed, and the key constraints are determined. The multi-objective optimization algorithm NSGA-II is improved from three distinct perspectives. The performance of the improved NSGA-II was evaluated by selecting test functions from the ZDT series for comparison against the original version. Simulation experiments demonstrate that the improved NSGA-II yields an increase in the average hypervolume index by approximately 10% to 18%, a decrease in the average spacing index by about 22% to 57%, and a reduction in the standard deviation of hypervolume by 27% to 76%. The obtained findings demonstrate that the improved NSGA-II variant exhibits superior convergence, uniformity, and universality. The airspace of the Americas was selected as the mission area to generate 50 AARP schemes for application. Five representative schemes with fuel consumption from 47,083 kg to 104,735 kg, corresponding to time consumption coefficient from 1.27 to 1.07, were chosen as alternatives. This research can enhance the efficiency and stability of air-to-air refueling planning, thereby serving as a valuable theoretical reference for selecting appropriate remote multi-point air refueling schemes.
Remaining Useful Life Prediction Method of PEM Fuel Cells Based on a Hybrid Model
Authors: Tian Qiancheng , Chen Haitao , Ding Shuai , Shu Lei , Wang Lei , Huang Jun
Published: September 2023

To predict the remaining useful life (RUL) of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) in advance, a prediction method based on the voltage recovery model and Bayesian optimization of a multi-kernel relevance vector machine (MK-RVM) is proposed in this paper. First, the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) method was used to preprocess the data, and then MK-RVM was used to train the model. Next, the Bayesian optimization algorithm was used to optimize the weight coefficient of the kernel function to complete the parameter update of the prediction model, and the voltage recovery model was added to the prediction model to realize the rapid and accurate prediction of the RUL of PEMFC. Finally, the method proposed in this paper was applied to the open data set of PEMFC provided by Fuel Cell Laboratory (FCLAB), and the prediction accuracy of RUL for PEMFC was obtained by 95.35%, indicating that this method had good generalization ability and verified the accuracy of the method when predicting the RUL of PEMFC. The realization of long-term projections for PEMFC RUL not only improves the useful life, reliability, and safety of PEMFC but also reduces operating costs and downtime.
Short-Block-Length Low-Density Parity-Check Codes-Based Underwater Acoustic Spread-Spectrum Communication System
Authors: Zhao Zichen , Sun Zongxin
Published: September 2023

Low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes are commonly used in communication systems to improve the system performance, but LDPC codes takes too long for decoding, making communication inefficient and unsuitable for short-frame data transmission methods. In underwater acoustic channels, spread-spectrum communication becomes an effective way to realize long-distance communication. This paper combines short-block LDPC codes with a direct sequence spread spectrum and soft spread spectrum in underwater acoustic communication, addressing the problem of the inapplicability of conventional LDPC codes. The applicability of the proposed method in this paper is verified through simulation tests and pool experiments. The results indicate that the proposed communication system achieves lower bit error rates compared to the classical coding methods used in underwater acoustic spread-spectrum communication systems under the same channel conditions.
Enabling Space-Aware Service Discovery Model in Home Networks through a Compatible Extension to mDNS/DNS-SD
Authors: Liao Chun-Feng , Weng Yu-Jou
Published: September 2023

The advent of the smart home, fueled by the rapid emergence of tiny embedded IoT devices and sensors, brings the consideration of space and location information to the forefront of service discovery. In a smart home environment, spaces often have composite capabilities and complex structures. Since residents may have varying preferences based on their location within different spaces, traditional service discovery results may be suboptimal without considering the spatial context. This paper introduces a seamless approach to integrate space and location information with mDNS/DNS-SD, a widely utilized service discovery protocol in home networks. We provide a formal specification for this approach, develop a prototype, and perform a series of experiments to evaluate the efficacy and potential of the proposed method.
Design and Performance Evaluation of a Compact Frequency-Reconfigurable Coplanar-Waveguide-Fed Slotted Patch Antenna for Multi-Band Wireless Communication
Authors: Ahmad Ashfaq , Lee Geun Ok , Choi Dong-you
Published: September 2023

A miniaturized and low-profile planar antenna is a crucial part of any wireless communication system. To cover additional narrowband services and to reduce system complexity, antennas in portable devices should offer several operating bands. In this paper, we propose a coplanar-waveguide-fed (CPW-fed), flexible, and compact slotted patch frequency reconfigurable antenna with a compact size of 20 × 24 mm2. The designed antenna employs a low-cost Rogers 5880 substrate with a thickness of 0.127 mm. This choice of substrate ensures cost-effectiveness while preserving the desired performance of the antenna. The antenna radiates through five distinct frequency bands, including 5.58–6.25 GHz, 6.05–8.81 GHz, 8.79–9.7 GHz, 9.7–10.22 GHz, and 10.48–15 GHz, depending on the switch on/off condition, thereby enabling the antenna to span a broader range of frequencies for WLAN, C-UWB, sub-6 GHz, and X-band communications. The designed antenna is fabricated and tested in both the on and off states. The measured results closely match the simulated outcomes.