bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of the Intense Meteorological Event Occurred in September 2022 over the Marche Region with WRF Model: Impact of Lightning Data Assimilation on Rainfall and Lightning Prediction
Authors: Torcasio Rosa Claudia , Papa Mario , Del Frate Fabio , Dietrich Stefano , Toffah Felix Enyimah , Federico Stefano
Published: July 2023

A destructive V-shaped thunderstorm occurred over the Marche Region, in Central Italy, on 15 September 2022. Twelve people died during the event, and damage to properties was extensive because the small Misa River flooded the area. The synoptic-scale conditions that caused this disastrous event are analysed and go back to the presence of tropical cyclone Danielle in the eastern Atlantic. The performance of the weather research and forecasting (WRF) model using lightning data assimilation (LDA) is studied in this case by comparing the forecast with the control forecast without lightning data assimilation. The forecast performance is evaluated for precipitation and lightning. The case was characterised by four intense 3-h (3 h) periods. The forecasts of these four 3-h phases are analysed in a very short-term forecast (VSF) approach, in which a 3 h data assimilation phase is followed by a 3 h forecast. A homemade 3D-Var is used for lightning data assimilation with two different configurations: ANL, in which the lightning is assimilated until the start of the forecasting period, and ANL-1H, which assimilates lightning until 1 h before the 3 h forecasting period. A sensitivity test for the number of analyses used is also discussed. Results show that LDA has a significant and positive impact on the precipitation and lightning forecast for this case.
Unraveling Lifelong Brain Morphometric Dynamics: A Protocol for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis in Healthy Neurodevelopment and Ageing
Authors: Statsenko Yauhen , Habuza Tetiana , Smetanina Darya , Simiyu Gillian Lylian , Meribout Sarah , King Fransina Christina , Gelovani Juri G. , Das Karuna M. , Gorkom Klaus N.-V. , Zaręba Kornelia , Almansoori Taleb M. , Szólics Miklós , Ismail Fatima , Ljubisavljevic Milos
Published: July 2023

A high incidence and prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases and neurodevelopmental disorders justify the necessity of well-defined criteria for diagnosing these pathologies from brain imaging findings. No easy-to-apply quantitative markers of abnormal brain development and ageing are available. We aim to find the characteristic features of non-pathological development and degeneration in distinct brain structures and to work out a precise descriptive model of brain morphometry in age groups. We will use four biomedical databases to acquire original peer-reviewed publications on brain structural changes occurring throughout the human life-span. Selected publications will be uploaded to Covidence systematic review software for automatic deduplication and blinded screening. Afterwards, we will manually review the titles, abstracts, and full texts to identify the papers matching eligibility criteria. The relevant data will be extracted to a ‘Summary of findings’ table. This will allow us to calculate the annual rate of change in the volume or thickness of brain structures and to model the lifelong dynamics in the morphometry data. Finally, we will adjust the loss of weight/thickness in specific brain areas to the total intracranial volume. The systematic review will synthesise knowledge on structural brain change across the life-span.
Nab-Paclitaxel in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Cancers—Improvements in Clinical Efficacy and Safety
Authors: Hassan Md Sazzad , Awasthi Niranjan , Ponna Saisantosh , von Holzen Urs
Published: July 2023

Taxanes (paclitaxel and docetaxel) are one of the most useful classes of anticancer drugs. Taxanes are highly hydrophobic; therefore, these drugs must be dissolved in organic solvents (polysorbate or Cremophor EL), which contribute to their toxicities. To reduce this toxicity and to enhance their efficacy, novel formulations have been developed. Nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) is an albumin-stabilized, Cremophor-free, and water-soluble nanoparticle formulation of paclitaxel. Nab-paclitaxel has better solubility and less infusion-associated toxicity compared to solvent-based paclitaxel. Additionally, nab-paclitaxel can be given at higher doses and concentrations compared with solvent-based paclitaxel. Based on its superior clinical efficacy and safety profile, nab-paclitaxel received FDA approval for metastatic breast cancer (2008) and NSCLC (2011). Among gastrointestinal cancers, it is now approved in the USA for treating patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas as first-line therapy in combination with gemcitabine. Furthermore, several clinical trials have suggested the potential efficacy of nab-paclitaxel as a single agent or in combination with other agents for the treatment of metastatic esophageal, gastric, bowel, and biliary tract cancers. Nab-paclitaxel has been demonstrated to have greater overall response rates (ORR) with enhanced progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and a superior safety profile with fewer adverse effects in patients with gastrointestinal tract cancers. This review summarizes the advantages associated with nab-paclitaxel-based regimens in terms of improving clinical efficacy and the safety profile in upper gastrointestinal cancer.
Predicting Lung Function Using Biomarkers in Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
Authors: Spittle Daniella A. , Mansfield Alison , Pye Anita , Turner Alice M. , Newnham Michael
Published: July 2023

Lung disease progression in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is heterogenous and manifests in different ways. Blood biomarkers are an attractive method of monitoring diseases as they are easy to obtain and repeatable. In non-AATD COPD, blood biomarker panels have predicted disease severity, progression, and mortality. We measured a panel of seven serum biomarkers in 200 AATD patients and compared levels between those with COPD and those without. We assessed whether biomarkers were associated with baseline lung function parameters (FEV1 and TLco) or absolute change in these parameters. In total, 111 patients with a severely deficient genotype of AATD (PiZZ) and COPD were included in the analyses. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was measured for biomarker correlations and models were compared using ANOVA. CRP and CCL18 were significantly higher in the serum of AATD COPD versus AATD with no COPD. Biomarkers were not predictive of cross-sectional lung function measurements, however, CC16 was significantly associated with an absolute change in TLco (p = 0.018). An addition of biomarkers to the predictive model for TLco added significant value over covariates alone (R2 0.13 vs. 0.02, p = 0.028). Our findings suggest that CC16 is predictive of emphysema progression in AATD COPD. Proteomics data may reveal alternative candidate biomarkers and further work should include the use of longitudinal biomarker measurements.
Refractory Hypotension in a Late-Onset Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy, Lactic Acidosis, and Stroke-like Episodes (MELAS) Male with m.3243 A>G Mutation: A Case Report
Authors: Wang Youjie , Zhang Enhui , Ye Chen , Wu Bo
Published: July 2023

(1) Introduction: Symptom spectrum can be of great diversity and heterogeneity in mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) patients in clinical practice. Here, we report a case of MELAS presenting asymptomatic refractory hypotension with m.3243 A>G mutation. (2) Case representation: A 51-year-old male patient presented with a headache, vertigo, and difficulty in expression and understanding. The magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed an acute stroke-like lesion involving the left temporoparietal lobe. A definitive diagnosis of MELAS was given after the genetic test identified the chrM-3243 A>G mutation. The patient suffered recurrent stroke-like episodes in the 1-year follow-up. Notably, refractory hypotension was observed during hospitalizations, and no significant improvement in blood pressure was found after continuous use of vasopressor drugs and fluid infusion therapy. (3) Conclusions: We report a case of refractory hypotension which was unresponsive to fluid infusion therapy found in a patient with MELAS. Our case suggests that comprehensive management should be paid attention to during treatment. A further study on the pathological mechanism of the multisystem symptoms in MELAS would be beneficial to the treatment of patients.
Novel Molecular Targets for Immune Surveillance of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Guerra Pietro , Martini Andrea , Pontisso Patrizia , Angeli Paolo
Published: July 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common and aggressive cancer with a high mortality rate. The incidence of HCC is increasing worldwide, and the lack of effective screening programs often results in delayed diagnosis, making it a challenging disease to manage. Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment option for different kinds of cancers, with the potential to stimulate the immune system to target cancer cells. However, the current immunotherapeutic approaches for HCC have shown limited efficacy. Since HCC arises within a complex tumour microenvironment (TME) characterized by the presence of various immune and stromal cell types, the understanding of this interaction is crucial for the identification of effective therapy. In this review, we highlight recent advances in our understanding of the TME of HCC and the immune cells involved in anti-tumour responses, including the identification of new possible targets for immunotherapy. We illustrate a possible classification of HCC based on the tumour immune infiltration and give evidence about the role of SerpinB3, a serine protease inhibitor involved in the regulation of the immune response in different cancers.
Management of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia at Extremes of Age
Authors: Kayser Sabine , Conneely Shannon E.
Published: July 2023

Tailored treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) has revolutionized the outcome of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) from a uniformly fatal disease to one of the most curable malignant diseases in humans. Due to its high efficacy, ATO/ATRA is the standard first-line therapy in younger adult, non-high-risk APL patients. However, early death is still a major issue in APL, particularly in older patients. Thus, rapid diagnostics, immediate access to ATRA-based therapy, and supportive care are of utmost importance. Nevertheless, challenging situations occur, particularly in patients excluded from controlled studies with clinical knowledge mainly based on case reports and registries. Besides the treatment of newly diagnosed patients, managing toxicities and complications remains challenging. This review discusses the approach to the treatment of APL in elderly and pediatric patients.
Programmed Cell Death Pathways in Cholangiocarcinoma: Opportunities for Targeted Therapy
Authors: Scimeca Manuel , Rovella Valentina , Palumbo Valeria , Scioli Maria Paola , Bonfiglio Rita ,   TOR CENTRE, Melino Gerry , Piacentini Mauro , Frati Luigi , Agostini Massimiliano , Candi Eleonora , Mauriello Alessandro
Published: July 2023

Cholangiocarcinoma is a highly aggressive cancer arising from the bile ducts. The limited effectiveness of conventional therapies has prompted the search for new approaches to target this disease. Recent evidence suggests that distinct programmed cell death mechanisms, namely, apoptosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis and necroptosis, play a critical role in the development and progression of cholangiocarcinoma. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the role of programmed cell death in cholangiocarcinoma and its potential implications for the development of novel therapies. Several studies have shown that the dysregulation of apoptotic signaling pathways contributes to cholangiocarcinoma tumorigenesis and resistance to treatment. Similarly, ferroptosis, pyroptosis and necroptosis, which are pro-inflammatory forms of cell death, have been implicated in promoting immune cell recruitment and activation, thus enhancing the antitumor immune response. Moreover, recent studies have suggested that targeting cell death pathways could sensitize cholangiocarcinoma cells to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. In conclusion, programmed cell death represents a relevant molecular mechanism of pathogenesis in cholangiocarcinoma, and further research is needed to fully elucidate the underlying details and possibly identify therapeutic strategies.
Retrospective Analysis of the Correlation of MSI-h/dMMR Status and Response to Therapy for Endometrial Cancer: RAME Study, a Multicenter Experience
Authors: Tuninetti Valentina , Pace Luca , Ghisoni Eleonora , Quarà Virginia , Arezzo Francesca , Palicelli Andrea , Mandato Vincenzo Dario , Geuna Elena , Cormio Gennaro , Biglia Nicoletta , Borsotti Lucia , Gallo Silvia , Ferrero Annamaria , Jacomuzzi Elena , Fuso Luca , Pezua Sanjinez Jeremy Oscar Smith , Puppo Andrea , Caglio Andrea , Rognone Chiara , Turinetto Margherita , Scotto Giulia , Di Maio Massimo , Valabrega Giorgio
Published: July 2023

Background: There is poor evidence regarding sensitivity to chemotherapy in endometrial cancer (EC) based on microsatellite instability (MSI)/mismatch repair (MMR) status. Methodology: The RAME study is a retrospective analysis aiming to assess response to chemotherapy in MSI-high (h)/deficient (d) MMR and MSI-low (l)/proficient (p) MMR EC patients. Primary endpoints were recurrence-free survival (RFS) for patients with localized disease and progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced/recurrent disease. Results: A total of 312 patients treated between 2010 and 2022 in four high-volume Multicenter Italian Trial in Ovarian cancer and gynecological malignancies (MITO) centers were selected. In total, 239 patients had endometrioid EC (76.6%), 151 had FIGO stage I at diagnosis (48.9%) and 71 were MSI-h/dMMR (22.8%). Median age was 65 (range 31–91) years. Among patients with localized disease, median RFS was 100.0 months (95% CI 59.4–140.7) for MSI-l/pMMR and 120.9 months (60.0–181.8) for MSI-h/dMMR (p = 0.39). Seventy-seven patients received first-line chemotherapy for advanced/recurrent disease. Patients with MSI-h/dMMR ECs had a significantly worse OS (p = 0.039). In patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy, no statistically significant differences in PFS (p = 0.21) or OS (p = 0.057) were detected, although PFS and OS were numerically longer in the MSI-l/pMMR population. Conclusions: Patients with metastatic MSI-h/dMMR EC receiving first-line chemotherapy had a significantly worse OS.
Trends in Cancer Incidence in Different Antiretroviral Treatment-Eras amongst People with HIV
Authors: Greenberg Lauren , Ryom Lene , Bakowska Elzbieta , Wit Ferdinand , Bucher Heiner C. , Braun Dominique L. , Phillips Andrew , Sabin Caroline , d’Arminio Monforte Antonella , Zangerle Robert , Smith Colette , De Wit Stéphane , Bonnet Fabrice , Pradier Christian , Mussini Cristina , Muccini Camilla , Vehreschild Jörg J. , Hoy Jennifer , Svedhem Veronica , Miró Jose M. , Wasmuth Jan-Christian , Reiss Peter , Llibre Josep M. , Chkhartishvili Nikoloz , Stephan Christoph , Hatleberg Camilla I. , Neesgaard Bastian , Peters Lars , Jaschinski Nadine , Dedes Nikos , Kuzovatova Elena , Van Der Valk Marc , Menozzi Marianna , Lehmann Clara , Petoumenos Kathy , Garges Harmony , Rooney Jim , Young Lital , Lundgren Jens D. , Bansi-Matharu Loveleen , Mocroft Amanda ,   on behalf of the RESPOND and D:A:D Study Groups
Published: July 2023

Despite cancer being a leading comorbidity amongst individuals with HIV, there are limited data assessing cancer trends across different antiretroviral therapy (ART)-eras. We calculated age-standardised cancer incidence rates (IRs) from 2006–2021 in two international cohort collaborations (D:A:D and RESPOND). Poisson regression was used to assess temporal trends, adjusted for potential confounders. Amongst 64,937 individuals (31% ART-naïve at baseline) and 490,376 total person-years of follow-up (PYFU), there were 3763 incident cancers (IR 7.7/1000 PYFU [95% CI 7.4, 7.9]): 950 AIDS-defining cancers (ADCs), 2813 non-ADCs, 1677 infection-related cancers, 1372 smoking-related cancers, and 719 BMI-related cancers (groups were not mutually exclusive). Age-standardised IRs for overall cancer remained fairly constant over time (8.22/1000 PYFU [7.52, 8.97] in 2006–2007, 7.54 [6.59, 8.59] in 2020–2021). The incidence of ADCs (3.23 [2.79, 3.72], 0.99 [0.67, 1.42]) and infection-related cancers (4.83 [4.2, 5.41], 2.43 [1.90, 3.05]) decreased over time, whilst the incidence of non-ADCs (4.99 [4.44, 5.58], 6.55 [5.67, 7.53]), smoking-related cancers (2.38 [2.01, 2.79], 3.25 [2.63–3.96]), and BMI-related cancers (1.07 [0.83, 1.37], 1.88 [1.42, 2.44]) increased. Trends were similar after adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, HIV-related factors, and ART use. These results highlight the need for better prevention strategies to reduce the incidence of NADCs, smoking-, and BMI-related cancers.
N-Acetylaspartate Drives Oligodendroglial Differentiation via Histone Deacetylase Activation
Authors: Dominicis Alessandra , Del Giovane Alice , Torreggiani Matteo , Recchia Antonella Damiana , Ciccarone Fabio , Ciriolo Maria Rosa , Ragnini-Wilson Antonella
Published: July 2023

An unmet clinical goal in demyelinating pathologies is to restore the myelin sheath prior to neural degeneration. N-acetylaspartate (NAA) is an acetylated derivative form of aspartate, abundant in the healthy brain but severely reduced during traumatic brain injury and in patients with neurodegenerative pathologies. How extracellular NAA variations impact the remyelination process and, thereby, the ability of oligodendrocytes to remyelinate axons remains unexplored. Here, we evaluated the remyelination properties of the oligodendroglial (OL) mouse cell line Oli-neuM under different concentrations of NAA using a combination of biochemical, qPCR, immunofluorescence assays, and in vitro engagement tests, at NAA doses compatible with those observed in healthy brains and during brain injury. We observed that oligodendroglia cells respond to decreasing levels of NAA by stimulating differentiation and promoting gene expression of myelin proteins in a temporally regulated manner. Low doses of NAA potently stimulate Oli-neuM to engage with synthetic axons. Furthermore, we show a concentration-dependent expression of specific histone deacetylases essential for MBP gene expression under NAA or Clobetasol treatment. These data are consistent with the idea that oligodendrocytes respond to lowering the NAA concentration by activating the remyelination process via deacetylase activation.
Perfusion and Ultrasonication Produce a Decellularized Porcine Whole-Ovary Scaffold with a Preserved Microarchitecture
Authors: Almeida Gustavo Henrique Doná Rodrigues , da Silva-Júnior Leandro Norberto , Gibin Mariana Sversut , dos Santos Henrique , de Oliveira Horvath-Pereira Bianca , Pinho Leticia Beatriz Mazo , Baesso Mauro Luciano , Sato Francielle , Hernandes Luzmarina , Long Charles R. , Relly Luciana , Miglino Maria Angelica , Carreira Ana Claudia Oliveira
Published: July 2023

The application of decellularized scaffolds for artificial tissue reconstruction has been an approach with great therapeutic potential in regenerative medicine. Recently, biomimetic ovarian tissue reconstruction was proposed to reestablish ovarian endocrine functions. Despite many decellularization methods proposed, there is no established protocol for whole ovaries by detergent perfusion that is able to preserve tissue macro and microstructure with higher efficiency. This generated biomaterial may have the potential to be applied for other purposes beyond reproduction and be translated to other areas in the tissue engineering field. Therefore, this study aimed to establish and standardize a protocol for porcine ovaries’ decellularization based on detergent perfusion and ultrasonication to obtain functional whole-ovary scaffolds. For that, porcine ovaries (n = 5) were perfused with detergents (0.5% SDS and 1% Triton X-100) and submitted to an ultrasonication bath to produce acellular scaffolds. The decellularization efficiency was evaluated by DAPI staining and total genomic DNA quantification. ECM morphological evaluation was performed by histological, immunohistochemistry, and ultrastructural analyses. ECM physico-chemical composition was evaluated using FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. A cytocompatibility and cell adhesion assay using murine fibroblasts was performed. Results showed that the proposed method was able to remove cellular components efficiently. There was no significant ECM component loss in relation to native tissue, and the scaffolds were cytocompatible and allowed cell attachment. In conclusion, the proposed decellularization protocol produced whole-ovaries scaffolds with preserved ECM composition and great potential for application in tissue engineering.
Escin Activates Canonical Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway by Facilitating the Proteasomal Degradation of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β in Cultured Human Dermal Papilla Cells
Authors: Shin Jae Young , Kim Jaeyoon , Choi Yun-Ho , Lee Sanghwa , Kang Nae-Gyu
Published: July 2023

Abnormal inactivation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is involved in skin diseases like androgenetic alopecia, vitiligo and canities, but small-molecule activators are rarely described. In this study, we investigated the stimulatory effects of escin on the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in cultured human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs). Escin stimulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling, resulting in increased β-catenin and lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (LEF1), the accumulation of nuclear β-catenin and the enhanced expression of Wnt target genes in cultured hDPCs. Escin drastically reduced the protein level of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β, a key regulator of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, while the presence of the proteasome inhibitor MG-132 fully restored the GSK-3β protein level. The treatment of secreted frizzled-related proteins (sFRPs) 1 and 2 attenuated the activity of escin in Wnt reporter assays. Our data demonstrate that escin is a natural agonist of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and downregulates GSK-3β protein expression by facilitating the proteasomal degradation of GSK-3β in cultured hDPCs. Our data suggest that escin likely stimulates Wnt signaling through direct interactions with frizzled receptors. This study underscores the therapeutic potential of escin for Wnt-related diseases such as androgenetic alopecia, vitiligo and canities.
How Plants Tolerate Salt Stress
Authors: Fu Haiqi , Yang Yongqing
Published: July 2023

Soil salinization inhibits plant growth and seriously restricts food security and agricultural development. Excessive salt can cause ionic stress, osmotic stress, and ultimately oxidative stress in plants. Plants exclude excess salt from their cells to help maintain ionic homeostasis and stimulate phytohormone signaling pathways, thereby balancing growth and stress tolerance to enhance their survival. Continuous innovations in scientific research techniques have allowed great strides in understanding how plants actively resist salt stress. Here, we briefly summarize recent achievements in elucidating ionic homeostasis, osmotic stress regulation, oxidative stress regulation, and plant hormonal responses under salt stress. Such achievements lay the foundation for a comprehensive understanding of plant salt-tolerance mechanisms.
The Synergistic Antitumor Effect of Decitabine and Vorinostat Combination on HepG2 Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line via Epigenetic Modulation of Autophagy–Apoptosis Molecular Crosstalk
Authors: Salama Basant M. , Helmy Maged W. , Fouad Hosny , Shamaa Marium M. , Houssen Maha E.
Published: July 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a worldwide health issue. Epigenetic alterations play a crucial role in HCC tumorigenesis. Using epigenetic modulators for HCC treatment confers a promising therapeutic effect. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of a decitabine (DAC) and vorinostat (VOR) combination on the crosstalk between apoptosis and autophagy in the HCC HepG2 cell line at 24 h and 72 h. Median inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) of VOR and DAC were assessed in the HepG2 cell line. The activity of caspase-3 was evaluated colorimetrically, and Cyclin D1(CCND1), Bcl-2, ATG5, ATG7, and P62 levels were assessed using ELISA at different time intervals (24 h and 72 h), while LC3IIB and Beclin-1gene expression were measured by using qRT-PCR. The synergistic effect of VOR and DAC was confirmed due to the observed combination indices (CIs) and dose reduction indices (DRIs). The combined treatment with both drugs inhibited the proliferation marker (CCND1), and enhanced apoptosis compared with each drug alone at 24 h and 72 h (via active caspase-3 upregulation and Bcl-2 downregulation). Moreover, the combination induced autophagy as an early event via upregulation of Beclin-1, LC3IIB, ATG5, and ATG7 gene expression. The initial induction of autophagy started to decrease after 72 h due to Beclin-1 downregulation, and there was decreased expression of LC3IIB compared with the value at 24 h. Herein, epigenetic modulation via the VOR/DAC combination showed an antitumor effect through the coordination of an autophagy–apoptosis crosstalk and promotion of autophagy-induced apoptosis, which ultimately led to the cellular death of HCC cancer cells.
Fluorine-Free Compound Water- and Oil-Repellent: Preparation and Its Application in Molded Pulp
Authors: Weng Xin , Lin Na , Huang Wenting , Liu Minghua
Published: July 2023

Molded pulp is considered an alternative to plastic packaging for its low cost, recyclability and non-pollution characteristics. However, the range of its applications has been limited by hydrophilicity and lipophilicity. Presented herein is a facile and straightforward method for the preparation biodegradable water- and oil-repellant for molded pulp. Sodium alginate-based oil repellent and PDMS-based water repellent were prepared by cross-linking and modification. The two were then mixed in various ratios to obtain compound water- and oil-repellent, which was applied to the molded pulp by dip-coating. The coated paper demonstrated excellent oil resistance (with a kit rating of 11/12) and outstanding water resistance (with a water contact angle of 121.9° and water absorption of 25.8%). This novel, eco-friendly, water- and oil-resistant molded pulp coating prepared from biodegradable and food-contactable materials is a potential candidate to replace petroleum-based coatings and has excellent possibilities to be manufactured on a large-scale intended for food and non-food contact applications.
Photoaligned Tunable Liquid Crystal Lenses with Parabolic Phase Profile
Authors: Bielykh Svitlana P. , Lucchetti Liana , Reshetnyak Victor Yu.
Published: July 2023

We present a theoretical model of a cylindrical tunable liquid crystal lens based on the modulation of anchoring energy. The latter can be easily obtained using photoalignment techniques. The liquid crystal cell we propose exhibits strong anchoring at the top substrate and anchoring energy with a parabolic profile at the bottom substrate. The model describes the dependence of the focal length on the applied voltage and presents a theoretical study of the lens aberrations. The results obtained are of general relevance and can be used to optimize the performances of every type of liquid crystal lens with a parabolic profile.
Fabrication of Ohmic Contact on N-Type SiC by Laser Annealed Process: A Review
Authors: Li Guo , Xu Mingsheng , Zou Dongyang , Cui Yingxin , Zhong Yu , Cui Peng , Cheong Kuan Yew , Xia Jinbao , Nie Hongkun , Li Shuqiang , Linewih Handoko , Zhang Baitao , Xu Xiangang , Han Jisheng
Published: July 2023

In recent years, because of stringent needs in the fabrication of silicon carbide (SiC) power devices, laser annealing has been introduced to achieve local ohmic contact. In this paper, the laser annealing research for the ohmic contact process of SiC power devices is reviewed, which is mainly divided into four aspects: laser process mechanism, ohmic contact electrode materials, and substrate materials. The effect of laser parameters on ohmic contact and the annealing process on SiC diode devices is also reviewed. Progress of other substrate materials, namely 6H-SiC and semi-insulating 4H-SiC-based devices with laser annealed ohmic contacts, is also briefly discussed, in which formation of semi-insulating SiC ohmic contacts is derived from laser irradiation at the interface to produce 3C-SiC. Some experiment results have been shown in the passage, such as XRD, SEM, TEM, etc. In the review, it points out that the direction of application and development of the laser annealing process for improving the ohmic contact of SiC power devices is highly encouraging.
Editorial: Semiconductor Photocatalysts
Authors: Wang Guangzhao , Zhou Tingwei , Wang Sibo
Published: July 2023

Since the discovery of the photocatalytic ability of TiO2 electrodes to decompose water [...]
Crystal Chemistry and First Principles Studies of Novel Superhard Tetragonal C7, C5N2, and C3N4
Authors: Matar Samir F. , Solozhenko Vladimir L.
Published: July 2023

Tetragonal C7, C5N2, and C3N4, characterized by mixed tetrahedral and trigonal atomic hybridizations, have been devised based on crystal chemistry rationale and structural optimization calculations within density functional theory (DFT). Substitution of C(sp2) and C(sp3) in C7 for nitrogen yields α-C5N2 and β-C5N2, respectively, both of which are superhard, cohesive, and stable mechanically (elastic properties) and dynamically (phonon band structures). tet-C3N4 with both nitrogen sites within the C7 structure was found to be cohesive and classified as ductile with a Vickers hardness of 65 GPa. Due to the delocalization of π electrons of the sp2-like hybridized atoms, metallic behavior characterizes all four phases.
Fear of Cancer Recurrence and Coping Strategies among Prostate Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Mardani Abbas , Farahani Mansoureh Ashghali , Khachian Alice , Vaismoradi Mojtaba
Published: July 2023

Background: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR), as a commonly reported problem among prostate cancer survivors, has not been fully understood. This study aimed to explore the experience of FCR and relevant coping strategies among Iranian prostate cancer survivors. Methods: Qualitative research was conducted on 13 men who completed treatments for prostate cancer in the last 24 months. The participants were selected through purposeful sampling, and in-depth semi-structured interviews were used for data collection. Conventional content analysis was used for data analysis. Results: Data analysis led to the emergence of three themes. “Living with insecurity” describes the participants’ experiences regarding what triggers FCR with two categories, including “fear of incomplete cure” and “fear of cancer return.” In addition, “struggling to cope” with two categories, including “psychological strategies” and “spiritual coping,” presents coping strategies used by the participants for reducing FCR. Furthermore, “trying to prevent cancer recurrence” with two categories, “seeking health” and “lifestyle modification,” indicates coping strategies used by the participants to prevent cancer recurrence. Conclusions: Healthcare providers need to consider the cultural characteristics of prostate cancer survivors when assessing their FCR, encourage them to disclose their concerns and fears, and provide tailored interventions in order to reduce FCR among them.
Selected Case Studies on Fastidious Eukaryotic Microorganisms: Issues and Investigation Strategies
Authors: Turchetti Benedetta , Bevivino Annamaria , Casella Patrizia , Coleine Claudia , Felis Giovanna E. , Girometta Carolina Elena , Molino Antonio , Perugini Iolanda , Pollio Antonino , Prigione Valeria , Selbmann Laura , Varese Giovanna Cristina , Buzzini Pietro
Published: July 2023

The concept of fastidious microorganisms currently found in scientific literature is mainly related to the difficulty of isolating/culturing/preserving bacteria. Eukaryotes are investigated much less in this respect, although they represent a fundamental part of the microbial world. Furthermore, not only isolation, but also identification and culturing (in the perspective of long-term preservation) should be considered key aspects often impacting on the study of fastidious microorganisms, especially in terms of preservation in culture collections and biotechnological exploitation. The present review aimed to investigate the current state of the art on fastidious eukaryotes, with special emphasis on the efforts to improve their isolation, identification, culturing and long-term preservation in culture collections practices. A few case studies focused on some fastidious eukaryotic microorganisms (including possible customized solutions to overcome specific issues) are also presented: isolation and preservation of slow-growing fungi, culturing of Haematococcus lacustris, isolation of unialgal strains of Cyanidiophytina (Rhodophyta), identification of Metschnikowia pulcherrima clade yeasts, isolation and preservation of Pyricularia species, preservation of Halophytophtora spp.
RL-Based Detection, Tracking, and Classification of Malicious UAV Swarms through Airborne Cognitive Multibeam Multifunction Phased Array Radar
Authors: Khawaja Wahab , Yaqoob Qasim , Guvenc Ismail
Published: July 2023

Detecting, tracking, and classifying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in a swarm presents significant challenges due to their small and diverse radar cross-sections, multiple flight altitudes, velocities, and close trajectories. To overcome these challenges, adjustments of the radar parameters and/or position of the radar (for airborne platforms) are often required during runtime. The runtime adjustments help to overcome the anomalies in the detection, tracking, and classification of UAVs. The runtime adjustments are performed either manually or through fixed algorithms, each of which can have its limitations for complex and dynamic scenarios. In this work, we propose the use of multi-agent reinforcement learning (RL) to carry out the runtime adjustment of the radar parameters and position of the radar platform. The radar used in our work is a multibeam multifunction phased array radar (MMPAR) placed onboard UAVs. The simulations show that the cognitive adjustment of the MMPAR parameters and position of the airborne platform using RL helps to overcome anomalies in the detection, tracking, and classification of UAVs in a swarm. A comparison with other artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms shows that RL performs better due to the runtime learning of the environment through rewards.
Modeling Cyanotoxin Production, Fate, and Transport in Surface Water Bodies Using CE-QUAL-W2
Authors: Garstecki Bernadel , Wells Scott
Published: July 2023

Cyanobacteria are frequently associated with forming toxic blooms. The toxins produced by cyanobacteria, cyanotoxins, are harmful to both humans and animals. Rising temperatures due to global climate change are expected to increase the occurrence of cyanobacteria, and it is vital that we protect our drinking water supplies and natural water resources. Modeling the production, fate, and transport of these toxins is an important step in limiting exposure to them and evaluating management strategies to mitigate their impact. The research provided here offers an overview of some of the main cyanotoxins of concern and presents preliminary models for the transport and fate of these toxins. Cyanotoxins can be either intracellular or extracellular, and a model for each was developed. The models were incorporated into the two-dimensional (longitudinal and vertical) hydrodynamic and water quality model CE-QUAL-W2. The toxin models were tested using a model of Henry Hagg Lake (Oregon, USA). The models were able to produce similar trends as found in published data, but since the toxin data available at Henry Hagg Lake was minimal, no direct comparisons between model results and field data were made. Four scenarios were conducted to test the functionality of the toxin models in CE-QUAL-W2. The predicted results from each test scenario matched the expected outcomes based on the parameters used in each scenario. Further applications of the toxin models to other water bodies with more consistent toxin data will help verify the accuracy of the models. This research provides a first step at modeling cyanotoxins using CE-QUAL-W2 and provides a framework to further develop the models through continued research of the cyanotoxins.
Heat-Related Knowledge, Risk Perception, and Precautionary Behavior among Indonesian Forestry Workers and Farmers: Implications for Occupational Health Promotion in the Face of Climate Change Impacts
Authors: Yovi Efi Yuliati , Nastiti Anindrya , Kuncahyo Budi
Published: July 2023

Forestry workers play a crucial role in implementing forest management programs, but their outdoor work exposes them to rising temperatures caused by global climate change, which poses potential health risks related to heat. This study specifically investigates the relationship between knowledge of heat-related issues, risk perception, and precautionary behavior among Indonesian forestry workers and paddy farmers in response to the escalating workplace heat exposure. Developing effective precautionary behavior is essential for preventing heat-related health disorders and promoting health protection programs. To investigate the association of the latent variables comprehensively, structured interviews were conducted with two occupational groups of outdoor workers, comprising 210 forestry workers and 215 paddy farmers. The findings indicate that increasing knowledge about heat-related issues promotes precautionary behavior, and risk perception acts as a mediator between knowledge and behavior. Additionally, the study highlights that the emotion of “dread” intensifies the perceived risk and predicts positive behavior changes. To enhance heat-related knowledge, exploring the potential use of a “fear” tone is important. In conclusion, comprehensive strategies should be implemented to promote precautionary behavior among forestry workers, particularly manual laborers, who are more vulnerable compared to farmers.
Pesticide Use and Degradation Strategies: Food Safety, Challenges and Perspectives
Authors: Leskovac Andreja , Petrović Sandra
Published: July 2023

While recognizing the gaps in pesticide regulations that impact consumer safety, public health concerns associated with pesticide contamination of foods are pointed out. The strategies and research directions proposed to prevent and/or reduce pesticide adverse effects on human health and the environment are discussed. Special attention is paid to organophosphate pesticides, as widely applied insecticides in agriculture, veterinary practices, and urban areas. Biotic and abiotic strategies for organophosphate pesticide degradation are discussed from a food safety perspective, indicating associated challenges and potential for further improvements. As food systems are endangered globally by unprecedented challenges, there is an urgent need to globally harmonize pesticide regulations and improve methodologies in the area of food safety to protect human health.
Sensory Interactions between Sweetness and Fat in a Chocolate Milk Beverage
Authors: Pedersen Line , Bertelsen Anne Sjørup , Byrne Derek V. , Kidmose Ulla
Published: July 2023

Fat and sugar-reduced foods and beverages have become increasingly popular for a variety of reasons, mainly relating to health and wellbeing. Depending on the food or beverage, it may be difficult to reduce the fat and/or sugar content and still maintain optimal sensory properties for the specific product. One way of approaching the problem is to gain a better understanding of how a product is affected by a reduction in fat and/or sugar. This paper aims to investigate the sensory interactions between fat and sweetness perception in a chocolate-flavored milk beverage by using a descriptive analysis with a trained sensory panel. The reduction of fat significantly reduced the sweetness intensity of the chocolate milk, while the reduction of sucrose significantly decreased the cream flavor and the fruity and lactic flavor. The perception of acesulfame-K was affected by fat concentration, similarly to sucrose. These results highlight the importance of considering the effects of reducing either sugar and fat on product attributes that are not directly related to the sugar or fat.
Changes in Physicochemical Characteristics and Antioxidant Activities of Dried Shiitake Mushroom in Dry-Moist-Heat Aging Process
Authors: Chaipoot Supakit , Wiriyacharee Pairote , Phongphisutthinant Rewat , Buadoktoom Srirana , Srisuwun Aungkana , Somjai Chalermkwan , Srinuanpan Sirasit
Published: July 2023

Shiitake mushrooms are prized for their unique flavor and bioactive properties. While there has been extensive research on drying methods, a comprehensive investigation of the effects of drying parameters in the dry-moist-heat system on shiitake quality is still needed. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dry-moist-heat aging on dried shiitake mushrooms comprehensively. Four aging temperatures, specifically 50, 60, 70, and 80 °C, were applied to the mushrooms, maintaining a constant humidity level of 75% RH and aging duration of 20 days. Color analysis revealed a progressive decrease in measured values as aging temperature increased, indicating noticeable changes in visual characteristics. Regarding amino acid composition, glutamic acid was found to be the predominant amino acid in shiitake mushrooms in the range of 90.29–467.42 mg/100 g. However, aging led to a reduction in overall amino acid content, with higher aging temperatures resulting in greater decline. Similarly, the equivalent umami content (EUC) also decreased (from 123.99 to 7.12 g MSG/100 g) with the increase in aging temperatures up to 80 °C, suggesting a decline in the overall umami taste sensation. Interestingly, despite the reduction in amino acid levels and umami content, the aging process positively impacted the phenolic compounds and the antioxidant activity of dried shiitake mushrooms. The antioxidative abilities of all aged mushroom extracts for DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP ranged from 65.01 to 81.39 µg TE/mL, 87.04 to 258.33 µg GAE/mL, and 184.50 to 287.68 µg FeSO4/mL, respectively. The utilization of aged temperature at 60 °C for 20 days with controlled relative humidity (~75%) should be a suitable aging condition of this edible mushroom with both antioxidant and umami qualities. Nevertheless, the control sample demonstrated higher levels of amino acid content and EUC compared to the aged samples. Conversely, the aged samples exhibited higher polyphenol content and greater antioxidant activity. Depending on specific requirements, these powders can be used in food formulation as flavor enhancers for control samples or as enriching agents for polyphenols and antioxidant activity in matured samples. Therefore, all of the powders obtained have potential applications in the field of nutrition.
Effects of Polygonatum sibiricum on Physicochemical Properties, Biological Compounds, and Functionality of Fermented Soymilk
Authors: Wan Peng , Liu Han , Zhu Yuanyuan , Xin Haitao , Ma Yanli , Chen Zhizhou
Published: July 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Polygonatum sibiricum (P. sibiricum) on microbial fermentation, physicochemical properties, and functional properties of fermented soymilk. Three types of fermented soymilk were prepared. The first type was fermented directly from regular soymilk (fermented soymilk, FSM), and the other two were fermented after adding P. sibiricum (P. sibiricum fermented soymilk, P-FSM) or P. sibiricum polysaccharides (P. sibiricum polysaccharides fermented soymilk, PP-FSM). The differences in physical and chemical indexes such as pH value, acidity, and water-holding capacity were mainly compared, and the differences in the contents of functional components such as total phenols, total flavonoids, soy isoflavones, γ-aminobutyric acid, and organic acids were compared. The functionalities of the three samples in terms of antioxidant activity were evaluated, and the relevance of each active substance was explored. Compared with the FSM group, the addition of P. sibiricum and P. sibiricum polysaccharides could not only significantly promote the fermentation of Lactobacillus but also significantly improve the stability of the finished products during storage and prolong the shelf life of the finished product. The conversion rates of glycoside soybean isoflavones in the PP-FSM and P-FSM groups were 73% and 69%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the FSM group (64%). At the end of fermentation, the γ-aminobutyric acid contents of the PP-FSM and P-FSM groups were 383.66 ± 1.41 mg/L and 386.27 ± 3.43 mg/L, respectively, while that of the FSM group was only 288.66 ± 3.94 mg/L. There were also great differences in the content and types of organic acids among the three samples, especially lactic acid and acetic acid. By comparing the antioxidant capacity of DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical), AB-TS (2,2′-Azinobis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate), and iron chelation, it was found that both PP-FSM and P-FSM were superior to FSM, and the antioxidant capacity had a certain correlation with the contents of total phenols and total flavonoids.
Co-Dynamics of COVID-19 and Viral Hepatitis B Using a Mathematical Model of Non-Integer Order: Impact of Vaccination
Authors: Omame Andrew , Onyenegecha Ifeoma P. , Raezah Aeshah A. , Rihan Fathalla A.
Published: July 2023

The modeling of biological processes has increasingly been based on fractional calculus. In this paper, a novel fractional-order model is used to investigate the epidemiological impact of vaccination measures on the co-dynamics of viral hepatitis B and COVID-19. To investigate the existence and stability of the new model, we use some fixed point theory results. The COVID-19 and viral hepatitis B thresholds are estimated using the model fitting. The vaccine parameters are plotted against transmission coefficients. The effect of non-integer derivatives on the solution paths for each epidemiological state and the trajectory diagram for infected classes are also examined numerically. An infection-free steady state and an infection-present equilibrium are achieved when R0<1 and R0>1, respectively. Similarly, phase portraits confirm the behaviour of the infected components, showing that, regardless of the order of the fractional derivative, the trajectories of the disease classes always converge toward infection-free steady states over time, no matter what initial conditions are assumed for the diseases. The model has been verified using real observations.
Topological Properties of Solution Sets for τ-Fractional Non-Instantaneous Impulsive Semi-Linear Differential Inclusions with Infinite Delay
Authors: Alsheekhhussain Zainab , Ibrahim Ahmed Gamal , Jawarneh Yousef
Published: July 2023

The knowledge of fractional calculus can be useful in developing models that allow us to better understand and manage some phenomena. In the present paper, we study the topological structure of the mild solution set for a semi-linear differential inclusion containing the τ-Caputo fractional derivative in the presence of non-instantaneous impulses and an infinite delay. We demonstrate that this set is non-empty and an Rδ-set. We use a recent result regarding the existence of solutions for τ-Caputo fractional semi-linear differential inclusions. Unlike many results, we do not suppose that the generating semigroup is compact. An illustrative example is given as an application of our results.