bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploiting the Rolling Shutter Read-Out Time for ENF-Based Camera Identification
Authors: Ngharamike Ericmoore , Ang Li-Minn , Seng Kah Phooi , Wang Mingzhong
Published: April 2023

The electric network frequency (ENF) is a signal that varies over time and represents the frequency of the energy supplied by a mains power system. It continually varies around a nominal value of 50/60 Hz as a result of fluctuations over time in the supply and demand of power and has been employed for various forensic applications. Based on these ENF fluctuations, the intensity of illumination of a light source powered by the electrical grid similarly fluctuates. Videos recorded under such light sources may capture the ENF and hence can be analyzed to extract the ENF. Cameras using the rolling shutter sampling mechanism acquire each row of a video frame sequentially at a time, referred to as the read-out time (Tro) which is a camera-specific parameter. This parameter can be exploited for camera forensic applications. In this paper, we present an approach that exploits the ENF and the Tro to identify the source camera of an ENF-containing video of unknown source. The suggested approach considers a practical scenario where a video obtained from the public, including social media, is investigated by law enforcement to ascertain if it originated from a suspect’s camera. Our experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach.
CNN-Based Pill Image Recognition for Retrieval Systems
Authors: Al-Hussaeni Khalil , Karamitsos Ioannis , Adewumi Ezekiel , Amawi Rema M.
Published: April 2023

Medication should be consumed as prescribed with little to zero margins for errors, otherwise consequences could be fatal. Due to the pervasiveness of camera-equipped mobile devices, patients and practitioners can easily take photos of unidentified pills to avert erroneous prescriptions or consumption. This area of research goes under the umbrella of information retrieval and, more specifically, image retrieval or recognition. Several studies have been conducted in the area of image retrieval in order to propose accurate models, i.e., accurately matching an input image with stored ones. Recently, neural networks have been shown to be effective in identifying digital images. This study aims to provide an enhancement to image retrieval in terms of accuracy and efficiency through image segmentation and classification. This paper suggests three neural network (CNN) architectures: two models that are hybrid networks paired with a classification method (CNN+SVM and CNN+kNN) and one ResNet-50 network. We perform various preprocessing steps by using several detection techniques on the selected dataset. We conduct extensive experiments using a real-life dataset obtained from the National Library of Medicine database. The results demonstrate that our proposed model is capable of deriving an accuracy of 90.8%. We also provide a comparison of the above-mentioned three models with some existing methods, and we notice that our proposed CNN+kNN architecture improved the pill image retrieval accuracy by 10% compared to existing models.
Hydraulic Performance of Wave-Type Flow at a Sill-Controlled Stilling Basin
Authors: Zhou Yu , Wu Jianhua , Zhao Hai , Hu Jianyong , Bai Fuqing
Published: April 2023

Downstream of the sluice gate or weir, wave-type flows inevitably occur in stilling basins with no tailwater. This paper aims to investigate the hydraulic performance of wave-type flows at a sill-controlled stilling basin through experimental research. The flow pattern, bottom pressure profiles along the stilling basin, and the air concentrations on the bottom and the sidewall were examined in five sill-controlled stilling basins by altering the sill position and the height. The results show that wave-type flow patterns contain submerged and non-submerged jumps, which are relevant to ambient pressure head and air entrainment. The bottom pressure profiles are related to larger pressure fluctuations at large unit discharges and two peak pressure values in the vicinity of the sill. The air concentrations on the bottom and the sidewall decrease with the increasing unit discharge. The flow zone in the vicinity of the sill should be focused upon concerning protection against cavitation damage because of the slight air entrainment and significant pressure fluctuations. These findings advance our understanding of wave-type flows, and their ambient pressure heads and air entrainment are useful for designing the sill-controlled stilling basin in hydraulic engineering.
Investigating the Electro-Optic Response of Steroid Doped Liquid Crystal Devices
Authors: Wolf Steven M. , Marsh Zachary M. , Quarin Steven M. , Lee Kyung Min , Karra Sushma , McConney Michael E. , Grusenmeyer Tod A. , Godman Nicholas P.
Published: April 2023

Nature is highly efficient at producing chiral compounds that are enantiomerically pure. The inherent chirality of naturally occurring biomolecules means that many have the potential to be used as chiral dopants for cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) systems. Though many biomolecules have been identified as chiral dopants, many remain yet to be probed for their ability to function as chiral dopants. Here, 10 naturally occurring biomolecules comprised of steroids and bile acids were tested as chiral dopants for CLCs. Progesterone was identified as having high miscibility with nematic liquid crystals and was used in responsive liquid crystal devices. Progesterone-doped CLC devices were fabricated to exhibit either normal mode or reverse mode switchable behavior. Polymer stabilized CLCs (PSCLC) devices exhibiting dynamic electro-optic red- and blue-tuning behaviors were also fabricated. Furthermore, immiscible lithocholic acid was synthetically modified to afford two derivatives that were miscible at 10 wt. % in nematic liquid crystals. The two lithocholic acid derivatives were used as chiral dopants and incorporated into polymer stabilized CLCs which exhibited blue tuning behavior.
A Numerical Approach of Handling Fractional Stochastic Differential Equations
Authors: Batiha Iqbal M. , Abubaker Ahmad A. , Jebril Iqbal H. , Al-Shaikh Suha B. , Matarneh Khaled
Published: April 2023

This work proposes a new numerical approach for dealing with fractional stochastic differential equations. In particular, a novel three-point fractional formula for approximating the Riemann–Liouville integrator is established, and then it is applied to generate approximate solutions for fractional stochastic differential equations. Such a formula is derived with the use of the generalized Taylor theorem coupled with a recent definition of the definite fractional integral. Our approach is compared with the approximate solution generated by the Euler–Maruyama method and the exact solution for the purpose of verifying our findings.
Application of BCXZM Composite for Arsenic Removal: EPS Production, Biotransformation and Immobilization of Bacillus XZM on Corn Cobs Biochar
Authors: Irshad Sana , Xie Zuoming , Qing Mao , Nawaz Asad , Mehmood Sajid , Alomar Suliman Yousef , Faheem Muhammad , Walayat Noman
Published: April 2023

This study determined the effect of Bacillus XZM extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) production on the arsenic adsorption capacity of the Biochar-Bacillus XZM (BCXZM) composite. The Bacillus XZM was immobilized on corn cobs multifunction biochar to generate the BCXZM composite. The arsenic adsorption capacity of BCXZM composite was optimized at different pHs and As(V) concentrations using a central composite design (CCD)22 and maximum adsorption capacity (42.3 mg/g) was attained at pH 6.9 and 48.9 mg/L As(V) dose. The BCXZM composite showed a higher arsenic adsorption than biochar alone, which was further confirmed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs, EXD graph and elemental overlay as well. The bacterial EPS production was sensitive to the pH, which caused a major shift in the –NH, –OH, –CH, –C=O, –C–N, –SH, –COO and aromatic/-NO2 peaks of FTIR spectra. Regarding the techno economic analysis, it was revealed that USD 6.24 are required to prepare the BCXZM composite to treat 1000 gallons of drinking water (with 50 µg/L of arsenic). Our findings provide insights (such as adsorbent dose, optimum operating temperature and reaction time, and pollution load) for the potential application of the BCXZM composite as bedding material in fixed-bed bioreactors for the bioremediation of arsenic-contaminated water in future.
Screening and Identification of a Prognostic Model of Ovarian Cancer by Combination of Transcriptomic and Proteomic Data
Authors: Jiang Jinghang , Chen Zhongyuan , Wang Honghong , Wang Yifu , Zheng Jie , Guo Yi , Jiang Yonghua , Mo Zengnan
Published: April 2023

The integration of transcriptome and proteome analysis can lead to the discovery of a myriad of biological insights into ovarian cancer. Proteome, clinical, and transcriptome data about ovarian cancer were downloaded from TCGA’s database. A LASSO–Cox regression was used to uncover prognostic-related proteins and develop a new protein prognostic signature for patients with ovarian cancer to predict their prognosis. Patients were brought together in subgroups using a consensus clustering analysis of prognostic-related proteins. To further investigate the role of proteins and protein-coding genes in ovarian cancer, additional analyses were performed using multiple online databases (HPA, Sangerbox, TIMER, cBioPortal, TISCH, and CancerSEA). The final resulting prognosis factors consisted of seven protective factors (P38MAPK, RAB11, FOXO3A, AR, BETACATENIN, Sox2, and IGFRb) and two risk factors (AKT_pS473 and ERCC5), which can be used to construct a prognosis-related protein model. A significant difference in overall survival (OS), disease-free interval (DFI), disease-specific survival (DSS), and progression-free interval (PFI) curves were found in the training, testing, and whole sets when analyzing the protein-based risk score (p < 0.05). We also illustrated a wide range of functions, immune checkpoints, and tumor-infiltrating immune cells in prognosis-related protein signatures. Additionally, the protein-coding genes were significantly correlated with each other. EMTAB8107 and GSE154600 single-cell data revealed that the genes were highly expressed. Furthermore, the genes were related to tumor functional states (angiogenesis, invasion, and quiescence). We reported and validated a survivability prediction model for ovarian cancer based on prognostic-related protein signatures. A strong correlation was found between the signatures, tumor-infiltrating immune cells, and immune checkpoints. The protein-coding genes were highly expressed in single-cell RNA and bulk RNA sequencing, correlating with both each other and tumor functional states.
Vutiglabridin Modulates Paraoxonase 1 and Ameliorates Diet-Induced Obesity in Hyperlipidemic Mice
Authors: Sulaiman Dawoud , Choi Leo Sungwong , Lee Hyeong Min , Shin Jaejin , Kim Dong Hwan , Lee Keun Woo , Eftekhari Pierre , Quartier Angélique , Park Hyung Soon , Reddy Srinivasa T.
Published: April 2023

Vutiglabridin is a clinical-stage synthetic small molecule that is being developed for the treatment of obesity and its target proteins have not been fully identified. Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is an HDL-associated plasma enzyme that hydrolyzes diverse substrates including oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Furthermore, PON1 harbors anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities and has been implicated as a potential therapeutic target for treating various metabolic diseases. In this study, we performed a non-biased target deconvolution of vutiglabridin using Nematic Protein Organisation Technique (NPOT) and identified PON1 as an interacting protein. We examined this interaction in detail and demonstrate that vutiglabridin binds to PON1 with high affinity and protects PON1 against oxidative damage. Vutiglabridin treatment significantly increased plasma PON1 levels and enzyme activity but not PON1 mRNA in wild-type C57BL/6J mice, suggesting that vutiglabridin modulates PON1 post-transcriptionally. We further investigated the effects of vutiglabridin in obese and hyperlipidemic LDLR−/− mice and found that it significantly increases plasma PON1 levels, while decreasing body weight, total fat mass, and plasma cholesterol levels. Overall, our results demonstrate that PON1 is a direct, interacting target of vutiglabridin, and that the modulation of PON1 by vutiglabridin may provide benefits for the treatment of hyperlipidemia and obesity.
Anthropometric Measurements and Admission Parameters as Predictors of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Zdravković Vladimir , Stevanović Đorđe , Ćićarić Neda , Zdravković Nemanja , Čekerevac Ivan , Poskurica Mina , Simić Ivan , Stojić Vladislava , Nikolić Tomislav , Marković Marina , Popović Marija , Divjak Ana , Todorović Dušan , Petrović Marina
Published: April 2023

Aim: We aimed to single out admission predictors of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and investigate the role of bioelectrical impedance (BIA) measurements in ARDS development. Method: An observational, prospective cohort study was conducted on 407 consecutive COVID-19 patients hospitalized at the University Clinical Center Kragujevac between September 2021 and March 2022. Patients were followed during the hospitalization, and ARDS was observed as a primary endpoint. Body composition was assessed using the BMI, body fat percentage (BF%), and visceral fat (VF) via BIA. Within 24 h of admission, patients were sampled for blood gas and laboratory analysis. Results: Patients with BMI above 30 kg/m2, very high BF%, and/or very high VF levels were at a significantly higher risk of developing ARDS compared to nonobese patients (OR: 4.568, 8.892, and 2.448, respectively). In addition, after performing multiple regression analysis, six admission predictors of ARDS were singled out: (1) very high BF (aOR 8.059), (2) SaO2 < 87.5 (aOR 5.120), (3) IL-6 > 59.75 (aOR 4.089), (4) low lymphocyte count (aOR 2.880), (5) female sex (aOR 2.290), and (6) age < 68.5 (aOR 1.976). Conclusion: Obesity is an important risk factor for the clinical deterioration of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. BF%, assessed through BIA measuring, was the strongest independent predictor of ARDS in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
Challenges and Perspectives of Neurological Disorders
Authors: Ningrum Dina Nur Anggraini , Kung Woon-Man
Published: April 2023

Neurological disorders pose significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide [...]
Reliability-Based Proof Load Factors for Assessment of Bridges
Authors: Christensen Christian Overgaard , Damsgaard Kenneth Dahl Schiøttz , Sørensen John Dalsgaard , Engelund Svend , Goltermann Per , Schmidt Jacob Wittrup
Published: April 2023

Advanced reliability assessment can be required when evaluating existing bridge structures through proof load testing. The target load of a proof load test typically requires input from resistance models; however, bridges with a low documentation level are often the most relevant for proof load testing, and resistance models thus involve significant uncertainties. This paper presents a different approach to proof loading and target proof load, in which the resistance model is not included in the determination of this load. Instead, the target proof load is determined based on load models coupled to the desired target failure probability, thus ensuring sufficient safety of the existing bridge. The method is in line with the proposal for a new Eurocode on assessment of existing structures and is deemed to be superior to existing approaches. An essential assumption of the method is that monitoring systems can identify stop criteria before irreversible damage occurs. The approach was applied in a case study, where an OT-slab bridge with a span of 6.5 m was proof-load-tested and reclassified for capacity upgrading of a road stretch in Denmark.
Investigation of the Effectiveness of the Chancel Availability and Geometry of Four Traditional Churches in Malaysia: Simulation Experiment
Authors: Shyh-Qi Cheryl Yew , Abd Jalil Nurul Amira , Din Nazli Bin Che , Pradeepa Chandramouli , Putra Azma , Azeem Waqar
Published: April 2023

Two significant spaces define the soundscape of worship in a church: chancel and nave. The chancel is a space with the primary function of a sound source, where the preachers and choir are often seated during church services. Church design and layout have changed throughout history based on the functional needs of its target congregation. Some modern churches have omitted the chancel to fit contemporary design aesthetics. The main aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the chancel and the acoustics performance of a church. Four churches with varying geometries of circular, polygonal, and rectangular chancels were selected for this study. Two simulations of varying chancel characteristics of chancel availability and chancel geometry were conducted. The recorded speech intelligibility index (STI) and reverberation time (RT) results indicate that chancel availability and geometry significantly affect churches’ acoustic performance. The simulation of the chancel availability mainly affected speech intelligibility, where the models with chancels recorded a higher STI than the models without chancels. In terms of chancel geometry, the results of the STI of the circular chancels were more encouraging than the polygonal and rectangular chancels.
Biochemical and Spectroscopic Characterization of a Recombinant Laccase from Thermoalkaliphilic Bacillus sp. FNT with Potential for Degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Authors: Bueno-Nieto Constanza , Cortés-Antiquera Rodrigo , Espina Giannina , Atalah Joaquín , Villanueva Javiera , Aliaga Carolina , Zuñiga Gustavo E. , Blamey Jenny M.
Published: April 2023

Laccases are industrially relevant enzymes that are known for the wide variety of substrates they can use. In recent years, fungal laccases have been progressively replaced by bacterial laccases in applied contexts due to their capacity to work on harsh conditions including high temperatures, pHs, and chloride concentrations. The focus of researchers has turned specifically towards enzymes from extremophilic organisms because of their robustness and stability. The recombinant versions of enzymes from extremophiles have shown to overcome the problems associated with growing their native host organisms under laboratory conditions. In this work, we further characterize a recombinant spore-coat laccase from Bacillus sp. FNT, a thermoalkaliphilic bacterium isolated from a hot spring in a geothermal site. This recombinant laccase was previously shown to be very active and thermostable, working optimally at temperatures around 70–80 °C. Here, we showed that this enzyme is also resistant to common inhibitors, and we tested its ability to oxidize different polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, as these persistent organic pollutants accumulate in the environment, severely damaging ecosystems and human health. So far, the enzyme was found to efficiently oxidize anthracene, making it a compelling biotechnological tool for biocatalysis and a potential candidate for bioremediation of aromatic contaminants that are very recalcitrant to degradation.
Effect of Decoration of C@TiO2 Core-Shell Composites with Nano-Ag Particles on Photocatalytic Activity in 4-Nitrophenol Degradation
Authors: Sidor Karol , Lehmann Róża , Rokicińska Anna , Berniak Tomasz , Dębosz Marek , Kuśtrowski Piotr
Published: April 2023

Photoactive TiO2 materials based on a C@TiO2 core-shell structure synthesized according to the bottom-up strategy using a spherical resin core were presented in relation to commercial TiO2 (P25) used as a reference material. The studied TiO2 materials were modified with Ag nanoparticles using two alternative methods: impregnation and precipitation. Depending on the deposition technique used, different distributions of the Ag modifier were achieved within the TiO2 structure. As confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements, the precipitation technique resulted in the formation of almost twice smaller, highly dispersed Ag nanoparticles compared to impregnation. Furthermore, the effect of the performed modification on the textural properties (low-temperature N2 adsorption) and surface composition (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) was determined. The phase composition of the TiO2 support as well as the dispersion of the Ag modifier significantly affected the energy gap determined from UV–Vis spectra and, consequently, their performance in the process photodegradation of 4-nitrophenol tested as a model molecule. In the case of the @TiO2 material modified with highly dispersed Ag, significantly higher photoactivity in the visible light range was observed than in the presence of analogous P25-based materials.
Antioxidant Potential Profile of Portuguese Wheat (Bread and Durum) Germplasm
Authors: Garcia-Oliveira Ana Luísa , Aires Alfredo , Carvalho Rosa , Carnide Valdemar , Barros Ana , Lima-Brito José
Published: April 2023

Antioxidant properties of phenolic compounds are presumed responsible for several health benefits due to their capacity to scavenge free radicals and chelate metals prevenient oxidative stress. Since these compounds are ubiquitous in plants, including cereals, the available antioxidant potential profile of wheat genotypes could allow the development of new cultivars with an increased nutritional value that may result in antioxidant-rich foods. In this study, total phenolics content (TPC) was quantified in the whole grain flour of 92 wheat (46 genotypes each from bread and durum) genotypes, which were evaluated under field conditions during 2 different crop seasons (2004-05 and 2009-10). Of the ninety-two, fourteen (six and eight from bread and durum wheat, respectively) genotypes were comprehensively evaluated for antioxidant activity [2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and reducing power] and ferulic acid contents. The results revealed that substantial genotypic variability exists for TPC in wheat genotypes with a mean value of 991 and 787 µg ferulic acid equivalents (FAE)/g DW in bread and durum wheat, respectively. Moreover, bound phenolics as a source of ferulic acid, including both cis- and trans-isomers, were observed as a major contributor to the total phenolics, which must be considered in assessing the antioxidant activity in wheat grain. In conclusion, these findings may also help improve wheat grains as natural sources of antioxidants utilizing selected genotypes in breeding programs.
The Association between Ankle–Brachial Index/Pulse Wave Velocity and Cerebral Large and Small Vessel Diseases in Stroke Patients
Authors: Chang Yu-Ming , Lee Tsung-Lin , Su Hui-Chen , Chien Chung-Yao , Lin Tien-Yu , Lin Sheng-Hsiang , Chen Chih-Hung , Sung Pi-Shan
Published: April 2023

(1) Background: The study investigated whether the ankle–brachial index (ABI) and pulse wave velocity (baPWV) could reflect the severity of small vessel disease (SVD) and large artery atherosclerosis (LAA). (2) Methods: A total of 956 consecutive patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke were prospectively enrolled from July 2016 to December 2017. SVD severity and LAA stenosis grades were evaluated via magnetic resonance imaging and carotid duplex ultrasonography. Correlation coefficients were calculated between the ABI/baPWV and measurement values. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed to determine predictive potential. (3) Results: Among the 820 patients included in the final analysis, the stenosis grade of extracranial and intracranial vessels was inversely correlated with the ABI (p < 0.001, respectively) and positively correlated with the baPWV (p < 0.001 and p = 0.004, respectively). Abnormal ABI, not baPWV, independently predicted the presence of moderate (adjusted odds ratio, aOR: 2.18, 95% CI: 1.31–3.63) to severe (aOR: 5.59, 95% CI: 2.21–14.13) extracranial vessel stenosis and intracranial vessel stenosis (aOR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.15–3.11). Neither the ABI nor baPWV was independently associated with SVD severity. (4) Conclusions: ABI is better than baPWV in screening for and identifying the existence of cerebral large vessel disease, but neither test is a good predictor of cerebral SVD severity.
A Human Capability Perspective on the Progression of Low-SES Students to Higher Education in Ireland and the UK
Authors: Hannon Cliona
Published: April 2023

This article focuses on targeted programs for low-SES students in two selective universities: Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, Ireland (Trinity Access Programmes/TAP) and the University of Oxford, UK (Lady Margaret Hall Foundation Year/LMH FY). The programs were collaborative developments, as examples of the potential of learning and adaptation across geographical contexts. It poses two questions: (a) How did the admissions processes in both universities change to target low-SES students? (b) How do social and academic support services for low-SES students, provided by two universities, contribute to the development of student capabilities? The article draws on the capability approach as the evaluative lens used to explore the two programs. Findings indicate (a) innovative approaches to socio-economic assessment in both programs, resulting in effective targeting of low-SES students, (b) the scaling of the programs beyond their initial remit and (c) the emergence of specific student capabilities through their engagement in the programs.
Secrecy Outage Performance and Power Allocation for Three Secondary Users CR-NOMA Networks with Transmit Antenna Selection
Authors: Lv Shuo , Ji Jianbo
Published: April 2023

Cognitive radio inspired non-orthogonal multiple access (CR-NOMA) networks are a research focus in the wireless communication field. The secure communication of wireless networks has become a pressing issue due to the openness of the wireless channel. Multiple-antenna technology can enhance the secrecy performance in CR-NOMA networks, thus we propose a multiple-input-single-output (MISO) CR-NOMA network where the base station (BS) is equipped with multiple antennas, while others have a single antenna in the paper. The BS serves three secondary users in the presence of an eavesdropper and a primary user. We propose two transmit antenna selection (TAS) schemes, namely the space-time transmission (ST) scheme and the maximum channel capacity (MCC) scheme, respectively. Firstly, we obtain an exact closed-form expression for the secrecy outage probability (SOP) of three secondary users and the overall SOP of the networks with the two schemes, respectively. To gain further insights, the present study analyzes the asymptotic SOP performance to analyze the relationship between the network parameters and secrecy outage performance. Based on this, we propose a power allocation algorithm to further improve the secrecy outage performance of the networks. Finally, we verify the analyses with Monte Carlo simulations. The numerical and simulation results demonstrate that: (1) The MCC scheme outperforms the ST scheme on the secrecy outage performance. (2) The proposed power allocation algorithm optimizes the secrecy outage performance of the networks. (3) There exists a sole respective optimal power allocation factor for a BS different transmission power.
Multi-Hop Knowledge Graph Question Answer Method Based on Relation Knowledge Enhancement
Authors: Wang Tianbin , Huang Ruiyang , Wang Huansha , Zhi Hongxin , Liu Hongji
Published: April 2023

Multi-hop knowledge graph question answer (KGQA) is a challenging task because it requires reasoning over multiple edges of the knowledge graph (KG) to arrive at the right answer. However, KGs are often incomplete with many missing links, posing additional challenges for multi-hop KGQA. Recent research on multi-hop KGQA attempted to deal with KG sparsity with relevant external texts. In our work, we propose a multi-hop KGQA model based on relation knowledge enhancement (RKE-KGQA), which fuses both label and text relations through global attention for relation knowledge augmentation. It is well known that the relation between entities can be represented by labels in the knowledge graph or texts in the text corpus, and multi-hop KGQA needs to jump across different entities through relations. First, we assign an activation probability to each entity, then calculate a score for the enhancement relation, and then transfer the score through the activated relations and, finally, obtain the answer. We carry out extensive experiments on three datasets and demonstrate that RKE-KGQA achieves the outperformance result.
Swarm Exploration and Communications: A First Step towards Mutually-Aware Integration by Probabilistic Learning
Authors: Beck Edgar , Shin Ban-Sok , Wang Shengdi , Wiedemann Thomas , Shutin Dmitriy , Dekorsy Armin
Published: April 2023

Swarm exploration by multi-agent systems relies on stable inter-agent communication. However, so far both exploration and communication have been mainly considered separately despite their strong inter-dependency in such systems. In this paper, we present the first steps towards a framework that unifies both of these realms by a “tight” integration. We propose to make exploration “communication-aware” and communication “exploration-aware” by using tools of probabilistic learning and semantic communication, thus enabling the coordination of knowledge and action in multi-agent systems. We anticipate that by a “tight” integration of the communication chain, the exploration strategy will balance the inference objective of the swarm with exploration-tailored, i.e., semantic, inter-agent communication. Thus, by such a semantic communication design, communication efficiency in terms of latency, required data rate, energy, and complexity may be improved. With this in mind, the research proposed in this work addresses challenges in the development of future distributed sensing and data processing platforms—sensor networks or mobile robotic swarms consisting of multiple agents—that can collect, communicate, and process spatially distributed sensor data.
A Non-Intrusive Load Monitoring Method Based on Feature Fusion and SE-ResNet
Authors: Chen Tie , Qin Huayuan , Li Xianshan , Wan Wenhao , Yan Wenwei
Published: April 2023

In the study of non-intrusive load monitoring, using a single feature for identification can lead to insignificant differentiation of similar loads; however, multi-feature fusion can pool the advantages of different features to improve identification accuracy. Based on this, this paper proposes a recognition method based on feature fusion and matrix heat maps, using V-I traces, phase and amplitude of odd harmonics, and fundamental amplitude. These are converted into matrix heat maps, which can retain both large and small eigenvalues of the same feature for different loads and can retain different features. The matrix heat map is recognized by using SE-ResNet18, which avoids the problem of the classical CNN depth being too deep, causing network degradation and being difficult to train, and achieves trauma-free monitoring of home loads. Finally, the model is validated using the PLAID and REDD datasets, and the average recognition accuracy is 96.24% and 96.4%, respectively, with significant recognition effects for loads with similar V-I trajectories and multi-state loads.
On the Value of Emerging, Day-Ahead Market Related Wind-Storage Narratives in Greece: An Early Empirical Analysis
Authors: Tampakakis Stefanos , Zafirakis Dimitrios
Published: April 2023

Large-scale integration of renewable energy sources introduces high levels of uncertainty in power systems. In addressing the inherent uncertainty of renewables, coupling with energy storage systems allows for improved dispatchability, not only in terms of power system integration but also in terms of market participation. To that end, we currently look into the coupling of wind energy and energy storage and assess the ex-post value of different, day-ahead market related wind–storage narratives. In doing so, we apply practical dispatch strategies using empirical market signals, vary the size of storage, and adopt different cycling patterns, treating the configurations examined as price-taker units. In addition, by integrating different wind regimes and several years of spot price series, we argue that our approach captures different spatial and temporal characteristics; thus, offering a broad, representative view of the value and associated risk of similar market scenarios in the study area of Greece.
Therapeutic and Dietary Support for Gastrointestinal Tract Using Kefir as a Nutraceutical Beverage: Dairy-Milk-Based or Plant-Sourced Kefir Probiotic Products for Vegan and Lactose-Intolerant Populations
Authors: Dahiya Divakar , Nigam Poonam Singh
Published: April 2023

Kefir is a fermented milk beverage different in consistency and taste from other popular milk-product yogurt. Unlike yogurt prepared using lactic acid bacteria in fermentation, milk is fermented for kefir production using preculture in the form of kefir grains. Therefore, the metabolic activities of a mixed culture, including strains of bacteria and yeast, contribute to the probiotic characteristics in kefir. This article is based on the review of published studies on the functionality and nutraceutical properties of kefir. The therapeutic and dietary properties of kefir beverage and its probiotic strains have been discussed for their several health benefits. Concise selected information mostly from recent reports has been presented for two categories of kefir products: milk used for the production of dairy-based traditional kefir beverages for the lactose-tolerant population, and the plant-sourced substrates used for the production of dairy-free kefir beverages for lactose-intolerant and vegan consumers.
Experimental Mixed Gillnets Improve Catches of Narrow-Barred Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson)
Authors: Nguyen Luong Trong , Nguyen Khanh Quoc , Nguyen Toan Phi
Published: April 2023

A new gillnet made from multiple mesh sizes ranging from 125 to 180 mm of stretched mesh (experimental gillnet) was tested under commercial fishing conditions to compare the fishing performance with that of conventional gillnets with a 125 mm mesh opening (control gillnet). Catch efficiency and size selectivity between the two gillnet types were evaluated throughout one year of fishing in three different locations in the waters of Vietnam. Experimental gillnets caught narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson), spotted mackerel (Scomberomorus guttatus), and wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) in comparable amounts to the control gillnets, with the moon phase, month, and depth explaining some of the variation in the catch per unit effort (CPUE). An analysis of the size-dependent catch comparison rates and selectivity parameters showed that the experimental gillnets captured a wider range of narrow-barred Spanish mackerel sizes, but with a substantial proportion of individuals larger than those caught by the control gillnets. This is of higher weight per unit effort, and fishing enterprises therefore could improve their economic benefits by using modified gillnets with multiple mesh sizes. Our findings also support the biological and environmental benefits of the modified gillnet size selection, which might also extend to other species.
Risk and Benefit of Decreasing Seafood Consumption in Japan—Docosahexaenoic Acid, Methylmercury and Infant IQ
Authors: Fujimura Shingo , Yoshinaga Jun
Published: April 2023

National statistics show that seafood consumption in Japan is decreasing since the mid-1990s. The risks and benefits of this decreasing seafood consumption was assessed in this study. Intake of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and methylmercury (MeHg) of women of childbearing age were estimated by using seafood consumption data of women of age 20–39 in the period 2011–2019 and seafood DHA and MeHg content data to find significantly (p < 0.05) decreasing intake of DHA (2.8 mg/day per year) and MeHg (0.19 μg Hg/day per year) in this period. The effect of the decreasing maternal DHA and MeHg intake on infant IQ was estimated by using the equation developed by the FAO/WHO. Net IQ change (the difference in IQ gain by DHA and IQ loss by MeHg) was constant or even increasing, depending on the assumption, in this period while seafood consumption was significantly decreasing. This was due to the decreasing adverse effect of MeHg, along with saturated DHA-derived benefits on infant IQ, even at the decreased seafood consumption of Japanese women of childbearing age. It was indicated that the recent decreasing trend in seafood consumption in Japan did not have an unfavorable effect on infant IQ.
The Rates of Convergence for Functional Limit Theorems with Stable Subordinators and for CTRW Approximations to Fractional Evolutions
Authors: Kolokoltsov Vassili N.
Published: April 2023

From the initial development of probability theory to the present days, the convergence of various discrete processes to simpler continuous distributions remains at the heart of stochastic analysis. Many efforts have been devoted to functional central limit theorems (also referred to as the invariance principle), dealing with the convergence of random walks to Brownian motion. Though quite a lot of work has been conducted on the rates of convergence of the weighted sums of independent and identically distributed random variables to stable laws, the present paper is the first to supply the rates of convergence in the functional limit theorem for stable subordinators. On the other hand, there is a lot of activity on the convergence of CTRWs (continuous time random walks) to processes with memory (subordinated Markov process) described by fractional PDEs. Our second main result is the first one yielding rates of convergence in such a setting. Since CTRW approximations may be used for numeric solutions of fractional equations, we obtain, as a direct consequence of our results, the estimates for error terms in such numeric schemes.
Applied Compressive Strain Governs Hyaline-like Cartilage versus Fibrocartilage-like ECM Produced within Hydrogel Constructs
Authors: Alizadeh Sardroud Hamed , Chen Xiongbiao , Eames B. Frank
Published: April 2023

The goal of cartilage tissue engineering (CTE) is to regenerate new hyaline cartilage in joints and treat osteoarthritis (OA) using cell-impregnated hydrogel constructs. However, the production of an extracellular matrix (ECM) made of fibrocartilage is a potential outcome within hydrogel constructs when in vivo. Unfortunately, this fibrocartilage ECM has inferior biological and mechanical properties when compared to native hyaline cartilage. It was hypothesized that compressive forces stimulate fibrocartilage development by increasing production of collagen type 1 (Col1), an ECM protein found in fibrocartilage. To test the hypothesis, 3-dimensional (3D)-bioprinted hydrogel constructs were fabricated from alginate hydrogel impregnated with ATDC5 cells (a chondrogenic cell line). A bioreactor was used to simulate different in vivo joint movements by varying the magnitude of compressive strains and compare them with a control group that was not loaded. Chondrogenic differentiation of the cells in loaded and unloaded conditions was confirmed by deposition of cartilage specific molecules including glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and collagen type 2 (Col2). By performing biochemical assays, the production of GAGs and total collagen was also confirmed, and their contents were quantitated in unloaded and loaded conditions. Furthermore, Col1 vs. Col2 depositions were assessed at different compressive strains, and hyaline-like cartilage vs. fibrocartilage-like ECM production was analyzed to investigate how applied compressive strain affects the type of cartilage formed. These assessments showed that fibrocartilage-like ECM production tended to reduce with increasing compressive strain, though its production peaked at a higher compressive strain. According to these results, the magnitude of applied compressive strain governs the production of hyaline-like cartilage vs. fibrocartilage-like ECM and a high compressive strain stimulates fibrocartilage-like ECM formation rather than hyaline cartilage, which needs to be addressed by CTE approaches.
Neutral Effect of Skeletal Muscle Mineralocorticoid Receptor on Glucose Metabolism in Mice
Authors: Feraco Alessandra , Gorini Stefania , Mammi Caterina , Lombardo Mauro , Armani Andrea , Caprio Massimiliano
Published: April 2023

The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) is able to regulate the transcription of a number of genes in the myotube, although its roles in skeletal muscle (SM) metabolism still await demonstration. SM represents a major site for glucose uptake, and its metabolic derangements play a pivotal role in the development of insulin resistance (IR). The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of SM MR in mediating derangements of glucose metabolism in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity. We observed that mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD mice) showed impaired glucose tolerance compared to mice fed a normal diet (ND mice). Mice fed a 60% HFD treated with the MR antagonist Spironolactone (HFD + Spiro) for 12 weeks revealed an improvement in glucose tolerance, as measured with an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test, compared with HFD mice. To investigate if blockade of SM MR could contribute to the favorable metabolic effects observed with pharmacological MR antagonism, we analyzed MR expression in the gastrocnemius, showing that SM MR protein abundance is downregulated by HFD compared to ND mice and that pharmacological treatment with Spiro was able to partially revert this effect in HFD + Spiro mice. Differently from what we have observed in adipose tissue, where HDF increased adipocyte MR expression, SM MR protein was down-regulated in our experimental model, suggesting a completely different role of SM MR in the regulation of glucose metabolism. To confirm this hypothesis, we investigated the effects of MR blockade on insulin signaling in a cellular model of IRin C2C12 myocytes, which were treated with or without Spiro. We confirmed MR protein downregulation in insulin-resistant myotubes. We also analyzed Akt phosphorylation upon insulin stimulation, and we did not observe any difference between palmitate- and palmitate + Spiro-treated cells. These results were confirmed by in vitro glucose uptake analysis. Taken together, our data indicate that reduced activity of SM MR does not improve insulin signaling in mouse skeletal myocytes and does not contribute to the favorable metabolic effects on glucose tolerance and IR induced by systemic pharmacological MR blockade.
Signals and Their Perception for Remodelling, Adjustment and Repair of the Plant Cell Wall
Authors: Oelmüller Ralf , Tseng Yu-Heng , Gandhi Akanksha
Published: April 2023

The integrity of the cell wall is important for plant cells. Mechanical or chemical distortions, tension, pH changes in the apoplast, disturbance of the ion homeostasis, leakage of cell compounds into the apoplastic space or breakdown of cell wall polysaccharides activate cellular responses which often occur via plasma membrane-localized receptors. Breakdown products of the cell wall polysaccharides function as damage-associated molecular patterns and derive from cellulose (cello-oligomers), hemicelluloses (mainly xyloglucans and mixed-linkage glucans as well as glucuronoarabinoglucans in Poaceae) and pectins (oligogalacturonides). In addition, several types of channels participate in mechanosensing and convert physical into chemical signals. To establish a proper response, the cell has to integrate information about apoplastic alterations and disturbance of its wall with cell-internal programs which require modifications in the wall architecture due to growth, differentiation or cell division. We summarize recent progress in pattern recognition receptors for plant-derived oligosaccharides, with a focus on malectin domain-containing receptor kinases and their crosstalk with other perception systems and intracellular signaling events.
Plastid Phylogenomic Analyses Reveal a Cryptic Species of Ligusticopsis (Apiaceae, Angiosperms)
Authors: Tian Rongming , Aou Xueyimu , Song Boni , Li Zixuan , He Xingjin , Zhou Songdong
Published: April 2023

Ligusticopsis litangensis is identified and described as a cryptic species from Sichuan Province, China. Although the distribution of this cryptic species overlaps with that of Ligusticopsis capillacea and Ligusticopsis dielsiana, the morphological boundaries between them are explicit and have obviously distinguishable characters. The main distinguishing features of the cryptic species are as follows: long conical multi-branched roots, very short pedicels in compound umbels, unequal rays, oblong-globose fruits, 1–2 vittae per furrow and 3–4 vittae on the commissure. The above-mentioned features differ somewhat from other species within the genus Ligusticopsis, but generally coincide with the morphological boundaries defined for the genus Ligusticopsis. To determine the taxonomic position of L. litangensis, we sequenced and assembled the plastomes of L. litangensis and compared them with the plastomes of 11 other species of the genus Ligusticopsis. Notably, both phylogenetic analyses based on ITS sequences and the complete chloroplast genome robustly supported that three accessions of L. litangensis are monophyletic clade and then nested in Ligusticopsis genus. Moreover, the plastid genomes of 12 Ligusticopsis species, including the new species, were highly conserved in terms of gene order, gene content, codon bias, IR boundaries and SSR content. Overall, the integration of morphological, comparative genomic and phylogenetic evidence indicates that Ligusticopsis litangensis actually represents a new species.
D-Chiro-Inositol and Myo-Inositol Induce WAT/BAT Trans-Differentiation in Two Different Human Adipocyte Models (SGBS and LiSa-2)
Authors: Monastra Giovanni , Gambioli Riccardo , Unfer Vittorio , Forte Gianpiero , Maymo-Masip Elsa , Comitato Raffaella
Published: April 2023

White adipose tissue/brown adipose tissue trans-differentiation is one of the main study targets for therapies against obesity and metabolic diseases. In recent years, numerous molecules able to induce such trans-differentiation have been identified; however, their effect in obesity therapies has not been as expected. In the present study, we investigated whether myo-inositol and its stereoisomer D-chiro-inositol could be involved in the browning of white adipose tissue. Our preliminary results clearly indicate that both, at 60 μM concentration, induce the upregulation of uncoupling protein 1 mRNA expression, the main brown adipose tissue marker, and increase mitochondrial copy number as well as oxygen consumption ratio. These changes demonstrate an activation of cell metabolism. Therefore, our results show that human differentiated adipocytes (SGBS and LiSa-2), assume the features typical of brown adipose tissue after both treatments. Furthermore, in the cell lines examined, we proved that D-chiro-inositol and myo-Inositol induce an increase in the expression of estrogen receptor mRNAs, suggesting a possible modulation by these isomers. We also found an increase in the mRNA of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, a very important target in lipid metabolism and metabolic diseases. Our results open new opportunities for the use of inositols in therapeutic strategies to counteract obesity and its metabolic complications.