bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kidney Segmentation from Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Integrating Deep Convolutional Neural Networks and Level Set Methods
Authors: El-Melegy Moumen , Kamel Rasha , Abou El-Ghar Mohamed , Alghamdi Norah , El-Baz Ayman
Published: June 2023

The dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) technique has taken on a significant and increasing role in diagnostic procedures and treatments for patients who suffer from chronic kidney disease. Careful segmentation of kidneys from DCE-MRI scans is an essential early step towards the evaluation of kidney function. Recently, deep convolutional neural networks have increased in popularity in medical image segmentation. To this end, in this paper, we propose a new and fully automated two-phase approach that integrates convolutional neural networks and level set methods to delimit kidneys in DCE-MRI scans. We first develop two convolutional neural networks that rely on the U-Net structure (UNT) to predict a kidney probability map for DCE-MRI scans. Then, to leverage the segmentation performance, the pixel-wise kidney probability map predicted from the deep model is exploited with the shape prior information in a level set method to guide the contour evolution towards the target kidney. Real DCE-MRI datasets of 45 subjects are used for training, validating, and testing the proposed approach. The valuation results demonstrate the high performance of the two-phase approach, achieving a Dice similarity coefficient of 0.95 ± 0.02 and intersection over union of 0.91 ± 0.03, and 1.54 ± 1.6 considering a 95% Hausdorff distance. Our intensive experiments confirm the potential and effectiveness of that approach over both UNT models and numerous recent level set-based methods.
Using a 3D Navigation Template to Increase the Accuracy of Thoracic Pedicle Screws in Patients with Scoliosis
Authors: Jiang Cheng-Hao , Shi Yan , Sun Yong-Mei , Cai Ming-Jun , Wu Hai-Long , Hu Li-Sheng , Yu Li-Min , Wang Peng , Shen Jie , Huang Yong-Can , Yu Bin-Sheng
Published: June 2023

This study compares the accuracy and safety of pedicle screw placement using a 3D navigation template with the free-hand fluoroscopy technique in scoliotic patients. Fifteen scoliotic patients were recruited and divided into a template group (eight cases) and a free-hand group (seven cases). All patients received posterior corrective surgeries, and the pedicle screw was placed using a 3D navigation template or a free-hand technique. After surgery, the positions of the pedicle screws were evaluated using CT. A total of 264 pedicle screws were implanted in 15 patients. Both the two techniques were found to achieve satisfactory safety of screw insertion in scoliotic patients (89.9% vs. 90.5%). In the thoracic region, the 3D navigation template was able to achieve a much higher accuracy of screw than the free-hand technique (75.3% vs. 60.4%). In the two groups, the accuracy rates on the convex side were slightly higher than on the concave side, while no significance was seen. In terms of rotational vertebrae, no significant differences were seen in Grades I or II vertebrae between the two groups. In conclusion, the 3D navigation template technique significantly increased the accuracy of thoracic pedicle screw placement, which held great potential for extensively clinical application.
Automated Prediction of Osteoarthritis Level in Human Osteochondral Tissue Using Histopathological Images
Authors: Khader Ateka , Alquran Hiam
Published: June 2023

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common arthritis and the leading cause of lower extremity disability in older adults. Understanding OA progression is important in the development of patient-specific therapeutic techniques at the early stage of OA rather than at the end stage. Histopathology scoring systems are usually used to evaluate OA progress and the mechanisms involved in the development of OA. This study aims to classify the histopathological images of cartilage specimens automatically, using artificial intelligence algorithms. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE)- and safranin O and fast green (SafO)-stained images of human cartilage specimens were divided into early, mild, moderate, and severe OA. Five pre-trained convolutional networks (DarkNet-19, MobileNet, ResNet-101, NasNet) were utilized to extract the twenty features from the last fully connected layers for both scenarios of SafO and HE. Principal component analysis (PCA) and ant lion optimization (ALO) were utilized to obtain the best-weighted features. The support vector machine classifier was trained and tested based on the selected descriptors to achieve the highest accuracies of 98.04% and 97.03% in HE and SafO, respectively. Using the ALO algorithm, the F1 scores were 0.97, 0.991, 1, and 1 for the HE images and 1, 0.991, 0.97, and 1 for the SafO images for the early, mild, moderate, and severe classes, respectively. This algorithm may be a useful tool for researchers to evaluate the histopathological images of OA without the need for experts in histopathology scoring systems or the need to train new experts. Incorporating automated deep features could help to improve the characterization and understanding of OA progression and development.
2,3,5,4′-Tetrahydroxystilbene (TG1), a Novel Compound Derived from 2,3,5,4′-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (THSG), Inhibits Colorectal Cancer Progression by Inducing Ferroptosis, Apoptosis, and Autophagy
Authors: Tsai Kuei-Yen , Wei Po-Li , Lee Cheng-Chin , Makondi Precious Takondwa , Chen Hsin-An , Chang Yao-Yuan , Liu Der-Zen , Huang Chien-Yu , Chang Yu-Jia
Published: June 2023

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide and long-term survival is not guaranteed in metastatic disease despite current multidisciplinary therapies. A new compound 2,3,5,4′-Tetrahydroxystilbene (TG1), derived from THSG (2,3,5,4′-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-Glucoside), has been developed, and its anticancer ability against CRC is verified in this study. Methods: HCT116, HT-29, and DLD-1 were treated with TG1 and the IC50 was measured using a sulforhodamine B assay. A Xenograft mouse model was used to monitor tumor growth. Apoptosis and autophagy, induced by TG1 in CRC cells, were examined. RNA-sequencing analysis of CRC cells treated with TG1 was performed to discover underlying pathways and mechanisms. Results: The results demonstrated that treatment with TG1 inhibited CRC proliferation in vitro and in vivo and induced apoptotic cell death, which was confirmed by Annexin V-FITC/PI staining and Western blotting. Additionally, TG1 treatment increased the level of autophagy in cells. RNA-sequencing and GSEA analyses revealed that TG1 was associated with MYC and the induction of ferroptosis. Furthermore, the ferroptosis inhibitor Bardoxolone abrogated the cytotoxic effect of TG1 in CRC cells, indicating that ferroptosis played a crucial role in TG1-induced cytotoxicity. Conclusions: These findings suggest that TG1 might be a potential and potent compound for clinical use in the treatment of CRC by inhibiting proliferation and inducing ferroptosis through the MYC pathway.
Association of Blood Levels of Vitamin D and Its Binding Protein with Clinical Phenotypes of Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Al-Shammri Suhail , Chattopadhyay Arpita , Hanah Magdy Girgis , Doi Suhail , Akanji Abayomi
Published: June 2023

Background: Low vitamin D levels may synergize with changing levels of the vitamin D binding protein (DBP) to precipitate in the development and clinical progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). In this study, this hypothesis was explored in groups of Kuwaiti healthy controls and patients with different clinical phenotypes of MS. Methods: Fasting serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and DBP were measured in 146 healthy controls and 195 patients with MS. The latter were classified according to the duration, type, and onset of the disease and the mode of treatment. Factors such as relapse/remitting, and the use of nutritional supplements were also considered. Results: The DBP levels were significantly lower in the patients than in the controls. This was more evident in newly diagnosed drug-naïve patients than in those patients with more established MS. MS status and severity were negatively impacted by concurrently low levels of 25(OH)D and DBP. This was most clearly expressed in drug-naïve patients and in those with a disease in relapse. It was also established that the 25(OH)D level had a significant positive correlation with the duration of the disease. Conclusion: Lower levels of 25(OH)D and DBP appear to have a synergistic effect on MS status. This was most clearly demonstrated in patients who were newly diagnosed (drug-naïve) and in those patients who were in relapse.
An Autophagy-Associated MITF–GAS5–miR-23 Loop Attenuates Vascular Oxidative and Inflammatory Damage in Sepsis
Authors: Cheng Junning , Ding Chang , Tang Huying , Zhou Haonan , Wu Mingdong , Chen Yikuan
Published: June 2023

Background: Sepsis induces GAS5 expression in the vascular endothelium, but the molecular mechanism is unclear, as is the role of GAS5 in sepsis. Methods and results: We observed that GAS5 expression in the endothelium was significantly upregulated in a sepsis mouse model. ChIP-PCR and EMSA confirmed that the oxidative stress (OS)-activated MiT–TFE transcription factor (MITF, TFE3, and TFEB)-mediated GAS5 transcription. In vitro, GAS5 overexpression attenuated OS and inflammation in endothelial cells (ECs) while maintaining the structural and functional integrity of mitochondria. In vivo, GAS5 reduced tissue ROS levels, maintained vascular barrier function to reduce leakage, and ultimately attenuated sepsis-induced lung injury. Luciferase reporter assays revealed that GAS5 protected MITF from degradation by sponging miR-23, thereby forming a positive feedback loop consisting of MITF, GAS5, and miR-23. Despite the fact that the OS-activated MITF–GAS5–miR-23 loop boosted MITF-mediated p62 transcription, ECs do not need to increase mitophagy to exert mitochondrial quality control since MITF-mediated Nrf2 transcription exists. Compared to mitophagy, MITF-transcribed p62 prefers to facilitate the autophagic degradation of Keap1 through a direct interaction, thereby relieving the inhibition of Nrf2 by Keap1, indicating that MITF can upregulate Nrf2 at both the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. Following this, ChIP-PCR demonstrated that Nrf2 can also transcribe MITF, revealing that there is a reciprocal positive regulatory association between MITF and Nrf2. Conclusion: In sepsis, the ROS-activated MITF–GAS5–miR-23 loop integrated the antioxidant and autophagy systems through MITF-mediated transcription of Nrf2 and p62, which dynamically regulate the level and type of autophagy, as well as exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Why Temporal Inference Stimulation May Fail in the Human Brain: A Pilot Research Study
Authors: Iszak Krisztián , Gronemann Simon Mathies , Meyer Stefanie , Hunold Alexander , Zschüntzsch Jana , Bähr Mathias , Paulus Walter , Antal Andrea
Published: June 2023

Temporal interference stimulation (TIS) aims at targeting deep brain areas during transcranial electrical alternating current stimulation (tACS) by generating interference fields at depth. Although its modulatory effects have been demonstrated in animal and human models and stimulation studies, direct experimental evidence is lacking for its utility in humans (in vivo). Herein, we directly test and compare three different structures: firstly, we perform peripheral nerve and muscle stimulation quantifying muscle twitches as readout, secondly, we stimulate peri-orbitally with phosphene perception as a surrogate marker, and thirdly, we attempt to modulate the mean power of alpha oscillations in the occipital area as measured with electroencephalography (EEG). We found strong evidence for stimulation efficacy on the modulated frequency in the PNS, but we found no evidence for its utility in the CNS. Possible reasons for failing to activate CNS targets could be comparatively higher activation thresholds here or inhibitory stimulation components to the carrier frequency interfering with the effects of the modulated signal.
Laser in the Treatment of Atonic Wounds
Authors: Horgos Maur Sebastian , Pop Ovidiu Laurean , Sandor Mircea , Borza Ioan Lucian , Negrean Rodica , Marc Felicia , Major Klaudia , Sachelarie Liliana , Grierosu Carmen , Huniadi Anca
Published: June 2023

Atonic wounds represent a major health problem, being frequently encountered in medical practice with consequences that have a negative impact on the patient’s daily life as well as their general condition. In this study, a brand laser with a 12-watt probe was used to stimulate patients’ wounds. We involved in this study a group of 65 patients, which was compared with a group of 30 patients, the latter not receiving this laser therapy. The data were accumulated from the questionnaire of subjective assessment of the laser impact on patients’ condition as well as from the local evolution. We noticed the improvement of the local symptomatology which was found to be more effective in the patients from the study group compared to the reference group. The beneficial and positive effects, mainly on the symptoms but also on the local evolution of atonic wounds, can be observed in our study. We consider that this therapy is of major importance considering the lower costs both from the shortening of hospitalization and the long-term use of various substances. The early reintegration of patients into daily life is an important benefit for them.
Altered Auditory and Visual Evoked Potentials following Single and Repeated Low-Velocity Head Rotations in 4-Week-Old Swine
Authors: Oeur Anna , Torp William H. , Arbogast Kristy B. , Master Christina L. , Margulies Susan S.
Published: June 2023

Auditory and visually evoked potentials (EP) have the ability to monitor cognitive changes after concussion. In the literature, decreases in EP are commonly reported; however, a subset of studies shows increased cortical activity after injury. We studied auditory and visual EP in 4-week-old female Yorkshire piglets (N = 35) divided into anesthetized sham, and animals subject to single (sRNR) and repeated (rRNR) rapid non-impact head rotations (RNR) in the sagittal direction. Two-tone auditory oddball tasks and a simple white-light visual stimulus were evaluated in piglets pre-injury, and at days 1, 4- and 7 post injury using a 32-electrode net. Traditional EP indices (N1, P2 amplitudes and latencies) were extracted, and a piglet model was used to source-localize the data to estimate brain regions related to auditory and visual processing. In comparison to each group’s pre-injury baselines, auditory Eps and brain activity (but not visual activity) were decreased in sham. In contrast, sRNR had increases in N1 and P2 amplitudes from both stimuli. The rRNR group had decreased visual N1 amplitudes but faster visual P2 latencies. Auditory and visual EPs have different change trajectories after sRNR and rRNR, suggesting that injury biomechanics are an important factor to delineate neurofunctional deficits after concussion.
Aortic Remodeling Kinetics in Response to Coarctation-Induced Mechanical Perturbations
Authors: Ghorbannia Arash , Maadooliat Mehdi , Woods Ronald K. , Audi Said H. , Tefft Brandon J. , Chiastra Claudio , Ibrahim El Sayed H. , LaDisa John F.
Published: June 2023

Background: Coarctation of the aorta (CoA; constriction of the proximal descending thoracic aorta) is among the most common congenital cardiovascular defects. Coarctation-induced mechanical perturbations trigger a cycle of mechano-transduction events leading to irreversible precursors of hypertension including arterial thickening, stiffening, and vasoactive dysfunction in proximal conduit arteries. This study sought to identify kinetics of the stress-mediated compensatory response leading to these alterations using a preclinical rabbit model of CoA. Methods: A prior growth and remodeling (G&R) framework was reformulated and fit to empirical measurements from CoA rabbits classified into one control and nine CoA groups of various severities and durations (n = 63, 5–11/group). Empirical measurements included Doppler ultrasound imaging, uniaxial extension testing, catheter-based blood pressure, and wire myography, yielding the time evolution of arterial thickening, stiffening, and vasoactive dysfunction required to fit G&R constitutive parameters. Results: Excellent agreement was observed between model predictions and observed patterns of arterial thickening, stiffening, and dysfunction among all CoA groups. For example, predicted vascular impairment was not significantly different from empirical observations via wire myography (p-value > 0.13). Specifically, 48% and 45% impairment was observed in smooth muscle contraction and endothelial-dependent relaxation, respectively, which were accurately predicted using the G&R model. Conclusions: The resulting G&R model, for the first time, allows for prediction of hypertension precursors at neonatal ages that is currently challenging to examine in preclinical models. These findings provide a validated computational tool for prediction of persistent arterial dysfunction and identification of revised severity–duration thresholds that may ultimately avoid hypertension from CoA.
Could Microplastics Be a Driver for Early Onset Colorectal Cancer?
Authors: Li Shelley , Keenan Jacqueline I. , Shaw Ian C. , Frizelle Frank A.
Published: June 2023

Introduction: The incidence of colorectal cancer in those under 50 years of age (early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC)) is increasing throughout the world. This has predominantly been an increase in distal colonic and rectal cancers, which are biologically similar to late onset colorectal cancer (LOCRC) but with higher rates of mucinous or signet ring histology, or poorly differentiated cancers. The epidemiology of this change suggests that it is a cohort effect since 1960, and is most likely driven by an environmental cause. We explore the possible role of microplastics as a driver for this change. Review: The development of sporadic colorectal cancer is likely facilitated by the interaction of gut bacteria and the intestinal wall. Normally, a complex layer of luminal mucus provides colonocytes with a level of protection from the effects of these bacteria and their toxins. Plastics were first developed in the early 1900s. After 1945 they became more widely used, with a resultant dramatic increase in plastic pollution and their breakdown to microplastics. Microplastics (MPs) are consumed by humans from an early age and in increasingly large quantities. As MPs pass through the gastrointestinal tract they interact with the normal physiological mechanism of the body, particularly in the colon and rectum, where they may interact with the protective colonic mucus layer. We describe several possible mechanisms of how microplastics may disrupt this mucus layer, thus reducing its protective effect and increasing the likelihood of colorectal cancer. Conclusions: The epidemiology of increase in EOCRC suggests an environmental driver. This increase in EOCRC matches the time sequence in which we could expect to see an effect of rapid increase of MPs in the environment and, as such, we have explored possible mechanisms for this effect. We suggest that it is possible that the MPs damage the barrier integrity of the colonic mucus layer, thus reducing its protective effect. MPs in CRC pathogenesis warrants further investigation. Future directions: Further clarification needs to be sought regarding the interaction between MPs, gut microbiota and the mucus layer. This will need to be modelled in long-term animal studies to better understand how chronic consumption of environmentally-acquired MPs may contribute to an increased risk of colorectal carcinogenesis.
Prognosis in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Baseline Factors, Dynamic Risk Assessment and Novel Insights
Authors: Iezza Miriam , Cortesi Sofia , Ottaviani Emanuela , Mancini Manuela , Venturi Claudia , Monaldi Cecilia , De Santis Sara , Testoni Nicoletta , Soverini Simona , Rosti Gianantonio , Cavo Michele , Castagnetti Fausto
Published: June 2023

The introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has changed the treatment paradigm of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), leading to a dramatic improvement of the outcome of CML patients, who now have a nearly normal life expectancy and, in some selected cases, the possibility of aiming for the more ambitious goal of treatment-free remission (TFR). However, the minority of patients who fail treatment and progress from chronic phase (CP) to accelerated phase (AP) and blast phase (BP) still have a relatively poor prognosis. The identification of predictive elements enabling a prompt recognition of patients at higher risk of progression still remains among the priorities in the field of CML management. Currently, the baseline risk is assessed using simple clinical and hematologic parameters, other than evaluating the presence of additional chromosomal abnormalities (ACAs), especially those at “high-risk”. Beyond the onset, a re-evaluation of the risk status is mandatory, monitoring the response to TKI treatment. Moreover, novel critical insights are emerging into the role of genomic factors, present at diagnosis or evolving on therapy. This review presents the current knowledge regarding prognostic factors in CML and their potential role for an improved risk classification and a subsequent enhancement of therapeutic decisions and disease management.
Metal-Free Eliminative C-H Arylthiolation of 2H-Imidazole N-Oxides with Thiophenols
Authors: Nikiforov Egor A. , Vaskina Nailya F. , Moseev Timofey D. , Varaksin Mikhail V. , Charushin Valery N. , Chupakhin Oleg N.
Published: June 2023

A synthetic strategy based on reactions of cyclic imine oxides, namely 2H-imidazole 1-oxides, with thiophenols mediated by acetyl chloride was successfully applied as a convenient tool to obtain a series of novel azaheterocyclic molecules, including water-soluble hydrochloride forms. Optimized reaction conditions found herein for the nucleophilic substitution of hydrogen (SNH) in non-aromatic azaheterocyclic substrates via the “addition-elimination” (SNH AE) scheme enabled 15 arylthiolated 2H-imidazoles to be prepared in yields of up to 90%. The developed methodology discloses an original synthetic way to obtain numerous azaheterocyclic molecules, which are of interest in the field of medicinal chemistry and materials science.
Increase of Prevalence of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome in Children and Adolescents in Korea during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study Using the KNHANES
Authors: Choi Jung Eun , Lee Hye Ah , Park Sung Won , Lee Jung Won , Lee Ji Hyen , Park Hyesook , Kim Hae Soon
Published: June 2023

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak utilizing representative data on youth aged 2–18 years from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES) conducted in 2019–2020. (2) Methods: The survey consists of three parts: health interviews, health examinations, and nutrition surveys. From the 2019 and 2020 surveys, 1371 (2–9 years = 702 and 10–18 years = 669) and 1124 (2–9 years = 543 and 10–18 years = 581) individuals were included in the analysis. (3) Results: The mean body mass index (BMI) increased significantly among youth aged 2–9 years from 16.53 kg/m2 in 2019 to 17.1 kg/m2 in 2020 (p < 0.01). In youth aged 10–18 years, the BMI was found to increase slightly from 21.25 kg/m2 in 2019 to 21.41 kg/m2 in 2020 (p = 0.64). The increasing prevalence of extreme obesity was significant in girls, especially those aged 2–9 years (p < 0.01). However, extreme obesity had increased in 10–18-year-old boys (p = 0.08). The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adolescents increased from 3.79% to 7.79% during the COVID-19 pandemic (p = 0.01). (4) Conclusions: We observed that the prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome among children and adolescents has increased after the COVID-19 outbreak. This is believed to be associated with an increase in the rate of early comorbidities in adulthood. The prevention of the progression of pediatric obesity has recently become an urgent public health concern in Korea.
Danish Linguistic Validation and Cultural Adaptation of the LIMB-Q Kids
Authors: Jønsson Christopher Emil , Poulsen Lotte , Rölfing Jan Duedal , Chhina Harpreet , Cooper Anthony , Sørensen Jens Ahm
Published: June 2023

(1) Background: Lower Limb deformities include many conditions where pain and physical limitations negatively impact the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of children. The ideal way to assess this impact is by using a Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM). Such a condition-specific PROM is under development, called LIMB-Q Kids. This study aimed to perform a translation and cultural adaption (TCA) of the LIMB-Q Kids for use in Danish-speaking children. (2) Methods: TCA guidelines established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) were followed. This process consisted of two independent forward translations, a reconciliation meeting, a backward translation with an assessment, an expert meeting, cognitive interviews with patients, editing based on the interviews, and proofreading. (3) Results: The TCA process contributed to the Danish version of LIMB-Q Kids. The reconciliation meeting resulted in a reconciled Danish version. The revision of the backward translation led to 16 corrections, and after the expert panel meeting, 26 changes were made. Twelve cognitive interviews led to nine changes, which were validated by two further interviews. Proofreading led to no further comments. (4) Conclusions: The TCA process led to a linguistically validated and culturally adapted Danish version of LIMB-Q Kids. This version is being used in the international field test study.
Adolescent Perception of Mental Health: It’s Not Only about Oneself, It’s about Others Too
Authors: Lukoševičiūtė-Barauskienė Justė , Žemaitaitytė Monika , Šūmakarienė Vaida , Šmigelskas Kastytis
Published: June 2023

Adolescents are at an increased risk of mental health problems due to the natural processes of development and maturation. Given that their mental health is mainly assessed by adults and not by the adolescents themselves, the purpose of this study is to reveal adolescents’ perceptions of mental health. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted, and an inductive qualitative approach with thematic analysis was used. The qualitative study consisted of 19 adolescents aged 11–17 years. Five themes were identified: (1) What does mental health mean to you? (subthemes: realm of emotions, customary behavior, and relationships with others); (2) needs (subthemes: communication and support, self-expression and freedom of decision-making, and a safe and personal environment); (3) risk factors (subthemes: un-healthy relationships and social media dangers); (4) red flags (subthemes: self-exclusion from social life and self-destructive behavior); and (5) role of mental health professionals (subthemes: attentiveness to and proper pace for adolescent and acceptance of adolescent’s life in its entirety). This study revealed that adolescents view their mental health not only from their own emotional and behavioral perspectives but also through the prism of relationships with other people.
Gradient-Based Trade-Off Design for Engineering Applications
Authors: Royster Lena A. , Hou Gene
Published: June 2023

The goal of the trade-off design method presented in this study is to achieve newly targeted performance requirements by modifying the current values of the design variables. The trade-off design problem is formulated in the framework of Sequential Quadratic Programming. The method is computationally efficient as it is gradient-based, which, however, requires the performance functions to be differentiable. A new equation to calculate the scale factor to control the size of the design variables is introduced in this study, which can ensure the new design achieves the targeted performance objective. Three formal approaches are developed in this study for trade-off design to handle various design scenarios, which include one that can handle cases with linearly dependent constraints and with more constraints than the number of design variables. Three engineering design problems are presented as examples to validate and demonstrate the use of these trade-off approaches to find the best way to adjust the design variables to meet the revised performance requirements.
A UAV-Assisted Stackelberg Game Model for Securing loMT Healthcare Networks
Authors: Shaikh Jamshed Ali , Wang Chengliang , Khan Muhammad Asghar , Mohsan Syed Agha Hassnain , Ullah Saif , Chelloug Samia Allaoua , Muthanna Mohammed Saleh Ali , Muthanna Ammar
Published: June 2023

On the one hand, the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) in healthcare systems has emerged as a promising technology to monitor patients’ health and provide reliable medical services, especially in remote and underserved areas. On the other hand, in disaster scenarios, the loss of communication infrastructure can make it challenging to establish reliable communication and to provide timely first aid services. To address this challenge, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been adopted to assist hospital centers in delivering medical care to hard-to-reach areas. Despite the potential of UAVs to improve medical services in emergency scenarios, their limited resources make their security critical. Therefore, developing secure and efficient communication protocols for IoMT networks using UAVs is a vital research area that can help ensure reliable and timely medical services. In this paper, we introduce a novel Stackelberg security-based game theory algorithm, named Stackelberg ad hoc on-demand distance vector (SBAODV), to detect and recover data affected by black hole attacks in IoMT networks using UAVs. Our proposed scheme utilizes the substantial Stackelberg equilibrium (SSE) to formulate strategies that protect the system against attacks. We evaluate the performance of our proposed SBAODV scheme and compare it with existing routing schemes. Our results demonstrate that our proposed scheme outperforms existing schemes regarding packet delivery ratio (PDR), networking load, throughput, detection ratio, and end-to-end delay. Specifically, our proposed SBAODV protocol achieves a PDR of 97%, throughput ranging from 77.7 kbps to 87.3 kbps, and up to 95% malicious detection rate at the highest number of nodes. Furthermore, our proposed SBADOV scheme offers significantly lower networking load (7% to 30%) and end-to-end delay (up to 30%) compared to existing routing schemes. These results demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of our proposed scheme in ensuring reliable and secure communication in IoMT emergency scenarios using UAVs.
Synchronized Tracking Control of Dynamic System of Unmanned Rear-Wheel Vehicles Based on Dynamic Analysis
Authors: Zhao Can , Shi Kaibo , Tang Yiqian , Xiao Jianying
Published: June 2023

From the classic automatic guided vehicle system, the system of the unmanned rear-wheel drive vehicle (URWDV) based on a dynamic analysis is studied. In the URWDV system, the relationship among the position information, velocity, and the heading angular velocity of the unmanned vehicle is established in the plane coordinate system and the coordinate system centered vehicle itself. The velocity and heading angular velocity values are obtained through a dynamic analysis and are used as control parameters. The synchronized tracking control of the unmanned vehicle is realized by the control scheme of the velocity and the heading angular velocity. Finally, the simulation examples show the effectiveness of the tracking control.
Modular Reinforcement Learning for Autonomous UAV Flight Control
Authors: Choi Jongkwan , Kim Hyeon Min , Hwang Ha Jun , Kim Yong-Duk , Kim Chang Ouk
Published: June 2023

Recently, research on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has increased significantly. UAVs do not require pilots for operation, and UAVs must possess autonomous flight capabilities to ensure that they can be controlled without a human pilot on the ground. Previous studies have mainly focused on rule-based methods, which require specialized personnel to create rules. Reinforcement learning has been applied to research on UAV autonomous flight; however, it does not include six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) environments and lacks realistic application, resulting in difficulties in performing complex tasks. This study proposes a method of efficient learning by connecting two different maneuvering methods using modular learning for autonomous UAV flights. The proposed method divides complex tasks into simpler tasks, learns them individually, and then connects them in order to achieve faster learning by transferring information from one module to another. Additionally, the curriculum learning concept was applied, and the difficulty level of individual tasks was gradually increased, which strengthened the learning stability. In conclusion, modular learning and curriculum learning methods were used to demonstrate that UAVs can effectively perform complex tasks in a realistic, 6-DOF environment.
A Drone Study of Sociality in the Finless Porpoise Neophocaena asiaeorientalis in the Ariake Sound, Japan
Authors: Morimura Naruki , Itahara Akihiro , Brooks James , Mori Yusuke , Piao Yige , Hashimoto Hiroki , Mizumoto Itsuki
Published: June 2023

The social structure of animal populations is a fundamental component of their biology, influencing gene flow, habitat use, competition and co-operation around resources, and communication. However, ecological and social relationships can be challenging to describe in most marine mammals, who spend the majority of their lives underwater. The finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) is one such cetacean species with a largely unknown social structure. Recent advances in drone technology enable more systematic surveys, photogrammetry, and photo-identification for diverse animal species. The present study aimed to validate new survey methods and provide a preliminary description of the spatiotemporal distribution of free-ranging finless porpoises in the coastal open-sea area of Ariake Sound, Japan. A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone equipped with an action camera yielded GPS location datasets through line and area surveys, covering a total sea area of 120 km2. The results suggest highly flexible and varied aggregation sizes in finless porpoises. Distance analysis across individuals and aggregations revealed a cohesive tendency among groups, compared to solitaries and in pairs. Therefore, the present VTOL drone surveys both elucidated some social aspects of the study population and confirmed the efficacy of these standardized research protocols involving automated, programmed, and repeatable flight missions.
The Impact of a Training Program Based on Next-Generation Science Standards on Scientific Inquiry
Authors: Najjar Eman , Daher Wajeeh
Published: June 2023

The Next-Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are standards concerned with K-12 grades. This study aimed to identify the impact of a training program based on Next-Generation Scientific Inquiry (NGSI) through training 30 science teachers and investigating the training impact on teachers’ use of inquiry in their teaching. The study attempted to answer the following question: What is the impact of a training program based on the NGSS on the inquiry practices of primary school science teachers? The study’s data collection tools included two focus groups and nine semi-structured interviews. Data analysis utilized the thematic analysis framework. The research results showed an impact of the training program on the inquiry practices of teachers via changes in the teachers’ roles: the teacher became a facilitator and motivator through planning her/his activities efficiently. Students in the training program’s science classroom developed into researchers and scientists who autonomously acquired their knowledge.
Critical Assessment of Hydrogen and Methane Production from 1G and 2G Sugarcane Processing Wastes Using One-Stage and Two-Stage Anaerobic Digestion
Authors: Mukherjee Tirthankar , Trably Eric , Kaparaju Prasad
Published: June 2023

Sugarcane is a lignocellulosic crop which is used to produce sugar in sugarcane processing industries. Globally, sugarcane processing industries generate solid and liquid wastes amounting to more than 279 million tons per annum and by-products; namely, trash, bagasse, mill mud, and molasses. The valorisation of waste and by-products has recently increased and is playing a significant role in achieving policies and goals associated with circular bioeconomy and sustainable development. For the valorisation of sugarcane processing industry waste and by-products, a number of technologies are well established and in use, while other innovative technologies are still ongoing through research and development with promising futures. These by-products obtained from sugarcane processing industries can be converted into biofuels like hydrogen and methane via anaerobic digestion. Molasses belongs to the first-generation (1G) waste, while trash, bagasse, and mill mud belong to second-generation (2G) waste. Various studies have been carried out in converting both first- and second-generation sugarcane processing industry wastes into renewable energy, exploiting anaerobic digestion (AD) and dark fermentation (DF). This review emphasises the various factors affecting the AD and DF of 1G and 2G sugarcane processing industry wastes. It also critically addresses the feasibility and challenges of operating a two-stage anaerobic digestion process for hydrogen and methane production from these wastes.
Effect of Orifice Shape and Dip Tube Clearance on the Discharge Hydrodynamics and Residual Heel Volume in a Dispensing Bottle
Authors: Teoman Baran , Potanin Andrei , Armenante Piero M.
Published: June 2023

In this work, the roles of the orifice shape and off-bottom clearance of the dip tube on the discharge flow rate of a complex fluid from a dispensing bottle and on the resulting residual “heel” volume left in the bottle were investigated. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) was used to monitor the discharge rate and the heel. The dip tube clearance and the orifice shape both affected the formation of the heel. Dip tubes provided with a flat cut orifice not only resulted in a smaller heel compared to angled cut orifices but also generated a higher flow rate at constant suction pressure. Reducing the dip tube clearance produced smaller heel volumes irrespective of the shape of the dip tube orifice. The results of this work were validated using the velocity contour maps obtained by PIV and, separately, with the heel profiles obtained from the PIV raw images.
The Effect of Acetylation on the Physicochemical Properties of Chickpea Starch
Authors: Zhang Chunlan , Du Mengyao , Cao Tiantian , Xu Wei
Published: June 2023

The effect of acetylation on the physicochemical properties of chickpea starch was studied. After the chickpea starch was acetylated, the basic properties were measured. When the degree of substitution (DS) was 0.1004 and the temperature was 95 °C, the solubility and swelling power of starch were 19.6% and 21.4 g/g, respectively. The freeze–thaw stability of acetylated starch paste increased with the increase in the degree of substitution. The surface morphology of starch granules changed, but the crystalline morphology did not change, and the C-type crystalline structure was still maintained. There are three new absorption peaks in the infrared spectroscopy of starch, and the -COCH3 group was introduced. With the increase in DS, the viscosity of esterified chickpea starch decreased gradually. Compared with unmodified chickpea starch, the ability to form gel was poor.
Ultrasound-Stimulated PVA Microbubbles as a Green and Handy Tool for the Cleaning of Cellulose-Based Materials
Authors: Severini Leonardo , D’Andrea Alessia , Redi Martina , Dabagov Sultan B. , Guglielmotti Valeria , Hampai Dariush , Micheli Laura , Cancelliere Rocco , Domenici Fabio , Mazzuca Claudia , Paradossi Gaio , Palleschi Antonio
Published: June 2023

One of the main issues in the cultural heritage field of restoration chemistry is the identification of greener and more effective methods for the wet cleaning of paper artefacts, which serve as witnesses to human history and custodians of cultural values. In this context, we propose a biocompatible method to perform wet cleaning on paper based on the use of 1 MHz ultrasound in combination with water-dispersed polyvinyl alcohol microbubbles (PVAMBs), followed by dabbing with PVA-based hydrogel. This method can be applied to both old and new papers. FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, HPLC analysis, pH measurements and tensile tests were performed on paper samples, to assess the efficacy of the cleaning system. According to the results, ultrasound-activated PVAMB application allows for an efficient interaction with rough and porous cellulose paper profiles, promoting the removal of cellulose degradation byproducts, while the following hydrogel dabbing treatment guarantees the removal of cleaning materials residues. Moreover, the results also pointed out that after the treatment no thermal or mechanical damages had affected the paper. In conclusion, the readability of these kinds of artifacts can be improved without causing an alteration of their structural properties, while mitigating the risk of ink diffusion.
Physical, Chemical, Barrier, and Antioxidant Properties of Pectin/Collagen Hydrogel-Based Films Enriched with Melissa officinalis
Authors: Bhatia Saurabh , Al-Harrasi Ahmed , Alhadhrami Aysha Salim , Shah Yasir Abbas , Kotta Sabna , Iqbal Javed , Anwer Md Khalid , Nair Anjana Karunakaran , Koca Esra , Aydemir Levent Yurdaer
Published: June 2023

The essential oil extracted from Melissa officinalis (MOEO) exhibits a wide range of therapeutic properties, including antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. The current research aimed to analyze the mechanical, barrier, chemical, and antioxidant properties of pectin and collagen-based films. Hydrogel-based films loaded with varying concentrations of MOEO (0.1%, 0.15%, and 0.2%) were prepared by solvent-casting method, and their physicochemical as well as antioxidant properties were examined. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of major components in MOEO such as 2,6-octadienal, 3,7-dimethyl, citral, caryophyllene, geranyl acetate, caryophyllene oxide, citronellal, and linalool. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results revealed the interaction between components of the essential oil and polymer matrix. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that films loaded with the highest concentration (0.2%) of MOEO showed more homogeneous structure with fewer particles, cracks, and pores as compared to control film sample. MOEO-incorporated films exhibited higher elongation at break (EAB) (30.24–36.29%) and thickness (0.068–0.073 mm); however, they displayed lower tensile strength (TS) (3.48–1.25 MPa) and transparency (87.30–82.80%). MOEO-loaded films demonstrated superior barrier properties against water vapors. According to the results, the incorporation of MOEO into pectin–collagen composite hydrogel-based films resulted in higher antioxidant properties, indicating that MOEO has the potential to be used in active food packaging material for potential applications.
Applying Gel-Supported Liquid Extraction to Tutankhamun’s Textiles for the Identification of Ancient Colorants: A Case Study
Authors: Peruzzi Greta , Ciccola Alessandro , Bosi Adele , Serafini Ilaria , Negozio Martina , Hamza Nagmeldeen Morshed , Moricca Claudia , Sadori Laura , Favero Gabriele , Nigro Valentina , Postorino Paolo , Curini Roberta
Published: June 2023

The identification of the dyes present on a linen fragment from the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun is the objective of the present study. Fiber optic reflectance spectroscopy (FORS) was applied to the archaeological sample for preliminary identification of the dyes and to better choose the extraction methodology for different areas of the sample. The innovative gel-supported micro-extraction with agar gel and the Nanorestore Gel® High Water Retention (HWR) gel were applied to the archaeological sample after testing of the best concentration for the extraction of the agar gels substrates, performed on laboratory mock-ups by means of UV–Vis transmittance spectroscopy. Immediately after extraction, Ag colloidal pastes were applied on the gel surface and Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) analysis was performed directly on them. The combination of information deriving from FORS and SERS spectra resulted in the successful identification of both indigo and madder and, in hypothesis, of their degradation products.
Statistically Optimized Tacrolimus and Thymoquinone Co-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Gel for Improved Topical Treatment of Psoriasis
Authors: Alam Meraj , Rizwanullah Md. , Mir Showkat R. , Amin Saima
Published: June 2023

The aim of this investigation was to develop and analyze a tacrolimus and thymoquinone co-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (TAC-THQ-NLCs)-based nanogel as a new combinatorial approach for the treatment of psoriasis. The NLCs were formulated by an emulsification-solvent-evaporation technique using glyceryl monostearate, Capryol 90 (oil), and a mixture of Tween 80 and Span 20 as a solid lipid, liquid lipid, and surfactant, respectively. Their combination was optimized using a three-factor and three-level Box–Behnken design (33-BBD). The optimized TAC-THQ-NLCs were observed to be smooth and spherical with a particle size of 144.95 ± 2.80 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.160 ± 0.021, a zeta potential of −29.47 ± 1.9 mV, and an entrapment efficiency of >70% for both drugs. DSC and PXRD studies demonstrated the amorphous state of TAC and THQ in the lipid matrix of the NLCs. An FTIR analysis demonstrated the excellent compatibility of the drugs with the excipients without interactions. The TAC-THQ-NLC-based nanogel (abbreviated as TAC-THQ-NG) exhibited a good texture profile and good spreadability. The in vitro release study demonstrated a sustained drug release for 24 h from the TAC-THQ-NG that followed the Korsmeyer–Peppas kinetic model with a Fickian diffusion mechanism. Moreover, the TAC-THQ-NG revealed significantly higher dose-dependent toxicity against an HaCaT cell line compared to a TAC-THQ suspension gel (abbreviated as TAC-THQ-SG). Furthermore, the developed formulations demonstrated antioxidant activity comparable to free THQ. Confocal microscopy revealed improved permeation depth of the dye-loaded nanogel in the skin compared to the suspension gel. Based on these findings, it was concluded that TAC-THQ-NG is a promising combinatorial treatment approach for psoriasis.