bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analyses of the Ground Surface Displacement under Reinforcement Construction in the Shield Tunnel End Using the Artificial Ground Freezing Method
Authors: Xiang Hui , Zhang Guoce , Cheng Po , Hu Jun , Wang Zhixin , Zeng Dongling
Published: July 2023

There are stringent requirements on the vertical movement of a ground surface when using artificial ground freezing method to reinforce a shield tunnel in a city. This paper focused on the tunnel of Nanjing Metro Line Two between Yixianqiao and Daxinggong. Based on the discrete element thermo-mechanical coupling theory, the horizontal freezing reinforcement project was numerically simulated. The numerical results of the soil temperature field and displacement field are approximately compatible with the field measurements. When the tunnel was frozen for 40 days, an effectively frozen soil wall was created and satisfied the construction requirements. During the freezing construction, both frost heave and thaw settlement obviously occurred. Above the tunnel, the vertical deformation of the ground surface was symmetrical about the center of the tunnel and decayed towards the ends. The maximum vertical displacement of ground surface frost heave was 8 mm, and the maximum vertical displacement of ground surface thaw settlement was 18 mm. Increasing the depth of the tunnel embedment can result in a decline in ground surface displacement. The study serves as a viable means of predicting ground surface displacements.
Hash Based DNA Computing Algorithm for Image Encryption
Authors: Li Hongming , Zhang Lilai , Cao Hao , Wu Yirui
Published: July 2023

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) computing has demonstrated great potential in data encryption due to its capability of parallel computation, minimal storage requirement, and unbreakable cryptography. Focusing on high-dimensional image data for encryption with DNA computing, we propose a novel hash encoding-based DNA computing algorithm, which consists of a DNA hash encoding module and content-aware encrypting module. Inspired by the significant properties of the hash function, we build a quantity of hash mappings from image pixels to DNA computing bases, properly integrating the advantages of the hash function and DNA computing to boost performance. Considering the correlation relationship of pixels and patches for modeling, a content-aware encrypting module is proposed to reorganize the image data structure, resisting the crack with non-linear and high dimensional complexity originating from the correlation relationship. The experimental results suggest that the proposed method performs better than most comparative methods in key space, histogram analysis, pixel correlation, information entropy, and sensitivity measurements.
Mobile Charging Scheduling Approach for Wireless Rechargeable Sensor Networks Based on Multiple Discrete-Action Space Deep Q-Network
Authors: Jiang Chengpeng , Chen Shuai , Li Jinglin , Wang Haoran , Wang Jing , Xu Taian , Xiao Wendong
Published: July 2023

Wireless energy transfer technology (WET)-enabled mobile charging provides an innovative strategy for energy replenishment in wireless rechargeable sensor networks (WRSNs), where the mobile charger (MC) can charge the sensors sequentially by WET according to the mobile charging scheduling scheme. Although there have been fruitful studies, they usually assume that all sensors will be charged fully once scheduled or charged to a fixed percentage determined by a charging upper threshold, resulting in low charging performance as they cannot adjust the charging operation on each sensor adaptively according to the real-time charging demands. To tackle this challenge, we first formulate the mobile charging scheduling as a joint mobile charging sequence scheduling and charging upper threshold control problem (JSSTC), where the charging upper threshold of each sensor can adjust adaptively. Then, we propose a novel multi-discrete action space deep Q-network approach for JSSTC (MDDRL-JSSTC), where MC is regarded as an agent exploring the environment. The state information observed by MC at each time step is encoded to construct a high-dimensional vector. Furthermore, a two-dimensional action is mapped to the charging destination of MC and the corresponding charging upper threshold at the next time step, using bidirectional gated recurrent units (Bi-GRU). Finally, we conduct a series of experiments to verify the superior performance of the proposed approach in prolonging the lifetime compared with the state-of-the-art approaches.
Decision-Making Model for Dynamic Scenario Vehicles in Autonomous Driving Simulations
Authors: Li Yanfeng , Guan Hsin , Jia Xin , Duan Chunguang
Published: July 2023

A scenario vehicle in autonomous driving simulations is a dynamic entity that is expected to perform trustworthy bidirectional interaction tasks with the autonomous vehicle under test. Modeling interactive behavior can not only facilitate better prediction of human drivers’ intentions and motions but also be valuable in generating more human-like decisions and trajectories for autonomous vehicle testing. However, simulations of most of the available scenario vehicles on existing platforms behave conservatively. This study summarizes five driving motivations based on human-need theories of multiple psychologists, namely safety, dominance, achievement, order, and relatedness, and organizes the framework using a behavior tree. The proposed model generates different driving behaviors by simulating the changing psychological needs of human drivers during vehicle operation. Using a self-developed two-dimensional simulator, experiments were conducted by considering multiple scenarios in urban, rural, and highway road sections. The obtained results indicate that the scenario vehicles controlled by the proposed model exhibit a significant interactive nature, facilitating proactive communication rather than providing simple responses.
Special Issue on the Engineering of Smart Agriculture
Authors: Kiełbasa Paweł , Juliszewski Tadeusz , Kurpaska Sławomir
Published: July 2023

The monograph presents an extract from the reality of smart agriculture, where the combination of modern technologies, innovative solutions, and sustainable approaches to food production classifies this part of science as highly interdisciplinary, multifaceted, and technologically advanced [...]
Research on Active Precontrol Strategy for Shape and Performance of Helicopter Spiral Bevel Gears
Authors: Mu Yanming , Hou Xiangying , He Xueming
Published: July 2023

Gear vibration becomes unmanageable under extreme conditions, which shortens the time between overhauls of the helicopter reducer and affects the service efficiency of helicopters. For this purpose, an active precontrol strategy for shape and performance was developed for spiral bevel gear (SBG) systems, thus prolonging the reliable service period of helicopters. Firstly, the perfect pinion surface was built based on the preset contact path (CP) and transmission error (TE). Secondly, through a combination of tooth contact analysis (TCA) and loaded tooth contact analysis (LTCA), the loaded transmission error (LTE), meshing stiffness (MS), and meshing impact (MI) of the SBG transmission were obtained. Thirdly, an eight-degrees-of-freedom (8-DOF) dynamic model was built, and a simplified dynamic model was generated based on this. As regards the dynamic response, the root mean square of normal vibration acceleration (RMA) of the SBG transmission was obtained by solving the differential equation of motion. The RMA of the SBG transmission was also analysed based on the basic theory of vector structural mechanics. Finally, an optimization model aimed at reducing the RMA of the SBG transmission was established using ease-off, and a redesigned SBG transmission with good dynamic performance was obtained through optimization. Simulation analysis showed that the LTE and MS amplitudes of the optimized gear were smaller than those of the original gear. The impact force and impact velocity of the optimized gear were 27.02% and 25.81%, respectively, lower than those of the original gear. The RMA value of the optimized gear was much lower than that of the original gear. The normal vibration velocity and displacement of the optimized gear transmission were also cut down. Therefore, the design approach can effectively increase the performance of gear transmission.
Determination of the Equivalent Thickness of a Taiko Wafer Using ANSYS Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Vinciguerra Vincenzo , Malgioglio Giuseppe Luigi , Landi Antonio , Renna Marco
Published: July 2023

The successful handling of large semiconductor wafers is crucial for scaling up their production. Early-stage warpage control allows the prevention of undesirable asymmetric warpage, known as wafer bifurcation or buckling. Indeed, even in a gravity-free environment, thinning an 8″ or 12″ semiconductor wafer can result in warpage and bifurcation. To mitigate this issue, the taiko method, which involves creating a thicker ring region around the rim of the wafer, has been widely used. Previous research has focused on the theoretical factors affecting the warpage of a backside metalized taiko wafer. This work extends the case to a front-side metalized taiko wafer and introduces the concept of the equivalent thickness of a taiko wafer. The equivalent thickness of a taiko wafer, influenced by the ring region, lies in between the thickness of the central region and that of the annular region. Because of the limited number of taiko wafers that can be produced on a production line, modelling can be beneficial. In this work we compared the results of a developed analytical model with those obtained from a finite element analysis (FEA) approach with ANSYSY® Mechanical Enterprise 2022/R2 software to model the equivalent thickness of a taiko wafer. We investigated the curvature as a function of the stress of the metal layer, considering key design factors such as the substrate region thickness, the thickness of the thin metal film, the step height, and the width of the ring region. By systematically varying the thickness of the central region of the taiko wafer, we explored the curvature as a function of stress induced by thermal load in the linear regime and determined the slopes in the linear region of the curvature vs. stress curves. The aim of this study is to identify regularities and similarities with the Stoney equation and investigate the validity of the analytical approach for the case of a taiko substrate. The results show that there is a good agreement between the analytical model of a taiko wafer and the numerical analysis gained by the FEA methods.
Velocity Fluctuations Spectra in Experimental Data on Rayleigh–Taylor Mixing
Authors: Williams Kurt C. , Abarzhi Snezhana I.
Published: July 2023

Rayleigh–Taylor (RT) interfacial mixing plays an important role in nature and technology, including atmospheric flows. In this work, we identify the physics properties of Rayleigh–Taylor mixing through the analysis of unprocessed experimental data. We consider the fluctuations spectra of the specific kinetic energy of each of the velocity components, and identify their spectral shapes, by employing the group theory guided foundations and the rigorous statistical method. We find the spectral shape parameters, including their mean values and relative errors, and apply the Anderson–Darling test to inspect the residuals and the goodness-of-fit. We scrupulously study the effect of the fitting window and identify, for each velocity component, the best fit interval, where the relative errors are small and the goodness of fit is excellent. We reveal that the fluctuations spectra in RT mixing experiments can be described by a compound function, being a product of a power-law and an exponential. The data analysis results unambiguously discovered the dynamic anisotropy and the dynamic bias of RT mixing and displayed the necessity to improve the design of experiments on RT mixing.
Why Does a Stronger El Niño Favor Developing towards the Eastern Pacific while a Stronger La Niña Favors Developing towards the Central Pacific?
Authors: Yu Jiahui , Li Tim , Jiang Leishan
Published: July 2023

By decomposing observed El Niño and La Niña events into a strong group and a weak group, respectively, we discovered that the strong La Niña group has its peak center more towards the west compared to the weak La Niña group, whereas the strong El Niño group has its peak center more towards the east compared to the weak El Niño group. The cause of this structure asymmetry is investigated through an ocean mixed-layer heat budget analysis. It was found that the asymmetry is closely linked to the longitudinal distribution of SST anomaly (SSTA) skewness along the equator, and is fundamentally caused by nonlinear dynamic heating, especially nonlinear horizontal temperature advection. It was demonstrated that near the equatorial central Pacific, the anomalous zonal and meridional currents generate negative nonlinear zonal and meridional temperature advection anomalies for both the El Niño and La Niña events, thus favoring a stronger La Niña and a weaker El Niño. Over the eastern Pacific, due to the dominant geostrophic zonal current anomalies and the southward shift of SSTA centers, nonlinear horizontal temperature advection anomalies tend to be positive for both the El Niño and La Niña, thus favoring a stronger growth of El Niño than La Niña. Nonlinear vertical temperature advection anomalies play minor roles in the central Pacific and tend to partially offset the nonlinear horizontal advection effect in the equatorial eastern Pacific.
Computational Domain Size Effects on Large-Eddy Simulations of Precipitating Shallow Cumulus Convection
Authors: Lamaakel Oumaima , Venters Ravon , Teixeira Joao , Matheou Georgios
Published: July 2023

Idealized large-eddy simulations of shallow convection often utilize horizontally periodic computational domains. The development of precipitation in shallow cumulus convection changes the spatial structure of convection and creates large-scale organization. However, the limited periodic domain constrains the horizontal variability of the atmospheric boundary layer. Small computational domains cannot capture the mesoscale boundary layer organization and artificially constrain the horizontal convection structure. The effects of the horizontal domain size on large-eddy simulations of shallow precipitating cumulus convection are investigated using four computational domains, ranging from 40×40km2 to 320×320km2 and fine grid resolution (40 m). The horizontal variability of the boundary layer is captured in computational domains of 160×160km2. Small LES domains (≤40 km) cannot reproduce the mesoscale flow features, which are about 100km long, but the boundary layer mean profiles are similar to those of the larger domains. Turbulent fluxes, temperature and moisture variances, and horizontal length scales are converged with respect to domain size for domains equal to or larger than 160×160km2. Vertical velocity flow statistics, such as variance and spectra, are essentially identical in all domains and show minor dependence on domain size. Characteristic horizontal length scales (i.e., those relating to the mesoscale organization) of horizontal wind components, temperature and moisture reach an equilibrium after about hour 30.
Comprehensive Efficiency Evaluation of Aircraft Artificial Cloud Seeding in Hunan Province, China, Based on Numerical Simulation Catalytic Method
Authors: Wan Xiecheng , Zhou Sheng , Fan Zhichao
Published: July 2023

Aircraft cloud seeding refers to the use of equipment on aircraft to release chemicals into clouds, changing their physical and chemical properties to increase rainfall or snowfall. The purpose of precipitation enhancement is to alleviate drought and water scarcity issues. Due to the complexity of the technology, the precise control of factors such as cloud characteristics and chemical release amounts is necessary. Therefore, a scientific evaluation of the potential of aircraft cloud seeding can help to improve the effectiveness of the process, and is currently a technical challenge in weather modification. This study used the mesoscale numerical model WRF coupled with a catalytic process to simulate and evaluate the seven aircraft cloud seeding operations conducted in Hunan Province in 2021. The results show that WRF can effectively evaluate the effectiveness of cloud seeding. When the water vapor conditions are suitable, the airborne dispersion of silver iodide (AgI) can significantly increase the content of large particles of high-altitude ice crystals, snow, and graupel, resulting in an increase in low-level rainwater content and, correspondingly, an increase in ground precipitation. When the water vapor conditions are insufficient, the dispersion of AgI does not trigger effective precipitation, consistent with the results of station observations and actual flight evaluations. This study provides an effective method for scientifically evaluating the potential and effectiveness of aircraft cloud seeding operations.
Towards Understanding Incomplete Fusion Reactions at Low Beam Energies: Modified Sum Rule Model
Authors: Bhujang Bhushan , Das Pragya
Published: July 2023

We investigated the enhanced production of nuclei formed via incomplete fusion (ICF) reactions near and above the Coulomb barrier energies (5–8 MeV/A). The cross-sections of the evaporation residues formed in the reactions—11B+124Sn, 10B+124Sn and 11B+122Sn—were measured using off-line gamma-ray spectrometry. The sum rule model (SRM) by Wilczyński et al. predicted the cross-section values too low compared to our experimental results. In earlier studies, the same model has been very successful in explaining ICF reactions at high beam energies (>10 MeV/A). We, therefore, modified the SRM, specifically incorporating the energy dependence in the definition of critical angular momentum ℓcr. The resulting modified SRM gave an improved theoretical estimate for the reactions we studied.
Recognizing Pediatric Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Based on Multi-Contrast MRI and Deep Weighted Fusion Network
Authors: Jiang Dian , Liao Jianxiang , Zhao Cailei , Zhao Xia , Lin Rongbo , Yang Jun , Li Zhi-Cheng , Zhou Yihang , Zhu Yanjie , Liang Dong , Hu Zhanqi , Wang Haifeng
Published: July 2023

Multi-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is wildly applied to identify tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) children in a clinic. In this work, a deep convolutional neural network with multi-contrast MRI is proposed to diagnose pediatric TSC. Firstly, by combining T2W and FLAIR images, a new synthesis modality named FLAIR3 was created to enhance the contrast between TSC lesions and normal brain tissues. After that, a deep weighted fusion network (DWF-net) using a late fusion strategy is proposed to diagnose TSC children. In experiments, a total of 680 children were enrolled, including 331 healthy children and 349 TSC children. The experimental results indicate that FLAIR3 successfully enhances the visibility of TSC lesions and improves the classification performance. Additionally, the proposed DWF-net delivers a superior classification performance compared to previous methods, achieving an AUC of 0.998 and an accuracy of 0.985. The proposed method has the potential to be a reliable computer-aided diagnostic tool for assisting radiologists in diagnosing TSC children.
Fatigue Effects on Peak Plantar Pressure and Bilateral Symmetry during Gait at Various Speeds
Authors: Buxton Jeffrey , Shields Kelly J. , Nhean Holyna , Ramsey Jared , Adams Christopher , Richards George A.
Published: July 2023

Fatigue-related changes in gait biomechanics, specifically plantar pressures, are well documented in the general population. However, research is generally confined to unilateral measures across a limited range of speeds, while changes in more well-trained populations remain largely unknown. Therefore, we sought to assess the impact of fatigue on bilateral peak plantar pressure (PP) and plantar pressure symmetry angle (SA) in well-trained runners across a range of speeds. Data from 16 (females, n = 9) well-trained runners were collected using in-sole pressure sensors pre- and post-fatigue at the following speeds: walking (1.3 m/s), jogging (2.7 m/s), running (3.3 m/s), and sprinting (4.5 m/s). Pre-fatigue PP significantly increased from walking to jogging (p < 0.001) and from jogging to running (p < 0.005) with no difference between running and sprinting (p > 0.05). Post-fatigue PP for walking was less than jogging (p < 0.002), running (p < 0.001), and sprinting (p < 0.001), with no other significant differences (p > 0.05). Post-fatigue PP was significantly greater when compared to pre-fatigue PP at all speeds (p < 0.001 for all). Though SA was not significantly different pre- to post-fatigue across speeds (p’s > 0.05) at the cohort level, noteworthy changes were observed at the individual level. Overall, fatigue effects are present at all running speeds but isolating these effects to a single side (left or right) may be inadequate.
Drag Reduction by Fish-Scale Inspired Transverse Asymmetric Triangular Riblets: Modelling, Preliminary Experimental Analysis and Potential for Fouling Control
Authors: Hamilton Benjamin W. , Tutunea-Fatan O. Remus , Bordatchev Evgueni V.
Published: July 2023

The natural surfaces of many plants and animals provide examples of textures and structures that remain clean despite the presence of environmental fouling contaminants. A biomimetic approach to deciphering the mechanisms used by nature will facilitate the development and application of fouling-resistant surfaces to a range of engineering challenges. This study investigated the mechanism underlying the drag reduction phenomenon that was shown to be responsible for fouling resistance for underwater surfaces. For this purpose, a novel fish-scale-inspired microstructure was shown to exhibit a drag reduction effect similar to that of its natural replica. The primary mechanism through which this occurs is a delayed transition to turbulence. To investigate this mechanism, a Large Eddy simulation was performed at several Reynolds numbers (Re). This analysis demonstrated a peak drag reduction performance of 6.7% at Re = 1750. The numerical data were then experimentally validated through pressure drop measurements performed by means of a custom-built micro-channel. In this case, a peak drag reduction of 4.8% was obtained at Re = 1000. These results suggest a relative agreement between the experimental and numerical data. Taken together, this study advocates that, for the analyzed conditions, drag reduction occurs at low Reynolds numbers. Nonetheless, once flow conditions become more turbulent, the decline in drag reduction performance becomes apparent.
Efficient and Selective Oxygenation of Cycloalkanes and Alkyl Aromatics with Oxygen through Synergistic Catalysis of Bimetallic Active Centers in Two-Dimensional Metal-Organic Frameworks Based on Metalloporphyrins
Authors: Zhou Xin-Yan , Fu Bo , Jin Wen-Dong , Wang Xiong , Wang Ke-Ke , Wang Mei , She Yuan-Bin , Shen Hai-Min
Published: July 2023

Confined catalytic realms and synergistic catalysis sites were constructed using bimetallic active centers in two-dimensional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to achieve highly selective oxygenation of cycloalkanes and alkyl aromatics with oxygen towards partly oxygenated products. Every necessary characterization was carried out for all the two-dimensional MOFs. The selective oxygenation of cycloalkanes and alkyl aromatics with oxygen was accomplished with exceptional catalytic performance using two-dimensional MOF Co-TCPPNi as a catalyst. Employing Co-TCPPNi as a catalyst, both the conversion and selectivity were improved for all the hydrocarbons investigated. Less disordered autoxidation at mild conditions, inhibited free-radical diffusion by confined catalytic realms, and synergistic C–H bond oxygenation catalyzed by second metal center Ni employing oxygenation intermediate R–OOH as oxidant were the factors for the satisfying result of Co-TCPPNi as a catalyst. When homogeneous metalloporphyrin T(4-COOCH3)PPCo was replaced by Co-TCPPNi, the conversion in cyclohexane oxygenation was enhanced from 4.4% to 5.6%, and the selectivity of partly oxygenated products increased from 85.4% to 92.9%. The synergistic catalytic mechanisms were studied using EPR research, and a catalysis model was obtained for the oxygenation of C–H bonds with O2. This research offered a novel and essential reference for both the efficient and selective oxygenation of C–H bonds and other key chemical reactions involving free radicals.
A Novel Sensor Fusion Approach for Precise Hand Tracking in Virtual Reality-Based Human—Computer Interaction
Authors: Lei Yu , Deng Yi , Dong Lin , Li Xiaohui , Li Xiangnan , Su Zhi
Published: July 2023

The rapidly evolving field of Virtual Reality (VR)-based Human–Computer Interaction (HCI) presents a significant demand for robust and accurate hand tracking solutions. Current technologies, predominantly based on single-sensing modalities, fall short in providing comprehensive information capture due to susceptibility to occlusions and environmental factors. In this paper, we introduce a novel sensor fusion approach combined with a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM)-based algorithm for enhanced hand tracking in VR-based HCI. Our system employs six Leap Motion controllers, two RealSense depth cameras, and two Myo armbands to yield a multi-modal data capture. This rich data set is then processed using LSTM, ensuring the accurate real-time tracking of complex hand movements. The proposed system provides a powerful tool for intuitive and immersive interactions in VR environments.
Unveiling the Remarkable Antioxidant Activity of Plant-Based Fish and Seafood Analogs through Electrochemical Sensor Analysis
Authors: Magarelli Gabriella , Bonatto Cínthia Caetano , da Rocha Vaz Gabriela Mendes , Lauria Victoria Baggi Mendonça , Silva Luciano Paulino
Published: July 2023

The global consumption of vegan foods is experiencing an expressive upward trend, underscoring the critical need for quality control measures based on nutritional and functional considerations. This study aimed to evaluate the functional quality of caviar and salmon analog food inks based on pulses combined with nano ingredients and produced in our laboratory (LNANO). The primary objective of this work was to determine the total antioxidant compounds contained in these samples using a voltammetric technique with a glassy carbon electrode. The samples underwent ethanolic extraction (70%) with 1 h of stirring. The voltammograms were acquired in a phosphate buffer electrolyte, pH 3.0 with Ag/AgCl (KCl 3 mol L−1) as the reference electrode and platinum wire as the auxiliary electrode. The voltammograms revealed prominent anodic current peaks at 0.76–0.78 V, which are attributed to isoflavones. Isoflavones, known secondary metabolites with substantial antioxidant potential commonly found in pulses, were identified. The total isoflavone concentrations obtained ranged from 31.5 to 64.3 mg Eq genistein 100 g−1. The results not only validated the efficacy of the electrochemical sensor for quantifying total antioxidant compounds in the samples but also demonstrated that the concentration of total isoflavones in caviar and salmon analogs fell within the expected limits.
Recent Progress of Activity-Based Fluorescent Probes for Imaging Leucine Aminopeptidase
Authors: Li Ze-Jun , Wang Cai-Yun , Xu Liang , Zhang Zhen-Yu , Tang Ying-Hao , Qin Tian-Yi , Wang Ya-Long
Published: July 2023

Leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) is an important protease that can specifically hydrolyze Leucine residues. LAP occurs in microorganisms, plants, animals, and humans and is involved in a variety of physiological processes in the human body. In the physiological system, abnormal levels of LAP are associated with a variety of diseases and pathological processes, such as cancer and drug-induced liver injury; thus, LAP was chosen as the early biochemical marker for many physiological processes, including cancer. Considering the importance of LAP in physiological and pathological processes, it is critical that high-efficiency and dependable technology be developed to monitor LAP levels. Herein, we summarize the organic small molecule fluorescence/chemiluminescence probes used for LAP detection in recent years, which can image LAP in cancer, drug-induced liver injury (DILI), and bacteria. It can also reveal the role of LAP in tumors and differentiate the serum of cirrhotic, drug-induced liver injury and normal models.
Design, Simulation, and Evaluation of Polymer-Based Microfluidic Devices via Computational Fluid Dynamics and Cell Culture “On-Chip”
Authors: Bakuova Nurzhanna , Toktarkan Sultanali , Dyussembinov Darkhan , Azhibek Dulat , Rakhymzhanov Almas , Kostas Konstantinos , Kulsharova Gulsim
Published: July 2023

Organ-on-a-chip (OoC) technology has experienced exponential growth driven by the need for a better understanding of in-organ processes and the development of novel approaches. This paper investigates and compares the flow behavior and filling characteristics of two microfluidic liver-on-a-chip devices using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis and experimental cell culture growth based on the Huh7 cell line. The conducted computational analyses for the two chips showed that the elliptical chamber chip proposed herein offers improved flow and filling characteristics in comparison with the previously presented circular chamber chip. Huh7 hepatoma cells were cultured in the microfluidic devices for 24 h under static fluidic conditions and for 24 h with a flow rate of 3 μL·min−1. Biocompatibility, continuous flow, and biomarker studies showed cell attachment in the chips, confirming the cell viability and their consistent cell growth. The study successfully analyzed the fluid flow behavior, filling characteristics, and biocompatibility of liver-on-a-chip prototype devices, providing valuable insights to improve design and performance and advance alternative methods of in vitro testing.
Investigation of the Impact of Hydrogen Bonding Degree in Long Single-Stranded DNA (ssDNA) Generated with Dual Rolling Circle Amplification (RCA) on the Preparation and Performance of DNA Hydrogels
Authors: Wang Xinyu , Wang Huiyuan , Zhang Hongmin , Yang Tianxi , Zhao Bin , Yan Juan
Published: July 2023

DNA hydrogels have gained significant attention in recent years as one of the most promising functional polymer materials. To broaden their applications, it is critical to develop efficient methods for the preparation of bulk-scale DNA hydrogels with adjustable mechanical properties. Herein, we introduce a straightforward and efficient molecular design approach to producing physically pure DNA hydrogel and controlling its mechanical properties by adjusting the degree of hydrogen bonding in ultralong single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) precursors, which were generated using a dual rolling circle amplification (RCA)-based strategy. The effect of hydrogen bonding degree on the performance of DNA hydrogels was thoroughly investigated by analyzing the preparation process, morphology, rheology, microstructure, and entrapment efficiency of the hydrogels for Au nanoparticles (AuNPs)–BSA. Our results demonstrate that DNA hydrogels can be formed at 25 °C with simple vortex mixing in less than 10 s. The experimental results also indicate that a higher degree of hydrogen bonding in the precursor DNA resulted in stronger internal interaction forces, a more complex internal network of the hydrogel, a denser hydrogel, improved mechanical properties, and enhanced entrapment efficiency. This study intuitively demonstrates the effect of hydrogen bonding on the preparation and properties of DNA hydrogels. The method and results presented in this study are of great significance for improving the synthesis efficiency and economy of DNA hydrogels, enhancing and adjusting the overall quality and performance of the hydrogel, and expanding the application field of DNA hydrogels.
A Mild Dose of Aspirin Promotes Hippocampal Neurogenesis and Working Memory in Experimental Ageing Mice
Authors: Vergil Andrews Jemi Feiona , Selvaraj Divya Bharathi , Kumar Akshay , Roshan Syed Aasish , Anusuyadevi Muthuswamy , Kandasamy Mahesh
Published: July 2023

Aspirin has been reported to prevent memory decline in the elderly population. Adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus has been recognized as an underlying basis of learning and memory. This study investigated the effect of aspirin on spatial memory in correlation with the regulation of hippocampal neurogenesis and microglia in the brains of ageing experimental mice. Results from the novel object recognition (NOR) test, Morris water maze (MWM), and cued radial arm maze (cued RAM) revealed that aspirin treatment enhances working memory in experimental mice. Further, the co-immunohistochemical assessments on the brain sections indicated an increased number of doublecortin (DCX)-positive immature neurons and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)/neuronal nuclei (NeuN) double-positive newly generated neurons in the hippocampi of mice in the aspirin-treated group compared to the control group. Moreover, a reduced number of ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule (Iba)-1-positive microglial cells was evident in the hippocampus of aspirin-treated animals. Recently, enhanced activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in circulation has been identified as an indicative biomarker of dementia. The biochemical assessment in the blood of aspirin-treated mice showed decreased activity of AChE in comparison with that of the control group. Results from this study revealed that aspirin facilitates hippocampal neurogenesis which might be linked to enhanced working memory.
Habituation, Adaptation and Prediction Processes in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Merchie Annabelle , Gomot Marie
Published: July 2023

Habituation, the simplest form of learning preserved across species and evolution, is characterized by a response decrease as a stimulus is repeated. This adaptive function has been shown to be altered in some psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or schizophrenia. At the brain level, habituation is characterized by a decrease in neural activity as a stimulation is repeated, referred to as neural adaptation. This phenomenon influences the ability to make predictions and to detect change, two processes altered in some neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. In this comprehensive review, the objectives are to characterize habituation, neural adaptation, and prediction throughout typical development and in neurodevelopmental disorders; and to evaluate their implication in symptomatology, specifically in sensitivity to change or need for sameness. A summary of the different approaches to investigate adaptation will be proposed, in which we report the contribution of animal studies as well as electrophysiological studies in humans to understanding of underlying neuronal mechanisms.
Does Therapeutic Exercise Support Improvement in Cognitive Function and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living in Patients with Mild Alzheimer’s Disease? A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Papatsimpas Vasileios , Vrouva Sotiria , Papathanasiou George , Papadopoulou Marianna , Bouzineki Christina , Kanellopoulou Sophia , Moutafi Dimitra , Bakalidou Daphne
Published: July 2023

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effect of 12 weeks of therapeutic exercise on cognitive function and daily activities in patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A total of 171 patients with mild AD from the Amarousion Day Care Center of the Alzheimer Society of Athens and the Athens General Hospital “G. Gennimatas” were randomly divided into three groups. Group A (aerobic and resistance exercise, n = 57), group B (resistance exercise, n = 57), and group C (control group, n = 57). Group A followed a weekly program consisting of 5 days with 30 min walking and 3 days with resistance exercises for about 45 min. Group B followed only a resistance exercise program, the same as group A. Group C did not participate in any exercise program. After the intervention, cognitive function was assessed with the Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R), Trail Making Test A-B (TMT A-B), and Digit Span Test Forward and Backward (DST F-B) and daily activities with the instrumental activities of daily living scale (IADLs). A significant intervention effect was observed for all outcome measures (global cognitive function and instrumental activities of daily living). ANCOVA Bonferroni corrected post hoc tests revealed that the aerobic and resistance group improved compared to the control group on all measurement scales. The resistance group also showed an improvement compared to the control group. No significant effects were found between the aerobic and resistance group and the resistance group in any of the outcome measures.
The Role of the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex in the Production and Comprehension of Phonologically and Semantically Related Words
Authors: Butler Lindsay K. , Pecukonis Meredith , Rogers De’Ja , Boas David A. , Tager-Flusberg Helen , Yücel Meryem A.
Published: July 2023

Previous studies suggest that producing and comprehending semantically related words relies on inhibitory control over competitive lexical selection which results in the recruitment of the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). Few studies, however, have examined the involvement of other regions of the frontal cortex, such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), despite its role in cognitive control related to lexical processing. The primary objective of this study was to elucidate the role of the DLPFC in the production and comprehension of semantically and phonologically related words in blocked cyclic naming and picture–word matching paradigms. Twenty-one adults participated in neuroimaging with functional near-infrared spectroscopy to measure changes in oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations across the bilateral frontal cortex during blocked cyclic picture naming and blocked cyclic picture–word-matching tasks. After preprocessing, oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations were obtained for each task (production, comprehension), condition (semantic, phonological) and region (DLPFC, IFG). The results of pairwise t-tests adjusted for multiple comparisons showed significant increases in oxygenated hemoglobin concentration over baseline in the bilateral DLPFC during picture naming for phonologically related words. For picture–word matching, we found significant increases in oxygenated hemoglobin concentration over baseline in the right DLPFC for semantically related words and in the right IFG for phonologically related words. We discuss the results in light of the inhibitory attentional control over competitive lexical access theory in contrast to alternative potential explanations for the findings.
Remote Assessment of Parkinson’s Disease Patients Amidst the COVID-19 Lockdown in Mexico
Authors: León-García Rodrigo , Ortega-Robles Emmanuel , Arias-Carrión Oscar
Published: July 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced unprecedented challenges in managing patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) due to disruptions in healthcare services and the need for social distancing. Understanding the effects of COVID-19 on PD symptoms is crucial for optimizing patient care. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the data obtained during the period of COVID-19 lockdown, comparing it with analogous timeframes in 2018 and 2019. Our objective was to examine the influence of this unique circumstance on both motor and non-motor symptoms in patients with PD. Telemedicine was employed to assess symptoms using the Movement Disorder Society-sponsored Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS). Our findings revealed a notable worsening of symptoms, evidenced by a significant increase in the total MDS-UPDRS score. Specifically, there was an increase in Part III scores, reflecting changes in motor function. However, no differences were observed in Parts I or II, which pertain to non-motor symptoms. Additionally, patient satisfaction and the feasibility of telemedicine consultations were high, highlighting the efficacy of this alternative approach during the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic had a discernible impact on PD symptoms, with a significant worsening of motor symptoms observed during the lockdown period. Telemedicine was a valuable tool for remote assessment and follow-up, ensuring continuity of care for individuals with PD in the face of pandemic-related challenges.
Metallothionein I/II Expression and Metal Ion Levels in Correlation with Amyloid Beta Deposits in the Aged Feline Brain
Authors: Apostolopoulou Emmanouela P. , Raikos Nikolaos , Vlemmas Ioannis , Michaelidis Efstratios , Brellou Georgia D.
Published: July 2023

Brain aging has been correlated with high metallothionein I-II (MT-I/II) expression, iron and zinc dyshomeostasis, and Aβ deposition in humans and experimental animals. In the present study, iron and zinc accumulation, the expression of MT-I/II and Aβ42, and their potential association with aging in the feline brain were assessed. Tissue sections from the temporal and frontal grey (GM) and white (WM) matter, hippocampus, thalamus, striatum, cerebellum, and dentate nucleus were examined histochemically for the presence of age-related histopathological lesions and iron deposits and distribution. We found, using a modified Perl’s/DAB method, two types of iron plaques that showed age-dependent accumulation in the temporal GM and WM and the thalamus, along with the age-dependent increment in cerebellar-myelin-associated iron. We also demonstrated an age-dependent increase in MT-I/II immunoreactivity in the feline brain. In cats over 7 years old, Aβ immunoreactivity was detected in vessel walls and neuronal somata; extracellular Aβ deposits were also evident. Interestingly, Aβ-positive astrocytes were also observed in certain cases. ICP-MS analysis of brain content regarding iron and zinc concentrations showed no statistically significant association with age, but a mild increase in iron with age was noticed, while zinc levels were found to be higher in the Mature and Senior groups. Our findings reinforce the suggestion that cats could serve as a dependable natural animal model for brain aging and neurodegeneration; thus, they should be further investigated on the basis of metal ion concentration changes and their effects on aging.
Relationship between Harsh Parenting and Aggressive Behaviors in Male Juvenile Delinquents: Potential Mediating Roles of Peer Victimization and Hostile Attribution Bias
Authors: Lin Shuang , Wang Ying , Cheng Gonglu , Bai Xuejun
Published: July 2023

Harsh parenting can be regarded as a harsh behaviors, feelings, and attitudes toward children in the process of parenting. According to the theory of intergenerational transmission of violence, harsh parenting is an important factor affecting children’s aggressive behavior, but the theory does not clarify the specific action path between harsh parenting and aggressive behavior. In order to reveal the relationship between harsh parenting and the aggressive behavior of juvenile delinquents, 604 male juvenile delinquents (N = 604; Mage = 16.57 years; SD = 0.612 years) were investigated using the Harsh Parenting Questionnaire, the Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire, the Multidimensional Peer Victimization Scale, and the Word Sentence Association Paradigm for Hostility in Chinese. Analysis using structural equation modeling procedures showed that (a) all variables were positively associated with each other; (b) the partial indirect effect of harsh parenting on aggressive behaviors was determined through the mediators of peer victimization and hostile attribution bias independently; and (c) the partial indirect effect was determined through the mediators of peer victimization and hostile attribution bias sequentially. The results suggest that harsh parenting can explain the highly aggressive behavior of male juvenile delinquents. Moreover, harsh parenting may also predict the risk of peer victimization and hostile attribution bias, thereby predicting the development of highly aggressive behaviors.
Thermal Performance of Foam Glass Aggregate at Different Compaction Ratios
Authors: Mustafa Waleed Sulaiman , Szendefy János , Nagy Balázs
Published: July 2023

The use of glass waste in the construction industry has a high potential of leading to a higher recycling percentage. Foam glass aggregate (FGA) is around 98% recycled glass waste of various origins and has good insulation properties with big grain size distributions ranging between 10 mm and 60 mm. FGA has a wide range of applicability in the construction industry, which significantly differs from each implementation in the case of built-in conditions of the material. Therefore, investigating the impact of different compaction ratios, temperature, and relative humidity conditions on the thermal performance of such material is very important. In the present work, the samples of foam glass aggregates have been prepared with four different compaction ratios (10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) to measure their impact on the material’s mechanical and thermal insulation properties. The obtained results revealed that the dry density property of the material linearly increased with elevated compaction ratios. In contrast, the submergence density did not follow the same trend behaviour under the same circumstances. The vertical strain of the foam glass aggregates decreased with increased compaction ratios, and a significant correlation behaviour was observed between the vertical strain and increased compaction ratios at high compressional loads. The material’s thermal conductivity increased with increasing compaction ratios in both 50% relative humidity and 95% relative humidity, while for the submergence condition, a significant decrease in their values was observed after compacting the material by 40%. The thermal conductivity is tested at 10 °C and 30 °C using the TLS and GHP methods. The thermal resistance of foam glass aggregate layers was calculated based on the measured results, showing an approximately linear decreasing trend with increasing compaction ratios. While the submerged foam glass aggregate samples demonstrated stable thermal resistance values at 30% compaction, by raising the compaction ratio to 40%, the material’s thermal resistance increased once again. The experimental results also found the temperature conversion coefficients, which can be used to convert the compacted FGA materials’ thermal conductivity to the temperature experienced in a different built-in state than the laboratory measurements. Our study demonstrates the broad usability of foam glass aggregate as a compacted thermal insulating layer in the building industry.