bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Properties and Functionality of Cereal Non-Starch Polysaccharides in Breadmaking
Authors: Bieniek Angelika , Buksa Krzysztof
Published: February 2023

Non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) are biopolymers included in the fiber of cereal grains and seeds. Among NSPs, arabinoxylans and β-glucans are considered to play the most important role in breadmaking. In the literature to date, there is a lack of studies that summarize the current information on the properties and role of NSPs in this process. This review summarizes the up-to-date knowledge concerning the properties and functionality of the most common cereal NSPs in bread baking. In studies conducted to date, it has been shown that the addition of both arabinoxylans and β-glucans in amounts up to about 6% causes an increase in the water absorption of flour, and as a consequence, it forces the use of a larger addition of water to achieve the desired consistency of the dough. Even a small addition of NSPs can have a positive effect on the dough yield; making more bread from the same amount of flour and such bread is less caloric since neither NSPs nor water contributes to additional calories. Moreover, it has been shown that even a small addition of arabinoxylans or β-glucans has a positive effect on bread volume, moisture, and texture of the bread crumb as well as the preservation of bread freshness. The knowledge concerning cereal NSPs, especially modified ones and of defined structure, is incomplete and further research is needed to characterize their functionality in breadmaking.
Use of Land Gravity Data in Small Areas to Support Structural Geology, a Case Study in Eskişehir Basin, Turkey
Authors: Balkan Emir , Tün Muammer
Published: February 2023

Various researchers have contributed to the literature on the locations and lengths of existing faults in the Eskişehir Basin, Turkey. However, the majority of the literature on the subject bases its results on fault indications observed on the surface, for example, surface ruptures. In addition, studies using geophysical methods in order to reveal buried faults have also fallen short regarding depth compared to gravity. In order to have a better understanding, the gravity method was applied with a total of 448 gravity measurements on five parallel lines in the north–south direction of the study area, which also includes the urban area of the Eskişehir Basin. Considering the neotectonics of the Eskişehir basin, the measurement lines were chosen to perpendicularly cut the east–west extending faults of the Eskişehir fault zone. For the first time in the literature, a detailed Bouguer gravity anomaly map has been obtained for the Eskişehir Basin using land gravity measurements. The edge detection Horizontal Gradient Magnitude (HGM) and Euler Deconvolution (ED) methods were applied to obtained Bouguer anomaly data. Both of these use spatial analysis of Bouguer gravity anomalies. An HGM map shows the presence of maximum amplitude areas in the south and north of the study, and these areas were found to be compatible with the known faults in the literature. ED solutions also support HGM maximums. The relationship between the lineaments obtained from the edge detections and the seismicity of the region were examined. It can be seen that the results obtained from both the HGM and ED edge detection methods are highly compatible with each other, and highly related to the structural geology of the region. Although great agreement with the faults in the literature was determined by both methods, only the ED method showed a number of newly found faults in the area. In addition, the locations of the known faults in the region were supported by the geo-physical gravity method for the first time.
Role of Diatom Microstructure in Determining the Atterberg Limits of Fine-Grained Diatomaceous Soil
Authors: Xu Yiqing , Zhang Xianwei , Wang Gang , Liu Xinyu , Yang Aiwu
Published: February 2023

The presence of diatoms in diatomaceous soil gives it geotechnical properties that are unusual compared with common clays. The most typical physical property of diatomaceous soil is its abnormally high Atterberg limits compared to fine-grained soil without diatoms. For diatomaceous soil, the Atterberg limits are associated with many factors, such as diatom content, diatom crushing degree, etc. In the study reported here, it was ascertained that more diatoms lead to higher plastic and liquid limits. Once the diatoms are crushed, the plastic and liquid limits decrease. The pore fluid salt concentration barely influenced the Atterberg limits of diatomaceous soil. Additionally, the porous diatom microstructure and trimodal pore size distribution of diatomaceous soil were investigated via scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and mercury intrusion porosimetry. The underlying mechanism of abnormally high liquid and plastic limits of diatomaceous soil is revealed as the water stored in the special diatom microstructure. However, water in diatoms has no contribution to plasticity. Also discussed is the applicability of the current soil classification systems for diatomaceous soil. The findings of this study can help for a better understanding of Atterberg limits of diatomaceous soil and provide suggestions for the classification of diatomaceous soil.
Enhanced Teaching–Learning-Based Optimization Algorithm for the Mobile Robot Path Planning Problem
Authors: Lu Shichang , Liu Danyang , Li Dan , Shao Xulun
Published: February 2023

This research proposes an enhanced teaching–learning based optimization (ETLBO) algorithm to realize an efficient path planning for a mobile robot. Four strategies are introduced to accelerate the teaching–learning based optimization (TLBO) algorithm and optimize the final path. Firstly, a divide-and-conquer design, coupled with the Dijkstra method, is developed to realize the problem transformation so as to pave the way for algorithm deployment. Secondly, the interpolation method is utilized to smooth the traveling route as well as to reduce the problem dimensionality. Thirdly, an opposition-based learning strategy is embedded into the algorithm initialization to create initial solutions with high qualities. Finally, a novel, individual update method is established by hybridizing the TLBO algorithm with differential evolution (DE). Simulations on benchmark functions and MRPP problems are conducted, and the proposed ELTBO is compared with some state-of-the-art algorithms. The results show that, in most cases, the ELTBO algorithm performs better than other algorithms in both optimality and efficiency.
How Particular Firm-Specific Features Influence Corporate Debt Level: A Case Study of Slovak Enterprises
Authors: Gajdosikova Dominika , Lăzăroiu George , Valaskova Katarina
Published: February 2023

Debt financing is related to borrowing funds from enterprises and investors through bonds, banks, or financial institutions. Interest in debt financing has been rapidly growing in recent years and is now considered one of the most common ways an enterprise can increase its capital to run its business. However, the use of a large amount of debt is associated with the management of corporate indebtedness, requiring the tracking of the entire financial performance of the company. The chief objective of this study was to determine and assess the indebtedness level of enterprises operating in the Slovak Republic using 12 crucial debt ratios and then to clarify whether there are statistically relevant dissimilarities in corporate debt as a result of the firm size and its legal form, representing relevant company-specific features having an impact on corporate indebtedness. Subsequently, a more elaborate analysis addressing statistically relevant dissimilarities between separate indebtedness ratios in relation to the size of the company and its legal form was carried out by deploying the nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis test. We leveraged the Bonferroni correction to specify where stochastic ascendancy occurs. The Kruskal–Wallis test result revealed statistically significant dissimilarities in the values of debt ratios as a result of the firm size and the legal form of the company, which confirmed previous results indicating the most relevant determinants shaping corporate debt. Recognizing the repercussions of firm size and legal form on the corporate debt policy plays an important role, as these company-specific features may be perceived as proxies for the default likelihood or for the volatility of corporate assets, making the regulatory process of creditors and stakeholders straightforward. The findings confirmed the theories of numerous researchers who claimed that firm size and legal form are critical aspects of corporate debt.
Soil Fungal Diversity and Ecology Assessed Using DNA Metabarcoding along a Deglaciated Chronosequence at Clearwater Mesa, James Ross Island, Antarctic Peninsula
Authors: Gonçalves Vivian N. , Lirio Juan M. , Coria Silvia H. , Lopes Fabyano A. C. , Convey Peter , de Oliveira Fábio S. , Carvalho-Silva Micheline , Câmara Paulo E. A. S. , Rosa Luiz H.
Published: February 2023

We studied the fungal diversity present in soils sampled along a deglaciated chronosequence from para- to periglacial conditions on James Ross Island, north-east Antarctic Peninsula, using DNA metabarcoding. A total of 88 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were detected, dominated by the phyla Ascomycota, Basidiomycota and Mortierellomycota. The uncommon phyla Chytridiomycota, Rozellomycota, Monoblepharomycota, Zoopagomycota and Basidiobolomycota were detected. Unknown fungi identified at higher hierarchical taxonomic levels (Fungal sp. 1, Fungal sp. 2, Spizellomycetales sp. and Rozellomycotina sp.) and taxa identified at generic and specific levels (Mortierella sp., Pseudogymnoascus sp., Mortierella alpina, M. turficola, Neoascochyta paspali, Penicillium sp. and Betamyces sp.) dominated the assemblages. In general, the assemblages displayed high diversity and richness, and moderate dominance. Only 12 of the fungal ASVs were detected in all chronosequence soils sampled. Sequences representing saprophytic, pathogenic and symbiotic fungi were detected. Based on the sequence diversity obtained, Clearwater Mesa soils contain a complex fungal community, including the presence of fungal groups generally considered rare in Antarctica, with dominant taxa recognized as cold-adapted cosmopolitan, endemic, saprotrophic and phytopathogenic fungi. Clearwater Mesa ecosystems are impacted by the effects of regional climatic changes, and may provide a natural observatory to understand climate change effects over time.
Defense System of the Manila Clam Ruditapes philippinarum under High-Temperature and Hydrogen Sulfide Conditions
Authors: Liu Yi , Wang Xinmeng , Du Yanqiu , Zhong Yi , Wu Wenguang , Yang Jun , Zhang Jihong
Published: February 2023

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) acts as an environmental toxin. Despite its toxicity, little is known about the defense strategies of marine bivalves against it. Thus, the tolerance, behavioral characteristics, and physiological response strategies against H2S treatment in the sentinel organism Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum were examined. We monitored the survival and behavioral status of Manila clams exposed to different combinations of temperature and H2S. The physiological response strategies were examined by measuring the enzymatic activity of cytochrome C oxidase (CCO), fumarate reductase (FRD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase enzymes (CAT). Moreover, adverse effects of H2S on the tissue and cell structure of Manila clams were also examined under a transmission electron microscope. Manila clams responded to H2S stress through behavioral and chemical defenses. With exposure to H2S alone, Manila clams primarily enhanced aerobic respiratory metabolic pathways in the beginning stages by opening the shell and increasing the CCO activity to obtain more oxygen; with increasing exposure time, when aerobic respiration was inhibited, the shell was closed, and FRD, CAT, and SOD were activated. At this point, Manila clams responded to H2S stress through the anaerobic metabolism and antioxidant defense systems. However, high temperatures (≥28 °C) altered the defense strategy of Manila clams. With co-exposure to high temperatures and high H2S concentrations (≥20 μmol/L), the Manila clams immediately closed their shells and changed from aerobic respiration to anaerobic metabolism while immediately activating antioxidant defense systems. Nevertheless, this defense strategy was short lived. In addition to this, apparent damage to tissue and cell structures, including mitochondrial ridge dissolution and many vacuoles, was observed in Manila clams exposed to high temperatures and high H2S concentrations. Thus, prolonged exposure to high temperature and H2S damages the tissue structure of Manila clams, affecting their behavioral capacity and future survival. In summary, profiling Manila clams’ physiological response strategies to H2S exposure provided ecological behavioral support for our current understanding of H2S detrimental toxicity on marine bivalves.
CC Chemokines in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Pathogenic Role and Therapeutic Potential
Authors: Liu Shanshan , Liu Chang , Wang Qianrong , Liu Suosi , Min Jiali
Published: February 2023

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), characterized by progressive worsening of dyspnea and irreversible decline in lung function, is a chronic and progressive respiratory disease with a poor prognosis. Chronic or repeated lung injury results in inflammation and an excessive injury-repairing response that drives the development of IPF. A number of studies have shown that the development and progression of IPF are associated with dysregulated expression of several chemokines and chemokine receptors, several of which have been used as predictors of IPF outcome. Chemokines of the CC family play significant roles in exacerbating IPF progression by immune cell attraction or fibroblast activation. Modulating levels of detrimental CC chemokines and interrupting the corresponding transduction axis by neutralizing antibodies or antagonists are potential treatment options for IPF. Here, we review the roles of different CC chemokines in the pathogenesis of IPF, and their potential use as biomarkers or therapeutic targets.
Plasma Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin Associates with New-Onset Chronic Kidney Disease in the General Population
Authors: Bourgonje Arno R. , Abdulle Amaal E. , Bourgonje Martin F. , Kieneker Lyanne M. , la Bastide-van Gemert Sacha , Gordijn Sanne J. , Hidden Clara , Nilsen Tom , Gansevoort Ron T. , Mulder Douwe J. , Dullaart Robin P. F. , de Borst Martin H. , Bakker Stephan J. L. , van Goor Harry
Published: February 2023

Circulating levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) have been associated with acute kidney injury and the severity and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study investigated its potential utility as a biomarker for the risk of new-onset CKD in a population-based cohort study. Individuals without CKD at baseline (n = 4660) who participated in the Prevention of REnal and Vascular ENd-stage Disease (PREVEND) prospective population-based cohort study in the Netherlands were included. Baseline plasma NGAL concentrations were investigated for their associations with new-onset CKD, defined as a composite outcome of an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, urinary albumin excretion (UAE) > 30 mg/24-h, or both. Mean (±SD) plasma NGAL concentrations were 104.0 (±34.7) μg/L and median eGFR was 96 [IQR: 85.3–105.8] mL/min/1.73 m2. After median follow-up of 8.3 [IQR: 7.8–8.9] years, 467 participants developed new-onset CKD. Plasma NGAL concentrations were significantly associated with an increased risk of new-onset CKD (hazard ratio [HR] per doubling 1.35 [95% CI: 1.11–1.63], p = 0.002), even after adjustment for potentially confounding factors (1.37 [1.09–1.73], p = 0.007) except baseline eGFR (1.09 [0.86–1.37], p = 0.490). In secondary analyses, plasma NGAL concentrations were significantly associated with new-onset CKD as defined by eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 alone (adjusted HR per doubling 2.54 [1.69–3.80], p < 0.001), which was abrogated after adjustment for eGFR (1.05 [0.69–1.59], p = 0.828), also when UAE > 30 mg/24-h was set as individual outcome (1.05 [0.82–1.35], p = 0.705). Higher plasma NGAL concentrations are associated with an increased risk of developing CKD in the general population. This association is dependent on renal function, and mainly driven by new-onset CKD as defined by renal function decline.
An Automated Method for Artifical Intelligence Assisted Diagnosis of Active Aortitis Using Radiomic Analysis of FDG PET-CT Images
Authors: Duff Lisa M. , Scarsbrook Andrew F. , Ravikumar Nishant , Frood Russell , van Praagh Gijs D. , Mackie Sarah L. , Bailey Marc A. , Tarkin Jason M. , Mason Justin C. , van der Geest Kornelis S. M. , Slart Riemer H. J. A. , Morgan Ann W. , Tsoumpas Charalampos
Published: February 2023

The aim of this study was to develop and validate an automated pipeline that could assist the diagnosis of active aortitis using radiomic imaging biomarkers derived from [18F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography (FDG PET-CT) images. The aorta was automatically segmented by convolutional neural network (CNN) on FDG PET-CT of aortitis and control patients. The FDG PET-CT dataset was split into training (43 aortitis:21 control), test (12 aortitis:5 control) and validation (24 aortitis:14 control) cohorts. Radiomic features (RF), including SUV metrics, were extracted from the segmented data and harmonized. Three radiomic fingerprints were constructed: A—RFs with high diagnostic utility removing highly correlated RFs; B used principal component analysis (PCA); C—Random Forest intrinsic feature selection. The diagnostic utility was evaluated with accuracy and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Several RFs and Fingerprints had high AUC values (AUC > 0.8), confirmed by balanced accuracy, across training, test and external validation datasets. Good diagnostic performance achieved across several multi-centre datasets suggests that a radiomic pipeline can be generalizable. These findings could be used to build an automated clinical decision tool to facilitate objective and standardized assessment regardless of observer experience.
Microfluidic Fabrication of Natural Polymer-Based Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications: A Review
Authors: Rosellini Elisabetta , Cascone Maria Grazia
Published: February 2023

Natural polymers, thanks to their intrinsic biocompatibility and biomimicry, have been largely investigated as scaffold materials for tissue engineering applications. Traditional scaffold fabrication methods present several limitations, such as the use of organic solvents, the obtainment of a non-homogeneous structure, the variability in pore size and the lack of pore interconnectivity. These drawbacks can be overcome using innovative and more advanced production techniques based on the use of microfluidic platforms. Droplet microfluidics and microfluidic spinning techniques have recently found applications in the field of tissue engineering to produce microparticles and microfibers that can be used as scaffolds or as building blocks for three-dimensional structures. Compared to standard fabrication technologies, microfluidics-based ones offer several advantages, such as the possibility of obtaining particles and fibers with uniform dimensions. Thus, scaffolds with extremely precise geometry, pore distribution, pore interconnectivity and a uniform pores size can be obtained. Microfluidics can also represent a cheaper manufacturing technique. In this review, the microfluidic fabrication of microparticles, microfibers and three-dimensional scaffolds based on natural polymers will be illustrated. An overview of their applications in different tissue engineering fields will also be provided.
A Novel DNAzyme-Based Fluorescent Biosensor for Detection of RNA-Containing Nipah Henipavirus
Authors: Kirichenko Anastasiia , Bryushkova Ekaterina , Dedkov Vladimir , Dolgova Anna
Published: February 2023

Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic RNA virus which infects humans and animals in Asian countries. Infection in humans occurs in different forms, from asymptomatic infection to fatal encephalitis, and death occurred in 40–70% of those infected in outbreaks that occurred between 1998 and 2018. Modern diagnostics is carried out by real-time PCR to identify pathogens or by ELISA to detect antibodies. Both technologies are labor-intensive and require the use of expensive stationary equipment. Thus, there is a need to develop alternative simple, fast and accurate test systems for virus detection. The aim of this study was to develop a highly specific and easily standardized system for the detection of Nipah virus RNA. In our work, we have developed a design for a Dz_NiV biosensor based on a split catalytic core of deoxyribozyme 10–23. It was shown that the assembly of active 10–23 DNAzymes occurred only in the presence of synthetic target Nipah virus RNA and that this was accompanied by stable fluorescence signals from the cleaved fluorescent substrates. This process was realized at 37 °C, pH 7.5, and in the presence of magnesium ions, with a 10 nM limit of detection achieved for the synthetic target RNA. Constructed via a simple and easily modifiable process, our biosensor may be used for the detection of other RNA viruses.
Flight Type and Seasonal Movements Are Important Predictors for Avian Collisions in Wind Farms
Authors: Balmori-de la Puente Alfonso , Balmori Alfonso
Published: February 2023

Wind farms are an alternative energy source mitigating environmental pollution. However, they can have adverse effects, causing an increase in mortality for wildlife through collision with wind turbines. The aim of this study was to investigate the risks of bird collisions with wind turbines linked to species-specific variables. For this purpose, we have analysed the dead birds involved in wind farm collisions that were admitted to two rescue centres in Spain over a period of 16 years (2001–2016; full dataset: n = 3130). All the birds analysed in this study were killed by turbines in wind farms. We performed two linear models using all species and a reduced dataset (bird of prey and passerine having more than four collisions) that included group, seasonal movements, flight type, length, and the number of pairs for the Spanish and European populations. The coefficients and the percent of variance explained by each relevant variable were determined in the models and the real values were compared with predicted values to visualise the goodness of fit. We found that the flight type was the most important variable explaining 35% of the total variability for the model including all species and 29% for the reduced dataset respectively, followed by seasonal movement type (4%/17% respectively) and the Spanish population (4%/6%). Subsequent analyses suggested that species with hovering, song-flights and active soaring flights are more susceptible to collisions with wind farms, and that species showing partial migration have a significant peak of collisions across spring and autumn. The estimated species-specific collision index can help in modelling the theoretical risk of collision with wind turbines, depending on the species existing in the area and their predicted values of vulnerability, which is linked to flight types and seasonal movements.
Patient Engagement as Contributors in Online Health Communities: The Mediation of Peer Involvement and Moderation of Community Status
Authors: Wang Jun , Yao Tang , Wang Yani
Published: February 2023

This study focuses on patient engagement in online health communities (OHCs) and investigates the mechanism related to the impact of social support provided by patients on their personal engagement. Based on social support theory, we put forward a research model and conduct empirical analysis using datasets of 4797 patients with 160,484 posts and 1,647,569 replies from an online health community in China. The mediation of peer involvement and moderation of community status are also examined. The results indicate that the subdimensions of social support positively influence patient engagement with informational support exerting the greatest impact. Peer patient involvement imposes significant partial and positive mediating effects on the relationships, especially on informational support. Community status negatively moderates the impacts of social interactions and informational support on patient engagement in that the influence of social interactions and informational support are more profound for patients with low community status. The findings can bring an understanding of patient engagement in OCHs, and provide theoretical and practical implications to facilitate the development of an online healthcare service.
Mobile Phone Addiction and Sleep Quality among Older People: The Mediating Roles of Depression and Loneliness
Authors: Tian Hemei , Wang Yifu
Published: February 2023

Rapid social development has made the elderly increasingly dependent on mobile phones, and mobile phone addiction has a negative effect on sleep quality. The underlying mechanism between the two is unclear. This study examined the mediating role of depression and loneliness in the relationship between phone addiction and sleep quality in older adults. Mobile Phone Addiction Scale Short Version, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scale, UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles)-8 Loneliness Scale, and Short Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) were used to investigate 459 older adults in China. The results showed that there was a positive correlation between mobile phone addiction and sleep quality in the elderly. In addition, depression and loneliness partially mediated the relationship between mobile phone addiction and sleep quality in older adults. The current study provides new insights into the impact of mobile phone addiction on sleep quality and the importance of depression and loneliness in older adults. The limitations and significance of this study are discussed.
Prediction of Failure Modes and Minimum Characteristic Value of Transverse Reinforcement of RC Beams Based on Interpretable Machine Learning
Authors: Wang Sixuan , Ma Cailong , Wang Wenhu , Hou Xianlong , Xiao Xufeng , Zhang Zhenhao , Liu Xuanchi , Liao JinJing
Published: February 2023

Shear failure of reinforced concrete (RC) beams is a form of brittle failure and has always been a concern. This study adopted the interpretable machine-learning technique to predict failure modes and identify the boundary value between different failure modes to avoid diagonal splitting failure. An experimental database consisting of 295 RC beams with or without transverse reinforcements was established. Two features were constructed to reflect the design characteristics of RC beams, namely, the shear–span ratio and the characteristic value of transverse reinforcement. The characteristic value of transverse reinforcement has two forms: (i) λsv,ft=ρstpfsv/ft, from the China design code of GB 50010-2010; and (ii) λsv,fc′=ρstpfsv/fc′0.5, from the America design code of ACI 318-19 and Canada design code of CSA A23.3-14. Six machine-learning models were developed to predict failure modes, and gradient boosting decision tree and extreme gradient boosting are recommended after comparing the prediction performance. Then, shapley additive explanations (SHAP) indicates that the characteristic value of transverse reinforcement has the most significant effect on failure mode, follow by the shear–span ratio. The characteristic value of transverse reinforcement is selected as the form of boundary value. On this basis, an accumulated local effects (ALE) plot describes how this feature affects model prediction and gives the boundary value through numerical simulation, that is, the minimum characteristic value of transverse reinforcement. Compared with the three codes, the suggested value for λsv,fc′,min has higher reliability and security for avoiding diagonal splitting failure. Accordingly, the research approach in this case is feasible and effective, and can be recommended to solve similar tasks.
Green and Sustainable Construction Industry: A Systematic Literature Review of the Contractor’s Green Construction Capability
Authors: Gu Jianglin , Guo Feng , Peng Xiaojing , Wang Bin
Published: February 2023

Contractors are the main implementers to achieve green construction, and the contractor’s green construction capability (CGCC) is far-reaching for green construction. Research on CGCC exists in a number of disciplines, with major contributions in construction management, environment management, and sustainable management research. Despite the fact that CGCC is widely utilised in both research and practice, its formation and action mechanism remain obscure due to the multi-disciplinary nature of CGCC. This study is motivated by this research gap. This study conducted a comprehensive investigation of CGCC by using a systematic review covering 74 relevant publications published from 2005 to the first half of 2022. Five main research clusters were identified: (1) CGCC implementation; (2) CGCC performance; (3) CGCC profound impact; (4) CGCC and green building; and (5) CGCC and sustainability. Existing research collaborations on CGCC are infrequent, although this is an area of research that requires multi-disciplinary collaboration. Studies such as CGCC enhancement mechanisms and evaluation systems have received less attention. An integrative framework was proposed for future scholars to build upon as well as a guidance for executives.
Data-Driven Model-Based Control Strategies to Improve the Cooling Performance of Commercial and Institutional Buildings
Authors: Saloux Etienne , Zhang Kun
Published: February 2023

The increasing amount of operational data in buildings opens up new methods for improving building performance through advanced controls. Although predictive control has been widely investigated in the literature, field demonstrations still remain rare. Alternatively, model-based controls can provide similar improvement while being easier to implement in real buildings. This paper investigates three data-driven model-based control strategies to improve the cooling performance of commercial and institutional buildings: (a) chiller sequencing, (b) free cooling, and (c) supply air temperature reset. These energy efficiency measures are applied to an existing commercial building in Canada with data from summer 2020 and 2021. The impact of each measure is individually assessed, as well as their combined effects. The results show that all three of the measures together reduce building cooling energy by 12% and cooling system electric energy by 33%.
Relationship between Tumor Budding and Partial Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition in Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Okuyama Kohei , Suzuki Keiji , Yanamoto Souichi
Published: February 2023

Tumor budding (TB), a microscopic finding in the stroma ahead of the invasive fronts of tumors, has been well investigated and reported as a prognostic marker in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial step in tumor progression and metastasis, and its status cannot be distinguished from TB. The current understanding of partial EMT (p-EMT), the so-called halfway step of EMT, focuses on the tumor microenvironment (TME). Although this evidence has been investigated, the clinicopathological and biological relationship between TB and p-EMT remains debatable. At the invasion front, previous research suggested that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are important for tumor progression, metastasis, p-EMT, and TB formation in the TME. Although there is biological evidence of TB drivers, no report has focused on their organized functional relationships. Understanding the mechanism of TB onset and the relationship between p-EMTs may facilitate the development of novel diagnostic and prognostic methods, and targeted therapies for the prevention of metastasis in epithelial cancer. Thus far, major pieces of evidence have been established from colorectal cancer (CRC), due to a large number of patients with the disease. Herein, we review the current understanding of p-EMT and TME dynamics and discuss the relationship between TB development and p-EMT, focusing on CAFs, hypoxia, tumor-associated macrophages, laminin–integrin crosstalk, membrane stiffness, enzymes, and viral infections in cancers, and clarify the gap of evidence between HNSCC and CRC.
Autophagy/Mitophagy Regulated by Ubiquitination: A Promising Pathway in Cancer Therapeutics
Authors: Jee Seung-Cheol , Cheong Heesun
Published: February 2023

Autophagy is essential for organismal development, maintenance of energy homeostasis, and quality control of organelles and proteins. As a selective form of autophagy, mitophagy is necessary for effectively eliminating dysfunctional mitochondria. Both autophagy and mitophagy are linked with tumor progression and inhibition. The regulation of mitophagy and autophagy depend upon tumor type and stage. In tumors, mitophagy has dual roles: it removes damaged mitochondria to maintain healthy mitochondria and energy production, which are necessary for tumor growth. In contrast, mitophagy has been shown to inhibit tumor growth by mitigating excessive ROS production, thus preventing mutation and chromosomal instability. Ubiquitination and deubiquitination are important modifications that regulate autophagy. Multiple E3 ubiquitin ligases and DUBs modulate the activity of the autophagy and mitophagy machinery, thereby influencing cancer progression. In this review, we summarize the mechanistic association between cancer development and autophagy/mitophagy activities regulated by the ubiquitin modification of autophagic proteins. In addition, we discuss the function of multiple proteins involved in autophagy/mitophagy in tumors that may represent potential therapeutic targets.
The Antithetic Roles of IQGAP2 and IQGAP3 in Cancers
Authors: Song Fei , Dai Qingqing , Grimm Marc-Oliver , Steinbach Daniel
Published: February 2023

The scaffold protein family of IQ motif-containing GTPase-activating proteins (IQGAP1, 2, and 3) share a high degree of homology and comprise six functional domains. IQGAPs bind and regulate the cytoskeleton, interact with MAP kinases and calmodulin, and have GTPase-related activity, as well as a RasGAP domain. Thus, IQGAPs regulate multiple cellular processes and pathways, affecting cell division, growth, cell–cell interactions, migration, and invasion. In the past decade, significant evidence on the function of IQGAPs in signal transduction during carcinogenesis has emerged. Compared with IQGAP1, IQGAP2 and IQGAP3 were less analyzed. In this review, we summarize the different signaling pathways affected by IQGAP2 and IQGAP3, and the antithetic roles of IQGAP2 and IQGAP3 in different types of cancer. IQGAP2 expression is reduced and plays a tumor suppressor role in most solid cancer types, while IQGAP3 is overexpressed and acts as an oncogene. In lymphoma, for example, IQGAPs have partially opposite functions. There is considerable evidence that IQGAPs regulate a multitude of pathways to modulate cancer processes and chemoresistance, but some questions, such as how they trigger this signaling, through which domains, and why they play opposite roles on the same pathways, are still unanswered.
HDAC8 Deacetylates HIF-1α and Enhances Its Protein Stability to Promote Tumor Growth and Migration in Melanoma
Authors: Kim Ji Yoon , Cho Hayoung , Yoo Jung , Kim Go Woon , Jeon Yu Hyun , Lee Sang Wu , Kwon So Hee
Published: February 2023

Melanoma is the most lethal type of skin cancer, and it causes more than 55,000 deaths annually. Although regional melanoma can be surgically removed, once melanoma metastasizes to other regions of the body, the survival rate drops dramatically. The current treatment options are chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. However, the low response rate and the development of resistance necessitate the search for a novel therapeutic target in melanoma. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 α (HIF-1α) is overexpressed in melanoma and plays a crucial role in driving malignant transformation in cancer cells. Here, we identified that histone deacetylase 8 (HDAC8) enhances the protein stability of HIF-1α. HDAC8 directly binds to and deacetylates HIF-1α, thereby promoting its protein stability. This, in turn, upregulates the transcriptional activity of HIF-1α and promotes the expressions of its target genes, such as hexokinase 2 (HK2) and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1). The inhibition of HDAC8 suppresses the proliferation and metastasis of melanoma cells. Furthermore, HDAC8 is correlated with HIF1A expression and poor prognosis in samples from patients with melanoma. These findings uncover a novel epigenetic mechanism that maintains HIF-1α stability and implicates the potential of HDAC8 inhibitors for melanoma therapy.
Surveillance Value of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Maps: Multiparametric MRI in Active Surveillance of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Georgiev Aleksandar , Chervenkov Lyubomir , Doykov Mladen , Doykova Katya , Uchikov Petar , Tsvetkova Silvia
Published: February 2023

Background: This study aims to establish the value of apparent diffusion coefficient maps and other magnetic resonance sequences for active surveillance of prostate cancer. The study included 530 men with an average age of 66, who were under surveillance for prostate cancer. We have used multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging with subsequent transperineal biopsy (TPB) to verify the imaging findings. Results: We have observed a level of agreement of 67.30% between the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps, other magnetic resonance sequences, and the biopsy results. The sensitivity of the apparent diffusion coefficient is 97.14%, and the specificity is 37.50%. According to our data, apparent diffusion coefficient is the most accurate sequence, followed by diffusion imaging in prostate cancer detection. Conclusions: Based on our findings we advocate that the apparent diffusion coefficient should be included as an essential part of magnetic resonance scanning protocols for prostate cancer in at least bi-parametric settings. The best option will be apparent diffusion coefficient combined with diffusion imaging and T2 sequences. Further large-scale prospective controlled studies are required to define the precise role of multiparametric and bi-parametric magnetic resonance in the active surveillance of prostate cancer.
Chimp Optimization Algorithm Influenced Type-2 Intuitionistic Fuzzy C-Means Clustering-Based Breast Cancer Detection System
Authors: Balaji Prasanalakshmi , Muniasamy Vasanthi , Bilfaqih Syeda Meraj , Muniasamy Anandhavalli , Tharanidharan Sridevi , Mani Devi , Alsid Linda Elzubir Gasm
Published: February 2023

In recent years, breast cancer detection is an important area of concentration towards curative image dispensation and exploration. Detection of a disease at an early stage is an important factor in taking it to the next level of treatment. Accuracy plays an important role in the detection of disease. COA-T2FCM (Chimp Optimization Algorithm Based Type-2 Intuitionistic Fuzzy C-Means Clustering) is constructed for detection of such malignancy with the highest accuracy in this paper. The proposed detection process is designed with the combination of type-2 intuitionistic fuzzy c-means clustering in addition to oppositional function. In the type-2 intuitionistic fuzzy c-means clustering, the efficient cluster center can be preferred using the chimp optimization algorithm. Initially, the objective function of the type-2 intuitionistic fuzzy c-means clustering is considered. The chimp optimization algorithm is utilized to optimize the cluster center and fuzzifier in the clustering method. The projected technique is implemented, and in addition, performance metrics such as specificity, sensitivity, accuracy, Jaccard Similarity Index (JSI), and Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) are assessed. The projected technique is compared with the conventional technique such as fuzzy c means clustering and k mean clustering methods. The resulting method was also compared with existing methods to ensure the accuracy in the proposed method. The proposed algorithm is tested for its effectiveness on the mammogram images of the three different datasets collected from the Mini–Mammographic Image Analysis Society (Mini–MIAS), the Digital Database for Screening Mammography (DDSM), and Inbreast. The accuracy and Jaccard index score are generally used to measure the similarity between the proposed output and the actual cancer affected regions from the image considered. On an average the proposed method achieved an accuracy of 97.29% and JSI of 95%
Linac-Based Ultrahypofractionated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI) in Low-Risk Breast Cancer: First Results of a Monoinstitutional Observational Analysis
Authors: Merten Roland , Fischer Mirko , Kopytsia Gennadii , Wichmann Jörn , Lange Tim , Knöchelmann Anne Caroline , Becker Jan-Niklas , Klapdor Rüdiger , Hinrichs Jan , Bremer Michael
Published: February 2023

Purpose: For adjuvant radiotherapy of low-risk breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery, there have been many trials of hypofractionation and partial breast irradiation (PBI) over the years, with proven mild long-term toxicity. The aim of this study was to introduce a short-course dose-adapted concept, proven in whole breast irradiation (WBI) for use in accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI), while monitoring dosimetric data and toxicity. Methods: From April 2020 to March 2022, 61 patients with low-risk breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) were treated at a single institution with percutaneous APBI of 26 Gy in five fractions every other day after breast-conserving surgery. Dosimetric data for target volume and organs at risk were determined retrospectively. Acute toxicity was evaluated. Results: The target volume of radiotherapy comprised an average of 19% of the ipsilateral mamma. The burden on the heart and lungs was very low. The mean cardiac dose during irradiation of the left breast was only 0.6 Gy. Two out of three patients remained without any acute side effects. Conclusions: Linac-based APBI is an attractive treatment option for patients with low-risk breast cancer in whom neither WBI nor complete omission of radiotherapy appears to be an adequate alternative.
Increased Early Cancer Diagnosis: Unveiling Immune-Cancer Biology to Explain Clinical “Overdiagnosis”
Authors: Wauchope Bruce A. , Coventry Brendon J. , Roder David M.
Published: February 2023

Even though clinically small ‘early’ cancers represent many millions of cells biologically, when removed surgically, these often never recur or regrow, nor reduce the individual’s lifespan. However, some early cancers remain quiescent and indolent; while others grow and metastasize, threatening life. Distinguishing between these different clinical behaviours using clinical/pathological criteria is currently problematic. It is reported that many suspicious lesions and early cancers are being removed surgically that would not threaten the patient’s life. This has been termed ‘overdiagnosis’, especially in the sphere of cancer screening. Although a controversial and emotive topic, it poses clinical and public health policy challenges. The diagnostic differentiation between ‘non-lethal’ and ‘lethal’ tumor forms is generally impossible. One perspective gathering evidential support is that a dynamic balance exists between the immune response and malignant processes governing ‘lethality’, where many more cancers are produced than become clinically significant due to the immune system preventing their progression. Higher medical screening “diagnosis” rates may reflect lead-time effects, with more ‘non-progressing’ cancers detected when an early immune-cancer interaction is occurring. We present a model for this immune-cancer interaction and review ‘excess’ or ‘overdiagnosis’ claims that accompany increasingly sensitive diagnostic and screening technologies. We consider that immune tools should be incorporated into future research, with potential for immune system modulation for some early cancers.
Preparation and Combustion Mechanism of Boron-Based High-Energy Fuels
Authors: Han Likun , Wang Runde , Chen Weiyi , Wang Zhe , Zhu Xinyu , Huang Taizhong
Published: February 2023

Due to the characteristics of high energy density and a high calorific value, boron has become a high-energy fuel and shows great potential to be a high-performance candidate for propellants. However, the wide applications of boron are still limited by the characteristics of easy oxidization, ignition difficulty, a long combustion duration, and combustion products that readily adhere to the surface and inhibit full combustion. Therefore, how to overcome the shortcomings and improve the combustion efficiencies of boron-based fuels have become the highlights in exploring novel high-performance energetic materials. In this paper, the prevalent preparation methods and the corresponding combustion mechanisms of boron-based energetic materials are briefly summarized. The results showed that the boron-based energetic materials can be prepared by surface coating, mechanical milling, and ultrasonic mixing methods. At the same time, the corresponding ignition delay and combustion efficiency were also analyzed according to different combustion tests. The results showed that the boron-based composites with different additives had different combustion characteristics. The combustion of boron-based energetic materials can be optimized by removing surface oxide layers, providing extra heat, inhibiting the formation of or the rapid removal of the combustion intermediates, and increasing the diffusion rate of oxygen. With the improvement of the combustion efficiency of boron-based energetic materials, boron-based high-energy fuels will become more and more widely adopted in the future.
Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic and Inorganic Pollutants to Harmless End Products: Assessment of Practical Application Potential for Water and Air Cleaning
Authors: Pavel Monica , Anastasescu Crina , State Razvan-Nicolae , Vasile Anca , Papa Florica , Balint Ioan
Published: February 2023

It is well-documented that large-scale pollution generated by human activity has a dramatic impact on ecosystems. In this context, removing harmful chemicals via photocatalysis has tremendous potential as a depollution method, utilizing freely available solar light and catalytic materials with low or negligible ecotoxicity. The main drawbacks, which aren’t often addressed in the available literature, are the formation of harmful intermediate products, low reaction rates, limited catalyst stability, and difficult catalyst recovery. In most cases, published works assess the efficiency of tested photocatalysts from pollutant degradation studies, whereas identifying and quantifying by-products is not often conducted. This review summarizes the recent advances reported for the photocatalytic removal of some organic (e.g., alcohols, carboxylic acids, volatile organic compounds, phenol) and inorganic (e.g., NO3−) contaminants. The efficiency of various UV- and visible-light active photocatalysts and the reaction degradation pathways were explained, emphasizing the main factors contributing to their mineralization. The reaction mechanisms, the identification and quantification of degradation intermediates, and the implication of reactive active species (ROS) were discussed and analyzed for each category of model target pollutant. Additionally, the actual challenges and future photocatalytic approaches to improve environmental remediation were presented.