bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Camera Traps Uncover the Behavioral Ecology of an Endemic, Cryptic Monkey Species in the Congo Basin
Authors: Fournier Charlene S. , McPhee Steven , Amboko Junior D. , Detwiler Kate M.
Published: May 2023

Guenons are the most diverse clade of African primates, and many species living within the core of the Congo Basin rainforest are still understudied. The recently described guenon species, Cercopithecus lomamiensis, known as lesula, is a cryptic, semi-terrestrial species endemic to the central Congo Basin in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The recent IUCN Red List Assessment recognizes lesula’s risk of extinction in the wild as Vulnerable. The objective of our study was to use camera traps to expand knowledge on the behavioral ecology of lesula. We conducted three systematic, terrestrial camera trap (CT) surveys within Lomami National Park and buffer zone (Okulu: 2013; Losekola: 2014; E15: 2015). We accumulated 598 independent events of lesula over 5960 CT days from 92 CTs. Typical of Cercopithecus species, camera trap videos reveal that lesula has a diurnal activity pattern, birth seasonality, a group size of up to 32 individuals, and social organization with female philopatry and male dispersal. Results also suggest that lesula are highly terrestrial, distinguishing them from other Cercopithecus species, which are mostly arboreal. Our study provides new information about the behavioral ecology of this little-studied primate, generating species-specific knowledge of a threatened species for successful conservation planning.
Prediction of Undrained Bearing Capacity of Skirted Foundation in Spatially Variable Soils Based on Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Cheng Haifeng , Zhang Houle , Liu Zihan , Wu Yongxin
Published: May 2023

Skirted foundations are widely used in offshore and subsea engineering. Previous studies have shown that soil undrained shear strength variability has a notable impact on probabilistic analyses of skirted foundation bearing capacity. This study proposes an efficient machine-learning method to predict the uniaxial bearing capacity factors of skirted foundations under pure horizontal and moment loads, without relying on traditional time-consuming random finite element methods. A two-dimensional convolutional neural network is adopted to capture the potential correlation between soil random fields and bearing capacity factors. The proposed CNN-based model exhibits satisfactory prediction performance with regard to coefficients of variation and scale of fluctuations in two directions. Specifically, coefficient of determination (R2) values exceed 0.97, while root mean square error (RMSE) values remain below 0.13 for the surrogate model. In addition, more than 96% of the predictions are associated with a relative error of 5% or less, providing evidence of the proposed 2D-CNN model’s satisfactory prediction performance.
Effects of Footpad Slope, Movement Direction and Contact Part of Foot on Foot-Based Interactions
Authors: Kim Sang-Won , Hong Seung-Kweon
Published: May 2023

Feet cannot perform tasks as quickly and with as much dexterity as hands. However, due to the heavy workload placed on hands, there is potential for feet to replace or assist them . In order to use feet more effectively, this study aims to find ways to increase the speed and accuracy of directly touching a touchpad with the feet while in a seated position. The study investigates the effects of three factors: the slope of the touchpad, the direction of the foot movement, and the touch area of the foot used. Regarding the direction of the foot movement, the study found that the most effective direction for both accuracy and speed was at a 30° angle to the right when the front of the right foot was set at 0°. The 0° and 60° angles showed similar efficiencies, but were lower than the 30° angle. The study also found that using the big toe as the touch area resulted in the best speed, accuracy, and subjective satisfaction. The index toe was the second-best option, while using the ball of the foot was the least accurate and slowest option. Lastly, using an slope angle of 15° for the touchpad was found to increase work efficiency compared to using a 7° slope angle. These findings can serve as guidelines for designing foot interfaces.
Inactivation of Cercospora lactucae-sativa through Application of Non-Thermal Atmospheric Pressure Gliding Arc, Tesla Coil and Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasmas
Authors: Supakitthanakorn Salit , Ruangwong On-Uma , Boonyawan Dheerawan
Published: May 2023

Cercospora leaf spot disease is a serious problem for lettuce cultivation worldwide. Cercospora lactucae-sativa, the causative agent of leaf spot disease on lettuce, was treated with non-thermal atmospheric pressure gliding arc (GA), tesla coil (TC) and dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasmas for the in vitro fungal inactivation of both mycelial growth and conidial germination. The fungus was exposed to the three plasmas individually for 5, 10, 15 and 20 min. The results showed that DBD plasma inactivated fungal growth during all exposure periods, and the highest inhibitory effect was caused by exposure to DBD plasma for 20 min, at 93.33% inhibition. The germination of fungal conidia was completely inactivated after exposure to all three non-thermal plasmas for 5 min, as observed 4 and 24 h after incubation. The pathogenesis of C. lactucae-sativa on lettuce after plasma treatments for 5 min was examined by spraying an inoculation of the treated conidia on lettuce. The results showed that all three plasmas reduced the disease incidence and severity compared to the non-treated control. Therefore, the non-thermal atmospheric pressure GA, TC and DBD plasmas have antifungal potential for the inactivation of C. lactucae-sativa, making them an interesting novel technology for plant disease control.
Effects of Process Parameters on the Bead Shape in the Tandem Gas Metal Arc Welding of Aluminum 5083-O Alloy
Authors: Kim Gwang-Gook , Kang Taehoon , Kim Dong-Yoon , Kim Young-Min , Yu Jiyoung , Park Junhong
Published: May 2023

In gas metal arc welding (GMAW), the weld bead shape is an important factor that is directly related to the weld quality of welded joints. This study investigates the effects of process parameters, including welding speed (WS) and leading and trailing wire feed rates (WFR), on the weld bead shape, including the leg length and penetration depth, in the tandem GMAW of aluminum 5083-O alloy. An asynchronous direct current–direct current pulse tandem GMAW system and a tandem GMAW torch were designed and applied to improve welding productivity and welding quality. Response surface methodology was used to analyze the effects of the process parameters on the weld bead shape and to estimate regression models for predicting the weld bead shape. As a result of observing arc behavior using a high-speed camera, it was confirmed that the leading WFR affects the penetration depth and the trailing WFR affects the leg length. The coefficient of determination (R2) of the regression models was 0.9414 for the leg length and 0.9924 for the penetration depth. It was also validated that the estimated models were effective in predicting the weld bead shape (leg length and penetration depth) representative of weld quality in the tandem GMAW process.
On the Torsional Behavior of the Longitudinal Bridge Girders Used in the LT-Bridge Construction Method
Authors: Rath Michael , Untermarzoner Franz , Kollegger Johann
Published: May 2023

A new bridge construction method, combining semi-precast elements and in situ concrete, has been developed at TU Wien, with the aim of decreasing erection time. In the course of construction using this new method, structural conditions arise that render a more detailed investigation necessary. By connecting a precast, thin-walled box girder to a bridge segment located on a pier by means of post-tensioning, a joint is created. By casting in situ concrete on the bottom and top slabs, the joint can be bridged with longitudinal reinforcement; however, the unreinforced vertical joints in the webs remain. This detail is a specific characteristic of the LT-bridge construction method and needs to be further investigated and assessed, as the question arises as to how this circumstance affects the torsional bearing behavior of the bridge superstructure. Torsion tests described in the literature consider ordinary box girders with longitudinal reinforcement or post-tensioned segmental bridges without longitudinal reinforcement at the joints. Therefore, the new reinforcement layout at the joints had to be investigated experimentally. Two large-scale thin-walled box girders—one without joints in the webs and the other with unreinforced joints in the webs—were tested, allowing for a direct comparison of conventionally manufactured bridges and those erected with the new bridge construction method. Furthermore, we investigated whether the results of common calculation methods corresponded to the experimental findings.
Deformation Control of the Existing Medium-Low-Speed Maglev Metro Viaduct over a Double-Line Bored Tunnel
Authors: Peng Hua , Wu Zikai , Peng Xv , Xiao Xiaoqi , Li Zichen
Published: May 2023

Taking a double-line underground excavation subway tunnel underneath the medium-low-speed Maglev bridge section of the Beijing S1 Metro line as a project reference, the deformation control index of the Maglev metro bridge and track panel was studied using numerical simulation and data monitoring, under the conditions of deep-hole grouting measures for the soil layer around the excavation tunnel and active lifting for the superstructure of the viaduct. The results of the numerical simulation show that the maximum deformation value of the pier is −1.73 mm and the maximum vertical deformation value of the Maglev rail track is −1.56 mm. Monitoring shows that the maximum vertical deformation value of the magnetic levitation rail is −1.25 mm and the deformation is within the allowable range. Both numerical simulation and field monitoring results reflect the deformation trend of existing structures; the deep-hole grouting measures taken to strengthen the soil layer around the tunnel and the upper structure of the active roof elevation frame can effectively control the deformation of the existing structure. The study can provide guidance and reference for similar projects.
Improved Mandrel System for Prefabricated Vertical Drain Installation: A Macro to Micro Analysis
Authors: Adriyati Meilani , Yasufuku Noriyuki , Ishikura Ryohei , Wu Xueting , Rifa’i Ahmad
Published: May 2023

Increasing development of infrastructure in Indonesia has driven the need for effective ground improvement methods to accelerate the consolidation of soft soil, which is estimated to occupy around 10% of the country’s land area. A prefabricated vertical drain combined with vacuum preloading is among the most effective methods for this purpose. However, the prefabricated vertical drain creates a smear zone in the surrounding soil area during installation. This study examines the effectiveness of a newly developed mandrel system in reducing the smear zone during prefabricated vertical drain installation. Large-scale consolidation tests at a macro level and microstructure analysis using scanning electron microscopy at a micro level were employed to investigate the effect of soil water content and shear strength. The results show that the water content and shear strength of the soft soil gradually increased in the inner smear zone and transition zone, while both decreased in the radial distance. Furthermore, the soil structure underwent a transformation in which the particle area and pore area became a closed flake structure, and apparent agglomeration occurred. The test results indicate that the newly developed mandrel system can effectively reduce the smear zone. The macro to micro test results demonstrated that the mandrel system is successful in reducing the smear zone effect.
Movement Analysis for Health and Biometrics
Authors: Parziale Antonio , Senatore Rosa , Cilia Nicole Dalia
Published: May 2023

The analysis of human movement provides important insights in several fields, such as biomechanics, neuroscience, psychology, medicine, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) [...]
Structural Performance of Prefabricated Composite Girders for Railway Bridges along with Girder-to-Deck Interface Connections for Mechanical Injection
Authors: Diep Hung Thanh , Moon Jiho , Choi Byung H.
Published: May 2023

Recently, to resolve a growing need for durable and resilient railway bridge construction/reconstruction systems, a great amount of research has been carried out in many countries. As a part of such studies, prefabricated composite girders with an innovative girder-to-deck connection have been proposed that facilitate construction by eliminating interference during on-site processes. In this study, a railway bridge prototype of prefabricated composite girders with girder-to-deck connections was designed to facilitate future application enhancement of off-site construction. Then, prefabricated composite girders were developed by deploying different girder-to-deck connections through geometric detailing of reinforcement, headed stud connectors, and precast decks. Based on the calculation theory of interface shear transfer, the detailed design of different girder-to-deck connections was carried out, in particular the reinforcement spacing. Furthermore, finite element analysis of prefabricated composite girders was conducted to determine the flexural moment strength of prefabricated composite girders. Parametric studies were carried out to consider the factors affecting the detailed design of the connection, ensuring that the connection is correctly designed, thereby ensuring the structural performance of prefabricated composite girders. From the results, conclusions were drawn. The developed cases satisfied the interface shear criteria according to both conventional and plastic approaches. There was no significant difference in flexural moment strength between the developed cases since all cases were designed with the full shear connection. In all cases, the flexural performance was ensured and can be used for railway bridges. The most optimum case of prefabricated composite girders is selected in specific design situations.
Retrieval of Injection Molding Industrial Knowledge Graph Based on Transformer and BERT
Authors: Zhou Zhe-Wei , Jong Wen-Ren , Ting Yu-Hung , Chen Shia-Chung , Chiu Ming-Chien
Published: May 2023

Knowledge graphs play an important role in the field of knowledge management by providing a simple and clear way of expressing complex data relationships. Injection molding is a highly knowledge-intensive technology, and in our previous research, we have used knowledge graphs to manage and express relevant knowledge, gradually establishing an injection molding industrial knowledge graph. However, the current way of retrieving knowledge graphs is still mainly through programming, which results in many difficulties for users without programming backgrounds when it comes to searching a graph. This study will utilize the previously established injection molding industrial knowledge graph and employ a BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers) fine-tuning model to analyze the semantics of user questions. A knowledge graph will be retrieved through a search engine built on the Transformer Encoder, which can reason based on the structure of the graph to find relevant knowledge that satisfies a user’s questions. The experimental results show that both the BERT fine-tuned model and the search engine achieve an excellent performance. This approach can help engineers who do not have a knowledge graph background to retrieve information from the graph by inputting natural language queries, thereby improving the usability of the graph.
Spatial Variation of Tetracycline-Resistant E. coli and Relationships with Water Quality Variables in Irrigation Water: A Pilot Study
Authors: Stocker Matthew , Smith Jaclyn , Pachepsky Yakov
Published: May 2023

Irrigation waters may facilitate the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria or genes to humans and animals. Monitoring of resistance in irrigated waters has become common; however, many studies do not incorporate a spatial component into sampling designs. The objective of this work was to assess spatiotemporal variations in tetracycline-resistant E. coli in an irrigation pond. Water samples were collected at 10 locations and two different water depths, and in situ and laboratory water quality measurements were performed. The percentage of E. coli resistant to the low (4 μg mL−1) and high (16 μg mL−1) tetracycline doses varied by date and location but were observed to be as high as 12.7% and 6.3% of the total population throughout the study, respectively. While significant differences were not observed between resistance levels measured at different depths, on one date resistant E. coli were only detected in samples collected at depth. Nitrate, fluorescent dissolved organic matter, and dissolved oxygen concentrations were found to be the leading control variables for the percentage of resistant E. coli. This work demonstrates that there may be substantial spatial variability in concentrations of antibiotic-resistant E. coli in irrigation ponds which should be accounted for in the design of monitoring programs.
A Systematic Literature Review of Applied Methods for Assessing the Effects of Public Open Spaces on Immigrants’ Place Attachment
Authors: Ghasemieshkaftaki Marzieh , Dupre Karine , Fernando Ruwan
Published: May 2023

Moving to a new country is often combined with issues such as stress and a sense of loss that affect the overall well-being of immigrants. Furthermore, immigrants have not yet developed strong attachments to the country and, more specifically, to the places in which they will settle. Researchers have already discussed the role of the built environment for well-being and the sense of belonging and attachment it can provide, specifically through public open spaces, such as parks, squares, etc. These problems are worldwide, and the World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends creating public places that improve human health, well-being, and social inclusion. Moreover, at local levels, designers and urbanists must understand how to evaluate the relationship between immigrants’ place attachment and public places in order to improve the design of these places. Consequently, this study reviewed methods used to understand the effects of public open spaces on immigrants’ attachment. A systematic quantitative literature review was conducted, and a total of 26 articles were extracted relating to immigrants’ place attachment and public open spaces. Research locations, participants’ nationalities, the types of public open spaces, the methods applied, and place attachment evaluations were retrieved from the articles and analysed. The results show that evaluating immigrants’ place attachment presents many challenges, and there is no consensus on what approaches are best practices. However, qualitative methods were most applied in human–environment interactions, and immigrants’ place attachments were primarily assessed based on their social bonds in public open spaces. To conclude, a framework was designed to understand how immigrants’ place attachment was evaluated in the reviewed literature, and the dimensions of place attachment were defined.
Identify Drug-Resistant Pathogens in Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Authors: Amati Francesco , Bindo Francesco , Stainer Anna , Gramegna Andrea , Mantero Marco , Nigro Mattia , Bussini Linda , Bartoletti Michele , Blasi Francesco , Aliberti Stefano
Published: May 2023

A substantial increase in broad-spectrum antibiotics as empirical therapy in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) has occurred over the last 15 years. One of the driving factors leading to that has been some evidence showing an increased incidence of drug-resistant pathogens (DRP) in patients from a community with pneumonia, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Research has been published attempting to identify DRP in CAP through the implementation of probabilistic approaches in clinical practice. However, recent epidemiological data showed that the incidence of DRP in CAP varies significantly according to local ecology, healthcare systems and countries where the studies were performed. Several studies also questioned whether broad-spectrum antibiotic coverage might improve outcomes in CAP, as it is widely documented that broad-spectrum antibiotics overuse is associated with increased costs, length of hospital stay, drug adverse events and resistance. The aim of this review is to analyze the different approaches used to identify DRP in CAP patients as well as the outcomes and adverse events in patients undergoing broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Minding the Body: Space, Memory, and Visual Culture in Constructions of Jewish Identity
Authors: Steinberg Kerri
Published: May 2023

While it is well established that articulations of identity must always be contextualized within time and place, only when we consider how bodies move through, touch, and are touched by physical, cognitive, and even imaginary spaces do we arrive at dynamic and intersectional expressions of identity. Using two divergent visual culture case studies, this essay first applies Setha Low’s theory of embodied spaces to understand the intersection and interconnection between body, space, and culture, and how the concept of belongingness is knotted with material and representational indicators of space at the Yad Vashem Holocaust History Museum in Israel. Marianne Hirsch’s ideas about the Holocaust and affiliative postmemory are also considered to further understand how Jewish bodies inherit their identifies and sense of belonging. To test how embodied spaces and affiliative postmemory or collective memory implicitly operate to help shape and articulate expressions of Jewish identities, the focus then shifts to a consideration of the eight-decade career of New York jazz musician and visual artist, Bill Wurtzel. The clever combination of “schtick and sechel” in Wurtzel’s artistic practice, activated by his movement through the Jewish spaces of his youth such as the Catskills, and through his interaction with Jewish design great, Lou Dorfsman, underscore how Jewish belonging and identity are forged at the intersection of physical and tactile “embodied spaces,” where the internal meets the external and human consciousness and experience converge.
Heat Budget Analysis for the Extended Development of the 2014–2015 Warming Event
Authors: Qin Yinghao , Mo Huier , Wan Liying , Wang Yi , Liu Yang , Yu Qinglong , Wu Xiangyu
Published: May 2023

In order to figure out the associated underlying dynamical processes of the 2014–2015 warming event, we used the ECCO (Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean) reanalysis from 1993 to 2016 and two combined scatterometers, QuikSCAT and ASCAT, to analysis hydrodynamic condition and ocean heat budget balance process in the equatorial tropical pacific. The spatiotemporal characteristics of that warming event were revealed by comparing the results with a composite El Niño. The results showed that the significant differences between the 2014 and 2015 warming periods were the magnitudes and positions of the equatorial easterly wind anomalies during the summer months. The abruptly easterly wind anomalies of 2014 that spread across the entire equatorial Pacific triggered the upwelling of the equatorial Kelvin waves and pushed the eastern edge of the warm pool back westward. These combined effects caused abrupt decreases in the sea surface temperatures (SST) and upper ocean heat content (OHC) and damped the 2014 warming process into an El Niño. In addition, the ocean budget of the upper 300 m of the El Niño 3.4 region showed that different dynamical processes were responsible for different warming phases. For example, at the beginning of 2014 and 2015, the U advection and subsurface processes played dominant roles in the positive ocean heat content tendency. During the easterly wind anomalies period of 2014, the U advection process mainly caused a negative tendency and halted the development of the warming phase. In regard to the easterly wind anomalies of 2015, the U advection and subsurface processes were weaker negatively when compared with that in 2014. However, the V advection processes were consistently positive, taking a leading role in the positive trends observed in the middle of 2015.
Improvement in the Methodological Estimation of Sulfur Hexafluoride Use in Electrical Equipment for Malaysia’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory
Authors: Tan Ee Sann , Pua Fei Ling , Verayiah Renuga , Syazalina Nurul
Published: May 2023

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas is one of the high global warming potential (GWP) gases regulated under the Kyoto Protocol. In Malaysia’s Biennial Update Report 3, the Revised 1996 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Guidelines were followed to estimate the SF6 emissions in the country, including the time series from 1990 to 2016. The majority of SF6 emissions originate from the use of this gas in electrical equipment, where it is predominantly used in transmission switch gears, which have increased rapidly because of increasing electricity demand. SF6 gas plays a significant role in greenhouse gas emissions in Malaysia because this gas has a higher GWP than carbon dioxide. Hence, this SF6 gas needs to be estimated using newer guidelines such as the 2006 IPCC Guidelines. Detailed activity data in the new methodology require stakeholders’ engagement with utility providers and government agencies. This paper describes the GHG inventory improvement plan, focusing on SF6 emissions for Industrial Processes and Product Use for Malaysia through this transition of methodology.
Lightning-Ignited Wildfires beyond the Polar Circle
Authors: Kharuk Viacheslav I. , Dvinskaya Maria L. , Golyukov Alexey S. , Im Sergei T. , Stalmak Anastasia V.
Published: May 2023

Warming-driven lightning frequency increases may influence the burning rate within the circumpolar Arctic and influence vegetation productivity (GPP). We considered wildfire occurrence within the different Arctic sectors (Russian, North American, and Scandinavian). We used satellite-derived (MODIS) data to document changes in the occurrence and geographic extent of wildfires and vegetation productivity. Correlation analysis was used to determine environmental variables (lightning occurrence, air temperature, precipitation, soil and terrestrial moisture content) associated with a change in wildfires. Within the Arctic, the majority (>75%) of wildfires occurred in Russia (and ca. 65% in Eastern Siberia). We found that lightning occurrence increase and moisture are primary factors that meditate the fire frequency in the Arctic. Throughout the Arctic, warming-driven lightning influences fire occurrence observed mainly in Eastern Siberia (>40% of explained variance). Similar values (ca. 40%) at the scale of Eurasia and the entire Arctic are attributed to Eastern Siberia input. Driving by increased lightning and warming, the fires’ occurrence boundary is shifting northward and already reached the Arctic Ocean coast in Eastern Siberia. The boundary’s extreme shifts synchronized with air temperature extremes (heat waves). Despite the increased burning rate, vegetation productivity rapidly (5–10 y) recovered to pre-fire levels within burns. Together with increasing GPP trends throughout the Arctic, that may offset fires-caused carbon release and maintain the status of the Arctic as a carbon sink.
Upper Local Uniform Monotonicity in F-Normed Musielak–Orlicz Spaces
Authors: Liu Yanli , Xue Yangyang , Cui Yunan
Published: May 2023

In this paper, the necessary and sufficient conditions for the upper strict monotonicity point and the upper local uniform monotonicity point are given in the case of Musielak–Orlicz spaces equipped with the Mazur–Orlicz F-norm. Moreover, strict monotonicity and upper local uniform monotonicity are easily deduced in the case of Musielak–Orlicz spaces endowed with the Mazur–Orlicz F-norm, and the work by Kaczmarek presented in the references is encompassed by the corollaries presented in this paper.
xProtCAS: A Toolkit for Extracting Conserved Accessible Surfaces from Protein Structures
Authors: Kotb Hazem M. , Davey Norman E.
Published: May 2023

The identification of protein surfaces required for interaction with other biomolecules broadens our understanding of protein function, their regulation by post-translational modification, and the deleterious effect of disease mutations. Protein interaction interfaces are often identifiable as patches of conserved residues on a protein’s surface. However, finding conserved accessible surfaces on folded regions requires an understanding of the protein structure to discriminate between functional and structural constraints on residue conservation. With the emergence of deep learning methods for protein structure prediction, high-quality structural models are now available for any protein. In this study, we introduce tools to identify conserved surfaces on AlphaFold2 structural models. We define autonomous structural modules from the structural models and convert these modules to a graph encoding residue topology, accessibility, and conservation. Conserved surfaces are then extracted using a novel eigenvector centrality-based approach. We apply the tool to the human proteome identifying hundreds of uncharacterised yet highly conserved surfaces, many of which contain clinically significant mutations. The xProtCAS tool is available as open-source Python software and an interactive web server.
C-Methylated Spermidine Derivatives: Convenient Syntheses and Antizyme-Related Effects
Authors: Khomutov Maxim A. , Salikhov Arthur I. , Mitkevich Vladimir A. , Tunitskaya Vera L. , Smirnova Olga A. , Korolev Sergey P. , Chizhov Alexander O. , Gottikh Marina B. , Kochetkov Sergey N. , Khomutov Alex R.
Published: May 2023

The biogenic polyamines, spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm), are present at millimolar concentrations in all eukaryotic cells, where they participate in the regulation of vitally important cellular functions. Polyamine analogs and derivatives are a traditional and important instrument for the investigation of the cellular functions of polyamines, enzymes of their metabolism, and the regulation of the biosynthesis of antizyme—a key downregulator of polyamine homeostasis. Here, we describe convenient gram-scale syntheses of a set of C-methylated analogs of Spd. The biochemical properties of these compounds and the possibility for the regulation of their activity by moving a methyl group along the polyamine backbone and by changing the stereochemistry of the chiral center(s) are discussed.
Clinical Characteristics, Outcomes, and Risk Factors of Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19 across the Latest Pandemic Waves: Has Something Changed?
Authors: Poliseno Mariacristina , Drago Edoardo Paolo , Poli Melita Anna , Altamura Maurantonio , Bruno Serena Rita , Calamo Angela , Giannelli Anna , Infante Giovanni , Mazzola Michele , Moschetta Damiana , Lo Caputo Sergio , Santantonio Teresa Antonia , Carbonara Sergio
Published: May 2023

Despite the availability of vaccines and antivirals and the biological evolution of SARS-CoV-2, the rate of hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 remains high in Italy. It is crucial to understand whether and how the clinical characteristics of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 have changed over 2021–2022 and which risk factors are currently associated with adverse outcomes to develop targeted interventions. In this study, we present and compare the characteristics and outcomes of 310 patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized between 1 August and 9 December 2021, when the Delta SARS-CoV-2 variant was prevalent (Group A), and between 3 January and 30 June 2022, when the Omicron variant was predominant (Group B). Using Survival Analysis, we estimated the cumulative 28-day hazard ratio (H.R.) of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission/death of patients in Group B vs. A. We built uni- and multivariate Cox regression models for the overall population and each group to identify risk factors for ICU admission/death among patient features. We found that Group B had a comparable risk of ICU admission/death (HR 1.60, 95% Confidence Interval, C.I. 1.00–2.58, p = 0.05) but a higher prevalence of elderly and co-morbid subjects than Group A. Non-invasive ventilation requirement was associated with adverse outcomes in both Group A (HR 21.03, 95% C.I. 5.34–82.80, p < 0.001) and Group B (HR 4.53, 95% C.I. 2.39–8.59, p < 0.001), as well as in the overall population (HR 3.88, 95% C.I. 2.49–6.06, p < 0.001). During the Omicron wave, elderly and co-morbid subjects had the highest risk of hospitalization and poor outcomes.
A Novel Anthropomorphic Phantom Composed of Tissue-Equivalent Materials for Use in Experimental Radiotherapy: Design, Dosimetry and Biological Pilot Study
Authors: Breslin Thomas , Paino Jason , Wegner Marie , Engels Elette , Fiedler Stefan , Forrester Helen , Rennau Hannes , Bustillo John , Cameron Matthew , Häusermann Daniel , Hall Christopher , Krause Dieter , Hildebrandt Guido , Lerch Michael , Schültke Elisabeth
Published: May 2023

The production of anthropomorphic phantoms generated from tissue-equivalent materials is challenging but offers an excellent copy of the typical environment encountered in typical patients. High-quality dosimetry measurements and the correlation of the measured dose with the biological effects elicited by it are a prerequisite in preparation of clinical trials with novel radiotherapy approaches. We designed and produced a partial upper arm phantom from tissue-equivalent materials for use in experimental high-dose-rate radiotherapy. The phantom was compared to original patient data using density values and Hounsfield units obtained from CT scans. Dose simulations were conducted for broad-beam irradiation and microbeam radiotherapy (MRT) and compared to values measured in a synchrotron radiation experiment. Finally, we validated the phantom in a pilot experiment with human primary melanoma cells.
Computational Modeling of the Neurofibromin-Stimulated Guanosine Triphosphate Hydrolysis by the KRas Protein
Authors: Polyakov Igor , Nemukhin Alexander
Published: May 2023

We report the results of computational studies of the guanosine triphosphate (GTP) hydrolysis in the active site of the KRas-NF1 protein complex, where KRas stands for the K-isoform of the Ras (ras sarcoma) protein and NF1 (neurofbromin-1) is the activating protein. The model system was constructed using coordinates of heavy atoms from the crystal structure PDB ID 6OB2 with the GTP analog GMPPNP. Large-scale classical molecular dynamics (MD) calculations were performed to analyze conformations of the enzyme-substrate complexes. The Gibbs energy profiles for the hydrolysis reaction were computed using MD simulations with quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) interaction potentials. The density functional theory DFT(ωB97X-D3/6-31G**) approach was applied in QM and the CHARMM36 force field parameters in MM. The most likely scenario of the chemical step of the GTP hydrolysis in KRas-NF1 corresponds to the water-assisted mechanism of the formation of the inorganic phosphate coupled with the dissociation of GTP to GDP.
A Magnetic-Bead-Based Immunoassay with a Newly Developed Monoclonal Antibody for Rapid and Highly Sensitive Detection of Forchlorfenuron
Authors: Shan Yubao , He Ting , Li Ying , Zhu Jiang , Yue Xiali , Yang Yunhuang
Published: May 2023

Forchlorfenuron (CPPU) is a widely used plant growth regulator in agriculture, and CPPU residue in food can cause harm to human health. Thus, it is necessary to develop a rapid and sensitive detection method for CPPU monitoring. In this study, a new monoclonal antibody (mAb) against CPPU with high affinity was prepared by a hybridoma technique, and a magnetic bead (MB)-based analytical method was established for the determination of CPPU by a one-step procedure. Under optimized conditions, the detection limit of the MB-based immunoassay was as low as 0.0004 ng/mL, which was five times more sensitive than the traditional indirect competitive ELISA (icELISA). In addition, the detection procedure took less than 35 min, a significant improvement over the 135 min required for icELISA. The selectivity test of the MB-based assay also showed negligible cross-reactivity with five analogues. Furthermore, the accuracy of the developed assay was assessed by the analysis of spiked samples, and the results agreed well with those obtained by HPLC. The excellent analytical performance of the proposed assay suggests its great potential for routine screening of CPPU, and it provides a basis for promoting the application of more immunosensors in the quantitative detection of low concentrations of small organic molecules in food.
Analysis of Educational Attainment in a Mexican Psychiatric Patient Population with Bipolar or Psychotic Disorders
Authors: Cano-Ramirez Hugo , Diaz-Castro Lina , Hoffman Kurt Leroy
Published: May 2023

Schizophrenia has been associated with premorbid poor educational performance and low educational attainment (EA). However, some studies have found positive associations between psychotic disorders and excellent scholastic performance. In the present study, we examined the association between EA and several clinical and nonclinical characteristics in psychiatric patients diagnosed with psychotic or bipolar disorders. Data were obtained from the files of 1132 patients who entered a major Mexico City psychiatric hospital during the years 2009–2010 for the treatment of psychotic symptoms and who were subsequently diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar, schizoaffective, or another psychotic disorder. Chi-squared tests, t-tests, and Cox regression analysis were applied to explore associations between EA and factors including gender, familial history of mental illness, premorbid personality characteristics, age of symptom onset, diagnosis, civil status, and current employment. Family history of mental illness decreased the hazard of having lower EA (B = −0.137, p = 0.025, ExpB = 0.872, 95% CI = 0.774–0.983), while a schizophrenia diagnosis independently increased it (B = 0.201, p = 0.004, ExpB = 1.223, 95% CI = 1.068–1.401). In male patients (but not in females), family history of mental illness was significantly associated with higher EA, while in female patients, premorbid schizoid-like personality characteristics were associated with lower EA. For both genders, lower EA was associated with having more children and being employed in manual labor, while higher EA was associated with professional employment. Conclusions: Compared with bipolar disorder, a schizophrenia diagnosis is associated with lower EA; however, familial history of mental illness and premorbid schizoid-like characteristics independently favor higher and lower EA in males and females, respectively. Since lower EA is generally associated with a lower economic status, special preventative attention should be given to students at high risk for schizophrenia, particularly those displaying a schizoid-like personality.
Comparison of Numerical Strategies for Historic Elevated Water Tanks: Modal Analysis of a 50-Year-Old Structure in Italy
Authors: Bedon Chiara , Amadio Claudio , Fasan Marco , Bomben Luca
Published: May 2023

The seismic vulnerability assessment of existing structures is a well-known challenging task, due to a combination of several aspects. The use of analytical or finite element (FE) numerical models can offer robust support in this analysis but necessitates the accurate calibration of geometrical and mechanical input, with related uncertainties. In this paper, attention is focused on the identification of dynamic parameters, based on modal numerical analysis, of a 50-year-old, reinforced concrete, elevated water tank (EWT) characterised by a reservoir with a truncated cone shape. The structure is located in a high seismic region of northern Italy and presently necessitates retrofit plans to preserve its functionality. Based on the limited available experimental evidence and technical drawings, major efforts are spent for the numerical prediction of fundamental vibration modes and frequencies of the structure, which represent a first key step for seismic analyses, under various water-filling levels. To this aim, four different FE numerical strategies able to include both structural features and possible fluid–structure interaction (FSI) effects are developed. By progressively increasing the computational cost (and expected the accuracy of the solutions), FE models based on added-mass (M0 model), spring-mass (M1-DM or M1-DS models), or acoustic (M2 model) strategies are taken into account and combined with increasing detailing in geometrical description of the structure. Results from parametric modal analyses are discussed for the case-study EWT, in terms of computational cost, possible numerical limitations, accuracy of predicted frequencies/modal shapes, sensitivity to water-filling levels and operational configurations, with the support of several pieces of experimental evidence and consolidated analytical formulations for fundamental frequency estimations.
Research on Optimal Arch Rib Inclination of Large Span Highway CFST through Arch Bridge
Authors: Liu Zengwu , Wu Yuexing , Wang Chengwei , Fan Yonghui , Luo Chao , Wang Shaorui
Published: May 2023

To investigate the reasonable range of the inclination angle of arch ribs, a spatial finite element method was employed based on a concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) basket-handle through an arch bridge with a span of 360 m. A spatial finite element model was established using Midas/Civil software, which was verified with actual bridge data. The effects of different arch rib inclination angles were investigated under static loads. The structural natural frequencies, linear elastic stability coefficients, internal forces, and displacements were comprehensively considered to determine the reasonable range of the inclination angle. The results show that when the inclination angle ranges between 8° and 10°, the first, third, and sixth natural frequencies of the structure are increased. It effectively improves the lateral and torsional stiffness of the arch ribs while ensuring optimal out-of-plane stability of the arch ribs. Compared with the parallel arch, the stability is improved by 20.2%. The effects of angle variation on displacement and internal force of the arch ribs were not significant. Considering all indicators, the optimal range of the inclination angle for the arch ribs of 300-m-level highway CFST arch bridges is suggested to be 8~10°.
The Relationship between the Service Quality of IPTV Home Training and Consumers’ Exercise Satisfaction and Continuous Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Cho Taesoo , Cho Taeyoung , Zhang Hao
Published: May 2023

This study aims to provide operators with measures for successful IPTV utilisation by identifying the quality of IPTV services for home training and analysing the relationship between consumers’ exercise satisfaction and continuous use to respond to the COVID-19 era. To achieve the research purpose, people who exercise at home using IPTV home training pro-grams were selected as the sample population. The relationship between efficiency, availability, security, and practicability, which are sub-factors of the service quality of IPTV home training, was analysed for exercise satisfaction and continuous use. The analysis methods include frequency analysis and Cronbach’s α using SPSS 20.0 and AMOS 20.0. Validation was conducted through correlation analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation model analysis. In addition, Harman’s one-factor verification was conducted to determine the common method bias. All statistically significant levels were set at the p < 0.05 level. The results show that efficiency, availability, security, and practicability have a positive effect on exercise satisfaction, and exercise satisfaction has a positive effect on continuous use. First, during COVID-19, IPTV plays an important role in helping consumers exercise at home and indoors. Second, the subjects of this study showed that individuals 40 years old and older are exercising the most. Therefore, it is assumed that consumers will continue to participate if they provide programs that young people can do. Third, since various human disasters, natural disasters, and other un-predictable phenomena such as COVID-19 are occurring worldwide, policymakers should try to activate programs such as IPTV’s home training that can be done indoors.
Therapeutic Potential of a Small-Molecule STAT3 Inhibitor in a Mouse Model of Colitis
Authors: Robinson Prema , Montoya Kelsey , Magness Emily , Rodriguez Emma , Villalobos Viviana , Engineer Nikita , Yang Peng , Bharadwaj Uddalak , Eckols Thomas Kris , Tweardy David John
Published: May 2023

Background and Aims: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) predisposes to colorectal cancer (CRC). In the current studies, we used the dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) murine model of colitis, which is widely used in preclinical studies, to determine the contribution of STAT3 to IBD. STAT3 has two isoforms: (STAT3 α; which has pro-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic functions, and STAT3β; which attenuates the effects of STAT3α). In the current study, we determined the contribution of STAT3 to IBD across all tissues by examining DSS-induced colitis in mice that express only STAT3α and in mice treated with TTI-101, a direct small-molecule inhibitor of both isoforms of STAT3. Methods: We examined mortality, weight loss, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, colon shortening, apoptosis of colonic CD4+ T-cells, and colon infiltration with IL-17-producing cells following 7-day administration of DSS (5%) to transgenic STAT3α knock-in (STAT3β-deficient; ΔβΔβ) mice and wild-type (WT) littermate cage control mice. We also examined the effect of TTI-101 on these endpoints in DSS-induced colitis in WT mice. Results: Each of the clinical manifestations of DSS-induced colitis examined was exacerbated in ΔβΔβ transgenic versus cage-control WT mice. Importantly, TTI-101 treatment of DSS-administered WT mice led to complete attenuation of each of the clinical manifestations and also led to increased apoptosis of colonic CD4+ T cells, reduced colon infiltration with IL-17-producing cells, and down-modulation of colon mRNA levels of STAT3-upregulated genes involved in inflammation, apoptosis resistance, and colorectal cancer metastases. Conclusions: Thus, small-molecule targeting of STAT3 may be of benefit in treating IBD and preventing IBD-associated colorectal cancer.