bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) Discovered Novel Long Non-Coding RNAs for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Heidarzadehpilehrood Roozbeh , Pirhoushiaran Maryam , Binti Osman Malina , Abdul Hamid Habibah , Ling King-Hwa
Published: February 2023

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects reproductive-age women. This condition causes infertility, insulin resistance, obesity, and heart difficulties. The molecular basis and mechanism of PCOS might potentially generate effective treatments. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) show control over multifactorial disorders’ growth and incidence. Numerous studies have emphasized its significance and alterations in PCOS. We used bioinformatic methods to find novel dysregulated lncRNAs in PCOS. To achieve this objective, the gene expression profile of GSE48301, comprising PCOS patients and normal control tissue samples, was evaluated using the R limma package with the following cut-off criterion: p-value < 0.05. Firstly, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to determine the co-expression genes of lncRNAs; subsequently, hub gene identification and pathway enrichment analysis were used. With the defined criteria, nine novel dysregulated lncRNAs were identified. In WGCNA, different colors represent different modules. In the current study, WGCNA resulted in turquoise, gray, blue, and black co-expression modules with dysregulated lncRNAs. The pathway enrichment analysis of these co-expressed modules revealed enrichment in PCOS-associated pathways, including gene expression, signal transduction, metabolism, and apoptosis. In addition, CCT7, EFTUD2, ESR1, JUN, NDUFAB1, CTTNB1, GRB2, and CTNNB1 were identified as hub genes, and some of them have been investigated in PCOS. This study uncovered nine novel PCOS-related lncRNAs. To confirm how these lncRNAs control translational modification in PCOS, functional studies are required.
Improved Anti-Biofilm Effect against the Oral Cariogenic Streptococcus mutans by Combined Triclosan/CBD Treatment
Authors: Avraham Maayan , Steinberg Doron , Barak Tamar , Shalish Miriam , Feldman Mark , Sionov Ronit Vogt
Published: February 2023

Streptococcus mutans is a Gram-positive bacterium highly associated with dental caries, and it has a strong biofilm-forming ability, especially in a sugar-rich environment. Many strategies have been undertaken to prevent dental caries by targeting these bacteria. Recently, we observed that a sustained-release varnish containing triclosan and cannabidiol (CBD) was more efficient than each compound alone in preventing biofilm formation by the fungus Candida albicans, which is frequently involved in oral infections together with S. mutans. It was therefore inquiring to study the effect of this drug combination on S. mutans. We observed that the combined treatment of triclosan and CBD had stronger anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm activity than each compound alone, thus enabling the use of lower concentrations of each drug to achieve the desired effect. The combined drug treatment led to an increase in the SYTO 9low, propidium iodide (PI)high bacterial population as analyzed by flow cytometry, indicative for bacteria with disrupted membrane. Both triclosan and CBD induced membrane hyperpolarization, although there was no additive effect on this parameter. HR-SEM images of CBD-treated bacteria show the appearance of elongated and swollen bacteria with several irregular septa structures, and upon combined treatment with triclosan, the bacteria took on a swollen ellipse and sometimes oval morphology. Increased biofilm formation was observed at sub-MIC concentrations of each compound alone, while combining the drugs at these sub-MIC concentrations, the biofilm formation was prevented. The inhibition of biofilm formation was confirmed by CV biomass staining, MTT metabolic activity, HR-SEM and live/dead together with exopolysaccharide (EPS) staining visualized by spinning disk confocal microscopy. Importantly, the concentrations required for the anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm activities toward S. mutans were non-toxic to the normal Vero epithelial cells. In conclusion, the data obtained in this study propose a beneficial role of combined triclosan/CBD treatment for potential protection against dental caries.
Synchronous Breast and Cervical Carcinoma: A Genetic Point of View
Authors: Yahya Maya Mazuwin , Ismail Mohd Pazudin , Ramanathan Shogeta , Kadir Muhammad Nashriq , Azhar Azzahra , Ibrahim Noorul Balqis Che , Wee Chee Lee , Mohd Amin Zahiah , Tham Seng Kong , Mat-Sharani Shuhaila , Yaacob Nik Soriani
Published: February 2023

Breast carcinoma is the most common cancer of women in Malaysia. The most common sites of metastasis are the lung, liver, bone and brain. A 45-year-old lady was diagnosed with left invasive breast carcinoma stage IV (T4cN1M1) with axillary lymph nodes and lung metastasis. She was noted to have a cervical mass through imaging, and biopsy showed CIN III. Post chemotherapy, the patient underwent left simple mastectomy with examination under anaesthesia of the cervix, cystoscopy and staging. The cervical histopathological examination (HPE) showed squamous cell carcinoma, and clinical staging was 2A. The breast tissue HPE showed invasive carcinoma with triple receptors positivity. The patient was given tamoxifen and put on concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for the cervical cancer. The management of each pathology of this patient involved a multi-disciplinary team that included surgeons, oncologists, gynaecologists, pathologists and radiologists. Due to the complexity of the case with two concurrent cancers, the gene expression profiles may help predict the patient’s clinical outcome.
Creation of Mitochondrial Disease Models Using Mitochondrial DNA Editing
Authors: Khotina Victoria A. , Vinokurov Andrey Y. , Bagheri Ekta Mariam , Sukhorukov Vasily N. , Orekhov Alexander N.
Published: February 2023

Mitochondrial diseases are a large class of human hereditary diseases, accompanied by the dysfunction of mitochondria and the disruption of cellular energy synthesis, that affect various tissues and organ systems. Mitochondrial DNA mutation-caused disorders are difficult to study because of the insufficient number of clinical cases and the challenges of creating appropriate models. There are many cellular models of mitochondrial diseases, but their application has a number of limitations. The most proper and promising models of mitochondrial diseases are animal models, which, unfortunately, are quite rare and more difficult to develop. The challenges mainly arise from the structural features of mitochondria, which complicate the genetic editing of mitochondrial DNA. This review is devoted to discussing animal models of human mitochondrial diseases and recently developed approaches used to create them. Furthermore, this review discusses mitochondrial diseases and studies of metabolic disorders caused by the mitochondrial DNA mutations underlying these diseases.
Comparison of the Prognostic Value of Inflammatory and Nutritional Indices in Nonmetastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Makino Tomoyuki , Izumi Kouji , Iwamoto Hiroaki , Kadomoto Suguru , Kadono Yoshifumi , Mizokami Atsushi
Published: February 2023

Several markers that reflect inflammation and nutritional status have been associated with oncological outcomes in many tumors. This study aimed to describe the impact of pretreatment inflammatory and nutritional indices on the oncological outcomes in nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). A total of 213 Japanese patients with nonmetastatic RCC at Kanazawa University Hospital between October 2007 and December 2018 were included. The inflammatory and nutritional indices, including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), were retrospectively analyzed. The optimal cutoffs for NLR, PLR, CAR, PNI, and GNRI were 2.18, 153.7, 0.025, 48.4, and 98, respectively. According to Kaplan–Meier curves, elevated NLR, PLR, CAR, and GNRI correlated with increased metastasis, while NLR and PNI correlated with worse overall survival (OS). In multivariate analysis, high CAR was an independent poor risk factor for metastasis (hazard ratio (HR), 3.08; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.24–7.67; p = 0.016). Furthermore, high NLR showed an independent prognostic factor for worse OS (HR, 3.96; 95% CI, 1.01–15.59; p = 0.049). The pretreatment inflammatory and nutritional indices such as NLR and CAR might be promising prognostic factors for nonmetastatic RCC.
The Influence of Adipokines on Radiographic Damage in Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases
Authors: Toussirot Eric
Published: February 2023

Inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs) are complex immune-mediated diseases that are characterized by chronic inflammation of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA), including axial SpA (ax SpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), are the most common forms of IRD. Both RA and ax SpA are characterized by a chronic course with progressive structural modifications, namely, cartilage damage and bone erosions in RA and osteoproliferative changes with spinal ossifications in ax SpA. The adipose tissue is involved in the pathophysiology of IRDs via the release of several proteins, namely, adipokines. Several adipokines with pro-inflammatory effects have been identified, such as leptin, adiponectin, visfatin and resistin. In this review, we discuss the role that adipokines may play in the structural modifications of the peripheral joints and/or axial skeleton. In RA, the role of leptin in structural damage remains controversial, while adiponectin and its high-molecular-weight isoform are known to have an influence on the development of bone erosions and radiographic progression. Resistin also appears to be a potent detrimental adipokine for the joints in RA. In ax SpA, visfatin seems to be an attractive candidate for radiographic progression, while leptin and adiponectin have negative effects on radiographic progression.
Small RNA-Seq Transcriptome Profiling of Mesothelial and Mesothelioma Cell Lines Revealed microRNA Dysregulation after Exposure to Asbestos-like Fibers
Authors: Filetti Veronica , Lombardo Claudia , Loreto Carla , Dounias George , Bracci Massimo , Matera Serena , Rapisarda Lucia , Rapisarda Venerando , Ledda Caterina , Vitale Ermanno
Published: February 2023

Environmental exposure to fibers of respirable size has been identified as a risk for public health. Experimental evidence has revealed that a variety of fibers, including fluoro-edenite, can develop chronic respiratory diseases and elicit carcinogenic effects in humans. Fluoro-edenite (FE) is a silicate mineral first found in Biancavilla (Sicily, Italy) in 1997. Environmental exposure to its fibers has been correlated with a cluster of malignant pleural mesotheliomas. This neoplasm represents a public health problem due to its long latency and to its aggression not alerted by specific symptoms. Having several biomarkers providing us with data on the health state of those exposed to FE fibers or allowing an early diagnosis on malignant pleural mesothelioma, still asymptomatic patients, would be a remarkable goal. To these purposes, we reported the miRNA transcriptome in human normal mesothelial cell line (MeT-5A) and in the human malignant mesothelioma cell line (JU77) exposed and not exposed to FE fibers. The results showed a difference in the number of deregulated miRNAs between tumor and nontumor samples both exposed and not exposed to FE fibers. As a matter of fact, the effect of exposure to FE fibers is more evident in the expression of miRNA in the tumor samples than in the nontumor samples. In the present paper, several pathways involved in the pathogenesis of malignant pleural mesothelioma have been analyzed. We especially noticed the involvement of pathways that have important functions in inflammatory processes, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and necrosis. Besides this amount of data, further studies will be designed for the selection of the most significant miRNAs to test and validate their diagnostic potential, alone or in combination with other protein biomarkers, in high-risk individuals’ liquid biopsy to have a noninvasive tool of diagnosis for this neoplasm.
Biomimetic Material for Quantification of Methotrexate Using Sensor Based on Molecularly Imprinted Polypyrrole Film and MWCNT/GCE
Authors: Jara-Cornejo Eduardo , Khan Sabir , Vega-Chacón Jaime , Wong Ademar , da Silva Neres Lariel Chagas , Picasso Gino , Sotomayor Maria D. P. T.
Published: February 2023

This study investigates biomimetic sensors for the detection of methotrexate contaminants in environmental samples. Sensors inspired by biological systems are the focus of this biomimetic strategy. Methotrexate is an antimetabolite that is widely used for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. Due to the widespread use of methotrexate and its rampant disposal into the environment, the residues of this drug are regarded as an emerging contaminant of huge concern, considering that exposure to the contaminant has been found to lead to the inhibition of some essential metabolic processes, posing serious risks to humans and other living beings. In this context, this work aims to quantify methotrexate through the application of a highly efficient biomimetic electrochemical sensor constructed using polypyrrole−based molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) electrodeposited by cyclic voltammetry on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with multi−walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). The electrodeposited polymeric films were characterized by infrared spectrometry (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The analyses conducted using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) yielded a detection limit of 2.7 × 10−9 mol L−1 for methotrexate, a linear range of 0.01–125 μmol L−1, and a sensitivity of 0.152 μA L mol−1. The results obtained from the analysis of the selectivity of the proposed sensor through the incorporation of interferents in the standard solution pointed to an electrochemical signal decay of only 15.4%. The findings of this study show that the proposed sensor is highly promising and suitable for use in the quantification of methotrexate in environmental samples.
Biomimicry and 3D-Printing of Mussel Adhesive Proteins for Regeneration of the Periodontium—A Review
Authors: Kwan Jan C. , Dondani Jay , Iyer Janaki , Muaddi Hasan A. , Nguyen Thomas T. , Tran Simon D.
Published: February 2023

Innovation in the healthcare profession to solve complex human problems has always been emulated and based on solutions proven by nature. The conception of different biomimetic materials has allowed for extensive research that spans several fields, including biomechanics, material sciences, and microbiology. Due to the atypical characteristics of these biomaterials, dentistry can benefit from these applications in tissue engineering, regeneration, and replacement. This review highlights an overview of the application of different biomimetic biomaterials in dentistry and discusses the key biomaterials (hydroxyapatite, collagen, polymers) and biomimetic approaches (3D scaffolds, guided bone and tissue regeneration, bioadhesive gels) that have been researched to treat periodontal and peri-implant diseases in both natural dentition and dental implants. Following this, we focus on the recent novel application of mussel adhesive proteins (MAPs) and their appealing adhesive properties, in addition to their key chemical and structural properties that relate to the engineering, regeneration, and replacement of important anatomical structures in the periodontium, such as the periodontal ligament (PDL). We also outline the potential challenges in employing MAPs as a biomimetic biomaterial in dentistry based on the current evidence in the literature. This provides insight into the possible increased functional longevity of natural dentition that can be translated to implant dentistry in the near future. These strategies, paired with 3D printing and its clinical application in natural dentition and implant dentistry, develop the potential of a biomimetic approach to overcoming clinical problems in dentistry.
NPM 1 Mutations in AML—The Landscape in 2023
Authors: Sharma Naman , Liesveld Jane L.
Published: February 2023

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) represents 80% of acute leukemia in adults and is characterized by clonal expansion of hematopoietic stem cells secondary to genomic mutations, rendering a selective growth advantage to the mutant clones. NPM1mut is found in around 30% of AML and clinically presents with leukocytosis, high blast percentage and extramedullary involvement. Considered as a “gate-keeper” mutation, NPM1mut appears to be a “first hit” in the process of leukemogenesis and development of overt leukemia. Commonly associated with other mutations (e.g., FLT 3, DNMT3A, TET2, SF3B1), NPM1 mutation in AML has an important role in diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and post-treatment monitoring. Several novel therapies targeting NPM1 are being developed in various clinical phases with demonstration of efficacy. In this review, we summarize the pathophysiology of the NPM1 gene mutation in AML, clinical implications and the novel targeted therapies to date.
Endothelial Progenitor Cells May Be Related to Major Amputation after Angioplasty in Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia
Authors: Santillán-Cortez Daniel , Vera-Gómez Eduardo , Hernández-Patricio Alejandro , Ruíz-Hernández Atzín Suá , Gutiérrez-Buendía Juan Ariel , De la Vega-Moreno Karen , Rizo-García Yasser Alberto , Loman-Zuñiga Oscar Antonio , Escotto-Sánchez Ignacio , Rodríguez-Trejo Juan Miguel , Téllez-González Mario Antonio , Toledo-Lozano Christian Gabriel , Ortega-Rosas Tania , García Silvia , Mondragón-Terán Paul , Suárez-Cuenca Juan Antonio
Published: February 2023

Background: Critical limb ischemia represents an advanced stage of peripheral arterial disease. Angioplasty improves blood flow to the limb; however, some patients progress irreversibly to lower limb amputation. Few studies have explored the predictive potential of biomarkers during postangioplasty outcomes. Aim: To evaluate the behavior of endothelial progenitor cells in patients with critical limb ischemia, in relation to their postangioplasty outcome. Methods: Twenty patients with critical limb ischemia, candidates for angioplasty, were enrolled. Flow-mediated dilation, as well as endothelial progenitor cells (subpopulations CD45+/CD34+/CD133+/CD184+ and CD45+/CD/34+/KDR[VEGFR-2]+ estimated by flow cytometry) from blood flow close to vascular damage, were evaluated before and after angioplasty. Association with lower limb amputation during a 30-day follow-up was analyzed. Results: Endothelial progenitor cells were related with flow-mediated dilation. A higher number of baseline EPCs CD45+CD34+KDR+, as well as an impaired reactivity of endothelial progenitor cells CD45+CD34+CD133+CD184+ after angioplasty, were observed in cases further undergoing major limb amputation, with a significant discrimination ability and risk (0.75, specificity 0.83 and RR 4.5 p < 0.05). Conclusions: Endothelial progenitor cells were related with endothelial dysfunction, whereas a higher baseline number of the subpopulation CD45+CD34+KDR+, as well as an impaired reactivity of subpopulation CD45+CD34+CD133+CD184+ after angioplasty, showed a predictive ability for major limb amputation in patients with critical limb ischemia.
Chorioallantoic Membrane Assay at the Cross-Roads of Adipose-Tissue-Derived Stem Cell Research
Authors: Oliinyk Dmytro , Eigenberger Andreas , Felthaus Oliver , Haerteis Silke , Prantl Lukas
Published: February 2023

With a history of more than 100 years of different applications in various scientific fields, the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay has proven itself to be an exceptional scientific model that meets the requirements of the replacement, reduction, and refinement principle (3R principle). As one of three extraembryonic avian membranes, the CAM is responsible for fetal respiration, metabolism, and protection. The model provides a unique constellation of immunological, vascular, and extracellular properties while being affordable and reliable at the same time. It can be utilized for research purposes in cancer biology, angiogenesis, virology, and toxicology and has recently been used for biochemistry, pharmaceutical research, and stem cell biology. Stem cells and, in particular, mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue (ADSCs) are emerging subjects for novel therapeutic strategies in the fields of tissue regeneration and personalized medicine. Because of their easy accessibility, differentiation profile, immunomodulatory properties, and cytokine repertoire, ADSCs have already been established for different preclinical applications in the files mentioned above. In this review, we aim to highlight and identify some of the cross-sections for the potential utilization of the CAM model for ADSC studies with a focus on wound healing and tissue engineering, as well as oncological research, e.g., sarcomas. Hereby, the focus lies on the combination of existing evidence and experience of such intersections with a potential utilization of the CAM model for further research on ADSCs.
Myelinating Glia: Potential Therapeutic Targets in Polyglutamine Spinocerebellar Ataxias
Authors: Putka Alexandra F. , Mato Juan P. , McLoughlin Hayley S.
Published: February 2023

Human studies, in combination with animal and cellular models, support glial cells as both major contributors to neurodegenerative diseases and promising therapeutic targets. Among glial cells, oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells are the myelinating glial cells of the central and peripheral nervous system, respectively. In this review, we discuss the contributions of these central and peripheral myelinating glia to the pathomechanisms of polyglutamine (polyQ) spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) types 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 17. First, we highlight the function of oligodendrocytes in healthy conditions and how they are disrupted in polyQ SCA patients and diseased model systems. We then cover the role of Schwann cells in peripheral nerve function and repair as well as their possible role in peripheral neuropathy in polyQ SCAs. Finally, we discuss potential polyQ SCA therapeutic interventions in myelinating glial.
Synthesis and Characterization of a Multiporous SnO2 Nanofibers-Supported Au Nanoparticles-Based Amperometric Sensor for the Nonenzymatic Detection of H2O2
Authors: Kader Md. Ashraful , Azmi Nina Suhaity , Kafi A. K. M. , Hossain Md. Sanower , Masri Mohd Faizulnazrie Bin , Ramli Aizi Nor Mazila , Tan Ching Siang
Published: February 2023

The challenges of a heme protein and enzyme-based H2O2 sensor was subdued by developing a highly sensitive and practically functional amperometric gold nanoparticles (Au NPs)/SnO2 nanofibers (SnO2 NFs) composite sensor. The composite was prepared by mixing multiporous SnO2 NFs (diameter: 120–190 nm) with Au NPs (size: 3–5 nm). The synthesized Au NPs/SnO2 NFs composite was subsequently coated on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and displayed a well-defined reduction peak during a cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis. The SnO2 NFs prevented the aggregation of Au NPs through its multiporous structure and enhanced the catalytic response by 1.6-fold. The SnO2 NFs-supported GCE/Au NPs/SnO2 NFs composite sensor demonstrated a very good catalytic activity during the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) that displayed rapid amperometric behavior within 6.5 s. This sensor allowed for highly sensitive and selective detection. The sensitivity was 14.157 µA/mM, the linear detection range was from 49.98 µM to 3937.21 µM (R2 = 0.99577), and the lower limit of detection was 6.67 µM. Furthermore, the developed sensor exhibited acceptable reproducibility, repeatability, and stability over 41 days. In addition, the Au NPs/SnO2 NFs composite sensor was tested for its ability to detect H2O2 in tap water, apple juice, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bacillus subtilis, and Escherichia coli. Therefore, this sensor would be useful due to its accuracy and sensitivity in detecting contaminants (H2O2) in commercial products.
Validation of a HS–GC–FID Method for the Quantification of Sevoflurane in the Blood, Urine, Brain and Lungs for Forensic Purposes
Authors: Pelletti Guido , Barone Rossella , Mohamed Susan , Rossi Francesca , Garagnani Marco , Giorgetti Arianna , Fais Paolo , Pelotti Susi
Published: February 2023

Background: Sevoflurane is a polyfluorinated compound extensively used as an inhalation anesthetic in patients undergoing surgery. If administered outside the operating room, sevoflurane is dangerous and potentially lethal, and toxicologists may be asked to investigate its presence in biological matrices for forensic purposes. The aim of the present study is to develop and validate a method for the detection and the quantification of sevoflurane in biological fluids and organs through gas chromatography coupled to flame ionization detection (GC–FID). Methods: The method was optimized based on the maximization of the signal-to-noise ratio. The GC–FID instrument was equipped with a Zebron capillary column ZB-624 (30 m, 0.32 mm ID, 1.80 µm film thickness). Results: The method was validated over a concentration range of 1.0–304.0 µg/mL (blood and urine) and µg/g (brain, lungs). The lower limit of quantitation was 1.0 µg/mL or µg/g. Both the intra- and interassay imprecision and inaccuracy were ≤15% at all quality control concentrations in all the matrices. The method was successfully applied to measure the sevoflurane concentrations for 20 negative controls and for a real forensic case. Conclusions: The present method is suitable for the identification and quantification of sevoflurane in fluids and organs and can be a reliable tool in forensic casework.
The Effect of External Cephalic Version on Fetal Circulation: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Engel Offra , Arnon Shmuel , Shechter Maor Gil , Schreiber Hanoch , Piura Ettie , Markovitch Ofer
Published: February 2023

External cephalic version (ECV) is a cost-effective and safe treatment option for breech presentation at term. Following ECV, fetal well-being is assessed via a non-stress test (NST). An alternative option to identify signs of fetal compromise is via the Doppler indices of the umbilical artery (UA), middle cerebral artery (MCA) and ductus venosus (DV). Inclusion criteria were an uncomplicated pregnancy with breech presentation at term. Doppler velocimetry of the UA, MCA and DV were performed up to 1 h before and up to 2 h after ECV. The study included 56 patients who underwent elective ECV with a success rate of 75%. After ECV, the UA S/D ratio, UA pulsatility index (PI) and UA resistance index (RI) were increased compared to before the ECV (p = 0.021, p = 0.042, and p = 0.022, respectively). There were no differences in the Doppler MCA and DV before or after ECV. All patients were discharged after the procedure. ECV is associated with changes in the UA Doppler indices that might reflect interference in placental perfusion. These changes are probably short-term and have no detrimental effects on the outcomes of uncomplicated pregnancies. ECV is safe; yet it is a stimulus or stress that can affect placental circulation. Therefore, careful case selection for ECV is important.
Assessing the Vaccine Efficacy in Health Care Providers for Combating the COVID-19 Infection: Results from Tertiary Cancer Care Centre
Authors: Agnihotri Shalini , Mehta Anurag , Sharma Anurag
Published: February 2023

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s rapid expansion, the creation of vaccines is crucial for lowering disease transmission. Therefore, to determine the safety and efficacy of the vaccine against symptomatic illness and to evaluate breakthrough infections, those who received single or both the doses of vaccine against COVID-19 infection. A retrospective observational study was carried out on vaccine efficacy and the incidence of the breakthrough infections among the heath care workers, support staff and administrative staff. Out of 599 fully vaccinated health care workers, those who tested COVID-19 positive post-vaccination only 1.16% developed a severe illness that necessitates hospitalization. This study reflects a significant vaccine efficacy of 81.3% after a complete dose of vaccination and protection of 76.9% after one standard dose against symptomatic disease. The frequency of COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough is very low, which means that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing COVID-19, particularly when it comes to severity.
Ecosystem Observation, Simulation and Assessment: Progress and Challenges
Authors: Hou Peng
Published: February 2023

Ecosystems provide supply, regulation, culture and support services for human-being, and overall support human survival and sustainable development [...]
Multi-Year On-Farm Trial Data on the Performance of Long- and Short-Duration Wheat Varieties against Sowing Dates in the Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain of India
Authors: Ajay Anurag , Singh Madhulika , Patra Subhajit , Ranjan Harshit , Pundir Ajay , Poonia Shishpal , Kumar Anurag , Singh Deepak K. , Kumar Pankaj , Ignatius Moben , Kumar Prabhat , Sherpa Sonam R. , Malik Ram K. , Kumar Virender , Singh Sudhanshu , Craufurd Peter , McDonald Andrew J.
Published: February 2023

Sub-optimal wheat productivity in the eastern Indo-Gangetic plain of India can largely be attributed to delayed sowing and the use of short duration varieties. The second week of November is the ideal time for sowing wheat in eastern India, though farmers generally plant later. Late-sowing farmers tend to prefer short-duration varieties, leading to additional yield penalty. To validate the effect of timely sowing and the comparative performance of long- and short-duration varieties, multi-location on-farm trials were conducted continuously over five years starting from 2016–2017. Ten districts were selected to ensure that all the agro-climatic zones of the region were covered. There were five treatments of sowing windows: (T1) 1 to 10 November, (T2) 11–20 November, (T3) 21 to 30 November, (T4) 1–15 December, and (T5) 16–31 December. Varietal performance was compared in T3, T4, and T5, as short-duration varieties are normally sown after 20 November. There is asymmetry in the distribution of samples within treatments and over the years due to the allocation of fields by farmers. Altogether, the trial was conducted at 3735 sites and captured 61 variables, including yield and yield attributing traits. Findings suggested that grain yields of long-duration wheat varieties are better even under late sown scenarios.
Designing Power Transformer Using Particle Swarm Optimization with Respect to Transformer Noise, Weight, and Losses
Authors: Pramono Wahyudi Budi , Wijaya Fransisco Danang , Hadi Sasongko Pramono , Wahyudi Moh. Slamet , Indarto Agus
Published: February 2023

The increased use of electrical energy will encourage the installation of more power transformers in residential areas as well as in industrial areas. Each power transformer, in its operation, will generate noise that can interfere with comfort and, at some level, cause health problems. The design of the power transformer currently focuses on optimizing its economic side, so noise has not been considered at this design stage. This research is about optimizing the low noise transformer design. The main goal is to obtain a low noise power transformer with low production costs. The method used in this optimization is particle swarm optimization with a multi-objective function. The objective function consists of the minimization of load noise, core weight, and winding weight. In this study, 11 optimized variables were used. Some variables that are optimized must be in the form of integers. Therefore, the optimization process needs a mechanism for mapping variables. The results showed that a low noise power transformer could be designed at optimal cost. Design validation was performed analytically and numerically with COMSOL software. The optimization results showed a decrease in load noise, core, and winding weight by 0.86 dB, 2.12%, and 47.46%, respectively. The results of this optimization are better than the designs used regularly in the industry.
Towards a Quantitative Approach for Determining DAA System Risk Ratio
Authors: Ellis Kris , Borshchova Iryna
Published: February 2023

Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) is a methodology developed by the Joint Authority on Rulemaking for Unmanned Systems (JARUS) for safely conducting and evaluating Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) operations in specific airspace. Many regulators, including Transport Canada (TC), the civilian aviation authority in Canada, have adopted the SORA approach to guide RPAS operators in their applications for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flight. Although the qualitative approach on how to assess the performance of a Detect and Avoid (DAA) system is outlined in the SORA, a quantitative and agreed-upon approach, on how to ensure that the specific DAA system meets the required Risk Ratio criteria, has yet to be established. This paper proposes a practical approach to determining the Risk Ratio, considering sensor performance, RPA maneuvering characteristics, and airspace specifics. The developed approach relies on publicly available modelling frameworks and airspace models. Illustrative examples of applying the method to determine the Risk Ratio of specific DAA systems are presented in the paper along with a discussion on the challenges of implementing SORA into BVLOS regulations for RPAS.
Service Function Chain Scheduling in Heterogeneous Multi-UAV Edge Computing
Authors: Wang Yangang , Wang Hai , Wei Xianglin , Zhao Kuang , Fan Jianhua , Chen Juan , Hu Yongyang , Jia Runa
Published: February 2023

Supporting Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enhanced intelligent applications on the resource-limited Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platform is difficult due to the resource gap between the two. It is promising to partition an AI application into a service function (SF) chain and then dispatch the SFs onto multiple UAVs. However, it is still a challenging task to efficiently schedule the computation and communication resources of multiple UAVs to support a large number of SF chains (SFCs). Under the multi-UAV edge computing paradigm, this paper formulates the SFC scheduling problem as a 0–1 nonlinear integer programming problem. Then, a two-stage heuristic algorithm is put forward to solve this problem. At the first stage, if the resources are surplus, the SFCs are deployed to UAV edge servers in parallel based on our proposed pairing principle between SFCs and UAVs for minimizing the completion time sum of tasks. In contrast, a revenue maximization heuristic method is adopted to deploy the arrived SFCs in a serial service mode when the resource is insufficient. A series of experiments are conducted to evaluate the performance of our proposal. Results show that our algorithm outperforms other benchmark algorithms in the completion time sum of tasks, the overall revenue, and the task execution success ratio
FAD: Fine-Grained Adversarial Detection by Perturbation Intensity Classification
Authors: Yang Jin-Tao , Jiang Hao , Li Hao , Ye Dong-Sheng , Jiang Wei
Published: February 2023

Adversarial examples present a severe threat to deep neural networks’ application in safetycritical domains such as autonomous driving. Although there are numerous defensive solutions, they all have some flaws, such as the fact that they can only defend against adversarial attacks with a limited range of adversarial intensities. Therefore, there is a need for a detection method that can distinguish the adversarial intensity in a fine-grained manner so that subsequent tasks can perform different defense processing against perturbations of various intensities. Based on thefact that adversarial attack samples of different intensities are significantly different in the highfrequency region, this paper proposes a method to amplify the high-frequency component of the image and input it into the deep neural network based on the residual block structure. To our best knowledge, the proposed method is the first to classify adversarial intensities at a fine-grained level, thus providing an attack detection component for a general AI firewall. Experimental results show that our proposed method not only has advanced performance in AutoAttack detection by perturbation intensity classification, but also can effectively apply to detect examples of unseen adversarial attack methods.
Ecosystem Services Valuation of Constructed Wetland as a Nature-Based Solution to Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Agaton Casper Boongaling , Guila Patricia Marie Caparas
Published: February 2023

Constructed wetlands (CWs) are nature-based solutions that utilize natural vegetation, soils, and microbes to treat domestic wastewater and industrial effluents. They are engineered treatment systems that mimic the functions of natural wetlands to capture stormwater, reduce nutrient loads, and create diverse wildlife habitats. Providing these monetary and non-monetary benefits, its implementation has grown in several applications and geographical spread. Recent studies integrate the ecosystem services of CWs in project valuation, and the critical analysis of research hotspots has not been made yet. This study employs a systematic review to analyze the literature on ecosystem services provided by CWs and how they are incorporated into the valuation of CW projects. Among the ecosystem services that have been identified are provisioning (biomass and water supply), regulating (wastewater treatment and purification, climate regulation, flood prevention, and erosion control), cultural (recreation and aesthetic, biodiversity, education, and research), and supporting (habitat formation, nutrient cycling, and hydrological cycle). In terms of valuation methods and techniques, the results identified contingent valuation, shadow pricing, cost–benefit analysis, benefits transfer, habitat evaluation procedures, replacement cost, and travel cost. The analysis results provide researchers with a concrete basis for future studies and directions for further development. This also provides policymakers and CW project planners with valuable insights on various aspects of policy support for CW adoption and project valuation.
Investigating Students’ Perception of Online Assessment as a Result of the Interaction among the Extrinsic Assessment Factors on Students Psychological Characteristics
Authors: Pascu Marioara , Petculescu Diana Corina , Stupariu Ileana Pătru
Published: February 2023

Since April 2020 all schools and universities have been running online classes on e-learning platforms and teachers have gradually integrated various educational software into the teaching-learning process. Our target group consists of 114 students of the faculty and college. We wanted to find out their opinions about the geography online assessment, identifying the factors that influenced this process and any differences that occurred between the two categories of subjects. The results of the study showed that students at technical college adapted very well to online evaluation and the numerous chi-square associations with technological factors show the importance students attached to them over pedagogical and social factors. Students felt the need for digitisation of the learning process as most of the associations are between psychological learning factors and technological ones. The university students, unlike students from college, did not respond under the impact of emotions, and appreciated the software design of Kahoot and Google Forms by associating a positive, stimulating connotation with psychological features (motivation, memory, comprehension, relaxation). We conclude that both technical college and university students appreciated the benefits of online assessment through the use of Kahoot and Google Forms tools on both psychological and pedagogical levels.
How Constructivist Environment Changes Perception of Learning: Physics Is Fun
Authors: Karwasz Grzegorz P. , Wyborska Katarzyna
Published: February 2023

The global availability of information makes its selection difficult, but at the same time it allows for the construction of teaching without the particular prior knowledge of students. However, it requires teachers to learn new abilities, such as developing a much broader coverage of the subject, explanations of illy solutions, and knowledge of different ways of thinking and the mental needs of pupils (pedagogical knowledge contents). We show examples of such teaching in physics in several quite different environments: from school classes to workshops for 3–4-year-old children, interactive lectures for children’s universities, ad hoc explanations in science museums for secondary school students, to public lectures in didactics at international congresses. Every specific environment requires different approaches, but the contents may remain similar: innovative, constructivist, and interactive approaches assure a successful outcome in any didactical situation.
Novel BIST Solution to Test the TSV Interconnects in 3D Stacked IC’s
Authors: Vethamuthu Edward Alaises Renold Sam , Sathasivam Sivanantham
Published: February 2023

This paper proposes a novel technique of TSV BIST repair that targets the design yield and various test challenges of three-dimensional integrated circuits (3D stacked ICs). The proposed methodology is efficient to cover the various faults during the fabrication, the interconnect breakages, shorts, bridges, void formation, thermal and physical stress, etc., during the TSV fabrication and stacking of 3D ICs. The repair mechanism provides a redundancy feature to replace the failing TSVs with spare TSVs in the design. It provides a significant impact on yield compared to the standard TSV testing approach. Further analysis was performed on different stacked levels of 3D ICs, and the results were compared with the existing industrial methods in terms of the yield and test time parameters. The proposed mechanism showed a significant improvement of 12.5% in the yield and 17.5% in the test time and also recovered all defective chips efficiently.
A Prognosis Technique Based on Improved GWO-NMPC to Improve the Trajectory Tracking Control System Reliability of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles
Authors: Gan Wenyang , Xia Tianxing , Chu Zhenzhong
Published: February 2023

The dynamics model of the unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) system is highly nonlinear, multi-degree-of-freedom, strongly coupled, and time-varying. Its motion control has been a complex problem due to the unknown information about and the uncertainty of the working environment. To improve the performance and reliability of UUV trajectory tracking control, a trajectory tracking method based on nonlinear model predictive control is designed, and an improved gray wolf optimization (IGWO) is proposed for the optimization of nonlinear model predictive control. The convergence factor of IGWO is designed as a nonlinear attenuation function, and the memory function is added to the position update equation to enhance the effect of trajectory tracking control. Through the simulation in the ROS environment, the influence of the convergence factor on the convergence rate of trajectory tracking error and tracking control performance is obtained. By comparing the tracking effects of several groups of reference trajectories, it is shown that the proposed method is universally applicable and effective to the trajectory tracking control of UUV. Compared with traditional gray wolf optimization (GWO), SQP, and other optimization algorithms, the reliability of the proposed method for UUV trajectory tracking control is demonstrated.
Human–Computer Interaction and Participation in Software Crowdsourcing
Authors: Khan Habib Ullah , Ali Farhad , Ghadi Yazeed Yasin , Nazir Shah , Ullah Inam , Mohamed Heba G.
Published: February 2023

Improvements in communication and networking technologies have transformed people’s lives and organizations’ activities. Web 2.0 innovation has provided a variety of hybridized applications and tools that have changed enterprises’ functional and communication processes. People use numerous platforms to broaden their social contacts, select items, execute duties, and learn new things. Context: Crowdsourcing is an internet-enabled problem-solving strategy that utilizes human–computer interaction to leverage the expertise of people to achieve business goals. In crowdsourcing approaches, three main entities work in collaboration to solve various problems. These entities are requestors (job providers), platforms, and online users. Tasks are announced by requestors on crowdsourcing platforms, and online users, after passing initial screening, are allowed to work on these tasks. Crowds participate to achieve various rewards. Motivation: Crowdsourcing is gaining importance as an alternate outsourcing approach in the software engineering industry. Crowdsourcing application development involves complicated tasks that vary considerably from the micro-tasks available on platforms such as Amazon Mechanical Turk. To obtain the tangible opportunities of crowdsourcing in the realm of software development, corporations should first grasp how this technique works, what problems occur, and what factors might influence community involvement and co-creation. Online communities have become more popular recently with the rise in crowdsourcing platforms. These communities concentrate on specific problems and help people with solving and managing these problems. Objectives: We set three main goals to research crowd interaction: (1) find the appropriate characteristics of social crowd utilized for effective software crowdsourcing, (2) highlight the motivation of a crowd for virtual tasks, and (3) evaluate primary participation reasons by assessing various crowds using Fuzzy AHP and TOPSIS method. Conclusion: We developed a decision support system to examine the appropriate reasons of crowd participation in crowdsourcing. Rewards and employments were evaluated as the primary motives of crowds for accomplishing tasks on crowdsourcing platforms, knowledge sharing was evaluated as the third reason, ranking was the fourth, competency was the fifth, socialization was sixth, and source of inspiration was the seventh.
Control Strategies of Electric Vehicles Participating in Ancillary Services: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Pradana Adlan , Haque Mejbaul , Nadarajah Mithulanathan
Published: February 2023

With the emergence of the electric vehicle (EV) era in which the vehicle’s embedded batteries can be exploited for grid support purposes, the role of EVs participating in ancillary services via vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology cannot be disregarded. Although there are many forms of ancillary services, the most common services delivered by EVs are frequency regulation, frequency contingency, inertia, and voltage regulation. Numerous research studies have been conducted to propose the most effective control strategies for electric vehicle ancillary services (EVASs). In this paper, a comprehensive review is carried out on various control strategies for EVs with respect to their participation in ancillary services. The methodology applied for this review comprises a combination of thematic and historical reviews. The review explores the benefits and limitations of these control strategies and provides a clear understanding of the research gaps in the EVAS area. This review will provide a useful framework and a strong point of reference for researchers working in V2G controls for providing EVASs to a grid. V2G will be a way forward for future grids to accommodate more renewable resources and achieve sustainability pathways.