bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Description of the Current Da Vinci® Training Pathway for Robotic Abdominal Wall Surgery by the European Hernia Society
Authors: Vierstraete Maaike , Simons Maarten , Borch Knut , de Beaux Andrew , East Barbora , Reinpold Wolfgang , Stabilini Cesare , Muysoms Filip
Published: November 2022

Background: Robot assisted laparoscopic abdominal wall surgery (RAWS) has seen a rapid adoption in recent years. The safe introduction of the robot platform in the treatment of abdominal wall hernias is important to safeguard the patient from harm during the learning curve. The scope of this paper is to describe the current European training curriculum in RAWS.

Methods and Analysis: The pathway to competence in RAWS will depend on the robot platform, experience in other abdominal procedures (novice to expert) and experience in the abdominal wall repair techniques. An overview of the learning curve effect in the initial case series of several early adopters in RAWS was reviewed. In European centres, current training for surgeons wanting to adopt RAWS is managed by the specific technology-based training organized by the company providing the robot. It consists of four phases where phases I and II are preclinical, while phases III and IV focus on the introduction of the robotic platform into surgical practice.

Conclusion: On behalf of the Robotic Surgery Task Force of the European Hernia Society (EHS) we believe that the EHS should play an important role in the clinical phases III and IV training. Courses organized in collaboration with the robot provider on relevant surgical anatomy of the abdominal wall and procedural steps in complex abdominal wall reconstruction like transversus abdominis release are essential. Whereas the robot provider should be responsible for the preclinical phases I and II to gain familiarity in the specific robot platform.
Metaheuristic Identification for an Analytic Dynamic Model of a Delta Robot with Experimental Verification
Authors: Kim Tae-Hyoung , Kim Yeongjae , Kwak Taeheon , Kanno Masaaki
Published: November 2022

The dynamic-parameter identification process for developing a suitable precise mathematical model for the implementation and operation of parallel-link robots has received attention. In this study, an efficient and reliable system-identification method for a delta robot is proposed. The parallel-link robot’s dynamic behavior was mathematically modeled according to the principle of virtual work. The dynamic equations of motion are extended to the system of equations that explicitly characterizes the inertial and centripetal/Coriolis forces, and the frictional effects on the robot’s dynamic behavior. Next, the dynamic-parameter identification technique is presented to directly estimate a set of uncertain parameters that are included in the extended dynamic model. In addition, the development of the dynamic model with a generalized inertia matrix for determining the impact of the inertia-coupling characteristic on the robot’s dynamic behaviors is examined. Experimental results indicate that the proposed parameter-estimation technique is an extremely useful tool that can achieve the high-quality identification of an analytic dynamic model for a parallel-link robot.
Numerical Research of an Ice Accretion Delay Method by the Bio-Inspired Leading Edge
Authors: Xu Xiaogang , Wang Tianbo , Fu Yifan , Zhang Yang , Chen Gang
Published: November 2022

The accumulation of ice on aircraft is a typical meteorological issue. The ice accretion on the wing’s leading edge can cause an earlier stall and significantly increase the safety risks. Because the equivalent shape of the wing will change based on the ice pattern on the leading edge, it is crucial to predict the ice pattern of the aircraft and design the anti-icing device. The ice accretion is predicted in the present work through a multi-shot approach. In the current study, a bio-inspired leading edge that can generate multiple pairs of counter-rotating vortices is used to alter the trajectory of the water droplets. This results in a lowering of the ratio of droplet attachment on the leading edge, hence and the ice accretion time, which is an indication of hazardous flight conditions, can be delayed. As a result, the spanwise continuous ice transforms into the discontinuous ice. Meanwhile, the Procrustes analysis provides a result for the thickness of the ice pattern on the wing model based on a variety of parameters for the leading edge.
Exploring the High-Quality County-Level Development and Governance Response for Farming–Pastoral Ecotone in China: A Case Study of Kulun
Authors: Cheng Zhe , Tang Anni , Cai Jianming , Song Tao
Published: November 2022

As a special territory type, the farming–pastoral ecotone is facing challenges surrounding path creation and high-quality and sustainable development. Counties are not only an important spatial unit to promote high-quality development, but also an important part of the modernization of the national governance system. County-level development is the critical driving force of sustainable development and the breakthrough of governance modernization in the farming-pastoral ecotone. First, this study systematically reviews the progress of the farming–pastoral ecotone and high-quality development. Then, this study adopts the “Driving Forces-Pressure-State-Impact-Responses” (DPSIR) model and entropy method to construct an analysis framework. Third, taking Kulun county as a typical case, this study diagnoses the state of high-quality county-level development in the farming–pastoral ecotone. Finally, a governance mechanism of “idea-space-industry-people’s livelihood-governance” has been proposed. This study provides theoretical guidance for the high-quality development of the farming–pastoral ecotone and enriches the body of knowledge regarding high-quality development.
Optimization of a High-Pressure Soil Washing System for Emergency Recovery of Heavy Metal-Contaminated Soil
Authors: Park Sang Hyeop , Koutsospyros Agamemnon , Moon Deok Hyun
Published: November 2022

Recent natural disasters, such as typhoons in South Korea and other countries around the globe, have resulted in loss of human life and damage to property, often causing contamination of nearby soil environments. This study focused on the emergency recovery of soil contaminated by heavy metals following a disaster such as typhoon flooding by applying a soil washing technique that used high-pressure water rather than chemical cleaning agents. Artificially contaminated soil containing 700 mg/kg Cu, 530 mg/kg Pb and 900 mg/kg Zn, was used. All three metals were present at levels higher than the Korean Warning Standards (500 mg/kg Cu, 400 mg/kg Pb, 600 mg/kg Zn) for region 2 (miscellaneous area). A high-pressure soil washing device was designed to treat 0.6 tons/h and optimal treatment was sought for varying levels of pressure (1, 3, 5 MPa), solid to liquid ratios (S/L) (1:1, 1:3, 1:5), and number of washing cycles (1, 2, 3). The high-pressure soil washing results showed that a 5 MPa washing pressure, 1:1 solid-liquid ratio, and one washing cycle were the optimum conditions to generate the highest heavy metal removal rates. Under optimal conditions, high-pressure soil washing attained removal efficiencies of Cu (37.7%), Pb (36.6%), and Zn (45.1%), and the residual concentrations of heavy metals in the remediated soil satisfied the Korean Warning Standard (Region 2). A comparison of the changes in particle size showed that after high-pressure washing, the mass fraction of coarse sand (CS, 2–0.42 mm) decreased by 23.3%, while that of fine sand (FS, 0.42–0.074 mm), silt, and clay (SC, <0.074 mm) increased by 4.2% and 19.1%, respectively. In addition, 31.1–34.6% of the CS heavy metal mass loading shifted to FS and SC fractions after washing. A comparative analysis of the soil surface morphology before and after washing using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the particles in the remediated soil became noticeably cleaner after high-pressure washing. This study demonstrated the feasibility of emergency recovery of heavy metal-contaminated soil using high-pressure washing without a chemical cleaning agent.
Analysis of Phylogeny and Genetic Diversity of Endangered Romanian Grey Steppe Cattle Breed, a Reservoir of Valuable Genes to Preserve Biodiversity
Authors: Davidescu Madalina-Alexandra , Simeanu Daniel , Gorgan Dragos-Lucian , Ciorpac Mitica , Creanga Steofil
Published: November 2022

Since 2000, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has been drawing attention to the increasing numerical decline of Podolian cattle, which include the Romanian Grey Steppe. Currently, this breed is endangered, numbering under 100 heads across the territory of the entire country. Due to its qualities of rusticity, adaptability, and increased resistance to diseases and severe climate conditions, the Grey Steppe is considered a valuable genetic reserve for improving livestock production. This study aimed to quantify the genetic diversity of a population of 32 cattle from the area of N-E Moldova through the analysis of two mitochondrial markers, cytochrome b and the d-loop, which have been proven to be relevant to studies of genetic diversity and phylogeny. The results obtained based on the statistical analysis of the data using nucleotide sequence analysis software (DnaSP, SeaView, MegaX, PopArt, etc.) demonstrated that the breed belonged to the ancestral P′QT haplogroup, with direct descent from Bos taurus primigenius. Within this haplogroup, five cattle were identified, which could be used in the selection of crosses, with the aim of preserving valuable genetic resources for the improvement of other cattle breeds and the protection of biodiversity.
The Cradles of Adoption: Perspectives from Conservation Agriculture in Ethiopia
Authors: Belay Sisay A. , Assefa Tewodros T. , Yimam Abdu Y. , Prasad Pagadala V. V. , Reyes Manuel R.
Published: November 2022

Several technologies have been provided to farmers to increase production under the rainfed systems of Ethiopia. However, much attention has been focused on drought emergency relief and associated interventions. Conservation agriculture (CA), among others, has been recently encouraged as part of the sustainable intensification technology in the Ethiopian smallholder farming systems. However, CA research in Ethiopia has traditionally stayed for a long time on a station-based research approach over a controlled environment followed by demonstration plots conducted, in most cases, for a short period. Considering large natural agro-hydro-ecological diversifications and the socio-economic conditions of smallholder farmers, it is possible to envisage that various versions of CA may be adopted based on different climate and topographic settings. Hence it entails various forms of adoption research depending on the biophysical and socio-economic conditions. Therefore, adopting CA technology is not as simple as adopting the technology or its components, as adoption is not only based on benefits but is also a process of inculcating CA into the human and social elements (culture, gender, social, and beliefs), and integrating CA within the farming systems (e.g., crop type, rotations, and agronomic management), and production systems (e.g., irrigated, rainfed, and livestock). In this regard, a review of CA technology usage provides an important perspective to explore the findings and the functionality of current CA research systems regarding the nature of its development, promotion, and dissemination in Ethiopia. This manuscript explores how CA is viewed by local farmers and associated researchers using the results from station to farmer-designed on-farm studies in the Ethiopian highlands, including irrigated and rain-fed production systems. This review paper will be crucially important for researchers and policymakers to develop conservation agriculture as one strategic issue for future sustainable irrigation and natural resource conservation.
Yam Staking Reduces Soil Loss Due to Crop Harvesting under Agronomic Management System: Environmental Effect of Soil Carbon Loss
Authors: Oshunsanya Suarau , Yu Hanqing , Onunka Chibuzo , Samson Victor , Odebode Ayodeji , Sebiotimo Shamsideen , Xue Tingting
Published: November 2022

The staking (elevating creeping vines above the ground with poles) of yam is practiced to optimize crop yield, but its effect on soil loss due to crop harvesting (SLCH-soil adhering to harvested tubers) and its associated carbon loss has not been investigated globally. A 3-year field experiment was conducted to study the yam (Dioscorea rotundata) staking effect on SLCH and to examine the environmental effect of soil carbon loss. Staking reduced soil loss due to crop harvesting by 55.6% and increased yam yield by 33.3% when compared to un-staking. Soil carbon loss and root hair weight per tuber yield decreased by 47.7 and 58.4%, respectively, under staking compared with un-staking practices. The un-staking with higher moisture (≃42%) exported two times more soil-available nutrients (N, P, K and Ca) than staking. SLCH was also linearly related to root hair weight (R2 = 0.88–0.75; p < 0.05) and moisture content (R2 = 0.79–0.63; p < 0.05). The lower ratio of root hair weight to tuber yield coupled with moderate mound moisture in staking neutralized its higher tuber yield effect on SLCH by reducing soil loss and its carbon loss. Thus, yam staking mitigates soil loss and its carbon loss which can increase the sequestration potential of soil carbon stock.
Antiamoebic Properties of Ceftriaxone and Zinc-Oxide–Cyclodextrin-Conjugated Ceftriaxone
Authors: Makhlouf Zinb , Akbar Noor , Khan Naveed , Shah Muhammad , Alharbi Ahmad , Alfahemi Hasan , Siddiqui Ruqaiyyah
Published: November 2022

Acanthamoeba castellanii is a ubiquitous free-living amoeba capable of instigating keratitis and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis in humans. Treatment remains limited and inconsistent. Accordingly, there is a pressing need for novel compounds. Nanotechnology has been gaining attention for enhancing drug delivery and reducing toxicity. Previous work has shown that various antibiotic classes displayed antiamoebic activity. Herein, we employed two antibiotics: ampicillin and ceftriaxone, conjugated with the nanocarrier zinc oxide and β-cyclodextrin, and tested them against A. castellanii via amoebicidal, amoebistatic, encystment, excystment, cytopathogenicity, and cytotoxicity assays at a concentration of 100 μg/mL. Notably, zinc oxide β-cyclodextrin ceftriaxone significantly inhibited A. castellanii growth and cytopathogenicity. Additionally, both zinc oxide β-cyclodextrin ceftriaxone and ceftriaxone markedly inhibited A. castellanii encystment. Furthermore, all the tested compounds displayed negligible cytotoxicity. However, minimal anti-excystment or amoebicidal effects were observed for the compounds. Accordingly, this novel nanoconjugation should be employed in further studies in hope of discovering novel anti-Acanthamoeba compounds.
The Interplay of Sirtuin-1, LDL-Cholesterol, and HDL Function: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Effects of Energy Restriction and Atorvastatin on Women with Premature Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Leal Dalila Pinheiro , Gonçalinho Gustavo Henrique Ferreira , Tavoni Thauany Martins , Kuwabara Karen Lika , Paccanaro Ana Paula , Freitas Fatima Rodrigues , Strunz Célia Maria Cassaro , César Luiz Antonio Machado , Maranhão Raul Cavalcante , Mansur Antonio de Padua
Published: November 2022

Introduction: HDL function has gained prominence in the literature as there is a greater predictive capacity for risk in early coronary artery disease when compared to the traditional parameters. However, it is unclear how dietary energy restriction and atorvastatin influence HDL function. Methods: A randomized controlled trial with 39 women with early CAD divided into three groups (n = 13): energy restriction (30% of VET), atorvastatin (80 mg), and control. Analyses of traditional biochemical markers (lipid and glucose profile), circulating Sirt-1, and HDL function (lipid composition, lipid transfer, and antioxidant capacity). Results: Participants’ mean age was 50.5 ± 3.8 years. Energy restriction increased Sirt-1 by 63.6 pg/mL (95%CI: 1.5–125.7; p = 0.045) and reduced BMI by 0.8 kg/m2 (95%CI: −1.349–−0.273; p = 0.004) in a manner independent of other cardiometabolic factors. Atorvastatin reduced LDL-c by 40.0 mg/dL (95%CI: −69.910–−10.1; p = 0.010). Increased Sirt-1 and reduced BMI were independently associated with reduced phospholipid composition of HDL (respectively, β = −0.071; CI95%:−0.136–−0.006; p = 0.033; β = 7.486; CI95%:0.350–14.622; p = 0.040). Reduction in BMI was associated with lower HDL-free cholesterol (β = 0.818; CI95%:0.044–1.593; p = 0.039). LDL-c reduction by statins was associated with reduced maximal lipid peroxide production rate of HDL (β = 0.002; CI95%:0.000–0.003; p = 0.022) and total conjugated diene generation (β = 0.001; CI95%:0.000–0.001; p = 0.029). Conclusion: This study showed that energy restriction and atorvastatin administration were associated with changes in lipid profile, serum Sirt-1 concentrations, and HDL function.
High-Altitude Hypoxia Exposure Induces Iron Overload and Ferroptosis in Adipose Tissue
Authors: Zhang Yanfei , Fang Jinyu , Dong Yingyue , Ding Huiru , Cheng Quancheng , Liu Huaicun , Xu Guoheng , Zhang Weiguang
Published: November 2022

High altitude (HA) has become one of the most challenging environments featuring hypobaric hypoxia, which seriously threatens public health, hence its gradual attraction of public attention over the past decade. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of HA hypoxia on iron levels, redox state, inflammation, and ferroptosis in adipose tissue. Here, 40 mice were randomly divided into two groups: the sea-level group and HA hypoxia group (altitude of 5000 m, treatment for 4 weeks). Total iron contents, ferrous iron contents, ROS generation, lipid peroxidation, the oxidative enzyme system, proinflammatory factor secretion, and ferroptosis-related biomarkers were examined, respectively. According to the results, HA exposure increases total iron and ferrous iron levels in both WAT and BAT. Meanwhile, ROS release, MDA, 4-HNE elevation, GSH depletion, as well as the decrease in SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px activities further evidenced a phenotype of redox imbalance in adipose tissue during HA exposure. Additionally, the secretion of inflammatory factors was also significantly enhanced in HA mice. Moreover, the remarkably changed expression of ferroptosis-related markers suggested that HA exposure increased ferroptosis sensitivity in adipose tissue. Overall, this study reveals that HA exposure is capable of inducing adipose tissue redox imbalance, inflammatory response, and ferroptosis, driven in part by changes in iron overload, which is expected to provide novel preventive targets for HA-related illness.
Circulating Reactive Oxygen Species in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Vanreusel Inne , Vermeulen Dorien , Goovaerts Inge , Stoop Tibor , Ectors Bert , Cornelis Jacky , Hens Wendy , de Bliek Erwin , Heuten Hilde , Van Craenenbroeck Emeline M. , Van Berendoncks An , Segers Vincent F. M. , Briedé Jacob J.
Published: November 2022

Oxidative stress is an important pathophysiological mechanism in the development of numerous cardiovascular disorders, but few studies have examined the levels of oxidative stress in adults with congenital heart disease (CHD). The objective of this study was to investigate oxidative stress levels in adults with CHD and the association with inflammation, exercise capacity and endothelial function. To this end, 36 adults with different types of CHD and 36 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Blood cell counts, hs-CRP, NT-proBNP, fasting glucose, cholesterol levels, iron saturation and folic acid concentrations were determined in venous blood samples. Levels of superoxide anion radical in whole blood were determined using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy in combination with the spin probe CMH. Physical activity was assessed with the IPAQ-SF questionnaire. Vascular function assessment (EndoPAT) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing were performed in the patient group. Superoxide anion radical levels were not statistically significantly different between adults with CHD and the matched controls. Moreover, oxidative stress did not correlate with inflammation, or with endothelial function or cardiorespiratory fitness in CHD; however, a significant negative correlation with iron saturation was observed. Overall, whole blood superoxide anion radical levels in adults with CHD were not elevated, but iron levels seem to play a more important role in oxidative stress mechanisms in CHD than in healthy controls. More research will be needed to improve our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of CHD.
Short-Term Grape Consumption Diminishes UV-Induced Skin Erythema
Authors: Pezzuto John M. , Dave Asim , Park Eun-Jung , Beyoğlu Diren , Idle Jeffrey R.
Published: November 2022

Over three million Americans are affected by skin cancer each year, largely as a result of exposure to sunlight. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential of grape consumption to modulate UV-induced skin erythema. With 29 human volunteers, we report that nine demonstrated greater resistance to UV irradiation of the skin after consuming the equivalent of three servings of grapes per day for two weeks. We further explored any potential relationship to the gut–skin axis. Alpha- and beta-diversity of the gut microbiome were not altered, but grape consumption modulated microbiota abundance, enzyme levels, and KEGG pathways. Striking differences in the microbiome and metabolome were discerned when comparing the nine individuals showing greater UV resistance with the 20 non-responders. Notably, three urinary metabolites, 2′-deoxyribonic acid, 3-hydroxyphenyl acetic and scyllo-inositol, were depressed in the UV-resistant group. A ROC curve revealed a 71.8% probability that measurement of urinary 2′-deoxyribonic acid identifies a UV skin non-responder. 2′-Deoxyribonic acid is cleaved from the DNA backbone by reactive oxygen species. Three of the nine subjects acquiring UV resistance following grape consumption showed a durable response, and these three demonstrated unique microbiomic and metabolomic profiles. Variable UV skin sensitivity was likely due to glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms. We conclude that a segment of the population is capable of demonstrating greater resistance to a dermal response elicited by UV irradiation as a result of grape consumption. It is uncertain if modulation of the gut-skin axis leads to enhanced UV resistance, but there is correlation. More broadly, it is reasonable to expect that these mechanisms relate to other health outcomes anticipated to result from grape consumption.
Automated Design of the Deep Neural Network Pipeline
Authors: Gerber Mia , Pillay Nelishia
Published: November 2022

Deep neural networks have proven to be effective in various domains, especially in natural language processing and image processing. However, one of the challenges associated with using deep neural networks includes the long design time and expertise needed to apply these neural networks to a particular domain. The research presented in this paper investigates the automation of the design of the deep neural network pipeline to overcome this challenge. The deep learning pipeline includes identifying the preprocessing needed, the feature engineering technique, the neural network to use and the parameters for the neural network. A selection pertubative hyper-heuristic (SPHH) is used to automate the design pipeline. The study also examines the reusability of the generated pipeline. The effectiveness of transfer learning on the generated designs is also investigated. The proposed approach is evaluated for text processing—namely, sentiment analysis and spam detection—and image processing—namely, maize disease detection and oral lesion detection. The study revealed that the automated design of the deep neural network pipeline produces just as good, and in some cases better, performance compared to the manual design, with the automated design requiring less design time than the manual design. In the majority of instances, the design was not reusable; however, transfer learning achieved positive transfer of designs, with the performance being just as good or better than when transfer learning was not used.
Class-Level Refactoring Prediction by Ensemble Learning with Various Feature Selection Techniques
Authors: Panigrahi Rasmita , Kuanar Sanjay Kumar , Misra Sanjay , Kumar Lov
Published: November 2022

Background: Refactoring is changing a software system without affecting the software functionality. The current researchers aim i to identify the appropriate method(s) or class(s) that needs to be refactored in object-oriented software. Ensemble learning helps to reduce prediction errors by amalgamating different classifiers and their respective performances over the original feature data. Other motives are added in this paper regarding several ensemble learners, errors, sampling techniques, and feature selection techniques for refactoring prediction at the class level. Objective: This work aims to develop an ensemble-based refactoring prediction model with structural identification of source code metrics using different feature selection techniques and data sampling techniques to distribute the data uniformly. Our model finds the best classifier after achieving fewer errors during refactoring prediction at the class level. Methodology: At first, our proposed model extracts a total of 125 software metrics computed from object-oriented software systems processed for a robust multi-phased feature selection method encompassing Wilcoxon significant text, Pearson correlation test, and principal component analysis (PCA). The proposed multi-phased feature selection method retains the optimal features characterizing inheritance, size, coupling, cohesion, and complexity. After obtaining the optimal set of software metrics, a novel heterogeneous ensemble classifier is developed using techniques such as ANN-Gradient Descent, ANN-Levenberg Marquardt, ANN-GDX, ANN-Radial Basis Function; support vector machine with different kernel functions such as LSSVM-Linear, LSSVM-Polynomial, LSSVM-RBF, Decision Tree algorithm, Logistic Regression algorithm and extreme learning machine (ELM) model are used as the base classifier. In our paper, we have calculated four different errors i.e., Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean magnitude of Relative Error (MORE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and Standard Error of Mean (SEM). Result: In our proposed model, the maximum voting ensemble (MVE) achieves better accuracy, recall, precision, and F-measure values (99.76, 99.93, 98.96, 98.44) as compared to the base trained ensemble (BTE) and it experiences less errors (MAE = 0.0057, MORE = 0.0701, RMSE = 0.0068, and SEM = 0.0107) during its implementation to develop the refactoring model. Conclusions: Our experimental result recommends that MVE with upsampling can be implemented to improve the performance of the refactoring prediction model at the class level. Furthermore, the performance of our model with different data sampling techniques and feature selection techniques has been shown in the form boxplot diagram of accuracy, F-measure, precision, recall, and area under the curve (AUC) parameters.
Spin Hall Effect before and after the Focus of a High-Order Cylindrical Vector Beam
Authors: Kotlyar Victor V. , Stafeev Sergey S. , Kovalev Alexey A. , Zaitsev Vladislav D.
Published: November 2022

It is known that in the cross-section of a high-order cylindrical vector beam (CVB), polarization is locally linear. The higher the beam order, the higher the number of full rotations of the vector of local linear polarization when passing along a contour around the optical axis. It is also known that both in the input and in the focal planes, the CVB has neither the spin angular momentum (SAM), nor the orbital angular momentum (OAM). We demonstrate here that near the focal plane of the CVB (before and after the focus), an even number of local subwavelength areas is generated, where the polarization vector in each point is rotating. In addition, in the neighboring areas, polarization vectors are rotating in different directions, so that the longitudinal component of SAM vectors in these neighboring areas is of the opposite sign. In addition, after the beam passes the focus, the rotation direction of the polarization vector in each point of the beam cross-section is changed to the opposite one. Such spatial separation of the left and right rotation of the polarization vectors manifests so that the optical spin Hall effect takes place.
Some Thoughts about Infrared Radiation Response Characteristics during Loading of Sandstone Samples
Authors: Sun Hai , Zhu Hongyan , Konietzky Heinz , Wang Fei , Herbst Martin
Published: November 2022

The infrared radiation response characteristics and mechanisms of sandstone samples under uniaxial compression were investigated using infrared thermal imaging and strain measurement techniques. The stress–strain curves were divided into different damage stages (i.e., crack closure, elastic deformation, stable crack growth, unstable crack growth, and post-failure) by the damage thresholds determined using the transverse and vertical strains. Experimental results show that the infrared radiation response characteristics of sandstone include the superposition of different mechanisms, which lead to either temperature increase or decrease. The response mechanisms of infrared radiation vary depending on the damage stage. During crack closure and elastic deformation stage, temperature variations are mainly governed by thermoelastic effects and the nearly adiabatic compression of air in the pore space. In the stable and unstable crack growth phase, the temperature variations are dominated by two reverse acting processes: heat production by frictional sliding and cooling by the expansion of gases in pore spaces. This leads to complex inhomogeneous radiation and consequently temperature distribution at the sample surface with local hotspots.
Experimental Study on the Mechanical Properties of Saturated Tailing Sand with Different Particle Sizes
Authors: Chai Xiuwei , Sheng Yiming , Liu Jingyuan , Xu Yuping , Liu Huimin
Published: November 2022

The particle size distribution of tailing sand will affect its strength, deformation and mechanical properties, thus affecting the overall safety and stability of the tailing dam. The main purpose of this study is to obtain the gradation of sand samples with the best shear strength and seepage effect by studying the influence of particle size on the mechanical properties of saturated iron tailing sand. The tailings were sampled from Yangjiawan tailing reservoir of Chengchao Iron Mine, and the moisture content test, particle size distribution analysis and scanning electron microscope test (SEM) were carried out on the samples. It is measured that the average moisture content of the tailings is 12%, and the gradation is generally poor. SEM was used to observe the microstructure of the three kinds of particles, and it was found that these structures were more likely to be damaged under load, which was not conducive to the improvement of the strength of tailings. Through the consolidation undrained test of five particle size groups, it is concluded that the larger the particle size is, the greater the shear strength will be. The Cu indicates the width of the distribution range of the grading curve, the Cc indicates the distribution pattern of the grading curve, and they are both used to indicate the particle grading of sand. Then, by changing the sample gradation, the coefficient of uniformity (Cu) and the coefficient of curvature (Cc) of the gradation parameters are controlled to remain unchanged, respectively. By changing another parameter, it is found that there is a close relationship between the coefficient of uniformity and the coefficient of curvature and the shear strength through the triaxial shear action, three kinds of tailing sand gradation with better strengths are obtained. Based on the study of strength characteristics, the permeability coefficients of three kinds of tailing sands are calculated by using the seepage failure test. The test results show that when the coefficient of uniformity is 5.5 and the coefficient of curvature is 1, the permeability coefficient is 1.699 × 10−3 cm/s, and the shear strength and permeability of the sample are the best.
Multi-Vehicle Tracking Based on Monocular Camera in Driver View
Authors: Lyu Pengfei , Wei Minxiang , Wu Yuwei
Published: November 2022

Multi-vehicle tracking is used in advanced driver assistance systems to track obstacles, which is fundamental for high-level tasks. It requires real-time performance while dealing with object illumination variations and deformations. To this end, we propose a novel multi-vehicle tracking algorithm based on a monocular camera in driver view. It follows the tracking-by-detection paradigm and integrates detection and appearance descriptors into a single network. The one-stage detection approach consists of a backbone, a modified BiFPN as a neck layer, and three prediction heads. The data association consists of a two-step matching strategy together with a Kalman filter. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms state-of-the-art algorithms. It is also able to solve the tracking problem in driving scenarios while maintaining 16 FPS on the test dataset.
A Mathematical Model of Industrial Waste-Derived Fuel Droplet Combustion in High-Temperature Air
Authors: Antonov Dmitrii , Glushkov Dmitrii , Paushkina Kristina , Kuznechenkova Daria , Ramanathan Anand
Published: November 2022

The results of a theoretical and experimental study of the processes of ignition and combustion of a single composite liquid fuel (CLF) droplet based on wet coal processing waste and combustible municipal solid waste under radiant and convective heating are presented. Based on the results of a detailed analysis of video recordings and previously obtained experimental data from the ignition and combustion of a single CLF droplet, a mathematical model was developed. The advantage of the developed mathematical model lies in the specification of sequential physical and chemical processes of the high-temperature decomposition of fuel in a high-temperature gaseous medium. A numerical simulation of combustion characteristics was carried out in the Ansys Fluent commercial software for five different CLF compositions. The ignition-delay times were established for fuel droplets that were in a preheated motionless air environment, a temperature in the range of 723–1273 K, and an air flow heated to 723–973 K moving at a velocity of 3 m/s. Using the asymptotic procedure, satisfactory analytical solutions are obtained for the multistage nonlinear problem of ignition and combustion of a single CLF droplet. The possibility for the practical application of the developed program in Ansys Fluent in predicting the characteristics of the ignition processes of CLF droplets is substantiated.
Investigation on Deformation Behavior of the Crossing Section of Two Municipal Road Tunnels during Construction
Authors: Zhao Chen-Yu , Yue Ren-Hui , Lin Yu-Liang , Huang Cong-Jun , Jiang Xu
Published: November 2022

With the development of urbanization, the transportation network of underground tunnels has been gradually formed and improved. It is a complicated issue for engineering construction when two municipal road tunnels intersect at one point. Based on a construction site of the crossing point of the Huayuan Road Tunnel and Luzhou Road Tunnel in Hefei City, China, the finite element analysis method is used to calculate and analyze the deformation characteristics of the crossing point of the tunnels during the asymmetric construction of connecting parts. The deformation behaviors of the crossing point of tunnels subjected to symmetrical construction are also studied for comparison. Results show that the deformations of the supporting pile and tunnel frame structures increase rapidly when they are subjected to asymmetric construction, while the lateral movement of the supporting pile and the deformation of the tunnel structure can be greatly limited when the symmetrical construction method is adopted. Some suggestions for engineering construction are put forward to ensure the safety of the structure, such as multi-stage construction and temporary supporting measure.
Efficient Cancelable Template Generation Based on Signcryption and Bio Hash Function
Authors: Rajasekar Vani , Saračević Muzafer , Karabašević Darjan , Stanujkić Dragiša , Dobardžić Eldin , Krishnamoorthi Sathya
Published: November 2022

Cancelable biometrics is a demanding area of research in which a cancelable template conforming to a biometric is produced without degrading the efficiency. There are numerous approaches described in the literature that can be used to generate these cancelable templates. These approaches do not, however, perform well in either the qualitative or quantitative perspective. To address this challenge, a unique cancelable template generation mechanism based on signcryption and bio hash function is proposed in this paper. Signcryption is a lightweight cryptographic approach that uses hyper elliptic curve cryptography for encryption and a bio hash function for generating signatures in this proposed method. The cancelable templates are generated from iris biometrics. The hybrid grey level distancing method is used for perfect iris feature extraction for the CASIA and IITD datasets. The proposed approach is compared against the existing state-of-the-art cancelable techniques. The resulting analysis reveals that the proposed method is efficient in terms of accuracy of 98.86%, with lower EER of 0.1%. The average minimum TPR and TNR of the proposed method is about 99.81%.
Plasma Amino Acids and Acylcarnitines Are Associated with the Female but Not Male Adolescent Swimmer’s Performance: An Integration between Mass Spectrometry and Complex Network Approaches
Authors: Mendes Flávio Marcio Macedo , Sanches Pedro Henrique Godoy , Silva Álex Ap. Rosini , Reis Ivan Gustavo Masselli dos , Carvalho Patrícia de Oliveira , Porcari Andréia M. , Messias Leonardo Henrique Dalcheco
Published: November 2022

The main aim of this study was to compare the performance over different distances, the critical velocity (CV), and plasma acylcarnitines/amino acids of male and female adolescent swimmers. Moreover, we applied the complex network approach to identify which molecules are associated with athletes’ performances. On the first day under a controlled environment, blood samples were collected after 12 h of overnight fasting. Performance trials (100, 200, 400, and 800-m) were randomly performed in the subsequent four days in a swimming pool, and CV was determined by linear distance versus time mathematical function. Metabolomic analyses were carried out on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer performing electrospray ionization in the positive ionization mode. No difference was observed between the performance of male and female swimmers. Except for 200-m distance (p = 0.08), plasma tyrosine was positively and significantly associated with the female times during the trials (100-m, p = 0.04; 400-m, p = 0.04; 800-m, p = 0.02), and inversely associated with the CV (p = 0.02). The complex network approach showed that glycine (0.406), glutamine (0.400), arginine (0.335), free carnitine (0.355), tryptophan (0.289), and histidine (0.271) were the most influential nodes to reach tyrosine. These results revealed a thread that must be explored in further randomized/controlled designs, improving the knowledge surrounding nutrition and the performance of adolescent swimmers.
Sex Differences in the Individual Behaviour of Bait-Attracted White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias, Linnaeus, 1758) Are Linked to Different Environmental Factors in South Africa
Authors: Azevedo Olga Mouteira , Correia Ana Mafalda , Micarelli Primo , Reinero Francesca Romana , Rijllo Giuseppe , Giglio Gianni , Sperone Emilio
Published: November 2022

The white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) is a charismatic species and, consequently, one of the most studied and protected sharks. This species can be found in a wide range of temperatures and depths, showing site fidelity and migrating across the oceans. This offers a challenge to understanding the processes influencing their lifecycle and, more importantly, assessing anthropogenic disturbances to their populations. These predators’ behaviour has been linked to diverse abiotic factors. Here, an ethological approach was used to understand the influence of environmental variables on white shark behaviour. A different environmental impact was found between the activity of females and males toward the bait. Females performed a higher number of behaviours under daylight, lower sea surface temperatures, short wavelets, clear and cloudy skies, under La Niña events, elevated moonlight and high tides. Males behaved with more complexity at dawn, medium sea surface temperatures, large wavelets, few clouds, high tides, and elevated moonlight. The world’s aquatic habitats are experiencing significant physiochemical shifts due to human-induced climate change. Knowledge about how white sharks respond to environmental factors is essential to guide management and conservation actions.
Adverse Effect of Blue Light on DNA Integrity Is Accelerated by 5-Aminolevulinic Acid in HaCaT Human Keratinocyte Cells and B16F1 Murine Melanoma Cells
Authors: Sato Taiki , Sato Kazuomi
Published: November 2022

Several studies have suggested the potential benefits of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-based photodynamic therapy (PDT). 5-ALA is a precursor of heme, which generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) following photoirradiation. Some reports indicate that blue light induces intracellular ROS production. In the present study, we elucidated the effects of blue light and 5-ALA on DNA integrity in B16F1 murine melanoma and human keratinocyte HaCaT cells using a variety of comet assay techniques. Co-treatment with blue light and 5-ALA significantly decreased cell viability in both cell lines. A neutral comet assay was performed to assess DNA double-strand break (DSB) formation and blue light and 5-ALA caused DSBs. We also performed an alkali comet assay to detect single-strand breaks (SSB) and alkali labile sites (ALS). The results indicated that 5-ALA accelerated blue light-induced SSB formation. In addition, modified comet assays were done using two types of enzymes to evaluate oxidative DNA damages. The results indicated that blue light and 5-ALA generated oxidized purine and pyrimidines in both cell lines. In summary, co-treatment with 5-ALA and photoirradiation may cause unexpected DNA damage in cells and tissues.
Exercise Training Upregulates Cardiac mtp Expression in Drosophila melanogaster with HFD to Improve Cardiac Dysfunction and Abnormal Lipid Metabolism
Authors: Peng Tianhang , Ding Meng , Yan Hanhui , Li Qiufang , Zhang Ping , Tian Rui , Zheng Lan
Published: November 2022

Current evidence suggests that the heart plays an important role in regulating systemic lipid homeostasis, and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity is a major cause of cardiovascular disease, although little is known about the specific mechanisms involved. Exercise training can reportedly improve abnormal lipid metabolism and cardiac dysfunction induced by high-fat diets; however, the molecular mechanisms are not yet understood. In the present study, to explore the relationship between exercise training and cardiac mtp in HFD flies and potential mechanisms by which exercise training affects HFD flies, Drosophila was selected as a model organism, and the GAL4/UAS system was used to specifically knock down the target gene. Experiments revealed that HFD-fed Drosophila exhibited changes in body weight, increased triglycerides (TG) and dysregulated cardiac contractility, consistent with observations in mammals. Interestingly, inhibition of cardiac mtp expression reduced HFD-induced cardiac damage and mitigated the increase in triglycerides. Further studies showed that in HFD +w1118, HFD + Hand > w1118, and HFD+ Hand > mtpRNAi, cardiac mtp expression downregulation induced by HFD was treated by exercise training and mitochondrial β-oxidation capacity in cardiomyocytes was reversed. Overall, knocking down mtp in the heart prevented an increase in systemic TG levels and protected cardiac contractility from damage caused by HFD, similar to the findings observed after exercise training. Moreover, exercise training upregulated the decrease in cardiac mtp expression induced by HFD. Increased Had1 and Acox3 expression were observed, consistent with changes in cardiac mtp expression.
Hub Genes in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Regulatory Networks
Authors: Ye Qing , Guo Nancy Lan
Published: November 2022

There are currently no accurate biomarkers for optimal treatment selection in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Novel therapeutic targets are needed to improve NSCLC survival outcomes. This study systematically evaluated the association between genome-scale regulatory network centralities and NSCLC tumorigenesis, proliferation, and survival in early-stage NSCLC patients. Boolean implication networks were used to construct multimodal networks using patient DNA copy number variation, mRNA, and protein expression profiles. T statistics of differential gene/protein expression in tumors versus non-cancerous adjacent tissues, dependency scores in in vitro CRISPR-Cas9/RNA interference (RNAi) screening of human NSCLC cell lines, and hazard ratios in univariate Cox modeling of the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) NSCLC patients were correlated with graph theory centrality metrics. Hub genes in multi-omics networks involving gene/protein expression were associated with oncogenic, proliferative potentials and poor patient survival outcomes (p < 0.05, Pearson’s correlation). Immunotherapy targets PD1, PDL1, CTLA4, and CD27 were ranked as top hub genes within the 10th percentile in most constructed multi-omics networks. BUB3, DNM1L, EIF2S1, KPNB1, NMT1, PGAM1, and STRAP were discovered as important hub genes in NSCLC proliferation with oncogenic potential. These results support the importance of hub genes in NSCLC tumorigenesis, proliferation, and prognosis, with implications in prioritizing therapeutic targets to improve patient survival outcomes.
Combining Dietary Intervention with Metformin Treatment Enhances Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis Remission in Mice Fed a High-Fat High-Sucrose Diet
Authors: Baiges-Gaya Gerard , Rodríguez-Tomàs Elisabet , Castañé Helena , Jiménez-Franco Andrea , Amigó Núria , Camps Jordi , Joven Jorge
Published: November 2022

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are serious health concerns for which lifestyle interventions are the only effective first-line treatment. Dietary interventions are effective in body weight reduction, but not in improving insulin sensitivity and hepatic lipid mobilization. Conversely, metformin increases insulin sensitivity and promotes the inhibition of de novo hepatic lipogenesis. In this study, we evaluated the metformin effectiveness in NASH prevention and treatment, when combined with dietary intervention in male mice fed a high-fat high-sucrose diet (HFHSD). Eighty 5-week-old C57BL/6J male mice were fed a chow or HFHSD diet and sacrificed at 20 or 40 weeks. The HFHSD-fed mice developed NASH after 20 weeks. Lipoprotein and lipidomic analyses showed that the changes associated with diet were not prevented by metformin administration. HFHSD-fed mice subject to dietary intervention combined with metformin showed a 19.6% body weight reduction compared to 9.8% in those mice subjected to dietary intervention alone. Lower hepatic steatosis scores were induced. We conclude that metformin should not be considered a preventive option for NAFLD, but it is effective in the treatment of this disorder when combined with dietary intervention.