bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Metaphysics of Presence and the Invisible Traces: Eduard Steinberg’s Polemical Dialogues
Authors: Sakhno Irina
Published: September 2022

The article examines the paintings by Eduard Steinberg, a Soviet non-conformist painter from the 1950s to the 1980s from the standpoint of the plastics of his language. The author focuses on Steinberg’s polemical dialogues with the greatest names in Russian and European avant-garde art, including both common points and disagreements. By analyzing the painter’s texts through the prism of poetics of the invisible and the ontology of traces, the author observes Steinberg’s early art of the 1960s and 1970s as an attempt to create a symbolic language and attach an ideographic status to art. Through simultaneous use of two artistic strategies—mystical and religious symbolism, coupled with metageometry Steinberg arrives at optical formalism and spectator dialectics, vying to see the invisible and record the polysemantic nature of the symbolic sign. The article analyzes the influence Vladimir Veisberg and his “invisible painting” had on Steinberg, including the “white on white” style, as well as Giorgio Morandi’s still-life vision of metaphysical painting. The author believes that by relying on analogies and reminiscences, Steinberg refers his audience to his predecessors and joins them in an intertextual dialogue. A special place here belongs to Kazimir Malevich with his radicalism, his trend towards metasymbolism and the language of the basic forms—the circle, square and cross. All of these are close to Steinberg’s geometric plastics of the 1970s and 1980s. Staying true to the pure forms of Suprematism, Steinberg builds up an aesthetics of the geometric forms of his own, where abstract art comes together with the ontological progress towards God. The Countryside series (1985–1987) shows influence of Кazimir Malevich’s Peasant Cycle, some principles of icon painting and Neo-Primitivist art.
Analytical Formulas for Approximating Cross Sections of Electron Collisions with Hydrogen, Noble Gases, Alkali and Other Atoms
Authors: Maiorov Sergey A. , Golyatina Rusudan I.
Published: September 2022

This paper presents an analysis of data on the cross sections of elastic and inelastic collisions of electrons with noble gases, alkali and other atoms. For the selected sets of experimental and theoretical data, optimal analytical formulas are found, and approximation coefficients are calculated. The obtained semi-empirical formulas reproduce the values of the transport (diffusion), excitation and ionization cross sections for noble gases. Much attention is paid to the ionization cross sections of metal atoms, which are often present as an impurity in gas-discharge plasma. The approximation formulas reproduce the values of the ionization cross sections for hydrogen, metal and other elements in a wide range of energies with accurate orders of errors of the available theoretical and experimental data. For some elements with a two-hump plot of the dependence of the ionization cross section on the collision energy, it is proposed to use a two-term formula that takes into account ionization from both external and internal shells.
Improving Real Estate Rental Estimations with Visual Data
Authors: Azizi Ilia , Rudnytskyi Iegor
Published: September 2022

Multi-modal data are widely available for online real estate listings. Announcements can contain various forms of data, including visual data and unstructured textual descriptions. Nonetheless, many traditional real estate pricing models rely solely on well-structured tabular features. This work investigates whether it is possible to improve the performance of the pricing model using additional unstructured data, namely images of the property and satellite images. We compare four models based on the type of input data they use: (1) tabular data only, (2) tabular data and property images, (3) tabular data and satellite images, and (4) tabular data and a combination of property and satellite images. In a supervised context, the branches of dedicated neural networks for each data type are fused (concatenated) to predict log rental prices. The novel dataset devised for the study (SRED) consists of 11,105 flat rentals advertised over the internet in Switzerland. The results reveal that using all three sources of data generally outperforms machine learning models built on only tabular information. The findings pave the way for further research on integrating other non-structured inputs, for instance, the textual descriptions of properties.
eIF3 Interacts with Selenoprotein mRNAs
Authors: Hayek Hassan , Eriani Gilbert , Allmang Christine
Published: September 2022

The synthesis of selenoproteins requires the co-translational recoding of an in-frame UGASec codon. Interactions between the Selenocysteine Insertion Sequence (SECIS) and the SECIS binding protein 2 (SBP2) in the 3′untranslated region (3′UTR) of selenoprotein mRNAs enable the recruitment of the selenocysteine insertion machinery. Several selenoprotein mRNAs undergo unusual cap hypermethylation and are not recognized by the translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) but nevertheless translated. The human eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 (eIF3), composed of 13 subunits (a-m), can selectively recruit several cellular mRNAs and plays roles in specialized translation initiation. Here, we analyzed the ability of eIF3 to interact with selenoprotein mRNAs. By combining ribonucleoprotein immunoprecipitation (RNP IP) in vivo and in vitro with cross-linking experiments, we found interactions between eIF3 and a subgroup of selenoprotein mRNAs. We showed that eIF3 preferentially interacts with hypermethylated capped selenoprotein mRNAs rather than m7G-capped mRNAs. We identified direct contacts between GPx1 mRNA and eIF3 c, d, and e subunits and showed the existence of common interaction patterns for all hypermethylated capped selenoprotein mRNAs. Differential interactions of eIF3 with selenoprotein mRNAs may trigger specific translation pathways independent of eIF4E. eIF3 could represent a new player in the translation regulation and hierarchy of selenoprotein expression.
Simulated Docking Predicts Putative Channels for the Transport of Long-Chain Fatty Acids in Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Turgeson Andrew , Morley Lucas , Giles David , Harris Bradley
Published: September 2022

Fatty acids (FA) play an important role in biological functions, such as membrane homeostasis, metabolism, and as signaling molecules. FadL is the only known protein that uptakes long-chain fatty acids in Gram-negative bacteria, and this uptake has traditionally been thought to be limited to fatty acids up to 18 carbon atoms in length. Recently however, it was found Vibrio cholerae has the ability to uptake fatty acids greater than 18 carbon atoms and this uptake corresponds to bacterial survivability. Using E. coli’s FadL as a template, V. cholerae FadL homologs vc1042, vc1043, and vca0862 have been computationally folded, simulated on an atomistic level using Molecular Dynamics, and docked in silico to analyze the FadL transport channels. For the vc1042 and vc1043 homologs, these transport channels have more structural accommodations for the many rigid unsaturated bonds of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, while the vca0862 homolog was found to lack transport channels within the signature beta barrel of FadL proteins.
Identification of Unique Genetic Biomarkers of Various Subtypes of Glomerulonephritis Using Machine Learning and Deep Learning
Authors: Qing Jianbo , Zheng Fang , Zhi Huiwen , Yaigoub Hasnaa , Tirichen Hasna , Li Yaheng , Zhao Juanjuan , Qiang Yan , Li Yafeng
Published: September 2022

(1) Objective: Identification of potential genetic biomarkers for various glomerulonephritis (GN) subtypes and discovering the molecular mechanisms of GN. (2) Methods: four microarray datasets of GN were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and merged to obtain the gene expression profiles of eight GN subtypes. Then, differentially expressed immune-related genes (DIRGs) were identified to explore the molecular mechanisms of GN, and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) was performed to discover the abnormal inflammation in GN. In addition, a nomogram model was generated using the R package “glmnet”, and the calibration curve was plotted to evaluate the predictive power of the nomogram model. Finally, deep learning (DL) based on a multilayer perceptron (MLP) network was performed to explore the characteristic genes for GN. (3) Results: we screened out 274 common up-regulated or down-regulated DIRGs in the glomeruli and tubulointerstitium. These DIRGs are mainly involved in T-cell differentiation, the RAS signaling pathway, and the MAPK signaling pathway. ssGSEA indicates that there is a significant increase in DC (dendritic cells) and macrophages, and a significant decrease in neutrophils and NKT cells in glomeruli, while monocytes and NK cells are increased in tubulointerstitium. A nomogram model was constructed to predict GN based on 7 DIRGs, and 20 DIRGs of each subtype of GN in glomeruli and tubulointerstitium were selected as characteristic genes. (4) Conclusions: this study reveals that the DIRGs are closely related to the pathogenesis of GN and could serve as genetic biomarkers in GN. DL further identified the characteristic genes that are essential to define the pathogenesis of GN and develop targeted therapies for eight GN subtypes.
Plasma Clearance of Intravenously Infused Adrenomedullin in Rats with Acute Renal Failure
Authors: Hosoda Hiroshi , Nakamura Tsutomu , Yoshihara Fumiki
Published: September 2022

Plasma adrenomedullin concentrations are reportedly elevated in patients with renal failure; however, the underlying mechanism is unclear. In this study, we investigated the plasma clearance of synthetic human adrenomedullin (AM) in two models of rats with renal dysfunction; one was induced by subcutaneous injection of mercury chloride (RD-Ag) and the other by completely blocking bilateral renal blood flow (RD-Bl). Sixty minutes after starting intravenous AM infusion, AM levels in RD-Ag, RD-Bl, and rats with normal renal function (NF) were still increased slightly; however, plasma AM levels in RD-Ag rats were approximately three times as high as in RD-Bl and NF rats. Plasma AM disappearance after the end of treatment was similar among the three groups. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that elevated plasma AM in RD-Ag rats may be caused by a reduced volume of distribution. The adrenomedullin functional receptor is composed of heterodimers, including GPCR, CLR (calcitonin receptor-like receptor, CALCRL), and the single transmembrane proteins, RAMP2 or RAMP3 (receptor activity modifying protein). Calcrl expression was downregulated in the lungs and kidneys of RD-Ag rats. Furthermore, the plasma concentration of exogenous AM was elevated in mice deficient in vascular endothelium-specific Ramp2. These results suggest that decreased plasma AM clearance in RD-Ag is not due to impaired renal excretion but to a decreased volume of distribution caused by a reduction in adrenomedullin receptors.
Abdominal Breathing Effect on Postural Stability and the Respiratory Muscles’ Activation during Body Stances Used in Fitness Modalities
Authors: Foskolou Apostolina , Emmanouil Analina , Boudolos Konstantinos , Rousanoglou Elissavet
Published: September 2022

In popular fitness modalities, the participants often perform abdominal breathing while maintaining stable or rather unstable as well as inverted body stances that may challenge the respiratory muscles’ activation. This study aimed to examine the abdominal breathing effect on postural stability and the respiratory muscles’ activation during four body stances: the Upright Stance, the Quadrupled Inverted V, the Elbow Side-Bridge, and the Headstand. Participants (n = 29) maintained (40 s) the body stances under regular and abdominal breathing (the latter verified through visual inspection and 3D inertial sensing of the abdominal wall angular displacements, LORD-MicroStrain®, 100 Hz, MicroStrain, Inc., Williston, VT, USA). The trajectory of the center of pressure (CoP) (Kistler force plate, 100 Hz, Kistler Group, Winterthur, Switzerland) was recorded in synchronization with the respiratory muscles’ (sternocleidomastoid, external intercostals, diaphragm, rectus abdominis) vibromyographic activation (Biopac VMG sensors, 2000 Hz, Biopac Systems, Inc., Santa Barbara, CA, USA). Abdominal breathing had a significant (p ≤ 0.05) deteriorating effect on postural stability and an increasing one on the respiratory muscles’ activation; however, this was not consistent across body stances. The body stance specificity of the abdominal breathing effect justifies the purpose of the present study. Thus, before the request for abdominal breathing in popular fitness modalities, one should acknowledge the postural and the breathing demands of each particular stance, particularly for the inverted ones.
UniStArt: A 12-Month Prospective Observational Study of Body Weight, Dietary Intake, and Physical Activity Levels in Australian First-Year University Students
Authors: Wilson Nina A. , Villani Anthony , Tan Sze-Yen , Mantzioris Evangeline
Published: September 2022

Background: Students in the United States gain weight significantly during their first year of university, however limited data are available for Australian students. Methods: This 12-month observational study was conducted to monitor monthly body weight and composition, as well as quarterly eating behaviours, dietary intake, physical activity, sedentary behaviours, and basal metabolic rate changes amongst first-year Australian university students. Participants were first-year university students over 18 years. Results: Twenty-two first-year university students (5 males and 17 females) completed the study. Female students gained weight significantly at two, three, and four-months (+0.9 kg; +1.5 kg; +1.1 kg, p < 0.05). Female waist circumference (2.5 cm increase at three-months, p = 0.012), and body fat also increased (+0.9%, p = 0.026 at three-months). Intakes of sugar, saturated fat (both >10% of total energy), and sodium exceeded recommended levels (>2000 mg) at 12-months. Greater sedentary behaviours were observed amongst male students throughout the study (p <0.05). Conclusions: Female students are at risk of unfavourable changes in body composition during the first year of university, while males are at risk of increased sedentary behaviours. High intakes of saturated fat, sugars, and sodium warrant future interventions in such a vulnerable group.
Integrin β1/Cell Surface GRP78 Complex Regulates TGFβ1 and Its Profibrotic Effects in Response to High Glucose
Authors: Trink Jackie , Li Renzhong , Squire Evan , O’Neil Kian , Zheng Phoebe , Gao Bo , Krepinsky Joan C.
Published: September 2022

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide. Characterized by overproduction and accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, glomerular sclerosis is its earliest manifestation. High glucose (HG) plays a central role by increasing matrix production by glomerular mesangial cells (MC). We previously showed that HG induces translocation of GRP78 from the endoplasmic reticulum to the cell surface (csGRP78), where it acts as a signaling molecule to promote intracellular profibrotic FAK/Akt activation. Here, we identify integrin β1 as a key transmembrane signaling partner for csGRP78. We show that it is required for csGRP78-regulated FAK/Akt activation in response to HG, as well as downstream production, secretion and activity of the well characterized profibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1). Intriguingly, integrin β1 also itself promotes csGRP78 translocation. Furthermore, integrin β1 effects on cytoskeletal organization are not required for its function in csGRP78 translocation and signaling. These data together support an important pathologic role for csGRP78/integrin β1 in mediating key profibrotic responses to HG in kidney cells. Inhibition of their interaction will be further evaluated as a therapeutic target to limit fibrosis progression in DKD.
Efficacy and Safety of Combined Brain Stereotactic Radiotherapy and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer with Brain Metastases
Authors: Porte Judith , Saint-Martin Caroline , Frederic-Moreau Thomas , Massiani Marie-Ange , Bozec Laurence , Cao Kim , Verrelle Pierre , Otz Joelle , Jadaud Eric , Minsat Mathieu , Langer Adriana , Girard Nicolas , Créhange Gilles , Beddok Arnaud
Published: September 2022

Background: To analyze the outcomes of patients with brain metastases (BM) from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with immunotherapy (IT) and stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) and to study the impact of the sequence between the two modalities. Methods: The authors reviewed the records of 51 patients with 84 BM from NSCLC treated at Institut Curie with IT and SRT. BM were categorized into three groups: ‘SRT before IT’, ‘concurrent SRT and IT’, and ‘SRT after IT.’ Regional progression-free interval (R-PFI) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Results: After a median follow-up from SRT of 22.5 months (2.7–47.3), the 1-year and 2-year OS were 69.7% (95%CI [58.0–83.8]) and 44.0% [30.6–63.2], respectively. Concerning distant intracranial control, the 1-year and 2-year R-PFI were 40.1% [30.1–53.3] and 35.2% [25.1–49.4], respectively. Moreover, one-year R-PFI in ‘SRT before IT’, ‘concurrent SRT and IT’, and ‘SRT after IT’ groups were 24.1%, 49.6%, and 34.2%, respectively (p = 0.094). The type of therapeutic sequence did not appear to impact the risk of brain necrosis. Conclusions: The concurrent administration of SRT and IT appeared to offer the best locoregional control, without increasing the risk of toxicity, compared to patients treated with SRT before or after IT.
Triglyceride Glucose-Waist Circumference (TyG-WC) Is a Reliable Marker to Predict Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Song Seungah , Son Da-Hye , Baik Su-Jung , Cho Wan-Je , Lee Yong-Jae
Published: September 2022

The triglyceride and glucose index (TyG index), a marker of insulin resistance, is positively associated with NAFLD. Modified TyG indices, combining body composition markers including body-mass index (BMI) or waist circumference (WC) with the TyG index, are reported to enhance predictability of insulin resistance. This study aimed to compare the usefulness of modified TyG indices for predicting NAFLD with the TyG index and fatty liver index (FLI). This cross-sectional study included 12,757 Korean adults. The TyG index and FLI were calculated using established formulas, and TyG-BMI and TyG-WC were calculated as TyG × BMI and TyG × WC, respectively. All measures were divided into quartiles. NAFLD severity (grade 0–3) was compared using ANOVA by quartiles of each index. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for NAFLD were calculated using a multiple logistic regression analysis. ROC and AUROC analyses were performed to compare the predictability of NAFLD using WC, BMI, TyG, TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and FLI. A higher TyG index, TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and FLI were associated with a higher grade of NAFLD. ORs (CIs) for NAFLD increased in all indices, especially in TyG-WC (39.251 (31.304–49.215)) and FLI (38.937 (31.145–48.678)). AUROC was 0.848 (0.840–0.855) for TyG-WC and 0.850 (0.842–0.857) for FLI. TyG-WC is a reliable indicator for the presence of NAFLD in Korean adults.
Hydroxycinnamic Acid Derivatives from Coffee Extracts Prevent Amyloid Transformation of Alpha-Synuclein
Authors: Medvedeva Maria , Kitsilovskaya Natalia , Stroylova Yulia , Sevostyanova Irina , Saboury Ali Akbar , Muronetz Vladimir
Published: September 2022

Earlier we showed that derivatives of hydroxycinnamic acids prevent amyloid transformation of alpha-synuclein and prion protein. The aim of this work was to determine the content of 3-hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives in coffee extracts and to evaluate their activity in relation to alpha-synuclein amyloid aggregation. Hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives were identified in aqueous and ethanol extracts of coffee beans by quantitative mass spectrometric analysis. Only 3,4-dimethoxycinnamic acid (13–53 μg/mL) was detected in significant amounts in the coffee extracts, while ferulic acid was present in trace amounts. In addition, 3-methoxy-4-acetamidoxycinnamic acid (0.4–0.8 μg/mL) was detected in the roasted coffee extracts. The half-maximum inhibitory concentrations of alpha-synuclein fibrillization reaction in the presence of coffee extracts, as well as inhibitory constants, were determined using thioflavin T assay. The inhibitory effect of black and green coffee extracts on alpha-synuclein fibrillization is dose-dependent, and in a pairwise comparison, the constants of half-maximal inhibition of fibrillization for green coffee extracts are comparable to or greater than those for black coffee. Thus, coffee extracts prevent pathological transformation of alpha-synuclein in vitro, probably due to the presence of 3,4-dimethoxycinnamic acid in them. Consequently, coffee drinks and coffee extracts can be used for the prevention of synucleinopathies including Parkinson’s disease.
β-Caryophyllene Counteracts Chemoresistance Induced by Cigarette Smoke in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer MDA-MB-468 Cells
Authors: Di Sotto Antonella , Gullì Marco , Minacori Marco , Mancinelli Romina , Garzoli Stefania , Percaccio Ester , Incocciati Alessio , Romaniello Donatella , Mazzanti Gabriela , Eufemi Margherita , Di Giacomo Silvia
Published: September 2022

Exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) has been associated with an increased risk of fatal breast cancers and recurrence, along with chemoresistance and chemotherapy impairment. This strengthens the interest in chemopreventive agents to be exploited both in healthy and oncological subjects to prevent or repair CS damage. In the present study, we evaluated the chemopreventive properties of the natural sesquiterpene β-caryophyllene towards the damage induced by cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) in triple negative breast cancer MDA-MB-468 cells. Particularly, we assessed the ability of the sesquiterpene to interfere with the mechanisms exploited by CSC to promote cell survival and chemoresistance, including genomic instability, cell cycle progress, autophagy/apoptosis, cell migration and related pathways. β-Caryophyllene was found to be able to increase the CSC-induced death of MDA-MB-468 cells, likely triggering oxidative stress, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis; moreover, it hindered cell recovery, autophagy activation and cell migration; at last, a marked inhibition of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation was highlighted: this could represent a key mechanism of the chemoprevention by β-caryophyllene. Although further studies are required to confirm the in vivo efficacy of β-caryophyllene, the present results suggest a novel strategy to reduce the harmful effect of smoke in cancer patients and to improve the survival expectations in breast cancer women.
The Mito-Hormetic Mechanisms of Ozone in the Clearance of SARS-CoV2 and in the COVID-19 Therapy
Authors: Chirumbolo Salvatore , Varesi Angelica , Franzini Marianno , Valdenassi Luigi , Pandolfi Sergio , Tirelli Umberto , Esposito Ciro , Ricevuti Giovanni
Published: September 2022

An increasing body of evidence in the literature is reporting the feasibility of using medical ozone as a possible alternative and adjuvant treatment for COVID-19 patients, significantly reducing hospitalization time, pro-inflammatory indicators, and coagulation markers and improving blood oxygenation parameters. In addition to the well-described ability of medical ozone in counteracting oxidative stress through the upregulation of the main anti-oxidant and scavenging enzymes, oxygen–ozone (O2–O3) therapy has also proved effective in reducing chronic inflammation and the occurrence of immune thrombosis, two key players involved in COVID-19 exacerbation and severity. As chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are also reported to be among the main drivers of the long sequelae of SARS-CoV2 infection, a rising number of studies is investigating the potential of O2–O3 therapy to reduce and/or prevent the wide range of post-COVID (or PASC)-related disorders. This narrative review aims to describe the molecular mechanisms through which medical ozone acts, to summarize the clinical evidence on the use of O2–O3 therapy as an alternative and adjuvant COVID-19 treatment, and to discuss the emerging potential of this approach in the context of PASC symptoms, thus offering new insights into effective and safe nonantiviral therapies for the fighting of this devastating pandemic.
The End of “One Size Fits All” Sepsis Therapies: Toward an Individualized Approach
Authors: Vincent Jean-Louis , van der Poll Tom , Marshall John C.
Published: September 2022

Sepsis, defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to an infection, remains a major challenge for clinicians and trialists. Despite decades of research and multiple randomized clinical trials, a specific therapeutic for sepsis is not available. The evaluation of therapeutics targeting components of host response anomalies in patients with sepsis has been complicated by the inability to identify those in this very heterogeneous population who are more likely to benefit from a specific intervention. Additionally, multiple and diverse host response aberrations often co-exist in sepsis, and knowledge of which dysregulated biological organ system or pathway drives sepsis-induced pathology in an individual patient is limited, further complicating the development of effective therapies. Here, we discuss the drawbacks of previous attempts to develop sepsis therapeutics and delineate a future wherein interventions will be based on the host response profile of a patient.
Strategies for Growing Large-Scale Mycelium Structures
Authors: Dessi-Olive Jonathan
Published: September 2022

Fungi-based materials (myco-materials) have been celebrated and experimented with for their architectural and structural potential for over a decade. This paper describes research applied to assembly strategies for growing large building units and assembling them into efficiently formed wall prototypes. A major concern in the development of these two fabrication strategies is to design re-usable formwork systems. La Parete Fungina demonstrates two undulating wall units standing side-by-side, each composed of seventeen myco-welded slabs. L’Orso Fungino revisits the in situ monolithic fabric forming of units that are repeated, stacked, and post-tensioned. Although the design and research presented in this paper focuses on overcoming the challenges of growing large-scale building components, this work also touches on issues of accessibility and technology, economic and logistical systems needed for building-scale applications, and material ethics of energy and waste associated with emerging biomaterial production.
Topographic Orientation of Scaffolds for Tissue Regeneration: Recent Advances in Biomaterial Design and Applications
Authors: Chi Jiayu , Wang Mingyue , Chen Jialin , Hu Lizhi , Chen Zhixuan , Backman Ludvig J. , Zhang Wei
Published: September 2022

Tissue engineering to develop alternatives for the maintenance, restoration, or enhancement of injured tissues and organs is gaining more and more attention. In tissue engineering, the scaffold used is one of the most critical elements. Its characteristics are expected to mimic the native extracellular matrix and its unique topographical structures. Recently, the topographies of scaffolds have received increasing attention, not least because different topographies, such as aligned and random, have different repair effects on various tissues. In this review, we have focused on various technologies (electrospinning, directional freeze-drying, magnetic freeze-casting, etching, and 3-D printing) to fabricate scaffolds with different topographic orientations, as well as discussed the physicochemical (mechanical properties, porosity, hydrophilicity, and degradation) and biological properties (morphology, distribution, adhesion, proliferation, and migration) of different topographies. Subsequently, we have compiled the effect of scaffold orientation on the regeneration of vessels, skin, neural tissue, bone, articular cartilage, ligaments, tendons, cardiac tissue, corneas, skeletal muscle, and smooth muscle. The compiled information in this review will facilitate the future development of optimal topographical scaffolds for the regeneration of certain tissues. In the majority of tissues, aligned scaffolds are more suitable than random scaffolds for tissue repair and regeneration. The underlying mechanism explaining the various effects of aligned and random orientation might be the differences in “contact guidance”, which stimulate certain biological responses in cells.
Characterization of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) Accessions with Variable Drought Tolerance through Simple Sequence Repeat Markers and Phenotypic Traits
Authors: Mkhabela Sonto Silindile , Shimelis Hussein , Gerrano Abe Shegro , Mashilo Jacob , Shayanowako Admire
Published: September 2022

Genetic diversity analysis of crop genetic resources is a prerequisite for parental selection with suitable and complementary profiles for breeding. The objectives of this study were to determine genetic diversity present among okra accessions using simple sequence repeat (SSR) and complementary phenotypic markers and to select genetically divergent and superior parental accessions for pre-breeding. Twenty-six preliminarily selected okra accessions were assessed using nine highly polymorphic SSR markers and phenotyped under drought-stressed (DS) and non-stressed (NS) environmental conditions using a 13 × 2 alpha lattice design with two replications. Data were collected on the following eleven phenotypic traits: plant height (PH), days to 50% maturity (DTM), fresh pod length (FPL), dry pod weight (DPW), dry pod length (DPL), number of pods per plant (NPPP), pod yield per plant (PYPP), total above-ground biomass (AGB), harvest index (HI), root weight (RW), and root to shoot ratio (RSR). The SSR markers revealed an expected mean heterozygosity value of 0.54, indicating moderate genetic diversity among the tested okra accessions. Cluster analysis based on phenotypic and SSR markers differentiated the accessions into three distinct genetic groups. Wide phenotypic variation was observed for PH, FPL, NPPP, and PYPP under NS and DS conditions. PYPP was positively and significantly correlated with FPL (r = 0.81), ABG (r = 0.69), and HI (r = 0.67) under DS conditions, and FPL (r = 0.83) and AGB (r = 0.60) under NS conditions. Genetically complementary accessions such as LS04, LS05, LS06, LS07, LS08, LS10, LS11, LS15, LS18, LS23, LS24, and LS26 were identified for their high yield potential and related yield-improving traits under DS conditions. The identified accessions are recommended as parents for hybridization and selection programs to improve the yield potential of okra under drought-stressed environments.
Siberian Ibex Capra sibirica Respond to Climate Change by Shifting to Higher Latitudes in Eastern Pamir
Authors: Zhuo Yingying , Wang Muyang , Zhang Baolin , Ruckstuhl Kathreen E. , Alves da Silva António , Yang Weikang , Alves Joana
Published: September 2022

Climate change has led to shifts in species distribution and become a crucial factor in the extinction of species. Increasing average temperatures, temperature extremes, and unpredictable weather events have all become a part of a perfect storm that is threatening ecosystems. Higher altitude habitats are disproportionately affected by climate change, and habitats for already threatened specialist species are shrinking. The Siberian ibex, Capra sibirica, is distributed across Central Asia and Southern Siberia and is the dominant ungulate in the Pamir plateau. To understand how climate change could affect the habitat of Siberian ibex in the Taxkorgan Nature Reserve (TNR), an ensemble species distribution model was built using 109 occurrence points from a four-year field survey. Fifteen environmental variables were used to simulate suitable habitat distribution under different climate change scenarios. Our results demonstrated that a stable, suitable habitat for Siberian ibex was mostly distributed in the northwest and northeast of the TNR. We found that climate change will further reduce the area of suitable habitat for this species. In the scenarios of RCP2.6 to 2070 and RCP8.5 to 2050, habitat loss would exceed 30%. In addition, suitable habitats for Siberian ibex will shift to higher latitudes under climate change. As a result, timely prediction of the distribution of endangered animals is conducive to the conservation of the biodiversity of mountain ecosystems, particularly in arid areas.
Data for Photodissociation of Some Small Molecular Ions Relevant for Astrochemistry and Laboratory Investigation
Authors: Srećković Vladimir A. , Ignjatović Ljubinko M. , Kolarski Aleksandra , Mijić Zoran R. , Dimitrijević Milan S. , Vujčić Veljko
Published: September 2022

The calculated photodissociation data of some small molecular ions have been reported. The cross-sections and spectral rate coefficients data have been studied using a quantum mechanical method. The plasma parameters, i.e., conditions, cover temperatures from 1000 to 20,000 K and wavelengths in the EUV and UV region. The influence of temperature and wavelength on the spectral coefficients data of all of the investigated species have been discussed. Data could also be useful for plasma diagnostics in laboratory, astrophysics, and industrial plasmas for their modelling.
Identifying Meteorologic and Oceanic Conditions Contributing to a Unique Phytoplankton Bloom Occurrence in Micronesia during October 2013
Authors: Acker James , Hunzinger Alexis , Kuring Norman
Published: September 2022

On the first several days of October 2013, daily chlorophyll a (chl a) data acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) onboard the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Aqua satellite detected a marked increase in chlorophyll a concentrations (chl a) in the vicinity of Chuuk Lagoon and the Federated States of Micronesia. Such an increase, likely indicative of a phytoplankton bloom, has not been observed in this location at any other time during the MODIS-Aqua mission, which commenced in 2002 and continues to present. Examination of sea surface wind data from the Modern Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications Version 2 (MERRA-2) reanalysis dataset indicated that the region experienced a sequence of alternating elevated and very low wind speed events prior to the observation of the bloom. The influence of the winds can be seen in MERRA-2 sea surface skin temperature data. Elevated windspeeds for several days likely induced a mixing of deeper waters with higher nutrient levels to the surface, which was followed by stratification and phytoplankton growth during low wind intervals and finally transport induced by a brief high windspeed event. Analysis of hourly MERRA-2 maximum windspeed data over a 40-year period indicated that this sequence was climatologically rare.
Learning Patterns in STEAM Education: A Comparison of Three Learner Profiles
Authors: Liao Xiaofang , Luo Heng , Xiao Yang , Ma Lin , Li Jie , Zhu Min
Published: September 2022

A learner profile is a method of classifying learners through their characteristics. Much of the current research on learner profiles has focused on online learning environments; there is a lack of in-depth category profiling and learning behavior analysis of student profiles in the STEAM context. To address this research demand, this study conducted a cluster analysis based on observed higher-order thinking behaviors, leadership behaviors, and verbal and non-verbal interaction behaviors of 81 primary school students in a STEAM project to explore the differences in learning outcomes, learning perception, and social recognition among different types of learners. The results revealed that STEAM students can be divided into three categories: Thinkers, Speakers, and Followers. There are significant differences between Thinkers and Followers in terms of positive emotions. Speakers and Followers have notable differences in their contributions and active participation. The research results can help teachers acquire a deeper understanding of student types in STEAM and thus provide more relevant and personalized instructional facilitation and class management.
Complex Hand Interaction Authoring Tool for User Selective Media
Authors: Song Bok Deuk , Choi HongKyw , Kim Sung-Hoon
Published: September 2022

Nowadays, with the advancement of the Internet and personal mobile devices, many interactive media are prevailing, where viewers make their own decisions on the story of the media based on their interactions. The interaction that the user can make is usually pre-programmed by a programmer. Therefore, interactions that users can make are limited to programmable areas. In comparison, in this paper, we propose an Interactive media authoring tool which can compose diverse two-hand interactions from several one-hand interactive components. The aim is to provide content creators with a tool to produce multiple hand motions so that they can design a variety of user interactions to stimulate the interest of content viewers and increase their sense of immersion. Using the proposed system, the content creator can gain greater freedom to create more diverse and complex interactions than programmable ones. The system is composed of a complex motion editor that edits one-hand motions into complex two-hand motions, a touchless sensor that senses the hand motion and a metadata manager that handles the metadata, which specify the settings for the interactive functions. To our knowledge, the proposed system is the first web-based authoring tool that can authorize complex two-hand motions from single hand motions, and which can also control a touchless motion control device.
Digital Image Blending by Inexact Multiplication
Authors: Balasubramanian Padmanabhan , Nayar Raunaq , Min Okkar , Maskell Douglas L.
Published: September 2022

Digital image blending is commonly used in applications such as photo editing and computer graphics where two images are combined to produce a desired blended image. Digital images can be blended by addition or multiplication, and usually exact addition or multiplication is performed for image blending. In this paper, we evaluate the usefulness of inexact multiplication for digital image blending. Towards this, we describe how an exact array multiplier can be made inexact by introducing vertical cut(s) in it and assigning distinct combinations of binary values to the dangling inputs and product bits. We considered many 8-bit digital images for blending and the blended images obtained using exact and inexact multipliers are shown, which demonstrates the usefulness of inexact multiplication for image blending. For 8 × 8 image blending, one of our inexact array multipliers viz. IAM01-VC8 was found to achieve 63.3% reduction in area, 21% reduction in critical path delay, 72.3% reduction in power dissipation, and 78.1% reduction in energy compared to the exact array multiplier. In addition, IAM01-VC8 achieved 60.6% reduction in area, 9.7% reduction in critical path delay, 64.7% reduction in power dissipation, and 68.1% reduction in energy compared to the high-speed exact 8 × 8 multiplier that was automatically synthesized using a logic synthesis tool. The exact and inexact multipliers were physically realized using 32/28 nm CMOS process technology.
A 3.95 ppm/°C 7.5 μW Second-Order Curvature Compensated Bandgap Reference in 0.11 μm CMOS
Authors: He Yuefeng , Yuan Guoshun , Lei Lei , Yu Hongjiang , Kong Dewei
Published: September 2022

In order to meet the requirements of modern portable electronics for high accuracy and low power consumption of bandgap reference circuits, a new low-voltage bandgap reference with a second-order compensated circuit at 1.8 V is proposed. It features a new self-biased fully symmetric differential operational amplifier circuit with the help of split transistors for achieving low power consumption and high accuracy; by adding a new sub-threshold compensated circuit. The results of simulation show that the temperature coefficient of the second-order circuit is 3.95 ppm/°C in the temperature range of −40 to 125 °C, and the power consumption is only 7.5 μW; this meets both the requirements of high precision and low power consumption. At the same time, the output noise voltage of the design is less than 30 μV/sqrt (Hz) at a frequency of 100 Hz, and the low-frequency supply voltage rejection ratio is −103 dB@100 Hz; these are acceptable for bandgap reference circuits.
YKP-SLAM: A Visual SLAM Based on Static Probability Update Strategy for Dynamic Environments
Authors: Liu Lisang , Guo Jiangfeng , Zhang Rongsheng
Published: September 2022

Visual simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) algorithms in dynamic scenes can incorrectly add moving feature points to the camera pose calculation, which leads to low accuracy and poor robustness of pose estimation. In this paper, we propose a visual SLAM algorithm based on object detection and static probability update strategy for dynamic scenes, named YKP-SLAM. Firstly, we use the YOLOv5 target detection algorithm and the improved K-means clustering algorithm to segment the image into static regions, suspicious static regions, and dynamic regions. Secondly, the static probability of feature points in each region is initialized and used as weights to solve for the initial camera pose. Then, we use the motion constraints and epipolar constraints to update the static probability of the feature points to solve the final pose of the camera. Finally, it is tested on the TUM RGB-D dataset. The results show that the YKP-SLAM algorithm proposed in this paper can effectively improve the pose estimation accuracy. Compared with the ORBSLAM2 algorithm, the absolute pose estimation accuracy is improved by 56.07% and 96.45% in low dynamic scenes and high dynamic scenes, respectively, and the best results are almost obtained compared with other advanced dynamic SLAM algorithms.
GDR: A Game Algorithm Based on Deep Reinforcement Learning for Ad Hoc Network Routing Optimization
Authors: Hong Tang , Wang Ruohan , Ling Xiangzheng , Nie Xuefang
Published: September 2022

Ad Hoc networks have been widely used in emergency communication tasks. For dynamic characteristics of Ad Hoc networks, problems of node energy limited and unbalanced energy consumption during deployment, we propose a strategy based on game theory and deep reinforcement learning (GDR) to improve the balance of network capabilities and enhance the autonomy of the network topology. The model uses game theory to generate an adaptive topology, adjusts its power according to the average life of the node, helps the node with the shortest life to decrease the power, and prolongs the survival time of the entire network. When the state of the node changes, reinforcement learning is used to automatically generate routing policies to improve the average end-to-end latency of the network. Experiments show that, under the condition of ensuring connectivity, GDR has smaller residual energy variance, longer network lifetime, and lower network delay. The delay of the GDR model is 10.5% higher than that of existing methods on average.
Research on Automotive Bidirectional CLLC Resonant Converters Based on High-Order Sliding Mode Control
Authors: Wang Longxiang , Luo Wenguang , Huang Dan
Published: September 2022

A CLLC resonant converter’s gain is easily influenced by the operating frequency, and when the operating frequency is adjusted over a wide range, the efficiency of the converter is greatly reduced. Traditional closed-loop control strategies also have disadvantages such as slow dynamic response and vulnerability to load. In this paper, a high-order sliding mode control (SMC) design method is proposed based on the current problems and the characteristics of automotive CLLC resonant converters. A sliding mode surface based on the output voltage characteristics of the CLLC converter includes higher-order differential terms for voltage and current and an error integral term for the output voltage, which reduces the operating frequency range of the converter and improves its dynamic responsiveness, thus increasing its efficiency. In order to verify the accuracy of the algorithm, a simulation model is built in MATLAB to verify the stability of the controller by varying the input voltage and the magnitude of the load and to verify the dynamics by abruptly varying parameters such as load and voltage. Comparing high-order SMC with PID control also shows that high-order SMC is more suitable for automotive converters.
A High Dynamic Weak Spread Spectrum Signal Acquisition Strategy Based on Iterative Local Search
Authors: Yang Fan , Wang Guangming , Meng Zhijun , Guo Xiye , Yan Enqi , Liu Suyang
Published: September 2022

To solve the acquisition problem of the satellite-ground microwave link ranging of the China Space Station, iterative local search (ILS) is proposed. In this paper, an iterative-local-search-based acquisition strategy is presented, and a Doppler frequency and code phase transfer model is designed, which can accomplish acquisition by multiple rounds of two-dimensional search. The adaptability of the ILS improved traditional acquisition algorithm to a high dynamic and low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) environment can be significantly improved without relying on prior information. For the classical parallel code phase acquisition algorithm, the performance of the ILS acquisition strategy was experimentally evaluated for high dynamic weak signals, and the results demonstrated the superiority of the proposed strategy. The computational complexity of the ILS improved parallel code phase acquisition algorithm was greatly reduced. The sensitivity of the parallel code phase acquisition algorithm improved by the ILS strategy to the acquisition of weak signals in a dynamic environment was significantly improved.
Real-Time Counting and Height Measurement of Nursery Seedlings Based on Ghostnet–YoloV4 Network and Binocular Vision Technology
Authors: Yuan Xuguang , Li Dan , Sun Peng , Wang Gen , Ma Yalou
Published: September 2022

Traditional nursery seedling detection often uses manual sampling counting and height measurement with rulers. This is not only inefficient and inaccurate, but it requires many human resources for nurseries that need to monitor the growth of saplings, making it difficult to meet the fast and efficient management requirements of modern forestry. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a real-time seedling detection framework based on an improved YoloV4 network and binocular camera, which can provide real-time measurements of the height and number of saplings in a nursery quickly and efficiently. The methodology is as follows: (i) creating a training dataset using a binocular camera field photography and data augmentation; (ii) replacing the backbone network of YoloV4 with Ghostnet and replacing the normal convolutional blocks of PANet in YoloV4 with depth-separable convolutional blocks, which will allow the Ghostnet–YoloV4 improved network to maintain efficient feature extraction while massively reducing the number of operations for real-time counting; (iii) integrating binocular vision technology into neural network detection to perform the real-time height measurement of saplings; and (iv) making corresponding parameter and equipment adjustments based on the specific morphology of the various saplings, and adding comparative experiments to enhance generalisability. The results of the field testing of nursery saplings show that the method is effective in overcoming noise in a large field environment, meeting the load-carrying capacity of embedded mobile devices with low-configuration management systems in real time and achieving over 92% accuracy in both counts and measurements. The results of these studies can provide technical support for the precise cultivation of nursery saplings.