bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydraulic Robotic Leg for HYDROïD Robot: Modeling and Control
Authors: Ibrahim Ahmed Abdellatif Hamed , Ammounah Anas , Alfayad Samer , Tliba Sami , Ouezdou Fethi Ben , Delaplace Stéphane ,   Mechanical Engineering Department, Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport El Mosheer Ahmed Ismael Street, Sheraton Al Matar, AASTMT Campus, El Nozha, Cairo 11799, Egypt,   The Informatique, Bio-Informatique Systémes Complexes Laboratory UFR Sciences et Technologies, 36 Rue du Pelvoux CE1455 Courcouronnes, Evry Cedex F-91020, France,   CentraleSupélec, Université Paris-Saclay Plateau de Moulon, 3 Rue Joliot-Curie, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex F-91192, France,   Vedecom institute 23 bis All. des Marronniers, Versailles 78000, France,   University Institute of Technology at Vélizy-Villacoublay 10-12 Avenue de l’Europe, Vélizy 78140, France
Published: June 2022

This paper presents a new hydraulic robotic leg for the humanoid hydraulic robot HYDROïD. The main parts of this leg are divided into two main parts; the knee subsystem and the ankle subsystem. The presented leg mechanism consists of 4 DOFs, all of which are operated using highly dynamic servo valves. The design of the leg is thoroughly presented and all of its parts are demonstrated. Moreover, the inverse kinematics for both sub-mechanisms are presented to be able to control the angular position of the leg joints. Also, a virtual dynamic model is introduced in which a position controller is applied to the model to regulate the actuating pistons, check the new structure, and analyze the position of the joints and their torques. To test the new leg experimentally, the new leg is assembled with the rest of the robot, and rapid prototyping software is used with a position controller. Experimental position tracking responses are introduced showing the validity of the new design and the implemented controller.
Multi-Legged Inspection Robot with Twist-Based Crouching and Fine Adjustment Mechanism
Authors: Phlernjai Maroay , Ratsamee Photchara ,   Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology, Thammasat University 99 Moo 18, Km. 41 on Paholyothin Highway Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand,   Cyber Media Center, Osaka University 5-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan
Published: June 2022

The monitoring and inspection of buildings, towers, and large chemical tanks can be dangerous and costly. A wall climbing multi-legged robot can climb and crouch to move the inspection probe closer to the wall surface. The typical wall-sticking crouching motion of multi-legged robot is unable to achieve this without an additional actuator at the foot base. This limits the design of a magnetic leg that is bulky enough to keep the robot stable during inspections. This paper provides the concept and implementation details of a coarse-to-fine inspection using a novel twisting motion to crouch the robot towards the steel surface without the need for an additional actuator at the magnetized foot joint. The center position error of this method is reported as less than 1 cm in radius. Additionally, this paper suggests using a linear motor to provide fine-tuning capability for the gentle touch of the ultrasonic inspection probe to the steel surface, protecting the probe from a direct crash during the coarse twisting crouch movement. Experiments have been conducted to confirm the validity of this concept on horizontally flat steel plates. The robot successfully crouch towards the surface and gently touch it with the ultrasonic probe. The results were reliable and comparable to manual inspection. For the 2 mm and 3 mm sample plates, the average measurement error compared to the ground truth from a vernier caliper was less than 2%, which is better than the measurement error (3%) of humans. The total time used was 2.475 seconds per inspection spot, which is 5.6 times faster compared to the expected time used to cover the same distance with a typical probe extension using a lead screw drive.
An Innovative Spiral Pulley that Optimizes Cable Tension Variation for Superior Balancing Performance
Authors: Shen Tian ,   Intelligent Robotics Lab, Mie University 1577 Kurimamachiya-cho, Tsu city, Mie 514-8507, Japan, Yano Ken’ichi
Published: June 2022

In modern manufacturing, the long-term handling of heavy objects is a main factor leading to muscle pain in the waist and lower back. Robots play an important role in reducing the burden on workers by compensating for the gravitational force. Energy-conserving passive mechanisms are commonly used in assistive robots because of their reliability and durability. One such mechanism is a spiral pulley and spring couple, which is a compact and reliable solution to provide a constant assistive force. A spiral pulley has a predesigned changing radius to balance the increasing restoring force of the spring as it extends. This allows the mechanism to exert a constant torque within the designed range. A crucial aspect of such a mechanism is the calculation of the shape of the spiral pulley. Accurate calculations enable the mechanism to provide a more optimal balancing ability. In this study, an innovative spiral pulley was designed by considering the cable tension variation along the cable attached to the pulley. The balancing performance of the proposed pulley was evaluated based on its accuracy in providing a balanced torque and an effective range. A comparative experiment using a conventional spiral pulley confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed pulley.
Planning the Shortest Carrying Trajectory Including Path and Attitude Change Considering Gripping Constraints
Authors: Ario Takahiro ,   Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei-shi, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan, Mizuuchi Ikuo
Published: June 2022

Carrying gripped objects at high speed can lead to gripping failure owing to loads applied to the gripper by its acceleration. When carrying an object at high speed, it is important to carry it with accelerations at which gripping is maintained. Previously proposed methods generated the shortest carrying trajectory for a predetermined trajectory path. In this study, focusing on the object-carrying trajectory and the hand attitude of the gripper, we propose a method to generate the shortest carrying trajectory by varying the state quantities. The proposed method considers the gripping force and the deformation of the gripper. During planning, we estimated the deformation volume of the gripper from its inputs and generated the shortest carrying trajectory with the allowable force and deformation values as constraints. Using the proposed method, we generated a trajectory capable of carrying objects in a shorter time (0.28 times) than in a straight-line trajectory and conducted experiments with a robot arm. The trajectory was generated while keeping the hand attitude unchanged. Through experiments, we have proved the effectiveness of keeping objects gripped on the generated shortest carrying trajectory. Compared with a success ratio of 0.47 in keeping objects gripped on the trajectory with the same time as the generated trajectory, the success ratio on the generated trajectory is as high as 1.0.
Human-Gait-Based Tracking Control for Lower Limb Exoskeleton Robot
Authors: Dan Yongping ,   School of Electric and Information Engineering, Zhongyuan University of Technology No. 41 Zhongyuan Road (M), Zhengzhou, Henan 450007, China, Ge Yifei , Wang Aihui , Li Zhuo
Published: June 2022

Research shows that it is practical for the normal human movement mechanism to assist the patients with stroke in robot-assisted gait rehabilitation. In passive training, the effect of rehabilitation training for patients can be improved by imitating normal human walking. To make the lower limb exoskeleton robot (LLER) move like a normal human, a tracking control scheme based on human gait data is proposed in this paper. The real human gait data is obtained from healthy subjects using a three-dimensional motion capture platform (3DMCP). Furthermore, the normal human motion characteristics are adopted to enhance the scientificity and effectiveness of assistant rehabilitation training using LLER. An adaptive radial basis function network (ARBFN) controller based on feed-forward control is presented to improve the trajectory tracking accuracy and tracking performance of the control system, where the ARBFN controller is deployed to predict the uncertain model parameters. The feed-forward controller based on the tracking errors is used to compensate for the input torque of LLER. The effectiveness of the presented control scheme is confirmed by simulation results based on experimental data.
Analysis of Measuring Precision of 3D Model of Ishigaki Stone in Kumamoto Castle Using Automatic CMG Crane System
Authors: Matsunaga Nobutomo , Kuwahara Masaki , Okajima Hiroshi , Koutaki Gou ,   Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Kumamoto University 2-39-1 Kurokami, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto 860-8555, Japan,   Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kumamoto University 2-39-1 Kurokami, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto 860-8555, Japan
Published: June 2022

Kumamoto Castle, consisting of towers and stone walls called Ishigaki, was severely damaged by the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake. As this castle has cultural significance in Japan, the damaged stone walls of the castle need to be promptly and accurately restored. In recent years, the utilization of 3D stone data has been studied to determine the position of collapsed stones precisely. The 3D stone data needs to be measured automatically in a short period of time for the efficient restoration of stone walls. To control the attitude of the stone, a small control moment gyro (CMG) device was proposed, and a robust controller with a model error compensator was applied to the CMG device. In this study, the measurement precision of a 3D model of stones using the CMG crane system was analyzed. The automatic measuring system consists of a CMG device and an elevator for a 3D scanner to reduce the load on workers. The scanning motion was planned automatically based on the shape and position of stones using depth sensors. The effectiveness of the proposed measuring system was evaluated using the accuracy and measurement time including the data correction time of the 3D modeling.
Method of Studying a Process of Turning in an Orthotic Robot
Authors: Janowski Mateusz ,   Institute of Micromechanics and Photonics, Faculty of Mechatronics, Warsaw University of Technology Św. Andrzeja, Boboli 8, Warsaw 02-525, Poland, Jasińska-Choromańska Danuta , Zaczyk Marcin
Published: June 2022

This paper analyzes an orthotic robot’s capability of changing the direction of motion as part of its gait process while it is being worn by a user. Exoskeletons and orthotic robots are presented, focusing on their capabilities regarding the implementing a turn of their lower limbs. The devices are analyzed, and a method is proposed, being safe for the user, which ensures the required change of the angular position of the user’s trunk, having performed a turn of the device. The smallest movement of each lower limb, which is necessary to enable a turn of the trunk in such a way that the turn can be performed by both lower limbs, is determined.
Self-Localization of Mobile Robot Based on Beacon Beam of TOF Laser Sensor Mounted on Pan-Tilt Actuator: Estimation Method that Combines Spot Coordinates on Laser Receiver and Odometry
Authors: Miura Ryoji ,   Hiroshima City University 3-4-1 Ozukahigashi, Asaminami, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima 731-3194, Japan, Usagawa Daichi , Noguchi Keigo , Iwaki Satoshi , Ikeda Tetsushi
Published: June 2022

We propose a method for estimating the position and attitude of a mobile robot using a laser beam. To this end, we employ the real-world clicker, which was developed by the authors and consisted of a system that uses a TOF (time of flight) laser sensor mounted on a pan-tilt actuator to measure the three-dimensional position of the laser spot. A laser receiver was mounted on top of the mobile robot, and the position of the laser spot was measured by both the camera installed below the receiver and real-world clicker. We propose an algorithm that allows the estimation of the robot’s self-position and attitude while the robot is in motion by combining the use of odometry, and validate it through simulations and experiments.
Data-Driven Model-Free Adaptive Displacement Control for Tap-Water-Driven Artificial Muscle and Parameter Design Using Virtual Reference Feedback Tuning
Authors: Tsuruhara Satoshi , Ito Kazuhisa ,   Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering and Science, Shibaura Institute of Technology 307 Fukasaku, Minuma-ku, Saitama 337-8570, Japan,   Department of Machinery and Control Systems, Shibaura Institute of Technology 307 Fukasaku, Minuma-ku, Saitama 337-8570, Japan
Published: June 2022

A McKibben artificial muscle has strong asymmetric hysteresis characteristics, which depend on the load applied to the muscle. Thus, designing a controller for high-performance displacement is difficult. In a previous study, model predictive control with a servomechanism combining an inverse optimization algorithm with adaptive model matching, and a data-driven model-free adaptive control (MFAC) were introduced. As a result, a high tracking control performance was achieved in both control methods. However, model-based and data-driven approaches require a highly accurate mathematical model and a large number of design parameters, making them time-consuming, respectively. To solve these problems, in the present study, a controller design that requires no precise mathematical model and less design parameter tuning with trial and error was developed by combining conventional MFAC and virtual reference feedback tuning, which is a data-driven control method. Experimental results indicated that important design parameters, such as the initial pseudo-gradient vector and weighting factor, can be readily obtained. Compared with conventional MFAC, higher tracking control performance without overshoot was achieved in transient response, while the same level of control performance was maintained in steady-state response.
Redesigned Microcantilevers for Sensitivity Improvement of Microelectromechanical System Tactile Sensors
Authors: Kaneta Ren ,   Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University 8050 Ikarashi 2-no-cho, Nishi-ku, Niigata 950-2181, Japan, Hasegawa Takumi , Kido Jun , Abe Takashi , Sohgawa Masayuki
Published: June 2022

We previously reported a microelectromechanical system tactile sensor with elastomer-embedded microcantilevers. The sensor enabled the gripping control of soft objects by a robotic hand and acquisition of the object surface texture data. However, sensitivity improvement for more precise control and better texture information acquisition is desired. Here, the cantilever size and the sensor’s strain-gauge arrangement were redesigned, resulting in a sensor with significantly improved sensitivity. In addition, we report the sensitivity dependence on the cantilever size.
The Implementasi Peningkatan Kesadaran Bela Negara Melalui Kegiatan Pengenalan Kehidupan Kampus Mahasiswa Baru
Authors: Ilham Mayudho
Published: June 2022

Tujuan penelitian ini yaitu untuk mendeskripsikan terkait implementasi peningkatan kesadaran bela negara melalui kegiatan pengenalan kehidupan kampus bagi mahasiswa baru. Dalam melakukan penelitian ini terdapat metode penelitian yang digunakan yaitu metode studi literatur, karena dalam penelitiannya semua data yang ditelaah dan yang dikumpulkan untuk bahan penelitian berasal dari berbagai sumber jurnal atau juga sumber referensi lainnya yang mendukung secara online. kegiatan PKKMB bagi mahasiswa baru dilakukan aktivitas bela negara dengan diberikannya sebuah idealisasi yaitu menanamkan Ideologi Pancasila. Hal tersebut dilakukan dengan tujuan agar mahasiswa terhindar dari radikalisme. Tujuan civitas kampus dalam melaksanakan kegiatan ini yaitu sebagai suplai penanaman modal awal terhadap mahasiswa baru untuk lebih memahami pentingnya bela negara dan bahayannya radikalisme serta dapat mengambil langkah dan keputusan yang baik dan selektif dalam melakukan pergaulan di kawasan penyelenggara pendidikan tinggi.
PENERAPAN STANDAR AKUNTANSI KEUANGAN UNTUK PENGELOLAAN KEUANGAN DI PERGURUAN TINGGI NEGERI BADAN HUKUM (PTN-BH)
Authors: Tamara Nadiya
Published: June 2022

Otonomi pengelolaan perguruan tinggi tercantum dalam UU Nomor 12 Tahun Tahun 2012 yang mencakup tata kelola keuangan atau pendanaan untuk Perguruan Tinggi Negeri. Dalam Pasal 64 UU/12 Tahun 2012 disebutkan Otonomi pengelolaan Perguruan Tinggi meliputi bidang akademik dan bidang non akademik. Dalam pengelolaan keuangan Perguruan Tinggi Negeri Badan Hukum (PTN-BH) sampai sekarang belum ada standar keuangan yang dapat digunakan. Peraturan Pemerintah Nomor 26 Tahun 2015 Tentang Bentuk Dan Mekanisme Pendanaan Perguruan Tinggi Negeri Badan Hukum Pasal 20 disebutkan bahwa Laporan keuangan PTN-BH disusun berdasarkan prinsip akuntansi yang berlaku umum sesuai dengan standar akuntansi keuangan yang ditetapkan oleh Ikatan Akuntan Indonesia. Tujuan penelitian adalah untuk mengetahui penggunaan Standar Akuntansi Keuangan (SAK) yang cocok untuk digunakan PTN-BH Metode yang digunakan adalah study literature dari berbagai jurnal dengan memperoleh data di pustaka, mengelompokkan sumber, dan meyusun bahan penelitian kemudian dikaji dan ditarik suatu kesimpulan. Dari hasil penelitian terlihat perbedaan dalam laporan keuangan antara PSAK 45 dengan PSAK ETAP. PSAK 45 sangat tepat untuk dijadikan dasar rujukan dalam menyusun laporan keuangan bagi PTN-BH yang memiliki karakteristik nirlaba.
MANAJEMEN SARANA DAN PRASARANA DALAM PEMENUHAN AKSESIBILITAS BAGI PENYANDANG DISABILITAS DI PERGURUAN TINGGI
Authors: Shofana Nabila
Published: June 2022

Setiap warga negara memiliki hak atas pendidikan, tak terkecuali penyandang disabilitas. Penyandang disabilitas memiliki kesempatan yang sama dalam pendidikan, memiliki prestasi dan belajar. Keberhasilan dalam penyelenggaraan pendidikan inklusi adalah adanya manajemen sarana dan prasarana yang baik. Terutama pada mahasiswa penyandang disabilitas memiliki sarana prasarana yang berbeda. Perlu adanya aplikasi khusus dalam pendampingan. Tujuan penelitian yaitu untuk mengetahui manajemen sarana prasarana dalam pemenuhan aksesibilitas bagi penyandang disabilitas di perguruan tinggi. Metode yang digunakan adalah study literature dari berbagai sumber seperti jurnal, e-book untuk memperoleh data pustaka, kemudian melakukan pengumpulan, pengelompokan serta menarik kesimpulan dari data yang diperoleh. Hasil dari penelitian yaitu pemenuhan aksesibilitas sarana dan prasarana bagi penyandang disabilitas di perguruan tinggi masih belum terealisasikan secara baik. Masih banyak perguruan tinggi yang belum memiliki aksesibilitas sarana dan prasarana yang memadai dan lengkap untuk penyandang disabilitas.
Peran Humas Sebagai Fasilitator Publikasi Informasi dan Dokumentasi Di Perguruan Tinggi
Authors: Luthfia Amanda
Published: June 2022

Manajemen Humas dalam Lembaga Pendidikan tinggi adalah usaha meciptakan hubungan harmonis antara suatu Lembaga dengan masyarakat melalui suatu proses komunikasi timbal balik atau dua arah. Publikasi atau fasilitator komunikasi (communication facilitator). Dalam hal ini, public relations atau Humas bertindak sebagai penghubung, penerjemah, dan mediator antara organisasi dan publik. penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian pendekatan kualitatif dengan teknik pengambilan data berupa studi kasus dari jurnal penelitian, buku dan artikel-artikel yang membahas tentang topik yang diangkat oleh penulis yang biasa disebut studi literature.publikasi merupakan cara yang sering digunakan oleh humas untuk mempromosikan lembaganya. Biasanya dilakukan dengan dua cara yakni secara langsung maupun tidak langsung.
IMPLEMENTASI BLENDED LEARNING SEBAGAI INOVASI PEMBELAJARAN DI MASA PANDEMI COVID-19 BAGI PENDIDIKAN TINGGI
Authors: Naura Dinda Nurulita
Published: June 2022

Terjadinya masa pandemi covid-19 dan tuntutan perkembangan teknologi pada era revolusi industri mengharuskan seorang pendidik mampu berinovasi dalam mengemas proses belajar mengajar agar lebih efisien dan menarik. Proses pembelajaran harus mengutamakan keterampilan dan dituntut harus menekankan aspek-aspek kreativitas dan inovasi, berpikir kritis dan pemecahan masalah, komunikasi dan kolaborasi. Blended Learning bisa menjadi salah satu alternatif dan strategi yang efektif dilakukan di perguruan tinggi. Sebuah inovasi pembelajaran dengan tujuan utamanya memberikan kesempatan bagi berbagai karakteristik agar terjadi proses belajar mandiri, berkelanjutan, belajar sepanjang hayat sehingga belajar akan menjadi efektif, lebih efisien, menarik dan menyenangkan. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui implementasi blended learning sebagai inovasi pembelajaran di masa pandemi covid-19 bagi pendidikan tinggi. Metode yang digunakan adalah study literature dari berbagai jurnal dengan memperoleh data di pustaka, mengelompokkan sumber, dan menyusun bahan penelitian kemudian dikaji dan ditarik suatu kesimpulan. Dari hasil penelitian didapatkan keefektifan implementasi pembelajaran di perguruan tinggi dengan menggunakan model blended learning.
Prevalencia de Fasciola hepatica en bovinos de los distritos de Abancay, Curahuasi y Tamburco, provincia de Abancay - Apurímac durante el período de lluvias del 2018
Authors:   , Tirado Nicoletti Maria Fernanda
Published: June 2022

Los objetivos del presente estudio fueron determinar la prevalencia de Fasciola hepatica en bovinos de los distritos de Abancay, Curahuasi y Tamburco, provincia de Abancay – Apurímac, durante el periodo de lluvias del año 2018 y evaluar la asociación entre el distrito de procedencia con la prevalencia del parásito. Se colectó 295 muestras de heces, siendo 34 de Tamburco, 193 de Curahuasi y 68 de Abancay. Las muestras de heces fueron extraídas directamente del recto de los animales o en el momento que el animal iniciaba a defecar evitando el contacto de las heces con el piso, cada muestra fue debidamente rotulada y conservada en un contenedor a una temperatura de 4-6°C para posteriormente ser trasladada hacia el Laboratorio de Parasitología de la Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria de la Universidad Nacional Micaela Bastidas de Apurímac, donde parte de las muestras fueron evaluadas y otra parte conservadas hasta su traslado al Laboratorio de Microbiología y Parasitología de la Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia de la Universidad Científica del Sur. Para la evaluación coproparasitológica se empleó la Técnica de Cuatro Tamices de Girao y Ueno. La prevalencia total de F. hepatica en los bovinos muestreados fue 50.85% (150/295) con un intervalo de confianza al 95%: 45.14 % min - 56.55% max y según el distrito: 42.65% (29/68) Abancay, 53.89% (104/193) Curahuasi y 50% (17/34) Tamburco. No se encontró asociación estadísticamente significativa con las variables distrito de procedencia (p < 0.05). En el análisis de regresión logística bivariado se halló asociación estadísticamente significativa solo con la variable raza (p=0.008) observándose que el odds ratio de presentar infección por Fasciola hepatica en los bovinos criollos o cruzados es 2.47 veces mayor que el odds ratio de los Hosltein (p=0.002).
Efectividad de la cirugía bariátrica en pacientes adultos con obesidad e hipertensión arterial: una revisión sistemática de revisiones sistemáticas
Authors:   , Caceres Tavara Maria Estrella , Espinoza Solano Carmen Guadalupe
Published: June 2022

Objetivo: Identificar la evidencia disponible sobre la eficacia de la cirugía metabólica en pacientes adultos con hipertensión y obesidad Métodos: Revisión sistemática de Revisiones Sistemáticas (Umbrella Review). Se incluyeron revisiones sistemáticas de ensayos clínicos que evaluaron a pacientes con diagnósticos de hipertensión arterial (indeferentemente del tipo) e IMC de 30 a 39.9 kg/cm2. Se realizó una búsqueda los estudios utilizando las bases de datos de PubMed (Medline), Scopus, Cochrane Controlled Register Of Trials (CENTRAL) y Web of Science. La calidad y la certeza de la evidencia fue evaluada utilizando las herramientas AMSTAR-II y el sistema GRADE, respectivamente. Los resultados obtenidos para cada desenlace fueron resumidos indicando la importancia del desenlace y la certeza de la evidencia. Resultados: Se identificaron 677 revisiones sistemáticas, de los cuales se incluyeron sólo tres para el análisis. Se consideró los desenlaces abordados sobre hipertensión por las revisiones, identificando que 5 Ensayos cinicos aleatorizados (ECAS), evaluaron la reducción de la presión al 1 año de seguimiento, 5 ECAS, a más de 1 año, 5 ECAS, tasa de hipertensión, 6 ECAS, cambios en la presión sistólica y 5 ECAS, cambios en la diastólica. Así mismo, al evaluar la calidad metodológica se concluyó que las tres revisiones tienen una calidad críticamente baja. Conclusiones: Se encontraron únicamente tres revisiones sistemáticas que evaluaron el tema con una calidad metodológica críticamente baja. Las cuales reportaron resultados a favor de la cirugía metabólica, pero con una certeza de la evidencia muy baja.
Efficacy and safety analyses of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced non–small-cell lung cancer with an EGFR/TP53 co-mutation
Authors: Shang Kai , Huang Hongxiang , Xu Yongkang , Liu Yangyang , Lu Zhihui , Chen Li
Published: June 2022

Purpose: Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) combined with cytotoxic chemotherapy are highly effective in the treatment of advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR mutations. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this combination in advanced NSCLC patients with an EGFR/TP53 co-mutation. Materials and Methods: Ninety-five advanced NSCLC patients with an EGFR/TP53 co-mutation were enrolled in this study. Treatments with either EGFR-TKI monotherapy (T group, n = 61) or EGFR-TKI combined with chemotherapy (TC group, n = 34) were evaluated in relation to objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), median time to progression (TTP), and median overall survival (OS).Results: There were no statistically significant differences in DCR between the treatment groups. The ORR was significantly improved in the TC group versus the T group (55.9% vs. 34.4%, P = 0.042). A higher median TTP was noted in TC group compared with T group (16.1 vs. 11.1 months, P = 0.002). Patients without brain metastases in TC group had a longer median OS than in T group (48.4 vs. 28.8 months, P = 0.003). However, there was a non-significant trend towards longer OS in TC group in the entire cohort (36.9 vs. 28.2 months, P = 0.078). Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that clinical stage, brain metastases, EGFR21 L858R mutation, and T790M status at first progression were independent risk factors for OS. However, the incidence of grade 3 or higher adverse events were higher in the TC group than in the T group (32.4% vs. 13.1%, P=0.025).Conclusion: Our study indicates that EGFR-TKIs combined with chemotherapy could significantly improve the ORR and TTP of advanced NSCLC patients with an EGFR/TP53 co-mutation. Combination therapy may be a promising treatment for advanced NSCLC patients with an EGFR/TP53 co-mutation without brain metastases.
Buckling variation effects on optical and electronic properties of GeP2S nanostructure: A first-principles calculation
Authors: Alborznia Hamidreza , Amirian Shirin , Nazirzadeh Mehdi
Published: June 2022

In this study, by using the first-principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT), the electronic aspects of GeP2S monolayer under the effect of buckling variation parameter (µ = 0, 2, 4, 6) are theoretically investigated by the PBE-GGA approximation method, and the obtained results have been compared with previous similar structures. We presented the imaginary part of the dielectric function and absorption spectra for in-plane and out-of-plane polarization of GeP2S monolayer by PBE, HSE06, and TD-HSE06 methods. Also, optical aspects for this 2D nanostructure are presented in out-of-plane polarization under buckling variation conditions up to µ = 6. It was shown that particularly for the range of visible light spectrum its optical behaviors match with its electronic ones. Consequently, the obtained results suggest GeP2S as a suitable material for designing optoelectronic devices.
Group psychoeducation for persons with bipolar disorder in Rwanda: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: MUSONI-RWILILIZA Emmanuel RWILILIZA , Arnbjerg Caroline Juhl , Murekatete Chantal , Carlsson Jessica , Kallestrup Per , Gishoma Darius
Published: June 2022

Background: The efficacy of psychoeducation as an add-on treatment to pharmacotherapy is well documented in treating symptoms and in relapse prevention for persons with bipolar disorder in western countries. Yet, no studies on psychosocial interventions for persons with bipolar disorder have been conducted in a low-income country in Africa.Aim: To develop a bipolar group psychoeducation program contextualized to the Rwandese setting, and determine its effect on symptom severity, medical adherence, and internalized stigma.Methods: A culturally adapted guide manual will be developed by local mental health professionals, including nurses, psychologists, and medical doctors. In-depth interviews with participants will be held prior to and after the intervention to address the cultural aspect of living with bipolar disease and the impact of the program. A two-armed randomized controlled trial will be set up at the tertiary mental health hospitals in Rwanda, with an intervention- and a waiting-list-arm. A sample size of at least 50 in each arm will be required. The study’s primary outcome measure will be the difference in relapse rate measured on the Young Mania Rating Scale and Hamilton Depression Scale-17. Differences in mean change on scales for medical adherence and internalized-stigma will be secondary outcomes. Data will be analyzed according to the intention-to-treat principle. Participants will be assessed at baseline, then at the end of the intervention period, and three months and 12 months post-intervention. Discussion: This study will be one of the first intervention trials on bipolar disorder in a low-income country. If proven successful in reducing morbidity and increasing the quality of life in persons with bipolar disorder, it is anticipated that the psychoeducation program can be implemented at the district and community level and act as inspiration for other low-resource settings. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT04671225, Registered retrospectively in November 2020.
Follow up study of infants recruited to the randomised, placebo-controlled trial of azithromycin for the prevention of chronic lung disease of prematurity in preterm infants – Study protocol for the AZTEC-FU Study
Authors: Kotecha Sarah J , Course Christopher W , Jones Kathryn E , Watkins W John , Berrington Janet , Gillespie David , kotecha Sailesh
Published: June 2022

Background: Preterm birth, especially at less than 30 weeks’ gestation, is significantly associated with respiratory, neurodevelopmental and growth abnormalities. The AZTEC study has recruited 799 infants born at <30 weeks’ gestation to determine if a ten-day intravenous treatment with azithromycin improves survival without development of chronic lung disease of prematurity (CLD) at 36 weeks’ post menstrual age (PMA) when compared to placebo. The follow up studies will compare respiratory, neurodevelopmental and growth outcomes up to 2 years of corrected age between infants who received azithromycin and those who received placebo in the early neonatal period.Methods: Survivors at 36 weeks’ PMA from the main AZTEC study with parental consent will continue to be followed up to discharge from the neonatal unit and to two years of corrected age. Length of stay, rates of home oxygen, length of supplemental oxygen requirement, hospital admissions, drug usage, respiratory illness, neurodevelopmental disability and death rates will be reported. Data is being collected via parentally completed respiratory and neurodevelopmental questionnaires at one and two years of corrected age respectively and additional information is being obtained from various sources including hospital discharge and clinical letters from general practitioners and hospitals as well as from national databases including the National Database Analyses Unit and NHS Digital. Discussion: The AZTEC-FU will assess mortality and important neonatal morbidities including respiratory, neurodevelopmental and growth outcomes. Important safety data will also be collected, including the incidence of potential consequences of early macrolide use, primarily pyloric stenosis. This study may have implications on future neonatal care.Trial registration: The study was retrospectively registered on ISRCTN (ISRCTN47442783).
Aetiology and clinical characteristics of psoas abscesses in China, 2011-2021: A retrospective study
Authors: Xu Chengan , zhou Zhewen , Wang Shouhao , Wu Wenhao , Hui Tianchen , Ren Wenya , Yang Xingdi , Chen Hanzhu , Zheng Wei , Yin Qiaoqiao , Pan Hongying
Published: June 2022

Psoas abscess (PA) is an uncommon disease that has been increasingly reported in recent years. We reviewed patients with PA and analysed their clinical characteristics to improve the understanding of this rare disorder. The study retrospectively reviewed the clinical presentations, microbiology, and outcomes of patients with PA between 2011 and 2021 in Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital in China. There were 35 cases out of 23057427 hospitalised adult patients; the mean age was 60 years, and 65.7% of the patients were male. Primary symptoms were typically nonspecific. In all, 17 abscesses were considered secondary, and the most common aetiology was infective spondylitis. The most common causative organism for primary PA was Staphylococcus aureus, followed by Escherichia coli, while for secondary abscesses, there were multiple bacterial species. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 6%. Secondary PA patients had longer hospital stays (mean, 23 vs. 28 days). PAs, as a serious infectious condition, usually present with nonspecific symptoms and laboratory test results, making early diagnosis difficult. The aetiological profiles differed from those reported in our study. Initial clinical status and subsequent imaging studies can lead to favourable outcomes.
EIF4A inhibition targets bioenergetic homeostasis in AML and synergizes with cytarabine and venetoclax
Authors: Fooks Katie , Galicia-Vazquez Gabriela , Schcolnik-Cabrera Alejandro , Gife Victor , Nouhi Zaynab , Poon William WL , Luo Vincent , Aloyz Raquel , Orthwein Alexandre , Hulea Laura , Mercier François E
Published: June 2022

Background
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematological cancer resulting from uncontrolled proliferation of differentiation-blocked myeloid cells. Seventy percent of AML patients are currently not cured with available treatments, highlighting the need of novel therapeutic strategies. A promising target in AML is the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). Clinical inhibition of mTORC1 is limited by its reactivation through compensatory and regulatory feedback loops. Here, we developed a strategy to curtail these drawbacks through inhibition of an mTORC1 target, the eukaryotic initiation factor 4A (eIF4A).
Methods
We tested the anti-leukemic effect of a potent and specific eIF4A inhibitor (eIF4Ai), CR-1-31-B, in combination with cytosine arabinoside (araC) or the BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax. We utilized the MOLM-14 human AML cell line to model chemoresistant disease both in vitro and in vivo. In eIF4Ai-treated cells, we assessed for changes in survival and apoptosis, de novo protein synthesis, targeted intracellular metabolite content, bioenergetic profile, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP).
Results
eIF4i exhibits anti-leukemia activity in vivo while sparing non-malignant myeloid cells. In vitro, eIF4Ai synergizes with two therapeutic agents in AML, araC and venetoclax. eIF4Ai reduces mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), the rate of ATP synthesis from mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis, and the expression of the antiapoptotic factors BCL2 and MCL1. Concomitantly, eIF4Ai decreases intracellular levels of specific metabolic intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) and glucose metabolism, while enhancing mtROS. In vitro redox stress contributes to eIF4Ai cytotoxicity.
Conclusions
We discovered that AML cells rely on eIF4A-dependent cap translation for survival in vitro and in vivo. Our work indicates that eIF4A drives an intrinsic metabolic program sustaining bioenergetic and redox homeostasis. Furthermore, our work suggests that eIF4A-dependent cap translation contributes to adaptive processes involved in resistance to relevant therapeutic agents in AML.
Integrated analysis of differential lncRNA and mRNA expression in cholelithiasis based on high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics
Authors: Xu Conghui , Sun Yanbo , Li Yijun , Xu Qingwen , Li Weiming , Xu Pengyuan
Published: June 2022

Background: The etiology of GSD (gallstone disease)has not been fully elucidated. Thus, the current study was designed to analyze the expression profiles of lncRNAs and mRNAs to unveil the potential mechanisms and investigate the role of lncRNA in GSD.Methods:Four gallstone and four control samples were collected and used for RNA sequencing. Differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) and mRNAs (DEmRNAs) were identified between gallstone and control samples by limma R package. The biological function of DElncRNAs and DEmRNAs were analyzed by clusterProfiler R package and IPA software. The Pearson correlation between DElncRNAs and DEmRNAs were calculated to construct the co-expression network of DElncRNAs and DEmRNAs. Moreover, to explore the role of lncRNA in gallstone, the cis- and trans-regulatory network of selected lncRNAs were constructed and visualized by Cytoscape software. In addition, we also constructed a ceRNA regulatory network in gallstone disease. To validate the RNA-sequencing data, we performed RT-qPCR to determine the expressions of top 4 DEmRNAs and DElncRNAs in gallstone and control samples.Results:A total of 934 DEmRNAs and 304 DElncRNAs were identified between gallstone and control samples, respectively. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that both DElncRNAs and DEmRNAs were involved in metabolism-related biological functions. The results of correlation analysis showed that the expressions of 597 DEmRNAs had extremely strong relationship with the expressions of 194 DElncRNAs. A cis-lncRNA-mRNA and trans-lncRNA-TF-mRNA regulatory network were constructed. In addition, a ceRNA composed of 24 DElncRNAs, 201 DEmRNAs and 120 predicted miRNAs was constructed by Cytoscape software. Moreover, by RT-qPCR, we found that the expressions of AC004692.4, HECW1-IT1, SFRP4 and COMP were significantly higher, whereas the expressions of LINC01564, SLC26A3, RP1-27K12.2 and GSTA2 were remarkedly lower in gallstone samples compared with those in control ones, which were consistent with the sequencing results.Conclusion: Our study investigated the role of DElncRNAs and DEmRNAs in gallstone, which may help us understand the etiology of gallstone on the genetic level.
Carbon sequestration in vegetation and its change in the Three-North Shelter Forest region of China in 2000-2021
Authors: Wang Li-xia , Gao Ji-xi , Zhang Wen-guo , Shen Wen-ming , Cai Ming-yong , Xiao Tong , Zhang Xin-sheng , Tai Wen-fei
Published: June 2022

Carbon sequestration in vegetation can offset a large proportion of carbon emissions, and plays an important role in mitigation climate change. Based on satellite data and ground observation data, we examined carbon sequestration rate and its long-term change in the Three-North Shelter Forest Program (TNSFP) region, where a series of large-scale ecological projects have been implemented. The results indicated that carbon sequestration rate in vegetation was 458.3 ± 45 g C m− 2yr− 1 in the TNSFP region during the period 2000–2021. Obvious increase trend of carbon sequestration rate was observed covering approximately 90% of the TNSFP region, with an average increase rate of 5.06 ± 4.3 g C m− 2yr− 1. There was a larger increase rate of 7.78 ± 2.07 g C m− 2yr− 1 in forest than that of 3.27 ± 0.55 g C m− 2yr− 1in grassland. Total carbon sequestration into vegetation was 26.1054 P g C (1 P g = 1015 g) in the TNSFP region, with annual carbon sequestration of 1186.6 ± 122.6 T g C (1 T g = 1012 g) during the period 2000–2021. Our results revealed that both human activities and climate change have positive effect on carbon sequestration rate. Human activities contribute to carbon sequestration increment of 1.7905 Pg C approximately under assumptions that the existing forest transformed from original natural grass land due to afforestation and reforestation. Climate change has promoted carbon sequestration rate due to increase in annual precipitation, but the increase in annual air temperature is harmful in enhancing carbon sequestration rate.
The effect of adjuvant radiotherapy on one- and two-stage prosthetic breast reconstruction and on autologous reconstruction: a multicenter Italian study among 18 Senonetwork Breast Centres
Authors: Lisa Andrea , Salgarello Marzia , Huscher Alessandra , Corsi Fabio , Piovani Daniele , Rubbino Federica , Andreoletti Stefania , Papa Giovanni , Klinger Francesco , Vinci Valeriano , Klinger Marco Attilio Ettore
Published: June 2022

Purpose: In modern breast cancer treatment we observed breast reconstruction growing role together with an extension in clinical indications for postmastectomy radiotherapy(PMRT). Optimal integration between reconstruction procedures and PMRT is still under debate. For this reason we performed a multicenter national study which aims to analyze the impact of PMRT on breast reconstruction.Methods: we conducted a retrospective case-control multicenter study on women undergoing breast reconstruction. Data were collected from 18 Italian Breast Centres, and stored in a cumulative database which included: autologous reconstruction, direct-to-implant (DTI), and tissue expander/immediate (TE/I). For all patients, we described complications and surgical endpoints to complications such as reconstruction failure, explant, change in type of reconstruction and reintervention. Results: From 2001 to April 2020, 3116 patients were evaluated. The risk for any complication was significantly increased in patients receiving PMRT (aOR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.33‒2.24; p<0.001). PMRT was associated with a significant increase in the risk of capsular contracture in the DTI and TE/I groups (aOR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.57‒3.20; p<0.001). Comparing type of procedures, the risk of failure (aOR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.06‒3.12, p=0.030), explant (aOR, 5.49; 95% CI, 3.85‒7.83, p<0.001) and severe complications (aOR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.88‒3.43, p<0.001) was significantly higher in the group undergoing DTI reconstruction as compared to TE/I reconstruction.Conclusion: Our study confirms that autologous reconstruction is the one least impacted by PMRT while DTI appears to be the most impacted by PMRT if compared with TE/I which shows a lower rate of explant and reconstruction failure. Trial registration number NCT04783818 and date of registration 1 March 2021 retrospectively registered
Spatiotemporal polymorphism analysis and influencing factors of diatom community in tropical freshwater （Wanquan River）
Authors: Wang Bo , CAI Jie , XU Yu-Zhao , QU Yi-hong , SONG Tao , CHEN Jian-hua , DENG Jian-qiang
Published: June 2022

The high temperature and rainy climate conditions make the diatom community in tropical freshwater ecosystem significantly different from other regions, which has specific laws and differences. Taking the diatom community structure of Wanquan River in Hainan Island as the research object, the regularity and difference factors were analyzed. In this study, 18 water samples were collected from 9 sampling sites in Wanquan River of Hainan Island in dry season (February) and wet season (August). High-throughput sequencing of eukaryotic plankton in water samples was carried out by using 18S rDNA meta-barcoding, and diatom classification information was extracted from each sampling point in different seasons. In this study, a total of 67 species, 38 genera, 7 families, 5 orders, 4 classes of diatoms were obtained. The dominant diatoms in Wanquan River were Mediophyceae and Bacillariophyceae. According to Alpha and Beta analysis, the total number and species of diatom in dry season were more, and the diatom community difference in each sampling site was also greater than those in wet season. There were five diatom species with significant differences between two seasons (P > 0.05),,Thalassiosira, Guinardia, Gomphonema, Mediophyceae and Discostella. In addition, the influence degree and trend of different environmental variables on diatom community composition were also analyzed. Three environmental variables, temperature, wind speed and water temperature, had the greatest impact on the diatom community. Dissolved oxygen, chromium ion and total alkalinity, also had a certain impact on the diatom community distribution. The diatom community structure and influencing factors in tropical fresh water differs greatly from that in other regions.
Insights into the quality of recombinant proteins produced by two different Bombyx mori expression systems
Authors: Kajiura Hiroyuki , Tatematsu Ken-ichiro , Nomura Tsuyoshi , Miyazawa Mitsuhiro , Usami Akihiro , Tamura Toshiki , Sezutsu Hideki , Fujiyama Kazuhito
Published: June 2022

The silkworm, Bombyx mori, is an attractive host for recombinant protein production due to its high expression efficiency, quality, and quantity. Two expression systems have been widely used for recombinant protein production in B. mori: baculovirus/silkworm expression system and transgenic silkworm expression system. Both expression systems enable high protein production, but the qualities of the resulting recombinant proteins have not been well evaluated. In this study, we expressed bovine interferon g (IFN-g) using the two systems and examined the quality of the resulting proteins in terms of N-glycosylation and protein cleavage. Both expression systems successfully produced IFN-g as an N-glycoprotein. Although the production in the baculovirus/silkworm expression system was much more efficient than that in the transgenic silkworm expression system, unexpected variants of IFN-g were also produced in the former system due to the different N-glycosylation and C-terminal truncations. These results indicate that while high protein production could be achieved in the baculovirus/silkworm expression system, unintentional protein modification might occur, and therefore protein expression in the transgenic silkworm expression system is preferable from the point-of-view of N-glycosylation of the recombinant protein and evasion of unexpected attack by a protease in B. mori.