bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing the Phylogenetic Distribution of Multilocus Sequence Typing, Staphylococcal Protein A, and Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome Mec Types in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) in Korea from 1994 to 2020
Authors: Hwang You-Jin
Published: September 2023

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteremia is one of the most frequent and severe bacterial infections worldwide. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a serious human pathogen that can cause a wide variety of infections. Comparative genetic analyses have shown that despite the existence of a vast number of genotypes, genotypes are restricted to certain geographical locations. By comparing multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and SCCmec types from 1994 to 2020, the present study intended to discover which genotype genes were related to MRSA infections. MLST, Staphylococcus aureus protein A (spa), and SCCmec typings were performed to determine their relationship during those years. Results revealed that MRSA isolates in the Republic of Korea were distributed among all major staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) types. The majority of SCCmec isolates belonged to SCCmec type II and type IV. The majority of MLST had the sequence type (ST) 72, 239, 8, or 188. By contrast, minorities belonged to ST22 (SCCmec IV), ST772 (SCCmec V), and ST672 (SCCmec V) genotypes. The SCCmec type was determined for various types. The spa type was dispersed, seemingly regardless of its multidrug resistance property. The MLST type was found to be similar to the existing typical type. These results showed some correlations between resistance characteristics and types according to the characteristics of the MLST types distributed, compared to previous papers. Reports on genotype distribution of MLST and SCCmec types in MRSA are rare. These results show a clear distribution of MLST and SCCmec types of MRSA from 1994 to 2020 in the Republic of Korea.
Desmin Reorganization by Stimuli Inducing Oxidative Stress and Electrophiles: Role of Its Single Cysteine Residue
Authors: Moneo-Corcuera Diego , Viedma-Poyatos Álvaro , Stamatakis Konstantinos , Pérez-Sala Dolores
Published: September 2023

The type III intermediate filament proteins vimentin and GFAP are modulated by oxidants and electrophiles, mainly through perturbation of their single cysteine residues. Desmin, the type III intermediate filament protein specific to muscle cells, is critical for muscle homeostasis, playing a key role in sarcomere organization and mitochondrial function. Here, we have studied the impact of oxidants and cysteine-reactive agents on desmin behavior. Our results show that several reactive species and drugs induce covalent modifications of desmin in vitro, of which its single cysteine residue, C333, is an important target. Moreover, stimuli eliciting oxidative stress or lipoxidation, including H2O2, 15-deoxy-prostaglandin J2, and CoCl2-elicited chemical hypoxia, provoke desmin disorganization in H9c2 rat cardiomyoblasts transfected with wild-type desmin, which is partially attenuated in cells expressing a C333S mutant. Notably, in cells lacking other cytoplasmic intermediate filaments, network formation by desmin C333S appears less efficient than that of desmin wt, especially when these proteins are expressed as fluorescent fusion constructs. Nevertheless, in these cells, the desmin C333S organization is also protected from disruption by oxidants. Taken together, our results indicate that desmin is a target for oxidative and electrophilic stress, which elicit desmin remodeling conditioned by the presence of its single cysteine residue.
Biological Activity and Metabolomics of Griffonia simplicifolia Seeds Extracted with Different Methodologies
Authors: Mannino Giuseppe , Serio Graziella , Gaglio Raimondo , Maffei Massimo E. , Settanni Luca , Di Stefano Vita , Gentile Carla
Published: September 2023

Griffonia simplicifolia, a tropical plant endemic to West Africa, is highly regarded for its significant pharmacological potential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the metabolomic profile and to explore the antioxidant properties, antiproliferative activity, and antimicrobial potential of G. simplicifolia seed extracts obtained through either maceration, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), or Soxhlet extraction using water, acetone, methanol and ethanol as solvents. Overall, methanol possessed superior total extraction efficiency. HPLC analyses confirmed the efficacy of acetone and ethanol as optimal solvents for the extraction of flavonoids and flavan-3-ols, whereas MAE exhibited enhanced effectiveness in extracting N-containing compounds, including 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). HPLC-MS analyses identified forty-three compounds, including thirty-four phenolic compounds and nine N-containing molecules. Isomyricitrin, taxifolin and a flavonol glucuronide were the main polyphenols, whereas 5-HTP was the main N-containing compound. Hydroalcoholic G. simplicifolia extracts showed the highest radical scavenging and metal-reducing antioxidant power, suggesting that most of the contribution to antioxidant activity depends on the more polar bioactive compounds. G. simplicifolia extracts showed dose-dependent antiproliferative activity against three distinct cancer cell lines (HeLa, HepG2, and MCF-7), with notable variations observed among both the different extracts and cell lines and divergent GI50 values, emphasizing substantial discrepancies in cell sensitivity to the various extracts. Furthermore, G. simplicifolia extracts revealed antibiotic activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Our results highlight the potential of G. simplicifolia phytochemicals in the development of functional foods, nutraceuticals, and dietary supplements.
The Multi-Trip Autonomous Mobile Robot Scheduling Problem with Time Windows in a Stochastic Environment at Smart Hospitals
Authors: Cheng Lulu , Zhao Ning , Wu Kan , Chen Zhibin
Published: September 2023

Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) play a crucial role in transportation and service tasks at hospitals, contributing to enhanced efficiency and meeting medical demands. This paper investigates the optimization problem of scheduling strategies for AMRs at smart hospitals, where the service and travel times of AMRs are stochastic. A stochastic mixed-integer programming model is formulated to minimize the total cost of the hospital by reducing the number of AMRs and travel distance while satisfying constraints such as AMR battery state of charge, AMR capacity, and time windows for medical requests. To address this objective, some properties of the solutions with time window constraints are identified. The variable neighborhood search (VNS) algorithm is adjusted by incorporating the properties of the AMR scheduling problem to solve the model. Experimental results demonstrate that VNS generates high-quality solutions. Both enhanced efficiency and the meeting of medical demands are achieved through intelligently arranging the driving routes of AMRs for both charging and service requests, resulting in substantial cost reductions for hospitals and enhanced utilization of medical resources.
Automatic Face Recognition System Using Deep Convolutional Mixer Architecture and AdaBoost Classifier
Authors: Abbas Qaisar , Albalawi Talal Saad , Perumal Ganeshkumar , Celebi M. Emre
Published: September 2023

In recent years, advances in deep learning (DL) techniques for video analysis have developed to solve the problem of real-time processing. Automated face recognition in the runtime environment has become necessary in video surveillance systems for urban security. This is a difficult task due to face occlusion, which makes it hard to capture effective features. Existing work focuses on improving performance while ignoring issues like a small dataset, high computational complexity, and a lack of lightweight and efficient feature descriptors. In this paper, face recognition (FR) using a Convolutional mixer (AFR-Conv) algorithm is developed to handle face occlusion problems. A novel AFR-Conv architecture is designed by assigning priority-based weight to the different face patches along with residual connections and an AdaBoost classifier for automatically recognizing human faces. The AFR-Conv also leverages the strengths of pre-trained CNNs by extracting features using ResNet-50, Inception-v3, and DenseNet-161. The AdaBoost classifier combines these features’ weighted votes to predict labels for testing images. To develop this system, we use the data augmentation method to enhance the number of datasets using human face images. The AFR-Conv method is then used to extract robust features from images. Finally, to recognize human identity, an AdaBoost classifier is utilized. For the training and evaluation of the AFR-Conv model, a set of face images is collected from online data sources. The experimental results of the AFR-Conv approach are presented in terms of precision (PR), recall (RE), detection accuracy (DA), and F1-score metrics. Particularly, the proposed approach attains 95.5% PR, 97.6% RE, 97.5% DA, and 98.5% of F1-score on 8500 face images. The experimental results show that our proposed scheme outperforms advanced methods for face classification.
A Survey: Future Smart Cities Based on Advance Control of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
Authors: Abbas Nadir , Abbas Zeshan , Liu Xiaodong , Khan Saad Saleem , Foster Eric Deale , Larkin Stephen
Published: September 2023

This article presents a survey of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) applications in smart cities, emphasizing integration challenges. Smart cities leverage innovative technologies, including the Internet of Things (IoT) and UAVs, to enhance residents’ quality of life. The study highlights UAV applications, challenges, limitations, and future perspectives of smart city development. Advanced control methods for maximizing UAV benefits are discussed. Control theory challenges and issues for the deployment of UAVs are addressed. By concentrating on challenges, potential applications, and advanced control techniques, this paper offers insights into UAVs’ role in shaping the future of smart cities.
Establishing Benchmark Percentiles for the Classification of Body Fat Percentage of Professional Male Athletes Competing in Combat Sports through Bioimpedanciometry
Authors: Baranauskas Marius , Kupčiūnaitė Ingrida , Stukas Rimantas
Published: September 2023

Body composition as a meaningful factor can result in physiological responses in both the physical body and general health status. Nevertheless, the schemes for establishing cut-off points for identifying the classifications of the body fat percentage of athletes competing in combat sports still include gaps. The aim of this study was, by using bioimpedanciometry, to calculate the percentiles for the classification of body fat percentages in Lithuanian professional male athletes (n = 52) competing in combat sports with weight classes. A total of 52 Lithuanian professional male athletes competing in combat sports with weight classes were evaluated using a multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis method with frequencies ranging from 1 kHz to 1000 kHz. Percentiles P3, P10, P25, P50, P75, P90, and P97 were used to determine the classification. As a consequence, the following classification categories were assigned: 6.6–7.8% (extremely low); 7.9–10.9% (very low); 11.0–14.7% (below normal); 14.8–18.8% (normal); 18.9–21.5% (above normal); 21.6–29.3% (very excessive); and ≥29.4% (extremely excessive). The assessment of body composition in combat sports athletes identified an inverse association between higher body fat levels and a decrease in the muscle-to-fat ratio (β –1.3, 95% confidence interval (CI): –1.5; –1.0, p < 0.001). The relationship between lower body fat percentage and lighter weight categories in which combat sports athletes from different combat sports were competing has been identified (β 0.3%, 95% CI: 0.2; 0.3, p < 0.0001). The established cut-off points may assist sports medicine professionals and sports dietitians in monitoring the adiposity of combat sports athletes.
Spatiotemporal Changes in the Hydrochemical Characteristics and the Assessment of Groundwater Suitability for Drinking and Irrigation in the Mornag Coastal Region, Northeastern Tunisia
Authors: Hfaiedh Emna , Ben Moussa Amor , Petitta Marco , Mlayah Ammar
Published: September 2023

Hydrogeochemical properties and groundwater quality assessment are very important for the effective management of water resources in arid and semiarid regions. The present investigation is a spatiotemporal analysis of groundwater quality using both chemical analysis and water quality indices (WQIs) in the Mornag Basin in northeastern Tunisia. The results exhibit that the Mornag shallow aquifer is dominated by chloride–sodium–potassium water facies, which progress over time toward chloride–sulfate–calcium and magnesium water facies. This may highlight that the mineralization of groundwater, which increases in the direction of groundwater flow, is primarily controlled by a natural process resulting from the dissolution of evaporative minerals and cation exchange with clay minerals relatively abundant in the study area. The anthropogenic activities represented by the return flow of irrigation water, the recharge by wastewater, and climate change also have a key role in groundwater contamination. The temporal evolution in %Na and SAR over the last three years in the Mornag aquifer shows an increasing trend that makes them unsuitable for irrigation. These findings highlight the need for assessing water quality in mapping local water resource vulnerability to pollution and developing sustainable water resources management.
Development and Initial Characterisation of a Localised Elastin Degradation Ex Vivo Porcine Aortic Aneurysm Model
Authors: Laffey Matthew , Tornifoglio Brooke , Lally Caitríona
Published: September 2023

Aortic aneurysms (AA) occur in 4.8% of people causing 150,000 deaths annually. While endovascular aneurysm repairs reduce surgical morbidity, device-related failures (leak/displacement) are frequent highlighting the need for test models that better represent the mural geometry and compliance changes in human AAs. We aimed to develop and characterise an ex vivo porcine aortic model of AA. The optimal duration of tissue elastase exposure to emulate AA changes in elastin microstructure and content was determined using porcine aortic rings. Elastase-induced changes were quantified morphologically, and mechanical properties assessed via ring tensile testing. Subsequent experiments tested the potential for localised elastase treatment in a 1 cm segment of porcine aorta using a specially designed 3D printed rig. The effect on pressure-diameter behaviour was investigated via inflation-extension testing. Elastase treatment produced time dependent decreases in elastin, resulting in an increased tensile modulus and circumferential length in the ring samples in the final phase of the J-shaped tissue stress-strain curves. In whole aortic segments, localised elastase-induced luminal degradation was successfully limited to a central region. The degree of elastin degradation achieved was sufficient to cause localised dilation with respect to controls under physiological pressures. Localised elastin degradation in porcine aortic segments is feasible and emulates the changes seen clinically in aortic aneurysms.
Experimental Study on the Effect of the Freeze–Thaw Cycle in an Acidic Environment on the Mechanical Properties of Grout-Reinforced Rock Specimens
Authors: Yan Dong , Zheng Jianguo , Huang Xixi , Liu Tao
Published: September 2023

A new type of grouting material—FCM (fast cementing material)—is being used in coastal and offshore infrastructure projects, such as harbor and tunnel rehabilitation. In order to investigate how this material performs under different conditions, the compressive strength, failure mode, and surface microscopic changes of different fracture penetration degrees and different crack angles of grout-reinforced specimens formed by the FCM and sandstone were investigated in an acidic environment with pH = 1.1 and after freeze–thaw cycles of 5, 10, 20, and 30 times. In addition, through the preliminary determination of FCM grouting material fluidity and setting time, it was determined that the water-material ratio in this test is 0.3, and the sandstone used has good uniformity. The results show that the strength of the original rock can be matched or even exceeded by the solid grout of FCM and sandstone. Acidic environments and freeze–thaw cycles will erode the specimens, mainly on the surface of the specimens. The fracture penetration degree and crack angle determine the degree of strength reduction of the specimens. The compressive strength of the specimens decreases most rapidly within 10 freeze–thaw cycles. After soaking in acidic solution and a freeze–thaw cycle in an acidic environment, particle shedding occurs on the surface of the grout material and a “honeycomb” area appears on the surface of the sandstone. As the freeze–thaw cycle increases, the particle-shedding area and the honeycomb area increase continuously.
A Novel Way of Optimizing Headlight Distributions Based on Real-Life Traffic and Eye Tracking Data Part 3: Driver Gaze Behaviour on Real Roads and Optimized Light Distribution
Authors: Kobbert Jonas , Erkan Anil , Bullough John D. , Khanh Tran Quoc
Published: September 2023

In order to find optimized headlight distributions based on real traffic data, a three-step approach has been chosen. The complete investigations are too extensive to fit into a single paper; this paper is the last of a three part series. Over the three papers, a novel way to optimize automotive headlight distributions based on real-life traffic and eye tracking data is presented. Across all three papers, a total of 119 test subjects participated in the studies with over 15,000 km of driving, including recordings of gaze behaviour, light data, detection distances, and other objects in traffic. In this third paper, driver gaze behaviour is recorded while driving a 128 km round course, covering urban roads, country roads, and motorways. This gaze behaviour is then analysed and compared to prior work covering driver gaze behaviour. Comparing the gaze distributions with roadway object distributions from part two of this series, Analysis of Real-World Traffic Data in Germany and combining them with the idealized baseline headlight distribution from part one, different optimized headlight distributions can be generated. These headlight distributions can be optimized for different driving requirements based on the data that is used and weighting the different road types differently. The resulting headlight distribution is then compared to a standard light distribution in terms of the required luminous flux, angular distribution, and overall shape. Nonetheless, it is the overall approach that has been taken that we see as the primary novel outcome of this investigation, even more than the actual distribution resulting from this effort.
Enhancing User Engagement in Shared Autonomous Vehicles: An Innovative Gesture-Based Windshield Interaction System
Authors: Bellani Pierstefano , Picardi Andrea , Caruso Federica , Gaetani Flora , Brevi Fausto , Arquilla Venanzio , Caruso Giandomenico
Published: September 2023

With the rapid advancement of autonomous vehicles, a transformative transportation paradigm is emerging in the automotive industry, necessitating a re-evaluation of how users engage with and utilize these evolving settings. This research paper introduces an innovative interaction system tailored for shared autonomous vehicles, focusing on its development and comprehensive evaluation. The proposed system uses the car’s windshield as an interactive display surface, enabling infotainment and real-time information about the surrounding environment. The integration of two gesture-based interfaces forms a central component of the system. Through a study involving twenty subjects, we analyzed and compared the user experience facilitated by these interfaces. The study outcomes demonstrated that the subjects exhibited similar behaviors and responses across both interfaces, thus validating the potential of these interaction systems for future autonomous vehicles. These findings collectively emphasize the transformative nature of the proposed system and its ability to enhance user engagement and interaction within the context of autonomous transportation.
Uni2Mul: A Conformer-Based Multimodal Emotion Classification Model by Considering Unimodal Expression Differences with Multi-Task Learning
Authors: Zhang Lihong , Liu Chaolong , Jia Nan
Published: September 2023

Multimodal emotion classification (MEC) has been extensively studied in human–computer interaction, healthcare, and other domains. Previous MEC research has utilized identical multimodal annotations (IMAs) to train unimodal models, hindering the learning of effective unimodal representations due to differences between unimodal expressions and multimodal perceptions. Additionally, most MEC fusion techniques fail to consider the unimodal–multimodal inconsistencies. This study addresses two important issues in MEC: learning satisfactory unimodal representations of emotion and accounting for unimodal–multimodal inconsistencies during the fusion process. To tackle these challenges, the authors propose the Two-Stage Conformer-based MEC model (Uni2Mul) with two key innovations: (1) in stage one, unimodal models are trained using independent unimodal annotations (IUAs) to optimize unimodal emotion representations; (2) in stage two, a Conformer-based architecture is employed to fuse the unimodal representations learned in stage one and predict IMAs, accounting for unimodal–multimodal differences. The proposed model is evaluated on the CH-SIMS dataset. The experimental results demonstrate that Uni2Mul outperforms baseline models. This study makes two key contributions: (1) the use of IUAs improves unimodal learning; (2) the two-stage approach addresses unimodal–multimodal inconsistencies during Conformer-based fusion. Uni2Mul advances MEC by enhancing unimodal representation learning and Conformer-based fusion.
A Comparative Investigation of Light Scattering and Digital Holographic Imaging to Measure Liquid Phase Cloud Droplets
Authors: Zhang Chuan , Wang Jun , Yang Chenyu , Zhou Hao , Liu Jingjing , Hua Dengxin
Published: September 2023

The measurement of cloud microphysical parameters plays an important role in describing characteristics of liquid phase clouds and investigating mutual relationships between clouds and precipitation. In this paper, cloud microphysical parameters at Liupan Mountain Weather Station in Ningxia are measured with a high-resolution coaxial digital holographic imager and a fog monitor 120. There are differences in the measurement results between the two instruments. The number concentration measured by the digital holographic imager is about 1.5 times that of the fog monitor 120. However, their Pearson correlation coefficient is above 0.9. Through analysis, we found that the measurement results of the digital holographic imager and fog monitor 120 are differences in 2–4 µm and 7–50µm. For the droplets with the diameters of 4–7 µm, their measurement results have good consistency. By analyzing the influence of wind field and detection sensitivity on the measurement principle, the reasons which caused the difference are proposed. Advice is given to observe topographic clouds by using the above two instruments. In addition, the differences in liquid water content and visibility are analyzed due to the absence of small and large droplets. The study provides data support for improving the accuracy of instruments in measuring cloud droplets and is useful for research in the field of cloud microphysical processes.
The Robustness of the Derived Design Life Levels of Heavy Precipitation Events in the Pre-Alpine Oberland Region of Southern Germany
Authors: Laux Patrick , Weber Elena , Feldmann David , Kunstmann Harald
Published: September 2023

Extreme value analysis (EVA) is well-established to derive hydrometeorological design values for infrastructures that have to withstand extreme events. Since there is concern about increased extremes with higher hazard potential under climate change, alterations of EVA are introduced for which statistical properties are no longer assumed to be constant but vary over time. In this study, both stationary and non-stationary EVA models are used to derive design life levels (DLLs) of daily precipitation in the pre-alpine Oberland region of Southern Germany, an orographically complex region characterized by heavy precipitation events and climate change. As EVA is fraught with uncertainties, it is crucial to quantify its methodological impacts: two theoretical distributions (i.e., Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) and Generalized Pareto (GP) distribution), four different parameter estimation techniques (i.e., Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE), L-moments, Generalized Maximum Likelihood Estimation (GMLE), and Bayesian estimation method) are evaluated and compared. The study reveals large methodological uncertainties. Discrepancies due to the parameter estimation methods may reach up to 45% of the mean absolute value, while differences between stationary and non-stationary models are of the same magnitude (differences in DLLs up to 40%). For the end of this century in the Oberland region, there is no robust tendency towards increased extremes found.
Carbon Fluxes in Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Remain Stable in Cell Cultures Exposed to Nutritional Phosphate Deficiency
Authors: He Jiang Zhou , Dorion Sonia , Carmona-Rojas Laura Michell , Rivoal Jean
Published: September 2023

Nutritional phosphate deficiency is a major limitation to plant growth. Here, we monitored fluxes in pathways supporting respiratory metabolism in potato (Solanum tuberosum) cell cultures growing in control or limiting phosphate conditions. Sugar uptake was quantified using [U-14C]sucrose as precursor. Carbohydrate degradation through glycolysis and respiratory pathways was estimated using the catabolism of [U-14C]sucrose to 14CO2. Anaplerotic carbon flux was assessed by labeling with NaH14CO3. The data showed that these metabolic fluxes displayed distinct patterns over culture time. However, phosphate depletion had relatively little impact on the various fluxes. Sucrose uptake was higher during the first six days of culture, followed by a decline, which was steeper in Pi-sufficient cells. Anaplerotic pathway flux was more important at day three and decreased thereafter. In contrast, the flux between sucrose and CO2 was at a maximum in the mid-log phase of the culture, with a peak at Day 6. Metabolization of [U-14C]sucrose into neutral, basic and acidic fractions was also unaffected by phosphate nutrition. Hence, the well-documented changes in central metabolism enzymes activities in response to Pi deficiency do not drastically modify metabolic fluxes, but rather result in the maintenance of the carbon fluxes that support respiration.
Integration of Omics Data and Network Models to Unveil Negative Aspects of SARS-CoV-2, from Pathogenic Mechanisms to Drug Repurposing
Authors: Bernardo Letizia , Lomagno Andrea , Mauri Pietro Luigi , Di Silvestre Dario
Published: September 2023

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused the COVID-19 health emergency, affecting and killing millions of people worldwide. Following SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 patients show a spectrum of symptoms ranging from asymptomatic to very severe manifestations. In particular, bronchial and pulmonary cells, involved at the initial stage, trigger a hyper-inflammation phase, damaging a wide range of organs, including the heart, brain, liver, intestine and kidney. Due to the urgent need for solutions to limit the virus’ spread, most efforts were initially devoted to mapping outbreak trajectories and variant emergence, as well as to the rapid search for effective therapeutic strategies. Samples collected from hospitalized or dead COVID-19 patients from the early stages of pandemic have been analyzed over time, and to date they still represent an invaluable source of information to shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the organ/tissue damage, the knowledge of which could offer new opportunities for diagnostics and therapeutic designs. For these purposes, in combination with clinical data, omics profiles and network models play a key role providing a holistic view of the pathways, processes and functions most affected by viral infection. In fact, in addition to epidemiological purposes, networks are being increasingly adopted for the integration of multiomics data, and recently their use has expanded to the identification of drug targets or the repositioning of existing drugs. These topics will be covered here by exploring the landscape of SARS-CoV-2 survey-based studies using systems biology approaches derived from omics data, paying particular attention to those that have considered samples of human origin.
Recent Progress in Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism Biosensors
Authors: Wu Kaimin , Kong Feizhi , Zhang Jingjing , Tang Ying , Chen Yao , Chao Long , Nie Libo , Huang Zhao
Published: September 2023

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), the most common form of genetic variation in the human genome, are the main cause of individual differences. Furthermore, such attractive genetic markers are emerging as important hallmarks in clinical diagnosis and treatment. A variety of destructive abnormalities, such as malignancy, cardiovascular disease, inherited metabolic disease, and autoimmune disease, are associated with single-nucleotide variants. Therefore, identification of SNPs is necessary for better understanding of the gene function and health of an individual. SNP detection with simple preparation and operational procedures, high affinity and specificity, and cost-effectiveness have been the key challenge for years. Although biosensing methods offer high specificity and sensitivity, as well, they suffer drawbacks, such as complicated designs, complicated optimization procedures, and the use of complicated chemistry designs and expensive reagents, as well as toxic chemical compounds, for signal detection and amplifications. This review aims to provide an overview on improvements for SNP biosensing based on fluorescent and electrochemical methods. Very recently, novel designs in each category have been presented in detail. Furthermore, detection limitations, advantages and disadvantages, and challenges have also been presented for each type.
Simultaneous Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleoprotein and Receptor Binding Domain by a Multi-Area Reflectance Spectroscopy Sensor
Authors: Tsounidi Dimitra , Angelopoulou Michailia , Petrou Panagiota , Raptis Ioannis , Kakabakos Sotirios
Published: September 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the urgent need for point-of-care methods suitable for the rapid and reliable diagnosis of viral infections. To address this demand, we report the rapid, label-free simultaneous determination of two SARS-CoV-2 proteins, namely, the nucleoprotein and the receptor binding domain peptide of S1 protein, by implementing a bioanalytical device based on Multi Area Reflectance Spectroscopy. Simultaneous detection of these two proteins is achieved by using silicon chips with adjacent areas of different silicon dioxide thickness on top, each of which is modified with an antibody specific to either the nucleoprotein or the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2. Both areas were illuminated by a single probe that also collected the reflected light, directing it to a spectrometer. The online conversion of the combined reflection spectra from the two silicon dioxide areas into the respective adlayer thickness enabled real-time monitoring of immunoreactions taking place on the two areas. Several antibodies have been tested to define the pair, providing the higher specific signal following a non-competitive immunoassay format. Biotinylated secondary antibodies and streptavidin were used to enhance the specific signal. Both proteins were detected in less than 12 min, with detection limits of 1.0 ng/mL. The assays demonstrated high repeatability with intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation lower than 10%. Moreover, the recovery of both proteins from spiked samples prepared in extraction buffer from a commercial self-test kit for SARS-CoV-2 collection from nasopharyngeal swabs ranged from 90.0 to 110%. The short assay duration in combination with the excellent analytical performance and the compact instrument size render the proposed device and assay suitable for point-of-care applications.
Electrochemical Biosensors for the Detection of Antibiotics in Milk: Recent Trends and Future Perspectives
Authors: Singh Baljit , Bhat Abhijnan , Dutta Lesa , Pati Kumari Riya , Korpan Yaroslav , Dahiya Isha
Published: September 2023

Antibiotics have emerged as ground-breaking medications for the treatment of infectious diseases, but due to the excessive use of antibiotics, some drugs have developed resistance to microorganisms. Because of their structural complexity, most antibiotics are excreted unchanged, polluting the water, soil, and natural resources. Additionally, food items are being polluted through the widespread use of antibiotics in animal feed. The normal concentrations of antibiotics in environmental samples typically vary from ng to g/L. Antibiotic residues in excess of these values can pose major risks the development of illnesses and infections/diseases. According to estimates, 300 million people will die prematurely in the next three decades (by 2050), and the WHO has proclaimed “antibiotic resistance” to be a severe economic and sociological hazard to public health. Several antibiotics have been recognised as possible environmental pollutants (EMA) and their detection in various matrices such as food, milk, and environmental samples is being investigated. Currently, chromatographic techniques coupled with different detectors (e.g., HPLC, LC-MS) are typically used for antibiotic analysis. Other screening methods include optical methods, ELISA, electrophoresis, biosensors, etc. To minimise the problems associated with antibiotics (i.e., the development of AMR) and the currently available analytical methods, electrochemical platforms have been investigated, and can provide a cost-effective, rapid and portable alternative. Despite the significant progress in this field, further developments are necessary to advance electrochemical sensors, e.g., through the use of multi-functional nanomaterials and advanced (bio)materials to ensure efficient detection, sensitivity, portability, and reliability. This review summarises the use of electrochemical biosensors for the detection of antibiotics in milk/milk products and presents a brief introduction to antibiotics and AMR followed by developments in the field of electrochemical biosensors based on (i) immunosensor, (ii) aptamer (iii) MIP, (iv) enzyme, (v) whole-cell and (vi) direct electrochemical approaches. The role of nanomaterials and sensor fabrication is discussed wherever necessary. Finally, the review discusses the challenges encountered and future perspectives. This review can serve as an insightful source of information, enhancing the awareness of the role of electrochemical biosensors in providing information for the preservation of the health of the public, of animals, and of our environment, globally.
The Effect of Social Network Use on Chinese College Students’ Conspicuous Consumption: A Moderated Mediation Model
Authors: Xu Lei , Lu Zhaoxizi , Wang Lingyun , Chen Jiwen , Tian Lan , Cai Shuangshuang , Peng Shun
Published: September 2023

This study explored the effects of social networking site use intensity, upward social comparison, and optimism on college students’ conspicuous consumption and their mechanisms of action using a sample of Chinese college students. A total of 717 Chinese college students (M = 20.08, SD = 1.44; 73.9% female) completed the Social Network Use Intensity Scale, the Upward Social Comparison Scale, the Life Orientation Test, and the Conspicuous Consumption Scale. The results indicate that (1) the intensity of use of social networking sites significantly positively predicts the conspicuous consumption behavior of college students; (2) upward social comparison plays a mediating role between the intensity of social networking site usage and conspicuous consumption; and (3) optimism moderates the second half of the mediating path between the intensity of social networking site use, upward social comparison, and conspicuous consumption. Specifically, the relationship between upward social comparison and conspicuous consumption among college students with low optimism levels is stronger than that among college students with high levels of optimism. Intensity has a stronger positive effect on conspicuous consumption through upward social comparison. It is concluded that the intensity of college students’ use of social networking sites can affect their conspicuous consumption behavior through upward social comparison, and this relationship is moderated by optimism. The results of the study help to reveal the influence of SNS (social networking site) use behavior on conspicuous consumption and its mechanism of action and have implications for reducing the negative impact of conspicuous consumption on college students.
A Preliminary Study Was Conducted on the Compressive Strength and Flow Performance of Environmentally Friendly UHPC-SCA
Authors: Wang Shuwei , Zhang Min , Shi Yaoyang , Chen Lixin , Zhou Yingming
Published: September 2023

This research paper explores using marine shells as coarse aggregates in producing seawater sea sand UHPC-CA. The study examined factors such as coarse aggregates (granite, oyster shell, and cone shell), fine aggregates (sea sand and river sand), fiber types, and content. The research findings indicate that different coarse aggregates and fibers influence the flow performance of UHPC-SCA. The study identified the cone shell as the best coarse shell aggregate and 1.5% steel fiber as the optimal fiber and inclusion amount. The compressive strength of this combination reached 106 MPa, which is comparable to the granite stone UHPC-CA of the same particle size.
Reflections from the 2019 Durrës Earthquakes: An Earthquake Engineering Evaluation for Masonry Typologies
Authors: Bilgin Hüseyin , Leti Marsed , Shehu Rafael , Özmen Hayri Baytan , Deringol Ahmet Hilmi , Ormeni Rrapo
Published: September 2023

Two earthquakes struck the NW region of Albanian territory on 21 September 2019 (Mw = 5.6) and on 26 November 2019 (Mw = 6.4). The epicenters of the seismic activity were located offshore NW Durrës, one of Albania’s most populated cities, located 30 km from the capital Tirana. Various aftershocks followed subsequently. While there were no reported injuries, a number of buildings sustained significant damage near the epicenter following the initial event. Subsequently, during the second event, there was loss of life and extensive damage to civilian structures, resulting in multiple collapses. This study focuses on the earthquake damages observed in residential and public buildings in the earthquake-affected region. The earthquakes predominantly affected low-rise masonry buildings, while the newly constructed RC structures built according to the latest seismic rules were almost unaffected. The commonly encountered building typologies in the region, together with photos showing the amount of destruction are presented here. As observed by the authors during the reconnaissance visit to the stricken area, examples of various damage patterns are presented, along with a technically substantiated description of the reasons for those damages. Although modern buildings during recent earthquakes in the region show acceptable performance, the detailed surveys from the Durrës Earthquakes showed that there is still an important level of deficiency in current masonry buildings built by conventional methods and materials. This problem may reoccur in future earthquakes that may hit other rural regions of Albania, which must be focused on systematically in the near future.
Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Digital Collaboration in Delivering a Mixed-Use Housing Development Project: A Case Study in Australia
Authors: Gu Ning , Soltani Sahar , London Kerry , Pablo Zelinna , Davis Aaron
Published: September 2023

The paper presents an analysis of collaborative processes in delivering mixed-use housing developments, with a focus on the adoption and roles of digital collaboration to address complex challenges. Extending the collaborative practice (CP) model, the research utilises a qualitative approach and an instrumental case study involving nine semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders from an award-winning mixed-use housing development in Australia. The study identifies key collaboration elements, such as early project establishment, a well-defined brief, and an adaptive integrated digital plan relevant to the interdisciplinary team. The scarcity of successful “extreme” mixed-use cases globally highlights the need for a core conceptual model for collaboration in complex housing developments, focused on digital collaboration, to support future projects in the sector. The research emphasises social innovation in mixed-use housing developments and highlights the importance of effective digital collaboration for addressing environmental, economic, and social sustainability needs. Contributions to the field extend both theoretical and empirical aspects of the CP model, critically exploring the potential of digital collaboration in mixed-use housing projects. The findings reveal critical elements for establishing a digital collaboration plan, leveraging technology to enhance stakeholder experiences and project delivery. The research is especially relevant in the post-COVID era, where digital collaboration gains significance for the industry.
Study on the Force Model of Squeezed Branch Piles Based on Surface Potential Characteristics
Authors: Zhang Siqing , Liu Xiaofei , Zhang Huajie , Piao Chunde , Niu Yue
Published: September 2023

Squeezed branch piles, which boast the advantages of great bearing capacity, small settlement, and good stability, are an important infrastructure in the foundation of buildings, and their safety state is related to the safety of the entire structure. As a non-destructive testing method, surface potential can be used to effectively evaluate the damaged state of a pile foundation without destroying its stability. On this basis, in this study, the characteristics of surface potential change during settlement and deformation of squeezed branch piles under graded loading were tested and analyzed with the aid of a self-made loading system of reaction beams and an LB-IV multi-channel potential data acquisition system. The results show that: Under graded loading, squeezed branch piles can produce surface potential signals whose intensity can well reflect the settlement and local failure characteristics of the pile foundation; The potential signals change in advance of load; and they fluctuate violently before local fracturing of squeezed branch piles. The unstable fluctuation of the potential signal can be regarded as a precursor to the fracturing of squeezed branch piles. The research results have positive theoretical significance and important application value for assessing the stability of both branch piles and their stress states on site and monitoring and forecasting the disaster of pile foundation instability.
Metabolic Reprogramming by Ribitol Expands the Therapeutic Window of BETi JQ1 against Breast Cancer
Authors: Doddapaneni Ravi , Tucker Jason D. , Lu Pei J. , Lu Qi L.
Published: September 2023

Many cancer patients still lack effective treatments, and pre-existing or acquired resistance limits the clinical benefit of even the most advanced medicines. Recently, much attention has been given to the role of metabolism in cancer, expanding from the Warburg effect to highlight unique patterns that, in turn, may improve diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Our recent metabolomics study revealed that ribitol can alter glycolysis in breast cancer cells. In the current study, we investigate the combinatorial effects of ribitol with several other anticancer drugs (chrysin, lonidamine, GSK2837808A, CB-839, JQ1, and shikonin) in various breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, and T-47D). The combination of ribitol with JQ1 synergistically inhibited the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells cell-type dependently, only observed in the triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. This synergy is associated with the differential effects of the 2 compounds on expression of the genes involved in cell survival and death, specifically downregulation in c-Myc and other anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Mcl-1), but upregulation in p53 and cytochrome C levels. Glycolysis is differentially altered, with significant downregulation of glucose-6-phosphate and lactate by ribitol and JQ1, respectively. The overall effect of the combined treatment on metabolism and apoptosis-related genes results in significant synergy in the inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis. Given the fact that ribitol is a metabolite with limited side effects, a combined therapy is highly desirable with relative ease to apply in the clinic for treating an appropriate cancer population. Our results also emphasize that, similar to traditional drug development, the therapeutic potential of targeting metabolism for cancer treatment may only be achieved in combination with other drugs and requires the identification of a specific cancer population. The desire to apply metabolomic intervention to a large scope of cancer types may be one of the reasons identification of this class of drugs in a clinical trial setting has been delayed.
Effectiveness and Safety of Palbociclib Plus Endocrine Therapy in Patients with Advanced Breast Cancer: A Multi-Center Study in China
Authors: Wu Xinyu , Jin Nan , Gao Hongfei , Yan Min , Chen Qianjun , Sun Tao , Hao Chunfang , Zhao Yanxia , Han Xinhua , Pan Yueyin , Huang Xiang , Li Wei , Wang Kun , Yin Yongmei
Published: September 2023

Background: Palbociclib has been approved for marketing in China. However, its effectiveness, safety, and latent variables in the Chinese population require further investigation. Methods: Information was retrieved from 397 patients with metastatic breast cancer (mBC) who received at least two cycles of palbociclib plus endocrine therapy (PAL plus ET) at eight clinical sites in China. The patients’ demographic characteristics, treatment patterns, and adverse events (AEs) were analyzed. Results: The objective response rate (ORR) and clinical benefit rate (CBR) for PAL plus ET were 28.97% and 66.25%, respectively. The median PFS was 14.2 months in the whole population. In addition to protein Ki-67 status and sensitivity to ETs, no liver metastases, fewer metastatic sites, an earlier line of therapy, and treatment combined with AI instead of FUL were also considered as independent prognostic factors for PAL treatment. Administration of PAL was generally well tolerated in patients with hormone-receptor-positive and human-epidermal-growth-factor-receptor-2-negative (HR+/HER2−) advanced breast cancer (ABC). The therapy was safe in the elderly population, which is consistent with the outcomes of the whole population and previous reports. Conclusions: In this most widely distributed study in China to date, palbociclib combined with ET proved its effectiveness for HR+/HER2− ABC treatment, and adverse events were manageable. Here, we identified some independent prognosis factors, but the mechanism by which these factors influence effectiveness requires further verification.