bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rolling Bearing Weak Fault Feature Extraction under Variable Speed Conditions via Joint Sparsity and Low-Rankness in the Cyclic Order-Frequency Domain
Authors: Wang Ran , Zhang Chenyu , Yu Liang , Fang Haitao , Hu Xiong
Published: February 2022

Rolling bearings are critical to the normal operation of mechanical systems, which often undergo time-varying working conditions. When the local defects appear on a rolling bearing, the transient impulses will generate and be covered by the strong background noise. Therefore, extracting the rolling bearing weak fault feature with time-varying speed is critical to mechanical system diagnosis. A weak fault feature extraction strategy of rolling bearing under time-varying working conditions is proposed. Firstly, the order-frequency spectral correlation (OFSC) is computed for transferring the measured signal into a higher dimensional space. Then, the joint sparsity and low-rankness constraint is imposed on OFSC to detect the time-varying faulty characteristics. An algorithm in the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) framework is derived. Finally, the enhanced envelope order spectrum (EEOS) is applied to further detect the defective features, which can make the fault features more obvious. The feasibility of the proposed method is confirmed by simulations and an experimental case.
Flow Characteristics and Loss Models of the Transonic Radial Turbine
Authors: Zhu Cheng , Zhuge Weilin , Zhang Yangjun
Published: February 2022

A hydrogen turbo hybrid power system has the significant advantages of zero carbon emissions, high efficiency and high reliability. The need to increase the power density of hydrogen turbo hybrid power systems and improve the adaptability of turbines over a wide range of expansion ratios has encouraged the study of transonic turbines. This paper is aimed at analyzing the flow characteristics and developing the loss models of a transonic turbine. The main losses for a subsonic radial turbine are usually divided into four parts: incidence loss, passage loss, tip clearance loss and trailing edge loss. Nevertheless, when the expansion ratio of a turbine is greater than about 2.6, the turbine will choke and work in transonic conditions. A shock wave will occur at the trailing edge, which will cause a lot of losses. The loss caused by the shock wave at the trailing edge is ignored by previous loss models. This paper develops a shock wave-induced loss model to predict the performance in transonic conditions more accurately. With the developed shock wave-induced loss model, the predicted efficiency deviation in transonic conditions decreases from 10% to 3.5% maximally.
Complexity Modeling of Steel-Laser-Hardened Surface Microstructures
Authors: Babič Matej , Marinkovic Dragan , Bonfanti Marco , Calì Michele
Published: February 2022

Nowadays, laser hardening is a consolidated process in many industrial sectors. One of the most interesting aspects to be considered when treating the surface-hardening process in steel materials by means of laser devices is undoubtedly the evaluation of the heat treatment quality and surface finish. In the present study, an innovative method based on fractal geometry was proposed to evaluate the quality of surface-steel-laser-hardened treatment. A suitable genetic programming study of SEM images (1280 × 950 pixels) was developed in order to predict the effect of the main laser process parameters on the microstructural geometry, assuming the microstructure of laser-hardened steel to be of a structurally complex geometrical nature. Specimens hardened by anthropomorphic laser robots were studied to determine an accurate measure of the process parameters investigated (surface temperature, laser beam velocity, laser beam impact angle). In the range of variation studied for these parameters, the genetic programming model obtained was in line with the complexity index calculated following the fractal theory. In particular, a percentage error less than 1% was calculated. Finally, a preliminary study of the surface roughness was carried out, resulting in its strong correlation with complex surface microstructures. Three-dimensional voxel maps that reproduce the surface roughness were developed by automating a routine in Python virtual environment.
Management of Class III Extraction with the Miniscrew-Supported Orthodontic Pseudo-Ankylosis (MSOPA) Using Direct Tads
Authors: Arveda Niki , De Felice Maria Elena , Derton Nicola , Lombardo Luca , Gatto Roberto , Caruso Silvia
Published: February 2022

The aim of the present study is to represent the orthodontic treatment of a young patient with a skeletal Class III malocclusion(Wits Appraisal −9 mm), in which the extractions of the first lower premolars were performed to obtain a class III camouflage using direct temporary anchorage devices (TADs). The patient reported a history of three years of orthodontic treatment at another clinic and the radiographic evaluation revealed an important impairment of the upper root incisors. A treatment was performed with a fixed appliance in the upper and lower arches using an archwire sequence of 0.16 CuNiTi, 19 × 25 CuNiTi, 19 × 25 SS and was carried out in 18 months. Post-treatment records of our patient show a control of facial esthetics from the frontal and lateral perspectives, with a harmonious soft-tissue profile. A Class I canine was achieved and her overbite and overjet were normalized by retracting the mandibular anterior teeth and carrying out a bodily mesialization of the posterior sector into the extraction space. In conclusion, the “pseudoankylosis system” used in this case allowed the desired result to be achieved with minimal change to the lower incisal inclination and without overloading the anterior upper and lower sectors, thus reducing the risk of further root resorption and patient compliance.
Impact of the Speed of Airflow in a Cleanroom on the Degree of Air Pollution
Authors: Mičko Pavol , Hečko Dávid , Kapjor Andrej , Nosek Radovan , Kolková Zuzana , Hrabovský Peter , Kantová Nikola Čajová
Published: February 2022

The high-energy requirements of cleanrooms are the main motivation for optimizing their operational conditions. The ventilation system consumes the most energy in order to ensure the precise air conditioning of the room (filtration, temperature, and humidity adjustment). The main function of the ventilation system is to keep particle concentration to a minimum. This work deals with the optimization of an experimental operating room via the optimization of air supply through the distribution element (laminar airflow ceiling) in the range of 0.15–0.25 m·s−1. The laminar airflow between the distribution element and the patient is influenced by the operating light and different airflow velocities. These factors affect changes in particle concentration. Ansys Fluent software was used to investigate the nature of the flow, velocity profiles, and particle trajectories. The results of our numerical simulation demonstrate that a suitable flow rate setting increases the efficiency of particle reduction in the operating table area by up to 54%, which can, in turn, reduce operating costs. The simulated air velocity profile was subsequently verified using the particle image velocimetry (PIV) method. The typical size of particles monitored for in cleanrooms is 0.5 μm according to ISO EN 7. Therefore, the results of this study should be helpful in correctly designing distribution elements for clean rooms.
Emotions and Colors in a Design Archiving System: Applying AI Technology for Museums
Authors: Kim Hye Jung , Lee Hyun-Kyung
Published: February 2022

This study proposes a new museum archiving system that uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology. It suggests a new retrieval interface to extract emotional characteristics of the design work to enrich the archiving database. A virtual curation was organized to showcase the proposed archiving system. We focused on finding emotional signals with advanced technology because humans build trust and connect with each other through emotional cues. There are numerous characteristics of a single work of art, but we focused on the emotions that viewers can feel when they appreciate the art and share a connection with the artists who made the work. The research was focused on design works, and the metadata were designed to extract three dominant colors and match them with emotional adjectives to enrich the data on the paintings. The purpose of this study was to provide information for new techniques of color utilization that encapsulate emotional adjectives. Through this research, we developed an image retrieval system based on metadata and transformed intangible emotions of design work into data. With the emotion archiving system, we organized virtual curation, adding a Korean design history collection with emotional words.
Effect of Topography Truncation on Experimental Simulation of Flow over Complex Terrain
Authors: Wang Zhen , Zou Yunfeng , Yue Peng , He Xuhui , Liu Lulu , Luo Xiaoyu
Published: February 2022

Wind tunnel tests are a commonly used method for studying wind characteristics of complex terrain; but truncation of the terrain model is usually unavoidable and affects the accuracy of the test results. For this reason, the effects of truncated and original terrain models on the simulation of wind characteristics for complex terrain were investigated by considering both nontruncated and truncated models, with the truncated model considering the applicability of two types of transition sections. The results show that the effect of topographic truncation on profiles of mean velocity and turbulence intensity is different for regions and that inclination angle profiles are extremely sensitive to the changing topographic features upwind. In those cases, the spectra of streamwise velocity were overestimated in the low-frequency range but underestimated in the high-frequency range due to topographic truncation. At the same time, the less negative value of the slope of the spectra was found at the inertial subrange. Furthermore, the normalized bandwidth was also influenced by topographic truncation, which was narrowed in windward and leeward regions and broadened in the valley region. We should note that the performance of the transition sections used in this study was quite limited and even resulted in inaccuracies in the simulation.
Boundaries of Oscillatory Motion in Structures with Nonviscous Dampers
Authors: Lázaro Mario , García-Raffi Luis M.
Published: February 2022

In this paper, a new methodology for the determination of the boundaries between oscillatory and non-oscillatory motion for nonviscously damped nonproportional systems is proposed. It is assumed that the damping forces are expressed as convolution integrals of the velocities via hereditary exponential kernels. Oscillatory motion is directly related to the complex nature of eigensolutions in a frequency domain and, in turn, on the value of the damping parameters. New theoretical results are derived on critical eigenmodes for viscoelastic systems with multiple degrees of freedom, with no restrictions on the number of hereditary kernels. Furthermore, these outcomes enable the construction of a numerical approach to draw the critical curves as solutions of certain parameter-dependent eigenvalue problems. The method is illustrated and validated through two numerical examples, covering discrete and continuous systems.
RNA-Seq Analysis on the Microbiota Associated with the White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in Different Stages of Development
Authors: Valle-Gough Raúl Enrique , Samaniego-Gámez Blancka Yesenia , Apodaca-Hernández Javier Eduardo , Chiappa-Carrara Francisco Xavier , Rodríguez-Dorantes Mauricio , Arena-Ortiz María Leticia
Published: February 2022

White leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) is a widely cultured species along the Pacific coast and is one of the most important crustaceans in world aquaculture. The microbiome composition of L. vannamei has been previously studied in different developmental stages, but there is limited information regarding the functional role of the microbiome during the development of L. vannamei. In this study the metatranscriptome in different developmental stages of L. vannamei (larvae, juvenile and adult) were generated using next generation sequencing techniques. The bacterial phyla found throughout all the stages of development belonged to the Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, these bacterial phyla are present in the digestive tract and are capable of producing several hydrolytic enzymes, which agrees with high representation of the primary metabolism and energy production, in both host and the microbiome. In this sense, functional changes were observed as the development progressed, in both host and the microbiome, in stages of larvae the most represented metabolic functions were associated with biomass production; while in juvenile and adult stages a higher proportion of metabolic functions associated to biotic and abiotic stress in L. vannamei and the microbiome were shown. This study provides evidence of the interaction of the microbiome with L. vannamei, and how the stage of development and the culture conditions of this species influences the gene expression and the microbiome composition, which suggests a complex metabolic network present throughout the life cycle of L. vannamei.
Longitudinal Mode System Identification of an Insect-like Tailless Flapping-Wing Micro Air Vehicle Using Onboard Sensors
Authors: Aurecianus Steven , Ha Gi-Heon , Park Hoon-Cheol , Kang Tae-Sam
Published: February 2022

In this paper, model parameter identification results are presented for a longitudinal mode dynamic model of an insect-like tailless flapping-wing micro air vehicle (FWMAV) using angle and angular rate data from onboard sensors only. A gray box model approach with indirect method was utilized with adaptive Gauss–Newton, Levenberg–Marquardt, and gradient search identification methods. Regular and low-frequency reference commands were mainly used for identification since they gave higher fit percentages than irregular and high-frequency reference commands. Dynamic parameters obtained using three identification methods with two different datasets were similar to each other, indicating that the obtained dynamic model was sufficiently reliable. Most of the identified dynamic model parameters had similar values to the computationally obtained ones, except stability derivatives for pitching moment with forward velocity and pitching rate variations. Differences were mainly due to certain neglected body, nonlinear dynamics, and the shift of the center of gravity. Fit percentage of the identified dynamic model (~49%) was more than two-fold higher than that of the computationally obtained one (~22%). Frequency domain analysis showed that the identified model was much different from that of the computationally obtained one in the frequency range of 0.3 rad/s to 5 rad/s, which affected transient responses. Both dynamic models showed that the phase margin was very low, and that it should be increased by a feedback controller to have a robustly stable system. The stable dominant pole of the identified model had a higher magnitude which resulted in faster responses. The identified dynamic model exhibited much closer responses to experimental flight data in pitching motion than the computationally obtained dynamic model, demonstrating that the identified dynamic model could be used for the design of more effective pitch angle-stabilizing controllers.
Identification of Geriatric Depression and Anxiety Using Activity Tracking Data and Minimal Geriatric Assessment Scales
Authors: Lee Tae-Rim , Kim Geon-Ha , Choi Mun-Taek
Published: February 2022

The identification of geriatric depression and anxiety is important because such conditions are the most common comorbid mood problems that occur in older adults. The goal of this study was to build a machine learning framework that identifies geriatric mood disorders of depression and anxiety using low-cost activity trackers and minimal geriatric assessment scales. We collected activity tracking data from 352 mild cognitive impairment patients, from 60 to 90 in age, by having them wear activity trackers on their wrist for more than a month. We then extracted the features of 24-h activity rhythms and sleep patterns from the time-series activity tracking data. To increase the accuracy, we designed a novel method to incorporate additional features from questionnaire-based assessments of the geriatric depression scale and geriatric anxiety inventory into the activity tracking features. In the multi-label classification, we applied the binary relevance method to develop two single-label classifiers for depression and anxiety. The best hyper-parameters of classification algorithms for each label were selected by comparing the classification performance. We finally selected the combination of classifiers for depression and anxiety with the lowest Hamming loss as a multi-label classifier. This study successfully demonstrated the possibility of identifying geriatric depression and anxiety using low-cost activity trackers and minimal geriatric assessment scales for use in the real fields.
Video Super Resolution Using a Selective Edge Aggregation Network
Authors: Kang Samuel , Seo Young-Min , Choi Yong-Suk
Published: February 2022

An edge map is a feature map representing the contours of the object in the image. There was a Single Image Super Resolution (SISR) method using the edge map, which achieved a notable SSIM performance improvement. Unlike SISR, Video Super Resolution (VSR) uses video, which consists of consecutive images with temporal features. Therefore, some VSR models adopted motion estimation and motion compensation to apply spatio-temporal feature maps. Unlike the models above, we tried a different method by adding edge structure information and its related post-processing to the existing model. Our model “Video Super Resolution Using a Selective Edge Aggregation Network (SEAN)” consists of a total of two stages. First, the model selectively generates an edge map using the target frame and also the neighboring frame. At this stage, we adopt the magnitude loss function so that the output of SEAN more clearly learns the contours of each object. Second, the final output is generated using the refinement (post-processing) module. SEAN shows more distinct object contours and better color correction compared to other existing models.
Discrimination of Poor Electrode Junctions within Lithium-Ion Batteries by Ultrasonic Measurement and Deep Learning
Authors: Hwang Young-In , Park Jinhyun , Munir Nauman , Kim Hak-Joon , Song Sung-Jin , Kim Ki-Bok
Published: February 2022

Lithium-ion batteries, which have high energy density, are the most suitable batteries for use in high-tech electromechanical applications requiring high performance. Because one of the important components that determines the efficiency of lithium-ion batteries is the electrode, the manufacturing process for this junction plays an important role in the entire production process. In particular, the process related to the resistance spot welding of the electrode is very important, directly affecting the safety of users, and greatly affecting the performance of the batteries. However, because the electrode tab is spot-welded onto the inner surface of the case, it is impossible to verify with visual testing (using the naked eye) whether the junction is well bonded. Therefore, it is very important to perform quality evaluation of the resistance welding of electrodes after completing the manufacturing process, using non-destructive testing methods. In this paper, a non-destructive ultrasonic testing technique was applied to examine the quality of lithium-ion batteries in which the negative electrode tabs were welded to the inner surface of the cell cans. The status of resistance spot welding between the electrode and the can was verified using deep-learning techniques with the experimentally acquired ultrasonic signal database.
Distensibility of Deformable Aortic Replicas Assessed by an Integrated In-Vitro and In-Silico Approach
Authors: Di Micco Luigi , Comunale Giulia , Bonvini Stefano , Peruzzo Paolo , Susin Francesca Maria
Published: February 2022

The correct estimation of the distensibility of deformable aorta replicas is a challenging issue, in particular when its local characterization is necessary. We propose a combined in-vitro and in-silico approach to face this problem. First, we tested an aortic silicone arch in a pulse-duplicator analyzing its dynamics under physiological working conditions. The aortic flow rate and pressure were measured by a flow meter at the inlet and two probes placed along the arch, respectively. Video imaging analysis allowed us to estimate the outer diameter of the aorta in some sections in time. Second, we replicated the in-vitro experiment through a Fluid-Structure Interaction simulation. Observed and computed values of pressures and variations in aorta diameters, during the cardiac cycle, were compared. Results were considered satisfactory enough to suggest that the estimation of local distensibility from in-silico tests is reliable, thus overcoming intrinsic experimental limitations. The aortic distensibility (AD) is found to vary significantly along the phantom by ranging from 3.0 × 10−3 mmHg−1 in the ascending and descending tracts to 4.2 × 10−3 mmHg−1 in the middle of the aortic arch. Interestingly, the above values underestimate the AD obtained in preliminary tests carried out on straight cylindrical samples made with the same material of the present phantom. Hence, the current results suggest that AD should be directly evaluated on the replica rather than on the samples of the adopted material. Moreover, tests should be suitably designed to estimate the local rather than only the global distensibility.
Response Surface Optimization of Biophotocatalytic Degradation of Industrial Wastewater for Bioenergy Recovery
Authors: Tetteh Emmanuel Kweinor , Rathilal Sudesh
Published: February 2022

The continuous combustion of fossil fuels and industrial wastewater pollution undermines global environmental and socio-economic sustainability. Addressing this necessitates a techno-scientific revolution to recover the renewable energy potential of wastewater towards a circular economy. Herein, a developed biophotocatalytic (BP) system was examined with an engineered Fe-TiO2 to ascertain its degradability efficiency and biogas production from industrial wastewater. The response surface methodology (RSM) based on a modified Box-Behnken designed experiment was used to optimize and maximize the BP system’s desirability. The parameters investigated included catalyst dosage of 2–6 g and hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 1–31 d at a constant temperature of 37.5 °C and organic loading rate of 2.38 kgCOD/Ld. The modified RSM-BBD predicted 100% desirability at an optimal catalyst load of 4 g and HRT of 21 d. This represented 267 mL/d of biogas and >98% COD, color, and turbidity removal. The experimental validity was in good agreement with the model predicted results at a high regression (R2 > 0.98) and 95% confidence level. This finding provides an insight into RSM modeling and optimization with the potential of integrating the BP system into wastewater settings for the treatment of industrial wastewater and biogas production.
Mimicking CA3 Temporal Dynamics Controls Limbic Ictogenesis
Authors: Caron Davide , Canal-Alonso Ángel , Panuccio Gabriella
Published: February 2022

Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) is the most common partial complex epilepsy in adults and the most unresponsive to medications. Electrical deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the hippocampus has proved effective in controlling seizures in epileptic rodents and in drug-refractory MTLE patients. However, current DBS paradigms implement arbitrary fixed-frequency or patterned stimuli, disregarding the temporal profile of brain electrical activity. The latter, herein included hippocampal spontaneous firing, has been shown to follow lognormal temporal dynamics. Here, we present a novel paradigm to devise DBS protocols based on stimulation patterns fashioned as a surrogate brain signal. We focus on the interictal activity originating in the hippocampal subfield CA3, which has been shown to be anti-ictogenic. Using 4-aminopyridine-treated hippocampus-cortex slices coupled to microelectrode array, we pursue three specific aims: (1) address whether lognormal temporal dynamics can describe the CA3-driven interictal pattern, (2) explore the possibility of restoring the non-seizing state by mimicking the temporal dynamics of this anti-ictogenic pattern with electrical stimulation, and (3) compare the performance of the CA3-surrogate against periodic stimulation. We show that the CA3-driven interictal activity follows lognormal temporal dynamics. Further, electrical stimulation fashioned as a surrogate interictal pattern exhibits similar efficacy but uses less pulses than periodic stimulation. Our results support the possibility of mimicking the temporal dynamics of relevant brain signals as a straightforward DBS strategy to ameliorate drug-refractory epilepsy. Further, they herald a paradigm shift in neuromodulation, wherein a compromised brain signal can be recreated by the appropriate stimuli distribution to bypass trial-and-error studies and attain physiologically meaningful DBS operating modes.
Transcription Analysis for Core Networks of lncRNAs–mRNAs: Implication for Potential Role in Sterility of Crassostrea gigas
Authors: Wang Huihui , Yu Hong , Li Qi , Liu Shikai
Published: February 2022

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), a type of non-protein-coding transcript, is emerging as a crucial regulator of gene expression. However, few roles of lncRNA in the reproductive process of the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) have been defined, especially in the regulatory mechanism of sterile triploids gametogenesis. To uncover the potential role of lncRNA, the gonads of diploids, sterile triploids, and partially sterile triploids underwent RNA sequencing. A total of 9618 reliable lncRNAs were identified. The target relationship between lncRNA and mRNA was predicted based on cis, trans, and antisense regulation with bioinformatic software. We chose differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs when sterile triploids were compared to partially sterile triploids and diploids for subsequent functional enrichment analysis. Findings revealed that trans-regulatory lncRNAs might play a significant role in the gametogenesis of C. gigas. Combining pathway results, we constructed core networks of lncRNAs–mRNAs for triploid sterile females and hermaphrodites. Fifty-four genes related to cell division, germline-cell maintenance, and glycogen metabolism were found to be associated with sterility. A total of 28 candidate lncRNAs were predicted to trans-regulate these genes. We speculated that MSTRG.79882.3 and MSTRG.79882.4 for triploid sterile females and MSTRG.33704.1, MSTRG.63844.1, and MSTRG.5675.1 for hermaphrodites were highly important as they were predicted to regulate more sterility-specific genes than others. Our work collectively identified sterility-related lncRNAs and implicated the potential mechanism of lncRNA-mediated regulation in the gametogenesis of sterile triploid oysters.
S-15176 Difumarate Salt Can Impair Mitochondrial Function through Inhibition of the Respiratory Complex III and Permeabilization of the Inner Mitochondrial Membrane
Authors: Belosludtseva Natalia V. , Starinets Vlada S. , Semenova Alena A. , Igoshkina Anastasia D. , Dubinin Mikhail V. , Belosludtsev Konstantin N.
Published: February 2022

S-15176 difumarate salt, a derivative of the anti-ischemic metabolic drug trimetazidine, has been intensively studied for its impact on cellular metabolism in animal models of ischemia-reperfusion injury of the liver, heart, spinal cord, and other organs. Despite evidence of some reduction in oxidative damage to cells, the results of therapy with S-15176 have been mostly disappointing, possibly because of the lack of data on its underlying mechanisms. Here, we aimed to investigate in more detail the role of complexes I-IV of the electron transport chain and membrane permeability transition in mitochondrial toxicity associated with S-15176. Using rat thymocyte and liver mitochondria, we demonstrated that: (1) acute exposure to S-15176 (10 to 50 μM) dose-dependently decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential; (2) S-15176 suppressed the ADP-stimulated (State 3) and uncoupled (State 3UDNP) respiration of mitochondria energized with succinate or malate/glutamate, but not ascorbate/TMPD, and increased the resting respiration (State 4) when using all the substrate combinations; (3) S-15176 directly inhibited the activity of the respiratory complex III; (4) low doses of S-15176 diminished the rate of H2O2 production by mitochondria; (5) at concentrations of above 30 μM, S-15176 reduced calcium retention capacity and contributed to mitochondrial membrane permeabilization. Taken together, these findings suggest that S-15176 at tissue concentrations reached in animals can impair mitochondrial function through suppression of the cytochrome bc1 complex and an increase in the nonspecific membrane permeability.
Three-Dimensional Digital Image Analysis of Skeletal and Soft Tissue Points A and B after Orthodontic Treatment with Premolar Extraction in Bimaxillary Protrusive Patients
Authors: Lim You Na , Yang Byoung-Eun , Byun Soo-Hwan , Yi Sang-Min , On Sung-Woon , Park In-Young
Published: February 2022

Aim. To investigate the effect of changes in incisor tip, apex movement, and inclination on skeletal points A and B and characterize changes in skeletal points A and B to the soft tissue points A and B after incisor retraction in Angle Class I bimaxillary dentoalveolar protrusion. Methods. Twenty-two patients with Angle Class I bimaxillary dentoalveolar protrusion treated with four first premolar extractions were included in this study. The displacement of skeletal and soft tissue points A and B was measured using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) using a three-dimensional coordinate system. The movement of the upper and lower incisors was also measured using CBCT-synthesized lateral cephalograms. Results. Changes in the incisal tip, apex, and inclination after retraction did not significantly affect the position of points A and B in any direction (x, y, z). Linear regression analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between skeletal point A and soft tissue point A on the anteroposterior axis (z). Skeletal point A moved forward by 0.07 mm, and soft tissue point A moved forward by 0.38 mm, establishing a ratio of 0.18: 1 (r = 0.554, p < 0.01). Conclusion. The positional complexion of the skeletal points A and B was not directly influenced by changes in the incisor tip, apex, and inclination. Although the results suggest that soft tissue point A follows the anteroposterior position of skeletal point A, its clinical significance is suspected. Thus, hard and soft tissue analysis should be considered in treatment planning.
Sweet Immunity Aspects during Levan Oligosaccharide-Mediated Priming in Rocket against Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Versluys Maxime , Van den Ende Wim
Published: February 2022

New strategies are required for crop protection against biotic stress. Naturally derived molecules, including carbohydrates such as fructans, can be used in priming or defense stimulation. Rocket (Eruca sativa) is an important leafy vegetable and a good source of antioxidants. Here, we tested the efficacy of fructan-induced immunity in the Botrytis cinerea pathosystem. Different fructan types of plant and microbial origin were considered and changes in sugar dynamics were analyzed. Immune resistance increased significantly after priming with natural and sulfated levan oligosaccharides (LOS). No clear positive effects were observed for fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), inulin or branched-type fructans. Only sulfated LOS induced a direct ROS burst, typical for elicitors, while LOS behaved as a genuine priming compound. Total leaf sugar levels increased significantly both after LOS priming and subsequent infection. Intriguingly, apoplastic sugar levels temporarily increased after LOS priming but not after infection. We followed LOS and small soluble sugar dynamics in the apoplast as a function of time and found a temporal peak in small soluble sugar levels. Although similar dynamics were also found with inulin-type FOS, increased Glc and FOS levels may benefit B. cinerea. During LOS priming, LOS- and/or Glc-dependent signaling may induce downstream sweet immunity responses.
CCL5 Deficiency Enhanced Cryo–Thermal-Triggered Long-Term Anti-Tumor Immunity in 4T1 Murine Breast Cancer
Authors: Lou Yue , Jia Shengguo , Liu Ping , Xu Lisa X.
Published: February 2022

Breast cancer remains one of the most common solid tumors. Tumor immunosuppressive factors mainly hinder the control of tumors. We previously developed an innovative cryo–thermal therapy that was shown to significantly suppress distal metastasis and improve long-term survival in murine B16F10 melanoma and 4T1 mammary carcinoma models. However, the effect of cryo–thermal therapy on the 4T1 model was not excellent. CCL5 has been reported to help the progression of breast cancer, so in this study, CCL5−/− was used to explore the role of host-derived CCL5 after cryo–thermal therapy. CCL5−/− could not completely resist tumor development, but it significantly improved survival rates when combined with cryo–thermal therapy. Mechanically, CCL5−/− mildly decreases the percentage of MDSCs, increases DC maturation and macrophage’s inflammatory function at an early stage after tumor inoculation, and later up-regulate the level of Th1 and down-regulate the level of Tregs. When combined with cryo–thermal therapy, CCL5−/− dramatically down-regulated the proportion of MDSCs and induced full M1 macrophage polarization, which further promoted Th1 differentiation and the cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells. Our results indicated that CCL5−/− contributed to cryo–thermal-triggered, long-lasting anti-tumor memory immunity. The combination of cryo–thermal therapy and CCL5 blockades might extend the survival rates of patients with aggressive breast cancer.
Restorative Materials Exposed to Acid Challenge: Influence of Temperature on In Vitro Weight Loss
Authors: Beltrami Riccardo , Colombo Marco , Bitonti Gianpaolo , Chiesa Marco , Poggio Claudio , Pietrocola Giampiero
Published: February 2022

Consumption of acidic beverages and foods could provoke erosive damage, both for teeth and for restorative materials. Temperatures of consumption could influence the erosive effects of these products. The aim of this in vitro study is to assess the influence of an acidic challenge on the weight loss of different restorative materials. Resin composites and glass-ionomer cements (GIC) were tested. The medium of storage was Coca-Cola (Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Company, Milano, Italy) at two different temperatures, 4 and 37 °C, respectively for Group A and Group B. For each group, nine specimens were prepared for each material tested. After 7 days, weight was assessed for each sample, and the percentage weight loss was calculated. For all the resin composites (Groups 1–13), no significant weight losses were noticed. (<1%). Conversely, GICs (Groups 14 and 15) showed significant weight loss during the acidic challenge, which was reduced in the case of these materials that included a protective layer applied above. Significant differences were registered with intra-group analysis; weight loss for specimens immersed in Coca Cola at 37 °C was significantly higher for almost all materials tested when compared to specimens exposed to a cooler medium. In conclusion, all the resin composites showed reliable behaviour when exposed to acidic erosion, whereas glass-ionomer cements generally tended to solubilize.
Evaluation of Hydroxycarboxylic Acid Receptor 1 (HCAR1) as a Building Block for Genetically Encoded Extracellular Lactate Biosensors
Authors: Wellbourne-Wood Joel , Briquet Marc , Alessandri Maxime , Binda Francesca , Touya Maylis , Chatton Jean-Yves
Published: February 2022

The status of lactate has evolved from being considered a waste product of cellular metabolism to a useful metabolic substrate and, more recently, to a signaling molecule. The fluctuations of lactate levels within biological tissues, in particular in the interstitial space, are crucial to assess with high spatial and temporal resolution, and this is best achieved using cellular imaging approaches. In this study, we evaluated the suitability of the lactate receptor, hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 1 (HCAR1, formerly named GPR81), as a basis for the development of a genetically encoded fluorescent lactate biosensor. We used a biosensor strategy that was successfully applied to molecules such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, based on their respective G-protein-coupled receptors. In this study, a set of intensiometric sensors was constructed and expressed in living cells. They showed selective expression at the plasma membrane and responded to physiological concentrations of lactate. However, these sensors lost the original ability of HCAR1 to selectively respond to lactate versus other related small carboxylic acid molecules. Therefore, while representing a promising building block for a lactate biosensor, HCAR1 was found to be sensitive to perturbations of its structure, affecting its ability to distinguish between related carboxylic molecules.
Association of Gulf War Illness-Related Symptoms with Military Exposures among 1990–1991 Gulf War Veterans Evaluated at the War-Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC)
Authors: Ahmed Sarah T. , Steele Lea , Richardson Peter , Nadkarni Shree , Bandi Sandhya , Rowneki Mazhgan , Sims Kellie J. , Vahey Jacqueline , Gifford Elizabeth J. , Boyle Stephen H. , Nguyen Theresa H. , Nono Djotsa Alice , White Donna L. , Hauser Elizabeth R. , Chandler Helena , Yamal Jose-Miguel , Helmer Drew A.
Published: February 2022

Veterans with difficult-to-diagnose conditions who receive care in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system can be referred for evaluation at one of three specialty VA War-Related Illness and Injury Study Centers (WRIISC). Veterans of the 1990–1991 Gulf War have long experienced excess rates of chronic symptoms associated with the condition known as Gulf War Illness (GWI), with hundreds evaluated at the WRIISC. Here we provide the first report from a cohort of 608 Gulf War Veterans seen at the WRIISC who completed questionnaires on chronic symptoms (>6 months) consistent with GWI as well as prominent exposures during Gulf War deployment. These included veterans’ reports of hearing chemical alarms/donning Military-Ordered Protective Posture Level 4 (MOPP4) gear, pesticide use, and use of pyridostigmine bromide (PB) pills as prophylaxis against the effects of nerve agents. Overall, veterans in the cohort were highly symptomatic and reported a high degree of exposures. In multivariable models, these exposures were significantly associated with moderate-to-severe chronic symptoms in neurocognitive/mood, fatigue/sleep, and pain domains. Specifically, exposure to pesticides was associated with problems with concentration and memory, problems sleeping, unrefreshing sleep, and joint pain. Use of MOPP4 was associated with light sensitivity and unrefreshing sleep and use of PB was associated with depression. We also evaluated the association of exposures with symptom summary scores based on veterans’ severity of symptoms in four domains and overall. In multivariable modeling, the pain symptom severity score was significantly associated with pesticide use (Odds ratio (OR): 4.13, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.78–9.57) and taking PB pills (OR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.02–5.09), and overall symptom severity was significantly associated with use of PB pills (OR: 2.41, 95% CI: 1.01–5.75). Conclusion: Decades after deployment, Gulf War veterans referred to a VA tertiary evaluation center report a high burden of chronic symptoms, many of which were associated with reported neurotoxicant exposures during the war.
Study on Breaking Concrete Structures by Pulse Power Technology
Authors: Wang Xiaodong , Liu Pingjian , Sun Yixuan , Wang Wenqi
Published: February 2022

Using pulse power technology to break concrete structures can reduce environmental pollution, save energy, and increase safety and reliability. The whole process of concrete beam subjected to shock wave generated by pulse power discharge was simulated and analyzed. An experiment of breaking reinforced concrete beams by metal wire explosion in liquid was carried out. And the main parameters are pulse power discharge voltage, copper wires section size, concrete beam material strength, drilling parameters, etc. The results show that with the increase of discharge voltage and the total area of copper wire cross section between electrodes, the breaking effect of concrete beam is obviously improved. The breaking effect of the beam is slightly improved when the concrete strength is reduced. The breaking effect of concrete beams with 40 mm aperture is better than that of concrete beams with 50 mm aperture. As the distance between adjacent boreholes decreases, the fractures are easier to connect. According to the test results, the formulas for calculating the crack width of concrete beams were proposed, which takes the output voltage, the number of copper wires between electrodes, the hole spacing, the strength of concrete and other key parameters as independent variables. The calculated results agree well with the test results.
Polyacrylonitrile Derived Robust and Flexible Poly(ionic liquid)s Nanofiber Membrane as Catalyst Supporter
Authors: Gao Yue , Meng Qing-Bo , Wang Bao-Xin , Zhang Yu , Mao Hui , Fang Da-Wei , Song Xi-Ming
Published: February 2022

Poly(ionic liquid)s nanofiber (PIL NF) membrane was derived from polyacrylonitrile by converting its cyano groups to imidazoline moieties via cyclization with ethylenediamine, followed by quaternization with 1-bromobutane. The novel PIL NF is further decorated with photocatalyst phosphotungstic acid PW12 via anion exchanging to give PW-PIL. The degradation rate of the novel supported photocatalyst towards methyl orange irradiated under visible light was found to be 98%. In addition, the nanofiber membrane morphology is beneficial for easy recycling, and 98% of original degradation rate was maintained after 5 cycles of photocatalysis degradation. This robust, efficient, and recyclable material offers a new approach for serving as catalyst supporter. The photocatalyst PW-PIL is reported for the first time. The inexpensive functional membrane is used to exploit the sun as a cheap and clean source of light.
Poly(Thionine)-Modified Screen-Printed Electrodes for CA 19-9 Detection and Its Properties in Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Castaño-Guerrero Yuselis , Romaguera-Barcelay Yonny , Moreira Felismina Teixeira Coelho , Brito Walter Ricardo , Fortunato Elvira , Sales Maria Goreti Ferreira
Published: February 2022

Polythionine (PTH) is an electroactive compound known for its excellent electron transfer capacity. It has stable and redox centers in its structure, and it can also be generated by electropolymerization of thionine (TH). Due to its properties, it has been used in a large number of applications, including the construction of electrochemical biosensors. In this work, PTH is explored for its ability to generate electrons, which allows it to act as an electrochemical probe in a biosensor that detects CA 19-9 on two different substrates, carbon and gold, using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) as a reading technique in phosphate buffer (PhB). The analytical features of the resulting electrodes are given, showing linear ranges from 0.010 to 10 U/mL. The Raman spectra of PTH films on gold (substrates or nanostars) and carbon (substrates) are also presented and discussed as a potential use for SERS readings as complementary information to electrochemical data.
Needs and Research Priorities for Young People with Spinal Cord Lesion or Spina Bifida and Their Caregivers: A National Survey in Switzerland within the PEPSCI Collaboration
Authors: Benninger Irina , Lampart Patricia , Mueller Gabi , Augutis Marika , Eriks-Hoogland Inge , Grunt Sebastian , Kelly Erin Hayes , Padden Beth , Scherer Cordula , Shavit Sandra , Taylor Julian , Rutz Erich , Scheel-Sailer Anke ,   PEPSCI-Collaboration
Published: February 2022

The aim of this study was to describe the needs and research priorities of Swiss children/adolescents and young adults (from here, “young people”) with spinal cord injury/disorder (SCI/D) or spina bifida (SB) and their parents in the health and life domains as part of the international Pan-European Pediatric Spinal Cord Injury (PEPSCI) collaboration. Surveys included queries about the satisfaction, importance, research priorities, quality of life (QoL), and characteristics of the young people. Fifty-three surveys with corresponding parent-proxy reports were collected between April and November 2019. The self-report QoL sum scores from young people with SCI/D and SB were 77% and 73%, respectively. Parent-proxy report QoL sum scores were lower, with 70% scores for parents of young people with SCI/D and 64% scores for parents of young people with SB. “Having fun”, “relation to family members”, and “physical functioning” were found to be highly important for all young people. “Physical functioning”, “prevention of pressure injuries”, “general health”, and “bowel management” received the highest scores for research priority in at least one of the subgroups. As parents tend to underestimate the QoL of their children and young people prioritized research topics differently, both young peoples’ and caregivers’ perspectives should be included in the selection of research topics.
Characterization of Tungstates of the Type Hf1−xLnxW2O8−x/2 (Ln = Eu, Tm, Lu) Synthesized Using the Hydrothermal Method
Authors: Tsvetkov Martin , Nedyalkov Martin , Valcheva Evgenia , Milanova Maria
Published: February 2022

Pure HfW2O8- and Ln3+-containing solid solutions, Hf1−xLnxW2O8−x/2 (Ln = Eu, Tm, Lu), were synthesized using the hydrothermal method. The lanthanide ions were selected based on the differences between their ionic radii. A content of the Ln3+ ions in the range of 0.01–0.15 mol with a step of 0.02 was used for Hf1−xLnxW2O8−x/2 preparation, although the main research was performed on x = 0.01 and 0.05 samples because of an inhomogeneity detected by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) when the content of Ln3+ was above 0.07–0.09 mol. X-ray diffraction measurements were supported by Raman and infrared spectroscopy. A new band in the Raman spectra of the samples with 0.05 mol Ln3+, as well as a red shift of the most intensive band (assigned to valence stretching of W-O-W bonds) as a result of the Ln3+ presence, was detected. The Scanning Electron Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy micrographs revealed well-crystalized microcrystals with lengths in the range of 2–5 μm, with larger interplanar distances, measured in the solid solutions of the same crystal plain. The alpha-HfW2O8 → beta-HfW2O8 order-to-disorder phase transition was followed by high temperature XRD, and its reversibility was evident. The influence of the Ln3+ both on the unit cell parameters of the solid solutions and on the temperature of phase transition and on the coefficient of thermal expansion, CTE, was observed. A band gap energy in the range of 2.8–3.1 eV for pure HfW2O8 and for the solid solutions Hf1−xLnxW2O8−x/2 (x = 0.01 and 0.05) was determined.