bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Review of Nutraceuticals in Cancer Cachexia
Authors: Caeiro Lucas , Gandhay Devika , Anderson Lindsey J. , Garcia Jose M.
Published: July 2023

Cancer cachexia is largely characterized by muscle wasting and inflammation, leading to weight loss, functional impairment, poor quality of life (QOL), and reduced survival. The main barrier to therapeutic development is a lack of efficacy for improving clinically relevant outcomes, such as physical function or QOL, yet most nutraceutical studies focus on body weight. This review describes clinical and pre-clinical nutraceutical studies outside the context of complex nutritional and/or multimodal interventions, in the setting of cancer cachexia, in view of considerations for future clinical trial design. Clinical studies mostly utilized polyunsaturated fatty acids or amino acids/derivatives, and they primarily focused on body weight and, secondarily, on muscle mass and/or QOL. The few studies that measured physical function almost exclusively utilized handgrip strength with, predominantly, no time and/or group effect. Preclinical studies focused mainly on amino acids/derivatives and polyphenols, assessing body weight, muscle mass, and occasionally physical function. While this review does not provide sufficient evidence of the efficacy of nutraceuticals for cancer cachexia, more preclinical and adequately powered clinical studies are needed, and they should focus on clinically meaningful outcomes, including physical function and QOL.
Does Human Papillomavirus Play a Causative Role in Prostate Cancer? A Systematic Review Using Bradford Hill’s Criteria
Authors: Opeyemi Bello Ridwan , Willis-Powell Lily , James Olivia , Sharma Avyay , Marsh Elizabeth , Ellis Libby , Gaston Kevin , Siddiqui Yusra
Published: July 2023

Globally, prostate cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer-related death among men, and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer has a high cancer-related mortality rate. However, the aetiology of this disease is not yet fully understood. While human papillomavirus (HPV) has been associated with several types of cancer, including cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers, studies investigating the relationship between HPV and prostate cancer have shown mixed results. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the causative association between HPV and prostate cancer using Bradford Hill’s criteria. A comprehensive search of PubMed was conducted, and 60 out of 482 studies were included in the review. The included studies were evaluated based on nine Bradford Hill criteria, and information on the identification and transmission of the virus and potential oncogenic mechanisms was also extracted. The strength of association criterion was not met, and other criteria, such as consistency and coherence, were not fulfilled. However, biological plausibility was supported, and potential oncogenic mechanisms were identified. While some studies have reported the presence of HPV in prostate cancer tissues, the overall quality of evidence remains low, and the association between HPV and prostate cancer is weak. Nevertheless, the prostate is a potential reservoir for the transmission of HPV, and the HPV E6 and E7 oncoproteins and inflammation are likely to be involved in any oncogenic mechanisms. Further studies with a higher level of evidence are needed to establish a definitive link between HPV and prostate cancer.
Catalytic Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis of the Main Residue of the Brewing Industry
Authors: Pimenta Fernanda , Filho Elmis , Diniz Ângelo , Barrozo Marcos A. S.
Published: July 2023

Most agro-industrial wastes are lignocellulosic biomass. Several technologies have been developed to convert these residues to value-added products. Among these processes, pyrolysis refers to the thermal degradation of organic materials. Microwave-assisted pyrolysis (MAP) is more advantageous than conventional pyrolysis because it offers time savings, increases heating efficiency, and promotes a more precise process control. In this work, the microwave-assisted pyrolysis (MAP) of brewer’s spent grain (BSG), the main waste of the brewing industry, was studied, focusing on its liquid product. The effects of temperature, moisture content, and catalyst (calcium oxide) percentage on the product distribution and hydrocarbon content in the liquid product obtained were investigated. Although a high liquid yield of 71.8% was achieved with a BSG moisture content of 14%, the quality of the product (hydrocarbon yield) in this condition was not so attractive (21.60%). An optimization study was carried out to simultaneously maximize bio-oil yield and quality. The optimum conditions obtained were a temperature of 570 °C and a catalyst/biomass ratio of 12.17%. The results of the liquid product composition at the optimum point are promising given the presence of aromatic hydrocarbons, organic compounds of great interest to the industry.
Photocatalytic Degradation of Losartan with Bismuth Oxychloride: Batch and Pilot Scale Demonstration
Authors: Kouvelis Konstantinos , Ioannidi Alexandra A. , Petala Athanasia , Souliotis Manolis , Frontistis Zacharias
Published: July 2023

The solar-induced semiconductor photocatalytic process is one of the greenest and most promising technologies for the elimination of pharmaceuticals in aqueous media. In the context of this study, a bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) photocatalyst was fabricated and characterized by its morphology, crystallographic structure, and optical properties. Its photocatalytic efficiency was tested towards the degradation of Losartan (LOS), a medication used to treat high blood pressure, in water using a solar simulator. The as-prepared BiOCl exhibited significant photocatalytic efficiency, achieving complete degradation of 0.3 mg/L LOS in short periods of irradiation (15–30 min). The examined system showed optimal efficiency using 500 mg/L of BiOCL (kapp = 0.21 min−1) and pH 3 (kapp = 0.32 min−1). However, LOS removal significantly decreased in environmentally relevant water matrices, including wastewater (kapp = 0.006 min−1) and bottled water (kapp = 0.023 min−1). Additional tests carried out in synthetic water matrices showed that the LOS degradation rate was reduced by more than 40% in the presence of humic acid (kapp = 0.016 min−1) and bicarbonates (kapp = 0.029 min−1), while chlorides did not affect the overall efficiency. Moreover, photogenerated holes and singlet oxygen were the dominant oxidative species. The efficiency of the BiOCl photocatalyst towards LOS degradation was further studied using a flat plate pilot-plant scale photoreactor. It was found that more than 75% of LOS was removed after 100 kJ/L of accumulated solar irradiation. The results obtained in the pilot-plant unit confirmed the suitability of BiOCl as a potential photocatalytic material.
Structure of Chlorella ohadii Photosystem II Reveals Protective Mechanisms against Environmental Stress
Authors: Fadeeva Maria , Klaiman Daniel , Caspy Ido , Nelson Nathan
Published: July 2023

Green alga Chlorella ohadii is known for its ability to carry out photosynthesis under harsh conditions. Using cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM), we obtained a high-resolution structure of PSII at 2.72 Å. This structure revealed 64 subunits, which encompassed 386 chlorophylls, 86 carotenoids, four plastoquinones, and several structural lipids. At the luminal side of PSII, a unique subunit arrangement was observed to protect the oxygen-evolving complex. This arrangement involved PsbO (OEE1), PsbP (OEE2), PsbB, and PsbU (a homolog of plant OEE3). PsbU interacted with PsbO, PsbC, and PsbP, thereby stabilizing the shield of the oxygen-evolving complex. Significant changes were also observed at the stromal electron acceptor side. PsbY, identified as a transmembrane helix, was situated alongside PsbF and PsbE, which enclosed cytochrome b559. Supported by the adjacent C-terminal helix of Psb10, these four transmembrane helices formed a bundle that shielded cytochrome b559 from the surrounding solvent. Moreover, the bulk of Psb10 formed a protective cap, which safeguarded the quinone site and likely contributed to the stacking of PSII complexes. Based on our findings, we propose a protective mechanism that prevents QB (plastoquinone B) from becoming fully reduced. This mechanism offers insights into the regulation of electron transfer within PSII.
Cell Cycle Status Influences Resistance to Apoptosis Induced by Oxidative Stress in Human Breast Cancer Cells, Which Is Accompanied by Modulation of Autophagy
Authors: Kluska Magdalena , Piastowska-Ciesielska Agnieszka Wanda , Tokarz Paulina
Published: July 2023

Cancer cells are characterised by uncontrolled cell proliferation; however, some of them can temporarily arrest their cell cycle at the G0 or G1 phase, which could contribute to tumour heterogeneity and drug resistance. The cell cycle status plays a critical role in chemosensitivity; however, the influence of G0- and G1-arrest has not been elucidated. To study the cell cycle arrest-mediated resistance, we used MCF-7 cells and generated three populations of cells: (1) cells arrested in the G0-like phase, (2) cells that resumed the cell cycle after the G0-like phase and (3) cells arrested in early G1 with a history of G0-like arrest. We observed that both the G0-like- and the G1-arrested cells acquired resistance to apoptosis induced by oxidative stress, accompanied by a decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species and DNA damage. This effect was associated with increased autophagy, likely facilitating their survival at DNA damage insult. The cell cycle reinitiation restored a sensitivity to oxidative stress typical for cells with a non-modulated cell cycle, with a concomitant decrease in autophagy. Our results support the need for further research on the resistance of G0- and G1-arrested cancer cells to DNA-damaging agents and present autophagy as a candidate for targeting in anticancer treatment.
Optimized Strain Response in (Co0.5Nb0.5)4+-Doped 76Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-24SrTiO3 Relaxors
Authors: Li Hui , Gao Jingxia , Li Mingyang , Zhang Qingfeng , Zhang Yangyang
Published: July 2023

High strain with low hysteresis is crucial for commercial applications in high precision actuators. However, the clear conflict between the high strain and low hysteresis in BNT-based ceramics has long been an obstacle to actual precise actuating or positioning applications. To obtain piezoceramics with high strain and low hysteresis, it is necessary to enhance the electrostrictive effect and develop an ergodic relaxor (ER) and nonergodic relaxor (NR) phase boundary under ambient conditions. In this work, (Co0.5Nb0.5)4+ doped 76Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-24SrTiO3 (BNST24) relaxors were fabricated using the conventional solid state reaction route. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed the B-site substitution in BNST24 ceramics. By adjusting the (Co0.5Nb0.5)4+ doping in BNST24, we effectively tuned the TNR-ER and Td close to ambient temperature, which contributed to the development of the ergodic relaxor phase and enhanced the electrostrictive effect at ambient temperature. The I-P-E loops and bipolar strain curves verified the gradual evolution from NR to ER states, while the enhanced electrostrictive effect was verified by the nearly linear S-P2 curves and improved electrostrictive coefficient of the BNST24-xCN relaxors. An enhanced strain of 0.34% (d*33 = 483 pm/V) with low hysteresis of 8.9% was simultaneously achieved in the BNST24-0.02CN relaxors. The enhanced strain was mainly attributed to the proximity effect at the ER and NR phase boundary of BNST24-0.02CN, while the improved electrostrictive effect contributed to the reduced strain hysteresis. Our work demonstrates an effective strategy for balancing the paradox of high strain and low hysteresis in piezoceramics.
Corrosion Behavior of Tubing in High-Salinity Formation Water Environment Containing H2S/CO2 in Yingzhong Block
Authors: Zhao Xuehui , Liu Junlin , Yao Baisheng , Li Cheng , Xia Xue , Fu Anqing
Published: July 2023

To clarify the corrosion behavior of P110SS material under the synergistic action of multiple factors such as a CO2/H2S coexistence environment, a high temperature, and high-salinity formation water, a series of simulation tests and analyses were carried out in this paper. High-temperature high-pressure autoclaves, scanning electron microscopy, and a three-dimensional microscope were used to analyze and evaluate the changing trend of the corrosion performance of P110SS tubing material under different temperatures and a H2S/CO2 partial pressure ratio in a high-salinity formation water environment, and the corrosion cracking sensitivity and pitting sensitivity of the material with stress were compared and analyzed. The results indicate that the average corrosion rate of P110SS material without stress increases with the rising test temperature, and the corrosion damage worsens with an increase in the H2S: CO2 partial pressure ratio. The highest corrosion rate for P110SS material is 0.99 mm/a. When the test temperature varies from 80 °C to 180 °C and PH2S:PCO2 = 0.53:0.17, the P110SS material with a loading stress of 85% YSmin is not susceptible to stress corrosion cracking (SCC). Although surface pitting nucleation is evident at a high temperature of 180 °C, no expansion-induced cracking or fracture phenomena occur.
Government Restriction Efficiency on Curbing COVID-19 Pandemic Transmission in Western Europe
Authors: Lolli Simone , Piazza Francesco , Vivone Gemine
Published: July 2023

The World Health Organization (WHO)-confirmed pandemic (March 2020) of the new Coronavirus 2 severe acute respiratory syndrome infection (SARS-CoV-2) reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 (first reported cases), then spread to Italy and successively around the world. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the restrictions implemented by different governments from a statistical point of view. We quantitatively evaluated how restrictions influenced the temporal evolution of the distribution of the weekly number of hospitalized patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) for different countries that applied different levels of restrictions, which can be summarized with the average stringency index, a synthetic index that represents a metric for quantifying the severity of the restrictions applied. We found that the stringency index is strongly correlated with the distribution skewness, while standard deviation and kurtosis are poorly and moderately influenced. Furthermore, we compared the values of the skewness of the distribution of hospitalized patients during several pre-pandemic influenza outbreaks in Italy (data not available for other countries). Analysis shows that for normal flu, there is a substantial difference in skewness (as much as 70%) in the distribution with respect to the first COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, where social restrictions were applied. This large difference highlights that the restrictions implemented modify the symmetry of the peak of the distribution of the hospitalized patient in the ICU. Therefore, skewness can be used as a valid indicator to assess whether restriction has any effect on pandemic transmission and can be used as a support for decision makers.
Microstructural Control by Cooling Rate in β-type and Sintered Ti-3.6Fe-5Zr-0.2B (Mass%) Alloy Fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering and Heat Treatment
Authors: Homma Tomoyuki , Washizu Takashi
Published: July 2023

The β-type and sintered Ti-3.6Fe-5Zr-0.2B (mass%) alloy has been consolidated by spark plasma sintering, followed by a β solution treatment (ST). In order to obtain a high-strength ductile balance, water quenching or air cooling is used after ST. Modification of sintering conditions, which leads to 100% of the relative density, improves the tensile ductility. The Fe addition causes a large local lattice and compressive strain to the bcc Ti lattice; in the water-quenched sample, α” martensite phases appear in the β matrix. When air cooling is applied after the ST, bimodal α lath phases are instead precipitated during the cooling in nanoscale, and the formation of α” martensite phases is suppressed. This results in high strength and better ductility when compared with those in the water-quenched sample, particularly in tensile properties. The air-cooled sample reveals attractive mechanical properties in both tension and compression modes.
First Principle Study on Structural, Thermoelectric, and Magnetic Properties of Cubic CdCrO3 Perovskites: A Comprehensive Analysis
Authors: Satapathy S. , Batouche Mohammed , Seddik Taieb , Salah Mostafa M. , Maurya K. K.
Published: July 2023

The primary objective of contemporary manufacturing is to produce items that are low-cost, environmentally friendly, and energy efficient. This study aimed to investigate compounds that fulfil these criteria, with a focus on CdCrO3. The full potential linearized augmented plane wave program (FP LAPW), as in Wien2K, was employed to examine the structural, electronic, thermodynamic, and transport characteristics of the material. Structural optimization was carried out using generalized gradient approximation (GGA), with lattice constants that were deemed satisfactory based on previous theoretical and experimental results. Calculations of the magnetic characteristics of CdCrO3 show that the Cr atoms are principally responsible for magnetism. The quasi-harmonic Debye model allows for the identification of thermodynamic properties including trends, the relative Debye temperature, thermal expansion parameter, relative volume, and heat capacity at various pressures and temperatures. At constant volume, a heat capacity of 52 J/mol K was determined. The thermoelectric properties were examined using the Boltzmann transport offered by the BoltzTrap program. At room temperature, CdCrO3 had a figure of merit (ZT) value that was almost equal to one, indicating that it may be used to make thermoelectric devices with the highest possible efficiency.
Distinguishing the Focal-Conic Fan Texture of Smectic A from the Focal-Conic Fan Texture of Smectic B
Authors: Osiecka-Drewniak Natalia , Galewski Zbigniew , Juszyńska-Gałązka Ewa
Published: July 2023

This publication presents methods of distinguishing the focal texture of the conical smectic phase A (SmA) and the crystalline smectic B phase (CrB). Most often, characteristic transition bars are observed in polarized light at the temperature point of the SmA–CrB phase transition. TOApy software transforms each image from a series of images recorded during POM observation to a function of light intensity versus temperature. Thermo-optical analysis is a powerful quantitative tool to notice this phase transition, but it has some limitations. The other applied method, the local binary pattern (LBP) algorithm, with high probability, detects differences between the textures of the conical focal fan of the SmA and CrB phases. The LBP algorithm is an efficient tool for texture classification.
Relationships between Fish Community Structure and Environmental Factors in the Nearshore Waters of Hainan Island, South China
Authors: Luo Zhengli , Yang Changping , Wang Liangming , Liu Yan , Shan Binbin , Liu Manting , Chen Cheng , Guo Tao , Sun Dianrong
Published: July 2023

The nearshore ecosystem of Hainan Island plays a crucial role as a breeding habitat for a wide variety of economically valuable fish species. Gaining insight into the structure of the fish community and the environmental factors that may impact them is highly significant in this marine region. This study collected fish data from 50 sampling sites using bottom trawling surveys. Methods including the swept area method, ecological indices, and abundance/biomass curve (ABC) analysis were employed to assess fish resource density and diversity. A comprehensive identification revealed a total of 363 fish species, encompassing 24 orders, 114 families, and 226 genera, with Perciformes being the dominant group. Spring exhibited higher fish abundance and biomass compared with autumn, with the southwestern waters as the primary concentration area. Acropoma japonicum, Decapterus maruadsi, and Navodon xanthopterus were dominant in spring, while Leiognathus bindus, Saurida tumbil, and Champsodon atridorsalis were dominant in autumn, indicating a seasonal shift towards smaller and lower-value fish species. A variability exceeding 80% was observed through SIMPER analysis, and a disrupted community structure was evident in the eastern and southern waters. Temperature and salinity were identified as primary environmental factors influencing the fish community. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the nearshore fish community of Hainan Island, aiding in the understanding of its structure and dynamics.
Comparison of Growth Characteristics and Active Compounds of Cultivated Hovenia dulcis under Different Environments in South Korea
Authors: Son Yonghwan , Lee Dong Hwan , Park Gwang Hun , Jang Jun-Hyuk , Kim Ji Ah , Park Youngki , Lee Sun-Young , Kim Hyun-Jun
Published: July 2023

The growth characteristics and active compounds of plants are influenced by various environmental factors, including light, temperature, soil, and precipitation. These factors interact with each plant in a unique way. In this study, we collected fruit and soil samples from 17 cultivation sites in October 2020 to investigate the relationship among environmental factors, growth characteristics, and active compounds of H. dulcis seed and fruit. We developed an optimized method for quantifying active compounds using ultra-performance liquid chromatography and performed correlation analyses with the surveyed environmental factors. Results showed that the size and fresh weight of H. dulcis fruits were positively correlated with exchangeable Mg, Na, and silt texture proportion in the soil. The temperature was positively correlated with sugar content in the fruits but negatively correlated with fruit weight, and precipitation was negatively correlated with fruit size. Results also showed a positive correlation between the active compounds and growth characteristics such as fruit length, seed number per fruit, and fresh weight. The results of this study can be used as basic data for the cultivation and quality control of H. dulcis fruits.
Improved Adaptive Finch Clustering Sonar Segmentation Algorithm Based on Data Distribution and Posterior Probability
Authors: He Qianqian , Lei Min , Gao Guocheng , Wang Qi , Li Jie , Li Jingjing , He Bo
Published: July 2023

This study proposes a side-scan sonar target detection technique for CPU or low-performance GPU to meet the requirement of underwater target detection. To rectify the gray distribution of the original side scan sonar data, enhance picture segmentation, and supply the data distribution probability for the clustering algorithm, the methodology uses a classic image processing technique that is GPU-friendly. The modified adaptive Finch clustering technique is used to segment the image and remove image voids after assessing the processed image attributes. The posterior information is then used to apply a classification label to each pixel. The characteristics of the connected region are analyzed in the data playback of the Tuandao experiment in accordance with the imaging principle of side-scan sonar and the original shape and size characteristics of the target. The predicted target results are combined with the AUV navigation information to obtain the predicted target longitude and latitude information, which is then sent to the AUV master control system to guide the next plan. The Jiaozhou Bay sea test results demonstrate that the traditional target detection algorithm put forth in this paper can be integrated into a low-performance GPU to detect targets and locate them. The detection accuracy and speed exhibit strong performance, and real-time autonomous sonar detection is made possible.
Phenotypic Differences of Leaves and Transcriptome Analysis of Fraxinus mandshurica × Fraxinus sogdiana F1 Variety
Authors: He Liming , Yan Jialin , Lu Han , Su Wenlong , Gao Shangzhu , Wang Yubin , Zhan Yaguang , Zeng Fansuo
Published: July 2023

Plant leaves, as one of the main organs of plants, have a crucial impact on plant development. In the hybrid F1 variety, one clone “1601” from the hybridization of Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr. × Fraxinus sogdiana Bunge was showed significant differences in leaf development with its female control “M8”. The leaf phenotypic differences of leaflets and fronds, photosynthesis parameters, rate of leaf water loss and leaf cell size were investigated between 1601 and M8. The leaf phenotypic details showed that the leaflets of 1601 were significantly smaller (leaflet size was 53.78% that of M8) and rounder (leaflet aspect ratio was 66.97% that of M8). Its leaflet margins were more serrated (the serrate number was 33.74% that of M8). The fronds of 1601 had more leaflets (1.17-fold that of M8) and shorter leaflet distance (73.44% that of M8). The photosynthetic heterosis was also significant (the net photosynthetic rate in 1601 was 1.43 times that of M8) and the rate of leaf water loss in 1601 was lower than M8. Meanwhile, the results of the leaf microstructure showed that the mesophyll cell area of M8 was smaller than 1601, indicating that the difference in leaf size was caused by the number of cells. To analyze the reasons for these differences in leaf phenotype and explore the important regulatory genes potentially involved in leaf development, the comparative transcriptome analysis of M8 and 1601 and weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) were completed. The results showed that hormones, such as auxins and brassinolides (BRs), along with the transcription factors (TFs), such as the growth-regulating factors (GRFs) and TEOSINTE BRANCHED1/CYCLOIDEA/PROLIFERATION CELL FACTOR (TCPs), play essential roles in the difference of leaf size between 1601 and M8 by regulating cell proliferation. These data further shed light on the developmental mechanisms of the leaves of F. mandshurica.
Effects of Urban Park Environmental Factors on Landscape Preference Based on Spatiotemporal Distribution Characteristics of Visitors
Authors: Yang Mengwei , Wu Renwu , Bao Zhiyi , Yan Hai , Nan Xinge , Luo Yixin , Dai Tingfang
Published: July 2023

Urban parks are public green spaces which have a direct impact on the daily outdoor activities of residents and visitors due to their landscape and functionality. To enhance the spatial vitality and services of urban parks to meet the needs of urban residents and visitors, managers and planners should focus on people’s perceptions and preferences of park landscape characteristics. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between visitors’ landscape preferences and environmental factors in urban parks. Fixed-point photography and mobile measurements were used to quantify the environmental factors of urban parks. Unmanned aerial vehicle observations and ground observations were used to examine physical activities and spatial behaviors of visitors to quantify their landscape preferences. Second, the differences in visitors’ landscape preferences in various types of landscape spaces were analyzed based on descriptive statistics and significance tests. Finally, a correlation analysis and principal component analysis were introduced to explore the relationship between urban park environmental factors and visitors’ landscape preferences. The results showed that visitors’ physical activities and spatial behaviors were affected by many environmental factors, especially accessibility and visible green index. Our findings also shed new light on the significant differences in visitors’ physical activities and spatial behaviors of different genders and age groups. It was observed that most male visitors were sitting, whereas female visitors preferred to take photographs. Exploring the relationship between urban parks and visitors’ landscape preferences is of great significance for improving park satisfaction, people’s happiness, and urban sustainability.
Hyperspectral Analysis and Regression Modeling of SPAD Measurements in Leaves of Three Mangrove Species
Authors: Li Huazhe , Cui Lijuan , Dou Zhiguo , Wang Junjie , Zhai Xiajie , Li Jing , Zhao Xinsheng , Lei Yinru , Wang Jinzhi , Li Wei
Published: July 2023

Mangroves have important roles in regulating climate change, and in reducing the impact of wind and waves. Analysis of the chlorophyll content of mangroves is important for monitoring their health, and their conservation and management. Thus, this study aimed to apply four regression models, eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Random Forest (RF), Partial Least Squares (PLS) and Adaptive Boosting (AdaBoost), to study the inversion of Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) values obtained from near-ground hyperspectral data of three dominant species, Bruguiera sexangula (Lour.) Poir. (B. sexangula), Ceriops tagal (Perr.) C. B. Rob. (C. tagal) and Rhizophora apiculata Blume (R. apiculata) in Qinglan Port Mangrove Nature Reserve. The accuracy of the model was evaluated using R2, RMSE, and MAE. The mean SPAD values of R. apiculata (SPADavg = 66.57), with a smaller dispersion (coefficient of variation of 6.59%), were higher than those of C. tagal (SPADavg = 61.56) and B. sexangula (SPADavg = 58.60). The first-order differential transformation of the spectral data improved the accuracy of the prediction model; R2 was mostly distributed in the interval of 0.4 to 0.8. The accuracy of the XGBoost model was less affected by species differences with the best stability, with RMSE at approximately 3.5 and MAE at approximately 2.85. This study provides a technical reference for large-scale detection and management of mangroves.
Task Allocation Methods and Optimization Techniques in Edge Computing: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Patsias Vasilios , Amanatidis Petros , Karampatzakis Dimitris , Lagkas Thomas , Michalakopoulou Kalliopi , Nikitas Alexandros
Published: July 2023

Task allocation in edge computing refers to the process of distributing tasks among the various nodes in an edge computing network. The main challenges in task allocation include determining the optimal location for each task based on the requirements such as processing power, storage, and network bandwidth, and adapting to the dynamic nature of the network. Different approaches for task allocation include centralized, decentralized, hybrid, and machine learning algorithms. Each approach has its strengths and weaknesses and the choice of approach will depend on the specific requirements of the application. In more detail, the selection of the most optimal task allocation methods depends on the edge computing architecture and configuration type, like mobile edge computing (MEC), cloud-edge, fog computing, peer-to-peer edge computing, etc. Thus, task allocation in edge computing is a complex, diverse, and challenging problem that requires a balance of trade-offs between multiple conflicting objectives such as energy efficiency, data privacy, security, latency, and quality of service (QoS). Recently, an increased number of research studies have emerged regarding the performance evaluation and optimization of task allocation on edge devices. While several survey articles have described the current state-of-the-art task allocation methods, this work focuses on comparing and contrasting different task allocation methods, optimization algorithms, as well as the network types that are most frequently used in edge computing systems.
Modelling Global Deforestation Using Spherical Geographic Automata Approach
Authors: Addae Bright , Dragićević Suzana
Published: July 2023

Deforestation as a land-cover change process is linked to several environmental problems including desertification, biodiversity loss, and ultimately climate change. Understanding the land-cover change process and its relation to human–environment interactions is important for supporting spatial decisions and policy making at the global level. However, current geosimulation model applications mainly focus on characterizing urbanization and agriculture expansion. Existing modelling approaches are also unsuitable for simulating land-cover change processes covering large spatial extents. Thus, the objective of this research is to develop and implement a spherical geographic automata model to simulate deforestation at the global level under different scenarios designed to represent diverse future conditions. Simulation results from the deforestation model indicate the global forest size would decrease by 10.5% under the “business-as-usual” scenario through 2100. The global forest extent would also decline by 15.3% under the accelerated deforestation scenario and 3.7% under the sustainable deforestation scenario by the end of the 21st century. The obtained simulation outputs also revealed the rate of deforestation in protected areas to be considerably lower than the overall forest-cover change rate under all scenarios. The proposed model can be utilized by stakeholders to examine forest conservation programs and support sustainable policy making and implementation.
Geological Hazard Assessment of Secondary Collapses Due to Volcanic Earthquakes on Changbai Mountain in China
Authors: Pan Zengkai , Lang Qiuling , Zhang Yichen , Zhang Jiquan , Yu Chenglong , Wu Chenyang
Published: July 2023

In recent years, the volcanic activity of Changbai Mountain has been accompanied by several earthquakes, and the frequent human engineering activities have led to a gradual increase in the number of collapses in the region, which severely impacts residents’ lives and property safety. In northeastern China, the Changbai Mountain area in the southeastern Jilin Province is a typical mountain environment. This paper selects 12 evaluation indicators to build a hazard assessment system, including slope, aspect, elevation, curvature, lithology, NDVI, land use type, distance from the fault, the river from the road, volcanic earthquake, and annual average precipitation. Using emotional weight (G1 method) and objective weight (WOE-CV method), the hazard due to collapses in the study area is evaluated too. Among them, the transcendence probability of volcanic earthquakes greater than VI degree represents the relationship between Changbai Mountain volcanic earthquakes and the assessment of geological collapse hazard. The results show that high- and very high-hazard areas are mainly distributed in densely populated areas and national and provincial trunk lines, with apparent spatial agglomeration characteristics. The low-hazard area, medium-hazard area, high-hazard area and very high-hazard area accounted for 19.33%, 44.19%, 33.85% and 2.63% of the total area of the study area, respectively. By comparing the previous geological hazard survey reports in the area with the collapse hazard zoning map in this paper, 87.72% of the known collapse hazard areas are distributed within high and very high hazard zones, indicating that the conclusions of the article are more accurate and in line with the actual situation. Results from collapse-related hazards can provide relevant guidance for preventing and controlling geological risks posed by volcanic earthquakes affecting Changbai Mountain.
Usefulness of an Urban Growth Model in Creating Scenarios for City Resilience Planning: An End-User Perspective
Authors: Debnath Ripan , Pettit Christopher , Soundararaj Balamurugan , Shirowzhan Sara , Jayasekare Ajith Shamila
Published: July 2023

Urban growth models are increasingly being used to generate scenarios within city and regional planning support systems (PSS). However, their usefulness in land use planning applications, particularly in city resilience planning, is not fully understood. Thus, we developed a cellular automata model using Metronamica PSS for the Greater Sydney region and assessed its usefulness as perceived by planning and policy practitioners. The study was implemented through a collaborative geodesign workshop where participants (n = 19) were guided to an understanding of the modelling process and to create and validate alternative policy scenarios for 2050 that reflected Business-As-Usual, Bushfire resilience, Flood resilience, and Combined resilience. We conducted two surveys and a SWOT analysis to assess the usefulness of the PSS and its outputs. We found that the PSS created credible scenarios using collaborative inputs from the participants. The PSS had perceived value for informing participants about land use changes in the resilience planning contexts with high flexibility and granularity. The plausibility of the scenario outputs, a usefulness parameter, was readily accepted, but the model’s transparency (another parameter) was seen as potentially inhibiting application in real-world planning. Future research should involve a broader audience, including the local community, in analysing the usefulness of PSS.
Influence of a Single Deuterium Substitution for Protium on the Frequency Generation of Different-Size Bubbles in IFNA17
Authors: Basov Alexandr , Dorohova Anna , Malyshko Vadim , Moiseev Arkadii , Svidlov Alexandr , Bezhenar Maria , Nechipurenko Yury , Dzhimak Stepan
Published: July 2023

The influence of a single 2H/1H replacement on the frequency generation of different-size bubbles in the human interferon alpha-17 gene (IFNA17) under various energies was studied by a developed algorithm and mathematical modeling without simplifications or averaging. This new approach showed the efficacy of researching DNA bubbles and open states both when all hydrogen bonds in nitrogenous base pairs are protium and after an 2H-substitution. After a single deuterium substitution under specific energies, it was demonstrated that the non-coding region of IFNA17 had a more significant regulatory role in bubble generation in the whole gene than the promoter had. It was revealed that a single deuterium substitution for protium has an influence on the frequency generation of DNA bubbles, which also depends on their size and is always higher for the smaller bubbles under the largest number of the studied energies. Wherein, compared to the natural condition under the same critical value of energy, the bigger raises of the bubble frequency occurrence (maximums) were found for 11–30 base pair (bp) bubbles (higher by 319%), 2–4 bp bubbles (higher by 300%), and 31 bp and over ones (higher by 220%); whereas the most significant reductions of the indicators (minimums) were observed for 11–30 bp bubbles (lower by 43%) and bubbles size over 30 bp (lower by 82%). In this study, we also analyzed the impact of several circumstances on the AT/GC ratio in the formation of DNA bubbles, both under natural conditions and after a single hydrogen isotope exchange. Moreover, based on the obtained data, substantial positive and inverse correlations were revealed between the AT/GC ratio and some factors (energy values, size of DNA bubbles). So, this modeling and variant of the modified algorithm, adapted for researching DNA bubbles, can be useful to study the regulation of replication and transcription in the genes under different isotopic substitutions in the nucleobases.
Novel Fluorescent Tetrahedral Zinc (II) Complexes Derived from 4-Phenyl-1-octyl-1H-imidazole Fused with Aryl-9H-Carbazole and Triarylamine Donor Units: Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Photophysical Properties
Authors: Rashamuse Thompho Jason , Coyanis Elena Mabel , Erasmus Rudolph , Magwa Nomampondo Penelope
Published: July 2023

We present here the design, synthesis, and photophysical properties of two novel fluorescent zinc (II) complexes, ZnCl2(ImL1)2 and ZnCl2(ImL2)2, containing 4-(1-octyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)-N,N-diphenyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-4-yl)-4-amine ImL1 and 9-(4-(1-octyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)-[1,1-biphenyl]-4-yl)-9H-carbazole ImL2 ligands. The newly synthesized free ligands and their zinc (II) complexes were characterized using several spectroscopic techniques; their structures were identified by single-crystal X-ray diffraction; and their photophysical properties have been studied in the context of their chemical structure. The ZnCl2(ImL1)2 and ZnCl2(ImL2)2 complexes showed good thermal stability at 341 °C and 365 °C, respectively. Photophysical properties, including UV-Vis absorption spectra in ethanol solution and photoluminescence (PL) in both solid state and ethanol solution, were determined. UV-Vis adsorption data indicated that both free ligands had similar UV-Vis absorption properties, while their Zn (II) complexes had distinctive absorption characteristics. The fluorescence spectra show that both ligands and their corresponding Zn (II) complexes emit violet to cyan luminescence in the solid state at room temperature, while in ethanol solution at the same temperature, they exhibit efficient photoluminescence properties in the UV-A emission spectral region. Because of these photophysical properties, the synthesized ligands and their cognate Zn (II) complexes can be used as scaffolds for the potential development of optoelectronic materials.
Auditory Models for Formant Frequency Discrimination of Vowel Sounds
Authors: Xu Can , Liu Chang
Published: July 2023

As formant frequencies of vowel sounds are critical acoustic cues for vowel perception, human listeners need to be sensitive to formant frequency change. Numerous studies have found that formant frequency discrimination is affected by many factors like formant frequency, speech level, and fundamental frequency. Theoretically, to perceive a formant frequency change, human listeners with normal hearing may need a relatively constant change in the excitation and loudness pattern, and this internal change in auditory processing is independent of vowel category. Thus, the present study examined whether such metrics could explain the effects of formant frequency and speech level on formant frequency discrimination thresholds. Moreover, a simulation model based on the auditory excitation-pattern and loudness-pattern models was developed to simulate the auditory processing of vowel signals and predict thresholds of vowel formant discrimination. The results showed that predicted thresholds based on auditory metrics incorporating auditory excitation or loudness patterns near the target formant showed high correlations and low root-mean-square errors with human behavioral thresholds in terms of the effects of formant frequency and speech level). In addition, the simulation model, which particularly simulates the spectral processing of acoustic signals in the human auditory system, may be used to evaluate the auditory perception of speech signals for listeners with hearing impairments and/or different language backgrounds.
Prevalence of Chronic Pruritus in Elderly Black and White Inpatients: A Comparative Population Study
Authors: Mahmoud Omar , Choragudi Siri , Nwaopara Amanda , Yosipovitch Gil
Published: July 2023

Background: Black and geriatric patients were reported in small scale studies to have more intense chronic pruritus (CP). Studies comparing itch across geriatric racial groups are lacking. Objectives: To compare the prevalence of CP in Black and White inpatients ≥ 65 years old as well as the top primary diagnoses of these populations. Methods: We used data from the National Inpatient Sample from 2016–2019 to analyze CP prevalence and ICD10-CM to identify diseases. The top five primary diagnoses were calculated for a subpopulation with CP. Sample characteristics were described, and the data was pooled and analyzed using IBM SPSS® Complex Sample modules. Results: Among hospitalized Black inpatients ≥ 65 years old, the prevalence of CP was 0.26% while in the White cohort it was 0.22%. The top five primary diagnoses in the Black population with itch were sepsis (4.2%); hypertensive heart and chronic kidney disease (CKD) with heart failure (HF) and stage 1–4 CKD, or unspecified CKD (4.1%); acute kidney failure (4.0%); hypertensive heart and CKD with HF with stage 5 CKD, or end-stage renal disease (2.1%); and hypertensive heart disease with HF (1.7%). The top five primary diagnoses in the White population were sepsis (4.25%); acute kidney failure (3.0%); hypertensive heart and CKD with HF and stage 1–4 CKD, or unspecified CKD (2.5%); cellulitis of left lower limb (1.9%); and unilateral primary osteoarthritis, right knee (1.9%). Conclusions: Geriatric hospitalized Black patients demonstrated a higher prevalence of chronic itch compared with the White cohort, which may be related to the higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease in different stages of severity in this population.
Antimicrobial Peptides in Infectious Diseases and Beyond—A Narrative Review
Authors: Ioannou Petros , Baliou Stella , Kofteridis Diamantis P.
Published: July 2023

Despite recent medical research and clinical practice developments, the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) significantly limits therapeutics for infectious diseases. Thus, novel treatments for infectious diseases, especially in this era of increasing AMR, are urgently needed. There is ongoing research on non-classical therapies for infectious diseases utilizing alternative antimicrobial mechanisms to fight pathogens, such as bacteriophages or antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). AMPs are evolutionarily conserved molecules naturally produced by several organisms, such as plants, insects, marine organisms, and mammals, aiming to protect the host by fighting pathogenic microorganisms. There is ongoing research regarding developing AMPs for clinical use in infectious diseases. Moreover, AMPs have several other non-medical applications in the food industry, such as preservatives, animal husbandry, plant protection, and aquaculture. This review focuses on AMPs, their origins, biology, structure, mechanisms of action, non-medical applications, and clinical applications in infectious diseases.
Warfarin and Antibiotics: Drug Interactions and Clinical Considerations
Authors: Vega Alexis J. , Smith Caitlin , Matejowsky Hannah Grace , Thornhill Katherine J. , Borne Grant E. , Mosieri Chizoba N. , Shekoohi Sahar , Cornett Elyse M. , Kaye Alan D.
Published: July 2023

Warfarin administration poses a notable challenge in clinical practice due to the increased susceptibility of patients to major bleeding, particularly when co-administered with other medications capable of modulating its metabolic pathways. Among these medications, antibiotics have been recognized as potential agents that can either induce or inhibit cytochrome P450-2C9, thereby impacting the effects of warfarin. A wealth of evidence from numerous studies consistently supports an elevated risk of serious bleeding in patients concurrently receiving antibiotics and warfarin therapy. This narrative review elucidates the intricate interactions between warfarin and various antibiotic classes. Notably, significant increases in the International Normalized Ratio (INR) were observed among warfarin-treated patients receiving penicillin derivatives, fluoroquinolones, TMP-SMX, and macrolides. Conversely, investigations have also demonstrated a reduction in INR levels in patients on warfarin when exposed to rifampin, a potent inducer of cytochrome P-450. Intriguingly, cephalosporin antibiotics and amoxicillin/clavulanate, despite not interfering with the cytochrome P450 system, exhibited a positive association with increased INR values. The findings of this narrative review underscore the importance of diligent monitoring in patients on warfarin requiring concomitant antibiotic therapy, as this surveillance strategy proves pivotal in mitigating the risk of major bleeding complications. Additionally, for patients necessitating cytochrome P450 inhibitors such as penicillin derivatives, fluoroquinolones, TMP-SMX, and macrolides, the consideration of dose reduction in warfarin therapy may confer substantial benefits in reducing the occurrence of major bleeding events. Similarly, patients who are co-administered rifampin alongside warfarin necessitate vigilant monitoring, with a potential need for escalating warfarin doses to counteract the risk of a hypercoagulable state.
Finite Element Modeling of Microstructures in Composite Materials: A Special Issue in Materials
Authors: Luo Yunhua
Published: July 2023

This Special Issue of the journal Materials aims to gather recent advancements and novel developments in the field of finite element modeling of microstructures in composite materials [...]