bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protein Kinase D1 Signaling in Cancer Stem Cells with Epithelial-Mesenchymal Plasticity
Authors: Guo Yichen , Jiang Yinan , Rose J. Bart , Nagaraju Ganji Purnachandra , Jaskula-Sztul Renata , Hjelmeland Anita B. , Beck Adam W. , Chen Herbert , Ren Bin
Published: December 2022

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are extremely diverse and highly vascularized neoplasms that arise from endocrine cells in the pancreas. The pNETs harbor a subpopulation of stem cell-like malignant cells, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs), which contribute to intratumoral heterogeneity and promote tumor maintenance and recurrence. In this study, we demonstrate that CSCs in human pNETs co-express protein kinase PKD1 and CD44. We further identify PKD1 signaling as a critical pathway in the control of CSC maintenance in pNET cells. PKD1 signaling regulates the expression of a CSC- and EMT-related gene signature and promotes CSC self-renewal, likely leading to the preservation of a subpopulation of CSCs at an intermediate EMT state. This suggests that the PKD1 signaling pathway may be required for the development of a unique CSC phenotype with plasticity and partial EMT. Given that the signaling networks connected with CSC maintenance and EMT are complex, and extend through multiple levels of regulation, this study provides insight into signaling regulation of CSC plasticity and partial EMT in determining the fate of CSCs. Inhibition of the PKD1 pathway may facilitate the elimination of specific CSC subsets, thereby curbing tumor progression and metastasis.
Impaired Autophagy Causes Severe Corneal Neovascularization
Authors: Yi Kun , Yang Yuping , Yuan Ye , Xiang Yingqian , Zhou Shanbi
Published: December 2022

Purpose: To investigate the role of macrophage autophagy in the process of corneal neovascularization (CNV). Methods: In vivo, mice CNV was induced by alkali injury and compared with rapamycin-treated alkaline burn mice. Western blot was used to determine the autophagic status of the macrophages. We quantified the levels of macrophage polarization markers (CD86, INOS, CD163, CD206) by RT-qPCR and measured inflammatory factors through ELISA (IL-6 and TNF-α) in the early phase after injury. In vitro, the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were co-cultured with macrophage-conditioned medium (MCM) induced by the THP-1 cell line to simulate the neovascular microenvironment. The vascularization capacity of HUVECs was examined using the CCK-8 assay kit, tube formation assay, and scratch wound-healing assay. Results: In vivo, the mRNA expression of Beclin-1 and ATG5 was increased, together with the upregulation of M1 macrophage markers (CD86 and INOS) in corneas after early alkali injury. The area of CNV is effectively relieved in the rapamycin-treated mice. In vitro, upregulation of autophagy level by pretreatment with 3-methyladenine (3-MA) could increase the mRNA expression of the M1 markers. Macrophage-conditioned medium with impaired autophagy contains more IL-6 and TNF-α compared to the M1 macrophage-conditioned medium, promoting HUVEC proliferation, migration, and tube formation capacity. Enhancing the autophagy level with rapamycin (RAPA) could reverse this phenomenon. Conclusions: Impaired autophagy promoted macrophage polarization toward M1 type and increased the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α, which led to severe CNV. Using the autophagy activator (RAPA) could effectively alleviate CNV by promoting autophagy.
The Potential Role of R4 Regulators of G Protein Signaling (RGS) Proteins in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Zhang Xiaohong , Lv Hongyan , Mei Juan , Ji Bingyuan , Huang Shuhong , Li Xuezhi
Published: December 2022

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex and heterogeneous disease that primarily results from impaired insulin secretion or insulin resistance (IR). G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are proposed as therapeutic targets for T2DM. GPCRs transduce signals via the Gα protein, playing an integral role in insulin secretion and IR. The regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) family proteins can bind to Gα proteins and function as GTPase-activating proteins (GAP) to accelerate GTP hydrolysis, thereby terminating Gα protein signaling. Thus, RGS proteins determine the size and duration of cellular responses to GPCR stimulation. RGSs are becoming popular targeting sites for modulating the signaling of GPCRs and related diseases. The R4 subfamily is the largest RGS family. This review will summarize the research progress on the mechanisms of R4 RGS subfamily proteins in insulin secretion and insulin resistance and analyze their potential value in the treatment of T2DM.
Hydrogen-Sensing Properties of Ultrathin Pt-Co Alloy Films
Authors: Erkovan Mustafa , Deger Caner , Cardoso Susana , Kilinc Necmettin
Published: December 2022

The present work aims to investigate the feasibility of utilizing Pt and PtCo alloy ultrathin films as hydrogen gas sensors in order to reduce the cost of the hydrogen gas sensors by using low-cost metallic materials. In this study, ultrathin Pt and PtCo alloy thin films are evaluated for hydrogen sensors. The stoichiometry and structural characterization of the thin films are observed from XPS, SEM, and EDX measurements. The 2-nm-thick Pt and PtCo films deposited by sputtering onto Si/SiO2 covers homogeneously the surface in an fcc crystalline plane (111). The hydrogen gas-sensing properties of the films are assessed from the resistance measurement between 25 °C and 150 °C temperature range, under atmospheres with hydrogen concentration ranging from 10 ppm to 5%. The hydrogen-sensing mechanism of ultrathin PtxCo1-x alloy films can be elucidated with the surface scattering phenomenon. PtCo thin alloy films show better response time than pure Pt thin films, but the alloy films show lower sensor response than pure Pt film’s sensor response. Aside from these experimental investigations, first-principles calculations have also been carried out for bare Pt and Co, and also PtCo alloys. Compared to the theoretical calculations, the sensor response to change decreases with increasing Co content, a result that is compatible with the experimental results. In an attempt to explain the decrease in the sensor response of PtCo alloy films compared to bare Pt film, a variety of different phenomena are discussed, including the shrinking lattice of the structure or dendritic surface structure of PtCo alloy films by the increasing cobalt ratio.
Analysis of Methane–Air Mixture Dynamics in a Dead-End Drift Ventilated Using an Exhaust System
Authors: Semin Mikhail , Isaevich Aleksey
Published: December 2022

The dynamics of methane–air mixtures in a dead-end drift of a potash mine are investigated in this study. Methane release is associated with the destruction of potash ore during mining operations. The studied dead-end drift is ventilated using an exhaust ventilation system in which fresh air is supplied through the drift, and polluted air is removed through a ventilation duct equipped with a fan. The regularities of the stationary distribution of methane in the drift are described using a 3D multiparametric numerical simulation. The size and shape of the methane cloud at the roof of the dead-end drift were analyzed depending on the ratio of the main mass transfer mechanisms in the system: forced convection due to the action of the fan, free convection due to the differing densities of the methane–air mixture, and turbulent diffusion. A criterion linking the Reynolds number, the gas Grashof number, and the length of the accumulated methane cloud is determined. Overall, the results of this study have important implications for developing new effective auxiliary mine ventilation systems that can improve the safety of mining operations.
PPDP: A Data Portal of Paris polyphylla for Polyphyllin Biosynthesis and Germplasm Resource Exploration
Authors: Su Qixuan , Zhang Xuan , Li Jing , Yang Wenjing , Ren Qiang , Gao Xiaoyang , Liu Changning
Published: December 2022

Paris polyphylla Smith is a perennial medicinal herb with records from around 2000 years ago. Polyphyllins are the main bioactive compounds of this herb, which are found to have remarkable effects on bacteriostatic, antiphlogistic, sedative, and antitumor. However, the market demand for P. polyphylla is sharply increasing, and the wild resources are threatened by plundering exploitation. Integrating molecular data of P. polyphylla can benefit the sustainable resource exploitation. Here, we constructed PPDP (Paris polyphylla Data Portal) to provide a data platform for polyphyllin biosynthesis and germplasm resource research. PPDP integrates related molecular data resources, functional genomics analysis, and morphological identification. The database provides abundant data (transcriptome, CDS, lncRNA, alternative splicing, gene family, SSR, and chloroplast genome) and practical analytical tools (network construction, heatmap of expression profiles, enrichment, and pathway search) with a user-friendly interface. So far, PPDP is the first biomolecular database for the genus Paris plants. In the future, we will gradually add genomic data and other necessary molecular biological information to improve the database.
Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography with Arrival Time Parametric Imaging as a Non-Invasive Diagnostic Tool for Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Lupușoru Raluca , Sporea Ioan , Rațiu Iulia , Lungeanu Diana , Popescu Alina , Dănilă Mirela , Mare Ruxandra , Marc Luciana , Lascău Andrada , Moga Tudor Voicu , Bende Felix , Ghiuchici Ana-Maria , Șirli Roxana
Published: December 2022

Liver biopsy is the gold standard method for staging liver fibrosis, but it is an invasive procedure that is associated with some complications. There are also non-invasive techniques for assessing liver fibrosis, such as elastography and biological tests, but these techniques can fail in detection or generate false measurements depending on the subject’s condition. This study aimed to determine whether liver fibrosis can be evaluated using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with arrival time parametric imaging using the ultrasound machine’s parametric image software, the method being called (CEUS-PAT). CEUS-PAT was performed on each subject using SonoVue as a contrast agent, and images showing liver parenchyma and the right kidney on a single screen were used for analysis in parametric imaging, which was performed using the proprietary software of the ultrasound system. The ratio between the kidney and liver arrival times was calculated. The study included 64 predominantly male (56.3%) subjects, 37 cirrhotic patients, and 27 healthy volunteers, with a mean age of 58.98 ± 8.90 years. Significant differences were found between the liver cirrhosis and healthy groups regarding CEUS-PAT, 0.83 ± 0.09 vs. 0.49 ± 0.11, p < 0.0001. The correlation between CEUS-PAT and VCTE was r = 0.81. The optimal cut-off value for detecting liver cirrhosis was >0.7, with an AUC of 0.98, p < 0.001, Se = 89.19%, Sp = 100%, PPV = 100%, and NPV = 87.1%. We demonstrate that CEUS-PAT achieves excellent performance in diagnosing liver cirrhosis and is a fast method for diagnosing liver cirrhosis that can even be applied in situations where the use of other methods is excluded.
Trajectories of Cognitive Impairment in Adults Bearing Vascular Risk Factors, with or without Diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment: Findings from a Longitudinal Study Assessing Executive Functions, Memory, and Social Cognition
Authors: Tsentidou Glykeria , Moraitou Despina , Tsolaki Magdalini , Masoura Elvira , Papaliagkas Vasileios
Published: December 2022

With the aging of the population, a key concern of both societies and health services is to keep the population cognitively healthy until the maximum age limit. It is a well-known fact that vascular aging has a negative effect on the cognitive skills of adults, putting them at greater risk of developing dementia. The present longitudinal study aimed to evaluate the main dimensions of cognition in two pathological groups with different health profiles: a group of adults with vascular risk factors (VRF) (n = 35) and a group of adults with vascular risk factors and mild cognitive impairment (VRF + MCI) (n = 35). The two groups were matched in age, education, and gender. They were assessed with extensive neuropsychological testing at three different times with a distance of about 8 months between them; the assessment regarded executive functions, memory capacity, and Theory of Mind abilities. The analyses carried out were (a) mixed-measures ANOVA, (b) repeated measures ANOVA, and (c) ANOVA. The findings showed that global cognitive status and short-term memory are the main cognitive abilities that decline in community dwelling people bearing VRF. Hence, this group of adults should be examined at least every 2 years for this decline. As regards people with both VRF and MCI, it seems that the assessment of Theory of Mind abilities can better capture their further impairment. Global cognitive status, task/rule switching function, and long-term memory (delayed verbal recall) were revealed as the abilities that clearly and steadily differentiate VRF people with and without MCI.
Association of Mandibular Posterior Anatomic Limit with Skeletal Patterns and Root Morphology Using Three-Dimensional Cone Beam Computed Tomography Comprehensive Analysis
Authors: Iguchi Keiichiro , Kim Yong-Il , Adel Mohamed , Nadim Mohamed , Hatanaka Reina , Koizumi So , Yamaguchi Tetsutaro
Published: December 2022

This study aimed to clarify the relationship between the mandibular posterior anatomic limit (MPAL) and skeletal anteroposterior and vertical skeletal patterns, with consideration of factors that may be related. In total, 230 people were included: 49 Japanese, 122 Egyptian, and 59 Korean people. The MPAL was measured at 0, 2, 4, and 6 mm from the root furcation along the sagittal and cuspal lines at the distance from the distal root of the mandibular right second molar to the mandibular cortex of the lingual bone. Eight different MPALs were evaluated using multiple regression analysis with explanatory variables for anteroposterior and vertical skeletal patterns and qualitative variables for age, sex, population, the presence of third molars, number of roots, presence of C-shaped roots, and Angle malocclusion classification. The MPAL was significantly larger as the mandibular plane angle decreased. The MPAL near the root apex was significantly larger as the A-nasion-point B angle increased, and the MPAL near the root apex measured at the cuspal line was significantly larger for C-type roots. The present study showed that a C-shaped root affected the MPAL in addition to the anteroposterior and vertical skeletal patterns.
Duration of Diabetes as a Risk Factor for Retinal Microvasculature Alterations Detected with Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Patients without Clinical Retinopathy
Authors: Qian Jing , Haq Zeeshan , Yang Daphne , Jin Joy Q. , Stewart Jay M.
Published: December 2022

In this study, we examined the impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) disease duration on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) parameters in diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy (DR). A total of 1118 eyes from 1118 DM patients without DR were divided into three groups by DM duration: 0–5 years (short cohort; n = 571), 6–10 years (medium cohort; n = 306), and >10 years (long cohort; n = 241). Ultra-widefield fundus photography and nine OCTA parameters derived from the superficial retinal capillary plexus were analyzed. Perfusion density (PD) and vessel length density (VD) were significantly decreased within the 1 mm patch in patient OCTAs from the medium cohort compared to the short cohort. Conversely, PD and VD were significantly decreased within the 6 mm patch and inner ring among the long cohort compared to the short and medium cohorts. These findings remained consistent after controlled analysis. Patients in the medium cohort had the largest FAZ area, while patients in the long cohort had the smallest FAZ area, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups. Superficial PD and VD significantly decreased among the medium and long cohorts compared to the short cohort, confirming that subclinical, progressive macular vasculature change is associated with longer DM duration. However, while FAZ area significantly increased in the medium cohort, the long cohort exhibited decreased FAZ area, suggesting the latter may possess protective factors that decrease overall risk of DR development.
A Novel Expert System for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Heart Disease
Authors: Mazhar Tehseen , Nasir Qandeel , Haq Inayatul , Kamal Mian Muhammad , Ullah Inam , Kim Taejoon , Mohamed Heba G. , Alwadai Norah
Published: December 2022

The diagnosis of diseases in their early stages can assist us in preventing life-threatening infections and caring for them better than in the last phase because prevention is better than cure. The death rate can be very high due to the unapproachability of diagnosed patients at an early point. Expert systems help us to defeat the problem mentioned above and enable us to automatically diagnose diseases in their early phases. Expert systems use a fuzzy, rule-based inference engine to provide forward-chain methods for diagnosing the patient. In this research, data have been gathered from different sources, such as a hospital, by performing the test on the patients’ age, gender, blood sugar, heart rate, and ECG to calculate the values. The proposed expert system for medical diagnosis can be used to find minimum disease levels and demonstrate the predominant method for curing different medical diseases, such as heart diseases. In the next step, the diagnostic test at the hospital with the novel expert system, the crisp, fuzzy value is generated for input into the expert system. After taking the crisp input, the expert system starts working on fuzzification and compares it with the knowledge base processed by the inference engine. After the fuzzification, the next step starts with the expert system in the defuzzification process converting the fuzzy sets’ value into a crisp value that is efficient for human readability. Later, the expert physician system’s diagnosis calculates the value by using fuzzy sets, and gives an output to determine the patient’s heart disease. In one case, the diagnosis step was accomplished, and the expert system provided the yield with the heart disease risk level as “low”, “high”, or “risky”. After the expert system’s responsibilities have been completed, the physician decides on the treatment and recommends a proper dose of medicine according to the level the expert system provided after the diagnosis step. The findings indicate that this research achieves better performance in finding appropriate heart disease risk levels, while also fulfilling heart disease patient treatment due to the physicians shortfalls.
An Optical Encoder Chip with Area Compensation
Authors: Wang Xi , Liang Yu , Zhang Wei , Yang Xue , Hao Dongning
Published: December 2022

A photodiode area-compensation method based on light intensity distribution characteristics is introduced to solve the problem of the hybrid optical encoder’s inconsistent absolute code output signals. This method performs area compensation of different degrees according to the irradiance received by the photodiodes at different positions, thus achieving the consistency of output signals and reducing the bit error rate of absolute code signals. Based on the 0.35 μmm CMOS process, a four-channel photodiode array chip for a reflective hybrid optical encoder was designed. Moreover, the absolute code photodiode arrays were designed with area compensation. The test results show that the square wave duty cycle error of the output signals is less than 2% when the LED light source works normally. When the LED working current changes by ±2.85 mA, the output signal’s square wave duty cycle error is less than 3.1%. In each case, the square wave duty cycle error of the output signals is small, so it can be seen that the area compensation method based on light intensity distribution can achieve good consistency of the output signal. The chip has been taped and packaged, and the chip area is 21.45 mm2.
System Performance and Pollutant Emissions of Micro Gas Turbine Combined Cycle in Variable Fuel Type Cases
Authors: Zhang Xiaotao , Wu Yichao , Zhang Wenxian , Wang Qixian , Wang Aijun
Published: December 2022

This study focuses on an investigation of the operating performance and pollutant emission characteristics of a micro gas turbine combined cycle using biomass gas, replacing natural gas. The models of both recuperative cycle micro gas turbines with a waste heat utilization system and a micro gas-steam turbine combined cycle system are established. When the gas turbine works at 100 kW and the same types of fuel are burnt, the recuperative cycle system consumes less fuel than the gas-steam combined cycle system. The electric efficiency of the recuperative cycle system can reach more than 29%, which is higher than 24% of the gas-steam combined system. The combined cycle thermal efficiency of the recuperative system is as high as 66%, with 36% waste heat utilization efficiency. The electrical efficiency of the recuperative cycle system in the biomass gas case decreases, while that of the gas-steam combined cycle system undergoes little change. When the gas turbine power output increases from 50 kW to 100 kW, the electrical efficiency and combined cycle thermal efficiency increases, but the thermal efficiency of waste heat utilization of recuperative cycle decreases, the NOX and SO2 emissions gradually rise. Under the same working conditions, the NOX emissions of the recuperative cycle system are greater than that of the steam-gas combined cycle system.
Numerical Study on the Unsteady Flow Field Characteristics of a Podded Propulsor Based on DDES Method
Authors: Mei Ziyi , Gao Bo , Zhang Ning , Lai Yuanqing , Li Guoping
Published: December 2022

The podded propulsor has gradually become an important propulsion device for high technology ships in recent years because of its characteristics of high maneuverability, high efficiency, low noise, and vibration. The performance of podded propulsor is closely related to its flow field. To study the unsteady flow field characteristics of podded propulsor, the DDES (delayed detached eddy simulation) method was used to carry out high-precision transient numerical simulations. Results showed that the pod has a significant influence on the unsteady flow field. The rotor–stator interaction between the propeller and pod can be observed, leading to the periodic fluctuation of thrust on the propeller. On the surface of pod, pressure distribution changes with time, leading to the difference of local lateral force. In the spatial region affected by the propeller wake flow, pressure distribution presents a spiral characteristic, both in the region far away from the pod, and in the region of the wake flow of strut and fin. The vortex structures of podded propulsor are complex since the interference of the pod. In addition to the tip, root and hub vortex, strut and fin vortices also occur. The vortices generated by the effect of mutual inductance between vortices are also discussed.
Energy Transition in Non-Euro Countries from Central and Eastern Europe: Evidence from Panel Vector Error Correction Model
Authors: Apostu Simona Andreea , Panait Mirela , Balsalobre-Lorente Daniel , Ferraz Diogo , Rădulescu Irina Gabriela
Published: December 2022

The countries of Central and Eastern Europe, from the non-euro area, have completed the process of economic transition before joining the European Union. Achieving a certain level of economic development and membership in the European Union have generated their involvement in a new transition process, namely the energy transition. Concerns about promoting the low carbon economy have become increasingly complex for those countries that are interested in the environmental impact of economic activity. This study aims to analyze the process of energy transition in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe on the basis of the causality relationship among specific variables for the period 1990–2018. The study is based on cross-sectional panel data and the panel vector error correction model (PVECM). The efforts made by these countries by joining the European Union have generated economic development, with positive effects being recorded on the protection of the environment, a fact due to the strict regulations adopted and rigorous implementation at the national level. Foreign capital had a positive impact on the transition to a low carbon economy because most of the FDI flows attracted by the non-euro countries in the CEE come from Western Europe, i.e., from EU member countries, located either among the founders or among the countries that joined during the first waves of union expansion. Membership in the European Union facilitates the energy transition process for the non-euro countries of Central and Eastern Europe, but the new geopolitical events generate the reconfiguration of the European strategy of considering the need to ensure energy security.
Deep Learning with Dipper Throated Optimization Algorithm for Energy Consumption Forecasting in Smart Households
Authors: Abdelhamid Abdelaziz , El-Kenawy El-Sayed , Alrowais Fadwa , Ibrahim Abdelhameed , Khodadadi Nima , Lim Wei , Alruwais Nuha , Khafaga Doaa
Published: December 2022

One of the relevant factors in smart energy management is the ability to predict the consumption of energy in smart households and use the resulting data for planning and operating energy generation. For the utility to save money on energy generation, it must be able to forecast electrical demands and schedule generation resources to meet the demand. In this paper, we propose an optimized deep network model for predicting future consumption of energy in smart households based on the Dipper Throated Optimization (DTO) algorithm and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM). The proposed deep network consists of three parts, the first part contains a single layer of bidirectional LSTM, the second part contains a set of stacked unidirectional LSTM, and the third part contains a single layer of fully connected neurons. The design of the proposed deep network targets represents the temporal dependencies of energy consumption for boosting prediction accuracy. The parameters of the proposed deep network are optimized using the DTO algorithm. The proposed model is validated using the publicly available UCI household energy dataset. In comparison to the other competing machine learning models, such as Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), Sequence-to-Sequence (Seq2Seq), and standard LSTM, the performance of the proposed model shows promising effectiveness and superiority when evaluated using eight evaluation criteria including Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and R2. Experimental results show that the proposed optimized deep model achieved an RMSE of (0.0047) and R2 of (0.998), which outperform those values achieved by the other models. In addition, a sensitivity analysis is performed to study the stability and significance of the proposed approach. The recorded results confirm the effectiveness, superiority, and stability of the proposed approach in predicting the future consumption of energy in smart households.
Passive, Low-Energy Design and Green Star Strategy for Green Star-Rated Buildings in South Africa
Authors: Pillay Theogan Logan , Saha Akshay Kumar
Published: December 2022

Services surrounding green buildings are specialised and directed towards the process of design and comprise comprehensive and quantified management in its entirety. Implicitly, consultancies are unable to deliver this service at the standard and pace required in the preliminary stages of design, and not all clients or consultants will require the services to be essential. The main aim is to stabilise the several characteristics prompting one another to optimise design performance against the optimisation algorithms. Green Star is a universal evaluation tool, assessing not only green characteristics but also elements that influence wellbeing and occupant health, such as indoor environment quality. The tools for Green Star rating can be used to measure the green features of a building from the design phase right to the stage of site handover (known as “As-Built”). This paper refers, in the literature review, to the passive and low-energy design methods of a Green Star-rated building at early design stages. The “green” project management of a project is to coordinate multidisciplinary incorporation and to accompany the costing contribution tools presented in this paper. The passive and low-energy design tools discussed entails the amalgamation of electrical and mechanical services together with architecture, i.e., space layout and envelope design. This paper compares rationalised energy and indoor environment performance between two buildings against the activities and climatic conditions within a targeted Green Star-rated building. Proposals regarding 4- and 6-star ratings and techniques have been evaluated and presented for the two buildings.
Research on Refined Modeling and Fuzzy Control of Electro-Hydrostatic Actuator with Co-Simulation Method
Authors: Li Ruizhe , Du Yuhuan , Yu Yang
Published: December 2022

The EHA is a highly integrated closed hydraulic system which is widely used in aerospace, vehicles, and robotics because of its high power and lightweight size. Due to the high non-linearity of the control system, it is difficult to reach a high robustness, leading to instability of the EHA system. In this paper, the fuzzy PID control strategy is proposed for overall control of the whole EHA system. Firstly, the structure and operating principle of EHA are analyzed. Secondly, the mathematical model and simulation model of the EHA-FPVM were established. Specially, to solve the problem of difficult calculation of non-linear factors such as friction and external forces, a co-simulation model was built in Matlab/Simulink AMESim, and a fuzzy PID controller was designed to control the EHA-FPVM. Finally, the PID and fuzzy PID controller were used to conduct simulation experiments, the simulation results are compared, and a servo-hydraulic system evaluation method is introduced to assess the simulation results. The results show that the EHA fuzzy PID control system has better output performance, lower overshoot percentages and steady-state errors, and the obtained evaluation scores are higher and more suitable for controlling EHA.
Analysis of Temperature Influence on Precipitation of Secondary Sediments during Water Injection into an Absorptive Well
Authors: Jakubowicz Piotr , Steliga Teresa , Wojtowicz Katarzyna
Published: December 2022

The extraction of hydrocarbons is associated with obtaining certain amounts of water, which is heavily contaminated with a wide range of chemical compounds that negatively affect the environment. At present, practically the only method of managing extracted reservoir waters is their injection into absorbing horizons. Large changes in parameters (pH, Eh, temperature, etc.) occurring during the extraction and storage of water, as well as the contact of the injected water with reservoir water and rock, may result in the precipitation of secondary sediments. The complexity of the injected water/native water/deposit rock system and the wide range of possible interactions do not always allow for correct interpretation of the processes and their impact on near-well zone permeability. One of the factors which has a decisive influence on dissolution/precipitation is temperature change. Applying analytical data of water with low (W-1) and high (W-2) mineralization, calculations were carried out with the use of PRHEEQC software. Changes in solubility index values were determined at ambient temperature (20 °C) and reservoir temperature (94 °C). The obtained results indicate that with increasing temperature, SI changes for a given chemical compound may run in different directions and take different values, depending on the composition of the injected water. The calculations indicate the possibility of a change in the direction of the reaction from dissolution to precipitation, which may lead to clogging of the near-well zone. Simulations of the injected water’s contact with minerals present in the reservoir rock were also carried out. The obtained data indicate that these minerals, in the entire studied temperature range, dissolve in the injected water, but the solubility of anhydrite and dolomite decreases with increasing temperature. If the water is saturated with minerals at low temperature, after heating in the bed, sedimentation and blockage of rock pores may occur, which means there is a reduction in the efficiency of water injection.
Energy Systems and Applications in Agriculture
Authors: Sultan Muhammad , Mahmood Muhammad Hamid , Ahamed Md Shamim , Shamshiri Redmond R. , Shahzad Muhammad Wakil
Published: December 2022

Agriculture and agro-based industries consume more energy, mainly derived from fossil fuels [...]
Curled-Skewed Wakes behind Yawed Wind Turbines Subject to Veered Inflow
Authors: Mohammadi Mohammadreza , Bastankhah Majid , Fleming Paul , Churchfield Matthew , Bossanyi Ervin , Landberg Lars , Ruisi Renzo
Published: December 2022

This work presents a new engineering analytical model that predicts the effect of both the turbine yaw misalignment and the inflow wind veer on the wake flow distribution downwind of a wind turbine. To consider the veered inflow, two methods were examined. In the first method, the curled shape of the wake due to the yaw offset is initially modelled. The wake shape is then laterally skewed at each height due to the wind veer based on the assumption that the turbine wake is transported downstream by the incoming flow. The second method is a more realistic approach that accounts for the effect of wind veer on the wind velocity direction and the yaw angle seen by the wind turbine. This models the wake region in a local coordinate system defined based on the wind direction at each height. A coordinate transformation is then performed to represent the wake flow distribution in the global coordinate system attached to the ground. The results show that while the two methods provide similar outputs for small variations in the wind direction across the rotor, the difference becomes more evident with an increase in wind veer. High-fidelity simulations for a turbine subject to a neutral atmospheric boundary layer were employed to validate model predictions for different operating conditions.
Comparative Study of Methane Production in a One-Stage vs. Two-Stage Anaerobic Digestion Process from Raw Tomato Plant Waste
Authors: Ruiz-Aguilar Graciela M. L. , Nuñez-Palenius Hector G. , Lovanh Nanh , Camarena-Martínez Sarai
Published: December 2022

An anaerobic digestion process performed in two stages has the advantages of the production of hydrogen in addition to methane, and of further degradation of the substrate over the conventional process. The effectiveness of the implementation of this system for the treatment of lignocellulosic waste has been demonstrated. In 2020, more than 180 million tons of organic waste were generated worldwide from tomato crop production, posing a serious environmental risk. In the present investigation, methane production was compared in a two-stage system versus one-stage system from non-pretreated tomato plant residues. For this, different temperature (37 and 55 °C) and initial pH (5.5 and 6.5) conditions were evaluated during hydrogenesis and a constant temperature (37 °C, without pH adjustment) during methanogenesis. At the same time, a one-stage treatment (37 °C, without pH adjustment) was run for comparison purposes. The two-stage treatment in which the highest production of hydrogen, 12.4 mL/g VS, and methane, 252.3 mL/g VS, was observed occurred under the conditions of pH 6.5 and at 37 °C. However, this energy production was statistically similar (p < 0.5) to the one-stage treatment (365.4 mL CH4/g VS). Furthermore, there were also no significant differences in the removal of volatile solids between the different treatments.
A Pumpkin-Based Emulsion Gel as a Texture Improvement of Mixed Horsemeat Semi-Smoked Sausages
Authors: Ashakayeva Rysgul , Assenova Bakhytkul , Tumenova Galiya , Nurgazezova Almagul , Zhumanova Gulnara , Atambayeva Zhibek , Baikadamova Assemgul , Il Dmitrii , Dautova Assel
Published: December 2022

Semi-smoked sausages were made with 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% replacement of horsemeat by emulsion gel made with offal broth (stomach, kidney, liver, heart, brain, and a miscellaneous trimmings of a horse), pumpkin flour, and egg yolk in a ratio of 5:4:1. The technological, nutritional, oxidative, and rheological (G′ and G″) properties were studied. Sausage water holding capacity (WHC) rose after being incorporated with pumpkin-based emulsion gel (PEG). There was a statistically significant (p < 0.01) improvement in sausage emulsion stability. Lipid oxidation in all samples, especially 5% and 15% addition of emulsion gel samples, was below the rancidity criterion, which is TBARS > 2.0–2.5 mg MDA/kg sample. This really is encouraging because unsaturated fatty acids, such as those found in horsemeat, are easily oxidized. Use of the emulsion gel did not noticeably alter the sausages’ pH. Using emulsion gel considerably reduced the cooking loss (p < 0.05) of sausages and significantly improved texture (p < 0.05). Partial replacement of mixed horsemeat with emulsion gel improved the physicochemical characteristics of semi-smoked sausages. The elasticity modulus (G′) showed that PEG15 (15% of emulsion gel) was the most resilient gel. The least powerful gels (p < 0.05) were PEG20 and PEG25. According to this study, adding a pumpkin-based emulsion gel to the meat matrix could improve the quality of the emulsified meat system and provide important data for related research and companies as strategies to market a healthier and more nutritious product with the necessary quality characteristics.
Chaos Controllability in Fractional-Order Systems via Active Dual Combination–Combination Hybrid Synchronization Strategy
Authors: Sajid Mohammad , Chaudhary Harindri , Allahem Ali , Kaushik Santosh
Published: December 2022

In this paper, the dual combination–combination hybrid synchronization (DCCHS) scheme has been investigated in fractional-order chaotic systems with a distinct dimension applying a scaling matrix. The formulations for the active control have been analyzed numerically using Lyapunov’s stability analysis in order to achieve the proposed DCCHS among the considered systems. With the evolution of time, the error system then converges to zero by applying a suitably designed control function. The proposed synchronization technique depicts a higher degree of complexity in error systems, and therefore, the DCCHS scheme provides higher protection for secure communication. Mathematical simulations are implemented using MATLAB, the results of which confirm that the proposed approach is superior and more effective in comparison to existing chaos literature.
Expanding the Spectrum of KDM5C Neurodevelopmental Disorder: A Novel De Novo Stop Variant in a Young Woman and Emerging Genotype–Phenotype Correlations
Authors: Lintas Carla , Bottillo Irene , Sacco Roberto , Azzarà Alessia , Cassano Ilaria , Ciccone Maria Pia , Grammatico Paola , Gurrieri Fiorella
Published: December 2022

As a consequence of the implementation of NGS technologies, the diagnostic yield of neurodevelopmental disorders has dramatically increased during the past two decades. Among neurodevelopmental genes, transcription-related genes and chromatin remodeling genes are the most represented category of disease-causing genes. Indeed, the term “chromatinopathies” is now widely used to describe epigenetic disorders caused by mutations in these genes. We hereby describe a twenty-seven-year-old female patient diagnosed with moderate intellectual disability comorbid with other neuropsychiatric and behavioral issues carrying a de novo heterozygous stop variant in the KDM5C gene (NM_004187.5: c. 3847G>T, p.Glu1283*), encoding a histone demethylase that specifically acts on the H3K4 lysines. The gene is located on the X chromosome and has been associated with Claes–Jensen-type intellectual disability, an X-linked syndromic disorder. We discuss our case in relation to previously reported affected females harboring pathogenic mutations in the KDM5C gene with the objective of delineating genotype–phenotype correlations and further defining a common recognizable phenotype. We also highlight the importance of reverse phenotyping in relation to whole-exome sequencing results.
Medico-Legal Issues in Cremation: Comparative Analysis of International Legislation
Authors: Di Lorenzo Pierpaolo , Di Donna Gaetano , Busillo Ludovica , Pieri Maria , Capasso Emanuele , Policino Fabio , Casella Claudia , Niola Massimo
Published: December 2022

Cremation has seen a constant increase in popularity all around the world. Because of its extensively destructive nature, however, a series of medico-legal issues arise concerning identification, forensic autopsy, external examination, histological, toxicological and genetic exams to be performed not in the immediacy of death. The aim of this study is to compare the international legislation on cremation, seeking the response of various countries to their medico-legal issues. Several affinities but also some differences were found. Similarities include the need for a certificate by a medical examiner excluding any medico-legal issues and non-natural causes of death and the expression of consent to cremation given by the deceased when still alive otherwise by relatives. Significant differences were found in German law, which provides for a second medical examination prior to cremation and in Italian law providing for the medical examiner to collect biological samples from the body and store them for a minimum of ten years for any future purpose of justice. The Italian approach could give a plausible solution to the medico-legal issues raised by cremation with the imperative premise, however, we need to look deeply into its privacy and consent implications, cost–benefits rate, sample collection and storage protocol.
Effect of Fertilization Combined with Shading on Growth and Aromatic Constituents of Niamhom (Strobilanthes nivea Craib) Using an Internet of Things (IoT) Controlled Irrigation System
Authors: Susawaengsup Chanthana , Jaradrattanapaiboon Anuwat , Sornsakdanuphap Jirapong , Choengpanya Khuanjarat , Jaradrattanapaiboon Yosita , Tongkoom Krittiya , Bhuyar Prakash
Published: December 2022

The Niamhom (Strobilanthes nivea Craib) plant was cultivated using a modern greenhouse with an automatic irrigation system controlled by the Internet of Things (IoT). The present study investigates the effects of fertilizers, including chemicals, cow manure fertilizer, and bio-fermented water with shading influences of 50 and 70% on plant growth and morphological characteristics. Additionally, the study aims to analyze the chemical constituents of cultivated Niamhom leaf evaluated by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Findings discovered that 50 and 70% shading did not affect plant stem size and canopy diameter. However, shading at 50% affects chlorophyll content, yield, dry weight, leaf diameter, plant height, and the number of leaves. There were no differences in plant growth parameters among the three fertilizer treatments, but significant differences were found in leaf number, leaf area, and chlorophyll content. The chemical fertilizers gave the highest values, followed by cow manure fertilizer and bio-fermented water. The leaves of the Niamhom plant grown in 70% shade with cow manure fertilizer application had the highest overall aromatic content, followed by plants grown in 50% shade with cow manure and chemical fertilizers, respectively. However, when the synergistic interaction of fertilizers and shade factor of 50 to 70% were examined, it was revealed that the chemical odorants of the Niamhom leaf interacted significantly. The whole aromatic substances were detectable in dichloromethane (DCM) extracts, except 2-hexanal in ethyl acetate mediated extract. GC-MS analysis revealed that the primary substances in Niamhom leave comprised 2-propionyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridine, 2-propionyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridine, hexanoic acid, 3,5,5-trimethyl-, nonyl ester, n-hexadecanoic acid, phytol, 9,12-octadecadienoic acid. The specific aroma compounds of Niamhom leaves that can be utilized as indicators for the herb’s potential consist of 2-hexenal, 2-acetyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridine, maltol, 2-acetyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridine, hexanoic acid, and 3,5,5-trimethyl-, nonyl ester. Future surveys are necessary to be performed for Niamhom as a potential herb plant for aromatic and several food applications.
From the Trowel’s Edge to the Scholarly Sidelines: Community-Based Research in Academic Archaeology, 2012–2021
Authors: Wright Alice P.
Published: December 2022

Community-based approaches in archaeology are poised to make an important contribution to the decolonization of the discipline. Archaeologists who are committed to this agenda are undoubtedly aware that community archaeology is a vibrant and growing research area, but the extent to which the practical aspects and interpretive impact of community archaeology are known beyond its adherents is unclear. This article reviews recent publication trends in highly ranked, international archaeology journals to determine if and what kind of community archaeology is reaching a discipline-spanning audience. The main finding of this analysis is that community archaeology occupies a dynamic but narrow niche within general archaeological scholarship. I argue that this pattern must be confronted and reversed if the transformative potential of community-based research is to be realized in archaeology.
Programmatic Cost-Effectiveness of a Second-Time Visit to Detect New Tuberculosis and Diabetes Mellitus in TB Contact Tracing in Myanmar
Authors: Zayar Nyi Nyi , Chotipanvithayakul Rassamee , Htet Kyaw Ko Ko , Chongsuvivatwong Virasakdi
Published: December 2022

Background: Integration of diabetes mellitus screening in home visits for contact tracing for tuberculosis could identify hidden patients with either tuberculosis or diabetes mellitus. However, poor compliance to the first home screening has been reported. A second time visit not only increases screening compliance but also the cost. This study aimed to determine if an additional second time visit was cost effective based on the health system perspective of the tuberculosis contact tracing program in Myanmar. Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on usual contact tracing activity in the Yangon Region, Myanmar, from April to December 2018 with integration of diabetes mellitus screening and an additional home visit to take blood glucose tests along with repeated health education and counseling to stress the need for a chest X-ray. New tuberculosis and diabetes mellitus cases detected were the main outcome variables. Programmatic operational costs were calculated based on a standardized framework for cost evaluation on tuberculosis screening. The effectiveness of an additional home visit was estimated using disability-adjusted life years averted. The willingness to pay threshold was taken as 1250.00 US dollars gross domestic product per capita of the country. Results: Single and additional home visits could lead to 42.5% and 65.0% full compliance and 27.2 and 9.3 additional years of disability-adjusted life years averted, respectively. The respective base costs and additional costs were 3280.95 US dollars and 1989.02 US dollars. The programmatic costs for an extra unit of disability-adjusted life years averted was 213.87 US dollars, which was lower than the willingness to pay threshold. Conclusions: From the programmatic perspective, conducting the second time visit for tuberculosis contact tracing integrated with diabetes mellitus screening was found to be cost effective.