bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comparative Study of Eu3+-Doped Sillenites: Bi12SiO20 (BSO) and Bi12GeO20 (BGO)
Authors: Kowalczyk Marcin , Kaczkan Marcin , Majchrowski Andrzej , Malinowski Michał
Published: February 2023

The spectroscopic properties of Eu3+-doped Bi12SiO20 (BSO) were investigated and compared with that of Eu3+-doped Bi12GeO20 (BGO). The emission properties and the absorption spectra have been measured at 10 K as well as at 300 K (room temperature). Luminescence was detected due to the direct excitation of the 5D0 level of Eu3+, as well as through the excitation of the 5D1 level. The Judd–Ofelt theoretical framework was used to compute the radiative lifetimes (τ) and the omega parameters (Ωλ). The electric dipole transition probabilities, asymmetry ratios (R), along with the branching ratios (β) were also determined based on the obtained experimental data. The strongest detected luminescence belongs to the 5D0 → 7F0 transition observed at 578 nm, similar to the BGO sillenite. Reasons for the major presence of the 5D0 → 7F0 emission, theoretically forbidden by the Judd–Ofelt Theory, were investigated and compared with that of the BGO sillenite. Obtained results showed that the strong 5D0 → 7F0 line is also present in Eu:BSO, indicating that this is a feature of the entire sillenite family and not just Eu:BGO.
Properties of Solutions for Games on Union-Closed Systems
Authors: van den Brink Rene , Katsev Ilya , van der Laan Gerard
Published: February 2023

A situation in which a finite set of players can obtain certain payoffs by cooperation can be described by a cooperative game with transferable utility, or simply a TU-game. A solution for TU-games assigns a set of payoff distributions to every TU-game. In the literature, various models of games with restricted cooperation can be found where, instead of allowing all subsets of the player set N to form, it is assumed that the set of feasible coalitions is a subset of the power set of N. In this paper, we consider games on a union-closed system where the set of feasible coalitions is closed under the union, i.e., for any two feasible coalitions also, their union is feasible. Properties of solutions (the core, the nucleolus, and the prekernel) are discussed for games on a union-closed system.
The Arctan Power Distribution: Properties, Quantile and Modal Regressions with Applications to Biomedical Data
Authors: Nasiru Suleman , Abubakari Abdul Ghaniyyu , Chesneau Christophe
Published: February 2023

The usefulness of (probability) distributions in the field of biomedical science cannot be underestimated. Hence, several distributions have been used in this field to perform statistical analyses and make inferences. In this study, we develop the arctan power (AP) distribution and illustrate its application using biomedical data. The distribution is flexible in the sense that its probability density function exhibits characteristics such as left-skewedness, right-skewedness, and J and reversed-J shapes. The characteristic of the corresponding hazard rate function also suggests that the distribution is capable of modeling data with monotonic and non-monotonic failure rates. A bivariate extension of the AP distribution is also created to model the interdependence of two random variables or pairs of data. The application reveals that the AP distribution provides a better fit to the biomedical data than other existing distributions. The parameters of the distribution can also be fairly accurately estimated using a Bayesian approach, which is also elaborated. To end the study, the quantile and modal regression models based on the AP distribution provided better fits to the biomedical data than other existing regression models.
Transcriptome Sequencing of the Diatom Asterionellopsis thurstonii and In Silico Identification of Enzymes Potentially Involved in the Synthesis of Bioactive Molecules
Authors: Montuori Eleonora , Martinez Kevin A. , De Luca Daniele , Ianora Adrianna , Lauritano Chiara
Published: February 2023

Microalgae produce a plethora of primary and secondary metabolites with possible applications in several market sectors, including cosmetics, human nutrition, aquaculture, biodiesel production and treatment/prevention of human diseases. Diatoms, in particular, are the most diversified microalgal group, many species of which are known to have anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetes, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Compounds responsible for these activities are often still unknown. The aim of this study was to de novo sequence the full transcriptome of two strains of the diatom Asterionellopsis thurstonii, sampled from two different locations and cultured in both control and phosphate starvation conditions. We used an RNA-sequencing approach to in silico identify transcripts potentially involved in the synthesis/degradation of compounds with anti-cancer and immunomodulatory properties. We identified transcript coding for L-asparaginase I, polyketide cyclase/dehydrase, bifunctional polyketide phosphatase/kinase, 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase (fragment), inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase INPP5B/F, catechol O-Methyltransferase, digalactosyldiacylglycerol synthase (DGD1), 1,2-diacylglycerol-3-beta-galactosyltransferase and glycerolphosphodiester phosphodiesterase. Differential expression analysis also allowed to identify in which culturing condition these enzymes are more expressed. Overall, these data give new insights on the annotation of diatom genes, enzymatic pathways involved in the generation of bioactive molecules and possible exploitation of Asterionellopsis thurstonii.
The Impact of Microorganisms on the Performance of Linseed Oil and Tung Tree Oil Impregnated Composites Made of Hemp Shives and Corn Starch
Authors: Vasiliauskienė Dovilė , Balčiūnas Giedrius , Boris Renata , Kairytė Agnė , Urbonavičius Jaunius
Published: February 2023

In this study, the performance characteristics of hemp shives impregnated with linseed oil and tung tree oil (HS)- and corn starch (CS)-based biocomposites containing flame retardants were evaluated before and after treatment with the mixture of bacterium Pseudomonas putida and fungus Rhizopus oryzae. Enzymatic activities and physical-mechanical properties such as water absorption, thickness swelling, compressive strength, and thermal conductivity were tested to evaluate the suitability of selected composites for thermal insulation purposes. In addition, electron microscopy was used to investigate the impact of microorganisms on the microstructure of the material. It was determined that the type of oil used for impregnation significantly affects the properties of biocomposites after 6 months of incubation with mixture of bacterium P. putida and fungus Rh. oryzae. Biocomposites impregnated with linseed oil and after treatment with a mixture of microorganisms had cellulase activity of 25 U/mL, endo β-1-4-glucanase activity of 26 U/mL, lipase activity of 101 U/mL, only a 10% decrease in compressive strength, 50% higher short-term water absorption, unchanged swelling in thickness, and slightly decreased thermal conductivity compared to control biocomposites. At the same time, biocomposites with tung tree oil had a much more pronounced deterioration of the properties tested, cellulase activity of 28 U/mL, endo β-1-4-glucanase activity of 37 U/mL, lipase activity of 91 U/mL, two times lower compressive strength and two times higher short-term water absorption, 2.5 times greater thickness swelling, and a slightly increased thermal conductivity. We conclude that linseed oil provides better protection against the action of microorganisms compared to impregnation with tung tree oil.
Efficacy of Trichoderma longibrachiatum Trichogin GA IV Peptaibol analogs against the Black Rot Pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris and other Phytopathogenic Bacteria
Authors: Caracciolo Rocco , Sella Luca , De Zotti Marta , Bolzonello Angela , Armellin Marco , Trainotti Livio , Favaron Francesco , Tundo Silvio
Published: February 2023

Black rot caused by the Gram-negative bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) is considered one of the most destructive diseases affecting crucifers. Xcc is a seedborne pathogen able to infect the host at any growth stage. The management of the pathogen mainly relies on the use of copper-based products with possible negative effects on human health and the environment. Searching for protection alternatives is crucial for achieving a sustainable management of Xcc. Trichoderma spp. has been largely used as a biocontrol agent against several phytopathogens. Among Trichoderma species, Trichoderma longibrachiatum produces the peptaibol trichogin GA IV, a secondary metabolite with antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, as well as filamentous and yeast-like fungi. In this work, we tested, at micromolar concentrations, 25 synthetic analogs of the peptaibol trichogin GA IV for their bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity toward the bacterium Xcc. One of the most effective peptides (4r) was also tested against the Gram-negative bacteria Xanthomonas arboricola, Pseudomonas corrugata, Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Ralstonia solanacearum, and Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora, as well as the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis. The peptide 4r reduced black rot symptoms on cauliflower plants when administered both before and 24 h after inoculation with Xcc. The cytotoxic activity of the peptide 4r was also evaluated towards suspensions of tobacco cells by Evans Blue assay.
Synthesis and Characterization of Curcumin-Chitosan Loaded Gold Nanoparticles by Oryctes rhinoceros’ Chitin for Cosmeceutical Application
Authors: Zainol Abidin Nurul Alyani , Kormin Faridah , Zainol Abidin Nurul Akhma , Bakar Mohd Fadzelly Abu , Moujdin Iqbal Ahmed
Published: February 2023

A breakthrough in cosmeceuticals by utilizing insects as major ingredients in cosmetic products is gaining popularity. Therefore, the interest in rare sources of ingredients, for instance, from the Oryctes rhinoceros beetle, can bring huge benefits in terms of turning pests into wealth. In this study, curcumin was chosen as the active ingredient loaded into chitosan-gold nanoparticles (CCG-NP). Curcumin is unstable and has poor absorption, a high rate of metabolism, and high sensitivity to light. These are all factors that contribute to the low bioavailability of any substance to reach the target cells. Therefore, chitosan extracted from O. rhinoceros could be used as a drug carrier to overcome these limitations. In order to overcome these limitations, CCG-NPs were synthesized and characterized. Chitosan was isolated from O. rhinoceros and CCG-NPs were successfully synthesized at 70 °C for 60 min under optimal conditions of a reactant ratio of 2:0.5 (0.5 mM HAuCl4: 0.1% curcumin). Characterizations of CCG-NP involved FTIR analysis, zeta potential, morphological properties determination by FE-SEM, particle size analysis, crystallinity study by XRD, and elemental analysis by EDX. The shape of the CCG-NP was round, its size was 128.27 d.nm, and the value of the zeta potential was 20.2 ± 3.81 mV. The IC50 value for cell viability is 58%, indicating a mild toxicity trait. To conclude, CCG-NP is a stable, spherical, nano-sized, non-toxic, and homogeneous solution.
Glycyrrhizae radix et Rhizoma-Derived Carbon Dots and Their Effect on Menopause Syndrome in Ovariectomized Mice
Authors: Zhang Ying , Chen Yumin , Bai Xue , Cheng Guoliang , Cao Tianyou , Dong Liyang , Zhao Jie , Zhang Yue , Qu Huihua , Kong Hui , Zhao Yan
Published: February 2023

With the extension of the human life span and the increasing pressure of women’s work and life, menopause syndrome (MPS) refers to a problem that puzzles almost all women worldwide. Hormone replacement treatment (HRT) can effectively mitigate the symptoms but can also exert adverse effects to a certain extent. Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizome (GRR) is commonly made into a charcoal processed product, termed GRR Carbonisatas (GRRC), for use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). GRRC is widely used to treat MPS and other gynecological diseases. In this study, GRRC was prepared through pyrolysis. Subsequently, GRR-derived carbon dots (GRR-CDs) were purified through dialysis and characterized using transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared, ultraviolet, fluorescence, X-ray photoelectron microscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography. The effects of GRR-CDs on MPS were examined and confirmed using ovariectomized female mice models. The GRR-CDs ranged from 1.0 to 3.0 nm in diameter and with multiple surface chemical groups, as indicated by the results. GRR-CDs can elevate the estradiol (E2) level of healthy female mice. Moreover, GRR-CDs can alleviate MPS using the typical ovariectomized mice model, as confirmed by elevating the estradiol (E2) level and reducing the degree of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) and raising the degree of uterine atrophy. The results of this study suggested that GRR-CDs may be a potential clinical candidate for the treatment of MPS, which also provides a possibility for nanodrugs to treat hormonal diseases.
IRW (Ile–Arg–Trp) Alleviates DSS–Induced Intestinal Injury by Remodeling Gut Microbiota and Regulating Fecal SCFA Levels
Authors: Fei Yanquan , Li Siying , Wang Zaoyi , Ma Yong , Fang Jun , Liu Gang
Published: February 2023

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease of unknown etiology with a progressive and destructive course and an increasing incidence worldwide. Dietary peptides have a variety of biological functions and are effective anti-inflammatories and antioxidants, making them a prospective class of material for treating intestinal inflammation. Our study investigated the association between Ile–Arg–Trp (IRW), a dietary oligopeptide, and intestinal microbial changes during the relief of colitis using different concentrations of IRW. We found that IRW can significantly alleviate mouse colonic barrier damage caused by dextran sulphate sodium salt (DSS) and promote intestinal health. The results of microbial community composition showed that the relative abundance of Bacillota and Lactobacillus in the gut microbiota at different concentrations of IRW was significantly increased and that the abundance of Bacteroides was suppressed. Surprisingly, the relative abundance of Odoribacter also received regulation by IRW concentration and had a positive correlation with acetic acid. IRW at 0.02 mg/mL and 0.04 mg/mL significantly altered the abundance of Bacillota, Odoribacter, and Lactobacillus.
A Novel Symbiotic Formulation Reduces Obesity and Concomitant Metabolic Syndrome in Rats by Raising the Relative Abundance of Blautia
Authors: Wu Xiu-Rong , Chen Zhen-Zhen , Dong Xi-Lan , Zhao Qiu-Ping , Cai Jun
Published: February 2023

Obesity is regarded as an abnormal or excessive buildup of fat that may be bad for health and is influenced by a combination of intestinal flora, genetic background, physical activity level and environment. Symbiotic supplementation may be a realistic and easy therapy for the reversal of obesity and associated metabolic problems. In this study, we chose two Bifidobacterium species, three Lactobacilli species and four prebiotics to make a new symbiotic formulation. High or low doses of the symbiotic were administered to rats, and biochemical indicators were recorded to assess the biological effects in a high-fat-diet-induced rat model. The underlying mechanisms were explored by integrating 16S rRNA sequencing with an extensively targeted metabolome. High-dose symbiotic supplementation was effective in reducing obesity and concomitant metabolic syndrome. The high-dose symbiotic also significantly increased the abundance of Blautia, which was negatively correlated with taurocholic acid and the main differential metabolites involved in amino acid and bile acid metabolism. While the low-dose symbiotic had some therapeutic effects, they were not as strong as those at the high dose, demonstrating that the effects were dose-dependent. Overall, our novel symbiotic combination improved plasma glucose and lipid levels, shrunk adipocyte size, restored liver function, increased the abundance of Blautia and adjusted bile acid and amino acid metabolism.
Severe Dyslipidemia Mimicking Familial Hypercholesterolemia Induced by High-Fat, Low-Carbohydrate Diets: A Critical Review
Authors: Houttu Veera , Grefhorst Aldo , Cohn Danny M. , Levels Johannes H. M. , Roeters van Lennep Jeanine , Stroes Erik S. G. , Groen Albert K. , Tromp Tycho R.
Published: February 2023

Emerging studies in the literature describe an association between high-fat, low-carbohydrate diets and severe hypercholesterolemia consistent with the levels observed in patients with (homozygous) familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). High levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) may result from the reduced clearance of LDL particles from the circulation, the increased production of their precursor, or a combination of both. The increased intake of (saturated) fat and cholesterol, combined with limited to no intake of carbohydrates and fiber, are the main features of diets linked to hypercholesterolemia. However, several observations in previous studies, together with our observations from our lipid clinic, do not provide a definitive pathophysiological explanation for severe hypercholesterolemia. Therefore, we review these findings and possible pathophysiological explanations as well as opportunities for future research. Altogether, clinicians should rule out high-fat, low-carbohydrate diets as a possible cause for hypercholesterolemia in patients presenting with clinical FH in whom no mutation is found and discuss dietary modifications to durably reduce LDL-C levels and cardiovascular disease risk.
Olive Oil and Nuts in Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity
Authors: De Vito Roberta , Fiori Federica , Ferraroni Monica , Cavalli Silvia , Caporali Roberto , Ingegnoli Francesca , Parpinel Maria , Edefonti Valeria
Published: February 2023

Few observational studies investigated the relationship between single food groups and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Within a recent Italian cross-sectional study (365 patients, median age: 58.46 years, 78.63% females), we focused on two food groups, olive oil and nuts, representing vegetable sources of fatty acids. Disease activity was measured with Disease Activity Score on 28 joints based on C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) and the Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI). Robust linear and logistic regression models included tertile-based consumption categories of each food group and several confounders. Stratified analyses were performed by disease severity or duration. Higher consumption of both food groups exerted a favorable effect on disease activity, significant only for olive oil (Beta: −0.33, p-value: 0.03) in the linear regression on the overall sample. This favorable effect was stronger in the more severe or long-standing forms of RA (p-value for heterogeneity <0.05, especially for disease severity). Significant ORs were as low as ~0.30 for both food groups, strata (i.e., more severe and long-standing RA), and disease activity measures. Mean DAS28-CRP significantly decreased by ~0.70 for olive oil and ~0.55 for nuts in the two strata; mean SDAI significantly decreased by 3.30 or more for olive oil in the two strata. Globally, the beta coefficients doubled, and the ORs halved (in absolute values) for both food groups, reaching significance in 12 of the 16 available models fitted to the more severe or long-standing RA strata. More compromised forms of RA may benefit from increasing consumption of olive oil, olives, and nuts.
Validation of ELISAs for Isoflavones and Enterolactone for Phytoestrogen Intake Assessment in the French Population
Authors: Bensaada Souad , Raymond Isabelle , Pellegrin Isabelle , Viallard Jean-François , Bennetau-Pelissero Catherine
Published: February 2023

Phytoestrogens are dietary compounds with low estrogenic activity. The two main categories in the French diet are isoflavones from pulses and enterolignans metabolized by the gut flora from various lignans found in fruits, vegetables, grains, and beverages. Isoflavones and lignans have different effects on human physiology and can antagonize each other. Comprehensive lists of phytoestrogen sources were constructed based on measurements and literature data. The 24 h and 48 h dietary recalls were proposed to the volunteers of the ISOLED cohort (NCT03421184). Urine and plasma samples from these volunteers were assayed for genistein, daidzein, equol, and enterolactone. A dietary score was constructed considering the pharmacokinetic characteristics of these compounds. Correlation analyses were applied to fluid concentrations associated with dietary scores. Pearson correlations reached 0.921 (p < 0.001) for urineIF, 0.900 (p < 0.001) for plasmaIF, 0.764 (p < 0.001) for urineENL, and 0.723 (p < 0.001) for plasmaENL. ELISAs associated with careful intake assessments proved to be good tools for phytoestrogens’ exposure estimation.
Relationship between Food Allergy and Endotoxin Concentration and the Toleration Status at 2 Years: The Japan Environment and Children’s Study
Authors: Irahara Makoto , Yamamoto-Hanada Kiwako , Sato Miori , Saito-Abe Mayako , Miyaji Yumiko , Yang Limin , Nishizato Minaho , Kumasaka Natsuhiko , Mezawa Hidetoshi , Ohya Yukihiro ,   on behalf of the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS) Group
Published: February 2023

Changes in household endotoxin concentration may affect the prognosis of food allergy (FA), but data on the association between household endotoxin concentration and an already-developed FA are scarce. Thus, we investigated the association between environmental endotoxin exposure and tolerance to hen’s egg (HE) and cow’s milk (CM) using data from children participating in the Japan Environment and Children’s Study who had HE allergies (n = 204) and CM allergy (n = 72) in their first year of life. We grouped the endotoxin results into quartiles 1–4 (Q1–Q4). In children with HE allergy and with CM allergy, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of tolerance to HE and CM at 2 years old when comparing endotoxin levels of the children in Q1 with those in Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively. However, subgroup analyses by the presence of eczema and causal foods revealed that children in Q1 had a lower prevalence of tolerance to foods in some subgroup analyses and lower causal allergen-specific immunoglobulin G4 levels. Although an individually based approach against endotoxin according to background characteristics, such as eczema and causal foods, is necessary, preventing excessive endotoxin removal might contribute to FA resolution in some children.
Biomarkers of Micronutrients and Phytonutrients and Their Application in Epidemiological Studies
Authors: Zheng Jianheng , Wu Feng , Wang Feijie , Cheng Junrui , Zou Hong , Li Yuan , Du Jun , Kan Juntao
Published: February 2023

Nutritional biomarkers can be used as important indicators of nutritional status and play crucial roles in the prevention as well as prognosis optimization of various metabolism-related diseases. Measuring dietary with the deployment of biomarker assessments provides quantitative nutritional information that can better predict the health outcomes. With the increased availability of nutritional biomarkers and the development of assessment tools, the specificity and sensitivity of nutritional biomarkers have been greatly improved. This enables efficient disease surveillance in nutrition research. A wide range of biomarkers have been used in different types of studies, including clinical trials, observational studies, and qualitative studies, to reflect the relationship between diet and health. Through a comprehensive literature search, we reviewed the well-established nutritional biomarkers of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, and their association with epidemiological studies, to better understand the role of nutrition in health and disease.
Hesperidin Mitigates Cyclophosphamide-Induced Testicular Dysfunction via Altering the Hypothalamic Pituitary Gonadal Axis and Testicular Steroidogenesis, Inflammation, and Apoptosis in Male Rats
Authors: Khamis Tarek , Hegazy Abdelmonem Awad , El-Fatah Samaa Salah Abd , Abdelfattah Eman Ramadan , Abdelfattah Marwa Mohamed Mahmoud , Fericean Liana Mihaela , Arisha Ahmed Hamed
Published: February 2023

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a cytotoxic, cell cycle, non-specific, and antiproliferative drug. This study aimed to address the toxic effects of CP on male fertility and the possible ameliorative role of hesperidin (HSP). Thirty-two adult albino rats were randomly divided into four groups, namely, the negative control, HSP, CP-treated, and CP+HSP-treated groups. The CP-treated rats showed a significant reduction in the levels of serum LH, FSH, testosterone, prolactin, testicular glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) with an elevation in levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), and p53, and iNOS immune expression, compared to the control group. A significant downregulation in hypothalamic KISS-1, KISS-1r, and GnRH, hypophyseal GnRHr, and testicular mRNA expression of steroidogenesis enzymes, PGC-1α, PPAR-1, IL10, and GLP-1, as well as a significant upregulation in testicular mRNA of P53 and IL1β mRNA expression, were detected in the CP-treated group in comparison to that in the control group. The administration of HSP in CP-treated rats significantly improved the levels of serum LH, FSH, testosterone, prolactin, testicular GPx, and TAC, with a reduction in levels of MDA, and p53, and iNOS immune expression compared to the CP-treated group. A significant upregulation in hypophyseal GnRHr, and testicular mRNA expression of CYP19A1 enzymes, PPAR-1, IL10, and GLP-1, as well as a significant downregulation in testicular mRNA of P53 and IL1β mRNA expression, were detected in the CP+HSP-treated group in comparison to that in the CP-treated group. In conclusion, HSP could be a potential auxiliary agent for protection from the development of male infertility.
Ngā Pūrakau No Ngā Rākau: Stories from Trees
Authors: Paul Nova , Laird Tessa
Published: February 2023

Within te ao Māori—the Māori world view—whakapapa, or genealogical connections, link together every being. Relationships with trees are traced through ancestral bonds that are recited through storytelling. Trees are tūpuna, elders, who hold knowledge, reflected in the etymology of rākāu (tree) being the pū (base) of pūrākau (stories). The Atua Tāne Mahuta, sought ngā kete o te wānanga, the three baskets of knowledge. The wānanga is a place of learning and was brought into being by the god of trees, forests, and birds. Ngāpuhi artist Nova Paul’s experimental films are made with kaupapa Māori values. Her most recent films Rākau and Hawaiki, both 2022, reflect on lessons from trees, the latter premiering at the Sundance Film Festival 2023. These films are not so much about trees as by trees. Nova has made film developer from foliage of the trees that are filmed so that, for example, the riverside pōhutukawa tree is processed in a bath of pōhutukawa chlorophyl developer. For Nova, this process reveals not only an image but the mauri (life force) of the tree through the taking and then the making of her tree films. The films produced are more like an arboreal self-portrait: trees speaking directly through an embodied medium. If trees process sunlight to produce chlorophyl, here, chlorophyl produces images of light in order to communicate messages across species. The tohunga Reverend Māori Marsden wrote that photographic technologies might provide spiritual insight into perceiving life force: “Those with the powers and insight and perceptions (Matakite), perceived mauri as an aura of light and energy radiating from all animate life. It is now possible to photograph the mauri in living things.” In previous films, Nova experimented with colour-separation techniques to pull apart the fabric of time and space, which Tessa wrote about for the Third Text online forum “Decolonising Colour?” That article was translated into Spanish for the book Pensamientos Migrantes: Intersecciones cinematográficas by the Colombian experimental film publishers Hambre Cine (2020). Continuing with a conversation about the ways in which experimental film practices can open up a space for decolonial thought and Indigenous epistemologies, Nova and Tessa co-write this paper in order to share the pūrākau (stories) arising from the images of these rākāu (trees), in which photosynthesis, filmmaking, and spirit, are intertwined, and where the mauri (life force) is revealed.
A Novel Method for Obstacle Detection in Front of Vehicles Based on the Local Spatial Features of Point Cloud
Authors: Ci Wenyan , Xu Tie , Lin Runze , Lu Shan , Wu Xialai , Xuan Jiayin
Published: February 2023

Obstacle detection is the primary task of the Advanced Driving Assistance System (ADAS). However, it is very difficult to achieve accurate obstacle detection in complex traffic scenes. To this end, this paper proposes an obstacle detection method based on the local spatial features of point clouds. Firstly, the local spatial point cloud of a superpixel is obtained through stereo matching and the SLIC image segmentation algorithm. Then, the probability of the obstacle in the corresponding area is estimated from the spatial feature information of the local plane normal vector and the superpixel point-cloud height, respectively. Finally, the detection results of the two methods are input into the Bayesian framework in the form of probabilities for the final decision. In order to describe the traffic scene efficiently and accurately, the detection results are further transformed into a multi-layer stixel representation. We carried out experiments on the KITTI dataset and compared several obstacle detection methods. The experimental results indicate that the proposed method has advantages in terms of its Pixel-wise True Positive Rate (PTPR) and Pixel-wise False Positive Rate (PFPR), particularly in complex traffic scenes, such as uneven roads.
Efficient Implementation for SBL-Based Coherent Distributed mmWave Radar Imaging
Authors: Dai Fengzhou , Li Yuhang , Wang Yuanyuan , Chen Hao
Published: February 2023

In a distributed frequency-modulated continuous waveform (FMCW) radar system, the echo data collected are not continuous in the azimuth direction, so the imaging effect of the traditional range-Doppler (RD) algorithm is poor. Sparse Bayesian learning (SBL) is an optimization algorithm based on Bayesian theory that has been successfully applied to high-resolution radar imaging because of its strong robustness and high accuracy. However, SBL is highly computationally complex. Fortunately, with FMCW radar echo data, most of the time-consuming SBL operations involve a Toeplitz-block Toeplitz (TBT) matrix. In this article, based on this advantage, we propose a fast SBL algorithm that can be used to obtain high-angular-resolution images, in which the inverse of the TBT matrix can be transposed as the sum of the products of the block lower triangular Toeplitz matrix and the block circulant matrix by using a new decomposition method, and some of the matrix multiplications can be quickly computed using the fast Fourier transform (FFT), decreasing the computation time by several orders of magnitude. Finally, simulations and experiments were used to ensure the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Combining Remote Sensing Approaches for Detecting Marks of Archaeological and Demolished Constructions in Cahokia’s Grand Plaza, Southwestern Illinois
Authors: Kadhim Israa , Abed Fanar M. , Vilbig Justin M. , Sagan Vasit , DeSilvey Caitlin
Published: February 2023

Remote sensing data are increasingly being used in digital archaeology for the potential non-invasive detection of archaeological remains. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the capability of standalone (LiDAR and aerial photogrammetry) and integration/fusion remote sensing approaches in improving the prospecting and interpretation of archaeological remains in Cahokia’s Grand Plaza. Cahokia Mounds is an ancient area; it was the largest settlement of the Mississippian culture located in southwestern Illinois, USA. There are a limited number of studies combining LiDAR and aerial photogrammetry to extract archaeological features. This article, therefore, combines LiDAR with photogrammetric data to create new datasets and investigate whether the new data can enhance the detection of archaeological/ demolished structures in comparison to the standalone approaches. The investigations are implemented based on the hillshade, gradient, and sky view factor visual analysis techniques, which have various merits in revealing topographic features. The outcomes of this research illustrate that combining data derived from different sources can not only confirm the detection of remains but can also reveal more remains than standalone approaches. This study demonstrates that the use of combination remote sensing approaches provides archaeologists with another powerful tool for site analysis.
How Can Ecological Land Be Deployed to Cool the Surface Thermal Environment? A Case Study from the Perspectives of Patch and Network
Authors: Wu Dan , Sun Hao , Xu Huanyu , Zhang Tian , Xu Zhenheng , Wu Ling
Published: February 2023

Changes in climate and rapid urbanization have aggravated the urban heat island effect, and a reasonable means to reduce temperature increases in the surface thermal environment is urgently needed. We integrated the research perspectives of patch and network, taking Yinchuan metropolitan region as the research area, and reduced the surface thermal environment through the rational allocation of ecological land. For patch, a correlation analysis and linear regression were used to study the impact of landscape composition and spatial configuration on the surface thermal environment. For network, the thermal source patches were determined based on the morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) method, the thermal resistance surface was calculated based on the minimum cumulative resistance model, and the pinch points and corridors that prevented the surface thermal environment from circulating were determined based on circuit theory. Finally, ecological land with a cooling effect was deployed at the pinch point to prevent heat patch from spreading and thus connect to larger heat networks, and the regional cooling effect was estimated. The results were as follows: (1) The fitting precision of landscape factors and the surface temperature was in the order of area ratio of ecological land > shape index > fragmentation index. When the area ratio of ecological land was greater than 61%, the patch shape was simple, the degree of fragmentation was low, and the cooling effect was the most obvious. (2) Then, 34 corridors, 44 pinch points, and 54 grids of ecological land were identified for deployment. (3) After the deployment of ecological land, the simulated cooling effect was between 0.04 and 6.02 °C, with an average decline of 2.16 °C. This research case offers approaches for mitigating temperature increases in the surface thermal environment and improving the sustainable development of cities (regions), and it serves as a reference for improving the ecological environmental quality in arid and semiarid areas.
Wheel Out-of-Roundness Detection Using an Envelope Spectrum Analysis
Authors: Gonçalves Vítor , Mosleh Araliya , Vale Cecília , Montenegro Pedro Aires
Published: February 2023

This paper aims to detect railway vehicle wheel flats and polygonized wheels using an envelope spectrum analysis. First, a brief explanation of railway vehicle wheel problems is presented, focusing particularly on wheel flats and polygonal wheels. Then, three types of wheel flat profiles and three periodic out-of-roundness (OOR) harmonic order ranges for the polygonal wheels are evaluated in the simulations, along with analyses implemented using only healthy wheels for comparison. Moreover, the simulation implements track irregularity profiles modelled based on the US Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). From the numerical calculations, the dynamic responses of several strain gauges (SGs) and accelerometer sensors located on the rail between sleepers are evaluated. Regarding defective wheels, only the right wheel of the first wheelset is considered as a defective wheel, but the detection methodology works for various damaged wheels located in any position. The results from the application of the methodology show that the envelope spectrum analysis successfully distinguishes a healthy wheel from a defective one.
0.5-V Nano-Power Shadow Sinusoidal Oscillator Using Bulk-Driven Multiple-Input Operational Transconductance Amplifier
Authors: Khateb Fabian , Kumngern Montree , Kulej Tomasz , Yavari Mohammad
Published: February 2023

This paper presents a low-frequency shadow sinusoidal oscillator using a bulk-driven multiple-input operational transconductance amplifier (MI-OTA) with extremely low-voltage supply and nano-power consumption. The proposed oscillator is composed using two-input single-output biquad filter and amplifiers. The condition and the frequency of oscillation of the shadow oscillator can be controlled electronically and independently using amplifiers. The circuit is designed in Cadence program using 0.18 µm CMOS technology from TSMC. The voltage supply is 0.5 V and the power consumption of the oscillator is 54 nW. The total harmonic distortion (THD) of the output signals is around 0.3% for 202 Hz. The simulation results are in accordance with theory.
Sooty Tern Optimization Algorithm-Based Deep Learning Model for Diagnosing NSCLC Tumours
Authors: Saleem Muhammad Asim , Thien Le Ngoc , Asdornwised Widhyakorn , Chaitusaney Surachai , Javeed Ashir , Benjapolakul Watit
Published: February 2023

Lung cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer deaths in the modern world. Screening of lung nodules is essential for early recognition to facilitate treatment that improves the rate of patient rehabilitation. An increase in accuracy during lung cancer detection is vital for sustaining the rate of patient persistence, even though several research works have been conducted in this research domain. Moreover, the classical system fails to segment cancer cells of different sizes accurately and with excellent reliability. This paper proposes a sooty tern optimization algorithm-based deep learning (DL) model for diagnosing non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumours with increased accuracy. We discuss various algorithms for diagnosing models that adopt the Otsu segmentation method to perfectly isolate the lung nodules. Then, the sooty tern optimization algorithm (SHOA) is adopted for partitioning the cancer nodules by defining the best characteristics, which aids in improving diagnostic accuracy. It further utilizes a local binary pattern (LBP) for determining appropriate feature retrieval from the lung nodules. In addition, it adopts CNN and GRU-based classifiers for identifying whether the lung nodules are malignant or non-malignant depending on the features retrieved during the diagnosing process. The experimental results of this SHOA-optimized DNN model achieved an accuracy of 98.32%, better than the baseline schemes used for comparison.
Acute Effects of Carbon Fiber Insole on Three Aspects of Sports Performance, Lower Extremity Muscle Activity, and Subjective Comfort
Authors: Ko Myeonghoon , Ma Tiejun , Xiong Shuping
Published: February 2023

Carbon fiber insole (CFI), which is lightweight and stiff to reduce energy loss and help wearers perform better in sports, has recently been introduced. However, reports are scarce on the effects of CFI on sports performance, muscle activation, and wearing comfort. This study investigated the acute effects of CFI on sports performance, lower extremity muscle activity, and subjective comfort. Thirty young healthy males with shoe sizes between 260 and 270 mm performed various sports tasks (power generation, agility, and speed) and treadmill runs with wearable sensors under two experimental insole conditions (benchmark insole as a baseline, CFI). The results showed that, compared to the benchmark insole, CFI significantly improved sports performance in terms of power generation (~1.5%) and agility (~1%). However, it activated more of the Tibialis Anterior (~0.7%) and Gastrocnemius Medialis (~0.8%) muscles, and was perceived to be stiffer and less comfortable. These findings suggested that CFI could improve sports performance, but could cause more lower extremity muscle activation and subjective discomfort.
Multi-Robot Exploration of Unknown Space Using Combined Meta-Heuristic Salp Swarm Algorithm and Deterministic Coordinated Multi-Robot Exploration
Authors: Romeh Ali El , Mirjalili Seyedali
Published: February 2023

Multi-robot exploration means constructing a finite map using a group of robots in an obstacle chaotic space. Uncertainties are reduced by distributing search tasks to robots and computing the best action in real time. Many previous methods are based on deterministic or meta-heuristic algorithms, but limited work has combined both techniques to consolidate both classes’ benefits and alleviate their drawbacks. This paper proposes a new hybrid method based on deterministic coordinated multi-robot exploration (CME) and the meta-heuristic salp swarm algorithm (SSA) to perform the search of a space. The precedence of adjacent cells around a robot is determined by deterministic CME using cost and utility. Then, the optimization process of the search space, improving the overall solution, is achieved utilizing the SSA. Three performance measures are considered to evaluate the performance of the proposed method: run time, percentage of the explored area, and the number of times when a method failed to continue a complete run. Experimental results compared four different methods, CME-GWO, CME-GWOSSA, CME-SCA, and CME, over seven maps with extra complexity varying from simple to complex. The results demonstrate how the proposed CME-SSA can outperform the four other methods. Moreover, the simulation results demonstrate that the proposed CME-SSA effectively distributes the robots over the search space to run successfully and obtain the highest exploration rate in less time.
A Study of High-Sensitivity Electro-Resistance Type Pre-Annealing ZnO-Doped CsPbBr3 Perovskite Acetone Sensors
Authors: Chen Lung-Chien , Sung An-Ni , Lee Kun-Yi
Published: February 2023

In this work, acetone gas sensors were fabricated using pre-annealing metal oxide zinc oxide (pa-ZnO)-doped perovskite cesium lead bromide (CsPbBr3). The ZnO nanopowder, before it was doped into CsPbBr3 solution, was first put into a furnace to anneal at different temperatures, and formed the pa-ZnO. The properties of pa-ZnO were different from ZnO. The optimized doping conditions were 2 mg of pa-ZnO nanopowder and pre-annealing at 300 °C. Under these conditions, the highest sensitivity (gas signal current-to-air background current ratio) of the ZnO-doped CsPbBr3 perovskite acetone sensor was 1726. In addition, for the limit test, 100 ppm was the limit of detection of the ZnO-doped CsPbBr3 perovskite acetone sensor and the sensitivity was 101.
Augmenting Image-Guided Procedures through In Situ Visualization of 3D Ultrasound via a Head-Mounted Display
Authors: von Haxthausen Felix , Rüger Christoph , Sieren Malte Maria , Kloeckner Roman , Ernst Floris
Published: February 2023

Medical ultrasound (US) is a commonly used modality for image-guided procedures. Recent research systems providing an in situ visualization of 2D US images via an augmented reality (AR) head-mounted display (HMD) were shown to be advantageous over conventional imaging through reduced task completion times and improved accuracy. In this work, we continue in the direction of recent developments by describing the first AR HMD application visualizing real-time volumetric (3D) US in situ for guiding vascular punctures. We evaluated the application on a technical level as well as in a mixed-methods user study with a qualitative prestudy and a quantitative main study, simulating a vascular puncture. Participants completed the puncture task significantly faster when using 3D US AR mode compared to 2D US AR, with a decrease of 28.4% in time. However, no significant differences were observed regarding the success rate of vascular puncture (2D US AR—50% vs. 3D US AR—72%). On the technical side, the system offers a low latency of 49.90 ± 12.92 ms and a satisfactory frame rate of 60 Hz. Our work shows the feasibility of a system that visualizes real-time 3D US data via an AR HMD, and our experiments show, furthermore, that this may offer additional benefits in US-guided tasks (i.e., reduced task completion time) over 2D US images viewed in AR by offering a vividly volumetric visualization.
Definition of High-Risk Motion Patterns for Female ACL Injury Based on Football-Specific Field Data: A Wearable Sensors Plus Data Mining Approach
Authors: Di Paolo Stefano , Nijmeijer Eline M. , Bragonzoni Laura , Gokeler Alli , Benjaminse Anne
Published: February 2023

The aim of the present study was to investigate if the presence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk factors depicted in the laboratory would reflect at-risk patterns in football-specific field data. Twenty-four female footballers (14.9 ± 0.9 year) performed unanticipated cutting maneuvers in a laboratory setting and on the football pitch during football-specific exercises (F-EX) and games (F-GAME). Knee joint moments were collected in the laboratory and grouped using hierarchical agglomerative clustering. The clusters were used to investigate the kinematics collected on field through wearable sensors. Three clusters emerged: Cluster 1 presented the lowest knee moments; Cluster 2 presented high knee extension but low knee abduction and rotation moments; Cluster 3 presented the highest knee abduction, extension, and external rotation moments. In F-EX, greater knee abduction angles were found in Cluster 2 and 3 compared to Cluster 1 (p = 0.007). Cluster 2 showed the lowest knee and hip flexion angles (p < 0.013). Cluster 3 showed the greatest hip external rotation angles (p = 0.006). In F-GAME, Cluster 3 presented the greatest knee external rotation and lowest knee flexion angles (p = 0.003). Clinically relevant differences towards ACL injury identified in the laboratory reflected at-risk patterns only in part when cutting on the field: in the field, low-risk players exhibited similar kinematic patterns as the high-risk players. Therefore, in-lab injury risk screening may lack ecological validity.
Tire Condition Monitoring Using Transfer Learning-Based Deep Neural Network Approach
Authors: Vasan Vinod , Sridharan Naveen Venkatesh , Prabhakaranpillai Sreelatha Anoop , Vaithiyanathan Sugumaran
Published: February 2023

Monitoring tire condition plays a deterministic role in the overall safety and economy of an automobile. The tire condition monitoring system (TCMS) alerts the driver of the vehicle if the inflation pressure of a particular tire decreases below a specific value. Owing to the high costs involved in realizing this system, most vehicles do not feature this technology as a standard. With highly robust and accurate sensors making their way into an increasing number of applications, obtaining signals of varied types (especially vibration signals) is becoming easier and more modularized. In addition, feature-based machine learning techniques that enable accurate responses to varied input conditions have sought greater scientific attention. However, deep learning is gradually finding greater applications pertaining to condition monitoring. One approach of deep learning is presented in this paper, which instantaneously monitors the vehicle tire condition. For this purpose, vibration signals were obtained through the rotation of the tire under different inflation pressure conditions using a low-cost microelectromechanical system (MEMS) accelerometer.