bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computational Characterization of the Binding Properties of the HIV1-Neutralizing Antibody PG16 and Design of PG16-Derived CDRH3 Peptides
Authors: Deubler Manuel , Weißenborn Lucas , Leukel Simon , Horn Anselm H. C. , Eichler Jutta , Sticht Heinrich
Published: June 2023

PG16 is a broadly neutralizing antibody that binds to the gp120 subunit of the HIV-1 Env protein. The major interaction site is formed by the unusually long complementarity determining region (CDR) H3. The CDRH3 residue Tyr100H is known to represent a tyrosine sulfation site; however, this modification is not present in the experimental complex structure of PG16 with full-length HIV-1 Env. To investigate the role of sulfation for this complex, we modeled the sulfation of Tyr100H and compared the dynamics and energetics of the modified and unmodified complex by molecular dynamics simulations at the atomic level. Our results show that sulfation does not affect the overall conformation of CDRH3, but still enhances gp120 interactions both at the site of modification and for the neighboring residues. This stabilization affects not only protein–protein contacts, but also the interactions between PG16 and the gp120 glycan shield. Furthermore, we also investigated whether PG16-CDRH3 is a suitable template for the development of peptide mimetics. For a peptide spanning residues 93-105 of PG16, we obtained an experimental EC50 value of 3nm for the binding of gp120 to the peptide. This affinity can be enhanced by almost one order of magnitude by artificial disulfide bonding between residues 99 and 100F. In contrast, any truncation results in significantly lower affinity, suggesting that the entire peptide segment is involved in gp120 recognition. Given their high affinity, it should be possible to further optimize the PG16-derived peptides as potential inhibitors of HIV invasion.
Substrate Heterogeneity as a Trigger for Species Diversity in Marine Benthic Assemblages
Authors: Romoth Katharina , Darr Alexander , Papenmeier Svenja , Zettler Michael L. , Gogina Mayya
Published: June 2023

Many studies show that habitat complexity or habitat diversity plays a major role in biodiversity throughout different spatial scales: as structural heterogeneity increases, so does the number of available (micro-) habitats for the potential species inventory. The capability of housing species (even rare species) increases rapidly with increasing habitat heterogeneity. However, habitat complexity is not easy to measure in marine sublittoral sediments. In our study, we came up with a proposal to estimate sublittoral benthic habitat complexity using standard underwater video techniques. This tool was subsequently used to investigate the effect of habitat complexity on species richness in comparison to other environmental parameters in a marine protected area situated in the Fehmarn Belt, a narrow strait in the southwestern Baltic Sea. Our results show that species richness is significantly higher in heterogeneous substrates throughout all considered sediment types. Congruently, the presence of rare species increases with structural complexity. Our findings highlight the importance of the availability of microhabitats for benthic biodiversity as well as of the study area for regional ecosystem functioning.
Administration of Warfarin Inhibits the Development of Cerulein-Induced Edematous Acute Pancreatitis in Rats
Authors: Konarska-Bajda Katarzyna , Ceranowicz Piotr , Cieszkowski Jakub , Ginter Grzegorz , Stempniewicz Agnieszka , Gałązka Krystyna , Kuśnierz-Cabala Beata , Dumnicka Paulina , Bonior Joanna , Warzecha Zygmunt
Published: June 2023

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a severe disease with high morbidity and mortality in which inflammation and coagulation play crucial roles. The development of inflammation leads to vascular injury, endothelium and leukocytes stimulation, and an increased level of tissue factor, which results in the activation of the coagulation process. For this reason, anticoagulants may be considered as a therapeutic option in AP. Previous studies have shown that pretreatment with heparin, low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), or acenocoumarol inhibits the development of AP. The aim of the present study was to check if pretreatment with warfarin affects the development of edematous pancreatitis evoked by cerulein. Warfarin (90, 180, or 270 µg/kg/dose) or saline were administered intragastrically once a day for 7 days consecutively before the induction of AP. AP was evoked by the intraperitoneal administration of cerulein. The pre-administration of warfarin at doses of 90 or 180 µg/kg/dose reduced the histological signs of pancreatic damage in animals with the induction of AP. Additionally, other parameters of AP, such as an increase in the serum activity of lipase and amylase, the plasma concentration of D-dimer, and interleukin-1β, were decreased. In addition, pretreatment with warfarin administered at doses of 90 or 180 µg/kg/dose reversed the limitation of pancreatic blood flow evoked by AP development. Warfarin administered at a dose of 270 µg/kg/dose did not exhibit a preventive effect in cerulein-induced AP. Conclusion: Pretreatment with low doses of warfarin inhibits the development of AP evoked by the intraperitoneal administration of cerulein.
Potential Mechanisms of Metformin-Induced Apoptosis in HeLa Cells
Authors: Chu Zhaoli , Tan Yao , Xu Chenxing , Zhangsun Dongting , Zhu Xiaopeng
Published: June 2023

Metformin is a traditional antidiabetic drug that also shows potential antitumor effects in cervical cancer. However, some of its apoptosis-related mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, flow cytometry, western blotting, and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) were used to evaluate the molecular mechanisms of metformin in HeLa cells. The results showed that metformin inhibited cell viability and promoted apoptosis, the protein expression level of Caspase-3 (CASP3) was increased and that of BCL-2 was decreased in HeLa cells treated with metformin. The RNA-seq results indicated a total of 239 differentially expressed genes between the metformin and control check (CK) groups, with 136 genes upregulated and 103 genes downregulated, and 14 of them were found to be associated with apoptosis signaling pathways. The DDIT3 and HRK genes were robustly upregulated in HeLa cells by the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. Metformin also affects the expression of PPP2R5C, PPP2R5A, and RRAGA, which participate in biological processes such as PI3K-AKT, mTOR, and AMPK signaling pathways. Metformin mediates the expression of related genes to induce apoptosis.
Ribosomal Protein S12 Hastens Nucleation of Co-Transcriptional Ribosome Assembly
Authors: Rodgers Margaret L. , Sun Yunsheng , Woodson Sarah A.
Published: June 2023

Ribosomal subunits begin assembly during transcription of the ribosomal RNA (rRNA), when the rRNA begins to fold and associate with ribosomal proteins (RPs). In bacteria, the first steps of ribosome assembly depend upon recognition of the properly folded rRNA by primary assembly proteins such as S4, which nucleates assembly of the 16S 5′ domain. Recent evidence, however, suggests that initial recognition by S4 is delayed due to variable folding of the rRNA during transcription. Here, using single-molecule colocalization co-transcriptional assembly (smCoCoA), we show that the late-binding RP S12 specifically promotes the association of S4 with the pre-16S rRNA during transcription, thereby accelerating nucleation of 30S ribosome assembly. Order of addition experiments suggest that S12 helps chaperone the rRNA during transcription, particularly near the S4 binding site. S12 interacts transiently with the rRNA during transcription and, consequently, a high concentration is required for its chaperone activity. These results support a model in which late-binding RPs moonlight as RNA chaperones during transcription in order to facilitate rapid assembly.
Development of a Plug-In to Support Sustainability Assessment in the Decision-Making of a Building Envelope Refurbishment
Authors: Soust-Verdaguer Bernardette , Gutiérrez José Antonio , Llatas Carmen
Published: June 2023

Existing studies provide evidence that buildings and the construction sector are the largest consumers of natural resources and carry the greatest responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions. In order to reverse this situation, future challenges involve utilising the lowest amount of resources possible. To this end, building refurbishment has become a crucial strategy, given its potential to improve operational energy efficiency and to extend the life span of existing building stock, thereby reducing the environmental impact while also providing social and economic benefits to our cities. Life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) has become one of the scientific community’s most widely recognised methodologies for the evaluation of the social, economic, and environmental dimensions (triple bottom line), as it assesses sustainability using quantitative metrics. However, the implementation of this methodology to support the refurbishment process at the project stage in building design tools, such as BIM, remains scarce. One of the main obstacles lies in the difficulties of accessing building information, given that the system boundaries only cover new materials and products. Hence, this study proposes a BIM plug-in developed to support multi-dimensional building material selection in the early design steps based on the LCSA of a building during the refurbishment stage and validates its application in a case study. The results show the viability of using this tool during the early design stages and demonstrate the consistency of the results for evaluating various material and product alternatives for the refurbishment of the envelope system of a multi-family residential building. This study contributes towards the integration of decision-making by providing real-time assessment of a building envelope.
Virtual and Augmented Reality for Building
Authors: Mérienne Frédéric
Published: June 2023

Virtual reality and augmented reality have reached a technological maturity, allowing them to bring added value in many fields of activity [...]
Novel Brønsted Acidic Ionic Liquids as High Efficiency Catalysts for Liquid-Phase Beckmann Rearrangement
Authors: Ren Chunxiao , Wang Zhiyuan , Gao Qingwei , Li Jisheng , Jiang Siqi , Huang Qizhong , Yang Ye , Zhang Jiahui , Wang Yajing , Hu Yufeng , Liu Zhichang , Guo Xin
Published: June 2023

Exploring environmentally friendly, efficient, cheap and recyclable catalysts are essential for the development of green, sustainable and mild processes for the liquid-phase Beckmann rearrangement. Herein, a novel caprolactam-based Brønsted acidic ionic liquid ([CPL][2MSA]) was developed for the conversion of cyclohexanone oxime (CHO) to caprolactam (CPL), not only as a catalyst, but also as a mild reaction medium. Under the reaction conditions for the reaction temperature (90 °C), reaction time (2 h) and mole ratio ([CPL][2MSA]: CHO = 3:1), [CPL][2MSA] possesses plenty of high sulfonate groups, which exhibit high conversion (100%) and selectivity (95%) without any other co-catalysts or metals. Based on the thermogravimetric (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses, the decomposition and glass transition temperatures are gradually increased with the increase in MSA mole content, revealing the existence of hydrogen-bonded clusters. Interestingly, the occurrent route of the liquid-phase Beckmann rearrangement for CHO in [CPL][2MSA] is revealed by in situ FT-Raman. In addition, the dominating H-bond combination between CHO and [CPL][2MSA] is further confirmed by COSMO-RS model. The activation energy (Ea) of the reaction is calculated by the first-order reaction kinetics. Thus, the [CPL][2MSA] with plenty of acidic catalytic active species is an environmentally friendly and efficient candidate for the liquid-phase Beckmann rearrangement.
The Assessment of Anti-Melanoma Potential of Tigecycline—Cellular and Molecular Studies of Cell Proliferation, Apoptosis and Autophagy on Amelanotic and Melanotic Melanoma Cells
Authors: Rok Jakub , Kowalska Justyna , Rzepka Zuzanna , Stencel Dominika , Skorek Anna , Banach Klaudia , Wrześniok Dorota
Published: June 2023

High mortality, aggressiveness, and the relatively low effectiveness of therapy make melanoma the most dangerous of skin cancers. Previously published studies presented the promising therapeutic potential of minocycline, doxycycline, and chlortetracycline on melanoma cells. This study aimed to assess the cytotoxicity of tigecycline, a third-generation tetracycline, on melanotic (COLO 829) and amelanotic (A375) melanoma cell lines. The obtained results showed that tigecycline, proportionally to the concentration and incubation time, efficiently inhibited proliferation of both types of melanoma cells. The effect was accompanied by the dysregulation of the cell cycle, the depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane, and a decrease in the reduced thiols and the levels of MITF and p44/42 MAPK. However, the ability to induce apoptosis was only found in COLO 829 melanoma cells. A375 cells appeared to be more resistant to the treatment with tigecycline. The drug did not induce apoptosis but caused an increase in LC3A/B protein levels—an autophagy marker. The observed differences in drug action on the tested cell lines also involved an increase in p21 and p16 protein levels in melanotic melanoma, which was related to cell cycle arrest in the G1/G0 phase. The greater sensitivity of melanotic melanoma cells to the action of tigecycline suggests the possibility of considering the use of the drug in targeted therapy.
Heme-Induced Macrophage Phenotype Switching and Impaired Endogenous Opioid Homeostasis Correlate with Chronic Widespread Pain in HIV
Authors: Chatterjee Tanima , Arora Itika , Underwood Lilly B. , Lewis Terry L. , Masjoan Juncos Juan Xavier , Heath Sonya L. , Goodin Burel R. , Aggarwal Saurabh
Published: June 2023

Chronic widespread pain (CWP) is associated with a high rate of disability and decreased quality of life in people with HIV-1 (PWH). We previously showed that PWH with CWP have increased hemolysis and elevated plasma levels of cell-free heme, which correlate with low endogenous opioid levels in leukocytes. Further, we demonstrated that cell-free heme impairs β-endorphin synthesis/release from leukocytes. However, the cellular mechanisms by which heme dampens β-endorphin production are inconclusive. The current hypothesis is that heme-dependent TLR4 activation and macrophage polarization to the M1 phenotype mediate this phenomenon. Our novel findings showed that PWH with CWP have elevated M1-specific macrophage chemokines (ENA-78, GRO-α, and IP-10) in plasma. In vitro, hemin-induced polarization of M0 and M2 macrophages to the M1 phenotype with low β-endorphins was mitigated by treating cells with the TLR4 inhibitor, TAK-242. Similarly, in vivo phenylhydrazine hydrochloride (PHZ), an inducer of hemolysis, injected into C57Bl/6 mice increased the M1/M2 cell ratio and reduced β-endorphin levels. However, treating these animals with the heme-scavenging protein hemopexin (Hx) or TAK-242 reduced the M1/M2 ratio and increased β-endorphins. Furthermore, Hx attenuated heme-induced mechanical, heat, and cold hypersensitivity, while TAK-242 abrogated hypersensitivity to mechanical and heat stimuli. Overall, these results suggest that heme-mediated TLR4 activation and M1 polarization of macrophages correlate with impaired endogenous opioid homeostasis and hypersensitivity in people with HIV.
Pharmacogenomic Analyses Implicate B Cell Developmental Status and MKL1 as Determinants of Sensitivity toward Anti-CD20 Monoclonal Antibody Therapy
Authors: Small George W. , Akhtari Farida S. , Green Adrian J. , Havener Tammy M. , Sikes Michael , Quintanhila Julia , Gonzalez Ricardo D. , Reif David M. , Motsinger-Reif Alison A. , McLeod Howard L. , Wiltshire Tim
Published: June 2023

Monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy directed against CD20 is an important tool in the treatment of B cell disorders. However, variable patient response and acquired resistance remain important clinical challenges. To identify genetic factors that may influence sensitivity to treatment, the cytotoxic activity of three CD20 mAbs: rituximab; ofatumumab; and obinutuzumab, were screened in high-throughput assays using 680 ethnically diverse lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) followed by a pharmacogenomic assessment. GWAS analysis identified several novel gene candidates. The most significant SNP, rs58600101, in the gene MKL1 displayed ethnic stratification, with the variant being significantly more prevalent in the African cohort and resulting in reduced transcript levels as measured by qPCR. Functional validation of MKL1 by shRNA-mediated knockdown of MKL1 resulted in a more resistant phenotype. Gene expression analysis identified the developmentally associated TGFB1I1 as the most significant gene associated with sensitivity. qPCR among a panel of sensitive and resistant LCLs revealed immunoglobulin class-switching as well as differences in the expression of B cell activation markers. Flow cytometry showed heterogeneity within some cell lines relative to surface Ig isotype with a shift to more IgG+ cells among the resistant lines. Pretreatment with prednisolone could partly reverse the resistant phenotype. Results suggest that the efficacy of anti-CD20 mAb therapy may be influenced by B cell developmental status as well as polymorphism in the MKL1 gene. A clinical benefit may be achieved by pretreatment with corticosteroids such as prednisolone followed by mAb therapy.
Eupatilin Improves Cilia Defects in Human CEP290 Ciliopathy Models
Authors: Corral-Serrano Julio C. , Sladen Paul E. , Ottaviani Daniele , Rezek Olivia F. , Athanasiou Dimitra , Jovanovic Katarina , van der Spuy Jacqueline , Mansfield Brian C. , Cheetham Michael E.
Published: June 2023

The photoreceptor outer segment is a highly specialized primary cilium that is essential for phototransduction and vision. Biallelic pathogenic variants in the cilia-associated gene CEP290 cause non-syndromic Leber congenital amaurosis 10 (LCA10) and syndromic diseases, where the retina is also affected. While RNA antisense oligonucleotides and gene editing are potential treatment options for the common deep intronic variant c.2991+1655A>G in CEP290, there is a need for variant-independent approaches that could be applied to a broader spectrum of ciliopathies. Here, we generated several distinct human models of CEP290-related retinal disease and investigated the effects of the flavonoid eupatilin as a potential treatment. Eupatilin improved cilium formation and length in CEP290 LCA10 patient-derived fibroblasts, in gene-edited CEP290 knockout (CEP290 KO) RPE1 cells, and in both CEP290 LCA10 and CEP290 KO iPSCs-derived retinal organoids. Furthermore, eupatilin reduced rhodopsin retention in the outer nuclear layer of CEP290 LCA10 retinal organoids. Eupatilin altered gene transcription in retinal organoids by modulating the expression of rhodopsin and by targeting cilia and synaptic plasticity pathways. This work sheds light on the mechanism of action of eupatilin and supports its potential as a variant-independent approach for CEP290-associated ciliopathies.
Relevance of Bile Acids in Cholangiocarcinoma Pathogenesis: Critical Revision and Future Directions
Authors: Cossiga Valentina , Guarino Maria , Capasso Mario , Morisco Filomena
Published: June 2023

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a highly heterogeneous cancer, is the second most common type of primary liver cancer. It is characterized by resistance to therapy and poor prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate lower than 20%. The pathogenesis of CCA is complex and multifactorial, and in recent years, bile acids (BAs) have been implicated in CCA development and prognosis. BAs belong to a category of amphipathic compounds that hold significant importance as signaling molecules and inflammatory agents. They possess the ability to activate transcriptional factors and cellular signaling pathways, thereby governing the regulation of lipid, glucose, and energy metabolism in diverse human disorders. These disorders encompass chronic liver diseases among other conditions. In this review, we provided an update on the current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms involving BAs in cholangiocarcinogenesis. Additionally, we analyzed the role of gut and biliary microbiota in CCA pathogenesis. Future research is required to better understand how to modulate BA activity and, possibly, identify new therapeutic strategies.
On-Chip Adaptive Implementation of Neuromorphic Spiking Sensory Systems with Self-X Capabilities
Authors: Abd Hamam , König Andreas
Published: June 2023

In contemporary devices, the number and diversity of sensors is increasing, thus, requiring both efficient and robust interfacing to the sensors. Implementing the interfacing systems in advanced integration technologies faces numerous issues due to manufacturing deviations, signal swings, noise, etc. The interface sensor designers escape to the time domain and digital design techniques to handle these challenges. Biology gives examples of efficient machines that have vastly outperformed conventional technology. This work pursues a neuromorphic spiking sensory system design with the same efficient style as biology. Our chip, that comprises the essential elements of the adaptive neuromorphic spiking sensory system, such as the neuron, synapse, adaptive coincidence detection (ACD), and self-adaptive spike-to-rank coding (SA-SRC), was manufactured in XFAB CMOS 0.35 μm technology via EUROPRACTICE. The main emphasis of this paper is to present the measurement outcomes of the SA-SRC on-chip, evaluating the efficacy of its adaptation scheme, and assessing its capability to produce spike orders that correspond to the temporal difference between the two spikes received at its inputs. The SA-SRC plays a crucial role in performing the primary function of the adaptive neuromorphic spiking sensory system. The measurement results of the chip confirm the simulation results of our previous work.
Complete Desensitization of Aluminum–Magnesium Alloys via Boron Addition
Authors: Goswami Ramasis , Moser Alex , Holtz Ronald L. , Qadri Syed B. , Geltmacher Andrew
Published: June 2023

We address here an important issue related to sensitization effects in Al5083 by mitigating the grain boundary precipitation of the beta phase and demonstrate that the addition of a small amount of boron to Al5083 impedes the precipitation of the beta phase, Al3Mg2, also known as the Samson phase. In Al–Mg alloys, the precipitation of Al3Mg2 usually occurs at grain boundaries in the temperature range of 50 to 200 °C from a supersaturated solid solution of Al–Mg and makes these alloys susceptible to intergranular corrosion and stress corrosion cracking. Upon boron addition, we show, using transmission electron microscopy, that a diboride phase, AlMgB2, forms at grain boundaries instead of the beta phase upon extended annealing at 150 °C. This diboride phase does not dissolve in saltwater, suggesting it is less anodic relative to the matrix. To quantify and compare the dissolution characteristics, we carried out nitric acid mass loss test for Al5083 samples containing 3 wt.% boron treated at 190 h at 150 °C, and fully sensitized Al5083 samples containing 0.0 wt.% boron. We estimate the mass loss to be 4 mg/cm2 for boron containing samples as compared to the mass loss of 45 mg/cm2 for samples without boron, indicating that the addition of boron is highly effective in suppressing the susceptibility to intergranular corrosion in Al5000 series alloys. This provides a potential route to minimize the longstanding problem of ship structure sensitization.
Metal-Free Catalytic Preparation of Graphene Films on a Silicon Surface Using CO as a Carbon Source in Chemical Vapor Deposition
Authors: Liu Lintao , Li Wei , Li Zhengxian , He Fei , Lv Haibing
Published: June 2023

The metal-free synthesis of graphene films on Si substrates, the most common commercial semiconductors, is of paramount significance for graphene application on semiconductors and in the field of electronics. However, since current research mainly uses C-H gas as the carbon source in chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and Si does not have a catalytic effect on the decomposition and adsorption of C-H gas, it is challenging to prepare high-quality graphene on the Si surface directly. In this work, we report the growth of graphene directly on Si without metal catalysis by CVD using CO was selected as the carbon source. By controlling the growth temperature (1000–1150 °C), a process of 2–5 layers of graphene growth on silicon was developed. The electrical performance results showed that the graphene film had a sheet resistance of 79 Ω/sq, a resistivity of 7.06 × 10−7 Ω·m, and a carrier migration rate of up to 1473.1 cm2 V−1·S−1. This work would be a significant step toward the growth of graphene on silicon substrates with CO as the carbon source.
Electrophoretic Deposition and Characterization of Er-Doped Bi2O3 Cathode Barrier Coatings on Non-Conductive Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 Electrolyte Substrates
Authors: Kalinina Elena , Ermakova Larisa , Pikalova Elena
Published: June 2023

In this study, the formation of thin-film barrier coatings based on a highly conductive Bi1.60Er0.4O3 (EDB) solid electrolyte on supporting Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 (SDC) electrolyte substrates was implemented for the first time using electrophoretic deposition (EPD). The electrokinetic properties of EDB-based suspensions in a non-aqueous dispersion medium of isopropanol modified with small additions of polyethyleneimine (PEI, 0.26 g/L) and acetylacetone (0.15 g/L), as well as in a mixed isopropanol/acetylacetone (70/30 vol.%) medium, were studied. The dependences of the thickness of the EDB coatings on voltage and deposition time were obtained using deposition on a model Ni foil electrode. Preliminary synthesis of a conductive polypyrrole (PPy) polymer film was used to create surface conductivity on non-conductive SDC substrates. The efficiency of using a modified dispersion medium based on isopropanol to obtain a continuous EDB coating 12 μm thick, sintered at a temperature of 850 °C for 5 h, is shown. The microstructure and morphology of the surface of the EDB coating were studied. A Pt/SDC/EDB/Pt cell was used to characterize the coating’s conductivity. The EPD method is shown to be promising for the formation of barrier coatings based on doped bismuth oxide. The developed method can be used for creating cathode barrier layers in SOFC technology.
Research on the Influence of Coating Technologies on Adhesion Anti-Corrosion Layers in the Case of Al7175 Aluminum Alloy
Authors: Titu Aurel Mihail , Ravai-Nagy Sandor , Pop Alina Bianca
Published: June 2023

A key element in ensuring the service life and strength of aluminum alloys in many industrial applications is the adhesion of anti-corrosion coatings. The aim of this study is to analyze how coating processes affect the adhesion of anti-corrosion coatings on aluminum alloy 7175. In other words, the influence of the nature of the elementary layers that form the anti-corrosion coating was studied for the following: the anodic layer, the primer, and the topcoat. To learn more about the different coating technologies and how they affect adhesion, a thorough literature review was carried out. In addition, a case study using electrocoating and thermal spraying was conducted to show the impact of coating processes on adhesion. The results showed that electrodeposition, as opposed to thermal spraying, improved the adhesion of anti-corrosion coatings. In the case of the aluminum alloy analyzed, there is a significant difference in terms of the adhesion strength of the anti-corrosion coatings. This resistance is influenced by both the anodic coating (BSA TSA SAA) and the type of primer and topcoat used (water-based or solvent-based). The correct choice of anode coat and primer and topcoat can lead to an increase (or decrease) in the adhesion strength of the paint coat by 20%. In conclusion, this study highlights how crucial it is to select the best coating process to maximize the adhesion and durability of aluminum alloys under corrosion conditions.
Beyond Cultivation: Combining Culture-Dependent and Culture-Independent Techniques to Identify Bacteria Involved in Paint Spoilage
Authors: Mutschlechner Mira , Walter Andreas , Bach Katrin , Schöbel Harald
Published: June 2023

Due to globally increasing problems concerning biodeterioration of paints, it is worthwhile to enhance the determination of colony forming units (CFU) as a gold standard method via more rapid and culture-independent techniques. Here, we combined traditional culture-dependent techniques with subsequent sequencing, quantitative qPCR, and a serial quantification method (most probable number; MPN) to detect paint degrading bacteria in general and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in particular. During our investigation of three water-based paints that showed visible contamination, we found high bacterial counts of up to 107 CFU mL−1. Subsequent sequencing allowed the identification of common paint degraders including Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas sp., but less frequently detected bacteria such as Rhodococcus sp. and Delftia spp. were also found to be present. MPN, as well as dsrA-targeted qPCR to detect SRB, only showed positive results for two out of three samples. These results coincided with the inherent physicochemical properties of the paints offering suitable conditions for microbial growth or not. The MPN method can be used for a diversity of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and is rapid and reproducible. A combination of culture-independent techniques such as qPCR or NGS can help to fully elucidate the bacterial diversity in spoiled paint by also recovering anaerobic and unculturable ones.
Determination of Characteristics of Associative Storage Devices in Radio Telemetry Systems with Data Compression
Authors: Yesmagambetov Bulat-Batyr , Mussabekov Akhmetbek , Alymov Nurlybek , Apsemetov Abdulkhak , Balabekova Madina , Kayumov Kamil , Arystanbayev Kuttybek , Imanbayeva Aigul
Published: June 2023

In the radio telemetry systems of spacecraft, various data compression methods are used for data processing. When using any compression methods, the data obtained as a result of compression is formed randomly, and transmission over radio communication channels should be carried out evenly over time. This leads to the need to use special buffer storage devices. In addition, existing spacecraft radio telemetry systems require grouping of compressed data streams by certain characteristics. This leads to the need to sort compressed data by streams. Therefore, it is advisable to use associative buffer storage devices in such systems. This article is devoted to the analysis of the processes of formation of output streams of compressed data generated at the output of an associative storage device (ASD). Since the output stream of compressed data is random, queue theory and probability theory are used for analysis. At the same time, associative memory is represented as a queue system. Writing and reading in an ASD can be interpreted as servicing orders in a queue system. The purpose of the analysis is to determine the characteristics of an associative storage device (ASD). Such characteristics are the queue length M{N} in the ASD, the deviation of the queue length D{N} in the ASD and the probability pn of a given volume n of compressed data in the ASD (including the probability of emptying and the probability of memory overflow). The results obtained are of great practical importance, since they can be used to select the amount of memory of an associative storage device (ASD) when designing compression devices for telemetry systems of spacecraft.
Breakdown Characteristics of Ga2O3-on-SiC Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors
Authors: Zhang Maolin , Wang Lei , Yang Kemeng , Yao Jiafei , Tang Weihua , Guo Yufeng
Published: June 2023

Ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor gallium oxide (Ga2O3) features a breakdown strength of 8 MV/cm and bulk mobility of up to 300 cm2V−1s−1, which is considered a promising candidate for next-generation power devices. However, its low thermal conductivity is reckoned to be a severe issue in the thermal management of high-power devices. The epitaxial integration of gallium oxide thin films on silicon carbide (SiC) substrates is a possible solution for tackling the cooling problems, yet premature breakdown at the Ga2O3/SiC interface would be introduced due to the relatively low breakdown strength of SiC (3.2 MV/cm). In this paper, the on-state properties as well as the breakdown characteristics of the Ga2O3-on-SiC metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) were investigated by using the technology computer-aided design (TCAD) approach. Compared with the full-Ga2O3 MOSFET, the lattice temperature of the Ga2O3-on-SiC MOSFET was decreased by nearly 100 °C thanks to the high thermal conductivity of SiC. However, a breakdown voltage degradation of >40% was found in an unoptimized Ga2O3-on-SiC MOSFET. Furthermore, by optimizing the device structure, the breakdown voltage degradation of the Ga2O3-on-SiC MOSFET is significantly relieved. As a result, this work demonstrates the existence of premature breakdown in the Ga2O3-on-SiC MOSFET and provides feasible approaches to further enhance the performance of hetero-integrated Ga2O3 power devices.
Safety of CDK4/6 Inhibitors Combined with Radiotherapy in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Franco Rejane , Cao Jeffrey Q. , Yassa Michael , Hijal Tarek
Published: June 2023

Recent evidence suggests that cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors significantly improve progression-free survival and overall survival among metastatic breast cancer patients. However, given the effects on cell cycle arrest, there is potential for CDK4/6 inhibitors and radiotherapy (RT) to work synergistically, enhancing the effect and toxicities of RT. A comprehensive review of the literature on the combination of RT and CDK4/6 inhibitors was performed with 19 eligible studies included in the final analysis. A total of 373 patients who received radiotherapy combined with CDK4/6 inhibitors were evaluated across 9 retrospective studies, 4 case reports, 3 case series, and 3 letters to the editor. The CDK4/6 inhibitor used, RT target, and RT technique were assessed in terms of toxicities. This literature review demonstrates generally limited toxicities with the combination of CDK4/6 inhibitors and palliative radiotherapy to metastatic breast cancer patients. The current evidence is nonetheless limited, and further results of ongoing prospective clinical trials will help clarify whether these treatments can be safely combined.
High-LET-Radiation-Induced Persistent DNA Damage Response Signaling and Gastrointestinal Cancer Development
Authors: Kumar Kamendra , Kumar Santosh , Datta Kamal , Fornace Albert J. , Suman Shubhankar
Published: June 2023

Ionizing radiation (IR) dose, dose rate, and linear energy transfer (LET) determine cellular DNA damage quality and quantity. High-LET heavy ions are prevalent in the deep space environment and can deposit a much greater fraction of total energy in a shorter distance within a cell, causing extensive DNA damage relative to the same dose of low-LET photon radiation. Based on the DNA damage tolerance of a cell, cellular responses are initiated for recovery, cell death, senescence, or proliferation, which are determined through a concerted action of signaling networks classified as DNA damage response (DDR) signaling. The IR-induced DDR initiates cell cycle arrest to repair damaged DNA. When DNA damage is beyond the cellular repair capacity, the DDR for cell death is initiated. An alternative DDR-associated anti-proliferative pathway is the onset of cellular senescence with persistent cell cycle arrest, which is primarily a defense mechanism against oncogenesis. Ongoing DNA damage accumulation below the cell death threshold but above the senescence threshold, along with persistent SASP signaling after chronic exposure to space radiation, pose an increased risk of tumorigenesis in the proliferative gastrointestinal (GI) epithelium, where a subset of IR-induced senescent cells can acquire a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and potentially drive oncogenic signaling in nearby bystander cells. Moreover, DDR alterations could result in both somatic gene mutations as well as activation of the pro-inflammatory, pro-oncogenic SASP signaling known to accelerate adenoma-to-carcinoma progression during radiation-induced GI cancer development. In this review, we describe the complex interplay between persistent DNA damage, DDR, cellular senescence, and SASP-associated pro-inflammatory oncogenic signaling in the context of GI carcinogenesis.
Radiomics from Mesorectal Blood Vessels and Lymph Nodes: A Novel Prognostic Predictor for Rectal Cancer with Neoadjuvant Therapy
Authors: Qin Siyuan , Lu Siyi , Liu Ke , Zhou Yan , Wang Qizheng , Chen Yongye , Zhang Enlong , Wang Hao , Lang Ning
Published: June 2023

The objective of our study is to investigate the predictive value of various combinations of radiomic features from intratumoral and different peritumoral regions of interest (ROIs) for achieving a good pathological response (pGR) following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). This retrospective study was conducted using data from LARC patients who underwent nCRT between 2013 and 2021. Patients were divided into training and validation cohorts at a ratio of 4:1. Intratumoral ROIs (ROIITU) were segmented on T2–weighted imaging, while peritumoral ROIs were segmented using two methods: ROIPTU_2mm, ROIPTU_4mm, and ROIPTU_6mm, obtained by dilating the boundary of ROIITU by 2 mm, 4 mm, and 6 mm, respectively; and ROIMR_F and ROIMR_BVLN, obtained by separating the fat and blood vessels + lymph nodes in the mesorectum. After feature extraction and selection, 12 logistic regression models were established using radiomics features derived from different ROIs or ROI combinations, and five–fold cross–validation was performed. The average area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the performance of the models. The study included 209 patients, consisting of 118 pGR and 91 non–pGR patients. The model that integrated ROIITU and ROIMR_BVLN features demonstrated the highest predictive ability, with an AUC (95% confidence interval) of 0.936 (0.904–0.972) in the training cohort and 0.859 (0.745–0.974) in the validation cohort. This model outperformed models that utilized ROIITU alone (AUC = 0.779), ROIMR_BVLN alone (AUC = 0.758), and other models. The radscore derived from the optimal model can predict the treatment response and prognosis after nCRT. Our findings validated that the integration of intratumoral and peritumoral radiomic features, especially those associated with mesorectal blood vessels and lymph nodes, serves as a potent predictor of pGR to nCRT in patients with LARC. Pending further corroboration in future research, these insights could provide novel imaging markers for refining therapeutic strategies.
Identification of Proteins Specifically Assembled on a Stem-Loop Composed of a CAG Triplet Repeat
Authors: Fuchs Robert P. , Isogawa Asako , Paulo Joao A. , Fujii Shingo
Published: June 2023

Human genomic DNA contains a number of diverse repetitive sequence motifs, often identified as fragile sites leading to genetic instability. Among them, expansion events occurring at triplet repeats have been extensively studied due to their association with neurological disorders, including Huntington’s disease (HD). In the case of HD, expanded CAG triplet repeats in the HTT gene are thought to cause the onset. The expansion of CAG triplet repeats is believed to be triggered by the emergence of stem-loops composed of CAG triplet repeats, while the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. Therefore, identifying proteins recruited on such stem loops would be useful to understand the molecular mechanisms leading to the genetic instability of CAG triplet repeats. We previously developed a plasmid DNA pull-down methodology that captures proteins specifically assembled on any sequence of interest using nuclear extracts. Analysis by Mass Spectrometry revealed that among the proteins specifically bound to a stem-loop composed of CAG triplet repeats, many turned out to belong to DNA repair pathways. We expect our data set to represent a useful entry point for the design of assays allowing the molecular mechanisms of genetic instability at CAG triplet repeats to be explored.
Digital Teaching Competence among Teachers of Different Educational Stages in Spain
Authors: García-Delgado Miguel Ángel , Rodríguez-Cano Sonia , Delgado-Benito Vanesa , Di Giusto-Valle Cristina
Published: June 2023

The new educational reality requires teachers to have skills and competencies to improve the teaching-learning process and, therefore, the quality of teaching, integrating new technologies. To assess the competence level of teachers, a descriptive study was designed, in which 150 teachers from different stages in Spain took part and were administered the DigCompEdu Check-in questionnaire. Non-probabilistic (purposive) sampling was used. The results show an intermediate level of competence among teachers at all the educational stages surveyed. However, this level varies according to the stage at which they work, with secondary education, vocational training, GCE and university teachers standing out the most in the fields of competence analysed using the questionnaire. Different proposals for improvement are proposed too, as well as the existing coincidences with previous studies; furthermore, the need for training from the beginning of teacher preparation is highlighted, as well as the need for continuous training for active teachers to optimise the potential offered by the new technologies, also is very important that taking on challenges such as the correct communication trough technologies, the use and creation of digital content or the protection and security of online data, among others.
Joint Power and Bandwidth Allocation in Collocated MIMO Radar Based on the Quality of Service Framework
Authors: Huang Jieyu , Yang Ziqing , Xie Junwei , Zhang Haowei , Li Zhengjie
Published: June 2023

The simultaneous multi-beam working mode of the collocated multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) radar enables the radar to track multiple targets simultaneously. A joint power and bandwidth allocation algorithm in a collocated MIMO radar based on the quality of service (QoS) framework is proposed for the multi-target tracking problem with different threat levels. Firstly, a posterior Cramer–Rao lower bound (PCRLB) concerning the power and bandwidth is derived. In addition, the optimal objective functions of power and bandwidth are designed based on the QoS framework, and the problem is solved using the convex relaxation technique and the cyclical minimization algorithm. The numerical results show that the proposed algorithm has better tracking accuracy and achieves more reasonable resource allocation compared to strategies such as average allocation.
Unified Object Detector for Different Modalities Based on Vision Transformers
Authors: Shen Xiaoke , Stamos Ioannis
Published: June 2023

Traditional systems typically require different models for processing different modalities, such as one model for RGB images and another for depth images. Recent research has demonstrated that a single model for one modality can be adapted for another using cross-modality transfer learning. In this paper, we extend this approach by combining cross/inter-modality transfer learning with a vision transformer to develop a unified detector that achieves superior performance across diverse modalities. Our research envisions an application scenario for robotics, where the unified system seamlessly switches between RGB cameras and depth sensors in varying lighting conditions. Importantly, the system requires no model architecture or weight updates to enable this smooth transition. Specifically, the system uses a depth sensor in low light conditions (night time) and both an RGB camera and a depth sensor or RGB camera only in well-lit environments. We evaluate our unified model on the SUN RGB-D dataset and demonstrate that it achieves a similar or better performance in terms of the mAP50 compared to state-of-the-art methods in the SUNRGBD16 category and a comparable performance in point-cloud-only mode. We also introduce a novel inter-modality mixing method that enables our model to achieve significantly better results than previous methods. We provide our code, including training/inference logs and model checkpoints, to facilitate reproducibility and further research.
Combination Strategies of Variables with Various Spatial Resolutions Derived from GF-2 Images for Mapping Forest Stock Volume
Authors: Liu Zhaohua , Long Jiangping , Lin Hui , Xu Xiaodong , Liu Hao , Zhang Tingchen , Ye Zilin , Yang Peisong
Published: June 2023

Spectral features (SFs) and texture features (TFs) extracted from optical remote sensing images can capture the structural composition and growth information of forests, and combining remote sensing variables with a few ground measurement samples is a common method for mapping forest stock volume (FSV). However, the accuracy of mapping FSV using optical images with a high spatial resolution (one meter or sub-meters) is often lower than medium resolutions (larger than 10 m) using the same types of features and approaches. To overcome the limitations of high spatial resolution images in mapping FSV, down-scaled images with spatial resolution ranging from 1 to 30 m were obtained by GF-2 image to interpret the relationships between spatial resolutions of features and the accuracy of mapping FSV, and combination strategies of variables with various spatial resolutions were proposed to improve the accuracy of mapping FSV. The results show that the spatial resolution of features significantly affects the performance of employed models in estimating FSV, the sensitivity between SFs and FSV gradually increases with the decreasing of spatial resolution, and the optimal spatial resolutions of two types of features (SFs and TFs) are not synchronized in mapping forest FSV. After using combination strategies of variables with various spatial resolutions, the accuracy of mapping FSV is significantly higher than those derived from variable sets with the same spatial resolutions. It is proved that TFs derived from GF-2 images have great potential to improve the accuracy of mapping FSV, and the contribution of features depends on the approaches of extracting and combination strategies.