bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mutated TP53 in Circulating Tumor DNA as a Risk Level Biomarker in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Kampel Liyona , Feldstein Sara , Tsuriel Shlomo , Hannes Victoria , Carmel Neiderman Narin N. , Horowitz Gilad , Warshavsky Anton , Leider-Trejo Leonor , Hershkovitz Dov , Muhanna Nidal
Published: September 2023

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has been suggested as a surrogate biomarker for early detection of cancer recurrence. We aimed to explore the utility of ctDNA as a noninvasive prognostic biomarker in newly diagnosed head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. Seventy HNSCC specimens were analysed for the detection of TP53 genetic alterations utilizing next-generation sequencing (NGS). TP53 mutations were revealed in 55 (79%). Upon detection of a significant TP53 mutation, circulating cell-free DNA was scrutinized for the presence of the tumor-specific mutation. ctDNA was identified at a minimal allele frequency of 0.08% in 21 out of 30 processed plasma samples. Detectable ctDNA correlated with regional spread (N stage ≥ 1, p = 0.011) and poorer 5-year progression-free survival (20%, 95% CI 10.9 to 28.9, p = 0.034). The high-risk worst pattern of invasion (WPOI grade 4–5) and deep invasion were frequently found in patients whose ctDNA was detected (p = 0.087 and p = 0.072, respectively). Detecting mutated TP53 ctDNA was associated with poor progression-free survival and regional metastases, indicating its potential role as a prognostic biomarker. However, ctDNA detectability in early-stage disease and the mechanisms modulating its release into the bloodstream must be further elucidated.
Heme Oxygenase-1 Inhibition Modulates Autophagy and Augments Arsenic Trioxide Cytotoxicity in Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Authors: Ahmad Iman M. , Dafferner Alicia J. , Salloom Ramia J. , Abdalla Maher Y.
Published: September 2023

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most prevalent form, accounting for more than 90% of all pancreatic malignancies. In a previous study, we found that hypoxia and chemotherapy induced expression of Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in PDAC cells and tissues. Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is the first-line chemotherapeutic drug for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). ATO increases the generation of reactive oxidative species (ROS) and induces apoptosis in treated cells. The clinical use of ATO for solid tumors is limited due to severe systemic toxicity. In order to reduce cytotoxic side effects and resistance and improve efficacy, it has become increasingly common to use combination therapies to treat cancers. In this study, we used ATO-sensitive and less sensitive PDAC cell lines to test the effect of combining HO-1 inhibitors (SnPP and ZnPP) with ATO on HO-1 expression, cell survival, and other parameters. Our results show that ATO significantly induced the expression of HO-1 in different PDAC cells through the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. ROS production was confirmed using the oxygen-sensitive probes DCFH and DHE, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), an ROS scavenger, and oxidized glutathione levels (GSSG). Both ATO and HO-1 inhibitors reduced PDAC cell survival. In combined treatment, inhibiting HO-1 significantly increased ATO cytotoxicity, disrupted the GSH cycle, and induced apoptosis as measured using flow cytometry. ATO and HO-1 inhibition modulated autophagy as shown by increased expression of autophagy markers ATG5, p62, and LC3B in PDAC cells. This increase was attenuated by NAC treatment, indicating that autophagy modulation was through an ROS-dependent mechanism. In conclusion, our work explored new strategies that could lead to the development of less toxic and more effective therapies against PDAC by combining increased cellular stress and targeting autophagy.
Rehabilitation: Neurogenic Bone Loss after Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Leone Giovanna E. , Shields Donald C. , Haque Azizul , Banik Narendra L.
Published: September 2023

Osteoporosis is a common skeletal disorder which can severely limit one’s ability to complete daily tasks due to the increased risk of bone fractures, reducing quality of life. Spinal cord injury (SCI) can also result in osteoporosis and sarcopenia. Most individuals experience sarcopenia and osteoporosis due to advancing age; however, individuals with SCI experience more rapid and debilitating levels of muscle and bone loss due to neurogenic factors, musculoskeletal disuse, and cellular/molecular events. Thus, preserving and maintaining bone mass after SCI is crucial to decreasing the risk of fragility and fracture in vulnerable SCI populations. Recent studies have provided an improved understanding of the pathophysiology and risk factors related to musculoskeletal loss after SCI. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies have also provided for the reduction in or elimination of neurogenic bone loss after SCI. This review article will discuss the pathophysiology and risk factors of muscle and bone loss after SCI, including the mechanisms that may lead to muscle and bone loss after SCI. This review will also focus on current and future pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies for reducing or eliminating neurogenic bone loss following SCI.
MicroRNA-21 Silencing in Diabetic Nephropathy: Insights on Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Dhas Yogita , Arshad Numair , Biswas Nupur , Jones Lawrence , Ashili Shashaanka
Published: September 2023

In diabetes, possibly the most significant site of microvascular damage is the kidney. Due to diabetes and/or other co-morbidities, such as hypertension and age-related nephron loss, a significant number of people with diabetes suffer from kidney diseases. Improved diabetic care can reduce the prevalence of diabetic nephropathy (DN); however, innovative treatment approaches are still required. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is one of the most studied multipotent microRNAs (miRNAs), and it has been linked to renal fibrosis and exhibits significantly altered expression in DN. Targeting miR-21 offers an advantage in DN. Currently, miR-21 is being pharmacologically silenced through various methods, all of which are in early development. In this review, we summarize the role of miR-21 in the molecular pathogenesis of DN and several therapeutic strategies to use miR-21 as a therapeutic target in DN. The existing experimental interventions offer a way to rectify the lower miRNA levels as well as to reduce the higher levels. Synthetic miRNAs also referred to as miR-mimics, can compensate for abnormally low miRNA levels. Furthermore, strategies like oligonucleotides can be used to alter the miRNA levels. It is reasonable to target miR-21 for improved results because it directly contributes to the pathological processes of kidney diseases, including DN.
Artificial Intelligence in Regenerative Medicine: Applications and Implications
Authors: Nosrati Hamed , Nosrati Masoud
Published: September 2023

The field of regenerative medicine is constantly advancing and aims to repair, regenerate, or substitute impaired or unhealthy tissues and organs using cutting-edge approaches such as stem cell-based therapies, gene therapy, and tissue engineering. Nevertheless, incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has opened new doors for research in this field. AI refers to the ability of machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence in ways such as learning the patterns in the data and applying that to the new data without being explicitly programmed. AI has the potential to improve and accelerate various aspects of regenerative medicine research and development, particularly, although not exclusively, when complex patterns are involved. This review paper provides an overview of AI in the context of regenerative medicine, discusses its potential applications with a focus on personalized medicine, and highlights the challenges and opportunities in this field.
Inchworm-like Soft Robot with Multi-Responsive Bilayer Films
Authors: Wang Xufeng , Pu Wei , Zhang Ruichen , Wei Fanan
Published: September 2023

As an important branch of robotics, soft robots have the advantages of strong flexibility, a simple structure, and high safety. These characteristics enable soft robots to be widely used in various fields such as biomedicine, military reconnaissance, and micro space exploration. However, contemporary soft crawling robots still face problems such as the single drive mode and complex external equipment. In this study, we propose an innovative design of an inchworm-like soft crawling robot utilizing the synergistic interaction of electricity and moisture for its hybrid dual-drive locomotion. The legs of the soft robot are mainly made of GO-CNT/PE composite film, which can convert its own volume expansion into a corresponding bending motion after being stimulated by electricity or moisture. Unlike other drive methods, it requires less power and precision from external devices. The combination of the two driving methods greatly improves the environmental adaptability of the soft robot, and we developed visible light as the driving method on the basis of the dual drive. Finally, we also verified the robot’s excellent load capacity, climbing ability, and optical drive effect, which laid the foundation for the application of soft robots in the future.
Comparative Study of SERS-Spectra of NQ21 Peptide on Silver Particles and in Gold-Coated “Nanovoids”
Authors: Zavatski Siarhei , Dubkov Sergey , Gromov Dmitry , Bandarenka Hanna
Published: September 2023

The NQ21 peptide has relatively recently attracted attention in the biomedical sphere due to its prospects for facilitating the engineering of the HIV1 vaccine and ELISA test. Today, there is still a need for a reliable and fast methodology that reveals the secondary structure of this analyte at the low concentrations conventionally used in vaccines and immunological assays. The present research determined the differences between the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of NQ21 peptide molecules adsorbed on solid SERS-active substrates depending on their geometry and composition. The ultimate goal of our research was to propose an algorithm and SERS-active material for structural analysis of peptides. Phosphate buffer solutions of the 30 µg/mL NQ21 peptide at different pH levels were used for the SERS measurements, with silver particles on mesoporous silicon and gold-coated “nanovoids” in macroporous silicon. The SERS analysis of the NQ21 peptide was carried out by collecting the SERS spectra maps. The map assessment with an originally developed algorithm resulted in defining the effect of the substrate on the secondary structure of the analyte molecules. Silver particles are recommended for peptide detection if it is not urgent to precisely reveal all the characteristic bands, because they provide greater enhancement but are accompanied by analyte destruction. If the goal is to carefully study the secondary structure and composition of the peptide, it is better to use SERS-active gold-coated “nanovoids”. Objective results can be obtained by collecting at least three 15 × 15 maps of the SERS spectra of a given peptide on substrates from different batches.
Shikonin and Juglone Inhibit Mycobacterium tuberculosis Low-Molecular-Weight Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase a (Mt-PTPa)
Authors: Sulyman Abdulhakeem O. , Fulcher Jessie , Crossley Samuel , Fatokun Amos A. , Olorunniji Femi J.
Published: September 2023

Low-molecular-weight protein tyrosine phosphatases (LMW-PTPs) are involved in promoting the intracellular survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative organism of tuberculosis. These PTPs directly alter host signalling pathways to evade the hostile environment of macrophages and avoid host clearance. Among these, protein tyrosine phosphatase A (Mt-PTPa) is implicated in phagosome acidification failure, thereby inhibiting phagosome maturation to promote Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) survival. In this study, we explored Mt-PTPa as a potential drug target for treating Mtb. We started by screening a library of 502 pure natural compounds against the activities of Mt-PTPa in vitro, with a threshold of 50% inhibition of activity via a <500 µM concentration of the candidate drugs. The initial screen identified epigallocatechin, myricetin, rosmarinic acid, and shikonin as hits. Among these, the naphthoquinone, shikonin (5, 8-dihydroxy-2-[(1R)-1-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-pentenyl]-1,4-naphthoquinone), showed the strongest inhibition (IC50 33 µM). Further tests showed that juglone (5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthalenedione), another naphthoquinone, displayed similar potent inhibition of Mt-PTPa to shikonin. Kinetic analysis of the inhibition patterns suggests a non-competitive inhibition mechanism for both compounds, with inhibitor constants (Ki) of 8.5 µM and 12.5 µM for shikonin and juglone, respectively. Our findings are consistent with earlier studies suggesting that Mt-PTPa is susceptible to specific allosteric modulation via a non-competitive or mixed inhibition mechanism.
Dynamic Response Analysis of Long-Span Bridges under Random Traffic Flow Based on Sieving Method
Authors: Han Zhiqiang , Xie Gang , Zhou Yongjun , Zhuo Yajuan , Wang Yelu , Shen Lin
Published: September 2023

To overcome the limitations of using time interval division to calculate the bridge impact coefficient (IM), a sieving method has been proposed. This method employs multiple sieves on bridge time–history curve samples to ultimately obtain the bridge impact coefficients. Firstly, CA cellular automata are used to establish different levels of traffic flow fleet models. The random traffic flow–bridge coupling dynamic model is established through wheel–bridge displacement coordination and mechanical coupling relationships based on the theory of modal synthesis. Then, the variation of bridge dynamic time–history curves for different classes of random traffic flow, speed and pavement unevenness parameters are analyzed. The sieving method is applied to screen the extreme points of the dynamic time–history curve of the bridge, enabling the distribution law of the bridge IM to be obtained using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test (K–S test) and statistical analysis. Finally, the calculated value is then compared with the IM specifications of multiple countries. The results show that the proposed method has high identification accuracy and produces a good inspection effect. The value obtained using the sieving method is slightly larger than the value specified in the US code, 0.33, which is considerably larger than the values specified in other national codes. As pavement conditions deteriorate, the IM of the bridge increases rapidly, especially under Class C and Class D pavement unevenness, which exceed the values specified in various national bridge specifications.
A Case Study on Multi-Objective Optimization Design of College Teaching Building Atrium in Cold Regions Based on Passive Concept
Authors: Chen Zhengshu , Cui Yanqiu , Zheng Haichao , Wei Ruihan , Zhao Shuo
Published: September 2023

The atrium space represents one of the most energy-intensive areas within buildings. This is especially evident in college teaching buildings, where the inclusion of atriums often leads to increased energy consumption, primarily due to enhancements in lighting and thermal comfort. To address this issue, this study investigates atriums in cold regions within college teaching buildings and establishes four distinct atrium models for such buildings through typological abstraction and evolution. This study utilizes the Grasshopper (Ladybug Tools; developed by Robert McNeel & Assoc, Inc. in the United States.) parametric performance simulation platform to simulate daylight comfort and energy consumption within the atriums. Range analysis is subsequently applied to assess the impact of variables on energy consumption, and variables with the least influence are eliminated. Subsequently, the Octopus plug-in is employed to conduct multi-objective optimization for the four atrium types, resulting in the attainment of a Pareto-optimized solution set. Following optimization, the energy efficiency rates for the four atrium types are determined as 10.3%, 17.6%, 37.2%, and 30.5%, respectively, while the daylight comfort rates experience enhancements of 4.4%, 10.4%, 44.7%, and 34%, respectively. This study provides designers with a reference for optimizing design parameters during the early stages.
Graphene-Based TiO2 Cement Composites to Enhance the Antibacterial Effect of Self-Disinfecting Surfaces
Authors: Hamdany Abdul Halim , Ding Yuanzhao , Qian Shunzhi
Published: September 2023

This paper studies the photocatalytic performance of graphene-based titanium dioxide (TiO2) on cementitious composites for the decomposition of Escherichia coli (E. coli) under visible light. Graphene-based TiO2 was first synthesized through a hydrothermal process. The composites were then evaluated in terms of adsorption capability and degradation of methylene blue dyes. The adsorption test shows a remarkable increase in the amount of dye adsorbed into the composite surface. GO-P25 could adsorb around 60% of the initial dye, while less than 10% of the initial dye was adsorbed by pristine TiO2-P25. The synthesized graphene-based TiO2 significantly enhanced the dye degradation activity (94%) compared to pristine P25 (36%) and Krono (52%), even with the longer irradiation time for P25 and Krono. This led to an increase in reaction rate that was almost 20 times that of P25. Considering the good adsorption capabilities and high photodegradation of dye under visible light for GO-P25, cement-based surfaces containing GO-P25 are expected to be improved for the decomposition of Escherichia coli (E. coli) under visible light. Graphene-based TiO2 on a cement-based surface showed high antibacterial activity with a 77% reduction in number of bacteria compared to a cement-based surface containing pristine TiO2. This study confirms the effectiveness of the composites for disinfection of E. coli under visible light.
In Pursuit of Next Generation N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Stabilized Copper and Silver Precursors for Metalorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition and Atomic Layer Deposition Processes
Authors: Selvakumar Ilamparithy , Boysen Nils , Bürger Marco , Devi Anjana
Published: September 2023

Volatile, reactive, and thermally stable organometallic copper and silver complexes are of significant interest as precursors for the metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) and atomic layer deposition (ALD) of ultra-thin metallic films. Well-established CuI and AgI precursors are commonly stabilized by halogens, phosphorous, silicon, and oxygen, potentially leading to the incorporation of these elements as impurities in the thin films. These precursors are typically stabilized by a neutral and anionic ligand. Recent advancements were established by the stabilization of these complexes using N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) as neutral ligands. To further enhance the reactivity, in this study the anionic ligand is sequentially changed from β-diketonates to β-ketoiminates and β-diketiminates, yielding two new CuI and two new AgI NHC-stabilized complexes in the general form of [M(NHC) (R)] (M = Cu, Ag; R = β-ketoiminate, β-diketiminate). The synthesized complexes were comparatively analyzed in solid, dissolved, and gaseous states. Furthermore, the thermal properties were investigated to assess their potential application in MOCVD or ALD. Among the newly synthesized complexes, the β-diketiminate-based [Cu(tBuNHC) (NacNacMe)] was identified to be the most suitable candidate as a precursor for Cu thin film deposition. The resulting halogen-, oxygen-, and silicon-free CuI and AgI precursors for MOCVD and ALD applications are established for the first time and set a new baseline for coinage metal precursors.
A Randomised Control Trial Investigating the Efficacy of the MapMe Intervention on Parental Ability to Correctly Categorise Overweight in Their Child and the Impact on Child BMI Z-Score Change at 1 Year
Authors: Jones Angela R. , Mann Kay D. , Cutler Laura R. , Pearce Mark S. , Tovée Martin J. , Ells Louisa J. , Araujo-Soares Vera , Arnott Bronia , Harris Julie M. , Adamson Ashley J.
Published: September 2023

Research suggests parental ability to recognise when their child has overweight is limited. It is hypothesised that recognition of child overweight/obesity is fundamental to its prevention, acting as a potential barrier to parental action to improve their child’s health-related behaviours and/or help seeking. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of an intervention (MapMe) to improve parental ability to correctly categorise their child as having overweight one-month post-intervention, and reduce child body mass index (BMI) z-score 12 months post-intervention. MapMe consists of body image scales of known child BMI and information on the consequences of childhood overweight, associated health-related behaviours and sources of support. We conducted a three-arm (paper-based MapMe, web-based MapMe and control) randomised control trial in fifteen English local authority areas with parents/guardians of 4–5- and 10–11-year-old children. Parental categorisation of child weight status was assessed using the question ‘How would you describe your child’s weight at the moment?’ Response options were: underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and very overweight. Child weight status and BMI z-scores were calculated using objectively measured height and weight data and UK90 clinical thresholds. There was no difference in the percentage of parents correctly categorising their child as having overweight/very overweight (n = 264: 41% control, 48% web-based, and 43% paper-based, p = 0.646). BMI z-scores were significantly reduced for the intervention group at 12 months post-intervention compared to controls (n = 338, mean difference in BMI z-score change −0.11 (95% CI −0.202 to −0.020, p = 0.017). MapMe was associated with a decrease in BMI z-score 12 months post-intervention, although there was no direct evidence of improved parental ability to correctly categorise child overweight status. Further work is needed to replicate these findings in a larger sample of children, investigate mechanisms of action, and determine the use of MapMe as a public health initiative.
Knowledge and Role of Paediatricians/Paediatric Residents in Infant Oral Healthcare and Dental Home across Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Vishwanathaiah Satish , Maganur Prabhadevi C. , Albar Dhalia Hassan , Albar Ranya Hassan , Jafer Mohammed Abdurabu , Baeshen Safeyah A. , Madkhali Imtinan Ahmed , Mohana Enas Jaber , Sahli Jawaher Saleh , Alnajdi Alhanouf K. , Tahhah Manal Kinani , Manoharan Varsha
Published: September 2023

The prevention of oral diseases in children is highly achievable through providing early exposure to oral healthcare habits, which would make children more receptive towards dental services. A cross-sectional study used a structured, self-explanatory questionnaire to evaluate the knowledge and role of 190 paediatricians and paediatric residents towards infant oral healthcare and the dental home across Saudi Arabia. The authors sent a link to the questionnaire, comprising 36 questions, by email, as a Google e-form. The response rate obtained was 87.36%. A major proportion (95.8%) of the respondents considered that paediatricians play an important role in promoting oral health. Around 45.8% of the practitioners recommended tooth brushing after the eruption of the first tooth. About 38% of the practitioners were unaware of the children’s first dental visit. The majority (95.2%) agreed that there should be an increased awareness regarding home dental habits. Most of them (78.3%) examined the oral cavity for dental problems as a part of routine childcare, and the majority (75.3%) admitted that they did not evaluate fluoride needs. A statistically significant higher mean knowledge score was observed for practitioners with more than 30 years of experience (9.35 ± 2.29), and there was a significant positive correlation (r = 0.486) between the knowledge score and mean score for the role of paediatric practitioners. Overall, the study concluded that the knowledge of paediatricians and paediatric residents in SA towards infant oral healthcare and the dental home was inadequate, and their role in maintaining oral health was found to be moderately satisfactory.
New Sight: Enzymes as Targets for Drug Development
Authors: Kim Sung-Kun
Published: September 2023

In the dynamic realm of medical research, a resounding chord is struck by recent studies that have propelled drug discovery to new horizons across a spectrum of disciplines [...]
Coupling a Gas Turbine Bottoming Cycle Using CO2 as the Working Fluid with a Gas Cycle: Exergy Analysis Considering Combustion Chamber Steam Injection
Authors: Fatemi Alavi S. Hamed , Javaherian Amirreza , Mahmoudi S. M. S. , Soltani Saeed , Rosen Marc A.
Published: September 2023

Gas turbine power plants have important roles in the global power generation market. This paper, for the first time, thermodynamically examines the impact of steam injection for a combined cycle, including a gas turbine cycle with a two-stage turbine and carbon dioxide recompression. The combined cycle is compared with the simple case without steam injection. Steam injection’s impact was observed on important parameters such as energy efficiency, exergy efficiency, and output power. It is revealed that the steam injection reduced exergy destruction in components compared to the simple case. The efficiencies for both cases were obtained. The energy and exergy efficiencies, respectively, were found to be 30.4% and 29.4% for the simple case, and 35.3% and 34.1% for the case with steam injection. Also, incorporating steam injection reduced the emissions of carbon dioxide.
Survey on Fungi in Antarctica and High Arctic Regions, and Their Impact on Climate Change
Authors: Tsuji Masaharu
Published: September 2023

The Antarctica and High Arctic regions are extreme environments, with average maximum temperatures below 0 °C for most days of the year. Interestingly, fungi inhabit these regions. This review describes the history of fungal surveys near the Syowa Station and the fungal diversity in this region. In the High Arctic region, I summarize the changes in the fungal communities of the glacial retreat areas of Ny-Ålesund, Norway and Ellesmere Island, Canada, in response to climate change. In addition, the ability of Antarctic and Arctic fungi to secrete enzymes at sub-zero temperatures is presented. Finally, the future directions of Antarctic and Arctic fungal research are provided.
Two Pregnancy Care Models in Poland—A Descriptive–Comparative Study
Authors: Gallas Marta , Gaworska-Krzemińska Aleksandra , Pogorzelczyk Katarzyna
Published: September 2023

Care for a pregnant woman can take various organizational forms. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends leaders increase research into health systems. The aim of this is to manage the healthcare system in such a way as to provide beneficiaries with access to high-quality services with limited financial resources. The study presented in this paper was conducted using a diagnostic survey on a group of 1642 Polish women in the traditional model of care (TM) and 3216 women in the Coordinated Care for Pregnant Women Program (CCP). Two research tools were used in this study. The first is a survey prepared by the National Health Fund, the second is an author’s survey. The results indicate that most women (85%) receiving care under the CCP received effective pain management, compared to 67% under the traditional care model (p < 0.001). In the CCP, women were significantly more likely to receive midwife assistance in infant care (90%) than women in the traditional care model (60%) (p < 0.001). Significantly more CCP patients want to return to the same hospital for their subsequent childbirth (74%) than women in the traditional model of care (43%) (p < 0.001). In patients’ opinion, the new CCP model is superior in meeting their needs and providing higher-quality services. However, educating women that an obstetrician-gynecologist and a midwife can manage their pregnancy is still necessary. In addition to the CCP program, special attention should be paid to available pain management during childbirth since the use of analgesia is still insufficient in Polish hospitals.
Palpation and Ultrasonography Reveal an Ignored Function of the Inferior Belly of Omohyoid: A Case Series and a Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: Canoso Juan J. , Alvarez Nemegyei José , Naredo Esperanza , Murillo González Jorge , Mérida Velasco José Ramón , Hernández Díaz Cristina , Olivas Vergara Otto , Alvarez Acosta José Guillermo , Navarro Zarza José Eduardo , Kalish Robert A.
Published: September 2023

Background: Palpation, a traditional haptic ability, is used daily by practitioners of all medical and surgical specialties to assess patients. In the current study, one of the authors, in a routine clinical setting, was able to deduce the dynamic features of the putative inferior belly of omohyoid. This led to a proof-of-concept study that yielded results consistent with the clinical findings. Methods: The first part of the study involved a survey of 300 rheumatic disease patients in whom the greater supraclavicular fossa was explored by palpation. While the patient kept the head straight, the clinician placed his middle three fingers 2.5–3 cm dorsal to the clavicle in the window between the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius clavicular insertions, explored the supraclavicular fossa, and palpated the paired contractile inferior belly of the assumed omohyoid during flexion in the three orthogonal planes. In the second part of the study, five normal subjects were examined in a similar manner by the same clinician and had independent ultrasonography performed on the dominant side. Descriptive statistics were used, and Yates’ corrected chi-squared test was applied to certain nominal variables. Additionally, a comparative anterolateral bilateral neck dissection was performed in a cadaveric specimen. Results: Both studies showed that the contractile structure was the inferior belly of omohyoid and that its contraction occurred during anterior neck flexion and was opposite to the side of neck rotation, resembling the sternocleidomastoid. Conclusions: Palpation uncovered a previously unknown function of the inferior belly of omohyoid, suggesting that physical examination of the musculoskeletal system based on palpation may lead to hypotheses worthy of exploration.
Retrospective Clinical Evaluation of RMGIC/GIC Class V Restorations
Authors: Santos Maria Jacinta M. C. , Leon Lucy , Siddique Imad , Butler Sheila
Published: September 2023

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical performance of glass-ionomer cement (GIC) and resin-modified glass-ionomer cement (RMGIC) materials in Class V carious cervical lesions restored by dental students. Ninety-six (96) restorations performed with either GIC (Fuji IX) (n = 39) or RMGIC (Fuji II LC) (n = 57) were evaluated using the modified USPHS criteria by two independent investigators at two follow-up evaluations (two years apart). The Fisher statistical test was used to compare USPHS criteria and examine significant differences, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. The Kaplan-Meier algorithm was used to calculate the survival probability. The overall success rate of Class V restorations was 72.9% at the second follow-up evaluation, with restorations ranging in age from 2.5 to 3.5 years. The RMGIC (Fuji II LC) restorations exhibited a significantly higher overall success rate compared to the GIC (Fuji IX) restorations (p = 0.0104). Significant differences were observed in retention (p = 0.0034) and color match (p = 0.0023).
Cooperative Standoff Target Tracking using Multiple Fixed-Wing UAVs with Input Constraints in Unknown Wind
Authors: Liu Zhong , Xiang Lingshuang , Zhu Zemin
Published: September 2023

This paper investigates the problem of cooperative standoff tracking using multiple fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with control input constraints. In order to achieve accurate moving target tracking in the presence of unknown background wind, a coordinated standoff target tracking algorithm is proposed. The objective of the research is to steer multiple UAVs to fly a circular orbit around a moving target with prescribed intervehicle angular spacing. To achieve this goal, two control laws are proposed, including relative range regulation and space phase separation. On one hand, a heading rate control law based on a Lyapunov guidance vector field is proposed. The convergence analysis shows that the UAVs can asymptotically converge to a desired circular orbit around the target, regardless of their initial position and heading. Through a rigorous theoretical proof, it is concluded that the command signal of the proposed heading rate controller will not violate the boundary constraint on the heading rate. On the other hand, a temporal phase is introduced to represent the phase separation and avoid discontinuity of the wrapped space phase angle. On this basis, a speed controller is developed to achieve equal phase separation. The proposed airspeed controller meets the requirements of the airspeed constraint. Furthermore, to improve the robustness of the aircraft during target tracking, an estimator is developed to estimate the composition velocity of the unknown wind and target motion. The proposed estimator uses the offset vector between the UAV’s actual flight path and the desired orbit, which is defined by the Lyapunov guidance vector field, to estimate the composition velocity. The stability of the estimator is proved. Simulations are conducted under different scenarios to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed cooperative standoff target tracking algorithm. The simulation results indicate that the temporal-phase-based speed controller can achieve a fast convergence speed and small phase separation error. Additionally, the composition velocity estimator exhibits a fast response speed and high estimation accuracy.
Automatic Modulation Classification with Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Harper Clayton A. , Thornton Mitchell A. , Larson Eric C.
Published: September 2023

Automatic modulation classification is an important component in many modern aeronautical communication systems to achieve efficient spectrum usage in congested wireless environments and other communications systems applications. In recent years, numerous convolutional deep learning architectures have been proposed for automatically classifying the modulation used on observed signal bursts. However, a comprehensive analysis of these differing architectures and the importance of each design element has not been carried out. Thus, it is unclear what trade-offs the differing designs of these convolutional neural networks might have. In this research, we investigate numerous architectures for automatic modulation classification and perform a comprehensive ablation study to investigate the impacts of varying hyperparameters and design elements on automatic modulation classification accuracy. We show that a new state-of-the-art accuracy can be achieved using a subset of the studied design elements, particularly as applied to modulation classification over intercepted bursts of varying time duration. In particular, we show that a combination of dilated convolutions, statistics pooling, and squeeze-and-excitation units results in the strongest performing classifier achieving 98.9% peak accuracy and 63.7% overall accuracy on the RadioML 2018.01A dataset. We further investigate this best performer according to various other criteria, including short signal bursts of varying length, common misclassifications, and performance across differing modulation categories and modes.
A Resource-Efficient Keyword Spotting System Based on a One-Dimensional Binary Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Yoon Jinsung , Kim Neungyun , Lee Donghyun , Lee Su-Jung , Kwak Gil-Ho , Kim Tae-Hwan
Published: September 2023

This paper proposes a resource-efficient keyword spotting (KWS) system based on a convolutional neural network (CNN). The end-to-end KWS process is performed based solely on 1D-CNN inference, where features are first extracted from a few convolutional blocks, and then the keywords are classified using a few fully connected blocks. The 1D-CNN model is binarized to reduce resource usage, and its inference is executed by employing a dedicated engine. This engine is designed to skip redundant operations, enabling high inference speed despite its low complexity. The proposed system is implemented using 6895 ALUTs in an Intel Cyclone V FPGA by integrating the essential components for performing the KWS process. In the system, the latency required to process a frame is 22 ms, and the spotting accuracy is 91.80% in an environment where the signal-to-noise ratio is 10 dB for Google speech commands dataset version 2.
Enhanced Speech Emotion Recognition Using DCGAN-Based Data Augmentation
Authors: Baek Ji-Young , Lee Seok-Pil
Published: September 2023

Although emotional speech recognition has received increasing emphasis in research and applications, it remains challenging due to the diversity and complexity of emotions and limited datasets. To address these limitations, we propose a novel approach utilizing DCGAN to augment data from the RAVDESS and EmoDB databases. Then, we assess the efficacy of emotion recognition using mel-spectrogram data by utilizing a model that combines CNN and BiLSTM. The preliminary experimental results reveal that the suggested technique contributes to enhancing the emotional speech identification performance. The results of this study provide directions for further development in the field of emotional speech recognition and the potential for practical applications.
Wind and Solar Energy for Sustainable Energy Production for Family Farms in Coastal Agricultural Regions of Libya Using Measured and Multiple Satellite Datasets
Authors: Lagili Hamza S. Abdalla , Kiraz Aşkın , Kassem Youssef , Gökçekuş Hüseyin
Published: September 2023

Generating electricity from renewable energy instead of fossil fuels brings great benefits to the environment and sustainable development. Thus, assessing the potential of wind and solar energy in agricultural coastal areas can identify sustainable energy solutions for meeting energy demand and producing fresh water for agricultural applications and domestic use. However, it is difficult to accurately assess the wind and solar energy potential in Libya due to the civil war, lack of measured data, and its limited availability. Consequently, this concise work is unique because it is the first to use daily measurement data from Az-Zāwiyah, Libya, for evaluating wind and solar energy based on one year of measured data for 2022. Moreover, the present study aims to investigate the potential of wind and solar energy as promising renewable sources for meeting energy demand in coastal agricultural regions in Libya using multiple datasets for the first time. In this paper, five satellite products (TerraClimate, ERA5, ERA5-Land, MERRA-2, and CFSR) were assessed and compared against measured data for January 2022–December 2022 to understand their suitability, accuracy, and reliability. The results showed that CFSR and ERA5-Land demonstrate the most favorable performance for assessing the wind resource, while all satellite products can be utilized for preliminary solar resource assessment. Then, the assessment of wind and solar resources was evaluated in five agricultural coastal regions (Aljmail, Az-Zāwiyah, Castelverde, Msallatah, and Sabratah) based on the best satellite product for the period of 2000–2022. Furthermore, the performance of the wind and solar power systems was investigated for typical farms, which were chosen to estimate the required energy demand according to daily electrical consumption. The results show that the positive outcomes of implementing these systems were highlighted, with an emphasis on their potential benefits to the entire Libyan agricultural sector. Accordingly, scaling up and generalizing the proposed systems and generalizing them to include all farms in Libya could have a significant impact on national electricity generation, mitigate greenhouse gases, and contribute to the development of the agricultural sector and the country’s economy.
Isotopic Turnover and Fractionation of δ15N and δ13C in Captive Pseudopleuronectes americanus (Walbaum)
Authors: Binstock Addie L. , Fox Audrey S. , Mohan John A.
Published: September 2023

Stable isotope ratios of nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) are ubiquitous ecological tracers used to elucidate an organism’s diet and habitat. However, the application of stable isotope ratios to reconstruct a consumer’s ecology relies upon accurate rates for isotopic turnover at both a tissue and species-specific level. This study estimated isotope turnover rates and trophic discrimination factors in four different tissues (liver, digestive tissue, muscle, and skin) with variable metabolic activity in winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus using a controlled diet-switch experiment. Differences in half-lives were noted among the tissues and between the experimental diets for both δ15N and δ13C. The experimental diets of krill and mysis had variability in nutritional composition, resulting in similar turnovers in δ15N but slower turnovers in δ13C for fish fed krill. Turnovers in both δ15N and δ13C were strongly influenced by metabolism, with the contribution reaching up to 98%, as fish exhibited minimal overall growth. The results of this study demonstrate the importance of considering differences in the catabolic activity of tissue maintenance for fish exhibiting minimal growth, as well as differences in metabolic assimilation of dietary sources that vary in their protein and lipid contents.
Investigating the Water Relations in Aqueous Extract Powders of Mango (Mangifera indica) Peel and Seed Waste for Their Use in Food Matrices as a Value-Added By-Product
Authors: Marsiglia-Fuentes Ronald , Chiralt Amparo , García-Zapateiro Luis A.
Published: September 2023

This study investigated the potential uses of discarded mango peel and seed parts by analyzing their water sorption behavior, hydration kinetics, and stability when converted into extract powders at pH 3 and 10. The results revealed that peel extracts had a higher water adsorption capacity compared with seed extracts due to differences in their composition. Peel extracts were primarily composed of carbohydrates (approximately 75%) with a low protein content, while seed extracts contained fewer carbohydrates (less than 30%) but higher levels of proteins (more than 30%) and lipids. The critical water content for maintaining the glassy state of peel extract powders during storage was found to be 0.025 and 0.032 g of water/g for extracts obtained at pH 3 and 10, respectively. In contrast, the Tg values of seed extracts remained relatively unchanged across different water content levels, suggesting that proteins and lipids inhibited the water’s plasticizing effect in the solid matrix. These findings indicate that both mango waste fractions exhibit distinct hygroscopic behaviors, necessitating different approaches to processing and utilization. These extracts hold potential applications for various food products such as beverages, gels, sauces, or emulsions, contributing to the reduction in waste and the creation of value-added products from mango residues.
Peptidomics Analysis of Soy Protein Hydrolysates—Antioxidant Properties and Mechanism of their Inhibition of the Oxidation of Palm Olein during Frying Cycles
Authors: Pougoue Ngueukam Annick Arcelle , Klang Mathilde Julie , Zokou Ronice , Teboukeu Boungo Gires , Djikeng Tonfack Fabrice , Azeez Barakat Koyinsola , Womeni Hilaire Macaire , Tsopmo Apollinaire
Published: September 2023

This study determined for the first time the structure of the peptides (i.e., peptidomics) in soy protein hydrolysates and elucidated their effects on an oil’s oxidative stability during frying cycles. The oil investigated was palm olein during 0, 4, 8, and 12 frying cycles of plantain banana chips. Proteins were extracted and hydrolyzed with two proteases. Trypsin hydrolysate (HTRY) exhibited higher anti-radical activity (DPPH, 70.2%) than the control (unhydrolyzed proteins, 33.49%) and pepsin hydrolysate (HPEP, 46.1%) at 200 µg/mL. HPEP however showed a 4.6-fold greater reduction of ferric ions (FRAP) while also possessing a higher peroxyl radical scavenging ability (716 ± 30 µM Trolox Eq/g) than HTRY (38.5 ± 35 µM Trolox Eq/g). During oil oxidative stability tests, HPEP improved the oxidative stability of the palm olein oil after 8 and 12 frying cycles, characterized by lower concentrations of hydroperoxides, and carbonyl and volatile compounds. HTRY however exerteda pro-oxidant activity. Structural data from SDS-PAGE and tandem mass spectrometry showed that the mechanism for the greater activity of the pepsin hydrolysate occurred due to unique structural features and a higher percentage of short-chain peptides. This was justified by a 25, 31, and 48% higher contents of tryptophan, histidine, and methionine, respectively (important amino acids with hydrogen atom transfer and electron-donating capacities) in the peptides identified in the pepsin hydrolysate.
Inulin Functionalized “Giuncata” Cheese as a Source of Prebiotic Fibers
Authors: Perinelli Diego Romano , Santanatoglia Agnese , Caprioli Giovanni , Bonacucina Giulia , Vittori Sauro , Maggi Filippo , Sagratini Gianni
Published: September 2023

The development of functional foods in the dairy sector represents a flourishing field of technological research. In this study, an Italian fresh cheese as “giuncata” was enriched with inulin, a dietary fiber, with the aim of developing a product with improved nutritional properties in terms of prebiotic action on intestinal microbiota. An inulin concentration of ~4% w/w was determined in the fresh cheese after the fortification process, enabling the claim of being a “source of dietary fiber” (inulin > 3 g/100 g) according to the European regulation. The addition of inulin has no effect on the pH of cheese and does not relevantly influence its color as well as the total fat content (fat reduction ~0.61%) in comparison to the control. Mechanical properties of the cheese were also not markedly affected as evidenced from rheological and tensile testing analyses. Indeed, the incorporation of inulin in “giuncata” only exerts a slight “softening effect” resulting in a slightly lower consistency and mechanical resistance in comparison to the control. Overall, this study demonstrates the feasibility of producing a fiber-enriched dairy functional food from a large consumed fresh and soft cheese as “giuncata”.
Study on the Function of Conveying, Kneading Block and Reversing Elements on the Mixing Efficiency and Dispersion Effect inside the Barrel of an Extruder with Numerical Simulation
Authors: Wu Min , Sun Dongyu , Zhang Tong , Zhou Chengyi , Zhang Bowen
Published: September 2023

In order to better understand the extrusion process mechanism of plant protein inside a barrel, the parameter changes and flow characteristics of fluids under conveying, kneading block and reversing elements were investigated with numerical simulation. The results showed that the shear rate increased obviously with the increase in pitch; the shear rate value of the reversing element was larger, while that of the kneading block was the opposite. The screw combinations of conveying, kneading blocks and reversing elements all have a certain degree of mixing effect on the particles, and the reduction in pitch can effectively increase the mixing effect of the particles. The conveying element can provide a relatively constant acceleration for the particles, due to the pumping capability and pressure buildup as the pitch increases. The kneading block and the reversing element can increase the leakage flow between the discs and backflow, resulting in an extension of the residence time distribution that facilitates fluid interaction in the barrel and improves the dispersion of the particles. The restraint by the reversing element on the particles is obviously weaker than that of the kneading block and shows a higher particle mixing degree. Overall, the influence of different elements on the flow condition, mixing degree and residence time is significantly different, which improves the process controllability and provides references for potential applications to meet multiple demands.