bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploitation of Olive (Olea europaea L.) Seed Proteins as Upgraded Source of Bioactive Peptides with Multifunctional Properties: Focus on Antioxidant and Dipeptidyl-Dipeptidase—IV Inhibitory Activities, and Glucagon-like Peptide 1 Improved Modulation
Authors: Bartolomei Martina , Capriotti Anna Laura , Li Yuchen , Bollati Carlotta , Li Jianqiang , Cerrato Andrea , Cecchi Lorenzo , Pugliese Raffaele , Bellumori Maria , Mulinacci Nadia , Laganà Aldo , Arnoldi Anna , Lammi Carmen
Published: September 2022

Agri-food industry wastes and by-products include highly valuable components that can upgraded, providing low-cost bioactives or used as an alternative protein source. In this context, by-products from olive production and olive oil extraction process, i.e., seeds, can be fostered. In particular, this work was aimed at extracting and characterizing proteins for Olea europaea L. seeds and at producing two protein hydrolysates using alcalase and papain, respectively. Peptidomic analysis were performed, allowing to determine both medium- and short-sized peptides and to identify their potential biological activities. Moreover, an extensive characterization of the antioxidant properties of Olea europaea L. seed hydrolysates was carried out both in vitro by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and by 2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) assays, respectively, and at cellular level by measuring the ability of these hydrolysates to significant reduce the H2O2-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation levels in human intestinal Caco-2 cells. The results of the both hydrolysates showed significant antioxidant properties by reducing the free radical scavenging activities up to 65.0 ± 0.1% for the sample hydrolyzed with alcalase and up to 75.7 ± 0.4% for the papain hydrolysates tested at 5 mg/mL, respectively. Moreover, similar values were obtained by the ABTS assays, whereas the FRAP increased up to 13,025.0 ± 241.5% for the alcalase hydrolysates and up to 12,462.5 ± 311.9% for the papain hydrolysates, both tested at 1 mg/mL. According to the in vitro results, both papain and alcalase hydrolysates restore the cellular ROS levels up 130.4 ± 4.24% and 128.5 ± 3.60%, respectively, at 0.1 mg/mL and reduce the lipid peroxidation levels up to 109.2 ± 7.95% and 73.0 ± 7.64%, respectively, at 1.0 mg/mL. In addition, results underlined that the same hydrolysates reduced the activity of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) in vitro and at cellular levels up to 42.9 ± 6.5% and 38.7 ± 7.2% at 5.0 mg/mL for alcalase and papain hydrolysates, respectively. Interestingly, they stimulate the release and stability of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) hormone through an increase of its levels up to 660.7 ± 21.9 pM and 613.4 ± 39.1 pM for alcalase and papain hydrolysates, respectively. Based on these results, olive seed hydrolysates may represent new ingredients with antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties for the development of nutraceuticals and functional foods for the prevention of metabolic syndrome onset.
Polyfunctionalized α-Phenyl-tert-butyl(benzyl)nitrones: Multifunctional Antioxidants for Stroke Treatment
Authors: Diez-Iriepa Daniel , Knez Damijan , Gobec Stanislav , Iriepa Isabel , de los Ríos Cristóbal , Bravo Isaac , López-Muñoz Francisco , Marco-Contelles José , Hadjipavlou-Litina Dimitra
Published: September 2022

Nowadays, most stroke patients are treated exclusively with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, a drug with serious side effects and limited therapeutic window. For this reason, and because of the known effects of oxidative stress on stroke, a more tolerable and efficient therapy for stroke is being sought that focuses on the control and scavenging of highly toxic reactive oxygen species by appropriate small molecules, such as nitrones with antioxidant properties. In this context, herein we report here the synthesis, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties of twelve novel polyfunctionalized α-phenyl-tert-butyl(benzyl)nitrones. The antioxidant capacity of these nitrones was investigated by various assays, including the inhibition of lipid peroxidation induced by AAPH, hydroxyl radical scavenging assay, ABTS+-decoloration assay, DPPH scavenging assay, and inhibition of soybean lipoxygenase. The inhibitory effect on monoamine oxidases and cholinesterases and inhibition of β-amyloid aggregation were also investigated. As a result, (Z)-N-benzyl-1-(2-(3-(piperidin-1-yl)propoxy)phenyl)methanimine oxide (5) was found to be one of the most potent antioxidants, with high ABTS+ scavenging activity (19%), and potent lipoxygenase inhibitory capacity (IC50 = 10 µM), selectively inhibiting butyrylcholinesterase (IC50 = 3.46 ± 0.27 µM), and exhibited neuroprotective profile against the neurotoxicant okadaic acid in a neuronal damage model. Overall, these results pave the way for the further in-depth analysis of the neuroprotection of nitrone 5 in in vitro and in vivo models of stroke and possibly other neurodegenerative diseases in which oxidative stress is identified as a critical player.
Optimization and Hydration Mechanism of Ecological Ternary Cements Containing Phosphogypsum
Authors: Hou Jiaojiao , Ni Xiaoyang , Ma Baosong
Published: September 2022

Ecological ternary cements (ECP) were prepared with powders of phosphogypsum (PG), fly ash (FA) and Portland cement (PC). The evolution mechanism of the hydration product structure was characterized through macro and micro experiments. The thermodynamic characteristics of the solid phase, solid solution phase and aqueous solution in the process of hydration about the phosphogypsum–fly ash–cement ternary cementitious system were studied based on the Gibbs-free-energy C-S-H thermodynamic model and GEM-Selektor software and compared with the experimental results. The results show that, in the hydration reaction, the thermodynamic interaction between the mineral single-phase and hydration products plays an important role in the spatio-temporal distribution of ions in the cementitious system. The values of CaO, SiO2H and H2Ohyd gradually increased with the increase in the Ca/Si ratio, while the values of CaOext and H2OOH showed a positive proportional relationship and the values of SiO2H and SiO2 showed an inverse proportional relationship. GEM-Selektor accurately simulated the total amount of AFt and AFm mineral phases, and quantitatively analyzed the correlation of complex ion groups about C-S-H gels and C3S.
Therapeutic Potential of Chrysin in Improving Bone Health
Authors: Kasarla Siva Swapna , Dodoala Sujatha , Sampathi Sunitha , Talluri Narendra Kumar , Junnuthula Vijayabhaskarreddy , Dyawanapelly Sathish
Published: September 2022

Vitamin D deficiency is endemic worldwide. Although several strategies have been established to enhance vitamin D3 levels, studies specifically focusing on the inhibition of vitamin D metabolism, which may prolong the availability of active vitamin D in pathological conditions, have been less explored. Studies also suggest that higher doses of vitamin D3 fail to achieve optimum vitamin D levels. In this context, we focused on the enzyme CYP3A4, which promotes the inactivation of active vitamin D. The current study aimed to decipher the impact of chrysin, a proven CYP3A4 inhibitor, as an intervention and its effects in combination with low-dose vitamin D3 (40 IU) and bone health in vitamin D deficiency conditions. The in vivo activity of chrysin was evaluated in female Wistar albino rats fed a vitamin-D-deficient diet to attain vitamin D deficiency for 28 days. Chrysin was given alone and in combination with calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and/or vitamin D3. All therapeutic interventions were assessed for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3(25-OH-D3) by LC-MS and biochemical, urinary, and bone parameters. Animals treated with chrysin alone and in combination with low-dose vitamin D3 and/or CaCO3 showed an eminent rise in serum 25-OH-D3 levels along with increased serum biochemical parameters. In contrast, a significant decrease in the urinary parameters followed by beneficial effects on bone parameters was noticed in contrast with the vitamin-D-deficient diet group. Our findings revealed that although chrysin alone showed a notable effect on 25-OH-D3 and osseous tissue, comparatively, it showed an intensified therapeutic effect in combination with vitamin D3 and CaCO3, which can be employed as a cost-effective option to improve bone health.
Improved Properties of Composite Edible Films Based on Chitosan by Using Cellulose Nanocrystals and Beta-Cyclodextrin
Authors: Bizymis Angelos-Panagiotis , Giannou Virginia , Tzia Constantina
Published: September 2022

The aim of this study was to produce innovative edible films and coatings with various combinations of materials, in order to achieve the best possible resulting properties. More specifically, the effect of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) or beta-cyclodextrin (CD) addition to chitosan (CH) films and the development of composite CH–CNC–CD films were investigated. According to the results, most properties of both CH–CNC and CH–CD edible films were improved. The viscosity of the solutions was decreased up to 50% while the surface tension was minimally changed even at high levels of CNC or CD addition. Furthermore, oxygen and water vapor permeability of the CH–CNC and the CH–CD edible films was decreased, whereas transparency and heterogeneity were increased. On the other hand, the study of the composite CH–CNC–CD films, showed that CNC improved viscosity, supporting thus the coating procedure. Moreover, CNC led to more stable structures with enhanced mechanical properties. Finally, CD mostly contributed to the improvement of the optical properties (lighter color and increased transparency).
A Packet Collision Reduction Based on Reselection for LTE V2X Mode 4
Authors: Asano Masashi , Fujii Masahiro
Published: September 2022

Vehicle to Everything (V2X) is a technology that includes communication between the vehicles and everything such as Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V), Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I), and Vehicle to Pedestrian (V2P). Long Term Evolution (LTE) V2X based on LTE supports a sidelink communication in which User Equipment (UE) communicates with each other. In Mode 4 of the sidelink communication, the UE autonomously selects a radio resource that is not expected to be used by other UEs based on sensing information. However, a resource can be selected by simultaneous UEs and packet collisions occur because of the periodic resource reselection. In this paper, we propose two resource selection methods for the reselection using information originally included in the control information. Through computer simulations, we show that the proposed methods can improve the packet reception rate without requiring restrictions such as additional information. The main strength of this method is that it effectively utilizes the information contained in Resource Reservation Interval (RRI), which is used in the Semi-Persistent Scheduling wireless resource allocation algorithm. In this research, the value of RRI, which has been used in standards, is utilized to improve performance while maintaining compatibility. Since our method is designed under conditions that maintain compatibility with existing standards, it may or may not have a significant effect, but it does not degrade performance.
Development of a Remote Collaboration System for Interactive Communication with Building Information Model in Mixed Reality
Authors: Cho Jaehong , Kim Sungpyo , Kim Namyoung , Kang Sanghyeok
Published: September 2022

Remote collaboration for construction site management is challenging. Building Information Modeling (BIM) provides the potential for remote collaboration based on its powerful data compatibility. Furthermore, the recently evolving Mixed Reality technology improves visual perception by superimposing 3D virtual BIM objects on real-world artifacts. This study proposes a remote collaboration system based on BIM in Mixed Reality. This system consists of three-unit systems: (1) Field Operator System (FOS), (2) Communication Server, and (3) Office Manager System (OMS). FOS was developed based on MR smart glasses for a field operator. The field operator can manipulate virtual BIM objects with finger-pointing cues and share the view with an office manager. FOS creates Mixed Reality Capture (MRC) video, the combined image of real-world images of existing artifacts in the construction site with virtual BIM elements superimposed on them, and sends it through the Communication Server to OMS. Thus, the office manager can see the field operator’s view through OMS based on a desktop or tablet PC. The office manager can give instructions to a field operator by voice through OMS. A user test was conducted to evaluate the applicability of the developed prototype system. As a result of the test, it was found that most of the testers had a positive evaluation of the developed system. This paper discusses the development of the BIM and MR-based remote collaboration and the test results.
Premolar and Molar Inclination Changes Following Micro-Implant-Assisted Maxillary Skeletal Expander (MSE): A Three-Dimensional Analysis and Visualization
Authors: Karanxha Lorena , Cantarella Daniele , Paredes Ney Alberto , Hamanaka Ryo , Del Fabbro Massimo , Moon Won
Published: September 2022

Background: To assess the changes in the inclination of the premolar and molar during a maxillary expansion with a micro-implant-assisted skeletal expander (MSE). Materials and Methods: A total of 21 patients (16 females, 5 males) with a mean age of 18.6 ± 4.5 (range 11.3–26.3 years) with a transverse maxillary deficiency were included in this study. They all received an MSE appliance for the maxillary skeletal expansion. The activation protocol consisted of about 0.5 mm expansion a day until a diastema was observed and continued with about 0.25 mm a day until the desired transverse relationship between the maxilla and mandible was achieved. OnDemand3D software was used for the measurements of the inclination change in the maxillary premolars and molars, pre- and post-expansion. Graphpad was used to compare the mean change in each tooth with the zero value (no change), and the p values of these changes with every tooth were calculated. Moreover, the changes and the mean values of all the teeth on the left and right sides were calculated separately. Results: A total of sixteen measurements were conducted for each patient. The first premolars tipped palatally after the expansion, while the second premolars and molars tipped buccally. The changes were significant for the molars and the left second premolar. Conclusions: The MSE induced some changes in the tooth inclination. The first premolars moved palatally, most likely due to perioral musculature and mastication force, while the first and second molars moved buccally. The second molar buccal movement is most likely due to the craniofacial rotation caused by the MSE as they were not subject to the expansion force.
A HELIOS-Based Dynamic Salt Clean-Up Study for iMAGINE
Authors: Merk Bruno , Detkina Anna , Litskevich Dzianis , Noori-Kalkhoran Omid , Cartland-Glover Gregory
Published: September 2022

Nuclear technologies have the potential to play a unique role in delivering low carbon energy for a future net-zero society. However, for long-term success, nuclear technologies will need to deliver innovative solutions as proposed in iMAGINE. One of the key challenges for the envisaged highly integrated nuclear energy system is the need for a demand-driven salt clean-up system. The work described provides an insight into the interplay between a potential salt clean-up system and the reactor operation in a dynamic approach. The results provided will help to optimise the parameters for the salt clean-up process by delivering a dynamically calculated priority list, identifying the elements with great influence on reactor operation. The integrated model is used to investigate the ideal time for the initiation of the clean-up as well as the effect of different throughputs through the clean-up system on criticality as well as on the concentration of the elements in the reactor salt. Finally, a staggered approach is proposed with the idea to phase in the chemical clean-up processes step by step to keep the reactor critical. The results provide an essential step for the progress of iMAGINE as well as a basis for the interdisciplinary work required to bring iMAGINE into real operation.
Explainable Artificial Intelligence Enabled TeleOphthalmology for Diabetic Retinopathy Grading and Classification
Authors: Obayya Marwa , Nemri Nadhem , Nour Mohamed K. , Al Duhayyim Mesfer , Mohsen Heba , Rizwanullah Mohammed , Sarwar Zamani Abu , Motwakel Abdelwahed
Published: September 2022

Recently, Telehealth connects patients to vital healthcare services via remote monitoring, wireless communications, videoconferencing, and electronic consults. By increasing access to specialists and physicians, telehealth assists in ensuring patients receive the proper care at the right time and right place. Teleophthalmology is a study of telemedicine that provides services for eye care using digital medical equipment and telecommunication technologies. Multimedia computing with Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) for telehealth has the potential to revolutionize various aspects of our society, but several technical challenges should be resolved before this potential can be realized. Advances in artificial intelligence methods and tools reduce waste and wait times, provide service efficiency and better insights, and increase speed, the level of accuracy, and productivity in medicine and telehealth. Therefore, this study develops an XAI-enabled teleophthalmology for diabetic retinopathy grading and classification (XAITO-DRGC) model. The proposed XAITO-DRGC model utilizes OphthoAI IoMT headsets to enable remote monitoring of diabetic retinopathy (DR) disease. To accomplish this, the XAITO-DRGC model applies median filtering (MF) and contrast enhancement as a pre-processing step. In addition, the XAITO-DRGC model applies U-Net-based image segmentation and SqueezeNet-based feature extractor. Moreover, Archimedes optimization algorithm (AOA) with a bidirectional gated recurrent convolutional unit (BGRCU) is exploited for DR detection and classification. The experimental validation of the XAITO-DRGC method can be tested using a benchmark dataset and the outcomes are assessed under distinct prospects. Extensive comparison studies stated the enhancements of the XAITO-DRGC model over recent approaches.
A Novel Approach to Grade Cotton Aphid Damage Severity with Hyperspectral Index Reconstruction
Authors: Hu Xiaohong , Qiao Hongbo , Chen Baogang , Si Haiping
Published: September 2022

As a kind of important insect pest of cotton crops, aphids cause serious damage in cotton yields and quality worldwide, posing a significant risk to economic losses. Automatic detection of the pest damage level plays an important role in cotton field management. However, it is usually regarded as a classification problem in machine learning, where the disease severity levels are taken as independent categories and the inter-level relationship has not fully been considered. To utilize the inherited relations among different severity levels caused by cotton aphids, a novel approach based on the spectral index reconstruction was proposed in this study. First, six types of initial spectral indices were reconstructed based on healthy samples in the training set. Then, the severity sequences corresponding to the reconstructed initial spectral indices (RISIs) were sorted and compared with the ideal sequence. After attaining sequences most consistent with the ideal one, the ratio between the inter- and intra- levels was calculated to select the sensitive RISI. Moreover, the range of each severity level was established by the thresholds between adjacent grades of the selected sensitive RISI, which was finally used to determine the disease severity level caused by cotton aphids. Results of the cotton aphids showed that the proposed approach achieved a grading performance with OA = 0.944, AA = 0.900, and Kappa coefficient = 0.928. Hence, the proposed approach based on hyperspectral index reconstruction is effective and has potential application in grading the aphid infestation severity of cotton.
SA-UBA: Automatically Privileged User Behavior Auditing for Cloud Platforms with Securely Accounts Management
Authors: Pan Hezhong , Han Peiyi , Xiang Xiayu , Duan Shaoming , Liu Chuanyi
Published: September 2022

Cloud platforms allow administrators or management applications with privileged accounts to remotely perform privileged operations for specific tasks, such as deleting virtual hosts. When privileged accounts are leaked and conduct dangerous privileged operations, severe security problems will appear on cloud platforms. To solve these problems, researchers focus on auditing privileged users’ behaviors. However, it is difficult to automatically audit fine-grained privileged behaviors for graphical operating systems. Moreover, it is hard to prevent users from bypassing the audit system or to prevent hackers from attacking audit system. In this paper, we propose a Secure and Automatic Behavior Audit system named SA-UBA. It provides advanced deep learning models to automatically achieve fine-grained user behavior audits for graphical operating systems. Furthermore, it adopts cryptography-based account storage and sharing methods to securely manage privileged accounts. In particular, privileged accounts cannot be leaked even if SA-UBA is compromised by attackers. We built a threat model of a cloud platform to evaluate the security of the SA-UBA and conduct extensive experiments with SA-UBA in real scenarios. The results show SA-UBA introduces a small overhead on securely managing privileged accounts and accurately recognizes fine-grained user behaviors.
Thermoplastic Materials for the Metal Replacement of Non-Structural Components in Marine Engines
Authors: Bertagna Serena , Braidotti Luca , Laurini Erik , Marinò Alberto , Pricl Sabrina , Bucci Vittorio
Published: September 2022

Metal replacements for automotive and aerospace components are already a consolidated reality, in light of the advantages offered by fibre-reinforced polymers, consisting of reduced costs, weight, and environmental impact. As a result, engineering has been studying the possibility of replacing currently used metallic alloys with alternative materials, such as thermoplastic fibre-reinforced polymers, in the manufacturing of non-structural sections of marine engines. Given the peculiar characteristics of the working environment of such parts, i.e., ship engine spaces, and the strict requirements regarding safety, the selection of the polymer must be properly performed through a tailored material design process. Consequently, the redesign of the components must be carried out with the aim of exploiting the best of the materials’ properties while ensuring the correct resistance and simplifying installation operations. In this framework, finite element simulations may represent a suitable approach to validate the conformity of the proposed material and design. In this paper, this methodology is applied to a camshaft cover of a four-stroke marine engine, currently made of aluminium alloy. A 30% wt GFs/PA6,6 was identified as the most promising material and the novel plastic cover proved to guarantee the correct resistance while ensuring an important reduction in weight, processing costs, and required energy.
Study of the Ciprofloxacin Adsorption of Activated Carbon Prepared from Mangosteen Peel
Authors: Tran Quoc Toan , Do Tra Huong , Ha Xuan Linh , Nguyen Huyen Phuong , Nguyen Anh Tien , Ngo Thi Cam Quyen , Chau Hung Dung
Published: September 2022

In this study, activated carbon derived from mangosteen peel (abbreviated as ACMP) was successfully fabricated. This as-prepared ACMP possessed graphite and had a porous structure with a specific surface area of 419.8554 m2/g. Investigations of the influencing factors on the ciprofloxacin (CIP) adsorption capability of the ACMP based on the static adsorption method showed that: adsorption equilibrium can be achieved in 60 min, the optimal pH for CIP adsorption was a pH of 6, and the optimal ratio between the material mass and solution volume was 3 g/L. The CIP adsorption process of the ACMP follows the Langmuir, Freundlich, Tempkin, Elovich, and Redlich–Peterson isotherm adsorption models. The maximum adsorption capacity calculated according to the Langmuir isothermal adsorption model for the CIP of the ACMP was (qmax = 29.76 mg/g). The CIP adsorption process of the ACMP followed the apparent quadratic kinetic equation, as well as spontaneous, endothermic, physical, and chemical adsorption. The adsorption rate was governed by membrane diffusion.
Generation of Synthetic Compressional Wave Velocity Based on Deep Learning: A Case Study of Ulleung Basin Gas Hydrate in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Ji Minsoo , Kwon Seoyoon , Kim Min , Kim Sungil , Min Baehyun
Published: September 2022

This study proposes a deep-learning-based model to generate synthetic compressional wave velocity (Vp) from well-logging data with application to the Ulleung Basin Gas Hydrate (UBGH) in the East Sea, Republic of Korea. Because a bottom-simulating reflector (BSR) is a key indicator to define the presence of gas hydrate, this study generates the Vp for identifying the BSR by detecting the morphology of the hydrate in terms of the change in acoustic velocity. Conventional easy-to-acquire logging parameters, such as gamma-ray, neutron porosity, bulk density, and photoelectric absorption, were selected as model inputs based on a sensitivity analysis. Long short-term memory (LSTM) and an artificial neural network (ANN) were used to design an efficient learning-based predictive model with sensitivity analysis for hyperparameters. The LSTM model outperforms the ANN model by preserving the geological sequence of the well-logging data. Ten-fold cross-validation was conducted to verify the consistency of the LSTM model and yielded satisfactory results, with an average coefficient of determination greater than 0.8. These numerical results imply that generating synthetic well-logging via deep learning can accurately estimate missing well-logging data, contributing to the reservoir characterization of gas-hydrate-bearing sediments.
Correct Use of a Conventional Lap-and-Shoulder Seatbelt Is Safest for Pregnant Rear-Seat Passengers: Proposal for Additional Safety Measures
Authors: Takeda Arisa , Kuwahara Ayumu , Takaso Marin , Nakamura Mami , Miyata Yasuhito , Hitosugi Masahito
Published: September 2022

The objectives of this study were to assess the safety of various methods of seatbelt use and propose safety improvements to the lap-and-shoulder seatbelt for pregnant rear-seat passengers. The Maternal Anthropometric Measurement Apparatus dummy, version 2B, was used. Sled tests were performed to simulate frontal impact at a speed of 48 km/h in the right rear seat. Kinematics of the dummy were examined using high-speed video imaging, and time courses of the seatbelt loads and displacement and acceleration of the chest and pelvis were measured during impact. The kinematic parameters were compared under the following conditions: conventional lap-and-shoulder seatbelt used correctly, lap belt crossed over left and right femurs, and lap belt attached to both thighs using an extra restraint device. Then, by applying pretensioner and/or force limiter systems, the safest condition was investigated. Correct conventional seatbelt use was the most effective restraint method. When both pretensioner and force limiter were applied, the kinematic parameters were smallest, and the best restraint was achieved. The safety of rear-seat travel can be improved by using both pretensioner and force limiter systems, which would reduce the risk of chest and abdominal injuries to pregnant passengers and prevent negative fetal outcomes.
Quantitative Assessment Methods of Early Enamel Caries with Optical Coherence Tomography: A Review
Authors: Shi Boya , Niu Jiaxin , Zhou Xinyue , Dong Xiaoyang
Published: September 2022

Early detection of caries is an urgent problem in the dental clinic. Current caries detection methods do not detect early enamel caries accurately, and do not show microstructural changes in the teeth. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can provide imaging of tiny, demineralized regions of teeth in real time and noninvasively detect dynamic changes in lesions with high resolution and high sensitivity. Over the last 20 years, researchers have investigated different methods for quantitative assessment of early caries using OCT. This review provides an overview of the principles of enamel caries detection with OCT, the methods of characterizing caries lesion severity, and correlations between OCT results and measurements from multiple histological detection techniques. Studies have shown the feasibility of OCT in quantitative assessment of early enamel lesions but they vary widely in approaches. Only integrated reflectivity and refractive index measured by OCT have proven to have strong correlations with mineral loss calculated by digital microradiography or transverse microradiography. OCT has great potential to be a standard inspection method for enamel lesions, but a consensus on quantitative methods and indicators is an important prerequisite. Our review provides a basis for future discussions.
Intelligent Control Strategies for Vehicle Departure in Urban Complex Parking Lots of the Jinding Area in Shanghai, China
Authors: Jiang Shengchuan , Wang Jindong , Du Zhouyang
Published: September 2022

The entrances and exits of underground parking lots of large complexes are the key nodes for the conversion between ground-level dynamic traffic and underground static traffic. Since congestion is caused by a large number of vehicles leaving parking lots at peak hours, the departure control strategy can effectively manage vehicle departure and reduce the congestion of ground-level traffic. In this study, we introduce cooperative control in ramp control into parking lot exit management. The frequency of parking lot exit gate lever lift is used as the control and optimization variable. To ensure the efficiency of regional traffic, we designed timing and inductive control strategies to control the speed of departing vehicles. In an experimental model, we took Shanghai Jinding super-large underground parking lot as an example. The changes in the external road network were simulated when different strategies were implemented on the Simulation of Urban Mobility (SUMO) simulation platform. The experimental results show that the proposed control strategies can significantly ease the congestion of the regional road network, improve the average speed of dynamic traffic, and reduce the queue length at intersections.
Characterization and Comparison of Raw Brassica and Grass Field Sensorial and Nutritional Quality
Authors: Biondi Francesca , Balducci Francesca , Capocasa Franco , Mei Elena , Vagnoni Massimo , Visciglio Marino , Mezzetti Bruno , Mazzoni Luca
Published: September 2022

This study reports a characterization of the nutritional quality of several vegetables belonging to Brassica genus and other species cultivated in the central Italy. The aim of this trial is to investigate the antioxidant capacity and phytochemical content of several vegetable products during two consecutive years. The sensorial quality is investigated with the measuring of soluble solid content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA) and pH; the nutritional quality is investigated by the measurement of the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), the total phenols content (TPH), the total anthocyanins content (ACY), and the vitamin C content. The results confirm the highest antioxidant capacity of Brassica genus, in particular, the red curly kale (13.68 and 11.97 mM Trolox/kg fw in the two locations tested); among other vegetables analyzed, the most interesting are chicory and borage (10.3 and 11.94 mM Trolox/kg fw in the first year of cultivation in Valdaso, respectively). A high intake of these vegetables may bring a lot of health benefits linked to their antioxidative capacity and the vitamin C content.
Protocols for the Graphic and Constructive Diffusion of Digital Twins of the Architectural Heritage That Guarantee Universal Accessibility through AR and VR
Authors: Cruz Franco Pablo Alejandro , Rueda Márquez de la Plata Adela , Gómez Bernal Elena
Published: September 2022

The objective of this article is to generate and validate a workflow that allows us to use virtual twins obtained from unique buildings of our architectural heritage. These twins will guarantee the preservation and dissemination of cultural assets and will promote universal accessibility through new technologies, such as databases, metaverses, virtual reality, augmented reality or gamification. This universal accessibility is based on new metaverses to offer experiences that allow us to overcome physical barriers and reach any user regardless of their economic or physical condition or their location. To obtain this workflow, we worked with digital twins obtained by photogrammetry. Different databases and metaverses were studied, understanding them as new systems for the representation and dissemination of architecture. These metaverses were critically assessed and screened, looking for the most suitable one to be integrated into an effective workflow that satisfies a series of imposed premises, such as being suitable for use in virtual reality and augmented reality environments. The ultimate goal is the aforementioned universal accessibility.
Variational Principle and Diverse Wave Structures of the Modified Benjamin-Bona-Mahony Equation Arising in the Optical Illusions Field
Authors: Wang Kang-Jia
Published: September 2022

This study focuses on investigating the modified Benjamin-Bona-Mahony equation that is used to model the long wave in nonlinear dispersive media of the optical illusion field. Two effective techniques, the variational direct method and He’s frequency formulation method, are employed to seek the travelling wave solutions. Using these two techniques, abundant exact solutions such as the bright wave, bright-dark wave, bright-like wave, kinky-bright wave and periodic wave solutions, are obtained. The 3-D contours and 2-D curves are drawn to present the dynamic physical behaviors of the solutions by assigning the proper parameters. It shows that the proposed methods are effective but simple and only need one or two steps to construct the exact solutions, which are expected to provide some new insights to study the travelling wave solutions of the PDEs arising in physics.
Gamma Radiation: An Eco-Friendly Control Method for the Rice Weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Authors: Nasr George M. , Taha El-Kazafy A. , Hamza Amal M. , Negm Eslam A. , Eryan Nevein L. , Noureldeen Ahmed , Darwish Hadeer , Zayed Mohamed S. , Elnabawy El-Said M.
Published: September 2022

The rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), is the most destructive insect pest of stored cereals worldwide. The current study was conducted to determine the lethal, reproductive, and histological effects of gamma irradiation on S. oryzae adults. In addition, the impact on germination, chlorophyll, and proline content in wheat seedlings from treated grains was determined. Wheat grains were infested with rice weevil adults and then irradiated by gamma rays. Gamma radiation was applied at a dosage of 0.10, 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 kGy. Mortality percentage and LD50 were recorded after 48, 72, 96, and 120 h of treatment. The dosage of 1.00 kGy caused 100% mortality after 96 h of irradiation. The required dosage of gamma radiation to kill 50% (LD50) of adults after 48 h was 1.51 kGy. All tested doses caused complete sterility to 24 h old adults. A histological alteration was noticed at a dosage of 1.00 kGy, which showed cytoplasmic vacuolization, tissues exhibiting signs of putrefaction, and necrosis of cells; furthermore, gamma irradiation affected chlorophyll a and b. The highest amounts were detected in wheat seedlings from grains irradiated at 0.10 kGy. There was a significant increase in plant proline content at the higher doses (0.50 and 1.00 kGy) compared with seedlings from nonirradiated grains. It could be concluded that gamma radiation can be used as an eco-friendly trend to control stored-product pests without any residual effects.
Integrated mRNA and miRNA Expression Profile Analysis of Female and Male Gonads in Acrossocheilus fasciatus
Authors: Wei Wenbo , He Jiamei , Yaqoob Muhammad Amjad , Gui Lang , Ren Jianfeng , Li Jiale , Li Mingyou
Published: September 2022

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are regarded as key regulators in gonadal development and sex determination in diverse organisms. However, the functions of miRNAs in gonads of Acrossocheilus fasciatus, an economically important freshwater species in the south of China, are still unclear. Here, high-throughput sequencing was performed to investigate the mRNA and miRNAs on gonads of A. fasciatus. In total, 49,447 unigenes were obtained, including 11,635 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), among which 4147 upregulated genes and 7488 downregulated genes in the testis compared to the ovary, while 300 (237 known, and 63 novel) miRNAs with 36 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were identified, from which 17 upregulated and 19 downregulated DEMs. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed to analyze the potential biological functions of DEGs and DEMs. Using qRT-PCR, 9 sex-related genes and 9 miRNAs were selected to verify the sequencing data. By dual-luciferase reporter assay, miR-22a-5p and miR-22b-5p interaction with piwil1, and miR-10d-5p interaction with piwil2 were identified. These findings could provide a reference for miRNA-regulated sex control of A. fasciatus and may reveal new insights into aquaculture and breeding concepts.
Crystallographic Texture of the Mineral Matter in the Bivalve Shells of Gryphaea dilatata Sowerby, 1816
Authors: Pakhnevich Alexey , Nikolayev Dmitry , Lychagina Tatiana
Published: September 2022

It is assumed that the crystallographic texture of minerals in the shells of recent and fossil mollusks is very stable. To check this, it is necessary to examine the shells of animals that had lain in sediments for millions of years and lived in different conditions. It is revealed that the crystallographic texture of calcite in the shells of Gryphaea dilatata from deposits from the Middle Callovian–Lower Oxfordian (Jurassic), which lived in different water areas, is not affected by habitat conditions and the fossilization process. The crystallographic texture was studied using pole figures measured by neutron diffraction. The neutron diffraction method makes it possible to study the crystallographic texture in large samples—up to 100 cm3 in volume without destroying them. The recrystallization features of the G. dilatata valve, which affect the crystallographic texture, were discovered for the first time. This is determined from the isolines appearance of pole figures. The crystallographic texture of the G. dilatata mollusks’ different valves vary depending on their shape. The pole figures of calcite in the thick-walled valves of G. dilatata, Pycnodonte mirabilis, and Ostrea edulis are close to axial and display weak crystallographic texture.
Metoprolol Inhibits Developmental Brain Sterol Biosynthesis in Mice
Authors: Allen Luke B. , Mirnics Károly
Published: September 2022

De novo sterol synthesis is a critical homeostatic mechanism in the brain that begins during early embryonic development and continues throughout life. Multiple medications have sterol-biosynthesis-inhibiting side effects, with potentially detrimental effects on brain health. Using LC-MS/MS, we investigated the effects of six commonly used beta-blockers on brain sterol biosynthesis in vitro using cell lines. Two beta-blockers, metoprolol (MTP) and nebivolol, showed extreme elevations of the highly oxidizable cholesterol precursor 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) in vitro across multiple cell lines. We followed up on the MTP findings using a maternal exposure model in mice. We found that 7-DHC was significantly elevated in all maternal brain regions analyzed as well as in the heart, liver and brain of the maternally exposed offspring. Since DHCR7-inhibiting/7-DHC elevating compounds can be considered teratogens, these findings suggest that MTP utilization during pregnancy might be detrimental for the development of offspring, and alternative beta-blockers should be considered.
SARS-CoV-2 and Skin: New Insights and Perspectives
Authors: Cazzato Gerardo , Cascardi Eliano , Colagrande Anna , Foti Caterina , Stellacci Alessandra , Marrone Maricla , Ingravallo Giuseppe , Arezzo Francesca , Loizzi Vera , Solimando Antonio Giovanni , Parente Paola , Maiorano Eugenio , Cormio Gennaro , Vacca Angelo , Resta Leonardo
Published: September 2022

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has disrupted global health systems and brought the entire globe to its knees. Although born as a disease of the respiratory system, COVID-19 can affect different parts of the body, including the skin. Reports of ongoing skin manifestations of COVID-19 have gradually multiplied, pushing researchers to investigate the etiopathogenic mechanisms underlying these phenomena in more depth. In an attempt to investigate the possible association between SARS-CoV-2, ACE2, TMPRSS2 and skin manifestations, we performed immunohistochemical investigations of the ACE2 receptor and TMPRSS2 in nine skin samples from SARS-CoV-2-positive patients compared to a cohort of healthy controls. Furthermore, after consulting public databases regarding ACE2 mRNA expression in various cell populations resident in the skin, we conducted a literature review aimed at outlining the current state of this topic. We did not find statistically different immuno-expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 between the group of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients (nine skin biopsies) and the control group. Regarding ACE2, major immunolabeling was present in the epidermal keratinocytes and, rarely, in the fibroblasts and in the adenomeres of the eccrine sweat glands. Regarding the immune expression of TMPRSS2, we found no significant differences between the two groups, with a weak immune staining only in some skin cytotypes. From the review of the literature, we isolated 35 relevant articles according to the inclusion criteria adopted. ACE2 appears to be a target of SARS-CoV-2, although, other receptor molecules may potentially be implicated, such as TMPRSS2. Future studies with large cases and different molecular investigative methods are needed to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying the skin manifestations of SARS-CoV-2.
Differential Protein Content between Fresh and Freeze-Dried Plasma Rich in Growth Factors Eye Drops
Authors: Anitua Eduardo , Pino Ander , Azkargorta Mikel , Elortza Felix , Merayo-Lloves Jesús , Muruzabal Francisco
Published: September 2022

The purpose of this study was to analyze the proteomic composition of plasma rich in growth factors eye drops (PRGF) in comparison to lyophilized PRGF eye drops (PRGF lyo). The differential protein expression of keratocyte (HK) cells after PRGF or PRGF lyo treatment was also determined. Blood from different donors was collected and processed to obtain PRGF and PRGF lyo eye drops. Then, HK cells were treated with both formulations. A proteomic analysis was performed to evaluate the differential proteomic profile between PRGF and PRGF lyo, and the differential protein expression by HK cells after treatment with both blood-derived products. About 280 proteins were detected between both blood-derived formulation, with only 8 of them reaching significant differences. Furthermore, 101 out of 3213 proteins showed statistically significant deregulation in HK cells after treatment with PRGF or PRGF lyo. Gene Ontology analysis showed that these significant deregulated proteins were involved in 30 functional processes. However, the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis showed that no significant differences were found in any of the identified processes. In summary, the present study show that no significant differences were found in the proteomic profile or in the signaling pathways activation in HK cells between PRGF and PRGF lyo.
Study on Stability of Transmission Tower-Line System under a Downburst
Authors: Zhong Yongli , Li Shun , Yan Zhitao , Liu Xinpeng , Luo Jun , Jin Weichen
Published: September 2022

A downburst is one of the high-intensity winds that cause transmission tower failures. In recent years, downbursts have brought great disasters to the economies and lives of people all around the world. In this paper, the dynamic stability of the transmission tower-line system under a downburst is analyzed. The deterministic-random mixed model is used to generate the downburst wind field and ANSYS software is employed to establish the finite element model of the transmission tower-line system. The response characteristics of the transmission tower-line system in the downburst and the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) wind fields are compared through time history analysis. The displacement response of the transmission tower is analyzed with different Zmax values and attack angles. Based on the Budiansky–Roth criterion and dynamic incremental method, the dynamic stability of the transmission tower system under the action of the downburst wind field is studied, and the corresponding wind speed conditions when the transmission tower-line system is unstable are obtained. The results show that the top displacement of the tower-line system under the action of a downburst is 1.83 times that under the ABL wind. The tower top acceleration under the downburst is 1.57 times that under ABL wind. The most unfavorable wind attack angle for a transmission tower-line system is 90°. When Zmax is within the height range of the transmission tower, the influence on the displacement of the transmission tower increases with the increase in Zmax. When Zmax exceeds the height range of the transmission tower, the influence on the displacement of the transmission tower decreases. Under the most unfavorable wind attack angle, the influence of the conductor on the stability of the transmission tower is obvious.
Estimating Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Road Construction by Considering the Regional Differences in Carbon Emission Factors of Cement: The Case of China
Authors: Yu Chao , Wu Liu , Liu Yuyao , Ye Kunhui , Liang Guibao
Published: September 2022

Rapid road construction and expansion in China resulted in massive GHG emissions. The carbon emission factors of raw materials, particularly cement, have a significant influence on the calculation of GHG emissions from road construction. This study estimates GHG emissions from road construction by taking into account regional differences in cement carbon emission factors. The results indicate that (1) total GHG emissions from road construction have a “U” shape from 2009 to 2019, with the highest level being 437 million t CO2e 2009 and the lowest level being 184 million t CO2e in 2017; (2) Class-Ⅳ roads account for roughly 80% of total GHG emissions from road construction; and (3) GHG emissions from road construction are shifting from east to west regions. This is the first paper to calculate GHG emissions from road construction by taking into account both road type and cement carbon emission factors. The findings of this study could provide references for transportation agencies to better understand the impacts of road construction to climate change and improve policymaking, especially for the development of road construction technologies and raw material production technologies.