bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Repurposing multiples sclerosis disease-modifying drugs for Parkinson's disease
Authors: Cao Tingyu , Liu Qiang , Zhu Xiaodong
Published: June 2023

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disease mainly affecting the elderly population. Despite recent progresses in pharmacologic therapies and surgical interventions such as deep brain stimulation, current PD therapies are limited to relieving disease symptoms rather than stopping disease progression, highlighting an urgent yet unmet need for disease-modifying interventions. Neuroinflammation has been proposed as a pivotal contributing factor that drives the initiation and progression of PD pathology. Owing to the revolution in disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) that successfully change the course of multiple sclerosis (MS), a central nervous system inflammatory autoimmune disease, it has become tempting to repurpose MS DMDs as new treatment options for PD. This review summarizes the ongoing and completed studies of MS DMDs in PD as a potential opportunity to address this unmet need. Future clinical trials are warranted to further evaluate the efficacy of DMDs in patients with PD.
Numerical analysis on flow and surface topography of the molten pool in laser additive remanufacturing
Authors: Liu Weiwei , Zhao Yongxin , Liu Huanqiang , Liu Bingjun , Li Tao , Liu Shujie
Published: June 2023

Laser additive remanufacturing technology is an important technology in the field of manufacturing technology innovation and development, which has largely revolutionized the design and manufacturing mode of high-end devices to a large extent, and is a key component of green remanufacturing that can effectively promote the sustainable and sound development of the manufacturing industry. A multiphase model of laser additive remanufacturing with pulsed lasers is developed to analyze the evolution of the molten pool, the trend of the surface tension for different process parameters, and their relation to the molten pool morphology. The results demonstrate that the maximum flow velocity at the surface of the molten pool is inversely proportional to the pulsed laser frequency and to the duty ratio. While the trend of the height of the cladding layer corresponds to the trend of the heat accumulation in the molten pool, the width and penetration depth of the cladding layer are governed by the size of the heat-affected zone. The cladding layer and substrate will have poor metallurgical bonding if the pulsed laser frequency is too high. When the duty ratio is too large, the likelihood of over-melting increases, affecting the substrate properties and increasing the surface roughness, which is detrimental to the surface finish of the cladding layer.
Variation in metal concentration across tree organs and stands: implications for reference specimen development
Authors: O’Sullivan Gwen , Hayes Kevin , Ursino Alex , Hart Emily
Published: June 2023

Air pollution is a major environmental and public health issue in urban areas. Biomonitoring using trees has been widely used to determine atmospheric pollution due to its advantages of low cost, high spatial distribution, and accumulation of a wide range of air contaminants. However, challenges exist in applying the data obtained from biomonitoring trees, including differences in pollutant concentrations in samples of the same species from different locations, and the influence of biological and environmental parameters on metal accumulation. This study aims to inform the design of biomonitoring sampling for urban air quality studies and increase their applications to exposure assessment. Specifically, the study evaluates the variation in metal concentration in tree organs of two regionally relevant tree species (Picea pungens and Populus Alba), explores the implications of different aspects of field sampling, such as variation within tree stands, tree age, and develops a reference specimen to establish threshold values for differentiating between background levels and increased exposure. The results provide insight into the complexity of using biomonitoring trees for exposure assessment and the importance of considering multiple factors in study design.
DEPENDENCE OF TEMPERATURE DETERMINATION ACCURACY ON THE BANDWIDTH OF THE INTERFERENCE FILTER IN OPTICAL PYROMETRY SYSTEMS
Authors: Voronko Andriy , Novikov Denys
Published: June 2023

Some general issues common to all reactors for gas-phase epitaxy of A3B5 metal-organic compounds include large temperature gradients in the reactor, leading to the formation of convection loops, high gas flow rates that can result in turbulence instead of the expected laminar flow, and the need for good uniformity and precision in temperature control of the semiconductor substrate surface. Since the deposition process for many complex semiconductor devices (such as infrared laser diodes or heterojunction bipolar transistors) is highly temperature-dependent, a system for precise temperature control of the process at the substrate surface directly in the deposition zone is necessary to obtain high-quality heterostructures with reproducible parameters.

This article describes the features of the epitaxial growth process in MOCVD reactors, as well as highlights the tasks facing the temperature control system. The feasibility of using a radiation compensation system is explored in comparison to measurement methods using a thermocouple and classical pyrometry. Transformation of the input optical signal into a proportional output current in this system is performed by a sensitive photodetector, namely a silicon photodiode. The selection of the wavelength range of the radiation is determined by the optical parameters of the semiconductor substrates and compounds used in the system. The measurement spectrum is determined by the parameters of the interference filter in the system.

The research was conducted to determine the effect of the interference filter width on the accuracy of determining the real temperature of a pyrometric control system with radiation compensation. The dependence of the interference filter characteristic width and shape on the correction value of the temperature of pyrometric systems after calibration is analyzed. Based on the results obtained, recommendations are made for selecting the optimal working wavelength and interference filter bandwidth of the optical system as a compromise between the determination error and the magnitude of the optical signal. The results can be used for the design of modern precision pyrometric systems.
DESIGN OF GENERATION SYSTEM BASED ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ALGORITHM. PART 1
Authors: Verezhinskyi Valerii , Danylenko Andrii , Rupich Serhii , Tsybulnyk Serhii
Published: June 2023

The development of modern tools and methods of artificial intelligent provides a wide range of functionality for various scientific and applied tasks, and also allows obtaining new results. A question arises about how to apply elements of artificial intelligence to obtain new combinations and connections obtained by generation. As a purpose of the article is considered applying a neural network technology for the formation of new, unique recipes for cocktails with the aim of demonstrating the effectiveness of implementation and verification methods and models of artificial intelligence. To solve generation problems according to ingredient recipes, in the article all stages of the technological process are analyzed from data collection, analysis, preprocessing to the selection of a mathematical algorithm and modeling of the trained system. Each stage of the work contains a separate description of the steps necessary to solve the task. The machine learning algorithm has the ability to process thousands of examples to find a certain pattern of combinations of ingredients. And important attention is paid to the formation of a training date.
At the stage of data collection, individuals and main problems are considered, which are checked during the work of the parser. The important part is the partial use of encrypted technologies when using Internet resources and reading the DOM tree with the code of the HTML page. The paper shows settings for the automated algorithm of information collection. For the parser development, a tool for rapid project development and effective management as Docker and Docker Compose add-ons were used. Completed the stage with the acquisition of the data set and the data for neural network models has been analyzed. The stage consists in preprocessing, decoding and compositions collected data in relevant tables. During the automated data collection process, information with significant noise and redundant elements is processed. Considerable attention is paid to the process of cleaning and preparation of useful information, because the purity of the data and their completeness in the most cases determine the quality of the mathematical model and the modeling process for finding new laws and combinations in generation.
Levitating droplet clusters: from the discovery to potential applications
Authors: Fedorets Alexander , Dombrovsky Leonid
Published: June 2023

The main results of two decades of research on self-assembled clusters of microdroplets are reviewed, from the discovery of the phenomenon to current advances that can be applied to solve problems related to the airborne spread of dangerous pathogens and atmospheric pollutants. Special attention is paid to a flexible procedure for generating droplet clusters from a given number of nearly identical droplets of controlled chemical compositions with possible biological inclusions and effective ways of stabilizing the clusters. This is important for chemical and biological research in droplet microreactors. The physical mechanism of self-assembly of droplets in an ascending gas flow over a locally heated liquid layer is described in relation to the main methods of cluster stabilization: by infrared irradiation or by adding soluble but nonevaporating substances to a layer of evaporating liquid. The main module of a modern laboratory setup is presented.
Pediatric Spinal Cord Injury: A Review
Authors: CUNHA NATALIA S C , Malvea Anahita , Sadat Sarah , Fehlings Michael G. , Ibrahim George
Published: June 2023

Spinal Cord Injury in children can be a devastating condition in children with profound implications for their overall health and quality of life. In this review we aim to provide a concise overview of the key aspects associated with SCI in pediatric population. Firstly, we discuss the etiology and epidemiology of SCI in children, highlighting the diverse range of causes. We explore the unique anatomical and physiological characteristics of the developing spinal cord that contribute to the specific challenges faced by pediatric patients. Next, we delve into the clinical presentation and diagnostic methods, emphasizing the importance of prompt and accurate diagnosis to facilitate appropriate interventions. Furthermore, we approach the multidisciplinary management of pediatric SCI, encompassing acute medical care, surgical interventions, and ongoing supportive therapies. Finally, we explore emerging research and innovative therapies in the field and we emphasize the need for continued advancements in understanding and treating SCI in children to improve their functional independence and overall quality of life.
Selection of Salinity-Adapted Endorhizal Fungal Consortia from Two Inoculum Sources and Six Halophyte Plants
Authors: Barajas González Jesús Adrián , Carrillo González Rogelio , González  Chávez Ma. del Carmen Angeles , Chimal Sánchez Eduardo , Tapia Maruri Daniel
Published: June 2023

Soil salinity is a limiting factor in crop productivity. Inoculating crops with microorganisms adapted to salt stress is an alternative to increasing plant salinity tolerance. Few studies have simultaneously propagated arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and dark septate fungi (DSF) using different sources of native inoculum from halophyte plants, and evaluated their effectiveness. This study selected, in alfalfa plants as trap culture, the infectivity of 38 microbial consortia native from rhizospheric soil (19) or roots (19) coming from six halophyte plants, as well as their effectiveness in mitigating salinity stress. Inoculation with soil resulted in 26%-56% colonization by AMF and 12%-32% by DSF. Root inoculation produced 10%-56% and 8%-24% of colonization, respectively. There was no difference in the number of spores of AMF produced with both inoculum types. The effective consortia were selected based on low Na but high P and K shoot concentrations which is relevant for plant nutrition but more for salt stress mitigation. The microbial consortia selection is presented in a more novel and applicable context, which would allow for the production of native microbial inoculants adapted to salinity to diminish the harmful effects of salinity stress in glycophyte plants in the context of sustainable agriculture.
Sex Differences in Prognosis of Heart Failure Due to Ischemic and Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Mansur Antonio Padua , Pereira-Barretto Antonio Carlos , Del Carlo Carlo Henrique , Avakian Solange Desirée , Nakagawa Naomi Kondo , Cesar Luiz Antonio Machado , Bocchi Edimar Alcides
Published: June 2023

Background: Limited research has explored sex-specific differences in death predictors of HF pa-tients with ischemic (iCMP) and nonischemic (niCMP) cardiomyopathy. This study assessed sex differences in niCMP and iCMP prognosis.
Methods: We studied 7,487 patients with HF between February 2017 and September 2020. Clini-cal features and echocardiographic findings were collected. We used Kaplan-Meier, Cox propor-tional hazards models, and score chi-square of Cox regression to determine death predictors in women and men.
Results: mean age was 64.3±14.2 years, with 4,417 (59%) males. Women with iCMP and niCMP exhibited significantly higher mean age, higher mean left ventricular ejection fraction, and smaller left ventricular diastolic diameter than men. Over 2.26 years of follow-up, 325 (14.7%) women and 420 (15.7%) men, and 211 women (24.5%) and 519 men (29.8%) died in niCMP (p=NS) and iCMP (p=0.004), respectively. Cumulative incidence of death was higher in men with iCMP (log-rank p<0.0001) but similar in niCMP. Cox regression showed chronic kidney disease, dia-betes, stroke, atrial fibrillation, age, and myocardial infarction, as main predictors of death for iCMP in women and men.
Conclusion: Women exhibited a better prognosis than men in iCMP, but similar for niCMP. Nevertheless, sex was not an independent predictor of death for both CMP.
Gamma Ray Pulsars and Opportunities for the MACE Telescope
Authors: Pathania Atul , Singh K. K. , Yadav Kuldeep Kumar
Published: June 2023

Rapidly rotating neutron stars with very strong surface magnetic fields are observed to emit pulsed emission in the whole range of electromagnetic spectrum from radio to high energy gamma-rays. These so called pulsars are known for their exceptional rotational stability. The radio emission from pulsars is generally believed to be powered by the rotational energy of neutron stars. More than 3000 pulsars have been currently known from radio observations, however, it is observed that a large population of pulsars is also bright in optical, X-rays and gamma-rays. The Fermi-LAT observations in the energy range above 100 MeV have discovered about 300 pulsars. However, origin of high energy non-thermal radiation from pulsars is not completely understood and remains an active area of research. In this contribution, we report a summary of observational features of the gamma-ray pulsars and perform pulsar population study to predict their detectability for the MACE gamma-ray telescope, which has just started its regular science operation at Hanle in India.
Use Case of Water Reservoir Protection as a Critical Infrastructure Element in Slovakia Using a Quantitative Approach
Authors: Loveček Tomáš , Mariš Ladislav , Petrlová Katarína
Published: June 2023

Water management systems help allocate water resources effectively, considering various demands such as agriculture, industry, domestic use, and environmental needs. They optimise water distribution and ensure equitable access, minimising water scarcity and conflicts. Critical elements of this system are often the target of various attacks. Depending on the target of the attack, different scenarios based on physical, cyber, or combined forms of attacks can be used. Requirements for the protection of water objects forming part of the critical infrastructure system are determined primarily by generally binding legal regulations, technical standards, or other requirements of third parties. These requirements imply the need to adopt certain protective measures. Physical protection system (PPS), as a convenient way of organising protective measures, makes it possible to prevent an unauthorised person from achieving his goal. Current procedures aimed at protecting objects use a qualitative or quantitative approach. The article presents the use case of a possible way to protect a selected water reservoir that has been identified as a national element of critical infrastructure in the subsector Drinking Water Provision. The use case is based on the analysis of safety requirements and subsequent design of the PPS water reservoir. To verify the functionality of the proposed PPS, a quantitative PPS model was created using a software tool, and four possible attack scenarios were simulated.
3D Point Cloud Enriched Semantic Segmentation through Knowledge-Enhanced Deep Learning Technique
Authors: Ballouch Zouhair , Hajji Rafika , Kharroubi Abderrazzaq , Poux Florent , Billen Roland
Published: June 2023

Digital Twin Cities (DTCs) play a fundamental role in city planning and management. They allow three-dimensional modeling and simulation of cities. 3D semantic segmentation is the foundation for automatically creating enriched DTCs, as well as their updates. Past studies indicate that prior level fusion approaches demonstrate more promising precisions in 3D semantic segmentation compared to point level fusion, features level fusion, and decision level fusion families. In order to improve point cloud enriched semantic segmentation outcomes, this article proposes a new approach for 3D point cloud semantic segmentation through developing and benchmarking three prior level fusion scenarios. A reference approach based on point clouds and aerial images was proposed to compare it with the different developed scenarios. In each scenario, we inject a specific prior knowledge (geometric features,classified images ,etc) and aerial images as attributes of point clouds into the neural network’s learning pipeline. The objective is to find the one that integrates the most significant prior knowledge and enhances neural network knowledge more profoundly, which we have named the "smart fusion approach". The advanced Deep Learning algorithm "RandLaNet" was adopted to implement the different proposed scenarios and the reference approach, due to its excellent performance demonstrated in the literature. The introduction of some significant features associated with the label classes facilitated the learning process and improved the semantic segmentation results that can be achievable with the same neural network alone. Overall, our contribution provides a promising solution for addressing some challenges, in particular more accurate extraction of semantically rich objects from the urban fabric. An assessment of the semantic segmentation results obtained by the different scenarios is performed based on metrics computation and visual investigations. Finally,the smart fusion approach was derived based on the obtained qualitative and quantitative results.
A Comprehensive Review for Electric Vehicles Drive Circuits Technology, Operations and Challenges
Authors: Ntombela Mlungisi , Musasa Kabeya , Moloi Katleho
Published: June 2023

The transportation sector is seeing an increased adoption rate of electric vehicles (EV), which comprise battery electric vehicles (BEV), hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). This mode of transportation is likely to displace automobiles powered by internal combustion engines (ICE) in the nearest future, as indicated by the current trend. Each of the key EC components is home to a variety of technologies that are either currently in use or will be in the near future. Electric vehicles have the potential to have a significant impact on a variety of fields, including the economy, the energy infrastructure, and the natural environment. As a result of the production of carbon dioxide gas from the combustion of fossil fuels, transportation is the sector that is responsible for the second-highest amount of greenhouse gas emissions. Electric vehicles, often known as EVs, are getting a lot of attention as a potentially game-changing solution to this issue. It is possible for electric vehicles to produce fewer emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) than conventional automobiles due to the fact that an electric motor serves as the vehicle's propeller rather than an internal combustion engine. EVs have the potential to become zero-emission vehicles if they are paired with renewable energy sources. This document presents an overview of the numerous types of EV drive circuits, covering their design as well as the benefits and drawbacks associated with each type. The current state of battery technology, particularly that pertaining to the batteries utilized in electronic vehicles, is discussed in this paper. This article also discusses electric motor efficiency, power density, fault tolerance, dependability, cost, and the best electric motor for EVs. Then, a thorough study of future EV implementation's obstacles and prospects is done. Charging times and battery performance are examples of technological challenges, but government regulation of EVs continues to be a substantial non-technical hurdle.
Effect of Forearm Postures and Elbow Joint Angles on Elbow Flexion Torque and Mechanomyography from Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation of the Biceps Brachii
Authors: UWAMAHORO Raphael , Sundaraj Kenneth , Feroz Farah Shahnaz
Published: June 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effects of forearm postures and elbow joint angles on muscle torque and mechanomyography (MMG) signals. The torque about the elbow and MMG of the biceps brachii (BB) muscle were measured in 36 healthy subjects using an in-house elbow flexion testbed and Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of the BB muscle. The BB muscle received stimulation intensity while the forearm was positioned in the neutral, pronation or supination. The elbow was flexed at angles 10°, 30°, 60° and 90°. (0° = full elbow extension). The study analyzed the impact of forearm posture(s) and elbow joint angle(s) on the root mean square value of torque (TQ_RMS). Subsequently, MMG parameters such as the root mean square value (MMG_RMS), the mean power frequency (MMG_MPF), and the median frequency (MMG_MDF), were analyzed in the longitudinal, lateral, and transverse axes of the BB muscle fibers. Forearm posture and elbow flexion angle were found to significantly influence TQ_RMS (P < 0.05). Similarly, MMG_RMS, MMG_MPF and MMG_MDF exhibited a significant difference for all postures and angles (P < 0.05). However, the combined main effect of forearm postures and elbow joint angles was insignificant in the longitudinal axis (P > 0.05). The study also found that MMG_RMS and TQ_RMS increased with the joint angle to 60° and decreased to the other angle(s). However, during this investigation,MMG_MPF and MMG_MDF exhibited a consistent decrease in response to joint angles. This finding suggests that the muscle contraction evoked by NMES may be influenced by the interplay between actin and myosin filaments, which are responsible for muscle contraction and are in turn influenced by muscle length. As restoring the function of limbs is a common goal in rehabilitation services, it becomes imperative to develop methods that may enable the real-time tracking of exact muscle dimensional changes and activation levels.
Frameworks-Enhanced Electrochemiluminescence in Biosensing
Authors: Fu Haomin , Xu Zhiyuan , Hou Hanlin , Luo Rengan , Ju Huangxian , Lei Jianping
Published: June 2023

Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) has attracted increasing concerns owing to its intrinsic advantages of high sensitivity, good stability, and low background. Considering the fact that framework nanocrystals such as metal-organic frameworks and covalent organic frameworks have the accurate molecular structures, a series of frameworks-based ECL platforms are developed for decoding the emission fundamentals. The integration of fluorescent ligands into frameworks significantly improves the ECL properties due to the arrangement of molecules and intramolecular electron transfer. Moreover, the frameworks various topology can be easily functionalized with the recognition elements to trace the targets for signal readout. These ECL enhancement strategies lead to a series of sensitive analytical methods for protein biomarkers, DNA, small biomolecules, and cells. In this review, we have summarized recent advances in various functions of frameworks during ECL process, and constructions of frameworks-based ECL platforms for biosensing. The frameworks-based ECL nanoemitters and the enhancement mechanisms show both theoretical innovation and potential applications in designing ECL biosensing systems.
Trends and Diversity of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Mortality and Risk Factors in Five Asian Countries
Authors: Lin Wen-Yu , Lin Ping-Yi , Liang Wen-Miin , Kuo Hsien-Wen
Published: June 2023

We explored the trends and the diversity of the mortality and risk factors of age-standardized cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and cerebrovascular disease (CBD) from 2000 to 2020 in five advanced Asian countries, including China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. Data were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) report. Overall, the CVD mortality rates decreased gradually in all five Asian countries. Singapore had the highest rates before 2011, but Taiwan replaced Singapore as the nation of the highest mortality rates after 2012. Additionally, South Korea had the highest CBD mortality rates before 2016, while Taiwan experienced a peak in 2011 and remained high thereafter. The absolute difference (AD) and relative difference (RD) for CVD mortality rates showed clear declining trends in all five countries, with South Korea and China displaying the highest reductions, respectively. It is noteworthy that overweight and obesity exhibited an increasing trend in all these five Asian countries, with China demonstrating the highest AD and RD. Except for Taiwan, where a negative association of r=-0.732 was observed, CVD mortality was positively associated with CBD, hypertension, and DM mortality in all other four countries, therefore, further investigation into these relationships are needed.
Type II Grass Carp Reovirus Rapidly Invades Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) via Nostril-Olfactory System -Brain Axis, Gill, and Skin on Head
Authors: Zhu Wentao , Qiao Meihua , Hu Meidi , Huo Xingchen , Su Jianguo
Published: June 2023

Type II grass carp reovirus (GCRV-II) with high pathogenicity and infectivity causes severe hemorrhagic disease, which leads to extensive death in the grass carp and black carp aquaculture. However, the early invasion portal remains unclear. In this study, we explored the invasion portal, time, and pathway of GCRV-II by immersion infection in grass carp. Through the detection of the infected grass carp external body surface tissues, most of them could be detectable to carry GCRV-II within 45 minutes except for the skin covered by scales. Further shortening the duration of infection, we proved that GCRV-II rapidly invades through the nostril (especially), gill, and skin on head at only 5 min post immersion, rather than merely adhesion. Subsequently, visual localization investigations of GCRV-II were conducted on the nostril, olfactory system (olfactory bulb and olfactory tract), and brain by immunofluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. We found that few viruses were located in the nostril at 5 min post immersion infection, while significantly increased viruses were distributed in all these tissues at 45 min. Furthermore, semi-qRT-PCR and western blotting results of different infection time confirmed that GCRV-II invades grass carp via nostril-olfactory system-brain axis and then unfolds viral replication. These results revealed the infection mechanism of GCRV-II on the invasion portal, time, and pathway in grass carp. This study aims to understand the invasion mode of GCRV-II in grass carp, which provides theoretical support for the prevention and control strategies of hemorrhagic disease.
The Rationale for Sulforaphane to Favourably Influence Gut Homeostasis and Gut-Organ Dysfunction: a Clinician’s Hypothesis
Authors: Houghton Christine A.
Published: June 2023

Given the accelerating scientific, clinical and consumer interest in highly-prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorders, appropriate therapeutic strategies are needed to address the many aspects of digestive dysfunction. Accumulating evidence for the crucifer-derived bioactive molecule, sulforaphane in upstream cellular defence mechanisms highlights its potential as a therapeutic candidate in targeting functional gastrointestinal conditions together with systemic disorders. This article catalogues the evolution of and rationale for a hypothesis that utilises multifunctional sulforaphane as the initial step in restoring the ecology of the gut ecosystem; it does this primarily by targeting the functions of intestinal epithelial cells. A growing body of work has identified the colonocyte as the driver of dysbiosis, so that targeting gut epithelial function could provide an alternative to targeting the microbes themselves for remediation of microbial dysbiosis. The hypothesis discussed herein has evolved over several years and is supported by case studies showing the application of sulforaphane in gastrointestinal disorders, related food intolerance and several systemic conditions. To our knowledge, this is the first time the effects of sulforaphane have been reported in a clinical environment where several of its key properties within the gut ecosystem appear to be related to its nutrigenomic effects on gene expression.
Biochemical and Kinetics Properties of MnO2 Nanozymes Toward n-Electron Irreversible Oxidation of 3,3’-Diaminobenzidine
Authors: Hormozi Jangi Saeed Reza
Published: June 2023

MnO2 nanoparticles are considered nanozymes with intrinsic peroxidase-like activity and there are several reports on their application in the field of nanozyme-based sensing and detection, however, up to now, there is no report on the investigation of their biochemical and kinetics properties toward enzyme-mediated oxidations. Hence, in this work, the MnO2 nanozymes were synthesized and characterized with different characterization methods. Thereafter, their biochemical properties including pH stability, thermal stability, and salt stability as well as their kinetics perfromances were evaluated toward n-electron irreversible oxidation of 3,3’-diaminobezedine. The results showed that the as-prepared nanozymes reveal their maximal enzyme-like activity over a wide pH range of 3.0-6.0 at a temperature of 23-25 ℃ toward oxidation of 3,3’-diaminobezedine. Besides, the salt stability studies exhibited that the as-mentioned nanozymes can save their maximal activity over a wide range of high salt concentrations over 3-7 M of NaCl. Moreover, the kinetics studies revealed a Km as low as 1.6 mM and a Vmax as high as 47 nM sec-1 for the MnO2 nanozymes toward irreversible oxidation of DAB to produce the brown-colored polyDAB.
Sequential and Simultaneous Interactions of Plant Allelochemical Flavone, Bt Toxin Vip3A and Insecticide Emamectin Benzoate in Spodoptera frugiperda
Authors: Huang Kaiyuan , He Haibo , Wang Shan , Zhang Min , Chen Xuewei , Deng Zhongyuan , Ni Xinzhi , Li Xianchun
Published: June 2023

Target pests of genetically engineered crops producing both defensive allelochemicals and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins often sequentially or simultaneously uptake allelochemicals, Bt toxins, and/or insecticides. How the three types of toxins interact to kill pests remains underexplored. Here we investigated the interactions of Bt toxin Vip3A, plant allelochemical flavone, and insecticide emamectin benzoate in Spodoptera frugiperda. Simultaneous administration of flavone LC25 + Vip3A LC25, emamectin benzoate LC25 + Vip3A LC25, and flavone LC15 + emamectin benzoate LC15 + Vip3A LC15 but not flavone LC25 + emamectin LC25 yielded a mortality significantly higher than their expected additive mortality (EAM). One-day preexposure to one toxin at LC5 followed by 6-day exposure to the same toxin at LC5 plus another toxin at LC50 showed that the mortality of flavone LC5 + Vip3A LC50, emamectin benzoate LC5 + Vip3A LC50, and Vip3A LC5 + emamectin benzoate LC50, were significantly higher than their EAM, while that of flavone LC5 + emamectin benzoate LC50 was significantly lower than their EAM. No significant difference existed among the mortalities of Vip3A LC5 + flavone LC50, emamectin benzoate LC5 + flavone LC50, and their EAMs. The results suggest that the interactions of the three toxins are largely synergistic (inductive) or additive, depending on their combinations and doses.
The Effects of Exercise Training on Exercise Capacity and Vascular Function after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Authors: Vitez Luka , Bunc Matjaž , Jug Borut
Published: June 2023

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVI) improves event-free survival in patients with severe aortic stenosis, but patients’ exercise capacity remains poor after the procedure. Therefore, we sought to compare the effects of supervised centre-based exercise training program and unsupervised exercise routine on exercise capacity and vascular function in patients after TAVI. Patients were randomised to either centre-based exercise training (12-24 sessions of combined aerobic and low-weight resistance training twice weekly for 8-12 weeks) or unsupervised home-based exercise routine (initial appraisal with detailed recommendations and monthly follow-up). Exercise capacity (cardiopulmonary testing) and vascular function (ultrasonographic measurement of flow-mediated vasodilation [FMD] and arterial stiffness) were assessed at baseline and after the study period. We included 23 patients (mean age 81 years, 61% women), with higher-than-expected drop-out rates (41%) because of the coronavirus-19 pandemic outbreak. Exercise capacity improved over time, irrespective of intervention group: 0.09 ml/min/kg increase in peak oxygen uptake (95%CI [0.01-0.16]; p=0.02), 8.2 Watts increase in workload (95%CI [0.6-15.8]; p=0.034), and 47 seconds increase in cumulative exercise time (95% CI [5.0-89.6]; p=0.029). A between-group difference in change over time (treatment effect) was detected only for FMD (4.49%; 95% CI [2.35; 6.63], p < 0.001), but not for other outcome variables. Both supervised and unsupervised exercise training improve exercise capacity and vascular function in patients after TAVI, with supervised exercise training possibly yielding larger improvements in vascular function, as determined by FMD.
A Novel Machine Learning Model for Predicting Orthodontic Treatment Duration
Authors: Volovic James , Badirli Sarkhan , Ahmad Sunna , Leavitt Landon , Mason Taylor , Bhamidipalli Surya Sruthi , Eckert George , Albright David , Turkkahraman Hakan
Published: June 2023

In the field of orthodontics, providing patients with accurate treatment time estimates is of utmost importance. As orthodontic practices continue to evolve and embrace new advancements, incorporating machine learning (ML) methods becomes increasingly valuable in improving orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. This study aimed to develop a novel ML model capable of predicting the orthodontic treatment duration based on essential pre-treatment variables. Patients who completed comprehensive orthodontic treatment at the Indiana University School of Dentistry were included in this retrospective study. Fifty-seven pre-treatment variables were collected and used to train and test 9 different ML models. The performance of each model was assessed using descriptive statistics, intraclass correlation coefficients, and one-way analysis of variance tests. Random Forest, Lasso, and Elastic Net were found to be the most accurate, with a mean absolute error of 7.27 months in predicting treatment duration. Extraction decision, COVID, intermaxillary relationship, lower incisor position, and additional appliances were identified as important predictors of treatment duration. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of ML in predicting orthodontic treatment duration using pre-treatment variables.
Rock Classification Using a Vibration Signal in the Process of Rotary Drilling
Authors: Stehlíková Beáta , Bogdanovská Gabriela , Flegner Patrik , Frančáková Rebecca , Drančák Ladislav
Published: June 2023

The paper proposes a rock classification method using the vibration signal of the rotary drilling process. This proposed method classifies four rocks with a reliability of 100 %, from the vibration signal record of a lasting 1/4 second. For the design of a suitable classification method, several attributes of the vibration signal were calculated for two different signal recording lengths. Cluster dendrogram, ANOVA test, and boxplot were used to determine useful attributes and proper signal length. The classification rule was found using a decision tree, machine learning tool. The publication gradually describes the process of creating the classification method and the results of the reliability verification of the proposed classification method. Rock disintegration by rotary drilling was carried out under standardized experimental conditions. The disintegration rocks were andesite, granite, limestone, and concrete.
Breaking Barriers: Initial Step Towards Certification Standards for Aircraft Wing-Structure-Integrated High-Pressure Composite Hydrogen Tanks
Authors: Butt Javed Arshad , Markmiller Johannes Friedrich Carl
Published: June 2023

Standards are not only crucial for obtaining a certification for practical use, but also an essential guidance for inferring how and what to simulate as well test experimentally. This paper examines the potential applicability of existing standards from various domains, including aerospace and automotive, to Wing-Structure- Integrated high-pressure Hydrogen Tanks (SWITHs). It highlights the associated challenges and uncertainties, acknowledging the absence of a single, all-encompassing standard for SWITHs.

We embark on an exploration aimed at identifying alternative standards that are best suited for SWITHs. The analysis scrutinizes existing standards that could potentially facilitate SWITH certification, with a particular focus on the inclusivity of externally loaded hydrogen tanks. Assessment criteria are established to filter standards that best meet the needs of SWITHs. Through this process, we identify two key standards that present themselves as the most promising alternatives.

Moreover, we delineate the technical constraints involved in selecting the maximum nominal working pressure for high-pressure tanks intended for burst tests. Our findings reveal a current upper limit of 525 bar, imposed by the limitations of existing test facilities. The study underscores that these standards should serve as flexible guiding frameworks rather than rigid protocols, encouraging progressive development in the SWITH field.
Experimental Investigation on the Corrosion Detectability of A36 Low Carbon Steel Used in Multi-bolted Connections by the Method of Phased Array Corrosion Mapping
Authors: Tai Jan Lean , Grzejda Rafał , Sultan Mohamed Thariq Hameed , Łukaszewicz Andrzej , Shahar Farah Syazwani , Tarasiuk Wojciech , Rychlik Arkadiusz
Published: June 2023

Petrochemical plants use on-stream inspection more often to detect and monitor the corrosion on the equipment and piping system. Compared to ultrasonic thickness gauging and pulse-echo A-scan, phased array corrosion mapping has better coverability and can scan a large area to detect general and localized corrosion. This paper's objective is to obtain documentary evidence on the accuracy of corrosion detection from 30°C to 250°C on A36 low-carbon steel by carrying out simulation experiments every 10°C steps. A minimum of three sets of phased array corrosion mapping data in each temperature were collected to study and evaluate the detectability. The data evidence could enhance the confidence level of the plant's end users to use the phased array mapping in the future during an inspection. The experiments were found to be insufficiently thorough despite addressing the initial concerns, leaving more area for discussion in further studies, such as expanding the investigation to thicker carbon steel, stainless steel, and wedge materials.
Event-Triggered Robust Fusion Estimation for Multi-Sensor Systems With State Delay and External Inputs
Authors: Du Xiaolei , Liu Huabo , Yu Haisheng
Published: June 2023

The robust fusion estimation problem of a multi-sensor system with communication constraints, random packet drops, d-step state delays, and deterministic control inputs is investigated. The state augmentation method is used to transform the time delay system into a non-time delay system, and then a robust fusion estimation algorithm based on sensitivity penalty is proposed and the pseudo-cross-covariance matrix is updated. An event-triggered robust fusion estimator with state delay and deterministic control inputs is considered to make the model closer to reality while effectively reducing network congestion and lowering communication costs. Conditions are given to ensure that the estimation errors of the robust fusion estimator are uniform boundedness. Two sets of numerical simulations are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the derived fusion estimator.
Can Nutrition Contribute to a Reduction in Sarcopenia, Frailty, and Comorbidities in a Super-Aged Society?
Authors: Yoshida Sadao , Shiraishi Ryo , Nakayama Yuki , Taira Yasuko
Published: June 2023

Many countries are facing the advent of super-aging societies, where sarcopenia and frailty will become emerging problems. Elderly people suffer from various diseases, such as diabetes, heart failure, chronic kidney disease and dementia. The prevalence of comorbidities is a major problem in countries with aged populations. Underlying diseases, such as diabetes, heart failure, chronic kidney disease and also dementia are associated with sarcopenia and frailty, and they are frequent causes of falls, fractures, and a decline in activities of daily living. Fractures in the elderly people are associated with bone fragility, which is influenced by diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Nutritional support for chronic disease patients and sarcopenic individuals with adequate energy and protein intake, vitamin D supplementation, blood-glucose-level management for individuals with diabetes, obesity prevention, nutritional education for healthy individuals, and the enlightenment of society could be crucial to solving the problems in super-aging societies.
A Novel Electrophoretic Technique to Improve Metasurface Sensing of Low Concentration Particles in Solution
Authors: Kurland Zachary Austin , Goyette Thomas
Published: June 2023

A novel electrophoretic technique to improve the sensing capabilities of charged particles in solution is presented. The proposed technique may improve the ability of metasurfaces to sense charged particles in solution by forcing them to preferentially sediment within metasurface regions of greatest sensitivity. Such a technique may be useful in various sensing applications, such as in biological, polymer, or environmental sciences, where low concentration particles in solution are of interest. The electrophoretic technique was simulated and experimentally tested using latex nanoparticles in solution. The results suggest that, using this technique, one may theoretically increase the particle density within the metasurface regions of greatest sensitivity by nearly 1900% in comparison to random sedimentation due to evaporation. Such an increase in particle density within the regions of greatest sensitivity may facilitate more precise material property measurements and enhance identification and detection capabilities of metasurfaces to low concentration particles in solution. It was experimentally verified that the electrophoretic technique enabled the preferential gathering of latex nanoparticles within the most sensitive metasurface regions, resulting in 900% - 1700% enhancements in metasurface sensing capabilities.
Inverter Heat Pumps as a Variable Load for Off-Grid Solar Powered Systems
Authors: Klokov Alexander V. , Tutunin Alexander S. , Sharaborova Elizaveta S. , Korshunov Aleksei A. , Loktionov Egor Y.
Published: June 2023

: Electric air conditioning and heating systems capacity is growing rapidly. So does the nameplate capacity of PV power plants. While demand in cooling has a positive correlation with solar irradiationirradiance, the demand in heating has an opposite relation. In this study, different approaches of to design (aggregation; energy storagethermal, battery and implicit systems storage) and control (frequency conversion; variable and adaptive load) and their effects on the efficiency of an off-grid active thermal stabilisation system based on a solar-powered heat pump are analysed. The case considered is permafrost thermal stabilisation system in Norway. It is shown that proper layout and control of the system with an adaptive load can reduce the capital expenses expenditures and the total cost of ownership by 30-40%. Increase in the efficiency capacity factor and cooling stability of the systems with the aggregated and threshold power consumervariable load due to the principle of aggregation is studied. The downside of that is the increase in compressors operation time by 50% with variable load and by 25% per unit with aggregation which means more frequent replacement in terms of motor-hours. But The the feasibility of this approaches considered are applicable for a wide range of solar-powered facilities, but the results are is quite case sensitive and depends on the prices for low-power heat pumps. The prospects of using the excess refrigerant and soil for thermal energy storage instead of traditional electrochemical batteries are considered.
Modelling the Tumour Microenvironment, but What Exactly Do We Mean by “Model”?
Authors: Reyes-Aldasoro Constantino Carlos
Published: June 2023

The Oxford English Dictionary includes 17 definitions for the word “model” as a noun and other 11 as a verb. Therefore, context is necessary to understand the meaning of the word model. For in-stance, “model railways” refer to replicas of railways and trains at a smaller scale and a “model student” refers to an exemplar individual. In some cases, a specific context, like cancer research, may not be sufficient to provide one specific meaning of a model. Even if the context is narrowed, specifically to the research related to the tumour microenvironment, a “model” can be understood in a wide variety of ways, from an animal model, to a mathematical expression. This paper presents a review of the different “models” of the tumour microenvironment grouped by the different def-initions of the word into four categories: model organisms, in vitro models, mathematical models, and computational models. Then, the frequency of different meanings of the word “model” related to the tumour microenvironment is measured from the number of entries in the MEDLINE database of the United States National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health. The frequency of the main components of the microenvironment and the organ-related cancers modelled are also assessed quantitatively with specific keywords. Whilst animal models, in particular xenografts and mouse models are the most common used “models”, the number of entries have been slowly de-creasing. Mathematical models, prognostic and risk models follow in frequency and these have been growing in use.