bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advancement in the Cuffless and Noninvasive Measurement of Blood Pressure: A Review of the Literature and Open Challenges
Authors: Khan Mamun Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman , Sherif Ahmed
Published: December 2022

Hypertension is a chronic condition that is one of the prominent reasons behind cardiovascular disease, brain stroke, and organ failure. Left unnoticed and untreated, the deterioration in a health condition could even result in mortality. If it can be detected early, with proper treatment, undesirable outcomes can be avoided. Until now, the gold standard is the invasive way of measuring blood pressure (BP) using a catheter. Additionally, the cuff-based and noninvasive methods are too cumbersome or inconvenient for frequent measurement of BP. With the advancement of sensor technology, signal processing techniques, and machine learning algorithms, researchers are trying to find the perfect relationships between biomedical signals and changes in BP. This paper is a literature review of the studies conducted on the cuffless noninvasive measurement of BP using biomedical signals. Relevant articles were selected using specific criteria, then traditional techniques for BP measurement were discussed along with a motivation for cuffless measurement use of biomedical signals and machine learning algorithms. The review focused on the progression of different noninvasive cuffless techniques rather than comparing performance among different studies. The literature survey concluded that the use of deep learning proved to be the most accurate among all the cuffless measurement techniques. On the other side, this accuracy has several disadvantages, such as lack of interpretability, computationally extensive, standard validation protocol, and lack of collaboration with health professionals. Additionally, the continuing work by researchers is progressing with a potential solution for these challenges. Finally, future research directions have been provided to encounter the challenges.
Biofuels from Renewable Sources, a Potential Option for Biodiesel Production
Authors: Neupane Dhurba
Published: December 2022

Ever-increasing population growth that demands more energy produces tremendous pressure on natural energy reserves such as coal and petroleum, causing their depletion. Climate prediction models predict that drought events will be more intense during the 21st century affecting agricultural productivity. The renewable energy needs in the global energy supply must stabilize surface temperature rise to 1.5 °C compared to pre-industrial values. To address the global climate issue and higher energy demand without depleting fossil reserves, growing bioenergy feedstock as the potential resource for biodiesel production could be a viable alternative. The interest in growing biofuels for biodiesel production has increased due to its potential benefits over fossil fuels and the flexibility of feedstocks. Therefore, this review article focuses on different biofuels and biomass resources for biodiesel production, their properties, procedure, factors affecting biodiesel production, different catalysts used, and greenhouse gas emissions from biodiesel production.
Xeno-miRs and Circulating miRNAs as Novel Biomarkers in Certain Diseases
Authors: Deveci Gülsüm , Capasso Raffaele , Ağagündüz Duygu
Published: December 2022

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs consisting of a length of roughly 22 nucleotides that participate in gene regulation [...]
3D-3D Superimposition of Pubic Bones: Expanding the Anthropological Toolkit for the Pair-Matching of Commingled Skeletal Remains
Authors: Palamenghi Andrea , Cappella Annalisa , Cellina Michaela , Mazzarelli Debora , De Angelis Danilo , Sforza Chiarella , Cattaneo Cristina , Gibelli Daniele
Published: December 2022

Virtual anthropology (VA) has recently produced an additional tool for the analysis of commingled remains and is based on the distance analysis between three-dimensional (3D) models of bones. To date, the pair-matching of the innominate bone through a 3D approach remains partially unexplored. Here, 44 abdominal CT scans (22 males and 22 females) were selected from a hospital database, and the pubic bones were segmented through ITK-SNAP software. The models were hollowed with Viewbox4 to minimize the amount of trabecular bone. The left pubic bones were mirrored and superimposed on the right ones, according to the smallest point-to-point difference between the two surfaces through VAM software. RMS distances between models were calculated through VAM, producing RMS values for 20 matches and 420 mismatches for each sex group. Differences in RMS distance values between matches and mismatches were investigated through Mann–Whitney tests (p < 0.05); the repeatability of the procedure was assessed through absolute and relative technical error measurement (TEM and rTEM). RMS distance values of matches and mismatches were significantly different (p < 0.01) in both groups. The method yielded optimal results with high sensitivity (100.0%) and specificity (99.8% in males, 98.8% in females) rates according to the chosen threshold. This project contributes to the research field of VA with a valuable adjunct that may bolster and strengthen the results of the current visual and osteometric methods through a multidisciplinary approach.
Network Neuroscience Untethered: Brain-Wide Immediate Early Gene Expression for the Analysis of Functional Connectivity in Freely Behaving Animals
Authors: Terstege Dylan , Epp Jonathan
Published: December 2022

Studying how spatially discrete neuroanatomical regions across the brain interact is critical to advancing our understanding of the brain. Traditional neuroimaging techniques have led to many important discoveries about the nature of these interactions, termed functional connectivity. However, in animal models these traditional neuroimaging techniques have generally been limited to anesthetized or head-fixed setups or examination of small subsets of neuroanatomical regions. Using the brain-wide expression density of immediate early genes (IEG), we can assess brain-wide functional connectivity underlying a wide variety of behavioural tasks in freely behaving animal models. Here, we provide an overview of the necessary steps required to perform IEG-based analyses of functional connectivity. We also outline important considerations when designing such experiments and demonstrate the implications of these considerations using an IEG-based network dataset generated for the purpose of this review.
Immunogenetic Predisposition to SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Lehmann Claudia , Loeffler-Wirth Henry , Balz Vera , Enczmann Juergen , Landgraf Ramona , Lakowa Nicole , Gruenewald Thomas , Fischer Johannes C. , Doxiadis Ilias
Published: December 2022

Herein, we included 527 individuals from two Hospitals, Chemnitz and University-Hospital Leipzig. In total, 199 were negative for PCR and 328 were positive upon first admission. We used next generation sequencing for HLA-A, B, C, DRB1, DRB345, DQA1, DQB1, DPA1, and DPB1, and in some cases, HLA-E, F, G, and H. Furthermore, we molecularly defined 22 blood group systems comprising 26 genes and 5 platelet antigen genes. We observed a significant enrichment of homozygosity for DQA/DQB in the positive group. Within the negative subjects, HLA-B*57:01, HLA-B*55:01, DRB1*13:01, and DRB1*01:01 were enriched, and in the positive group, homozygosity for DQA/DQB, DRB1*09:01, and DRB1*15:01 was observed. DQA1*01:01, DQA1*02:01, and DQA1*01:03 were enriched in the negative group. HLA-DQB1*06:02 was enriched in the positive group, and HLA-DQB1*05:01 and HLA-DQB1*06:03 were enriched in the negative group. For the blood group systems MNS, RH, LE, FY, JK, YT, DO, and KN, enrichment was seen in both groups, depending on the antigen under observation. Homozygosity for D-positive RHD alleles, as well as the phenotypes M-N+ of the MNS blood group system and Yk(a-) of the KN system, were enriched in the positive group. All of these significances disappeared upon correction. Subjects who carried homozygous HPA-1a were more frequent in the negative group, contrasting with the finding that HPA-1ab was enriched in the positive group.
Identification of Immune Infiltration and the Potential Biomarkers in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy through Bioinformatics and Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Li Wenqing , Guo Jiahe , Chen Jing , Yao Haibo , Mao Renqun , Li Chuyan , Zhang Guolei , Chen Zhenbing , Xu Xiang , Wang Cheng
Published: December 2022

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most common chronic complications in diabetes. Previous studies have shown that chronic neuroinflammation was associated with DPN. However, further research is needed to investigate the exact immune molecular mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of DPN. Expression profiles were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened by R software. After functional enrichment analysis of DEGs, a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis was performed. The CIBERSORT algorithm was used to evaluate the infiltration of immune cells in DPN. Next, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) algorithms were applied to identify potential DPN diagnostic markers. Finally, the results were further validated by qRT-PCR. A total of 1308 DEGs were screened in this study. Enrichment analysis identified that DEGs were significantly enriched in immune-related biological functions and pathways. Immune cell infiltration analysis found that M1 and M2 macrophages, monocytes, resting mast cells, resting CD4 memory T cells and follicular helper T cells were involved in the development of DPN. LTBP2 and GPNMB were identified as diagnostic markers of DPN. qRT-PCR results showed that 15 mRNAs, including LTBP2 and GPNMB, were differentially expressed, consistent with the microarray results. In conclusion, LTBP2 and GPNMB can be used as novel candidate molecular diagnostic markers for DPN. Furthermore, the infiltration of immune cells plays an important role in the progression of DPN.
Identification of Chalcone Isomerase Family Genes and Roles of CnCHI4 in Flavonoid Metabolism in Camellia nitidissima
Authors: Yu Suhang , Li Jiyuan , Peng Ting , Ni Sui , Feng Yi , Wang Qiushi , Wang Minyan , Chu Xian , Fan Zhengqi , Li Xinlei , Yin Hengfu , Ge Wanchuan , Liu Weixin
Published: December 2022

Camellia nitidissima is a woody plant with high ornamental value, and its golden-yellow flowers are rich in a variety of bioactive substances, especially flavonoids, that are beneficial to human health. Chalcone isomerases (CHIs) are key enzymes in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway; however, there is a scarcity of information regarding the CHI family genes of C. nitidissima. In this study, seven CHI genes of C. nitidissima were identified and divided into three subfamilies by phylogenetic analysis. The results of multiple sequence alignment revealed that, unlike CnCHI1/5/6/7, CnCHI2/3/4 are bona fide CHIs that contain all the active site and critical catalytic residues. Analysis of the expression patterns of CnCHIs and the total flavonoid content of the flowers at different developmental stages revealed that CnCHI4 might play an essential role in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway of C. nitidissima. CnCHI4 overexpression significantly increased flavonoid production in Nicotiana tabacum and C. nitidissima. The results of the dual-luciferase reporter assay and yeast one-hybrid system revealed that CnMYB7 was the key transcription factor that governed the transcription of CnCHI4. The study provides a comprehensive understanding of the CHI family genes of C. nitidissima and performed a preliminary analysis of their functions and regulatory mechanisms.
Liquid–Liquid Phase Separation Prediction of Proteins in Salt Solution by Deep Neural Network
Authors: Wei Suwen , Wang Yanwei , Yang Guangcan
Published: December 2022

Liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) underlies the formation of membrane-free organelles in eukaryotic cells and plays an important role in the development of some diseases. The phase boundary of metastable liquid–liquid phase separation as well as the cloud point temperature of some globular proteins characterize the phase behavior of proteins and have been widely studied theoretically and experimentally. In the present study, we used a regression and classification neural network to deal with the phase behavior of lysozyme and bovine serum albumin (BSA). We predicted the cloud point temperature and solubility of a lysozyme solution containing sodium chloride by regression and the reentrant phase behavior of BSA in YCl3 solution containing a surfactant dodecyl dimethyl amine oxide (DDAO) by classification. Specifically, our network model is capable of predicting (a) the solubility of lysozyme in the range: pH 4.0–5.4, temperature 0–25 °C, and NaCl concentration 2–7% (w/v); (b) the cloud point temperature of lysozyme in the range: pH 4.0–4.8, NaCl concentration 2–7%, and lysozyme concentration 0–400 mg/mL; and (c) the phase behavior of BSA in the range: DDAO 1–60 mM, BSA 30–100 mg/mL, and YCl3 1–20 mM. We experimentally tested the model at some prediction points with a high accuracy, which means that deep neural networks can be applicable in qualitative and quantitive analysis of liquid–liquid phase separation.
Heritability of Protein and Metabolite Biomarkers Associated with COVID-19 Severity: A Metabolomics and Proteomics Analysis
Authors: Haj Amelia K. , Hasan Haytham , Raife Thomas J.
Published: December 2022

Objectives: Prior studies have characterized protein and metabolite changes associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection; we hypothesized that these biomarkers may be part of heritable metabolic pathways in erythrocytes. Methods: Using a twin study of erythrocyte protein and metabolite levels, we describe the heritability of, and correlations among, previously identified biomarkers that correlate with COVID-19 severity. We used gene ontology and pathway enrichment analysis tools to identify pathways and biological processes enriched among these biomarkers. Results: Many COVID-19 biomarkers are highly heritable in erythrocytes. Among heritable metabolites downregulated in COVID-19, metabolites involved in amino acid metabolism and biosynthesis are enriched. Specific amino acid metabolism pathways (valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis; glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism; and arginine biosynthesis) are heritable in erythrocytes. Conclusions: Metabolic pathways downregulated in COVID-19, particularly amino acid biosynthesis and metabolism pathways, are heritable in erythrocytes. This finding suggests that a component of the variation in COVID-19 severity may be the result of phenotypic variation in heritable metabolic pathways; future studies will be necessary to determine whether individual variation in amino acid metabolism pathways correlates with heritable outcomes of COVID-19.
An Update on Circular RNA in Pediatric Cancers
Authors: Galardi Angela , Colletti Marta , Palma Alessandro , Di Giannatale Angela
Published: December 2022

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of single-stranded closed noncoding RNA molecules which are formed as a result of reverse splicing of mRNAs. Despite their relative abundance, only recently there appeared an increased interest in the understanding of their regulatory importance. Among their most relevant characteristics are high stability, abundance and evolutionary conservation among species. CircRNAs are implicated in several cellular functions, ranging from miRNA and protein sponges to transcriptional modulation and splicing. Additionally, circRNAs’ aberrant expression in pathological conditions is bringing to light their possible use as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Their use as indicator molecules of pathological changes is also supported by their peculiar covalent closed cyclic structure which bestows resistance to RNases. Their regulatory role in cancer pathogenesis and metastasis is supported by studies involving human tumors that have investigated different expression profiles of these molecules. As endogenous competitive RNA, circRNAs can regulate tumor proliferation and invasion and they arouse great consideration as potential therapeutic biomarkers and targets for cancer. In this review, we describe the most recent findings on circRNAs in the most common pediatric solid cancers (such as brain tumors, neuroblastomas, and sarcomas) and in more rare ones (such as Wilms tumors, hepatoblastomas, and retinoblastomas).
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Investigation of Selenium Supplementation in Women at Elevated Risk for Breast Cancer: Lessons for Re-Emergent Interest in Selenium and Cancer
Authors: Thompson Henry J. , Sedlacek Scot M. , Fitzgerald Vanessa K. , Wolfe Pamela , McGinley John N.
Published: December 2022

Damage to cellular macromolecules such as DNA and lipid, induced via reactive oxygen species, and indicators of cell proliferation potential such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF) metabolic status are intermediate biomarkers of breast cancer risk. Based on reports that selenium status can affect these markers, a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind experiment was conducted to investigate the potential of selenium supplementation to modulate breast cancer risk. Using a placebo tablet or a tablet containing 200 μg selenium provided as high-selenium yeast daily for one year, concentrations of the biomarkers in blood or urine were assessed at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of intervention. The selenium intervention used in this study is presumed to mediate its effect via the induction of glutathione peroxidase activity and the consequential impact of the active form of this protein on oxidative damage. We found no evidence to support this hypothesis or to indicate that systemic IGF metabolic status was affected. Critical knowledge gaps must be addressed for the resurgence of interest in selenium and cancer to garner clinical relevance. Those knowledge gaps include the identification of a specific, high-affinity selenium metabolite and the cellular target(s) to which it binds, and the demonstration that the cellular determinant that the selenium metabolite binds plays a critical role in the initiation, promotion, or progression of a specific type of cancer.
Analysis of Cerebral Small Vessel Changes in AD Model Mice
Authors: Shibly Abu Zaffar , Sheikh Abdullah Md. , Michikawa Makoto , Tabassum Shatera , Azad Abul Kalam , Zhou Xiaojing , Zhang Yuchi , Yano Shozo , Nagai Atsushi
Published: December 2022

Amyloid β (Aβ) peptide is deposited in the brains of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (AD) due to impaired vessel-dependent clearance. To understand the mechanisms, we investigated time-dependent cerebrovascular changes in AD model mice. Cerebrovascular and other pathological changes were analyzed in AD model mice (J20 strain) aging from 2 to 9 months by immunostaining. At 2 months, Aβ was only intraneuronal, whereas vessels were positive from 3 months in J20 mice. Compared to wild-type (WT), vessel density was increased at 2 months but decreased at 9 months in J20 mice, claudin-5 levels were decreased, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were increased in the cortex and hippocampus of J20 mice brain at all time points. Albumin extravasation was evident from 3 months in J20 brains. Collagen 4 was increased at 2 and 3 months. Aquaporin 4 was spread beyond the vessels starting from 3 months in J20, which was restricted around the vessel in wild-type mice. In conclusion, the study showed that an early decrease in claudin-5 was associated with VEGF expression, indicating dysfunction of the blood–brain barrier. Decreased claudin-5 might cause the leakage of blood constituents into the parenchyma that alters astrocyte polarity and its functions.
Gamma-Synuclein Dysfunction Causes Autoantibody Formation in Glaucoma Patients and Dysregulation of Intraocular Pressure in Mice
Authors: Pavlenko Tatiana A. , Roman Andrei Y. , Lytkina Olga A. , Pukaeva Nadezhda E. , Everett Martha W. , Sukhanova Iuliia S. , Soldatov Vladislav O. , Davidova Nina G. , Chesnokova Natalia B. , Ovchinnikov Ruslan K. , Kukharsky Michail S.
Published: December 2022

Dysregulation of intraocular pressure (IOP) is one of the main risk factors for glaucoma. γ-synuclein is a member of the synuclein family of widely expressed synaptic proteins within the central nervous system that are implicated in certain types of neurodegeneration. γ-synuclein expression and localization changes in the retina and optic nerve of patients with glaucoma. However, the mechanisms by which γ-synuclein could contribute to glaucoma are poorly understood. We assessed the presence of autoantibodies to γ-synuclein in the blood serum of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) by immunoblotting. A positive reaction was detected for five out of 25 patients (20%) with POAG. Autoantibodies to γ-synuclein were not detected in a group of patients without glaucoma. We studied the dynamics of IOP in response to IOP regulators in knockout mice (γ-KO) to understand a possible link between γ-synuclein dysfunction and glaucoma-related pathophysiological changes. The most prominent decrease of IOP in γ-KO mice was observed after the instillation of 1% phenylephrine and 10% dopamine. The total protein concentration in tear fluid of γ-KO mice was approximately two times higher than that of wild-type mice, and the activity of neurodegeneration-linked protein α2-macroglobulin was reduced. Therefore, γ-synuclein dysfunction contributes to pathological processes in glaucoma, including dysregulation of IOP.
Patisiran Enhances Muscle Mass after Nine Months of Treatment in ATTRv Amyloidosis: A Study with Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis and Handgrip Strength
Authors: Di Stefano Vincenzo , Thomas Ewan , Alonge Paolo , Giustino Valerio , Pillitteri Guglielmo , Leale Ignazio , Torrente Angelo , Pignolo Antonia , Norata Davide , Iacono Salvatore , Lupica Antonino , Palma Antonio , Battaglia Giuseppe , Brighina Filippo
Published: December 2022

Background and aims. Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy (ATTRv) is caused by mutations in the TTR gene, leading to misfolded monomers that aggregate generating amyloid fibrils. The clinical phenotype is heterogeneous, characterized by a multisystemic disease affecting the sensorimotor, autonomic functions along with other organs. Patisiran is a small interfering RNA acting as a TTR silencer approved for the treatment of ATTRv. Punctual and detailed instrumental biomarkers are on demand for ATTRv to measure the severity of the disease and monitor progression and response to treatment. Methods. Fifteen patients affected by ATTRv amyloidosis (66.4 ± 7.8 years, six males) were evaluated before the start of therapy with patisiran and after 9-months of follow-up. The clinical and instrumental evaluation included body weight and height; Coutinho stage; Neuropathy Impairment Score (NIS); Karnofsky performance status (KPS); Norfolk QOL Questionnaire; Six-minute walking test (6 MWT); nerve conduction studies; handgrip strength (HGS); and bioimpedance analysis (BIA). Results. Body composition significantly changed following the 9-months pharmacological treatment. In particular, the patients exhibited an increase in fat free mass, body cell mass, and body weight with a decrease in fat mass. A significant increase after 9 months of treatment was observed for the 6 MWT. Coutinho stage, KPS, NIS, NIS-W, nerve conduction studies, Norfolk, COMPASS-31 scale, and HGS remained unchanged. Conclusions. BIA might represent a useful tool to assess the effects of multiorgan damage in ATTRv and to monitor disease progression and response to treatments. More evidence is still needed for HGS. Patisiran stabilizes polyneuropathy and preserves motor strength by increasing muscle mass after 9 months of treatment.
Urban Biomimicry for Flood Mitigation Using an Ecosystem Service Assessment Tool in Central Wellington, New Zealand
Authors: MacKinnon Maggie , Pedersen Zari Maibritt , Brown Daniel K. , Benavidez Rubianca , Jackson Bethanna
Published: December 2022

Many cities are vulnerable to flooding due to their high proportion of impervious surfaces and lack of vegetated land cover. This vulnerability will often be exacerbated by changing rainfall and storm patterns due to climate change. Using the principles of urban biomimicry, this study aims to show an ecosystem service-based approach to designing an urban green infrastructure network for stormwater management in densely built areas that more closely emulates natural hydrology processes. Nature Braid (next-generation LUCI) is an ecosystem services assessment tool that was used to simulate flood mitigation ecosystem services in a 13.7 km2 urban water catchment in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand. The simulation results revealed that 59% of the catchment does not contain or benefit from flood-mitigating land cover features. Adding 0.6 km2 (4% of the catchment) of green roofs alongside major stormwater flow paths resulted in a nearly three-fold decrease (11%) in the unmitigated flooding area. These results suggest that green roofs could help manage stormwater and mitigate flooding in the densely built areas of the catchment. Using ecosystem service assessment tools, like Nature Braid, can inform the design of more regenerative and resilient urban green infrastructure networks that help mitigate climate change impacts on urban residents.
Design and Preparation of Sensing Surfaces for Capacitive Biodetection
Authors: Robin Perrine , Gerber-Lemaire Sandrine
Published: December 2022

Despite their high sensitivity and their suitability for miniaturization, biosensors are still limited for clinical applications due to the lack of reproducibility and specificity of their detection performance. The design and preparation of sensing surfaces are suspected to be a cause of these limitations. Here, we first present an updated overview of the current state of use of capacitive biosensors in a medical context. Then, we summarize the encountered strategies for the fabrication of capacitive biosensing surfaces. Finally, we describe the characteristics which govern the performance of the sensing surfaces, along with recent developments that were suggested to overcome their main current limitations.
Fabrication of Printable Colorimetric Food Sensor Based on Hydrogel for Low-Concentration Detection of Ammonia
Authors: Ham Mirim , Kim Soohyun , Lee Wonmok , Lee Hyunjung
Published: December 2022

With the increasing market share of ready-to-cook foods, accurate determination of the food freshness and thus food safety has emerged as a concern. To commercialize and popularize food sensing technologies, food sensors with diverse functionalities, low cost, and facile use must be developed. This paper proposes printable sensors based on a hydrogel-containing pH indicator to detect ammonia gas. The sensors were composed of biocompatible polymers such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride (MAETC). The p(HEMA-MAETC) hydrogel sensor with bromothymol blue (BTB) demonstrated visible color change as a function of ammonia concentration during food spoilage. Furthermore, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) was added to improve transport speed of ammonium ions as the matrix in the sensors and optimized the viscosity to enable successful printing. The color changed within 3 min at ammonia concentration of 300 ppb and 1 ppm, respectively. The sensor exhibited reproducibility over 10 cycles and selective exposure to various gases generated during the food spoilage process. In an experiment involving pork spoilage, the color change was significant before and after exposure to ammonia gas within 8 h in ambient conditions. The proposed sensor can be integrated in bar codes and QR codes that are easily mass produced.
Tuning Plasmonic Properties of Gold Nanoparticles by Employing Nanoscale DNA Hydrogel Scaffolds
Authors: Quazi Mohzibudin Z. , Kim Taeyoung , Yang Jinhwan , Park Nokyoung
Published: December 2022

Noble metals have always fascinated researchers due to their feasible and facile approach to plasmonics. Especially the extensive utilization of gold (Au) has been found in biomedical engineering, microelectronics, and catalysis. Surface plasmonic resonance (SPR) sensors are achievable by employing plasmonic nanoparticles. The past decades have seen colossal advancement in noble metal nanoparticle research. Surface plasmonic biosensors are advanced in terms of sensing accuracy and detection limit. Likewise, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been widely used to develop distinct biosensors for molecular diagnosis. DNA nanotechnology facilitates advanced nanostructure having unique properties that contribute vastly to clinical therapeutics. The critical element for absolute control of materials at the nanoscale is the engineering of optical and plasmonic characteristics of the polymeric and metallic nanostructure. Correspondingly, AuNP’s vivid intense color expressions are dependent on their size, shape, and compositions, which implies their strong influence on tuning the plasmonic properties. These plasmonic properties of AuNPs have vastly exerted the biosensing and molecular diagnosis applications without any hazardous effects. Here, we have designed nanoscale X-DNA-based Dgel scaffolds utilized for tuning the plasmonic properties of AuNPs. The DNA nanohydrogel (Dgel) scaffolds engineered with three different X-DNAs of distinct numbers of base pairs were applied. We have designed X-DNA base pair-controlled size-varied Dgel scaffolds and molar ratio-based nano assemblies to tune the plasmonic properties of AuNPs. The nanoscale DNA hydrogel’s negatively charged scaffold facilitates quaternary ammonium ligand-modified positively charged AuNPs to flocculate around due to electrostatic charge attractions. Overall, our study demonstrates that by altering the DNA hydrogel scaffolds and the physical properties of the nanoscale hydrogel matrix, the SPR properties can be modulated. This approach could potentially benefit in monitoring diverse therapeutic biomolecules.
Design and Detection of Cyanide Raman Tag pH-Responsive SERS Probes
Authors: Shen Jingjing , Liu Guan , Zhang Wen , Shi Wenwen , Zhou Yang , Yu Zejie , Mei Qunbo , Zhang Lei , Huang Wei
Published: December 2022

As one of the most important parameters of biochemical analysis and detection, the pH value plays a very important role in cell function, food preservation and production, soil and water sources, and other applications. This makes it increasingly important to explore pH detection methods in depth. In this paper, a pH-responsive SERS probe based on the cyano Raman Tag was designed to realize pH sensing detection through the influence of the pH value of analytes on the displacement of the cyano Raman peak in the SERS probe. This cyano Raman tag exhibited not only excellent sensitivity in the liner range of pH 3.0–9.0 with a limit of detection (LOD) of pH 0.33, but also the anti-interference performance and stability (the relative standard deviation (RSD) was calculated to be 6.68%, n = 5). These results indicated that this pH SERS probe with the Raman cyano tag can provide new research ideas for future biological detection, bioimaging, and environmental detection.
A 3D Capillary-Driven Multi-Micropore Membrane-Based Trigger Valve for Multi-Step Biochemical Reaction
Authors: Zhang Yijun , Li Yuang , Luan Xiaofeng , Li Xin , Jiang Jiahong , Fan Yuanyuan , Li Mingxiao , Huang Chengjun , Zhang Lingqian , Zhao Yang
Published: December 2022

Point-of-care testing (POCT) techniques based on microfluidic devices enabled rapid and accurate tests on-site, playing an increasingly important role in public health. As the critical component of capillary-driven microfluidic devices for POCT use, the capillary microfluidic valve could schedule multi-step biochemical operations, potentially being used for broader complex POCT tasks. However, owing to the reciprocal relationship between the capillary force and aperture in single-pore microchannels, it was challenging to achieve a high gating threshold and high operable liquid volume simultaneously with existing 2D capillary trigger valves. This paper proposed a 3D capillary-driven multi-microporous membrane-based trigger valve to address the issue. Taking advantage of the high gating threshold determined by micropores and the self-driven capillary channel, a 3D trigger valve composed of a microporous membrane for valving and a wedge-shaped capillary channel for flow pumping was implemented. Utilizing the capillary pinning effect of the multi-micropore membrane, the liquid above the membrane could be triggered by putting the drainage agent into the wedge-shaped capillary channel to wet the underside of the membrane, and it could also be cut off by taking away the agent. After theoretical analysis and performance characterizations, the 3D trigger valve performed a high gating threshold (above 1000 Pa) and high trigger efficiency with an operable liquid volume above 150 μL and a trigger-to-drain time below 6 s. Furthermore, the retention and trigger states of the valve could be switched for repeatable triggering for three cycles within 5 min. Finally, the microbead-based immunoreaction and live cell staining applications verified the valve’s ability to perform multi-step operations. The above results showed that the proposed 3D trigger valve could be expected to play a part in wide-ranging POCT application scenarios.
Contingency Management for Treatment of Cannabis Use Disorder in Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders: A Systematic Review
Authors: Rodas Justyne D. , Sorkhou Maryam , George Tony P.
Published: December 2022

Amongst individuals with a mental health disorder, a comorbid diagnosis of cannabis use disorder (CUD) is associated with numerous adverse consequences, including more severe symptom profiles, poorer treatment response, and reduced psychosocial functioning. Contingency management (CM), a method to specifically reinforce target behavior attainment (e.g., substance use abstinence), may provide an effective intervention in treating cannabis use in patients with a dual diagnosis of CUD and a mental health disorder. A systematic search examining the effects of CM on cannabis use, clinical, cognitive, and psychosocial outcomes in patients with a mental health disorder on PubMed, PsycINFO, and EMBASE databases up to November 2022 was performed. Six studies met inclusion criteria for our review. We found CM to be efficacious in producing cannabis use reductions and abstinence amongst individuals with a psychotic-spectrum or major depressive disorder. Additional longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes, other psychiatric populations, and longer follow-up periods are needed to evaluate the sustained effects of CM.
In Silico Structural Analysis Predicting the Pathogenicity of PLP1 Mutations in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Avramouli Antigoni , Krokidis Marios G. , Exarchos Themis P. , Vlamos Panagiotis
Published: December 2022

The X chromosome gene PLP1 encodes myelin proteolipid protein (PLP), the most prevalent protein in the myelin sheath surrounding the central nervous system. X-linked dysmyelinating disorders such as Pelizaeus–Merzbacher disease (PMD) or spastic paraplegia type 2 (SPG2) are typically caused by point mutations in PLP1. Nevertheless, numerous case reports have shown individuals with PLP1 missense point mutations which also presented clinical symptoms and indications that were consistent with the diagnostic criteria of multiple sclerosis (MS), a disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord with no current cure. Computational structural biology methods were used to assess the impact of these mutations on the stability and flexibility of PLP structure in order to determine the role of PLP1 mutations in MS pathogenicity. The analysis showed that most of the variants can alter the functionality of the protein structure such as R137W variants which results in loss of helix and H140Y which alters the ordered protein interface. In silico genomic methods were also performed to predict the significance of these mutations associated with impairments in protein functionality and could suggest a better definition for therapeutic strategies and clinical application in MS patients.
Lactate-Mediated Signaling in the Brain—An Update
Authors: Vaccari-Cardoso Barbara , Antipina Maria , Teschemacher Anja G. , Kasparov Sergey
Published: December 2022

Lactate is a universal metabolite produced and released by all cells in the body. Traditionally it was viewed as energy currency that is generated from pyruvate at the end of the glycolytic pathway and sent into the extracellular space for other cells to take up and consume. In the brain, such a mechanism was postulated to operate between astrocytes and neurons many years ago. Later, the discovery of lactate receptors opened yet another chapter in the quest to understand lactate actions. Other ideas, such as modulation of NMDA receptors were also proposed. Up to this day, we still do not have a consensus view on the relevance of any of these mechanisms to brain functions or their contribution to human or animal physiology. While the field develops new ideas, in this brief review we analyze some recently published studies in order to focus on some unresolved controversies and highlight the limitations that need to be addressed in future work. Clearly, only by using similar and overlapping methods, cross-referencing experiments, and perhaps collaborative efforts, we can finally understand what the role of lactate in the brain is and why this ubiquitous molecule is so important.
Medical School Students’ Preferences for and Perceptions of Teacher Written Corrective Feedback on English as a Second Language Academic Writing: An Intrinsic Case Study
Authors: Reynolds Barry Lee , Zhang Xiaofang
Published: December 2022

This intrinsic case study investigated English as a foreign language (EFL) medical students’ preferences for and perceptions of teacher written corrective feedback (WCF) on their academic writing. Chinese-speaking second-year first-semester undergraduate medicine majors (n = 71) enrolled in an academic EFL “reading to write” course at a university in northern Taiwan were recruited as participants. Qualitative content analysis, as well as some descriptive statistics, was used to investigate data gathered from participants’ responses to an open- and closed-ended questionnaire. The questionnaire enquired about their preferences for and perceptions of teacher WCF relating to writing structure, writing content, and writing mechanics. Qualitative content analysis of two in-depth semi-structured interviews with the English teacher uncovered why the participants preferred certain WCF types and perceived them as helpful. Questionnaire data revealed that students showed a preference for WCF relating to writing structure over content and mechanics, and direct feedback over indirect feedback for both writing content and structure. Compared to writing structure and writing content, the examples given by students of the most (n = 25) and least helpful (n = 14) feedback were predominantly related to writing mechanics. The interview transcript data underscored the influencing factors of EFL medical students’ preferences and the perceived benefits and challenges related to feedback. These findings suggest that writing teachers should consider the specialized preferences of particular learner groups (e.g., EFL medical school students) prior to administering feedback.
“Don’t Stop the Music,” Please: The Relationship between Music Use at Work, Satisfaction, and Performance
Authors: Sanseverino Domenico , Caputo Andrea , Cortese Claudio Giovanni , Ghislieri Chiara
Published: December 2022

Although there are several studies in the literature that have examined how different types of music affect performance or other organisational outcomes, knowledge about how music affects individuals in the workplace is still limited, especially in terms of perceived music use. This study aims to examine the effects of three different uses of music—namely, emotional, cognitive, and background music—on individual perceptions of job satisfaction and performance. A sample of 244 workers from different backgrounds was included in the study. We tested a full structural equation model. The results show that (1) emotional use has a positive relationship to performance, both directly and indirectly through mediating job satisfaction; (2) cognitive use has no significant effect on satisfaction and performance (even indirectly); and (3) background use has a negative relationship to job satisfaction and no relationship to performance. This work suggests that listening to music during work activities could be a positive organisational practice. Future studies could further investigate the role of music listening as a resource, taking into account other personal and contextual characteristics.
Information Literacy as a Predictor of Work Performance: The Mediating Role of Lifelong Learning and Creativity
Authors: Naveed Muhammad Asif , Iqbal Javed , Asghar Muhammad Zaheer , Shaukat Rozeen , Seitamaa-hakkarainen Pirita
Published: December 2022

This study examined the effect of information literacy (IL) on work performance with mediating role of lifelong learning and creativity among journalists in Pakistan. A cross-sectional survey using an online questionnaire was conducted in the press clubs of four provinces (e.g., Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Baluchistan) and the federal capital Islamabad for data collection. The received 1084 responses were analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modelling. The results indicated that IL of journalists had a direct and indirect but positive influence on their work performance. The lifelong learning and creativity skills also mediated the relationship between IL and work performance. This study provided empirical evidence for how IL directly influence work performance and indirectly with the mediated role of lifelong learning and creativity. These pragmatic insights may inform academicians and enterprises about the IL importance at workplace for enhancement of organizational performance and achieving a competitive advantage. Such results may also initiate an instruction program for existing as well as for prospective journalists to impart IL education. This study could be a worthy contribution to the existing IL research in the workplace context in general and of journalists’ workplace in particular as no such study has appeared so far.
Identifying and Prioritizing the Challenges and Obstacles of the Green Supply Chain Management in the Construction Industry Using the Fuzzy BWM Method
Authors: Banihashemi Sayyid Ali , Khalilzadeh Mohammad , Antucheviciene Jurgita , Edalatpanah Seyyed Ahmad
Published: December 2022

The construction supply chain network has been facing challenges in relation to reducing cost and delivery time, increasing the quality of the built assets, and reducing environmental pollution. These issues have caused contractors and project managers in this industry to note the concept of green construction supply chain management (GCSCM). This study examined the most important challenges and barriers to the implementation of GSCM in the construction industry. In this paper, the components and sub-components of GCSCM were identified using the literature review and opinions of the experts according to the supply chain management. The opinions of construction experts and project managers were collected through focus group meetings. The components were categorized into five main and supporting groups, with “Green Design”, “Green Procurement”, and “Green Production” as the main components and “Green Management” and “Green Information” as the supporting components. Subsequently, the sub-components, in regard to each component, were distinguished. Finally, the fuzzy best–worst method (BWM) was utilized to determine the importance weights of the identified components and sub-components through the opinions of five experts with practical relevant experience. The findings of the fuzzy BWM method show that “Green Design” is the most important component, followed by “Green Management” and “Green Implementation”. Additionally, “Lack of designers, contractors and planners” was ranked the first among the identified sub-components. This paper can assist construction managers, contractors, and policymakers with finding and overcoming the barriers and obstacles of implementing GCSCM.
Engaging Engineering Students with the Stakeholders for Infrastructure Planning
Authors: Morshedi Mohamadali , Yoon Soojin , Bhattacharyya Arkaprabha , Jung Jinha , Hastak Makarand
Published: December 2022

Construction projects should be planned and executed in a way that minimizes the inconvenience to the local community. For that, it is crucial to incorporate public opinion by engaging them in the decision-making process. However, the public is generally involved indirectly in the planning of infrastructure projects through information-sharing reports and meetings, which have not shown to be very effective. This paper presents the findings of a case study as a hands-on experience for graduate engineering students toward engaging the public in the feasibility assessment of a real-world rehabilitation project. The case study involves the application of a simple additive weighting (SAW) multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach to the assessment of various dimensions of the proposed rehabilitation alternatives. As a part of the MCDM framework, public opinion is sought to determine the relative importance of various criteria in making the final decision. The steps and processes of the case study are summarized and proposed in the form of a framework for engaging both students and the community members in the planning of construction projects. The case study and the framework serve as a structured introductory exercise for raising awareness in the students about the impact of public opinion on the planning of construction projects, and the existence of methods that can help them articulate participatory processes. This structured exercise is replicable for future researchers. It is expected that the application of the approach pursued in this study will help promote a culture of accommodating public engagement among engineering students as future engineers in the long term.
Definition of Building Archetypes Based on the Swiss Energy Performance Certificates Database
Authors: Pongelli Alessandro , Priore Yasmine Dominique , Bacher Jean-Philippe , Jusselme Thomas
Published: December 2022

The building stock is responsible for 24% of carbon emissions in Switzerland and 44% of the final energy use. Considering that most of the existing stock will still be in place in 2050, it becomes essential to better understand this source of emissions. Although the Swiss Cantonal Energy Certificate for Buildings (CECB) database has been used in previous research, no comprehensive characterization of the buildings can be found. This data paper presents an analysis and classification of the Swiss building stock based on the data found in the database. The objective is to create a knowledge foundation that can be used in future research on the performance of existing buildings. Using a sample of almost 50,000 buildings and a Python script, datasheets were created for single-family houses and multi-family houses for nine construction periods. These archetypes are described through selected available energy-related parameters, such as energy reference area, U-values, and energy source with indicators such as median, 25th percentile, and 75th percentile or distributions. The resulting data can be used for different purposes: (1) to calibrate energy models; (2) for analysis that requires scaling-up strategies to the whole stock; and (3) to identify weak and/or relevant classes of buildings throughout the stock.