bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dendritic Cells or Macrophages? The Microenvironment of Human Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Imprints a Mosaic Myeloid Subtype Associated with Patient Survival
Authors: Brech Dorothee , Herbstritt Anna S. , Diederich Sarah , Straub Tobias , Kokolakis Evangelos , Irmler Martin , Beckers Johannes , Büttner Florian A. , Schaeffeler Elke , Winter Stefan , Schwab Matthias , Nelson Peter J. , Noessner Elfriede
Published: October 2022

Since their initial description by Elie Metchnikoff, phagocytes have sparked interest in a variety of biologic disciplines. These important cells perform central functions in tissue repair and immune activation as well as tolerance. Myeloid cells can be immunoinhibitory, particularly in the tumor microenvironment, where their presence is generally associated with poor patient prognosis. These cells are highly adaptable and plastic, and can be modulated to perform desired functions such as antitumor activity, if key programming molecules can be identified. Human clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is considered immunogenic; yet checkpoint blockades that target T cell dysfunction have shown limited clinical efficacy, suggesting additional layers of immunoinhibition. We previously described “enriched-in-renal cell carcinoma” (erc) DCs that were often found in tight contact with dysfunctional T cells. Using transcriptional profiling and flow cytometry, we describe here that ercDCs represent a mosaic cell type within the macrophage continuum co-expressing M1 and M2 markers. The polarization state reflects tissue-specific signals that are characteristic of RCC and renal tissue homeostasis. ErcDCs are tissue-resident with increasing prevalence related to tumor grade. Accordingly, a high ercDC score predicted poor patient survival. Within the profile, therapeutic targets (VSIG4, NRP1, GPNMB) were identified with promise to improve immunotherapy.
Mapping the Universe of Eph Receptor and Ephrin Ligand Transcripts in Epithelial and Fiber Cells of the Eye Lens
Authors: Vu Michael P. , Cheng Catherine
Published: October 2022

The eye lens is a transparent, ellipsoid organ in the anterior chamber of the eye that is required for fine focusing of light onto the retina to transmit a clear image. Cataracts, defined as any opacity in the lens, remains the leading cause of blindness in the world. Recent studies in humans and mice indicate that Eph–ephrin bidirectional signaling is important for maintaining lens transparency. Specifically, mutations and polymorphisms in the EphA2 receptor and the ephrin-A5 ligand have been linked to congenital and age-related cataracts. It is unclear what other variants of Ephs and ephrins are expressed in the lens or whether there is preferential expression in epithelial vs. fiber cells. We performed a detailed analysis of Eph receptor and ephrin ligand mRNA transcripts in whole mouse lenses, epithelial cell fractions, and fiber cell fractions using a new RNA isolation method. We compared control samples with EphA2 knockout (KO) and ephrin-A5 KO samples. Our results revealed the presence of transcripts for 12 out of 14 Eph receptors and 8 out of 8 ephrin ligands in various fractions of lens cells. Using specific primer sets, RT-PCR, and sequencing, we verified the variant of each gene that is expressed, and we found two epithelial-cell-specific genes. Surprisingly, we also identified one Eph receptor variant that is expressed in KO lens fibers but is absent from control lens fibers. We also identified one low expression ephrin variant that is only expressed in ephrin-A5 control samples. These results indicate that the lens expresses almost all Ephs and ephrins, and there may be many receptor–ligand pairs that play a role in lens homeostasis.
New Approach Methods for Hazard Identification: A Case Study with Azole Fungicides Affecting Molecular Targets Associated with the Adverse Outcome Pathway for Cholestasis
Authors: Knebel Constanze , Süssmuth Roderich D. , Hammer Helen S. , Braeuning Albert , Marx-Stoelting Philip
Published: October 2022

Triazole fungicides such as propiconazole (Pi) or tebuconazole (Te) show hepatotoxicity in vivo, e.g., hypertrophy and vacuolization of liver cells following interaction with nuclear receptors such as PXR (pregnane-X-receptor) and CAR (constitutive androstane receptor). Accordingly, azoles affect gene expression associated with these adverse outcomes in vivo but also in human liver cells in vitro. Additionally, genes indicative of liver cholestasis are affected in vivo and in vitro. We therefore analyzed the capability of Pi and Te to cause cholestasis in an adverse outcome pathway (AOP)-driven approach in hepatic cells of human origin in vitro, considering also previous in vivo studies. Bile salt export pump (BSEP) activity assays confirmed that both azoles are weak inhibitors of BSEP. They alternate the expression of various cholestasis-associated target genes and proteins as well as the mitochondrial membrane function. Published in vivo data, however, demonstrate that neither Pi nor Te cause cholestasis in rodent bioassays. This discrepancy can be explained by the in vivo concentrations of both azoles being well below their EC50 for BSEP inhibition. From a regulatory perspective, this illustrates that toxicogenomics and human in vitro models are valuable tools to detect the potential of a substance to cause a specific type of toxicity. To come to a sound regulatory conclusion on the in vivo relevance of such a finding, results will have to be considered in a broader context also including toxicokinetics in a weight-of-evidence approach.
A Human Stem Cell-Derived Brain-Liver Chip for Assessing Blood-Brain-Barrier Permeation of Pharmaceutical Drugs
Authors: Koenig Leopold , Ramme Anja Patricia , Faust Daniel , Mayer Manuela , Flötke Tobias , Gerhartl Anna , Brachner Andreas , Neuhaus Winfried , Appelt-Menzel Antje , Metzger Marco , Marx Uwe , Dehne Eva-Maria
Published: October 2022

Significant advancements in the field of preclinical in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) models have been achieved in recent years, by developing monolayer-based culture systems towards complex multi-cellular assays. The coupling of those models with other relevant organoid systems to integrate the investigation of blood-brain barrier permeation in the larger picture of drug distribution and metabolization is still missing. Here, we report for the first time the combination of a human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived blood-brain barrier model with a cortical brain and a liver spheroid model from the same donor in a closed microfluidic system (MPS). The two model compounds atenolol and propranolol were used to measure permeation at the blood–brain barrier and to assess metabolization. Both substances showed an in vivo-like permeation behavior and were metabolized in vitro. Therefore, the novel multi-organ system enabled not only the measurement of parent compound concentrations but also of metabolite distribution at the blood-brain barrier.
Modulation of Neutrophil Activity by Soluble Complement Cleavage Products—An In-Depth Analysis
Authors: Wohlgemuth Lisa , Stratmann Alexander Elias Paul , Münnich Frederik , Bernhard Stefan , Thomaß Bertram Dietrich , Münnich Finn , Mohamed Adam Omar Khalaf , Mannes Marco , Schmidt Christoph Quirin , Nilsson Ekdahl Kristina , Nilsson Bo , Fauler Michael , Föhr Karl Josef , Huber-Lang Markus , Messerer David Alexander Christian
Published: October 2022

The cellular and fluid phase-innate immune responses of many diseases predominantly involve activated neutrophil granulocytes and complement factors. However, a comparative systematic analysis of the early impact of key soluble complement cleavage products, including anaphylatoxins, on neutrophil granulocyte function is lacking. Neutrophil activity was monitored by flow cytometry regarding cellular (electro-)physiology, cellular activity, and changes in the surface expression of activation markers. The study revealed no major effects induced by C3a or C4a on neutrophil functions. By contrast, exposure to C5a or C5a des-Arg stimulated neutrophil activity as reflected in changes in membrane potential, intracellular pH, glucose uptake, and cellular size. Similarly, C5a and C5a des-Arg but no other monitored complement cleavage product enhanced phagocytosis and reactive oxygen species generation. C5a and C5a des-Arg also altered the neutrophil surface expression of several complement receptors and neutrophil activation markers, including C5aR1, CD62L, CD10, and CD11b, among others. In addition, a detailed characterization of the C5a-induced effects was performed with a time resolution of seconds. The multiparametric response of neutrophils was further analyzed by a principal component analysis, revealing CD11b, CD10, and CD16 to be key surrogates of the C5a-induced effects. Overall, we provide a comprehensive insight into the very early interactions of neutrophil granulocytes with activated complement split products and the resulting neutrophil activity. The results provide a basis for a better and, importantly, time-resolved and multiparametric understanding of neutrophil-related (patho-)physiologies.
Targeting Natural Plant Metabolites for Hunting SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 Variant Inhibitors: Extraction, Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamics, and Physicochemical Properties Study
Authors: Hassan Heba Ali , Hassan Ahmed R. , Mohamed Eslam A. R. , Al-Khdhairawi Ahmad , Taha Hala E. , El-Tantawy Hanan M. , Abdel-Rahman Iman A. M. , Raslan Ali E. , Allemailem Khaled S. , Almatroudi Ahmad , Alrumaihi Faris , Alshiekheid Maha A. , Rehman Hafiz Muzzammel , Abdelhamid Mahmoud M. , Abdel-Rahman Islam M. , Allam Ahmed E.
Published: October 2022

(1) Background: SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 is the most common variation found in most countries and is responsible for 99% of cases in the United States. To overcome this challenge, there is an urgent need to discover effective inhibitors to prevent the emerging BA.1 variant. Natural products, particularly flavonoids, have had widespread success in reducing COVID-19 prevalence. (2) Methods: In the ongoing study, fifteen compounds were annotated from Echium angustifolium and peach (Prunus persica), which were computationally analyzed using various in silico techniques. Molecular docking calculations were performed for the identified phytochemicals to investigate their efficacy. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations over 200 ns followed by molecular mechanics Poisson–Boltzmann surface area calculations (MM/PBSA) were performed to estimate the binding energy. Bioactivity was also calculated for the best components in terms of drug likeness and drug score. (3) Results: The data obtained from the molecular docking study demonstrated that five compounds exhibited remarkable potency, with docking scores greater than −9.0 kcal/mol. Among them, compounds 1, 2 and 4 showed higher stability within the active site of Omicron BA.1, with ΔGbinding values of −49.02, −48.07, and −67.47 KJ/mol, respectively. These findings imply that the discovered phytoconstituents are promising in the search for anti-Omicron BA.1 drugs and should be investigated in future in vitro and in vivo research.
Thermal- and MnO2-Activated Peroxydisulfate for Diuron Removal from Water
Authors: Fenti Angelo , Minò Antonio , Salvestrini Stefano
Published: October 2022

In this work, a peroxydisulfate (PDS)-based advanced oxidation process was used for removing diuron from water. The effect of heat and MnO2 as PDS activators was explored. It was found that diuron degradation obeyed zero-order kinetics in the presence of heat-activated PDS. The relative contribution of MnO2 to the diuron degradation decreased with the increasing temperature. At the highest temperature investigated, T = 55 °C, complete diuron removal was achieved in less than 75 min. A kinetic model for describing the rate of diuron degradation was proposed and successfully applied to the experimental data.
Effect of Ascorbic Acid Combined with Modified Atmosphere Packaging for Browning of Fresh-Cut Eggplant
Authors: Sarengaowa  , Wang Liying , Liu Yumeng , Yang Chunmiao , Feng Ke , Hu Wenzhong
Published: October 2022

The growing demand for fresh-cut products has led to an increasing interest in the study of enhancing the quality of ready-to-eat products. Eggplants are consumed as fresh-cut vegetables, which represent an increasing consumption rate. To extend the shelf life of the product, combination treatments have been proposed to inhibit the browning index (BI). Moreover, the storage temperature (4, 16, 25 °C), the concentration of ascorbic acid (AA) (1, 2, 3, and 4 g/L), and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) (MAP-1, O2: 80 Kpa + CO2: 0 Kpa; MAP-2, O2: 5 Kpa + CO2: 15 Kpa; MAP-3, O2: 10 Kpa + CO2: 10 Kpa; MAP-4, O2: 15 Kpa + CO2: 5 Kpa; MAP-5, O2: 0 Kpa + CO2: 80 Kpa) are screened through the BI of fresh-cut eggplant. Then, the effect of AA combined with MAP on the BI, phenolic content, and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) of fresh-cut eggplants is investigated over four days. In particular, two different areas of fresh-cut eggplant with seed and without seed were chosen to measure the BI. The result shows that the proper temperature (16 °C) maintains the BI of fresh-cut eggplant with seed during two days through screening. The screening of AA demonstrates that AA of 2 g/L is the better concentration to protect the color of fresh-cut eggplant with seed and without seed. AA of 2 g/L shows lower BI for fresh-cut eggplant with seed and without seed in MAP-2, MAP-3, MAP-4. The combination of AA (2 g/L) and MAP-2 significantly inhibited the browning of fresh-cut eggplants with seed. The application of AA (2 g/L) combined with MAP-2 inhibits the PPO and total phenol content activity over two and three days. Taken together, using AA combined with MAP may constitute a potential approach for maintaining the quality and inhibiting the browning of fresh-cut eggplants.
Downstream Electric Field Effects during Film Deposition with a Radio Frequency Plasma and Observations of Carbon Reduction
Authors: Butcher Kenneth Scott Alexander , Georgiev Vasil , Georgieva Dimka , Gergova Rositsa , Terziyska Penka , Binsted Peter W.
Published: October 2022

Strong electric fields are generated by radio frequency (RF) plasma sources, and though the RF portion is too high a frequency for ions to react, the direct current (DC) portion of these fields has been shown to cause the atomic migration of metals, which can influence film morphology even downstream of the plasma where ionized plasma species are absent. In particular, we have observed the growth of nanopillars due to metal atoms migrating toward the positive field of the remote plasma. A biased grid placed between the plasma and the substrate can shield the substrate from these fields so that, when grounded, smooth films can be grown to a root mean square roughness of less than 1 nm. Positively biasing the grid returns the growth of nanocolumns. Interestingly, negatively biasing the grid significantly reduced the carbon and hydrocarbon content of gallium nitride films grown at a low temperature (~660 °C) using a nitrogen plasma, as observed using secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) and optical absorption measurements. The films also showed a notable improvement in conductivity and visible appearance.
Cyclic Performance of Prefabricated Shear Wall Connected to Columns by Rectangular Concrete-Filled Steel Tube Keys
Authors: Zhou Zhijun , Li Ming , Wu Qian , Yuan Shuang , Zhang Li
Published: October 2022

A prefabricated frame–shear wall structure is a major structure in an assembled building. To find a method of connecting a shear wall and columns that can both reduce the amount of wet work required and maintain adequate stiffness, we propose connecting the shear wall to the vertical frame using rectangular concrete-filled steel tube keys (RCFSTKs). Static tests of a cast-in-place frame–shear wall structure without keys and a prefabricated structure with RCFSTKs were conducted to compare their seismic performance. The feasibility of the new method was analyzed. Finite element models were then set up to determine if plain concrete blocks between RCFSTKs could be removed and to identify the influence of different parameters on the cyclic performance of the assembled structure. The results show that the use of RCFSTK is practical. Compared with a dimensionally similar cast-in-place shear wall–column construction, a prefabricated shear wall connected to columns by RCFSTKs has a fuller hysteresis curve, better ductility, slightly higher energy dissipation, and slightly slower degradation of stiffness and bearing capacity. The removal of inter-key concrete blocks significantly reduces bearing capacity and initial stiffness. The cyclic performance of the assembled structure is primarily influenced by the number of RCFSTKs, the thickness of the steel tube key wall, and the axial compression ratio, with less effect from key unit height, steel strength, and concrete grade in RCFSTKs.
The Effect of Chemically Modified Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes on the Electro-Optical Properties of a Twisted Nematic Liquid Crystal Display Mode
Authors: Ma Zheng , Gao Yanzi , Cao Hui
Published: October 2022

In this study, we have chemically modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) with different side chains for better dispersion in liquid crystal solutions, and fabricated twisted nematic liquid crystal cells doped with such MWNT derivatives. The introduction of MWNT derivatives affects the alignment of LC molecules with or without external electric fields. Electro-optical property tests showed that the contrast ratio changed slightly with the sharp decrease in drive voltage, improving the drive ability of the twisted nematic liquid crystal display (TN-LCD) mode.
Pityriasis Lichenoides Chronica-like CD8-Positive Mycosis Fungoides
Authors: Gambichler Thilo , Heinzer Ekaterina , Hendricks Carlo , Duschner Nicole , Boms Stefanie
Published: October 2022

Dear Editors: Pityriasis lichenoides-like mycosis fungoides (MF) is a rare variant of MF, presenting clinical findings of pityriasis lichenoides (PL) but histological features of MF [...]
Probabilistic Approach to COVID-19 Data Analysis and Forecasting Future Outbreaks Using a Multi-Layer Perceptron Neural Network
Authors: Khan Riaz Ullah , Almakdi Sultan , Alshehri Mohammed , Kumar Rajesh , Ali Ikram , Hussain Sardar Muhammad , Haq Amin Ul , Khan Inayat , Ullah Aman , Uddin Muhammad Irfan
Published: October 2022

The present outbreak of COVID-19 is a worldwide calamity for healthcare infrastructures. On a daily basis, a fresh batch of perplexing datasets on the numbers of positive and negative cases, individuals admitted to hospitals, mortality, hospital beds occupied, ventilation shortages, and so on is published. Infections have risen sharply in recent weeks, corresponding with the discovery of a new variant from South Africa (B.1.1.529 also known as Omicron). The early detection of dangerous situations and forecasting techniques is important to prevent the spread of disease and restart economic activities quickly and safely. In this paper, we used weekly mobility data to analyze the current situation in countries worldwide. A methodology for the statistical analysis of the current situation as well as for forecasting future outbreaks is presented in this paper in terms of deaths caused by COVID-19. Our method is evaluated with a multi-layer perceptron neural network (MLPNN), which is a deep learning model, to develop a predictive framework. Furthermore, the Case Fatality Ratio (CFR), Cronbach’s alpha, and other metrics were computed to analyze the performance of the forecasting. The MLPNN is shown to have the best outcomes in forecasting the statistics for infected patients and deaths in selected regions. This research also provides an in-depth analysis of the emerging COVID-19 variants, challenges, and issues that must be addressed in order to prevent future outbreaks.
Factors Influencing the Prognosis of Patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Authors: Ghali Alaa , Lacout Carole , Fortrat Jacques-Olivier , Depres Karine , Ghali Maria , Lavigne Christian
Published: October 2022

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a long-term debilitating multisystem condition with poor prognosis. Studies that examined predictors of ME/CFS outcomes yielded contradictory results. We aimed to explore epidemiological and clinical prognostic factors of ME/CFS using operationalized criteria for recovery/improvement. Adult ME/CFS patients who attended the Internal Medicine Department of Angers University Hospital, Angers, France between October 2011 and December 2019, and were followed up until December 2020, were included retrospectively. Their medical records were reviewed for data collection. Patients were classified into two groups according to the presence or absence of recovery/improvement (R/I) and compared for epidemiological characteristics, fatigue features, post-exertional malaise severity, clinical manifestations, and comorbidities. The subgroups of recovered and significantly improved patients were then compared. 168 patients were included. Recovery and improvement rates were 8.3% and 4.8%, respectively. Older age at disease onset was associated with R/I (OR 1.06 [95% CI 1.007–1.110] (p = 0.028)), while diagnostic delay was inversely associated with R/I (OR 0.98 [95% CI 0.964–0.996] (p = 0.036)). The study findings confirmed the poor prognosis of ME/CFS and the deleterious effect of diagnostic delay on disease progression. Interestingly, being older at disease onset was associated with better outcomes, which offers hope to patients for recovery/improvement even at an advanced age.
Calculus as a Risk Factor for Periodontal Disease: Narrative Review on Treatment Indications When the Response to Scaling and Root Planing Is Inadequate
Authors: Harrel Stephen K. , Cobb Charles M. , Sheldon Lee N. , Rethman Michael P. , Sottosanti John S.
Published: October 2022

Background: Based on the 2018 classification of periodontal disease, a series of articles have been published describing the decision points of periodontal therapy and how the findings collected at those decision points can be used as guidelines for periodontal therapy. The articles are reviewed with a focus on the finding of inadequate calculus removal at the decision points and how that finding impacts treatment outcomes. Methods: A narrative review of the literature discussing the influence of calculus on inflammation was performed and the effects of inadequate removal of calculus during periodontal therapy were analyzed in light of the 2018 classification of periodontal disease, the decision points of periodontal therapy, and the guidelines of periodontal therapy. Results: The published literature supports that calculus is a major risk factor for periodontal inflammation. Recent studies indicate that the pathologic risk of calculus goes beyond the retention of biofilm and may represent a different pathophysiologic pathway for periodontal disease separate from the direct action of biofilm. The inadequate removal of calculus is a factor in the failure of periodontal therapy. Conclusions: The inadequate removal of calculus plays an important role in the frequent failure of non-surgical periodontal therapy to eliminate inflammation.
Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Method for Conceptually Designing of Electric Flying-Wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Authors: Espinosa Barcenas Oscar Ulises , Quijada Pioquinto Jose Gabriel , Kurkina Ekaterina , Lukyanov Oleg
Published: October 2022

Current unmanned aerial vehicles have been designed by applying the traditional approach to aircraft conceptual design which has drawbacks in terms of the individual analysis of each discipline involved in the conception of new aircraft, the reliance on the designer’s experience and intuition, and the inability of evaluating all possible design solutions. Multidisciplinary analysis and optimization focus on solving these problems, by synthesizing all the disciplines involved and accounting for their mutual interaction. This study presents a multidisciplinary analysis and optimization method for conceptually designing electrical flying-wing micro-unmanned aerial vehicles. The conceptual design task was formulated as a non-linear mathematical programming problem. The method considers the trimming of the UAV during each mission profile phase, consisting of the climb, cruise, and descent. We used two algorithms, one for design space exploration and another for optimization. Typical examples of solving conceptual design problems were considered in the work: the modernization of an existing UAV; the effect of the change of the payload and endurance change on the takeoff weight; and the influence of different static margins on aerodynamic characteristics. The advantages of using this design method are the remotion of additional internal cycles to solve the sizing equation at each optimization step, and the possibility of not only obtaining a unique optimal solution but also a vector of optimal solutions.
A Systematic Review of the Validity of Questionnaires in Second Language Research
Authors: Zhang Yifan , Aryadoust Vahid
Published: October 2022

Questionnaires have been widely used in second language (L2) research. To examine the accuracy and trustworthiness of research that uses questionnaires, it is necessary to examine the validity of questionnaires before drawing conclusions or conducting further analysis based on the data collected. To determine the validity of questionnaires that have been investigated in previous L2 research, we adopted the argument-based validation framework to conduct a systematic review. Due to the extensive nature of the extant questionnaire-based research, only the most recent literature, that is, research in 2020, was included in this review. A total of 118 questionnaire-based L2 studies published in 2020 were identified, coded, and analyzed. The findings showed that the validity of the questionnaires in the studies was not satisfactory. In terms of the validity inferences for the questionnaires, we found that (1) the evaluation inference was not supported by psychometric evidence in 41.52% of the studies; (2) the generalization inference was not supported by statistical evidence in 44.07% of the studies; and (3) the explanation inference was not supported by any evidence in 65.25% of the studies, indicating the need for more rigorous validation procedures for questionnaire development and use in future research. We provide suggestions for the validation of questionnaires.
Introduction to The Special Issue “Safety Training Effectiveness: A Research Agenda”
Authors: Ricci Federico , Bracco Fabrizio
Published: October 2022

This Special Issue, “Safety Training Effectiveness: A Research Agenda,” aims to address training as one of the many elements that play a role in determining so-called safety outcomes [...]
An Improved Combination Method of MoM and UTD for Calculating the Radiation Characteristics of Antenna Arrays Mounted around Electrically Large Platform
Authors: Wang Nan , Liu Junzhi , Zhang Qi , Zhang Yu
Published: October 2022

An improved method, namely, combined UTD with MoM, is studied to calculate the disturbed pattern of array antennas mounted around an electrically large platform. Each array unit is fed in turns in an MoM processor and then substituted into the UTD process to pursue the calculation of the disturbed pattern. When solving the current coefficient in MoM, the linear superposition principle is used to realize the separate feeding of each array unit. The proposed method can avoid unreliable UTD results when an equivalent phase center of the antenna is sheltered, and it can improve the RMS error from more than 15 dB to about 1 dB in the T-shaped example given. No large amount of computing resources are needed for the proposed method; the accuracy, efficiency and necessity are illustrated by examples given.
More than Meets One Core: An Energy-Aware Cost Optimization in Dynamic Multi-Core Processor Server Consolidation for Cloud Data Center
Authors: Li Huixi , Wen Langyi , Liu Yinghui , Shen Yongluo
Published: October 2022

The massive number of users has brought severe challenges in managing cloud data centers (CDCs) composed of multi-core processor that host cloud service providers. Guaranteeing the quality of service (QoS) of multiple users as well as reducing the operating costs of CDCs are major problems that need to be solved. To solve these problems, this paper establishes a cost model based on multi-core hosts in CDCs, which comprehensively consider the hosts’ energy costs, virtual machine (VM) migration costs, and service level agreement violation (SLAV) penalty costs. To optimize the goal, we design the following solution. We employ a DAE-based filter to preprocess the VM historical workload and use an SRU-based method to predict the computing resource usage of the VMs in future periods. Based on the predicted results, we trigger VM migrations before the hosts move into the overloaded state to reduce the occurrence of SLAV. A multi-core-aware heuristic algorithm is proposed to solve the placement problem. Simulations driven by the VM real workload dataset validate the effectiveness of our proposed method. Compared with the existing baseline methods, our proposed method reduces the total operating cost by 20.9~34.4%.
A Study on Selective Implementation Approaches for Soft Error Detection Using S-SWIFT-R
Authors: Nikseresht Mohaddaseh , Vankeirsbilck Jens , Boydens Jeroen
Published: October 2022

This article analyzes diverse criteria for effectively implementing selective hardening against soft errors through software-based strategies. The goal is to obtain maximum fault coverage with the least amount of overhead for each specific application. To achieve this objective, the analysis is conducted based on two important phases, pre-selection and selective hardening of registers. In the pre-selection phase, the impact of the two most used selection metrics has been examined: (1) selecting registers based on their memory interaction vs. (2) selecting registers depending on fault injection vulnerability. Toward the selective hardening phase, the impact of gradually increasing the number of registers to protect is examined. Experiments have been conducted on 8 academic case studies and 1 industrial case study. Faults have been injected into the case studies using our in-house fault injector. The results indicate that selecting registers based on the fault injected into the system has an overall 10% better performance in comparison to selecting registers based on the memory interaction in 6 out of 8 academic case studies and also the industrial case study. Additionally, there is a significant improvement in reliability when increasing the number of registers to protect at the expense of rising overhead. In this work, these comparisons and analyses are presented.
A Sparse Design for Aperture-Level Simultaneous Transmit and Receive Arrays
Authors: Hu Dujuan , Wei Xizhang , Xie Mingcong , Tang Yanqun
Published: October 2022

The aperture-level simultaneous transmit and receive (ALSTAR) system uses full digital architecture with an observation channel to achieve remarkably effective isotropic isolation (EII). However, the number of observation channels must be the same as the number of transmit channels, which increases the system’s complexity. To balance the system cost and performance of the ALSTAR, this paper proposes a joint design of sparse arrays and beamforming, which are achieved by a genetic algorithm and an alternating optimization algorithm, respectively. In the sparse design, we introduce beamforming technology to guarantee the EII while decreasing the corresponding elements of observation channel that contribute slightly to the EII. The simulation results are presented for a 32-element array that achieves 185.87 dB of the EII with 1000 W of transmit power. In the cases of sparsity rates at 0.875 and 0.75 (≥0.6), i.e., the number of observation channels decreases by 12.5% (2/16) and 25% (4/16), the reductions in EII do not exceed 1 dB and 3 dB, respectively. However, the EII decreases rapidly with a sparsity rate less than 0.25. Results demonstrate that our proposed joint design of sparse arrays and beamforming can reduce the system cost with little performance loss of EII.
SIFT-Flow-Based Virtual Sample Generation for Single-Sample Finger Vein Recognition
Authors: Zhou Lizhen , Yang Lu , Fu Deqian , Yang Gongping
Published: October 2022

Finger vein recognition is considered to be a very promising biometric identification technology due to its excellent recognition performance. However, in the real world, the finger vein recognition system inevitably suffers from the single-sample problem: that is, only one sample is registered per class. In this case, the performance of many classical finger vein recognition algorithms will decline or fail because they cannot learn enough intra-class variations. To solve this problem, in this paper, we propose a SIFT-flow-based virtual sample generation (SVSG) method. Specifically, first, on the generic set with multiple registered samples per class, the displacement matrix of each class is obtained using the scale-invariant feature transform flow (SIFT-flow) algorithm. Then, the key displacements of each displacement matrix are extracted to form a variation matrix. After removing noise displacements and redundant displacements, the final global variation matrix is obtained. On the single sample set, multiple virtual samples are generated for the single sample according to the global variation matrix. Experimental results on the public database show that this method can effectively improve the performance of single-sample finger vein recognition.
Tempo and Mode of Floristic Exchanges between Hainan Island and Mainland Asia: A Case Study of the Persea Group (Lauraceae)
Authors: Huo Xuejie , Yang Zhi , Xie Yinfeng , Yang Yong
Published: October 2022

The origin of island biodiversity has been a topic of interest in biogeography. Two main hypotheses were suggested to explain the floristic origin of Hainan Island: ancient vicariance vs. recent dispersal. The Persea group of Lauraceae was used to examine their origin on Hainan Island. A data matrix including five genera and 49 species was assembled, phylogenetic trees of the Persea group were reconstructed using both maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods, and a relaxed molecular clock in BEAST was used to estimate the divergence time of the Persea group. The results showed that the Persea group diverged from its sister clade in the Eocene, and that the endemic and common species of Hainan Island and mainland Asia originated relatively late during the Miocene–Pleistocene. Species of the Persea group on Hainan may have arrived from mainland Asia via dispersal or originated via dispersal–isolation–divergence during the Miocene and Pleistocene. The results favor the dispersal hypothesis for the origin of the flora of Hainan Island and negate the vicariance hypothesis.
The Application of Copper and Silver Nanoparticles in the Protection of Fagus sylvatica Wood against Decomposition by Fomes fomentarius
Authors: Piętka Jacek , Adamczuk Andrzej , Zarzycka Ewa , Tulik Mirela , Studnicki Marcin , Oszako Tomasz , Aleksandrowicz-Trzcińska Marta
Published: October 2022

Wood technology is constantly looking for environmentally friendly technological solutions. It seems that nanotechnology can provide green and environmentally friendly alternatives for wood protection. In this study, the antifungal activity of silver and copper nanoparticles against the white rot fungus Fomes fomentarius was investigated under in vitro conditions and with respect to the protection of Fagus sylvatica wood. In both experiments, 5, 25 and 50 ppm of nanoparticles were used. The results of the in vitro test showed selective antifungal activity of the nanoparticles. All concentrations of copper nanoparticles stimulated mycelial growth. The stimulation was inversely proportional to the concentration. Silver nanoparticles inhibited fungal colony growth at the highest concentration (50 ppm) and did not affect growth at concentrations of 5 and 25 ppm. Silver nanoparticles increased the rot resistance of beech wood, but only at the highest concentration. Decay caused by F. fomentarius was stimulated by copper nanoparticles at the highest concentration. Probably, the fungus used copper as a micronutrient for better growth and increased the activity of extracellular enzymes. Our results from in vitro tests are consistent with those obtained on beech wood specimens, showing that the concentrations of the two nanoparticles used were too low to protect the beech wood from decomposition by xylophagous fungus.
Biomass Estimation and Carbon Storage of Taxodium Hybrid Zhongshanshan Plantations in the Yangtze River Basin
Authors: Shi Qin , Hua Jianfeng , Creech David , Yin Yunlong
Published: October 2022

As a pivotal wetland tree, Taxodium hybrid Zhongshanshan has been widely planted in the region of Yangtze River for multipurpose of ecological restoration, field shelter, landscape aesthetics as well as carbon sequestration. However, the carbon allocation patterns across distinct stages of stand development of T. Zhongshanshan are poorly documented. Using a sample of 30 trees which were destructively harvested, this study compared 3 models for assessing aboveground biomass. Furthermore, a linear seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) approach was introduced to fit the system of the best selected model that ensured the additivity property. On this basis, biomass and carbon storage of T. Zhongshanshan stands in the Yangtze River Basin (YRB) were fairly estimated. Specifically, the study developed height-diameter at breast (H-DBH) function. The results showed that the selected 3-parameter polynomial model performed better, and the SUR approach provided more accurate estimates of leaf and stem fractions. The total tree biomass was 53.43, 84.87, 140.67, 192.71 and 156.65 t ha−1 in the 9-, 11-, 13-, 15-, and 22-year-old T. Zhongshanshan stands, and contributed averagely 94.40% of the ecosystem biomass accumulation. The current T. Zhongshanshan stands in the YRB area can store 124.76 to 217.64 t ha−1 carbon, of which total tree ranges from 25.32 to 90.89 t ha−1, with 55.19% to 77.66% storing in the soil. The T. Zhongshanshan had continuous potential for carbon storage during its growth, particularly in the incipient stages. The findings of this research are firsthand information for forest managers for the sustainable management of T. Zhongshanshan in the YRB and similar subtropical areas.
Wavelength Sensing Based on Whispering Gallery Mode Mapping
Authors: Berkis Roberts , Reinis Pauls Kristaps , Milgrave Lase , Draguns Kristians , Salgals Toms , Brice Inga , Alnis Janis , Atvars Aigars
Published: October 2022

We demonstrate a wavelength sensor based on whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonators. For the first time, multiple polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microspheres were simultaneously attached to a tapered fiber. WGM resonances from these commercially available PMMA microspheres were observed with a NIR camera, monitoring the scattered light. Circulating light in the WGMs was scattered on the outer layer of the microspheres and appeared as bright spots due to scattering defects. For each laser wavelength fed into the tapered fiber, the light interfered differently for the various sizes of PMMA microspheres. We measured scattered light intensity for different wavelengths and created a barcode for each microsphere. Combining these barcodes into a mode map allowed for unknown wavelength detection. A tunable laser around 1550 nm was used for measurements. As a result, a laser wavelength sensor system with a detection limit of 5 pm was demonstrated. The principles of increasing selectivity, as well as creating a compact device, were discussed.
Development of an Abalone 3D Food Printing Ink for the Personalized Senior-Friendly Foods
Authors: Yun Hyun-Jung , Han Na-Ra , An Hyun-Woo , Jung Won-Kyo , Kim Hyun-Woo , Lee Sang-Gil
Published: October 2022

Notably for seniors, 3D food printing is an appropriate processing method for creating customized meals that meet their unique nutritional requirements and textural preferences. This study attempted to develop an ink for food 3D printers containing abalone powder and several nutrition properties that meet the criteria for senior-friendly foods. The texture of the products was adjusted using gelatin. The ink consisted of abalone powder (10%), soybean protein (4.5%), polydextrose (2.5%), vitamin C (0.0098%), and gellan gum (1%). To examine the physicochemical properties of the ink, texture, water holding capacity, and rheological properties were measured. In addition, the suitability of the 3D printing was examined. As a result, 3% gelatin 3D food printing ink demonstrated optimal printability and could be converted into foods that could be consumed in one step (teeth intake), depending on the types of food for seniors.
The Role of Amino Acids in the Formation of Aroma-Active Compounds during Shrimp Hot Air Drying by GC-MS and GC-IMS
Authors: Zhang Zewei , Ji Hongwu , Zhang Di , Liu Shucheng , Zheng Xiaoshan
Published: October 2022

In the present paper, the role of amino acids of Penaeus vannamei was investigated in the formation of volatile substances during drying. The variations in volatile substances among samples with different moisture contents (raw, 45%, 30%, 15%, and 5%) were obtained by gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The amino acid contents of the above samples were measured by the amino acid automatic analyzer. Correlation between pyrazines and the various amino acid contents was analyzed by the Pearson correlation coefficient. Their correlation was verified by conducting addition assays. The types and contents of volatile components increased significantly in samples with moisture contents between 30% and 5%. The most obvious increases in the type, content and odor activity value of pyrazines were observed in this range. Basic amino acids (Arg, Lys, and His) had a strong correlation with the formation of pyrazines. Addition assays verified that the addition of Arg and Lys increased the content of pyrazines in shrimp after drying.
A Droplet Digital PCR Based Approach for Identification and Quantification of Porcine and Chicken Derivatives in Beef
Authors: Xu Huili , Ma Xiaoyu , Ye Zihong , Yu Xiaoping , Liu Guangfu , Wang Zhengliang
Published: October 2022

Adulteration of high-value beef with lower-priced alternatives is a world-wide problem resulting in consumers’ distrust and market chaos. Therefore, effective methods for the identification and quantification of adulterated beef products are urgently needed. In this study, we developed a reliable droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) method targeting the single-copy nuclear genes for qualitative and quantitative detection of the presence of porcine and chicken derivatives in beef. A fixed constant (transfer coefficient) was introduced to directly transform the ratio of DNA copy number to the mass proportion of targeted meats. Results revealed that the linearity range of quantification for pork and chicken were both from 1% (w/w) to 90% (w/w). The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of the developed ddPCR method were the same for pork and chicken in beef, with LOD 0.1% (w/w) and LOQ 1% (w/w). The accuracy and applicability of the method was tested and verified using mixed samples with the known proportions and commercially available beef products. We conclude that our developed ddPCR method was accurate and reliable in identifying and quantifying porcine and chicken derivatives in beef and therefore has great potential to be applied in routine analyses and quality control of beef products.
A Peptide-Based Hydrogel for Adsorption of Dyes and Pharmaceuticals in Water Remediation
Authors: Fortunato Anna , Mba Miriam
Published: October 2022

The removal of dyes and pharmaceuticals from water has become a major issue in recent years due to the shortage of freshwater resources. The adsorption of these pollutants through nontoxic, easy-to-make, and environmentally friendly adsorbents has become a popular topic. In this work, a tetrapeptide–pyrene conjugate was rationally designed to form hydrogels under controlled acidic conditions. The hydrogels were thoroughly characterized, and their performance in the adsorption of various dyes and pharmaceuticals from water was investigated. The supramolecular hydrogel efficiently adsorbed methylene blue (MB) and diclofenac (DCF) from water. The effect of concentration in the adsorption efficiency was studied, and results indicated that while the adsorption of MB is governed by the availability of adsorption sites, in the case of DCF, concentration is the driving force of the process. In the case of MB, the nature of the dye–hydrogel interactions and the mechanism of the adsorption process were investigated through UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy. The studies proved how this dye is first adsorbed as a monomer, probably through electrostatic interactions; successively, at increasing concentrations as the electrostatic adsorption sites are depleted, dimerization on the hydrogel surface occurs.
A Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Translates into a Radical Amino Acid Substitution at the Ligand-Binding Site in Fasciola hepatica Carboxylesterase B
Authors: Miranda-Miranda Estefan , Scarcella Silvana , Reynaud Enrique , Narváez-Padilla Verónica , Neira Gisela , Mera-y-Sierra Roberto , Aguilar-Díaz Hugo , Cossio-Bayugar Raquel
Published: October 2022

Fasciola hepatica anthelmintic resistance may be associated with the catalytic activity of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes. The gene expression of one of these enzymes, identified as carboxylesterase B (CestB), was previously described as inducible in adult parasites under anthelmintic treatment and exhibited a single nucleotide polymorphism at position 643 that translates into a radical amino acid substitution at position 215 from Glutamic acid to Lysine. Alphafold 3D models of both allelic sequences exhibited a significant affinity pocket rearrangement and different ligand-docking modeling results. Further bioinformatics analysis confirmed that the radical amino acid substitution is located at the ligand affinity site of the enzyme, affecting its affinity to serine hydrolase inhibitors and preferences for ester ligands. A field genotyping survey from parasite samples obtained from two developmental stages isolated from different host species from Argentina and Mexico exhibited a 37% allele distribution for 215E and a 29% allele distribution for 215K as well as a 34% E/K heterozygous distribution. No linkage to host species or geographic origin was found in any of the allele variants.