bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Systematic Review of Laser Photobiomodulation Dosimetry and Treatment Protocols in the Management of Medications-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaws: A Rationalised Consensus for Future Randomised Controlled Clinical Trials
Authors: Hanna Reem , Miron Ioana Cristina , Dalvi Snehal , Arany Praveen , Bensadoun René Jean , Benedicenti Stefano
Published: August 2024

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a debilitating adverse effect of bisphosphates, antiresorptive therapy or antiangiogenic agents that can potentially increase oxidative stress, leading to progressive osteonecrosis of the jaws. Despite the large number of published systematic reviews, there is a lack of potential MRONJ treatment protocols utilising photobiomodulation (PBM) as a single or adjunct therapy for preventive or therapeutic oncology or non-oncology cohort. Hence, this systematic review aimed to evaluate PBM laser efficacy and its dosimetry as a monotherapy or combined with the standard treatments for preventive or therapeutic approach in MRONJ management. The objectives of the review were as follows: (1) to establish PBM dosimetry and treatment protocols for preventive, therapeutic or combined approaches in MRONJ management; (2) to highlight and bridge the literature gaps in MRONJ diagnostics and management; and (3) to suggest rationalised consensus recommendations for future randomised controlled trials (RCTs) through the available evidence-based literature. This review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines, and the protocol was registered at PROSPERO under the ID CRD42021238175. A multi-database search was performed to identify articles of clinical studies published from their earliest records until 15 December 2023. The data were extracted from the relevant papers and analysed according to the outcomes selected in this review. In total, 12 out of 126 studies met the eligibility criteria. The striking inconsistent conclusions made by the various authors of the included studies were due to the heterogeneity in the methodology, diagnostic criteria and assessment tools, as well as in the reported outcomes, made it impossible to conduct a meta-analysis. PBM as a single or adjunct treatment modality is effective for MRONJ preventive or therapeutic management, but it was inconclusive to establish a standardised and replicable protocol due to the high risk of bias in a majority of the studies, but it was possible to extrapolate the PBM dosimetry of two studies that were close to the WALT recommended parameters. In conclusion, the authors established suggested rationalised consensus recommendations for future well-designed robust RCTs, utilising PBM as a monotherapy or an adjunct in preventive or therapeutic approach of MRONJ in an oncology and non-oncology cohort. This would pave the path for standardised PBM dosimetry and treatment protocols in MRONJ management.
Cytotoxicity of Benzofuran-Containing Simplified Viniferin Analogues
Authors: Princiotto Salvatore , Pinna Cecilia , Mattio Luce Micaela , Annunziata Francesca , Beretta Giovanni Luca , Pinto Andrea , Dallavalle Sabrina
Published: August 2024

Within the huge class of plant secondary metabolites, resveratrol-derived stilbenoids show wide structural diversity and mediate a great number of biological responses relevant for human health, including cancer prevention and cytotoxicity. Resveratrol is known to modulate several pathways directly linked to cancer progression, as well as its analogue pterostilbene, characterized by an increased metabolic stability and significant pharmacological activities. To study the potential anticancer activity of other stilbenoids, a home-made collection of resveratrol dimers and simplified analogues was tested on melanoma A375, non-small cell lung cancer H460 and PC3 prostate cancer cell lines. The structural determinants responsible for the antiproliferative activity have been highlighted. Moreover, to investigate the DNA damage ability of the selected molecules, the expression of the γ-H2AX after compound exposure was evaluated.
Amorphous Polymer–Phospholipid Solid Dispersions for the Co-Delivery of Curcumin and Piperine Prepared via Hot-Melt Extrusion
Authors: Wdowiak Kamil , Miklaszewski Andrzej , Cielecka-Piontek Judyta
Published: August 2024

Curcumin and piperine are plant compounds known for their health-promoting properties, but their use in the prevention or treatment of various diseases is limited by their poor solubility. To overcome this drawback, the curcumin–piperine amorphous polymer–phospholipid dispersions were prepared by hot melt extrusion technology. X-ray powder diffraction indicated the formation of amorphous systems. Differential scanning calorimetry confirmed amorphization and provided information on the good miscibility of the active compound–polymer–phospholipid dispersions. Owing to Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, the intermolecular interactions in systems were investigated. In the biopharmaceutical properties assessment, the improvement in solubility as well as the maintenance of the supersaturation state were confirmed. Moreover, PAMPA models simulating the gastrointestinal tract and blood-brain barrier showed enhanced permeability of active compounds presented in dispersions compared to the crystalline form of individual compounds. The presented paper suggests that polymer–phospholipid dispersions advantageously impact the bioaccessibility of poorly soluble active compounds.
Modification of the Biorelevant Release Testing of Esophageal Applied Mucoadhesive Films and Development of Formulation Strategies to Increase the Mucosal Contact Time
Authors: Brokmann Friederike , Simonek Paul , Rosenbaum Christoph
Published: August 2024

The increasing prevalence of esophageal disease highlights the clinical relevance of novel, long-lasting mucoadhesive oral dosage forms. The EsoCap device enables targeted local application of films in the esophagus. Biorelevant test systems such as EsoPeriDiss are essential for early formulation development. To this end, the developed and already described release model for simulating the esophagus is being further developed for its potential for biorelevant mapping of the application site through complete tempering and investigation of biorelevant release media. Particularly viscous saliva formulations led to an extension of the retention time. In addition, possible formulation strategies for increasing the retention time of esophageal applied films are being evaluated, such as different film thicknesses, polymer grades and the influence of different active ingredient properties on the retention time. For highly soluble active ingredients, the film thickness represents an option for extending the retention time, while for less soluble substances, the choice of polymer grade may be of particular interest.
Maximizing the Use of Ivermectin Transethosomal Cream in the Treatment of Scabies
Authors: Alyami Mohammad H. , Alyami Hamad S. , Abdo Asmaa M. , A. Sabry Shereen , El-Nahas Hanan M. , Ayoub Margrit M.
Published: August 2024

In an effort to tackle the skin reactions frequently observed with topical application of ivermectin (IVM), a study was conducted to develop and optimize transethosomes (TESMs) loaded with IVM for scabies treatment. A three-factor, two-level (23) full factorial design was employed. Soyabean phosphatidylcholine concentration (A), ethanol concentration (B) and Span 60 amount (C) were studied as independent factors, while entrapment efficiency (EE), particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP) and drug release after 6 h (Q6h) were characterized. The skin sensitivity of the optimized formulation was evaluated by skin irritation test and histopathological examination. The EE% ranged from 88.55 ± 0.576% to 94.13 ± 0.305%, PS was from 318.033 ± 45.61 nm to 561.400 ± 45.17 nm, PDI was from 0.328 ± 0.139 to 0.671 ± 0.103, ZP was from −54.13 ± 1.09 mV to −60.50 ± 2.34 mV and Q6h was from 66.20 ± 0.30% to 93.46 ± 0.86%. The IVM-loaded transethosomal cream showed lower skin irritation and a more intact epidermal layer with intact keratinocyte, compared to the marketed cream which showed severe destruction of the keratin layer. Therefore, patient compliance can be improved by encapsulating IVM within TESMs to minimize its skin reactions.
Biomimetic Nucleic Acid Drug Delivery Systems for Relieving Tumor Immunosuppressive Microenvironment
Authors: Yan Wenlu , Cao Ying , Yin Qi , Li Yaping
Published: August 2024

Immunotherapy combats tumors by enhancing the body’s immune surveillance and clearance of tumor cells. Various nucleic acid drugs can be used in immunotherapy, such as DNA expressing cytokines, mRNA tumor vaccines, small interfering RNAs (siRNA) knocking down immunosuppressive molecules, and oligonucleotides that can be used as immune adjuvants. Nucleic acid drugs, which are prone to nuclease degradation in the circulation and find it difficult to enter the target cells, typically necessitate developing appropriate vectors for effective in vivo delivery. Biomimetic drug delivery systems, derived from viruses, bacteria, and cells, can protect the cargos from degradation and clearance, and deliver them to the target cells to ensure safety. Moreover, they can activate the immune system through their endogenous activities and active components, thereby improving the efficacy of antitumor immunotherapeutic nucleic acid drugs. In this review, biomimetic nucleic acid delivery systems for relieving a tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment are introduced. Their immune activation mechanisms, including upregulating the proinflammatory cytokines, serving as tumor vaccines, inhibiting immune checkpoints, and modulating intratumoral immune cells, are elaborated. The advantages and disadvantages, as well as possible directions for their clinical translation, are summarized at last.
Impact of Aureobasidium Species Strain Improvement on the Production of the Polysaccharide Pullulan
Authors: West Thomas P.
Published: August 2024

This review explores the production of the fungal polysaccharide pullulan by mutants and natural isolates of Aureobasidium species using strain improvement. Pullulan is a neutral polysaccharide gum whose structure is a maltotriose-containing glucan. This polysaccharide gum has applications in the fields of food, pharmaceuticals, biomedical and wastewater treatment. The strain improvement of Aureobasidium species has focused on the pullulan production process, including the isolation of strains exhibiting reduced pigmentation, polysaccharide overproduction, the production of pullulan with variable molecular weight, and increased osmotolerant strains promoting pullulan production at high carbon source concentrations and pullulan production on hemicellulosic substrates. The majority of studies have emphasized the isolation of reduced pigmentation and pullulan hyperproducer strains since the goal of large-scale commercial pullulan production is to synthesize non-pigmented polysaccharides. A promising area of strain improvement is the isolation of strains that synthesize authentic pullulan from hemicellulosic substrates. If strain improvement in this area is successful, the goal of commercially producing pullulan at a competitive cost will eventually be achieved.
Fabrication of Z-Scheme CeVO4/BiVO4 Heterojunction and Its Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of NFX
Authors: Liu Zenan , Lu Guang , Yang Rongpeng , Li Zheng , Wang Fei
Published: August 2024

In this paper, BiVO4/CeVO4 composites were synthesized by hydrothermal method for photodegradation of norfloxacin (NFX) under visible light irradiation. The structure, morphologies, and optical properties of as-prepared samples were studied with XRD, SEM, BET, DRS, PL, XPS, EIS, and TPR. The results of the photocatalytic experiments demonstrated that the BiVO4/CeVO4 composites had more degradation performance of NFX compared with pure BiVO4 or CeVO4, which was attributed to the increased absorbance intensity of visible light, the reduced carrier coincidence rate, and the improved charge separation efficiency. Furthermore, the possible mechanism of the NFX degradation on BiVO4/CeVO4 composites under visible light irradiation was proposed according to the photocatalytic activity and free radicals trapping experiments.
Life Intricacies of Sex Workers: An Integrative Review on the Psychiatric Challenges Faced by Sex Workers
Authors: Winter Mokhwelepa Leshata , Olivia Sumbane Gsakani
Published: August 2024

Background: Sex work remains a contentious and marginalized aspect of society, with sex workers facing a myriad of challenges that impact their mental health and well-being. Objective: This review explores, reviews, and examines the psychiatric challenges encountered by sex workers daily and seeks to identify key gaps in the current research and highlight areas of future intervention and support. Methodology: This study followed five stages of the integrative review suggested by Whittmore and Knafl. The identification of the problem, literature search, data evaluation, data extraction, analysis, and presentation of results were the five stages of the integrative review that were carried out. This review examined English-language publications from 2010 to 2023 that discussed the mental health issues that sex workers experienced. Furthermore, this study excluded publications that were published before 2010, articles written in languages other than English, publications whose complete texts could not be retrieved, and works that did not address the mental health problems that sex workers encounter. For their initial search, the writers employed electronic databases like PubMed, Scopus, Psych-Info, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Medline. The search terms were as follows: ‘sex work’, ‘sex workers’, ‘prostitution’, ‘mental health’, ‘psychiatric challenges’, ‘stigma’, Risk factors’, and ‘barriers’. Results: Following the critical appraisal, out of 150 studies, only 34 studies were chosen for analysis. Using Cresswell’s Tesch method, two themes emerged from this study: (1) mental health challenges faced by sex workers and (2) primary risk factors contributing to their mental health challenges. Conclusions: Moreover, addressing the psychiatric challenges faced by sex workers requires a multifaceted approach that acknowledges the intersectionality of factors influencing sex workers’ mental health outcomes, thus also highlighting the imperative for tailored interventions and support systems to promote their well-being.
A New Nonaqueous Flow Battery with Extended Cycling
Authors: Yue Diqing , Zhang Weilin , Zhao Ivy , Fang Xiaoting , Zhao Yuyue , Li Jenny , Zhao Feng , Wei Xiaoliang
Published: August 2024

Nonaqueous flow batteries hold promise given their high cell voltage and energy density, but their performance is often plagued by the crossover of redox compounds. In this study, we used permselective lithium superionic conducting (LiSICON) ceramic membranes to enable reliable long-term use of organic redox molecules in nonaqueous flow cells. With different solvents on each side, enhanced cell voltages were obtained for a flow battery using viologen-based negolyte and TEMPO-based posolyte molecules. The thermoplastic assembly of the LiSICON membrane realized leakless cell sealing, thus overcoming the mechanical brittleness challenge. As a result, stable cycling was achieved in the flow cells, which showed good capacity retention over an extended test time.
Wedding, Marriage, and Matrimony—Glimpses into Concepts and Images from a Church Historical Perspective since the Reformation
Authors: Bauer Benedikt
Published: August 2024

This contribution provides three church-historical glimpses into concepts and images that deal in different ways with the idea of the union of two parties and communicate it through media. The material under discussion is analysed from a gender perspective. Firstly, the Reformation period is discussed as a process of the valorisation of sexuality, the defence of priestly marriage by Philipp Melanchthon is examined, and attention is drawn to the so-called Oeconomialiteratur, which regulated the cohabitation of spouses. The article then turns to bridal mysticism in order to analyse the gender construction of Jesus and the male members of the Moravians on the basis of the “Kleines Brüdergesangbuch”. It is emphasised that various options can be discussed, but that the concept of a leading masculinity of Jesus is the most appropriate for the description of the multiple masculinity constructions of the specific episode of the so-called “Sichtungszeit” of this community. In a last step, the reception of images and ideas about Katharina von Bora and Martin Luther since the Reformation period will be used to discuss how their marriage and matrimony became denominational identifiers—both for Protestantism and for Catholicism. For this, the double portrait of Katharina von Bora and Martin Luther by Cranach as well as a polemical pamphlet from the time of the Thirty Years’ War and the invention of Katharina von Bora as a pastor‘s wife in the 19th century will be examined. By means of historical hermeneutics and a gender perspective, the article thus determines how media have both enabled the freedom to explore and establish new concepts and ideas as well as been used as a vehicle of regulation. In addition, the church-historical examples analysed also illustrate that wedding, marriage, and matrimony themselves became a medium to structure lives, to communicate religious and social issues, and to reject, construct, consolidate, and pass on denominational identities.
Multimodal Management of a Descending Aorta Injury with Penetrating Chest Trauma: A Case Report
Authors: Sena Giuseppe , Perri Paolo , Piro Paolo , Zinno Francesco , Mazzuca Daniela , Costa Davide , Serra Raffaele
Published: August 2024

A penetrating thoracic aorta injury (PTAI) is a life-threatening condition with significant morbidity and mortality, often resulting from several traumatic mechanisms. Among these, gunshot wounds leading to aortic injury are exceedingly rare and pose unique challenges in terms of diagnosis, management, and surgical intervention. We present a case of a 47-year-old male victim of a gunshot wound resulting in penetrating chest trauma and a descending thoracic aorta injury. This report outlines the sequential management involving thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), followed by surgical intervention for hematoma drainage and foreign body removal, highlighting the interdisciplinary approach required in managing complex cardiothoracic injuries.
Regional Science and Environmental Economics: An Open Access Journal for the Field of Regional and Environmental Economics
Authors: Fan Fei
Published: August 2024

Regional Science and Environmental Economics (RSEE, ISSN: 3042-4658) [...]
Effect of Dietary Hempseed Meal on Growth Performance, Feed Efficiency and Blood Parameters in Yearling Rough Stock Bulls
Authors: McGovern Samantha L. , Brady Jeff A. , Runyan Cheyenne L. , Schwertner Thomas W. , Guay Kimberly A. , Smith Lane A. , Springer Ryon W. , Wellmann Kimberly B.
Published: August 2024

Yearling rough-stock bulls (n = 38) were utilized in a randomized complete block design to evaluate dietary hempseed meal (HSM) inclusion on growth (ADG), intake (DMI), and efficiency (F:G). Bulls were blocked by body weight (BW), grouped into 10 pens (n = 3–4 bulls/pen), and randomly assigned to an HSM or control supplement treatment (CON; 72.5% cottonseed meal, 14.5% soy hulls, 13% fat). Treatments were offered at 10%, while 90% was fed as a mixed ration [50% Bermuda grass hay, 40% textured commercial feed (10% CP)]. Diet samples were dried and DMI was calculated. F:G was evaluated using DMI and ADG. Blood for plasma analysis and BW were obtained on sample days, prior to feed delivery. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure in SAS version 9.4. The results were considered significant when p ≤ 0.050. There was no treatment × time interaction, or treatment effect for interim BW, ADG, or F:G (p ≥ 0.100). A treatment × time interaction occurred for DMI (p < 0.01), and BW (p = 0.01) increased in all bulls over time, while ADG decreased (p = 0.005), suggesting that interim live performance was not affected by HSM. Plasma urea nitrogen increased over time (p < 0.001) in all bulls, with greater concentrations observed in HSM bulls (p = 0.043).
The Urban Deployment Model: A Toolset for the Simulation and Performance Characterization of Radiation Detector Deployments in Urban Environments
Authors: Abgrall Nicolas , Ayyad Yassid , Chow Chun Ho , Cooper Reynold , Hellfeld Daniel , Rofors Emil
Published: August 2024

Static and mobile radiation detectors can be deployed in urban environments for a range of nuclear security applications, including radiological source search-and-tracking scenarios. Modeling detector performance for such applications is challenging, as it does not depend solely on the detector capabilities themselves. Many factors must be taken into consideration, including specific source and background signatures, the topology and constraints of the deployment environment, the presence of nuisance sources, and whether detectors are mobile or static. When considering the simultaneous deployment of multiple, heterogeneous detectors, assessment of the system-wide performance requires the simulation of the individual detectors, and a system-level analysis of the detection performance. In radiological source search-and-tracking scenarios, performance is mostly dominated by the probability of encounter, which depends on the specifics of a given deployment, e.g., static vs. mobile detectors or a combination of both modalities, the number of detectors deployed, the dynamic vs. static setting of false alarm rates, and individual vs. networked operation. The Urban Deployment Model (UDM) toolset was specifically developed to cover the gap in the available generic frameworks for the simulation of radiation detector deployments at city scales. UDM provides a unified and modular framework to support the simulation and performance characterization of heterogeneous detector deployments in urban environments. This paper presents the key components along the UDM workflow.
Radiation Damage on Silicon Photomultipliers from Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation of Low-Earth Orbit Operations
Authors: Merzi Stefano , Acerbi Fabio , Aicardi Corinne , Fiore Daniela , Goiffon Vincent , Gola Alberto Giacomo , Marcelot Olivier , Materne Alex , Saint-Pe Olivier
Published: August 2024

Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) are single photon detectors that gained increasing interest in many applications as an alternative to photomultiplier tubes. In the field of space experiments, where volume, weight and power consumption are a major constraint, their advantages like compactness, ruggedness, and their potential to achieve high quantum efficiency from UV to NIR makes them ideal candidates for spaceborne, low photon flux detectors. During space missions however, SiPMs are usually exposed to high levels of radiation, both ionizing and non-ionizing, which can deteriorate the performance of these detectors over time. The goal of this work is to compare process and layout variation of SiPMs in terms of their radiation damage effects to identify the features that helps reduce the deterioration of the performance and develop the next generation of more radiation-tolerant detectors. To do this, we used protons and X-rays to irradiate several Near Ultraviolet High-Density (NUV-HD) SiPMs with small areas (single microcell, 0.2 × 0.2 mm2 and 1 × 1 mm2) produced at Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK), Italy. We performed online current-voltage measurements right after each irradiation step, and a complete functional characterization before and after irradiation. We observed that the main contribution to performance degradation in space applications comes from proton damage in the form of an increase in primary dark count rate (DCR) proportional to the proton fluence and a reduction in activation energy. In this context, small active area devices show a lower DCR before and after irradiation, and we propose light or charge-focusing mechanisms as future developments for high-sensitivity radiation-tolerant detectors.
Preliminary Measurements of Airborne Particulate Matter and Carbon Dioxide Concentration Gradients in Three Indoor Environments Using Two Distinct Sampling Systems
Authors: Micallef Alfred
Published: August 2024

Preliminary monitoring campaigns in three (nonindustrial) indoor environments (a corridor, a coffee room with a kitchenette, and a single-occupancy office, all located in the same public building) were carried out, in which the vertical concentration profiles of airborne particulate matter (inhalable, thoracic, and alveolic fractions, as well as PM10 and PM2.5) and carbon dioxide were determined using two distinct, purpose-built sequential sampling systems. One of the systems was specifically built for use with gas monitors and is based on the organ-pipe sequential air sampling technique. The second system better suited the sequential air sampling of particulate matter. Both systems were electronically controlled. Six receptor levels at heights of 0.25, 0.95, 1.25, 1.65, 2.15, and 2.75 m above the ground/floor were considered. The outcomes of the campaigns are presented. The larger-size particle fractions exhibited the most vertical variation in concentration. With respect to measurements at a height of 1.25 m above the floor, percentage differences as high as 80% were recorded. Given the appreciable measured variation in concentration over a height of approximately three meters, further investigation is warranted, especially in view of the exposure of humans of different heights, e.g., adults and children, and possibly different circumstances, e.g., standing and sitting.
Biomarkers Differentiating RRMS and SPMS in Multiple Sclerosis—A Systematic Review
Authors: Toftegaard Camilla , Severinsen Charlotte Marie , Jensen Henrik Boye
Published: August 2024

Background: This systematic review searched to identify a potential biomarker in serum/plasma or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to differentiate between relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). There is currently no definitive method for determining whether a patient is in the RRMS course or has converted to the SPMS course. A biomarker could therefore aid the clinician to make this diagnosis. The aim of this study is to assess if there are biomarkers or combinations of biomarkers in serum/plasma or CSF that can detect secondary progression in multiple sclerosis at an early stage. Methods: The PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched to identify relevant studies. Both MeSH terms and text words in the title/abstract were used in both search strategies. The method included forward and backward citation searches. A risk of bias tool was used to assess all the studies that were included. Results: A total of 7581 articles were identified from the initial search. Additionally, 3386 articles were added after the citation search. Of these, 39 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria and none of the exclusion criteria. The review investigated 28 different biomarkers in CSF and serum/plasma. Discussion: Of the 28 different biomarkers, six biomarkers appeared to be the most promising: neurofilament light chain (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), Galectin-9, YKL-40/CHI3L1, osteopontin, and MCP-1. This review provides new insights into potential directions for future studies to investigate biomarkers as a diagnostic tool for SPMS.
Evolution of Eight Biogenic Amines in Raw and Preserved Mackerel (Scomber scombrus) Fillets Monitored by UHPLC-PDA
Authors: Barp Laura , Moret Erica , Moret Sabrina
Published: August 2024

The presence of biogenic amines (BAs) in seafood can pose a health risk to consumers, as they have been linked to adverse reactions such as histamine poisoning. Although the only biogenic amine for which maximum limits have been set is histamine, it is also important to regulate the presence of other amines associated with certain adverse effects. In this study, the official method for determining histamine was slightly modified and adapted for a UHPLC-PDA system and applied to analyze raw and preserved mackerel fillet samples. The evolution of biogenic amines during the storage period under refrigerated conditions revealed that, within two days, the limit for the content of histidine of 100 mg/kg was exceeded in raw fillets, while the histidine content in preserved mackerel (in oil and marinated) remained more stable. The thawing phase, whether in the fridge or at room temperature, did not significantly affect the BA content. Additionally, three different cooking methods (steaming, oven-baking, and boiling) significantly decrease the levels of BAs in highly contaminated raw mackerel fillets.
PTSD Case Detection with Boosting
Authors: Nguyen Vu , Phan Minh , Wang Tiantian , Norouzzadeh Payam , Snir Eli , Tutun Salih , McKinney Brett , Rahmani Bahareh
Published: August 2024

In this project, the electroencephalogram (EEG) channel(s) is used to better characterize post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For this aim, we applied boosting methods along with a combination of k-means and Support Vector Machine (SVM) models to find the diagnostic channels of PTSD cases and healthy subjects. We grouped 32 channels and 12 subjects (6 PTSD and 6 healthy controls) using k-means. Channels of the brain are grouped by the k-means clustering method to find the most similar part of the brain. This approach uses SVM by performing classification based on cluster classes are been mapped to EEG channels. This mapping uses information across all samples without the bias of using the outcome variable. The linear SVM found weights that distinguished channels within each subject for each cluster to compare the PTSD cases and healthy controls’ channel weights. It was found that the significant SVM weights of F4, F8, and Pz were smaller in subjects with PTSD than in healthy subjects. This new method can be used as a tool to better understand the relationship between EEG signals and diagnosis.
Experimental and Theoretical Insight into Different Species of p-Aminothiophenol Adsorbed on Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: López-Ramírez María Rosa , García-Gómez Laura , Forte-Castro Arantxa , Contreras-Cáceres Rafael
Published: August 2024

The adsorption of p-aminothiophenol (PATP) on metallic nanostructures is a very interesting phenomenon that depends on many factors, and because of that, PATP is an increasingly important probe molecule in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) due to its strong interaction with Ag and Au, its intense SERS signal, and its significance in molecular electronics. In our study, the SERS spectra of PATP on silver colloids were investigated and we considered several factors, such as the effect of the adsorbate concentration, the nature of the metallic nanoparticles, and the excitation wavelength. Differences between the SERS spectra recorded at high and low concentrations of PATP were explained and DFT calculations of different species were performed in order to support the experimental results. Additionally, time-dependent density-functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations were used to simulate the UV spectra of each species and to determine the MOs involved in each transition. The presence of different species of PATP adsorbed onto the metal surface gave rise to the acquisition of simultaneous SERS signals from those species and the consequent overlapping of some bands with new SERS bands coming from the dimerization of PATP. This work helped to discern which species is responsible for each SERS spectrum under particular experimental conditions.
Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Signaling in the Regulation of Hepatic Pathological Responses
Authors: Baral Ananda
Published: August 2024

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a vital cell organelle that is primarily involved in the processes of protein folding, maintenance of intracellular calcium storage and lipid synthesis in order to maintain cellular homeostasis. To achieve this meticulous order, several ER-dependent processes have to be in unison and perfect harmony. However, a persistent supply of newly synthesized proteins strains the ER mainly due to the accumulation of unfolded proteins, thus ultimately leading to an imbalance termed ER stress. Although the accumulation of misfolded proteins is a frequent reason for the initiation of ER stress, it is also induced by the hyper-production of reactive oxygen species, aberrant calcium leakage from the ER and due to the effect of cytokines. ER stress signals are conveyed via three arms of ER, namely PERK, IRE1 and ATF6. Signal transduction form these signaling molecules often converges on the transcriptional upregulation of CHOP and its related signaling mechanisms. If the ER stress is unresolved, then it can lead to cell death through different cell death mechanisms, including apoptosis, proptosis, etc. In the liver, it has been observed that ER stress plays a critical role in hepatic damage under different experimental conditions. This review highlights the role of ER stress in liver pathologies.
Dynamic Real-Time Prediction of Reclaimed Water Volumes Using the Improved Transformer Model and Decomposition Integration Technology
Authors: Sun Xiangyu , Zhang Lina , Wang Chao , Yang Yiyang , Wang Hao
Published: August 2024

In recent years, wastewater reuse has become crucial for addressing global freshwater scarcity and promoting sustainable water resource development. Accurate inflow volume predictions are essential for enhancing operational efficiency in water treatment facilities and effective wastewater utilization. Traditional and decomposition integration models often struggle with non-stationary time series, particularly in peak and anomaly sensitivity. To address this challenge, a differential decomposition integration model based on real-time rolling forecasts has been developed. This model uses an initial prediction with a machine learning (ML) model, followed by differential decomposition using Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise (CEEMDAN). A Time-Aware Outlier-Sensitive Transformer (TS-Transformer) is then applied for integrated predictions. The ML-CEEMDAN-TSTF model demonstrated superior accuracy compared to basic ML models, decomposition integration models, and other Transformer-based models. This hybrid model explicitly incorporates time-scale differentiated information as a feature, improving the model’s adaptability to complex environmental data and predictive performance. The TS-Transformer was designed to make the model more sensitive to anomalies and peaks in time series, addressing issues such as anomalous data, uncertainty in water volume data, and suboptimal forecasting accuracy. The results indicated that: (1) the introduction of time-scale differentiated information significantly enhanced model accuracy; (2) ML-CEEMDAN-TSTF demonstrated higher accuracy compared to ML-CEEMDAN-Transformer; (3) the TS-Transformer-based decomposition integration model consistently outperformed those based on LSTM and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost). Consequently, this research provides a precise and robust method for predicting reclaimed water volumes, which holds significant implications for research on clean water and water environment management.
Antimicrobial Activity of Gentamicin-Loaded Biocomposites Synthesized through Inverse Vulcanization from Soybean and Sunflower Oils
Authors: Farioli Ana S. , Martinez María V. , Barbero Cesar A. , Acevedo Diego F. , Yslas Edith I.
Published: August 2024

Cross-linked polymers synthesized through inverse vulcanization of unsaturated vegetable oils (biopolymers) were used as matrices for incorporating gentamicin (GEN) to form a biocomposite that can amplify GEN antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Two different biopolymers were synthesized using soybean (PSB) and sunflower (PSF) oils by inverse vulcanization cross-linked with sulfur in a 1:1 weight ratio. The study involves the synthesis and characterization of these biopolymers using FTIR and SEM as well as measurements of density and hydrophobicity. The results reveal the formation of biopolymers, wherein triglyceride molecules undergo cross-linking with sulfur chains through a reaction with the unsaturated groups present in the oil. Additionally, both polymers exhibit a porous structure and display hydrophobic behavior (contact angle higher than 120°). The biopolymers swell more in GEN solution (PSB 127.7% and PSF 174.4%) than in pure water (PSB 88.7% and PSF 109.1%), likely due to hydrophobic interactions. The kinetics of GEN sorption and release within the biopolymer matrices were investigated. The antibacterial efficacy of the resulting biocomposite was observed through the analysis of inhibition growth halos and the assessment of P. aeruginosa viability. A notable enhancement of the growth inhibition halo of GEN (13.1 ± 1.1 mm) compared to encapsulated GEN (PSF-GEN 21.1 ± 1.3 and PSB-GEN 21.45 ± 1.0 mm) is observed. Also, significant bactericidal activity is observed in PSF-GEN and PSB-GEN as a reduction in the number of colonies (CFU/mL), more than 2 log10 compared to control, PSF, and PSB, highlighting the potential of these biopolymers as effective carriers for gentamicin in combating bacterial infections.
Phenomenon of Post-Vibration Interactions
Authors: Petrova Anastasia , Tarasov Sergey , Gorbunov Evgeniy , Stepanov German , Fartushnaya Olga , Zubkov Evgenii , Molodtsova Irina , Boriskin Vladimir , Zatykina Anastasia , Smirnov Alexey , Zakharova Svetlana , Yaroshenko Sabina , Ponomareva Anna , Petrova Nataliya , Kardash Elena , Ganina Ksenia , Rodionova Natalia , Kovalchuk Alexander , Epstein Oleg
Published: August 2024

During the preparation of high dilutions, repeated external vibration (shaking) is used. We hypothesized that it was the vibration treatment, and not the negligible content of the initial substance, that underlies the activity of highly diluted preparations. In order to test this, the vibration was separated from the dilution process. After vibrating two tubes together on a vortex mixer (one containing water and the other the initial substance) the electrical conductivity and radio frequency radiation intensity of water differed from the unvibrated control, and the ability to exert a modifying effect on the target solution appeared, as assessed using ELISA and terahertz spectroscopy, appeared. Thus, the properties of the neutral carrier (water) changed after non-contact exposure to the initial substance. We have named this process ‘crossing’ and its products ‘aqueous iterations of the initial substance’. Several aqueous iterations with different physical properties were obtained, some of which have a modifying effect and others cause various chemical (catalytic) and biological (antiviral) effects similar to those of the initial substance. This indicates that during crossing, substances enter into post-vibration supramolecular interactions. At the nanoscale level, aqueous iterations and the initial substance are structurally symmetrical, which allows us to assume that the preservation of the symmetry of substances subjected to vibration treatment is the basis of the post-vibration interaction phenomenon.
Chebyshev Chaotic Mapping and DWT-SVD-Based Dual Watermarking Scheme for Copyright and Integrity Authentication of Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Zhang Jie , Du Jinglong , Xi Xu , Yang Zihao
Published: August 2024

Symmetries and symmetry-breaking play significant roles in data security. While remote sensing images, being extremely sensitive geospatial data, require protection against tampering or destruction, as well as assurance of the reliability of the data source during application. In view of the increasing complexity of data security of remote sensing images, a single watermark algorithm is no longer adequate to meet the demand of sophisticated applications. Therefore, this study proposes a dual watermarking algorithm that considers both integrity authentication and copyright protection of remote sensing images. The algorithm utilizes Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) to decompose remote sensing images, then constructs integrity watermark information by applying Chebyshev mapping to the mean of horizontal and vertical components. This semi-fragile watermark information is embedded into the high-frequency region of DWT using Quantization Index Modulation (QIM). On the other hand, the robust watermarking uses entropy to determine the embedding position within the DWT domain. It combines the stability of Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) and embeds the watermark according to the relationship between the singular values of horizontal, vertical, and high-frequency components. The experiment showed that the proposed watermarking successfully maintains a high level of invisibility even if embedded with dual watermarks. The semi-fragile watermark can accurately identify tampered regions in remote sensing images under conventional image processing. Moreover, the robust watermark exhibits excellent resistance to various attacks such as noise, filtering, compression, panning, rotating, and scaling.
Morphological and Molecular Analysis Describing Two New Species of Myxobolus (Cnidaria, Myxosporea) in Mugil curema (Mugilidae) from Brazil
Authors: Vieira Diego Henrique Mirandola Dias , Osaki-Pereira Melissa Miyuki , Abdallah Vanessa Doro , Oliveira Sarah Letícia Paiva , Duarte Aline Gabriely Torres , da Silva Reinaldo José , de Azevedo Rodney Kozlowiski
Published: August 2024

We present descriptions of two newly discovered species of Myxobolus (Myxobolidae) that infect Mugil curema: Myxobolus mundauensis n. sp. found in gills and Myxobolus patriciae n. sp. found in intestines. These descriptions are based on the morphology of myxospores, histological analysis, and sequencing of the small subunit ribosomal DNA (ssrDNA). The myxospores of both species differ in the width and length of their spore bodies, and their ssrDNA sequences showed a 10.6% difference. These findings support the identification of these parasites as distinct and previously unknown species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a subclade consisting of species that parasitize Mugiliformes, with Myxobolus mundauensis n. sp. being closely related to Myxobolus maceioensis, and Myxobolus patriciae n. sp. being closely related to Myxobolus curemae. Our analysis aligns with previous research suggesting a strong correlation between host orders and phylogenetic patterns within the Myxobolidae family.
Barcode Reveals Hidden Diversity and Cryptic Speciation among Butterfly Rays Distributed in the Americas
Authors: Ehemann Nicolás Roberto , Siccha-Ramirez Raquel , Miranda-Romero Junior , García-Rodríguez Francisco Javier , De La Cruz-Agüero José
Published: August 2024

The taxonomic status of butterfly rays within the genus Gymnura remains a subject of ongoing debate among researchers. Some authors recognize up to five valid species for the Americas, while others considered several to be synonyms, which has posed a persistent challenge. We aimed to shed light on this complexity by employing molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) based on the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase I (COI). Genetic sequences were obtained from fresh muscle tissue collected in the marine ecoregions corresponding to the type locality from all the nominal butterfly ray species distributed along the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP). Our results unveiled compelling findings; all the species delimitation models used consistently identified seven MOTUs for the American continent and an extra G. altavela MOTU restricted to Africa. In addition, our results and models exceeded the worldwide accepted interspecific threshold of 2.0%. Remarkably, our results support the taxonomic reinstatement of Gymnura afuerae (Hildebrand, 1946) as a valid species, with a range expanding into the ETP in the Southern Hemisphere. Similarly, our data support the recent suggestion of resurrecting Gymnura valenciennii (Duméril, 1865) as a valid species in the western Atlantic. These findings urge a reassessment of the conservation status and a comprehensive taxonomic revision of American butterfly rays.
MediaPipe Frame and Convolutional Neural Networks-Based Fingerspelling Detection in Mexican Sign Language
Authors: Sánchez-Vicinaiz Tzeico J. , Camacho-Pérez Enrique , Castillo-Atoche Alejandro A. , Cruz-Fernandez Mayra , García-Martínez José R. , Rodríguez-Reséndiz Juvenal
Published: August 2024

This research proposes implementing a system to recognize the static signs of the Mexican Sign Language (MSL) dactylological alphabet using the MediaPipe frame and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) models to correctly interpret the letters that represent the manual signals coming from a camera. The development of these types of studies allows the implementation of technological advances in artificial intelligence and computer vision in teaching Mexican Sign Language (MSL). The best CNN model achieved an accuracy of 83.63% over the sets of 336 test images. In addition, considering samples of each letter, the following results are obtained: an accuracy of 84.57%, a sensitivity of 83.33%, and a specificity of 99.17%. The advantage of this system is that it could be implemented on low-consumption equipment, carrying out the classification in real-time, contributing to the accessibility of its use.
Measurement of Dielectric Properties of Thin Materials for Radomes Using Waveguide Cavities
Authors: Dahms Tayla , Hayman Douglas B. , Mohamadzade Bahare , Smith Stephanie L.
Published: August 2024

We present waveguide cavity measurements used to evaluate several thin materials for use in radomes. In addition to the data on the materials, we show how these measurements can be performed with common laboratory equipment and simple calculations. We sought an approach that allowed candidate materials to be readily evaluated to deal with formerly selected materials becoming unavailable or cost-prohibitive. We used lengths of standard waveguide (WR650 and WR137 here) with readily manufactured irises and a vector network analyzer (Keysight N5225B here). To select the iris size and determine the limits of the simplifications in the equations used, we employed a full-wave 3D electromagnetic simulator (CST Microwave Studio). The equations required to calculate the dielectric properties of samples and their contribution to the equivalent system noise temperature from unloaded and loaded resonant frequencies and Q factors are shown. While these formulations can be found elsewhere, we did not find these assembled as conveniently in other studies in the literature. We also show that orienting the sample down the length of the cavity allows for higher-order modes to be fully utilized. We did not find this straightforward adaptation of the common cross-guide orientation in other works. Overall, the results allowed us to recommend three fabrics for use at the frequencies tested (1.7 and 5.6 GHz). The complete process is outlined to assist others in performing these measurements themselves.