bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and Implementation of an MIPI A-PHY Retransmission Layer for Automotive Applications
Authors: Shin Sang-ung , Kang Jin-Ku , Kim Yongwoo
Published: October 2023

Recently, with the development of automobile technologies such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADASs), the performance and number of cameras and displays required for a vehicle have significantly increased. Therefore, the need for in-vehicle high-speed data transmission has increased, but there is difficulty in handling the required high-speed data transmission in existing in-vehicle networks. The MIPI A-PHY interface for automobiles has been proposed as a new standard to solve this issue. To ensure data transmission in noisy automotive environments, the A-PHY interface contains an added retransmission (RTS) layer within the new physical layer. In this paper, we propose and design in detail the structure of an RTS layer presented in the standard A-PHY interface. The proposed RTS layer was designed to satisfy the RTS specification of the MIPI A-PHY standard and was verified through simulations. Moreover, the A-PHY SerDes environment was configured in an FPGA using a Xilinx KC705 FPGA development board and an FPGA Mezzanine Card (FMC) loopback module, and RTS layer operation was verified through the process of transmitting video data to the A-Packet. The A-PHY interface with the RTS layer designed on the FPGA uses 3924 LUTs, 2019 registers, and 132 block memories and operates at a maximum speed of 200 MHz. In addition, as a result of designing the A-PHY interface as an ASIC implementation using the Synopsys SAED 28 nm process, the number of logic gates is 25 K, the chip area is 0.40 mm2, and the maximum operating speed is 200 MHz.
FontFusionGAN: Refinement of Handwritten Fonts by Font Fusion
Authors: Kumar Avinash , Kang Kyeolhee , Muhammad Ammar ul Hassan , Choi Jaeyoung
Published: October 2023

Handwritten fonts possess unique expressive qualities; however, their clarity often suffers because of inconsistent handwriting. This study introduces FontFusionGAN (FFGAN), a novel method that enhances handwritten fonts by mixing them with printed fonts. The proposed approach leverages a generative adversarial network (GAN) to synthesize fonts that combine the desirable features of both handwritten and printed font styles. Training a GAN on a comprehensive dataset of handwritten and printed fonts enables it to produce legible and visually appealing font samples. The methodology was applied to a dataset of handwriting fonts, showing substantial enhancements in the legibility of the original fonts, while retaining their unique aesthetic essence. Unlike the original GAN setting where a single noise vector is used to generate a sample image, we randomly selected two noise vectors, z1 and z2, from a Gaussian distribution to train the generator. Simultaneously, we input a real image into the fusion encoder for exact reconstruction. This technique ensured the learning of style mixing during training. During inference, we provided the encoder with two font images, one handwritten and the other printed font, to obtain their respective latent vectors. Subsequently, the latent vector of the handwritten font image was injected into the first five layers of the generator, whereas the latent vector of the printed font image was injected into the last two layers to obtain a refined handwritten font image. The proposed method has the potential to improve the readability of handwritten fonts, offering benefits across diverse applications, such as document composition, letter writing, and assisting individuals with reading and writing difficulties.
Efficiency Measurements of Energy Harvesting from Electromagnetic Environment for Selected Harvester Systems
Authors: Sabat Wiesław , Klepacki Dariusz , Kamuda Kazimierz , Kuryło Kazimierz , Jankowski-Mihułowicz Piotr
Published: October 2023

The results of our research devoted to efficiency measurements of energy harvesting from tele-transmission systems featuring examples of model autonomous semi-passive RFID identifiers have been presented in this paper. The selected harvester systems were tested in different systems and circuit configurations to determine of energy harvesting conditions. The appropriate laboratory stand was designed and constructed for investigations in accordance with real-world electromagnetic conditions. The obtained results made it possible to determine the dependence of harvester output voltage in selected applications (operation mode, localization related to the energy source) as well as the minimum power threshold required for identifier operations in the environment. The real energy balance was also established, which is highly useful for configuring identifier parameters and optimizing the operation mode to achieve the best energy harvesting from the electromagnetic environment.
HKUST-1 as a Positive Electrode Material for Supercapattery
Authors: Azman Nur , Alias Muhammad , Sulaiman Yusran
Published: October 2023

The copper-based metal-organic framework (HKUST-1) exhibits interesting properties, such as high porosity and large specific surface area, which are useful as electrode materials for supercapattery. Herein, the HKUST-1 was synthesized through a facile hydrothermal method and exhibited a typical octahedral structure with a specific surface area of 1015.02 m2 g−1, which was calculated using the Barrett–Joyner–Halenda (BJH) method. From the three-electrode analysis, the HKUST-1 demonstrated a specific capacity of 126.2 C g−1 in 1 M LiOH. The structural fingerprint of the HKUST-1 was confirmed with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. A supercapattery device, i.e., the HKUST-1//N-doped graphene, revealed a maximum specific power of 300 W kg−1 and a specific energy of 2.61 W h kg−1 at 1 A g−1 with 57% capacitance retention during continuous charging–discharging, even after 10,000 cycles. The HKUST-1 also demonstrated a low charge transfer resistance and a low equivalent series resistance of 7.86 Ω and 0.87 Ω, respectively, verifying its good conductivity. The prominent supercapattery performance of the HKUST-1//N-doped graphene suggested that the HKUST-1 is a promising positive electrode for supercapattery.
Optimization of Algorithm for Solving Railroad Power Conditioner Compensation Power Reference Value and System Power Quality Analysis Based on Optimal Compensation Model
Authors: Ding Can , Guo Yuejin , You Haichuan , Zhang Hongrong
Published: October 2023

At present, electrified railroads with complex road conditions are facing the problems of the existence of a single power supply method, the deterioration in power quality, and the difficulty in recycling regenerative braking energy. In order to improve the above problems, this paper establishes a traction power supply system containing photovoltaic units, proposes an optimized compensation model for the RPC (railroad power conditioner), and improves the particle swarm algorithm for solving the reference value of RPC compensation power. First, the structure of the RPC-based traction photovoltaic power generation system and the establishment of the integrated energy management strategy of the system are constructed. Then, the back-to-back converter compensation model with power quality index parameter constraints is established, which establishes the optimization function with the objectives of minimizing the negative sequence current, maximizing the power factor, and minimizing the RPC compensation power, as well as establishes constraints on the active converter capacity and three-phase voltage imbalance. Then, the particle swarm algorithm for solving the RPC compensation power reference value is improved, specifically in the original PSO by introducing dynamically changing inertia weights and learning factors. This not only solves the problem of the single power supply and realizes the nearby consumption of photovoltaic units in the traction system, but also realizes the recycling of regenerative braking energy and the coordinated control of the traction photovoltaic power generation system, improves the power quality of the system, and meets the demand of the RPC for real-time control. In order to verify the effectiveness of the optimized compensation model established in this paper and improve the convergence of the particle swarm algorithm for solving the RPC compensation power reference value, a simulation model of the traction PV power generation system is established in MATLAB/Simulink, and a real-time simulation is carried out to verify it based on the preset working condition data. The results show that the RPC optimization compensation model developed in this paper can coordinate the control system energy flow and improve the system power quality (the power factor increases and the negative sequence current decreases). The improved particle swarm algorithm is more convergent.
Hybrid Optical and Thermal Energy Conversion System to Power Internet of Things Nodes
Authors: Dziadak Bogdan
Published: October 2023

This article presents research about a hybrid power system dedicated to Internet of Things (IoT) nodes. As an introduction, performance tests of the harvesters, that is, a 40 × 40 mm Peltier cell based on Bi2Te3 and three solar cells, monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and amorphous, are presented. The study established the dependence of the effect of generated power on the load resistance. Thus, it states how the internal resistance of the harvesters changes. Following the above tests, a complete power unit with a single harvester and an LTC3108 conversion circuit, as well as an energy buffer in the form of a 1 mF supercapacitor, were built and tested. The unit with a thermoelectric generator generated power from 14 to 409 µW. The unit with a 65 × 65 mm polycrystalline cell generated power from 150 to 409 µW. Next, a hybrid system was built and tested with both of the aforementioned harvesters, which generated power from 205 to 450 µW at 2000 lx illumination and a temperature difference of 20 °C for the thermoelectric generator claddings.
Remaining Useful Life Prediction of Lithium-Ion Battery Using ICC-CNN-LSTM Methodology
Authors: Rincón-Maya Catherine , Guevara-Carazas Fernando , Hernández-Barajas Freddy , Patino-Rodriguez Carmen , Usuga-Manco Olga
Published: October 2023

In recent years, lithium-ion batteries have gained significant attention due to their crucial role in various applications, such as electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. Accurate prediction of the remaining useful life (RUL) of these batteries is essential for optimizing their performance and ensuring reliable operation. In this paper, we propose a novel methodology for RUL prediction using an individual control chart (ICC) to identify and remove degraded data, a convolutional neural network (CNN) to smooth the noise of sensor data and long short-term memory (LSTM) networks to effectively capture both spatial and temporal dependencies within battery data, enabling accurate RUL estimation. We evaluate our proposed model using a comprehensive dataset, and experimental results demonstrate its superior performance compared to existing methods. Our findings highlight the potential of ICC-CNN-LSTM for RUL prediction in lithium-ion batteries and provide valuable insights for future research.
Numerical and Experimental Reconstruction of Temperature Distribution and Soot Concentration Field for Thin-Slice Flames Using a Charge Coupled Device Camera
Authors: Chen Mingfei , Chen Yun , Li Tianjiao , Liu Dong
Published: October 2023

This work proposed a novel model to simultaneously reconstruct temperature distribution and soot volume fraction field for two-dimensional thin-slice flames using the knowledge of monochromatic radiation intensities at two wavelengths using a CCD camera. The deduction process and numerical analysis of the model were described. Effects of wavelength combinations and measurement errors on reconstruction accuracy were considered in detail. Numerical results have proven the model’s accuracy and showed that the temperature and soot volume fraction fields can be reconstructed well even with noisy input data from flame radiation. In addition, a series of experiments were conducted on a mesoscale combustor to obtain the real thin-slice flames for further experimental reconstruction via the model. The experimental results indicated that the proposed model can successfully reconstruct the flame temperature distribution and soot volume fraction field and the main features of thin-slice flames also can be reasonably reproduced.
Subcritical Water Extraction for Valorisation of Almond Skin from Almond Industrial Processing
Authors: Freitas Pedro A. V. , Martín-Pérez Laia , Gil-Guillén Irene , González-Martínez Chelo , Chiralt Amparo
Published: October 2023

Almond skin (AS) is an agro-industrial residue from almond processing that has a high potential for valorisation. In this study, subcritical water extraction (SWE) was applied at two temperatures (160 and 180 °C) to obtain phenolic-rich extracts (water-soluble fraction) and cellulose fibres (insoluble fraction) from AS. The extraction conditions affected the composition and properties of both valorised fractions. The dry extracts obtained at 180 °C were richer in phenolics (161 vs. 101 mg GAE. g−1 defatted almond skin (DAS)), with greater antioxidant potential (1.063 vs. 1.490 mg DAS.mg−1 DPPH) and showed greater antibacterial effect (lower MIC values) against L. innocua (34 vs. 90 mg·mL−1) and E. coli (48 vs. 90 mg·mL−1) than those obtained at 160 °C, despite the lower total solid yield (21 vs. 29%) obtained in the SWE process. The purification of cellulose from the SWE residues, using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), revealed that AS is not a good source of cellulose material since the bleached fractions showed low yields (20–21%) and low cellulose purity (40–50%), even after four bleaching cycles (1 h) at pH 12 and 8% H2O2. Nevertheless, the application of a green, scalable, and toxic solvent-free SWE process was highly useful for obtaining AS bioactive extracts for different food, cosmetic, or pharmaceutical applications.
Special Issue on the Latest Research on Flavor Components and Sensory Properties of Food during Processing and Storage
Authors: Gantner Magdalena , Kostyra Eliza
Published: October 2023

Due to their chemical composition and physico-chemical properties, most food products are susceptible to biochemical, microbiological, physical and chemical deterioration [...]
Characterization of Semisweet and Sweet Wines from Kos Island Produced Traditionally and Conventionally
Authors: Skendi Adriana , Stefanou Stefanos , Papageorgiou Maria
Published: October 2023

Eight wines, four semisweet rosé and four sweet red, produced on Kos Island in Greece, were analyzed. Wines produced following different winemaking procedures were characterized based on their physicochemical parameters, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and chromatic properties. Moreover, their elemental composition was studied with ICP–OES. Differences were observed among the measurements performed. All of the samples were below the levels set for SO2 content. The sweet red wines had higher alcoholic strength than semisweet rosé ones, and were characterized by a higher yellow proportion. The vinification process significantly affected SO2 levels, phenolics, and antioxidant activity. The red wines were high in Na content, with one sample exceeding the level set by OIV (International Organization of Vine and Wine). The levels of all the other elements related to quality (Fe, Cu, Zn) or safety (Pb, Cd) were far below the limits set. Rosé wines contained less Mg, but were higher in Na than the red ones. The obtained data suggest that sweet and semisweet wines produced with traditional procedures are safe and of high quality, holding antioxidant capacity beneficial to health. The information reported contributes to a better understanding of these types of wines.
Structural and Physicochemical Properties of a Chinese Yam Starch–Tea Polyphenol Complex Prepared Using Autoclave-Assisted Pullulanase Treatment
Authors: Xie Sandu , Chen Huiqing , Jiang Xinyan , Zhou Bifang , Guo Zebin , Zeng Hongliang , Zhang Yi
Published: October 2023

Interactions between food components have a positive impact in the field of food science. In this study, the effects of tea polyphenol on the structural and physicochemical properties of Chinese yam starch using autoclave-assisted pullulanase treatment were investigated. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, rapid visco analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and the 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid method were applied in this study. The results showed that the Chinese yam starch–tea polyphenol complex formed a structural domain with higher thermal stability along with lower pasting viscosities than native starch. The in vitro digestibility of Chinese yam starch decreased with the addition of the tea polyphenol, and the amount of resistant starch content in the complex was 56.25 ± 1.37%, significantly higher than that of native starch (p < 0.05). In addition, the complex showed a B+V-type crystalline structure, which confirmed that the interaction modes between the starch and tea polyphenol include hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. Moreover, the appearance of an irregular sponge network structure of the complex further supported the interactions between the starch and tea polyphenol. This study provides a theoretical basis for the development of functional foods using Chinese yam starch.
The Impact of the Individual and Combined Application of Phosphorus and Sulfur Fertilizers on Potato Tuber Flavor
Authors: Li Kaifeng , Li Maoxing , Zhou Jinhua , Guo Huachun
Published: October 2023

Sulfur and phosphorus are important plant nutrients required for potato growth, influencing the synthesis of primary metabolites that serve as the material foundation of potato flavor quality. However, little is known about the effects of sulfur and phosphorus application on potato tuber flavor. This study experimentally compared the effects of the individual and combined application of phosphorus and sulfur fertilizers on the flavor of potato tubers. The research examined the sensory characteristics of flavor under various fertilization methods, investigated changes in the types and contents of volatile flavor compounds, and conducted analyses on flavor precursor compounds. The experimental results showed that the application of phosphorus and sulfur fertilizers, either individually or in combination significantly increased the content of linoleic acid and linolenic acid. After the combined application of phosphorus and sulfur fertilizers, the starch and the reducing sugar content also significantly increased. (E,E)-2,4-Nonadienal and Decanal are closely correlated with fatty acid content. Dimethyl sulfide and Trimethyl sulfide contents are significantly related to methionine content. This also significantly enhances the fatty taste characteristics of the tubers but weakens the potato flavor characteristics. Hence, the application of phosphorus and sulfur can affect the accumulation of primary metabolic products in tubers, thereby affecting flavor quality. Compared with the individual application of phosphorus or sulfur fertilizers, when phosphorus fertilizer is applied at 180 kg·ha−1 and sulfur fertilizer at 90 kg·ha−1 in combination, it can further enrich the roasted flavor characteristics of potatoes and maximize the enhancement of potato flavor quality. This provides valuable theoretical support for achieving high-quality agricultural development.
Design of Novel Knot-like Structures Based on Ovotransferrin Fibril–Gum Arabic Complexes: Effective Strategies to Stabilize Pickering Emulsions
Authors: Wei Zihao , Dong Yue , Li Xiaolong , Wang Meng , Zhang Keming
Published: October 2023

This work aimed to clarify the effects of gum arabic (GA) on the morphology and properties of ovotransferrin fibrils (OVTFs). By constructing OVTF–GA complexes and exploring the dispersion stability, turbidity and the ζ-potential of the complexes, the optimum mass ratio of OVTFs to GA and pH for complex formation were confirmed as being 1:1 and pH 4.6, respectively. The interaction between OVTFs and GA was determined to be predominantly driven by electrostatic attraction. The OVTF–GA complexes exhibited a knot-like structure when observed using atomic force microscopy. Then, OVTFs and OVTF–GA complexes were compared in terms of contact angle, surface hydrophobicity and dynamic interfacial tension. The combination of OVTFs and GA decreased the contact angle of OVTFs from 80.85° to 70.36°. In comparison with OVTFs, OVTF–GA complexes reduced the oil–water interfacial tension to a lower level (8.14 mN/m). Furthermore, the capacities of OVTF–GA complexes in stabilizing emulsions were explored. OVTF–GA complex-stabilized oleogel-based Pickering emulsion (OGPE) was constructed, and OVTF-stabilized oleogel-based Pickering emulsion (OPE) was used as the control. OGPE had a higher emulsified phase volume fraction (EPVF) and stability index (SI). The EPVF of OGPE was 100.0% and 99.4% before and after one-month storage, respectively, compared with 98.3% and 95.7% of OPE. This work can provide some useful references for the design of biopolymers with novel structures composed of protein fibrils and polysaccharides, which may also help to construct and apply protein fibril–polysaccharide complexes under specific needs.
Food-Dependent Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis: A Distinct Form of Food Allergy—An Updated Review of Diagnostic Approaches and Treatments
Authors: Srisuwatchari Witchaya , Kanchanaphoomi Kantima , Nawiboonwong Jutamard , Thongngarm Torpong , Sompornrattanaphan Mongkhon
Published: October 2023

Food-dependent exercise-induced allergic reactions (FDEIA) represent a distinct clinical phenomenon where symptoms arise during exercise following the consumption of specific trigger foods, with the most severe manifestation being anaphylaxis—a condition distinct from typical exercise-induced or food-induced anaphylaxis. In FDEIA, patients can either exercise or tolerate specific foods separately without experiencing any allergic reactions. Diagnosis relies on patient history and provocation testing, requiring rigorous implementation within a supervised hospital environment. Positive symptoms and clinical signs during testing confirm FDEIA, while negative outcomes do not preclude its presence. Exercise stands as the primary trigger, followed by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and alcohol. The utilization of various protocols for food cofactor challenges to confirm FDEIA yields differing diagnostic outcomes. We highlight the updated concept of food cofactor challenges, incorporating protocols reported in the literature, and summarize current recommendations and comprehensive management approaches for FDEIA patients.
Biochemical Properties of a Promising Milk-Clotting Enzyme, Moose (Alces alces) Recombinant Chymosin
Authors: Balabova Dina V. , Belash Ekaterina A. , Belenkaya Svetlana V. , Shcherbakov Dmitry N. , Belov Alexander N. , Koval Anatoly D. , Mironova Anna V. , Bondar Alexander A. , Volosnikova Ekaterina A. , Arkhipov Sergey G. , Sokolova Olga O. , Chirkova Varvara Y. , Elchaninov Vadim V.
Published: October 2023

Moose (Alces alces) recombinant chymosin with a milk-clotting activity of 86 AU/mL was synthesized in the Kluyveromyces lactis expression system. After precipitation with ammonium sulfate and chromatographic purification, a sample of genetically engineered moose chymosin with a specific milk-clotting activity of 15,768 AU/mg was obtained, which was used for extensive biochemical characterization of the enzyme. The threshold of the thermal stability of moose chymosin was 55 °C; its complete inactivation occurred after heating at 60 °C. The total proteolytic activity of moose chymosin was 0.332 A280 units. The ratio of milk-clotting and total proteolytic activities of the enzyme was 0.8. The Km, kcat and kcat/Km values of moose chymosin were 4.7 μM, 98.7 s−1, and 21.1 μM−1 s−1, respectively. The pattern of change in the coagulation activity as a function of pH and Ca2+ concentration was consistent with the requirements for milk coagulants for cheese making. The optimum temperature of the enzyme was 50–55 °C. The introduction of Mg2+, Zn2+, Co2+, Ba2+, Fe2+, Mn2+, Ca2+, and Cu2+ into milk activated the coagulation ability of moose chymosin, while Ni ions on the contrary inhibited its activity. Using previously published data, we compared the biochemical properties of recombinant moose chymosin produced in bacterial (Escherichia coli) and yeast (K. lactis) producers.
Current Trends in Aerogel Use in Heritage Buildings: Case Studies from the Aerogel Architecture Award 2021
Authors: Ganobjak Michal , Brunner Samuel , Hofmann Jörg , Klar Verena , Ledermann Michael , Herzog Volker , Kämpfen Beat , Kilian Ralf , Wehdorn Manfred , Wernery Jannis
Published: October 2023

Silica aerogels are high-performance thermal insulation materials that can be used to provide unique solutions in the envelopes of buildings when space is limited. They are most often applied in historic buildings due to thin insulation thicknesses and since they are compatible with historic structures. In 2021, the first Aerogel Architecture Award was held at Empa in Switzerland in order to collect, evaluate and award outstanding uses of this relatively new building material. From the submitted projects, three were selected for an award by an expert jury. They showcased applications in which heritage protection and the conservation of a building’s character and expression were reconciled with significant improvements in the energy efficiency of the building. The submissions also showed that a broader communication of these types of solutions is important in order to provide more information and security to planners and heritage offices and to facilitate the application of these materials in the future so that they can contribute to the protection of cultural heritage and reductions in the operational and embodied emissions of our building stock by extending the life expectancy and energy efficiency of existing buildings.
Fenitization at the Lovozero Alkaline Massif, NW Russia: Composition and Evolution of Fluids
Authors: Mokrushina Olga D. , Mikhailova Julia A. , Pakhomovsky Yakov A.
Published: October 2023

The 360–370 Ma old Lovozero massif (NW Russia) is a layered nepheline syenitic-foidolitic pluton. Despite its huge size (650 km2), the massif is surrounded by a narrow fenite aureole, and the most intensive fenitization is associated with pegmatites and hydrothermal veins that have intruded into the wall rocks. We studied petrography, petrochemistry, mineralogy and fluid inclusions along a profile crossing the direct contact of the Lovozero massif with country Archean gneiss. We found that the fluid responsible for fenitization was a heterogeneous mixture of two coexisting phases, an aqueous fluid with salinity 8.6–15.1 eq. wt.% NaCl and a methane fluid. The coexistence of these two fluids indicates immiscibility conditions at (or below) CH4–H2O solvus. The aqueous fluid affected both the endocontact alkaline rocks and country gneiss. In the endocontact, intense autometasomatic alterations of the early crystallized minerals occurred, for example, the natrolitization of nepheline and sodalite. Besides, the aqueous fluid transported Na2O, K2O, as well as P2O5, TiO2, H2O, F, Cl and S into the exocontact. These components were precipitated in the immediate vicinity of the massif contact, and the salinity of the aqueous fluid decreased to 0.53–3.06 eq. wt.% NaCl. We assume that there are two reasons for a narrow fenite aureole in the Lovozero massif: intense autometasomatic alterations and a decrease in the permeability of country rocks due to fluid immiscibility.
Naïve and Semi-Naïve Bayesian Classification of Landslide Susceptibility Applied to the Kulekhani River Basin in Nepal as a Test Case
Authors: De Smedt Florimond , Kayastha Prabin , Dhital Megh Raj
Published: October 2023

Naïve Bayes classification is widely used for landslide susceptibility analysis, especially in the form of weights-of-evidence. However, when significant conditional dependence is present, the probabilities derived from weights-of-evidence are biased, resulting in an overestimation of landslide susceptibility. As a solution, this study presents a semi-naïve Bayesian method for landslide susceptibility mapping by combining logistic regression with weights-of-evidence. The utility of the method is tested by application to a case study in the Kulekhani River Basin in Central Nepal. The results show that the naïve Bayes approach with weights-of-evidence overpredicts the posterior probability of landslide occurrence by a factor of about two, while the semi-naïve Bayes approach, which uses logistic regression with weights-of-evidence, is unbiased and has more discriminatory power for landslide susceptibility mapping. In addition, the semi-naïve Bayes approach can statistically distinguish the main factors that promote landslides and allows us to estimate the model uncertainty by calculating the standard error of the predictions.
Landscape Evolution in Glacier Valleys of Glaciokarsts
Authors: Veress Márton
Published: October 2023

The landscape evolution of the glacier valleys of glaciokarsts is described. Depending on the character of coveredness (quality and thickness of the cover), altitude and the presence of karst features, different ways of geomorphic evolution occur adjacently. Most widespread is the denudation of bare surfaces by karren formation. During this process, beds are denuded, which is primarily controlled by the dip direction of the beds. The denudation of beds may modify the original cross-section of valleys. On terrains covered with caprock, the cover is becoming thinner by erosion processes since the debris is transported into the karst depressions and then from here into the karst. On terrains covered with limestone debris, if the cover is purely limestone debris, denudation is cyclical. The thick cover becomes thinner by dissolution and subsequently, the bedrock is dissolved by karren formation if water with dissolution capacity arrives at the bedrock. Then, the debris that developed on the bedrock makes the cover thicker from below. Reaching an adequate thickness, the process is repeated by the dissolution of the cover debris. In cirques, the superficial deposit is transported into the karst, which is supplied from the slopes, increasing the upfilling of the feature.
Modern Anxieties and Traditional Influence in Horror Anime
Authors: Sarkar Anik
Published: October 2023

Japan has a longstanding tradition of horror narratives that feature a variety of macabre embodiments. They draw upon ancient folklore, thereby providing a unique perspective on spirits specific to Japanese culture. The influence of these countless supernatural beings from Japanese mythology and folklore has molded many incarnations seen in popular culture, which have been commonly deemed “strange” and “weird”. This study seeks to demystify the ambiguity and “strangeness” surrounding three Japanese anime series, Another, Yamishibai, and Mononoke. It attempts to analyze how each of these anime employs folklore and traditional art-styles to portray a modern society plagued with sociocultural complications.
Optimizing the Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation in the ‘Oncofertility’ Institutional Program at an Italian National Cancer Institute
Authors: Silvestris Erica , Minoia Carla , De Palma Giuseppe , Popescu Ondina , Altavilla Anna , Guarini Attilio , Pavone Fabio , Loizzi Vera , Cormio Gennaro , Depalo Raffaella
Published: October 2023

Background: The majority of female cancer patients undergoing anticancer treatments are at risk of experiencing ‘cancer treatment-related infertility’, which can result in permanent damage to their reproductive prospects. Among the fertility preservation methods, ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) has emerged as an alternative for these patients. The Cancer Institute of Bari initiated a research program to assess the feasibility of OTC. This study compares the viability of ovarian cortical fragments cryopreserved using slow freezing (SF) and ultra-rapid freezing (URF) methods. Methods: Ovarian cortex biopsies were obtained from 11 fertile women enrolled in our oncofertility service between June 2022 and January 2023. After tissue collection, a histological assessment was performed before cryopreservation. OTC was carried out using both SF and URF methods. Six months later, thawed samples were evaluated for follicle counts and histological integrity. Results: No statistically significant difference was observed in the proportion of intact follicles (means of 31.5% and 73.0% in the SF and URF groups, respectively; p = 0.064). However, there was a significant difference in the number of follicles between the SF group (n = 149) and the URF group (n = 37) (p = 0.046). Conclusions: We assessed the viability of ovarian cortex after freezing and thawing, focusing on the structural integrity of follicles. Our findings suggest that there are no significant differences between the SF and URF methods.
Exploring the Feasibility of a Self-Managed Lifestyle Intervention, Based on Exercise and Behaviour Support, as an Adjunct Therapy to Compression: A Sub-Study Focusing on People with Venous Leg Ulcers and Early Neuro-Degenerative Diseases (FISCU-NDD)
Authors: Klonizakis Markos , Gumber Anil , Morley Alexandra , Horspool Michelle , McIntosh Emma , Levesley Maria , McKeown Jane , Logan Pip
Published: October 2023

Background: The aim of this study was to adapt the “FISCU Home” intervention (a co-produced, self-managed and expert-supported lifestyle intervention comprising exercise and behaviour support aimed at people with Venous Leg Ulcers (VLUs), in a way that is suitable for the needs of people with combined VLUs and early-stage, Neuro-degenerative diseases (NDDs), and to explore its feasibility (e.g., estimate rates of recruitment and completion of sessions, calculate study adherence rates, assess participant satisfaction via participant interviews, and assess ease of data collection) within this clinical sub-group. Methods: We recruited seven people belonging to this VLUs sub-group (e.g., people with early-stage dementia or Parkinson’s), who were ≥18 years’ old, had VLU(s) of diameter ≥1 cm, ABPI ≥ 0.8, had the ability to tolerate lower-leg compression and were receiving VLU treatment at home. In Phase 1, participants helped us adapt the intervention. In Phase 2 we carried out a 4-week “training crash-course”. This consisted of three, 1 h, self-managed, exercise sessions per week (12 sessions in total), among the participants that completed the interviews. For Phase 3, we carried out post-interviews with all participants to investigate their study experiences, which were analysed using content analysis. Results: All assessments were completed successfully (100% retention and assessment completion), with no exercise-related adverse events. All participants completed the 4-week intervention (100%; all sessions completed by all participants). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the adapted intervention is feasible, enjoyable and well-received, and has the potential to provide clinical benefits to the participants.
Predictors, Prevalence, and Clinical Outcomes of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests in Croatia: A Nationwide Study
Authors: Vazanic Damir , Kurtovic Biljana , Balija Sasa , Milosevic Milan , Brborovic Ognjen
Published: October 2023

Background: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains a pivotal health challenge globally. In Croatia, there has been a knowledge gap regarding the prevalence, predictors, and outcomes of OHCA patients. This study aims to determine the prevalence, prediction, and outcomes of OHCA patients in Croatia. Methods: An extensive one-year analysis was performed on all OHCA treated by the Emergency Medical Service in Croatia, based on the Utstein recommendations. Data were extracted from Croatian Institute of Emergency Medicine databases, focusing on adult individuals who experienced sudden cardiac arrest in out-of-hospital settings in Croatia. Results: From 7773 OHCA cases, 9.5% achieved spontaneous circulation pre-hospital. Optimal outcomes corresponded to EMS intervention within ≤13 min post-arrest onset AUC = 0.577 (95% CI: 0.56–0.59; p < 0.001) and female gender OR = 1.81 (95% CI: 1.49–2.19; p < 0.001). Northern Croatia witnessed lower success rates relative to the capital city Zagreb OR = 0.68 (95% CI: 0.50–0.93; p = 0.015). Conclusions: Early intervention by EMS, specifically within a 13-min period following the onset of a cardiac arrest, significantly enhances the probability of achieving successful OHCA outcomes. Gender differences and specific initial heart rhythms further influenced the likelihood of successful outcomes. Regional disparities, with reduced success rates in northern Croatia compared to the City of Zagreb, were evident.
A Review of Hematological Complications and Treatment in COVID-19
Authors: Yazdani Armand N. , Abdi Arian , Velpuri Prathosh , Patel Parth , DeMarco Nathaniel , Agrawal Devendra K. , Rai Vikrant
Published: October 2023

COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, and its variants have spread rapidly across the globe in the past few years, resulting in millions of deaths worldwide. Hematological diseases and complications associated with COVID-19 severely impact the mortality and morbidity rates of patients; therefore, there is a need for oversight on what pharmaceutical therapies are prescribed to hematologically at-risk patients. Thrombocytopenia, hemoglobinemia, leukopenia, and leukocytosis are all seen at increased rates in patients infected with COVID-19 and become more prominent in patients with severe COVID-19. Further, COVID-19 therapeutics may be associated with hematological complications, and this became more important in immunocompromised patients with hematological conditions as they are at higher risk of hematological complications after treatment. Thus, it is important to understand and treat COVID-19 patients with underlying hematological conditions with caution. Hematological changes during COVID-19 infection and treatment are important because they may serve as biomarkers as well as to evaluate the treatment response, which will help in changing treatment strategies. In this literature review, we discuss the hematological complications associated with COVID-19, the mechanisms, treatment groups, and adverse effects of commonly used COVID-19 therapies, followed by the hematological adverse events that could arise due to therapeutic agents used in COVID-19.
A Self-Attention Model for Next Location Prediction Based on Semantic Mining
Authors: Lu Eric Hsueh-Chan , Lin You-Ru
Published: October 2023

With the rise in the Internet of Things (IOT), mobile devices and Location-Based Social Network (LBSN), abundant trajectory data have made research on location prediction more popular. The check-in data shared through LBSN hide information related to life patterns, and obtaining this information is helpful for location prediction. However, the trajectory data recorded by mobile devices are different from check-in data that have semantic information. In order to obtain the user’s semantic, relevant studies match the stay point to the nearest Point of Interest (POI), but location error may lead to wrong semantic matching. Therefore, we propose a Self-Attention model for next location prediction based on semantic mining to predict the next location. When calculating the semantic feature of a stay point, the first step is to search for the k-nearest POI, and then use the reciprocal of the distance from the stay point to the k-nearest POI and the number of categories as weights. Finally, we use the probability to express the semantic without losing other important semantic information. Furthermore, this research, combined with sequential pattern mining, can result in richer semantic features. In order to better perceive the trajectory, temporal features learn the periodicity of time series by the sine function. In terms of location features, we build a directed weighted graph and regard the frequency of users visiting locations as the weight, so the location features are rich in contextual information. We then adopt the Self-Attention model to capture long-term dependencies in long trajectory sequences. Experiments in Geolife show that the semantic matching of this study improved by 45.78% in TOP@1 compared with the closest distance search for POI. Compared with the baseline, the model proposed in this study improved by 2.5% in TOP@1.
Enhancing the Understanding of the EU Gender Equality Index through Spatiotemporal Visualizations
Authors: Targa Laya , Rueda Silvia , Riera Jose Vicente , Casas Sergio , Portalés Cristina
Published: October 2023

The Gender Equality Index allows analyzing and measuring the progress of gender equality in the EU and, therefore, the relation between men and women in different domains, such as Health, Work or Money. Even though the European Institute for Gender Equality has created some visualizations that are useful to look at the data, this website does not manage to make graphs that allow for observing the spatiotemporal variable. This article enhances the understanding of the index with spatiotemporal visualizations, such as cartograms, heatmaps and choropleth maps, and some strategies focusing on analyzing the evolution of the countries over the years in an open-access environment. The results show how the application created may be used as an addition to the EIGE website.
Thrombin-Induced COX-2 Expression and PGE2 Synthesis in Human Tracheal Smooth Muscle Cells: Role of PKCδ/Pyk2-Dependent AP-1 Pathway Modulation
Authors: Yang Chien-Chung , Lee I-Ta , Lin Yan-Jyun , Wu Wen-Bin , Hsiao Li-Der , Yang Chuen-Mao
Published: October 2023

In this study, we confirmed that thrombin significantly increases the production of COX-2 and PGE2 in human tracheal smooth muscle cells (HTSMCs), leading to inflammation in the airways and lungs. These molecules are well-known contributors to various inflammatory diseases. Here, we investigated in detail the involved signaling pathways using specific inhibitors and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Our results demonstrated that inhibitors targeting proteins such as protein kinase C (PKC)δ, proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2), c-Src, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), or activator protein-1 (AP-1) effectively reduced thrombin-induced COX-2 and PGE2 production. Additionally, transfection with siRNAs against PKCδ, Pyk2, c-Src, EGFR, protein kinase B (Akt), or c-Jun mitigated these responses. Furthermore, our observations revealed that thrombin stimulated the phosphorylation of key components of the signaling cascade, including PKCδ, Pyk2, c-Src, EGFR, Akt, and c-Jun. Thrombin activated COX-2 promoter activity through AP-1 activation, a process that was disrupted by a point-mutated AP-1 site within the COX-2 promoter. Finally, resveratrol (one of the most researched natural polyphenols) was found to effectively inhibit thrombin-induced COX-2 expression and PGE2 release in HTSMCs through blocking the activation of Pyk2, c-Src, EGFR, Akt, and c-Jun. In summary, our findings demonstrate that thrombin-induced COX-2 and PGE2 generation involves a PKCδ/Pyk2/c-Src/EGFR/PI3K/Akt-dependent AP-1 activation pathway. This study also suggests the potential use of resveratrol as an intervention for managing airway inflammation.
Exploring TCR-like CAR-Engineered Lymphocyte Cytotoxicity against MAGE-A4
Authors: Alsalloum Alaa , Shevchenko Julia , Fisher Marina , Philippova Julia , Perik-Zavodskii Roman , Perik-Zavodskaia Olga , Alrhmoun Saleh , Lopatnikova Julia , Vasily Kurilin , Volynets Marina , Zavjalov Evgenii , Solovjeva Olga , Akahori Yasushi , Shiku Hiroshi , Silkov Alexander , Sennikov Sergey
Published: October 2023

TCR-like chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-T) cell therapy has emerged as a game-changing strategy in cancer immunotherapy, offering a broad spectrum of potential antigen targets, particularly in solid tumors containing intracellular antigens. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxicity and functional attributes of in vitro-generated T-lymphocytes, engineered with a TCR-like CAR receptor precisely targeting the cancer testis antigen MAGE-A4. Through viral transduction, T-cells were genetically modified to express the TCR-like CAR receptor and co-cultured with MAGE-A4-expressing tumor cells. Flow cytometry analysis revealed a significant surge in cells expressing activation markers CD69, CD107a, and FasL upon encountering tumor cells, indicating robust T-cell activation and cytotoxicity. Moreover, immune transcriptome profiling unveiled heightened expression of pivotal T-effector genes involved in immune response and cell proliferation regulation. Additionally, multiplex assays also revealed increased cytokine production and cytotoxicity driven by granzymes and soluble Fas ligand (sFasL), suggesting enhanced anti-tumor immune responses. Preliminary in vivo investigations revealed a significant deceleration in tumor growth, highlighting the therapeutic potential of these TCR-like CAR-T cells. Further investigations are warranted to validate these revelations fully and harness the complete potential of TCR-like CAR-T cells in overcoming cancer’s resilient defenses.
Clinical Phenotypes of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy—The Differences in Interleukin Patterns
Authors: Madetko-Alster Natalia , Otto-Ślusarczyk Dagmara , Wiercińska-Drapało Alicja , Koziorowski Dariusz , Szlufik Stanisław , Samborska-Ćwik Joanna , Struga Marta , Friedman Andrzej , Alster Piotr
Published: October 2023

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is an atypical parkinsonian syndrome based on tau pathology; its clinical phenotype differs, but PSP with Richardson’s syndrome (PSP-RS) and the PSP parkinsonism predominant (PSP-P) variant remain the two most common manifestations. Neuroinflammation is involved in the course of the disease and may cause neurodegeneration. However, an up-to-date cytokine profile has not been assessed in different PSP phenotypes. This study aimed to evaluate possible differences in neuroinflammatory patterns between the two most common PSP phenotypes. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and IL-6 were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits in 36 study participants—12 healthy controls and 24 patients with a clinical diagnosis of PSP-12 PSP-RS and 12 PSP-P. Disease duration among PSP patients ranged from three to six years. All participants underwent basic biochemical testing, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) values were calculated. Due to a lack of neuropathological examinations, as all patients remain alive, total tau levels were assessed in the CSF. Tau levels were significantly higher in the PSP-P and PSP-RS groups compared to the healthy controls. The lowest concentrations of serum and CSF interleukins were observed in PSP-RS patients, whereas PSP-P patients and healthy controls had significantly higher interleukin concentrations. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between serum IL-6 levels and PLR in PSP-RS patients. The results indicate the existence of distinct neuroinflammatory patterns or a neuroprotective role of increased inflammatory activity, which could cause the differences between PSPS phenotypes and clinical course. The causality of the correlations described requires further studies to be confirmed.