bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Intelligent Network Traffic Prediction Scheme Based on Ensemble Learning of Multi-Layer Perceptron in Complex Networks
Authors: Wang Chunzhi , Cao Weidong , Wen Xiaodong , Yan Lingyu , Zhou Fang , Xiong Neal
Published: March 2023

At present, the amount of network equipment, servers, and network traffic is increasing exponentially, and the way in which operators allocate and efficiently utilize network resources has attracted considerable attention from traffic forecasting researchers. However, with the advent of the 5G era, network traffic has also shown explosive growth, and network complexity has increased dramatically. Accurately predicting network traffic has become a pressing issue that must be addressed. In this paper, a multilayer perceptron ensemble learning method based on convolutional neural networks (CNN) and gated recurrent units (GRU) spatiotemporal feature extraction (MECG) is proposed for network traffic prediction. First, we extract spatial and temporal features of the data by convolutional neural networks (CNN) and recurrent neural networks (RNN). Then, the extracted temporal features and spatial features are fused into new spatiotemporal features through integrated learning of a multilayer perceptron, and a spatiotemporal prediction model is built in the sequence-to-sequence framework. At the same time, the teacher forcing mechanism and attention mechanism are added to improve the accuracy and convergence speed of the model. Finally, the proposed method is compared with other deep learning models for experiments. The experimental results show that the proposed method not only has apparent advantages in accuracy but also shows some superiority in time training cost.
Predictive Business Process Monitoring Approach Based on Hierarchical Transformer
Authors: Ni Weijian , Zhao Gang , Liu Tong , Zeng Qingtian , Xu Xingzong
Published: March 2023

Predictive business process monitoring is predicting the next stage of the business process based on the sequence of events that have occurred in the business process instance, which is positive for promoting the rational allocation of resources and the improvement of execution efficiency. There are drawbacks in modeling business process instances, such as conceptual drift phenomenon and long event sequences. Therefore, we propose a hierarchical Transformer-based business process prediction model to improve the performance of the Transformer-based predictive business process monitoring model. We encode the event features using two different encoding methods to obtain the relationship between activities and attributes. A drift detection algorithm is proposed to segment the business process and calculate the correlation between activities and segments by using cross-attention. Furthermore, learnable position encoding is designed to capture the relative position information of subsequences. Finally, the information of different granularity, such as event attributes, event subsequences, and complete instances, is fused by different weights. Experiments were run on seven real event logs for the next activity prediction and remaining time prediction, and the next activity prediction accuracy improved by 6.32% on average, and the mean absolute error of remaining time prediction reduces by 21% on average.
Single-Timestamp Skew Correction (STSC) in V2X Networks
Authors: Hashmi Muhammad Usman , Hussain Muntazir , Babar Muhammad , Qureshi Basit
Published: March 2023

Modern vehicles nowadays have many capabilities apart from the basic function of driving. These are now intelligent, smart, and can communicate over the Internet. A vehicle-to-everything (V2X) wireless network represents a network where vehicles communicate vital sensor data with other vehicles, pedestrians, and fixed infrastructure over the internet. There are various challenges in V2X communication that may affect the efficiency of autonomous devices, systems, and infrastructure. Of the many challenges, time synchronization among many devices in V2X networks is a key challenge. In a V2X network, all nodes within the network need to be time-synchronized; this is essential for task scheduling, computation off-loading, event sequencing, resource sharing, and efficient utilization of resources in the network. In recent works, many researchers have addressed time synchronization in V2X networks by considering multiple timestamps in order to estimate the time skew offset with varying results. In this paper, we consider a skew-based approach, namely, a single-timestamp skew correction (STSC) for time synchronization in V2X networks. The proposed method needs a single timestamp to estimate time skew at the hardware level with the help of physical-layer time synchronization using symbol timing recovery. Implementation results prove that the STSC accurately synchronizes the nodes in phase and frequency, therefore resulting in a greater accuracy and better energy savings in the V2X networks.
Study of the Radiation Pattern and Frequency Response of a Short Linear Antenna Surrounded by Discharge Tubes for the Development of Rapidly Adjustable Wideband Antenna Systems
Authors: Wang Hailu , Lyu Xingbao , Yao Jingfeng , Astafiev Aleksandr M. , Li He-Ping
Published: March 2023

Plasma antenna systems consisting of discharge elements have great practical application prospects due to their ability to quickly adjust parameters over a wide range. In this work, the radiation patterns of a 30 mm long linear antenna surrounded by 16 standard T8 fluorescent lamps were measured by using a spectrum analyzer with a tracking generator. The radiation pattern of the system is measured by connecting the output of the spectrum analyzer tracking generator to a linear antenna and connecting the input of the spectrum analyzer to the receiving broadband horn antenna. The work features experimental measurements over a wide frequency range of 0.5 to 1.5 GHz and a wide discharge with current values from 35 to 200 mA. The specific frequency band and uniquely selected geometry allowed for the investigation of both the in-phase and out-of-phase antenna modes, while some modes were found to have a narrow directional radiation pattern, within 50 degrees, with a beam width of −3 dB. The parameters of the gas-discharge plasma were also evaluated using drift theory, as well as using the microwave transmission of the 20 GHz signal. The electron density value corresponding to the used discharge currents was approximately from 4 × 1011 to 7 × 1010 cm−3.
Design of a 7.5 kW Dual Active Bridge Converter in 650 V GaN Technology for Charging Applications
Authors: Alemanno Alessio , Morici Riccardo , Pretelli Miguel , Florian Corrado
Published: March 2023

High-voltage GaN switches offer low conduction and commutation losses compared with their Si counterparts, enabling the development of high-efficiency switching-mode DC–DC converters with increased switching frequency, faster dynamics, and more compact dimensions. Nonetheless, the potential of GaN switches can be fully exploited only by means of accurate simulations, optimal switch driving, suitable converter topology, accurate component selection, PCB layout optimization, and fast digital converter control. This paper describes the detailed design, simulation, and implementation of an air-cooled, 7.5 kW, dual active bridge converter exploiting commercial 650 V GaN switches, a compact planar transformer, and low ESL/ESR metal film capacitors. The isolated bidirectional converter operates at a 200 kHz switching frequency, with an output voltage range of 200–500 V at nominal 400 V input voltage, and a maximum output current of 28 A, with a wide full-power ZVS region. The overall efficiency at full power is 98.2%. This converter was developed in particular for battery charging applications, when bidirectional power flow is required.
Reliable Data Transmission in Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks Using a Cluster-Based Routing Protocol Endorsed by Member Nodes
Authors: Sathish Kaveripakam , Hamdi Monia , Chinthaginjala Ravikumar , Pau Giovanni , Ksibi Amel , Anbazhagan Rajesh , Abbas Mohamed , Usman Mohammed
Published: March 2023

Considering Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks (UWSNs) have limited power resources (low bandwidth, long propagation delays, and non-rechargeable batteries), it is critical that they develop solutions to reduce power usage. Clustering is one solution because it not only saves energy consumption but also improves scalability and data integrity. The design of UWSNs is vital to the development of clustering algorithms. The limited energy of sensor nodes, narrow transmission bandwidth, and unpredictable topology of mobile Underwater Acoustic Wireless Sensor Networks (UAWSNs) make it challenging to build an effective and dependable underwater communication network. Despite its success in data dependability, the acoustic underwater communication channel consumes the greatest energy at a node. Recharging and replacing a submerged node’s battery could be prohibitively expensive. We propose a network architecture called Member Nodes Supported Cluster-Based Routing Protocol (MNS-CBRP) to achieve consistent information transfer speeds by using the network’s member nodes. As a result, we use clusters, which are produced by dividing the network’s space into many minute circular sections. Following that, a Cluster Head (CH) node is chosen for each circle. Despite the fact that the source nodes are randomly spread, all of the cluster heads are linked to the circle’s focal point. It is the responsibility of the MNS-CBRP source nodes to communicate the discovered information to the CH. The discovered data will then be sent to the CH that follows it, and so on, until all data packets have been transferred to the surface sinks. We tested our techniques thoroughly using QualNet Simulator to determine their viability.
Inventories of Short-Lived Fission Gas Nuclides in Nuclear Reactors
Authors: Wang Yu , Cao Jianzhu , Xie Feng , Li Fu
Published: March 2023

Taking inventories in reactor cores is critical for understanding their radioactive source terms and establishing the relationship between the activity concentration in the primary loop and the status of the reactor core’s fuel. However, there is a niche in which a simple but accurate relationship between reactor conditions and nuclide inventories can reliably predict the fission gas nuclide activities of the reactor core in the primary loop. In this study, a simple and efficient model called “Inventories of a Point Reactor for Fission Gas Nuclides” (IPRFGN) was proposed to calculate and interpret such inventories, in which a 10 MW high-temperature gas-cooled experimental reactor (HTR-10) was used as the test case. The present study findings were consistent with those of a general point–depletion burnup code such as the KORIGEN code. Here, the relative error was <1%. Based on the application of the IPRFGN model in HTR-10, the results indicate that the proposed IPRFGN model has provided the relationship between the inventories of fission gas nuclides in the core and the reactor conditions in all types of nuclear fission reactors. In the future, the IPRFGN model will be used for calculating fission gas nuclide inventories in various reactors.
Supporting Information Quality Management in Information and Communications Technology Systems with Uncertainty Modelling
Authors: Stawowy Marek , Duer Stanisław , Perlicki Krzysztof , Mrozek Tomasz , Harničárová Marta
Published: March 2023

Information quality management (IQM) is crucial in critical Information and Communications Technology (ICT) systems since our lives and health often depend on the quality of information that the systems provide. Especially in the field of transport, we can speak about critical systems. Worldwide, a small number of scientists take on these problems. This is because information quality (IQ) measurement is a very complex process, and IQM is impossible without IQ measurement. In the article, the authors used a method for IQ measurement created by one of them. This method for IQ measurement makes it possible to create IQM and IQ assessment (IQA). This article proposes a method for IQA that makes IQM possible. The authors demonstrated the possibility of searching for IQ modelling imperfections and offered a computation example for a road traffic light power system. In the final section authors present simulation results for two models. The results of this research can be used to optimise information flow. Employing IQA to evaluate ICT systems will enable controlling the maintenance of adequate IQ, among others, after changes to an ICT system or locating the quality models’ weakest or improper elements. The novelty of the presented IQM method is using multi-layer IQA based on uncertainty modelling.
The Impact of Krebs Cycle Intermediates on the Endocrine System and Immune System: A Comparison
Authors: Arneth Borros M.
Published: March 2023

Introduction: The Krebs cycle is an important set of reactions that synthesize different molecules and substances that affect various organs. The objective of this paper was to compare the effects of Krebs cycle intermediates on the endocrine system and the immune system. Methods and Materials: The articles used in this paper were obtained from a systematic search of PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and primary databases. The search terms were “Krebs cycle,” “intermediates,” “endocrine system,” “tricarboxylic acid,” “citric acid cycle,” and “immune system,” and Boolean operators (AND/OR) were used to combine terms. Results: A review of the selected studies showed that Krebs cycle intermediates influence how the endocrine system regulates and controls body processes, including energy uptake. Moreover, these intermediates have both direct and indirect effects on immune function, memory, and activation. Discussion: An understanding of the effects of Krebs cycle intermediates on endocrine and immune processes will provide valuable insights for the development of new therapies. Additionally, this knowledge is a basis for exploring the pathogenesis of the complications related to endocrine system function and for evaluating the immune system response to pathogens. Conclusions: The evidence gathered in this review shows that Krebs cycle intermediates have significant effects on immune and endocrine processes. However, further human and in vivo studies are required to generate additional evidence for the underlying pathways and to identify the potential strategies for targeting these mechanisms to manage specific disorders.
Pesticide and Yeast Interaction in Alcoholic Fermentation: A Mini-Review
Authors: Becerra Kevin , Ghosh Soumya , Godoy Liliana
Published: March 2023

The current investigation briefly reviews previous studies about the fate of pesticides used in wine grape production during the alcoholic fermentation process, and how these could affect the correct functioning of yeast. The present review discusses the fact that yeasts could be used as a biological tool for pesticide dissipation, diminishing the concentration present in the grapes during the production process. The previous have never been directly boarded by other authors. The first part explores the influences of pesticides on yeasts and elucidates their effect on the fermentation process; also, some examples are analyzed of molecular studies involving the effect of pesticides on yeast. The second part discusses the effect of yeast on pesticide residues and their capacity to reduce its concentration during the alcoholic fermentation process, which varies among the different pesticides. In addition, this review discusses the mechanism by which yeast cells adsorb and/or degrade pesticides. In the last part, some examples of using yeasts as a possible remediation tool in wine and how the industry could use this to ensure consumers that a product is without pesticide residues are also discussed. This review shows that there is a natural capacity for the reduction of pesticide residue concentration by yeasts, and the effects of pesticides on yeast development is a variable phenomenon. This information guides advancement in pesticide removal from wine.
Effect of Perchlorate on Combustion Properties of Directly-Written Al/PVDF Composites
Authors: Li Jingwei , Liu Xuwen , Xie Quanmin , Su Jiaxin , Hu Maocong , Yao Zhenhua
Published: March 2023

Metastable intermolecular composites (MICs) based on Al/PVDF have become one of the most important materials in the field of additive manufacturing of energetic materials due to their high energy density and designability. In this work, the energy utilization efficiency and energy release performance of directly written Al/PVDF composites were regulated by introducing ammonium perchlorate (AP) and potassium perchlorate (KP) as gas generators and oxidants. The effect of AP/KP on the combustion performance of MICs systems has been studied in depth. It was found that the addition of AP/KP can increase the combustion temperature and flame duration of the Al/PVDF system. Moreover, the flame propagation rate of the Al/PVDF system decreases as AP/KP addition increases. Therefore, the strategy of introducing AP/KP into directly written Al/PVDF composites can effectively control the energy performance of this energetic system, thereby promoting its practical application in propellants, heterogeneous explosives and gas generators.
Control of MHD Flow and Heat Transfer of a Micropolar Fluid through Porous Media in a Horizontal Channel
Authors: Kocić Miloš , Stamenković Živojin , Petrović Jelena , Bogdanović-Jovanović Jasmina
Published: March 2023

The problem considered in this paper is a steady micropolar fluid flow in porous media between two plates. This model can be used to describe the flow of some types of fluids with microstructures, such as human and animal blood, muddy water, colloidal fluids, lubricants and chemical suspensions. Fluid flow is a consequence of the constant pressure gradient along the flow, while two parallel plates are fixed and have different constant temperatures during the fluid flow. Perpendicular to the flow, an external magnetic field is applied. General equations of the problem are reduced to ordinary differential equations and solved in the closed form. Solutions for velocity, microrotation and temperature are used to explain the influence of the external magnetic field (Hartmann number), the characteristics of the micropolar fluid (coupling and spin gradient viscosity parameter) and the characteristics of the porous medium (porous parameter) using graphs. The results obtained in the paper show that the increase in the additional viscosity of micropolar fluids emphasizes the microrotation vector. Moreover, the analysis of the effect of the porosity parameter shows how the permeability of a porous medium can influence the fluid flow and heat transfer of a micropolar fluid. Finally, it is shown that the influence of the external magnetic field reduces the characteristics of micropolar fluids and tends to reduce the velocity field and make it uniform along the cross-section of the channel.
On the Determination of the 3D Velocity Field in Terms of Conserved Variables in a Compressible Ocean
Authors: Tailleux Rémi
Published: March 2023

Explicit expressions of the 3D velocity field in terms of the conserved quantities of ideal fluid thermocline theory, namely the Bernoulli function, density, and potential vorticity, are generalised in this paper to a compressible ocean with a realistic nonlinear equation of state. The most general such expression is the ‘inactive wind’ solution, an exact nonlinear solution of the inviscid compressible Navier–Stokes equation that satisfies the continuity equation as a consequence of Ertel’s potential vorticity theorem. However, due to the non-uniqueness of the choice of the Bernoulli function, such expressions are not unique and primarily differ in the magnitude of their vertical velocity component. Due to the thermobaric nonlinearity of the equation of state, the expression for the 3D velocity field of a compressible ocean is found to resemble its ideal fluid counterpart only if constructed using the available form of the Bernoulli function, the Bernoulli equivalent of Lorenz’s available potential energy (APE). APE theory also naturally defines a quasi-material, approximately neutral density variable known as the Lorenz reference density. This density variable, in turn, defines a potential vorticity variable that is minimally affected by thermobaric production, thus providing all the necessary tools for extending most results of ideal fluid thermocline theory to a compressible ocean.
Numerical Analysis of Linear Traveling Wave in Rotating Rayleigh–Bénard Convection with an Adiabatic Sidewall
Authors: Tagawa Toshio
Published: March 2023

In rotating Rayleigh–Bénard problems, convection with traveling waves may occur near the sidewalls. The Rayleigh number, Taylor number and Prandtl number are involved in this phenomenon, and the convection mode is determined depending on their values. We focused on the onset of this convection with traveling waves under the assumption that centrifugal force is neglected. By conducting two-dimensional linear stability analyses assuming periodicity of the flow and temperature fields along the sidewall direction, we investigated the effect of the Taylor number and the Prandtl number on the critical Rayleigh number and also attempted to understand the phenomenon qualitatively through three-dimensional visualizations. It was exhibited that as the Taylor number increases, the wave number, the Rayleigh number and the phase speed are found to increase. On the other hand, as the Prandtl number decreases, the wavenumber and the Rayleigh number decrease, but the phase velocity increases. The present analyses suggest that convection modes localized near the sidewalls are unlikely to emerge for low Prandtl number cases, which are comparable to those of liquid metals.
Perspectives in the Application of High, Medium, and Low Molecular Weight Oat β-d-Glucans in Dietary Nutrition and Food Technology—A Short Overview
Authors: Sushytskyi Leonid , Synytsya Andriy , Čopíková Jana , Lukáč Pavol , Rajsiglová Lenka , Tenti Paolo , Vannucci Luca E.
Published: March 2023

For centuries human civilization has cultivated oats, and now they are consumed in various forms of food, from instant breakfasts to beverages. They are a nutrient-rich food containing linear mixed-linkage (1 → 3) (1 → 4)-β-d-glucans, which are relatively well soluble in water and responsible for various biological effects: the regulation of the blood cholesterol level, as well as being anti-inflammatory, prebiotic, antioxidant, and tumor-preventing. Numerous studies, especially in the last two decades, highlight the differences in the biological properties of the oat β-d-glucan fractions of low, medium, and high molecular weight. These fractions differ in their features due to variations in bioavailability related to the rheological properties of these polysaccharides, and their association with food matrices, purity, and mode of preparation or modification. There is strong evidence that, under different conditions, the molecular weight may determine the potency of oat-extracted β-d-glucans. In this review, we intend to give a concise overview of the properties and studies of the biological activities of oat β-d-glucan preparations depending on their molecular weight and how they represent a prospective ingredient of functional food with the potential to prevent or modulate various pathological conditions.
Uncovering the Biotechnological Importance of Geotrichum candidum
Authors: Kamilari Eleni , Stanton Catherine , Reen F. Jerry , Ross R. Paul
Published: March 2023

Fungi make a fundamental contribution to several biotechnological processes, including brewing, winemaking, and the production of enzymes, organic acids, alcohols, antibiotics, and pharmaceuticals. The present review explores the biotechnological importance of the filamentous yeast-like fungus Geotrichum candidum, a ubiquitous species known for its use as a starter in the dairy industry. To uncover G. candidum’s biotechnological role, we performed a search for related work through the scientific indexing internet services, Web of Science and Google Scholar. The following query was used: Geotrichum candidum, producing about 6500 scientific papers from 2017 to 2022. From these, approximately 150 that were associated with industrial applications of G. candidum were selected. Our analysis revealed that apart from its role as a starter in the dairy and brewing industries, this species has been administered as a probiotic nutritional supplement in fish, indicating improvements in developmental and immunological parameters. Strains of this species produce a plethora of biotechnologically important enzymes, including cellulases, β-glucanases, xylanases, lipases, proteases, and α-amylases. Moreover, strains that produce antimicrobial compounds and that are capable of bioremediation were identified. The findings of the present review demonstrate the importance of G. candidum for agrifood- and bio-industries and provide further insights into its potential future biotechnological roles.
Multi-Residue Screening of Pesticides in Aquatic Products Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Wang Shouying , Yang Guangxin , Tang Yunyu , Wang Yuan , Shen Xiaosheng , Si Wenshuai , Yu Huijuan , Zhai Wenlei , Fodjo Essy Kouadio , Kong Cong
Published: March 2023

Pesticide residues in aquatic products are of great concern due to the risk of environmental transmission and their extensive use in aquaculture. In our work, a quick screening approach was developed for the qualitative and semi-quantitative screening of 87 pesticide residues in aquatic products. The sample preparation was investigated, including extract solvent, extract methods, buffer salts, lipid removal, cleanup materials and filter membranes for aquatic products. Samples were extracted using a modified QuEChERS procedure, and two clean-up procedures were developed for UHPLC-Q/Orbitrap MS analysis based on the fat content of the aquatic products. The screening detection limits for all studied pesticides were distributed between 1 and 500 μg/kg in the three representative matrices. Seventy-one pesticides could be analyzed with a screening limit between 1 and 25 μg/kg in grass carp and crayfish, sixty-one pesticides could be screened for limits between 1 and 50 μg/kg in crab. The accuracy results showed that recoveries ranged from 50 to 120% for 60, 56 and 52 pesticides at medium-level for grass carp, crayfish and crab, respectively. At high spiking levels, 74, 65 and 59 pesticides were recovered within the range of 50–120% for the three matrices, respectively. The relative standard deviations of most compounds in different matrices were less than 20%. With this method, the local farmed aquatic products were tested for pesticide residues. In these samples, ethoxyquinoline, prometryn and phoxim were frequently detected. The majority of these confirmed compounds did not exceed 2.00 μg/kg. A grass carp with trichlorfon at 4.87 μg/kg and two carps with ethoxyquinoline at 200 µg/kg were detected, indicating the potential dietary risk.
Identifying Differences in Consumer Attitudes towards Local Foods in Organic and National Voluntary Quality Certification Schemes
Authors: Hristov Hristo , Erjavec Karmen , Pravst Igor , Juvančič Luka , Kuhar Aleš
Published: March 2023

As no study on attitudes towards local food has compared “organic” and national quality scheme consumer segments, this study aimed to provide further insights and clarifications on the issue of consumer segmentation in terms of trust towards organic food and food of selected quality perceived as local, along socioeconomic characteristics, and other important determinants of this complex interaction. The research examines consumers’ attitudes and perceptions related to two quality schemes for special Slovenian foods: “Organic”, which relates to production methods; and “Selected Quality”, which relates to quality attributes. The study focused on two segments of consumers, who exhibit a high level of trust towards the two quality schemes. Comparative analysis of the consumer segments looked for the potential differences with respect to their sociodemographic profiles, as well as to their understanding of the definition of local food, attitudes towards local food, trust in actors and institutions, and willingness to purchase local food. The study combined qualitative approaches and a quantitative survey with a general population sample. The results showed that both consumer groups have similar understandings of local food, with region-based interpretations outperforming country-based interpretations. The “Organic” group was more cosmopolitan and supportive of the local community, regardless of geographic proximity, than the “Selected Quality” group. Older consumers occupy a larger share of both segments, with professionals and individuals with higher incomes more likely to be in the “Organic” group and retirees and students more likely to be in the “Selected Quality” group. To increase the consumers’ interest in food with the “Organic” and “Selected Quality” schemes, more specific product propositions should be developed.
Fractional Cumulative Residual Mean Relative Entropy and Its Application in an Aeroengine Gas Path System
Authors: Dong Keqiang , Li Shushu
Published: March 2023

Mean relative entropy has a wide range of applications in measuring information differences. However, relative entropy is difficult to approximate from empirical distribution entropy. Therefore, we replace the probability density function in the mean relative entropy with the residual distribution function and add the form of fractional-order calculation, named fractional-order cumulative residual mean relative entropy. The fractional cumulative residual average relative entropy can be approximated by the empirical entropy of the sample data, and the fractional calculation form is beneficial to revealing the details and information of the underlying system. Some statistical properties of the new entropy are given. Empirical fractional cumulative residual mean relative entropy is shown to converge to the theoretical value. Finally, fractional cumulative residual mean relative entropy is used to analyze aeroengine gas path data.
Nanofabrication Technologies to Control Cell and Tissue Function in Three-Dimension
Authors: Otsuka Hidenori
Published: March 2023

In the 2000s, advances in cellular micropatterning using microfabrication contributed to the development of cell-based biosensors for the functional evaluation of newly synthesized drugs, resulting in a revolutionary evolution in drug screening. To this end, it is essential to utilize cell patterning to control the morphology of adherent cells and to understand contact and paracrine-mediated interactions between heterogeneous cells. This suggests that the regulation of the cellular environment by means of microfabricated synthetic surfaces is not only a valuable endeavor for basic research in biology and histology, but is also highly useful to engineer artificial cell scaffolds for tissue regeneration. This review particularly focuses on surface engineering techniques for the cellular micropatterning of three-dimensional (3D) spheroids. To establish cell microarrays, composed of a cell adhesive region surrounded by a cell non-adherent surface, it is quite important to control a protein-repellent surface in the micro-scale. Thus, this review is focused on the surface chemistries of the biologically inspired micropatterning of two-dimensional non-fouling characters. As cells are formed into spheroids, their survival, functions, and engraftment in the transplanted site are significantly improved compared to single-cell transplantation. To improve the therapeutic effect of cell spheroids even further, various biomaterials (e.g., fibers and hydrogels) have been developed for spheroid engineering. These biomaterials not only can control the overall spheroid formation (e.g., size, shape, aggregation speed, and degree of compaction), but also can regulate cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix interactions in spheroids. These important approaches to cell engineering result in their applications to tissue regeneration, where the cell-biomaterial composite is injected into diseased area. This approach allows the operating surgeon to implant the cell and polymer combinations with minimum invasiveness. The polymers utilized in hydrogels are structurally similar to components of the extracellular matrix in vivo, and are considered biocompatible. This review will provide an overview of the critical design to make hydrogels when used as cell scaffolds for tissue engineering. In addition, the new strategy of injectable hydrogel will be discussed as future directions.
Long-Term Spasticity Management in Post-Stroke Patients: Issues and Possible Actions—A Systematic Review with an Italian Expert Opinion
Authors: Morone Giovanni , Baricich Alessio , Paolucci Stefano , Bentivoglio Anna Rita , De Blasiis Paolo , Carlucci Matilde , Violi Francesco , Levato Gabriella , Pani Marcello , Carpagnano Lucia Federica , Spandonaro Federico , Picelli Alessandro , Smania Nicola
Published: March 2023

Spasticity is a well-known motor dysfunction occurring after a stroke. A group of Italian physicians’ experts in treating post-stroke spasticity (PSS) reviewed the current scientific evidence concerning the state-of-the-art clinical management of PSS management and the appropriate use of botulinum toxin, aiming to identify issues, possible actions, and effective management of the patient affected by spasticity. The participants were clinicians specifically selected to cover the range of multidisciplinary clinical and research expertise needed to diagnose and manage PSS. When evidence was not available, the panel discussed and agreed on the best way to manage and treat PSS. To address the barriers identified, the panel provides a series of consensus recommendations. This systematic review provides a focused guide in the evaluation and management of patients with PSS and its complications. The recommendations reached by this panel of experts should be used by less-experienced doctors in real life and should be used as a guide on how to best use botulinum toxin injection in treating spasticity after a stroke.
Evolution of a System to Monitor Infant Neuromotor Development in the Home: Lessons from COVID-19
Authors: Schladen Manon Maitland , Kuo Hsin-Hung , Tran Tan , Ofonedu Achuna , Hoang Hanh , Jett Robert , Gu Megan , Liu Kimberly , Mohammed Kai’lyn , Mohammed Yas’lyn , Lum Peter S. , Koumpouros Yiannis
Published: March 2023

In the nine months leading up to COVID-19, our biomedical engineering research group was in the very early stages of development and in-home testing of HUGS, the Hand Use and Grasp Sensor (HUGS) system. HUGS was conceived as a tool to allay parents’ anxiety by empowering them to monitor their infants’ neuromotor development at home. System focus was on the evolving patterns of hand grasp and general upper extremity movement, over time, in the naturalistic environment of the home, through analysis of data captured from force-sensor-embedded toys and 3D video as the baby played. By the end of March, 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated and global lockdown ensued, home visits were no longer possible and HUGS system testing ground to an abrupt halt. In the spring of 2021, still under lockdown, we were able to resume recruitment and in-home testing with HUGS-2, a system whose key requirement was that it be contactless. Participating families managed the set up and use of HUGS-2, supported by a detailed library of video materials and virtual interaction with the HUGS team for training and troubleshooting over Zoom. Like the positive/negative poles of experience reported by new parents under the isolation mandated to combat the pandemic, HUGS research was both impeded and accelerated by having to rely solely on distance interactions to support parents, troubleshoot equipment, and securely transmit data. The objective of this current report is to chronicle the evolution of HUGS. We describe a system whose design and development straddle the pre- and post-pandemic worlds of family-centered health technology design. We identify and classify the clinical approaches to infant screening that predominated in the pre-COVID-19 milieu and describe how these procedural frameworks relate to the family-centered conceptualization of HUGS. We describe how working exclusively through the proxy of parents revealed the family’s priorities and goals for child interaction and surfaced HUGS design shortcomings that were not evident in researcher-managed, in-home testing prior to the pandemic.
The Burden of Alcohol-Related Emergency Department Visits in a Hospital of a Large European City
Authors: Cholerzyńska Hanna , Zasada Wiktoria , Kłosiewicz Tomasz , Konieczka Patryk , Mazur Mateusz
Published: March 2023

(1) Alcohol consumption contributes to the development of numerous diseases and is a big organizational burden on emergency departments (EDs). (2) We examined data on alcohol-related ED admissions in Poznan, Poland between 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2022. A total of 2290 patients’ records were collected and analysed. The main goal was to determine the impact that these visits had on the functioning of the ED and the hospital. (3) The alcohol-related admission rate was significantly higher in males (78.95% vs. 21.05%), and the median blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level was 2.60 (1.78–3.38) ‰. Most of the visits took place at weekends and in the evening. Patients with higher BAC tended to stay longer in the ED, but had a lower chance of being admitted. A majority of patients required radiology and laboratory testing, 20.44% needed psychiatric examination, and 19.69% suffered trauma, mainly to the head. (4) Injuries and mental problems were the most common medical emergencies. This study presents trends in alcohol-related ED attendances, examines reasons for visits, and makes an attempt to assess overall burden on EDs.
Bright Morning Lighting Enhancing Parasympathetic Activity at Night: A Pilot Study on Elderly Female Patients with Dementia without a Pacemaker
Authors: Liu Chuen-Ru , Kuo Terry B. J. , Jou Jwo-Huei , Lai Chun-Ting Lai , Chang Yu-Kai , Liou Yiing Mei
Published: March 2023

Exposure to bright morning light (BML) entrains the master circadian clock, modulates physiological circadian rhythms, and reduces sleep–wake disturbances. However, its impact on the autonomic nervous system at night remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of BML exposure on parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) and sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity at night in elderly women. This nonrandomized controlled pilot study included female participants aged ≥ 60 years who were diagnosed with a type of dementia or cognitive disorder, excluding individuals with pacemakers. The treatment group was exposed to 2500 lx of BML, whereas the control group was exposed to 200 lx of general lighting. We measured heart rate variability to quantify ANS activity. The treatment group displayed significant increases in high-frequency (HF) power (Roy’s largest root = 1.62; p < 0.001) and nonsignificant decreases in normalized low-frequency (LF%) power. The corresponding nonsignificant decreases in the low-frequency/high-frequency (LF/HF) ratio and cognitive function were correlated with PSNS activity (Roy’s largest root = 1.41; p < 0.001), which improved severe dementia. BML exposure reduced SNS activity and enhanced PSNS activity at night in female participants, which improved cognitive function. Thus, BML therapy may be a useful clinical tool for alleviating cognitive decline.
The Future Will Remember: A Historical Approach to Restoring Muffled Voices in Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory: The Macau Experience
Authors: Chan Catherine S.
Published: March 2023

Using the case of Macau’s joss-stick manufacturing, this study contributes to existing dialogue on issues surrounding the institutionalisation of ICH safeguarding and the consequential devitalisation of intangible values in the process of inventory. Through a close analysis of official documents, old English- and Chinese-language newspapers, pre-existing documentation, and oral and written interviews with the founders of Macau’s sole incense manufacturer, Veng Lei Laboratory (永利紙料), I will demonstrate the government’s scramble to compile an inventory of elements that lack depth and representation and the absence of communal involvement in the course of selection and inventory. Contrasting the history of the joss-stick industry with the official discourse, this study argues that the heritagisation of craftsmanship flattens the dynamics of the past experiences of practitioners and further muffles their voices. Providing an intervention to heritage studies from the historical perspective, it encourages a more careful consideration of the necessity of heritagising elements before they are inventoried.
Comparative Study on the Behavior of Some Old Apple Varieties before and after Their Grafting, with Potential for Use in Urban Horticulture
Authors: Iordănescu Olimpia Alina , Radulov Isidora , Dascălu Ionuț , Berbecea Adina , Camen Dorin , Orboi Manuela Dora , Călin Cristian Constantin , Gal Tamara Edina
Published: March 2023

Urban horticulture has to respond to several challenges, including reducing the growth vigor of the scion/rootstock combination, adapting the cultivated species/variety to the pedoclimatic conditions—more varied in recent years, and increasing tolerance to diseases and pests that cause extensive qualitative and quantitative damage to fruit production. For this experiment, 15 old apple varieties were chosen, all known and cultivated in the Banat area, which were grafted on the MM106 rootstock. Several parameters were analyzed that can be used for a relevant classification for planting them in limited spaces, such as in a private garden. Our research started 10 years ago and has already resulted in a doctoral thesis that extensively presents the data taken from the initial biological material and the first two years after grafting the trees; the research continued and is still ongoing in the experimental orchard. From the multitude of aspects studied, we have chosen to present some results related to the vigor of the scion/rootstock combination, the quality of the fruits, their content in acidity as well as the behavior with respect to diseases and pests—results that can be useful to those who want to grow old apple varieties in their own garden. Growth vigor was reduced in most varieties, but the highest influence of the rootstock on growth was observed in the ‘Bănățenesc’ variety, followed by ‘Jonathan de Munte’ and ‘Caslere’. Grafting and agrotechniques had a positive influence on the fruit mass in all cultivars, except ‘Crețesc’, with an experimental average of 163.35 g, namely 60.56 g higher on average than that of the original biological material. After grafting, the SSC was between 10.05 °Brix in the ‘Curcubătoase’ variety and 18.48 °Brix in ‘Parmen Auriu’, with an experimental average of 14.96 °Brix. The fruit acidity oscillated between 0.13 g/100 g in ‘Florănești’ and ‘Pătul’ varieties and 0.46 g/100 g in ‘Domnesc’, with an experimental average of 0.25 g/100 g.
HGST: A Hilbert-GeoSOT Spatio-Temporal Meshing and Coding Method for Efficient Spatio-Temporal Range Query on Massive Trajectory Data
Authors: Liu Hong , Yan Jining , Wang Jinlin , Chen Bo , Chen Meng , Huang Xiaohui
Published: March 2023

In recent years, with the widespread use of location-aware handheld devices and the development of wireless networks, trajectory data have shown a trend of rapid growth in data volume and coverage, which has led to the prosperous development of location-based services (LBS). Spatio-temporal range query, as the basis of many services, remains a challenge in supporting efficient analysis and calculation of data, especially when large volumes of trajectory data have been accumulated. We propose a Hilbert-GeoSOT spatio-temporal meshing and coding method called HGST to improve the efficiency of spatio-temporal range queries on massive trajectory data. First, the method uses Hilbert to encode the grids obtained based on the GeoSOT space division model, and then constructs a unified time division standard to generate the space–time location identification of trajectory data. Second, this paper builds a novel spatio-temporal index to organize trajectory data, and designs an adaptive spatio-temporal scaling and coding method based on HGST to improve the query performance on indexed records. Finally, we implement a prototype system based on HBase and Spark, and develop a Spark-based algorithm to accelerate the spatio-temporal range query for huge trajectory data. Extensive experiments on a real taxi trajectory dataset demonstrate that HGST improves query efficiency levels by approximately 14.77% and 34.93% compared with GeoSOT-ST and GeoMesa at various spatial scales, respectively, and has better scalability under different data volumes.
Correction: Li et al. How Has the Recent Climate Change Affected the Spatiotemporal Variation of Reference Evapotranspiration in a Climate Transitional Zone of Eastern China? ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2022, 11, 300
Authors: Li Meng , Chu Ronghao , Sha Xiuzhu , Islam Abu Reza Md. Towfiqul , Jiang Yuelin , Shen Shuanghe
Published: March 2023

In the published publication [...]
Ribbon Synapses and Retinal Disease: Review
Authors: Frederick Courtney E. , Zenisek David
Published: March 2023

Synaptic ribbons are presynaptic protein complexes that are believed to be important for the transmission of sensory information in the visual system. Ribbons are selectively associated with those synapses where graded changes in membrane potential drive continuous neurotransmitter release. Defective synaptic transmission can arise as a result of the mutagenesis of a single ribbon component. Visual diseases that stem from malfunctions in the presynaptic molecular machinery of ribbon synapses in the retina are rare. In this review, we provide an overview of synaptopathies that give rise to retinal malfunction and our present understanding of the mechanisms that underlie their pathogenesis and discuss muscular dystrophies that exhibit ribbon synapse involvement in the pathology.
Arsenite Exposure to Human RPCs (HRTPT) Produces a Reversible Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT): In-Vitro and In-Silico Study
Authors: Singhal Sonalika , Garrett Scott H. , Somji Seema , Schaefer Kalli , Bansal Benu , Gill Jappreet Singh , Singhal Sandeep K. , Sens Donald A.
Published: March 2023

The human kidney is known to possess renal progenitor cells (RPCs) that can assist in the repair of acute tubular injury. The RPCs are sparsely located as single cells throughout the kidney. We recently generated an immortalized human renal progenitor cell line (HRTPT) that co-expresses PROM1/CD24 and expresses features expected on RPCs. This included the ability to form nephrospheres, differentiate on the surface of Matrigel, and undergo adipogenic, neurogenic, and osteogenic differentiation. These cells were used in the present study to determine how the cells would respond when exposed to nephrotoxin. Inorganic arsenite (iAs) was chosen as the nephrotoxin since the kidney is susceptible to this toxin and there is evidence of its involvement in renal disease. Gene expression profiles when the cells were exposed to iAs for 3, 8, and 10 passages (subcultured at 1:3 ratio) identified a shift from the control unexposed cells. The cells exposed to iAs for eight passages were then referred with growth media containing no iAs and within two passages the cells returned to an epithelial morphology with strong agreement in differential gene expression between control and cells recovered from iAs exposure. Results show within three serial passages of the cells exposed to iAs there was a shift in morphology from an epithelial to a mesenchymal phenotype. EMT was suggested based on an increase in known mesenchymal markers. We found RPCs can undergo EMT when exposed to a nephrotoxin and undergo MET when the agent is removed from the growth media.