bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flying a Quadcopter—An Audio Entertainment and Training Game for the Visually Impaired
Authors: Ivascu Silviu , Moldoveanu Florica , Moldoveanu Alin , Morar Anca , Tugulea Ana-Maria , Asavei Victor
Published: June 2023

With the increase in the number of sensory substitution devices, the engineering community is confronted with a new challenge: ensuring user training in safe virtual environments before using these devices in real-life situations. We developed a game that uses an original sonification model, which, although not specific to a certain substitution device, can be an effective means of training for orientation in space based on audio stimuli. Thus, the game is not only a means of entertainment for visually impaired (VI) people but also one of training for the use of assistive devices. The game design and audio design are original contributions by the authors. The sonification model, which is crucial for a game dedicated to visually impaired people, is described in detail, both at the user and the implementation level. For better immersion, special sound design techniques have been used, such as ambisonic recordings and impulse response (IR) recordings. The game has been improved gradually, especially the sonification model, based on users’ feedback.
PCB Defect Images Super-Resolution Reconstruction Based on Improved SRGAN
Authors: Liu Zhihang , He Pengfei , Wang Feifei
Published: June 2023

Image super-resolution reconstruction technology can boost image resolution and aid in the discovery of PCB flaws. The traditional SRGAN algorithm produces reconstructed images with great realism, but it also has the disadvantages of insufficient feature information extraction ability, a large number of model parameters, as well as a lack of fine-grained image reconstruction impact. To that end, this paper proposes an SRGAN-based super-resolution reconstruction algorithm for PCB defect images that is the first to add a VIT network to the generation network to extend the perceptual field and improve the model’s ability to extract high-frequency information. The high-frequency feature extraction module is then used to enhance the generator’s extraction of high-frequency information from the feature map while reducing the complexity of the model network. Finally, the inverted residual module and VIT network are combined to form the discriminator’s backbone network, which extracts and summarizes shallow features while synthesizing global features for higher-level features, allowing the discriminator effect to be achieved with less spatial complexity. On the test set, the improved algorithm increases the PSNR by 0.82 and the SSIM by 0.03, and the SRVIT algorithm’s number of discriminator model parameters and model space size are decreased by 2.01 M and 7.5 MB, respectively, when compared to the SRGAN algorithm. Moreover, the improved PCB defect image super-resolution reconstruction algorithm not only enhances the image reconstruction effect but also lowers model space complexity.
Exploring Influencing Factors and Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Water Management on Green Roofs: A Systematic Quantitative Review
Authors: Abuseif Majed
Published: June 2023

Green roofs are becoming popular in urban areas due to their potential benefits, including energy efficiency, urban heat island mitigation, and stormwater management. However, their water consumption can negatively impact water resources. Therefore, carefully managing the water consumption of green roofs is crucial to ensure they do not exacerbate existing water scarcity issues. This review explores the influencing factors and innovative solutions that increase the sustainability of water management on green roofs. A systematic quantitative review was conducted on published studies on green roofs. The review highlighted that while small-scale experimental studies are almost saturated, large-scale monitoring studies are still lacking. Modelling and assessing green roof settings based on climatic conditions and water availability and consumption are essential for successful water management. Using integrated technologies and sensing systems can increase water management efficiency and sustainability. Rainwater may be sufficient as a water source for green roofs in wet climates, while irrigation is still needed in other climates. Phytoremediation and biosorption can potentially increase runoff water quality. Improving hydrological performance by increasing rainwater retention and reducing water consumption capacity can reduce demand for other water resources and effectively manage small storms, mitigating pressure on city infrastructure and increasing water quality. Seeking non-potable sources, such as greywater, or harvesting enough rainwater to be used for irrigation during dry weather periods is highly advantageous for improving the sustainability of green roofs.
Home: Photographs by Lim Sokchanlina and Yoppy Pieter
Authors: Rangarajan Akshatha
Published: June 2023

Photography by Cambodian artist Lim Sokchanlina (b.1987) in his National Road Number 5 series and Indonesian artist Yoppy Pieter’s (b.1984) Saujana Sumpu series interpret the notion of placemaking. Sokchanlina and Pieter portray a fraught relationship between place and identity, integrating a sense of belonging integral to a residence and connecting the medium of photography with the appeal of a home. This article explores the conceptual and aesthetic strategies used by the artists to convey the personal and communal history of place in Cambodia and Indonesia. The artists explore a three-fold intent of place, as having a geographical presence, as an environment to conduct social relations, and as an entity encouraging inherent attachment, constantly shifting between the various connotations, creating intermediary nuances between the meanings. Their methodology of using placemaking to deconstruct the traditional model of a home using contemporary art with a community’s heritage creates a unique Southeast Asian identity. The interaction between people and spaces, the configuration of values and identities, and the manifestation of personal and collective memory consolidate the idea of placemaking with the aesthetics of home.
Gravitational versus Magnetohydrodynamic Waves in Curved Spacetime in the Presence of Large-Scale Magnetic Fields
Authors: Kleidis Kostas , Kuiroukidis Apostolos , Papadopoulos Demetrios B.
Published: June 2023

The general-relativistic (GR) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations for a conductive plasma fluid are derived and discussed in the curved spacetime described by Thorne’s metric tensor, i.e., a family of cosmological models with inherent anisotropy due to the existence of an ambient, large-scale magnetic field. In this framework, it is examined whether the magnetized plasma fluid that drives the evolution of such a model can be subsequently excited by a transient, plane-polarized gravitational wave (GW) or not. To do so, we consider the associated set of the perturbed equations of motion and integrate them numerically in order to study the evolution of instabilities triggered by the GW propagation. In particular, we examine to what extend perturbations of the electric and/or the magnetic field can be amplified due to a potential energy transfer from the GW to the electromagnetic (EM) degrees of freedom. The evolution of the perturbed quantities depends on four free parameters, namely, the conductivity of the fluid, σ; the speed of sound square, 13<Csc2≡γ<1, which in this model may serve also as a measure of the inherent anisotropy; the GW frequency, ωg; and the associated angle of propagation with respect to the direction of the magnetic field, θ. We find that GW propagation in the anisotropic magnetized medium under consideration does excite several MHD modes; in other words, there is energy transfer from the gravitational to the EM degrees of freedom that can result in the acceleration of charged particles at the spot and in the subsequent damping of the GW.
PM2.5 Concentration Forecasting Using Weighted Bi-LSTM and Random Forest Feature Importance-Based Feature Selection
Authors: Kim Baekcheon , Kim Eunkyeong , Jung Seunghwan , Kim Minseok , Kim Jinyong , Kim Sungshin
Published: June 2023

Particulate matter (PM) in the air can cause various health problems and diseases in humans. In particular, the smaller size of PM2.5 enable them to penetrate deep into the lungs, causing severe health impacts. Exposure to PM2.5 can result in respiratory, cardiovascular, and allergic diseases, and prolonged exposure has also been linked to an increased risk of cancer, including lung cancer. Therefore, forecasting the PM2.5 concentration in the surrounding is crucial for preventing these adverse health effects. This paper proposes a method for forecasting the PM2.5 concentration after 1 h using bidirectional long short-term memory (Bi-LSTM). The proposed method involves selecting input variables based on the feature importance calculated by random forest, classifying the data to assign weight variables to reduce bias, and forecasting the PM2.5 concentration using Bi-LSTM. To compare the performance of the proposed method, two case studies were conducted. First, a comparison of forecasting performance according to preprocessing. Second, forecasting performance between deep learning (long short-term memory, gated recurrent unit, and Bi-LSTM) and conventional machine learning models (multi-layer perceptron, support vector machine, decision tree, and random forest). In case study 1, The proposed method shows that the performance indices (RMSE: 3.98%p, MAE: 5.87%p, RRMSE: 3.96%p, and R2:0.72%p) are improved because weights are given according to the input variables before the forecasting is performed. In case study 2, we show that Bi-LSTM, which considers both directions (forward and backward), can effectively forecast when compared to conventional models (RMSE: 2.70, MAE: 0.84, RRMSE: 1.97, R2: 0.16). Therefore, it is shown that the proposed method can effectively forecast PM2.5 even if the data in the high-concentration section is insufficient.
The Bibliometric Analysis of Low-Carbon Transition and Public Awareness
Authors: Wu Xialu , Shen Yu-Sheng
Published: June 2023

After the agreements of the Conference of the Parties, more and more countries announced plans to achieve net zero emissions over the coming decades and published new policies in response to the agreements. Public awareness is a crucial factor in achieving the goals of the agreements. Therefore, the study of public awareness/behavior toward the low-carbon transition is important. However, this topic lacks a comprehensive and systematic review. Thus, this study used bibliometric analysis, including performance analysis and scientific mapping analysis, to reveal research trends and clarify the status of studies in low-carbon transition and public awareness. We found that 95% of the literature on this topic was published from 2011 to 2022. Judging from keywords, the hotspots of this topic are “Sustainability”, “Energy Transition”, “Low-carbon Economy”, and “Carbon Emission Reduction”. Regarding the research field transition for this topic, environmental sciences have always been a core subject. Furthermore, economics, management, political science, and sociology have focused on this topic in recent years. Additionally, there are gaps between low-carbon policy and public awareness/behavior. Therefore, the frontier directions of low-carbon transition and public awareness include “low-carbon education”, “policies with specific guidelines”, and “worldwide collaboration”.
Compositions and Sources of Organic Aerosol in PM2.5 in Nanjing in China
Authors: Li Wenjing , Guo Shuang , Xu Zhiqi , Wang Xinfeng , Wang Anting , Chen Mindong
Published: June 2023

Organic aerosols are harmful to the environment because of their impact on air quality and visibility. They have serious effects not only on living beings and ecosystems because of their biological toxicity, but they also have an indirect effect on regional climate change as cloud condensation nuclei and radiation force. Many measures have been applied to decrease air pollution. Although the air quality has greatly improved, the standard of the World Health Organization (WHO) is far from being met at present. In this study, fine particulates were collected in Nanjing throughout 2019, and high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ion–mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) was carried out to determine 14 organic acids, 10 nitrated phenols, 1 aldehyde, and 1 ketone in aerosol samples. In this study, we further determined the changes in the pollutants in Nanjing in recent years compared to previous studies and characterized more kinds of species in the air. We found that different kinds of nitrated phenols showed similar trends of being abundant in winter and substituted in spring, autumn, and summer. 4-Nitrophenol was the most abundant species (2.83 ng m−3) among the nitrated phenols. p-Coumaric acid presented the highest level in summer with an average concentration of 1.55 ng m−3, indicating that grass burning was significant in summer, possibly due to wheat stalk and perennial ryegrass burning. The positive matrix fraction (PMF) model was applied to identify the sources of aerosols in Nanjing, including coal burning, grass burning, softwood burning, hardwood burning, anthropogenic secondary organic aerosols (SOAs), and biogenic SOAs. Coal burning and softwood burning contributed much more to the total determined species with values of 20.3% and 18.2%, respectively. Anthropogenic SOAs contributed 17.1%, and hardwood burning contributed 16.7%. The contribution of biogenic SOAs was 15%, and the grass-burning source contribution was the lowest, with 12.6%. With consideration of the large contribution from anthropogenic combustion activities, more strict measures are required to reduce emission pollutants in the future.
Examining the Effectiveness of Doppler Lidar-Based Observation Nudging in WRF Simulation for Wind Field: A Case Study over Osaka, Japan
Authors: Nayak Sridhara , Kanda Isao
Published: June 2023

This study attempts to improve the accuracy of wind field simulations in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model by incorporating Doppler lidar-based wind observations over the Osaka region of Japan. To achieve this, a Doppler lidar was deployed in Osaka city, and multi-layer wind measurements were obtained for one month (August 2022). These measurements were then assimilated into the WRF model using the observation nudging technique. Two simulations were conducted: one with nudging disabled, and the other with nudging enabled with data assimilation, while keeping all other configurations constant. The results were evaluated by comparing the simulations with the lidar observation at the lidar location where the wind data were nudged during the simulation, as well as with the AMeDAS station observations at other locations far from the lidar. The results indicated that not only the wind field, but other weather variables such as temperature, were better captured in the simulation using lidar-based nudging compared to the simulation without nudging.
The Impact of Air Quality and Meteorology on COVID-19 Cases at Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, Malaysia and Prediction Using Machine Learning
Authors: Jalaludin Juliana , Wan Mansor Wan Nurdiyana , Abidin Nur Afizan , Suhaimi Nur Faseeha , Chao How-Ran
Published: June 2023

Emissions from motor vehicles and industrial sources have contributed to air pollution worldwide. The effect of chronic exposure to air pollution is associated with the severity of the COVID-19 infection. This ecological investigation explored the relationship between meteorological parameters, air pollutants, and COVID-19 cases among residents in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur between 18 March and 1 June in the years 2019 and 2020. The air pollutants considered in this study comprised particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and carbon monoxide (CO), whereas wind direction (WD), ambient temperature (AT), relative humidity (RH), solar radiation (SR), and wind speed (WS) were analyzed for meteorological information. On average, air pollutants demonstrated lower concentrations than in 2019 for both locations except PM2.5 in Kuala Lumpur. The cumulative COVID-19 cases were negatively correlated with SR and WS but positively correlated with O3, NO2, RH, PM10, and PM2.5. Overall, RH (r = 0.494; p < 0.001) and PM2.5 (r = −0.396, p < 0.001) were identified as the most significant parameters that correlated positively and negatively with the total cases of COVID-19 in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, respectively. Boosted Trees (BT) prediction showed that the optimal combination for achieving the lowest Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), Mean Squared Error (MSE), and Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and a higher R-squared (R2) correlation between actual and predicted COVID-19 cases was achieved with a learning rate of 0.2, a minimum leaf size of 7, and 30 learners. The model yielded an R2 value of 0.81, a RMSE of 0.44, a MSE of 0.19, and a MAE of 0.35. Using the BT predictive model, the number of COVID-19 cases in Selangor was projected with an R2 value of 0.77. This study aligns with the existing notion of connecting meteorological factors and chronic exposure to airborne pollutants with the incidence of COVID-19. Integrated governance for holistic approaches would be needed for air quality management post-COVID-19 in Malaysia.
The Role of Water Vapor Observations in Satellite Rainfall Detection Highlighted by a Deep Learning Approach
Authors: Estébanez-Camarena Mónica , Curzi Fabio , Taormina Riccardo , van de Giesen Nick , ten Veldhuis Marie-Claire
Published: June 2023

West African food systems and rural socio-economics are based on rainfed agriculture, which makes society highly vulnerable to rainfall uncertainty and frequent floods and droughts. Reliable rainfall information is currently missing. There is a sparse and uneven rain gauge distribution and, despite continuous efforts, rainfall satellite products continue to show weak correlations with ground measurements. This paper aims to investigate whether water vapor (WV) observations together with temporal information can complement thermal infrared (TIR) data for satellite rainfall retrieval in a Deep Learning (DL) framework. This is motivated by the fact that water vapor plays a key role in the highly seasonal West African rainfall dynamics. We present a DL model for satellite rainfall detection based on WV and TIR channels of Meteosat Second Generation and temporal information. Results show that the WV inhibition of low-level features enables the depiction of strong convective motions usually related to heavy rainfall. This is especially relevant in areas where convective rainfall is dominant, such as the tropics. Additionally, WV data allow us to detect dry air masses over our study area, that are advected from the Sahara Desert and create discontinuities in precipitation events. The developed DL model shows strong performance in rainfall binary classification, with less false alarms and lower rainfall overdetection (FBias <2.0) than the state-of-the-art Integrated MultisatellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) Final Run.
A Review of Neural Data and Modelling to Explain How a Semicircular Canal Dehiscence (SCD) Causes Enhanced VEMPs, Skull Vibration Induced Nystagmus (SVIN), and the Tullio Phenomenon
Authors: Curthoys Ian S. , Smith Christopher M. , Burgess Ann M. , Dlugaiczyk Julia
Published: June 2023

Angular acceleration stimulation of a semicircular canal causes an increased firing rate in primary canal afferent neurons that result in nystagmus in healthy adult animals. However, increased firing rate in canal afferent neurons can also be caused by sound or vibration in patients after a semicircular canal dehiscence, and so these unusual stimuli will also cause nystagmus. The recent data and model by Iversen and Rabbitt show that sound or vibration may increase firing rate either by neural activation locked to the individual cycles of the stimulus or by slow changes in firing rate due to fluid pumping (“acoustic streaming”), which causes cupula deflection. Both mechanisms will act to increase the primary afferent firing rate and so trigger nystagmus. The primary afferent data in guinea pigs indicate that in some situations, these two mechanisms may oppose each other. This review has shown how these three clinical phenomena—skull vibration-induced nystagmus, enhanced vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, and the Tullio phenomenon—have a common tie: they are caused by the new response of semicircular canal afferent neurons to sound and vibration after a semicircular canal dehiscence.
Exploring the Potential of Rice, Tiger Nut and Carob for the Development of Fermented Beverages in Spain: A Comprehensive Review on the Production Methodologies Worldwide
Authors: Vitali Matteo , Gandía Mónica , Garcia-Llatas Guadalupe , Tamayo-Ramos Juan Antonio , Cilla Antonio , Gamero Amparo
Published: June 2023

Rice, tiger nut and carob are Mediterranean products suitable for developing new foods, such as fermented beverages, due to their nutritional properties. These crops have a high carbohydrate content, are gluten and lactose-free and have a low allergenicity index. The development of fermented beverages from these crops can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals by promoting human health and sustainable production and consumption. A narrative review of the nutritional value and potential functional activity of fermented beverages made from these crops was carried out. This literature review of existing studies on fermented and non-fermented beverages highlights their composition, production methodology, and health benefits. Fermented beverages made from these crops are high in fiber, essential fatty acids, vitamins (group B), and minerals. Fermentation increases the bioaccessibility of these nutrients while decreasing possible anti-nutritional factors. These fermented beverages offer several health benefits due to their antioxidant effects, modulating the intestinal microbiota and reducing the incidence of chronic degenerative diseases such as metabolic syndrome. Therefore, fermented rice, tiger nut and carob beverages can improve the Spanish diet by offering improved nutritional value and beneficial health effects. Additionally, these local crops promote sustainability, making them an appropriate choice for developing new fermented beverages.
Reference Standards for Digital Infrared Thermography Measuring Surface Temperature of the Upper Limbs
Authors: Son Seong , Yoo Byung Rhae , Zhang Ho Yeol
Published: June 2023

(1) Background: although digital infrared thermographic imaging (DITI) is used for diverse medical conditions of the upper limbs, no reference standards have been established. This study aims to establish reference standards by analyzing DITI results of the upper limbs. (2) Methods: we recruited 905 healthy Korean adults and conducted thermography on six regions (dorsal arm, ventral arm, lateral arm, medial arm, dorsal hand, and ventral hand region). We analyzed the data based on the proximity of regions of interest (ROIs), sex, and age. (3) Results: the average temperature (°C) and temperature discrepancy between the right and the left sides (ΔT) of each ROI varied significantly (p < 0.001), ranging from 28.45 ± 5.71 to 29.74 ± 5.14 and from 0.01 ± 0.49 to 0.15 ± 0.62, respectively. The temperature decreased towards the distal ROIs compared to proximal ROIs. The average temperatures of the same ROIs were significantly higher for men than women in all regions (p < 0.001). Across all regions, except the dorsal hand region, average temperatures tended to increase with age, particularly in individuals in their 30s and older (p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: these data could be used as DITI reference standards to identify skin temperature abnormalities of the upper limbs. However, it is important to consider various confounding factors, and further research is required to validate the accuracy of our results under pathological conditions.
Experimental Models for Rare Melanoma Research—The Niche That Needs to Be Addressed
Authors: Ionita Ioana , Malita Daniel , Dehelean Cristina , Olteanu Emilian , Marcovici Iasmina , Geamantan Andreea , Chiriac Sorin , Roman Andrea , Radu Daniela
Published: June 2023

Melanoma, the tumor arising from the malignant transformation of pigment-producing cells—the melanocytes—represents one of the most severe cancer types. Despite their rarity compared to cutaneous melanoma, the extracutaneous subtypes such as uveal melanoma (UM), acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), and mucosal melanoma (MM) stand out due to their increased aggressiveness and mortality rate, demanding continuous research to elucidate their specific pathological features and develop efficient therapies. Driven by the emerging progresses made in the preclinical modeling of melanoma, the current paper covers the most relevant in vitro, in vivo, and in ovo systems, providing a deeper understanding of these rare melanoma subtypes. However, the preclinical models for UM, ALM, and MM that were developed so far remain scarce, and none of them is able to completely simulate the complexity that is characteristic to these melanomas; thus, a continuous expansion of the existing library of experimental models is pivotal for driving advancements in this research field. An overview of the applicability of precision medicine in the management of rare melanoma subtypes is also provided.
Discovery and Characteristics of a Novel Antitumor Cyclopeptide Derived from Shark
Authors: Li Fu , Lei Minghua , Xie Junye , Guo Shujun , Li Weicai , Ren Xiujuan , Wang Teng , Lin Songxiong , Xie Qiuling , Chen Xiaojia
Published: June 2023

Peptides pose a challenge in drug development due to their short half-lives in vivo. In this study, we conducted in vitro degradation experiments on SAIF, which is a shark-derived peptide that we previously studied. The degradation fragments were sequenced and a truncated peptide sequence was identified. The truncated peptide was then cloned and expressed via the E. coli system with traceless cloning to form a novel cyclic peptide in vitro oxidation condition via the formation of a disulfide bond between the N- and C-termini, which was named ctSAIF. ctSAIF exhibited high anti-HCC activity and enhanced enzymatic stability in vitro, and retained antitumor activity and good biocompatibility in systemic circulation in a HCC xenograft model. Our study discovered and characterized a novel shark-derived cyclic peptide with antitumor activity, laying a foundation for its further development as an antitumor drug candidate. The study also provided a new solution for peptide drug development.
Design and Additive Manufacturing of Acetabular Implant with Continuously Graded Porosity
Authors: Mukherjee Sumanta , Dhara Santanu , Saha Partha
Published: June 2023

Porous structured metallic implants are preferable as bone graft substitutes due to their faster tissue integration mediated by bone in-growth and vascularization. The porous scaffolds/implants should also mimic the graded structure of natural bone to ensure a match of mechanical properties. This article presents a method for designing a graded porous structured acetabular implant and identifies suitable parameters for manufacturing the model through additive manufacturing. The design method is based on slice-wise modification to ensure continuity of gradation. Modification of the slices was achieved through the binary image processing route. A geodesic dome-type design was adopted for developing the acetabular cup model from the graded porous structure. The model had a solid shell with the target porosity and pore size gradually changing from 65% and 950 µm, respectively, in the inner side to 75% and 650 µm, respectively, towards the periphery. The required dimensions of the unit structures and the combinations of pore structure and strut diameter necessary to obtain the target porosity and pore size were determined analytically. Suitable process parameters were identified to manufacture the model by Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) using Ti6Al4V powder after carrying out a detailed experimental study to minimize the variation of surface roughness and warping over different build angles of the strut structures. Dual-contour scanning was implemented to simplify the scan strategy. The minimum diameter of struts that could be manufactured using the selected scanning strategy and scanning parameters was found to be 375 µm. Finally, the model was built and from the micro-CT data, the porosities and pore sizes were found to be closely conforming to the designed values. The stiffness of the structures, as found from compression testing, was also found to match with that of human trabecular bone well. Further, the structure exhibited compliant bending-dominated behaviour under compressive loading.
A Minimally-Invasive Method for Serial Cerebrospinal Fluid Collection and Injection in Rodents with High Survival Rates
Authors: Han Jingrong Regina , Yang Yu , Wu Tianshu William , Shi Tao-Tao , Li Wenlu , Zou Yilong
Published: June 2023

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is an important sample source for diagnosing diseases in the central nervous system (CNS), but collecting and injecting CSF in small animals is technically challenging and often results in high mortality rates. Here, we present a cost-effective and efficient method for accessing the CSF in live rodents for fluid collection and infusion purposes. The key element of this protocol is a metal needle tool bent at a unique angle and length, allowing the successful access of the CSF through the foramen magnum. With this method, we can collect 5–10 µL of the CSF from mice and 70–100 µL from rats for downstream analyses, including mass spectrometry. Moreover, our minimally-invasive procedure enables iterative CSF collection from the same animal every few days, representing a significant improvement over prior protocols. Additionally, our method can be used to inject solutions into mice cisterna magna with high success rates and high postoperative recovery rates. In summary, we provide an efficient and minimally-invasive protocol for collecting and infusing reagents into the CSF in live rodents. We envision this protocol will facilitate biomarker discovery and drug development for diseases in the central nervous system.
Cannabis for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review
Authors: Strand Natalie H. , Maloney Jillian , Kraus Molly , Wie Christopher , Turkiewicz Michal , Gomez Diego A. , Adeleye Olufunmilola , Harbell Monica W.
Published: June 2023

Fibromyalgia is a common disease syndrome characterized by chronic pain and fatigue in conjunction with cognitive dysfunction such as memory difficulties. Patients currently face a difficult prognosis with limited treatment options and a diminished quality of life. Given its widespread use and potential efficacy in treating other types of pain, cannabis may prove to be an effective treatment for fibromyalgia. This review aims to examine and discuss current clinical evidence regarding the use of cannabis for the treatment of fibromyalgia. An electronic search was conducted on MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus using Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms on all literature published up to October 2022. A follow-up manual search included a complete verification of relevant studies. The results of four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and five observational studies (a total of 564 patients) that investigated the effects of cannabis on fibromyalgia symptoms were included in this review. Of the RCTs, only one demonstrated that cannabinoids did not have a different effect than placebo on pain responses. Overall, this analysis shows low-quality evidence supporting short-term pain reduction in people with fibromyalgia treated with cannabinoid therapeutics. Although current evidence is limited, medical cannabis appears to be a safe alternative for treating fibromyalgia.
Sirtuin Inhibitor Cambinol Induces Cell Differentiation and Differently Interferes with SIRT1 and 2 at the Substrate Binding Site
Authors: Giordano Deborah , Scafuri Bernardina , De Masi Luigi , Capasso Lucia , Maresca Viviana , Altucci Lucia , Nebbioso Angela , Facchiano Angelo , Bontempo Paola
Published: June 2023

Epigenetic mechanisms finely regulate gene expression and represent potential therapeutic targets. Cambinol is a synthetic heterocyclic compound that inhibits class III histone deacetylases known as sirtuins (SIRTs). The acetylating action that results could be crucial in modulating cellular functions via epigenetic regulations. The main aim of this research was to investigate the effects of cambinol, and its underlying mechanisms, on cell differentiation by combining wet experiments with bioinformatics analyses and molecular docking simulations. Our in vitro study evidenced the ability of cambinol to induce the differentiation in MCF-7, NB4, and 3T3-L1 cell lines. Interestingly, focusing on the latter that accumulated cytoplasmic lipid droplets, the first promising results related to the action mechanisms of cambinol have shown the induction of cell cycle-related proteins (such as p16 and p27) and modulation of the expression of Rb protein and nuclear receptors related to cell differentiation. Moreover, we explored the inhibitory mechanism of cambinol on human SIRT1 and 2 performing in silico molecular simulations by protein–ligand docking. Cambinol, unlike from other sirtuin inhibitors, is able to better interact with the substrate binding site of SIRT1 than with the inhibition site. Additionally, for SIRT2, cambinol partially interacts with the substrate binding site, although the inhibition site is preferred. Overall, our findings suggest that cambinol might contribute to the development of an alternative to the existing epigenetic therapies that modulate SIRTs.
The Flexible Armor of Chinese Sturgeon: Potential Contribution of Fish Skin on Fracture Toughness and Flexural Response
Authors: Zheng Yu , Li Xin , Liu Ping , Chen Ying , Guo Ce
Published: June 2023

Fish skin is a biological material with high flexibility and compliance and can provide good mechanical protection against sharp punctures. This unusual structural function makes fish skin a potential biomimetic design model for flexible, protective, and locomotory systems. In this work, tensile fracture tests, bending tests, and calculation analyses were conducted to study the toughening mechanism of sturgeon fish skin, the bending response of the whole Chinese sturgeon, and the effect of bony plates on the flexural stiffness of the fish body. Morphological observations showed some placoid scales with drag-reduction functions on the skin surface of the Chinese sturgeon. The mechanical tests revealed that the sturgeon fish skin displayed good fracture toughness. Moreover, flexural stiffness decreased gradually from the anterior region to the posterior region of the fish body, which means that the posterior region (near the tail) had higher flexibility. Under large bending deformation, the bony plates had a specific inhibition effect on the bending deformation of the fish body, especially in the posterior region of the fish body. Furthermore, the test results of the dermis-cut samples showed that the sturgeon fish skin had a significant impact on flexural stiffness, and the fish skin could act as an external tendon to promote effective swimming motion.
Application of Shear Horizontal Surface Acoustic Wave (SH-SAW) Immunosensor in Point-of-Care Diagnosis
Authors: Cheng Chia-Hsuan , Yatsuda Hiromi , Goto Mikihiro , Kondoh Jun , Liu Szu-Heng , Wang Robert
Published: June 2023

Point-of-care testing (POCT), also known as on-site or near-patient testing, has been exploding in the last 20 years. A favorable POCT device requires minimal sample handling (e.g., finger-prick samples, but plasma for analysis), minimal sample volume (e.g., one drop of blood), and very fast results. Shear horizontal surface acoustic wave (SH-SAW) biosensors have attracted a lot of attention as one of the effective solutions to complete whole blood measurements in less than 3 min, while providing a low-cost and small-sized device. This review provides an overview of the SH-SAW biosensor system that has been successfully commercialized for medical use. Three unique features of the system are a disposable test cartridge with an SH-SAW sensor chip, a mass-produced bio-coating, and a palm-sized reader. This paper first discusses the characteristics and performance of the SH-SAW sensor system. Subsequently, the method of cross-linking biomaterials and the analysis of SH-SAW real-time signals are investigated, and the detection range and detection limit are presented.
Multi-Probe Nano-Genomic Biosensor to Detect S. aureus from Magnetically-Extracted Food Samples
Authors: Boodoo Chelsie , Dester Emma , David Jeswin , Patel Vedi , KC Rabin , Alocilja Evangelyn C.
Published: June 2023

One of the most prevalent causes of foodborne illnesses worldwide is staphylococcal food poisoning. This study aimed to provide a robust method to extract the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus from food samples using glycan-coated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). Then, a cost-effective multi-probe genomic biosensor was designed to detect the nuc gene of S. aureus rapidly in different food matrices. This biosensor utilized gold nanoparticles and two DNA oligonucleotide probes combined to produce a plasmonic/colorimetric response to inform users if the sample was positive for S. aureus. In addition, the specificity and sensitivity of the biosensor were determined. For the specificity trials, the S. aureus biosensor was compared with the extracted DNA of Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE), and Bacillus cereus. The sensitivity tests showed that the biosensor could detect as low as 2.5 ng/µL of the target DNA with a linear range of up to 20 ng/µL of DNA. With further research, this simple and cost-effective biosensor can rapidly identify foodborne pathogens from large-volume samples.
Raman Spectroscopy for Urea Breath Test
Authors: Popov Evgeniy , Polishchuk Anton , Kovalev Anton , Vitkin Vladimir
Published: June 2023

The urea breath test is a non-invasive diagnostic method for Helicobacter pylori infections, which relies on the change in the proportion of 13CO2 in exhaled air. Nondispersive infrared sensors are commonly used for the urea breath test in laboratory equipment, but Raman spectroscopy demonstrated potential for more accurate measurements. The accuracy of the Helicobacter pylori detection via the urea breath test using 13CO2 as a biomarker is affected by measurement errors, including equipment error and δ13C measurement uncertainty. We present a Raman scattering-based gas analyzer capable of δ13C measurements in exhaled air. The technical details of the various measurement conditions have been discussed. Standard gas samples were measured. 12CO2 and 13CO2 calibration coefficients were determined. The Raman spectrum of the exhaled air was measured and the δ13C change (in the process of the urea breath test) was calculated. The total error measured was 6% and does not exceed the limit of 10% that was analytically calculated.
Recent Aptamer-Based Biosensors for Cd2+ Detection
Authors: Gao Zihan , Wang Yin , Wang Haijian , Li Xiangxiang , Xu Youyang , Qiu Jieqiong
Published: June 2023

Cd2+, a major environmental pollutant, is heavily toxic to human health. Many traditional techniques are high-cost and complicated; thus, developing a simple, sensitive, convenient, and cheap monitoring approach is necessary. The aptamer can be obtained from a novel method called SELEX, which is widely used as a DNA biosensor for its easy acquisition and high affinity of the target, especially for heavy metal ions detection, such as Cd2+. In recent years, highly stable Cd2+ aptamer oligonucleotides (CAOs) were observed, and electrochemical, fluorescent, and colorimetric biosensors based on aptamers have been designed to monitor Cd2+. In addition, the monitoring sensitivity of aptamer-based biosensors is improved with signal amplification mechanisms such as hybridization chain reactions and enzyme-free methods. This paper reviews approaches to building biosensors for inspecting Cd2+ by electrochemical, fluorescent, and colorimetric methods. Finally, many practical applications of sensors and their implications for humans and the environment are discussed.
Measuring the Awareness Levels of Individuals with Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders: Tertiary Prevention Standards and Development of Uskudar Result Awareness and Harm Perception Scales
Authors: Tarhan Nevzat , Demirsoy Çiğdem , Tutgun-Ünal Aylin
Published: June 2023

Rationale: Alcohol and substance use disorders are types of brain diseases that have psychological components which damage many life areas of the affected individual. Since investigating alcohol use alone is insufficient in the diagnostic evaluation process, self-awareness and the individual’s long-term psychological well-being are important in the treatment process. Primary prevention is used for preventing disease in healthy people, whereas secondary prevention is used for early diagnosis of people at risk. Tertiary prevention is important to prevent the recurrence of the disease. Since substance use disorders are a chronic problems, a new need has emerged for tertiary protection in rehabilitation standards. Methodology: In this study, we aimed to develop two scales that can provide ideas about rehabilitation standards by determining the awareness of individuals with or without alcohol and substance use disorders. By so, experts in the field can have information about the risk status of their patients in the follow-up process of rehabilitation, with the data obtained from the harm perception and result awareness dimensions in the scales. The sample consisted of 1134 participants, 41 of whom had substance use disorders. Results: Among the two scales developed in the study, the Uskudar Result Awareness Scale (USRAS) consisting of 25 items and 6 factors explained 58.4% of the total variance. The Uskudar Harm Perception Scale (USHPS), consisting of 36 items and 10 factors, explained 56.3% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis of the two scales resulted in acceptable goodness-of-fit values. (X2/df < 3; RMSEA < 0.08; NFI > 0.90; NNFI > 0.95; CFI > 0.95; GFI > 0.90; AGFI > 0.85). Discussion: Comparisons showed that the resulting awareness of the non–SUD group was moderate (X = 3.81), whereas the SUD group had a low result awareness (X = 3.20); the effect size of the difference between the two groups was found to be high (d = 1.45; >0.8). On the other hand, the harm perception of the non–SUD group was found in the low-risk group (X = 3.78); the harm perception of the SUD group was found in the moderate-risk group (X = 3.43). According to Cohen’s d calculations, the effect size of the difference between the two groups is high (d = 1.43; >0.8). It was concluded that both of the scales are valid and safe. They can be included in the treatment process and future studies.
Who Is Attending? The Role of Child Ethnicity and Maternal Demographics in Research Engagement and Early Identification of Autism
Authors: Abdullahi Ifrah , Sadka Nancy , Gilbert Melissa , Barbaro Josephine
Published: June 2023

Inequitable access to early autism developmental surveillance is evident globally. However, there is limited research examining autism diagnosis, ethnicity, and community profiles when engaging in research for the early identification of autism. We aimed to understand the relationships between child ethnicity, maternal demographics, and autism diagnosis, comparing retrospective data from the 2016 census for eight local government areas (LGAs) in Victoria, Australia. Maternal and child health (MCH) nurses monitored 13,511 children under 42 months for the early signs of autism using the Social Attention Communication Surveillance-Revised (SACS-R) and SACS-R Preschool (SACS-PR) tools during well-child checks. Of these, 340 children with a “high likelihood” of autism attended developmental assessments. Participants’ maternal ethnicity (‘European maternal ethnicity’, EME; ‘non-European maternal ethnicity,’ N-EME; ‘mixed maternal ethnicity,’ MME’), socioeconomic factors, and autism prevalence were compared to their LGA community. Results indicated that study participants were representative of their LGA communities, though bi- and multilingualism was higher in our cohort. Differences in current maternal employment, maternal education, annual family income, and autism prevalence were found between the N-EME, EME, and MME groups. Our study found that research engagement was driven by maternal education, maternal employment, and annual family income, and further research is required to understand these relationships.
The Influence of Personal Harmony Value on Temporal Order Perception
Authors: Pan Li , Huang Xiting
Published: June 2023

Empirical studies have demonstrated that self-relevant information affects temporal order perception. Therefore, the question arises of whether personal values—which are the core components of the self—influence temporal order perception. To explore this problem, we chose harmony, one of the most common values in Chinese culture, as the starting point. First, the harmony scale was used to measure the harmony values of the participants, and the participants were divided into high- and low-harmony groups. The validity of the grouping was then verified using an implicit-association test. Furthermore, two temporal order judgment (TOJ) tasks were used to explore the impact of harmony values on temporal order perception. The results revealed that in both TOJ tasks, participants in the high-harmony group tended to perceive harmonious stimuli before non-harmonious stimuli, while the effect was not found in the low-harmony group. We conclude that harmony values affect temporal order perception, and only if the values are important to the individual.
Enhanced Systemic Antitumour Immunity by Hypofractionated Radiotherapy and Anti-PD-L1 Therapy in Dogs with Pulmonary Metastatic Oral Malignant Melanoma
Authors: Deguchi Tatsuya , Maekawa Naoya , Konnai Satoru , Owaki Ryo , Hosoya Kenji , Morishita Keitaro , Nakamura Motoji , Okagawa Tomohiro , Takeuchi Hiroto , Kim Sangho , Kinoshita Ryohei , Tachibana Yurika , Yokokawa Madoka , Takagi Satoshi , Kato Yukinari , Suzuki Yasuhiko , Murata Shiro , Ohashi Kazuhiko
Published: June 2023

Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as the anti-programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody, have been developed for the treatment of canine malignant melanoma, desirable clinical efficacies have not been achieved. Recent studies in humans have suggested that radiation therapy (RT) combined with ICIs induces robust systemic antitumour immunity in patients with cancer. This study retrospectively examined the therapeutic efficacy of combination therapy (hypofractionated RT and anti-PD-L1 antibody [c4G12]) in dogs with pulmonary metastatic oral malignant melanoma. The intrathoracic clinical benefit rate (CBR)/median overall survival (OS) in the no RT (n = 20, free from the effect of RT), previous RT (n = 9, received RT ≤8 weeks prior to the first c4G12 dose), and concurrent RT (n = 10, c4G12 therapy within ±1 week of the first RT fraction) groups were 10%/185 days, 55.6%/283.5 days (p < 0.05 vs. no RT group), and 20%/129 days (p > 0.05 vs. no RT group), respectively. The adverse events were considered to be tolerable in the combination therapy. Thus, hypofractionated RT before the initiation of c4G12 therapy can be an effective approach for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of immunotherapy, with acceptable safety profiles. Further prospective clinical studies are required to confirm the findings of this study.