bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Myo/Nog Cells Increase in Response to Elevated Intraocular Pressure and Mitigate Ganglion Cell Death in a Mouse Model of Glaucoma
Authors: Lecker Paul , Johal Karanveer , McGrath Alexa , Spikes John , Bernstein Jake , MacPherson Victoria , Brahmbhatt Rushil , Fadl Nada , Weyback-Liogier Edgar , Adams Sarah , Souza Rachel , Tsai E-Jine , Martin Mark , Gerhart Jacquelyn , Gorski Grezgorz , De Cecco Federica , Heist Brian , Egberts Sebastian , George-Weinstein Mindy , Bravo-Nuevo Arturo
Published: November 2023

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. Decreased aqueous humor drainage causes an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), which in turn damages the ganglion cells of the retina and optic nerve. A mouse model of glaucoma was used to examine the behavior of Myo/Nog (M/N) cells, which were previously shown to respond to cataract surgery and retinopathy induced by hypoxia, light damage, and intravitreal injection of human retinal pigment epithelial cells. M/N cells express the skeletal-muscle-specific transcription factor MyoD, the bone morphogenetic protein inhibitor Noggin, and brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1 (BAI1). Glaucoma was induced by injecting microbeads into the anterior chamber (AC) of the right eye to obstruct the flow of aqueous humor into the trabecular meshwork. IOP was elevated within three days of addition of microbeads. Loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and thinning of the ganglion cell layer–nerve fiber layer (GCL-NFL) was observed in tissue sections by day 32. The injection of microbeads resulted in an increase in BAI1-positive (+) M/N cells in the trabecular meshwork, ciliary body, canal of Schlemm, cornea, and ganglion cell layer (GCL). M/N cells ingested microbeads. The effect of further increasing the population of M/N cells on IOP and RGC loss was determined by injecting BAI1+ cells isolated from the brain into the AC of both eyes. Exogenous M/N cells prelabeled with CellTracker™ Red were found in the same tissues as the endogenous population of M/N cells in eyes with and without elevated IOP. The addition of M/N cells did not significantly reduce IOP in bead-injected eyes. However, there were significantly more RGCs and the NFL was thicker in glaucomatous eyes with M/N cell supplementation than eyes injected with phosphate-buffered saline. The numbers of RGCs and NFL thickness were similar in glaucomatous and non-glaucomatous eyes after adding M/N cells. These results demonstrate that endogenous M/N cells respond to elevated IOP in the anterior and posterior segments in response to induction of glaucoma. M/N cells’ mitigation of RGC loss may reflect a neuroprotective effect within the retina, as opposed to a significant drop in IOP.
Mesoscopic Damage and Fracture Characteristics of Hard Rock under High-Frequency Ultrasonic Vibration Excitation
Authors: Zhang Lei , Wang Xufeng , Niu Zhijun
Published: November 2023

Ultrasonic high-frequency vibrational fracture technology can compensate for the deficiencies of traditional fracture methods and has promising applications in underground rock drilling engineering. In this study, ultrasonic high-frequency vibrational tests were performed on brittle fine-grained red sandstone in combination with CT real-time scanning, which revealed mesoscopic fracture processes in the rock. Digital image processing technology is used to identify and extract the pores of CT images, and the pore evolution law of rock slices at different layers under ultrasonic vibration excitation is quantitatively studied. The results show that the increase in porosity decreases with increasing distance from the excitation surface, with the lowest layers of the rock showing an increase in porosity of only 0.22%. In addition, a mechanical model of rock breaking by ultrasonic vibrations was derived to explain the non-uniform damage mechanism of rock space under ultrasonic vibration excitation.
Decentralized Coordination of DERs for Dynamic Economic Emission Dispatch
Authors: Dai Jingtong , Wang Zheng
Published: November 2023

This paper focuses on the dynamic economic emission dispatch (DEED) problem, to coordinate the distributed energy resources (DERs) in a power system and achieve economical and environmental operation. Distributed energy storages (ESs) are introduced into problem formulation in which charging/discharging efficiency is taken into account. By relaxing the nonconvexity induced by the charging/discharging model of ESs and network losses, we convert the non-convex DEED problem into its convex equivalency. Then, through a Lagrangian duality reformulation, an equivalent unconstrained consensus optimization model is established—a novel consensus-based decentralized algorithm, where the incremental cost is chosen as the consensus variable. At each iteration, only one primal variable requires sub-optimization, and it is completely locally updated. This is different from the well-known alternating direction method of multiplier (ADMM)-based algorithms where more than one subproblem needs to be solved at each iteration. The results of the comparative experiments also reflect the algorithm’s advantage in terms of computational efficiency. The simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, achieving a balance between emissions and economic considerations.
Conical Emission Induced by the Filamentation of Femtosecond Vortex Beams in Water
Authors: Liu Yang , Huo Yuchi , Zhu Lin , Jin Mingxing , Zhang He , Li Suyu , Hua Wei
Published: November 2023

Conical emission is a typical nonlinear phenomenon that occurs during the filamentation of femtosecond laser pulses in transparent media. In this work, the conical emission induced by two kinds of typical vortex beams (i.e., Laguerre–Gaussian (LG) and Bessel–Gaussian (BG) beams) in water is experimentally studied. By recording the light spots of different spectra components from the supercontinuum induced by the vortex beams, the characteristics of the conical emission induced by femtosecond vortex beams are studied. It is found that the spots of the supercontinuum induced by the two kinds of vortex beams differ greatly from each other. The spots of the supercontinuum induced by the BG beams are a set of concentric rings like a rainbow with a white center, while the white light spots in the case of the LG beams are circular white disks, which are different from the commonly observed white light spots. By measuring the maximum divergence angle, it is observed that the divergence angle increases with a decrease in the wavelength, while it is merely affected by the topological charge, which is explained by the formation mechanism of conical emission in terms of self-phase modulation. Based on the observed results, we discuss the transfer of optical angular momentum during the supercontinuum induced by the filamentation of femtosecond vortex beams. This work may help to better understand the transfer of optical angular momentum in non-optical parametric processes as well as the interaction of high-intensity pulses with matter.
Impedance-Based Stability Analysis of Grid-Connected Inverters under the Unbalanced Grid Condition
Authors: Shi Jinzhu , Yang Lihui , Yang Hao
Published: November 2023

As a common interface circuit for renewable energy integrated into the power grid, the inverter is prone to work under a three-phase unbalanced weak grid. In this paper, the instability of grid-connected inverters under the unbalanced grid condition is investigated. First, a dual second-order generalized integrator phase-locked loop (DSOGI-PLL)-based inverter under balanced and unbalanced conditions is modeled. A fourth-order impedance model is established to describe its impedance characteristics under the unbalanced grid condition. To analyze this multi-input multi-output system, a simplified stability analysis method based on the generalized Nyquist stability criterion and matrix theory is proposed. Then, the influences of circuit and control parameters on the stability of the grid-connected inverter system under the unbalanced grid condition are investigated. Finally, the accuracy of the derived frequency-coupled impedance model is verified via simulations, and the effectiveness of the proposed simplified stability analysis method on the system stability analysis is verified via both simulations and hardware experiments.
Improving Thermo-Energetic Consumption of Medical Center in Mexican Hot–Humid Climate Region: Case Study of San Francisco de Campeche, Mexico
Authors: May Tzuc Oscar , Peña López Gerardo , Huchin Miss Mauricio , Andrade Durán Juan Edgar , Chan González Jorge J. , Lezama Zárraga Francisco , Jiménez Torres Mario
Published: November 2023

An assessment of the thermal refurbishment of an outpatient medical center in a tropical location, such as the City of San Francisco de Campeche, was presented with the aim to diminish its energy consumption. A year-long energy audit of the facility was conducted to formulate and validate a numerical simulation model while scrutinizing enhancement strategies. The examined improvement alternatives encompass passive adjustments to the roof (utilizing insulating materials, applying reflective coatings, and installing a green roof), modifications to active systems incorporating inverter technology, and alterations to the walls via reflective paint. The outcomes of the simulated enhancement scenarios were assessed utilizing energy, environmental, and economic metrics: key performance index (KPI), equivalent CO2 emission index (CEI), and net savings (NS). These results were subsequently juxtaposed against TOPSIS decision-making algorithms to ascertain the alternative that optimally balances the three options. It was identified that using reflective paint on the roof provides the best energy benefits and contributes to mitigating emissions from electricity use. Furthermore, combining this passive technology with the integration of inverter air conditioning systems offers the best economic return at the end of 15 years. For its part, the TOPSIS method indicated that by prioritizing the financial aspect, the reflective coating on the roof combined with inverter air conditioning is enough. However, adding a wall with insulating paint brings environmental and energy benefits. The results of this work serve as a starting point for the analysis of other post-occupied buildings in the region and others under tropical climatic conditions.
Productivity Assessment of the Yolo V5 Model in Detecting Road Surface Damages
Authors: Pham Son Vu Hong , Nguyen Khoi Van Tien
Published: November 2023

Artificial intelligence models are currently being proposed for application in improving performance in addressing contemporary management and production issues. With the goal of automating the detection of road surface defects in transportation infrastructure management to make it more convenient, this research harnesses the advancements of the latest artificial intelligence models. Notably, new technology is used in this study to develop software that can automatically detect road surface damage, which shall lead to better results compared to previous models. This study evaluates and compares machine learning models using the same dataset for model training and performance assessment consisting of 9053 images from previous research. Furthermore, to demonstrate practicality and superior performance over previous image recognition models, mAP (mean average precision) and processing speed, which are recognized as a measure of effectiveness, are employed to assess the performance of the machine learning object recognition software models. The results of this research reveal the potential of the new technology, YOLO V5 (2023), as a high-performance model for object detection in technical transportation infrastructure images. Another significant outcome of the research is the development of an improved software named RTI-IMS, which can apply automation features and accurately detect road surface damages, thereby aiding more effective management and monitoring of sustainable road infrastructure.
SEM/EDS Analysis of Tubules and Mineral Deposition in the Dentin of Children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Authors: Martín-Vacas Andrea , Vera-González Vicente , Ramírez-Castellanos Julio , González-Gil Diego , de Nova García Manuel Joaquín
Published: November 2023

The aim is to quantitatively analyze the diameter and tubular density and semi-quantitatively analyze the elemental composition (Calcium and Phosphorus) in the dentin of primary teeth of children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) in comparison with a control group. Material and methods: A microstructural (in vitro) analysis of primary teeth of children with OI was performed with SEM and EDS. The variables measured were the tubule count (tubule/mm2) and diameter (µm) at 2000 times magnification at four points of the dentin of different depths. A semiquantitative analysis of the elemental composition of the dentin was performed with EDS of Calcium and Phosphorus (cps). Descriptive and inferential analysis (Fisher’s exact test, the Mann–Whitney U test, the Kruskal–Wallis test, the Bonferroni post hoc test, the ANOVA test of repeated measures, a test of inter- and intra-subject effects, and the Geisser–Greenhouse test) were carried out. Data were analyzed with a 95% confidence level (p-value < 0.05). Results: A total of 25 deciduous teeth from 17 patients with OI and 30 teeth from healthy children were studied. There were differences in the count and tubular diameter for the control group with OI; in addition, the behavior curve changed when the systemic disease was severe. While there were no differences in the amount of dentinal Calcium, the OI tooth showed a significantly lower amount of Phosphorus (p < 0.05), except in the pulpal dentin (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The alterations of the dentinal tubules (density and diameter) were more pronounced in the most severe phenotypes of systemic disease. The amount of Phosphorus was decreased in the dentin of the primary teeth of children with OI compared to the control group.
Assessment of the Fermentative Performance of Traditional Fresh Moroccan Sourdoughs and Their Freeze-Dried Forms Using Online Monitoring Device: Panigraph
Authors: Raffak Anas , Chafai Youssef , Hamouda Allal , Ouazzani Touhami Amina , Mounir Majid
Published: November 2023

The fermentative activity of sourdoughs and their stabilities are some of the main concerns of professionals in food science. The aim of this study was to evaluate the fermenting capacity of three traditional fresh sourdoughs and their freeze-dried forms with different compositions prepared by housewives in three different regions of Morocco. A device equipped with several sensors was developed to monitor several parameters simultaneously and in real time (the pH, dough rise, loss of mass, CO2 and ethanol release). The results showed that the duration of dough fermentation was long, ranging from 594 to 1210 min, with the specific volume ranging from 0.9 to 3.35 cm3/g−1. A strong and positive correlation between dough rise and CO2 release was observed, while ethanol release did not contribute directly to dough rise. The fresh sourdough FS1 showed better fermentative performance than the others, while the freeze-dried sourdough FDS3 was also of interest for bread making. The system used to generate the graphical fingerprints enabled us to read the main fermentation parameters directly in the same graph, as well as to compare several sourdoughs at once and choose the one best suited to our needs.
Numerical Study on Welding Structure of Connecting Fin Used in Thermal Power Plant
Authors: Guo Entao , Huang Weiqiang , Shi Xian , Zhu Yuce , Cui Yimin , Wang Xianming , Lu Chuanyang , Lou Yumin , He Yanming
Published: November 2023

The background of deep peak-shaving poses demanding requirements for the performance of metal components in thermal power plants. The cracking of the connecting fins on the side wall of the flue seriously endangers the safe operation of the system. Herein, welding simulations were carried out using the finite element method to understand the cracking process of the connecting fins. By changing the welding process and fin size, their effect on stress and deformation was explored. The results showed that increasing the welding rate would decrease the flexural deformation of the flue-side wall. Additionally, the yield range of the connecting fin depended more on width than thickness, and increased with increasing width. As for the relationship between fin size and flexural deformation, the maximum deformation decreased with the increase in thickness, while it first decreased and then increased with increasing width. Overall, the post-welding stress and deformation of the boiler flue side wall exhibited more sensitivity to the fin width compared with the fin thickness and welding rate. This article clarifies the stress distribution status of the connecting fins in the flue side wall under different welding conditions, providing a basis for analyzing its cracking phenomenon, and further providing theoretical guidance for optimizing the structural parameter design of the side wall.
An Automated Framework for the Health Monitoring of Dams Using Deep Learning Algorithms and Numerical Methods
Authors: Chao Yang , Lin Chaoning , Li Tongchun , Qi Huijun , Li Dongming , Chen Siyu
Published: November 2023

Aiming to investigate the problem that dam-monitoring data are difficult to analyze in a timely and accurate automated manner, in this paper, we propose an automated framework for dam health monitoring based on data microservices. The framework consists of structural components, monitoring sensors, and a digital virtual model, which is a hybrid of a finite element (FE) model, a geometric model, a mathematical model, and a deep learning algorithm. Long short-term memory (LSTM) was employed to accurately fit and predict the monitoring data, while dynamic inversion and simulation were used to calibrate and update the data in the hybrid model. The automated tool enables systematic maintenance and management, minimizing errors that are commonly associated with manual visual inspections of structures. The effectiveness of the framework was successfully validated in the safety monitoring and management of a practical dam project, in which the hybrid model improved the prediction accuracy of monitored data, with a maximum absolute error of 0.35 mm. The proposed method can be considered user-friendly and cost-effective, which improves the operational and maintenance efficiency of the project with practical significance.
Pyrolytic Modification of Avocado (Persea americana) Peel for the Enhancement of Cadmium(II) and Chromium(VI) Sorption Properties
Authors: Chwastowski Jarosław , Staroń Paweł
Published: November 2023

The sorption process of chromium(VI) and cadmium(II) onto avocado peel (AP) and its pyrolyzed version (PAP) was carried out. The pyrolysis process was investigated in a tube furnace under inert gas conditions (argon) using a temperature equal to 750 °C. A constant mass of used materials and metal solution volume of 0.5 g and 20 cm3, respectively, were chosen for the investigation of the sorption process. Different isotherm models were fitted to describe the process parameters. According to the obtained results and the model that provided the best fit according to the correlation coefficient R2, the removal process is best described by the D-R model (R2 = 0.993 and 0.918; qd = 5.78 and 6.02 mg/g) for Cr(VI) and the Freundlich for Cd(II) ions (R2 = 0.999 and 0.911; Kf = 0.2712 and 0.2952 (mg1−(1/n)(dm(31/ng−1))) for AP and PAP, respectively). The highest level of adsorption capacities reached 6.0 (AP)–7.1 (PAP) and 9.7 (AP)–10.3 (PAP) mg/g for chromium and cadmium ions, respectively. The kinetic modeling showed that in all of the adsorption processes, the best-fitting model was the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, suggesting the occurrence of a chemical reaction between ions and the surface of the used materials.
Gasdermin D: A Potential New Auxiliary Pan-Biomarker for the Detection and Diagnosis of Diseases
Authors: Wan Ningyi , Shi Jing , Xu Jianguo , Huang Juan , Gan Delu , Tang Min , Li Xiaohan , Huang Ying , Li Pu
Published: November 2023

Pyroptosis is a form of programmed cell death mediated by gasdermins, particularly gasdermin D (GSDMD), which is widely expressed in tissues throughout the body. GSDMD belongs to the gasdermin family, which is expressed in a variety of cell types including epithelial cells and immune cells. It is involved in the regulation of anti-inflammatory responses, leading to its differential expression in a wide range of diseases. In this review, we provide an overview of the current understanding of the major activation mechanisms and effector pathways of GSDMD. Subsequently, we examine the importance and role of GSDMD in different diseases, highlighting its potential as a pan-biomarker. We specifically focus on the biological characteristics of GSDMD in several diseases and its promising role in diagnosis, early detection, and differential diagnosis. Furthermore, we discuss the application of GSDMD in predicting prognosis and monitoring treatment efficacy in cancer. This review proposes a new strategy to guide therapeutic decision-making and suggests potential directions for further research into GSDMD.
PhyEffector, the First Algorithm That Identifies Classical and Non-Classical Effectors in Phytoplasmas
Authors: Carreón-Anguiano Karla Gisel , Vila-Luna Sara Elena , Sáenz-Carbonell Luis , Canto-Canche Blondy
Published: November 2023

Phytoplasmas are the causal agents of more than 100 plant diseases in economically important crops. Eleven genomes have been fully sequenced and have allowed us to gain a better understanding of the biology and evolution of phytoplasmas. Effectors are key players in pathogenicity and virulence, and their identification and description are becoming an essential practice in the description of phytoplasma genomes. This is of particular importance because effectors are possible candidates for the development of new strategies for the control of plant diseases. To date, the prediction of effectors in phytoplasmas has been a great challenge; the reliable comparison of effectoromes has been hindered because research teams have used the combination of different programs in their predictions. This is not trivial since significant differences in the results can arise, depending on the predictive pipeline used. Here, we tested different predictive pipelines to create the PhyEffector algorithm; the average value of the F1 score for PhyEffector was 0.9761 when applied to different databases or genomes, demonstrating its robustness as a predictive tool. PhyEffector can recover both classical and non-classical phytoplasma effectors, making it an invaluable tool to accelerate effectoromics in phytoplasmas.
The Association between Perceived Family Financial Stress and Adolescent Suicide Ideation: A Moderated Mediation Model
Authors: Yang Qi , Zhang Wenyu , Wu Huan , Huang Baozhen , Zhang Chenyan , Niu Gengfeng
Published: November 2023

Nowadays, suicide (especially adolescents’ suicide) has been an increasingly prominent social problem worldwide; suicide ideation, as an important predictor, has been the focus of relevant studies and practices. Against this background, the present study aimed to examine the association between perceived family financial stress and adolescents’ suicidal ideation, as well as the potential roles of depression and parent-child attachment. A sample of 526 junior middle school students was recruited voluntarily to participate in this cross-sectional study, and the results indicated that the prevalence of suicidal ideation among junior high school students was 15.45%; perceived family financial stress was positively associated with suicidal ideation, and depression could significantly mediate this relation; parent–child attachment significantly moderated the mediating effect of depression (in particular, the relation between depression and suicidal ideation); specifically, this relation was stronger among adolescents with lower values of parent–child attachment. These findings could deepen our understanding of the influences of perceived family financial condition and the risky factors of adolescents’ suicidal ideation, which could provide guidance for the prevention and intervention of adolescents’ depression and suicidal ideation.
Resource and Cognitive Perspectives: Unraveling the Influence Mechanism of Project Governance on Organizational Resilience in Infrastructure Projects
Authors: Lv Lelin , Chen Canjun , Wang Zhuofu
Published: November 2023

The tendency of infrastructure projects to be complex, large-scale, and long-term prompts temporary project organizations’ need to have resilience to deal with various risks, uncertainties, and crises. The resource and cognitive capacity of stakeholders are key factors in infrastructure project governance and crisis response in the face of shock generation. Moreover, previous studies on organizational resilience of infrastructure projects have lacked exploration from project governance perspectives. Hence, the objective of this study is to investigate the influence of contractual and relational governance on the organizational resilience of infrastructure projects from the perspectives of resource reconfiguration and organizational cognition. Firstly, this study established a conceptual model through a theoretical background and hypotheses development. Then, a questionnaire was designed for participants in the infrastructure projects to collect data on the respective effects of each variable. A total of 519 complete responses to the questionnaire were collected, and a path model was developed to quantitatively measure the impact of contractual and relational governance on organizational resilience using the partial least squares–structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method. Finally, the model was validated using reliability and validity testing, hypotheses testing, and mediating effect testing. The results of the study showed that the contractual and relational governance can enhance the level of organizational resilience. Resource reconfiguration and organizational cognition play a mediating role in the relationship between project governance and organizational resilience. This study extends the theoretical research on the impact of project governance on organizational resilience, and deepens the intrinsic link between the two from the perspective of resource reconfiguration and organizational cognition, so as to provide effective theoretical guidance for crisis response and sustainable operation of infrastructure projects.
Research on the Value Improvement Model of Private Parties as “Investor–Builder” Dual-Role Entity in Major River Green Public–Private Partnership Projects
Authors: Zhang Jianyi , Feng Jingchun , Zhang Ke , Han Xun
Published: November 2023

In Public–Private Partnership (PPP) projects, the structure of the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) significantly impacts the value enhancement of projects. This study conducted a quantitative analysis of value enhancement in green PPP projects under single- and Dual-Role entity models and examined existing SPV private party compositions. A quantitative model was developed to enhance the value in green PPP projects through a Dual-Role “investor–builder” entity approach, comparing it with the single-role entity model. The findings indicate that in the Dual-Role entity mode, the construction party demonstrates a greater willingness to effort, resulting in shorter construction timelines and improved economic benefits for the project company. The preferred equity range for private parties escalates with the total project investment and the extent of “political support”. Nevertheless, a disproportionately high government stake in the equity is detrimental to the value enhancement in PPPs, and excessive government regulation and control should be avoided. This quantitative model serves as a decision-making criterion for selecting the SPV mode and provides an alternative approach for evaluating PPP project performance.
Dual-Level Augmentation Radiomics Analysis for Multisequence MRI Meningioma Grading
Authors: Cai Zongyou , Wong Lun , Wong Ye , Lee Hok Lam , Li Kam Yau , So Tiffany
Published: November 2023

Background: Preoperative, noninvasive prediction of meningioma grade is important for therapeutic planning and decision making. In this study, we propose a dual-level augmentation strategy incorporating image-level augmentation (IA) and feature-level augmentation (FA) to tackle class imbalance and improve the predictive performance of radiomics for meningioma grading on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Methods: This study recruited 160 consecutive patients with pathologically proven meningioma (129 low-grade (WHO grade I) tumors; 31 high-grade (WHO grade II and III) tumors) with preoperative multisequence MRI imaging. A dual-level augmentation strategy combining IA and FA was applied and evaluated in 100 repetitions in 3-, 5-, and 10-fold cross-validation. Results: The best area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of our method in 100 repetitions was ≥0.78 in all cross-validations. The corresponding cross-validation sensitivities (cross-validation specificity) were 0.72 (0.69), 0.76 (0.71), and 0.63 (0.82) in 3-, 5-, and 10-fold cross-validation, respectively. The proposed method achieved significantly better performance and distribution of results, outperforming single-level augmentation (IA or FA) or no augmentation in each cross-validation. Conclusions: The dual-level augmentation strategy using IA and FA significantly improves the performance of the radiomics model for meningioma grading on MRI, allowing better radiomics-based preoperative stratification and individualized treatment.
Green Synthesis of Biocatalysts Based on Nanocarriers Promises an Effective Role in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Fields
Authors: Khafaga Doaa S. R. , Radwan Mohamed G. , Muteeb Ghazala , Aatif Mohammad , Farhan Mohd
Published: November 2023

Nanobiocatalysts (NBCs) are a promising new class of biocatalysts that combine the advantages of enzymes and nanomaterials. Enzymes are biological catalysts that are highly selective and efficient, but they can be unstable in harsh environments. Nanomaterials, on the other hand, are small particles with unique properties that can improve the stability, activity, and selectivity of enzymes. The development of NBCs has been driven by the need for more sustainable and environmentally friendly bioprocessing methods. Enzymes are inherently green catalysts, but they can be expensive and difficult to recover and reuse. NBCs can address these challenges by providing a stable and reusable platform for enzymes. One of the key challenges in the development of NBCs is the immobilization of enzymes on nanomaterials. Enzyme immobilization is a process that attaches enzymes to a solid support, which can protect the enzymes from harsh environments and make them easier to recover and reuse. There are many different methods for immobilizing enzymes, and the choice of method depends on the specific enzyme and nanomaterial being used. This review explores the effective role of NBCs in pharmaceutical and biomedical fields.
Assessment of Primary Human Liver Cancer Cells by Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Esposito Concetta , Janneh Mohammed , Spaziani Sara , Calcagno Vincenzo , Bernardi Mario Luca , Iammarino Martina , Verdone Chiara , Tagliamonte Maria , Buonaguro Luigi , Pisco Marco , Aversano Lerina , Cusano Andrea
Published: November 2023

We investigated the possibility of using Raman spectroscopy assisted by artificial intelligence methods to identify liver cancer cells and distinguish them from their Non-Tumor counterpart. To this aim, primary liver cells (40 Tumor and 40 Non-Tumor cells) obtained from resected hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumor tissue and the adjacent non-tumor area (negative control) were analyzed by Raman micro-spectroscopy. Preliminarily, the cells were analyzed morphologically and spectrally. Then, three machine learning approaches, including multivariate models and neural networks, were simultaneously investigated and successfully used to analyze the cells’ Raman data. The results clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted Raman spectroscopy for Tumor cell classification and prediction with an accuracy of nearly 90% of correct predictions on a single spectrum.
From CGRP to PACAP, VIP, and Beyond: Unraveling the Next Chapters in Migraine Treatment
Authors: Tanaka Masaru , Szabó Ágnes , Körtési Tamás , Szok Délia , Tajti János , Vécsei László
Published: November 2023

Migraine is a neurovascular disorder that can be debilitating for individuals and society. Current research focuses on finding effective analgesics and management strategies for migraines by targeting specific receptors and neuropeptides. Nonetheless, newly approved calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have a 50% responder rate ranging from 27 to 71.0%, whereas CGRP receptor inhibitors have a 50% responder rate ranging from 56 to 71%. To address the need for novel therapeutic targets, researchers are exploring the potential of another secretin family peptide, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), as a ground-breaking treatment avenue for migraine. Preclinical models have revealed how PACAP affects the trigeminal system, which is implicated in headache disorders. Clinical studies have demonstrated the significance of PACAP in migraine pathophysiology; however, a few clinical trials remain inconclusive: the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide 1 receptor mAb, AMG 301 showed no benefit for migraine prevention, while the PACAP ligand mAb, Lu AG09222 significantly reduced the number of monthly migraine days over placebo in a phase 2 clinical trial. Meanwhile, another secretin family peptide vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is gaining interest as a potential new target. In light of recent advances in PACAP research, we emphasize the potential of PACAP as a promising target for migraine treatment, highlighting the significance of exploring PACAP as a member of the antimigraine armamentarium, especially for patients who do not respond to or contraindicated to anti-CGRP therapies. By updating our knowledge of PACAP and its unique contribution to migraine pathophysiology, we can pave the way for reinforcing PACAP and other secretin peptides, including VIP, as a novel treatment option for migraines.
Fabrication of Piezoelectric ZnO Nanowires on Laser Textured Copper Substrate to Enhance Catalytic Properties
Authors: Wang Hongbin , Zhou Rui , Yan Huangping , Liu Hongjun
Published: November 2023

In this work, 3D periodic “grid-type” CuO/Cu2O layers were fabricated on a copper sheet using laser processing techniques, and the laser processing parameters were optimized for favorable ZnO nanowire growth. It was found that ZnO nanowires could be successfully prepared to form a CuO-Cu2O-ZnO heterojunction structure without an extra catalyst or seed layer coating, which could be attributed to the copper oxide active sites induced via laser texturing. ZnO nanowires on laser textured “grid-type” copper substrates demonstrated an effective piezocatalytic performance with different morphologies and the generation of abundant reactive oxygen species in the CuO-Cu2O-ZnO catalytic system, providing a fundamental mechanism for the degradation of organic dye in water. This simple and low-cost method could provide a useful guide for the large-scale efficient and versatile synthesis of immobilized piezoelectric catalysts.
Additive Manufacturing and Mechanical Properties of Auxetic and Non-Auxetic Ti24Nb4Zr8Sn Biomedical Stents: A Combined Experimental and Computational Modelling Approach
Authors: Pramanik Sudipta , Milaege Dennis , Hein Maxwell , Hoyer Kay-Peter , Schaper Mirko
Published: November 2023

The effect of plaque deposition (atherosclerosis) on blood flow behaviour is investigated via computational fluid dynamics and structural mechanics simulations. To mitigate the narrowing of coronary artery atherosclerosis (stenosis), the computational modelling of auxetic and non-auxetic stents was performed in this study to minimise or even avoid these deposition agents in the future. Computational modelling was performed in unrestricted (open) conditions and restricted (in an artery) conditions. Finally, stent designs were produced by additive manufacturing, and mechanical testing of the stents was undertaken. Auxetic stent 1 and auxetic stent 2 exhibit very little foreshortening and radial recoil in unrestricted deployment conditions compared to non-auxetic stent 3. However, stent 2 shows structural instability (strut failure) during unrestricted deployment conditions. For the restricted deployment condition, stent 1 shows a higher radial recoil compared to stent 3. In the tensile test simulations, short elongation for stent 1 due to strut failure is demonstrated, whereas no structural instability is noticed for stent 2 and stent 3 until 0.5 (mm/mm) strain. The as-built samples show a significant thickening of the struts of the stents resulting in short elongations during tensile testing compared to the simulations (stent 2 and stent 3). A modelling framework for the stent deployment system that enables the selection of appropriate stent designs before in vivo testing is required. This leads to the acceleration of the development process and a reduction in time, resulting in less material wastage. The modelling framework shall be useful for doctors designing patient-specific stents.
Energy Transfer in the CaSO4−Dy Thermoluminescent Dosimeter from the Excited State of the SO42− Anionic Complex to the Impurities
Authors: Nurakhmetov Turlybek N. , Alibay Temirulan T. , Zhangylyssov Keleshek B. , Daurenbekov Dulat H. , Salikhodzha Zhussupbek M. , Shamiyeva Raushan K. , Sadykova Batsaiy M. , Yussupbekova Bagila N. , Tolekov Doszhan A.
Published: November 2023

The creation of a combined radiative state at 2.95–3.1 eV in the phosphor CaSO4−Dy 3+ has been investigated using vacuum ultraviolet and thermoactivation spectroscopy methods. It is shown that the combined radiative electronic state is formed from the radiative electronic states of the impurity electronic trapping centers Dy 2+− SO4− and the intrinsic electronic radiative states SO43−−SO4− during the excitation of the anion complex SO42−, as a result of charge transfer from the excited anion complex O 2−−Dy 3+ to the impurities and the neighboring anion complex O2−− SO42−. In the CaSO4−Dy phosphor, the combined radiative electronic state and impurity emission of Dy 3+, 2.16 eV and 2.56 eV are excited by photons with energies of 3.95–4.0 eV and 4.5–4.6 eV. Energy transfer from the matrix to the Dy 3+ impurities is revealed upon thermal exposure as a result of the ionization of the electronic capture centers of Dy2+ and SO43−.
Elaboration and Characterization of Dulce de Leche with Reduced Sugar Content
Authors: Moebus Victor F. , Pinto Leonardo A. , Köptcke Felipe B. N. , Keller Luiz A. M.
Published: November 2023

Dulce de leche is a South American traditional dairy product. However, due to the high sugar content, it is unsafe for consumers with special physiological conditions, such as diabetes. Light foods were developed to meet those demands whilst maintaining the sensory characteristics. The present study aimed to develop and characterize a formulation of light dulce de leche, using sweeteners to substitute sucrose, and gums as thickening and stabilizing agents. The physicochemical assays follow the AOAC manual, and the microbiological parameters were set according to MERCOSUL’s legislation. Thirty potential consumers perform the nine-point hedonic scale for product acceptance and the seven-point scale for buying intention. Compared to the traditional formulation, the product had better rheological properties, but a lighter color. All the raw materials and final products were considered safe by the recommended microbiological and toxicological standards; however, the product showed discrepancies to the physicochemical requirements. The formulation had an overall medium acceptance and low buying intention. The product had deficiencies, needing other compounds to reach the desired characteristics. Even though it leads to a more expensive final product, it is possible to adjust the product and allow access to more selective consumers or with restrictions.
Diagnostic Insights into Pediatric Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma through DNA Methylation Class and Pathological Diagnosis Analysis
Authors: Alturkustani Murad
Published: November 2023

This study adopts an innovative approach to utilize the DNA methylation class (MC) by prioritizing the understanding of discrepancies over traditional direct comparisons with the pathological diagnosis (PD). The aim is to clarify the morphological criteria for pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA). Using the Children’s Brain Tumor Network online database, PXA-diagnosed cases were sourced. MCs and CDKN2A/B statuses were ascertained using the Heidelberg methylation brain tumor classifier v12.5 (v12.8 for selected cases). Three distinct groups emerged: Group 1 confirmed PXA through both PD and MC (7 cases); Group 2 identified PXA via PD alone (7 cases); and Group 3 diagnosed PXA using MC (5 cases). Key insights from the study include the frequent local infiltration of PXA into gray matter structures, mirroring infiltrative astrocytoma. The MC for PXA stands out for its sensitivity. Cases with a PXA morphological diagnosis diverging from the DNA class warrant attention to newer differential diagnoses such as high-grade astrocytoma with piloid features, pilocytic astrocytoma NF1-associated, and NET-PATZ1. Tumors with a MC indicative of PXA but lacking its typical features may, if high-grade, behave as grade 4 gliomas. In contrast, their low-grade counterparts could belong to the PXA morphological continuum. Further research is pivotal for cementing these findings.
Unsolved Issues in Thymic Epithelial Tumour Stage Classification: The Role of Tumour Dimension
Authors: Sassorossi Carolina , Bertoglio Pietro , Lococo Filippo , Santoro Gloria , Meacci Elisa , Nachira Dania , Congedo Maria Teresa , Brandolini Jury , Petroncini Matteo , Nocera Adriana , Charles-Davies Diepriye , Solli Piergiorgio , Margaritora Stefano , Chiappetta Marco
Published: November 2023

According to the different classifications now in use, thymic tumours are staged by the extent of local invasiveness, and tumour size is not included as a major determinant for the T category. The aim of this double-site retrospective study is to analyse the correlation between tumour dimension and overall survival (OS) in patients who underwent surgical treatment. From January 2000 to December 2020, patients with thymic epithelial tumours who underwent surgical resection were included in this study. Data from a total of 332 patients were analysed. Five- and ten-year overall survival (5–10 YOS) was 89.26% and 87.08%, respectively, while five- and ten-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 88.12% and 84.2%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed a significant correlation between male sex (p-value 0.02), older age (p-value < 0.01), absence of myasthenia gravis (p-value < 0.01), increase in pTNM (pathological Tumor Node Metastasis) (p-value 0.03) and increase in the number of infiltrated organs (p-value 0.02) with an increase in tumour dimension. Tumour dimension alone was not effective in the prediction of DFS and OS, both when considered as a continuous variable and when considered with a cut-off of 3 and 5 cm. However, with multivariate analysis, it was effective in predicting OS in the aforementioned conditions (p-value < 0.01). Moreover, multivariate analysis was also used in the thymoma and Masaoka I subgroups. In our experience, the role of tumour dimension as a descriptor of the T parameter of the TNM (Tumor Node Metastasis) staging system seemed to be useful in improving this system.
Comparing Self-Reported Dietary Intake to Provided Diet during a Randomized Controlled Feeding Intervention: A Pilot Study
Authors: Casey James L. , Meijer Jennifer L. , IglayReger Heidi B. , Ball Sarah C. , Han-Markey Theresa L. , Braun Thomas M. , Burant Charles F. , Peterson Karen E.
Published: November 2023

Systematic and random errors based on self-reported diet may bias estimates of dietary intake. The objective of this pilot study was to describe errors in self-reported dietary intake by comparing 24 h dietary recalls to provided menu items in a controlled feeding study. This feeding study was a parallel randomized block design consisting of a standard diet (STD; 15% protein, 50% carbohydrate, 35% fat) followed by either a high-fat (HF; 15% protein, 25% carbohydrate, 60% fat) or a high-carbohydrate (HC; 15% protein, 75% carbohydrate, 10% fat) diet. During the intervention, participants reported dietary intake in 24 h recalls. Participants included 12 males (seven HC, five HF) and 12 females (six HC, six HF). The Nutrition Data System for Research was utilized to quantify energy, macronutrients, and serving size of food groups. Statistical analyses assessed differences in 24 h dietary recalls vs. provided menu items, considering intervention type (STD vs. HF vs. HC) (Student’s t-test). Caloric intake was consistent between self-reported intake and provided meals. Participants in the HF diet underreported energy-adjusted dietary fat and participants in the HC diet underreported energy-adjusted dietary carbohydrates. Energy-adjusted protein intake was overreported in each dietary intervention, specifically overreporting beef and poultry. Classifying misreported dietary components can lead to strategies to mitigate self-report errors for accurate dietary assessment.
Review Evaluation for Hotel Recommendation
Authors: Hsieh Ying-Chia , Lu Long-Chuan , Ku Yi-Fan
Published: November 2023

With the prevalence of backpacking and the convenience of using the Internet, many travelers like sharing their experiences in online communities. The development of online communities has changed the decision-making process of consumer purchasing, especially for travel, i.e., some travelers reconsider their decisions because they believe that the reviews of online communities are more valuable than advertisements. However, these reviews are not completely reliable since most reviews are provided without specific author information and the review data are too large to be observed. In this paper, we propose a novel approach (named ET) to evaluate the trustworthiness of reviews in online travel communities. Our method considers three concepts, including the sentiment similarity of reviewers in the social network, features of the reviews, and behaviors of the reviewers. The experimental results demonstrate that our method is effective in evaluating the trustworthiness of reviews.
Application of the YOLOv6 Combining CBAM and CIoU in Forest Fire and Smoke Detection
Authors: Wang Aoran , Liang Guanghao , Wang Xuan , Song Yongchao
Published: November 2023

Forest fires are a vulnerable and devastating disaster that pose a major threat to human property and life. Smoke is easier to detect than flames due to the vastness of the wildland scene and the obscuring vegetation. However, the shape of wind-blown smoke is constantly changing, and the color of smoke varies greatly from one combustion chamber to another. Therefore, the widely used sensor-based smoke and fire detection systems have the disadvantages of untimely detection and a high false detection rate in the middle of an open environment. Deep learning-based smoke and fire object detection can recognize objects in the form of video streams and images in milliseconds. To this end, this paper innovatively employs CBAM based on YOLOv6 to increase the extraction of smoke and fire features. In addition, the CIoU loss function was used to ensure that training time is reduced while extracting the feature effects. Automatic mixed-accuracy training is used to train the model. The proposed model has been validated on a self-built dataset containing multiple scenes. The experiments demonstrated that our model has a high response speed and accuracy in real-field smoke and fire detection, which provides intelligent support for forest fire safety work in social life.