bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella aerogenes Strains Isolated from Clinical Specimens: A Twenty-Year Surveillance Study
Authors: Intra Jari , Carcione Davide , Sala Roberta Maria , Siracusa Claudia , Brambilla Paolo , Leoni Valerio
Published: April 2023

We retrospectively analyzed the antimicrobial data of Enterobacter spp. strains isolated from hospitalized subjects and outpatients over 20 years (2000–2019). A total of 2277 non-duplicate Enterobacter spp. isolates, 1037 from outpatients (45%) and 1240 from hospitalized subjects (55%), were retrieved. Most of samples are infections of the urinary tract. Considering Enterobacter aerogenes, now classified as Klebsiella aerogenes, and Enterobacter cloacae, representing more than 90% of all isolates, except for aminoglycosides and fluroquinolones, which showed significant antibiotic decreasing trends (p < 0.01), none of the other antimicrobial agents tested showed significant changes in both groups (p > 0.05). Conversely, there was a significant increasing resistance trend for fosfomycin (p < 0.01), among both community and hospital-related subjects, most probably owing to uncontrolled and improper usage. Surveillance studies on antibiotic resistance at the local and regional level are required to detect new resistance mechanisms, reduce inappropriate antimicrobial consumption, and increase the focus on antimicrobial stewardship.
Analysis of Cellular Damage Resulting from Exposure of Bacteria to Graphene Oxide and Hybrids Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Liauw Christopher M. , Vaidya Misha , Slate Anthony J. , Hickey Niall A. , Ryder Steven , Martínez-Periñán Emiliano , McBain Andrew J. , Banks Craig E. , Whitehead Kathryn A.
Published: April 2023

With the increase in antimicrobial resistance, there is an urgent need to find new antimicrobials. Four particulate antimicrobial compounds, graphite (G), graphene oxide (GO), silver–graphene oxide (Ag-GO) and zinc oxide–graphene oxide (ZnO-GO) were tested against Enterococcus faecium, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. The antimicrobial effects on the cellular ultrastructure were determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and selected FTIR spectral metrics correlated with cell damage and death arising from exposure to the GO hybrids. Ag-GO caused the most severe damage to the cellular ultrastructure, whilst GO caused intermediate damage. Graphite exposure caused unexpectedly high levels of damage to E. coli, whereas ZnO-GO exposure led to relatively low levels of damage. The Gram-negative bacteria demonstrated a stronger correlation between FTIR metrics, indicated by the perturbation index and the minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC). The blue shift of the combined ester carbonyl and amide I band was stronger for the Gram-negative varieties. FTIR metrics tended to provide a better assessment of cell damage based on correlation with cellular imaging and indicated that damage to the lipopolysaccharide, peptidoglycan and phospholipid bilayers had occurred. Further investigations into the cell damage caused by the GO-based materials will allow the development of this type of carbon-based multimode antimicrobials.
Enterococcal Urinary Tract Infections: A Review of the Pathogenicity, Epidemiology, and Treatment
Authors: Codelia-Anjum Alia , Lerner Lori B. , Elterman Dean , Zorn Kevin C. , Bhojani Naeem , Chughtai Bilal
Published: April 2023

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common causes of infections worldwide and can be caused by numerous uropathogens. Enterococci are Gram-positive, facultative anaerobic commensal organisms of the gastrointestinal tract that are known uropathogens. Enterococcus spp. has become a leading cause of healthcare associated infections, ranging from endocarditis to UTIs. In recent years, there has been an increase in multidrug resistance due to antibiotic misuse, especially in enterococci. Additionally, infections due to enterococci pose a unique challenge due to their ability to survive in extreme environments, intrinsic antimicrobial resistance, and genomic malleability. Overall, this review aims to highlight the pathogenicity, epidemiology, and treatment recommendations (according to the most recent guidelines) of enterococci.
Antimicrobial Activity of Apis mellifera Bee Venom Collected in Northern Peru
Authors: Pérez-Delgado Orlando , Espinoza-Culupú Abraham Omar , López-López Elmer
Published: April 2023

Due to the emergence of microorganisms resistant to antibiotics and the failure of antibiotic therapies, there is an urgent need to search for new therapeutic options, as well as new molecules with antimicrobial potential. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of Apis mellifera venom collected in the beekeeping areas of the city of Lambayeque in northern Peru against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. Bee venom extraction was performed by electrical impulses and separated using the Amicon ultra centrifugal filter. Subsequently, the fractions were quantified by spectrometric 280 nm and evaluated under denaturant conditions in SDS-PAGE. The fractions were pitted against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853. A purified fraction (PF) of the venom of A. mellifera and three low molecular weight bands of 7 KDa, 6 KDa, and 5 KDa were identified that showed activity against E. coli with a MIC of 6.88 µg/mL, while for P. aeruginosa and S. aureus, it did not present a MIC. No hemolytic activity at a concentration lower than 15.6 µg/mL and no antioxidant activity. The venom of A. mellifera contains a potential presence of peptides and a predilection of antibacterial activity against E. coli.
Assessment of Prevalence and Diversity of Antimicrobial Resistant Escherichia coli from Retail Meats in Southern California
Authors: Lee Katie Yen , Lavelle Kurtis , Huang Anny , Atwill Edward Robert , Pitesky Maurice , Li Xunde
Published: April 2023

Retail meat products may serve as reservoirs and conduits for antimicrobial resistance, which is frequently monitored using Escherichia coli as indicator bacteria. In this study, E. coli isolation was conducted on 221 retail meat samples (56 chicken, 54 ground turkey, 55 ground beef, and 56 pork chops) collected over a one-year period from grocery stores in southern California. The overall prevalence of E. coli in retail meat samples was 47.51% (105/221), with E. coli contamination found to be significantly associated with meat type and season of sampling. From antimicrobial susceptibility testing, 51 isolates (48.57%) were susceptible to all antimicrobials tested, 54 (51.34%) were resistant to at least 1 drug, 39 (37.14%) to 2 or more drugs, and 21 (20.00%) to 3 or more drugs. Resistance to ampicillin, gentamicin, streptomycin, and tetracycline were significantly associated with meat type, with poultry counterparts (chicken or ground turkey) exhibiting higher odds for resistance to these drugs compared to non-poultry meats (beef and pork). From the 52 E. coli isolates selected to undergo whole-genome sequencing (WGS), 27 antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) were identified and predicted phenotypic AMR profiles with an overall sensitivity and specificity of 93.33% and 99.84%, respectively. Clustering assessment and co-occurrence networks revealed that the genomic AMR determinants of E. coli from retail meat were highly heterogeneous, with a sparsity of shared gene networks.
Chronodisruption and Loss of Melatonin Rhythm, Associated with Alterations in Daily Motor Activity and Mitochondrial Dynamics in Parkinsonian Zebrafish, Are Corrected by Melatonin Treatment
Authors: Aranda-Martínez Paula , Fernández-Martínez José , Ramírez-Casas Yolanda , Rodríguez-Santana César , Rusanova Iryna , Escames Germaine , Acuña-Castroviejo Darío
Published: April 2023

Beyond sleep/wake, clock genes regulate the daily rhythms of melatonin production, motor activity, innate immunity, and mitochondrial dynamics, among others. All these rhythms are affected in Parkinson’s disease (PD), suggesting that chronodisruption may be an early stage of the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the connection between clock genes and these rhythms in PD, and whether melatonin administration reestablished the normal clock function. Parkinsonism was induced with 600 μM MPTP (N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) in 24–120 h post fertilization (hpf) zebrafish embryos and melatonin was administered at a dose of 1 μM. Day–night melatonin rhythm disappeared in MPTP-treated embryos, which showed an advance in the activity phase in parallel with changes in the rhythm of clock genes. An alteration in the fission-to-fusion mitochondrial dynamics was also detected in parkinsonian embryos, increasing the former and leading to apoptosis. Melatonin administration to MPTP-treated embryos fully restored the circadian system, including the rhythms of clock genes, motor activity, melatonin rhythm, and mitochondrial dynamics, and decreasing apoptosis. Because clock-controlled rhythms such as sleep/wake alterations are early events in PD, the data here reported may point to chronodisruption as one initial pathophysiological event of the disease.
Salivary Interleukin-6, Interleukin-1β, and C-Reactive Protein as a Diagnostic Tool for Plaque-Induced Gingivitis in Children
Authors: Salim Ayshe , Angelova Sirma , Roussev Bogdan , Sokrateva Todorka , Kiselova-Kaneva Yoana , Peev Stefan , Ivanova Diana
Published: April 2023

Plaque-induced gingivitis (PIG) is one of the most widely distributed oral disorders in children. We aimed to identify the diagnostic value of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and c-reactive protein (CRP) in the unstimulated whole saliva of children with different degrees of PIG. The study included 45 healthy children (aged between 4–14 years). The participants were divided into four groups according to their Silness–Löe plaque index and Löe–Silness gingival index. ELISA methods for the quantification of salivary IL-6, IL-1β, and CRP were used. The highest levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and CRP were recorded in the group with severe gingivitis—14.96 pg/mL, 28.94 pg/mL, and 490.0 pg/mL, respectively—significantly exceeding those in the control group (9.506 pg/mL, 16.93 pg/mL and 254.4 pg/mL, respectively). Based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, salivary IL-1β and CRP showed good diagnostic accuracy (0.8 ≤ AUC < 0.9) and IL-6 showed fair diagnostic accuracy (0.7 ≤ AUC < 0.8) with statistical significance to distinguish between children with a moderate degree of PIG and those with a severe degree of PIG. Sensitivity for IL-6, CRP, and IL-1β was 87.5% (p < 0.05), 87.5% (p < 0.01), and 75% (p < 0.01), respectively, and specificity was 63.16% (p < 0.05), 78.95% (p < 0.01), 83.33% (p < 0.01), respectively. Based on our results, we suggest salivary IL-1β and CRP as potential diagnostic tools that can be used to differentiate between moderate and severe PIG.
A Method for Complex Question-Answering over Knowledge Graph
Authors: Yang Lei , Guo Haonan , Dai Yu , Chen Wanheng
Published: April 2023

Knowledge Graph Question-Answering (KGQA) has gained popularity as an effective approach for information retrieval systems. However, answering complex questions involving multiple topic entities and multi-hop relations presents a significant challenge for model training. Moreover, existing KGQA models face difficulties in extracting constraint information from complex questions, leading to reduced accuracy. To overcome these challenges, we propose a three-part pipelined framework comprising question decomposition, constraint extraction, and question reasoning. Our approach employs a novel question decomposition model that uses dual encoders and attention mechanisms to enhance question representation. We define temporal, spatial, and numerical constraint types and propose a constraint extraction model to mitigate the impact of constraint interference on downstream question reasoning. The question reasoning model uses beam search to reduce computational effort and enhance exploration, facilitating the identification of the optimal path. Experimental results on the ComplexWebQuestions dataset demonstrate the efficacy of our proposed model, achieving an F1 score of 72.0% and highlighting the effectiveness of our approach in decomposing complex questions into simple subsets and improving the accuracy of question reasoning.
A Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) Approach for Landslide Susceptibility Mapping of a Part of Darjeeling District in North-East Himalaya, India
Authors: Saha Abhik , Villuri Vasanta Govind Kumar , Bhardwaj Ashutosh , Kumar Satish
Published: April 2023

Landslides are the nation’s hidden disaster, significantly increasing economic loss and social disruption. Unfortunately, limited information is available about the depth and extent of landslides. Therefore, in order to identify landslide-prone zones in advance, a well-planned landslide susceptibility mapping (LSM) approach is needed. The present study evaluates the efficacy of an MCDA-based model (analytical hierarchy process (AHP)) and determines the most accurate approach for detecting landslide-prone zones in one part of Darjeeling, India. LSM is prepared using remote sensing thematic layers such as slope, rainfall earthquake, lineament density, drainage density, geology, geomorphology, aspect, land use and land cover (LULC), and soil. The result obtained is classified into four classes, i.e., very high (11.68%), high (26.18%), moderate (48.87%), and low (13.27%) landslide susceptibility. It is observed that an entire 37.86% of the area is in a high to very high susceptibility zone. The efficiency of the LSM was validated with the help of the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve, which demonstrate an accuracy of 96.8%, and the success rate curve showed an accuracy of 81.3%, both of which are very satisfactory results. Thus, the proposed framework will help natural disaster experts to reduce land vulnerability, as well as aid in future development.
LED Illumination Modules Enable Automated Photoautotrophic Cultivation of Microalgae in Parallel Milliliter-Scale Stirred-Tank Bioreactors
Authors: Benner Philipp , Lüdtke Finn Joshua , Beyer Nina , von den Eichen Nikolas , Oropeza Vargas José Enrique , Weuster-Botz Dirk
Published: April 2023

Scalable lab-scale photobioreactors are needed for the exploration of new and improved photoautotrophic bioprocesses. Microbioreactor systems in which parallel bioreactors operate automatically are frequently employed to increase the speed of strain selection as well as the bioprocess-based exploration of heterotrophic fermentation processes. To enable the photoautotrophic operation of a commercially available parallel microbioreactor system with 48 stirred-tank bioreactors, LED illumination modules were designed to allow for individual light supply (400–700 nm) for each of the parallel bioreactors automated by a liquid handling station that performs both individual pH control and OD750 detection. The illumination modules enable dynamic variation of the incident light intensities of up to 1800 µmol m−2 s−1. Automated liquid level detection and volume control of each individual mL-scale gassed photobioreactor has to be established to compensate for evaporation because of the long process times of several days up to weeks. Photoautotrophic batch processes with Microchloropsis salina that employ either varying constant incident light intensities or day and night dynamics resulted in a standard deviation of OD750 of up to a maximum of 10%, with the exception of high-photoinhibiting incident light intensities. The established photoautotrophic microbioreactor system enables the automated investigation of microalgae processes in up to 48 parallel stirred photobioreactors and is thus a new tool that enables efficient characterization and development of photoautotrophic processes with microalgae.
Information Rich Voxel Grid for Use in Heterogeneous Multi-Agent Robotics
Authors: Balding Steven , Gning Amadou , Cheng Yongqiang , Iqbal Jamshed
Published: April 2023

Robotic agents are now ubiquitous in both home and work environments; moreover, the degree of task complexity they can undertake is also increasing exponentially. Now that advanced robotic agents are commonplace, the question for utilisation becomes how to enable collaboration of these agents, and indeed, many have considered this over the last decade. If we can leverage the heterogeneous capabilities of multiple agents, not only can we achieve more complex tasks, but we can better position the agents in more chaotic environments and compensate for lacking systems in less sophisticated agents. Environments such as search and rescue, agriculture, autonomous vehicles, and robotic maintenance are just a few examples of complex domains that can leverage collaborative robotics. If the use of a robotic agent is fruitful, the question should be: How can we provide a world state and environment mapping, combined with a communication method, that will allow these robotic agents to freely communicate? Moreover, how can this be decentralised such that agents can be introduced to new and existing environments already understood by other agents? The key problem that is faced is the communication method; however, when looking deeper we also need to consider how the change of an environment is mapped while considering that there are multiple differing sensors. To this end, we present the voxel grid approach for use in a decentralised robotic colony. To validate this, results are presented to show how the single-agent and multiagent systems compare.
An Improved Purification Method for Removing Colour Interference from 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl Tetrazolium Bromide (MTT) Antibacterial Assays
Authors: Shi Danxia , Xu Wenliang , Wong Marie , Popovich David G.
Published: April 2023

The MTT antibacterial assay is an important method in natural antibacterial component discovery. Researchers can use the MTT antibacterial assay to quickly and efficiently evaluate the antibacterial activity of natural compounds. The aim of this research was to find a method to reduce background colour and bacterial cell interference when using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay to study the antibacterial effect of phytochemicals. This study used NZ ‘Hass’ ripe avocado seed extract as an example to develop a silica gel column chromatography method that could combine with the MTT assay to remove the background colour and bacterial cells before the formazan measuring stage. This method is particularly suitable for MTT-based antibacterial inhibition studies when the tested phytochemical extracts have an interfering colour.
Study of a Novel High-Frequency Ultrasound-Guided Integrated System for Varicose Veins Ultrasound Therapy
Authors: Xie Jing , Huang Wenchang , Li Xinze , Li Jiaqi , Xu Yiwen , Jiao Yang , Cui Yaoyao
Published: April 2023

Varicose veins in the lower limb are a common and progressive venous disorder that can significantly reduce patients’ quality of life and pose a threat to their overall health if left untreated. However, current treatment approaches often involve invasive intervention. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) technology has the potential to treat varicose veins non-invasively, but most systems are bulky and expensive. This study proposes an innovative, integrated system that uses a 4.5 MHz therapeutic probe guided by a 12 MHz ultrasound imaging probe to treat varicose veins in the lower limb. The system aims to achieve high accuracy in repeated treatments by using a high-speed scanning positioning structure, increasing the imaging framerate, and reducing the system’s overall volume. The system’s accuracy is evaluated through reset error tests on an acrylic board, and its effectiveness is tested through in vivo experiments on rabbit marginal ear veins. Tests on porcine arteries are conducted to identify suitable focal points for vascular treatment. The experimental results demonstrate the system’s high accuracy, with a reset error of less than 0.07 mm, and an obvious shrinkage of the predetermined treatment area of the marginal ear veins after therapy. The study identifies that setting the focus on the vascular wall can improve the efficiency of vascular treatment, resulting in significant vasoconstriction changes. These experimental findings provide sufficient evidence for the system’s potential for clinical application in vascular treatment.
Effects of “S”-Type Bowed Guide Vanes on Unsteady Flow in 1.5-Stage Axial Compressors
Authors: Liu Yupeng , Liao Guangqing , Li Yunzhu , Xie Yonghui , Zhang Di
Published: April 2023

In axial compressors, the unsteady flow caused by the interaction between dynamic and static cascades will make the moving vanes subject to periodic forces and increase the risk of high-cycle fatigue fractures. In this study, an “S”-type bowed guide vane was designed and a 1.5-stage axial compressor model was established. For five guide vanes with different bending coefficients, unsteady numerical simulation was carried out under design conditions and near-blockage conditions. The influence of the guide vane bending coefficient on the pressure ratio and efficiency is analyzed, and the aerodynamic exciting force on moving vanes is analyzed by using the fast Fourier transform. The study shows that the model with an “S”-type bowed guide vane can greatly reduce the amplitude of aerodynamic exciting force on moving vanes. The model with a guide vane bending coefficient of −10 mm can reduce the tangential and axial aerodynamic exciting force amplitudes at the first-order blade-passing frequency by 90.82% and 90.39% under the design conditions, respectively. Under the near-blockage condition, the tangential and axial aerodynamic exciting force amplitudes can be reduced by 85.84% and 86.58%, respectively. This can greatly improve the vibration safety of the moving vane.
Nickel and Cobalt Price Volatility Forecasting Using a Self-Attention-Based Transformer Model
Authors: Swarup Shivam , Kushwaha Gyaneshwar Singh
Published: April 2023

Both Nickel and Cobalt have been extensively used in cutting-edge technologies, such as electric vehicle battery manufacturing, stainless steel, and special alloys production. As governments focus on greener solutions for areas such as transportation and energy generation, both metals are increasingly used for energy storage purposes. However, their price uncertainty makes for an interesting case in the modern economy. This study focuses on the price volatility forecasting of Nickel and Cobalt using ANN (Artificial Neural Network) built on a special class of Transformer models used for multi-step ahead forecasts. Our results suggest that the given model is only slightly better in predictive accuracy compared to traditional sequential deep learning models such as BiLSTM (Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory) and GRUs (gated recurrent units). Moreover, our findings also show that, like conventional approaches, in-sample behavior does not guarantee out-of-sample behavior. The given study could be utilized by industry participants for an inquiry into new and efficient ways to forecast and identify temporal-based structural patterns in commodity-based time series.
The Impact of Automated Vehicles on Road and Intersection Capacity
Authors: Yu Quan , Wu Longsheng , Zhang Haonan , Lei Linlong , Wang Li
Published: April 2023

With the rapid development of autonomous driving technology, future road traffic must be composed of autonomous vehicles and artificial vehicles. Although autonomous vehicles have greatly improved road capacity, few studies have involved capacity at signal-controlled intersections, and most of the studies are based on experimental simulation. As such, there is a need to more scientifically analyze the impact of autonomous vehicles on road and intersection capacity. Based on three theories of flow-density relationships, traffic flow equilibrium analysis, and the following model, this paper firstly deduces the flow-density relationship of different vehicle types in a single environment. Secondly, flow-density relationships under different proportions of self-driving vehicles are derived. Through the derivation of these two models, the basic road saturation flow rates under different permeabilities of self-driving vehicles, can be obtained. Based on these results, a revised calculation model for the capacity of signalized intersections with different proportions of autonomous vehicles is proposed, which is essentially to revise the basic saturation flow rate under different permeabilities of autonomous vehicles. By using SUMO 1.15.0 traffic simulation software, the theoretical models are individually tested. The results show that the error rate between the theoretical calculation results and the SUMO simulation results, is less than 16%. This study can provide a basis for the calculation of basic capacity of roads and intersections in a future man-machine hybrid driving environment, and provide theoretical guidance for traffic management and control.
Adaptive Driver Face Feature Fatigue Detection Algorithm Research
Authors: Zheng Han , Wang Yiding , Liu Xiaoming
Published: April 2023

Fatigued driving is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents, and detecting fatigued driving effectively is critical to improving driving safety. Given the variety and individual variability of the driving surroundings, the drivers’ states of weariness, and the uncertainty of the key characteristic factors, in this paper, we propose a deep-learning-based study of the MAX-MIN driver fatigue detection algorithm. First, the ShuffleNet V2K16 neural network is used for driver face recognition, which eliminates the influence of poor environmental adaptability in fatigue detection; second, ShuffleNet V2K16 is combined with Dlib to obtain the coordinates of driver face feature points; and finally, the values of EAR and MAR are obtained by comparing the first 100 frames of images to EAR-MAX and MAR-MIN. Our proposed method achieves 98.8% precision, 90.2% recall, and 94.3% F-Score in the actual driving scenario application.
Special Issue on Recent Advances in Machine Learning and Computational Intelligence
Authors: Wu Yue , Zhang Xinglong , Jia Pengfei
Published: April 2023

Machine learning and computational intelligence are currently high-profile research areas attracting the attention of many researchers [...]
Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Enhanced Ultrasound Techniques Used in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Are They Ready for Prime Time?
Authors: Gheorghe Elena Codruta , Nicolau Carmen , Kamal Adina , Udristoiu Anca , Gruionu Lucian , Saftoiu Adrian
Published: April 2023

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent cause of chronic liver disease, affecting approximately 2 billion individuals worldwide with a spectrum that can range from simple steatosis to cirrhosis. Typically, the diagnosis of NAFLD is based on imaging studies, but the gold standard remains liver biopsies. Hence, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in this field, which has recently undergone rapid development in various aspects of medicine, has the potential to accurately diagnose NAFLD and steatohepatitis (NASH). This paper provides an overview of the latest research that employs AI for the diagnosis and staging of NAFLD, as well as applications for future developments in this field.
Growth of New, Optically Active, Semi-Organic Single Crystals Glycine-Copper Sulphate Doped by Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Almufarij Rasmiah Saad A. , Ali Alaa El-Deen , Elba Mohamed Elsayed , Okab Howida Eid , Mailoud Ollaa Moftah , Abdel-Hamid Hamida , Fetouh Elsayed Howida Abouel
Published: April 2023

The purpose of this study is to modify all physicochemical properties of glycine–copper sulphate single crystals, such as crystal habits, molar mass, thermal stability, optical activity, and electrical properties. The novelty of this study is growth of glycine–copper sulphate single crystals doped by a low concentration of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) that improved both crystal habits and physicochemical properties. The originality of this work is that trace amounts of SNPs largely increased the crystal size. Crystals have molar stoichiometric formula [glycine]0.95, [CuSO4·5H2O]0.05 in the absence and presence of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) in different concentrations: 10 ppm, 20 ppm, and 30 ppm. The crystals’ names and abbreviations are: glycine–copper sulphate (GCS), glycine–copper sulphate doped by 10 ppm SNPs (GCSN1), glycine–copper sulphate doped by 20 ppm SNPs (GCSN2), and glycine–copper sulphate doped by 30 ppm SNPs (GCSN3). Dopant silver nanoparticles increased: crystallinity reflecting purity, transparency to UV-Vis. electromagnetic radiation, thermal stability, and melting point of glycine–copper sulphate single crystal. GCSN3 is a super conductor. High thermal conductivity of crystals ranging from 1.1 W·min−1·K−1 to 1.6 W·min−1·K−1 enabled attenuation of electromagnetic radiation and rapid heat dissipation due to good dielectric and polar properties. On rising temperature, AC electrical conductivity and dielectric properties of perfect crystal GCSN3 increased confirmed attenuation of thermal infrared radiation.
Vinicio Paladini and the First Studies of the Soviet Avant-Garde Architecture in the Early 20th Century in Italy
Authors: Babicheva Mariia
Published: April 2023

The architecture of the Soviet Avant-garde represents an important part in the history of the world’s architecture. It has become and continues to be a subject of interest for numerous researchers all over the world since the second half of the 20th century. However, was it well-known before, and who was the first to spread that knowledge? This article aims to study the critical legacy of Italian artist and architect Vinicio Paladini and his role as the first disseminator of the ideas of Soviet Avant-garde architecture in Italy in the 1920s with his article “Lo spirito moderno e la nuova architettura nell’U.R.S.S.” This article provides an in-depth analysis of chosen projects and architects as well as attribution of illustrative material alongside the archival research. It establishes the origins of Paladini’s interest in the art and architecture of the USSR, surfaces his perception of the characteristics of Soviet architecture, and highlights the importance of his role in promoting Russian modernism in Italy.
Spatiotemporal Patterns and Characteristics of PM2.5 Pollution in the Yellow River Golden Triangle Demonstration Area
Authors: Jin Ning , He Liang , Jia Haixia , Qin Mingxing , Zhang Dongyan , Wang Cheng , Li Xiaojian , Li Yanlin
Published: April 2023

Improving air quality in the Yellow River Golden Triangle Demonstration Area (YRGTDA) is an important practice for ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin. Preventing and controlling PM2.5 pollution in this region will require a scientific understanding of the spatiotemporal patterns and characteristics of PM2.5 pollution. PM2.5 data from different sources were combined in this study (the annual average of PM2.5 concentrations were obtained from the Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group of Dalhousie University, and the daily PM2.5 concentration data were obtained from the China National Environmental Monitoring Centre). Then, the temporal variation of PM2.5 concentrations at annual, seasonal, and monthly scales, the spatial variation of PM2.5 concentrations, and the variation of PM2.5 pollution classes were analyzed. Results showed that: (1) at the annual scale, the PM2.5 concentrations showed a decreasing trend from 2000 to 2021 in the study area. The variation of PM2.5 concentrations were divided into two different stages. (2) At the seasonal scale, high PM2.5 concentrations occurred mainly in winter, low PM2.5 concentrations occurred in summer. At the monthly scale, PM2.5 concentrations showed a U-shaped variation pattern from January to December each year. (3) The hotspot analysis of the PM2.5 concentrations in the study area showed a cyclical variation pattern. (4) The PM2.5 concentrations exhibited a spatial pattern of high values in the central and low values in the northern and southern parts of YRGTDA. (5) The number of days for different PM2.5 pollution classes from 2015 to 2021 followed the order of Good > Excellent > Light pollution > Moderate pollution > Heavy pollution > Severe pollution in YRGTDA. The results of this study have great theoretical and practical significance because they reveal the spatiotemporal patterns and pollution characteristics of PM2.5 and will lead to the development of scientifically based measures to reasonably prevent and control pollution in YRGTDA.
Managing and Optimizing Big Data Workloads for On-Demand User Centric Reports
Authors: Băicoianu Alexandra , Scheianu Ion Valentin
Published: April 2023

The term “big data” refers to the vast amount of structured and unstructured data generated by businesses, organizations, and individuals on a daily basis. The rapid growth of big data has led to the development of new technologies and techniques for storing, processing, and analyzing these data in order to extract valuable information. This study examines some of these technologies, compares their pros and cons, and provides solutions for handling specific types of reporting using big data tools. In addition, this paper discusses some of the challenges associated with big data and suggests approaches that could be used to manage and analyze these data. The findings demonstrate the benefits of efficiently managing the datasets and choosing the appropriate tools, as well as the efficiency of the proposed solution with hands-on examples.
Comprehensive Profiling of Cancer-Associated Cells in the Blood of Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy to Predict Pathological Complete Response
Authors: Pore Adity A. , Dhanasekara Chathurika S. , Navaid Hunaiz Bin , Vanapalli Siva A. , Rahman Rakhshanda Layeequr
Published: April 2023

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) can affect pathological complete response (pCR) in breast cancers; the resection that follows identifies patients with residual disease who are then offered second-line therapies. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and cancer-associated macrophage-like cells (CAMLs) in the blood can be used as potential biomarkers for predicting pCR before resection. CTCs are of epithelial origin that undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition to become more motile and invasive, thereby leading to invasive mesenchymal cells that seed in distant organs, causing metastasis. Additionally, CAMLs in the blood of cancer patients are reported to either engulf or aid the transport of cancer cells to distant organs. To study these rare cancer-associated cells, we conducted a preliminary study where we collected blood from patients treated with NAC after obtaining their written and informed consent. Blood was collected before, during, and after NAC, and Labyrinth microfluidic technology was used to isolate CTCs and CAMLs. Demographic, tumor marker, and treatment response data were collected. Non-parametric tests were used to compare pCR and non-pCR groups. Univariate and multivariate models were used where CTCs and CAMLs were analyzed for predicting pCR. Sixty-three samples from 21 patients were analyzed. The median(IQR) pre-NAC total and mesenchymal CTC count/5 mL was lower in the pCR vs. non-pCR group [1(3.5) vs. 5(5.75); p = 0.096], [0 vs. 2.5(7.5); p = 0.084], respectively. The median(IQR) post-NAC CAML count/5 mL was higher in the pCR vs. non-pCR group [15(6) vs. 6(4.5); p = 0.004]. The pCR group was more likely to have >10 CAMLs post-NAC vs. non-pCR group [7(100%) vs. 3(21.4%); p = 0.001]. In a multivariate logistic regression model predicting pCR, CAML count was positively associated with the log-odds of pCR [OR = 1.49(1.01, 2.18); p = 0.041], while CTCs showed a negative trend [Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.44(0.18, 1.06); p = 0.068]. In conclusion, increased CAMLs in circulation after treatment combined with lowered CTCs was associated with pCR.
Impact of an Accessory for Left Ventricular Assist Devices on Device Flow and Pressure Head In Vitro
Authors: Meissner Florian , Eichelkraut Derya , Schimmel Marius , Maier Sven , Vestner Heiko , Schoen Manuela , Czerny Martin , Bothe Wolfgang
Published: April 2023

A novel accessory directing the blood from the outflow of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) back through the left ventricular apex and across the aortic valve allows LVAD implantation via the left ventricular apex solely but may affect the LVAD performance. We quantified the effect of the accessory on LVAD flow and pressure head in vitro. In a mock circulatory loop, a centrifugal-flow LVAD (HeartMate 3, Abbott, Abbott Park, IL, USA) with (Accessory) and without the accessory (Control) was compared under physiological conditions using a water/glycerol solution as a blood substitute. The pump was operated at 4000, 5200, and 6400 rpm and 5 different resistance levels. Flow, inlet, and outlet pressure were measured, and pressure head was calculated. Compared to the Control, flow and pressure head in the Accessory group were reduced by an overall average of 0.26 L/min and 9.9 mmHg (all speeds and resistance levels). The highest decline in flow and pressure head occurred at the lowest resistance levels. In conclusion, the accessory leads to a reduction of LVAD flow and pressure head that is enhanced by decreases in resistance. Future developments in the LVAD accessory’s design may reduce these effects and allow unimpaired LVAD performance and minimally invasive device implantation.
Reinventing Therapeutic Proteins: Mining a Treasure of New Therapies
Authors: Niazi Sarfaraz K. , Mariam Zamara
Published: April 2023

Reinventing approved therapeutic proteins for a new dose, a new formulation, a new route of administration, an improved safety profile, a new indication, or a new conjugate with a drug or a radioactive source is a creative approach to benefit from the billions spent on developing new therapeutic proteins. These new opportunities were created only recently with the arrival of AI/ML tools and high throughput screening technologies. Furthermore, the complex nature of proteins offers mining opportunities that are not possible with chemical drugs; bringing in newer therapies without spending billions makes this path highly lucrative financially while serving the dire needs of humanity. This paper analyzes several practical reinventing approaches and suggests regulatory strategies to reduce development costs significantly. This should enable the entry of hundreds of new therapies at affordable costs.
Plant Traits Guide Species Selection in Vegetation Restoration for Soil and Water Conservation
Authors: Fu Denggao , Wu Xiaoni , Hu Lianyu , Ma Xudong , Shen Chunjie , Shang Huaye , Huang Gongning , He Yongjian , Duan Changqun
Published: April 2023

Great efforts have been made to improve the soil and water conservation capacity by restoring plant communities in different climatic and land-use types. However, how to select suitable species from local species pools that not only adapt to different site environments, but also achieve certain soil and water conservation capacities is a great challenge in vegetation restoration for practitioners and scientists. So far, little attention has been paid to plant functional response and effect traits related to environment resource and ecosystem functions. In this study, together with soil properties and ecohydrological functions, we measured the seven plant functional traits for the most common species in different restoration communities in a subtropical mountain ecosystem. Multivariate optimization analyses were performed to identify the functional effect types and functional response types based on specific plant traits. We found that the community-weighted means of traits differed significantly among the four community types, and the plant functional traits were strongly linked with soil physicochemical properties and ecohydrological functions. Based on three optimal effect traits (specific leaf area, leaf size, and specific root length) and two response traits (specific leaf area and leaf nitrogen concentration), seven functional effect types in relation to the soil and water conservation capacity (interception of canopy and stemflow, maximum water-holding capacity of litter, maximum water-holding capacity of soil, soil surface runoff, and soil erosion) and two plant functional response types to soil physicochemical properties were identified. The redundancy analysis showed that the sum of all canonical eigenvalues only accounted for 21.6% of the variation in functional response types, which suggests that community effects on soil and water conservation cannot explain the overall structure of community responses related to soil resources. The eight overlapping species between the plant functional response types and functional effect types were ultimately selected as the key species for vegetation restoration. Based on the above results, we offer an ecological basis for choosing the appropriate species based on functional traits, which may be very helpful for practitioners involved in ecological restoration and management.
Atherosclerosis, Cardiovascular Disease, and COVID-19: A Narrative Review
Authors: Vilaplana-Carnerero Carles , Giner-Soriano Maria , Dominguez Àngela , Morros Rosa , Pericas Carles , Álamo-Junquera Dolores , Toledo Diana , Gallego Carmen , Redondo Ana , Grau María
Published: April 2023

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory and degenerative process that mainly occurs in large- and medium-sized arteries and is morphologically characterized by asymmetric focal thickenings of the innermost layer of the artery, the intima. This process is the basis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the most common cause of death worldwide. Some studies suggest a bidirectional link between atherosclerosis and the consequent CVD with COVID-19. The aims of this narrative review are (1) to provide an overview of the most recent studies that point out a bidirectional relation between COVID-19 and atherosclerosis and (2) to summarize the impact of cardiovascular drugs on COVID-19 outcomes. A growing body of evidence shows that COVID-19 prognosis in individuals with CVD is worse compared with those without. Moreover, various studies have reported the emergence of newly diagnosed patients with CVD after COVID-19. The most common treatments for CVD may influence COVID-19 outcomes. Thus, their implication in the infection process is briefly discussed in this review. A better understanding of the link among atherosclerosis, CVD, and COVID-19 could proactively identify risk factors and, as a result, develop strategies to improve the prognosis for these patients.
Cyclic GMP–AMP Synthase (cGAS) Deletion Reduces Severity in Bilateral Nephrectomy Mice through Changes in Neutrophil Extracellular Traps and Mitochondrial Respiration
Authors: Suksawad Nattavong , Udompornpitak Kanyarat , Thawinpipat Natchapon , Korwattanamongkol Pichaya , Visitchanakun Peerapat , Phuengmaung Pornpimol , Saisorn Wilasinee , Kueanjinda Patipark , Leelahavanichkul Asada
Published: April 2023

Uremia-induced systemic inflammation is partly caused by the dissemination of microbial molecules such as lipopolysaccharide and bacterial double-stranded DNA from leaked gut damaged by immune cells in response to the microbial molecules. Cyclic GMP–AMP synthase (cGAS) can recognize fragmented DNA and induce cGAMP synthesis for the activation of the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway. To study the effect of cGAS in uremia-induced systemic inflammation, we performed bilateral nephrectomy (BNx) in wild-type and cGAS knock-out mice and found that the gut leakage and blood uremia from both groups were similar. However, serum cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) decreased significantly in cGAS−/− neutrophils after stimulation with LPS or bacterial cell-free DNA. Transcriptomic analysis of LPS-stimulated cGAS−/− neutrophils also confirmed the down-regulation of neutrophil effector functions. The extracellular flux analysis showed that cGAS−/− neutrophils exhibited a higher respiratory rate than wild-type neutrophils despite having similar mitochondrial abundance and function. Our results suggest that cGAS may control effector functions and the mitochondrial respiration of neutrophils in response to LPS or bacterial DNA.
Cyanidiales-Based Bioremediation of Heavy Metals
Authors: Kharel Hari Lal , Shrestha Ina , Tan Melissa , Nikookar Mohammad , Saraei Negar , Selvaratnam Thinesh
Published: April 2023

With growing urbanization and ongoing development activities, the consumption of heavy metals has been increasing globally. Although heavy metals are vital for the survival of living beings, they can become hazardous when they surpass the permissible limit. The effect of heavy metals varies from normal to acute depending on the individual, so it is necessary to treat the heavy metals before releasing them into the environment. Various conventional treatment technologies have been used based on physical, chemical, and biological methods. However, due to technical and economic constraints and poor sustainability towards the environment, the use of these technologies has been limited. Microalgal-based heavy metal removal has been explored for the past few decades and has been seen as an effective, environment-friendly, and inexpensive method compared to conventional treatment technology. Cyanidiales that belong to red algae have the potential for remediation of heavy metals as they can withstand and tolerate extreme stresses of heat, acid salts, and heavy metals. Cyanidiales are the only photosynthetic organisms that can survive and thrive in acidic mine drainage, where heavy metal contamination is often prevalent. This review focuses on the algal species belonging to three genera of Cyanidiales: Cyanidioschyzon, Cyanidium, and Galdieria. Papers published after 2015 were considered in order to examine these species’ efficiency in heavy metal removal. The result is summarized as maximum removal efficiency at the optimum experimental conditions and based on the parameters affecting the metal ion removal efficiency. This study finds that pH, initial metal concentration, initial algal biomass concentration, algal strains, and growth temperature are the major parameters that affect the heavy metal removal efficiency of Cyanidiales.
Influence of Cannabinoid Treatment on Trajectories of Patient-Related Outcomes in Chronic Pain: Pain Intensity, Emotional Distress, Tolerability and Physical Disability
Authors: Balestra Anna Marie , Chalk Katharina , Denke Claudia , Mohammed Nashwan , Fritzsche Thomas , Tafelski Sascha
Published: April 2023

The treatment of chronic pain with cannabinoids is becoming more widespread and popular among patients. However, studies show that only a few patients experience any benefit from this treatment. It also remains unclear which domains are affected by cannabinoid treatment. Therefore, the present study is novel in that it explores the effects of cannabinoid treatment on four patient-related outcome measures (PROMs), and includes patients with chronic refractory pain conditions who have been given the option of cannabinoid treatment. A retrospective design was used to evaluate the impact of cannabinoid treatment on patients with refractory pain in two German outpatient pain clinics. The present study shows that pain intensity (mean relative reduction (−14.9 ± 22.6%), emotional distress (−9.2 ± 43.5%), pain-associated disability (−7.0 ± 46.5%) and tolerability of pain (−11 ± 23.4%)) improved with cannabinoid treatment. Interestingly, the trajectories of the PROMs seemed to differ between patients, with only 30% of patients responding with respect to pain intensity, but showing improvements in other PROMs. Although the mean treatment effects remained limited, the cumulative magnitude of change in all dimensions may affect patients’ quality of life. In summary, a singular evaluation with pain intensity as the sole outcome does not cover the multidimensional effects of cannabinoids. Therefore, the treatment effects of cannabinoids should be evaluated with different PROMs.