bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wi-Senser: Contactless Head Movement Detection during Sleep Utilizing WiFi Signals
Authors: Fang Yi , Liu Wei , Zhang Sun
Published: June 2023

Detecting human head movement during sleep is important as it can help doctors to assess many physical or mental health problems, such as infantile eczema, calcium deficiency, insomnia, anxiety disorder, and even Parkinson’s disease, and provide useful clues for accurate diagnosis. To obtain the information of head movement during sleep, current solutions either use a camera or require the user to wear intrusive sensors to collect the image or motion data. However, the vision-based schemes rely on light conditions and raise privacy concerns. Many people, including the elderly and infants, may be reluctant to wear wearable devices during sleep. In this paper, we propose Wi-Senser, a nonintrusive and contactless smart monitoring system for detecting head movement during sleep. Wi-Senser directly reuses the existing WiFi infrastructure and exploits the fine-grained channel state information (CSI) of WiFi signals to capture the minute human head movement during sleep without attaching any sensors to the human body. Specifically, we constructed a filtering channel including a Hampel filter, wavelet filter, and mean filter to remove outliers and noises. We propose a new metric of carrier sensitivity to select an optimal subcarrier for recording the change in targeted body movement from 30 candidate subcarriers. Finally, we designed a peak-finding algorithm to capture the real peak set recording the change in human head movement. We designed and implemented Wi-Senser with just one commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) router and one laptop equipped with an Intel 5300 network interface card (NIC). We evaluated the performance of Wi-Senser with 10 volunteers (6 adults and 4 children). Extensive experiments demonstrate that Wi-Senser can achieve 97.95% accuracy for monitoring head movement during sleep. Wi-Senser provides a new solution for achieving noninvasive, continuous, and accurate detection of minute human movement without any additional cost.
ED2IF2-Net: Learning Disentangled Deformed Implicit Fields and Enhanced Displacement Fields from Single Images Using Pyramid Vision Transformer
Authors: Zhu Xiaoqiang , Yao Xinsheng , Zhang Junjie , Zhu Mengyao , You Lihua , Yang Xiaosong , Zhang Jianjun , Zhao He , Zeng Dan
Published: June 2023

There has emerged substantial research in addressing single-view 3D reconstruction and the majority of the state-of-the-art implicit methods employ CNNs as the backbone network. On the other hand, transformers have shown remarkable performance in many vision tasks. However, it is still unknown whether transformers are suitable for single-view implicit 3D reconstruction. In this paper, we propose the first end-to-end single-view 3D reconstruction network based on the Pyramid Vision Transformer (PVT), called ED2IF2-Net, which disentangles the reconstruction of an implicit field into the reconstruction of topological structures and the recovery of surface details to achieve high-fidelity shape reconstruction. ED2IF2-Net uses a Pyramid Vision Transformer encoder to extract multi-scale hierarchical local features and a global vector of the input single image, which are fed into three separate decoders. A coarse shape decoder reconstructs a coarse implicit field based on the global vector, a deformation decoder iteratively refines the coarse implicit field using the pixel-aligned local features to obtain a deformed implicit field through multiple implicit field deformation blocks (IFDBs), and a surface detail decoder predicts an enhanced displacement field using the local features with hybrid attention modules (HAMs). The final output is a fusion of the deformed implicit field and the enhanced displacement field, with four loss terms applied to reconstruct the coarse implicit field, structure details through a novel deformation loss, overall shape after fusion, and surface details via a Laplacian loss. The quantitative results obtained from the ShapeNet dataset validate the exceptional performance of ED2IF2-Net. Notably, ED2IF2-Net-L stands out as the top-performing variant, exhibiting the highest mean IoU, CD, EMD, ECD-3D, and ECD-2D scores, reaching impressive values of 61.1, 7.26, 2.51, 6.08, and 1.84, respectively. The extensive experimental evaluations consistently demonstrate the state-of-the-art capabilities of ED2IF2-Net in terms of reconstructing topological structures and recovering surface details, all while maintaining competitive inference time.
Fault Diagnosis of Wind Turbine with Alarms Based on Word Embedding and Siamese Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Wei Lu , Qu Jiaqi , Wang Liliang , Liu Feng , Qian Zheng , Zareipour Hamidreza
Published: June 2023

Alarms generated by a wind turbine alarm system indicate the need for emergency action by operators to protect the turbine from running into risky conditions. However, it can be challenging for operators to identify the fault types that trigger alarms, particularly with few labeled fault samples. This paper proposes a novel fault diagnosis method for wind turbines with alarms that collaboratively uses labeled and unlabeled alarms to improve diagnosis accuracy. First, the proposed method distinguishes different alarm sequences using a designed Siamese convolutional neural network with an embedding layer (S-ECNN) model. Then, the fault category of an unknown alarm sequence is diagnosed based on similarity scores. Specifically, the Skip-gram model is used to mine potential relationships among alarms in unlabeled alarm sequences, and pretrained alarm vectors are obtained. In the S-ECNN model, the pretrained alarm vectors are further optimized and trained using labeled alarm sequences. The similarity scores are calculated based on the distance between the extracted discriminative features of alarm sequences. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated using actual alarm data from a wind farm.
Calibration and Multiple Reliability Assessments of a Scrum Machine Instrumented to Measure Force
Authors: Martin Eric Alexander , Kim Steven B. , Beckham George K.
Published: June 2023

Coaches need reliable methods of quantifying rugby union scrum force performance in order to make data-driven decisions. The purpose of this study is to present the reliability of a replicable instrumented scrum machine. We performed 3 phases of deadweight calibration on 8 S-type load cells; during deadweight calibration, each load cell was loaded with ~20–200 kg. Phase 1 compared power sources (wall outlet vs. portable power station). Phase 2 tested the inter-session reliability of the load cells after 15, 30, 45, 60, and 420 min of run time. Phase 3 tested between-session reliability, comparing days 0, 1, 7, and 180. We also performed a phase of inter-trial reliability when humans pushed on the fully instrumented scrum machine. Fourteen collegiate rugby players performed four warm-up trials and then five 100%-effort trials; peak and average voltage during the push were compared between the 100%-effort trials. For all phases, statistical analyses show near-perfect reliability. Therefore, we conclude that our novel instrumented scrum machine is ready for in vivo data collection; other coaches or researchers could duplicate our methods to create their own reliable instrumented scrum machine.
Shell Organic Matrix (Conchix) of the Mediterranean Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis L. as the Medium for Assessment of Trace Metals in the Boka Kotorska Bay
Authors: Martinović Rajko , Joksimović Danijela , Perošević-Bajčeta Ana , Čabarkapa Ivana , Ehrlich Hermann
Published: June 2023

The content of trace metals, namely Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Cd, and Hg, in four types of media, i.e., soft tissues, shells, and the products of shell demineralization (organic matrix—conchix and extract) of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovicialis L., at three sites in the Boka Kotorska Bay of the Adriatic Sea were determined. The main aim was to investigate the accumulation patterns of trace metals in conchix and their possible relationship with other tested media. Conchix weight within a group of mussels from Sv. Nedjelja was significantly higher in comparison with the IMB, while conchix % in the shell showed a negative correlation with dry shell weight. The highest metal pollution index (MPI) values found in the soft tissues of mussels from Sv. Nedjelja, Cogi, and the IMB were 2.319, 2.711, and 2.929 µg g−1, respectively. PCA analysis showed similarities in trace metal accumulation in all media except conchix. According to CCA analysis, conchixes were grouped around Cu, Fe, and Hg, while Cd and Zn were in correlation with the soft tissues. Moreover, the shells were in correlation with Mn. Simple isolation with high yield, close contact to the environment in comparison with calcified shell layers, and susceptibility to possible pollution sources due to the accumulation of specific metals are the main reasons to consider conchix of M. galloprovincialis as a medium with potential in trace metal assessments of marine ecosystems.
From Scores to Predictions in Multi-Label Classification: Neural Thresholding Strategies
Authors: Draszawka Karol , Szymański Julian
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we propose a novel approach for obtaining predictions from per-class scores to improve the accuracy of multi-label classification systems. In a multi-label classification task, the expected output is a set of predicted labels per each testing sample. Typically, these predictions are calculated by implicit or explicit thresholding of per-class real-valued scores: classes with scores exceeding a given threshold value are added to a prediction set. In our work, we propose a neural network-based thresholding phase for multi-label classification systems and examine its influence on the overall classification performance measured by micro- and macro-averaged F1 scores on synthetic and real datasets. In contrast to classic thresholding methods, our approach has the unique property of being able to recover from scoring errors, because each decision about a given label prediction depends on the corresponding class score, as well as on all the other class scores for a given sample at once. The method can be used in combination with any classification system that outputs real-valued class scores. The proposed thresholding methods are trained offline, after the completion of the scoring phase. As such, it can be considered a universal fine-tuning step that can be employed in any multi-label classification system that seeks to find the best multi-label predictions based on class scores. In our experiments on real datasets, the input class scores were obtained from two third-party baseline classification systems. We show that our approach outperforms the traditional thresholding methods, which results in the improved performance of all tested multi-label classification tasks. In terms of relative improvement, on real datasets, the micro-F1 score is higher by up to 40.6%, the macro-F1 score is higher by up to 3.6%, and the averaged micro–macro-F1 score is higher by up to 30.1%, considering single models only. We show that ensembles and hybrid models give even better results. We show examples of successful extreme recoveries, where the system, equipped with our method, was able to correctly predict labels, which were highly underscored after the scoring phase.
Fault Diagnosis Method of Rolling Bearing Based on CBAM_ResNet and ACON Activation Function
Authors: Qin Haihua , Pan Jiafang , Li Jian , Huang Faguo
Published: June 2023

In order to cope with the influences of noise interference and variable load on rolling bearing fault diagnosis in real industrial environments, a rolling bearing fault diagnosis method based on CBAM_ResNet and ACON activation function is proposed. Firstly, the collected bearing working vibration signals are made into input samples to retain the original features to the maximum extent. Secondly, the CBAM_ResNet fault diagnosis model is constructed. By taking advantage of the convolutional neural network (CNN) in classification tasks and key feature extraction, the convolutional block attention module network (CBAM) is embedded in the residual blocks, to avoid model degradation and enhance the interaction of information in channel and spatial, raise the key feature extraction capability of the model. Finally, the Activate or Not (ACON) activation function, is introduced to adaptively activate shallow features for the purpose of improving the model’s feature representation and generalization capability. The bearing dataset of Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) is used for experiments, and the average accuracy of the proposed method is 97.68% and 93.93% under strong noise interference and variable load, respectively. Compared with the other three published bearing fault diagnosis methods, the results indicate that this proposed method has better noise immunity and generalization ability, and has good application value.
Hen Egg Production Forecasting: Capabilities of Machine Learning Models in Scenarios with Limited Data Sets
Authors: Bumanis Nikolajs , Kviesis Armands , Paura Liga , Arhipova Irina , Adjutovs Mihails
Published: June 2023

To achieve a sophisticated and self-sufficient production environment that aims to optimize a particular production sequence or direction, a combination of multiple interconnected IoT devices, software, and decision-making expertise is required. This is nowadays referred to as “smart” systems and can be related to almost any field. In the case of the poultry industry, “smart” stands for automatic data gathering, in-depth processing, and decision-making support. The implementation of a smart poultry concept introduces several challenges that are production related (e.g., productivity forecasting); therefore, this study focuses on hen egg production forecasting with limited data sets. Different methods and approaches used in the poultry sector for egg production forecasting were investigated. A cross-comparison was made between different models in order to determine their applicability. The models considered include a non-linear Modified Compartmental and several machine learning (ML) models, such as, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), XGBoost, and Random Forest (RF). Selected models used only two data sets—one for training and one for testing. Furthermore, the testing data set was significantly different than the training data, therefore setting the forecasting task to be even more challenging. The ML models had significantly more inputs that allowed them to adapt more flexibly to a changing environment in comparison with the nonlinear model that expected only one input, e.g., the week of egg production. The tests showed that the machine learning models proved to be overall more accurate than the selected nonlinear model.
A Basic Description Logic for Service-Oriented Architecture in Factory Planning and Operational Control in the Age of Industry 4.0
Authors: Luft Angela , Luft Nils , Arntz Kristian
Published: June 2023

Manufacturing companies across multiple industries face an increasingly dynamic and unpredictable environment. This development can be seen on both the market and supply side. To respond to these challenges, manufacturing companies must implement smart manufacturing systems and become more flexible and agile. The flexibility in operational planning regarding the scheduling and sequencing of customer orders needs to be increased and new structures must be implemented in manufacturing systems’ fundamental design as they constitute much of the operational flexibility available. To this end, smart and more flexible solutions for production planning and control (PPC) are developed. However, scheduling or sequencing is often only considered isolated in a predefined stable environment. Moreover, their orientation on the fundamental logic of the existing IT solutions and their applicability in a dynamic environment is limited. This paper presents a conceptual model for a task-based description logic that can be applied to factory planning, technology planning, and operational control. By using service-oriented architectures, the goal is to generate smart manufacturing systems. The logic is designed to allow for easy and automated maintenance. It is compatible with the existing resource and process allocation logic across operational and strategic factory and production planning.
Nitrogen Oxidation in a Multi-Pin Plasma System in the Presence and Absence of a Plasma/Liquid Interface
Authors: Adhami Sayad Mahaleh Moazameh , Narimisa Mehrnoush , Nikiforov Anton , Gromov Mikhail , Gorbanev Yury , Bitar Rim , Morent Rino , De Geyter Nathalie
Published: June 2023

The recent energy crisis revealed that there is a strong need to replace hydrocarbon-fueled industrial nitrogen fixation processes by alternative, more sustainable methods. In light of this, plasma-based nitrogen fixation remains one of the most promising options, considering both theoretical and experimental aspects. Lately, plasma interacting with water has received considerable attention in nitrogen fixation applications as it can trigger a unique gas- and liquid-phase chemistry. Within this context, a critical exploration of plasma-assisted nitrogen fixation with or without water presence is of great interest with an emphasis on energy costs, particularly in plasma reactors which have potential for large-scale industrial application. In this work, the presence of water in a multi-pin plasma system on nitrogen oxidation is experimentally investigated by comparing two pulsed negative DC voltage plasmas in metal–metal and metal–liquid electrode configurations. The plasma setups are designed to create similar plasma properties, including plasma power and discharge regime in both configurations. The system energy cost is calculated, considering nitrogen-containing species generated in gas and liquid phases as measured by a gas analyzer, nitrate sensor, and a colorimetry method. The energy cost profile as a function of specific energy input showed a strong dependency on the plasma operational frequency and the gas flow rate, as a result of different plasma operation regimes and initiated reverse processes. More importantly, the presence of the plasma/liquid interface increased the energy cost up to 14 ± 8%. Overall, the results showed that the presence of water in the reaction zone has a negative impact on the nitrogen fixation process.
Application and Technical Principles of Catheter High-Frequency Jet Ventilation
Authors: Musil Peter , Harsanyi Stefan , Torok Pavol , Paulikova Monika , Moens Didier , Kalas Ladislav , Kalas Peter
Published: June 2023

The aim of this publication is to analyze the topic of high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV), namely catheter HFJV (C-HFJV), from a mathematical–physical as well as a clinical point of view. There are known issues with applying anesthesia and artificial lung ventilation (ALV) during surgical procedures in the upper airways, e.g., during bronchoscopy or tracheostomy. The principles, advantages, and disadvantages of HFJV are discussed in context with basic physical principles to clarify the proper use of this method. The basic technical principles of catheter construction, as well as its functional properties from a biophysical point of view, are introduced. Also, the placement of the catheter in the airways, the set-up of the HFJV ventilator, and the indications as well as the risks and contraindications of the use of C-HFJV are analyzed. This leads to the explanation of potentially optimal techniques for C-HFJV applications. In this article, we present the positive effects of C-HFJV even with complications such as bacterial or viral pneumonia, including COVID-19. In conclusion, we offer recommendations for clinical practice obtained from a literature review and from our rich clinical experience.
Of Auction Records and Non-Fungible Tokens: On the New Valences of Superhero Comics
Authors: Stein Daniel , Haas Laura Désirée , Deckbar Anne
Published: June 2023

This article examines a recent form of marketing superhero comics that has garnered extensive media attention and has been promoted as the next big step in comics production: the decision by companies like Marvel Comics and DC Comics to offer selections of their intellectual properties as non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Focusing specifically on Marvel Comics’ collaboration with the VeVe app, which serves as a digital auction house through which customers can buy comics and related merchandise, this article suggests that we are witnessing the popularization of an already popular product (superhero comics) in a process that is indicative of larger transformations of the popular. As an agent of such transformations, superhero comics were introduced in the 1930s and 40s as a “low medium” with mass appeal that was critically devalued by proponents of high culture, but they are now widely celebrated as a “popular medium.” We argue that this transformation from a popular but devalued (“low”) product to a popular and culturally valued (but not necessarily “high” cultural) artifact marks a shift from qualitative to quantitative valuation that was driven at least in part by popular practices of collecting, archiving, and auctioning that have enabled the ongoing adaptation of these comics to new social, technological, and media demands. The article uses the newsworthiness of big auction sales and the sky-rocketing prices that well-preserved comic books can garner as a framework for assessing the appearance of superhero NFTs and for gauging the implications of this new media form for the cultural validation of comics.
Optimality Conditions of the Approximate Efficiency for Nonsmooth Robust Multiobjective Fractional Semi-Infinite Optimization Problems
Authors: Gao Liu , Yu Guolin , Han Wenyan
Published: June 2023

This paper is devoted to the investigation of optimality conditions and saddle point theorems for robust approximate quasi-weak efficient solutions for a nonsmooth uncertain multiobjective fractional semi-infinite optimization problem (NUMFP). Firstly, a necessary optimality condition is established by using the properties of the Gerstewitz’s function. Furthermore, a kind of approximate pseudo/quasi-convex function is defined for the problem (NUMFP), and under its assumption, a sufficient optimality condition is obtained. Finally, we introduce the notion of a robust approximate quasi-weak saddle point to the problem (NUMFP) and prove corresponding saddle point theorems.
Progress on Designing Artificial Solid Electrolyte Interphases for Dendrite-Free Sodium Metal Anodes
Authors: Shi Pengcheng , Wang Xu , Cheng Xiaolong , Jiang Yu
Published: June 2023

Nature-abundant sodium metal is regarded as ideal anode material for advanced batteries due to its high specific capacity of 1166 mAh g−1 and low redox potential of −2.71 V. However, the uncontrollable dendritic Na formation and low coulombic efficiency remain major obstacles to its application. Notably, the unstable and inhomogeneous solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is recognized to be the root cause. As the SEI layer plays a critical role in regulating uniform Na deposition and improving cycling stability, SEI modification, especially artificial SEI modification, has been extensively investigated recently. In this regard, we discuss the advances in artificial interface engineering from the aspects of inorganic, organic and hybrid inorganic/organic protective layers. We also highlight key prospects for further investigations.
Determining the Factors Influencing Business Analytics Adoption at Organizational Level: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Horani Omar Mohammed , Khatibi Ali , AL-Soud Anas Ratib , Tham Jacquline , Al-Adwan Ahmad Samed
Published: June 2023

The adoption of business analytics (BA) has become increasingly important for organizations seeking to gain a competitive edge in today’s data-driven business landscape. Hence, understanding the key factors influencing the adoption of BA at the organizational level is decisive for the successful implementation of these technologies. This paper presents a systematic literature review that utilizes the PRISMA technique to investigate the organizational, technological, and environmental factors that affect the adoption of BA. By conducting a thorough examination of pertinent research, this review consolidates the current understanding and pinpoints essential elements that shape the process of adoption. Out of a total of 614 articles published between 2012 and 2022, 29 final articles were carefully chosen. The findings highlight the significance of organizational factors, technological factors, and environmental factors in shaping the adoption of the BA process. By consolidating and analyzing the current body of research, this paper offers valuable insights for organizations aiming to adopt BA successfully and maximize their benefits at the organizational level. The synthesized findings also contribute to the existing literature and provide a foundation for future research in this field.
Hallux Limitus Influence on Plantar Pressure Variations during the Gait Cycle: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Cuevas-Martínez Claudia , Becerro-de-Bengoa-Vallejo Ricardo , Losa-Iglesias Marta Elena , Casado-Hernández Israel , Navarro-Flores Emmanuel , Pérez-Palma Laura , Martiniano João , Gómez-Salgado Juan , López-López Daniel
Published: June 2023

Background: Hallux limitus is a common foot disorder whose incidence has increased in the school-age population. Hallux limitus is characterized by musculoskeletal alteration that involves the metatarsophalangeal joint causing structural disorders in different anatomical areas of the locomotor system, affecting gait patterns. The aim of this study was to analyze dynamic plantar pressures in a school-aged population both with functional hallux and without. Methods: A full sample of 100 subjects (50 male and 50 female) 7 to 12 years old was included. The subjects were identified in two groups: the case group (50 subjects characterized as having hallux limitus, 22 male and 28 female) and control group (50 subjects characterized as not having hallux limitus, 28 male and 22 female). Measurements were obtained while subjects walked barefoot in a relaxed manner along a baropodometric platform. The hallux limitus test was realized in a seated position to sort subjects out into an established study group. The variables checked in the research were the surface area supported by each lower limb, the maximum peak pressure of each lower limb, the maximum mean pressure of each lower limb, the body weight on the hallux of each foot, the body weight on the first metatarsal head of each foot, the body weight at the second metatarsal head of each foot, the body weight at the third and fourth metatarsal head of each foot, the body weight at the head of the fifth metatarsal of each foot, the body weight at the midfoot of each foot, and the body weight at the heel of each foot. Results: Non-significant results were obtained in the variable of pressure peaks between both study groups; the highest pressures were found in the hallux with a p-value of 0.127 and in the first metatarsal head with a p-value 0.354 in subjects with hallux limitus. A non-significant result with a p-value of 0.156 was obtained at the second metatarsal head in healthy subjects. However, significant results were observed for third and fourth metatarsal head pressure in healthy subjects with a p-value of 0.031 and regarding rearfoot pressure in subjects with functional hallux limitus with a p-value of 0.023. Conclusions: School-age subjects with hallux limitus during gait exhibit more average peak plantar pressure in the heel and less peak average plantar pressure in the third and fourth metatarsal head as compared to healthy children aged between 7 and 12 years old.
Circular RNAs and Their Role in Male Infertility: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kyrgiafini Maria-Anna , Mamuris Zissis
Published: June 2023

Male infertility is a global health problem that is on the rise. Today, many noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are associated with male infertility. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have recently drawn attention, but a comprehensive understanding of the role of circRNAs in male infertility is limited. This systematic review investigates the differential expression of circRNAs in male infertility or circRNAs that could serve as candidate biomarkers. The PRISMA guidelines were used to search PubMed and Web of Science on 11 January 2023. Inclusion criteria were human participants, experimental studies aiming to associate circRNAs with male infertility reporting differentially expressed circRNAs, and the English language. A total of 156 articles were found, and after the screening and eligibility stages, 13 studies were included in the final sample. Many circRNAs are deregulated in male infertility, and their interactions with miRNAs play an important role in affecting cellular processes and pathways. CircRNAs could also be used as biomarkers to screen patients before sperm retrieval. However, most studies focus on the role of circRNAs in azoospermia, and there is a knowledge gap regarding other subtypes of male infertility. Future research is needed to explore the exact mechanism of action of circRNAs and investigate their use as biomarkers.
Macrophages of the Cardiorenal Axis and Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Kercheva Maria , Ryabov Vyacheslav , Gombozhapova Aleksandra , Stepanov Ivan , Kzhyshkowska Julia
Published: June 2023

The aim of our study was to compare the features of macrophage (mf) composition of the kidneys in patients with fatal myocardial infarction (MI) and in patients without cardiovascular diseases (CVD). We used kidney fragments taken during autopsy. Macrophage infiltration was assessed by immunohistochemistry: antibodies CD68 were used as a common mf marker, CD80—M1 type mf marker, CD163, CD206, and stabilin-1—M2 type. Macrophage composition of the kidneys in patients with fatal MI was characterized by the predominance of CD163+ cells among studied cells, and the control group was characterized by the predominance of CD163+, CD206+, and CD68+. In patients with MI, biphasic response from kidney cells was characterized for CD80+ and CD206+: their number decreased by the long-term period of MI; other cells did not show any dynamics. The exact number of CD80+ cells in kidneys of individuals without CVD was slightly higher than in patients with MI, and the number of CD206+—strikingly predominant. Subsequent analysis of CD80+ and CD206+ cells in a larger sample, as well as comparison of data with results obtained from survivors of MI, may bring us closer to understanding whether the influence on these cells can serve as a new target in personalized therapy in postinfarction complications.
The Effects of a Custom−Designed High−Collar Shoe on Muscular Activity, Dynamic Stability, and Leg Stiffness: A Biomimetic Approach Study
Authors: Nasirzadeh Alireza , Yang Jaeha , Yang Seungtae , Yun Juseok , Bae Young Yoon , Park Juyeon , Ahn Jooeun , Lee Giuk
Published: June 2023

High-collar shoes are a biomimetic approach to preventing lateral ankle injuries during high-demand activities; however, the influence of collar stiffness (CS) on parameters related to lateral ankle sprain prevention during running remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of a custom-designed shoe CS on muscular activity, dynamic stability, and leg stiffness (Kleg) during running using a biomimetic design approach inspired by the mechanisms of ankle sprain prevention. Sixteen healthy male participants ran on a treadmill while wearing a custom-designed high-collar shoe with low, medium, and high CS conditions, measured using circumferential ankle pressure (CAP). Lower extremity kinematics and electromyography (EMG) data were recorded simultaneously. One-way repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted to compare the CS conditions. Results indicate that high and medium CS conditions significantly reduce sagittal and frontal ankle ranges of motion (ROMs) compared to the low CS condition, providing improved stability and support against lateral ankle sprain; moreover, there was a trend towards higher dynamic stability and Kleg with increasing CS. Our study highlights the importance of considering the CAP in regulating high-collar stiffness properties and how higher CS may provide better support for the ankle during running. Nevertheless, additional research is necessary to validate the efficacy of the current design in preventing ankle sprains during high-demand activities.
A Novel Underwater Image Enhancement Using Optimal Composite Backbone Network
Authors: Chen Yuhan , Li Qingfeng , Lu Dongxin , Kou Lei , Ke Wende , Bai Yan , Wang Zhen
Published: June 2023

Continuous exploration of the ocean has made underwater image processing an important research field, and plenty of CNN (convolutional neural network)-based underwater image enhancement methods have emerged over time. However, the feature-learning ability of existing CNN-based underwater image enhancement is limited. The networks were designed to be complicated or embed other algorithms for better results, which cannot simultaneously meet the requirements of suitable underwater image enhancement effects and real-time performance. Although the composite backbone network (CBNet) was introduced in underwater image enhancement, we proposed OECBNet (optimal underwater image-enhancing composite backbone network) to obtain a better enhancement effect and shorten the running time. Herein, a comprehensive study of different composite architectures in an underwater image enhancement network was carried out by comparing the number of backbones, connection strategies, pruning strategies for composite backbones, and auxiliary losses. Then, a CBNet with optimal performance was obtained. Finally, cross-sectional research of the obtained network with the state-of-the-art underwater enhancement network was performed. The experiments showed that our optimized composite backbone network achieved better-enhanced images than those of existing CNN-based methods.
Common and Distinct Functional Connectivity of the Orbitofrontal Cortex in Depression and Schizophrenia
Authors: Huang Huan , Rong Bei , Chen Cheng , Wan Qirong , Liu Zhongchun , Zhou Yuan , Wang Gaohua , Wang Huiling
Published: June 2023

Schizophrenia and depression are psychiatric disorders with overlapping clinical and biological features. This study aimed to identify common and distinct neuropathological mechanisms in schizophrenia and depression patients using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The study included 28 patients with depression (DEP), 29 patients with schizophrenia (SCH), and 30 healthy control subjects (HC). Intrinsic connectivity contrast (ICC) was used to identify functional connectivity (FC) changes at the whole-brain level, and significant ICC differences were found in the bilateral orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) across all three groups. Further seed-based FC analysis indicated that compared to the DEP and HC groups, the FC between bilateral OFC and medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), right anterior insula, and right middle frontal gyrus were significantly lower in the SCH group. Additionally, the FC between right OFC and left thalamus was decreased in both patient groups compared to the HC group. Correlation analysis showed that the FC between OFC and MPFC was positively correlated with cognitive function in the SCH group. These findings suggest that OFC connectivity plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and depression and may provide new insights into the potential neural mechanisms underlying these two disorders.
Interface Shear Strength Behavior of Cement-Treated Soil under Consolidated Drained Conditions
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Tu , Nguyen Minh Duc , Nguyen Tong , Phan Thanh Chien
Published: June 2023

This paper presents a series of laboratory tests to determine the shear strength and interface shear strength of cement-treated silty soil under consolidated and drained conditions. The test variables include the effective normal stress, cement content, and curing period. Experimental results indicated that the effective shear strength and interface shear strength of cement-treated soil specimens increased significantly as the cement content increased. After 28 days, the average shear strength ratio increased from 1.28 to 2.4, and the average interface efficiency factor improved from 1.15 to 1.55 as the cement content increased from 3% to 10%. It resulted from an increase in grain size and the fraction of sand-sized particles in the treated soils, approximately in two-time increments for the specimens treated with 10% cement content after 28 days of curing. In addition, the peak and residual values of the shear strength and interface shear strength of the cement-treated soil specimens were determined to assess their brittle behavior under high shear deformation. Last, two new empirical models are introduced herein. The first power equation is to predict the shear strength ratio of cement-treated soil at 28 days of curing using the soil-water/cement content ratio. The other proposed model is useful for assessing the rate of shear strength and interface shear development of cement-treated soil specimens within 56 days of curing.
The Influence of Different Dynamic Material Constitutive Models on the Impact Performance of Circular CFST Columns
Authors: Yan Xi-Feng , Lin Siqi , Ahmed Mizan
Published: June 2023

At present, there is a lack of research on the influence of different dynamic constitutive models of steel and concrete on the dynamic mechanical properties of concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns under lateral impact. In this paper, A comprehensive numerical study on the effects of different dynamic constitutive models of steel and concrete on the lateral impact response of CFST columns was conducted. The dynamic constitutive models of steel and concrete with different strengths were divided into four categories, namely, normal-strength steel, high-strength steel, normal-strength concrete and high-strength concrete. The established finite element model of CFST columns considering the progressive damage degradation of steel as well as the compressive and tensile damage factors of concrete was verified against published experimental data. Based on the verified FE model, the effects of different dynamic constitutive models of steel and concrete on the impact response of circular CFST columns were analyzed. The analyzed results show that the different dynamic constitutive models of steel have different effects on the impact force and mid-span time-history deflection curves of CFST columns. The analysis result, ignoring the effect of concrete strain rate, is in good agreement with the CEB-FIP model considering the effect of steel strain rate. This is because the largest proportion of the impact energy of CFST members is mainly assimilated by the outer steel tube.
Impaired Insulin Signaling Alters Mediators of Hippocampal Synaptic Dynamics/Plasticity: A Possible Mechanism of Hyperglycemia-Induced Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Ansari Mubeen A. , Al-Jarallah Aishah , Babiker Fawzi A.
Published: June 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurological condition that affects the elderly and is characterized by progressive and irreversible neurodegeneration in the cerebral cortex [...]
Efficacy of Rectal Systemic Administration of Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Injury Sites via the CXCL12/CXCR4 Axis to Promote Regeneration in a Rabbit Skeletal Muscle Injury Model
Authors: Ichiseki Toru , Shimasaki Miyako , Ueda Shusuke , Hirata Hiroaki , Souma Daisuke , Kawahara Norio , Ueda Yoshimichi
Published: June 2023

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been transplanted directly into lesions or injected intravenously. The administration of MSCs using these delivery methods requires specialized knowledge, techniques, and facilities. Here, we describe intrarectal systemic administration of MSCs, a simple, non-invasive route for homing to the injury sites to promote the regeneration of skeletal muscle injuries. Using a cardiotoxin (CTX)-induced rabbit skeletal muscle injury model, homing to the site of muscle injury was confirmed by intrarectal administration of MSCs; the time required for homing after intrarectal administration was approximately 5 days. In addition, the C-X-C chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12)/C-X-C chemokine receptor-4 (CXCR4) axis was found to be involved in the homing process. Histopathological examinations showed that skeletal muscle regeneration was promoted in the MSCs-administered group compared to the CTX-only group. Myosin heavy polypeptide 3 (Myh3) expression, an indicator of early muscle regeneration, was detected earlier in the intrarectal MSCs group compared to the CTX-only group. These findings indicate that intrarectal administration of MSCs is effective in homing to the injured area, where they promote injury repair. Since intrarectal administration is a simple and non-invasive delivery route, these findings may be valuable in future research on stem cell therapy.
Allyl Isothiocianate Induces Ca2+ Signals and Nitric Oxide Release by Inducing Reactive Oxygen Species Production in the Human Cerebrovascular Endothelial Cell Line hCMEC/D3
Authors: Berra-Romani Roberto , Brunetti Valentina , Pellavio Giorgia , Soda Teresa , Laforenza Umberto , Scarpellino Giorgia , Moccia Francesco
Published: June 2023

Nitric oxide (NO) represents a crucial mediator to regulate cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the human brain both under basal conditions and in response to somatosensory stimulation. An increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) stimulates the endothelial NO synthase to produce NO in human cerebrovascular endothelial cells. Therefore, targeting the endothelial ion channel machinery could represent a promising strategy to rescue endothelial NO signalling in traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative disorders. Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), a major active constituent of cruciferous vegetables, was found to increase CBF in non-human preclinical models, but it is still unknown whether it stimulates NO release in human brain capillary endothelial cells. In the present investigation, we showed that AITC evoked a Ca2+-dependent NO release in the human cerebrovascular endothelial cell line, hCMEC/D3. The Ca2+ response to AITC was shaped by both intra- and extracellular Ca2+ sources, although it was insensitive to the pharmacological blockade of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1, which is regarded to be among the main molecular targets of AITC. In accord, AITC failed to induce transmembrane currents or to elicit membrane hyperpolarization, although NS309, a selective opener of the small- and intermediate-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels, induced a significant membrane hyperpolarization. The AITC-evoked Ca2+ signal was triggered by the production of cytosolic, but not mitochondrial, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and was supported by store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE). Conversely, the Ca2+ response to AITC did not require Ca2+ mobilization from the endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomes or mitochondria. However, pharmacological manipulation revealed that AITC-dependent ROS generation inhibited plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA) activity, thereby attenuating Ca2+ removal across the plasma membrane and resulting in a sustained increase in [Ca2+]i. In accord, the AITC-evoked NO release was driven by ROS generation and required ROS-dependent inhibition of PMCA activity. These data suggest that AITC could be exploited to restore NO signalling and restore CBF in brain disorders that feature neurovascular dysfunction.
New Glasses in the PbCl2–PbO–B2O3 System: Structure and Optical Properties
Authors: Butenkov Dmitry , Bakaeva Anna , Runina Kristina , Krol Igor , Uslamina Maria , Pynenkov Aleksandr , Petrova Olga , Avetissov Igor
Published: June 2023

New oxychloride lead borate glasses in the xPbCl2–(50-0.5x)PbO–(50-0.5x)B2O3 system were synthesized with a maximum lead chloride content of 40 mol%. The characteristic temperatures and mechanical and optical properties were studied. The incorporation of lead chloride led to a significant expansion of the transparency range in the UV (up to 355 nm) and IR regions (up to 4710 nm). Decreases in the Vickers hardness, density, and glass transition temperature were the consequences of a change in the structure. The studied glasses are promising materials for photonics and IR optics. The structure of the PbCl2–PbO–B2O3 system was analyzed in detail using vibrational spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.
Preoperative Spinal Angiography for Thoracic Neuroblastoma: Impact of Identification of the Adamkiewicz Artery on Gross Total Resection and Neurological Sequelae
Authors: Zarfati Angelo , Martucci Cristina , Persano Giorgio , Cassanelli Giulia , Crocoli Alessandro , Madafferi Silvia , Natali Gian Luigi , De Ioris Maria Antonietta , Inserra Alessandro
Published: June 2023

Background: Patients with thoracic neuroblastoma (TNB) are at high risk of postoperative neurologic complications due to iatrogenic lesions of the artery of Adamkiewicz (AKA). The role of performing a preoperative spinal angiography (POSA) in these patients must be clarified. The present study sought to further understand the relationship between POSA and TNB, as well as the effects of identifying the AKA on surgical excision and neurological consequences. Methods: Data from patients with TNB who underwent POSA between November 2015 and February 2022 at our tertiary pediatric center were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Six patients were identified, five of whom (83%) were considered eligible for surgical excision. Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in three patients (60%), which included two patients with an AKA contralateral to the tumor, and one with an homolateral AKAl. After a median follow-up of 4.1 years from diagnosis, no patients developed neurological complications; five (83%) were alive and well, and one died from refractory recurrence. Conclusions: Among patients with TNB, POSA was useful for identifying the AKA and defining the optimal surgical strategy. POSA should be considered in the preoperative evaluation of TNB to increase the likelihood of GTR and reduce the threats of iatrogenic neurologic sequelae.
Comparison of a Telehealth-Based Intensive Treatment Program with a Rewarding App vs. On-Site Care for Youth with Obesity: A Historical Cohort Study
Authors: Sela Peremen Khen Sela , Maor Shay , Yaniv Amit , Aloni Ishai , Ziv-Baran Tomer , Dubnov-Raz Gal
Published: June 2023

The recommended treatment for children with obesity includes numerous consultations by a multidisciplinary team, which is very cumbersome. Telehealth can assist in administering frequent care to children with obesity, yet the exact approaches and modes of delivery are still explored. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we developed an intensive telehealth-based treatment program that included a rewarding app for children with obesity. The aim of this study was to compare 6-month changes in body mass index (BMI) and body fat percent between participants in the program (n = 70) vs. children that underwent historic on-site care (n = 87). After 6 months, more participants in the telehealth group continued treatment compared to the on-site group (79% vs. 60%, p < 0.001). A significant reduction in the median BMI z-score (zBMI) was seen after 6 months in both groups (p < 0.01), with a similar proportion of zBMI reductions (71% in the telehealth group, 75% in the comparison group, p = 0.76). No statistically significant differences were found between the study groups in 6-month changes in BMI, zBMI, body fat percent or fat z-scores. We conclude that our telehealth program, which was executed during the COVID pandemic, resulted in a high proportion of children with zBMI reduction that was comparable with the more personal on-site care.