bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sex-Specific Impact of Different Obesity/Metabolic Phenotypes on Long-Term Cardiovascular Outcomes in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients
Authors: Imbalzano Egidio , Russo Giuseppina T. , Giandalia Annalisa , Sciacqua Angela , Orlando Luana , Russo Vincenzo , Perticone Maria , Cicero Arrigo F. G. , Versace Antonio Giovanni , Di Micco Pierpaolo , Ciconte Vincenzo Antonio , Dattilo Giuseppe , Squadrito Giovanni , Vatrano Marco
Published: February 2022

Obesity, a major risk factor for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), is a multifaceted disease with different metabolic phenotypes and sex-specific features. Here, we evaluated the long-term cardiovascular risk by different obesity/metabolic phenotypes and by sex in ACS patients. The occurrence of the composite outcome of death, nonfatal reinfarction with or without PCI and/or stroke was evaluated in 674 patients (504 men; 170 women), consecutively hospitalized for ACS and followed-up for 7 years, who were stratified in metabolically healthy (MHNW) and unhealthy normal weight (MUNW), and in metabolically healthy (MHO) and unhealthy obese (MUO) groups. At baseline, 54.6% of patients were included in the MHNW group, 26.4% in the MUNW, 5.9% in the MHO and 13.1% in the MUO, with no sex-differences in the distribution of phenotypes. The overall rate of major outcome (100 person-years) in the reference group (MHNW) was higher in men than in women (RR: 1.19 vs. 0.6). The Kaplan–Meier curves for cumulative survival free from cardiovascular events according to obesity/metabolic status diverged significantly according to sex (log rank test, p = 0.006), this effect being more prominent in men (log 11.20; p = 0.011), than in women (log 7.98; p = 0.047). Compared to MHNW, the risk increased in obese men (RR: 2.2; 95% 1.11–1.54 in MUO group), whereas in women the risk was confined to metabolically unhealthy subjects (RR: 3.2; 95% CI 1.23–9.98, MUNW group). Our data show a sex-specific impact of obesity phenotypes on long-term cardiovascular risk in patients hospitalized for ACS.
Recent Advances of Mesoporous Silica as a Platform for Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Yu Albert , Dai Xiaoyong , Wang Zixian , Chen Huaqing , Guo Bing , Huang Laiqiang
Published: February 2022

Immunotherapy is a promising modality of treatment for cancer. Immunotherapy is comprised of systemic and local treatments that induce an immune response, allowing the body to fight back against cancer. Systemic treatments such as cancer vaccines harness antigen presenting cells (APCs) to activate T cells with tumor-associated antigens. Small molecule inhibitors can be employed to inhibit immune checkpoints, disrupting tumor immunosuppression and immune evasion. Despite the current efficacy of immunotherapy, improvements to delivery can be made. Nanomaterials such as mesoporous silica can facilitate the advancement of immunotherapy. Mesoporous silica has high porosity, decent biocompatibility, and simple surface functionalization. Mesoporous silica can be utilized as a versatile carrier of various immunotherapeutic agents. This review gives an introduction on mesoporous silica as a nanomaterial, briefly covering synthesis and biocompatibility, and then an overview of the recent progress made in the application of mesoporous silica to cancer immunotherapy.
Review of Microdevices for Hemozoin-Based Malaria Detection
Authors: Baptista Vitória , Peng Weng Kung , Minas Graça , Veiga Maria Isabel , Catarino Susana O.
Published: February 2022

Despite being preventable and treatable, malaria still puts almost half of the world’s population at risk. Thus, prompt, accurate and sensitive malaria diagnosis is crucial for disease control and elimination. Optical microscopy and immuno-rapid tests are the standard malaria diagnostic methods in the field. However, these are time-consuming and fail to detect low-level parasitemia. Biosensors and lab-on-a-chip devices, as reported to different applications, usually offer high sensitivity, specificity, and ease of use at the point of care. Thus, these can be explored as an alternative for malaria diagnosis. Alongside malaria infection inside the human red blood cells, parasites consume host hemoglobin generating the hemozoin crystal as a by-product. Hemozoin is produced in all parasite species either in symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Furthermore, hemozoin crystals are produced as the parasites invade the red blood cells and their content relates to disease progression. Hemozoin is, therefore, a unique indicator of infection, being used as a malaria biomarker. Herein, the so-far developed biosensors and lab-on-a-chip devices aiming for malaria detection by targeting hemozoin as a biomarker are reviewed and discussed to fulfil all the medical demands for malaria management towards elimination.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Hypochlorite Responsive Fluorescent Nanoprobes for Sensitive Cancer Cell Imaging
Authors: Chen Yun , Ye Jing , Lv Gang , Liu Weiwei , Jiang Hui , Liu Xiaohui , Wang Xuemei
Published: February 2022

Accurate diagnosis of cancer cells directly affects the clinical treatment of cancer and can significantly improve the therapeutic effect of cancer patients. Cancer cells have a unique microenvironment with a large amount of peroxide inside, effectively differentiated from relevant microenvironment normal cells. Therefore, designing the high-sensitive probes to recognize and distinguish the special physiological microenvironment of cancer cells can shed light on the early diagnosis of cancers. In this article, we design and construct a fluorescence (FL) contrast agent for cancer cell recognition and imaging analysis. Firstly, luminol-gold NPs (Lum-AuNPs) have been initially built, and then successfully loaded with the fluorescent receptor Chlorin e6 (Ce6) to prepare the luminescent nanoprobes (Ce6@Lum-AuNPs) with green synthesis, i.e., with biocompatible agents and mild temperature. The as-prepared fluorescent Ce6@Lum-AuNPs can efficiently and sensitively realize FL bioimaging of cancer cells. The relevant bio-sensing mechanism pertains to the presence of hypochlorite (ClO−); hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in cancer cells could readily interact with luminol to produce chemiluminescence, which can activate the Ce6 component to emit near-infrared (NIR) FL. Therefore, this raises the possibility of utilizing the Ce6@Lum-AuNPs as efficient fluorescent nanoprobes for promising cancer early diagnosis and other relevant disease bioanalysis.
Prevalence of Developmental Dyslexia in Primary School Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yang Liping , Li Chunbo , Li Xiumei , Zhai Manman , An Qingqing , Zhang You , Zhao Jing , Weng Xuchu
Published: February 2022

Background: Developmental dyslexia (DD) is a specific learning disorder concerning reading acquisition that may has a lifelong negative impact on individuals. A reliable estimate of the prevalence of DD serves as the basis for diagnosis, intervention, and evidence-based health resource allocation and policy-making. Hence, the present meta-analysis aims to generate a reliable prevalence estimate of DD worldwide in primary school children and explore the potential variables related to that prevalence. Methods: Studies from the 1950s to June 2021 were collated using a combination of search terms related to DD and prevalence. Study quality was assessed using the STROBE guidelines according to the study design, with study heterogeneity assessed using the I2 statistic, and random-effects meta-analyses were conducted. Variations in the prevalence of DD in different subgroups were assessed via subgroup meta-analysis and meta-regression. Results: The pooled prevalence of DD was 7.10% (95% CI: 6.27–7.97%). The prevalence in boys was significantly higher than that in girls (boys: 9.22%, 95%CI, 8.07–10.44%; girls: 4.66%, 95% CI, 3.84–5.54%; p < 0.001), but no significant difference was found in the prevalence across different writing systems (alphabetic scripts: 7.26%, 95%CI, 5.94–8.71%; logographic scripts: 6.97%, 95%CI, 5.86–8.16%; p > 0.05) or across different orthographic depths (shallow: 7.13%, 95% CI, 5.23–9.30%; deep: 7.55%, 95% CI, 4.66–11.04%; p > 0.05). It is worth noting that most articles had small sample sizes with diverse operational definitions, making comparisons challenging. Conclusions: This study provides an estimation of worldwide DD prevalence in primary school children. The prevalence was higher in boys than in girls but was not significantly different across different writing systems.
Specific microRNAs for Modulation of Autophagy in Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Visintin Rhett , Ray Swapan K.
Published: February 2022

The treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI) is currently a major challenge, with a severe lack of effective therapies for yielding meaningful improvements in function. Therefore, there is a great opportunity for the development of novel treatment strategies for SCI. The modulation of autophagy, a process by which a cell degrades and recycles unnecessary or harmful components (protein aggregates, organelles, etc.) to maintain cellular homeostasis and respond to a changing microenvironment, is thought to have potential for treating many neurodegenerative conditions, including SCI. The discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs), which are short ribonucleotide transcripts for targeting of specific messenger RNAs (mRNAs) for silencing, shows prevention of the translation of mRNAs to the corresponding proteins affecting various cellular processes, including autophagy. The number of known miRNAs and their targets continues to grow rapidly. This review article aims to explore the relationship between autophagy and SCI, specifically with the intent of identifying specific miRNAs that can be useful to modulate autophagy for neuroprotection and the improvement of functional recovery in SCI.
The Relationship between Androgen Receptor Gene Polymorphism, Aggression and Social Status in Young Men and Women
Authors: Valenzuela Nohelia T. , Ruiz-Pérez Irene , Rodríguez-Sickert Carlos , Polo Pablo , Muñoz-Reyes José Antonio , Yeste-Lizán Ali , Pita Miguel
Published: February 2022

In both sexes, aggression has been described as a critical trait to acquire social status. Still, almost uniquely in men, the link between aggressiveness and the genetic background of testosterone sensitivity measured from the polymorphism in the androgen receptor (AR) gene has been previously investigated. We assessed the relevance of the AR gene to understand aggression and how aggressiveness affects social status in a cross-sectional study of 195 participants, for the first time in both young men and women. We estimated polymorphism sequences from saliva and measured aggression and self-perceived social status. Unfortunately, the results did not support our prediction because we did not find any of the expected relationships. Therefore, the results suggest that the genetic association between aggressive mechanisms and polymorphism of the AR gene is less straightforward than expected, at least in men, and seems to indicate that aggression is not usually used to gain social status in our population.
Oncologic Drugs Approval in Europe for Solid Tumors: Overview of the Last 6 Years
Authors: Falcone Rosa , Lombardi Pasquale , Filetti Marco , Duranti Simona , Pietragalla Antonella , Fabi Alessandra , Lorusso Domenica , Altamura Valeria , Paroni Sterbini Francesco , Scambia Giovanni , Daniele Gennaro
Published: February 2022

(1) Background: Drug development in oncology is changing rapidly. The aim of the present study was to provide an insight into the features of anti-tumor drugs approved in Europe; (2) Methods: We included all the indications for solid tumors issued by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) between 2015 and 2020. We extracted data from European Public Assessments Reports (EPAR), including drug name, mechanism of action, setting, features of pivotal clinical trials, primary end-points, quality of life (QoL); (3) Results: In the explored period, EMA issued 132 new indications (81 indications’ extensions) for 62 oncology drugs. In about half of indications (47%), the approval was biomarker-based. Immune check point inhibitors (ICIs) and signal transduction inhibitors were the two most representative drug categories (62%). Most of the indications were for the advanced setting (91%) and front-line therapy (66%). The most common tumor types were non-small cell lung cancer (24%), breast (16%), and melanoma (10%). Two thirds of the indications (73%) were approved based on phase III trials. Overall survival (OS) represented the primary end-point only in 39% of indications, mainly limited to advanced setting (98%) and ICI trials (80%). Almost all (94%) cell cycle and DNA repair mechanism inhibitors were approved based on progression free survival (PFS) data. In pivotal trials with signal transduction inhibitors, objective response rate (ORR) was the prevalent (45%) primary end-point. QoL was never considered as primary end-point; (4) Conclusions: In this analysis, we intended to offer an updated picture of the recent drug development in oncology. Most of the efforts led to broadening indications of pre-existing molecules, with signal transduction inhibitor and ICIs contending the leadership. Twenty-seven percent of the indication were approved without a phase III trial. The majority of drugs entered the market without evidence of OS or QoL benefit but based on surrogate outcomes.
Photocatalytic Filtration of Zinc Oxide-Based Membrane with Enhanced Visible Light Responsiveness for Ibuprofen Removal
Authors: Rosman Nurafiqah , Wan Salleh Wan Norharyati , Jaafar Juhana , Harun Zawati , Aziz Farhana , Ismail Ahmad Fauzi
Published: February 2022

The growing interest in mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for developing photocatalytic membranes has provided a new direction in the search for efficient methods to concurrently separate and degrade contaminants. In this study, a visible light-responsive photocatalyst was blended into a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane casting solution to prepare PVDF-ZnO/Ag2CO3/Ag2O MMMs using the wet phase inversion method. The potential of ZnO/Ag2CO3/Ag2O as a photocatalytic component that is incorporated into the membrane was explored in detail under various loadings (0.5–2.91 wt%). The membranes were tested under ibuprofen (IBF) aqueous solution to analyze the membrane behavior in the synergistic combination of membrane filtration and photodegradation. The resulting PVDF-ZnO/Ag2CO3/Ag2O membrane with a rougher membrane surface area and excellent light harvesting capability showed higher photocatalytic filtration activity in removing IBF under visible light irradiations. The MMM fluxes demonstrated higher IBF fluxes than their initial fluxes at certain durations. This indicates that the membrane actively responds to light irradiation. The increase in the positive flux could be attributed to the photoinduced hydrophilicity generated by the ZnO/Ag2CO3/Ag2O photocatalyst, resulting in easier water layer formation and rapid transport through membranes. The highest IBF removal was demonstrated by the PVDF-ZAA2 membrane (1.96 wt% loading), with 49.96% of IBF removal within 180 min upon visible light irradiation. The reason for this lower IBF removal is that the UF membrane pores exceed the size of IBF molecules, thereby preventing the size exclusion mechanism. Thus, charge repulsion, hydrophobic adsorption, and photocatalytic activity were considered along with the IBF removal of the photocatalytic membranes. However, the recyclability of the PVDF-ZAA2 photocatalytic membrane showed a great improvement, with 99.01% of IBF removal recovery after three cycles. These results highlight the potential of such hybrid membranes in mitigating membrane fouling by providing a platform for photocatalysts to continuously degrade pollutants present in such wastewaters. Therefore, the hybridization of a photocatalyst and membrane provides insight that could be utilized to improve and retrofit current water effluent treatment methods.
Discordant Genome Assemblies Drastically Alter the Interpretation of Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Data Which Can Be Mitigated by a Novel Integration Method
Authors: Potts Helen G. , Lemieux Madeleine E. , Rice Edward S. , Warren Wesley , Choudhury Robin P. , Mommersteeg Mathilda T. M.
Published: February 2022

Advances in sequencing and assembly technology have led to the creation of genome assemblies for a wide variety of non-model organisms. The rapid production and proliferation of updated, novel assembly versions can create vexing problems for researchers when multiple-genome assembly versions are available at once, requiring researchers to work with more than one reference genome. Multiple-genome assemblies are especially problematic for researchers studying the genetic makeup of individual cells, as single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) requires sequenced reads to be mapped and aligned to a single reference genome. Using the Astyanax mexicanus, this study highlights how the interpretation of a single-cell dataset from the same sample changes when aligned to its two different available genome assemblies. We found that the number of cells and expressed genes detected were drastically different when aligning to the different assemblies. When the genome assemblies were used in isolation with their respective annotations, cell-type identification was confounded, as some classic cell-type markers were assembly-specific, whilst other genes showed differential patterns of expression between the two assemblies. To overcome the problems posed by multiple-genome assemblies, we propose that researchers align to each available assembly and then integrate the resultant datasets to produce a final dataset in which all genome alignments can be used simultaneously. We found that this approach increased the accuracy of cell-type identification and maximised the amount of data that could be extracted from our single-cell sample by capturing all possible cells and transcripts. As scRNAseq becomes more widely available, it is imperative that the single-cell community is aware of how genome assembly alignment can alter single-cell data and their interpretation, especially when reviewing studies on non-model organisms.
Activation of Immune System May Cause Pathophysiological Changes in the Myocardium of SARS-CoV-2 Infected Monkey Model
Authors: Rabbani Maryam Yahya , Rappaport Jay , Gupta Manish Kumar
Published: February 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is an extremely contagious disease whereby the virus damages the host’s respiratory tract via entering through the ACE2 receptor. Cardiovascular disorder is being recognized in the majority of COVID-19 patients; yet, the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and heart failure has not been established. In the present study, SARS-CoV-2 infection was induced in the monkey model. Thereafter, heart tissue samples were collected, and pathological changes were analyzed in the left ventricular tissue by hematoxylin and eosin, trichrome, and immunohistochemical staining specific to T lymphocytes and macrophages. The findings revealed that SARS-CoV-2 infection induces several pathological changes in the heart, which cause cardiomyocyte disarray, mononuclear infiltrates of inflammatory cells, and hypertrophy. Furthermore, collagen-specific staining showed the development of cardiac fibrosis in the interstitial and perivascular regions in the hearts of infected primates. Moreover, the myocardial tissue samples displayed multiple foci of inflammatory cells positive for T lymphocytes and macrophages within the myocardium. These findings suggest the progression of the disease, which can lead to the development of severe complications, including heart failure. Additionally, SARS-CoV-2 antigen staining detected the presence of virus particles in the myocardium. Thus, we found that SARS-CoV-2 infection is characterized by an exaggerated inflammatory immune response in the heart, which possibly contributes to myocardial remodeling and subsequent fibrosis.
Impact of β-Amyloids Induced Disruption of Ca2+ Homeostasis in a Simple Model of Neuronal Activity
Authors: Prista von Bonhorst Francisco , Gall David , Dupont Geneviève
Published: February 2022

Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by a marked dysregulation of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. In particular, toxic β-amyloids (Aβ) perturb the activities of numerous Ca2+ transporters or channels. Because of the tight coupling between Ca2+ dynamics and the membrane electrical activity, such perturbations are also expected to affect neuronal excitability. We used mathematical modeling to systematically investigate the effects of changing the activities of the various targets of Aβ peptides reported in the literature on calcium dynamics and neuronal excitability. We found that the evolution of Ca2+ concentration just below the plasma membrane is regulated by the exchanges with the extracellular medium, and is practically independent from the Ca2+ exchanges with the endoplasmic reticulum. Thus, disruptions of Ca2+ homeostasis interfering with signaling do not affect the electrical properties of the neurons at the single cell level. In contrast, the model predicts that by affecting the activities of L-type Ca2+ channels or Ca2+-activated K+ channels, Aβ peptides promote neuronal hyperexcitability. On the contrary, they induce hypo-excitability when acting on the plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPases. Finally, the presence of pores of amyloids in the plasma membrane can induce hypo- or hyperexcitability, depending on the conditions. These modeling conclusions should help with analyzing experimental observations in which Aβ peptides interfere at several levels with Ca2+ signaling and neuronal activity.
CRACking the Molecular Regulatory Mechanism of SOCE during Platelet Activation in Thrombo-Occlusive Diseases
Authors: Münzer Patrick , Borst Oliver
Published: February 2022

Thrombo-occlusive diseases such as myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke and deep vein thrombosis with subsequent pulmonary embolism still represent a major health burden worldwide. Besides the cells of the vasculature or other hematopoietic cells, platelets are primarily responsible for the development and progression of an occluding thrombus. The activation and function of platelets crucially depend on free cytosolic calcium (Ca2+) as second messenger, which modulates platelet secretion, aggregation and thrombus formation. Ca2+ is elevated upon platelet activation by release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores thus triggering of the subsequent store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE), which is facilitated by Ca2+ release-activated channels (CRACs). In general, CRACs are assembled by the pore-forming unit Orai in the plasma membrane and the Ca2+-sensing stromal interaction molecule (STIM) in the endoplasmic reticulum after the depletion of internal Ca2+ stores. In the last few years, there is a growing body of the literature demonstrating the importance of STIM and Orai-mediated mechanism in thrombo-occlusive disorders. Thus, this review provides an overview of the recent understanding of STIM and Orai signaling in platelet function and its implication in the development and progression of ischemic thrombo-occlusive disorders. Moreover, potential pharmacological implications of STIM and Orai signaling in platelets are anticipated and discussed in the end.
Early Life Stress, Brain Development, and Obesity Risk: Is Oxytocin the Missing Link?
Authors: Colleluori Georgia , Galli Chiara , Severi Ilenia , Perugini Jessica , Giordano Antonio
Published: February 2022

Obesity disease results from a dysfunctional modulation of the energy balance whose master regulator is the central nervous system. The neural circuitries involved in such function complete their maturation during early postnatal periods, when the brain is highly plastic and profoundly influenced by the environment. This phenomenon is considered as an evolutionary strategy, whereby metabolic functions are adjusted to environmental cues, such as food availability and maternal care. In this timeframe, adverse stimuli may program the body metabolism to maximize energy storage abilities to cope with hostile conditions. Consistently, the prevalence of obesity is higher among individuals who experienced early life stress (ELS). Oxytocin, a hypothalamic neurohormone, regulates the energy balance and modulates social, emotional, and eating behaviors, exerting both central and peripheral actions. Oxytocin closely cooperates with leptin in regulating energy homeostasis. Both oxytocin and leptin impact the neurodevelopment during critical periods and are affected by ELS and obesity. In this review article, we report evidence from the literature describing the effect of postnatal ELS (specifically, disorganized/inconstant maternal care) on the vulnerability to obesity with a focus on the role of oxytocin. We emphasize the existing research gaps and highlight promising directions worthy of exploration. Based on the available data, alterations in the oxytocin system may in part mediate the ELS-induced susceptibility to obesity.
Solid Fluorescence pH Sensors Based on 1,8-Naphthalimide Copolymers Synthesized by UV Curing
Authors: Pablos Jesús L. , Hernández Esther , Catalina Fernando , Corrales Teresa
Published: February 2022

Novel water-swollen photo-crosslinked membranes were obtained by copolymerization of the N-vinylpyrrolidone, butyl acrylate and ethyl methacrylate monomers functionalized with naphthalimide groups, as pH sensitive fluorescence probes. For that purpose, two monomers with pending naphthalimide groups anchored to ethyl methacrylate through alkyl chains with different length, were previously synthesized. The membranes were characterized using different techniques. The pH dependence of absorbance and the corresponding quenching of fluorescence were investigated and related to the structure of naphthalimide substituents linked to the membrane. The new solid sensors exhibited sensitive fluorescence changes at pH < 3, and lower time response was determined for membranes where the sensing group was linked through longer alkyl chain to the polymer matrix. The membranes were solid, thermally stable and easily handled to be applied as sensor materials, and showed a reversible behavior, which is an important feature for further fabrication of an economical on-site tool for the acidity detection in aqueous environments.
New Challenges with Treatment Advances in Newborn Infants with Genetic Disorders and Severe Congenital Malformations
Authors: Schuler Rahel , Bedei Ivonne , Oehmke Frank , Zimmer Klaus-Peter , Ehrhardt Harald
Published: February 2022

Advances in the prognosis of relevant syndromes and severe congenital malformations in infants during the last few decades have enabled the treatment and survival of an ever-increasing number of infants, whose prospects were previously judged futile by professional health care teams. This required detailed counselling for families, which frequently started before birth when a diagnosis was made using genetic testing or ultrasound. Predictions of the estimated prognosis, and frequently the more-or-less broad range of prospects, needed to include the chances of survival and data on acute and long-term morbidities. However, in the interest of a having an informed basis for parental decision-making with a professional interdisciplinary team, this process needs to acknowledge the rights of the parents for a comprehensive presentation of the expected quality of life of their child, the potential consequences for family life, and the couple’s own relationship. Besides expert advice, professional psychological and familial support is needed as a basis for a well-founded decision regarding the best treatment options for the child. It needs to be acknowledged by the professional team that the parental estimate of a “good outcome” or quality of life does not necessarily reflect the attitudes and recommendations of the professional team. Building a mutually trusting relationship is essential to avoid decision conflicts.
The Laser Alloying Process of Ductile Cast Iron Surface with Titanium Powder in Nitrogen Atmosphere
Authors: Lont Aleksandra , Górka Jacek , Janicki Damian , Matus Krzysztof
Published: February 2022

The article presents the results of the laser alloying process of a ductile cast iron EN-GJS 350-22 surface with titanium powder in nitrogen atmosphere. The aim of this research was to test the influence of nitrogen atmosphere on the structure and properties of the ductile cast iron surface layer produced by a laser alloying process with titanium. The laser alloying process was conducted using a Rofin Sinar DL020 2 kW high-power diode laser (HPDDL) with rectangular focus and uniform power density distribution in the focus axis. The tests of the produced surface layers included macrostructure and microstructure observations, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) on scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM), Vickers hardness and solid particle erosion according to ASTM G76-04 standard. As a result of the laser alloying process in nitrogen atmosphere with titanium powder, the in situ metal matrix composite structure reinforced by TiCN particles was formed. The laser alloying process of ductile cast iron caused the increased hardness and erosion resistance of the surface.
The Effect of Munsell Neutral Value Scale on the Color of Yellow Jadeite and Comparison between AP and K-Means Clustering Color Grading Schemes
Authors: Liu Ziyuan , Guo Ying
Published: February 2022

Yellow jadeite is a kind of jadeite caused by secondary leaches. With a certain degree of transparency, its color is usually influenced by the objective conditions including light source and background. In this paper, 19 Munsell neutral value scales were selected to study the impact caused by background under the standard light source D65, where we found that the N9.5 Value Scale is suitable for color grading. All 33 yellow jadeites were tested by UV-VIS spectrophotometer and colorimetric analysis, and the colors were graded by the affinity propagation (AP) and K-means clustering methods. According to the result, the yellow jadeite color was classified into Fancy, Fancy Intense, Fancy Deep, and Fancy Light. It is also concluded that AP is more feasible to provide the color grading scheme, while K-means can be applied to the optimization of choosing clustering center.
Cortical Hyperexcitability in the Driver’s Seat in ALS
Authors: Gunes Zeynep I. , Kan Vanessa W. Y. , Jiang Shenyi , Logunov Evgeny , Ye XiaoQian , Liebscher Sabine
Published: February 2022

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disease characterized by the degeneration of cortical and spinal motor neurons. With no effective treatment available to date, patients face progressive paralysis and eventually succumb to the disease due to respiratory failure within only a few years. Recent research has revealed the multifaceted nature of the mechanisms and cell types involved in motor neuron degeneration, thereby opening up new therapeutic avenues. Intriguingly, two key features present in both ALS patients and rodent models of the disease are cortical hyperexcitability and hyperconnectivity, the mechanisms of which are still not fully understood. We here recapitulate current findings arguing for cell autonomous and non-cell autonomous mechanisms causing cortical excitation and inhibition imbalance, which is involved in the degeneration of motor neurons in ALS. Moreover, we will highlight recent evidence that strongly indicates a cardinal role for the motor cortex as a main driver and source of the disease, thus arguing for a corticofugal trajectory of the pathology.
Clinicopathologic Analysis of Sinonasal Inverted Papilloma, with Focus on Human Papillomavirus Infection Status
Authors: Tsumura Munechika , Makihara Seiichiro , Nishikori Asami , Gion Yuka , Morito Toshiaki , Miyamoto Shotaro , Naito Tomoyuki , Uraguchi Kensuke , Oka Aiko , Tachibana Tomoyasu , Orita Yorihisa , Kariya Shin , Okano Mitsuhiro , Ando Mizuo , Sato Yasuharu
Published: February 2022

Sinonasal inverted papilloma (SNIP) can recur; however, the factors related to tumor recurrence remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze risk factors, including human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, as well as other factors associated with SNIP recurrence. Thirty-two patients who were diagnosed with SNIP and underwent surgery between 2010 and 2019 were enrolled: 24 men and 8 women, with a mean age of 59.2 years. The mean follow-up was 57.3 months. Demographics and information about history of smoking, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, allergic rhinitis, alcohol consumption, tumor stage, surgical approach, and recurrence were reviewed retrospectively. Specimens were investigated using polymerase chain reaction to detect HPV DNA (high-risk subtypes: 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 52b, and 58; low-risk subtypes: 6 and 11). Seven patients (21.9%) experienced recurrence. HPV DNA was detected in five (15.6%) patients (high-risk subtypes, n = 2; low-risk subtypes, n = 3). Patients with recurrence of SNIP had a higher proportion of young adults and displayed higher rates of HPV infection, DM, and advanced tumor stage than those without recurrence. HPV infection, young adulthood, DM, and advanced tumor stage could be associated with a high recurrence rate, which suggests that patients with these risk factors could require close follow-up after surgery.
Urinary Dipstick Is Not Reliable as a Screening Tool for Albuminuria in the Emergency Department—A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Nielsen Christian B. , Birn Henrik , Brandt Frans , Kampmann Jan D.
Published: February 2022

Albuminuria is a sensitive marker for renal dysfunction. Urinary dipstick tests are frequently used to screen for urinary abnormalities in the emergency department (ED). The aim of this prospective cohort study is to evaluate the usefulness of urinary dipstick testing as a screening tool for albuminuria in the ED setting and to determine the persistency of albuminuria identified in the acute setting. Urinary dipstick tests and spot urine samples were obtained simultaneously for analysis of the urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR). Participants with positive dipsticks for protein were invited for a second urinalysis four to six weeks after admission. The study included 234 patients admitted to the ED. Urinalysis was performed on 178 patients of which 46% (n = 82) had positive urinary dipstick tests for proteinuria. The sensitivity and specificity of the dipstick test were low (72.7% and 55.7% respectively) when compared to the ACR. Of the 82 patients with positive dipsticks at admission, 35 were available for follow-up. We observed a significant reduction in ACR at follow-up when compared to ACR at admission (p = 0.004). This paper concludes that urinary dipstick tests are not a reliable means to screen for albuminuria in the ED setting.
Design and Characterization of Compact Broadband Antenna and Its MIMO Configuration for 28 GHz 5G Applications
Authors: Hussain Musa , Mousa Ali Esraa , Jarchavi Syed Muhammad Rizvi , Zaidi Abir , Najam Ali Imran , Alotaibi Abdullah Alhumaidi , Althobaiti Ahmed , Ghoneim Sherif S. M.
Published: February 2022

This paper presents the design and characterization of a compact broadband antenna and its MIMO configuration for 28 GHz 5G applications. The antenna was designed using Rogers RT/5880 with a thickness of 1.575 mm and has an overall compact size of 30 mm × 30 mm. The design methodology was initiated by designing a compact conventional microstrip antenna for 28 GHz. Afterward, the rectangular slots were utilized to improve the impedance bandwidth so that antenna covers the globally allocated 28 GHz band spectrum for 5G applications. Furthermore, a compact 2 × 2 MIMO antenna with polarization diversity is designed for high channel capacity systems. The mutual coupling between the closely spaced antenna elements is reduced by using two consecutive iterations of defected ground structure (DGS). The proposed MIMO antenna system offers broad bandwidth, high gain, low mutual coupling, and low envelope correlation coefficient along with high diversity gain, low mean effective gain, and low channel capacity loss. Moreover, the proposed been compared with the state-of-the-art MIMO antenna proposed for 28 GHz application to demonstrate worth of the presented design.
From 32 nm to TFET Technology: New Perspectives for Ultra-Scaled RF-DC Multiplier Circuits
Authors: Trojman Lionel , Holguin Eduardo , Villegas Marco , Procel Luis-Miguel , Taco Ramiro
Published: February 2022

In this present work, different Cross-Coupled Differential Drive (CCDD) CMOS bridge rectifiers are designed using either 32 nm or Tunnel-FET (TFET) technology. Commercial PDK has been used for the 32 nm technology, while lookup tables (LUT) resulting from a physics model have been applied for the TFET. To consider the parasitic effects for the circuit performances, the 32 nm-based circuits have been laid out, while a parasitic model has been included in the TFET LUT for circuit implementation. In this work, the post-layout simulations, including parasitic, demonstrate for conventional CCDD circuits that TFET technology has a larger dynamic range (DR) (>60%) and better 1 V-sensitivity than the 32 nm planar technology has. Note that, in this case, the figure of merit defined by the Voltage Conversion Efficiency (VCE) and Power Conversion Efficiency (PCE) remains somewhat similar. On the other hand, topology proposing better VCE at the cost of low PCE shows lower performance than expected in 32 nm than in reported data for larger technology nodes (e.g., 180 nm). The TFET-based circuit shows a PCE of 70%, VCE of 82% with an 8 dB DR (>60%), and the best 1 V-sensitivity in this work. Because of the low-bias condition and the good reverse current blocking (unidirectional channel), the TFET offers new perspectives for RF-DC rectifier/multiplier topology, which are usually limited with planar technology.
Circuit-Based Compact Model of Electron Spin Qubit
Authors: Borgarino Mattia
Published: February 2022

Today, an electron spin qubit on silicon appears to be a very promising physical platform for the fabrication of future quantum microprocessors. Thousands of these qubits should be packed together into one single silicon die in order to break the quantum supremacy barrier. Microelectronics engineers are currently leveraging on the current CMOS technology to design the manipulation and read-out electronics as cryogenic integrated circuits. Several of these circuits are RFICs, as VCO, LNA, and mixers. Therefore, the availability of a qubit CAD model plays a central role in the proper design of these cryogenic RFICs. The present paper reports on a circuit-based compact model of an electron spin qubit for CAD applications. The proposed model is described and tested, and the limitations faced are highlighted and discussed.
Time Series Network Data Enabling Distributed Intelligence—A Holistic IoT Security Platform Solution
Authors: Protogerou Aikaterini , Kopsacheilis Evangelos V. , Mpatziakas Asterios , Papachristou Kostas , Theodorou Traianos Ioannis , Papadopoulos Stavros , Drosou Anastasios , Tzovaras Dimitrios
Published: February 2022

The Internet of Things (IoT) encompasses multiple fast-emerging technologies controlling and connecting millions of new devices every day in several application domains. The increased number of interconnected IoT devices, their limited computational power, and the evolving sophistication of cyber security threats, results in increased security challenges for the IoT ecosystem. The diversity of IoT devices, and the variety of QoS requirements among several domains of IoT application, impose considerable challenges in designing and implementing a robust IoT security solution. The aim of this paper is to present an efficient, robust, and easy-to-use system, for IoT cyber security operators. Following a by-design security approach, the proposed system is a platform comprising four distinct yet cooperating components; a distributed AI-enhanced detection of potential threats and anomalies mechanisms, an AI-based generation of effective mitigation strategies according to the severity of detected threats, a system for the verification of SDN routing decisions along with network- and resource-related policies, and a comprehensive and intuitive security status visualization and analysis. The distributed anomaly detection scheme implementing multiple AI-powered agents is deployed across the IoT network nodes aiming to efficiently monitor the entire network infrastructure. Network traffic data are fed to the AI agents, which process consecutive traffic samples from the network in a time series analysis manner, where consecutive time windows framing the traffic of the surrounding nodes are processed by a graph neural network algorithm. Any detected anomalies are handled by a mitigation engine employing a distributed neural network algorithm, which exploits the recorded anomalous events and deploys appropriate responses for optimal threat mitigation. The implemented platform also includes the hypothesis testing module, and a multi-objective optimization tool for the quick verification of routing decisions. The system incorporates visualization and analytics functionality and a customizable user interface.
Properties of Animal-Origin Ash—A Valuable Material for Circular Economy
Authors: Maj Izabella , Kalisz Sylwester , Ciukaj Szymon
Published: February 2022

In the presented paper, two types of animal-origin biomass, cow dung and chicken litter, are characterized in terms of combustion-related problems and ash properties. It was found that these parameters strongly depend on the farming style. Whether it is cow dung or chicken litter, free-range raw materials are characterized by higher ash contents than industrial farming ones. Free-range samples contain chlorine at lower levels, while industrial farming samples are chlorine rich. Free-range samples are characterized by the predominant content of silica in the ash: 75.60% in cow dung and 57.11% in chicken litter, while industrial farming samples contain more calcium. Samples were classified by 11 “slagging indices” based on the ash and fuel composition to evaluate their tendencies for slagging, fouling, ash deposition and bed agglomeration. Furthermore, an assessment was made against the current EU law regulations, whether the ashes can be component materials for fertilizers. The phosphorus concentration in the investigated ashes corresponds to 4.09–23.73 wt% P2O5 and is significantly higher in industrial chicken litter samples. The concentrations of Hg, Cu, As, Ni, Cd and Pb in all samples are below the limits of the UE regulations. However, concentrations of Cr in all samples and Zn in industrial chicken litter exceed these standards.
Alternative Solutions for Small Hydropower Plants
Authors: Liszka Damian , Krzemianowski Zbigniew , Węgiel Tomasz , Borkowski Dariusz , Polniak Andrzej , Wawrzykowski Konrad , Cebula Artur
Published: February 2022

Obtaining energy from renewable resources is a worldwide trend in the age of increasing energy demand. Hydropower has some potential in this field, especially for low-power locations. However, construction of such facilities requires high expenses, which is why some attempts at lowering the costs have been made, i.e., by proposing alternative solutions to the classic ones. This paper proposes a selection of options for small hydropower plants (SHP) that lower the investment costs while keeping up profitable operations. The proposed solutions concern simplifying the turbine’s and generator’s integration by installing them in dedicated prefabricated concrete modules. A rare but simple and cheap semi-Kaplan type of turbine with a non-classical spiral inflow is proposed. The turbine operates a permanent magnet (PM)-excited generator, converting the energy at a variable rotational speed. Thanks to this approach, it is possible to simplify the regulation system and eliminate expensive mechanical transmission. However, on the power grid side, a power electronic converter (PEC) must be coupled with the generator. The advantage of this solution compared to the classical ones is that the reliability of power electronics is much higher than that of mechanical systems. This paper presents modeling research on semi-Kaplan turbines’ series development, and a dedicated PM generator is presented as an example of a complete hydro unit with 50 kW power.
Review of Fast Charging for Electrified Transport: Demand, Technology, Systems, and Planning
Authors: Town Graham , Taghizadeh Seyedfoad , Deilami Sara
Published: February 2022

As the number and range of electric vehicles in use increases, and the size of batteries in those vehicles increases, the demand for fast and ultra-fast charging infrastructure is also expected to increase. The growth in the fast charging infrastructure raises a number of challenges to be addressed; primarily, high peak loads and their impacts on the electricity network. This paper reviews fast and ultra-fast charging technology and systems from a number of perspectives, including the following: current and expected trends in fast charging demand; the particular temporal and spatial characteristics of electricity demand associated with fast charging; the devices and circuit technologies commonly used in fast chargers; the potential system impacts of fast charging on the electricity distribution network and methods for managing those impacts; methods for long-term planning of fast charging facilities; finally, expected future developments in fast charging technology and systems.
Fast Charging Impact on the Lithium-Ion Batteries’ Lifetime and Cost-Effective Battery Sizing in Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicles Applications
Authors: Al-Saadi Mohammed , Olmos Josu , Saez-de-Ibarra Andoni , Van Mierlo Joeri , Berecibar Maitane
Published: February 2022

Fast charging is an essential stakeholder concern for achieving a deeper penetration of Electric Vehicles (EVs), as optimizing the charging times of conventional vehicles is as yet a bottleneck to be solved. An important drawback of EV’s fast charging lies in the degradation suffered by the Li-ion Batteries (LIBs) at high charging currents. A deep understanding of the how these fast-charging activities affect the LIBs’ degradation is necessary in order to design appropriate fast charging stations and EV powertrains for different scenarios and contexts. In this regard, the present paper analyzes the effect of fast charging on Libs’ degradation under operation profiles from real driving cycles. Specifically, Battery Electric Buses (BEBs) driving profiles from three demos in European Cities (Gothenburg, Osnabrück and Barcelona) have been used in this analysis. In order to deduce the best practices for the design of the charging stations, different sizes for the chargers have been simulated, focusing on the analysis of the LIB degradation under each situation. Besides, for the design of the EV powertrain, different LIB sizes and LIB chemistries (Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt-NMC, Lithium Iron Phosphate-LFP, and Lithium Titanate Oxide-LTO) have also been proposed and compared in terms of LIB degradation. The results demonstrated that LTO batteries exhibited the lowest degradation, with capacity fade values under 1.5%/year in the nominal scenario (nominal charger and LIB sizes). As long as a full charging is ensured, reducing the fast charger size has been found to be a cost-effective measure, as the LTO degradation can be reduced at least to 1.21%/year. In addition, increasing the battery (BT) size has also been found to be a cost-effective approach for LTO batteries. In this case, it was found that for a 66% increase in capacity, the degradation can be reduced at least to 0.74%/year (more than 50% reduction). The obtained conclusions are seen as useful for the design of charging stations and EV’s BT systems that undergo fast charging.