bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Laboratory Investigation of the Dynamic Response of a Prestressed Composite Steel Cylindrical Tank Subjected to Horizontal Loading
Authors: Zhangabay Nurlan , Tursunkululy Timur , Bonopera Marco , Azatkulov Otabek
Published: September 2023

In this article, a laboratory investigation on prestressed composite steel cylindrical tanks is performed at different prestressing parameter values (coil span, thickness, and prestressing force). Natural vibration frequencies of a traditional tank and a prestressed composite tank were determined at different filling levels. The research results reveal that prestressing using a steel wire strand has a positive effect in terms of the value of the attenuation coefficient where, when comparing a traditional tank with a coiled tank with a coil span equal to a = 3d, the attenuation coefficient changes in a positive direction by 22.9%; whereas, when comparing a traditional tank with that with a coil span equal to a = d, then the positive effect reaches up to 33%. The value of the attenuation coefficient of a half-filled tank shows that prestressing improves the attenuation coefficient at a coil span equal to a = 3d and up to 8.7%, and with a coil span equal to a = d, up to 26%. Conversely, in the analyses of the tank specimen filled up to the maximum level, the attenuation coefficient changes in a positive direction with a coil span equal to a = 3d, up to 15%, and when accounting for a coil span equal to a = d, up to 35%. In general, the effect of the use of prestressing in terms of the attenuation coefficient shows a positive trend between a percentage range of 8.7 and 35%, depending on the liquid filling conditions, and the vibration amplitudes decrease in a percentage range of 3.8–20%, also depending on the coil span and filling conditions of the tank. The obtained laboratory results positively expand the investigations performed within this research field. As a result, the corresponding findings can be used for the construction and design phases of vertical steel cylindrical tanks.
3,4-Dihydroxiphenylacetic Acid-Based Universal Coating Technique for Magnetic Nanoparticles Stabilization for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Semkina Alevtina , Nikitin Aleksey , Ivanova Anna , Chmelyuk Nelly , Sviridenkova Natalia , Lazareva Polina , Abakumov Maxim
Published: September 2023

Magnetic nanoparticles based on iron oxide attract researchers’ attention due to a wide range of possible applications in biomedicine. As synthesized, most of the magnetic nanoparticles do not form the stable colloidal solutions that are required for the evaluation of their interactions with cells or their efficacy on animal models. For further application in biomedicine, magnetic nanoparticles must be further modified with biocompatible coating. Both the size and shape of magnetic nanoparticles and the chemical composition of the coating have an effect on magnetic nanoparticles’ interactions with living objects. Thus, a universal method for magnetic nanoparticles’ stabilization in water solutions is needed, regardless of how magnetic nanoparticles were initially synthesized. In this paper, we propose the versatile and highly reproducible ligand exchange technique of coating with 3,4-dihydroxiphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), based on the formation of Fe-O bonds with hydroxyl groups of DOPAC leading to the hydrophilization of the magnetic nanoparticles’ surfaces following phase transfer from organic solutions to water. The proposed technique allows for obtaining stable water–colloidal solutions of magnetic nanoparticles with sizes from 21 to 307 nm synthesized by thermal decomposition or coprecipitation techniques. Those stabilized by DOPAC nanoparticles were shown to be efficient in the magnetomechanical actuation of DNA duplexes, drug delivery of doxorubicin to cancer cells, and targeted delivery by conjugation with antibodies. Moreover, the diversity of possible biomedical applications of the resulting nanoparticles was presented. This finding is important in terms of nanoparticle design for various biomedical applications and will reduce nanomedicines manufacturing time, along with difficulties related to comparative studies of magnetic nanoparticles with different magnetic core characteristics.
WISC-V Measurement Invariance According to Sex and Age: Advancing the Understanding of Intergroup Differences in Cognitive Performance
Authors: Rodríguez-Cancino Marcela , Concha-Salgado Andrés
Published: September 2023

This study sought to verify whether the constructs measured on the WISC-V are equivalent according to sex and age group in Chilean students to substantiate intergroup comparisons. For this, the measurement invariance of two variants of the five-factor intelligence model was explored with the ten primary subtests (hierarchical and oblique) using multigroup confirmatory factor analysis. Seven hundred and forty participants between 6 and 16 years of age from the Chilean standardization sample were assessed. The results show complete invariance according to sex, but incomplete according to the age group. The implications of these findings in both the professional area of psychology and future research are discussed.
Research on Practical Path Tracking Control of Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Based on Constructive Dynamic Gain Controller
Authors: Wang Fang , Peng Yudong , Guo Longchuan
Published: September 2023

In this study, the stochastic nonlinear system-based trajectory tracking control problem of an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) is studied. We investigate the time-varying gain adaptive control method to find possible approaches to reduce the excessive computational burden. Enhanced adaptive algorithms are devised by considering the dynamic characteristics of AUV motion. By transforming the original controller design problems into parameter selection problems and subsequently solving them using the functional time-varying observer technical theorem, we can achieve optimal control performance. The control system is shown to constrain system state error due to stochastic disturbances within arbitrarily small domains. A coordinate transformation is proposed for all system states to meet boundedness conditions. We show that the closed-loop stability is confirmed, the system is asymptotically probabilistically stable, and contraction limits given in the stability analysis may be used to certify the convergence of the AUV trajectory errors. A large number of simulation studies using an underwater vehicle model have proved the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed approach. A real-time, time-varying gain constructive control strategy is further developed for the hardware-in-the-loop simulation; the effectiveness of the controller design is confirmed by introducing the controller into the AUV actuator model.
Intelligent Clinical Decision Support System for Managing COPD Patients
Authors: Pereira José , Antunes Nuno , Rosa Joana , Ferreira João C. , Mogo Sandra , Pereira Manuel
Published: September 2023

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide. Health remote monitoring systems (HRMSs) play a crucial role in managing COPD patients by identifying anomalies in their biometric signs and alerting healthcare professionals. By analyzing the relationships between biometric signs and environmental factors, it is possible to develop artificial intelligence models that are capable of inferring patients’ future health deterioration risks. In this research work, we review recent works in this area and develop an intelligent clinical decision support system (CIDSS) that is capable of providing early information concerning patient health evolution and risk analysis in order to support the treatment of COPD patients. The present work’s CIDSS is composed of two main modules: the vital signs prediction module and the early warning score calculation module, which generate the patient health information and deterioration risks, respectively. Additionally, the CIDSS generates alerts whenever a biometric sign measurement falls outside the allowed range for a patient or in case a basal value changes significantly. Finally, the system was implemented and assessed in a real case and validated in clinical terms through an evaluation survey answered by healthcare professionals involved in the project. In conclusion, the CIDSS proves to be a useful and valuable tool for medical and healthcare professionals, enabling proactive intervention and facilitating adjustments to the medical treatment of patients.
Spatial Multivariate GARCH Models and Financial Spillovers
Authors: Giacometti Rosella , Torri Gabriele , Rujirarangsan Kamonchai , Cameletti Michela
Published: September 2023

We estimate the risk spillover among European banks from equity log-return data via Conditional Value at Risk (CoVaR). The joint dynamic of returns is modeled with a spatial DCC-GARCH which allows the conditional variance of log-returns of each bank to depend on past volatility shocks to other banks and their past squared returns in a parsimonious way. The backtesting of the resulting risk measures provides evidence that (i) the multivariate GARCH model with Student’s t distribution is more accurate than both the standard multivariate Gaussian model and the Filtered Historical Simulation (FHS), and (ii) the introduction of a spatial component improves the assessment of risk profiles and the market risk spillovers.
A Conceptual Model for Developing Digital Maturity in Hospitality Micro and Small Enterprises
Authors: Ka Xiyan , Ying Tianyu , Tang Jingyi
Published: September 2023

Against the backdrop of the fourth industrial revolution and the COVID-19 pandemic, digital transformation (DT) in the day-to-day operations of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) comes with challenges. Existing maturity models generally focus on advanced levels and are inappropriate for relatively immature companies (e.g., most hospitality MSEs). This study used online documents and in-depth interviews as data sources to develop a customized maturity model framework for hospitality MSEs. Through coding analysis, the research identified four key dimensions that constitute the digital maturity of hotels: strategy and organization, digital technology, digital capabilities, and integrated business. These enterprises have progressed in their digital maturity, moving from an IT-enabled transformation to adopting a brand-oriented approach. The selection of a digital transformation strategy depends on strategic alignment. The proposed model provides a comprehensive understanding of the maturity levels of these companies, thereby facilitating their successful integration into the ongoing modern industrial revolution.
2-((4-Amino-5-((2,4-dichlorophenoxy)methyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio)-1-(5-methyl-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)ethan-1-one
Authors: Abdel-Wahab Bakr F. , Mabied Ahmed F. , Fettinger James C. , Farahat Abdelbasset A.
Published: September 2023

The reaction of 2-bromo-1-(5-methyl-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)ethan-1-one (1) with 4-amino-5-((2,4-dichlorophenoxy)methyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol (2) in absolute ethanol in the presence of triethyl amine as catalyst gave 2-((4-amino-5-((2,4-dichlorophenoxy)methyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio)-1-(5-methyl-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)ethan-1-one (3) in 73% yield. The structure of the title heterocycle (3) was confirmed by X-ray single crystal diffraction and spectral analyses (NMR and IR).
Atomistic Construction of Silicon Nitride Ceramic Fiber Molecular Model and Investigation of Its Mechanical Properties Based on Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Hong Yiqiang , Zhu Yu , Du Youpei , Che Zhe , Qu Guoxin , Li Qiaosheng , Yuan Tingting , Yang Wei , Dai Zhen , Han Weijian , Ma Qingsong
Published: September 2023

Molecular simulations are currently receiving significant attention for their ability to offer a microscopic perspective that explains macroscopic phenomena. An essential aspect is the accurate characterization of molecular structural parameters and the development of realistic numerical models. This study investigates the surface morphology and elemental distribution of silicon nitride fibers through TEM and EDS, and SEM and EDS analyses. Utilizing a customized molecular dynamics approach, molecular models of amorphous and multi-interface silicon nitride fibers with complex structures were constructed. Tensile simulations were conducted to explore correlations between performance and molecular structural composition. The results demonstrate successful construction of molecular models with amorphous, amorphous–crystalline interface, and mixed crystalline structures. Mechanical property characterization reveal the following findings: (1) The nonuniform and irregular amorphous structure causes stress concentration and crack formation under applied stress. Increased density enhances material strength but leads to higher crack sensitivity. (2) Incorporating a crystalline reinforcement phase without interfacial crosslinking increases free volume and relative tensile strength, improving toughness and reducing crack susceptibility. (3) Crosslinked interfaces effectively enhance load transfer in transitional regions, strengthening the material’s tensile strength, while increased density simultaneously reduces crack propagation.
Sustainable Perforated Acoustic Wooden Panels Designed Using Third-Degree-of-Freedom Bezier Curves with Broadband Sound Absorption Coefficients
Authors: Chojnacki Bartlomiej , Schynol Kamil , Halek Mateusz , Muniak Alicja
Published: September 2023

The current interior design scope places high demands on acoustic treatment manufacturers. The state of the art does not provide satisfactory material proposals for architects to satisfy design needs. There is a need for a novel approach concerning decorative, recognized materials that adapts them to the acoustic surface properties. The final design proposed in this study presents a modern functional solution with high acoustic properties, which can be produced with sustainable materials such as FSC wood and has a low environmental impact because of its low waste production. This research presents the complete design process of a novel type of wooden acoustic panel. A comprehensive explanation of the scientific development is covered, including basic material testing in an impedance tube, FEM simulations of the initial designs, and final measurements in a reverberation chamber. The solution’s novelty is based on the optimized placement of the perforation holes on the surface of a wooden overlay using a ship deck optimization algorithm. The methods used cover the original solution of mixing FEM modeling of the surface impedance with the application of the Jeong–Thomasson correction for random incidence sound absorption coefficient simulation. The contribution of this research is the development of wooden perforated panels with Class A sound absorption and an overall depth of 90 mm, including the 50 mm depth of the backing material. The discussion will explain the difficulties of working with this material and the need for a combination of the aesthetic and acoustic sides of the project.
Experimental Investigation of Cumulative Damage and Self-Healing Properties of Smart Cementitious Composite under Continuous Compression Load
Authors: Chen Weihong , Han Chunhui , Liu Yi , Feng Kai , Zhuang Shusen
Published: September 2023

This study investigated the effect of sustained loading on the cumulative damage of a newly developed smart cement-based self-healing composite material (SMA-ECC). SMA-ECC is composed of engineered cementitious composite (ECC) and shape memory alloy (SMA) fibers. A uniaxial compressive test with five predefined loading levels (0%, 30%, 40%, 50%, and 60% of compressive strength) was conducted on SMA-ECC hollow-cylindrical specimens and ECC control hollow-cylindrical specimens. The cumulative damage was mainly determined by changes in the total water absorption of different groups of specimens during three different periods (not loaded, at a predefined loading level, and after unloading). A normalized water content index was proposed to couple the effects of self-healing, sustained loading, and cumulative damage. The test results indicate that the cumulative water absorption of SMA-ECC was 35% lower than that of ECC, which may indicate less irreparable damage. In addition, the self-healing ability of SMA-ECC specimens under different compression load levels was evaluated through normalized water content analysis. SMA-ECC exhibited a 100% repair rate at load levels of 30% and 40%. At a higher load level of 60%, the repair rate of SMA-ECC was 76%. These results collectively emphasize the significant impermeability and self-healing performance of SMA-ECC after unloading.
Metal Particle Pencil Beam Spray-Coating Method for High-Density Polymer–Resin Composites: Evaluation of Radiation-Shielding Sheet Properties
Authors: Kim Seon-Chil
Published: September 2023

Medical shielding suits must be lightweight and satisfy the requirements of thin films to guarantee user mobility and safety. The thin film weight is related to the density and thickness, which are associated with the particle dispersion in shielding materials. An even distribution of metal particles in a polymer can maintain the spacing among them. This paper proposes a pencil beam spray-coating method that involves spraying a constant amount of a polyethylene and tungsten mixture in a thin beam onto a nonwoven fabric at a constant speed. This technique yields higher productivity than does the electrospinning method and is expected to produce materials with better shielding performance than that of materials obtained using the calender method. The shielding performance was evaluated by manufacturing shielding sheets (thickness: 0.48–0.54 mm) using the calender and pencil beam spray-coating methods under the same conditions. The densities and performances of the sheets differed significantly. The sheet manufactured using the proposed method had an even particle dispersion and exhibited 2–4% better shielding performance than did that manufactured using the calender method. Therefore, the pencil beam spray-coating method can effectively satisfy the requirements of thin films for medical radiation-shielding materials while increasing the material flexibility.
An Elementary Formula for the Initial Relaxation Modulus from the Creep Compliance for Asphalt Mixtures
Authors: Chen Songqiang , Chen Bin , Wu Xi , Zhou Jian
Published: September 2023

The conversion between the relaxation modulus and creep compliance is a traditional research topic in viscoelastic materials. Generally, different methods have been used to solve the numerical solution based on convolution theory. However, the initial relaxation modulus (relaxation modulus at t = 0) has been difficult to obtain. This paper aimed to propose a fast calculation method to derive the initial relaxation modulus from the creep compliance. First, three groups of uniaxial static creep tests of asphalt mixtures were conducted to determine the creep compliance of the experimental data. Then, the calculation of the initial relaxation modulus from the creep compliance by three inversion methods (midpoint method, approximate method, and Laplace numerical inversion method) was evaluated. The results indicate that approximate method and Laplace numerical inversion method cannot calculate the initial relaxation modulus value, and the calculation results of the midpoint method can only approach the exact value infinitely, for which calculating the relaxation modulus at 0.0005 s requires 2000 s. The results can only approach the exact value infinitely and take a lot of computing time. Finally, a fast calculation method for the initial relaxation modulus is proposed and verified by Laplace initial value theorem, and this method can directly derive a simple expression for calculating the initial relaxation modulus without requiring computational time. The proposed calculation methods of the initial relaxation modulus for various viscoelastic models were then put forward. The research results provide an effective tool for obtaining the initial relaxation modulus accurately.
Composites and Materials Prepared from Boron Cluster Anions and Carboranes
Authors: Avdeeva Varvara V. , Nikiforova Svetlana E. , Malinina Elena A. , Sivaev Igor B. , Kuznetsov Nikolay T.
Published: September 2023

Here, we present composites and materials that can be prepared starting with boron hydride cluster compounds (decaborane, decahydro-closo-decaborate and dodecahydro-closo-dodecaborate anions and carboranes). Recent examples of their utilization as boron protective coatings including using them to synthesize boron carbide, boron nitride, metal borides, metal-containing composites, and neutron shielding materials are discussed. The data are generalized demonstrate the versatile application of materials based on boron cluster anions and carboranes in various fields.
Self-Generating Evaluations for Robot’s Autonomy Based on Sensor Input
Authors: Sakamoto Yuma , Kurashige Kentarou
Published: September 2023

Reinforcement learning has been explored within the context of robot operation in different environments. Designing the reward function in reinforcement learning is challenging for designers because it requires specialized knowledge. To reduce the design burden, we propose a reward design method that is independent of both specific environments and tasks in which reinforcement learning robots evaluate and generate rewards autonomously based on sensor information received from the environment. This method allows the robot to operate autonomously based on sensors. However, the existing approach to adaption attempts to adapt without considering the input properties for the strength of the sensor input, which may cause a robot to learn harmful actions from the environment. In this study, we propose a method for changing the threshold of a sensor input while considering the strength of the input and other properties. We also demonstrate the utility of the proposed method by presenting the results of simulation experiments on a path-finding problem conducted in an environment with sparse rewards.
Detecting Pseudo-Manipulated Citations in Scientific Literature through Perturbations of the Citation Graph
Authors: Avros Renata , Keshet Saar , Kitai Dvora Toledano , Vexler Evgeny , Volkovich Zeev
Published: September 2023

Ensuring the integrity of scientific literature is essential for advancing knowledge and research. However, the credibility and trustworthiness of scholarly publications are compromised by manipulated citations. Traditional methods, such as manual inspection and basic statistical analyses, have limitations in detecting intricate patterns and subtle manipulations of citations. In recent years, network-based approaches have emerged as promising techniques for identifying and understanding citation manipulation. This study introduces a novel method to identify potential citation manipulation in academic papers using perturbations of a deep embedding model. The key idea is to reconstruct meaningful connections represented by citations within a network by exploring, to some extent, longer alternative paths. These indirect pathways enable the recovery of reliable citations while estimating their trustworthiness. The investigation takes a comprehensive approach to link prediction, leveraging the consistent behavior of prominent connections when exposed to network perturbations. Through numerical experiments, the method demonstrates a high capability to identify reliable citations as the core of the analyzed data and to raise suspicions about unreliable references that may have been manipulated. This research presents a refined method for tackling the urgent problem of citation manipulation in academic papers. It harnesses statistical sampling and graph-embedding techniques to evaluate the credibility of scholarly publications with a substantial assessment of the whole citation graph.
Phenotype Analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana Based on Optimized Multi-Task Learning
Authors: Yuan Peisen , Xu Shuning , Zhai Zhaoyu , Xu Huanliang
Published: September 2023

Deep learning techniques play an important role in plant phenotype research, due to their powerful data processing and modeling capabilities. Multi-task learning has been researched for plant phenotype analysis, which can combine different plant traits and allow for a consideration of correlations between multiple phenotypic features for more comprehensive analysis. In this paper, an intelligent and optimized multi-task learning method for the phenotypic analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana is proposed and studied. Based on the VGG16 network, hard parameter sharing and task-dependent uncertainty are used to weight the loss function of each task, allowing parameters associated with genotype classification, leaf number counting, and leaf area prediction tasks to be learned jointly. The experiments were conducted on the Arabidopsis thaliana dataset, and the proposed model achieved weighted classification accuracy, precision, and Fw scores of 96.88%, 97.50%, and 96.74%, respectively. Furthermore, the coefficient of determination R2 values in the leaf number and leaf area regression tasks reached 0.7944 and 0.9787, respectively.
A Regional Catastrophe Bond Pricing Model and Its Application in Indonesia’s Provinces
Authors: Sukono  , Napitupulu Herlina , Riaman  , Ibrahim Riza Andrian , Johansyah Muhamad Deni , Hidayana Rizki Apriva
Published: September 2023

The national scale of catastrophic losses risk linked to state catastrophe bonds (SCB) is enormous. It can reduce investors’ interest in buying them because the capital required and the loss probability are also significant. To overcome this, the SCB can be made on a smaller regional scale, known as a regional catastrophe bond (RCB). Through RCBs, the catastrophic loss risk investors bear becomes smaller, which can increase investors’ interest in buying them. Unfortunately, RCB issuance faced a fundamental obstacle, where its complex pricing model needed further study. Therefore, this study aims to model it. The model uniquely involves the inflation rate modeled using the Fisher equation and the nonbinary scheme of coupon and redemption value payments modeled by a compound Poisson process. In addition, the model is applied to Indonesia’s catastrophe data, resulting in all provinces’ RCB price estimation and the effects of several variables on RCB price. This research can guide the RCB pricing process of the country’s regions. The estimated RCB prices can be used by Indonesia’s government if RCBs are to be issued one day. Finally, the effects of the inflation rate, catastrophe intensity, and geographical location on RCB prices can guide investors in selecting bond portfolios.
Dynamical Optimal Values of Parameters in the SSOR, AOR, and SAOR Testing Using Poisson Linear Equations
Authors: Liu Chein-Shan , El-Zahar Essam R. , Chang Chih-Wen
Published: September 2023

This paper proposes a dynamical approach to determine the optimal values of the parameters used in each iteration of the symmetric successive over-relaxation (SSOR), accelerated over-relaxation (AOR), and symmetric accelerated over-relaxation (SAOR) methods for solving linear equation systems. When the optimal values of the parameters in the SSOR, AOR, and SAOR are hard to determine as some fixed values, they are obtained by minimizing the merit functions, which are based on the maximal projection technique between the left- and right-hand-side vectors, which involves the input vector, the previous step values of the variables, and the parameters. The novelty is a new concept of the dynamical optimal values of the parameters, instead of the fixed values and the maximal projection technique. In a preferred range, the optimal values of the parameters can be quickly determined by using the golden section search algorithm with a loose convergence criterion. Without knowing and having the theoretical optimal values in general, the new methods might provide an alternative and proper choice of the values of the parameters for accelerating the convergence speed. Numerical testings of the linear Poisson equation discretized to a matrix–vector form and a Lyapunov equation form were used to assess the performance of the DOSSOR, DOAOR, and DOSAOR dynamical optimal methods.
Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines in the Treatment of Ejaculatory Disorders: A Systematic Review
Authors: Leisegang Kristian , Opuwari Chinyerum Sylvia , Moichela Faith , Finelli Renata
Published: September 2023

Background and Objectives: Ejaculatory dysfunction (EjD) is a common male sexual disorder that includes premature ejaculation, delayed ejaculation, retrograde ejaculation, and anejaculation. Although psychological and pharmacological treatments are available, traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine (TCAM) is reportedly used. However, the clinical evidence for TCAM in EjD remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to systematically review human clinical trials investigating the use of TCAM to treat EjD. Materials and Methods: A systematic review of the literature following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was conducted by searching Scopus and PubMed databases. Controlled clinical trials investigating a cohort of male patients diagnosed primarily with EjD and undergoing any TCAM intervention compared to any comparison group were included. Quality of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for randomized controlled trials. Results: Following article screening, 22 articles were included. Of these, 21 investigated TCAM in premature ejaculation, and only 1 investigated TCAM in retrograde ejaculation. Different TCAM categories included studies that investigated lifestyle, exercise and/or physical activities (n = 7); herbal medicine supplements (n = 5); topical herbal applications (n = 4); acupuncture or electroacupuncture (n = 3); vitamin, mineral and/or nutraceutical supplements (n = 1); hyaluronic acid penile injection (n = 1); and music therapy (n = 1). Only 31.8% (n = 7) of the included studies were found to have a low risk of bias. The available studies were widely heterogenous in the TCAM intervention investigated and comparison groups used. However, the included studies generally showed improved outcomes intra-group and when compared to placebo. Conclusions: Different TCAM interventions may have an important role particularly in the management of PE. However, more studies using standardized interventions are needed.
Vitamin D and Its Metabolites Status before and during Chemotherapy in Caucasian Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Kimsa-Furdzik Małgorzata , Bednarek Anna , Hibner Grzegorz , Czajka-Francuz Paulina , Cisoń-Jurek Sylwia , Karawasiecka Dobromiła , Szymczak Bożena , Wojnar Jerzy , Chudek Jerzy , Francuz Tomasz
Published: September 2023

Background: The predictive role of vitamin D (VD) in breast cancer (BC) patients’ survival is still being investigated. This paper aims to evaluate the changes in VD metabolites during chemotherapy (CTH) and the predictive role of VD status in Caucasian BC patients treated with CTH. Methods: Vitamin D and its metabolites were assessed with reference LC–MS/MS methodology in 98 consecutive BC patients starting CHT, after 3 and 6 months, and compared to the control group. Results: The frequency of VD deficiency in BC patients was greater than in the control group (56.1% vs. 37.2%). After 6 months of CTH, the number of VD-deficient BC patients slightly increased to 60%. The concentrations of VD active forms [25(OH)D2, 25(OH)D3], and catabolites [24,25(OH)2D3 and 3-epi-25(OH)D3] decreased after 3 and 6 months of CTH compared to the baseline values. Strong positive correlations between concentrations of 3-epi-25(OH)D3 and 25(OH)D in both groups were found. Similar correlations were also observed between 24,25(OH)2D3 and 25(OH)D levels. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed significantly longer survival in BC patients without deficiency (>20 ng/mL) at baseline (HR = 2.44 (95% CI 1.07–5.59), p = 0.026). Conclusions: (1) Our data provide further evidence that BC patients before CTH are more VD-deficient than the general population and this deficiency increases further during CTH treatment, as observed using the reference LC-MS methodology. (2) Presented results show that VD catabolism is not affected in BC patients. (3) The poorer survival in VD-deficient BP patients supports the importance of VD supplementation in BC patients with 25(OH)D levels below 20 ng/mL.
Design and Experimental Validation of a 3D-Printed Embedded-Sensing Continuum Robot for Neurosurgery
Authors: Dragone Donatella , Donadio Francesca Federica , Mirabelli Chiara , Cosentino Carlo , Amato Francesco , Zaffino Paolo , Spadea Maria Francesca , La Torre Domenico , Merola Alessio
Published: September 2023

A minimally-invasive manipulator characterized by hyper-redundant kinematics and embedded sensing modules is presented in this work. The bending angles (tilt and pan) of the robot tip are controlled through tendon-driven actuation; the transmission of the actuation forces to the tip is based on a Bowden-cable solution integrating some channels for optical fibers. The viability of the real-time measurement of the feedback control variables, through optoelectronic acquisition, is evaluated for automated bending of the flexible endoscope and trajectory tracking of the tip angles. Indeed, unlike conventional catheters and cannulae adopted in neurosurgery, the proposed robot can extend the actuation and control of snake-like kinematic chains with embedded sensing solutions, enabling real-time measurement, robust and accurate control of curvature, and tip bending of continuum robots for the manipulation of cannulae and microsurgical instruments in neurosurgical procedures. A prototype of the manipulator with a length of 43 mm and a diameter of 5.5 mm has been realized via 3D printing. Moreover, a multiple regression model has been estimated through a novel experimental setup to predict the tip angles from measured outputs of the optoelectronic modules. The sensing and control performance has also been evaluated during tasks involving tip rotations.
Conductive Additives Effects on NCA–LFMP Composite Cathode in Water-Based Binder for High-Safety Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Yang Chih-Wei , Lee Meng-Lun , Liu Wen-Ren , Thairiyarayar Celastin Bebina , Liu Wei-Ren , Chen Tsan-Yao , Lee Chi-Young
Published: September 2023

Lithium nickel–cobalt–aluminum oxide (NCA) is a promising cathode material for lithium-ion batteries due to its high energy density of more than 274 mAh/g. However, thermal runaway inhibits its practical applications. Lithium ferromanganese phosphate (LFMP), due to its olivine structure, can effectively stabilize the surface stability of NCA and reduce the exothermic reactions that occur during thermal runaway. LFMP can also inhibit cathode expansion and contraction during charging and discharging. To improve the conductivity of an NCM–LFMP composite electrode, three different conductive additives, namely carbon black, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and graphene, were introduced into the electrode. Finally, battery safety tests were conducted on 1.1 Ah pouch cells fabricated in the present study. The energy density of the NCA–LFMP 1.1 Ah lithium-ion pouch cells with only 0.16% CNT content reached 224.8 Wh/kg. The CNT–NCA–LFMP pouch cell was also the safest among the cells tested. These results provide a strategy for designing high-energy-density and safe pouch cells for energy storage device applications.
Altered Gut Microbiota Composition Is Associated with Difficulty in Explicit Emotion Regulation in Young Children
Authors: Fujihara Hideaki , Matsunaga Michiko , Ueda Eriko , Kajiwara Takamasa , Takeda Aya K. , Watanabe Satoshi , Baba Kairi , Hagihara Keisuke , Myowa Masako
Published: September 2023

Executive function (EF) consists of explicit emotion regulation (EER) and cognitive control (CC). Childhood EER in particular predicts mental and physical health in adulthood. Identifying factors affecting EER development has implications for lifelong physical and mental health. Gut microbiota (GM) has attracted attention as a potential biomarker for risk of physical and mental problems in adulthood. Furthermore, GM is related to brain function/structure, which plays a crucial role in emotional processing. However, little is known about how GM compositions are associated with the development of emotion regulation in early childhood. Therefore, in this study, we examined 257 children aged 3–4 to investigate links between GM and risk to EF. EF was measured using the Mother-Reported Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function–Preschool version. GM composition (alpha/beta diversity and genus abundance) was evaluated using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and compared between EF-risk and non-risk groups. Our results show that children with EER-risk (an index of inhibitory self-control) had a higher abundance of the genera Actinomyces and Sutterella. Although we have not established a direct link between GM and CC risk, our findings indicate that GM of preschoolers is closely associated with emotional processing and that EERrisk children have more inflammation-related bacteria.
Efficacy of Life Protection Probably from Newly Isolated Bacteria against Cisplatin-Induced Lethal Toxicity
Authors: Ikeda Yuka , Suga Naoko , Matsuda Satoru
Published: September 2023

Cisplatin may be commonly used in chemotherapy against various solid tumors. However, cisplatin has a limited safety range with serious side effects, which may be one of the dose-restraining reasons for cisplatin. A favorable therapeutic approach is immediately required for ameliorating cisplatin-induced toxicity. In the present study, the potential protective effects of certain bacteria have been investigated at the lethal dosage of cisplatin in mice experimental models. Treated under the highest dosage of cisplatin, treatment of certain commensal bacteria could significantly increase the survival rate. In addition, our findings revealed that probiotic supplementation of these bacteria could result in the attenuation of the damage appearance on the kidney as well as the alteration of several antioxidant-related gene expressions, including SOD1, SOD2, SOD3, Nrf2, and/or HO-1 genes in the high dosage of cisplatin-treated mice. In short, acute kidney injury in mice was induced by a single dose of cisplatin 11 or 15 mg/kg intraperitoneally. Then, peroral administration of newly isolated bacteria could protect against the cisplatin-induced injury, probably by decreasing oxidative stress. Therefore, the data shown here might suggest that the usage of certain probiotic supplementation could contribute to the life protection of patients suffering from severe toxicity of cisplatin. However, the molecular mechanisms need to be further explored.
Celecoxib-Loaded Cubosomal Nanoparticles as a Therapeutic Approach for Staphylococcus aureus In Vivo Infection
Authors: Alshawwa Samar Zuhair , El-Masry Thanaa A. , Nasr Mohamed , Kira Ahmed Y. , Alotaibi Hadil Faris , Sallam Al-Sayed , Elekhnawy Engy
Published: September 2023

There is a great need for novel approaches to treating bacterial infections, due to the vast dissemination of resistance among pathogenic bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus are ubiquitous Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria and are rapidly acquiring antibiotic resistance. Here, celecoxib was encapsulated into cubosomal nanoparticles, and the particle morphology, size distribution, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, and celecoxib release were evaluated in vitro. Also, a systemic infection model in mice elucidated the in vivo antibacterial action of the celecoxib cubosomes. Cubosomes are a nanotechnology-based delivery system which can adhere to the external peptidoglycan layers of Gram-positive bacteria and penetrate them. The size distribution investigation revealed that the prepared celecoxib-loaded cubosomes had a mean particle size of 128.15 ± 3.04 nm with a low polydispersity index of 0.235 ± 0.023. The zeta potential measurement showed that the prepared cubosomes had a negative surface charge of −17.50 ± 0.45, indicating a highly stable nanodispersion formation with little susceptibility to particle aggregation. The cubosomal dispersion exhibited an entrapment efficiency of 88.57 ± 2.36%. The transmission electron micrograph for the prepared celecoxib-loaded cubosomes showed a narrow size distribution for the cubosomal nanoparticles, which had a spherical shape and were non-aggregated. The tested cubosomes diminished the inflammation in the treated mice’s liver and spleen tissues, as revealed by hematoxylin and eosin stain and Masson’s trichrome stain. The immunostained tissues with nuclear factor kappa B and caspase-3 monoclonal antibodies revealed a marked decrease in these markers in the celecoxib-treated group, as it resulted in negative or weak immunostaining in liver and spleen that ranged from 4.54% to 17.43%. This indicates their inhibitory effect on the inflammatory pathway and apoptosis, respectively. Furthermore, they reduced the bacterial burden in the studied tissues. This is alongside a decrease in the inflammatory markers (interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, cyclooxygenase-2, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) determined by ELISA and qRT-PCR. The IL-1β levels were 16.66 ± 0.5 pg/mg and 17 ± 0.9 pg/mg in liver and spleen, respectively. Also, IL-6 levels were 85 ± 3.2 pg/mg and 84 ± 2.4 pg/mg in liver and spleen, respectively. In conclusion, the current study introduced cubosomes as an approach for the formulation of celecoxib to enhance its in vivo antibacterial action by improving its oral bioavailability.
Genetic Variability in Vitamin D Receptor and Migraine Susceptibility: A Southeastern European Case-Control Study
Authors: Papasavva Maria , Vikelis Michail , Siokas Vasileios , Katsarou Martha-Spyridoula , Dermitzakis Emmanouil V. , Raptis Athanasios , Dardiotis Efthimios , Drakoulis Nikolaos
Published: September 2023

Migraine is a common primary headache disorder with both environmental and genetic inputs. Cumulative evidence indicates an association between vitamin D and headache. Unravelling the precise role of vitamin D and its receptor in the pathophysiology of migraine can eventually contribute to more efficient prevention and management of this headache disorder. The aim of the study was to investigate the relation of the three most studied VDR variants, i.e., FokI (rs2228570), TaqI (rs731236) and BsmI (rs1544410), with migraine susceptibility and distinct clinical phenotypes in a Southeastern European case-control population residing in Greece. DNA was extracted from 191 unrelated patients diagnosed with migraine and 265 headache-free controls and genotyped using real-time PCR (LightSNiP assays) followed by melting curve analysis. Genotype frequency distribution analysis of the TaqI and BsmI variants showed a statistically significant difference between migraine cases and controls. In addition, subgroup analyses revealed a significant association between all three studied VDR variants, particularly with a migraine without aura subtype. Therefore, the current study provides supporting evidence for a possible association of VDR variants with migraines, particularly migraine without aura susceptibility in Southeastern Europeans residing in Greece, further reinforcing the emerging role of vitamin D and its receptor in migraines.
Metabolic Disorders and Psoriasis: Exploring the Role of Nutritional Interventions
Authors: Cintoni Marco , Palombaro Marta , Maramao Fabio Stefano , Raoul Pauline , Egidi Gabriele , Leonardi Elena , Bianchi Luca , Campione Elena , Rinninella Emanuele , Gasbarrini Antonio , Mele Maria Cristina
Published: September 2023

(1) Background: Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease with a close relationship with metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. The aim of this review was to identify the relationship between psoriasis, metabolic diseases, and dietetic therapies. According to recent findings, there is a strong association between psoriasis and obesity as well as vitamin D and micronutrient deficiencies. (2) Methods: This review was conducted via PubMed, aiming to search for studies involving psoriasis linked with metabolic disorders or with nutritional treatments. (3) Results: Our review shows that a healthy lifestyle can positively influence the course of the disease. The maintaining of a proper body weight together with physical activity and good nutritional choices are associated with an improvement in psoriasis severity. A Mediterranean diet rich in fiber, vitamins, and polyphenols may indeed be a strategy for controlling psoriasis symptoms. The effectiveness of this diet lies not only in its anti-inflammatory power, but also in its ability to favorably influence the intestinal microbiota and counteract dysbiosis, which is a risk factor for many autoimmune diseases. (4) Conclusions: In synergy with standard therapy, the adoption of an appropriate diet can be recommended to improve the clinical expression of psoriasis and reduce the incidence of comorbidities.
The Commonly Used Stabilizers for Phytochemical-Based Nanoparticles: Stabilization Effects, Mechanisms, and Applications
Authors: Zhou Fang , Peterson Tiffany , Fan Zhaoyang , Wang Shu
Published: September 2023

Phytochemicals, such as resveratrol, curcumin, and quercetin, have many benefits for health, but most of them have a low bioavailability due to their poor water solubility and stability, quick metabolism, and clearance, which restricts the scope of their potential applications. To overcome these issues, different types of nanoparticles (NPs), especially biocompatible and biodegradable NPs, have been developed. NPs can carry phytochemicals and increase their solubility, stability, target specificity, and oral bioavailability. However, NPs are prone to irreversible aggregation, which leads to NP instability and loss of functions. To remedy this shortcoming, stabilizers like polymers and surfactants are incorporated on NPs. Stabilizers not only increase the stability of NPs, but also improve their characteristics. The current review focused on discussing the state of the art in research on synthesizing phytochemical-based NPs and their commonly employed stabilizers. Furthermore, stabilizers in these NPs were also discussed in terms of their applications, effects, and underlying mechanisms. This review aimed to provide more references for developing stabilizers and NPs for future research.
Protective Effects of Gnetin C from Melinjo Seed Extract against High-Fat Diet-Induced Hepatic Steatosis and Liver Fibrosis in NAFLD Mice Model
Authors: Kabir Tohfa , Yoshiba Haruki , Agista Afifah Zahra , Sultana Halima , Ohsaki Yusuke , Yeh Chiu-Li , Hirakawa Ryota , Tani Hiroko , Ikuta Tomoki , Nochi Tomonori , Yang Suh-Ching , Shirakawa Hitoshi
Published: September 2023

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common form of chronic liver disease, can progress to hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and advanced fibrosis, increasing the risk of cirrhosis. Resveratrol, a natural polyphenol with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, is beneficial in treating multiple metabolic diseases. Gnetin C, a resveratrol derivative obtained from Melinjo seed extract (MSE), shares similar health-promoting properties. We investigated the role of gnetin C in preventing NAFLD in a mouse model and compared it with resveratrol. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a control diet (10% calories from fat), a high-fat choline-deficient (HFCD) diet (46% calories from fat) and HFCD diet supplemented with gnetin C (150 mg/kg BW·day−1) or resveratrol (150 mg/kg BW·day−1) for 12 weeks. Gnetin C supplementation reduced body and liver weight, and improved blood glucose levels and insulin sensitivity. Both gnetin C- and resveratrol reduced hepatic steatosis, with gnetin C also decreasing liver lipid content. Gnetin C and resveratrol ameliorated HFCD diet-induced hepatic fibrosis. The mRNA expression results, and western blot analyses showed that gnetin C and, to some extent, resveratrol downregulated fibrosis markers in the TGF-β1 signaling pathway, indicating a possible safeguarding mechanism against NAFLD. These results suggest that gnetin C supplementation may protect against lipid deposition and hepatic fibrosis.