bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial Susceptibility and Resistance Mechanisms in Mannheimia haemolytica Isolates From Sheep at Slaughter
Authors: Alvarez Julio , Calderón Bernal Johan M. , Torre-Fuentes Laura , Hernández Marta , Pinto Jimenez Chris E. , Domínguez Lucas , Fernández-Garayzábal José F. , Vela Ana I. , Cid Dolores
Published: April 2023

Mannheimia haemolytica is the main pathogen contributing to pneumonic pasteurellosis in sheep. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial resistance levels in M. haemolytica from the lungs of slaughtered sheep and the genetic resistance mechanisms involved. A total of 256 M. haemolytica isolates, 169 from lungs with pneumonic lesions and 87 without, were analyzed by the disk diffusion method for 12 antimicrobials, and the whole genome of 14 isolates sequenced to identify resistance determinants. Levels of phenotypic resistance ranged from <2 % for 10 antimicrobials (amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic, ceftiofur, cefquinome, lincomycin/spectinomycin, gentamicin, erythromycin, florfenicol, enrofloxacin, and doxycycline) to 4.3% for tetracycline and 89.1% for tylosin. Six isolates carried tetH genes and four carried, in addition, strA and sul2 genes in putative plasmid sequences. No mutations associated with macrolide resistance were identified in 23 rDNA sequences suggesting that M. haemolytica phenotypic results for tylosin should be interpreted with care in the absence of well-established epidemiological and clinical breakpoints. The identification of strains phenotypically resistant to tetracycline and of several resistance genes, some of which were present in plasmids, highlight the need for continuous monitoring of susceptibility patterns in Pasteurellaceae isolates from livestock
Experimental and Numerical Optimization Study on Performance of Solar Phase Change Thermal Energy Storage System
Authors: Tang Yuqing , Zhu Neng , Li Siqi , Hou Yingzhen
Published: April 2023

Promoting the use of solar energy resources has always faced the challenges of instability and supply-demand mismatch. The key to solving these issues is to efficiently store and utilize solar energy resources using high-performance heat storage devices. This study designed a high-performance shell-and-tube phase change thermal storage device and established a numerical model using ANSYS software to summarize the device's dynamic melting law. To verify the accuracy of the numerical simulation, a performance testing platform for the phase change thermal storage device was built to investigate the impact of factors such as inlet water temperature, inlet water flow rate, type of heat storage, and initial temperature of the device, and to reveal the change law of the device's performance. The results show that the inlet water temperature has the most significant impact on the device's heat storage and release performance. When the device's heat storage or release is used for heating, changing the inlet water flow rate has a weak and limited effect on the device's performance. However, when the device's heat release is used to provide domestic hot water, increasing the makeup water temperature and reducing the inlet water flow rate can significantly improve the device's effective heat release. Furthermore, based on the experimental validation of the model's correctness, this study further simulated and studied the impact of different factors on the device's heat storage process to optimize its structural design and provide technical references for the device's actual operation and installation. The results show that the placement of fins has a negligible effect on the performance of the heat storage device while reducing the fin spacing and increasing the fin thickness can significantly improve the melting efficiency of the phase change material (PCM). Additionally, the heat storage characteristics of the device are significantly better in the vertical installation mode than in the horizontal installation mode. This study provides theoretical guidance and technical references for the design and use of phase change thermal storage devices.
The Black Hole: CAR T cell Therapy in AML
Authors: Atilla Erden , Benabdellah Karim
Published: April 2023

Despite exhaustive studies, researchers have made little progress in the field of adoptive cellular therapies for relapsed-refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML), unlike the notable uptake for B cell malignancies. Various single antigen targeting chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell Phase I trials have been established worldwide and have recruited approximately 100 patients. The high heterogeneity at the genetic and molecular levels within and between AML patients resembles a black hole: a great gravitational field that sucks in everything, considering only around 30% of patients show a response but with consequential off-tumor effects. It is obvious that a new point of view is needed to achieve more promising results. This review first introduces the unique therapeutic challenges of not only CAR T cells but also other adoptive cellular therapies in AML. Next, recent single cell sequencing data for AML to assess somatically acquired alterations at the DNA, epigenetic, RNA and protein levels are discussed to give a perspective on cellular heterogeneity, intercellular hierarchies, and the cellular ecosystem. Finally, promising novel strategies are summarized, including more sophisticated next-generation CAR T, TCR-T and CAR-NK therapies; approaches to tailor the microenvironment and target neoantigens; and allogeneic approaches.
Electricity, Transportation, and Water provision on 100% Renewable Energy for Remote Areas
Authors: Torabi Roham , Gomes Álvaro Filipe , Dias Morgado
Published: April 2023

The integration of variable renewable energy sources in islands has become crucial in reducing their dependency on imported fossil fuels. This study aims to assess the energy transition of an island towards a 100% renewable energy system for power generation, inland transport, and potable water provision. Linking various fossil fuel consuming sectors, such as transport and potable water supply system, may strongly assist in reducing the possible mismatch between RES production and demand and contributing to fulfilling other system’s requirements. The use of energy storage technologies is vital and unlike traditional power systems, as the number of components in the system increases, their proper capacity needs to be accurately determined. This work employs a multi-objective optimization assessment using a modified NSGA-II algorithm to depict the energy transition for Porto Santo Island. To evaluate the solutions, we considered the main criteria of energy cost, Avoided environmental impacts (CO2 equivalent emission) of the proposed system, and energy security for 25 years. The Pareto Front contains various solutions under different system configurations. Results indicate that full inland transport electrification (introducing 3,000 EVs) can account for 18% of the avoided CO2 emissions of the island while shares 28%-40% of the up-front cost of the system. Another interesting finding from the optimization process is that the solution with the highest avoided CO2 emissions involves keeping the diesel generator for supplying 4% of the island's total demand and using a UW-CAES with a capacity of 280 MWh. This suggests that adding more installed wind turbines or PV panels may not necessarily contribute to reducing the emissions of the entire system.
The Trajectory of Depression through Disenfranchised Grief in Young Widows in Times of COVID-19: A Case Report from the Rural Population in India
Authors: Nasir Shagufta , Gimenez Llort Lydia
Published: April 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the past century's deadliest and most widespread viral outbreaks, with higher mortality rates in men than women. Disruptions in funeral rituals and customs, no social recognition of the loss, and limited social support intricate the grieving process and are linked with disenfranchised (not openly acknowledged, socially recognized, or publicly mourned) grief. Depression is also highly comorbid with complicated grief. Losing a spouse can be devastating, but more severe for women with limited or no resources, vulnerable to the patriarchal society. In the current COVID-19 era, increased uncertainty and disenfranchised grief can worsen the clinical scenario and intervention, as highlighted by the present case report of disenfranchised grief with depressive symptoms in a 30 years old woman from rural India who, after a year of her marriage, lost her husband due to COVID-19. This case study emphasizes the impact of multiple axes of disadvantages due to sociodemographic and cultural determinants that can complicate the grieving process in the current context. The bioecological model of grief recovery considered the individual features and the societal/environmental factors to postulate the appropriate intervention. Finding meaning and purpose in life, and restoration-oriented coping were successful for clinical management.
Synergistic Improvement of Flame Retardancy and Mechanical Properties of Epoxy/Benzoxazine/Aluminum Trihydrate Adhesive Composites
Authors: Sung Kyung-Soo , Kim Namil
Published: April 2023

Epoxy was blended with benzoxazine resin and aluminum trihydrate (ATH) additive to render flame retardancy while maintaining mechanical properties. The ATH was modified using three different silane coupling agents and then added to 60/40 epoxy/benzoxazine mixtures. The effect of blend compositions and surface modification on flame retardant and mechanical properties of the composites was investigated by UL94, tensile, and shear tests. Resin mixtures containing more than 40 wt% benzoxazine revealed a UL94 V-1 rating with enhanced tensile and shear strength. Upon addition of 20 wt% ATH to 60/40 epoxy/benzoxazine, a V-0 rating was achieved. The lowered tensile and adhesive properties of the composites in the presence of ATH were improved by modifying the ATH surface using silane coupling agents.
WGCNA Identifies a Comprehensive Gene Co-Expression Network Associated with Development in autotetraploid potato tissues
Authors: Li Zhimin , Wang Juan , Wang Jiayin
Published: April 2023

The formation and development of potato tissues and organs is a complex process regulated by a variety of genes and environmental factors. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying the growth and development are still unclear. In this study, we used autotetraploid potato JC14 as experimental subject to analyze the transcriptome of root, stem and leaf at seedling, tuber formation and tuber expansion stages to explore the spatio-temporal expression pattern of genes and genetic development characteristics. The results identified thousands of differentially expressed genes and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that these genes were mainly involved in defense response and carbohydrate metabolism pathways. A total of 12 co-expressed Gene modules were identified by Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA), and 4 modules were screened out with the highest correlation with potato stem developmental traits. Core genes in the network were further investigated and functionally annotated by computing the connectivity of genes within the module. The results unveiled number of hub genes in stems at different developmental stages, including carbohydrate metabolism related genes, the defense response related genes, and transcription factors. These findings provide important leads for further understanding of the molecular regulation and genetic mechanisms of potato tissue development.
Does Wolf Management in Latvia Decrease Livestock Depredation? – An Analysis of Available Data
Authors: Šuba Jurģis , Žunna Agrita , Bagrade Guna , Done Gundega , Ornicāns Aivars , Pilāte Digna , Stepanova Alda , Ozoliņš Jānis
Published: April 2023

In Latvia, livestock depredation by wolves has increased during the last two decades. Most attacks had occurred in summer and autumn within wolf hunting season. Cumulative numbers of wolf attacks and number of affected sheep per year at regional forest management units were analyzed in relation to estimated wolf density, extent of culling and proportion of juveniles, as well as sheep density and estimated number of wild prey. The response variables (cumulative number of attacks and cumulative number of affected sheep) were modelled by a negative binomial regression, testing effects of every covariate separately and building models from the significant covariates. Depredation level was related to sheep density and estimated wolf population size. No reducing effect was found for culling, and even greater depredation rate was expected at higher proportions of culled wolves. Estimated number of wild prey or proportion of juvenile wolves had an insignificant effect. However, greater numbers of affected sheep were expected at higher red deer density, suggesting increased opportunistic livestock depredation when the red deer may locally outcompete the preferred wolf prey – roe deer.
Diversity in the Nutritional Attributes of Some Moringa oleifera Lam. Cultivars from Different Geographical Origins
Authors: Ndhlala Ashwell Rungano , Tshabalala Thulani
Published: April 2023

This study aimed to assess the variations in the nutritional attributes of thirteen Moringa oleifera cultivars. Leaves from six-month-old plants were harvested and tested for various nutritional attributes. There were significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences in the carbohydrates, energy, some of the sugars and fibre amongst the cultivars. The levels of moisture in the cultivars ranged from 7.10% to 8.20%. Additionally, there were significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences across the cultivars in microelements studied except for zinc (Zn). These data revealed that plants from different geographical provenances differed in their adapting to varied environments. In general, under the same cultivation, management and environmental conditions, the main reasons for these differences occurred in cultivars could be associated with the genetic background of each M. oleifera germplasm. However, the study cautions on the differences of nutritional properties, as some of the cultivars have been reported not to be pharmacological potent.
Gut Microbial Metabolite Butyrate and its Therapeutic Role in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Recharla Neeraja , Geesala Ramasatyavini , Shi Xuan-Zheng
Published: April 2023

Intestinal commensal microbes, called the gut microbiota, play a critical role in host immune homeostasis through active microbial metabolites and innate and adaptive immune responses. Dysbiosis or imbalance of the gut microbiota composition is associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The incidence and prevalence rates of IBD have been increasing worldwide. It is well recognized that butyrate, a microbial metabolite of diet fibers, is a major energy source for colonocytes and plays a crucial role in regulating immune function and maintaining epithelial barrier function and intestinal homeostasis. Emerging evidence suggests that butyrate might be a potential therapeutic agent to treat IBD. In this review, we discuss about gut microbial metabolites, particularly butyrate, the synthesis and metabolism of butyrate, mechanisms of butyrate in immune and epithelial barrier function. Furthermore, we review the current research on various therapeutic implications of butyrate in IBD.
Assessment of the Potential to use the Expelled Heat Energy from a Typical Data Centre in Ireland for Alternative Farming Methods
Authors: Borland Peter , Harty Mary , McDonnell Kevin P.
Published: April 2023

Data centres, though a necessary part of modern society, are being stigmatised for consuming vast amounts of electricity for their operational and cooling needs. Due to Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels to meet the increased energy demand of data centres, the data centres are contributing significantly to Ireland’s total carbon emissions. As much of this energy is expelled from data centres as waste heat energy, the potential for recycling some of this wasted heat energy was explored using environmentally friendly systems from recent publications. The recovered waste heat energy was applied in a vertical farming system, and the benefits of this waste heat to the vertical farm were analysed and quantified in two scenarios. Using conservative estimates, it was predicted that each vertical farm could be between 5-23% the size of the data centre and produce enough food to feed between 14-61 adults their daily calorie needs, and between 13-58 people their daily fresh produce requirements, depending on the scenario applied. For a more accurate prediction, each vertical farm would have to be assessed on a case-by-case basis. However, there was not enough data available on Irish data centres to perform these calculations.
Effect of High Energy Ball Milling Time on the Density and Mechanical Properties of W-7%Ni-3%Fe Alloy
Authors: Nokhrin A. V. , Malekhonova N. V. , Chuvil’deev V. N. , Melekhin N. V. , Bragov A. M. , Filippov A. R. , Boldin M. S. , Lantsev E. A. , Sakharov N. V.
Published: April 2023

The present work was aimed at the investigation of effect of High Energy Ball Milling (HEBM) time on the sintering kinetics, structure, and properties of heavy tungsten alloy (HTA) W-7%Ni-3%Fe. The HTA samples were obtained from the nanopowders (20-80 nm) by conventional liquid phase sintering (LPS) in hydrogen and by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) in vacuum. The HTA density was shown to depend on the HEBM time non-monotonously that originates from the formation of non-equilibrium solid solutions in the W-Ni-Fe systems during HEBM. The SPS kinetics of the HTA nanopowders was shown to have a two-stage character, the intensity of which depends on the Coble diffusion creep rate and on the intensity of diffusion of the tungsten atoms in the crystal lattice of the -phase. The kinetics of sintering of the initial submicron powders have a single-stage character originating from the intensity of the grain boundary diffusion in the -phase. The dependencies of the hardness and of the yield strength on the grain sizes were found to obey the Hall-Petch relation. The hardness, strength, and dynamic strength in the compression tests of the fine-grained tungsten alloys obtained by SPS and LPS were studied.
Effect of Heat Treatment on Digestion and Transport Properties of Protein in Sea Cucumber Body Wall
Authors: Zhang Min , Liu Yuxin , Jin Mengling , Li Deyang , Wang Ziye , Jiang Pengfei , Zhou Dayong
Published: April 2023

This study was first time designed to investigate the effect of oxidation on protein digestion and transport properties in boiled sea cucumber body wall (BSCBW) via simulated digestion combine with everted-rat-gut-sac models. Boiling heat treatments led to protein oxidation in SCBW, manifested by increases in free radical intensity, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, carbonyl groups, disulfide bonds, dityrosine bonds, advanced glycation end products, protein hydrophobicity and aggregation, declines in free sulfhydryl group, and secondary structure transition from α-helix to β-sheet. Boiling for 2 h caused the anti-digestion collagen unfolding, provided the action site for protease, and improved the protein digestion and transport levels. On the contrary, excessive oxidative modification of 4 h-BSCBW resulted in decreased protein digestion and transport levels. From the perspective of texture, digestion and transport properties, boiling for 2 h can obtain sea cucumber products with better edible and digestible properties, which is considered to be a better processing condition.
Examining the Effect of Green Logistics and Green Human Resource Management on Sustainable Development Organizations: The Mediating Role of Sustainable Production in Environmentally Friendly Manufacturing Industries in Indonesia
Authors: Setyadi Antonius , Akbar Yunata Kandhias , Ariana Sunda , Pawirosumarto Suharno
Published: April 2023

Purpose, This research aimed to examine the effect of green logistics (GL) and green human resource management (GHRM) on the performance of environmentally friendly manufacturing industries oriented towards sustainable development of organizations (SDO) through the role of sustainable production (SP) as a mediating variable. Methodology, A quantitative approach was employed through a standardized questionnaire to obtain data from 110 manufacturing industries in Indonesia that implemented environmentally friendly practices. Advanced statistical techniques, such as Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and data analysis using Smart PLS (Partial Least Square) version 4 were utilized to analyze the collected data. Findings, The results showed that the model supported the statistical significance of all seven hypotheses and confirmed the direct and mediating effects of GL, GHRM, and SP on SDO. Practical implications, This research added critical insights into the theory and practice of GL and GHRM to realize SDO through the role of SP as a mediator in environmentally friendly manufacturing industries. Originality, This research contributd to the existing literature by adding to the effect of SP mediation on the relationship of GL and GHRM on SDO. There was no previous research that discussed the important role of SP mediation in influencing the relationship between GL and GHRM on SDO.
Numerical Modeling of the Dynamic Elastic Modulus of Concrete
Authors: Gidrão Gustavo de Miranda Saleme , Carrazedo Ricardo
Published: April 2023

This article introduces simulations of theoretical material with controlled properties for the evaluation of the effect of key parameters, as volumetric fractions, elastic properties of each phase and transition zone on the effective dynamic elastic modulus (Ed). The accuracy level of classical homogenization models was checked regarding the prediction of Ed. Numerical simulations were performed with finite element method (FEM) for evaluations of the natural frequencies and their correlation with Ed, through frequency equations. An acoustic test validated the numerical results and obtained the elastic modulus of concretes and mortars at 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7 water-cement ratios (w/c). Hirsch calibrated according to the numerical simulation (x = 0.27) exhibited a realistic behavior for concretes of w/c = 0.3 and 0.5, with 5% error. Nevertheless, for w/c = 0.7, Ed approached Reuss model, similarly to theoretical triphasic materials. Hashin-Shtrikman bounds is not perfectly applied to theoretical biphasic materials under dynamic situations.
A Tiny Viral Protein, SARS-CoV-2-ORF7b: Structural Features.
Authors: Colonna Giovanni
Published: April 2023

ORF7b-2 is an accessory protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus of only 43 amino acids. It has been implicated in various functional hypotheses, some of which predict its involvement as a trans-membrane protein. In this study, ORF7b-2 has often been compared to ORF7b-1 of the SARS virus to highlight differences and similarities with a protein that should have a similar biological role. Structural analysis of ORF7b-2 and its electrostatic characteristics show a polypeptide with both ends negatively charged and a diffuse negative charge over the entire structure. Therefore, its behavior in solution is like that of a weak negative polyelectrolyte, more precisely a polyanion with a net charge of – 4 at neutral pH. Its structure was modeled with two different modeling systems, one of which was ab initio. The two best models are similar, as confirmed by the Ramachandran plot, and show a central alpha-helical structure with two disordered and mobile ends. A normal mode analysis characterized the low-frequency dynamic aspects of the protein. The analysis of the structural shows a rigid central segment with mobile and fluctuating extremities, involved in a conformational equilibrium of the helix ↔ coil type. The calculation of the dipole moment shows its vector is not aligned with the main axis of the structure with an outward tilt of 24°. Molecular dynamics simulations were also conducted and the one in water is in good agreement with the previous results. While, the simulation performed by inserting a pre-oriented dimer (OMP) into a solvated lipid showed the low tendency of the protein to solvate in the apolar environment of the membrane. ORF7b-2 also shows a widespread distribution of negative surfaces that dynamically adjust to changes in structural organization. The BioGrid platform's [Biological General Repository for Interaction Datasets] through the BioGrid COVID-19 Coronavirus Curation Project shows a very large number of experimentally proven physical interactions unique to ORF7b-2, some of them with cytoplasmic proteins. These features of ORF7b-2, evaluated together, suggest a remarkable propensity of ORF7b-2 to interact with multiple molecular partners on both an electrostatic and hydrophobic basis. All this makes it unreasonable that the only biological function of this protein should be that exerted as an intramembrane protein.
Study on Collision Avoidance Strategies Based on Social Force Model Considering Stochastic Motion of Pedestrians in Mixed Traffic Scenario
Authors: Zhang Yan , Shen Xun , Raksincharoensak Pongsathorn
Published: April 2023

In typical traffic scenarios where there are no clear separations between the traffic participants, such as mixed traffic or shared space, vehicles and pedestrians are usually moving in the same time so that ego vehicle may need to face with multiple pedestrians in a relatively short interaction distance. Considering the stochastic motion of pedestrians and to balance the time consumption and safety during passing process, this paper proposes two strategies of collision avoidance (CA) for ego vehicle, which are based on model predictive control (MPC) and social force model (SFM). Besides, a modified SFM-based pedestrian model that considers the stochastic motion is given to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed strategies. For MPC-based CA strategy, considering the unpredictable motion of the pedestrians, a novel speed re-planning layer combined with collision probability estimation, which is used to calculate an acceptable maximum safe speed for ego vehicle, is proposed. On the other hand, parameters associated with the SFM-based vehicle model are re-calibrated by particle swarm optimization (PSO) and the calibration process has been analyzed physically in details. The recommended values based on different initial interaction speed and distance of vehicle and pedestrians are also determined for further reference as useful findings from the analysis.
Body Stiffness Control for Using Body-Environment Interaction with a Closed-Link Deformable Mobile Robot
Authors: Sueoka Yuichiro , Takebe Naoto , Sugimoto Yasuhiro , Osuka Koichi
Published: April 2023

It is necessary for the robot to use interactions from the environment through the body in order to adaptively move through various environments. When the robot is faced with a narrow path or a space with many pillars, it should be able to use its interaction with the environment to thin its own shape, i.e., it should have a flexible body. In contrast, in the case where we want the robot to move forward powerfully on a slope or uneven terrain (small steps), it is preferable for the robot to rigidify its own body and exert a strong propulsive force in response to interactions from the environment. In this paper, we present an idea of a mobile robot that can adjust its body flexibility (stiffness) to realize such adaptive behavior, and furthermore, we demonstrate its validity through experiments. Specifically, we propose a closed-link deformable mobile robot whose stiffness can be adjusted by indirectly driving joints. We design a function that increases the stiffness of the body by controlling the joints to follow the target angle quickly, and a function that decreases the stiffness of the body by controlling the joints to follow the angle slowly. The effectiveness of a robot that can adjust its stiffness is demonstrated through experiments of traversing narrow paths and steps. We also discuss propulsion control that takes advantage of the deformable mobile robot and its applicability to uneven slopes due to the flexibility of the links.
Optimal Clustering of Point Cloud by 2D-LiDAR Using Kalman Filter
Authors: Shen Shuncong , Saito Mai , Uzawa Yuka , Ito Toshio
Published: April 2023

Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) has been the primary sensor for autonomous mobility and navigation system owing to its stability. Although multiple-channel LiDAR (3D-LiDAR) can obtain dense point clouds that provide optimal performance for several tasks, the application scope is limited by its high-cost. When employing single channel LiDAR (2D-LiDAR) as a low-cost alternative, the quantity and quality of the point cloud cause conventional methods to perform poorly in clustering and tracking tasks. In particular, when handling multiple pedestrian scenarios, the point cloud is not distinguished and clustering is unable to succeed. Hence, we propose an optimized clustering method combined with a Kalman filter (KF) for simultaneous clustering and tracking applicable to 2D-LiDAR.
GPU-Accelerated 3D Normal Distributions Transform
Authors: Nguyen Anh , Cano Abraham Monrroy , Edahiro Masato , Kato Shinpei
Published: April 2023

The three-dimensional (3D) normal distributions transform (NDT) is a popular scan registration method for 3D point cloud datasets. It has been widely used in sensor-based localization and mapping applications. However, the NDT cannot entirely utilize the computing power of modern many-core processors, such as graphics processing units (GPUs), because of the NDT’s linear nature. In this study, we investigated the use of NVIDIA’s GPUs and their programming platform called compute unified device architecture (CUDA) to accelerate the NDT algorithm. We proposed a design and implementation of our GPU-accelerated 3D NDT (GPU NDT). Our methods can achieve a speedup rate of up to 34 times, compared with the NDT implemented in the point cloud library (PCL).
Vision-Based Robot Arm Control Interface for Retrieving Objects from the Floor
Authors: Yang Laijun , Sakamoto Ryota , Kato Norihiko , Yano Ken’ichi
Published: April 2023

Approximately half of the patients with spinal cord injuries in Japan have a cervical spinal cord injury. Owing to the trunk dysfunction, patients with high-level spinal cord injuries have particular difficulty when searching for or picking up objects from the floor. Recently, welfare robot arms have been developed to help such individuals increase self-reliance. In this study, we propose an operating system that includes an eye-in-hand system with a touchscreen interface for grasping objects from the floor and delivering them to the individual. In the proposed method, the visual information of the target object is shown on a touchscreen interface. The patient specifies the target position for the robot arm by drawing a line on the target object on the interface. We conducted an experiment to compare the proposed interface with an on-screen joystick to demonstrate the proposed system’s efficiency and its ability to reduce physical burden. The results show that the proposed method is both quicker to use and effectively reduces the physical burden on the user compared to the conventional method.
The Effect of Instrumental and Normative Factors on Police Empowerment: A multigroup analysis of police patrol witness experience
Authors:   Korean Association of Public Safety and Criminal Justice, Cho Young il , Jeon Jun Ha
Published: April 2023

Therefore, in this study, citizens' willingness to give the police a wider range of discretion in the performance of police work was defined as the concept of 'police empowerment'. Based on previous studies, we will examine the effects of the police effectiveness and the certainty of punishment included in instrumental factors, and police trust and obligation to obey included in expressive factors on police empowerment. In addition, we tried to verify the difference in the relationship between each predictor and police empowerment according to the presence or absence of patrol witness experience in the exploratory context through a multi-group analysis.
As a result of the analysis, police empowerment increased statistically significantly when police trust and compliance obligations increased in the group with experience of patrol witness. On the other hand, police empowerment increased statistically significantly when police trust increased in groups with absence of patrol witness experience. These results showed that police trust exists is a strong variable predicting police empowerment, and result of multi-group analysis suggests that obligation to obey differ between the two groups in the path of explaining police empowerment depending on the presence or absence of patrol witness experience. Also, regarding the mixed results of previous studies on the relationship between police effectiveness and police empowerment, In this study, it was found that the path through which police effectiveness explains police empowerment was not statistically significant in both groups. Based on generalizing the relationship between police empowerment and other variables, which are not well handled in Korea, and conducting a multi-group analysis based on patrol sighting experience in an exploratory context, this study is meaningful in that it has expanded the field of research in Korean police science.
A Study for the Revision of Private Security Law based on the Perceptions of Police Practitioners
Authors:   Korean Association of Public Safety and Criminal Justice, Cho Joon Tag
Published: April 2023

This study seeks improvement measures by examining the perceptions and opinions of practitioners in charge of private security management regarding the revision of the Private Security Law. With regard to the field of collective civil complaints, the practitioners recognized that the current private security regulations through the Private Security Law need to be strengthened and the relevant regulations need to be revised. In addition, there are regulations on the appointment of security instructors who are to guide and supervise security guards, but regulations on reporting and subsequent procedures are insufficient, requiring further legislations. Furthermore, practitioners recognized that it was necessary to prepare a legal basis for education for private security business executives regarding the problems and improvement of the private security management system. Meanwhile, practitioners suggested that deregulation is necessary for minor violations of the Private Security Law, such as failure to report abolition of security guard assignments and failure to report changes in permission, as the current amount and standards for negligence are too high. In addition, it was suggested that the current regulations need to be deregulated in the case of reporting changes to the Articles of Incorporation. Regarding the application of the Private Security Law and the Apartment Housing Management Act, practitioners recognized the gap between the regulations and the reality and insisted that the employment of security guards should not be deteriorated by the application of Private Security Law strictly.
The Effects of Riot Police Officers’ Experience of Violence Damage on Turnover Intention: Focusing on the Moderating Effect of Social Support
Authors:   Korean Association of Public Safety and Criminal Justice, Kim Taehyung , Jung Jaehoon , Aum Yoojin
Published: April 2023

As the number of demonstrations mobilized by police is expected to increase after the COVID-19 complaint, the experience of riot police officers in the process of managing and responding to demonstrations is expected to increase. While previous studies have verified the impact of violent experiences on the intention of leaving work, the number of demonstrations and corresponding violent experiences of riot police officers is expected to increase. The mandatory police system was completely abolished in 2023, and police riot police are in the process of replacing it, but the number of mobile police officers who replace compulsory police is very short of 30 percent. In this situation, it will be difficult to effectively accomplish the task of establishing an advanced rally demonstration culture where law and principles are observed if existing or new police officers break away from their duties.
Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of violent police experience on the intention to leave work, to analyze whether social support for mobile police has the effect of adjusting the relationship between violent police experience and intention to leave work. Accordingly, 829 people who said they had experienced violence in a survey of riot police officers belonging to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in 2021 were used for analysis. The analysis revealed that the experience of riot police officers has a positive effect on their intention to leave the job, and that social support has the effect of controlling the relationship between the experience of riot police officers and intention to leave the job. Based on the results of these studies, they presented policy recommendations to prevent and manage the intention of mobile police officers to leave their jobs.
Improving the Red-Black tree delete algorithm
Authors: ZEGOUR Djamel Eddine
Published: April 2023

Today, Red-Black trees are becoming a popular data structure typically used to implement dictionaries,
associative arrays, symbol tables within some compilers (C++, Java …) and many other systems. In
this paper, we present an improvement of the delete algorithm of this kind of binary search tree. The
suggested algorithm appears to be promising as it gives the tree a different coloring while reducing the
number of color changes and maintenance operations by a factor of roughly 29% and 11%,
respectively. The new coloring favors the presence of red nodes and therefore speeds up the deletion
operation. It also saves about 4 % on running time when insert and delete operations are used together
while conserving search performance of the standard algorithm.
Storage in the deep aquifer: stochastic process in time and frequency domain using groundwater level response to seismic activation of the earthquake, Tohoku, Japan, 2001
Authors: Shih David Ching-Fang
Published: April 2023

Groundwater is a vital water resource in the world. The storage in an aquifer is a capability of water volume that can release from or take into the aquifer. This study represents an efficient process to determine the groundwater storage in the deep aquifer near the Western Pacific Ocean using the Tohoku earthquake activity (2011), Japan. Groundwater levels in monitoring wells responded to seismic activity have been demonstrated. Estimating the time-dependent groundwater head and seismological displacement spectra, the period varied between 21.3 s to 32 s of Rayleigh waves propagating from the epicenter to the receiving stations. It addresses the storage coefficient of a deep and confined aquifer in the order of 10-5 to 10-3 regarding the storage property of subsurface hydrology in the studied sites. Practically, estimating groundwater storage in the deep aquifer by earthquake activity becomes achievable.
Selective interaction of some glyconanoparticles with stomach and intestine cancer cells
Authors: Gasparyan Vardan K , Khachatryan Parandzem S. , Badalyan Shahen S.
Published: April 2023

Spherical nanoparticles of silver were sensitized by glucose, lactose, dextran, and chitosan. Interactions of these nanoparticles with normal and cancerous tissues of the stomach and the intestine were studied. It was shown that nanoparticles sensitized with lactose interact selectively with cancer cells of the intestine, whereas glucose or dextran-sensitized nanoparticles interact selectively with stomach cancer cells. However, it should be noted that all of these nanoparticles interact to some extent with normal cells, also. Such nanoparticles loaded with anti-cancer drugs may be applied for selective action to these cancer cells
Variation of the Genes Encoding Antioxidant Enzymes SOD2 (rs4880), GPX1 (rs1050450) and CAT (rs1001179) and Susceptibility to Male Infertility: A Genetic Association Study and in silico Analysis
Authors: Fallah Fatemeh , Colagar Abasalt Hosseinzadeh , Saleh Hayder Abdulhadi , Ranjbar Mojtaba
Published: April 2023

Enzymatic factors including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and catalase (CAT) are among the most important protective antioxidant systems in human semen. This study was conducted to investigate the association between the activity of the mentioned enzymes in semen and also the association betweenSOD2rs4880,GPX1rs1050450, andCATrs1001179 polymorphisms with male infertility, which was followed by a bioinformatics approach. In a case-control study, 223 infertile men and 154 healthy fertile men were included in the study. After extracting genomic DNA from semen samples, the genotype of rs1001179, rs1050450, and rs4880 polymorphisms was determined using the PCR-RFLP. Next, the activities of SOD, CAT, and GPX enzymes were also measured in semen. Bioinformatics software was used to investigate the effect of polymorphisms on the function of genes. Data analysis indicated that rs1001179 polymorphisms were not associated with male infertility. But our data revealed that the rs1050450 polymorphism is associated with a reduced risk of male infertility as well as asthenozoospermia and teratozoospermia. In addition, rs4880 polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of male infertility as well as teratozoospermia. Further analysis showed that the activity of the CAT enzyme in the infertile group is significantly higher than in the fertile group, but the activity of GPX and SOD enzymes in the infertile group is significantly lower than in the fertile group. Bioinformatic analysis showed that rs1001179 polymorphism affects the transcription factors binding site upstream of the gene, while rs1050450 and rs4880 polymorphisms had an essential role in protein structure and function. On the other hand, rs1050450 (T allele) was exposed to a reduced risk of male infertility and may be a protective factor. AndSOD2rs4880 (C allele) is associated with an increased risk of male infertility and it is considered a risk factor for male infertility. To reach accurate results, we recommend that the study of SOD2 rs4880 and GPX1 rs1050450 polymorphism effects in the different populations with a larger sample size and meta-analysis are needed.
Digital Twin of Micro-Milling Process for Micro-Tool Wear Monitoring
Authors: Christiand Christiand , Kiswanto Gandjar , Baskoro Ario Sunar
Published: April 2023

This paper presents a novel digital twin of the micro-milling process that can indirectly monitor the micro-tool wear progression by making inferences from the real-time and simulated variables of the micro-milling process. With its wear monitoring service, the digital twin is regarded as the new approach in the field of tool wear monitoring (TWM) systems. The dynamics of the micro-milling process are simulated by using physics-based models, such as spindle motor, spindle controller, and cutting torque models with real-time data from the actual micro-milling machine. The advantage of the proposed digital twin is that the wear monitoring can adaptively adjust to the main machining parameters, such as feed rate and spindle speed. Therefore, exhaustive training of the models is not needed whenever the machining parameters change. The performance of the digital twin in monitoring the wear progression has been evaluated through several slot micro-milling experiments of the stainless steel workpiece. The evaluation and analysis of the experiment result concluded that the proposed digital twin could detect wear progression abnormality by using the estimate discrepancy. Furthermore, the wear severity could be recognized using the final wear estimation value.
Assessment of Medical Students’ Knowledge and Capabilities to Provide Preventive Care: a Cross- Sectional Study in Casablanca, Morocco
Authors: Fatima-Ezzahraa WAFQUI , Oumnia BOUADDI , Ghita Wissad , Bennaceur Benali
Published: April 2023

Background:Eighty percent of deaths in Morocco are attributable to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and the estimated shortage in Moroccan healthcare workforce is below the WHO recommended limit. It is therefore crucial to prepare future physicians to meet national health priorities and respond to the high burden of NCDs. Our aim was to evaluate the perceptions of medical students on prevention and the areas of preventive medicine.Methods:A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 5thyear medical students at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy in Casablanca. Participants were invited to complete an anonymous pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire at the end of the 2020/2021 academic year. A hundred and twenty-three 5thyear medical students were included in the study.Results:Fifty-five percent of students considered their knowledge in the field prevention to be average and 38% considered it to be insufficient. Around 70% of students felt that their knowledge about hypertension screening and the prevention of sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) was good. However, 68% of participants felt that their knowledge about family planning was poor. Furthermore, 95% of the students declared having a high interest in prevention and 76% consider it to be very important in the training of general practitioners. However, only 52% felt capable of providing prevention advice to their patients.Conclusions: Our study revealed the need for more in-depth investigations regarding prevention in medical education and highlighted the need to strengthen medical students’ knowledge and capabilities in delivering preventive services to their patients.
BMSC reduces ROS and inflammation levels by inhibiting TLR4/MYD88/NF-κB signaling axis to alleviate dry eye
Authors: Zhao Dandan , Zhao Hongxia , He Yang , Zhang Meixia
Published: April 2023

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on dry eye mice, and to investigate the mechanism of TLR4/MYD88/NF-κB signaling pathway on corneal injury repair in dry eye mice.
Methods To establish a hypertonic dry eye cell model. Western blot for measureing the protein expressions of caspase-1, IL-1β，NLRP3 and ASC，and Rt-qpcr for mRNA expression. Flow cytometry for detecting the ROS content and apoptosis rate. CCK-8 for detecting the proliferation activity of cells, and ELISA for the levels of inflammation-related factors.The levels of inflammation-related factors were detected by ELISA. The dry eye mouse model of benzalkonium chloride was established. Three clinical parameters used to evaluate ocular surface damage, namely tear secretion, tear film rupture time and corneal sodium fluorescein staining, were measured with phenol cotton thread. Flow cytometry and TUNEL staining are both for he apoptosis rate. Western blot also for detecting the protein expressions of TLR4, MYD88, NF-κB, inflammation-related factors and apoptosis-related factors . The pathological changes were evaluated by HE and PAS staining.
Results In vitro, BMSCs and inhibitors of TLR4, MYD88 and NF-κB showed decreased ROS content, decreased inflammatory factor protein level, decreased apoptotic protein level and increased mRNA expression compared with NaCl group. BMSCS partially reversed cell apoptosis induced by NaCl and improved cell proliferation. In vivo, it reduces corneal epithelial defects, goblet cell loss and inflammatory cytokine production, and increases tear production. In vitro, BMSC and inhibitors of TLR4, MYD88 and NF-κB could protect mice from apoptosis induced by hypertonic stress. In terms of mechanism, NACL-induced NLRP3 inflammasome formation, caspase-1 activation and IL-1β maturation can be inhibited.
Conclusion BMSCs treatment can reduce ROS and inflammation levels and alleviate dry eye by inhibiting TLR4/MYD88/NF-κBsignaling pathway.