bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complete patient exposure during paediatric brain cancer treatment for photon and proton therapy techniques including imaging procedures
Authors: De Saint-Hubert Marijke , Boissonnat Guillaume , Schneider Uwe , Bäumer Christian , Verbeek Nico , Esser Johannes , Wulff Jörg , Stuckmann Florian , Suesselbeck Finja , Nabha Racell , Dabin Jérémie , Vasi Fabiano , Radonic Stephan , Rodriguez Miguel , Simon Anne Catherine , Journy Neige , Timmermann Beate , Thierry-Chef Isabelle , Brualla Lorenzo
Published: September 2023

Background

In radiotherapy, especially when treating children, minimising exposure of healthy tissue can prevent the development of adverse outcomes, including second cancers. In this study we propose a validated Monte Carlo framework to evaluate the complete patient exposure during paediatric brain cancer treatment.

Materials and methods

Organ doses were calculated for treatment of a diffuse midline glioma (50.4 Gy with 1.8 Gy per fraction) on a 5-year-old anthropomorphic phantom with 3D-conformal radiotherapy, intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and intensity modulated pencil beam scanning (PBS) proton therapy. Doses from computed tomography (CT) for planning and on-board imaging for positioning (kV-cone beam CT and X-ray imaging) accounted for the estimate of the exposure of the patient including imaging therapeutic dose. For dose calculations we used validated Monte Carlo-based tools (PRIMO, TOPAS, PENELOPE), while lifetime attributable risk (LAR) was estimated from dose-response relationships for cancer induction, proposed by Schneider et al.

Results

Out-of-field organ dose equivalent data of proton therapy are lower, with doses between 0.6 mSv (testes) and 120 mSv (thyroid), when compared to photon therapy revealing the highest out-of-field doses for IMRT ranging between 43 mSv (testes) and 575 mSv (thyroid). Dose delivered by CT ranged between 0.01 mSv (testes) and 72 mSv (scapula) while a single imaging positioning ranged between 2 μSv (testes) and 1.3 mSv (thyroid) for CBCT and 0.03 μSv (testes) and 48 μSv (scapula) for X-ray. Adding imaging dose from CT and daily CBCT to the therapeutic demonstrated an important contribution of imaging to the overall radiation burden in the course of treatment, which is subsequently used to predict the LAR, for selected organs.

Conclusion

The complete patient exposure during paediatric brain cancer treatment was estimated by combining the results from different Monte Carlo-based dosimetry tools, showing that proton therapy allows significant reduction of the out-of-field doses and secondary cancer risk in selected organs.
Clinical and pathological factors and outcome of central nervous system metastasis in breast cancer
Authors: Dettwiler Dimitri , Chiru Elena-Diana , Daetwyler Eveline , Dougoud-Chauvin Vérène , Gross Markus W. , Kurzeder Christian , Zippelius Alfred , Schötzau Andreas , Vetter Marcus
Published: September 2023

Background

In Switzerland, approximately 6000 new breast cancer cases and 1300 deaths are reported annually. Brain metastasis from breast cancer (BMBC) has a major effect on prognosis. This study aimed to identify prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) in a cohort of Swiss patients with BMBC. This study evaluated the prognosis on older BMBC, which has not been completely addressed in the literature.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review analysis with the primary endpoint of OS after a diagnosis of BMBC. The study population was divided into 2 groups based on an OS cut-off value of 12 months after diagnosis. Univariate and multivariate analyses of several risk factors, including age, were performed. To evaluate differences in OS according to age, we performed a secondary analysis to examine the prognostic value of clinical symptoms, metastatic pattern, and lymph node involvement in an older (≥65 years) vs. younger (<65 years) cohort.

Results

From 1989 to 2019, 55 patients were identified as having BMBC, among whom 47 patients were confirmed to be dead. The median patient age was 58 years (range 25–83 years). Comorbidities were present in 45 (81.8%) patients. The median survival in the OS <12 and OS ≥12 months groups was 4.3 and 30.7 months, respectively (p<0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed no significant differences in terms of comorbidities, medication use, M-stage, and symptomatology between the 2 groups. Additionally, there was no significant difference in OS in the 2 subgroups of patients aged <65 and ≥65 years.

Discussion

We concluded that age should not be a decisive factor in therapy planning for advanced breast cancer patients with BMBC.
Ocular development after highly effective modulator treatment early in life
Authors: Zhu Yimin , Li Danni , Reyes-Ortega Felisa , Chinnery Holly R. , Schneider-Futschik Elena K.
Published: September 2023

Highly effective cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator therapies (HEMT), including elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor, correct the underlying molecular defect causing CF. HEMT decreases general symptom burden by improving clinical metrics and quality of life for most people with CF (PwCF) with eligible CFTR variants. This has resulted in more pregnancies in women living with CF. All HEMT are known to be able pass through the placenta and into breast milk in mothers who continue on this therapy while pregnant and breast feeding. Toxicity studies of HEMT in young rats demonstrated infant cataracts, and case reports have reported the presence of congenital cataracts in early life exposure to HEMT. This article reviews the evidence for how HEMT influences the dynamic and interdependent processes of healthy and abnormal lens development in the context of HEMT exposure during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and raises questions that remain unanswered.
Mental and physiological wellbeing while rowing across the North Atlantic: a single-case study of subjective versus objective data
Authors: Zeiner Klaus , Dabiri Babak , Burns Ciara , Kummer Lena , Kaniusas Eugenijus
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Unassisted rowing across the Atlantic Ocean is an extreme undertaking challenging the human body in every possible way. The reported rowing journey lasted for 42 days in a small vessel with 12 rowers, each rowing for 12 h a day, broken into 3 h shifts. This schedule disrupts the natural circadian cycle and autonomic balance, affecting subjective and objective wellbeing and sleep quality, that lack continuous empirical quantification.

Methods: With a self-reported questionnaire and objective heart rate variability measurements every second day in a single female rower, we monitor evolutions of the subjective sleep quality and mental wellbeing as well as autonomic body control over the journey duration. We evaluate the hypothesis that extreme rowing impairs subjective and objective data in a similar way over time and that 3 h shifts diminish the circadian rhythm of the autonomic body control.

Results: The sleep quality was mainly influenced by wake ups during sleep, while mental wellbeing was predominantly influenced by physical exhaustion. The perceived sleep quality and wellbeing dropped 2–3 days after the start with the rower not yet accommodated, in the middle of the journey with major wake ups, and again 5–6 days prior to the end with major exhaustion of the participant. Evolutions of the subjective perceptions diverge from that of the heart rate variability. The body’s autonomic recovery during short sleep periods progressively decreases over the journey duration while the vagal activity rises and the sympathovagal balance shifts towards vagal tone. The shifts of 3 h weaken the circadian rhythm of the heart rate variability.

Discussion: Our results demonstrate how human body meets extreme mental and physical exhaustion on the high seas. The gained physiological and psychological insights also offer a basis for effective preparation of undertakings involving extreme physical exhaustion and sleep deprivation.
Genome-wide analysis of the U-box E3 ubiquitin ligase family role in drought tolerance in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)
Authors: Cao Hengchun , Tian Qiuzhen , Ju Ming , Duan Yinghui , Li Guiting , Ma Qin , Zhang Haiyang , Zhang Xianmei , Miao Hongmei
Published: September 2023

Plant U-box (PUB) proteins belong to a class of ubiquitin ligases essential in various biological processes. Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an important and worldwide cultivated oilseed crop. However few studies have been conducted to explore the role of PUBs in drought tolerance in sesame. This study identified a total of 56 members of the sesame PUB family (SiPUB) genes distributed unevenly across all 13 chromosomes. Based on phylogenetic analysis, all 56 SiPUB genes were classified into six groups with various structures and motifs. Cis-acting element analysis suggested that the SiPUB genes are involved in response to various stresses including drought. Based on RNA-seq analysis and quantitative real-time PCR, we identified nine SiPUB genes with significantly different expression profiles under drought stress. The expression patterns of six SiPUB genes in root, leaf and stem tissues corroborated the reliability of the RNA-seq datasets. These findings underscore the importance of SiPUB genes in enhancing drought tolerance in sesame plants. Our study provides novel insights into the evolutionary patterns and variations of PUB genes in sesame and lays the foundation for comprehending the functional characteristics of SiPUB genes under drought-induced stress conditions.
The Montreal model: an integrative biomedical-psychedelic approach to ketamine for severe treatment-resistant depression
Authors: Garel Nicolas , Drury Jessica , Thibault Lévesque Julien , Goyette Nathalie , Lehmann Alexandre , Looper Karl , Erritzoe David , Dames Shannon , Turecki Gustavo , Rej Soham , Richard-Devantoy Stephane , Greenway Kyle T.
Published: September 2023

Background

Subanesthetic ketamine has accumulated meta-analytic evidence for rapid antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depression (TRD), resulting in both excitement and debate. Many unanswered questions surround ketamine’s mechanisms of action and its integration into real-world psychiatric care, resulting in diverse utilizations that variously resemble electroconvulsive therapy, conventional antidepressants, or serotonergic psychedelics. There is thus an unmet need for clinical approaches to ketamine that are tailored to its unique therapeutic properties.

Methods

This article presents the Montreal model, a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach to ketamine for severe TRD refined over 6 years in public healthcare settings. To contextualize its development, we review the evidence for ketamine as a biomedical and as a psychedelic treatment of depression, emphasizing each perspectives’ strengths, weaknesses, and distinct methods of utilization. We then describe the key clinical experiences and research findings that shaped the model’s various components, which are presented in detail.

Results

The Montreal model, as implemented in a recent randomized clinical trial, aims to synergistically pair ketamine infusions with conventional and psychedelic biopsychosocial care. Ketamine is broadly conceptualized as a brief intervention that can produce windows of opportunity for enhanced psychiatric care, as well as powerful occasions for psychological growth. The model combines structured psychiatric care and concomitant psychotherapy with six ketamine infusions, administered with psychedelic-inspired nonpharmacological adjuncts including rolling preparative and integrative psychological support.

Discussion

Our integrative model aims to bridge the biomedical-psychedelic divide to offer a feasible, flexible, and standardized approach to ketamine for TRD. Our learnings from developing and implementing this psychedelic-inspired model for severe, real-world patients in two academic hospitals may offer valuable insights for the ongoing roll-out of a range of psychedelic therapies. Further research is needed to assess the Montreal model’s effectiveness and hypothesized psychological mechanisms.
What’s next for computational systems biology?
Authors: Voit Eberhard O. , Shah Ashti M. , Olivença Daniel , Vodovotz Yoram
Published: September 2023

Largely unknown just a few decades ago, computational systems biology is now a central methodology for biological and medical research. This amazing ascent raises the question of what the community should do next. The article outlines our personal vision for the future of computational systems biology, suggesting the need to address both mindsets and methodologies. We present this vision by focusing on current and anticipated research goals, the development of strong computational tools, likely prominent applications, education of the next-generation of scientists, and outreach to the public. In our opinion, two classes of broad research goals have emerged in recent years and will guide future efforts. The first goal targets computational models of increasing size and complexity, aimed at solving emerging health-related challenges, such as realistic whole-cell and organ models, disease simulators and digital twins, in silico clinical trials, and clinically translational applications in the context of therapeutic drug development. Such large models will also lead us toward solutions to pressing issues in agriculture and environmental sustainability, including sufficient food availability and life in changing habitats. The second goal is a deep understanding of the essence of system designs and strategies with which nature solves problems. This understanding will help us explain observed biological structures and guide forays into synthetic biological systems. Regarding effective methodologies, we suggest efforts toward automated data pipelines from raw biomedical data all the way to spatiotemporal mechanistic model. These will be supported by dynamic methods of statistics, machine learning, artificial intelligence and streamlined strategies of dynamic model design, striking a fine balance between modeling realistic complexity and abstracted simplicity. Finally, we suggest the need for a concerted, community-wide emphasis on effective education in systems biology, implemented as a combination of formal instruction and hands-on mentoring. The educational efforts should furthermore be extended toward the public through books, blogs, social media, and interactive networking opportunities, with the ultimate goal of training in state-of-the-art technology while recapturing the lost art of synthesis.
Interplay of Digital Proximity App Use and SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Uptake in Switzerland: Analysis of Two Population-Based Cohort Studies
Authors: Daniore Paola , Moser André , Höglinger Marc , Probst Hensch Nicole , Imboden Medea , Vermes Thomas , Keidel Dirk , Bochud Murielle , Ortega Herrero Natalia , Baggio Stéphanie , Chocano-Bedoya Patricia , Rodondi Nicolas , Tancredi Stefano , Wagner Cornelia , Cullati Stéphane , Stringhini Silvia , Gonseth Nusslé Semira , Veys-Takeuchi Caroline , Zuppinger Claire , Harju Erika , Michel Gisela , Frank Irène , Kahlert Christian R. , Albanese Emiliano , Crivelli Luca , Levati Sara , Amati Rebecca , Kaufmann Marco , Geigges Marco , Ballouz Tala , Frei Anja , Fehr Jan , von Wyl Viktor
Published: September 2023

Objectives: Our study aims to evaluate developments in vaccine uptake and digital proximity tracing app use in a localized context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Methods: We report findings from two population-based longitudinal cohorts in Switzerland from January to December 2021. Failure time analyses and Cox proportional hazards regression models were conducted to assess vaccine uptake and digital proximity tracing app (SwissCovid) uninstalling outcomes.

Results: We observed a dichotomy of individuals who did not use the SwissCovid app and did not get vaccinated, and who used the SwissCovid app and got vaccinated during the study period. Increased vaccine uptake was observed with SwissCovid app use (aHR, 1.51; 95% CI: 1.40–1.62 [CI-DFU]; aHR, 1.79; 95% CI: 1.62–1.99 [CSM]) compared to SwissCovid app non-use. Decreased SwissCovid uninstallation risk was observed for participants who got vaccinated (aHR, 0.55; 95% CI: 0.38–0.81 [CI-DFU]; aHR, 0.45; 95% CI: 0.27–0.78 [CSM]) compared to participants who did not get vaccinated.

Conclusion: In evolving epidemic contexts, these findings underscore the need for communication strategies as well as flexible digital proximity tracing app adjustments that accommodate different preventive measures and their anticipated interactions.
Neural Network Based Approach to Recognition of Meteor Tracks in the Mini-EUSO Telescope Data
Authors: Zotov Mikhail , Anzhiganov Dmitry , Kryazhenkov Aleksandr , Barghini Dario , Battisti Matteo , Belov Alexander , Bertaina Mario , Bianciotto Marta , Bisconti Francesca , Blaksley Carl , Blin Sylvie , Cambiè Giorgio , Capel Francesca , Casolino Marco , Ebisuzaki Toshikazu , Eser Johannes , Fenu Francesco , Franceschi Massimo , Golzio Alessio , Gorodetzky Philippe , Kajino Fumiyoshi , Kasuga Hiroshi , Klimov Pavel , Manfrin Massimiliano , Marcelli Laura , Miyamoto Hiroko , Murashov Alexey , Napolitano Tommaso , Ohmori Hiroshi , Olinto Angela , Parizot Etienne , Picozza Piergiorgio , Piotrowski Lech , Plebaniak Zbigniew , Prévôt Guillaume , Reali Enzo , Ricci Marco , Romoli Giulia , Sakaki Naoto , Shinozaki Kenji , De La Taille Christophe , Takizawa Yoshiyuki , Vrábel Michal , Wiencke Lawrence
Published: September 2023

Mini-EUSO is a wide-angle fluorescence telescope that registers ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the nocturnal atmosphere of Earth from the International Space Station. Meteors are among multiple phenomena that manifest themselves not only in the visible range but also in the UV. We present two simple artificial neural networks that allow for recognizing meteor signals in the Mini-EUSO data with high accuracy in terms of a binary classification problem. We expect that similar architectures can be effectively used for signal recognition in other fluorescence telescopes, regardless of the nature of the signal. Due to their simplicity, the networks can be implemented in onboard electronics of future orbital or balloon experiments.
Effect of Planting Density on the Nutritional Quality of Grain in Representative High-Yielding Maize Varieties from Different Eras
Authors: Wang Fugui , Wang Liqing , Yu Xiaofang , Gao Julin , Ma Daling , Guo Huaihuai , Zhao Hui
Published: September 2023

Maize is essential in ensuring food security in China as a primary food and feed crop. One of the main ways to increase yield in maize production systems is to increase planting density as appropriate. Clarifying the relationship between planting density and grain nutritional quality can provide theoretical guidance for high-yielding high-quality maize cultivation and management practices. To this end, five representative high-yielding maize varieties from the 1970s to the 2010s in China were used as experimental material, and two planting densities of 45,000 plants hm−2 and 105,000 plants hm−2 were set to analyze the changing patterns of yield traits and grain nutrient quality of maize varieties in different eras, as well as their responses to densification conditions. The results showed that, under low-density conditions, the grain nutrient quality components of the 2010s’ variety (DH618) were all different 75 days after anthesis compared with the 1970s’–2000s’ varieties and yields also significantly increased by 11.15% to 19.18% (p < 0.05). The increase in planting density led to a rise in total grain starch and soluble sugar content 75 days post-anthesis in all varieties from the 1970s to the 2010s, with increases of 0.65–1.65% and 39.44–69.01%, and a decrease in crude grain protein and crude fat content, with reductions of 4.15–8.50% and 3.00–11.18%. The increase in total grain starch content 75 days post-anthesis was mainly due to the rise in grain starch accumulation between 23 and 47 days post-anthesis in the 1970s’–2010s’ varieties, with an increase of 7.72–9.19% in all varieties. The higher accumulation of crude fat and soluble sugar in the 0–23 days post-anthesis period also contributed to the increase in total starch accumulation in the 23–47 days post-anthesis period. Ultimately, densification conditions also contributed to a significant increase in yield across all eras of the varieties based on changes in grain nutritional quality, with a more significant increase in yield due to densification and a smaller decrease in grain crude fat content due to densification 75 days after anthesis in the 2010s’ variety (DH618). Therefore, in cultivation and production processes that do not have specific requirements for the nutritional quality components of maize grain, we suggest that the use of a representative high-yielding maize variety (DH618) from the 2010s, together with appropriate planting at close planting distances, can significantly increase maize yields based on an increase in the total starch content of the grain at physiological maturity.
Detection and Localization of Tea Bud Based on Improved YOLOv5s and 3D Point Cloud Processing
Authors: Zhu Lixue , Zhang Zhihao , Lin Guichao , Chen Pinlan , Li Xiaomin , Zhang Shiang
Published: September 2023

Currently, the detection and localization of tea buds within the unstructured tea plantation environment are greatly challenged due to their small size, significant morphological and growth height variations, and dense spatial distribution. To solve this problem, this study applies an enhanced version of the YOLOv5 algorithm for tea bud detection in a wide field of view. Also, small-size tea bud localization based on 3D point cloud technology is used to facilitate the detection of tea buds and the identification of picking points for a renowned tea-picking robot. To enhance the YOLOv5 network, the Efficient Channel Attention Network (ECANet) module and Bi-directional Feature Pyramid Network (BiFPN) are incorporated. After acquiring the 3D point cloud for the region of interest in the detection results, the 3D point cloud of the tea bud is extracted using the DBSCAN clustering algorithm to determine the 3D coordinates of the tea bud picking points. Principal component analysis is then utilized to fit the minimum outer cuboid to the 3D point cloud of tea buds, thereby solving for the 3D coordinates of the picking points. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, an experiment is conducted using a collected tea image test set, resulting in a detection precision of 94.4% and a recall rate of 90.38%. Additionally, a field experiment is conducted in a tea experimental field to assess localization accuracy, with mean absolute errors of 3.159 mm, 6.918 mm, and 7.185 mm observed in the x, y, and z directions, respectively. The average time consumed for detection and localization is 0.129 s, which fulfills the requirements of well-known tea plucking robots in outdoor tea gardens for quick identification and exact placement of small-sized tea shoots with a wide field of view.
The Molecular Composition of Peat Organic Matter and Prospects for Its Use in Agriculture
Authors: Lodygin Evgeny , Vasilevich Roman , Abakumov Evgeny
Published: September 2023

This paper highlights the molecular composition of native peat and preparations of humic substances (HSs) isolated from permafrost hummock peatlands (Histosols) of the forest tundra zone of the European north-east of Russia. The structural and functional parameters of humic—(HAs) and fulvic acids (FAs) of the peatlands studied are determined by the combined action of cryogenic processes, species composition and the degree of peat decomposition, which reflects the climatic conditions during peat formation in the Holocene. The predominance of the proportion of HAs over FAs in the composition of peat, as well as the low acidity of FAs, makes HS-based preparations highly promising for use as organic fertilizers. The high contents of alkyl and carbohydrate fragments in the structure of the studied HSs allow us to recommend them for use in mineral loamy-textured soils.
Genome-Wide Association Studies for Body Conformation Traits in Korean Holstein Population
Authors: Haque Md Azizul , Alam Mohammad Zahangir , Iqbal Asif , Lee Yun-Mi , Dang Chang-Gwon , Kim Jong-Joo
Published: September 2023

The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) and nearby candidate genes that influence body conformation traits. Phenotypic data for 24 body conformation traits were collected from a population of 2329 Korean Holstein cattle, and all animals were genotyped using the 50 K Illumina bovine SNP chip. A total of 24 genome-wide significant SNPs associated with 24 body conformation traits were identified by genome-wide association analysis. The selection of the most promising candidate genes was based on gene ontology (GO) terms and the previously identified functions that influence various body conformation traits as determined in our study. These genes include KCNA1, RYBP, PTH1R, TMIE, and GNAI3 for body traits; ANGPT1 for rump traits; MALRD1, INHBA, and HOXA13 for feet and leg traits; and CDK1, RHOBTB1, and SLC17A1 for udder traits, respectively. These findings contribute to our understanding of the genetic basis of body conformation traits in this population and pave the way for future breeding strategies aimed at enhancing desirable traits in dairy cattle.
Microbial Community and Abundance of Selected Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Poultry Litter from Conventional and Antibiotic-Free Farms
Authors: Smoglica Camilla , Farooq Muhammad , Ruffini Fausto , Marsilio Fulvio , Di Francesco Cristina Esmeralda
Published: September 2023

In this study, a culture-independent approach was applied to compare the microbiome composition and the abundance of the antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) aadA2 for aminoglycosides, tet(A), tet(B), tet(K), and tet(M) for tetracyclines, and mcr-1 for colistin in broiler litter samples collected from conventional and antibiotic-free flocks located in Central Italy. A total of 13 flocks and 26 litter samples, collected at the beginning and at the end of each rearing cycle, were submitted to 16s rRNA sequence analysis and quantitative PCR for targeted ARGs. Firmicutes resulted in the dominant phylum in both groups of flocks, and within it, the Clostridia and Bacilli classes showed a similar distribution. Conversely, in antibiotic-free flocks, a higher frequency of Actinobacteria class and Clostridiaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Corynebacteriaceae families were reported, while in the conventional group, routinely treated with antibiotics for therapeutic purposes, the Bacteroidia class and the Enterobacteriaceae and Bacillaceae families were predominant. All investigated samples were found to be positive for at least one ARG, with the mean values of aadA2 and tet(A) the highest in conventional flocks by a significant margin. The results suggest that antibiotic use can influence the frequency of resistance determinants and the microbial community in poultry flocks, even though other environmental factors should also be investigated more deeply in order to identify additional drivers of antimicrobial resistance.
A Pectic Polysaccharide from Codonopsis pilosula Alleviates Inflammatory Response and Oxidative Stress of Aging Mice via Modulating Intestinal Microbiota-Related Gut–Liver Axis
Authors: Zou Yuanfeng , Yan Hong , Li Cenyu , Wen Fang , Jize Xiaoping , Zhang Chaowen , Liu Siqi , Zhao Yuzhe , Fu Yuping , Li Lixia , Liu Fan , Chen Ji , Li Rui , Chen Xingfu , Tian Mengliang
Published: September 2023

Aging is a biological process that leads to the progressive deterioration and loss of physiological functions in the human body and results in an increase in morbidity and mortality, and aging-related disease is a major global problem that poses a serious threat to public health. Polysaccharides have been shown to delay aging by reducing oxidative damage, suppressing inflammatory responses, and modulating intestinal microbiota. Our previous studies have shown that polysaccharide CPP-1 extracted from the root of Codonopsis pilosula possesses noticeable anti-oxidant activity in vitro. Thus, in our study, we tested the anti-aging effect of CPP-1 in naturally aging mice (in vivo). Eighteen C57/BL mice (48-week-old, male) were divided into a control group, high-dose CPP-1 group (20 mg/mL), and low-dose CPP-1 group (10 mg/mL). We discovered that CPP-1 can exert a reparative effect on aging stress in the intestine and liver, including alleviating inflammation and oxidative damage. We revealed that CPP-1 supplementation improved the intestinal microbiota composition and repaired the intestinal barrier in the gut. Furthermore, CPP-1 was proved to modulate lipid metabolism and repair hepatocyte injury in the liver by influencing the enterohepatic axis associated with the intestinal microbiota. Therefore, we concluded that CPP-1 prevents and alleviates oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in the intestine and liver of aging mice by modulating the intestinal microbiota-related gut–liver axis to delay aging.
Analysis of Energy Evolution and Acoustic Emission Characteristics of Rocks under Cyclic Loading and Unloading
Authors: Wang Zhushuai , Yang Yu , Xu Yu , Xin Changhao , Liang Pengfei , Guo Ning
Published: September 2023

This paper presents two experimental schemes, graded cyclic loading and unloading, and variable lower limit cyclic loading and unloading, to investigate the energy evolution and acoustic emission characteristics of rocks under different cyclic loading and unloading paths. The experiments were conducted using a WAW-300B microcomputer-controlled hydraulic servo universal testing machine and an AMSY-6 acoustic emission testing instrument. The evolution characteristics of both the acoustic emission ring count and energy count during the loading process were monitored in real-time, and the energy evolution and damage status of the rocks in each cycle were inferred from the stress–strain curve. The results show that: (1) under both types of cyclic loading and unloading paths, the elastic energy, dissipative energy, and total energy of the rocks are positively correlated with the number of cycles; (2) through comparative analysis of the energy dissipation rate and storage rate, it is concluded that the gradual accumulation of dissipative energy ultimately leads to rock failure; (3) based on the energy dissipation method, the study reveals that rock damage is more severe under the variable lower limit cyclic loading and unloading path; (4) under both types of cyclic loading and unloading, the acoustic emission ring count exhibits the Kaiser effect, and Felicity is negatively correlated with the number of cycles. This holds significance in comprehending the behavior of rock deterioration and forecasting its state of destruction.
Cost-Effectiveness of Introducing Autonomous Trucks: From the Perspective of the Total Cost of Operation in Logistics
Authors: Lee Sangwan , Cho Kuk , Park Hyunbae , Cho Dooyong
Published: September 2023

This study explored the economic influence of introducing fully autonomous trucks (ATs) on the total cost of operation (TCO) from the viewpoint of freight transport operators. We utilized the cost–benefit analysis and scenario planning frameworks using a case study of a middle-mile route between a port and a large logistics distribution center in South Korea, where an autonomous truck pilot project has been running for several years. We employed a data source obtained from Hanjin Transportation Co., LTD., which enables us to reflect the actual expenses of operating freight transportation in the context of the study route. The findings of this study indicate that ATs would attain substantial operation cost savings for freight transport operators across all five scenarios, ranging from the most pessimistic to the most optimistic. Specifically, results of the base scenario reveal that monthly TCO decreases by 56.25, 47.04, 42.97, and 41.73 percent for 1-, 5-, 12-, and 25-ton trucks, respectively. The cost reduction per month was USD 2399 for a 1-ton truck, USD 2891 for a 5-ton truck, and USD 3438 for a 12-ton truck. Even in the most pessimistic scenario, the operation cost savings for operating with ATs in the route are USD 1415, USD 1642, USD 1985, and USD 2222 per month for 1-, 5-, 12-, and 25-ton trucks, respectively. When factoring in changes in cost, the wage reduction for vehicle drivers was substantial (USD 2430, USD 2835, USD 3240, and USD 3645 for 1-, 5-, 12-, and 25-ton trucks, respectively). However, remote operation was a new cost factor that increased TCO, which increased by USD 243,384,357 in the base case. This study’s findings have multiple implications, including (1) informing economic efficiency and productivity of operating autonomous vehicles (AVs), (2) providing insights on indicative cost estimates for AV operations, (3) providing valuable information for making informed investment decisions, and (4) supporting the notion that freight transport is an especially attractive market for AVs.
Influence of Composite Thickness on Ultrasonic Guided Wave Propagation for Damage Detection Using Embedded PZT Transducers
Authors: Feng Tianyi , Aliabadi M. H. Ferri
Published: September 2023

This paper describes a study that focuses on assessing the influence of composites with different thicknesses (2 mm, 4 mm, and 9 mm) on embedded ultrasonic guided waves (UGWs) under varying temperatures. The study also demonstrates the effectiveness of these embedded sensors in identifying damage. A novel cut-out method that included an embedded diagnostic layer and phased-array lead zirconate titanate (PZT) transducers, created using the ink-jet printing technique in the manufacturing process was employed. The research then focused on studying the behavior of UGWs under varying temperatures for each composite panel. This analysis aimed to understand how temperature variations affected the propagation of guided waves in thick composites. Finally, artificial damage on the surface and impact damage were introduced, both embedded and surface-mounted PZT transducers were used to detect and locate these damages in different thickness composite panels. The results of damage localization indicated that the embedded PZT transducers were more sensitive than the surface-mounted transducers in locating the damage in thick composites.
Strength Analysis in Bonded, Bolted and Bolted-Bonded Joints, Single Lap Joints, Metal/Composite Plates
Authors: Sadık Ali , Karabudak Filiz
Published: September 2023

Today, especially in many fields that require structural durability, such as the aerospace and automotive industries, there has been a need to use different bonding techniques separately or together in order to use materials together with different mechanical properties. In this study, stress and damage analysis of single lap joints, bonding and bolt-bonding metal/composite joints under tensile loads were performed. The nine kinds of single lap joint models in different combinations (bonded, bolted and bolt-bonded) were prepared by using acrylic adhesive (Acrytron 1E1) and 100-25-3 mm in size; AZ91/AZ91, AZ91-carbon fiber and carbon fiber-carbon fiber plates. Some comparisons were carried out by examining the stresses and deformations that occur in joint models exposed to tensile and 4-point bending tests. As a result of the tensile test, it was determined that the highest maximum tensile stress occurred in AZ91-CF bolt-bonded samples. In the four-point bending test, the maximum shear force value was determined in the CF-CF bolted-bonded samples.
Minor and Major Strain: Equations of Equilibrium of a Plane Domain with an Angular Cutout in the Boundary
Authors: Frishter Lyudmila
Published: September 2023

Large values and gradients of stress and strain, triggering concentrated stress and strain, arise in angular areas of a structure. The strain action, leading to the finite loss of contact between structural elements, also triggers concentrated stress. The loss of contact reaches an irregular point and a line on the boundary. The theoretical analysis of the stress–strain state (SSS) of areas with angular cutouts in the boundary under the action of discontinuous strain is reduced to the study of singular solutions to the homogeneous problem of elasticity theory with power-related features. The calculation of stress concentration coefficients in the domain of a singular solution to the elastic problem makes no sense. It is experimentally proven that the area located near the vertex of an angular cutout in the boundary features substantial strain and rotations, and it corresponds to higher values of the first and second derivatives of displacements along the radius in cases of sufficiently small radii in the neighborhood of an irregular boundary point. As far as these areas are concerned, it is necessary to consider the plane problem of the elasticity theory, taking into account the geometric nonlinearity under the action of strain, to analyze the effect of relationships between strain orders, rotations, and strain on the form of the equation of equilibrium. The purpose of this work is to analyze the effect of relationships between strain orders, rotations, and strain on the form of the equilibrium equation in the polar system of coordinates for a V-shaped area under the action of temperature-induced strain, taking into account geometric non-linearity and physical linearity.
Stability of Blueberry Extracellular Vesicles and Their Gene Regulation Effects in Intestinal Caco-2 Cells
Authors: Leng Yangfan , Yang Liubin , Zhu Hangxin , Li Dongqin , Pan Siyi , Yuan Fang
Published: September 2023

Plant extracellular vesicles (P-EVs) are considered promising functional food ingredients due to their various health benefits. In this study, blueberry extracellular vesicles (B-EVs) were collected and purified by size exclusion chromatography (SEC). The chemical compounds in B-EV extracts were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. In addition, the stability of B-EVs was evaluated during short- and long-term storage, heating, and in vitro digestion. The results showed that the B-EVs had a desirable particle size (88.2 ± 7.7 nm). Protein and total RNA concentrations were 582 ± 11.2 μg/mL and 15.4 μg/mL, respectively. The optimal storage temperatures for B-EVs were 4 °C and −80 °C for short- and long-term storage, respectively. Fluorescent labeling and qRT-PCR tests showed that B-EVs could be specifically internalized by Caco-2 cells, whereas virtually no cytotoxic or growth-inhibitory effects were observed. B-EVs down-regulated the expression levels of IL-1β and IL-8 and up-regulated the expression levels of NF-κβ and TLR5 in Caco-2 cells. Overall, the results proved that the intact structure of B-EVs could be preserved during food storage and processing conditions. B-EVs had the ability to reach the human intestine through oral delivery. Moreover, they could be absorbed by intestinal cells and affect human intestinal function.
An Automatic-Segmentation- and Hyper-Parameter-Optimization-Based Artificial Rabbits Algorithm for Leaf Disease Classification
Authors: Khan Ihtiram Raza , Sangari M. Siva , Shukla Piyush Kumar , Aleryani Aliya , Alqahtani Omar , Alasiry Areej , Alouane M. Turki-Hadj
Published: September 2023

In recent years, disease attacks have posed continuous threats to agriculture and caused substantial losses in the economy. Thus, early detection and classification could minimize the spread of disease and help to improve yield. Meanwhile, deep learning has emerged as the significant approach to detecting and classifying images. The classification performed using the deep learning approach mainly relies on large datasets to prevent overfitting problems. The Automatic Segmentation and Hyper Parameter Optimization Artificial Rabbits Algorithm (AS-HPOARA) is developed to overcome the above-stated issues. It aims to improve plant leaf disease classification. The Plant Village dataset is used to assess the proposed AS-HPOARA approach. Z-score normalization is performed to normalize the images using the dataset’s mean and standard deviation. Three augmentation techniques are used in this work to balance the training images: rotation, scaling, and translation. Before classification, image augmentation reduces overfitting problems and improves the classification accuracy. Modified UNet employs a more significant number of fully connected layers to better represent deeply buried characteristics; it is considered for segmentation. To convert the images from one domain to another in a paired manner, the classification is performed by HPO-based ARA, where the training data get increased and the statistical bias is eliminated to improve the classification accuracy. The model complexity is minimized by tuning the hyperparameters that reduce the overfitting issue. Accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score are utilized to analyze AS-HPOARA’s performance. Compared to the existing CGAN-DenseNet121 and RAHC_GAN, the reported results show that the accuracy of AS-HPOARA for ten classes is high at 99.7%.
Tablet-Based Sensor: A Stable and User-Friendly Tool for Point-of-Care Detection of Glucose in Urine
Authors: Hajimiri Hasti , Safiabadi Tali Seyed Hamid , Al-Kassawneh Muna , Sadiq Zubi , Jahanshahi-Anbuhi Sana
Published: September 2023

The colorimetric detection of glucose in urine through enzymatic reactions offers a low-cost and non-invasive method to aid in diabetes management. Nonetheless, the vulnerability of enzymes to environmental conditions, particularly elevated temperatures, and their activity loss pose significant challenges for transportation and storage. In this work, we developed a stable and portable tablet sensor as a user-friendly platform for glucose monitoring. This innovative device encapsulates glucose oxidase and horseradish peroxidase enzymes with dextran, transforming them into solid tablets and ensuring enhanced stability and practicality. The enzymatic tablet-based sensor detected glucose in urine samples within 5 min, using 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) as the indicator. The tablet sensor exhibited responsive performance within the clinically relevant range of 0–6 mM glucose, with a limit of detection of 0.013 mM. Furthermore, the tablets detected glucose in spiked real human urine samples, without pre-processing, with high precision. Additionally, with regard to thermal stability, the enzyme tablets better maintained their activity at an elevated temperature as high as 60 °C compared to the solution-phase enzymes, demonstrating the enhanced stability of the enzymes under harsh conditions. The availability of these stable and portable tablet sensors will greatly ease the transportation and application of glucose sensors, enhancing the accessibility of glucose monitoring, particularly in resource-limited settings.
The State of the Art in Digital Construction of Clay Buildings: Reviews of Existing Practices and Recommendations for Future Development
Authors: Yin Xunzhi , Guo Chong , Sun Bo , Chen Honggang , Wang Hui , Li An
Published: September 2023

Under the trend of digitization and global carbon reductions, clay construction has increasingly attracted attention due to advantages such as an excellent thermal performance, low carbon emissions, and high cost-effectiveness. In this article, an in-depth investigation is conducted into the potential, challenges, and future in the development of digital manufacturing technologies for clay architecture, especially 3D printing, robotic construction, and prefabrication systems. It is revealed through a review that digital clay construction is under rapid development and likely to provide a viable solution to achieving global carbon neutrality, which is conducive to addressing various regional issues. The key findings from this review are as follows. Firstly, as a flexible, precise, and low-carbon industrial solution, 3D printing lays a foundation for the extensive research on materials, equipment, and algorithm optimization. Secondly, the use of machine construction methods such as modern rammed earth technology and drone spraying is effective in improving efficiency and lowering costs. Lastly, the prefabricated building system shows its potential in renewing and developing the rammed earth architecture culture. These findings indicate a massive potential of digital clay construction to support sustainability efforts in the future.
Insights into Melanoma Clinical Practice: A Perspective for Future Research
Authors: Lam Giang T. , Martini Carmela , Brooks Tiffany , Prabhakaran Sarita , Hopkins Ashley M. , Ung Ben S.-Y. , Tang Jingying , Caruso Maria C. , Brooks Robert D. , Johnson Ian R. D. , Sorvina Alexandra , Hickey Shane M. , Karageorgos Litsa , Klebe Sonja , O’Leary John J. , Brooks Douglas A. , Logan Jessica M.
Published: September 2023

Background: Early diagnosis is the key to improving outcomes for patients with melanoma, and this requires a standardized histological assessment approach. The objective of this survey was to understand the challenges faced by clinicians when assessing melanoma cases, and to provide a perspective for future studies. Methods: Between April 2022 and February 2023, national and international dermatologists, pathologists, general practitioners, and laboratory managers were invited to participate in a six-question online survey. The data from the survey were assessed using descriptive statistics and qualitative responses. Results: A total of 54 responses were received, with a 51.4% (n = 28) full completion rate. Of the respondents, 96.4% reported ambiguity in their monthly melanoma diagnosis, and 82.1% routinely requested immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing to confirm diagnosis. SOX10 was the most frequently requested marker, and most respondents preferred multiple markers over a single marker. Diagnostic and prognostic tests, as well as therapeutic options and patient management, were all identified as important areas for future research. Conclusions: The respondents indicated that the use of multiple IHC markers is essential to facilitate diagnostic accuracy in melanoma assessment. Survey responses indicate there is an urgent need to develop new biomarkers for clinical decision making at multiple critical intervention points.
Prediction of Rapid Early Progression and Survival Risk with Pre-Radiation MRI in WHO Grade 4 Glioma Patients
Authors: Farzana Walia , Basree Mustafa M. , Diawara Norou , Shboul Zeina A. , Dubey Sagel , Lockhart Marie M. , Hamza Mohamed , Palmer Joshua D. , Iftekharuddin Khan M.
Published: September 2023

Recent clinical research describes a subset of glioblastoma patients that exhibit REP prior to the start of radiation therapy. Current literature has thus far described this population using clinicopathologic features. To our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the potential of conventional radiomics, sophisticated multi-resolution fractal texture features, and different molecular features (MGMT, IDH mutations) as a diagnostic and prognostic tool for prediction of REP from non-REP cases using computational and statistical modeling methods. The radiation-planning T1 post-contrast (T1C) MRI sequences of 70 patients are analyzed. An ensemble method with 5-fold cross-validation over 1000 iterations offers an AUC of 0.793 ± 0.082 for REP versus non-REP classification. In addition, copula-based modeling under dependent censoring (where a subset of the patients may not be followed up with until death) identifies significant features (p-value < 0.05) for survival probability and prognostic grouping of patient cases. The prediction of survival for the patients’ cohort produces a precision of 0.881 ± 0.056. The prognostic index (PI) calculated using the fused features shows that 84.62% of REP cases fall under the bad prognostic group, suggesting the potential of fused features for predicting a higher percentage of REP cases. The experimental results further show that multi-resolution fractal texture features perform better than conventional radiomics features for prediction of REP and survival outcomes.