bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Loading Conditions on the Shear Behaviors of Rock-like Materials Containing Circular Holes, with the CZM Method
Authors: Zhu Yinge , Chen Huiyuan , Li Anqi , Wu Yue , Zhang Xiaoli
Published: May 2022

The mechanical behaviors of rock masses are significantly affected by the distribution and shape of the holes in it. In this research, the fracture mechanism and the shear properties of rock masses containing holes were investigated by the cohesive zone model (CZM) method. At first, a uniaxial compression laboratory test was carried out, and some mechanical parameters were obtained, and then the obtained mechanical parameters were used to build a mathematical model with zero-thickness elements. Subsequently, the numerical shear test was performed under a mixed-mode test, using the obtained mechanical parameters. Finally, the mechanical characteristics and crack behaviors were discussed separately. The results exhibit that the shear process in this research could be determined and identified as the elastic, strengthening, plastic, and residual stress stages, respectively. Note that the shear rate and normal stress of rock masses containing holes are significantly and positively correlated with their shear strength and dilatancy. In addition, the cracking behavior and mechanical properties of the specimens are closely related to the shear rate and normal stress. Overall, the results of this study have great significance in guiding future, in-depth research of rock masses containing holes in rock slopes.
Finite-Key Analysis of 1-Decoy Method Quantum Key Distribution with Intensity Fluctuation
Authors: Zhou Chun , Zhou Yu , Xu Yangbin , Wang Yang , Lu Yifei , Jiang Musheng , Zhang Xiaoxu , Bao Wansu
Published: May 2022

The decoy state quantum key distribution (QKD) protocol is proven to be an effective strategy against the photon number splitting attack. It was shown that the 1-decoy state protocol, easier to implement in the practical QKD system, outperforms the 2-decoy state protocol for block sizes of up to 108 bits. How intensity fluctuations influence the performance of the 1-decoy state protocol with finite resources remains a pending issue. In this paper, we present a finite-key analysis of the 1-decoy state protocol with intensity fluctuations and obtain the secret key rate formula about intensity fluctuations. Our numerical simulation results show that the stronger the intensity fluctuations, the lower the secret key rate for a small data block size of a few bits. Our research can provide theoretical implications for the selection of data size in the QKD system with intensity fluctuations.
Low Temperature Plasma Strategies for Xylella fastidiosa Inactivation
Authors: Ambrico Paolo Francesco , Zicca Stefania , Ambrico Marianna , Rotondo Palma Rosa , De Stradis Angelo , Dilecce Giorgio , Saponari Maria , Boscia Donato , Saldarelli Pasquale
Published: May 2022

The quarantine bacterium Xylella fastidiosa was first detected in Salento (Apulia, Italy) in 2013 and caused severe symptoms in olives, leading to plant death. The disease, named Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS), is caused by the strain “De Donno” ST53 of the subspecies pauca of this bacterium (XfDD), which is spread by the insect Philaenus spumarius. The epidemic poses a serious threat to the agricultural economy and the landscape, as X. fastidiosa infects several plant species and there is yet no recognized solution. Research on OQDS is focused on finding strategies to control its spread or mitigate its symptoms. As a perspective solution, we investigated the efficacy of the low-temperature plasma and plasma-activated water to kill bacterial cells. Experiments were conducted in vitro to test the biocidal effect of the direct application of a Surface Dielectric Barrier Discharge (SDBD) plasma on bacteria cells and Plasma Activated Water (PAW). PAW activity was tested as a possible biocidal agent that can move freely in the xylem network paving the way to test the strategy on infected plants. The results showed a high decontamination rate even for cells of XfDD embedded in biofilms grown on solid media and complete inactivation in liquid culture medium.
Lamb Behaviors Analysis Using a Predictive CNN Model and a Single Camera
Authors: González-Baldizón Yair , Pérez-Patricio Madaín , Camas-Anzueto Jorge Luis , Rodríguez-Elías Oscar Mario , Escobar-Gómez Elias Neftali , Vazquez-Delgado Hector Daniel , Guzman-Rabasa Julio Alberto , Fragoso-Mandujano José Armando
Published: May 2022

Object tracking is the process of estimating in time N the location of one or more moving element through an agent (camera, sensor, or other perceptive device). An important application in object tracking is the analysis of animal behavior to estimate their health. Traditionally, experts in the field have performed this task. However, this approach requires a high level of knowledge in the area and sufficient employees to ensure monitoring quality. Another alternative is the application of sensors (inertial and thermal), which provides precise information to the user, such as location and temperature, among other data. Nevertheless, this type of analysis results in high infrastructure costs and constant maintenance. Another option to overcome these problems is to analyze an RGB image to obtain information from animal tracking. This alternative eliminates the reliance on experts and different sensors, yet it adds the challenge of interpreting image ambiguity correctly. Taking into consideration the aforementioned, this article proposes a methodology to analyze lamb behavior from an approach based on a predictive model and deep learning, using a single RGB camera. This method consists of two stages. First, an architecture for lamb tracking was designed and implemented using CNN. Second, a predictive model was designed for the recognition of animal behavior. The results obtained in this research indicate that the proposed methodology is feasible and promising. In this sense, according to the experimental results on the used dataset, the accuracy was 99.85% for detecting lamb activities with YOLOV4, and for the proposed predictive model, a mean accuracy was 83.52% for detecting abnormal states. These results suggest that the proposed methodology can be useful in precision agriculture in order to take preventive actions and to diagnose possible diseases or health problems.
A New Finite Element Analysis Model to Estimate Contact Stress in Ball Screw
Authors: Shin Geon-Ho , Hur Jang-Wook
Published: May 2022

A ball screw is a mechanical part that converts rotational motion into translational motion, but when it receives an excessive axial load, permanent deformation occurs inside. As ball screws are mostly used for precise driving, permanent deformation has a fatal effect on the operation of the system. As this permanent deformation mostly occurs on the contact surface between the ball and other parts, it is necessary to observe the change of internal stress caused by the contact of the parts in order to determine whether permanent deformation occurs. Theoretical calculations or finite element analysis (FEA) are mainly used for the analysis of rotating parts, but existing methods have difficulty in observing stress changes occurring on the narrow contact surface of ball screws. In this paper, a new FEA model that can efficiently estimate the stress caused by internal contact inside the ball screw is presented. This model is a synthetic model that applies theoretical calculation results to a 3D FEA model. Factors derived by theoretical calculation include the shape of the contact surface where the ball and other parts meet and the contact pressure at the contact surface, which were derived by a method based on Hertz contact theory. As a result of observing the internal stress distribution of the ball screw estimated by the model, it was confirmed that the shape was similar to that of the actual stress distribution and, compared with the analysis results of other conventional methods conducted with the same mesh shape, the results of the model presented in this paper were more valid.
Special Issue on Recent Advances in Theoretical and Computational Modeling of Composite Materials and Structures
Authors: Tornabene Francesco , Dimitri Rossana
Published: May 2022

The advancement in manufacturing technology and scientific research have improved the development of enhanced composite materials with tailored properties depending on their design requirements in many engineering fields, as well as in thermal and energy management [...]
Three-Dimensional Theoretical Model for Soil Arching with Inclined Slip Surfaces
Authors: Chen Qizhi , Liang Luju , Xu Changjie , Zou Baoping , Gao Xiangxiang
Published: May 2022

Terzaghi proposed two-dimensional (2D) arching theory through trapdoor tests based on the assumption of a vertical slip surfaces. However, the original 2D assumption is different from a real three-dimensional (3D) excavation condition and actual slip surfaces caused by the downward movement of a trapdoor are inclined surfaces. Therefore, a 3D theoretical model was proposed in this study considering inclined slip surfaces. Horizontal thin-layer differential element method was used to obtain the loosening soil pressure. Using the 3D theoretical model, the effects of the buried depth ratio of loose area, length of loose area, soil parameters, and lateral earth pressure coefficient were investigated. The loosening earth pressure was highly affected by inclination angle of slip surface, buried depth ratio and length of loose area. Neglecting the inclined slip surface will underestimate the value of the loosening earth pressure, which will lead to the insecurity of the design. Loosening earth pressure calculated by this study was also compared with trapdoor tests. Results from this study was in good agreement with the experimental results. Compared with the traditional 2D solution, results from this study can more accurately analyze the soil arching effect in 3D excavation cases.
A Highly Stable-Output Kilohertz Femtosecond Hard X-ray Pulse Source for Ultrafast X-ray Diffraction
Authors: Zhao Di , You Pengxian , Yang Jing , Yu Junhong , Zhang Hang , Liao Min , Hu Jianbo
Published: May 2022

Femtosecond hard X-ray pulses generated by laser-driven plasma sources are eminently suitable to probe structural dynamics due to the angstrom spatial resolution and sub-picosecond time resolution. However, the insufficient flux of X-ray photons and high pulse-to-pulse instability compared with the large-scale ultrashort X-ray source, such as X-ray free-electron laser and synchrotrons, largely restricts its applications. In this work, we have optimized automation control and mechanical designs to significantly enhance the reliability and photon flux in our femtosecond laser plasma-induced X-ray source. Specifically, the optimized source provides a reliable pulse-to-pulse stability with a fluctuation of less than 1% (root-mean-square) and a total flux of Cu-Kα X-ray photons above 1011 photons/s. To confirm its functionality, ultrafast X-ray diffraction experiments are conducted on two different samples and the high consistency with previous results verifies the system’s superior performance.
Removal of Methylene Blue by Metal Oxides Supported by Oily Sludge Pyrolysis Residues
Authors: Li Jinling , Han Lei , Zhang Tiantian , Qu Chengtun , Yu Tao , Yang Bo
Published: May 2022

As a typical pollutant, methylene blue poses a serious threat to the environment and human health. Oily sludge pyrolysis residue loaded with metal oxides could be used to prepare composite materials, which is not only an effective way to treat oily sludge, but also a possible method to treat methylene blue pollutants. In this paper, composite materials (AC-CuO, AC-ZnO, and AC-TiO2) were prepared by oily sludge pyrolysis residue-loaded CuO, ZnO, and TiO2 directly, and characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS, BET, FT-IR, and XPS, and it was shown that the metal oxides were successfully supported on the pyrolysis residue. Then, the composite materials were applied to the removal of methylene blue solution. The removal effect of composite materials on methylene blue with respect to the impregnation time, impregnation ratio and dosage, and the contact time and number of regenerations were investigated, and the removal parameters were optimized by response surface methodology. The removal process for methylene blue was described by applying Lagergren, McKay, Langmuir isotherm, Freundlish isotherm and intraparticle diffusion models. According to the response surface methodology and the main factors affecting the removal effect of methylene blue, the results indicate that the removal effect of 5 mg/L methylene blue could reach 95.28%, 94.95%, and 96.96%, respectively, and the corresponding removal capacities were 4.76, 4.75, and 4.85 mg/g. In addition, kinetic studies showed that the removal process of methylene blue was mainly constituted by chemical adsorption. The intraparticle diffusion showed that the removal of methylene blue may be controlled by both liquid film diffusion and intraparticle diffusion. The isotherms showed that the adsorption sites of composites for methylene blue were uniformly distributed and had the same affinity. Furthermore, regeneration experiments showed that the composite materials were stable and had relatively reusability.
A New Body Weight Lifelog Outliers Generation Method: Reflecting Characteristics of Body Weight Data
Authors: Kim Jiyong , Park Minseo
Published: May 2022

Lifelogs are generated in our daily lives and contain useful information for health monitoring. Nowadays, one can easily obtain various lifelogs from a wearable device such as a smartwatch. These lifelogs could include noise and outliers. In general, the amount of noise and outliers is significantly smaller than that of normal data, resulting in class imbalance. To achieve good analytic accuracy, the noise and outliers should be filtered. Lifelogs have specific characteristics: low volatility and periodicity. It is very important to continuously analyze and manage them within a specific time. To solve the class imbalance problem of outliers in weight lifelog data, we propose a new outlier generation method that reflects the characteristics of body weight. This study compared the proposed method with the SMOTE-based data augmentation and the GAN-based data augmentation methods. Our results confirm that our proposed method for outlier detection was better than the SVM, XGBOOST, and CATBOOST algorithms. Through them, we can reduce the data imbalance level, improve data quality, and improve analytics accuracy.
Seismic Performance Analysis of Segmental Assembled Concrete-Filled Steel Tubular Pier with External Replaceable Energy Dissipation Ring
Authors: Wang Chengquan , Qu Zheng , Zou Yun , Yin Chongli , Zong Yanwei , Sun Zexuan
Published: May 2022

In order to develop a new type of prefabricated bridge structure system with green, efficient and recoverable function, which complies with the new requirements of rapid repair of pier function after earthquake, and improves the applicable performance of prefabricated assembled pier in medium and high-intensity seismic areas, a precast segmental concrete-filled steel tubular (PSCFST) pier with an external energy dissipation ring is proposed. Based on ABAQUS analysis software, a four-segment PSCFST pier model is established, and the pseudo-static comparative analysis is carried out between the traditional PSCFST pier and the PSCFST pier with the external energy dissipation ring. The results show that compared with the traditional PSCFST pier, the lateral bearing capacity of the PSCFST pier with an external energy dissipation ring is increased by 60%, the energy dissipation capacity is increased by about 20 times, and the damage is concentrated in the energy dissipation ring, the damage is controllable, and the rapid repair after the earthquake can be realized by replacing energy dissipation devices and other measures. At the same time, the seismic performance of pier models with three different control parameters (initial prestress, material strength of energy dissipation ring and section width of energy dissipation ring) under reciprocating loading is analyzed. The results show that the initial prestress does not affect the cumulative energy consumption of the pier; the increase in the material strength of the energy dissipation ring improves the overall stiffness and improves the energy dissipation capacity of the PSCFST pier; the reduction in section width will affect the overall equivalent stiffness and unloading stiffness of the segmental pier, and the energy dissipation capacity will be significantly reduced.
A Numerical Analysis on Lateral Resistance of Pile–Bucket Foundation for Offshore Wind Turbines
Authors: Yuan Zonghao , Zhong Ke , Wang Xiaoqiang , Pan Xiaodong , He Ben , Wu Jing , Zhang Jiankun , Xu Shiwu
Published: May 2022

The large-diameter single pile has been widely used in marine wind turbine foundations. In order to improve its lateral bearing capacity, the suction bucket foundation (BF) can be used as a reinforcement method, which surrounds the periphery of the monopile foundation (PF), forming a new wind turbine foundation, i.e., pile–bucket foundation (P–BF). By using the general finite element software ABAQUS, in this paper, several numerical models are established to investigate the influence of pile diameter and bucket diameter on the lateral bearing capacity of large-diameter monopiles. The numerical results show that the internal force distribution along the pile shaft for the case of P–BF is similar to the case of PF. Compared to bucket height, bucket diameter has more of an effect on lateral capacity and the p-y curve in the P–BF. In the combined P–BF, the buckets can provide lateral bearing capacity, and the piles can provide anti-overturning moments, resulting in higher lateral bearing capacity. In this paper, the p-y curve in the API specification is modified based on the results from the finite element simulation. The modified p-y curve fits well with the results of the finite element calculation and can be used as a reference for the design of the P–BF in actual engineering.
Influence of Surface Tilt Angle on a Chromatic Confocal Probe with a Femtosecond Laser
Authors: Sato Ryo , Shimizu Yuki , Matsukuma Hiraku , Gao Wei
Published: May 2022

This paper presents an intentional investigation of the effect of the object tilt angle on the tracking local minimum method (TL method), which is the one for detecting the measurement target position of the object optical axis, in a chromatic confocal probe employing a differential dual-fiber-detector optical system with a mode-locked femtosecond laser as the light source. The effect of the object tilt angle on dual-detector confocal probes, and even chromatic confocal probes, has not been investigated in detail so far, although the effect of object tilt angle on scanning confocal probes has been studied. At first, to examine the influence of the object tilt angle on the TL method, a theoretical model is established, and numerical simulations are performed based on the established theoretical equation. Then, the effect of aberrations in confocal optics on the confocal response curve is investigated in experiments. Finally, investigations on the effect of the object tilt angle on the TL method are demonstrated in experiments.
A Novel Framework Based on the Stacking Ensemble Machine Learning (SEML) Method: Application in Wind Speed Modeling
Authors: Morshed-Bozorgdel Amirreza , Kadkhodazadeh Mojtaba , Valikhan Anaraki Mahdi , Farzin Saeed
Published: May 2022

Wind speed (WS) is an important factor in wind power generation. Because of this, drastic changes in the WS make it challenging to analyze accurately. Therefore, this study proposed a novel framework based on the stacking ensemble machine learning (SEML) method. The application of a novel framework for WS modeling was developed at sixteen stations in Iran. The SEML method consists of two levels. In particular, eleven machine learning (ML) algorithms in six categories neuron based (artificial neural network (ANN), general regression neural network (GRNN), and radial basis function neural network (RBFNN)), kernel based (least squares support vector machine-grid search (LSSVM-GS)), tree based (M5 model tree (M5), gradient boosted regression (GBR), and least squares boost (LSBoost)), curve based (multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS)), regression based (multiple linear regression (MLR) and multiple nonlinear regression (MNLR)), and hybrid algorithm based (LSSVM-Harris hawks optimization (LSSVM-HHO)) were selected as the base algorithms in level 1 of the SEML method. In addition, LSBoost was used as a meta-algorithm in level 2 of the SEML method. For this purpose, the output of the base algorithms was used as the input for the LSBoost. A comparison of the results showed that using the SEML method in WS modeling greatly affected the performance of the base algorithms. The highest correlation coefficient (R) in the WS modeling at the sixteen stations using the SEML method was 0.89. The SEML method increased the WS modeling accuracy by >43%.
Sr1-xKxFeO3 Perovskite Catalysts with Enhanced RWGS Reactivity for CO2 Hydrogenation to Light Olefins
Authors: Hou Yuanhao , Wang Xinyu , Chen Ming , Gao Xiangyu , Liu Yongzhuo , Guo Qingjie
Published: May 2022

The catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 to light olefins (C2–C4) is among the most practical approaches to CO2 utilization as an essential industrial feedstock. To achieve a highly dispersed active site and enhance the reactivity of the reverse water–gas shift (RWGS) reaction, ABO3-type perovskite catalysts Sr1-xKxFeO3 with favorable thermal stability and redox activity are reported in this work. The role of K-substitution in the structure–performance relationship of the catalysts was investigated. It indicated that K-substitution expedited the oxygen-releasing process of the SrFeO3 and facilitated the synchronous formation of active-phase Fe3O4 for the reverse water–gas shift (RWGS) reaction and Fe5C2 for the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS). At the optimal substitution amount, the conversion of CO2 and the selectivity of light olefins achieved 30.82% and 29.61%, respectively. Moreover, the selectivity of CO was up to 45.57% even when H2/CO2=4 due to CO2-splitting reactions over the reduced Sr2Fe2O5. In addition, the reversibility of perovskite catalysts ensured the high dispersion of the active-phase Fe3O4 and Fe5C2 in the SrCO3 phase. As the rate-determining step of the CO2 hydrogenation reaction to light olefins over Sr1-xKxFeO3 perovskite catalysts, FTS should be further tailored by partial substitution of the B site. In sum, the perovskite-derived catalyst investigated in this work provided a new idea for the rational design of a catalyst for CO2 hydrogenation to produce light olefins.
Atmospheric Carbonyl Compounds in the Central Taklimakan Desert in Summertime: Ambient Levels, Composition and Sources
Authors: Geng Chunmei , Li Shijie , Yin Baohui , Gu Chao , Liu Yingying , Li Liming , Li Kangwei , Zhang Yujie , Azzi Merched , Li Hong , Wang Xinhua , Yang Wen , Bai Zhipeng
Published: May 2022

Although carbonyl compounds are a key species with atmospheric oxidation capacity, their concentrations and sources have not been sufficiently characterized in various atmospheres, especially in desert areas. In this study, atmospheric carbonyl compounds were measured from 16 May to 15 June 2018 in Tazhong in the central Taklimakan Desert, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. Concentrations, chemical compositions, and sources of carbonyl compounds were investigated and compared with those of different environments worldwide. The average concentration of total carbonyls during the sampling period was 11.79 ± 4.03 ppbv. Formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acetone were the most abundant carbonyls, with average concentrations of 6.08 ± 2.37, 1.68 ± 0.78, and 2.52 ± 0.68 ppbv, respectively. Strong correlations between formaldehyde and other carbonyls were found, indicating same or similar sources and sinks. A hybrid single-particle Lagrangian integrated trajectory was used to analyze 72 h back trajectories. The values of C1/C2 (formaldehyde to acetaldehyde, 3.22–4.59) and C2/C3 (acetaldehyde to propionaldehyde, 15.00–17.03) from different directions and distances of the trajectories were consistent with the characteristics of a remote area. Relative to various environments, the carbonyl concentration in the Tazhong desert site was lower than that in urban areas and higher than that in suburban and remote areas, implying contributions from local primary and secondary sources. The obtained data can be used to improve the source and sink estimation of carbonyls at the regional scale.
Robust Multi-Mode Synchronization of Chaotic Fractional Order Systems in the Presence of Disturbance, Time Delay and Uncertainty with Application in Secure Communications
Authors: Kekha Javan Ali Akbar , Zare Assef , Alizadehsani Roohallah , Balochian Saeed
Published: May 2022

This paper investigates the robust adaptive synchronization of multi-mode fractional-order chaotic systems (MMFOCS). To that end, synchronization was performed with unknown parameters, unknown time delays, the presence of disturbance, and uncertainty with the unknown boundary. The convergence of the synchronization error to zero was guaranteed using the Lyapunov function. Additionally, the control rules were extracted as explicit continuous functions. An image encryption approach was proposed based on maps with time-dependent coding for secure communication. The simulations indicated the effectiveness of the proposed design regarding the suitability of the parameters, the convergence of errors, and robustness. Subsequently, the presented method was applied to fractional-order Chen systems and was encrypted using the chaotic masking of different benchmark images. The results indicated the desirable performance of the proposed method in encrypting the benchmark images.
Epidermal Electrodes with Ferrimagnetic/Conductive Properties for Biopotential Recordings
Authors: Spanu Andrea , Taki Mohamad , Baldazzi Giulia , Mascia Antonello , Cosseddu Piero , Pani Danilo , Bonfiglio Annalisa
Published: May 2022

Interfacing ultrathin functional films for epidermal applications with external recording instruments or readout electronics still represents one of the biggest challenges in the field of tattoo electronics. With the aim of providing a convenient solution to this ever-present limitation, in this work we propose an innovative free-standing electrode made of a composite thin film based on the combination of the conductive polymer PEDOT:PSS and ferrimagnetic powder. The proposed epidermal electrode can be directly transferred onto the skin and is structured in two parts, namely a conformal conductive part with a thickness of 3 μm and a ferrimagnetic-conductive part that can be conveniently connected using magnetic connections. The films were characterized for ECG recordings, revealing a performance comparable to that of commercial pre-gelled electrodes in terms of cross-spectral coherence, signal-to-noise ratio, and baseline wandering. These new, conductive, magnetically interfaceable, and free-standing conformal films introduce a novel concept in the domain of tattoo electronics and can set the basis for the development of a future family of epidermal devices and electrodes.
S Phase Duration Is Determined by Local Rate and Global Organization of Replication
Authors: Greenberg Avraham , Simon Itamar
Published: May 2022

The duration of the cell cycle has been extensively studied and a wide degree of variability exists between cells, tissues and organisms. However, the duration of S phase has often been neglected, due to the false assumption that S phase duration is relatively constant. In this paper, we describe the methodologies to measure S phase duration, summarize the existing knowledge about its variability and discuss the key factors that control it. The local rate of replication (LRR), which is a combination of fork rate (FR) and inter-origin distance (IOD), has a limited influence on S phase duration, partially due to the compensation between FR and IOD. On the other hand, the organization of the replication program, specifically the amount of replication domains that fire simultaneously and the degree of overlap between the firing of distinct replication timing domains, is the main determinant of S phase duration. We use these principles to explain the variation in S phase length in different tissues and conditions.
Smile Reproducibility and Its Relationship to Self-Perceived Smile Attractiveness
Authors: Dobreva Denitsa , Gkantidis Nikolaos , Halazonetis Demetrios , Verna Carlalberta , Kanavakis Georgios
Published: May 2022

The reproducibility of facial expressions has been previously explored, however, there is no detailed information regarding the reproducibility of lip morphology forming a social smile. In this study, we recruited 93 young adults, aged 21–35 years old, who agreed to participate in two consecutive study visits four weeks apart. On each visit, they were asked to perform a social smile, which was captured on a 3D facial image acquired using the 3dMD camera system. Assessments of self-perceived smile attractiveness were also performed using a VAS scale. Lip morphology, including smile shape, was described using 62 landmarks and semi-landmarks. A Procrustes superimposition of each set of smiling configurations (first and second visit) was performed and the Euclidean distance between each landmark set was calculated. A linear regression model was used to test the association between smile consistency and self-perceived smile attractiveness. The results show that the average landmark distance between sessions did not exceed 1.5 mm, indicating high repeatability, and that females presented approximately 15% higher smile consistecy than males (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant association between smile consistency and self-perceived smile attractiveness (η2 = 0.015; p = 0.252), when controlling for the effect of sex and age.
Impacts of Bacteriostatic and Bactericidal Antibiotics on the Mitochondria of the Age-Related Macular Degeneration Cybrid Cell Lines
Authors: Salimiaghdam Nasim , Singh Lata , Singh Mithalesh K. , Chwa Marilyn , Atilano Shari R. , Mohtashami Zahra , Nesburn Anthony B. , Kuppermann Baruch D. , Lu Stephanie Y. , Kenney M. Cristina
Published: May 2022

We assessed the potential negative effects of bacteriostatic and bactericidal antibiotics on the AMD cybrid cell lines (K, U and J haplogroups). AMD cybrid cells were created and cultured in 96-well plates and treated with tetracycline (TETRA) and ciprofloxacin (CPFX) for 24 h. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔψM), cellular metabolism and ratio of apoptotic cells were measured using H2DCFDA, JC1, MTT and flow cytometry assays, respectively. Expression of genes of antioxidant enzymes, and pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic pathways were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Higher ROS levels were found in U haplogroup cybrids when treated with CPFX 60 µg/mL concentrations, lower ΔψM of all haplogroups by CPFX 120 µg/mL, diminished cellular metabolism in all cybrids with CPFX 120 µg/mL, and higher ratio of dead cells in K and J cybrids. CPFX 120 µg/mL induced overexpression of IL-33, CASP-3 and CASP-9 in all cybrids, upregulation of TGF-β1 and SOD2 in U and J cybrids, respectively, along with decreased expression of IL-6 in J cybrids. TETRA 120 µg/mL induced decreased ROS levels in U and J cybrids, increased cellular metabolism of treated U cybrids, higher ratio of dead cells in K and J cybrids and declined ΔψM via all TETRA concentrations in all haplogroups. TETRA 120 µg/mL caused upregulation of IL-6 and CASP-3 genes in all cybrids, higher CASP-7 gene expression in K and U cybrids and downregulation of the SOD3 gene in K and U cybrids. Clinically relevant dosages of ciprofloxacin and tetracycline have potential adverse impacts on AMD cybrids possessing K, J and U mtDNA haplogroups in vitro.
Dietary Soy Prevents Alcohol-Mediated Neurocognitive Dysfunction and Associated Impairments in Brain Insulin Pathway Signaling in an Adolescent Rat Model
Authors: Tong Ming , Ziplow Jason L. , Mark Princess , de la Monte Suzanne M.
Published: May 2022

Background: Alcohol-related brain degeneration is linked to cognitive-motor deficits and impaired signaling through insulin/insulin-like growth factor type 1 (IGF-1)-Akt pathways that regulate cell survival, plasticity, metabolism, and homeostasis. In addition, ethanol inhibits Aspartyl-asparaginyl-β-hydroxylase (ASPH), a downstream target of insulin/IGF-1-Akt signaling and an activator of Notch networks. Previous studies have suggested that early treatment with insulin sensitizers or dietary soy could reduce or prevent the long-term adverse effects of chronic ethanol feeding. Objective: The goal of this study was to assess the effects of substituting soy isolate for casein to prevent or reduce ethanol’s adverse effects on brain structure and function. Methods: Young adolescent male and female Long Evans were used in a 4-way model as follows: Control + Casein; Ethanol + Casein; Control + Soy; Ethanol + Soy; Control = 0% ethanol; Ethanol = 26% ethanol (caloric). Rats were fed isocaloric diets from 4 to 11 weeks of age. During the final experimental week, the Morris Water maze test was used to assess spatial learning (4 consecutive days), after which the brains were harvested to measure the temporal lobe expression of the total phospho-Akt pathway and downstream target proteins using multiplex bead-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and duplex ELISAs. Results: Ethanol inhibited spatial learning and reduced brain weight, insulin signaling through Akt, and the expression of ASPH when standard casein was provided as the protein source. The substitution of soy isolate for casein largely abrogated the adverse effects of chronic ethanol feeding. In contrast, Notch signaling protein expression was minimally altered by ethanol or soy isolate. Conclusions: These novel findings suggest that the insulin sensitizer properties of soy isolate may prevent some of the adverse effects that chronic ethanol exposure has on neurobehavioral function and insulin-regulated metabolic pathways in adolescent brains.
The Functional Interplay between Ethylene, Hydrogen Sulfide, and Sulfur in Plant Heat Stress Tolerance
Authors: Sehar Zebus , Gautam Harsha , Iqbal Noushina , Alvi Ameena Fatima , Jahan Badar , Fatma Mehar , Albaqami Mohammed , Khan Nafees A.
Published: May 2022

Plants encounter several abiotic stresses, among which heat stress is gaining paramount attention because of the changing climatic conditions. Severe heat stress conspicuously reduces crop productivity through changes in metabolic processes and in growth and development. Ethylene and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are signaling molecules involved in defense against heat stress through modulation of biomolecule synthesis, the antioxidant system, and post-translational modifications. Other compounds containing the essential mineral nutrient sulfur (S) also play pivotal roles in these defense mechanisms. As biosynthesis of ethylene and H2S is connected to the S-assimilation pathway, it is logical to consider the existence of a functional interplay between ethylene, H2S, and S in relation to heat stress tolerance. The present review focuses on the crosstalk between ethylene, H2S, and S to highlight their joint involvement in heat stress tolerance.
Utilizing the LoxP-Stop-LoxP System to Control Transgenic ABC-Transporter Expression In Vitro
Authors: Esobi Ikechukwu , Oladosu Olanrewaju , Echesabal-Chen Jing , Stamatikos Alexis
Published: May 2022

ABCA1 and ABCG1 are two ABC-transporters well-recognized to promote the efflux of cholesterol to apoAI and HDL, respectively. As these two ABC-transporters are critical to cholesterol metabolism, several studies have assessed the impact of ABCA1 and ABCG1 expression on cellular cholesterol homeostasis through ABC-transporter ablation or overexpressing ABCA1/ABCG1. However, for the latter, there are currently no well-established in vitro models to effectively induce long-term ABC-transporter expression in a variety of cultured cells. Therefore, we performed proof-of-principle in vitro studies to determine whether a LoxP-Stop-LoxP (LSL) system would provide Cre-inducible ABC-transporter expression. In our studies, we transfected HEK293 cells and the HEK293-derived cell line 293-Cre cells with ABCA1-LSL and ABCG1-LSL-based plasmids. Our results showed that while the ABCA1/ABCG1 protein expression was absent in the transfected HEK293 cells, the ABCA1 and ABCG1 protein expression was detected in the 293-Cre cells transfected with ABCA1-LSL and ABCG1-LSL, respectively. When we measured cholesterol efflux in transfected 293-Cre cells, we observed an enhanced apoAI-mediated cholesterol efflux in 293-Cre cells overexpressing ABCA1, and an HDL2-mediated cholesterol efflux in 293-Cre cells constitutively expressing ABCG1. We also observed an appreciable increase in HDL3-mediated cholesterol efflux in ABCA1-overexpressing 293-Cre cells, which suggests that ABCA1 is capable of effluxing cholesterol to small HDL particles. Our proof-of-concept experiments demonstrate that the LSL-system can be used to effectively regulate ABC-transporter expression in vitro, which, in turn, allows ABCA1/ABCG1-overexpression to be extensively studied at the cellular level.
Melatonin Modulation of Radiation-Induced Molecular Changes in MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Alonso-González Carolina , González-Abalde Cristina , Menéndez-Menéndez Javier , González-González Alicia , Álvarez-García Virginia , González-Cabeza Alicia , Martínez-Campa Carlos , Cos Samuel
Published: May 2022

Radiation therapy is an important component of cancer treatment scheduled for cancer patients, although it can cause numerous deleterious effects. The use of adjuvant molecules aims to limit the damage in normal surrounding tissues and enhance the effects of radiation therapy, either killing tumor cells or slowing down their growth. Melatonin, an indoleamine released by the pineal gland, behaves as a radiosensitizer in breast cancer, since it enhances the therapeutic effects of ionizing radiation and mitigates side effects on normal cells. However, the molecular mechanisms through which melatonin modulates the molecular changes triggered by radiotherapy remain mostly unknown. Here, we report that melatonin potentiated the anti-proliferative effect of radiation in MCF-7 cells. Treatment with ionizing radiation induced changes in the expression of many genes. Out of a total of 25 genes altered by radiation, melatonin potentiated changes in 13 of them, whereas the effect was reverted in another 10 cases. Among them, melatonin elevated the levels of PTEN and NME1, and decreased the levels of SNAI2, ERBB2, AKT, SERPINE1, SFN, PLAU, ATM and N3RC1. We also analyzed the expression of several microRNAs and found that melatonin enhanced the effect of radiation on the levels of miR-20a, miR-19a, miR-93, miR-20b and miR-29a. Rather surprisingly, radiation induced miR-17, miR-141 and miR-15a but melatonin treatment prior to radiation counteracted this stimulatory effect. Radiation alone enhanced the expression of the cancer suppressor miR-34a, and melatonin strongly stimulated this effect. Melatonin further enhanced the radiation-mediated inhibition of Akt. Finally, in an in vivo assay, melatonin restrained new vascularization in combination with ionizing radiation. Our results confirm that melatonin blocks many of the undesirable effects of ionizing radiation in MCF-7 cells and enhances changes that lead to optimized treatment results. This article highlights the effectiveness of melatonin as both a radiosensitizer and a radioprotector in breast cancer. Melatonin is an effective adjuvant molecule to radiotherapy, promoting anti-cancer therapeutic effects in cancer treatment. Melatonin modulates molecular pathways altered by radiation, and its use in clinic might lead to improved therapeutic outcomes by enhancing the sensitivity of cancerous cells to radiation and, in general, reversing their resistance toward currently applied therapeutic modalities.
Signaling Pathways Regulating the Expression of the Glioblastoma Invasion Factor TENM1
Authors: Carcelen María , Velasquez Carlos , Vidal Verónica , Gutiérrez Olga , Fernández-Luna José L.
Published: May 2022

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most aggressive cancers, with dismal prognosis despite continuous efforts to improve treatment. Poor prognosis is mostly due to the invasive nature of GBM. Thus, most research has focused on studying the molecular players involved in GBM cell migration and invasion of the surrounding parenchyma, trying to identify effective therapeutic targets against this lethal cancer. Our laboratory discovered the implication of TENM1, also known as ODZ1, in GBM cell migration in vitro and in tumor invasion using different in vivo models. Moreover, we investigated the microenvironmental stimuli that promote the expression of TENM1 in GBM cells and found that macrophage-secreted IL-6 and the extracellular matrix component fibronectin upregulated TENM1 through activation of Stat3. We also described that hypoxia, a common feature of GBM tumors, was able to induce TENM1 by both an epigenetic mechanism and a HIF2α-mediated transcriptional pathway. The fact that TENM1 is a convergence point for various cancer-related signaling pathways might give us a new therapeutic opportunity for GBM treatment. Here, we briefly review the findings described so far about the mechanisms that control the expression of the GBM invasion factor TENM1.
Low-Grade Inflammation in the Pathogenesis of Osteoarthritis: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms and Strategies for Future Therapeutic Intervention
Authors: Terkawi M Alaa , Ebata Taku , Yokota Shunichi , Takahashi Daisuke , Endo Tsutomu , Matsumae Gen , Shimizu Tomohiro , Kadoya Ken , Iwasaki Norimasa
Published: May 2022

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a musculoskeletal disease characterized by cartilage degeneration and stiffness, with chronic pain in the affected joint. It has been proposed that OA progression is associated with the development of low-grade inflammation (LGI) in the joint. In support of this principle, LGI is now recognized as the major contributor to the pathogenesis of obesity, aging, and metabolic syndromes, which have been documented as among the most significant risk factors for developing OA. These discoveries have led to a new definition of the disease, and OA has recently been recognized as a low-grade inflammatory disease of the joint. Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs)/alarmin molecules, the major cellular components that facilitate the interplay between cells in the cartilage and synovium, activate various molecular pathways involved in the initiation and maintenance of LGI in the joint, which, in turn, drives OA progression. A better understanding of the pathological mechanisms initiated by LGI in the joint represents a decisive step toward discovering therapeutic strategies for the treatment of OA. Recent findings and discoveries regarding the involvement of LGI mediated by DAMPs in OA pathogenesis are discussed. Modulating communication between cells in the joint to decrease inflammation represents an attractive approach for the treatment of OA.
Alloferon Affects the Chemosensitivity of Pancreatic Cancer by Regulating the Expression of SLC6A14
Authors: Jo Hyejung , Lee Dahae , Go Cheolhyeon , Jang Yoojin , Bae Suhyun , Agura Tomoyo , Hong Jiye , Kang Dongmin , Kim Yejin , Kang Jae Seung
Published: May 2022

Pancreatic cancer (PCa), one of the most malignant solid tumors, has a high mortality rate. Although there have been many trials of chemotherapeutic drugs such as gemcitabine, the mortality rates remain significantly higher than for other types of cancer. Therefore, more effective ways of improving conventional therapy for PCa are needed. Cancer cells take up large amounts of glutamine to drive their rapid proliferation. Recent studies show that the amino acid transporter SLC6A14 is upregulated in some cancers alongside glutamine metabolism. Alloferon, a peptide isolated from the insect immune system, exerts anti-viral and anti-inflammatory effects via its immunomodulatory function. In addition, it has anti-tumoral effects, although the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Therefore, we investigated the effects of alloferon on the PCa cell lines Panc-1 and AsPC-1. Exposure of these cells to alloferon for 3 weeks led to the downregulation of SLC6A14 expression and decreased glutamine uptake. Given that SLC6A14 plays a role in tumor progression and survival by promoting glutamine uptake into cancer cells, alloferon could be a potential adjuvant for the chemotherapeutic drug gemcitabine.
An Ultrasensitive and Selective Determination of Cadmium Ions at ppt Level Using an Enzymic Membrane with Colorimetric and Electrochemical Detection
Authors: Attaallah Raouia , Amine Aziz
Published: May 2022

Cadmium ions (Cd2+) are extremely toxic heavy metal pollutants found in the environment, and which endanger human health. Therefore, it is critical to develop a sensitive and simple method for rapidly detecting Cd2+ in water samples. Herein, an enzymic membrane was developed based on an easy and rapid immobilization method of horseradish peroxidase (HRP), for determination of Cd2+ in drinking water. Hence, for the first time, an enzymic membrane was applied for the detection of Cd2+ without being pretreated. In the first format, the inhibition of horseradish peroxidase was performed using a colorimetric microplate reader. Under optimal conditions, the achieved limit of detection was 20 ppt. In addition, an electrochemical biosensor was developed, by combining the enzymic membrane with screen printed electrodes, which showed a linear calibration range between 0.02–100 ppb (R2 = 0.990) and a detection limit of 50 ppt. The use of this enzymic membrane proved to be advantageous when reversible inhibitors such as the copper ion (Cu2+) were present in water samples, as Cu2+ can interfere with Cd2+ and cause erroneous results. In order to alleviate this problem, a medium exchange procedure was used to eliminate Cu2+, by washing and leaving only cadmium ions as an irreversible inhibitor for identification. The use of this membrane proved to be a simple and rapid method of immobilizing HRP with a covalent bond.
A Computer-Assisted System for Early Mortality Risk Prediction in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury Using Artificial Intelligence Algorithms in Emergency Room Triage
Authors: Tu Kuan-Chi , Eric Nyam Tee-Tau , Wang Che-Chuan , Chen Nai-Ching , Chen Kuo-Tai , Chen Chia-Jung , Liu Chung-Feng , Kuo Jinn-Rung
Published: May 2022

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a critical public health challenge. Although studies have found several prognostic factors for TBI, a useful early predictive tool for mortality has yet to be developed in the triage of the emergency room. This study aimed to use machine learning algorithms of artificial intelligence (AI) to develop predictive models for TBI patients in the emergency room triage. We retrospectively enrolled 18,249 adult TBI patients in the electronic medical records of three hospitals of Chi Mei Medical Group from January 2010 to December 2019, and undertook the 12 potentially predictive feature variables for predicting mortality during hospitalization. Six machine learning algorithms including logistical regression (LR) random forest (RF), support vector machines (SVM), LightGBM, XGBoost, and multilayer perceptron (MLP) were used to build the predictive model. The results showed that all six predictive models had high AUC from 0.851 to 0.925. Among these models, the LR-based model was the best model for mortality risk prediction with the highest AUC of 0.925; thus, we integrated the best model into the existed hospital information system for assisting clinical decision-making. These results revealed that the LR-based model was the best model to predict the mortality risk in patients with TBI in the emergency room. Since the developed prediction system can easily obtain the 12 feature variables during the initial triage, it can provide quick and early mortality prediction to clinicians for guiding deciding further treatment as well as helping explain the patient’s condition to family members.