bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mineralization Profile of Annexin A6-Harbouring Proteoliposomes: Shedding Light on the Role of Annexin A6 on Matrix Vesicle-Mediated Mineralization
Authors: Veschi Ekeveliny Amabile , Bolean Maytê , da Silva Andrilli Luiz Henrique , Sebinelli Heitor Gobbi , Strzelecka-Kiliszek Agnieszka , Bandorowicz-Pikula Joanna , Pikula Slawomir , Granjon Thierry , Mebarek Saida , Magne David , Millán José Luis , Ramos Ana Paula , Buchet Rene , Bottini Massimo , Ciancaglini Pietro
Published: August 2022

The biochemical machinery involved in matrix vesicles-mediated bone mineralization involves a specific set of lipids, enzymes, and proteins. Annexins, among their many functions, have been described as responsible for the formation and stabilization of the matrix vesicles′ nucleational core. However, the specific role of each member of the annexin family, especially in the presence of type-I collagen, remains to be clarified. To address this issue, in vitro mineralization was carried out using AnxA6 (in solution or associated to the proteoliposomes) in the presence or in the absence of type-I collagen, incubated with either amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) or a phosphatidylserine-calcium phosphate complex (PS–CPLX) as nucleators. Proteoliposomes were composed of 1,2-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), 1,2-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine: 1,2-dipalmitoylphosphatidylserine (DPPC:DPPS), and DPPC:Cholesterol:DPPS to mimic the outer and the inner leaflet of the matrix vesicles membrane as well as to investigate the effect of the membrane fluidity. Kinetic parameters of mineralization were calculated from time-dependent turbidity curves of free Annexin A6 (AnxA6) and AnxA6-containing proteoliposomes dispersed in synthetic cartilage lymph. The chemical composition of the minerals formed was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Free AnxA6 and AnxA6-proteoliposomes in the presence of ACP were not able to propagate mineralization; however, poorly crystalline calcium phosphates were formed in the presence of PS–CPLX, supporting the role of annexin-calcium-phosphatidylserine complex in the formation and stabilization of the matrix vesicles’ nucleational core. We found that AnxA6 lacks nucleation propagation capacity when incorporated into liposomes in the presence of PS–CPLX and type-I collagen. This suggests that AnxA6 may interact either with phospholipids, forming a nucleational core, or with type-I collagen, albeit less efficiently, to induce the nucleation process.
Does Serum LH Level Influence IVF Outcomes in Women with PCOS Undergoing GnRH-Antagonist Stimulation: A Novel Indicator
Authors: Wang Jing , Ding Jinli , Qu Bing , Zhang Yi , Zhou Qi
Published: August 2022

Objective: To explore the influence of LH levels on the IVF/ICSI outcomes in women with PCOSundergoing GnRH-antagonist stimulation protocol. Methods: A total of 142 IVF/ICSI patients in which the females were diagnosed with PCOS and underwent GnRH-antagonist protocol for ovarian stimulation were enrolled. Patients were divided into three groups based on basal LH (bLH) level, LH level on trigger day (hLH), and the ratio of hLH/bLH. The LH levels detected on different days in the stimulation cycle as well as their relationships with the IVF/ICSI outcomes were investigated. The main outcomes we observed were the number of oocytes retrieved, the cumulative chemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and live birth rate. Other factors included the number of normally fertilized oocytes (2PN), top-quality embryo rate, and total Gn dose. Results: There was no significant difference in the included outcomes and baseline characteristics among different groups based on bLH levels. When patients were grouped according to hLH levels (≤2 mIU/mL, 2–5 mIU/mL and ≥5 mIU/mL), we found decreased levels of basal FSH and LH in the group of hLH ≤ 2 mIU/mL than the other two groups. Then the ratio of hLH/bLH was calculated for each patient. Patients with hLH/bLH ≥ 1 had a higher top-quality embryo rate than those with hLH/bLH between 0.5 and 1.0. Nevertheless, the cumulative clinical pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the hLH/bLH ≤ 0.5 group than in the other two groups. Conclusions: The study proposed the hLH/bLH ratio as a potential in predicting the influence of LH level on the embryo development potential as well as pregnancy outcomes in women with PCOS undergoing GnRH-antagonist stimulation cycles.
State-of-the-Art Multimodality Imaging in Sudden Cardiac Arrest with Focus on Idiopathic Ventricular Fibrillation: A Review
Authors: Verheul Lisa M. , Groeneveld Sanne A. , Kirkels Feddo P. , Volders Paul G. A. , Teske Arco J. , Cramer Maarten J. , Guglielmo Marco , Hassink Rutger J.
Published: August 2022

Idiopathic ventricular fibrillation is a rare cause of sudden cardiac arrest and a diagnosis by exclusion. Unraveling the mechanism of ventricular fibrillation is important for targeted management, and potentially for initiating family screening. Sudden cardiac arrest survivors undergo extensive clinical testing, with a growing role for multimodality imaging, before diagnosing “idiopathic” ventricular fibrillation. Multimodality imaging, considered as using multiple imaging modalities as diagnostics, is important for revealing structural myocardial abnormalities in patients with cardiac arrest. This review focuses on combining imaging modalities (echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance and computed tomography) and the electrocardiographic characterization of sudden cardiac arrest survivors and discusses the surplus value of multimodality imaging in the diagnostic routing of these patients. We focus on novel insights obtained through electrostructural and/or electromechanical imaging in apparently idiopathic ventricular fibrillation patients, with special attention to non-invasive electrocardiographic imaging.
Evidence of Validity and Measurement Invariance by Gender of the Vaccination Attitudes Examination (VAX) Scale in Colombian University Students
Authors: Espejo Begoña , Martín-Carbonell Marta , Romero-Acosta Kelly Carolina , Fernández-Daza Martha , Paternina Yadid
Published: August 2022

Background: Having a valid tool to assess attitudes toward vaccination and identify the concerns that drive vaccine refusal can facilitate population studies and help guide public health interventions. The objective of this study has been to adapt the Vaccination Attitudes Examination (VAX) scale in Colombian university students and to study its psychometric properties in a non-probabilistic sample of 1074 Colombian university students. Methods: A confirmatory factor analysis was used to study the factorial structure. A structural equation model was tested to study concurrent validity and to check whether the factors predicted having received the coronavirus vaccine. Gender-based measurement invariance was also studied for the best model. Results: The results support the structure of four related factors. The composite reliability index was good for all the factors, but the average variance extracted was not as good for the second factor. There was strong measurement invariance by gender, and two factors are good predictors of being vaccinated or not. Conclusions: The VAX has shown construct and concurrent validity and is a reliable tool for evaluating attitudes towards vaccines in university students in Colombia. It may help guide the implementation of actions for the National Vaccination Plan and institutional policies.
Long-Term Results of Pediatric Liver Transplantation for Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis
Authors: Hang Chenyue , Jin Yijie , Luo Yi , Feng Mingxuan , Zhou Tao , Zhu Jianjun , Zhang Jianjun , Liu Yuan , Xia Qiang
Published: August 2022

We analyzed the long-term survival rate and development of progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) patients after liver transplantation (LT). From October 2007 to May 2019, 41 patients were diagnosed as PFIC (type I-III) and received LT in Ren Ji Hospital due to end-stage liver diseases. The median age at LT was 2.93 years, with 75.6% of patients receiving living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). The 5- and 10-year patient survival rates after LT were 92.7% and 92.7%, respectively, and no difference was found among the three subtypes of PFIC. Two PFIC type II patients received re-transplantation due to vascular complications. Liver function and bile acid metabolism returned to normal levels in all living recipients. Catch-up growth was recorded as the height and weight Z scores increased from −2.53 and −1.54 to −0.55 and −0.27 with a median follow-up time of 5.55 years. Improved psychomotor ability and age-appropriate study ability was also observed. A total of 72.4% of school-aged recipients exhibited average academic performance. Diarrhea was reported in all PFIC type I recipients but resolved after resin absorptive treatment. However, allograft steatosis occurred in one PFIC type I patient and exhibited a “remission–relapse circle” under the treatment of cholestyramine. In conclusion, LT is an effective treatment for end-stage PFIC patients with encouraging long-term survival rate and development. However, allograft steatosis should be closely monitored in PFIC type I patients even if diarrhea has been well treated.
Potential Add-On Effects of Manual Therapy Techniques in Migraine Patients: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Muñoz-Gómez Elena , Serra-Añó Pilar , Mollà-Casanova Sara , Sempere-Rubio Núria , Aguilar-Rodríguez Marta , Espí-López Gemma V. , Inglés Marta
Published: August 2022

Objective: To ascertain whether the combination of soft tissue and articulatory manual techniques is more effective than either one of these techniques alone for reducing migraine impact; Methods: Seventy-five participants with migraine were randomly divided into three groups (n = 25 per group): (i) soft tissue (STG), (ii) articulatory (AG), and (iii) combined treatment (STAG). Pain, frequency of occurrence, duration, disability and impact, depression and anxiety levels, and perception of change were analysed at baseline, post intervention (T2) and at four-week follow-up (T3); Results: STAG showed a significantly greater reduction in pain versus STG and AG at T2 (p < 0.001; p = 0.014) and at T3 (p < 0.001; p = 0.01). Furthermore, STAG achieved a significantly greater reduction in pain duration versus STG at T2 (p = 0.020) and T3 (p = 0.026) and a greater impression of change versus STG (p = 0.004) and AG (p = 0.037) at T3. Similar effects were observed in all groups for frequency of occurrence, migraine disability, impact, and depression and anxiety levels; Conclusions: A combined manual therapy protocol including soft tissue and articulatory techniques yields larger improvements on pain and perception of change than either technique alone, yet the three therapeutic approaches show similar benefits for reducing pain, disability and impact caused by the migraine, depression or anxiety levels.
Treatment for the Thoracic Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament and Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum
Authors: Machino Masaaki , Sakai Kenichiro , Yoshii Toshitaka , Furuya Takeo , Ito Sadayuki , Segi Naoki , Ouchida Jun , Imagama Shiro , Nakashima Hiroaki
Published: August 2022

The T-OPLL natural course has not been extensively reported, and evidence to support the timing of surgery is also lacking [...]
Soluble Isoform of Suppression of Tumorigenicity 2 (ST2) Biomarker in a Large Cohort of Healthy Pediatric Population: Determination of Reference Intervals
Authors: Perrone Marco Alfonso , Favresse Julien , D’Alessandro Annamaria , Albanese Federica , De Bruyne Coralie , Ceccarelli Stefano , Drago Fabrizio , Guccione Paolo , Porzio Ottavia , Leonardi Benedetta
Published: August 2022

Introduction: Only little data exists on ST2 reference intervals in healthy pediatric populations despite the high importance of this biomarker in adults with heart failure. The aim of the study was to assess the reference intervals of ST2 in a wide healthy pediatric cohort. Methods: We evaluated the serum concentrations of ST2 biomarker in 415 healthy pediatric subjects referred to our analysis laboratory. Subjects were categorized according to age (i.e., 0–6 (n = 79), 7–11 (n = 142) and 12–18 years (n = 191)) and sex. They were not suffering from any cardiac disorders, metabolic disorders, lung diseases, autoimmune disorders or malignancies. A written consent was obtained for each individual. No duplicate patients were included in the analysis and the presence of outliers was investigated. Reference intervals (Mean and central 95% confidence intervals) were determined. Results: Three outliers have been identified and removed from the analysis (60.0, 64.0 and 150.2 ng/mL). A total of 412 subjects were therefore included. The mean value for the whole population was 15.8 ng/mL (2.4–36.4 ng/mL). Males present a significantly higher mean concentration compared to females (17.2 versus 14.4 ng/mL, p = 0.001). A significant trend toward higher ST2 values with age was also observed, but for males only (r = 0.43, p < 0.0001). If considering age partitions, only males of 12–18 years (mean = 21.7 ng/mL) had significantly higher ST2 values compared to the other groups (ranging from 11.9 for males 0–6 years to 15.2 for females 12–18 years; p < 0.0001). Conclusions: We described age and sex-specific reference intervals for ST2 in a large healthy pediatric population. We found that ST2 values differ between sexes if considering all participants. A significant increase in ST2 with age was also observed, but only for males of 12–18 years.
Cleft Palate in Apert Syndrome
Authors: Willie Delayna , Holmes Greg , Jabs Ethylin Wang , Wu Meng
Published: August 2022

Apert syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by craniosynostosis, midface retrusion, and limb anomalies. Cleft palate occurs in a subset of Apert syndrome patients. Although the genetic causes underlying Apert syndrome have been identified, the downstream signaling pathways and cellular mechanisms responsible for cleft palate are still elusive. To find clues for the pathogenic mechanisms of palatal defects in Apert syndrome, we review the clinical characteristics of the palate in cases of Apert syndrome, the palatal phenotypes in mouse models, and the potential signaling mechanisms involved in palatal defects. In Apert syndrome patients, cleft of the soft palate is more frequent than of the hard palate. The length of the hard palate is decreased. Cleft palate is associated most commonly with the S252W variant of FGFR2. In addition to cleft palate, high-arched palate, lateral palatal swelling, or bifid uvula are common in Apert syndrome patients. Mouse models of Apert syndrome display palatal defects, providing valuable tools to understand the underlying mechanisms. The mutations in FGFR2 causing Apert syndrome may change a signaling network in epithelial–mesenchymal interactions during palatogenesis. Understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of palatal defects in Apert syndrome may shed light on potential novel therapeutic solutions.
Organic Matter and Nutrient Cycling in Coastal Wetlands and Submerged Aquatic Ecosystems in an Age of Rapid Environmental Change—The Anthropocene
Authors: Elsey-Quirk Tracy , Cornwell Jeffrey C.
Published: August 2022

Coastal ecosystems, such as marshes, mangroves, seagrasses and estuaries, are biogeochemical hotspots, receiving and transforming organic matter and nutrients from terrestrial watersheds and the coastal ocean [...]
Exploring Potential Mechanisms of Fludioxonil Resistance in Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis
Authors: Wang Yan-Fen , Hao Fang-Min , Zhou Huan-Huan , Chen Jiang-Bo , Su Hai-Chuan , Yang Fang , Cai Yuan-Yuan , Li Guan-Long , Zhang Meng , Zhou Feng
Published: August 2022

Melon Fusarium wilt (MFW), which is caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis (FOM), is a soil-borne disease that commonly impacts melon cultivation worldwide. In the absence of any disease-resistant melon cultivars, the control of MFW relies heavily on the application of chemical fungicides. Fludioxonil, a phenylpyrrole fungicide, has been shown to have broad-spectrum activity against many crop pathogens. Sensitivity analysis experiments suggest that fludioxonil has a strong inhibitory effect on the mycelial growth of FOM isolates. Five fludioxonil-resistant FOM mutants were successfully generated by repeated exposure to fludioxonil under laboratory conditions. Although the mutants exhibited significantly reduced mycelial growth in the presence of the fungicide, there initially appeared to be little fitness cost, with no significant difference (p < 0.05) in the growth rates of the mutants and wild-type isolates. However, further investigation revealed that the sporulation of the fludioxonil-resistant mutants was affected, and mutants exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) reduced growth rates in response to KCl, NaCl, glucose, and mannitol. Meanwhile, molecular analysis of the mutants strongly suggested that the observed fludioxonil resistance was related to changes in the sequence and expression of the FoOs1 gene. In addition, the current study found no evidence of cross-resistance between fludioxonil and any of the other fungicides tested. These results indicate that fludioxonil has great potential as an alternative method of control for FOM in melon crops.
HexFire: A Flexible and Accessible Wildfire Simulator
Authors: Schumaker Nathan H. , Watkins Sydney M. , Heinrichs Julie A.
Published: August 2022

As fire frequency and severity grow throughout the world, scientists working across a range of disciplines will increasingly need to incorporate wildfire models into their research. However, fire simulators tend to be highly complex, time-consuming to learn, and difficult to parameterize. As a result, embracing these models can prove impractical for scientists and practitioners who are not fire specialists. Here we introduce a parsimonious wildfire simulator named HexFire that has been designed for rapid uptake by investigators who do not specialize in the mechanics of fire spread. HexFire should be useful to such nonspecialists for representing the spread of fire, interactions with fuel breaks, and for integrating wildfire into other types of ecological models. We provide a detailed description of the HexFire simulator’s design and mechanisms. Our heuristic fire spread examples highlight the flexibility inherent in the model system, demonstrate that HexFire can generate a wide range of emergent fire behaviors, and illustrate how HexFire might be coupled with other environmental models. We also describe ways that HexFire itself might be altered or augmented. HexFire can be used as a proxy for more detailed fire simulators and to assess the implications of wildfire for local ecological systems. HexFire can also simulate fire interactions with fuel breaks and active fire suppression.
Exploring the Limits of Biological Complexity Amenable to Studies by Incoherent Neutron Spectroscopy
Authors: Mamontov Eugene
Published: August 2022

The wavelengths of neutrons available at neutron scattering facilities are comparable with intra- and inter-molecular distances, while their energies are comparable with molecular vibrational energies, making such neutrons highly suitable for studies of molecular-level dynamics. The unmistakable trend in neutron spectroscopy has been towards measurements of systems of greater complexity. Several decades of studies of dynamics using neutron scattering have witnessed a progression from measurements of solids to liquids to protein complexes and biomembranes, which may exhibit properties characteristic of both solids and liquids. Over the last two decades, the frontier of complexity amenable to neutron spectroscopy studies has reached the level of cells. Considering this a baseline for neutron spectroscopy of systems of the utmost biological complexity, we briefly review what has been learned to date from neutron scattering studies at the cellular level and then discuss in more detail the recent strides into neutron spectroscopy of tissues and whole multicellular organisms.
Reduced Graphene Oxide-Coated Separator to Activate Dead Potassium for Efficient Potassium Batteries
Authors: Si Liping , Wang Jianyi , Xu Xijun
Published: August 2022

Potassium (K) metal batteries (KMBs) have the advantages of relatively low electric potential (−2.93 V), high specific capacity (687 mAh g−1), and low cost, which are highly appealing to manufacturers of portable electric products and vehicles. However, the large amounts of “dead K” caused by K dendrite growth and volumetric expansion can cause severe K metal anode deactivation. Here, a thin layer of conductive reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was coated on a GF separator (rGO@GF) to activate the generated dead K. Compared with the batteries adopting an original separator, those adopting a modified separator have significantly improved specific capacity and cycling stability. The life of full-cell of KMBs combining an rGO@GF separator with synthesized K0.51V2O5 is expected to exceed 400 cycles, with an initial capacity of 92 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 and an attenuation rate per cycle as low as 0.03%. Our work demonstrates that a composite separator of high conductivity is beneficial for high performance KMBs.
Effect of Deformation Parameters of an Initial Aged GH4169 Superalloy on Its Microstructural Evolution during a New Two-Stage Annealing
Authors: Chen Mingsong , Chen Quan , Lou Yumin , Lin Yongcheng , Li Hongbin , Wang Guanqiang , Cai Hongwei
Published: August 2022

This study aims to explore the effect of deformation parameters on microstructure evolution during the new two-stage annealing method composed of an aging treatment (AT) and a cooling recrystallization annealing treatment (CRT). Firstly, the hot compressive tests with diverse deformation parameters were finished for an initial aged deformed GH4169 superalloy. Then, the same two-stage annealing method was designed and carried out for the deformed samples. The results show that the deformation parameters mainly affect the grain microstructure during CRT by influencing the content, distribution and morphology of the δ phase after deformation. The reason for this is that there is an equilibrium of the content of the δ phase and Nb atom. When the deformation temperature is high, the complete dissolution behavior of the δ phase nuclei promotes the dispersion distribution of the δ phase with rodlike and needle-like shapes during AT. Thus, the fine and heterogeneous microstructure is obtained after annealing because the recrystallization nucleation is enhanced in those dispersed δ phases during CRT. However, when the retained content of δ phase nuclei is high after deformation, the clusters of intragranular δ phases will form during AT, resulting in the pinning of the motion for dislocation. The elimination of the mixed grain microstructure is slowed down due to the low static recrystallization (SRX) nucleation rate within the deformed grain.
Effect of the Addition of Graphene Nanoplatelets on the Thermal Conductivity of Rocket Kerosene: A Molecular Dynamics Study
Authors: Guo Xiaodie , Chen Xuejiao , Zhao Jinpeng , Zhou Wenjing , Wei Jinjia
Published: August 2022

Rocket kerosene plays an important role in the regenerative cooling process of rocket thrust chambers. Its thermal conductivity determines the cooling efficiency and the tendency to coke in rocket kerosene engines. In this paper, graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were introduced into rocket kerosene to improve its thermal conductivity. Molecular dynamics simulation was used to investigate the thermal conductivity of the composite system and its underlying thermal conductivity mechanism. Firstly, by studying the effect of the mass fraction of GNPs, it was found that, when the graphene mass fraction increases from 1.14% to 6.49%, the thermal conductivity of the composite system increases from 4.26% to 17.83%, which can be explained by the percolation theory. Secondly, the influence of the size of GNPs on the thermal conductivity of the composite system was studied. Basically, the thermal conductivity was found to increase by increasing the aspect ratio of GNPs, indicating that GNPs with a higher aspect ratio are more conducive to improving the thermal conductivity of rocket kerosene. By carefully analyzing the effect of the size of GNPs on thermal conductivity, it was concluded that the thermal conduction enhancement by adding GNPs is determined by the combined effect of the percolation theory and the Brownian motion. The results of the temperature effect study showed that the ratio of thermal conductivity to rocket kerosene increased from 1.16 to 1.26 and from 1.07 to 1.11 for the composite systems, with graphene sizes of 41.18 Å × 64.00 Å and 24.14 Å × 17.22 Å in the temperature range of 293 K to 343 K, respectively. It is further proved that the Brownian motion of GNPs has a non-negligible effect on the thermal conductivity of the composite system. This work provides microscopic insights into the thermal conduction mechanism of GNPs in nanofluids and will offer practical guidance for improving the thermal conductivity of rocket kerosene.
DP-Climb: A Hybrid Adhesion Climbing Robot Design and Analysis for Internal Transition
Authors: Zhang Qingfang , Gao Xueshan , Li Mingkang , Wei Yi , Liang Peng
Published: August 2022

This paper proposes a double propeller wall-climbing robot (DP-Climb) with a hybrid adhesion system based on the biomimetic design principle to address the problems of single adhesion-powered wall climbing robots (WCRs). Such problems include poor maneuverability and adaptability to orthogonal working surfaces with different roughness and flatness, weak flexibility of ground-wall transition motion, and easy stand stilling of transition,. Based on the clinging characteristics of different creatures, the hybrid system combines the rotor units’ reverse thrust, the drive wheels’ driving torque, and the adhesion force offered by the coating material to power the robot through a coupled control strategy. Based on the Newton–Euler equations, the robot’s kinematic characteristics during the ground-wall internal transition motion were analyzed, the safe adhesion conditions were obtained, and a dynamics model of the robot’s ground-wall transition was established. This provided the basis for the coupling control between different power units. Finally, an internal transition PID control strategy based on DP-Climb was proposed. Through mechanical and aerodynamic characteristic experiments, it is verified that the robot’s actual output pulling force can meet the transition motion demand. The experimental results show that the proposed strategy can enable the DP-Climb to complete the ground-wall mutual transition motion smoothly with a speed of 0.12 m/s. The robot’s maximum wall motion speed can reach 0.45 m/s, which verifies that the hybrid adhesion system can flexibly and quickly reach the specified position in a target area flexibly and quickly. The robustness and adaptability of WCR to complex application environments are improved.
Research on Processing Error of Special Machine Tool for VH-CATT Cylindrical Gear
Authors: Liang Shuang , Luo Pei , Hou Li , Duan Yang , Zhang Qi , Zhang Haiyan
Published: August 2022

The variable hyperbolic circular arc tooth trace (VH-CATT) cylindrical gear is a new gear suitable for heavy loads and high speed. The special structure of the gear provides excellent mechanical properties but also increases the processing difficulty. The special machine tool for VH-CATT gear provides a prerequisite for mass production, but the machining accuracy remains to be improved. Therefore, this paper proposes a Kriging model based on the glowworm swarm optimization algorithm of scene understanding (SGSO) to study the relationship between input parameters and output precision. Then, the SGSO algorithm is used to optimize the parameters of the Gaussian mutation function in the Kriging model to improve its fitting accuracy. When solving four groups of tooth profile and tooth direction errors, the key precision index, R2, of SGSO-Kriging all exceed 0.95. Additionally, the feasibility of the model is verified by the residual diagram and the box diagram. The contour diagram and error results show that reducing the feeding velocity, vf, can improve accuracy most efficiently, and the increase of rotational speed, n, is more conducive to the accuracy of the tooth surface than the acceleration of the coolant, vQ. The above research provides an optimization strategy of gear machining accuracy and a theoretical basis for the promotion of the VH-CATT gear.
An Extrinsic Approach Based on Physics-Informed Neural Networks for PDEs on Surfaces
Authors: Tang Zhuochao , Fu Zhuojia , Reutskiy Sergiy
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we propose an extrinsic approach based on physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) for solving the partial differential equations (PDEs) on surfaces embedded in high dimensional space. PINNs are one of the deep learning-based techniques. Based on the training data and physical models, PINNs introduce the standard feedforward neural networks (NNs) to approximate the solutions to the PDE systems. Using automatic differentiation, the PDEs information could be encoded into NNs and a loss function. To deal with the surface differential operators in the loss function, we combine the extrinsic approach with PINNs and then express that loss function in extrinsic form. Subsequently, the loss function could be minimized extrinsically with respect to the NN parameters. Numerical results demonstrate that the extrinsic approach based on PINNs for surface problems has good accuracy and higher efficiency compared with the embedding approach based on PINNs. In addition, the strong nonlinear mapping ability of NNs makes this approach robust in solving time-dependent nonlinear problems on more complex surfaces.
Problem-Based Learning and Applied Mathematics
Authors: Rézio Sofia , Andrade Marina Pedro , Teodoro Maria Filomena
Published: August 2022

Problem-based learning (PBL) is a teaching method that appeared in the early 1960s and is widely applied in distinct areas nowadays. In the presented manuscript, we describe a PBL methodology use restricted to applied mathematics for problem solving among a group of engineering students in a Portuguese university. In the pandemic context, it was a huge challenge both for the students and for the teacher. Supported by the available literature, the experiment was defined. As it is well known, teachers are not only knowledge transmitters but also designers of teaching initiatives. Thus, teachers and students both have a large role in PBL methodologies, where collaboration, reflection and concepts discussion are essential. In the presented pedagogical challenge, students were devoted to integrating the previous knowledge acquired and the one acquired during the project. This process improved their new competences—both personal and team work. Despite being a recent pedagogical method, PBL is revealed to be an important teaching tool.
Statistical Inference of Wiener Constant-Stress Accelerated Degradation Model with Random Effects
Authors: Jiang Peihua
Published: August 2022

In the field of reliability analysis, the constant-stress accelerated degradation test is one of the most commonly used methods to evaluate a product’s reliability as degradation data are provided. In this paper, a constant-stress accelerated degradation test model of the Wiener process with random effects is proposed. First, the generalized confidence intervals of the model parameters are developed by constructing generalized pivotal quantities. Second, utilizing the substitution method, the generalized confidence intervals for the reliability function of lifetime, mean time to failure and the generalized prediction intervals for the degradation characteristic at the normal operating condition are also developed. Simulation studies are conducted to investigate the performances of the proposed generalized confidence intervals and prediction intervals. The simulation results reveal that the proposed generalized confidence intervals and prediction intervals work well in terms of the coverage percentage. In particular, a comparative analysis is made with the traditional bootstrap confidence intervals. At last, the proposed procedures are used for a real data analysis.
Application of Indigenous Rhizospheric Microorganisms and Local Compost as Enhancers of Lettuce Growth, Development, and Salt Stress Tolerance
Authors: Ouhaddou Redouane , Ben-Laouane Raja , Lahlali Rachid , Anli Mohamed , Ikan Chayma , Boutasknit Abderrahim , Slimani Aiman , Oufdou Khalid , Baslam Marouane , Ait Barka Essaid , Meddich Abdelilah
Published: August 2022

This study aimed to mitigate salt stress effects on lettuce by using native biostimulants (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (M, consortium), plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (R, Z2, and Z4 strains), and compost (C)) applied alone or in combination under salinity stress (0, 50, and 100 mM NaCl). Physiological, biochemical, nutritional, mycorrhizal, growth, and soil characteristics were evaluated. Results revealed that growth and physiological traits were negatively affected by salinity. However, mycorrhizal colonization was enhanced under 100 mM NaCl after compost application. The applied biostimulants, particularly M and/or R improved the salinity tolerance of lettuce by increasing the dry biomass by 119% and 113% under 100 mM NaCl, respectively, for M and MR treatments. Similarly, MR enhanced stomatal conductance (47%), water content (260%), total chlorophyll (130%), phosphorus content (363%), and reduced the malondialdehyde (54%) and hydrogen peroxide (78%) compared to the control. Moreover, peroxidase activity (76%) and sugar content (36%) were enhanced by CM treatment, while protein (111%) and proline (104%) contents were significantly boosted by R treatment under 100 mM NaCl. Furthermore, glomalin content was enhanced by MR treatment under severe salinity. In conclusion, the applied biostimulants alone or in combination might help lettuce to tolerate salt stress and enhance its production in degraded areas.
Femtosecond Pulsed Fiber Laser by an Optical Device Based on NaOH-LPE Prepared WSe2 Saturable Absorber
Authors: Chen Si , Wang Fengpeng , Kuang Fangguang , Kang Shuying , Liang Hanwen , Zheng Lijing , Guan Lixin , Wu Qing
Published: August 2022

We report on all-optical devices prepared from WSe2 combined with drawn tapered fibers as saturable absorbers to achieve ultrashort pulse output. The saturable absorber with a high damage threshold and high saturable absorption characteristics is prepared for application in erbium-doped fiber lasers by the liquid phase exfoliation method for WSe2, and the all-optical device exhibited strong saturable absorption characteristics with a modulation depth of 15% and a saturation intensity of 100.58 W. The net dispersion of the erbium-doped fiber laser cavity is ~−0.1 ps2, and a femtosecond pulse output with a bandwidth of 11.4 nm, a pulse width of 390 fs, and a single-pulse capability of 42 pJ is obtained. Results indicate that the proposed WSe2 saturable absorbers are efficient, photonic devices to realize stable fiber lasers. The results demonstrate that the WSe2 saturable absorber is an effective photonic device for realizing stable fiber lasers, which have a certain significance for the development of potential photonic devices.
Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Fetal Growth Restriction: Clinical Characteristics and Placental Lesions and Possible Preventive Nutritional Targets
Authors: Di Martino Daniela Denis , Avagliano Laura , Ferrazzi Enrico , Fusè Federica , Sterpi Vittoria , Parasiliti Marco , Stampalija Tamara , Zullino Sara , Farina Antonio , Bulfamante Gaetano Pietro , Di Maso Matteo , D’Ambrosi Francesco
Published: August 2022

Background: The purpose of this study was to describe the placental lesions in pregnancies complicated by hypertensive disorders (HDP) and/or fetal growth restriction (FGR) and in uneventful control pregnancies. Methods: This is a case control study that included singleton pregnancies with HDP and normally grown fetus (HDP-AGA fetus), with HDP and FGR, early FGR, late FGR, and uneventful pregnancies. Feto-placental Doppler velocimetry and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio were performed. Placental histology was evaluated blinded according to the Amsterdam Consensus criteria. Results: Placental lesions with maternal vascular malperfusion (MVM) were significantly more frequent in HDP-FGR and early FGR (92% and 83%). MVM were significantly associated with abnormal feto-placental Doppler parameters, especially in early FGR. Delayed villous maturation (DVM) was associated with late FGR (83%). HDP-AGA fetus cases presented a heterogeneous pattern of placental lesions, including 60% of cases with MVM, but were not associated with abnormal Doppler feto-placental velocimetry. Conclusions: We found a prevalence of placental maternal vascular malperfusion in HDP-FGR and early FGR groups. These lesions were also associated with abnormal, anti-, and angiogenic markers. Conversely HDP-AGA fetus and late FGR presented more heterogeneous placental lesions not severe enough to cause feto-placental Doppler anomalies. These conditions are likely associated with different etiologies, such as maternal pre-pregnancy risk factors for metabolic syndrome. These findings suggest a possible preventive nutritional approach in addition to low-dose aspirin in pregnant women with predisposing factors for HDP-AGA fetuses and late FGR.
The Role of Nutrition in Primary and Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Damage in Childhood Cancer Survivors
Authors: Guida Fiorentina , Masetti Riccardo , Andreozzi Laura , Zama Daniele , Fabi Marianna , Meli Matteo , Prete Arcangelo , Lanari Marcello
Published: August 2022

Innovative therapeutic strategies in childhood cancer led to a significant reduction in cancer-related mortality. Cancer survivors are a growing fragile population, at risk of long-term side effects of cancer treatments, thus requiring customized clinical attention. Antineoplastic drugs have a wide toxicity profile that can limit their clinical usage and spoil patients’ life, even years after the end of treatment. The cardiovascular system is a well-known target of antineoplastic treatments, including anthracyclines, chest radiotherapy and new molecules, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors. We investigated nutritional changes in children with cancer from the diagnosis to the end of treatment and dietary habits in cancer survivors. At diagnosis, children with cancer may present variable degrees of malnutrition, potentially affecting drug tolerability and prognosis. During cancer treatment, the usage of corticosteroids can lead to rapid weight gain, exposing children to overweight and obesity. Moreover, dietary habits and lifestyle often dramatically change in cancer survivors, who acquire sedentary behavior and weak adherence to dietary guidelines. Furthermore, we speculated on the role of nutrition in the primary prevention of cardiac damage, investigating the potential cardioprotective role of diet-derived compounds with antioxidative properties. Finally, we summarized practical advice to improve the dietary habits of cancer survivors and their families.
Simulation of an AlGaInAs/InP Electro-Absorption Modulator Monolithically Integrated with Sidewall Grating Distributed Feedback Laser by Quantum Well Intermixing
Authors: Sun Xiao , Cheng Weiqing , Sun Yiming , Ye Shengwei , Al-Moathin Ali , Huang Yongguang , Zhang Ruikang , Liang Song , Qiu Bocang , Xiong Jichuan , Liu Xuefeng , Marsh John H. , Hou Lianping
Published: August 2022

A novel AlGaInAs/InP electro-absorption modulated laser (EML) with a simple fabrication process is proposed, in which the electro-absorption modulator (EAM) has a 10 nm blueshift induced by quantum well intermixing (QWI) and is monolithically integrated with a sidewall grating distributed-feedback (DFB) laser working at 1.55 μm wavelength. The extent of the QWI process is characterized by a diffusion length. The quantum confined Stark effect (QCSE) is simulated in terms of extinction ratio (ER) and chirp for bias electric fields from 0 kV/cm to 200 kV/cm and for different amounts of intermixing. The results indicate that for a 150 µm-long EAM with a 10 nm blueshift induced by QWI, an ER of 40 dB is obtained at 2.5 V reverse bias with no penalty in chirp compared to an as-grown quantum well (QW) and the insertion loss at 0 V bias is 0.11 dB for 1.55 µm operation wavelength. The simulated –3 dB bandwidth of the electrical to optical power response is 22 GHz.
Recent Progress in Electrospun Polyacrylonitrile Nanofiber-Based Wound Dressing
Authors: Huang Chang , Xu Xizi , Fu Junhao , Yu Deng-Guang , Liu Yanbo
Published: August 2022

Bleeding control plays a very important role in worldwide healthcare, which also promotes research and development of wound dressings. The wound healing process involves four stages of hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation and remodeling, which is a complex process, and wound dressings play a huge role in it. Electrospinning technology is simple to operate. Electrospun nanofibers have a high specific surface area, high porosity, high oxygen permeability, and excellent mechanical properties, which show great utilization value in the manufacture of wound dressings. As one of the most popular reactive and functional synthetic polymers, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) is frequently explored to create nanofibers for a wide variety of applications. In recent years, researchers have invested in the application of PAN nanofibers in wound dressings. Research on spun nanofibers is reviewed, and future development directions and prospects of electrospun PAN nanofibers for wound dressings are proposed.
TGF-β1 and Mechanical-Stretch Induction of Lysyl-Oxidase and Matrix-Metalloproteinase Expression in Synovial Fibroblasts Requires NF-κB Pathways
Authors: Zhang Yanjun , Wang Chunli , Li Xiaona , Yang Li
Published: August 2022

The imbalance in the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and lysyl oxidases (LOXs) in synovial fibroblasts (SFs) caused by mechanical injury and inflammatory response prevents injured anterior cruciate ligaments (ACLs) from self-healing. However, research on the effect of growth factors on SFs on regulating the microenvironment is limited. In this study, mechanical injury and exogenous transform growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were employed to mimic a joint-cavity microenvironment with ACL trauma. The function of the NF-κB transcription factor was further studied. The study found that the gene expression of LOXs (except LOXL-1), MMP-1, -2, and -3 in SFs was promoted by the combination of injurious mechanical stretching and TGF-β1 and that the upregulation of MMPs was higher than that of LOXs. In addition, MMP-2 activity induced by the combination of injurious stretch and TGF-β1 was inhibited by NF-κB inhibitors such as Bay11-7082 and Bay11-7085. The findings concluded that the synovium was an important regulator of the knee joint-cavity microenvironment after ACL injury and that the NF-κB pathway mediated the regulation of MMP-2 in SFs via mechanical factors and TGF-β1.
Recognition and Classification of Martian Chaos Terrains Using Imagery Machine Learning: A Global Distribution of Chaos Linked to Groundwater Circulation, Catastrophic Flooding, and Magmatism on Mars
Authors: Shozaki Hiroki , Sekine Yasuhito , Guttenberg Nicholas , Komatsu Goro
Published: August 2022

Martian chaos terrains are fractured depressions consisting of block landforms that are often located in source areas of outflow channels. Numerous chaos and chaos-like features have been found on Mars; however, a global-scale classification has not been pursued. Here, we perform recognition and classification of Martian chaos using imagery machine learning. We developed neural network models to classify block landforms commonly found in chaos terrains—which are associated with outflow channels formed by water activity (referred to as Aromatum-Hydraotes-Oxia-like (or AHO) chaos blocks) or with geological features suggesting volcanic activity (Arsinoes-Pyrrhae-like (or AP) chaos blocks)—and also non-chaos surface features, based on >1400 surface images. Our models can recognize chaos and non-chaos features with 93.9% ± 0.3% test accuracy, and they can be used to classify both AHO and AP chaos blocks with >89 ± 4% test accuracy. By applying our models to ~3150 images of block landforms of chaos-like features, we identified 2 types of chaos terrain. These include hybrid chaos terrain, where AHO and AP chaos blocks co-exist in one basin, and AHO-dominant chaos terrain. Hybrid chaos terrains are predominantly found in the circum-Chryse outflow channels region. AHO-dominant chaos terrains are widely distributed across Aeolis, Cydonia, and Nepenthes Mensae along the dichotomy boundary. Their locations coincide with regions suggested to exhibit upwelling groundwater on Hesperian Mars.
Simulating the Changes of Invasive Phragmites australis in a Pristine Wetland Complex with a Grey System Coupled System Dynamic Model: A Remote Sensing Practice
Authors: Yu Danlin , Procopio Nicholas A. , Fang Chuanglin
Published: August 2022

Biological invasion has been one of the reasons that coastal wetlands gradually lose their ecological services. The current study investigates the spread of a commonly found invasive species in coastal wetlands in Northeastern US, the Phragmites australis. Within a relatively pristine wetland complex in coastal New Jersey, we collected high-resolution multispectral remote sensing images for eight years (2011–2018), in both winter and summer seasons. The land cover/land use status in this wetland complex is relatively simple, contains only five identifiable vegetation covers and water. Applying high accuracy machine learning algorithms, we are able to classify the land use/land cover in the complex and use the classified images as the basis for the grey system coupled system dynamics simulative model. The simulative model produces land use land cover change in the wetland complex for the next 25 years. Results suggest that Phragmites australis will increase in coverage in the future, despite the stable intensity of anthropogenic activities. The wetland complex could lose its essential ecological services to serve as an exchange spot for nekton species from the sea.
One Shell of a Problem: Cumulative Threat Analysis of Male Sea Turtles Indicates High Anthropogenic Threat for Migratory Individuals and Gulf of Mexico Residents
Authors: Ashford Micah , Watling James I. , Hart Kristen
Published: August 2022

Human use of oceans has dramatically increased in the 21st century. Sea turtles are vulnerable to anthropogenic stressors in the marine environment because of lengthy migrations between foraging and breeding sites, often along coastal migration corridors. Little is known about how movement and threat interact specifically for male sea turtles. To better understand male sea turtle movement and the threats they encounter, we satellite-tagged 40 adult male sea turtles of four different species. We calculated movement patterns using state-space modeling (SSM), and quantified threats in seven unique categories; shipping, fishing, light pollution, oil rigs, proximity to coast, marine protected area (MPA) status, and location within or outside of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). We found significantly higher threat severity in northern and southern latitudes for green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and Kemp’s ridleys (Lepidochelys kempii) in our study area. Those threats were pervasive, with only 35.9% of SSM points encountering no high threat exposure, of which 47% belong to just two individuals. Kemp’s ridleys were most exposed to high threats among tested species. Lastly, turtles within MPA boundaries face significantly lower threat exposure, indicating MPAs could be a useful conservation tool.