bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modulation of NMDA receptor activity by CR4056, an imidazoline-2 receptor ligand with analgesic properties
Authors: Puja Giulia , Losi Gabriele , Rovati Lucio , Lanza Marco , Caselli Gianfranco , Bardoni Rita
Published: September 2022

CR4056 is an imidazoline-2 receptor ligand having potent analgesic activity and synergistic effect with opioids. Very recently it has been found that CR4056 can revert the cognitive impairment in animal models of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Since several lines of evidence highlight the importance of NMDAR modulators in nociceptive signaling and in AD progression, we considered as important to investigate the effects of CR4056 on NMDAR activity. In primary culture of cortical neurons, application of NMDA and glycine elicits a current that is decreased in a dose-dependent fashion by CR4056 (IC50 5.3 ± 0.1 µM). CR4056 antagonism is reversible, not competitive and voltage-independent and it is not blocked by pertussis toxin. CR4056 interacts with the co-agonist glycine site in a competitive way, indeed high glycine concentrations diminish its effect. Fibroblasts expressing different recombinant NMDA receptors are differently modulated by CR4056: the potency and the efficacy of the compound are higher in GluN1- GluN2B than in GluN1-GluN2A containing receptors. In lamina II neurons of spinal cord slices, single stimulation of afferent fibers evokes an NMDA-mediated current that is inhibited by 10 µM CR4056. Repetitive stimulation of the dorsal root at high frequency and high intensity produces a firing activity that is significatively depressed by CR4056. Taken together, our results broad the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of CR4056 analgesic activity, involving the modulation of NMDAR activity. Therefore, we propose that the analgesic action of CR4056 and the neuroprotective effects in AD models may be mediated also by NMDAR inhibition.
Automated measurement of endometrial peristalsis in cine transvaginal ultrasound images
Authors: Wang Yue , Li Xiaokun , Wei Niya , Liu Yuanxi , Liu Xinting , Sun Ruijie , Huang Chan , Yao Bin , Wang Huifang
Published: September 2022

Objectives: Endometrial peristalsis (EP) in non-pregnant uterine can be assessed by visual assessment of transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS). However, visual assessment is subjective, and the outcome depends on the sonographers and video analysts. This study aimed to create a newly developed automatic analysis algorithm for measuring the EP compared to visual assessment.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed using the datasets from in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET), who underwent the evaluation of EP by TVUS within 5 days prior to transplantation. 158 cine TVUS images were used to develop the automated analysis algorithm, and 37 cine TVUS images were evaluated by both visual and automated analysis algorithms. The algorithm was developed by applying the optical flow technology and enabled objective analysis of the number, direction, and intensity of EP.

Results: The number of peristaltic waves counted by visual assessment was 4.2 ± 2.3 (mean ± standard deviation) and 4.1 ± 2.1 for doctors one and two, respectively. The number of waves counted with the algorithm was 3.6 ± 2.1 at first evaluation and 3.7 ± 2.0 at repeated evaluation. A significant difference was found between the algorithm count and visual assessment (p = 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.008). The ICC values for algorithm versus manuals ranged from 0.84 to 0.96 and 0.87 to 0.96. The numbers of the cervix-to-fundus (CF), fundus-to-cervix (FC), and both cervix-to-fundal and fundus-to-cervix (CF + FC) directions of EP counted by the algorithm were 50, 52, and 32, respectively. The numbers counted by visual assessment were 43, 45, and 46, respectively. The number of EP was the same in 87% of the two algorithm counts. The number was lower between the algorithm and visual analysis (79% with complete agreement). The EP intensity assessed by the algorithm was 2.6 ± 1.1, and the peristalsis velocity was 0.147 (0.07) mm/s.

Conclusion: The fully automated analysis algorithm can be used to quantify uterine peristalsis comparable to visual assessment.
Modeling Intention-Based Critical Determinants of E-Commerce Utilization: Emerging Business Models and Transformation in the Digital World
Authors: Tong Tianjie , Xiong Yuyu
Published: September 2022

Companies in the world today understand that keeping users in touch is essential to enhancing their trust. The primary objective of this study was to determine the intention-based critical determinants of E-commerce utilization in China from the end users’ perspective. We developed a framework that identifies the factors that influence E-commerce utilization in China. Besides, we introduced observational research (data analysis) conducted in a real-world E-commerce sense. Results are based on a sample of 400 respondents by employing a comprehensive questionnaire survey. The structural equation modeling (SEM) and the partial least squares (PLS) regression approach was used to analyze the data. Study results show that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, reputation, trust in vendors, and purchase frequency significantly influence consumers’ intention to use E-commerce systems. Research outcomes emphasize transforming social norms, raising consumers’ awareness, redesigning policy frameworks, and highlighting the paybacks that E-commerce offers through integrative and consistent efforts.
Investigating male gamers' behavioral intention to play PUBG: Insights from playful-consumption experiences
Authors: Rehman Umair , Shah Muhammad Umair , Abbasi Amir Zaib , Hlavacs Helmut , Iftikhar Rameen
Published: September 2022

This research investigates the factors that affect male gamers' behavioral intention to play PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG), which is one of the most widely played online games of today's era. We examine the factors through the lens of the hedonic consumption model (i.e., playful-consumption experiences) and use the gratification theory to predict behavioral intention to play PUBG. Data from 248 male PUBG gamers were analyzed using PLS-SEM analyses. The study involved an initial stage where an estimation model (i.e., measurement model) was analyzed to assess the constructs' reliability and validity. Following this, the second stage involved assessing the theoretical model to test the relationship between the principle constructs. The study found that playful-consumption experience factors, such as escapism, emotional involvement, sensory experience, enjoyment, and arousal, significantly influenced the behavioral intentions to play PUBG. The research findings further indicate that role-projection and fantasy failed to impact consumers' intention to play PUBG. This study provides both theoretical and practical implications. It fills the literature gap by focusing on predicting the behavioral intention to play PUBG through the playful-consumption experiences of a popular online multiplayer game. Practically, this study could potentially open avenues for gaming companies to address how different playful-consumption experiences impact game users' behavioral intentions.
Implications of the choice of distance-based measures in assessing and investigating tumble turn performance
Authors: Koster Paul , Arnoldus Wouter , David Sina , Schreven Sander , Beek Peter J.
Published: September 2022

Although the tumble turn in swimming has been studied extensively, no consensus exists about which measure is best suited to capture its performance. The aim of this study was to better understand the implications of choosing a particular distance-based performance measure for assessing and investigating tumble turn performance in freestyle swimming. To this end, a large set of retrospective turn data consisting of 2,813 turns performed by 160 swimmers was analyzed statistically in three steps. First, a mixed-effects model was derived for the entire data set, which showed that both performance level and sex had clear effects on the distance-based performance measures and performance determining variables studied in the literature. Second, repeated measures correlations were calculated for the entire data set and four performance level- and sex-based subgroups to determine the level of association between the performance measures. This analysis revealed that the performance measures were strongly correlated (r > 0.84 and p < 0.05 for all possible pairs), largely independent of performance level and sex. This finding implies that the choice of performance measure is not very critical when one is interested solely in the overall performance. In the third and last step, mixed-effects models were derived for the performance measures of interest to establish the importance of different turn-related actions for each measure, again for both the entire data set and the four subgroups separately. The results of this analysis revealed that performance measures with short(er) distances are more sensitive to changes in the adaptation time and reflect the wall contact time better than performance measures with long(er) distances, which in contrast are more useful if the focus is on the approach speed prior to the turn. In this final analysis, various effects of performance level and sex were found on the technical execution of the tumble turn.
Applying spatio-chemical analysis to grassland ecosystems for the illustration of chemoscapes and creation of healthscapes
Authors: Pereira Fabiellen Cristina , Gregorini Pablo
Published: September 2022

Grasslands are heterogeneous landscapes composed of a diversity of herbaceous and shrub vegetation that varies not only taxonomically, but biochemically in terms of primary and secondary compounds. Plant Secondary Compounds (PSC) have specific nutritional, medicinal, and prophylactic properties, to which benefits depend upon dosage, type, arrangements, and concentration that changes between and within plants across time and space. The knowledge of the plant content of PSC and their distribution in grazing environments would therefore contribute to the design and creation of healthier foodscapes for ruminants; in other words, healthscapes. Geographic information systems (GIS) have been used extensively for landscape visualization and assessment, through several spatial analysis techniques applied for the creation of virtual maps to add valuable information to a particular environment. Given the knowledge of plants and their composition, GIS emerges as a readily available and low-cost tool to assess and evaluate the distribution of plants with beneficial PSC in large and heterogeneous foodscapes. We present and propose for the very first time, the application and use of GIS to determine the spatial distribution of PSC rich plants with nutraceutical properties to illustrate, visualize, and generate healthscapes for grazing ruminants. We present healthscape maps created using botanical composition analyses and advanced image classification methods to illustrate the distribution of plants regarding their PSC and nutraceutical properties. Such maps add an extra dimension and perspective to plant chemical composition, enabling graziers to visualize in space and time centers of nutrition and prophylactics or medicines, contributing to advanced grazing management decisions toward more productive, sustainable, and healthy grazing systems. The valuable information behind the mapped PSC advances the understanding of the nutritional ecology of grazing environments and foodscapes, introducing a new dimension to the holistic management of pastoral livestock production systems.
GA−Reinforced Deep Neural Network for Net Electric Load Forecasting in Microgrids with Renewable Energy Resources for Scheduling Battery Energy Storage Systems
Authors: Zheng Chaoran , Eskandari Mohsen , Li Ming , Sun Zeyue
Published: September 2022

The large−scale integration of wind power and PV cells into electric grids alleviates the problem of an energy crisis. However, this is also responsible for technical and management problems in the power grid, such as power fluctuation, scheduling difficulties, and reliability reduction. The microgrid concept has been proposed to locally control and manage a cluster of local distributed energy resources (DERs) and loads. If the net load power can be accurately predicted, it is possible to schedule/optimize the operation of battery energy storage systems (BESSs) through economic dispatch to cover intermittent renewables. However, the load curve of the microgrid is highly affected by various external factors, resulting in large fluctuations, which makes the prediction problematic. This paper predicts the net electric load of the microgrid using a deep neural network to realize a reliable power supply as well as reduce the cost of power generation. Considering that the backpropagation (BP) neural network has a good approximation effect as well as a strong adaptation ability, the load prediction model of the BP deep neural network is established. However, there are some defects in the BP neural network, such as the prediction effect, which is not precise enough and easily falls into a locally optimal solution. Hence, a genetic algorithm (GA)−reinforced deep neural network is introduced. By optimizing the weight and threshold of the BP network, the deficiency of the BP neural network algorithm is improved so that the prediction effect is realized and optimized. The results reveal that the error reduction in the mean square error (MSE) of the GA–BP neural network prediction is 2.0221, which is significantly smaller than the 30.3493 of the BP neural network prediction. Additionally, the error reduction is 93.3%. The error reductions of the root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) are 74.18% and 51.2%, respectively.
Reduction of Video Capsule Endoscopy Reading Times Using Deep Learning with Small Data
Authors: Morera Hunter , Warman Roshan , Anudu Azubuogu , Uche Chukwudumebi , Radosavljevic Ivana , Reddy Nikhil , Kayastha Ahan , Baviriseaty Niharika , Mhaskar Rahul , Borkowski Andrew A. , Brady Patrick , Singh Satish , Mullin Gerard , Lezama Jose , Hall Lawrence O. , Goldgof Dmitry , Vidyarthi Gitanjali
Published: September 2022

Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is an innovation that has revolutionized care within the field of gastroenterology, but the time needed to read the studies generated has often been cited as an area for improvement. With the aid of artificial intelligence, various fields have been able to improve the efficiency of their core processes by reducing the burden of irrelevant stimuli on their human elements. In this study, we have created and trained a convolutional neural network (CNN) capable of significantly reducing capsule endoscopy reading times by eliminating normal parts of the video while retaining abnormal ones. Our model, a variation of ResNet50, was able to reduce VCE video length by 47% on average and capture abnormal segments on VCE with 100% accuracy on three VCE videos as confirmed by the reading physician. The ability to successfully pre-process VCE footage as we have demonstrated will greatly increase the practicality of VCE technology without the expense of hundreds of hours of physician annotated videos.
Targeting Glucose Metabolism Enzymes in Cancer Treatment: Current and Emerging Strategies
Authors: Zhang Yi , Li Qiong , Huang Zhao , Li Bowen , Nice Edouard C. , Huang Canhua , Wei Liuya , Zou Bingwen
Published: September 2022

Reprogramming of glucose metabolism provides sufficient energy and raw materials for the proliferation, metastasis, and immune escape of cancer cells, which is enabled by glucose metabolism-related enzymes that are abundantly expressed in a broad range of cancers. Therefore, targeting glucose metabolism enzymes has emerged as a promising strategy for anticancer drug development. Although several glucose metabolism modulators have been approved for cancer treatment in recent years, some limitations exist, such as a short half-life, poor solubility, and numerous adverse effects. With the rapid development of medicinal chemicals, more advanced and effective glucose metabolism enzyme-targeted anticancer drugs have been developed. Additionally, several studies have found that some natural products can suppress cancer progression by regulating glucose metabolism enzymes. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms underlying the reprogramming of glucose metabolism and present enzymes that could serve as therapeutic targets. In addition, we systematically review the existing drugs targeting glucose metabolism enzymes, including small-molecule modulators and natural products. Finally, the opportunities and challenges for glucose metabolism enzyme-targeted anticancer drugs are also discussed. In conclusion, combining glucose metabolism modulators with conventional anticancer drugs may be a promising cancer treatment strategy.
Long-Term Cardiovascular Mortality among 80,042 Older Patients with Bladder Cancer
Authors: Guan Tianwang , Su Miao , Luo Zehao , Peng Weien , Zhou Ruoyun , Lu Zhenxing , Feng Manting , Li Weirun , Teng Yintong , Jiang Yanting , Ou Caiwen , Chen Minsheng
Published: September 2022

Background: To identify the risk of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD) in older patients with bladder cancer (BC). Methods: This population-based study included 80,042 older BC patients (≥65 years) diagnosed between 1975 and 2018, with a mean follow-up of 17.2 years. The proportion of deaths, competing risk models, standardized mortality ratio (SMR), and absolute excess risk (AER) per 10,000 person-years were applied to identify the risk of CVD-related deaths among older BC patients. Results: For older patients with BC, CVD-related death was the chief cause of death, and cumulative CVD-related mortality also exceeded primary BC as the leading cause of death mostly 5–10 years after BC diagnosis, especially in localized-stage and low-grade subgroups. The risk of short- and long-term CVD-related death in older BC patients was higher than in the general older adult population (SMR = 1.30, 95% CI 1.28–1.32; AER = 105.68). The risk of sex-specific CVD-related deaths also increased compared to the general population of older adults, including heart disease, cerebrovascular diseases, hypertension without heart disease, atherosclerosis, aortic aneurysm and dissection, and other diseases of the arteries, arterioles, and capillaries. Conclusions: CVD-related death is an important competing risk among older BC patients and has surpassed primary BC as the chief cause of death, mainly 5–10 years after BC diagnosis. The risk of CVD-related death in older patients with BC was greater than in the general population. The management of older patients with BC should focus not only on the primary cancer but also on CVD-related death.
Evaluating the Combined Anticancer Response of Checkpoint Inhibitor Immunotherapy and FAP-Targeted Molecular Radiotherapy in Murine Models of Melanoma and Lung Cancer
Authors: Capaccione Kathleen M. , Doubrovin Mikhail , Braumuller Brian , Leibowitz Dev , Bhatt Nikunj , Momen-Heravi Fatemeh , Molotkov Andrei , Kissner Michael , Goldner Kimberly , Soffing Mark , Ali Alessandra , Mintz Akiva
Published: September 2022

Immunotherapy has dramatically improved outcomes for some cancer patients; however, novel treatments are needed for more patients to achieve a long-lasting response. FAP-targeted molecular radiotherapy has shown efficacy in both preclinical and clinical models and has immunomodulatory effects. Here, we studied if combined immunotherapy and radiotherapy could increase antitumor efficacy in murine models of lung cancer and melanoma and interrogated the mechanisms by which these treatments attenuate tumor growth. Using LLC1 and B16F10 murine models of lung cancer and melanoma, respectively, we tested the efficacy of 177Lu-FAPI-04 alone and in combination with immunotherapy. Alone, 177Lu-FAPI-04 significantly reduced tumor growth in both models. In animals with melanoma, combined therapy resulted in tumor regression while lung tumor growth was attenuated, but tumors did not regress. Combined therapy significantly increased caspase-3 and decreased Ki67 compared with immunotherapy alone. Flow cytometry demonstrated that tumor-associated macrophages responded in a tumor-dependent manner which was distinct in animals treated with both therapies compared with either therapy alone. These data demonstrate that 177Lu-FAPI-04 is an effective anticancer therapy for melanoma and lung cancer which mediates effects at least partially through induction of apoptosis and modulation of the immune response. Translational studies with immunotherapy and 177Lu-FAPI-04 are needed to demonstrate the clinical efficacy of this combined regimen.
Time-Series Clustering of Single-Cell Trajectories in Collective Cell Migration
Authors: Xin Zhuohan , Kajita Masashi K. , Deguchi Keiko , Suye Shin-ichiro , Fujita Satoshi
Published: September 2022

Collective invasion drives multicellular cancer cells to spread to surrounding normal tissues. To fully comprehend metastasis, the methodology of analysis of individual cell migration in tissue should be well developed. Extracting and classifying cells with similar migratory characteristics in a colony would facilitate an understanding of complex cell migration patterns. Here, we used electrospun fibers as the extracellular matrix for the in vitro modeling of collective cell migration, clustering of mesenchymal and epithelial cells based on trajectories, and analysis of collective migration patterns based on trajectory similarity. We normalized the trajectories to eliminate the effect of cell location on clustering and used uniform manifold approximation and projection to perform dimensionality reduction on the time-series data before clustering. When the clustering results were superimposed on the trajectories before normalization, the results still exhibited positional similarity, thereby demonstrating that this method can identify cells with similar migration patterns. The same cluster contained both mesenchymal and epithelial cells, and this result was related to cell location and cell division. These data highlight the reliability of this method in identifying consistent migration patterns during collective cell migration. This provides new insights into the epithelial–mesenchymal interactions that affect migration patterns.
What’s beyond BRCA Mutational Status in High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer? The Impact of Hormone Receptor Expression in a Large BRCA-Profiled Ovarian Cancer Patient Series: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Perrone Emanuele , Tudisco Riccardo , Pafundi Pia Clara , Guido Davide , Ciucci Alessandra , Martinelli Enrica , Zannoni Gian Franco , Piermattei Alessia , Spadola Saveria , Ferrante Giulia , Marchetti Claudia , Scambia Giovanni , Fagotti Anna , Gallo Daniela
Published: September 2022

Several studies have explored the prognostic role of hormone receptor status in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) patients. However, few reports have investigated their expression according to BRCA mutational status. The aim of this single-center, observational, retrospective study was to explore the hormone receptor pattern and its potential prognostic role in a cohort of 207 HGSOC women stratified for BRCA mutational status. To this end, ERα, ERβ1, ERβ2, ERβ5, PR, and AR expression were assessed by immunohistochemistry in 135 BRCA-wild type (BRCA-wt) and 72 BRCA1/2 mutation carriers (BRCA-mut). No significant difference emerged in hormone receptor expression between the two sub-samples, except for a significantly lower ERα expression observed in pre-menopausal BRCA1/2-mut as compared to BRCA-wt patients (p = 0.02). None of the examined hormone receptors has revealed a significant prognostic role in the whole sample, apart from the ratio ERα/ERβ5 nuclear, for which higher values disclosed a positive role on the outcome in BRCA-wt subgroup (HR 0.77; CI 0.61–0.96; p = 0.019). Conversely, it negatively affected overall survival in the presence of BRCA1/2-mut (HR 1.41; CI 1.06–1.87; p = 0.020). Finally, higher PR levels were associated with platinum sensitivity in the whole sample (p = 0.019). Our data, though needing further validation, suggest a potential role of oestrogen-mediated pathways in BRCA1/2-associated HGSOC tumorigenesis, thus revealing a possible therapeutic potential for targeting this interaction.
CaO-SiO2-B2O3 Glass as a Sealant for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Zhigachev Andrey O. , Agarkova Ekaterina A. , Matveev Danila V. , Bredikhin Sergey I.
Published: September 2022

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are promising devices for electrical power generation from hydrogen or hydrocarbon fuels. The paper reports our study of CaO-SiO2-B2O3 material with composition 36 mol.% SiO2, 26 mol.% B2O3, and 38 mol.% CaO as a high-temperature sealant for SOFCs with an operating temperature of 850 °C. The material was studied as an alternative to presently existing commercial glass and glass-ceramics sealants for SOFCs with operating temperature of 850 °C. Many of these sealants have limited adhesion to the surface of Crofer 22APU steel, commonly used in these SOFCs. The present study included X-ray diffraction, dilatometric, thermal, and microstructural analysis The study has shown that the softening point of the CaO-SiO2-B2O3 glass is around 900 °C, allowing sealing of the SOFCs with this glass at convenient temperature of 925 °C. The CaO-SiO2-B2O3 glass sealant has shown excellent adhesion to the surface of Crofer 22APU steel; SEM images demonstrated evidences of chemical reaction and formation of strong interface on sealant–steel contact surface. Furthermore, the glass has shown a coefficient of thermal expansion about 8.4 × 10−6 1/K after sealing, making it thermomechanically compatible with the existing SOFC materials.
Physiological and Ecological Correlates of the Cellular and Humoral Innate Immune Responses in an Insular Desert Bat: The Fish-Eating Myotis (Myotis vivesi)
Authors: Otálora-Ardila Aída , Flores-Martínez José Juan , Rosales Carlos , Salame-Méndez Arturo , Montalvo. L. Gerardo Herrera
Published: September 2022

The immune response is affected by aridity, but it has been rarely examined in desert-dwelling bats. For two consecutive years, we examined the seasonal variation in the innate immune response of an insular desert bat, the fish-eating myotis (Myotis vivesi), in relation to its reproductive activity and ectoparasite load. We evaluated the reproductive activity based on external morphological traits and testosterone levels in the plasma for males and progesterone and estradiol for females. We injected phytohemagglutinin (PHA) into the footpads of the bats to estimate the innate cellular response, and we measured the bacterial killing ability (BKA) of the blood plasma to determine the innate humoral response. Both the external morphological traits and hormone levels indicate that the females were pregnant in spring and lactating in summer, and that the males were reproductively active in autumn, when mating probably occurred. The swelling response of the female and male bats was lower in spring. The BKA in the males did not vary seasonally; the BKA in the females varied seasonally but only in the first year of the study, with lower values in spring and summer. The BKA in spring was lower in the first year of the study, when the females appeared to be in early pregnancy, compared to the second year, when the females were in advanced pregnancy. The swelling increased as the body mass and body conditions of the males increased, but the BKA was not correlated with body mass or body condition in either sex. Ectoparasite abundance and prevalence did not vary among seasons. Ectoparasite abundance was not correlated with the PHA response in both sexes; it was not correlated with the BKA in females, but it was inversely correlated in males. Of the three hormones measured, only estradiol was correlated with the immune response: females with higher estradiol levels had a higher PHA response and BKA. Our findings indicate that the cellular and humoral innate immune responses of the fish-eating myotis varied throughout the year, following the seasonal reproductive pattern of the species. Our evaluation of the proximal factors affecting the expression of the immune response points to the potential immunoregulatory role of sex hormones and body mass.
A Group Maintenance Method of Drone Swarm Considering System Mission Reliability
Authors: Guo Jinlong , Wang Lizhi , Wang Xiaohong
Published: September 2022

Based on the characteristics of drone swarm such as low cost, strong integrity, and frequent information exchange, as well as the high cost of timely maintenance of traditional units. This paper proposes a swarm maintenance method based on the reliability assessment of multi-layer complex network missions, which combines the multi-layer complex network system evaluation method with the group maintenance method. On the basis of considering the problem of maintenance grouping cost, the failure mechanism of drones in different modes and the impact of drone maintenance on the system are studied. According to the failure model of single node, the complex network method is used to establish the swarm system’s topology model and evaluate the system mission reliability. The maintenance grouping strategy is optimized by using the multi-objective planning of cost and system mission reliability. Compared with the existing just in time maintenance methods, this method can greatly reduce the total maintenance cost of the swarm system maintenance under the condition of ensuring the high mission robustness of the swarm. In addition, a universal drone swarm mission scenario is used to illustrate the method, and the results verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the method.
Fire Regime Analysis in Lebanon (2001–2020): Combining Remote Sensing Data in a Scarcely Documented Area
Authors: Majdalani Georgia , Koutsias Nikos , Faour Ghaleb , Adjizian-Gerard Jocelyne , Mouillot Florent
Published: September 2022

Fire is a recurrent disturbance in Mediterranean ecosystems. Data assemblage from forest fire services can provide useful information for understanding climate controls on daily fire hazard or long term trends. Located at the driest range of the Mediterranean bioclimate, and with contrasting socio-political systems compared to the European area, the southern Mediterranean ecosystems are subjected to more extreme climate and social events. This could potentially lead to unique fire regimes and trends worth being characterized for prevention plans and ecosystem management. However, the region is far less documented, due to missing or inhomogeneous fire records, leaving local authorities with no management strategies when large fires happen. We filled this knowledge gap for Lebanon by combining high spatial resolution Landsat data with high temporal resolution VIIRS (S-NPP and NOAA-20) and MODIS (MCD14ML) hotspots to characterize the seasonal and interannual fire regime over the 2001–2020 period. Numerous small fires were hardly detected by global remote sensing. We estimated that 2044 ha burn annually, representing 0.58% of the wildland cover, with no significant trend over the period, but with non climate-related fires detected during the year experiencing socio-political troubles. The spatial and temporal resolution of this dataset identified a particular prolonged fire season up to November, and an unusual bimodal fire season peaking in July and November. We related these features to the prolonged autumnal soil drought and high August air humidity in the region. This updated fire regime in Lebanon illustrates the benefits of this combined approach for data-scarce regions and provides new insights on the variability of fire weather types in the Mediterranean basin.
Estimating the Suppression Performance of an Electronically Controlled Residential Water Mist System from BS 8458:2015 Fire Test Data
Authors: Hopkin Charlie , Spearpoint Michael , Muhammad Yusuf , Makant William
Published: September 2022

It is commonly assumed in fire modelling that suppression systems can control the heat release rate of a fire. However, many performance-based assumptions are derived from experimental data for sprinklers, and uncertainty remains for their application to water mist systems. In the UK, residential water mist systems are usually tested to the BS 8458:2015 standard, but the heat release rate in these tests is not quantified and focus is instead placed on thermocouple temperatures. This paper details a series of fire tests to the BS 8458:2015 standard for an electronically controlled water mist system. The paper also includes B-RISK zone modelling of these tests to estimate the suppression performance of the system, comparing model outputs to thermocouple test data. Three traditional suppression assumptions, historically derived from experimental data for sprinklers, have been adopted in the zone modelling to examine whether their application following system activation can be extended to the tested water mist system. The work indicates that applying these suppression assumptions remains reasonable in the context of the performance of the tested water mist system, noting the constraints of the test methods in representing a limited number of fire scenarios.
Drivers of Small-Scale Fishers’ Willingness to Adopt Property Rights Co-Management in the Lake Nokoué and Porto-Novo Lagoon Complex in Southeast Benin
Authors: Kpanou Sètondji Ben-Vital Kolawolé , Kpenavoun Chogou Sylvain , Hounnou Fèmi E. , Aoudji Augustin K. N. , Lalèyè Philippe A. , Dedehouanou Houinsou , Dogot Thomas
Published: September 2022

The estuarian and lagoon areas of southeast Benin are atypical lake territories where private property rights are hereditary from endogenous legal tradition. People live in stilt dwellings and are exclusively dedicated to free-to-access fishing. Consequently, an increasing number of fishers with low respect for the State’s general rules for sustainable fishing contribute to legal pluralism and the tragedy of the commons. Co-management of small-scale fisheries has been advocated to offer various benefits, including improved socio-ecological integration, shared sustainable livelihoods, and adherence to biodiversity objectives. This study aims to assess the factors that influence the willingness of small-scale fishers to adopt property rights co-management options in southeast Benin. The data were collected using the discrete choice experiment method. The results show that 44% of fishers are willing to adopt property rights co-management options. This willingness is determined by their involvement in the co-management committee, access to a subsidy and livelihood diversification options. These fishers are the oldest in the sample and primarily owners of Acadja, a traditional fishing tool made of bush and tree branches planted in the lake. Institutional agreements for co-management establishment, such as subsidies to support small-scale fishers’ livelihood diversification and capacity-building, must be set up to achieve co-management goals.
Increased Risk of Hereditary Prostate Cancer in Italian Families with Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome Harboring Mutations in BRCA and in Other Susceptibility Genes
Authors: D’Elia Giovanna , Caliendo Gemma , Tzioni Maria-Myrsini , Albanese Luisa , Passariello Luana , Molinari Anna Maria , Vietri Maria Teresa
Published: September 2022

Hereditary prostate cancer (HPCa) has the highest heritability of any cancer in men. Interestingly, it occurs in several hereditary syndromes, including breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) and Lynch syndrome (LS). Several gene mutations related to these syndromes have been identified as biomarkers in HPCa. The goal of this study was to screen for germline mutations in susceptibility genes by using a multigene panel, and to subsequently correlate the results with clinical and laboratory parameters. This was undertaken in 180 HBOC families, which included 217 males with prostate cancer (PCa). Mutational analysis was further extended to 104 family members of mutated patients. Screening of HBOC families revealed that 30.5% harbored germline mutations in susceptibility genes, with 21.6% harboring pathogenic variants (PVs) and 8.9% having variants of uncertain significance (VUS). We found PVs at similar frequency in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes (8.8% and 9.4%, respectively), while 0.56% of PVs were present in well-established susceptibility genes PALB2, TP53 and RAD51C. Moreover, 0.56% of monoallelic PVs were present in MUTYH, a gene whose function in tumorigenesis in the context of PCa is still unclear. Finally, we reported double heterozygosity (DH) in BRCA1/2 genes in a single family, and found double mutation (DM) present in BRCA2 in a separate family. There was no significant difference between the mean age of onset of PCa in HBOC families with or without germline mutations in susceptibility genes, while the mean survival was highest in mutated patients compared to wild type. Furthermore, PCa is the second most recurrent cancer in our cohort, resulting in 18% of cases in both mutated and non-mutated families. Our investigation shows that PVs were located mostly in the 3′ of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, and in BRCA2, most PVs fell in exon 11, suggesting a mutation cluster region relating to risk of HPCa. A total of 65 family members inherited the proband’s mutation; of these, 24 developed cancer, with 41 remaining unaffected.
Effects and Benefits of Orchid Mycorrhizal Symbionts on Dendrobium officinale
Authors: Zhang Yifan , Huo Wenwen , Hou Jiayi , Liu Lei , Yu Xiaoying , Xu Lu
Published: September 2022

Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo, a highly valued Chinese herbal medicine, is on the verge of extinction in the wild, and is not cultivated efficiently. In this study, we explored the possibility that orchid mycorrhizal fungi (OMF) might improve the growth and cultivation of D. officinale. Serendipita sp., Tulasnella calospora and Tulasnella asymmetrica isolated from three different orchids were co-cultured with sterile seedlings of D. officinale. The seedlings were found to stably coexist with fungi after 60 days of co-culture. The co-culture of T. calospora with plants upregulated the activity of antioxidant enzymes, stimulated the production of osmoregulatory substances and reduced electrical conductivity. Plants with T. calospora had longer roots (141.2%), thicker leaves (58.3%), increased root number (71.4%) and leaf number (11.1%), and increased weight (155.2%) and photosynthetic pigment content (99.6%), relative to controls. The content of total medicinal polysaccharides increased by 42.69 % due to the addition of T. calospora. T. asymmetrica was less effective, followed by Serendipita sp. When T. calospora established a symbiotic relationship with D. officinale, resistance indicators increased. The content of functional components was significantly increased. This study contributes to the protection and commercial reproduction of endangered orchid plants with mycorrhizal technology.
Optimized Preparation of Methyl Salicylate Hydrogel and Its Inhibition Effect on Potato Tuber Sprouting
Authors: Yuan Lixue , Wang Jun , Guan Zhongliang , Yue Fengli , Wang Shufen , Chen Qingmin , Fu Maorun
Published: September 2022

Potato tuber sprout results in nutrient loss and solanine production. Essential oils have been mentioned to reduce sprouting; however, they can easily evaporate and decompose, thus restricting their application. In this paper, the inhibition effect of methyl salicylate (MeSA) as the main component of wintergreen essential oil on tuber sprouting was evaluated, and MeSA hydrogel was prepared by using the ionic gel method to improve the sprout inhibition efficiency. Based on SEM, FTIR, XRD, and DSC images, MeSA was encapsulated successfully in calcium alginate hydrogel, and the thermal stability of hydrogel was improved. MeSA direct fumigation released sharply on the first day, while MeSA in hydrogel released slowly and steadily; the release of MeSA content was 0.0085 mg mL−1 on the 7th day. The optimized formulations of MeSA hydrogel were as follows: 1.9% of sodium alginate, 2.2% of CaCl2, 1.9:1 of core–wall ratio, and 0.15% of Tween-80. The inhibition effect of MeSA hydrogel was better than that of pure MeSA at 18 days, the sprouting rates of the MeSA and MeSA hydrogel were 42.50% and 13.33%, and the corresponding sprouting indexes were 8.57% and 2.86%, respectively. MeSA was found to inhibit potato tuber sprouting for the first time in this paper; MeSA hydrogel can enhance the inhibitory effect of MeSA on potato sprouting.
The Nutritional, Medicinal, and Drought-Resistance Properties of Ziziphus Mill. Make It an Important Candidate for Alleviating Food Insecurity in arid Regions—A Case of Pakistan
Authors: Muhammad Noor , Luo Zhi , Yang Meng , Liu Zhiguo , Liu Mengjun
Published: September 2022

In this article, we elaborate on why the cultivation of the Ziziphus is important in the arid regions of Pakistan and how it can alleviate the poverty and food insecurity in these areas. The recent impact of climate change has resulted in the spread of hot and dry regions. The cultivation of Ziziphus species could be a solution to food insecurity and income for the residents of arid and semi-arid regions in Pakistan. Furthermore, Ziziphus species are offering extremely nutrient-dense foods. Six species of Ziziphus are found in Pakistan, but production statistics are not available for all species. The most economically important species are Z. jujuba and Z. mauritiana, followed by Z. nummularia, based on the consumption of their fruits. A framework of policy and practical proposals required for the cultivation of these species in Pakistan has been provided. Ziziphus, an economically important genus of fruit-bearing plant species, is cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Therefore, the species of this genus could be efficiently and successfully cultivated in marginal ecosystems for alleviating food insecurity and poverty reduction in Pakistan. Furthermore, Ziziphus species like Z. jujuba and Z. mauritiana have promise as a cash and food crop, especially in water-deficient areas of Pakistan, and their production and conservation must be encouraged by state policy.
The “Pollution Halo” Effect of FDI: Evidence from the Chinese Sichuan–Chongqing Urban Agglomeration
Authors: Gao Lei , Pei Taowu , Zhang Jingran , Tian Yu
Published: September 2022

In this paper, panel data from nineteen key cities in the Sichuan–Chongqing urban agglomeration from 2003 to 2016 were used as the study sample. Using the stochastic impacts by regression on population, affluence, and technology (STIRPAT) model, the effect of foreign direct investment (FDI) on particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution and its action mechanism in the Sichuan–Chongqing urban agglomeration were considered for both socioeconomic and natural factors. The results showed that the “pollution halo” hypothesis of FDI in the Sichuan–Chongqing urban agglomeration has been supported. There are significant positive spatial spillover effects of PM2.5 pollution in this urban agglomeration, and the introduction of FDI is conducive to alleviating PM2.5 pollution in the urban agglomeration. Similar to the “inverted U” curve proposed by the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis, there was a significant “inverted U” curve relationship between PM2.5 pollution and economic growth in the Sichuan–Chongqing urban agglomeration. However, there was a significant “U”-type curve relationship between the urbanization degree and the PM2.5 concentration, which indicates that the current urbanization mode may aggravate the pollution degree of PM2.5 in the urban agglomeration in the long term. Furthermore, the two natural factors of annual average temperature and annual precipitation play an important role in PM2.5 pollution and spatial spillover effect in the Sichuan–Chongqing urban agglomeration. Economic development and rationalization of the industrial structure are the main ways by which FDI affects PM2.5 pollution in the urban agglomeration. The research conclusions of this study can be of great practical significance to optimize the regional industrial layout, control PM2.5 pollution, and establish a sustainable development policy system in the Sichuan–Chongqing urban agglomeration.
Development of an Assessment of Ethics for Chinese Physical Education Teachers: A Study Using the Delphi and Expert Ranking Methods
Authors: Liu Haohui , Yin Zhihua , Chen Sitong , Yang Youcai , Tian Hengxing
Published: September 2022

Background: Developing the ethics of physical education (PE) teachers is important for promoting the overall development of students. However, it is unclear which indicators can be used to assess the ethics of PE teachers in China. Therefore, this study aimed to develop an assessment of ethics for Chinese physical education teachers (AECPET) using the Delphi and expert ranking methods. Methods: Two rounds of the Delphi method were performed to develop the assessment. An expert ranking method was used to determine the weight of each domain and indicator. Results: The developed AECPET is a multi-dimensional model with eight domains: (1) Policy Implementation (PI), (2) Legal Compliance and Patriotism (LCP), (3) Love for Students (LS), (4) Daily Performance (DP), (5) Philosophy of Educating Students (PES), (6) Attitude towards Scientific Research (ASR), (7) Awareness of Self-discipline and Honesty (ASH), and (8) Attitude towards Serving Society (ASS); and 42 indicators. The weight of PI, LCP, LS, DP, PES, ASR, ASH, and ASS are 18.1%, 19.1%, 16.2%, 11.1%, 16.3%, 7.2%, 9.1%, and 4.6%, respectively. Conclusions: The AECPET is an evaluating system constructed based on the perspective of Chinese PE teachers, which also has a potentially global perspective and can be used by PE teachers with different cultural views. Applied by the government, schools, PE teachers, and students, the AECPET can improve the level of ethics of Chinese PE teachers.
Impact of Public Risk Perception in China on the Intention to Use Sports APPs during COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Gu Peng , Zhang Hao , Liang Zeheng , Zhang Dazhi
Published: September 2022

At the onset of the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, China effectively reduced the risk of a major outbreak through measures such as lockdown, quarantine and closure, which also brought the country to a standstill with normal social operations largely becoming stagnant, including suspension of production, schools and business. In active response to this non-normality, the nation has resorted to various apps to promptly restore social operations, forming a new norm of ‘offline life’ as supplementary to ‘online life’. Although a variety of increasingly sophisticated APPs have gradually restored the public’s life and work, the people’s emotions and psychology are still under influence from the risk environment of COVID-19 with high mortality and infection rates. Then, given that existing APPs have been proved effective in many areas in a risky society, is the Chinese public willing to use sports APPs to exercise as an active response to the pandemic? With risk perception theories as the foundation, this study explores the impact of risk perception on the intention to use sports apps among the Chinese public, and introduces ‘self-efficacy’ and ‘social norms’ as mediating and moderating variables, respectively; the two factors, deemed closely related to app use behaviours, have been customarily considered in previous studies. This study aims to fill the research gap in terms of the influence of risk perception on public behaviour in the context of emerging life states during global public health events, and to enrich the spectrum of risk perception theories. During the study, 1366 valid questionnaires were collected and analysed using hierarchical linear regression (HLR). The results show that risk perception, self-efficacy and social norms significantly influence the intention to use sports apps, and that the stronger the perception of the risk is, the higher the usage intention. Among the three factors, social norms during COVID-19 play a moderating role in the relationship between risk perception and the intention to use such apps.