bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vitro antioxidant activity and in vivo photoprotective effect of Theobroma grandiflorum butter emulgels on skin of mice exposed to UVB irradiation
Authors: Aparicio-Álvarez Chabely M. , Espinoza-Salazar Catherine E. , Del Carpio-Jiménez Carla
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Copoazú seed butter [Theobroma grandiflorum (Wild ex Spreng) K. Schum] is a rich source of fatty acids and polyphenols, active substances with high antioxidant and moisturizing activities with potential applications in the cosmetic industry. Some studies have demonstrated that sun-induced skin damage is partially mediated by oxidative pathways; in fact, there is evidence for the photoprotective roles of antioxidants.

Methods

We have developed a stable emulgel-type cosmetic formulation using Copoazú seed butter at different concentrations of 5, 10, and 20% and examined the antioxidant activity and the effect of Copoazú seed butter emulgels against UV-induced epidermal damage in mice to verify its use for topical photoprotective products.

Results and discussion

The antioxidant activity expressed as EC50 values varied from 8.47 ± 0.013 mg/ml to 4.53 ± 0.046 mg/ml for Copoazú seed butter emulgels. In vitro sun protection factor (SPF) assessment showed that Copoazú seed butter emulgel at 20% has the highest SPF of 11.67 ± 0.001, which is acceptable for the sunscreen products development, and these results were corroborated by the in vivo results since the mice were irradiated with UV light and treated with Copoazú seed emulgels and showed minor damage or significantly reduced the severity of the damage and were comparable with the standard photo-protector. The results showed that Copoazú seed butter is a promising compound for photoprotective formulations.
Nanoparticle surface coatings produce distinct antibacterial effects that are consistent across diverse bacterial species
Authors: Ameh Thelma , Zarzosa Kuzy , Braswell W. Evan , Sayes Christie M.
Published: March 2023

Nanoparticles have been proposed as tunable delivery vehicles for targeted treatments and, in some cases, the active therapeutic agents themselves. Despite the promise of such customizable impacts, little evidence exists to support these claims in the realm of antibiotics. Exploration of the silver and copper nanoparticle antibacterial impacts have been reported with inconsistent results. Here, we investigate the physical, chemical, and bacterial properties of silver and copper core particles stabilized with commonly used surface coatings, namely, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP, to confer a neutrally charged surface), cetrimonium bromide (CTAB, positively charged surface), citrate (Cit, negatively charged surface for silver nanoparticles), and ascorbic acid (AA, negatively charged surface for copper nanoparticles. The impacts of these potential antibacterial nanoparticles are measured against three bacterial species spanning deep divisions in the bacterial tree of life and include Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Sphingobacterium multivorum. Varying dose, core composition, surface coating, and bacterial species revealed that nanoparticle surfaces accounted for most of the variation in antibacterial activity. In all experiments, dose produced a linear inhibitory effect. Surprisingly, bacterial species reacted similarly regardless of evolutionary relatedness. There is a high degree of consistency, effectiveness, and efficacy among PVP silver and copper nanoparticle. These findings have implications for the intentional use of nanotechnology in environmental systems.
Risk factors associated with an outbreak of equine coronavirus at a large farm in North Carolina
Authors: Hepworth-Warren Kate L. , Erwin Sara J. , Moore Caroline B. , Talbot James R. , Young Kimberly A. S. , Neault Michael J. , Haugland Jennifer C. , Robertson James B. , Blikslager Anthony T.
Published: March 2023

Background

Equine coronavirus (ECoV) leads to outbreaks with variable morbidity and mortality. Few previous reports of risk factors for infection are available in the literature.

Objectives

To describe unique clinical findings and risk factors for infection and development of clinical disease.

Animals

135 horses on a farm affected by ECoV outbreak.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study. Data obtained included age, breed, gender, activity level, housing, and feed at the onset of the outbreak. Factors were evaluated for assessment of risk of infection using simple logistic regression or Fisher's exact test. Significance was set atp≤ 0.05.

Results and findings

Forty-three of 54 (79.6%) horses tested on the farm were positive on fecal PCR for ECoV, and 17 horses (12.6%) developed clinical signs consistent with ECoV. Out of 17 horses in which the presence or absence of signs of colic was noted, 6 of 17 (35.3%) showed signs of colic. Three of these horses had small colon impactions, 2 of which required surgical intervention. Significant risk factors for having positive PCR results included being primarily stalled (OR 167.1, 95% CI 26.4–1719), housing next to a positive horse (OR 7.5, 95% CI 3.1–19.0), being in work (OR 26.9, 95% CI 4.6–281.9), being fed rationed hay vs.ad libitum(OR 1,558, 95% CI 130.8–15,593), and being fed alfalfa hay (OR 1,558, 95% CI 130.8–15,593).

Conclusions and clinical importance

This report describes risk factors for ECoV infection many of which were associated with intensive management of show horses. Clinicians should be aware that clinical signs vary and can include severe colic.
Gluten serological testing in various dog breeds with paroxysmal dyskinesia
Authors: Rogers Casey B. , Meyerhoff Nina , Volk Holger A.
Published: March 2023

Background

Paroxysmal gluten-sensitive dyskinesia is a subtype of movement disorder classified as canine paroxysmal dyskinesia (cPD), which until now has only been described in Border Terriers (BT).

Objectives

Our aim was to report cPD with positive gluten serology in dog breeds other than BT.

Animals

Thirty-one client-owned dogs with suspected cPD were examined in this study.

Methods

The hospital records of the dogs where the serum was tested for modified gliadin peptide immunoglobulin G (gliadin IgG) and tissue transglutaminase-2 immunoglobulin A (transglutaminase-2 IgA) were studied. A total of 31 dogs were presented to the clinic with cPD. A work-up consistent with Tier 1 or Tier 2 confidence levels for canine epilepsy was undertaken in all dogs. The dogs' diets and episode descriptions or videos in 16/31 cases were additionally studied. A follow-up was held to inquire about the dogs' wellbeing and response to the diet changes.

Results

Fourteen of the 31 dogs tested positive for gluten sensitivity with either gliadin IgG or transglutaminase-2 IgA or both ratios elevated. In seven dogs, serology was classified as questionable with gliadin IgG or transglutaminase ratios mildly elevated. Ten dogs tested negative. According to the owners' reports, five of the dogs that tested positive had no more episodes after changing to a strictly gluten-free diet, with one of the dogs relapsing twice after being fed treats containing gluten. Three dogs had a reduction in episode frequency of >50%, and two dogs had shorter and less intense episodes.

Conclusion

A considerable subset of dog breeds presented for presumed cPD showed laboratory signs of gluten sensitivity and responded to a gluten-free diet.
Plum Tree Algorithm and Weighted Aggregated Ensembles for Energy Efficiency Estimation
Authors: Moldovan Dorin
Published: March 2023

This article introduces a novel nature-inspired algorithm called the Plum Tree Algorithm (PTA), which has the biology of the plum trees as its main source of inspiration. The PTA was tested and validated using 24 benchmark objective functions, and it was further applied and compared to the following selection of representative state-of-the-art, nature-inspired algorithms: the Chicken Swarm Optimization (CSO) algorithm, the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm, the Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO), the Cuckoo Search (CS) algorithm, the Crow Search Algorithm (CSA), and the Horse Optimization Algorithm (HOA). The results obtained with the PTA are comparable to the results obtained by using the other nature-inspired optimization algorithms. The PTA returned the best overall results for the 24 objective functions tested. This article presents the application of the PTA for weight optimization for an ensemble of four machine learning regressors, namely, the Random Forest Regressor (RFR), the Gradient Boosting Regressor (GBR), the AdaBoost Regressor (AdaBoost), and the Extra Trees Regressor (ETR), which are used for the prediction of the heating load and cooling load requirements of buildings, using the Energy Efficiency Dataset from UCI Machine Learning as experimental support. The PTA optimized ensemble-returned results such as those returned by the ensembles optimized with the GWO, the CS, and the CSA.
Firm Characteristics, Business Environment, Strategic Orientation, and Performance
Authors: Handoyo Sofik , Mulyani Sri , Ghani Erlane K. , Soedarsono Slamet
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the influence of firm characteristics (size, age, industry type, and ownership) on a firm’s strategic orientation. The business environment, namely market uncertainty and competition intensity, is also analysed in association with the firm’s strategic orientation. Furthermore, the implication of strategic orientation for performance is tested. The study used 1024 data sets of 128 manufacturing firms listed on the Indonesia stock exchange from 2014 to 2021. Data panel regression and independent t-tests were employed for statistical analysis. Adopting Miles and Snow’s strategy typology framework, the findings indicated that the firm size, industry type, and competition intensity significantly influence the firm’s strategic orientation. Small firms preferred to adopt a proactive strategic orientation (prospector and analyser). Firms in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry tended to adopt a proactive strategic orientation (prospector and analyser). Strategic orientation was found to positively and significantly influence firm performance. Firms that adopt a proactive strategic orientation (analyser and prospector) showed better performance than defensive ones (reactor and defender).
Developing Methods for Maintaining Genetic Diversity in Novel Aquaculture Species: The Case of Seriola lalandi
Authors: Martinez Víctor , Galarce Nicolas , Setiawan Alvin
Published: March 2023

Developing sound breeding programs for aquaculture species may be challenging when matings cannot be controlled due to communal spawning. We developed a genotyping-by-sequencing marker panel of 300 SNPs for parentage testing and sex determination by using data from an in-house reference genome as well as a 90 K SNP genotyping array based on different populations of yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi). The minimum and maximum distance between adjacent marker pairs were 0.7 Mb and 13 Mb, respectively, with an average marker spacing of 2 Mb. Weak evidence of the linkage disequilibrium between adjacent marker pairs was found. The results showed high panel performance for parental assignment, with probability exclusion values equaling 1. The rate of false positives when using cross-population data was null. A skewed distribution of genetic contributions by dominant females was observed, thus increasing the risk of higher rates of inbreeding in subsequent captive generations when no parentage data are used. All these results are discussed in the context of breeding program design, using this marker panel to increase the sustainability of this aquaculture resource.
Rotational Grazing Modifies Rhipicephalus microplus Infestation in Cattle in the Humid Tropics
Authors: Cruz-González Gabriel , Pinos-Rodríguez Juan Manuel , Alonso-Díaz Miguel Ángel , Romero-Salas Dora , Vicente-Martínez Jorge Genaro , Fernández-Salas Agustin , Jarillo-Rodríguez Jesús , Castillo-Gallegos Epigmenio
Published: March 2023

Rotational grazing has been mentioned as a potential tool to reduce losses caused by high tick loads. This study aimed: (1) to evaluate the effect of three grazing modalities (rotational grazing with 30- and 45-day pasture rest and continuous grazing) on Rhipicephalus microplus infestation in cattle, (2) to determine population dynamics of R. microplus in cattle under the three grazing modalities mentioned in the humid tropics. The experiment was carried out from April 2021 to March 2022 and consisted of 3 treatments of grazing with pastures of African Stargrass of 2 ha each. T1 was continuous grazing (CG00), and T2 and T3 were rotational grazing with 30 (RG30) and 45 d of recovery (RG45), respectively. Thirty calves of 8–12 months of age were distributed to each treatment (n = 10). Every 14 days, ticks larger than 4.5 mm were counted on the animals. Concomitantly, temperature (°C), relative humidity (RH), and rainfall (RNFL) were recorded. Animals in the RG45 group had the lowest count of R. microplus compared to the RG30 and CG00 groups; these results suggest that RG45 days of rest could be a potential tool to control R. microplus in cattle. Yet, we also observed the highest population of ticks on the animals under rotational grazing with a 30-day pasture rest. A low tick infestation characterized rotational grazing at 45 days of rest throughout the experiment. The association between the degree of tick infestation by R. microplus and the climatic variables was nil (p > 0.05).
The Effectiveness of Virtual Fencing of Bull Calves in a Holistic Grazing System
Authors: Staahltoft Søren Krabbe , Aaser Magnus Fjord , Jensen Jakob Nødgaard Strange , Zadran Ismat , Sørensen Emil Birkmose , Nielsen Anders Esbjerg , Alstrup Aage Kristian Olsen , Bruhn Dan , Linder Anne Cathrine , Sonne Christian , Frikke John , Pertoldi Cino
Published: March 2023

Large grazers are essential for nature conservation. In order to prevent grazers from moving to unintended areas, it may be necessary to keep them inside enclosures. Physical fences present a number of problems, such as fragmenting the landscape. Virtual fencing, however, is a possible replacement for physical fencing, making it possible to enclose grazers without physical boundaries. Virtual fencing systems utilise collars with GPS technology to track animals and deliver auditory warnings and electric impulses to keep animals within predefined boundaries. This study examines how effective the virtual fencing system Nofence© is at enclosing calves in a holistically managed setting. Holistic management is a rotational grazing technique where an enclosure is grazed in small strips at a time. It is investigated whether the calves become habituated to the virtual fence and whether there is a correlation between the number of warnings received by every two calves in order to explore potential herd behaviour. Finally, this study examines which calves interact the most with the virtual fence by investigating the relationship between physical activity and number of interactions. Seventeen calves were fitted with a GPS collar from the company Nofence© and placed in a holistically managed enclosure. Data were gathered from 4 July to 30 September 2022. The study found that virtual fence was able to contain calves inside the designated enclosure, and over time the calves received notably fewer electrical impulses compared to auditory warnings. The results of Pearson’s correlation between auditory warnings received by two random calves were inconclusive, but the use of a sliding window analysis should be further explored. Lastly, the most physically active animals were the ones who received the most auditory warnings, but they did not receive more impulses. No significant correlation was found between the number of electric impulses received and the physical activity of the animals.
Transcriptomics and Proteomics of Haemonchus contortus in Response to Ivermectin Treatment
Authors: Liu Yang , Wang Xiaomin , Luo Xiaoping , Wang Rui , Zhai Bintao , Wang Penglong , Li Junyan , Yang Xiaoye
Published: March 2023

A major problem faced by the agricultural industry is the resistance of Haemonchus contortus to anthelmintic drugs. For a better understanding of the response of H. contortus to IVM and for the screening of drug-resistance-related genes, we used RNA sequencing and isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) technology to detect the transcriptomic and proteomic changes in H. contortus after ivermectin treatment. An integrated analysis of the two omics showed that the differentially expressed genes and proteins were significantly enriched in the pathways of amino acid degradation, the metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, the biosynthesis of amino acids, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. We found that the upregulated UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), cytochrome P450 (CYP), and p-glycoprotein (Pgp) genes play important roles in drug resistance in H. contortus. Our work will help in the understanding of the transcriptome and proteome changes in H. contortus after IVM and will facilitate the discovery of genes related to drug resistance. This information can be further applied to increase the understanding of the response of IVM in relation to H. contortus.
Fighting Antimicrobial Resistance in Neonatal Intensive Care Units: Rational Use of Antibiotics in Neonatal Sepsis
Authors: Rallis Dimitrios , Giapros Vasileios , Serbis Anastasios , Kosmeri Chrysoula , Baltogianni Maria
Published: March 2023

Antibiotics are the most frequently prescribed drugs in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) due to the severity of complications accompanying neonatal sepsis. However, antimicrobial drugs are often used inappropriately due to the difficulties in diagnosing sepsis in the neonatal population. The reckless use of antibiotics leads to the development of resistant strains, rendering multidrug-resistant pathogens a serious problem in NICUs and a global threat to public health. The aim of this narrative review is to provide a brief overview of neonatal sepsis and an update on the data regarding indications for antimicrobial therapy initiation, current guidance in the empirical antimicrobial selection and duration of therapy, and indications for early discontinuation.
Antibiotic Culture: A History of Antibiotic Use in the Second Half of the 20th and Early 21st Century in the People’s Republic of China
Authors: Zhou Xun
Published: March 2023

Antimicrobial resistance is now widely regarded as a global public health threat. A growing number of studies suggest that antibiotic resistance is higher in China than in most western countries. Despite the current official regulation prohibiting pharmacies from the unrestricted selling of antibiotics, there is little sign of declining consumer demand. China now ranks as the second largest consumer of antibiotics in the world, after India. Drawing on published historical data, unpublished archival documents, and recently collected oral interviews, this paper provides a historical overview of antibiotic use and abuse in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) from the second half of the 20th century to the present. It demonstrates how the political demand for health improvement, along with the state-sponsored popularization of allopathic medicine, on the one hand, and the lack of access to adequate medical care for the majority of the population, as well as the existing culture of self-medication, on the other hand, are working in tandem to create antibiotic dependency in China. In addition, the privatization and marketization of biomedicine and health care in post-Mao China have helped to build a new and ever-thriving network of production, distribution, and marketing of antibiotics, which has often proven difficult for the authorities to monitor. At the same time, increased purchasing power and easier accessibility created by this new network of production, distribution, and marketing have further contributed to the prevalence of antibiotic overuse in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma: Relationship with Transverse Maxillary Contraction and Transverse Expansion Stability in Children
Authors: Ottaviano Giancarlo , Favero Lorenzo , Hajrulla Silva , Volpato Andrea , Paganin Sally , Bissolotti Guido , Scarpa Bruno , Favero Riccardo
Published: March 2023

Background: Allergic rhinitis is a frequent cause of nasal obstruction in the pediatric population. The effect of prolonged mouth breathing on craniofacial growth continues to be a controversial topic in the orthodontic literature. This study investigates both the role of allergic rhinitis/asthma in the etiology of posterior crossbite and ogival palate and the influence of allergic rhinitis/asthma on the long-term stability produced by transverse expansion treatment. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the clinical records of 319 subjects between 5 and 12 years, presenting for an orthodontic evaluation was performed. The sample was divided into study and control groups depending on the presence/absence of posterior crossbite and/or ogival palate. Data regarding the subjects’ breathing patterns and allergic respiratory diseases were collected. The relapse rate of transverse expansion treatment was evaluated. Results: An association (p = 0.05) was found between posterior crossbite/ogival palate and the presence of allergies. Multivariate analyses uncovered that both allergic rhinitis and younger ages were associated with posterior crossbite/ogival palate (p = 0.029890; p = 0.000283, respectively). No association was found between allergies and/or asthma and relapse following orthodontic treatment. Conclusions: Although data analysis suggests that allergies can induce transverse maxillary contraction in children, their presence did not seem to affect the outcome of orthodontic expansion treatment.
In Vitro Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Bioactive Proteins and Peptides from Rhodomonas sp.
Authors: Derbel Hana , Elleuch Jihen , Mahfoudh Wael , Michaud Philippe , Fendri Imen , Abdelkafi Slim
Published: March 2023

Thanks to their various promising properties, bioactive peptides extracted from microalgae have recently attracted great attention from scientists. These compounds have been mostly obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis. In the present study, proteins from the marine microalga Rhodomonas sp. were hydrolysated into peptides using alcalase and pepsin. After obtaining the peptides, we characterized them and the crude protein by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Then, the biological activities of all protein preparations were evaluated. Antioxidant activity was investigated using DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical-scavenging and ferric reducing power assays. The obtained results showed that crude protein presents higher antioxidant activity (74% at 1 mg/mL) compared to peptides obtained after hydrolysis by pepsin (56.5% at 1 mg/mL) and alcalase (47.5% at 1 mg/mL). The anti-inflammatory activity was also evaluated by inhibition of the denaturation of albumin assay. An interesting anti-inflammatory activity was obtained using protein extract. It was improved after enzymatic hydrolysis using pepsin to reach 89% of inhibition at 500 µg/mL. The obtained data showed that the marine microalga Rhodomonas sp. could be a potential source of valuable proteins and peptides for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields.
Recognition of Rebar in Ground-Penetrating Radar Data for the Second Lining of a Tunnel
Authors: Li Chuan , Zhang Yue , Wang Lulu , Zhang Weiping , Yang Xi , Yang Xiumei
Published: March 2023

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) detects a tunnel with relatively low-frequency electromagnetic waves, which can result in poorly characterized reinforced steel bar (rebar) hyperbolas and make it challenging to recognize rebar. Thus, the rebar is located by using attenuation and reflection coefficients, and the hyperbolic feature of the rebar is reconstructed for recognition. Due to differences in the electromagnetic properties of rebar and other media in the second lining, the position of rebar in the one-dimensional time wave diagram (A-scan) is determined by using the attenuation and reflection coefficients. The rebar is recognized at the peak point in the A-scan. This peak point is in the opposite phase of the incident wave. The amplitude of these peaks is smaller than the peaks of the adjacent points. Then, these negative peak points are reconstructed on the two-dimensional scanning data (B-scan). Finally, the rebar is recognized by using the hyperbolic feature of the rebar. The method is applied in the Husa Tunnel in Yunnan Province, China. Moreover, in the mileage section YK81+506–YK81+542 of the Husa Tunnel, the hyperbolic feature of the reconstructed rebar is evident, and the rebar appears in the region of 5–7 ns in the B-scan.
The Gastrointestinal Microbiota as a Potential Cause and Target in Chronic Kidney Disease Accentuating Treatment and Intervention Strategies
Authors: Zupcic Ana , Slezak Paul , Radloff Judith
Published: March 2023

Dysbiosis and impaired gastrointestinal barrier function have emerged as potential chronic kidney disease (CKD) modulators. Accumulation of gut-derived uremic toxins, a subsequent shift in the gut microbiome, and modified expression levels of intestinal tight junction proteins are all contributing factors to hyperpermeability and endotoxemia in CKD. Experimental studies in animals provide evidence that renal decline is linked to gastrointestinal health and that pharmacological or dietary intervention might attenuate this process. In this review, we will highlight the current knowledge on CKD-induced changes in the gut microbiome and the resulting consequences regarding gastrointestinal health with a focus on animal studies. Furthermore, we will explore possible disease management options linking to evidence in humans, if available.
Development of an Approach for the Holistic Assessment of Innovation Projects in Manufacturing Including Potential, Effort, and Risk Using a Systematic Literature Review and Expert Interviews
Authors: Gärtner Quirin , Ronco Ermanno , Cagliano Anna Corinna , Reinhart Gunther
Published: March 2023

Manufacturing companies face severe challenges from rapid technological developments. Industry 5.0 indicates the need for a sustainable, human-centered, and resilient industry. In striving for transformation, innovation becomes critical. However, a careful allocation of resources implies the evaluation of innovation projects. Moreover, diverse types of innovation and limited amounts of information represent a significant challenge. Therefore, this contribution presents an approach for holistically assessing innovation in manufacturing. First, a systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to frame the current research state and identify assessment criteria. Second, a multiple-attribute decision-making method (MADM) was developed using the findings of the SLR and expert interviews. Finally, the criteria and the assessment approach were verified and validated by expert interviews, a workshop, and an industrial use case application. As the main findings, three criteria groups were derived and detailed: potentials, efforts, and risks. These criteria groups were used in a MADM approach incorporating Fuzzy set theory within a hybrid technique, combining the Analytical Hierarchical Process with the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solutions. In conclusion, an enhancement of innovation assessment in manufacturing was achieved through the integration of different criteria and the balance between complexity and industrial applicability.
Detection of Underwater Targets Using Polarization Laser Assisted Echo Detection Technique
Authors: Zhu Yong , He Qingyi , Fu Qiang , Dong Chao , Liu Jianhua , Duan Jin
Published: March 2023

At present, polarization imaging detection experiments of underwater objects mainly focus on the degree of polarization but lack of Stokes vector imaging effect of each element. Based on the principle that the polarization characteristics of different materials are different, the experiment of underwater target detection by laser pulse polarization is carried out in this paper, and the influence of different depths of an underwater object and material factors on polarization imaging detection is studied. The results show that in air, the average degree of polarization of iron sheet is 0.56, that of ceramic tile is 1.00, and that of plastic is 0.48. In water, the average degree of polarization of iron sheet is 0.3625 at 7.5 m, the average degree of polarization of ceramic tile at 7.5 m is 0.359, and that of plastic at 7.5 m is 0.3805. The medium will change the degree of polarization of the measured object. The targets made of different materials have different polarization characteristics, and the polarization information is of great value in improving the detection performance of man-made targets. Polarization detection can obtain better information about underwater objects than traditional radiation intensity detection and can effectively suppress the absorption and scattering of light by water.
Efficient Feature Selection Using Weighted Superposition Attraction Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Ganesh Narayanan , Shankar Rajendran , Čep Robert , Chakraborty Shankar , Kalita Kanak
Published: March 2023

As the volume of data generated by information systems continues to increase, machine learning (ML) techniques have become essential for the extraction of meaningful insights. However, the sheer volume of data often causes these techniques to become sluggish. To overcome this, feature selection is a vital step in the pre-processing of data. In this paper, we introduce a novel K-nearest neighborhood (KNN)-based wrapper system for feature selection that leverages the iterative improvement ability of the weighted superposition attraction (WSA). We evaluate the performance of WSA against seven well-known metaheuristic algorithms, i.e., differential evolution (DE), genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), flower pollination algorithm (FPA), symbiotic organisms search (SOS), marine predators’ algorithm (MPA) and manta ray foraging optimization (MRFO). Our extensive numerical experiments demonstrate that WSA is highly effective for feature selection, achieving a decrease of up to 99% in the number of features for large datasets without sacrificing classification accuracy. In fact, WSA-KNN outperforms traditional ML methods by about 18% and ensemble ML algorithms by 9%. Moreover, WSA-KNN achieves comparable or slightly better solutions when compared with neural networks hybridized with metaheuristics. These findings highlight the importance and potential of WSA for feature selection in modern-day data processing systems.
Analytical Study of Lateral Buckling of Pipelines with Initial Imperfection Based on Fixed-Fixed Beam Model
Authors: Wang Songxian , Li Lichen , Wu Wenbing , Wang Tianwei , Liu Hao
Published: March 2023

The beam analysis model and the initial imperfection are predominant factors in analyzing the lateral buckling behavior of submarine pipelines under high temperature. However, the existing beam models do not consider the inhibition provided by the virtual anchor point of the pipeline. In this study, a fixed-fixed beam model is introduced to simulate the lateral buckling response of a submarine pipeline. This model considers the suppression tension provided by the virtual anchor point during the pipeline feeding-in process, which better reduces the buckling response phenomenon of the pipeline. Based on the assumption of rigid-plastic pipe-soil interaction, the analytical solution of the buckling development of pipeline under full-contact repetitive cosine imperfection is derived. The effectiveness of the fixed-fixed model is verified by comparing with the analytical solutions in other literature. The influence of the imperfection model, the temperature difference, and the soil resistance on the pipeline buckling is investigated. Finally, the size effect of the pipeline on the effective axial force development is discussed. The results show that the pipeline undergoes stress vibration under tensile force, and the frequency and density of the pipeline stress vibration increase with the increase of the initial defect amplitude. Increasing the diameter–thick ratio will significantly increase the bending amplitude and bending stress of the pipeline. Attention should be paid to the fatigue damage caused by continuous stress mutations during pipeline buckling, which could further lead to the structural destruction of the pipeline.
Comparative Analysis of the Effect of Different Concentrations of Dextran Sodium Sulfate on the Severity and Extent of Inflammation in Experimental Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Almutary Abdulmajeed G. , Alnuqaydan Abdullah M. , Almatroodi Saleh A. , Tambuwala Murtaza M.
Published: March 2023

Several chemicals, such as dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), oxazolone, acetic acid, and trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS), have been used for establishing animal models of ulcerative colitis. These animal models help us to study or explore several factors involved in the etiology or pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. They are also useful tools to design and develop effective drug delivery strategies. DSS is the most widely used tool to induce colitis in animals. The model of ulcerative colitis developed by this method effectively mimics the colitis condition in humans. The amount of DSS in drinking water can be adjusted to control the severity of colitis, such as acute or chronic inflammation. However, a miscalculation in the amount of DSS produces severe inflammation, which may lead to the death of mice. DSS has been shown to rupture the epithelial lining and induce infiltration of inflammatory markers such as TNF, interferons, and interleukins. The current study aims to study the effects of different amounts of DSS on weight loss, changes in colon length, and histological scoring. Furthermore, the main objective of this study was to find an optimum concentration of DSS to establish a mouse model for ulcerative colitis. Based on the disease index, weight loss, bleeding, histological studies, and colon length, 2.5% w/v DSS for 7 days in water was found to be adequate for the DSS-induced colitis model for a moderate level of colitis, and 3.5% w/v DSS could be used to study severe experimental colitis.
Docker Vectorization, a Cloud-Native Privacy Agent—The Analysis of Demand and Feasibility for Era of Developing Complexity of Privacy Management
Authors: Kaneko Itaru , Yuda Emi , Okada Hitoshi
Published: March 2023

Currently, a large amount of biological information is accumulated, such as the area of genome sequencing as well as high-precision biometric information stored in wearable terminals and a growing database of health, medication, and medical information. The development of AI (artificial intelligence) and machine learning has increased its analytical power overwhelmingly. It is becoming more difficult to take measures against the leakage of personal information, and it is becoming difficult to determine privacy risks in advance. In this paper, we review those problems and propose a new method of managing private data. To solve such problems, we look at concepts of dynamic consent and privacy agents, which are drawing growing interest. In particular, efficient and broadly applicable technical means to support such concepts have been proposed. We considered using the current cloud platforms as an effective solution to this problem. We designed an architecture named Docker Vectorization and carried out a comprehensive analysis of the demand and feasibility of such a system in an era of increasing privacy management complexity. We believe we provided sufficient explanations for why Docker Vectorization of privacy agents in the cloud will be a powerful tool for providing sustainable and scalable privacy controls for data subjects.
Stability of Anisotropy Pressure in Self-Gravitational Systems in f(G) Gravity
Authors: Yousaf Z. , Bhatti M. Z. , Khan S. , Malik A. , Alrebdi Haifa I. , Abdel-Aty Abdel-Haleem
Published: March 2023

This investigation aims to explore certain variables which are considered responsible for generating pressure anisotropy in dynamical spherically symmetric stellar systems against the background of the stringy-inspired Gauss–Bonnet modification of general relativity. We explore the hydrostatic equilibrium of self-gravitating systems by taking into account the modified form of Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkoff for the quadratic-f(G) gravitational model. In this respect, we formulate a differential equation in terms of the Weyl curvature scalar, also described as an evolution equation, which is essential for understanding the evolution of the stellar structure. Finally, we conclude that the existence of some fluid variables such as shear, heat flux and the irregular behavior of energy density in the presence of an extra degree f(G)-terms in the fluid flow that are the elements that cause anisotropy in the initially isotropic stellar structure. The comparison of the presented results with those of the classical model shows that they are physically relevant and compatible.
Zn-Co-Mo-rGO Ultra-Thin Nanosheets Arrays-Based Electrode Materials for Asymmetric Supercapacitor
Authors: Liu Shuang , He Siwei , Xiang Yanhong , Peng Xiaochun , Xiong Lizhi , Wu Jianhua
Published: March 2023

The design of electrode materials for supercapacitors (SCs) with high specific capacity and high energy density has always been a research hotspot. In this paper, ternary metal oxides Zn-Co-Mo-rGO (ZCMG) and Zn-Co-Mo (ZCM) based electrode materials were prepared by one-step hydrothermal method. Compared with the ZCM, SEM and TEM results demonstrates the ultra-thin nanosheets grown vertically on the nickel foam for ZCMG. Owing to synergistic effect of the multi-component composites, the as-prepared electrode with ZCMG exhibits the specific capacity of 713 C g−1 (1189 F g−1) at 1 A g−1, which was higher than that of ZCM without rGO (492 F g−1, 295 C g−1). The assembled ZCMG//AC (activated carbon) asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) delivers the maximum specific capacity of 68 C g−1 (45 F g−1) at 1 A g−1. After 1000 cycles, it still has a high-capacity retention rate of 95%. Furthermore, the ASC exhibited an energy density of 14 Wh kg−1 at 750 W kg−1, and it can retain 5.23 Wh kg−1, even at 7500 W kg−1.
Optimization System Based on Convolutional Neural Network and Internet of Medical Things for Early Diagnosis of Lung Cancer
Authors: Hussain Ali Yossra , Sabu Chooralil Varghese , Balasubramanian Karthikeyan , Manyam Rajasekhar Reddy , Kidambi Raju Sekar , T. Sadiq Ahmed , Farhan Alaa K.
Published: March 2023

Recently, deep learning and the Internet of Things (IoT) have been widely used in the healthcare monitoring system for decision making. Disease prediction is one of the emerging applications in current practices. In the method described in this paper, lung cancer prediction is implemented using deep learning and IoT, which is a challenging task in computer-aided diagnosis (CAD). Because lung cancer is a dangerous medical disease that must be identified at a higher detection rate, disease-related information is obtained from IoT medical devices and transmitted to the server. The medical data are then processed and classified into two categories, benign and malignant, using a multi-layer CNN (ML-CNN) model. In addition, a particle swarm optimization method is used to improve the learning ability (loss and accuracy). This step uses medical data (CT scan and sensor information) based on the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). For this purpose, sensor information and image information from IoMT devices and sensors are gathered, and then classification actions are taken. The performance of the proposed technique is compared with well-known existing methods, such as the Support Vector Machine (SVM), probabilistic neural network (PNN), and conventional CNN, in terms of accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity, F-score, and computation time. For this purpose, two lung datasets were tested to evaluate the performance: Lung Image Database Consortium (LIDC) and Linear Imaging and Self-Scanning Sensor (LISS) datasets. Compared to alternative methods, the trial outcomes showed that the suggested technique has the potential to help the radiologist make an accurate and efficient early lung cancer diagnosis. The performance of the proposed ML-CNN was analyzed using Python, where the accuracy (2.5–10.5%) was high when compared to the number of instances, precision (2.3–9.5%) was high when compared to the number of instances, sensitivity (2.4–12.5%) was high when compared to several instances, the F-score (2–30%) was high when compared to the number of cases, the error rate (0.7–11.5%) was low compared to the number of cases, and the computation time (170 ms to 400 ms) was low compared to how many cases were computed for the proposed work, including previous known methods. The proposed ML-CNN architecture shows that this technique outperforms previous works.
Automated Quantification of Pneumonia Infected Volume in Lung CT Images: A Comparison with Subjective Assessment of Radiologists
Authors: Mirniaharikandehei Seyedehnafiseh , Abdihamzehkolaei Alireza , Choquehuanca Angel , Aedo Marco , Pacheco Wilmer , Estacio Laura , Cahui Victor , Huallpa Luis , Quiñonez Kevin , Calderón Valeria , Gutierrez Ana Maria , Vargas Ana , Gamero Dery , Castro-Gutierrez Eveling , Qiu Yuchen , Zheng Bin , Jo Javier A.
Published: March 2023

Objective: To help improve radiologists’ efficacy of disease diagnosis in reading computed tomography (CT) images, this study aims to investigate the feasibility of applying a modified deep learning (DL) method as a new strategy to automatically segment disease-infected regions and predict disease severity. Methods: We employed a public dataset acquired from 20 COVID-19 patients, which includes manually annotated lung and infections masks, to train a new ensembled DL model that combines five customized residual attention U-Net models to segment disease infected regions followed by a Feature Pyramid Network model to predict disease severity stage. To test the potential clinical utility of the new DL model, we conducted an observer comparison study. First, we collected another set of CT images acquired from 80 COVID-19 patients and process images using the new DL model. Second, we asked two chest radiologists to read images of each CT scan and report the estimated percentage of the disease-infected lung volume and disease severity level. Third, we also asked radiologists to rate acceptance of DL model-generated segmentation results using a 5-scale rating method. Results: Data analysis results show that agreement of disease severity classification between the DL model and radiologists is >90% in 45 testing cases. Furthermore, >73% of cases received a high rating score (≥4) from two radiologists. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the feasibility of developing a new DL model to automatically segment disease-infected regions and quantitatively predict disease severity, which may help avoid tedious effort and inter-reader variability in subjective assessment of disease severity in future clinical practice.
Osteonal Microcracking Pattern: A Potential Vitality Marker in Human Bone Trauma
Authors: Schwab Nathalie , Galtés Ignasi , Winter-Buchwalder Michelle , Ortega-Sánchez Marisa , Jordana Xavier
Published: March 2023

In forensic anthropology, the differential diagnosis between peri- and postmortem bone fractures is mainly based on macroscopic criteria. In contrast, studies focusing on bone histology are very scarce. In a recent publication, we showed that (perimortem) fractures in fresh human bones exhibit a different osteonal microcracking pattern than (postmortem) damage in dry bones. In the current work, we explored whether this osteonal microcracking pattern is distinctive of the vitality of (perimortem) fresh bone fractures. To this end, we compared the number, length and structural distribution of microcracks in vital humeral fractures from forensic autopsy cases with experimentally reproduced, three point-bending fractures in fresh and dry human humeri. Half of the fresh experimental bones were fractured whilst applying axial compression, i.e., attempting to simulate intra vitam conditions more accurately. The results showed a similar osteonal microcracking pattern between vital fractures and experimental fractures of fresh humeri subjected to axial compression. Interestingly, this pattern was significantly different from the one observed in the experimental fractures of fresh humeri without axial compression and dry humeri. This supports our hypothesis that the osteonal microcracking pattern can potentially be used as a marker for vital perimortem trauma, providing a histomorphometric tool for fracture timing.
CAR-T Cells in the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer: A Promising Cell Therapy
Authors: Zhang Xi-Wen , Wu Yi-Shi , Xu Tian-Min , Cui Man-Hua
Published: March 2023

Ovarian cancer (OC) is among the most common gynecologic malignancies with a poor prognosis and a high mortality rate. Most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage (stage III or IV), with 5-year survival rates ranging from 25% to 47% worldwide. Surgical resection and first-line chemotherapy are the main treatment modalities for OC. However, patients usually relapse within a few years of initial treatment due to resistance to chemotherapy. Cell-based therapies, particularly adoptive T-cell therapy and chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy, represent an alternative immunotherapy approach with great potential for hematologic malignancies. However, the use of CAR-T-cell therapy for the treatment of OC is still associated with several difficulties. In this review, we comprehensively discuss recent innovations in CAR-T-cell engineering to improve clinical efficacy, as well as strategies to overcome the limitations of CAR-T-cell therapy in OC.
Development of a Novel Antibacterial Peptide, PAM-5, via Combination of Phage Display Selection and Computer-Assisted Modification
Authors: Yuen Hawk Leong , Chan Szn Yi , Ding Yi En , Lim Suxing , Tan Gim Cheong , Kho Chiew Ling
Published: March 2023

Antibacterial peptides (ABPs) have been proposed as potential candidates for alternative antibacterial agents due to the extensive dissemination of antibiotic resistance. However, ABP isolation from natural resources can be tedious without consistent yield. Moreover, many natural ABPs are not developed for clinical application due to potential toxicity to mammalian cells. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a potent ABP with minimal toxicity via phage display selection followed by computer-assisted modification. Briefly, a 12-mer phage-displayed peptide library was used to isolate peptides that bound to the cell surface of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with high affinity. The affinity-selected peptide with the highest selection frequency was modified to PAM-5 (KWKWRPLKRKLVLRM) with enhanced antibacterial features by using an online peptide database. Using in vitro microbroth dilution assay, PAM-5 was shown to be active against a panel of Gram-negative bacteria and selected Gram-positive bacteria. Interestingly, the peptide was stable in human plasma by exhibiting a similar bactericidal effect via ex vivo assay. Scanning electron microscopy and SYTOX Green uptake assay revealed that PAM-5 was able to cause membrane disruption and permeabilization of the bacteria. Additionally, the peptide was also able to bind to bacterial DNA as demonstrated by gel retardation assay. In the time-kill assay, PAM-5 was shown to kill the bacteria rapidly in 10 min. More importantly, PAM-5 was non-cytotoxic to Vero cells and non-haemolytic to human erythrocytes at all concentrations tested for the antibacterial assays. Thus, this study showed that the combination of phage display screening and computer-assisted modification could be used to develop potent novel ABPs, and PAM-5 derived from these approaches is worth to be further elucidated for its potential clinical use.