bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Soft and Hard Fillers on Electromechanical Properties and Performance of Polydimethylsiloxane Elastomer for Actuator Applications
Authors: Prabhakar Om Prakash , Sahu Raj Kumar
Published: July 2023

Desired ratio of high relative permittivity and low elastic modulus limits the application of silicon rubbers in various engineering fields as flexible electromechanical actuators. The relative permittivity can be improved by incorporating varieties of high-k particles and polymer reagents as plasticizers and crosslinkers into elastomer matrix. The present work investigates the effect of polyethylene glycol flakes (PEG as plasticizer) and titanium boride (TB) particles (high-k particle) as soft and hard fillers respectively, on electromechanical (EM) properties of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer composite for soft actuators. Elastomer composites filled with various concentrations of fillers are created and labeled accordingly to distinguish impact of fillers on EM properties. Uniform dispersion for fillers is confirmed by FESEM, EDX, FTIR, and UV-Vis. Elastic modulus and relative permittivity are significantly influenced by filler contents for both fillers. Elastic modulus for lower concentrations (2 and 5 wt.%) of soft fillers (PEG) increases while 8 wt.% leads to as comparable to the base material (PDMS). Soft fillers (PEG) aid in maintaining low elastic modulus, whereas hard fillers (TB) increase electrical breakdown strength as well as dielectric loss with almost identical changes in relative permittivity for both composites. The maximum actuation strain of 30.8 % and 26.2% is attained for an in-house fabricated linear actuator with 8 wt.% of PEG and TB particles, respectively. Methodology and results may be helpful in selection of fillers to improve the dielectric behavior of silicon elastomers depending on the acceptable range of their adverse effect on other properties.
Influence of medical epidemic control on the sports events development based on machine learning and prediction model
Authors: Jing Wu
Published: July 2023

In year 2020, a large-scale outbreak of pneumonia caused by new coronavirus has affected the development of many industries and enterprises in China. Under the strong leadership of the Chinese government, the development of the epidemic situation in China has been well controlled. The development of various industries also began to show a good situation, many large-scale sports competitions also need to be restored. In order to ensure the normal development of large-scale sports events, we need to consider the development of epidemic situation to determine the time of sports events. Based on the study of FPGA theory, this paper designs a specific scheme of programming and system debugging, which includes a variety of program operations. In order to better predict the situation of the epidemic situation, this paper also uses the basic knowledge of machine learning to establish a relevant model to evaluate the situation of large-scale sports events under the development of the epidemic situation, and provide feasible suggestions for the recovery of large-scale sports events under the epidemic situation.
APVC2021-A Gas Leakage Detection Method with Hybrid Acoustic Feature Selection and Stacking Ensemble Learning
Authors: Yu Yongsheng , Hu Yongwen , He Ruhan , Yan Zhaoli , zhang Linke
Published: July 2023

Model’s generalization and feature selection are always two challenging problems for gas leakage detection. This paper presents a method for gas leakage detection based on Hybrid-Feature-Selection-Stacking ensemble learning (HFS-Stacking), which fuses the Hybrid Feature Selection and Stacking ensemble learning. Firstly, a hybrid feature selection algorithm (HFS), which combines SFS-SVM, SFS-KNN, RFE-RF, RFE-XGB, and MIC algorithms, is proposed to select the optimal feature subset from multiple commonly used acoustic signal features; Then, SVM, KNN, random forest and XGBoost are designed as base learners in the stacking integration framework, which increase the generalization ability of the model. XGBoost is used as the meta-learner to output the classification results. The proposed gas leakage detection method gets the optimal subset of features and speeds of the subsequent model. Meanwhile, the constructed model can effectively improve the indicator of ,, and, and has a good generalization ability. The experimental results show that the HFS-Stacking algorithm using fewer features can effectively improve the training speed, accuracy, F1-score, AUC value and recall rate, and also has better robustness.
Progesterone-induced Progesterone Receptor Membrane Component 1 Rise-to- Decline Changes are Essential for Decidualization
Authors: Liu Hailun , Franken André , Bielfeld Alexandra P. , Fehm Tanja , Niederacher Dieter , Cheng Zhongping , Neubauer Hans , Stamm Nadia
Published: July 2023

Background
Decidualization of endometrial cells is the prerequisite for embryo implantation and subsequent placenta formation and is induced by rising progesterone levels following ovulation. One of the hormone receptors contributing to endometrial homeostasis is Progesterone Receptor Membrane Component 1 (PGRMC1), a non-classical membrane-bound progesterone receptor with yet unclear function. In this study, we aimed to investigate how PGRMC1 contributes to human decidualization.
Methods
To gain insight into PGRMC1-implication in infertility-related diseases, we analyzed its expression profile in RNA-sequencing datasets of endometrial biopsies. To further explore the function of PGRMC1 in human decidualization, we implemented an inducible decidualization system, which is achieved by culturing two human endometrial stromal cell lines in decidualization-inducing medium containing medroxyprogesterone acetate and 8-Br-cAMP. In our system, we measured PGRMC1 expression during hormone induction as well as decidualization status upon PGRMC1 knockdown at different time points. We further conferred proximity ligation assay to identify PGRMC1 interaction partners.
Results
PGRMC1 expression was altered in patients with infertility-related diseases and impaired decidualization, being significantly downregulated in most datasets. In in vitro experiments, we observed that PGRMC1 expression follows a rise-to-decline pattern, in which its expression level initially increased during the first 6 days after induction (PGRMC1 increasing phase) and decreased in the following days (PGRMC1 decreasing phase). Knockdown of PGRMC1 expression before the induction led to a failed decidualization, while its knockdown after induction did not inhibit decidualization, suggesting that the progestin-induced ‘PGRMC1 increasing phase’ is essential for normal decidualization. Furthermore, we found that the interactions of PHB1 and PHB2 with PGRMC1 were induced upon progestin treatment. Knocking down either PHB individually or both slowed down the decidualization process compared to the control, suggesting that PGRMC1 cooperates with PHBs to regulate the decidualization.
Conclusions
According to our findings, PGRMC1 expression followed a progestin-induced rise-to-decline expression pattern during human endometrial decidualization process; and the correct execution of this expression program was crucial for successful decidualization. Thereby, the results of our in vitro model explained how PGRMC1 dysregulation in patients with impaired decidualization contributes to the manifestation of their disease.
Novel Surface Structure of LaFeO3/Nitrogen-Deficient g-C3N4 Nanocomposites to Improve Visible-Light Photocatalytic Performance Toward Phenol Removal
Authors: Al-nayili Abbas , Alhaidry Wissam A.
Published: July 2023

Herein, novel surface structure LaFeO3/nitrogen-deficient g-C3N4 nanocomposites (LaFeO3/g-C3N4-H) have been successfully synthesized by a two-step process. In the first step, as a precursor, acetic acid-treated melamine was thermally condensed to create nitrogen-deficient graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4-H). After that, LaFeO3 was incorporarated on the g-C3N4-H nanosheets. The as-prepared nano structured materials were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, N2 adsorption–desorption experiments, FESEM and TEM, demonstrating the formation of interfacial interaction and heterogeneous structure in LaFeO3/g-C3N4-H nanocomposites. Additionally, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) and photoluminescence spectra (PL) have been used to assess the optical properties of the nanohybrids. The results show that the LaFeO3/g-C3N4-H nanocomposite was successfully produced, with a reliable interfacial interface, and produced good heterojunction relationship between g-C3N4-H and LaFeO3 which may significantly boost the photocatalytic activity as compared to prinstine g-C3N4 and LaFeO3. Phenol degradation under visible light irradiation was used to test the photocatalytic activity of LaFeO3/g-C3N4-H, and the results showed that 10%-LaFeO3/g-C3N4-H had significant photocatalytic activity and remarkable adsorption efficiency, with an overall removal rate of phenol up to 88% after 180 minutes of visible light irradiation. This study may present a novel method for developing highly efficient artificial photocatalytic systems.
Nonlinear vibrations and wear predictions of slender cylinders with loose support subjected to axial flows
Authors: He Yixiang , Xing Haoran , Dai Huliang , Wang Lin , Weng Shun
Published: July 2023

Flow-induced vibration of fuel rods subjected to axial flows frequently appears in nuclear engineering, which has been a significant scientific problem still unsolved. This paper simplifies the fuel rod as a slender cylinder with loose support in axial flows, and explores nonlinear dynamics of the slender cylinder through theoretical modeling. The dynamical model is constructed with consideration of impact and friction forces attributed by the loose support. The results show that the flutter critical flow velocity and wear rate are dependent on clearance size and position of the loose support. The flow velocity range of buckling becomes narrower while the range for flutter becomes wider with the increase of clearance size. The flow velocity range for buckled behavior is widened, the flutter flow speed range is reduced as the clearance position is varied from upward end to downward end of the cylinder. It is indicated that there are optimal values for clearance size and position of the loose support where the flutter critical flow velocity is much higher and the wear rate is lowest. The present study can provide a theoretical basis for predicting flow-induced vibrations and designing the loose support for fuel rods in the nuclear engineering.
Prevalence and Associated Factors Of Preoperative Abnormal Electrocardiography Among Older Surgical Patients In Southern Ethiopia: Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Mossie Addisu , Getachew Hailemariam , Girma Timsel , Mulugeta Hailemariam , Destaw Belete , Besha Aschalew , Shiferaw Adanech
Published: July 2023

Background: The prevalence of abnormal electrocardiography (ECG) increases with aging, and these abnormalities may have an impact on anesthesia management.
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of preoperative abnormal electrocardiography among older surgical patients at selected teaching hospitals in southern Ethiopia, from February 15 to June 15, 2022.
Methodology: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted on 246 elderly surgical patients. A binary logistic regression model was used, and a P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Result: In the current study, 120 (48.78%) of older surgical patients had abnormal preoperative ECGs. In terms of severity, 44.16% were with major ECG abnormalities. The most common ECG abnormalities were left axis deviation, left ventricular hypertrophy, and ST segment changes. The presence of comorbidity (AOR=3.44, P =0.001), age ≥70 years (AOR=2.5, P=0.011), history of angina (AOR=5.9, P=0.011), history of smoking (AOR=5.07, P=0.024) and urban residency (AOR=1.89, P=0.039) were associated factors for an abnormal ECG.
Conclusion and recommendation: Our study showed that the prevalence of preoperative abnormal ECG increased with age, even in asymptomatic patients with no risk factors and younger than 65 years. Therefore, a preoperative ECG is advisable in all older patients.
Metabolic profiling to evaluate the impact of amantadine and rimantadine on the secondary metabolism of a model organism
Authors: Kostina-Bednarz Marianna , Płonka Joanna , Barchanska Hanna
Published: July 2023

Metabolic profiling offers huge potential to highlight markers and mechanisms in support of toxicology and pathology investigations during drug development. The main objective was to modify therapy with adamantane derivatives: amantadine and rimantadine, to increase their bioavailability and evaluate the influence of such therapy on drug metabolism using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as the model organism. In this study, the profile of endogenous metabolites of a model organism was measured and interpreted to provide an opportunity to investigate changes induced by treatment with amantadine and rimantadine. It was found that resveratrol supplementation synergistically enhanced the effects of amantadine treatment and increased rimantadine metabolism, potentially reducing side effects. The fingerprinting strategy was used as an efficient technique for qualitatively evaluating and monitoring changes in the profiles of endogenous components and their contents in a model organism. Chemometric tools were employed to find marker compounds that can be defined as characteristic indicators of a pharmacological response to a therapeutic intervention. An improved understanding of the mechanisms involved in drug effect and an increased ability to predict individual variations in the drug response of organisms will improve the treatment process and the development of new therapies.
Wearable technology mediated biofeedback to modulate spine motor control: a systematic review
Authors: Battis Aurora , Norrie Jarrett P. , McMaster Hannah , Beaudette Shawn M.
Published: July 2023

Background: Lower back pain (LBP) is a disability that affects a large proportion of the population and treatment for this condition has been shifting towards a more individualized, patient-centered approach. There has been a recent uptake in the utilization and implementation of wearable sensors that can administer biofeedback in various industrial, clinical, and performance-based settings. Despite this, there is a strong need to investigate how wearable sensors can be used in a sensorimotor (re)training approach, including how sensory biofeedback from wearable sensors can be used to improve measures of spinal motor control and proprioception.
Research Question: The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the wide range of wearable sensor mediated biofeedback frameworks currently being utilized to enhance spine posture and motor function.
Methods: A comprehensive systematic review was conducted in adherence with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Guidelines (PRISMA) across the following databases: Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and IEEEXplore. Articles related to wearable biofeedback and spine movement were reviewed dated from 1980 onwards. Extracted data was collected as per a predetermined checklist including the type, timing, trigger, location, and magnitude of sensory feedback being applied to the body.
Results: A total of 23 articles were reviewed and analysed. The most used wearable sensor to inform biofeedback were inertial measurement units (IMUs). Haptic (vibrotactile) feedback was the most common sensory stimulus. Most studies used an instantaneous online trigger to initiate sensory feedback derived based on information pertaining to gross lumbar angles or the absolute orientations of the thorax or pelvis.
Conclusions: This is the first study to review wearable sensor derived sensory biofeedback to modulate spine motor control. Although the type of wearable sensor and feedback were common, this study highlights the lack of consensus regarding the timing and structure of sensory feedback, suggesting the need to optimize any sensory feedback to a specific use case. The findings from this study help to improve the understanding surrounding the ecological utility of wearable sensor mediated biofeedback in industrial, clinical and performance settings to enhance the sensorimotor control of the lumbar spine.
Dynamics, Circuit Design, Feedback Control of a New Hyperchaotic System and Its Application in Audio Encryption
Authors: Fu ShiMing , Liu Juan , Cheng XueFeng
Published: July 2023

In this study, a new 4D hyperchaotic system is developed from the 3D Lü chaotic system. The dynamic characteristics of the proposed hyperchaotic system are analyzed using chaotic attractors, equilibrium point stability, Lyapunov exponents’ spectrum, and bifurcation diagrams. Additionally, a linear feedback control method is employed to design the feedback control of the hyperchaotic system. Then, the new hyperchaotic system is implemented using electronic workbench multisim and embedded hardware STM32, and the experimental results are compared with the numerical simulations, showing consistency between them. Finally, using the principle of cross-XOR operation, the audio encryption of hyperchaotic sequence was implemented on the embedded hardware STM32. The results show that the audio encryption scheme based on the hyperchaotic system is feasible, and the method is simple to implement, has nonlinear characteristics and certain algorithm complexity, which can be applied to audio encryption, image encryption, video encryption, and more.
Efficacy of the latest new stimulation patterns of spinal cord stimulation for intractable neuropathic pain comparing to conventional stimulation: Study protocol for a clinical trial
Authors: Tanei Takafumi , Maesawa Satoshi , Nishimura Yusuke , Nagashima Yoshitaka , Ishizaki Tomotaka , Ando Masahiko , Kuwatsuka Yachiyo , Hashizume Atsushi , Kurasawa Shimon , Saito Ryuta
Published: July 2023

Background: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is one of the neuromodulation therapies for chronic neuropathic pain. The conventional paresthesia-based SCS involves the application of tonic stimulation that induces a sense of paresthesia. Recently, new SCS stimulation patterns without paresthesia have been developed. Differential target multiplexed (DTM) stimulation and fast-acting subperception therapy (FAST) stimulation are the latest paresthesia-free SCS patterns.
Methods: A single-center, open-label, crossover, randomized trial to investigate the superiority of SCS using the latest new stimulation patterns over conventional tonic stimulation for neuropathic pain is planned. This study consists of two-steps: SCS trial (first step) and SCS system implantation (second step). In the SCS trial, participants will be randomly assigned to 4 groups receiving stimulation, including tonic, DTM, and FAST. Each stimulation will then be performed for 2 days, and a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain will be evaluated before and after each stimulation pattern. A stimulation-off period for 1 day is set between each stimulation pattern to washout the residual previous stimulation effects. Pain improvement is defined as more than 33% reduction on the pain VAS. The primary analysis will compare pain improvement between the new stimulation patterns and the conventional tonic stimulation pattern in the SCS trial. The secondary outcomes will be evaluated as follows: 1) the relationships between causative disease and improvement rate by each stimulation pattern; 2) comparison of pain improvement between the DTM and FAST stimulation patterns in all cases and by causative disease; 3) changes in assessment items preoperatively to 24 months after implantation; 4) preoperative factors associated with long-term effects defined as continuing for more than 12 months; and 5) adverse events related to this study 3 months after implantation.
Discussion: This study aims to clarify the effectiveness of the latest new stimulation patterns compared to the conventional tonic stimulation. In addition, which stimulation pattern is most effective for which kind of causative disease will be clarified.
Trial registration: Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCT) 1042220094. Registered on 21 November 2022, and last modified on 6 January 2023. jRCT is an approved member of the Primary Registry Network of WHO ICTRP.
Identification of a Novel Macrophage-Related Prognostic Signature in Colorectal cancer
Authors: Lin Dongfa , Zheng Tingjin , Huang Shangyuan , Hua Shuang , Liu Rui , Guan Shuwen , Zhang Zhishan
Published: July 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent and deadliest illnesses all around the world. Growing proofs demonstrate that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are of critical importance in CRC pathogenesis, but their mechanisms remain yet unknown. The current research was designed to recognize underlying biomarkers associated with TAMs in CRC. We screened macrophage-related gene modules through WGCNA, selected hub genes utilizing the LASSO algorithm and COX regression, and established a model. External validation was performed by expression analysis using datasets GSE14333, GSE74602, and GSE87211. After validating the bioinformatics results using real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR, we identified SPP1, C5AR1, MMP3, TIMP1, ADAM8 as potential biomarkers associated with macrophages in CRC.
Association between body mass index and three-year outcome of acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Park Soyoon , Kim Dae-Won , Lee Myunhee , Lee Kyusup , Park Mahn-Won , Chang Kiyuk , Jeong Myung Ho
Published: July 2023

Introduction:
Body mass index (BMI), as an important risk factor related to metabolic disease. However, in some studies higher BMI was emphasized as a beneficial factor in the clinical course of patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a concept known as the “BMI paradox.” The purpose of this study was to investigate how clinical outcomes of patients treated for AMI differed according to BMI levels.
Methods
A total of 10,566 patients in the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry-National Institutes of Health (KAMIR-NIH) from May 2010 to June 2015 were divided into three BMI groups (group 1: BMI < 22 kg/m2, group 2: ≥ 22 and < 26 kg/m2, and group 3: ≥ 26 kg/m2). The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) at three years of follow-up.
Results
At one year of follow-up, the incidence of MACE in group 1 was 10.1% of that in group 3, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.27, and 6.5% in group 2, with an HR of 1.145. This tendency continued up to three years of follow-up.
Conclusion
The study demonstrated that higher BMI could exert a positive effect on the clinical outcomes of patients with AMI undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
Radio-frequency thermal-sheaths containing kappa distribution electrons and dust particles
Authors: Shihab M. , Elkamash I.S.
Published: July 2023

Hybrid fluid-kinetic models are adopted to investigate the collisionless plasma sheaths with κ-electron distribution and containing dust particles. A modified ensemble-in-spacetime model is utilized. The model is suitable for sheaths with non-Maxwellian electrons, such as, in DIII-D tokamak. In the intermediate radio-frequency regime, the flux and energy of ions are time-modulated within the sheath. Ions are not inertial-less. The value of κ affects the electron and ion density. Time-averaged electron and ion densities, the sheath edge position, and the area of the sheath voltage-sheath charge hysteresis loop increase by increasing the value of κ.The ion energy distribution is not sensitive to the κ distribution. Dust particles are charged with different negative charges based on their radius, their position within the sheath, the κ-electron distribution, and the sheath potential. Dust particles exhibit an oscillatory motion due to the interaction with the plasma and the gravitational fields.
Using anthropometric parameters to predict insulin resistance among patients without diabetes mellitus
Authors: Liu Jiajun , Jin Xueshan , Feng Ziyi , Huang Jieming
Published: July 2023

Background: Anthropometric parameters are widely used in the clinical assessment of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. However, few studies have compared the association between different anthropometric parameters and insulin resistance (IR). This study was aimed at investigating the relationship between 6 indicators, including body mass index (BMI), calf circumference (CC), arm circumference (AC), thigh circumference (TC), waist circumference (WC), waist-height ratio (WHtR), and IR.
Methods: Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) was used to measure IR. Weighted linear regression was used to assess the relationship between different parameters and IR. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was employed to compare the strength of the relationship between different anthropometric parameters and IR.
Results: A total of 8,069 participants were enrolled in our study, including 4,873 without IR and 3,196 with IR. The weighted linear regression results showed that BMI, CC, AC, TC and WC were significantly correlated with IR, except WHtR. After adjusting for multiple confounding factors, we found that BMI, AC and WC were significantly positively correlated with IR, while TC was significantly negatively correlated with IR. Logistic regression results showed that a larger TC was associated with a decreased risk of IR. In addition, BMI and WC had similar areas under the curve (AUC: 0.780, 95% CI: 0.770-0.790; AUC: 0.774, 95% CI: 0.763-0.784, respectively), which were higher than TC and AC (AUC: 0.698, 95% CI: 0.687-0.710, AUC: 0.746, 95% CI: 0.735-0.757, respectively).
Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to report a negative correlation between TC and IR among patients without diabetes mellitus. Therefore, TC may be a new tool to guide public health and a clinical predictor of IR in non-diabetic patients.
Genomics of Plasmodium vivax in Colombia: evidence of local bottle-necking and inter-country connectivity in the Americas
Authors: Sutanto Edwin , Pava Zuleima , Echeverry Diego , Lopera-Mesa Tatiana , Montenegro Lidia Madeline , Yasnot-Acosta Maria , Benavente Ernest , Pearson Richard , Herrera Sócrates , Arévalo-Herrera Myriam , Trimarsanto Hidayat , Rumaseb Angela , Noviyanti Rintis , Kwiatkowski Dominic , Price Ric , Auburn Sarah
Published: July 2023

Colombia aims to eliminate malaria by 2030 but remains one of the highest burden countries in the Americas. Plasmodium vivax contributes half of all malaria cases, with its control challenged by relapsing parasitaemia, drug resistance and cross-border spread. Using 64 Colombian P. vivax genomes collected between 2013 and 2017, we explored diversity and selection in two major foci of transmission: Chocó and Córdoba. Open-access data from other countries were used for comparative assessment of drug resistance candidates and to assess cross-border spread. Across Colombia, polyclonal infections were infrequent (12%), and infection connectivity was relatively high (median IBD = 5%), consistent with low endemicity. Chocó exhibited a higher frequency of polyclonal infections (23%) than Córdoba (7%), although the difference was not significant (P = 0.300). Most Colombian infections carried double pvdhfr (95%) and single pvdhps (71%) mutants, but other drug resistance mutations were less prevalent (< 10%). There was no evidence of selection at the pvaat1 gene, whose P. falciparum orthologue has recently been implicated in chloroquine resistance. Global population comparisons identified other putative adaptations. Within the Americas, low-level connectivity was observed between Colombia and Peru, highlighting potential for cross-border spread. Our findings demonstrate the potential of molecular data to inform on infection spread and adaptation.
Integrative Methods Reveal Multiple Drivers of Diversification in Rice Paddy Snakes
Authors: Bernstein Justin M. , Voris Harold K. , Stuart Bryan L. , Karns Daryl R. , McGuire Jimmy A. , Iskandar Djoko T. , Riyanto Awal , Calderón-Acevedo Camilo A. , Brown Rafe M. , Gehara Marcelo , Soto-Centeno J. Angel , Ruane Sara
Published: July 2023

Divergence dating analyses in systematics provide a framework to develop and test biogeographic hypotheses regarding speciation. However, as molecular datasets grow from multilocus to genomic, sample sizes decrease due to computational burdens, and the testing of fine-scale biogeographic hypotheses becomes difficult. In this study, we use coalescent demographic models to investigate the diversification of poorly known rice paddy snakes from Southeast Asia (Homalopsidae: Hypsiscopus), which have conflicting dates of origin based on previous studies. We use coalescent modeling to test the hypothesis that Hypsiscopus diversified 2.5 mya during the Khorat Plateau uplift in Thailand. Additionally, we use ecological niche analyses to identify potential differences in the niche space of the two most widely distributed species in the past and present. Our results suggest Hypsiscopus diversified ~ 2.4 mya, supporting that the Khorat Plateau may have initiated the diversification of rice paddy snakes. We also find significant niche differentiation and shifts between species of Hypsiscopus, indicating that environmental differences may have sustained differentiation of this genus after the Khorat Plateau uplift. Our study expands on the diversification history of snakes in Southeast Asia, and highlights how results from smaller multilocus datasets can be useful in developing and testing biogeographic hypotheses alongside genomic datasets.
The Effect of Olanzapine through Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammation on the Hippocampus in the Asphyxial Cardiac Arrest Rat Model
Authors: Park Byung-Yong , Yoo Yeo-Jin , Kim Ryun-Hee , Jang Young-Jin , Lee Jun Ho , Kim Tae Hoon , Lee Youngkwan , Hwang Jeong Ho , Kim In-Shik , Hwang Hong Pil , Tae Hyun-Jin , Yoon Jae Chol , Shin Ha-Young , Kim So Eun
Published: July 2023

Introduction:
Cardiac arrest (CA) often leads to severe brain damage, resulting in neurological disorders and high mortality rates. Hypothermia treatment (HT) is commonly used in clinical practice after CA/cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CA/CPR) because it has been shown to improve neurological outcomes and increase survival rates. Olanzapine, a medication known to induce hypothermia, has not been extensively studied in the context of CA/CPR. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects and mechanisms of olanzapine-induced hypothermia (OIH) following ROSC. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to the following conditions: (i) Sham: no asphyxial CA + saline, (ii) CA: asphyxial CA + saline, and (iii) OCA: asphyxial CA + olanzapine treatment after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC).
Result
CA/CPR resulted in high mortality, severe neurological impairments, and hippocampal neuron damage observed after 5 days in the asphyxia CA group. These pathological complications were ameliorated by olanzapine treatment. OIH also protected the pyramidal neurons in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. The expression of antioxidant factors SOD-1, SOD-2, and CAT were upregulated in the olanzapine-treated group compared to the CA group. Moreover, olanzapine treatment following asphyxial CA reduced the expression of the pro-inflammatory factor COX-2 and the nuclear transcription factor NF-κB, which was sustained for up to 5 days compared to the CA group. OIH provides protection against cerebral injury following ROSC by enhancing the expression of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory factors.
Conclusion
The results of our study demonstrate that Olanzapine, an atypical antipsychotic medication, induces a noteworthy reduction in body temperature in the asphyxial CA rat model. The effectiveness of hypothermia treatment was evident by its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Therefore, we suggest olanzapine as a promising therapeutic agent for alleviating cerebral injury via hypothermia in patients with CA.
A Novel Adaptive Beamforming Scheme for Array Signal Data Processing
Authors: Shi Heping , Yan Guanghui , Hou Haijing , Jiang Xiaoheng
Published: July 2023

When the desired signal data exists in the array received data or the steering vector has a mismatch problem, the current traditional adaptive beamformers will suffer from the effect of the desired signal cancellation phenomenon, resulting in a sharp decline in performance. To address the occurrence of desired signal cancellation, an improved matrix projection-based efficient beamforming method is proposed. Firstly, based on spatial partitioning technology, a significant projection matrix for interference-plus-noise space (INS) is constructed. Secondly, using the constructed key projection matrix, the sample data covariance matrix is projected into the INS to achieve the goal of suppressing the desired signal data information. Finally, the weight data vector is calculated by Capon beamformer. The proposed algorithm does not require iterative search for the optimal solution, which has the advantage of a small amount of calculation. Simulation experiments have verified that the proposed method has significant advantages in suppressing the desired data signals. Especially when the desired data signal has a large power, the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) of the proposed algorithm is better than that of the compared algorithms under the conditions of random directionality errors or local scattering errors between the desired signal and interference.
The Riesz Transform and Fractional Integral Operators in the Bessel Setting
Authors: Betancor Jorge J. , Duong Xuan Thinh , Lee Ming-Yi , Li Ji , Wick Brett D.
Published: July 2023

Fix λ > 0. Consider the Bessel operator λ := − d 2 dx 2 − 2λ x d dx on R + , where R + := (0, ∞) and dm λ := x 2λ dx with dx the Lebesgue measure. We provide a deeper study of the Bessel Riesz transform and fractional integral operator via the related Besov and Triebel–Lizorkin spaces associated with λ. Moreover, we investigate some possible characterization of the commutator of fractional integral operator, which was missing in the literature of the Bessel setting.
MSC Classification 2010: 42B30, 42B20, 42B35
Machine learning models to complete rainfall time series databases affected by missing or anomalous data
Authors: Lupi Andrea , Luppichini Marco , Barsanti Michele , Bini Monica , Giannecchini Roberto
Published: July 2023

In recent years, artificial intelligence in geosciences is spreading more and more, thanks to the availability of a large amount of data. In particular, the development of automatic raingauges networks allows to get rainfall data and makes these techniques effective, even if the performance of artificial intelligence models is a consequence of the coherency and quality of the input data. In this work, we intended to provide machine learning models capable of predicting rainfall data starting from the values of the nearest raingauges at one historic time point. Moreover, we investigated the influence of the anomalous input data on the prediction of rainfall data. We pursued these goals by applying machine learning models based on Linear Regression, LSTM and CNN architectures to several raingauges in Tuscany (central Italy). More than 75% of the cases show an R² higher than 0.65 and a MAE lower than 4 mm. As expected, we emphasized a strong influence of the input data on the prediction capacity of the models. We quantified the model inaccuracy using the Pearson's correlation. Measurement anomalies in time series cause major errors in deep learning models. These anomalous data may be due to several factors such as temporary malfunctions of raingauges or weather conditions. We showed that, in both cases, the data-driven model features could highlight these situations, allowing a better management of the raingauges network and rainfall databases.
Identification and expression analysis of an IL-21 receptor in large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea)
Authors: Wu Hanyu , Fu Qiuling , Teng Yan , Mu Pengfei , Chen Jingjie , Chen Xinhua
Published: July 2023

Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is a potent immunomodulatory cytokine with pleiotropic effects on both innate and adaptive immune responses. It signaling involves a heterodimeric receptor complex consisting of the IL-21 receptor (IL-21R) and the common γ chain (γC). In this study, we identified a homologue gene of IL-21R (LcIL-21R) in the large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea, Lc). The open reading frame (ORF) of LcIL-21R gene is 1629 bp long and encodes a precursor protein of 542 amino acids (aa), with a 23-aa signal peptide and a 519-aa mature peptide containing four putative N-glycosylation sites. LcIL-21R has two fibronectin type III (FNIII)-like domains (D1 and D2), a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic region. A conserved WSXWS motif was also found in the D2 domain. The predicted structure of the extracellular region of LcIL-21R (LcIL-21R-Ex) is highly similar to that of human IL-21R. LcIL-21R was constitutively expressed in all tissues examined, and LcIL-21R mRNA levels were increased in head kidney and spleen upon inactivated trivalent bacterial vaccine or poly(I:C) stimulation. Overall, our results suggest that LcIL-21R shares structural and functional properties with IL-21Rs found in other vertebrates, indicating its potential involvement in the IL-21-mediated immune response to pathogenic infections. These findings contribute to our understanding of the evolutionary conservation of IL-21 signaling and its role in the immune system.
99mTc(CO)3-labeled 1-(2-Pyridyl)piperazine derivatives as radioligands for 5HT7 receptors
Authors: Mardanshahi Alireza , Vaseghi Samaneh , Hosseinimehr Seyed Jalal , Abedi Seyed Mohammad , Molavipordanjani Sajjad
Published: July 2023

The 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor (5-HTR) family involves seven classes of receptors. The 5-HT7R is the newest member of this family and contributes to different physiological and pathological processes. As a pathology, Glioblastoma multiform (GBM) overexpresses 5-HT7R; hence, this study aims to develop radiolabeled aryl piperazine derivatives as 5-HT7R imaging agents. To that end, compounds 6 and 7 as 1-(3-nitropyridin-2-yl)piperazine derivatives were radiolabeled with fac-[99mTc(CO)3(H2O)3]+ and (99mTc(CO)3-[6] and 99mTc(CO)3-[7]) were obtained with high radiochemical purity (RCP>94%). 99mTc(CO)3-[6] and 99mTc(CO)3-[7] possess high affinity toward 5-HT7R of the U-87 MG cell line. The calculated Ki for them was 26.85±0.78 nM and 36.67±0.89 nM. The biodistribution study in normal mice indicates that the brain uptake of 99mTc(CO)3-[6] and 99mTc(CO)3-[7] is the highest at 30 min post-injection (0.8±0.25 and 0.64±0.18 %ID/g, respectively). The data of the biodistribution study in the U87-MG xenograft model revealed that these radiotracers could accumulate in the tumor site, and the highest tumor uptake was observed at 60 min post-injection (3.38±0.65 and 3.27±0.5 %ID/g, respectively). The injection of pimozide can block the tumor’s radiotracer uptake, indicating the binding of these radiotracers to the 5-HT7R. The imaging study in the xenograft model also confirms the biodistribution data. The acquired images clearly show the tumor site, and the tumor-to-muscle ratio for 99mTc(CO)3-[6] and 99mTc(CO)3-[7] at 60 min was 3.33 and 3.88, respectively.
Nigrostriatal inflammation is associated with nonmotor symptoms in an experimental model of prodromal Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Oliveira Bruna Silva , Toscano Eliana Cristina Brito , Abreu Larissa Katharina Sabino , Fernandes Heliana Barros , Amorim Renan Florindo , Ferreira Rodrigo Novaes , Machado Caroline Amaral , Carvalho Brener Cunha , Silva Maria Carolina Machado , Oliveira Antônio Carlos Pinheiro , Rachid Milene Alvarenga , Rocha Natália Pessoa , Teixeira Antônio Lúcio , Silva Elizabeth Ribeiro , Miranda Aline Silva
Published: July 2023

Recent evidence has supported a pathogenic role for neuroinflammation in Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, it is unclear whether the immune changes are involved in the initial physiopathology of PD, leading to the non-motor symptoms (NMS) observed in the prodromal PD stage. The current study aimed to characterize the behavioral and cognitive changes in a toxic-induced model of prodromal PD-like syndrome. We also sought to investigate the role of neuroinflammation in prodromal PD-related NMS. Male mice were subjected to bilateral intranasal (i.n.) infusion with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) or saline (control group), followed by comprehensive behavioral and neurochemical analysis. Intranasal MPTP infusion was able to cause the loss of dopaminergic neurons. In parallel, it induced impairment in olfactory discrimination and social memory consolidation, compulsive and anxious-like behaviors, but did not influence motor function. In addition, iba-1 and GFAP expressions were increased in the SNpc, suggesting an activated state of microglia and astrocytes. Consistent with this finding, MPTP mice had increased levels of IL-10 and IL-17A, and decreased levels of BDNF and tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk) A mRNA in the SNpc. The striatum showed increased IL-17A and decreased BDNF and NFG levels compared to control mice. In conclusion, our results suggest that neuroinflammation may play an important role in the early stage of experimental PD-like syndrome. Our data also indicate that i.n. administration of MPTP may represents a valuable mouse model for prodromal PD.
Cardiopulmonary baroreceptors modify pain intensity in patients with chronic back pain
Authors: Iwakuma Yuto , Clonch Davina A. , Liu Jennifer , Lam Christopher M. , Holwerda Seth
Published: July 2023

Objective Baroreceptors play a significant role in nociceptive pain. However, the extent to which baroreceptors modulate nociception in patients with chronic pain is unclear. We tested the hypothesis that cardiopulmonary baroreceptor unloading via LBNP would significantly increase pressure pain threshold and habituation to heat pain among patients with chronic back pain. Methods Mechanical pressure pain threshold at the upper trapezius (hand-held algometer) and habituation to heat pain at the forearm were performed during sitting and supine position, and during baroreceptor unloading via lower body negative pressure (LBNP) of -10 mmHg in 12 patients with chronic back pain (54 ± 11 years of age). To determine whether pain reduction is normal during LBNP, studies were repeated in 7 young, healthy participants (23 ± 7). Results Mechanical pressure pain threshold (P < 0.01) and habituation to heat pain (P = 0.04) were significantly reduced during supine compared with sitting. Conversely, baroreceptor unloading via LBNP significantly increased pressure pain threshold (P = 0.03) and heat pain habituation (P < 0.01) compared with supine. In young healthy controls, pressure pain threshold was similarly affected when comparing sitting and supine (P = 0.01) and during LBNP (P < 0.01), whereas habituation to heat pain was unaltered when comparing sitting and supine (P = 0.93) and during LBNP (P = 0.90). Total peripheral resistance was increased during LBNP (P = 0.01) but not among young, healthy controls (P = 0.71). Conclusions The findings demonstrate cardiopulmonary baroreceptor modulation of nociceptive pain in patients with chronic pain. Interestingly, habituation to heat pain appears more readily modified by cardiopulmonary baroreceptors in patients with chronic back pain compared with young, healthy individuals.
Oyster mushroom with short cropping duration and good taste developed through mono-monokaryon hybridization
Authors: Sindhu S , Theradimani M. , Vellaikumar S. , Paramasivam M. , Ramamoorthy V.
Published: July 2023

The development of short cropping duration oyster mushroom having good taste is one of the important needs of mushroom growers. Several Pleurotus spp. are long cropping duration in nature. Recently, we obtained Pleurotus djamor strain woody1 exhibiting a short cropping duration of 30 days and cultivated throughout the year, but it has a moderately acceptable taste. One of the cultivated Pleurotus spp. such as P. djamor strain MDU1 has good taste and is cultivated throughout the year but is a long cropping duration strain. Thus, genetic improvement of P. djamor was carried out by hybridization between these two strains by anastomosis. Monokaryons of parental strains showed variation in time required for germination – i.e. basidiospores of P. djamor strain woody1 germinated and developed monokaryotic colonies in six days, whereas that of P. djamor strain MDU1 developed monokaryotic colonies in eight days of incubation. In addition, variation in the growth rate and morphology of the monokaryotic mycelia of both parental strains was noticed. Out of 60 crosses made between mycelia of monokaryotic isolates of both parental strains, 20 crosses showed clamp connection, indicating that they were successful crosses. Out of 20 hybrids, two hybrid strains, viz., W2M4 and W4M4, exhibited higher yields than their parents. They both gained the short cropping duration trait, good taste attribute with good organoleptic values and some specific volatile metabolites. This study showed that anastomosis of two strains of P. djamor having desirable agronomic traits can be bred to develop an elite hybrid strain combining desirable agronomic traits.
A novel method for calculating interpolation points of NURBS curves based on chord length-parameter ratio
Authors: Hu Yifei , Jiang Xin , Huo Guanying , Su Cheng , Li Hexiong , Zheng Zhiming
Published: July 2023

Non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) curve has been widely used in computer numerical control machining due to its superior properties, such as global smoothness and local support. However, because of the nonanalytic relationship between the spline parameter and the arc length, it can be challenging to obtain accurate parameters when the arc length given. Approximation methods are commonly used because of their simplicity, but they can result in feedrate fluctuations that are difficult to avoid. This paper presents a feedback method to reduce feedrate fluctuations while maintaining simplicity. To obtain the initial parameter value of the next interpolation point, the chord length-parameter ratio (CPR) is defined first, and Newton's divided difference interpolation polynomial is applied to predict the CPR of the current interpolation point based on the CPRs of the historical interpolation points. Then, the initial parameter is corrected using the Second-order Runge-Kutta method with the compensation length, which is derived according to the tangent and chord directions at the initial parameter. The proposed method only requires two calculations of the first derivative of the NURBS curve, which is comparable to the computational complexity of most approximation methods. Numerical simulations are conducted to compare the performance of the proposed method with several approximation methods and a recent feedback method. The results demonstrate that the proposed method performs exceptionally well in terms of both efficiency and accuracy.