bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classification of Multiple H&E Images via an Ensemble Computational Scheme
Authors: Longo Leonardo H. da Costa , Roberto Guilherme F. , Tosta Thaína A. A. , de Faria Paulo R. , Loyola Adriano M. , Cardoso Sérgio V. , Silva Adriano B. , do Nascimento Marcelo Z. , Neves Leandro A.
Published: December 2023

In this work, a computational scheme is proposed to identify the main combinations of handcrafted descriptors and deep-learned features capable of classifying histological images stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The handcrafted descriptors were those representatives of multiscale and multidimensional fractal techniques (fractal dimension, lacunarity and percolation) applied to quantify the histological images with the corresponding representations via explainable artificial intelligence (xAI) approaches. The deep-learned features were obtained from different convolutional neural networks (DenseNet-121, EfficientNet-b2, Inception-V3, ResNet-50 and VGG-19). The descriptors were investigated through different associations. The most relevant combinations, defined through a ranking algorithm, were analyzed via a heterogeneous ensemble of classifiers with the support vector machine, naive Bayes, random forest and K-nearest neighbors algorithms. The proposed scheme was applied to histological samples representative of breast cancer, colorectal cancer, oral dysplasia and liver tissue. The best results were accuracy rates of 94.83% to 100%, with the identification of pattern ensembles for classifying multiple histological images. The computational scheme indicated solutions exploring a reduced number of features (a maximum of 25 descriptors) and with better performance values than those observed in the literature. The presented information in this study is useful to complement and improve the development of computer-aided diagnosis focused on histological images.
Effect of Mycolic Acids on Host Immunity and Lipid Metabolism
Authors: Wang Haoran , Liu Dingpu , Zhou Xiangmei
Published: December 2023

Mycolic acids constitute pivotal constituents within the cell wall structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Due to their structural diversity, the composition of mycolic acids exhibits substantial variations among different strains, endowing them with the distinctive label of being the ‘signature’ feature of mycobacterial species. Within Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the primary classes of mycolic acids include α-, keto-, and methoxy-mycolic acids. While these mycolic acids are predominantly esterified to the cell wall components (such as arabinogalactan, alginate, or glucose) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a fraction of free mycolic acids are secreted during in vitro growth of the bacterium. Remarkably, different types of mycolic acids possess varying capabilities to induce foamy macro-phages and trigger immune responses. Additionally, mycolic acids play a regulatory role in the lipid metabolism of host cells, thereby exerting influence over the progression of tuberculosis. Consequently, the multifaceted properties of mycolic acids shape the immune evasion strategy employed by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A comprehensive understanding of mycolic acids is of paramount significance in the pursuit of developing tuberculosis therapeutics and unraveling the intricacies of its pathogenic mechanisms.
YB-1 Is a Novel Target for the Inhibition of α-Adrenergic-Induced Hypertrophy
Authors: Heger Jacqueline , Partsch Stefan , Harjung Claudia , Varga Zoltán V. , Baranyai Tamás , Weiß Johannes , Kremer Lea , Locquet Fabian , Leszek Przemyslaw , Ágg Bence , Benczik Bettina , Ferdinandy Péter , Schulz Rainer , Euler Gerhild
Published: December 2023

Cardiac hypertrophy resulting from sympathetic nervous system activation triggers the development of heart failure. The transcription factor Y-box binding protein 1 (YB-1) can interact with transcription factors involved in cardiac hypertrophy and may thereby interfere with the hypertrophy growth process. Therefore, the question arises as to whether YB-1 influences cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and might thereby influence the development of heart failure. YB-1 expression is downregulated in human heart biopsies of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (n = 8), leading to heart failure. To study the impact of reduced YB-1 in cardiac cells, we performed small interfering RNA (siRNA) experiments in H9C2 cells as well as in adult cardiomyocytes (CMs) of rats. The specificity of YB-1 siRNA was analyzed by a miRNA-like off-target prediction assay identifying potential genes. Testing three high-scoring genes by transfecting cardiac cells with YB-1 siRNA did not result in downregulation of these genes in contrast to YB-1, whose downregulation increased hypertrophic growth. Hypertrophic growth was mediated by PI3K under PE stimulation, as well by downregulation with YB-1 siRNA. On the other hand, overexpression of YB-1 in CMs, caused by infection with an adenovirus encoding YB-1 (AdYB-1), prevented hypertrophic growth under α-adrenergic stimulation with phenylephrine (PE), but not under stimulation with growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15; n = 10–16). An adenovirus encoding the green fluorescent protein (AdGFP) served as the control. YB-1 overexpression enhanced the mRNA expression of the Gq inhibitor regulator of G-protein signaling 2 (RGS2) under PE stimulation (n = 6), potentially explaining its inhibitory effect on PE-induced hypertrophic growth. This study shows that YB-1 protects cardiomyocytes against PE-induced hypertrophic growth. Like in human end-stage heart failure, YB-1 downregulation may cause the heart to lose its protection against hypertrophic stimuli and progress to heart failure. Therefore, the transcription factor YB-1 is a pivotal signaling molecule, providing perspectives for therapeutic approaches.
Altered Gene Expression of IL-35 and IL-36α in the Skin of Patients with Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Zysk Weronika , Sitko Krzysztof , Tukaj Stefan , Zaryczańska Anna , Trzeciak Magdalena
Published: December 2023

A comprehensive understanding of atopic dermatitis (AD) pathogenesis is desired, especially in the current era of novel biologics and small molecule drugs. In recent years, new cytokines have emerged that may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of AD. Using the tape stripping (TS) method, this study analyzed the gene expression of IL-35 and IL-36α in lesional and nonlesional AD skin compared with healthy skin and their association with the clinical features of AD among the Polish population. Ten AD patients and seven healthy individuals were enrolled. The lesional skin of the AD patients showed significantly higher expression levels of IL-35 compared to healthy skin (p = 0.0001). The expression level of IL-36α was significantly higher in lesional AD skin than in nonlesional AD skin (p = 0.0039) and healthy skin (p = 0.0045). There was a significant negative correlation between AD severity and the expression level of IL-35 in both lesional (R = −0.66, p = 0.048) and nonlesional skin (R = −0.9, p = 0.0016). In summary, both IL-35 and IL-36α appear to play a role in the pathogenesis of AD. Furthermore, it might be speculated that IL-35 and IL-36α may be potential candidates for disease biomarkers. However, further studies are needed to verify these assumptions and comprehensively elucidate their importance in the pathogenesis of AD.
Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Ampelopsis grossedentata Leaf Extract as an Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Agent in Human Immune Cells
Authors: Chervet Arthur , Nehme Rawan , Decombat Caroline , Longechamp Lucie , Habanjar Ola , Rousset Amandine , Fraisse Didier , Blavignac Christelle , Filaire Edith , Berthon Jean-Yves , Delort Laetitia , Caldefie-Chezet Florence
Published: December 2023

Inflammation is a vital protective response to threats, but it can turn harmful if chronic and uncontrolled. Key elements involve pro-inflammatory cells and signaling pathways, including the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, NF-κB, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Ampelopsis grossedentata, or vine tea, contains dihydromyricetin (DHM) and myricetin, which are known for their various health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the impact of an extract of A. grossedentata leaves (50 µg/mL) on inflammation factors such as inflammasome, pro-inflammatory pathways, and macrophage polarization, as well as its antioxidant properties, with a view to combating the development of low-grade inflammation. Ampelopsis grossedentata extract (APG) significantly decreased ROS production and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFNγ, IL-12, IL-2, and IL-17a) in human leukocytes. In addition, APG reduced LPS/IFNγ -induced M1-like macrophage polarization, resulting in a significant decrease in the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, along with a decrease in the percentage of M1 macrophages and an increase in M0 macrophages. Simultaneously, a significant decrease in NF-κB p65 phosphorylation and in the expression of inflammasome genes (NLRP3, IL-1β and Caspase 1) was observed. The results suggest that Ampelopsis grossedentata could be a promising option for managing inflammation-related chronic diseases. Further research is needed to optimize dosage and administration methods.
Altered Serum Alpha1-Antitrypsin Protease Inhibition before and after Clinical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Association with Risk for Non-Relapse Mortality
Authors: Brami Ido , Zuckerman Tsila , Ram Ron , Avni Batia , Peretz Galit , Ostrovsky Daniel , Lior Yotam , Faour Caroline , McElvaney Oisin , McElvaney Noel G. , Lewis Eli C.
Published: December 2023

α1-Antitrypsin (AAT), an acute-phase reactant not unsimilar to C-reactive protein (CRP), is a serine protease inhibitor that harbors tissue-protective and immunomodulatory attributes. Its concentrations appropriately increase during conditions of extensive tissue injury, and it induces immune tolerance, in part, by inhibiting the enzymatic activity of the inflammatory serine protease, proteinase 3 (PR3). Typically administered to patients with genetic AAT deficiency, AAT treatment was recently shown to improve outcomes in patients with steroid-refractory graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). GVHD represents a grave outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), a potentially curative intervention for hematological diseases. The procedure requires radio/chemotherapy conditioning of the prospective marrow recipient, a cytotoxic process that causes vast tissue injury and, in some formats, interferes with liver production of AAT. To date, changes in the functional profile of AAT during allogeneic HSCT, and during the cytotoxic intervention that precedes HSCT, are unknown. The present study followed 53 patients scheduled for allogeneic HSCT (trial registration NCT03188601). Serum samples were tested before and after HSCT for AAT and CRP levels and for intrinsic anti-proteolytic activity. The ex vivo response to clinical-grade AAT was tested on circulating patient leukocytes and on a human epithelial cell line treated with patient sera in a gap closure assay. According to the ex vivo experiments, circulating leukocytes responded to AAT with a favorable immune-regulated profile, and epithelial gap closure was enhanced by AAT in sera from GVHD-free patients but not in sera from patients who developed GVHD. According to serum collected prior to HSCT, non-relapse mortality was reliably predicted by combining three components: AAT and CRP levels and serum anti-proteolytic activity. Taken together, HSCT outcomes are significantly affected by the anti-proteolytic function of circulating AAT, supporting early AAT augmentation therapy for allogeneic HSCT patients.
Activation of Young LINE-1 Elements by CRISPRa
Authors: Tong Bei , Sun Yuhua
Published: December 2023

Long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1; L1s) are mobile genetic elements that comprise nearly 20% of the human genome. L1s have been shown to have important functions in various biological processes, and their dysfunction is thought to be linked with diseases and cancers. However, the roles of the repetitive elements are largely not understood. While the CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) system based on catalytically deadCas9 (dCas9) is widely used for genome-wide interrogation of gene function and genetic interaction, few studies have been conducted on L1s. Here, we report using the CRISPRa method to efficiently activate L1s in human L02 cells, a derivative of the HeLa cancer cell line. After CRISPRa, the young L1 subfamilies such as L1HS/L1PA1 and L1PA2 are found to be expressed at higher levels than the older L1s. The L1s with high levels of transcription are closer to full-length and are more densely occupied by the YY1 transcription factor. The activated L1s can either be mis-spliced to form chimeric transcripts or act as alternative promoters or enhancers to facilitate the expression of neighboring genes. The method described here can be used for studying the functional roles of young L1s in cultured cells of interest.
Trapping Charge Mechanism in Hv1 Channels (CiHv1)
Authors: Fernández Miguel , Alvear-Arias Juan J. , Carmona Emerson M. , Carrillo Christian , Pena-Pichicoi Antonio , Hernandez-Ochoa Erick O. , Neely Alan , Alvarez Osvaldo , Latorre Ramon , Garate Jose A. , Gonzalez Carlos
Published: December 2023

The majority of voltage-gated ion channels contain a defined voltage-sensing domain and a pore domain composed of highly conserved amino acid residues that confer electrical excitability via electromechanical coupling. In this sense, the voltage-gated proton channel (Hv1) is a unique protein in that voltage-sensing, proton permeation and pH-dependent modulation involve the same structural region. In fact, these processes synergistically work in concert, and it is difficult to separate them. To investigate the process of Hv1 voltage sensor trapping, we follow voltage-sensor movements directly by leveraging mutations that enable the measurement of Hv1 channel gating currents. We uncover that the process of voltage sensor displacement is due to two driving forces. The first reveals that mutations in the selectivity filter (D160) located in the S1 transmembrane interact with the voltage sensor. More hydrophobic amino acids increase the energy barrier for voltage sensor activation. On the other hand, the effect of positive charges near position 264 promotes the formation of salt bridges between the arginines of the voltage sensor domain, achieving a stable conformation over time. Our results suggest that the activation of the Hv1 voltage sensor is governed by electrostatic–hydrophobic interactions, and S4 arginines, N264 and selectivity filter (D160) are essential in the Ciona-Hv1 to understand the trapping of the voltage sensor.
Comparison of Follicular Helper T-Cell Markers with the Expression of the Follicular Homing Marker CXCR5 in Peripheral T-Cell Lymphomas—A Reappraisal of Follicular Helper T-Cell Lymphomas
Authors: Krenács László , Krenács Dóra , Borbényi Zita , Tóth Erika , Nagy Anna , Piukovics Klára , Bagdi Enikő
Published: December 2023

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) expressing multiple follicular T helper (TFH) cell-related antigens are now classified as TFH lymphomas (TFHL), including angioimmunoblastic, follicular, and not otherwise specified (NOS) types. CXCR5 is the TFH cell-defining chemokine receptor that, together with its ligand CXCL13, plays a critical role in the development of follicles and the positioning of TFH and B cells within follicles. A comprehensive immunomorphologic study was performed to investigate the expression pattern of CXCR5 in a large cohort of nodal PTCLs, particularly those with a TFH cell phenotype, and to compare its expression with six other TFH cell-related antigens. We found that CXCR5 is widely expressed in neoplastic TFH cells, except in TFHL-NOS, and represents a specific marker of this lymphoma entity. Our results suggest that CXCR5 directs the distribution of neoplastic T cells in the affected lymph nodes and may influence the formation of the pathognomic pathological FDC network.
Sequential Therapy with Ropeginterferon Alfa-2b and Anti-Programmed Cell Death 1 Antibody for Inhibiting the Recurrence of Hepatitis B-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma: From Animal Modeling to Phase I Clinical Results
Authors: Qin Albert , Wu Chang-Ru , Ho Ming-Chih , Tsai Chan-Yen , Chen Pei-Jer
Published: December 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) usually recurs after curative surgical resection. Currently, no approved adjuvant therapy has been shown to reduce HCC recurrence rates. In this study, the in vivo effect of sequential combination treatment with recombinant mouse interferon-alpha (rmIFN-α) and an anti-mouse-PD1 antibody on hepatitis B virus (HBV) clearance in mice was evaluated. A Phase I clinical trial was then conducted to assess the safety, tolerability, and inhibitory activity of sequential therapy with ropeginterferon alfa-2b and nivolumab in patients with HCC recurrence who underwent curative surgery for HBV-related HCC. The animal modeling study showed that HBV suppression was significantly greater with the rmIFN-α and anti-PD1 sequential combination treatment in comparison with sole treatment with rmIFN-α or anti-PD1. In the Phase I study, eleven patients completed the sequential therapy with ropeginterferon alfa-2b every two weeks for six doses at 450 µg, followed by three doses of nivolumab every two weeks up to 0.75 mg/kg. A notable decrease in or clearance of HBV surface antigen was observed in two patients. The dose-limiting toxicity of grade 3 alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase increases was observed in one patient. The maximum tolerated dose was then determined. To date, no HCC recurrence has been observed. The treatment modality was well tolerated. These data support the further clinical development of sequential combination therapy as a post-surgery prophylactic measure against the recurrence of HBV-related HCC.
Direct and Indirect Evidence of Effects of Bacteroides spp. on Obesity and Inflammation
Authors: Wu Liangliang , Park Seo-Hyun , Kim Hojun
Published: December 2023

Metabolic disorders present a significant public health challenge globally. The intricate relationship between the gut microbiome, particularly Bacteroides spp. (BAC), and obesity, including their specific metabolic functions, remains partly unresolved. This review consolidates current research on BAC’s role in obesity and lipid metabolism, with three objectives: (1) To summarize the gut microbiota’s impact on obesity; (2) To assess BAC’s efficacy in obesity intervention; (3) To explore BAC’s mechanisms in obesity and lipid metabolism management. This review critically examines the role of BAC in obesity, integrating findings from clinical and preclinical studies. We highlight the changes in BAC diversity and concentration following successful obesity treatment and discuss the notable differences in BAC characteristics among individuals with varying obesity levels. Furthermore, we review recent preclinical studies demonstrating the potential of BAC in ameliorating obesity and related inflammatory conditions, providing detailed insights into the methodologies of these in vivo experiments. Additionally, certain BAC-derived metabolites have been shown to be involved in the regulation of host lipid metabolism-related pathways. The enhanced TNF production by dendritic cells following BAC administration, in response to LPS, also positions BAC as a potential adjunctive therapy in obesity management.
Numerical Simulation of Electromagnetic Field in Slab Electroslag Remelting Process with Double Electrode Series
Authors: Li Qi , Jing Zhenquan , Sun Yanhui
Published: December 2023

In this paper, a mathematical model of an electromagnetic field during an electroslag remelting process of industrial-scale slab was established using a Maxwell 3D module in Ansys Electromagnetics Suite. The distribution characteristics of the magnetic field intensity, current density and Joule heat density during the electroslag remelting process were analyzed in detail. On this basis, the influence of the current frequency on the electroslag remelting process of an industrial scale is studied, and the influence of process parameters such as the slag pool depth, electrode insertion depth and ingot height on the electromagnetic field is also considered. The results show that the Joule heat generated in the slag pool is much greater than that of the electrode and the ingot. The maximum Joule heat is located at the contact between the electrode corner and the slag pool, and the Joule heat near the middle of the two electrodes is greater than the rest. With the increase in the current frequency, the current density distribution in the slag cell is basically unchanged. The current density inside the two electrodes increases obviously with the current frequency. When the current frequency increases from 10 Hz to 50 Hz, the maximum current density at the inner surface of the electrode increases by 14.7%. The current distribution at the lower side of the electrode in the slag pool is relatively uniform, and the current density in this region decreases with the increase in the height of the slag pool and the increase in the depth of the electrode inserted into the slag pool.
Effect of Equivalence Ratio on Pollutant Formation in CH4O/H2/NH3 Blend Combustion
Authors: Sun Jingyun , Liu Qianqian , Gu Mingyan , Wang Yang
Published: December 2023

This paper investigates the effect of equivalence ratio on pollutant formation characteristics of CH4O/H2/NH3 ternary fuel combustion and analyzes the pollutant formation mechanisms of CO, CO2, and NOX at the molecular level. It was found that lowering the equivalence ratio accelerates the decomposition of CH4O, H2, and NH3 in general. The fastest rate of consumption of each fuel was found at φ = 0.33, while the rates of CH4O and NH3 decomposition were similar for the φ = 0.66 and φ = 0.4. CO shows an inverted U-shaped trend with time, and peaks at φ = 0.5. The rate and amount of CO2 formation are inversely proportional to the equivalence ratio. The effect of equivalence ratio on CO2 is obvious when φ > 0.5. NO2 is the main component of NOX. When φ < 0.66, NOX shows a continuous increasing trend, while when φ ≥ 0.66, NOX shows an increasing and then stabilizing trend. Reaction path analysis showed that intermediates such as CH3 and CH4 were added to the CH4O to CH2O conversion stage as the equivalence ratio decreased with φ ≥ 0.5. New pathways, CH4O→CH3→CH2O and CH4O→CH3→CH4→CH2O, were added. At φ ≤ 0.5, new intermediates CHO2 and CH2O2 were added to the CH2O to CO2 conversion stage, and new pathways are added: CH2O→CO→CHO2→CO2, CH2O→CO→CO2, CH2O→CHO→CO→CHO2→CO2, and CH2O→CH2O2→CO2. The reduction in the number of radical reactions required for the conversion of NH3 to NO from five to two directly contributes to the large amount of NOX formation. Equivalent ratios from 1 to 0.33 corresponded to 12%, 21.4%, 34%, 46.95%, and 48.86% of NO2 remaining, respectively. This is due to the fact that as the equivalence ratio decreases, more O2 collides to form OH and some of the O2 is directly involved in the reaction forming NO2.
A Systematic Analysis of the Correlation between Flavor Active Differential Metabolites and Multiple Bean Ripening Stages of Coffea arabica L.
Authors: Bi Xiaofei , Yu Haohao , Hu Faguang , Fu Xingfei , Li Yanan , Li Yaqi , Yang Yang , Liu Dexin , Li Guiping , Shi Rui , Dong Wenjiang
Published: December 2023

Coffee cherries contain a crucial flavor-precursor and chemical substances influencing roasted bean quality, yet limited knowledge exists on metabolite changes during cherry ripening. Our study identified 1078 metabolites, revealing 46 core differential metabolites using a KEGG pathway analysis. At the GF vs. ROF stage, amino acid synthesis dominated; ROF vs. BRF featured nucleotide catabolism; BRF vs. PRF exhibited glycoside and flavonoid synthesis; and PRF vs. PBF involved secondary metabolite synthesis and catabolism. The PRF stage emerged as the optimal cherry-harvesting period. A correlation analysis identified core differential metabolites strongly linked to taste indicators, suggesting their potential as taste markers. Notably, nucleotides and derivatives exhibited significant negative correlations with glycosides and flavonoids during ripening. This research systematically analyzed flavor and active substances in green coffee beans during cherry ripening, offering valuable insights into substance formation in Coffea arabica L.
Utilization of Yeast Extract as a Flavor Enhancer and Masking Agent in Sodium-Reduced Marinated Shrimp
Authors: Şen Yılmaz Evren Burcu
Published: December 2023

Deepwater pink shrimp (Parapenaus longirostris) has a significantly high catch yield and is a highly important food source for human nutrition in terms of its nutritional value. The reduction of salt content in seafood products while preserving taste poses a significant challenge. The aim of this study is to reduce the NaCl ratio used in the shrimp marination process by substituting it with KCl and masking the resulting bitterness from KCl using natural flavor enhancers, such as yeast extracts. The marinated shrimp were prepared using 50% KCl instead of 50% NaCl. In order to mask the bitter taste caused by KCl and enhance the flavor, two different types of yeast extracts obtained from Saccharomyces cerevisiae were utilized in the formulation. Nutritional composition, Na and K contents, amino acid composition, color measurement, bacteriological quality, pH changes, and sensory evaluations were conducted to assess the impact of salt reduction and yeast extracts on the sensory, chemical, and physical attributes of the products. L-glutamic acid, L-alanine, L-aspartic acid, L-leucine, L-valine, and L-lysine were found to be higher in samples with Levex Terra yeast extract. Despite a 50% reduction in NaCl content, the addition of yeast extract led to an increase in the umami taste due to the elevation of amino acids present. Yeast extracts can offer a promising solution for enhancing the sensory qualities of seafood products with reduced salt content by conducting more detailed sensory development examinations.
Structural and Thermal Characterization of Milled Wood Lignin from Bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) Grown in Korea
Authors: Mun Ji-Sun , Mun Sung-Phil
Published: December 2023

The structural and thermal characterization of milled wood lignin (MWL) prepared from bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) grown in Korea was investigated, and the results were compared with bamboo MWLs from other studies. The C9 formula of the bamboo MWL was C9H7.76O3.23N0.02 (OCH3)1.41. The Mw and Mn of MWL were 13,000 and 4400 Da, respectively, which resulted in a polydispersity index (PDI) of 3.0. The PDI of the prepared MWL was higher than other bamboo MWLs (1.3–2.2), suggesting a broader molecular weight distribution. The structural features of MWL were elucidated using FT-IR spectroscopy and NMR techniques (1H, 13C, HSQC, 31P NMR), which indicate that MWL is of the HGS-type lignin. The major lignin linkages (β-O-4, β-β, β-5) were not different from other bamboo MWLs. The syringyl/guaiacyl ratio, determined from 1H NMR, was calculated as 0.89. 31P NMR revealed variations in hydroxyl content, with a higher aliphatic hydroxyl content in MWL compared to other bamboo MWLs. Thermal properties were investigated through TGA, DSC, and pyrolysis-GC/MS spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). The DTGmax of MWL under inert conditions was 287 °C, and the Tg of MWL was 159 °C. Py-GC/MS at 675 °C revealed a syringyl, guaiacyl, p-hydroxyphenyl composition of 17:37:47.
Multi-Analytical Techniques for the Study of Burial Clothes of Polish King Sigismund III Vasa (1566–1633) and His Wife Constance Habsburg (1588–1631)
Authors: Śliwka-Kaszyńska Magdalena , Cybulska Maria , Drążkowska Anna , Kuberski Sławomir , Karczewski Jakub , Marzec Anna , Rybiński Przemysław
Published: December 2023

The subjects of this research are the burial clothes of Polish King Sigismund III Vasa and his wife Constance, which were woven and embroidered with silk and metal threads. Fragments of the textiles underwent spectroscopic, spectrometric, and thermogravimetric analyses. The hydrofluoric acid extraction method was improved to isolate various classes of dyes from the textile samples that had direct contact with human remains. High-performance liquid chromatography, coupled with diode array and tandem mass spectrometry detectors with electrospray ionization (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS) facilitated the detection and identification of colorants present in the textiles. Cochineal, indigo-, madder-, orchil-, and tannin-producing plants were identified as the sources of dyes used. Scanning electron microscopy with an energy-dispersive X-ray detector (SEM-EDS) was employed to identify and characterize the silk fibers and mordants and the metal threads. The presence of iron, aluminum, sodium, and calcium in the silk threads suggests their potential use as mordants. The analysis of the metal threads revealed that most of them were made from flattened gilded silver wire, with only a few being cut from a sheet of metal. Typical degradation mechanisms of metal threads were shown, resulting from both burial environment and earlier manufacturing process, and the use of the textiles in clothing, i.e., a significant loss of the gold layer was observed in most of silver gilt threads, caused by abrasion and delamination. The results of the thermal analysis confirmed the presence of silk and silver threads in the examined textiles.
Adaptive Convolution Sparse Filtering Method for the Fault Diagnosis of an Engine Timing Gearbox
Authors: Fan Shigong , Cai Yixi , Zhang Zongzhen , Wang Jinrui , Shi Yunxi , Li Xiaohua
Published: December 2023

Due to the superior robustness of outlier signals and the unique advantage of not relying on a priori knowledge, Convolution Sparse Filtering (CSF) is drawing more and more attention. However, the excellent properties of CSF is limited by its inappropriate selection of the number and length of its filters. Therefore, the Adaptive Convolution Sparse Filtering (ACSF) method is proposed in this paper to implement an end-to-end health monitoring and fault diagnostic model. Firstly, a novel metric entropy–time function (He−T) is proposed to measure the accuracy and efficiency of signals filtered by the CSF. Then, the filtered signal with the minimum He−T is detected with particle swarm optimization. Finally, the failure mode is diagnosed according to the envelope spectrum of the signal with minimum He−T. The effectiveness and efficiency of the ACSF is demonstrated through the experiment. The results indicate the ACSF can extract the failure characteristic of the gearbox.
Methodology for Creating a Digital Bathymetric Model Using Neural Networks for Combined Hydroacoustic and Photogrammetric Data in Shallow Water Areas
Authors: Łącka Małgorzata , Łubczonek Jacek
Published: December 2023

This study uses a neural network to propose a methodology for creating digital bathymetric models for shallow water areas that are partially covered by a mix of hydroacoustic and photogrammetric data. A key challenge of this approach is the preparation of the training dataset from such data. Focusing on cases in which the training dataset covers only part of the measured depths, the approach employs generalized linear regression for data optimization followed by multilayer perceptron neural networks for bathymetric model creation. The research assessed the impact of data reduction, outlier elimination, and regression surface-based filtering on neural network learning. The average values of the root mean square (RMS) error were successively obtained for the studied nearshore, middle, and deep water areas, which were 0.12 m, 0.03 m, and 0.06 m, respectively; moreover, the values of the mean absolute error (MAE) were 0.11 m, 0.02 m, and 0.04 m, respectively. Following detailed quantitative and qualitative error analyses, the results indicate variable accuracy across different study areas. Nonetheless, the methodology demonstrated effectiveness in depth calculations for water bodies, although it faces challenges with respect to accuracy, especially in preserving nearshore values in shallow areas.
Adaptive Global Power-of-Two Ternary Quantization Algorithm Based on Unfixed Boundary Thresholds
Authors: Sui Xuefu , Lv Qunbo , Ke Changjun , Li Mingshan , Zhuang Mingjin , Yu Haiyang , Tan Zheng
Published: December 2023

In the field of edge computing, quantizing convolutional neural networks (CNNs) using extremely low bit widths can significantly alleviate the associated storage and computational burdens in embedded hardware, thereby improving computational efficiency. However, such quantization also presents a challenge related to substantial decreases in detection accuracy. This paper proposes an innovative method, called Adaptive Global Power-of-Two Ternary Quantization Based on Unfixed Boundary Thresholds (APTQ). APTQ achieves adaptive quantization by quantizing each filter into two binary subfilters represented as power-of-two values, thereby addressing the accuracy degradation caused by a lack of expression ability of low-bit-width weight values and the contradiction between fixed quantization boundaries and the uneven actual weight distribution. It effectively reduces the accuracy loss while at the same time presenting strong hardware-friendly characteristics because of the power-of-two quantization. This paper extends the APTQ algorithm to propose the APQ quantization algorithm, which can adapt to arbitrary quantization bit widths. Furthermore, this paper designs dedicated edge deployment convolutional computation modules for the obtained quantized models. Through quantization comparison experiments with multiple commonly used CNN models utilized on the CIFAR10, CIFAR100, and Mini-ImageNet data sets, it is verified that the APTQ and APQ algorithms possess better accuracy performance than most state-of-the-art quantization algorithms and can achieve results with very low accuracy loss in certain CNNs (e.g., the accuracy loss of the APTQ ternary ResNet-56 model on CIFAR10 is 0.13%). The dedicated convolutional computation modules enable the corresponding quantized models to occupy fewer on-chip hardware resources in edge chips, thereby effectively improving computational efficiency. This adaptive CNN quantization method, combined with the power-of-two quantization results, strikes a balance between the quantization accuracy performance and deployment efficiency in embedded hardware. As such, valuable insights for the industrial edge computing domain can be gained.
Enhancing Ensemble Learning Using Explainable CNN for Spoof Fingerprints
Authors: Reza Naim , Jung Ho Yub
Published: December 2023

Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) have demonstrated remarkable success with great accuracy in classification problems. However, the lack of interpretability of the predictions made by neural networks has raised concerns about the reliability and robustness of CNN-based systems that use a limited amount of training data. In such cases, the utilization of ensemble learning using multiple CNNs has demonstrated the capability to improve the robustness of a network, but the robustness can often have a trade-off with accuracy. In this paper, we propose a novel training method that utilizes a Class Activation Map (CAM) to identify the fingerprint regions that influenced previously trained networks to attain their predictions. The identified regions are concealed during the training of networks with the same architectures, thus enabling the new networks to achieve the same objective from different regions. The resultant networks are then ensembled to ensure that the majority of the fingerprint features are taken into account during classification, resulting in significant enhancement of classification accuracy and robustness across multiple sensors in a consistent and reliable manner. The proposed method is evaluated on LivDet datasets and is able to achieve state-of-the-art accuracy.
Detection of SO2F2 Using a Photoacoustic Two-Chamber Approach
Authors: Yassine Hassan , Weber Christian , Eberhardt Andre , El-Safoury Mahmoud , Wöllenstein Jürgen , Schmitt Katrin
Published: December 2023

The wide use of sulfuryl difluoride (SO2F2) for termite control in buildings, warehouses and shipping containers requires the implementation of suitable sensors for reliable detection. SO2F2 is highly toxic to humans and the environment, and moreover, it is a potent greenhouse gas. We developed two photoacoustic two-chamber sensors with the aim to detect two different concentration ranges, 0–1 vol.-% SO2F2 and 0–100 ppm SO2F2, so that different applications can be targeted: the sensor for high concentrations for the effective treatment of buildings, containers, etc., and the sensor for low concentrations as personal safety device. Photoacoustic detectors were designed, fabricated, and then filled with either pure SO2F2 or pure substituent gas, the refrigerant R227ea, to detect SO2F2. Absorption cells with optical path lengths of 50 mm and 1.6 m were built for both concentration ranges. The sensitivity to SO2F2 as well as cross-sensitivities to CO2 and H2O were measured. The results show that concentrations below 1 ppm SO2F2 can be reliably detected, and possible cross-sensitivities can be effectively compensated.
A Novel Analysis of Super-Resolution for Born-Iterative-Type Algorithms in Microwave Medical Sensing and Imaging
Authors: Ding Yahui , Gong Zheng , Zhang Hui , Chen Yifan , Hu Jun , Chen Yongpin
Published: December 2023

Microwave medical sensing and imaging (MMSI) is a highly active research field. In MMSI, electromagnetic inverse scattering (EIS) is a commonly used technique that infers the internal characteristics of the diseased area by measuring the scattered field. It is worth noting that the image formed by EIS often exhibits the super-resolution phenomenon, which has attracted much research interest over the past decade. A classical perspective is that multiple scattering leads to super-resolution, but this is subject to debate. This paper aims to analyze the super-resolution behavior for Born-iterative-type algorithms for the following three aspects. Firstly, the resolution defined by the traditional Rayleigh criterion can only be applied to point scatterers. It does not suit general scatterers. By using the Sparrow criterion and the generalized spread function, the super-resolution condition can be derived for general scatterers even under the Born approximation (BA) condition. Secondly, an iterative algorithm results in larger coefficients in the high-frequency regime of the optical transfer function compared to non-iterative BA. Due to the anti-apodization effect, the spread function of the iterative method becomes steeper, which leads to a better resolution following the definition of the Sparrow criterion mentioned above. Thirdly, the solution from the previous iteration, as the prior knowledge for the next iteration, will cause changes in the total field, which provides additional information outside the Ewald sphere and thereby gives rise to super-resolution. Comprehensive numerical examples are used to verify these viewpoints.
One’s Heaven Can Be Another’s Hell: A Mixed Analysis of Portuguese Nationalist Fanpages
Authors: Di Fátima Branco , Carvalheiro José Ricardo
Published: December 2023

This paper analyzes the processes of racialization in Portuguese right-wing political movements through two prominent nationalist fanpages. It employs a mixed-methods approach that includes both quantitative and qualitative official data. The sample covers 72 months, from January 2017 to December 2020, encompassing a total of 3670 posts on Facebook. The main findings reveal that the fanpages utilize different discursive strategies, sometimes focusing on publishing static images and other times on sharing news links. From these publications, the fanpages garnered more than 1.4 million interactions, demonstrating consistent growth in their follower bases over the years. Emotional responses played a significant role in the interactions, particularly with Love, Sad, and Angry reactions standing out. The results also reveal that Portuguese nationalism maintains a dual ideology concerning race: ethno-exclusivism and ethno-pluralism. This observation affirms the dual nature of nationalist fanpages, where narrative elements converge and diverge based on the intended goal. Thus, individuals from Africa and Afro-descendants can be portrayed as both national heroes and social scum.
Comparative physiological and immunological assessment of carp crosses
Authors:   RSAU-MTAA named after K.A. Timiryazev, Russia, Moscow, Pronina G.I. , Nikitina А.P. ,   RSAU-MTAA named after K.A. Timiryazev, Russia, Moscow, Morgulev S.K. ,   RSAU-MTAA named after K.A. Timiryazev, Russia, Moscow
Published: December 2023

The main purpose of hybridization in the aquaculture industry is improving the productivity of hybrids compared to their parents in specific environmental conditions. The physiological state and resistance are judged by blood parameters, which are sensitive and informative indicators of the state of the body’s defense power and allow timely detection their changes under the influence of abiotic and biotic environmental factors. The article presents the results of studying of the productive and physiological properties of two-year-old carp crosses: interbreed hybrids of the first generation (F1). Shown, that the driveability index of the new threebreed carp cross is significantly lower than that of the “Surskiy Malokostny” and “Petrovskiy” crosses, which characterizes its high commercial qualities. The new three-breed cross has a lower swim bladder index: the lengths of the anterior and posterior chambers are almost equal. The number of vertebrae is less, compared to others. However, in the caudal region the number of vertebrae is close to that of the “Sursky Malokostny” cross and greater than that of the “Petrovsky”. In terms of size and weight indicators, the two-year-olds of the new three-breed carp cross exceeded those of other studied crosses, which indicates significant production potential. All recorded blood parameters of the studied fishes were within the limits of the physiological norm. The new three-breed cross is characterized by a high level of nonspecific cellular protection: a large proportion of microphages — segmented neutrophils is noted in the blood leukogram of the new cross. High immune resistance is evidenced by high vitality and a relatively low content of cationic protein in the lysosomes of neutrophils, which is consumed during immune defense when preparing fish for wintering. A comparative assessment of the crosses showed their excellent and productive marketable qualities, survival at different stages of ontogenesis, and good physiological and immunological status.
Internet marketing as a promising direction of marketing communications
Authors:   Department of Marketing and Advertising, Institute of Industry Management (IOM), Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Komarov V. M. , Nikolaeva M. A. ,   Department of International Commerce, Higher School of Corporate Governance, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration
Published: December 2023

The article discusses the issues related to conducting marketing activities on the Internet. The authors examine the approaches to conducting marketing activities on the Internet and highlight the main strategies for interaction between organizations based on digital platforms. The interaction of organizations with consumers on the Internet is considered within the framework of providing content, a system of customer relationships, as well as search and display advertising. The authors analyze the main models of payment for media advertising on the Internet and conclude that it is necessary to control the advertising activities carried out within the framework of established key performance indicators.
Prospects for the development of the Russian jewelry industry under sanctions pressure.
Authors:   Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Zolotova S. V.
Published: December 2023

Recently, the Russian jewelry market can be briefly characterized by such signs as turbulence, unpredictability, multidirectionality, and inconsistency of the processes taking place. However, at the same time, despite the difficulties caused by restrictions on foreign markets, it can be stated that right now a «window» of new opportunities in the domestic market is opening for the Russian jewelry business. The article discusses possible ways of adapting the business to the new operating conditions and analyzes the directions of development that can have an impact on all participants of the jewelry industry in the future.
Optimismo y resiliencia como factores protectores ante vivencias negativas en estudiantes universitarios
Authors: Díaz-Guerra Diego Daniel , Hernández Lugo Marena de la Caridad
Published: December 2023

Durante la juventud, en la vida universitaria y producto de las mismas exigencias de este contexto, son frecuentes vivencias emocionalmente negativas. El optimismo y la resiliencia constituyen factores protectores que predicen la ausencia de estas vivencias, ya que refieren a estilos de afrontamiento adaptativos ante situaciones estresantes. El objetivo de esta investigación fue demostrar el papel protector del optimismo y la resiliencia frente a las vivencias negativas en una muestra de estudiantes universitarios. Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal de alcance explicativo en una muestra de 100 estudiantes universitarios a los que se aplicó el autorreporte vivencial, el test de optimismo reducido y la escala reducida de resiliencia. Se obtuvieron resultados que indican el papel predictor del optimismo ante las vivencias negativas depresivas, de ira-disgusto-rechazo, y de ansiedad-miedo. Por otro lado, se encontró que la ansiedad predice significativamente las vivencias negativas de ansiedad-miedo. Al igual que en investigaciones anteriores, resulta de suma importancia el estudio del optimismo y la resiliencia como factores protectores de la salud mental en estudiantes universitarios. Potenciar el desarrollo de altos niveles de optimismo y resiliencia podría ser un factor protector ante situaciones emocionalmente negativas en estudiantes universitarios.
Comprensión lectora en estudiantes de educación básica superior: Estudio de caso de una unidad educativa del cantón Cuenca
Authors: Cantos Pacheco Andrea Domenica , Chacha Chiriap Max Mauricio , Tacuri-Reino David
Published: December 2023

La comprensión es el fin último de la lectura y en adolescentes es más necesario dado que requieren acceder a contenidos complejos. Según el informe PISA 2019, los estudiantes de 15 años en Ecuador generalmente alcanzan un nivel mínimo en destrezas de competencia lectora, lo que significa que pueden responder tareas en las que deben ubicar información directa y realizar inferencias sencillas. El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar los niveles de comprensión lectora en estudiantes de 8vo año de educación general básica. Participaron 52 estudiantes de 12 a 14 años con una edad (M= 13 D.T.= .68). Se empleó la prueba de comprensión lectora del instrumento EVALEC-8, que duró unos 46 minutos. Los resultados obtenidos indicaron que los estudiantes de octavo se encuentran en un nivel básico de lectura, es decir presentan dificultades mayores tanto a nivel de comprensión literal como global con respecto a la lectura de textos. Se concluyó que los participantes necesitan fortalecer procesos de aprendizaje de comprensión de textos, especialmente en contenido complejo inferencial. Se esperaría que estos datos permitan tomar decisiones como analizar con mayor detalle los procesos de comprensión en poblaciones similares o anteriores.