bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Altered Hippocampal and Striatal Expression of Endothelial Markers and VIP/PACAP Neuropeptides in a Mouse Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Lee Jayden , Thomas Broome Sarah , Jansen Margo Iris , Mandwie Mawj , Logan Grant J. , Marzagalli Rubina , Musumeci Giuseppe , Castorina Alessandro
Published: July 2023

Neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) is one of the most common and severe manifestations of lupus; however, its pathogenesis is still poorly understood. While there is sparse evidence suggesting that the ongoing autoimmunity may trigger pathogenic changes to the central nervous system (CNS) microvasculature, culminating in inflammatory/ischemic damage, further evidence is still needed. In this study, we used the spontaneous mouse model of SLE (NZBWF1 mice) to investigate the expression of genes and proteins associated with endothelial (dys)function: tissue and urokinase plasminogen activators (tPA and uPA), intercellular and vascular adhesion molecules 1 (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) and neuroprotection/immune modulation: pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), PACAP receptor (PAC1), VIP receptors 1 and 2 (VPAC1 and VPAC2). Analyses were carried out both in the hippocampus and striatum of SLE mice of two different age groups (2 and 7 months old), since age correlates with disease severity. In the hippocampus, we identified a gene/protein expression profile indicative of mild endothelial dysfunction, which increased in severity in aged SLE mice. These alterations were paralleled by moderate alterations in the expression of VIP, PACAP and related receptors. In contrast, we report a robust upregulation of endothelial activation markers in the striatum of both young and aged mice, concurrent with significant induction of the VIP/PACAP system. These data identify molecular signatures of endothelial alterations in the hippocampus and striatum of NZBWF1 mice, which are accompanied by a heightened expression of endogenous protective/immune-modulatory neuropeptides. Collectively, our results support the idea that NPSLE may cause alterations of the CNS micro-vascular compartment that cannot be effectively counteracted by the endogenous activity of the neuropeptides PACAP and VIP.
Identification and Alternative Splicing Profile of the Raffinose synthase Gene in Grass Species
Authors: Xu Junhao , You Xiangkai , Leng Yanan , Li Youyue , Lu Zeyu , Huang Yinan , Chen Moxian , Zhang Jianhua , Song Tao , Liu Tieyuan
Published: July 2023

Raffinose synthase (Rafs) is an important enzyme in the synthesis pathway of raffinose from sucrose and galactinol in higher plants and is involved in the regulation of seed development and plant responses to abiotic stresses. In this study, we analyzed the Rafs families and profiled their alternative splicing patterns at the genome-wide scale from 10 grass species representing crops and grasses. A total of 73 Rafs genes were identified from grass species such as rice, maize, foxtail millet, and switchgrass. These Rafs genes were assigned to six groups based the phylogenetic analysis. We compared the gene structures, protein domains, and expression patterns of Rafs genes, and also unraveled the alternative transcripts of them. In addition, different conserved sequences were observed at these putative splice sites among grass species. The subcellular localization of PvRafs5 suggested that the Rafs gene was expressed in the cytoplasm or cell membrane. Our findings provide comprehensive knowledge of the Rafs families in terms of genes and proteins, which will facilitate further functional characterization in grass species in response to abiotic stress.
Assessing the Feasibility of a Multimodal Approach to Pain Evaluation in Early Stages after Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Capossela Simona , Landmann Gunther , Ernst Mario , Stockinger Lenka , Stoyanov Jivko
Published: July 2023

This research evaluates the feasibility of a multimodal pain assessment protocol during rehabilitation following spinal cord injury (SCI). The protocol amalgamates clinical workup (CW), quantitative sensory testing (QST), and psychosocial factors (PSF) administered at 4 (T1), 12 (T2), and 24 (T3) weeks post injury and at discharge (T4). Molecular blood biomarkers (BB) were evaluated via gene expression and proteomic assays at T1 and T4. Different pain trajectories and temporal changes were identified using QST, with inflammation and pain-related biomarkers recorded. Higher concentrations of osteopontin and cystatin-C were found in SCI patients compared to healthy controls, indicating their potential as biomarkers. We observed altered inflammatory responses and a slight increase in ICAM-1 and CCL3 were noted, pointing towards changes in cellular adhesion linked with spinal injury and a possible connection with neuropathic pain. Despite a small patient sample hindering the correlation of feasibility data, descriptive statistical analyses were conducted on stress, depression, anxiety, quality of life, and pain interferences. The SCI Pain Instrument (SCIPI) was efficient in distinguishing between nociceptive and neuropathic pain, showing a progressive increase in severity over time. The findings emphasize the need for the careful consideration of recruitment setting and protocol adjustments to enhance the feasibility of multimodal pain evaluation studies post SCI. They also shed light on potential early adaptive mechanisms in SCI pathophysiology, warranting the further exploration of prognostic and preventive strategies for chronic pain in the SCI population.
The Influence of Nicotine on Trophoblast-Derived Exosomes in a Mouse Model of Pathogenic Preeclampsia
Authors: Kubo Ayane , Matsubara Keiichi , Matsubara Yuko , Nakaoka Hirotomo , Sugiyama Takashi
Published: July 2023

Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious complication of pregnancy with a pathogenesis that is not fully understood, though it involves the impaired invasion of extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) into the decidual layer during implantation. Because the risk of PE is actually decreased by cigarette smoking, we considered the possibility that nicotine, a critical component of tobacco smoke, might protect against PE by modifying the content of exosomes from EVTs. We investigated the effects of nicotine on our PE model mouse and evaluated blood pressure. Next, exosomes were extracted from nicotine-treated extravillous trophoblasts (HTR-8/SVneo), and the peptide samples were evaluated by DIA (Data Independent Acquisition) proteomic analysis following nano LC-MS/MS. Hub proteins were identified using bioinformatic analysis. We found that nicotine significantly reduced blood pressure in a PE mouse model. Furthermore, we identified many proteins whose abundance in exosomes was modified by nicotine treatment of EVTs, and we used bioinformatic annotation and network analysis to select five key hub proteins with potential roles in the pathogenesis or prevention of PE. EVT-derived exosomes might influence the pathogenesis of PE because the cargo delivered by exosomes can signal to and modify the receiving cells and their environment.
Insight into Unusual Supramolecular Self-Assemblies of Terthiophenes Directed by Weak Hydrogen Bonding
Authors: Kumar Shiv , Van Hecke Kristof , Meyer Franck
Published: July 2023

A supramolecular self-assembly of semiconducting polymers and small molecules plays an important role in charge transportation, performance, and lifetime of an optoelectronic device. Tremendous efforts have been put into the strategies to self-organize these materials. In this regard, here, we present the self-organization of terthiophene and its methyl alcohol derivative with 4,4′-bipyridine (44BiPy). An unexpected 2D layered organization of 5,5″-dimethyl-2,2′:5′,2″-terthiophene (DM3T) and 44BiPy was obtained and analyzed. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that DM3T and 44BiPy consist of stacked, almost independent, infinite 2D layers while held together by weak hydrogen bonds. In addition to this peculiar supramolecular arrangement of these compounds, the investigation of their photophysical properties showed strong fluorescence quenching of DM3T by 44BiPy in the solid state, suggesting an efficient charge transfer. On the other hand, the methyl alcohol derivative of terthiophene, DM3TMeOH, organized in a closed cyclic motif with 44BiPy via hydrogen bonds.
A C57BL/6J Fancg-KO Mouse Model Generated by CRISPR/Cas9 Partially Captures the Human Phenotype
Authors: Shah Ronak , van den Berk Paul C. M. , Pritchard Colin E. J. , Song Ji-Ying , Kreft Maaike , Pilzecker Bas , Jacobs Heinz
Published: July 2023

Fanconi anemia (FA) develops due to a mutation in one of the FANC genes that are involved in the repair of interstrand crosslinks (ICLs). FANCG, a member of the FA core complex, is essential for ICL repair. Previous FANCG-deficient mouse models were generated with drug-based selection cassettes in mixed mice backgrounds, leading to a disparity in the interpretation of genotype-related phenotype. We created a Fancg-KO (KO) mouse model using CRISPR/Cas9 to exclude these confounders. The entire Fancg locus was targeted and maintained on the immunological well-characterized C57BL/6J background. The intercrossing of heterozygous mice resulted in sub-Mendelian numbers of homozygous mice, suggesting the loss of FANCG can be embryonically lethal. KO mice displayed infertility and hypogonadism, but no other developmental problems. Bone marrow analysis revealed a defect in various hematopoietic stem and progenitor subsets with a bias towards myelopoiesis. Cell lines derived from Fancg-KO mice were hypersensitive to the crosslinking agents cisplatin and Mitomycin C, and Fancg-KO mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) displayed increased γ-H2AX upon cisplatin treatment. The reconstitution of these MEFs with Fancg cDNA corrected for the ICL hypersensitivity. This project provides a new, genetically, and immunologically well-defined Fancg-KO mouse model for further in vivo and in vitro studies on FANCG and ICL repair.
Expression and Activity of the Transcription Factor CCAAT/Enhancer-Binding Protein β (C/EBPβ) Is Regulated by Specific Pulse-Modulated Radio Frequencies in Oligodendroglial Cells
Authors: Huang Bing , Zhao Weihao , Cai Xue , Zhu Yumin , Lu Yingxian , Zhao Junli , Xiang Nan , Wang Xiaofei , Deng Hu , Tang Xiaping , Liu Lingyu , Zhao Yanyu , Shi Yigong
Published: July 2023

The rapid growth of wireless electronic devices has raised concerns about the harmful effects of leaked electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on human health. Even though numerous studies have been carried out to explore the biological effects of EMR, no clear conclusions have been drawn about the effect of radio frequency (RF) EMR on oligodendrocytes. To this end, we exposed oligodendroglia and three other types of brain cells to 2.4 GHz EMR for 6 or 48 h at an average input power of 1 W in either a continuous wave (CW-RF) or a pulse-modulated wave (PW-RF, 50 Hz pulse frequency, 1/3 duty cycle) pattern. RNA sequencing, RT-qPCR, and Western blot were used to examine the expression of C/EBPβ and its related genes. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) was used to examine the levels of expression of C/EBPβ-interacting proteins. Our results showed that PW-RF EMR significantly increased the mRNA level of C/EBPβ in oligodendroglia but not in other types of cells. In addition, the expression of three isoforms and several interacting proteins and targeted genes of C/EBPβ were markedly changed after 6-h PW-RF but not CW-RF. Our results indicated that RF EMR regulated the expression and functions of C/EBPβ in a waveform- and cell-type-dependent manner.
Using Machine Learning Methods to Study Colorectal Cancer Tumor Micro-Environment and Its Biomarkers
Authors: Wei Wei , Li Yixue , Huang Tao
Published: July 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, and the identification of biomarkers can improve early detection and personalized treatment. In this study, RNA-seq data and gene chip data from TCGA and GEO were used to explore potential biomarkers for CRC. The SMOTE method was used to address class imbalance, and four feature selection algorithms (MCFS, Borota, mRMR, and LightGBM) were used to select genes from the gene expression matrix. Four machine learning algorithms (SVM, XGBoost, RF, and kNN) were then employed to obtain the optimal number of genes for model construction. Through interpretable machine learning (IML), co-predictive networks were generated to identify rules and uncover underlying relationships among the selected genes. Survival analysis revealed that INHBA, FNBP1, PDE9A, HIST1H2BG, and CADM3 were significantly correlated with prognosis in CRC patients. In addition, the CIBERSORT algorithm was used to investigate the proportion of immune cells in CRC tissues, and gene mutation rates for the five selected biomarkers were explored. The biomarkers identified in this study have significant implications for the development of personalized therapies and could ultimately lead to improved clinical outcomes for CRC patients.
Molecular Diagnostics, Pathology and Biomarkers of Gastrointestinal Neoplasms
Authors: Gurzu Simona
Published: July 2023

This Special Issue aims to highlight the advances made regarding the molecular profile of digestive system tumors in experimental and clinical studies [...]
Genetic Identification and Traceability of Insect Meals
Authors: Moulistanos Aristotelis , Karaiskou Nikoleta , Gkagkavouzis Konstantinos , Minoudi Styliani , Drosopoulou Elena , Ioannidou Chrysanthi , Panteli Nikolas , Zografou Stella , Karaouglanis Damianos , Kotouzas Dimitrios , Kontodimas Dimitrios , Antonopoulou Efthimia , Triantafyllidis Alexandros
Published: July 2023

Insects have been proposed as a rich alternative source of protein for the partial or total replacement of fishmeal in aquaculture. For maximum safety and effectiveness of insect meals, control of the quality composition of these products is considered mandatory. The aim of this study was the genetic analysis of the composition of commercially available insect meals at the species level. Commercially available Hermetia illucens, Tenebrio molitor and Musca domestica individuals, as well as nine insect meals produced from these species, were analyzed. The genetic identification of insects at the species level was based on a COI fragment, and analysis of the insect meals’ composition was performed with the processes of cloning and colony PCR. Genetic analysis indicated that the commercially available larvae morphologically identified as Musca domestica belonged to the species Muscina stabulans. In the commercially available insect meals, no other animal species was identified beyond the expected one. However, in the insect meal produced for research purposes, fungal growth was detected. The used methodology, herein, allows for the qualitative genetic identification of insect meals and could be included in the methods of traceability of products containing insects and other animal species.
A Comparison of Surgeon Estimated Times and Actual Operative Times in Pediatric Dental Rehabilitation under General Anesthesia. A Retrospective Study
Authors: Alotaibi Faris A. , Aljuaid Mohammed M.
Published: July 2023

This retrospective study aimed to compare the accuracy of the pediatric dental surgeon’s estimated operative times for dental rehabilitation under general anesthesia (DRGA) in pediatric patients. This study population included 674 pediatric patients who underwent DRGA at the study facility between January 2022 and December 2022, using convenience sampling to select patients who met our inclusion criteria. Data were collected from electronic medical and anesthesia records based on several factors, including patient-related factors such as age and gender, surgeon-related factors such as rank and experience, and anesthesia-related factors such as induction and recovery time (in minutes). This study highlights a significant difference between the surgeon’s estimated time (SET) and actual operative time (AOT) for pediatric DRGA procedures, with a mean difference of 19.28 min (SD = 43.17, p < 0.0001), indicating a tendency for surgeons to overestimate surgery time. Surgical procedure time was the strongest predictor of this discrepancy, with an R square value of 0.427 and a significant p-value of 0.000. Experience with surgeons, anesthesia induction, and recovery time were also significant predictors. Meanwhile, age, gender, and rank of surgeons did not significantly predict the difference between SET and AOT. Therefore, the study suggests that surgeons should adjust their estimates for pediatric DRGA procedures, specifically emphasizing a more accurate estimation of surgery time, to ensure adequate resource allocation and patient outcomes.
The Long-Term Outcome and Quality of Life after Replacement of the Ascending Aorta
Authors: Hamiko Marwan , Jahnel Katja , Rogaczewski Julia , Schafigh Myriam , Silaschi Miriam , Spaeth Andre , Velten Markus , Roell Wilhelm , Ahmad Ali El-Sayed , Bakhtiary Farhad
Published: July 2023

(1) Background: Despite optimal surgical therapy, replacement of the ascending aorta leads to a significant reduction in the quality of life (QoL). However, an optimal result includes maintaining and improving the QoL. The aim of our study was to evaluate the long-term outcome and the QoL in patients with aneurysms in the ascending aorta; (2) Methods: Between 2014 and 2020, 121 consecutive patients who underwent replacement of the ascending aorta were included in this study. Acute aortic pathologies were excluded. A standard short form (SF)-36 questionnaire was sent to the 112 survivors. According to the surgical procedure, patients were divided into two groups (A: supracoronary replacement of the aorta, n = 35 and B: Wheat-, David- or Bentall-procedures, n = 86). The QoL was compared within these groups and to the normal population, including myocardial infarction (MI), coronary artery disease (CAD) and cancer (CAN) patients; (3) Results: 83 patients were males (68.6%) with a mean age of 62.0 ± 12.5 years. Early postoperative outcomes showed comparable results between groups A and B, with a higher re-thoracotomy rate in B (A: 0.0% vs. B: 22.1%, p = 0.002). The 30-day mortality was zero. Overall, mortality during the follow-up was 7.4%. The SF-36 showed a significant decay in both the Physical (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) in comparison to the normal population (PCS: 41.1 vs. 48.4, p < 0.001; MCS: 42.1 vs. 50.9, p < 0.001) but without significant difference between both groups. Compared to the MI and CAD patients, significantly higher PCS but lower MCS scores were detected (p < 0.05); (4) Conclusions: Replacement of the ascending aorta shows low risk regarding the operative and postoperative outcomes with satisfying long-term results in the QoL. The extent of the surgical procedure does not influence the postoperative QoL.
Facial Morphometrics in Black Celebrities: Contemporary Facial Analysis Using an Artificial Intelligence Platform
Authors: Salinas Cristina A. , Liu Alice , Sharaf Basel A.
Published: July 2023

The diversity of patients pursuing facial aesthetic and facial gender-affirming surgery (FGAS) is increasing, yet there is a paucity of objective guidelines to facilitate surgical decision-making in patients of color. We conducted a quantitative analysis of black celebrities using standardized frontal photos of 21 female and 21 male celebrities. Celebrities were chosen from popular entertainment magazines and websites, including People Magazine, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb), Cosmopolitan, and Essence. For each celebrity, 100 facial landmarks were detected through a facial analysis artificial intelligence (AI) program. Black males had greater facial height, bizygomatic width, lower facial height, and bigonial width than females. However, the facial height to bigonial width ratio was similar between genders and approximated the golden ratio (1.618). Female faces demonstrated a greater mid-face height to total facial height proportion, and males had a greater lower facial height proportion. Females exhibited an upward-slanted medial brow and shorter total eyebrow length, nose height, and alar width. Forehead height above the lateral brow was greater in males, while central forehead height was similar to females. This is the first study that has utilized AI to provide ethnicity-specific facial morphometrics relevant to facial rejuvenation and FGAS in the black population.
Higher Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences in Transgender Than in Cisgender Individuals: Results from a Single-Center Observational Study
Authors: Feil Katharina , Riedl David , Böttcher Bettina , Fuchs Martin , Kapelari Klaus , Gräßer Sofie , Toth Bettina , Lampe Astrid
Published: July 2023

Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) have been shown to have a tremendous negative impact on health outcomes later in life. This study presents data on the prevalence of ACEs, psychological distress, and trauma-related symptoms in transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) people compared to cisgender people. TGD adults (n = 35) and a matched sample of nonpsychiatric hospital patients (n = 35) were surveyed between September 2018 and March 2019. Participants completed the Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology of Exposure Scale to assess ACEs, as well as the Brief Symptom Inventory and the Essener Trauma Inventory to assess psychological distress and trauma-related symptoms. TGD patients reported a higher number of ACEs than cisgender patients (0.7 vs. 2.4; p < 0.001; d = 0.94). A total of 28.6% of TGD vs. 5.7% cisgender patients reported four or more ACEs (p < 0.001). The most common forms of ACEs were parental abuse (54.3%) and peer abuse (54.3%). No significantly increased prevalence of sexual abuse was found (p > 0.05). TGD patients also reported a higher prevalence of depression (48.4% vs. 5.7%, p < 0.001), posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (59.4% vs. 13.8%, p < 0.001), and anxiety (58.1% vs. 28.6%, p = 0.016). Health care providers should be aware of and assess ACEs, especially in vulnerable groups such as TGD people, and create a safe place through open-minded, affirming care.
Bio-Based White Eggshell as a Value-Added Filler in Poly(Lactic Acid) Composites
Authors: Cree Duncan , Soleimani Majid
Published: July 2023

Based on its positive environmental impact, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has been a gradual substitute for synthetic plastics used in diverse applications. The use of industrial limestone (ILS) as a filler in polymers can have advantages of changing the properties of pure polymers. Waste eggshells (WE) can be seen as an alternative filler to ILS as they are also a source of calcium carbonate. To assess the feasibility of both filler types and sizes, PLA composites were manufactured by injection molding with filler contents of 5, 10, and 20 wt.%. Tensile, flexural, and impact mechanical properties were evaluated in addition to water absorption. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine whether statistically significant differences among the measured mechanical properties existed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to view the morphology of the fillers and fractured surfaces. The composite tensile strengths and flexural strengths performed the best when filler loadings were 5 wt.% and 10 wt.%, respectively, for both filler types. The tensile and flexural modulus both increased with filler loadings. The impact strength for the composites was obtained at a threshold level of 5 wt.% filler loadings for both filler types and slightly better for smaller particles sizes. ANOVA identified statistically significant differences for the mean mechanical property values evaluated. SEM showed the fractured surfaces of the PLA composites were different from the pure PLA indicating some transformation occurred to the matrix. The weight gains due to water absorption were observed to increase with increase in content of both filler types while the smaller particles had slightly higher water weight gains. Although the composites containing ILS fillers had somewhat enhanced mechanical properties over the WE-filled composites, the end application will dictate which filler type to use in PLA.
Male Army ROTC Cadets Fail to Meet Military Dietary Reference Intakes and Exhibit a High Prevalence of Low Energy Availability and Poor Sleep Quality
Authors: Garron Taylor , Klein Dylan J.
Published: July 2023

The purpose of this study was to assess the dietary habits, prevalence of low energy availability (EA), and sleep quality in a cohort of male army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets, and to investigate the relationship between EA and sleep quality as well as EA and various body composition variables that are important for tactical readiness. Thirteen male army ROTC cadets (22.2 ± 4.1 yrs; BMI: 26.1 ± 2.3) had their EA and body composition assessed using diet and exercise records alongside bioelectrical impedance analysis. Cadets also completed a validated sleep questionnaire. Sixty-two percent of participants presented with clinically low EA (<30 kcal/kg fat-free mass [FFM]) and none met the optimum EA threshold (≥45 kcals/kg FFM). Dietary analysis indicated that 15%, 23%, 46%, 23%, and 7% of cadets met the Military Dietary Reference Intakes (MDRI) for calories, carbohydrates, protein, fat, and fiber, respectively. Additionally, 85% of cadets exhibited poor sleep quality. Significant associations between EA and fat mass/percent body fat were shown (p < 0.05). There was, however, no statistically significant correlation between EA and sleep quality. The present study found a high prevalence of low EA and sleep disturbance among male army ROTC cadets and that many were unable to meet the MDRIs for energy and macronutrient intake. Further, low EA was associated with higher percent body fat and fat mass but not sleep quality.
Fracture Characterisation and Modelling of AHSS Using Acoustic Emission Analysis for Deep Drawing
Authors: Stockburger Eugen , Wester Hendrik , Behrens Bernd-Arno
Published: July 2023

Driven by high energy prices, AHSS are still gaining importance in the automotive industry regarding electric vehicles and their battery range. Simulation-based design of forming processes can contribute to exploiting their potential for lightweight design. Fracture models are frequently used to predict the material’s failure and are often parametrised using different tensile tests with optical measurements. Hereby, the fracture is determined by a surface crack. However, for many steels, the fracture initiation already occurs inside the specimen prior to a crack on the surface. This leads to inaccuracies and more imprecise fracture models. Using a method that detects the fracture initiation within the specimen, such as acoustic emission analysis, has a high potential to improve the modelling accuracy. In the presented paper, tests for fracture characterisation with two AHSS were performed for a wide range of stress states and measured with a conventional optical as well as a new acoustical measurement system. The tests were analysed regarding the fracture initiation using both measurement systems. Numerical models of the tests were created, and the EMC fracture model was parametrised based on the two evaluation areas: a surface crack as usual and a fracture from the inside as a novelty. The two fracture models were used in a deep drawing simulation for analysis, comparison and validation with deep drawing experiments. It was shown that the evaluation area for the fracture initiation had a significant impact on the fracture model. Hence, the failure prediction of the EMC fracture model from the acoustic evaluation method showed a higher agreement in the numerical simulations with the experiments than the model from the optical evaluation.
Liquid Biopsy in Advanced Colorectal Cancer: Clinical Applications of Different Analytes
Authors: Delcuratolo Marco Donatello , Modrego-Sánchez Andrea , Bungaro Maristella , Antón-Pascual Beatriz , Teran Santiago , Dipace Valentina , Novello Silvia , Garcia-Carbonero Rocio , Passiglia Francesco , Graválos-Castro Cristina
Published: July 2023

Colorectal cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers nowadays. In the metastatic setting, diagnosis and treatment have relied on tumor tissue analysis. However, the different limitations of this approach have recently opened the door to the introduction of liquid biopsy in the clinical setting. Liquid biopsy provides real-time information about the tumor and its heterogeneity in a simple, non-invasive, and repeatable way. There are several analytes that can be sought: exosomes, circulating tumor cells, and circulating tumor DNA, showing promising results in the areas of early detection, minimal residual disease, prognosis, or response to treatment. Here, we review the clinical applications of liquid biopsy in advanced colorectal cancer patients, focusing on metastatic diagnosis, prognostic assessment, drug sensitivity, treatment response, and acquired resistance monitoring.
The Decentralized Generation of Public Knowledge during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Examples from Australia
Authors: Spennemann Dirk H. R.
Published: July 2023

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–2022, public uncertainty about the nature of the virus, and in particular its symptoms and mode of transmission, was met by the daily briefings issued by public health departments and political leaders. They were ill-equipped to respond to emerging knowledge management demands in an agile fashion. As this paper will show, this gap was filled on a volunteer basis by personal initiative. Examples for this are contact tracing register applications, an archive of daily COVID-19 incidence numbers at local government levels and a crowdsourced site that allowed the public find rapid antigen test kits during a time of extreme shortages. Once government and professional bodies eventually caught up and supplanted these volunteer endeavours, they become obsolete and by and large forgotten. Yet it can be posited that societal angst would have been much greater without them.
Evaluation of the Intergenerational Equity of Public Open Space in Old Communities: A Case Study of Caoyang New Village in Shanghai
Authors: Zhang Zelin , Tang Xiaomin , Wang Yun
Published: July 2023

Public open space (POS) confers numerous physical and mental health benefits to people throughout life. The study applies POI and other multi-dimensional methods to examine the intergenerational equity of POS within a 15-min living circle of old communities in high-density cities. Firstly, an evaluation system for the comprehensive POS supply level in the community is constructed from the perspective of the quantity, quality, and spatial distribution of POS. Secondly, based on the idea of all-age sharing, the population in the community is divided into children, young and middle-aged, and elderly, and the factor “adaptation space share” is introduced to supplement the intergenerational equity evaluation system. The study takes Caoyang New Village in Shanghai as an example and the districts of the community committee as the basic evaluation units. The results show that the comprehensive supply of POS in Caoyang New Village is relatively high but there is still a mismatch between supply and demand; the intergenerational equity level is medium, and spatial alienation exists between POS supply and intergenerational equity; and the adaptation space share for children is much higher than that for the elderly, young and middle-aged people. Furthermore, young and middle-aged people are found to form a marginal group in spatial sharing and resource allocation. Finally, it is proposed that in community POS planning, attention should be focused on the differences in population age structure and on spatial cultural attributes and functional compounding on the basis of ensuring the comprehensive service of POS, so as to promote all-age sharing in community POS.
Assessment of Land Ecological Security Based on the Boston Model: A Case Study from China
Authors: Li Yingchao , Lian Zhongkang , Zhai Tianlin , Xie Xiaotong , Wang Yuchen , Li Minghui
Published: July 2023

Land resources are essential natural resources and strategic economic resources for human survival and development. However, human improper use has brought unprecedented pressure and challenges to the ecosystem. Therefore, the assessment and analysis of land ecological security status and the identification and diagnosis of obstacles affecting land ecological security are helpful to avoid land ecological security problems caused by improper land use at the source and provide a theoretical basis for the sustainable use of land resources and the construction of ecological civilization in China. Based on the data from 2006 to 2020, this study constructed the land ecological risk-evaluation index system and land ecological health-evaluation index system. AHP, entropy method, combination weighting method, TOPSIS model, Boston matrix and obstacle degree model were used to assess the land ecological security situation in Nanyang City and to analyze the obstacle factors. The results show the following: (1) during the study period, the land ecological risk value of Nanyang City exhibited a Kuznets inverted “U” curve change, while the land ecological health value showed a “U” curve change; (2) the overall level of land ecological security in Nanyang City has gradually improved, with a security level pattern of “relatively safe (2006–2020)–unsafe (2011–2016)–relatively safe (2017–2019)–safe (2020)”; (3) the main obstacle factors of land ecosystem were the following: erosion area, sewage discharge, area of waterlogging control, grain sown area, coverage of urban green built-up area and farmland effective irrigated area.
Few Paths after a Long Journey: The Need for a Juvenile Immigration System
Authors: Virgil Steven M.
Published: July 2023

Thousands of unaccompanied children arrive at the U.S. border each year. In many cases, these children are fleeing harsh conditions in their home country in search for safety and family. The U.S. immigration system lacks an adequate response for these children, providing only two exceedingly difficult paths: asylum and the Special Immigrant Juvenile Status designation. While providing access to a path to citizenship over time, the system is arcane and adversarial. Moreover, through it all, these children lack a right to an advocate who can protect their interest or at a minimum advise the immigration court of how to serve the child’s best interests. This article explores issues surrounding unaccompanied children in the U.S. immigration system and suggests the need for an independent juvenile immigration justice system similar to the Federal Juvenile Criminal Justice System.
Why Logics?
Authors: Beziau Jean-Yves
Published: July 2023

In this paper we explain the different meanings of the word “logic” and the circumstances in which it makes sense to use its singular or plural form. We discuss the multiplicity of logical systems and the possibility of developing a unifying theory about them, not itself a logical system. We undertake some comparisons with other sciences, such as biology, physics, mathematics, and linguistics. We conclude by delineating the origin, scope, and future of the journal Logics.
Amorphous Silicon Thin-Film Solar Cells on Fabrics as Large-Scale Detectors for Textile Personal Protective Equipment in Active Laser Safety
Authors: Gawlik Annett , Brückner Uwe , Schmidl Gabriele , Wagner Volker , Paa Wolfgang , Plentz Jonathan
Published: July 2023

Laser safety is starting to play an increasingly important role, especially when the laser is used as a tool. Passive laser safety systems quickly reach their limits and, in some cases, provide inadequate protection. To counteract this, various active systems have been developed. Flexible and especially textile-protective materials pose a special challenge. The market still lacks personal protective equipment (PPE) for active laser safety. Covering these materials with solar cells as large-area optical detectors offers a promising possibility. In this work, an active laser protection fabric with amorphous silicon solar cells is presented as a large-scale sensor for continuous wave and pulsed lasers (down to ns). First, the fabric and the solar cells were examined separately for irradiation behavior and damage. Laser irradiation was performed at wavelengths of 245, 355, 532, and 808 nm. The solar cell sensors were then applied directly to the laser protection fabric. The damage and destruction behavior of the active laser protection system was investigated. The results show that the basic safety function of the solar cell is still preserved when the locally damaged or destroyed area is irradiated again. A simple automatic shutdown system was used to demonstrate active laser protection within 50 ms.
Application of the Taguchi Method and Grey Relational Analysis for Multi-Objective Optimization of a Two-Stage Bevel Helical Gearbox
Authors: Tran Huu-Danh , Le Xuan-Hung , Nguyen Thi-Thanh-Nga , Hoang Xuan-Tu , Trieu Quy-Huy , Vu Ngoc-Pi
Published: July 2023

This paper introduces a novel approach to deal with the multi-objective optimization of a two-stage bevel helical gearbox by applying the Taguchi method and Grey Relation Analysis (GRA). The goal of the study is to find optimal main design factors that minimize the gearbox volume and maximize the gearbox efficiency. To accomplish this, five main design parameters were selected: the coefficients of wheel face width (CWFW) of the bevel and the helical gear sets, the allowable contact stresses (ACS) of the first and the second stages, and the gear ratio of the first stage. Furthermore, two single targets were investigated: minimum gearbox volumes, and maximum gearbox efficiency. Also, the multi-objective optimization problem is solved through two steps: Step 1 for closing the gap between variable levels and Step 2 for determining the optimal main design factors. The study’s findings were used to introduce the optimum values of five major design parameters for designing a two-stage helical gearbox.
FDDS: Feature Disentangling and Domain Shifting for Domain Adaptation
Authors: Chen Huan , Gao Farong , Zhang Qizhong
Published: July 2023

Domain adaptation is a learning strategy that aims to improve the performance of models in the current field by leveraging similar domain information. In order to analyze the effects of feature disentangling on domain adaptation and evaluate a model’s suitability in the original scene, we present a method called feature disentangling and domain shifting (FDDS) for domain adaptation. FDDS utilizes sample information from both the source and target domains, employing a non-linear disentangling approach and incorporating learnable weights to dynamically separate content and style features. Additionally, we introduce a lightweight component known as the domain shifter into the network architecture. This component allows for classification performance to be maintained in both the source and target domains while consuming moderate overhead. The domain shifter uses the attention mechanism to enhance the ability to extract network features. Extensive experiments demonstrated that FDDS can effectively disentangle features with clear feature separation boundaries while maintaining the classification ability of the model in the source domain. Under the same conditions, we evaluated FDDS and advanced algorithms on digital and road scene datasets. In the 19 classification tasks for road scenes, FDDS outperformed the competition in 11 categories, particularly showcasing a remarkable 2.7% enhancement in the accuracy of the bicycle label. These comparative results highlight the advantages of FDDS in achieving high accuracy in the target domain.
Difference Game of Closed-Loop Supply Chain of Innovative Products with Discrete-Time Conditions
Authors: Liu Lang , Pu Yutao , Liu Zhenwei , Liu Junjie
Published: July 2023

This paper aims to explore the impact of the purchase regret of consumers on dynamic closed-loop supply chains (CLSCs) under discrete-time conditions. Durable products are mostly traded under discrete-time conditions, and consumers tend to have different purchase regret psychologies during the trading process of different types of durable products (innovative or remanufactured). In addition, different purchase regret psychologies can affect the dynamic decision-making behaviour of the nodal enterprises in the supply chain, thus affecting the dynamic decision-making optimization sequence of the supply chain and nodal enterprises. Based on the traditional Bass model, this paper introduces the factor of consumer purchase regret psychology into the Bass model and constructs a model of a CLSC led by the manufacturer and followed by the retailer and recycler on the premise of heterogeneous characteristics of new products and remanufactured products. The optimal control theory of discrete systems is used to obtain the optimal decision sequence for each participant in the CLSC, when there is consumer regret psychology in the market. Then, the effects of consumer purchase regret psychology on the members of the CLSC at each stage are analysed. Finally, the conclusions are verified by using a numerical analysis. Compared to previous studies, the results further revealed the following: when the market share of brand new products is below 50%, the wholesale and retail prices are positively related to the regret psychology; while when they are above 50%, the wholesale and retail prices are negatively related to the regret psychology; the product sales and the manufacturers and retailers’ profits are negatively related to the regret psychology; purchase regret psychology does not affect the recyclers’ profits. To mitigate the negative consequences of the purchase regret psychology, manufacturers and merchants should completely grasp the market, enhance product quality, such that the price plan for the product is fairer.
Computational Technology for the Basis and Coefficients of Geodynamo Spectral Models in the Maple System
Authors: Vodinchar Gleb , Feshchenko Liubov
Published: July 2023

Spectral models are often used in the study of geodynamo problems. Physical fields in these models are presented as stationary basic modes combinations with time-dependent amplitudes. To construct a model it is necessary to calculate the modes parameters, and to calculate the model coefficients (the Galerkin coefficients). These coefficients are integrals of complex multiplicative combinations of modes and differential operators. The paper proposes computing technology for the calculation of parameters, the derivation of integrands and the calculation of the integrals themselves. The technology is based on computer algebra methods. The main elements for implementation of technology in the Maple system are described. The proposed computational technology makes it possible to quickly and accurately construct fairly wide classes of new geodynamo spectral models.
The Chen–Perks Distribution: Properties and Reliability Applications
Authors: Méndez-González Luis Carlos , Rodríguez-Picón Luis Alberto , Rodríguez Borbón Manuel Iván , Sohn Hansuk
Published: July 2023

In this paper, a statistical distribution is presented that possesses the ability to describe failure rates exhibiting both monotonic and non-monotonic behaviors, and the bathtub curve, which represents the performance of a device in reliability engineering. The proposed distribution is based on the sum of the hazard functions of the Chen distribution and the Perks distribution, thus presenting the Chen–Perks distribution (CPD). Statistical properties of the CPD focused on reliability engineering are presented to make the model attractive to practitioners of the discipline. The parameters of the CPD were calculated via the maximum likelihood estimator. On the other hand, a comparative analysis was conducted in three study cases to determine the behavior of the CPD relative to other distributions that can describe failure times with the shape of a bathtub curve. The results show that the CPD can offer competitive results, which practitioners can consider when conducting reliability analysis.
Phosphates Transfer in Pristine and Modified CJMA-2 Membrane during Electrodialysis Processing of NaxH(3−x)PO4 Solutions with pH from 4.5 to 9.9
Authors: Pismenskaya Natalia , Rybalkina Olesya , Solonchenko Ksenia , Butylskii Dmitrii , Nikonenko Victor
Published: July 2023

Phosphate recovery from different second streams using electrodialysis (ED) is a promising step to a nutrients circular economy. However, the relatively low ED performance hinders the widespread adoption of this environmentally sound method. The formation of “bonded species” between phosphates and the weakly basic fixed groups (primary and secondary amines) of the anion exchange membrane can be the cause of decrease in current efficiency and increase in energy consumption. ED processing of NaxH(3−x)PO4 alkaline solutions and the use of intense current modes promote the formation of a bipolar junction from negatively charged bound species and positively charged fixed groups. This phenomenon causes a change in the shape of current–voltage curves, increase in resistance, and an enhancement in proton generation during long-term operation of anion-exchange membrane with weakly basic fixed groups. Shielding of primary and secondary amines with a modifier containing quaternary ammonium bases significantly improves ED performance in the recovery of phosphates from NaxH(3−x)PO4 solution with pH 4.5. Indeed, in the limiting and underlimiting current modes, 40% of phosphates are recovered 1.3 times faster, and energy consumption is reduced by 1.9 times in the case of the modified membrane compared to the pristine one. Studies were performed using a new commercial anion exchange membrane CJMA-2.
The Simulation of Extremely Low Cycle Fatigue Fracture Behavior for Pipeline Steel (X70) Based on Continuum Damage Model
Authors: Fang Bo , Lu Afei , Sun Jiewei , Li Xiaojie , Shen Tao
Published: July 2023

Natural gas transmission pipelines installed in seismic and permafrost regions are vulnerable to cyclic loads with a large strain amplitude. Under these conditions, the pipe may fail in extremely low cycles, a situation which is also known as extremely low cycle fatigue (ELCF) failure. The fracture mechanism of ELCF shows significant difference to that of low cycle fatigue, and the ELCF life usually deviates from the Coffin–Manson law. Thus, it is essential to develop an effective model to predict ELCF failure of the pipeline. In this study, a series of ELCF tests is performed on pipeline steel (X70). A damage coupled mixed hardening model is developed to simulate the fracture behaviors. Continuum damage law under monotonic load is extended to cyclic load by introducing the effective equivalent plastic strain. By assuming the cyclic softening is induced by the damage accumulation, the damage parameters are fitted directly from the peak stress in each cycle. Then, the model is input into commercial software ABAQUS with a user material subroutine to simulate the fracture behaviors of these specimens. The simulation results show good agreements with the test results both under cyclic and monotonic load, which verifies the reliability of the model.