bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stress and coping experience in Nurse Residency Programs for new graduate nurses: A qualitative meta-synthesis
Authors: Han Peng , Duan Xia , Wang Lingmin , Zhu Xiaoping , Jiang Jinxia
Published: September 2022

Objectives

To determine the stress experience and coping styles of new nurses during Nurse Residency Programs (NRPs) by identifying, appraising, and synthesizing data from the qualitative studies.

Design

A systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies.

Review methods

Eleven databases were systematically searched for relevant publications in March 2022. All qualitative and mixed-method studies in English and Chinese that explored the stress and coping experience during NRPs of new graduate nurses were included. The qualitative meta-synthesis was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations. Two independent reviewers selected the studies and assessed the quality of each study. Meta-synthesis was performed to integrate the results.

Results

A total of 13 studies revealed 13 sub-themes and three descriptive themes: multi-dimensional stressors, somatic and emotional responses, coping resources and coping methods.

Conclusion

New nurses faced a lot of physical and emotional stress during NRPs, which had a negative impact on their physical and mental health. NRPs are a critical period for the career growth of new nurses. Effective management strategies must be implemented to improve nurse capacity, meet their needs, improve self-efficacy, and build organizational support, as this can improve the quality of clinical nursing and keep the enthusiasm and stability of the nursing team.
When Mediterranean Plant Diversity Profits From Wildfires
Authors: Fauché Amélie , Fleuriot Cécile , Le Fur Solène , Ton Louis , Carcaillet Frédérique , Carcaillet Christopher
Published: September 2022

In summer, TV and newspapers often broadcast impressive views of wildfires in Mediterranean forests. These fires are commonly seen as threats to people, their homes, and their property. However, what if wildfires are necessary to sustain the health of some forest plants? Might some plants even need wildfires? Scientists studied this strange issue by examining the types and amounts of plant species that exist after wildfires. The results were surprising. The highest biodiversity of flowering plants in the forest was found right after a wildfire. The older the forest, the more trees grow and prevent smaller plants from surviving. Trees could prevent the growth of flowering plants through competition for resources, including light, water, and nutrients. These results make it possible to come up with solutions that will allow forests to maintain high levels of plant biodiversity while still protecting humans from the threat of wildfires.
Clip-reinforced wrapping using the Y-shaped temporalis fascia technique for intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Hu Sheng-Qi , Chen Ru-Dong , Xu Wei-Dong , Yu Jia-Sheng
Published: September 2022

Objectives

This study aims to identify the effectiveness of the clip-reinforced wrapping using the Y-shaped temporalis fascia (CRYST) technique for treating intracranial aneurysms (IAs).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed five patients with ruptured IAs treated using the CRYST technique from July 2016 to May 2021. Three patients had blood blister-like aneurysms (BBAs) (one with intraoperative rupture), and two had anterior communicating artery (AcoA) aneurysms (one with intraoperative rupture). All patients had intraoperative indocyanine green angiography, and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was reviewed 10–14 days after surgery. At 1 year postoperatively, three patients (two BBAs and one AcoA aneurysm) underwent DSA and two patients (one BBA and one AcoA aneurysm) underwent computed tomographic angiography (CTA).

Results

Two aneurysms ruptured intraoperatively during the clipping, and no severe complications occurred. No patients had neurological deficits after surgery, and they had good outcomes. Four DSAs showed no aneurysms and no significant stenosis of the parent artery 10–14 days after surgery. One patient had mild stenosis of the parent artery on DSA 10 days after surgery; the stenosis improved on DSA 1 year after surgery. No other aneurysms recurred, and parent arteries were clear on CTA or DSA 1 year after surgery.

Conclusions

Combining our accumulated experience in the work and literature, we described the CRYST technique to treat intractable IAs with specific morphologies and irregular wall structures in our patients. All outcomes and follow-up results were favorable.
The intertwining between lead and ethanol in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Albrecht P. A. , Fernandez-Hubeid L .E. , Deza-Ponzio R. , Virgolini M. B.
Published: September 2022

Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is a model organism widely used to evaluate the mechanistic aspects of toxicants with the potential to predict responses comparable to those of mammals. We report here the consequences of developmental lead (Pb) exposure on behavioral responses to ethanol (EtOH) in C. elegans. In addition, we present data on morphological alterations in the dopamine (DA) synapse and DA-dependent behaviors aimed to dissect the neurobiological mechanisms that underlie the relationship between these neurotoxicants. Finally, the escalation to superior animals that parallels the observed effects in both experimental models with references to EtOH metabolism and oxidative stress is also discussed. Overall, the literature revised here underpins the usefulness of C. elegans to evidence behavioral responses to a combination of neurotoxicants in mechanistic-orientated studies.
Identification and genomic characterization of a novel porcine parvovirus in China
Authors: Guo Yajing , Yan Guangzhi , Chen Shengnan , Han Hui , Li Jiaming , Zhang Haoquan , Luo Shicheng , Liu Mingjie , Wu Qingqing , Li Qingxian , Tu Changchun , Huang Liangzong , Gong Wenjie
Published: September 2022

Porcine parvoviruses (PPVs) are a group of small non-enveloped viruses with seven species (porcine parvovirus 1–7, PPV1-7) have been identified. In this study, a novel porcine parvovirus, provisionally named porcine parvovirus 8 (PPV8), was initially identified via high-throughput sequencing (HTS) in porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus-positive samples collected from swine herds in Guangdong province, 2021. The nearly full-length genome of PPV8 strain GDJM2021 is 4,380 nucleotides in length with two overlapping open ORFs encoding NS1 and VP1 respectively. Sequence analysis indicated that PPV8 shared 16.23–44.18% sequence identity at the genomic levels to PPV1-7 with the relatively highest homology to PPV1. PPV8-GDJM2021 shared 31.86–32.68% aa sequence identity of NS1 protein with those of PPV1 and porcine bufavirus (PBuV), and formed an independent branch neighboring to those formed by members of the genus Protoparvovirus. Of the 211 clinical samples collected from 1990 to 2021, 37 samples (17.5%) distributed over 12 regions in China were positive for PPV8 with time spanning 24 years (1998–2021). To our knowledge, this is the first report on the genomic characterization of the novel PPV8 and its epidemiological situations in China.
AILC for Rigid-Flexible Coupled Manipulator System in Three-Dimensional Space with Time-Varying Disturbances and Input Constraints
Authors: Zhang Jiaming , Dai Xisheng , Huang Qingnan , Wu Qiqi
Published: September 2022

In this paper, an adaptive iterative learning control (AILC) law is developed for two-link rigid-flexible coupled manipulator system in three-dimensional (3D) space with time-varying disturbances and input constraints. Based on the Hamilton’s principle, a dynamic model of a manipulator system is established. The conditional equation that is coupled by ordinary differential equations and partial differential equations is derived. In order to achieve high-precision tracking of the revolving angles and vibration suppression of the elastic part, the iterative learning control law based on the disturbance observer is considered in the process of the design controller. The composite Lyapunov energy function is proposed to prove that the angle errors and elastic deformation can eventually converge to zero with the increase of the number of iterations. Ultimately, the simulation results to rigid-flexible coupled manipulator system are given to prove the convergence of the control objectives under the adaptive iterative learning control law.
Growth, Sporulation, Conidial Germination and Lethal Temperature of Paraphoma radicina, A Fungal Pathogen of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) Root Rot
Authors: Cao Shi , Li Yan-Zhong
Published: September 2022

In 2020, alfalfa root rot, a disease caused by Paraphoma radicina, was identified in Inner Mongolia, China, where it seriously affected alfalfa crop yields. Conditions for in vitro growth, sporulation and conidial germination of P. radicina are poorly understood, limiting further studies. In this contribution, we evaluated the suitability of different media, carbon and nitrogen sources, as well as temperature and pH for P. radicina in vitro growth and germination. In addition, the temperature sensitivity of these cultures was assessed. Paraphoma radicina growth and sporulation were most vigorous on the ARDA medium, reaching the maximum growth and sporulation rates after 4 weeks of incubation. All carbon and nitrogen sources supported growth, but none induced sporulation. The best carbon and nitrogen sources for growth were mannitol and peptone, respectively. Conidial germination was observed in the 4 to 35 °C temperature range, with an optimum temperature of 25 °C. The germination rate was highest at pH 7, and more than 50% of conidia germinated after 38 h of incubation at 25 °C. On the other hand, temperatures above 55 °C (10 min) and 41 °C (10 min) proved lethal for the mycelial and conidial forms of the pathogen, respectively. These results can provide clues to the environmental conditions amenable for P. radicina infection of alfalfa crops and, on the whole, a better understanding of pathogenicity.
Real-Time Nitrogen Application of Rice Varieties Based on Leaf Colour Chart under System of Rice Intensification in Temperate Climate
Authors: Bhat Tauseef Ahmad , Kanth Raihana Habib , Jan Bisma , Nazir Aijaz , Ahanger Shafat Ahmad , Mir Mohammad Salim , Naikoo Nasir Bashir , Fayaz Suhail , Dar Khursheed Ahmad , Gul Audil , Mansoor Tajamul , Al-Ashkar Ibrahim , Kumari Arpna , Rahman Muhammad Habib ur , El Sabagh Ayman
Published: September 2022

Increasing nitrogen use efficiency in rice intensification (SRI) is pivotal to achieving high crop yield and reducing nitrogen losses. To find the critical value of the leaf color chart (LCC) for real-time nitrogen (N) application in rice varieties under SRI, a field experiment was laid at the Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Wadura, SKAUST-Kashmir in Kharif between 2019 and 2020. The experiment comprised two cultivars (SR-3 and SR-4) and eight LCC-based nitrogen managements (control, recommended dose of nitrogen (RDF), and three LCC scores (≤3, ≤4, ≤5 each with 20 and 30 kg N ha−1). SR-4 produced significantly higher values for growth and yield parameters, producing higher grain yield (7.02 and 6.86 t ha−1) compared to SR-3 (6.49 and 6.36 t ha−1) between 2019 and 2020, respectively. An LCC value of 5 with 30 kg N ha−1 produced maximum grain yield (7.84 and 7.70 t ha−1) in 2019 and 2020, respectively, which were statistically at par with the LCC value of 5 with 20 kg Nha−1. Pooled data revealed that the highest B: C ratio of 1.55 was recorded in cultivar SR-4 with an LCC value of 5 with 30 kg N ha−1. Furthermore, agronomic and recovery efficiency of nitrogen remained maximum in LCC 5 with 20 kg N ha−1 for both years. Grain yield recorded in LCC 3 20 kg N ha−1 was similar to recommended nitrogen. The present study highlighted the need-based N application through LCC and proved effective in increasing the N-use efficiency and yield in rice.
Characterization of Local Mediterranean Grapevine Varieties for Their Resilience to Semi-Arid Conditions under a Rain-Fed Regime
Authors: Gisbert Carmina , Soler Jaume X. , Fos Mariano , Intrigliolo Diego S. , Yuste Alberto , Picó Belén , Torrent Daniel , Peiró Rosa
Published: September 2022

Viticultural adaptations to climate change are needed, and the utilization of grapevine varieties that are better-adapted to water scarcity could contribute to finding grape varieties that are adapted to climate change. The present research was carried out to expand the limited knowledge on the minor varieties Arcos and Forcallat in comparison with three other more widespread traditional Mediterranean cultivars (Bobal, Garnacha, and Monastrell). An ampelographic characterization was carried out and provided with the characteristics for the cv. Arcos, which have not been previously described, as well as traits that are useful for differentiating it from the cv. Forcallat. Both varieties maintained low stomatal conductance, having the highest number of small stomata in comparison to the rest of varieties. Arcos and Forcallat also showed the highest intrinsic water use efficiency in addition to being late ripening, a characteristic that could be of interest in the context of water scarcity and warm climates for better coupling of technological and phenolic maturity. In parallel, we analyzed Veremeta plants considered a synonym of Monastrell, which were growing in the same field. The synonymy was confirmed by SSR markers, but phenotypic differences between plant materials were determined in relation to their ampelographic, agronomical, and physiological traits. Indeed, both accessions are very interesting as materials to be studied in agronomic trials under different watering regimes in order to deepen our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the drought tolerance of the evaluated Mediterranean varieties.
Silencing TUBB3 Expression Destroys the Tegument and Flame Cells of Echinococcus multilocularis Protoscoleces
Authors: Shi Qiqi , Liu Congshan , Huo Lele , Tao Yi , Zhang Haobing
Published: September 2022

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE), caused by infection with the larvae of Echinococcus multilocularis, is a neglected tropical disease and zoonosis that causes remarkable morbidity in humans and has economic importance in the livestock industry worldwide. The growth of this parasite resembles the invasion and proliferation of malignant tumours. Microtubules, especially the β-tubulin subunit in the exposed end, are the targets of many antitumour drugs. However, the role of TUBB3, which is the most studied isotype in solid tumours and is also a marker of biological aggressiveness associated with the modulation of tumour metastatic abilities in the growth and development of platyhelminths, is unknown. In this study, protoscoleces (PSCs) are cultivated in monophasic medium in vitro. Using electroporated short interfering RNA (siRNA), EmTUBB3 knockdown was performed with two EmTUBB3-specific siRNAs (siRNA-1 and siRNA-2). qRT–PCR was performed to detect the expression of TUBB3. PSCs viability and the evagination rate and number of body contractions were quantified under a light microscope. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to observe the ultra-morphological changes of the parasites. After siRNA interference, the EmTUBB3 expression in E. multilocularis PSCs was significantly reduced. Reduced viability, a decreased evagination rate and a decreased number of body contractions were also documented. In particular, shrinkage and roughness of the tegument were observed. Ultrastructural changes included marked damage to flame cells, cracked cilia structures enclosed in the cell body and ruptured microtubule structures. EmTUBB3 possibly plays a crucial role in tegument and flame cell integrity in E. multilocularis PSCs. Novel drugs targeting this specific beta-tubulin isotype in E. multilocularis are potential methods for disease control and deserve further attention.
Molecular Characterization of LKB1 of Triploid Crucian Carp and Its Regulation on Muscle Growth and Quality
Authors: Zuo Anli , Zhou Yonghua , Li Yingjie , Zhang Yu , Yi Zilin , Xiao Yangbo , Zou Mei , Cao Shenping , Qu Fufa , Tang Jianzhou , Liu Zhen
Published: September 2022

Liver Kinase B1 (LKB1) is a serine/threonine kinase that can regulate energy metabolism and skeletal muscle growth. In the present study, LKB1 cDNA of triploid crucian carp (Carassius auratus) was cloned. The cDNA contains a complete open reading frame (ORF), with a length of 1326 bp, encoding 442 amino acids. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that the LKB1 amino acid sequence of the triploid crucian carp had a high sequence similarity and identity with carp (Cyprinus carpio). Tissue expression analysis revealed that LKB1 was widely expressed in various tissues. LKB1 expressions in the brain were highest, followed by kidney and muscle. In the short-term LKB1 activator and inhibitor injection experiment, when LKB1 was activated for 72 h, expressions of myogenic differentiation (MyoD), muscle regulatory factor (MRF4), myogenic factor (MyoG) and myostatin 1 (MSTN1) were markedly elevated and the content of inosine monophosphate (IMP) in muscle was significantly increased. When LKB1 was inhibited for 72 h, expressions of MyoD, MyoG, MRF4 and MSTN1 were markedly decreased. The long-term injection experiment of the LKB1 activator revealed that, when LKB1 was activated for 15 days, its muscle fibers were significantly larger and tighter than the control group. In texture profile analysis, it showed smaller hardness and adhesion, greater elasticity and chewiness. Contrastingly, when LKB1 was inhibited for 9 days, its muscle fibers were significantly smaller, while the gap between muscle fibers was significantly larger. Texture profile analysis showed that adhesion was significantly higher than the control group. A feeding trial on triploid crucian carp showed that with dietary lysine-glutamate dipeptide concentration increasing, the expression of the LKB1 gene gradually increased and was highest when dipeptide concentration was 1.6%. These findings may provide new insights into the effects of LKB1 on fish skeletal muscle growth and muscle quality, and will provide a potential application value in improvement of aquaculture feed formula.
Practicability of a Time-Limited Welfare Assessment Protocol for Pasture-Based Dairy Farms, and a Preliminary Assessment of Welfare Outcome Thresholds
Authors: Sapkota Sujan , Laven Richard , Müller Kristina Ruth , Kells Nikki
Published: September 2022

This study assessed a new time-limited protocol developed for pasture-based cows across 23 dairy farms. The process started prior to milking with a questionnaire, followed by an assessment of resources (16 farms only) and behavioural observation of cows at pasture. Remaining animal-based measures were assessed during milking, usually by two assessors (one parlour based and one outside). The protocol proved to be practical and feasible with limited changes needed, except for the assessment of water availability and behaviour. As most cows could access only one water trough, distance between troughs was not a measure of water availability, while the observation of a large numbers of cows at pasture for 30 min resulted in few observations and an uncertain denominator (effective number of observed cows). Further research is needed to determine the best way of assessing water availability and cow behaviour in a time-limited assessment of pasture-based cows. Three animal-based measures (broken tails, dirtiness, and coughing) had mean values higher than the author-determined acceptable thresholds, while <50% of farms met trough cleanliness and track condition targets, and none met the criteria for shelter and shade. This was a sample of farms based on convenience, so more data are required to establish the representativeness of these results. Such testing should involve assessment of the repeatability and reliability of the measures in our protocol.
The Inference of the Evolution of Immune Traits as Constrained by Phylogeny: Insight into the Immune System of the Basal Diapsid
Authors: López-Pérez Jorge E. , Crother Brian I. , Murray Christopher M.
Published: September 2022

Among vertebrates, some of the most vulnerable taxa to emergent fungal pathogens are members of Reptilia. In light of the growing threat of emergent fungal pathogens affecting wildlife, it is important to broaden the current understanding of immune system function, development, and evolution. The homologous condition of a trait is necessary in order to study its evolution, as such, homology is necessary in the study of immunological evolution. Here, we explore the evolution of toll-like receptors (TLRs), a series of homologous receptors crucial to the initial immune response. The homologous condition of TLR genes provides a unique system in which to explore the evolution of the TLR; using a Reptilian phylogeny, we elucidate the immune condition of the basal diapsid. Our analysis revealed that the basal diapsid may have had an immune system that lacked two receptors: TLR 15, a receptor uniquely present in Reptilia, and TLR 13, a receptor important in the recognition of nucleic acid motifs. Additionally, our analysis showed multiple losses and convergences for various TLRs, likely attributed to redundancies in receptor function. Further exploration into the immune condition of extinct taxa may shed light on the evolution of the reptilian immune system.
Multi-Drug Resistant Pathogenic Escherichia coli Isolated from Wild Birds, Chicken, and the Environment in Malaysia
Authors: Mohamed Mohamed-Yousif Ibrahim , Abu Jalila , Zakaria Zunita , Khan Abdul Rashid , Abdul Aziz Saleha , Bitrus Asinamai Athliamai , Habib Ihab
Published: September 2022

Transmission of pathogenic microorganisms in the last decades has been considered a significant health hazard and pathogenic E. coli, particularly antibiotic-resistant strains, have long been identified as a zoonotic problem. This study aimed to investigate multidrug resistant pathogenic E. coli isolates from wild birds, chickens, and environment in selected Orang Asli and Malay villages in Peninsular Malaysia. The bacteriological culture-based technique, disc diffusion method, and multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (mPCR) assay was used to determine the occurrence of pathogenic E. coli strains in the several samples in the study. E. coli isolates showed a variety of multi-drug resistant (MDR) antibiotypes and Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) and Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) were the most predominantly identified pathogenic E. coli strains. The findings of this study demonstrated the significance of animal reservoirs and the environment as sources of pathogenic E. coli, resistant bacteria, and resistance genes. Hence, there is a need for adoption of a practical surveillance approach on MDR pathogens to control foodborne contamination.
The Current State of Knowledge in Biological Properties of Cirsimaritin
Authors: Benali Taoufiq , Jaouadi Imane , Ghchime Rokia , El Omari Nasreddine , Harboul Kaoutar , Hammani Khalil , Rebezov Maksim , Shariati Mohammad Ali , Mubarak Mohammad S. , Simal-Gandara Jesus , Zengin Gokhan , Park Moon-Nyeo , Kim Bonglee , Mahmud Shafi , Lee Learn-Han , Bouyahya Abdelhakim
Published: September 2022

The search for natural plant-based products as new pharmacological alternatives to treat various human pathologies has taken on great importance for researchers and research laboratories. In this context, research has intensified to extract and identify natural molecules endowed with biological effects. The objective of this study is to review the source and pharmacological properties of cirsimaritin. The identification and isolation of this flavonoid from various natural sources, including medicinal plants such as Artemisia judaica, Cirsium japonicum, Lithocarpus dealbatus, Microtea debilis, and Ocimum sanctum, has been carried out and verified using different spectral techniques. Biological effect investigations are carried out with a wide variety of experimental models in vitro and in vivo and laboratory techniques. The results of these research works showed the biological properties of cirsimaritin including anticancer, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiparasitic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. The mechanisms involved in the multiple activities of this molecule are diverse and include sub-cellular, cellular, and molecular levels. Indeed, this bioactive induces anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects by inhibiting cell membrane receptors, interference with signaling pathways, and inhibiting transcriptional factors such as Nf-κB involved in cell promotion and proliferation. In the light of these results, cirsimaritin appears as a promising and viable alternative natural bioactive drug to treat many pathological conditions.
Effects of Dietary Rutin Supplementation on the Intestinal Morphology, Antioxidant Capacity, Immunity, and Microbiota of Aged Laying Hens
Authors: Li Hengzhi , Gu Yunfeng , Jin Rui , He Qingfen , Zhou Yanmin
Published: September 2022

This research investigated the effects of dietary rutin supplementation on the intestinal morphology, antioxidant capacity, immunity, and microbiota of aged laying hens. The results showed that 500 mg/kg rutin supplementation increased the villus height of jejunum (P < 0.05). Rutin affected the immune system of the ileum and the jejunum. In the jejunum, a diet with 500 mg/kg rutin supplementation enhanced secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and reduced tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels (P < 0.05). A diet with 1000 mg/kg rutin supplementation increased jejunal sIgA, immunologlobulin M (IgM), and interleukin-4 (IL-4) levels while decreasing interleukin-1β (IL-1β), TNF-α, and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) levels (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, a diet with 500 mg/kg rutin increased sIgA, immunologlobulin G (IgG), IgM, and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels and reduced TNF-α and IFN-γ levels in the ileum (P < 0.05). In the ileum, a diet with 1000 mg/kg rutin supplementation raised sIgA, IgG, IgM, IL-4, and IL-10 levels while decreasing IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels (P < 0.05). At the family level, a diet with 500 mg/kg rutin supplementation raised the relative abundance of Monoglobaceae and decreased the relative abundance of Eubacteriaceae (P < 0.05) compared to the control group. In the 1000 mg/kg rutin group, the relative abundance of Lactobacillaceae and Unclassified Coriobacteriale was considerably lower and the relative abundance of Monoglobaceae was higher than the control group (P < 0.05). This study showed that a diet with rutin supplementation can improve the intestinal health of aged laying hens, and the mechanism is related to improving the intestinal morphology and intestinal immune status, and regulating the intestinal microbes.
DSA-SOLO: Double Split Attention SOLO for Side-Scan Sonar Target Segmentation
Authors: Huang Honghe , Zuo Zhen , Sun Bei , Wu Peng , Zhang Jiaju
Published: September 2022

Side-scan sonar systems play an important role in tasks such as marine terrain exploration and underwater target identification. Target segmentation of side-scan sonar images is an effective method of underwater target detection. However, the principle of side-scan sonar systems leads to high noise interference, weak boundary information, and difficult target feature extraction of sonar images. To solve these problems, we propose a Double Split Attention (DSA) SOLO. Specially, we present an efficient attention module called DSA which fuses spatial attention and channel attention together effectively. DSA first splits feature maps into two parts along channel dimensions before processing them in parallel. Next, DSA utilizes C-S Unit and S-C Unit to describe relevant features in the spatial and channel dimensions, respectively. After that, the results of the two parts are aggregated to improve feature representation. We embedded the proposed DSA module after the FPN network of SOLOv2, and this approach improves the instance segmentation accuracy to a great extent. Experimental results show that our proposed DSA-SOLO on SCTD dataset achieves 78.4% mAP.5, which is 5.1% higher than SOLOv2.
The Progress on Lung Computed Tomography Imaging Signs: A Review
Authors: Xiao Hanguang , Li Yuewei , Jiang Bin , Xia Qingling , Wei Yujia , Li Huanqi
Published: September 2022

Lung cancer is the highest-mortality cancer with the largest number of patients in the world. Early screening and diagnosis of lung cancer by CT imaging is of great significance to improve the cure rate of lung cancer. CT signs mean the information of comprehensive manifestations of diseases at different pathological stages and levels. Automatic analysis of CT images outputs the locations and sizes of lesion regions which can help radiologists to make a credible diagnosis and effectively improve the speed and accuracy of clinical diagnosis. In this paper, we first review the domestic and foreign research progress of lung CT signs, summarize a generic structure for expressing the implementation process of existing methods, and systematically describe the signs research based on the traditional machine learning method and deep learning method. Furthermore, we provide a systematic summary and comparative analysis of the existing methods. Finally, we point out the challenges ahead and discuss the directions for improvement of future work, providing reference for scholars in related fields.
Supervised Learning-Based Image Classification for the Detection of Late Blight in Potato Crops
Authors: Suarez Baron Marco Javier , Gomez Angie Lizeth , Diaz Jorge Enrique Espindola
Published: September 2022

This article presents the application of supervised learning and image classification for the early detection of late blight disease in potato using convolutional neural network and support vector machine SVM. The study was realized in the Boyacá department, Colombia. An initial dataset is created with the acquisition of a large number of images directly from the crops. These images are pre-processed in order to extract the main characteristics of the late blight disease. A classification model is developed to identify the potato plants as healthy or infected. Several performance, efficiency, and quality metrics were applied in the learning and classification tasks to determine the best machine learning algorithms. Then, an additional data set was used for validation, image classification, and detection of late blight disease in potato crops in the department of Boyacá, Colombia. The results obtained in the AUC curve show that the CNN trained with the data set obtained an AUC equal to 0.97; and the analysis through SVM obtained an AUC equal to 0.87. Future work requires the development of a mobile application with advanced features as a technological tool for precision agriculture that supports farmers with increased agricultural productivity.
Comparison of Methods to Identify and Monitor Mold Damages in Buildings
Authors: Martin-Sanchez Pedro Maria , Nunez Maria , Estensmo Eva Lena Fjeld , Skrede Inger , Kauserud Håvard
Published: September 2022

Molds thrive in indoor environments, challenging the stability of building materials and occupants’ health. Diverse sampling and analytical techniques can be applied in the microbiology of buildings, with specific benefits and drawbacks. We evaluated the use of two methods, the microscopy of visible mold growth (hereinafter “mold” samples) (tape lifts) and the DNA metabarcoding of mold and dust samples (swabs), for mapping mold-damage indicator fungi in residential buildings in Oslo. Overall, both methods provided consistent results for the mold samples, where nearly 80% of the microscopy-identified taxa were confirmed by DNA analyses. Aspergillus was the most abundant genus colonizing all materials, while some taxa were associated with certain substrates: Acremonium with gypsum board, Chaetomium with chipboard, Stachybotrys with gypsum board and wood, and Trichoderma with wood. Based on the DNA data, the community composition was clearly different between the mold and the dust, with a much higher alpha diversity in the dust. Most genera identified in the mold were also detected with a low abundance in the dust from the same apartments. Their spatial distribution indicated some local spread from the mold growth to other areas, but there was no clear correlation between the relative abundances and the distance to the damages. To study mold damages, different microbiological analyses (microscopy, cultivation, DNA, and chemistry) should be combined with a thorough inspection of buildings. The interpretation of such datasets requires the collaboration of skilled mycologists and building consultants.
Novel Method for Monitoring Mining Subsidence Featuring Co-Registration of UAV LiDAR Data and Photogrammetry
Authors: Liu Jibo , Liu Xiaoyu , Lv Xieyu , Wang Bo , Lian Xugang
Published: September 2022

Addressing the problem that traditional methods cannot reliably monitor surface subsidence in coal mining, a novel method has been developed for monitoring subsidence in mining areas using time series unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry in combination with LiDAR. A dynamic subsidence basin based on the differential digital elevation model (DEM) was constructed and accuracy of the proposed method was verified, with the uncertainty of the DEM of difference (DoD) being quantified via co-registration of a dense matching point cloud of the time series UAV data. The root mean square error calculated for the monitoring points on the subsidence DEM was typically between 0.2 m and 0.3 m with a minimum of 0.17 m. The relative error between the maximum subsidence value of the extracted profile line on the main section after fitting and the measured maximum subsidence value was not more than 20%, and the minimum value was 0.7%. The accuracy of the UAV based method was at the decimeter level, and high accuracy in monitoring the maximum subsidence value was attained, confirming that an innovative strategy for monitoring mining subsidence was realized.
AdaCB: An Adaptive Gradient Method with Convergence Range Bound of Learning Rate
Authors: Liao Xuanzhi , Sahran Shahnorbanun , Abdullah Azizi , Shukor Syaimak Abdul
Published: September 2022

Adaptive gradient descent methods such as Adam, RMSprop, and AdaGrad achieve great success in training deep learning models. These methods adaptively change the learning rates, resulting in a faster convergence speed. Recent studies have shown their problems include extreme learning rates, non-convergence issues, as well as poor generalization. Some enhanced variants have been proposed, such as AMSGrad, and AdaBound. However, the performances of these alternatives are controversial and some drawbacks still occur. In this work, we proposed an optimizer called AdaCB, which limits the learning rates of Adam in a convergence range bound. The bound range is determined by the LR test, and then two bound functions are designed to constrain Adam, and two bound functions tend to a constant value. To evaluate our method, we carry out experiments on the image classification task, three models including Smallnet, Network IN Network, and Resnet are trained on CIFAR10 and CIFAR100 datasets. Experimental results show that our method outperforms other optimizers on CIFAR10 and CIFAR100 datasets with accuracies of (82.76%, 53.29%), (86.24%, 60.19%), and (83.24%, 55.04%) on Smallnet, Network IN Network and Resnet, respectively. The results also indicate that our method maintains a faster learning speed, like adaptive gradient methods, in the early stage and achieves considerable accuracy, like SGD (M), at the end.
Design and Implementation of an Additively Manufactured Reactor Concept for the Catalytic Methanation
Authors: Hauser Alexander , Neubert Michael , Feldner Alexander , Horn Alexander , Grimm Fabian , Karl Jürgen
Published: September 2022

The methanation process is discussed as one way to chemically store renewable energy in a future energy system. An important criterion for its application is the availability of compact, low-cost reactor concepts with high conversion rates for decentralized use where the renewable energy is produced. Current research focuses on the maximization of the methane yield through improved temperature control of the exothermic reaction, which attempts to avoid both kinetic and thermodynamic limitations. In this context, traditional manufacturing methods limit the design options of the reactor and thus the temperature control possibilities. The use of additive manufacturing methods removes this restriction and creates new freedom in the design process. This paper formulates the requirements for a novel methanation reactor and presents their implementation to a highly innovative reactor concept called ‘ADDmeth’. By using a conical reaction channel expanding from Ø 8 to 32 mm, three twisted, expanding heat pipes (Ø 8 mm in evaporation zone, Ø 12 mm in condenser zone) and a lattice structure for feed gas preheating and mechanical stabilization of the reactor, the design explicitly exploits the advantages of additive manufacturing. The reactor is very compact with a specific mass of 0.36 kg/kW and has a high share of functional volume of 52%. The reactor development was accompanied by tensile tests of additively manufactured samples with the used material 1.4404 (316 L), strength calculations for stability verification and feasibility studies on the printability of fine structures. Ultimate tensile strengths of up to 750 N/mm2 (at room temperature) and sufficiently high safety factors of the pressure-loaded structures against yielding were determined. Finally, the paper presents the manufactured bench-scale reactor ADDmeth1 and its implementation.
Directivity of Coseismic Ionospheric Disturbances Propagation Following the 2016 West Sumatra Earthquake Using Three-Dimensional Tomography GNSS-TEC
Authors: Cahyadi Mokhamad Nur , Arisa Deasy , Muafiry Ihsan Naufal , Muslim Buldan , Rahayu Ririn Wuri , Putra Meilfan Eka , Wulansari Mega , Setiadi Bambang , Arisal Andria , Razi Pakhrur , Arief Syachrul
Published: September 2022

Ionospheric disturbances caused by the 2016 West Sumatra earthquake have been studied using total electron content (TEC) measurements by Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) observation stations evenly distributed in Sumatra and Java, Indonesia. Previous observation focused on the coseismic ionospheric disturbances (CID) detected 11–16 min after the earthquake. The maximum TEC amplitude measured was 2.9 TECU (TEC Unit) with speed between 1 and 1.72 km/s. A comprehensive analysis needs to be done to see how the growth and direction of the movement of the CID due to the earthquake is using the 3D tomography method. The dimensions of 3D tomographic model are setup to 1° × 1.2° × 75 km. The continuity constraints were used to stabilize the solution, and multiple resolution tests with synthetic data were conducted to evaluate the precision of the results. This research focuses on the anomalous movement of the ionosphere observed in three dimensions. From the model, the positive anomaly initially appeared 11 min after the earthquake at the altitude of 300 km, which is the highest ionization layer and correspond to the electron density profile using IRI model. The anomalous movement appeared 12 min after the mainshock and moved 1° toward the geomagnetic field every minute. The density anomaly of the ionosphere began to weaken 8 min after the appearance of CID. To check the accuracy of the 3D tomography model, we carried out two types of tests, namely checkerboard resolution test and the second resolution test.
Analytical Solutions of Temperature Distribution in a Rectangular Parallelepiped
Authors: Kumar Dinesh , Ayant Frédéric Yves , Cesarano Clemente
Published: September 2022

In the present article, we give analytical solutions for temperature distribution in a rectangular parallelepiped with the help of a multivariable I-function. The results established in this paper are of a general character from which several known and new results can be deduced. We also give the special and particular cases of our main findings.
Numerical Analysis of Novel Air-Based Li-Ion Battery Thermal Management
Authors: Chen Wei , Hou Shaobo , Shi Jialin , Han Peng , Liu Bin , Wu Baoping , Lin Xiaoxiao
Published: September 2022

The lithium-ion battery is considered the primary power supply source for electric vehicles due to its high-energy density, long lifespan, and no memory effect. Its performance and safety highly depend on its operating temperature. Therefore, a battery thermal management system is necessary to ensure an electric vehicle (EV)’s performance. Air as a cooling medium is still used in a wide range of thermal management system applications, owing to its low-cost and lightweight. However, the conventional air-based cooling strategy shows an insufficient heat dissipation capacity and usually fails to block the thermal runaway propagation between batteries. Thus, it is of great importance for improving the heat dissipation of an air-based thermal management system. In this paper, three novel schemes (schemes B, C, and D) are introduced successively based on enhancing the heat transfer capacity and safety of a battery pack under a thermal runaway condition. Schemes B and C introduce a hollow spoiler prism and a spoiler prism filled with phase-change material with fins, respectively. The cooling effects of the three schemes are compared using computational fluid dynamics technology. The models of all the schemes are 3D symmetrical structures. In the CFD model, the battery heat-generating sub-model is incorporated through a user-defined function. The results indicate that all three schemes reduce the maximum temperature and the maximum temperature difference in the pack effectively compared with the conventional air cooling system. Scheme D presents the best cooling performance and hinders the propagation of the TR between adjacent batteries under a TR condition. The paper may provide a feasible method for improving the performance of an air-cooled thermal battery management system.
Recent Progresses in Development of Biosensors for Thrombin Detection
Authors: Eivazzadeh-Keihan Reza , Saadatidizaji Zahra , Maleki Ali , de la Guardia Miguel de la , Mahdavi Mohammad , Barzegar Sajjad , Ahadian Samad
Published: September 2022

Thrombin is a serine protease with an essential role in homeostasis and blood coagulation. During vascular injuries, thrombin is generated from prothrombin, a plasma protein, to polymerize fibrinogen molecules into fibrin filaments. Moreover, thrombin is a potent stimulant for platelet activation, which causes blood clots to prevent bleeding. The rapid and sensitive detection of thrombin is important in biological analysis and clinical diagnosis. Hence, various biosensors for thrombin measurement have been developed. Biosensors are devices that produce a quantifiable signal from biological interactions in proportion to the concentration of a target analyte. An aptasensor is a biosensor in which a DNA or RNA aptamer has been used as a biological recognition element and can identify target molecules with a high degree of sensitivity and affinity. Designed biosensors could provide effective methods for the highly selective and specific detection of thrombin. This review has attempted to provide an update of the various biosensors proposed in the literature, which have been designed for thrombin detection. According to their various transducers, the constructions and compositions, the performance, benefits, and restrictions of each are summarized and compared.
Condition Assessment and Seismic Upgrading Strategy of RC Structures—A Case Study of a Public Institution in Croatia
Authors: Stepinac Mislav , Skokandić Dominik , Ožić Karlo , Zidar Margareta , Vajdić Matija
Published: September 2022

In 2020, Croatia was struck by two catastrophic earthquakes, resulting in more than 50,000 damaged structures. The majority of these are masonry buildings, but there are a number of reinforced concrete structures that suffered moderate to extensive damage. In this paper, the seismic condition assessment and upgrading of existing RC structures are presented with a case study building in Zagreb. The assessment procedure includes initial visual inspection, rapid preliminary evaluation, detailed in situ measurements, and non- and semi-destructive methods. New technologies were applied and followed by numerical modeling and verifications. Strengthening proposals are made that respect owner needs and the needs for the energy retrofitting of the existing RC building. As the integrated approach should be respected in the renovation of existing buildings, this case study can represent an example of good practice in the process of seismic and energy retrofitting.
Emerging Roles of Lipophagy in Cancer Metastasis
Authors: Yin Haimeng , Shan Ying , Xia Tian , Ji Yan , Yuan Ling , You Yiwen , You Bo
Published: September 2022

Obesity is a prominent risk factor for certain types of tumor progression. Adipocytes within tumor stroma contribute to reshaping tumor microenvironment (TME) and the metabolism and metastasis of tumors through the production of cytokines and adipokines. However, the crosstalk between adipocytes and tumor cells remains a major gap in this field. Known as a subtype of selective autophagy, lipophagy is thought to contribute to lipid metabolism by breaking down intracellular lipid droplets (LDs) and generating free fatty acids (FAs). The metastatic potential of cancer cells closely correlates with the lipid degradation mechanisms, which are required for energy generation, signal transduction, and biosynthesis of membranes. Here, we discuss the recent advance in the understanding of lipophagy with tumor lipid metabolism and review current studies on the roles of lipoghagy in the metastasis of certain human malignancies. Additionally, the novel candidate drugs targeting lipophagy are integrated for effective treatment strategies.
LincRNAs and snoRNAs in Breast Cancer Cell Metastasis: The Unknown Players
Authors: Louca Maria , Gkretsi Vasiliki
Published: September 2022

Recent advances in research have led to earlier diagnosis and targeted therapies against breast cancer, which has resulted in reduced breast cancer-related mortality. However, the majority of breast cancer-related deaths are due to metastasis of cancer cells to other organs, a process that has not been fully elucidated. Among the factors and genes implicated in the metastatic process regulation, non-coding RNAs have emerged as crucial players. This review focuses on the role of long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) and small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) in breast cancer cell metastasis. LincRNAs are transcribed between two protein-coding genes and are longer than 200 nucleotides, they do not code for a specific protein but function as regulatory molecules in processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, migration, and invasion while most of them are highly elevated in breast cancer tissues and seem to function as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) inhibiting relevant miRNAs that specifically target vital metastasis-related genes. Similarly, snoRNAs are 60–300 nucleotides long and are found in the nucleolus being responsible for the post-transcriptional modification of ribosomal and spliceosomal RNAs. Most snoRNAs are hosted inside intron sequences of protein-coding and non-protein-coding genes, and they also regulate metastasis-related genes affecting related cellular properties.