bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integration of ARIMA and LSTM Models for Remaining Useful Life Prediction of a Water Hydraulic High-Speed On/Off Valve
Authors: Nie Songlin , Liu Qingtong , Ji Hui , Hong Ruidong , Nie Shuang
Published: August 2022

Some water hydraulic manipulators used for the remote operation of reactors are controlled by a high-speed on/off valve (HSV). Water hydraulic HSVs operate through a process of high-frequency switching, and since their work environment is poorly lubricated, their components are prone to failure. The present study proposed a hybrid model to detect the state and predict the RUL of water hydraulic HSVs used for manipulators, including (1) an HSV state detection method based on the fuzzy neural network (FNN) algorithm; (2) a remaining useful life (RUL) prediction method based on the integration between the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model and the long short-term memory (LSTM) model. Final results showed that the accuracy of state detection based on the FNN method was 93.3%. The relative error of the RUL prediction based on the ARIMA–LSTM was less than 1.6%. The developed method can provide guidance for operation and maintenance personnel to plan maintenance reasonably.
Shifts in Bacterial and Archaeal Community Composition in Low-Permeability Oil Reservoirs by a Nutrient Stimulation for Enhancing Oil Recovery
Authors: Liang Kaiqiang , Liu Mingming , Liang Quansheng , Yang Hong , Li Jian , Yao Zhenjie , Li Shanshan , Yan Wei
Published: August 2022

Indigenous microbial enhanced oil recovery technology by selective nutrient injection is a potential alternative that leads to oil production improvement in low-permeability oil reservoirs. Nutrient flooding in oil reservoirs can shift the balance of microorganisms within a population; an in-depth exploration of this phenomenon can enable us to selectively activate particularly beneficial microbial species for enhancing oil recovery. In this study, high-throughput sequencing was employed to analyse indigenous microorganisms (e.g., archaea and bacteria) in an oil production well (W226), compared to a control well (W202), in the Xingzichuan Oil Recovery Plant (Ansai, Shaanxi, China). According to alpha diversity analysis and community composition, the nutrient injection exhibited a significant impact on indigenous archaea at the genus level. The predominant archaeal genus Methanolobus (more than 66%) in the control well shifted to Methanocalculus (50.8%) and Methanothermococcus (30.6%) genera in the oil production well. Conversely, the activators increased bacterial community richness but reduced its evenness. Bacterial community analysis at the genus level revealed that nutrient injections significantly increased specific populations with the potential to emulsify, lower interfacial tension, and lower oil viscosity, including the genera Arcobacter, Halomonas, and Thalassolituus. At the same time, some microbial species that are harmful for the oil recovery process (e.g., the sulphate-reducing bacteria Desulfovibrus, Desulfocurvus, Desulfocarbo, and Desulfoglaeba), were inhibited. In conclusion, nutrient flooding reduced the abundance of harmful microorganisms and increased beneficial functional microbial populations linked to beneficial functions, contributing to the enhancement of oil recovery in low-permeability oil reservoirs.
Speech Sentiment Analysis Using Hierarchical Conformer Networks
Authors: Zhao Peng , Liu Fangai , Zhuang Xuqiang
Published: August 2022

Multimodality has been widely used for sentiment analysis tasks, especially for speech sentiment analysis. Compared with the emotion expression of most text languages, speech is more intuitive for human emotion, as speech contains more and richer emotion features. Most of the current studies mainly involve the extraction of speech features, but the accuracy and prediction rate of the models still need to be improved. To improve the extraction and fusion of speech sentiment feature information, we present a new framework. The framework adopts a hierarchical conformer model and an attention-based GRU model to increase the accuracy of the model. The method has two main parts: a local feature learning group and a global feature learning group. The local feature learning group is mainly used to learn the spatio-temporal feature information of speech emotion features through the conformer model, and a combination of convolution and transformer is used to be able to enhance the extraction of long and short-term feature information. The global features are then extracted by the AUGRU model, and the fusion of features is performed by the attention mechanism to access the weights of feature information. Finally, the sentiment is identified by a fully connected network layer, and then classified by a central loss function and a softmax function. Compared with existing speech sentiment analysis models, we obtained better sentiment classification results on the IEMOCAP and RAVDESS benchmark datasets.
A Harmonized Information Security Taxonomy for Cyber Physical Systems
Authors: Pool Johannes Hendrik , Venter Hein
Published: August 2022

Cyber physical systems (CPSs) are found in many aspects of daily life, and they control and protect energy production, manufacturing and even healthcare. Due to long lifecycles and the use of legacy technologies, its associated security comes with many challenges. Security taxonomies are useful to classify and communicate security-related information and elements. Despite the existence of numerous taxonomies, they are fragmentary, limited to only specific lifecycle phases or cover only specific aspects. A harmonized taxonomy must be applicable to all lifecycle phases of the CPS. This paper presents well-established taxonomies that are combined into a single comprehensive and harmonized taxonomy and allows application throughout the different lifecycle phases. Application of the taxonomy to real-world scenarios requires a consistent implementation methodology. The use of the harmonized taxonomy methodology is demonstrated by applying it to an actual incident case study. The taxonomy is used to identify information security gaps through its implementation in the industrial facility in question. The identified gaps are then addressed as part of the security lifecycle of the CPS. The harmonized taxonomy can be expanded to apply it to industries with specific requirements.
Layered-Cost-Map-Based Traffic Management for Multiple AMRs via a DDS
Authors: Jeong Seungwoo , Ga Taekwon , Jeong Inhwan , Oh Jongkyu , Choi Jongeun
Published: August 2022

A traffic management system can be used to control multiple automated mobile robots (AMRs) effectively. This paper proposes traffic management for multiple AMRs based on a layered cost map in ROS 2 for multiple purposes. Using the layered cost map, the new concepts of a prohibition filter, lane filter, fleet layer, and region filter are proposed and implemented. The prohibition filter can help a user set an area that would prohibit an AMR from trespassing. The lane filter can help set one-way directions based on an angle image. The fleet layer can help AMRs share their locations via the traffic management server. The region filter requests for or receives an exclusive area, which can be occupied by only one AMR from the traffic management server. Multiple AMRs communicate via a data distribution service (DDS), which is shared by topics in the same DDS domain. The traffic management server in the domain sends or receives topics to each of the AMRs. The experiments of AMRs under the proposed traffic management show the effectiveness of our approach.
Toxic Metals in Meat Contributed by Helicopter and Rifle Thoracic Killing of Game Meat Animals
Authors: Nkosi Davies Veli , Bekker Johan Leon , Hoffman Louwrens Christiaan
Published: August 2022

Processes of killing wild game meat animals could introduce toxic metals into the animal’s meat, which subsequently may pose a risk of consumer exposure to toxins during ingestion. In most cases, toxic metals occur naturally in the environment and may be found in traces in different parts of a game meat animal. However, some of these metals are also introduced to meat animals by bullets used during the hunting and killing of game meat animals. These bullets are generally made from metals such as lead, arsenic, and copper, all of which have strictly regulated limits in food products including meat. Samples of helicopter-killed impala in the area around the bullet/pellets’ wound (n = 9) and from animals killed by a single projectile (n = 9) were analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The type of bullet used influenced the mean concentration of some of these toxic metals (mg/Kg) in meat samples; helicopter killing resulted in the following levels of As (0.665, SD = 1.95); Cd (0.000, SD = 0.000); Pb (620.18, SD = 1247.6); and Hg (0.017 SD = 0.033) compared to single projectile killing that resulted in the following levels: As (0.123, SD = 0.221); Cd (0.008, SD = 0.021); Pb (1610.79, SD = 1384.5); and Hg (0.028, SD = 0.085). The number of samples per metal with levels above the EU products’ limits were Pb = 18/18 samples from both killing methods, As = 2/18 samples from helicopter killing, Cd- = 1/18 from rifle killing and Hg = 0/18. To minimise the risks of toxic metals posed by bullets, the use of lead (Pb) free bullets should be encouraged, and the control of meat animal killing methods must always be performed, especially for meat contamination prevention.
High-Temperature Annealing Effects on Atomically Thin Tungsten Diselenide Field-Effect Transistor
Authors: Khan Muhammad Atif , Mehmood Muhammad Qasim , Massoud Yehia
Published: August 2022

Two-dimensional (2D) material-based devices are expected to operate under high temperatures induced by Joule heating and environmental conditions when integrated into compact integrated circuits for practical applications. However, the behavior of these materials at high operating temperatures is obscure as most studies emphasize only room temperature or low-temperature operation. Here, the high-temperature electrical response of the tungsten diselenide (WSe2) field-effect transistor was studied. It is revealed that 350 K is the optimal annealing temperature for the WSe2 transistor, and annealing at this temperature improves on-current, field-effect mobility and on/off ratio around three times. Annealing beyond this temperature (360 K to 670 K) adversely affects the device performance attributed to the partial oxidation of WSe2 at higher temperatures. An increase in hysteresis also confirms the formation of new traps as the device is annealed beyond 350 K. These findings explicate the thermal stability of WSe2 and can help design 2D materials-based durable devices for high-temperature practical applications.
A Scoping Literature Review of Relative Fundamental Frequency (RFF) in Individuals with and without Voice Disorders
Authors: McKenna Victoria S. , Vojtech Jennifer M. , Previtera Melissa , Kendall Courtney L. , Carraro Kelly E.
Published: August 2022

Relative fundamental frequency (RFF) is an acoustic measure that characterizes changes in voice fundamental frequency during voicing transitions. Despite showing promise as an indicator of vocal disorder and laryngeal muscle tension, the clinical adoption of RFF remains challenging, partly due to a lack of research integration. As such, this review sought to provide summative information and highlight next steps for the clinical implementation of RFF. A systematic literature search was completed across 5 databases, yielding 37 articles that met inclusion criteria. Studies most often included adults with and without tension-based voice disorders (e.g., muscle tension dysphonia), though patient and control groups were directly compared in only 32% of studies. Only 11% of studies tracked therapeutic progress, making it difficult to understand how RFF can be used as a clinical outcome. Specifically, there is evidence to support within-person RFF tracking as a clinical outcome, but more research is needed to understand how RFF correlates to auditory-perceptual ratings (strain, effort, and overall severity of dysphonia) both before and after therapeutic interventions. Finally, a marked increase in the use of automated estimation methods was noted since 2016, yet there remains a critical need for a universally available algorithm to support widespread clinical adoption.
Multifactor Uncertainty Analysis of Construction Risk for Deep Foundation Pits
Authors: Zhang Wei , Huang Zhen , Zhang Jiabing , Zhang Ruifu , Ma Shaokun
Published: August 2022

As it is affected by many uncertain factors, the construction risk of deep foundation subway station pits involves fuzzy and random uncertainties. Considering the fuzzy and random uncertainties involved in risk evaluation, an improved fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method combining a triangular cloud model and the probability density function (PDF) is proposed in this study. First, with reference to the actual situation of deep foundation pit construction, the sources of construction risk are identified, and a construction risk evaluation index system is established. Second, the Delphi method is used to analyse the importance of each index of the evaluation object in order to obtain the evaluation data. The fuzzy best worst method (FBWM) is used to calculate the weight of the evaluation indices. Then, the triangular cloud model is used to represent the risk grade membership function. In addition, the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method is used to comprehensively evaluate the construction risk of deep foundation pits. The fuzzy comprehensive evaluation vector is obtained for the indices possibility (P) and loss (C), and the weighted average value of the vector’s risk grade is calculated. Finally, probability analysis is carried out using PDF to determine the risk grade of P and C, and thus, to determine the risk grade of deep foundation pit construction. This method optimises the risk evaluation process of deep foundation pit construction and realises the visualisation of the comprehensive evaluation results, making the risk evaluation process transparent and convenient for use by risk analysts. This method is applied to predict the construction risk grade of a deep foundation pit project in Nanning, China, and the prediction results are consistent with the actual situation.
The ArchTerr Project—A GIS-Based Integrated System for Cultural and Archaeological Heritage Protection (Pilot Phase Tested in Romania)
Authors: Marian Constantin Viorel , Iacob Mihaela
Published: August 2022

This paper presents the results of an experimental-demonstrative research project summarizing three integrated products: an interactive digital map; a reference and record keeping database system; and a set of procedures to enforce the unified application of archaeological heritage protection legislation in Romania. The web-based application constitutes a permanent working tool available to the Romanian Ministry of Culture territorial branch offices, and is freely accessible to specialists and other entities involved in the protection of archaeological heritage, and even to private investors interested in development on land areas having archaeological heritage. The application brings together the organization, systematization, and digitization of all available information about archaeological sites at the national level. This information is otherwise difficult to access because it is structured differently in terms of quantity and quality of data, and stored using different media and formats in several types of non-interconnected institutions. The ArchTerr application significantly reduces the time required to inform, verify, and communicate a decision regarding the presence or absence of archaeological heritage on a particular site. The application ensures the dynamic and automatic real-time bidirectional conversion of geospatial information (Stereo70 and WGS84), and access to unitary and level-structured information, and provides interoperability with other information systems. High-resolution maps allow the non-professional user/investor to access detailed geospatial information about a delimited area, in a timely manner and without the need for field travel, which is a unique feature not found in other European record systems concerning archeological sites. The functionalities of the application developed within the research project, the technical decisions taken, and their implementation method are generally valid. They can be applied in any geographical region because the open source maps used by the technical team cover the world map and the coordinate system used for representation is international. The testing and validation of these functionalities were undertaken using real archaeological data from Romania (data already included in the national heritage representing archaeological sites).
Spinel Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Properties, Synthesis and Washing Methods
Authors: Girardet Thomas , Venturini Pierre , Martinez Hervé , Dupin Jean-Charles , Cleymand Franck , Fleutot Solenne
Published: August 2022

Nanoparticles have experienced increasing interest over the past three decades owing to the development of new synthesis methods and the adaptation of analysis tools with spatial resolutions below one micrometer. Among the different types of nanoparticles developed in recent years (metals, metal oxides, silica, polymers, etc.), significant scientific interest has developed around iron oxide nanoparticles. This review will focus on these magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. We will first discuss the magnetic properties of iron oxide nanoparticles, then the different methods of synthesis and washing. Finally, we will discuss some functionalization strategies of iron oxide nanoparticles which are developed within our research team.
Research on the Impact of COVID-19 on Micromobility Using Statistical Methods
Authors: Štefancová Vladimíra , Kalašová Alica , Čulík Kristián , Mazanec Jaroslav , Vojtek Martin , Mašek Jaroslav
Published: August 2022

The situation of the COVID-19 pandemic has had enormous social and economic impacts and has significantly affected the modal split. Many cities worldwide have adopted various blocking policies that affect how people travel. Micromobility systems, such as scooters and bicycle sharing, were among the transport systems affected by COVID-19. Electric scooters and shared bicycles provide comfortable and fast first-/last-mile connections for short-distance rides. The shared nature of these modes, together with the spread COVID-19, has contributed to the declining use of these services. The quantification of the impact of COVID-19 on shared services was demonstrated by this research through various mathematical methods. Satisfaction with the use of alternative modes of transport during the pandemic was determined based on the evaluation of a questionnaire survey. Independence tests of qualitative features and statistically significant associations that were demonstrated with a correspondence analysis were used for comparison. The main conclusion of the research was to point out the reasons for the preference for alternative modes of transport and to highlight the impacts on health and fears of contracting COVID-19 when using micromobility services.
Simultaneous Treatment of Swine and Furfural Wastewater Integrated with Lipid Production of Chlorella pyrenoidosa
Authors: Huang Jianke , Zhang Chao , Zhang Han , Yao Ting , Du Yi , Cheng Zheng , Zhang Ai-Hua , Zhang Daofeng , Zhang Zhen
Published: August 2022

Adding organic compounds to wastewater can improve the carbon/nitrogen ratio and benefit microalgae growth. We studied microalgal growth, nutrient removal and lipid accumulation of Chlorella pyrenoidosa cultured in a mixture of swine wastewater (SW) and furfural wastewater (FW). The mix ratio of SW:DFW (diluted furfural wastewater) had a significant effect on microalgae growth. As the mix ratio of SW:DFW decreased from 1:0.5 to 1:19, the maximum microalgal biomass increased, while the specific growth rate initially increased and then decreased. The efficiency of nutrient removal also depended on the mix ratio of wastewater. The highest chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency (57.30%) occurred at the mix ratio of SW:DFW = 1:3. The highest removal efficiencies of total phosphorous (TP) reached 61.93% when the mix ratio of SW:DFW was 1:9. Wastewater at the mix ratio of SW:DFW = 1:19 had a maximum lipid productivity of 49.48 mg L−1 d−1, which was 4.9 times higher than that at a mix ratio of SW:DFW = 1:0.5. These results showed that C. pyrenoidosa can be used to remove nutrients from mixed wastewater sources and simultaneously produce algal lipids.
Impact Load Sparse Recognition Method Based on Mc Penalty Function
Authors: Wang Hongjun , Zhang Xiang , Wang Zhengbo , Liu Shucong
Published: August 2022

The rotor system is an important part of large-scale rotating machinery. Bearings, as a key component of the rotor system, play a vital role in the healthy operation of the rotor system. The bearings operate under harsh conditions such as high temperature, high pressure, and high speed. They are complex and extremely prone to failure, especially when the bearing is affected by impact load, which seriously affects the remaining service life of the bearing. Uneven bearing friction, caused by the impact, is one of the main factors that cause premature failure of the bearing. The early identification of shock loads and reasonable measures are extremely important for the safe operation of equipment. This paper proposes an impact load identification method based on the sparse decomposition of the Mini-max concave penalty function (Mini-max concave penalty function, MC). The method uses the MC penalty function to reconstruct the regularized sparse recognition model, and then uses the improved original dual interior point method to solve the problem. This model realizes the identification of vibration and shock loads. Relevant experimental verification was carried out, and the results show that the sparse decomposition result based on the MC penalty function is better than the L1-regularized sparse decomposition result, and the noise is well suppressed in the non-loaded area of the impact load. This method can be applied to the early fault diagnosis of the vibration signal of the gas turbine rotor.
Decoupling Emission Reductions and Trade-Offs of Policies in Norway Based on a Bottom-Up Traffic Emission Model
Authors: Grythe Henrik , Lopez-Aparicio Susana , Høyem Harald , Weydahl Torleif
Published: August 2022

The way Norway is spearheading electrification in the transport sector is of global interest. In this study, we used the Norwegian Emissions from Road Vehicle Exhaust (NERVE) model, a bottom-up high-resolution traffic emission model, to calculate all emissions in Norway (2009–2020) and evaluate potential co-benefit and trade-offs of policies to target climate change mitigation, air quality and socioeconomic factors. Results for municipal data with regard to traffic growth, road network influences, vehicle composition, emissions and energy consumption are presented. Light vehicle CO2 emissions per kilometer have been reduced by 22% since 2009, mainly driven by an increasing bio-fuel mixing and battery electric vehicles (BEV) share. BEVs are mostly located in and around the main cities, areas with young vehicle fleets, and strong local incentives. Beneficiaries of BEVs incentives have been a subset of the population with strong economic indicators. The incentivized growth in the share of diesel-fuelled passenger vehicles has been turned, and together with Euro6 emission standards, light vehicle NOx emissions have been halved since peaking in 2014. BEVs represent an investment in emission reductions in years to come, and current sales set Norway up for an accelerated decline in all exhaust emissions despite the continual growth in traffic.
WHCNS-Veg Modelling of N2O, NH3 and NO3− Dynamics in a Vegetable Production System under Different Fertilization and Irrigation Regimes
Authors: Li Guihua , Xie Haikuan , Zhang Jianfeng , Li Hu
Published: August 2022

Greenhouse vegetable production in China not only increases farmers’ income, but also increases the risk of nitrogen losses due to excessive water and fertilizer input. Nitrogen losses, including the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O), are driven by water content, soil temperature and pH; regulated by available organic carbon and inorganic nitrogen (N); and affected by management. Therefore, a process-based model was applied to explain the complex interaction of the factors affecting N losses in the form of N2O, NH3 and NO3− from a greenhouse vegetable production system in a northeast suburb of Beijing, China. We designed four treatments: two equal N input treatments with one flooding (FP) and the other drip irrigation (FPD) and two equal water input treatments (drip irrigation) with one 100% chemical N input (FPD) and the other 50% N input (OPTD). The last one was CK treatment (flooding without chemical N). We calibrated the WHCNS-veg model using year-round measurements of soil temperature, N2O emission, NH3volatilization, NO3− distribution and yields for greenhouse cucumber–tomato cultivation under farmers’ practice (flooding + 100% chemical N, FP). Then, we validated the model using the data sets under drip irrigation (70% of flooding amount + 100% chemical N, FPD), reduced chemical N by 50% (drip + 50% chemical N, OPTD) and CK treatment. The WHCNS-veg model was able to capture the above processes under different treatments. Annual N2O emissions were 5.47 and 3.76kg N ha−1 for the cucumber and tomato seasons under FP, respectively. Compared to FP, drip irrigation (FPD) decreased N2O emissions by 19.0% and 45.5% in the two seasons, respectively. Compared to FPD, applying a lower rate of N (OPTD) further reduced N2O emissions by 13.7% and 40.5%, respectively. According to the model simulation, N2O emission was mainly controlled by nitrification/denitrification in the cucumber/tomato seasons, respectively. Compared to FP, drip irrigation (FPD) increased NH3 volatilization by 54.2% in the cucumber season, while in the tomato season, there were no significant differences inNH3 volatilization under the three fertilizer treatments. The nitrate leaching levels were 48.5 and 81.0 kg N ha−1 for the two seasons under FP treatment. Drip irrigation (FPD) decreased NO3− leaching by 20.6% in the cucumber season. Drip irrigation (FPD) and/or reducing chemical N (OPTD) did not compromise vegetable yields. In all, WHCNS-veg performed well in simulating N2O, NH3 and NO3− dynamics from the greenhouse vegetable field, which means that the model can be used to manage water and nitrogen precisely in greenhouse vegetable production systems by scenario analysis, and drip irrigation and/or lower N input can be applied in this area to secure yield and reduce N losses.
Biological Extraction, HPLC Quantification and Medical Applications of Astaxanthin Extracted from Crawfish “Procambarus clarkii” Exoskeleton By-Product
Authors: Hamdi Salwa , Elsayed Nour , Algayar Mohamed , Ishak Verina , Ahmed Mariam , Ahmed Sara , Kamal Mohamed , Abd El-Ghany Mohamed
Published: August 2022

The main challenge of astaxanthin extraction is to provide an eco-friendly method of extraction instead of chemical methods that harm human health. This study provided an eco-friendly method for astaxanthin extraction using two bacterial and fungal probiotics (Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus lactis, Candida utilis, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, respectively) and determined the astaxanthin concentration by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. The results showed that the highest concentration was obtained by S. cerevisiae (45.69 µg/g). Several biological tests were done on the exoskeleton containing astaxanthin of crawfish. Antifungal activity was effective against C. utilis (inhibition zone is 12.3 ± 0.5 mm). The scavenging percentage of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH scavenging percentage) was 72.1% at 1000 µg/mL concentration of exoskeleton containing astaxanthin. The Hemolysis inhibition percentage was 65% at the same concentration used previously. Furthermore, the IC50 value of human liver cancer cell line (HepG2), human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCT), and breast cancer cell line MCF-7 were 24 µg/mL, 11 µg/mL, and 9.5 µg/mL, respectively. The least cell viability percentage was 19% (using breast cancer cell line (MCF-7)) at 100 µg/mL of exoskeleton containing astaxanthin. Thus, using microorganisms can be an alternative and promising way of astaxanthin extraction. Furthermore, purification of extracted astaxanthin is essential for medical applications.
Long-Term Exposure to Ozone Increases Neurological Disability after Stroke: Findings from a Nationwide Longitudinal Study in China
Authors: Li Jiajianghui , Lu Hong , Cao Man , Tong Mingkun , Wang Ruohan , Yang Xinyue , Liu Hengyi , Xiao Qingyang , Chao Baohua , Liu Yuanli , Xue Tao , Guan Tianjia
Published: August 2022

Exposure to ozone (O3) is associated with stroke incidence and mortality. However, whether long-term exposure to O3 is associated with post-stroke neurological disability remains unknown. This study investigated the relationship based on the longitudinal analysis of China National Stroke Screening Survey (CNSSS), which included 65,778 records of stroke patients. All of the analyzed patients were followed-up at least twice. Stroke disability was assessed using the modified Rankin scale (mRS). Long-term exposure was assessed by the peak-season or annual mean of maximum 8-h O3 concentrations for 365 days before the mRS measurement. We used fixed-effect models to evaluate the associations between O3 and mRS score, with adjustment for multiple confounders, and found a 10 µg/m3 increase in peak-season O3 concentration was associated with a 0.0186 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.0115–0.0256) increment in the mRS score. The association was robust in various subpopulations. For secondary outcomes, for each 10 µg/m3 increment in peak-season O3, the odds ratio of an increased mRS score (vs. unchanged or decreased mRS score) increased by 23% (95% CI 9–37%). A nonlinear analysis showed a sublinear association between O3 exposure and risk for post-stroke disability. A saturation effect was observed at an O3 concentration of more than ~120 μg/m3. Our study adds to evidence that long-term exposure to O3 increases the risk of neurological disability after stroke.
Structure–Activity Relationship of the Dimeric and Oligomeric Forms of a Cytotoxic Biotherapeutic Based on Diphtheria Toxin
Authors: Mielecki Marcin , Ziemniak Marcin , Ozga Magdalena , Borowski Radosław , Antosik Jarosław , Kaczyńska Angelika , Pająk Beata
Published: August 2022

Protein aggregation is a well-recognized problem in industrial preparation, including biotherapeutics. These low-energy states constantly compete with a native-like conformation, which is more pronounced in the case of macromolecules of low stability in the solution. A better understanding of the structure and function of such aggregates is generally required for the more rational development of therapeutic proteins, including single-chain fusion cytotoxins to target specific receptors on cancer cells. Here, we identified and purified such particles as side products of the renaturation process of the single-chain fusion cytotoxin, composed of two diphtheria toxin (DT) domains and interleukin 13 (IL-13), and applied various experimental techniques to comprehensively understand their molecular architecture and function. Importantly, we distinguished soluble purified dimeric and fractionated oligomeric particles from aggregates. The oligomers are polydisperse and multimodal, with a distribution favoring lower and even stoichiometries, suggesting they are composed of dimeric building units. Importantly, all these oligomeric particles and the monomer are cystine-dependent as their innate disulfide bonds have structural and functional roles. Their reduction triggers aggregation. Presumably the dimer and lower oligomers represent the metastable state, retaining the native disulfide bond. Although significantly reduced in contrast to the monomer, they preserve some fraction of bioactivity, manifested by their IL-13RA2 receptor affinity and selective cytotoxic potency towards the U-251 glioblastoma cell line. These molecular assemblies probably preserve structural integrity and native-like fold, at least to some extent. As our study demonstrated, the dimeric and oligomeric cytotoxin may be an exciting model protein, introducing a new understanding of its monomeric counterpart’s molecular characteristics.
DNA Hypomethylation as a Potential Link between Excessive Alcohol Intake and Cardiometabolic Dysfunction in Morbidly Obese Adults
Authors: Mirza Imaduddin , Naquiallah Dina , Mohamed Ariej , Abdulbaseer Uzma , Hassan Chandra , Masrur Mario , Ali Mohamed M. , Phillips Shane A. , Mahmoud Abeer M.
Published: August 2022

A large percentage of obese patients in the United States suffer a comorbid substance use disorder, mainly alcohol use. Alcohol consumption interferes with the absorption of dietary methyl donors such as folate required for the one-carbon metabolism pathway and subsequently for DNA methylation. In this study, we assessed the association between alcohol consumption and DNA methylation in obese subjects. We obtained visceral adipose tissue (VAT) biopsies from bariatric patients. DNA methylation of 94 genes implicated in inflammation and immunity were analyzed in VAT in relation to alcohol consumption data obtained via questionnaires. Vasoreactivity was measured in the brachial artery and the VAT-isolated arterioles. Pro-inflammatory genes were significantly hypomethylated in the heavy drinking category correlating with higher levels of circulating inflammatory cytokines. Alcohol consumption correlated positively with body mass index (BMI), fat percentage, insulin resistance, impaired lipid profile, and systemic inflammation and negatively with plasma folate and vitamin B12, inflammatory gene DNA methylation, and vasoreactivity. In conclusion, these data suggest that alcohol intake is associated with lower DNA methylation and higher inflammation and cardiometabolic risk in obese individuals.
Metabolic Syndrome and Overactive Bladder Syndrome May Share Common Pathophysiologies
Authors: Hsu Lin-Nei , Hu Ju-Chuan , Chen Po-Yen , Lee Wei-Chia , Chuang Yao-Chi
Published: August 2022

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined by a group of cardiovascular risk factors, including impaired glucose tolerance, central obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome consists of symptoms such as urinary urgency, frequency, and nocturia with or without urge incontinence. The high prevalences of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and overactive bladder (OAB) worldwide affect quality of life and cause profound negative impacts on the social economy. Accumulated evidence suggests that MetS might contribute to the underlying mechanisms for developing OAB, and MetS-associated OAB could be a subtype of OAB. However, how could these two syndromes interact with each other? Based on results of animal studies and observations in epidemiological studies, we summarized the common pathophysiologies existing between MetS and OAB, including autonomic and peripheral neuropathies, chronic ischemia, proinflammatory status, dysregulation of nutrient-sensing pathways (e.g., insulin resistance at the bladder mucosa and excessive succinate intake), and the probable role of dysbiosis. Since the MetS-associated OAB is a subtype of OAB with distinctive pathophysiologies, the regular and non-specific medications, such as antimuscarinics, beta-3 agonist, and botulinum toxin injection, might lead to unsatisfying results. Understanding the pathophysiologies of MetS-associated OAB might benefit future studies exploring novel biomarkers for diagnosis and therapeutic targets on both MetS and OAB.
CAR T-Based Therapies in Lymphoma: A Review of Current Practice and Perspectives
Authors: Sheikh Semira , Migliorini Denis , Lang Noémie
Published: August 2022

While more than half of non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) can be cured with modern frontline chemoimmunotherapy regimens, outcomes of relapsed and/or refractory (r/r) disease in subsequent lines remain poor, particularly if considered ineligible for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Hence, r/r NHLs represent a population with a high unmet medical need. This therapeutic gap has been partially filled by adoptive immunotherapy. CD19-directed autologous chimeric antigen receptor (auto-CAR) T cells have been transformative in the treatment of patients with r/r B cell malignancies. Remarkable response rates and prolonged remissions have been achieved in this setting, leading to regulatory approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of four CAR T cell products between 2017 and 2021. This unprecedented success has created considerable enthusiasm worldwide, and autologous CAR T cells are now being moved into earlier lines of therapy in large B cell lymphoma. Herein, we summarize the current practice and the latest progress of CD19 auto-CAR T cell therapy and the management of specific toxicities and discuss the place of allogeneic CAR T development in this setting.
Effective Perturbations by Phenobarbital on INa, IK(erg), IK(M) and IK(DR) during Pulse Train Stimulation in Neuroblastoma Neuro-2a Cells
Authors: Wu Po-Ming , Lai Pei-Chun , Cho Hsin-Yen , Chuang Tzu-Hsien , Wu Sheng-Nan , Tu Yi-Fang
Published: August 2022

Phenobarbital (PHB, Luminal Sodium®) is a medication of the barbiturate and has long been recognized to be an anticonvulsant and a hypnotic because it can facilitate synaptic inhibition in the central nervous system through acting on the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A (GABAA) receptors. However, to what extent PHB could directly perturb the magnitude and gating of different plasmalemmal ionic currents is not thoroughly explored. In neuroblastoma Neuro-2a cells, we found that PHB effectively suppressed the magnitude of voltage-gated Na+ current (INa) in a concentration-dependent fashion, with an effective IC50 value of 83 µM. The cumulative inhibition of INa, evoked by pulse train stimulation, was enhanced by PHB. However, tefluthrin, an activator of INa, could attenuate PHB-induced reduction in the decaying time constant of INa inhibition evoked by pulse train stimuli. In addition, the erg (ether-à-go-go-related gene)-mediated K+ current (IK(erg)) was also blocked by PHB. The PHB-mediated inhibition on IK(erg) could not be overcome by flumazenil (GABA antagonist) or chlorotoxin (chloride channel blocker). The PHB reduced the recovery of IK(erg) by a two-step voltage protocol with a geometrics-based progression, but it increased the decaying rate of IK(erg), evoked by the envelope-of-tail method. About the M-type K+ currents (IK(M)), PHB caused a reduction of its amplitude, which could not be counteracted by flumazenil or chlorotoxin, and PHB could enhance its cumulative inhibition during pulse train stimulation. Moreover, the magnitude of delayed-rectifier K+ current (IK(DR)) was inhibited by PHB, while the cumulative inhibition of IK(DR) during 10 s of repetitive stimulation was enhanced. Multiple ionic currents during pulse train stimulation were subject to PHB, and neither GABA antagonist nor chloride channel blocker could counteract these PHB-induced reductions. It suggests that these actions might conceivably participate in different functional activities of excitable cells and be independent of GABAA receptors.
Sandwich Hybridization Assay for In Situ Real-Time Cyanobacterial Detection and Monitoring: A Review
Authors: Gong Ping , Antrim Anna K. , Bickman Sarah R. , Cooley Emily G. , Chung Seung Ho
Published: August 2022

As cyanobacterial harmful algal bloom (cHAB) events increase in scale, severity, frequency, and duration around the world, rapid and accurate monitoring and characterization tools have become critically essential for regulatory and management decision-making. The composition of cHAB-forming cyanobacteria community can change significantly over time and space and be altered by sample preservation and transportation, making in situ monitoring necessary to obtain real-time and localized information. Sandwich hybridization assay (SHA) utilizes capture oligonucleotide probes for sensitive detection of target-specific nucleic acid sequences. As an amplification-free molecular biology technology, SHA can be adapted for in-situ, real-time or near real-time detection and qualitatively or semi-quantitatively monitoring of cHAB-forming cyanobacteria, owing to its characteristics such as being rapid, portable, inexpensive, and amenable to automation, high sensitivity, specificity and robustness, and multiplexing (i.e., detecting multiple targets simultaneously). Despite its successful application in the monitoring of marine and freshwater phytoplankton, there is still room for improvement. The ability to identify a cHAB community rapidly would decrease delays in cyanotoxin analyses, reduce costs, and increase sample throughput, allowing for timely actions to improve environmental and human health and the understanding of short- and long-term bloom dynamics. Real-time detection and quantitation of HAB-forming cyanobacteria is essential for improving environmental and public health and reducing associated costs. We review and propose to apply SHA for in situ cHABs monitoring.
A Novel Deep Learning Radiomics Model to Discriminate AD, MCI and NC: An Exploratory Study Based on Tau PET Scans from ADNI
Authors: Zhao Yan , Zhang Jieming , Chen Yue , Jiang Jiehui
Published: August 2022

Objective: We explored a novel model based on deep learning radiomics (DLR) to differentiate Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients and normal control (NC) subjects. This model was validated in an exploratory study using tau positron emission tomography (tau-PET) scans. Methods: In this study, we selected tau-PET scans from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database (ADNI), which included a total of 211 NC, 197 MCI, and 117 AD subjects. The dataset was divided into one training/validation group and one separate external group for testing. The proposed DLR model contained the following three steps: (1) pre-training of candidate deep learning models; (2) extraction and selection of DLR features; (3) classification based on support vector machine (SVM). In the comparative experiments, we compared the DLR model with three traditional models, including the SUVR model, traditional radiomics model, and a clinical model. Ten-fold cross-validation was carried out 200 times in the experiments. Results: Compared with other models, the DLR model achieved the best classification performance, with an accuracy of 90.76% ± 2.15% in NC vs. MCI, 88.43% ± 2.32% in MCI vs. AD, and 99.92% ± 0.51% in NC vs. AD. Conclusions: Our proposed DLR model had the potential clinical value to discriminate AD, MCI and NC.
Electroencephalogram Features of Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorders in Elderly Patients: A Narrative Review of the Clinical Literature
Authors: Tang Xuemiao , Zhang Xinxin , Dong Hailong , Zhao Guangchao
Published: August 2022

Postoperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) is a common postoperative complication, particularly in older patients. Electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring, a non-invasive technique with a high spatial–temporal resolution, can accurately characterize the dynamic changes in brain function during the perioperative period. Current clinical studies have confirmed that the power density of alpha oscillation during general anesthesia decreased with age, which was considered to be associated with increased susceptibility to PND in the elderly. However, evidence on whether general anesthesia under EEG guidance results in a lower morbidity of PND is still contradictory. This is one of the reasons that common indicators of the depth of anesthesia were limitedly derived from EEG signals in the frontal lobe. The variation of multi-channel EEG features during the perioperative period has the potential to highlight the occult structural and functional abnormalities of the subcortical–cortical neurocircuit. Therefore, we present a review of the application of multi-channel EEG monitoring to predict the incidence of PND in older patients. The data confirmed that the abnormal variation in EEG power and functional connectivity between distant brain regions was closely related to the incidence and long-term poor outcomes of PND in older adults.
Adaptation of an Emotional Stroop Test for Screening of Suicidal Ideation in Portugal
Authors: Esgalhado Graça , Pereira Henrique , Silva Patricia
Published: August 2022

Cognitive instruments, especially those with emotional components, may be useful to address the limitations of self-report scales commonly used to assess suicidal ideation. The aim of this study was to develop an emotional Stroop test for screening suicidal ideation in Portugal. The project was developed in five phases using different samples for each phase. The first two phases were focused on the formulation of the potential words that would compose the slides. For this purpose, five biology teachers (neutral slide) and five mental health professionals (positive and negative slides) were invited to help choose the words that were most representative for each slide. The third phase validated the words defined in the previous phase. In this phase, 300 university students participated (Mage = 21.66; SD = 3.67; 68% female). They rated the words on a Likert scale in terms of their frequency of use, familiarity, level of understanding, and degree of image evocation. In the fourth phase, the researchers developed the complete version of the test, which consists of three slides with neutral, positive, and negative emotional stimuli, consecutively. Finally, in the fifth phase, we validated the final version of the test through a comparative study between a clinical group and a non-clinical group, each one composed by 50 participants (Mage = 32; SD = 9.70; 55% female). Results indicated that the clinical group demonstrated significantly higher scores for depression and suicidal ideation and lower scores for the three Stroop tasks. Words related to negative emotions were strongly correlated with suicidal ideation. Finally, the three Stroop slides explained 74.1% of the variance in suicidal ideation. These findings suggest that this test can be a viable complementary measure in the psychological assessment of suicide ideation, and intervention in the field of suicide prevention in Portugal.
Sound and Silence: The Effects of Environmental Conditions on State Boredom in an Online Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Anderson Alana J. , McMeen Claire E. , Perone Sammy , Weybright Elizabeth H.
Published: August 2022

Boredom is a negative emotion commonly experienced in mundane situations. Boredom is thought to arise from a mismatch between individuals and their expectation for environmental stimulation. People attempt to reduce boredom by increasing the stimulation in their environment (e.g., turning on TV or music). Theories of boredom suggest external stimulation may cue the individual to expect more stimulation than the mundane task offers—thereby increasing boredom. Researchers adapted lab-based tasks to online during the COVID-19 pandemic, which allowed participants to set the study’s environmental conditions. Our method involved data collected online during the COVID-19 pandemic. We tested whether 137 college-age participants who reported being alone in a noisy room experienced more boredom after a mundane task than those who were alone in a quiet room. Results showed individuals in a noisier environment reported more boredom following a repetitive task than those in a quieter environment. Some people, high in trait boredom, experience boredom more frequently or cannot tolerate it. Our results revealed that the effects of environmental condition remained after controlling for the influence of trait boredom. In the discussion, we describe links to extant boredom research and implications for researchers collecting data online and individuals attempting to mitigate boredom.