bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D3 and COVID-19 Outcomes: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
Authors: Petrelli Fausto , Oldani Simone , Borgonovo Karen , Cabiddu Mary , Dognini Giuseppina , Ghilardi Mara , Parati Maria Chiara , Petro’ Daniela , Dottorini Lorenzo , Rea Carmen , Lonati Veronica , Luciani Andrea , Ghidini Antonio
Published: January 2023

Background: The immune system (innate and adaptive) is influenced by vitamin D3, which affects gene expression and inflammatory pathways. An umbrella review was conducted to evaluate the power and accuracy of data connecting vitamin D3 to the outcomes of COVID-19 infection and to appraise the proof provided by published meta-analyses. Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched from database inception to 31 May 2022. Meta-analyses of prospective or retrospective observational studies and randomized trials were included. Evidence of association was graded according to the established criteria: strong, highly suggestive, suggestive, weak, or not significant. Results: From 74 publications, 27 meta-analyses described five associations between vitamin D3 levels and supplementation and COVID-19 outcomes. Low levels of vitamin D3 were significantly associated with severity (highly suggestive evidence; OR = 1.97 [95% CI, 1.55–2.51], p < 0.01; I2 = 77%, p < 0.01) and mortality risk due to COVID-19 disease (OR = 1.83 [95% CI, 1.55–2.16], p < 0.01; I2 = 50%, p < 0.01). Vitamin D3 supplementation, after a diagnosis of COVID-19 infection, was associated with significantly reduced infection severity (e.g., ICU admission) and mortality. Conclusions: This umbrella review of the available evidence suggests that insufficient vitamin D3 may increase COVID-19 infection risk, severity, and mortality, in addition to showing a highly suggestive association between vitamin D3 supplementation and reduced severity and mortality among infected patients.
Oxidative Stress Modulation by ncRNAs and Their Emerging Role as Therapeutic Targets in Atherosclerosis and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Infante-Menéndez Jorge , González-López Paula , Huertas-Lárez Raquel , Gómez-Hernández Almudena , Escribano Óscar
Published: January 2023

Atherosclerosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are pathologies related to ectopic fat accumulation, both of which are continuously increasing in prevalence. These threats are prompting researchers to develop effective therapies for their clinical management. One of the common pathophysiological alterations that underlies both diseases is oxidative stress (OxS), which appears as a result of lipid deposition in affected tissues. However, the molecular mechanisms that lead to OxS generation are different in each disease. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are RNA transcripts that do not encode proteins and function by regulating gene expression. In recent years, the involvement of ncRNAs in OxS modulation has become more recognized. This review summarizes the most recent advances regarding ncRNA-mediated regulation of OxS in atherosclerosis and NAFLD. In both diseases, ncRNAs can exert pro-oxidant or antioxidant functions by regulating gene targets and even other ncRNAs, positioning them as potential therapeutic targets. Interestingly, both diseases have common altered ncRNAs, suggesting that the same molecule can be targeted simultaneously when both diseases coexist. Finally, since some ncRNAs have already been used as therapeutic agents, their roles as potential drugs for the clinical management of atherosclerosis and NAFLD are analyzed.
Comparative Study on the Oxidative Stability of Encapsulated Fish Oil by Monoaxial or Coaxial Electrospraying and Spray-Drying
Authors: Rahmani-Manglano Nor E. , Guadix Emilia M. , Jacobsen Charlotte , García-Moreno Pedro J.
Published: January 2023

The impact of the encapsulation technology on the oxidative stability of fish-oil-loaded capsules was investigated. The capsules (ca. 13 wt% oil load) were produced via monoaxial or coaxial electrospraying and spray-drying using low molecular weight carbohydrates as encapsulating agents (e.g., glucose syrup or maltodextrin). The use of spray-drying technology resulted in larger capsules with higher encapsulation efficiency (EE > 84%), whilst the use of electrospraying produced encapsulates in the sub-micron scale with poorer retention properties (EE < 72%). The coaxially electrosprayed capsules had the lowest EE values (EE = 53–59%), resulting in the lowest oxidative stability, although the lipid oxidation was significantly reduced by increasing the content of pullulan in the shell solution. The emulsion-based encapsulates (spray-dried and monoaxially electrosprayed capsules) presented high oxidative stability during storage, as confirmed by the low concentration of selected volatiles (e.g., (E,E)-2,4-heptadienal). Nonetheless, the monoaxially electrosprayed capsules were the most oxidized after production due to the emulsification process and the longer processing time.
Optimization of an Innovative Hydrothermal Processing on Prebiotic Properties of Eucheuma denticulatum, a Tropical Red Seaweed
Authors: Padam Birdie Scott , Siew Chee Kiong , Chye Fook Yee
Published: January 2023

Seaweed is a sustainable source of marine oligosaccharides that potentially could be used as a prebiotic ingredient for functional food development. The study aims to optimize the oligosaccharide preparation through thermal hydrolysis of an under-utilized red seaweed, Eucheuma denticulatum. Response surface methodology (RSM) applying Box–Behnken design (BBD) was used on three parameters including temperature (105–135 °C), hydrolysis time (15–35 min) and sulfuric acid concentration (0.05–0.2 M). Optimized fractions with good prebiotic activity were characterized using high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HP-SEC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Eucheuma denticulatum oligosaccharides fraction 1 (ED-F1) was shown to promote the growth of beneficial gut microbiota including Lactobacillus plantarum, L. casei, L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium animalis and B. longum with the highest prebiotic activity score of 1.64 ± 0.17. The optimization studies showed that hydrolysis time was the most significant parameter for the oligosaccharides yield. Optimal hydrolysis conditions for ED-F1 were 120 °C, 21 min, 0.12 M H2SO4 with the highest yield achieved (11.15 g/100 g of dry weight). The molecular weight of ED-F1 was determined at 1025 Da while FT-IR analysis revealed the presence of sulfated oligosaccharides with similar characteristics of i-carrageenan. These findings signify the innovative method for the efficient production of seaweed derived prebiotic oligosaccharides, which could be a promising source of functional food ingredients for the development of health foods and beverages.
Effect of White Light-Emitting Diode Illuminants Recommended by the CIE on Colors of Dental Ceramic Materials
Authors: Ruiz-López Javier , Melgosa Manuel , Ghinea Razvan , Tejada-Casado Maria , Pop-Ciutrila Ioana-Sofia , Pérez María M.
Published: January 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate color inconstancy of dental ceramics under the white light-emitting diode illuminants recently proposed by the CIE. From spectral reflectance factors of 18 dental ceramics (VST, NSP, and IEC; shades A1, A2, A3, A3.5, B2, and C2), the corresponding colors under illuminant D65 and CIE 1931 Standard Colorimetric Observer were computed for all samples, using the chromatic adaptation transform CIECAT16. CIEDE2000 color differences between dental ceramics illuminated by CIE D65 standard illuminant and different white LED illuminants were calculated. Perceptibility and acceptability thresholds (PT00 and AP00) in dental ceramics were used to analyze color changes. Color gamut size was within the same range for all illuminants and for all ceramics, since MCDM computed values were 4.1–4.4 for VST, 4.0–4.2 for NSP, and 4.3–4.6 for IEC. For all ceramics and shades, the color inconstancies were higher than 50:50% PT00 and, in general, lower than 50:50% AT00. The effect of CIE-proposed LED illuminants on dental ceramic is perceptible and slightly lower than on natural teeth. Dental clinicians should consider these lighting effects on the visual appearance of dental ceramics.
Characterization of Pupillary Light Response Features for the Classification of Patients with Optic Neuritis
Authors: Polizzi Stefano , Curti Nico , Dall’Olio Lorenzo , Cercenelli Laura , Fontana Luigi , Valsecchi Nicola , Marcelli Emanuela , Castellani Gastone , Versura Piera
Published: January 2023

Pupillometry is a promising technique for the potential diagnosis of several neurological pathologies. However, its potential is not fully explored yet, especially for prediction purposes and results interpretation. In this work, we analyzed 100 pupillometric curves obtained by 12 subjects, applying both advanced signal processing techniques and physics methods to extract typically collected features and newly proposed ones. We used machine learning techniques for the classification of Optic Neuritis (ON) vs. Healthy subjects, controlling for overfitting and ranking the features by random permutation, following their importance in prediction. All the extracted features, except one, turned out to have significant importance for prediction, with an average accuracy of 76%, showing the complexity of the processes involved in the pupillary light response. Furthermore, we provided a possible neurological interpretation of this new set of pupillometry features in relation to ON vs. Healthy classification.
An Update of Carbazole Treatment Strategies for COVID-19 Infection
Authors: Bonomo Maria Grazia , Caruso Anna , El-Kashef Hussein , Salzano Giovanni , Sinicropi Maria Stefania , Saturnino Carmela
Published: January 2023

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020 to be a pandemic and many drugs used at the beginning proved useless in fighting the infection. Lately, there has been approval of some new generation drugs for the clinical treatment of severe or critical COVID-19 infections. Nevertheless, more drugs are required to reduce the pandemic’s impact. Several treatment approaches for COVID-19 were employed since the beginning of the pandemic, such as immunomodulatory, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial agents, and again corticosteroids, angiotensin II receptor blockers, and bradykinin B2 receptor antagonists, but many of them were proven ineffective in targeting the virus. So, the identification of drugs to be used effectively for treatment of COVID-19 is strongly needed. It is aimed in this review to collect the information so far known about the COVID-19 studies and treatments. Moreover, the observations reported in this review about carbazoles as a treatment can signify a potentially useful clinical application; various drugs that can be introduced into the therapeutic equipment to fight COVID-19 or their molecules can be used as the basis for designing new antivirals.
Could Hydraulic Fracturing Take Place for Asphalt Core in Embankment Dams through Possible Cracks in the Core?
Authors: Zhu Yue , Zhang Yingbo , Wang Weibiao , Feng Shan
Published: January 2023

Hydraulic asphalt concrete is virtually impervious. Hydraulic fracturing due to the generation of pore water pressure can be generally excluded for asphalt facings and asphalt cores in embankment dams. However, when some cracks and/or large voids exist in the asphalt core in dams, hydraulic fracturing could take place during reservoir impounding. Cracks and/or large voids may be caused by either earthquake shaking, large differential settlements during construction and operation, or poor construction quality. Therefore, asphalt specimens with either cracks of different depths or large air porosity were prepared, and a model test apparatus was developed to investigate the possibility of hydraulic fracturing. Model tests were conducted on cylindrical asphalt concrete specimens of 100 mm in diameter and 180 mm in height. The top boundary of the specimens was either prevented (restrained) from moving in the vertical direction or free to move (unrestrained). The model test results for asphalt concrete with cracks under unrestraint conditions were numerically back-analysed. The model test results indicated that the cracks in the asphalt concrete under the restraint conditions could experience an “open–close” progress with increasing water pressure. That suggested that if the asphalt concrete were long, low water pressure would trigger a fracturing through the cracks. Under the unrestraint conditions, low water pressure could cause the asphalt specimens with either cracks or large air porosity to fail. The extensional strains at failure were reduced, and the reductions depended on the magnitude of the crack depth or air porosity. Suggestions are given for designing the asphalt core dams to reduce the possibility of the occurrence of cracks and/or dilations in the core, especially for dams in unfavourable geological and topographical conditions. A specialty contractor is preferable to do the asphalt core job to rule out the possibility of a weak bond between the layers and an air porosity larger than 3.0% in the core.
Diversity of Bacterial Communities Associated with Solitary Bee Osmia excavata Alfken (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)
Authors: Liu Wenping , Li Yue , Lu Huanhuan , Hao Youjin , Zhang Ke , Dang Xiaoqun , Fan Xiaodong , Zhang Huan , Zhou Zeyang , Zhu Chaodong , Luo Arong , Huang Dunyuan
Published: January 2023

Insect-associated microorganisms play important roles in the health and development of insects. This study aimed to investigate the similarities and differences in bacterial community structure and composition between the larval gut of Osmia excavata, nest soil, and brood provision from the nest tube. We sequenced larvae gut and their environments’ microorganisms of O. excavata from four locations based on full-length 16S rRNA gene amplicons. The results showed 156, 280, and 366 bacterial OTUs from gut, brood provision, and nest soil, respectively, and three groups shared 131 bacterial OTUs. In the gut, the top two dominant bacteria were Sodalis praecaptivus (68.99%), Lactobacillus micheneri (17.95%). In the brood provision, the top two dominant bacteria were S. praecaptivus (26.66%), Acinetobacter nectaris (13.05%), and in the nest soil, the two most abundant bacteria were Gaiella occulta (4.33%), Vicinamibacter silvestris (3.88%). There were significant differences in diversity between the brood provision groups and the nest soil groups, respectively. Three of the four locations did not differ for gut microbial diversity. Bacteria similar to other solitary bees also existed in the gut of the larvae. Results indicated when the habitat environments were similar, the bacterial community diversity of the gut of O. excavata was similar, despite significant differences among brood provisions and soils, respectively.
Using Friction-Yielding Damper CAR1 to Seismic Retrofit a Two-Story RC Building: Numerical Application
Authors: Titirla Magdalini D.
Published: January 2023

In the present work attention is focused on the friction-yielding damper CAR1 (first prototype of Control-Absorb-Retain damper), which belongs to passive energy dissipation systems. This damper consists of very simple materials; it does not need to be accomplished in heavy industry so enables its use in both developing and undeveloped countries. This paper presents and compares two alternative solutions with the use of the CAR1 to seismic retrofit an existing two-story reinforced-concrete (RC) structure with a moment-resisting frame located in Greece and constructed in 1979 and no longer meets the requirements of current anti-seismic regulations. A nonlinear static pushover analysis is performed to assess the performance of the framed building under different levels of shaking (“Life Safety” and “Collapse”). The pushover analysis is carried out in both the x and y directions. The use of damper CAR1 in seismic retrofitting not only provides a base shear load of up to 149.2% and 135.6% for the first and second redesign solutions but also protects steel diagonal braces from buckling. The appropriate characteristics of the dampers CAR1 has been selected from a wide variety of choices and the strengthening level can be easily adjusted or modified during the years based to the appropriate selection or modification of the number, the dimensions, and the elastoplastic properties of the blades.
Simulation Study on Thermal Wake Characteristics of Underwater Vehicle under Rotary Motion
Authors: Li Geyang , Du Yongcheng , Yang Li
Published: January 2023

The high temperature cooling water generated by the power system of underwater vehicle is discharged through the discharge port and mixed with seawater to form a thermal wake, whose thermal characteristics can be easily detected by infrared submersible technology. In order to explore the characteristics of the thermal wake of the underwater vehicle when it rotates in fresh water, this paper uses the finite volume method to establish a three-dimensional scaled SUBOFF mathematical model, and then combines the overlapping grid technology to numerically simulate the rotation of the underwater vehicle in the background waters. The thermal wake experimental platform is established to verify the reliability of the numerical simulation method by comparing the direct flight experiment with the simulation results. The near-field cooling water trajectory and far-field wake spatial evolution behind the rotary body are analyzed, and the abnormal characteristics of water surface temperature are obtained. The results show that the thermal wakes on the turning side and the deviation side are greatly affected by the vortex caused by the body, and have great differences in morphology, motion trajectory and temperature characteristics. When the thermal wakes on both sides rise to the water surface, an arc-shaped water surface temperature anomaly area composed of two high-temperature hot spots is formed.
A New Algorithm for Real-Time Scheduling and Resource Mapping for Robot Operating Systems (ROS)
Authors: Chaaban Alain Khaled
Published: January 2023

A new version of a robot operating system (ROS-2) has been developed to address the real-time and fault constraints of distributed robotics applications. However, current implementations lack strong real-time scheduling and the optimization of response time for various tasks and applications. This may lead to inconsistent system behavior and may affect system performance. This article presents a new and efficient heuristic scheduling algorithm for the ROS-2 framework to improve resource mapping and system scheduling for robotics applications. The proposed scheduling design includes grouping callbacks into executors, assigning executor priority, and sequencing callbacks inside executors. The timing constraints and functional properties are expressed in the formal design model, and real-time scheduling is performed with respect to the timing constraints. The benefits of the proposed solution are demonstrated by a set of experimental results. Using this algorithm, it is shown that the number of executors needed to schedule a set of callbacks is minimized and the system schedulability is maximized for loaded and overloaded cases.
Integrating Assessment in a CSCL Macro-Script Authoring Platform
Authors: Chatzimichalis George , Papasalouros Andreas
Published: January 2023

Collaborative learning entails the involvement and the cooperation of a group of persons with the purpose of learning. Collaborative learning scripts aim to orchestrate the complex interaction among group members while Computer Supported Collaborative Learning scripts (CSCL scripts) is the research field in which IT techniques are involved in the management of the aspects of such an interaction. This article presents assessment-related aspects of an existing CSCL script authoring and deployment platform called COSTLyP. Assessment, nowadays, is considered as a vital constituent of CSCL scripts since it may affect some of their necessary components and mechanisms. The outcome of the implementation of an assessment plan may determine what should be the next step in a collaboration activity or what actions should be undertaken to bridge the gap between the expected results and the achieved level of knowledge or expertise. At the same time, assessment can also verify the regulation level that is required within each group; consequently, these scripts should be flexibly designed in order to adapt their evolution to the real needs of the participants.
Building a Design-Rationale-Centric Knowledge Network to Realize the Internalization of Explicit Knowledge
Authors: Yue Gaofeng , Liu Jihong , Zhang Qiang , Hou Yongzhu
Published: January 2023

A large number of publicly available documents, including patent documents and journal articles, can provide designers with creative stimuli, which could facilitate product innovation and collaborative design. As an important tacit knowledge, the acquisition, sharing, and reuse of design rationale (DR) is of great value to designers, which could help designers to better understand design intentions and ideas, support design automation, and promote better collaborative design. However, due to the fragmentation of DR in documentation, this hinders designer acquisition and reuse. If the DR fragments could be automatically extracted from the technical documents to build an interconnected knowledge network system, the problem would be effectively solved, which would further promote the development and utilization of digital archives. To address this issue, this study proposes a three-dimensional design knowledge network metamodel, Design Knowledge Semantic Network (DKSN), and a DKSN-based knowledge fusion method for the construction of a Design Knowledge Network (DKN). We set up an empirical experiment to verify the feasibility and performance of the method. Patent documents and open access research articles are used as sample documents, and a product data dictionary imported from ISO/TS 23768-1 is used as the predefined artifact dictionary. The results further confirm the feasibility and good application prospects of the proposed method.
A Digital 3D Retrospective Study Evaluating the Efficacy of Root Control during Orthodontic Treatment with Clear Aligners
Authors: Macrì Monica , Medori Silvia , Varvara Giuseppe , Festa Felice
Published: January 2023

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of torque movement and the incidence of root resorption in the maxillary and mandibular teeth with clear aligner therapy using cone-beam computed tomography. The sagittal root positions, the faciolingual inclinations, and the root lengths of 672 teeth, from central incisors to first molars for each arch, were measured and compared on virtual cross sections from pre-treatment and post-treatment cone-beam computed tomography of 28 patients who received comprehensive orthodontic treatment with clear aligners. An improvement of root position was found in incisors, canines, and premolars of the upper and lower arches: over 78% of their root was centered in the alveolus at the end of orthodontic treatment. There was a statistically significant torque increase for incisors, canines, and first premolars at the end of therapy. The most considerable torque changes were achieved in incisors and canines, while the lowest was in posterior teeth. The maxillary and mandibular central incisors achieved 3.26 ± 1.95° and 2.97 ± 2.53° of mean torque increase, respectively. The root length loss was greater in the upper and lower central incisors. All teeth showed mild resorption (<10%) except for two upper lateral incisors, which showed moderate resorption (10.79% and 10.23%). Comprehensive treatment with clear aligners improved sagittal root position and increased torque, especially in the anterior teeth. Most teeth showed mild resorption after clear aligner therapy, and only two showed moderate resorption.
A Unified Mixed Deep Neural Network for Fatigue Damage Detection in Components with Different Stress Concentrations
Authors: Dharmadhikari Susheel , Raut Riddhiman , Ray Asok , Basak Amrita
Published: January 2023

The article presents a mixed deep neural network (DNN) approach for detecting micron-scale fatigue damage in high-strength polycrystalline aluminum alloys. Fatigue testing is conducted using a custom-designed apparatus integrated with a confocal microscope and a moving stage to accurately pinpoint the instance of micron-scale crack emergence. The specimens are monitored throughout the duration of the experiment using a pair of high-frequency ultrasonic transducers. The mixed DNN is trained with ultrasonic time-series data that are obtained from two sets of specimens categorized by different stress concentration factors. To understand the effects of mixing the data from both types of specimens, a parametric analysis is performed by varying the amount of training data from each specimen to develop a series of mixed DNNs. The mixed DNN, when tested on unseen data from both specimens, exhibits an accuracy of over 95%. This article, therefore, demonstrates a successful alternative to customized DNNs for new types, geometries, or stress concentration factors in the materials under consideration.
An Automated Design Method for Plane Trusses Based on User Preference Information
Authors: Zhao Xianzhong , Zhang Tao , Xiao Weifang
Published: January 2023

Structural design is a complicated decision-making process involving multiple qualitative and quantitative factors. Currently, most automated design methods consider only quantitative objectives and constraints, ignoring the qualitative design information that is difficult define mathematically, such as the user preference for structural shapes. This limits the functionality and efficiency of such design methods. In this study, a design method named STSA-P is proposed for plane trusses to incorporate user preference into the automatic design process. Two main problems are addressed, i.e., how to quantify user preference information and how to coordinate it with other quantitative design objectives. A prediction model of user preference is developed for the first problem by generating the data set and selecting an appropriate machine learning (ML) algorithm. Specifically, a set of truss features quantitatively representing the structural shapes are identified for the truss sample population. Furthermore, an interactive system is developed for collecting user evaluation information as data labels. Strategies for reducing user fatigue are also considered during the evaluation process. A set of numerical experiments are conducted to select the suitable ML algorithm. Regarding the second problem, the physical programming method is modified to construct a new aggregate function which effectively coordinates user preference with other design objectives. A cost function is designed by considering the design constraints. On this basis, the prediction model is incorporated into the Structural Topology and Shape Annealing (STSA) method to form the STSA-P method. Two students are invited to perform a design case using the STSA-P method. It is demonstrated that the results verify the practicality and validity of the proposed method.
Monitoring Chemical Accidents in Industrial Complexes Using Tower-Installed Infrared System for Remote Chemical Detection and Long-Range Video Surveillance System
Authors: Lee Seul Gi , Kim Eun Hee , Ma Byung Chol
Published: January 2023

Chemical industrial complexes are extensive, complex structures with large-scale chemical facilities where large quantities of various chemical substances are handled. Detection equipment must be installed in high locations to monitor these industrial complexes and detect chemical accidents from a distance. In previous studies, individual monitoring equipment was temporarily installed on the ground, on a rooftop, or on a vehicle to detect chemical accidents from a distance. In this study, however, the industrial complex chemical accident monitoring system was developed by combining different technologies and was installed on a tower. For the Yeosu National Industrial Complex (which functioned as a test bed), 70m-high steel towers were built. Additionally, an infrared system for remote chemical detection (SIGIS-2, Bruker) and a long-range video surveillance system (TORUSS-LR2000, Globalsystems) were installed at the top of steel towers to monitor the entire industrial complex. The target substances to be monitored in real time by the infrared system for remote chemical detection were selected, and the monitoring sections were classified to enable each piece of equipment to distinguish the scanned areas. To improve the accuracy of the detection results, the information about the actual handled substances and respective facilities of the sites in the industrial complex was inserted into the database of the system and then connected to the sections. During the three-month test operation, various chemical substances (including 1,3-butadiene, methanol, methylamine, ethyl acetate, ammonia, and vinyl chloride) were detected at each section in 20,034 cases, and the detection results were consistent with the inserted actual information. The accumulated detection data shows that the detection frequency of a specific chemical substance was high in each section. This can be used as a basis for modifying the threshold of the anomaly detection model, thereby improving the accuracy of the system. Therefore, this system can detect and evaluate the leakage of chemical substances and the occurrence of fires or smoke through large-scale scans 24 h per day. Furthermore, it can be used for the early detection of and effective responses to chemical accidents in industrial complexes.
SPAM: Solar Spectrum Prediction for Applications and Modeling
Authors: Nikolaeva Vera , Gordeev Evgeny
Published: January 2023

Solar Spectrum Prediction for Applications and Modeling (SPAM) is a new empirical model of solar X-ray, extreme ultraviolet and far ultraviolet radiation flux at the top of the Earth’s atmosphere. The model is based on 14 years of daily averaged TIMED spacecraft measurements from 2002 to 2016, when its sensors were regularly calibrated. We used a second-order parametrization of the irradiance spectrum by a single parameter—the F10.7 index—which is a reliable and consistently observed measure of solar activity. The SPAM model consists of two submodels for general and specific use. The first is the Solar-SPAM model of the photon energy flux in the first 190 spectral bands of 1 nm each, which can be used for a wide range of applications in different fields of research. The second model, Aero-SPAM, is designed specifically for aeronomic research and provides a photon flux for 37 specific wavelength intervals (20 wave bands and 16 separate spectral lines within the range of 5–105 nm, and an additional 121.5 nm Ly-alpha line), which play a major role in the photoionization of atmospheric gas particles. We provide the full set of parameterization coefficients that allows for the immediate implementation of the model for research and applications. In addition, we used the Aero-SPAM model to build a ready-to-use numerical application for calculating the photoionization rates of the main atmospheric components N2, O2, O, N and NO with known absorption and ionization cross sections.
Wildfires Impact Assessment on PM Levels Using Generalized Additive Mixed Models
Authors: Leone Gianluca , Cattani Giorgio , Cusano Mariacarmela , Gaeta Alessandra , Pellis Guido , Vitullo Marina , Morelli Raffaele
Published: January 2023

Wildfires are relevant sources of PM emissions and can have an important impact on air pollution and human health. In this study, we examine the impact of wildfire PM emissions on the Piemonte (Italy) air quality regional monitoring network using a Generalized Additive Mixed Model. The model is implemented with daily PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations sampled for 8 consecutive years at each monitoring site as the response variable. Meteorological data retrieved from the ERA5 dataset and the observed burned area data stored in the Carabinieri Forest Service national database are used in the model as explanatory variables. Spline functions for predictive variables and smooths for multiple meteorological variables’ interactions improved the model performance and reduced uncertainty levels. The model estimates are in good agreement with the observed PM data: adjusted R2 range was 0.63–0.80. GAMMs showed rather satisfactory results in order to capture the wildfires contribution: some severe PM pollution episodes in the study area due to wildfire air emissions caused peak daily levels up to 87.3 µg/m3 at the Vercelli PM10 site (IT1533A) and up to 67.7 µg/m3 at the Settimo Torinese PM2.5 site (IT1130A).
Changes in the Spatiotemporal of Net Primary Productivity in the Conventional Lake Chad Basin between 2001 and 2020 Based on CASA Model
Authors: Fu Shilin , Zhou Yiqi , Lei Jiaqiang , Zhou Na
Published: January 2023

Accurate estimation of vegetation Net Primary Productivity (NPP) has important theoretical and practical significance for ecological environment governance, carbon cycle research, and the rational development and utilization of natural resources. In this study, the spatial characteristics, temporal changes, and driving factors of NPP in the Conventional Lake Chad Basin (CLCB) were based on MODIS data by constructing a Carnegie Ames Stanford Approach (CASA) model and using a combination of Residual trends (RESTREND) and correlation analysis. The results showed that from 2001 to 2020, the NPP of the CLCB decreased annually (1.14 g C/m2), mainly because of overgrazing, deforestation, and large-scale irrigation. We conducted a driving factor analysis and found that the main influencing factor of the NPP of the CLCB is high-intensity human activities, including farmland reclamation and animal husbandry. Although the impact of climate change on NPP is not obvious in the short term, climate change may help recover NPP in the long term. The continued reduction in NPP has greatly increased the difficulty of regreening the Sahel; the increase in population density and rapid urbanization have led are major contributing factors to this. Our findings have important implications for the continued implementation of stringent revegetation policies. However, owing to limited data and methods, only the overall change trend of NPP was obtained, and comprehensive follow-up studies are needed.
Study of Ionosphere Irregularities over the Iberian Peninsula during Two Moderate Geomagnetic Storms Using GNSS and Ionosonde Observations
Authors: Campuzano Saioa A. , Delgado-Gómez Fernando , Migoya-Orué Yenca , Rodríguez-Caderot Gracia , Herraiz-Sarachaga Miguel , Radicella Sandro M.
Published: January 2023

Studies on the irregularities of the ionosphere during disturbed geomagnetic conditions are fundamental to understanding the complex dynamics taking place in the upper atmosphere. In this work, different data sources are used to study the ionosphere effects of two moderate geomagnetic storms, 26–27 February 2014 and 17–18 September 2021, over the Iberian Peninsula. Data are obtained from digital ionosondes in Spain, Italy and Greece; the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) derived Total Electron Content (TEC) and Rate Of TEC Index (ROTI) from several receiver stations in Spain, Portugal and Morocco; and the UPC Quarter-of-an-hour time resolution Rapid GIM (UQRG), vertical TEC global ionosphere maps (GIMs), produced at 15 min intervals by the Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC, Spain). This analysis showed that, during the two moderate storms, spread-F and high values of ROTI, indicating the presence of irregularities, are found in a very localized area (Southern Iberian Peninsula and northwest Africa) and local times (night-time). However, no irregularities are found eastwards and northwards of the location indicated. We propose some possible explanations for these observations for both the storms, one of them related to the position of the Equatorial Ionosphere Anomaly (EIA) and the other one attributed to the Perkins’ instabilities.
Updating and Evaluating Anthropogenic Emissions for NOAA’s Global Ensemble Forecast Systems for Aerosols (GEFS-Aerosols): Application of an SO2 Bias-Scaling Method
Authors: Jeong Gill-Ran , Baker Barry , Campbell Patrick C. , Saylor Rick , Pan Li , Bhattacharjee Partha S. , Smith Steven J. , Tong Daniel , Tang Youhua
Published: January 2023

We updated the anthropogenic emissions inventory in NOAA’s operational Global Ensemble Forecast for Aerosols (GEFS-Aerosols) to improve the model’s prediction of aerosol optical depth (AOD). We used a methodology to quickly update the pivotal global anthropogenic sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions using a speciated AOD bias-scaling method. The AOD bias-scaling method is based on the latest model predictions compared to NASA’s Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 (MERRA2). The model bias was subsequently applied to the CEDS 2019 SO2 emissions for adjustment. The monthly mean GEFS-Aerosols AOD predictions were evaluated against a suite of satellite observations (e.g., MISR, VIIRS, and MODIS), ground-based AERONET observations, and the International Cooperative for Aerosol Prediction (ICAP) ensemble results. The results show that transitioning from CEDS 2014 to CEDS 2019 emissions data led to a significant improvement in the operational GEFS-Aerosols model performance, and applying the bias-scaled SO2 emissions could further improve global AOD distributions. The biases of the simulated AODs against the observed AODs varied with observation type and seasons by a factor of 3~13 and 2~10, respectively. The global AOD distributions showed that the differences in the simulations against ICAP, MISR, VIIRS, and MODIS were the largest in March–May (MAM) and the smallest in December–February (DJF). When evaluating against the ground-truth AERONET data, the bias-scaling methods improved the global seasonal correlation (r), Index of Agreement (IOA), and mean biases, except for the MAM season, when the negative regional biases were exacerbated compared to the positive regional biases. The effect of bias-scaling had the most beneficial impact on model performance in the regions dominated by anthropogenic emissions, such as East Asia. However, it showed less improvement in other areas impacted by the greater relative transport of natural emissions sources, such as India. The accuracies of the reference observation or assimilation data for the adjusted inputs and the model physics for outputs, and the selection of regions with less seasonal emissions of natural aerosols determine the success of the bias-scaling methods. A companion study on emission scaling of anthropogenic absorbing aerosols needs further improved aerosol prediction.
Study on Barriers of Water Salt Transfers in Earthen Sites by Plastic-Coated Sand
Authors: Xu Wen , Chang Bin , Zhang Yunwei , Gu Zhaolin , Yu Chuck Wah , Luo Xilian
Published: January 2023

Under the action of unidirectional water migration, museum soil sites generally encounter erosion through dry cracking, salt enrichment, etc. In this paper, the earthen site of the Terra Cotta Warriors Museum of the First Emperor of Qin was used as the research object, and the “hydrophobic” property of coated sand was proposed to prevent water migration and salt accumulation. Through the soil column experiment of water salt migration and the HYDRUS software numerical simulation, the water salt migration law of the soil in the heritage site under different conditions and the characteristics of water and salt resistance of plastic-coated sand were studied. The results showed that the salt damage on the earthen ruins was mainly due to the horizontal and vertical migration of water and salt in soil. After embedding the coated sand layer into the soil environment under the earthen site, the vertical and horizontal migration of water and salt in the soil can be completely prevented due to precipitation and groundwater. The coated sand protection technology and method proposed in this paper use materials similar to those of the earthen, and provide a feasible method for the protection of cultural relics in our country.
Similar 5-Year Survival in Transfemoral and Transapical TAVI Patients: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Mork Constantin , Twerenbold Raphael , Gahl Brigitta , Eckstein Friedrich , Jeger Raban , Kaiser Christoph , Reuthebuch Oliver
Published: January 2023

Transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TA-TAVI) is generally considered to be associated with increased morbidity and mortality compared with transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation TAVI (TF-TAVI). We aimed to compare different patient risk profiles, access-related complications, and long-term survival using inverse probability treatment weighting. This is a retrospective, single-center analysis of 925 consecutive patients with aortic valve stenosis undergoing TF-TAVI (n = 802) or TA-TAVI (n = 123) at the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, as a single procedure between September 2011 and August 2020. Baseline characteristics revealed a higher perioperative risk as reflected in the EuroSCORE II (geometric mean 2.3 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.2 to 2.4) vs. 3.7 (CI 3.1 to 4.5); before inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) p < 0.001) in the transfemoral than in the transapical group, respectively. After 30 days, TF-TAVI patients had a higher incidence of any bleeding than TA-TAVI patients (TF-TAVI n = 146 vs. TA-TAVI n = 15; weighted hazard ratio (HR) 0.52 (0.29 to 0.95); p = 0.032). After 5 years, all-cause mortality did not differ between the two groups (TF-TAVI n = 162 vs. TA-TAVI n = 45; weighted HR 1.31, (0.92 to 1.88); p = 0.138). With regard to our data, we could demonstrate, despite a higher perioperative risk, the short- and long-term safety and efficacy of the transapical approach for TAVI therapies. Though at higher perioperative risk, transapically treated patients suffered from less bleeding or vascular complications than transfemorally treated patients. It is of utmost interest that 5-year mortality did not differ between the groups.
Jointly Learning Non-Cartesian k-Space Trajectories and Reconstruction Networks for 2D and 3D MR Imaging through Projection
Authors: Radhakrishna Chaithya Giliyar , Ciuciu Philippe
Published: January 2023

Compressed sensing in magnetic resonance imaging essentially involves the optimization of (1) the sampling pattern in k-space under MR hardware constraints and (2) image reconstruction from undersampled k-space data. Recently, deep learning methods have allowed the community to address both problems simultaneously, especially in the non-Cartesian acquisition setting. This work aims to contribute to this field by tackling some major concerns in existing approaches. Particularly, current state-of-the-art learning methods seek hardware compliant k-space sampling trajectories by enforcing the hardware constraints through additional penalty terms in the training loss. Through ablation studies, we rather show the benefit of using a projection step to enforce these constraints and demonstrate that the resulting k-space trajectories are more flexible under a projection-based scheme, which results in superior performance in reconstructed image quality. In 2D studies, our novel method trajectories present an improved image reconstruction quality at a 20-fold acceleration factor on the fastMRI data set with SSIM scores of nearly 0.92–0.95 in our retrospective studies as compared to the corresponding Cartesian reference and also see a 3–4 dB gain in PSNR as compared to earlier state-of-the-art methods. Finally, we extend the algorithm to 3D and by comparing optimization as learning-based projection schemes, we show that data-driven joint learning-based method trajectories outperform model-based methods such as SPARKLING through a 2 dB gain in PSNR and 0.02 gain in SSIM.
Using ΔK280 TauRD Folding Reporter Cells to Screen TRKB Agonists as Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment Strategy
Authors: Weng Zheng-Kui , Lin Te-Hsien , Chang Kuo-Hsuan , Chiu Ya-Jen , Lin Chih-Hsin , Tseng Pei-Hsuan , Sun Ying-Chieh , Lin Wenwei , Lee-Chen Guey-Jen , Chen Chiung-Mei
Published: January 2023

Misfolded aggregation of the hyperphosphorylated microtubule binding protein Tau in the brain is a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Tau aggregation downregulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/tropomycin receptor kinase B (TRKB) signaling and leads to neurotoxicity. Therefore, enhancement of BDNF/TRKB signaling could be a strategy to alleviate Tau neurotoxicity. In this study, eight compounds were evaluated for the potential of inhibiting Tau misfolding in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells expressing the pro-aggregator Tau folding reporter (ΔK280 TauRD-DsRed). Among them, coumarin derivative ZN-015 and quinoline derivatives VB-030 and VB-037 displayed chemical chaperone activity to reduce ΔK280 TauRD aggregation and promote neurite outgrowth. Studies of TRKB signaling revealed that ZN-015, VB-030 and VB-037 treatments significantly increased phosphorylation of TRKB and downstream Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK) and AKT serine/threonine kinase (AKT), to activate ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK) and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). Subsequently, p-CREB enhanced the transcription of pro-survival BDNF and BCL2 apoptosis regulator (BCL2), accompanied with reduced expression of anti-survival BCL2-associated X protein (BAX) in ΔK280 TauRD-DsRed-expressing cells. The neurite outgrowth promotion effect of ZN-015, VB-030 and VB-037 was counteracted by a RNA interference-mediated knockdown of TRKB, suggesting the role of these compounds acting as TRKB agonists. Tryptophan fluorescence quenching analysis showed that ZN-015, VB-030 and VB-037 interacted directly with a Pichia pastoris-expressed TRKB extracellular domain, indirectly supporting the role through TRKB signaling. The results of up-regulation in TRKB signaling open up the therapeutic potentials of ZN-015, VB-030 and VB-037 for AD.
Role of Phytohormones in Biomass and Polyphenol Accumulation in Salvia bulleyana In Vitro Culture
Authors: Grzegorczyk-Karolak Izabela , Krzemińska Marta , Kiss Anna K. , Owczarek-Januszkiewicz Aleksandra , Olszewska Monika A.
Published: January 2023

Salvia bulleyana is a plant native to the Chinese Yunnan Province. This species has been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a substitute for Danshen (the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza). The aim of our study was to establish an effective system for propagating S. bulleyana shoots to obtain large amounts of material rich in bioactive compounds. Phytohormones were used to regulate shoot growth and regeneration potential and influence plant secondary metabolism. The shoot tips were incubated on a Murashige and Skoog agar medium supplemented with 0.1 or 0.5 mg/L IAA (indole-3-acetic acid) and the cytokinins benzylaminopurine (BAP), meta-topoline (M-T), 6-benzylaminopurine riboside (RBAP), N-benzyl-9-(2-tetrahydropyranyl)-adenine (BPA) or kinetin, (K) at concentrations of 0.5, 1 or 2 mg/L. It was observed that the type and concentration of growth regulator significantly influenced the regeneration potential of S. bulleyana shoots. The highest multiplication rate was obtained when 0.1 mg/L IAA and 2 mg/L BPA were used. Under these conditions, 100% of shoot tips formed buds and almost seven buds/shoot per explant were obtained after five weeks. Meanwhile, the highest biomass was found for shoots growing on a medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/L IAA and 1 mg/L M-T: 1.2 g of fresh weight and 0.17 g of dry weight. However, a medium with 0.1 mg/L IAA and 2 mg/L RBAP was most favorable for bioactive phenolic acid content, with a total polyphenol level (37.7 mg/g dw) 4.5 times higher than in shoots grown on medium without growth regulators (8.23 mg/g dw). Finally, optimal conditions were selected by TOPSIS (technique for order of preference by similarity to the ideal solution); the culture of S. bulleyana grown on an MS medium containing 0.1 mg/L IAA and 1 mg/L M-T was found to be the most efficient for polyphenol accumulation and can be used for the production of medicinally relevant compounds.