bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computational Comparison of Performance of Different Steel Plate Shear Yielding Dampers
Authors: Bustos Flavia , Hinojosa Jorge , Tuninetti Víctor
Published: March 2023

The computational modeling of hysteretic dampers is a powerful tool for design, allowing us to predict and optimize damper performance. In this research, a numerical model, based on Chaboche’s nonlinear kinematic hardening constitutive law, was implemented. The parameters of this law were identified and validated by inverse analysis, based on the macro-hysteretic response of the hexagonal honeycomb steel damper. The validated model was applied to simulate the cyclic loading behavior of five proposed steel plate shear yielding dampers (SPSYDs), which were then used to compare the hysteretic performance in terms of effective stiffness, effective damping, and energy dissipation capacity. The parametric analysis of design variables performed on the SPSYDs demonstrated that the plate depth does not modify the effective damping, and the thickness is the most significant factor affecting the maximum displacement, dissipation energy and endurance cycles. The comparison of the performance of the dampers allowed us to establish design guidelines for the SPSYDs, which allow the device to be adjusted with the requirements of the building in which it is installed.
Study on the Mechanical Properties of Corroded Steel Strands at Deflection Angles
Authors: Deng Nianchun , Xu Jie , Zhu Guochao , Han Zhongqing
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this study is to investigate the performance changes in steel-stranded hangers under complicated loads in moist or corrosive environments. First of all, corrosion tests were carried over three time periods (360 h, 720 h, 1080 h) on glossy and galvanized steel strands and different levels of corrosion were obtained. Subsequently, tensile tests were carried out on strands with different degrees of corrosion (including no corrosion) at different deflection angles. The test results showed that the ultimate bearing capacity of the uncorroded steel strand at the deflection angle decreased by 21.8%, while the ultimate bearing capacity of the glossy strand with the longest corrosion time decreased by 27.1%. For the same corrosion time, the ultimate bearing capacity of the glossy steel strand decreased at a higher rate than that of the galvanized steel strand. In addition, numerical simulations show that the angle of deflection reduces the ultimate bearing capacity of the steel strand. It is also found that both deflection angle and corrosion pit depth have a positive correlation on the maximum stress of the pit, and that the stress of the pit is highest near the fixed end. This study provides meaningful guidance for the design and maintenance of bridge hangers, which can extend the service life of the hangers.
Treatment Strategy for Intermediate-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Transarterial Chemoembolization, Systemic Therapy, and Conversion Therapy
Authors: Hatanaka Takeshi , Yata Yutaka , Naganuma Atsushi , Kakizaki Satoru
Published: March 2023

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been standard treatment for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, all intermediate-stage HCC patients did not benefit from TACE treatment because intermediate-stage HCC encompasses a wide variety of HCCs. Owing to remarkable progress in systemic therapy, including molecular-targeted therapy for advanced-stage HCC, the standard treatment of HCC has recently shifted to systemic therapy. However, it remains controversial as to which treatment should be initially performed for intermediate-stage HCC. In addition, although curative treatment can be considered when the tumor shrinks, the timing of conversion therapy remains uncertain. This review summarizes the advances of HCC treatment and discusses treatment strategies for intermediate-stage HCC.
The Influence of Obesity on Melanoma and Sentinel Lymph Node Diagnosis: A Retrospective Monocentric Study in 1001 Patients
Authors: Almeida Oliveira Filipa , Klose Julie , Schulze Hans-Joachim , Ribeiro Teixeira Marta , Dermietzel Alexander , Wellenbrock Sascha , Herter-Sprie Grit-Sophie , Hirsch Tobias , Kueckelhaus Maximilian
Published: March 2023

(1) Background: While obesity is a known independent risk factor in the development of melanoma, there is no consensus on its influence on melanoma prognosis. (2) Methods: In a monocentric retrospective study, data was collected from patients who underwent sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy for stage IB-IIC melanoma between 2013 and 2018. Patients were divided into groups according to their body mass index (BMI). The association between BMI and melanoma features, as well as the risk factors for metastases in SLN were examined. (3) Results: Of the 1001 patients, 336 had normal weight (BMI < 25), 402 were overweight (BMI >= 25 and <30), 173 obese (BMI >= 30 and <35) and 90 extremely obese (BMI >= 35). Overweightness and obesity were associated with higher tumor thicknesses at time of diagnosis. Ulceration was not influenced by the patient’s weight. Metastases in sentinel lymph node was almost twice more likely in extremely obese patients than in normal weight patients. Independent risk factors for metastases in SLN in our study were tumor thickness, ulceration, and BMI > 35. (4) Conclusions: This is the first study to show higher metastases rates in high-BMI patients with melanoma, raising important questions regarding the screening and treatment of this specific patient population.
The Potential Revolution of Cancer Treatment with CRISPR Technology
Authors: Stefanoudakis Dimitrios , Kathuria-Prakash Nikhita , Sun Alexander W. , Abel Melissa , Drolen Claire E. , Ashbaugh Camille , Zhang Shiliang , Hui Gavin , Tabatabaei Yeganeh A. , Zektser Yuliya , Lopez Lidia P. , Pantuck Allan , Drakaki Alexandra
Published: March 2023

Immuno-oncology (IO) and targeted therapies, such as small molecule inhibitors, have changed the landscape of cancer treatment and prognosis; however, durable responses have been difficult to achieve due to tumor heterogeneity, development of drug resistance, and adverse effects that limit dosing and prolonged drug use. To improve upon the current medicinal armamentarium, there is an urgent need for new ways to understand, reverse, and treat carcinogenesis. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) 9 is a powerful and efficient tool for genome editing that has shown significant promise for developing new therapeutics. While CRISPR/Cas9 has been successfully used for pre-clinical cancer research, its use in the clinical setting is still in an early stage of development. The purpose of this review is to describe the CRISPR technology and to provide an overview of its current applications and future potential as cancer therapies.
Novel Insights into RAD52’s Structure, Function, and Druggability for Synthetic Lethality and Innovative Anticancer Therapies
Authors: Balboni Beatrice , Rinaldi Francesco , Previtali Viola , Ciamarone Andrea , Girotto Stefania , Cavalli Andrea
Published: March 2023

In recent years, the RAD52 protein has been highlighted as a mediator of many DNA repair mechanisms. While RAD52 was initially considered to be a non-essential auxiliary factor, its inhibition has more recently been demonstrated to be synthetically lethal in cancer cells bearing mutations and inactivation of specific intracellular pathways, such as homologous recombination. RAD52 is now recognized as a novel and critical pharmacological target. In this review, we comprehensively describe the available structural and functional information on RAD52. The review highlights the pathways in which RAD52 is involved and the approaches to RAD52 inhibition. We discuss the multifaceted role of this protein, which has a complex, dynamic, and functional 3D superstructural arrangement. This complexity reinforces the need to further investigate and characterize RAD52 to solve a challenging mechanistic puzzle and pave the way for a robust drug discovery campaign.
Bispecific Antibodies in Multiple Myeloma: Opportunities to Enhance Efficacy and Improve Safety
Authors: Swan Dawn , Murphy Philip , Glavey Siobhan , Quinn John
Published: March 2023

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common haematological neoplasm of adults in the Western world. Overall survival has doubled since the advent of proteosome inhibitors (PIs), immunomodulatory agents (IMiDs), and monoclonal antibodies. However, patients with adverse cytogenetics or high-risk disease as determined by the Revised International Staging System (R-ISS) continue to have poorer outcomes, and triple-refractory patients have a median survival of less than 1 year. Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) commonly bind to a tumour epitope along with CD3 on T-cells, leading to T-cell activation and tumour cell killing. These treatments show great promise in MM patients, with the first agent, teclistamab, receiving regulatory approval in 2022. Their potential utility is hampered by the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment (TME), a hallmark of MM, which may limit efficacy, and by undesirable adverse events, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and infections, some of which may be fatal. In this review, we first consider the means of enhancing the efficacy of BsAbs in MM. These include combining BsAbs with other drugs that ameliorate the effect of the immunosuppressive TME, improving target availability, the use of BsAbs directed against multiple target antigens, and the optimal time in the treatment pathway to employ BsAbs. We then discuss methods to improve safety, focusing on reducing infection rates associated with treatment-induced hypogammaglobulinaemia, and decreasing the frequency and severity of CRS. BsAbs offer a highly-active therapeutic option in MM. Improving the efficacy and safety profiles of these agents may enable more patients to benefit from these novel therapies and improve outcomes for patients with high-risk disease.
CA-125 Early Dynamics to Predict Overall Survival in Women with Newly Diagnosed Advanced Ovarian Cancer Based on Meta-Analysis Data
Authors: Karamouza Eleni , Glasspool Rosalind M. , Kelly Caroline , Lewsley Liz-Anne , Carty Karen , Kristensen Gunnar B. , Ethier Josee-Lyne , Kagimura Tatsuo , Yanaihara Nozomu , Cecere Sabrina Chiara , You Benoit , Boere Ingrid A. , Pujade-Lauraine Eric , Ray-Coquard Isabelle , Proust-Lima Cécile , Paoletti Xavier
Published: March 2023

(1) Background: Cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) is a protein produced by ovarian cancer cells that is used for patients’ monitoring. However, the best ways to analyze its decline and prognostic role are poorly quantified. (2) Methods: We leveraged individual patient data from the Gynecologic Cancer Intergroup (GCIG) meta-analysis (N = 5573) to compare different approaches summarizing the early trajectory of CA-125 before the prediction time (called the landmark time) at 3 or 6 months after treatment initiation in order to predict overall survival. These summaries included observed and estimated measures obtained by a linear mixed model (LMM). Their performances were evaluated by 10-fold cross-validation with the Brier score and the area under the ROC (AUC). (3) Results: The estimated value and the last observed value at 3 months were the best measures used to predict overall survival, with an AUC of 0.75 CI 95% [0.70; 0.80] at 24 and 36 months and 0.74 [0.69; 0.80] and 0.75 [0.69; 0.80] at 48 months, respectively, considering that CA-125 over 6 months did not improve the AUC, with 0.74 [0.68; 0.78] at 24 months and 0.71 [0.65; 0.76] at 36 and 48 months. (4) Conclusions: A 3-month surveillance provided reliable individual information on overall survival until 48 months for patients receiving first-line chemotherapy.
The Combined Impact of Ni-Based Catalysts and a Binary Carbonate Salts Mixture on the CO2 Gasification Performance of Olive Kernel Biomass Fuel
Authors: Lampropoulos Athanasios , Karakoulia Stamatia A. , Varvoutis Georgios , Spyridakos Stavros , Binas Vassilios , Zouridi Leila , Stefa Sofia , Konsolakis Michalis , Marnellos George E.
Published: March 2023

In the present work, the individual or synergistic effect of Ni-based catalysts (Ni/CeO2, Ni/Al2O3) and an eutectic carbonate salt mixture (MS) on the CO2 gasification performance of olive kernels was investigated. It was found that the Ni/CeO2 catalyst presented a relatively superior instant gasification reaction rate (Rco) compared to Ni/Al2O3, in line with the significant redox capability of CeO2. On the other hand, the use of the binary eutectic carbonate salt mixture (MS) lowered the onset and maximum CO2 gasification temperatures, resulting in a notably higher carbon conversion efficiency (81%) compared to the individual Ni-based catalysts and non-catalytic gasification tests (60%). Interestingly, a synergetic catalyst-carbonate salt mixture effect was revealed in the low and intermediate CO2 gasification temperature regimes, boosting the instant gasification reaction rate (Rco). In fact, in the temperature range of 300 to 550 °C, the maximum Rco value for both MS-Ni/Al2O3 and MS-Ni/CeO2 systems were four times higher (4 × 10−3 min−1 at 460 °C) compared to the individual counterparts. The present results demonstrated for the first time the combined effect of two different Ni-based catalysts and an eutectic carbonate salt mixture towards enhancing the CO production rate during CO2 gasification of olive kernel biomass fuel, especially in the devolatilization and tar cracking/reforming zones. On the basis of a systematic characterization study and lab-scale gasification experiments, the beneficial role of catalysts and molten carbonate salts on the gasification process was revealed, which can be ascribed to the catalytic activity as well as the improved mass and heat transport properties offered by the molten carbonate salts.
Pt1−xNix Alloy Nanoparticles Embedded in Self-Grown Carbon Nanofibers: Synthesis, Properties and Catalytic Activity in HER
Authors: Popov Anton A. , Afonnikova Sofya D. , Varygin Andrey D. , Bauman Yury I. , Trenikhin Mikhail V. , Plyusnin Pavel E. , Shubin Yury V. , Vedyagin Aleksey A. , Mishakov Ilya V.
Published: March 2023

The development of new heterogeneous Pt-containing catalysts has retained its relevance over the past decades. The present paper describes the method to produce metal–carbon composites, Pt1−xNix/CNF, with an adjustable Pt/Ni ratio. The composites represent Pt1−xNix (x = 0.0–1.0) nanoparticles embedded within a structure of carbon nanofibers (CNF). The synthesis of the composites is based on a spontaneous disintegration of Pt1−xNix alloys in an ethylene-containing atmosphere with the formation of CNF. The initial Pt1−xNix alloys were prepared by thermolysis of multicomponent precursors. They possess a porous structure formed by fragments of 100–200 nm. As was shown by X-ray diffraction analysis, the crystal structure of the alloys containing 0–30 and 60–100 at.% Ni corresponds to a fcc lattice based on platinum (Fm-3m), while the Pt0.50Ni0.50 sample is an intermetallic compound with the tetragonal structure (P4/mmm). The impact of the Ni content in the Pt1−xNix samples on their activity in ethylene decomposition was studied as well. As was revealed, the efficiency of Pt1−xNix alloys in this process increases with the rise of Ni concentration. The composite samples were examined in an electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction. The synthesized Pt1-xNix/CNF composites demonstrated superior activity if compared with the Pt/Vulcan commercial catalyst.
Methane Oxidation over the Zeolites-Based Catalysts
Authors: Wu Linke , Fan Wei , Wang Xun , Lin Hongxia , Tao Jinxiong , Liu Yuxi , Deng Jiguang , Jing Lin , Dai Hongxing
Published: March 2023

Zeolites have ordered pore structures, good spatial constraints, and superior hydrothermal stability. In addition, the active metal elements inside and outside the zeolite framework provide the porous material with adjustable acid–base property and good redox performance. Thus, zeolites-based catalysts are more and more widely used in chemical industries. Combining the advantages of zeolites and active metal components, the zeolites-based materials are used to catalyze the oxidation of methane to produce various products, such as carbon dioxide, methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid, acetic acid, and etc. This multifunction, high selectivity, and good activity are the key factors that enable the zeolites-based catalysts to be used for methane activation and conversion. In this review article, we briefly introduce and discuss the effect of zeolite materials on the activation of C–H bonds in methane and the reaction mechanisms of complete methane oxidation and selective methane oxidation. Pd/zeolite is used for the complete oxidation of methane to carbon dioxide and water, and Fe- and Cu-zeolite catalysts are used for the partial oxidation of methane to methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid, and etc. The prospects and challenges of zeolite-based catalysts in the future research work and practical applications are also envisioned. We hope that the outcome of this review can stimulate more researchers to develop more effective zeolite-based catalysts for the complete or selective oxidation of methane.
AMPK Phosphorylation Impacts Apoptosis in Differentiating Myoblasts Isolated from Atrophied Rat Soleus Muscle
Authors: Vilchinskaya Natalia A. , Rozhkov Sergey V. , Turtikova Olga V. , Mirzoev Timur M. , Shenkman Boris S.
Published: March 2023

Regrowth of atrophied myofibers depends on muscle satellite cells (SCs) that exist outside the plasma membrane. Muscle atrophy appears to result in reduced number of SCs due to apoptosis. Given reduced AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity during differentiation of primary myoblasts derived from atrophic muscle, we hypothesized that there may be a potential link between AMPK and susceptibility of differentiating myoblasts to apoptosis. The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of AMPK activation (via AICAR treatment) on apoptosis in differentiating myoblasts derived from atrophied rat soleus muscle. Thirty rats were randomly assigned to the following two groups: control (C, n = 10) and 7-day hindlimb suspension (HS, n = 20). Myoblasts derived from the soleus muscles of HS rats were divided into two parts: AICAR-treated cells and non-treated cells. Apoptotic processes were evaluated by using TUNEL assay, RT-PCR and WB. In differentiating myoblasts derived from the atrophied soleus, there was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in AMPK and ACC phosphorylation in parallel with increased number of apoptotic nuclei and a significant upregulation of pro-apoptotic markers (caspase-3, -9, BAX, p53) compared to the cells derived from control muscles. AICAR treatment of atrophic muscle-derived myoblasts during differentiation prevented reductions in AMPK and ACC phosphorylation as well as maintained the number of apoptotic nuclei and the expression of pro-apoptotic markers at the control levels. Thus, the maintenance of AMPK activity can suppress enhanced apoptosis in differentiating myoblasts derived from atrophied rat soleus muscle.
Advances in Lung Transplantation
Authors: Tosi Davide , Palleschi Alessandro
Published: March 2023

Nowadays, lung transplantation is a clinical reality for the treatment of benign end-stage respiratory diseases [...]
Study on the Wear Modes of PVD Films Using Different Concentrations of Al2O3 Abrasive Particles and Textured Rotating Balls
Authors: Pinto Gustavo Filipe , Baptista Andresa , Sousa Vitor F. C. , Silva Francisco J. G. , Evaristo Manuel , Fernandes Filipe
Published: March 2023

Abrasive wear is a wear mechanism that results in a loss of material from the interaction of a surface with hard particles. This type of wear is frequently found in the surface of machining tools. Microscale abrasion equipment is often used to characterize the resistance to abrasive wear of a surface. The different parameters able to control micro-abrasion wear tests, such as ball rotation, sliding distance between ball and surface sample, abrasive slurry concentration, normal load acting on the sample, and abrasive flow rate over the sample, have been widely studied. The combination of different variables, including sliding distance, concentration of abrasive particles, their hardness, and size of abrasive particles, promotes the transition between two-body, three-body, or mixed abrasive wear modes. However, the influence of the ball surface on the dragging of abrasive particles, which is reflected in the wear modes, is still poorly studied. One of the variables possible to control and less studied is the influence of the ball surface texture on the dragging of abrasive particles in micro-abrasion wear tests. This work intends to correlate the effect of different testing times (500, 1000, and 1500 cycles) and different concentrations of 3 μm Al2O3 abrasive slurry (25, 35, and 45 g/100 mL) on the micro abrasion resistance of a TiN thin coating film, using balls of AISI 52100 steel whose texture and roughness were prepared by 60 s chemical etching. The rotation speed of each test was 80 rpm, applying a normal load of 2 N. Subsequently, the craters were carefully analyzed using SEM to evaluate the transition of the wear mode as a function of the applied load, the abrasive particle concentration, and the sliding distance. The textured ball tracks were observed via SEM to assess the particle dynamics. The results showed that, contrarily to what is reported in the literature regarding wear modes where rolling is promoted with increasing abrasive concentration, in this work grooving took place instead. This is a result of the rough balls use in the experiments which, due to the embedment of abrasive particles in the ball grooves, promotes the abrasion mechanism. The higher the abrasive concentration, the higher the grooving mechanism, since more particles are available to scratch the surface.
Influence of Foreign Salts and Antiscalants on Calcium Carbonate Crystallization
Authors: Hamdi Raghda , Tlili Mohamed Mouldi
Published: March 2023

For more than a century, crystallization has remained a chief research topic. One of the most undesirable crystallization phenomena is the formation of calcium carbonate scale in drinking and industrial water systems. In this work, the influence of chemical additives on CaCO3 formation—in either nucleation, crystal growth, or inhibition processes—is investigated by using the CO2-degasification method. Chemical additives are foreign salts (MgCl2, Na2SO4 and MgSO4) to the calco-carbonic system and antiscalants (sodium polyacrylate ‘RPI’ and sodium-tripolyphosphate ‘STPP’). The results show that additives affects both crystallization kinetics and the CaCO3 microstructure. Sulfate and magnesium ions, added separately at constant ionic strength, influence the nucleation step more than the growth of the formed crystallites. Added simultaneously, their effect was accentuated on both nucleation and the growth of CaCO3. Furthermore, antiscalants RPI and STPP affect the crystallization process by greatly delaying the precipitation time and largely increasing the supersaturation coefficient. It was also shown that the calco-carbonic system with additives prefers the heterogeneous nucleation to the homogeneous one. X-ray diffraction patterns show that additives promote the formation of a new crystal polymorph of calcium carbonate as aragonite, in addition to the initial polymorphs formed as calcite and vaterite.
Exon-18-EGFR Mutated Transformed Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Digiacomo Nunzio , De Pas Tommaso , Rossi Giovanna , Bossi Paola , Stucchi Erika , Conforti Fabio , Cocorocchio Emilia , Laszlo Daniele , Pala Laura , Zattarin Emma , Catania Chiara
Published: March 2023

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) transformation from EGFR mutant adenocarcinoma is a rare entity that is considered to be a new phenotype of SCLC. While transformation from adenocarcinoma (ADC) with EGFR exon 19 deletions and exon 21 L858R point mutations has been described, to our knowledge, no cases of transformation to SCLC from exon-18-mutated ADC have been reported. We reported a clinical case of a patient with exon-18-EGFR-transformed SCLC, and we performed a systematic review of the literature.
One of the Deepest Genera of Antipatharia: Taxonomic Position Revealed and Revised
Authors: Molodtsova Tina N. , Opresko Dennis M. , O’Mahoney Michael , Simakova Ulyana V. , Kolyuchkina Galina A. , Bledsoe Yessenia M. , Nasiadka Teresa W. , Ross Rachael F. , Brugler Mercer R.
Published: March 2023

The genus Abyssopathes Opresko, 2002, comprises deep-sea black corals known almost exclusively from lower bathyal and abyssal depths, mainly from seamounts covered by cobalt-rich crusts and areas of polymetallic nodules. The taxonomical position of the genus and its placement in the family Schizopathidae has been repeatedly questioned, but fruitlessly. Known only in extremely deep habitats, these corals have rarely been collected in a state suitable for morphological or molecular studies that could help to clarify their status. Recently, increasing attention has been paid to the study of fauna associated with deep-sea minerals. Using material of Abyssopathes lyra (Brook, 1889) sampled during these studies, we transfer the genus Abyssopathes from the family Schizopathidae to the family Cladopathidae based on morphological and molecular data. Morphological data includes six mesenteries in the polyps, a unique pinnulation pattern found only in genera within the Cladopathidae, and relatively short polyp tentacles, a feature typical of some cladopathids. Sequencing data, consisting of 626 bp from the mitochondrial cox1 gene, showed that Abyssopathes is 99% identical to Chrysopathes Opresko, 2003, Cladopathes Brook, 1889, Heteropathes Opresko, 2011, and Trissopathes Opresko, 2003 (all Cladopathidae), in this gene region.
Key Factors Strengthening Residents’ Psychological Well-Being and Critical Human-Nature Connections within the Living Spaces—An Example from Beijing
Authors: Xie Shilin , Pan Quan , Zheng Hua , Xiao Nengwen , Li Junsheng
Published: March 2023

Background: Residential green spaces and the co-inhabiting bird communities provide critical cultural ecosystem services for urban dwellers, which is critical for citizens’ psychological well-being but has largely been overlooked, especially in China. This study attempted to delineate the relationship between human-nature interactions occurring at different scenarios in the health deriving procedure, and identify the key factors influencing urban residents’ psychological well-being and the potential critical human-nature connections within their living spaces. Methods: Bird, plant, and social surveys were sequentially conducted. A model selection procedure based on AICc information was used to find the key factors that are responsible for residents’ psychological well-being, and logistic regression analysis was conducted to figure out the key drivers for the occurrence of critical within-living-space human-nature connections. Results: Most of the respondents are aware of the neighborhood biodiversity and most of them are fond of it, and respondents who prefer fauna over flora have a considerably lower depression degree. Watching birds is the only critical within-living-space nature-related activity that is responsible for residents’ psychological well-being. Both residents’ psychological well-being and bird watching activity were simultaneously affected by nature-related activities within and outside the living spaces, while their preference for different aspects of biodiversity and their capability in perceiving them were also important, despite the difference in exact parameters. In addition, personal attributes such as age, financial income, and physical or mental health status also contribute to psychological well-being. Conclusions: This study successfully bridged citizens’ minds with health products, and the major contribution was the demonstration of a spatial-scale-oriented circuit for people-nature connections, which contributes to the practical application of nature-based therapy.
Multi-Proxy Paleoecological Reconstruction of Peatland Initiation, Development and Restoration in an Urban Area (Moscow, Russia)
Authors: Mazei Yuri A. , Tsyganov Andrey N. , Ershova Ekaterina G. , Mazei Natalia G. , Pimenov Valery E. , Kotlyarova Elizaveta V. , Kuzmenkova Natalia V. , Paramonov Mikhail S. , Chulei Artemii D. , Makarova Anastasiya D. , Zhirov Ivan A. , Tsaregorodtseva Anna A. , Zhuravleva Marina V. , Kitashov Andrey V. , Ding Ping , Kalmykov Stepan N.
Published: March 2023

Peatlands play an important role in the global carbon cycle but have been exploited over many centuries, which reduces their carbon storage capacity. To investigate peatland development during the late Holocene and their restoration after peat extraction, we applied a multi-proxy paleoecological (pollen, plant macrofossils, testate amoebae, loss on ignition, peat humification, etc.) approach to undisturbed and floating vegetation mat deposits of the Gorenki peatland (Meshchera Lowlands, East European Plain). Peatland development started around 2550 before the common era (BCE) as a waterlogged eutrophic birch forest (terrestrial paludification) surrounded by a broadleaf forest. Around 2400 BCE, the peatland turned into an open mire with Sphagnum mosses, sedges, and willows. During 900–800 BCE, the mire transformed into a wet mesotrophic peatland surrounded by a spruce forest. The first human settlements and deforestation around 300–400 CE coincided with oligotrophization of the mire. The growth of the Slavic population in the region in 14th century CE caused transformation of indigenous spruce–broadleaf forests into croplands, and the mire became drier and forested. Since peat extraction was abandoned in the beginning of 20th century CE, the mire has undergone self-restoration starting with the formation of a Sphagnum cuspidatum/obtusum quagmire on the floating peat remains. The Sphagnum mat stabilized during 1960–2000 CE. During the last twenty years, agricultural activity decreased and pine forests were restored in the adjacent area; the floating mat became drier and more oligotrophic, which can lead to the formation of a bog in the absence of considerable anthropogenic impact.
Space Use and Movements of Southeastern Breeding Double-Crested Cormorants (Nannopterum auritum) in the United States
Authors: Moran Leah L. K. , Dorr Brian S. , Hanson-Dorr Katie C. , Moore R. J. , Rush Scott A.
Published: March 2023

Seasonal movements of Double-crested Cormorants (Nannopterum auritum) have been studied at breeding and wintering sites in the southeastern United States, but little information exists on the movements of these birds within and from their southern breeding sites in lacustrine systems. Since 2001, cormorants have established nesting colonies on islands in Guntersville Reservoir in Alabama, USA. Following the movements of tagged cormorants using satellite telemetry, we found that the mean home range during the 2017 breeding season (May–August) was 41.76 km2, with a core use area of 6.36 km2. The mean home range used by these birds was largest during the period coinciding with incubation: 9–30 May: (98.86 ± 80.64 km2) compared with the chick-rearing 31 May–4 July: 18.30 ± 22.56 km2), and the post-fledge periods (5 July–15 August: 42.04 ± 30.95 km2). There was no significant difference in the metrics of movement and space use between male and female cormorants assessed in this study. Differences in space used by cormorants breeding in Alabama relative to their northern breeding grounds may be explained by landscape characteristics and availability of prey.
Microbial Biopesticides: Diversity, Scope, and Mechanisms Involved in Plant Disease Control
Authors: Vero Silvana , Garmendia Gabriela , Allori Enzo , Sanz José María , Gonda Mariana , Alconada Teresa , Cavello Ivana , Dib Julián Rafael , Diaz Mariana Andrea , Nally Cristina , Pimenta Raphael Sanzio , da Silva Juliana Fonseca Moreira , Vargas Marisol , Zaccari Fernanda , Wisniewski Michael
Published: March 2023

Food losses, defined as a reduction in the quantity and quality of food during production and storage, impact food safety and security. Losses caused by plant pathogens are among the most significant. Chemical pesticides have been extensively used to prevent microbial diseases. Their toxicity and reduced efficacy, however, have encouraged investigators to develop alternatives. Alternatives based on microbial biopesticides tend to be safer and more environmentally benign than conventional pesticides. In recent years, formulations based on biopesticides have progressively increased in number and diversity and have attracted commercial interest. Understanding the mechanisms by which biopesticides control the disease is fundamental to achieving optimal disease control. Biocontrol mechanisms can be divided into two main categories: those related to the ability to inhibit pathogens or their virulence factors, and those that enhance host plant fitness and induce disease resistance. Here, the first type of strategy is reviewed, which is directly mediated by physical contact between biocontrol agents and pathogens or indirectly by exposure of a pathogen to antimicrobial or microbial-inhibiting compounds produced by the microbial antagonist. Mechanisms involving physical contact include mycophagy, destruction of pathogenic bacteria by bacteriophages or predation, and disease inhibition by topical applications of specific dsRNA. Indirect mechanisms that do not involve direct contact with a pathogen include the production of antimicrobial compounds, competition, and virulence factor suppression by quorum quenching. These topics are reviewed and discussed.
A Model for Diagnosing Autism Patients Using Spatial and Statistical Measures Using rs-fMRI and sMRI by Adopting Graphical Neural Networks
Authors: Manikantan Kiruthigha , Jaganathan Suresh
Published: March 2023

This article proposes a model to diagnose autism patients using graphical neural networks. A graphical neural network relates the subjects (nodes) using the features (edges). In our model, radiomic features obtained from sMRI are used as edges, and spatial-temporal data obtained through rs-fMRI are used as nodes. The similarity between first-order and texture features from the sMRI data of subjects are derived using radiomics to construct the edges of a graph. The features from brain summaries are assembled and learned using 3DCNN to represent the features of each node of the graph. Using the structural similarities of the brain rather than phenotypic data or graph kernel functions provides better accuracy. The proposed model was applied to a standard dataset, ABIDE, and it was shown that the classification results improved with the use of both spatial (sMRI) and statistical measures (brain summaries of rs-fMRI) instead of using only medical images.
Liver PET Reloaded: Automated Synthesis of [68Ga]Ga-BP-IDA for Positron Imaging of the Hepatobiliary Function and First Clinical Experience
Authors: Werner Anke , Freesmeyer Martin , Kühnel Christian , Drescher Robert , Greiser Julia
Published: March 2023

Hepatobiliary scintigraphy is a well-established nuclear imaging method for evaluating liver function and displaying the biliary system, but the spatial and temporal resolution is limited, and, there is still no established PET equivalent. Adapted from the work of Schuhmacher et al. in 1983, the production of a 68Gallium-labeled substitute, tetrabromophthalein ([68Ga]Ga-BP-IDA), was undertaken according to current Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards and proved feasible and reproducible. PET/CT with the radiotracer was performed in two complex patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in preparation for transarterial radioembolization. Due to its high spatial and temporal resolution, localization of areas with impaired liver function and visualization of the biliary system were possible. We could demonstrate that this 68Gallium-labeled, IDA-based PET tracer is feasible and could advance hepatic and biliary function PET imaging.
A Novel Framework of Manifold Learning Cascade-Clustering for the Informative Frame Selection
Authors: Zhang Lei , Wu Linjie , Wei Liangzhuang , Wu Haitao , Lin Yandan
Published: March 2023

Narrow band imaging is an established non-invasive tool used for the early detection of laryngeal cancer in surveillance examinations. Most images produced from the examination are useless, such as blurred, specular reflection, and underexposed. Removing the uninformative frames is vital to improve detection accuracy and speed up computer-aided diagnosis. It often takes a lot of time for the physician to manually inspect the informative frames. This issue is commonly addressed by a classifier with task-specific categories of the uninformative frames. However, the definition of the uninformative categories is ambiguous, and tedious labeling still cannot be avoided. Here, we show that a novel unsupervised scheme is comparable to the current benchmarks on the dataset of NBI-InfFrames. We extract feature embedding using a vanilla neural network (VGG16) and introduce a new dimensionality reduction method called UMAP that distinguishes the feature embedding in the lower-dimensional space. Along with the proposed automatic cluster labeling algorithm and cost function in Bayesian optimization, the proposed method coupled with UMAP achieves state-of-the-art performance. It outperforms the baseline by 12% absolute. The overall median recall of the proposed method is currently the highest, 96%. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme and the robustness of detecting the informative frames. It also suggests the patterns embedded in the data help develop flexible algorithms that do not require manual labeling.
A Combination of Platelet-Rich Fibrin and Collagen Membranes for Sinus Membrane Repair: A Case Report (Repair of Sinus Membrane Perforation)
Authors: Koleilat Anass , Mansour Alaa , Alkassimi Fatma M. , Aguirre Alfredo , Almaghrabi Bandar
Published: March 2023

Maxillary sinus lift surgery is applied to compensate for the reduced vertical height in the posterior maxilla to facilitate placing a dental implant of a suitable length. Pathological conditions may be accidentally discovered, which necessitate careful assessment and management to prevent the infection of the maxillofacial complex and eventually bone grafting and dental implant failure. This case report describes an approach for the management of Schneiderian membrane perforation associated with the removal of an antral pseudocyst for successful dental implant therapy. A 70-year-old healthy Caucasian male presented for implant therapy to replace a non-restorable maxillary molar. Initial examination revealed the need for a sinus lift procedure to prepare the site for implant placement. A 3D CBCT evaluation before surgery revealed an incidental finding of a pathological lesion at the surgical site. The histological analysis of a biopsy specimen retrieved during implant site preparation showed findings consistent with antral pseudocyst. The resulting perforation of the sinus membrane was treated, and an adequate period of healing was given. A thickened sinus membrane was detected upon surgical exposure for implant placement. The novel technique illustrated could result in a fibrotic repaired sinus membrane and help shorten the time required for dental implant treatment.
Dental Materials Design and Innovative Treatment Approach
Authors: Gianfreda Francesco , Bollero Patrizio
Published: March 2023

In recent years, technological innovation has had exponential growth, resulting in positive implications in dentistry [...]
TAN: A Transferable Adversarial Network for DNN-Based UAV SAR Automatic Target Recognition Models
Authors: Du Meng , Sun Yuxin , Sun Bing , Wu Zilong , Luo Lan , Bi Daping , Du Mingyang
Published: March 2023

Recently, the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) has become a highly sought-after topic for its wide applications in target recognition, detection, and tracking. However, SAR automatic target recognition (ATR) models based on deep neural networks (DNN) are suffering from adversarial examples. Generally, non-cooperators rarely disclose any SAR-ATR model information, making adversarial attacks challenging. To tackle this issue, we propose a novel attack method called Transferable Adversarial Network (TAN). It can craft highly transferable adversarial examples in real time and attack SAR-ATR models without any prior knowledge, which is of great significance for real-world black-box attacks. The proposed method improves the transferability via a two-player game, in which we simultaneously train two encoder–decoder models: a generator that crafts malicious samples through a one-step forward mapping from original data, and an attenuator that weakens the effectiveness of malicious samples by capturing the most harmful deformations. Particularly, compared to traditional iterative methods, the encoder–decoder model can one-step map original samples to adversarial examples, thus enabling real-time attacks. Experimental results indicate that our approach achieves state-of-the-art transferability with acceptable adversarial perturbations and minimum time costs compared to existing attack methods, making real-time black-box attacks without any prior knowledge a reality.
Prediction of the Number of Cumulative Pulses Based on the Photon Statistical Entropy Evaluation in Photon-Counting LiDAR
Authors: Huang Mingwei , Zhang Zijing , Cen Longzhu , Li Jiahuan , Xie Jiaheng , Zhao Yuan
Published: March 2023

Photon-counting LiDAR encounters interference from background noise in remote target detection, and the statistical detection of the accumulation of multiple pulses is necessary to eliminate the uncertainty of responses from the Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode (Gm-APD). The cumulative number of statistical detections is difficult to select due to the lack of effective evaluation of the influence of the background noise. In this work, a statistical detection signal evaluation method based on photon statistical entropy (PSE) is proposed by developing the detection process of the Gm-APD as an information transmission model. A prediction model for estimating the number of cumulative pulses required for high-accuracy ranging with the background noise is then established. The simulation analysis shows that the proposed PSE is more sensitive to the noise compared with the signal-to-noise ratio evaluation, and a minimum PSE exists to ensure all the range detections with background noise are close to the true range with a low and stable range error. The experiments demonstrate that the prediction model provides a reliable estimation of the number of required cumulative pulses in various noise conditions. With the estimated number of cumulative pulses, when the signal photons are less than 0.1 per pulse, the range accuracy of 4.1 cm and 5.3 cm are obtained under the background noise of 7.6 MHz and 5.1 MHz, respectively.
Application of the Esscher Transform to Pricing Forward Contracts on Energy Markets in a Fuzzy Environment
Authors: Nowak Piotr , Pawłowski Michał
Published: March 2023

The paper is dedicated to modeling electricity spot prices and pricing forward contracts on energy markets. The underlying dynamics of electricity spot prices is governed by a stochastic mean reverting diffusion with jumps having mixed-exponential distribution. Application of financial mathematics and stochastic methods enabled the derivation of the analytical formula for the forward contract’s price in a crisp case. Since the model parameters’ incertitude is considered, their fuzzy counterparts are introduced. Utilization of fuzzy arithmetic enabled deriving an analytical expression for the futures price and proposing a modified method for decision-making under uncertainty. Finally, numerical examples are analyzed to illustrate our pricing approach and the proposed financial decision-making method.
Few-Shot Training GAN for Face Forgery Classification and Segmentation Based on the Fine-Tune Approach
Authors: Lin Yih-Kai , Sun Hao-Lun
Published: March 2023

There are many techniques for faking videos that can alter the face in a video to look like another person. This type of fake video has caused a number of information security crises. Many deep learning-based detection methods have been developed for these forgery methods. These detection methods require a large amount of training data and thus cannot develop detectors quickly when new forgery methods emerge. In addition, traditional forgery detection refers to a classifier that outputs real or fake versions of the input images. If the detector can output a prediction of the fake area, i.e., a segmentation version of forgery detection, it will be a great help for forensic work. Thus, in this paper, we propose a GAN-based deep learning approach that allows detection of forged regions using a smaller number of training samples. The generator part of the proposed architecture is used to synthesize predicted segmentation which indicates the fakeness of each pixel. To solve the classification problem, a threshold on the percentage of fake pixels is used to decide whether the input image is fake. For detecting fake videos, frames of the video are extracted and it is detected whether they are fake. If the percentage of fake frames is higher than a given threshold, the video is classified as fake. Compared with other papers, the experimental results show that our method has better classification and segmentation.
Feasibility Study for a Python-Based Embedded Real-Time Control System
Authors: Cho Se Yeon , Delgado Raimarius , Choi Byoung Wook
Published: March 2023

Because of its simplicity and the support of numerous useful libraries, Python has become one of the most popular programming languages for application development, even in embedded systems. However, in existing control systems where specific tasks must meet specific temporal deadlines and support schedulability with proper priority assignments, the Python interpreter may not satisfy real-time requirements, owing to features such as the global interpreter lock and garbage collector. This paper addresses these constraints with an approach that executes periodic real-time tasks under the fixed-priority preemptible scheduler of RT-Preempt. First, we implemented a Python real-time module that allows users to create and execute periodic tasks with fixed priorities based on Python. Then, we conducted experiments on an open embedded system, in this case, a Raspberry Pi 4. We evaluated the real-time performance, focusing on test metrics for control systems, such as task periodicity, responsiveness, and interrupt response. The results were then compared to those of conventional real-time tasks developed using the C language to validate the feasibility of the proposed method. Finally, we performed experimental validation by tracking the position of EtherCAT servo motors to demonstrate the feasibility of a Python-based real-time control system in a practical application.