bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrative Analyses of Circulating mRNA and lncRNA Expression Profile in Plasma of Lung Cancer Patients
Authors: Li Haoran , Li Mingru , Guo Haifa , Lin Guihu , Huang Qi , Qiu Mantang
Published: March 2022

Circulating-free RNAs (cfRNAs) have been regarded as potential biomarkers for “liquid biopsy” in cancers. However, the circulating messenger RNA (mRNA) and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) profiles of lung cancer have not been fully characterized. In this study, we profiled circulating mRNA and lncRNA profiles of 16 lung cancer patients and 4 patients with benign pulmonary nodules. Compared with benign pulmonary nodules, 806 mRNAs and 1,762 lncRNAs were differentially expressed in plasma of lung adenocarcinoma patients. For lung squamous cell carcinomas, 256 mRNAs and 946 lncRNAs were differentially expressed. A total of 231 mRNAs and 298 lncRNAs were differentially expressed in small cell lung cancer. Eleven mRNAs, 51 lncRNAs, and 207 canonical pathways were differentially expressed in lung cancer in total. Forty-five blood samples were collected to verify our findings via performing qPCR. There are plenty of meaningful mRNAs and lncRNAs that were found. MYC, a transcription regulator associated with the stemness of cancer cells, is overexpressed in lung adenocarcinoma. Transforming growth factor beta (TGFB1), which plays pleiotropic roles in cancer progression, was found to be upregulated in lung squamous carcinoma. MALAT1, a well-known oncogenic lncRNA, was also found to be upregulated in lung squamous carcinoma. Thus, this study provided a systematic resource of mRNA and lncRNA expression profiles in lung cancer plasma.
Epimedium for Osteoporosis Based on Western and Eastern Medicine: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Shi Shihua , Wang Fei , Huang Yong , Chen Bonan , Pei Caixia , Huang Demei , Wang Xiaomin , Wang Yilan , Kou Shuo , Li Weihao , Ma Tianhong , Wu Yongcan , Wang Zhenxing
Published: March 2022

Background: The efficacy of conventional pharmacotherapy on osteoporosis was limited and accompanied with serious side effects. Epimedium might have the potential to be developed as agents to treat osteoporosis. The present systematic review and meta-analysis integrating Western medicine and Eastern medicine (“WE” medicine) was to evaluate the efficacy of Epimedium on osteoporosis.

Methods: Eleven electronic databases were searched to identify the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing Epimedium as an adjunctive or alternative versus conventional pharmacotherapy during osteoporosis. Bone mineral density (BMD), effective rate, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were measured as primary outcomes. The secondary outcomes were pain relief time, bone metabolic markers, and adverse events. Research quality evaluation was conducted according to the modified Jadad scale. Review Manager 5.4 was utilized to perform analyses, and the data were pooled using a random-effect or fixed-effect model to calculate the weighted mean difference (WMD), standardized mean difference (SMD), risk ratio (RR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: Twelve RCTs recruiting 1,017 patients were eligible. Overall, it was possible to verify that, in the Epimedium plus conventional pharmacotherapy group, BMD was significantly improved (p = 0.03), effective rate was significantly improved (p = 0.0001), and VAS was significantly decreased (p = 0.01) over those in control group. When compared to conventional pharmacotherapy, Epimedium used alone improved BMD (p = 0.009) and effective rate (p < 0.0001). VAS was lower (p < 0.00001), and the level of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was significantly decreased (p = 0.01) in patients taking Epimedium alone compared with those given conventional pharmacotherapy. Results of subgroup analyses yielded that the recommended duration of Epimedium as an adjuvant was >3 months (p = 0.03), the recommended duration of Epimedium as an alternative was ≤3 months (p = 0.002), and Epimedium decoction brought more benefits (SMD = 2.33 [1.92, 2.75]) compared with other dosage forms. No significant publication bias was identified based on statistical tests (t = 0.81, p = 0.440).

Conclusions: Epimedium may improve BMD and effective rate and relieve pain as an adjuvant or alternative; Epimedium as an alternative might regulate bone metabolism, especially ALP, with satisfying clinical efficacy during osteoporosis. More rigorous RCTs are warranted to confirm these results.
The Relation Between Extracellular Vesicles Released From Red Blood Cells, Their Cargo, and the Clearance by Macrophages
Authors: Nguyen Duc Bach , Tran Hanh Triet , Kaestner Lars , Bernhardt Ingolf
Published: March 2022

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived membrane particles that include exosomes, ectosomes, microvesicles, microparticles, apoptotic bodies, and other EV subsets. EVs are involved in intercellular communication and the transport of macromolecules between cells. Here, we propose and test the ability of red blood cell (RBC)-derived EVs (RBC-EVs) as putative drug carriers. EVs were produced by treating RBCs with Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) and separating from the cells by differential centrifugation steps. RBC-EVs were characterized by size determination, flow cytometry, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). EVs were loaded with DNA plasmids coding for the green fluorescent protein (GFP) by electroporation. The DNA-loaded EVs (DNA-EVs) were used to transfect THP-1-derived macrophages and analyzed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. The results showed that RBC-EVs had an almost spherical shape and a polydispersity in their size with an average of 197 ± 44 nm and with a zeta potential of −36 ± 8 mV. RBC-EVs were successfully loaded with DNA but associated with an increase of the polydispersity index (PdI) and showed a positive signal with Picogreen. DNA-EVs were almost completely taken up by macrophages within 24 h, however, resulting in the expression of the GFP in a subpopulation of macrophages. As the way, we designed that RBC-EVs could be potential nucleic acid carriers when the immune system was addressed. This study may contribute to the understanding of the role of EVs in the development of microvesicle-based vehicles.
Pancreas Fat, an Early Marker of Metabolic Risk? A Magnetic Resonance Study of Chinese and Caucasian Women: TOFI_Asia Study
Authors: Sequeira Ivana R. , Yip Wilson C. , Lu Louise W. W. , Jiang Yannan , Murphy Rinki , Plank Lindsay D. , Cooper Garth J. S. , Peters Carl N. , Lu Jun , Hollingsworth Kieren G. , Poppitt Sally D.
Published: March 2022

Objective

Prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is disproportionately higher in younger outwardly lean Asian Chinese compared to matched Caucasians. Susceptibility to T2D is hypothesised due to dysfunctional adipose tissue expansion resulting in adverse abdominal visceral and organ fat accumulation. Impact on early risk, particularly in individuals characterised by the thin-on-the-outside-fat-on-the-inside (TOFI) phenotype, is undetermined.

Methods

Sixty-eight women [34 Chinese, 34 Caucasian; 18–70 years; body mass index (BMI), 20–45 kg/m2] from the TOFI_Asia study underwent magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy to quantify visceral, pancreas, and liver fat. Total body fat was (TBF) assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and fasting blood biomarkers were measured. Ethnic comparisons, conducted using two-sample tests and multivariate regressions adjusted for age, % TBF and ethnicity, identified relationships between abdominal ectopic fat depots with fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR), and related metabolic clinical risk markers in all, and within ethnic groups.

Results

Despite being younger and of lower bodyweight, Chinese women in the cohort had similar BMI and % TBF compared to their Caucasian counterparts. Protective high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total- and high-molecular weight adiponectin were significantly lower, while glucoregulatory glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucagon significantly higher, in Chinese. There were no ethnic differences between % pancreas fat and % liver fat. However, at low BMI, % pancreas and % liver fat were ∼1 and ∼2% higher in Chinese compared to Caucasian women. In all women, % pancreas and visceral adipose tissue had the strongest correlation with FPG, independent of age and % TBF. Percentage (%) pancreas fat and age positively contributed to variance in FPG, whereas % TBF, amylin and C-peptide contributed to IR which was 0.3 units higher in Chinese.

Conclusion

Pancreas fat accumulation may be an early adverse event, in TOFI individuals, with peptides highlighting pancreatic dysfunction as drivers of T2D susceptibility. Follow-up is warranted to explore causality.
The Dependence of Urinary Bladder Responses on Extracellular Calcium Varies Between Muscarinic, Histamine, 5-HT (Serotonin), Neurokinin, Prostaglandin, and Angiotensin Receptor Activation
Authors: Phelps Charlotte , Chess-Williams Russ , Moro Christian
Published: March 2022

With many common bladder diseases arising due to abnormal contractions, a greater understanding of the receptor systems involved may aid the development of future treatments. The aim of this study was to identify any difference in the involvement of extracellular calcium (Ca2+) across prominent contractile-mediating receptors within cells lining the bladder. Strips of porcine urothelium and lamina propria were isolated from the urinary bladder dome and mounted in isolated tissue baths containing Krebs-bicarbonate solution, perfused with carbogen gas at 37°C. Tissue contractions, as well as changes to the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous activity were recorded after the addition of muscarinic, histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, neurokinin-A, prostaglandin E2, and angiotensin II receptor agonists in the absence and presence of 1 µM nifedipine or nominally zero Ca2+ solution. The absence of extracellular Ca2+ influx after immersion into nominally zero Ca2+ solution, or the addition of nifedipine, significantly inhibited the contractile responses (p < 0.05 for all) after stimulation with carbachol (1 µM), histamine (100 µM), 5-hydroxytryptamine (100 µM), neurokinin-A (300 nM), prostaglandin E2 (10 µM), and angiotensin II (100 nM). On average, Ca2+ influx from extracellular sources was responsible for between 20–50% of receptor-mediated contractions. This suggests that although the specific requirement of Ca2+ on contractile responses varies depending on the receptor, extracellular Ca2+ plays a key role in mediating G protein-coupled receptor contractions of the urothelium and lamina propria.
Microbiome Variation Across Populations of Desert Halophyte Zygophyllum qatarensis
Authors: Khan Abdul Latif , Lopes Lucas Dantas , Bilal Saqib , Asaf Sajjad , Crawford Kerri M. , Balan Venkatesh , Al-Rawahi Ahmed , Al-Harrasi Ahmed , Schachtman Daniel P.
Published: March 2022

Microbial symbionts play a significant role in plant health and stress tolerance. However, few studies exist that address rare species of core-microbiome function during abiotic stress. In the current study, we compared the microbiome composition of succulent dwarf shrub halophyte Zygophyllum qatarensis Hadidi across desert populations. The results showed that rhizospheric and endosphere microbiome greatly varied due to soil texture (sandy and gravel). No specific bacterial amplicon sequence variants were observed in the core-microbiome of bulk soil and rhizosphere, however, bacterial genus Alcaligenes and fungal genus Acidea were abundantly distributed across root and shoot endospheres. We also analyzed major nutrients such as silicon (Si), magnesium, and calcium across different soil textures and Z. qatarensis populations. The results showed that the rhizosphere and root parts had significantly higher Si content than the bulk soil and shoot parts. The microbiome variation can be attributed to markedly higher Si – suggesting that selective microbes are contributing to the translocation of soluble Si to root. In conclusion, low core-microbiome species abundance might be due to the harsh growing conditions in the desert – making Z. qatarensis highly selective to associate with microbial communities. Utilizing rare microbial players from plant microbiomes may be vital for increasing crop stress tolerance and productivity during stresses.
Parent–Child Relationships and Academic Performance of College Students: Chain-Mediating Roles of Gratitude and Psychological Capital
Authors: Li Jun , Huang Jianhao , Hu Ziao , Zhao Xiang
Published: March 2022

This study used the Social Cognitive Theory and Broaden-and-Build Theory to propose and validate a chain mediation model. In total, 417 Chinese college students were studied to explore the effects of parent–child relationships on their academic performance. In addition, we investigated the chain-mediating roles of gratitude and psychological capital. The results showed that (1) the parent–child relationship significantly and positively affected the academic performance of college students; (2) gratitude partially mediated the parent–child relationship and the academic performance of college students; (3) psychological capital partially mediated the parent-child relationship and the academic performance of college students; and (4) gratitude and psychological capital exerted a chain-mediating effect between parent–child relationships and the academic performance of college students. Based on the results of the study, we conclude that the parent–child relationship not only directly affects the academic performance of college students but also indirectly affects it through the chain mediation of gratitude and psychological capital. Moreover, we proposed reasonable suggestions on how colleges and universities can guide students to deal with parent-child relationships, strengthen gratitude education, and improve psychological capital.
Trajectory Analysis of Suicidal Ideation in Spanish College Students Using Ecological Momentary Assessment
Authors: Layrón Folgado José Enrique , Conchado Peiró Andrea , Marco José H. , Barrigón María Luisa , Baca-García Enrique , Pérez Rodríguez Sandra
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Suicide is a preventable death in young people. It is well known that suicide behavior is a multicausal phenomenon. However, suicidal ideation (SI) commonly underlies suicide, and Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) can help us to better characterize it and its risk and protective factors in the short term. We aimed, first, to investigate the estimated prevalence and trajectories of SI in a community sample of Spanish college students using an EMA methodology and, second, explore the associations between risk and protective factors and SI categorized as moderate or low.

Materials and Methods

A total of 737 participants followed the EMA during a period of 6 months. We estimated the prevalence and trajectories of SI and the associations between depressive symptoms, positive and negative affect, thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, cognitive reappraisal, emotional suppression, and purpose in life with the MEmind smartphone App. SI was assessed 14 times during this period.

Results

Twenty-eight participants referred to SI at least once in longitudinal assessments. We found a lack of curvature and, thus, a relatively stable trajectory of SI. Two groups of latent dimensions were observed related to risk and protective factors of SI. One latent dimension of the risk factors (higher levels of thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, depressive symptoms, negative affect, and emotional suppression) best represented the group with moderate levels of SI, and a second latent dimension of protective variables (positive affect, cognitive reappraisal, and purpose in life) best represented the group with lower levels of SI.

Discussion

These findings may indicate that students with a sense of having a life worth living, in addition to having the ability to reevaluate their negative beliefs, are less likely to experience high levels of SI. Therefore, purpose in life would be a protective factor against the presence of SI.
Evaluating Health Education Module on Hand, Food, and Mouth Diseases Among Preschoolers in Malacca, Malaysia
Authors: Shahar Syazwani , Shahar Hayati Kadir , Muthiah Sri Ganesh , Mani Kulanthayan K. C.
Published: March 2022

This study aims to improve parents' perceptions of susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers to children's handwashing practice by utilizing the Health Belief Model. In Alor Gajah, Melaka, a parallel cluster-randomized controlled study was conducted over 26 months. Parents who agreed to participate completed pre-test (t0) questionnaires. Data analysis used IBM SPSS version 25. The descriptive analysis described the baseline data pre-intervention. Chi-square andT-test or Mann-Whitney U test for non-parametric analysis assessed baseline data comparability between intervention and control groups. Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) analyzed between and within-group comparison of the outcomes, and multivariate analysis determined the effectiveness of the intervention with clustered data. The individual participation rate was 86%. Parents who followed up immediately had higher perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and perceived barriers (p< 0.001). Each unit increment in parents' practice score was 0.02-unit higher preschool children's hand hygiene practice score (p= 0.045). The intervention effectively improved parents' perceived susceptibility and benefits at immediate follow-up compared to baseline. However, there were no significant intervention effects on parents' perceived severity and barriers and preschool children's handwashing practices. The follow-up time significantly affected each outcome. There were significant covariates as the outcome predictors in this study, besides intervention groups and follow-up time. Parents' knowledge and age of the youngest child were significant predictors of parents' perceived susceptibility, besides parents' knowledge and perceived susceptibility being the predictors of parents' practice score. As a result, parents, teachers, and communities can implement this intervention in other schools with susceptible children.
Parental Self-Perception, Parental Investment, and Early Childhood Developmental Outcomes: Evidence From Rural China
Authors: Wang Lei , Wang Ting , Li Hui , Guo Kaiwen , Hu Lynn , Zhang Siqi , Rozelle Scott
Published: March 2022

Using a three-wave longitudinal survey conducted in 815 households in rural Western China, this study aims to examine the association between parental self-perception and early childhood development and the mediation effect of parental investment on the association between parental self-perception and child development when the sample children are at different ages in the early childhood (18–30, 22–36, and 49–65 months). The results demonstrate that parental self-perception are positively and significantly associated with child social-emotional development in all three ages of childhood (from 18 to 65 months). Positive and significant association between parental self-perception and child cognitive development is found in the ages from 22 to 65 months. In addition, findings of this study show that parental investment plays a mediating role in the association between parental self-perception and child cognitive development. The study calls on policymakers to help to strengthen parental self-perception and parental investment related to early childhood development, which should result in better child development in rural China.
Tree Bark: A Surprising and Diverse Reservoir for Water
Authors: Siegert Courtney M. , Ilek Anna
Published: April 2022

Bark is the outside layer of wood that all trees have. Bark protects trees from harsh environmental conditions including weather, pests, disease, and damage from hungry animals. Just like leaves, bark is different across species. Some trees have thick, rough bark while others have thin, smooth bark. When it rains, bark acts like a sponge and absorbs water. Some trees have bark with large pore spaces that make it easy to absorb rain water quickly. Other trees have bark with smaller pore spaces, which absorb water slowly. Each tree species has a maximum storage capacity of water that can be held in the bark. In fact, some mature trees can store more than 100 L of water in their bark—that is about as much water as you would use in a 10-min shower! In this way, bark influences the water cycle of individual trees and entire forests.
Trust and Engagement on Twitter During the Management of COVID-19 Pandemic: The Effect of Gender and Position
Authors: Yousefinaghani Samira , Dara Rozita , MacKay Melissa , Papadopoulos Andrew , Sharif Shayan
Published: April 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, health and political leaders have attempted to update citizens using Twitter. Here, we examined the difference between environments that social media has provided for male/female or health/political leaders to interact with people during the COVID-19 pandemic. The comparison was made based on the content of posts and public responses to those posts as well as user-level and post-level metrics. Our findings suggest that although health officers and female leaders generated more contents on Twitter, political leaders and male authorities were more active in building networks. Offensive language was used more frequently toward males than females and toward political leaders than health leaders. The public also used more appreciation keywords toward health leaders than politicians, while more judgmental and economy-related keywords were used toward politicians. Overall, depending on the gender and position of leaders, Twitter provided them with different environments to communicate and manage the pandemic.
Analysis of Laparoscopic Ultrathin Choledochoscope Curative Effect on Common Bile Duct Exploration and Choledocholithotomy in 47 Cases
Authors: Liu Yang , Yang Tao , Liu Jia-Hong , Meng Xuan , Xia Hong-Tian
Published: March 2022

Objective

The aim of the present study is to summarize the experience of using a 2. 7 mm choledochoscope for laparoscopic cholecystectomy combined with an ultrathin choledochoscope for common bile duct exploration and choledocholithotomy in the treatment of cholecystolithiasis associated with choledocholithiasis after the implementation of strict inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 47 patients with cholecystolithiasis complicated with choledocholithiasis who were treated in the hepatopancreatobiliary surgery department of the Chinese People's Liberated Army General Hospital between January 2015 and December 2019 was performed in the present study. Clinical data of laparoscopic cholecystectomy combined with ultrathin choledochoscope transcystic duct exploration for common bile duct and choledocholithotomy.

Results

All 47 patients completed the operation successfully. The gallbladder duct was closed using a surgical clamp. Only 2 patients were administered with an abdominal drainage tube. The operation time was 50–160 min, the intraoperative blood loss was 5–50 ml, and the postoperative hospital stay was 2–8 days. No patients had serious complications, such as bile leakage, postoperative bleeding, cholangitis, biliary pancreatitis, and wound infection. Minor complications, such as abdominal pain (Abdominal pain was defined as a patient felt tolerable or unbearable abdominal pain but improved or disappeared with medication) and diarrhea, were present in a few patients; these improved after conservative treatment. There was no recurrence of calculi during the 1–5 years of follow-up, and the patient quality of life was good.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy combined with ultrathin choledochoscope common bile duct exploration and choledocholithotomy is a safe and effective method after adopting strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. This technology was started in the First Medical Center, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital in September 2009, and it has become extremely mature in the past 5 years.
Therapeutic Potential of Inducible Endogenous Cytoprotective Heme Oxygenase-1 in Mitigating SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Associated Inflammation
Authors: Dhawan Subhash
Published: March 2022

The inducible cytoprotective enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) has gained significant recognition in recent years for mediating strong cellular resistance to a broad range of viral infections, regardless of the type of viruses, viral strains, or mutants. HO-1 is not a typical antiviral agent that targets any particular pathogen. It is a “viral tropism independent” endogenous host defense factor that upon induction provides general cellular protection against pathogens. By virtue of HO-1 being widely distributed intracellular enzyme in virtually every cell, this unique host factor presents a novel class of generic host defense system against a variety of viral infections. This Viewpoint proposes pharmacological evaluation of the HO-1-dependent cellular resistance for its potential in mitigating infections by deadly viruses, including the current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), its variants, and mutants. HO-1-dependent cellular resistance against SARS-CoV-2 can complement current medical modalities for much effective control of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially with constantly emerging new viral variants and limited therapeutic options to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated severe health consequences.
Computation 2020 Best Paper Awards
Authors:   Computation Editorial Office
Published: March 2022

Computation is instituting the Best Paper Awards to recognize outstanding papers published in the journal [...]
A New Quantum Multiparty Simultaneous Identity Authentication Protocol with the Classical Third-Party
Authors: Li Xiang , Zhang Kejia , Zhang Long , Zhao Xu
Published: March 2022

To guarantee information security in communication, quantum identity authentication plays a key role in politics, economy, finance, daily life and other fields. In this paper, a new quantum multiparty simultaneous identity authentication protocol with Greenberger–Home–Zeilinger (GHZ) state is presented. In this protocol, the authenticator and the certified parties are the participants with quantum ability, whereas the third party is a classical participant. Here, the third-party is honest and the other two parties may be dishonest. With the help of a classical third-party, a quantum authenticator and the multiple certified parties can implement two-way identity authentication at the same time. It reduces the quantum burden of participants and lowers down the trustworthiness, which makes the protocol be feasible in practice. Through further security analysis, the protocol can effectively prevent an illegal dishonest participant from obtaining a legitimate identity. It shows that the protocol is against impersonation attack, intercept-measure-resend attack and entangle-measure attack, etc. In all, the paper provides positive efforts for the subsequent security identity authentication in quantum network.
A Big Data Method Based on Random BP Neural Network and Its Application for Analyzing Influencing Factors on Productivity of Shale Gas Wells
Authors: Zhao Qun , Zhang Leifu , Liu Zhongguo , Wang Hongyan , Yao Jie , Zhang Xiaowei , Yu Rongze , Zhou Tianqi , Kang Lixia
Published: March 2022

In recent years, big data and artificial intelligence technology have developed rapidly and are now widely used in fields of geophysics, well logging, and well test analysis in the exploration and development of oil and gas. The development of shale gas requires a large number of production wells, so big data and artificial intelligence technology have inherent advantages for evaluating the productivity of gas wells and analyzing the influencing factors for a whole development block. To this end, this paper combines the BP neural network algorithm with random probability analysis to establish a big data method for analyzing the influencing factors on the productivity of shale gas wells, using artificial intelligence and in-depth extraction of relevant information to reduce the unstable results from single-factor statistical analysis and the BP neural network. We have modeled and analyzed our model with a large amount of data. Under standard well conditions, the influences of geological and engineering factors on the productivity of a gas well can be converted to the same scale for comparison. This can more intuitively and quantitatively reflect the influences of different factors on gas well productivity. Taking 100 production wells in the Changning shale gas block as a case, random BP neural network analysis shows that maximum EUR can be obtained when a horizontal shale gas well has a fracture coefficient of 1.6, Type I reservoir of 18 m thick, optimal horizontal section of 1600 m long, and 20 fractured sections.
Advanced Forecasting Methods of 5-Minute Power Generation in a PV System for Microgrid Operation Control
Authors: Piotrowski Paweł , Parol Mirosław , Kapler Piotr , Fetliński Bartosz
Published: April 2022

This paper concerns very-short-term (5-Minute) forecasting of photovoltaic power generation. Developing the methods useful for this type of forecast is the main aim of this study. We prepared a comprehensive study based on fragmentary time series, including 4 full days, of 5 min power generation. This problem is particularly important to microgrids’ operation control, i.e., for the proper operation of small energy micro-systems. The forecasting of power generation by renewable energy sources on a very-short-term horizon, including PV systems, is very important, especially in the island mode of microgrids’ operation. Inaccurate forecasts can lead to the improper operation of microgrids or increasing costs/decreasing profits for microgrid operators. This paper presents a short description of the performance of photovoltaic systems, particularly the main environmental parameters, and a very detailed statistical analysis of data collected from four sample time series of power generation in an existing PV system, which was located on the roof of a building. Different forecasting methods, which can be employed for this type of forecast, and the choice of proper input data in these methods were the subject of special attention in this paper. Ten various prognostic methods (including hybrid and team methods) were tested. A new, proprietary forecasting method—a hybrid method using three independent MLP-type neural networks—was a unique technique devised by the authors of this paper. The forecasts achieved with the use of various methods are presented and discussed in detail. Additionally, a qualitative analysis of the forecasts, achieved using different measures of quality, was performed. Some of the presented prognostic models are, in our opinion, promising tools for practical use, e.g., for operation control in low-voltage microgrids. The most favorable forecasting methods for various sets of input variables were indicated, and practical conclusions regarding the problem under study were formulated. Thanks to the analysis of the utility of different forecasting methods for four analyzed, separate time series, the reliability of conclusions related to the recommended methods was significantly increased.
A Study on Available Power Estimation Algorithm and Its Validation
Authors: Kim Dongmyoung , Jeon Taesu , Paek Insu , Kim Daeyoung
Published: April 2022

Three different algorithms that can be used to estimate the available power of a wind turbine are investigated and validated in this study. The first method is the simplest and using the power curve with the measured nacelle wind speed. The other two are to estimate the equivalent wind speed first without using the measured Nacelle wind speed and to estimate the available power from the rotor power equation. The two methods are different in that the second method is to use the drive-train model to estimate the rotor torque but the third method is to use a simplified equation to avoid sharp peaks in the wind speed estimation. Simulations were performed to validate the constructed available power estimation algorithms with the measured data of a 2 MW target wind turbine. It was found from the validation that the third available power estimation algorithm works properly and is closer to the power actually generated from the wind turbine than the other methods considered. In addition, the third algorithm that showed the best performance was further validated with the DPPT (demanded power point tracking) operation with Matlab/Simulink environment. It was found from the simulation that the third algorithm works well in the DPPT operation to estimate the available power of the wind turbine.
Protein Kinase C (Pkc)-δ Mediates Arginine-Induced Glucagon Secretion in Pancreatic α-Cells
Authors: Honzawa Norikiyo , Fujimoto Kei , Kobayashi Masaki , Kohno Daisuke , Kikuchi Osamu , Yokota-Hashimoto Hiromi , Wada Eri , Ikeuchi Yuichi , Tabei Yoko , Dorn Gerald W. , Utsunomiya Kazunori , Nishimura Rimei , Kitamura Tadahiro
Published: April 2022

The pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes involves insulin and glucagon. Protein kinase C (Pkc)-δ, a serine–threonine kinase, is ubiquitously expressed and involved in regulating cell death and proliferation. However, the role of Pkcδ in regulating glucagon secretion in pancreatic α-cells remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the physiological role of Pkcδ in glucagon secretion from pancreatic α-cells. Glucagon secretions were investigated in Pkcδ-knockdown InR1G9 cells and pancreatic α-cell-specific Pkcδ-knockout (αPkcδKO) mice. Knockdown of Pkcδ in the glucagon-secreting cell line InR1G9 cells reduced glucagon secretion. The basic amino acid arginine enhances glucagon secretion via voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCC). Furthermore, we showed that arginine increased Pkcδ phosphorylation at Thr505, which is critical for Pkcδ activation. Interestingly, the knockdown of Pkcδ in InR1G9 cells reduced arginine-induced glucagon secretion. Moreover, arginine-induced glucagon secretions were decreased in αPkcδKO mice and islets from αPkcδKO mice. Pkcδ is essential for arginine-induced glucagon secretion in pancreatic α-cells. Therefore, this study may contribute to the elucidation of the molecular mechanism of amino acid-induced glucagon secretion and the development of novel antidiabetic drugs targeting Pkcδ and glucagon.
Two-Dimensional Titanium Dioxide–Surfactant Photoactive Supramolecular Networks: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications for the Conversion of Light Energy
Authors: Lozano Harold , Devis Sindy , Aliaga Juan , Alegría Matías , Guzmán Hernán , Villarroel Roberto , Benavente Eglantina , González Guillermo
Published: April 2022

The desire to harness solar energy to address current global environmental problems led us to investigate two-dimensional (2D) core–shell hybrid photocatalysts in the form of a 2D-TiO2–surfactant, mainly composed of fatty acids. The bulk products, prepared by two slightly different methods, consist of stacked host–guest hybrid sheets held together by van der Waals forces between alkyl carboxylate moieties, favoring the synergistic conjugation of the photophysical properties of the core and the hydrophobicity of the self-assembled surfactant monolayer of the shell. X-ray diffraction and the vibrational characteristics of the products revealed the influence of synthesis strategies on two types of supramolecular aggregates that differ in the core chemical structure, guest conformers of alkyl surfactant tails and type, and the bilayer and monolayer of the structure of nanocomposites. The singular ability of the TiO2 core to anchor carboxylate leads to commensurate hybrids, in contrast to both layered clay and layered double-hydroxide-based ion exchangers which have been previously reported, making them potentially interesting for modeling the role of fatty acids and lipids in bio-systems. The optical properties and photocatalytic activity of the products, mainly in composites with smaller bandgap semiconductors, are qualitatively similar to those of nanostructured TiO2 but improve their photoresponse due to bandgap shifts and the extreme aspect-ratio characteristics of two-dimensional TiO2 confinement. These results could be seen as a proof-of-concept of the potential of these materials to create custom-designed 2D-TiO2–surfactant supramolecular photocatalysts.
Small Prokaryotic DNA-Binding Proteins Protect Genome Integrity throughout the Life Cycle
Authors: Molan Katja , Žgur Bertok Darja
Published: April 2022

Genomes of all organisms are persistently threatened by endogenous and exogenous assaults. Bacterial mechanisms of genome maintenance must provide protection throughout the physiologically distinct phases of the life cycle. Spore-forming bacteria must also maintain genome integrity within the dormant endospore. The nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs) influence nucleoid organization and may alter DNA topology to protect DNA or to alter gene expression patterns. NAPs are characteristically multifunctional; nevertheless, Dps, HU and CbpA are most strongly associated with DNA protection. Archaea display great variety in genome organization and many inhabit extreme environments. As of yet, only MC1, an archaeal NAP, has been shown to protect DNA against thermal denaturation and radiolysis. ssDNA are intermediates in vital cellular processes, such as DNA replication and recombination. Single-stranded binding proteins (SSBs) prevent the formation of secondary structures but also protect the hypersensitive ssDNA against chemical and nuclease degradation. Ionizing radiation upregulates SSBs in the extremophile Deinococcus radiodurans.
Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Diseases: A Matter of Estrogens, Ceramides, and Sphingosine 1-Phosphate
Authors: Arosio Beatrice , Corbi Graziamaria , Davinelli Sergio , Giordano Vienna , Liccardo Daniela , Rapacciuolo Antonio , Cannavo Alessandro
Published: April 2022

The medical community recognizes sex-related differences in pathophysiology and cardiovascular disease outcomes (CVD), culminating with heart failure. In general, pre-menopausal women tend to have a better prognosis than men. Explaining why this occurs is not a simple matter. For decades, sex hormones like estrogens (Es) have been identified as one of the leading factors driving these sex differences. Indeed, Es seem protective in women as their decline, during and after menopause, coincides with an increased CV risk and HF development. However, clinical trials demonstrated that E replacement in post-menopause women results in adverse cardiac events and increased risk of breast cancer. Thus, a deeper understanding of E-related mechanisms is needed to provide a vital gateway toward better CVD prevention and treatment in women. Of note, sphingolipids (SLs) and their metabolism are strictly related to E activities. Among the SLs, ceramide and sphingosine 1-phosphate play essential roles in mammalian physiology, particularly in the CV system, and appear differently modulated in males and females. In keeping with this view, here we explore the most recent experimental and clinical observations about the role of E and SL metabolism, emphasizing how these factors impact the CV system.
Effect of Contact Area and Shape of Anode Current Collectors on Bacterial Community Structure in Microbial Fuel Cells
Authors: Paitier Agathe , Haddour Naoufel , Gondran Chantal , Vogel Timothy M.
Published: March 2022

Low electrical conductivity of carbon materials is a source of potential loss for large carbonaceous electrode surfaces of MFCs due to the long distance traveled by electrons to the collector. In this paper, different configurations of titanium current collectors were used to connect large surfaces of carbon cloth anodes. The current collectors had different distances and contact areas to the anode. For the same anode surface (490 cm2), increasing the contact area from 28 cm2 to 70 cm2 enhanced power output from 58 mW·m−2 to 107 mW·m−2. For the same contact area (28 cm2), decreasing the maximal distance of current collectors to anodes from 16.5 cm to 7.75 cm slightly increased power output from 50 mW·m−2 to 58 mW·m−2. Molecular biology characterization (qPCR and 16S rRNA gene sequencing) of anodic bacterial communities indicated that the Geobacter number was not correlated with power. Moreover, Geobacter and Desulfuromonas abundance increased with the drop in potential on the anode and with the presence of fermentative microorganisms. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) showed that biofilm resistance decreased with the abundance of electroactive bacteria. All these results showed that the electrical gradient arising from collectors shapes microbial communities. Consequently, current collectors influence the performance of carbon-based anodes for full-scale MFC applications.
Enterocins: Classification, Synthesis, Antibacterial Mechanisms and Food Applications
Authors: Wu Yajing , Pang Xinxin , Wu Yansha , Liu Xiayu , Zhang Xinglin
Published: March 2022

Enterococci, a type of lactic acid bacteria, are widely distributed in various environments and are part of the normal flora in the intestinal tract of humans and animals. Although enterococci have gradually evolved pathogenic strains causing nosocomial infections in recent years, the non-pathogenic strains have still been widely used as probiotics and feed additives. Enterococcus can produce enterocin, which are bacteriocins considered as ribosomal peptides that kill or inhibit the growth of other microorganisms. This paper reviews the classification, synthesis, antibacterial mechanisms and applications of enterocins, and discusses the prospects for future research.
Deep Learning with Discriminative Margin Loss for Cross-Domain Consumer-to-Shop Clothes Retrieval
Authors: Alirezazadeh Pendar , Dornaika Fadi , Moujahid Abdelmalik
Published: March 2022

Consumer-to-shop clothes retrieval refers to the problem of matching photos taken by customers with their counterparts in the shop. Due to some problems, such as a large number of clothing categories, different appearances of clothing items due to different camera angles and shooting conditions, different background environments, and different body postures, the retrieval accuracy of traditional consumer-to-shop models is always low. With advances in convolutional neural networks (CNNs), the accuracy of garment retrieval has been significantly improved. Most approaches addressing this problem use single CNNs in conjunction with a softmax loss function to extract discriminative features. In the fashion domain, negative pairs can have small or large visual differences that make it difficult to minimize intraclass variance and maximize interclass variance with softmax. Margin-based softmax losses such as Additive Margin-Softmax (aka CosFace) improve the discriminative power of the original softmax loss, but since they consider the same margin for the positive and negative pairs, they are not suitable for cross-domain fashion search. In this work, we introduce the cross-domain discriminative margin loss (DML) to deal with the large variability of negative pairs in fashion. DML learns two different margins for positive and negative pairs such that the negative margin is larger than the positive margin, which provides stronger intraclass reduction for negative pairs. The experiments conducted on publicly available fashion datasets DARN and two benchmarks of the DeepFashion dataset—(1) Consumer-to-Shop Clothes Retrieval and (2) InShop Clothes Retrieval—confirm that the proposed loss function not only outperforms the existing loss functions but also achieves the best performance.
Development and Performance Evaluation of a Low-Cost Portable PM2.5 Monitor for Mobile Deployment
Authors: Chen Mingjian , Yuan Weichang , Cao Chang , Buehler Colby , Gentner Drew R. , Lee Xuhui
Published: April 2022

The concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is known to vary spatially across a city landscape. Current networks of regulatory air quality monitoring are too sparse to capture these intra-city variations. In this study, we developed a low-cost (60 USD) portable PM2.5 monitor called Smart-P, for use on bicycles, with the goal of mapping street-level variations in PM2.5 concentration. The Smart-P is compact in size (85 × 85 × 42 mm) and light in weight (147 g). Data communication and geolocation are achieved with the cyclist’s smartphone with the help of a user-friendly app. Good agreement was observed between the Smart-P monitors and a regulatory-grade monitor (mean bias error: −3.0 to 1.5 μg m−3 for the four monitors tested) in ambient conditions with relative humidity ranging from 38 to 100%. Monitor performance decreased in humidity > 70% condition. The measurement precision, represented as coefficient of variation, was 6 to 9% in stationary mode and 6% in biking mode across the four tested monitors. Street tests in a city with low background PM2.5 concentrations (8 to 9 μg m−3) and in two cities with high background concentrations (41 to 74 μg m−3) showed that the Smart-P was capable of observing local emission hotspots and that its measurement was not sensitive to bicycle speed. The low-cost and user-friendly nature are two features that make the Smart-P a good choice for empowering citizen scientists to participate in local air quality monitoring.
REESTRUCTURACIÓN Y ANÁLISIS DE CONFIABILIDAD DEL INSTRUMENTO DE MEDICIÓN: EVALUACIÓN DOCENTE DE POSGRADO DE UNA UNIVERSIDAD PÚBLICA EN EL SURESTE DE MÉXICO
Authors: López-González Hugo Enrique , Peralta-Mazariego Enrique Roberto
Published: March 2022

En este artículo se presenta la reestructuración y el análisis de confiabilidad de un instrumento de medición implementado para la evaluación docente de posgrado de una Universidad Pública en el Sureste de México. La necesidad parte de que las dimensiones y las variables que lo conformaban, no eran objetivas para realizar los análisis pertinentes en los procesos de evaluación de la enseñanza aprendizaje implementados por parte del profesor al interior del aula, ya sea esta última, presencial o virtual; es por ello, que, en la reestructuración de dicho instrumento, se proponen 6 dimensiones conformadas por 31 ítems; por lo tanto, a través del análisis de confiabilidad denominado Alpha de Cronbach, se obtuvo  como resultado .912, lo que se considera aceptable para su implementación y desarrollo.
Spectrum of Short Chain Fatty Acids in Chronic Pancreatitis
Authors:   A.S. Loginov Moscow Clinical Scientific Center, Osipenko Yu.V. , Kuzmina T.N. , Silvestrova S.Yu. , Dubtsova E.A. , Bordin D.S. ,   A.I. Yevdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry,   Tver State Medical University,   Research Institute of Health Organization and Medical Management
Published: March 2022

The aim was to evaluate the metabolic activity of the colonic microbiota in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) as a marker of changes in the functional state of the pancreas. Material and methods. 40 patients (20 men and 20 women) aged 35 to 74 years (50.6 ± 9.4 years) were examined, 26 patients of which had external secretory pancreatic insufficiency (ESPI), which was confirmed by the data of the elastase test, and 14 patients had no ESPI. The diagnosis of CP was established on the basis of instrumental data. Patients with proven ESPI received enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) in accordance with international and Russian recommendations. The concentration and spectrum of short-chain fatty acids were evaluated by gas-liquid chromatography. The control group consisted of 22 healthy volunteers (13 women and nine men aged 43.4± 6.2 years). Results. As a result of the analysis of the profiles of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), a significant change in the content of propionic acid was revealed in patients with CP without GNP when compared with a group of healthy volunteers, no differences were found between the groups of patients with CP. These studies indicate a decrease in the activity of certain types of colon microbiota that produce C3 (propionic acid) in patients with CP without ESPI and, accordingly, who did not receive ERT. This, apparently, is due to the violation of the fermentation of individual substrates entering the lumen of the colon. Conclusion. Indicators of the concentration and spectrum of SCFAs can serve as additional tools for detecting changes in the metabolic activity of the colonic microbiota as a marker of the functional state of the pancreas in CP.