bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating Owner Use of Dietary Supplements in Dogs with Canine Cognitive Dysfunction
Authors: Haake Julia , Meyerhoff Nina , Meller Sebastian , Twele Friederike , Charalambous Marios , Wilke Volker , Volk Holger
Published: September 2023

Canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) is becoming increasingly recognized in veterinary medicine, as dogs live longer and with CCD being highly prevalent among the elderly dog population. Various studies have shown that diet and dietary supplementation can positively influence the clinical signs of CCD, especially if given at an early stage. The aim of this study was to investigate owner use of dietary supplements (DSs) in dogs with age-related behavioral changes. An observational study based on an online questionnaire for owners of dogs with age-related behavioral changes was performed. Out of a total of 394 owners who completed the survey, after noticing age-related behavioral changes, over half of the dogs received DSs (54%), whereas only 8% reported changing their dog’s base diet. The most used DS was fish oil (48%). The use of DSs should be discussed with and monitored by veterinary surgeons since many geriatric patients have multi-morbidities, may have specific nutritional requirements and receive multi-faceted medications.
Changes in Hemolymph Microbiota of Chinese Mitten Crab (Eriocheir sinensis) in Response to Aeromonas hydrophila or Staphylococcus aureus Infection
Authors: Kong Tongtong , Fan Xinyue , Tran Ngoc Tuan
Published: September 2023

The Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) has significant economic potential in both the Chinese domestic and global markets. The hemolymph microbiota is known to play a critical role in regulating physiological and biochemical functions in crustaceans. However, the study of the hemolymph microbiota of E. sinensis in response to infections has not been undertaken. In this study, changes in the composition and function of the hemolymph microbiota in E. sinensis infected with either Staphylococcus aureus (Sa) or Aeromonas hydrophila (Ah) were investigated using 16S rRNA sequencing, with a phosphate buffer saline (PBS) injection serving as the control. Results showed that the dominant hemolymph microbiota of E. sinensis were Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, and Firmicutes. The relative abundance of the phyla Firmicutes, Bdellovibrionota, and Myxococcota was significantly reduced in both Sa and Ah groups compared to the PBS group. At the genus level, compared to the PBS group, a significant increase in the abundance of Flavobacterium and Aeromonas was found in both Ah and Sa groups. The analysis of the functional profile showed that pathways related to ‘cell growth and death’, ‘metabolism of terpenoids and polyketides’, ‘cancers’, ‘lipid metabolism’, ‘neurodegenerative diseases’, ‘metabolism of other amino acids’, ‘xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism’, and ‘circulatory system and endocrine system’ were predominant in the Ah group. Meanwhile, pathways related to ‘metabolism or genetic information progressing’, such as ‘translation’, ‘metabolic diseases’, and ‘cellular processes and signaling’, were enriched in the Sa group. This study revealed the effects of pathogens (S. aureus or A. hydrophila) on the maintenance of the hemolymph microbiota in E. sinensis. It shed light on the mechanisms employed by the hemolymph microbiota of E. sinensis under pathogen stimulation.
Implementing the 3Rs in Laboratory Animal Research—From Theory to Practice
Authors: Azkona Garikoitz
Published: September 2023

The regulatory framework for the use of animals in research in many countries is based on the 3Rs: replacement, reduction, and refinement [...]
Detection and Characterization of Carbapenemase-Producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae from Hospital Effluents of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Authors: Kagambèga Alix Bénédicte , Dembélé René , Bientz Léa , M’Zali Fatima , Mayonnove Laure , Mohamed Alassane Halawen , Coulibaly Hiliassa , Barro Nicolas , Dubois Véronique
Published: September 2023

Hospital wastewater is a recognized reservoir for resistant Gram-negative bacteria. This study aimed to screen for carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae and their resistance determinants in two hospital effluents of Ouagadougou. Carbapenem-resistant E. coli and K. pneumoniae were selectively isolated from wastewater collected from two public hospitals in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Bacterial species were identified via MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Carbapenemase production was studied phenotypically using antibiotic susceptibility testing via the disk diffusion method. The presence of carbapenemases was further characterized by PCR. A total of 14 E. coli (13.59%) and 19 K. pneumoniae (17.92%) carbapenemase-producing isolates were identified with different distributions. They were, respectively, blaNDM (71.43%), blaVIM (42.86%), blaIMP (28.57%), blaKPC (14.29%), blaOXA-48 (14.29%); and blaKPC (68.42%), blaNDM (68.42%), blaIMP (10.53%), blaVIM (10.53%), and blaOXA-48 (5.26%). In addition, eight (57.14%) E. coli and eleven (57.89%) K. pneumoniae isolates exhibited more than one carbapenemase, KPC and NDM being the most prevalent combination. Our results highlight the presence of clinically relevant carbapenemase-producing isolates in hospital effluents, suggesting their presence also in hospitals. Their spread into the environment via hospital effluents calls for intensive antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance.
The Clinical Efficacy of Multidose Oritavancin: A Systematic Review
Authors: Baiardi Giammarco , Cameran Caviglia Michela , Piras Fabio , Sacco Fabio , Prinapori Roberta , Cristina Maria Luisa , Mattioli Francesca , Sartini Marina , Pontali Emanuele
Published: September 2023

Oritavancin (ORI) is a semisynthetic lipoglycopeptide approved as a single 1200 mg dose intravenous infusion for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs) caused by Gram-positive organisms in adults. The pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) linear kinetic profile and long terminal half-life (~393 h) of ORI make it therapeutically attractive for the treatment of other Gram-positive infections for which prolonged therapy is needed. Multidose regimens are adopted in real-world clinical practice with promising results, but aggregated efficacy data are still lacking. A comprehensive search on PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Cochrane and Google Scholar databases was performed to include papers published up to the end of January 2023. All articles on ORI multiple doses usage, including case reports, with quantitative data and relevant clinical information were included. Two reviewers independently assessed papers against the inclusion/exclusion criteria and for methodological quality. Differences in opinion were adjudicated by a third party. From 1751 potentially relevant papers identified by this search, a total of 16 studies met the inclusion criteria and were processed further in the final data analysis. We extracted data concerning clinical response, bacteriologic response, mortality and adverse events (AEs). From the 16 included papers, 301 cases of treatment with multidose ORIs were identified. Multidose regimens comprised an initial ORI dose of 1200 mg followed by 1200 mg or 800 mg subsequent doses with a varying total number and frequency of reinfusions. The most often treated infections and isolates were osteomyelitis (148; 54.4%), ABSSSI (35; 12.9%) and cellulitis (14; 5.1%); and MRSA (121), MSSA (66), CoNS (17), E. faecalis (13) and E. faecium (12), respectively. Clinical cure and improvement by multidose ORI regimens were observed in 85% (231/272) and 8% (22/272) patients, respectively. Multidose ORI was safe and well tolerated; the most frequent AEs were infusion-related reactions and hypoglycemia. A multidose ORI regimen may be beneficial in treating other Gram-positive infections besides ABSSSIs, with a good safety profile. Further studies are warranted to ascertain the superiority of one multidose ORI scheme or posology over the other.
The Impact of Reading Modalities and Text Types on Reading in School-Age Children: An Eye-Tracking Study
Authors: Kim Wi-Jiwoon , Yoon Seo Rin , Nam Seohyun , Lee Yunjin , Yim Dongsun
Published: September 2023

This study examined the eye movement patterns of 317 elementary students across reading conditions (audio-assisted reading (AR) and reading-only (R)) and text types (fiction and non-fiction) and identified eye movement parameters that predict their literal comprehension (LC) and inferential comprehension (IC). Participants, randomly assigned to either reading condition and either text type, answered questions assessing their LC and IC. Average fixation duration (AFD), total fixation duration (TFD), and scanpath length were used as eye movement parameters. The main effects of age were observed on all parameters, along with interaction effects between age and reading condition on TFD and scanpath length. These results indicate that children employ different reading strategies, depending on reading modalities and text types. When controlling for age, TFD had a positive impact on the LC of both text types in the AR, while in the R, it had a negative effect on the IC of both text types. Longer scanpaths predicted the IC of fiction in the AR; the LC and IC of non-fiction under the AR; and the LC of non-fiction within the R. AFD had a negative influence on the IC of fiction in the AR, as well as on the LC and IC of non-fiction in the AR, and the LC of non-fiction under the R. These findings highlight the importance of selecting appropriate reading strategies, based on reading modality and text type, to enhance reading comprehension. This study offers guidance for educators when providing reading instruction to school-age children.
Coordination Optimization of Real-Time Signal Priority of Self-Driving Buses at Arterial Intersections Considering Private Vehicles
Authors: Li Hui , Li Shuxin , Zhang Xu
Published: September 2023

Transit Signal Priority (TSP) is a system designed to grant right-of-way to buses, yet it can lead to delays for private vehicles. With the rapid advancement of network technology, self-driving buses have the capability to efficiently acquire road information and optimize the coordination between vehicle arrival and signal timing. However, the complexity of arterial intersections poses challenges for conventional algorithms and models in adapting to real-time signal priority. In this paper, a novel real-time signal-priority optimization method is proposed for self-driving buses based on the CACC model and the powerful deep Q-network (DQN) algorithm. The proposed method leverages the DQN algorithm to facilitate rapid data collection, analysis, and feedback in self-driving scenarios. Based on the arrival states of both the bus and private vehicles, appropriate actions are chosen to adjust the current-phase green time or switch to the next phase while calculating the duration of the green light. In order to optimize traffic balance, the reward function incorporates an equalization reward term. Through simulation analysis using the SUMO framework with self-driving buses in Zhengzhou, the results demonstrate that the DQN-controlled self-driving TSP optimization method reduces intersection delay by 27.77% and 30.55% compared to scenarios without TSP and with traditional active transit signal priority (ATSP), respectively. Furthermore, the queue length is reduced by 33.41% and 38.21% compared to scenarios without TSP and with traditional ATSP, respectively. These findings highlight the superior control effectiveness of the proposed method, particularly during peak hours and in high-traffic volume scenarios.
High-Performance Flux Tracking Controller for Reluctance Actuator
Authors: Liu Yang , Miao Qian , Dong Yue
Published: September 2023

To meet the ever-increasing demand for next-generation lithography machines, the actuator plays an important role in the achievement of high acceleration of the wafer stage. However, the voice coil motor, which is widely used in high-precision positioning systems, is reaching its physical limits. To tackle this problem, a novel way to design the actuator using the magnetoresistance effect is argued due to the high force densities. However, the strong nonlinearity limits its application in the nan-positioning system. In particular, the hysteresis is coupled with eddy effects and displacement, which lead to a rate-dependent and displacement-dependent hysteresis effect in the reluctance actuator. In this paper, a Hammerstein structure is used to model the rate-dependent reluctance actuator. At the same time, the displacement-dependent of the model is regarded as the interference with the system. Additionally, a control strategy combining inverse model compensation and the disturbance observer-based discrete sliding mode control was proposed, which can effectively suppress the hysteresis effect. It is worthy pointing out that the nonlinear system is transformed into a linear system with inversion bias and disturbance by the inverse model compensation. What is more, the sliding mode controller based on the disturbance observer is designed to deal with the unmodeled dynamics, displacement disturbances, and model identification errors in linear systems. Thus, the tracking performance and robustness to external disturbances of the system are improved. The simulation results show that it is superior to the PI controller combined with an inverse compensator and even to the discrete sliding mode controller connected with inverse compensator, confirming the effectiveness of the novel control method in alleviating hysteresis.
Adaptive Fuzzy Command Filtered Tracking Control for Flexible Robotic Arm with Input Dead-Zone
Authors: Zhao Zhike , Chang Hao , Wu Caizhang
Published: September 2023

In this paper, an adaptive fuzzy tracking control method is proposed to address the issues of dead-zone and unobservable states in a flexible robotic arm system. The control design process begins with the utilization of a fuzzy logic system to approximate the nonlinear functions present in the flexible robotic arm system. To estimate the unobservable states of the system, a state observer is then designed. To alleviate the computational complexity during controller design, the command filtering technique is introduced. Additionally, the Nussbaum function is incorporated to address the unknown control gain problem. The stability of the system can be verified through the design of a Lyapunov function. This study’s simulation results demonstrate that the designed control system can closely track the specified reference signals. The closed-loop system effectively controls the flexible robotic arm, as verified through experimentation.
Study of Soot Deposits during Continuous Methane Pyrolysis in a Corundum Tube
Authors: Galtsov-Tsientsiala Matvey S. , Dudoladov Aleksandr O. , Grigorenko Anatoly V. , Vlaskin Mikhail S.
Published: September 2023

Methane pyrolysis is one of the promising methods for producing low-carbon hydrogen, while one of the main problems of methane pyrolysis technology is soot clogging of the reactor space. In this work, soot deposits were studied during continuous methane pyrolysis in a corundum tube with an inner diameter of 50 mm. Experiments were carried out at temperatures of 1000 °C, 1050 °C, 1100 °C, 1200 °C and 1400 °C with methane flow rates of 1 L/min and 5 L/min. Each experiment lasted 1 h. The formed soot accumulated inside the reactor (corundum tube) and the connected filter, where the gaseous product of methane pyrolysis was separated from the soot. The gaseous product was studied by gas chromatography. The soot was studied by SEM, BET and ICP-MS. With an increase in the temperature of the pyrolysis process from 1000 to 1200 °C, the hydrogen yield increased from 28.64 to 92.74% and from 1.10% to 72.09% at a methane flow rate of 1 and 5 L/min, respectively. The yield of soot increased from 1.28 g at 1000 °C to 43.9 g at 1400 °C (at a methane flow rate of 1 L/min). With an increase in the flow rate of methane from 1 to 5 l/min, the yield of soot at 1200 °C increased by almost two times to 75.65 g. It was established that in the region of the reactor where maximum heating occurs, the accumulated soot sinters and forms dense growths. At 1050 °C, the particle size of soot varies from 155 to 650 nm, at 1200 °C—from 157 to 896 nm, and at 1400 °C—from 77 to 532 nm. The specific surface of soot was 3.5 m2/g at 1000 °C and 8.0 m2/g at 1400 °C. The purity of the produced carbon black was about 99.95%. This study is useful in the selection of materials and technical solutions for a pilot plant for methane pyrolysis.
Three-Dimensional Multifaceted Attention Encoder–Decoder Networks for Pulmonary Nodule Detection
Authors: Cao Keyan , Tao Hangbo , Wang Zhongyang
Published: September 2023

Lung cancer is one of the most dangerous cancers in the world, and its early clinical manifestation is malignant nodules in the lungs, so nodule detection in the lungs can provide the basis for the prevention and treatment of lung cancer. In recent years, the development of neural networks has provided a new paradigm for creating computer-aided systems for pulmonary nodule detection. Currently, the mainstream pulmonary nodule detection models are based on convolutional neural networks (CNN); however, as the output of a CNN is based on a fixed-size convolutional kernel, it can lead to a model that cannot establish an effective long-range dependence and can only model local features of CT images. The self-attention block in the traditional transformer structures, although able to establish long-range dependence, are as ineffective as CNN structures in dealing with irregular lesions of nodules. To overcome these problems, this paper combines the self-attention block with the learnable regional attention block to form the multifaceted attention block, which enables the model to establish a more effective long-term dependence based on the characteristics of pulmonary nodules. And the multifaceted attention block is intermingled with the encoder–decoder structure in the CNN to propose the 3D multifaceted attention encoder–decoder network (MAED), which is able to model CT images locally while establishing effective long-term dependencies. In addition, we design a multiscale module to extract the features of pulmonary nodules at different scales and use a focal loss function to reduce the false alarm rate. We evaluated the proposed model on the large-scale public dataset LUNA16, with an average sensitivity of 89.1% across the seven predefined FPs/scan criteria. The experimental results show that the MAED model is able to simultaneously achieve efficient detection of pulmonary nodules and filtering of false positive nodules.
GraphAT Net: A Deep Learning Approach Combining TrajGRU and Graph Attention for Accurate Cumulonimbus Distribution Prediction
Authors: Zhang Ting , Liew Soung-Yue , Ng Hui-Fuang , Qin Donghong , Lee How Chinh , Zhao Huasheng , Wang Deyi
Published: September 2023

In subtropical regions, heavy rains from cumulonimbus clouds can cause disasters such as flash floods and mudslides. The accurate prediction of cumulonimbus cloud distribution is crucial for mitigating such losses. Traditional machine learning approaches have been used on radar echo data generated by constant altitude plan position indicator (CAPPI) radar systems for predicting cumulonimbus cloud distribution. However, the results are often too foggy and fuzzy. This paper proposes a novel approach that integrates graph convolutional networks (GCN) and trajectory gated recurrent units (TrajGRU) with an attention mechanism to predict cumulonimbus cloud distribution from radar echo data. Experiments were conducted using the moving modified National Institute of Standards and Technology (moving MNIST) dataset and real-world radar echo data, and the proposed model showed a 59.12% improvement in mean square error (MSE) and a 16.26% improvement in structure similarity index measure (SSIM) on average in the moving MNIST dataset, a 65.40% improvement in MSE, and an 10.29% improvement in SSIM on average in the radar echo dataset. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach for improving the prediction accuracy of cumulonimbus cloud distribution.
On the Impact of ENSO Cycles and Climate Change on Telescope Sites in Northern Chile
Authors: Seidel Julia Victoria , Otarola Angel , Théron Valentina
Published: September 2023

The Atacama desert stands as the most arid, non-polar, region on Earth and has accommodated a considerable portion of the world’s ground-based astronomical observatories for an extended period. The comprehension of factors important for observational conditions in this region, and the potential alterations induced by the escalating impact of climate change, are, therefore, of the utmost significance. In this study, we conduct an analysis of the surface-level air temperature, water vapour density, and astronomical seeing at the European Southern Observatory (commonly known by its acronym, ESO) telescope sites in northern Chile. Our findings reveal a discernible rise in temperature across all sites during the last decade. Moreover, we establish a correlation between the air temperature and water vapour density with the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phases, wherein, the warm anomaly known as El Niño (EN) corresponds to drier observing conditions, coupled with higher maximum daily temperatures favouring more challenging near-infrared observations. The outcomes of this investigation have potential implications for the enhancement of the long-term scheduling of observations at telescope sites in northern Chile, thereby aiding in better planning and allocation of resources for the astronomy community.
The Effect of Green Roofs and Green Façades in the Pedestrian Thermal Comfort of a Mediterranean Urban Residential Area
Authors: Tseliou Areti , Melas Emmanouil , Mela Athina , Tsiros Ioannis , Zervas Efthimios
Published: September 2023

The present study investigated the cooling effect of extensive green roofs and green façades, at the pedestrian level, of a Mediterranean densely populated neighborhood. The ENVI-met environmental model was employed to simulate the microclimatic environment on a typical summer day. Thermal conditions of the study area were evaluated based on air temperature and the Mediterranean thermal stress scale of UTCI (Universal Thermal Climate Index). Three mitigation strategies were developed to ameliorate the thermal conditions in the examined area focusing on the efficacy of green façades, green roofs, and the synergetic effect of the green façade and green roof. The mitigation strategies’ performance was evaluated in characteristic design layouts of the study area, namely the following: a typical Mediterranean square, a church with a churchyard, an avenue, NS and EW street orientations, and courtyards. Results showed that compared to the existing configuration, the synergetic effect of the green façade and green roof achieved the greatest amelioration of the thermal conditions during the hottest hours of the day (12:00–18:00) since it produced an average Tair reduction of up to 0.7 °C and a UTCI reduction of 1.6 °C (both in the courtyards design layout). Among the examined design layouts, the courtyards produced the greatest reductions in air temperature and UTCI, whereas the EW streets were the lowest.
Enhancing Maritime Safety and Efficiency: A Comprehensive Sea Fog Monitoring System for Ningbo Zhoushan Port
Authors: Hu Lijun , Xu Rong , Yang Ming , Yang Hao , Lu Yun , Li Chenru , Xian Jinhong , Yao Risheng , Chen Weixuan
Published: September 2023

Sea fog poses a considerable challenge to port operations, impacting maritime safety and efficiency. During the past five years, the average annual downtime of the navigation dispatch department in Ningbo Zhoushan Port due to weather was 800–1000 h, of which approximately 300 h can be attributed to sea fog. This study addresses the issue by developing a comprehensive sea fog monitoring system for Ningbo Zhoushan Port. The system utilizes automatic weather stations (AWS) and visibility laser imaging, detection, and ranging (LIDAR) to assess sea fog severity and improve monitoring accuracy. By increasing monitoring frequency and adopting corresponding warning measures, the system aims to enhance maritime safety and efficiency in Ningbo Zhoushan Port. The results showed that the implemented system successfully determines sea fog severity, enables real-time monitoring, and provides precise visibility assessments. Joint assessments revealed a substantial increase in the annual operating time and revenue of the port. These findings underscore the importance of advanced monitoring techniques in optimizing port operations, reducing collision risks, and mitigating economic losses caused by sea fog.
Sensitivity Analysis of a 2D Stochastic Agent-Based and PDE Diffusion Model for Cancer-on-Chip Experiments
Authors: Pompa Marcello , Torre Davide , Bretti Gabriella , De Gaetano Andrea
Published: September 2023

The present work extends a previous paper where an agent-based and two-dimensional partial differential diffusion model was introduced for describing immune cell dynamics (leukocytes) in cancer-on-chip experiments. In the present work, new features are introduced for the dynamics of leukocytes and for their interactions with tumor cells, improving the adherence of the model to what is observed in laboratory experiments. Each system’s solution realization is a family of biased random walk trajectories, affected by the chemotactic gradients and in turn affecting them. A sensitivity analysis with respect to the model parameters is performed in order to assess the effect of their variation on both tumor cells and on leukocyte dynamics.
A Reliable Combination of Double Laplace Transform and Homotopy Analysis Method for Solving a Singular Nonlocal Problem with Bessel Operator
Authors: Mesloub Said , Gadain Hassan Eltayeb , Bachar Imed
Published: September 2023

In this article, we present a numerical iterative scheme for solving a non-local singular initial-boundary value problem by combining two well known efficient methods. Namely, the homotopy analysis method and the double Laplace transform method. The resulting scheme is tested on a set of test examples to illustrate its efficiency, it generates the exact analytical solution for each one of these examples. The convergence of the resulting numerical solutions of these examples is tested both graphically and numerically.
Existence and Uniqueness of Variable-Order φ-Caputo Fractional Two-Point Nonlinear Boundary Value Problem in Banach Algebra
Authors: Awad Yahia , Fakih Hussein , Alkhezi Yousuf
Published: September 2023

Using variable-order fractional derivatives in differential equations is essential. It enables more precise modeling of complex phenomena with varying memory and long-range dependencies, improving our ability to describe real-world processes reliably. This study investigates the properties of solutions for a two-point boundary value problem associated with φ-Caputo fractional derivatives of variable order. The primary objectives are to establish the existence and uniqueness of solutions, as well as explore their stability through the Ulam-Hyers concept. To achieve these goals, Banach’s and Krasnoselskii’s fixed point theorems are employed as powerful mathematical tools. Additionally, we provide numerical examples to illustrate results and enhance comprehension of theoretical findings. This comprehensive analysis significantly advances our understanding of variable-order fractional differential equations, providing a strong foundation for future research. Future directions include exploring more complex boundary value problems, studying the effects of varying fractional differentiation orders, extending the analysis to systems of equations, and applying these findings to real-world scenarios, all of which promise to deepen our understanding of Caputo fractional differential equations with variable order, driving progress in both theoretical and applied mathematics.
Cancer Stem Cells and Glioblastoma: Time for Innovative Biomarkers of Radio-Resistance?
Authors: Pasqualetti Francesco , Miniati Mario , Gonnelli Alessandra , Gadducci Giovanni , Giannini Noemi , Palagini Laura , Mancino Maricia , Fuentes Taiusha , Paiar Fabiola
Published: September 2023

Despite countless papers in the field of radioresistance, researchers are still far from clearly understanding the mechanisms triggered in glioblastoma. Cancer stem cells (CSC) are important to the growth and spread of cancer, according to many studies. In addition, more recently, it has been suggested that CSCs have an impact on glioblastoma patients’ prognosis, tumor aggressiveness, and treatment outcomes. In reviewing this new area of biology, we will provide a summary of the most recent research on CSCs and their role in the response to radio-chemotherapy in GB. In this review, we will examine the radiosensitivity of stem cells. Moreover, we summarize the current knowledge of the biomarkers of stemness and evaluate their potential function in the study of radiosensitivity.
Dendritic Cell Density and Morphology Can Be Used to Differentiate Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis from Allergic Conjunctivitis
Authors: Tajbakhsh Zahra , Golebiowski Blanka , Stapleton Fiona , Salouti Ramin , Nowroozzadeh M. Hosein , Zamani Mohammad , Briggs Nancy , Jalbert Isabelle
Published: September 2023

The aim of the study was to compare the distribution of corneal and conjunctival epithelial dendritic cells (DCs) in vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC), allergic conjunctivitis (AC), and non-allergic controls to examine if the allergy type causes differences in immune cell activation. The prospective study included 60 participants: 20 with VKC, 20 with AC, and 20 non-allergic controls. In vivo confocal microscopy was performed on the right eye. The locations scanned included the corneal centre, inferior whorl, corneal periphery, corneal limbus, and bulbar conjunctiva. The DCs were counted manually, and their morphology was assessed for the largest cell body size, the presence of dendrites, and the presence of long and thick dendrites. The DC density was higher in VKC and AC compared to non-allergic group at all locations (p ≤ 0.01) except at the inferior whorl. The DC density in VKC participants was significantly higher than in AC at the limbus (p < 0.001) but not at other locations. Both the AC and the VKC group had larger DC bodies at the corneal periphery and limbus compared to the non-allergic group (p ≤ 0.03). The study found a higher proportion of participants with DCs exhibiting long dendrites at both the corneal periphery in AC (p = 0.01) and at the corneal centre, periphery, and limbus in VKC, compared to the non-allergic group (p ≤ 0.001). In conclusion, a higher DC density at the limbus may be a marker of more severe VKC. DCs with larger cell bodies and a greater proportion of participants with DCs displaying long dendrites can be potential markers to differentiate allergy from non-allergy, and more severe forms of allergy from milder forms.
The Activation of JAK/STAT3 Signaling and the Complement System Modulate Inflammation in the Primary Human Dermal Fibroblasts of PXE Patients
Authors: Lindenkamp Christopher , Plümers Ricarda , Osterhage Michel R. , Vanakker Olivier M. , Van Wynsberghe Judith , Knabbe Cornelius , Hendig Doris
Published: September 2023

Previous studies revealed a link between inflammation and overactivation of the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling in syndromes associated with aging. Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), a rare autosomal-recessive disorder, arises from mutations in ATP-binding cassette subfamily C member 6 (ABCC6). On a molecular level, PXE shares similarities with Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome, such as increased activity of senescence-associated- beta-galactosidase or high expression of inflammatory factors. Thus, this study’s aim was the evaluation of activated STAT3 and the influence of JAK1/2-inhibitor baricitinib (BA) on inflammatory processes such as the complement system in PXE. Analysis of activation of STAT3 was performed by immunofluorescence and Western blot, while inflammatory processes and complement system factors were determined based on mRNA expression and protein level. Our results assume overactivation of JAK/STAT3 signaling, increased expression levels of several complement factors and high C3 protein concentration in the sera of PXE patients. Supplementation with BA reduces JAK/STAT3 activation and partly reduces inflammation as well as the gene expression of complement factors belonging to the C1 complex and C3 convertase in PXE fibroblasts. Our results indicate a link between JAK/STAT3 signaling and complement activation contributing to the proinflammatory phenotype in PXE fibroblasts.
Studies on the Specificity of Outdoor Thermal Comfort during the Warm Season in High-Density Urban Areas
Authors: Wei Ruihan , Yan Jin , Cui Yanqiu , Song Dexuan , Yin Xin , Sun Ninghan
Published: September 2023

With the acceleration of urbanization in China, high density has become a significant feature of urban development. Although high-density development provides convenience, it also results in numerous environmental and climatic problems, such as the urban heat island effect, haze and extreme weather. These issues have reduced the comfort levels of the urban outdoor environment, led to increased energy consumption and had serious impacts on social development and the lives of residents. Improving the comfort of the outdoor urban environment is vital, especially in the current tendency for high-density urban developments. This paper focuses on a typical urban district in Shanghai, where we have gathered ambient meteorological data and human thermal sensation votes during spring and summer through monitoring and questionnaire research. Correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between thermal sensation votes and comfort indexes (PET, UTCI). The findings indicated that the neutral PET during spring and summer was 22.30 °C and 24.55 °C, respectively, whilst the neutral UTCI was 18.75 °C and 26 °C, respectively, with the neutral temperature in summer being significantly higher than that in spring. Upon comparing the evaluation indices, it was found that the correlation between the UTCI and average thermal sensation votes was stronger; thus, the UTCI better represents people’s thermal sensation in the Shanghai area. Finally, regression analysis demonstrated that the acceptable PET range for 90% of cases during both seasons in Shanghai is between 25.0 °C and 32.1 °C, and the UTCI range is between 24.2 °C and 27.7 °C. This study presents theoretical criteria for evaluating environmental thermal comfort, laying the foundation for practical paths to optimize urban design for climate responsiveness in high-density urban areas.
CMBAS Tool for Assessing BIM Adoption Status in Construction Markets: Application for Egypt
Authors: Tahseen Marwa A. , Hassan Tarek M. , Bassioni Hesham , Blay Karen B.
Published: September 2023

Countless efforts were conducted worldwide to obtain the BIM position of markets. Yet, a gap in the contemporary literature to comprehensively assess construction markets’ BIM adoption status (CMBAS) exists. A comprehensive assessment will assist decisionmakers in making insightful decisions regarding the wide adoption of BIM in order to make appropriate strategic decisions. The authors designed a tool to detect the BIM adoption status of construction markets comprehensively to ensure a complete understanding of CMBAS when designing BIM initiatives. The tool was applied to Egypt as an example of a developing market and verified and validated through experts’ reviews. A comparative analysis was performed to benchmark the BIM status of this market throughout the years. Appropriate research methods, sampling techniques, and descriptive and inferential analyses were deployed. It was concluded that BIM professionals in Egypt can play an essential role in spreading BIM to the construction market. The market is changing from the use of AutoCAD 2D to other BIM tools; however, more than half the market reached high BIM levels mostly through self-training, particularly with the deficiency of relevant university courses. A CMBAS tool will facilitate benchmarking BIM status among countries to assist in closing technological gaps with the evolving digital transformation.
Feasibility Analysis of Nearly Zero-Energy Building Design Oriented to the Optimization of Thermal Performance Parameters
Authors: Xu Xiaolong , Yu Suyun , Sheng Haitao , Li Qingqing , Ni Songyuan
Published: September 2023

The effective control and reduction of building energy consumption are major global focuses. The building sector is responsible for over 40% of all direct and indirect CO2 emissions. Nearly zero-energy buildings have been the subject of aims and regulations from several developed nations. An office building located in the severe cold region of China was chosen for this case study. The building was equipped with multiple NZEB technologies. Building indoor environment parameters and energy efficiency indexes were used as performance targets, and a performance-based design approach was used to optimize building design parameters. Thermal performance of the building envelope, airtightness, energy demand, and indoor thermal environment were tested according to different evaluation criteria. The total energy demand was as low as 53.93 KWh/(m2·a), and this can be attributed to the exceptional insulation of the building. In this test, the indoor thermal environment comfort was satisfactory. This study can be used as a reference for the design and evaluation of low-carbon buildings and low-energy buildings.
ZnO-Bi2O3 Heterostructured Composite for the Photocatalytic Degradation of Orange 16 Reactive Dye: Synergistic Effect of UV Irradiation and Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Shahzad Roeel , Muneer Majid , Khalid Rimsha , Amin Hatem M. A.
Published: September 2023

The development of semiconductor photocatalysts has recently witnessed notable momentum in the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants. ZnO is one of the most widely used photocatalysts; however, its activity is limited by the inefficient absorption of visible light and the fast electron–hole recombination. The incorporation of another metal or semiconductor with ZnO boosts its performance. In this present study, a heterostructured ZnO-Bi2O3 composite was synthesized via a simple co-precipitation method and was investigated for the UV-driven photocatalytic degradation of the Reactive Orange 16 (RO16), a model textile dye. The successful fabrication of ZnO-Bi2O3 microstructures with crystalline nature was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX). The discoloration of the dye solution was quantified using UV–Vis spectroscopy to determine the photocatalytic efficiency. The photocatalytic activity results demonstrated that the photodegradation at ZnO-Bi2O3 heterojunction was more efficient and 300 and 33% faster than individual Bi2O3 and ZnO catalysts, respectively, an effect that is indicative of a synergistic effect. In the presence of ZnO-Bi2O3 particles, the UV light-driven activity for RO16 degradation was twice as high as in its absence. The influence of adding the oxidant H2O2 on the UV-induced photocatalytic degradation was investigated and the results revealed a two-time increase in the photocatalytic activity of ZnO-Bi2O3 compared to UV irradiation alone, which could be ascribed to a summative degradative effect between UV and H2O2. Hence, this approach holds the potential for environmentally friendly wastewater treatment.
Promoting Bifunctional Oxygen Catalyst Activity of Double-Perovskite-Type Cubic Nanocrystallites for Aqueous and Quasi-Solid-State Rechargeable Zinc-Air Batteries
Authors: Zhong Yijun , Xu Xiaomin , Su Chao , Tadé Moses Oludayo , Shao Zongping
Published: September 2023

Transition metal oxide materials are promising oxygen catalysts that are alternatives to expensive and precious metal-containing catalysts. Integration of transition metal oxides with high activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is an important pathway for good bifunctionality. In contrast to the conventional physical mixing and hybridization strategies, perovskite-type oxide provides an ideal structure for the integration of the transition metal element atoms on an atomic scale. Herein, B-site ordered double-perovskite-type La1.6Sr0.4MnCoO6 nanocrystallites with ultra-small cubic (20–50 nm) morphology and high specific surface areas (25 m2 g−1) were proposed. Rational designs were integrated to promote the ORR-OER catalysis, e.g., introducing oxygen vacancies via A-site cation substitution, further increasing surface oxygen vacancies via integration of a small amount of Pt/C and nanosizing of the material via a facile molten-salt method. The batteries with the La1.6Sr0.4MnCoO6 nanocrystallites and an aqueous alkaline electrolyte demonstrate decent discharge−charge voltage gaps of 0.75 and 1.10 V at 1 and 30 mA cm−2, respectively, and good cycling stability of 250 h (1500 cycles). A coin-type battery with a gel−polymer electrolyte also presents a good performance.
Plasmonic Photocatalysts Based on Au Nanoparticles and WO3 for Visible Light-Induced Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Desseigne Margaux , Chevallier Virginie , Madigou Véronique , Coulet Marie-Vanessa , Heintz Olivier , Ait Ahsaine Hassan , Arab Madjid
Published: September 2023

In this work, we report the application of Au/WO3 composite as a photocatalyst for the degradation of dyes under solar light irradiation. Au/WO3 nanocomposites were synthesized using an acid precipitation method followed by an impregnation/reduction at room temperature. Two composites were obtained by loading gold nanoparticles on two morphologies of nanostructured WO3, nanoplatelets (NP), and pseudospheres (PS). The elaboration parameters of the nanocomposites were optimized according to the gold mass percentage, the HAuCl4 precursor concentration, and the impregnation time. The structural, microstructural, and textural characterization were conducted using advanced techniques: XRD, SEM/TEM microscopies, and XPS and DRS spectroscopies. The optimal synthesis parameters are a 48 h impregnation of a five mass percentage of gold from a HAuCl4 precursor with a concentration of 10−3 mol·L−1. The obtained composites were formed with Au nanoparticles of 7 nm in size. The XRD analyses did not reveal any modification of the oxide supports structure after gold grafting, contrary to the sorption analyses, which evidenced a change in the state of the materials surface. XPS analysis revealed the reduction of W6+ ions into W5+, favoring the presence of oxygen vacancies. Furthermore, a localized surface plasmon resonance effect was observed in the composite at 540 nm. The photocatalysis results of several dye pollutants have shown a selective degradation efficiency depending on the charge of the polluting molecules, pH medium, and mass loading of the catalysts. At the native pH, the photocatalysis process is highly efficient on a cationic molecule, with a low adsorption capacity. Au/WO3 PS composite appears to be the most efficient, degrading almost the whole RhB and MB only in 60 min and 90 min, respectively, while, for the MO anionic dye, the degradation is more efficient in acidic medium (80%) than in basic medium (0%). Trap tests of the main active species were investigated and a photodecomposition mechanism is proposed.
Fractalkine/CX3CR1 in Dilated Cardiomyopathy: A Potential Future Target for Immunomodulatory Therapy?
Authors: Jeyalan Visvesh , Austin David , Loh Shu Xian , Wangsaputra Vincent Kharisma , Spyridopoulos Ioakim
Published: September 2023

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a cardiac condition with structural and functional impairment, where either the left ventricle or both ventricular chambers are enlarged, coinciding with reduced systolic pump function (reduced ejection fraction, rEF). The prevalence of DCM is more than 1:250 individuals, and mortality largely due to heart failure in two-third of cases, and sudden cardiac death in one-third of patients. Damage to the myocardium, whether from a genetic or environmental cause such as viruses, triggers inflammation and recruits immune cells to the heart to repair the myocardium. Examination of myocardial biopsy tissue often reveals an inflammatory cell infiltrate, T lymphocyte (T cell) infiltration, or other activated immune cells. Despite medical therapy, adverse outcomes for DCM remain. The evidence base and existing literature suggest that upregulation of CX3CR1, migration of immune cells, together with cytomegalovirus (CMV) seropositivity is associated with worse outcomes in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. We hypothesise that this potentially occurs through cardiac inflammation and fibrosis, resulting in adverse remodelling. Immune modulators to target this pathway may potentially improve outcomes above and beyond current guideline-recommended therapy.
Differential Susceptibility of Ex Vivo Primary Glioblastoma Tumors to Oncolytic Effect of Modified Zika Virus
Authors: Garcia Gustavo , Chakravarty Nikhil , Paiola Sophia , Urena Estrella , Gyani Priya , Tse Christopher , French Samuel W. , Danielpour Moise , Breunig Joshua J. , Nathanson David A. , Arumugaswami Vaithilingaraja
Published: September 2023

Glioblastoma (GBM), the most common primary malignant brain tumor, is a highly lethal form of cancer with a very limited set of treatment options. High heterogeneity in the tumor cell population and the invasive nature of these cells decrease the likely efficacy of traditional cancer treatments, thus requiring research into novel treatment options. The use of oncolytic viruses as potential therapeutics has been researched for some time. Zika virus (ZIKV) has demonstrated oncotropism and oncolytic effects on GBM stem cells (GSCs). To address the need for safe and effective GBM treatments, we designed an attenuated ZIKV strain (ZOL-1) that does not cause paralytic or neurological diseases in mouse models compared with unmodified ZIKV. Importantly, we found that patient-derived GBM tumors exhibited susceptibility (responders) and non-susceptibility (non-responders) to ZOL-1-mediated tumor cell killing, as evidenced by differential apoptotic cell death and cell viability upon ZOL-1 treatment. The oncolytic effect observed in responder cells was seen both in vitro in neurosphere models and in vivo upon xenograft. Finally, we observed that the use of ZOL-1 as combination therapy with multiple PI3K-AKT inhibitors in non-responder GBM resulted in enhanced chemotherapeutic efficacy. Altogether, this study establishes ZOL-1 as a safe and effective treatment against GBM and provides a foundation to conduct further studies evaluating its potential as an effective adjuvant with other chemotherapies and kinase inhibitors.