bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formation Control of Unmanned Surface Vehicles Using Fixed-Time Non-Singular Terminal Sliding Mode Strategy
Authors: Er Meng Joo , Li Zhongkun
Published: September 2022

Unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) have been widely applied in the fields of marine hydrological exploration, marine resource exploration, area search, target detection, and military operations. In order to meet the demand of a complex ocean environment, USVs are frequently grouped together to improve the reliability of mission accomplishment. In this paper, a fixed-time control strategy, combined with a non-singular terminal sliding mode, is proposed for the formation control of USVs under complex external disturbances and system uncertainties. The main contributions of this paper are: (1) the leader–follower formation control framework is divided into a tracking control subsystem and a formation control subsystem. A new fixed-time non-singular terminal sliding mode (FTNTSM) strategy is developed for the tracking control subsystem, which dramatically increases the convergence rate and ensures closed-loop fixed-time stability; (2) a finite-time uncertain observer (FUO) is designed to observe lumped uncertainty items, which greatly increase the stability and robustness of the formation system; (3) the FUO-based fixed-time formation control (FUOFT-FC) strategy is designed for the formation control subsystem, which ensures the fast and stable formation of USVs. Fixed-time convergence of the formation system is established by Lyapunov stability analysis. Rigorous simulation and comparative studies demonstrate that the proposed method is superior to the state-of-the-art methods.
Side-Scan Sonar Coupled with Scuba Diving Observation for Enhanced Monitoring of Benthic Artificial Reefs along the Coast of Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Ali Azizi , Abdullah Muhammad Ruzi , Safuan Che Din Mohd , Afiq-Firdaus Aminudin Muhammad , Bachok Zainudin , Akhir Mohd Fadzil Mohd , Latif Roslan , Muhamad Azri , Seng Tan Hock , Roslee Adina , Ismail Khaira
Published: September 2022

Since the 1970s, artificial reef (AR) deployment has been one of the common approaches to augment the local production of coastal fish in Malaysia. However, there is a lack of strategy to assess and evaluate the success of pre-deployed AR. Realizing the need for an effective qualitative and quantitative monitoring and evaluation of AR, this study proposes side-scan sonar coupled with scuba diving observation for the enhanced monitoring of pre-deployed Bioceramic Korean (BK) AR along the coast of Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia. This method employs an integrated side-scan sonar with a data acquisition system for the detection of the precise location of the BK AR which were deployed at Tukun Telaga Batin off the Terengganu coastline in 2003 by the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (FDAM). Following the determination of the exact location of three BK AR areas, a scuba diving team was sent to survey the physical conditions of the AR and assess the feasibility of the AR as an artificial habitat for marine life. The scan sonar images were compared with the captured photographs and videos acquired during the scuba diving session for a comprehensive value-added assessment. The collected data from the scuba diving session were also processed to measure the fish diversity, the fish biomass, and identify the fish community surrounding the AR. Based on the results, the BK AR remained in extremely good condition, physically intact, without significant breakage or damage, and with no major subsidence into the sediment after 19 years of deployment. A total of 108 BK AR modules were detected in three large groups using the mosaicked sonar images. Following cross-examination to validate the AR measurements using the AR’s shadows on the seafloor, the height of the BK AR consistently ranged from 1.7 m to 1.8 m. In addition, 34 species of fish from 14 families and 26 genera were identified, with most species classified as reef-associated (RA) fish with a biomass value of 1173.31 ± 1136.69 kg m−3, indicating the successfulness of the BK AR as fish-aggregating devices (FADs). The growth of hard corals on top of the bioceramic plate of the AR module further supported the diversified community of marine life surrounding the BK AR. In conclusion, the side-scan sonar coupled with scuba diving observation demonstrates an effective qualitative and quantitative technique for the monitoring and evaluation of pre-deployed AR. This strategy is recommended to be utilized to determine the success of pre-deployment AR.
Underwater Anthropogenic Noise Pollution Assessment in Shallow Waters on the South-Eastern Coast of Spain
Authors: Rodrigo Francisco Javier , Ramis Jaime , Carbajo Jesus , Poveda Pedro
Published: September 2022

Anthropogenic noise is a growing threat to marine life due to the incrementation of human activity in the marine environment. In Europe, the Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council was published with the aim of establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy. The directive introduces underwater acoustic energy, as detailed in Descriptor 11, and stipulates that the member states should set the threshold levels at which a good environmental status can be achieved by means of long-term monitoring campaigns. This research presents the results of a long-term underwater noise monitoring campaign with a duration of three years in the port of Cartagena located on the south-eastern coast of Spain, focusing on the monthly and annual variation patterns of low-frequency continuous noise. The acquired data are classified according to the source of the acoustic noise into shipping, other anthropogenic, and natural noise measurements. These three groups of measurements are processed in order to obtain one-third octave band levels centered at 63 and 125 Hz, as well as the overall bandwidth of unweighted Sound Pressure Level (SPL). The analysis of the measurements shows an increase in the annual average overall band of 4 and 3 dB of the natural and shipping noise, respectively, from 2013 to 2015. This monitoring campaign provides accurate acoustic values to establish threshold levels to achieve good environmental status and recommendations to conduct monitoring programs and regulations to control underwater noise pollution.
Fungal Keratitis: Clinical Features, Risk Factors, Treatment, and Outcomes
Authors: Atta Sarah , Perera Chandrashan , Kowalski Regis P. , Jhanji Vishal
Published: September 2022

Fungal keratitis (FK) can be challenging to diagnose and treat. In this retrospective case series, FK cases presenting at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pennsylvania, USA, from 2015 to 2021 were reviewed for ocular risk factors, clinical presentation, management, and outcomes. Twenty-eight cases of FK were included. The median presenting age was 58.5 (18.5) years, and the median symptom duration prior to presentation was 10 (35.8) days. Predisposing ocular risk factors included contact lens use (67.9%), recent ocular trauma/abrasion (42.9%), and history of ocular surgery (42.9%). The median presenting visual acuity (VA) was 1.35 (1.72) LogMAR. About half presented with a central ulcer (42.9%), large infiltrate (6.7 (6.3) mm2), corneal thinning (50.0%), and hypopyon (32.1%). The majority of isolated fungal species were filamentous (75.0%). Most common antifungal medications included topical voriconazole (71.4%) and natamycin (53.6%) drops and oral voriconazole (64.3%). Surgical management was necessary in 32.1% of cases and enucleation in one case. Defect resolution occurred in 42.5 (47.0) days, and median final VA was 0.5 (1.84) LogMAR. Features associated with poor final visual outcomes included poor initial VA (p < 0.001) and larger defect size (p = 0.002). In conclusion, unlike prior studies in the northeast region of the USA, FK was commonly caused by filamentous fungi, and antifungal management most often consisted of topical and oral voriconazole.
Connections between Asian and European World Cities: Measurement, Analysis, and Evaluation
Authors: Derudder Ben , Feng Xiang , Shen Wei , Shao Rui , Taylor Peter J.
Published: September 2022

Although world regions continue to be a key feature of the geographical imagination, there has been relatively little innovative research on world regionalization through the lens of city connections. Against the backdrop of an increasingly urban and interconnected world, in this paper, we evaluate the connections between European and Asian world cities. Based on a model conjecturing intercity connections through office locations of globalized producer services firms, we analyze the networks of both regions’ major cities. To this end, we establish frameworks that allow (1) comparison of the level of connectivity of cities and (2) analysis of the strength and orientation of the interactions between cities. We find that both Europe and Asia have a larger number of well-connected cities than any other world region. Both regions are roughly comparable in terms of the distribution of their urban connectivities, but there are some notable differences (e.g., Asia’s system being more top-heavy) and evolutions (e.g., Asian cities gaining more connectivity over the last decade). There are also two geographical dimensions to the interpretations of these patterns of urban connectivity: (1) the variegated importance of state-spaces (e.g., national gateways) and (2) the uneven regional focus of intercity connections (e.g., Luxembourg and Singapore being less dependent on regional connections). We use our findings to argue that the time is ripe for a more nuanced and contextualized answer to the question of how cities (can) act politically on the global scale in general and Asia–Europe relations in particular.
The Social, Political, and Environmental Dimensions in Designing Urban Public Space from a Water Management Perspective: Testing European Experiences
Authors: Ricart Sandra , Berizzi Carlo , Saurí David , Terlicher Gaia Nerea
Published: September 2022

Urban areas are increasingly experiencing extreme weather events, especially related to water (e.g., droughts, heatwaves, floods), which are devastatingly impacting infrastructure and human lives. Compact cities, conceived to create more robust, effective, and sustainable environments, are under pressure to increase their resilience by co-producing adaptive strategies mainly focused on the urban public space. However, public space design tends to face environmental challenges without sufficiently exploring their intersection with social issues (citizens living conditions and vulnerability) and political structures (governance). This contribution delves into how urban public space interventions are (not) moving towards achieving urban resilience in an integrated way instead of sectoral. A triple-loop approach has been developed and tested in ten urban public spaces in European compact cities in the last 25 years. The results report how most projects reinforce the social dimension by promoting citizen well-being through new quality standards in public spaces, excluding some citizenry’s vulnerable segments (immigrants, women, and disabled). The political dimension reinforces hard adaptation measures to manage water resources, although increasing attention is put on nature-based solutions, and most projects ensure participation processes. Finally, the environmental dimension is the most transversal by increasing land conversion, ensuring flooding mitigation, and enhancing adaptive capacity.
Performance of Storm Overflows Impacting on Shellfish Waters in England
Authors: Younger Andrew , Kershaw Simon , Campos Carlos J. A.
Published: September 2022

Storm overflow (SO) discharges to shellfish growing waters are a concern for shellfish growers and may pose a health risk to consumers. We investigated the performance of permitted SOs with a shellfish water spill monitoring requirement against the design criterion of 10 spills per year (averaged over 10 years) used in England. Performance against this criterion over the period 2019–2021 differed between the five water companies whose data was analysed. Across all companies, over half of SOs spilled more frequently than this criterion (percentage greater than 10 spills: 52%, 55% and 57% for 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively). The number of SOs with the monitoring requirement also differed considerably between the water companies and consequently some companies deal with a significantly higher ‘burden’ than others. The number of SOs spilling more than 100 times in a year also differed between water companies, from 0% (Wessex Water) to 16% (United Utilities). Discharges from SOs can lead to short-term reductions in water quality that may be missed by routine monitoring programmes using faecal indicator bacteria such as E. coli. Such discharges can lead to a higher incidence of norovirus in shellfish and thus potential illness in consumers. We conclude that site-specific impact assessments, supported by spill event-based monitoring, are required given the increased demands on sewerage networks from urban growth and climate change and the need to improve shellfish production area classifications.
The Impact of High-Standard Farmland Construction Policy on Rural Poverty in China
Authors: Peng Jiquan , Zhao Zihao , Chen Lili
Published: September 2022

As the core component of agricultural development projects, high-standard farmland construction is a reliable measure of agricultural production, and can be used to improve the economy in rural areas. Based on provincial panel data, this paper adopts the continuous difference-in-differences (DID) method to analyze the impact of China’s high-standard basic farmland construction policy on the incidence of rural poverty and its mechanisms. The results show that this policy can significantly reduce the incidence of rural poverty by 7.4%, and if, after using robust standard error and bootstrap sampling 1000 times for a robustness test, the regression results are still robust, this also shows that this inhibitory effect is stable and persistent. It can be seen from a heterogeneity analysis that the implementation of the policy has a more significant effect on poverty reduction in areas with a higher incidence of rural poverty and a larger scale of land remediation, as well as areas in the eastern and western regions. A mechanism analysis shows that natural disasters, output value and technological progress play a partial intermediary role in the poverty reduction effects of high-standard basic farmland construction policy, and the intermediary effects are 5.79%, 44.03%, and 14.13%, respectively. This paper suggests that we should continue to promote the construction of high-standard basic farmland, explore suitable construction modes of high-standard basic farmland for different regions, continuously promote the process of agricultural modernization, and broaden the ways through which rural residents are able to accumulate capital to promote rural poverty reduction and revitalization.
Rheological Behavior of Different Calf Sera before, during and after Biomechanical Testing
Authors: Uhler Maximilian , Schonhoff Mareike , Nees Timo A. , Wonerow Tanja , Nuppnau Jens , Mantwill Frank , Kretzer Jan Philippe , Schroeder Stefan
Published: September 2022

Due to different rheological behavior of human synovial fluid and the test mediums for in vitro examinations, wear tests cannot replicate the in vivo situation completely. The standards for wear testing indicate calf serum as in vitro test medium. However, these standards do not contain precise information on the main constituent components and the rheological properties. In this study, bovine calf serum and newborn calf serum with a protein concentration of 20 g/L, both approved for wear testing defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), were characterized according to their rheological properties to detect differences before and during tribological simulation. The rheological behavior was determined at five defined intervals of a tribological test. The two test fluids differ in their rheological properties before and during the test and can therefore lead to deviating results in tribological testing. Furthermore, both test media changes considerably over test duration. At a test duration of 0.5 Mio cycles, both fluids have changed so that there is no longer any difference between them in terms of rheological properties. These changes could be attributed to denaturation and degradation of proteins. Thus, the choice of medium impacts tribological test results which should be considered for the interpretation of these studies.
High-Performance Control Strategy for Low-Speed Torque of IPMSM in Electric Construction Machinery
Authors: Li Zhongshen , Chen Qihuai , Chen Yongjie , Lin Tianliang , Ren Haoling , Gong Wen
Published: September 2022

Electric construction machinery with zero emission and high efficiency is considered to be a main development trend. An electric motor (EM) in electric construction machinery often needs to work at low speed or even in stalling conditions with large torque value and high work efficiency. In this paper, based on vector control of the maximum torque per ampere (MTPA) of an internal permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM), a voltage and current composite observation algorithm was studied to improve IPMSM control performance at low speed. By establishing the observer model, the amplitude limited compensation for the voltage flux observation method was used to observe the EM stator flux. After being combined with the current observation method and the stator current obtained by coordinate transformation, the EM parameters in real-time can be identified for MTPA. Experimental research was carried out. The results show that the algorithm improved the speed control characteristic and output torque per unit current of the EM under low-speed working conditions.
Structure and Lattice Dynamics of Bi1−xNdxFeO3 and Bi1−xGdxFeO3 Ceramics near the Morphotropic Phase Boundary
Authors: Sobol Valery R. , Yanushkevich Kazimir I. , Latushka Siarhei I. , Zhaludkevich Dmitry V. , Nekludov Kapiton N. , Silibin Maxim V. , Sayyed M. I. , Almousa Nouf , Korzun Barys V. , Mazurenko Olga N. , Karpinsky Dmitry V.
Published: September 2022

The crystal structures of Bi1−xNdxFeO3 and Bi1−xGdxFeO3 solid solutions (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) with chemical compositions across structural transformations from the polar rhombohedral phase to the orthorhombic phase with an antipolar distortion and then to the nonpolar orthorhombic phase have been investigated using X-ray diffraction and infrared reflective spectrometry. The obtained results clarify details of the structural transitions assuming the changes that occurred in the crystal lattice dynamics of the compounds. Increase in the dopant content causes a notable change in the intensity and position of the reflectance lines at 18.2 μm and 22.6 μm (550 cm−1 and 440 cm−1) ascribed to the transverse optical phonon modes associated with Bi (Nd, Gd)–O and Fe–O bonds. In the concentration region attributed to the dominant rhombohedral phase, the chemical substitution leads to an increase in intensity of the modes A1 for solid solutions of both systems. Meanwhile, in the case of Gd doping, the mode A1 shifts towards the red side of the spectrum, but there is an opposite tendency in the case of Nd doping; the intensity of the modes E decrease regardless of both the dopant-ion type and concentration. This behavior is discussed assuming the change in mass for the chain of chemical bonds caused by different dopant ions and the structural transformations occurring in the compounds upon chemical doping.
On New Fractional Version of Generalized Hermite-Hadamard Inequalities
Authors: Hyder Abd-Allah , Almoneef Areej A. , Budak Hüseyin , Barakat Mohamed A.
Published: September 2022

In this study, we establish a novel version of Hermite-Hadamard inequalities through neoteric generalized Riemann-Liouville fractional integrals (RLFIs). For functions with the convex absolute values of derivatives, we create a variety of midpoint and trapezoid form inequalities, including the generalized RLFIs. Moreover, multiple fractional inequalities can be produced as special cases of the findings of this study.
Advanced Drone Swarm Security by Using Blockchain Governance Game
Authors: Kim Song-Kyoo (Amang)
Published: September 2022

This research contributes to the security design of an advanced smart drone swarm network based on a variant of the Blockchain Governance Game (BGG), which is the theoretical game model to predict the moments of security actions before attacks, and the Strategic Alliance for Blockchain Governance Game (SABGG), which is one of the BGG variants which has been adapted to construct the best strategies to take preliminary actions based on strategic alliance for protecting smart drones in a blockchain-based swarm network. Smart drones are artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled drones which are capable of being operated autonomously without having any command center. Analytically tractable solutions from the SABGG allow us to estimate the moments of taking preliminary actions by delivering the optimal accountability of drones for preventing attacks. This advanced secured swarm network within AI-enabled drones is designed by adapting the SABGG model. This research helps users to develop a new network-architecture-level security of a smart drone swarm which is based on a decentralized network.
Tightness-Type Properties of the Space of Permutation Degree
Authors: Kočinac Ljubiša D. R. , Mukhamadiev Farkhod G. , Sadullaev Anvar K.
Published: September 2022

In this paper we, prove that if the product Xn of a space X has certain tightness-type properties, then the space of permutation degree SPnX has these properties as well. It is proven that the set tightness (T-tightness) of the space of permutation degree SPnX is equal to the set tightness (T-tightness) of the product Xn.
An Application to Fixed-Point Results in Tricomplex-Valued Metric Spaces Using Control Functions
Authors: Ramaswamy Rajagopalan , Mani Gunaseelan , Gnanaprakasam Arul Joseph , Abdelnaby Ola A. Ashour , Radenović Stojan
Published: September 2022

In the present work, we establish fixed-point results for a pair of mappings satisfying some contractive conditions on rational expressions with coefficients as point-dependent control functions in the setting of tricomplex-valued metric spaces. The proven results are extension and generalisation of some of the literature’s well-known results. We also explore some of the applications to our key results.
Mathematical Modeling and the Use of Network Models as Epidemiological Tools
Authors: Cifuentes-Faura Javier , Faura-Martínez Ursula , Lafuente-Lechuga Matilde
Published: September 2022

Mathematical modeling has served as an epidemiological tool to enhance the modeling efforts of the social and economic impacts of the pandemic. This article reviews epidemiological network models, which are conceived as a flexible way of representing objects and their relationships. Many studies have used these models over the years, and they have also been used to explain COVID-19. Based on the information provided by the Web of Science database, exploratory, descriptive research based on the techniques and tools of bibliometric analysis of scientific production on epidemiological network models was carried out. The epidemiological models used in the papers are diverse, highlighting those using the SIS (Susceptible-Infected-Susceptible), SIR (Susceptible-Infected-Recovered) and SEIR (Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Removed) models. No model can perfectly predict the future, but they provide a sufficiently accurate approximation for policy makers to determine the actions needed to curb the pandemic. This review will allow any researcher or specialist in epidemiological modeling to know the evolution and development of related work on this topic.
Exploring Knowledge Trajectories of Accounting Information Systems Using Business Method Patents and Knowledge Persistence-Based Main Path Analysis
Authors: Rhee Yoonki , Yoon Sejun , Park Hyunseok
Published: September 2022

In this paper, the development trajectory of accounting information systems was analyzed using business method patents and main path analysis based on knowledge persistence. Knowledge persistence-based main path analysis can dramatically minimize the complexity of a knowledge network without omission of the dominant knowledge flows, and so it is a suitable selection for analyzing the business method patents on accounting information systems. The main findings from the empirical results are as follows: the empirical results show that accounting information system patents were developed along with the software patent of knowledge injected from the outside. Bookkeeping/accounting and taxation systems expanded from the basic calculation, storage, and payment technique to scalability to other techniques and functions in more complex situations. This research has found that technological advancement has facilitated and been supporting the development of accounting information system over the years, as shown in the patents filed under business solutions. There is a clear indication of the growing complexity of those patents, signifying the moves/advancement of corporate business information systems from financial accounting-oriented systems to more complex ERP systems.
Computational Analysis of XLindley Parameters Using Adaptive Type-II Progressive Hybrid Censoring with Applications in Chemical Engineering
Authors: Alotaibi Refah , Nassar Mazen , Elshahhat Ahmed
Published: September 2022

This work addresses the estimation issues of the XLindley distribution using an adaptive Type-II progressive hybrid censoring scheme. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches are used to estimate the unknown parameter, reliability, and hazard rate functions. Bayesian estimators are explored under the assumption of independent gamma priors and a symmetric loss function. The approximate confidence intervals and the highest posterior density credible intervals are also computed. An extensive simulation study that takes into account various sample sizes and censoring schemes is implemented to evaluate the various estimating methods. Finally, for an explanation, two real data sets from the chemical engineering field are provided to show that the XLindley distribution is the best model compared to some competitive models for the same real data. The Bayesian paradigm utilizing the Metropolis–Hastings algorithm to generate samples from the posterior distribution is recommended to estimate any parameter of life of the XLindley distribution when data are obtained from adaptive Type-II progressively hybrid censored sample.
The Phospholipid Molecular Species Profile of Apostichopus japonicus Tissues Modifies through Exposure to n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid-Deficient Diet
Authors: Ermolenko Ekaterina V. , Sikorskaya Tatyana V. , Grigorchuk Valeria P.
Published: September 2022

The sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus, being a target species of commercial fisheries and aquaculture, is also used as a source of biologically active compounds with high pharmacological potential. By the methods of high-performance liquid chromatography with high resolution mass spectrometry, we analyzed the major structural phospholipids (PL)—glycerophosphoethanolamines (PE), glycerophosphocholines (PC), glycerophosphoserines (PS), and glycerophosphoinositols (PI)—in tissues of wild and cultured sea cucumbers. The intestines of the wild and cultured animals differed from the other tissues by an elevated content of molecular species of PE, PC, and PS with 22:6n-3 fatty acid. The respiratory trees of the studied animals contained a high level of odd-chain PI and PI with 20:4n-6. The exposure to n-3 PUFA-deficient diet resulted in substantial changes in the molecular species profile of PL of the wild and cultured animals. The cultured sea cucumbers showed a significant decrease in the 20:5n-3 content in all four studied PL classes. A replacement of 20:5n-3 by 20:4n-6 occurred in PE, PC, and PI. The decrease in the level of molecular species of PS with 20:5n-3 was compensated by an increase in the level of monounsaturated long-chain PS. The diet of cultured sea cucumbers is a crucial factor for enhancing the nutritional properties of the product obtained from them.
In Vitro Evaluation of Gastric Acid and Toothbrushing Effect on the Surface State of Different Types of Composite Resins
Authors: Tărăboanță Ionuț , Gelețu Gabriela , Stoleriu Simona , Iovan Gianina , Tofan Nicoleta , Tărăboanță-Gamen Andra Claudia , Georgescu Andrei , Popa Cosmin Gabriel , Andrian Sorin
Published: September 2022

Background and Objectives: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of gastric acid associated with the effect of toothbrushing on the surface roughness of different types of composite resin used for direct restorations. Materials and Methods: The materials used in this study were two microhybrid (Filtek Z250, Herculite XRV) and two nanohybrid (Filtek Z550, Herculite XRV Ultra) composite resins. Two hundred and forty cylindrical samples with a height of 2 mm and a diameter of 6 mm were divided into four groups (groups A, B, C and D) corresponding to each tested material (n = 60). Each group was divided in two subgroups: subgroup I—the samples were submersed in hydrochloric acid and immediately submitted to toothbrushing; subgroup II—the samples were submitted only to toothbrushing. The simulation of the acid attack was performed by immersing the samples in a 0.01 M hydrochloric acid solution for 90 min. This procedure was followed immediately by toothbrushing simulation with 10,000 cycles. The acid attack and toothbrushing simulation were performed for two times. The surface roughness evaluation was performed with a Proscan 2100 profilometer. Repeated Measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests were used to perform the statistical analysis. Results: Simulation of one year of toothbrushing associated or not to hydrochloric acid exposure increases the surface roughness of microhybrid and nanohybrid composite resins. Six months of toothbrushing associated to six months of hydrochloric acid exposure increase the surface roughness of nanohybrid composite resins. Conclusions: Microhybrid composite resins surface becomes rougher after toothbrush and acid submersion when comparing to nanohybrid composite resins.
Multicenter Retrospective Analysis of Intradiscal Condoliase Injection Therapy for Lumbar Disc Herniation
Authors: Oshita Yusuke , Matsuyama Daisuke , Sakai Daisuke , Schol Jordy , Shirasawa Eiki , Emori Haruka , Segami Kazuyuki , Takahashi Shu , Yagura Kazumichi , Miyagi Masayuki , Saito Wataru , Imura Takayuki , Nakazawa Toshiyuki , Inoue Gen , Hiyama Akihiko , Katoh Hiroyuki , Akazawa Tsutomu , Kanzaki Koji , Sato Masato , Takaso Masashi , Watanabe Masahiko
Published: September 2022

Background and Objectives: Intradiscal injection of Condoliase (chondroitin sulfate ABC endolyase), a glycosaminoglycan-degrading enzyme, is employed as a minimally invasive treatment for lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and represents a promising option between conservative treatment and surgical intervention. Since its 2018 approval in Japan, multiple single-site trails have highlighted its effectiveness, however, the effect of LDH types, and influences of patient age, sex, etc., on treatment success remains unclear. Moreover, data on teenagers and elderly patients has not been reported. In this retrospective multi-center study, we sought to classify prognostic factors for successful condoliase treatment for LDH and assess its effect on patients < 20 and ≥70 years old. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records of 137 LDH patients treated through condoliase at four Japanese institutions and assessed its effectiveness among different age categories on alleviation of visual analog scale (VAS) of leg pain, low back pain and numbness, as well as ODI and JOA scores. Moreover, we divided them into either a “group-A” category if a ≥50% improvement in baseline leg pain VAS was observed or “group-N” if VAS leg pain improved <50%. Next, we assessed the differences in clinical and demographic distribution between group-A and group-N. Results: Fifty-five patients were classified as group-A (77.5%) and 16 patients were allocated to group-N (22.5%). A significant difference in Pfirrmann classification was found between both cohorts, with grade IV suggested to be most receptive. A posterior disc angle > 5° was also found to approach statical significance. In all age groups, average VAS scores showed improvement. However, 75% of adolescent patients showed deterioration in Pfirrmann classification following treatment. Conclusions: Intradiscal condoliase injection is an effective treatment for LDH, even in patients with large vertebral translation and posterior disc angles, regardless of age. However, since condoliase imposes a risk of progressing disc degeneration, its indication for younger patients remains controversial.
Adding Low-Dose Propofol to Limit Anxiety during Target-Controlled Infusion of Remifentanil for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: Respiratory Issues and Safety Recommendations
Authors: Motamed Cyrus , Servin Frederique , Billard Valerie
Published: September 2022

Backgroundand Objectives: Remifentanil-based sedation is one of many protocols proposed for endoscopy procedures in spontaneous ventilation, alone or in combination with propofol. However, the effect of these small doses of propofol on the efficacy and safety of remifentanil target-controlled infusion (TCI) deserves to be examined in this context. The objective of this study was to assess the adverse respiratory and cardiovascular effects of small boluses of propofol combined with remifentanil, in comparison with remifentanil alone, and balanced with the quality of sedation and recovery. Materials andMethods: This was an observational bicenter study, representing a subgroup of a larger study describing remifentanil-based procedural sedation. In center 1, patients scheduled for gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy had remifentanil TCI alone. In center 2, patients had a 10 mg propofol bolus before TCI and other boluses were allowed during the procedure. Remifentanil TCI was started at a target of 2 ng/mL then adapted by 0.5 ng/mL steps according to patient response to endoscopy stimulations. Results: Center 1 included 29 patients, while center 2 included 60 patients. No difference was found in the patients’ characteristics, incidence of success, average remifentanil consumption, or cardiovascular variables. Light sedation was achieved when propofol was added. The incidence of respiratory events, such as bradypnea, desaturation < 90%, and apnea requiring rescue maneuvers, were significantly higher with propofol. Conclusions: Adding propofol boluses to a remifentanil TCI for GI endoscopy ensures light sedation that may be necessary for anxiolysis but increases respiratory events, even after administration of small-dose boluses. Its safety is acceptable if the procedure is performed in an equipped environment with sedation providers trained to manage respiratory events and drugs titrated to minimal doses.
Shiga Toxin Subtypes, Serogroups, Phylogroups, RAPD Genotypic Diversity, and Select Virulence Markers of Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli Strains from Goats in Mid-Atlantic US
Authors: Ndegwa Eunice , O’Brien Dahlia , Matthew Kwame , Wang Zhenping , Kim Jimin
Published: September 2022

Understanding Shiga toxin subtypes in E. coli from reservoir hosts may give insight into their significance as human pathogens. The data also serve as an epidemiological tool for source tracking. We characterized Shiga toxin subtypes in 491 goat E. coli isolates (STEC) from the mid-Atlantic US region (stx1 = 278, stx2 = 213, and stx1/stx2 = 95). Their serogroups, phylogroups, M13RAPD genotypes, eae (intimin), and hly (hemolysin) genes were also evaluated. STEC-positive for stx1 harbored Stx1c (79%), stx1a (21%), and stx a/c (4%). Those positive for Stx2 harbored stx2a (55%) and Stx2b (32%), while stx2a/stx2d and stx2a/stx2b were each 2%. Among the 343 STEC that were serogrouped, 46% (n = 158) belonged to O8, 20% (n = 67) to 076, 12% (n = 42) to O91, 5% (n = 17) to O5, and 5% (n = 18) to O26. Less than 5% belonged to O78, O87, O146, and O103. The hly and eae genes were detected in 48% and 14% of STEC, respectively. Most belonged to phylogroup B1 (73%), followed by D (10%), E (8%), A (4%), B2 (4%), and F (1%). M13RAPD genotyping revealed clonality of 091, O5, O87, O103, and O78 but higher diversity in the O8, O76, and O26 serogroups. These results indicate goat STEC belonged to important non-O157 STEC serogroups, were genomically diverse, and harbored Shiga toxin subtypes associated with severe human disease.
In-Forest Planting of High-Value Herb Sarcandra glabra Enhances Soil Carbon Storage without Affecting the Diversity of the Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Fungal Community and Composition of Cunninghamia lanceolata
Authors: Zhou Hanchang , Ouyang Tianlin , Liu Liting , Xia Shiqi , Jia Quanquan
Published: September 2022

Sarcandra glabra in-forest planting, an anthropogenic activity that may introduce a variety of disturbances into the forest, is being popularly promoted in southern China, while its consequential influences on soil nutrients, as well as the arbuscular mycorrhiza fungal (AMF) community of key forest keystone plants, are still unelucidated, which hampers the assessment of ecological safety and the improvement of agronomic measurements. In this research, topsoil from a 3-year-old Sarcandra glabra planted forest and a nearby control forest were sampled, and the annual variation in the soil nutrients and AMF community of the keystone tree Cunninghamia lanceolata were investigated. Our result showed that the total amount of soil organic carbon of the Sarcandra glabra cultivation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p < 0.05), which indicated that Sarcandra glabra cultivation significantly enhanced the topsoil carbon storage. Yet, there were only insignificant differences in the Shannon index and Chao index of the AMF community between the two groups (p > 0.05). PCoA analysis found that the compositional differences between two groups were also insignificant. This indicated that Sarcandra glabra cultivation had no significant influence on the diversity and composition of the Cunninghamia lanceolata AMF community. However, we found that the differences in the total amounts of nitrogen and total phosphorus between the two groups were relatively lower in April and September, which indicated the higher nutrient demands and consumption of Sarcandra glabra in these two periods and suggested that a sufficient fertilizer application in these two stages would reduce the potential competition for nutrients between Sarcandra glabra and Cunninghamia lanceolata in order to ensure Sarcandra glabra production and forest health. Lastly, our results reported a total extra income ranging from of CNY 127,700 hm−2 (7 years of cultivation) to CNY 215,300 hm−2 (10 years cultivation) provided by Sarcandra glabra in-forest planting, which indicated its powerful potential for mitigating poverty. Our research systematically investigated the annual variation in the soil nutrient content and keystone tree AMF community caused by Sarcandra glabra cultivation and offers constructive guidance for Sarcandra glabra cultivation and fertilization management and ecological safety assessment.
Evidence, Challenges, and Knowledge Gaps Regarding Latent Tuberculosis in Animals
Authors: Ncube Pamela , Bagheri Bahareh , Goosen Wynand Johan , Miller Michele Ann , Sampson Samantha Leigh
Published: September 2022

Mycobacterium bovis and other Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) pathogens that cause domestic animal and wildlife tuberculosis have received considerably less attention than M. tuberculosis, the primary cause of human tuberculosis (TB). Human TB studies have shown that different stages of infection can exist, driven by host–pathogen interactions. This results in the emergence of heterogeneous subpopulations of mycobacteria in different phenotypic states, which range from actively replicating (AR) cells to viable but slowly or non-replicating (VBNR), viable but non-culturable (VBNC), and dormant mycobacteria. The VBNR, VBNC, and dormant subpopulations are believed to underlie latent tuberculosis (LTB) in humans; however, it is unclear if a similar phenomenon could be happening in animals. This review discusses the evidence, challenges, and knowledge gaps regarding LTB in animals, and possible host–pathogen differences in the MTBC strains M. tuberculosis and M. bovis during infection. We further consider models that might be adapted from human TB research to investigate how the different phenotypic states of bacteria could influence TB stages in animals. In addition, we explore potential host biomarkers and mycobacterial changes in the DosR regulon, transcriptional sigma factors, and resuscitation-promoting factors that may influence the development of LTB.
Application of Aspergillus niger in Practical Biotechnology of Industrial Recovery of Potato Starch By-Products and Its Flocculation Characteristics
Authors: Zhang Liang , Cao Guangli , Liu He , Wu Zhenting , Gong Dianliang , Ru Xin , Gong Xiujie , Pi Qiuyue , Yang Qian
Published: September 2022

This study developed a practical recovery for potato starch by-products by A. niger and applied it on a plant scale to completely solve the pollution problems. Soughing to evaluate the effect of A. niger applied towards the production of by-products recycling and analyze the composition and characteristics of flocculating substances (FS) by A. niger and advance a possible flocculation mechanism for by-product conversion. After fermentation, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal rate, and the conversion rates of cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, and proteins were 58.85%, 40.19%, 53.29%, 50.14%, and 37.09%, respectively. FS was predominantly composed of proteins (45.55%, w/w) and polysaccharides (28.07%, w/w), with two molecular weight distributions of 7.3792 × 106 Da and 1.7741 × 106 Da and temperature sensitivity. Flocculation was mainly through bridging and ionic bonding, furthermore, sweeping effects may occur during sediment. Flocculation was related to by-products conversion. However, due to severe pollution problems and resource waste, and deficiencies of existing recovery technologies, converting potato starch by-products via A. niger liquid fermentation merits significant consideration.
Mitochondrial Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 Represents a Potential Biomarker of Biochemical Recurrence in Prostate Cancer Patients
Authors: Feng Dechao , Zhu Weizhen , You Jia , Shi Xu , Han Ping , Wei Wuran , Wei Qiang , Yang Lu
Published: September 2022

Background: We aimed to explore the role of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) in prostate cancer (PCa) patients and provide insights into the tumor immune microenvironment (TME) for those patients undergoing radical radiotherapy. Methods: We performed all analyses using R version 3.6.3 and its suitable packages. Cytoscape 3.8.2 was used to establish network of competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs). Results: Downregulation of ADLH2 was significantly associated with higher risk of BCR-free survival (HR: 0.40, 95%CI: 0.24–0.68, p = 0.001) and metastasis-free survival (HR: 0.21, 95%CI: 0.09–0.49, p = 0.002). Additionally, ALDH2 repression contributed to significantly shorter BCR-free survival in the TCGA database (HR: 0.55, 95%CI: 0.33–0.93, p = 0.027). For immune checkpoints, patients that expressed a higher level of CD96 had a higher risk of BCR than their counterparts (HR: 1.79, 95%CI: 1.06–3.03, p = 0.032), as well as NRP1 (HR: 2.18, 95%CI: 1.29–3.69, p = 0.005). In terms of the TME parameters, the spearman analysis showed that ALDH was positively associated with B cells (r: 0.13), CD8+ T cells (r: 0.19), neutrophils (r: 0.13), and macrophages (r: 0.17). Patients with higher score of neutrophils (HR: 1.75, 95%CI: 1.03–2.95, p = 0.038), immune score (HR: 1.92, 95%CI: 1.14–3.25, p = 0.017), stromal score (HR: 2.52, 95%CI: 1.49–4.26, p = 0.001), and estimate score (HR: 1.81, 95%CI: 1.07–3.06, p = 0.028) had higher risk of BCR than their counterparts. Our ceRNA network found that PART1 might regulate the expression of ALDH via has-miR-578 and has-miR-6833-3p. Besides, PHA-793887, PI-103, and piperlongumine had better correlations with ALDH2. Conclusions: We found that ALDH2 might serve as a potential biomarker predicting biochemical recurrence for PCa patients.
Cellulose from Annual Plants and Its Use for the Production of the Films Hydrophobized with Tetrafluoroethylene Telomers
Authors: Baskakov Sergey A. , Baskakova Yulia V. , Kabachkov Eugene N. , Kichigina Galina A. , Kushch Pavel P. , Kiryukhin Dmitriy P. , Krasnikova Svetlana S. , Badamshina Elmira R. , Vasil’ev Sergey G. , Soldatenkov Timofey A. , Vasilets Victor N. , Milovich Filipp O. , Michtchenko Alexandre , Veselova Oksana V. , Yakimov Vasiliy A. , Ivanova Svetlana N. , Shulga Yury M.
Published: September 2022

Cellulose HogC was produced by the modified traditional method with 35% yield from the stem of Sosnovsky hogweed and was characterized by elemental analysis, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). For HogC, the degree of crystallinity (approximately 70%) and the glass transition temperature (105–108 °C) were determined. It was found that the whiteness characteristic in the case of HogC was 92% and this significate was obtained without a bleaching procedure using chlorine-containing reagents. In this paper, the possibility of hydrophobization of HogC films by treatment with radiation-synthesized telomers of tetrafluoroethylene is shown. It was found that the contact angle of the telomer-treated cellulose film surface depended on the properties of the telomers (the chemical nature of the solvent, and the initial concentration of tetrafluoroethylene) and could reach 140 degrees.
Carotenoids in Drug Discovery and Medicine: Pathways and Molecular Targets Implicated in Human Diseases
Authors: Metibemu Damilohun Samuel , Ogungbe Ifedayo Victor
Published: September 2022

Carotenoids are isoprenoid-derived natural products produced in plants, algae, fungi, and photosynthetic bacteria. Most animals cannot synthesize carotenoids because the biosynthetic machinery to create carotenoids de novo is absent in animals, except arthropods. Carotenoids are biosynthesized from two C20 geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) molecules made from isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP) via the methylerythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) route. Carotenoids can be extracted by a variety of methods, including maceration, Soxhlet extraction, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), pulsed electric field (PEF)-assisted extraction, and enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE). Carotenoids have been reported to exert various biochemical actions, including the inhibition of the Akt/mTOR, Bcl-2, SAPK/JNK, JAK/STAT, MAPK, Nrf2/Keap1, and NF-κB signaling pathways and the ability to increase cholesterol efflux to HDL. Carotenoids are absorbed in the intestine. A handful of carotenoids and carotenoid-based compounds are in clinical trials, while some are currently used as medicines. The application of metabolic engineering techniques for carotenoid production, whole-genome sequencing, and the use of plants as cell factories to produce specialty carotenoids presents a promising future for carotenoid research. In this review, we discussed the biosynthesis and extraction of carotenoids, the roles of carotenoids in human health, the metabolism of carotenoids, and carotenoids as a source of drugs and supplements.