bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CYP24A1 and TRPC3 Gene Expression in Kidneys and Their Involvement in Calcium and Phosphate Metabolism in Laying Hens
Authors: Salmória Letícia Alves , Ibelli Adriana Mércia Guaratini , Tavernari Fernando Castro , Peixoto Jane Oliveira , Morés Marcos Antônio Zanella , Marcelino Débora Ester Petry , Pinto Karine Daenquele Silva , Coldebella Arlei , Surek Diego , Kawski Vicky Lilge , Ledur Mônica Corrêa
Published: May 2024

Ca and P homeostasis across the egg-laying cycle is a complex process involving absorption in the small intestine, reabsorption/excretion in the kidneys, and eggshell gland secretion. Diets with inadequate calcium and phosphorus can interfere with their absorption and digestibility, resulting in eggshell quality losses and reduced productive life, affecting egg production and welfare. A better understanding of gene expression profiles in the kidneys of laying hens during the late egg-laying period could clarify the renal role in mineral metabolism at this late stage. Therefore, the performance, egg quality and bone integrity-related traits, and expression profiles of kidney candidate genes were evaluated in 73-week-old laying hens receiving different Ca and P ratios in their diet: a high Ca/P ratio (HR, 22.43), a low ratio (LR, 6.71), and a medium ratio (MR, 11.43). The laying hens receiving the HR diet had improved egg production and eggshell quality traits compared to the other two groups. Humerus length was shorter in the HR than in the other groups. The CYP24A1 and TRPC3 genes were differentially expressed (p.adj ≤ 0.05) among the groups. Therefore, their expression profiles could be involved in calcium and phosphate transcellular transport in 73-week-old laying hens as a way to keep mineral absorption at adequate levels.
Effects of Crude Extract of Glycyrrhiza Radix and Atractylodes macrocephala on Immune and Antioxidant Capacity of SPF White Leghorn Chickens in an Oxidative Stress Model
Authors: Zhang Chaosheng , Wang Shaolong , Han Yunsheng , Zheng Aijuan , Liu Guohua , Meng Kun , Yang Peilong , Chen Zhimin
Published: May 2024

The natural edible characteristics of Chinese herbs have led more and more people to study them as an alternative product to antibiotics. In this study, crude extracts of Glycyrrhiza radix and Atractylodes macrocephala (abbreviated as GRAM) with glycyrrhizic acid content not less than 0.2 mg/g were selected to evaluate the effects of GRAM on the immune and antioxidant capacity of model animals. Thirty 21-day-old male Leghorn chickens were weighed and randomly assigned to one of three groups of ten animals each. The treatments comprised a control group (CON), in which saline was injected at day 31, day 33, and day 35, an LPS-treated group (LPS), in which LPS (0.5 mg/kg of BW) was injected at day 31, day 33, and day 35, and finally a GRAM and LPS-treated group, (G-L) in which a GRAM-treated diet (at GRAM 2 g/kg) was fed from day 21 to day 35 with LPS injection (0.5 mg/kg of BW) at day 31, day 33, and day 35. The results of diarrhea grade and serum antioxidant measurement showed that the LPS group had obvious diarrhea symptoms, serum ROS and MDA were significantly increased, and T-AOC was significantly decreased. The oxidative stress model of LPS was successfully established. The results of immune and antioxidant indexes showed that feeding GRAM significantly decreased levels of the pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 (p < 0.05) and significantly increased levels of the anti-inflammatory factors IL-4 and IL-10 and levels of the antioxidant enzymes GSH-Px and CAT (p < 0.05). GRAM resisted the influence of LPS on ileum morphology, liver, and immune organs and maintained normal index values for ileum morphology, liver, and immune organs. In summary, this study confirmed the antidiarrheal effect of GRAM, which improved the immune and antioxidant capacity of model animals by regulating inflammatory cytokine levels and antioxidant enzyme activity in poultry.
Building Information Modelling Facility Management (BIM-FM)
Authors: Lovell Lucy J. , Davies Richard J. , Hunt Dexter V. L.
Published: May 2024

Defined digital Facilities’ Management (FM) systems will contribute to the realisation of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11. Of the available digital FM systems, Building Information Modelling (BIM) for FM, herein referred to as BIM-FM, is the least developed. Where BIM-FM varies from existing digital FM tools is its advanced 3D visualisation capabilities. A semi-structured literature review is undertaken to assess the current implementation of BIM-FM and identify opportunities to engender its increased adoption. This paper is part of an ongoing piece of research aimed at defining a standard methodology for the application of BIM to historically significant structures, otherwise known as Historic BIM (HBIM). Two existing approaches to BIM-FM, current and developing, are outlined. The potential value BIM-FM can provide according to the literature is discussed but there exists minimal practical evidence to justify these claims. Barriers to its adoption are discussed, with a key underlying barrier found to be a lack of defined user requirements. Consequently, functional, modelling and information requirements established within the literature are identified, and existing attempts at realising the requirements are discussed. Six information categories and two functional requirements are identified. It is theorised that the tendency to utilise simplified geometric models for FM is primarily due to software and practical limitations as opposed to actual end user needs, and it is suggested that this should be investigated further in future work. Attempts at realising BIM-FM user requirements using other advanced technologies, primarily Digital Twins, are investigated and found to be an area of increasing commonality. A new conception of BIM-FM is proposed.
Sulfonation Treatment of Polyether-Ether-Ketone for Dental Implant Uses
Authors: Hamid Hussein , Safi Ihab , Hussein Falah
Published: May 2024

There has been a recent uptake in the use of polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK), which is an organic thermoplastic polymer, in the manufacturing of various medical devices, implants, and equipment. Finding the best time and procedure for PEEK after sulfonation is the goal of this research. A total of 30 PEEK discs were sulfonated in this study by immersing them in concentrated (H2SO4) sulfuric acid for various durations and subsequently treated using various post-treatment techniques. Five experiments were carried out, aimed studying the effect of immersion time (5 s–2 min). The methods used as post-treatment were hydrothermal treatment, immersion in NaOH, and washing with acetone. The sulfonation time was measured, and the post-treatment techniques, surface characterizations, were conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) (Electron Optics Instruments, LLC., West Orange, NJ, USA), atomic force microscopy (AFM) (AFM, Vía Burton, CA, USA), and hydrophilic properties. The results were confirmed by attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The findings of this study demonstrate that sulfonating PEEK caused a structure with a porous network to form in every sample. As the sulfonation time increased, the porous structure became more noticeable and the concentration increased. As a consequence, the roughness of the surface increased notably, and the modified PEEK surface’s wettability improved noticeably. Hydrothermal treatment was determined to be the most successful way for eliminating the leftover sulfuric acid, and sulfonation for 2 min was determined to be ideal. By understanding the best post-treatment procedures and ideal sulfonation duration, a theoretical foundation for the production of sulfonated PEEK for orthopedic uses may be laid.
Towards the Analytical Generalization of the Transcendental Energy Equation, Group Velocity, and Effective Mass in One-Dimensional Periodic Potential Wells with a Computational Application to Common Coupled Potentials
Authors: Mendoza-Villa F. , Manrique-Castillo Erich V. , Passamani Edson C. , Ramos-Guivar Juan A.
Published: May 2024

The analytical generalization for N periodic potential wells coupled to a probe rectangular-like potential and a zero potential is extremely important in the study of one-dimensional periodic potentials in solid state physics, e.g., in the calculation of transport, optical, and magnetic properties. These findings raise the possibility of calculating equations for the generalization of N arbitrary potentials related to any potential V(x) using special functions as a solution. In this work, a novel analytical generalization of the transcendental energy equation, group velocity, and effective mass for N-coupled potentials to a probe one-dimensional potential V=V(x) was proposed. Initially, two well-known linear periodic potentials V=V(x) were employed to obtain analytical solutions for rectangular-like and Dirac-delta potentials. Python libraries were used to easily represent the equations for one or two rectangular-like potentials coupled with an arbitrary potential, highlighting the transcendental energy, group velocity, and effective mass. The results showed that the group velocity behavior changed its orientation due to the sign of the potential, whereas the width of the potential V(x) strongly influenced the group velocity behavior. The effective mass was also modified by the potential shapes, and their combinations, both effective mass and group velocity, exhibited similar physical behaviors to those found in ordinary rectangular-like potentials.
Attention-Oriented CNN Method for Type 2 Diabetes Prediction
Authors: Zhao Jian , Gao Hanlin , Yang Chen , An Tianbo , Kuang Zhejun , Shi Lijuan
Published: May 2024

Diabetes is caused by insulin deficiency or impaired biological action, and long-term hyperglycemia leads to a variety of tissue damage and dysfunction. Therefore, the early prediction of diabetes and timely intervention and treatment are crucial. This paper proposes a robust framework for the prediction and diagnosis of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) to aid in diabetes applications in clinical diagnosis. The data-preprocessing stage includes steps such as outlier removal, missing value filling, data standardization, and assigning class weights to ensure the quality and consistency of the data, thereby improving the performance and stability of the model. This experiment used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset and the publicly available PIMA Indian dataset (PID). For T2DM classification, we designed a convolutional neural network (CNN) and proposed a novel attention-oriented convolutional neural network (SECNN) through the channel attention mechanism. To optimize the hyperparameters of the model, we used grid search and K-fold cross-validation methods. In addition, we also comparatively analyzed various machine learning (ML) models such as support vector machine (SVM), logistic regression (LR), decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), and artificial neural network (ANN). Finally, we evaluated the performance of the model using performance evaluation metrics such as precision, recall, F1-Score, accuracy, and AUC. Experimental results show that the SECNN model has an accuracy of 94.12% on the NHANES dataset and an accuracy of 89.47% on the PIMA Indian dataset. SECNN models and CNN models show significant improvements in diabetes prediction performance compared to traditional ML models. The comparative analysis of the SECNN model and the CNN model has significantly improved performance, further verifying the advantages of introducing the channel attention mechanism. The robust diabetes prediction framework proposed in this article establishes an effective foundation for diabetes diagnosis and prediction, and has a positive impact on the development of health management and medical industries.
Design and Experimental Study of an Embedded Controller for a Model-Based Controllable Pitch Propeller
Authors: Su Pan , Chang Guanghui , Wu Jiechang , Wang Yuxin , Feng Xuejiao
Published: May 2024

The controllable pitch propeller hydraulic system has high constraints and nonlinearity. Due to these inherent deficiencies, the proportional–integral–derivative (PID) control algorithm cannot meet the control accuracy requirements of nonlinear systems. A control law based on a model predictive control (MPC) algorithm is designed in this paper. The gain parameters of the predictive control are optimized. The MPC and PID control systems are compared and simulated to verify the MPC controller’s effectiveness. Subsequently, the embedded controller of a controllable pitch propeller is developed. The support package for the embedded circuit board target containing an underlying driver for each interface is written by introducing the C-MEX S-Function and TLC programming language. A semi-physical simulation experiment is performed. The results show that the established controllable pitch propeller with an embedded controller displays reliable running performance, good anti-interference, and the capacity to fulfill the control function of the pitch propeller under various working conditions.
Quasi-Static and Dynamic Crack Propagation by Phase Field Modeling: Comparison with Previous Results and Experimental Validation
Authors: Kriaa Yosra , Hersi Yassine , Ammar Amine , Zouari Bassem
Published: May 2024

In this paper, experimental tensile tests for pre-cracked high Carbon steel ‘C90’ specimens were performed for quasi-static and dynamic loading. High loading velocity affects the crack patterns by preventing deflection. On the other hand, an efficient numerical tool based on the phase field model was developed and validated to predict brittle fracture trajectories. A staggered numerical scheme was adopted to solve the displacement and damage fields separately. Implementation efficiency in initiating and propagating cracks, even from an undamaged microstructure, was proved. The effect of the critical fracture energy density Gc on the crack path was tested; with smaller Gc, the crack patterns become more complex. In addition, the impact of loading velocities was examined, and earlier and faster crack formation and greater crack branching is observed with higher impact velocity. In this study, bidimensional plane stress cases were treated. The phase field model with hybrid formulation was able to predict crack pattern and especially crack arrest and branching found in the literature. The developed model accurately determined the transition zone of the crack path topology that has been observed experimentally.
Analysis of the Near-Ground Wind Field Characteristics during Typhoon Soulik
Authors: Wang Xu , Yao Zhilan , Guo Yun , Li Yongguang
Published: May 2024

In 2013, during Typhoon Soulik, wind data were collected at various heights above the ground (15, 27, 53, 67, and 82 m) on the 550 kV 52# pole transmission tower in Ningde City, Fujian Province. The wind speed profile, turbulence intensity, gust factor, crest factor, and power spectrum were analyzed using 10 min interval wind speed records. The results show the following: (1) the average wind velocity of Typhoon Soulik varies in accordance with both the power law and the logarithmic law, but the Deaves–Harris model exhibits significant discrepancies; (2) the turbulence intensity in u, v, and w orientations decreases with the average wind velocity at each height. Exponential fitting is conducted on the strength of turbulence and gust factor profiles in each direction based on the standards of different countries, resulting in the derivation of empirical expressions; (3) the integral scale components of turbulence in u, v, and w orientations exhibit a positive correlation with both average wind velocity and height. The turbulence integral scale ratios in the longitudinal, transverse, and vertical directions at heights of 15, 53, and 82 m are 1:0.68:0.11, 1:0.67:0.27, and 1:0.67:0.30, respectively; (4) the Von Karman empirical spectrum and the modified Kaimal cross-spectrum model closely match the observed wind power spectrum of Typhoon Soulik. The presented results contribute to furthering references for wind-resistant design of structures in typhoon-prone areas and prevention of typhoon-related disasters.
Color Differences of Polimerized Resin-Based Composites and Corresponding Shade Guides
Authors: Fernández Millán David , Pose Rodríguez Jose Manuel , López Castro Gonzalo , Alonso de la Peña Victor , Gallas Torreira Mercedes
Published: May 2024

Objective: The purpose of this study is to analyze and compare the colors (A2, A3 and A3.5) of polymerized resin-based composites (RBCs) with respect to the shade numbers within each product line and the VITAPAN Classical® shade guide they purported to represent. Methods: Three A-shades (A2, A3 and A3.5) from four RBC products (Harmonize®, Empress® Direct®, Grandio® and Filtek® 500) were compared within the VITAPAN Classical® shade guide and within their own commercial shade guide. Nine disk-shaped specimens, 6 mm in diameter and 2 mm thick, were prepared for each RBC color (three of each color). The color measurements were made according to the CIE L*a*b* color scale (quantifying L*c*h*a*b* values) using a Vita Easyshade Compact IV® digital spectrophotometer. We calculated the CIEDE2000 color differences between polymerized composites and shade guides, as well as between composites. The values obtained from composites and samples of the color guides in the CIE L*a*b* space were represented by ICC3D software (Version 1.2.9) Results: The ANOVA test verified the existence of statistically significant differences between composites for the same shades (p < 0.05) except for shade A2. CIEDE2000 color differences between composites and the VITAPAN Classical® shade guide ranged from 3.5 to 13.1 depending on the composite and the shade. Conclusions: There were color differences among the polymerized resin-based composites, between these and their own shade guides/manufacturer’s commercial guides, and between the former and the corresponding samples of the VITAPAN Classical® shade guide. Clinical significance: Color selection when performing an aesthetic dental restoration is essential for the clinician and the patient to obtain an optimal result. Taking into account the color difference (∆E00) for each composite with the VITAPAN Classical® shade guide or with the manufacturers’ commercial guide allows for more precision with shade selection in aesthetic dentistry.
Deep Learning CNN-GRU Method for GNSS Deformation Monitoring Prediction
Authors: Xie Yilin , Wang Jun , Li Haiyang , Dong Azhong , Kang Yanping , Zhu Jie , Wang Yawei , Yang Yin
Published: May 2024

Hydraulic structures are the key national infrastructures, whose safety and stability are crucial for socio-economic development. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology, as a high-precision deformation monitoring method, is of great significance for the safety and stability of hydraulic structures. However, the GNSS time series exhibits characteristics such as high nonlinearity, spatiotemporal correlation, and noise interference, making it difficult to model for prediction. The Neural Networks (CNN) model has strong feature extraction capabilities and translation invariance. However, it remains sensitive to changes in the scale and position of the target and requires large amounts of data. The Gated Recurrent Units (GRU) model could improve the training effectiveness by introducing gate mechanisms, but its ability to model long-term dependencies is limited. This study proposes a combined model, using CNN to extract spatial features and GRU to capture temporal information, to achieve an accurate prediction. The experiment shows that the proposed CNN-GRU model has a better performance, with an improvement of approximately 45%, demonstrating higher accuracy and reliability in predictions for GNSS deformation monitoring. This provides a new feasible solution for the safety monitoring and early warning of hydraulic structures.
Influence of the Road Model on the Optimal Maneuver of a Racing Motorcycle
Authors: Biniewicz Jan , Pyrz Mariusz
Published: May 2024

Motorcycle motion is largely influenced by the road geometry, which alters the allowable accelerations in longitudinal and lateral directions and influences the vertical wheel loads. Recently, a method for three-dimensional road reconstruction and its incorporation into transient and quasi-steady-state (QSS) minimum lap time simulations (MLTSs) has been proposed. The main purpose of this work is to demonstrate how significantly different results from a minimum lap time optimal control problem can be obtained when using inappropriate elevation data sources in the track reconstruction problem, and how the road model reconstructed using poor input data can lead to misleading conclusions when analyzing real vehicle and driver performances. Two road models derived from high- and low-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) are compared and their impact on the optimal maneuver of a racing motorcycle is examined. The essentials of track identification are presented, as well as vehicle positioning on the 3D road and the generalized QSS motorcycle model. Obtained 3D and 2D road models are analyzed in detail, on a case example of the Road Atlanta racetrack, and used in minimum lap time simulations, which are validated by the experimental data recorded on the Supersport motorcycle. The comparative analysis showed that great care should be taken when selecting the elevation dataset in the track reconstruction process, and that the 1 m resolution local DEMs seem to be sufficient to obtain MLTS results close to the measured ones. The example of using the 3D free-trajectory QSS minimum lap time problem to localize the track segments where real driver actions can be improved is also presented. The differences between simulation results on different road models of the same racetrack can be large and influence the interpretation of optimal maneuver.
Inversion of the Permeability Coefficient of a High Core Wall Dam Based on a BP Neural Network and the Marine Predator Algorithm
Authors: Duan Junrong , Shen Zhenzhong
Published: May 2024

The parameters’ inversion of saturated–unsaturated is important in ensuring the safety of earth dams; many scholars have conducted some research regarding the inversion of hydraulic conductivity based on seepage pressure monitoring data. The van Genuchten model is widely used in saturated–unsaturated seepage analysis, which considers the permeability connected to the water content of the soil and the soil’s shape parameters. A BP neural artificial network is a mature prediction technique based on enough data, and the marine predator algorithm is a new nature-inspired metaheuristic inspired by the movement of animals in the ocean. The BP neural artificial network and marine predator algorithm are applied in the permeability coefficient inversion of a core-rock dam in China; the results show that in the normal operation status, the BP network shows better accuracy, and the average of the absolute error and variance of the absolute error are both minimum values, which are 2.21 m and 1.43 m, respectively. While the water storage speed changes, the marine predator algorithm shows better accuracy; the objective function is calculated to be 0.253. So, the marine predator algorithm is able to accurately reverse the desired results in some situations. According to the actual condition, employing suitable methods for the inverse permeability coefficient of a dam can effectively ensure the safe operation of dams.
Non-Contact Tilapia Mass Estimation Method Based on Underwater Binocular Vision
Authors: Feng Guofu , Pan Bo , Chen Ming
Published: May 2024

The non-destructive measurement of fish is an important link in intelligent aquaculture, and realizing the accurate estimation of fish mass is the key to the stable operation of this link. Taking tilapia as the object, this study proposes an underwater tilapia mass estimation method, which can accurately estimate the mass of free-swimming tilapia under non-contact conditions. First, image enhancement is performed on the original image, and the depth image is obtained by correcting and stereo matching the enhanced image using binocular stereo vision technology. And the fish body is segmented by an SAM model. Then, the segmented fish body is labeled with key points, thus realizing the 3D reconstruction of tilapia. Five mass estimation models are established based on the relationship between the body length and the mass of tilapia, so as to realize the mass estimation of tilapia. The results showed that the average relative errors of the method models were 5.34%~7.25%. The coefficient of determination of the final tilapia mass estimation with manual measurement was 0.99, and the average relative error was 5.90%. The improvement over existing deep learning methods is about 1.54%. This study will provide key technical support for the non-destructive measurement of tilapia, which is of great significance to the information management of aquaculture, the assessment of fish growth condition, and baiting control.
Experimental Study of the Reaction of OH Radicals with Carbonyl Sulfide between 365 and 960 K: Kinetics and Products
Authors: Bedjanian Yuri
Published: May 2024

Reaction OH + OCS → products (1) has been studied in a discharge–flow reactor combined with modulated molecular beam mass spectrometry. The reaction rate constant has been determined under pseudo-first-order conditions through monitoring OH decays in a high excess of OCS: k1 = (2.35 ± 0.25) × 10−12 exp(−(2144 ± 56)/T) cm3 molecule−1 s−1 at T = 365–960 K (the uncertainties represent precision at the 2σ level, the total 2σ relative uncertainty including statistical and systematic errors on the rate constant being 20% at all temperatures). The rate constant of reaction (1) was found to be similar at a total helium pressure of 1, 2, and 8 torr at around 500 K. The SH radical was identified as the primary product of the reaction, and its yield was determined to be about 100% at T = 500 and 750 K. The kinetic and mechanistic data from the present study are compared to previous experimental and theoretical work.
A Short Note on Generating a Random Sample from Finite Mixture Distributions
Authors: Al-Labadi Luai , Ly Anna
Published: May 2024

Computational statistics is a critical skill for professionals in fields such as data science, statistics, and related disciplines. One essential aspect of computational statistics is the ability to simulate random variables from specified probability distributions. Commonly employed techniques for sampling random variables include the inverse transform method, acceptance–rejection method, and Box–Muller transformation, all of which rely on sampling from the uniform (0,1) distribution. A significant concept in statistics is the finite mixture model, characterized by a convex combination of multiple probability density functions. In this paper, we introduce a modified version of the composition method, a standard approach for sampling finite mixture models. Our modification offers the advantage of relying on sampling from the uniform (0,1) distribution, aligning with prevalent methods in computational statistics. This alignment simplifies teaching computational statistics courses, as well as having other benefits. We offer several examples to illustrate the approach.
GlycA and CRP Are Genetically Correlated: Insight into the Genetic Architecture of Inflammageing
Authors: Kasher Melody , Freidin Maxim B. , Williams Frances M. K. , Livshits Gregory ,   CHARGE Inflammation Working Group
Published: May 2024

Inflammageing is a condition of perpetual low-grade inflammation induced by ageing. Inflammageing may be predicted by the C-reactive protein (CRP) or by a recently described biomarker which measures N-glycosylated side chains of the carbohydrate component of several acute-phase proteins known as GlycA. The objective of this study was to examine in depth the genetic relationships between CRP and GlycA as well as between each of them and other selected cytokines, which may shed light on the mechanisms of inflammageing. Using the Olink 96 Inflammation panel, data on inflammatory mediators for 1518 twins from the TwinsUK dataset were acquired. Summary statistics for genome-wide association studies for several cytokines as well as CRP and GlycA were collected from public sources. Extensive genetic correlation analyses, colocalization and genetic enrichment analyses were carried out to detect the shared genetic architecture between GlycA and CRP. Mendelian randomization was carried out to assess potential causal relationships. GlycA predicted examined cytokines with a magnitude twice as great as that of CRP. GlycA and CRP were significantly genetically correlated (Rg = 0.4397 ± 0.0854, p-value = 2.60 × 10−7). No evidence of a causal relationship between GlycA and CRP, or between these two biomarkers and the cytokines assessed was obtained. However, the aforementioned relationships were explained well by horizontal pleiotropy. Five exonic genetic variants annotated to five genes explain the shared genetic architecture observed between GlycA and CRP: IL6R, GCKR, MLXIPL, SERPINA1, and MAP1A. GlycA and CRP possess a shared genetic architecture, but the relationship between them appears to be modest, which may imply the promotion of differing inflammatory pathways. GlycA appears to be a more robust predictor of cytokines compared to CRP.
A New Framework Combining Diffusion Models and the Convolution Classifier for Generating Images from EEG Signals
Authors: Yang Guangyu , Liu Jinguo
Published: May 2024

The generation of images from electroencephalography (EEG) signals has become a popular research topic in recent research because it can bridge the gap between brain signals and visual stimuli and has wide application prospects in neuroscience and computer vision. However, due to the high complexity of EEG signals, the reconstruction of visual stimuli through EEG signals continues to pose a challenge. In this work, we propose an EEG-ConDiffusion framework that involves three stages: feature extraction, fine-tuning of the pretrained model, and image generation. In the EEG-ConDiffusion framework, classification features of EEG signals are first obtained through the feature extraction block. Then, the classification features are taken as conditions to fine-tune the stable diffusion model in the image generation block to generate images with corresponding semantics. This framework combines EEG classification and image generation means to enhance the quality of generated images. Our proposed framework was tested on an EEG-based visual classification dataset. The performance of our framework is measured by classification accuracy, 50-way top-k accuracy, and inception score. The results indicate that the proposed EEG-Condiffusion framework can extract effective classification features and generate high-quality images from EEG signals to realize EEG-to-image conversion.
Older Adults’ Continuance Intentions for Online Physical Exercise Classes
Authors: Taveira Francisca , Barbosa Belem
Published: May 2024

During the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns and social distancing measures drove the shift from in-person to online physical exercise classes, leading individuals to explore these digital alternatives. Guided by the Expectation-Confirmation Model, this article examines older adults’ intentions to continue using online physical exercise classes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 adults aged 65 and older who had participated in online physical exercise classes during the pandemic. Transcripts were subject to thematic analysis using the NVivo software program. The results indicate that older adults recognize the usefulness of online physical exercise classes because of their ability to enhance their health and well-being. Their initial expectations were surpassed, and they were generally satisfied with the experience. However, in-person classes remained preferred due to their enhanced benefits. They also felt that the adoption of online classes was involuntary; instead of an autonomous decision guided by their needs and preferences, this was a viable solution imposed by the lockdown. Therefore, their continuance intentions are limited to specific conditions, namely a new lockdown or other physical impediments. Still, considering the flexibility that online physical exercise classes offer, accommodating time and physical constraints, participants highlighted the advantages of a hybrid approach for those who may face challenges attending in-person classes. Based on the findings, this article proposes that ECM provides a relevant, yet insufficient, framework for explaining older adults’ continuance intentions for online physical exercise classes, suggesting the inclusion of additional explaining factors: perceived usefulness of non-technological alternatives, necessary conditions, and self-determination.
Building a Greener Future: Advancing Concrete Production Sustainability and the Thermal Properties of 3D-Printed Mortars
Authors: Capêto Ana Paula , Jesus Manuel , Uribe Braian E. B. , Guimarães Ana Sofia , Oliveira Ana L. S.
Published: May 2024

The integration of waste materials in extrudable cement mixtures has the potential to make the construction industry more sustainable by reducing carbon footprints and developing eco-friendly materials. This along with advancements in 3D concrete printing (3DCP) provides engineering and architectural benefits by reducing material waste and costs. In this paper, the impact of waste incorporation on properties of mortar and concrete is examined. The use of waste materials, such as pumice, coal slag, agricultural lignocellulosic residues, and recycled rubber tyres, to improve thermal insulation and durability of cementitious composites is discussed. In addition, the incorporation of air-entraining admixtures with surfactant activity is explored for their indirect effect on thermal behaviour, pore size reduction, and enhancement in concrete properties. This review includes important topics such as a strength resistance to freezing and thawing, fire resistance, plasticising effect, and delay in cement hydration. These findings highlight the benefits of using diverse waste materials in construction, providing a multidimensional approach to waste management, cost optimization, and enhanced construction materials in the context of 3DCP.
Experimental Study on the Strength and Microstructure of Red Mud-Based Silty Sand Modified with Lime–Fly Ash
Authors: Yin Song , Yan Pan , Li Xinming , Wang Yulong , Zhang Xianwei , Sun Yuzhou , Chen Cheng
Published: May 2024

This study aimed to assess the viability of utilizing lime–fly ash (LF) and red mud (RM) in the modification of silty soil (LF-RMS) for subgrade filling. The primary objective of this research was to analyze the mechanical characteristics and examine the curing mechanisms associated with said modified materials. Different curing times were utilized in the analysis of mechanical properties (e.g., via unconfined compression testing), microstructure (via scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis), and environmental indices (via assessment of corrosivity, heavy metal concentration, and radioactivity) with various dosages of red mud (DRM) and Lime–fly ash (DLF). Analyses of the curing mechanisms, failure modes, microstructures, and degrees of environmental impact associated with LF-RMS were also undertaken. The tests indicated that the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) exhibited an initial increase followed by a decrease as the DRM and DLF levels increased. Additionally, the strength of LF-RMS increased with an increase in curing time. It is worth noting that the specimen composed of 20% LF and 23% RM (D20%LF+23%RM) demonstrated a maximum UCS value of 4.72 MPa after 90 days of curing, which indicates that it has the strongest ability to resist deformation. The strength of the specimen cured for 90 days was 1.4 times higher than that of the specimen cured for 7 days (1.97 MPa). Furthermore, the toxic concentration and radionuclide index of LF-RMS were significantly reduced compared to those of pure RM. The overall concentration of heavy metals in the D20%LF+23%RM specimen decreased by more than 60% after curing for 28 days. The internal irradiation index and the external irradiation index decreased by 1.63 and 1.69, respectively. The hydration products in LF-RMS play a key role in the solidification of heavy metals, and the alkaline environment provided by RM also contributes to the precipitation and replacement of heavy metals. In this study, red mud, fly ash and lime were used to modify silty soil. The central tenets of sustainable development may be achieved through the reuse of RM as a road filler.
Exploring the Immunomodulatory Potential of Pancreatic Cancer-Derived Extracellular Vesicles through Proteomic and Functional Analyses
Authors: Piro Anna , Cufaro Maria Concetta , Lanuti Paola , Brocco Davide , De Lellis Laura , Florio Rosalba , Pilato Serena , Pagotto Sara , De Fabritiis Simone , Vespa Simone , Catitti Giulia , Verginelli Fabio , Simeone Pasquale , Pieragostino Damiana , Del Boccio Piero , Fontana Antonella , Grassadonia Antonino , Di Ianni Mauro , Cama Alessandro , Veschi Serena
Published: May 2024

Pancreatic cancer (PC) has a poor prognosis and displays resistance to immunotherapy. A better understanding of tumor-derived extracellular vesicle (EV) effects on immune responses might contribute to improved immunotherapy. EVs derived from Capan-2 and BxPC-3 PC cells isolated by ultracentrifugation were characterized by atomic force microscopy, Western blot (WB), nanoparticle tracking analysis, and label-free proteomics. Fresh PBMCs from healthy donors were treated with PC- or control-derived heterologous EVs, followed by flow cytometry analysis of CD8+ and CD4+ lymphocytes. The proteomics of lymphocytes sorted from EV-treated or untreated PBMCs was performed, and the IFN-γ concentration was measured by ELISA. Notably, most of the proteins identified in Capan-2 and BxPC-3 EVs by the proteomic analysis were connected in a single functional network (p = 1 × 10−16) and were involved in the “Immune System” (FDR: 1.10 × 10−24 and 3.69 × 10−19, respectively). Interestingly, the treatment of healthy donor-derived PBMCs with Capan-2 EVs but not with BxPC-3 EVs or heterologous control EVs induced early activation of CD8+ and CD4+ lymphocytes. The proteomics of lymphocytes sorted from EV-treated PBMCs was consistent with their activation by Capan-2 EVs, indicating IFN-γ among the major upstream regulators, as confirmed by ELISA. The proteomic and functional analyses indicate that PC-EVs have pleiotropic effects, and some may activate early immune responses, which might be relevant for the development of highly needed immunotherapeutic strategies in this immune-cold tumor.
Gene Expression Profile of Benign, Intermediate, and Malignant Spitz and Spitzoid Melanocytic Lesions
Authors: Giubellino Alessio , He Yuyu , Munro Sarah A. , Zhou Yan , Song Kyu Young , Plaza Jose A. , Torres-Cabala Carlos A. , Nelson Andrew C.
Published: May 2024

Spitz and Spitzoid lesions represent one of the most challenging melanocytic neoplasms in dermatopathology. Nosologic classification has been more recently improved by the discovery of novel molecular drivers, particularly translocations. In the current study, we aimed to use an unbiased approach to explore the gene expression profile of a group of melanocytic Spitz and Spitzoid melanocytic lesions ranging from benign lesions to melanoma, including intermediate lesions such as SPARK nevi and atypical Spitz tumors/melanocytomas. Using unsupervised analysis of gene expression data, we found some distinct hierarchical clusters of lesions, including groups characterized by ALK and NTRK translocations. Few non-ALK translocated tumors demonstrated increased ALK expression, confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Spitz tumors with overlapping features of dysplastic nevi, so-called SPARK nevi, appear to have a common gene expression profile by hierarchical clustering. Finally, weighted gene correlation network analysis identified gene modules variably regulated in subtypes of these cases. Thus, gene expression profiling of Spitz and Spitzoid lesions represents a viable instrument for the characterization of these lesions.
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: An Updated Review
Authors: Jiang Rina , Fritz Mike , Que Syril Keena T.
Published: May 2024

Representing the second most common skin cancer, the incidence and disease burden of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) continues to increase. Surgical excision of the primary site effectively cures the majority of cSCC cases. However, an aggressive subset of cSCC persists with clinicopathological features that are indicative of higher recurrence, metastasis, and mortality risks. Acceleration of these features is driven by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The past several years have seen remarkable progress in shaping the treatment landscape for advanced cSCC. Risk stratification and clinical management is a top priority. This review provides an overview of the current perspectives on cSCC with a focus on staging, treatment, and maintenance strategies, along with future research directions.
Current Status and Future Perspectives of Antibody–Drug Conjugates in Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer
Authors: Grammoustianou Maria , Dimitrakopoulos Foteinos-Ioannis , Koutras Angelos
Published: May 2024

Breast cancer is the most common cancer type in women. The vast majority of breast cancer patients have hormone receptor-positive (HR+) tumors. In advanced HR+ breast cancer, the combination of endocrine therapy with cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors is considered the standard of care in the front-line setting. Nevertheless, resistance to hormonal therapy and CDK4/6 inhibitors eventually occurs, leading to progression of the disease. Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) comprise a promising therapeutic choice with significant efficacy in patients with HR+ breast cancer, which is resistant to endocrine treatment. ADCs typically consist of a cytotoxic payload attached by a linker to a monoclonal antibody that targets a specific tumor-associated antigen, offering the advantage of a more selective delivery of chemotherapy to cancer cells. In this review, we focus on the ADC mechanisms of action, their toxicity profile and therapeutic uses as well as on related biomarkers and future perspectives in advanced HR+ breast cancer.
Targeted Therapy of Multiple Sclerosis: A Case for Antigen-Specific Tregs
Authors: Zhong Yiya , Stauss Hans J.
Published: May 2024

Multiple sclerosis is an autoinflammatory condition that results in damage to myelinated neurons in affected patients. While disease-modifying treatments have been successful in slowing the progression of relapsing–remitting disease, most patients still progress to secondary progressive disease that is largely unresponsive to disease-modifying treatments. Similarly, there is currently no effective treatment for patients with primary progressive MS. Innate and adaptive immune cells in the CNS play a critical role in initiating an autoimmune attack and in maintaining the chronic inflammation that drives disease progression. In this review, we will focus on recent insights into the role of T cells with regulatory function in suppressing the progression of MS, and, more importantly, in promoting the remyelination and repair of MS lesions in the CNS. We will discuss the exciting potential to genetically reprogram regulatory T cells to achieve immune suppression and enhance repair locally at sites of tissue damage, while retaining a fully competent immune system outside the CNS. In the future, reprogramed regulatory T cells with defined specificity and function may provide life medicines that can persist in patients and achieve lasting disease suppression after one cycle of treatment.
No Evidence of Sensory Neuropathy in a Traditional Mouse Model of Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Faisal Mahvish , Rusetskaya Anna , Väli Liis , Taba Pille , Minajeva Ave , Hickey Miriam A.
Published: May 2024

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second-most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide and is diagnosed based on motor impairments. Non-motor symptoms are also well-recognised in this disorder, and peripheral neuropathy is a frequent but poorly appreciated non-motor sign. Studying how central and peripheral sensory systems are affected can contribute to the development of targeted therapies and deepen our understanding of the pathophysiology of PD. Although the cause of sporadic PD is unknown, chronic exposure to the pesticide rotenone in humans increases the risk of developing the disease. Here, we aimed to investigate whether peripheral neuropathy is present in a traditional model of PD. Mice receiving intrastriatal rotenone showed greatly reduced dopamine terminals in the striatum and a reduction in tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in the Substantia nigra pars compacta and developed progressive motor impairments in hindlimb stepping and rotarod but no change in spontaneous activity. Interestingly, repeated testing using gold-standard protocols showed no change in gut motility, a well-known non-motor symptom of PD. Importantly, we did not observe any change in heat, cold, or touch sensitivity, again based upon repeated testing with well-validated protocols that were statistically well powered. Therefore, this traditional model fails to replicate PD, and our data again reiterate the importance of the periphery to the disorder.
Thirteen Ovary-Enriched Genes Are Individually Not Essential for Female Fertility in Mice
Authors: Pham Anh Hoang , Emori Chihiro , Ishikawa-Yamauchi Yu , Tokuhiro Keizo , Kamoshita Maki , Fujihara Yoshitaka , Ikawa Masahito
Published: May 2024

Infertility is considered a global health issue as it currently affects one in every six couples, with female factors reckoned to contribute to partly or solely 50% of all infertility cases. Over a thousand genes are predicted to be highly expressed in the female reproductive system and around 150 genes in the ovary. However, some of their functions in fertility remain to be elucidated. In this study, 13 ovary and/or oocyte-enriched genes (Ccdc58, D930020B18Rik, Elobl, Fbxw15, Oas1h, Nlrp2, Pramel34, Pramel47, Pkd1l2, Sting1, Tspan4, Tubal3, Zar1l) were individually knocked out by the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Mating tests showed that these 13 mutant mouse lines were capable of producing offspring. In addition, we observed the histology section of ovaries and performed in vitro fertilization in five mutant mouse lines. We found no significant anomalies in terms of ovarian development and fertilization ability. In this study, 13 different mutant mouse lines generated by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology revealed that these 13 genes are individually not essential for female fertility in mice.