bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lung Transplantation in a New Era in the Field of Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Huang Wei , Smith Alexander T. , Korotun Maksim , Iacono Aldo , Wang Janice
Published: July 2023

Lung transplantation for people with cystic fibrosis (PwCF) is a critical therapeutic option, in a disease without a cure to this day, and its overall success in this population is evident. The medical advancements in knowledge, treatment, and clinical care in the field of cystic fibrosis (CF) rapidly expanded and improved over the last several decades, starting from early pathology reports of CF organ involvement in 1938, to the identification of the CF gene in 1989. Lung transplantation for CF has been performed since 1983, and CF now accounts for about 17% of pre-transplantation diagnoses in lung transplantation recipients. Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators have been the latest new therapeutic modality addressing the underlying CF protein defect with the first modulator, ivacaftor, approved in 2012. Fast forward to today, and we now have a growing CF population. More than half of PwCF are now adults, and younger patients face a better life expectancy than they ever did before. Unfortunately, CFTR modulator therapy is not effective in all patients, and efficacy varies among patients; it is not a cure, and CF remains a progressive disease that leads predominantly to respiratory failure. Lung transplantation remains a lifesaving treatment for this disease. Here, we reviewed the current knowledge of lung transplantation in PwCF, the challenges associated with its implementation, and the ongoing changes to the field as we enter a new era in the care of PwCF. Improved life expectancy in PwCF will surely influence the role of transplantation in patient care and may even lead to a change in the demographics of which people benefit most from transplantation.
TAVR Interventions and Coronary Access: How to Prevent Coronary Occlusion
Authors: Gherasie Flavius-Alexandru , Achim Alexandru
Published: July 2023

Due to technological advancements during the past 20 years, transcatheter aortic valve replacements (TAVRs) have significantly improved the treatment of symptomatic and severe aortic stenosis, significantly improving patient outcomes. The continuous evolution of transcatheter valve models, refined imaging planning for enhanced accuracy, and the growing expertise of technicians have collectively contributed to increased safety and procedural success over time. These notable advancements have expanded the scope of TAVR to include patients with lower risk profiles as it has consistently demonstrated more favorable outcomes than surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). As the field progresses, coronary angiography is anticipated to become increasingly prevalent among patients who have previously undergone TAVR, particularly in younger cohorts. It is worth noting that aortic stenosis is often associated with coronary artery disease. While the task of re-accessing coronary artery access following TAVR is challenging, it is generally feasible. In the context of valve-in-valve procedures, several crucial factors must be carefully considered to optimize coronary re-access. To obtain successful coronary re-access, it is essential to align the prosthesis with the native coronary ostia. As part of preventive measures, strategies have been developed to safeguard against coronary obstruction during TAVR. One such approach involves placing wires and non-deployed coronary balloons or scaffolds inside an at-risk coronary artery, a procedure known as chimney stenting. Additionally, the bioprosthetic or native aortic scallops intentional laceration to prevent iatrogenic coronary artery obstruction (BASILICA) procedure offers an effective and safer alternative to prevent coronary artery obstructions. The key objective of our study was to evaluate the techniques and procedures employed to achieve commissural alignment in TAVR, as well as to assess the efficacy and measure the impact on coronary re-access in valve-in-valve procedures.
Suppression of Metastatic Ovarian Cancer Cells by Bepridil, a Calcium Channel Blocker
Authors: Zhang Songzi , Kim Dokyeong , Park Minyoung , Yin Jing Hu , Park Junseong , Chung Yeun-Jun
Published: July 2023

Although surgery followed by platinum-based therapy is effective as a standard treatment in the early stages of ovarian cancer, the majority of cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, leading to poor prognosis. Thus, the identification of novel therapeutic drugs is needed. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of bepridil—a calcium channel blocker—in ovarian cancer cells using two cell lines: SKOV-3, and SKOV-3-13 (a highly metastatic clone of SKOV-3). Treatment of these cell lines with bepridil significantly reduced cell viability, migration, and invasion. Notably, SKOV-3-13 was more sensitive to bepridil than SKOV-3. The TGF-β1-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like phenotype was reversed by treatment with bepridil in both cell lines. Consistently, expression levels of EMT-related markers, including vimentin, β-catenin, and Snail, were also substantially decreased by the treatment with bepridil. An in vivo mouse xenograft model was used to confirm these findings. Tumor growth was significantly reduced by bepridil treatment in SKOV-3-13-inoculated mice, and immunohistochemistry showed consistently decreased expression of EMT-related markers. Our findings are the first to report anticancer effects of bepridil in ovarian cancer, and they suggest that bepridil holds significant promise as an effective therapeutic agent for targeting metastatic ovarian cancer.
Hierarchical Classification of Subject-Cooperative Control Strategies for Lower Limb Exoskeletons in Gait Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review
Authors: Narayan Jyotindra , Auepanwiriyakul Chaiyawan , Jhunjhunwala Sanchit , Abbas Mohamed , Dwivedy Santosha K.
Published: July 2023

Over the last decade, lower limb exoskeletons have seen significant development, with a particular focus on improving the interaction between the subject and the exoskeleton. This has been achieved by implementing advanced control strategies that enable the safe and efficient use of the exoskeleton. In this work, the control strategies for lower limb exoskeletons are divided into upper-level control (supervisory and high-level control) and lower-level control (the servo layer). Before discussing these control strategies, a brief introduction to lower limb exoskeletons and their control schemes is provided. The control hierarchy for lower limb exoskeletons is then systematically reviewed along with an overview of the techniques used. A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement is used to highlight the systematic process of identifying relevant articles with inclusion and exclusion criteria. The details of supervisory control, high-level control, and servo control strategies are presented by citing relevant state-of-the-art studies, particularly from the past five years. The targeted lower limb joint, training mode, and development stage for different control strategies are highlighted in a tabulated form to articulate the overall hierarchy level. Finally, the potential opportunities and limitations of subject-cooperative control are discussed. Overall, this work aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the control strategies used in lower limb exoskeletons, focusing on subject cooperation. This knowledge can be used to improve the safety and efficacy of lower limb exoskeletons, ultimately benefiting individuals with mobility impairments.
Fault Diagnosis of Train Wheelset Bearing Roadside Acoustics Considering Sparse Operation with GA-RBF
Authors: Qiu Jiandong , Ran Jiajia , Tang Minan , Yu Fan , Zhang Qiang
Published: July 2023

Trackside acoustic signals are useful for non-contact measurements as well as early warnings in the diagnosis of train wheelset bearing faults. However, there are two important problems when using roadside acoustic signals to diagnose wheel-to-wheel bearing faults; one is the presence of strong interference from strong noise and high harmonics in the signal, and the other is the low efficiency of bearing fault identification caused by it. Therefore, from the viewpoint of solving the two problems, a sparse operation method is proposed for denoising and detuning the modulation of the roadside acoustic signal, and a machine learning classifier with a Genetic Algorithm (GA)-optimized Radial Basis Neural Network (RBFNN) is proposed to improve the rate at which the features of roadside acoustic signal faults are recognized. Firstly, the background noise is filtered out from the Doppler-corrected acoustic signal using the Sparse Representation method, and the inverse wavelet transform is reconstructed into a noiseless signal. Secondly, the interference high-harmonic signal in the signal is filtered out using the Resonant Sparse Signal Decomposition (RSSD) method. Then, the GA is selected to optimize the parameters of the RBF neural network and build a fault diagnosis model. Finally, the extracted acoustic signal feature set is trained on the network model, and the trained model is used for testing. In summary, the sparse operation on the roadside acoustic signal processing and the GA-RBFNN diagnosis model were verified as being very effective in the diagnosis of roadside acoustic train wheel pair faults through the simulation experiment.
Enhanced Effectiveness in Various Ladder Graphs Based on the F-Centroidal Meanness Criterion
Authors: Rajesh Kannan A. , Murali Krishnan S. , Loganathan Karuppusamy , Alessa Nazek , Hymavathi M.
Published: July 2023

Graph labeling allows for the representation of additional attributes or properties associated with the vertices, edges, or both of graphs. This can provide a more comprehensive and detailed representation of the system being modeled, allowing for a richer analysis and interpretation of the graph. Graph labeling in ladder graphs has a wide range of applications in engineering, computer science, physics, biology, and other fields. It can be applied to various problem domains, such as image processing, wireless sensor networks, VLSI design, bioinformatics, social network analysis, transportation networks, and many others. The versatility of ladder graphs and the ability to apply graph labeling to them make them a powerful tool for modeling and analyzing diverse systems. If a function Υ is an injective vertex assignment in {1,2,…q+1} and the inductive edge assignment function Υ* in {1,2,…q} is expressed as a graph with q edges, defined as Υ*(uv)=2[Υ(u)2+Υ(u)Υ(v)+Υ(v)2]3[Υ(u)+Υ(v)], then the function is referred to as F-centroidal mean labeling. This is known as the F-centroidal mean criterion. Here, we have determined the F-centroidal mean criteria of the graph ladder, slanting ladder, triangular ladder, TLn∘Sm, SLn∘Sm for m≤2, double-sided step ladder, Dn*, and diamond ladder.
Inverse Optimization Method for Safety Resource Allocation and Inferring Cost Coefficient Based on a Benchmark
Authors: Zhang Lili , Guo Wenhao
Published: July 2023

Due to cost-push inflation, the trade-off between safety costs and risk prevention (safety) has become difficult worldwide. Most companies experience the difficulty of safety cost overruns and allocate safety resource inefficiently. In this paper, a forward model maximizing safety input is formulated. Because there is a wide range of variation of safety resource cost coefficient parameters, it is hard to determine safety resource cost coefficients in the forward model, to make the decisions on which types of safety resources are allocated to which potentially risky locations with what prices, and to ensure total input is as close to the benchmark as possible. Taking allocation, themes, resources, and cost coefficient parameters as new decision variables, the inverse optimization model is formulated based on a bi-level model. With consideration of quaternion decision, bi-level programming, and NP-hard problem, based on the comparison of exact penalty algorithm and an improved PSO algorithm, in which the inertia weight is adaptively changing with the number of iterations, the PSO is suitable for solving the specific inverse model. Numerical experiments demonstrated the effectiveness of the PSO algorithm, proving that it can allocate the right amount and types of safety resources with the right prices at the right places.
Euler–Lagrange-Type Equations for Functionals Involving Fractional Operators and Antiderivatives
Authors: Almeida Ricardo
Published: July 2023

The goal of this paper is to present the necessary and sufficient conditions that every extremizer of a given class of functionals, defined on the set C1[a,b], must satisfy. The Lagrange function depends on a generalized fractional derivative, on a generalized fractional integral, and on an antiderivative involving the previous fractional operators. We begin by obtaining the fractional Euler–Lagrange equation, which is a necessary condition to optimize a given functional. By imposing convexity conditions over the Lagrange function, we prove that it is also a sufficient condition for optimization. After this, we consider variational problems with additional constraints on the set of admissible functions, such as the isoperimetric and the holonomic problems. We end by considering a generalization of the fundamental problem, where the fractional order is not restricted to real values between 0 and 1, but may take any positive real value. We also present some examples to illustrate our results.
Novel Fermatean Fuzzy Aczel–Alsina Model for Investment Strategy Selection
Authors: Haq Iftikhar Ul , Shaheen Tanzeela , Ali Wajid , Toor Hamza , Senapati Tapan , Pilla Francesco , Moslem Sarbast
Published: July 2023

For choosing the optimal option for multiple issues, the multiattribute decision-making (MADM) technique within a Fermatean fuzzy environment is a well-known and significant method. This paper presents a novel superiority inferiority ranking (SIR) approach for Fermatean fuzzy sets in group decision-making using multicriteria to reduce investment risk. This approach aims to evaluate the strategies for selecting the optimal investment company. The SIR method is depicted, and its effectiveness in decision-making is explored. In this manuscript, we develop new types of Aczel–Alsina operations on the Fermatean fuzzy environment and Fermatean Fuzzy Aczel–Alsina (FF-AA) average aggregation operators, including their properties such as idempotency, monotonicity, and boundedness. Further, we introduce a Fermatean fuzzy Aczel–Alsina weighted average closeness coefficient (FF-AA-WA-CC) aggregation operator (AO) based on the closeness coefficient for MAGDM issues. By utilizing the proposed technique, we solve a numerical example of an MAGDM problem. The results show that this approach is accurate and practical, and consistent with a realistic investment circumstance. A demonstration was created to emphasize the significance and credibility of this approach and assess its validity by comparing its outcomes with the established methods.
Endomorphism Spectra of Double-Edge Fan Graphs
Authors: Xu Kaidi , Hou Hailong , Li Yu
Published: July 2023

There are six classes of endomorphisms for a graph. The sets of these endomorphisms form a chain under the inclusion of sets. In order to systematically study these endomorphisms, Böttcher and Knauer defined the concepts of the endomorphism spectrum and endomorphism type of a graph in 1992. In this paper, based on the property and structure of the endomorphism monoids of graphs, six classes of endomorphisms of double-edge fan graphs are described. In particular, we give the endomorphism spectra and endomorphism types of double-edge fan graphs.
A Fast Algorithm for Updating Negative Concept Lattices with Increasing the Granularity Sizes of Attributes
Authors: Xie Junping , Zhang Liuhai , Yang Jing
Published: July 2023

In this paper, firstly, we studied the relationship between negative concept lattices with increasing the granularity sizes of the attributes. Aiming to do this, negative concepts and covering relations were both classified into three types, and the sufficient and necessary conditions of distinguishing these kinds of negative concepts and covering relations are given, respectively. Further, based on the above analysis, an algorithm for updating negative concept lattices after the increase is proposed. Finally, the experimental results demonstrated that our algorithm performed significantly better than the direct construction algorithm.
A Novel Inertial Viscosity Algorithm for Bilevel Optimization Problems Applied to Classification Problems
Authors: Janngam Kobkoon , Suantai Suthep , Cho Yeol Je , Kaewkhao Attapol , Wattanataweekul Rattanakorn
Published: July 2023

Fixed-point theory plays many important roles in real-world problems, such as image processing, classification problem, etc. This paper introduces and analyzes a new, accelerated common-fixed-point algorithm using the viscosity approximation method and then employs it to solve convex bilevel optimization problems. The proposed method was applied to data classification with the Diabetes, Heart Disease UCI and Iris datasets. According to the data classification experiment results, the proposed algorithm outperformed the others in the literature.
Thermal–Structural Linear Static Analysis of Functionally Graded Beams Using Reddy Beam Theory
Authors: Valencia Murillo Carlos Enrique , Gutierrez Rivera Miguel Ernesto , Celaya Garcia Luis David
Published: July 2023

In this work, a finite element model to perform the thermal–structural analysis of beams made of functionally graded material (FGM) is presented. The formulation is based on the third-order shear deformation theory. The constituents of the FGM are considered to vary only in the thickness direction, and the effective material properties are evaluated by means of the rule of mixtures. The volume distribution of the top constituent is modeled using the power law form. A comparison of the present finite element model with the numerical results available in the literature reveals that they are in good agreement. In addition, a routine to study functionally graded plane models in a commercial finite element code is used to verify the performance of the proposed model. In the present work, displacements for different values of the power law exponent and surface temperatures are presented. Furthermore, the normal stress variation along the thickness is shown for several power law exponents of functionally graded beams subjected to thermal and mechanical loads.
The Relationship between Burnout and Wellbeing Using Social Support, Organizational Justice, and Lifelong Learning in Healthcare Specialists from Romania
Authors: Claponea Roxana Mihaela , Iorga Magdalena
Published: July 2023

Background and objectives: The goal of this study was to evaluate the levels of organizational justice, social support, wellbeing, and lifelong learning associated with the level of burnout experienced by medical and non-medical staff from public and private medical units. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 497 healthcare professionals: 367 medical personnel (Mage = 43.75 ± 0.50), including 216 nurses, 97 physicians, and 54 respondents with other medical specialities such as biologists, psychologists, physical therapists, pharmacists, etc., and 130 non-medical staff respondents (Mage = 45.63 ± 0.80), including administrative personnel. The Maslach Burnout Inventory, the ECO System, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the WHO Wellbeing Index, and the revised Jefferson Scale of Physician’s Lifelong Learning were used. Results: Burnout was measured in terms of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. Medical personnel registered higher values of personal accomplishment (38.66 ± 0.39 vs. 35.87 ± 0.69), while non-medical personnel registered higher values of depersonalization (6.59 ± 0.52 vs. 4.43 ± 0.26) and emotional exhaustion (27.33 ± 1.24 vs. 19.67 ± 0.71). In terms of organizational justice, higher scores were observed for medical staff, while non-medical staff recorded lower values (24.28 ± 0.24 vs. 22.14 ± 0.38). For wellbeing, higher scores were also registered for medical staff (11.95 ± 0.21 vs. 10.33 ± 0.37). Conclusions: For lifelong learning and social support, no statistically significant differences were found. In the case of the proposed parallel moderated mediation model, the moderated mediation effects of organizational justice, lifelong learning, and burnout on the relationship between social support and wellbeing were valid for every dimension of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment), but lifelong learning was not found to be a viable mediating variable, even if high levels of social support correspond to high levels of lifelong learning and wellbeing.
Fracture of Fe95Ni5 Alloys with Gradient-Grained Structure under Uniaxial Tension
Authors: Korchuganov Aleksandr , Kryzhevich Dmitrij , Zolnikov Konstantin
Published: July 2023

The fracture behavior of single- (fcc) and two-phase (fcc + bcc) Fe95Ni5 samples with gradient-grained structure, under uniaxial tension, was analyzed via molecular dynamics simulation. The study revealed that fracture initiation and propagation is always associated with grain boundaries. The fracture process develops in three stages. In the first stage, nanopores are formed in the boundaries of coarse grains. The total volume of nanopores at this stage increases slowly due to the formation of new nanopores. The second stage is characterized by a rapid increase in the total nanopore volume due to the formation of nanopores, their growth along the grain boundaries, and their coalescence. At the third stage, the total nanopore volume increases linearly with deformation due to the growth of the largest nanopores. Fracture of two-phase samples begins at higher strains compared to a single-phase sample. With an increase in the volume fraction of bcc lamellae in the original sample, the number of nanopores at the third stage of fracture decreases and tends to one.
Effect of Cu Content on the PBF-LB/M Processing of the Promising Al-Si-Cu-Mg Composition
Authors: Martucci Alessandra , Bassini Emilio , Lombardi Mariangela
Published: July 2023

Over the past few years, several studies have been conducted on the development of Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloys for PBF-LB/M processing. The attention gained by these systems can be attributed to their light weight and strength provided by a solid solution in the as-built state and by precipitation after heat treatment. However, published studies have kept the copper content below its solubility limit in the Al-Cu binary system under equilibrium conditions (5.65 wt%). The present study aims to explore Al-Si-Cu-Mg systems with high copper content, starting with the well-known AlSi10Cu4Mg system, moving towards AlSi10Cu8Mg, and arriving at AlCu20Si10Mg, a system never before processed with PBF-LB/M. Through the SST approach, the production of bulk samples, advanced microstructural characterization by SEM and FESEM analysis, phase identification by XRD analysis, and preliminary investigation of the mechanical properties through Vickers micro indentations, the effects of copper quantities on the processability, microstructural properties, and mechanical behavior of these compositions were investigated. The obtained results demonstrated the benefits of the supersaturated solid solution and the fine precipitation resulting from the addition of high Cu contents. In particular, the AlCu20Si10Mg system showed a very distinctive microstructure and unprecedented microhardness values.
High-Throughput Synthesis and Characterization Screening of Mg-Cu-Y Metallic Glass
Authors: Thoma Dan J. , Spethson Janine T. , Francis Carter S. , Voyles Paul M. , Perepezko John H.
Published: July 2023

Bulk metallic glasses can exhibit novel material properties for engineering scale components, but the experimental discovery of new alloy compositions is time intensive and thwarts the rate of discovery. This study presents an experimental, high-throughput methodology to increase the speed of discovery for potential bulk metallic glass alloys. A well-documented system, Mg-Cu-Y, was used as a model system. A laser additive manufacturing technique, directed energy deposition, was used for the in situ alloying of elemental powders to synthesize discrete compositions in the ternary system. The laser processing technique can supply the necessary cooling rates of 103–104 Ks−1 for bulk metallic glass formation. The in situ alloying enables the rapid synthesis of compositional libraries with larger sample sizes and discrete compositions than are provided by combinatorial thin films. Approximately 1000 discrete compositions can be synthesized in a day. Surface smoothness, as discerned by optical reflectivity, can suggest glass-forming alloys. X-ray diffraction coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy can further refine amorphous alloy signatures and compositions. Transmission electron microscopy confirms amorphous samples. The tiered rate of amorphous alloy synthesis and characterization can survey a large compositional space and permits a glass-forming range to be identified within one week, making the process at least three orders of magnitude faster than other discrete composition techniques such as arc-melting or melt-spinning.
The Role of Gut Dysbiosis in the Loss of Intestinal Immune Cell Functions and Viral Pathogenesis
Authors: Fakharian Farzaneh , Thirugnanam Siva , Welsh David A. , Kim Woong-Ki , Rappaport Jay , Bittinger Kyle , Rout Namita
Published: July 2023

The gut microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining overall health and immune function. However, dysbiosis, an imbalance in microbiome composition, can have profound effects on various aspects of human health, including susceptibility to viral infections. Despite numerous studies investigating the influence of viral infections on gut microbiome, the impact of gut dysbiosis on viral infection and pathogenesis remains relatively understudied. The clinical variability observed in SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal influenza infections, and the presence of natural HIV suppressors, suggests that host-intrinsic factors, including the gut microbiome, may contribute to viral pathogenesis. The gut microbiome has been shown to influence the host immune system by regulating intestinal homeostasis through interactions with immune cells. This review aims to enhance our understanding of how viral infections perturb the gut microbiome and mucosal immune cells, affecting host susceptibility and response to viral infections. Specifically, we focus on exploring the interactions between gamma delta (γδ) T cells and gut microbes in the context of inflammatory viral pathogenesis and examine studies highlighting the role of the gut microbiome in viral disease outcomes. Furthermore, we discuss emerging evidence and potential future directions for microbiome modulation therapy in the context of viral pathogenesis.
A Novel Deoxyribonuclease Low-Molecular-Weight Bacteriocin, Carocin S4, from Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum
Authors: Wu Huang-Pin , Derilo Reymund C. , Hsu Shih-Hao , Hu Jia-Ming , Chuang Duen-Yau
Published: July 2023

Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc) is known to produce different types of bacteriocins, active protein substances that inhibit or kill related strains and are known to be induced by several factors. In this paper, we report the discovery, isolation, characterization, and functional analysis of Carocin S4, a novel low-molecular-weight bacteriocin (LMWB) from Pcc. A 2750 bp gene fragment was isolated from the chromosomal DNA of Pcc mutant strain rif-TO6, a rifampicin-resistant strain of TO6. The gene contains caroS4K and caroS4I within two open reading frames, which encode CaroS4K and CaroS4I, with molecular weights of about 90 kD and 10 kD, respectively. The unique characteristics of Carocin S4 were revealed after homology analysis with the previously discovered bacteriocins from Pcc. CaroS4K, which shares 23% and 85% homology with CaroS1K and CaroS3K, respectively, is also a deoxyribonuclease. However, unlike the two which can only hydrolyze genomic DNA, CaroS4K hydrolyzes both genomic and plasmid DNA. On the other hand, CaroS4K was found to be 90% homologous with CaroS2K but works differently in killing the target cell, as the latter is a ribonuclease. The optimal reaction temperature for CaroS4K to hydrolyze dsDNA is approximately 50 °C and requires the divalent metal ions Mg2+, Ca2+, and Zn2+ to catalyze its DNase activity. This study reveals another nuclease type of bacteriocin in Pcc, with CaroS4K and CaroS4I functioning as killer and immunity proteins, respectively.
Composite Interventions on Outcomes of Severely and Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19 in Shanghai, China
Authors: Shao Jiasheng , Fan Rong , Guo Chengnan , Huang Xuyuan , Guo Runsheng , Zhang Fengdi , Hu Jianrong , Huang Gang , Cao Liou
Published: July 2023

Background: The sixty-day effects of initial composite interventions for the treatment of severely and critically ill patients with COVID-19 are not fully assessed. Methods: Using a Bayesian piecewise exponential model, we analyzed the 60-day mortality, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and disability in 1082 severely and critically ill patients with COVID-19 between 8 December 2022 and 9 February 2023 in Shanghai, China. The final 60-day follow-up was completed on 10 April 2023. Results: Among 1082 patients (mean age, 78.0 years, 421 [38.9%] women), 139 patients (12.9%) died within 60 days. Azvudine had a 99.8% probability of improving 2-month survival (adjusted HR, 0.44 [95% credible interval, 0.24–0.79]), and Paxlovid had a 91.9% probability of improving 2-month survival (adjusted HR, 0.71 [95% credible interval, 0.44–1.14]) compared with the control. IL-6 receptor antagonist, baricitinib and a-thymosin each had a high probability of benefit (99.5%, 99.4%, and 97.5%, respectively) compared to their controls, while the probability of trail-defined statistical futility (HR > 0.83) was high for therapeutic anticoagulation (99.8%; HR, 1.64 [95% CrI, 1.06–2.50]) and glucocorticoid (91.4%; HR, 1.20 [95% CrI, 0.71–2.16]). Paxlovid, Azvudine, and therapeutic anticoagulation showed a significant reduction in disability (p < 0.05) Conclusions: Among severely and critically ill patients with COVID-19 who received 1 or more therapeutic interventions, treatment with Azvudine had a high probability of improved 60-day mortality compared with the control, indicating its potential in a resource-limited scenario. Treatment with an IL-6 receptor antagonist, baricitinib, and a-thymosin also had high probabilities of benefit in improving 2-month survival, among which a-thymosin could improve HRQoL. Treatment with Paxlovid, Azvudine, and therapeutic anticoagulation could significantly reduce disability at day 60.
Transcriptome Analysis of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli during Cold Stress
Authors: Karki Anand B. , Khatri Bhuwan , Fakhr Mohamed K.
Published: July 2023

Campylobacter spp. are known to cause campylobacteriosis, a bacterial disease that remains a public health threat. Campylobacter spp. are prevalent in retail meat and liver products, and the prolonged survival of Campylobacter in the low temperatures needed for storage is a challenge for food safety. In this study, RNA-seq was used for the analysis of the C. coli HC2-48 (Cc48) and C. jejuni OD2-67 (Cj67) transcriptomes at 4 °C in a nutrient-rich medium (chicken juice, CJ) and Mueller–Hinton broth (MHB) for 0 h, 0.5 h, 24 h and 48 h. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in flagellar assembly were highly impacted by low temperatures (4 °C) in C. coli HC2-48, whereas genes related to the ribosome and ribonucleoprotein complex were modulated for C. jejuni OD2-67 at 4 °C. Most of the DEGs in cells grown at 4 °C in the two medium formulations were not significantly expressed at different incubation times. Although more DEGs were observed in CJ as compared to MHB in both Campylobacter strains, the absence of common genes expressed at all incubation times indicates that the food matrix environment is not the sole determinant of differential expression in Campylobacter spp. at low temperatures.
Focusing of Radially Polarized Electromagnetic Waves by a Parabolic Mirror
Authors: Godana Zerihun Tadele , Hebling János , Pálfalvi László
Published: July 2023

It is well-known that a strong longitudinal electric field and a small spot size are observed when radially polarized beams are tightly focused using a high numerical aperture parabolic mirror. The longitudinal electric field component can accelerate electrons along the propagation axis at high intensities in the focal region, which opens an application in particle acceleration. In this paper, we present a rigorous derivation of the electric field obtained when a radially polarized, monochromatic, flat-top beam is focused by a parabolic mirror. The formulae were deduced from the Stratton–Chu integral known from vector diffraction theory. We examined the influence of the focusing parameters on the distribution of both the longitudinal and radial electric field components. In the small numerical aperture and short wavelength regimes, excellent agreement was found with the results obtained from the Rayleigh–Sommerfeld formula. The calculation method can be adapted for various beam types and for electromagnetic pulses as well.
Efficient 1054 nm Raman Random Fiber Laser
Authors: Wang Pan , Lin Shengtao , Zhang Jiaojiao , Bao Xingyu , Ni Longqun , Qi Yifei , Wang Zinan
Published: July 2023

Low–coherence laser is regarded as the key to mitigating laser–plasma instability (LPI) in laser–driven inertial confinement fusion (ICF), where LPI can decrease the laser energy coupled to the target. With the merits of low coherence, high spectral stability, and flexible output characteristics, the Raman random fiber laser (RRFL) is considered to be a candidate light source in ICF. In this paper, the 1054 nm RRFL with high slope efficiency is achieved for the first time. In the RRFL pump source design section, we have optimized the ytterbium–doped fiber (YDF) length by simulation and amplified the power by Master Oscillator Power Amplifier (MOPA) to realize a 1011 nm YDF laser with 47.3 dB optical signal–to–noise ratio (OSNR). In terms of RRFL cavity design, a fiber loop mirror and Rayleigh scattering in the HI 1060 Flex fiber provide wideband point feedback and random distributed feedback, respectively. Based on this system, we achieve an RRFL output with 0.4 nm half–maximum full width, 182% slope efficiency, and 41.3 dB OSNR. This work will provide guidance for the application of RRFL in high–energy–density physics research.
Research on Indoor Visible Light Location Based on Fusion Clustering Algorithm
Authors: Ke Chenghu , Shu Yuting , Ke Xizheng
Published: July 2023

Aiming at the problem of large positioning errors in the boundary area, a new location fingerprint location method based on a fusion clustering algorithm is proposed. This clustering-based method embodies the idea of rough location first and then fine location. Firstly, the edge regions of the received signal strength (RSS) samples which are greatly affected by reflection are divided using the k-medoids algorithm, and then the center part is clustered via density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN). In the actual location estimation stage, the points to be measured can only be located in one of the classified areas, and combined with the optimal k-nearest neighbor algorithm (WOKNN) to match the location. The results show that the average positioning error of the algorithm is 13 cm in an indoor environment of 5 m × 5 m × 3 m. Compared with the traditional method without clustering, the positioning accuracy of the edge area is increased by 21%, and the overall improvement is 33.8%, which proves that the proposed algorithm effectively improves the efficiency of real-time positioning and indoor positioning accuracy.
Isolation, Identification, and Determination of the Virulence of the Causal Agents of Corm Rot of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in Valle de Uco, Argentina
Authors: Caligiore-Gei Pablo F. , Moratalla-López Natalia , Poggi Luciana M. , Alonso Gonzalo L.
Published: July 2023

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) presents an attractive opportunity for diversifying production and adding value, particularly for small-scale growers and family-based agriculture. However, the agamic propagation of the crop through corms raises concerns regarding disease dispersion. During the summers of 2013 and 2015, symptoms of corm rot were observed in saffron crops in La Consulta, Valle de Uco, Argentina. These symptoms manifested in the form of wilting plants and red-coloured areas on the surface of the corms, in some cases affecting deeper regions. This study aimed to isolate and identify the causal agent responsible for saffron corm rot while also comparing the virulence of four strains isolated on saffron plants. Consistent isolation of Fusarium spp. colonies from affected corms confirmed its association with the disease. The obtained isolates were inoculated into healthy corms, and the reproduction of symptoms was confirmed, as well as subsequent pathogen re-isolation. Morphological and molecular characterisation of the strains was performed using rDNA gene sequencing. Furthermore, disease progression was assessed with fitting epidemiological models to empirical data, which served as estimators of fungal strain aggressiveness. The results conclusively identified Fusarium oxysporum Schltdl. as the causal agent of corm rot, and variations in virulence were observed among the strains on the host plant. After basic molecular and pathological studies, it is postulated that the fungal strains possibly belong to the forma specialis gladioli, but further studies are necessary to confirm that. The present study provides findings that highlight the importance of early detection and the preservation of pathogen-free fields to sustain saffron cultivation. These findings may constitute the initial step for future projects aimed at understanding the epidemiology of the disease better, determining the species/races of the pathogen, and developing effective management strategies.
Effect of the Combination of Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria with Orange Residue-Based Activator on the Phytoremediation of Cadmium by Ryegrass
Authors: Peng Xin , Zhao Rule , Yang Yuan , Zhou Yaoyu , Zhu Yichun , Qin Pufeng , Wang Mi , Huang Hongli
Published: July 2023

Amendments with activators or microorganisms to enhance phytoremediation in toxic-metal-polluted soils have been widely studied. In this research, the production of indoleacetic acid, siderophore, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase by phosphate-solubilizing bacteria was investigated during a pure culture experiment. Pot experiments were performed using Cd-polluted soil with the following treatments: control (CK, only ultrapure water), orange-peel-based activator (OG), and a combination of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (Acinetobacter pitti) and OG (APOG). Ryegrass plant height and fresh weight, Cd content in ryegrass, total and available Cd soil content, soil enzyme activity, and soil bacterial diversity were determined in this work. The findings showed that the height of ryegrass in OG and APOG increased by 14.78% and 21.23%. In the APOG group, a decreased ratio of Cd was 3.37 times that of CK, and the bioconcentration factor was 1.28 times that of CK. The neutral phosphatase activity of APOG was 1.33 times that of CK and catalase activity was 1.95 times that of CK. The activity of urease was increased by 35.48%. APOG increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria and Proteobacteria was the dominant bacterium, accounting for 57.38% in APOG. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that nutrient elements were conducive to the propagation of the dominant bacteria, the secretion of enzymes, and the extraction rate of Cd in the soil. The possible enhancement mechanism of phytoremediation of cadmium by A. pitti combined with OG was that, on the one hand, APOG increased soil nutrient elements and enzyme activities promoted the growth of ryegrass. On the other hand, APOG activated Cd and boosted the movement of Cd from soil to ryegrass. This research offers insight for the combination of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria with an orange-peel-based activator to improve phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated soils and also provides a new way for the resource utilization of fruit residue.
Effects of Harvesting Time on Fruit Development Process and Oil Content of Selected Iranian and Foreign Olive Cultivars under Subtropical Conditions
Authors: Fahadi Hoveizeh Narjes , Gholami Rahmatollah , Zahedi Seyed Morteza , Gholami Hojattollah , Carillo Petronia
Published: July 2023

Climate change and rising global average temperatures across the year may strongly affect olive fruits’ development process and their oil yield and quality. There is therefore an urgency to take immediate actions to characterize the wide variability of cultivars in order to identify those with a stable response to high temperatures, particularly in areas like the west of Iran, which is characterized by a warm summer continental climate. The objective of this study is to investigate the process of fruit development and oil accumulation in response to high summer temperature conditions in a set of four Iranian olive cultivars (Shengeh, Roughani, Zard Aliabad, and Dezful) in comparison with four foreign olive cultivars (Konservolia, Sevillana, Manzanilla, and Mission) in seven various harvesting times (20 July, 5 and 20 August, 5 and 20 September, 6 and 21 October). The obtained results evidence a significant positive correlation between fruit dry matter and oil content. High temperatures reduced the oil and dry matter accumulation in the second half of the summer, with severe thermal conditions adversely affecting oil synthesis. Paramount variations were observed among the cultivars regarding oil accumulation, dry matter, and pomological attributes. All of them showed the highest oil content at the last harvest. Among all analyzed varieties, Roughani showed the highest tolerance and adaptive capacity to high temperatures as it accumulated the greatest amount of dry matter as well as oil content in all of the harvesting times, demonstrating a positive correlation between these two traits. Although Shengeh showed the lowest oil content on a dry and fresh weight basis at the first harvesting time, this cultivar generally presented higher fruit development attributes than the other cultivars, highlighting that it benefits from a high temperature.
Circular Design and Functionalized Upcycling of Waste Commodity Polystyrene via C-H Activation Using Microwave-Assisted Multicomponent Synthesis
Authors: Shetranjiwalla Shegufta , Cislak Claire , Scotland Kevin M.
Published: July 2023

The inefficient reuse and recycling of plastics—and the current surge of medical and take-out food packaging use during the pandemic—have exacerbated the environmental burden. This impels the development of alternative recycling/upcycling methods to pivot toward circularity. We report the use of the Mannich three-component coupling reaction for the modification of polystyrene (PS) recovered with a 99.1% yield from waste food containers to form functionalized nitrogen and oxygen-rich PS derivatives. A series of functionalized PS with increasing moles of formaldehyde (F) and morpholine (M) (0.5 × 10−2, 1.0 × 10−2, and 2.0 × 10−2 mol) was achieved using a sol–gel-derived Fe-TiO2 catalyst in a solvent-free, microwave-assisted synthesis. Modified polymers were characterized with viscometry, 1H NMR, 13CNMR (DEPT) FTIR, XPS, UV, and TGA. Functionalization scaled with an increasing ratio, validating the 3CR approach. Further functionalization was constrained by a competing oxidative degradation; however, the varying hydrogen bond density due to nitrogen and oxygen-rich species at higher ratios was shown to compensate for molecular weight loss. The integration of the N-cyclic quaternary ammonium cations exhibited the potential of functionalized polymers for ion-exchange membrane applications.
The Non-Linear Excitation Load-Sharing Method of a High-Powered Nuclear Planetary Gear Train
Authors: Wei Fude , Dong Qingbing , Wang Huanhuan , Yang Shuncheng
Published: July 2023

The paper primarily employs the 3D calculation method of the helical gear-meshing line and meshing position, in addition to the traditional method of the gear-meshing stiffness calculation. This analysis and correction of load-sharing are beneficial for improving the assembly process of high-powered critical equipment. The dynamic models of rigid–flexible coupling, velocity–torque, and the meshing force of planetary gear trains in nuclear power plants are established based on the principles of gear dynamic characteristics. Based on an analysis of the vibration characteristics of a planetary gear train, a load-sharing method for the planetary gear train is proposed. This uniform load-sharing method is explored under different modification values to provide a reference for load-sharing research on high-powered key equipment. In this paper, a dynamic simulation analysis of the gearbox system is conducted, using virtual prototype software to study the load-sharing performance of the planetary gear system. Furthermore, via a vibration frequency analysis of the gear mesh force, the causes of planetary gear train vibration are discussed, particularly their impact on planetary load. This provides a basis for the assembly process of a nuclear power circulation pump gearbox, ensuring that the gearbox for the circulation pump has a longer life that meets the 40-year service life requirement, and provides a foundation for the study of planetary load characteristics.