bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Wearable, Textile-Based Polyacrylate Imprinted Electrochemical Sensor for Cortisol Detection in Sweat
Authors: Mugo Samuel M. , Lu Weihao , Robertson Scott
Published: October 2022

A wearable, textile-based molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) electrochemical sensor for cortisol detection in human sweat has been demonstrated. The wearable cortisol sensor was fabricated via layer-by-layer assembly (LbL) on a flexible cotton textile substrate coated with a conductive nanoporous carbon nanotube/cellulose nanocrystal (CNT/CNC) composite suspension, conductive polyaniline (PANI), and a selective cortisol-imprinted poly(glycidylmethacrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) (poly(GMA-co-EGDMA)) decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), or plated with gold. The cortisol sensor rapidly (<2 min) responded to 9.8–49.5 ng/mL of cortisol, with an average relative standard deviation (%RSD) of 6.4% across the dynamic range, indicating excellent precision. The cortisol sensor yielded an excellent limit of detection (LOD) of 8.00 ng/mL, which is within the typical physiological levels in human sweat. A single cortisol sensor patch could be reused 15 times over a 30-day period with no loss in performance, attesting to excellent reusability. The cortisol sensor patch was successfully verified for use in quantification of cortisol levels in human sweat.
Mechanical Performance of Date-Palm-Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Containing Silica Fume
Authors: Ibrahim Yasser E. , Adamu Musa , Marouf Mohammad Louay , Ahmed Omar Shabbir , Drmosh Q. A. , Malik Mohammad Abdul
Published: October 2022

The use of date palm fiber (DPF) as natural fiber in concrete and mortar continues to gain acceptability due to its low-cost and availability. However, the main disadvantage of DPF in cement-based composites is that it reduces compressive strength and increases the porosity of the composite. Hence, for DPF to be efficiently used in concrete, its negative effects must be counteracted. Therefore, in this study, silica fume was employed as supplementary cementitious material to alleviate the negative effects of DPF on the strength and porosity of concrete. The DPF was added in different dosages of 0%, 1%, 2%, and 3% by weight of binder materials. Silica fume was used as a cement replacement material at dosages of 0% to 15% (intervals of 5%) by volume of cement. The unit weights, mechanical strengths, water absorption, and microstructural morphology were all evaluated. The concrete’s fresh and hardened densities were reduced with the increment in DPF and silica fume. The compressive strength declined at all ages with the increment in DPF addition, while the flexural and splitting tensile strengths improved with addition of up to 2% DPF. Furthermore, the concrete’s water absorption escalated with an increase in DPF content. Silica fume significantly enhanced the mechanical strength of the concrete. The dissipation in compressive strength with the addition of up to 2% DPF was mitigated by replacing up to 10% cement with silica fume, where it densified the microstructure and refined the interfacial transition zone between the fibers and cement matrix, hence significantly decreasing the porosity and enhancing durability.
Cost-Based Optimization of Isolated Footing in Cohesive Soils Using Generalized Reduced Gradient Method
Authors: Nawaz Muhammad Naqeeb , Ali Agha Shah , Jaffar Syed Taseer Abbas , Jafri Turab H. , Oh Tae-Min , Abdallah Mirvat , Karam Steve , Azab Marc
Published: October 2022

This study presents a cost-based optimization model for the design of isolated foundations in cohesive soils. The optimization algorithm not only incorporates safety requirements in the form of ultimate limit state (ULS) and serviceability limit state (SLS) criteria but also deals with the economics simultaneously. In that regard, the generalized reduced gradient (GRG) method is used for the optimization purpose to achieve the least construction cost of an isolated foundation along with the integration of design parameters as optimization variables. The optimization technique is elaborated using a design example in silty clayey soil and the results of the optimized design are compared with those of the conventional design. The optimization model shows that the optimized design can reduce the construction cost by up to 44% as compared to the conventional design cost for the particular example. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis is also performed to evaluate the quantitative impact of cohesive soil properties, design load, and groundwater table on the construction cost. The results indicate that the construction cost majorly depends on the combined effect of four key parameters: Young’s modulus, recompression index, design load, and groundwater table.
TNTdetect.AI: A Deep Learning Model for Automated Detection and Counting of Tunneling Nanotubes in Microscopy Images
Authors: Ceran Yasin , Ergüder Hamza , Ladner Katherine , Korenfeld Sophie , Deniz Karina , Padmanabhan Sanyukta , Wong Phillip , Baday Murat , Pengo Thomas , Lou Emil , Patel Chirag B.
Published: October 2022

Background: Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are cellular structures connecting cell membranes and mediating intercellular communication. TNTs are manually identified and counted by a trained investigator; however, this process is time-intensive. We therefore sought to develop an automated approach for quantitative analysis of TNTs. Methods: We used a convolutional neural network (U-Net) deep learning model to segment phase contrast microscopy images of both cancer and non-cancer cells. Our method was composed of preprocessing and model development. We developed a new preprocessing method to label TNTs on a pixel-wise basis. Two sequential models were employed to detect TNTs. First, we identified the regions of images with TNTs by implementing a classification algorithm. Second, we fed parts of the image classified as TNT-containing into a modified U-Net model to estimate TNTs on a pixel-wise basis. Results: The algorithm detected 49.9% of human expert-identified TNTs, counted TNTs, and calculated the number of TNTs per cell, or TNT-to-cell ratio (TCR); it detected TNTs that were not originally detected by the experts. The model had 0.41 precision, 0.26 recall, and 0.32 f-1 score on a test dataset. The predicted and true TCRs were not significantly different across the training and test datasets (p = 0.78). Conclusions: Our automated approach labeled and detected TNTs and cells imaged in culture, resulting in comparable TCRs to those determined by human experts. Future studies will aim to improve on the accuracy, precision, and recall of the algorithm.
The Good, the Bad and the New about Uric Acid in Cancer
Authors: Allegrini Simone , Garcia-Gil Mercedes , Pesi Rossana , Camici Marcella , Tozzi Maria Grazia
Published: October 2022

Uric acid is the final product of purine catabolism in man and apes. The serum concentration of uric acid is sex-, age- and diet-dependent and is maintained close to its maximal solubility, indicating that it plays some important role. Indeed, it has been demonstrated that, at physiological concentrations, uric acid is a powerful antioxidant, while at high intracellular concentrations, it is a pro-oxidant molecule. In this review, we describe the possible causes of uric acid accumulation or depletion and some of the metabolic and regulatory pathways it may impact. Particular attention has been given to fructose, which, because of the complex correlation between carbohydrate and nucleotide metabolism, causes uric acid accumulation. We also present recent results on the positive and negative effects played by uric acid in cancer and some new findings and hypotheses about the implication of this metabolite in a variety of signaling pathways, which can play a role in the pathogenesis of diseases such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and inflammation, thus favoring the development of cancer. The loss of uricase in Homo sapiens and great apes, although exposing these species to the potentially adverse effects of uric acid, appears to be associated with evolutionary advantages.
Development of the Novel Bifunctional Fusion Protein BR102 That Simultaneously Targets PD-L1 and TGF-β for Anticancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Wu Zhen-Hua , Li Na , Gao Zhang-Zhao , Chen Gang , Nie Lei , Zhou Ya-Qiong , Jiang Mei-Zhu , Chen Yao , Chen Juan , Mei Xiao-Fen , Hu Feng , Wang Hai-Bin
Published: October 2022

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are remarkable breakthroughs in treating various types of cancer, but many patients still do not derive long-term clinical benefits. Increasing evidence shows that TGF-β can promote cancer progression and confer resistance to ICI therapies. Consequently, dual blocking of TGF-β and immune checkpoint may provide an effective approach to enhance the effectiveness of ICI therapies. Here, we reported the development and preclinical characterization of a novel bifunctional anti-PD-L1/TGF-β fusion protein, BR102. BR102 comprises an anti-PD-L1 antibody fused to the extracellular domain (ECD) of human TGF-βRII. BR102 is capable of simultaneously binding to TGF-β and PD-L1. Incorporating TGF-βRII into BR102 does not alter the PD-L1 blocking activity of BR102. In vitro characterization further demonstrated that BR102 could disrupt TGF-β-induced signaling. Moreover, BR102 significantly inhibits tumor growth in vivo and exerts a superior antitumor effect compared to anti-PD-L1. Administration of BR102 to cynomolgus monkeys is well-tolerated, with only minimal to moderate and reversing red cell changes noted. The data demonstrated the efficacy and safety of the novel anti-PD-L1/TGF-β fusion protein and supported the further clinical development of BR102 for anticancer therapy.
Screening of Fusarium moniliforme as Potential Fungus for Integrated Biodelignification and Consolidated Bioprocessing of Napier Grass for Bioethanol Production
Authors: Lao Marco , Alfafara Catalino , de Leon Rizalinda
Published: October 2022

A fungus capable of producing ethanol from various carbon substrates was screened for direct ethanol production from lignocellulose. Fusarium moniliforme BIOTECH 3170 produced ethanol from glucose, xylose, and cellobiose after three days with theoretical yields of 86.4%, 68.6%, and 45.4%, respectively. The coculture of glucose and xylose progressed sequentially at 79.2% of the theoretical yield, with both sugars completely consumed in five days. The solid-state consolidated bioprocessing of cellulose produced 25.2 g/L of ethanol after 20 days. After 28 days of the integrated biodelignification and consolidated bioprocessing of Napier grass at solid-state conditions, up to 10.5 g/L of ethanol was produced, corresponding to an ethanol yield of 0.032 g/g biomass. Given a sufficient carbon source, the screened fungus could produce up to 42.06 g/L ethanol. F. moniliforme BIOTECH 3170 demonstrated the characteristics of a fungus for potential ethanol production from cellulose, mixed sugars, and lignocellulosic materials.
ROCK Inhibitor (Y-27632) Abolishes the Negative Impacts of miR-155 in the Endometrium-Derived Extracellular Vesicles and Supports Embryo Attachment
Authors: Saadeldin Islam M. , Tanga Bereket Molla , Bang Seonggyu , Seo Chaerim , Koo Okjae , Yun Sung Ho , Kim Seung Il , Lee Sanghoon , Cho Jongki
Published: October 2022

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanosized vesicles that act as snapshots of cellular components and mediate cellular communications, but they may contain cargo contents with undesired effects. We developed a model to improve the effects of endometrium-derived EVs (Endo-EVs) on the porcine embryo attachment in feeder-free culture conditions. Endo-EVs cargo contents were analyzed using conventional and real-time PCR for micro-RNAs, messenger RNAs, and proteomics. Porcine embryos were generated by parthenogenetic electric activation in feeder-free culture conditions supplemented with or without Endo-EVs. The cellular uptake of Endo-EVs was confirmed using the lipophilic dye PKH26. Endo-EVs cargo contained miR-100, miR-132, and miR-155, together with the mRNAs of porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) and β-catenin. Targeting PERV with CRISPR/Cas9 resulted in reduced expression of PERV mRNA transcripts and increased miR-155 in the Endo-EVs, and supplementing these in embryos reduced embryo attachment. Supplementing the medium containing Endo-EVs with miR-155 inhibitor significantly improved the embryo attachment with a few outgrowths, while supplementing with Rho-kinase inhibitor (RI, Y-27632) dramatically improved both embryo attachment and outgrowths. Moreover, the expression of miR-100, miR-132, and the mRNA transcripts of BCL2, zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1, β-catenin, interferon-γ, protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 1, PERV, and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 were all increased in embryos supplemented with Endo-EVs + RI compared to those in the control group. Endo-EVs + RI reduced apoptosis and increased the expression of OCT4 and CDX2 and the cell number of embryonic outgrowths. We examined the individual and combined effects of RI compared to those of the miR-155 mimic and found that RI can alleviate the negative effects of the miR-155 mimic on embryo attachment and outgrowths. EVs can improve embryo attachment and the unwanted effects of the de trop cargo contents (miR-155) can be alleviated through anti-apoptotic molecules such as the ROCK inhibitor.
MEG3 Expression Indicates Lymph Node Metastasis and Presence of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Dadafarin Sina , Rodríguez Tomás C. , Carnazza Michelle A. , Tiwari Raj K. , Moscatello Augustine , Geliebter Jan
Published: October 2022

Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy, occurring at an incidence rate of 12.9 per 100,000 in the US adult population. While the overall 10-year survival of PTC nears 95%, the presence of lymph node metastasis (LNM) or capsular invasion indicates the need for extensive neck dissection with possible adjuvant radioactive iodine therapy. While imaging modalities such as ultrasound and CT are currently in use for the detection of suspicious cervical lymph nodes, their sensitivities for tumor-positive nodes are low. Therefore, advancements in preoperative detection of LNM may optimize the surgical and medical management of patients with thyroid cancer. To this end, we analyzed bulk RNA-sequencing datasets to identify candidate markers highly predictive of LNM. We identified MEG3, a long-noncoding RNA previously described as a tumor suppressor when expressed in malignant cells, as highly associated with LNM tissue. Furthermore, the expression of MEG3 was highly predictive of tumor infiltration with cancer-associated fibroblasts, and single-cell RNA-sequencing data revealed the expression of MEG3 was isolated to cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the most aggressive form of thyroid cancers. Our findings suggest that MEG3 expression, specifically in CAFs, is highly associated with LNM and may be a driver of aggressive disease.
Retinoic Acid Receptor Alpha (RARα) in Macrophages Protects from Diet-Induced Atherosclerosis in Mice
Authors: Cassim Bawa Fathima N. , Gopoju Raja , Xu Yanyong , Hu Shuwei , Zhu Yingdong , Chen Shaoru , Jadhav Kavita , Zhang Yanqiao
Published: October 2022

Retinoic acid signaling plays an important role in regulating lipid metabolism and inflammation. However, the role of retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα) in atherosclerosis remains to be determined. In the current study, we investigated the role of macrophage RARα in the development of atherosclerosis. Macrophages isolated from myeloid-specific Rarα-/- (RarαMac-/-) mice showed increased lipid accumulation and inflammation and reduced cholesterol efflux compared to Rarαfl/fl (control) mice. All-trans retinoic acid (AtRA) induced ATP-binding cassette subfamily A member 1 (Abca1) and Abcg1 expression and cholesterol efflux in both RarαMac-/- mice and Rarαfl/fl mice. In Ldlr-/- mice, myeloid ablation of RARα significantly reduced macrophage Abca1 and Abcg1 expression and cholesterol efflux, induced inflammatory genes, and aggravated Western diet-induced atherosclerosis. Our data demonstrate that macrophage RARα protects against atherosclerosis, likely via inducing cholesterol efflux and inhibiting inflammation.
Effect of Substrates Characteristics on Tribological Behaviors of AlTiN-Based Coated WC–Co Cemented Carbides
Authors: Chen Yi , Zhang Li , Zhong Zhiqiang , Wang Shanlin
Published: October 2022

The wear resistance of coated tools is a key technical parameter, which is indirectly affected by the substrate phase characteristics. WC–Co cemented carbides with varied WC grain sizes (0.4, 0.7, 1.2 μm) and Co contents (3, 6, 10, 12 wt.%) were used as the substrates. Single-layer Al0.52Ti0.48N and multilayer Ti0.89Si0.11N/TiAlSiN/Al0.52Ti0.48N films were deposited on the substrates by DC magnetron sputtering. Reciprocating friction tests were carried out in the air medium and the 3.5 wt.% NaCl aqueous solution, respectively. In the air medium, the films on the fine and the submicron WC–Co substrates with the weaker carrying capacity became worn through earlier than those on the ultrafine substrates. In the NaCl solution medium, for the ultrafine-grained WC–10Co substrates with different Co contents, the friction coefficients (FS) of the film had a linear negative correlation with the hardness (HS) of the substrates. With the decrease in the WC grain sizes or the Co contents, the wear rates of the coated alloys decreased gradually (by 19.7% and 34.5%, respectively). The regular patterns obtained can provide a reference for the selection and design of the phase composition of the cemented carbide substrates.
The Impact of Laminations on the Mechanical Strength of Carbon-Fiber Composites for Prosthetic Foot Fabrication
Authors: Sehar Bakhtawar , Waris Asim , Gilani Syed Omer , Ansari Umar , Mushtaq Shafaq , Khan Niaz B. , Jameel Mohammed , Khan M. Ijaz , Bafakeeh Omar T. , Tag-ElDin El Sayed Mohamed
Published: October 2022

Carbon-fiber composites are considered to be one of the suitable materials for the fabrication of prosthetic feet. However, commercially available composites-based prosthetic foot designs present several problems for lower limb amputees, such as low tensile strength, reduced impact resistance, high cost, and weight structure. Modulating the mechanical properties of carbon-fiber composites using a simplified method can help reduce these issues. Therefore, our present research aims to identify the impact of increasing the concentration of carbon fiber in the fabrication of carbon-fiber composites by using the hand layup method without the vacuum bagging technique. To improve the mechanical strength of carbon-fiber laminates, an increasing number of carbon-fiber layers are used in sample preparation. This study aims to determine the tensile strength of the laminates with a different number of carbon-fiber laminations. For the preparation of the sample specimen, black 100% 3 K 200 gsm carbon fiber with a cloth thickness of 0.2 mm and tensile strength of 4380 Mpa was laminated with two parts of epoxy resin Araldite® LY556 and Aradur hardener at a ratio of 100:30 to make the test specimen. The results indicated an overall improvement in the tensile strength of carbon-fiber laminates owing to the increase in the number of carbon-fiber layers in successive samples. The maximum achieved tensile strength through the present experimental protocol is 576.079 N/mm2, depicted by a prepared specimen of 10 layers of carbon fiber. Secondly, an increase in the deformation rate has also been observed by increasing the loading rate from 2 mm/min to 5 mm/min during the tensile testing of fabricated samples. These sample carbon-fiber composites can be used in the fabrication of prosthetic feet by controlling the experimental conditions. The fabricated prosthetic foot will assist in rehabilitating lower-limb amputees.
Achieving High Tensile Strength of Heat-Resistant Ni-Fe-Based Alloy by Controlling Microstructure Stability for Power Plant Application
Authors: Sun Fei
Published: October 2022

A new, wrought Ni-Fe-based alloy with excellent creep rupture life has been developed for 700 °C-class advanced ultra-supercritical (A-USC) steam turbine rotor application. In this study, its tensile deformation behaviors and related microstructure evolution were investigated. Tensile tests were carried out at room temperature, 700 °C, and 750 °C. The results show that the Ni-Fe-based alloy has excellent yield strength at 700 °C, which is higher than that of some other Ni-based/Ni-Fe-based alloys. The fracture surface characteristics indicate trans-granular and intergranular fracture modes at room temperature, 700 °C, and 750 °C. However, the intergranular fraction mode became dominant above 700 °C. Dynamic recrystallization occurred at 700 °C and 750 °C with increasing average misorientation angles. The volume fraction of the γ′ precipitate was around 20%, and the average size of the γ′ precipitates was around 30 μm, which had no noticeable change after the tensile tests. The predominant deformation mechanisms were planar slip at room temperature, bypassing of the γ′ precipitates by the Orowan mechanism, and dislocation shearing at 700 °C and 750 °C. The tensile properties, fracture characteristics, and deformation mechanisms have been well-correlated. The results are helpful in providing experimental evidence for the development and optimization of high-temperature alloys for 700 °C-class A-USC applications.
An Encrusting Hard Coral Enclosing Soft Coral in the High-Latitude Asia–Pacific Marginal Distribution Zone
Authors: Kim Taihun , Kang Do-Hyung
Published: October 2022

Environmentally adapted and resistant hard and soft coral communities within the high-latitude Asia–Pacific marginal distribution zone are thriving, despite their comparably stressful environment (unfavorable winter water temperature and light regimes). Korea’s Jeju Island is famous for its diverse and abundant soft coral communities, which coexist with reef-building hard corals. Although antagonistic interactions between soft and hard corals generally feature the soft coral as the winner, we observed a soft coral of the species Dendronephthya gigantea completely enclosed by the encrusting hard coral Montipora millepora accompanied by a general decrease in soft coral and increase in M. millepora abundances. This indicates an ongoing species/habitat shift with significant impacts on the current state of corals living at their geographic limit.
A Multi-Band LNA Covering 17–38 GHz in 45 nm CMOS SOI
Authors: Han Fang , Liu Xuzhi , Wang Chao , Li Xiao , Qi Quanwen , Li Xiaoran , Liu Zicheng
Published: October 2022

This paper presents a multi-band low-noise amplifier (LNA) in the 45-nm CMOS silicon-on-insulator (SOI) process. The LNA consists of three stages, with the differential cascode amplifier as the core structure. The first stage is mainly responsible for input matching to ensure favourable noise characteristics and bandwidth, while the subsequent stages increase the gain. Moreover, the LNA utilizes baluns for input/output and interstage impedance matching. Switch capacitances are added to switch the three operating bands of the LNA, which cover 17–38 GHz overall. Measurement results show that the proposed LNA achieves a gain (S21) of 23.0 dB and a noise figure (NF) of 4.0 dB.
A Compact Low-Profile Antenna for Millimeter-Wave 5G Mobile Phones
Authors: Ullah Hidayat , Abutarboush Hattan F. , Rashid Aamir , Tahir Farooq A.
Published: October 2022

This paper presents a very low profile and simple antenna design for dual beam and dual-band operation to be employed in future 5G mobile phones operating in the millimeter-wave bands of 26.75–30.31 and 35.83–41.22 GHz. The two distinct resonances at 28 and 38 GHz are achieved using a meta-material-based structure consisting of a closed-ring resonator (CRR) and a split-ring resonator (SRR) by co-centrically combining two planar hexagonal rings; i.e., an inner split-ring resonator (SRR) and an outer closed-ring resonator (CRR). The antenna has a high gain of 4.5 dBi. The antenna also exhibits a dual-beam radiation pattern in one of its planes. The overall antenna size is 6 × 8 mm2 and is manufactured using a low-cost PCB fabrication process. The antenna’s dual-beam operation, broadband characteristics, high gain, and low profile makes it a potential candidate for future millimeter-wave mobile phones, especially in applications where space diversity is required.
ANN and SSO Algorithms for a Newly Developed Flexible Grid Trading Model
Authors: Yeh Wei-Chang , Hsieh Yu-Hsin , Hsu Kai-Yi , Huang Chia-Ling
Published: October 2022

In the modern era, the trading methods and strategies used in the financial market have gradually changed from traditional on-site trading to electronic remote trading, and even online automatic trading performed by pre-programmed computer programs. This is due to the conduct of trading automatically and self-adjustment in financial markets becoming a competitive development trend in the entire financial market, with the continuous development of network and computer computing technology. Quantitative trading aims to automatically form a fixed and quantifiable operational logic from people’s investment decisions and apply it to the financial market, which has attracted the attention of the financial market. The development of self-adjustment programming algorithms for automatically trading in financial markets has transformed to being a top priority for academic research and financial practice. Thus, a new flexible grid trading model incorporating the Simplified Swarm Optimization (SSO) algorithm for optimizing parameters for various market situations as input values and the Fully Connected Neural Network (FNN) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model for training a quantitative trading model for automatically calculating and adjusting the optimal trading parameters for trading after inputting the existing market situation are developed and studied in this work. The proposed model provides a self-adjust model to reduce investors’ effort in the trading market, obtains outperformed Return of Investment (ROI) and model robustness, and can properly control the balance between risk and return.
Automated Extraction of Forest Burn Severity Based on Light and Small UAV Visible Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Ye Jiangxia , Cui Zhongyao , Zhao Fengjun , Liu Qianfei
Published: October 2022

Identification of forest burn severity is essential for fire assessments and a necessary procedure in modern forest management. Due to the low efficiency and labor intensity of the current post-fire field survey in China’s Forestry Standards, the limitation of temporal resolution of satellite imagery, and poor objectivity of manual interpretations, a new method for automatic extraction of forest burn severity based on small visible unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) images is proposed. Taking the forest fires which occurred in Anning city of Yunnan Province in 2019 as the study objects, post-fire imagery was obtained by a small, multi-rotor near-ground UAV. Some image recognition indices reflecting the variations in chlorophyll loss effects in different damaged forests were developed with spectral characteristics customized in A and C, and the texture features such as the mean, standard deviation, homogeneity, and shape index of the length–width ratio. An object-oriented method is used to determine the optimal segmentation scale for forest burn severity and a multilevel rule classification and extraction model is established to achieve the automatic identification and mapping. The results show that the method mentioned above can recognize different types of forest burn severity: unburned, damaged, dead, and burnt. The overall accuracy is 87.76%, and the Kappa coefficient is 0.8402, which implies that the small visible UAV can be used as a substitution for the current forest burn severity survey standards. This research is of great practical significance for improving the efficiency and precision of forest fire investigation, expanding applications of small UAVs in forestry, and developing an alternative for forest fire loss assessments in the forestry industry.
Evaluation of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Gene (−308 G/A, −238 G/A and −857 C/T) Polymorphisms and the Risk of Gastric Cancer in Eastern Indian Population
Authors: Uthansingh Kanishka , Pati Girish Kumar , Parida Prasanta Kumar , Narayan Jimmy , Pradhan Subhasis , Sahu Manoj Kumar , Padhy Rabindra Nath
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related decimations worldwide. The gastric infection at both the stomach and duodenum with Helicobacter pylori causes inflammation by the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). The aim of the study was to associate and evaluate the three TNF-α gene polymorphisms at positions −308 G/A, −238 G/A, and −857 C/T with the risk of GC. Methods: A total of 156 individuals (consecutively diagnosed 95 GC patients and 61 controls) above the age of 18 years were enrolled in the study. Healthy individuals with normal upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE) irrespective of their family history of GC or peptic ulcer were included as controls. The cited three TNF-α gene polymorphisms were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Results: There was no significant difference in the distribution of gene polymorphisms as genetic factors, TNF-α−308 GA/AA (22.1% vs. 14.8%, p = 0.2), TNF-α−238 GA/AA (21% vs. 19.6%, p = 0.8), and TNF-α−857 CT/TT (8.4% vs. 11.5%, p = 0.5), between GC cases and healthy controls. A subgroup analysis of H. pylori-positive patients showed that there was no significant difference in the distribution of GA/AA polymorphisms in TNF-α−308 (15(45.5%) vs. 3(23%); p = 0.17) and −238 (12(36.3%) vs. 2(15.4%); p = 0.17), and the distribution of TT/CT −857 CT/TT (13(39.4%) vs. 2(15.4%); p = 0.13), among the GC cases and controls. Conclusion: The statistical comparisons of GA/AA vs. GG genotypes at −308 (with OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 0.6–3.8), −238 (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 0.4–2.4) and TT/CT vs. CC genotypes at −857 (OR = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.2–2.1) did not suggest any association of TNF-α with GC in the population herein. Hence, the TNF-α (−308 G/A, −238 G/A and −857 C/T) may not be the associating factor for GC incidence determined by the PCR–RFLP method.
Stratigraphic Modelling of the Lower/Middle Oxfordian (Upper Jurassic) Outer Ramp Deposits from the NE Paris Basin (France)
Authors: Morales Chloé , Pellenard Pierre , Vincent Benoit , Smektala Franck , Daniau Fleur , Landrein Philippe
Published: October 2022

We investigate herein the lateral and vertical lithological heterogeneities of the Lower/Middle Oxfordian deposits (“Terrain à Chailles” and “Marnes des Eparges” formations) in the north-eastern Paris Basin. This new detailed stratigraphic framework documents the evolution at high resolution of an outer ramp based on regional correlations in order to constrain the evolution of petrological properties between the clayey “Argiles de la Woëvre” Formation and the more calcareous “Marnes et Calcaires à Coraux de Foug Formation. The “Argiles de la Woëvre” Formation is targeted for the deep storage of nuclear waste in north-eastern France. Nine wells are correlated over the “Zone of Interest for Further Research” (ZIRA), defined by the French agency for radioactive waste management (Andra), with a resolution of 0.5–1.0 m. The architecture and the age control of these formations have been refined, revealing that the “Terrain à Chailles” Formation is characterised by a regular slightly inclined sedimentation gently deeping in the SW direction and shows a lithological evolution from silty claystones to an increased occurrence of its calcareous content towards the top (Lower Oxfordian, uppermost mariae and cordatum ammonite zones). The above “Marnes des Eparges” Formation, characterised by claystone limestone alternations, is assigned to the Middle Oxfordian (plicatilis ammonite zone), deposited during a slightly enhanced subsidence phase in the SE part of the basin and documented and associated with onlaps geometries on the more proximal areas. However, this change in geometry does not affect petrological properties over ZIRA, as this is not accompanied by lithological changes. The environmental factors controlling petrological heterogeneities over ZIRA are also discussed. The stepwise increase in the carbonate content and the decrease in the detrital content towards the Lower to Middle Oxfordian deposits was likely triggered by a climate change towards drier conditions, modulated by sea level changes on a ramp morphology. A major condensation phase encompassing most of the Lower Oxfordian cordatum ammonite zone is also highlighted. The occurrence of a maximum regressive surface associated with gentle slope topography is a probable trigger for condensation. Changes in geometries are, however, associated with the activity of the Metz Fault, which potentially had an influence on the subsidence rates of the basin at that time.
Geo-Economic Linkages between China and the Countries along the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road and Their Types
Authors: Hu Wei , Ge Yuejing , Hu Zhiding , Ye Shuai , Yang Feng , Jiang Haining , Hou Kun , Deng Yun
Published: October 2022

With the advances of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the geo-economic interactions between China and countries along the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road counties (MSRCs) continue to increase, and analyzing the geo-economic relations between China and the MSRCs is extremely important for a scientific understanding of bilateral geo-economic cooperation. Differently from the traditional logic of geo-economic competition and cooperation, we constructed a new framework based on the dominant factors of geo-economic relations and used an extreme random forest regression model to classify the geo-economic relation types between China and MSRCs from 2006 to 2017. The results show that the unbalanced development of investment and trade between China and MSRCs hindered the enhancement of the intensity of bilateral geo-economic linkage from 2006 to 2017. The “Matthew effect” of China’s geo-economic flow linkage with MSRCs is significant. There are obvious differences in the dominant factors affecting the types of geo-economic relations between China and MSRCs, and the distribution of the importance of the indices of the types of geo-economic relations in each country is disordered. Geopolitics, markets, and resources have played important roles in the geo-economic linkages between China and MSRCs. There are five types of geo-economic relations between China and the MSRCs: market-oriented type, resource-oriented type, market-resource-oriented type, market-geopolitics-oriented type, and resource-geopolitics-oriented type, of which the market-oriented type is the most important type of geo-economic relations. In the future, China should focus on regional powers along the Maritime Silk Road for bilateral geo-economic cooperation, actively promote the balanced development of bilateral geo-economic elements flows, strengthen geopolitical cooperation with MSRCs, and formulate cooperation plans according to the types of geo-economic relations.
Assessing the Accessibility of Swimming Pools in Nanjing by Walking and Cycling Using Baidu Maps
Authors: Dong Yifan , Zhang Bing , Zhou Zhenqi , Xu Zhen
Published: October 2022

Frequent severe heat waves have caused a series of health problems for urban dwellers. Swimming, an exercise that combines both cooling off and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), is one solution for alleviating the conflict between urban heat problems and public health. Therefore, the distribution and spatial accessibility of swimming pools are worth examining. Using open-source data we scraped from the Baidu Map API (Application Programming Interface), we designed and constructed a grid-based accessibility index. We analyzed pool accessibility in three aspects: distribution of pools, catchment area of pools, and spatial disparities of the accessibility index. The results are as follows. (a) The pools are clustered, dense in the central area, and sparse in the peripheral areas. (b) 53.16% of the residents can access a pool within 5 minutes by cycling, and the number is only 12.03% when they travel on foot. The poor situation is highly improved with the extension of time, these figures are up to 97.62% and 70.71% when the time cost is 15 minutes. The overall circular buffer significantly mismatches the real catchment area of the pools. (c) The spatial disparity in accessibility is significant and shows a sharply decreasing trend outward from the center. (d) Pool accessibility is mainly influenced by the distribution of pools and ground obstacles such as rivers, mountains, and elevated roads. The method used here has high precision and can be used for accessibility assessments of other facilities in the city.
Integrative Analysis of the Nasal Microbiota and Serum Metabolites in Bovines with Respiratory Disease by 16S rRNA Sequencing and Gas Chromatography/Mass Selective Detector-Based Metabolomics
Authors: Zhang Ying , Ma Chunji , Han Yang , Jin Hua , Luo Haixia , Hao Xiujing , Li Min
Published: October 2022

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) continues to pose a serious threat to the cattle industry, resulting in substantial economic losses. As a multifactorial disease, pathogen infection and respiratory microbial imbalance are important causative factors in the occurrence and development of BRD. Integrative analyses of 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomics allow comprehensive identification of the changes in microbiota and metabolism associated with BRD, making it possible to determine which pathogens are responsible for the disease and to develop new therapeutic strategies. In our study, 16S rRNA sequencing and metagenomic analysis were used to describe and compare the composition and diversity of nasal microbes in healthy cattle and cattle with BRD from different farms in Yinchuan, Ningxia, China. We found a significant difference in nasal microbial diversity between diseased and healthy bovines; notably, the relative abundance of Mycoplasma bovis and Pasteurella increased. This indicated that the composition of the microbial community had changed in diseased bovines compared with healthy ones. The data also strongly suggested that the reduced relative abundance of probiotics, including Pasteurellales and Lactobacillales, in diseased samples contributes to the susceptibility to bovine respiratory disease. Furthermore, serum metabolomic analysis showed altered concentrations of metabolites in BRD and that a significant decrease in lactic acid and sarcosine may impair the ability of bovines to generate energy and an immune response to pathogenic bacteria. Based on the correlation analysis between microbial diversity and the metabolome, lactic acid (2TMS) was positively correlated with Gammaproteobacteria and Bacilli and negatively correlated with Mollicutes. In summary, microbial communities and serum metabolites in BRD were characterized by integrative analysis. This study provides a reference for monitoring biomarkers of BRD, which will be critical for the prevention and treatment of BRD in the future.
Professional and Academic Digital Identity Workshop for Higher Education Students
Authors: Borrás-Gené Oriol , Serrano-Luján Lucía , Díez Raquel Montes
Published: October 2022

Public virtual profiles arose with the evolution of the web and its related technologies. The individual virtual profiles leave a digital footprint that serves as a showcase of the individual. The analysis and management of what is known as digital identity should be an element to be mastered within the digital competencies of future professionals and current university students. This work describes the research carried out over four years through the Digital Identity Workshop, whose public is higher education students. The research has a double objective; first, to study the student’s self-analysis and self-reflection based on his presence on the web; second, to learn strategies for correctly managing his digital identity from the professional and academic point of view. The result has been a success in meeting these objectives after the various editions of the workshop. Pre and post-tests show a significant increase in the students’ digital skills in this field of personal branding.
Correction: Martinez-Gonzalez et al. Adaptation and Validation of the Diabetic Foot Ulcer Scale-Short Form in Spanish Subjects. J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9, 2497
Authors: Martinez-Gonzalez Dolores , Dòria Montserrat , Martínez-Alonso Montserrat , Alcubierre Nuria , Valls Joan , Verdú-Soriano José , Granado-Casas Minerva , Mauricio Didac
Published: October 2022

In the original publication [...]
An Intermodal Correlation Study among Imaging, Histology, Procedural and Clinical Parameters in Cerebral Thrombi Retrieved from Anterior Circulation Ischemic Stroke Patients
Authors: Viltužnik Rebeka , Bajd Franci , Miloševič Zoran , Kocijančič Igor , Jeromel Miran , Fabjan Andrej , Kralj Eduard , Vidmar Jernej , Serša Igor
Published: October 2022

The precise characterization of cerebral thrombi prior to an interventional procedure can ease the procedure and increase its success. This study investigates how well cerebral thrombi can be characterized by computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR) and histology, and how parameters obtained by these methods correlate with each other as well as with the interventional procedure and clinical parameters. Cerebral thrombi of 25 patients diagnosed by CT with acute ischemic stroke were acquired by mechanical thrombectomy and, subsequently, scanned by a high spatial-resolution 3D MRI including T1-weighted imaging, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), T2 mapping and then finally analyzed by histology. Parameter pairs with Pearson correlation coefficient more than 0.5 were further considered by explaining a possible cause for the correlation and its impact on the difficulty of the interventional procedure and the treatment outcome. Significant correlations were found between the variability of ADC and the duration of the mechanical recanalization, the deviation in average Hounsfield units (HU) and the number of passes with the thrombectomy device, length of the thrombus, its RBC content and many others. This study also demonstrates the clinical potentials of high spatial resolution multiparametric MRI in characterization of thrombi and its use for interventional procedure planning.
Personalized Medicine Based on the Pathogenesis and Risk Assessment of Endodontic–Periodontal Lesions
Authors: Takahashi Keiso , Yamazaki Kousaku , Yamazaki Mikiko , Kato Yasumasa , Baba Yuh
Published: October 2022

Endodontic–periodontal lesions (EPLs) are chronic inflammatory lesions in the mouth caused by multiple factors. Both periapical and marginal periodontitis are characterized by infection and inflammation around the affected teeth, suggesting that the theory of complex systems might describe the progression of EPL. The diagnosis and treatment of EPLs are complicated by variations of this condition and difficulties distinguishing EPLs from other diseases. Technological advances in diagnostic and treatment methods, including cone beam computed tomography, microscopy, mineral trioxide aggregates, and periodontal regenerative treatment, have improved outcomes, even in untreatable teeth. However, treating EPLs with iatrogenic problems and/or severe periodontitis remains challenging. Assessing the risk of each EPL based on the possible pathogenesis of each EPL is essential for determining individualized treatment and optimizing personalized medicine for individual patients.
The Profile of Glucose Lowering Therapy in Persons with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in an Aging Russian Population
Authors: Malyutina Sofia , Mazurenko Elena , Mazdorova Ekaterina , Shapkina Marina , Avdeeva Ekaterina , Mustafina Svetlana , Simonova Galina , Ryabikov Andrey
Published: October 2022

We aimed to analyze the profile of glucose lowering therapy (GLT) in persons with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) in an aging Russian population. A random population sample (n = 3898, men/women, 55–84) was examined in Novosibirsk, during 2015–2018 (HAPIEE Project). The design of the present work is a cross-sectional study. DM2 was defined in those with a history of DM2 receiving GLT, or at a level of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥7.0 mmol/L. The entire DM2 group was included in the analysis (n = 803); of these, 476 persons were taking GLT and were included in the analysis at stage 2. Regular GLT medication intake for 12 months was coded with ATC. In studied sample, the prevalence of DM2 was 20.8%. Among subjects with DM2, 59% of individuals received GLT, 32% did not. Glycemic control (FPG < 7.0 mmol/L) was achieved in every fifth participant with DM2 (35% in those receiving GLT). In frequency of GLT use, biguanides ranked in first place (75%), sulfonylurea derivatives in second (35%), insulins in third (12%), and iDPP-4 in fourth (5%). Among those receiving GLT, 24% used combined oral therapy, and 6% used insulin-combined therapy. In conclusion, in a population sample aged 55–84 examined in 2015–2018, glycemic control was achieved in every fifth participant with DM2, and in every third participant receiving GLT. The proportion of participants using new GLT drugs was small, and there was a lack of HbA1c monitoring for intensive glycemic control.
Deep-Learning-Based Stroke Screening Using Skeleton Data from Neurological Examination Videos
Authors: Lee Taeho , Jeon Eun-Tae , Jung Jin-Man , Lee Minsik
Published: October 2022

According to the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, in 2017, the elderly, aged 65 or older, had an average of 2.7 chronic diseases per person. The concern for the medical welfare of the elderly is increasing due to a low birth rate, an aging population, and the lack of medical personnel. The demand for services that take user age, cognitive capacity, and difficulty into account is rising. As a result, there is an increased demand for smart healthcare systems that can lower hospital admissions and offer patients individualized care. This has motivated us to develop an AI system that can easily screen and manage neurological diseases through videos. As neurological diseases can be diagnosed by visual analysis to some extent, in this study, we set out to estimate the possibility of a person having a neurological disease from videos. Among neurological diseases, we focus on stroke because it is a common condition in the elderly population and results in high mortality and morbidity worldwide. The proposed method consists of three steps: (1) transforming neurological examination videos into landmark data, (2) converting the landmark data into recurrence plots, and (3) estimating the possibility of a stroke using deep neural networks. Major features, such as the hand, face, pupil, and body movements of a person are extracted from test videos taken under several neurological examination protocols using deep-learning-based landmark extractors. Sequences of these landmark data are then converted into recurrence plots, which can be interpreted as images. These images can be fed into convolutional neural networks to classify stroke using feature-fusion techniques. A case study of the application of a disease screening test to assess the capability of the proposed method is presented.