bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flt3 Activation Mitigates Mitochondrial Fragmentation and Heart Dysfunction through Rebalanced L-OPA1 Processing by Hindering the Interaction between Acetylated p53 and PHB2 in Cardiac Remodeling
Authors: Zhang Kaina , Zheng Yeqing , Bao Gaowa , Ma Wenzhuo , Han Bing , Shi Hongwen , Zhao Zhenghang
Published: August 2023

Recent studies have shown that FMS-like receptor tyrosine kinase 3 (Flt3) has a beneficial effect on cardiac maladaptive remodeling. However, the role and mechanism of Flt3 in mitochondrial dynamic imbalance under cardiac stress remains poorly understood. This study aims to investigate how Flt3 regulates p53-mediated optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) processing and mitochondrial fragmentation to improve cardiac remodeling. Mitochondrial fragmentation in cardiomyocytes was induced by isoprenaline (ISO) and H2O2 challenge, respectively, in vitro. Cardiac remodeling in mice was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery or by chronic ISO challenge, respectively, in vivo. Our results demonstrated that the protein expression of acetylated-p53 (ac-p53) in mitochondria was significantly increased under cell stress conditions, facilitating the dissociation of PHB2-OPA1 complex by binding to prohibitin 2 (PHB2), a molecular chaperone that stabilizes OPA1 in mitochondria. This led to the degradation of the long isoform of OPA1 (L-OPA1) that facilitates mitochondrial fusion and resultant mitochondrial network fragmentation. This effect was abolished by a p53 K371R mutant that failed to bind to PHB2 and impeded the formation of the ac-p53-PHB2 complex. The activation of Flt3 significantly reduced ac-p53 expression in mitochondria via SIRT1, thereby hindering the formation of the ac-p53-PHB2 complex and potentiating the stability of the PHB2-OPA1 complex. This ultimately inhibits L-OPA1 processing and leads to the balancing of mitochondrial dynamics. These findings highlight a novel mechanism by which Flt3 activation mitigates mitochondrial fragmentation and dysfunction through the reduction of L-OPA1 processing by dampening the interaction between ac-p53 and PHB2 in cardiac maladaptive remodeling.
Assessment of Spatial and Temporal Variation in NO2 Levels over Tourist Reception Areas in Poland
Authors: Mochocki Damian , Zgłobicki Wojciech
Published: August 2023

Air quality in tourist reception areas can be a significant health concern. It also plays an increasingly important role when it comes to choosing tourist destinations. NO2 is a harmful gas that can cause an increased number of cancer or respiratory diseases. The development of satellite remote sensing techniques now enables a much broader spectrum of air quality analysis than mere point measurements at environment monitoring stations. In the study, the spatial diversity of nitrogen dioxide air pollution over tourist reception areas in Poland was assessed. The lowest pollution was found in national parks and tourist regions. The most polluted air was found in tourist reception areas located near industrial regions and large urban agglomerations. Temporal variation—annual and monthly—and spatial variation were determined (for the period 2019–2021). The highest concentrations, exceeding the WHO recommended value (40 μmol/m2), occurred in the winter and autumn. Low pollution was found in most reception areas in the summer (except cities). In 2020, due to restrictions related to the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic, the NO2 pollution decreased (10–20%). In the cold half of the year (October–April), NO2 concentrations greater than 40 μmol/m2 occurred for about 20% of national parks, 50% of health resorts, 30% of tourist regions, and 100% of provincial capitals.
Study on Shielding Effect of the Pile Group in a Soft-Soil Foundation
Authors: Lin Chengyuan , Huang Lebin , Chen Shangyong , Huang Mengshuang , Wang Ruyi , Tan Qinwen
Published: August 2023

Pile groups are frequently employed to reinforce soft soil foundations, while the piling process frequently disturbs the adjacent foundation. The shielding effect, which prevents the transmission of disturbances from pile installation, is indispensable for minimizing engineering disturbances and optimizing pile group construction techniques. However, current research focuses predominantly on characterizing the phenomenon of shielding, with a limited exploration of the mechanism. To eliminate the limitation, a numerical investigation of the shielding mechanism of pile groups in a pile–soil system is performed this study. Using the finite difference program FLAC3D and the cavity expansion theory, a three-dimensional numerical model of a pile–soil foundation was created. During the sequential penetration of piles, the response characteristics of the soil surrounding the piles were investigated. Displacement field was first investigated to determine the presence of shielding effects in the pile group and then highlighted the effective role of the existing piles in controlling deformation. Furthermore, through a combined analysis of the stress and strain fields during piling, the mechanism of the shielding effect induced by pile construction is proposed, which is attributed to the direct obstruction effect of piles and the “soil arching effect” created by the soil between piles. The former is reflected by the direct barrier of the existing pile to the soil displacement induced via the installation of the new piles. The latter is reflected by the obstruction of soil between two existing piles to the displacement of soil passing through the two existing piles. This research provides a comprehensive understanding of the mechanical behavior of the pile–soil system and has practical implications for controlling disturbances and optimizing construction techniques in piling engineering projects.
Soil Erosion Assessment Using the Intensity of Erosion and Outflow Model by Estimating Sediment Yield: Case Study in River Basins with Different Characteristics from Cluj County, Romania
Authors: Sestras Paul , Mircea Sevastel , Cîmpeanu Sorin M. , Teodorescu Razvan , Roșca Sanda , Bilașco Ștefan , Rusu Teodor , Salagean Tudor , Dragomir Lucian Octavian , Marković Rastko , Spalević Velibor
Published: August 2023

As the fertile topsoil is constantly washed away and agricultural production is decreased, soil erosion is a serious environmental issue that affects the entire planet. All river basins experience changes in land use that affect sediment dynamics, soil erodibility, and hydrologic response. The main reason for the faster erosion rates is frequently attributed to those alterations. In the current study, the Intensity of Erosion and Outflow (IntErO) model was used to estimate the sediment yield and maximum outflow from three river basins in Cluj County, Transylvania, Romania. Because the county is hilly and has significant erosion issues, it is essential to have a solid understanding of how soil erosion occurs in river basins. This will allow for more precise planning of soil conservation projects and will allow for more effective management of the severity of the erosion processes. The IntErO model offers quick, efficient, and feasible insight into how changing land use affects soil erosion processes. The testing of the procedures that have been put into place is an essential component of the ongoing development of watershed management strategies at the regional level. The relief characteristics and predominant land use of the three selected prototype river basins significantly influenced the resulting real soil losses. The application of the IntErO model in assessing soil erosion rates in the Transylvanian hills represents a novel approach. The findings of this study hold potential for informing policymakers in the formulation of more robust regulations pertaining to soil and water conservation. Consequently, the implementation of such measures is expected to contribute to the safeguarding of river basin soils.
Prediction of Ground Movements and Impacts on Adjacent Buildings Due to Inclined–Vertical Framed Retaining Wall-Retained Excavations
Authors: Zheng Gang , Guo Zhiyi , Guo Qianhui , Tian Shuai , Zhou Haizuo
Published: August 2023

Inclined–vertical framed retaining walls were recently developed and successfully adopted in engineering practice. However, relevant empirical methods for the evaluation of ground movements due to excavation have not been established. This study aimed to establish a calculation method for assessing ground movement due to excavation and to evaluate the damage probability of nearby buildings. A series of numerical models were carried out, and a database was established with their results. In this paper, simplified equations are proposed for predicting the profiles of subsurface and surface settlements, as well as lateral movements, utilizing the database. The accuracy of the simplified equations was validated by monitoring data from three case histories of the inclined–vertical framed retaining wall. Finally, the damage potential index was used to obtain the probability of damage to buildings located outside the excavations, while considering different positions.
Experimental Study on Axial Stress and Hammer Impacting Energy of Offshore Standard Penetration Test
Authors: Sun Miaojun , Zhang Qianlong , Sun Honglei , Weng Zhenqi
Published: August 2023

Standard penetration test (SPT) has been widely used in offshore exploration because of its unique advantages. Unlike onshore exploration, offshore construction areas are characterized by high waves and water depths ranging from several meters to tens of meters. As a result, the reliability of offshore SPT is significantly reduced compared with onshore SPT. Currently, the probe rod length correction of SPT is not involved in geotechnical engineering investigation codes and related research, which greatly limits the application of this method in offshore exploration. Therefore, a series of SPTs were carried out in offshore environments with different water depths, with a maximum rod length of 65 m. The acceleration and axial stress at each test point of the rod were monitored by the dynamic signal data acquisition system, and the hammer impacting energy at each test point was obtained by Force–Velocity (F-V) method. The test results show that the correction of the rod length of the offshore SPT is different from that of the traditional SPT, and it needs to be further corrected for the water depth. In this paper, a modified method of rod length for offshore SPT is proposed, which can provide reference for the application of offshore SPT.
Comparative Study of AI-Enabled DDoS Detection Technologies in SDN
Authors: Ko Kwang-Man , Baek Jong-Min , Seo Byung-Suk , Lee Wan-Bum
Published: August 2023

Software-defined networking (SDN) is becoming the standard for the management of networks due to its scalability and flexibility to program the network. SDN provides many advantages but it also involves some specific security problems; for example, the controller can be taken down using cyber attacks, which can result in the whole network shutting down, creating a single point of failure. In this paper, DDoS attacks in SDN are detected using AI-enabled machine and deep learning models with some specific features for a dataset under normal DDoS traffic. In our approach, the initial dataset is collected from 84 features on Kaggle and then the 20 top features are selected using a permutation importance algorithm. The dataset is learned and tested with five AI-enabled models. Our experimental results show that the use of a machine learning-based random forest model achieves the highest accuracy rate of 99.97% in DDoS attack detection in SDN. Our contributions through this study are, firstly, that we found the top 20 features that contributed to DDoS attacks. Secondly, we reduce the time and cost of comparing various learning models and their performance in determining a learning model suitable for DDoS detection. Finally, various experimental methods to evaluate the performance of the learning model are presented so that related researchers can utilize them.
A Simulation-Based Testing of Difference in the Means of Gamma-Distributed Positive Quantities
Authors: Tošenovský Filip
Published: August 2023

This paper presents a simulation-based testing procedure that can be easily applied by practitioners who try to determine whether two gamma-distributed variables have the same expected values. From both theoretical and practical points of view, the gamma distribution and the testing in question have been of interest for some time given the many applications they can be used for, which include problems in the fields of economics, industrial statistics, life sciences, and others. The efforts to achieve the stated statistical objective have been focused throughout the years either on performing nontrivial, approximating mathematical steps or on simulations based on resampling techniques of various kinds. This text works with simulations that try to get closer to the true distributions of the quantities of interest so that a test can be designed rather than using samples generated out of samples, as the resampling techniques perform this by taking the initial samples for an approximation of the populations. The results presented in this text were validated, and they were also compared to other methods where possible. The resulting technique was looked upon as a complement to all the techniques that have been presented on this subject. The major advantage of the proposed procedure is seen in its simplicity. Since simulations are the basis for the presented conclusions, the results are unsurprisingly not as general as what could be achieved by exact mathematical deduction, but they do cover a reasonable range of situations that can serve as a basis on which to analogously build further research if desired.
Generating Chinese Event Extraction Method Based on ChatGPT and Prompt Learning
Authors: Chen Jianxun , Chen Peng , Wu Xuxu
Published: August 2023

Regarding the scarcity of annotated data for existing event extraction tasks and the insufficient semantic mining of event extraction models in the Chinese domain, this paper proposes a generative joint event extraction model to improve existing models in two aspects. Firstly, it utilizes the content generation capability of ChatGPT to generate annotated data corpora for event extraction tasks and trains the model using supervised learning methods adapted to downstream tasks. Secondly, explicit entity markers and event knowledge are added to the text to construct generative input templates, enhancing the performance of event extraction. To validate the performance of this model, experiments are conducted on DuEE1.0 and Title2Event public datasets, and the results show that both data enhancement and prompt learning based on ChatGPT effectively improve the performance of the event extraction model, and the F1 values of the events extracted by the CPEE model proposed in this paper reach 85.1% and 59.9% on the two datasets, respectively, which are comparable to the existing models’ values of 1.3% and 10%, respectively; moreover, on the Title2Event dataset, the performance of different models on the event extraction task can be gradually improved as the data size of the annotated corpus of event extraction generated using ChatGPT increases.
Characterising the Gene Expression, Enzymatic Activity and Subcellular Localisation of Arabidopsis thaliana Metacaspase 5 (AtMCA-IIb)
Authors: Sobri Zulfazli M. , Gallois Patrick
Published: August 2023

Metacaspases are a class of proteases found in plants that have gained attention in recent years due to their involvement in programmed cell death (PCD) and other essential cellular processes. Although structurally homologous to caspases found in animals, metacaspases have distinct properties and functions. There are nine metacaspase genes in the Arabidopsis thaliana genome; these can be type I or type II, and working out the function of each member of the gene family is challenging. In this study, we report the characterisation of one Arabidopsis type II metacaspase, metacaspase-5 (AtMC5; AtMCA-IIb). We detected the expression of AtMC5 only under specific conditions with a strong upregulation by ER stress and oxidative stress at a narrow 6 h time point. Recombinant AtMC5 was successfully purified from E. coli, with the recombinant AtMC5 working optimally at pH 7, using an optimised reaction buffer containing 10 mM calcium chloride together with 15% sucrose. Like other metacaspases, AtMC5 cleaved after arginine residue and demonstrated a substrate preference towards VRPR. Additionally, AtMC5-RFP was shown to be localised in the cytosol and nucleus of transfected cells. We found no evidence of a strong link between AtMC5 and PCD, and the data provide additional insights into the function of metacaspases in plants and will aid in future research toward further understanding their mode of action.
Influence of Metabolic, Transporter, and Pathogenic Genes on Pharmacogenetics and DNA Methylation in Neurological Disorders
Authors: Martínez-Iglesias Olaia , Naidoo Vinogran , Carrera Iván , Carril Juan Carlos , Cacabelos Natalia , Cacabelos Ramón
Published: August 2023

Pharmacogenetics and DNA methylation influence therapeutic outcomes and provide insights into potential therapeutic targets for brain-related disorders. To understand the effect of genetic polymorphisms on drug response and disease risk, we analyzed the relationship between global DNA methylation, drug-metabolizing enzymes, transport genes, and pathogenic gene phenotypes in serum samples from two groups of patients: Group A, which showed increased 5-methylcytosine (5mC) levels during clinical follow-up, and Group B, which exhibited no discernible change in 5mC levels. We identified specific SNPs in several metabolizing genes, including CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP4F2, GSTP1, and NAT2, that were associated with differential drug responses. Specific SNPs in CYP had a significant impact on enzyme activity, leading to changes in phenotypic distribution between the two patient groups. Group B, which contained a lower frequency of normal metabolizers and a higher frequency of ultra-rapid metabolizers compared to patients in Group A, did not show an improvement in 5mC levels during follow-up. Furthermore, there were significant differences in phenotype distribution between patient Groups A and B for several SNPs associated with transporter genes (ABCB1, ABCC2, SLC2A9, SLC39A8, and SLCO1B1) and pathogenic genes (APOE, NBEA, and PTGS2). These findings appear to suggest that the interplay between pharmacogenomics and DNA methylation has important implications for improving treatment outcomes in patients with brain-related disorders.
A Comprehensive Update on Late-Onset Pompe Disease
Authors: Labella Beatrice , Cotti Piccinelli Stefano , Risi Barbara , Caria Filomena , Damioli Simona , Bertella Enrica , Poli Loris , Padovani Alessandro , Filosto Massimiliano
Published: August 2023

Pompe disease (PD) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the GAA gene that lead to a deficiency in the acid alpha-glucosidase enzyme. Two clinical presentations are usually considered, named infantile-onset Pompe disease (IOPD) and late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD), which differ in age of onset, organ involvement, and severity of disease. Assessment of acid alpha-glucosidase activity on a dried blood spot is the first-line screening test, which needs to be confirmed by genetic analysis in case of suspected deficiency. LOPD is a multi-system disease, thus requiring a multidisciplinary approach for efficacious management. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), which was introduced over 15 years ago, changes the natural progression of the disease. However, it has limitations, including a reduction in efficacy over time and heterogeneous therapeutic responses among patients. Novel therapeutic approaches, such as gene therapy, are currently under study. We provide a comprehensive review of diagnostic advances in LOPD and a critical discussion about the advantages and limitations of current and future treatments.
Concussion: Beyond the Cascade
Authors: Neumann Kiel D. , Broshek Donna K. , Newman Benjamin T. , Druzgal T. Jason , Kundu Bijoy K. , Resch Jacob E.
Published: August 2023

Sport concussion affects millions of athletes each year at all levels of sport. Increasing evidence demonstrates clinical and physiological recovery are becoming more divergent definitions, as evidenced by several studies examining blood-based biomarkers of inflammation and imaging studies of the central nervous system (CNS). Recent studies have shown elevated microglial activation in the CNS in active and retired American football players, as well as in active collegiate athletes who were diagnosed with a concussion and returned to sport. These data are supportive of discordance in clinical symptomology and the inflammatory response in the CNS upon symptom resolution. In this review, we will summarize recent advances in the understanding of the inflammatory response associated with sport concussion and broader mild traumatic brain injury, as well as provide an outlook for important research questions to better align clinical and physiological recovery.
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Spine Metastases—Findings from an Australian Population-Based Study
Authors: Ong Wee Loon , Milne Roger L. , Foroudi Farshad , Millar Jeremy L.
Published: August 2023

Background: To evaluate the use of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for spine metastases and the associated factors in Australia. Methods: The Victorian Radiotherapy Minimum Dataset, which captures all episodes of radiotherapy delivered in the state of Victoria, was accessed to evaluate the patterns and trends of SBRT for spine metastases. The primary outcome was SBRT use and associated factors. Results: There were 6244 patients who received 8861 courses of radiotherapy for spine metastases between 2012 and 2017. Of these, 277 (3%) courses were SBRT, which increased from 0.4% in 2012 to 5% in 2017 (P-trend < 0.001). There was a higher proportion of SBRT use in patients with prostate cancer (6%) and melanoma (4%) compared to other cancers (2–3%) (p < 0.001). Patients from the highest socioeconomic quintiles (5%) were more likely to be treated with SBRT compared to patients from the lowest socioeconomic quintiles (3%) (p < 0.001). There was a higher proportion of SBRT use in private radiotherapy centres (6%) compared to public radiotherapy centres (1%) (p < 0.001). No spine SBRT was delivered in regional centres. In multivariate analyses, the year of treatment, age, primary cancers and radiotherapy centres were independently associated with SBRT use. Conclusion: This is the first Australian population-based study quantifying the increasing use of spine SBRT; however, the overall use of spine SBRT remains low. We anticipate an ongoing increase in spine SBRT, as spine SBRT gradually becomes the standard-of-care treatment for painful spine metastases.
Projective Synchronization of Delayed Uncertain Coupled Memristive Neural Networks and Their Application
Authors: Han Zhen , Chen Naipeng , Wei Xiaofeng , Yuan Manman , Li Huijia
Published: August 2023

In this article, the authors analyzed the nonlinear effects of projective synchronization between coupled memristive neural networks (MNNs) and their applications. Since the complete signal transmission is difficult under parameter mismatch and different projective factors, the delays, which are time-varying, and uncertainties have been taken to realize the projective synchronization of MNNs with multi-links under the nonlinear control method. Through the extended comparison principle and a new approach to dealing with the mismatched parameters, sufficient criteria have been determined under different types of projective factors and the framework of the Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional (LKF) for projective convergence of the coupled MNNs. Instead of the classical treatment for secure communication, the concept of error of synchronization between the drive and response systems has been applied to solve the signal encryption/decryption problem. Finally, the simulations in numerical form have been demonstrated graphically to confirm the adaptability of the theoretical results.
SafetyMed: A Novel IoMT Intrusion Detection System Using CNN-LSTM Hybridization
Authors: Faruqui Nuruzzaman , Yousuf Mohammad Abu , Whaiduzzaman Md , Azad AKM , Alyami Salem A. , Liò Pietro , Kabir Muhammad Ashad , Moni Mohammad Ali
Published: August 2023

The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) has become an attractive playground to cybercriminals because of its market worth and rapid growth. These devices have limited computational capabilities, which ensure minimum power absorption. Moreover, the manufacturers use simplified architecture to offer a competitive price in the market. As a result, IoMTs cannot employ advanced security algorithms to defend against cyber-attacks. IoMT has become easy prey for cybercriminals due to its access to valuable data and the rapidly expanding market, as well as being comparatively easier to exploit.As a result, the intrusion rate in IoMT is experiencing a surge. This paper proposes a novel Intrusion Detection System (IDS), namely SafetyMed, combining Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks to defend against intrusion from sequential and grid data. SafetyMed is the first IDS that protects IoMT devices from malicious image data and sequential network traffic. This innovative IDS ensures an optimized detection rate by trade-off between False Positive Rate (FPR) and Detection Rate (DR). It detects intrusions with an average accuracy of 97.63% with average precision and recall, and has an F1-score of 98.47%, 97%, and 97.73%, respectively. In summary, SafetyMed has the potential to revolutionize many vulnerable sectors (e.g., medical) by ensuring maximum protection against IoMT intrusion.
An Anomaly Detection Method Based on Multiple LSTM-Autoencoder Models for In-Vehicle Network
Authors: Kim Taeguen , Kim Jiyoon , You Ilsun
Published: August 2023

The CAN (Controller Area Network) protocol is widely adopted for in-vehicle networks due to its cost efficiency and reliable transmission. However, despite its popularity, the protocol lacks built-in security mechanisms, making it vulnerable to attacks such as flooding, fuzzing, and DoS. These attacks can exploit vulnerabilities and disrupt the expected behavior of the in-vehicle network. One of the main reasons for these security concerns is that the protocol relies on broadcast frames for communication between ECUs (Electronic Control Units) within the network. To tackle this issue, we present an intrusion detection system that leverages multiple LSTM-Autoencoders. The proposed system utilizes diverse features, including transmission interval and payload value changes, to capture various characteristics of normal network behavior. The system effectively detects anomalies by analyzing different types of features separately using the LSTM-Autoencoder model. In our evaluation, we conducted experiments using real vehicle network traffic, and the results demonstrated the system’s high precision with a 99% detection rate in identifying anomalies.
Small-Signal Model of the NPC + GCC Multilevel Transformerless Inverter in Single-Phase Photovoltaic Power Systems
Authors: Patrao Iván , Liberos Marian , González-Medina Raúl , Torán Enric , Figueres Emilio , Garcerá Gabriel
Published: August 2023

Photovoltaic transformerless inverters are very efficient and economical options for solar-power generation. The absence of the isolation transformer improves the converters’ efficiency, but high-frequency voltage to ground can appear in the photovoltaic string poles. The high capacitance to ground of the photovoltaic generator leads to undesirable high-leakage currents. Using half-bridge topologies dramatically reduces the leakage to ground, and using a multilevel half-bridge inverters improves the output quality compared with classical inverters. The neutral point clamped + generation control circuit (NPC + GCC) topology is a multilevel single-phase transformerless inverter capable of tracking the maximum power point of two photovoltaic sources at the same time. This paper presents the control structure and the dynamic modeling of the NPC + GCC inverter. The pulse-width modulated (PWM) switch model in continuous conduction mode (CCM) was used to obtain the small-signal model of the two switching converters that make up the inverter. The resulting dynamic model was used to quantify the stability margins of both converters’ current and voltage loops.
Neural Network Architecture for Determining the Aging of Stationary Storage Systems in Smart Grids
Authors: Rzepka Florian , Hematty Philipp , Schmitz Mano , Kowal Julia
Published: August 2023

The estimation of the State-of-Health (SOH) of energy storage systems is a key task to ensure their reliable operation and maintenance. This paper investigates a new SOH determination method for stationary storage in Microgrids. Aging tests are conducted on NMC cells, with test profiles corresponding to Microgrids’ conditions. The focus of this work is on optimizing the learning process and the application of a Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) model to address this issue. This study introduces a novel approach of considering lag sequences, or time series data, to expedite the learning procedure and enhance prediction accuracy. A key advancement in this research is the usage of shorter time intervals to calculate the SOH, which not only reduces the learning time but also decreases the application time. This approach led to an overall reduction in computational effort when estimating the SOH. Energy is introduced as a new input parameter, resulting in improved modeling and more accurate SOH estimations. Furthermore, the MLP model achieved a Mean Squared Error (MSE) of 2.95 and a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 1.10, which are indicative of its strong predictive accuracy. Emphasis was also placed on the careful tuning and optimization of the neural network’s hyperparameters. The goal was to design a computationally efficient network that still yields optimal results. The findings demonstrate the effectiveness and potential of the MLP model in SOH estimation, underscoring the importance of the methodical model design and hyperparameter optimization.
Deep Learning-Based Near-Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging for Food Nutrition Estimation
Authors: Li Tianhao , Wei Wensong , Xing Shujuan , Min Weiqing , Zhang Chunjiang , Jiang Shuqiang
Published: August 2023

The limited nutritional information provided by external food representations has constrained the further development of food nutrition estimation. Near-infrared hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI) technology can capture food chemical characteristics directly related to nutrition and is widely used in food science. However, conventional data analysis methods may lack the capability of modeling complex nonlinear relations between spectral information and nutrition content. Therefore, we initiated this study to explore the feasibility of integrating deep learning with NIR-HSI for food nutrition estimation. Inspired by reinforcement learning, we proposed OptmWave, an approach that can perform modeling and wavelength selection simultaneously. It achieved the highest accuracy on our constructed scrambled eggs with tomatoes dataset, with a determination coefficient of 0.9913 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.3548. The interpretability of our selection results was confirmed through spectral analysis, validating the feasibility of deep learning-based NIR-HSI in food nutrition estimation.
Investigation of Antioxidant and Cytotoxicity Activities of Chocolate Fortified with Muscadine Grape Pomace
Authors: Darwish Ahmed G. , El-Sharkawy Islam , Tang Chunya , Rao Qinchun , Tan Juzhong
Published: August 2023

Muscadine grape pomace and mixed products with chocolate extracts from three muscadine genotypes exhibiting different berry skin colors (black and bronze) were investigated for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), DPPH, FRAP antioxidant activity, and anticancer activity using MDA-MB-468 (MM-468; African American) breast cancer cells. Muscadine berry extracts and mixed products showed cytotoxicity activities of up to 70% against MM-468 breast cancer cells. Cell growth inhibition was higher in ‘macerated Floriana’ with an IC50 value of 20.70 ± 2.43 followed by ‘Alachua’ with an IC50 value of 22.25 ± 2.47. TPC and TFC in macerated MGP powder were (1.4 ± 0.14 and 0.45 ± 0.01 GAE/g FW, respectively), which was significantly higher than those in cocoa powder. Data analysis showed a high association between DPPH, FRAP antioxidant activities, and TPC content and a positive high correlation between anticancer activity and antioxidant capacity and between TPC and anticancer activity. The anticancer and antioxidant effects of muscadine grape pomace and chocolate extracts are attributed to the TPC of extracts, which showed a stronger positive correlation with growth inhibition of African American breast cancer cells. This study would be of great value for food industries as well as other manufacturers who are interested in new food blends.
From Vision to Instrument: Creating a Next-Generation Event Horizon Telescope for a New Era of Black Hole Science
Authors: Johnson Michael D. , Doeleman Sheperd S. , Gómez José L. , Broderick Avery E.
Published: August 2023

In April 2019, the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) Collaboration successfully imaged a supermassive black hole (SMBH) for the first time, revealing the apparent “shadow” cast by the dark compact object M87* in the center of the elliptical galaxy Virgo A [...]
Molecular Mechanisms of Dementia
Authors: Cantone Mariagiovanna
Published: August 2023

The various forms of dementia and the other neurodegenerative disorders that affect memory, cognition, and behavior have become a public health priority across the developed world [...]
Gasdermin D (GSDMD) Is Upregulated in Psoriatic Skin—A New Potential Link in the Pathogenesis of Psoriasis
Authors: Nowowiejska Julia , Baran Anna , Hermanowicz Justyna Magdalena , Pryczynicz Anna , Sieklucka Beata , Pawlak Dariusz , Flisiak Iwona
Published: August 2023

Psoriasis is an important issue in daily dermatological practice. Not only is it an aesthetic defect but it is also a matter of decreased life quality and economic burden. However frequent, the pathogenesis of psoriasis remains uncertain despite numerous investigations. Gasdermins are a family of six proteins. Gasdermin D (GSDMD) is the best-studied from this group and is involved in the processes of inflammation, proliferation, and death of cells, especially pyroptosis. GSDMD has never been studied in psoriatic sera or urine before. Our study involved 60 patients with psoriasis and 30 volunteers without dermatoses as controls. Serum and urinary GSDMD concentrations were examined by ELISA. The tissue expression of GSDMD was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The serum-GSDMD concentration was insignificantly higher in the patients than controls. There were no differences in the urinary-GSDMD concentrations between the patients and controls. Strong tissue expression of GSDMD was significantly more prevalent in psoriatic plaque than in the non-lesional skin and healthy skin of the controls. There was no correlation between the serum-GSDMD concentrations and the psoriasis severity in PASI, age, or disease duration. Taking into consideration the documented role of gasdermins in cell proliferation and death, the increased expression of GSDMD in psoriatic skin may demonstrate the potential involvement of this protein in psoriasis pathogenesis. Neither serum, nor urinary GSDMD can be currently considered a psoriasis biomarker; however, future studies may change this perspective.
PAX7, a Key for Myogenesis Modulation in Muscular Dystrophies through Multiple Signaling Pathways: A Systematic Review
Authors: Rahman Nor Idayu A. , Lam Chung Liang , Sulaiman Nadiah , Abdullah Nur Atiqah Haizum , Nordin Fazlina , Ariffin Shahrul Hisham Zainal , Yazid Muhammad Dain
Published: August 2023

Muscular dystrophy is a heterogenous group of hereditary muscle disorders caused by mutations in the genes responsible for muscle development, and is generally defined by a disastrous progression of muscle wasting and massive loss in muscle regeneration. Pax7 is closely associated with myogenesis, which is governed by various signaling pathways throughout a lifetime and is frequently used as an indicator in muscle research. In this review, an extensive literature search adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was performed to identify research that examined signaling pathways in living models, while quantifying Pax7 expression in myogenesis. A total of 247 articles were retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS), PubMed and Scopus databases and were thoroughly examined and evaluated, resulting in 19 articles which met the inclusion criteria. Admittedly, we were only able to discuss the quantification of Pax7 carried out in research affecting various type of genes and signaling pathways, rather than the expression of Pax7 itself, due to the massive differences in approach, factor molecules and signaling pathways analyzed across the research. However, we highlighted the thorough evidence for the alteration of the muscle stem cell precursor Pax7 in multiple signaling pathways described in different living models, with an emphasis on the novel approach that could be taken in manipulating Pax7 expression itself in dystrophic muscle, towards the discovery of an effective treatment for muscular dystrophy. Therefore, we believe that this could be applied to the potential gap in muscle research that could be filled by tuning the well-established marker expression to improve dystrophic muscle.
Comparative Transcriptomics of Chilodonella hexasticha and C. uncinata Provide New Insights into Adaptations to a Parasitic Lifestyle and Mdivi-1 as a Potential Agent for Chilodonellosis Control
Authors: Bu Xialian , Zhao Weishan , Li Wenxiang , Zou Hong , Li Ming , Wang Guitang
Published: August 2023

Chilodonella hexasticha is a harmful parasitic ciliate that can cause severe damage to fish and high mortalities worldwide. Its congeneric species, C. uncinata, is a facultative parasite that not only can be free-living but also can parasitize on fish gills and fins. In this study, single-cell transcriptomes of these two species were assembled and characterized. Numerous enzymes related to energy metabolism and parasitic adaption were identified through annotation in the Non-Redundant (NR), Clusters of Orthologous Genes (COG), Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases. The expression of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (Cox1) and ATP synthase F1, delta subunit (ATP5D) was up-regulated in C. hexasticha compared with C. uncinata. The oxidative phosphorylation process was also enriched in C. hexasticha. The main mitochondrial metabolic pathways in C. hexasticha were depicted and enzymes related to energy metabolism pathways were compared between these two species. More importantly, mitochondrial division inhibitor 1 (mdivi-1) proved to be very effective in killing both C. hexasticha and C. uncinata, which could be a novel drug for Chilodonellosis control. This study can help us better understand the energy metabolisms of C. hexasticha and C. uncinata and provide new insight into novel targets for chilodonellosis control. Meanwhile, the transcriptome data can also facilitate genomic studies of these two species in the future.
The Effect of Milling on the Ethanolic Extract Composition of Dried Walnut (Juglans regia L.) Shells
Authors: Ventura Giovanni , Mesto Davide , Blasi Davide , Cataldi Tommaso R. I. , Calvano Cosima Damiana
Published: August 2023

This study investigates the ethanolic extract of dried walnut (Juglans regia L.) shells upon hammer milling (HM) and ball milling (BM) grinding processes. Marked differences were observed in the attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectra. The two extracts were investigated by reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization and high-resolution mass spectrometry (RPLC-ESI-HRMS). Following enzymatic digestion, the fatty acids (FAs) were examined, and tandem MS of epoxidized species was applied to establish the C-C double bond position; the most abundant species were FA 18:2 Δ9,12, FA 18:1 Δ9, and FA 18:3 Δ9,12,15. However, no significant qualitative differences were observed between FAs in the two samples. Thus, the presence of potential active secondary metabolites was explored, and more than 30 phenolic compounds, including phenols, ellagic acid derivatives, and flavonoids, were found. Interestingly, the HM samples showed a high concentration of ellagitannins and hydrolyzable tannins, which were absent in the BM sample. These findings corroborate the greater phenolic content in the HM sample, as evaluated by the Folin–Ciocalteu test. Among the others, the occurrence of lanceoloside A at m/z 391.1037 [C19H20O9-H]−, and a closely related benzoyl derivate at m/z 405.1190 (C20H22O9-H]−), was ascertained. The study provides valuable information that highlights the significance of physical pre-treatments, such as mill grinding, in shaping the composition of extracts, with potential applications in the biorefinery or pharmaceutical industries.
Noninvasive Neuromodulation in Parkinson’s Disease: Insights from Animal Models
Authors: Muksuris Katherine , Scarisbrick David M. , Mahoney James J. , Cherkasova Mariya V.
Published: August 2023

The mainstay treatments for Parkinson’s Disease (PD) have been limited to pharmacotherapy and deep brain stimulation. While these interventions are helpful, a new wave of research is investigating noninvasive neuromodulation methods as potential treatments. Some promising avenues have included transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and focused ultrasound (FUS). While these methods are being tested in PD patients, investigations in animal models of PD have sought to elucidate their therapeutic mechanisms. In this rapid review, we assess the available animal literature on these noninvasive techniques and discuss the possible mechanisms mediating their therapeutic effects based on these findings.
Conservative versus Invasive Strategy in Elderly Patients with Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Insights from the International POPular Age Registry
Authors: van den Broek Wout W. A. , Gimbel Marieke E. , Chan Pin Yin Dean R. P. P. , Azzahhafi Jaouad , Hermanides Renicus S. , Runnett Craig , Storey Robert F. , Austin David , Oemrawsingh Rohit , Cooke Justin , Galasko Gavin , Walhout Ronald J. , Schellings Dirk A. A. M. , Brinckman Stijn L. , The Hong Kie , Stoel Martin G. , Heestermans Antonius A. C. M. , Nicastia Debby , Emans Mireille E. , van ’t Hof Arnoud W. J. , Alber Hannes , Gerber Robert , van Bergen Paul F. M. M. , Aksoy Ismail , Nasser Abdul , Knaapen Paul , Botman Cees-Joost , Liem Anho , Kelder Johannes C. , ten Berg Jurriën M.
Published: August 2023

This registry assessed the impact of conservative and invasive strategies on major adverse clinical events (MACE) in elderly patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Patients aged ≥75 years with NSTEMI were prospectively registered from European centers and followed up for one year. Outcomes were compared between conservative and invasive groups in the overall population and a propensity score-matched (PSM) cohort. MACE included cardiovascular death, acute coronary syndrome, and stroke. The study included 1190 patients (median age 80 years, 43% female). CAG was performed in 67% (N = 798), with two-thirds undergoing revascularization. Conservatively treated patients had higher baseline risk. After propensity score matching, 319 patient pairs were successfully matched. MACE occurred more frequently in the conservative group (total population 20% vs. 12%, adjHR 0.53, 95% CI 0.37–0.77, p = 0.001), remaining significant in the PSM cohort (18% vs. 12%, adjHR 0.50, 95% CI 0.31–0.81, p = 0.004). In conclusion, an early invasive strategy was associated with benefits over conservative management in elderly patients with NSTEMI. Risk factors associated with ischemia and bleeding should guide strategy selection rather than solely relying on age.
The Value of Fournier’s Gangrene Scoring Systems on Admission to Predict Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Tufano Antonio , Dipinto Piervito , Passaro Francesco , Anceschi Umberto , Franco Giorgio , Flammia Rocco Simone , Proietti Flavia , Antonelli Luca , Di Pierro Giovanni Battista , Prata Francesco , Rullo Roberta , Perdonà Sisto , Leonardo Costantino
Published: August 2023

Objective: To systematically review and meta-analyze the predictive value of the Fournier gangrene severity index (FGSI), the simplified FGSI (SFGSI), and the Uludag FGSI (UFGSI) on mortality in patients affected by Fournier’s Gangrene (FG). Methods: A search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, from January 2000 to May 2023, to identify original cohorts comparing data between surviving and non-surviving FG patients. The statistical analysis consisted of two parts. First, the mean and standard deviation (SD) of the FGSI, SFGSI, and UFGSI at admission were extrapolated from each study, and the pooled mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was obtained using the Der Simonian–Laird random-effect model. Second, to evaluate the accuracy of the FGSI, SFGSI, and UFSGI in predicting mortality, true positive (TP), false positive (FP), true negative (TN), and false negative (FN) values were extracted where possible and reported in 2 × 2 contingency tables. The sensitivity, specificity, and AUC values were pooled, and summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curves were constructed. Results: Overall, forty studies comprising 2257 patients were included. The pooled analysis revealed that the FGSI, SFGSI, and UFGSI values at admission were higher in non-survivors than survivors (MD: 5.53 (95% CI: 4.68–6.37); MD: 2.41 (95% CI: 1.06–3.77); and MD: 5.47 (95% CI: 3.68–7.26), respectively). Moreover, the AUC values of the FGSI, SFGSI, and UFGSI were 0.90 (95% CI: 0.87–0.92), 0.84 (95% CI: 0.80–0.87), and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.92–0.96), respectively. Conclusions: The higher scores of the FGSI, SFGSI, and UFGSI on admission were associated with mortality. Moreover, when comparing accuracy rates, the UFGSI exhibited the highest AUC value.
Accuracy of Positioning and Risk Factors for Malpositioning Custom-Made Femoral Stems in Total Hip Arthroplasty—A Retrospective Multicenter Analysis
Authors: Anderson Philip Mark , Heinz Tizian , Rak Dominik , Arnholdt Jörg , Holzapfel Boris Michael , Dorsch Silke , Weißenberger Manuel , von Eisenhart-Rothe Rüdiger , Jaenisch Max , Ertl Max , Wagner Michael , Windhagen Henning , Rudert Maximilian , Jakuscheit Axel
Published: August 2023

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is commonly performed using off-the-shelf implants. In the case of a severe mismatch between the anatomy of the proximal femur and the geometry of the stem, the use of custom-made stems might become necessary. The goal of this study was to investigate the precision of the implantation of custom-made stems of one manufacturer (CTX stem, AQ Implants) and to determine risk factors for malpositioning. All patients receiving a custom-made CTX stem between 2014 and 2020 at six high-volume academic centers were retrospectively recruited. The achieved position of the stem, as determined by stem version, stem coronal angle, and implantation depth on radiographs, was compared to the plan. The influence of radiographic and demographic parameters on the position was investigated. The results revealed a high variability of the achieved implant position in relation to the preoperative plan. While the stem coronal angle only differed slightly from the intended position, the stem version and the implantation depth showed a high frequency and amount of deviation. Right stems showed significantly higher positions than planned. Surgeons must be aware of this potential problem when implanting custom-made stems.