bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Study of Constitutive Model of Rock Damage under the Joint Effect of Load and Moisture
Authors: Sun Zhongguang , Zhang Qinghua , Zhang Jun , Zhang Yi , Wang Pengfei
Published: January 2023

To study the mechanical damage characteristics of rock under the effect of subversion, a series of mechanical experiments, including both uniaxial and triaxial mechanical compression experiments under various levels of water content were performed. In this study, researchers investigate the impact of water content on the mechanical characteristics of rock, based on the compliance of the rock damage variants to the Weibull statistic distribution, and Drucker–Prager strength rule, aiming to construct a constitutive model under the joint effect of load and moisture. In addition, the established constitutive model is tested in the experiment. According to the test results, during the initial phase of the submersion, the water content in the rock increases following the exponential function until reaching the threshold. The water content remains stable after the threshold. Under the uniaxial and triaxial loads, the damage detected in the rock and the elasticity modulus decreases linearly as the water content increases. The rock’s mechanical parameters and the damage evolution rate are significantly impacted by the surrounding pressure. As the surrounding pressure increases, the weakening effect of the water in the rock decreases. The theoretic curves developed to describe the rock damage under the joint effect of the water and load are consistent with the curves drafted based on the test, indicating that the constitutive model can accurately describe the stress and strain behaviors of rock under various water contents and loading conditions.
ANN Prediction Model of Concrete Fatigue Life Based on GRW-DBA Data Augmentation
Authors: Shi Jinna , Zhang Wenxiu , Zhao Yanru
Published: January 2023

In order to improve the prediction accuracy of the machine learning model for concrete fatigue life using small datasets, a group calculation and random weight dynamic time warping barycentric averaging (GRW-DBA) data augmentation method is proposed. First, 27 sets of real experimental data were augmented by 10 times, 20 times, 50 times, 100 times, 200 times, 500 times, and 1000 times, respectively, using the GRW-DBA method, and the optimal factor was determined by comparing the model’s training time and prediction accuracy under different augmentation multiples. Then, a concrete fatigue life prediction model was established based on artificial neural network (ANN), and the hyperparameters of the model were determined through experiments. Finally, comparisons were made with data augmentation methods such as generative adversarial network (GAN) and regression prediction models such as support vector machine (SVM), and the generalization of the method was verified using another fatigue life dataset collected on the Internet. The result shows that the GRW-DBA algorithm can significantly improve the prediction accuracy of the ANN model when using small datasets (the R2 index increased by 20.1% compared with the blank control, reaching 98.6%), and this accuracy improvement is also verified in different data distributions. Finally, a graphical user interface is created based on the developed model to facilitate application in engineering.
Penicillium spp. XK10, Fungi with Potential to Repair Cadmium and Antimony Pollution
Authors: He Yiying , Li Chaoyang , Sun Zhongyu , Zhang Wan , He Jianing , Zhao Yunlin , Xu Zhenggang , Zhao Weiping
Published: January 2023

Soil heavy-metal pollution is one of the most important environmental problems in the world, and seriously endangers plant growth and human health. Microbial remediation has become a key technology in the field of soil heavy-metal remediation due to its advantages of being harmless, green and environmental. In this study, a fungus Penicillium spp. XK10 with high tolerance to cadmium (Cd) and antimony (Sb) was screened from mine slag, and its adsorption characteristics to heavy metals under different environmental conditions were studied. The results showed that at pH0 = 6, C0 (Cd) = 0.1 mM, and the adsorption time was 4 days, the maximum removal rate of cadmium by XK10 was 32.2%. Under the conditions of pH0 = 4, T = 7d, and the initial antimony concentration of 1 mM, the removal rate of antimony by XK10 was the highest, which was 15.5%. This study provides potential microbial materials for bioremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils.
Effect of Printing Parameters on Mechanical Performance of Material-Extrusion 3D-Printed PEEK Specimens at the Point-of-Care
Authors: Zarean Paridokht , Malgaroli Patrick , Zarean Parichehr , Seiler Daniel , de Wild Michael , Thieringer Florian M. , Sharma Neha
Published: January 2023

Additive manufacturing (AM) of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) biomaterials using the material-extrusion (MEX) method has been studied for years. Because of the challenging manufacturing process, precisely controlling printing parameters is crucial. This study aimed to investigate the effects of printing parameters such as orientation and position of printing on mechanical properties. Thus, 34 samples were printed using PEEK filament and the MEX process. Samples were divided into two main groups (A,B) according to their printing orientations (A: groups 1–3) and positions on the build plate (B: groups 4–8). Mechanical tensile tests were performed to evaluate the effects of different printing orientations and positions on mechanical properties. The means of the tensile modulus in samples 3D-printed in XY (group 1), XZ (group 2), and ZX (group 3) orientations were not significantly different (p-value = 0.063). Groups 1 and 2 had smaller distributions than group 3 in the means of tensile strength. The t-test showed that the overall means of the measurements in groups 4–8 did not differ significantly (p-value = 0.315). The tensile tests indicated that printing in vertical and horizontal orientations had no significant influence on mechanical properties. There were no significant differences in mechanical strength between top/bottom printed samples in five different lateral positions. Reliability of printing with good mechanical properties could be a step forward to manufacturing patient-specific implants.
Practical Performance Analysis of Interference in DSS System
Authors: Wei Mingshuo , Li Xiao , Xie Weiliang , Hu Chunlei
Published: January 2023

The 5G network is developing rapidly. However, due to spectrum resource limitation, it is expected to use the 5G network to ensure high resource utilization and network efficiency, while keeping part of 4G in the same band for existing 4G users. Dynamic spectrum-sharing (DSS) technology enables 4G/5G wireless networks to coexist in scarce spectrum resources and dynamically allocates spectrum resources in the same band. 4G/5G DSS has been successfully commercialized in some countries such as Germany and Brazil. However, complex 4G/5G DSS networks will introduce intra-frequency interference in the inter-system, which will affect network performance. Therefore, we innovatively proposed two interference mitigation schemes: buffer setting and rate matching. Furthermore, we have verified the practical performance of both schemes in a commercial network for the first time to determine the feasibility of the schemes. From theory, simulation, and practical analysis, both schemes can effectively mitigate the interference of the inter-system introduced by DSS: increasing the network rate by 60% in the interference environment and improving the user experience in the DSS architecture.
Event-Based Probabilistic Embedding for POI Recommendation
Authors: Zhang Tiancheng , Liu Hengyu , Geng Xue , Yu Ge
Published: January 2023

Location-based social networks (LBSNs) have collected massive geo-tagged information, enabling the derivation of user preference for point of interests (POIs) in support of personalized recommendation. The existing embedding techniques deal with multiple factors by embedding a separate model for each factor. As a result, the interaction amongst various factors cannot be captured properly. In addition, we notice that the effectiveness of personalized recommendation is closely related to the current time and location. It is obvious that users would check into a POI which fits their interests, even if the current location is far away from the POI or the time is inappropriate. Therefore, it is necessary to recommend the right POI according to the time and geographic location of the user. In other words, it is necessary to predict the most likely visiting event, including users, POI, event time, and event location. In this paper, we propose a probabilistic embedding model called Topic And Region Embedding (TARE), which embeds events by simulating the users’ decision-making process. The results of TARE not only take various factors and their interaction into consideration but also consider the time and geographic location of events. Extensive experiments on three location-based social network datasets show that TARE achieves better performance in recommendation accuracy than existing state-of-the-art methods.
Integer Ambiguity Parameter Identification for Fast Satellite Positioning and Navigation Based on LAMBDA-GWO with Tikhonov Regularization
Authors: Gao Guanbin , Li Le , Shi Qinghua , Xie Pei
Published: January 2023

Satellite positioning is one of the main navigation technologies in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the accuracy of which has an important impact on the safety, stability, and flexibility of UAVs. The parameters of integer ambiguity are important factors affecting the accuracy of satellite positioning. However, the accuracy of the integer ambiguity cannot be guaranteed when only a few epoch data can be obtained in the fast positioning such that the identification matrix of the integer ambiguity parameters is seriously ill-conditioned and the information of position deviation is enlarged. In this paper, an error checking and correcting strategy is proposed, where a Least-square Ambiguity Decorrelation Adjustment-Grey Wolf Optimization (LAMBDA-GWO) Method combined with the Tikhonov regularization method is developed to improve the accuracy of integer ambiguity for fast satellite positioning. More specifically, the LAMBDA-GWO is first used to search the integer ambiguity parameters. To reduce the ill-condition of the integer ambiguity parameter identification matrix, the Tikhonov regularization method is introduced to regularize the identification matrix such that a reliable integer ambiguity floating-point solution can be obtained. Furthermore, the correctness of the integer ambiguity is checked according to the prior accuracy information of the initial coordinates and the Total Electron Content (TEC), and the part that fails the test is corrected by the Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) Method. Finally, experimental studies based on a 522 m baseline and a 975 m baseline show that the identification success rates of the proposed method are both above 99%, which is 12% and 23% higher than that of traditional LAMBDA, respectively.
Coquaternions, Metric Invariants of Biologic Systems and Malignant Transformations
Authors: Davydyan Garri
Published: January 2023

Different hypotheses of carcinogenesis have been proposed based on local genetic factors and physiologic mechanisms. It is assumed that changes in the metric invariants of a biologic system (BS) determine the general mechanisms of cancer development. Numerous pieces of data demonstrate the existence of three invariant feedback patterns of BS: negative feedback (NFB), positive feedback (PFB) and reciprocal links (RL). These base patterns represent basis elements of a Lie algebra sl(2,R) and an imaginary part of coquaternion. Considering coquaternion as a model of a functional core of a BS, in this work a new geometric approach has been introduced. Based on this approach, conditions of the system are identified with the points of three families of hypersurfaces in R42: hyperboloids of one sheet, hyperboloids of two sheets and double cones. The obtained results also demonstrated the correspondence of an indefinite metric of coquaternion quadratic form with negative and positive entropy contributions of the base elements to the energy level of the system. From that, it can be further concluded that the anabolic states of the system will correspond to the points of a hyperboloid of one sheet, whereas catabolic conditions correspond to the points of a hyperboloid of two sheets. Equilibrium states will lie in a double cone. Physiologically anabolic and catabolic states dominate intermittently oscillating around the equilibrium. Deterioration of base elements increases positive entropy and causes domination of catabolic states, which is the main metabolic determinant of cancer. Based on these observations and the geometric representation of a BS’s behavior, it was shown that conditions related to cancer metabolic malfunction will have a tendency to remain inside the double cone.
An Overview of Biogas Production from Anaerobic Digestion and the Possibility of Using Sugarcane Wastewater and Municipal Solid Waste in a South African Context
Authors: Tshemese Zikhona , Deenadayalu Nirmala , Linganiso Linda Zikhona , Chetty Maggie
Published: January 2023

Bioenergy production from waste is one of the emerging and viable routes from renewable resources (in addition to wind and solar energy). Many developing countries can benefit from this as they are trying to solve the large amounts of unattended garbage in landfills. This waste comes in either liquid (wastewater and oil) or solid (food and agricultural residues) form. Waste has negative impacts on the environment and, consequently, any form of life that exists therein. One way of solving this waste issue is through its usage as a resource for producing valuable products, such as biofuels, thus, creating a circular economy, which is in line with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5, 7, 8, 9, and 13. Biofuel in the form of biogas can be produced from feedstocks, such as industrial wastewater and municipal effluent, as well as organic solid waste in a process called anaerobic digestion. The feedstock can be used as an individual substrate for anaerobic digestion or co-digested with two other substrates. Research advancements have shown that the anaerobic digestion of two or more substrates produces higher biogas yields as compared to their single substrates’ counterparts. The objective of this review was to look at the anaerobic digestion process and to provide information on the potential of biogas production through the co-digestion of sugarcane processing wastewater and municipal solid waste. The study deduced that sugar wastewater and municipal solid waste can be considered good substrates for biogas production in SA due to their enormous availability and the potential to turn their negative impacts into value addition. Biogas production is a feasible alternative, among others, to boost the country from the current energy issues.
Gene-Expression Analysis of Human Fibroblasts Affected by 3D-Printed Carboxylated Nanocellulose Constructs
Authors: Rosendahl Jennifer , Zarna Chiara , Håkansson Joakim , Chinga-Carrasco Gary
Published: January 2023

Three-dimensional (3D) printing has emerged as a highly valuable tool to manufacture porous constructs. This has major advantages in, for example, tissue engineering, in which 3D scaffolds provide a microenvironment with adequate porosity for cell growth and migration as a simulation of tissue regeneration. In this study, we assessed the suitability of three cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) that were obtained through 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpyperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO)-mediated oxidation. The CNFs were obtained by applying three levels of carboxylation, i.e., 2.5, 3.8, and 6.0 mmol sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) per gram of cellulose. The CNFs exhibited different nanofibrillation levels, affecting the corresponding viscosity and 3D printability of the CNF gels (0.6 wt%). The scaffolds were manufactured by micro-extrusion and the nanomechanical properties were assessed with nanoindentation. Importantly, fibroblasts were grown on the scaffolds and the expression levels of the marker genes, which are relevant for wound healing and proliferation, were assessed in order to reveal the effect of the 3D-scaffold microenvironment of the cells.
Recent Progress of Electrospun Herbal Medicine Nanofibers
Authors: Liu Hang , Bai Yubin , Huang Chang , Wang Ying , Ji Yuexin , Du Yutong , Xu Lin , Yu Deng-Guang , Bligh Sim Wan Annie
Published: January 2023

Herbal medicine has a long history of medical efficacy with low toxicity, side effects and good biocompatibility. However, the bioavailability of the extract of raw herbs and bioactive compounds is poor because of their low water solubility. In order to overcome the solubility issues, electrospinning technology can offer a delivery alternative to resolve them. The electrospun fibers have the advantages of high specific surface area, high porosity, excellent mechanical strength and flexible structures. At the same time, various natural and synthetic polymer-bound fibers can mimic extracellular matrix applications in different medical fields. In this paper, the development of electrospinning technology and polymers used for incorporating herbal medicine into electrospun nanofibers are reviewed. Finally, the recent progress of the applications of these herbal medicine nanofibers in biomedical (drug delivery, wound dressing, tissue engineering) and food fields along with their future prospects is discussed.
Developmental Inhibitory Changes in the Primary Somatosensory Cortex of the Stargazer Mouse Model of Absence Epilepsy
Authors: Hassan Muhammad , Grattan David R. , Leitch Beulah
Published: January 2023

Childhood absence epilepsy seizures arise in the cortico-thalamocortical network due to multiple cellular and molecular mechanisms, which are still under investigation. Understanding the precise mechanisms is imperative given that treatment fails in ~30% of patients while adverse neurological sequelae remain common. Impaired GABAergic neurotransmission is commonly reported in research models investigating these mechanisms. Recently, we reported a region-specific reduction in the whole-tissue and synaptic GABAA receptor (GABAAR) α1 subunit and an increase in whole-tissue GAD65 in the primary somatosensory cortex (SoCx) of the adult epileptic stargazer mouse compared with its non-epileptic (NE) littermate. The current study investigated whether these changes occurred prior to the onset of seizures on postnatal days (PN) 17–18, suggesting a causative role. Synaptic and cytosolic fractions were biochemically isolated from primary SoCx lysates followed by semiquantitative Western blot analyses for GABAAR α1 and GAD65. We found no significant changes in synaptic GABAAR α1 and cytosolic GAD65 in the primary SoCx of the stargazer mice at the critical developmental stages of PN 7–9, 13–15, and 17–18. This indicates that altered levels of GABAAR α1 and GAD65 in adult mice do not directly contribute to the initial onset of absence seizures but are a later consequence of seizure activity.
Monitoring Blood Immune Cells in Patients with Advanced Small Cell Lung Cancer Undergoing a Combined Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor/Chemotherapy
Authors: Riemann Dagmar , Turzer Steffi , Ganchev Georgi , Schütte Wolfgang , Seliger Barbara , Möller Miriam
Published: January 2023

In this exploratory prospective observational study on 40 small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients treated with a combination of chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors, blood immune cells were characterized by multi-color flow cytometry at the baseline and at the third therapy cycle. The numbers of neutrophils and of T-, B-, and NK cells, as well as the frequency of HLA-DRlow monocytes, 6-SulfoLacNAc (slan)+ non-classical monocytes and circulating dendritic cell (DC) subtypes were determined. The prognostic value of the parameters was evaluated by the patient’s survival analysis with overall survival (OS) as the primary endpoint. In addition, blood cell parameters from SCLC patients were compared to those from non-SCLC (NSCLC). The global median OS of patients was 10.4 ± 1.1 months. Disease progression (15% of patients) correlated with a higher baseline neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), more HLA-DRlow monocytes, and lower NK cell and DC numbers. The risk factors for poor OS were the presence of brain/liver metastases, a baseline NLR ≥ 6.1, HLA-DRlow monocytes ≥ 21% of monocytes, slan+ non-classical monocytes < 0.12%, and/or CD1c+ myeloid DC < 0.05% of leukocytes. Lymphocytic subpopulations did not correlate with OS. When comparing biomarkers in SCLC versus NSCLC, SCLC had a higher frequency of brain/liver metastases, a higher NLR, the lowest DC frequencies, and lower NK cell numbers. Brain/liver metastases had a substantial impact on the survival of SCLC patients. At the baseline, 45% of SCLC patients, but only 24% of NSCLC patients, had between three and five risk factors. A high basal NLR, a high frequency of HLA-DRlow monocytes, and low levels of slan+ non-classical monocytes were associated with poor survival in all lung cancer histotypes. Thus, the blood immune cell signature might contribute to a better prediction of SCLC patient outcomes and may uncover the pathophysiological peculiarities of this tumor entity.
Acknowledgment to the Reviewers of BioMedInformatics in 2022
Authors:   BioMedInformatics Editorial Office
Published: January 2023

High-quality academic publishing is built on rigorous peer review [...]
Gait Indicators Contribute to Screening Cognitive Impairment: A Single- and Dual-Task Gait Study
Authors: Wang Xiaoqin , Yu Wuhan , Huang Lihong , Yan Mengyu , Zhang Wenbo , Song Jiaqi , Liu Xintong , Yu Weihua , Lü Yang
Published: January 2023

Background: Screening cognitive impairment is complex and not an appliance for early screening. Gait performance is strongly associated with cognitive impairment. Objectives: We aimed to explore gait indicators that could potentially screen cognitive dysfunction. Methods: A total of 235 subjects were recruited from June 2021 to June 2022. Four gait tasks, including the walking test, the timed “Up & Go” test (TUG), foot pressure balance (FPB), and one-legged standing with eyes closed test (OLS-EC), were performed. Moreover, in the walking test, participants were instructed to walk at their usual pace for the single-gait test. For the dual-task tests, participants walked at their usual pace while counting backward from 100 by 1s. The data were analyzed by the independent sample t-test, univariate and multivariate logistic regression, a linear trend, stratified and interaction analysis, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and Pearson’s correlations. Results: Among the 235 participants, 81 (34.5%) were men and 154 (65.5%) were women. The mean age of participants was 72 ± 7.836 years. The control, MCI, mild AD, and severe AD groups had means of 71, 63, 71, and 30, respectively. After adjusting for age, sex, education, and body mass index (BMI), the dual-task toe-off-ground angle (TOA) (odds ratio (OR) = 0.911, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.847, 0.979), single-task TOA (OR = 0.904, 95% CI: 0.841–0.971), and the timed “Up & Go” time (TUGT) (OR = 1.515, 95% CI: 1.243–1.846) were significantly associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment. In addition, the trend test and stratified analysis results had no significant differences (all p > 0.05). The area under the roc curve (AUC) values of TOA in the dual-task and TUGT were 0.812 and 0.847, respectively. Additionally, TOA < 36.75° in the dual-task, TOA < 38.90° in the single-task, and TUGT > 9.83 seconds (s) are likely to indicate cognitive impairment. The cognitive assessment scale scores were significantly correlated with TOA (all r > 0.3, p < 0.001) and TUGT (all r > 0.2), respectively. Conclusion: TOA and TUGT scores are, in some circumstances, associated with cognitive impairment; therefore, they can be used as simple initial screenings to identify patients at risk.
An FPGA-Based Laser Virtual Scale Method for Structural Crack Measurement
Authors: Yuan Miaomiao , Fang Zhuneng , Xiao Peng , Tong Ruijin , Zhang Min , Huang Yule
Published: January 2023

Real-time systems for measuring structural cracks are of great significance due to their computational and cost efficacy, inherent hazards, and detection discrepancies associated with the manual visual assessment of structures. The precision and effectiveness of image measurement approaches increased their applications in vast regions. This article proposes a field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based laser virtual scale algorithm for noncontact real-time measurement of structural crack images. The device first sends two parallel beams and then applies image processing techniques, including de-noising with median and morphological filtering, as well as Sobel-operator-based edge extraction, to process and localize the light spots. Afterwards, it acquires the scale of the pixel distance to the physical distance and then derives the actual size of the crack. By processing and positioning, the FPGA acquires the scale of the pixel distance to the physical space and then derives the actual size of the crack. The experimental study on crack measurements demonstrates that the proposed technique has precise and reliable results. The error rate is approximately 2.47%, sufficient to meet measurement accuracy criteria. Moreover, experimental results suggest that the processing time for one frame using an FPGA is about 54 ms, and that the hardware acceleration provided using an FPGA is approximately 120 times that of a PC, allowing for real-time operation. The proposed method is a simple and computationally efficient tool with better efficacy for noncontact measurements.
Challenge and Awareness for Implemented Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) in Indonesian Projects
Authors: Sari Endah Murtiana , Irawan Agustinus Purna , Wibowo Mochamad Agung , Siregar Januar Parlaungan , Tamin Rizal Zainuddin , Praja Arief Kusuma Among , Dewi Maya Puspita
Published: January 2023

Many projects in Indonesia have implemented new strategies in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Many projects suffered unexpected losses during the COVID-19 pandemic, and conditions were unpredictable. This situation must be considered by all stakeholders participating in a project. Another problem in the implementation of construction is the fragmentation between project participants. Therefore, a strategy is needed in each phase of the project life cycle. In the absence of proper planning, the contractor is the party responsible for bearing the risk associated with this occurrence. Improved project performance is a shared responsibility among owners, contractors, designers, and subcontractors, all of whom need to tap into their own sources of creativity and innovation. The potential of partnering as a tool for achieving lean construction performance, it is still in its infancy as a means of enhancing project outcomes. In this study, we used qualitative methods and in-depth interviews enhanced by focus group discussions of 14 experts (owners, designers, contractors, and academics) using the Delphi method. The results illustrate the maturity of partnering in integrated project delivery (IPD); therefore, its guiding philosophy can be developed and implemented to improve the outcomes of construction projects in terms of cost, quality, schedule, health and safety, and environmental performance. The most important part of this research is related to the implementation of the 17th goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), i.e., partnerships to achieve the goals. This research contributes to a deepening of partnering practices that can drive performance in project implementation.
A BIA-Based Quantitative Framework for Built Physical Asset Criticality Analysis under Sustainability and Resilience
Authors: Aghabegloo Mohsen , Rezaie Kamran , Torabi S. Ali , Khalili Seyed Mohammad
Published: January 2023

Asset-intensive industries, such as the construction industry, have experienced major catastrophes that have led to significant operational disruptions. Physical asset failure has been the primary cause of these disruptions. Therefore, implementing proper asset management plans, including continuity plans, is crucial for the business continuity of companies active in these industries. However, companies often face severe resource limitations when implementing these plans for all of their physical assets. Therefore, those critical physical assets that are vital for providing their key products should be identified. Moreover, sustainability and resilience are inseparable parts of organizations’ strategies, including strategic asset management plans. Therefore, any proposed ranking methodology for physical asset prioritization should encompass sustainability and resilience measures to ensure its practicality. This paper proposes a novel framework for physical asset criticality analysis based on the so-called business impact analysis to ensure the continuity of providing products/services through the continuity of physical assets. A hybrid fuzzy BWM-TOPSIS method is first applied to identify the key products. Then, a hybrid fuzzy DEMATEL-Bayesian network is applied based on proper sustainability and resilience factors to determine the critical physical assets, while interdependencies among these factors are well captured. The normalized expected asset criticality index is defined to guide managers in taking appropriate directions while developing asset management plans. A case study of a gas company is provided to show the applicability of the proposed decision model. The data needed for each step of the framework is gathered through experts’ judgments, historical data available on the sites, or quantitative risk assessment scenarios.
Acknowledgment to the Reviewers of Buildings in 2022
Authors:   Buildings Editorial Office
Published: January 2023

High-quality academic publishing is built on rigorous peer review [...]
Development of a New Nondestructive Method for the In-Situ Determination of Mortar Strength
Authors: Žalský Jiří , Vokáč Miroslav , Hrabánek Milan , Hurtig Karel
Published: January 2023

The determination of the load bearing capacity of masonry in existing structures is not an easy task, even for experienced surveyors. For its assessment, it is necessary to know the compressive strength of the masonry units and mortar. Relatively good destructive and non-destructive methods were developed for the determination of the compressive strength of masonry units. However, mortar compressive strength determination is currently closer to a rough estimation rather than a deterministic approach. All of the currently used methods are either complicated, have a limited application, or are based on the surveyor’s experience only. Influence of the human factor on the results of testing is significant. The paper introduces the development of a new non-destructive method, which eliminates the influence of the human factor. The method is supposed to work as quickly and as easily as the Schmidt hammer used for concrete structure surveys. The new instrument was created where the compressive strength of mortar is assessed by hammering a steel bar into a joint with constant energy, while the depth of penetration is measured. The impact energy is provided by a steel spring with a prescribed stiffness, and the loading is provided by an automatic system similar to those used in air-soft guns.
DNA and RNA Alterations Associated with Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases: A Systematic Review
Authors: Heuvelings Danique J. I. , Wintjens Anne G. W. E. , Luyten Julien , Wilmink Guus E. W. A. , Moonen Laura , Speel Ernst-Jan M. , de Hingh Ignace H. J. T. , Bouvy Nicole D. , Peeters Andrea
Published: January 2023

Background: As colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with peritoneal metastases (PM) have a poor prognosis, new treatment options are currently being investigated for CRC patients. Specific biomarkers in the primary tumor could serve as a prediction tool to estimate the risk of distant metastatic spread. This would help identify patients eligible for early treatment. Aim: To give an overview of previously studied DNA and RNA alterations in the primary tumor correlated to colorectal PM and investigate which gene mutations should be further studied. Methods: A systematic review of all published studies reporting genomic analyses on the primary tissue of CRC tumors in relation to PM was undertaken according to PRISMA guidelines. Results: Overall, 32 studies with 18,906 patients were included. BRAF mutations were analyzed in 17 articles, of which 10 found a significant association with PM. For all other reported genes, no association with PM was found. Two analyses with broader cancer panels did not reveal any new biomarkers. Conclusion: An association of specific biomarkers in the primary tumors of CRC patients with metastatic spread into peritoneum could not be proven. The role of BRAF mutations should be further investigated. In addition, studies searching for potential novel biomarkers are still required.
P-21 Activated Kinases in Liver Disorders
Authors: Qiu Xun , Xu Hanzhi , Wang Kai , Gao Fengqiang , Xu Xiao , He Hong
Published: January 2023

The p21 Activated Kinases (PAKs) are serine threonine kinases and play important roles in many biological processes, including cell growth, survival, cytoskeletal organization, migration, and morphology. Recently, PAKs have emerged in the process of liver disorders, including liver cancer, hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury, hepatitis, and liver fibrosis, owing to their effects in multiple signaling pathways in various cell types. Activation of PAKs promotes liver cancer growth and metastasis and contributes to the resistance of liver cancer to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, leading to poor survival of patients. PAKs also play important roles in the development and progression of hepatitis and other pathological processes of the liver such as fibrosis and ischemia-reperfusion injury. In this review, we have summarized the currently available studies about the role of PAKs in liver disorders and the mechanisms involved, and further explored the potential therapeutic application of PAK inhibitors in liver disorders, with the aim to provide a comprehensive overview on current progress and perspectives of PAKs in liver disorders.
Oncotherapeutic Strategies in Early Onset Colorectal Cancer
Authors: O’Reilly Mary , Linehan Anna , Krstic Aleksandar , Kolch Walter , Sheahan Kieran , Winter Des C. , Mc Dermott Ray
Published: January 2023

Early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC), defined as colorectal cancers in patients aged less than 50 years, is becoming an increasingly common issue, globally. Since 1994, the incidence of this condition has been rising by 2% annually. Approximately one in five patients under 50 years of age diagnosed with colorectal cancer have an underlying genetic predisposition syndrome. The detection of cancer among the other 80% of patients poses a considerable task, as there is no family history to advocate for commencing early screening in this group. Patients with EOCRC have distinct social, spiritual, fertility, and financial needs from their older counterparts that need to be addressed. This review discusses the risk factors associated with the development of EOCRC and current best practice for the management of this disease.
Distinct Clinicopathological Features and Prognostic Values of High-, Low-, or Non-Expressing HER2 Status in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Wu Zehua , Cheng Yi , Wang Huaiming , Liu Dian , Qi Xiaoxing , Wang Chao , Zhang Yuanzhe , Zhang Yuting , Cai Runkai , Huo Hong , Zhang Jianwei , Cai Yue , Li Weiwei , Hu Huabin , Deng Yanhong
Published: January 2023

The encouraging effects of HER2-ADC in patients with HER2-low expression cancers indicated the classical classifications based on positive and negative HER2 might no longer be suitable. However, the biology and prognosis of colorectal cancer patients with different HER2 expression status were still not clear. This is a multi-center retrospective study that included patients with histologically confirmed colorectal cancer and determined HER2 status who received radical surgical resection. HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) 1+ and IHC 2+ groups were combined and defined as a HER2-low group because of the concordance of clinicopathological characteristics. As compared with the HER2-high group, both the HER2-zero and the HER2-low group had less tumor with perineural invasion (14.3%, 13.1% vs. 31.6%, p = 0.001 and p < 0.001), less stage III disease (41.8%, 39.9% vs. 56.1%, p = 0.044 and p = 0.022), more RAS/BRAF mutation (52.1%, 49.9% vs. 19.5%, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001) and better disease-free survival (DFS) (3y-DFS rate of 78.7%, 82.4% vs. 59.3%, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis and propensity score matching also revealed that HER2-high expression was an independent prognostic factor of DFS. In conclusion, our study revealed that HER2-low colorectal cancer tumors are close to HER2-zero tumors, but different from HER2-high tumors. The routine examination of HER2 IHC is needed in early-stage colorectal cancer.
Optimal Systemic Treatment of Advanced Bladder Cancer Calls for a Multidisciplinary Approach
Authors: Pappot Helle , Ullén Anders
Published: January 2023

Although the bladder cancer treatment field is expanding with several new treatments introduced in the last decade, many patients with an advanced form of the disease can expect a poor prognosis when diagnosed [...]
Immunotherapy: Review of the Existing Evidence and Challenges in Breast Cancer
Authors: Hu Yun , Li Yan , Yao Zhangcheng , Huang Fenglin , Cai Hongzhou , Liu Hanyuan , Zhang Xiaoyi , Zhang Junying
Published: January 2023

Breast cancer (BC) is a representative malignant tumor that affects women across the world, and it is the main cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Although a large number of treatment methods have been developed for BC in recent years, the results are sometimes unsatisfying. In recent years, treatments of BC have been expanded with immunotherapy. In our article, we list some tumor markers related to immunotherapy for BC. Moreover, we introduce the existing relatively mature immunotherapy and the markers’ pathogenesis are involved. The combination of immunotherapy and other therapies for BC are introduced in detail, including the combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy, the combined use of immunosuppressants and chemotherapy drugs, immunotherapy and molecular targeted therapy. We summarize the clinical effects of these methods. In addition, this paper also makes a preliminary exploration of the combination of immunotherapy, radiotherapy, and nanotechnology for BC.
Photoactive Materials for the Catalytic Decomposition of Water Pollutants
Authors: Krasnodębska-Ostręga Beata , Miecznikowski Krzysztof
Published: January 2023

The use of UV and Vis light (in the form of solar energy) in the presence of semiconductor nanostructured materials as photocatalysts is effective for the adequate removal of a wide spectrum of pollutants (resistant to other degradation techniques) in various types of wastewater, which are important elements of the development of science related to photocatalysis [...]
Diastereo- and Enantioselective Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Tetrahydropyridines by Recyclable Novel Bifunctional C2-Symmetric Ionic Liquid–Supported (S)-Proline Organocatalyst
Authors: Davanagere Prabhakara Madivalappa , De Mrinmoy , Chanda Kaushik , Maiti Barnali
Published: January 2023

An efficient, novel bifunctional C2-symmetric ionic liquid–supported (S)-proline organocatalyst 7 was developed for a one-pot, five-component reaction involving β-keto esters 8, aryl aldehydes 9, and aryl amines 10, affording highly functionalized tetrahydropyridines 11a–o by simultaneous generation of fives bonds and two stereogenic centers with extraordinary diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to >99:1 dr, 95:5 er) in isopropanol with high yields (up to 92%). This protocol provides quick access to diverse enantio-enriched, highly functionalized diastereo- and enantioselective tetrahydropyridines in a green medium without any column chromatographic purification. The catalyst was recycled five times without significant loss of its catalytic activity.
Multiomics Study of a Novel Naturally Derived Small Molecule, NSC772864, as a Potential Inhibitor of Proto-Oncogenes Regulating Cell Cycle Progression in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Mokgautsi Ntlotlang , Kuo Yu-Cheng , Chen Chien-Hsin , Huang Yan-Jiun , Wu Alexander T. H. , Huang Hsu-Shan
Published: January 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent malignant tumors, and it contributes to high numbers of deaths globally. Although advances in understanding CRC molecular mechanisms have shed significant light on its pathogenicity, current treatment options, including combined chemotherapy and molecular-targeted agents, are still limited due to resistance, with almost 25% of patients developing distant metastasis. Therefore, identifying novel biomarkers for early diagnosis is crucial, as they will also influence strategies for new targeted therapies. The proto-oncogene, c-Met, a tyrosine kinase that promotes cell proliferation, motility, and invasion; c-MYC, a transcription factor associated with the modulation of the cell cycle, proliferation, apoptosis; and cyclin D1 (CCND1), an essential regulatory protein in the cell cycle, all play crucial roles in cancer progression. In the present study, we explored computational simulations through bioinformatics analysis and identified the overexpression of c-Met/GSK3β/MYC/CCND1 oncogenic signatures that were associated with cancer progression, drug resistance, metastasis, and poor clinical outcomes in CRC. We further demonstrated the anticancer activities of our newly synthesized quinoline-derived compound, NSC772864, against panels of the National Cancer Institute’s human CRC cell lines. The compound exhibited cytotoxic activities against various CRC cell lines. Using target prediction tools, we found that c-Met/GSK3β/MYC/CCND1 were target genes for the NSC772864 compound. Subsequently, we performed in silico molecular docking to investigate protein–ligand interactions and discovered that NSC772864 exhibited higher binding affinities with these oncogenes compared to FDA-approved drugs. These findings strongly suggest that NSC772864 is a novel and potential antiCRC agent.
TREM2 Regulates the Removal of Apoptotic Cells and Inflammatory Processes during the Progression of NAFLD
Authors: Liebold Imke , Meyer Simon , Heine Markus , Kuhl Anastasia , Witt Jennifer , Eissing Leah , Fischer Alexander , Koop Anja , Kluwe Johannes , Schulze zur Wiesch Julian , Wehmeyer Malte , Knippschild Uwe , Scheja Ludger , Heeren Joerg , Bosurgi Lidia , Worthmann Anna
Published: January 2023

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver pathology worldwide. In mice and humans, NAFLD progression is characterized by the appearance of TREM2-expressing macrophages in the liver. However, their mechanistic contributions to disease progression have not been completely elucidated. Here, we show that TREM2+ macrophages prevent the generation of a pro-inflammatory response elicited by LPS-laden lipoproteins in vitro. Further, Trem2 expression regulates bone-marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and Kupffer cell capacity to phagocyte apoptotic cells in vitro, which is dependent on CD14 activation. In line with this, loss of Trem2 resulted in an increased pro-inflammatory response, which ultimately aggravated liver fibrosis in murine models of NAFLD. Similarly, in a human NAFLD cohort, plasma levels of TREM2 were increased and hepatic TREM2 expression was correlated with higher levels of liver triglycerides and the acquisition of a fibrotic gene signature. Altogether, our results suggest that TREM2+ macrophages have a protective function during the progression of NAFLD, as they are involved in the processing of pro-inflammatory lipoproteins and phagocytosis of apoptotic cells and, thereby, are critical contributors for the re-establishment of liver homeostasis.
Sex-Specific Microglial Responses to Glucocerebrosidase Inhibition: Relevance to GBA1-Linked Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Brunialti Electra , Villa Alessandro , Toffoli Marco , Lucas Del Pozo Sara , Rizzi Nicoletta , Meda Clara , Maggi Adriana , Schapira Anthony H. V. , Ciana Paolo
Published: January 2023

Microglia are heterogenous cells characterized by distinct populations each contributing to specific biological processes in the nervous system, including neuroprotection. To elucidate the impact of sex-specific microglia heterogenicity to the susceptibility of neuronal stress, we video-recorded with time-lapse microscopy the changes in shape and motility occurring in primary cells derived from mice of both sexes in response to pro-inflammatory or neurotoxic stimulations. With this morpho-functional analysis, we documented distinct microglia subpopulations eliciting sex-specific responses to stimulation: male microglia tended to have a more pro-inflammatory phenotype, while female microglia showed increased sensitivity to conduritol-B-epoxide (CBE), a small molecule inhibitor of glucocerebrosidase, the enzyme encoded by the GBA1 gene, mutations of which are the major risk factor for Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Interestingly, glucocerebrosidase inhibition particularly impaired the ability of female microglia to enhance the Nrf2-dependent detoxification pathway in neurons, attenuating the sex differences observed in this neuroprotective function. This finding is consistent with the clinical impact of GBA1 mutations, in which the 1.5–2-fold reduced risk of developing idiopathic PD observed in female individuals is lost in the GBA1 carrier population, thus suggesting a sex-specific role for microglia in the etiopathogenesis of PD-GBA1.
Accessing the In Vivo Efficiency of Clinically Isolated Phages against Uropathogenic and Invasive Biofilm-Forming Escherichia coli Strains for Phage Therapy
Authors: Sanmukh Swapnil Ganesh , Admella Joana , Moya-Andérico Laura , Fehér Tamás , Arévalo-Jaimes Betsy Verónica , Blanco-Cabra Núria , Torrents Eduard
Published: January 2023

Escherichia coli is one of the most common members of the intestinal microbiota. Many of its strains are associated with various inflammatory infections, including urinary or gut infections, especially when displaying antibiotic resistance or in patients with suppressed immune systems. According to recent reports, the biofilm-forming potential of E. coli is a crucial factor for its increased resistance against antibiotics. To overcome the limitations of using antibiotics against resistant E. coli strains, the world is turning once more towards bacteriophage therapy, which is becoming a promising candidate amongst the current personalized approaches to target different bacterial infections. Although matured and persistent biofilms pose a serious challenge to phage therapy, they can still become an effective alternative to antibiotic treatment. Here, we assess the efficiency of clinically isolated phages in phage therapy against representative clinical uropathogenic and invasive biofilm-forming E. coli strains. Our results demonstrate that irrespective of host specificity, bacteriophages producing clear plaques with a high burst size, and exhibiting depolymerizing activity, are good candidates against biofilm-producing E. coli pathogens as verified from our in vitro and in vivo experiments using Galleria mellonella where survival was significantly increased for phage-therapy-treated larvae.