bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-Object Tracking Based on Re-Identification Enhancement and Associated Correction
Authors: Li Jiayue , Piao Yan
Published: August 2023

During the Multi-Object Tracking (MOT) process, the effectiveness of Re-Identification (Re-ID) is typically contingent upon the performance of detection. In particular, detection errors may result in the blurring of Re-ID features, thereby diminishing the efficacy of Re-ID. In particular, Re-ID exhibits poor robustness in intricate scenarios such as distance and scale alterations, occlusion, and crowding. Meanwhile, the frequent occurrence of object occlusion can result in the interruption of object tracking, thereby impacting the tracking efficiency. To address these issues, a novel MOT method approach that leverages Re-ID enhancement and association correction is proposed. Through an unanchored, one-stage backbone network with CenterNet as the detector, the object position is detected by predicting the heatmap of the object center point. A constraint on the Predicted Distance Difference Loss (PDDL) is then designed for the response value of the predicted heatmap, effectively enhancing the detection accuracy and reduce the detection bias. To address the issue of Re-ID reliance on detection accuracy and enhance its robustness, an Effective Feature Graph Convolutional Neural network (EFGCN) is proposed. This approach expands learnable effective features by constructing a graph model that enhances them through a GCN model of heatmap true value locations and surrounding response value locations. Additionally, a target trajectory Association Correction Module (ACM) is introduced in the association phase to handle interruptions and trajectory fragments caused by occlusion. By improving data association for tracking judgment when dealing with occluded targets and considering the relationship between trajectory fragmentation and the detection of low-scoring targets, attempts are made to continue with tracking occluded targets to form complete object associations. The proposed method is evaluated on the MOT16 and MOT17 datasets and compared with other algorithms. The results demonstrate that it is highly effective.
Humidity Conditions of Aerated Concrete Walls Depending on the Type of Finishing Coating
Authors: Frolov Mikhail Vladimirovich , Loganina Valentina Ivanovna , Zhuravleva Elena Alekseevna
Published: August 2023

A study was conducted to analyze how different types of plaster coatings affect the humidity levels in aerated concrete walls under varying climatic conditions. The suggestion is to utilize a specialized heat-insulating lime plaster designed specifically for finishing aerated concrete. It has been determined that the use of a specialized heat-insulating lime dry building mixture allows the temperature to be reduced at which condensate begins to fall in the enclosure by 1.5–7.0 °С. The research determined the amount of condensation that occurs during periods of negative outdoor temperatures in different climatic zones when using these walls. It has been established that the use of a specialized heat-insulating lime dry building mixture allows for some external walls to exclude the formation of condensate, while for others the amount of condensate falling out is reduced by 21.5–50.6%. Thus, it has been established that the use of a specialized heat-insulating lime dry building mixture significantly improves the moisture regime in the outer walls of aerated concrete.
A Novel Hybrid CSP-PV Power Plant Based on Brayton Supercritical CO2 Thermal Machines
Authors: Linares José Ignacio , Martín-Colino Arturo , Arenas Eva , Montes María José , Cantizano Alexis , Pérez-Domínguez José Rubén
Published: August 2023

A novel hybrid CSP-PV power plant is presented. Instead of the integration used in current hybrid power plants, where part of the PV production is charged into the thermal energy storage system through electrical resistors, the proposed system integrates both PV and thermal solar fields using a high-temperature heat pump. Both the heat pump and the heat engine are based on Brayton supercritical CO2 thermodynamic cycles. Such integration allows for charging the molten salt storage as if a central tower receiver field supplied the thermal energy, whereas parabolic trough collectors are employed. Unlike conventional hybrid plants, where the storage of PV production leads to a decrease in power injected into the grid throughout the day, the power injected by the proposed system remains constant. The heat engine efficiency is 44.4%, and the COP is 2.32. The LCOE for a 50 MWe plant with up to 12 h of storage capacity is USD 171/MWh, which is lower than that of existing CSP power plants with comparable performance. Although the cost is higher compared with a PV plant with batteries, this hybrid system offers two significant advantages: it eliminates the consumption of critical raw materials in batteries, and all the electricity produced comes from a synchronous machine.
A Novel Autonomous Landing Method for Flying–Walking Power Line Inspection Robots Based on Prior Structure Data
Authors: Zeng Yujie , Qin Xinyan , Li Bo , Lei Jin , Zhang Jie , Wang Yanqi , Feng Tianming
Published: August 2023

Hybrid inspection robots have been attracting increasing interest in recent years, and are suitable for inspecting long-distance overhead power transmission lines (OPTLs), combining the advantages of flying robots (e.g., UAVs) and climbing robots (e.g., multiple-arm robots). Due to the complex work conditions (e.g., power line slopes, complex backgrounds, wind interference), landing on OPTL is one of the most difficult challenges faced by hybrid inspection robots. To address this problem, this study proposes a novel autonomous landing method for a developed flying–walking power line inspection robot (FPLIR) based on prior structure data. The proposed method includes three main steps: (1) A color image of the target power line is segmented using a real-time semantic segmentation network, fusing the depth image to estimate the position of the power line. (2) The safe landing area (SLA) is determined using prior structure data, applying the trajectory planning method with geometric constraints to generate the dynamic landing trajectory. (3) The landing trajectory is tracked using real-time model predictive control (MPC), controlling FPLIR to land on the OPTL. The feasibility of the proposed method was verified in the ROS Gazebo environment. The RMSE values of the position along three axes were 0.1205,0.0976 and 0.0953, respectively, while the RMSE values of the velocity along these axes were 0.0426, 0.0345 and 0.0781. Additionally, experiments in a real environment using FPLIR were performed to verify the validity of the proposed method. The experimental results showed that the errors of position and velocity for the FPLIR landing on the lines were 6.18×10−2 m and 2.16×10−2 m/s. The simulation results as well as the experimental findings both satisfy the practical requirements. The proposed method provides a foundation for the intelligent inspection of OPTL in the future.
Coming Home (2014) and Its Symptoms
Authors: Lu Jun
Published: August 2023

This paper is an in-depth analysis of the Chinese movie Coming Home (2014), which mimics the way trauma works and brings the problem of memory into focus. I draw on a psychoanalytic perspective to interpret the storyline, characters, and metaphoric meaning embedded in the construction of the film. My analysis focuses on three symptoms displayed: forgetting, repetition, and historical void. As the most successful Cultural Revolution-related film in the Chinese-speaking world, Coming Home confronts the phenomenon of cultural amnesia and visualizes the subjective experience of struggling to remember.
Mechanism of the Record-Breaking Heatwave Event Dynamics in South America in January 2022
Authors: Zhang Bo , Xie Zhiang
Published: August 2023

Heatwaves in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) occur frequently but have received little attention over the years. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of a long-duration, wide-ranging, and high-intensity heatwave event in South America spanning from 9 to 16 January 2022. Before the heatwave occurred, the meridional sea surface temperature (SST) in the SH intensified due to the warming of the South Pacific, while the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) exhibited a positive phase. As a result, the intensified wave activities in the westerlies led to high-pressure anomalies in South America, which played a dominant role in the generation of the heatwave. The diagnostic analysis of thermodynamic equations in South America indicates that the temperature increase during the heatwave was primarily caused by the vertical advection term. In contrast, horizontal advection had a negative impact on surface warming. Additionally, the diabatic heating term associated with surface land types serves as a significant factor that cannot be disregarded. This study aims to deepen our understanding of the mechanisms underlying heatwave generation in South America, enabling the improved prediction of heatwaves and enhanced assessment of potential risks in the future.
Characteristics of Water Vapor Transport for Extreme Summer Precipitation in the Eastern Southwest China and Its Impact Mechanism
Authors: Li Yonghua , Wu Yao , Zhou Jie , Xiang Bo , He Juanxiong , Huang Dingan
Published: August 2023

To improve understanding of the characteristics of extreme summer rainfall and its water vapor transport in the eastern part of southwestern China (ESWC), this study analyzed data on daily precipitation from 118 meteorological stations in the ESWC from 1979 to 2020, as well as daily reanalysis data from ERA5 and daily reanalysis data from NCEP/NCAR. The study employed polynomial fitting, correlation, regression, clustering, and mixed single-particle Lagrangian trajectory (HYSPLITv5.0) modeling methods to simulate extreme summer precipitation and its water vapor transport characteristics in the ESWC and its possible formation mechanism. The results show that: (1) The contribution rate of extreme precipitation in the ESWC from 1979 to 2020 varied significantly on the interannual time scale. When the number of extreme precipitation days is high (low), the contribution rate of extreme precipitation is also high (low), while the contribution rate of general precipitation (the percentage of the sum of general precipitation to the total summer precipitation of that year) is often low (high). (2) When extreme precipitation occurs in the ESWC, compared with general precipitation, the high-level potential vortices are stronger, and the cold air from higher latitude is more likely to move southward. Meanwhile, the amount of water vapor input to the region is significantly larger than that of general precipitation. (3) There are four channels of water vapor sources in the ESWC during the period of extreme precipitation: the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, the western Pacific, and the northwest. The contribution of water vapor from the Bay of Bengal is the highest. The number of extreme summer precipitation days in the ESWC is significantly negatively correlated with the water vapor budget of the eastern boundary and positively correlated with Indian Ocean Basin-Wide (IOBW) index in the previous winter. (4) When the winter SST is high in the IOBW mode, it can cause the western Pacific subtropical high and the South Asian high to be stronger and shifted southward in summer, resulting in an increase in the number of extreme precipitation days in the ESWC.
Early Degenerative Changes in a Spontaneous Osteoarthritis Model Assessed by Nanoindentation
Authors: Davis Sarah , Zekonyte Jurgita , Karali Aikaterina , Roldo Marta , Blunn Gordon
Published: August 2023

Understanding early mechanical changes in articular cartilage (AC) and subchondral bone (SB) is crucial for improved treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to develop a method for nanoindentation of fresh, unfixed osteochondral tissue to assess the early changes in the mechanical properties of AC and SB. Nanoindentation was performed throughout the depth of AC and SB in the proximal tibia of Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs at 2 months, 3 months, and 2 years of age. The contralateral tibias were either histologically graded for OA or analyzed using immunohistochemistry. The results showed an increase in the reduced modulus (Er) in the deep zone of AC during early-stage OA (6.0 ± 1.75 MPa) compared to values at 2 months (4.04 ± 1.25 MPa) (*** p < 0.001). In severe OA (2-year) specimens, there was a significant reduction in Er throughout the superficial and middle AC zones, which correlated to increased ADAMTS 4 and 5 staining, and proteoglycan loss in these regions. In the subchondral bone, a 35.0% reduction in stiffness was observed between 2-month and 3-month specimens (*** p < 0.001). The severe OA age group had significantly increased SB stiffness of 36.2% and 109.6% compared to 2-month and 3-month-old specimens respectively (*** p < 0.001). In conclusion, this study provides useful information about the changes in the mechanical properties of both AC and SB during both early- and late-stage OA and indicates that an initial reduction in stiffness of the SB and an increase in stiffness in the deep zone of AC may precede early-stage cartilage degeneration.
Homogeneous Space Construction and Projection for Single-Cell Expression Prediction Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Yeh Chia-Hung , Chen Ze-Guang , Liou Cheng-Yue , Chen Mei-Juan
Published: August 2023

Predicting cellular responses to perturbations is an unsolved problem in biology. Traditional approaches assume that different cell types respond similarly to perturbations. However, this assumption does not take into account the context of genome interactions in different cell types, which leads to compromised prediction quality. More recently, deep learning models used to discover gene–gene relationships can yield more accurate predictions of cellular responses. The huge difference in biological information between different cell types makes it difficult for deep learning models to encode data into a continuous low-dimensional feature space, which means that the features captured by the latent space may not be continuous. Therefore, the mapping relationship between the two conditional spaces learned by the model can only be applied where the real reference data resides, leading to the wrong mapping of the predicted target cells because they are not in the same domain as the reference data. In this paper, we propose an information-navigated variational autoencoder (INVAE), a deep neural network for cell perturbation response prediction. INVAE filters out information that is not conducive to predictive performance. For the remaining information, INVAE constructs a homogeneous space of control conditions, and finds the mapping relationship between the control condition space and the perturbation condition space. By embedding the target unit into the control space and then mapping it to the perturbation space, we can predict the perturbed state of the target unit. Comparing our proposed method with other three state-of-the-art methods on three real datasets, experimental results show that INVAE outperforms existing methods in cell state prediction after perturbation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that filtering out useless information not only improves prediction accuracy but also reveals similarities in how genes in different cell types are regulated following perturbation.
Substrate Stiffness Modulates TGF-β Activation and ECM-Associated Gene Expression in Fibroblasts
Authors: Verma Brijesh Kumar , Chatterjee Aritra , Kondaiah Paturu , Gundiah Namrata
Published: August 2023

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a multifunctional cytokine that regulates the expression of ECM-associated genes during early injury. Tissue fibrosis development is driven by synergistic cues between the evolving biochemical and mechanical milieu. Few studies have addressed the role of substrate stiffness on TGF-β activity and extracellular matrix (ECM)-associated genes. We used a commercial formulation of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to fabricate substrates of 40 kPa, 300 kPa, and 1.5 MPa stiffness, and cultured the HMF3S fibroblasts on substrates. We quantified TGF-β protein secreted by HMF3S cells on different substrates using a TGF-β responsive promoter reporter assay. We also tested for variations in gene expression levels on the substrates using RT-PCR and Western blotting and determined the MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities with gelatin zymography. The results showed that TGF-β protein activation was significantly compromised at lower stiffnesses. The expression of integrin α5 decreased on lower stiffness substrates and correlated with inefficient TGF-β protein activation. Collagen I, collagen III, and MMP-2 expression levels were lower on softer substrates; there was little MMP-9 activity on all substrates. Cell and nuclear morphologies were more rounded on compliant substrates, correlating with increased tubulin expression. Proliferations were higher on stiffer substrates, whereas cells on softer substrates showed cell cycle arrest. These results demonstrated critical feedback mechanisms between substrate stiffness and ECM regulation by fibroblasts, relevant in fibrosis.
IgG Fc-Binding Peptide-Conjugated Pan-CoV Fusion Inhibitor Exhibits Extended In Vivo Half-Life and Synergistic Antiviral Effect When Combined with Neutralizing Antibodies
Authors: Su Xiaojie , Huang Ziqi , Xu Wei , Wang Qian , Xing Lixiao , Lu Lu , Jiang Shibo , Xia Shuai
Published: August 2023

The peptide-based pan-coronavirus fusion inhibitor EK1 is in phase III clinical trials, and it has, thus far, shown good clinical application prospects against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. To further improve its in vivo long-acting property, we herein developed an Fc-binding strategy by conjugating EK1 with human immunoglobulin G Fc-binding peptide (IBP), which can exploit the long half-life advantage of IgG in vivo. The newly engineered peptide IBP-EK1 showed potent and broad-spectrum inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, including various Omicron sublineages and other human coronaviruses (HCoVs) with low cytotoxicity. In mouse models, IBP-EK1 possessed potent prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy against lethal HCoV-OC43 challenge, and it showed good safety profile and low immunogenicity. More importantly, IBP-EK1 exhibited a significantly extended in vivo half-life in rhesus monkeys of up to 37.7 h, which is about 20-fold longer than that reported for EK1. Strikingly, IBP-EK1 displayed strong in vitro or ex vivo synergistic anti-HCoV effect when combined with monoclonal neutralizing antibodies, including REGN10933 or S309, suggesting that IBP-conjugated EK1 can be further developed as a long-acting, broad-spectrum anti-HCoV agent, either alone or in combination with neutralizing antibodies, to combat the current COVID-19 pandemic or future outbreaks caused by emerging and re-emerging highly pathogenic HCoVs.
Metyrapone Treatment Protects Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor Knockout Mice against Hypercorticosteronemia Development without Changing Atherosclerosis Susceptibility
Authors: van der Sluis Ronald J. , van den Aardweg Tim , Sijsenaar Timothy J. P. , Van Eck Miranda , Hoekstra Menno
Published: August 2023

The steroid 11beta-hydroxylase inhibitor metyrapone is able to effectively reverse the hypercortisolemia detected in human Cushing’s Syndrome patients. In this current preclinical study, we investigated whether metyrapone monotherapy can also reverse the hypercortisolemia-associated increase in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk. In this instance, female low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice fed a cholic acid-containing high cholesterol/high fat diet to induce the development of hypercorticosteronemia and atherosclerotic lesions were treated twice daily with 100 mg/kg metyrapone for 4 weeks. Metyrapone effectively protected against hypercorticosteronemia development with endpoint plasma corticosterone levels remaining 43% lower than in controls (p < 0.01). Gene expression analysis in livers and adrenals validated that glucocorticoid receptor signaling was also reduced. Importantly, metyrapone treatment did not impact plasma cholesterol levels or alter atherosclerotic plaque areas or lesional collagen contents. However, metyrapone induced significant systemic lymphocytopenia as evident from marked decreases in splenic white pulp contents and thymus weights (−48% and −41%, respectively; p < 0.001). In conclusion, we have shown that treatment with metyrapone diminishes hypercorticosteronemia without affecting atherosclerosis susceptibility in cholic acid-containing high cholesterol/high fat diet-fed low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice. These preclinical findings highlight that restoring plasma glucocorticoid levels to normal is not necessarily sufficient to overcome the cardiovascular co-morbidities associated with human Cushing’s disease.
Prospect of Mesenchymal Stem-Cell-Conditioned Medium in the Treatment of Acute Pancreatitis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Pang Ke , Kong Fanyi , Wu Dong
Published: August 2023

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have demonstrated potential in both clinical and pre-clinical research for mitigating tissue damage and inflammation associated with acute pancreatitis (AP) via paracrine mechanisms. Hence, there has been a recent surge of interest among researchers in utilizing MSC cultured medium (CM) and its components for the treatment of AP, which is recognized as the primary cause of hospitalization for gastrointestinal disorders globally. A systematic review was conducted by searching the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases. Studies that involve the administration of MSC-CM, extracellular vesicles/microvesicles (EVs/MVs), or exosomes to AP animal models are included. A total of six research studies, including eight experiments, were identified as relevant. The findings of this study provide evidence in favor of a beneficial impact of MSC-CM on both clinical and immunological outcomes. Nevertheless, prior to clinical trials, large animal models should be used and prolonged observation periods conducted in pre-clinical research. Challenges arise due to the lack of standardization and consensus on isolation processes, quantifications, and purity testing, making it difficult to compare reports and conduct meta-analyses in MSC-CM-based therapies.
Role of Citrullus colocynthis and Psidium guajava Mediated Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles in Disease Resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila Challenge in Labeo rohita
Authors: Hafeez Ramsha , Kanwal Zakia , Raza Muhammad Akram , Rasool Shafqat , Riaz Saira , Naseem Shahzad , Rabani Shifa , Haider Imran , Ahmad Naushad , Alomar Suliman Yousef
Published: August 2023

Green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles is an auspicious method of preparing nanoparticles using plant extracts that have lesser toxicity to animal cells and the host. In the present work, we analyzed the antibacterial activity of Citrullus colocynthis and Psidium guajava-mediated silver nanoparticles (Cc-AgNPs and Pg-AgNPs, respectively) against Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila) in an in vivo assay employing Labeo rohita (L. rohita). L. rohita were divided into six groups for both Cc-AgNPs and Pg-AgNPs treatments separately: Control, A. hydrophila infected, A. hydrophila + Ampicillin, A. hydrophila + Cc/Pg-AgNPs (25 µg/L), A. hydrophila + Cc/Pg-AgNPs (50 µg/L), and A. hydrophila + Cc/Pg-AgNPs (75 µg/L). Changes in different bio-indicators such as hematological, histological, oxidative stress, and cytokine analysis were observed. Interestingly, the infected fish treated with both types of AgNPs (Cc-AgNPs and Pg-AgNPs) exhibited a higher survival rate than the untreated infected fish and demonstrated signs of recovery from the infection, providing a compelling indication of the positive impact of phytosynthesized AgNPs. Disruptions in hematological and histological parameters were found in the infected fish. Both Cc-AgNPs and Pg-AgNPs showed recovery on the hematological and histological parameters. Analysis of oxidative stress and cytokine markers also revealed provoking evidence of the positive impact of Cc-AgNPs and Pg-AgNPs treatment against disease progression in the infected fish. The major finding of the study was that the higher concentrations of the nanoparticles (50 µg/L in the case of Cc-AgNPs and 75 µg/L in the case of Pg-AgNPs) were more effective in fighting against disease. In conclusion, our work presents novel insights for the use of green-synthesized AgNPs as economic and innocuous antibacterial candidates in aquaculture.
Is Spheroid a Relevant Model to Address Fibrogenesis in Keloid Research?
Authors: Dirand Zélie , Tissot Marion , Chatelain Brice , Viennet Céline , Rolin Gwenaël
Published: August 2023

Keloid refers to a fibro-proliferative disorder characterized by an accumulation of extracellular matrix at the dermis level, overgrowing beyond the initial wound and forming tumor-like nodule areas. The absence of treatment for keloid is clearly related to limited knowledge about keloid etiology. In vitro, keloids were classically studied through fibroblasts monolayer culture, far from keloid in vivo complexity. Today, cell aggregates cultured as 3D spheroid have gained in popularity as new tools to mimic tissue in vitro. However, no previously published works on spheroids have specifically focused on keloids yet. Thus, we hypothesized that spheroids made of keloid fibroblasts (KFs) could be used to model fibrogenesis in vitro. Our objective was to qualify spheroids made from KFs and cultured in a basal or pro-fibrotic environment (+TGF-β1). As major parameters for fibrogenesis assessment, we evaluated apoptosis, myofibroblast differentiation and response to TGF-β1, extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis, and ECM-related genes regulation in KFs spheroids. We surprisingly observed that fibrogenic features of KFs are strongly downregulated when cells are cultured in 3D. In conclusion, we believe that spheroid is not the most appropriate model to address fibrogenesis in keloid, but it constitutes an efficient model to study the deactivation of fibrotic cells.
Government Initiatives for Enhancing Building Information Modeling Adoption in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Algahtany Mohammed , Radzi Afiqah R. , Al-Mohammad Mohammad S. , Rahman Rahimi A.
Published: August 2023

Despite its numerous benefits, many countries are slow in adopting building information modeling (BIM). As a result, policymakers are implementing different government initiatives (GIs) for enhancing BIM adoption globally. However, it is critical to exercise caution when implementing GIs due to each country’s specific requirements and rules. Having country-specific GIs can ensure that BIM is appropriately adopted and fits a country’s needs and problems. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the GIs in enhancing BIM adoption in Saudi Arabia. Data from 101 industry professionals were analyzed using a mean ranking analysis, normalization method, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE). Five critical GIs for enhancing BIM adoption were identified: developing programs for improving BIM competencies, developing programs to increase BIM awareness and understanding, developing programs to integrate BIM into education curricula and academia, developing BIM-related contractual frameworks, and providing financial aid to reduce the cost of BIM adoption. The EFA results indicate that the GIs can be grouped into two underlying constructs: national policies and organizational strategies. The FSE results confirmed that all GIs are effective. The study findings can serve as a significant reference for industry practitioners and policymakers in assuring successful BIM adoption.
Weight Optimization of Discrete Truss Structures Using Quantum-Based HS Algorithm
Authors: Lee Seungjae , Ha Junhong , Shon Sudeok , Lee Donwoo
Published: August 2023

Recently, a new field that combines metaheuristic algorithms and quantum computing has been created and is being applied to optimization problems in various fields. However, the application of quantum computing-based metaheuristic algorithms to the optimization of structural engineering is insufficient. Therefore, in this paper, we tried to optimize the weight of the truss structure using the QbHS (quantum-based harmony search) algorithm, which combines quantum computing and conventional HS (harmony search) algorithms. First, the convergence performance according to the parameter change of the QbHS algorithm was compared. The parameters selected for the comparison of convergence performance are QHMS, QHMCR, QPAR, ϵ, and θr. The selected parameters were compared using six benchmark functions, and the range for deriving the optimal convergence performance was found. In addition, weight optimization was performed by applying it to a truss structure with a discrete cross-sectional area. The QbHS algorithm derived a lower weight than the QEA (quantum-inspired evolutionary algorithm) and confirmed that the convergence performance was better. A new algorithm that combines quantum computing and metaheuristic algorithms is required for application to various engineering problems, and this effort is essential for the expansion of future algorithm development.
Textile Membranes Reused as a Tool for Noise Control
Authors: Morandi Alvise , Monticelli Carol
Published: August 2023

Textile membranes are an architectural solution used for their maximal lightness, efficiency and adaptability. Unfortunately, once they reach their end-of-life phase, it is difficult to recover them. To be disposed of, they undergo very expensive and often difficult recycling processes. Their reuse as an acoustic treatment and reverberation control system is a solution to creating a light, economical and effective acoustic system that also solves the difficult end-of-life scenario. The membranes take on the role of acoustic diffusers, elements that, through their geometric conformation, can control the behavior of sound. The structure of the system allows the acoustics of the interior spaces to be conditioned through some peculiar characteristics that are influenced, in part, by the material they are made of but above all by their shape. By cutting and joining the membranes, a modular and repeatable element is created, which, in combination with others, enables the creation of an acoustic control device capable of competing with traditional acoustic treatment systems without the use of newly produced materials. The optimized shape of the membranes is the variable responsible for the effective reduction in reverberation times: 2.2 s compared to the initial value of 7.5 without the textile membranes.
Timber Construction Regulations in Brazil: A Perspective from Its National Industry of Timber Houses
Authors: De Araujo Victor , Vasconcelos Juliano , Morales Elen , Barbosa Juliana , Gava Maristela , Faustino Emerson , Santos Herisson , Arroyo Felipe , Serra Sheyla , Paliari José , Christoforo André , Lahr Francisco , Garcia José
Published: August 2023

Codes of practices and standards for products and activities are available regulations for global sectors, although they are dedicated to national scopes such as civil construction in Brazil. These regulations align with industry compliance as they establish mandatory or voluntary issues. Brazilian developers must properly regard construction regulations, which mostly dedicated to concrete and steel buildings but rarely to timber buildings. Through construction regulations, the production of timber buildings can become more standardized and scalable to ensure the steady quality of finished products. From this perspective, this paper evaluated Brazil’s timber housing production sector’s utilization and access to procedures, standards, guidelines, certifications, and seals. A standardized questionnaire was designed and refined to analyze this local perspective. Face-to-face interviews with sampled companies were conducted using a randomized sampling procedure. The margin of error was obtained using significant sampling of this sector. The findings evinced that most Brazilian developers underuse timber building regulations in their production and management practices and still need to familiarize themselves with this important subject. The codes must establish requirements for each timber construction technique to represent different technologies and also specify particularities and added performances to suit varied projects.
No Clear Clustering Dysbiosis from Salivary Microbiota Analysis by Long Sequencing Reads in Patients Affected by Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Single Center Study
Authors: Mauceri Rodolfo , Coppini Martina , Vacca Davide , Bertolazzi Giorgio , Cancila Valeria , Tripodo Claudio , Campisi Giuseppina
Published: August 2023

Background: Advancements in DNA sequencing technology have facilitated the assessment of the connection between the oral microbiome and various diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the salivary microbiota composition employing for the first time in the literature the Oxford Nanopore Technology in patients affected by oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods: Unstimulated saliva samples of 31 patients were collected (24 OSCC patients and 7 controls). DNA was extracted using the QIAamp DNA Blood Kit and metagenomic long sequencing reads were performed using the MinION device. Results: In the OSCC group, 13 were males and 11 were females, with a mean age of 65.5 ± 13.9 years; in the control group, 5 were males and 2 were females, with a mean age of 51.4 ± 19.2 years. The border of the tongue was the most affected OSCC site. The microorganisms predominantly detected in OSCC patients were Prevotella, Chlamydia, Tissierellia, Calothrix, Leotiomycetes, Firmicutes and Zetaproteobacteria. Conclusions: This study confirmed the predominance of periodontopathic bacteria in the salivary microbiome in the OSCC group. If a direct correlation between oral dysbiosis and OSCC onset was proven, it could lead to new prevention strategies and early diagnostic tools.
Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres Is Rare in Canine Histiocytic Sarcoma
Authors: Kreilmeier-Berger Theresa , Aupperle-Lellbach Heike , Reifinger Martin , Hörstke Nicolai Valentin , Holzmann Klaus , Kleiter Miriam
Published: August 2023

Cancer cells activate telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMMs) to overcome senescence and thus are targets for TMM-specific therapies. Telomerase-independent alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) is frequently utilized as a TMM in human sarcoma subtypes. Histiocytic sarcoma (HS) is a rare but aggressive tumor of hematopoietic origin with unknown ALT incidence in humans. ALT has been identified in canine HS, a tumor type comparable to human HS that occurs with high rates in certain canine breeds such as Bernese mountain dogs (BMDs). This retrospective study characterized the frequency of ALT in BMD and non-BMD patients diagnosed with HS as surrogates for humans. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor samples from 63 dogs at two centers, including 47 BMDs, were evaluated for their ALT activity and relative telomere content (TC) using a radiolabel C-circle assay (CCA). Known ALT-positive samples served as controls. CCA-positive cases were validated via FISH. Two BMD samples showed ALT activity of 1–14% compared to controls. All other samples were ALT-negative. The TC did not correlate with the CCA results. ALT positivity was validated by the appearance of ultrabright telomere foci. Low ALT activity was present in 4% of BMDs with HS and therefore does not appear to be a common target for therapeutic approaches but can have diagnostic value.
Studies to Assess the Utility of Serum Neurofilament Light Chain as a Biomarker in Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Authors: Cavaletti Guido , Pizzamiglio Chiara , Man Albert , Engber Thomas M. , Comi Cristoforo , Wilbraham Darren
Published: August 2023

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is one of the most common and disabling dose-limiting toxicities of chemotherapy. We report here the results of two separate non-interventional studies (49 patients), which evaluated blood neurofilament light chain (NfL) as a biomarker of CIPN in breast cancer patients treated with paclitaxel. All patients underwent a standard treatment protocol that was established independently of the present studies. NfL was measured in serum using an ultrasensitive single-molecule array and compared with the self-administered European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-CIPN twenty-item scale (CIPN20) and Total Neuropathy Score clinical version (TNSc), a clinician-reported measure of neuropathy progression. The TNSc increased with cumulative dose compared with baseline, and the NfL concentrations were also strongly associated with the cumulative dose of chemotherapy. The analysis showed a correlation between TNSc and NfL. Both TNSc and NfL showed weak to moderate associations with CIPN20 subscores, with a better association for the CIPN20 sensory compared with motor and autonomic subscores. Data from the two studies provide evidence that serum NfL has the potential to be used as a biomarker to monitor and mitigate CIPN. However, studies with additional patients planned in the ongoing clinical trial will determine the universal application of NfL as a biomarker in CIPN.
Classification of Brainstem Gliomas Based on Tumor Microenvironment Status
Authors: Xiao Xiong , Li Xiaoou , Wang Yi , Pan Changcun , Zhang Peng , Gu Guocan , Li Tian , Jiang Zhuang , Zhang Yang , Zhang Liwei
Published: August 2023

The inter-tumor heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and how it correlates with clinical profiles and biological characteristics in brainstem gliomas (BSGs) remain unknown, dampening the development of novel therapeutics against BSGs. The TME status was determined with a list of pan-cancer conserved gene expression signatures using a single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) and was subsequently clustered via consensus clustering. BSGs exhibited a high inter-tumor TME heterogeneity and were classified into four clusters: “immune-enriched, fibrotic”, “immune-enriched, non-fibrotic”, “fibrotic”, and “depleted”. The “fibrotic” cluster had a higher proportion of diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (p = 0.041), and “PA-like” tumors were more likely to be “immune-enriched, fibrotic” (p = 0.044). The four TME clusters exhibited distinct overall survival (p < 0.001) and independently impacted BSG outcomes. A four-gene panel as well as a radiomics approach were constructed to identify the TME clusters and achieved high accuracy for determining the classification. Together, BSGs exhibited high inter-tumor heterogeneity in the TME and were classified into four clusters with distinct clinical outcomes and tumor biological properties. The TME classification was accurately identified using a four-gene panel that can potentially be examined with the immunohistochemical method and a non-invasive radiomics method, facilitating its clinical application.
Research Progress of Surface Treatment Technologies on Titanium Alloys: A Mini Review
Authors: Xie Bingyu , Gao Kai
Published: August 2023

Titanium alloys are important strategic structural materials with broad application prospects in the industries of aerospace, space technology, automobiles, biomedicine, and more. Considering the different requirements for the diverse applications of titanium alloys, the modification of physicochemical properties, mechanical properties, and biocompatibility are required, including novel composite materials, novel design, novel manufacturing methods, etc. In this review, the surface treatment technologies utilized on titanium alloys are summarized and discussed. Regarding surface modification of titanium alloys, the methods of laser treatment, electron beam treatment, surface quenching, and plasma spraying are discussed, and in terms of the surface coatings on titanium alloys, thermal spraying, cold spraying, physical vapor deposition, and chemical vapor deposition are also summarized and analyzed in this work. After surface treatments, information on microstructures, mechanical properties, and biocompatibility of titanium alloys are collected in detail. Some important results are summarized according to the aforementioned analysis and discussion, which will provide new thinking for the application of titanium alloys in the future.
Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Alginate Edible Coatings Incorporated with Plant Extracts
Authors: Lopes Ana , Melo Adma , Caleja Cristina , Pereira Eliana , Finimundy Tiane , Afonso Tiago , Silva Sara , Ivanov Marija , Soković Marina , Tavaria Freni , Barros Lillian , Pintado Manuela
Published: August 2023

Plant extracts (PEs) are natural substances that perform interesting bioactivities. However, they have some limitations. In this work, PEs from licorice, eucalyptus, sage, and thyme were produced and characterized. These extracts showed good bioactive properties. Alginate-based edible coatings and films incorporated with the extracts were produced and their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties were determined. The results showed that the coatings completely inhibited or reduced the growth of all bacteria (E. coli, P. aeruginosa, B. cereus, L. monocytogenes, and S. aureus), except the coating with sage extract. However, only the films incorporated with licorice and eucalyptus could inhibit the growth of Gram-positive bacteria and none of the films were able to inhibit Gram-negative bacteria. The film incorporated with sage extract was the one with the best antifungal property. All films possess a good antioxidant property (ABTS: 942.52–5654.62; DPPH: 1040.67–5162.93 Trolox equivalents (µM)/mg film). Based on the results, it is possible to conclude that alginate coatings and films with PEs present good bioactive properties and can potentially be used as new, biodegradable packages. However, further experiments need to be performed to assess their safety profile, and to prove that they can be a real alternative to traditional food packaging.
Non-Collinear Phase in Rare-Earth Iron Garnet Films near the Compensation Temperature
Authors: Suslov Dmitry A. , Vetoshko Petr M. , Mashirov Alexei V. , Taskaev Sergei V. , Polulyakh Sergei N. , Berzhansky Vladimir N. , Shavrov Vladimir G.
Published: August 2023

The experimental discovery of the suppression effect of the non-collinear phase in strong magnetic fields near the compensation point in ferrimagnetic structures was made. The observations were carried out using the magneto-optical method by creating a lateral temperature gradient in the plane of the epitaxial films of iron garnets. The non-collinear phase is absent in weak magnetic fields. If an external magnetic field exceeds the first critical value, the non-collinear phase arises near the compensation point. The temperature range of the non-collinear phase expands due to the field increase up to the second critical value. Further field increases conversely reduce the temperature range of the non-collinear phase so that the field above the second critical value causes the disappearance of the non-collinear phase. The effect of the occurrence and suppression of the non-collinear phase is demonstrated on samples of two types of iron garnet films with two and three magnetic sublattices. Phase diagrams of the magnetic states in the vicinity of the critical point are constructed, and it is shown that the region of existence of the non-collinear phase in a two-sublattice magnet is smaller than in a three-sublattice one.
Case Report: A Presentation of Early-Onset Immune-Mediated Bullous Pemphigoid in a Patient with Urothelial Cancer
Authors: Sabaté Ortega Josep , Fort Culillas Roser , Escoda Garcia Marina , Vásquez-Dongo Carmen Amalia , Sala González Núria
Published: August 2023

Cutaneous immune-related adverse events (cirAEs) are the most common side effects of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy (30–50% for all grades). The vast majority of them are low or mild and can be treated without ICI interruption. Autoimmune blistering disorders, such as immune-mediated bullous pemphigoid (IBP), are rare (<1%) but potentially serious conditions that must be early detected. The onset generally occurs within the first months of the treatment, and it appears to be more common with antiprogrammed death-1 or antiprogrammed ligand 1 (anti-PD1/PDL1) than with anticytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (anti-CTLA4). We present a case of a three-day severe IBP onset after receiving the first cycle of atezolizumab. This exceptional early presentation could suggest the presence of some predisposing condition and demonstrates the need to better understand predictive toxicity-related biomarkers in candidate patients for immunotherapy.
Enhancing Small Tabular Clinical Trial Dataset through Hybrid Data Augmentation: Combining SMOTE and WCGAN-GP
Authors: Wang Winston , Pai Tun-Wen
Published: August 2023

This study addressed the challenge of training generative adversarial networks (GANs) on small tabular clinical trial datasets for data augmentation, which are known to pose difficulties in training due to limited sample sizes. To overcome this obstacle, a hybrid approach is proposed, combining the synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) to initially augment the original data to a more substantial size for improving the subsequent GAN training with a Wasserstein conditional generative adversarial network with gradient penalty (WCGAN-GP), proven for its state-of-art performance and enhanced stability. The ultimate objective of this research was to demonstrate that the quality of synthetic tabular data generated by the final WCGAN-GP model maintains the structural integrity and statistical representation of the original small dataset using this hybrid approach. This focus is particularly relevant for clinical trials, where limited data availability due to privacy concerns and restricted accessibility to subject enrollment pose common challenges. Despite the limitation of data, the findings demonstrate that the hybrid approach successfully generates synthetic data that closely preserved the characteristics of the original small dataset. By harnessing the power of this hybrid approach to generate faithful synthetic data, the potential for enhancing data-driven research in drug clinical trials become evident. This includes enabling a robust analysis on small datasets, supplementing the lack of clinical trial data, facilitating its utility in machine learning tasks, even extending to using the model for anomaly detection to ensure better quality control during clinical trial data collection, all while prioritizing data privacy and implementing strict data protection measures.
Cardiac Metastasis from Prostate Cancer: A Case Study Underlying the Crucial Role of the PSMA PET/CT
Authors: Gandini Annalice , Bauckneht Matteo , Sofia Luca , Tomasello Laura , Fornarini Giuseppe , Zanardi Elisa
Published: August 2023

Prostate cancer still represents one of the most frequent cancers and causes of death worldwide, despite the huge therapeutic advances in the last decades. The introduction into clinical practice of prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PSMA PET/CT) has significantly improved diagnostic capacity, allowing for the identification of lesions previously undetectable. The case we are presenting is about a 90-year-old man affected by metastatic prostate cancer and treated with hormonal therapies. At the second progression, the restaging with PSMA PET/CT pointed out a millimetric cardiac intra-atrial metastasis, on which little/scarce literature data are still available. On one hand, this finding confirms the high sensitivity of this technique, which should be preferred over traditional imaging. On the other hand, it suggests that introducing next-generation imaging into clinical practice may provide novel insights about prostate cancer metastatic spread.