bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CHECGAIT: A Functional Electrical Stimulation Clinical Pathway to Reduce Foot Drop during Walking in Adult Patients with Upper Motor Neuron Lesions
Authors: Areno Gilles , Chantraine Frédéric , Schreiber Céline , Masson Xavier , Classen Tanja , Pereira José Alexandre Carvalho , Dierick Frédéric
Published: August 2023

Foot drop during the swing phase of gait and at initial foot contact is a current kinematic abnormality that can occur following an upper motor neuron (UMN) lesion. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the common peroneal nerve through an assistive device is often used in neuro-rehabilitation to help patients regain mobility. Although there are FES-specific guideline recommendations, it remains a challenge for clinicians to appropriately select patients eligible for the daily use of FES devices, as very few health insurance systems cover its cost in Europe. In Luxembourg, since 2018, successfully completing an FES clinical pathway called CHECGAIT is a prerequisite to receiving financial coverage for FES devices from the national health fund (Caisse Nationale de Santé—CNS). This study describes the structure and steps of CHECGAIT and reports our experience with a cohort of 100 patients enrolled over a three-year period. The clinical and gait outcomes of all patients were retrospectively quantified, and a specific analysis was performed to highlight differences between patients with and without an FES device prescription at the end of a CHECGAIT. Several significant gait differences were found between these groups. These results and CHECGAIT may help clinicians to better select patients who can most benefit from this technology in their daily lives. In addition, CHECGAIT could provide significant savings to public health systems by avoiding unnecessary deliveries of FES devices.
Assessing Barriers and Facilitators for Implementing Clinical Practice Guidelines in Middle Eastern and North African Region: Delphi Study
Authors: Almazrou Saja H. , Almoajil Hajar , Alghamdi Sara , Althenyan Ghadeer , Alqahtani Abdulhadi , Amer Yasser Sami
Published: August 2023

Background: Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) improve clinical decision making and patient outcomes, but CPG implementation is poor. The success of CPGs is influenced by several factors related to barriers and facilitators. For this reason, it can be extremely useful to explore key barriers and facilitators of CPG implementation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Methods: A three-round Delphi study was performed using the input of 30 experts involved in the clinical practice guidelines. In the first two rounds, participants were asked to score each statement relevant to barriers or facilitators for CPG implementation on a five-point Likert scale. These statements were identified from existing systematic reviews and expert input. In round three, participants ranked the most important barriers and facilitators identified from rounds one and two. A descriptive analysis was conducted on the barrier and facilitators statements using frequencies, percentages, and medians to summarize the variables collected. Results: We identified 10 unique barriers and 13 unique facilitators to CPG implementation within the MENA region. The two highest-ranked barriers related to communications and available research and skills. The most important facilitator was the availability of training courses for healthcare professionals. Conclusions: Key barriers and facilitators to the implementation of clinical practice guidelines seem to exist in professional, organizational, and external contexts, which should all be taken into account in order to increase implementation success within MENA region. The results of this study are useful in the design of future implementation strategies aimed at overcoming the barriers and leveraging the facilitators.
Chitosan-Based High-Intensity Modification of the Biodegradable Substitutes for Cancellous Bone
Authors: Kołakowska Anna , Kołbuk Dorota , Chwojnowski Andrzej , Rafalski Andrzej , Gadomska-Gajadhur Agnieszka
Published: August 2023

An innovative approach to treating bone defects is using synthetic bone substitutes made of biomaterials. The proposed method to obtain polylactide scaffolds using the phase inversion technique with a freeze extraction variant enables the production of substitutes with morphology similar to cancellous bone (pore size 100–400 µm, open porosity 94%). The high absorbability of the implants will enable their use as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) carriers in future medical devices. Surface modification by dipping enabled the deposition of the hydrophilic chitosan (CS) layer, maintaining good bone tissue properties and high absorbability (850% dry weight). Introducing CS increases surface roughness and causes local changes in surface free energy, promoting bone cell adhesion. Through this research, we have developed a new and original method of low-temperature modification of PLA substitutes with chitosan. This method uses non-toxic reagents that do not cause changes in the structure of the PLA matrix. The obtained bone substitutes are characterised by exceptionally high hydrophilicity and morphology similar to spongy bone. In vitro studies were performed to analyse the effect of morphology and chitosan on cellular viability. Substitutes with properties similar to those of cancellous bone and which promote bone cell growth were obtained.
Classical Prognostic Factors Predict Prognosis Better than Inflammatory Indices in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: Results of a Comprehensive Observational Study including Tumor-, Patient-, and Treatment-Related Data (ESTHER Study)
Authors: Ferioli Martina , Benini Anna , Malizia Claudio , Forlani Ludovica , Medici Federica , Laghi Viola , Ma Johnny , Galuppi Andrea , Cilla Savino , Buwenge Milly , Macchia Gabriella , Zamagni Claudio , Tagliaferri Luca , Perrone Anna Myriam , De Iaco Pierandrea , Strigari Lidia , Morganti Alessio Giuseppe , Arcelli Alessandra
Published: August 2023

Systemic inflammation indices were found to be correlated with therapeutic outcome in several cancers. This study retrospectively analyzes the predictive role of a broad range of systemic inflammatory markers in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) including patient-, tumor-, and treatment-related potential prognostic factors. All patients underwent definitive chemoradiation and pretreatment values of several inflammatory indices (neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio, monocyte/lymphocyte ratio, systemic immune inflammation index (SII), leukocyte/lymphocyte ratio, combination of platelet count and NLR, aspartate aminotransferase/platelet ratio index, aspartate aminotransferase/lymphocyte ratio index, systemic inflammatory response index, and aspartate transaminase/neutrophil ratio index) were calculated. Their correlation with local control (LC), distant metastasis-free (DMFS), disease-free (DFS), and overall survival (OS) was analyzed. One hundred and seventy-three patients were included. At multivariable analysis significant correlations were recorded among clinical outcomes and older age, advanced FIGO stage, lower hemoglobin levels, larger tumor size, and higher body mass index values. The multivariate analysis showed only the significant correlation between higher SII values and lower DMFS rates (p < 0.01). Our analysis showed no significant correlation between indices and DSF or OS. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of inflammation indices as candidates for inclusion in predictive models in this clinical setting.
Towards a Regenerative Role of Cultural Heritage in Climate Resilience; the Case of the Indian Water Infrastructure Heritage
Authors: Rajabi Mehrnaz
Published: August 2023

Despite great efforts in facing climate change challenges—especially by the UN Paris Agreement, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and companion documents (Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the New Urban Agenda)—generally speaking, current policies on climate change and Disaster Risk Reduction at both national and international levels have not yet been centrally positioned in respective plans for heritage, and cultural heritage still does not have a central role in such policies. The main aim of this paper is to explore the culture/cultural heritage’s complex interrelationship with climate change by delving into critical issues/gaps and recommendatory encounters of heritage framework in climate change framework and vice versa at the international level and an example in India. Accordingly, this paper showcases a type of Indian Water Infrastructure Heritage; Stepwells, traditional underground water management systems in arid western India which, unfortunately, with modernization, lost their original function and hence, nowadays, most are abandoned. Thus, by the situational analysis of such an Indian urban-scale type of heritage, this paper concludes with critical reflections on the necessity of the systemic relationship among sustainability, conservation, and development, especially in practice and the need to recall the notion of sustainability again.
Review of the Preparation and Application of Porous Materials for Typical Coal-Based Solid Waste
Authors: Du Jinsong , Ma Aiyuan , Wang Xingan , Zheng Xuemei
Published: August 2023

The discharge and accumulation of coal-based solid waste have caused great harm to the ecological environment recently. Coal-based solid wastes, such as coal gangue and fly ash, are rich in valuable components, such as rare earth elements (REY), silicon dioxide, alkali metal oxides, and transition metal oxides, which can be used to synthesize various functional Si-based porous materials. This article systematically summarizes the physicochemical characteristics and general processing methods of coal gangue and fly ash and reviews the progress in the application of porous materials prepared from these two solid wastes in the fields of energy and environmental protection, including the following: the adsorption treatment of heavy metal ions, ionic dyes, and organic pollutants in wastewater; the adsorption treatment of CO2, SO2, NOx, and volatile organic compounds in waste gas; the energy regeneration of existing resources, such as waste plastics, biomass, H2, and CO; and the preparation of Li–Si batteries. Combining the composition, structure, and action mechanism of various solid-waste-based porous materials, this article points out their strengths and weaknesses in the above applications. Furthermore, ideas for improvements in the applications, performance improvement methods, and energy consumption reduction processes of typical solid-waste-based porous materials are presented in this article. These works will deepen our understanding of the application of solid-waste-based porous materials in wastewater treatment, waste gas treatment, energy regeneration, and other aspects, as well as providing assistance for the integration of new technologies into solid-waste-based porous material preparation industries, and providing new ideas for reducing and reusing typical Chinese solid waste resources.
Study on the Adsorption Deformation of a Substrate via Spin Coating Based on the 3D-DIC Method and Its Effect on the Homogeneity of Perovskite Films
Authors: Ren Chunhua , Zhou Zhishun , Cao Shuming , Jiao Mengting , Xue Dongyang
Published: August 2023

The physical and chemical stability of perovskite films has always been a key issue for their industrialization, which has been extensively studied in terms of materials, environment, and encapsulation. Spin coating is one of the most commonly used methods for the preparation of perovskite films in research. However, little attention has been paid to the deformation state of the substrate when it is fixed by means of adsorption and its impact. In this work, the three-dimensional digital image correlation (3D-DIC) method and hyperspectral technology are used to acquire and analyze the adsorption deformation characteristics of the substrate during spin coating, as well as the resulting inhomogeneity. Plastic and four different thicknesses of float glass (0.2, 0.5, 0.7, 1.1 mm) were selected as substrates, and they were tested separately on two suction cups with different structures. The results show that the plastic and 0.2 mm specimens exhibit obvious strain localization behavior. The distribution and magnitude of the strain are affected by the size of the sucker structure, especially the width of the groove. For glass specimens, this effect shows a nonlinear decrease with increasing substrate thickness. Compared to the strain value, the irregularity of local deformation has a greater impact on the non-uniform distribution of materials. Finally, inhomogeneities in the perovskite films were observed through optical lens and hyperspectral data. Obviously, the deformation of the substrate caused by adsorption should attract the attention of researchers, especially for flexible or rigid substrates with low thickness. This may affect the centrifugal diffusion path of the precursor, causing microstructure inhomogeneity and residual stress, etc.
Structural, Electronic, and Mechanical Properties of Zr2SeB and Zr2SeN from First-Principle Investigations
Authors: Bai Xiaojing , Chen Ke , Luo Kan , Qiu Nianxiang , Huang Qing , Han Qi , Liang Haijing , Zhang Xiaohong , Bai Chengying
Published: August 2023

MAX phases have exhibited diverse physical properties, inspiring their promising applications in several important research fields. The introduction of a chalcogen atom into a phase of MAX has further facilitated the modulation of their physical properties and the extension of MAX family diversity. The physical characteristics of the novel chalcogen-containing MAX 211 phase Zr2SeB and Zr2SeN have been systematically investigated. The present investigation is conducted from a multi-faceted perspective that encompasses the stability, electronic structure, and mechanical properties of the system, via the employment of the first-principles density functional theory methodology. By replacing C with B/N in the chalcogen-containing MAX phase, it has been shown that their corresponding mechanical properties are appropriately tuned, which may offer a way to design novel MAX phase materials with enriched properties. In order to assess the dynamical and mechanical stability of the systems under investigation, a thorough evaluation has been carried out based on the analysis of phonon dispersions and elastic constants conditions. The predicted results reveal a strong interaction between zirconium and boron or nitrogen within the structures of Zr2SeB and Zr2SeN. The calculated band structures and electronic density of states for Zr2SeB and Zr2SeN demonstrate their metallic nature and anisotropic conductivity. The theoretically estimated Pugh and Poisson ratios imply that these phases are characterized by brittleness.
Green Synthesis of a Carbon Quantum Dots-Based Superhydrophobic Membrane for Efficient Oil/Water Separation
Authors: Almufarij Rasmiah Saad , Mohamed Mohamed Elshahat
Published: August 2023

The efficient separation of oil and water is a significant challenge worldwide due to the increasing frequency of industrial oily wastewater. Previous work by our group utilizes biological metal–organic framework-based superhydrophobic (S.P) textile fabric for oil/water separation. However, this system is limited due to the low mechanical stability, so there is a need for producing a more robust S.P membrane for oil/water separation. In this study, we report on the synthesis of carbon quantum dots (CQD) from banana leaves via a hydrothermal process and their application in producing a robust S.P coating on textile fabric for oil/water separation. The CQDs were characterized using various techniques including TEM, XRD, absorbance spectroscopy, and the BET method. The TEM images showed that the CQDs were circular in shape with a size of 4.4 nm, while the XRD micrograph indicated that the CQDs were crystalline in nature. The UV–vis graph showed a peak at a wavelength of 278 nm, suggesting strong absorption in the ultraviolet region. The BET-specific surface area of the prepared CQDs is 845 m2/g, with a pore volume of 0.33 cm3/g, and a mean pore diameter of 1.62 nm. We examined the surface wettability, morphology, composition, oil absorption capacity, oil/water separation performance, flux rate, chemical stability, and mechanical stability of the S.P membrane. Our findings indicate that the developed CQD-based S.P membrane possesses excellent S.P properties, displaying high water contact angles of 163° and low water sliding angles of 1°. The membrane demonstrated superior oil absorption capacity, separation efficiency, and flux rate towards three different oils—petroleum ether, n-hexane, and silicone oil. Petroleum ether has the highest separation efficiency (99.5%), and flux rate (13,500 L m−2 h−1), while silicone oil has the lowest. However, silicone oil has the highest absorption capacity (218.9 g/g) and petroleum ether has the lowest (194.8 g/g). For the absorption capacity and separation efficiency, a one-way ANOVA test was conducted. The statistical analyses revealed significant differences in absorption capacity and separation efficiency for the three oils, highlighting the efficacy of the superhydrophobic membrane for tailored oil/water separation. Additionally, the S.P membrane exhibited good mechanical (the membrane maintains its superhydrophobicity until an abrasion length of 850 cm) and chemical stability (the membrane maintains its superhydrophobicity in pH range 1–13), withstanding abrasion and immersion in solutions of varying pH values. The CQD-based S.P membrane shows great potential as a promising material for oil/water separation applications, with excellent performance and stability under various environmental conditions.
UniRoVE: Unified Robot Virtual Environment Framework
Authors: Zafra Navarro Alberto , Rodriguez Juan Javier , Igelmo García Victor , Ruiz Zúñiga Enrique , Garcia-Rodriguez Jose
Published: August 2023

With robotics applications playing an increasingly significant role in our daily lives, it is crucial to develop effective methods for teaching and understanding their behavior. However, limited access to physical robots in educational institutions and companies poses a significant obstacle for many individuals. To overcome this barrier, a novel framework that combines realistic robot simulation and intuitive control mechanisms within a virtual reality environment is presented. By accurately emulating the physical characteristics and behaviors of various robots, this framework offers an immersive and authentic learning experience. Through an intuitive control interface, users can interact naturally with virtual robots, facilitating the acquisition of practical robotics skills. In this study, a qualitative assessment to evaluate the effectiveness and user satisfaction with the framework is conducted. The results highlighted its usability, realism, and educational value. Specifically, the framework bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in robotics, enabling users to gain hands-on experience and develop a deeper understanding of robot behavior and control strategies. Compared to existing approaches, the framework provides a more accessible and effective alternative for interacting with robots, particularly for individuals with limited physical access to such devices. In conclusion, the study presents a comprehensive framework that leverages virtual reality technology to enhance the learning and training process in robotics. By combining realistic simulations and intuitive controls, this framework represents a significant advancement in providing an immersive and effective learning environment. The positive user feedback obtained from the study reinforces the value and potential of the framework in facilitating the acquisition of essential robotics skills. Ultimately, this work contributes to flattening the robotics learning curve and promoting broader access to robotics education.
A Multi-Scale Hybrid Attention Network for Sentence Segmentation Line Detection in Dongba Scripture
Authors: Xing Junyao , Bi Xiaojun , Weng Yu
Published: August 2023

Dongba scripture sentence segmentation is an important and basic work in the digitization and machine translation of Dongba scripture. Dongba scripture sentence segmentation line detection (DS-SSLD) as a core technology of Dongba scripture sentence segmentation is a challenging task due to its own distinctiveness, such as high inherent noise interference and nonstandard sentence segmentation lines. Recently, projection-based methods have been adopted. However, these methods are difficult when dealing with the following two problems. The first is the noisy problem, where a large number of noise in the Dongba scripture image interference detection results. The second is the Dongba scripture inherent characteristics, where many vertical lines in Dongba hieroglyphs are easily confused with the vertical sentence segmentation lines. Therefore, this paper aims to propose a module based on the convolutional neural network (CNN) to improve the accuracy of DS-SSLD. To achieve this, we first construct a tagged dataset for training and testing DS-SSLD, including 2504 real images collected from Dongba scripture books and sentence segmentation targets. Then, we propose a multi-scale hybrid attention network (Multi-HAN) based on YOLOv5s, where a multiple hybrid attention unit (MHAU) is used to enhance the distinction between important features and redundant features, and the multi-scale cross-stage partial unit (Multi-CSPU) is used to realize multi-scale and richer feature representation. The experiment is carried out on the Dongba scripture sentence segmentation dataset we built. The experimental results show that the proposed method exhibits excellent detection performance and outperforms several state-of-the-art methods.
Graph Convolutional-Based Deep Residual Modeling for Rumor Detection on Social Media
Authors: Ye Na , Yu Dingguo , Zhou Yijie , Shang Ke-ke , Zhang Suiyu
Published: August 2023

The popularity and development of social media have made it more and more convenient to spread rumors, and it has become especially important to detect rumors in massive amounts of information. Most of the traditional rumor detection methods use the rumor content or propagation structure to mine rumor characteristics, ignoring the fusion characteristics of the content and structure and their interaction. Therefore, a novel rumor detection method based on heterogeneous convolutional networks is proposed. First, this paper constructs a heterogeneous map that combines both the rumor content and propagation structure to explore their interaction during rumor propagation and obtain a rumor representation. On this basis, this paper uses a deep residual graph convolutional neural network to construct the content and structure interaction information of the current network propagation model. Finally, this paper uses the Twitter15 and Twitter16 datasets to verify the proposed method. Experimental results show that the proposed method has higher detection accuracy compared to the traditional rumor detection method.
Multi-Objective Gray Wolf Optimizer with Cost-Sensitive Feature Selection for Predicting Students’ Academic Performance in College English
Authors: Yue Liya , Hu Pei , Chu Shu-Chuan , Pan Jeng-Shyang
Published: August 2023

Feature selection is a widely utilized technique in educational data mining that aims to simplify and reduce the computational burden associated with data analysis. However, previous studies have overlooked the high costs involved in acquiring certain types of educational data. In this study, we investigate the application of a multi-objective gray wolf optimizer (GWO) with cost-sensitive feature selection to predict students’ academic performance in college English, while minimizing both prediction error and feature cost. To improve the performance of the multi-objective binary GWO, a novel position update method and a selection mechanism for a, b, and d are proposed. Additionally, the adaptive mutation of Pareto optimal solutions improves convergence and avoids falling into local traps. The repairing technique of duplicate solutions expands population diversity and reduces feature cost. Experiments using UCI datasets demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms existing state-of-the-art algorithms in hypervolume (HV), inverted generational distance (IGD), and Pareto optimal solutions. Finally, when predicting the academic performance of students in college English, the superiority of the proposed algorithm is again confirmed, as well as its acquisition of key features that impact cost-sensitive feature selection.
Dynamics of Benjamin–Ono Solitons in a Two-Layer Ocean with a Shear Flow
Authors: Negi Pawan , Sahoo Trilochan , Singh Niharika , Stepanyants Yury
Published: August 2023

The results of a theoretical study on Benjamin–Ono (BO) soliton evolution are presented in a simple model of a two-layer ocean with a shear flow and viscosity. The upper layer is assumed to move with a constant speed relative to the lower layer with a tangential discontinuity in the flow profile. It is shown that in the long-wave approximation, such a model can be appropriate. If the flow is supercritical, i.e., its speed (U) exceeds the speed of long linear waves (c1), then BO solitons experience “explosive-type” enhancement due to viscosity, such that their amplitudes increase to infinity in a finite time. In the subcritical regime, when U<c1, BO solitons experience very slow decay due to viscosity. Soliton amplitude decays with time as A∼t−1/2 or A∼t−1/3, depending on whether both layers are weakly viscous (the former case) or only the lower layer is viscous (the latter case). Estimates of "explosion time" are presented for real oceanic parameters.
The Expectation and Reality of the HepG2 Core Metabolic Profile
Authors: Kiseleva Olga I. , Kurbatov Ilya Y. , Arzumanian Viktoriia A. , Ilgisonis Ekaterina V. , Zakharov Svyatoslav V. , Poverennaya Ekaterina V.
Published: August 2023

To represent the composition of small molecules circulating in HepG2 cells and the formation of the “core” of characteristic metabolites that often attract researchers’ attention, we conducted a meta-analysis of 56 datasets obtained through metabolomic profiling via mass spectrometry and NMR. We highlighted the 288 most commonly studied compounds of diverse chemical nature and analyzed metabolic processes involving these small molecules. Building a complete map of the metabolome of a cell, which encompasses the diversity of possible impacts on it, is a severe challenge for the scientific community, which is faced not only with natural limitations of experimental technologies, but also with the absence of transparent and widely accepted standards for processing and presenting the obtained metabolomic data. Formulating our research design, we aimed to reveal metabolites crucial to the Hepg2 cell line, regardless of all chemical and/or physical impact factors. Unfortunately, the existing paradigm of data policy leads to a streetlight effect. When analyzing and reporting only target metabolites of interest, the community ignores the changes in the metabolomic landscape that hide many molecular secrets.
Discriminative Metabolomics Analysis and Cytotoxic Evaluation of Flowers, Leaves, and Roots Extracts of Matthiola longipetala subsp. livida
Authors: Marzouk Mona M. , Hegazi Nesrine M. , El Shabrawy Mona O. A. , Farid Mai M. , Kawashty Salwa A. , Hussein Sameh R. , Saleh Nabiel A. M.
Published: August 2023

Matthiola longipetala subsp. livida is an annual herb in Brassicaceae that has received little attention despite the family’s high reputation for health benefits, particularly cancer prevention. In this study, UPLC-HRMS-MS analysis was used for mapping the chemical constituents of different plant parts (i.e., flowers, leaves, and roots). Also, spectral similarity networks via the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) were employed to visualize their chemical differences and similarities. Additionally, the cytotoxic activity on HCT-116, HeLa, and HepG2 cell lines was evaluated. Throughout the current analysis, 154 compounds were annotated, with the prevalence of phenolic acids, glucosinolates, flavonol glucosides, lipids, peptides, and others. Predictably, secondary metabolites (phenolic acids, flavonoids, and glucosinolates) were predominant in flowers and leaves, while the roots were characterized by primary metabolites (peptides and fatty acids). Four diacetyl derivatives tentatively assigned as O-acetyl O-malonyl glucoside of quercetin (103), kaempferol (108 and 112), and isorhamnetin (114) were detected for the first time in nature. The flowers and leaves extracts showed significant inhibition of HeLa cell line propagation with LC50 values of 18.1 ± 0.42 and 29.6 ± 0.35 µg/mL, respectively, whereas the flowers extract inhibited HCT-116 with LC50 24.8 ± 0.45 µg/mL, compared to those of Doxorubicin (26.1 ± 0.27 and 37.6 ± 0.21 µg/mL), respectively. In conclusion, the flowers of M. longipetala are responsible for the abundance of bioactive compounds with cytotoxic properties.
Detection of Plasmid-Mediated Resistance against Colistin in Multi-Drug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacilli Isolated from a Tertiary Hospital
Authors: Galindo-Méndez Mario , Navarrete-Salazar Humberto , Pacheco-Vásquez Reinaldo , Quintas-de la Paz Devanhí , Baltazar-Jiménez Isabel , Santiago-Luna José David , Guadarrama-Monroy Laura
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance mcr-1 to mcr-5 genes among colistin and multi-drug-resistant Gram-negative bacilli strains isolated from patients in a tertiary hospital in Toluca, Mexico. The presence of mcr genes among the 241 strains collected was assessed by PCR. In the case of mcr-carrying E. coli, further PCR tests were performed to determine the presence of blaCTX-M and whether the strains belonged to the O25b-ST131 clone. Conjugation experiments were also carried out to assess the horizontal transmission of colistin resistance. A total of twelve strains (5.0%), of which four were E. coli; four were P. aeruginosa; three were K. pneumoniae, and one E. cloacae, were found to be resistant to colistin. Of these strains, two E. coli isolates were found to carry mcr-1, and Southern blot hybridization demonstrated its presence on an approximately 60 kb plasmid. Both mcr-1-carrying E. coli strains were found to co-express blaCTX-M, belong to the O25b-ST131 clone, and horizontally transmit their colistin resistance. The results of this study confirm the presence of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance in hospitalized patients in Mexico and demonstrated that the multi-drug-resistant O25b-ST131 E. coli clone can acquire mcr genes and transmit such resistance traits to other bacteria.
Subduction–Accretion History of the Paleo-Pacific Plate Beneath the Eurasian Continent: Evidence from the Tongjiang Accretionary Complex, NE China
Authors: Du Bingying , Li Chenglu , Liu Fei , Liu Tianjia , Liu Yuwei , Wang Xunlian , Liu Yong , Zhang Tiean
Published: August 2023

Detrital zircons in the matrix of an accretionary complex play an important role in providing evidence to reconstruct oceanic plate subduction and accretion processes. The Nadanhada accretionary complex (NAC) dominated by the Yuejinshan, Raohe and Tongjiang accretionary complexes provides significant geological evidence to better understand the Paleo-Pacific subduction–accretion process. Most previous studies have focused on the Yuejinshan and Raohe accretionary complexes, while those of the Tongjiang accretionary complex on the north side have focused on blocks. In this study, we present zircon U–Pb dating and Hf isotopic data for the matrix of metasedimentary rock in the Tongjiang accretionary complex. The analysis results show that the zircons in the fine silty mudstone, phyllonite and fine argillaceous siltstone define the youngest weighted mean ages (youngest detrital zircon ages) of 261.4 ± 2.9 Ma (247 Ma), 175.2 ± 4.9 Ma (169 Ma) and 168.6 ± 2.1 Ma (162 Ma), respectively, and yield a younging trend of the accretion materials from west to east. Provenance analysis indicates that the matrix was mainly sourced from the neighboring Jiamusi and Xingkai blocks. Based on previous results of the Permian and Late Triassic blocks in the Yuejinshan region, the Permian and Early Jurassic blocks in the Tongjiang region, and the Late Triassic and Early–Middle Jurassic blocks in the Raohe region, as well as the lower limit of the depositional age of the Late Triassic matrix in the Yuejinshan region and the Middle Jurassic and Early Cretaceous matrices in the Raohe region, we propose that the NAC may record the Late Permian–Triassic, Jurassic and Early Cretaceous oceanic accretion events, representing the westward subduction and accretion process of the Paleo–Pacific Ocean Plate.
A Mechanism Study on the (+)-ESI-TOF/HRMS Fragmentation of Some PPI Prazoles and Their Related Substances
Authors: Wang Luhong , Chen Lixue , Yao Yichen , Shen Hongyan , Xu Youjun
Published: August 2023

Fragmentation mechanisms of some prazoles and their related substances were newly investigated in this paper via positive mode ESI-TOF HRMS1 and HRMS2. Some novel fragmentation rules or ions were found or detected in the research. The pyridine and the benzoimidazole ring remained in most cases during the ionization, and heterolytic fragmentations often occurred near the -S(O)nCH2- linker to give the [1,3]-H migration ion or [1,7]-H migration ion rearranging across the benzoimdazole ring. Smiles rearrangement ionizations also frequently occurred, initiated by the attack of the lone pair electrons from the pyridine ring, and the sulfones gave special N-(2-benzoimdazolyl) pyridine ions (11b and 12c) by a direct extraction from SO2, and the thioethers gave similar framework ions (8c, 9c and 10c) via the rearrangement and a further homolytic cleavage of SH radicals. However, the sulfoxides were seldom detected in the corresponding Smiles rearrangement ions during our measurement, and the N′-oxides of the pyridines did not undergo the Smiles rearrangement ionization due to the absence of the lone pair electrons. The 5/6-membered chelating ions with Na+ or K+ were frequently detected as the molecular and further fragment ions. Some novel and interesting fragment ions containing bivalent (8b and 9b), tetravalent (4b, 5c and 6c) or hexavalent (15b and 16b) sulfurs were first reported here.
Multimodal Interaction for Cobot Using MQTT
Authors: Rouillard José , Vannobel Jean-Marc
Published: August 2023

For greater efficiency, human–machine and human–robot interactions must be designed with the idea of multimodality in mind. To allow the use of several interaction modalities, such as the use of voice, touch, gaze tracking, on several different devices (computer, smartphone, tablets, etc.) and to integrate possible connected objects, it is necessary to have an effective and secure means of communication between the different parts of the system. This is even more important with the use of a collaborative robot (cobot) sharing the same space and very close to the human during their tasks. This study present research work in the field of multimodal interaction for a cobot using the MQTT protocol, in virtual (Webots) and real worlds (ESP microcontrollers, Arduino, IOT2040). We show how MQTT can be used efficiently, with a common publish/subscribe mechanism for several entities of the system, in order to interact with connected objects (like LEDs and conveyor belts), robotic arms (like the Ned Niryo), or mobile robots. We compare the use of MQTT with that of the Firebase Realtime Database used in several of our previous research works. We show how a “pick–wait–choose–and place” task can be carried out jointly by a cobot and a human, and what this implies in terms of communication and ergonomic rules, via health or industrial concerns (people with disabilities, and teleoperation).
Ce-Doped Three-Dimensional Ni/Fe LDH Composite as a Sulfur Host for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Wei Huiying , Li Qicheng , Jin Bo , Liu Hui
Published: August 2023

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) have become the most promising choice in the new generation of energy storage/conversion equipment due to their high theoretical capacity of 1675 mAh g−1 and theoretical energy density of 2600 Wh kg−1. Nevertheless, the continuous shuttling of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) restricts the commercial application of LSBs. The appearance of layered double hydroxides (LDH) plays a certain role in the anchoring of LiPSs, but its unsatisfactory electronic conductivity and poor active sites hinder its realization as a sulfur host for high-performance LSBs. In this paper, metal organic framework-derived and Ce ion-doped LDH (Ce-Ni/Fe LDH) with a hollow capsule configuration is designed rationally. The hollow structure of Ce-Ni/Fe LDH contains a sufficient amount of sulfur. Fe, Ni, and Ce metal ions effectively trap LiPSs; speed up the conversion of LiPSs; and firmly anchor LiPSs, thus effectively inhibiting the shuttle of LiPSs. The electrochemical testing results demonstrate that a lithium–sulfur battery with capsule-type S@Ce-Ni/Fe LDH delivers the initial discharge capacities of 1207 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C and 1056 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C, respectively. Even at 1 C, a lithium–sulfur battery with S@Ce-Ni/Fe LDH can also cycle 1000 times. This work provides new ideas to enhance the electrochemical properties of LSBs by constructing a hollow capsule configuration.
Advanced Photocatalytic Nanomaterials for Energy Conversion and Environmental Remediation
Authors: Zhang Junying , Chen Yong , Hou Jungang
Published: August 2023

With the rapid development of the economy and society, the problem of energy shortage and environmental pollution is receiving more and more attention [...]
Association of Serum Calcium with the Risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Prospective Study from UK Biobank
Authors: Wan Xinglin , Chen Lulu , Zhu Zheng , Luo Pengfei , Hang Dong , Su Jian , Tao Ran , Zhou Jinyi , Fan Xikang
Published: August 2023

Background: Although intracellular calcium had been demonstrated to involve in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the association between serum calcium and COPD risk remains unclear. Methods: We included 386,844 participants with serum calcium measurements and without airway obstruction at the baseline from UK Biobank. The restricted cubic splines were used to assess the dose–response relationship. Multivariable cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations of albumin-corrected calcium concentrations with the risk of COPD incidence and mortality. Results: During a median of 12.3 years of follow-up, 10,582 incident COPD cases were documented. A linear positive association was observed between serum calcium concentrations and the risk of COPD incidence. Compared to participants with normal serum calcium (2.19–2.56 mmol/L), a 14% higher risk of COPD was observed in hypercalcemic participants (≥2.56 mmol/L, HR = 1.14; 95% CI: 1.02–1.27). No significant effect modifications were observed in stratified variables. In survival analysis, 215 COPD-specific deaths were documented after a median survival time of 3.8 years. Compared to participants with normal serum calcium, hypercalcemic participants had a 109% (HR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.15–3.81) increased risk for COPD-specific mortality. Conclusion: Our study indicated that hypercalcemia was associated with an elevated risk of COPD incidence and mortality in the European population, and suggested that serum calcium may have a potential impact on the progression of COPD.
Comparative Studies of the Uptake and Internalization Pathways of Different Lipid Nano-Systems Intended for Brain Delivery
Authors: Mihailova Ljubica , Shalabalija Dushko , Zimmer Andreas , Geskovski Nikola , Makreski Petre , Petrushevska Marija , Simonoska Crcarevska Maja , Glavas Dodov Marija
Published: August 2023

Lipid nano-systems were prepared and characterized in a series of well-established in vitro tests that could assess their interactions with the hCMEC/D3 and SH-SY5Y cell lines as a model for the blood–brain barrier and neuronal function, accordingly. The prepared formulations of nanoliposomes and nanostructured lipid carriers were characterized by z-average diameters of ~120 nm and ~105 nm, respectively, following a unimodal particle size distribution (PDI < 0.3) and negative Z-potential (−24.30 mV to −31.20 mV). Stability studies implied that the nano-systems were stable in a physiologically relevant medium as well as human plasma, except nanoliposomes containing poloxamer on their surface, where there was an increase in particle size of ~26%. The presence of stealth polymer tends to decrease the amount of adsorbed proteins onto a particle’s surface, according to protein adsorption studies. Both formulations of nanoliposomes were characterized by a low cytotoxicity, while their cell viability was reduced when incubated with the highest concentration (100 μg/mL) of nanostructured lipid formulations, which could have been associated with the consumption of cellular energy, thus resulting in a reduction in metabolic active cells. The uptake of all the nano-systems in the hCMEC/D3 and SH-SY5Y cell lines was successful, most likely following ATP-dependent internalization, as well as transport via passive diffusion.
Anisotropic Purcell Effect and Quantum Interference in Fractal Aggregates of Nanoparticles
Authors: Yannopapas Vassilios , Paspalakis Emmanuel
Published: August 2023

We study theoretically the emergence of an anisotropic Purcell factor in random two-dimensional fractal aggregates of nanoparticles. These nanoparticles can either be metallic nanoparticles made of silver, which exhibit surface plasmon resonances, or high-index dielectric nanoparticles like silicon, which possess optical Mie resonances. To calculate the spontaneous emission rates of a quantum emitter, we utilize the electromagnetic Green’s tensor within the framework of the coupled-dipole method. Our findings reveal that the Purcell factor exhibits spatial variations, with certain regions, referred to as hot spots, displaying high values for dipoles oriented within the plane of the fractal aggregate, while dipoles oriented vertically to the aggregate have values close to unity. This anisotropy in the Purcell factor leads to significant quantum interference effects in the spontaneous emission paths of multi-level quantum emitters. As a consequence of this quantum interference, we demonstrate the occurrence of population trapping in a V-type quantum emitter embedded within a fractal aggregate of nanoparticles which cannot otherwise take place if the emitter is placed in vacuum.
Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Molecular Basis of Brassica napus in Response to Aphid Stress
Authors: Li Yuanhong , Cai Lei , Ding Ting , Tian Entang , Yan Xiaohong , Wang Xiaodong , Zhang Jiefu , Yu Kunjiang , Chen Zhuo
Published: August 2023

Rapeseed is a globally important economic crop that can be severely impacted by aphids. However, our understanding of rapeseed resistance to aphid stress is very limited. In this study, we analyzed the resistance characteristics of the low aphid-susceptible variety APL01 and the highly aphid-susceptible variety Holly in response to aphid stress. APL01 had a more significant inhibitory effect on aphid proliferation compared with Holly during the early stage of inoculation, whereas Holly showed stronger tolerance to aphid stress compared with APL01 during the later stage of inoculation. Through transcriptome, physiological, and gene expression analyses, it was revealed that chitinase activity, catalase activity, calcium signal transduction, and activation of systemic acquired resistance might be involved in aphid resistance in B. napus. The degree of inhibition of photosynthesis in plants under aphid stress directly determines the tolerance of B. napus to aphid stress. Furthermore, four promising candidate genes were screened from eight genes related to rapeseed response to biotic stress through RT-qPCR analysis of gene expression levels. These research findings represent an important step forward in understanding the resistance of rapeseed to aphid stress and provide a solid foundation for the cloning of genes responsible for this resistance.
Nitrile-Specific Protein NSP2 and Its Interacting Protein MPK3 Synergistically Regulate Plant Disease Resistance in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhai Tingting , Teng Jun , Fan Xintong , Yu Shaowei , Wang Chen , Guo Xingqi , Yang Wei , Zhang Shuxin
Published: August 2023

Glucosinolates and their degradation products have a wide range of actions and are important components of plant defense. NSP2 (nitrile-specific protein 2) is a key regulator in the breakdown process of glucosinolates. However, the precise function of NSP2 in plant disease resistance beyond its role in glucosinolate degradation is still unclear. In this study, we discovered that NSP2 which was induced by Pst DC3000, influenced PR genes expression and reactive oxygen burst. Additionally, omics analysis revealed that NSP2 was engaged in plant-pathogen interaction and several hormone signal transduction pathways. Furthermore, immunoprecipitation-tandem mass spectrometry analysis (IP-MS), bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC), and co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated that NSP2 interacts with MPK3. Genetic analysis shows that NSP2 may be a function downstream of MPK3. Upon pathogen inoculation, NSP2 protein levels increase while MPK3 protein levels decrease. Moreover, the level of phosphorylated NSP2 decreases. Taken together, this study sheds light on a new mode of synergistic action between NSP2 and MPK3 in the disease resistance process.
Phosphorus Plays Key Roles in Regulating Plants’ Physiological Responses to Abiotic Stresses
Authors: Khan Fahad , Siddique Abu Bakar , Shabala Sergey , Zhou Meixue , Zhao Chenchen
Published: August 2023

Phosphorus (P), an essential macronutrient, plays a pivotal role in the growth and development of plants. However, the limited availability of phosphorus in soil presents significant challenges for crop productivity, especially when plants are subjected to abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity and extreme temperatures. Unraveling the intricate mechanisms through which phosphorus participates in the physiological responses of plants to abiotic stresses is essential to ensure the sustainability of agricultural production systems. This review aims to analyze the influence of phosphorus supply on various aspects of plant growth and plant development under hostile environmental conditions, with a special emphasis on stomatal development and operation. Furthermore, we discuss recently discovered genes associated with P-dependent stress regulation and evaluate the feasibility of implementing P-based agricultural practices to mitigate the adverse effects of abiotic stress. Our objective is to provide molecular and physiological insights into the role of P in regulating plants’ tolerance to abiotic stresses, underscoring the significance of efficient P use strategies for agricultural sustainability. The potential benefits and limitations of P-based strategies and future research directions are also discussed.