bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incentives for Promoting Safety in the Chinese Construction Industry
Authors: Feng Qun , Wang Kun , Feng Yulong , Shi Xuejun , Rao Yilin , Wei Jia
Published: June 2023

Construction accidents occur frequently in China because the supervision of safety standards mandated by the government has not had its intended effect. In this paper, the authors propose a model to incentivize the management of safety during construction that involves the government as well as the owners and contractors in the industry. This study analyzes the principal–agent relationship involving each participant to determine their utility function and the minimum constraints on their participation, and uses this to obtain the optimal parameters to incentivize the management of safety during construction by solving for the ones related to the contractor’s effort and reward for their performance in the proposed model of incentives. Through the design of contractor incentive parameters and owner incentive parameters to further influence the government contractor and owner tripartite safety incentive model to make the model more perfect and in line with the development status of China. This study tested the proposed model using simulations. The results indicated that increasing the cost coefficient and level of the contractor’s effort increases their expected safety-related benefits, and increasing the coefficients of reward and punishment by the government reduces the contractor’s expected safety-related benefits. Moreover, the government can motivate the management of safety during construction by offering appropriate rewards and punishments. In particular, if the government increases incentives for safety, the safety-related benefits for owners and contractors decrease in the short term but increase significantly in the long term.
Non-Canonical Activin A Signaling Stimulates Context-Dependent and Cellular-Specific Outcomes in CRC to Promote Tumor Cell Migration and Immune Tolerance
Authors: Wiley Mark B. , Bauer Jessica , Mehrotra Kunaal , Zessner-Spitzenberg Jasmin , Kolics Zoe , Cheng Wenxuan , Castellanos Karla , Nash Michael G. , Gui Xianyong , Kone Lyonell , Maker Ajay V. , Qiao Guilin , Reddi Deepti , Church David N. , Kerr Rachel S. , Kerr David J. , Grippo Paul J. , Jung Barbara
Published: June 2023

We have shown that activin A (activin), a TGF-β superfamily member, has pro-metastatic effects in colorectal cancer (CRC). In lung cancer, activin activates pro-metastatic pathways to enhance tumor cell survival and migration while augmenting CD4+ to CD8+ communications to promote cytotoxicity. Here, we hypothesized that activin exerts cell-specific effects in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of CRC to promote anti-tumoral activity of immune cells and the pro-metastatic behavior of tumor cells in a cell-specific and context-dependent manner. We generated an Smad4 epithelial cell specific knockout (Smad4−/−) which was crossed with TS4-Cre mice to identify SMAD-specific changes in CRC. We also performed IHC and digital spatial profiling (DSP) of tissue microarrays (TMAs) obtained from 1055 stage II and III CRC patients in the QUASAR 2 clinical trial. We transfected the CRC cells to reduce their activin production and injected them into mice with intermittent tumor measurements to determine how cancer-derived activin alters tumor growth in vivo. In vivo, Smad4−/− mice displayed elevated colonic activin and pAKT expression and increased mortality. IHC analysis of the TMA samples revealed increased activin was required for TGF-β-associated improved outcomes in CRC. DSP analysis identified that activin co-localization in the stroma was coupled with increases in T-cell exhaustion markers, activation markers of antigen presenting cells (APCs), and effectors of the PI3K/AKT pathway. Activin-stimulated PI3K-dependent CRC transwell migration, and the in vivo loss of activin lead to smaller CRC tumors. Taken together, activin is a targetable, highly context-dependent molecule with effects on CRC growth, migration, and TME immune plasticity.
Performance of the Fecal Immunochemical Test in Detecting Advanced Colorectal Neoplasms and Colorectal Cancers in People Aged 40–49 Years: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yeh Jen-Hao , Tseng Cheng-Hao , Wang Wen-Lun , Chen Chih-I , Liu Yu-Peng , Lee Yi-Chia , Wang Jaw-Yuan , Lin Yu-Ching
Published: June 2023

Background: The incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing. Many guidelines recommend initiating screening at 45 years. This study investigated the detection rate of advanced colorectal neoplasm (ACRN) by using fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) in individuals aged 40–49 years. Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception to May 2022. The primary outcomes were the detection rates and positive predictive values of FITs for ACRN and CRC in people aged 40–49 (younger age group) and ≥50 years (average risk group). Results: Ten studies with 664,159 FITs were included. The FIT positivity rate was 4.9% and 7.3% for the younger age and average risk groups, respectively. Younger individuals with positive FIT results had significantly higher risks of ACRN (odds ratio [OR] 2.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.79–3.73) or CRC (OR 2.86, 95% CI 1.59–5.13) than did individuals in the average-risk group, regardless of FIT results. Individuals aged 45–49 years with positive FIT results had a similar risk of ACRN (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.49–1.29) to that of people aged 50–59 years with positive FIT results, although significant heterogeneity was observed. The positive predictive values of the FIT were 10–28.1% for ACRN and 2.7–6.8% for CRC in the younger age group. Conclusion: The detection rate of ACRN and CRC based on FITs in individuals aged 40–49 years is acceptable, and the yield of ACRN might be similar between individuals aged 45–49 and 50–59 years. Further prospective cohort and cost-effective analysis are warranted.
Stromal–Epithelial Interactions in Cancer Progression and Therapy Response
Authors: Thiruvalluvan Manish , Bhowmick Neil A.
Published: June 2023

Tumorigenesis is a result of cell-intrinsic epigenomic and genomic changes as well as cell-extrinsic factors [...]
Ablative vs. Non-Ablative Radiotherapy in Palliating Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: A Single Institution Experience and a Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Kamel Randa , Dennis Kristopher , Doody Janice , Pantarotto Jason
Published: June 2023

We studied the dose–local control (LC) relationship in ablative vs. non-ablative radiotherapy in a non-radical treatment setting of “locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC)” by comparing our patients (n = 89) treated with SBRT on the CyberKnife unit vs. conventional radiation between January 2005 and January 2021, and by reviewing the literature. A systematic search was performed leveraging Medline for references on SBRT use in pancreatic cancer without date terms or language restrictions. A total of 3702 references were identified and the search was then repeated in Embase and the Cochrane database. Ultimately, 12 studies were eligible for inclusion, which either compared SBRT to conventional radiation, or SBRT use in dose escalation for primary LAPC in a non-neoadjuvant setting. Our cohort’s median overall survival was 152 days (CI 95%, 118–185); including 371 days (CI 95%, 230–511) vs. 126 days (CI 95%, 90–161) favoring SBRT, p = 0.004. The median time to local progression was 170 days (48–923) for SBRT vs. 107 days (27–489) for the non-ablative group. In our SBRT patients, no local progressions were seen with BED10 > 60 Gy. Even when palliating LAPC, SBRT should be considered as an alternative to conventional radiation, especially in patients with a low disease burden. BED10 ≥ 60–70 Gy offers better local control without increasing toxicity rates. Less local progression may provide a better quality of life to those patients who already have a short life expectancy.
Recent Progress in Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction to Pure Formic Acid Using a Solid-State Electrolyte Device
Authors: Kang Yeomin , Kim Taekyung , Jung Koo Young , Park Ki Tae
Published: June 2023

The electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) to formic acid has gained significant attention as a potential environmentally friendly approach to reducing CO2 emissions and producing carbon-neutral liquid fuels. However, several challenges must be addressed to achieve the production of high-purity and high-concentration formic acid through CO2RR. One major challenge is the formation of a formate mixture instead of pure formic acid in conventional reactors. This requires costly downstream purification and concentration processes to obtain pure formic acid. To overcome this problem, a three-compartment reactor design has been proposed where a solid-state electrolyte (SSE) is inserted between the anode and cathode compartments to recover pure formic acid directly. This reactor design involves the use of an anion exchange membrane (AEM) and a cation exchange membrane (CEM) to separate the anode and cathode compartments, and a center compartment filled with high-conductivity SSE to minimize ohmic resistance. Several studies have implemented this reactor design for continuous CO2RR and have reported remarkable improvements in the concentration and purity of the formic acid product. In this review, we summarize the recent progress of the SSE reactor design for CO2RR to produce pure formic acid (HCOOH) and propose further research to scale up this technology for industrial-scale applications in the future.
Catalytic Hydrogenation of Anthracene on Binary (Bimetallic) Composite Catalysts
Authors: Muldakhmetov Zainulla M. , Ordabaeva Aigul T. , Meiramov Majit G. , Gazaliev Arstan M. , Kim Sergey V.
Published: June 2023

The catalytic activity of the binary composite catalysts of Fe2O3-CoO/CaA and Fe2O3-CoO/ZSM-5 was studied. They were obtained by impregnation of CaA and ZSM-5 zeolites with aqueous solutions of sulfates of iron (FeSO4·7H2O) and cobalt (CoSO4·7H2O). The total metal content was no more than 5%. Then, oxidizing burning at 720 °C for 60 min was performed to produce the metal oxides. It was found that the obtained Fe-Co/CaA catalyst contains iron and cobalt as CoFe2O4 compound, and the Fe-Co/ZSM-5 catalyst includes CoFe2O4 and CoFe. The phase composition of the obtained catalysts was detected by the X-ray diffraction analysis. The surface morphology was investigated by the electron microscopy. The elemental composition of the obtained catalysts was determined by energy dispersive spectroscopy with mapping and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. The atomic absorption analysis by the IR-spectroscopy showed the shifts of absorption bands in the infrared spectra of the pure zeolites and with added Fe and Co. The catalytic hydrogenation of anthracene was performed to determine the catalytic properties of the obtained catalysts. It is one of the most common model compounds applied to investigate the efficiency of catalytic systems. The result of hydrogenation found that conversion of anthracene at 400 °C, initial pressure of 6 MPa and duration of 60 min using the Fe-Co/CaA catalytic system equaled to ~87%. However, hydrogenation products equaled to ~84%. Anthracene conversion using the Fe-Co/ZSM-5 catalytic system and the same conditions was ~91%; among them, hydrogenated derivatives were ~71%. The proposed method is characterized by its simple execution. The obtained catalysts are be slightly inferior to platinum and rhodium catalysts in the catalytic activity.
Self-Assembly of Porous Hierarchical BiOBr Sub-Microspheres for Efficient Aerobic Photooxidation of Benzyl Alcohol under Simulated Sunlight Irradiation
Authors: Wang Zhigang , Liu Cheng , Chen Fengxi , Chen Rong
Published: June 2023

Semiconductor photocatalytic performances can be modulated through morphology modification. Herein porous hierarchical BiOBr microspheres (BiOBr-MS) of ~3 μm was firstly self-assembled without the assistance of a template via a facile solvothermal synthesis in triethylene glycol (TEG) at 150 °C for 3 h. KBrO3 was exploited as a bromine source, which slowly provided bromide ions upon reduction in TEG and controlled the growth and self-assembly of primary BiOBr nanoplates. The addition of PVP during solvothermal synthesis of BiOBr-MS reduced the particle size by about three-fold to generate BiOBr sub-microspheres (BiOBr-sMS) of <1 μm. BiOBr-sMS exhibited significantly higher photocatalytic activity than BiOBr-MS for aerobic photooxidation of benzyl alcohol (BzOH) to benzaldehyde (BzH) under simulated sunlight irradiation (conversions of BzOH (50 mM) over BiOBr-sMS and BiOBr-MS were, respectively, 51.3% and 29.6% with 100% selectivity to BzH after Xenon illumination for 2 h at 25 °C). The photogenerated holes and ·O2− were found to be main reactive species for the BzOH oxidation over BiOBr spheres by scavenging tests and spin-trapping EPR spectra. The higher photocatalytic activity of BiOBr-sMS was attributed to its more open hierarchical structure, efficient charge separation, more negative conduction-band position and the generation of larger amounts of ·O2−.
Current State and Future Directions in the Therapy of ALS
Authors: Tzeplaeff Laura , Wilfling Sibylle , Requardt Maria Viktoria , Herdick Meret
Published: June 2023

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting upper and lower motor neurons, with death resulting mainly from respiratory failure three to five years after symptom onset. As the exact underlying causative pathological pathway is unclear and potentially diverse, finding a suitable therapy to slow down or possibly stop disease progression remains challenging. Varying by country Riluzole, Edaravone, and Sodium phenylbutyrate/Taurursodiol are the only drugs currently approved in ALS treatment for their moderate effect on disease progression. Even though curative treatment options, able to prevent or stop disease progression, are still unknown, recent breakthroughs, especially in the field of targeting genetic disease forms, raise hope for improved care and therapy for ALS patients. In this review, we aim to summarize the current state of ALS therapy, including medication as well as supportive therapy, and discuss the ongoing developments and prospects in the field. Furthermore, we highlight the rationale behind the intense research on biomarkers and genetic testing as a feasible way to improve the classification of ALS patients towards personalized medicine.
Role of Pellino-1 in Inflammation and Cardioprotection following Severe Sepsis: A Novel Mechanism in a Murine Severe Sepsis Model †
Authors: Thirunavukkarasu Mahesh , Swaminathan Santosh , Kemerley Andrew , Pradeep Seetur R. , Lim Sue Ting , Accorsi Diego , Wilson Rickesha , Campbell Jacob , Saad Ibnalwalid , Yee Siu-Pok , Palesty J. Alexander , McFadden David W. , Maulik Nilanjana
Published: June 2023

Objectives: Intra-abdominal sepsis is commonly diagnosed in the surgical population and remains the second most common cause of sepsis overall. Sepsis-related mortality remains a significant burden in the intensive care unit despite advances in critical care. Nearly a quarter of the deaths in people with heart failure are caused by sepsis. We have observed that overexpression of mammalian Pellino-1 (Peli1), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, causes inhibition of apoptosis, oxidative stress, and preservation of cardiac function in a myocardial infarction model. Given these manifold applications, we investigated the role of Peli1 in sepsis using transgenic and knockout mouse models specific to this protein. Therefore, we aimed to explore further the myocardial dysfunction seen in sepsis through its relation to the Peli 1 protein by using the loss of function and gain-of-function strategy. Methods: A series of genetic animals were created to understand the role of Peli1 in sepsis and the preservation of heart function. Wild-type, global Peli1 knock out (Peli1−/−), cardiomyocyte-specific Peli1 deletion (CP1KO), and cardiomyocyte-specific Peli1 overexpressing (alpha MHC (αMHC) Peli1; AMPEL1Tg/+) animals were divided into sham and cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) surgical procedure groups. Cardiac function was determined by two-dimensional echocardiography pre-surgery and at 6- and 24-h post-surgery. Serum IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels (ELISA) (6 h), cardiac apoptosis (TUNEL assay), and Bax expression (24 h) post-surgery were measured. Results are expressed as mean ± S.E.M. Results: AMPEL1Tg/+ prevents sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction assessed by echocardiographic analysis, whereas global and cardiomyocyte-specific deletion of Peli1 shows significant deterioration of cardiac functions. Cardiac function was similar across the sham groups in all three genetically modified mice. ELISA assay displayed how Peli 1 overexpression decreased cardo-suppressive circulating inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6) compared to both the knockout groups. The proportion of TUNEL-positive cells varied according to Peli1 expression, with overexpression (AMPEL1Tg/+) leading to a significant reduction and Peli1 gene knockout (Peli1−/− and CP1KO) leading to a significant increase in their presence. A similar trend was also observed with Bax protein expression. The improved cellular survival associated with Peli1 overexpression was again shown with the reduction of oxidative stress marker 4-Hydroxy-2-Nonenal (4-HNE). Conclusion: Our results indicate that overexpression of Peli1 is a novel approach that not only preserved cardiac function but reduced inflammatory markers and apoptosis following severe sepsis in a murine genetic model.
Waste Management after the Injection Process by Manufacturing Polyamide Products Based on Regranulate
Authors: Matykiewicz Danuta , Olszewski Tomasz , Andrzejewski Jacek
Published: June 2023

The aim of the work was to assess the possibility of utilizing the waste generated in the injection molding process for the production of new products based on polyamide 6 reinforced with glass fiber. The manufactured samples were prepared with the addition of 5, 10, 15, and 100 wt.% regrind from the runner system. The impact strength, tensile strength, and hardness of injection products were obtained directly and were assessed after conditioning in distilled water for 24 h. Moreover, the structure of the tested materials was assessed using the FTIR method and their thermal properties using the DSC method. The results of the tests confirm that the addition of regrind up to 15 wt.% to virgin polyamide does not adversely affect its impact strength, tensile strength, and hardness. The water-conditioned materials showed higher values of impact strength but lower values of tensile strength and Young’s modulus at a higher elongation at break. The obtained results are important due to the assumptions of the circular economy and the minimization of the amount of waste and material losses during the injection process.
Polymeric Composite including Magnetite Nanoparticles for Hydrogen Peroxide Detection
Authors: Oliveira Maria Roniele Felix , Herrasti Pilar , Furtado Roselayne Ferro , Melo Airis Maria Araújo , Alves Carlucio Roberto
Published: June 2023

The combination of a biopolymer and a conductive polymer can produce new materials with improved physico-chemical and morphological properties that enhance their use as sensors. Magnetite nanoparticles (MN) can be further introduced to these new matrices to improve the analytical performance. This study aimed to evaluate the electrocatalytic response of nanocomposites formed by the introduction of MN to polypyrrole (PPy) doped in the presence of cashew gum polysaccharide (CGP) and in the presence of carboxymethylated cashew gum polysaccharide (CCGP). Characterization of the nanocomposites was carried out via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and showed that the absorption band of the blend was shifted to a higher frequency in the nanocomposites, indicating the intermolecular interaction between the blend and nanoparticles. The electrocatalytic performance of the nanocomposites was evaluated by applying a constant potential of −0.7 V with successive additions of H2O2 (1 mmol L−1) in 10 mmol L−1 phosphate buffer under agitation at pH 7.5. The nanocomposite formed by the introduction of MN to polypyrrole doped with cashew gum polysaccharide (PPy(cgp)–MN) displayed excellent electrocatalytic surface properties, with high H2O2 specificity, a linear response (R2 = 0.99), high sensitivity (0.28 µmol L−1), and a low H2O2 detection limit (0.072 mmol L−1).
Predicting Effortful Control at 3 Years of Age from Measures of Attention and Home Environment in Infancy: A Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Musso Mariel F. , Moyano Sebastián , Rico-Picó Josué , Conejero Ángela , Ballesteros-Duperón M. Ángeles , Cascallar Eduardo C. , Rueda M. Rosario
Published: June 2023

Effortful control (EC) is a dimension of temperament that encompass individual differences in self-regulation and the control of reactivity. Much research suggests that EC has a strong foundation on the development of executive attention, but increasing evidence also shows a significant contribution of the rearing environment to individual differences in EC. The aim of the current study was to predict the development of EC at 36 months of age from early attentional and environmental measures taken in infancy using a machine learning approach. A sample of 78 infants participated in a longitudinal study running three waves of data collection at 6, 9, and 36 months of age. Attentional tasks were administered at 6 months of age, with two additional measures (i.e., one attentional measure and another self-restraint measure) being collected at 9 months of age. Parents reported household environment variables during wave 1, and their child’s EC at 36 months. A machine-learning algorithm was implemented to identify children with low EC scores at 36 months of age. An “attention only” model showed greater predictive sensitivity than the “environmental only” model. However, a model including both attentional and environmental variables was able to classify the groups (Low-EC vs. Average-to-High EC) with 100% accuracy. Sensitivity analyses indicate that socio-economic variables together with attention control processes at 6 months, and self-restraint capacity at 9 months, are the most important predictors of EC. Results suggest a foundational role of executive attention processes in the development of EC in complex interactions with household environments and provide a new tool to identify early markers of socio-emotional regulation development.
Differences in Anthropometric Parameters of Children in Six European Countries
Authors: Semánová Csilla , Szőllősi Gergő J. , Ilyés István , Cardon Greet , Latomme Julie , Iotova Violeta , Bazdarska Yuliya , Lindström Jaana , Wikström Katja , Herrmann Sandra , Schwarz Peter , Karaglani Eva , Manios Yannis , Makrilakis Konsantinos , Moreno Luis , González-Gil Esther M. , Rurik Imre ,   The Feel4Diabetes-Study Group
Published: June 2023

Background: The databases of children’s anthropometric parameters are often outdated, rarely representative and are not always available at an international level. Objectives: To present children’s anthropometric parameters in six European countries that contributed to the Feel4Diabetes project and find country-specific differences. Design/Setting: The Feel4Diabetes study was performed between 2016 and 2018, targeting children in Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, Greece, Hungary and Spain. The current study presents data from the baseline and the yearly follow-up anthropometric measurements. Subjects: In total, 20,832 measurements of children (48.7% boys) between 6 and 10 years of age were conducted. Main outcome measure: weight, height, BMI. Results: Belgian boys had the lowest body weight and height, while Greek boys had the highest body weight, and Finnish had the highest body height. The highest proportion of overweight (percentile above 85%) and obese boys (percentile above 95%) was in Greece, followed by Hungarian, Spanish, Bulgarian and Finnish boys. In contrast, Belgian boys had the lowest ratio in both categories. Among girls, Greece had the highest; Belgium had the lowest body weight; Finland was the highest in all age categories. The ratio in the overweight range was the highest in Greece, followed by Spanish, Bulgarian and Hungarian girls, who were second in the obese category. Finnish girls had lower and Belgian girls had the lowest ratio in both BMI categories. All the detailed data are presented in tables, and the trends are figures. Conclusions: Our study presents fresh and comparable anthropometric data of children between 6 and 10 years of age in six European countries, supporting the need for appropriate obesity prevention.
Individualized Goal Setting for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit-Based Rehabilitation Using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure
Authors: Hwang Youngsub , Kwon Jeong-Yi , Cho Joongbum , Choi Jaeyoung
Published: June 2023

The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) is a client-centered outcome measure that facilitates the prioritization of individualized interventions. Given the rising emphasis on individualized intervention in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs), this cross-sectional study aimed to explore caregivers’ perspectives on their children’s functional goals within PICUs. From 1 September 2020 to 26 June 2022, caregivers of 41 children aged 1–18 years completed the COPM within 48 h of PICU admission. The study also explored the clinical variables predicting a high number of occupational performance goals (≥4/5). Out of 190 goals proposed by caregivers, 87 (45.8%) pertained to occupational performance, while 103 (54.2%) were related to personal factors. Among the occupational performance goals, the majority were associated with functional mobility (55; 28.9%), followed by personal care (29; 15.2%) and quiet recreation (3; 1.6%). Among personal goals, physiological factors (68; 35.8%) were most common, followed by physical factors (35; 18.4%). We found caregiver anxiety, measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State, to be a significant predictor of the number of occupational performance goals. These findings underscore the importance of caregiver psychological assessment in the PICU to facilitate personalized goal setting and improve rehabilitation outcomes.
Special Issue: Prematurity, Preterm-Born Adults, and Long-Term Effects on Children and Adults
Authors: Kumar Vasantha H. S.
Published: June 2023

The incidence of preterm births is increasing globally, with increasing survival into adulthood [...]
Open-Source Artificial Intelligence System Supports Diagnosis of Mendelian Diseases in Acutely Ill Infants
Authors: Reiley Joseph , Botas Pablo , Miller Christine E. , Zhao Jian , Malone Jenkins Sabrina , Best Hunter , Grubb Peter H. , Mao Rong , Isla Julián , Brunelli Luca
Published: June 2023

Mendelian disorders are prevalent in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units and are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in these settings. Current diagnostic pipelines that integrate phenotypic and genotypic data are expert-dependent and time-intensive. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools may help address these challenges. Dx29 is an open-source AI tool designed for use by clinicians. It analyzes the patient’s phenotype and genotype to generate a ranked differential diagnosis. We used Dx29 to retrospectively analyze 25 acutely ill infants who had been diagnosed with a Mendelian disorder, using a targeted panel of ~5000 genes. For each case, a trio (proband and both parents) file containing gene variant information was analyzed, alongside patient phenotype, which was provided to Dx29 by three approaches: (1) AI extraction from medical records, (2) AI extraction with manual review/editing, and (3) manual entry. We then identified the rank of the correct diagnosis in Dx29’s differential diagnosis. With these three approaches, Dx29 ranked the correct diagnosis in the top 10 in 92–96% of cases. These results suggest that non-expert use of Dx29’s automated phenotyping and subsequent data analysis may compare favorably to standard workflows utilized by bioinformatics experts to analyze genomic data and diagnose Mendelian diseases.
Experimental and Numerical Study on the Ablation Analysis of a Pintle Injector for GOX/GCH4 Rocket Engines
Authors: Chang Yibing , Zou Jianjun
Published: June 2023

In the present study, the ablation of a pintle injector on a 500N GOX/GCH4 rocket engine under different working conditions is studied experimentally and numerically. The temperature of the pintle tip and the combustion gas in the head zone was measured in a series of experiments by the thermocouples. Moreover, a three-dimensional model was established to simulate combustion and heat transfer concurrently and analyze the ablation state of the pintle injectors. The obtained results indicate that under a low chamber pressure (pc=0.25 MPa) and an increasing O/F ratio from 0.8 to 2, the tip temperature declines first, and then rises. At the designed working condition (pc=1.05 MPa and O/F = 3.2), the pintle tip suffered serious ablation, and the microstructure analysis indicates that the ablation failure of the stainless steel pintle tip originates from chromium precipitation. This phenomenon is especially more pronounced when the temperature exceeds 1273 K, which makes the structure fragile and vulnerable. This article helps to provide an understanding of the ablation failure of the pintle injectors, and the established model is capable of giving a prediction on the ablation status of the pintle tips consistent with the experiment.
Characteristics of Corrosion Products of Friction-Type High-Strength Bolted Joints of Steel Bridge: A Case Study
Authors: Xu Gangnian , Xu Wenpeng , Dong Xu , Fan Shengwei , Wang Xianggang
Published: June 2023

The contact surface corrosion of friction high-strength bolt (FHSB) joints was analyzed to examine the characteristics of corrosion products and influence factors in steel bridges. Samples were selected from the Dongying Shengli Yellow River Bridge, which has been in service for 33 years. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were utilized to analyze the microscopic morphology and chemical composition of the corroded surface of the samples. The study identifies that construction quality issues accelerate corrosion of the contact surface and that the contact surface of the aluminum spraying layer transforms from rugged and dense to smooth and porous as corrosion increases. The findings also suggest that the friction coefficient of the FHSB connection node initially decreases and then increases as the corroded surface changes. Corrosion products contained S, Cl, Mn, Si, FeS, and their oxides, indicating that atmospheric, industrial, and Yellow River soil environments contribute to joint corrosion. The study proposes sandblasting and coating the corroded contact surface and deck steel plate with inorganic zinc-rich paint to prevent media penetration and delay substrate corrosion. Adopting ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) as the deck structure is also recommended to reduce top plate tensile stress, deck cracking, and media invasion. This study provides insights into the characteristics and mechanisms of FHSB joint corrosion to aid the maintenance, repair, and protection of steel bridges.
Effect of Soil Creep on the Bearing Characteristics of Soil Slope Reinforced with CFRP and Anti-Slide Piles
Authors: Wang Jun , Liu Lin , Cao Ping
Published: June 2023

In order to research the displacement characteristics and stability of a soil slope reinforced with carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and anti-slide piles, the displacement composition, aging deformation and failure mode of a soil mass were analyzed. According to the Mohr–Coulomb strength criterion, a new nonlinear, accelerated creep model of soil mass was founded with the addition of a self-building M-C plastic element. Furthermore, a viscoplastic strain analytical formula of an M-C plastic element was obtained, and the tensile deformation characteristics of a CFRP sheet were also discovered under a landslide thrust creep load. According to the environmental conditions of the anti-slide pile, the CFRP was arranged along the load-bearing side of the pile to control deformation. Combining the calculation example, it is shown that the horizontal displacement of the soil slope’s composite structure decreases by approximately 40% with CFRP reinforcement. Furthermore, for the first two calculation conditions, after one year, the maximum horizontal displacement decreased by 50% and increased by 10%, respectively. Simultaneously, the overall safety factor increased by 31.3% without soil creep properties. On the contrary, the overall safety factor was reduced, and the slope has a tendency toward unstable failure. Moreover, there is no through plastic zone in the slope. The stability of the reinforced slope and the bearing capacity of the pile are related to the CFRP method. Simultaneously, the structure can reduce the costs and construction difficulty of anti-slide piles in a complex environment surrounded by the soil creep effect.
Beneficial Bio-Extract of Camellia sinensis var. assamica Fermented with a Combination of Probiotics as a Potential Ingredient for Skin Care
Authors: Makhamrueang Netnapa , Raiwa Araya , Jiaranaikulwanitch Jutamas , Kaewarsar Ekkachai , Butrungrod Widawal , Sirilun Sasithorn
Published: June 2023

Biotechnology, cosmetics, and aesthetic remedies are now inextricably intertwined due to the production of alternative, more effective, and safer active ingredients. Additionally, there has been an increase in demand for natural cosmetic ingredients across the globe. Camellia sinensis var. assamica (Miang tea) is a good alternative because of several biological activities, and is commercially cultivated as a resource in northern Thailand. The process of fermentation mediated by probiotics can enhance the bioavailability of compounds, transform bioactive compounds, and decrease chemical solvent use for sustainability. This study aims to apply the functional evaluation of Miang tea bio-extracts to promote skin health. On the basis of their bioactive enzymes, β-glucosidase, and antioxidant properties, the strains Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (previously Lactobacillus rhamnosus), Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (previously Lactobacillus plantarum), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were used as mixed probiotic starter cultures. The activities of white, green, and black Miang tea bio-extracts, including ferric reducing antioxidant power, lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide inhibition, tyrosinase inhibition, collagenase inhibition (MMP-1 and MMP-2), and antimicrobial activity, were all considerable after 7 days of fermentation time. Additionally, phenolic antioxidant compounds (gallic acid, epigallocatechin gallate, caffeic acid, caffeine, and p-coumaric acid) were identified. The current study’s findings can determine the most effective fermentation time and dose of bio-extract, as well as suggest improvements in bioactive compounds for use in skin care formulations. These results will be used for testing on human participants in further work.
Reconfiguration of Nematic Disclinations in Plane-Parallel Confinements
Authors: Harkai Saša , Rosenblatt Charles , Kralj Samo
Published: June 2023

We study numerically the reconfiguration process of colliding m=1/2 strength disclinations in an achiral nematic liquid crystal (NLC). A Landau–de Gennes approach in terms of tensor nematic-order parameters is used. Initially, different pairs m1,m2 of parallel wedge disclination lines connecting opposite substrates confining the NLC in a plane-parallel cell of a thickness h are imposed: {1/2,1/2}, {−1/2,−1/2} and {−1/2,1/2}. The collisions are imposed by the relative rotation of the azimuthal angle θ of the substrates that strongly pin the defect end points. Pairs {1/2,1/2} and {−1/2,−1/2} “rewire” at the critical angle θc1=3π4 in all cases studied. On the other hand, two qualitatively different scenarios are observed for {−1/2,1/2}. In the thinner film regime hhc, the colliding disclinations at θc2 reconfigure into boojum-like twist disclinations.
Changes in Bird Community Structure on Mount Cameroon Driven by Elevational and Vertical Gradients
Authors: Mekuate Kamga Solange , Tamungang Simon A. , Awa Taku , Chmel Kryštof , Luma Ewome Francis , Lyonga Molua Lucas , Uceda-Gómez Guillermo , Janeček Štěpán , Mlíkovský Jiří , Riegert Jan
Published: June 2023

The distribution of birds in the tropical mountains is important not only for testing fundamental scientific hypotheses, but also for bird conservation. In order to obtain knowledge on bird community structure within the tropical highland ecosystem, we used ground-to-canopy mist nets to assess bird species distribution along a vertical ground-to-canopy gradient for two elevational bands on Mount Cameroon. The study area included lowland forest (Drink Garri, 650 m a.s.l.) and montane forest (Mann’s Spring, 2200 m a.s.l.). We mist netted a total of 2658 individuals, including recaptures, belonging to 118 species from 50 genera. NLAG (net location above the ground), vegetation cover and locality significantly affected the bird communities. The composition of avian communities strongly differed between the two elevational bands. Species diversity considerably decreased with NLAG in both localities and increased with increased vegetation cover at the low elevation site. Species dietary guilds were significantly influenced by the seasonality, elevation, NLAG and vegetation cover. For most of the feeding guilds included in the study (frugivores, omnivores, insectivores, granivores and nectarivores), we found a negative correlation between the abundances and vegetation cover. Meanwhile, percentages of abundance of frugivores, nectarivores and omnivores showed a positive correlation with NLAG. We discuss the substantial changes in feeding guild structure along a vertical gradient and between two elevational bands. In conclusion, Mount Cameroon’s forest vegetation structure differs between two elevational bands and along vertical gradients from ground to canopy, considerably affecting the bird community structure.
Progress in the Cost-Optimal Methodology Implementation in Europe: Datasets Insights and Perspectives in Member States
Authors: Zangheri Paolo , D’Agostino Delia , Armani Roberto , Maduta Carmen , Bertoldi Paolo
Published: June 2023

This data article relates to the paper “Review of the cost-optimal methodology implementation in Member States in compliance with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive”. Datasets linked with this article refer to the analysis of the latest national cost-optimal reports, providing an assessment of the implementation of the cost-optimal methodology, as established by the Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD). Based on latest national reports, the data provided a comprehensive update to the cost-optimal methodology implementation throughout Europe, which is currently lacking harmonization. Datasets allow an overall overview of the status of the cost-optimal methodology implementation in Europe with details on the calculations carried out (e.g., multi-stage, dynamic, macroeconomic, and financial perspectives, included energy uses, and full-cost approach). Data relate to the implemented methodology, reference buildings, assessed cost-optimal levels, energy performance, costs, and sensitivity analysis. Data also provide insight into energy consumption, efficiency measures for residential and non-residential buildings, nearly zero energy buildings (NZEBs) levels, and global costs. The reported data can be useful to quantify the cost-optimal levels for different building types, both residential (average cost-optimal level 80 kWh/m2y for new, 130 kWh/m2y for existing buildings) and non-residential buildings (140 kWh/m2y for new, 180 kWh/m2y for existing buildings). Data outline weak and strong points of the methodology, as well as future developments in the light of the methodology revision foreseen in 2026. The data support energy efficiency and energy policies related to buildings toward the EU building stock decarbonization goal within 2050.
Automatic Classification of Magnetic Resonance Histology of Peripheral Arterial Chronic Total Occlusions Using a Variational Autoencoder: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Csore Judit , Karmonik Christof , Wilhoit Kayla , Buckner Lily , Roy Trisha L.
Published: June 2023

The novel approach of our study consists in adapting and in evaluating a custom-made variational autoencoder (VAE) using two-dimensional (2D) convolutional neural networks (CNNs) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images for differentiate soft vs. hard plaque components in peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Five amputated lower extremities were imaged at a clinical ultra-high field 7 Tesla MRI. Ultrashort echo time (UTE), T1-weighted (T1w) and T2-weighted (T2w) datasets were acquired. Multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) images were obtained from one lesion per limb. Images were aligned to each other and pseudo-color red-green-blue images were created. Four areas in latent space were defined corresponding to the sorted images reconstructed by the VAE. Images were classified from their position in latent space and scored using tissue score (TS) as following: (1) lumen patent, TS:0; (2) partially patent, TS:1; (3) mostly occluded with soft tissue, TS:3; (4) mostly occluded with hard tissue, TS:5. Average and relative percentage of TS was calculated per lesion defined as the sum of the tissue score for each image divided by the total number of images. In total, 2390 MPR reconstructed images were included in the analysis. Relative percentage of average tissue score varied from only patent (lesion #1) to presence of all four classes. Lesions #2, #3 and #5 were classified to contain tissues except mostly occluded with hard tissue while lesion #4 contained all (ranges (I): 0.2–100%, (II): 46.3–75.9%, (III): 18–33.5%, (IV): 20%). Training the VAE was successful as images with soft/hard tissues in PAD lesions were satisfactory separated in latent space. Using VAE may assist in rapid classification of MRI histology images acquired in a clinical setup for facilitating endovascular procedures.
Current Understanding of and Future Directions for Endometriosis-Related Infertility Research with a Focus on Ferroptosis
Authors: Kobayashi Hiroshi , Yoshimoto Chiharu , Matsubara Sho , Shigetomi Hiroshi , Imanaka Shogo
Published: June 2023

Background: To date, the development of therapy for endometriosis and disease-related infertility remains a major challenge. Iron overload caused by periodic bleeding is a hallmark of endometriosis. Ferroptosis is an iron- and lipid-reactive oxygen species-dependent type of programmed cell death that is distinct from apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy. This review summarizes the current understanding of and future directions for the research and treatment of endometriosis and disease-related infertility, with the main focus on the molecular basis of ferroptosis in endometriotic and granulosa cells. Methods: Papers published between 2000 and 2022 in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases were included in this review. Results: Emerging evidence suggests that ferroptosis is closely linked to the pathophysiology of endometriosis. Endometriotic cells are characterized by ferroptosis resistance, whereas granulosa cells remain highly susceptible to ferroptosis, suggesting that the regulation of ferroptosis is utilized as an interventional target for research into the treatment of endometriosis and disease-related infertility. New therapeutic strategies are urgently needed to efficiently kill endometriotic cells while protecting granulosa cells. Conclusions: An analysis of the ferroptosis pathway in in vitro, in vivo, and animal research enhances our understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease. Here, we discuss the role of ferroptosis modulators as a research approach and potential novel treatment for endometriosis and disease-related infertility.
A Fetal Well-Being Diagnostic Method Based on Cardiotocographic Morphological Pattern Utilizing Autoencoder and Recursive Feature Elimination
Authors: Akmal Haad , Hardalaç Fırat , Ayturan Kubilay
Published: June 2023

Cardiotocography (CTG), which measures the fetal heart rate (FHR) and maternal uterine contractions (UC) simultaneously, is used for monitoring fetal well-being during delivery or antenatally at the third trimester. Baseline FHR and its response to uterine contractions can be used to diagnose fetal distress, which may necessitate therapeutic intervention. In this study, a machine learning model based on feature extraction (autoencoder), feature selection (recursive feature elimination), and Bayesian optimization, was proposed to diagnose and classify the different conditions of fetuses (Normal, Suspect, Pathologic) along with the CTG morphological patterns. The model was evaluated on a publicly available CTG dataset. This research also addressed the imbalance nature of the CTG dataset. The proposed model has a potential application as a decision support tool to manage pregnancies. The proposed model resulted in good performance analysis metrics. Using this model with Random Forest resulted in a model accuracy of 96.62% for fetal status classification and 94.96% for CTG morphological pattern classification. In rational terms, the model was able to accurately predict 98% Suspect cases and 98.6% Pathologic cases in the dataset. The combination of predicting and classifying fetal status as well as the CTG morphological patterns shows potential in monitoring high-risk pregnancies.
Study on Multi-UAV Cooperative Path Planning for Complex Patrol Tasks in Large Cities
Authors: Xiang Hongyu , Han Yuhang , Pan Nan , Zhang Miaohan , Wang Zhenwei
Published: June 2023

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly utilized for urban patrol and defense owing to their low cost, high mobility, and rapid deployment. This paper proposes a multi-UAV mission planning model that takes into account mission execution rates, flight energy consumption costs, and impact costs. A kinematics and dynamics model of a quadcopter UAV is established, and the UAV’s flight state is analyzed. Due to the difficulties in addressing 3D UAV kinematic constraints and poor uniformity using traditional optimization algorithms, a lightning search algorithm (LSA) based on multi-layer nesting and random walk strategies (MNRW-LSA) is proposed. The convergence performance of the MNRW-LSA algorithm is demonstrated by comparing it with several other algorithms, such as the Golden Jackal Optimization (GJO), Hunter–Prey Optimization (HPO), Pelican Optimization Algorithm (POA), Reptile Search Algorithm (RSA), and the Golden Eagle Optimization (GEO) using optimization test functions, Friedman and Nemenyi tests. Additionally, a greedy strategy is added to the Rapidly-Exploring Random Tree (RRT) algorithm to initialize the trajectories for simulation experiments using a 3D city model. The results indicate that the proposed algorithm can enhance global convergence and robustness, shorten convergence time, improve UAV execution coverage, and reduce energy consumption. Compared with other algorithms, such as Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Simulated Annealing (SA), and LSA, the proposed method has greater advantages in addressing multi-UAV trajectory planning problems.
Factorization of a Spectral Density with Smooth Eigenvalues of a Multidimensional Stationary Time Series
Authors: Szabados Tamás
Published: June 2023

The aim of this paper to give a multidimensional version of the classical one-dimensional case of smooth spectral density. A spectral density with smooth eigenvalues and H∞ eigenvectors gives an explicit method to factorize the spectral density and compute the Wold representation of a weakly stationary time series. A formula, similar to the Kolmogorov–Szego” formula, is given for the covariance matrix of the innovations. These results are important to give the best linear predictions of the time series. The results are applicable when the rank of the process is smaller than the dimension of the process, which occurs frequently in many current applications, including econometrics.