bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Emerging Roles of the Metabolic Regulator G6PD in Human Cancers
Authors: Ahamed Alfar , Hosea Rendy , Wu Shourong , Kasim Vivi
Published: December 2023

Metabolic reprogramming, especially reprogrammed glucose metabolism, is a well-known cancer hallmark related to various characteristics of tumor cells, including proliferation, survival, metastasis, and drug resistance. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is the first and rate-limiting enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), a branch of glycolysis, that converts glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) into 6-phosphogluconolactone (6PGL). Furthermore, PPP produces ribose-5-phosphate (R5P), which provides sugar-phosphate backbones for nucleotide synthesis as well as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), an important cellular reductant. Several studies have shown enhanced G6PD expression and PPP flux in various tumor cells, as well as their correlation with tumor progression through cancer hallmark regulation, especially reprogramming cellular metabolism, sustaining proliferative signaling, resisting cell death, and activating invasion and metastasis. Inhibiting G6PD could suppress tumor cell proliferation, promote cell death, reverse chemoresistance, and inhibit metastasis, suggesting the potential of G6PD as a target for anti-tumor therapeutic strategies. Indeed, while challenges—including side effects—still remain, small-molecule G6PD inhibitors showing potential anti-tumor effect either when used alone or in combination with other anti-tumor drugs have been developed. This review provides an overview of the structural significance of G6PD, its role in and regulation of tumor development and progression, and the strategies explored in relation to G6PD-targeted therapy.
Cas9-Mediated Gene Editing Using Receptor-Mediated Ovary Transduction of Cargo (ReMOT) Control in Bombyx mori
Authors: Yu Bin , Dong Sichen , Jiang Xiaoyu , Qiao Liang , Chen Jie , Li Tian , Pan Guoqing , Zhou Zeyang , Li Chunfeng
Published: December 2023

Lepidoptera is one of the most speciose insect orders, causing enormous damage to agricultural and forest crops. Although genome editing has been achieved in a few Lepidoptera for insect controls, most techniques are still limited. Here, by injecting female pupae of the Lepidoptera model species, Bombyx mori, gene editing was established using the Receptor-Mediated Ovary Transduction of Cargo (ReMOT) control technique. We identified a B. mori oocytes-targeting peptide ligand (BmOTP, a 29 aa of vitellogenin N-terminal of silkworms) with a highly conserved sequence in lepidopteran insects that could efficiently deliver mCherry into oocytes. When BmOTP was fused to CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) and the BmOTP-Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complex was injected into female pupae, heritable editing of the offspring was achieved in the silkworms. Compared with embryo microinjection, individual injection is more convenient and eliminates the challenge of injecting extremely small embryos. Our results will significantly facilitate the genetic manipulation of other lepidopteran insects, which is essential for advancing lepidopteran pest control.
The Effects of Interphase and Interpulse Delays and Pulse Widths on Induced Muscle Contractions, Pain and Therapeutic Efficacy in Electroporation-Based Therapies
Authors: Cvetkoska Aleksandra , Maček-Lebar Alenka , Polajžer Tamara , Reberšek Matej , Upchurch Weston , Iaizzo Paul A. , Sigg Daniel C. , Miklavčič Damijan
Published: December 2023

Electroporation is used in medicine for drug and gene delivery, and as a nonthermal ablation method in tumor treatment and cardiac ablation. Electroporation involves delivering high-voltage electric pulses to target tissue; however, this can cause effects beyond the intended target tissue like nerve stimulation, muscle contractions and pain, requiring use of sedatives or anesthetics. It was previously shown that adjusting pulse parameters may mitigate some of these effects, but not how these adjustments would affect electroporation’s efficacy. We investigated the effect of varying pulse parameters such as interphase and interpulse delay while keeping the duration and number of pulses constant on nerve stimulation, muscle contraction and assessing pain and electroporation efficacy, conducting experiments on human volunteers, tissue samples and cell lines in vitro. Our results show that using specific pulse parameters, particularly short high-frequency biphasic pulses with short interphase and long interpulse delays, reduces muscle contractions and pain sensations in healthy individuals. Higher stimulation thresholds were also observed in experiments on isolated swine phrenic nerves and human esophagus tissues. However, changes in the interphase and interpulse delays did not affect the cell permeability and survival, suggesting that modifying the pulse parameters could minimize adverse effects while preserving therapeutic goals in electroporation.
Association between Psychiatric Disorders and the Incidence of Heart Failure in Women
Authors: Antwi-Amoabeng Daniel , Neelam Vijay , Ulanja Mark Bilinyi , Beutler Bryce David , Gbadebo Tokunbo David , Sugathan Prasanna
Published: December 2023

Background: Depression and anxiety occur more frequently in women and are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Objectives: Data on the association between these psychiatric conditions and the incidence of acute heart failure (HF) and how they influence heart failure outcomes in women are lacking. We investigated this potential relationship using data from the National Inpatient Sample. Methods: We used ICD-10 codes to extract encounters for acute heart failure and/or the acute exacerbation of chronic heart failure, anxiety, and depression from the discharge data of the NIS from 2019 to 2020. We compared baseline characteristics and length of stay (LOS), cost of care (COC) and acute HF by depression/anxiety status for males and females and employed regression models to assess the influence of these psychiatric conditions on the outcomes. Results: There were 6,394,136 encounters involving females, which represented 56.6% of the sample. The prevalence of depression and anxiety were 15.7% and 16.8%, respectively. Among females, the occurrence of acute CHF did not differ by depression or anxiety status. However, Takostubo cardiomyopathy was more prevalent in those with depression (0.3% vs. 0.2%, p = 0.003) and anxiety (0.3% vs. 0.2%, p = 0.03) compared to those without these conditions. Among those with depression, LOS was significantly longer (3 days IQR: 2–6, vs. 3 days IQR:2–5 days, p < 0.001). The COC was USD 1481 more in patients with depression. On the contrary, LOS and COC were significantly lower in those without anxiety. Conclusions: Depression was associated with an increased LOS among both men and women and an increased cost of care among women. Anxiety was associated with a decreased LOS and cost of care among women, which may be related to an increased rate of against medical advice (AMA) discharges among this population. Further research is necessary to identify optimal management strategies for depression and anxiety among patients hospitalized with HF.
The Diagnostic Value of FibroTest and Hepascore as Non-Invasive Markers of Liver Fibrosis in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)
Authors: Cylwik Bogdan , Bauer Alicja , Gruszewska Ewa , Gan Kacper , Kazberuk Marcin , Chrostek Lech
Published: December 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of two non-invasive, validated, and patented markers of liver fibrosis, the Hepascore and FibroTest, in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). The study group consisted of 74 PSC patients and 38 healthy subjects. All patients had a liver biopsy. The Hepascore and FibroTest were calculated using specific algorithms. The ANOVA rank Kruskal–Wallis test revealed differences in the Hepascore and FibroTest between patients divided according to histological stage (p < 0.001 for both comparisons). The Hepascore and FibroTest had significantly higher results in patients with significant fibrosis (F ≥ 2) in comparison to those with no significant fibrosis (F1) (p < 0.001 for both tests) and higher values in patients with cirrhosis (F4) when compared to those without cirrhosis (F1–F3) (p < 0.001 for both comparisons). The Hepascore test showed a diagnostic sensitivity of 96.8%, a specificity of 100% for fibrosis (at cut-off 0.52) and a diagnostic sensitivity of 95.2%, and a specificity also of 100% for cirrhosis (at 0.80). The FibroTest in point 0.51 for the diagnosis of fibrosis obtained the following values: 58.6%, 90%, 89.5%, and 60%, respectively, and in point 0.73 for the diagnosis of cirrhosis: 42.9%, 100%, 100%, and 45.5, respectively. The Hepascore test reached an excellent diagnostic power in identifying both fibrosis and cirrhosis (AUC = 1.0). The FibroTest and Hepascore are highly valuable for the evaluation of the severity of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in PSC patients and can be used as a primary screening method, allowing for a significant reduction in the need for liver biopsy. Both markers have the required sensitivity and specificity to detect liver fibrosis and cirrhosis and can be equally used in clinical practice, although the Hepascore seems to be a better test because it is more specific.
Diagnostic Utility of a Combined MPO/D-Dimer Score to Distinguish Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm from Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: Zagrapan Branislav , Klopf Johannes , Celem Nihan Dide , Brandau Annika , Rossi Patrick , Gordeeva Yulia , Szewczyk Alexandra Regina , Liu Linda , Ahmadi-Fazel Diana , Najarnia Sina , Fuchs Lukas , Hayden Hubert , Loewe Christian , Eilenberg Wolf , Neumayer Christoph , Brostjan Christine
Published: December 2023

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and peripheral artery disease (PAD) share pathophysiological mechanisms including the activation of the fibrinolytic and innate immune system, which explains the analysis of D-dimer and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in both conditions. This study evaluates the diagnostic marker potential of both variables separately and as a combined MPO/D-dimer score for identifying patients with AAA versus healthy individuals or patients with PAD. Plasma levels of MPO and D-dimer were increased in PAD and AAA compared to healthy controls (median for MPO: 13.63 ng/mL [AAA] vs. 11.74 ng/mL [PAD] vs. 9.16 ng/mL [healthy], D-dimer: 1.27 μg/mL [AAA] vs. 0.58 μg/mL [PAD] vs. 0.38 μg/mL [healthy]). The combined MPO/D-dimer score (median 1.26 [AAA] vs. −0.19 [PAD] vs. −0.93 [healthy]) showed an improved performance in distinguishing AAA from PAD when analysed using the receiver operating characteristic curve (area under the curve) for AAA against the pooled data of healthy controls + PAD: 0.728 [MPO], 0.749 [D-dimer], 0.801 [score]. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity ranged at 82.9% and 70.2% (for score cut-off = 0). These findings were confirmed for a separate collective of AAA patients with 35% simultaneous PAD. Thus, evaluating MPO together with D-dimer in a simple score may be useful for diagnostic detection and the distinction of AAA from athero-occlusive diseases like PAD.
Utilization of Spent Coffee Grounds as a Sustainable Resource for the Synthesis of Bioplastic Composites with Polylactic Acid, Starch, and Sucrose
Authors: Masssijaya Sri Yustikasari , Lubis Muhammad Adly Rahandi , Nissa Rossy Choerun , Nurhamiyah Yeyen , Nugroho Pramono , Antov Petar , Lee Seng-Hua , Papadopoulos Antonios N. , Kusumah Sukma Surya , Karlinasari Lina
Published: December 2023

Polylactic Acid (PLA) is a biodegradable polymer, but the cost of PLA is not competitive compared to polyolefins. The development of bioplastic composites by blending PLA with spent coffee grounds (SCG) and thermoplastic starch (TPS) is an effective way to reduce the cost of PLA. This study aimed to investigate and evaluate the feasibility of using SCG to develop bioplastic composite materials with a blend of PLA and TPS. Bioplastics were fabricated with various SCG contents (5, 10, 15 wt%). The physical and mechanical characteristics of the bioplastic composite decreased as the SCG content increased owing to the higher aggregation caused by SCG dust. However, the bioplastics manufactured with the addition of SCG exhibited enhanced crystallinity, resulting in enhanced thermal properties compared to the composites without SCG. The best characteristics of bioplastics, obtained with a 5% SCG addition, were as follows: water vapor transmission rate of 1276 g d/m2, water vapor permeability (WVP) of 1.86256 × 10−7 g/ms Pa, Young’s modulus of 420 MPa, elongation of 2.59%, and tensile strength of 5 MPa. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that the addition of SCG is not recommended for improving the physical and mechanical properties of bioplastics. However, owing to its large content of organic compounds, SCG represents a promising and low-cost functional material that can be exploited in the development of various value-added products.
Noise Reduction for a Virtual Grid Using a Generative Adversarial Network in Breast X-ray Images
Authors: Lim Sewon , Nam Hayun , Shin Hyemin , Jeong Sein , Kim Kyuseok , Lee Youngjin
Published: December 2023

In this study, we aimed to address the issue of noise amplification after scatter correction when using a virtual grid in breast X-ray images. To achieve this, we suggested an algorithm for estimating noise level and developed a noise reduction algorithm based on generative adversarial networks (GANs). Synthetic scatter in breast X-ray images were collected using Sizgraphy equipment and scatter correction was performed using dedicated software. After scatter correction, we determined the level of noise using noise-level function plots and trained a GAN using 42 noise combinations. Subsequently, we obtained the resulting images and quantitatively evaluated their quality by measuring the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), coefficient of variance (COV), and normalized noise–power spectrum (NNPS). The evaluation revealed an improvement in the CNR by approximately 2.80%, an enhancement in the COV by 12.50%, and an overall improvement in the NNPS across all frequency ranges. In conclusion, the application of our GAN-based noise reduction algorithm effectively reduced noise and demonstrated the acquisition of improved-quality breast X-ray images.
Go-Game Image Recognition Based on Improved Pix2pix
Authors: Zheng Yanxia , Qian Xiyuan
Published: December 2023

Go is a game that can be won or lost based on the number of intersections surrounded by black or white pieces. The traditional method is a manual counting method, which is time-consuming and error-prone. In addition, the generalization of the current Go-image-recognition methods is poor, and accuracy needs to be further improved. To solve these problems, a Go-game image recognition based on an improved pix2pix was proposed. Firstly, a channel-coordinate mixed-attention (CCMA) mechanism was designed by combining channel attention and coordinate attention effectively; therefore, the model could learn the target feature information. Secondly, in order to obtain the long-distance contextual information, a deep dilated-convolution (DDC) module was proposed, which densely linked the dilated convolution with different dilated rates. The experimental results showed that compared with other existing Go-image-recognition methods, such as DenseNet, VGG-16, and Yolo v5, the proposed method could effectively improve the generalization ability and accuracy of a Go-image-recognition model, and the average accuracy rate was over 99.99%.
A Study on the Lateral Ultimate Strength and Collapse Modes of Doubly Curved Stiffened Plates
Authors: Guo Guangyu , Cui Jinju , Wang Deyu
Published: December 2023

Bows and stems are often subjected to wave slamming loads. Stiffened plates with curvatures in both longitudinal and transversal directions are the basic members of these structures. As a result, it is important to investigate the lateral ultimate strength of the doubly curved stiffened plates. In this study, the non-linear finite element method (NFEM) is selected to investigate the collapse modes and lateral ultimate strengths of the doubly curved stiffened plates. Additionally, the influences of curvature and geometrical properties on the collapse modes and ultimate strengths of doubly curved stiffened plates are investigated. In the NFEM analysis, a series of numerical simulations, covering different aspect ratios, curvatures, and structural scantlings are performed. Different collapse modes of doubly curved stiffened plates under lateral loading cases are observed. The relationships between the collapse modes and the geometrical properties are then discussed based on the numerical results. Moreover, the results also show that larger curvatures along the stiffeners and stronger stiffeners contribute more to the lateral ultimate strengths. Subsequently, an empirical formula is derived and verified for predicting the lateral ultimate strength of the doubly curved stiffened plates. The results of the empirical formula match well with numerical calculations.
A New Methodology-Based Sensorial System with Which to Determine the Volume of Liquid Contained in a Cylindrical Tank Subjected to Full Variations in Its Orientation
Authors: del Horno Leticia , Segura Eva , Somolinos José A. , Morales Rafael
Published: December 2023

It is necessary to determine the volume of water contained in a tank for a wide range of applications, such as the automation and monitoring of industrial operations. In the context of the marine industry, the aforementioned information plays a vital role in the effective management of submerged devices, specifically in relation to their depths and/or inclinations. In these cases, it is not feasible to quantify the volume of liquid in a tank by means of direct measurements, owing to the fact that devices can be subjected to changes in their orientation. This variation in inclination could have a variety of causes, such as the implementation of automated emersion–immersion maneuvers in a TEC or variations in depth in an AUV. Nevertheless, it can be deduced by considering the level of the tank and its geometric properties. This paper presents a new methodology-based sensorial system (composed of three capacitive sensors and an inclinometer) for accurate determination of the volume of a liquid contained within a cylindrical tank subjected to full variations in its orientation. The effectiveness of the proposed methodology-based sensorial system has been verified by the results obtained from experiments conducted on a laboratory platform, thus demonstrating the high reliability of the model experiment and the relative errors study carried out.
Qualitative Study of the Transport of Microplastics in the Río de la Plata Estuary, Argentina, through Numerical Simulation
Authors: Elisei Schicchi Alejandra , Moreira Diego , Eisenberg Patricia , Simionato Claudia G.
Published: December 2023

Information about the sources, sinks, dynamics, and how environmental variables affect the transport of microplastics (MPs) from continental deposits to marine systems is still limited. Most of the knowledge about the distribution of plastic in the oceans comes from the use of numerical models to understand the routes of MPs moving in aquatic systems. The Río de la Plata (RdP) is an estuary located on the eastern coast of South America and is one of the most anthropized watercourses in the region. In this study, the trajectory of MPs in the RdP was examined through the implementation, for the first time for the region, of numerical simulation models. The impact of the estuary’s hydrodynamic characteristics, winds, and MP morphological properties on their trajectory was investigated. The simulations produced demonstrated a high correlation between the hydrodynamics of the Río de la Plata and the trajectory of positively buoyant MPs. The wind was identified as a significant driving force in the simulation of MP motion dynamics. Modifications in the size of the MPs have more influence on the trajectory than their morphology. The results constitute an initial step toward understanding the dynamics of these emerging pollutants in one of South America’s most important basins.
A Composite Super-Twisting Sliding Mode Approach for Platform Motion Suppression and Power Regulation of Floating Offshore Wind Turbine
Authors: Yang Wenxiang , Han Yaozhen , Ma Ronglin , Hou Mingdong , Yang Guang
Published: December 2023

The floating platform motion of an offshore wind turbine system can exacerbate output power fluctuations and increase fatigue loads. This paper proposes a new scheme based on a fast second-order sliding mode (SOSM) control and an adaptive super-twisting extended state observer to suppress the platform motion and power fluctuation. Firstly, an affine nonlinear model of the floating wind turbine pitch system is constructed. Then, a fast SOSM pitch control law is adopted to adjust the blade pitch angle, and a new adaptive super-twisting extended state observer is constructed to achieve total disturbance observation. Finally, simulations are conducted under two cases of wind and wave conditions based on FAST (fatigue, aerodynamics, structures, and turbulence) and MATLAB/Simulink. Compared with the traditional proportional integral (PI) control scheme and standard super-twisting control scheme, the platform roll under the proposed scheme is reduced by 13% and 4%, and pitch is reduced by 16% and 3% in Case 1. Correspondingly, the roll is reduced by 9% and 15%, and pitch is reduced by 7% and 1% in Case 2. For the tower top pitch and yaw moment, load reductions of 7% and 3% or more are achievable compared with those under the PI control scheme. It is indicated that the proposed scheme is more effective in suppressing floating platform motion, stabilizing output power of the wind turbine system, and reducing tower loads.
Maritime Search Path Planning Method of an Unmanned Surface Vehicle Based on an Improved Bug Algorithm
Authors: Wang Xiuling , Yin Yong , Jing Qianfeng
Published: December 2023

Due to the complicated and changing circumstances of the sea environment, path planning technology is essential for unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) to fulfill search tasks. In most cases, the location of the underwater target is unknown, so it is necessary to completely cover the search area. In this paper, the global static path is planned using a parallel line scan search. When encountering unknown obstacles, the improved Bug algorithm is used for local dynamic path planning according to the sensor detection information. This paper first sets up the safe expansion area to ensure the safety of the USV during the obstacle avoidance process and optimizes the movement direction considering the operation and behavior characteristics of the USV. To meet the requirement of USV steering, the Bezier curve is used to smooth the path points, which greatly improves the smoothness of the path. In this paper, the multi-mode switching strategy of the Bug algorithm based on obstacle boundary width obtained by the sensor is proposed, which ensures no area omissions and meets the requirement of search area coverage during the process of bypassing obstacles. The simulation results show that the improved Bug algorithm can maintain a safe distance along the obstacle boundary to bypass the obstacle. Moreover, the improved Bug algorithm effectively improves the path oscillation phenomenon of traditional Bug and shortens the path length and operating time. Finally, through the global search path planning simulation and comparison experiments, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified.
Characterization of Terpenoids from the Ambrosia Beetle Symbiont and Laurel Wilt Pathogen Harringtonia lauricola
Authors: Zhu Zhiqiang , Yang Chenjie , Keyhani Nemat O. , Liu Sen , Pu Huili , Jia Peisong , Wu Dongmei , Stevenson Philip C. , Fernández-Grandon G. Mandela , Pan Jieming , Chen Yuxi , Guan Xiayu , Qiu Junzhi
Published: December 2023

Little is known concerning terpenoids produced by members of the fungal order Ophiostomales, with the member Harringtonia lauricola having the unique lifestyle of being a beetle symbiont but potentially devastating tree pathogen. Nine known terpenoids, including six labdane diterpenoids (1–6) and three hopane triterpenes (7–9), were isolated from H. lauricola ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extracts for the first time. All compounds were tested for various in vitro bioactivities. Six compounds, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9, are described functionally. Compounds 2, 4, 5, and 9 expressed potent antiproliferative activity against the MCF-7, HepG2 and A549 cancer cell lines, with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) ~12.54–26.06 μM. Antimicrobial activity bioassays revealed that compounds 4, 5, and 9 exhibited substantial effects against Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Ralstonia solanacearum) with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values between 3.13 and 12.50 μg/mL. Little activity was seen towards Gram-positive bacteria for any of the compounds, whereas compounds 2, 4, 7, and 9 expressed antifungal activities (Fusarium oxysporum) with MIC values ranging from 6.25 to 25.00 μg/mL. Compounds 4, 5, and 9 also displayed free radical scavenging abilities towards 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide (O2−), with IC50 values of compounds 2, 4, and 6 ~3.45–14.04 μg/mL and 22.87–53.31 μg/mL towards DPPH and O2−, respectively. These data provide an insight into the biopharmaceutical potential of terpenoids from this group of fungal insect symbionts and plant pathogens.
Three New Species of Microdochium (Microdochiaceae, Xylariales) on Bambusaceae sp. and Saprophytic Leaves from Hainan and Yunnan, China
Authors: Zhang Jie , Zhang Zhaoxue , Li Duhua , Xia Jiwen , Li Zhuang
Published: December 2023

Species of the genus Microdochium (Microdochiaceae, Xylariales) have been reported from the whole world and separated from multiple plant hosts. The primary aim of the present study is to describe and illustrate three new species isolated from the leaf spot of Bambusaceae sp. and saprophytic leaves in Hainan and Yunnan provinces, China. The proposed three species, viz., Microdochium bambusae, M. nannuoshanense and M. phyllosaprophyticum, are based on multi-locus phylogenies from a combined dataset of ITS rDNA, LSU, RPB2 and TUB2 in conjunction with morphological characteristics. Descriptions and illustrations of three new species in the genus are provided.
Non-Coding RNAs and the Development of Chemoresistance to Docetaxel in Prostate Cancer: Regulatory Interactions and Approaches Based on Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Pudova Elena , Kobelyatskaya Anastasiya , Emelyanova Marina , Snezhkina Anastasiya , Fedorova Maria , Pavlov Vladislav , Guvatova Zulfiya , Dalina Alexandra , Kudryavtseva Anna
Published: December 2023

Chemotherapy based on taxane-class drugs is the gold standard for treating advanced stages of various oncological diseases. However, despite the favorable response trends, most patients eventually develop resistance to this therapy. Drug resistance is the result of a combination of different events in the tumor cells under the influence of the drug, a comprehensive understanding of which has yet to be determined. In this review, we examine the role of the major classes of non-coding RNAs in the development of chemoresistance in the case of prostate cancer, one of the most common and socially significant types of cancer in men worldwide. We will focus on recent findings from experimental studies regarding the prognostic potential of the identified non-coding RNAs. Additionally, we will explore novel approaches based on machine learning to study these regulatory molecules, including their role in the development of drug resistance.
Interdisciplinary Multidimensional Assessment of Transthyretin Amyloidosis before and after Tafamidis
Authors: Pennisi Manuela , Lanza Giuseppe , Vitello Girolamo , Faro Denise , Fisicaro Francesco , Cappellani Francesco , Bella Rita , Monte Ines
Published: December 2023

Background: Clinically, there is considerable heterogeneity in the presentation of transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR), which ranges from primarily cardiac and primarily neurologic to mixed disease, among other manifestations. Because of this complex presentation, the diagnosis and management of patients with ATTR are often challenging and should be performed in interdisciplinary centers specialized in amyloidosis. Here, we aimed to increase awareness of ATTR detection and pathophysiology through a multidimensional multiorgan approach. Case report: We reported on a 60-year-old man with wild-type ATTR who underwent a number of both basic and advanced cardiological and neurological investigations at baseline and after a treatment period with the TTR tetramer stabilizer, tafamidis. Several findings are provided here, some of which might be considered instrumental correlates of the patient’s clinical improvement after therapy. Conclusions: Adequate awareness and prompt recognition of ATTR support early diagnosis and faster access to therapies, thereby slowing the progression and improving the prognosis. The need for a multidisciplinary alliance between specialists and the opportunity to perform, at least in selected cases, a set of specific examinations for a detailed assessment of ATTR patients can also provide valuable insights into the physiopathology and response to therapy of a disease as complex and intriguing as ATTR.
High-Temperature Friction and Wear Behavior of Nickel-Alloy Matrix Composites with the Addition of Molybdate
Authors: Zhen Jinming , Zhen Congcong , Han Yunxiang , Yuan Lin , Yang Liwei , Yang Tianqi , Guo Shuo
Published: December 2023

To improve the tribological characteristics of materials employed in spatial mechanisms, there is a significant requirement to develop solid lubricating composites with superior performance. This study investigates the tribological characteristics of composites consisting of a nickel matrix combined with silver molybdate and barium molybdate. The experimental analysis focuses on evaluating the tribological behaviors of these composites from 25 °C to 800 °C. The findings indicate that the combined application of silver molybdate and barium molybdate resulted in enhanced self-lubricating properties of the composites, particularly at temperatures over 400 °C. The inclusion of both silver molybdate and barium molybdate in the composite resulted in the achievement of a low friction coefficient (0.34–0.5), as well as a wear rate ranging from 0.47 to 1.25 × 10−4 mm3 N−1m−1, within the temperature range of 400 to 800 °C. Furthermore, an analysis was conducted to examine the wear processes of the composites at various sliding temperatures. This analysis was based on the evaluation of the chemical composition and morphologies of the sliding surfaces, which were verified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Raman spectroscopy.
High Spin Magnetic Moments in All-3d-Metallic Co-Based Full Heusler Compounds
Authors: Tas Murat , Özdoğan Kemal , Şaşıoğlu Ersoy , Galanakis Iosif
Published: December 2023

We conduct ab-initio electronic structure calculations to explore a novel category of magnetic Heusler compounds, comprising solely 3d transition metal atoms and characterized by high spin magnetic moments. Specifically, we focus on Co2YZ Heusler compounds, where Y and Z represent transition metal atoms such that the order of the valence is Co > Y > Z. We show that these compounds exhibit a distinctive region of very low density of minority-spin states at the Fermi level when crystallizing in the L21 lattice structure. The existence of this pseudogap leads most of the studied compounds to a Slater–Pauling-type behavior of their total spin magnetic moment. Co2FeMn is the compound that presents the largest total spin magnetic moment in the unit cell reaching a very large value of 9 μB. Our findings suggest that these compounds are exceptionally promising materials for applications in the realms of spintronics and magnetoelectronics.
Electrochemical Methods for the Analysis of Trace Tin Concentrations—Review
Authors: Grabarczyk Malgorzata , Wlazlowska Edyta , Fialek Marzena
Published: December 2023

Tin determination allows for the monitoring of pollution and assessment of the impact of human activities on the environment. The determination of tin in the environment is crucial for the protection of human health and ecosystems, and for maintaining sustainability. Tin can be released into the environment from various sources, such as industry, transportation, and electronic waste. The concentration of tin in the environment can be determined by different analytical methods, depending on the form of tin present and the purpose of the analysis. The choice of an appropriate method depends on the type of sample, concentration levels, and the available instrumentation. In this paper, we have carried out a literature review of electrochemical methods for the determination of tin. Electrochemical methods of analysis such as polarography, voltammetry, and potentiometry can be used for the determination of tin in various environmental samples, as well as in metal alloys. The detection limits and linearity ranges obtained for the determination of tin by different electrochemical techniques are collected and presented. The influence of the choice of base electrolyte and working electrode on signals is also presented. Practical applications of the developed tin determination methods in analyzing real samples are also summarized.
A Phase-Field Study of Spinodal Decomposition Impeded by Irradiation in U-Mo and U-Mo-Zr Alloys
Authors: Lu Yong , Ni Xue , Guo Honghao , Huang Xiaoyi , Sun Dan , Li Wenjie , Liu Xingjun , Wang Cuiping
Published: December 2023

The phase-field method, coupled with the micro-elastic model and irradiation-induced cascade mixing model, has been employed to investigate the spinodal decomposition in U-Mo and U-Mo-Zr alloys. The microstructure evolution of U-Mo or U-Mo-Zr alloys under different initial conditions, such as the alloy composition, aging temperature and irradiation intensity, were simulated to study the effect of cascade mixing on the miscibility gap, morphology and volume fraction of the decomposed phases. The simulation results demonstrate that irradiation-induced cascade mixing impedes the process of spinodal decomposition, and that irradiation shrinks the composition range of the miscibility gap in the alloys. Irradiation-induced cascade mixing slows down the anisotropic growth rate of the spinodal decomposition, yet this phenomenon can be weakened with increasing aging temperature. Adding an appropriate amount of Zr to a U-Mo alloy can effectively prevent the contraction of the miscibility gap caused by irradiation.
Crystal Structural Characteristics and Electrical Properties of (Ba0.7Sr0.3-xCax)(Ti0.9Zr0.1)O3 Ceramics Prepared Using the Citrate Gelation Method
Authors: Jeong Jae-Young , Kim Si-Hyun , Kim Ju-Hye , Park Jae-Hoon , Jung Da-Som , Kim Eung-Soo
Published: December 2023

The electrical properties of (Ba0.7Sr0.3-xCax)(Ti0.9Zr0.1)O3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) (BSCTZ) ceramics prepared using citrate gelation (CG) method were investigated by substituting Ca2+ ions for the Sr2+ sites based on the structural characteristics of the ceramics. BSCTZ was sintered for 3 h at 1300 °C, lower than the temperature (1550 °C) at which the specimens prepared using the solid-state reaction (SSR) method were sintered, which lasted for 6 h. As the amount of substituted Ca2+ ions increased, the unit cell volume of the BSCTZ decreased because of the smaller ionic radius of the Ca2+ ions compared to the Sr2+ ions. The dielectric constant of BaTiO3-based ceramics is imparted by factors such as the tetragonality and B-site bond valence of the ceramics. Although the ceramic tetragonality increased with Ca2+ ion substitution, the x = 0.05 specimens exhibited the highest dielectric constant. The decrease in the dielectric constant of the sintered x > 0.05 specimens was attributed to the increase in the B-site bond valence of the ABO3 perovskite structure. Owing to the large number of grain boundaries, the breakdown voltage (6.6839 kV/mm) of the BSCTZ prepared using the CG method was significantly improved in relation to that (2.0043 kV/mm) of the specimen prepared using the SSR method.
Defect Detection Model Using CNN and Image Augmentation for Seat Foaming Process
Authors: Choi Nak-Hun , Sohn Jung Woo , Oh Jong-Seok
Published: December 2023

In the manufacturing industry, which is facing the 4th Industrial Revolution, various process data are being collected from various sensors, and efforts are being made to construct more efficient processes using these data. Many studies have demonstrated high accuracy in predicting defect rates through image data collected during the process using two-dimensional (2D) convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithms, which are effective in image analysis. However, in an environment where numerous process data are recorded as numerical values, the application of 2D CNN algorithms is limited. Thus, to perform defect prediction through the application of a 2D CNN algorithm in a process wherein image data cannot be collected, this study attempted to develop a defect prediction technique that can visualize the data collected in numerical form. The polyurethane foam manufacturing process was selected as a case study to verify the proposed method, which confirmed that the defect rate could be predicted with an average accuracy of 97.32%. Consequently, highly accurate defect rate prediction and verification of the basis of judgment can be facilitated in environments wherein image data cannot be collected, rendering the proposed technique applicable to processes other than those in this case study.
A Joint Batch Correction and Adaptive Clustering Method of Single-Cell Transcriptomic Data
Authors: An Sijing , Shi Jinhui , Liu Runyan , Wang Jing , Hu Shuofeng , Dong Guohua , Ying Xiaomin , He Zhen
Published: December 2023

Clustering analysis for single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data is essential for characterizing cellular heterogeneity. However, batch information caused by batch effects is often confused with the intrinsic biological information in scRNA-seq data, which makes accurate clustering quite challenging. A Deep Adaptive Clustering with Adversarial Learning method (DACAL) is proposed here. DACAL jointly optimizes the batch correcting and clustering processes to remove batch effects while retaining biological information. DACAL achieves batch correction and adaptive clustering without requiring manually specified cell types or resolution parameters. DACAL is compared with other widely used batch correction and clustering methods on human pancreas datasets from different sequencing platforms and mouse mammary datasets from different laboratories. The results demonstrate that DACAL can correct batch effects efficiently and adaptively find accurate cell types, outperforming competing methods. Moreover, it can obtain cell subtypes with biological meanings.
OMOFuse: An Optimized Dual-Attention Mechanism Model for Infrared and Visible Image Fusion
Authors: Yuan Jianye , Li Song
Published: December 2023

Infrared and visible image fusion aims to fuse the thermal information of infrared images and the texture information of visible images into images that are more in compliance with people’s visual perception characteristics. However, in the existing related work, the fused images have incomplete contextual information and poor fusion results. This paper presents a new image fusion algorithm—OMOFuse. At first, both the channel and spatial attention mechanisms are optimized by a DCA (dual-channel attention) mechanism and an ESA (enhanced spatial attention) mechanism. Then, an ODAM (optimized dual-attention mechanism) module is constructed to further improve the integration effect. Moreover, a MO module is used to improve the network’s feature extraction capability for contextual information. Finally, there is the loss function ℒ from the three parts of SSL (structural similarity loss), PL (perceptual loss), and GL (gap loss). Extensive experiments on three major datasets are performed to demonstrate that OMOFuse outperforms the existing image fusion methods in terms of quantitative determination, qualitative detection, and superior generalization capabilities. Further evidence of the effectiveness of our algorithm in this study are provided.
The Clinical Promise of Microalgae in Rheumatoid Arthritis: From Natural Compounds to Recombinant Therapeutics
Authors: Cutolo Edoardo Andrea , Caferri Roberto , Campitiello Rosanna , Cutolo Maurizio
Published: December 2023

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an invalidating chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by joint inflammation and progressive bone damage. Dietary intervention is an important component in the treatment of RA to mitigate oxidative stress, a major pathogenic driver of the disease. Alongside traditional sources of antioxidants, microalgae—a diverse group of photosynthetic prokaryotes and eukaryotes—are emerging as anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory food supplements. Several species accumulate therapeutic metabolites—mainly lipids and pigments—which interfere in the pro-inflammatory pathways involved in RA and other chronic inflammatory conditions. The advancement of the clinical uses of microalgae requires the continuous exploration of phytoplankton biodiversity and chemodiversity, followed by the domestication of wild strains into reliable producers of said metabolites. In addition, the tractability of microalgal genomes offers unprecedented possibilities to establish photosynthetic microbes as light-driven biofactories of heterologous immunotherapeutics. Here, we review the evidence-based anti-inflammatory mechanisms of microalgal metabolites and provide a detailed coverage of the genetic engineering strategies to enhance the yields of endogenous compounds and to develop innovative bioproducts.
Syntactic Errors in Older Adults with Depression
Authors: Xu Chengjie , Wongpakaran Nahathai , Wongpakaran Tinakon , Siriwittayakorn Teeranoot , Wedding Danny , Varnado Pairada
Published: December 2023

Background and Objectives: This study investigated the differences in syntactic errors in older individuals with and without major depressive disorder and cognitive function disparities between groups. We also explored the correlation between syntax scores and depression severity. Materials and Methods: Forty-four participants, assessed for dementia with the Mini-Cog, completed the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (TGDS-15) and specific language tests. Following a single-anonymized procedure, clinical psychologists rated the tests and syntax scores. Results: The results showed that the depressive disorders group had lower syntax scores than the non-depressed group, primarily on specific subtests. Additionally, cognitive test scores were generally lower among the depressed group. A significant relationship between depression severity and syntax scores was observed (r = −0.426, 95% CI = −0.639, −0.143). Conclusions: In conclusion, major depressive disorder is associated with reduced syntactic abilities, particularly in specific tests. However, the relatively modest sample size limited the sensitivity of this association. This study also considered the potential influence of cultural factors. Unique linguistic characteristics in the study’s context were also addressed and considered as potential contributors to the observed findings.
Fatigue and Fracture Evaluations in Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al (Ti 10-2-3)
Authors: Bache Martin
Published: December 2023

A mechanical assessment was conducted to characterise the near β titanium alloy Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al (Ti 10-2-3), which was heat-treated to provide two strength variants. Low cycle fatigue and crack propagation tests were performed under standard laboratory air plus a salt fog environment. The differences in static strength were also demonstrated under fatigue conditions utilising plain specimens. However, the alloy was essentially insensitive to the test environment when comparing LCF performance in air and salt fog. Salt fog also provided no effect on crack growth behaviour. A double edge notch specimen geometry was employed to measure free initiation and the growth of cracks from a stress-raising feature. The current data now supplement previous studies aimed at expanding the mechanical database for Ti 10-2-3 component design and in-service life predictions.
Deep Learning-Based Automatic Defect Detection of Additive Manufactured Stainless Steel
Authors: Zubayer Md Hasib , Zhang Chaoqun , Wang Yafei
Published: December 2023

Accumulating interest from academia and industry, the part of quality assurance in metal additive manufacturing (AM) is achieving incremental recognition owing to its distinct advantages over conventional manufacturing methods. In this paper, we introduced a convolutional neural network, YOLOv8 approach toward robust metallographic image quality inspection. Metallographic images accommodate key information relating to metal properties, such as structural strength, ductility, toughness, and defects, which are employed to select suitable materials for multiple engineering execution. Therefore, by comprehending the microstructures, one can understand insights into the behavior of a metal component and make predictive assessments of failure under specific conditions. Deep learning-based image segmentation is a robust technique for the detection of microstructural defects like cracks, inclusion, and gas porosity. Therefore, we improvise the YOLOv8 with dilated convolution mechanisms to acquire automatic micro-structure defect characterization. More specifically, for the first time, the YOLOv8 algorithm was proposed in the metallography dataset from additive manufacturing of steels (Metal DAM) to identify defects like cracks and porosity as a novel approach. A total of 414 images from ArcelorMittal engineers were used as an open-access database. The experimental results demonstrated that the YOLOv8 model successfully detected and identified cracks and porosity in the metal AM dataset, achieving an improved defect detection accuracy of up to 96% within just 0.5 h compared to previous automatic defect recognition processes.