bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Immunosuppressive Effect of TNFR2 Expression in the Colorectal Cancer Microenvironment
Authors: Mohd Salim Nurul Hakimah , Mussa Ali , Ahmed Naveed , Ahmad Suhana , Yean Yean Chan , Hassan Rosline , Uskoković Vuk , Mohamud Rohimah , Che Jalil Nur Asyilla
Published: January 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents one of the most common causes of death among cancers worldwide. Its incidence has been increasing among the young population. Many risk factors contribute to the development and progression of CRC and about 70% of them are sporadic. The CRC microenvironment is highly heterogeneous and represents a very complex immunosuppressive platform. Many cytokines and their receptors are vital participants in this immunosuppressive microenvironment. Tumor necrosis factors (TNFs) and TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2) are critical players in the development of CRC. TNFR2 was observed to have increased the immunosuppressive activity of CRC cells via regulatory T cells (T regs) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) in the CRC microenvironment. However, the exact mechanism of TNFR2 in regulating the CRC prognosis remains elusive. Here, we discuss the role of TNFR2 in immune escape mechanism of CRC in the immunosuppressive cells, including Tregs and MDSCs, and the complex signaling pathways that facilitate the development of CRC. It is suggested that extensive studies on TNFR2 downstream signaling must be done, since TNFR2 has a high potential to be developed into a therapeutic agent and cancer biomarker in the future.
Converging Evidence of Similar Symptomatology of ME/CFS and PASC Indicating Multisystemic Dyshomeostasis
Authors: Marks David
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this article is to review the evidence of similar symptomatology of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). Reanalysis of data from a study by Jason comparing symptom reports from two groups of ME/CFS and PASC patients shows a notably similar symptomatology. Symptom scores of the PASC group and the ME/CFS group correlated 0.902 (p < 0.0001) across items. The hypothesis is presented that ME/CFS and PASC are caused by a chronic state of multisystemic disequilibrium including endocrinological, immunological, and/or metabolic changes. The hypothesis holds that a changed set point persistently pushes the organism towards a pathological dysfunctional state which fails to reset. To use an analogy of a thermostat, if the ‘off switch’ of a thermostat intermittently stops working, for periods the house would become warmer and warmer without limit. The hypothesis draws on recent investigations of the Central Homeostasis Network showing multiple interconnections between the autonomic system, central nervous system, and brain stem. The hypothesis helps to explain the shared symptomatology of ME/CFS and PASC and the unpredictable, intermittent, and fluctuating pattern of symptoms of ME/CFS and PASC. The current theoretical approach remains speculative and requires in-depth investigation before any definite conclusions can be drawn.
Play with Me: How Fathers and Mothers Play with Their Preschoolers with Autism
Authors: Perzolli Silvia , Bentenuto Arianna , Bertamini Giulio , Venuti Paola
Published: January 2023

(1) Background: Children can develop cognitive and social skills during play. Most research has focused on mothers, but the paternal features in interaction with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are mainly unexplored. This study aimed to compare fathers’ and mothers’ interactive behaviors with their children with ASD to identify similarities and differences during playful exchanges. (2) Methods: A total of 72 mothers and 72 fathers of paired children with ASD (chronological age: M = 44.61 months; SD = 13.37) took part in this study. Data were collected during 10 min of video-recorded semi-structured interactions with mothers and fathers separately in interaction with their children. (3) Results: Mothers showed more symbolic play (W = 3537; p < 0.001) than fathers, who displayed higher levels of exploratory play (t(139.44) = −2.52; p = 0.013) compared to mothers. However, child cognitive functioning impacts maternal play but not the father’s play characteristics. (4) Conclusions: Highlighting mother–child and father–child features may have important service delivery implications for implementing personalized parental-based interventions based on the strengths and weaknesses of both caregivers in a complementary system.
Recent Studies on the Development of Nicotine Abuse and Behavioral Changes Induced by Chronic Stress Depending on Gender
Authors: Grabowska Karolina , Ziemichód Wojciech , Biała Grażyna
Published: January 2023

Nowadays, stressful situations are an unavoidable element of everyday life. Stressors activate a number of complex mental and physiological reactions in the organism, thus affecting the state of health of an individual. Stress is the main risk factor in the development of mental disorders, such as depression and other disorders developing as a result of addiction. Studies indicate that women are twice as likely as men to develop anxiety, depression and therefore addiction, e.g., to nicotine. Even though the data presented is indicative of significant differences between the sexes in the prevalence of these disorders, the majority of preclinical animal models for investigating stress-induced disorders use predominantly male subjects. However, the recent data indicates that this type of studies has also been launched in female rodents. Therefore, conducting research on both sexes allows for a more accurate understanding and assessment of the impact of stress on stress-induced behavioral, peripheral and molecular changes in the body and brain. In this manuscript we have gathered the data from 41 years (from 1981–2022) on the influence of stress on the development of depression and nicotine addiction in both sexes.
Eyes-Open and Eyes-Closed Resting State Network Connectivity Differences
Authors: Han Junrong , Zhou Liwei , Wu Hang , Huang Yujuan , Qiu Mincong , Huang Likai , Lee Chia , Lane Timothy Joseph , Qin Pengmin
Published: January 2023

Resting state networks comprise several brain regions that exhibit complex patterns of interaction. Switching from eyes closed (EC) to eyes open (EO) during the resting state modifies these patterns of connectivity, but precisely how these change remains unclear. Here we use functional magnetic resonance imaging to scan healthy participants in two resting conditions (viz., EC and EO). Seven resting state networks were chosen for this study: salience network (SN), default mode network (DMN), central executive network (CEN), dorsal attention network (DAN), visual network (VN), motor network (MN) and auditory network (AN). We performed functional connectivity (FC) analysis for each network, comparing the FC maps for both EC and EO. Our results show increased connectivity between most networks during EC relative to EO, thereby suggesting enhanced integration during EC and greater modularity or specialization during EO. Among these networks, SN is distinctive: during the transition from EO to EC it evinces increased connectivity with DMN and decreased connectivity with VN. This change might imply that SN functions in a manner analogous to a circuit switch, modulating resting state relations with DMN and VN, when transitioning between EO and EC.
Digital Health Behavioural Interventions to Support Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour in Adults after Stroke: A Systematic Literature Review with Meta-Analysis of Controlled Trials
Authors: Wang Serena Caitlin Yen , Kassavou Aikaterini
Published: January 2023

Background: As the global prevalence of stroke continues to rise, it becomes increasingly pressing to investigate digital health behaviour change interventions that promote physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour for stroke patients to support active lifestyles. Purpose: The primary aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of digital health interventions in promoting physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour for stroke patients. The secondary aim is to investigate the intervention components that explain intervention effectiveness to further inform intervention development and policy making. Methods: A systematic search of the literature was conducted in four databases (Scopus, MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, and PsychINFO) to identify the most robust evidence in the form of randomised controlled trials of digital interventions for patients with stroke. A random-effects meta-analysis were utilized to quantify the intervention effects on behaviour change, and subgroup analyses to characterise intervention effective components. Results: In total, 16 RCTs were deemed eligible and included in the systematic review. Meta-analyses suggested significant improvements in physical activity (SMD = 0.39, 95% CI 0.17, 0.61, N = 326, p < 0.001, I2 = 0%), and reductions in time of sedentary behaviour (SMD= −0.45, 95% CI −0.76, -0.14, N = 167, p = 0.00, I2 = 0%) after stroke. The 10 m walk test for physical activity, and the timed up and go test for sedentary behaviour, were the objective outcome measures in the most effective behavioural change interventions. Subgroup analyses found that most effective interventions were underpinned by theories of self-regulation and utilised interactive functions to engage patients with the processes of behaviour change. Conclusions: Digital self-monitoring behavioural interventions are effective in promoting physical activity for stroke patients in adjunct to usual care clinical practice and rehabilitation programmes. Rigorous studies are required to provide evidence to disentangle the most effective intervention components for preventative practices and rehabilitation programs and to inform policymaking for stroke treatment.
Application of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete in Bridge Engineering: Current Status, Limitations, Challenges, and Future Prospects
Authors: Abdal S. , Mansour Walid , Agwa Ibrahim , Nasr Mohammed , Abadel Aref , Onuralp Özkılıç Yasin , Akeed Mahmoud H.
Published: January 2023

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is a form of cementitious composite that has been the most innovative product in concrete technology over the last three decades. Ultra-high-performance concrete has been broadly employed for the design of numerous forms of construction owing to its excellent mechanical characteristics and durability, and studies on its behavior have grown fast in the last decades. While the utilization of ultra-high-performance concrete in bridge engineering (BE) is limited owing to its high costs, little is recognized about the utilization of UHPC in various BE elements. As a result of these issues, a comprehensive review of the current UHPC development trends should be conducted to determine its present state and perspective. This study presents a review of the state-of-the-art UHPC applications in BE. This review also discusses the current status, limitations, challenges, and areas for the further investigation of UHPC in BE. The aim of this research to help various construction stakeholders understand the distinctive characteristics, benefits, and barriers to the broad utilization of ultra-high-performance concrete applications. The understanding of UHPC will aid in increasing its entire market share in both the national and worldwide building sectors.
Prospects for the Use of Textile-Reinforced Concrete in Buildings and Structures Maintenance
Authors: Orlowsky Jeanette , Beßling Markus , Kryzhanovskyi Vitalii
Published: January 2023

This paper discusses the state of the art in research on the use of textile-reinforced concretes in structural maintenance. Textile-reinforced concretes can be used in structural maintenance for various purposes, including the sealing and protection of the existing building structures, as well as for the strengthening of structures. The first-mentioned aspects are explained in this paper on the basis of example applications. A special focus is placed on the maintenance of heritage-protected structures. The development, characterization, and testing of a textile-reinforced concrete system for a heritage-protected structure are presented. Examples of the application of textile-reinforced concrete for strengthening highway pavements and masonry are also given. In particular, the possibility of adapting the textile-reinforced concrete repair material to the needs of the individual building is one advantage of this composite material.
Risk Assessment of Falling Objects from Façades of Existing Buildings
Authors: Ma Fudong , Zhang Dongbo , Wang Zhuolin , Chen Xi , Jiang Lixue
Published: January 2023

Falling objects from façades often lead to serious accidents, which has become a technical problem to be solved urgently. This paper established a database of potential safety hazard of falling objects from façades via the statistics of detection façades in Shanghai. Some detailed insufficiencies and swelling defects were analyzed. A risk assessment system of falling objects from façades was established using the Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) method. The weight coefficient was determined by the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The beta distribution was used to fit the probability distribution of the occurrence probability of the elementary risk event. Based on the Monte Carlo model, the risk of falling objects from façades was assessed. A probability distribution of the risk probability of falling objects from façades and the importance of elementary risk factors were obtained. Some risk control measures of falling objects from façades were proposed.
Green Synthesis of CuO-TiO2 Nanoparticles for the Degradation of Organic Pollutants: Physical, Optical and Electrochemical Properties
Authors: Bopape Dineo A. , Mathobela Sarah , Matinise Nolubabalo , Motaung David E. , Hintsho-Mbita Nomso C.
Published: January 2023

CuO-TiO2 nanocomposites were successfully synthesized using the C. benghalensis plant extracts. The effect of the composition of CuO to TiO2 on the morphological, optical, electrochemical, and photodegradation efficiency in the composites was studied. SEM, XRD, UV-vis, FTIR, TGA, BET, and CV were used to characterize these materials. The XRD data reported the tenorite structure of the CuO and the anatase phase of the TiO2. SEM showed the spherical morphologies for all the CuO-TiO2 NPs, and these were also mesoporous in nature, as depicted by BET. The voltammogram of the CuO-TiO2 30/70 electrode showed a higher response current density compared to the other two samples, suggesting a higher specific capacitance. Upon testing the photocatalytic efficiencies of the CuO-TiO2 nanocomposites against methylene blue (MB), ciprofloxacin (CIP), and sulfisoxazole (SSX), the highest degradation of 94% was recorded for SSX using the CuO-TiO2 30/70 nanocomposites. Hydroxyl radicals were the primary species responsible for the photodegradation of SSX, and the material could be reused once. The most active species in the photodegradation of SSX has been identified as OH•. From this study, it can be noted that the CuO-TiO2 nanocomposites were more selective toward the degradation of antibiotics (sulfisoxazole and ciproflaxin) as compared to dyes (methylene blue).
Poly(ε-caprolactones) Initiated by Chiral Compounds: A New Protocol to Support Organocatalysts
Authors: Jacoby Caroline Gross , Sbardelotto Jorge Hugo , Daitx Tales da Silva , Dalberto Bianca Thaís , Mauler Raquel Santos , Schneider Paulo Henrique
Published: January 2023

This work investigates the support of organocatalysts in polyesters, a class of polymers seldom used for this purpose. The proposal is to use the hydroxyl groups present in the structure of the chosen chiral compounds to promote the polymerization of ε-caprolactone, generating the support and anchoring the organocatalyst in a single step. A very simple method, with acid catalysis, was employed, that showed versatility in generating supported catalysts with different structures and functional groups and modulating the mass of the materials to generate specific solubility characteristics. In this way, the catalysts can be solubilized in some organic solvents, such as dichloromethane, but at the end of the reaction, they can be recovered in a heterogeneous way, through precipitation in more apolar solvents. The materials were applied as organocatalysts on an aldol addition test reaction and the product could be obtained in excellent yields and good stereoselectivity. The polymer did not show signs of degradation after the reaction, proving to be robust and suitable for use in catalysis; however, a recycling process appears to be necessary for its reuse.
Synthesis of 3,4-Dihydropyridin-2-ones via Domino Reaction under Phase Transfer Catalysis Conditions
Authors: Albanese Domenico C. M. , Gaggero Nicoletta , Prenga Kamila
Published: January 2023

3,4-dihydropyridin-2-ones are of considerable importance due to the large number of these core structures exhibiting a diverse array of biological and pharmacological activities. The Michael-type addition of 1,3-dithiane-2-carbothioates to α,β-unsaturated N-tosyl imines, followed by intramolecular annulation driven by a sulfur leaving group, provides a practical reaction cascade for the synthesis of a variety of substituted 3,4-dihydropyridin-2-ones. In this work, the reaction was carried out under solid–liquid phase transfer catalysis (SL-PTC) conditions at room temperature, in short reaction times in the presence of cheap Bu4N+HSO4– and solid KOH. The new PTC method exhibited adequate functional group tolerance, proving to be a green and reliable method and easy to scale up to furnish rapid access to 3,4-dihydropyridin-2-ones after desulfurization from simple, readily available starting materials.
Transcriptomic Signature of the Simulated Microgravity Response in Caenorhabditis elegans and Comparison to Spaceflight Experiments
Authors: Çelen İrem , Jayasinghe Aroshan , Doh Jung H. , Sabanayagam Chandran R.
Published: January 2023

Given the growing interest in human exploration of space, it is crucial to identify the effects of space conditions on biological processes. Here, we analyze the transcriptomic response of Caenorhabditis elegans to simulated microgravity and observe the maintained transcriptomic response after returning to ground conditions for four, eight, and twelve days. We show that 75% of the simulated microgravity-induced changes on gene expression persist after returning to ground conditions for four days while most of these changes are reverted after twelve days. Our results from integrative RNA-seq and mass spectrometry analyses suggest that simulated microgravity affects longevity-regulating insulin/IGF-1 and sphingolipid signaling pathways. Finally, we identified 118 genes that are commonly differentially expressed in simulated microgravity- and space-exposed worms. Overall, this work provides insight into the effect of microgravity on biological systems during and after exposure.
Silencing of circCRIM1 Drives IGF2BP1-Mediated NSCLC Immune Evasion
Authors: Peng Wenbei , Ye Linlin , Xue Qianqian , Wei Xiaoshan , Wang Zihao , Xiang Xuan , Zhang Siyu , Zhang Pei , Wang Haolei , Zhou Qiong
Published: January 2023

Objectives: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been found to have significant impacts on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression through various mechanisms. However, the mechanism of circRNAs modulating tumor immune evasion in NSCLC has yet to be well-revealed. Materials and Methods: Through analyzing the expression profiles of circRNAs in NSCLC tissues, RNA FISH, pull-down assay, mass spectrometry analysis, and RIP, circCRIM1 was identified, and its interaction with IGF2BP1 was confirmed. The effects of circCRIM1 on modulating tumor immune evasion were explored via co-culture in vitro and in tumor xenograft models. Subsequently, we evaluated the regulatory effects of circCRIM1 on IGF2BP1 and screened its target genes through RNA sequencing. Finally, we explored the underlying molecular mechanisms that circCRIM1 could regulate the stability of target mRNA. Results: circCRIM1 was downregulated in NSCLC, and its expression was positively correlated with favorable prognoses. Furthermore, circCRIM1 was more stable than its linear transcript and was mainly localized in the cytoplasm. Mechanistically, circCRIM1 destabilized HLA-F mRNA via competitive binding to IGF2BP1. Importantly, the overexpression of circCRIM1 suppressed the immune evasion of NSCLC and promoted the expressions of Granzyme B, IFN-γ, and TNF-α of CD8+ T and NK cell in vitro co-culture assays and tumor xenograft models. Conclusions: This study identifies circCRIM1 as a new tumor suppressor that inhibits tumor immune evasion through a competitive combination with IGF2BP1 to destabilize HLA-F mRNA.
A Novel Nanosafety Approach Using Cell Painting, Metabolomics, and Lipidomics Captures the Cellular and Molecular Phenotypes Induced by the Unintentionally Formed Metal-Based (Nano)Particles
Authors: Alijagic Andi , Scherbak Nikolai , Kotlyar Oleksandr , Karlsson Patrik , Wang Xuying , Odnevall Inger , Benada Oldřich , Amiryousefi Ali , Andersson Lena , Persson Alexander , Felth Jenny , Andersson Henrik , Larsson Maria , Hedbrant Alexander , Salihovic Samira , Hyötyläinen Tuulia , Repsilber Dirk , Särndahl Eva , Engwall Magnus
Published: January 2023

Additive manufacturing (AM) or industrial 3D printing uses cutting-edge technologies and materials to produce a variety of complex products. However, the effects of the unintentionally emitted AM (nano)particles (AMPs) on human cells following inhalation, require further investigations. The physicochemical characterization of the AMPs, extracted from the filter of a Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) 3D printer of iron-based materials, disclosed their complexity, in terms of size, shape, and chemistry. Cell Painting, a high-content screening (HCS) assay, was used to detect the subtle morphological changes elicited by the AMPs at the single cell resolution. The profiling of the cell morphological phenotypes, disclosed prominent concentration-dependent effects on the cytoskeleton, mitochondria, and the membranous structures of the cell. Furthermore, lipidomics confirmed that the AMPs induced the extensive membrane remodeling in the lung epithelial and macrophage co-culture cell model. To further elucidate the biological mechanisms of action, the targeted metabolomics unveiled several inflammation-related metabolites regulating the cell response to the AMP exposure. Overall, the AMP exposure led to the internalization, oxidative stress, cytoskeleton disruption, mitochondrial activation, membrane remodeling, and metabolic reprogramming of the lung epithelial cells and macrophages. We propose the approach of integrating Cell Painting with metabolomics and lipidomics, as an advanced nanosafety methodology, increasing the ability to capture the cellular and molecular phenotypes and the relevant biological mechanisms to the (nano)particle exposure.
The Role of Emotion Regulation and Executive Functioning in the Intervention Outcome of Children with Emotional and Behavioural Problems
Authors: Fernandes Blossom , Wright Mark , Essau Cecilia A.
Published: January 2023

Emotional and behavioural problems are closely associated with impairments in regulating emotions and in executive functions (EF). To examine this further, the aim of the present study was to determine whether EF and emotion regulation at baseline would predict emotional and behavioural problem scores post-intervention, and further explore the extent to which emotion regulation mediates these outcomes. Participants were 41 primary school children who exhibited emotional and/or behavioural problems, aged 8 to 11 years. All the children completed measures of emotional and behavioural problems, cognitive emotion regulation, anxiety symptoms, and performed two experimental tasks to measure working memory and response inhibition before and after participating in a transdiagnostic Cognitive Behaviour Therapy-based programme, “Super Skills for Life” (SSL), and at 3-months follow-up. Results revealed significant reduction in the use of maladaptive emotion regulation strategy catastrophising and other blame following the intervention. Additionally, EF and emotion regulation was associated with outcomes for emotional problems and conduct problems. More specifically maladaptive emotion regulation strategy such as catastrophising and other blame was closely related with self-reports of emotional problems, likewise other blame, was also linked with scores of conduct problems. This study provides preliminary empirical support for EF and emotion regulation in predicting outcomes of emotional and behavioural problems in children following intervention.
Associations between Chronic Pain and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Youth: A Scoping Review
Authors: Battison Eleanor , Brown Patrick , Holley Amy , Wilson Anna
Published: January 2023

Background: Chronic pain and ADHD are common conditions among youth that negatively impact functioning. This review fills a critical gap by summarizing current research on chronic pain and ADHD comorbidity, and it proposes a conceptual model of shared associations and underlying mechanisms. Objective: The aims of the current study were to: (1) review the extant literature and present estimates of the prevalence of comorbid non-headache chronic pain and ADHD in youth and (2) describe potential shared mechanisms for ADHD and chronic non-headache pain in youth. We also outline future directions to inform future research and interventions directed to youth with comorbid pain and ADHD. Design: A scoping review of the literature was performed in MEDLINE, PsycInfo, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews using a wide range of search terms related to pain, Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder, childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. Results: Eleven published studies were included in the review. These studies examined the prevalence of chronic pain among youth with ADHD, the prevalence of ADHD in chronic pain samples, and the association between chronic pain and ADHD among youth. Findings revealed results from studies indicating a higher prevalence of ADHD among youth with chronic pain and a higher prevalence of chronic pain in samples of youth with ADHD. Conclusions: Findings from this scoping review suggest an association between chronic pain and ADHD among youth. Little research was found to examine the etiology of this association. Future studies should examine underlying mechanisms of comorbid chronic pain and ADHD.
Copper-Treated Environmentally Friendly Antipathogenic Cotton Fabric with Modified Reactive Blue 4 Dye to Improve Its Antibacterial and Aesthetic Properties
Authors: Shahid Muhammad , Ali Azam , Zahid Nageena , Anjam Muhammad Shahzad , Militky Jiri , Wiener Jakub , Palanisamy Sundaramoorthy , Tomkova Blanka
Published: January 2023

The objectives of the present study were to develop an environmentally friendly, low-price, easy, and fast method for developing antipathogenic (antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral) cuprous-oxide-coated multifunctional fabrics. The fabrics were first sensitized with citric acid, and then Cu2O particles were formed using the Fehling solution method. The cuprous oxide particles were then applied to the cotton fabrics. To create the Cu2O particles, three different kinds of reducing agents with varying concentrations were used. SEM, dynamic light scattering, FTIR, EDS, and XRD were used to examine the surface morphologies and metal presences. In the second step, a reactive antibacterial dye was made (by reacting Reactive Blue 4 with triclosan). The molecular structure of the modified dye was confirmed with FTIR. The resultant antibacterial dye was applied on the copper-treated cotton fabrics in accordance with the exhaust dyeing protocol. The dyed fabrics were characterized through the colorimetric data (L*, a*, b*, C, H, and K/S), levelness of dye, fastness properties as well as exhaustion and fixation rates. Cuprous-oxide-coated fabrics were tested for antipathogenic activity using quantitative and qualitative measurement results. The fabrics treated with cuprous oxide particles reduced with sodium hydrosulfite at 1 g/L seemed to have the highest antipathogenic effect. Moreover, the versatility of the hygienically developed bioactive fabrics in terms of their comfort properties such as air permeability and stiffness were investigated. Finally, the coating’s durability was confirmed by evaluating its antibacterial properties and performing an SEM analysis after laundry.
An Efficient Path Planning Algorithm Using a Potential Field for Ground Forces
Authors: Sung Nakyeong , Kim Suhwan , Cho Namsuk
Published: January 2023

With the development and proliferation of unmanned weapons systems, path planning is becoming increasingly important. Existing path-planning algorithms mainly assume a well-known environment, and thus pre-planning is desirable, but the actual ground battlefield is uncertain, and numerous contingencies occur. In this study, we present a novel, efficient path-planning algorithm based on a potential field that quickly changes the path in a constantly changing environment. The potential field is composed of a set of functions representing enemy threats and a penalty term representing distance to the target area. We also introduce a new threat function using a multivariate skew-normal distribution that accurately expresses the enemy threat in ground combat.
Low-Cost Graphene-Based Composite Electrodes for Electrochemical Oxidation of Phenolic Dyes
Authors: Ječmenica Dučić Marija , Krstić Aleksandar , Zdolšek Nikola , Aćimović Danka , Savić Branislava , Brdarić Tanja , Vasić Anićijević Dragana
Published: January 2023

Electrochemical removal of organic pollutants represents an attractive methodology in water depollution. The key challenges for researchers comprise finding simple, affordable electrode materials with satisfactory efficiency in all ranges of pollutant concentration. Electrochemical oxidation of a mixture of phenol-based dyes: bromocresol green (BCG), cresol red (CR), and thymol blue (TB), in sulphate medium, at total concentration not exceeding 15 ppm, has been performed using simply prepared, low-cost composite electrodes, based on graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) and metallic oxides (TiO2 and SnO2) loaded on stainless steel substrate: GNP@SS, SnO2/GNP@SS, and TiO2/GNP@SS. Electrodes were characterised by XRD, FTIR, and electrochemical techniques. The degradation kinetics of initial dyes was tracked with UPLC and GC-MS chromatography for 6 h, at a current density of 10 mA/cm2. GC-MS analysis of the degradation products revealed oxidised aromatic compounds as the main products, while TOC analysis confirmed a total mineralisation extent in the range of 30–35%. The proposed degradation mechanism involves the attack of OH-radical, as the main oxidising agent, to the hydroxyl oxygens of dye phenolic rings. Obtained results provide useful information for the further development of affordable laboratory-scale and industrial systems for the complete removal of phenol-based compounds.
Design and Manufacturing Process of a New Type of Deep-Sea Spherical Pressure Hull Structure
Authors: Jing Yang , Kong Chenghai , Guan Jingchao , Zhao Wei , Fukuchi Apollo , Zhao Xilu
Published: January 2023

Spherical shell structures are the most suitable shape for deep-sea pressure hulls because they have ideal mechanical properties for handling symmetrical pressure. However, the shape accuracy requirement for a hull in a spherical shell structure subjected to deep-sea pressure is extremely high. Even minor asymmetry can significantly degrade its mechanical properties. In this study, a new type of spherical deep-sea pressure hull structure and its integral hydro-bulge-forming (IHBF) method are proposed. First, 32 flat metal plate parts are prepared and welded along their straight sides to form a regular polygonally shaped box. Next, water pressure is applied inside the preformed box to create a spherical pressure vessel. We performed a forming experiment using a spherical pressure vessel with a design radius of 250 mm as a verification research object. The radius of the spherical pressure vessel obtained from the forming experiment is 249.32 mm, the error from the design radius is 0.27%, and the roundness of the spherical surface is 2.36 mm. We performed a crushing analysis using uniform external pressure to confirm the crushing and buckling characteristics of the formed spherical pressure vessel. The results show that the work-hardening increased the crushing and buckling load of the spherical pressure vessel, above that of the conventional spherical shell structure. Additionally, it is established that local defects and the size of the weld line significantly and slightly affected the crushing and buckling load of the spherical pressure hull, respectively.
Immunohistochemical HER2 Recognition and Analysis of Breast Cancer Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Che Yuxuan , Ren Fei , Zhang Xueyuan , Cui Li , Wu Huanwen , Zhao Ze
Published: January 2023

Breast cancer is one of the common malignant tumors in women. It seriously endangers women’s life and health. The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein is responsible for the division and growth of healthy breast cells. The overexpression of the HER2 protein is generally evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The IHC evaluation criteria mainly includes three indexes: staining intensity, circumferential membrane staining pattern, and proportion of positive cells. Manually scoring HER2 IHC images is an error-prone, variable, and time-consuming work. To solve these problems, this study proposes an automated predictive method for scoring whole-slide images (WSI) of HER2 slides based on a deep learning network. A total of 95 HER2 pathological slides from September 2021 to December 2021 were included. The average patch level precision and f1 score were 95.77% and 83.09%, respectively. The overall accuracy of automated scoring for slide-level classification was 97.9%. The proposed method showed excellent specificity for all IHC 0 and 3+ slides and most 1+ and 2+ slides. The evaluation effect of the integrated method is better than the effect of using the staining result only.
Cardio-Renal Metabolic Syndrome: Interdisciplinary Diagnostic Methods
Authors: Bungau Simona Gabriela
Published: January 2023

Medical interdisciplinarity in making a correct diagnosis is of the utmost importance for an optimal treatment, which should include both effective therapeutic means (drugs and/or surgery) and the complex aspects (nutrition, lifestyle, rehabilitation, etc [...]
COVID-19 Detection Mechanism in Vehicles Using a Deep Extreme Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Fatima Areej , Shahzad Tariq , Abbas Sagheer , Rehman Abdur , Saeed Yousaf , Alharbi Meshal , Khan Muhammad Adnan , Ouahada Khmaies
Published: January 2023

COVID-19 is a rapidly spreading pandemic, and early detection is important to halting the spread of infection. Recently, the outbreak of this virus has severely affected people around the world with increasing death rates. The increased death rates are because of its spreading nature among people, mainly through physical interactions. Therefore, it is very important to control the spreading of the virus and detect people’s symptoms during the initial stages so proper preventive measures can be taken in good time. In response to COVID-19, revolutionary automation such as deep learning, machine learning, image processing, and medical images such as chest radiography (CXR) and computed tomography (CT) have been developed in this environment. Currently, the coronavirus is identified via an RT-PCR test. Alternative solutions are required due to the lengthy moratorium period and the large number of false-negative estimations. To prevent the spreading of the virus, we propose the Vehicle-based COVID-19 Detection System to reveal the related symptoms of a person in the vehicles. Moreover, deep extreme machine learning is applied. The proposed system uses headaches, flu, fever, cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, tiredness, nasal congestion, diarrhea, breathing difficulty, and pneumonia. The symptoms are considered parameters to reveal the presence of COVID-19 in a person. Our proposed approach in Vehicles will make it easier for governments to perform COVID-19 tests timely in cities. Due to the ambiguous nature of symptoms in humans, we utilize fuzzy modeling for simulation. The suggested COVID-19 detection model achieved an accuracy of more than 90%.
Do Publicly Listed Insurance Firms in Saudi Arabia Have Strong Corporate Governance?
Authors: Al-Faryan Mamdouh Abdulaziz Saleh , Alokla Jassem
Published: January 2023

Saudi Arabia has now opened its markets to foreign investors in line with its strategy to diversify its economy. However, investors need to feel confident that Saudi enterprises are being monitored and regulated appropriately. This study identifies the impact of improvements in Saudi corporate governance practices among insurance firms. The effects of corporate governance on the financial performance of 35 insurance firms listed on the Saudi stock market are examined from 2008 to 2014, including Shariah-compliant and life insurance firms. Four different methodologies are used: the generalised least squares random effect, fixed effect models, a difference-in-differences (DID) measurement for comparisons, and the probit model with average marginal effect to address endogeneity. The results indicate that firm performance is affected by information asymmetry. The 2009 exogenous shock from the Saudi regulatory change to board composition and audit committee size shows a positive effect on performance in the DID comparison. However, an increase in independent board and audit committee members has a significant negative effect. Other findings indicate that an increase in CEO (Chief Executive Officer) age has a positive effect on performance, as do three pay variables (director incentives, CEO and top executive pay, and above-the-mean director incentives). However, when CEO and top executive pay increases above the mean, the effect turns negative; this also happens with a change in CEO from poor performance. The results support the importance of Saudi insurance industry corporate governance regulation and reflect the improved governance perspectives of the Saudi Capital Market Authority and Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency.
The Effect of Interest Rate Changes on Consumption: An Age-Structured Approach
Authors: Kozlov Roman
Published: January 2023

Interest rates have generally trended downward over the past several decades. It has made borrowing cheaper, which has encouraged people to spend more. It has also made saving less attractive, contributing to increased consumption. At the same time, the role of household credit increased significantly. The paper suggests a model for the effect of an interest rate change on household consumption, which relies on income and loans. The model is based on methods of the optimal control theory. The approach is age-structured: households reconsider their consumption patterns at the moment of the interest rate change and the changes in consumption patterns are age dependent. The consumption changes for different age groups contribute to the modification of aggregate consumption. Numerical simulation shows that a decrease in the interest rate leads to a consumption boost (a substantial increase in consumption in the short run), which diminishes as time passes and consumption becomes fully adjusted to the new interest rate value. The consumption boost is achieved by an increase in the debt load.
Effect of Alkaline and Mechanical Pretreatment of Wheat Straw on Enrichment Cultures from Pachnoda marginata Larva Gut
Authors: Schroeder Bruna Grosch , İstanbullu Havva Betül , Schmidt Matthias , Logroño Washington , Harms Hauke , Nikolausz Marcell
Published: January 2023

In order to partially mimic the efficient lignocellulose pretreatment process performed naturally in the gut system of Pachnoda marginata larvae, two wheat straw pretreatments were evaluated: a mechanical pretreatment via cutting the straw into two different sizes and an alkaline pretreatment with calcium hydroxide. After pretreatment, gut enrichment cultures on wheat straw at alkaline pH were inoculated and kept at mesophilic conditions over 45 days. The methanogenic community was composed mainly of the Methanomicrobiaceae and Methanosarcinaceae families. The combined pretreatment, size reduction and alkaline pretreatment, was the best condition for methane production. The positive effect of the straw pretreatment was higher in the midgut cultures, increasing the methane production by 192%, while for hindgut cultures the methane production increased only by 149% when compared to non-pretreated straw. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the alkaline pretreatment modified the surface of the wheat straw fibers, which promoted biofilm formation and microbial growth. The enrichment cultures derived from larva gut microbiome were able to degrade larger 1 mm alkaline treated and smaller 250 µm but non-pretreated straw at the same efficiency. The combination of mechanical and alkaline pretreatments resulted in increased, yet not superimposed, methane yield.
Efficient Co-Production of Xylooligosaccharides and Glucose from Vinegar Residue by Biphasic Phenoxyethanol-Maleic Acid Pretreatment
Authors: Zhu Yuanyuan , Tang Ruijun , Yu Yongjian , Yu Zhen , Wang Ke , Wang Yuqin , Liu Peng , Han Dong
Published: January 2023

A new biphasic organic solvent, phenoxyethanol-maleic acid, was carried out to pretreat and fractionate vinegar residue into glucan, xylan and lignin under mild conditions. Additional effects of key factors, temperature and phenoxyethanol concentration, on vinegar residue, were evaluated. Under the biphasic system (0.5% maleic acid, 60% phenoxyethanol), 140 °C cooking vinegar residue for 1 h, 80.91% of cellulose retention in solid residue, 75.44% of hemicellulose removal and 69.28% of lignin removal were obtained. Optimal identified conditions resulted in maximum XOS of 47.3%. Then, the solid residue was enzymatically digested with a glucose yield of 82.67% at 72 h with the addition of 2.5 g/L bovine serum albumin. Finally, the residue was characterized by SEM, FTIR, XRD and BET analysis. This work demonstrated the phenoxyethanol-maleic acid pretreatment yielded XOS, fermentable sugar, and lignin with high processibility.
Quantifying Litter Bed Ignitability: Comparison of a Laboratory and Field Method
Authors: Burton Jamie E. , Filkov Alexander I. , Pickering Bianca J. , Penman Trent D. , Cawson Jane G.
Published: January 2023

Understanding the conditions when litter beds will ignite from firebrands is critical for predicting spot fire occurrence. Such research is either field- or laboratory-based, with limited analysis to compare the approaches. We examined the ability of a laboratory method to represent field-scale ignitability. The laboratory method involved collecting litter-bed samples concurrently with the field experiments and then reconstructing and burning the litter-bed samples in the laboratory. We measured the number of successful and sustained ignitions in the laboratory (n = 5) and field (n = 30 attempts). The laboratory and field results were more similar for successful (bias = 0.05) than sustained ignitions (bias = 0.08). Wind, fuel structure (in the field) and near-surface fuel moisture influenced the differences between the methods. Our study highlights the value in conducting simultaneous laboratory and field experiments to understand the scalability of laboratory studies. For our ignitability method, our results suggest that small-scale laboratory experiments could be an effective substitute for field experiments in forests where litter beds are the dominant fuel layer and where the cover of the near-surface fuel is low.
The In Vitro Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion Affects the Bioaccessibility and Bioactivity of Beta vulgaris Constituents
Authors: Igual Marta , Fernandes Ângela , Dias Maria Inês , Pinela José , García-Segovia Purificación , Martínez-Monzó Javier , Barros Lillian
Published: January 2023

Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) is an important root vegetable crop and a valuable food source of micronutrients and bioactive constituents. In this study, the bioaccessibility of minerals, organic acids, and betacyanins in beetroot powder during simulated gastrointestinal digestion was investigated, as well as the antioxidant activity of the final fractions of each phase of the process. Mineral elements were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), organic acids by ultra-fast liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (UFLC-PDA), and betacyanins by liquid chromatography with diode-array detection and mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn). The oxidative hemolysis inhibition assay was used to assess the ex vivo antioxidant activity. The bioaccessibility of minerals at the end of gastrointestinal digestion ranged from 43 to 65%, depending on the mineral element. Among these, Mg was the most bioaccessible, while Ca and Fe had the lowest bioaccessibility. For organic acids, a major release during digestion was observed for quinic acid. It was also found that betanin (the major betalain in beetroot) was highly unstable during the digestion process, probably due to its hydrophilic nature, which agreed with the significant (p < 0.05) decrease in antioxidant/antihemolytic activity. These results suggest that beetroot antioxidant compounds are unstable under gastrointestinal conditions, and could be useful for future development of novel and more stable beetroot food formulations.
New Fractional Integral Inequalities Pertaining to Center-Radius (cr)-Ordered Convex Functions
Authors: Sahoo Soubhagya Kumar , Alrweili Hleil , Treanţă Savin , Khan Zareen A.
Published: January 2023

In this work, we use the idea of interval-valued convex functions of Center-Radius (cr)-order to give fractional versions of Hermite–Hadamard inequality. The results are supported by some numerical estimations and graphical representations considering some suitable examples. The results are novel in the context of cr-convex interval-valued functions and deal with differintegrals of the p+s2 type. We believe this will be an important contribution to spurring additional research.
The Construction of Xi’an Urban Bus Driving Cycle: A Case Study
Authors: Li Yaohua , Zhai Dengwang , Ding Hong , Islam Rajibul
Published: January 2023

At present, there are many methods to construct a vehicle driving cycle, such as the micro-trip-based method and the Markov chain method. Different methods have different advantages and disadvantages. To compare these methods, this paper uses the micro-trip-based method, the Markov chain method, and the method combining micro-trips and Markov chains to construct the representative driving cycle of a Xi’an urban bus based on the driving data of the Xi’an No.2 bus. Firstly, the driving data is collected and preprocessed. Then, representative driving cycles are constructed based on different methods. Finally, different driving cycles based on different methods are compared. By calculating and comparing characteristic parameters, velocity distributions, acceleration distributions, and vehicle-specific power distributions between different representative driving cycles, this paper shows the advantages and disadvantages of different construction methods.