bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vulvar and Vaginal Melanomas—The Darker Shades of Gynecological Cancers
Authors: Dobrică Elena-Codruța , Vâjâitu Cristina , Condrat Carmen Elena , Crețoiu Dragoș , Popa Ileana , Gaspar Bogdan Severus , Suciu Nicolae , Crețoiu Sanda Maria , Varlas Valentin Nicolae
Published: June 2021

Melanomas of the skin are poorly circumscribed lesions, very frequently asymptomatic but unfortunately with a continuous growing incidence. In this landscape, one can distinguish melanomas originating in the mucous membranes and located in areas not exposed to the sun, namely the vulvo-vaginal melanomas. By contrast with cutaneous melanomas, the incidence of these types of melanomas is constant, being diagnosed in females in their late sixties. While hairy skin and glabrous skin melanomas of the vulva account for 5% of all cancers located in the vulva, melanomas of the vagina and urethra are particularly rare conditions. The location in areas less accessible to periodic inspection determines their diagnosis in advanced stages, often metastatic. Moreover, despite the large number of drugs newly approved in recent decades for the treatment of cutaneous melanoma, especially in the category of biological drugs, the mortality of vulvo-vaginal melanomas has remained almost constant. This, together with the absence of specific treatment guidelines due to the lack of a sufficient number of cases to conduct randomized clinical trials, makes melanomas with this localization a discouraging diagnosis, associated with a very poor prognosis. Our aim is therefore to draw attention to this oftentimes overlooked entity in order to encourage the community to employ various strategies meant to increase research in this area. By highlighting the main risk factors of vulvar and vaginal melanomas, as well as the clinical manifestations and molecular changes underlying these neoplasms, ideally novel therapeutic schemes will, in time, be brought into effect.
Wearable Intracranial Pressure Monitoring Sensor for Infants
Authors: Zhang Baoyue , Huang Ziyi , Song Huixue , Kim Hyun Soo , Park Jaewon
Published: June 2021

Monitoring of intracranial pressure (ICP) is important for patients at risk of raised ICP, which may indicate developing diseases in brains that can lead to brain damage or even death. Monitoring ICP can be invaluable in the management of patients suffering from brain injury or hydrocephalus. To date, invasive measurements are still the standard method for monitoring ICP; however, these methods can not only cause bleeding or infection but are also very inconvenient to use, particularly for infants. Currently, none of the non-invasive methods can provide sufficient accuracy and ease of use while allowing continuous monitoring in routine clinical use at low cost. Here, we have developed a wearable, non-invasive ICP sensor that can be used like a band-aid. For the fabrication of the ICP sensor, a novel freeze casting method was developed to encapsulate the liquid metal microstructures within thin and flexible polymers. The final thickness of the ICP sensor demonstrated is 500 µm and can be further reduced. Three different designs of ICP sensors were tested under various pressure actuation conditions as well as different temperature environments, where the measured pressure changes were stable with the largest stability coefficient of variation being only CV = 0.0206. In addition, the sensor output values showed an extremely high linear correlation (R2 > 0.9990) with the applied pressures.
Nanopore Technology and Its Applications in Gene Sequencing
Authors: Lin Bo , Hui Jianan , Mao Hongju
Published: June 2021

In recent years, nanopore technology has become increasingly important in the field of life science and biomedical research. By embedding a nano-scale hole in a thin membrane and measuring the electrochemical signal, nanopore technology can be used to investigate the nucleic acids and other biomacromolecules. One of the most successful applications of nanopore technology, the Oxford Nanopore Technology, marks the beginning of the fourth generation of gene sequencing technology. In this review, the operational principle and the technology for signal processing of the nanopore gene sequencing are documented. Moreover, this review focuses on the applications using nanopore gene sequencing technology, including the diagnosis of cancer, detection of viruses and other microbes, and the assembly of genomes. These applications show that nanopore technology is promising in the field of biological and biomedical sensing.
Psychological Impact of Parkinson Disease Delusions on Spouse Caregivers: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Deutsch Caroline J. , Robertson Noelle , Miyasaki Janis M.
Published: June 2021

There is growing research on carers of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experiences. However, the impact on carers by PD delusions is not specifically examined. We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews of spouse carers of PD patients with delusions. Thematic analysis was employed using MAXQDA 2018. Twelve spouse participants (SPs) were interviewed. Four themes emerged: Managing incredulity: trying to make sense of delusion content; Hypervigilance: constant alertness to bizarre and threatening discourse and behavior; Defensive strategizing: anticipating delusions and potential consequences; Concealing and exposing: ambivalence about disclosing the effect of delusions yet wanting support. SPs reported effects on their emotional well-being and marital relationship and challenges to an orderly, predictable life. SPs were reluctant to share their experiences due to delusion content (often infidelity and sexual in nature) and a desire to protect their spouses’ image. SPs’ awareness of the potential for delusional thought was low prior to their occurrence. Conclusions: education surrounding potential neurobehavioral changes should occur for patients and carers. Clinicians should be aware that the impact of delusions on carers is often greater than disclosed in clinical interviews. Interdisciplinary teams speaking separately to spousal carers may improve disclosure and delivery of appropriate psychological support.
Caregivers’ Burden of School-Aged Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Implications for Family-Centred Care
Authors: Purpura Giulia , Tagliabue Luca , Petri Stefania , Cerroni Francesco , Mazzarini Andrea , Nacinovich Renata
Published: June 2021

Caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders play a central role during the rehabilitation and education processes, but they have an increasing risk of psychosocial problems even if the literature is not so agreed upon the specific and predisposing factors to that. The aim of this study was to examine possibly differences of burden levels in an Italian sample of principal caregivers of children with different kinds of neurodevelopmental disorders and to investigate the possible links between some clinical and sociodemographic variables and the levels of caregiver’s burden. 105 caregivers of school-aged children with neurodevelopmental disorders were included in the study and completed three online questionnaires (General Questionnaire, Caregiver Burden Inventory, Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale). Results highlighted that about the half of caregivers show from moderate to high levels of stress, but parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability show greater difficulties than parents of children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Language and/or Learning Disorder, and Developmental Coordination Disorder. Moreover, it was evident a negative correlation between the burden levels and the age of children, but also a direct correlation between the burden levels and the weekly hours of rehabilitation. These findings show that severity of caregiver’s burden is dependent by the type of neurodevelopmental disorder and suggest that an ecological and family-centred approach is necessary to guarantee the life health developmental course of these children.
Discriminant Validity of the WAIS-R Digit Symbol Substitution Test in Subjective Cognitive Decline, Mild Cognitive Impairment (Amnestic Subtype) and Alzheimer’s Disease Dementia (ADD) in Greece
Authors: Tsatali Marianna , Poptsi Eleni , Moraitou Despina , Agogiatou Christina , Bakoglidou Evaggelia , Gialaouzidis Moses , Papasozomenou Chrysa , Soumpourou Aikaterini , Tsolaki Magdalini
Published: June 2021

Objective: The aim of the current study was to estimate the discriminant potential and validity of the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) of the WAIS-R in the Greek elderly population meeting criteria for subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mild cognitive impairment (aMCI; amnestic subtype), or Alzheimer’s disease dementia (ADD). Method: Four hundred eighty-eight community-dwelling older adults, visitors of the Day Center of Alzheimer Hellas, participated in the study. Two hundred forty-three of them met the criteria for ADD, one hundred eighty-two for aMCI and sixty-three for SCD. Results: Path analysis indicated that the DSST score is affected by age group, educational level, and diagnostic category, but is not affected by gender. The ROC curve analysis showed that the DSST sum score could perfectly differentiate SCD from ADD patients, whereas test’s discriminant potential between aMCI and dementia ADD’s subtype was satisfactory. However, DSST was unable to separate the SCD from the aMCI group. Conclusion: It appears that the DSST is unable to separate the SCD from aMCI population. Therefore, the test in question may be insensitive to incipient cognitive decline. On the contrary, the discriminant potential of the DSST as regards SCD and ADD is excellent, while discrimination between aMCI and ADD is good.
Altered Emotional Phenotypes in Chronic Kidney Disease Following 5/6 Nephrectomy
Authors: Yu Yeon Hee , Kim Seong-Wook , Park Dae-Kyoon , Song Ho-Yeon , Kim Duk-Soo , Gil Hyo-Wook
Published: June 2021

Increased prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and neurological disorders including cerebrovascular disease, cognitive impairment, peripheral neuropathy, and dysfunction of central nervous system have been reported during the natural history of CKD. Psychological distress and depression are serious concerns in patients with CKD. However, the relevance of CKD due to decline in renal function and the pathophysiology of emotional deterioration is not clear. Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups: sham control, 5/6 nephrectomy at 4 weeks, and 5/6 nephrectomy at 10 weeks. Behavior tests, local field potentials, and histology and laboratory tests were conducted and investigated. We provided direct evidence showing that CKD rat models exhibited anxiogenic behaviors and depression-like phenotypes, along with altered hippocampal neural oscillations at 1–12 Hz. We generated CKD rat models by performing 5/6 nephrectomy, and identified higher level of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in CKD rats than in wild-type, depending on time. In addition, the level of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen I for renal tissue was markedly elevated, with worsening fibrosis due to renal failures. The level of anxiety and depression-like behaviors increased in the 10-week CKD rat models compared with the 4-week rat models. In the recording of local field potentials, the power of delta (1–4 Hz), theta (4–7 Hz), and alpha rhythm (7–12 Hz) was significantly increased in the hippocampus of CKD rats compared with wild-type rats. Together, our findings indicated that anxiogenic behaviors and depression can be induced by CKD, and these abnormal symptoms can be worsened as the onset of CKD was prolonged. In conclusion, our results show that the hippocampus is vulnerable to uremia.
Cytoplasmic Human TDP-43 Mislocalization Induces Widespread Dendritic Spine Loss in Mouse Upper Motor Neurons
Authors: Dyer Marcus S. , Woodhouse Adele , Blizzard Catherine A.
Published: June 2021

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is defined by the destruction of upper- and lower motor neurons. Post-mortem, nearly all ALS cases are positive for cytoplasmic aggregates containing the DNA/RNA binding protein TDP-43. Recent studies indicate that this pathogenic mislocalization of TDP-43 may participate in generating hyperexcitability of the upper motor neurons, the earliest detectable change in ALS patients, yet the mechanisms driving this remain unclear. We investigated how mislocalisation of TDP-43 could initiate network dysfunction in ALS. We employed a tetracycline inducible system to express either human wildtype TDP-43 (TDP-43WT) or human TDP-43 that cannot enter the nucleus (TDP-43ΔNLS) in excitatory neurons (Camk2α promoter), crossed Thy1-YFPH mice to visualize dendritic spines, the major site of excitatory synapses. In comparison to both TDP-43WT and controls, TDP-43ΔNLS drove a robust loss in spine density in all the dendrite regions of the upper motor neurons, most affecting thin spines. This indicates that TDP-43 is involved in the generation of network dysfunction in ALS likely through impacting the formation or durability of excitatory synapses. These findings are relevant to the vast majority of ALS cases, and provides further evidence that upper motor neurons may need to be protected from TDP-43 mediated synaptic excitatory changes early in disease.
Genetic Testing for Antipsychotic Pharmacotherapy: Bench to Bedside
Authors: Shad Mujeeb U.
Published: June 2021

There is growing research interest in learning the genetic basis of response and adverse effects with psychotropic medications, including antipsychotic drugs. However, the clinical utility of information from genetic studies is compromised by their controversial results, primarily due to relatively small effect and sample sizes. Clinical, demographic, and environmental differences in patient cohorts further explain the lack of consistent results from these genetic studies. Furthermore, the availability of psychopharmacological expertise in interpreting clinically meaningful results from genetic assays has been a challenge, one that often results in suboptimal use of genetic testing in clinical practice. These limitations explain the difficulties in the translation of psychopharmacological research in pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics from bench to bedside to manage increasingly treatment-refractory psychiatric disorders, especially schizophrenia. Although these shortcomings question the utility of genetic testing in the general population, the commercially available genetic assays are being increasingly utilized to optimize the effectiveness of psychotropic medications in the treatment-refractory patient population, including schizophrenia. In this context, patients with treatment-refractory schizophrenia are among of the most vulnerable patients to be exposed to the debilitating adverse effects from often irrational and high-dose antipsychotic polypharmacy without clinically meaningful benefits. The primary objective of this comprehensive review is to analyze and interpret replicated findings from the genetic studies to identify specific genetic biomarkers that could be utilized to enhance antipsychotic efficacy and tolerability in the treatment-refractory schizophrenia population.
Exploring Product Modularity in Residential Building Areas
Authors: Eriksson Henrik , Sandberg Marcus , Jansson Gustav , Lessing Jerker
Published: June 2021

This study explores how the logic of product modularity could be useful for the design of complete residential building areas. Previous research has noted that product modularity is usually only applicable if a ‘full modularization’ approach is pursued (i.e., an approach with completely defined modules). This is challenging in Engineer To Order production strategies. Therefore, an approach towards partial product modularity is sought instead. In this approach, the modules are lesser defined to allow flexibility following, e.g., architectural design freedom, as well as per project-specific requirements posed in house-building projects. This study identifies nine (9) ‘modules’ which are denominated as functional spaces. By explaining how unique project requirements affect functional spaces, some integral elements of house-building are detailed. By evaluating the functional spaces in regards to the level of predefinition, as well as the level of relationship, their level of modularity is explored. The usefulness of partial modularity for house-building is suggested to be for coordination of design work and support tools that aides design work. This study suggests that partial modularity can be a feasible approach towards modularity without the need for countermeasures in terms of increasing product predefinition.
An Overview about the Current Situation on C&D Waste Management in Italy: Achievements and Challenges
Authors: Cárcel-Carrasco Javier , Peñalvo-López Elisa , Pascual-Guillamón Manuel , Salas-Vicente Fidel
Published: June 2021

The disposal volume of material for Construction and Demolition in Europe is increasing each year, that the European Union has decided to take control of the matter unifying practices and goals to achieve. This article analyses how waste management works in Italy adjusting its system to the European Union, regarding Construction and Demolition, taking into consideration the disposal of material coming from C&D (Construction and Demolition) production. In Italy, the disposition may differ according to the regions in which it is divided, and this must be taken into consideration when analysing information that reflects the different logistical aspect linked to the territory. It is also necessary to consider how the volume of waste can vary according to the size of the region considered and the type of industrial development to which it belongs. The analysis of the Italian situation shows their achievements regarding reaching a good level of recycling waste volume; indeed, their amount of C&D recycled waste after 2010 was always up to the 70% value established by the European Union, though barriers are still present in the field of waste management. Through data collecting, it has been seen the different volume that is generated in construction-related activities in the country, along with the recovered waste volume. Thus, the goal of this paper is to deepen the general knowledge on waste produced by Construction and Demolition in Italy and waste management practices adopted according to the European Union.
Autophagy, Apoptosis, the Unfolded Protein Response, and Lung Function in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Sharma Pawan , Alizadeh Javad , Juarez Maya , Samali Afshin , Halayko Andrew J. , Kenyon Nicholas J. , Ghavami Saeid , Zeki Amir A.
Published: June 2021

Autophagy, apoptosis, and the unfolded protein response (UPR) are fundamental biological processes essential for manifold cellular functions in health and disease. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and lethal pulmonary disorder associated with aging that has limited therapies, reflecting our incomplete understanding. We conducted an observational study linking molecular markers of cell stress response pathways (UPR: BiP, XBP1; apoptosis: cleaved caspase-3; autophagy: LC3β) in lung tissues from IPF patients and correlated the expression of these protein markers to each subject’s lung function measures. We hypothesized that changes in lung tissue expression of apoptosis, autophagy, and UPR markers correlate with lung function deficits in IPF. The cell stress markers BiP, XBP1, LC3β puncta, and cleaved caspase-3 were found to be elevated in IPF lungs compared to non-IPF lungs, and, further, BiP and cleaved caspase-3 co-localized in IPF lungs. Considering lung function independently, we observed that increased XBP1, BiP, and cleaved caspase-3 were each associated with reduced lung function (FEV1, FVC, TLC, RV). However, increased lung tissue expression of LC3β puncta was significantly associated with increased diffusion capacity (DLCO), an indicator of alveolar–capillary membrane function. Similarly, the co-localization of UPR (XBP1, BiP) and autophagy (LC3β puncta) markers was positively correlated with increased lung function (FEV1, FVC, TLC, DLCO). However, the presence of LC3β puncta can indicate either autophagy flux inhibition or activation. While the nature of our observational cross-sectional study design does not allow conclusions regarding causal links between increased expression of these cell stress markers, lung fibrosis, and lung function decline, it does provide some insights that are hypothesis-generating and suggests that within the milieu of active UPR, changes in autophagy flux may play an important role in determining lung function. Further research is necessary to investigate the mechanisms linking UPR and autophagy in IPF and how an imbalance in these cell stress pathways can lead to progressive fibrosis and loss of lung function. We conclude by presenting five testable hypotheses that build on the research presented here. Such an understanding could eventually lead to the development of much-needed therapies for IPF.
RAB38 Facilitates Energy Metabolism and Counteracts Cell Death in Glioblastoma Cells
Authors: Bianchetti Elena , Bates Sierra J. , Nguyen Trang T. T. , Siegelin Markus D. , Roth Kevin A.
Published: June 2021

Glioblastoma is a high-grade glial neoplasm with a patient survival of 12–18 months. Therefore, the identification of novel therapeutic targets is an urgent need. RAB38 is a GTPase protein implicated in regulating cell proliferation and survival in tumors. The role of RAB38 in glioblastoma is relatively unexplored. Here, we test the hypothesis that RAB38 regulates glioblastoma growth using human glioblastoma cell lines. We found that genetic interference of RAB38 resulted in a decrease in glioblastoma growth through inhibition of proliferation and cell death induction. Transcriptome analysis showed that RAB38 silencing leads to changes in genes related to mitochondrial metabolism and intrinsic apoptosis (e.g., Bcl-xL). Consistently, rescue experiments demonstrated that loss of RAB38 causes a reduction in glioblastoma viability through downregulation of Bcl-xL. Moreover, RAB38 knockdown inhibited both glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. Interference with RAB38 enhanced cell death induced by BH3-mimetics. RAB38 antagonists are under development, but not yet clinically available. We found that FDA-approved statins caused a rapid reduction in RAB38 protein levels, increased cell death, and phenocopied some of the molecular changes elicited by loss of RAB38. In summary, our findings suggest that RAB38 is a potential therapeutic target for glioblastoma treatment.
Systemic T Cell Exhaustion Dynamics Is Linked to Early High Mobility Group Box Protein 1 (HMGB1) Driven Hyper-Inflammation in a Polytrauma Rat Model
Authors: Muire Preeti J. , Schwacha Martin G. , Wenke Joseph C.
Published: June 2021

We previously reported an early surge in high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) levels in a polytrauma (PT) rat model. This study investigates the association of HMGB1 levels in mediating PT associated dysregulated immune responses and its influence on the cellular levels of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Using the same PT rat model treated with anti-HMGB1 polyclonal antibody, we evaluated changes in circulating inflammatory cytokines, monocytes/macrophages and T cells dynamics and cell surface expression of RAGE and TLR4 at 1, 3, and 7 days post-trauma (dpt) in blood and spleen. Notably, PT rats demonstrating T helper (Th)1 and Th2 cells type early hyper-inflammatory responses also exhibited increased monocyte/macrophage counts and diminished T cell counts in blood and spleen. In blood, expression of RAGE and TLR4 receptors was elevated on CD68+ monocyte/macrophages and severely diminished on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Neutralization of HMGB1 significantly decreased CD68+ monocyte/macrophage counts and increased CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, but not γδ+TCR T cells in circulation. Most importantly, RAGE and TLR4 expressions were restored on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in treated PT rats. Overall, findings suggest that in PT, the HMGB1 surge is responsible for the onset of T cell exhaustion and dysfunction, leading to diminished RAGE and TLR4 surface expression, thereby possibly hindering the proper functioning of T cells.
NOX4 Signaling Mediates Cancer Development and Therapeutic Resistance through HER3 in Ovarian Cancer Cells
Authors: Liu Wen-Jing , Huang Ying-Xue , Wang Wei , Zhang Ye , Liu Bing-Jie , Qiu Jian-Ge , Jiang Bing-Hua , Liu Ling-Zhi
Published: June 2021

Development of resistance to therapy in ovarian cancer is a major hinderance for therapeutic efficacy; however, new mechanisms of the resistance remain to be elucidated. NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) is responsible for higher NADPH activity to increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In this study, we showed that higher levels of NOX4 were detected in a large portion of human ovarian cancer samples. To understand the molecular mechanism of the NOX4 upregulation, we showed that NOX4 expression was induced by HIF-1α and growth factor such as IGF-1. Furthermore, our results indicated that NOX4 played a pivotal role in chemotherapy and radiotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer cells. We also demonstrated that NOX4 knockdown increased sensitivity of targeted therapy and radiotherapy through decreased expression of HER3 (ERBB3) and NF-κB p65. Taken together, we identified a new HIF-1α/NOX4 signal pathway which induced drug and radiation resistance in ovarian cancer. The finding may provide a new option to overcome the therapeutic resistance of ovarian cancer in the future.
Addendum: Gilani et al. Formulation and Optimization of Nano Lipid Based Oral Delivery Systems for Arthritis. Coatings 2021, 11, 548
Authors: Gilani Sadaf Jamal , Bin-Jumah May Nasser , Imam Syed Sarim , Alshehri Sultan , Jahangir Mohammed Asadullah , Zafar Ameeduzzafar
Published: June 2021

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...]
PVC Detection through a Hybrid SEIRA Substrate and Refractive Index Sensor Based on Metamaterial Perfect Absorbers
Authors: Lin Chieh-Ting , Yen Ta-Jen , Huang Tsung-Yu
Published: June 2021

Simultaneous surface enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) with Fano resonance and refractive index (RI) sensing are proposed via a split-ring-resonator-based metamaterial perfect absorber (MPA) to detect polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a commonly used polymer but one that was recently prohibited in many areas such as Europe. This bifunctional sensor could provide a label-free and qualitative PVC detection through SEIRA coupled to the vibration mode and a quantitative measurement through RI sensing. To design the MPA, the main operating frequency is targeted at 615 cm−1 for C-Cl bond of PVC. Transition from a reflectance dip to a peak, i.e., Fano resonance was observed at y polarization in both simulation and experiments, evidencing the existence of PVC. On the other hand, to test the RI sensing ability of the MPA, different RI (from 1 to 1.5) of analytes and different thicknesses (from 109 to 1050 nm) of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) were applied to the MPA in simulation and experiments, respectively. The simulated sensitivities are 4045 and 2361 nm/RIU for the first and third modes of the MPA, respectively, while the measured sensitivities based on PMMA are 3713 and 1694 nm/RIU. Overall, the detection limit of PVC could be down to 0.5% in experiments, which outweighs the current measurement limit of 10% through infrared absorption measurement.
Effect of Internal Radiation on Process Parameters in the Global Simulation of Growing Large-Size Bulk β-Ga2O3 Single Crystals with the Czochralski Method
Authors: Tang Xia , Liu Botao , Yu Yue , Song Botao , Han Pengfei , Liu Sheng , Gao Bing
Published: June 2021

As a crystal grows, the temperature distribution of the crystal and melt will change. It is necessary to study the dynamic process of single-crystal growth. Due to the relatively low crystallization rates used in the industrial Czochralski growth system, a steady state is used to compute the temperature distribution and melt flow. A two-dimensional axisymmetric model of the whole Czochralski furnace was established. The dynamic growth process of large-size bulk β-Ga2O3 single crystal using the Czochralski method has been numerically analyzed with the parameter sweep method. In this paper, two cases of internal radiation and no internal radiation were compared to study the effect of radiation on the process parameters. The temperature distribution of the furnace, the temperature field, and the flow field of the melt was calculated. The temperature, the temperature gradient of the crystal, the temperature at the bottom of the crucible, and the heater power were studied for the crystals grown in the two cases of radiation. The results obtained in this study clearly show that the loss calculated by including the internal radiation is higher compared to that including the surface radiation.
Characterization of Proton-Irradiated Polyaniline Nanoparticles Using Terahertz Thermal Spectroscopy
Authors: Oh Seung Jae , Hong Yoochan , Jeong Ki-Young , Maeng Inhee , Suh Jin-Suck , Yang Jaemoon , Huh Yong-Min
Published: June 2021

In this study, we investigated the changes in the molecular structure of polyaniline (PANI) nanoparticles illuminated by a proton beam using terahertz (THz) thermal spectroscopy based on the terahertz time-domain spectroscopy technique. PANI nanoparticles in water were exposed to a proton beam of 35 MeV energy with a particle fluence of 1013 particles/cm2. The photothermal properties of this solution of PANI nanoparticles were characterized using THz thermal spectroscopy. We measured the changes in the amplitudes of the reflected THz pulses to identify the variations in temperature induced by the photothermal effects of the PANI nanoparticle solution. The amplitude of a reflected THz pulse of the PANI solution not exposed to the proton beam increased when illuminated by an infrared light source, whereas that of THz signals of the PANI solution exposed to the proton beam hardly exhibited any changes. This implies that the molecular structure of PANI nanoparticles can be varied by a proton beam with a particle fluence above 1013 particles/cm2.
Role of Artificial Intelligence in Video Capsule Endoscopy
Authors: Tziortziotis Ioannis , Laskaratos Faidon-Marios , Coda Sergio
Published: June 2021

Capsule endoscopy (CE) has been increasingly utilised in recent years as a minimally invasive tool to investigate the whole gastrointestinal (GI) tract and a range of capsules are currently available for evaluation of upper GI, small bowel, and lower GI pathology. Although CE is undoubtedly an invaluable test for the investigation of small bowel pathology, it presents considerable challenges and limitations, such as long and laborious reading times, risk of missing lesions, lack of bowel cleansing score and lack of locomotion. Artificial intelligence (AI) seems to be a promising tool that may help improve the performance metrics of CE, and consequently translate to better patient care. In the last decade, significant progress has been made to apply AI in the field of endoscopy, including CE. Although it is certain that AI will find soon its place in day-to-day endoscopy clinical practice, there are still some open questions and barriers limiting its widespread application. In this review, we provide some general information about AI, and outline recent advances in AI and CE, issues around implementation of AI in medical practice and potential future applications of AI-aided CE.
State of the Art in Artificial Intelligence and Radiomics in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Castaldo Anna , De Lucia Davide Raffaele , Pontillo Giuseppe , Gatti Marco , Cocozza Sirio , Ugga Lorenzo , Cuocolo Renato
Published: June 2021

The most common liver malignancy is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is also associated with high mortality. Often HCC develops in a chronic liver disease setting, and early diagnosis as well as accurate screening of high-risk patients is crucial for appropriate and effective management of these patients. While imaging characteristics of HCC are well-defined in the diagnostic phase, challenging cases still occur, and current prognostic and predictive models are limited in their accuracy. Radiomics and machine learning (ML) offer new tools to address these issues and may lead to scientific breakthroughs with the potential to impact clinical practice and improve patient outcomes. In this review, we will present an overview of these technologies in the setting of HCC imaging across different modalities and a range of applications. These include lesion segmentation, diagnosis, prognostic modeling and prediction of treatment response. Finally, limitations preventing clinical application of radiomics and ML at the present time are discussed, together with necessary future developments to bring the field forward and outside of a purely academic endeavor.
Evaluation of the Perspective Power Transistor Structures on Efficiency Performance of PFC Circuit
Authors: Frivaldsky Michal , Pipiska Michal , Spanik Pavol
Published: June 2021

The aim of this work is to investigate the influence of circuit elements on the properties of the selected power factor correction (PFC) topology. Active or passive PFC serves to increase the power factor (PF) and reduce the total harmonic distortion (THD) of the mains current. As a result, the distribution network is lightened due to its interference caused by connected electronic devices. An important indicator of all electronic converters is efficiency. Therefore, the work deals with the analysis of possible efficiency improvements in conjunction with the use of technologically new active components. Detailed experimental analyses and optimization procedures are performed in terms of the influence of transistor structures (SiC and GaN) on the qualitative indicators of the proposed PFC converter for a wide operating spectrum. The synthesis of the obtained results is given, together with recommendations for optimal selection and optimal design of PFC main circuit elements with regard to achieving peak efficiency values.
Reliable Multicast Based on Congestion-Aware Cache in ICN
Authors: Duan Yingjie , Ni Hong , Zhu Xiaoyong
Published: June 2021

Reliable multicast distribution is essential for some applications such as Internet of Things (IoT) alarm information and important file distribution. Traditional IP reliable multicast usually relies on multicast source retransmission for recovery losses, causing huge recovery delay and redundancy. Moreover, feedback implosion tends to occur towards multicast source as the number of receivers grows. Information-Centric Networking (ICN) is an emerging network architecture that is efficient in content distribution by supporting multicast and in-network caching. Although ubiquitous in-network caching provides nearby retransmission, the design of cache strategy greatly affects the performance of loss recovery. Therefore, how to recover losses efficiently and quickly is an urgent problem to be solved in ICN reliable multicast. In this paper, we first propose an overview architecture of ICN-based reliable multicast and formulate a problem using recovery delay as the optimization target. Based on the architecture, we present a Congestion-Aware Probabilistic Cache (CAPC) strategy to reduce recovery delay by caching recently transmitted chunks during multicast transmission. Then, we propose NACK feedback aggregation and recovery isolation scheme to decrease recovery overhead. Finally, experimental results show that our proposal can achieve fully reliable multicast and outperforms other approaches in recovery delay, cache hit ratio, transmission completion time, and overhead.
A Dual-Attention Autoencoder Network for Efficient Recommendation System
Authors: Duan Chao , Sun Jianwen , Li Kaiqi , Li Qing
Published: June 2021

Accelerated development of mobile networks and applications leads to the exponential expansion of resources, which causes problems such as trek and overload of information. One of the practical approaches to ease these problems is recommendation systems (RSs) that can provide individualized service. Video recommendation is one of the most critical recommendation services. However, achieving satisfactory recommendation service on the sparse data is difficult for video recommendation service. Moreover, the cold start problem further exacerbates the research challenge. Recent state-of-the-art works attempted to solve this problem by utilizing the user and item information from some other perspective. However, the significance of user and item information changes under different applications. This paper proposes an autoencoder model to improve recommendation efficiency by utilizing attribute information and implementing the proposed algorithm for video recommendation. In the proposed model, we first extract the user features and the video features by combining the user attribute and the video category information simultaneously. Then, we integrate the attention mechanism into the extracted features to generate the vital features. Finally, we incorporate the user and item potential factor to generate the probability matrix and defines the user-item rating matrix using the factorized probability matrix. Experimental results on two shared datasets demonstrates that the proposed model can effectively ameliorate video recommendation quality compared with the state-of-the-art methods.
Estimation of Productivity and Costs of Using a Track Mini-Harvester with a Stroke Head for the First Commercial Thinning of a Scots Pine Stand
Authors: Leszczyński Krzysztof , Stańczykiewicz Arkadiusz , Kulak Dariusz , Szewczyk Grzegorz , Tylek Paweł
Published: June 2021

The aim of the present work was to estimate the productivity and costs of timber harvesting and forwarding during the first commercial thinning of a Scots pine stand. Three harvesting models were introduced and compared: narrow trail, wide access trail, and schematic extraction. The analyzed harvesting equipment consisted of a track mini-excavator (34 kW) with a stroke harvester head (gripping range 4–30 cm), and a farm tractor coupled to a logging trailer with a hydraulic crane. Merchantable timber (roundwood with a minimum diameter of 5 cm inside bark) was harvested from a 25-year-old planted Scots pine stand growing on a grid of 1.4 m × 1.8 m. The study showed the productivity of the mini-harvester ranged from 3.09 to 3.47 m3/PMH15 (productive machine hours plus 15 min), and that of the forwarding equipment to be 4.07 m3/PMH15. The analyzed model of productivity as a function of tree volume and thinning intensity was statistically significant, but the intensity parameter was significant only on plots located along wide access trails (3.7 m) and insignificant on plots located along narrow access trails (2.5 m). The distance between trees was not found to be significant. The calculated net machine costs for the forwarding equipment and track mini-harvester were EUR 36.12 and 52.47 per PMH, respectively. An increase in the usage rate of the harvesting equipment to 80% would reduce the harvesting and forwarding costs to EUR 22.07/m3.
An SDR-Based Experimental Study of Reliable and Low-Latency Ethernet-Based Fronthaul with MAC-PHY Split
Authors: Mountaser Ghizlane , Mahmoodi Toktam
Published: June 2021

Cloud-Radio Access Network (RAN) is one of the architectural solutions for those mobile networks that aim to provide an infrastructure that satisfies the communication needs of a wide range of services and deployments. In Cloud-RAN, functions can be flexibly split between central and distributed units, which enables the use of different types of transport network. Ethernet-based fronthaul can be an attractive solution for Cloud-RAN. On the one hand, the deployment of Ethernet-based fronthaul enables Cloud-RAN to provide more diverse, flexible and cost-efficient solutions. On the other hand, Ethernet-based fronthaul requires packetized communication, which imposes challenges to delivering stringent latency requirements between RAN functionalities. In this paper, we set up a hardware experiment based on Cloud-RAN with a low layer split, particularly between medium access control and the physical layer. The aim is to demonstrate how multi-path and channel coding over the fronthaul can improve fronthaul reliability while ensuring that: (i) latency results meet the standard requirements; and (ii) the overall system operates properly. Our results show that the proposed solution can improve fronthaul reliability while latency remains below a strict latency bound required by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project for this functional split.
SD-BROV: An Enhanced BGP Hijacking Protection with Route Validation in Software-Defined eXchange
Authors: Tsai Pang-Wei , Risdianto Aris Cahyadi , Choi Meng Hui , Permal Satis Kumar , Ling Teck Chaw
Published: June 2021

In global networks, Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is widely used in exchanging routing information. While the original design of BGP did not focus on security protection against deliberate or accidental errors regarding to routing disruption, one of fundamental vulnerabilities in BGP is a lack of insurance in validating authority for announcing network layer reachability. Therefore, a distributed repository system known as Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI) has been utilized to mitigate this issue. However, such a validation requires further deployment steps for Autonomous System (AS), and it might cause performance and compatibility problems in legacy network infrastructure. Nevertheless, with recent advancements in network innovation, some traditional networks are planning to be restructured with Software-Defined Networking (SDN) technology for gaining more benefits. By using SDN, Internet eXchange Point (IXP) is able to enhance its capability of management by applying softwarized control methods, acting as a Software-Defined eXchange (SDX) center to handle numerous advertisement adaptively. To use the SDN method to strengthen routing security of IXP, this paper proposed an alternative SDX development, SD-BROV, an SDX-based BGP Route Origin Validation mechanism that establishes a flexible route exchange scenario with RPKI validation. The validating application built in the SDN controller is capable of investigating received routing information. It aims to support hybrid SDN environments and help non-SDN BGP neighbors to get trusted routes and drop suspicious ones in transition. To verify proposed idea with emulated environment, the proof-of-concept development is deployed on an SDN testbed running over Research and Education Networks (RENs). During BGP hijacking experiment, the results show that developed SD-BROV is able to detect and stop legitimate traffic to be redirected by attacker, making approach to secure traffic forwarding on BGP routers.
Moored Flux and Dissipation Estimates from the Northern Deepwater Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Polzin Kurt L. , Wang Binbin , Wang Zhankun , Thwaites Fred , Williams Albert J.
Published: June 2021

Results from a pilot program to assess boundary mixing processes along the northern continental slope of the Gulf of Mexico are presented. We report a novel attempt to utilize a turbulence flux sensor on a conventional mooring. These data document many of the features expected of a stratified Ekman layer: a buoyancy anomaly over a height less than that of the unstratified Ekman layer and an enhanced turning of the velocity vector with depth. Turbulent stress estimates have an appropriate magnitude and are aligned with the near-bottom velocity vector. However, the Ekman layer is time dependent on inertial-diurnal time scales. Cross slope momentum and temperature fluxes have significant contributions from this frequency band. Collocated turbulent kinetic energy dissipation and temperature variance dissipation estimates imply a dissipation ratio of 0.14 that is not sensibly different from canonical values for shear instability (0.2). This mixing signature is associated with production in the internal wave band rather than frequencies associated with turbulent shear production. Our results reveal that the expectation of a quasi-stationary response to quasi-stationary forcing in the guise of eddy variability is naive and a boundary layer structure that does not support recent theoretical assumptions concerning one-dimensional models of boundary mixing.
Supercritical Fluid Extraction Kinetics of Cherry Seed Oil: Kinetics Modeling and ANN Optimization
Authors: Dimić Ivana , Pezo Lato , Rakić Dušan , Teslić Nemanja , Zeković Zoran , Pavlić Branimir
Published: June 2021

This study was primarily focused on the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of cherry seed oil and the optimization of the process using sequential extraction kinetics modeling and artificial neural networks (ANN). The SFE study was organized according to Box-Behnken design of experiment, with additional runs. Pressure, temperature and flow rate were chosen as independent variables. Five well known empirical kinetic models and three mass-transfer kinetics models based on the Sovová’s solution of SFE equations were successfully applied for kinetics modeling. The developed mass-transfer models exhibited better fit of experimental data, according to the calculated statistical tests (R2, SSE and AARD). The initial slope of the SFE curve was evaluated as an output variable in the ANN optimization. The obtained results suggested that it is advisable to lead SFE process at an increased pressure and CO2 flow rate with lower temperature and particle size values to reach a maximal initial slope.
Response of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NMGL2 to Combinational Cold and Acid Stresses during Storage of Fermented Milk as Analyzed by Data-Independent Acquisition Proteomics
Authors: Zhang Min , Yao Mengke , Lai Tiantian , Zhao Hua , Wang Yihui , Yang Zhennai
Published: June 2021

To understand the mechanism of tolerance of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) during cold storage of fermented milk, 31 LAB strains were isolated from traditional fermented products, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NMGL2 was identified with good tolerance to both cold and acid stresses. Data-independent acquisition proteomics method was employed to analyze the response of Lpb. plantarum NMGL2 to the combinational cold and acid stresses during storage of the fermented milk made with the strain at 4 °C for 21 days. Among the differentially expressed proteins identified, 20 low temperature-resistant proteins and 10 acid-resistant proteins were found. Protein interaction analysis showed that the low temperature-resistant proteins associated with acid-resistant proteins were Hsp1, Hsp2, Hsp3, CspC, MurA1, MurC, MurD, MurE1, and MurI, while the acid-resistant proteins associated with low temperature-resistant proteins were DnaA, DnaK, GrpE, GroEL, and RbfA. The overall metabolic pathways of Lpb. plantarum NMGL2 in response to the stresses were determined including increased cell wall component biosynthesis, extracellular production of abundant glycolipids and glycoproteins, increased expression of F1Fo-ATPase, activation of glutamate deacidification system, enhanced expression of proteins and chaperones associated with cell repairing caused by the acidic and cold environment into the correct proteins. The present study for the first time provides further understanding of the proteomic pattern and metabolic changes of Lpb. plantarum in response to combinational cold and acid stresses in fermented milk, which facilitates potential application of Lpb. plantarum in fermented foods with enhanced survivability.