bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Porous Alumina-Bentonite Ceramics: Effects of Fillers and Molding Technique
Authors: Smirnov Aleksey D. , Kholodkova Anastasia A. , Rybalchenko Viktor V. , Tarasovskii Vadim P.
Published: January 2023

In porous ceramics processing, the green body shaping technique largely determines the control of the final porous structure and material properties. The study is aimed at finding affordable approaches for the shaping of two different narrow-fraction fillers: F240 electro-corundum and hollow alumina microspheres. The results revealed the influence of accessible shaping techniques (semi-dry pressing, direct casting, and slip casting) on the structural and mechanical properties of porous alumina ceramics. The starting materials were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDX, and BET. The manufactured ceramics were studied in terms of microstructure, density, porosity, and flexural strength. Free stacking of the fillers’ particles during the direct and slip casting resulted in a higher porosity of ceramics compared with that of semi-dry pressing, while reducing its mechanical strength. Direct casting appeared preferable for ceramics with hollow microspheres because it maintained the integrity of the filler particles and preserved their inherent porosity in the ceramics. The optimal parameters for porous ceramics processing were determined as follows: pressing at 30 MPa and sintering at 1280–1320 °C with a bentonite content of 15 wt.%. In this case, the average density and open porosity of F240 samples reached 2.22 g cm−3 and 40.4%, while samples containing hollow microspheres reached 2.20 g cm−3 and 36.7%, respectively.
Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence for Alpha-Fetoprotein Detection and for SERS Using Hybrid Nanoparticles of Magnetic Cluster Core—Plasmonic Shell Composite
Authors: Phuc Lam Gia , Do Phuong Que Tran , Ta Hanh Kieu Thi , Dang Vinh Quang , Joo Sang-Woo , Manh Do Hung , Bach Ta Ngoc , Van Tran T. T. , Tran Nhu Hoa Thi
Published: January 2023

We demonstrated that the hybrid core–shell nanostructure of Fe3O4 (core) and gold (shell) could be a good substrate candidate both for metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The magnetic properties of the core material could provide functionalities such as the magnetically induced aggregation/distribution of nanostructures to increase the hot-spot density, while the nano-thickness gold shell allows for the plasmonic enhancement of both fluorescence and SERS. The gold-capped magnetic (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (GMPs) were facilely synthesized using a newly developed chemical method. The relative molar ratio of the constituent materials of the core–shell composite was optimized for tuning the plasmonic resonance wavelengths for MEF and SERS. We employed GMP-based MEF to detect alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), with concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 1000 ng/mL, and obtained a limit of detection (LOD) as low as 3.8 × 10−4 ng/mL. The signal enhancement factor (EF) in the GMP-based MEF was 1.5 at maximum. In addition, the GMPs were used in SERS to detect rhodamine B (RhB). Its LOD was 3.5 × 10−12 M, and the EF was estimated to be about 2 × 108. The hybrid core–shell nanoparticles could find potential applications in diagnostic assays based on MEF and SERS in various fields such as food verification, environmental testing/monitoring, and disease diagnosis.
Investigation of the Molecular Evolution of Treg Suppression Mechanisms Indicates a Convergent Origin
Authors: Bhaumik Suniti , Łazarczyk Marzena , Kubick Norwin , Klimovich Pavel , Gurba Agata , Paszkiewicz Justyna , Teodorowicz Patrycja , Kocki Tomasz , Horbańczuk Jarosław Olav , Manda Gina , Sacharczuk Mariusz , Mickael Michel-Edwar
Published: January 2023

Regulatory T cell (Treg) suppression of conventional T cells is a central mechanism that ensures immune system homeostasis. The exact time point of Treg emergence is still disputed. Furthermore, the time of Treg-mediated suppression mechanisms’ emergence has not been identified. It is not yet known whether Treg suppression mechanisms diverged from a single pathway or converged from several sources. We investigated the evolutionary history of Treg suppression pathways using various phylogenetic analysis tools. To ensure the conservation of function for investigated proteins, we augmented our study using nonhomology-based methods to predict protein functions among various investigated species and mined the literature for experimental evidence of functional convergence. Our results indicate that a minority of Treg suppressor mechanisms could be homologs of ancient conserved pathways. For example, CD73, an enzymatic pathway known to play an essential role in invertebrates, is highly conserved between invertebrates and vertebrates, with no evidence of positive selection (w = 0.48, p-value < 0.00001). Our findings indicate that Tregs utilize homologs of proteins that diverged in early vertebrates. However, our findings do not exclude the possibility of a more evolutionary pattern following the duplication degeneration–complementation (DDC) model. Ancestral sequence reconstruction showed that Treg suppression mechanism proteins do not belong to one family; rather, their emergence seems to follow a convergent evolutionary pattern.
Molecular Mechanisms Underlying CRISPR/Cas-Based Assays for Nucleic Acid Detection
Authors: Antropov Denis N. , Stepanov Grigory A.
Published: January 2023

Applied to investigate specific sequences, nucleic acid detection assays can help identify novel bacterial and viral infections. Most up-to-date systems combine isothermal amplification with Cas-mediated detection. They surpass standard PCR methods in detection time and sensitivity, which is crucial for rapid diagnostics. The first part of this review covers the variety of isothermal amplification methods and describes their reaction mechanisms. Isothermal amplification enables fast multiplication of a target nucleic acid sequence without expensive laboratory equipment. However, researchers aim for more reliable results, which cannot be achieved solely by amplification because it is also a source of non-specific products. This motivated the development of Cas-based assays that use Cas9, Cas12, or Cas13 proteins to detect nucleic acids and their fragments in biological specimens with high specificity. Isothermal amplification yields a high enough concentration of target nucleic acids for the specific signal to be detected via Cas protein activity. The second part of the review discusses combinations of different Cas-mediated reactions and isothermal amplification methods and presents signal detection techniques adopted in each assay. Understanding the features of Cas-based assays could inform the choice of an optimal protocol to detect different nucleic acids.
CXray-EffDet: Chest Disease Detection and Classification from X-ray Images Using the EfficientDet Model
Authors: Nawaz Marriam , Nazir Tahira , Baili Jamel , Khan Muhammad Attique , Kim Ye Jin , Cha Jae-Hyuk
Published: January 2023

The competence of machine learning approaches to carry out clinical expertise tasks has recently gained a lot of attention, particularly in the field of medical-imaging examination. Among the most frequently used clinical-imaging modalities in the healthcare profession is chest radiography, which calls for prompt reporting of the existence of potential anomalies and illness diagnostics in images. Automated frameworks for the recognition of chest abnormalities employing X-rays are being introduced in health departments. However, the reliable detection and classification of particular illnesses in chest X-ray samples is still a complicated issue because of the complex structure of radiographs, e.g., the large exposure dynamic range. Moreover, the incidence of various image artifacts and extensive inter- and intra-category resemblances further increases the difficulty of chest disease recognition procedures. The aim of this study was to resolve these existing problems. We propose a deep learning (DL) approach to the detection of chest abnormalities with the X-ray modality using the EfficientDet (CXray-EffDet) model. More clearly, we employed the EfficientNet-B0-based EfficientDet-D0 model to compute a reliable set of sample features and accomplish the detection and classification task by categorizing eight categories of chest abnormalities using X-ray images. The effective feature computation power of the CXray-EffDet model enhances the power of chest abnormality recognition due to its high recall rate, and it presents a lightweight and computationally robust approach. A large test of the model employing a standard database from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) was conducted to demonstrate the chest disease localization and categorization performance of the CXray-EffDet model. We attained an AUC score of 0.9080, along with an IOU of 0.834, which clearly determines the competency of the introduced model.
Allele-Specific PCR for PIK3CA Mutation Detection Using Phosphoryl Guanidine Modified Primers
Authors: Chubarov Alexey S. , Oscorbin Igor P. , Novikova Lidiya M. , Filipenko Maxim L. , Lomzov Alexander A. , Pyshnyi Dmitrii V.
Published: January 2023

Phosphoryl guanidine (PG) is the novel uncharged modification of internucleotide phosphates of oligonucleotides. Incorporating PG modification into PCR primers leads to increased discrimination between wild-type and mutated DNA, providing extraordinary detection limits in an allele-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR). Herein, we used PG-modification to improve the specificity of AS primers with unfavorable Pyr/Pur primer’s 3′-end mismatch in the template/primer complex. Two mutations of the PIK3CA gene (E542K, E545K) were chosen to validate the advantages of the PG modification. Several primers with PG modifications were synthesized for each mutation and assessed using AS-PCR with the plasmid controls and DNA obtained from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. The assay allows the detection of 0.5% of mutated DNA on the wild-type DNA plasmid template’s background with good specificity. Compared with ddPCR, the primers with PG-modification demonstrated 100% specificity and 100% sensitivity on the DNA from FFPE with mutation presence higher than 0.5%. Our results indicate the high potential of PG-modified primers for point mutation detection. The main principle of the developed methodology can be used to improve the specificity of primers regardless of sequences.
Neurologic Outcome Comparison between Fetal Open-, Endoscopic- and Neonatal-Intervention Techniques in Spina Bifida Aperta
Authors: Sival Deborah A. , Patuszka Agnieszka , Koszutski Tomasz , Heep Axel , Verbeek Renate J.
Published: January 2023

Introduction: In spina bifida aperta (SBA), fetal closure of the myelomeningocele (MMC) can have a neuroprotective effect and improve outcomes. In Europe, surgical MMC closure is offered by fetal-open (OSBAR), fetal-endoscopic (FSBAR), and neonatal (NSBAR) surgical techniques. Pediatric neurologists facing the challenging task of counseling the parents may therefore seek objective outcome comparisons. Until now, such data are hardly available. In SBA, we aimed to compare neurologic outcomes between OSBAR, FSBAR, and NSBAR intervention techniques. Methods: We determined intervention-related complications, neuromuscular integrity, and neurologic outcome parameters after OSBAR (n = 17) and FSBAR (n = 13) interventions by age- and lesion-matched comparisons with NSBAR-controls. Neurological outcome parameters concerned: shunt dependency, segmental alterations in muscle ultrasound density (reflecting neuromuscular integrity), segmental motor-, sensory- and reflex conditions, and the likelihood of intervention-related gain in ambulation. Results: Compared with NSBAR-controls, fetal intervention is associated with improved neuromuscular tissue integrity, segmental neurological outcomes, reduced shunt dependency, and a higher chance of acquiring ambulation in ≈20% of the operated children. Children with MMC-lesions with a cranial border at L3 revealed the most likely intervention-related motor function gain. The outcome comparison between OSBAR versus FSBAR interventions revealed no significant differences. Conclusion: In SBA, OSBAR- and FSBAR-techniques achieved similar neuroprotective results. A randomized controlled trial is helpful in revealing and compare ongoing effects by surgical learning curves.
Quantitative Study of Non-Linear Convection Diffusion Equations for a Rotating-Disc Electrode
Authors: Alshammari Fahad Sameer , Jan Hamad , Sulaiman Muhammad , Prathumwan Din , Laouini Ghaylen
Published: January 2023

Rotating-disc electrodes (RDEs) are favored technologies for analyzing electrochemical processes in electrically charged cells and other revolving machines, such as engines, compressors, gearboxes, and generators. The model is based on the concept of the nonlinear entropy convection-diffusion equations, which are constructed using semi-boundaries as an infinite notion. In this model, the surrogate solutions with different parameter values for the mathematical characterization of non-dimensional OH− and H+ ion concentrations at a rotating-disc electrode (RDE) are investigated using an intelligent hybrid technique by utilizing neural networks (NN) and the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm (LMA). Reference solutions were calculated using the RK-4 numerical method. Through the training, validation, and testing sampling of reference solutions, the NN-BLMA approximations were recorded. Error histograms, absolute error, curve fitting graphs, and regression graphs validated the NN-BLMA’s resilience and accuracy for the problem. Additionally, the comparison graphs between the reference solution and the NN-BLMA procedure established that our paradigm is reliable and accurate.
A Conceptual Multi-Layer Framework for the Detection of Nighttime Pedestrian in Autonomous Vehicles Using Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Farooq Muhammad Shoaib , Khalid Haris , Arooj Ansif , Umer Tariq , Asghar Aamer Bilal , Rasheed Jawad , Shubair Raed M. , Yahyaoui Amani
Published: January 2023

The major challenge faced by autonomous vehicles today is driving through busy roads without getting into an accident, especially with a pedestrian. To avoid collision with pedestrians, the vehicle requires the ability to communicate with a pedestrian to understand their actions. The most challenging task in research on computer vision is to detect pedestrian activities, especially at nighttime. The Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) has been developed for driving and parking support for vehicles to visualize sense, send and receive information from the environment but it lacks to detect nighttime pedestrian actions. This article proposes a framework based on Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) using Scale Invariant Faster Region-based Convolutional Neural Networks (SIFRCNN) technologies to efficiently detect pedestrian operations through which the vehicle, as agents train themselves from the environment and are forced to maximize the reward. The SIFRCNN has reduced the running time of detecting pedestrian operations from road images by incorporating Region Proposal Network (RPN) computation. Furthermore, we have used Reinforcement Learning (RL) for optimizing the Q-values and training itself to maximize the reward after getting the state from the SIFRCNN. In addition, the latest incarnation of SIFRCNN achieves near-real-time object detection from road images. The proposed SIFRCNN has been tested on KAIST, City Person, and Caltech datasets. The experimental results show an average improvement of 2.3% miss rate of pedestrian detection at nighttime compared to the other CNN-based pedestrian detectors.
Colleagues’ Work Attitudes towards Employees with Disability
Authors: Santilli Sara , Ginevra Maria Cristina , Nota Laura
Published: January 2023

Background: The present study investigates the significance of work inclusion in people with a disability and then aims to examine colleagues’ attitudes. Considering Stone and Colella’s model, we analyzed the colleagues’ attitudes and variables related to the disability, such as type of disability and type of presentation of colleagues with disability, and colleague’s characteristics, such as gender, educational level, and experience in work with people with disability. Method: We randomly assigned two hundred eighty-six employees to a standard condition (hypothetical colleagues with a disability presented by the impairments labels) or favorable condition (hypothetical colleagues with a disability presented by their past work experiences). Results: The type of disability and its presentation influence colleagues’ attitudes. Besides employees’ gender, educational level and experience in work with people with a disability influences the attitudes toward them. Conclusions: Implications for practice were discussed.
Evolutions in Gaseous and Liquid Fuel Cook-Stove Technologies
Authors: Palanisamy Muthukumar , Kaushik Lav Kumar , Mahalingam Arun Kumar , Deb Sunita , Maurya Pratibha , Shaik Sofia Rani , Mujeebu Muhammad Abdul
Published: January 2023

The rapidly growing global demand for pollutant-free cooking energy has proliferated the research and development of energy efficient and clean cook-stoves. This paper presents a comprehensive review on the gradual improvements in cook-stove designs, focusing on gaseous and liquid fuel-operated cook-stoves around the world. Various literatures concerning the technical aspects such as design and testing, are brought together to provide an insight into the present status of developments in cook-stoves. This review of cook-stove performance covers topics such as stable operating conditions, flame propagation aspects, heat transfer and temperature distribution within the burner, fuel consumption, thermal efficiency, and emissions. Covering both laboratory-scale and field studies, the various cook-stove technologies reported so far are summarized with relevant comments regarding their commercial viabilities. The numerical modeling of combustion in cook-stoves; human health and the environmental impacts of unclean cooking technologies; and various schemes, strategies, and governmental initiatives for the promotion of cleaner cooking practices are also presented, with suggestions for future work.
Multiphase Motors and Drive Systems for Electric Vehicle Powertrains: State of the Art Analysis and Future Trends
Authors: Frikha Mohamed , Croonen Julien , Deepak Kritika , Benômar Yassine , El Baghdadi Mohamed , Hegazy Omar
Published: January 2023

Multiphase drives (MPDs) have been the subject of research for the last two decades. Despite being a technology that is still in the process of development, a significant number of research studies and developments have been reported in scientific literature over the past few years. This article aims to collect and present a review of these recent contributions, providing a comprehensive and insightful state of the art on this topic and future technology trends. The elaborated aspects include the advantages of multiphase machines, a general introduction to five-phase and six-phase machines, and their modelling techniques. In addition, new promising MPD topologies are covered. Recent advances in modulation techniques and the control of multilevel converters are also discussed. Finally, future trends and challenges in further developing this technology are discussed.
A Method of Vibration Measurement with the Triboelectric Sensor during Geo-Energy Drilling
Authors: Li Rui , Huang He , Wu Chuan
Published: January 2023

In the process of geo-energy drilling, the real-time vibration measurement of drill pipes is of significance for an understanding of the downhole conditions and the properties of rock. However, the vibration sensors used in downhole areas at present require additional power sources, such as batteries, and replacing the batteries would significantly reduce production efficiency and increase costs. In our work, a new vibration measurement method using a triboelectric nanogenerator is proposed which will synchronously achieve axial and lateral vibration, and also simultaneously be self-powered. The triboelectric nanogenerator is mainly made of nanomaterials, such as polyimide film and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and depends on the pulse signal generated by the contact of the two friction layers to measure the vibration frequency. Axial vibration tests show that the output voltage signal amplitude is approximately 3 V, the measurement range is from 0 to 9 Hz, the measurement error is less than 4%, and the maximum output power is 5.63 uW. Additionally, the lateral vibration tests show that the output voltage signal amplitude is approximately 2.5 V, the measurement range is from 0 to 6.8 Hz, the measurement error is less than 6%, and the maximum output power is 4.01 uW. The nanogenerator can typically work in an environment where the temperature is less than 145 °C and the relative humidity is less than 90%.
Repurposing Disposable Bamboo Chopsticks Waste as Biochar for Agronomical Application
Authors: Wijitkosum Saowanee
Published: January 2023

Disposable bamboo chopsticks (DBCs) are rarely recycled, and there are not many options for recycling them. Some treatment processes use high technology and complex processes that are not convenient for production at the local level, resulting in practical difficulties in upcycling DBC waste. DBC is lignocellulosic biomass; therefore, DBC has the potential to be recycled and upcycled. The waste management of wood that transforms it into a sustainable material as a biochar with a pyrolysis process accords well with the circular economy model. This research effort aims to upcycle DBC to convert it into biochar with different pyrolysis temperature ranges set at 400 °C (DBC-400), 450 °C (DBC-450), and 500 °C (DBC-500), with a holding time of 60 min. The morphology and essential physicochemical properties of the biochar were analyzed. The research found that all biochar had physicochemical properties and structures appropriate to the agricultural and environmental purposes. Based on the molar ratio of the O/C and H/C, it was indicated that all DBC biochar could persist in the soil for 100 to 1000 years. The DBC-500 had the least hydrophilic surface of biochar, while the DBC-400 had a lower degree of carbonization and aromaticity of biochar. The research concluded that biochar produced at 450 °C had the best properties for supplementary soil and soil treatment, given the cation exchange capacity, specific surface area, average pore diameter, and nutrient content. For future research on the practical application of DBC biochar for agronomical purposes, the results of the properties of DBC biochar with appropriate pyrolysis temperature will lead to the development of a biochar furnace with appropriate technology that is suitable for the local area to be able to produce large amounts of biochar that is effectively DBC. In addition, determining the absorption and release rate of the macronutrients of biochar can predict the frequency of biochar applied in agricultural areas.
Research of Load Impact on Energy Consumption in an Electric Delivery Vehicle Based on Real Driving Conditions: Guidance for Electrification of Light-Duty Vehicle Fleet
Authors: Cieslik Wojciech , Antczak Weronika
Published: January 2023

Electromobility is developing rapidly in all areas of transportation, starting with small personal vehicles and passenger cars through public transportation vehicles and ending with noticeable expansion in the area of urban transportation services. So far, however, there is a lack of research determining how the effect of load weight defines the energy intensity of a vehicle under real conditions, especially in the areas of urban, suburban and highway driving. Therefore, this paper presents an analysis of a representative delivery vehicle and its energy consumption in two transportation scenarios where cargo weight is a variable. A survey was also conducted to determine the actual demand and requirements placed on the electric vehicle by transportation companies.
An Experimental Investigation on the Performance of a Water Storage Tank with Sodium Acetate Trihydrate
Authors: Huang Jie , Xu Fei , Wang Zilong , Zhang Hua
Published: January 2023

Phase change material (PCM) water tanks have a major influence on the efficiency improvement of solar energy systems. This article discusses the effects of PCM under various inlets in a tank based on related research. So as to research the performance of the water storage tank, this paper built a set of water tank experimental systems using sodium acetate trihydrate. The thermal characteristics of two different water tanks were analyzed at 2, 6 and 10 L/min when the inlet temperature was 20 °C and the initial high temperature was 80 °C. The test results indicate that adding PCMs helps to provide an extra 1.4% of stored heat, prolong the hot water outlet time, and has a better thermal stratification, compared with ordinary water tanks. However, PCMs do not give off heat quickly at high flow rates. Besides the exergy efficiency (EE) gradually decreasing, the MIX number first decreases and then increases; the fill efficiency (FE) has the opposite trend with the flow increasing. FE has a max of 0.905 at 6 L/min.
Sliding Mode Predictive Current Control for Single-Phase H-Bridge Converter with Parameter Robustness
Authors: Zheng Wei , Sun Zhaolong , Liu Baolong
Published: January 2023

As the important technology of renewable energy systems, power electronics technology is directly bound up with the prospect and development of renewable energy technology. As the output end of renewable energy systems, a single-phase H-bridge converter needs to stabilize the output current. When predictive current control (PCC) tracks the reference current, the dynamic response is the fastest, but the control delay and the changes in model parameters will cause the output current steady-state error. The sliding mode predictive current control (SMPCC) algorithm is proposed to control the output current better. The proposed SMPCC scheme uses the combination of traditional PCC and variable structure scheme, and it establishes the mathematical model according to the state equation of the converter. Taking the exponential reaching law as control law, the expression of the variable structure controller is obtained. The MATLAB experimental and simulation results show that SMPCC can not only improve its robustness to the parameter changes but also obtain better steady-state performance while enhancing the rapidity of the current changes. In conclusion, SMPCC has a better control effect in the converter.
Combining Microstructured Surface and Mesh Covering for Heat Transfer Enhancement in Falling Films of Refrigerant Mixture
Authors: Volodin Oleg , Pecherkin Nikolay , Pavlenko Aleksandr
Published: January 2023

The article presents the experimental results of combining a basic microstructure with partly closed pores and a mesh covering for heat transfer enhancement at the film flow of a refrigerant mixture. To reveal the effect of the combined structure, heat transfer on a microstructured surface without a covering as well as on a smooth surface with a mesh covering only has been studied. All experimental series were carried out using a binary mixture of R114 and R21 refrigerants. The mixture film flowed down the outer surface of a vertical cylinder in the undeveloped turbulence regime, when the film Reynolds number varied from 400 to 1300. It is shown that a microstructured surface with a fin pitch of 200 μm, fin height of 220 μm, and longitudinal knurling pitch of 160 μm, created by deformational cutting, demonstrates significant heat transfer enhancement: up to four times as compared to a smooth surface. However, adding a mesh covering with an aperture of 220 μm and a wire diameter of 100 μm reduces the intensification. The mesh covering overlaid on a smooth surface also does not provide heat transfer enhancement as compared to the smooth surface itself. The absence or even deterioration of heat transfer enhancement on surfaces with mesh covering can be primarily associated with the low thermal conductivity of the mesh material and shortcomings of the applied method of mesh mounting. The possibility of deteriorating vapor removal due to the incorrect selection of mesh covering parameters was also analyzed. The heat transfer coefficient values obtained for basic microstructured surfaces were compared with the dependencies available in the literature for predicting pool boiling heat transfer on microfinned surfaces.
Extending the Behavioral Geography within the Context of Forest Restoration: Research on the Geographical Behaviors of Northern-Migrating Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus) in Southwest China
Authors: Lin Xijie , Yin Duo , Gao Quan , Qi Xinhua , Cheng Yu , Zheng Boming
Published: January 2023

In 2021, the northward migration of Asian elephants in southwestern China’s Yunnan Province attracted significant public attention. Exploring the behavior of Asian elephants will help to better protect this endangered species and further realize the harmonious coexistence of humans and elephants. Based on the news texts regarding the northward migration of Asian elephants, this study used network text analysis, social network analysis, and grounded theoretical research methods to explore the behavioral characteristics and internal motivations of Asian elephants during their northward migration. The results indicate that: (1) during the northward migration of Asian elephants, moving and foraging are their most frequent behaviors, and foraging may be the chief purpose of the migration. (2) Different behaviors of Asian elephants hide their behavioral choice preferences, including environmental, time, and behavioral preferences. During the migration, Asian elephants mostly move in low-altitude areas, often foraging or migrating around farmland in the afternoon or at night, returning to the mountains to rest in the early morning. Corn, rice, and other crops are their primary food; the change in their eating habits is influenced by the lack of herbs and woody plants inside the protected area. (3) The northward migration behavior of elephant herds is influenced by various factors, such as elephant population expansion, habitat change, and species migration characteristics, and the relationship between conservation and development needs to be balanced.
Numerical Treatment of Multi-Term Fractional Differential Equations via New Kind of Generalized Chebyshev Polynomials
Authors: Abd-Elhameed Waleed Mohamed , Alsuyuti Muhammad Mahmoud
Published: January 2023

The main aim of this paper is to introduce a new class of orthogonal polynomials that generalizes the class of Chebyshev polynomials of the first kind. Some basic properties of the generalized Chebyshev polynomials and their shifted ones are established. Additionally, some new formulas concerned with these generalized polynomials are established. These generalized orthogonal polynomials are employed to treat the multi-term linear fractional differential equations (FDEs) that include some specific problems that arise in many applications. The basic idea behind the derivation of our proposed algorithm is built on utilizing a new power form representation of the shifted generalized Chebyshev polynomials along with the application of the spectral Galerkin method to transform the FDE governed by its initial conditions into a system of linear equations that can be efficiently solved via a suitable numerical solver. Some illustrative examples accompanied by comparisons with some other methods are presented to show that the presented algorithm is useful and effective.
Escape Criteria for Generating Fractals of Complex Functions Using DK-Iterative Scheme
Authors: Tassaddiq Asifa , Tanveer Muhammad , Azhar Muhammad , Arshad Muhammad , Lakhani Farha
Published: January 2023

Fractals are essential in representing the natural environment due to their important characteristic of self similarity. The dynamical behavior of fractals mostly depends on escape criteria using different iterative techniques. In this article, we establish an escape criteria using DK-iteration as well as complex sine function (sin(zm)+c;m≥2,c∈C) and complex exponential function (ezm+c;m≥2,c∈C). We use this to analyze the dynamical behavior of specific fractals namely Julia set and Mandelbrot set. This is achieved by generalizing the existing algorithms, which led to the visualization of beautiful fractals for m=2,3 and 4. Moreover, the image generation time in seconds using different values of input parameters is also computed.
SARS-CoV-2 Mpro Inhibitors: Achieved Diversity, Developing Resistance and Future Strategies
Authors: Fischer Conrad , Feys Jenson R.
Published: January 2023

While the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be on its decline, the unclear impacts of long-COVID cases, breakthrough infections in immunocompromised individuals, vaccine hesitancy, and inhomogeneous health-care accessibility constitute a not to be underestimated threat. These cases, along with pandemic preparedness, ask for an alert identification of new drugs and the optimization of existing drugs as therapeutic treatment options for this and potential future diseases. Mpro inhibitors were identified early on as potent drug candidates against coronaviruses, since they target viable processing machinery within the virus, i.e., the main protease that cleaves the polyproteins encoded by the viral RNA into functional proteins. Different strategies, including reversible and irreversible inhibition as well as allosteric inhibitors, mostly from drug repurposing endeavors, have been explored in the design of potent SARS-CoV-2 Mpro antivirals. Ambitious screening efforts have uttered an outstanding chemical and structural diversity, which has led to half a dozen lead compounds being currently in clinical trials and the emergency FDA approval of ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir as a COVID-19 therapeutic. This comprehensive analysis of the achieved inhibitor diversity sorted into irreversible, reversible, and allosteric Mpro binders, along with a discussion of emerging resistance reports and possible evasion strategies, is aimed at stimulating continuing Mpro drug design efforts.
A Genome-Wide View of the Transcriptome Dynamics of Fresh-Cut Potato Tubers
Authors: Wang Li , Wang Wanxing , Shan Jianwei , Li Chengchen , Suo Haicui , Liu Jitao , An Kang , Li Xiaobo , Xiong Xingyao
Published: January 2023

Fresh fruits and vegetable products are easily perishable during postharvest handling due to enzymatic browning reactions. This phenomenon has contributed to a significant loss of food. To reveal the physiological changes in fresh-cut potato tubers at the molecular level, a transcriptome analysis of potato tubers after cutting was carried out. A total of 10,872, 10,449, and 11,880 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified at 4 h, 12 h and 24 h after cutting, respectively. More than 87.5% of these DEGs were classified into the categories of biological process (BP) and molecular function (MF) based on Gene Ontology (GO) analysis. There was a difference in the response to cutting at different stages after the cutting of potato tubers. The genes related to the phenol and fatty biosynthesis pathways, which are responsible for enzymatic browning and wound healing in potato tubers, were significantly enriched at 0–24 h after cutting. Most genes related to the enzymatic browning of potato tubers were up-regulated in response to cut-wounding. Plant hormone biosynthesis, signal molecular biosynthesis and transduction-related genes, such as gibberelin (GA), cytokinin (CK), ethylene (ET), auxin (IAA), jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic (SA), and Respiratory burst oxidase (Rboh) significantly changed at the early stage after cutting. In addition, the transcription factors involved in the wound response were the most abundant at the early stage after cutting. The transcription factor with the greatest response to injury was MYB, followed by AP2-EREBP, C3H and WRKY. This study revealed the physiological changes at the molecular level of fresh-cut potato tubers after cutting. This information is needed for developing a better approach to enhancing the postharvest shelf life of fresh processed potato and the breeding of potato plants that are resistant to enzymatic browning.
Monoclonal Gammopathies and the Bone Marrow Microenvironment: From Bench to Bedside and Then Back Again
Authors: Plano Federica , Corsale Anna Maria , Gigliotta Emilia , Camarda Giulia , Vullo Candida , Di Simone Marta , Shekarkar Azgomi Mojtaba , Speciale Maria , Carlisi Melania , Caccamo Nadia , Dieli Francesco , Meraviglia Serena , Siragusa Sergio , Botta Cirino
Published: January 2023

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable hematologic malignancy characterized by a multistep evolutionary pathway, with an initial phase called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), potentially evolving into the symptomatic disease, often preceded by an intermediate phase called “smoldering” MM (sMM). From a biological point of view, genomic alterations (translocations/deletions/mutations) are already present at the MGUS phase, thus rendering their role in disease evolution questionable. On the other hand, we currently know that changes in the bone marrow microenvironment (TME) could play a key role in MM evolution through a progressive shift towards a pro-inflammatory and immunosuppressive shape, which may drive cancer progression as well as clonal plasma cells migration, proliferation, survival, and drug resistance. Along this line, the major advancement in MM patients’ survival has been achieved by the introduction of microenvironment-oriented drugs (including immunomodulatory drugs and monoclonal antibodies). In this review, we summarized the role of the different components of the TME in MM evolution from MGUS as well as potential novel therapeutic targets/opportunities.
Preliminary Identification of Mixtures of Pigments Using the paletteR Package in R—The Case of Six Paintings by Andreina Rosa (1924–2019) from the International Gallery of Modern Art Ca’ Pesaro, Venice
Authors: Raicu Teodora , Zollo Fabiana , Falchi Laura , Barisoni Elisabetta , Piccolo Matteo , Izzo Francesca Caterina
Published: January 2023

Frequently, the study of modern and contemporary paintings requires the taking of micro-samples to gain an in-depth understanding of the employed materials and techniques. However, since this procedure is characterized by its invasive nature, it must be carried out only if strictly necessary. This study aimed to evaluate the potentiality of K-means clustering to the corrected images of paintings to identify mixtures of pigments. This could assist in obtaining relevant preliminary information, facilitate the research process, and guide the sampling collection. Additionally, this method would be less expensive than the traditional multi-analytical approach as it would only require a modified digital camera, lenses, a color target and three computational resources for the processing of data (Imatest Master, Adobe Express—online, and R), out of which the latter two are freely available. The six paintings that have been selected for this study belong to the International Gallery of Modern Art Ca’ Pesaro in Venice (Italy) and have been depicted by Andreina Rosa (1924–2019), a Venetian artist. The artworks were thoroughly investigated mainly through non-invasive analytical techniques (FORS, RAMAN, ER-FTIR, EDXRF). Using cluster analysis, simulating mixtures, and calculating the color differences, it was possible to infer the existence of color mixtures of two/three detected primary colors from the examined images, which could be validated by the analytical results. Hence, it was concluded that samples taken from mixtures might suffice, since primary colors would be concomitantly analyzed.
Evaluation of the Efficacy of a Lift-Assist Device Regarding Caregiver Posture and Muscle Load for Transferring Tasks
Authors: Kong Yong-Ku , Choi Kyeong-Hee , Park Sang-Soo , Shim Jin-Woo , Shim Hyun-Ho
Published: January 2023

The aim of this study was to confirm the effect of a lift-assist device when performing a patient-lifting task. Ten working caregivers participated in this experiment, and lifting patients from bed to wheelchair (B2C) and wheelchair to bed (C2B) was performed for manual care (MC) and lift-assist device (robot) care (RC). EMG sensors and IMU motion sensors were attached as indicators of the assistive device’s effectiveness. EMG was attached to the right side of eight muscles (UT, MD, TB, BB, ES, RF, VA, and TA), and flexion/extension angles of the neck, shoulder, back, and knee were collected using motion sensors. As a result of the analysis, both B2C and C2B showed higher muscle activities in MC than RC. When using a lift-assist device to lift patients, the RC method showed reductions in muscle activities compared to MC. As a result of the work-posture analysis, both the task type and the task phase exhibited pronounced reductions in shoulder, back, and knee ROM (range of motion) compared to those of MC. Therefore, based on the findings of this study, a lift-assist device is recommended for reducing the physical workloads of caregivers while performing patient-lifting tasks.
Risks of Leukemia in Various Industrial Groups in Korea: A Retrospective National Cohort Study
Authors: Lee Won-Tae , Lee Woo-Ri , Lee Wanhyung , Yoon Jin-Ha , Lee Jongin
Published: January 2023

It is known that occupational exposure to specific agents is associated with leukemia. However, whether the occupational risks of leukemia differ among various industrial groups remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to elucidate the occupational risks of leukemia among different worker groups by industry. Data for a total of 11,050,398 people from the National Health Insurance System’s claim data from 2007 to 2015 were analyzed. By cohort inclusion of workers whose industry had not changed for three years and with total workers as a control group, the risk for a specific industry group was expressed as an age-standardized incidence ratio (SIR). Among groups by industry, ’Manufacture of motor vehicles and engines for motor vehicles’, ’Sale of motor vehicle parts and accessories’, and ’Personal care services’ showed significantly higher SIRs. In division analysis, the ’Manufacture of other machinery and equipment’ and ’Waste collection, treatment and disposal activities’ divisions showed significantly higher SIRs than other divisions. We identified an increased risk of leukemia in workers of certain industries in Korea. Based on the results of this study, it is necessary to create a policy to protect workers at risk of leukemia. Various additional studies are needed to protect workers by revealing more precise relationships between individual hazardous substances, processes, and leukemia.
A Systematic Literature Review of the Impact of Climate Change on the Global Demand for Psychiatric Services
Authors: Corvetto Julia Feriato , Helou Ammir Yacoub , Dambach Peter , Müller Thomas , Sauerborn Rainer
Published: January 2023

Climate Change (CC) imposes important global health risks, including on mental health (MH). They are related mostly to psychological suffering caused by climate-related events and to the heat-vulnerability caused by psychiatric disorders. This growing burden may press MH services worldwide, increasing demand on public and private systems in low-, middle-, and high-income countries. According to PRISMA, two independent reviewers searched four databases for papers published before May 2022 that associated climate-related events with healthcare demand for psychiatric conditions. Of the 7432 papers retrieved, we included 105. Only 29 were carried out in low- and middle-income countries. Twelve related the admission numbers to (i) extreme events, while 93 to (ii) meteorological factors—mostly heat. Emergency visits and hospitalizations were significantly higher during hot periods for MH disorders, especially until lag 5–7. Extreme events also caused more consultations. Suicide (completed or attempted), substance misuse, schizophrenia, mood, organic and neurotic disorders, and mortality were strongly affected by CC. This high healthcare demand is evidence of the burden patients may undergo. In addition, public and private services may face a shortage of financial and human resources. Finally, the increased use of healthcare facilities, in turn, intensifies greenhouse gas emissions, representing a self-enforcing cycle for CC. Further research is needed to better clarify how extreme events affect MH services and, in addition, if services in low- and middle-income countries are more intensely demanded by CC, as compared to richer countries.
Survival Analysis and Risk Factors of Pulpectomy among Children with Severe Early Childhood Caries Treated under General Anesthesia: A Retrospective Study
Authors: He Shu-yang , Li Jin-yi , Dai Shan-shan , Yang Yu-hui , Wen Yi-feng , Guo Qing-yu , Liu Fei
Published: January 2023

Objectives: This study aims to retrospectively evaluate the survival rate of pulpectomy performed under dental general anesthesia (DGA) through long-term follow-up and to explore the risk factors associated with treatment failure. Methods: The medical records of the children who were diagnosed with S-ECC and received pulpectomy treatment under general anesthesia (GA) from 1 August 2014 to 1 December 2019, in the Stomatological Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, were collected. Two dentistry postgraduates extracted the necessary information and filled in a predesigned excel form. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. The shared frailty model was used to explore possible factors affecting the success rate of pulpectomy in primary teeth. Results: A total of 381 children (mean age 3.49 ± 0.90) with S-ECC and 1220 teeth were included in the study, including 590 primary anterior teeth and 630 primary molars. The overall 35-month survival rate was 38.5%, which was 52.9% for anterior teeth and 31.1% for molars. The overall median survival time was 31 months, in which anterior teeth were 35 months and molars were 26 months. The older the children were, the greater the risk of treatment failure (HR 1.56, 95% CI 1.09, 2.24). The risk of pulpectomy failure of primary molars was 1.9 times that of primary anterior teeth (95% CI 1.36, 2.65) and the teeth with abnormal radiological findings before treatment was 1.41 times higher than that of teeth without imaging abnormalities (95% CI 1.74, 3.36). Conclusion: The survival rate of primary tooth pulpectomy is acceptable but decreased gradually with time. The failure rate of pulpectomy in primary molars is higher than that of primary anterior teeth. When the primary caries has extended to the pulp and resulted in a nonvital lesion, pulpectomy could be an option for maximum retention of the primary tooth.
Frailty Index as a Predictor of Mortality in Middle-Aged and Older People: A Prospective Analysis of Chilean Adults
Authors: Diaz-Toro Felipe , Nazar Gabriela , Troncoso Claudia , Concha-Cisternas Yeny , Leiva-Ordoñez Ana Maria , Martinez-Sanguinetti Maria Adela , Parra-Soto Solange , Lasserre-Laso Nicole , Cigarroa Igor , Mardones Lorena , Vásquez-Gómez Jaime , Petermann-Rocha Fanny , Diaz-Martinez Ximena , Celis-Morales Carlos
Published: January 2023

We aimed to investigate the association between frailty status and all-cause mortality in middle-aged and older people. We included 2661 individuals aged ≥ 35 from the Chilean National Health Survey 2009–2010. Mortality was determined through linkage with the Chilean Civil Registry and Identification. A 36-item frailty index (FI) was used to assess the frailty status. Associations between frailty status and all-cause mortality were assessed using Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. A non-linear association was investigated using penalized cubic splines fitted in the Cox models. During an 8.9 median follow-up (interquartile range of 8.6–9.0), 308 individuals died (11.5%). Lower survival rates were observed in frail individuals compared to pre-frail and robust people (log-rank < 0.001). Compared with robust individuals, frail people had a higher mortality risk (HR: 2.35 [95% CI: 1.57 to 3.51]). Frail middle-aged individuals had a higher risk of dying independently of major risk factors.