bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physiochemical Properties and Oxidation Status of Pork from Three Rearing Systems
Authors: Abdullah Fouad Ali Abdullah , Trnková Michaela , Dordevic Dani
Published: August 2023

The consumer’s interest in his/her health and the quality of his/her food has increased as well as in environmental issues such as animal welfare. Consumers believe that organic and similar (traditional) production systems are more advantageous for consumers (providing healthier food) and animals (providing better welfare). The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of different rearing systems (organic, conventional and traditional) on the physicochemical properties and oxidation states of pork meat. The meat samples were obtained from three different rearing systems of pigs: organic, conventional and traditional. The samples (M. biceps femoris) were obtained from producers directly 3 days after slaughtering for analysis. The following physical and chemical parameters were analyzed: color (according to the CIE L * a * b * system), pH, dry matter, protein, collagen, fat and ash. The oxidation state of the meat samples was measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARSs), free fatty acid (FFA) and antioxidant capacity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl). The results indicated that the rearing system affects most of the evaluated parameters. A significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in color parameters L* and b*, where the conventional pork samples were darker and the organic pork yellower. Total protein content in meat of pigs raised in a conventional system was higher (22.23%) than for organic (20.36%) and traditional (21.21%). The fat content in the meat of organically reared pigs was higher (2.81%) than in pork from conventional and traditional systems (1.43% and 0.37%, respectively). Organic pork was more susceptible to oxidation processes due to its higher TBARS (1.24 mg/kg) and FFA (1.15% fat as oleic acid) values and lower antioxidant capacity (26.42% inhibition), which may result in inferior technological properties of meat.
Hemp Biomass as a Raw Material for Sustainable Development
Authors: Sieracka Dominika , Frankowski Jakub , Wacławek Stanisław , Czekała Wojciech
Published: August 2023

Hemp cultivation is becoming increasingly common worldwide, although it still raises many concerns. These plants are gaining popularity due to their versatility and the ability to use virtually every part of them in almost all economic branches. Hemp products are sought after and appreciated by consumers. The cultivation of hemp does not place a large burden on the environment. All this makes hemp an ideal plant in terms of land use, which is closely related to the idea of sustainable development. This paper describes the legal aspects of hemp cultivation in Europe and briefly presents its breeding and cultivation. The possibilities of their versatile use are presented, with particular reference to biofuel production. Moreover, the suitability for ecological cultivation, description of the economic and social aspects of industrial hemp cultivation, as well as future outlooks, are also described.
Combined Effect of Bioactive Compound Enrichment Using Rosa damascena Distillation Side Streams and an Optimized Osmotic Treatment on the Stability of Frozen Oyster Mushrooms
Authors: Stavropoulou Natalia A. , Giannakourou Maria C.
Published: August 2023

Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) is the second most widely cultivated mushroom worldwide but has a short shelf-life due to its high moisture content. Osmodehydrofreezing, including a step of osmotic dehydration (OD) prior to freezing, can be applied to extend product shelf life and preserve its quality characteristics. In this study, the effect of glycerol concentration (30–50%), temperature (30–50 °C), and immersion time (20–190 min) on mass transfer properties (WL, SG, aw, %moisture content, salt intake) and important quality indices (color and texture) was investigated. Experiments were conducted using a Box–Behnken Design with three factors at three levels, second order equations were used to describe all measured parameters (following the Response Surface Methodology principles), and preselected desirability functions were used to set the acceptability criteria for optimization. The optimized conditions were found to be 38.7 °C, 30% glycerol, and 130 min of immersion time. To maximize OD effect, an initial step was investigated, using the side streams of rose flowers distillation (ODR samples), aiming at enriching samples with bioactive compounds. Frozen OD and ODR samples demonstrated a significant improvement in color and texture retention, and suffered from a reduced drip loss after thawing, compared to their untreated counterparts.
The Failure Law and Combined Support Technology of Roadways with Weak Surrounding Rock in Deep Wells
Authors: Wang Xiangjun , Tang Jinzhou , Li Yingming , Fu Qiang
Published: August 2023

In order to effectively address stability control technology issues of soft surrounding rock roadways in deep mines. This study analyses the deformation and failure characteristics of the surrounding rock of a −962 m horizontal track roadway with original support conditions based on a severe deformation case that occurred in a mine. Upon establishing a mechanical model of surrounding rock failure zoning for circular roadways, which is based on the relationship between the stress–strain curve of soft rocks and the secondary stress distribution and strength of surrounding rock, this study explores the influence of rock strength indicators, disturbance degree, and support resistance on the stress distribution of the surrounding rock. The failure or instability mechanism of high-stress soft and weak surrounding rock is revealed on this basis. A multi-stage strengthening combined support technology is proposed, which consists of “high-strength prestressed anchor bolt (cable) supports as the core, deep and shallow hole groutings as the foundation, bottom angle, and floor anchorage grouting reinforcements as the key.” Moreover, numerical simulation and engineering practice optimize and verify the support scheme. The results show that after adopting the multi-stage strengthening combined support technology, the deformation of the surrounding rock of the roadways was only 12.6~14.3% of that under the original supporting parameters, and the deformation rate was still less than 0.2 mm/d even after 40 days. The proposed surrounding rock support method realizes the stability control of the roadway, which also has specific reference significance for similar projects.
Giovanni Santi’s Late 15th-Century Paintings: Microscopic, Spectroscopic and Chromatographic Investigations on Pigments, Powdered Glass and Binding Media
Authors: Amadori Maria Letizia , Poldi Gianluca , Camaiti Mara , Frezzato Fabio , Casoli Antonella , Germinario Giulia , Monni Elena , Pedulli Cecilia , Mengacci Valeria
Published: August 2023

After a huge non-invasive diagnostic campaign performed on the corpus of Giovanni Santi’s artworks, three paintings were selected and investigated: the Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian panel, the Visitation altarpiece and the canvas with Tobias and the Archangel Raphael (c. 1487 and 1494). Micro-invasive investigations including optical microscopy, ESEM-EDX, micro-Raman spectroscopy, FTIR and FTIR-ATR spectroscopy and GC-MS were carried out on selected micro samples. The results of the integrated analyses confirmed the use of a Renaissance palette with oil and, only in a few cases, tempera techniques. Some significant peculiarities emerged in Santi’s practice, as he used localized off-white priming and colorless powdered glass with a siccative oil—in red, flesh, pinkish and green hues—confirming the influence of the Flemish painters in Urbino and, possibly, also in western central Italy. This innovative technical expedient compared to the traditional Italian painting technique was identified also in red and bluish samples collected from the Communion of the Apostles panel painted by Justus of Ghent around 1473–1474 for Urbino Corpus Domini Confraternity. The Flemish master was called to the court of Duke Federico to paint in oil and his presence at the ‘Urbino workshop’ probably contributed to the diffusion of this technique. Both in Giovanni Santi’s paintings and the Communion of the Apostles, the glass particles are related to a soda-lime glass typical of the Italian area, widely detected in Italian paintings from the late 15th and 16th centuries.
Effective Equations for the Optimum Seismic Gap Preventing Earthquake-Induced Pounding between Adjacent Buildings Founded on Different Soil Types
Authors: Miari Mahmoud , Jankowski Robert
Published: August 2023

The best approach to avoid collisions between adjacent structures during earthquakes is to provide sufficient spacing between them. However, the existing formulas for calculating the optimum seismic gap preventing pounding were found to provide inaccurate results upon the consideration of different soil types. The aim of this paper is to propose new equations for the evaluation of the sufficient in-between separation gap for buildings founded on different soil conditions. The double-difference formula has been taken into account in this study. The seismic gap depends on the correlation factor and on the top displacements of adjacent buildings. The correlation factor depends on the ratio of the periods of adjacent buildings (smaller period to larger period). The modification of the correlation factor has been introduced for buildings founded on five different soil types. Five soil types were taken into account in this study, as defined in the ASCE 7-10 code, i.e., hard rock, rock, very dense soil and soft rock, stiff soil, and soft clay soil. The normalized root mean square errors have been calculated for the proposed equations. The results of the study indicate that the error ranges between 2% and 14%, confirming the accuracy of the approach. Therefore, the proposed equations can be effectively used for the determination of the optimum seismic gap preventing earthquake-induced pounding between buildings founded on different soil types.
Fast and Accurate Visual Tracking with Group Convolution and Pixel-Level Correlation
Authors: Liu Liduo , Long Yongji , Li Guoning , Nie Ting , Zhang Chengcheng , He Bin
Published: August 2023

Visual object trackers based on Siamese networks perform well in visual object tracking (VOT); however, degradation of the tracking accuracy occurs when the target has fast motion, large-scale changes, and occlusion. In this study, in order to solve this problem and enhance the inference speed of the tracker, fast and accurate visual tracking with a group convolution and pixel-level correlation based on a Siamese network is proposed. The algorithm incorporates multi-layer feature information on the basis of Siamese networks. We designed a multi-scale feature aggregated channel attention block (MCA) and a global-to-local-information-fused spatial attention block (GSA), which enhance the feature extraction capability of the network. The use of a pixel-level mutual correlation operation in the network to match the search region with the template region refines the bounding box and reduces background interference. Comparing our work with the latest algorithms, the precision and success rates on the UAV123, OTB100, LaSOT, and GOT10K datasets were improved, and our tracker was able to run at 40FPS, with a better performance in complex scenes such as those with occlusion, illumination changes, and fast-motion situations.
A Low-Cost Detail-Aware Neural Network Framework and Its Application in Mask Wearing Monitoring
Authors: Cao Silei , Long Shun , Liao Fangting
Published: August 2023

The use of deep learning techniques in real-time monitoring can save a lot of manpower in various scenarios. For example, mask-wearing is an effective measure to prevent COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases, especially for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and people with underlying health problems. Currently, many public places such as hospitals, nursing homes, social service facilities, and schools experiencing outbreaks require mandatory mask-wearing. However, most of the terminal devices currently available have very limited GPU capability to run large neural networks. This means that we have to keep the parameter size of a neural network modest while maintaining its performance. In this paper, we propose a framework that applies deep learning techniques to real-time monitoring and uses it for the real-time monitoring of mask-wearing status. The main contributions are as follows: First, a feature fusion technique called skip layer pooling fusion (SLPF) is proposed for image classification tasks. It fully utilizes both deep and shallow features of a convolutional neural network while minimizing the growth in model parameters caused by feature fusion. On average, this technique improves the accuracy of various neural network models by 4.78% and 5.21% on CIFAR100 and Tiny-ImageNet, respectively. Second, layer attention (LA), an attention mechanism tailor-made for feature fusion, is proposed. Since different layers of convolutional neural networks make different impacts on the final prediction results, LA learns a set of weights to better enhance the contribution of important convolutional layer features. On average, it improves the accuracy of various neural network models by 2.10% and 2.63% on CIFAR100 and Tiny-ImageNet, respectively. Third, a MobileNetv2-based lightweight mask-wearing status classification model is trained, which is suitable for deployment on mobile devices and achieves an accuracy of 95.49%. Additionally, a ResNet mask-wearing status classification model is trained, which has a larger model size but achieves high accuracy of 98.14%. By applying the proposed methods to the ResNet mask-wearing status classification model, the accuracy is improved by 1.58%. Fourth, a mask-wearing status detection model is enhanced based on YOLOv5 with a spatial-frequency fusion module resulting in a mAP improvement of 2.20%. Overall, this paper presents various techniques to improve the performance of neural networks and apply them to mask-wearing status monitoring, which can help stop pandemics.
Self-Start Characteristics of Hypersonic Inlet When Multiple Unstart Modes Exist
Authors: Tang Xiao , Xiong Bing , Fan Xiaoqiang , Wang Liang
Published: August 2023

Intense shock boundary-layer interaction may lead to multiple unstart modes existing in a hypersonic inlet. Thus, self-start problems become complex and cannot be explained using the classical double-solution theory of air inlet. The essence of the self-start process of a hypersonic inlet is the vanishment of separations near or in the inlet. To clarify self-start characteristics, experiments were conducted on three distinct types of unstart mode: the flow mode of small separation on body (SSB), large separation on body (LSB), and dual separations on both body and lip (DSBL); researchers recently discovered these as the unstart modes of hypersonic inlet. The results from the current experiment are as follows: (1) The SSB vanishes by raising the angle of attack (alpha). Before the vanishing point is reached, there is a dwindling process for this separation. (2) The LSB vanishes through acceleration or a decreasing alpha. (3) DSBL are difficult to vanish directly, which results in poor self-start performance. However, the DSBL flow mode may convert to LSB unstart form—which is easier to self-start—by decreasing the alpha. The Flow Field Reconstruction Method was designed to improve the self-start of the DSBL flow mode, and it was validated through experiments. Analysis of the flow mechanism revealed the reason for the poor self-start performance of the DSBL unstart mode: large-scale separation on the lip side cannot be promoted to vanish through broadwise spillage due to the resistance of sideboards. The results of this study could greatly enrich the existing theory of start problems for hypersonic inlets.
Optimal Decision Making for Polymer-Modified Bitumen Mixture Based on Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation
Authors: Wang Fuyu , Qin Xingyuan , Zou Gaoyuan , Xu Li , Wang Wensheng
Published: August 2023

With the increase in traffic load, the rutting problem of bitumen pavement appears more and more frequently, and the shear resistance of pavement has attracted more and more attention. A polymer-modified bituminous mixture is usually used to solve the problem of insufficient shear resistance in bitumen pavement. However, there are many polymer modifiers for bituminous mixture, which lead to different performances of the modified bituminous mixtures. Currently, the modification methods cannot obtain a bituminous mixture having all types of performance simultaneously. Therefore, considering the different performances and economics of modified bituminous mixtures, it is necessary to determine an optimal modification method for bitumen pavement. This study used a toll plaza in Jilin province, which is a seasonally frozen region. On this section of road, vehicles start and brake at high frequency, and the bitumen middle course suffers from large shearing forces. Therefore, permanent deformation is the main form of failure. In addition, low-temperature cracking of the bitumen pavement is also a very severe issue in this region. Four kinds of bituminous mixture modification schemes were selected and tested, and the pavement performance of these modified bituminous mixtures was evaluated. The fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method was used to quantitatively evaluate the performance level of bituminous mixtures according to fuzzy logic theory. Using the actual situation of the bituminous mixture used in the toll plaza, and based on the analytic hierarchy process method, the weight matrix of each service attribute was established. Here, the weight of each index was calculated by combining the entropy weight (EW) method, reducing the influence of subjective factors. According to the evaluation result of the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model, it could be seen that the modified bituminous mixture (70#+M) had the best overall performance compared to the other bituminous mixtures.
Through-Wire Microstrip-to-Empty-Substrate-Integrated-Waveguide Transition at Ka-Band
Authors: Ballesteros José A. , Belenguer Angel , Fernandez Marcos D. , Esteban Hector , Boria Vicente E.
Published: August 2023

The advantages of the Substrate-Integrated Waveguide (SIW) in terms of low profile, integration with Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and low cost are maintained by the Empty Substrate-Integrated Waveguide (ESIW). Moreover, as the dielectric fill is avoided, other advantages are also added: resonators with higher quality factor and lower insertion losses. Since 2014, when it was proposed, several devices for X-band to Ka-band applications have been accurately designed and manufactured. In this way, transitions are one of the most important components, as they allow the connection between the ESIW and other planar transmision lines such as microstrip. To accomplish this aim, different transitions have been proposed in the literature: based on sharp dielectric tapers combining metallized and non-metallized parts, which increases the manufacture complexity; with a broadened ESIW section, that is less complex at the cost of increasing reflection and radiation losses due to the abrupt discontinuity; based on tapered artificial dielectric slab matrix, more difficult to mechanize; using a tapered microstrip transition, with high radiation losses; and even transitions for multilayer devices. Among all the transitions, the most versatile one is the through-wire transition, as microstrip and ESIW can be implemented in different layers and allows any feeding angle between the microstrip line and the ESIW. In this paper the through-wire transition has been properly validated at Ku- and Ka-bands. Moreover, a back-to-back transition has been accurately manufactured in Ka-band with measured insertion losses lower than 3.7 dB and return losses higher that 11.7 dB, concluding that the transition is not frequency dependent.
A Personal Microcomputer as an Access Control Management Platform in Road Transport
Authors: Wójcik Przemysław , Neumann Tomasz
Published: August 2023

For many years, the use of new computer systems to control various elements of everyday human life has been observed. Separate systems manage access control; others are used to control blinds and roller shutters; and others manage systems in the garden. Many of these systems can be integrated using available systems. This paper presents an example of an access control management system based on the Raspberry Pi microcomputer and shows an analysis of its performance, accuracy, and possibility of improvement. This study used official devices manufactured by the Raspberry Pi Foundation; however, it is possible to create a similar system with custom parts. This project used open-source software. The authors argued that it is possible to create an autonomous vehicle access control system using microcomputers and optical character recognition technology. Using simple devices, the plate recognition system was built and tested, proving the thesis that it is possible to build an access control system using available devices. This also confirms the thesis that microcomputers can be used to control other systems in the human environment.
Study of a Square Single-Phase Natural Circulation Loop Using the Lattice Boltzmann Method
Authors: Bocanegra Johan Augusto , Marchitto Annalisa , Misale Mario
Published: August 2023

Natural circulation loops are thermohydraulic circuits used to transport heat from a source to a sink in the absence of a pump, using the forces induced by the thermal expansion of a working fluid to circulate it. Natural circulation loops have a wide range of engineering applications such as in nuclear power plants, solar systems, and geothermic and electronic cooling. The Lattice Boltzmann Method was applied to the simulation of this thermohydraulic system. This numerical method has several interesting features for engineering applications, such as parallelization capabilities or direct temporal convergence. A 2D model of a single-phase natural circulation mini-loop with a small inner diameter was implemented and tested under different operation conditions following a double distribution function approach (coupling a lattice for the fluid and a secondary lattice for the thermal field). An analytical relationship between the Reynolds number and the modified Grashof number was used to validate the numerical model. Two regimes were found for the circulation, a laminar regime for low Reynolds numbers and a non-laminar regime characterized by a traveling vortex near the heater and cooler’s walls. Both regimes did not present flux inversion and are considered stable. The recirculation of the fluid can explain some of the heat transfer characteristics in each regime. Changing the Prandtl number to a higher value affects the transient response, increasing the temperature and velocity oscillations before reaching the steady state.
Evolution of Meteosat Solar and Infrared Spectra (2004–2022) and Related Atmospheric and Earth Surface Physical Properties
Authors: Fernández José I. Prieto , Georgiev Christo G.
Published: August 2023

The evolution of atmospheric and Earth surface physical properties over a period of 15 years (based on data from the longer period from 2004 to 2022) is analyzed through the radiance fluxes measured by the Meteosat second generation (MSG) satellite series. The results show significant changes in the solar (−2.6% to −1.2%) and infrared (+0.4% to +1.0%) domains, with −3.9% for the CO2 absorption band (near 13.4 µm), all variations consistent with results from similar studies of radiation fluxes. Whereas the variation at 13.4 μm radiation is explained by the increase in the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere, the flux increase towards the satellite in the remainder of the infrared spectra measured by MSG corresponds to surface warming (as documented in external sources like the IPCC, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). The solar outgoing flux decrease exposes a recent reduction in the Earth’s cloud cover under the nominal field of view of Meteosat at 0 degrees longitude (MFOV). Radiance evolution at 6.2 µm and 7.3 µm, a spectral region of intense absorption by water vapor, is interpreted in terms of sensitivity to the humidity content in the middle and upper troposphere by means of a simple radiation transfer model.
Optimization of Landscape Spatial Configuration and Form for Thermal Comfort: A Case Study of Urban Square, Shanghai
Authors: Ma Chundong , Chen Yiyan , Gao Wenlin , Liu Binyi
Published: August 2023

Outdoor public spaces that provide a comfortable microclimate significantly contribute to urban livability. However, more elaborate investigations are needed to enhance the research-based design of landscape spatial form for optimal thermal comfort performance. This study aimed to optimize the morphological design of urban squares considering summer and winter microclimates by integrating multiple landscape elements of vegetation, waterbodies, buildings, and ground. The built environment microclimate simulation and validation of multi-physics coupling were conducted for thermal comfort, planar heterogeneity diagramming, and spatial typology identification. Further, research through design (RtD) was applied to reconstruct various spatial configurations and orientation forms to compare the relative thermal comfort areas of these geometrical prototypes in the target time period and square core zone. Among the landscape types, two identified spatial types for achieving better thermal comfort are the opening of a windward enclosure structure (ECS) that draws wind into the square in summer and an ECS without a windward opening that creates a more extended wind protection area in winter. Moreover, results of RtD show that the prototype with the smallest orientation angle to the prevailing wind direction has the most optimized thermal comfort during summer, while the form with a smaller angle to the prevailing wind direction is more favorable in winter. These findings provide methodological guidance for climate-adapted landscape square form optimization.
Application of the Triple Sumudu Decomposition Method for Solving 1+1 and 2+1-Dimensional Boussinesq Equations
Authors: Alsaud Huda , Eltayeb Hassan , Bachar Imed
Published: August 2023

The triple Sumudu transform decomposition method (TSTDM) is a combination of the Adomian decomposition method (ADM) and the triple Sumudu transform. It is a computational method that can be appropriate for solving linear and nonlinear partial differential equations. The existence analysis of the method and partial derivatives theorems are proven. Finally, we solve the 1+1 and 2+1-dimensional Boussinesq equations by applying the (TSTDM)technique, which gives the approximate solution with quick convergence. It is more precise than using ADM alone. In addition, three examples are offered to examine the performance and precision of our method.
Surface Family Pair with Bertrand Pair as Mutual Curvature Lines in Three-Dimensional Lie Group
Authors: Al-Jedani Awatif , Abdel-Baky Rashad A.
Published: August 2023

This paper is on deducing the necessary and sufficient conditions of a surface family pair with a Bertrand pair as mutual curvature lines in three-dimensional Lie group G. As a result, the consequence for the ruled surface family pair is also extrapolated. Meanwhile, examples are specified to show the surface family with common Bertrand geodesic curves.
Determination of the Contact Resistance of Planar Contacts: Electrically Conductive Adhesives in Battery Cell Connections
Authors: Jocher Philipp , Kick Michael K. , Rubio Gomez Manuel , Himmelreich Adrian V. , Gruendl Alena , Hoover Edgar , Zaeh Michael F. , Jossen Andreas
Published: August 2023

This study presents a method to analyze the electrical resistance of planar contacts. The method can determine whether the contact resistance of the joint exhibits linear or non-linear behavior. By analyzing the current distribution over a planar contact, it can be determined whether an area-based contact resistance is justified or if other parameters define the contact resistance. Additionally, a quantitative evaluation of the factors that affect the measurement accuracy, including the positioning, the measurement equipment used, and the influence of the current injection on the sense pin was conducted. Based on these findings, the electrical contact resistance and the mechanical ultimate tensile force of a silver-filled epoxy-based adhesive are analyzed and discussed. The layer thickness and the lap joint length were varied. Overall, the investigated adhesive shows a low contact resistance and high mechanical strength of the same magnitude as that of well-established joining techniques, such as welding, press connections, and soldering. In addition to evaluating the mechanical and electrical properties, the electric conductive adhesive underwent an economic assessment. This analysis revealed that the material costs of the adhesive significantly contribute to the overall connection costs. Consequently, the effective costs in mass production are higher than those associated with laser beam welding.
Development of a New Wearable Device for the Characterization of Hand Tremor
Authors: Vescio Basilio , De Maria Marida , Crasà Marianna , Nisticò Rita , Calomino Camilla , Aracri Federica , Quattrone Aldo , Quattrone Andrea
Published: August 2023

Rest tremor (RT) is observed in subjects with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Essential Tremor (ET). Electromyography (EMG) studies have shown that PD subjects exhibit alternating contractions of antagonistic muscles involved in tremors, while the contraction pattern of antagonistic muscles is synchronous in ET subjects. Therefore, the RT pattern can be used as a potential biomarker for differentiating PD from ET subjects. In this study, we developed a new wearable device and method for differentiating alternating from a synchronous RT pattern using inertial data. The novelty of our approach relies on the fact that the evaluation of synchronous or alternating tremor patterns using inertial sensors has never been described so far, and current approaches to evaluate the tremor patterns are based on surface EMG, which may be difficult to carry out for non-specialized operators. This new device, named “RT-Ring”, is based on a six-axis inertial measurement unit and a Bluetooth Low-Energy microprocessor, and can be worn on a finger of the tremulous hand. A mobile app guides the operator through the whole acquisition process of inertial data from the hand with RT, and the prediction of tremor patterns is performed on a remote server through machine learning (ML) models. We used two decision tree-based algorithms, XGBoost and Random Forest, which were trained on features extracted from inertial data and achieved a classification accuracy of 92% and 89%, respectively, in differentiating alternating from synchronous tremor segments in the validation set. Finally, the classification response (alternating or synchronous RT pattern) is shown to the operator on the mobile app within a few seconds. This study is the first to demonstrate that different electromyographic tremor patterns have their counterparts in terms of rhythmic movement features, thus making inertial data suitable for predicting the muscular contraction pattern of tremors.
Emergence and Progression of Behavioral Motor Deficits and Skeletal Muscle Atrophy across the Adult Lifespan of the Rat
Authors: GrönholdtKlein Max , Gorzi Ali , Wang Lingzhan , Edström Erik , Rullman Eric , Altun Mikael , Ulfhake Brun
Published: August 2023

The facultative loss of muscle mass and function during aging (sarcopenia) poses a serious threat to our independence and health. When activities of daily living are impaired (clinical phase), it appears that the processes leading to sarcopenia have been ongoing in humans for decades (preclinical phase). Here, we examined the natural history of sarcopenia in male outbred rats to compare the occurrence of motor behavioral deficits with the degree of muscle wasting and to explore the muscle-associated processes of the preclinical and clinical phases, respectively. Selected metrics were validated in female rats. We used the soleus muscle because of its long duty cycles and its importance in postural control. Results show that gait and coordination remain intact through middle age (40–60% of median lifespan) when muscle mass is largely preserved relative to body weight. However, the muscle shows numerous signs of remodeling with a shift in myofiber-type composition toward type I. As fiber-type prevalence shifted, fiber-type clustering also increased. The number of hybrid fibers, myofibers with central nuclei, and fibers expressing embryonic myosin increased from being barely detectable to a significant number (5–10%) at late middle age. In parallel, TGFβ1, Smad3, FBXO32, and MuRF1 mRNAs increased. In early (25-month-old) and advanced (30-month-old) aging, gait and coordination deteriorate with the progressive loss of muscle mass. In late middle age and early aging due to type II atrophy (>50%) followed by type I atrophy (>50%), the number of myofibers did not correlate with this process. In advanced age, atrophy is accompanied by a decrease in SCs and βCatenin mRNA, whereas several previously upregulated transcripts were downregulated. The re-expression of embryonic myosin in myofibers and the upregulation of mRNAs encoding the γ-subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, the neuronal cell adhesion molecule, and myogenin that begins in late middle age suggest that one mechanism driving sarcopenia is the disruption of neuromuscular connectivity. We conclude that sarcopenia in rats, as in humans, has a long preclinical phase in which muscle undergoes extensive remodeling to maintain muscle mass and function. At later time points, these adaptive mechanisms fail, and sarcopenia becomes clinically manifest.
Chronic Aripiprazole and Trazodone Polypharmacy Effects on Systemic and Brain Cholesterol Biosynthesis
Authors: Korade Zeljka , Anderson Allison , Balog Marta , Tallman Keri A. , Porter Ned A. , Mirnics Karoly
Published: August 2023

The concurrent use of several medications is a common practice in the treatment of complex psychiatric conditions. One such commonly used combination is aripiprazole (ARI), an antipsychotic, and trazodone (TRZ), an antidepressant. In addition to their effects on dopamine and serotonin systems, both of these compounds are inhibitors of the 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR7) enzyme. To evaluate the systemic and nervous system distribution of ARI and TRZ and their effects on cholesterol biosynthesis, adult mice were treated with both ARI and TRZ for 21 days. The parent drugs, their metabolites, and sterols were analyzed in the brain and various organs of mice using LC-MS/MS. The analyses revealed that ARI, TRZ, and their metabolites were readily detectable in the brain and organs, leading to changes in the sterol profile. The levels of medications, their metabolites, and sterols differed across tissues with notable sex differences. Female mice showed higher turnover of ARI and more cholesterol clearance in the brain, with several post-lanosterol intermediates significantly altered. In addition to interfering with sterol biosynthesis, ARI and TRZ exposure led to decreased ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (IBA1) and increased DHCR7 protein expression in the cortex. Changes in sterol profile have been also identified in the spleen, liver, and serum, underscoring the systemic effect of ARI and TRZ on sterol biosynthesis. Long-term use of concurrent ARI and TRZ warrants further studies to fully evaluate the lasting consequences of altered sterol biosynthesis on the whole body.
Structure, Function, and Allosteric Regulation of the 20S Proteasome by the 11S/PA28 Family of Proteasome Activators
Authors: Thomas Taylor , Salcedo-Tacuma David , Smith David M.
Published: August 2023

The proteasome, a complex multi-catalytic protease machinery, orchestrates the protein degradation essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis, and its dysregulation also underlies many different types of diseases. Its function is regulated by many different mechanisms that encompass various factors such as proteasome activators (PAs), adaptor proteins, and post-translational modifications. This review highlights the unique characteristics of proteasomal regulation through the lens of a distinct family of regulators, the 11S, REGs, or PA26/PA28. This ATP-independent family, spanning from amoebas to mammals, exhibits a common architectural structure; yet, their cellular biology and criteria for protein degradation remain mostly elusive. We delve into their evolution and cellular biology, and contrast their structure and function comprehensively, emphasizing the unanswered questions regarding their regulatory mechanisms and broader roles in proteostasis. A deeper understanding of these processes will illuminate the roles of this regulatory family in biology and disease, thus contributing to the advancement of therapeutic strategies.
Finding the Common Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Three Autoimmune Diseases and Exploring Their Bio-Function by Using a Reporter Assay
Authors: Chu Yen-Chang , Yu Kuang-Hui , Lin Wei-Tzu , Wang Wei-Ting , Chen Ding-Ping
Published: August 2023

In clinical practice, it is found that autoimmune thyroid disease often additionally occurs with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In addition, several studies showed that eye-specific autoimmune diseases may have a strong relationship with systemic autoimmune diseases. We focused on Graves’ disease (GD) with ocular conditions, also known as Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO), trying to find out the potential genetic background related to GO, RA, and SLE. There were 40 GO cases and 40 healthy controls enrolled in this study. The association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the co-stimulatory molecule genes and GO was analyzed using a chi-square test. It showed that rs11571315, rs733618, rs4553808, rs11571316, rs16840252, and rs11571319 of CTLA4, rs3181098 of CD28, rs36084323 and rs10204525 of PDCD1, and rs11889352 and rs4675379 of ICOS were significantly associated with GO based on genotype analysis and/or allele analysis (p < 0.05). After summarizing the GO data and the previously published SLE and RA data, it was found that rs11571315, rs733618, rs4553808, rs16840252, rs11571319, and rs36084323 were shared in these three diseases. Furthermore, the bio-function was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. It was shown that rs733618 T > C and rs4553808 A > G significantly decreased the transcriptional activity (both p < 0.001). This study is the first to confirm that these three diseases share genetically predisposing factors, and our results support the proposal that rs733618 T > C and rs4553808 A > G have bio-functional effects on the transcriptional activity of the CTLA4 gene.
Exploring the Synthetic Chemistry of Phenyl-3-(5-aryl-2-furyl)- 2-propen-1-ones as Urease Inhibitors: Mechanistic Approach through Urease Inhibition, Molecular Docking and Structure–Activity Relationship
Authors: Fatima Miraj , Aslam Samina , Zafar Ansa Madeeha , Irfan Ali , Khan Misbahul Ain , Ashraf Muhammad , Faisal Shah , Noreen Sobia , Shazly Gamal A. , Shah Bakht Ramin , Bin Jardan Yousef A.
Published: August 2023

Furan chalcone scaffolds belong to the most privileged and promising oxygen-containing heterocyclic class of compounds, which have a wide spectrum of therapeutic applications in the field of pharmaceutics, pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry. This research described the synthesis of a series of twelve novel and seven reported furan chalcone (conventional synthetic approach) analogues 4a–s through the application of microwave-assisted synthetic methodology and evaluated for therapeutic inhibition potential against bacterial urease enzyme. In the first step, a series of nineteen substituted 5-aryl-2-furan-2-carbaldehyde derivatives 3a–s were achieved in moderate to good yields (40–70%). These substituted 5-aryl-2-furan-2-carbaldehyde derivatives 3a–s were condensed with acetophenone via Claisen–Schmidt condensation to furnish 19 substituted furan chalcone scaffolds 4a–s in excellent yields (85–92%) in microwave-assisted synthetic approach, while in conventional methodology, these furan chalcone 4a–s were furnished in good yield (65–90%). Furan chalcone structural motifs 4a–s were characterized through elemental analysis and spectroscopic techniques. These nineteen (19)-afforded furan chalcones 4a–s were screened for urease inhibitory chemotherapeutic efficacy and most of the furan chalcones displayed promising urease inhibition activity. The most active urease inhibitors were 1-phenyl-3-[5-(2′,5′-dichlorophenyl)-2-furyl]-2–propen-1-one 4h with an IC50 value of 16.13 ± 2.45 μM, and 1-phenyl- 3-[5-(2′-chlorophenyl)-2-furyl] -2-propen-1-one 4s with an IC50 value of 18.75 ± 0.85 μM in comparison with reference drug thiourea (IC50 = 21.25 ± 0.15 μM). These furan chalcone derivatives 4h and 4s are more efficient urease inhibitors than reference drug thiourea. Structure–activity relationship (SAR) revealed that the 2,5-dichloro 4h and 2-chloro 4s moiety containing furan chalcone derivatives may be considered as potential lead reagents for urease inhibition. The in silico molecular docking study results are in agreement with the experimental biological findings. The results of this study may be helpful in the future drug discovery and designing of novel efficient urease inhibitory agents from this biologically active class of furan chalcones.
Whole-Body Photobiomodulation Therapy for Fibromyalgia: A Feasibility Trial
Authors: Fitzmaurice Bethany C. , Heneghan Nicola R. , Rayen Asius T. A. , Grenfell Rebecca L. , Soundy Andrew A.
Published: August 2023

Effective treatment for fibromyalgia (FM) is lacking and further treatment options are needed. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) represents one potential treatment option. Whilst favourable findings have been reported using localised PBMT, no investigations have established the value of whole-body PBMT for the complete set of symptom domains in FM. A single-arm feasibility study was conducted in accordance with CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) guidelines. A non-probability sampling method was used to access individuals with FM. The primary outcome measure was identified as the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR). Forty-nine participants were screened and twenty-one trial participants entered the trial. Nineteen participants completed the intervention (18 whole-body PBMT sessions over approximately six weeks). Descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis was undertaken to represent feasibility outcomes. Acceptability of the trial device and processes were established. Outcome measures towards efficacy data were guided by core and peripheral OMERACT (outcomes measures in rheumatological clinical trials) domains, utilising a combination of participant-reported and performance-based outcome measures. Data for the embedded qualitative component of the trial were captured by participant-reported experience measures and audio-recorded semi-structured interviews. Positive changes were observed for FM-specific quality of life, pain, tenderness, stiffness, fatigue, sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression and cognitive impairment. Patient global assessment revealed improvements at 6 weeks, with continued effect at 24 weeks. FM-specific quality of life at 24 weeks remained improved compared with baseline scores. The findings provided evidence to support a full-scale trial and showed promise regarding potential efficacy of this novel non-invasive treatment in an FM population.
Economical Assessment of Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP) Aggregate for Structural Concrete Production in Italy
Authors: Peduzzi Arianna , Franco Annalisa , De Luca Giuseppina , Coppola Orsola , Bonati Antonio
Published: August 2023

Structural concrete aggregate can be substituted with sustainable alternatives from construction and demolition waste, such as reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). This contribution assesses the RAP aggregate production chain and aims to investigate the economic aspect of RAP aggregate, evaluating the costs associated with its production and comparing them with the ones necessary to produce NA and recycled concrete aggregate (RCA). This analysis aims to provide additional information on the possible advantages of RAP aggregate use in order to promote sustainable construction. The evaluation was developed using a four-step methodology consisting of (i) determining the RAP aggregate production procedure; (ii) selecting a case study; (iii) defining the mix design; and (iv) performing a cost evaluation and comparing it to the cost of NA and RCA production. The results of the cost analysis of three concretes containing different RAP percentages (0%, 30%, and 45%) demonstrated that RAP’s presence led to more expensive admixtures, with the RAP unit cost being higher than NA (+155.39%). Some strategies were proposed to diminish RAP’s cost, resulting in a reduction of −39.64% with respect to NA’s cost and ranging from 45.13% to 67.30% when compared to RCA’s cost.
The Early Age Hydration Products and Mechanical Properties of Cement Paste with Steel Slag Powder as Additive under Steam Curing Conditions
Authors: Li Baoliang , Lu Xue , Huo Binbin , Du Yuheng , Liu Yuyi , Cheng Yongzhen , Liu Zejun
Published: August 2023

To explore the feasibility of the application of steel slag powder (SSP) in steam-cured precast concrete, 0% and 20% SSP were used to replace cement and prepare cement paste, and the early age performance of steam-cured (80 °C for 7 h and 7 d) SSP-blended cement paste, including different types and amounts of hydrates, the microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated and compared with those of 28 d standard-cured SSP sample. The results show that SSP addition promotes the generation of laminar C-S-H gels and granular C-S-H gels after an initial 7 h steam curing. Further extending the lasting time of 80 °C steam curing to 7 days favors the production of hydrogarnet and crystalline C-S-H, of which the amount of formation of hydrogarnet in SSP composite cement paste is less and the particle size is smaller than those in the control sample. However, steam curing increases the gap between the number of hydrates formed in SSP-blended cement paste and the control paste. The delayed hydration effect of SSP on cement offsets the promoting effect of steam curing on the hydration of cement; in consequence, the incorporation of SSP seems to be detrimental to the hydration of steam-cured cement paste.