bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Daphnetin Alleviates Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis through Inhibition of Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and IL-17A
Authors: Park Soo-Jin , Ryu Hyung Won , Kim Ji-Hyeong , Hahn Hwa-Jeong , Jang Hyun-Jae , Ko Sung-Kyun , Oh Sei-Ryang , Lee Hyun-Jun
Published: December 2023

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and refractory interstitial lung disease. Although there is no cure for IPF, the development of drugs with improved efficacy in the treatment of IPF is required. Daphnetin, a natural coumarin derivative, has immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. However, its antifibrotic effects have not yet been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the antifibrotic effects of daphnetin on pulmonary fibrosis and the associated molecular mechanism. We examined the effects of daphnetin on splenocytes cultured in Th17 conditions, lung epithelial cells, and a mouse model of bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis. We identified that daphnetin inhibited IL-17A production in developing Th17 cells. We also found that daphnetin suppressed epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in TGF-β-treated BEAS2B cells through the regulation of AKT phosphorylation. In BLM-treated mice, the oral administration of daphnetin attenuated lung histopathology and improved lung mechanical functions. Our findings clearly demonstrated that daphnetin inhibited IL-17A and EMT both in vitro and in vivo, thereby protecting against BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Taken together, these results suggest that daphnetin has potent therapeutic effects on lung fibrosis by modulating both Th17 differentiation and the TGF-β signaling pathway, and we thus expect daphnetin to be a drug candidate for the treatment of IPF.
The Role of Retinal Ganglion Cell Structure and Function in Glaucoma
Authors: Feng Kathy Ming , Tsung Ta-Hsin , Chen Yi-Hao , Lu Da-Wen
Published: December 2023

Glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness globally, primarily affects retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). This review dives into the anatomy of RGC subtypes, covering the different underlying theoretical mechanisms that lead to RGC susceptibility in glaucoma, including mechanical, vascular, excitotoxicity, and neurotrophic factor deficiency, as well as oxidative stress and inflammation. Furthermore, we examined numerous imaging methods and functional assessments to gain insight into RGC health. Finally, we investigated the current possible neuroprotective targets for RGCs that could help with future glaucoma research and management.
Human RTEL1 Interacts with KPNB1 (Importin β) and NUP153 and Connects Nuclear Import to Nuclear Envelope Stability in S-Phase
Authors: Schertzer Michael , Jullien Laurent , Pinto André L. , Calado Rodrigo T. , Revy Patrick , Londoño-Vallejo Arturo
Published: December 2023

Regulator of TElomere Length Helicase 1 (RTEL1) is a helicase required for telomere maintenance and genome replication and repair. RTEL1 has been previously shown to participate in the nuclear export of small nuclear RNAs. Here we show that RTEL1 deficiency leads to a nuclear envelope destabilization exclusively in cells entering S-phase and in direct connection to origin firing. We discovered that inhibiting protein import also leads to similar, albeit non-cell cycle-related, nuclear envelope disruptions. Remarkably, overexpression of wild-type RTEL1, or of its C-terminal part lacking the helicase domain, protects cells against nuclear envelope anomalies mediated by protein import inhibition. We identified distinct domains in the C-terminus of RTEL1 essential for the interaction with KPNB1 (importin β) and NUP153, respectively, and we demonstrated that, on its own, the latter domain can promote the dynamic nuclear internalization of peptides that freely diffuse through the nuclear pore. Consistent with putative functions exerted in protein import, RTEL1 can be visualized on both sides of the nuclear pore using high-resolution microscopy. In all, our work points to an unanticipated, helicase-independent, role of RTEL1 in connecting both nucleocytoplasmic trafficking and nuclear envelope integrity to genome replication initiation in S-phase.
Proteomic Analysis of Human iPSC-Derived Neural Stem Cells and Motor Neurons Identifies Proteasome Structural Alterations
Authors: Álvarez Iñaki , Tirado-Herranz Adrián , Alvarez-Palomo Belén , Osete Jordi Requena , Edel Michael J.
Published: December 2023

Background: Proteins targeted by the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) are identified for degradation by the proteasome, which has been implicated in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules present peptides broken down by the proteasome and are involved in neuronal plasticity, regulating the synapse number and axon regeneration in the central or peripheral nervous system during development and in brain diseases. The mechanisms governing these effects are mostly unknown, but evidence from different compartments of the cerebral cortex indicates the presence of immune-like MHC receptors in the central nervous system. Methods: We used human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) differentiated into neural stem cells and then into motor neurons as a developmental model to better understand the structure of the proteasome in developing motor neurons. We performed a proteomic analysis of starting human skin fibroblasts, their matching iPSCs, differentiated neural stem cells and motor neurons that highlighted significant differences in the constitutive proteasome and immunoproteasome subunits during development toward motor neurons from iPSCs. Results: The proteomic analysis showed that the catalytic proteasome subunits expressed in fibroblasts differed from those in the neural stem cells and motor neurons. Western blot analysis confirmed the proteomic data, particularly the decreased expression of the β5i (PSMB8) subunit immunoproteasome in MNs compared to HFFs and increased β5 (PSMB5) in MNs compared to HFFs. Conclusion: The constitutive proteasome subunits are upregulated in iPSCs and NSCs from HFFs. Immunoproteasome subunit β5i expression is higher in MNs than NSCs; however, overall, there is more of a constitutive proteasome structure in MNs when comparing HFFs to MNs. The proteasome composition may have implications for motor neuron development and neurodevelopmental diseases that warrant further investigation.
Incidence and Management of Appendiceal Neuroendocrine Tumors in Pediatric Population: A Bicentric Experience with 6285 Appendectomies
Authors: Pogorelić Zenon , Ercegović Vladimir , Bašković Marko , Jukić Miro , Karaman Ivana , Mrklić Ivana
Published: December 2023

Background: Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare tumors that arise from neuroendocrine cells and are the most common tumors of the appendix. NETs of the appendix usually cause no symptoms and often go unnoticed until they cause acute appendicitis or are discovered during an accidental appendectomy. As the trend towards the conservative treatment of acute appendicitis increases in the pediatric population, the question arises as to whether the majority of NETs go undetected and are only discovered at an advanced stage. The purpose of the proposed study is to review the incidence and outcomes of treatment for NETs of the appendix in children and include the data presented in the data pool for further review. Methods: From 1 January 2009 to 1 November 2023, a total of 6285 appendectomies were performed in two large pediatric centers in Croatia. After a retrospective review of the case records and histopathologic findings, a total of 31 children (0.49%) were diagnosed with NET of the appendix and included in the further analysis. The primary outcome of this study was the incidence and treatment outcome of pediatric patients diagnosed with NET of the appendix. Secondary outcomes included the patients’ demographic, clinical, and laboratory data and the histopathologic characteristics of tumor species. Results: The overall incidence of NETs of the appendix was stable over the study years, with minor fluctuations. The median age of patients was 14 (interquartile range—IQR: 12, 16) years, with a female predominance (64.5%). The majority of patients (96.8%) presented with acute abdominal pain and underwent appendectomy because acute appendicitis was suspected. Acute appendicitis was confirmed by histopathology in 18 (58%) cases. NETs of the appendix were not detected preoperatively in any of the patients. Among patients with confirmed acute appendicitis, most (n = 14; 77.8%) were found to have non-perforated acute appendicitis. In most children, the tumor was located at the tip of the appendix (n = 18; 58.1%), and the majority of tumors had a diameter of less than 1 cm (n = 21, 67.7%). The mitotic count (n = 25, 80.6%) and Ki-67 proliferation index (n = 23, 74.2%) were low in most patients, so most tumors were classified as NET G1 (n = 25, 80.6%), while NET G2 and NET G3 were found in four (12.9%) and two (6.5%) patients, respectively. All children were treated with appendectomy only. The median follow-up time was 54 (IQR: 24, 95) months. Conclusions: The incidence of appendiceal NET among pediatric patients is very low. NET occurs most frequently in adolescents, with a female predominance. Most tumors are less than 1 cm in diameter, located at the tip, and associated with non-perforated appendicitis. Appendectomy is the treatment of choice, and major surgery was not necessary in our cohort.
Early Communicative Development in Williams Syndrome: A Longitudinal Case Study
Authors: Diez-Itza Eliseo , Llona Florencia , Martínez Verónica
Published: December 2023

Individuals with Williams Syndrome (WS) have a specific and atypical neuropsychological profile, where language is above what is expected for their mental age, although it shows a late onset. There exists only one longitudinal study in infants younger than 20 months old with WS about early language precursors (joint attention, referential and instrumental behaviors, pointing gesture, verbal tags). The aim of this investigation is to evaluate these precursors in a baby with WS (8 to 18 months). Seven sessions of systematic observation were performed (six at baby’s home, one at the Early Childhood Assistance center). The Battelle Developmental Inventory was used to evaluate the baby’s development in two occasions (12 and 18 months). The results show an atypical development, and he is 5–6 months under what is expected for his chronological age. Attention towards objects prevails over preference for faces, but this one tends to increase. The pointing gesture does not emerge at the end of the observation period and therefore follows the first words that appear. The implications for the comprehension of the early linguistic profile in WS are discussed, as well as the implications for specific intervention strategies in the context of early childhood care.
Effect of Ultrasonic Cleaning after Laser Texturizing of Surface of AISI 316L Steel on the Degree of Wetting and Corrosion Resistance
Authors: Dasaev Marat , Kalakutskaya Olga , Zilova Olga , Mednikov Alexey
Published: December 2023

One of the most common current processing methods in various scientific studies is the modification of surfaces of various structural materials via laser radiation (laser ablation technique). The laser texturizing of metal surfaces is one of the promising applications for the creation of hydrophobic surfaces with a high water contact angle, increased corrosion resistance, and other properties. This paper reports the results of experimental studies to determine the effect of ultrasonic surface cleaning after laser texturizing on the degree of wetting and corrosion resistance of AISI 316L steel. The results show that ultrasonic cleaning leads to the removal of micro-/nano-sized particles formed on the surface following the laser texturizing of roughness. This effect, in turn, helps us to obtain higher values for the water contact angle and to increase the corrosion resistance.
Security Issues on Industrial Internet of Things: Overview and Challenges
Authors: Wang Maoli , Sun Yu , Sun Hongtao , Zhang Bowen
Published: December 2023

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), where numerous smart devices associated with sensors, actuators, computers, and people communicate with shared networks, has gained advantages in many fields, such as smart manufacturing, intelligent transportation, and smart grids. However, security is becoming increasingly challenging due to the vulnerability of the IIoT to various malicious attacks. In this paper, the security issues of the IIoT are reviewed from the following three aspects: (1) security threats and their attack mechanisms are presented to illustrate the vulnerability of the IIoT; (2) the intrusion detection methods are listed from the attack identification perspectives; and (3) some defense strategies are comprehensively summarized. Several concluding remarks and promising future directions are provided at the end of this paper.
Global Trends in Risk Factors and Therapeutic Interventions for People with Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: Results from the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform
Authors: Ndlovu Musawenkosi , Dludla Phiwayinkosi V. , Muvhulawa Ndivhuwo , Ntamo Yonela , Mayeye Asanda , Luphondo Nomahlubi , Hlengwa Nokulunga , Basson Albertus K. , Mabhida Sihle E. , Hanser Sidney , Mazibuko-Mbeje Sithandiwe E. , Nkambule Bongani B. , Ndwandwe Duduzile
Published: December 2023

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of 898 clinical trials conducted between 1999 and 2023, focusing on the interplay of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). This study draws upon data sourced from the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) until August 2023. The trials were predominantly interventional (67%) or observational (33%). A geographical distribution reveals that while the United States registered approximately 18% of the trials, other regions like Australia, the United Kingdom, and multicounty trials made substantial contributions. Most studies (84%) included both male and female participants, with adults aged 18 to 65 years predominantly represented. The trials aimed at treatment (21%) and prevention (21%), emphasizing the dual focus on addressing existing CVD risk and preventing its development. Notably, CVDs (29%), T2D (8%), and the coexistence of both (21%) constituted the primary conditions of interest. Key interventions encompassed lifestyle and behavioral modifications, dietary supplementation, and drug therapies, with metformin and statins leading in pharmacological treatments. Interestingly, additional interventions such as glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors are gaining recognition for their potential in managing metabolic syndrome-related conditions. Moreover, the report highlights a growing focus on inflammation, body mass index, blood pressure, body weight, and major adverse cardiovascular events as primary outcomes. Overall, the study highlights the importance of ICTRP as the source of data for clinical trials targeting metabolic syndrome, CVDs, and T2D and the growing recognition of diverse intervention strategies to address this critical global health concern.
Prospective Comparison of Handheld Ultrasound Devices from Different Manufacturers with Respect to B-Scan Quality and Clinical Significance for Various Abdominal Sonography Questions
Authors: Merkel Daniel , Züllich Tim Felix , Schneider Christoph , Yousefzada Masuod , Beer Diana , Ludwig Michael , Weimer Andreas , Künzel Julian , Kloeckner Roman , Weimer Johannes Matthias
Published: December 2023

Background: Handheld ultrasound (HHUS) devices have chiefly been deployed in emergency medicine, where they are considered a valid tool. The data situation is less clear in the case of internal questions in abdominal sonography. In our study, we investigate whether HHUS devices from different manufacturers differ in their B-scan quality, and whether any differences are relevant for the significance of an internal ultrasound examination. Method: The study incorporated eight HHUS devices from different manufacturers. Ultrasound videos of seven defined sonographic questions were recorded with all of the devices. The analogue recording of the same findings with a conventional high-end ultrasound (HEUS) device served as an evaluation criterion. Then, the corresponding findings were played side by side and evaluated by fourteen ultrasound experts using a point scale (5 points = very good; 1 point = insufficient). Results: The HHUS devices achieved relatively good results in terms of both the B-scan quality assessment and the ability to answer the clinical question, regardless of the manufacturer. One of the tested HHUS devices even achieved a significantly (p < 0.05) higher average points score in both the evaluation of B-scan quality and in the evaluation of clinical significance than the other devices. Regardless of the manufacturer, the HHUS devices performed best when determining the status/inferior vena cava volume and in the representation of ascites/free fluid. Conclusion: In various clinical abdominal sonography questions, HHUS systems can reliably reproduce findings, and are—while bearing their limitations in mind—an acceptable alternative to conventional HEUS systems. Irrespective of this, the present study demonstrated relevant differences in the B-scan quality of HHUS devices from different manufacturers.
Endoscopic Biliary Drainage in Surgically Altered Anatomy
Authors: Spadaccini Marco , Giacchetto Carmelo Marco , Fiacca Matteo , Colombo Matteo , Andreozzi Marta , Carrara Silvia , Maselli Roberta , Saccà Fabio , De Marco Alessandro , Franchellucci Gianluca , Khalaf Kareem , Koleth Glenn , Hassan Cesare , Anderloni Andrea , Repici Alessandro , Fugazza Alessandro
Published: December 2023

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is considered the preferred method for managing biliary obstructions. However, the prevalence of surgically modified anatomies often poses challenges, making the standard side-viewing duodenoscope unable to reach the papilla in most cases. The increasing instances of surgically altered anatomies (SAAs) result from higher rates of bariatric procedures and surgical interventions for pancreatic malignancies. Conventional ERCP with a side-viewing endoscope remains effective when there is continuity between the stomach and duodenum. Nonetheless, percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) or surgery has historically been used as an alternative for biliary drainage in malignant or benign conditions. The evolving landscape has seen various endoscopic approaches tailored to anatomical variations. Innovative methodologies such as cap-assisted forward-viewing endoscopy and enteroscopy have enabled the performance of ERCP. Despite their utilization, procedural complexities, prolonged durations, and accessibility challenges have emerged. As a result, there is a growing interest in novel enteroscopy and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) techniques to ensure the overall success of endoscopic biliary drainage. Notably, EUS has revolutionized this domain, particularly through several techniques detailed in the review. The rendezvous approach has been pivotal in this field. The antegrade approach, involving biliary tree puncturing, allows for the validation and treatment of strictures in an antegrade fashion. The EUS-transmural approach involves connecting a tract of the biliary system with the GI tract lumen. Moreover, the EUS-directed transgastric ERCP (EDGE) procedure, combining EUS and ERCP, presents a promising solution after gastric bypass. These advancements hold promise for expanding the horizons of comprehensive and successful biliary drainage interventions, laying the groundwork for further advancements in endoscopic procedures.
No Critical Ultrasound, No Life: The Value of Point-of Care Critical Ultrasound in the Rescue of Critically Ill Infants
Authors: Liu Jing , Guo Ya-Li , Ren Xiao-Ling
Published: December 2023

Point-of-care critical ultrasound (POC-CUS) screening plays an increasingly important role in the treatment of critically ill infants. Without POC-CUS, the lives of many infants would not be saved in time and correctly. A premature infant with systemic multiple organ system dysfunction caused by fungal sepsis was treated and nursed under the guidance of POC-CUS monitoring, and the infant was ultimately cured. This premature infant had systemic multiple organ system dysfunction and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) caused by fungal sepsis. In the hypercoagulable state of early-stage DIC, cardiac thrombosis could be found using ultrasound screening. For this case, right renal artery thrombosis was found via renal artery Doppler ultrasound examination. Due to the severity of this disease, ultrasound-guided peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) insertion and ultrasound checks of the PICC tip’s position were performed, which ensured the success of this one-time catheterization and shortened the catheterization time. Lung ultrasound is used for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of pulmonary diseases, and to guide the application of mechanical ventilation. Because the abdominal circumference of the patient’s markedly enlarged abdominal circumference, bloody stool, and absence of bowel sounds, abdominal ultrasonography was performed, which revealed a markedly enlarged liver, significant peritoneal effusion, and necrotizing enterocolitis. Guided by POC-CUS monitoring, we had the opportunity to implement timely and effective treatment that ultimately saved this critically ill patient’s life. The successful treatment of this newborn infant fully reflects the importance of carrying out POC-CUS screening.
Smart Endoscopy Is Greener Endoscopy: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain Technologies to Drive Sustainability in Digestive Health Care
Authors: Mascarenhas Miguel , Ribeiro Tiago , Afonso João , Mendes Francisco , Cardoso Pedro , Martins Miguel , Ferreira João , Macedo Guilherme
Published: December 2023

The surge in the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in recent years has permeated many aspects of our life, and health care is no exception. Whereas this technology can offer clear benefits, some of the problems associated with its use have also been recognised and brought into question, for example, its environmental impact. In a similar fashion, health care also has a significant environmental impact, and it requires a considerable source of greenhouse gases. Whereas efforts are being made to reduce the footprint of AI tools, here, we were specifically interested in how employing AI tools in gastroenterology departments, and in particular in conjunction with capsule endoscopy, can reduce the carbon footprint associated with digestive health care while offering improvements, particularly in terms of diagnostic accuracy. We address the different ways that leveraging AI applications can reduce the carbon footprint associated with all types of capsule endoscopy examinations. Moreover, we contemplate how the incorporation of other technologies, such as blockchain technology, into digestive health care can help ensure the sustainability of this clinical speciality and by extension, health care in general.
Disaster Preparedness, Capabilities, and Support Needs: The Lived Experience Perspectives of People with Disability
Authors: Chang Kuo-yi Jade , Villeneuve Michelle , Crawford Tonia , Yen Ivy , Dominey-Howes Dale , Llewellyn Gwynnyth
Published: December 2023

People with disability face heightened vulnerability during disasters due to functional limitations and inadequate support. This study explores disaster preparedness, capabilities, and support needs among Australians with disability. A cross-sectional survey was conducted, aligned with the Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) framework: a co-designed and tested framework that helps people with disability assess their capabilities, identify their needs, communicate with others, and plan for different emergency scenarios. Data collection involved self-administered online surveys and interviewer-administered telephone surveys through convenience sampling. Descriptive statistics and regression modelling were employed for data analysis. Of the 138 respondents, most were female (68.1%) and aged 60–69 (23.9%). While 60.3% had emergency plans, motivators included enhancing survival chances (36.7%) and past disaster experiences (22.7%). Barriers included uncertainty about preparation (22.0%) and difficulty obtaining information (11.3%). Those perceiving bushfire risk were more likely to have a plan (p = 0.004), while individuals living alone were less likely (p = 0.019). Common preparedness actions included safely storing important documents (57.5%), but fewer had backup plans for support workers (9.2%) or home generators (9.7%). Respondents with disaster experience highlighted diverse support needs, encompassing health, emotional well-being, and practical assistance. Inclusive disaster risk reduction should involve individuals with disability in assessing their capabilities and support requirements. This study underscores the necessity of tailored emergency preparedness measures to safeguard the well-being of this demographic.
System Architecture for Diagnostics and Supervision of Industrial Equipment and Processes in an IoE Device Environment
Authors: Bolanowski Marek , Paszkiewicz Andrzej , Żabiński Tomasz , Piecuch Grzegorz , Salach Mateusz , Tomecki Krzysztof
Published: December 2023

IoE components are becoming an integral part of our lives and support the operation of systems such as smart homes, smart cities, or Industry 4.0. The large number and variety of IoE components force the creation of flexible systems for data acquisition, processing, and analysis. The work presents a proposal for a new flexible architecture model and technology stack designed for the diagnostics and monitoring of industrial components and processes in an IoE device environment. The proposed solutions allow creating custom flexible systems for managing a distributed IoT environment, including the implementation of innovative mechanisms like, for example: predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, business intelligence, optimization of energy consumption, or supervision of the manufacturing process. In the present study, two detailed system architectures are proposed, and one of them was implemented. The developed system was tested in near-production conditions using a real IoT device infrastructure including industrial systems, drones, and sensor networks. The results showed that the proposed model of a central data-acquisition and -processing system allows the flexible integration of various IoE solutions and has a very high implementation potential wherever there is a need to integrate data from different sources and systems.
A Dynamic Emotional Propagation Model over Time for Competitive Environments
Authors: Chen Zhihao , Xu Bingbing , Cai Tiecheng , Yang Zhou , Liao Xiangwen
Published: December 2023

Emotional propagation research aims to discover and show the laws of opinion evolution in social networks. The short-term observation of the emotional propagation process for a predetermined time window ignores situations in which users with different emotions compete over a long diffusion time. To that end, we propose a dynamic emotional propagation model based on an independent cascade. The proposed model is inspired by the interpretable factors of the reinforced Poisson process, portraying the “rich-get-richer” phenomenon within a social network. Specifically, we introduce a time-decay mechanism to illustrate the change in influence over time. Meanwhile, we propose an emotion-exciting mechanism allowing prior users to affect the emotions of subsequent users. Finally, we conduct experiments on an artificial network and two real-world datasets—Wiki, with 7194 nodes, and Bitcoin-OTC, with 5881 nodes—to verify the effectiveness of our proposed model. The proposed method improved the F1-score by 3.5% and decreased the MAPE by 0.059 on the Wiki dataset. And the F1-score improved by 0.4% and the MAPE decreased by 0.013 on the Bitcoin-OTC dataset. In addition, the experimental results indicate a phenomenon of emotions in social networks tending to converge under the influence of opinion leaders after a long enough time.
An Actor-Critic Hierarchical Reinforcement Learning Model for Course Recommendation
Authors: Liang Kun , Zhang Guoqiang , Guo Jinhui , Li Wentao
Published: December 2023

Online learning platforms provide diverse course resources, but this often results in the issue of information overload. Learners always want to learn courses that are appropriate for their knowledge level and preferences quickly and accurately. Effective course recommendation plays a key role in helping learners select appropriate courses and improving the efficiency of online learning. However, when a user is enrolled in multiple courses, existing course recommendation methods face the challenge of accurately recommending the target course that is most relevant to the user because of the noise courses. In this paper, we propose a novel reinforcement learning model named Actor-Critic Hierarchical Reinforcement Learning (ACHRL). The model incorporates the actor-critic method to construct the profile reviser. This can remove noise courses and make personalized course recommendations effectively. Furthermore, we propose a policy gradient based on the temporal difference error to reduce the variance in the training process, to speed up the convergence of the model, and to improve the accuracy of the recommendation. We evaluate the proposed model using two real datasets, and the experimental results show that the proposed model significantly outperforms the existing recommendation models (improving 3.77% to 13.66% in terms of HR@5).
LezioSeg: Multi-Scale Attention Affine-Based CNN for Segmenting Diabetic Retinopathy Lesions in Images
Authors: Ali Mohammed Yousef Salem , Jabreel Mohammed , Valls Aida , Baget Marc , Abdel-Nasser Mohamed
Published: December 2023

Diagnosing some eye pathologies, such as diabetic retinopathy (DR), depends on accurately detecting retinal eye lesions. Automatic lesion-segmentation methods based on deep learning involve heavy-weight models and have yet to produce the desired quality of results. This paper presents a new deep learning method for segmenting the four types of DR lesions found in eye fundus images. The method, called LezioSeg, is based on multi-scale modules and gated skip connections. It has three components: (1) Two multi-scale modules, the first is atrous spatial pyramid pooling (ASPP), which is inserted at the neck of the network, while the second is added at the end of the decoder to improve the fundus image feature extraction; (2) ImageNet MobileNet encoder; and (3) gated skip connection (GSC) mechanism for improving the ability to obtain information about retinal eye lesions. Experiments using affine-based transformation techniques showed that this architecture improved the performance in lesion segmentation on the well-known IDRiD and E-ophtha datasets. Considering the AUPR standard metric, for the IDRiD dataset, we obtained 81% for soft exudates, 86% for hard exudates, 69% for hemorrhages, and 40% for microaneurysms. For the E-ophtha dataset, we achieved an AUPR of 63% for hard exudates and 37.5% for microaneurysms. These results show that our model with affine-based augmentation achieved competitive results compared to several cutting-edge techniques, but with a model with much fewer parameters.
Self-Supervised Health Index Curve Generation for Condition-Based Predictive Maintenance
Authors: Seitz Steffen , Arnold Marvin , Tetzlaff Ronald , Holstein Peter
Published: December 2023

Modern machine degradation trend evaluation relies on the unsupervised model-based estimation of a health index (HI) from asset measurement data. This minimizes the need for timely human evaluation and avoids assumptions on the degradation shape. However, the comparability of multiple HI curves over time generated by unsupervised methods suffers from a scaling mismatch (non-coherent HIs) caused by the slightly different asset initial conditions and distinct HI model training. In this paper, we propose a novel self-supervised approach to obtain HI curves without suffering from the scale mismatch. Our approach uses an unsupervised autoencoder based on a convolutional neural network (CNN) to detect initial faults and autonomously label measurement samples. The resulting self-labeled data is used to train a 1D-CNN health predictor, effectively eliminating the scaling mismatch problem. On the basis of a bearing test-to-failure experiment, we show that our self-supervised scheme offers a promising solution for the non-coherent HI problem. In addition, we observed that our method indicates the gradual wear affecting the bearing prior to the independent analysis of a human expert.
World Trade Center Exposure, DNA Methylation Changes, and Cancer: A Review of Current Evidence
Authors: Tuminello Stephanie , Nguyen Emelie , Durmus Nedim , Alptekin Ramazan , Yilmaz Muhammed , Crisanti Maria Cecilia , Snuderl Matija , Chen Yu , Shao Yongzhao , Reibman Joan , Taioli Emanuela , Arslan Alan A.
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Known carcinogens in the dust and fumes from the destruction of the World Trade Center (WTC) towers on 9 November 2001 included metals, asbestos, and organic pollutants, which have been shown to modify epigenetic status. Epigenome-wide association analyses (EWAS) using uniform (Illumina) methodology have identified novel epigenetic profiles of WTC exposure. Methods: We reviewed all published data, comparing differentially methylated gene profiles identified in the prior EWAS studies of WTC exposure. This included DNA methylation changes in blood-derived DNA from cases of cancer-free “Survivors” and those with breast cancer, as well as tissue-derived DNA from “Responders” with prostate cancer. Emerging molecular pathways related to the observed DNA methylation changes in WTC-exposed groups were explored and summarized. Results: WTC dust exposure appears to be associated with DNA methylation changes across the genome. Notably, WTC dust exposure appears to be associated with increased global DNA methylation; direct dysregulation of cancer genes and pathways, including inflammation and immune system dysregulation; and endocrine system disruption, as well as disruption of cholesterol homeostasis and lipid metabolism. Conclusion: WTC dust exposure appears to be associated with biologically meaningful DNA methylation changes, with implications for carcinogenesis and development of other chronic diseases.
Studies on the Correlation between δ13C and Nutrient Elements in Two Desert Plants
Authors: Zheng Zhou , Wu Xue , Gong Lu , Li Ruixi , Zhang Xuan , Li Zehou , Luo Yan
Published: December 2023

Stable carbon isotopes (δ13C) and elemental stoichiometry characteristics are important ways to research the water and nutrient use strategies of plants. Investigating the variation patterns inof δ13C and the major nutrient elements in different organs of plants and the correlation among them can reveal the ecological strategies of desert plants in extreme arid environments. In this study, two typical desert plants, Alhagi sparsifolia and Karelinia caspia, were studied in the Tarim Basin. By analyzing the changes in δ13C, carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) and the ecological stoichiometry of their roots, stems, and leaves, the distribution patterns among different organs and their correlation with soil environmental factors were revealed. The results showed the following: (1) The δ13C of the two plants differed significantly among different organs (p < 0.01). The root and stem of Alhagi sparsifolia had significantly greater δ13C than the leave, while the δ13C of Karelinia caspia showed a root > stem > leaf gradient; (2) the C content in the leaves of the two plants was significantly lower than that of the root (p < 0.01), whereas the N content showed the opposite trend (p < 0.01); (3) the average N:P of Alhagi sparsifolia was >16.00, indicating it was mainly limited by P elements, while the average N:P of Karelinia caspia was <14.00, suggesting it was mainly limited by N elements; (4) in the root, stem and leave of Alhagi sparsifolia and Karelinia caspia, the N content and C:N and the P content and C:P showed a significantly negative correlation (p < 0.01), and δ13C was negatively correlated with C:P; (5) soil total phosphorus (TP) is an important soil environmental factor affecting δ13C and the nutrient elements in Alhagi sparsifolia and Karelinia caspia. This study demonstrates that Alhagi sparsifolia and Karelinia caspia are able to effectively coordinate and regulate their water, N, and P use strategies in response to environmental stress. These results can provide scientific reference for the evaluation of plant physiological and ecological adaptations for ecological conservation in arid areas.
Extraction the Spatial Distribution of Mangroves in the Same Month Based on Images Reconstructed with the FSDAF Model
Authors: You Qixu , Deng Weixi , Liu Yao , Tang Xu , Chen Jianjun , You Haotian
Published: December 2023

Mangroves have extremely high economic and ecological value. Through remote sensing, the spatial distribution of and spatiotemporal changes in mangroves can be accurately obtained, providing data support for the sustainable development of coastal wetlands. However, due to the cloudy and rainy conditions in the growing areas of mangroves, there are relatively few high-quality image data available, resulting in a time difference between regional mosaic images, with a maximum difference of several months, which has a certain impact on accuracy when extracting the spatial distribution of mangroves in some regions. At present, most regional mangrove research has ignored the impact of the time difference between mosaic images, which not only leads to inaccurate monitoring results of mangroves’ spatial distribution and dynamic changes but also limits the frequency of monitoring of regional mangrove dynamic changes to an annual scale, making it difficult to achieve more refined time scales. Based on this, this study takes the coastal mangrove distribution area in China as the research area, uses Landsat 8 and MODIS images as basic data, reconstructs the January 2021 images of the research area based on the FSDAF model, and uses a random forest algorithm to extract the spatial distribution of mangrove forests and analyze the landscape pattern. The results showed that the fused image based on the FSDAF model was highly similar to the validation image, with an R value of 0.85, showing a significant positive correlation, indicating that the fused image could replace the original image for mangrove extraction in the same month. The overall accuracy of the spatial distribution extraction of mangroves based on the fused image was 89.97%. The high sample separation and spectral curve changes highly similar to the validation image indicate that the fused image can more accurately obtain the spatial distribution of mangroves. Compared to the original image, the fused image based on the FSDAF model is closer to the validation image, and the fused image can reflect the changes in mangroves in time series, thus achieving accurate acquisition of dynamic change information in a short time span. It provides data and methodological support for future monitoring of dynamic changes in large-scale mangroves. The total area of mangroves in China in January 2021 based on the fused image was 27,122.4 ha, of which Guangdong had the largest mangrove area, with 12,098.34 ha, while Macao had the smallest mangrove area of only 16.74 ha. At the same time, the mangroves in Guangdong and Guangxi had a high degree of fragmentation and were severely disturbed, requiring strengthened protection efforts, while the mangroves in Hong Kong, Zhejiang, and Macao had regular shapes, benefiting from local active artificial restoration.
Sediment Microbial Fuel Cells with Algae-Assisted Cathodes for Electricity Generation and Bio-Treatment of Sewage Sludge
Authors: Chen Lizheng , Zhang Hongyi , Li Yongqi , Zhao Chunxia , Liu Ling , Li Lipin , Sun Li , Li Hui
Published: December 2023

In this study, an algal–bacterial symbiotic consortium was integrated with the sediment microbial fuel cell (SMFC) to construct an algal–bacterial cathode SMFC (AC-SMFC) for excess sewage sludge treatment and electricity generation. A bacterial cathode SMFC (BC-SMFC) and a static settling system (SS-system) were used as controls. Electrochemical analysis confirmed that the algal–bacterial biofilm on the cathode improved electricity production. The maximum power density of AC-SMFC was 75.21 mW/m2, which was 65.70% higher than that of the BC-SMFC (45.39 mW/m2). After 60 days of treatment, AC-SMFC achieved much higher removal efficiencies of the total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD) (59.60%), suspended solids (SS) (62.42%), and volatile suspended solids (VSS) (71.44%) in the sediment, compared to BC-SMFC and the SS-system, exhibiting an effective degradation of the organic matter in the sediment sludge. Moreover, the lower concentration of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) in the overlying water of AC-SMFC demonstrated that the algae on the cathode could inhibit the accumulation of nitrogen and phosphorus released from the sediments. The three-dimensional excitation–emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy revealed that the tryptophan protein and aromatic protein in the loosely bound extracellular polymeric substances (LB-EPS) of the sediment sludge in the AC-SMFC were significantly decreased. Additionally, the abundance of functional microbiota in the AC-SMFC increased, such as Trichococcus, Alphaproteobacteria, and Clostridia, which contributed to electricity generation and sludge degradation. The combined application of microalgae and the SMFC provided a promising approach for excess sludge reduction and energy recovery.
Effects of Process Variables on the Physicochemical, Textural, and Structural Properties of an Isolated Pea Protein-Based High-Moisture Meat Analog
Authors: Zhang Yu , Ryu Gi Hyung
Published: December 2023

This study investigated the optimal extrusion conditions required to produce an isolated pea protein (IPP)-based meat analog. High-moisture extrusion cooking (HMEC) was performed. The effects of the moisture content (55 and 60%), barrel temperature (165 and 175 °C), and screw speed (150 and 200 rpm) on the physicochemical, textural, and structural properties of the high-moisture meat analog (HMMA) were determined. The results showed that the moisture content had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the physicochemical and textural properties of the HMMA. A lower moisture content had significant impact (p < 0.05) on enhancing the texturization of the HMMA and the formation of fibrous structures, thereby increasing the texture profile analysis (TPA) and cutting strength of the HMMA. Protein denaturation during HMEC resulted in a lower protein solubility of the meat analog than the raw material. The content of β-sheets and β-turns in the meat analogs were higher than that in the raw material, while the content of random coils and α-helices is inversely proportional. The process variables had no significant (p > 0.05) effect on the secondary structures. In conclusion, the moisture content is the most important factor affecting the properties of HMMAs. The extrusion process variables for HMMAs are a moisture content of 55%, a barrel temperature of 175 °C, and a screw speed of 200 rpm.
Effect of Cysteine with Essential Oils on Quality Attributes and Functional Properties of ‘Blanca de Tudela’ Fresh-Cut Artichoke
Authors: Giménez María J. , Giménez-Berenguer Marina , Guillén Fabián , Serna-Escolano Vicente , Gutiérrez-Pozo María , Zapata Pedro J.
Published: December 2023

The commercialisation of fresh-cut artichokes with optimal quality and appearance and a maximum shelf-life is a great challenge for the artichoke market. The use of different anti-browning agents has been previously studied; however, their effect is still limited. Therefore, the objective of this study is the evaluation of the effect of L-cysteine and, in combination with a mixture of essential oils components (eugenol, thymol and carvacrol) on browning, quality and bioactive compounds of fresh-cut artichokes stored for 9 days at 2 °C. Four different treatments were applied to ‘Blanca de Tudela’ fresh-cut artichokes: cysteine and cysteine with 75, 150 and 300 µL of the essential oils components (EOs) mixture. After 2, 4 and 9 days of storage, physicochemical parameters (weight loss, colour, respiration rate) and functional (total phenolic content, antioxidant activity) were studied. A descriptive sensorial analysis was also carried out to evaluate sensory attributes. Results showed that the application of cysteine and 150 µL of EOs displayed the lowest browning and highest antioxidant properties, as well as the best quality and sensory parameters. The use of this post-harvest treatment on fresh-cut artichokes would result in a natural and eco-friendly solution to improve artichoke quality and shelf-life.
Moringa oleifera Oil Nutritional and Safety Impact on Deep-Fried Potatoes
Authors: Boukandoul Silia , Zaidi Farid , Santos Carla S. P. , Casal Susana
Published: December 2023

Aiming to understand the nutritional impact of Moringa oleifera oil (MOO) on the quality of fried potatoes as consumed, a frying study using intermittent frying at 180 °C was conducted over 5 days, with a total heating time of 15 h, against olive (OO) and sunflower (SFO) oils. Additionally, due to MOO’s higher costs, a SFO/MOO blend (80/20 w/w) was tested. With similar fat incorporation and moisture contents, potato lipid composition revealed the impact of oil oxidation over the frying time, gradually decreasing the content of unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants, including vitamin E, carotenoids and ascorbic acid, and increasing the incorporation of trans fatty acids (TFAs) and volatile aldehydes. When the potatoes fried at the ninth hour of heating are compared, MOO and OO were still able to protect potato ascorbic acid better than SFO, due to the low oxidative stress imposed by their fatty-acid composition. SFO, on the contrary, with linoleic acid as the main fatty acid, and despite its higher content of vitamin E, demonstrated higher oxidative stress and increased incorporation of alkenals and alkadienals. Acrylamide content was generally low, as were the trans fatty acids formed and incorporated with frying time, with MOO fried potatoes having lower amounts of all these process contaminants. Interestingly, the blend SFO/MOO (80/20 w/w) doubled the amount of vitamin E in fried potatoes when compared with SFO alone, increased the ascorbic acid protection and reduced by half the amounts of volatile aldehydes, indicative of an efficient reduction of the oxidative status of the SFO-fried potatoes, with benefits to the consumer from a health point of view.