bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Mitochondrial A3243G Heteroplasmy on Mitochondrial Bioenergetics and Dynamics of Directly Reprogrammed MELAS Neurons
Authors: Lin Dar-Shong , Huang Yu-Wen , Ho Che-Sheng , Huang Tung-Sun , Lee Tsung-Han , Wu Tsu-Yen , Huang Zon-Darr , Wang Tuan-Jen
Published: December 2022

The MELAS syndrome primarily affecting the CNS is mainly caused by the m.A3243G mutation. The heteroplasmy in different tissues affects the phenotypic spectrum, yet the impact of various levels of m.A3243G heteroplasmy on CNS remains elusive due to the lack of a proper neuronal model harboring m.A3243G mutation. We generated induced neurons (iNs) through the direct reprogramming of MELAS patients, with derived fibroblasts harboring high (>95%), intermediate (68%), and low (20%) m.A3243G mutation. iNs demonstrated neuronal morphology with neurite outgrowth, branching, and dendritic spines. The heteroplasmy and deficiency of respiratory chain complexes were retained in MELAS iNs. High heteroplasmy elicited the elevation in ROS levels and the disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, high and intermediate heteroplasmy led to the impairment of mitochondrial bioenergetics and a change in mitochondrial dynamics toward the fission and fragmentation of mitochondria, with a reduction in mitochondrial networks. Moreover, iNs derived from aged individuals manifested with mitochondrial fission. These results help us in understanding the impact of various heteroplasmic levels on mitochondrial bioenergetics and mitochondrial dynamics in neurons as the underlying pathomechanism of neurological manifestations of MELAS syndrome. Furthermore, these findings provide targets for further pharmacological approaches of mitochondrial diseases and validate iNs as a reliable platform for studies in neuronal aspects of aging, neurodegenerative disorders, and mitochondrial diseases.
Myo-Inositol Supplementation Alleviates Cisplatin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury via Inhibition of Ferroptosis
Authors: Qi Huiyue , Deng Fei , Wang Yinghuai , Zhang Hao , Kanwar Yashpal S. , Dai Yingbo
Published: December 2022

Myo-inositol, a carbocyclic sugar, is believed to be relevant to renal pathobiology since the kidney is the major site for its catabolism. Its role in acute kidney injury (AKI) has not been fully investigated. Ferroptosis, a unique form of regulated cell death, is involved in various types of renal injuries. The relevance of myo-inositol with respect to the process of ferroptosis has not been explored either. Herein, our current exploratory studies revealed that supplementation of myo-inositol attenuates cisplatin-induced injury in cultured Boston University mouse proximal tubular (BUMPT) cells and renal tubules in vivo. Moreover, our studies unraveled that metabolic parameters pertaining to ferroptosis were disrupted in cisplatin-treated proximal tubular cells, which were seemingly remedied by the administration of myo-inositol. Mechanistically, we noted that cisplatin treatment led to the up-regulation of NOX4, a key enzyme relevant to ferroptosis, which was normalized by the administration of myo-inositol. Furthermore, we observed that changes in the NOX4 expression induced by cisplatin or myo-inositol were modulated by carboxy-terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein (CHIP), an E3 ubiquitin ligase. Taken together, our investigation suggests that myo-inositol promotes CHIP-mediated ubiquitination of NOX4 to decelerate the process of ferroptosis, leading to the amelioration of cisplatin-induced AKI.
Isthmin—A Multifaceted Protein Family
Authors: Shakhawat Hosen Md , Hazrat Zaman , Zhou Zhongjun
Published: December 2022

Isthmin (ISM) is a secreted protein family with two members, namely ISM1 and ISM2, both containing a TSR1 domain followed by an AMOP domain. Its broad expression pattern suggests diverse functions in developmental and physiological processes. Over the past few years, multiple studies have focused on the functional analysis of the ISM protein family in several events, including angiogenesis, metabolism, organ homeostasis, immunity, craniofacial development, and cancer. Even though ISM was identified two decades ago, we are still short of understanding the roles of the ISM protein family in embryonic development and other pathological processes. To address the role of ISM, functional studies have begun but unresolved issues remain. To elucidate the regulatory mechanism of ISM, it is crucial to determine its interactions with other ligands and receptors that lead to the activation of downstream signalling pathways. This review provides a perspective on the gene organization and evolution of the ISM family, their links with developmental and physiological functions, and key questions for the future.
Stage-Specific L-Proline Uptake by Amino Acid Transporter Slc6a19/B0AT1 Is Required for Optimal Preimplantation Embryo Development in Mice
Authors: Treleaven Tamara , Zada Matthew , Nagarajah Rajini , Bailey Charles G. , Rasko John E. J. , Morris Michael B. , Day Margot L.
Published: December 2022

L-proline (Pro) has previously been shown to support normal development of mouse embryos. Recently we have shown that Pro improves subsequent embryo development when added to fertilisation medium during in vitro fertilisation of mouse oocytes. The mechanisms by which Pro improves embryo development are still being elucidated but likely involve signalling pathways that have been observed in Pro-mediated differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells. In this study, we show that B0AT1, a neutral amino acid transporter that accepts Pro, is expressed in mouse preimplantation embryos, along with the accessory protein ACE2. B0AT1 knockout (Slc6a19−/−) mice have decreased fertility, in terms of litter size and preimplantation embryo development in vitro. In embryos from wild-type (WT) mice, excess unlabelled Pro inhibited radiolabelled Pro uptake in oocytes and 4–8-cell stage embryos. Radiolabelled Pro uptake was reduced in 4–8-cell stage embryos, but not in oocytes, from Slc6a19−/− mice compared to those from WT mice. Other B0AT1 substrates, such as alanine and leucine, reduced uptake of Pro in WT but not in B0AT1 knockout embryos. Addition of Pro to culture medium improved embryo development. In WT embryos, Pro increased development to the cavitation stage (on day 4); whereas in B0AT1 knockout embryos Pro improved development to the 5–8-cell (day 3) and blastocyst stages (day 6) but not at cavitation (day 4), suggesting B0AT1 is the main contributor to Pro uptake on day 4 of development. Our results highlight transporter redundancy in the preimplantation embryo.
Current Therapeutic Options and Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Alcoholic Liver Disease
Authors: Han Jinsol , Lee Chanbin , Hur Jin , Jung Youngmi
Published: December 2022

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a globally prevalent chronic liver disease caused by chronic or binge consumption of alcohol. The therapeutic efficiency of current therapies for ALD is limited, and there is no FDA-approved therapy for ALD at present. Various strategies targeting pathogenic events in the progression of ALD are being investigated in preclinical and clinical trials. Recently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising candidate for ALD treatment and have been tested in several clinical trials. MSC-released factors have captured attention, as they have the same therapeutic function as MSCs. Herein, we focus on current therapeutic options, recently proposed strategies, and their limitations in ALD treatment. Also, we review the therapeutic effects of MSCs and those of MSC-related secretory factors on ALD. Although accumulating evidence suggests the therapeutic potential of MSCs and related factors in ALD, the mechanisms underlying their actions in ALD have not been well studied. Further investigations of the detailed mechanisms underlying the therapeutic role of MSCs in ALD are required to expand MSC therapies to clinical applications. This review provides information on current or possible treatments for ALD and contributes to our understanding of the development of effective and safe treatments for ALD.
Face and Content Validity of the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Water Competence in Young Children
Authors: Morgado Liliane De Sousa , Martelaer Kristine De , Sääkslahti Arja , Howells Kristy , Barnett Lisa M. , D’Hondt Eva , Costa Aldo M. , Jidovtseff Boris
Published: December 2022

An international group of experts have developed a pictorial tool to measure perceived water competence for children aged from 5 to 8 years old: the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Water Competence (PSPWC). The aim of the present study was to verify the validity of this tool. In the first part of the study, 120 children were interviewed to investigate face validity of the PSPWC to ensure that all pictorial items were understandable. In the second part of the study, 13 scientific and/or pedagogical international experts were invited to assess the tool’s content validity via an online survey. Face validity results revealed that children were able to understand and sequence correctly the aquatic situations in 92% of the cases. The average Content Validity Index (CVI) of the PSPWC ranged from 0.88 to 0.95, showing acceptable content validity. Feedback from experts and children resulted in a major improvement of the “exit water” situation and minor improvements concerning some other items. Experts confirmed that the PSPWC was globally appropriate for different countries and cultures, except for the situation “water entry by slide” which was not considered usual practice in some countries. The PSPWC opens up to new fields of research; useful both for the prevention of drowning and for the support of children’s aquatic education.
Cross-National Comparisons of Internalizing Problems in a Cohort of 8952 Adolescents from Five European Countries: The EU NET ADB Survey
Authors: Drosopoulou Georgia , Vlasopoulou Foteini , Panagouli Eleni , Stavridou Androniki , Papageorgiou Alexia , Psaltopoulou Theodora , Tsolia Maria , Tzavara Chara , Sergentanis Theodoros N. , Tsitsika Artemis K.
Published: December 2022

Various factors such as family relationships, socioeconomic indicators, socio-cultural aspects, mental health problems and demographic variables, have been associated with internalizing problems in adolescence. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of internalizing problems in adolescents from five European countries in comparison with risk factors. Using data from the European Network for Adolescent Behavior (EU NET ADB) survey, a cross-sectional school-based study of adolescents (from 14 to 17.9 years) was conducted. Data were retrieved from self-report questionnaires derived from Greece, Spain, the Netherlands, Iceland and Romania. Multiple logistic regression analysis overall and by country was held through estimation of odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). A total of 8952 adolescents participated in the study. According to the results, Greece (7.6%) and Romania (2.4%) presented with the lowest rates of internalizing problems, while Iceland presented the highest (11.1%). Internalizing problems were associated with lower school grades (adjusted OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.08–1.36), while the higher education level of parents was associated with lower odds of internalizing problems (adjusted OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.62–0.92). In country-specific analyses, factors that affected the likelihood of internalizing problems were gender, age, maternal and paternal unemployment. Variations detected in adolescents’ internalizing problems were determined by the socio-cultural context of each country. Cultural differences should be addressed thoroughly in further research, in order to better understand and intervene in aspects of internalizing problems in adolescence.
Metal-Doped TiO2 Thin Film as an Electron Transfer Layer for Perovskite Solar Cells: A Review
Authors: Che Halin Dewi Suriyani , Azhari Ayu Wazira , Mohd Salleh Mohd Arif Anuar , Muhammad Nadzri Nur Izzati , Vizureanu Petrica , Abdullah Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri , Wahab Juyana A. , Sandu Andrei Victor
Published: December 2022

The electron transfer layer (ETL) plays a vital role in achieving high-performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is primarily utilised as the ETL since it is low-cost, chemically stable, and has the simplest thin-film preparation methods. However, TiO2 is not an ideal ETL because it leads to low conductivity, conduction band mismatch, and unfavourable electron mobility. In addition, the exposure of TiO2 to ultraviolet light induces the formation of oxygen vacancies at the surface. To overcome these issues, doping TiO2 with various metal ions is favourable to improve the surface structure properties and electronic properties. This review focuses on the bulk modification of TiO2 via doping with various metal ions concentrations to improve electrical and optical properties, charge carrier density, and interfacial electron–hole recombination, thus contributing to enhancing the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the PSCs.
Impact of Moisture Content on the Elasto-Viscoplastic Behaviour of Rammed Earth Wall: New Findings
Authors: Chitimbo Taini , Abdulsamad Feras , Prime Noémie , Revil André , Plé Olivier
Published: December 2022

The influence of hydric state on the elasto-viscoplastic behaviour of a unstabilised rammed earth (URE) wall has yet to be studied in the literature. This paper presents an experimental campaign on a rammed earth wall. The aim is to evaluate the link between the mechanical properties (including viscosity) and the varying hydric state inside the drying wall after manufacture. Cyclic axial compression and stress relaxation tests were carried out for this purpose. A compression test was conducted up to 0.1 MPa, followed by a stress relaxation test. These tests were periodically performed over 32 weeks. In addition, the hydric state inside the wall was monitored by humidity sensors. The results show that both the elastic modulus and the dynamic viscosity coefficient increase as the structure dries. A dependence of the mechanical behaviour on time is therefore found in these samples in the transient state. This can occur when the sample is in the drying or wetting phase. As rammed earth is a material particularly sensitive to water, this result is crucial for the durability of earthen constructions.
Phytocompounds Recovered from the Waste of Cabernet Sauvignon (Vitis vinifera L.) Vinification: Cytotoxicity (in Normal and Stressful Conditions) and In Vitro Photoprotection Efficacy in a Sunscreen System
Authors: Hübner Alexandra Almeida , Demarque Daniel Pecoraro , Lourenço Felipe Rebello , Rosado Catarina , Baby André Rolim , Kikuchi Irene Satiko , Bacchi Elfriede Marianne
Published: December 2022

We investigated plausible reuse for the dermocosmetic industry of byproducts from the winemaking process of red grapes (Vitis vinifera L. cv. C. Sauvignon) through the evaluation of one extract (grape pomace extract, GPE) and two fractions (one chloroform, GPE-CHF; one ethyl acetate, GPE-EAF). The samples were characterized analytically by liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a NIH 3T3 fibroblast cell culture to verify a cytosafety profile in normal and stressful environment (presence of H2O2), and by using it in a sunscreen system to observe improvements in the in vitro efficacy by diffuse reflectance spectrophotometry with an integrating sphere. The HPLC results for GPE-EAF and GPE-CHF samples with the best profile of syringic and p-coumaric acids, quercetin, and trans-resveratrol were used in the further assays. GPE-EAF and GPE-CHF, both at 30.00 µg/mL, maintained the cell viability in the absence of H2O2 (normal condition). In the sequence, GPE-EAF and GPE-CHF were evaluated against the oxidative stressor H2O2 in NIH 3T3 cells. A sharp drop in viability was only observed for GPE-CHF, and cytotoxicity of GPE-EAF was considered absent even in a hostile environment. Since GPE-EAF previously developed the best results, its potential performance was investigated in a sunscreen system. The in vitro sun protection factor of the phytoderivative-free formulation was 9.0 + 2.5; by adding GPE-EAF at 10.0%, its efficacy was elevated to 15.0 + 2.5. Both samples suffered a negative effect after artificial ultraviolet exposition (500 W/m2); however, the presence of GPE-EAF improved the photostability of the sunscreen system.
Controlled Synthesis and Growth Mechanism of Two-Dimensional Zinc Oxide by Surfactant-Assisted Ion-Layer Epitaxy
Authors: Huang Chunfeng , Sun Qi , Chen Zhiling , Wen Dongping , Tan Zongqian , Lu Yaxian , He Yuelan , Chen Ping
Published: December 2022

Two-dimensional (2D) zinc oxide (ZnO) has attracted much attention for its potential applications in electronics, optoelectronics, ultraviolet photodetectors, and resistive sensors. However, little attention has been focused on the growth mechanism, which is highly desired for practical applications. In this paper, the growth mechanism of 2D ZnO by surfactant-assisted ion-layer epitaxy (SA-ILE) is explored by controlling the amounts of surfactant, temperature, precursor concentration, and growth time. It is found that the location and the number of nucleation sites at the initial stages are restricted by the surfactant, which absorbs Zn2+ ions via electrostatic attraction at the water-air interface. Then, the growth of 2D ZnO is administered by the temperature, precursors, and growth time. In other words, the temperature is connected with the diffusion of solute ions and the number of nucleation sites. The concentration of precursors determines the solute ions in solution, which plays a dominant role in the growth rate of 2D ZnO, while growth time affects the nucleation, growth, and dissolution processes of ZnO. However, if the above criteria are exceeded, the nucleation sites significantly increase, resulting in multiple 2D ZnO with tiny size and multilayers. By optimizing the above parameters, 2D ZnO nanosheets with a size as large as 20 μm are achieved with 10 × 10−5 of the ratio of sodium oleyl sulfate to Zn2+, 70 °C, 50 mM of precursor concentration, and 50 min of growth time. 2D ZnO sheets, are confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Raman spectrum. Our work might guide the development of SA-ILE and pave the platform for practical applications of 2D ZnO on photodetectors, sensors, and resistive switching devices.
Diversity of Hymenopteran Parasitoids in Coffee Plantations under Agroecological Transition and Its Impact on Coffee Leaf Miner (Leucoptera coffeella) Infestations
Authors: Marques Kulian Basil Santa Cecília , Fernandes Lêda Gonçalves , Morais Ludmila Caproni , Haddi Khalid , Silveira Luís Cláudio Paterno
Published: December 2022

The biodiversity of natural competitors is vital to key ecosystem services and agroecosystems’ benefits to society. The abundance and richness of hymenopteran parasitoid communities, and subsequently their services, are dependent on the variety of habitats in the different agroecological landscapes. Here, we monitored the fluctuation of predatory wasps and hymenopteran parasitoid populations and their impacts on coffee leaf miner infestations under different coffee plantation landscapes. Thus, 24 sampling plots were arranged in four cultivation systems: conventional (CONV), in transition to organic shaded (T.OSH), in transition to organic full-sun (T.OFS), and without pesticide (T.WOP). In each plot, leaves with intact mines were collected randomly once a month over a period of 23 months. Parasitoid species, coffee leaf miner infestation, predation, and parasitism were assessed based on the emerged parasitoids and wasps’ activity signs in the mines. The data on parasitoids revealed the presence of 621 hymenopteran parasitoids, of which, 420 were Braconids and 201 were Eulophids. Overall, the abundance of braconid specimens (67.6%) was greater, but the species richness was higher in Eulophids. The highest species richness of L. coffeella parasitoids was in T.OSH and T.OFS. Furthermore, in the coffee plants evaluated, the coffee leaf miner population is well established and does not cause economic damage, as the spontaneous action of predatory wasps and parasitoids, in addition to climatic factors, contributes to regulating these pest infestations. Of these parasitoids, the braconid Orgilus niger and Stiropius reticulatus were found to be promising and well-adapted control provider species.
Use of Human Dominated Landscape as Connectivity Corridors among Fragmented Habitats for Wild Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus) in the Eastern Part of Thailand
Authors: Chaiyarat Rattanawat , Wettasin Maneepailin , Youngpoy Namphung , Cheachean Navee
Published: December 2022

Habitat fragmentation due to human activities creates threats to wild Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) and increases human-elephant conflicts (HEC). This study analyzed connectivity maps among the core habitats of wild elephants in the eastern part of Thailand. Resistance surfaces, associated with geographic and land use features, were used to estimate the dispersal of wild elephants. An increase in roads, reservoirs, and agricultural areas in 2020 was noted. In addition, the increase of artificial water sources and roads has increased HEC. To reduce HEC, the study of suitable landscape corridors for wild Asian elephants can guide the development of effective connectivity among the habitat patches. The scattered locations of reserved forests induce wild elephants to enter agricultural areas. In 2020, during the dry season, wild elephants used 3552 habitat patches, 253 population patches (4875 km2), 8 breeding patches (68.1 km2), and 253 other patches (193.9 km2). However, habitat patches were reduced to 1961 patches (3850.9 km2) in the wet season. The 16 suitable corridors were recommended for connecting the finest wild Asian elephants. These suitable corridors can be used as a guideline to construct effective landscape corridors for wild Asian elephants’ movement among the habitat patches. This finding can help the local managers and villagers incorporate and design restoration areas for the movement and survival of wild Asian elephants and develop suitable areas for agricultural purposes.
Facing into the Blizzard: Resiliency and Mortality of Native and Domestic North American Ungulates to Extreme Weather Events
Authors: Martin Jeff M.
Published: December 2022

Unseasonably early blizzards in the northern Great Plains threaten large mammal populations unacclimated for variable and extreme winter conditions. This region averaged 22 blizzards per winter season during the 2010s, up from 6 during the 1960s, and is anticipated to average 32 blizzards by the 2050s. In early October 2013, the fatal Atlas Blizzard affected four livestock and captive species in 16 counties of western South Dakota. Expected one-week total death losses for the study area were estimated from national average background mortality rates: 161 cattle, 102 sheep, 9 horses, and 6 bison. However, observed death loss varied significantly (McNemar’s Test: p < 0.001) from the expected during the blizzard with: 35,682 cattle; 6428 sheep; 400 horses; and 40 bison. Observed proportional mortalities varied significantly from the expected proportional mortalities in cattle (83.9% vs. 58.0%); sheep (15.1% vs. 36.7%); horse (0.9% vs. 3.2%); and bison (0.1% vs. 2.1%; chi-squared goodness-of-fit: χ23 = 16.85, p ≤ 0.001). Husbandry practices, animal behavior, and physiology may also explain some of the inequitable death losses for each species. Bison appear to be resilient to blizzards and blizzards are expected to increase due to climate change, therefore, bison may offer viability for ranchers in the face of blizzards and more variable weather.
Decrease Retinal Thickness in Patients with Chronic Migraine Evaluated by Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Raga-Martínez Isidoro , Povedano-Montero Francisco J. , Hernández-Gallego Jesús , López-Muñoz Francisco
Published: December 2022

The purpose of this study is to determine the possible alterations that may occur in the thickness of the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), and macular thickness in patients with chronic migraines compared with healthy controls. Hence, we examined some of the possibilities that are offered by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in order to study different neurological diseases and to study its application, in this case, how it may be applied to patients with chronic migraines. This was an observational cross-sectional study in adults aged 18–65 years. The study group consisted of 90 patients (90 eyes) with chronic migraines who met the inclusion criteria, and 90 healthy controls (90 eyes) matched for age and sex. Retinal thickness was measured by spectral domain OCT (SD-OCT). The thickness of the superior quadrant of the peripapillary RNFL, as well as the mean thickness in the macula, RNFL macular, and GCL was significantly thinner in chronic migraine patients than in healthy controls (p ≤ 0.05). Chronic migraines are associated with a decrease in retinal thickness which is detectable by an OCT diagnostic technique. The quantification of the axonal damage could be used as a biomarker to help in the diagnosis and monitoring of this pathology. Further studies will be needed to confirm these findings.
Differences in Striatal Metabolism in [18F]FDG PET in Parkinson’s Disease and Atypical Parkinsonism
Authors: Seiffert Alexander P. , Gómez-Grande Adolfo , Alonso-Gómez Laura , Méndez-Guerrero Antonio , Villarejo-Galende Alberto , Gómez Enrique J. , Sánchez-González Patricia
Published: December 2022

Neurodegenerative parkinsonisms affect mainly cognitive and motor functions and are syndromes of overlapping symptoms and clinical manifestations such as tremor, rigidness, and bradykinesia. These include idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD) and the atypical parkinsonisms, namely progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), multiple system atrophy (MSA) and dementia with Lewy body (DLB). Differences in the striatal metabolism among these syndromes are evaluated using [18F]FDG PET, caused by alterations to the dopaminergic activity and neuronal loss. A study cohort of three patients with PD, 29 with atypical parkinsonism (10 PSP, 6 CBD, 2 MSA, 7 DLB, and 4 non-classifiable), and a control group of 25 patients with normal striatal metabolism is available. Standardized uptake value ratios (SUVR) are extracted from the striatum, and the caudate and the putamen separately. SUVRs are compared among the study groups. In addition, hemispherical and caudate-putamen differences are evaluated in atypical parkinsonisms. Striatal hypermetabolism is detected in patients with PD, while atypical parkinsonisms show hypometabolism, compared to the control group. Hemispherical differences are observed in CBD, MSA and DLB, with the latter also showing statistically significant caudate–putamen asymmetry (p = 0.018). These results indicate disease-specific metabolic uptake patterns in the striatum that can support the differential diagnosis.
Specification of Neck Muscle Dysfunction through Digital Image Analysis Using Machine Learning
Authors: Paskali Filip , Simantzik Jonathan , Dieterich Angela , Kohl Matthias
Published: December 2022

Everyone has or will have experienced some degree of neck pain. Typically, neck pain is associated with the sensation of tense, tight, or stiff neck muscles. However, it is unclear whether the neck muscles are objectively stiffer with neck pain. This study used 1099 ultrasound elastography images (elastograms) obtained from 38 adult women, 20 with chronic neck pain and 18 asymptomatic. For training machine learning algorithms, 28 numerical characteristics were extracted from both the original and transformed shear wave velocity color-coded images as well as from respective image segments. Overall, a total number of 323 distinct features were generated from the data. A supervised binary classification was performed, using six machine-learning algorithms. The random forest algorithm produced the most accurate model to distinguish the elastograms of women with chronic neck pain from asymptomatic women with an AUC of 0.898. When evaluating features that can be used as biomarkers for muscle dysfunction in neck pain, the region of the deepest neck muscles (M. multifidus) provided the most features to support the correct classification of elastograms. By constructing summary images and associated Hotelling’s T2 maps, we enabled the visualization of group differences and their statistical confirmation.
Water Chlorophyll a Estimation Using UAV-Based Multispectral Data and Machine Learning
Authors: Zhao Xiyong , Li Yanzhou , Chen Yongli , Qiao Xi , Qian Wanqiang
Published: December 2022

Chlorophyll a (chl-a) concentration is an important parameter for evaluating the degree of water eutrophication. Monitoring it accurately through remote sensing is thus of great significance for early warnings of water eutrophication, and the inversion of water quality from UAV images has attracted more and more attention. In this study, a regression method to estimate chl-a was proposed; it used a small multispectral UAV to collect data and took the vegetation indices as intermediate variables. For this purpose, ten monitoring points were selected in Erhai Lake, China, and two months of monitoring and data collection were conducted during a cyanobacterial bloom period. Finally, 155 sets of valid data were obtained. The imaging data were obtained using a multispectral UAV, water samples were collected from the lake, and the chl-a concentration was obtained in the laboratory. Then, the images were preprocessed to extract the information from different wavebands. The univariate regression of each vegetation index and the regression using band information were used for comparative analysis. Four machine learning algorithms were used to build the model: support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), extreme learning machine (ELM), and convolutional neural network (CNN). The results showed that the effect of estimating the chl-a concentration via multiple regression using vegetation indices was generally better than that via regression with a single vegetation index and original band information. The CNN model obtained the best results (R2 = 0.7917, RMSE = 8.7660, and MRE = 0.2461). This study showed the reliability of using multiple regression based on vegetation indices to estimate the chl-a of surface water.
Pollinator Communities of Planted and Feral Pyrus calleryana
Authors: Dolan Benjamin J. , Kalkstein Abby L. , Haase Madeline , Chernisky Paige , Niese Alivia , Hicks Ashlie N. , Miller Dolly
Published: December 2022

Pyrus calleryana was intentionally introduced to North America from east Asia in the early 1900s as rootstock for the edible pear tree, Pyrus communis. It was identified as an ideal decorative, agricultural, and horticultural tree because of its small stature, early spring flowering, fire blight resistance and inoffensive fruits. P. calleryana escaped cultivation and is now considered an invasive species, typically found on roadsides, prairies, and fields. The aim of this study is to characterize pollinator community diversity from planted and feral trees, as well as diversity as it compares to expected communities derived from research-grade iNaturalist observations. Pollinators were collected by hand on planted and feral P. calleryana trees in April 2018–2022. A total of 14 taxa of insect pollinator were collected from P. calleryana flowers, with similar levels of diversity of pollinator taxa collected from planted and feral trees, and Apis mellifera and Andrena spp. the most common taxa observed. The sampled pollinator community did not differ from the expected pollinator communities generated using the iNaturalist data on either the planted or feral P. calleryana.
Engaging Methods for Exploring ‘Funds of Identity’ in Early Childhood Contexts
Authors: D’warte Jacqueline , Woodrow Christine
Published: December 2022

Globalisation has contributed to increasing diversity with children and families, bringing multiple languages and cultures into early childhood settings around the world. While this has enhanced our settings, research suggests that educators are struggling to find ways to support children’s learning and development in super diverse contexts. Standardised curriculum and pedagogy have complicated matters by suggesting that all children can achieve the same outcome if given the same program. Failing to recognize and acknowledge the complexity of teaching and learning in diverse settings leads to practices that position children and their families as deficient, viewing children and families based on what they lack rather than building from their strengths. In this manuscript we look through the theoretical lenses of funds of knowledge and funds of identity. The two constructs are brought together to explore how innovative, creative arts-based methods from two different research projects in ECE settings across Australia and Chile made children and families’ funds of knowledge and funds of identity visible and potentially impacted learning, participants’ perspectives, and community engagement in these diverse settings. We offer evidence of the ways arts-based methods promoted creativity and agency for all participants in and across both early learning contexts.
Systematic Review of Inclusive Musical Practices in Non-Formal Educational Contexts
Authors: Juan-Morera Borja , Nadal-García Icíar , López-Casanova Belén
Published: December 2022

Inclusive musical practices for social transformation and inclusion have been developed since the end of the 20th century. These experiences promote equality and social justice. The objective of this work is to classify and describe the scientific production around inclusive musical practices in non-formal education contexts. A systematic review based on PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) was developed between December 2021 and January 2022. The review finally included 36 studies, extracted from the databases: SCOPUS, ERIC and WOS. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were limited by language (English and Spanish) and type of scientific production (peer-reviewed articles and book chapters) without limiting the years of publication. The data extraction was carried out based on the following categories: beneficiary group, type of experience, country or geographical area of impact, group or musical gender with which it works, age or ages of the group. The growing interest of society towards these practices in the last five years is confirmed. It is also identified that the two most studied population groups are people with disabilities and at risk of exclusion.
Design Studies of Re-Entrant Square Cavities for V-Band Klystrons
Authors: Kumar M Santosh , Maity Santigopal , Shee Soumojit , Bandyopadhyay Ayan Kumar , Pal Debashish , Koley Chaitali
Published: December 2022

V-band Klystrons find applications in satellite communications and 5G technology. Here, we present a V-band Klystron using radial re-entrant square cavities (RRSCs). The RRSCs are easy to fabricate, assemble, align, and tune to the operating frequency, which are significant concerns in V-band. We have optimized the number of cavities and the gap for best possible gain and bandwidth. The eigenmode and particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation results of the CST microwave studio are presented. The optimum design uses eleven equidistantly placed RRSCs, producing the maximum gain of 27.17 dB at 60.1 GHz with a bandwidth of ∼150 MHz.
Static Video Compression’s Influence on Neural Network Performance
Authors: Gowrisetty Vishnu Sai Sankeerth , Fernando Anil
Published: December 2022

The concept of action recognition in smart security heavily relies on deep learning and artificial intelligence to make predictions about actions of humans. To draw appropriate conclusions from these hypotheses, a large amount of information is required. The data in question are often a video feed, and there is a direct relationship between increased data volume and more-precise decision-making. We seek to determine how far a static video can be compressed before the neural network’s capacity to predict the action in the video is lost. To find this, videos are compressed by lowering the bitrate using FFMPEG. In parallel, a convolutional neural network model is trained to recognise action in the videos and is tested on the compressed videos until the neural network fails to predict the action observed in the videos. The results reveal that bitrate compression has no linear relationship with neural network performance.
Distribution of Multi MmWave UAV Mounted RIS Using Budget Constraint Multi-Player MAB
Authors: Mohamed Ehab Mahmoud , Alnakhli Mohammad , Hashima Sherief , Abdel-Nasser Mohamed
Published: December 2022

Millimeter wave (mmWave), reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are considered vital technologies of future six-generation (6G) communication networks. In this paper, various UAV mounted RIS are distributed to support mmWave coverage over several hotspots where numerous users exist in harsh blockage environment. UAVs should be spread among the hotspots to maximize their average achievable data rates while minimizing their hovering and flying energy consumptions. To efficiently address this non-polynomial time (NP) problem, it will be formulated as a centralized budget constraint multi-player multi-armed bandit (BCMP-MAB) game. In this formulation, UAVs will act as the players, the hotspots as the arms, and the achievable sum rates of the hotspots as the profit of the MAB game. This formulated MAB problem is different from the traditional one due to the added constraints of the limited budget of UAVs batteries as well as collision avoidance among UAVs, i.e., a hotspot should be covered by only one UAV at a time. Numerical analysis of different scenarios confirm the superior performance of the proposed BCMP-MAB algorithm over other benchmark schemes in terms of average sum rate and energy efficiency with comparable computational complexity and convergence rate.
A Hybrid GAN-Based DL Approach for the Automatic Detection of Shockable Rhythms in AED for Solving Imbalanced Data Problems
Authors: Dahal Kamana , Ali Mohd. Hasan
Published: December 2022

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is one of the global health issues causing high mortality. Hence, timely and agile detection of such arrests and immediate defibrillation support to SCA victims is of the utmost importance. An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a medical device used to treat patients suffering from SCA by delivering an electric shock. An AED implements the machine learning (ML)- or deep learning (DL)-based approach to detect whether the patient needs an electric shock and then automates the shock if needed. However, the effectiveness of these models has relied on the availability of well-balanced data in class distribution. Due to privacy concerns, collecting sufficient data is more challenging in the medical domain. Generative adversarial networks (GAN) have been successfully used to create synthetic data and are far better than standard oversampling techniques in maintaining the original data’s probability distribution. We, therefore, proposed a GAN-based DL approach, external classifier–Wasserstein conditional generative adversarial network (EC–WCGAN), to detect the shockable rhythms in an AED on an imbalanced ECG dataset. Our experiments demonstrate that the classifier trained with real and generated data via the EC–WCGAN significantly improves the performance metrics on the imbalanced dataset. Additionally, the WCGAN for generating synthetic data outperformed the standard oversampling technique, such as adaptive synthetic (ADASYN). In addition, our model achieved a high sensitivity, specificity, and F1-score (more than 99%) and a low balanced error rate (0.005) on the balanced 4-s segmented public Holter databases, meeting the American Health Association criteria for AEDs.
Throughput Maximization for the Full-Duplex Two-Way Relay System with Energy Harvesting
Authors: Zhong Kaiqi , Fu Liqun
Published: December 2022

The full-duplex technique can improve the transmission capacity of the communication systems, and energy harvesting (EH) is a promising operation to prolong the lifespan of a wireless node by utilizing the radio-frequency signals. In this paper, the throughput performance of a full-duplex two-way energy EH capable relay system is investigated. In particular, a practical EH protocol, named the time-switching-based relaying (TSR) protocol, is used for EH and the decode-and-forward (DF) policy for information transmission. The outage probability is successfully obtained, and the corresponding system throughput for TSR protocol can be derived by it. The derived throughput is a function of different system parameters, including the time-switching (TS) ratio, power allocation ratio, and the length of the communication time slot. Meanwhile, the throughput is used to characterize a joint time and power allocation scheme for the system, and we aim to find the optimal time and power allocation to achieve the optimal throughput. Due to the existence of three variables and the integral form of throughput expression, an optimization for the throughput is difficult. However, a modified simulated annealing-based search (SABS) algorithm can be used to optimize the throughput. The modified SABS algorithm overcomes being highly impacted by the initial point, and derives the optimal solution fast. Simulation results show that the analytical throughput expression is related with the TS ratio, power allocation ratio, and the length of the communication time slot. The analytical curve of the throughput matches with the simulated one well, which shows that the obtained analytical system throughput for the TSR protocol is valid. Meanwhile, the proposed modified SABS algorithm could be used to derive accurate throughput when SNR is higher than 10 dB.
Review of the Monitoring Applications Involved in the Underground Storage of Natural Gas and CO2
Authors: Fibbi Gabriele , Del Soldato Matteo , Fanti Riccardo
Published: December 2022

Natural gas is an indispensable resource not evenly distributed in the world. The gas supply chain is characterized by large imbalances between supply and demand, where the underground gas storage (UGS) application plays a key role for creating strategic reserves, taking advantage of geological structures. On the contrary, human activities will require clean energy with near-zero greenhouse gas emissions to be environmentally viable. A key element of this strategy is the carbon capture and storage (CCS) application useful for confining CO2 into the geosphere to reduce anthropogenic emissions. The development of appropriate injection methods and long-term monitoring systems for leak detection of the underground storage of natural gas and CO2 is important to prevent negative effects, such as ground deformations and micro seismic events. In this work, a variety of monitoring applications were gathered and critically analyzed for a total of 60 scientific contributions spanning the world. This bibliographic work shows an analytical and statistical overview of the most common use of UGS and CCS, representing the different goals of these two applications and analyzing the main monitoring techniques used in the gathered contributions. Currently, UGS monitoring requires further development, especially through multidisciplinary approaches useful for identifying possible effects on the surface and gas leaks at depth; meanwhile, CCS solutions are still at the experimental stage, also because of the high costs for large-scale applications that still need specific research. The state of the art of these two very different practices can improve the further development of new monitoring approaches or additional methods.
Efficiency of Utilization of Wastes for Green Energy Production and Reduction of Pollution in Rural Areas
Authors: Borowski Piotr F. , Barwicki Jan
Published: December 2022

The aim of the study is to present the possibilities of simultaneous production of green energy and reduction of pollution in rural areas. Actions taken by small family businesses are in line with the goals of a low-carbon economy. The paper presents the results of research on the possibility of using ecological energy for production and, at the same time, utilizing harmful waste generated in farms in rural areas. Within a month, a medium-sized biogas plant can produce about 35–40 GJ of energy (depending on the input material). Biogas production may be of significant importance from the point of view of environmental protection, especially in the case of overproduction of animal waste and slaughterhouse materials. The production and use of energy generated from agricultural waste give a great opportunity for diversification and an increase in income of family farms. In addition to financial, energy, and environmental gains, we can obtain a very valuable fertilizer that is easily absorbed by plants in field cultivation. Energy efficiency is an important parameter in biogas production. The possibility of reducing pollution in rural areas and the possibility of using digestate as a fertilizer and an innovative addition to biocomposites.
Eliminating the Influence of Support Conditions on Geometric Shape Measurements of Large Crankshafts of Marine Engines
Authors: Nozdrzykowski Krzysztof , Grządziel Zenon , Nozdrzykowska Magdalena , Grzejda Rafał , Stępień Mateusz
Published: December 2022

This paper presents an analysis of the possibility of determining the geometric deviations of large crankshafts of engines using both conventional and alternative fuels. Experimental tests were carried out on a test stand adapted to measure crankshafts seated with their main journals on a set of fixed supports with the possibility of height positioning and using a reference measuring system. A comparative assessment of the results was made for a selected crankshaft using the intercorrelation factor ρ, whose value ranged from 0.8982 to 0.9751. It was concluded that the proposed procedures can be useful in assessing of the geometric condition of the crankshafts with axial position deviations and with limited possibilities of their detection resulting from the adopted support conditions with a set of supports positioned at different heights. Experimental tests were supplemented with FE-analyses of the crankshaft supported at multiple locations and loaded with deviations in the position of the main journal axes.