bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structure–Activity Relationship Studies of Indolglyoxyl-Polyamine Conjugates as Antimicrobials and Antibiotic Potentiators
Authors: Cadelis Melissa M. , Liu Tim , Sue Kenneth , Rouvier Florent , Bourguet-Kondracki Marie-Lise , Brunel Jean Michel , Copp Brent R.
Published: June 2023

Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health threat, requiring urgent attention. One approach to overcome antibiotic resistance is to discover and develop new antibiotic enhancers, molecules that work with legacy antibiotics to enhance their efficacy against resistant bacteria. Our previous screening of a library of purified marine natural products and their synthetic analogues led to the discovery of an indolglyoxyl-spermine derivative that exhibited intrinsic antimicrobial properties and was also able to potentiate the action of doxycycline towards the difficult to treat, Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A set of analogues have now been prepared, exploring the influence of indole substitution at the 5- and 7- positions and length of the polyamine chain on biological activity. While limiting cytotoxicity and/or hemolytic activities were observed for many analogues, two 7-methyl substituted analogues (23b and 23c) were found to exhibit strong activity towards Gram-positive bacteria with no detectable cytotoxicity or hemolytic properties. Different molecular attributes were required for antibiotic enhancing properties, with one example identified, a 5-methoxy-substitiuted analogue (19a), as being a non-toxic, non-hemolytic enhancer of the action of two tetracycline antibiotics, doxycycline and minocycline, towards P. aeruginosa. These results provide further stimulation for the search for novel antimicrobials and antibiotic enhancers amongst marine natural products and related synthetic analogues.
Biomarkers as Biomedical Bioindicators: Approaches and Techniques for the Detection, Analysis, and Validation of Novel Biomarkers of Diseases
Authors: Ahmad Anas , Imran Mohammad , Ahsan Haseeb
Published: June 2023

A biomarker is any measurable biological moiety that can be assessed and measured as a potential index of either normal or abnormal pathophysiology or pharmacological responses to some treatment regimen. Every tissue in the body has a distinct biomolecular make-up, which is known as its biomarkers, which possess particular features, viz., the levels or activities (the ability of a gene or protein to carry out a particular body function) of a gene, protein, or other biomolecules. A biomarker refers to some feature that can be objectively quantified by various biochemical samples and evaluates the exposure of an organism to normal or pathological procedures or their response to some drug interventions. An in-depth and comprehensive realization of the significance of these biomarkers becomes quite important for the efficient diagnosis of diseases and for providing the appropriate directions in case of multiple drug choices being presently available, which can benefit any patient. Presently, advancements in omics technologies have opened up new possibilities to obtain novel biomarkers of different types, employing genomic strategies, epigenetics, metabolomics, transcriptomics, lipid-based analysis, protein studies, etc. Particular biomarkers for specific diseases, their prognostic capabilities, and responses to therapeutic paradigms have been applied for screening of various normal healthy, as well as diseased, tissue or serum samples, and act as appreciable tools in pharmacology and therapeutics, etc. In this review, we have summarized various biomarker types, their classification, and monitoring and detection methods and strategies. Various analytical techniques and approaches of biomarkers have also been described along with various clinically applicable biomarker sensing techniques which have been developed in the recent past. A section has also been dedicated to the latest trends in the formulation and designing of nanotechnology-based biomarker sensing and detection developments in this field.
Immune Monitoring of Mycophenolate Mofetil Activity in Healthy Volunteers Using Ex Vivo T Cell Function Assays
Authors: in ’t Veld Aliede E. , Jansen Manon A. A. , de Kam Marieke L. , Yavuz Yalҫin , Moes Dirk Jan A. R. , Oudhoff Kathalijne A. , van Poelgeest Mariette I. E. , Burggraaf Jacobus , Moerland Matthijs
Published: June 2023

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is part of the standard immunosuppressive treatment after transplantation and usually given as “one-dose-fits-all” together with a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI). Although drug concentrations are frequently monitored, there is still a group of patients who experience side effects related to excessive or insufficient immune suppression. We therefore aimed to identify biomarkers that reflect the overall immune status of the patient and might support individualized dosing. We previously studied immune biomarkers for CNIs and aimed to investigate whether these are also suitable to monitor MMF activity. Healthy volunteers received a single dose of MMF or placebo, after which IMPDH enzymatic activity, T cell proliferation, and cytokine production were measured and compared to MPA (MMF’s active metabolite) concentration in three different matrices (plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and T cells). MPA concentrations in T cells exceeded those in PBMCs, but all intracellular concentrations correlated strongly with plasma concentrations. At clinically relevant MPA concentrations, IL-2 and IFN-γ production was mildly suppressed, while MPA T cell proliferation was strongly inhibited. Based on these data, it is expected that monitoring of T cell proliferation in MMF-treated transplantation patients may be a valid strategy to avoid excessive immune suppression.
Analysis of the Differentially Expressed Proteins and Metabolic Pathways of Honeybush (Cyclopia subternata) in Response to Water Deficit Stress
Authors: Mahlare Mary-Jane S. , Husselmann Lizex , Lewu Muinat N. , Bester Cecilia , Lewu Francis B. , Caleb Oluwafemi James
Published: June 2023

Honeybush (Cyclopia spp.) is a rich source of antioxidant properties and phenolic compounds. Water availability plays a crucial role in plant metabolic processes, and it contributes to overall quality. Thus, this study aimed to investigate changes in molecular functions, cellular components, and biological processes of Cyclopia subternata exposed to different water stress conditions, which include well-watered (as Control, T1), semi-water stressed (T2), and water-deprived (T3) potted plants. Samples were also collected from a well-watered commercial farm first cultivated in 2013 (T13) and then cultivated in 2017 (T17) and 2019 (T19). Differentially expressed proteins extracted from C. subternata leaves were identified using LC-MS/MS spectrometry. A total of 11 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified using Fisher’s exact test (p < 0.00100). Only α-glucan phosphorylase was found to be statistically common between T17 and T19 (p < 0.00100). Notably, α-glucan phosphorylase was upregulated in the older vegetation (T17) and downregulated in T19 by 1.41-fold. This result suggests that α-glucan phosphorylase was needed in T17 to support the metabolic pathway. In T19, five DEPs were upregulated, while the other six were downregulated. Based on gene ontology, the DEPs in the stressed plant were associated with cellular and metabolic processes, response to stimulus, binding, catalytic activity, and cellular anatomical entity. Differentially expressed proteins were clustered based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and sequences were linked to metabolic pathways via enzyme code and KEGG ortholog. Most proteins were involved in photosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, thiamine, and purine metabolism. This study revealed the presence of trans-cinnamate 4-monooxygenase, an intermediate for the biosynthesis of a large number of substances, such as phenylpropanoids and flavonoids.
During Water Stress, Fertility Modulated by ROS Scavengers Abundant in Arabidopsis Pistils
Authors: Wang Ya-Ying , Head Donald J. , Hauser Bernard A.
Published: June 2023

Hours after watering plants with 75 mM NaCl, the water potential of reproductive structures precipitously decreases. In flowers with mature gametes, this change in water potential did not alter the rate of fertilization but caused 37% of the fertilized ovules to abort. We hypothesize that the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in ovules is an early physiological manifestation associated with seed failure. In this study, we characterize ROS scavengers that were differentially expressed in stressed ovules to determine whether any of these genes regulate ROS accumulation and/or associate with seed failure. Mutants in an iron-dependent superoxide dismutase (FSD2), ascorbate peroxidase (APX4), and three peroxidases (PER17, PER28, and PER29) were evaluated for changes in fertility. Fertility was unchanged in apx4 mutants, but the other mutants grown under normal conditions averaged a 140% increase in seed failure. In pistils, PER17 expression increases three-fold after stress, while the other genes decreased two-fold or more following stress; this change in expression accounts for differences in fertility between healthy and stressed conditions for different genotypes. In pistils, H2O2 levels rose in per mutants, but only in the triple mutant was there a significant increase, indicating that other ROS or their scavengers be involved in seed failure.
Selection and Validation of Optimal RT-qPCR Reference Genes for the Normalization of Gene Expression under Different Experimental Conditions in Lindera megaphylla
Authors: Liu Hongli , Liu Jing , Chen Peng , Zhang Xin , Wang Ke , Lu Jiuxing , Li Yonghua
Published: June 2023

Lindera megaphylla, a broad-leaved evergreen that is used as a landscape ornamental plant and medicinal plant, is an ecologically important and dominant tree species. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of its growth, development, and metabolism. The selection of suitable reference genes is critical for molecular biological analyses. To date, no research on reference genes as a foundation for gene expression analysis has been undertaken in L. megaphylla. In this study, 14 candidate genes were selected from the transcriptome database of L. megaphylla for RT-qPCR assay under different conditions. Results showed that helicase-15 and UBC28 were most stable in different tissues of seedlings and adult trees. For different leaf developmental stages, the best combination of reference genes was ACT7 and UBC36. UBC36 and TCTP were the best under cold treatment, while PAB2 and CYP20-2 were the best under heat treatment. Finally, a RT-qPCR assay of LmNAC83 and LmERF60 genes were used to further verify the reliability of selected reference genes above. This work is the first to select and evaluate the stability of reference genes for the normalization of gene expression analysis in L. megaphylla and will provide an important foundation for future genetic studies of this species.
Insights into the Functional Components in Wheat Grain: Spatial Pattern, Underlying Mechanism and Cultivation Regulation
Authors: Zhong Yingxin , Chen Yuhua , Pan Mingsheng , Wang Hengtong , Sun Jiayu , Chen Yang , Cai Jian , Zhou Qin , Wang Xiao , Jiang Dong
Published: June 2023

Wheat is a staple crop; its production must achieve both high yield and good quality due to worldwide demands for food security and better quality of life. It has been found that the grain qualities vary greatly within the different layers of wheat kernels. In this paper, the spatial distributions of protein and its components, starch, dietary fiber, and microelements are summarized in detail. The underlying mechanisms regarding the formation of protein and starch, as well as spatial distribution, are discussed from the views of substrate supply and the protein and starch synthesis capacity. The regulating effects of cultivation practices on gradients in composition are identified. Finally, breakthrough solutions for exploring the underlying mechanisms of the spatial gradients of functional components are presented. This paper will provide research perspectives for producing wheat that is both high in yield and of good quality.
Polyploid Induction and Identification of Rosa roxburghii f. eseiosa
Authors: Wu Huijing , Jiang Lanlan , Li Jin’e , Lu Min , An Huaming
Published: June 2023

Rosa roxburghii f. eseiosa Ku is a variety of Rosa roxburghii, with two known genotypes: Wuci 1 and Wuci 2. The lack of prickle on the peel of R. roxburghii f. eseiosa makes it easy to pick and process, but its fruit size is small. Therefore, we aim to induce polyploidy in order to obtain a larger fruit variety of R. roxburghii f. eseiosa. In this study, current-year stems of Wuci 1 and Wuci 2 were used as materials for polyploid induction, which was carried out through colchicine treatment coupled with tissue culture and rapid propagation technology. Impregnation and smearing methods were effectively used to produce polyploids. Using flow cytometry and a chromosome counting method, it was found that one autotetraploid of Wuci 1 (2n = 4x = 28) was obtained by the impregnation method before primary culture, with a variation rate of 1.11%. Meanwhile, seven Wuci 2 bud mutation tetraploids (2n = 4x = 28) were produced by smearing methods during the training seedling stage. When tissue-culture seedlings were treated with 20 mg/L colchicine for 15 days, the highest polyploidy rate was up to 60%. Morphological differences between different ploidys were observed. The side leaflet shape index, guard cell length, and stomatal length of the Wuci 1 tetraploid were significantly different from those of the Wuci 1 diploid. The terminal leaflet width, terminal leaflet shape index, side leaflet length, side leaflet width, guard cell length, guard cell width, stomatal length, and stomatal width of the Wuci 2 tetraploid were significantly different from those of the Wuci 2 diploid. Additionally, the leaf color of the Wuci 1 and Wuci 2 tetraploids changed from light to dark, with an initial decrease in chlorophyll content followed by an increase. In summary, this study established an effective method for inducing polyploids in R. roxburghii f. eseiosa, which could provide a foundation for the breeding and development of new genetic resources for R. roxburghii f. eseiosa and other R. roxburghii varieties in the future.
Assembly of Supramolecular Nanoplatelets with Tailorable Geometrical Shapes and Dimensions
Authors: Wang Moyan , Chen Gangfeng , Hou Xiaojian , Luo Yunjun , Jin Bixin , Li Xiaoyu
Published: June 2023

The craving for controllable assembly of geometrical nanostructures from artificial building motifs, which is routinely achieved in naturally occurring systems, has been a perpetual and outstanding challenge in the field of chemistry and materials science. In particular, the assembly of nanostructures with different geometries and controllable dimensions is crucial for their functionalities and is usually achieved with distinct assembling subunits via convoluted assembly strategies. Herein, we report that with the same building subunits of α-cyclodextrin (α-CD)/block copolymer inclusion complex (IC), geometrical nanoplatelets with hexagonal, square, and circular shapes could be produced by simply controlling the solvent conditions via one-step assembly procedure, driven by the crystallization of IC. Interestingly, these nanoplatelets with different shapes shared the same crystalline lattice and could therefore be interconverted to each other by merely tuning the solvent compositions. Moreover, the dimensions of these platelets could be decently controlled by tuning the overall concentrations.
Translocation of Hydrophobic Polyelectrolytes under Electrical Field: Molecular Dynamics Study
Authors: Kim Seowon , Lee Nam-Kyung , Chae Min-Kyung , Johner Albert , Park Jeong-Man
Published: June 2023

We studied the translocation of polyelectrolyte (PE) chains driven by an electric field through a pore by means of molecular dynamics simulations of a coarse-grained HP model mimicking high salt conditions. Charged monomers were considered as polar (P) and neutral monomers as hydrophobic (H). We considered PE sequences that had equally spaced charges along the hydrophobic backbone. Hydrophobic PEs were in the globular form in which H-type and P-type monomers were partially segregated and they unfolded in order to translocate through the narrow channel under the electric field. We provided a quantitative comprehensive study of the interplay between translocation through a realistic pore and globule unraveling. By means of molecular dynamics simulations, incorporating realistic force fields inside the channel, we investigated the translocation dynamics of PEs at various solvent conditions. Starting from the captured conformations, we obtained distributions of waiting times and drift times at various solvent conditions. The shortest translocation time was observed for the slightly poor solvent. The minimum was rather shallow, and the translocation time was almost constant for medium hydrophobicity. The dynamics were controlled not only by the friction of the channel, but also by the internal friction related to the uncoiling of the heterogeneous globule. The latter can be rationalized by slow monomer relaxation in the dense phase. The results were compared with those from a simplified Fokker–Planck equation for the position of the head monomer.
NMR-Based Analysis of Fluid Occurrence Space and Imbibition Oil Recovery in Gulong Shale
Authors: Xu Fei , Jiang Hanqiao , Liu Ming , Jiang Shuai , Wang Yong , Li Junjian
Published: June 2023

The Gulong shale oil reservoir is situated in freshwater to slightly saline lacustrine basins mainly consisting of a pure shale geological structure, which is quite different from other shale reservoirs around the world. Currently, the development of Gulong shale oil mainly relies on hydraulic fracturing, while the subsequent shut-in period for imbibition has been proven to be an effective method for enhancing shale oil recovery. To clarify the characteristics of the fluid occurrence space and the variation in the fluid occurrence during saltwater imbibition in Gulong shale, this paper carried out porosity and permeability tests on Gulong shale cores and analyzed the fluid occurrence space characteristics and imbibition oil recovery based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). In the porosity and permeability tests, T2 distributions were used to correct the porosity measured by the saturation method to obtain the NMR porosity. Combined with the identification of fractures in shale cores using micro-CT and the analysis of porosity and permeability parameters, it was found that the permeability of the shale cores was related to the development of fractures in the shale cores. Through the testing and analysis of T1-T2 maps of the shale cores before and after saturation with oil, it was found that the shale mainly contained heavy oil, light oil, and clay-bound water, and they were distributed in different regions in the T1-T2 maps. Finally, the T1-T2 maps of the shale cores at different imbibition stages were analyzed, and it was found that saltwater mainly entered the minuscule inorganic pores of clay minerals during the imbibition process and squeezed the larger-sized inorganic pores containing light oil through the hydration expansion effect, thus expelling the light oil from the shale core and achieving the purpose of enhanced oil recovery.
Decision Models for Selection of Industrial Robots—A Comprehensive Comparison of Multi-Criteria Decision Making
Authors: Shanmugasundar G. , Kalita Kanak , Čep Robert , Chohan Jasgurpreet Singh
Published: June 2023

Due to increased demands of production capacity and higher quality requirements, industries are automating at a fast pace. Industrial robots are an important component of the industrial automation ecosystem. However, the selection of appropriate robots is a challenging task due to the sheer number of alternatives present and their varied specifications. The various characteristics or attributes of industrial robots that need due consideration before selection of an optimal robot for a given application are found to be conflicting in nature. Thus, in this paper, several multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods are deployed to select an optimal robot depending on the application. Three different industrial robot selection problems are solved in this paper by using Simple Additive Weighing (SAW), the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), the Linear Programming Technique (LINMAP), VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR), Elimination and Choice Translating Priority III (ELECTRE-III), and the Net Flow Method (NFM).
Fabrication of Micro-Dimple Arrays by EMM and RUREMM on Cylindrical Surface
Authors: Tong Wenjun , Lv Tao , Wu Jianlei , Zhang Wei , Xu Xuefeng , Wang Minghuan
Published: June 2023

To achieve high precision, stability, and good surface quality when producing micro-dimple arrays on cylindrical surfaces, we propose a new processing method known as radial ultrasonic rolling electrochemical micromachining (RUREMM) in this study. This method is based on the electrochemical micromachining (EMM) and ultrasonic machining principle. The relevant simulation model was created, and ANSYS researched the flow field characteristics of the electrolyte between the array electrodes and the workpiece. Micro-dimple arrays were created on a SS304 cylindrical surface with the consideration of the effects of the machining parameters, including ultrasonic amplitude and applied pulse voltage. Compared with the EMM, the average width of the micro-dimples is reduced by 24.5%, the aspect ratio of the dimple is increased by 108.0%, and the surface roughness of micro-dimples is decreased by 59.7%. In addition, the localization and the surface quality of micro-dimples by RUREMM can be improved when using appropriate machining parameters.
Actuator FDI Scheme for a Wind Turbine Benchmark Using Sliding Mode Observers
Authors: Borja-Jaimes Vicente , Adam-Medina Manuel , García-Morales Jarniel , Guerrero-Ramírez Gerardo Vicente , López-Zapata Betty Yolanda , Sánchez-Coronado Eduardo Mael
Published: June 2023

This paper proposes a fault detection and isolation (FDI) scheme for a wind turbines subject to actuator faults in both the pitch system and the drive train system. The proposed scheme addresses fault detection and isolation problems using a fault estimation approach. The proposed approach considers the use of a particular class of sliding mode observers (SMOs) designed to maintain the sliding motion even in the presence of actuator faults. The fault detection problem is solved by reconstructing the actuator faults through an appropriate analysis of the nonlinear output error injection signal, which is required to keep the SMO in a sliding motion. To ensure accurate fault reconstruction, only two conditions are required, namely that the faults are bounded and they meet the matching condition. A scheme based on a bank of SMOs is proposed to solve the fault detection and isolation problem in the pitch system. For the drive train system, a scheme using only one SMO is proposed. The performance of the proposed FDI scheme is validated by using a wind turbine benchmark model subjected to several actuator faults. Normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) analysis is performed to evaluate the accuracy of the actuator fault estimations.
Influence of Implant–Abutment Connection Biomechanics on Biological Response: A Literature Review on Interfaces between Implants and Abutments of Titanium and Zirconia
Authors: Choi Sunyoung , Kang Young Suk , Yeo In-Sung Luke
Published: June 2023

The interface between a dental implant and an abutment is stabilized by two mechanical characteristics: a preload of an abutment screw and the friction between the contact surfaces of the implant and the abutment. These mechanical properties are quantitatively analyzed by using physical and mechanical formulas. The important thing is that such mechanical properties cause various biological phenomena when medical devices are inserted into human bodies. Some mechanical complications in dental implant prostheses are closely associated with biological complications. This literature review explores the mechanical complications of the implant–abutment connection and their biological effects in a titanium dental implant system, which is the system most widely used in dental clinics. Understanding the biomechanics of the implant–abutment connection helps to predict the merits and limits of zirconia dental implants, which have been recently introduced and clinically applied.
The Globalization of Catholicism as Expressed in the Sacramental Narratives of Jiangnan Catholics from the Late Ming to Early Republican Period
Authors: Zhang Liang
Published: June 2023

From the Late Ming to the Republican period, Chinese Catholics living in Jiangnan (present-day Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Anhui) progressively appropriated the sacramental doctrine and practices of the Church. This study examines the implementation and evolution of the sacraments of baptism, marriage, and extreme unction, and it focuses on each of them at a different moment in the process of acculturation. The latter can be analyzed in terms of both localization and globalization: on the one hand, the religiosity displayed by the grassroots communities integrated elements proper to Chinese tradition and sensitivity. On the other hand, local believers developed a consciousness of their participation in the global Church through active sacramental practice. Sacramental acculturation and identity building were mediated by a “ritual rhetoric” that provided communities with topoi through which to endow their existence with accrued meaning and blessings.
Ocular Complications of Myopia: Bibliometric Analysis and Citation Networks
Authors: Sánchez-Tena Miguel , Martinez-Perez Clara , Villa-Collar Cesar , Alvarez-Peregrina Cristina
Published: June 2023

Background: The objective of this study is to determine the relationship between publications and authors. In turn, the different areas of research on the ocular complications of myopia are also identified, and the most cited publication by citation networks is determined. Methods: The search for publications is carried out in the Web of Science database using the term “myopia OR nearsightedness AND retin* OR degenerat* OR detachment OR patholog* OR glaucoma OR cataract OR machulopathy OR “choroidal neovascularization” for the period between 1978 and December 2022. Publication analysis was performed using the Citation Network Explorer, VOSviewer and CiteSpace software. Results: A total of 9357 publications and 78,400 citation networks were found across the network, with 2021 being the year with the highest number of publications, 712. The most cited publication was “Myopia”, published in The Lancet journal in 2012 by Morgan et al. with a citation index of 1006. By using the clustering function, seven groups covering the different research areas in this field were found: axial growth of the eye; myopic maculopathy; ocular complications in patients with myopia after a surgery; glaucoma; retinal detachment; cataracts and retinopathy of prematurity. Conclusions: The citation network offers a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the main papers on ocular complications of myopia. The research on this field is multidisciplinary; however, the main topic studied is the axial growth of the eye.
Mapping Insect-Proof Screened Citrus Orchards Using Sentinel-2 MSl Time-Series Images
Authors: Yu Guobin , Zhang Li , Luo Lingxia , Liu Guihua , Chen Zongyi , Xiong Shanshan
Published: June 2023

Citrus is a crucial agricultural commodity of the hilly subtropical regions of southern China. Attempts in recent years to combat the destructive disease Huanglongbing (HLB) have led to citrus orchards being covered with insect-proof screens (IPS). Understanding which citrus orchards are covered by IPS is crucial for regional water and soil conservation, as well as control of plastic pollution. However, monitoring of orchards is complicated by IPS spectral interference in remotely sensed image classification. Here, an optimal feature combination scheme is developed and tested for mapping citrus orchards that use IPS. Seasonal Sentinel-2 images from 2021 were used to define indices for vegetation, plastic mulch, red edge, and texture. These were combined with topographic and land surface temperature using random forest classification to determine optimal feature discrimination combinations for orchards in Xunwu County, Jiangxi Province. Results show: (1) significantly higher visible light reflectance from IPS orchards ensures spectral discrimination between IPS covered and uncovered orchards. (2) After feature optimization, the seasonal spectral band has the highest accuracy (86%) in single feature classification. The addition of conventional indices and topographic-temperature features improves classification to 92%. (3) Xunwu County had 460 km2 of citrus orchard cover in 2021, with 88 km2 (19%) of that total being covered with IPS. Our method effectively and accurately maps citrus orchards with or without IPS coverage at 10 m resolution. The effective monitoring of large-scale IPS in other regions can now support the development of local and regional sustainable agricultural policies.
UAV, GNSS, and InSAR Data Analyses for Landslide Monitoring in a Mountainous Village in Western Greece
Authors: Nikolakopoulos Konstantinos G. , Kyriou Aggeliki , Koukouvelas Ioannis K. , Tomaras Nikolaos , Lyros Epameinondas
Published: June 2023

Areas in Western Greece are particularly prone to landslides. Usually triggered by earthquakes or intense rainfalls, they cause damage to infrastructure (roads, bridges, etc.) and human properties. Hence, there is an urgent need for the implementation of monitoring and landslide prevention methodologies. In the last years, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), and Interferometric SAR (InSAR) techniques have been applied for landslide mapping and monitoring. The current study focuses on the systematic and long-term analysis of a landslide that occurred in Ano Kerassovo village, within the region of Western Greece. To precisely measure the current evolution of the landslide, we performed repetitive UAV campaigns in conjunction with corresponding GNSS surveys, covering a time period between February 2021 and April 2023. The identification of surface modification was based on a change detection approach between the generated point clouds. The results are validated through GNSS measurements and field observations. Added to this, we collected archived Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) measurements derived from the European Ground Motion Service (EGMS) to extend the observation period and gain a more complete understanding of the phenomenon. It is proven that archived PSI measurements can be used as an indicator of possible landslide initialization points and for small-scale large coverage investigations, while UAVs and GNSS data can precisely identify the microscale deformations (centimeter scale).
Nonlinear Model Predictive Impedance Control of a Fully Actuated Hexarotor for Physical Interaction
Authors: Jiao Ran , Li Jianfeng , Rong Yongfeng , Hou Taogang
Published: June 2023

In this paper, the problem of a fully actuated hexarotor performing a physical interaction with the environment through a rigidly attached tool is considered. A nonlinear model predictive impedance control (NMPIC) method is proposed to achieve the goal in which the controller is able to simultaneously handle the constraints and maintain the compliant behavior. The design of NMPIC is the combination of a nonlinear model predictive control and impedance control based on the dynamics of the system. A disturbance observer is exploited to estimate the external wrench and then provide compensation for the model which was employed in the controller. Moreover, a weight adaptive strategy is proposed to perform the online tuning of the weighting matrix of the cost function within the optimal problem of NMPIC to improve the performance and stability. The effectiveness and advantages of the proposed method are validated by several simulations in different scenarios compared with the general impedance controller. The results also indicate that the proposed method opens a novel way for interaction force regulation.
Multivariable Signal Processing for Characterization of Failure Modes in Thin-Ply Hybrid Laminates Using Acoustic Emission Sensors
Authors: Fotouhi Sakineh , Assaad Maher , Nasor Mohamed , Imran Ahmed , Ashames Akram , Fotouhi Mohammad
Published: June 2023

The aim of this study was to find the correlation between failure modes and acoustic emission (AE) events in a comprehensive range of thin-ply pseudo-ductile hybrid composite laminates when loaded under uniaxial tension. The investigated hybrid laminates were Unidirectional (UD), Quasi-Isotropic (QI) and open-hole QI configurations composed of S-glass and several thin carbon prepregs. The laminates exhibited stress-strain responses that follow the elastic-yielding-hardening pattern commonly observed in ductile metals. The laminates experienced different sizes of gradual failure modes of carbon ply fragmentation and dispersed delamination. To analyze the correlation between these failure modes and AE signals, a multivariable clustering method was employed using Gaussian mixture model. The clustering results and visual observations were used to determine two AE clusters, corresponding to fragmentation and delamination modes, with high amplitude, energy, and duration signals linked to fragmentation. In contrast to the common belief, there was no correlation between the high frequency signals and the carbon fibre fragmentation. The multivariable AE analysis was able to identify fibre fracture and delamination and their sequence. However, the quantitative assessment of these failure modes was influenced by the nature of failure that depends on various factors, such as stacking sequence, material properties, energy release rate, and geometry.
WARNING: A Wearable Inertial-Based Sensor Integrated with a Support Vector Machine Algorithm for the Identification of Faults during Race Walking
Authors: Taborri Juri , Palermo Eduardo , Rossi Stefano
Published: June 2023

Due to subjectivity in refereeing, the results of race walking are often questioned. To overcome this limitation, artificial-intelligence-based technologies have demonstrated their potential. The paper aims at presenting WARNING, an inertial-based wearable sensor integrated with a support vector machine algorithm to automatically identify race-walking faults. Two WARNING sensors were used to gather the 3D linear acceleration related to the shanks of ten expert race-walkers. Participants were asked to perform a race circuit following three race-walking conditions: legal, illegal with loss-of-contact and illegal with knee-bent. Thirteen machine learning algorithms, belonging to the decision tree, support vector machine and k-nearest neighbor categories, were evaluated. An inter-athlete training procedure was applied. Algorithm performance was evaluated in terms of overall accuracy, F1 score and G-index, as well as by computing the prediction speed. The quadratic support vector was confirmed to be the best-performing classifier, achieving an accuracy above 90% with a prediction speed of 29,000 observations/s when considering data from both shanks. A significant reduction of the performance was assessed when considering only one lower limb side. The outcomes allow us to affirm the potential of WARNING to be used as a referee assistant in race-walking competitions and during training sessions.
A Knowledge-Driven Model to Assess Inherent Safety in Process Infrastructure
Authors: Gholamizadeh Kamran , Zarei Esmaeil , Kabir Sohag , Mamudu Abbas , Aala Yasaman , Mohammadfam Iraj
Published: June 2023

Process safety has drawn increasing attention in recent years and has been investigated from different perspectives, such as quantitative risk analysis, consequence modeling, and regulations. However, rare attempts have been made to focus on inherent safety design assessment, despite being the most cost-effective safety tactic and its vital role in sustainable development and safe operation of process infrastructure. Accordingly, the present research proposed a knowledge-driven model to assess inherent safety in process infrastructure under uncertainty. We first developed a holistic taxonomy of contributing factors into inherent safety design considering chemical, reaction, process, equipment, human factors, and organizational concerns associated with process plants. Then, we used subject matter experts, content validity ratio (CVR), and content validity index (CVI) to validate the taxonomy and data collection tools. We then employed a fuzzy inference system and the Extent Analysis (EA) method for knowledge acquisition under uncertainty. We tested the proposed model on a steam methane-reforming plant that produces hydrogen as renewable energy. The findings revealed the most contributing factors and indicators to improve the inherent safety design in the studied plant and effectively support the decision-making process to assign proper safety countermeasures.
A Survey on EEG Data Analysis Software
Authors: Das Rupak Kumar , Martin Anna , Zurales Tom , Dowling Dale , Khan Arshia
Published: June 2023

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a mechanism to understand the brain’s functioning by analyzing brain electrical signals. More recently, it has been more commonly used in studies that are focused on the causation and effect of dementia. More tools are now available to gather EEG data. This brings about the challenge of understanding brain signals, which involves signal processing. Professionals with an electrical engineering background are very comfortable analyzing EEG data. Still, scientists in computer science and related fields need a source that can identify all the tools available and the process of analyzing the data. This paper deals specifically with the existing EEG data analysis tools and the processes involved in analyzing the EEG data using these tools. Furthermore, the paper goes in-depth into identifying the tools and the mechanisms of data processing techniques. In addition, it lists a set of definitions required for a better understanding of EEG data analysis, which can be challenging. The purpose of this paper is to serve as a reference for not only scientists that are new to EEG data analysis but also seasoned scientists that are looking for a specific data component in EEG and can go straight to the section of the paper that deals with the tool that they are using.
Identification and Assessment of Therapeutic Phytoconstituents of Catharanthus roseus through GC-MS Analysis
Authors: Rani Jyoti , Kapoor Manish , Dhull Sanju Bala , Goksen Gulden , Jurić Slaven
Published: June 2023

The leaves of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don contain a large number of diverse secondary metabolites, making them comparably complex. The Catharanthus genus has received increased interest from scientists in recent years due to its extensive applications in several domains, including the pharmaceutical sector, where precise characterization of its characteristics is required. An effective inquiry technique is needed for chemo-profiling to identify the metabolites in plant samples. The main goal of this research is to provide supplementary data on the chemical composition of the leaves of twenty-five different accessions of C. roseus through the application of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The study’s findings reveal the existence of a vast number of phytochemicals, allowing for a comparison of the different accessions. Furthermore, a meticulous statistical analysis of this data using principal components analysis (PCA) and a heatmap, and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) may aid in providing more relevant information on C. roseus leaves for possible investigation of their metabolites in further scientific studies.
Extractive Distillation Approach to the Separation of Styrene from Pyrolysis Gasoline Feedstock Coupled with Deep Desulfurization
Authors: Guo Guanchu , Liu Chuanlei , Chen Yuxiang , Zhao Qiyue , Gao Weikang , Wang Hao , Yang Fengjing , Shen Benxian , Wu Di , Sun Hui
Published: June 2023

The separation of mixtures with close boiling points is a critical task in the petrochemical industry, and one such mixture that requires separation is o-xylene/styrene. The STED process is used to separate o-xylene/styrene, which contains a certain amount of organic sulfur in the product due to the limitations of the process. In this study, the process underwent enhancements to attain the effective separation of styrene and accomplish deep desulfurization. A mixture of sulfolane (SUL) and N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) was selected as the extraction solvent after calculating the UNIFAC group contributions. An orthogonal experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of the solvent/oil ratio, reflux ratio, water addition rate, and solvent ratio on the product. The correspondence between each factor and the indexes examined was determined, enabling the optimization and prediction of the styrene product quality. The final optimized conditions for the extractive distillation column are as follows: solvent/oil ratio of 7, reflux ratio of 4.5, water addition rate of 6000 kg/h, and a solvent ratio of 9:1. Under optimal conditions, the purity of the product was observed to be greater than that of the original process and the sulfur content of the product can be reduced to lower than 10 ppm at the cost of an increase of 12.31% in energy consumption.
Breast Density Transformations Using CycleGANs for Revealing Undetected Findings in Mammograms
Authors: Anyfantis Dionysios , Koutras Athanasios , Apostolopoulos George , Christoyianni Ioanna
Published: June 2023

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and a significant health issue worldwide. According to the World Health Organization’s cancer awareness recommendations, mammographic screening should be regularly performed on middle-aged or older women to increase the chances of early cancer detection. Breast density is widely known to be related to the risk of cancer development. The American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System categorizes mammography into four levels based on breast density, ranging from ACR-A (least dense) to ACR-D (most dense). Computer-aided diagnostic (CAD) systems can now detect suspicious regions in mammograms and identify abnormalities more quickly and accurately than human readers. However, their performance is still influenced by the tissue density level, which must be considered when designing such systems. In this paper, we propose a novel method that uses CycleGANs to transform suspicious regions of mammograms from ACR-B, -C, and -D levels to ACR-A level. This transformation aims to reduce the masking effect caused by thick tissue and separate cancerous regions from surrounding tissue. Our proposed system enhances the performance of conventional CNN-based classifiers significantly by focusing on regions of interest that would otherwise be misidentified due to fatty masking. Extensive testing on different types of mammograms (digital and scanned X-ray film) demonstrates the effectiveness of our system in identifying normal, benign, and malignant regions of interest.
Bleach-Induced Chemical Sinusitis and Orbital Cellulitis Following Root Canal Treatment
Authors: Low Terese Huiying , Seah Jun Jie , Subramaniam Somasundaram , Thirunavukarasu Vijayaraj , Ng Chew Lip
Published: June 2023

The authors describe an unusual case of chemical sinusitis and orbital cellulitis secondary to a sodium hypochlorite accident in a patient who had just undergone root canal treatment. The patient presented with acute, progressive symptoms of unilateral maxillary sinusitis, facial cellulitis and orbital cellulitis which began hours after root canal treatment on the ipsilateral side. He was admitted to hospital under the care of the Otorhinolaryngology team and reviewed regularly by the Ophthalmologists. He underwent Endoscopic Sinus Surgery during his hospital stay. The intraoperative findings revealed necrotic sinus mucosa and slough within the involved maxillary sinus, which were suggestive of chemical burn injury induced by the highly alkaline sodium hypochlorite solution used during root canal treatment. He was treated postoperatively with regular nasal toilet, culture-directed antibiotics and topical ocular pressure-lowering eyedrops. He displayed a slow recovery with eventually no orbital sequelae, but experienced persistent cheek numbness three months post-injury. Severe chemical sinusitis with orbital cellulitis secondary to sodium hypochlorite accident is a rare complication of root canal treatment, with potentially severe consequences. It can present with symptoms similar to complicated acute bacterial sinusitis. Otorhinolaryngologists and dental surgeons should maintain a high index of suspicion when managing a patient post-root canal treatment with symptoms of unilateral sinusitis, facial cellulitis, orbital cellulitis and even airway compromise. This would allow prompt intervention before sight or life-threatening complications set in.
The Spatial Dimension of Social Stratification in Germany—Are Social Class Differentials in Place of Residence Increasing?
Authors: Konietzka Dirk , Martynovych Yevgeniy
Published: June 2023

It is widely assumed that post-industrial societies are characterized not only by growing economic inequalities and social polarization but also by increasing spatial segregation. This paper does not address residential segregation (i.e., “intra-city” inequalities), but instead investigates how social classes are distributed over different settlement types and whether class differences in places of residence have increased between 1996 and 2018. Based on microcensus data and applying the ESeC class schema, we focus on the question of whether members of the “new middle class” are increasingly concentrated in post-industrial metropolises while members of the “old middle class” largely reside in peripheral towns and regions. The results do not support the assumption that spatial disparities between classes have systematically increased in Germany. However, opposing trends in the likelihood of residing in the most dynamic cluster of the German metropolises are observed for the youngest age group of the new middle class and the oldest age group of the old middle class.