bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Local Recurrence and Development of Spinal Cord Syndrome during Follow-Up after Surgical Treatment of Metastatic Spine Disease
Authors: Knöll Peter , Lenschow Moritz , Lenz Maximilian , Neuschmelting Volker , von Spreckelsen Niklas , Telentschak Sergej , Olbrück Sebastian , Weber Maximilian , Rosenbrock Johannes , Eysel Peer , Walter Sebastian G.
Published: September 2023

Background: Surgical decompression (SD), with or without posterior stabilization followed by radiotherapy, is an established treatment for patients with metastatic spinal disease with epidural spinal cord compression (ESCC). This study aims to identify risk factors for occurrence of neurological compromise resulting from local recurrence. Methods: All patients who received surgical treatment for metastatic spinal disease at our center between 2011 and 2022 were included in this study. Cases were evaluated for tumor entity, surgical technique for decompression (decompression, hemilaminectomy, laminectomy, corpectomy) neurological deficits, grade of ESCC, time interval to radiotherapy, and perioperative complications. Results: A total of 747 patients were included in the final analysis, with a follow-up of 296.8 days (95% CI (263.5, 330.1)). During the follow-up period, 7.5% of the patients developed spinal cord/cauda syndrome (SCS). Multivariate analysis revealed prolonged time (>35 d) to radiation therapy as a solitary risk factor (p < 0.001) for occurrence of SCS during follow-up. Conclusion: Surgical treatment of spinal metastatic disease improves patients’ quality of life and Frankel grade, but radiation therapy needs to be scheduled within a time frame of a few weeks in order to reduce the risk of tumor-induced neurological compromise.
Stages I–III Inoperable Endometrial Carcinoma: A Retrospective Analysis by the Gynaecological Cancer GEC-ESTRO Working Group of Patients Treated with External Beam Irradiation and 3D-Image Guided Brachytherapy
Authors: Rovirosa Ángeles , Zhang Yaowen , Tanderup Kari , Ascaso Carlos , Chargari Cyrus , Van der Steen-Banasik Elzbieta , Wojcieszek Piotr , Stankiewicz Magdalena , Najjari-Jamal Dina , Hoskin Peter , Han Kathy , Segedin Barbara , Potter Richard , Van Limbergen Erik
Published: September 2023

Background/Purpose: Analyse the outcomes of stages I–III inoperable endometrial cancer (IEC) patients treated with external-beam-irradiation (EBRT) and 3D-image-guided-brachytherapy (IGBT). Material and Methods: Medical records of IEC patients receiving EBRT + IGBT in eight European and one Canadian centres (2004–2019) were examined, including: pelvic ± para-aortic EBRT and lymph node boost; anaesthetic procedure, applicators, BT-planning imaging, clinical target volume (CTV), brachytherapy schedule, and EQD2 to the CTV(α/β=4.5Gy) and D2 cm3(α/β=3Gy) for organs at risk. Complications are evaluated using CTCAEv4 scores. The 2- and 5-year survival probability according to stages was estimated (cancer-specific survival (CSS), disease-free survival (DFS), local relapse-free survival (LRFS), loco-regional relapse-free survival (LRRFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS)). Statistics: descriptive analysis and the Kaplan–Meier method. Results: 103 patients (stages: I-44, II-14, III-44) were included. Median follow-up: 28 months (7–170). All patients received pelvic ± para-aortic EBRT. Median D90-EQD2(α/β=4.5) to the CTV:73.3 Gy (44.6–132.7), 69.9 Gy (44.7–87.9 and 75.2 Gy (55.1–97) in stages I, II, and III, respectively. Thirty patients presented relapse (stages: 10-I, 3-II, 17-III): 24 uterine (stages: 7-I, 3-II, 14-III), 15 nodal (stages: 4-I, 1-II, 10-III), and 23 distant (stages: 6-I, 2-II, 15-III). Five year CSS was 71.2% (stages: 82%-I-II and 56%-III) and DFS, LRFS, LRRFS, and DMFS were 55.5%, 59%, 72%, and 67.2%, respectively. Late G3-G4 complications (crude): 1.3% small bowel, 2.5% rectum, and 5% bladder. Conclusion: In stages I–III of the IEC, EBRT + IGBT offer good 2- and 5-year CSS of 88.7% and 71.2%, respectively, with the best outcomes in stages I–II. Prospective studies are needed to determine how better outcomes can be achieved.
Exploration of SUMO2/3 Expression Levels and Autophagy Process in Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome: Addressing Study Limitations and Insights for Future Research
Authors: Alvarez-Mora Maria Isabel , Garrabou Glòria , Molina-Porcel Laura , Grillo-Risco Ruben , Garcia-Garcia Francisco , Barcos Tamara , Cantó-Santos Judith , Rodriguez-Revenga Laia
Published: September 2023

Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a late-onset neurodegenerative disorder that appears in adult FMR1 premutation carriers. The neuropathological hallmark of FXTAS is an intranuclear inclusion in neurons and astrocytes. Nearly 200 different proteins have been identified in FXTAS inclusions, being the small ubiquitin-related modifier 2 (SUMO2), ubiquitin and p62 the most highly abundant. These proteins are components of the protein degradation machinery. This study aimed to characterize SUMO2/3 expression levels and autophagy process in human postmortem brain samples and skin fibroblast cultures from FXTAS patients. Results revealed that FXTAS postmortem brain samples are positive for SUMO2/3 conjugates and supported the idea that SUMO2/3 accumulation is involved in inclusion formation. Insights from RNA-sequencing data indicated that SUMOylation processes are significantly upregulated in FXTAS samples. In addition, the analysis of the autophagy flux showed the accumulation of p62 protein levels and autophagosomes in skin fibroblasts from FXTAS patients. Similarly, gene set analysis evidenced a significant downregulation in gene ontology terms related to autophagy in FXTAS samples. Overall, this study provides new evidence supporting the role of SUMOylation and autophagic processes in the pathogenic mechanisms underlying FXTAS.
Child Psychomotricity: Development, Assessment, and Intervention
Authors: Matias Ana Rita , Almeida Gabriela , Veiga Guida , Marmeleira José
Published: September 2023

Psychomotricity addresses the interactions between psychic functions, motor (and biological) functions, and motor behavior (gestures, posture, attitude, physical activity, and motor skills) [...]
Stress Corrosion Cracking of Copper–Nickel Alloys: A Review
Authors: Li Dandan , Li Kaiyang , Gao Jiajie , Liu Yunfeng , Qin Chao , Li Jianfeng , Li Yongshuai , Cao Wei , Zhai Yunlong , Huang Guojie
Published: September 2023

Under the combination of certain corrosive ions and stress, Cu-Ni alloys may experience severe stress corrosion cracking (SCC), which causes premature failure and hinders their further applications as crucial construction materials in various engineering fields. To reveal the origin of such failure, minimize the related negative impacts, and achieve economic and social benefits, this review summarizes all SCC-related issues by making a brief introduction to Cu-Ni alloys, reporting the SCC behavior in various environments, identifying the effects of different factors during SCC, and revealing the SCC degradation mechanisms. S2− and NH4+ are the prominent SCC initiators since the former can combine with Cu+ to form Cu2S as a non-protective corrosion product, while the latter has a great tendency to react with Cu2O/Cu and accelerate the general or local dissolution. Their combination has the most detrimental effect. The SCC mechanisms of Cu-Ni alloys are summarized as film rupture theory and dealloying theory. The related SCC mitigation strategies, including using inhibitors, tailoring alloying elements, and removing/reducing the stress are also discussed. In addition, future directions are made at the end of this paper.
Multimorbidity, Treatment, and Determinants among Chronic Patients Attending Primary Health Facilities in Tshwane, South Africa
Authors: Mkhwanazi Thandiwe Wendy , Modjadji Perpetua , Mokgalaboni Kabelo , Madiba Sphiwe , Roomaney Rifqah Abeeda
Published: September 2023

The growing burden of non-communicable diseases amidst the largest burden of HIV in South Africa leads to disease combinations of multimorbidity with the complexity of care. We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess multimorbidity, medication adherence, and associated factors among out-patients with chronic diseases in primary health care (PHC) facilities in Tshwane, South Africa. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on comorbidities and medication adherence, along with socio-demographic and lifestyle factors. Logistic regression models were used to analyse the determinants of multimorbidity and medication adherence. In all 400 patients with chronic diseases (mean age: 47 ± 12 years) living in poor environments, common chronic conditions were hypertension (62%), diabetes (45%), HIV (44%), TB (33%), hypercholesterolemia (18%), and gout (13%). The proportion of concordant comorbidity (i.e., diseases with similar risk profiles and management) was 72%, more than 28% of discordant comorbidity (i.e., diseases not related in pathogenesis or management). Most patients had two coexisting chronic conditions (75%), while few had more than two chronic conditions (23%) and single-occurring conditions (2%). Prevalence rates for common multimorbidity patterns were 25% (HIV and TB), 17% (hypertension and diabetes), 9% (hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia), and 2% (hypertension diabetes and HIV), while medication adherence was estimated at 74%. In multivariate analysis, multimorbidity was associated with an older age and lower socio-economic status, while medication non-adherence was associated with a younger age and socio-economic factors. The study highlights the presence of multimorbidity among primary care patients attributed to hypertension, diabetes, HIV, and TB in South Africa with non-adherence to medication in one-third of patients. Policies are needed for education on multimorbidity with a need to optimize lifestyle modifications, perhaps proactive outreach or nursing contact with high-risk patients with public-health-sensitive conditions, such as HIV and/or TB, as well as patients with a history of non-adherence to medications. Considerations should be given to the development of a medication adherence scale for multiple chronic conditions beyond assessing adherence to a single index medication.
Implementation of Building a Thermal Model to Improve Energy Efficiency of the Central Heating System—A Case Study
Authors: Skała Aleksander , Grela Jakub , Latoń Dominik , Bańczyk Katarzyna , Markiewicz Michał , Ożadowicz Andrzej
Published: September 2023

This paper presents the concept of an innovative control of a central heating system in a multifamily building based on the original thermodynamic model, the resulting architecture of the control system, and the originally designed and manufactured wireless temperature sensors for thermal zones. The novelty of this solution is the developed layers of the control system: distributed measurement and correction analysis, which is based on the existing infrastructure and the local HVAC controller. This approach allows for the effective use of the measured temperature data from thermal zones and finally sending the value of the calculated correction of settings to the controller. Moreover, in the analytical layer, a model was also implemented that calculates the necessary amount of energy based on data from the subsystem of temperature sensors located in the thermal zones of the building. The use of the algorithmic strategy presented in this paper extends the functionality and significantly improves the energy efficiency of the existing, classic, reference heating control algorithm by implementing additional control loops. Additionally, it enables integration with demand-side response systems. The presented concept was successfully tested, achieving real energy savings for heating by 12%. These results are described in a case-study format. The authors believe that this concept can be used in other buildings and thus will have a positive impact on the energy savings used to maintain thermal comfort in buildings and significantly reduce CO2 emissions.
Estimation of Forest Height Using Google Earth Engine Machine Learning Combined with Single-Baseline TerraSAR-X/TanDEM-X and LiDAR
Authors: Bao Junfan , Zhu Ningning , Chen Ruibo , Cui Bin , Li Wenmei , Yang Bisheng
Published: September 2023

Forest height plays a crucial role in various fields, such as forest ecology, resource management, natural disaster management, and environmental protection. In order to obtain accurate and efficient measurements of forest height over large areas, in this study, Terra Synthetic Aperture Radar-X and the TerraSAR-X Add-on for Digital Elevation Measurement (TerraSAR-X/TanDEM-X), Sentinel-2A, and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data were used, and various feature combinations were established in conjunction with measurements from Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR). Classification and regression tree (CART), gradient-boosting decision tree (GBDT), random forest (RF), and support vector machine (SVM) algorithms were employed to estimate forest height in the study area. Independent validation on the basis of LiDAR forest height samples showed the following results: (1) Regarding feature combinations, the combination of coherence and decorrelation of volume scattering provided by TerraSAR-X/TanDEM-X data outperformed the combination of backscatter coefficient and local incidence angle, as well as the combination of coherence, decorrelation of volume scattering, backscatter coefficient, and local incidence angle. The best results (R2 = 0.67, RMSE = 2.89 m) were achieved with the combination of coherence and decorrelation of volume scattering using the GBDT and RF algorithms. (2) In terms of machine learning methods, the GBDT algorithm proved suitable for estimating forest height. The most effective approach for forest height mapping involved combining the GBDT algorithm with coherence, decorrelation of volume scattering, and a small amount of LiDAR forest height data, used as training data.
Reformulating Couscous with Sprouted Buckwheat: Physico-Chemical Properties and Sensory Characteristics Assessed by E-Senses
Authors: Giovanelli Gabriella , Bresciani Andrea , Benedetti Simona , Chiodaroli Giulia , Ratti Simona , Buratti Susanna , Marti Alessandra
Published: September 2023

In the frame of reformulating food products for valorizing underutilized crops and enhancing both the nutritional and sensory characteristics of traditional foods, this study explored the potential impact of sprouting on some features of couscous prepared from buckwheat. Specifically, the impact of two sprouting times (48 h and 72 h) and two enrichment levels (25% and 50%) on physical properties (bulk density, hydration properties), cooking behavior (e.g., texture), chemical features (e.g., total phenolic content, rutin and quercetin), antioxidant activity (DPPH assay), and sensory traits (by means of electronic nose, tongue, and eye) was considered. Results showed that the replacement of 50% of pre-gelatinized buckwheat flour with 72 h-sprouted buckwheat flour resulted in a couscous with a higher content of phenolic compounds (including rutin and quercetin) and antioxidant activity; the related values further increased upon cooking. Moreover, except for the hardness and gumminess that were worsened (i.e., their values increased), cohesiveness and resilience improved in the presence of sprouted buckwheat (i.e., their values increased). Finally, the overall sensory traits improved with the addition of 50% sprouted buckwheat, since both bitterness and astringency decreased in the reformulated couscous.
Antioxidant Efficacy of Rosemary Extract in Improving the Oxidative Stability of Rapeseed Oil during Storage
Authors: Guo Mimi , Yang Liping , Li Xiujuan , Tang Huan , Li Xin , Xue Yalin , Duan Zhangqun
Published: September 2023

Rapeseed oil is an important source of edible oil in the human diet and is also highly susceptible to oxidative deterioration. It has been demonstrated that rosemary extract (RE) can increase the oxidative stability of oils. In this work, the antioxidant capacity of rapeseed oil after the addition of RE during storage and the optimum addition of RE in rapeseed oil were investigated. Oxidative stability evaluation results demonstrate that the shelf life of rapeseed oil with the incorporation of 100 mg/kg of RE was equivalent to that with the addition of 50 mg/kg of tert-butyl hydroxyquinone (TBHQ). Storage test analysis results show that RE remarkably delayed the oxidation of rapeseed oil when the storage container was unsealed. The optimum amount of RE as an addition was 50–200 mg/kg under room temperature storage, while it was 150 mg/kg under Schaal oven storage. The antioxidant capacity of rapeseed oil with 50 mg/kg of RE added was remarkably higher than that with 50 mg/kg of TBHQ added after 20 d of storage, according to the Schaal oven test. Additionally, the addition of RE delayed the degradation of endogenous α-tocopherol in rapeseed oil. This study comprehensively evaluated the antioxidant properties of rapeseed oil when RE was added and it provides a new strategy for establishing healthy, nutritious, and safe oil preservation measures.
Muffin-Type Bakery Product Based on Mexican Mesquite (Prosopis spp.) Flour: Texture Profile, Acceptability, and Physicochemical Properties
Authors: Alemán-Huerta María Elizabeth , Castillo-Cázares Brenda A. , Márquez-Reyes Julia Mariana , Báez-González Juan G. , Quintero-Zapata Isela , Gandarilla-Pacheco Fátima Lizeth , de Luna-Santillana Erick de Jesús , Treviño-Garza Mayra Z.
Published: September 2023

In this research, muffin-type bakery products were developed based on wheat flour (WF) and mesquite flour (MF) in the following proportions: WFMF 90:10, WFMF 75:25, and WFMF 50:50. The products were characterized based on various properties in which it was possible to observe that the water activity (aw) did not show a significant change with the increase in the concentration of MF. In addition, the increase in the concentration of MF modified the sensory properties (color, odor, flavor, texture, and acceptance), further decreasing the luminosity and increasing the values of the a* and b* coordinates. Moreover, in the texture profile analysis, it was found that the increase in the MF concentration increased hardness, fracturability, and gumminess and decreased adhesiveness and cohesiveness. All the previously mentioned changes were more evident in the WFMF50:50 and, to a lesser degree, in WFMF75:25. In general, in most evaluations realized, the WFMF90:10 treatment was the most similar to the control (without MF). However, WFMMF75:25 provided a higher protein and fiber content and a lower fat content. Finally, it is possible to use the flour obtained from the mesquite fruit to make bakery products since it is an important source of food due to the wide distribution of mesquite in the country.
Prediction of Water Quality in Reservoirs: A Comparative Assessment of Machine Learning and Deep Learning Approaches in the Case of Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
Authors: Farzana Syeda Zehan , Paudyal Dev Raj , Chadalavada Sreeni , Alam Md Jahangir
Published: September 2023

The effective management of surface water bodies, such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, necessitates a comprehensive understanding of water quality status. Altered precipitation patterns due to climate change may significantly affect the water quality and influence treatment procedures. This study aims to identify the most suitable water quality prediction models for the assessment of the water quality status for three water supply reservoirs in Toowoomba, Australia. It employed four machine learning and two deep learning models for determining the Water Quality Index (WQI) based on five parameters sensitive to rainfall impact. Temporal WQI variations over a period of 22 years (2000–2022) are scrutinised across 4 seasons and 12 months. Through regression analysis, both machine learning and deep learning models anticipate WQI gauged by seven accuracy metrics. Notably, XGBoost and GRU yielded exceptional outcomes, showcasing an R2 value of 0.99. Conversely, Bidirectional LSTM (BiLSTM) demonstrated moderate accuracy with results hovering at 88% to 90% for water quality prediction across all reservoirs. The Coefficient of Efficiency (CE) and Willmott Index (d) showed that the models capture patterns well, while MAE, MAPE and RMSE provided good performance metrics for the RFR, XGBoost and GRU models. These models have provided valuable knowledge that can be utilised to assess the adverse consequences of extreme climate events such as shifts in rainfall patterns. These insights can be used to improve strategies for managing water bodies more effectively.
Association between Lifestyle Factors and Weight Gain among University Students in Japan during COVID-19 Mild Lockdown: A Quantitative Study
Authors: Arimori Haruka , Abiru Norio , Morimoto Shimpei , Nishino Tomoya , Kawakami Atsushi , Kamada Akie , Kobayashi Masakazu
Published: September 2023

We aimed to investigate the lifestyle factors influencing weight gain among university students in Japan during the mild lockdown imposed due to the novel coronavirus disease pandemic. In this cross-sectional study, we conducted a questionnaire survey of students who underwent health examinations at Nagasaki University in 2021. Students reporting a weight gain of ≥3 kg were included in the weight gain group; the remaining students were included in the non-weight-gain group. Fisher’s exact test and binary logistic regression were performed to determine the association between weight gain and each lifestyle factor. We included 3059 respondents (response rate: 45.7%), and 9.5% of them reported a weight gain of ≥3 kg. The following factors were associated with weight gain (odds ratio (95% confidence interval), p value based on Fisher’s exact test): dining out for four times or more/week (2.16 (1.40, 3.32), p = 8.7 × 10−4) and gaming time of ≥4 h/day (2.26 (1.45, 3.47), p = 2.4 × 10−4). Binary logistic regression among the four highest odds ratios revealed that after adjusting for other factors, frequent dining out and prolonged gaming time were significantly associated with weight gain in students during the mild lockdown.
Physiotherapists’ Ethical Climate and Work Satisfaction: A STROBE-Compliant Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Sillero Sillero Amalia , Ayuso Margañon Raquel , Moreno-Segura Noemí , Carrasco Juan J. , Atef Hady , Ayuso Margañon Sonia , Marques-Sule Elena
Published: September 2023

(1) Background: This study aimed to examine the relationship between Spanish physical therapists’ perceptions of the ethical climate, their moral sensitivity (awareness of ethical issues), and job satisfaction. (2) Methods: the study analyzed descriptive correlational data on 104 physical therapists from three Spanish metropolitan hospitals. Respondents completed a demographic data form, an ethical climate questionnaire, a job satisfaction survey, and a moral sensitivity scale. This study complies with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. (3) Results: With a mean score of 4.2, physical therapists are typically content with their jobs. The mean scores for the moral sensitivity and ethical climate questionnaires are high, at 40.1 (SD 6.3) and 96.8 (SD 17.1), respectively. There is a significant positive correlation between job satisfaction and ethical climate (r between 0.59 and 0.79) but only a weak correlation between job satisfaction and moral sensibility (r between 0 and 0.32 for the three aspects measured). (4) Conclusions: Generally speaking, physical therapists reported that they had high job satisfaction, a positive workplace environment, and excellent management support. Despite a weak relationship with moral sensibility, there is a strong association between ethical behavior, hospital organization, and higher levels of job satisfaction. It is important to encourage the development of moral sensibilities to boost psychological well-being and therapeutic decision-making.
Virulence Mechanisms of Staphylococcal Animal Pathogens
Authors: Cheung Gordon Y. C. , Otto Michael
Published: September 2023

Staphylococci are major causes of infections in mammals. Mammals are colonized by diverse staphylococcal species, often with moderate to strong host specificity, and colonization is a common source of infection. Staphylococcal infections of animals not only are of major importance for animal well-being but have considerable economic consequences, such as in the case of staphylococcal mastitis, which costs billions of dollars annually. Furthermore, pet animals can be temporary carriers of strains infectious to humans. Moreover, antimicrobial resistance is a great concern in livestock infections, as there is considerable antibiotic overuse, and resistant strains can be transferred to humans. With the number of working antibiotics continuously becoming smaller due to the concomitant spread of resistant strains, alternative approaches, such as anti-virulence, are increasingly being investigated to treat staphylococcal infections. For this, understanding the virulence mechanisms of animal staphylococcal pathogens is crucial. While many virulence factors have similar functions in humans as animals, there are increasingly frequent reports of host-specific virulence factors and mechanisms. Furthermore, we are only beginning to understand virulence mechanisms in animal-specific staphylococcal pathogens. This review gives an overview of animal infections caused by staphylococci and our knowledge about the virulence mechanisms involved.
Production of Bacterial Exopolysaccharides: Xanthan and Bacterial Cellulose
Authors: Revin Viktor V. , Liyaskina Elena V. , Parchaykina Marina V. , Kurgaeva Irina V. , Efremova Kristina V. , Novokuptsev Nikolai V.
Published: September 2023

Recently, degradable biopolymers have become increasingly important as potential environmentally friendly biomaterials, providing a wide range of applications in various fields. Bacterial exopolysaccharides (EPSs) are biomacromolecules, which due to their unique properties have found applications in biomedicine, foodstuff, textiles, cosmetics, petroleum, pharmaceuticals, nanoelectronics, and environmental remediation. One of the important commercial polysaccharides produced on an industrial scale is xanthan. In recent years, the range of its application has expanded significantly. Bacterial cellulose (BC) is another unique EPS with a rapidly increasing range of applications. Due to the great prospects for their practical application, the development of their highly efficient production remains an important task. The present review summarizes the strategies for the cost-effective production of such important biomacromolecules as xanthan and BC and demonstrates for the first time common approaches to their efficient production and to obtaining new functional materials for a wide range of applications, including wound healing, drug delivery, tissue engineering, environmental remediation, nanoelectronics, and 3D bioprinting. In the end, we discuss present limitations of xanthan and BC production and the line of future research.
Synergistic Therapeutic Potential of Dual 3D Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in an Ischemic Hind Limb Mouse Model
Authors: Chae Dong-Sik , An Sang Joon , Han Seongho , Kim Sung-Whan
Published: September 2023

Three-dimensional (3D) culture systems have been widely used to promote the viability and metabolic activity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The aim of this study was to explore the synergistic benefits of using dual 3D MSC culture systems to promote vascular regeneration and enhance therapeutic potential. We used various experimental assays, including dual 3D cultures of human adipose MSCs (hASCs), quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), in vitro cell migration, Matrigel tube network formation, Matrigel plug assay, therapeutic assays using an ischemic hind limb mouse model, and immunohistochemical analysis. Our qRT-PCR results revealed that fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), granulocyte chemotactic protein-2 (GCP-2), and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) were highly upregulated in conventional 3D-cultured hASCs (ASC-3D) than in two-dimensional (2D)-cultured hASCs. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and stromal-cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) showed higher expression levels in cytokine-cocktail-based, 3D-cultured hASCs (ASC-3Dc). A conditioned medium (CM) mixture of dual 3D ASCs (D-3D; ASC-3D + ASC-3Dc) resulted in higher migration and Matrigel tube formation than the CM of single 3D ASCs (S-3D; ASC-3D). Matrigel plugs containing D-3D contained more red blood cells than those containing S-3D. D-3D transplantation into ischemic mouse hind limbs prevented limb loss and augmented blood perfusion when compared to S-3D transplantation. Transplanted D-3D also revealed a high capillary density and angiogenic cytokine levels and transdifferentiated into endothelial-like cells in the hind limb muscle. These findings highlight the benefits of using the dual 3D culture system to optimize stem-cell-based therapeutic strategies, thereby advancing the therapeutic strategy for ischemic vascular disease and tissue regeneration.
Transcriptomic Profiling of Embryogenic and Non-Embryogenic Callus Provides New Insight into the Nature of Recalcitrance in Cannabis
Authors: Hesami Mohsen , Pepe Marco , de Ronne Maxime , Yoosefzadeh-Najafabadi Mohsen , Adamek Kristian , Torkamaneh Davoud , Jones Andrew Maxwell Phineas
Published: September 2023

Differential gene expression profiles of various cannabis calli including non-embryogenic and embryogenic (i.e., rooty and embryonic callus) were examined in this study to enhance our understanding of callus development in cannabis and facilitate the development of improved strategies for plant regeneration and biotechnological applications in this economically valuable crop. A total of 6118 genes displayed significant differential expression, with 1850 genes downregulated and 1873 genes upregulated in embryogenic callus compared to non-embryogenic callus. Notably, 196 phytohormone-related genes exhibited distinctly different expression patterns in the calli types, highlighting the crucial role of plant growth regulator (PGRs) signaling in callus development. Furthermore, 42 classes of transcription factors demonstrated differential expressions among the callus types, suggesting their involvement in the regulation of callus development. The evaluation of epigenetic-related genes revealed the differential expression of 247 genes in all callus types. Notably, histone deacetylases, chromatin remodeling factors, and EMBRYONIC FLOWER 2 emerged as key epigenetic-related genes, displaying upregulation in embryogenic calli compared to non-embryogenic calli. Their upregulation correlated with the repression of embryogenesis-related genes, including LEC2, AGL15, and BBM, presumably inhibiting the transition from embryogenic callus to somatic embryogenesis. These findings underscore the significance of epigenetic regulation in determining the developmental fate of cannabis callus. Generally, our results provide comprehensive insights into gene expression dynamics and molecular mechanisms underlying the development of diverse cannabis calli. The observed repression of auxin-dependent pathway-related genes may contribute to the recalcitrant nature of cannabis, shedding light on the challenges associated with efficient cannabis tissue culture and regeneration protocols.
Dynamic Reconfiguration of Switchgrass Proteomes in Response to Rust (Puccinia novopanici) Infection
Authors: Palmer Nathan A. , Alvarez Sophie , Naldrett Michael J. , Muhle Anthony , Sarath Gautam , Edmé Serge J. , Tatineni Satyanarayana , Mitchell Robert B. , Yuen Gary
Published: September 2023

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) can be infected by the rust pathogen (Puccinia novopanici) and results in lowering biomass yields and quality. Label-free quantitative proteomics was conducted on leaf extracts harvested from non-infected and infected plants from a susceptible cultivar (Summer) at 7, 11, and 18 days after inoculation (DAI) to follow the progression of disease and evaluate any plant compensatory mechanisms to infection. Some pustules were evident at 7 DAI, and their numbers increased with time. However, fungal DNA loads did not appreciably change over the course of this experiment in the infected plants. In total, 3830 proteins were identified at 1% false discovery rate, with 3632 mapped to the switchgrass proteome and 198 proteins mapped to different Puccinia proteomes. Across all comparisons, 1825 differentially accumulated switchgrass proteins were identified and subjected to a STRING analysis using Arabidopsis (A. thaliana L.) orthologs to deduce switchgrass cellular pathways impacted by rust infection. Proteins associated with plastid functions and primary metabolism were diminished in infected Summer plants at all harvest dates, whereas proteins associated with immunity, chaperone functions, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis were significantly enriched. At 18 DAI, 1105 and 151 proteins were significantly enriched or diminished, respectively. Many of the enriched proteins were associated with mitigation of cellular stress and defense.
Nicotine Exposure in a Phencyclidine-Induced Mice Model of Schizophrenia: Sex-Selective Medial Prefrontal Cortex Protein Markers of the Combined Insults in Adolescent Mice
Authors: Rodríguez-Vega Andrés , Dutra-Tavares Ana Carolina , Souza Thainá P. , Semeão Keila A. , Filgueiras Claudio C. , Ribeiro-Carvalho Anderson , Manhães Alex C. , Abreu-Villaça Yael
Published: September 2023

Tobacco misuse as a comorbidity of schizophrenia is frequently established during adolescence. However, comorbidity markers are still missing. Here, the method of label-free proteomics was used to identify deregulated proteins in the medial prefrontal cortex (prelimbic and infralimbic) of male and female mice modelled to schizophrenia with a history of nicotine exposure during adolescence. Phencyclidine (PCP), used to model schizophrenia (SCHZ), was combined with an established model of nicotine minipump infusions (NIC). The combined insults led to worse outcomes than each insult separately when considering the absolute number of deregulated proteins and that of exclusively deregulated ones. Partially shared Reactome pathways between sexes and between PCP, NIC and PCPNIC groups indicate functional overlaps. Distinctively, proteins differentially expressed exclusively in PCPNIC mice reveal unique effects associated with the comorbidity model. Interactome maps of these proteins identified sex-selective subnetworks, within which some proteins stood out: for females, peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (Fkbp1a) and heat shock 70 kDa protein 1B (Hspa1b), both components of the oxidative stress subnetwork, and gamma-enolase (Eno2), a component of the energy metabolism subnetwork; and for males, amphiphysin (Amph), a component of the synaptic transmission subnetwork. These are proposed to be further investigated and validated as markers of the combined insult during adolescence.
Benzimidazol-2-ylidene Silver Complexes: Synthesis, Characterization, Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities, Molecular Docking and Theoretical Investigations
Authors: Tutar Uğur , Çelik Cem , Üstün Elvan , Özdemir Namık , Şahin Neslihan , Sémeril David , Gürbüz Nevin , Özdemir İsmail
Published: September 2023

Five silver(I) complexes, namely chloro[1-methallyl-3-benzyl)benzimidazol-2-ylidene] silver (6), chloro[1-methallyl-3-(2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzyl)benzimidazol-2-ylidene]silver (7), chloro[1-methallyl-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxylbenzyl)benzimidazol-2-ylidene]silver (8), chloro[1-methallyl- 3-(naphthylmethyl)benzimidazol-2-ylidene]silver (9), and chloro [1-methallyl-3-(anthracen-9-yl- methyl)benzimidazol-2-ylidene]silver (10), were prepared starting from their corresponding benzimidazolium salts and silver oxide in 71–81% yields. A single-crystal X-ray structure of 7 was determined. These five Ag-NHC complexes were evaluated for their antimicrobial and biofilm formation inhibition properties. Complex 10 exhibited high antimicrobial activities comparable to those obtained with standard drugs such as Fluconazole in contact with Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Candida albicans. The latter complex has been shown to be very efficient in antibiofilm activity, with 92.9% biofilm inhibition at 1.9 μg/mL on Escherichia coli. Additionally, the molecules were optimized with DFT-based computational methods for obtaining insight into the structure/reactivity relations through the relative energies of the frontier orbitals. The optimized molecules were also analyzed by molecular docking method against DNA gyrase of Escherichia coli and CYP51 from Candida albicans.
Autonomous Visual Fish Pen Inspections for Estimating the State of Biofouling Buildup Using ROV
Authors: Fabijanić Matej , Kapetanović Nadir , Mišković Nikola
Published: September 2023

The process of fish cage inspections, which is a necessary maintenance task at any fish farm, be it small-scale or industrial, is a task that has the potential to be fully automated. Replacing trained divers who perform regular inspections with autonomous marine vehicles would lower the costs of manpower and remove the risks associated with humans performing underwater inspections. Achieving such a level of autonomy implies developing an image processing algorithm that is capable of estimating the state of biofouling buildup. The aim of this work is to propose a complete solution for automating the said inspection process; from developing an autonomous control algorithm for an ROV, to automatically segmenting images of fish cages, and accurately estimating the state of biofouling. The first part is achieved by modifying a commercially available ROV with an acoustic SBL positioning system and developing a closed-loop control system. The second part is realized by implementing a proposed biofouling estimation framework, which relies on AI to perform image segmentation, and by processing images using established computer vision methods to obtain a rough estimate of the distance of the ROV from the fish cage. This also involved developing a labeling tool in order to create a dataset of images for the neural network performing the semantic segmentation to be trained on. The experimental results show the viability of using an ROV fitted with an acoustic transponder for autonomous missions, and demonstrate the biofouling estimation framework’s ability to provide accurate assessments, alongside satisfactory distance estimation capabilities. In conclusion, the achieved biofouling estimation accuracy showcases clear potential for use in the aquaculture industry.
Trajectory Tracking Predictive Control for Unmanned Surface Vehicles with Improved Nonlinear Disturbance Observer
Authors: Fu Huixuan , Yao Wenjing , Cajo Ricardo , Zhao Shiquan
Published: September 2023

The motion of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) is frequently disturbed by ocean wind, waves, and currents. A poorly designed controller will cause failures and safety problems during actual navigation. To obtain a satisfactory motion control performance for the USVs, a model predictive control (MPC) method based on an improved Nonlinear Disturbance Observer (NDO) is proposed. First, the USV model is approximately linearized and MPC is designed for the multivariable system with constraints. To compensate for the influence of disturbances, an improved NDO is designed where the calculation time for MPC is reduced. Finally, comparison simulations are conducted between MPC with the original NDO and MPC with an improved NDO, and the results show that they have similar performances to the USVs. However, the proposed method has fewer parameters that need to be tuned and is much more time-saving compared to MPC with a traditional NDO.
Multivariate Statistical and Correlation Analysis between Acoustic and Geotechnical Variables in Soil Compression Tests Monitored by the Acoustic Emission Technique
Authors: García-Ros Gonzalo , Villalva-León Danny Xavier , Castro Enrique , Sánchez-Pérez Juan Francisco , Valenzuela Julio , Conesa Manuel
Published: September 2023

In this research, a series of compression tests were carried out, under oedometric conditions, on sand samples prepared with different moisture contents. In these tests, in addition to the usual measurements of the stress and deformation of the sample, a series of acoustic emission sensors were used to monitor the parameters of the acoustic signals coming from inside the sample. This is a rather novel technique with great potential, but sometimes difficult to approach due to the large amount of acoustic emission data generated. In this paper, a correlation and regression analysis has been performed to quantify the correlations between the geotechnical variables and the parameters characterizing the acoustic emissions. The results presented open an interesting horizon of possibilities since, as it has been shown, it is possible to determine the values of the geotechnical properties from the acoustic variables, by means of the regression functions obtained for each type of soil or for each practical case. At the very least, this is a complementary tool in the determination of the mechanical properties of soils subjected to compression, although it could also be useful in those situations in which the monitoring of geotechnical variables describing the tenso-deformational behavior of the soil may be difficult or impossible.
Determination of the Impulsive Dirac Systems from a Set of Eigenvalues
Authors: Zhang Ran , Yang Chuanfu , Wang Kai
Published: September 2023

In this work, we consider the inverse spectral problem for the impulsive Dirac systems on (0,π) with the jump condition at the point π2. We conclude that the matrix potential Q(x) on the whole interval can be uniquely determined by a set of eigenvalues for two cases: (i) the matrix potential Q(x) is given on 0,(1+α)π4; (ii) the matrix potential Q(x) is given on (1+α)π4,π, where 0<α<1.
On Topological and Metric Properties of ⊕-sb-Metric Spaces
Authors: Šostak Alexander , Öner Tarkan , Duman İlyas Can
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we study ⊕-sb-metric spaces, which were introduced to generalize the concept of strong b-metric spaces. In particular, we study the properties of the topology induced via an ⊕-sb metric (separation properties, countability axioms, etc.), prove the continuity of the ⊕-sb-metric, establish the metrizability of the ⊕-sb-metric spaces of countable weight, discuss the convergence structure of an ⊕-sb-metric space and prove the Baire category type theorem for such spaces. Most of the results obtained here are new already for strong b-metric spaces, i.e., in the case where an arithmetic sum “+” is taken in the role of ⊕.
Effects of Different TiO2/CNT Coatings of PVDF Membranes on the Filtration of Oil-Contaminated Wastewaters
Authors: Fazekas Ákos Ferenc , Gyulavári Tamás , Pap Zsolt , Bodor Attila , Laczi Krisztián , Perei Katalin , Illés Erzsébet , László Zsuzsanna , Veréb Gábor
Published: September 2023

Six different TiO2/CNT nanocomposite-coated polyvinylidene-fluoride (PVDF) microfilter membranes (including –OH or/and –COOH functionalized CNTs) were evaluated in terms of their performance in filtering oil-in-water emulsions. In the early stages of filtration, until reaching a volume reduction ratio (VRR) of ~1.5, the membranes coated with functionalized CNT-containing composites provided significantly higher fluxes than the non-functionalized ones, proving the beneficial effect of the surface modifications of the CNTs. Additionally, until the end of the filtration experiments (VRR = 5), notable flux enhancements were achieved with both TiO2 (~50%) and TiO2/CNT-coated membranes (up to ~300%), compared to the uncoated membrane. The irreversible filtration resistances of the membranes indicated that both the hydrophilicity and surface charge (zeta potential) played a crucial role in membrane fouling. However, a sharp and significant flux decrease (~90% flux reduction ratio) was observed for all membranes until reaching a VRR of 1.1–1.8, which could be attributed to the chemical composition of the oil. Gas chromatography measurements revealed a lack of hydrocarbon derivatives with polar molecular fractions (which can act as natural emulsifiers), resulting in significant coalescent ability (and less stable emulsion). Therefore, this led to a more compact cake layer formation on the surface of the membranes (compared to a previous study). It was also demonstrated that all membranes had excellent purification efficiency (97–99.8%) regarding the turbidity, but the effectiveness of the chemical oxygen demand reduction was slightly lower, ranging from 93.7% to 98%.
SEU Hardened D Flip-Flop Design with Low Area Overhead
Authors: Yin Chenyu , Zhou Yulun , Liu Hongxia , Xiang Qi
Published: September 2023

D flip-flop (DFF) is the basic unit of sequential logic in digital circuits. However, because of an internal cross-coupled inverter pair, it can easily appear as a single event upset (SEU) when hit by high-energy particles, resulting in the error in the value stored in the flip-flop. On this basis, a new structure D flip-flop is proposed in this paper. This flip-flop uses an asymmetric scheme in which the master–slave latch adopts different hardening structures. By sacrificing circuit speed in exchange for stronger SEU fortification capability, the SEU threshold of this structure is improved by 10 times compared to traditional D flip-flops. It has also been compared with Dual Interlocked Storage Elements (DICEs), and it saves the area cost of six transistors compared to the DICE structure. Under the same operating conditions, the average power consumption and peak power consumption are, respectively, 9.8% and 18.8% lower than those of the DICE circuit, making it suitable for soft radiation environments where high circuit speed is not a critical requirement.
A Design Methodology for Fault-Tolerant Neuromorphic Computing Using Bayesian Neural Network
Authors: Gao Di , Xie Xiaoru , Wei Dongxu
Published: September 2023

Memristor crossbar arrays are a promising platform for neuromorphic computing. In practical scenarios, the synapse weights represented by the memristors for the underlying system are subject to process variations, in which the programmed weight when read out for inference is no longer deterministic but a stochastic distribution. It is therefore highly desired to learn the weight distribution accounting for process variations, to ensure the same inference performance in memristor crossbar arrays as the design value. In this paper, we introduce a design methodology for fault-tolerant neuromorphic computing using a Bayesian neural network, which combines the variational Bayesian inference technique with a fault-aware variational posterior distribution. The proposed framework based on Bayesian inference incorporates the impacts of memristor deviations into algorithmic training, where the weight distributions of neural networks are optimized to accommodate uncertainties and minimize inference degradation. The experimental results confirm the capability of the proposed methodology to tolerate both process variations and noise, while achieving more robust computing in memristor crossbar arrays.