bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Reconfigurable Hardware Architecture for Miscellaneous Floating-Point Transcendental Functions
Authors: Li Peng , Jin Hongyi , Xi Wei , Xu Changbao , Yao Hao , Huang Kai
Published: January 2023

Transcendental functions are an important part of algorithms in many fields. However, the hardware accelerators available today for transcendental functions typically only support one such function. Hardware accelerators that can support miscellaneous transcendent functions are a waste of hardware resources. In order to solve these problems, this paper proposes a reconfigurable hardware architecture for miscellaneous floating-point transcendental functions. The hardware architecture supports a variety of transcendental functions, including floating-point sine, cosine, arctangent, exponential and logarithmic functions. It adopts the method of a lookup table combined with a polynomial computation and reconfigurable technology to achieve the accuracy of two units of least precision (ulp) with 3.75 KB lookup tables and one core computing module. In addition, the hardware architecture uses retiming technology to realize the different operation times of each function. Experiments show that the hardware accelerators proposed can operate at a maximum frequency of 220 MHz. The full-load power consumption and areas are only 0.923 mW and 1.40×104μm2, which are reduced by 47.99% and 38.91%, respectively, compared with five separate superfunction hardware accelerators.
A Powered Floor System with Integrated Robot Localization
Authors: Seriani Stefano , Carrato Sergio , Medvet Eric , Cernigoi Andrea , Zibai Adriano , Gallina Paolo
Published: January 2023

One of the most pressing issues in the field of mobile robotics is power delivery. In the past, we have proposed a powered floor based solution. In this article, we propose a system which combines a powered floor with a robot pose estimation system. The floor on which the mobile robots stand is composed of an array of interdigitated conductors that provide DC power supply; the stripes of conductors are interwoven similarly to what happens in a carpet, thus creating a sort of checkerboard of positive and negative pads. The robots are powered through sliding contacts. The power supply voltage is modulated with a binary encoding that uniquely identifies each conductor stripe power line; in this way, each robot is able to self-localize, by exploiting the information coming from the contacting pins. We describe the theoretical framework that allows concurrent power delivery and localization (with error boundaries). Then, we present the experimental evaluation that we performed using a prototype realization of the proposed powered floor system.
4D: A Real-Time Driver Drowsiness Detector Using Deep Learning
Authors: Jahan Israt , Uddin K. M. Aslam , Murad Saydul Akbar , Miah M. Saef Ullah , Khan Tanvir Zaman , Masud Mehedi , Aljahdali Sultan , Bairagi Anupam Kumar
Published: January 2023

There are a variety of potential uses for the classification of eye conditions, including tiredness detection, psychological condition evaluation, etc. Because of its significance, many studies utilizing typical neural network algorithms have already been published in the literature, with good results. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are employed in real-time applications to achieve two goals: high accuracy and speed. However, identifying drowsiness at an early stage significantly improves the chances of being saved from accidents. Drowsiness detection can be automated by using the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), which allows us to assess more cases in less time and with a lower cost. With the help of modern deep learning (DL) and digital image processing (DIP) techniques, in this paper, we suggest a CNN model for eye state categorization, and we tested it on three CNN models (VGG16, VGG19, and 4D). A novel CNN model named the 4D model was designed to detect drowsiness based on eye state. The MRL Eye dataset was used to train the model. When trained with training samples from the same dataset, the 4D model performed very well (around 97.53% accuracy for predicting the eye state in the test dataset). The 4D model outperformed the performance of two other pretrained models (VGG16, VGG19). This paper explains how to create a complete drowsiness detection system that predicts the state of a driver’s eyes to further determine the driver’s drowsy state and alerts the driver before any severe threats to road safety.
Predicting Power and Hydrogen Generation of a Renewable Energy Converter Utilizing Data-Driven Methods: A Sustainable Smart Grid Case Study
Authors: Mirshafiee Fatemehsadat , Shahbazi Emad , Safi Mohadeseh , Rituraj Rituraj
Published: January 2023

This study proposes a data-driven methodology for modeling power and hydrogen generation of a sustainable energy converter. The wave and hydrogen production at different wave heights and wind speeds are predicted. Furthermore, this research emphasizes and encourages the possibility of extracting hydrogen from ocean waves. By using the extracted data from the FLOW-3D software simulation and the experimental data from the special test in the ocean, the comparison analysis of two data-driven learning methods is conducted. The results show that the amount of hydrogen production is proportional to the amount of generated electrical power. The reliability of the proposed renewable energy converter is further discussed as a sustainable smart grid application.
Economic Efficiency of Solar and Rainwater Systems—A Case Study
Authors: Bednárová Lucia , Pavolová Henrieta , Šimková Zuzana , Bakalár Tomáš
Published: January 2023

The study deals with the analysis of data from a selected tourism facility and the implementation of a solar system and a rainwater system, which are an alternative to commonly used energy sources. The objective is to evaluate the potential savings from the use of the solar system for water heating and the rainwater system for purposes other than potable use with respect to local conditions of sunlight and rainwater variability. The facility holds 257 beds allocated in 124 rooms on 5 floors. The result of the contribution is an economic evaluation of the efficiency of investments in the proposed systems and the resulting recommendations in the field of energy flows in the selected facility. Appropriate formulas including the consumption of hot water, the amount of energy needed to heat water, the cost of the consumed energy necessary for heating and the average annual rainfall in the location, water consumption for clearly identified purposes of alternation with rainwater, the initial investment costs and operating costs of the solar and rainwater systems, were used for an economic evaluation of the investment into the solar and rainwater systems. Based on the economic evaluation, the economic efficiency of the proposed systems and the return on investment was calculated. The payback periods for the solar system used for hot water heating and the rainwater system used for non-potable purposes, accepting the local conditions, are 7 and 15 years, respectively.
Predicting Electricity Consumption in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Fahmy Marwa Salah EIDin , Ahmed Farhan , Durani Farah , Bojnec Štefan , Ghareeb Mona Mohamed
Published: January 2023

Forecasting energy consumption in Saudi Arabia for the period from 2020 until 2030 is investigated using a two-part composite model. The first part is the frontier, and the second part is the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model that helps avoid the large disparity in predictions in previous studies, which is what this research seeks to achieve. The sample of the study has a size of 30 observations, which are the actual consumption values in the period from 1990 to 2019. The philosophy of this installation is to reuse the residuals to extract the remaining values. Therefore, it becomes white noise and the extracted values are added to increase prediction accuracy. The residuals were calculated and the ARIMA (0, 1, 0) model with a constant was developed both of the residual sum of squares and the root means square errors, which were compared in both cases. The results demonstrate that prediction accuracy using complex models is better than prediction accuracy using single polynomial models or randomly singular models by an increase in the accuracy of the estimated consumption and an improvement of 18.5% as a result of the synthesizing process, which estimates the value of electricity consumption in 2030 to be 575 TWh, compared to the results of previous studies, which were 365, 442, and 633 TWh.
Analysis of Interturn Faults on Transformer Based on Electromagnetic-Mechanical Coupling
Authors: Zhu Nan , Li Ji , Shao Lei , Liu Hongli , Ren Lei , Zhu Lihua
Published: January 2023

A running transformer frequently experiences interturn faults; they are typically difficult to detect in their early stages but eventually progress to interturn short circuits, which cause damage to the transformer. Therefore, finding out the fault mechanism of the full interturn fault process can provide a theoretical basis for transformer fault detection. In this paper, an electromagnetic-solid mechanics coupled finite element model consistent with an actual oil-immersed three-phase transformer is established. The transient process of winding from interturn discharge to interturn short circuit is simulated to study the electromagnetic characteristics as well as the mechanical characteristics during transformer failure. The model parameters of the transformer are simulated to obtain the fault current, electromagnetic parameters and other performance parameters to study the characteristics of the magnetic field and coil force when interturn faults occur. Finally, the vibration of the transformer casing is used to detect as well as diagnose the transformer fault situation, providing a theoretical basis for the study of transformer detection and diagnosis capability improvement measures.
Design of a Polymer Composition for the Conformance Control in Heterogeneous Reservoirs
Authors: Raupov Inzir , Rogachev Mikhail , Sytnik Julia
Published: January 2023

The article is devoted to the issue of a low sweep efficiency in the heterogeneous terrigenous reservoirs containing remaining oil. Water plugging operations that redirect the injection fluid flows into unswept zones, are one approach to enhancing the oil recovery in these reservoirs. The commonly used chemical reagents in these treatments are acrylate polymer solutions. The polymer solutions must reach the target water-saturated zones and form a strong gel barrier there. Furthermore, the polymer compositions should have a low initial viscosity to provide a good injectivity and penetration ability. Therefore, the methods of adjusting the gelation time are necessary. There are numerous studies in modern scientific society devoted to the study of water-plugging polymer compositions. However, aspects, such as the effect of the hydrogen index on gelation, have received insufficient attention. In this paper, we describe the features of the developed polymer composition, based on a hydrolyzed polymer of acrylonitrile with a controlled gelation time for the chemically enhanced oil recovery. The component composition and the concentration levels were selected, based on the alterations in the hydrogen index of the polymer solution. It was scientifically proven that by adhering to a neutral hydrogen index, it is possible to improve the properties of the polymer composition. Moreover, using a model of a heterogeneous reservoir, it was confirmed that the proposed polymer composition achieves selective plugging. As a result of the polymer gel treatment, the water cut decreased by 4% and the displacement coefficient of oil increased by 20%, in comparison with the effect of the original composition without a gel-time modifier.
Study on the Adsorption Properties and Mechanisms of CO on Nickel Surfaces Based on Density Functional Theory
Authors: Wang Kun , Li Kunlun , Wang Fuqing
Published: January 2023

In this work, the adsorption of CO onto the surface of the transition metal Ni at different coverage levels was explored based on the density functional theory (DFT). The corresponding periodic slab plate models were established, and the adsorption parameters and CO electronic states on different nickel surfaces under different coverage (0.11 mL, 0.25 mL and 0.5 mL) were calculated. The results showed that the most stable adsorption sites on Ni (111) and Ni (100) crystal surfaces were valley sites, while the most stable adsorption sites on a Ni (110) surface was a short bridge site. By comparing the energy of the same adsorption sites, it was found that the adsorption of CO on a Ni (100) crystal surface was superior to the other two surfaces. Furtherly, from the perspective of the electronic structure, the density of states (DOSs) of Ni atoms and CO molecules were calculated before and after adsorption. The density of states showed that the main factor of surface adsorption generation originates from hybridization among the orbitals. This article provides insight into the mechanisms of the nickel adsorption of CO.
Development of a Smart Static Transfer Switch Based on a Triac Semiconductor for AC Power Switching Control
Authors: Okilly Ahmed H. , Kim Namhun , Lee Jonghyuk , Kang Yegu , Baek Jeihoon
Published: January 2023

Power system disruptions can be categorized as issues with the quality of electricity brought on by voltage sags, lightning strikes, and other system-related interferences. The static transfer switch (STS) has recently emerged as the most important technology for electric power transmission, distribution, and control systems to manage power supply during power system disruption issues, particularly in cost-effectively supplying power to critical loads and sensitive loads without interruption. In this paper, for the switching between the two AC sources during the voltage disruptions issue with low transfer time, a smart static transfer switch (SSTS) based on a digital switching algorithm and Triac semiconductor switch is proposed and experimentally tested. A digital switching algorithm based on online AC voltage sensing and zero-crossing detection is proposed and implemented inside a DSP MCU. The printed circuit board (PCB) of the proposed SSTS is designed and manufactured for the experimental performance investigation with different AC input voltage conditions. A comparative study based on the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed SSTS system with the previous works is also presented. A smart static transfer switch with a transition time of less than one cycle and a digital protection technique during fault conditions is obtained in this work.
Evaluations on the Consequences of Fire Suppression and the Ecological Effects of Fuel Treatment Scenarios in a Boreal Forest of the Great Xing’an Mountains, China
Authors: He Han , Chang Yu , Liu Zhihua , Xiong Zaiping , Zhao Lujia
Published: January 2023

With global warming, catastrophic forest fires have frequently occurred in recent years, posing a major threat to forest resources and people. How to reduce forest fire risk is a hot topic in forest management. Concerns regarding fire suppression and forest fuel treatments are rising. Few studies have evaluated the ecological effects of fuel treatments. In this study, we used the LANDIS PRO model to simulate the consequences of fire suppression and the ecological effects of fuel treatments in a boreal forest of the Great Xing’an Mountains, China. Four simulation scenarios were designed, focusing on whether to conduct fuel treatments or not under two fire-control policies (current fire suppression policy and no fire suppression policy). Each scenario contains nine fuel treatment plans based on the combinations of different treatment methods (coarse woody debris reduction, prescribed burning, coarse woody debris reduction plus prescribed burning), treatment frequency (low, medium, and high), and treatment area (large, medium, and small). The ecological effects of the fuel treatments were evaluated according to the changes in fire regimes, species succession, and forest landscape patterns to find a forest fuel management plan that is suitable for the Great Xing’an Mountains. The results showed that long-term fire suppression increases fuel loads and the probability of high-intensity forest fires. The nine fuel management plans did not show significant differences in terms of species succession and forest landscape patterns while lowering forest fire intensity, and none of them were able to restore historical vegetation structure and composition. Our results consolidate the foundation for the practical performance of forest fuel treatments in fire-prone forest landscapes. We suggest a suitable fuel treatment plan for the Great Xing’an Mountains, with a low treatment frequency (20 years), large treatment area (10%), and coarse woody debris reduction, plus the prescribed burning measure.
Multipurpose Research from a Native Woody Oil Plant Xanthoceras sorbifolia in China
Authors: Xiao Jiao , Sun Lu , Pan Yingni , Bai Xiaolin , Chen Gang , Zhang Xiuli , Chen Xuexun , Li Ning
Published: January 2023

Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge, an indigenous oilseed tree from China, is a major woody energy plant that has been used for biodiesel production for a long time. In the past decade, X. sorbifolia has become a hot research topic due to its diverse bioactivities, which include improving learning and memory deficits, killing sperm, stabilizing capillaries, lowering cholesterol, and rheumatism. This review aims to analyze a comprehensive appraisal of X. sorbifolia, including its history, traditional uses, biological activities, food value, economic value, and current applications, and provide instruction for promoting the multipurpose utilization of X. sorbifolia.
Determination of the Antifungal, Antibacterial Activity and Volatile Compound Composition of Citrus bergamia Peel Essential Oil
Authors: Cebi Nur , Erarslan Azime
Published: January 2023

Safe and health-beneficial citrus oils can be employed as natural preservatives, flavorings, antioxidants, and as antibacterial and antifungal agents in a wide variety of food products. In this research, using GC–MS methodology, the major volatile composition of Citrus bergamia EO, obtained by hydro-distillation, was determined to consist of limonen (17.06%), linalool (46.34%) and linalyl acetate (17.69%). The molecular fingerprint was obtained using FTIR spectroscopy. The antibacterial effect of C. bergamia EO at different concentrations (0.5, 1, 2.5 and 5 µg/mL) was tested against different pathogen species (Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes), based on disc diffusion assay. The in vitro antifungal activity of C. bergamia EO oil against Aspergillus niger and Penicillium expansum was evaluated using agar disc diffusion assay. Clear inhibition zones were formed by C. bergamia EO against selected species of pathogens. Almost all of the concentrations were revealed to have antifungal activity against selected fungal pathogens. The highest inhibition rate of A. niger at 6 incubation days was 67.25 ± 0.35 mm with a 20 µL dose, while the growth in the control was 90.00 ± 0.00 mm. In addition, the highest inhibition rate of P. expansum was 26.16 ± 0.76 mm with a 20 µL dose, while the growth was 45.50 ± 2.12 mm in the control fungus. A higher antifungal effect of C. bergamia EO against P. expansum was obtained. It was observed that the growth of fungi was weakened with increasing concentrations (5, 10, 15 and 20 µL dose) of C. bergamia EO. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) results were obtained for the antibacterial and antifungal effects of C. bergamia EO. The findings from the research may shed light on the further use of C. bergamia EO obtained from peels in innovative food engineering applications in order to maintain food quality, food safety, and food sustainability.
Complete Mitogenome of the Triplophysa bombifrons: Comparative Analysis and Phylogenetic Relationships among the Members of Triplophysa
Authors: Wang Xinyue , Song Yong , Xie Haoyang , Zi Fangze , Chen Shengao , Luo Site
Published: January 2023

In the last decade, the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Triplophysa have become controversial, due to a lack of molecular data. The mitochondrial genome plays a vital role in the reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships and in revealing the molecular evolution of bony fishes. Herein, we obtained the complete mitogenome of Triplophysa bombifrons via HiFi reads of the Pacbio Sequel II system and DNBSEQ short-reads. We compared all available mitogenomes of the Triplophysa genus and reconstructed the phylogeny of Nemacheilidae, based on the mitogenomes, using maximum likelihood (ML) methods. The results show that the complete mitogenome sequence of T. bombifrons was circular and 16,568 bp in length, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA), 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA), and a typical control region (D-loop). The most common start codons were ATG, except for cox1, and TAA/TAG were the stop codons for all PCGs. In total, 677 SNPs and 9 INDELs have been found by comparing the sequence divergence between this study and previous reports. Purity selection was found in all PCGs. Phylogeny was inferred by analyzing the 13 PCGs and the concatenated nucleotide sequences of 30 mitogenomes. The phylogenetic analyses based on the nucleotides of the 13 PCGs supported the assumption that the Triplophysa genus can be divided into 4 main clades and demonstrated that T. bombifrons and T. tenuis are closely related species for the first time. This study laid the foundation for further study on the mitogenome and phylogeny of Nemacheilidae fishes.
Recent Advances in Genome-Engineering Strategies
Authors: Boti Michaela A. , Athanasopoulou Konstantina , Adamopoulos Panagiotis G. , Sideris Diamantis C. , Scorilas Andreas
Published: January 2023

In October 2020, the chemistry Nobel Prize was awarded to Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna for the discovery of a new promising genome-editing tool: the genetic scissors of CRISPR-Cas9. The identification of CRISPR arrays and the subsequent identification of cas genes, which together represent an adaptive immunological system that exists not only in bacteria but also in archaea, led to the development of diverse strategies used for precise DNA editing, providing new insights in basic research and in clinical practice. Due to their advantageous features, the CRISPR-Cas systems are already employed in several biological and medical research fields as the most suitable technique for genome engineering. In this review, we aim to describe the CRISPR-Cas systems that have been identified among prokaryotic organisms and engineered for genome manipulation studies. Furthermore, a comprehensive comparison between the innovative CRISPR-Cas methodology and the previously utilized ZFN and TALEN editing nucleases is also discussed. Ultimately, we highlight the contribution of CRISPR-Cas methodology in modern biomedicine and the current plethora of available applications for gene KO, repression and/or overexpression, as well as their potential implementation in therapeutical strategies that aim to improve patients’ quality of life.
Aspects Regarding the Consumption of Dietary Supplements among the Active Population in Romania
Authors: Fagaras Pia-Simona , Teodorescu Silvia-Violeta , Bacarea Anca , Petrea Renato-Gabriel , Ursanu Adela-Ioana , Cozmei Geanina , Radu Liliana-Elisabeta , Vanvu Gynetta-Ionela
Published: January 2023

Food supplements contain a variety of combinations of vitamins, minerals, plant extracts, and other substances. Any physical effort requires energy from balanced and healthy nutrition. This research aimed to identify the categories of dietary supplements used by active and very active participants who attend the sports and leisure centers from Targu Mures city. The survey was developed in paper and online forms using the Internet and supported multimedia and self-administration. The sample consists of 517 subjects chosen randomly from the research population and divided into the active and highly active PAI subgroups based on age, education, and gender. IBM SPSS Statistics Version 20.0 was used to process the collected data. All data were analysed descriptively. Differences between independent groups were assessed using an Independent sample t-test and a Chi-square test. Statistical significance was accepted when p < 0.05. Additionally, a Pearson correlation was done. The most representative age category was between 18 and 22 years old (42.7%), the ones using dietary supplements most frequently. There were significant differences by group of age regarding the consumption of food supplements (p < 0.05) and also by gender (p < 0.05).
An Investigation of the Utility of Waist Circumference Predicting Cardiorespiratory Fitness in School Children: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Zadarko-Domaradzka Maria , Sobolewski Marek , Nizioł-Babiarz Edyta , Barabasz Zbigniew , Warchoł Krzysztof , Niewczas-Czarna Klaudia , Zadarko Emilian
Published: January 2023

The early identification of modifiable risk factors and their monitoring, also within school physical education (PE) classes, are becoming indispensable in the context of public health. The aim of this study was to test whether making use of waist circumference (WC) measurements increases the possibility of predicting the results of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in school-age children, as compared with body mass index (BMI) and other somatic indicators related to body fat. The cross-sectional study covered 190 children aged 10 to 15 years, participating in school PE classes. Body height (BH), body weight (BW), WC, hip circumference (HC) and percentage of body fat (BF%) were measured. BMI, waist to hip ratio (WHR) and waist to height ratio (WHtR) were calculated, and a CRF test was performed by means of a 20 m shuttle run test (20mSRT). The peak heart rate (HRpeak) of the children was also measured. The regression model that was developed showed that WC (R2 = 47.1%), beyond BF% (R2 = 50.3%) and WHtR (R2 = 50.0%), was a useful measure of CRF, and stronger than BMI (R2 = 45.8%) or WHR (R2 = 39.2%). The risk of obtaining the CRF result classified below a good level (below the percentile range of P60-P80) was significantly higher in children with a larger WC (odds ratio (OR) for the WC change of 1 cm equals 1.14 (95% CI: 1.09–1.20; p < 0.001)). The simplicity of measuring WC and the possibility of using this measurement in the calculation of WHtR with reference to CRF indicate its usefulness in the prophylactic exams of school children.
Spatial-Temporal Variations and Trade-Offs of Ecosystem Services in Anhui Province, China
Authors: Yang Qiangqiang , Zhang Pian , Qiu Xiaocong , Xu Guanglai , Chi Jianyu
Published: January 2023

Research on the spatiotemporal evolution and trade-offs of ecosystem services (ESs) is important for optimizing the ecological security barrier system and promoting coordinated socio-economic development. Natural factors, e.g., climate change, and human factors, e.g., unreasonable land use, have impacted and damaged ecosystem structure and function, leading to challenges with ES trade-offs and the spatial identification of priority protected areas. Here, the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of five ESs (water yield, nitrogen export, soil retention, carbon storage, and habitat quality) in Anhui Province, China, from 2000–2020 were analyzed based on the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) model. The trade-offs and spatial patterns among different ESs were explored using Pearson correlation and hotspot analyses; the dynamics of natural growth, cultivated land protection, and ecological protection scenarios for ESs in 2030 were simulated and analyzed by coupling InVEST with the patch-generating land use simulation (PLUS) model. The results reveal the following. (1) From 2000–2020, increases in water yield and soil retention occurred, with concurrent declines in the other services; the total nitrogen high-value area was mainly concentrated in the plain, with the other services’ high-value areas mainly concentrated in the Dabieshan and Southern Anhui Mountains, with each ES showing similar spatial distributions across years. (2) The ESs were mainly synergistic, with trade-offs mainly between nitrogen export and other services. (3) Hotspot overlap between water yield and the other ESs was relatively low; no more than 6.53% of ecosystems per unit area provided five ESs simultaneously. (4) Other than water yield, the ecological protection scenario was more conducive to improving ecosystem functions. This study’s results indicate inadequate synergy among ESs in Anhui Province; competition among land types must be further balanced in the future. This study provides a basic reference for implementing ecological projects and constructing ecological security patterns.
Transcriptional Regulation of Siglec-15 by ETS-1 and ETS-2 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Sheng Kaiqin , Wu Yuecheng , Lin Hanbin , Fang Menghan , Xue Chaorong , Lin Xu , Lin Xinjian
Published: January 2023

Sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin 15 (Siglec-15) has been identified as a crucial immune suppressor in human cancers, comparable to programmed cell death 1 ligand (PD-L1). However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying its transcriptional upregulation in human cancers remain largely unknown. Here, we show that the transcription factors ETS-1 and ETS-2 bound to the Siglec-15 promoter to enhance transcription and expression of Siglec-15 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and that transforming growth factor β-1 (TGF-β1) upregulated the expression of ETS-1 and ETS-2 and facilitated the binding of ETS-1 and ETS-2 to the Siglec-15 promoter. We further demonstrate that TGF-β1 activated the Ras/C-Raf/MEK/ERK1/2 signaling pathway, leading to phosphorylation of ETS-1 and ETS-2, which consequently upregulates the transcription and expression of Siglec-15. Our study defines a detailed molecular profile of how Siglec-15 is transcriptionally regulated which may offer significant opportunity for therapeutic intervention on HCC immunotherapy.
DNA Methylation-Mediated Overexpression of CXCL1 in Helicobacter pylori-Induced Gastric Cancer: In Silico- and In Vitro-Based Identification of a Potential Biomarker for Carcinogenesis
Authors: Muhammad Jibran Sualeh , Manzoor Shaista , Cui Zheng-Guo , Khoder Ghalia
Published: January 2023

Given the high global prevalence and mortality associated with gastric cancer, and its known causal link with Helicobacter pylori infection, it is important to have a biomarker to identify malignant transformation at early stages. Previously, we, and others, have reported that H. pylori-induced epigenetic changes could mediate carcinogenic transformation of the gastric cells. Also, CXCL1 secreted by gastric cancer cells was reported as a key diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for the pathogenic progression of gastric cancer. In this study, for the first time, we aimed to investigate the role of H. pylori-induced DNA methylation-based epigenetic regulation of CXCL1. In silico analysis of publicly available datasets and in vitro experiments were performed. Our results showed that CXCL1 is highly expressed in both gastric cancer tissues and gastric cancer cells infected with H. pylori. Further, we showed and confirmed that H. pylori-mediated overexpression of CXCL1 is due to hypomethylation of its promoter region. Since epigenetic events such as DNA methylation happen early in the sequence; H. pylori-induced CXCL1 hypomethylation could likely be detected at an early stage of gastric cancer development. Epigenetic modifications, such as CXCL1 hypomethylation, are reversible and could potentially be a therapeutic target using demethylation drugs.
Testing Antimicrobial Properties of Selected Short Amyloids
Authors: Gagat Przemysław , Duda-Madej Anna , Ostrówka Michał , Pietluch Filip , Seniuk Alicja , Mackiewicz Paweł , Burdukiewicz Michał
Published: January 2023

Amyloids and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have many similarities, e.g., both kill microorganisms by destroying their membranes, form aggregates, and modulate the innate immune system. Given these similarities and the fact that the antimicrobial properties of short amyloids have not yet been investigated, we chose a group of potentially antimicrobial short amyloids to verify their impact on bacterial and eukaryotic cells. We used AmpGram, a best-performing AMP classification model, and selected ten amyloids with the highest AMP probability for our experimental research. Our results indicate that four tested amyloids: VQIVCK, VCIVYK, KCWCFT, and GGYLLG, formed aggregates under the conditions routinely used to evaluate peptide antimicrobial properties, but none of the tested amyloids exhibited antimicrobial or cytotoxic properties. Accordingly, they should be included in the negative datasets to train the next-generation AMP prediction models, based on experimentally confirmed AMP and non-AMP sequences. In the article, we also emphasize the importance of reporting non-AMPs, given that only a handful of such sequences have been officially confirmed.
Transcriptome Analysis of the Effects of Grafting Interstocks on Apple Rootstocks and Scions
Authors: Li Qingshan , Gao Yuan , Wang Kun , Feng Jianrong , Sun Simiao , Lu Xiang , Liu Zhao , Zhao Deying , Li Lianwen , Wang Dajiang
Published: January 2023

Apples are a major horticultural crop worldwide. Grafting techniques are widely utilized in apple production to keep the varieties pure. Interstocks are frequently used in Northern China to achieve intensive apple dwarfing cultivation. High-throughput sequencing was used to investigate differentially expressed genes in the phloem tissues of two different xenograft systems, M (‘Gala’/‘Mac 9’/Malus baccata (L.) Borkh.) and B (‘Gala’/Malus baccata (L.) Borkh.). The results showed that dwarfing interstocks could significantly reduce the height and diameters of apple trees while have few effects on the growth of annual branches. The interstocks were found to regulate the expression of genes related to hormone metabolism and tree body control (GH3.9, PIN1, CKI1, ARP1, GA2ox1 and GA20ox1), these effects may attribute the dwarf characters for apple trees with interstocks. Besides, the interstocks reduce photosynthesis-related genes (MADH-ME4 and GAPC), promote carbon (C) metabolism gene expression (AATP1, GDH and PFK3), promote the expression of nitrogen (N)-metabolism-related genes (NRT2.7, NADH and GDH) in rootstocks, and improve the expression of genes related to secondary metabolism in scions (DX5, FPS1, TPS21 and SRG1). We also concluded that the interstocks acquired early blooming traits due to promotion of the expression of flowering genes in the scion (MOF1, FTIP7, AGL12 and AGL24). This study is a valuable resource regarding the molecular mechanisms of dwarf interstocks’ influence on various biological processes and transplantation systems in both scions and rootstocks.
Molecular Mechanisms of Scombroid Food Poisoning
Authors: Zhernov Yury V. , Simanduyev Mark Y. , Zaostrovtseva Olga K. , Semeniako Ekaterina E. , Kolykhalova Kseniia I. , Fadeeva Inna A. , Kashutina Maria I. , Vysochanskaya Sonya O. , Belova Elena V. , Shcherbakov Denis V. , Sukhov Vitaly A. , Sidorova Ekaterina A. , Mitrokhin Oleg V.
Published: January 2023

Scombroid food poisoning (SFP) is a foodborne disease that develops after consumption of fresh fish and, rarely, seafood that has fine organoleptic characteristics but contains a large amount of exogenous histamine. SFP, like other food pseudo-allergic reactions (FPA), is a disorder that is clinically identical to allergic reactions type I, but there are many differences in their pathogenesis. To date, SFP has been widespread throughout the world and is an urgent problem, although exact epidemiological data on incidence varies greatly. The need to distinguish SFP from true IgE-associated allergy to fish and seafood is one of the most difficult examples of the differential diagnosis of allergic conditions. The most important difference is the absence of an IgE response in SFP. The pathogenesis of SFP includes a complex system of interactions between the body and chemical triggers such as exogenous histamine, other biogenic amines, cis-urocanic acid, salicylates, and other histamine liberators. Because of the wide range of molecular pathways involved in this process, it is critical to understand their differences. This may help predict and prevent poor outcomes in patients and contribute to the development of adequate hygienic rules and regulations for seafood product safety. Despite the vast and lengthy history of research on SFP mechanisms, there are still many blank spots in our understanding of this condition. The goals of this review are to differentiate various molecular mechanisms of SFP and describe methods of hygienic regulation of some biogenic amines that influence the concentration of histamine in the human body and play an important role in the mechanism of SFP.
Isolation of a Novel QTL, qSCM4, Associated with Strong Culm Affects Lodging Resistance and Panicle Branch Number in Rice
Authors: Yang Xianli , Lai Yongcai , Wang Lizhi , Zhao Minghui , Wang Jiayu , Li Mingxian , Chi Liyong , Lv Guoyi , Liu Youhong , Cui Zhibo , Li Rui , Wu Liren , Sun Bing , Zhang Xijuan , Jiang Shukun
Published: January 2023

Rice breeders are now developing new varieties with semi-high or even high plant height to further increase the grain yield, and the problem of lodging has re-appeared. We identified a major quantitative trait locus (QTL), qSCM4, for resistance to lodging by using an F2 segregant population and a recombinant self-incompatible line population from the cross between Shennong265 (SN265) and Lijiangxintuanheigu (LTH) after multiple years and multiple environments. Then, the residual heterozygous derived segregant population which consisted of 1781 individual plants, and the BC3F2 segregant population which consisted of 3216 individual plants, were used to shorten the physical interval of qSCM4 to 58.5 kb including 11 genes. DNA sequencing revealed the most likely candidate gene for qSCM4 was Os04g0615000, which encoded a functional protein with structural domains of serine and cysteine. There were 13 DNA sequence changes in LTH compared to SN265 in this gene, including a fragment deletion, two base changes in the 3′ UTR region, six base changes in the exons, and four base changes in the introns. A near-isogenic line carrying qSCM4 showed that it improved the lodging resistance through increasing stem thickness by 25.3% and increasing stem folding resistance by 20.3%. Furthermore, it was also discovered that qSCM4 enhanced the primary branch per panicle by 16.7%, secondary branch by per panicle 9.9%, and grain number per panicle by 14.7%. All the above results will give us a valuable genetic resource for concurrently boosting culm strength and lodging resistance, and they will also provide a basis for further research on the lodging resistance mechanism of rice.
Clinical Significance of Molecular Subtypes in Western Advanced Gastric Cancer: A Real-World Multicenter Experience
Authors: Salati Massimiliano , Ghidini Michele , Paccagnella Matteo , Reggiani Bonetti Luca , Bocconi Alessandro , Spallanzani Andrea , Gelsomino Fabio , Barbin Francesca , Garrone Ornella , Daniele Bruno , Dominici Massimo , Facciorusso Antonio , Petrillo Angelica
Published: January 2023

In recent years, the molecular subtyping of gastric cancer has led to the identification of novel clinically relevant biomarkers as well as promising therapeutic targets. In parallel, the advent of checkpoint inhibitors has expanded treatment options beyond conventional chemotherapy. Compelling evidence has shown unprecedented efficacy results for anti-PD1-based therapies in the molecular subgroups of dMMR/MSI-h, EBV+ and PD-L1 CPS+ patients, to the point that these are granted approval for gastric cancer adenocarcinoma (AGC) in several countries. Despite this, cytotoxic chemotherapy remains the only treatment choice for the considerable proportion of biomarkers-negative patients. In this context, little is known about the association between subtypes-defining biomarkers (HER2, MMR/MSI, PD-L1, and EBV) and the efficacy of standard chemotherapy in non-Asian AGC. Here, we aimed to investigate the prevalence, the clinic-pathologic features, and the impact on treatment outcome of clinical molecular subtypes in a new-diagnosed Western cohort of AGC.
The Application of Biomaterials in Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Feng Chi , Deng Lan , Yong Yuan-Yuan , Wu Jian-Ming , Qin Da-Lian , Yu Lu , Zhou Xiao-Gang , Wu An-Guo
Published: January 2023

The spinal cord and the brain form the central nervous system (CNS), which is the most important part of the body. However, spinal cord injury (SCI) caused by external forces is one of the most difficult types of neurological injury to treat, resulting in reduced or even absent motor, sensory and autonomic functions. It leads to the reduction or even disappearance of motor, sensory and self-organizing nerve functions. Currently, its incidence is increasing each year worldwide. Therefore, the development of treatments for SCI is urgently needed in the clinic. To date, surgery, drug therapy, stem cell transplantation, regenerative medicine, and rehabilitation therapy have been developed for the treatment of SCI. Among them, regenerative biomaterials that use tissue engineering and bioscaffolds to transport cells or drugs to the injured site are considered the most promising option. In this review, we briefly introduce SCI and its molecular mechanism and summarize the application of biomaterials in the repair and regeneration of tissue in various models of SCI. However, there is still limited evidence about the treatment of SCI with biomaterials in the clinic. Finally, this review will provide inspiration and direction for the future study and application of biomaterials in the treatment of SCI.
Type 2 Diabetes in Obesity: A Systems Biology Study on Serum and Adipose Tissue Proteomic Profiles
Authors: Arderiu Gemma , Mendieta Guiomar , Gallinat Alex , Lambert Carmen , Díez-Caballero Alberto , Ballesta Carlos , Badimon Lina
Published: January 2023

Obesity is associated with metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), further increasing an already heightened cardiovascular risk. Here, amongst obese class III bariatric surgery patients, we have investigated the effect of T2DM in serum and in two, same patient, adipose tissue (AT) depots through proteomic profile expression analyses. Serum and AT samples from subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral (VAT) fat were collected during bariatric surgery. Bead-based targeted multiplex assay systems were used to simultaneously detect and quantify multiple targets in serum samples (targeted proteomics) and analyze changes in adipokine serum composition. AT samples were assessed through an untargeted proteomics approach. Through a systems biology analysis of the proteomic data, information on the affected biological pathways was acquired. In obese class III individuals, the presence of T2DM induced a significantly higher systemic release of ghrelin, GLP-1, glucagon, MMP3, BAFF, chitinase 3-like 1, TNF-R1 and TNF-R2, and a lower systemic release of IL-8. SAT and VAT proteomes belonging to the same patient showed significant differences in local protein content. While the proteins upregulated in VAT were indicative of metabolic dysregulation, SAT protein upregulation suggested adequate endocrine regulation. The presence of T2DM significantly affected VAT protein composition through the upregulation of dysregulating metabolic pathways, but SAT protein composition was not significantly modified. Our results show that T2DM induces metabolic dysregulation in obese individuals with changes in systemic marker levels and impairment of proteostasis in VAT but not in SAT.
Peptide Drug Conjugates and Their Role in Cancer Therapy
Authors: Heh Ethan , Allen Jesse , Ramirez Fabiola , Lovasz Daniel , Fernandez Lorena , Hogg Tanis , Riva Hannah , Holland Nathan , Chacon Jessica
Published: January 2023

Drug conjugates have become a significant focus of research in the field of targeted medicine for cancer treatments. Peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs), a subset of drug conjugates, are composed of carrier peptides ranging from 5 to 30 amino acid residues, toxic payloads, and linkers that connect the payload to the peptide. PDCs are further broken down into cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) and cell-targeting peptides (CTPs), each having their own differences in the delivery of cytotoxic payloads. Generally, PDCs as compared to other drug conjugates—like antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)—have advantages in tumor penetration, ease of synthesis and cost, and reduced off-target effects. Further, as compared to traditional cancer treatments (e.g., chemotherapy and radiation), PDCs have higher specificity for the target cancer with generally less toxic side effects in smaller doses. However, PDCs can have disadvantages such as poor stability and rapid renal clearance due to their smaller size and limited oral bioavailability due to digestion of its peptide structure. Some of these challenges can be overcome with modifications, and despite drawbacks, the intrinsic small size of PDCs with high target specificity still makes them an attractive area of research for cancer treatments.
Design and Fabrication of an In Situ Short-Fiber Doser for Fused Filament Fabrication 3D Printer: A Novel Method to Manufacture Fiber–Polymer Composite
Authors: Ismail Khairul Izwan , Ramarad Suganti , Yap Tze Chuen
Published: January 2023

Fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D-printed parts are mostly used as prototypes instead of functional parts because they have a weaker mechanical strength compared to their injection molded counterparts. Various methods including a fiber-reinforced polymer composite were proposed to enhance the properties of FFF 3D-printed parts. A new concept to fabricate a polymer composite via FFF 3D printing is proposed, where fiber is deposited during printing, instead of using a premixed composite filament. In order to investigate the workability of this concept, a new device is needed. Firstly, the design requirements were identified, and a fiber doser that can be mounted on a commercial 3D printer was designed. Prototype testing was conducted to improve the design. The improved fiber doser was able to deposit varied fiber contents during FFF 3D printing. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to quantify the fiber contents of the fabricated composites. With this newly designed doser, short glass fiber–polylactic acid (PLA) composites with three different fiber contents (1.02 wt.%, 2.39 wt.%, and 4.98 wt.%) were successfully manufactured. A new technique to manufacture a polymer composite is proven; nevertheless, the mechanical and tribological properties of the newly fabricated composites are under investigation and will be reported in a subsequent article.