bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Genetic Diversity and Development of A Core Collection in Walnut (Juglans regia L.) Germplasm Native to China via Genotyping-by-Sequencing
Authors: Ren Jing , Wang Yu-An , Zhou Xiao-Kang , Xie Kai-Wen , Han Fu-Jun , Peng Hai , Liu Xiao-Yong
Published: July 2023

Popular knowledge of the population structure and genetic diversity of a plant species is essential for designing improvement strategies. The genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) approach has been used to simplify complex genomes and has become a popular high-throughput molecular tool for selecting and breeding many crop plants, including those with large genomes. This study aimed to construct a core collection of walnut (Juglans regia) germplasm using the GBS approach. A diversity panel of 87 walnut initial genotypes, including 25 landraces, 12 cultivars, and 50 seedling populations, mostly native to the Gansu Province of China, was subjected to GBS. A total of 110,497 high-quality SNPs were identified and used for determining distinct clusters and an optimum number of subpopulations. Structure analysis divided the genotypes into three distinct groups, which coincided with their collection site and year, suggesting a certain degree of separation in the geographical origin and pedigree among the three groups. To maximize germplasm utilization, the genotypes were posteriorly grouped according to the subgroups obtained through GBS analysis. To minimize subsample redundancy, the core collection was designed using a set of 6540 SNPs distributed across all 16 chromosomes. Finally, a core collection comprising nine walnut genotypes (10% of the entire genotype set), including five cultivars, three seedling populations, and one landrace, was assembled. Genetic structure analysis indicated that the core collection has an uneven distribution in the landrace collection, which could be related to environmental conditions, and the genotypes of the landrace collection are similar. Overall, the results of this study and the establishment of the core collection will facilitate the improvement of walnut in future breeding programs.
Fracturing of Solids as a Thermodynamic Process
Authors: Petrov Mark
Published: July 2023

Instead of a number of different approaches or a formal description of experimental data, a unified approach is proposed to consider failure and deformation as thermodynamic processes. Mathematical modeling of the processes is carried out using rheological models of the material. Parametric identification of structural models is carried out using minimal necessary experiments. Based on results of these experiments, the scope of applicability conditions for this material and test modes necessary for parametric identification of models are selected. One fracture criterion is used that formally corresponds to the achievement of a threshold concentration of micro-damage in any volume of the material. Calculations of durability under conditions of varying temperature and variable loads are based on the relationship of plastic flow and failure processes distributed over the volume of the material. They are performed numerically over time steps depending on the ratio of the rate of change of temperature and stresses.
Multimodal Imaging of Metals in a Retinal Degeneration Model to Inform on Ocular Disease
Authors: Millar Joshua , Gibbons Luke , Costa Catia , Schneider Ella , von Gerichten Johanna , Bailey Melanie J. , Campbell Susan , Duckett Catherine , Doyle Sarah , Cole Laura M.
Published: July 2023

The metallome has been involved in the pathological investigation into ocular tissue for decades; however, as technologies advance, more information can be ascertained from individual tissue sections that were not previously possible. Herein, a demonstration of complementary techniques has been utilized to describe the distribution and concentrations of essential metals in both wildtype (WT) and rhodopsin (Rho−/−) ocular tissues. The multimodal approach described is an example of complementary datasets that can be produced when employing a multifaceted analytical approach. Heterogenous distributions of copper and zinc were observable within both WT and Rho−/− tissue by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), and the distributions of further trace elements notoriously problematic for ICP-MS analysis (phosphorous, Sulfur, chlorine, potassium, calcium, iron, and aluminum) were analysed by particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE).
An Evolutionary Strategy for Spawning Habitat Selection by Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpa
Authors: Choi Jong-Yun , Kim Seong-Ki
Published: July 2023

In this study, we hypothesized that the limited geographical distribution of Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpa in South Korea is closely related to the local abundance of their preferred spawning habitats. Eggs of P. tenuicorpa were most frequently observed in cracks smaller than 5 cm, followed by the nests of other fish, such as Coreoperca herzi. Although eggs of P. tenuicorpa were also found in cracks larger than 6 cm, most of them were consumed or damaged by other fish. However, the number of P. tenuicorpa eggs spawned in cracks smaller than 5 cm remained similar to the number of eggs at the time of initial spawning, even after 9 days. The strong preference of P. tenuicorpa for cracks smaller than 5 cm was found to influence the geographical distribution of P. tenuicorpa in South Korea. In the upper reaches of the Han River, the ratio of cracks smaller than 5 cm is higher than that in the Geum River and in the Nakdong River, which contributes to the stable population growth of P. tenuicorpa there. In the future, management strategies to maintain/restore cracks smaller than 5 cm should be reviewed for the preservation of this endemic fish in South Korea.
The Role of Brown Adipose Tissue and Energy Metabolism in Mammalian Thermoregulation during the Perinatal Period
Authors: Bienboire-Frosini Cécile , Wang Dehua , Marcet-Rius Míriam , Villanueva-García Dina , Gazzano Angelo , Domínguez-Oliva Adriana , Olmos-Hernández Adriana , Hernández-Ávalos Ismael , Lezama-García Karina , Verduzco-Mendoza Antonio , Gómez-Prado Jocelyn , Mota-Rojas Daniel
Published: July 2023

Hypothermia is one of the most common causes of mortality in neonates, and it could be developed after birth because the uterus temperature is more elevated than the extrauterine temperature. Neonates use diverse mechanisms to thermoregulate, such as shivering and non-shivering thermogenesis. These strategies can be more efficient in some species, but not in others, i.e., altricials, which have the greatest difficulty with achieving thermoneutrality. In addition, there are anatomical and neurological differences in mammals, which may present different distributions and amounts of brown fat. This article aims to discuss the neuromodulation mechanisms of thermoregulation and the importance of brown fat in the thermogenesis of newborn mammals, emphasizing the analysis of the biochemical, physiological, and genetic factors that determine the distribution, amount, and efficiency of this energy resource in newborns of different species. It has been concluded that is vital to understand and minimize hypothermia causes in newborns, which is one of the main causes of mortality in neonates. This would be beneficial for both animals and producers.
Effect of Fish Oil and Linseed Oil on Intake, Milk Yield and Milk Fatty Acid Profile in Goats
Authors: Thanh Lam Phuoc , Loor Juan J. , Mai Duong Tran Tuyet , Hang Tran Thi Thuy
Published: July 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of incorporating linseed oil and fish oil in the diet on intake, ruminal fermentation, milk yield, and milk fatty acid profiles in dairy goats. Four crossbred Saanen lactating goats in mid-lactation and milking 1.30 ± 0.28 g/day were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. The basal diet contained concentrate and Para grass (C:F 40:60). Treatments included a basal diet without oil supplementation (Ctrl) or with 2.5% linseed oil (LO2.5), 2.5% linseed oil and fish oil (3:2, w/w, LFO2.5), and 4.16% linseed oil and fish oil (3:2, w/w, LFO4.16). Diets had no effect on intake, milk yield, milk composition, or ruminal fermentation (p > 0.05). Compared with Ctrl, lower (p < 0.05) proportions of C10:0–C14:0 in milk fat were observed with LFO4.16. Compared with the Ctrl and linseed oil added alone, feeding LFO4.16 led to a greater (p < 0.01) concentration of C18:1 t11. Compared with both the Ctrl and LO2.5 diets, milk c9,t11 CLA was 4.53 and 2.94 times greater with the LFO4.16 diet. Compared with Ctrl and LO2.5 diets (0.06% and 0.08%), goats fed LFO2.5, and LFO4.16 had greater (p < 0.001) concentrations of C22:6n-3 (0.63% and 0.87%). Overall, the combined data suggested that including 4.16% linseed oil and fish oil in the diet of dairy goats was effective in improving the concentrations of health-promoting fatty acids in milk without affecting milk production.
Analytical Validation and Assessment of Baseline Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites in Northern Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) in Human Care
Authors: Olsen Amy Y. , Smith Angela , Hempstead Caroline , Larson Shawn E.
Published: July 2023

Fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs) have been used as a non-invasive and indirect measurement of the complex stress response in a variety of species. Animals in facilities under managed care allow for the longitudinal study of FGMs in a controlled environment. Animal histories often include environmental, husbandry, and medical notes that can be matched to FGM concentrations to aid in the physiological validation of adrenal stimulation and response. The goal of this study was to demonstrate analytical validations using two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (EIA) to measure FGMs from northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) under human care (Seattle Aquarium, Seattle, WA, USA) and to determine baseline and stress response spike levels for individual sea otters. Individual variation was found among the four subjects in the study with fecal baseline levels ranging from 20.2 to 83.7 ng/g for cortisol-immunoreactive metabolites and 52.3 to 102 ng/g for corticosterone-immunoreactive metabolites. As a retrospective study, 39 percent of hormone peaks were associated with notes and most FGM spikes were associated with veterinary procedures or days in which enrichment items were provided and produced an excitatory response. Monitoring baseline FGMs levels and events associated with hormone peak values may provide insight into effective husbandry management to improve the overall welfare of sea otters and other marine mammals.
Anthelmintic Activity of Tanacetum vulgare L. (Leaf and Flower) Extracts against Trichostrongylidae Nematodes in Sheep In Vitro
Authors: Kļaviņa Alīna , Keidāne Dace , Ganola Kristīne , Lūsis Ivars , Šukele Renāte , Bandere Dace , Kovalcuka Liga
Published: July 2023

Due to the high prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep, the growing anthelmintic resistance, and the development of organic farming systems, sustainable alternatives are being sought. One such method is phytotherapy. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro ovicidal and larvicidal activity of extracts of tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.) growing in Latvia on gastrointestinal nematodes (Trichostrongylidae) in sheep. The leaves and flowers of the tansy were extracted separately in 70%, 50%, and 30% ethanol and acetone. Six concentrations were prepared from each extract 500 mg/mL, 200 mg/mL, 100 mg/mL, 50 mg/mL, 20 mg/mL, and 10 mg/mL. In vitro egg hatching test and micro-agar larval development test were performed. Extracts of tansy have strong larvicidal activity. The highest percentage of larvae inhibition for most of the extracts was 100%, but for egg inhibition, it was 95.8% for the 200 mg/mL concentration of 50% acetone and 93.3% for the 500 mg/mL concentration of 50% ethanol leaf extracts. All tansy extracts had ovicidal and larvicidal activity against Trichostrongylidae in sheep.
Insights into the Evolving Epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile Infection and Treatment: A Global Perspective
Authors: Liu Crystal , Monaghan Tanya , Yadegar Abbas , Louie Thomas , Kao Dina
Published: July 2023

Clostridioides difficile remains an important public health threat, globally. Since the emergence of the hypervirulent strain, ribotype 027, new strains have been reported to cause C. difficile infection (CDI) with poor health outcomes, including ribotypes 014/020, 017, 056, 106, and 078/126. These strains differ in their geographic distribution, genetic makeup, virulence factors, and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, which can affect their ability to cause disease and respond to treatment. As such, understanding C. difficile epidemiology is increasingly important to allow for effective prevention measures. Despite the heightened epidemiological surveillance of C. difficile over the past two decades, it remains challenging to accurately estimate the burden and international epidemiological trends given the lack of concerted global effort for surveillance, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This review summarizes the changing epidemiology of C. difficile based on available data within the last decade, highlights the pertinent ribotypes from a global perspective, and discusses evolving treatments for CDI.
Antimicrobial Stewardship for Outpatients with Chronic Bone and Joint Infections in the Orthopaedic Clinic of an Academic Tertiary Hospital, South Africa
Authors: Masetla Mankoana A. , Ntuli Pinky N. , Abraham Veena , Godman Brian , Witika Bwalya A. , Mudenda Steward , Skosana Phumzile P.
Published: July 2023

Bone and joint infections are associated with prolonged hospitalizations, high morbidity and complexity of care. They are difficult to treat, and successful therapy requires organism-specific antimicrobial therapy at high doses for a prolonged duration as recommended in standard treatment guidelines (STGs). Adherence to the treatment plan is equally important, which is enhanced with knowledge of the condition as well as appropriate antibiotics. Consequently, the aim of this study was to provide antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) services to outpatients with chronic bone and joint infections presenting to the orthopaedic clinic at a public South African tertiary hospital. A total of 44 patients participated in this study. Chronic osteomyelitis was diagnosed in 39 (89%) patients and septic arthritis in 5 (11%). The majority (43%) of infections were caused by Staphylococcus aureus followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14%). Seventy-one antibiotics were prescribed at baseline with rifampicin prescribed the most (39%), followed by ciprofloxacin (23%). The majority (96%) of the antibiotics were not prescribed according to the South African STG; however, interventions were only needed in 31% of prescribed antibiotics (n = 71) since the STG only recommends empiric therapy directed against Staphylococcus aureus. Seventy-seven percent of the patients obtained a high self-reported adherence score at baseline. Consequently, there is a need to improve AMS in bone and joint infections to improve future care.
Reliability Estimation Using EM Algorithm with Censored Data: A Case Study on Centrifugal Pumps in an Oil Refinery
Authors: Silva José , Vaz Paulo , Martins Pedro , Ferreira Luís
Published: July 2023

Centrifugal pumps are widely employed in the oil refinery industry due to their efficiency and effectiveness in fluid transfer applications. The reliability of pumps plays a pivotal role in ensuring uninterrupted plant productivity and safe operations. Analysis of failure history data shows that bearings have been identified as critical components in oil refinery pump groups. Analyzing historical failure data for such systems is a complex task due to censored data and missing information. This paper addresses the complexity of estimating the Weibull distribution parameters using the maximum likelihood method under these conditions. The likelihood equation lacks an explicit analytical solution, necessitating numerical methods for resolution. The proposed approach presented in this article leverages the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm for estimating the Weibull distribution parameters in a real-world case study of a complex engineering system. The results demonstrate the superior performance of the EM algorithm with censored data, showcasing its ability to overcome the limitations of traditional methods and provide more accurate estimates for reliability metrics. This highlights the importance of obtaining results through these methodologies in the analysis of reliability and in facilitating more informed decision making in complex systems.
Metamaterials’ Application in Sustainable Technologies and an Introduction to Their Influence on Energy Harvesting Devices
Authors: Góra Paulina , Łopato Przemysław
Published: July 2023

The realm of sustainable technologies and metamaterials represents a vibrant field of inquiry, and, upon closer examination, a fascinating correlation emerges. Metamaterials, being artificially engineered substances, exhibit diverse characteristics, depending on their specific composition. Remarkably, they hold immense potential in various sustainability-driven applications, such as energy harvesting, purification, and noise control. For instance, a straightforward approach involves the implementation of electromagnetic metamaterial absorbers in energy harvesting systems. As the scope of environmental concerns continues to expand, this proposed solution demonstrates its universal applicability, addressing a growing number of environmental challenges.
Water and Sediment Quality Changes in Mangrove Systems with Shrimp Farms in the Northern Ecuadorean Coast
Authors: Rebolledo Monsalve Eduardo , Verduga Vergara Lita
Published: July 2023

The environmental quality of mangroves is influenced by multiple factors, among which shrimp aquaculture currently plays a major role. This study describes the alterations of natural conditions of mangrove systems that house shrimp farms in the northern Ecuadorean coast. Water, sediment quality and the structure of benthic assemblages of four sectors with different proportions of mangroves and shrimp ponds are described. The samples were collected at the confluence of mangrove drainages or tidal creeks, as well as in the modified drainages for shrimp farm infrastructures towards navigable channels, during the dry and rainy seasons. Shrimp farm drainage water had a 17% higher dissolved oxygen concentration and 2.5 times higher total ammonium and phosphorus compared to mangrove drainage water. The sediment in the latter decreased their total organic matter and nitrogen content by 44% and 53%, respectively, slightly increasing the pH level and increasing the ammonium content by 93%. Furthermore, the redox profiles were different between the types of drainages. The soft-bottom benthic assemblages involved 56 species in the study area and exhibited a variety of sectoral structures, with better indicators of ecological status in sectors with fewer shrimp farms. Finally, improvements are suggested for monitoring the environmental quality of shrimp farms in Ecuadorean mangrove systems.
Blockchain-Based Distributed Computing Consistency Verification for IoT Mobile Applications
Authors: Zhao Jiahao , Zhang Yushu , Jiang Jiajia
Published: July 2023

The maturation of wireless connectivity, blockchain (distributed ledger technologies), and intelligent systems has fostered a comprehensive ecosystem for the Internet of Things (IoT). However, the growing volume of data generated by IoT devices creates substantial pressure on blockchain storage and computation capabilities, impeding the further development of the IoT ecosystem. Decentralizing data storage across multiple chains and utilizing cross-chain technology for data exchange eliminates the need for expensive centralized infrastructure, lowers data transfer costs, and improves accessibility. Hence, the issue of computational and storage pressure in blockchain can be improved. Nonetheless, the data of IoT devices are constantly updating, and ensuring consistency for dynamic data across heterogeneous chains remains a significant challenge. To address the aforementioned challenge, we propose a blockchain-based distributed and lightweight data consistency verification model (BDCA), which leverages a batch verification dynamic Merkle hash tree (BV-MHT) and an advanced gamma multi-signature scheme (AGMS) to enable consistent verification of dynamic data while ensuring secure and private data transmission. The AGMS scheme is reliable and robust based on security analysis while the dependability and consistency of BDCA are verified through inductive reasoning. Experimental results indicate that BDCA outperforms CPVPA and Fortress in communication and computation overhead for data preprocessing and auditing in a similar condition, and the AGMS scheme exhibits superior performance when compared to other widely adopted multi-signature schemes such as Cosi, BLS, and RSA. Furthermore, BDCA provides up to 99% data consistency guarantees, demonstrating its practicality.
Ultrasound Elastography for the Differentiation of Benign and Malignant Solid Renal Masses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Cè Maurizio , Cozzi Andrea , Cellina Michaela , Schifano Eliana , Gibelli Daniele , Oliva Giancarlo , Papa Sergio , Dughetti Luca , Irmici Giovanni , Carrafiello Gianpaolo
Published: July 2023

The incidental finding of small renal masses in CT and MRI examinations can present a diagnostic challenge. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and angiomyolipoma (AML) are the most common incidental malignant and benign renal lesions but may present with similar US features. US elastography is a non-invasive technique that can assess tissue elasticity, has shown promising results in many clinical settings, and could be able to differentiate between benign and malignant renal lesions based on tissue stiffness. The purpose of this article is to systematically review the applications of US elastography in the characterization of solid renal masses and to derive and compare the summary estimates of different stiffness values across different lesion subtypes. In December 2022, a systematic search was carried out on the MEDLINE (PubMed) and EMBASE databases to retrieve studies on the application of US elastography in the characterization of solid renal masses. After article selection by three researchers, 14 studies entered qualitative synthesis. A total of 1190 patients were included, and the elastography data of 959 lesions were examined: 317/959 (33%) benign and 642/959 (67%) malignant. Among the malignancies, 590 (91%) were RCC, whereas, among the 317 benign lesions, 244 (77%) were AML. All lesions were classified using a histopathological (biopsy or operative specimen) or imaging (US follow-up/CT/MRI) reference standard. After data extraction and methodological quality evaluation, quantitative synthesis was performed on 12 studies, 4 using strain elastography (SE) and 8 using shear wave elastography (SWE), with single- and double-arm random-effects meta-analyses. Lesion stiffness measured with SE was available in four studies, with an RCC strain ratio higher than the AML strain ratio both in an indirect comparison (Cochran’s Q test p = 0.014) and in a direct comparison (p = 0.021). Conversely, the SWE measurements of RCC and AML stiffness did not significantly differ either at an indirect comparison (p = 0.055) or direct comparison (p = 0.114).
A Coordinate-Regression-Based Deep Learning Model for Catheter Detection during Structural Heart Interventions
Authors: Aghasizade Mahdie , Kiyoumarsioskouei Amir , Hashemi Sara , Torabinia Matin , Caprio Alexandre , Rashid Muaz , Xiang Yi , Rangwala Huzefa , Ma Tianyu , Lee Benjamin , Wang Alan , Sabuncu Mert , Wong S. Chiu , Mosadegh Bobak
Published: July 2023

With a growing geriatric population estimated to triple by 2050, minimally invasive procedures that are image-guided are becoming both more popular and necessary for treating a variety of diseases. To lower the learning curve for new procedures, it is necessary to develop better guidance systems and methods to analyze procedure performance. Since fluoroscopy remains the primary mode of visualizations, the ability to perform catheter tracking from fluoroscopic images is an important part of this endeavor. This paper explores the use of deep learning to perform the landmark detection of a catheter from fluoroscopic images in 3D-printed heart models. We show that a two-stage deep-convolutional-neural-network-based model architecture can provide improved performance by initially locating a region of interest before determining the coordinates of the catheter tip within the image. This model has an average error of less than 2% of the image resolution and can be performed within 4 milliseconds, allowing for its potential use for real-time intraprocedural tracking. Coordinate regression models have the advantage of directly outputting values that can be used for quantitative tracking in future applications and are easier to create ground truth values (~50× faster), as compared to semantic segmentation models that require entire masks to be made. Therefore, we believe this work has better long-term potential to be used for a broader class of cardiac devices, catheters, and guidewires.
Study on Bond Anchorage Behavior of Small-Diameter Rebar Planting under Medium and Low Cycle Fatigue Loads
Authors: Chen Kui , Zhang Linhao , Wang Xianqiao
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we describe how, through the combination of field testing and finite element simulation, the bonding and anchoring performance of small-diameter rebar under the action of medium and low cycle fatigue load was studied and the corresponding conclusions were obtained: ① Through the test, the performance parameters of the 6 mm and 8 mm rebar planting specimens were obtained after the rebar was subjected to 10,000, 50,000 and 100,000 times of medium and low cycle fatigue loading at depths of 10d, 15d and 20d. The analysis shows that the medium and low cycle fatigue load has a significant effect on the elastic ultimate load, elastic ultimate slip and ultimate slip of the small-diameter rebar planting specimens. With the increase in fatigue loading times, the elastic ultimate load of the rebar specimen decreased continuously, and the elastic ultimate slip and ultimate slip showed an increasing trend. By increasing the anchor depth, the influence of fatigue load on the anchoring performance parameters of the rebar planting specimen can be reduced. Under the influence of the upper ultimate condition of 100,000 times of fatigue loading, the ultimate load and failure mode of the planted bars basically did not change compared with the control specimens without fatigue loading. ② Based on the performance parameters of the rebar planting specimens obtained from the field test, the bond–slip constitutive relationship of the adhesive–rebar interface of the small-diameter rebar planting under the medium and low cycle fatigue load is analyzed and proposed. The F-U relationship of the spring element under the fatigue load is defined to simulate the bond–slip behavior of the adhesive–rebar interface. The finite element simulation results are in good agreement with the field test results. ③ Through a large number of finite element numerical simulation results, the elastic ultimate load calculation formulas of 6 mm and 8 mm diameter rebar planting specimens under medium and low cycle fatigue loads are obtained.
Clinching of High-Strength Steel Sheets with Local Preheating
Authors: Džupon Miroslav , Kaščák Ľuboš , Cmorej Denis , Čiripová Lucia , Mucha Jacek , Spišák Emil
Published: July 2023

Clinching is a manufacturing method of mechanically joining two or more materials without the use of heat or additional components. This process relies on high plastic deformation to create a secure bond. Clinching technology is widely used for joining materials of various grades and thicknesses. Especially in the automotive industry, clinching is an alternative to resistance spot welding. However, the load-bearing capacity of clinched joints is comparatively lower when compared to resistance spot-welded joints. This research aimed to increase the load-carrying capacity of clinched joints. To enhance the load-bearing capacity of the clinched joints, localized modification of the microstructure was carried out, primarily focusing on the neck area of the joint. The alteration of the microstructure within the clinched joint was accomplished through the application of localized heating using the resistance spot welding method. The microstructure distribution in the clinched joint region was analyzed using light and scanning electron microscopy, as well as microhardness measurements. Two material grades, micro-alloyed steel HX420LAD+Z and dual-phase ferritic–martensitic steel HCT600X+Z, were tested. Each grade underwent five groups of ten samples, which were subjected to identical experimental conditions of local heating by resistance spot welding (RSW) and clinching. The utilization of RSW on the clinched joint region resulted in an average enhancement of 17% in the load-carrying capacity for material HCT600X+Z, and an average increase of 25% for material HX420LAD+Z.
Editorial for Special Issue: Advanced Fault Diagnosis and Fault-Tolerant Control Technology of Spacecraft
Authors: Cheng Yuehua , Jia Qingxian , Jin Guang , Li Yuqing
Published: July 2023

In order to complete the various tasks in advanced space missions, such as communication, navigation, and remote sensing, single complicated spacecraft and many distributed spacecraft systems have been launched into orbit [...]
DNA Barcoding and Molecular Phylogenetics Revealed a New Cryptic Bamboo Aphid Species of the Genus Takecallis (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
Authors: Wieczorek Karina , Sawka-Gądek Natalia
Published: July 2023

Takecallis nigroantennatus Wieczorek sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Aphididae), associated with the cold hardy bamboo variety Fargesia spp. (Bambusoideae), is described and illustrated along with a key to species of the genus Takecallis. The results of a mitochondrial COI (DNA barcoding) and nuclear elongation factor 1 (EF1α) gene sequences, which confirm the genetic difference of the new taxon from the other congeneric species, are provided. The possible way of introduction of this species to Europe is discussed with its new locality from Belgium.
Error Analysis and Visibility Classification of Camera-Based Visiometer Using SVM under Nonstandard Conditions
Authors: Chen Le , Yu Zhibin , Wang Huaijin , Wang Shihai , Liu Xulin , Mei Lin , Zheng Jianchuan , Zuo Pingbing
Published: July 2023

A camera-based visiometer is a promising atmospheric visibility measurement tool because it can meet some specific demands such as the need for visibility monitoring in a strong way, whereas traditional instruments, such as forward scatter-type sensors and transmissometers, can hardly be widely utilized due to their high cost. The camera-based method is used to measure visibility by recording the luminance contrast of the objects in an image. However, lacking standard conditions, they can hardly obtain absolute measurements even with blackbody objects. In this paper, the errors caused by nonstandard conditions in camera-based visiometers with two artificial black bodies are analyzed. The results show that the luminance contrasts of the two blackbodies are highly dependent on the environmental radiance distribution. The nonuniform sky illuminance can cause a large error in the blackbody contrast estimations, leading to substantial visibility measurement errors. A method based on a support vector machine (SVM) is proposed to classify the visibility under nonstandard conditions to ensure the reliability of the camera-based visiometer. A classification accuracy of 96.77% was achieved for the data containing images depicting different illumination conditions (e.g., a clear sky, cloudy sky, and overcast). The results show that the classifier based on the SVM is an effective and reliable method to estimate visibility under complex conditions.
On the Optimal Input Rate in Queues with Batch Service
Authors: Pagano Michele , Tananko Igor , Stankevich Elena
Published: July 2023

In recent years, queuing systems with batch service are emerging as powerful and flexible mathematical models in different frameworks. In this paper, we consider a single server queuing system with Poissonian arrivals, infinite buffers, and a constant batch size b. This paper addresses a little-studied optimization problem, namely the existence of an optimal arrival rate that minimizes the average sojourn time. Unlike the classical M/M/1 queue, for any batch size b, the problem admits a non-trivial solution that can be found by solving a polynomial equation of degree b+1. Since, in general, only numerical solutions are available, a simple first-order approximation is also derived and the corresponding deviations (in terms of input rate and sojourn time) are calculated. In more detail, it is shown that the approximation improves as the batch size increases and, in any case, the relative error for the average sojourn time is less than 0.34%. Finally, the paper provides new theoretical results about the asymptotic service rate in the equivalent birth–death process, highlighting how it depends on all queue parameters.
AFNet Algorithm for Automatic Amniotic Fluid Segmentation from Fetal MRI
Authors: Costanzo Alejo , Ertl-Wagner Birgit , Sussman Dafna
Published: July 2023

Amniotic Fluid Volume (AFV) is a crucial fetal biomarker when diagnosing specific fetal abnormalities. This study proposes a novel Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model, AFNet, for segmenting amniotic fluid (AF) to facilitate clinical AFV evaluation. AFNet was trained and tested on a manually segmented and radiologist-validated AF dataset. AFNet outperforms ResUNet++ by using efficient feature mapping in the attention block and transposing convolutions in the decoder. Our experimental results show that AFNet achieved a mean Intersection over Union (mIoU) of 93.38% on our dataset, thereby outperforming other state-of-the-art models. While AFNet achieves performance scores similar to those of the UNet++ model, it does so while utilizing merely less than half the number of parameters. By creating a detailed AF dataset with an improved CNN architecture, we enable the quantification of AFV in clinical practice, which can aid in diagnosing AF disorders during gestation.
Analytical Study of Stress Distributions around Screws in Flat Mandibular Bone under In-Plane Loading
Authors: Huo Jinxing , Hirsch Jan-Michaél , Gamstedt E. Kristofer
Published: July 2023

A known complication for mechanically loaded bone implants is the instability due to screw loosening, resulting in infection and the non-union of fractures. To investigate and eventually prevent such bone degradation, it is useful to know the stress state in the bone around the screw. Considering only in-plane loadings and simplifying the mandibular bone into an orthotropic laminated plate, the analysis was reduced to a two-dimensional pin-loaded plate problem. An analytic model, based on the complex stress analysis, was introduced to the bone biomechanics field to obtain the stress distributions around the screw hole in the bone. The dimensionless normalized stresses were found to be relatively insensitive to the locations of the screw hole over the mandible. Parametric analyses were carried out regarding the friction coefficient and load direction. It was found that the load direction had a negligible influence. On the contrary, the friction coefficient had a significant effect on the stress distributions. Whether the screw was well bonded or not thus played an important role. The proposed analytic model could potentially be used to study bone failure together with stress-based failure criteria.
Plant–Microbes Interaction: Exploring the Impact of Cold-Tolerant Bacillus Strains RJGP41 and GBAC46 Volatiles on Tomato Growth Promotion through Different Mechanisms
Authors: Khan Abdur Rashid , Ali Qurban , Ayaz Muhammad , Bilal Muhammad Saqib , Sheikh Taha Majid Mahmood , Gu Qin , Wu Huijun , Gao Xuewen
Published: July 2023

The interaction between plant and bacterial VOCs has been extensively studied, but the role of VOCs in growth promotion still needs to be explored. In the current study, we aim to explore the growth promotion mechanisms of cold-tolerant Bacillus strains GBAC46 and RJGP41 and the well-known PGPR strain FZB42 and their VOCs on tomato plants. The result showed that the activity of phytohormone (IAA) production was greatly improved in GBAC46 and RJGP41 as compared to FZB42 strains. The in vitro and in-pot experiment results showed that the Bacillus VOCs improved plant growth traits in terms of physiological parameters as compared to the CK. The VOCs identified through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, namely 2 pentanone, 3-ethyl (2P3E) from GBAC46, 1,3-cyclobutanediol,2,2,4,4-tetramethyl (CBDO) from RJGP41, and benzaldehyde (BDH) from FZB42, were used for plant growth promotion. The results of the partition plate (I-plate) and in-pot experiments showed that all the selected VOCs (2P3E, CBDO, and BDH) promoted plant growth parameters as compared to CK. Furthermore, the root morphological factors also revealed that the selected VOCs improved the root physiological traits in tomato plants. The plant defense enzymes (POD, APX, SOD, and CAT) and total protein contents were studied, and the results showed that the antioxidant enzymes and protein contents significantly increased as compared to CK. Similarly, plant growth promotion expression genes (IAA4, ARF10A, GA2OX2, CKX2, and EXP1) were significantly upregulated and the ERF gene was downregulated as compared to CK. The overall findings suggest that both Bacillus isolates and their pure VOCs positively improved plant growth promotion activities by triggering the antioxidant enzyme activity, protein contents, and relative gene expressions in tomato plants.
Effect of Ripening and In Vitro Digestion on Bioactive Peptides Profile in Ras Cheese and Their Biological Activities
Authors: Helal Ahmed , Cattivelli Alice , Conte Angela , Tagliazucchi Davide
Published: July 2023

The effect of ripening and in vitro digestion on the biological activities, peptide profiles and release of bioactive peptides in Ras cheese has been investigated. Ras cheese ripening largely influenced the extent of protein hydrolysis. The advancement in ripening resulted in an increase in total peptides (from 0.97 to 2.46 mmol leucine/g in samples at 30 and 180 days of ripening, respectively) and bioactive peptides concentration, especially angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory, dipeptidyl-peptidase-IV-(DPP-IV)-inhibitory and antioxidant peptides. In vitro gastro-intestinal digestion further promoted protein hydrolysis and the release of bioactive peptides. Digested Ras cheese at 90 and 180 days of ripening displayed the highest bioactive peptides intensity. The variations in bioactive peptides amount during ripening and in vitro digestion were correlated with the changes in ACE-inhibitory, DPP-IV-inhibitory and antioxidant activities. The highest amounts of VPP and IPP were detected in digested Ras cheese at 90 days of ripening (17.44 and 36.50 mg/kg of cheese, respectively), whereas the highest concentrations of APFPE were found in undigested and digested 180-day ripened Ras cheese (82.09 and 52.01 mg/kg of cheese, respectively). The present investigation underlined potential differences in the biological effect after the ingestion of Ras cheese at different ripening times.
Cell Self-Destruction (Programmed Cell Death), Immunonutrition and Metabolism
Authors: Yu Ligen
Published: July 2023

The main purpose of this Special Issue is to provide readers with current understandings of the interactions and causal relations among injury stimuli (including microorganism infections), immune response and overnutrition/lipotoxicity in disease pathogenesis [...]
Effects of Topical 1,25 and 24,25 Vitamin D on Diabetic, Vitamin D Deficient and Vitamin D Receptor Knockout Mouse Corneal Wound Healing
Authors: Lu Xiaowen , Chen Zhong , Lu Jerry , Watsky Mitchell
Published: July 2023

Delayed or prolonged corneal wound healing and non-healing corneas put patients at risk for ocular surface infections and subsequent stromal opacification, resulting in discomfort or visual loss. It is important to enhance corneal wound healing efficiency and quality. Vitamin D (Vit D) is both a hormone and a vitamin, and its insufficiency has been linked to immune disorders and diabetes. For this study, wound healing and recruitment of CD45+ cells into the wound area of normoglycemic and diabetic mice were examined following corneal epithelial debridement and treatment with 1,25-dihyroxyvitamin D (1,25 Vit D) or 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25 Vit D). Treatment with topical 1,25-dihyroxyvitamin D (1,25 Vit D) resulted in significantly increased corneal wound healing rates of normoglycemic, diabetic and diabetic Vit D deficient mice. Furthermore, 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25 Vit D) significantly increased corneal wound healing of diabetic Vit D deficient and Vit D receptor knockout (VDR KO) mice. In addition, CD45+ cell numbers were reduced in diabetic and VDR KO mouse corneas compared to normoglycemic mice, and 24,25 Vit D increased the recruitment of CD45+ cells to diabetic mouse corneas after epithelial debridement. CD45+ cells were found to infiltrate into the corneal basal epithelial layer after corneal epithelial debridement. Our data indicate that topical Vit D promotes corneal wound healing and further supports previous work that the Vit D corneal wound healing effect is not totally VDR-dependent.
LAG-3 Inhibitors: Novel Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Changing the Landscape of Immunotherapy
Authors: Ibrahim Rebecca , Saleh Khalil , Chahine Claude , Khoury Rita , Khalife Nadine , Cesne Axel Le
Published: July 2023

One of the most important steps forward in the management of cancer was the discovery of immunotherapy. It has become an essential pillar in the treatment paradigm of cancer patients. Unfortunately, despite the various options presented with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), the benefit is still limited to select patients and the vast majority of these patients gain either minimal benefit or eventually progress, leaving an unmet need for the development of novel therapeutic agents and strategies. Lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3), an immune checkpoint receptor protein, is a molecule found on the surface of activated T-cells. It plays a major role in negatively regulating T-cell function thereby providing tumors with an immune escape in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Given its importance in regulating the immune system, LAG-3 has been considered as a promising target in oncology and precision medicine. To date, two LAG-3-directed agents (eftilagimod alpha and relatlimab) have been approved in combination with programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors in the setting of advanced solid tumors. In this review, we discuss the structure of LAG-3, its mechanism of action, and its interaction with its ligands. We also shed light on the emerging treatments targeting LAG-3 for the treatment of solid tumors.
Bio-Inspired Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Electrochemical Sensor for Cortisol Detection Based on O-Phenylenediamine Optimization
Authors: Kim Minwoo , Park Daeil , Park Joohyung , Park Jinsung
Published: July 2023

This paper presents a comprehensive investigation of the various parameters involved in the fabrication of a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) sensor for the detection of cortisol. Parameters such as monomer concentration, electropolymerization cycles, pH, monomer–template ratio, template removal technique, and rebinding time were optimized to establish a more consistent and effective method for the fabrication of MIP sensors. Under the optimized conditions, the MIP sensor demonstrated a proportional decrease in differential pulse voltammetry peak currents with increasing cortisol concentration in the range of 0.1 to 100 nM. The sensor exhibited excellent sensitivity, with a limit of detection of 0.036 nM. Selectivity experiments using a non-imprinted polymer sensor confirmed the specific binding affinity of the MIP sensor for cortisol, distinguishing it from other steroid hormones. This study provides crucial insights into the development of a reliable and sensitive strategy for cortisol detection using O-PD-based MIPs. These findings laid the foundation for further advancements in MIP research.
Multisensory Evaluation of Muscle Activity and Human Manipulability during Upper Limb Motor Tasks
Authors: Lopez-Castellanos Jose M. , Ramon Jose L. , Pomares Jorge , Garcia Gabriel J. , Ubeda Andres
Published: July 2023

In this work, we evaluate the relationship between human manipulability indices obtained from motion sensing cameras and a variety of muscular factors extracted from surface electromyography (sEMG) signals from the upper limb during specific movements that include the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints. The results show specific links between upper limb movements and manipulability, revealing that extreme poses show less manipulability, i.e., when the arms are fully extended or fully flexed. However, there is not a clear correlation between the sEMG signals’ average activity and manipulability factors, which suggests that muscular activity is, at least, only indirectly related to human pose singularities. A possible means to infer these correlations, if any, would be the use of advanced deep learning techniques. We also analyze a set of EMG metrics that give insights into how muscular effort is distributed during the exercises. This set of metrics could be used to obtain good indicators for the quantitative evaluation of sequences of movements according to the milestones of a rehabilitation therapy or to plan more ergonomic and bearable movement phases in a working task.
Evaluation of Urban Resilience Based on Trio Spaces: An Empirical Study in Northeast China
Authors: Zhang Jiayu , Yang Xiaodong , Lu Dagang
Published: July 2023

Realizing the building of urban resilience and improving urban resilience has become important contents of urban development. In view of this phenomenon, relying on the framework of trio spaces, which includes physical space, societal space, and cyberspace, the evaluation index system of urban resilience is established. The evaluation model of urban resilience is constructed by using CRITIC-entropy weight and the cloud evaluation method. Four sub-provincial cities in Northeast China, Harbin, Changchun, Shenyang, and Dalian, are selected as the analysis objects, and the resilience of each city is comprehensively evaluated and spatially evaluated. From the urban resilience comprehensive evaluation, this paper found the cities with the highest resilience levels in 2014, from 2015 to 2018, and from 2019 to 2020 are Dalian, Changchun, and Shenyang, respectively. The city with the lowest resilience level is Harbin. Although there are differences in resilience evaluation values of four cities, the resilience levels of these cities are all “qualified”. From the urban resilience sub-space evaluation, this paper explored the shortcomings of the resilience of physical space, societal space, and cyberspace of each city through the comparison. Then, some suggestions about highlighting the enhancement of cyberspace resilience, emphasizing resilience-building balance, conducting resilience evaluation, and monitoring regularly, and local government policy support are proposed to help to promote urban resilience from the concept of trio spaces.