bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implant or Tooth?—A Prospective Clinical Study on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life for Patients with “Unrestorable” Teeth
Authors: Bruhnke Maria , Naumann Michael , Beuer Florian , Herklotz Insa , Böse Mats Wernfried Heinrich , Neumeyer Stefan , Stein-Lausnitz Manja von
Published: December 2022

In cases of severely compromised teeth, dental practitioners are confronted with the therapeutic decision of whether to restore a tooth or replace it with an implant. Comparative scientific evidence on patient perception of both treatment approaches is scarce. The subject of this prospective clinical study was to compare oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) between two treatment groups: restoration of severely destroyed teeth after orthodontic extrusion (FOE) versus tooth extraction and implant-supported single crown restoration (ISC). A self-selected trial was performed with 21 patients per group. OHRQoL was assessed with the aid of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-G49) at different time intervals: before treatment (T1), after treatment (T2), after restoration (T3) and at recall (T4). Overall, OHIP scores improved from baseline to follow-up for both concepts with no significant differences between groups. There were no significant differences in subscales between FOE and ISC at T1, T3 and T4. In terms of functional limitations (p = 0.003) and physical disability (p = 0.021), patients in the FOE group temporarily exhibited lower OHRQoL at T2 in comparison to the ISC group. However, at baseline, after final restoration and at recall, the study demonstrates the same level of OHRQoL for both treatment concepts.
Efficacy of the New Inotropic Agent Istaroxime in Acute Heart Failure
Authors: Forzano Imma , Mone Pasquale , Mottola Gaetano , Kansakar Urna , Salemme Luigi , De Luca Antonio , Tesorio Tullio , Varzideh Fahimeh , Santulli Gaetano
Published: December 2022

Current therapeutic strategies for acute heart failure (AHF) are based on traditional inotropic agents that are often associated with untoward effects; therefore, finding new effective approaches with a safer profile is dramatically needed. Istaroxime is a novel compound, chemically unrelated to cardiac glycosides, that is currently being studied for the treatment of AHF. Its effects are essentially related to its inotropic and lusitropic positive properties exerted through a dual mechanism of action: activation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase isoform 2a (SERCA2a) and inhibition of the Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA) activity. The advantages of istaroxime over the available inotropic agents include its lower arrhythmogenic action combined with its capability of increasing systolic blood pressure without augmenting heart rate. However, it has a limited half-life (1 hour) and is associated with adverse effects including pain at the injection site and gastrointestinal issues. Herein, we describe the main mechanism of action of istaroxime and we present a systematic overview of both clinical and preclinical trials testing this drug, underlining the latest insights regarding its adoption in clinical practice for AHF.
The Effect of Maternal Coagulation Parameters on Fetal Acidemia in Placental Abruption
Authors: Sugimoto Atsuko , Tanaka Tomohito , Ashihara Keisuke , Daimon Atsushi , Nunode Misa , Nagayasu Yoko , Fujita Daisuke , Tanabe Akiko , Kamegai Hideki , Taniguchi Kohei , Komura Kazumasa , Ohmichi Masahide
Published: December 2022

This study aimed to identify factors predicting the probability of serious fetal acidemia at delivery in placental abruption. We identified 5769 women who delivered at >22 weeks’ gestation at two institutions in a tertiary referral unit specializing in neonatal infant care between January 2007 and December 2011. Ninety-one abruption cases were identified based on clinical and histological diagnoses. Serious fetal acidemia was defined as a pH < 7.0 in the umbilical arterial blood at delivery. Using a linear discriminant function, we calculated the score to determine the probability of serious fetal acidemia. Serious fetal acidemia was observed in 34 patients (37.4%). A logistic regression model showed that abnormal fetal heart rate patterns (bradycardia and late decelerations), uterine spasm, and maternal plasma concentration of fibrinogen less than 288 ng/dL were significantly associated with the occurrence of serious fetal acidemia. We suggest that the implementation of maternal fibrinogen in patients with placental abruption is a prognostic factor for serious fetal acidemia at delivery.
Natural Course of Asymptomatic Upper Gastrointestinal Subepithelial Lesion of 2 cm or Less in Size
Authors: Kim Donghyun , Cho Seoyeon , Park Seon-Young , You Hye-Su , Jung Yong-Wook , Cho Su-Hyeon , Park Changhwan , Kim Hyun-Soo , Choi Sungkyu , Rew Jongsun
Published: December 2022

There is limited evidence of a natural course of an upper gastrointestinal (UGI)-subepithelial lesion (SEL) of 2 cm or less in size. This study aims to determine the natural course of UGI-SELs and find the risk factors of the endoscopic and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) findings associated with an increase in size. The medical records of 2539 patients with UGI-SELs between 2004 and 2016 were reviewed retrospectively. A total of 672 SELs of 2 cm or less in size were analyzed through EUS and followed up for at least 36 months. The mean follow-up duration was 68 months (range: 36–190 months), and 97 SELs (14.4%) showed an increase in size with a mean increase rate of 1.2 mm/year. Initial size (aOR 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.06), an endoscopic finding of a hemorrhagic spot (aOR 3.13, 95% CI 1.14–8.60), and an EUS finding of a lesion in the fourth layer (aOR 1.87, 95% CI (1.21–2.88) were related to an increase in size. An endoscopic finding of translucidity (aOR 0.28, 95% CI (0.10–0.76) and an EUS finding of calcification (aOR 0.30, 95% CI 0.09–0.95) were inversely related to an increase in size. There was no death related to UGI-SELs during the follow-up. While most UGI-SELs of 2 cm or less in size showed no significant size change and favorable prognosis, an individualized follow-up strategy needs to be considered in case of the presence of hemorrhagic spots and lesions in the fourth layer.
RETRACTED: Cardiovascular Disease and Exercise: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Applications
Authors: Wang Bo , Gan Lin , Deng Yuzhi , Zhu Shuoji , Li Ge , Nasser Moussa , Liu Nanbo , Zhu Ping
Published: December 2022

Inactivity is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Exercise may greatly enhance the metabolism and function of the cardiovascular system, lower several risk factors, and prevent the development and treatment of cardiovascular disease while delivering easy, physical, and emotional enjoyment. Exercise regulates the cardiovascular system by reducing oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, regulating cardiovascular insulin sensitivity and the body’s metabolism, promoting stem cell mobilization, strengthening autophagy and myocardial mitochondrial function, and enhancing cardiovascular damage resistance, among other effects. Appropriate exercise intervention has become an essential adjuvant therapy in clinical practice for treating and rehabilitating various cardiovascular diseases. However, the prescription of exercise for preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases, particularly the precise selection of individual exercise techniques and their volume, remains controversial. Using multiomics to explain further the molecular process underlying the positive effects of exercise on cardiovascular health will not only improve our understanding of the effects of exercise on health but also establish a scientific basis and supply new ideas for preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases by activating the endogenous protective mechanisms of the body and suggesting more specific exercise prescriptions for cardiovascular rehabilitation.
New Insights Regarding Hemin Inhibition of the Purified Rat Brain 2-Oxoglutarate Carrier and Relationships with Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Authors: Miniero Daniela , Gambacorta Nicola , Spagnoletta Anna , Tragni Vincenzo , Loizzo Stefano , Nicolotti Orazio , Pierri Ciro , De Palma Annalisa
Published: December 2022

A kinetic analysis of the transport assays on the purified rat brain 2-oxoglutarate/malate carrier (OGC) was performed starting from our recent results reporting about a competitive inhibitory behavior of hemin, a physiological porphyrin derivative, on the OGC reconstituted in an active form into proteoliposomes. The newly provided transport data and the elaboration of the kinetic equations show evidence that hemin exerts a mechanism of partially competitive inhibition, coupled with the formation of a ternary complex hemin-carrier substrate, when hemin targets the OGC from the matrix face. A possible interpretation of the provided kinetic analysis, which is supported by computational studies, could indicate the existence of a binding region responsible for the inhibition of the OGC and supposedly involved in the regulation of OGC activity. The proposed regulatory binding site is located on OGC mitochondrial matrix loops, where hemin could establish specific interactions with residues involved in the substrate recognition and/or conformational changes responsible for the translocation of mitochondrial carrier substrates. The regulatory binding site would be placed about 6 Å below the substrate binding site of the OGC, facing the mitochondrial matrix, and would allow the simultaneous binding of hemin and 2-oxoglutarate or malate to different regions of the carrier. Overall, the presented experimental and computational analyses help to shed light on the possible existence of the hemin-carrier substrate ternary complex, confirming the ability of the OGC to bind porphyrin derivatives, and in particular hemin, with possible consequences for the mitochondrial redox state mediated by the malate/aspartate shuttle led by the mitochondrial carriers OGC and AGC.
Therapeutic Exercise Interventions through Telerehabilitation in Patients with Post COVID-19 Symptoms: A Systematic Review
Authors: Bernal-Utrera Carlos , Montero-Almagro Gines , Anarte-Lazo Ernesto , Gonzalez-Gerez Juan Jose , Rodriguez-Blanco Cleofas , Saavedra-Hernandez Manuel
Published: December 2022

The worldwide incidence of COVID-19 has generated a pandemic of sequelae. These sequelae require multidisciplinary rehabilitative work to address the multisystemic symptoms that patients will present with now and in the future. The aim of the present systematic review is to analyze the current situation of telerehabilitation in patients with COVID-19 sequelae and its effectiveness. Searches were conducted on the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, PEDro, and Web of Science (WOS). There was no complete homogeneity among the five selected articles, so we differentiated two clinical subgroups for the clustering of outcome measures: (group one) patients with post-discharge symptoms and (group two) patients with permanent symptoms or “long COVID-19” defined as persistent symptoms > 2 months. For group one, post-discharge sequelae, improvements were obtained in cardiovascular parameters, and physical test studies in group two presented very favorable results in all the cardiorespiratory measures and physical tests evaluated. Telerehabilitation through therapeutic exercise based on mixed protocols of aerobic, respiratory, and low-load strength exercises appear to be an effective and safe strategy for the recovery of short- and long-term post-COVID-19 sequelae.
Platelet-Rich Plasma in Chronic Wound Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
Authors: Meznerics Fanni Adél , Fehérvári Péter , Dembrovszky Fanni , Kovács Kata Dorottya , Kemény Lajos Vince , Csupor Dezső , Hegyi Péter , Bánvölgyi András
Published: December 2022

Background: Chronic wounds place a heavy burden on the healthcare system due to the prolonged, continuous need for human resources for wound management. Our aim was to investigate the therapeutic effects of platelet-rich plasma on the treatment of chronic wounds. Methods: The systematic literature search was performed in four databases. Randomized clinical trials reporting on patients with chronic wounds treated with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) were included, comparing PRP with conventional ulcer therapy. We pooled the data using the random effects model. Our primary outcome was the change in wound size. Results: Our systematic search provided 2688 articles, and we identified 48 eligible studies after the selection and citation search. Thirty-three study groups of 29 RCTs with a total of 2198 wounds showed that the odds for complete closure were significantly higher in the PRP group than in the control group (OR = 5.32; CI: 3.37; 8.40; I2 = 58%). Conclusions: PRP is a safe and effective modality to enhance wound healing. By implementing it in clinical practice, platelet-rich plasma could become a widely used, valuable tool as it could not only improve patients’ quality of life but also decrease the healthcare burden of wound management.
Polymer/Fullerene Nanocomposite for Optoelectronics—Moving toward Green Technology
Authors: Kausar Ayesha , Ahmad Ishaq , Maaza Malik , Eisa M. , Bocchetta Patrizia
Published: December 2022

Optoelectronic devices have been developed using the polymer/fullerene nanocomposite, as focused in this review. The polymer/fullerene nanocomposite shows significant structural, electronics, optical, and useful physical properties in optoelectronics. Non-conducting and conducting polymeric nanocomposites have been applied in optoelectronics, such as light-emitting diodes, solar cells, and sensors. Inclusion of fullerene has further broadened the methodological application of the polymer/fullerene nanocomposite. The polymeric matrices and fullerene may have covalent or physical interactions for charge or electron transportation and superior optical features. Green systems have also been explored in optoelectronic devices; however, due to limited efforts, further design innovations are desirable in green optoelectronics. Nevertheless, the advantages and challenges of the green polymer/fullerene nanocomposite in optoelectronic devices yet need to be explored.
Development and Characterization of Novel Orthodontic Adhesive Containing PCL–Gelatin–AgNPs Fibers
Authors: Yuan Qihan , Zhang Qianqian , Xu Xuecheng , Du Yuqing , Xu Jidong , Song Yu , Wang Yuanfei
Published: December 2022

Enamel demineralization around brackets is a relatively common complication of fixed orthodontic treatment, which seriously affects the aesthetics of teeth. In this study, a novel orthodontic adhesive containing polycaprolactone–gelatin–silver nanoparticles (PCL–gelatin–AgNPs) composite fibers was prepared to prevent enamel demineralization of orthodontic treatment. First, PCL–gelatin–AgNPs fibers film prepared by electrospinning was made into short fibers and added to traditional orthodontic adhesives (Transbond XT, 3M Unitek) in three different ratios to design a series of composite adhesives containing antibacterial materials. The antimicrobial performance of the control product and the three samples were then evaluated by bacterial live/dead staining, colony-forming unit (CFU) counts, tensile bond strength (TBS), and adhesive residue index (ARI) scores. The composite adhesives’ antimicrobial properties increased with the increasing content of PCL–gelatin–AgNPs short fibers. The addition of complex antimicrobial fibers to 3M Transbond XT adhesive can significantly reduce the CFU of bacterial biofilms (p < 0.05). The bacterial survival rate on the surface of the specimen decreased with the increase of PCL–gelatin–AgNPs short fibers (p < 0.05). The TBS and ARI values (n = 10) indicated that adding PCL–gelatin–AgNPs short fibers had no significant adverse effect on adhesion. Therefore, adding PCL–gelatin–AgNPs short fibers makes it possible to fabricate orthodontic adhesives with strong antibacterial properties without compromising the bonding ability, which is essential for preventing enamel demineralization around the brackets.
Nanohydroxyapatite/Titanate Nanotube Composites for Bone Tissue Regeneration
Authors: Gusmão Suziete B. S. , Ghosh Anupama , de Menezes Alan S. , Pereira Antônio F. M. , Lopes Miriam T. P. , Souza Madaline K. , Dittz Dalton , Abreu Guilherme J. P. , Pinto Lucielma S. S. , Maia Filho Antônio L. M. , Gusmão Gustavo O. M. , Webster Thomas J. , Lobo Anderson O. , Viana Bartolomeu C.
Published: December 2022

Strategies for the production of new nanocomposites that promote bone tissue regeneration are important, particularly those that enhance the osteoinduction of hydroxyapatite in situ. Here, we studied and report the synthesis of nanohydroxyapatite and titanate nanotube (nHAp/TiNT) composites formulated at different concentrations (1, 2, 3, and 10 wt % TiNT) by means of a wet aqueous chemical reaction. The addition of TiNT affects the morphology of the nanocomposites, decreasing the average crystallite size from 54 nm (nHAp) to 34 nm (nHAp/TiNT10%), while confirming its interaction with the nanocomposite. The crystallinity index (CI) calculated by Raman spectroscopy and XRD showed that the values decreased according to the increase in TiNT concentration, which confirmed their addition to the structure of the nanocomposite. SEM images showed the presence of TiNTs in the nanocomposite. We further verified the potential cytotoxicity of murine fibroblast cell line L929, revealing that there was no remarkable cell death at any of the concentrations tested. In vivo regenerative activity was performed using oophorectomized animal (rat) models organized into seven groups containing five animals each over two experimental periods (15 and 30 days), with bone regeneration occurring in all groups tested within 30 days; however, the nHAp/TiNT10% group showed statistically greater tissue repair, compared to the untreated control group. Thus, the results of this study demonstrate that the presently formulated nHAp/TiNT nanocomposites are promising for numerous improved bone tissue regeneration applications.
3D Ultrasound versus Computed Tomography for Tumor Volume Measurement Compared to Gross Pathology—A Pilot Study on an Animal Model
Authors: Makouei Fatemeh , Ewertsen Caroline , Agander Tina Klitmøller , Olesen Mikkel Vestergaard , Pakkenberg Bente , Todsen Tobias
Published: December 2022

The margin of the removed tumor in cancer surgery has an important influence on survival. Adjuvant treatments, prognostic complications, and financial costs are required when the pathologist observes a close/positive surgical margin. Ex vivo imaging of resected cancer tissue has been suggested for margin assessment, but traditional cross-sectional imaging is not optimal in a surgical setting. Instead, three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound is a portable, high-resolution, and low-cost method to use in the operation room. In this study, we aimed to investigate the accuracy of 3D ultrasound versus computed tomography (CT) to measure the tumor volume in an animal model compared to gross pathology assessment. The specimen was formalin fixated before systematic slicing. A slice-by-slice area measurement was performed to compare the accuracy of the 3D ultrasound and CT techniques. The tumor volume measured by pathological assessment was 980.2 mm3. The measured volume using CT was 890.4 ± 90 mm3, and the volume using 3D ultrasound was 924.2 ± 96 mm3. The correlation coefficient for CT was 0.91 and that for 3D ultrasound was 0.96. Three-dimensional ultrasound is a feasible and accurate modality to measure the tumor volume in an animal model. The accuracy of tumor delineation on CT depends on the soft tissue contrast.
Intelligence Process vs. Content and Academic Performance: A Trip through a House of Mirrors
Authors: Ackerman Phillip L.
Published: December 2022

The main purpose of modern intelligence tests has been to predict individual differences in academic performance, first of children, then adolescents, and later extending to adults. From the earliest Binet–Simon scales to current times, most one-on-one omnibus intelligence assessments include both process subtests (e.g., memory, reasoning) and content subtests (e.g., vocabulary, information). As somewhat parallel developments, intelligence theorists have argued about the primacy of the process components or the content components reflecting intelligence, with many modern researchers proposing that process constructs like working memory are the fundamental determinant of individual differences in intelligence. To address whether there is an adequate basis for re-configuring intelligence assessments from content or mixed content and process measures to all-process measures, the question to be answered in this paper is whether intellectual process assessments are more or less valid predictors of academic success, in comparison to content measures. A brief review of the history of intelligence assessment is provided with respect to these issues, and a number of problems and limitations of process measures is discussed. In the final analysis, there is insufficient justification for using process-only measures to the exclusion of content measures, and the limited data available point to the idea that content-dominated measures are more highly predictive of academic success than are process measures.
Discrete Element Simulation on Macro-Meso Mechanical Characteristics of Natural Gas Hydrate-Bearing Sediments under Shearing
Authors: Li Meng , Luan Hengjie , Jiang Yujing , Zhang Sunhao , Shan Qinglin , Liang Wei , Ma Xianzhuang
Published: December 2022

In order to study the macro-meso shear mechanical characteristics of natural gas hydrate-bearing sediments, the direct shear simulations of natural gas hydrate-bearing sediment specimens with different saturations under different normal stress boundary conditions were carried out using the discrete element simulation program of particle flow, and the macro-meso shear mechanical characteristics of the specimens and their evolution laws were obtained, and their shear damage mechanisms were revealed. The results show that the peak intensity of natural gas hydrate-bearing sediments increases with the increase in normal stress and hydrate saturation. Hydrate particles and sand particles jointly participate in the formation and evolution of the force chain, and sand particles account for the majority of the force chain particles and take the main shear resistance role. The number of cracks produced by shear increases with hydrate saturation and normal stress. The average porosity in the shear zone shows an evolutionary pattern of decreasing and then increasing during the shear process.
Deep Water PAH Cycling in the Japan Basin (the Sea of Japan)
Authors: Koudryashova Yuliya , Chizhova Tatiana , Inoue Mutsuo , Hayakawa Kazuichi , Nagao Seiya , Marina Evgeniya , Mundo Rodrigo
Published: December 2022

A vertical pattern of fractionated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) was studied in the Japan Basin in the Sea of Japan. The highest PAH concentration was found in the mesopelagic realm, possibly resulting from deep convection and/or subduction of intermediate water and its biogeochemical setting in the western Japan Basin. Using 226Ra and 228Ra as tracers revealed the PAH load in the open sea from the coastal polluted water. Dissolved PAHs (DPAH, fraction < 0.5 µm) were significantly prevalent particulate PAHs (PPAH, fraction > 0.5 µm) at all depths, associated with a predominance of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) over particulate organic carbon (POC). Hydrophobicity was more important for higher-molecular-weight PAHs to be distributed between particles and the solution, while the high Koc of low-molecular-weight PAHs indicated that their partitioning was driven by other factors, such as adsorbing of soot particles. PPAH and DPAH profiles differed from the POC and DOC profiles; nevertheless, a positive moderate correlation was found for DPAH and DOC for depths below the epipelagic, suggesting the similarity of the mechanisms of input of dissolved organic matter and DPAH into the deep interior of the Sea of Japan. The PAH flux calculations showed that biological pumps and overturning circulation contribute almost equally to removing PAHs from the bathypelagic waters of the Japan Basin.
Collision Risk Index Calculation Based on an Improved Ship Domain Model
Authors: Li Weifeng , Zhong Lufeng , Xu Yang , Shi Guoyou
Published: December 2022

The traditional ship collision risk index model based on the distance at the closest point of approach (DCPA) and the time to the closest point of approach (TCPA) is insufficient for estimating ship collision risk and planning collision avoidance operations. This paper constructs an elliptical, dynamic ship domain that changes with ship speed and maneuverability parameters to overcome subjective human factors. Based on the constructed domain model, the concept of the ship domain proximity factor is introduced to improve the ship collision risk model based on DCPA and TCPA, and a risk calculation function model that considers the safety of ship navigation is constructed. The numerical calculation of the improved collision risk index calculation model confirms that the enhanced model has a higher rate of identification of risk between ships. The model is more compatible with the requirements of ship navigation decision-making and can provide theoretical support and a technical basis for research on ship collision avoidance decision-making.
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Path Planning Method of Soft Actor–Critic Based on Game Training
Authors: Wang Zhuo , Lu Hao , Qin Hongde , Sui Yancheng
Published: December 2022

This study aims to solve the issue of the safe navigation of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) in an unknown underwater environment. AUV will encounter canyons, rocks, reefs, fish, and underwater vehicles that threaten its safety during underwater navigation. A game-based soft actor–critic (GSAC) path planning method is proposed in this study to improve the adaptive capability of autonomous planning and the reliability of obstacle avoidance in the unknown underwater environment. Considering the influence of the simulation environment, the obstacles in the simulation environment are regarded as agents and play a zero-sum game with the AUV. The zero-sum game problem is solved by improving the strategy of AUV and obstacles, so that the simulation environment evolves intelligently with the AUV path planning strategy. The proposed method increases the complexity and diversity of the simulation environment, enables AUV to train in a variable environment specific to its strategy, and improves the adaptability and convergence speed of AUV in unknown underwater environments. Finally, the Python language is applied to write an unknown underwater simulation environment for the AUV simulation testing. GSAC can guide the AUV to the target point in the unknown underwater environment while avoiding large and small static obstacles, canyons, and small dynamic obstacles. Compared with the soft actor–critic(SAC) and the deep Q-network (DQN) algorithm, GSAC has better adaptability and convergence speed in the unknown underwater environment. The experiments verifies that GSAC has faster convergence, better stability, and robustness in unknown underwater environments.
Ocean Fronts and Their Acoustic Effects: A Review
Authors: Liu Yuyao , Meng Zhou , Chen Wen , Liang Yan , Chen Wei , Chen Yu
Published: December 2022

As one of the widespread physical phenomena in the global ocean system, the ocean front has a very important influence on underwater sound propagation. Firstly, this paper systematically reviews several methods for the detection of ocean fronts in the past decades, including traditional oceanographic methods, artificial intelligence methods, and acoustic methods, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Next, some modeling studies of ocean fronts are reported in this paper. Based on the above research, we pay more attention to research progress on the acoustic effects of ocean fronts, including simulation analysis and experimental research, which has also been the focus of underwater acousticians for a long time. In addition, this paper looks forward to the future development direction of this field, which can provide good guidance for the study of ocean fronts and their acoustic effects in the future.
Advances in the Technologies for Marine Salinity Measurement
Authors: Gu Lijuan , He Xiangge , Zhang Min , Lu Hailong
Published: December 2022

As one of the most important physical parameters of seawater, salinity is essential to study climatological change, to trace seawater masses and to model ocean dynamics. The traditional way to conduct salinity measurement in hydrographical observation is to use a standard conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) probe where the salinity determination is based on a measurement of electrical conductivity. This article describes some developments of recent years that could lead to a new generation of instruments for the determination of salinity in seawater. Salinity determination with optical salinity sensor based on the refractive index measurement have been extensively studied. Different ways to conduct refractive index measurements are summarized, including measurements based on beam deviation, light wave mode coupling and swelling of surface coating material, among which the optical fiber sensors are promising candidates for further commercialization. Complementary to the above-mentioned direct measurement salinity point sensors, seismic observation takes advantages of large scale multichannel seismic data to retrieve the ocean salinity with high lateral resolution of ∼10 m. This work provide comprehensive information in the techniques related to the marine salinity measurement.
Double Broad Reinforcement Learning Based on Hindsight Experience Replay for Collision Avoidance of Unmanned Surface Vehicles
Authors: Yu Jiabao , Chen Jiawei , Chen Ying , Zhou Zhiguo , Duan Junwei
Published: December 2022

Although broad reinforcement learning (BRL) provides a more intelligent autonomous decision-making method for the collision avoidance problem of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), the algorithm still has the problem of over-estimation and has difficulty converging quickly due to the sparse reward problem in a large area of sea. To overcome the dilemma, we propose a double broad reinforcement learning based on hindsight experience replay (DBRL-HER) for the collision avoidance system of USVs to improve the efficiency and accuracy of decision-making. The algorithm decouples the two steps of target action selection and target Q value calculation to form the double broad reinforcement learning method and then adopts hindsight experience replay to allow the agent to learn from the experience of failure in order to greatly improve the sample utilization efficiency. Through training in a grid environment, the collision avoidance success rate of the proposed algorithm was found to be 31.9 percentage points higher than that in the deep Q network (DQN) and 24.4 percentage points higher than that in BRL. A Unity 3D simulation platform with high fidelity was also designed to simulate the movement of USVs. An experiment on the platform fully verified the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Analytical Description of an Axisymmetric Supercavitation Bubble in a Viscous Flow
Authors: Arad Ludar Lotan , Gany Alon
Published: December 2022

One of the basic elements which characterizes flow regimes, is viscosity. This element has typically been neglected in research on supercavitational flows, describing and predicting supercavitation bubbles geometry and formation using non-viscous potential flows. Arguing that the viscosity effect is much smaller than the inertial effect at high flow speeds, the viscosity has been ignored and the only parameter for modeling the flow has been the cavitation number. However, for some situations and conditions, the viscosity was found to be significant and crucial for the bubble geometry and formation, especially at the supercavitation bubble detachment point, hence some investigations based on numerical calculations have taken viscosity into account. This paper presents an analytical model of an axisymmetric supercavitation bubble in a viscous flow according to Serebryakov annular model for calculation of axisymmetric cavity flows. Viscosity effect on the bubble geometry is suggested, and an analysis for validation and examination is presented as well. The results show the change of the bubble formation from past models due to the viscosity, and offer a more accurate description of the bubble geometry close to the detachment point. Moreover, the slenderness parameter is calculated and presented for supercavitation bubbles in a viscous flow together with its dependency on Reynolds number and the cavitation number. The analysis reveals that the slenderness parameter increases with increasing both the cavitation number and Reynolds number, where the latter has a substantial effect.
Fleet Deployment Optimization for LNG Shipping Vessels Considering the Influence of Mixed Factors
Authors: Zhao Zhongbin , Wang Xifu , Wang Hao , Cheng Suxin , Liu Wei
Published: December 2022

Driven by China’s booming natural gas consumption market, LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) shipping import has grown rapidly. To facilitate scientific and efficient decision making on LNG shipping fleet deployment and the development of the LNG shipping industry, this article proposes an optimization model to minimize annual fleet operating costs, including voyage cost, running cost, and capital cost. Under the consideration of the mixed factors of self-owned and time charter vessels, epidemic prevention and control, port congestion, transportation time cost, and evaporation loss, as well as navigation security and emergency situations, the validity and optimality of the model are demonstrated by the empirical example and the cost comparison between the conventional and optimized solution. The results show that this optimization model can reduce the total cost by 9.87%. Then, through sensitivity analysis, various significant factors affecting the operating costs of LNG shipping enterprises and their degrees of influence are determined. Based on the analysis of the relevant causes, some actionable countermeasures are recommended, including establishing a shipping price reciprocity mechanism and full chain investment planning, optimizing the inbound link to reduce invalid berthing time, strengthening the construction competitiveness and economy of scale of larger LNG ships, and building a combined dual resource pool transportation mode. This paper contributes to improving transregional maritime energy transport and management capacity, while further enhancing the energy security and development of port cities and their economic hinterlands.
Mycorrhizal Effects on Growth and Expressions of Stress-Responsive Genes (aquaporins and SOSs) of Tomato under Salt Stress
Authors: Liang Sheng-Min , Li Qiu-Shuang , Liu Ming-Yang , Hashem Abeer , Al-Arjani Al-Bandari Fahad , Alenazi Mekhled M. , Abd_Allah Elsayed Fathi , Muthuramalingam Pandiyan , Wu Qiang-Sheng
Published: December 2022

Environmentally friendly arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the soil can alleviate host damage from abiotic stresses, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Paraglomus occultum, on plant growth, nitrogen balance index, and expressions of salt overly sensitive genes (SOSs), plasma membrane intrinsic protein genes (PIPs), and tonoplast intrinsic protein genes (TIPs) in leaves of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. var. Huapiqiu) seedlings grown in 0 and 150 mM NaCl stress. NaCl stress severely inhibited plant growth, but P. occultum inoculation significantly improved plant growth. NaCl stress also suppressed the chlorophyll index, accompanied by an increase in the flavonoid index, whereas inoculation with AMF significantly promoted the chlorophyll index as well as reduced the flavonoid index under NaCl conditions, thus leading to an increase in the nitrogen balance index in inoculated plants. NaCl stress regulated the expression of SlPIP1 and SlPIP2 genes in leaves, and five SlPIPs genes were up-regulated after P. occultum colonization under NaCl stress, along with the down-regulation of only SlPIP1;2. Both NaCl stress and P. occultum inoculation induced diverse expression patterns in SlTIPs, coupled with a greater number of up-regulated TIPs in inoculated versus uninoculated plants under NaCl stress. NaCl stress up-regulated SlSOS2 expressions of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants, while P. occultum significantly up-regulated SlSOS1 expressions by 1.13- and 0.45-fold under non-NaCl and NaCl conditions, respectively. It was concluded that P. occultum inoculation enhanced the salt tolerance of the tomato, associated with the nutrient status and stress-responsive gene (aquaporins and SOS1) expressions.
The Use of Host Biomarkers for the Management of Invasive Fungal Disease
Authors: Griffiths James S. , Orr Selinda J. , Morton Charles Oliver , Loeffler Juergen , White P. Lewis
Published: December 2022

Invasive fungal disease (IFD) causes severe morbidity and mortality, and the number of IFD cases is increasing. Exposure to opportunistic fungal pathogens is inevitable, but not all patients with underlying diseases increasing susceptibility to IFD, develop it. IFD diagnosis currently uses fungal biomarkers and clinical risk/presentation to stratify high-risk patients and classifies them into possible, probable, and proven IFD. However, the fungal species responsible for IFD are highly diverse and present numerous diagnostic challenges, which culminates in the empirical anti-fungal treatment of patients at risk of IFD. Recent studies have focussed on host-derived biomarkers that may mediate IFD risk and can be used to predict, and even identify IFD. The identification of novel host genetic variants, host gene expression changes, and host protein expression (cytokines and chemokines) associated with increased risk of IFD has enhanced our understanding of why only some patients at risk of IFD actually develop disease. Furthermore, these host biomarkers when incorporated into predictive models alongside conventional diagnostic techniques enhance predictive and diagnostic results. Once validated in larger studies, host biomarkers associated with IFD may optimize the clinical management of populations at risk of IFD. This review will summarise the latest developments in the identification of host biomarkers for IFD, their use in predictive modelling and their potential application/usefulness for informing clinical decisions.
Prevalence of Carbendazin Resistance in Field Populations of the Rice False Smut Pathogen Ustilaginoidea virens from Jiangsu, China, Molecular Mechanisms, and Fitness Stability
Authors: Song Jiehui , Wang Zhiying , Wang Yan , Zhang Sijie , Lei Tengyu , Liang You , Dai Qigen , Huo Zhongyang , Xu Ke , Chen Shuning
Published: December 2022

Rice false smut (RFS), caused by Ustilaginoidea virens, is an important fungal disease of rice. In China, Methyl Benzimidazole Carbamates (MBCs), including carbendazim, are common fungicides used to control RFS and other rice diseases. In this study, resistance of U. virens to carbendazim was monitored for three consecutive years during 2018 to 2020. A total of 321 U. virens isolates collected from Jiangsu Province of China were tested for their sensitivity to carbendazim on PSA. The concentration at which mycelial growth is inhibited by 50% (EC50) of the carbendazim-sensitive isolates was 0.11 to 1.38 µg/mL, with a mean EC50 value of 0.66 μg/mL. High level of resistance to carbendazim was detected in 14 out of 321 isolates. The resistance was stable but associated with a fitness penalty. There was a statistically significant and moderate negative correlation (r= −0.74, p < 0.001) in sensitivity between carbendazim and diethofencarb. Analysis of the U. virens genome revealed two potential MBC targets, Uvβ1Tub and Uvβ2Tub, that putatively encode β-tubulin gene. The two β-tubulin genes in U. virens share 78% amino acid sequence identity, but their function in MBC sensitivity has been unclear. Both genes were identified and sequenced from U. virens sensitive and resistant isolates. It is known that mutations in the β2-tubulin gene have been shown to confer resistance to carbendazim in other fungi. However, no mutation was found in the Uvβ2Tub gene in either resistant or sensitive isolates. Variations including point mutations, non-sense mutations, codon mutations, and frameshift mutations were found in the Uvβ1Tub gene from the 14 carbendazim-resistant isolates, which have not been reported in other fungi before. Thus, these results indicated that variations of Uvβ1Tub result in the resistance to carbendazim in field isolates of Ustilaginoidea virens.
The Sugar Metabolic Model of Aspergillus niger Can Only Be Reliably Transferred to Fungi of Its Phylum
Authors: Li Jiajia , Chroumpi Tania , Garrigues Sandra , Kun Roland S. , Meng Jiali , Salazar-Cerezo Sonia , Aguilar-Pontes Maria Victoria , Zhang Yu , Tejomurthula Sravanthi , Lipzen Anna , Ng Vivian , Clendinen Chaevien S. , Tolić Nikola , Grigoriev Igor V. , Tsang Adrian , Mäkelä Miia R. , Snel Berend , Peng Mao , de Vries Ronald P.
Published: December 2022

Fungi play a critical role in the global carbon cycle by degrading plant polysaccharides to small sugars and metabolizing them as carbon and energy sources. We mapped the well-established sugar metabolic network of Aspergillus niger to five taxonomically distant species (Aspergillus nidulans, Penicillium subrubescens, Trichoderma reesei, Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Dichomitus squalens) using an orthology-based approach. The diversity of sugar metabolism correlates well with the taxonomic distance of the fungi. The pathways are highly conserved between the three studied Eurotiomycetes (A. niger, A. nidulans, P. subrubescens). A higher level of diversity was observed between the T. reesei and A. niger, and even more so for the two Basidiomycetes. These results were confirmed by integrative analysis of transcriptome, proteome and metabolome, as well as growth profiles of the fungi growing on the corresponding sugars. In conclusion, the establishment of sugar pathway models in different fungi revealed the diversity of fungal sugar conversion and provided a valuable resource for the community, which would facilitate rational metabolic engineering of these fungi as microbial cell factories.
Real-Life Experience in the Management of Sinonasal Complications of Dental Disease or Treatments
Authors: De Corso Eugenio , Rigante Mario , Mele Dario Antonio , Settimi Stefano , Penazzi Daniele , Lajolo Carlo , Cordaro Massimo , Panfili Marco , Montuori Claudio , Galli Jacopo , Paludetti Gaetano
Published: December 2022

Diagnosis and management of sinonasal complications of dental diseases or treatment (SCDDT) may be challenging. We aimed to report our real-life experience in patients treated with endoscopic endonasal approach describing data about symptoms, etiology, extension of the disease and success rate. We evaluated retrospectively data about 262 patients diagnosed as SCDDT and managed from August 2015 to May 2022. In 44.65% cases, maxillary sinus complications were determined by a dental disorder; the remaining 55.34% of cases were iatrogenic. Patients were managed according to our multidisciplinary protocol including ENT, dental, and radiological evaluation. Treatments were planned with a personalized approach, based on the patient’s clinical characteristics; all patients were treated with an endonasal endoscopic mini-invasive conservative approach. Combined dental treatment was performed simultaneously in 152/262 (58%) of patients; in the remaining cases, it was postponed after surgery. The overall treatment success rate (symptom resolution and endoscopically observed maxillary sinus healing) was 96.5%. At 15 days after surgery, we observed a significant improvement in the quality of life. The mean post-operative Sinonasal outcome test-22 (SNOT-22) score was significantly lower compared to baseline (6 versus 43.4; p < 0.05). Our study showed that endoscopic sinus surgery can be a successful procedure for treatment of SCDDT, leading to fast resolution of sinonasal symptoms and improving the quality of life. Furthermore, the technique allows removal of migrated dental material or dental implants even in challenging cases.
An Ultrasensitive PCR-Based CRISPR-Cas13a Method for the Detection of Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Wang Yaxuan , Liu Liyang , Liu Xiaochuan , Wu Kai , Zhu Xiaoyan , Ma Liyan , Su Jianrong
Published: December 2022

The rapid and simple detection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is essential for its clinical eradication. Although various methods for detecting H. pylori have been well established, such as endoscopy in combination with histology or culture, rapid urease test (RUT) and molecular tests using clinical specimens, it is of great importance to develop an ultrasensitive and accurate nucleic acid detection platform and apply it to identify H. pylori. To meet these demands, a novel method based on PCR and CRISPR-Cas13a, called PCR-Cas13a, was developed and validated using the DNA of 84 clinical strains and 71 clinical specimens. PCR primers for the pre-amplification of conservative sequence and CRISPR RNA (crRNA) for the detection of specific sequence were designed according to the principle. The designed primers and crRNA were specific to H. pylori, and the assay showed a high degree of specificity compared with other common pathogens. Our detection system can screen H. pylori with a limit of 2.2 copies/μL within 30 mins after PCR amplification. Using a coincidence analysis with traditional methods, our method exhibited 100% accuracy for the detection of H. pylori. Furthermore, its diagnostic performance was compared, in parallel with a q-PCR. The PCR-Cas13a demonstrates 98% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Moreover, our approach had a lower limit of detection (LOD) than q-PCR. Herein, we present a diagnostic system for the highly sensitive screening of H. pylori and distinguish it from other pathogens. All the results demonstrated that this PCR-based CRISPR assay has wide application prospects for the detection of H. pylori and other slow-growth pathogens.
Countering Cybercrime Risks in Financial Institutions: Forecasting Information Trends
Authors: Kuzior Aleksandra , Brożek Paulina , Kuzmenko Olha , Yarovenko Hanna , Vasilyeva Tetyana
Published: December 2022

This article aims to forecast the information trends related to the most popular cyberattacks, seen as the cyber-crimes’ consequences reflecting on the Internet. The study database was formed based on online users’ search engine requests regarding the terms “Cyberattacks on the computer systems of a financial institution”, “Cyberattacks on the network infrastructure of a financial institution”, and “Cyberattacks on the cloud infra-structure of a financial institution”, obtained with Google Trends for the period from 16 April 2017 to 4 October 2022. The authors examined the data using the Z-score, the QS test, and the method of differences of average levels. The data were found to be non-stationary with outliers and a seasonal component, so exponential smoothing was applied to reduce fluctuations and clarify the trends. As a result, the authors built additive and multiplicative cyclical and trend-cyclical models with linear, exponential, and damped trends. According to the models’ quality evaluation, the best results were shown by the trend-cyclic additive models with an exponential trend for predicting cyberattacks on computer systems and the cloud infrastructure and a trend-cyclic additive model with a damped tendency for predicting cyberattacks on the network infrastructure. The obtained results indicate that the U.S. can expect cybercrimes in the country’s financial system in the short and medium term and develop appropriate countermeasures of a financial institution to reduce potential financial losses.