bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endogenous Fructose Production and Metabolism Drive Metabolic Dysregulation and Liver Disease in Mice with Hereditary Fructose Intolerance
Authors: Andres-Hernando Ana , Orlicky David J. , Kuwabara Masanari , Cicerchi Christina , Pedler Michelle , Petrash Mark J. , Johnson Richard J. , Tolan Dean R. , Lanaspa Miguel A.
Published: October 2023

Excessive intake of sugar, and particularly fructose, is closely associated with the development and progression of metabolic syndrome in humans and animal models. However, genetic disorders in fructose metabolism have very different consequences. While the deficiency of fructokinase, the first enzyme involved in fructose metabolism, is benign and somewhat desirable, missense mutations in the second enzyme, aldolase B, causes a very dramatic and sometimes lethal condition known as hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI). To date, there is no cure for HFI, and treatment is limited to avoiding fructose and sugar. Because of this, for subjects with HFI, glucose is their sole source of carbohydrates in the diet. However, clinical symptoms still occur, suggesting that either low amounts of fructose are still being consumed or, alternatively, fructose is being produced endogenously in the body. Here, we demonstrate that as a consequence of consuming high glycemic foods, the polyol pathway, a metabolic route in which fructose is produced from glucose, is activated, triggering a deleterious mechanism whereby glucose, sorbitol and alcohol induce severe liver disease and growth retardation in aldolase B knockout mice. We show that generically and pharmacologically blocking this pathway significantly improves metabolic dysfunction and thriving and increases the tolerance of aldolase B knockout mice to dietary triggers of endogenous fructose production.
First Molecular Detection and Genotype Identification of Toxoplasma gondii in Chickens from Farmers’ Markets in Fujian Province, Southeastern China
Authors: Chu Meng-Jie , Huang Li-Yuan , Miao Wen-Yuan , Song Ya-Fei , Lin Ying-Sheng , Li Si-Ang , Zhou Dong-Hui
Published: October 2023

Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic pathogenic protozoan that can infect all nucleated cells in almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans. T. gondii infection has been reported in many food animals worldwide. However, the prevalence and genotypes of T. gondii in chickens from farmers’ markets in Fujian province in southeastern China remain unreported. In the present study, four tissue samples from each of the 577 chickens (namely, the heart, liver, lungs, and muscles) were collected from farmers’ markets in five regions of Fujian province (Zhangzhou, Sanming, Quanzhou, Fuzhou, and Longyan). We first analyzed the prevalence and genotypes of T. gondii using PCR targeting of the B1 gene of T. gondii. Of the 577 chickens, thirty-two (5.5%) tested positive for the B1 gene. Among the five regions, Sanming had the highest infection rate (16.8%, 16/95), followed by Quanzhou (8.0%, 8/100), Longyan (5.0%, 5/100), Zhangzhou (1.1%, 2/182), and Fuzhou (1.0%, 1/100). Among these thirty-two T. gondii-positive chickens, the infection rates of the lungs, heart, liver, and muscles were 68.8% (22/32), 34.4% (11/32), 28.1% (9/32), and 9.4% (3/32), respectively. Significant differences in prevalence were found among the different regions (χ2 = 35.164, p < 0.05) and tissues (χ2 = 25.874, p < 0.05). A total of 128 tissue and organ samples of the thirty-two T. gondii-positive chickens from the different regions were analyzed using PCR–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) on the basis of 10 genetic markers. Seven tissue samples (lung samples from five chickens, heart samples from one chicken, and liver samples from one chicken) underwent successful amplification at all the genetic markers, and all the T. gondii genotypes were identified as genotype I (ToxoDB #10). These findings serve as a foundation for evaluating the risk of T. gondii contamination in chicken products intended for human consumption and offer insight into preventing the transmission of the parasite from chickens to humans.
Epidemiological Characteristics of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales in Japan: A Nationwide Analysis of Data from a Clinical Laboratory Center (2016–2022)
Authors: Takei Kentarou , Ogawa Miho , Sakata Ryuji , Kanamori Hajime
Published: October 2023

In Japan, nationwide epidemiological surveys on carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CREs), including comprehensive information, are scarce, with most data available only through public reports. This study analyzed data on the Enterobacterales family collected from nationwide testing centers between January 2016 and December 2022, focusing on isolates that met the criteria for CRE in Japan based on drug susceptibility. We investigated 5,323,875 Enterobacterales isolates of 12 different species; among 4696 (0.09%) CRE strains, the proportion of major CRE isolates was as follows: Escherichia coli, 31.3%; Klebsiella pneumoniae, 28.0%; Enterobacter cloacae, 18.5%; and Klebsiella aerogenes, 6.7%. Moreover, over a 7-year period, Providencia rettgeri, E. cloacae, K. aerogenes, and K. pneumoniae demonstrated relatively high CRE percentages of 0.6% (156/26,185), 0.47% (869/184,221), 0.28% (313/110,371), and 0.17% (1314/780,958), respectively. The number of CRE strains isolated from different samples was as follows: urine, 2390; respiratory specimens, 1254; stool, 425; blood, 252; others, 375. In the broader context, including colonization, the predominant isolates of CREs collected at nationwide testing centers are E. coli and K. pneumoniae. Furthermore, recently, attention has been directed toward less common CRE species, such as Klebsiella oxytoca and Providencia rettgeri, and thus, it might be necessary to continue monitoring these less common species.
Screening for Hepatitis C Virus Reinfection Using a Behaviour-Based Risk Score among Men Who Have Sex with Men with HIV: Results from a Case–Control Diagnostic Validation Study
Authors: Hage Kris , van de Kerkhof Marita , Boyd Anders , Carson Joanne M. , Newsum Astrid M. , Matser Amy , van der Valk Marc , Brinkman Kees , Arends Joop E. , Lauw Fanny N. , Rijnders Bart J. A. , van Eeden Arne , Martinello Marianne , Matthews Gail V. , Schinkel Janke , Prins Maria
Published: October 2023

We assessed the predictive capacity of the HCV-MOSAIC risk score, originally developed for primary early HCV infection, as a screening tool for HCV reinfection in 103 men who have sex with men (MSM) with HIV using data from the MOSAIC cohort, including MSM with HIV/HCV-coinfection who became reinfected (cases, n = 27) or not (controls, n = 76) during follow-up. The overall predictive capacity of the score was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve. The effects of covariates on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were assessed using parametric ROC regression. The score cut-off validated for primary early infection (≥2.0) was used, from which the sensitivity and specificity were calculated. The AUROC was 0.74 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.63–0.84). Group sex significantly increased the predictive capacity. Using the validated cut-off, sensitivity was 70.4% (95%CI = 49.8–86.2%) and specificity was 59.2% (95%CI: 47.3–70.4%). External validation from a cohort of 25 cases and 111 controls, all MSM with HIV, resulted in a sensitivity of 44.0% (95%CI = 24.4–65.1) and specificity of 71.2% (95%CI = 61.8–79.4). The HCV-MOSAIC risk score may be useful for identifying individuals at risk of HCV reinfection. In sexual health or HIV-care settings, this score could help guide HCV-RNA testing in MSM with a prior HCV infection.
Wolcott-Rallison Syndrome, a Rare Cause of Permanent Diabetes Mellitus in Infants—Case Report
Authors: Niculae Alexandru-Ștefan , Bolba Claudia , Grama Alina , Mariş Alexandra , Bodea Laura , Căinap Simona , Mititelu Alexandra , Fufezan Otilia , Pop Tudor Lucian
Published: October 2023

Wolcott-Rallison syndrome is a rare cause of permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus caused by mutations in the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha kinase 3 gene (EIF2AK3). Individuals affected by this disorder have severe hyperglycemia, pancreatic failure, and bone abnormalities and are prone to severe and life-threatening episodes of liver failure. This report illustrates the case of a 2-month-old infant with extreme hyperglycemia and severe diabetic ketoacidosis. Acute management was focused on correcting severe acidosis. Further management aimed to obtain stable blood glucose levels, balancing the patient’s need for comfort and lack of distress with the clinicians’ need for adequate information regarding the patient’s glycemic control. Genetic testing of the patient and his parents confirmed the diagnosis. The follow-up for 18 months after diagnosis is detailed, illustrating both the therapeutic success of subcutaneous insulin therapy and the ongoing complications that patients with Wolcott-Rallison syndrome are subject to.
Bacteriophages and Their Host Range in Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Disease Treatment
Authors: Chung Ka Mun , Liau Xiew Leng , Tang Swee Seong
Published: October 2023

The rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in recent times has prompted the search for new and more potent antibiotics. Bacteriophages (commonly known as phages) are viruses that target and infect their bacterial hosts. As such, they are also a potential alternative to antibiotics. These phages can be broadly categorized into monovalent (with a narrow host range spectrum and specific to a single bacterial genus) and polyvalent (with a broad host range and specific to more than two genera). However, there is still much ambiguity in the use of these terms, with researchers often describing their phages differently. There is considerable research on the use of both narrow- and broad-host range phages in the treatment of infections and diseases caused by MDR bacteria, including tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis, and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) infectious diseases. From this, it is clear that the host range of these phages plays a vital role in determining the effectiveness of any phage therapy, and this factor is usually analyzed based on the advantages and limitations of different host ranges. There have also been efforts to expand phage host ranges via phage cocktail development, phage engineering and combination therapies, in line with current technological advancements. This literature review aims to provide a more in-depth understanding of the role of phage host ranges in the effectiveness of treating MDR-bacterial diseases, by exploring the following: phage biology, the importance of phages in MDR bacteria diseases treatment, the importance of phage host range and its advantages and limitations, current findings and recent developments, and finally, possible future directions for wide host range phages.
Drug Design and Development for Rare Hematologic Diseases
Authors: Fattizzo Bruno , Capecchi Marco , Motta Irene
Published: October 2023

The last decade has seen an exponential increase in therapeutic options for rare hematologic diseases [...]
Selenadiazole Inhibited Adenovirus-Induced Apoptosis through the Oxidative-Damage-Mediated Bcl-2/Stat 3/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Authors: Liu Xia , Lai Jia , Su Jingyao , Zhang Kelan , Li Jiali , Li Chuqing , Ning Zhihui , Wang Chenyang , Zhu Bing , Li Yinghua , Zhao Mingqi
Published: October 2023

Human adenovirus type 7 (HAdV7) infection causes severe pneumonia, yet there are still no breakthroughs in treatment options for adenovirus, and the road to antiviral drug development faces major challenges. We attempted to find new drugs and we stumbled upon one: selenadiazole. Selenadiazole has been shown to have significant anti-tumor effects due to its unique chemical structure and drug activity. However, its effectiveness against viruses has not been evaluated yet. In our study, selenadiazole also showed superior antiviral activity. In vitro experiments, selenadiazole was able to inhibit adenovirus-mediated mitochondrial-oxidative-damage-related apoptosis, and in in vivo experiments, selenadiazole was able to inhibit apoptosis by modulating the apoptotic signaling pathway Bcl-2/Stat3/NF-κB, etc., and was able to largely attenuate adenovirus-infection-induced pneumonia and lung injury in mice. This study aims to describe a new antiviral treatment option from the perspective of anti-adenovirus-mediated oxidative stress and its associated apoptosis and to provide theoretical guidance for the treatment of clinical adenovirus infection to a certain extent.
Inflammation-Related Immune-Modulatory SLURP1 Prevents the Proliferation of Human Colon Cancer Cells, and Its Delivery by Salmonella Demonstrates Cross-Species Efficacy against Murine Colon Cancer
Authors: Senevirathne Amal , Aganja Ram Prasad , Hewawaduge Chamith , Lee John Hwa
Published: October 2023

This study investigates the anticancer properties of the α7-nAChR antagonist SLURP1 with a specific focus on its effect as an inflammation modulator on human colorectal cancer cell lines Caco2, Colo320DM, and H508 cells. The investigation includes the evaluation of cell cycle arrest, cell migration arrest, endogenous expression of SLURP1 and related proteins, calcium influx, and inflammatory responses. The results demonstrate that SLURP1 not only inhibits cell proliferation but also has the potential to arrest the cell cycle at the G1/S interface. The impact of SLURP1 on cell cycle regulation varied among cell lines, with H508 cells displaying the strongest response to exogenous SLURP1. Additionally, SLURP1 affects the nuclear factor kappa B expression and effectively reverses inflammatory responses elicited by purified lipopolysaccharides in H508 and Caco2 cells. This study further confirmed the expression of human SLURP1 by Salmonella, under Ptrc promoter, through Western blot analysis. Moreover, Salmonella secreting SLURP1 revealed a significant tumor regression in a mouse CT26 tumor model, suggesting the cross-species anticancer potential of human SLURP1. However, further investigations are required to fully understand the mechanisms underlying SLURP1’s ability to prevent cancer proliferation and its protective function in humans.
Effect of Peptides on the Synthesis, Properties and Wound Healing Capacity of Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Papaioannou Afroditi , Liakopoulou Angeliki , Papoulis Dimitris , Gianni Eleni , Gkolfi Patroula , Zygouri Eleni , Letsiou Sophia , Hatziantoniou Sophia
Published: October 2023

The aim of this study is the synthesis of novel peptide–silver nanoparticle conjugates with enhanced wound healing capacity. Peptide–silver nanoparticle conjugates were synthesized using myristoyl tetrapeptide 6 (MT6) or copper tripeptide 1 (CuTP1). Peptide-free silver nanoparticles (AgNP) were synthesized using NaBH4 and sodium citrate and were used as control. The addition of the peptides during or after the synthesis of nanoparticles and its impact on the properties of the synthesized peptide–silver nanoparticle conjugates were assessed. The monitoring of the synthesis of nanoparticles was achieved using ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry (UV–/Vis). The characteristics and colloidal stability of the nanoparticles (size and ζ-potential distribution, morphology, composition and structure) were monitored using dynamic laser scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The wound healing capacity of the peptide–silver nanoparticle conjugates was assessed using scratch test assay on fibroblasts (NIH/3T3). The results indicated that the addition of the peptides during the synthesis of nanoparticles lead to better yield of the reaction and more effective capping while the size distribution and ζ-potential of the conjugates indicated long-term colloidal stability. The MT6-AgNP conjugate exhibited 71.97 ± 4.35% wound closure, which was about 5.48-fold higher (p < 0.05) than the corresponding free MT6. The CuTP1-AgNP conjugate exhibited 62.37 ± 18.33% wound closure that was better by 2.82 fold (p < 0.05) compared to the corresponding free CuTP1. Both peptides led to the synthesis of silver nanoparticle conjugates with enhanced wound healing capacity compared to the respective free peptide or to the peptide-free AgNP (29.53 ± 4.71% wound closure, p < 0.05). Our findings demonstrated that the synthetized peptide–silver nanoparticle conjugates are promising ingredients for wound care formulation.
Influence of Exogenous 24-Epicasterone on the Hormonal Status of Soybean Plants
Authors: Derevyanchuk Michael , Kretynin Serhii , Bukhonska Yaroslava , Pokotylo Igor , Khripach Vladimir , Ruelland Eric , Filepova Roberta , Dobrev Petre I. , Martinec Jan , Kravets Volodymyr
Published: October 2023

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are key phytohormones involved in the regulation of major processes of cell metabolism that guide plant growth. In the past decades, new evidence has made it clear that BRs also play a key role in the orchestration of plant responses to many abiotic and biotic stresses. In the present work, we analyzed the impact of foliar treatment with 24-epicastasterone (ECS) on the endogenous content of major phytohormones (auxins, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and abscisic acid) and their intermediates in soybean leaves 7 days following the treatment. Changes in the endogenous content of phytohormones have been identified and quantified by LC/MS. The obtained results point to a clear role of ECS in the upregulation of auxin content (indole-3-acetic acid, IAA) and downregulation of salicylic, jasmonic, and abscisic acid levels. These data confirm that under optimal conditions, ECS in tested concentrations of 0.25 µM and 1 µM might promote growth in soybeans by inducing auxin contents. Benzoic acid (a precursor of salicylic acid (SA)), but not SA itself, has also been highly accumulated under ECS treatment, which indicates an activation of the adaptation strategies of cell metabolism to possible environmental challenges.
Synthesis of Polymers with Narrow Molecular Mass Distribution through Interface-Initiated Room-Temperature Polymerization in Emulsion Gels
Authors: Duan Miles Pamueles , Zhou Zhirong , Zhang Tan
Published: October 2023

Homopolymers of n-butyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, styrene, and their random copolymers were prepared via interface-initiated polymerization of emulsion gels at 20 °C. The polymerization was conducted in a free radical polymerization manner without inert gas protection. Compared with the polymers synthesized at 60 °C, the polymerization of emulsion gels at 20 °C produced homo- and copolymers with a higher molecular mass and a narrower molecular mass distribution. The polydispersity indices for the polymers synthesized at 20 °C were found to be between 1.12 and 1.37. The glass transition temperatures for the as-synthesized butyl acrylate copolymers agree well with the prediction from the Gordon–Taylor equation. Interface-initiated room-temperature polymerization is a robust, energy-saving polymerization technique for synthesizing polymers with a narrow molecular mass distribution.
Metal–Metal Bonding Process Research Based on Xgboost Machine Learning Algorithm
Authors: Feng Jingpeng , Zhan Lihua , Ma Bolin , Zhou Hao , Xiong Bang , Guo Jinzhan , Xia Yunni , Hui Shengmeng
Published: October 2023

Conventionally, the optimization of bonding process parameters requires multi-parameter repetitive experiments, the processing of data, and the characterization of complex relationships between process parameters, and performance must be achieved with the help of new technologies. This work focused on improving metal–metal bonding performance by applying SLJ experiments, finite element models (FEMs), and the Xgboost machine learning (ML) algorithm. The importance ranking of process parameters on tensile–shear strength (TSS) was evaluated with the interpretation toolkit SHAP (Shapley additive explanations) and it optimized reasonable bonding process parameters. The validity of the FEM was verified using SLJ experiments. The Xgboost models with 70 runs can achieve better prediction results. According to the degree of influence, the process parameters affecting the TSS ranked from high to low are roughness, adhesive layer thickness, and lap length, and the corresponding optimized values were 0.89 μm, 0.1 mm, and 27 mm, respectively. The experimentally measured TSS values increased by 14% from the optimized process parameters via the Xgboost model. ML methods provide a more accurate and intuitive understanding of process parameters on TSS.
Effect of Pulsed Electric Field Treatment on the Protein, Digestibility, and Physicochemical Properties of Starch Granules in Wheat Flour
Authors: Achayuthakan Piyada , Wongsagonsup Rungtiwa , Sriprablom Jiratthitikan , Suphantharika Manop , Intra Panich
Published: October 2023

The effect of pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment depends mainly on the electric field strength and treatment time. In this study, wheat flour–water suspensions were treated with PEF at an electric field strength of 3 kV/cm for 0 to 1400 pulses to obtain a specific energy input of 0 to 656 kJ/kg. The effect of PEF on the removal or unfolding of proteins from the starch surface, digestibility, starch granule structure, and physicochemical properties of wheat flour was studied. The removal of proteins from the surface and the damage to the internal structure of wheat starch granules after PEF treatment was detected by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and FTIR. The damage of the PEF-treated wheat starch granules was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). From CLSM results, penetration of dextran (Mw 10,000 Da) into starch granules of wheat flour was dependent on the energy input of PEF. The high the energy input showed the intense penetration of the biopolymer. The benefits of the accessibility of biopolymer in starch granules are to increase enzyme digestion, especially rapidly digestible starch (RDS). The RDS of wheat flour treated with PEF at 656 kJ/kg was 41.72%, whereas the RDS of wheat flour control was 27.59%.
Composite Polymer Granules Based on Poly-ε-Caprolactone and Montmorillonite Prepared by Solution-Casting and Melt Extrusion
Authors: Sukhanova Anna , Boyandin Anatoly , Ertiletskaya Natalya , Shalygina Taisia , Shabanov Alexander , Vasiliev Alexander , Obvertkin Ivan , Brott Valeria , Prokopchuk Yulia , Samoilo Alexander
Published: October 2023

Eco-friendly polymer composites in the form of granules based on biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL) with the inclusion of montmorillonite (MMT) from 5 to 50 wt% were prepared by solution-casting and melt extrusion. The physicochemical properties of the composite granules were studied using FTIR spectroscopy, XRDA, DSC, and TGA methods. The paper presents comparative values of crystallinity of composite granules which depend on the method of measuring (XRDA, DSC). It was shown that the crystallinity of PCL/MMT granules was affected by the preparation method and by the MMT content, and that with increase in MMT content, crystallinity increased by up to 61–67%. The change in crystallinity of the granules also affected its biodegradation in soil. At the end of exposure in soil, the mass loss for the granules prepared by solution-casting was more than 90%, whereas for the composite granules prepared by extrusion it was less than 60%. Applying melt extrusion enabled obtaining intercalated composites with predictable features, whereas only mixed-structure microcomposites could be prepared by solution-casting.
A Multi-Material Flame-Retarding System Based on Expandable Graphite for Glass-Fiber-Reinforced PA6
Authors: Tomiak Florian , Zitzmann Melanie , Drummer Dietmar
Published: October 2023

A synergistic multi-material flame retardant system based on expandable graphite (EG), aluminum diethylphosphinate (AlPi), melamine polyphosphate (MPP), and montmorillonite (MMT) has been studied in glass-fiber-reinforced polyamide 6 (PA6). Analytical evaluations and fire performances were evaluated using coupled thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) as well as cone calorimetry, UL-94 fire testing, and limiting oxygen index (LOI). A combination of EG/AlPi/MPP/MMT has been shown to provide superior flame-retarding properties when integrated at 20 wt.% into glass-fiber-reinforced PA6 (25 wt.%), achieving UL-94 V0 classification and an oxygen index of 32%. Strong residue formation resulted in low heat development overall, with a peak heat release rate (pHRR) of 103 kW/m2, a maximum of average heat release rate (MAHRE) of 33 kW/m2, and deficient total smoke production (TSP) of 3.8 m2. Particularly remarkable was the structural stability of the char residue. The char residue could easily withstand an areal weight of 35 g/cm2, showing no visible deformation.
Biocompatible Polymer for Self-Humidification
Authors: Al-Jumaily Ahmed M. , Grau-Bartual Sandra , Weerasinghe Nimesha T.
Published: October 2023

Lung supportive devices (LSDs) have been extensively utilized in treating patients diagnosed with various respiratory disorders. However, these devices can cause moisture depletion in the upper airway by interfering with the natural lubrication and air conditioning process. To remedy this, current technologies implement heated humidification processes, which are bulky, costly, and nonfriendly. However, it has been demonstrated that in a breath cycle, the amount of water vapor in the exhaled air is of a similar quantity to the amount needed to humidify the inhaled air. This research proposes to trap the moisture from exhaled air and reuse it during inhalation by developing a state-of-the-art hydrophilic/hydrophobic polymer tuned to deliver this purpose. Using the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) method, a substrate was successfully created by incorporating poly (N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) onto cotton. The fabricated material exhibited a water vapor release rate of 24.2 ± 1.054%/min at 32 °C, indicating its ability to humidify the inhaled air effectively. These findings highlight the potential of the developed material as a promising solution for applications requiring rapid moisture recovery.
Lab-on-Fiber Sensors with Ag/Au Nanocap Arrays Based on the Two Deposits of Polystyrene Nanospheres
Authors: Shi Meng , Gao Shifang , Shang Liang , Ma Linan , Wang Wei , Liu Guangqiang , Li Zongbao
Published: October 2023

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) can boost the pristine Raman signal significantly which could be exploited for producing innovative sensing devices with advanced properties. However, the inherent complexity of SERS systems restricts their further applications in rapid detection, especially in situ detection in narrow areas. Here, we construct an efficient and flexible SERS-based Lab-on-Fiber (LOF) sensor by integrating Ag/Au nanocap arrays obtained by Ag/Au coating polystyrene nanospheres on the optical fiber face. We obtain rich “hot spots” at the nanogaps between neighboring nanocaps, and further achieve SERS performance with the assistance of laser-induced thermophoresis on the metal film that can achieve efficiency aggregation of detected molecules. We achieve a high Raman enhancement with a low detection limitation of 10−7 mol/L for the most efficient samples based on the above sensor. This sensor also exhibits good repeatability and stability under multiple detections, revealing the potential application for in situ detection based on the reflexivity of the optical fiber.
Roll-to-Roll Gravure Coating of PVDF on a Battery Separator for the Enhancement of Thermal Stability
Authors: Kim Gyuyoung , Noh Jin-Hee , Lee Horim , Shin Jaehak , Lee Dongjin
Published: October 2023

The polyethylene lithium-ion battery separator is coated with a polymer by means of a roll-to-roll (R2R) gravure coating scheme to enhance the thermal stability. The polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) or polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP) is gravure-coated, and the pores are fabricated based on online nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS). N-methylpyrrolidone is used as a solvent, and deionized water or a methanol mixture thereof is exploited as a nonsolvent in NIPS. Scanning electron microscopy confirms that the polymer film is formed and that the pores are well developed. The thermal shrinkage decreased by 20.0% and 23.2% compared to that of the bare separator due to the coating of PVDF and PVDF-HFP, respectively. The R2R gravure coating scheme is proven to be fully functional to tailor the properties of lithium-ion battery separators.
Disconnector Fault Diagnosis Based on Multi-Granularity Contrast Learning
Authors: Xie Qian , Tang Haiyi , Liu Baize , Li Hui , Wang Zhe , Dang Jian
Published: October 2023

Most disconnector fault diagnosis methods have high accuracy in model training. However, it is a challenging task to maintain high accuracy, a faster diagnosis speed, and less computation in practical situations. In this paper, we propose a multi-granularity contrastive learning (MG-CL) framework. First, the original disconnector current data are transformed into two different but related classes: strongly enhanced and weakly enhanced data, by using the strong and weak enhancement modules. Second, we propose the coarse-grained contrastive learning module to preliminarily judge the possibility of faults by learning the features of strongly/weakly enhanced data. Finally, in order to further judge the fault causes, we propose a fine-grained contrastive learning module. By comparing the differences in the data, the final fault type was judged. Our proposed MG-CL framework shows higher accuracy and speed compared with the previous model.
Identification of Shale Lithofacies from FMI Images and ECS Logs Using Machine Learning with GLCM Features
Authors: Tian Min , Tan Maojin , Wang Min
Published: October 2023

The identification of sedimentary structures in lithofacies is of great significance to the exploration and development of Paleogene shale in the Boxing Sag. However, due to the scale mismatch between the thickness of laminae and the vertical resolution of conventional wireline logs, the conventional lithofacies division method fails to realize the accurate classification of sedimentary structures and cannot meet the needs of reservoir research. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a lithofacies identification method with higher precision from advanced logs. In this paper, a method integrating the gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) and random forest (RF) algorithms is proposed to classify shale lithofacies with different sedimentary structures based on formation micro-imager (FMI) imaging logging and elemental capture spectroscopy (ECS) logging. According to the characteristics of shale laminae on FMI images, GLCM, an image texture extraction tool, is utilized to obtain texture features reflecting sedimentary structures from FMI images. It is proven that GLCM can depict shale sedimentary structures efficiently and accurately, and four texture features (contrast, entropy, energy, and homogeneity) are sensitive to shale sedimentary structures. To accommodate the correlation between the four texture features, the random forest algorithm, which has been proven not to be affected by correlated input features, is selected for supervised lithofacies classification. To enhance the model’s ability to differentiate between argillaceous limestone and calcareous mudstone, the carbonate content and clay content calculated from the ECS logs are involved in the input features. Moreover, grid search cross-validation (CV) is implemented to optimize the hyperparameters of the model. The optimized model achieves favorable performance on training data, validation data, and test data, with average accuracies of 0.84, 0.79, and 0.76, respectively. This study also discusses the application of the classification model in lithofacies and production prediction.
Youth, Sport, and Faith: Identity Formation in High School Athletes
Authors: Parker Andrew , White John B. , Meyer Andrew R.
Published: October 2023

It is widely accepted that the transition from youth to adulthood in western industrialized societies brings with it a series of tensions and dilemmas in terms of identity formation. One of the areas where such formational issues often manifest themselves is through the faith journeys of young people. This paper presents empirical evidence from a small-scale qualitative study of one faith–sport initiative—Run the Race Well—a US-based venture which, through an annual retreat program, aims to provide theological support for high school athletes involved in the higher echelons of sport in their age group. Utilizing the “voices” of retreat participants, the paper uncovers some of the issues surrounding the Christian identity of the young people who have participated in the program and explores how the prioritization of lifestyle activities (e.g., education, sport, and faith) has the potential to give rise to particular problems and anxieties. The paper discusses some of the complexities of this prioritization process to reveal how young people seek to navigate and negotiate their identities, both as elite athletes and Christians, and how the tensions and dilemmas of teenage life shape their views of the overall relationship between sport and faith. The paper concludes by suggesting that amidst the wider anxieties of youth transition, intentional investment by others (via theological teaching, sports coaching, and one-to-one, group, and peer mentoring) can provide a catalyst for identity formation and personal/faith development.
Synodality from a Reformed Perspective
Authors: Huijgen Arnold
Published: October 2023

For Reformed theologians, the “synodal process” in the Roman Catholic Church is an important ecumenical rapprochement since it is based on the conviction that all believers, and all humans of good will, should have a voice in the Church’s future. While “synod” sounds in Reformed ears as a movement toward formal authority, the opposite is the case: the synodal process aims at communion, participation and mission. This article highlights aspects of the synodal process that dovetail with Reformed emphases and, thus, open ecumenical avenues, particularly journeying together and listening.
Muslim Identity Formation in Contemporary Societies
Authors: Yucel Salih , Whyte Shaheen
Published: October 2023

Identity is shaped and cultivated through a myriad of human, individual, and collective experiences, encompassing a broad range of racial, cultural, ethnic, religious, gender, regional, historical, and socio-political realities [...]
Receptive Ecumenism as a Way Forward: An Eastern Orthodox Perspective
Authors: Coman Viorel
Published: October 2023

Receptive ecumenism is one of the most important contemporary methodologies of inter-Christian dialogue. The theological vision behind the concept of receptive ecumenism is a valuable source of inspiration for the revitalization of the culture of dialogue within and between our churches and societies. Receptive ecumenism has the potential to transform closed and exclusivist identities into open and mutually constitutive realities, which value highly the theological and spiritual riches of the Christian other and learn from them. This article argues that, even though the notion of receptive ecumenism has been elaborated by a Western Catholic theologian (Paul Murray), its implementation by Eastern Christianity should not be seen as the adoption of a methodology foreign to the ethos and spirituality of Orthodox faith. The article shows that the vision and practice of receptive ecumenism resonate with the main doctrinal formulations of Orthodox Christianity (Trinitarian theology, Christology, and eschatology).
Tracing the Tracts of Qaṣaṣ: Towards a Theory of Narrative Pedagogy in Islamic Education
Authors: Bin Muhammad Yusoff Muhammad Fawwaz
Published: October 2023

The concept of narrative holds a pivotal position in the Qurʾān, yet it has been subject to inadequate scrutiny and insufficient representation in pedagogical discourse concerning Islamic education. The present work endeavours to rectify this gap in knowledge by employing the technique of constructivist grounded theory to the Qurʾān and major exegeses, with a particular focus on the term qaṣaṣ, which pertains to the notion of narrative. This article delves into the profound tracts and maqāṣid (objectives) that qaṣaṣ hold in the Qurʾān and contemplates their exhortation for education on Islam and modern pedagogy. The analysis reveals that the qaṣaṣ present in the Qurʾān serves as a fundamental framework that directs the essence of the narrative pedagogy model of teaching and learning between the pedagogue and learner. Through typological figuration, the listener’s contemplation leads to a re-evaluation of conventional notions surrounding the dynamics between teacher and student and the dissemination of narrative within a pedagogical setting. The triad of truth, beauty and explication are fundamental pillars within this Islamic framework for narrative pedagogy, representing the essence of the human condition concerning education. Because these domains emerge from the concept of qaṣaṣ, the integration of the framework into Islamic education is a matter of utmost importance, given its centrality in the Qurʾān to foster and perfect the principles of Muslims and their sense of self.
AFRE-Net: Adaptive Feature Representation Enhancement for Arbitrary Oriented Object Detection
Authors: Zhang Tianwei , Sun Xu , Zhuang Lina , Dong Xiaoyu , Sha Jianjun , Zhang Bing , Zheng Ke
Published: October 2023

Arbitrary-oriented object detection (AOOD) is a crucial task in aerial image analysis but is also faced with significant challenges. In current AOOD detectors, commonly used multi-scale feature fusion modules fall short in spatial and semantic information complement between scales. Additionally, fixed feature extraction structures are usually used following a fusion model, resulting in the inability of detectors to self-adjust. At the same time, feature fusion and extraction modules are designed in isolation and the internal synergy between them is ignored. The above problems result in feature representation deficiency, thus affecting the overall detection precision. To solve these problems, we first create a fine-grained feature pyramid network (FG-FPN) that not only provides richer spatial and semantic features, but also completes neighbor scale features in a self-learning mode. Subsequently, we propose a novel feature enhancement module (FEM) to fit FG-FPN. FEM authorizes the detection unit to automatically adjust the sensing area and adaptively suppress background interference, thereby generating stronger feature representations. Our proposed solution was tested through extensive experiments on challenging datasets, including DOTA (77.44% mAP), HRSC2016 (97.82% mAP), UCAS-AOD (91.34% mAP), as well as ICDAR2015 (86.27% F-score) and its effectiveness and high applicability are verified on all the above datasets.
Signal Occlusion-Resistant Satellite Selection for Global Navigation Applications Using Large-Scale LEO Constellations
Authors: Guo Junqi , Wang Yang , Sun Chenyang
Published: October 2023

With the continuous construction of large-scale Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations, their potential for Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) applications has been emphasized. This study aims to derive an optimal positioning configuration formula based on the ratio of high-elevation and low-elevation satellites, which can improve the positioning accuracy and overcome the accuracy loss due to signal occlusion. A genetic algorithm is used to solve the optimal positioning configuration problem for large-scale satellite selection. Through a simulation using Starlink satellites currently in orbit, it is verified that the traditional recursive algorithm cannot be applied to satellite selection for large-scale constellations. The proposed formula has a similar accuracy to the Quasi-Optimal algorithm when there is no signal occlusion and the satellites are uniformly selected. However, the accuracy of the latter deteriorates significantly under signal occlusion. Our algorithm can effectively overcome this problem. Moreover, we discuss the effect of different types of obstructions on the accuracy loss. We find that the Quasi-Optimal algorithm is more sensitive to a single large-angle obstruction than multiple small-angle obstructions. Our proposed formula can reduce the localization accuracy degradation caused by signal occlusions in both scenarios.
A Study on Wheel Member Condition Recognition Using Machine Learning (Support Vector Machine)
Authors: Lee Jin-Han , Lee Jun-Hee , Yun Kwang-Su , Bae Han Byeol , Kim Sun Young , Jeong Jae-Hoon , Kim Jin-Pyung
Published: October 2023

The wheels of railway vehicles are of paramount importance in relation to railroad operations and safety. Currently, the management of railway vehicle wheels is restricted to post-event inspections of the wheels whenever physical phenomena, such as abnormal vibrations and noise, occur during the operation of railway vehicles. To address this issue, this paper proposes a method for predicting abnormalities in railway wheels in advance and enhancing the learning and prediction performance of machine learning algorithms. Data were collected during the operation of Line 4 of the Busan Metro in South Korea by directly attaching sensors to the railway vehicles. Through the analysis of key factors in the collected data, factors that can be used for tire condition classification were derived. Additionally, through data distribution analysis and correlation analysis, factors for classifying tire conditions were identified. As a result, it was determined that the z-axis of acceleration has a significant impact, and machine learning techniques such as SVM (Linear Kernel, RBF Kernel) and Random Forest were utilized based on acceleration data to classify tire conditions into in-service and defective states. The SVM (Linear Kernel) yielded the highest recognition rate at 98.70%.
Overview of Promising Solutions in Subsurface Sounding Equipment
Authors: Bryakin Ivan V. , Bochkarev Igor V. , Khramshin Vadim R. , Gasiyarov Vadim R.
Published: October 2023

This overview analyzes current advances in the equipment for detecting various subsurface metal and metal-containing objects. Various metal detector types are discussed alongside their operation principles, properties, and capabilities. Following the analysis of conventional metal detectors, promising design and technical solutions are explored, implementing new physical metal detector operation principles that have not been used before for this equipment class. The information provided allows for evaluating new metal detector concepts developed to improve the sensitivity and accuracy of detecting equipment.
Object Detection in Adverse Weather for Autonomous Driving through Data Merging and YOLOv8
Authors: Kumar Debasis , Muhammad Naveed
Published: October 2023

For autonomous driving, perception is a primary and essential element that fundamentally deals with the insight into the ego vehicle’s environment through sensors. Perception is challenging, wherein it suffers from dynamic objects and continuous environmental changes. The issue grows worse due to interrupting the quality of perception via adverse weather such as snow, rain, fog, night light, sand storms, strong daylight, etc. In this work, we have tried to improve camera-based perception accuracy, such as autonomous-driving-related object detection in adverse weather. We proposed the improvement of YOLOv8-based object detection in adverse weather through transfer learning using merged data from various harsh weather datasets. Two prosperous open-source datasets (ACDC and DAWN) and their merged dataset were used to detect primary objects on the road in harsh weather. A set of training weights was collected from training on the individual datasets, their merged versions, and several subsets of those datasets according to their characteristics. A comparison between the training weights also occurred by evaluating the detection performance on the datasets mentioned earlier and their subsets. The evaluation revealed that using custom datasets for training significantly improved the detection performance compared to the YOLOv8 base weights. Furthermore, using more images through the feature-related data merging technique steadily increased the object detection performance.
A Flow Sensing Device Formed Exclusively by Employing Additive Manufacturing for On-Site Fabrication Aboard a Ship
Authors: Pagonis Dimitrios-Nikolaos , Matsoukas Ioannis , Kaltsas Grigoris , Pilatis Aggelos
Published: October 2023

This work concerns the design, fabrication, and testing of a novel air-flow sensor employing exclusively additive manufacturing that can be fabricated on-site, aboard a ship, or in a similarly remote area, without relying on external manufacturing facilities. The developed device’s principle of operation is based on vortex shedding; its novelty focuses on employing solely additive manufacturing technology, for the manufacturing—in a single process step—of all the sensor’s main elements. In more detail, the required flow-shaping housing, the appropriate piezoresistive sensing element, and the electrical interconnection pads are all constructed in a single process step, through standard Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D technology. Direct communication to the necessary readout circuitry can be easily achieved through standard soldering utilizing the integrated contact pads of the sensor. The prototype was preliminary characterized, validating its proper functionality. Key features of the proposed device are low cost, fast on-site manufacturing of the entire measuring device, robustness, and simplicity, suggesting numerous potential applications in the shipbuilding industry and other industrial sectors.
Consumer-Grade Electroencephalogram and Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Neurofeedback Technologies for Mental Health and Wellbeing
Authors: Flanagan Kira , Saikia Manob Jyoti
Published: October 2023

Neurofeedback, utilizing an electroencephalogram (EEG) and/or a functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) device, is a real-time measurement of brain activity directed toward controlling and optimizing brain function. This treatment has often been attributed to improvements in disorders such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, and epilepsy, among others. While there is evidence suggesting the efficacy of neurofeedback devices, the research is still inconclusive. The applicability of the measurements and parameters of consumer neurofeedback wearable devices has improved, but the literature on measurement techniques lacks rigorously controlled trials. This paper presents a survey and literary review of consumer neurofeedback devices and the direction toward clinical applications and diagnoses. Relevant devices are highlighted and compared for treatment parameters, structural composition, available software, and clinical appeal. Finally, a conclusion on future applications of these systems is discussed through the comparison of their advantages and drawbacks.