bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The basic solar wind speed distribution and its sunspot cycle variations
Authors: Akasofu Syun-Ichi , Lee Lou-Chuang
Published: April 2023

In this paper, it is suggested that the latitudinal solar wind speed observed by the Ulysses spacecraft during thelowestsolar activity (when both the ecliptic and magnetic equators coincide) may be identified as the basic speed distribution throughout the solar cycle. We demonstrate this suggestion by rotating this particular Ulysses distribution counterclockwise up to 70° in accordance with the rotation of the equivalent dipole axis during active periods of the cycle. The corresponding magnetic equator in the Carrington map latitude-longitude (27 days) becomes quasi-sinusoidal with respect to the ecliptic equator. The quasi-sinusoidal magnetic equator on the Carrington map and its modification associated with the degree of sunspot activities can explain thetwohigh speed peaks (750–800 km/s) and thetwolowest speed (350 km/s) during 27-day solar rotation periods, most clearly recognizable after the sunspot peak period. Thus, it may be not necessary to consider coronal holes or open regions as the source of high speed streams. In fact, this particular (lowest solar activity) Ulysses distribution may represent the speed distribution pattern by the basic generation process of the solar wind itself.
Strategies for Improving Postpartum Contraception Compared With Routine Maternal Care: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Hu Denghui , Tang Yuxiang , Pei Kaiyan
Published: April 2023

Objectives: This study aimed to systematically review the effectiveness of service interventions for improving postpartum contraception, including contraceptive use, prevention of repeat pregnancies and induced abortions.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in three databases until June 2022 (PROSPERO registration CRD42022328349). Estimates of intervention effects from meta-analyses were represented as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: 16 studies with 14,289 participants were included, with four kinds of interventions recognized. Interventions effect in increasing use of contraceptives and decreasing rates of repeated pregnancy for up to 6 months postpartum (OR = 2.24, 0.06, 95% CI = 1.46–3.44, 0.02–0.22, respectively), with no significant associations with contraceptive use at 12 months postpartum, prevention of postpartum repeat pregnancies and induced abortions during 1 year after childbirth.

Conclusion: We concluded that interventions impact the initiation of postpartum contraceptive use and prevention of repeat pregnancy with an overall certainty from low to moderate. These findings highlight the need for additional studies to integrate the beneficial effect of several interventions and then design more feasible strategies, which is important for the maternal and child healthcare systems.
Advancement in Agriculture Approaches with Agrivoltaics Natural Cooling in Large Scale Solar PV Farms
Authors: Othman Noor Fadzlinda , Ya’acob Mohammad Effendy , Lu Li , Jamaluddin Ahmad Hakiim , Mat Su Ahmad Suhaizi , Hizam Hashim , Shamsudin Rosnah , Jaafar Juju Nakasha
Published: April 2023

The increasing concerns about the impact of large-scale solar photovoltaic farms on the environment and the energy crisis have raised many questions. This issue is mainly addressed by the integration of agriculture advancement in solar photovoltaic systems infrastructure facilities, commonly known as agrivoltaic. Through the use of these systems, the production of crops can be increased, and the efficiency of PV panels can be improved. Accordingly, adopting such synergistic paths forward can contribute toward building resilient energy-generation and food-production systems. The utilization of cooling techniques can provide a potential solution for the excessive heating of PV cells and lower cell temperatures. Effective cooling applied to PV cells significantly improves their electrical efficiency, as well as increasing their lifespan because of decreasing thermal stresses. This paper shares an overview of both active and passive cooling approaches in solar PV applications with an emphasis on newly developed agrivoltaic natural cooling systems. Actual data analysis at the 2 MWp Puchong agrivoltaic farm shows a significant value of 3% increase of the DC generation (on average) which is most beneficial to solar farm operators.
A Fertilisation Strategy Combining Mineral Fertiliser and Biosolid Improves Long-Term Yield and Carbon Storage in a Calcareous Soil
Authors: Zaragüeta Armelle , Enrique Alberto , Portell Xavier , Antón Rodrigo , Virto Iñigo , Orcaray Luis
Published: April 2023

At a strategic moment for agricultural soils, which are expected to contribute to climate change mitigation through carbon storage while safely feeding a growing world population, the fertiliser strategies used will be key. In a calcareous soil with extensive rainfed agricultural use and straw removal, different fertiliser strategies were evaluated with the aim of determining their effects on crop yield, nitrogen agronomic efficiency, and the storage of organic carbon and total nitrogen in the soil. Different doses of mineral fertiliser, expressed as kg of mineral nitrogen ha−1 year−1 (0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 nitrogen fertilising units (NFUs)), were applied to plots with and without biosolid amendment. The biosolid, applied at a rate of 40 Mg ha−1 every 3 years for 18 years, complied with national and European regulations to be applied on agricultural soil. The use of combined fertilisation reduced the amount of mineral fertiliser applied between 33 and 67% and the total fertiliser units between 7 and 40%, while maintaining similar yields to the reference mineral fertilisation (180 NFUs). These results could be related to a higher nitrogen agronomic efficiency in the combined fertilisation treatments that do not exceed the total NFUs required by the crop. Combined fertilisation was also an effective fertiliser technique to store total nitrogen and organic carbon in the soil. However, compared to the reference mineral fertilisation (180 NFUs), no significant changes in the soil organic carbon were observed, probably due to the crop management method in which the straw is removed and to higher gas emissions. Our results support the need to assess the efficacy of each agricultural technique at local scales in order not to overestimate or underestimate the potential of each agricultural technique to store soil organic carbon.
Mind the Market Opportunity: Digital Energy Management Services for German Dairy Farmers
Authors: Theunissen Theresa , Keller Julia , Bernhardt Heinz
Published: April 2023

The adoption of farm management information systems (FMIS) is on the rise at German dairy farms given their benefits in supporting and automating decision-making processes. However, the offering scope of FMIS for dairy farmers is limited, with digital services mostly focusing on animal-related data and overall economic insights. By contrast, digital energy management services (DEMS) are not yet established as an integral part of FMIS despite their expected positive contribution to a dairy farm’s ecological sustainability and profitability. Against this background, the aim of this study was to find out if there is a hitherto undetected market opportunity for FMIS providers offering DEMS to German dairy farmers. To achieve this aim, the as-is market offering was screened looking at seven pre-defined DEMS, and customer preferences were investigated based on online survey responses from 74 German dairy farmers. Results of the survey indicate a high relevance of DEMS, which especially applies for optimization-oriented energy data analyses. The market coverage of such digital services, on the other hand, is not yet adequate. Hence, for providers of FMIS, we see a promising market opportunity to expand their offering by starting to deploy selected DEMS to German dairy farmers.
Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Pattern Analysis of the F5H Gene Family in Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)
Authors: Liu Dandan , Yuan Hongmei , Yao Yubo , Cheng Lili , Tang Lili , Kang Qinghua , Song Xixia , Chen Si , Wu Guangwen
Published: April 2023

Ferulate 5-hydroxylase (F5H) is a cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase that plays a key role in the biosynthesis of syringyl (S) lignin. In this study, mining of flax (Linum usitatissimum) genomic data enabled the identification of nine LuF5H genes. Bioinformatics analysis revealed the physicochemical properties, gene structures, conserved motifs, phylogenetic evolutionary features and promoter cis-acting elements related to these genes and their encoded proteins. Based on the gene structural and phylogenetic features, the nine LuF5Hs were assigned to two subclasses. The expression levels of the nine LuF5Hs was analyzed by the RNA-seq technique, and the RNA-seq data were verified by qRT-PCR. The results of the RNA-seq analysis showed that LuF5H genes belonging to the same subclass exhibited similar expression patterns. Notably, the transcripts of the LuF5H3 and LuF5H7 subclass 1 genes accumulated at high levels in stem tissues, thus indicating that LuF5H3 and LuF5H7 are the main LuF5H genes involved in flax lignin biosynthesis. Furthermore, the expression levels of LuF5H1, LuF5H3, LuF5H4 and LuF5H7 were upregulated 1.2–1.9-fold under drought, NaCl stress and brassinosteroid treatment conditions. This first comprehensive study of the flax F5H gene family provides valuable data for use in gene function analysis toward improving flax fiber quality and reducing flax manufacturing costs and associated environmental pollution.
Factors Affecting Weigh Tape Reading in the Measurement of Equine Body Weight
Authors: Grimwood Katie , Lancaster Bryony , Handel Ian
Published: April 2023

Accurate measurement of equine body weight is important for evaluating medication dosages and feed quantities. Different methods exist for measuring body weight, including weigh tapes (WT), though accuracy varies. Measurements could be affected by external variables, such as time of day, human error, or uneven surfaces, and also horse-based variables, such as height and body condition score (BCS). The aim of this study was to investigate how different horse-based variables affect WT reading. A retrospective analysis was performed using anonymised data from feed company nutrition consultations (Baileys Horse Feeds). Data included a range of horse-based variables, a WT reading, and true body weight measured on a weighbridge. All horses were over two years of age. Likelihood ratio tests were used to assess whether adding different horse-based variables significantly improved the fit of the quadratic regression model. The variables included were height, BCS, breed, muscle top-line score, and bone type. Exploratory analysis showed that the WT generally underestimated body weight, particularly for horses with higher body weight. Adding height and muscle top-line scores did not significantly improve the fit of the model, suggesting no influence on WT reading over and above actual body weight. Adding breed groupings, BCS, and bone density did improve the fit. Each 0.5 unit increase in BCS increased the WT estimate by 1.24 kg (p < 0.001). These results confirm that a WT does not provide accurate body weight measurements, and generally underestimates body weight, though more so for heavier horses, being more accurate in pony breeds.
New Antibiotics for Staphylococcus aureus Infection: An Update from the World Association of Infectious Diseases and Immunological Disorders (WAidid) and the Italian Society of Anti-Infective Therapy (SITA)
Authors: Esposito Susanna , Blasi Francesco , Curtis Nigel , Kaplan Sheldon , Lazzarotto Tiziana , Meschiari Marianna , Mussini Cristina , Peghin Maddalena , Rodrigo Carlos , Vena Antonio , Principi Nicola , Bassetti Matteo
Published: April 2023

Staphylococcus aureus is an extremely virulent pathogen that is capable of quickly evolving and developing antibiotic resistance. To overcome this problem, new antibiotics have been developed. Some of these have been licenced for use in clinical practice, mainly for the treatment of adults with acute skin and soft tissue infections, in addition to both community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and nosocomial pneumonia (hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia). In this paper, the main characteristics and clinical use of new licenced anti-staphylococcal drugs have been discussed. In vitro studies have demonstrated that some new anti-staphylococcal antibiotics have better antimicrobial activity and, at least in certain cases, more favourable pharmacokinetic properties and higher safety and tolerability than the presently available anti-staphylococcal drugs. This suggests that they may have a potential use in reducing the risk of failure of S. aureus therapy. However, an in-depth analysis of microbiological and clinical studies carried out with these new drugs seems to indicate that further studies need to be conducted before the problem of resistance of S. aureus to the antibiotics available today can be completely solved. Considering the overall available research, the drugs that are active against S. aureus appear to present a great therapeutic opportunity for overcoming resistance to traditional therapy. There are advantages in the pharmacokinetic characteristics of some of these drugs and they have the potential to reduce hospital stays and economic costs associated with their use.
Rehmannia glutinosa Polysaccharides: Optimization of the Decolorization Process and Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects in LPS-Stimulated Porcine Intestinal Epithelial Cells
Authors: Ren Heng , Li Kejie , Min Yan , Qiu Binhang , Huang Xiaolu , Luo Jingxin , Qi Liwen , Kang Maoli , Xia Peng , Qiao Hanzhen , Chen Jun , Cui Yaoming , Gan Liping , Wang Peng , Wang Jinrong
Published: April 2023

Polysaccharide decolorization has a major effect on polysaccharide function. In the present study, the decolorization of Rehmannia glutinosa polysaccharides (RGP) is optimized using two methods—the AB-8 macroporous resin (RGP-1) method and the H2O2 (RGP-2) method. The optimal decolorization parameters for the AB-8 macroporous resin method were as follows: temperature, 50 °C; macroporous resin addition, 8.4%; decolorization duration, 64 min; and pH, 5. Under these conditions, the overall score was 65.29 ± 3.4%. The optimal decolorization conditions for the H2O2 method were as follows: temperature, 51 °C; H2O2 addition, 9.5%; decolorization duration, 2 h; and pH, 8.6. Under these conditions, the overall score was 79.29 ± 4.8%. Two pure polysaccharides (RGP-1-A and RGP-2-A) were isolated from RGP-1 and RGP-2. Subsequently, their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms were evaluated. RGP treatment activated the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway and significantly increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes (p < 0.05). It also inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory factors and suppressed the TLR4/NF-κB pathway (p < 0.05). RGP-1-A had a significantly better protective effect than RGP-2-A, likely owing to the sulfate and uronic groups it contains. Together, the findings indicate that RGP can act as a natural agent for the prevention of oxidation and inflammation-related diseases.
Spray-Drying Impact the Physicochemical Properties and Formation of Maillard Reaction Products Contributing to Antioxidant Activity of Camelina Press Cake Extract
Authors: Drozłowska Emilia , Starowicz Małgorzata , Śmietana Natalia , Krupa-Kozak Urszula , Łopusiewicz Łukasz
Published: April 2023

Spray-drying is one of the most popular techniques in the food industry for converting liquid material from a fluid state into a form of dried particles to produce encapsulated or instant products. Instant products are considered as convenient foods; moreover, the goal of encapsulation is to close the bioactive compounds in a shell, preventing them from being affected by environmental factors. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of spray-drying conditions, in particular three inlet temperatures, on the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of powders obtained from Camelina Press Cake Extract (CPE). The CPE was spray-dried at 140 °C, 160 °C and 180 °C. The solubility, Carr and Hausner Indexes, tapped densities and water activity of the powders were analyzed. The structural changes were also detected using FTIR spectroscopy. Additionally, the characteristics of the initial and reconstituted samples and their rheological properties were evaluated. The antioxidant potential, total polyphenols and flavonoids content, free amino acids, and the Maillard reaction products contents in the spray-dried powders were also evaluated. The results indicate a cascade of changes between the initial and reconstituted samples, and important changes in the bioactive potential of samples. The inlet temperature significantly influenced the solubility, flowability and particle sizes of the powders, as well as Maillard products formation. The results of the rheological measurements illustrate the changes after the reconstitution of extracts. This study indicates the optimal parameters of CPE spray-drying, those that yield favorable physicochemical and functional values, which may open up a promising path for CPE valorization, indicating its potential and the possibilities of its use.
Herbal/Natural Compounds Resist Hallmarks of Brain Aging: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Qiao Juhui , Wang Chenxi , Chen Yu , Yu Shuang , Liu Ying , Yu Shiting , Jiang Leilei , Jin Chenrong , Wang Xinran , Zhang Peiguang , Zhao Daqing , Wang Jiawen , Liu Meichen
Published: April 2023

Aging is a complex process of impaired physiological integrity and function, and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurodegeneration, and cancer. The cellular environment of the aging brain exhibits perturbed bioenergetics, impaired adaptive neuroplasticity and flexibility, abnormal neuronal network activity, dysregulated neuronal Ca2+ homeostasis, accumulation of oxidatively modified molecules and organelles, and clear signs of inflammation. These changes make the aging brain susceptible to age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. In recent years, unprecedented advances have been made in the study of aging, especially the effects of herbal/natural compounds on evolutionarily conserved genetic pathways and biological processes. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the aging process and age-related diseases, and we discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic properties of herbal/natural compounds against the hallmarks of brain aging.
Cascaded Vehicle Matching and Short-Term Spatial-Temporal Network for Smoky Vehicle Detection
Authors: Peng Xiaojiang , Fan Xiaomao , Wu Qingyang , Zhao Jieyan , Gao Pan
Published: April 2023

Vehicle exhaust is the main source of air pollution with the rapid increase of fuel vehicles. Automatic smoky vehicle detection in videos is a superior solution to traditional expensive remote sensing with ultraviolet-infrared light devices for environmental protection agencies. However, it is challenging to distinguish vehicle smoke from shadow and wet regions in cluttered roads, and could be worse due to limited annotated data. In this paper, we first introduce a real-world large-scale smoky vehicle dataset with 75,000 annotated smoky vehicle images, facilitating the effective training of advanced deep learning models. To enable a fair algorithm comparison, we also built a smoky vehicle video dataset including 163 long videos with segment-level annotations. Second, we present a novel efficient cascaded framework for smoky vehicle detection which largely integrates prior knowledge and advanced deep networks. Specifically, it starts from an improved frame-based smoke detector with a high recall rate, and then applies a vehicle matching strategy to fast eliminate non-vehicle smoke proposals, and finally refines the detection with an elaborately-designed short-term spatial-temporal network in consecutive frames. Extensive experiments in four metrics demonstrated that our framework is significantly superior to hand-crafted feature based methods and recent advanced methods.
Deep Learning Algorithms to Identify Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children-Based Facial Landmarks
Authors: Alkahtani Hasan , Aldhyani Theyazn H. H. , Alzahrani Mohammed Y.
Published: April 2023

People with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) have difficulty recognizing and engaging with others. The symptoms of ASD may occur in a wide range of situations. There are numerous different types of functions for people with an ASD. Although it may be possible to reduce the symptoms of ASD and enhance the quality of life with appropriate treatment and support, there is no cure. Developing expert systems for identifying ASD based on the facial landmarks of children is the main contribution for improvements in the healthcare system in Saudi Arabia for detecting ASD at an early stage. However, deep learning algorithms have provided outstanding performances in a variety of pattern-recognition studies. The use of techniques based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) has been proposed by several scholars to use in investigations of ASD. At present, there is no diagnostic test available for ASD, making this diagnosis challenging. Clinicians focus on a patient’s behavior and developmental history. Therefore, using the facial landmarks of children has become very important for detecting ASDs as the face is thought to be a reflection of the brain; it has the potential to be used as a diagnostic biomarker, in addition to being an easy-to-use and practical tool for the early detection of ASDs. This study uses a variety of transfer learning approaches observed in deep CNNs to recognize autistic children based on facial landmark detection. An empirical study is conducted to discover the ideal settings for the optimizer and hyperparameters in the CNN model so that its prediction accuracy can be improved. A transfer learning approach, such as MobileNetV2 and hybrid VGG19, is used with different machine learning programs, such as logistic regression, a linear support vector machine (linear SVC), random forest, decision tree, gradient boosting, MLPClassifier, and K-nearest neighbors. The deep learning models are examined using a standard research dataset from Kaggle, which contains 2940 images of autistic and non-autistic children. The MobileNetV2 model achieved an accuracy of 92% on the test set. The results of the proposed research indicate that MobileNetV2 transfer learning strategies are better than those developed in existing systems. The updated version of our model has the potential to assist physicians in verifying the accuracy of their first screening for ASDs in child patients.
Research and Example Verification on Stability Coefficient of Vertical Bar of Fastener Steel Pipe Support
Authors: Dong Yipin , Li Sanqing , Zeng Fankui , Ji Meng , Wang Jinxin
Published: April 2023

The calculation method of steel pipe support in current specifications is not uniform, and it is unsafe to directly apply the stability coefficient of the vertical bar in the current code, which leads to frequent safety accidents of fastener steel pipe supports. Through the field statistics of the initial defects of the steel pipe, it is found that the initial bending values of the 3 m and 6 m steel pipes with the largest size are larger in L/400. The stability coefficient table is obtained by taking the initial bending of L/400 as the initial defect, which is 43.15% smaller than the stability coefficient given by the specification. Through the comparative analysis of the actual engineering monitoring results, the calculation results of the original specification and the calculation results after the correction of the stability coefficient, it is concluded that the stress calculated by the stability coefficient proposed in this paper is similar to the actual monitoring results of the project and is greater than the stress of the vertical rod calculated by the stability coefficient of the original specification. It is suggested that the corrected stability coefficient should be applied to the actual project.
Genetic Algorithms Optimized Adaptive Wireless Network Deployment
Authors: Dubey Rahul , Louis Sushil J.
Published: April 2023

Advancements in UAVs have enabled them to act as flying access points that can be positioned to create an interconnected wireless network in complex environments. The primary aim of such networks is to provide bandwidth coverage to users on the ground in case of an emergency or natural disaster when existing network infrastructure is unavailable. However, optimal UAV placement for creating an ad hoc wireless network is an NP-hard and challenging problem because of the UAV’s communication range, unknown users’ distribution, and differing user bandwidth requirements. Many techniques have been presented in the literature for wireless mesh network deployment, but they lack either generalizability (with different users’ distributions) or real-time adaptability as per users’ requirements. This paper addresses the UAV placement and control problem, where a set of genetic-algorithm-optimized potential fields guide UAVs for creating long-lived ad hoc wireless networks that find all users in a given area of interest (AOI) and serve their bandwidth requirements. The performance of networks deployed using the proposed algorithm was compared with the current state of the art on several experimental simulation scenarios with different levels of communication among UAVs, and the results show that, on average, the proposed algorithm outperforms the state of the art by 5.62% to 121.73%.
The Effect of Airflow Velocity through a Laminar Airflow Ceiling (LAFC) on the Assessment of Thermal Comfort in the Operating Room
Authors: Mičko Pavol , Nosek Radovan , Hrabovský Peter , Hečko Dávid
Published: April 2023

Forced ventilation is applied in clean rooms, specifically operating rooms, to ensure the health of both the patient and the medical staff. Ventilation reduces the risk of patient contamination, and its parameters are legally prescribed. In addition to preventing contamination, the ventilation system also ensures the creation of a comfortable environment for personnel who spend a large amount of working time in the operating room. This research focuses on the appropriate design of the air flow rate from the distribution element to the operating room. The PMV and PPD indexes were used to evaluate thermal comfort for human beings. The measurements of parameters determining thermal comfort took place in a laboratory with an accurate model of the operating room, including equipment and HVAC system, during the summer months, in cooling mode. Discharge speeds in the range of 0.15–0.175 m/s were evaluated as the most comfortable, with the PPD index ranging up to 22%. There was a significant increase in user dissatisfaction up to the limit of 70% at higher discharge speeds.
Thermosensitive Behavior Defines the Features of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)/Magnetite Nanoparticles for Cancer Management
Authors: Radu Ionut-Cristian , Mirica Andreea-Cristina Ion , Hudita Ariana , Tanasa Eugenia , Iovu Horia , Zaharia Catalin , Galateanu Bianca
Published: April 2023

This paper reports the preparation and characterization of thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM)/magnetite nanoparticles in various conditions. The nanoprecipitation conditions address the impact of the temperature on PNIPAM/magnetite nanoparticle features due to the thermosensitive character of PNIPAM. Hybrid nanoparticles with desired features (size, size distribution, agglomeration, and release profile) are prepared by nanoprecipitation in non-solvent (acetone) at various temperatures. These nanoparticles are targeted as nanocarriers to deliver doxorubicin in breast cancer cells. Therefore, three temperatures, below the LCST (lower critical solution temperature), around the LCST, and above the LCST, were chosen as the main parameters within nanoprecipitation. Besides temperature, another major parameter drives the nanoparticles’ features: polymer solution concentration. In this regard, two variable parameters were used to study the characteristics of developed hybrid nanoparticles. After preparation, the hybrid nanoparticles were subjected to morphological and size distribution investigation by SEM and DLS. The doxorubicin loading and release measurements were also performed to reveal the behavior of the nanoparticles. Finally, the unloaded and loaded hybrid nanoparticles were biologically assessed within a cancer cells line (MCF7) in terms of biocompatibility, cancer cell viability, and cell morphology.
Rheological, Spectroscopic, and Chemical Characterization of Asphalt Binders Modified with Phase Change Materials, Polymers, and Glass Powder
Authors: Almutairi Haya , Baaj Hassan
Published: April 2023

Recently, asphalt modifiers have increasingly gained attention for improving the mechanical and thermal characteristics of asphalt mixtures. As a result, innovative additives are being constantly developed to achieve this purpose. However, some modifiers can significantly impact the chemical and rheological properties of the asphalt binder. This paper investigates the rheological, spectroscopic, and chemical properties of asphalt binders modified with a bio-based phase change material (PCM) and phase change material mixed with glass powder (GPCM). Two binders were investigated, PG 58-28 and PG 70-28 polymer modified asphalt binder with 3% SBS. Two different percentages of GPCM (5% and 7%) were added to PG 58-28 and PG 70-28, and 5% PCM was added to PG 58-28. The results indicated that the PCMs effectively reduced the viscosity values of the asphalt binder. Moreover, testing the modified binders using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that the PCMs released the stored heat when the melting/freezing temperature was reached. However, adding glass powder with the PCMs negatively affected the thermal properties of PCMs in the asphalt mix. In addition, considerable changes in the stiffness of the binders modified with GPCM at an intermediate temperature were obtained when tested using DSR. Finally, the TGA results revealed that this specific type of PCM would not be suitable as a hot mix asphalt (HMA) modifier as its evaporation temperature is lower than the mixing temperature HMA. However, the use of PCM in warm mix asphalt (WMA) would be a more viable option. The results showed that the evaporation temperature for the PCMs was low; therefore, the PCMs cannot be used in HMA. In addition, modified binders with PCMs and GPCM showed lower viscosity compared to the control binder. The DSR rheological analysis showed that the control binder and 5%PCM, 5%GPCM, 7%GPCM, 5%GPCM, and 7%GPCM binders had similar overall properties. However, the addition of GPCM significantly decreases the stiffness at intermediate temperatures.
Evaluation of Heating Inserts in Active Protective Clothing for Mountain Rescuers—Preliminary Tests
Authors: Krzemińska Sylwia , Greszta Agnieszka , Bartkowiak Grażyna , Dąbrowska Anna , Kotas Rafał , Pękosławski Bartosz , Małachowski Bartosz , Miśkiewicz Pamela
Published: April 2023

Rescue operations in mountain areas, lasting many hours, pose a mental and physical burden on the rescuer’s body. In addition, they cause thermal discomfort associated with variable energy expenditures and the high variability of weather conditions. One of the solutions for improving the comfort of the work of mountain rescuers is clothing with an active heating function. This paper discusses the technology of manufacturing flexible heating inserts with steel thread as a heating element. In order to assess the durability and safety of the applied heating inserts, they were subjected to simulated conditions of use. Multiple washing (25 cycles) and bending (9000 cycles) as well as exposure to artificial acidic sweat did not cause a significant change in the electrical power and resistance of the heating inserts. In order to assess the effectiveness of the inserts, they were tested within a system of clothing fabrics on an “artificial skin model”. Supplying the heating insert with a voltage of 4 V increased the thermal resistance of the fabric system, incorporating the insert by approx. 40%. Due to their high flexibility, durability, and heating efficiency, the developed heating inserts are a major step towards the development of electrical heated clothing.
An Experimental Design Methodology to Evaluate the Key Parameters on Dispersion of Carbon Nanotubes Applied in Soil Stabilization
Authors: Correia António Alberto S. , Figueiredo Diogo , Rasteiro Maria G.
Published: April 2023

The incorporation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the process of chemical stabilization of soft soil is only possible when they are dispersed adequately in the medium. The maximum compressive strength (qu max) and the secant undrained Young’s modulus (Eu 50) are usually used to characterize the behavior of soil stabilized with Portland cement. In the present study, soft soil was additivated with a CNT dispersion prepared in a surfactant solution. This information was then used to produce a model based on an experimental design strategy, which allowed us to relate qu max and Eu 50 with the CNT concentration and the surfactant hydrodynamic diameter and concentration. The Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression method was selected to perform the regression, given the significant collinearity among the input variables. The results obtained lead us to conclude that the CNT concentration is the most important factor and has a positive impact on the responses (qu max and Eu 50). The surfactant concentration and hydrodynamic diameter have a negative impact on the responses, but, curiously, when combined, the impact becomes positive. It means that these variables depend on each other. The results obtained show that it is possible to produce a statistical model for these parameters with good correlation coefficient (R2).
Classification of Financial Events and Its Effects on Other Financial Data
Authors: Mariani Maria C. , Tweneboah Osei K. , Bhuiyan Md Al Masum , Beccar-Varela Maria P. , Florescu Ionut
Published: April 2023

This research classifies financial events, i.e., the collapse of the Lehman Brothers (2008) and the flash crash (2010), and their effects on two different stocks corresponding to Citigroup Inc. (2009) and Iamgold Corporation (2011) to verify if the market data of these years were affected more by the crashes of 2008 or 2010. Applying the four techniques, dynamic Fourier methodology, wavelet analysis, discriminant analysis, and clustering analysis, the empirical evidence suggests that the Lehman Brothers’ event is predictable since the dynamics of the dataset can be likened to that of a natural earthquake. On the other hand, the flash crash event is associated with unpredictable explosions. In addition, the dynamics of the stocks from Citigroup (2009) and Iamgold Corporation (2011) are similar to that of the Lehman Brothers collapse. Hence, they are predictable. The accurate classification of the two financial events might help mitigate some of the potential effects of the events. In addition, the methodologies used in this study can help identify the strength of crashes and help practitioners and researchers make informed decisions in the financial market.
Comparison of Low and High Temperature Sintering for Processing of Bovine Bone as Block Grafts for Oral Use: A Biological and Mechanical In Vitro Study
Authors: Elahi Asrar , Duncan Warwick , Li Kai-Chun , Waddell John Neil , Coates Dawn
Published: April 2023

Large oral bone defects require grafting of bone blocks rather than granules to give physically robust, biocompatible and osteoconductive regeneration. Bovine bone is widely accepted as a source of clinically appropriate xenograft material. However, the manufacturing process often results in both reduced mechanical strength and biological compatibility. The aim of this study was to assess bovine bone blocks at different sintering temperatures and measure the effects on mechanical properties and biocompatibility. Bone blocks were divided into four groups; Group 1: Control (Untreated); Group 2: Initial boil for 6 h; Group 3: Boil 6 h followed by sintering at 550 °C for 6 h; Group 4: Boil 6 h followed by sintering at 1100 °C for 6 h. Samples were assessed for their purity, crystallinity, mechanical strength, surface morphology, chemical composition, biocompatibility and clinical handling properties. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey’s tests for normally distributed and Friedman test for abnormally distributed quantitative data from compression tests and PrestoBlue™ metabolic activity tests. The threshold for statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The results showed that higher temperature sintering (Group 4) removed all organic material (0.02% organic components and 0.02% residual organic components remained) and increased crystallinity (95.33%) compared to Groups 1–3. All test groups (Group 2–4) showed decreased mechanical strength (MPa: 4.21 ± 1.97, 3.07 ± 1.21, 5.14 ± 1.86, respectively) compared with raw bone (Group 1) (MPa: 23.22 ± 5.24, p <0.05), with micro-cracks seen under SEM in Groups 3 and 4. Group 4 had the highest biocompatibility (p < 0.05) with osteoblasts as compared to Group 3 at all time points in vitro. Clinical handling tests indicated that Group 4 samples could better withstand drilling and screw placement but still demonstrated brittleness compared to Group 1. Hence, bovine bone blocks sintered at 1100 °C for 6 h resulted in highly pure bone with acceptable mechanical strength and clinical handling, suggesting it is a viable option as a block grafting material.
Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Analysis of Gene Regulatory Network Changes in the Development of Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yu Dongshuo , Zhang Siwen , Liu Zhenhao , Xu Linfeng , Chen Lanming , Xie Lu
Published: April 2023

Lung cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease. Cancer cells and other cells within the tumor microenvironment interact to determine disease progression, as well as response to or escape from treatment. Understanding the regulatory relationship between cancer cells and their tumor microenvironment in lung adenocarcinoma is of great significance for exploring the heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment and its role in the genesis and development of lung adenocarcinoma. This work uses public single-cell transcriptome data (distant normal, nLung; early LUAD, tLung; advanced LUAD, tL/B), to draft a cell map of lung adenocarcinoma from onset to progression, and provide a cell-cell communication view of lung adenocarcinoma in the different disease stages. Based on the analysis of cell populations, it was found that the proportion of macrophages was significantly reduced in the development of lung adenocarcinoma, and patients with lower proportions of macrophages exhibited poor prognosis. We therefore constructed a process to screen an intercellular gene regulatory network that reduces any error generated by single cell communication analysis and increases the credibility of selected cell communication signals. Based on the key regulatory signals in the macrophage-tumor cell regulatory network, we performed a pseudotime analysis of the macrophages and found that signal molecules (TIMP1, VEGFA, SPP1) are highly expressed in immunosuppression-associated macrophages. These molecules were also validated using an independent dataset and were significantly associated with poor prognosis. Our study provides an effective method for screening the key regulatory signals in the tumor microenvironment and the selected signal molecules may serve as a reference to guide the development of diagnostic biomarkers for risk stratification and therapeutic targets for lung adenocarcinoma.
Matrix Metalloproteinases Contribute to the Calcification Phenotype in Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum
Authors: Plümers Ricarda , Lindenkamp Christopher , Osterhage Michel Robin , Knabbe Cornelius , Hendig Doris
Published: April 2023

Ectopic calcification and dysregulated extracellular matrix remodeling are prominent hallmarks of the complex heterogenous pathobiochemistry of pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE). The disease arises from mutations in ABCC6, an ATP-binding cassette transporter expressed predominantly in the liver. Neither its substrate nor the mechanisms by which it contributes to PXE are completely understood. The fibroblasts isolated from PXE patients and Abcc6−/− mice were subjected to RNA sequencing. A group of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) clustering on human chromosome 11q21-23, respectively, murine chromosome 9, was found to be overexpressed. A real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescent staining confirmed these findings. The induction of calcification by CaCl2 resulted in the elevated expression of selected MMPs. On this basis, the influence of the MMP inhibitor Marimastat (BB-2516) on calcification was assessed. PXE fibroblasts (PXEFs) exhibited a pro-calcification phenotype basally. PXEF and normal human dermal fibroblasts responded with calcium deposit accumulation and the induced expression of osteopontin to the addition of Marimastat to the calcifying medium. The raised MMP expression in PXEFs and during cultivation with calcium indicates a correlation of ECM remodeling and ectopic calcification in PXE pathobiochemistry. We assume that MMPs make elastic fibers accessible to controlled, potentially osteopontin-dependent calcium deposition under calcifying conditions.
New Insights into the Use of Liraglutide—Impact on Cardiovascular Risk and Microvascular Outcomes
Authors: Wronka Magdalena , Krzemińska Julia , Młynarska Ewelina , Rysz Jacek , Franczyk Beata
Published: April 2023

Despite the availability of many glucose-lowering drugs, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) often do not achieve the desired effect, and cardiovascular complications remain the leading cause of death in this group of patients. Recently, more and more attention has been paid to the properties of drugs, with particular emphasis on the possibility of reducing cardiovascular risk. One of them is liraglutide, which belongs to long-acting analogs of glucagon-like peptides-1 (GLP-1); it imitates incretins and causes an increase in insulin secretion. The current study focused on analyzing the efficacy and safety of liraglutide, as well as its impact on microvascular and cardiovascular outcomes in the treatment of patients with T2DM. Hyperglycemia-induced endothelial dysfunction, which is known to play a key role in maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis, is common in diabetes. Liraglutide reduces endothelial dysfunction by reversing damage to endothelial cells. By reducing the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby affecting Bax, Bcl-2 protein levels, and restoring signaling pathways, Liraglutide reduces oxidative stress, inflammation, and prevents endothelial cell apoptosis. Liraglutide has beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system; patients with high cardiovascular risk particularly benefit from treatment, as it reduces their major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) rate, which takes into account cardiovascular death, stroke, and non-fatal myocardial infarction. Liraglutide reduces the occurrence and progression of nephropathy, which is one of the most common microvascular complications of diabetes.
Isoflurane Conditioning Provides Protection against Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Induced Delayed Cerebral Ischemia through NF-kB Inhibition
Authors: Liu Meizi , Jayaraman Keshav , Mehla Jogender , Diwan Deepti , Nelson James W. , Hussein Ahmed E. , Vellimana Ananth K. , Abu-Amer Yousef , Zipfel Gregory J. , Athiraman Umeshkumar
Published: April 2023

Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) is the largest treatable cause of poor outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Nuclear Factor Kappa-light-chain-enhancer of Activated B cells (NF-kB), a transcription factor known to function as a pivotal mediator of inflammation, is upregulated in SAH and is pathologically associated with vasospasm. We previously showed that a brief exposure to isoflurane, an inhalational anesthetic, provided multifaceted protection against DCI after SAH. The aim of our current study is to investigate the role of NF-kB in isoflurane-conditioning-induced neurovascular protection against SAH-induced DCI. Twelve-week-old wild type male mice (C57BL/6) were divided into five groups: sham, SAH, SAH + Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC, a selective NF-kB inhibitor), SAH + isoflurane conditioning, and SAH + PDTC with isoflurane conditioning. Experimental SAH was performed via endovascular perforation. Anesthetic conditioning was performed with isoflurane 2% for 1 h, 1 h after SAH. Three doses of PDTC (100 mg/kg) were injected intraperitoneally. NF-kB and microglial activation and the cellular source of NF-kB after SAH were assessed by immunofluorescence staining. Vasospasm, microvessel thrombosis, and neuroscore were assessed. NF-kB was activated after SAH; it was attenuated by isoflurane conditioning. Microglia was activated and found to be a major source of NF-kB expression after SAH. Isoflurane conditioning attenuated microglial activation and NF-kB expression in microglia after SAH. Isoflurane conditioning and PDTC individually attenuated large artery vasospasm and microvessel thrombosis, leading to improved neurological deficits after SAH. The addition of isoflurane to the PDTC group did not provide any additional DCI protection. These data indicate isoflurane-conditioning-induced DCI protection after SAH is mediated, at least in part, via downregulating the NF-kB pathway.
Pathogenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The Interplay of Apoptosis and Autophagy
Authors: Kouroumalis Elias , Tsomidis Ioannis , Voumvouraki Argyro
Published: April 2023

The pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a multifactorial process that has not yet been fully investigated. Autophagy and apoptosis are two important cellular pathways that are critical for cell survival or death. The balance between apoptosis and autophagy regulates liver cell turnover and maintains intracellular homeostasis. However, the balance is often dysregulated in many cancers, including HCC. Autophagy and apoptosis pathways may be either independent or parallel or one may influence the other. Autophagy may either inhibit or promote apoptosis, thus regulating the fate of the liver cancer cells. In this review, a concise overview of the pathogenesis of HCC is presented, with emphasis on new developments, including the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress, the implication of microRNAs and the role of gut microbiota. The characteristics of HCC associated with a specific liver disease are also described and a brief description of autophagy and apoptosis is provided. The role of autophagy and apoptosis in the initiation, progress and metastatic potential is reviewed and the experimental evidence indicating an interplay between the two is extensively analyzed. The role of ferroptosis, a recently described specific pathway of regulated cell death, is presented. Finally, the potential therapeutic implications of autophagy and apoptosis in drug resistance are examined.