bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Long-Term Low-Dose Arsenic Exposure on DNA Methylation and Gene Expression in Human Liver Cells
Authors: Stößer Sandra , Lumpp Tatjana , Fischer Franziska , Gunesch Sarah , Schumacher Paul , Hartwig Andrea
Published: October 2023

Millions of people around the world are exposed to elevated levels of arsenic through food or drinking water. Epidemiological studies have linked chronic arsenic exposure to an increased risk of several cancers, cardiovascular disease, central nervous system neuropathies, and genotoxic as well as immunotoxic effects. In addition to the induction of oxidative stress and inhibition of DNA repair processes, epigenetic effects, including altered DNA methylation patterns resulting in aberrant gene expression, may contribute to carcinogenicity. However, the underlying mechanisms by which chronic micromolar concentrations of arsenite affect the methylation status of DNA are not fully understood. In this study, human HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cells were treated with 0.5–10 μM sodium arsenite for 24 h, 10, or 20 days. During these periods, the effects on global DNA methylation, cell cycle phase distribution, and gene expression were investigated. While no impact on DNA methylation was seen after short-term exposure, global hypomethylation was observed at both long-term exposure periods, with concomitant induction of the DNA methyltransferase genes DNMT1 and DNMT3B, while DNMT3A was slightly down-regulated. Pronounced time- and concentration-dependent effects were also seen in the case of genes involved in DNA damage response and repair, inflammation, oxidative stress response, and metal homeostasis. These results suggest that chronic low-dose arsenite exposure can lead to global hypomethylation. As an underlying mechanism, the consistent down-regulation of DNA methyltransferase genes could be excluded; alternatively, interactions at the protein level could play an important role.
Polymeric Protection for Silver Nanowire-Based Transparent Conductive Electrodes: Performance and Applications
Authors: Ha Heebo , Cheong Jun Young , Yun Tae Gwang , Hwang Byungil
Published: October 2023

Silver nanowires (AgNWs) are a potential alternative to conventional transparent conductive materials for various applications, such as flexible and transparent electrodes in optoelectronic devices, including touch screens, solar cells, and flexible displays. However, AgNW electrodes face degradation due to environmental factors, electrical instability, and mechanical stress. To overcome these challenges, strategies to protect AgNW-based electrodes via the incorporation of polymeric materials were widely investigated to improve the durability and stability of AgNW-based electrodes. This review paper gives a comprehensive overview of the incorporation of polymeric materials with AgNW electrodes, emphasizing their performance, and applications. We compare the different polymeric materials and their effect on the electrical, optical, and mechanical properties of AgNW electrodes. Furthermore, we evaluate the key factors affecting the choice of protective layers, such as their compatibility with AgNWs, and also we present current challenges and future opportunities for the development of polymeric materials for AgNW electrodes in emerging technologies.
The Use of Regional Anesthesia to Reduce Blood Loss in Isolated Limb Perfusion (ILP)—A Novel Approach
Authors: Niethard Maya , Fischer Heilwig , Gaßmann Bernhard , Haralambiev Lyubomir , Tipp Alexander , Tunn Per-Ulf
Published: October 2023

Background: Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) for soft tissue sarcomas (STS) is usually performed with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and melphalan. ILP regularly leads to a total blood loss (BLt) of 1.5–2 L/patient. Blood inflow from the central blood circulation to the limb is influenced by unstable pressure gradients and pain reactions after the administration of melphalan. With perioperative regional anesthesia (RA), pain levels can be reduced, and the pressure gradient stabilized resulting in a reduced BLt. The aim of this study was to compare the BLt with and without RA in patients with ILP during circulation of drugs. Methods: Patients were treated according to the following protocol: After the establishment of limb circulation, ILP was started with the administration of TNF-α. Half the dose of melphalan was given as a bolus after 30 min, and the remaining dose was continuously administered in the following 30 min. The extremity was washed out after 90 min. ILP with perioperative RA (supraclavicular plexus block/peridural catheter) was performed prospectively in 17 patients and compared to a matched retrospective control group of 17 patients without RA. BLt was documented and perioperative anesthesiological data were analyzed for response rates after the application of melphalan (RaM). Results: BLt and RaM tended to be lower for the intervention group with RA if compared to the control group without RA in all analyses. The trend of lower BLt and RaM in ILP with RA was more pronounced for the upper extremity compared to the lower extremity. Results were not statistically significant. Conclusion: These findings indicate that the use of RA can help to stabilize hemodynamic anesthetic management and reduce the BLt in ILP, especially during perfusion of the upper extremities.
How to Estimate the Probability of Tolerance Long-Term in Liver Transplant Recipients
Authors: Eurich Dennis , Schlickeiser Stephan , Ossami Saidy Ramin Raul , Uluk Deniz , Rossner Florian , Postel Maximilian , Schoening Wenzel , Oellinger Robert , Lurje Georg , Pratschke Johann , Reinke Petra , Gruen Natalie
Published: October 2023

Background: Operational tolerance as the ability to accept the liver transplant without pharmacological immunosuppression is a common phenomenon in the long-term course. However, it is currently underutilized due to a lack of simple diagnostic support and fear of rejection despite its recognized benefits. In the present work, we present a simple score based on clinical parameters to estimate the probability of tolerance. Patients and methods: In order to estimate the probability of tolerance, clinical parameters from 82 patients after LT who underwent weaning from the IS for various reasons at our transplant center were extracted from a prospectively organized database and analyzed retrospectively. Univariate testing as well as multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed to assess the association of clinical variables with tolerance in the real-world setting. Results: The most important factors associated with tolerance after multivariable logistic regression were IS monotherapy, male sex, history of hepatocellular carcinoma pretransplant, time since LT, and lack of rejection. These five predictors were retained in an approximate model that could be presented as a simple scoring system to estimate the clinical probability of tolerance or IS dispensability with good predictive performance (AUC = 0.89). Conclusion: In parallel with the existence of a tremendous need for further research on tolerance mechanisms, the presented score, after validation in a larger collective preferably in a multicenter setting, could be easily and safely applied in the real world and already now address all three levels of prevention in LT patients over the long-term course.
Outcome Differences between Conservatively Treated Acute Bony and Tendinous Mallet Fingers
Authors: Rubin Guy , Ammuri Alaa , Mano Uri Diego , Shay Ravit , Svorai Sigal Better , Sagiv Ruty , Rozen Nimrod
Published: October 2023

Introduction: Tendinous and bony mallets are very different injuries that present with extensor lag at the distal interphalangeal joint. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in outcomes between acute bony and tendinous mallet fingers treated conservatively with splints. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively collected data on patients with acute tendinous or bony mallets who received conservative treatment in our occupational therapy clinic. The patients were examined at an outpatient clinic, where data on pain, extension lag, and loss of flexion were recorded. Outcomes were classified according to the criteria described by Crawford. Results: Data were collected from 133 patients (43 with bony and 90 with tendinous mallets). We found that bony mallet patients were predominantly younger (mean, 36 vs. 46 years), and more likely to be female (60% vs. 34%), than tendinous mallet patients. We also found that tendinous mallet injuries predominantly affected the middle and ring fingers, while bony mallet injuries predominantly affected the ring and little fingers. The initial extensor lag was worse in tendinous than in bony mallets (median, 28° vs. 15°). In addition, patients with bony mallets had significantly better outcomes with regard to the extension lag (median 0° vs. 5° p = 0.003) and the Crawford Criteria Assessment (p = 0.004), compared with those with tendinous mallets. Discussion: Mallet injuries, both tendinous and bony, are common. They are often studied together and typically treated in the same manner using extension splints. However, evidence clearly shows that these are different injuries which present in the same manner. This study reinforces these findings and suggests that the outcome of conservative treatment is better for bony than for tendinous mallet fingers.
Assessing Changes in Colon Cancer Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Four-Year Analysis at a Romanian University Hospital
Authors: Feier Catalin Vladut Ionut , Santoro Rebecca Rosa , Faur Alaviana Monique , Muntean Calin , Olariu Sorin
Published: October 2023

This retrospective study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the surgical management of patients with colon cancer in a tertiary University Hospital in Timisoara, Romania. Data from 867 patients who underwent surgical interventions for this condition between 26 February 2019 and 25 February 2023 were meticulously analyzed to evaluate substantial shifts in the management and outcomes of these patients in comparison to the pre-pandemic era. The results reveal a substantial decrease in elective surgical procedures (p < 0.001) and a significant increase in emergency interventions (p < 0.001). However, postoperative mortality did not show significant variations. Of concern is the diagnosis of patients at more advanced stages of colon cancer, with a significant increase in Stage IV cases in the second year of the pandemic (p = 0.045). Average hospitalization durations recorded a significant decrease (p < 0.001) during the pandemic, and an inverse correlation between patient age and surgery duration was reported (p = 0.01, r = −0.088). This analysis provides a comprehensive perspective on how the pandemic has influenced the management of colon cancer, highlighting significant implications for the management and outcomes of these patients.
Leveraging AI in Postgraduate Medical Education for Rapid Skill Acquisition in Ultrasound-Guided Procedural Techniques
Authors: Xu Flora Wen Xin , Choo Amanda Min Hui , Ting Pamela Li Ming , Ong Shao Jin , Khoo Deborah
Published: October 2023

Ultrasound-guided techniques are increasingly prevalent and represent a gold standard of care. Skills such as needle visualisation, optimising the target image and directing the needle require deliberate practice. However, training opportunities remain limited by patient case load and safety considerations. Hence, there is a genuine and urgent need for trainees to attain accelerated skill acquisition in a time- and cost-efficient manner that minimises risk to patients. We propose a two-step solution: First, we have created an agar phantom model that simulates human tissue and structures like vessels and nerve bundles. Moreover, we have adopted deep learning techniques to provide trainees with live visualisation of target structures and automate assessment of their user speed and accuracy. Key structures like the needle tip, needle body, target blood vessels, and nerve bundles, are delineated in colour on the processed image, providing an opportunity for real-time guidance of needle positioning and target structure penetration. Quantitative feedback on user speed (time taken for target penetration), accuracy (penetration of correct target), and efficacy in needle positioning (percentage of frames where the full needle is visualised in a longitudinal plane) are also assessable using our model. Our program was able to demonstrate a sensitivity of 99.31%, specificity of 69.23%, accuracy of 91.33%, precision of 89.94%, recall of 99.31%, and F1 score of 0.94 in automated image labelling.
The Palaeobiology of the False Mako Shark, Parotodus benedenii (Le Hon, 1871): A View from the Pliocene Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Collareta Alberto , Casati Simone , Di Cencio Andrea
Published: October 2023

The extinct “false mako” shark, Parotodus benedenii (Lamniformes: Otodontidae), is essentially known from large, robust teeth that are widespread but overall rare in Oligocene to Pliocene deposits worldwide. More than 150 years after its description, this species still represents a palaeontological conundrum, as very little is known about its body aspect and palaeoecology. Here, we describe new specimens of P. benedenii from the Pliocene of Tuscany, central Italy. These new finds comprise some of the geologically youngest finds of P. benedenii worldwide, witnessing to the survival of false makos until the Late Pliocene at least, which in turn suggests that P. benedenii may have been the latest surviving member of the family Otodontidae. Building upon a thorough literature review, we provide an updated synthesis of the palaeobiology of P. benedenii. In light of the morphological evidence, and considering previously published suggestions, P. benedenii may be reconstructed as a large-sized, carnivorous shark that dwelt in pelagic settings and fed primarily on large, soft prey and scavenging items. Thus, some ecological partitioning did likely exist between P. benedenii and other elasmobranch apex predators of the Neogene mid-latitude seas (including, in Pliocene times, the extant species Carcharodon carcharias, Carcharhinus leucas and Galeocerdo cuvier).
Experimental Study on the Effect of Hull Deformation on the Relative Attitude between Shaft and Bearing
Authors: Zhou Weixin , Zhao Yao , Yuan Hua , Ren Zhaoxin
Published: October 2023

The unclear change laws of bearing offset and rotation, both of which influence the condition of shaft alignment during hull deformation, make it difficult to optimize shafting design. In this paper, an integrated hull-bearing-shaft model is designed and built for a cantilever beam loading test. Displacement sensors are utilized to determine the change in displacement of the hull, bearings, and shaft. The pressure distribution at the bow and stern ends of the bearing is measured using a new type of thin-film pressure sensor. The test results show that the rotation angle of the shaft and bearing varied differentially during hull deformation, and the magnitude of the shaft-bearing angle was comparable to the rotation angle. The measured rotation angles of the front and rear ends of the stern tube bearings are opposite to the theoretical value of a cantilever beam, indicating that the stern tube has a non-negligible effect on local deformation, and it is recommended to measure the bearings directly as opposed to the alternative structure to obtain the rotation. The change pattern of the shaft and bearing attitude does not change with the different initial state of the shaft, which indicates that the initial error of installation will be retained during the hull deformation process. The change pattern of the shaft and bearing attitude is unaffected by the initial state of the shaft, indicating that the initial installation error will persist during hull deformation. In some instances, the bearing reaction force remained unchanged, but the shaft-bearing angle and bearing pressure altered, indicating that the bearing condition cannot be determined solely by the bearing reaction force. The results of bearing pressure and the shaft-bearing angle can be compared, indicating that the thin-film pressure sensor can be used to determine the status of the shaft-bearing angle, particularly during the installation phase.
Experimental Study on Prediction for Combustion Optimal Control of Oil-Fired Boilers of Ships Using Color Space Image Feature Analysis and Support Vector Machine
Authors: Lee Chang-Min , Jung Byung-Gun , Choi Jae-Hyuk
Published: October 2023

The International Maritime Organization strives to improve the atmospheric environment in oceans and ports by regulating ship emissions of air pollutants and promoting energy efficiency. This study deals with the prediction of eco-friendly combustion in boilers to reduce air pollution emissions. Accurately measuring air pollutants from ship boilers in real-time is crucial for optimizing boiler combustion. However, using data obtained through an exhaust gas analyzer for real-time control is challenging due to combustion process delays. Therefore, a real-time predictive modeling approach is proposed to enhance the accuracy of prediction models for NOx, SO2, CO2, and O2 by analyzing the color spectrum of flame images in a quasi-instantaneous combustion state. Experimental investigations were carried out on an oil-fired boiler installed on an actual ship, where the air damper was adjusted to create various combustion conditions. This algorithm is a saturation-based feature extraction filter (SEF) through color spectrum analysis using RGB (red, green, and blue) and HSV (hue, saturation, and value). The prediction model applying the proposed method was verified against exhaust gas analyzer data using a new data set, and real-time prediction performance and generalization were confirmed.
Unraveling the Polysaccharide Biosynthesis Potential of Ganoderma lucidum: A Chromosome-Level Assembly Using Hi-C Sequencing
Authors: Sonets Ignat V. , Dovidchenko Nikita V. , Ulianov Sergey V. , Yarina Maria S. , Koshechkin Stanislav I. , Razin Sergey V. , Krasnopolskaya Larissa M. , Tyakht Alexander V.
Published: October 2023

Ganoderma lucidum exhibits the ability to synthesize a diverse range of biologically active molecules with significant pharmaceutical potential, including xylomannan and fucogalactan, which have demonstrated antitumor activity. However, there exists considerable intra-species variability in the capacity to produce these metabolites at high concentrations, likely reflecting the high genomic diversity observed from a limited number of strains sequenced to date. We employed high-throughput shotgun sequencing to obtain the complete genome sequence of G. lucidum strain 5.1, which is distinguished by its remarkable xylomannan synthesis capabilities. Through the utilization of semi-automatic reordering based on conformation capture (Hi-C) data, we substantially enhanced the assembly process, resulting in the generation of 12 chromosome-level scaffolds with a cumulative length of 39 Mbp. By employing both de novo and homology-based approaches, we performed comprehensive annotation of the genome, thereby identifying a diverse repertoire of genes likely involved in polysaccharide biosynthesis. The genome sequence generated in this study serves as a valuable resource for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the medicinal potential of Ganoderma species, discovering novel pharmaceutically valuable compounds, and elucidating the ecological mechanisms of the species. Furthermore, the chromosome contact map obtained for the first time for this species extends our understanding of 3D fungal genomics and provides insights into the functional and structural organization within the fungal kingdom.
To the Origin of Fungi: Analysis of MFS Transporters of First Assembled Aphelidium Genome Highlights Dissimilarity of Osmotrophic Abilities between Aphelida and Fungi
Authors: Pozdnyakov Igor , Potapenko Evgeniy , Nassonova Elena , Babenko Vladislav , Boldyreva Daria , Tcvetkova Victoria , Karpov Sergey
Published: October 2023

Aphelids are a holomycotan group, represented exclusively by parasitoids infecting algae. They form a sister lineage to Fungi in the phylogenetic tree and represent a key group for reconstruction of the evolution of Holomycota and for analysis of the origin of Fungi. The newly assembled genome of Aphelidium insullamus (Holomycota, Aphelida) with a total length of 18.9 Mb, 7820 protein-coding genes and a GC percentage of 52.05% was obtained by a hybrid assembly based on Oxford Nanopore long reads and Illumina paired reads. In order to trace the origin and the evolution of fungal osmotrophy and its presence or absence in Aphelida, we analyzed the set of main fungal transmembrane transporters, which are proteins of the Major Facilitator superfamily (MFS), in the predicted aphelid proteomes. This search has shown an absence of a specific fungal protein family Drug:H+ antiporters-2 (DAH-2) and specific fungal orthologs of the sugar porters (SP) family, and the presence of common opisthokont’s orthologs of the SP family in four aphelid genomes. The repertoire of SP orthologs in aphelids turned out to be less diverse than in free-living opisthokonts, and one of the most limited among opisthokonts. We argue that aphelids do not show signs of similarity with fungi in terms of their osmotrophic abilities, despite the sister relationships of these groups. Moreover, the osmotrophic abilities of aphelids appear to be reduced in comparison with free-living unicellular opisthokonts. Therefore, we assume that the evolution of fungi-specific traits began after the separation of fungal and aphelid lineages, and there are no essential reasons to consider aphelids as a prototype of the fungal ancestor.
Genomic Characteristics and Comparative Genomics Analysis of the Endophytic Fungus Paraphoma chrysanthemicola DS-84 Isolated from Codonopsis pilosula Root
Authors: Sun Wenbin , Feng Min , Zhu Ning , Leng Feifan , Yang Mingjun , Wang Yonggang
Published: October 2023

Paraphoma chrysanthemicola is a newly identified endophytic fungus. The focus of most studies on P. chrysanthemicola has been on its isolation, identification and effects on plants. However, the limited genomic information is a barrier to further research. Therefore, in addition to studying the morphological and physiological characteristics of P. chrysanthemicola, we sequenced its genome and compared it with that of Paraphoma sp. The results showed that sucrose, peptone and calcium phosphate were suitable sources of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus for this strain. The activities of amylase, cellulase, chitosanase, lipase and alkaline protease were also detected. Sequencing analysis revealed that the genome of P. chrysanthemicola was 44.1 Mb, with a scaffold N50 of 36.1 Mb and 37,077 protein-coding genes. Gene Ontology (GO) annotation showed that mannose-modified glycosylation was predominant in monosaccharide utilisation. The percentage of glycoside hydrolase (GH) modules was the highest in the carbohydrate-active enzymes database (CAZy) analysis. Secondary metabolite-associated gene cluster analysis identified melanin, dimethylcoprogen and phyllostictine A biosynthetic gene clusters (>60% similarity). The results indicated that P. chrysanthemicola had a mannose preference in monosaccharide utilisation and that melanin, dimethylcoprogen and phyllostictine A were important secondary metabolites for P. chrysanthemicola as an endophytic fungus.
Targeted Therapies in Advanced Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Storandt Michael H. , Kurniali Peter C. , Mahipal Amit , Jin Zhaohui
Published: October 2023

Primary tumor resection and liver transplantation are the only curative treatment options for the management of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). However, for patients with advanced or metastatic disease, palliative systemic therapy remains the only treatment option. The development of targeted therapeutics has begun to shift the treatment paradigm in CCA. Targets of interest in CCA include mutated isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (mIDH-1), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression/amplification, and fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) fusion, in addition to less frequently observed targets such as BRAF V600E, deficient mismatch repair/high microsatellite instability (dMMR/MSI-H), and high tumor mutation burden (TMB-H). These targets are observed in varying frequency among patients with intrahepatic CCA and extrahepatic CCA. Multiple novel therapies have been developed to exploit each of these targets, with some having received United States Food and Drug Administration approval for use in the second-line setting. In the current review, we discuss targets of interest in CCA and summarize current evidence evaluating available therapies directed at these targets.
The Ablation Performance of Silicon Nitride/Boron Nitride Fibrous Monolithic Ceramics under an Oxyacetylene Combustion Torch
Authors: Chen Qingqing , Zhang Yuan , Zhou Yu , Li Daxin , Ying Guobing
Published: October 2023

In this study, Si3N4/BN fibrous monolithic ceramics were successfully prepared by wet spinning extrusion and hot pressing, and the effects on its ablation performance and microstructure were studied. The samples were burned in an oxyacetylene flame for 60 s × 30 to evaluate the ablation resistance. With the increase in ablation time, the fibrous monolithic ceramics exhibited specific mass and linear ablation rates, which show a trend of first increasing, then decreasing, and then increasing again. When the ablation time is 60 s × 10, 60 s × 20, and 60 s × 30, the mass ablation rates of the fibrous monolithic ceramics are 1 × 10−5 mg/s, −8.3 × 10−6 mg/s, −6.7 × 10−7 mg/s, respectively; the linear ablation rates are 4.7 × 10−5 μg/s, −1.2 × 10−5 μg/s and 1.7 × 10−6 μg/s. After 60 s × 30 of ablation, the surface oxides of the species are washed away by the oxyacetylene flame, revealing a porous coral-like structure with many cracks. A glass phase layer, predominantly constituted by sintering aids, envelops the Si3N4 ceramic surface on the ablated sample, serving as an effective barrier against additional ablation.
Effect of Basalt Fiber Diameter on the Properties of Asphalt Mastic and Asphalt Mixture
Authors: Li Bo , Liu Minghao , Kang Aihong , Zhang Yao , Zheng Zhetao
Published: October 2023

In this study, basalt fiber having two types of diameters (16 μm and 25 μm) was selected and added to asphalt mastic and asphalt mixtures using different fiber proportions. The influences of fiber diameters and proportions on the properties of asphalt mastic and mixtures were studied. The adhesion behavior of the fiber-asphalt mastic (FAM) interface was evaluated by a monofilament pullout test, and the rheological properties of FAM were evaluated by temperature sweep, linear amplitude sweep, and bending beam rheological tests. In addition, the high-temperature stability, intermediate and low-temperature cracking resistance, and water stability of fiber-modified mixtures were studied by wheel tracking, ideal cracking, a low-temperature bending beam, and a water-immersed Marshall test. The results showed that the interface adhesion behavior between 16 μm fiber and asphalt mastic was more likely in the fiber failure mode at both −12 °C and 25 °C. Adding basalt fiber can significantly improve the high-temperature and fatigue properties of asphalt mastics. Moreover, 16 μm fiber had a better modifying effect on asphalt mastic than 25 μm fiber. The same enhancement trend can be observed in asphalt mixtures. Basalt fibers with 16 μm diameters can improve the high-temperature performance of asphalt mixtures more significantly. In addition, 16 μm fiber could sharply enhance the cracking performance of the mixtures at intermediate and low temperatures, while the enhancing effect of 25 μm fiber on the mixture is insignificant, though both diameters of the fibers have a minor effect on the water stability.
A Novel Concept-Cognitive Learning Method for Bird Song Classification
Authors: Lin Jing , Wen Wenkan , Liao Jiyong
Published: October 2023

Bird voice classification is a crucial issue in wild bird protection work. However, the existing strategies of static classification are always unable to achieve the desired outcomes in a dynamic data stream context, as the standard machine learning approaches mainly focus on static learning, which is not suitable for mining dynamic data and has the disadvantages of high computational overhead and hardware requirements. Therefore, these shortcomings greatly limit the application of standard machine learning approaches. This study aims to quickly and accurately distinguish bird species by their sounds in bird conservation work. For this reason, a novel concept-cognitive computing system (C3S) framework, namely, PyC3S, is proposed for bird sound classification in this paper. The proposed system uses feature fusion and concept-cognitive computing technology to construct a Python version of a dynamic bird song classification and recognition model on a dataset containing 50 species of birds. The experimental results show that the model achieves 92.77% accuracy, 92.26% precision, 92.25% recall, and a 92.41% F1-Score on the given 50 bird datasets, validating the effectiveness of our PyC3S compared to the state-of-the-art stream learning algorithms.
Stochastic Orderings of the Idle Time of Inactive Standby Systems
Authors: Shrahili Mansour , Kayid Mohamed
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we consider a failed cold standby system and obtain stochastic bounds on the idle time of such systems. We state and prove that if the last spare in the system is exponentially distributed and if the components have log-concave lifetime distributions, then the idle time of a failed cold standby system is smaller than the sum of the idle times of the components in the system according to the likelihood ratio order. In order to compare the idle time of two cold standby systems with different numbers of spares and different observation times of the failure in terms of the likelihood ratio order, an additional result is presented. Finally, we establish sufficient conditions for the usual stochastic ordering between the idle time of a cold standby system of size two and the sum of the idle times of the components in the system. We provide several examples to show that the results are achievable.
On Normalized Laplacian Spectra of the Weakly Zero-Divisor Graph of the Ring ℤn
Authors: Nazim  , Rehman Nadeem Ur , Alghamdi Ahmad
Published: October 2023

For a finite commutative ring R with identity 1≠0, the weakly zero-divisor graph of R denoted as WΓ(R) is a simple undirected graph having vertex set as a set of non-zero zero-divisors of R and two distinct vertices a and b are adjacent if and only if there exist elements r∈ann(a) and s∈ann(b) satisfying the condition rs=0. The zero-divisor graph of a ring is a spanning sub-graph of the weakly zero-divisor graph. This article finds the normalized Laplacian spectra of the weakly zero-divisor graph WΓ(R). Specifically, the investigation is carried out on the weakly zero-divisor graph WΓ(Zn) for various values of n.
An Analysis of Long-Process Ironmaking in a Reduction Smelting Furnace with Hydrogen-Enriched Conditions
Authors: Li Haifeng , Chen Jingran
Published: October 2023

The blast furnace and basic oxygen furnace (BF-BOF) is still the main process used for the production of iron and steel in China. With the approach of the “dual carbon” target, the iron and steel industry needs to transform and upgrade to “green” and “low-carbon” practices. At present, the low-carbon hydrogen metallurgy technology route based on hydrogen instead of carbon is mainly adopted at home and abroad, and the domestic route is mainly based on oxygen-rich BFs and hydrogen-based shaft furnaces (SFs). It promotes the transformation of the traditional BF to hydrogen-rich, oxygen-rich, and carbon-recycled (Hy-O-CR) technology. A new ironmaking system and method for a reduction smelting furnace (RSF) with Hy-O-CR is presented in this paper. The ironmaking system includes nine sets of equipment, such as an RSF, gas dust collector, dryer, CO2 separator, electrolytic water device, blower, heat exchanger, storage tank of reduction gas, and chimney. From top to bottom, the RSF includes an indirect reduction zone, a soft melting dripping zone, and a coke combustion zone. The ironmaking methods include coke and ore mixed charging, injection of the mixed reduction gas composed of electrolytic green hydrogen and circulating gas from the furnace gas into the indirect reduction zone, injection of oxygen into the coke combustion zone, CO2 recovery of the furnace top gas, and slag and iron treatment. By redesigning the size of the furnace type and optimizing the parameters, the metallization rate of the indirect reduction zone can be as high as 85–95%, and the carbon consumption per ton of hot metal can be greatly reduced. By using oxygen to recycle the reduction gas produced by its reactor, the process achieves the goal of reducing CO2 emissions by more than 50%, thus realizing green and low-carbon metallurgy.
Abnormal Development of Microbiota May Be a Risk Factor for Febrile Urinary Tract Infection in Infancy
Authors: Urakami Chika , Yamanouchi Sohsaku , Kimata Takahisa , Tsuji Shoji , Akagawa Shohei , Kino Jiro , Akagawa Yuko , Kato Shogo , Araki Atsushi , Kaneko Kazunari
Published: October 2023

Febrile urinary tract infection (fUTI) is common in infants, but specific risk factors for developing it remain unclear. As most fUTIs are caused by ascending infections of intestinal bacteria, dysbiosis—an imbalance in gut microbial communities—may increase fUTI risk. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that abnormal development of gut microbiota during infancy increases the risk of developing fUTI. Stool samples were collected from 28 infants aged 3–11 months with first-onset fUTI (fUTI group) and 51 healthy infants of the same age (HC group). After bacterial DNA extraction, 16S rRNA expression was measured and the diversity of gut microbiota and constituent bacteria were compared between the two groups. The alpha diversity of gut microbiota (median Shannon index and Chao index) was significantly lower in the fUTI group (3.0 and 42.5) than in the HC group (3.7 and 97.0; p < 0.001). The beta diversity also formed different clusters between the two groups (p < 0.001), suggesting differences in their microbial composition. The linear discriminant analysis effect size showed that the fUTI group proportionally featured significantly more Escherichia-Shigella in the gut microbiota (9.5%) than the HC group (3.1%; p < 0.001). In summary, abnormal gut microbiota development during infancy may increase the risk of fUTI.
Antimicrobial Multidrug Resistance: Clinical Implications for Infection Management in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Kalın Gamze , Alp Emine , Chouaikhi Arthur , Roger Claire
Published: October 2023

The increasing incidence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) worldwide represents a serious threat in the management of sepsis. Due to resistance to the most common antimicrobials prescribed, multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens have been associated with delays in adequate antimicrobial therapy leading to significant increases in mortality, along with prolonged hospital length of stay (LOS) and increases in healthcare costs. In response to MDR infections and the delay of microbiological results, broad-spectrum antibiotics are frequently used in empirical antimicrobial therapy. This can contribute to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, further promoting the development of resistance. Multiple measures have been suggested to combat AMR. This review will focus on describing the epidemiology and trends concerning MDR pathogens. Additionally, it will explore the crucial aspects of identifying patients susceptible to MDR infections and optimizing antimicrobial drug dosing, which are both pivotal considerations in the fight against AMR. Expert commentary: The increasing AMR in ICUs worldwide makes the empirical antibiotic therapy challenging in septic patients. An AMR surveillance program together with improvements in MDR identification based on patient risk stratification and molecular rapid diagnostic tools may further help tailoring antimicrobial therapies and avoid unnecessary broad-spectrum antibiotics. Continuous infusions of antibiotics, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM)-based dosing regimens and combination therapy may contribute to optimizing antimicrobial therapy and limiting the emergence of resistance.
Retention Behavior of Anticancer Thiosemicarbazides in Biomimetic Chromatographic Systems and In Silico Calculations
Authors: Studziński Marek , Kozyra Paweł , Pitucha Monika , Senczyna Bogusław , Matysiak Joanna
Published: October 2023

Chromatographic methods, apart from in silico ones, are commonly used rapid techniques for the evaluation of certain properties of biologically active compounds used for their prediction of pharmacokinetic processes. Thiosemicarbazides are compounds possessing anticancer, antimicrobial, and other valuable biological activities. The aim of the investigation was to estimate the lipophilicity of 1-aryl-4-(phenoxy)acetylthiosemicarbazides, to predict their oral adsorption and the assessment of their % plasma–protein binding (%PPB). RP-HPLC chromatographic techniques with five diversified HPLC systems, including columns with surface-bonded octadecylsilanes (C-18), phosphatidylcholine (immobilized artificial membrane, IAM), cholesterol (Chol), and α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and human serum albumin (HSA), were applied. The measured lipophilicity of all investigated compounds was within the range recommended for potential drug candidates. However, some derivatives are strongly bonded to HSA (%PPB ≈ 100%), which may limit some pharmacokinetic processes. HPLC determined lipophilicity descriptors were compared with those obtained by various computational approaches.
Research Progress of Perovskite-Based Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalyst in Alkaline Conditions
Authors: Fu Kailin , Chen Weijian , Jiang Feng , Chen Xia , Liu Jianmin
Published: October 2023

In light of the depletion of conventional energy sources, it is imperative to conduct research and development on sustainable alternative energy sources. Currently, electrochemical energy storage and conversion technologies such as fuel cells and metal-air batteries rely heavily on precious metal catalysts like Pt/C and IrO2, which hinders their sustainable commercial development. Therefore, researchers have devoted significant attention to non-precious metal-based catalysts that exhibit high efficiency, low cost, and environmental friendliness. Among them, perovskite oxides possess low-cost and abundant reserves, as well as flexible oxidation valence states and a multi-defect surface. Due to their advantageous structural characteristics and easily adjustable physicochemical properties, extensive research has been conducted on perovskite-based oxides. However, these materials also exhibit drawbacks such as poor intrinsic activity, limited specific surface area, and relatively low apparent catalytic activity compared to precious metal catalysts. To address these limitations, current research is focused on enhancing the physicochemical properties of perovskite-based oxides. The catalytic activity and stability of perovskite-based oxides in Oxygen Reduction Reaction/Oxygen Evolution Reaction (ORR/OER) can be enhanced using crystallographic structure tuning, cationic regulation, anionic regulation, and nano-processing. Furthermore, extensive research has been conducted on the composite processing of perovskite oxides with other materials, which has demonstrated enhanced catalytic performance. Based on these different ORR/OER modification strategies, the future challenges of perovskite-based bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts are discussed alongside their development prospects.
Effect of Cordyceps militaris Powder Prophylactic Supplementation on Intestinal Mucosal Barrier Impairment and Microbiota-Metabolites Axis in DSS-Injured Mice
Authors: Wu Shujian , Wu Zaoxuan , Chen Ye
Published: October 2023

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory disease with an unknown pathogenesis and increasing incidence. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of prophylactic treatment with Cordyceps militaris on UC. The findings demonstrate that prophylactic supplementation of C. militaris powder effectively mitigates disease symptoms in DSS-injured mice, while also reducing the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, C. militaris powder enhances the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier by up-regulating MUC2 protein expression and improving tight junction proteins (ZO-1, occludin, and claudin 1) in DSS-injured mice. Multiomics integration analyses revealed that C. militaris powder not only reshaped gut microbiota composition, with an increase in Lactobacillus, Odoribacter, and Mucispirillum, but also exerted regulatory effects on various metabolic pathways including amino acid, glyoxylates, dicarboxylates, glycerophospholipids, and arachidonic acid. Subsequent analysis further elucidated the intricate interplay of gut microbiota, the intestinal mucosal barrier, and metabolites, suggesting that the microbiota–metabolite axis may involve the effect of C. militaris on intestinal mucosal barrier repair in UC. Moreover, in vitro experiments demonstrated that peptides and polysaccharides, derived from C. militaris, exerted an ability to change the gut microbiota structure of UC patients’ feces, particularly by promoting the growth of Lactobacillus. These findings suggest that regulatory properties of C. militaris on gut microbiota may underlie the potential mechanism responsible for the protective effect of C. militaris in UC. Consequently, our study will provide support for the utilization of C. militaris as a whole food-based ingredient against the occurrence and development of UC.
Association of Nutritional Status and Diet Diversity with Skeletal Muscle Strength and Quality of Life among Older Arab Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Alotaibi Rahaf , Aladel Alanoud , Alshammari Sulaiman A. , Abulmeaty Mahmoud M. A. , Alhamdan Adel A.
Published: October 2023

There is little research evaluating skeletal muscle strength, nutritional status, and quality of life in older Arab adults. This study examined the association of nutritional status with skeletal muscle strength and quality of life among older adults living in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among older adults (n = 166 older adults; 57.8% females) who visited primary outpatient clinics at King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh City. Sociodemographic data, Mini Nutritional Assessment short-form (MNA-SF), diet variety score (DVS), and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) were assessed. Furthermore, handgrip strength (HGS) and knee extension strength (KES) were measured to evaluate skeletal muscle strength. Malnourishment and risk of malnutrition were found in 16.9% of our sample. Nutritional status was significantly associated with muscle strength and HR-QoL (p < 0.05). The well-nourished group had higher HGS, KES, and total HR-QoL scores compared to the at risk of malnutrition or malnourished group. Moreover, there was a moderate positive correlation between MNA-SF and total HR-QoL scores (r = 0.40). The percentage of individuals in the well-nourished group categorized with a high or moderate DVS was significantly higher than those at risk of malnutrition or are malnourished; however, DVS was not associated with muscle strength and HR-QoL. The MNA-SF score had a significant positive correlation with HGS (r = 0.30) and KES (r = 0.23). An increase in the MNA-SF score was significantly associated with higher odds of being moderate/high (HGS and HR-QoL) in the crude and adjusted models. In conclusion, maintaining adequate nutritional status is beneficial for preserving skeletal muscle strength and promoting better HR-QoL among older individuals. Therefore, applications of appropriate nutritional and muscle strength assessments in geriatric care institutions are recommended.
Effects of Varied Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Postpartum Mental Health and the Association between Prenatal Erythrocyte Omega-3 Fatty Acid Levels and Postpartum Mental Health
Authors: Harauma Akiko , Yoshihara Hajime , Hoshi Yukino , Hamazaki Kei , Moriguchi Toru
Published: October 2023

We investigated the postpartum mental health of women who had consumed perilla oil or fish oil containing various omega-3 fatty acids for 12 weeks starting in mid-pregnancy. The association between fatty acids in maternal erythrocytes and mental health risk factors was also examined. Healthy Japanese primiparas in mid-pregnancy (gestational weeks 18–25) were randomly divided into two groups and consumed approximately 2.0 g/day of omega-3 fatty acids in either perilla oil (the ALA dose was 2.4 g/day) or fish oil (the EPA + DHA dose was 1.7 g/day) for 12 weeks. Maternal mental health was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) as the primary measure and the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS) as the secondary measure. Data from an observational study were used as a historical control. Maternal blood, cord blood, and colostrum samples were collected for fatty acid composition analysis. In addition, completers of the observational studies were enrolled in a case–control study, wherein logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between maternal fatty acids and EPDS score. The proportion of participants with a high EPDS score (≥9) was significantly lower in the perilla oil group (12.0%, p = 0.044) but not in the fish oil group (22.3%, p = 0.882) compared with the historical control (21.6%), while the proportions between the former groups also tended to be lower (p = 0.059). No marked effect of omega-3 fatty acid intake was observed from the MIBS results. In the case–control study of the historical control, high levels of α-linolenic acid in maternal erythrocytes were associated with an EPDS score of <9 (odds ratio of 0.23, 95% confidence interval: 0.06, 0.84, p = 0.018 for trend). The results of this study suggest that consumption of α-linolenic acid during pregnancy may stabilize postpartum mental health.
A High-Sensitivity Fiber Biosensor Based on PVDF-Excited Surface Plasmon Resonance in the Terahertz Band
Authors: Zhang Yani , Yao Yiming , Guang Zhe , Xue Jia , Wang Qiuyang , Gong Jiaqin , Ali Zohaib , Yang Zhongtian
Published: October 2023

In this paper, a D-type photonic crystal fiber (PCF) with Zeonex material as the substrate and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) material as the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) excitation layer is proposed for biosensing in the terahertz (THz) band. Analyzed with a finite element method, the proposed biosensor has shown excellent sensing properties for analyte refractive indices ranging from 1.32 to 1.45. With a maximum sensor resolution of 8.40 × 10−7 refractive index unit (RIU) and a figure of merit of 39.42 RIU−1, the maximum wavelength sensitivity and amplitude sensitivity can reach 335.00 μm/RIU and −66.01 RIU−1, respectively. A ±2% fabrication tolerance analysis is also performed on the biosensor to prove its practical feasibility. We conclude that our proposed PCF biosensor utilizing PVDF-excited SPR can provide high sensitivity, and thus a compact, label-free, and convenient solution for biomedical liquid sensing in the THz band.