bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simulation Tool for Winter Navigation Decision Support in the Baltic Sea
Authors: Kulkarni Ketki , Kujala Pentti , Musharraf Mashrura , Rainio Ilari
Published: July 2022

This article presents a novel simulation tool for the analysis of winter navigation operations in the Baltic Sea in the context of the Finnish–Swedish Winter Navigation System (FSWNS). The aim of the tool is to simulate the performance of the FSWNS under various potential future operating scenarios and thereby support decision making in matters affecting the operation and development of the FSWNS, for instance, in terms of icebreaking resources and ice class regulations. To this end, the tool considers key performance factors and characteristics of the FSWNS, such as the prevailing ice conditions, the ice-going capability and other technical characteristics of the relevant merchant vessels, the availability of icebreaking resources, and the features of specific icebreaking operations (e.g., convoys). The tool would allow testing of several “what-if” scenarios, answering questions related to optimal engine power for safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly navigation and the optimal scheduling of icebreakers for effective and cost-efficient assistance missions.
The Application and Analysis of Slug Test on Determining the Permeability Parameters of Fractured Rock Mass
Authors: Zhao Yanrong , Wei Yufeng , Dong Xiaosong , Rong Rong , Wang Jinguo , Wang Haonan
Published: July 2022

Based on the proposed calculation method for determining the different dip angle fracture permeability coefficients derived from the well flow vibration equation and the self-developed slug test system, research on the slug test in a field in fractured rock mass was carried out based on the underground water sealed cavern project of the National Huangdao Petroleum Reserve. The formation lithology of the test site was granite gneiss, and the fractures were not developed, which is conducive to the research of slug tests on fracture permeability. On the basis of obtaining the geological information of boreholes by using the self-developed slug test system, comparative research on the segmented slug test and conventional water pressure test was carried out. The test results show that the proposed slug test method and self-developed test system has good accuracy and applicability for determining the fracture permeability coefficient, equivalent permeability coefficient and rock mass permeability coefficient tensor, which is more convenient and efficient than other test methods.
Method for Constructing a Façade Dataset through Deep Learning-Based Automatic Image Labeling
Authors: Gu Hyeongmo , Choo Seungyeon
Published: July 2022

The construction industry has made great strides in recent decades by utilizing computer programs, including computer aided design programs. However, compared to the manufacturing sector, labor productivity is low because of the high proportion of knowledge-based tasks and simple repetitive tasks. Therefore, knowledge-based task efficiency should be improved through the visual recognition of information by computers. A computer requires a large amount of training data, such as the ImageNet project, to recognize visual information. This paper proposes façade datasets that are efficiently constructed by quickly collecting façade data through road-view images generated from web portals and automatically labeled using deep learning as part of the construction of image datasets for visual recognition construction by a computer. Therefore, we attempted to automatically label façade images to quickly generate large-scale façade datasets with much less effort than the existing research methods. Simultaneously, we constructed datasets for a part of Dongseong-ro, Daegu Metropolitan City, and analyzed their utility and reliability. It was confirmed that the computer could extract significant façade information from the road-view images by recognizing the visual information of the façade image. In addition, we verified the characteristics of the building construction image datasets. This study suggests the possibility of securing quantitative and qualitative façade design knowledge by extracting façade design information from façades anywhere in the world. Previous studies mainly collected façade images through camera photography to construct databases, but in this study, a significant part of the database construction process was shortened through automation. In the case of façade automatic image labeling studies, it is the façade-based automatic 3D modeling which has been primarily studied, but it is difficult to find a study to extract data for façade design research.
Analysis of a Landslide on a Railway Track Using Laser Scanning and FEM Numerical Modelling
Authors: Pilecka Elżbieta , Szwarkowski Dariusz , Stanisz Jacek , Blockus Marcin
Published: July 2022

In this study, we present an analysis of the causes of a landslide along a railway track in the Polish Lowlands. The landslide damaged the railway track and caused significant material losses. Digital models of the terrain surface before and after the landslide were elaborated. Remote sensing using LIDAR aerial technique and a terrestrial laser scanner was performed to determine the morphology. Soil mass behaviour was analysed by 3D numerical simulation. A numerical model was created based on geotechnical tests. Taking into account the behaviour of the dry and wet models, the numerical simulation showed the most probable scenario of mass movement. The main reasons for the landslide were rainwater infiltration in the track basement and the unfavourable morphology of the area on which the railway embankment was located. The study demonstrates that combined methods—laser scanning, geotechnical testing of the soil material, and 3-dimensional numerical simulation—enabled the assessment of the causes of the analysed landslide.
Model for Integrating the Electricity Cost Consumption and Power Demand into Aggregate Production Planning
Authors: Matos Camila , Sola Antônio Vanderley Herrero , Matias Gustavo de Souza , Lermen Fernando Henrique , Ribeiro José Luis Duarte , Siqueira Hugo Valadares
Published: July 2022

The constant increases in electricity tax costs and the mandatory contracting of power demand in advance by companies connected to the high-voltage electrical system drive organizations to improve energy planning in their production processes. In addition, market uncertainties make only stochastic methods insufficient for forecasting future production demand. To fill this gap, this study proposes a model that integrates the cost with electricity consumption and power demand into the aggregate production planning, considering the market uncertainties. The model was empirically applied in the food industry, considering a family of potato chips products. From the collected data, a demand forecast was carried out for a later realization of the aggregate planning, using the Holt–Winters forecast model. Before modeling, the new energy demand was calculated, and finally, the model solution verification was performed. In the case study, after application, it was possible to reduce two workers and a cost reduction of R$ 14,288.00. Moreover, the proposal managed to define a power demand that minimized the costs of electric energy and the total costs of the aggregate production planning.
Special Issue on “Potential Biomarkers in Tears”
Authors: Enríquez-de-Salamanca Amalia
Published: July 2022

Tear biomarkers play an increasingly important role in the field of predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine [...]
Quasi-Consensus of Disturbed Nonlinear Multiagent Systems with Event-Triggered Impulsive Control
Authors: Gu Zhihua , Peng Shiguo , Huang Yujia
Published: July 2022

Considering the external disturbances, in this paper, the quasi-consensus of multiagent systems is studied via event-triggered impulsive control. By designing a novel event-triggered mechanism (ETM), sufficient conditions to realize leader-following quasi-consensus are derived with event-triggered impulsive control. Additionally, Zeno behavior is also excluded. It is shown that the event-triggered frequency is closely related to the parameters selected in the designed ETM, and less conservative results can be obtained compared with the existing results. Finally, a simulation example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed results.
360-Degree Video Bandwidth Reduction: Technique and Approaches Comprehensive Review
Authors: Wong En Sing , Wahab Nur Haliza Abdul , Saeed Faisal , Alharbi Nouf
Published: July 2022

Recently, the usage of 360-degree videos has prevailed in various sectors such as education, real estate, medical, entertainment and more. The development of the Virtual World “Metaverse” demanded a Virtual Reality (VR) environment with high immersion and a smooth user experience. However, various challenges are faced to provide real-time streaming due to the nature of high-resolution 360-degree videos such as high bandwidth requirement, high computing power and low delay tolerance. To overcome these challenges, streaming methods such as Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH), Tiling, Viewport-Adaptive and Machine Learning (ML) are discussed. Moreover, the superiorities of the development of 5G and 6G networks, Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) and Caching and the Information-Centric Network (ICN) approaches to optimize the 360-degree video streaming are elaborated. All of these methods strike to improve the Quality of Experience (QoE) and Quality of Service (QoS) of VR services. Next, the challenges faced in QoE modeling and the existing objective and subjective QoE assessment methods of 360-degree video are presented. Lastly, potential future research that utilizes and further improves the existing methods substantially is discussed. With the efforts of various research studies and industries and the gradual development of the network in recent years, a deep fake virtual world, “Metaverse” with high immersion and conducive for daily life working, learning and socializing are around the corner.
Has COVID-19 Altered the Air Quality Conduction Relationship in Beijing and Neighboring Cities?—A Test Based on Dynamic Periodic Conformance
Authors: Zhang Min , Dong Jianbo , Diao Gang , Lan Qiaomei
Published: July 2022

The Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region is the most dynamic region and largest economy in northern China; however, the air quality is the worst in the country. The study of the air quality in the cities around Beijing is of great significance for air pollution control. Therefore, this study analyzed whether the COVID-19 pandemic altered the periodic pattern of the air quality in Beijing and its neighboring cities. The study employed continuous wavelet transform to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the air quality of Beijing and its neighboring cities. This method reveals the changes in the air quality from a periodic pattern perspective. The results showed that COVID-19 weakened the periodic changes in air quality in Beijing and five neighboring cities, and this effect was most pronounced during the outbreak of the pandemic in early 2020. The cycle synchronization analysis showed that the pandemic weakened the cycle synchronization of air quality of the cities in the north of Beijing, while less impact was found on the cities to the south of Beijing. Moreover, the periodic patterns in 2020 and 2021 were compared with that in 2019 (before the outbreak of the pandemic), and it was found that the periodic patterns during the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 were significantly different from that in the same period in 2019. Therefore, COVID-19 weakened the periodic pattern of air quality in the cities around Beijing and altered the connection to air quality among them. The changes reveal the connections of inter-city air pollutants caused by human economic and social activities in cities around Beijing.
Interdecadal Variability of Summer Extreme Rainfall Events over the Huaihe River Basin and Associated Atmospheric Circulation
Authors: Liao Rongwei , Liu Ge , Chen Junming , Zhang Lei
Published: July 2022

The Huaihe River basin (HRB) is an important economically developed and grain production region in China, which is severely affected by rainfall anomalies, especially extreme rainfall events (EREs). It is crucial to the features of interdecadal change in EREs and the contribution of EREs to summer-mean total rainfall amount (TRA) over the HRB. Using the observational 24-h ac-cumulated rainfall and the reanalysis products from the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF), as well as the methods of composite analysis and Mann–Kendal and running t tests, we revealed that the EREs experienced a significant interdecadal increase from the period 1990–1999 to the period 2000–2009. The EREs, particularly long persistent extreme rainfall events (LPEREs), occurred more frequently over the HRB during the latter period and dominated the interdecadal increase in the summer mean TRA. An anomalous high-pressure ridge and associated anomalous anticyclone appeared around Lake Baikal during the latter period, which led to anomalous northeasterlies along the eastern flank of the anomalous anticyclone, inducing the southward intrusion of cold air flow from higher latitudes and associated anomalous ascent and more active convection over the HRB. As such, more EREs and LPEREs occurred during the latter period. The higher pseudo-equivalent temperatures also support more active convective ascent and relevant more EREs. The results may shed light on further understanding the effect of large-scale atmospheric circulation on the interdecadal variability of EREs over the HRB, helping mitigate the disastrous impacts of EREs on local ecosystems, agriculture, soil erosion, and societies.
Reliability Evaluation and Optimization of a System with Mixed Run Shock
Authors: Wen Yanqing , Liu Baoliang , Shi Haiyan , Kang Shugui , Feng Yuejiao
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we investigate a wear and mixed shock model in which the system can fail due to internal aging or external shocks. The lifetime of the system, due to internal wear, follows continuous phase-type (PH) distributions. The external random shocks arrive at the system according to a PH renewal process. The system will fail when the internal failure occurs or k1 consecutive external shocks, the size of at least d1 or k2 consecutive external shocks the size of at least d2 occur, where d1k2. The failed system can be repaired immediately, and the repair times of the system are governed by continuous PH distributions. The system can be replaced by a new and identical one based on a bivariate replacement policy (L,N). The long-run average profit rate for the system is obtained by employing the closure property of the PH distribution. Finally, a numerical example is also given to determine the optimal replacement policy.
How to Incorporate Preference Information in a Weight-Restricted DEA Model: A Straightforward Solution Applied in the Field of Economics, Based on Simos’ Revised Method
Authors: De Vicente Oliva María Auxiliadora , Romero-Ania Alberto
Published: July 2022

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is one the most successful techniques in the field of Operations Research. DEA is a non-parametric and objective approach for evaluating the relative efficiency of a set of decision-making units. The original DEA proposal contemplated the total freedom of variation of weights. This free variation may lead to situations with non-realistic weights and to the impossibility of incorporating the judgments of decision-makers. This work studies the links between multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) and DEA by introducing weight restrictions in a DEA model using a methodology developed to obtain criteria weights in a MCDA context: the so-called Revised Simos’ Procedure. The presented approach is suitable to be applied in the field of economics and management, being an intuitive and simple enough method for decision-makers who are not familiar with working with DEA models or multicriteria decision analysis. A classic example is presented, where the results found with this approach are compared with the results of other approaches which also use multicriteria decision analysis as a tool to obtain weight restrictions for a DEA model.
Giant Multinucleated Cells in Aging and Senescence—An Abridgement
Authors: Kloc Malgorzata , Uosef Ahmed , Subuddhi Arijita , Kubiak Jacek Z. , Piprek Rafal P. , Ghobrial Rafik M.
Published: July 2022

This review introduces the subject of senescence, aging, and the formation of senescent multinucleated giant cells. We define senescence and aging and describe how molecular and cellular senescence leads to organismal senescence. We review the latest information on senescent cells’ cellular and molecular phenotypes. We describe molecular and cellular features of aging and senescence and the role of multinucleated giant cells in aging-related conditions and cancer. We explain how multinucleated giant cells form and their role in aging arteries and gonads. We also describe how multinucleated giant cells and the reversibility of senescence initiate cancer and lead to cancer progression and metastasis. We also describe molecules and pathways regulating aging and senescence in model systems and their applicability to clinical therapies in age-related diseases.
Trans- and Within-Generational Developmental Plasticity May Benefit the Prey but Not Its Predator during Heat Waves
Authors: Walzer Andreas , Nachman Gösta , Spangl Bernhard , Stijak Miroslava , Tscholl Thomas
Published: July 2022

Theoretically, parents can adjust vital offspring traits to the irregular and rapid occurrence of heat waves via developmental plasticity. However, the direction and strength of such trait modifications are often species-specific. Here, we investigated within-generational plasticity (WGP) and trans-generational plasticity (TGP) effects induced by heat waves during the offspring development of the predator Phytoseiulus persimilis and its herbivorous prey, the spider mite Tetranychus urticae, to assess plastic developmental modifications. Single offspring individuals with different parental thermal origin (reared under mild or extreme heat waves) of both species were exposed to mild or extreme heat waves until adulthood, and food consumption, age and size at maturity were recorded. The offspring traits were influenced by within-generational plasticity (WGP), trans-generational plasticity (TGP), non-plastic trans-generational effects (TGE) and/or their interactions. When exposed to extreme heat waves, both species speeded up development (exclusively WGP), consumed more (due to the fact of WGP but also to TGP in prey females and to non-plastic TGE in predator males), and predator females got smaller (non-plastic TGE and WGP), whereas prey males and females were equally sized irrespective of their origin, because TGE, WGP and TGP acted in opposite directions. The body sizes of predator males were insensitive to parental and offspring heat wave conditions. Species comparisons indicated stronger reductions in the developmental time and reduced female predator-prey body size ratios in favor of the prey under extreme heat waves. Further investigations are needed to evaluate, whether trait modifications result in lowered suppression success of the predator on its prey under heat waves or not.
Correction: Yamamoto, S. Tachyporinae Revisited: Phylogeny, Evolution, and Higher Classification Based on Morphology, with Recognition of a New Rove Beetle Subfamily (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). Biology 2021, 10, 323
Authors: Yamamoto Shûhei
Published: July 2022

The author would like to make the following corrections to his published paper [...]
An Optimization on the Neuronal Networks Based on the ADEX Biological Model in Terms of LUT-State Behaviors: Digital Design and Realization on FPGA Platforms
Authors: Wang Yule , Taylan Osman , Alkabaa Abdulaziz S. , Ahmad Ijaz , Tag-Eldin Elsayed , Nazemi Ehsan , Balubaid Mohammed , Alqabbaa Hanan Saud
Published: July 2022

Design and implementation of biological neural networks is a vital research field in the neuromorphic engineering. This paper presents LUT-based modeling of the Adaptive Exponential integrate-and-fire (ADEX) model using Nyquist frequency method. In this approach, a continuous term is converted to a discrete term by sampling factor. This new modeling is called N-LUT-ADEX (Nyquist-Look Up Table-ADEX) and is based on accurate sampling of the original ADEX model. Since in this modeling, the high-accuracy matching is achieved, it can exactly reproduce the spiking patterns, which have the same behaviors of the original neuron model. To confirm the N-LUT-ADEX neuron, the proposed model is realized on Virtex-II Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) board for validating the final hardware. Hardware implementation results show the high degree of similarity between the proposed and original models. Furthermore, low-cost and high-speed attributes of our proposed neuron model will be validated. Indeed, the proposed model is capable of reproducing the spiking patterns in terms of low overhead costs and higher frequencies in comparison with the original one. The properties of the proposed model cause can make it a suitable choice for neuromorphic network implementations with reduced-cost attributes.
Pharmacological History of Missing Subjects: Perspective of a Correction Factor to Aid in the Study of Bone Remains
Authors: Cecannecchia Camilla , Baldari Benedetta , Cioffi Andrea
Published: July 2022

In forensic anthropology, bone mineral density and the estimation of the dating of fractures based on the degree of progress of healing processes are important parameters of study on bone remains. With our article we aim, on the one hand, to highlight the importance that these parameters have in the reconstruction of the biological profile of the subject, as well as the time and the cause of death; on the other hand, we aim to limit their variability according to the medical substances and/or abuse assumed during life by the subject. The aim of this article is to encourage the introduction of the pharmacological history of missing persons as a new correction factor for the study of bone remains, possibly based on new scientific studies that allow us to establish with greater specificity the effect that certain pharmacological therapies produce on bone mass and the speed of remodeling.
Improving Degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Bacillus atrophaeus Laccase Fused with Vitreoscilla Hemoglobin and a Novel Strong Promoter Replacement
Authors: Wang Luyao , Tan Yuzhi , Sun Shengwei , Zhou Liangjie , Wu Guojun , Shao Yuting , Wang Mengxi , Xin Zhihong
Published: July 2022

Laccases catalyze a variety of electron-rich substrates by reducing O2 to H2O, with O2 playing a vital role as the final electron acceptor in the reaction process. In the present study, a laccase gene, lach5, was identified from Bacillus atrophaeus through sequence-based screening. LacH5 was engineered for modification by fusion expression and promoter replacement. Results showed that the purified enzyme LacH5 exhibited strong oxidative activity towards 2,2’-azinobis(3-ehtylbenzothiazolin-6-sulfnic acid) ammonium salt (ABTS) under optimum pH and temperature conditions (pH 5.0, 60 °C) and displayed remarkable thermostability. The activity of the two fusion enzymes was enhanced significantly from 14.2 U/mg (LacH5) to 22.5 U/mg (LacH5-vgb) and 18.6 U/mg (Vgb-lacH5) toward ABTS after LacH5 fusing with Vitreoscilla hemoglobin (VHb). Three of six tested polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were significantly oxidized by two fusion laccases as compared with LacH5. More importantly, the expression level of LacH5 and fusion protein LacH5-vgb was augmented by 3.7-fold and 7.0-fold, respectively, by using a novel strong promoter replacement. The results from the current investigation provide new insights and strategies for improving the activity and expression level of bacterial laccases, and these strategies can be extended to other laccases and multicopper oxidases.
Protein Phosphorylation in Cancer: Unraveling the Signaling Pathways
Authors: Coopman Peter
Published: July 2022

The discovery of protein kinase playing key roles in cancer formation and progression has triggered great interest and stimulated intense research on signaling pathways to develop targeted treatments, as well as to identify prognostic and predictive biomarkers [...]
Notch Signaling Induced by Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Regulates Cumulus-Oocyte Complex Expansion in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Koike Hiroshi , Harada Miyuki , Kusamoto Akari , Kunitomi Chisato , Xu Zixin , Tanaka Tsurugi , Urata Yoko , Nose Emi , Takahashi Nozomi , Wada-Hiraike Osamu , Hirota Yasushi , Koga Kaori , Osuga Yutaka
Published: July 2022

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress activated in granulosa cells contributes to the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In addition, recent studies have demonstrated that Notch signaling plays multiple roles in the ovary via cell-to-cell interactions. We hypothesized that ER stress activated in granulosa cells of antral follicles in PCOS induces Notch signaling in these cells, and that activated Notch signaling induces aberrant cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) expansion. Expression of Notch2 and Notch-target transcription factors was increased in granulosa cells of PCOS patients and model mice. ER stress increased expression of Notch2 and Notch-target transcription factors in cultured human granulosa-lutein cells (GLCs). Inhibition of Notch signaling abrogated ER stress-induced expression of genes associated with COC expansion in cultured human GLCs, as well as ER stress-enhanced expansion of cumulus cells in cultured murine COCs. Furthermore, inhibition of Notch signaling reduced the areas of COCs in PCOS model mice with activated ER stress in the ovary, indicating that Notch signaling regulates COC expansion in vivo. Our findings suggest that Notch2 signaling is activated in granulosa cells in PCOS and regulates COC expansion. It remains to be elucidated whether aberrant COC expansion induced by the ER stress-Notch pathway is associated with ovulatory dysfunction in PCOS patients.
Astaxanthin Carotenoid Modulates Oxidative Stress in Adipose-Derived Stromal Cells Isolated from Equine Metabolic Syndrome Affected Horses by Targeting Mitochondrial Biogenesis
Authors: Mularczyk Malwina , Bourebaba Nabila , Marycz Krzysztof , Bourebaba Lynda
Published: July 2022

Astaxanthin is gaining recognition as a natural bioactive component. This study aimed to test whether astaxanthin could protect adipose-derived stromal stem cells (ASCs) from apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Phaffia rhodozyma was used to extract astaxanthin, whose biocompatibility was tested after 24, 48 and 72 h of incubation with the cells; no harmful impact was found. ASCs were treated with optimal concentrations of astaxanthin. Several parameters were examined: cell viability, apoptosis, reactive oxygen levels, mitochondrial dynamics and metabolism, superoxide dismutase activity, and astaxanthin’s antioxidant capacity. A RT PCR analysis was performed after each test. The astaxanthin treatment significantly reduced apoptosis by modifying the normalized caspase activity of pro-apoptotic pathways (p21, p53, and Bax). Furthermore, by regulating the expression of related master factors SOD1, SOD2, PARKIN, PINK 1, and MFN 1, astaxanthin alleviated the oxidative stress and mitochondrial dynamics failure caused by EMS. Astaxanthin restored mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation by stimulating markers associated with the OXPHOS machinery: COX4I1, COX4I2, UQCRC2, NDUFA9, and TFAM. Our results suggest that astaxanthin has the potential to open new possibilities for potential bio-drugs to control and suppress oxidative stress, thereby improving the overall metabolic status of equine ASCs suffering from metabolic syndrome.
Tumor-Promoting ATAD2 and Its Preclinical Challenges
Authors: Liu Haicheng , Wen Qianghai , Yan Sheng , Zeng Weikun , Zou Yuhua , Liu Quanliang , Zhang Guoxi , Zou Junrong , Zou Xiaofeng
Published: July 2022

ATAD2 has received extensive attention in recent years as one prospective oncogene with tumor-promoting features in many malignancies. ATAD2 is a highly conserved bromodomain family protein that exerts its biological functions by mainly AAA ATPase and bromodomain. ATAD2 acts as an epigenetic decoder and transcription factor or co-activator, which is engaged in cellular activities, such as transcriptional regulation, DNA replication, and protein modification. ATAD2 has been reported to be highly expressed in a variety of human malignancies, including gastrointestinal malignancies, reproductive malignancies, urological malignancies, lung cancer, and other types of malignancies. ATAD2 is involved in the activation of multiple oncogenic signaling pathways and is closely associated with tumorigenesis, progression, chemoresistance, and poor prognosis, but the oncogenic mechanisms vary in different cancer types. Moreover, the direct targeting of ATAD2’s bromodomain may be a very challenging task. In this review, we summarized the role of ATAD2 in various types of malignancies and pointed out the pharmacological direction.
Intracellular Habitation of Staphylococcus aureus: Molecular Mechanisms and Prospects for Antimicrobial Therapy
Authors: Hommes Josefien W. , Surewaard Bas G. J.
Published: July 2022

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections pose a global health threat, especially with the continuous development of antibiotic resistance. As an opportunistic pathogen, MRSA infections have a high mortality rate worldwide. Although classically described as an extracellular pathogen, many studies have shown over the past decades that MRSA also has an intracellular aspect to its infectious cycle, which has been observed in vitro in both non-professional as well as professional phagocytes. In vivo, MRSA has been shown to establish an intracellular niche in liver Kupffer cells upon bloodstream infection. The staphylococci have evolved various evasion strategies to survive the antimicrobial environment of phagolysosomes and use these compartments to hide from immune cells and antibiotics. Ultimately, the host cells get overwhelmed by replicating bacteria, leading to cell lysis and bacterial dissemination. In this review, we describe the different intracellular aspects of MRSA infection and briefly mention S. aureus evasion strategies. We discuss how this intracellular niche of bacteria may assist in antibiotic tolerance development, and lastly, we describe various new antibacterial strategies that target the intracellular bacterial niche.
Effect of N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Lipid Composition in Familial Hypercholesterolemia: A Randomized Crossover Trial
Authors: Hande Liv Nesse , Kjellmo Christian , Pettersen Kristin , Ljunggren Stefan , Karlsson Helen , Cederbrant Karin , Marcusson-Ståhl Maritha , Hovland Anders , Lappegård Knut Tore
Published: July 2022

Individuals with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Treatment is mainly low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction. How omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) supplements affect lipoproteins in FH subjects is unknown. We hypothesized that a high-dose n-3 PUFA supplement would reduce atherogenic lipoproteins and influence the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) function. We performed a randomized, double-blinded crossover study with 34 genetically verified FH individuals (18–75 years, clinically stable, statin treatment > 12 months). Treatment was 4 g n-3 PUFAs (1840 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 1520 mg docosahexaenoic acid daily) or four capsules of olive oil for three months in a crossover design with a washout period of three months. The defined outcomes were changes in triglycerides, lipoproteins, lipoprotein subfractions, apolipoproteins, and HDL-C function. After treatment with n-3 PUFAs, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglycerides were reduced compared to placebo (p ≤ 0.01 for all). Total HDL-C levels were unchanged, but the subfraction of large HDL-C was higher (p ≤ 0.0001) after n-3 PUFAs than after placebo, and intermediate HDL-C and small HDL-C were reduced after n-3 PUFAs compared to placebo (p = 0.02 and p ≤ 0.001, respectively). No changes were found in apolipoproteins and HDL-C function. N-3 PUFAs supplements reduced atherogenic lipoproteins in FH subjects, leaving HDL-C function unaffected.
Effects of Extracellular Vesicles Secreted by TGFβ-Stimulated Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Skin Fibroblasts by Promoting Fibroblast Migration and ECM Protein Production
Authors: Vu Duc Minh , Nguyen Van-Tinh , Nguyen Thu Huyen , Do Phuong Thi Xuan , Dao Huy Hoang , Hai Do Xuan , Le Nhi Thi , Nguyen Xuan-Hung , Than Uyen Thi Trang
Published: July 2022

Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) have been illustrated for their roles in immunological modulation and tissue regeneration through the secretome. Additionally, culture conditions can trigger the secretion of extracellular vesicles (EVs) into extracellular environments with significant bioactivities. This study aims to investigate the roles of three EV sub-populations released by UCMSCs primed with transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and their capacity to alter dermal fibroblast functions for skin aging. Results show that three EV sub-populations, including apoptotic bodies (ABs), microvesicles (MVs), and exosomes (EXs), were separated from conditioned media. These three EVs carried growth factors, such as FGF-2, HGF, and VEGF-A, and did not express noticeable effects on fibroblast proliferation and migration. Only EX from TGFβ-stimulated UCMSCs exhibited a better capacity to promote fibroblasts migrating to close scratched wounds than EX from UCMSCs cultured in the normal condition from 24 h to 52 h. Additionally, mRNA levels of ECM genes (COL I, COL III, Elastin, HAS II, and HAS III) were detected with lower levels in fibroblasts treated with EVs from normal UCMSCs or TGFβ-stimulated UCMSCs compared to EV-depleted condition. On the contrary, the protein levels of total collagen and elastin released by fibroblasts were greater in the cell groups treated with EVs compared to EV-depleted conditions; particularly elastin associated with TGFβ-stimulated UCMSCs. These data indicate the potential roles of EVs from UCMSCs in protecting skin from aging by promoting ECM protein production.
Epitope Detection in Monocytes (EDIM) As a New Method of Liquid Biopsy in Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Urla Cristian , Stagno Matias Julian , Schmidt Andreas , Handgretinger Rupert , Fuchs Jörg , Warmann Steven W. , Schmid Evi
Published: July 2022

Biomarkers allowing characterization of pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) are lacking. Epitope detection in monocytes (EDIM) is a novel method focused on detection of the biomarkers TKTL1 (transketolase-like protein 1) and Apo10 (epitope of DNaseX) in activated monocytes (CD14+/CD16+) from patient’s blood. We investigated the expression of these biomarkers in RMS cell lines, tumor material, and peripheral blood from RMS patients. Expression levels of TKTL1 and DNaseX/Apo10 in RMS cell lines (RH30, RD) and tumor samples were analyzed by RT-PCR and flow cytometry. Blood samples of 29 RMS patients were measured and compared to 27 healthy individuals. The percentages of activated CD14+/CD16+ monocytes harboring TKTL1 and Apo10 were determined. EDIM-TKTL1 and EDIM-Apo10 expression scores were calculated. The relationship between TKTL1 expression and DNA-hypomethylation was evaluated. Both RMS cell lines and tumor samples showed significantly higher expression levels of TKTL1 and DNaseX/Apo10 compared to skeletal muscle cells (SkMC). EDIM-TKTL1 and EDIM-Apo10 scores were positive in 96.5% of patients with RMS. All healthy controls had negative corresponding scores. RMS cell lines show increased expression levels of the biomarkers TKTL1 and DNaseX/Apo10. The sensitivity of the EDIM blood test indicates that this assay might serve as an additional tool in pediatric RMS.
Recent Advances in Nanomaterial-Based Biosensors for Pesticide Detection in Foods
Authors: Mirres Ana Carolina de Morais , Silva Brenno Enrique Pereira de Matos da , Tessaro Leticia , Galvan Diego , Andrade Jelmir Craveiro de , Aquino Adriano , Joshi Nirav , Conte-Junior Carlos Adam
Published: July 2022

Biosensors are a simple, low-cost, and reliable way to detect pesticides in food matrices to ensure consumer food safety. This systematic review lists which nanomaterials, biorecognition materials, transduction methods, pesticides, and foods have recently been studied with biosensors associated with analytical performance. A systematic search was performed in the Scopus (n = 388), Web of Science (n = 790), and Science Direct (n = 181) databases over the period 2016–2021. After checking the eligibility criteria, 57 articles were considered in this study. The most common use of nanomaterials (NMs) in these selected studies is noble metals in isolation, such as gold and silver, with 8.47% and 6.68%, respectively, followed by carbon-based NMs, with 20.34%, and nanohybrids, with 47.45%, which combine two or more NMs, uniting unique properties of each material involved, especially the noble metals. Regarding the types of transducers, the most used were electrochemical, fluorescent, and colorimetric, representing 71.18%, 13.55%, and 8.47%, respectively. The sensitivity of the biosensor is directly connected to the choice of NM and transducer. All biosensors developed in the selected investigations had a limit of detection (LODs) lower than the Codex Alimentarius maximum residue limit and were efficient in detecting pesticides in food. The pesticides malathion, chlorpyrifos, and paraoxon have received the greatest attention for their effects on various food matrices, primarily fruits, vegetables, and their derivatives. Finally, we discuss studies that used biosensor detection systems devices and those that could detect multi-residues in the field as a low-cost and rapid technique, particularly in areas with limited resources.
Cadmium Ions’ Trace-Level Detection Using a Portable Fiber Optic—Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor
Authors: Şolomonea Bianca-Georgiana , Jinga Luiza-Izabela , Antohe Vlad-Andrei , Socol Gabriel , Antohe Iulia
Published: July 2022

Environmental pollution with cadmium (Cd) is a major concern worldwide, with prolonged exposure to this toxic heavy metal causing serious health problems, such as kidney damage, cancer, or cardiovascular diseases, only to mention a few. Herein, a gold-coated reflection-type fiber optic–-surface plasmon resonance (Au-coated FO-SPR) sensor is manufactured and functionalized with (i) bovine serum albumin (BSA), (ii) chitosan, and (iii) polyaniline (PANI), respectively, for the sensitive detection of cadmium ions (Cd2+) in water. Then, the three sensor functionalization strategies are evaluated and compared one at a time. Out of these strategies, the BSA-functionalized FO-SPR sensor is found to be highly sensitive, exhibiting a limit of detection (LOD) for Cd2+ detection at nM level. Moreover, the presence of Cd2+ on the FO-SPR sensor surface was confirmed by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) technique and also quantified consecutively for all the above-mentioned functionalization strategies. Hence, the BSA-functionalized FO-SPR sensor is sensitive, provides a rapid detection time, and is cheap and portable, with potential applicability for monitoring trace-level amounts of Cd within environmental or potable water.
Haste Makes Waste: There Is No Solid Evidence to Translate the Use of Stem Cells into Clinical Practice for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Narzisi Antonio
Published: July 2022

Increasingly, private clinics around the world offer stem cell therapy as a therapeutic approach for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) [...]
Rehabilitation Interventions Combined with Noninvasive Brain Stimulation on Upper Limb Motor Function in Stroke Patients
Authors: Cha Tae-Hyun , Hwang Ho-Sung
Published: July 2022

(1) Background: This systematic review aimed to focus on the effects of rehabilitation interventions combined with noninvasive brain stimulation on upper limb motor function in stroke patients. (2) Methods: PubMed, MEDLINE, and CINAHL were used for the literature research. Articles were searched using the following terms: “Stroke OR CVA OR cerebrovascular accident” AND “upper limb OR upper extremity” AND “NIBS OR Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation” OR “rTMS” OR “repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation” OR “tDCS” OR “transcranial direct current stimulation” AND “RCT” OR randomized control trial.” In total, 12 studies were included in the final analysis. (3) Results: Analysis using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale for qualitative evaluation of the literature rated eight articles as “excellent” and four as “good.” Combined rehabilitation interventions included robotic therapy, motor imagery using brain–computer interaction, sensory control, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, task-oriented approach, task-oriented mirror therapy, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, and behavior observation therapy. (4) Conclusions: Although it is difficult to estimate the recovery of upper limb motor function in stroke patients treated with noninvasive brain stimulation alone, a combination of a task-oriented approach, occupational therapy, action observation, wrist robot-assisted rehabilitation, and physical therapy can be effective.
The Role of Phonological Awareness, Pinyin Letter Knowledge, and Visual Perception Skills in Kindergarteners’ Chinese Character Reading
Authors: Yuan Han , Segers Eliane , Verhoeven Ludo
Published: July 2022

Word identification models assume that words are identified by at least two sources of information and analysis; one is phonological, and the other is visual. The present study investigated the influence of phonological awareness, Pinyin letter knowledge, and visual perception skills on Chinese character recognition after controlling for vocabulary, rapid naming, and verbal short-term memory in 80 Mandarin-speaking kindergarten children. Children were tested on phonological awareness (syllable awareness, onset-end rhyme awareness, and tone awareness), Pinyin letter naming, and visual perception (visual discrimination and visual-spatial relationships). The results showed that variance in Chinese character recognition could be explained by syllable awareness and tone awareness, but not by visual perception skills or Pinyin letter knowledge. Analyses further indicated that Pinyin letter knowledge moderated the relationship between tone awareness and Chinese character recognition. A focus on tone awareness and syllable awareness in the kindergarten may help Chinese children to accomplish the transition from phonological awareness to early literacy, while Pinyin letter knowledge can help children to make the connection between Chinese speech and writing.
“Returning to Ordinary Citizenship”: A Qualitative Study of Chinese PWUD’s Self-Management Strategies and Disengagement Model of Identity
Authors: Song Apei , Liu Zixi
Published: July 2022

How PWUD (people who use drugs) live under drug governance is an important research question. This study adopts a qualitative research method to explore how PWUD in China self-manage after perceiving the dilemma of incomplete citizenship and the social pressure brought by drug control arrangements. Through analysis of 130 PWUD’s files and in-depth interviews with 10 interviewees (from the 24 preliminary interviews), this study found that PWUD developed action strategies of hidden mobility (spatial isolation), disconnection of past experiences (time isolation), instrumental actions, as well as narrative strategies of reframing themselves as ordinary citizens with attempts of reversing identity disadvantages. Further, PWUD’s self-management strategies manifest as a disengagement model in which the actors (PWUD, not rehabilitation agencies) do not intend to develop integrative positive identities through dispersed, practiced behavioral strategies, but attempt to return to pre-addiction, non-socially exclusionary citizenship experiences. The disengagement model and its negative effect on PWUD’s social integration help us reflect on the current implementation of rehabilitation projects and institutional settings of drug governance.
Deformation and Force Analysis of Wood-Piled Island Cofferdam Based on Equivalent Bending Stiffness Principle
Authors: Chen Shi , Wang Yixian , Li Yonghai , Li Xian , Guo Panpan , Hou Weichao , Liu Yan
Published: July 2022

This paper analyses the deformation and force behavior of a wood-piled island cofferdam based on the principle of equivalent bending stiffness. The horizontal deformation and bending moments in wood piles and the axial stress in tension bars on top of piles were both analyzed by the finite difference (FD) method. Except for the analysis of the cofferdam construction process, the influence of the pile length, the dam width, the tension bar interval, and the pile interval, among the commonly adopted parameters, were detailly examined in numerical simulations. In addition, a reinforced wood-piled cofferdam model by steel pipe piles has been established to quantify the effect of reinforcement. It was found that the dewatering inside the cofferdam was detrimental to cofferdam stability. The pile deformation reached maxima (roughly 0.6% of the pile length) at solidifying stage after dewatering. The changing trend of the cofferdam structure force within a safe district was consistent with the displacement. The dam width had a vital effect on the stability of the cofferdam, especially on the horizontal deformation. The steel pipe pile reinforcement scheme performed better in further deformation control, providing a new idea for island-type cofferdams with rigorous structural deformation control.
Identifying Key Information on Life Cycle of Engineering Data by Graph Convolutional Networks and Data Mining
Authors: Ren Lijing , Zhang Denghui
Published: July 2022

Engineering data, including product data-conversion networks and software dependency networks, are very important for the long-term preservation of product information. With the explosive growth of data in recent years, product information has become increasingly diversified and complex, which poses new challenges to the long-term preservation of product data. A better understanding of the functions of complex networks can help us take more effective measures to maintain and control such complex systems, and then adopt more effective methods to achieve life cycle management. It is currently difficult for traditional heuristic methods to deal with such large-scale complex systems. In recent years, however, the use of graph neural networks to identify key nodes attracted widespread attention, but this requires a large amount of training data. It is difficult to obtain large-scale relational data and establish identification models in engineering fields. Combining a graph convolution network with a data-mining method, a key node identification method in a graph convolution network based on data mining is proposed. The method first determines the type of complex network according to the power-law distribution and centrality of the network and then uses the corresponding evolutionary model to generate a large-scale synthetic network to effectively train the model. The experimental results from two real networks show that this method improves the identification performance of key nodes by using synthetic data with the same characteristics as the real network, and provides a new perspective for product life cycle management.