bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Incremental Short Term Salt Stress at the Seedling Stage on Root Plasticity, Shoot Thermal Profile and Ion Homeostasis in Contrasting Wheat Genotypes
Authors: Boopal Jagadhesan , Sathee Lekshmy , Ramasamy Ramesh , Pandey Rakesh , Chinnusamy Viswanathan
Published: October 2023

Understanding the component traits determining salt stress tolerance is a major breeding target in wheat. The lack of genetic resources suited to salt-affected regions and the complexity of the traits involved impede progress in breeding salt-tolerant wheat varieties. This study was conducted with four bread wheats, namely (Triticum aestivum) Kharchia-65 (K-65), BT-Schomburgk (BTS), HD-2687, and HD-3298. Treatments were imposed on plants with varying electrical conductivity (control, 5 dS m−1, 10 dS m−1, and 15 dS m−1) with a combination of three different salts NaCl, CaCl2·2H2O, and Na2SO4. We evaluated variations in root system architecture, canopy temperature (depicted as a thermal image), reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis, and leaf stomatal density in response to incremental doses of salt stress in a hydroponic experiment. As the plants were sampled after short-term exposure to stress (within 3 weeks of stress imposition), the plants were expected to be in a quiescent state. Due to the osmotic effect, the growth of the plants was compromised, and the associated decrease in stomatal conductance increased the canopy temperature. ROS accumulation and antioxidant enzyme activity did not follow a definite pattern. The antioxidant system’s tolerance to ROS comes into action much later in the tolerance mechanism. That could probably be the reason behind the varied response in ROS accumulation and antioxidant enzymes after short-term exposure to salt stress. Thermal images could effectively differentiate between salt-tolerant (K65) and sensitive (HD2687) genotypes. The variation in Na+/K+ ratio also suggested a genotypic variation in salt tolerance. The genotypes of K-65 maintained a better root system, while HD2687 showed severe reduction in root biomass and other root traits under salt stress. The PCA data also point out genotypic variation in lateral and main root traits in response to different salt stress levels. For salt tolerance in wheat, the main contributing root traits were total root length, total surface area, total root volume, tips, and other main, lateral root traits. The idea of differential control of RSA dynamics is novel and can be further explored to understand natural variation in salt stress tolerance.
Advances in Crop Protection in Organic Farming System
Authors: Kowalska Jolanta , Matysiak Kinga
Published: October 2023

The Green Deal assumes a significant reduction in chemicals in agriculture production [...]
Evaluating the Activity of Pigs with Radio-Frequency Identification and Virtual Walking Distances
Authors: Kapun Anita , Adrion Felix , Gallmann Eva
Published: October 2023

Monitoring the activity of animals can help with assessing their health status. We monitored the walking activity of fattening pigs using a UHF-RFID system. Four hundred fattening pigs with UHF-RFID ear tags were recorded by RFID antennas at the troughs, playing devices and drinkers during the fattening period. A minimum walking distance, or virtual walking distance, was determined for each pig per day by calculating the distances between two consecutive reading areas. This automatically calculated value was used as an activity measure and not only showed differences between the pigs but also between different fattening stages. The longer the fattening periods lasted, the less walking activity was detected. The virtual walking distance ranged between 281 m on average in the first fattening stage and about 141 m in the last fattening stage in a restricted environment. The findings are similar to other studies considering walking distances of fattening pigs, but are far less labor-intensive and time-consuming than direct observations.
The Expression of Amino Acid and Fatty Acid Receptors Show an Age-Dependent Pattern Involving Oral Cavity, Jejunum and Lower Gut Sensing in Broiler Chickens
Authors: Cordero Paloma , Díaz-Avilés Francisca , Torres Paulina , Guzmán Miguel , Niknafs Shahram , Roura Eugeni , Guzmán-Pino Sergio A.
Published: October 2023

This work aimed to evaluate the gene expression of amino acids (AA) and fatty acids (FA) sensors in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of chickens at two different ages (7 and 26 days post-hatch). Sixteen broilers (Ross 308) were selected, and ten sections of the GIT, including upper (tongue base, upper palate, crop, proventriculus), middle (gizzard, duodenum, jejunum, ileum), and lower GIT section (cecum, colon) were collected for analysis. Relative gene expression of AA (T1R1, T1R3, mGluR1, mGluR4, CaSR, GPR139, GPRC6A, GPR92) and FA (FFAR2, FFAR3, FFAR4) sensors were assessed using qPCR. The statistical model included age, GIT section, and gene. In addition, the correlations between gene expressions were calculated. At day 7, a significantly (p = 0.004) higher expression of AA sensors in the oral cavity and FA sensors in the lower GIT section (i.e., cecum and colon) compared to the middle section was recorded. A higher expression of AA compared to FA sensors was detected at the upper GIT section in 7 (p < 0.001) and 26-day-old chickens (p = 0.026). Thus, at day 7, AA sensors were predominantly (p < 0.05) expressed in the upper GIT section (mainly oral cavity), while FA sensors were mainly expressed in the lower GIT section, at cecum (FFR2 and 4) or colon (FFAR3). These results may indicate that in early life, both ends of the GIT are fundamental for feed intake (oral cavity) and development of the microbiota (cecum and colon). In contrast, at 26 days of age, the results showed the emergence of both AA and FA sensors in the jejunum, presumably indicating the essential role of the jejunum in the digestion absorption of nutrients and the signaling to the brain (gut-brain axis) through the enteroendocrine system. Significant positive correlations were observed between T1R1 and T1R3 (r = 0.85, p < 0.001), CaSR and T1R1 (r = 0.78, p < 0.001), CaSR and T1R3 (r = 0.45, p < 0.050), and mGluR1 and FFAR3 (r = 0.46, p < 0.050). It is concluded that the gene expression is greater in the oral cavity for AA sensors and the lower gut for FA sensors. On day 26, the role of jejunum regarding nutrient sensing is highlighted.
Enhancing Olive Phenology Prediction: Leveraging Market Basket Analysis and Weighted Metrics for Optimal Feature Group Selection
Authors: Azpiroz Izar , Quartulli Marco , Olaizola Igor G.
Published: October 2023

Similarly efficient feature groups occur in prediction procedures such as Olive phenology forecasting. This study proposes a procedure that can be used to extract the most representative feature grouping from Market Basket Analysis-derived methodologies and other techniques. The computed association patterns in this process are visualized through graph analytic tools, comparing centrality metrics and spacial distribution approaches. Finally, highlighted feature formations are located and analyzed within the efficiency distribution of all proposed feature combinations for validation purposes.
Dynamic Depth Learning in Stacked AutoEncoders
Authors: Alfayez Sarah , Bchir Ouiem , Ben Ismail Mohamed Maher
Published: October 2023

The effectiveness of deep learning models depends on their architecture and topology. Thus, it is essential to determine the optimal depth of the network. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to learn the optimal depth of a stacked AutoEncoder, called Dynamic Depth for Stacked AutoEncoders (DDSAE). DDSAE learns in an unsupervised manner the depth of a stacked AutoEncoder while training the network model. Specifically, we propose a novel objective function, aside from the AutoEncoder’s loss function to optimize the network depth: The optimization of the objective function determines the layers’ relevance weights. Additionally, we propose an algorithm that iteratively prunes the irrelevant layers based on the learned relevance weights. The performance of DDSAE was assessed using benchmark and real datasets.
Near-Infrared Spectral Analysis for Assessing Germination Rate of Rapeseed Seeds: An Applied Sciences Approach
Authors: Zhang Shuaiyang , Lv Chengxu , Cui Cheng , Wang Jizhong , Wu Jingzhu , Mao Wenhua
Published: October 2023

Brassica rapa, commonly known as the rapeseed plant, is globally recognized for its nutrient-rich composition and oil-packed seeds, earning its distinction as a substantial oil-seed crop. The seed quality, particularly the germination rate, is instrumental in guaranteeing a high-yield rapeseed crop. Given this, the accurate, quantitative determination and selection of germination rates in seed batches prior to sowing is of paramount importance. However, conventional germination tests, employed to determine the average germination rate of seed batches, are marred by substantial time and cost inefficiencies. This study proposes the use of near-infrared spectral analysis as a proficient, non-invasive approach for assessing germination rates in rapeseed seed batches. The research involved artificial aging of seeds procured from a variety of rapeseed strains, resulting in 228 batches with a broad germination rate spectrum of 15.73% to 99.13%. We recorded near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectra and applied a range of strategies for spectral data preprocessing and feature variable selection. Furthermore, we leveraged support vector regression (SVR) modeling to augment the detection methodology. SVR training and detection were conducted using MATLAB, with selected feature wavelengths undergoing rigorous scrutiny and discussion. The results indicated that employing Savitzky–Golay convolution smoothing for spectral preprocessing, along with Synergy interval Partial Least Squares (SiPLS) in conjunction with Random Frog (RF) for the selection of 50 feature wavelength points, yielded optimal germination rate prediction performance within the SVR model. The coefficients of determination (R2c) for the training set and (R2p) for the testing set were observed to be 0.8559 and 0.8386, respectively, while the Root Mean Square Errors of Calibration (RMSEC) and Prediction (RMSEP) were calculated to be 13.76% and 17.04%. The mechanism of detecting seed vigor through near-infrared spectroscopy was analyzed based on joint variable screening and sensitive variable traceability. Consequently, the SG–SiPLS–RF–SVR model demonstrates its effectiveness in predicting the average germination rate of seed batches, offering a rapid, non-invasive detection method that can be universally applied to various rapeseed strains, thus significantly improving seed production efficiency.
Performance of Pozzolan-Based Reactive Magnesia Cement Mixes against Sulphate Attack
Authors: Muthu Murugan , Kumar Sanjeev , Sadowski Łukasz
Published: October 2023

Reactive magnesia cement (RMC) has gained interest due to its lower production temperatures when compared to Portland cement. In this study, the performance of pozzolan-based RMC concrete samples against sulphate attack was examined. Cube samples, after being removed from their moulds, were stored in a CO2-rich environment to gain compressive strength. Information obtained from XRD showed the formation of Mg carbonates in different forms. The use of fly ash and slag in large volumes reduces the environmental impact of concrete, but the use of these components have been found to greatly affect the formation of Mg carbonates in RMC mixes. This is mainly due to their filler effects. The coexistence of Ca- and Mg-based products was found in the slag-RMC mixes. The concrete samples based on RMC underwent mass and strength losses when stored in a MgSO4 solution for up to 12 weeks. The removal of Mg from the microstructure of these samples was confirmed using SEM analysis. The use of the most widely used pozzolans at 50% by weight of the binder greatly affected the carbonation mechanism of the RMC mixes. This finding suggests that they should be limited in the design of Mg-based products that harden under CO2-rich conditions.
Climate Change Effects through MFDFA Study of Temperature in Serbia
Authors: Stosic Tatijana , Stosic Borko , Tošić Milica , Lazić Irida , Djurdjević Vladimir , Tošić Ivana
Published: October 2023

We investigate multifractal properties of daily means of air temperature over the territory of Serbia, by using Multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis. Temperature anomalies in two periods 1961–1990 and 1991–2020 are calculated from the E-OBSv26.0e gridded dataset with 0.10° (~12 km) resolution, totaling 1278 daily temperature series for each period. The MFDFA parameters: position of the maximum of the spectrum α0, width of the spectrum W and asymmetry r, obtained from the total of 2556 MFDFA runs are interpolated to yield their spatial distribution across Serbia in the two periods. We found several patterns in both the spatial distribution, and changes from first to second period. All series showed multifractal properties with overall persistent long-term correlations (α0 > 0.5) and the dominance of small fluctuations (r > 0). The persistence is weaker (smaller α0 values) and multifractality is stronger (larger width W) in southern mountainous regions. In the second period the values of α0 increased indicating stronger persistence of temperature dynamics, while multifractality became stronger (larger W) in northern region and weaker (smaller W) in southern region. In both periods the contribution to multifractality was dominated by small fluctuations (r > 0) that become stronger in the second period, indicated by the increase of the values of r over most of the country’s area. These changes in the values of multifractal parameters indicate the increase of complexity of temperature dynamics in the second 30 years period which could be related to climate change.
Irreducible Characters with Cyclic Anchor Group
Authors: Algreagri Manal H. , Alghamdi Ahmad M.
Published: October 2023

We consider G to be a finite group and p as a prime number. We fix ψ to be an irreducible character of G with its restriction to all p-regular elements of G and ψ0 to be an irreducible Brauer character. The main aim of this paper is to describe and investigate the relationship between cyclic anchor group of ψ and the defect group of a p-block which contains ψ. Our methods are to study and generalize some facts for the cyclic defect groups of a p-block B to the case of a cyclic anchor group of irreducible characters which belong to B. We establish and prove a criteria for an irreducible character to have a cyclic anchor group.
Aminopeptidase N/CD13 Crosslinking Promotes the Activation and Membrane Expression of Integrin CD11b/CD18
Authors: Díaz-Alvarez Laura , Martínez-Sánchez Mariana Esther , Gray Eleanor , Pérez-Figueroa Erandi , Ortega Enrique
Published: October 2023

The β2 integrin CD11b/CD18, also known as complement receptor 3 (CR3), and the moonlighting protein aminopeptidase N (CD13), are two myeloid immune receptors with overlapping activities: adhesion, migration, phagocytosis of opsonized particles, and respiratory burst induction. Given their common functions, shared physical location, and the fact that some receptors can activate a selection of integrins, we hypothesized that CD13 could induce CR3 activation through an inside-out signaling mechanism and possibly have an influence on its membrane expression. We revealed that crosslinking CD13 on the surface of human macrophages not only activates CR3 but also influences its membrane expression. Both phenomena are affected by inhibitors of Src, PLCγ, Syk, and actin polymerization. Additionally, after only 10 min at 37 °C, cells with crosslinked CD13 start secreting pro-inflammatory cytokines like interferons type 1 and 2, IL-12p70, and IL-17a. We integrated our data with a bioinformatic analysis to confirm the connection between these receptors and to suggest the signaling cascade linking them. Our findings expand the list of features of CD13 by adding the activation of a different receptor via inside-out signaling. This opens the possibility of studying the joint contribution of CD13 and CR3 in contexts where either receptor has a recognized role, such as the progression of some leukemias.
The Modulation Effect of a Fermented Bee Pollen Postbiotic on Cardiovascular Microbiota and Therapeutic Perspectives
Authors: Dinu Laura-Dorina , Gatea Florentina , Roaming Israel Florentina , Lakicevic Milena , Dedović Nebojša , Vamanu Emanuel
Published: October 2023

Hypertension is a frequent comorbidity in patients with heart failure; therefore, blood pressure management for these patients is widely recommended in medical guidelines. Bee pollen and postbiotics that contain inactivated probiotic cells and their metabolites have emerged as promising bioactive compounds sources, and their potential role in mitigating cardiovascular (CV) risks is currently being unveiled. Therefore, this preliminary study aimed to investigate the impact of a lactic-fermented bee pollen postbiotic (FBPP) on the CV microbiota via in vitro tests. A new isolated Lactobacillus spp. strain from the digestive tract of bees was used to ferment pollen, obtaining liquid and dried atomized caps postbiotics. The modulating effects on a CV microbiota that corresponds to the pathophysiology of hypertension were investigated using microbiological methods and qPCR and correlated with the metabolic profile. Both liquid and dried FBPPs increased the number of the beneficial Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. bacteria by up to 2 log/mL, while the opportunistic pathogen E. coli, which contributes to CV pathogenesis, decreased by 3 log/mL. The short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) profile revealed a significant increase in lactic (6.386 ± 0.106 g/L) and acetic (4.284 ± 0.017 g/L) acids, both with known antihypertensive effects, and the presence of isovaleric acid, which promotes a healthy gut microbiota. Understanding the impact of the FBPP on gut microbiota could lead to innovative strategies for promoting heart health and preventing cardiovascular diseases.
Isolation of Bovine and Human Milk Extracellular Vesicles
Authors: Weiskirchen Ralf , Schröder Sarah K. , Weiskirchen Sabine , Buhl Eva Miriam , Melnik Bodo
Published: October 2023

Extracellular vesicles such as exosomes are small-sized, bilayered extracellular biovesicles generated by almost every cell and released into the surrounding body fluids upon the fusion of multivesicular bodies and the plasma membrane. Based on their origin, they are enriched with a variety of biologically active components including proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, cellular metabolites, and many other constituents. They can either attach or fuse with the membrane of a target cell, or alternatively be taking up via endocytosis by a recipient cell. In particular, milk exosomes have been recently shown to be a fundamental factor supporting infant growth, health, and development. In addition, exosomes derived from different cell types have been shown to possess regenerative, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting that they are a potential therapeutic tool in modulating the pathogenesis of diverse diseases. Therefore, efficient protocols for the isolation of milk exosomes in a high quantity and purity are the basis for establishing clinical applications. Here, we present an easy-to-follow protocol for exosome isolation from bovine and human milk. Electron microscopic analysis and nanoparticle tracking analysis reveal that the protocols allow the isolation of highly enriched fractions of exosomes. The purified exosomes express the typical exosomal protein markers, CD81 and ALIX.
Unbonded Pre-Tensioned CF-Laminates Mechanically Anchored to HSC Beams as a Sustainable Repair Solution for Detachment of Bonded CF-Laminates
Authors: El Zareef Mohamed A. , Barour Sabiha , Kaloop Mosbeh R. , El-Demerdash Waleed E.
Published: October 2023

The present article outlines a Finite Element Model (FEM) that was created and validated by comparing it to prior experimental investigations to estimate the flexural performance of HSC beams strengthened with exterior bonded, unbonded, and unbonded pre-tensioned Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) sheets in several patterns. Nonlinear analysis was performed on three-point-loaded beams using ANSYS software, incorporating the constitutive characteristics of various components (concrete, CFRP, and steel). The comparison of FE-models and experimental data, namely for load-deflection curves, crack patterns, and failure modes, revealed that the developed numerical FE-models and experimental outcomes are in good accord. There has been numerous prior research on the behavior of beams strengthened with externally bonded CFRP sheets, but few on those reinforced with externally unbonded CFRP laminates, and even fewer on HSC beams reinforced with externally unbonded pre-tensioned CFRP laminates. Therefore, the major contribution of this article is to investigate the flexural behavior of HSC beams strengthened utilizing externally unbonded pre-tensioned CFRP laminates. The analysis revealed that the bending performance of RC-beams strengthened using external unbonded pre-tensioned CFRP-laminates is quite similar to that of bonded CFRP-strengthened beams, indicating a high potential for tackling the durability issues caused by detachment of bonded CFRP-strips in such structural elements. The existence of a fully wrapped CF sheet forced the beam to develop diagonal shear cracks in the region between the wrapped CF sheet and beam supports while also enhancing the flexural cracked zone at mid-span to change from smeared to discrete fractures. The flexural fractures spread over a deeper and wider area of the beam as a result of the incorporation of a half-wrap CF laminate. Externally unbonded CFRP-sheets pre-tensioned with 45% of the CFRP ultimate strength utilizing various patterns (straight and U-wrap) performed similarly to bonded CFRP-sheets, with a slight boost in load capacity of around 4.5% and notable reduces in deflection ranging from 9.7% to 16.24%. Using exterior unbonded CFRP laminates to strengthen RC-beams resulted in a flexural capacity increase ranging from 22.3% for NC beams to 71.6% for HSC beams.
Meeting User Needs through Building Automation and Control Systems: A Review of Impacts and Benefits in Office Environments
Authors: Garzia Federico , Verbeke Stijn , Pozza Cristian , Audenaert Amaryllis
Published: October 2023

Smart building technologies and building automation and control systems (BACS) can offer a range of additional benefits beyond energy savings, in particular by improving building responsiveness to user needs. Although in recent years these technologies have gained popularity as a means of reducing energy consumption and improving building performance, a clear picture of the role of BACS in providing a wider range of benefits is still missing. This review identifies and collects BACS impacts in office buildings with a special emphasis on improving indoor environmental quality by adapting building operation to changing conditions and guaranteeing feedback and real-time interaction with occupants. The resulting benefits, such as increased employee productivity, fewer occurrences of sick leave, and lower rates of absenteeism are highlighted. Offices represent an interesting field of application, as small improvements in the built environment can have a significant impact on labour costs which are the predominant share of the total operating costs. Furthermore, quantitative relationships between physical factors of the indoor environment and benefits have been displayed where available. This literature review aims at establishing an approach that comprehensively evaluates BACS across their entire spectrum, leading to the promotion of novel business cases.
Molecular Basis and Natural History of Medullary Thyroid Cancer: It is (Almost) All in the RET
Authors: Sahakian Nicolas , Castinetti Frédéric , Romanet Pauline
Published: October 2023

Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a rare disease, which can be either sporadic (roughly 75% of cases) or genetically determined (multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, due to REarranged during Transfection RET germline mutations, 25% of cases). Interestingly, RET pathogenic variants (mainly M918T) have also been reported in aggressive forms of sporadic MTC, suggesting the importance of RET signalling pathways in the pathogenesis of MTC. The initial theory of RET codon-related MTC aggressiveness has been recently questioned by studies suggesting that this would only define the age at disease onset rather than the aggressiveness of MTC. Other factors might however impact the natural history of the disease, such as RET polymorphisms, epigenetic factors, environmental factors, MET (mesenchymal–epithelial transition) alterations, or even other genetic alterations such as RAS family (HRAS, KRAS, NRAS) genetic alterations. This review will detail the molecular bases of MTC, focusing on RET pathways, and the potential mechanisms that explain the phenotypic intra- and interfamilial heterogeneity.
Outcomes of Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Receiving Lenvatinib following Immunotherapy: A Real World Evidence Study
Authors: Palmer Mathias E. , Gile Jennifer J. , Storandt Michael H. , Jin Zhaohui , Zemla Tyler J. , Tran Nguyen H. , Mahipal Amit
Published: October 2023

Background: Lenvatinib, a multikinase inhibitor, is an FDA-approved treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the first-line setting. Recent trial data have established atezolizumab plus bevacizumab as well as tremelimumab plus durvalumab as preferred first-line treatment options for advanced HCC. The role of lenvatinib following progression on immunotherapy in patients with advanced HCC remains unclear. Methods: We conducted a multicentric, retrospective analysis of patients with advanced HCC diagnosed between 2010 and 2021 at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, Arizona, and Florida who received immunotherapy followed by lenvatinib. Median overall survival and progression-free survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan–Meier method, and responses were determined using RECIST 1.1. Adverse events were determined using CTCAE v 4.0. Results: We identified 53 patients with advanced HCC who received lenvatinib following progression on immunotherapy. Forty five (85%) patients had a Child Pugh class A at diagnosis, while 30 (58%) patients were still Child Pugh A at time of lenvatinib initiation. Lenvatinib was administered as a second-line treatment in 85% of the patients. The median PFS was 3.7 months (95% CI: 3.2–6.6), and the median OS from the time of lenvatinib initiation was 12.8 months (95% CI: 6.7–19.5). In patients with Child Pugh class A, the median OS and PFS was 14 and 5.2 months, respectively. Race, gender, and Child Pugh class was associated with OS on multivariate analysis. Discussion: Our study, using real-world data, suggests that patients benefit from treatment with lenvatinib following progression on immunotherapy in advanced HCC. The optimal sequencing of therapy for patients with advanced HCC following progression on immunotherapy remains unknown, and these results need to be validated in a clinical trial.
Particle Swarm Optimisation Applied to the Direct Aperture Optimisation Problem in Radiation Therapy
Authors: Tello-Valenzuela Gonzalo , Moyano Mauricio , Cabrera-Guerrero Guillermo
Published: October 2023

Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is one of the most used techniques for cancer treatment. Using a linear accelerator, it delivers radiation directly at the cancerogenic cells in the tumour, reducing the impact of the radiation on the organs surrounding the tumour. The complexity of the IMRT problem forces researchers to subdivide it into three sub-problems that are addressed sequentially. Using this sequential approach, we first need to find a beam angle configuration that will be the set of irradiation points (beam angles) over which the tumour radiation is delivered. This first problem is called the Beam Angle Optimisation (BAO) problem. Then, we must optimise the radiation intensity delivered from each angle to the tumour. This second problem is called the Fluence Map Optimisation (FMO) problem. Finally, we need to generate a set of apertures for each beam angle, making the intensities computed in the previous step deliverable. This third problem is called the Sequencing problem. Solving these three sub-problems sequentially allows clinicians to obtain a treatment plan that can be delivered from a physical point of view. However, the obtained treatment plans generally have too many apertures, resulting in long delivery times. One strategy to avoid this problem is the Direct Aperture Optimisation (DAO) problem. In the DAO problem, the idea is to merge the FMO and the Sequencing problem. Hence, optimising the radiation’s intensities considers the physical constraints of the delivery process. The DAO problem is usually modelled as a Mixed-Integer optimisation problem and aims to determine the aperture shapes and their corresponding radiation intensities, considering the physical constraints imposed by the Multi-Leaf Collimator device. In solving the DAO problem, generating clinically acceptable treatments without additional sequencing steps to deliver to the patients is possible. In this work, we propose to solve the DAO problem using the well-known Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO) algorithm. Our approach integrates the use of mathematical programming to optimise the intensities and utilizes PSO to optimise the aperture shapes. Additionally, we introduce a reparation heuristic to enhance aperture shapes with minimal impact on the treatment plan. We apply our proposed algorithm to prostate cancer cases and compare our results with those obtained in the sequential approach. Results show that the PSO obtains competitive results compared to the sequential approach, receiving less radiation time (beam on time) and using the available apertures with major efficiency.
A Combinatorial Code for CPEB-Mediated c-myc Repression
Authors: Ogami Koichi , Ogawa Keima , Sanpei Shoko , Ichikawa Fumito , Udagawa Tsuyoshi , Hoshino Shin-ichi
Published: October 2023

During early embryonic development, the RNA-binding protein CPEB mediates cytoplasmic polyadenylation and translational activation through a combinatorial code defined by the cy-toplasmic polyadenylation element (CPE) present in maternal mRNAs. However, in non-neuronal somatic cells, CPEB accelerates deadenylation to repress translation of the target, including c-myc mRNA, through an ill-defined cis-regulatory mechanism. Using RNA mutagenesis and electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we demonstrated that a combination of tandemly arranged consensus (cCPE) and non-consensus (ncCPE) cytoplasmic polyadenylation elements (CPEs) constituted a combinatorial code for CPEB-mediated c-myc mRNA decay. CPEB binds to cCPEs with high affinity (Kd = ~250 nM), whereas it binds to ncCPEs with low affinity (Kd > ~900 nM). CPEB binding to a cCPE enhances CPEB binding to the proximal ncCPE. In contrast, while a cCPE did not activate mRNA degradation, an ncCPE was essential for the induction of degradation, and a combination of a cCPE and ncCPEs further promoted degradation. Based on these findings, we propose a model in which the high-affinity binding of CPEB to the cCPE accelerates the binding of the second CPEB to the ncCPEs, resulting in the recruitment of deadenylases, acceleration of deadenylation, and repression of c-myc mRNAs.
Unveiling Neuroprotection and Regeneration Mechanisms in Optic Nerve Injury: Insight from Neural Progenitor Cell Therapy with Focus on Vps35 and Syntaxin12
Authors: Shin Hyun-Ah , Park Mira , Lee Hey Jin , Duong Van-An , Kim Hyun-Mun , Hwang Dong-Youn , Lee Hookeun , Lew Helen
Published: October 2023

Axonal degeneration resulting from optic nerve damage can lead to the progressive death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), culminating in irreversible vision loss. We contrasted two methods for inducing optic nerve damage: optic nerve compression (ONCo) and optic nerve crush (ONCr). These were assessed for their respective merits in simulating traumatic optic neuropathies and neurodegeneration. We also administered neural progenitor cells (NPCs) into the subtenon space to validate their potential in mitigating optic nerve damage. Our findings indicate that both ONCo and ONCr successfully induced optic nerve damage, as shown by increases in ischemia and expression of genes linked to neuronal regeneration. Post NPC injection, recovery in the expression of neuronal regeneration-related genes was more pronounced in the ONCo model than in the ONCr model, while inflammation-related gene expression saw a better recovery in ONCr. In addition, the proteomic analysis of R28 cells in hypoxic conditions identified Vps35 and Syntaxin12 genes. Vps35 preserved the mitochondrial function in ONCo, while Syntaxin12 appeared to restrain inflammation via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in ONCr. NPCs managed to restore damaged RGCs by elevating neuroprotection factors and controlling inflammation through mitochondrial homeostasis and Wnt/β-catenin signaling in hypoxia-injured R28 cells and in both animal models. Our results suggest that ischemic injury and crush injury cause optic nerve damage via different mechanisms, which can be effectively simulated using ONCo and ONCr, respectively. Moreover, cell-based therapies such as NPCs may offer promising avenues for treating various optic neuropathies, including ischemic and crush injuries.
The Association between Childhood Obesity and Cardiovascular Changes in 10 Years Using Special Data Science Analysis
Authors: Cordeiro João Rala , Mosca Sara , Correia-Costa Ana , Ferreira Cátia , Pimenta Joana , Correia-Costa Liane , Barros Henrique , Postolache Octavian
Published: October 2023

The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity is a worldwide problem, with several well-known consequences that might start to develop early in life during childhood. The present research based on data from children that have been followed since birth in a previously established cohort study (Generation XXI, Porto, Portugal), taking advantage of State-of-the-Art (SoA) data science techniques and methods, including Neural Architecture Search (NAS), explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI), and Deep Learning (DL), aimed to explore the hidden value of data, namely on electrocardiogram (ECG) records performed during follow-up visits. The combination of these techniques allowed us to clarify subtle cardiovascular changes already present at 10 years of age, which are evident from ECG analysis and probably induced by the presence of obesity. The proposed novel combination of new methodologies and techniques is discussed, as well as their applicability in other health domains.
Mapping the Scientific Landscape of Bacterial Influence on Oral Cancer: A Bibliometric Analysis of the Last Decade’s Medical Progress
Authors: Hu Suh-Woan , Yang Jaw-Ji , Lin Yuh-Yih
Published: October 2023

The research domain investigating bacterial factors in the development of oral cancer from January 2013 to December 2022 was examined with a bibliometric analysis. A bibliometric analysis is a mathematical and statistical method used to examine extensive datasets. It assesses the connections between prolific authors, journals, institutions, and countries while also identifying commonly used keywords. A comprehensive search strategy identified 167 relevant articles, revealing a progressive increase in publications and citations over time. China and the United States were the leading countries in research productivity, while Harvard University and the University of Helsinki were prominent affiliations. Prolific authors such as Nezar Al-Hebshi, Tsute Chen, and Yaping Pan were identified. The analysis also highlights the contributions of different journals and identifies the top 10 most cited articles in the field, all of which focus primarily on molecular research. The article of the highest citation explored the role of a Fusobacterium nucleatum surface protein in tumor immune evasion. Other top-cited articles investigated the correlation between the oral bacteriome and cancer using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, showing microbial shifts associated with oral cancer development. The functional prediction analysis used by recent studies has further revealed an inflammatory bacteriome associated with carcinogenesis. Furthermore, a keyword analysis reveals four distinct research themes: cancer mechanisms, periodontitis and microbiome, inflammation and Fusobacterium, and risk factors. This analysis provides an objective assessment of the research landscape, offers valuable information, and serves as a resource for researchers to advance knowledge and collaboration in the search for the influence of bacteria on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of oral cancer.
Virtual Reality Interface Evaluation for Earthwork Teleoperation
Authors: Saunier Léa , Hoffmann Nicolas , Preda Marius , Fetita Catalin
Published: October 2023

Automation and robotics are destined to play a critical role in the Industry 4.0 revolution, as illustrated by the emergence of autonomous machinery in earthwork operations. Despite rapid progress, autonomous agents will always require human supervision to instruct their mission and to guaranty safety when unexpected problems arise. Traditional human supervision requires an operator to physically enter each machine at risk and manually take control. This approach is time-consuming and requires highly qualified personnel capable of operating various machines. This process can be hastened and simplified by means of teleoperated supervision, which itself requires the appropriate interface. In this paper we evaluate a virtual reality (VR)-based interface using hybrid interactions and an immersive digital-twin compared to a real-life control. We compare these interfaces through control tasks performed by expert and non-expert operators, analyzing time and precision, as well as user feedback. The preliminary results show that the VR interface brings equivalent and satisfactory performances for experts and improves the efficiency of apprentices. Therefore, not only does everyone performs well in the virtual environment, but also the training time can be shortened significantly as non-experts can perform similarly under the same conditions.
Nucleation of a Vapor Phase and Vapor Front Dynamics Due to Boiling-Up on a Solid Surface
Authors: Kotov Artem N. , Gurashkin Aleksandr L. , Starostin Aleksandr A. , Lukianov Kirill V. , Skripov Pavel V.
Published: October 2023

The effect of temperature and pressure on the nucleation of the vapor phase and the velocity of the vapor front in the initial stage of activated boiling-up of n-pentane on the surface of a quartz fiber was studied. Using a developed approach combining the “pump-probe” and laser Doppler velocimetry methods, this velocity was tracked in the course of sequential change in the degree of superheating with respect to the liquid–vapor equilibrium line. The studied interval according to the degree of superheating was 40–100 °C (at atmospheric pressure). In order to spatiotemporally localize the process, the activation of boiling-up at the end of the light guide was applied using a short nanosecond laser pulse. A spatial locality of measurements was achieved in units of micrometers, along with a time localization at the level of nanoseconds. An increase in temperature at a given pressure was found to lead to an increase in the speed of the transition process with a coefficient of about 0.2 m/s per degree, while an increase in pressure at a given temperature leads to a decrease in the transition process speed with a coefficient of 25.8 m/s per megapascal. The advancement of the vapor front velocity measurements to sub-microsecond intervals from the first signs of boiling-up did not confirm the existence of a Rayleigh expansion stage with a constant velocity.
Magnetic Screen Effects on Torque Ripple and Efficiency of Dual Air-Gap Surface Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Authors: Jeong Kwang-Il , Heidari Reza , Kang Do-Hyun , Ahn Tae-Jun , Park Gwan Soo , Ahn Jin-Woo , Lukman Grace Firsta
Published: October 2023

Electric motors with a double air-gap structure offer increased power or torque density compared to their single air-gap counterparts, achievable through double-stator or double-rotor configurations. In a previous study, the authors proposed a double-stator permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) with a magnetic screen placed in the middle of the rotor to isolate the outer and inner motors. However, the analysis of the magnetic screen was not provided in that study, as the design was arbitrarily chosen. This research focuses on the effects of the magnetic screen size and selects the appropriate dimensions for optimal motor performance. Finite element analysis (FEA) is employed to assess the electromagnetic characteristics of the screen. Subsequently, the motor is manufactured and tested. The results show that the chosen magnetic screen size contributes to significant efficiency improvements. In particular, the motor achieved an efficiency of 95.2% during the qualification test, surpassing the efficiency obtained in the previous study.
The Impact of Environmental Regulation on the Green Overall Factor Productivity of Forestry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt
Authors: Li Deli , Li Yang , Tian Gang , Mendako Richard K.
Published: October 2023

Environmental regulatory instruments are key to achieving synergy between high-quality economic development and ecological civilization construction. This paper measures the green overall factor productivity of the forestry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt by using the super-efficient nonexpected output SBM-ML index model. Additionally, it investigates the environmental regulation’s impact on forestry’s overall green factor productivity by using the conventional panel regression and panel smooth transformation model. The model was based on the relevant data obtained from eleven provinces along the Yangtze River Economic Belt in China from 2006 to 2021. This study concludes that command-and-control regulation of the environment and public engagement with environmental regulation can significantly promote the forestry green overall factor productivity in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and the environmental regulation’s effects on the forestry green overall efficiency in the economic region of the Yangtze River are regionally and temporally heterogeneous. The command-and-control environmental regulation also needs to exceed a certain level of regulatory coercion to promote the forestry green overall factor productivity positively. The effects of market-incentive environmental regulation were more pronounced with the increase in the regulatory intensity. When the regulation intensity surpasses the threshold, the public participation form of environmental regulation has a depressing impact on the forestry green overall factor output. To promote the development of the forestry industry in the Yangtze River Economic Zone, it is therefore necessary to strengthen the coordination of different environmental regulations, implement measures in each region, build a market-oriented green innovation system, and promote the structuralization and upgrading of the forestry industry.
End-to-End Service Availability in Heterogeneous Multi-Tier Cloud–Fog–Edge Networks
Authors: Kabashkin Igor
Published: October 2023

With the evolution towards the interconnected future internet spanning satellites, aerial systems, terrestrial infrastructure, and oceanic networks, availability modeling becomes imperative to ensure reliable service. This paper presents a methodology to assess end-to-end availability in complex multi-tiered architectures using a Markov model tailored to the unique characteristics of cloud, fog, edge, and IoT layers. By quantifying individual tier reliability and combinations thereof, the approach enables setting availability targets during the design and evaluation of operational systems. In the paper, a methodology is proposed to construct a Markov model for the reliability of discrete tiers and end-to-end service availability in heterogeneous multi-tier cloud–fog–edge networks, and the model is demonstrated through numerical examples assessing availability in multi-tier networks. The numerical examples demonstrate the adaptability of the model to various topologies from conventional three-tier to arbitrary multi-level architectures. As connectivity becomes ubiquitous across heterogeneous devices and networks, the proposed approach and availability modeling provide an effective tool for reinforcing the future internet’s fault tolerance and service quality.
Application Potential of Trichoderma in the Degradation of Phenolic Acid-Modified Chitosan
Authors: Swiontek Brzezinska Maria , Kaczmarek-Szczepańska Beata , Dąbrowska Grażyna B. , Michalska-Sionkowska Marta , Dembińska Katarzyna , Richert Agnieszka , Pejchalová Marcela , Kumar Sweta Binod , Kalwasińska Agnieszka
Published: October 2023

The aim of the study was to determine the potential use of fungi of the genus Trichoderma for the degradation of phenolic acid-modified chitosan in compost. At the same time, the enzymatic activity in the compost was checked after the application of a preparation containing a suspension of the fungi Trichoderma (spores concentration 105/mL). The Trichoderma strains were characterized by high lipase and aminopeptidase activity, chitinase, and β-1,3-glucanases. T. atroviride TN1 and T. citrinoviride TN3 metabolized the modified chitosan films best. Biodegradation of modified chitosan films by native microorganisms in the compost was significantly less effective than after the application of a formulation composed of Trichoderma TN1 and TN3. Bioaugmentation with a Trichoderma preparation had a significant effect on the activity of all enzymes in the compost. The highest oxygen consumption in the presence of chitosan with tannic acid film was found after the application of the consortium of these strains (861 mg O2/kg after 21 days of incubation). Similarly, chitosan with gallic acid and chitosan with ferulic acid were found after the application of the consortium of these strains (849 mgO2/kg and 725 mg O2/kg after 21 days of incubation). The use of the Trichoderma consortium significantly increased the chitinase activity. The application of Trichoderma also offers many possibilities in sustainable agriculture. Trichoderma can not only degrade chitosan films, but also protect plants against fungal pathogens by synthesizing chitinases and β-1,3 glucanases with antifungal properties.