bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental Investigation of Thermal Runaway Characteristics of Large-Format Li(Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1)O2 Battery under Different Heating Powers and Areas
Authors: Huang Jingru , Fan Zhuwei , Xu Chengshan , Jiang Fachao , Feng Xuning
Published: July 2024

This study experimentally investigates the effects of different heating powers and areas on the jet behavior and thermal runaway (TR) of 75 Ah LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 pouch lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in an open environment. TR, a critical safety concern for LIBs, can occur under overheating conditions. The TR behavior of LIBs was characterized by flame behavior, temperature characteristics, mass variation, jet dynamics, and residue formations. The results reveal that the heating power density primarily influences the time to initiate TR. Lower power densities extend the heating time and require higher energy to induce TR, thereby exerting a more considerable impact on the battery. The heating area predominantly affects the input energy and the extent of damage. Larger areas lead to more stable jet flames, consistent peak temperatures ranging between 1000 °C and 1300 °C, and mass loss ratios ranging from 44% to 53% compared to 43% to 47% for small-area heaters. These findings provide references for the safety design of battery assemblies and the prevention of TR propagation, contributing to the safer monitoring of LIBs.
Enhancing Early Detection of Sepsis in Neonates through Multimodal Biosignal Integration: A Study of Pulse Oximetry, Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS), and Skin Temperature Monitoring
Authors: Lungu Nicoleta , Popescu Daniela-Eugenia , Jura Ana Maria Cristina , Zaharie Mihaela , Jura Mihai-Andrei , Roșca Ioana , Boia Mărioara
Published: July 2024

Sepsis continues to be challenging to diagnose due to its non-specific clinical signs and symptoms, emphasizing the importance of early detection. Our study aimed to enhance the accuracy of sepsis diagnosis by integrating multimodal monitoring technologies with conventional diagnostic methods. The research included a total of 121 newborns, with 39 cases of late-onset sepsis, 35 cases of early-onset sepsis, and 47 control subjects. Continuous monitoring of biosignals, including pulse oximetry (PO), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), and skin temperature (ST), was conducted. An algorithm was then developed in Python to identify early signs of sepsis. The model demonstrated the capability to detect sepsis 6 to 48 h in advance with an accuracy rate of 87.67 ± 7.42%. Sensitivity and specificity were recorded at 76% and 90%, respectively, with NIRS and ST having the most significant impact on predictive accuracy. Despite the promising results, limitations such as sample size, data variability, and potential biases were noted. These findings highlight the critical role of non-invasive biosensing methods in conjunction with conventional biomarkers and cultures, offering a strong foundation for early sepsis detection and improved neonatal care. Further research should be conducted to validate these results across different clinical settings.
Network Pharmacology Reveals Curcuma aeruginosa Roxb. Regulates MAPK and HIF-1 Pathways to Treat Androgenetic Alopecia
Authors: Sintos Aaron Marbyn L. , Cabrera Heherson S.
Published: July 2024

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most prevalent hair loss disorder worldwide, driven by excessive sensitivity or response to androgen. Herbal extracts, such as Curcuma aeruginosa Roxb., have shown promise in AGA treatment due to their anti-androgenic activities and hair growth effects. However, the precise mechanism of action remains unclear. Hence, this study aims to elucidate the active compounds, putative targets, and underlying mechanisms of C. aeruginosa for the therapy of AGA using network pharmacology and molecular docking. This study identified 66 bioactive compounds from C. aeruginosa, targeting 59 proteins associated with AGA. Eight hub genes were identified from the protein–protein interaction network, namely, CASP3, AKT1, AR, IL6, PPARG, STAT3, HIF1A, and MAPK3. Topological analysis of components–targets network revealed trans-verbenol, myrtenal, carvone, alpha-atlantone, and isoaromandendrene epoxide as the core components with potential significance in AGA treatment. The molecular docking verified the binding affinity between the hub genes and core compounds. Moreover, the enrichment analyses showed that C. aeruginosa is involved in hormone response and participates in HIF-1 and MAPK pathways to treat AGA. Overall, this study contributes to understanding the potential anti-AGA mechanism of C. aeruginosa by highlighting its multi-component interactions with several targets involved in AGA pathogenesis.
GNPNAT1 Serves as a Prognostic Biomarker Correlated with Immune Infiltration and Promotes Cancer Cell Metastasis through Stabilization of Snai2 in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: He Jinqi , Li Faxiang , Jing Zihan , Ren Xingmei , Jia Dexin , Zeng Yuan , Yu Yan
Published: July 2024

Background: Lung cancer is a common malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality rate. Glucosamine 6-phosphate N-acetyltransferase (GNPNAT1), which serves as a critical enzyme in hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP), has been identified as a metastasis-associated gene and is upregulated in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). However, the exact role and related mechanism of GNPNAT1 in LUAD metastasis remain unknown. Methods: We analyzed the expression of GNPNAT1 in the public databases and confirmed the results by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The biological functions of GNPNAT1 in LUAD were investigated based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Correlations between GNPNAT1 and cancer immune characteristics were analyzed via the Estimation of Stromal and Immune cells in Malignant Tumor tissues using Expression data (ESTIMATE) and Cell-type Identification by Estimating Relative Subsets of RNA Transcript (CIBERSORT) R package. The underlying mechanisms of altered GNPNAT1 expression on LUAD cell tumorigenesis, proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis were explored in vitro and in vivo. Results: We demonstrated that GNPNAT1 expression was significantly increased in LUAD and negatively associated with the overall survival (OS) of patients. hsa-miR-1-3p and hsa-miR-26a-5p were identified as upstream miRNA targets of GNPNAT1. GNPNAT1 was associated with the infiltration levels of CD8 T cells, memory-activated CD4 T cells, NK cells resting, macrophages M0, macrophages M1, neutrophils, gamma delta T cells, and eosinophils, while it was negatively correlated with memory-resting CD4 T cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs), resting NK cells, monocytes, resting dendritic cells, and resting mast cells. GNPNAT1 knockdown significantly inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, and metastasis of LUAD cells, while overexpression of GNPNAT1 revealed the opposite effects. Rescue assay showed that Snai2 knockdown reversed GNPNAT1-induced LUAD cells migration, invasion, and EMT. Mechanistically, GNPNAT1 promoted cancer cell metastasis via repressing ubiquitination degradation of Snai2 in LUAD. Conclusions: Taken together, these data indicate that GNPNAT1 serves as a prognostic biomarker for LUAD patient. Additionally, GNPNAT1 is critical for promoting tumorigenesis and metastasis of LUAD cells and may be a potential therapeutic target for preventing LUAD metastasis.
Prognosis of Pneumonia in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients Who Received Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Kao Tzu-Hsun , Chiu Tai-Jan , Wu Ching-Nung , Wu Shao-Chun , Chen Wei-Chih , Yang Yao-Hsu , Wang Yu-Ming , Luo Sheng-Dean
Published: July 2024

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is the standard treatment for patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC). Pneumonia is a significant complication in these patients. This study aims to identify pneumonia risk factors and their impact on survival in HNSCC patients undergoing CCRT. Data from the Chang Gung Research Database (CGRD) were retrospectively reviewed for patients treated between January 2007 and December 2019. Of 6959 patients, 1601 (23.01%) developed pneumonia, resulting in a median overall survival (OS) of 1.2 years compared to 4.9 years in the non-pneumonia group (p < 0.001). The pneumonia group included older patients with advanced tumors, more patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), more patients with invasive procedures, longer chemotherapy and radiotherapy durations, and lower body weight. The 2-year, 5-year, and 10-year OS rates were significantly lower in the pneumonia group. Multivariate analysis identified alcohol consumption, DM, gastrostomy, nasogastric tube use, longer chemotherapy, and a 2-week radiotherapy delay as independent risk factors. Understanding these risks can lead to early interventions to prevent severe pneumonia-related complications. A better understanding of the risks of pneumonia enables early and aggressive interventions to prevent severe complications.
Endometriosis in Transgender Men: Bridging Gaps in Research and Care—A Narrative Review
Authors: Kaltsas Aris , Stavropoulos Marios , Symeonidis Evangelos N. , Kratiras Zisis , Zachariou Athanasios , Zikopoulos Athanasios , Chrisofos Efthalia Emmanouela , Dimitriadis Fotios , Sofikitis Nikolaos , Chrisofos Michael
Published: July 2024

Endometriosis is a debilitating gynecological condition commonly seen in individuals designated female at birth; however, there has been limited research focused on its prevalence and impact among transgender men. This narrative review aims to fill a critical knowledge gap by exploring the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, management strategies, and quality-of-life implications of endometriosis among transgender individuals who identify as male. Specifically, this study seeks to estimate the prevalence rates and describe the symptoms experienced by transgender men undergoing testosterone therapy. Additionally, it addresses the diagnostic challenges posed by hormonal treatments and the lack of culturally competent healthcare services for this population. Recent molecular studies indicate that hormonal imbalances, such as increased estrogen synthesis and progesterone resistance, are significant factors in the persistence of endometriosis symptoms despite testosterone therapy. Moreover, evidence suggests that testosterone therapy may not always suppress endometrial activity completely, contributing to the persistence of symptoms in some individuals. Endometriosis in transgender men requires personalized approaches that consider both testosterone therapy and its interactions with endometriosis, as well as fertility preservation and the psychosocial aspects of treatment. This review emphasizes the necessity of taking an inclusive approach in both research and clinical practice to improve healthcare outcomes for this underserved population. The results demonstrate how continued research, education, and healthcare services tailored specifically to transgender men are necessary to better understand and treat endometriosis, thus improving both their overall health and quality of life.
Thiram Determination in Milk Samples by Surface Plasmon Resonance Based on Molecularly Imprinted Polymers and Sulphur-Doped Titanium Dioxide
Authors: Harmankaya Sezen , Deveci Hacı Ahmet , Harmankaya Ahmet , Gül Fatma Hazan , Atar Necip , Yola Mehmet Lütfi
Published: July 2024

In this work, a new surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor based on sulphur-doped titanium dioxide (S-TiO2) nanostructures and molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was presented for thiram (THI) determination in milk samples. Firstly, the S-TiO2 nanomaterial with a high product yield was prepared by using a facile sol-gel hydrolysis technique with a high product yield. After that, UV polymerization was carried out for the preparation of the THI-imprinted SPR chip based on S-TiO2 using a mixture including ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the cross-linker, N,N′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the initiator, and methacryloylamidoglutamicacid (MAGA) as the monomer. The reliability of the sensor preparation procedure has been successfully proven by characterization studies of the prepared nanomaterials and SPR chip surfaces through spectroscopic, microscopic, and electrochemical methods. As a result, the prepared SPR sensor showed linearity in the range of 1.0 × 10−9–1.0 × 10−7 M with a detection limit (LOD) of 3.3 × 10−10 M in the real samples, and a sensor technique for THI determination with high sensitivity, repeatability, and selectivity can be included in the literature.
The Role of Contextual Variables and Structural Diversity on College Students’ Engineering Self-Efficacy
Authors: Lee Bo Hyun , Hu Xiaotian , Flores Lisa Y. , Navarro Rachel L.
Published: July 2024

Structural diversity is defined as the numerical representation of diverse racial/ethnic student groups on campus as one way of exposing students to diversity in higher education. The current study implemented the concept of structural diversity on faculty in higher education, given the significant and unique roles in STEM education. We integrated the proportion of URM faculty within the College of Engineering as a moderating variable in the social cognitive career theory (SCCT) model. With a sample of 254 diverse engineering students from six universities, the results indicated that both perceived engineering barriers and perceived engineering supports significantly related to perceived self-efficacy even after controlling for the effects of the other. Perceived engineering supports mediated the effects of engineering barriers on self-efficacy. Moreover, a moderated mediation effect by the proportion of URM faculty was observed, showing that when the proportion of URM faculty reached a certain level, high levels of perceived engineering barriers had no effect on increasing perceived engineering supports. Implications for fostering career development in engineering with a systematic-tailored approach are discussed.
Static and Dynamic Response Analysis of Flexible Photovoltaic Mounts
Authors: Lou Yibing , Zhang Jian , Pan Yuxin
Published: July 2024

Traditional rigid photovoltaic (PV) support structures exhibit several limitations during operational deployment. Therefore, flexible PV mounting systems have been developed. These flexible PV supports, characterized by their heightened sensitivity to wind loading, necessitate a thorough analysis of their static and dynamic responses. This study involves the development of a MATLAB code to simulate the fluctuating wind load time series and the subsequent structural modeling in SAP2000 to evaluate the safety performance of flexible PV supports under extreme wind conditions. The research explores the critical wind speeds relative to varying spans and prestress levels within the system. Modal analysis reveals that the flexible PV support structures do not experience resonant frequencies that could amplify oscillations. The analysis also provides insights into the mode shapes of these structures. An analysis of the wind-induced vibration responses of the flexible PV support structures was conducted. The results indicated that the mid-span displacements and the axial forces in the wind-resistant cables are greater under wind-pressure conditions compared to wind-suction conditions. Conversely, for mid-span accelerations, the wind-suction conditions resulted in higher values than the wind-pressure conditions. Furthermore, the wind-induced vibration coefficients were computed, with findings suggesting a recommended coefficient range of 1.5 to 2.52. To mitigate wind-induced vibrations, structural reinforcement strategies were assessed. The results indicate that the introduction of support beams at the mid-span is the most effective measure to attenuate wind-induced vibrational responses. Conversely, increasing the diameter of the tensioned cables exhibited a negligible effect in reducing these responses. On the other hand, implementing stabilizing cables at the mid-span demonstrated a substantial reduction in wind-induced vibrational responses under suction wind-load conditions.
Damage Evaluation of Fabricated Shear Wall Reinforced with Angle Steel Using Acoustic Emission Technology
Authors: Han Ruiqing , Li Shengli , Wu Guangming
Published: July 2024

The fabricated shear wall with a grouting sleeve is used widely in structural engineering. The damage characteristics of a fabricated shear wall reinforced with angle steel of inadequate grouted material strength were investigated using acoustic emission (AE) technology under a horizontal repeated load. The results showed that evaluation of the AE energy and Ib value exposed the crack expansion and damage evolution of the fabricated shear walls; the sudden rise in the energy level predicted the occurrence of micro-cracks in the shear wall. The trends of the AE accumulated energy and accumulated hysteretic energy of the specimens had a good correlation. The AE Ib value results illustrated that the destruction was most serious inside the shear wall with an inadequate grouted material strength at the failure stage. The trends of AE HI and Sr could better characterize the crack propagation of the shear walls. The AE damage model was proposed based on the Park–Ang damage model incorporating fractal energy density, which could effectively evaluate the damage degree of shear walls under repeated loading.
Living Walls and Green Façades: An Implementation Code for Energy Simulation
Authors: Nesci Valeria , Ballarini Ilaria , Rando Mazzarino Pietro , Corrado Vincenzo
Published: July 2024

The impacts of climate change, excessive greenhouse gas emissions, and the current energy crisis have motivated the European Union to adopt mitigation and adaptation strategies. These strategies primarily focus on the building sector due to its crucial role in addressing these issues. Among the strategies, the implementation of resilient technologies for the building envelope, such as vertical greenery systems (VGSs) is gaining ground. The literature analysis shows that existing models are not sufficiently detailed in their description of the overall thermo-physical phenomena of VGSs. The aim of this work is to overcome the research gaps by selecting and improving two mathematical models for green façades and living walls. A dedicated calculation code to estimate the effect of VGSs on a building’s energy performance and indoor thermal comfort has been developed and implemented within the EnergyPlus calculation software (version 23.2). A BESTest Case from ASHRAE 140 was chosen to test the models and to assess benefits of VGSs. The results show that adopting green solutions for the building envelope can contribute to achieving the building’s energy efficiency goals and that the modelling of these technologies can be easily carried out within a dynamic energy simulation of the building.
Comparison of Alternatives for Multi-MW Wind Turbine Towers in Northern Patagonia, Argentina
Authors: Apcarian Anabel , Contreras Gabriel , Labriola Juan Manuel , Quiróz Emmanuel
Published: July 2024

The Patagonian region of Argentina has great wind potential. In this geographical area of complex terrain, the local wind is influenced by the proximity of the Andes Mountain chain, and it is very intense and turbulent. The wind profiles, turbulence intensity, and average wind speeds at the site do not meet the recommended values in the standards. This issue could have a significant impact on the design loads for structures installed in the region. The objective of this work was to compare the behavior under extreme wind load on different types of towers for multi-MW wind turbines in situ. For this, a hybrid tower, a concrete tower, and a steel tower of equal dimensions were compared. Additionally, we analyzed the influence of the cross-sectional shape of concrete on hybrid towers. The flow pattern around the structures was studied using a solid wall model. As for the towers, we implemented a stress–strain elastic analysis. We calculated the stress fields, displacement fields, and aerodynamic behavior for each tower. We conclude that hybrid towers present the most optimal behavior. Among the different cross-sectional shapes analyzed for this type of tower, we found that all of them show advantages and disadvantages, with the circular section being the one that has the highest average performance from the resistance and aerodynamic standpoint.
Investigating the Potential of Green-Fabricated Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles to Inhibit the Foodborne Pathogenic Bacteria Isolated from Spoiled Fruits
Authors: Fouda Amr , Abdel-Rahman Mohammed Ali , Eid Ahmed M. , Selim Samy , Ejaz Hasan , Alruwaili Muharib , Manni Emad , Almuhayawi Mohammed S. , Al Jaouni Soad K. , Hassan Saad El-Din
Published: July 2024

In the current investigation, the antibacterial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) formed by an aqueous extract of Psidium guajava leaves against foodborne pathogenic bacterial strains was investigated. To achieve this goal, 33 bacterial isolates were obtained from spoiled fruits. Among these isolates, 79% showed cellulase activity, 82% showed amylase activity, 81% exhibited xylanase potential, and 65% exhibited lipase activity. Moreover, 12 isolates showed complete hemolysis (β-hemolysis). The identification of these isolates was done using sequencing and amplification of 16s rRNA as Staphylococcus aureus (two strains), Pseudomonas syringae (one strain), E. coli (two strains), Salmonella typhimurium (two strains), Listeria monocytogenes (one isolate), Bacillus cereus (two isolates), and Bacillus subtilis (two isolates). The formed ZnO-NPs by aqueous Psidium guajava leaf extract were characterized using UV, FT-IR, TEM, EDX, XRD, DLS, and Zeta potential. The data revealed the successful formation of a spherical shape, crystallographic structure, and well-arranged ZnO-NPs. FT-IR showed the effect of different functional groups in the plant extract in the formation of ZnO-NPs through reducing, capping, and stabilizing of end products. Moreover, EDX analysis showed that the Zn ion occupied the main component of the produced NPs. Interestingly, the obtained bacterial strains showed varied sensitivity toward green-synthesized ZnO-NPs. The growth inhibition of foodborne pathogenic strains by ZnO-NPs was concentration dependent, forming a zone of inhibition in the range of 20–23 mm at a concentration of 200 µg mL−1, which decreased to 15–18 mm at 100 µg mL−1. Moreover, the values of MIC were 25 and 50 µg mL−1 based on the bacterial strain. Overall, the green-synthesized ZnO-NPs can be a useful approach for inhibiting the growth of spoilage bacterial strains that destroy fruits and hence reduce the harmful effects of traditional treatment methods on the environment and human health.
Sclerostin and Wnt Signaling in Idiopathic Juvenile Osteoporosis Using High-Resolution Confocal Microscopy for Three-Dimensional Analyses
Authors: Pereira Renata C. , Noche Kathleen J. , Gales Barbara , Chen Zhangying , Salusky Isidro B. , Albrecht Lauren V.
Published: July 2024

Background: Idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis (IJO) is a rare condition characterized by low bone mass that can increase the risk of fractures in children. Treatment options for these patients are limited as the molecular mechanisms of disease initiation and progression are incompletely understood. Sclerostin inhibits canonical Wnt signaling, which is important for the bone formation activity of osteoblasts, and elevated sclerostin has been implicated in adult osteoporosis. Objective: To evaluate the role of sclerostin in IJO, high-resolution confocal microscopy analyses were performed on bone biopsies collected from 13 pediatric patients. Methods: Bone biopsies were stained with sclerostin, and β-catenin antibodies showed elevated expression across osteocytes and increased sclerostin-positive osteocytes in 8 of the 13 total IJO patients (62%). Results: Skeletal sclerostin was associated with static and dynamic histomorphometric parameters. Further, colocalization analyses showed that bone sclerostin colocalized with phosphorylated β-catenin, a hallmark of Wnt signaling that indicates Wnt inhibition. In contrast, sclerostin-positive osteocytes were not colocalized with an “active” unphosphorylated form of β-catenin. Conclusions: These results support a model that altered levels of sclerostin and Wnt signaling activity occur in IJO patients.
ADRB2 and ADCY9 Sequence Variations in Brazilian Asthmatic Patients
Authors: Silva Viviane da C. , Teixeira Raquel L. de F. , do Livramento Rebecca E. E. N. O. , Lopes Márcia Q. P. , Leal-Calvo Thyago , Filho José E. , Luduvice Márcia B. V. , Rodrigues Lilian de C. , Bossois Marcello , Schlinkert Patricia F. , Neves Anderson S. , Suffys Philip N. , Lapa e Silva José Roberto Lapa e , Santos Adalberto R.
Published: July 2024

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory respiratory condition, characterized by variable airflow limitation, leading to clinical symptoms such as dyspnea and chest tightness. These symptoms result from an underlying inflammatory process. The β2 agonists are bronchodilators prescribed for the relief of the disease. Nevertheless, their efficacy exhibits substantial interindividual variability. Currently, there is widespread recognition of the association between specific genetic variants, predominantly located within the ADRB2 and ADCY9 genes and their efficacy. This association, usually represented by the presence of non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have a strong impact in the protein functionality. The prevalence of these mutations varies based on the ethnic composition of the population and thus understanding the profiles of variability in different populations would contribute significantly to standardizing the use of these medications. In this study, we conducted a sequence-based genotyping of the relevant SNPs within the ADRB2 and ADCY9 genes in patients undergoing treatment with bronchodilators and/or corticosteroids at two healthcare facilities in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We investigated the presence of c.46A>G, c.79C>G, c.252G>A, and c.491C>T SNPs within the ADRB2, and c.1320018 A>G within the ADCY9. Our results were in line with existing literature data with both for individuals in Brazil and Latin American.
Genotypic Variability in Response to Heat Stress and Post-Stress Compensatory Growth in Mungbean Plants (Vigna radiata [L.] Wilczek)
Authors: Singh Vijaya , Collins Marisa
Published: July 2024

Understanding genotypic variability in tolerance to heat stress during flowering, a critical growth stage, and post-stress recovery remains limited in mungbean (Vigna radiata) genotypes. This study investigates the genetic variability in in vitro pollen viability, seed set, and grain yield among mungbean genotypes in response to transient high temperatures. Thirteen genotypes were evaluated in a glasshouse study, and four in a field study, subjected to high temperatures (around 40 °C/22 °C day/night) imposed midday during flowering. Across all genotypes, the pollen viability percentage significantly decreased from 70% to 30%, accompanied by reductions in the pod size and seed number per pod, and increases in unfertilized pods and unviable seeds. However, the seed yield per plant significantly increased for four genotypes (M12036, Celera-II AU, Crystal, and M11238/AGG325961), attributed to elevated shoot growth and pod numbers under high-temperature treatment in the glasshouse study. Conversely, Satin II, which exhibited the highest stress tolerance index, recorded a greater seed yield under optimum conditions compared to high temperatures. Similar genotypic variability in post-heat-stress recovery and rapid growth was observed in the field study. Under non-limiting water conditions, mungbean genotypes with a relatively more indeterminate growth habit mitigated the heat stress’s impact on their pollen viability by swiftly increasing their post-stress vegetative and reproductive growth. The physiological mechanisms underlying post-stress rapid growth in these genotypes warrant further investigation and consideration in future breeding trials and mitigation strategies.
Rare Presentation, Critical Diagnosis: Primary Actinomycosis of the Foot
Authors: Dorobanțu Alexandra Maria , Lupu Mihai , Popa Liliana Gabriela , Tatar Raluca , Giurcaneanu Calin , Tudose Irina , Orzan Olguta Anca
Published: July 2024

Actinomycosis, an uncommon granulomatous infection caused by the Actinomyces species, rarely targets as primary involvement the limb and is often linked to traumatic incidents. In this report, we present the case of a 44-year-old female who developed multiple small nodules on her left foot over approximately 12 months. Some nodules exhibited firmness and a violet hue, while others discharged a yellowish fluid. The patient had no significant comorbidities. Despite thorough blood paraclinical assessments, including complete blood count, serological HIV testing, and QuantiFERON-TB Gold testing, no abnormalities were detected. Bacteriological examinations and cultures of the discharge yielded negative results. Dermatoscopic examination revealed ovoid yellowish structures, with confocal microscopy highlighting granulomas. A subsequent skin biopsy confirmed characteristic changes indicative of actinomycosis. Although systemic antibiotic therapy with penicillin derivatives was initially considered, the patient’s documented allergic history to this medication class, verified through allergological testing, prompted the initiation of doxycycline treatment. Notably, significant improvement was observed at the 3-month follow-up. This case underscores the importance of reporting rare instances of actinomycosis due to its diagnostic complexity and management challenges.
Graph Adaptive Attention Network with Cross-Entropy
Authors: Chen Zhao
Published: July 2024

Non-Euclidean data, such as social networks and citation relationships between documents, have node and structural information. The Graph Convolutional Network (GCN) can automatically learn node features and association information between nodes. The core ideology of the Graph Convolutional Network is to aggregate node information by using edge information, thereby generating a new node feature. In updating node features, there are two core influencing factors. One is the number of neighboring nodes of the central node; the other is the contribution of the neighboring nodes to the central node. Due to the previous GCN methods not simultaneously considering the numbers and different contributions of neighboring nodes to the central node, we design the adaptive attention mechanism (AAM). To further enhance the representational capability of the model, we utilize Multi-Head Graph Convolution (MHGC). Finally, we adopt the cross-entropy (CE) loss function to describe the difference between the predicted results of node categories and the ground truth (GT). Combined with backpropagation, this ultimately achieves accurate node classification. Based on the AAM, MHGC, and CE, we contrive the novel Graph Adaptive Attention Network (GAAN). The experiments show that classification accuracy achieves outstanding performances on Cora, Citeseer, and Pubmed datasets.
Optimization Method of Interrupted Sampling Frequency Shift Repeater Jamming Based on Group Teaching Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Qi Jianchi , Li Shengyong , Chen Jian , Li Hongke
Published: July 2024

Distributed interrupted sampling repeater jamming (D-ISRJ) is the application of interrupted sampling repeater jamming technology within the framework of distributed jamming systems. It can generate coherent false targets after passing through the target radar’s matched filter, but these false targets exhibit strong regularity in range and amplitude. Addressing this issue, a distributed interrupted sampling frequency-shifted repeater jamming method based on the group teaching optimization algorithm (GTOA) is proposed in this paper. By introducing frequency-shifted modulation during the retransmission of the jamming signal, the frequency shift amount of the jamming unit in each round of repeater jamming is used as an optimization variable to construct an optimization model for distributed interrupted sampling frequency-shifted repeater jamming. The parameters are then solved by using GTOA. Simulations are conducted to analyze the jamming effects under different distributed jamming modes, and the proposed optimization algorithm is compared to common swarm intelligence algorithms in the same optimization model. The method proposed in this paper can be used in the field of precision electronic warfare to improve the jamming effect of synthetic aperture radar. Experimental results show that under the given simulation conditions, the jamming signal generated by the proposed method can achieve better jamming effects.
Anomaly Detection Based on GCNs and DBSCAN in a Large-Scale Graph
Authors: Retiti Diop Emane Christopher , Song Sangho , Lee Hyeonbyeong , Choi Dojin , Lim Jongtae , Bok Kyoungsoo , Yoo Jaesoo
Published: July 2024

Anomaly detection is critical across domains, from cybersecurity to fraud prevention. Graphs, adept at modeling intricate relationships, offer a flexible framework for capturing complex data structures. This paper proposes a novel anomaly detection approach, combining Graph Convolutional Networks (GCNs) and Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN). GCNs, a specialized deep learning model for graph data, extracts meaningful node and edge representations by incorporating graph topology and attribute information. This facilitates learning expressive node embeddings capturing local and global structural patterns. For anomaly detection, DBSCAN, a density-based clustering algorithm effective in identifying clusters of varying densities amidst noise, is employed. By defining a minimum distance threshold and a minimum number of points within that distance, DBSCAN proficiently distinguishes normal graph elements from anomalies. Our approach involves training a GCN model on a labeled graph dataset, generating appropriately labeled node embeddings. These embeddings serve as input to DBSCAN, identifying clusters and isolating anomalies as noise points. The evaluation on benchmark datasets highlights the superior performance of our approach in anomaly detection compared to traditional methods. The fusion of GCNs and DBSCAN demonstrates a significant potential for accurate and efficient anomaly detection in graphs. This research contributes to advancing graph-based anomaly detection, with promising applications in domains where safeguarding data integrity and security is paramount.
Research on the Use of an Ocean Turbulence Bubble Simulation Model to Analyze Wireless Optical Transmission Characteristics
Authors: Zhu Yunzhou , Nie Huan , Liu Qian , Yang Yi , Zhang Jianlei
Published: July 2024

Turbulent vortices with uneven refractive indices and sizes affect the transmission quality of laser beams in seawater, diminishing the performance of underwater wireless optical communication systems. Currently, the phase screen simulation model constrains the range of turbulent vortex scales that can be analyzed, and the mutual restrictions of the phase screen parameters are not suitable for use on large-scale turbulent vortices. Referring to the formation process of turbulent vortices based on Kolmogorov’s turbulence structure energy theory, this study abstractly models the process and simulates the ocean turbulence effect as a spherical bubble with turbulent refractive index fluctuations using the Monte Carlo method, which is verified by fitting the probability distribution function of the received light intensity. The influence of the turbulence bubble model’s parameters on light intensity undulation and logarithmic intensity variance, as well as the relationship between logarithmic intensity variance and the equivalent structural constant, are then studied. An equivalent structural constant model of ocean turbulence represented by the bubble model’s parameters is established, which link the theoretical values with simulation values of the transmission characteristics. The simulation results show that the spherical bubble model’s simulation of ocean turbulence is effective and accurate; therefore, the model can provide an effective Monte Carlo simulation method for analyzing the impact of ocean turbulence channel parameters of the large-scale turbulent vortices on wireless underwater optical transmission characteristics.
A Bayesian-Attack-Graph-Based Security Assessment Method for Power Systems
Authors: Chen Lu , Zhang Tao , Ma Yuanyuan , Li Yong , Wang Chen , He Chuan , Lv Zhuo , Li Nuannuan
Published: July 2024

In today’s highly advanced information technology environment, modern network and communication technologies are widely used in monitoring and controlling power systems. These technologies have evolved significantly. They now form a high-performance digital system known as the cyber–physical power system. However, vulnerabilities in communication networks present growing threats to these systems. This paper seeks to enhance the accurate assessment of the security posture of cyber-physical power systems by inferring attackers’ intentions. A threat modeling approach based on Bayesian attack graphs is presented, employing Bayesian networks to define and evaluate potential threats that attackers could pose to different system infrastructures. The paper initially conducts a qualitative analysis of the system’s threats, constructing a directed graph structure and establishing conditional probability tables among nodes based on prior knowledge. Subsequently, methods are developed to compute the threat levels at different system nodes using real-time detected attack events. Further analysis methods and security assessment metrics are also developed to identify attack paths and quantify system security. Finally, a Bayesian attack graph is constructed in accordance with the system’s structure. In practical scenarios, the attack path analysis method can predict the most vulnerable attack paths, while the absolute values of the security assessment metrics indicate the overall risk level of the system.
Enhancing Autonomous Driving Navigation Using Soft Actor-Critic
Authors: Elallid Badr , Benamar Nabil , Bagaa Miloud , Hadjadj-Aoul Yassine
Published: July 2024

Autonomous vehicles have gained extensive attention in recent years, both in academia and industry. For these self-driving vehicles, decision-making in urban environments poses significant challenges due to the unpredictable behavior of traffic participants and intricate road layouts. While existing decision-making approaches based on Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) show potential for tackling urban driving situations, they suffer from slow convergence, especially in complex scenarios with high mobility. In this paper, we present a new approach based on the Soft Actor-Critic (SAC) algorithm to control the autonomous vehicle to enter roundabouts smoothly and safely and ensure it reaches its destination without delay. For this, we introduce a destination vector concatenated with extracted features using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN). To evaluate the performance of our model, we conducted extensive experiments in the CARLA simulator and compared it with the Deep Q-Network (DQN) and Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) models. Qualitative results reveal that our model converges rapidly and achieves a high success rate in scenarios with high traffic compared to the DQN and PPO models.
Sourdough Bread Quality: Facts and Factors
Authors: Islam Md Ahmadul , Islam Shahidul
Published: July 2024

The term “sourdough” denotes a dough composed of flour and water, fermented through the action of yeast and lactic acid bacteria. The utilization of sourdough fermentation technology can enhance the nutritional attributes of bread made from wheat grain. In recent times, sourdough bread has experienced a resurgence, fueled by growing consumer demand for healthier bread options. The market dynamics for sourdough illustrate its rapid expansion and significant role in the contemporary food industry. Sourdough fermentation improves nutritional qualities by altering the structure and function of proteins and starch, enhancing dietary fiber, volatile compound profiles, and antioxidant activity, and reducing FODMAPs. The quality of sourdough bread is influenced by several factors, including fermentation environment, flour particle size, protein quality, starch characteristics, and dietary fiber composition. Moreover, the incorporation of alternative grains (intermediate wheatgrass and legume flour) and non-flour ingredients (fruits, herbs, and dairy products) presents opportunities for creating sourdough bread with unique sensory and nutritional profiles. This review offers updated insights on the quality aspects of sourdough fermentation, the factors that influence the effectiveness of the sourdough fermentation process, sourdough technology with unconventional and non-flour ingredients, and the potential market for frozen sourdough, considering its convenience and extended shelf life.
Impact of the Russia-Ukraine Conflict on International Staple Agrifood Trade Networks
Authors: Zhang Yin-Ting , Li Mu-Yao , Zhou Wei-Xing
Published: July 2024

The Russia-Ukraine conflict is a growing concern worldwide and poses serious threats to regional and global food security. Using monthly trade data for maize, rice, and wheat from 2016/1 to 2023/12, this paper constructs three international crop trade networks and an aggregate international food trade network. We aim to examine the structural changes following the occurrence of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. We find significant shifts in the number of edges, average in-degree, density, and efficiency in the third quarter of 2022, particularly in the international wheat trade network. Additionally, we have shown that political reasons have caused more pronounced changes in the trade connections between the economies of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Russia than with Ukraine. This paper could provide insights into the negative impact of geopolitical conflicts on the global food system and encourage a series of effective strategies to mitigate the negative impact of the conflict on global food trade.
Differential Effects of Somatostatin on TNF Receptors and Apoptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Lines
Authors: Georgiadou Maria , Notas George , Tsomidis Ioannis , Voumbouraki Argyro , Drygiannakis Ioannis , Emmanouil George , Kouroumalis Elias
Published: July 2024

The anti-tumoral activity of somatostatin has been demonstrated in both animal experiments and human tumors. Clinical trials have reported conflicting results. We therefore hypothesized that somatostatin might have different effects in various hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Their clarification would possibly allow for the better selection of patients suitable for the optimal treatment results. We studied the mRNA and protein expression of TNF receptors and the TNFa-induced apoptosis using the HepG2 and the Hep3B human hepatocellular carcinoma cells after incubation with the somatostatin analog octreotide. RT-PCR, Western blot, and parameters associated with apoptosis (NF-kB nuclear translocation, P65 Ser536 and P65 Ser468 phosphorylation, DNA fragmentation) were assessed. Only TNFR1 was constitutively present in the two cell lines. Octreotide incubation led to an earlier reduction in TNFR1 mRNA and protein in HepG2 compared to Hep3B cells (1 h and 6–12 h, respectively). NF-kB translocation to the nucleus was induced by TNFa and was more prominent in Hep3B. Translocation was unaffected by octreotide. Serine phosphorylation was significantly induced by TNFa and was more evident in the Hep3B cells. TNFa-induced Ser536 phosphorylation was inhibited by octreotide only in the HepG2 cells. DNA fragmentation was not influenced by either octreotide or TNFa in the HepG2 cells, but TNFa induced fragmentation in the Hep3B cells (1.8-fold increase) verified by the TUNEL index (43 compared to 19 for the HepG2 cells). Octreotide and TNFa co-incubation induced apoptosis in the HepG2 cells (1.7-fold increase compared to controls) but inhibited apoptosis in the Hep3B cells. We conclude that: (1) octreotide reduced TNFR1 receptor expression in both cell lines, (2) parameters of apoptosis were differentially affected by octreotide in the two cell lines, and (3) this might be a partial explanation for the conflicting results of somatostatin analog treatment in human hepatocellular carcinoma trials.
Exploring the Dietary, Lifestyle, and Demographic Factors Associated with Risk for Colorectal Cancer and Colorectal Abnormalities in a Fecal Immunochemical Test-Positive Population: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Kingdom of Bahrain
Authors: Sharif Omar , Freije Afnan , Al-Thawadi Salwa , Alromaihi Dalal , Alsaffar Fida , Juma Essam , Abubaker Faisal , Barakat Abdulrahman , Alhammadi Mariam , Mahmood Zeyad , Hejres Suha , Matar Hanan , Trezza Alice , Rondanelli Mariangela , Perna Simone
Published: July 2024

Background/Objectives: Colorectal cancer incidence in Bahrain occurs at a ratio of 13.4–18.8 per 100,000 persons after age standardization. This study aims to explore the relationship between colorectal cancer/abnormalities and different lifestyle factors. Secondly, it aims to explore the association between f-Hb levels, colonoscopy findings, and lifestyle factors in a FIT-positive population in Bahrain. Method: A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed for patients positive for FIT and who had a colonoscopy. Different dietary and demographic factors as well as f-Hb levels were assessed. Results: A total of 559 (M: 330; F: 229) subjects were enrolled in this study. Subjects with CRC had significantly higher f-Hb concentrations (median: 1269 μg/mg) when compared with subjects of other groups. Higher percentages of CRC as well as large and small polyps were recorded in males. However, there was no significant difference in f-Hb concentration between males and females (p = 0.90). Higher median levels were found for f-Hb in patients with Q3 (higher red meat consumption) compared to Q1 and Q2 in the category with CRC, despite there being no statistically significant differences among the groups (p = 0.742). Similar results for coffee consumption and f-Hb concentrations in the different groups have been recorded (p = 0.697). A higher quartile of red meat consumption was associated with an increase in CRC risk of 79.9%. Coffee consumption reflected a lower risk of CRC by −47% moving from Q1 to Q2, while BMI was found to be a risk factor (+44%) for CRC. Conclusion: This study highlighted that high f-Hb concentration can be used as a predictive biomarker of CRC.