bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TXH11106: A Third-Generation MreB Inhibitor with Enhanced Activity against a Broad Range of Gram-Negative Bacterial Pathogens
Authors: Bryan Eric J. , Sagong Hye Yeon , Parhi Ajit K. , Grier Mark C. , Roberge Jacques Y. , LaVoie Edmond J. , Pilch Daniel S.
Published: May 2022

The emergence of multi-drug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens highlights an urgent clinical need to explore and develop new antibiotics with novel antibacterial targets. MreB is a promising antibacterial target that functions as an essential elongasome protein in most Gram-negative bacterial rods. Here, we describe a third-generation MreB inhibitor (TXH11106) with enhanced bactericidal activity versus the Gram-negative pathogens Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa compared to the first- and second-generation compounds A22 and CBR-4830, respectively. Large inocula of these four pathogens are associated with a low frequency of resistance (FOR) to TXH11106. The enhanced bactericidal activity of TXH11106 relative to A22 and CBR-4830 correlates with a correspondingly enhanced capacity to inhibit E. coli MreB ATPase activity via a noncompetitive mechanism. Morphological changes induced by TXH11106 in E. coli, K. pneumoniae, A. baumannii, and P. aeruginosa provide further evidence supporting MreB as the bactericidal target of the compound. Taken together, our results highlight the potential of TXH11106 as an MreB inhibitor with activity against a broad spectrum of Gram-negative bacterial pathogens of acute clinical importance.
The Economic Impact of Carbapenem Resistant-Non Lactose Fermenter and Enterobacteriaceae Infections on Hospital Costs in Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital Surabaya, Indonesia
Authors: Lashari Yasmeen , Rochmanti Maftuchah , Purba Abdul Khairul Rizki , Notobroto Hari Basuki , Sarassari Rosantia , Kuntaman Kuntaman
Published: May 2022

Background: Carbapenem resistant-non lactose fermenter (CR-NLF) and Carbapenem resistant-Enterobacteriaceae (CR-E) bacterial infections are likely to be a global threat to people’s health. However, studies on the economic impacts according to the hospital setting are very scarce. The study aimed to explore the impact of CR-NLF (Acinetobacter baumannii = CRAB) & Pseudomonas aeruginosa = CRPA) and CR-E (Escherichia coli = CREC) & Klebsiella pneumoniae = CRKP) infections on hospital costs from a payer perspective among patients admitted to Dr.Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia. Methods: In the retrospective case-control study, medical records of all included patients hospitalized during 2018–2021 were reviewed for CRAB, CRPA, CREC, CRKP, and carbapenem sensitive (CSAB, CSPA, CSEC, CSKP) were collected. We retrieved the data of age, gender, clinical specimen, dates of admission, and discharge status. The outcomes of interest were hospital length of stay and hospitalization cost. Results: The cost for CR-NLFs infections was higher than carbapenem sensitive, $3026.24 versus $1299.28 (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between CR-E against carbapenem sensitive. It showed that the highest impact of the cost was CRAB, followed by CRPA, CRKP, and CREC. The bed, antibiotics, pharmacy, and diagnostic costs of CR-NLFIs were significantly higher than CR-E. Conclusion: This study showed that the hospital cost and expenditure of CR-NLFs per patient were higher than CS. The hospital cost per patient for CR-NLF was higher than CR-E.
Hesperidin-, Curcumin-, and Amphotericin B- Based Nano-Formulations as Potential Antibacterials
Authors: Akbar Noor , Kawish Muhammad , Khan Naveed , Shah Muhammad , Alharbi Ahmad , Alfahemi Hasan , Siddiqui Ruqaiyyah
Published: May 2022

To combat the public health threat posed by multiple-drug-resistant (MDR) pathogens, new drugs with novel chemistry and modes of action are needed. In this study, several drugs including Hesperidin (HES), curcumin (CUR), and Amphotericin B (AmpB) drug–nanoparticle formulations were tested for antibacterial strength against MDR Gram-positive bacteria, including Bacillus cereus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Gram-negative bacteria, including Escherichia coli K1, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, and Serratia marcescens. Nanoparticles were synthesized and subjected to Atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, and Zetasizer for their detailed characterization. Antibacterial assays were performed to determine their bactericidal efficacy. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays were carried out to measure drugs’ and drug–nanoparticles’ cytotoxic effects on human cells. Spherical NPs ranging from 153 to 300 nm were successfully synthesized. Results from antibacterial assays revealed that drugs and drug–nanoparticle formulations exerted bactericidal activity against MDR bacteria. Hesperidin alone failed to exhibit antibacterial effects but, upon conjugation with cinnamic-acid-based magnetic nanoparticle, exerted significant bactericidal activity against both the Gram-positive and Gram-negative isolates. AmpB-LBA-MNPs produced consistent, potent antibacterial efficacy (100% kill) against all Gram-positive bacteria. AmpB-LBA-MNPs showed strong antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Intriguingly, all the drugs and their conjugated counterpart except AmpB showed minimal cytotoxicity against human cells. In summary, these innovative nanoparticle formulations have the potential to be utilized as therapeutic agents against infections caused by MDR bacteria and represent a significant advancement in our effort to counter MDR bacterial infections.
The Role of Abdominal Drain Cultures in Managing Abdominal Infections
Authors: De Waele Jan J. , Boelens Jerina , Van De Putte Dirk , Huis In ‘t Veld Diana , Coenye Tom
Published: May 2022

Intra-abdominal infections (IAI) are common in hospitalized patients, both in and outside of the intensive care unit. Management principles include antimicrobial therapy and source control. Typically, these infections are polymicrobial, and intra-operative samples will guide the targeted antimicrobial therapy. Although the use of prophylactic abdominal drains in patients undergoing abdominal surgery is decreasing, the use of drains to treat IAI, both in surgical and non-surgical strategies for abdominal infection, is increasing. In this context, samples from abdominal drains are often used to assist in antimicrobial decision making. In this narrative review, we provide an overview of the current role of abdominal drains in surgery, discuss the importance of biofilm formation in abdominal drains and the mechanisms involved, and review the clinical data on the use of sampling these drains for diagnostic purposes. We conclude that biofilm formation and the colonization of abdominal drains is common, which precludes the use of abdominal fluid to reliably diagnose IAI and identify the pathogens involved. We recommend limiting the use of drains and, when present, avoiding routine microbiological sampling.
Management of Helicobacter Pylori Infection and Effectiveness Rates in Daily Clinical Practice in Spain: 2010–2019
Authors: Ariño Pérez Inés , Martínez-Domínguez Samuel J. , Alfaro Almajano Enrique , Carrera-Lasfuentes Patricia , Lanas Ángel
Published: May 2022

The management and effectiveness of the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection are heterogeneous worldwide, despite the publication of international consensus conferences and guidelines, which have been widely available for years. The aim of the study was to describe the clinical management and the eradication rates in a region of Southern Europe (Spain). Between 2010 and 2019, we conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with H. pylori infection attended by gastroenterologists in two defined areas of the National Health System in Aragón. We compared the appropriateness of therapies according to guidelines, and described the effectiveness of each treatment. A total of 1644 penicillin non-allergic patients were included. The most prescribed therapy between 2010 and 2013 was the ‘classic’ triple therapy PCA (80%), whereas the ’concomitant’ therapy PCAM was chosen by 90% of the gastroenterologists in 2015. After 2016, the use of the quadruple bismuth-containing therapy in a single capsule (Pylera®) quickly increased, representing almost half of the overall prescriptions in 2019. Throughout the decade, adherence to guidelines was 76.4% and global efficacy was 70.7% (ITT). Triple therapies’ eradication rates were lower than 70% (ITT), whereas eradication rates with quadruple therapies achieved or were over 80% (ITT). In conclusion, despite the use of quadruple therapies and optimized treatments, the effectiveness of H. pylori management in daily clinical practice is far from the target of 90%.
Olive Oil Antioxidants
Authors: Alarcón-de-la-Lastra Catalina
Published: May 2022

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is the typical source of fats in the Mediterranean diet [...]
Redox-Active Molecules as Therapeutic Agents
Authors: Fernandes Ana Sofia
Published: May 2022

Oxidative stress and altered redox signaling have been described in a plethora of pathological conditions, such as inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders, among others [...]
Metabolic Shades of S-D-Lactoylglutathione
Authors: Kalapos Miklós Péter , Antognelli Cinzia , de Bari Lidia
Published: May 2022

S-D-lactoylglutathione (SDL) is an intermediate of the glutathione-dependent metabolism of methylglyoxal (MGO) by glyoxalases. MGO is an electrophilic compound that is inevitably produced in conjunction with glucose breakdown and is essentially metabolized via the glyoxalase route. In the last decades, MGO metabolism and its cytotoxic effects have been under active investigation, while almost nothing is known about SDL. This article seeks to fill the gap by presenting an overview of the chemistry, biochemistry, physiological role and clinical importance of SDL. The effects of intracellular SDL are investigated in three main directions: as a substrate for post-translational protein modifications, as a reservoir for mitochondrial reduced glutathione and as an energy currency. In essence, all three approaches point to one direction, namely, a metabolism-related regulatory role, enhancing the cellular defense against insults. It is also suggested that an increased plasma concentration of SDL or its metabolites may possibly serve as marker molecules in hemolytic states, particularly when the cause of hemolysis is a disturbance of the pay-off phase of the glycolytic chain. Finally, SDL could also represent a useful marker in such metabolic disorders as diabetes mellitus or ketotic states, in which its formation is expected to be enhanced. Despite the lack of clear-cut evidence underlying the clinical and experimental findings, the investigation of SDL metabolism is a promising field of research.
Phytochemical Characterization, Antioxidant and Anti-Proliferative Properties of Rubia cordifolia L. Extracts Prepared with Improved Extraction Conditions
Authors: Humbare Ravikiran B. , Sarkar Joyita , Kulkarni Anjali A. , Juwale Mugdha G. , Deshmukh Sushil H. , Amalnerkar Dinesh , Chaskar Manohar , Albertini Maria C. , Rocchi Marco B. L. , Kamble Swapnil C. , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: May 2022

Rubia cordifolia L. (Rubiaceae) is an important plant in Indian and Chinese medical systems. Extracts prepared from the root, stem and leaf have been used traditionally for the management of various diseases. Some of the known effects are anti-inflammation, neuroprotection, anti-proliferation, immunomodulation and anti-tumor. A comparative account of the extracts derived from different organs that lead to the identification of the most suitable solvent is lacking. We explored the presence of phytochemicals, antioxidant activity and anti-proliferative properties of a variety of solvent-based extracts of root, and methanol extracts of stem and leaf of R. cordifolia L. The antioxidant potential was determined by DPPH, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide and total antioxidant assays. The anti-proliferative nature was evaluated by MTT assay on HeLa, ME-180 and HepG2 cells. The composition of the extracts was determined by UPLC-UV-MS. We found that the root extracts had the presence of higher amounts of antioxidants over the stem and leaf extracts. The root extracts prepared in methanol exhibited the highest cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells. The main compounds identified through UPLC-UV-MS of the methanol extract give credibility to the previous results. Our comprehensive study corroborates the preference given to the root over the stem and leaf for extract preparation. In conclusion, we identified the methanol extract of the root to be the most suited to have bioactivity with anti-cancer potential.
Online Extraction–DPPH–HPLC–DAD–QTOF-MS System for Efficient Screening and Identification of Antioxidants from Citrus aurantium L. var. amara (Rutaceae): Integrating Sample Preparation and Antioxidants Profiling
Authors: Xiao Yecheng , Fu Fuhua , Wei Youhe , Shi Shuyun , Shan Yang
Published: May 2022

The lack of a direct connection between solid edible or medical natural products and bioactive compound profiling is a bottleneck in natural product research and quality control. Here, a novel integrated system, online extraction (OLE)–2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)–HPLC−DAD−QTOF-MS, was fabricated to extract, screen, and identify antioxidants from the whole fruit of Citrus aurantium L. var. amara (CAVA, Rutaceae) simply, rapidly, and efficiently. The system consumes less sample (1.0 mg of CAVA powder) and requires a shorter analytical time (45 min for sample extraction, antioxidants screening, separation, and identification). Eight antioxidant flavonoids were screened and identified, and six available flavanones were sensitively, precisely, and accurately quantified. Two major flavanone glycosides, naringin (50.37 ± 0.43 mg/g) and neohesperidin (38.20 ± 0.27 mg/g), exhibit potent DPPH scavenging activities with IC50 values of 111.9 ± 10.06 and 178.55 ± 11.28 μg/mL. A minor flavanone aglycone, hesperitin (0.73 ± 0.06 mg/g), presents stronger DPPH scavenging activity (IC50, 39.07 ± 2.51 μg/mL). Furthermore, density functional theory calculations demonstrated their electron transport ability and chemical reactivity, which confirmed the screened results. The results indicate that the developed OLE–DPPH–HPLC−DAD−QTOF-MS system provides new perspectives for analysis of antioxidants from complex natural products, which also contribute to the quality evaluation of CAVA.
Nonlinear Dynamics of an Elastic Stop System and Its Application in a Rotor System
Authors: Hong Jie , Jiang Liming , Wang Yongfeng , Su Zhimin , Ma Yanhong
Published: May 2022

Impact dampers or vibration systems with gaps are common in engineering applications, and the impact effects introduced by the gaps make such systems strongly nonlinear. In this paper, a model with an elastic stop is established, considering the stiffness and damping characteristics of the stop, which is a novel kind of impact damper and can be applied in a rotor system. The amplitude–frequency and phase–frequency response of the system at different gaps are obtained by the harmonic balance method with the alternating frequency–time scheme (HBM-AFT). The stability of the periodic solution is analyzed by the Floquet theory, and the time history and frequency spectra of the unstable point are analyzed by the numerical integration method. In the results, there can be more than one steady-state response at unstable points for a given excitation frequency, and the jump phenomenon occurs. The elastic stop is effective in the vibration amplitude suppression if its stiffness has been designed properly. This study provides an insight into the dynamic responses and its applications of the system with gaps, which is guidance for the analysis of pedestal looseness faults and vibration suppress methods.
Using Artificial Intelligence for Space Challenges: A Survey
Authors: Russo Antonia , Lax Gianluca
Published: May 2022

Artificial intelligence is applied to many fields and contributes to many important applications and research areas, such as intelligent data processing, natural language processing, autonomous vehicles, and robots. The adoption of artificial intelligence in several fields has been the subject of many research papers. Still, recently, the space sector is a field where artificial intelligence is receiving significant attention. This paper aims to survey the most relevant problems in the field of space applications solved by artificial intelligence techniques. We focus on applications related to mission design, space exploration, and Earth observation, and we provide a taxonomy of the current challenges. Moreover, we present and discuss current solutions proposed for each challenge to allow researchers to identify and compare the state of the art in this context.
Finite Element Comparative Analysis of Von Mises Stress Levels in Unilateral Removable Partial Denture with and without Distal Implant
Authors: Andrei Oana Cella , Tănăsescu Livia Alice , Tărlungeanu Ioana Daniela , Dina Magdalena Natalia , Tierean Mircea Horia
Published: May 2022

The aim of this paper is to compare von Mises stress levels and displacements between two possible designs of a class II Kennedy unilateral removable partial denture. Finite element analysis was used to compare two unilateral class II Kennedy removable partial dentures replacing a mandibular second premolar, and first and second molars and with the same design, except a distal implant. The 3D model was created for a mandibular RPD with three artificial teeth and double ball attachment on the abutment teeth and a horizontal ball attachment for the implant, using Autodesk Inventor 2022 software. On the saddle, significant differences appear only when force is applied on the second molar. Association with implant increases von Mises stresses on the acrylic saddle, where displacements values are similar, and decreases von Mises stresses on the muco-osseous support, where displacements values are also similar. Regarding metal reinforcement of the denture, von Mises stress values are greater for forces applied on the second premolar in the implant situation, and smaller for forces applied on the first and second molars. Association with implant decreases von Mises stresses on the metal reinforcement of the denture only if the force is applied distally, on the two molars; in this case, the metal reinforcement is more stressed above the mesial double ball attachment, where displacements values are similar. Regarding the artificial teeth, adding a distal implant does not significantly influence the stress and displacements values, except on the second premolar where the von Mises stresses values are greater, where displacements values are similar. Although an association with an implant increases the risk of fracture for the denture, the results demonstrate that in the posterior area of the edentulous space, the denture exerts less pressure on the mucosa and subjacent bone, protecting the area against resorption.
Recent Advancement in Assessment and Control of Structures under Multi-Hazard
Authors: Jami Matin , Rupakhety Rajesh , Elias Said , Bessason Bjarni , Snæbjörnsson Jonas Th.
Published: May 2022

This review presents an up-to-date account of research in multi-hazard assessment and vibration control of engineering structures. A general discussion of the importance of multi-hazard consideration in structural engineering, as well as recent advances in this area, is presented as a background. In terms of performance assessment and vibration control, various hazards are considered with an emphasis on seismic and wind loads. Although multi-hazard problems in civil engineering structures are generally discussed to some extent, the emphasis is placed on buildings, bridges, and wind turbine towers. The scientific literature in this area is vast with rapidly growing innovations. The literature is, therefore, classified by the structure type, and then, subsequently, by the hazard. Main contributions and conclusions from the reported studies are presented in summarized tables intended to provide readers with a quick reference and convenient navigation to related publications for further research. Finally, a summary of the literature review is provided with some insights on knowledge gaps and research needs.
Systematic Comparison of Vectorization Methods in Classification Context
Authors: Krzeszewska Urszula , Poniszewska-Marańda Aneta , Ochelska-Mierzejewska Joanna
Published: May 2022

Natural language processing has been the subject of numerous studies in the last decade. These have focused on the various stages of text processing, from text preparation to vectorization to final text comprehension. The goal of vector space modeling is to project words in a language corpus into a vector space in such a way that words that are similar in meaning are close to each other. Currently, there are two commonly used approaches to the topic of vectorization. The first focuses on creating word vectors taking into account the entire linguistic context, while the second focuses on creating document vectors in the context of the linguistic corpus of the analyzed texts. The paper presents the comparison of different existing text vectorization methods in natural language processing, especially in Text Mining. The comparison of text vectorization methods is possible by checking the accuracy of classification; we used the methods NBC and k-NN, as they are some of the simplest methods. They were used for the classification in order to avoid the influence of the choice of the method itself on the final result. The conducted experiments provide a basis for further research for better automatic text analysis.
Fermentation Characteristics and Microbiota during the Ensiling of Myriophyllum aquaticum Inoculated with Lactic Acid Bacteria
Authors: Sun Qian , Sun Bo , Xu Shengjun , Zhang Huanzhen , Guo Jianlin , Qian Zhi , Zhuang Xuliang
Published: May 2022

Myriophyllum aquaticum (M. aquaticum) is a commonly used aquatic macrophyte for water purification and could be utilized as animal food. However, the high water content of M. aquaticum makes it difficult for long-term preservation, which leads to challenges as an ideal animal feed ingredient. The storage of Silage for long periods may be a proper method to solve the problem. In the present paper, we assess the effects of lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus buchneri (LB), Lactobacillus plantarum (LP), or their combination on fermentation and microbial communities during the ensiling of M. aquaticum silage. The results show that the LP-treated silage displays a higher lactic acid concentration than that in the control silage. Both LB and LP increased the abundance of Lactobacillus, but decreased the abundance of Serratia and Prevotella_9 in M. aquaticum silage after 60 days of ensiling. Both LB and LP increased the diversity and richness of fungi. Therefore, the inoculation of LP improved silage fermentation during ensiling. These results show that the inoculation of lactic acid bacteria improves the fermentation quality of M. aquaticum silage, which makes it possible for the application of M. aquaticum to animal forage in the future.
A Fast Method for Whole Liver- and Colorectal Liver Metastasis Segmentations from MRI Using 3D FCNN Networks
Authors: Kamkova Yuliia , Pelanis Egidijus , Bjørnerud Atle , Edwin Bjørn , Elle Ole Jakob , Kumar Rahul Prasanna
Published: May 2022

The liver is the most frequent organ for metastasis from colorectal cancer, one of the most common tumor types with a poor prognosis. Despite reducing surgical planning time and providing better spatial representation, current methods of 3D modeling of patient-specific liver anatomy are extremely time-consuming. The purpose of this study was to develop a deep learning model trained on an in-house dataset of 84 MRI volumes to rapidly provide fully automated whole liver and liver lesions segmentation from volumetric MRI series. A cascade approach was utilized to address the problem of class imbalance. The trained model achieved an average Dice score for whole liver segmentation of 0.944 ± 0.009 and 0.780 ± 0.119 for liver lesion segmentation. Furthermore, applying this method to a not-annotated dataset creates a complete 3D segmentation in less than 6 s per MRI volume, with a mean segmentation Dice score of 0.994 ± 0.003 for the liver and 0.709 ± 0.171 for tumors compared to manual corrections applied after the inference was achieved. Availability and integration of our method in clinical practice may improve diagnosis and treatment planning in patients with colorectal liver metastasis and open new possibilities for research into liver tumors.
Impedance Control of Space Robot On-Orbit Insertion and Extraction Based on Prescribed Performance Method
Authors: Liu Dongbo , Ai Haiping , Chen Li
Published: May 2022

Aiming at the force position control problem of the on-orbit insertion and extraction operation of the free-floating space robot, the system dynamics model is established. According to the interaction between the end of manipulator and the environment, the second-order impedance model is established. In order to improves the calculation efficiency, the above models are reconstructed to avoid the use of acceleration signal by introducing filtering operation. This is also conducive to the application of robot actual control. Then, an estimator requiring only the system inertia matrix is designed to compensate the modeling uncertainty, external bounded disturbance and impact effect in the process of inserting and extracting. Its structure is simple and reliable. Only one control parameter needs to be adjusted, which greatly reduces the amount of calculation. Considering that the on-orbit operation of insertion and extraction is a kind of precision operation, its control system needs to have a high-quality control performance. By introducing the prescribed performance method, the tracking error is constrained within the given range and to ensure the transient performance and steady-state performance of the control system is ensured. Finally, three simulation conditions are designed, and the results are presented to verify that the proposed algorithm has a faster convergence speed compared with traditional sliding mode controller. It can achieve vertically inserting and accurate force tracking of the manipulator end.
Energy Use in Greenhouses in the EU: A Review Recommending Energy Efficiency Measures and Renewable Energy Sources Adoption
Authors: Paris Bas , Vandorou Foteini , Balafoutis Athanasios T. , Vaiopoulos Konstantinos , Kyriakarakos George , Manolakos Dimitris , Papadakis George
Published: May 2022

This study conducts a review of energy use in the EU greenhouse agriculture sector. The studies presented illustrate that energy use in greenhouses is varied and generally dependent on fossil sources. High energy systems, which are more dominant in northern Europe, are generally heavily climate controlled and energy use is dominated by heating and cooling processes, while low energy systems, which are dominant in southern Europe, show a mixture of energy uses including heating, cooling, irrigation, lighting, fertilisers, and pesticides. Our review also provides a discussion of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy sources adoption for greenhouse production. Finally, our review indicates that accurate and reliable studies on energy use in greenhouse production are scarce and fragmented and that a range of differing methodologies are currently used to estimate on-farm energy use. The development of a comprehensive methodology and categorisation for measuring energy use in greenhouse agricultural production would, in our view, catalyse further studies in this sector, considerably improve our understanding of energy use in greenhouses and support the green transition. Based on this, this paper proposes a basic framework for measuring energy use in greenhouse agriculture.
The Regression Model and the Problem of Inventory Centralization: Is the “Square Root Law” Applicable?
Authors: Milewski Dariusz , Wiśniewski Tomasz
Published: May 2022

The research problem undertaken by the authors of this article concerns the optimization of the size of the distribution network (the number of warehouses). The authors developed regression models, which are an alternative to the classical “Square Root law” optimization formula. The models were built for the two distributions of demand most commonly used in the literature: Gaussian and Gamma distribution. They allow the calculation of the level of inventory with a given number of warehouses and the level of stock availability as a measure of logistic customer service. The aim was to create a useful tool for decision-makers in companies. The models were elaborated on the base of the simulations carried out for various products (loading parameters, value), sales volumes, number of warehouses, and different standard deviations. Both regression models were statistically significant; the coefficients of determination are relevant. A slightly better value was obtained in the case of Gaussian distribution. The results obtained with the use of the classic “Square Root law” were in some cases quite similar. However, the type of distribution and the variability of demand, measured by standard deviation, have a significant influence here. Thus, the authors believe that the models developed may give more accurate results and that the “Square Root law” formula should be modified taking into account the characteristics of the demand. After completing the regression models with cost components, the total costs were calculated for selected cases of product groups (food, electronics, garments), different levels of the availability of stocks, and different number of warehouses. As it turned out, centralization may not necessarily be the optimal strategy for the most expensive goods. Loading parameters are also important, as they have a significant impact on the costs of storage and, above all, transport.
Trusted Electronic Contract for Enabling Peer-to-Peer HPC Resource Sharing
Authors: Piyoungkorn Kajornsak , Chaisawat Siriboon , Vorakulpipat Chalee
Published: May 2022

With the growing need for HPC resource usage in Thailand, this study aims to foster the creation of an HPC resource sharing ecosystem based on available in-house computing infrastructure. The model of computing resource sharing based on blockchain technology is presented for bridging communication between multiple clusters of HPC systems. The use of blockchain technology allows states among HPC systems to be synchronized and extends capabilities in enforcing governing rules. A smart contract was deployed on the blockchain network to enable users to request computing resources. Upon a request being made, a matching scheme performs the automatic selection of a suitable cluster based on current cluster utilization data and distance from users. Since users and clusters are anonymized from each other, a trusted payment scheme and permission access control are presented to assure both parties. As the system leverages off-chined and on-chained data exchange to carry out the operation, the secure gateway is proposed to mitigate technical difficulty from the client’s perspective and ensure information is securely flowing to and from legitimate actors. The result of this work ensures HPC service providers can maximize the utilization of their resources and monetize idle computing time, while users can access demanded resources conveniently and pay at a reasonable price.
An Edible, Decellularized Plant Derived Cell Carrier for Lab Grown Meat
Authors: Thyden Richard , Perreault Luke R. , Jones Jordan D. , Notman Hugh , Varieur Benjamin M. , Patmanidis Andriana A. , Dominko Tanja , Gaudette Glenn R.
Published: May 2022

Rapidly expanding skeletal muscle satellite cells with cost-effective methods have been presented as a solution for meeting the growing global demand for meat. A common strategy for scaling cell proliferation employs microcarriers, small beads designed to support anchorage-dependent cells in suspension-style bioreactors. No carrier has yet been marketed for the cultivation of lab-grown meat. The objective of this study was to demonstrate a rapid, food safe, decellularization procedure to yield cell-free extracellular matrix scaffolds and evaluate them as cell carriers for lab grown meat. Broccoli florets were soaked in SDS, Tween-20, and bleach for 48 h. The decellularization process was confirmed via histology, which showed an absence of cell nuclei, and DNA quantification (0.0037 ± 0.00961 μg DNA/mg tissue). Decellularized carriers were sorted by cross sectional area (7.07 ± 1.74 mm2, 3.03 ± 1.15 mm2, and 0.49 ± 0.3 mm2) measured for eccentricity (0.73 ± 0.16). Density measurements of decellularized carriers (1.01 ± 0.01 g/cm) were comparable to traditional microcarriers. Primary bovine satellite cells were inoculated into and cultured within a reactor containing decellularized carriers. Cell adhesion was observed and cell death was limited to 2.55 ± 1.09%. These studies suggested that broccoli florets may serve as adequate edible carrier scaffolds for satellite cells.
Modeling and Simulation of a Two-Stage Air-Cooled Adsorption Chiller with Heat Recovery Part II: Parametric Study
Authors: Makahleh Firas M. , Badran Ali A. , Attar Hani , Amer Ayman , Al-Maaitah Ayman A.
Published: May 2022

This study is the second part of the theoretical study of “Modeling and Simulation of a Two-Stage Air-Cooled Adsorption Chiller with Heat Recovery”, which is based on developing a theoretical model for a two-stage adsorption chiller with an activated carbon/methanol pair. The following models were conducted numerically using MATLAB. The model was based on 10th order differential equations; six of them were used to predict bed, evaporator and condenser temperatures, while the other four equations were used to calculate adsorption isotherm and adsorption kinetics. In this second part, bed heat exchangers and evaporator and condenser heat exchangers are studied by varying the parametric design of a chiller. This includes but is not limited to activated carbon mass inside a single bed, overall heat transfer coefficient for the bed and evaporator and the mass flow rates of all components comprising the chiller. The optimum values increased the COP from 0.35 to 0.4, while the cooling capacity was slightly changed. The COP is 95% of a Carnot cycle working at hot water temperatures as low as 60 °C, and 90% at hot water temperatures as high as 90 °C. It was found that the simulation model results for the two-stage air-cooled chiller agreed well with the experimental data in terms of cooling capacity (6.7 kW for the model against 6.14 kW for the experimental result at 30 °C cooling water temperature). The model optimized the adsorption/desorption time, switching time and heat recovery time to maximize both cooling capacity and COP. Moreover, the model is used to study the effect of activated carbon mass, size of beds and mass flow rates of cooling, heating, chiller and condenser on both cooling capacity and COP.
Novel Exploit Feature-Map-Based Detection of Adversarial Attacks
Authors: Almuflih Ali Saeed , Vyas Dhairya , Kapdia Viral V. , Qureshi Mohamed Rafik Noor Mohamed , Qureshi Karishma Mohamed Rafik , Makkawi Elaf Abdullah
Published: May 2022

In machine learning (ML), adversarial attack (targeted or untargeted) in the presence of noise disturbs the model prediction. This research suggests that adversarial perturbations on pictures lead to noise in the features constructed by any networks. As a result, adversarial assaults against image categorization systems may present obstacles and possibilities for studying convolutional neural networks (CNNs). According to this research, adversarial perturbations on pictures cause noise in the features created by neural networks. Motivated by adversarial perturbation on image pixel attacks observation, we developed a novel exploit feature map that describes adversarial attacks by performing individual object feature-map visual description. Specifically, a novel detection algorithm calculates each object’s class activation map weight and makes a combined activation map. When checked with different networks like VGGNet19 and ResNet50, in both white-box and black-box attack situations, the unique exploit feature-map significantly improves the state-of-the-art in adversarial resilience. Further, it will clearly exploit attacks on ImageNet under various algorithms like Fast Gradient Sign Method (FGSM), DeepFool, Projected Gradient Descent (PGD), and Backward Pass Differentiable Approximation (BPDA).
Optimizing the Processing of Shellfish (Mytilus edulis and M. trossulus Hybrid) Biomass Cultivated in the Low Salinity Region of the Baltic Sea for the Extraction of Meat and Proteins
Authors: Adler Indrek , Kotta Jonne , Tuvikene Rando , Kaldre Katrin
Published: May 2022

Mussel farming is a novel and growing aquaculture field in the Baltic Sea. Nevertheless, there is very little published evidence on the processing of shellfish biomass in the region. The aim of this study is to develop a methodology for the extraction of organic-rich fractions from small-sized blue mussels of the Baltic Sea region that is applicable and economically viable for the feed and food industry. The efficiency of mussel meat separation was evaluated using different processing, drying, and filtration techniques. The laboratory experiments have succeeded in finding a method that is operationally feasible and does not require overly complex and expensive laboratory settings. These trials also showed that the separation of meat from fresh or frozen mussels can be achieved by simple crushing and sedimentation methods and the extraction yielded a significant amount of mussel meat (7.6%) with a high protein content (3.2%, i.e., half of the total protein found in the used mussel-mass). It also appeared that the use of filtration is not practical because the protein loss was extremely high. In addition, filtration makes the process of dry-matter separation more complex, and costs are unlikely to be compensated by the energy saved in drying.
A Computationally Efficient Model for FDSOI MOSFETs and Its Application for Delay Variability Analysis
Authors: Mao Zhiyi , Wu Yuping , Chen Lan , Zhang Xuelian
Published: May 2022

This paper proposes a compact, physics-based current model for fully depleted silicon-on-insulator (FDSOI) MOSFETs and applies it to delay variability analysis. An analytical method is applied to avoid the numerical iterations required in the evaluation of surface potential, which directly improves the computational efficiency. The accuracy of the explicit surface potential approximation is 190.3 nV, which allows for fast convergence. Surface potential and current calculations achieve 1.8× and 1.4× acceleration compared with BSIM-IMG, respectively. To establish the relationship between delay and underlying process parameters, we introduce the effective current and propose a process variation-aware delay prediction model. Higher-order derivatives are calculated to compensate the nonlinearity of delay variations with respect to process parameters. Experiments show a significant improvement in the prediction accuracy with higher-order derivatives, which are proved to be able to handle nonlinearity under process variations. The front gate work function contributes the most to the nonlinearity of the delay variation and the accuracy of the third-order prediction is 4.07%. Under the variation in the channel length and width, front and back gate oxide thickness and body thickness, delay variations have similar characteristics and the second-order prediction is found to be sufficient to model the nonlinearity with a maximum relative error of 1.22%. The delay prediction model only requires a single-point HSPICE DC or transient simulation and is universal for different voltages and different cells. Compared with the Monte Carlo (MC) simulation, the accuracy of the first-order prediction in the above-threshold region (0.8 V) is 0.94%. In the sub-threshold region (0.3 V), a prediction accuracy of 2.01% can be obtained while achieving a 21× reduction in computational time.
Effects of the Damping Parameters on the Opening and Closing Characteristics of Vent Valves
Authors: Zhang Jin , Yin Wenlong , Shi Yandong , Gao Zitong , Pan Lijiang , Li Ying
Published: May 2022

The main function of the vent valve is to release part of the air at the outlet of the axial compressor to prevent engine surges. The damping parameters have an important effect on the opening and closing characteristics of the vent valve. The control characteristics of each component were obtained by finite element analysis and testing. The overall model of a two-stage partial pressure vent valve was established, and the reliability of the model was verified by testing. The opening and closing characteristics of the damper valve with different damping parameters were obtained by parametric simulation. The results show that there was a pressure mutation point in the middle support pressure and the pressure in the control chamber during operation of the vent valve, which made the valve open and close quickly. The damping hole of the middle shell and the middle nozzle of the support had the greatest influence on the open-close pressure ratio. The damping hole and nozzle of the middle shell had the greatest influence on the opening and closing stability. The results are used to guide the structural design, and the analytical method provides a theoretical basis for research of the same type of valve.
Performance Prediction of Composite Marine Propeller in Non-Cavitating and Cavitating Flow
Authors: Kim Ji-Hye , Lee Hyoungsuk , Kim Sung-Hoon , Choi Hee-Young , Hah Zoo-Hwan , Seol Han-Shin
Published: May 2022

The purpose of this study is to compare the performance of specific composite propellers with different ply angles from a cavitation inception speed (CIS) perspective. Composite propellers have a relatively large deformation compared to existing propellers manufactured using nickel aluminum bronze alloys. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the correlation between the stacking method of the composite materials and the propeller performance in order to design composite propellers that provide sufficient strength and generate the desired deformation. In addition, in the case of composite propellers, the deformation is closely related to the CIS because it can delay or accelerate the occurrence of tip vortex cavitation (TVC). Fluid-structure interaction (FSI) analysis of the model-scale composite propellers is performed using a coupled computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-finite element method (FEM) to examine the influence of the lamination direction on the deformation of the composite propeller. Finally, a hydroacoustic analysis of the noise generated and propagated by a composite propeller in non-cavitating and cavitating flows is conducted. The study found that some deformed parameters of the propeller affect the performance, the deformation of the composite propeller itself has no significant effect on the sound pressure level, and the volume change of cavitation has a decisive effect on the variation of the sound pressure level radiated from the composite propeller. These results can improve the feasibility, conceptual design, performance, and manufacturing methods for composite propellers.
A New Approach: Ethyl Formate Fumigation to Control Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in a Yellow Melon Vinyl House
Authors: Kwon Tae Hyung , Park Chung Gyoo , Lee Byung-Ho , Jeong In-Hong , Lee Sung-Eun
Published: May 2022

Due to concerns over the resistance development to existing pesticides, chemical poisoning among farmers, and chemical residue on crops, sprung up a growing need to develop new pest control strategies for utilization in protected houses in Korea. A series of experiments tested a new technology using a fumigant, ethyl formate, in growing crops in the protected houses. It was revealed that the glasshouse was inadequate for the fumigation system using the fumigant since ethyl formate gas sharply decreased due to gas leaking through the gaps between the glass frames. On the other hand, the gas concentration was stable during the fumigation process. Experiments were also conducted to evaluate its phytotoxicity on cucurbits crops (yellow melon). The crops were fumigated at 20 °C in three fumigation schedules (2, 4, and 12 h). The results revealed that the developmental stages of yellow melon showed no sign of phytotoxicity in all conditions. However, the fumigation damaged the shoots of red pepper in higher humidity and at a longer duration. Interestingly, Bemisia tabaci were (100%) completely killed in all these conditions. Based on the results of the above experiments on the high efficacy on the control of Bemisia tabaci and zero phytotoxic effects of the ethyl formate fumigation on yellow melon, verification experiments for the effectiveness were conducted thrice in farmer’s yellow melon vinyl houses and once in a farmer’s cucumber vinyl house. Results demonstrated that ethyl formate fumigation for 2 h at 2 g m−3 concentration could 100% kill the adults of Bemisia tabaci with no phytotoxic effect on the crops. Therefore, we could conclude that the 2-h fumigation system with 2 g m−3 ethyl formate would be a new alternative to the existing chemical spraying methods.
COVID-19 and the Eye: Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Clinical, Surgical and Research Activities in Ophthalmology
Authors: Giannaccare Giuseppe , Taloni Andrea , Scorcia Vincenzo , Carnevali Adriano
Published: May 2022

Since the outbreak of the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus in early 2020, globally, more than 500 million cumulative cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed as of May 2022, resulting in about 6 million deaths [...]
Measurement of Bridge Vibration by UAVs Combined with CNN and KLT Optical-Flow Method
Authors: Yan Zhaocheng , Jin Zihan , Teng Shuai , Chen Gongfa , Bassir David
Published: May 2022

A measurement method of bridge vibration by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) combined with convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and Kanade–Lucas–Tomasi (KLT) optical-flow method is proposed. In this method, the stationary reference points in the structural background are required, a UAV is used to shoot the structure video, and the KLT optical-flow method is used to track the target points on the structure and the background reference points in the video to obtain the coordinates of these points on each frame. Then, the characteristic relationship between the reference points and the target points can be learned by a CNN according to the coordinates of the reference points and the target points, so as to correct the displacement time–history curves of target points containing the false displacement caused by the UAV’s egomotion. Finally, operational modal analysis (OMA) is used to extract the natural frequency of the structure from the displacement signal. In addition, the reliability of UAV measurement combined with CNN is proved by comparing the measurement results of the fixed camera and those of UAV combined with CNN, and the reliability of the KLT optical-flow method is proved by comparing the tracking results of the digital image correlation (DIC) and KLT optical-flow method in the experiment of this paper.