bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Edge Computing Based on Federated Learning for Machine Monitoring
Authors: Tsai Yao-Hong , Chang Dong-Meau , Hsu Tse-Chuan
Published: May 2022

This paper focused on providing a general solution based on edge computing and cloud computing in IoT to machine monitoring in manufacturing of small and medium-sized factory. For real-time consideration, edge computing and cloud computing models were seamlessly cooperated to perform information capture, event detection, and adaptive learning. The proposed IoT system processed regional low-level features for detection and recognition in edge nodes. Cloud-computing including fog computing was responsible for mid- and high-level features by using the federated learning network. The system fully utilized all resources in the integrated deep learning network to achieve high performance operations. The edge node was implemented by a simple camera embedded on Terasic DE2-115 board to monitor machines and process data locally. Learning-based features were generated by cloud computing through the data sent from edge and the identification results could be obtained by combining mid- and high-level features with the nonlinear classifier. Therefore, each factory could monitor the real-time condition of machines without operators and keep its data privacy. Experimental results showed the efficiency of the proposed method when compared with other methods.
Investigation of the Flow Field and Aerodynamic Load on Impellers under Guide Vanes with a Self-Induced Slot in Compressor Radial Inlet
Authors: Xin Jianchi , Liu Xiangyang , Malik Adil , Liu Haitao , Zhao Longhui , Kong Xiaozhi
Published: May 2022

The flow field and the efficiency of the compressor can be improved and increased by the guide vane in the radial inlet chamber. However, the guide vane generates the wake and results in the rotor–stator interaction, which threatens the safety of the impeller. This paper investigated the guide vane with a self-induced slot (SIS) in a radial inlet, and the self-induced slot was a passive flow control method. Through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation, the radial inlet containing unevenly distributed guide vanes (UGVs) in the hydrogen compressor was studied to clarify the flow phenomenon in the radial inlet and the aerodynamic load on the impellers. The simulation results showed that the self-induced slot did not affect the compressor performance but improved the pure wake style to the weak wake near the shroud region. The aerodynamic load on the impeller leading edge was obtained under different radial inlets through unsteady simulation. The dominant frequency and the pulse amplitude of aerodynamic load were obtained by fast Fourier transforms (FFTs). The SIS model had lower amplitude values at the impeller passing frequency, and the reduction in amplitude was about 18% compared to the UGV model near the impeller shroud region.
Zero Defect Manufacturing in the Food Industry: Virgin Olive Oil Production
Authors: Satorres Martínez Silvia , Illana Rico Sergio , Cano Marchal Pablo , Martínez Gila Diego Manuel , Gómez Ortega Juan
Published: May 2022

This paper provides a zero defect manufacturing (ZDM) approach designed for the virgin olive oil (VOO) industry, with the objective of producing the best possible product using sustainable methods. A deep analysis of related work for ZDM and the current state-of-the-art technology in the VOO elaboration process is presented, along with the implications of the well-known trade-off between quality and extraction yield and the importance of having the right information on the state of the fruits and the main technological variables of the process. Currently available new technologies, such as smart devices with cloud connectivity, enable having the required amount of data and information in real-time, thus making the concept of ZDM possible. Together with the proposed ZDM approach and strategies, the basic requirements and the first steps towards the implementation of ZDM in this productive sector are identified.
Pure Electric Sweeper Performance Analysis and Test Verification of Dust Extraction Port
Authors: Ye Jin , Pan Jiabao , Ai Hejin , Wang Jiamei
Published: May 2022

Purely electric sweepers are widely used in the urban sanitation industry due to their emission-free nature and ease of miniaturisation. The dust suction port is the key to the dust suction system of the sweeper, and improving the design level of the dust suction port of the sweeper can effectively improve the operational performance of the sweeper. Using the company’s self-developed Ruiqing S26 pure electric sweeper as the research object, a CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) method was used to analyse the influence of the dust suction port structure parameters (front baffle tilt angle, outlet diameter) and sweeper operation parameters (driving speed, operating pressure) on the dust suction effect of the sweeper, and was verified through real vehicle tests. The results of the study show that changing the angle and outlet diameter results in a change in the flow field characteristics and, consequently, the same change in the removal efficiency, with 65° and 160 mm being the optimum angle and outlet diameter, respectively. The tests investigated the flow field characteristics of the dust extraction opening and the removal efficiency. This study can provide theoretical reference for performance optimisation and parameter matching of the sweeper.
Improving Energy Efficiency of Grain Cleaning Technology
Authors: Bazaluk Oleg , Postnikova Marina , Halko Serhii , Mikhailov Evgeniy , Kovalov Oleksandr , Suprun Olena , Miroshnyk Oleksandr , Nitsenko Vitalii
Published: May 2022

The relevance of the research topic was substantiated, and the purpose and objectives of the study were formulated. It was determined that the energy efficiency of the grain cleaning process can be evaluated only when all the machines operate in a single production line and are coordinated in productivity. Research on energy savings and energy efficiency in the technological process of post-harvest grain treatment using grain cleaning units by implementing the method of mathematical experiment planning (MEP) was conducted. The method is based on transforming the initial mathematical models of various research objects into a model in the form of regression equations convenient for solving the problems of research, analysis and optimization of the object. For the first time, the mathematical description of the target function was performed by conducting a multifactorial experiment based on second-order design. The research produced adequate second-order regression equations, making it possible to determine the minimum specific consumption of electricity for the technological process of post-harvest grain treatment at grain cleaning facilities, while complying with the agrotechnical requirements for the quality of the cleaned grain. The problem of optimization of the research object was solved by mathematical transformations, which enabled obtaining graphical and analytical interpretations of the optimum area. For this purpose, the canonical transformation of the mathematical model and the method of two-dimensional cross-sections of the response surface were used. Research has led to the development of scientifically based standards of specific electricity consumption for grain cleaning processing schemes, which serve as criteria for evaluating energy savings in the technological processes.
Ownership Cost Comparison of Battery Electric and Non-Plugin Hybrid Vehicles: A Consumer Perspective
Authors: Fulton Lawrence
Published: May 2022

This study evaluates eight-year ownership costs for battery electric vehicles (BEV) versus non-plugin hybrid vehicles, using forecasting to estimate future electricity and conventional gasoline prices and incorporating these in a multiple design of experiments simulation. Results suggest that while electric vehicles are statistically dominant in terms of variable costs over an 8-year life-span, high-performance hybrid non-plugins achieve variable fuel costs nearly as good as low-performing electric vehicles (those attaining only 3 miles per kilowatt hour) and that these hybrid acquisition costs are (on average) lower, yet the vehicles retain higher residual values. In general, the six smallest ownership costs are split evenly between hybrid and electric vehicles; however, inflation for conventional regular gasoline is estimated to outstrip inflation per kilowatt hour. Thus, non-plugin hybrid cars are likely to require considerably more advanced engineering to keep pace.
Use of Toxic Substance Release Modelling as a Tool for Prevention Planning in Border Areas
Authors: Kubas Jozef , Polorecka Maria , Holla Katarina , Soltes Viktor , Kelisek Alexander , Strachota Simeon , Maly Stanislav
Published: May 2022

The paper deals with the protection of the population and the environment in crisis management and emergency planning. It includes a proposal for an auxiliary tool for crisis managers and commanders to increase the safety of the population and the environment in the evaluated area. The proposal was developed thanks to a detailed analysis of the border area in selected regions of Slovakia, where extraordinary events may occur during the cross-border transport of hazardous substances. The actual outputs are maps of area-border crossings, including the places of transport of hazardous substances specifying a range of possible adverse effects on the endangered area. The modelling process was based on real conditions in the given area. Various scenarios of the possible occurrence of the release of hazardous substances were developed. The scenarios were applied in the ALOHA CAMEO software. Using the software output, it was possible to draw the most probable emergency scenarios with a cross-border effect. Cross-border impacts are crucial challenges in dealing with an emergency, as there is a need to ensure cooperation and coordination of emergency services in two different countries. The outputs proposed by the authors are a tool suitable not only for taking preventive measures but also as an aid in repressive activities. It is, therefore, suitable both for reducing the probability of the occurrence of given emergencies and minimizing its consequences.
A Review on the Observed Climate Change in Europe and Its Impacts on Viticulture
Authors: Droulia Fotoula , Charalampopoulos Ioannis
Published: May 2022

The European climate is changing displaying profound impacts on agriculture, thus strongly reaching the scientific community’s attention. In this review, the compilation of selected scientific research on the agroclimatic conditions’ changes and their impact on the productivity parameters (phenology timing, product quality and quantity) of grapevines and on the spatiotemporal characteristics of the viticultural areas are attempted for the first time. For this purpose, a thorough investigation through multiple search queries was conducted for the period (2005–2021). Overall, increasing (decreasing) trends in critical temperature (precipitation) parameters are the reality of the recent past with visible impacts on viticulture. The observed climate warming already enforces emerging phenomena related to the modification of the developmental rate (earlier phenological events, shortening of phenological intervals, lengthening of the growing season, earlier harvest), the alteration of product quality, the heterogeneous effects on grapevine yield and the emergence of new cool-climate viticulture areas highlighting the cultivation’s rebirth in the northern and central parts of the continent. The vulnerability of the wine-growing ecosystem urges the integration of innovative and sustainable solutions for confronting the impacts of climate change and safeguarding the production (quantity and quality) capacity of viticultural systems in Europe under a continuously changing environment.
Extreme Hydro-Climate Events: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Shi Haiyun , Sivakumar Bellie , Liu Suning , Tan Xuezhi , Najibi Nasser
Published: May 2022

In recent years, extreme hydro-climate events (such as floods and droughts) have occurred more frequently, leading to significant threats to lives and damage of property [...]
Numerical and Experimental Evaluation of a Battery Cell under Impact Load
Authors: Muresanu Adrian Daniel , Dudescu Mircea Cristian
Published: May 2022

Impact damage is one of the most critical scenarios for the lithium-ion battery pack of an electrical vehicle, as it involves mechanical abusive loads with serious consequences on electrical and thermal stability. The development of a numerical model for an explicit dynamic simulation of a Li-ion battery pack under impact implies a significant computational effort if detailed models of a single battery cell are employed. The present paper presents a homogenized finite element model of a battery cell, validated by experimental tests of individual materials and an impact test of an entire cell. The macro model is composed of shell elements representing outside casing and elements with a homogenized and isotropic material for the jelly roll. The displacements and deformed shape of the numerical model of the battery cell were compared with those measured on real test specimens; full-field optical scanning was employed to reconstruct the 3D shape of the deformed battery. The overall deformation of the simulation and experimental results are comparable with a deviation of the maximum intrusion of 14.8% for impact direction and 19.5% for the perpendicular direction considering the cumulative effects of simplifying hypotheses of the numerical model and experimental side effects. The results are a starting point for future analyses of a battery pack and its protection systems under impact. The model presented in this paper, considering the low computing power needed for calculation and acceptable mesh size for crash, should be able to be used in bigger resources consuming crash simulation models. In this way, the cells’ deformation and behavior can be tracked more easily for safety management and diagnosis of the crashworthiness of the packs or car batteries.
The Predictive Power of a Twitter User’s Profile on Cryptocurrency Popularity
Authors: Trigka Maria , Kanavos Andreas , Dritsas Elias , Vonitsanos Gerasimos , Mylonas Phivos
Published: May 2022

Microblogging has become an extremely popular communication tool among Internet users worldwide. Millions of users daily share a huge amount of information related to various aspects of their lives, which makes the respective sites a very important source of data for analysis. Bitcoin (BTC) is a decentralized cryptographic currency and is equivalent to most recurrently known currencies in the way that it is influenced by socially developed conclusions, regardless of whether those conclusions are considered valid. This work aims to assess the importance of Twitter users’ profiles in predicting a cryptocurrency’s popularity. More specifically, our analysis focused on the user influence, captured by different Twitter features (such as the number of followers, retweets, lists) and tweet sentiment scores as the main components of measuring popularity. Moreover, the Spearman, Pearson, and Kendall Correlation Coefficients are applied as post-hoc procedures to support hypotheses about the correlation between a user influence and the aforementioned features. Tweets sentiment scoring (as positive or negative) was performed with the aid of Valence Aware Dictionary and Sentiment Reasoner (VADER) for a number of tweets fetched within a concrete time period. Finally, the Granger causality test was employed to evaluate the statistical significance of various features time series in popularity prediction to identify the most influential variable for predicting future values of the cryptocurrency popularity.
Earthquake Insurance in California, USA: What Does Community-Generated Big Data Reveal to Us?
Authors: Gizzi Fabrizio Terenzio , Potenza Maria Rosaria
Published: May 2022

California has a high seismic hazard, as many historical and recent earthquakes remind us. To deal with potential future damaging earthquakes, a voluntary insurance system for residential properties is in force in the state. However, the insurance penetration rate is quite low. Bearing this in mind, the aim of this article is to ascertain whether Big Data can provide policymakers and stakeholders with useful information in view of future action plans on earthquake coverage. Therefore, we extracted and analyzed the online search interest in earthquake insurance over time (2004–2021) through Google Trends (GT), a website that explores the popularity of top search queries in Google Search across various regions and languages. We found that (1) the triggering of online searches stems primarily from the occurrence of earthquakes in California and neighboring areas as well as oversea regions, thus suggesting that the interest of users was guided by both direct and vicarious earthquake experiences. However, other natural hazards also come to people’s notice; (2) the length of the higher level of online attention spans from one day to one week, depending on the magnitude of the earthquakes, the place where they occur, the temporal proximity of other natural hazards, and so on; (3) users interested in earthquake insurance are also attentive to knowing the features of the policies, among which are first the price of coverage, and then their worth and practical benefits; (4) online interest in the time span analyzed fits fairly well with the real insurance policy underwritings recorded over the years. Based on the research outcomes, we can propose the establishment of an observatory to monitor the online behavior that is suitable for supporting well-timed and geographically targeted information and communication action plans.
Synergistic Inorganic Carbon and Denitrification Genes Contributed to Nitrite Accumulation in a Hydrogen-Based Membrane Biofilm Reactor
Authors: Pang Si , Rittmann Bruce E. , Wu Chengyang , Yang Lin , Zhou Jingzhou , Xia Siqing
Published: May 2022

Partial denitrification, the termination of NO3−-N reduction at nitrite (NO2−-N), has received growing interest for treating wastewaters with high ammonium concentrations, because it can be coupled to anammox for total-nitrogen removal. NO2− accumulation in the hydrogen (H2)-based membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR) has rarely been studied, and the mechanisms behind its accumulation have not been defined. This study aimed at achieving the partial denitrification with H2-based autotrophic reducing bacteria in a MBfR. Results showed that by increasing the NO3− loading, increasing the pH, and decreasing the inorganic-carbon concentration, a nitrite transformation rate higher than 68% was achieved. Community analysis indicated that Thauera and Azoarcus became the dominant genera when partial denitrification was occurring. Functional genes abundances proved that partial denitrification to accumulate NO2− was correlated to increases of gene for the form I RuBisCo enzyme (cbbL). This study confirmed the feasibility of autotrophic partial denitrification formed in the MBfR, and revealed the inorganic carbon mechanism in MBfR denitrification.
Bioengineering Approaches for Delivering Growth Factors: A Focus on Bone and Cartilage Regeneration
Authors: Shakoor Sheeba , Kibble Eleyna , El-Jawhari Jehan J.
Published: May 2022

Growth factors are bio-factors that target reparatory cells during bone regeneration. These growth factors are needed in complicated conditions of bone and joint damage to enhance tissue repair. The delivery of these growth factors is key to ensuring the effectiveness of regenerative therapy. This review discusses the roles of various growth factors in bone and cartilage regeneration. The methods of delivery of natural or recombinant growth factors are reviewed. Different types of scaffolds, encapsulation, Layer-by-layer assembly, and hydrogels are tools for growth factor delivery. Considering the advantages and limitations of these methods is essential to developing regenerative therapies. Further research can accordingly be planned to have new or combined technologies serving this purpose.
Antibacterial Activity of the Pyrogallol against Staphylococcus aureus Evaluated by Optical Image
Authors: Oliveira Lígia C. C. , Rodrigues Francisco A. A. , dos Santos Barbosa Cristina Rodrigues , dos Santos Joycy Francely Sampaio , Macêdo Nair Silva , de Sousa Silveira Zildene , Coutinho Henrique Douglas Melo , da Cunha Francisco Assis Bezerra
Published: May 2022

The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) is used to define the lowest concentration at which a substance can inhibit bacterial growth. This study aimed to evaluate the MIC of pyrogallol against Staphylococcus aureus and to propose a method for building growth inhibition curves of bacterial strains from MIC assays. S. aureus strains 1199B (NorA) and 1199 (wild type) were used for the assays. Pyrogallol MIC tests were performed by the broth microdilution method. The proposed method uses RGB images of the microdilution plate using the R (Red), G (Green), and B (Blue) channels to extract information for the construction of the bacterial growth inhibition curve (GIC). Pyrogallol demonstrated a MIC of 512 µg/mL against the two S. aureus strains tested. The GIC was calculated and the MIC point of pyrogallol was identified against the tested strains. The proposed method suggested the same MIC point for pyrogallol when using microplate images before and after the addition of resazurin. Through this methodology, the subjectivity of visual analysis in MIC tests can be eliminated.
Ocean Acidification Alleviates Dwarf Eelgrass (Zostera noltii) Lipid Landscape Remodeling under Warming Stress
Authors: Duarte Bernardo , Repolho Tiago , Paula José Ricardo , Caçador Isabel , Matos Ana Rita , Rosa Rui
Published: May 2022

Coastal seagrass meadows provide a variety of essential ecological and economic services, including nursery grounds, sediment stabilization, nutrient cycling, coastal protection, and blue carbon sequestration. However, these ecosystems are highly threatened by ongoing climatic change. This study was aimed to understand how the dwarf eelgrass Zostera noltii leaf lipid landscapes are altered under predicted ocean warming (+4 °C) and hypercapnic (ΔpH 0.4) conditions. Warming and hypercapnic conditions were found to induce a severe reduction in the leaf total fatty acid, though the combined treatment substantially alleviated this depletion. The lipid discrimination revealed a significant increase in the relative monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) content in both hypercapnic and warming conditions, allied to plastidial membrane stabilization mechanisms. Hypercapnia also promoted enhanced phosphatidylglycerol (PG) leaf contents, a mechanism often associated with thylakoid reinvigoration. In addition to changing the proportion of storage, galacto- and phospholipids, the tested treatments also impacted the FA composition of all lipid classes, with warming exposure leading to decreases in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs); however, the combination of both stress conditions alleviated this effect. The observed galactolipid and phospholipid PUFA decreases are compatible with a homeoviscous adaptation, allowing for the maintenance of membrane stability by counteracting excessive membrane fluidity. Neutral lipid contents were substantially increased under warming conditions, especially in C18 fatty acids (C18), impairing their use as substrates for fatty acylated derivatives essential for maintaining the osmotic balance of cells. An analysis of the phospholipid and galactolipid fatty acid profiles as a whole revealed a higher degree of discrimination, highlighting the higher impact of warming and the proposed stress alleviation effect induced by increased water-dissolved CO2 availability. Still, it is essential to remember that the pace at which the ocean is warming can overcome the ameliorative capacity induced by higher CO2 availability, leaving seagrasses under severe heat stress beyond their lipid remodeling capacity.
Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Combined with Nano-Hydrogel Promote Functional Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury in Rats
Authors: Li Jianping , Ji Zhisheng , Wang Yu , Li Tiantian , Luo Jinghua , Li Jun , Shi Xueshuang , Li Liming , He Liumin , Wu Wutian
Published: May 2022

The treatment of spinal cord injury aims to reconstruct the fiber connection and restore the interrupted neural pathways. Adipose mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) can promote the recovery of motor functions in spinal cord injury. However, poor survival of ADSCs and leakage outside of the injury site after local transplantation reduce the number of cells, which seriously attenuates the cumulative effect. We performed heterotopic transplantation on rats with severe spinal cord injury using human ADSCs loaded within self-assembly hydrogel RADA16-RGD (R: arginine; A: alanine; D: aspartic acid; G: glycine). Our results indicate that the combined transplantation of human ADSCs with RADA16-RGD improved the survival of ADSCs at the injured site. The inflammatory reaction was inhibited, with improved survival of the neurons and increased residual area of nerve fibers and myelin protein. The functional behaviors were promoted, as determined by the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale score and electrophysiological measurements. ADSCs can promote the repair of spinal cord injury. This study provides new ideas for the treatment of spinal cord injury.
Challenges and the Evolving Landscape of Assessing Blood-Based PD-L1 Expression as a Biomarker for Anti-PD-(L)1 Immunotherapy
Authors: Wang Tao , Denman Desirée , Bacot Silvia M. , Feldman Gerald M.
Published: May 2022

While promising, PD-L1 expression on tumor tissues as assessed by immunohistochemistry has been shown to be an imperfect biomarker that only applies to a limited number of cancers, whereas many patients with PD-L1-negative tumors still respond to anti-PD-(L)1 immunotherapy. Recent studies using patient blood samples to assess immunotherapeutic responsiveness suggests a promising approach to the identification of novel and/or improved biomarkers for anti-PD-(L)1 immunotherapy. In this review, we discuss the advances in our evolving understanding of the regulation and function of PD-L1 expression, which is the foundation for developing blood-based PD-L1 as a biomarker for anti-PD-(L)1 immunotherapy. We further discuss current knowledge and clinical study results for biomarker identification using PD-L1 expression on tumor and immune cells, exosomes, and soluble forms of PD-L1 in the peripheral blood. Finally, we discuss key challenges for the successful development of the potential use of blood-based PD-L1 as a biomarker for anti-PD-(L)1 immunotherapy.
Nanoparticles Loaded with Docetaxel and Resveratrol as an Advanced Tool for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Jurczyk Magdalena , Kasperczyk Janusz , Wrześniok Dorota , Beberok Artur , Jelonek Katarzyna
Published: May 2022

A growing interest in the use of a combination of chemosensitizers and cytostatics for overcoming cancer resistance to treatment and the development of their delivery systems has been observed. Resveratrol (Res) presents antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive properties but also limits multidrug resistance against docetaxel (Dtx), which is one of the main causes of failure in cancer therapy with this drug. However, the use of both drugs presents challenges, including poor bioavailability, the unfavourable pharmacokinetics and chemical instability of Res and the poor water solubility and dose-limiting toxicity of Dtx. In order to overcome these difficulties, attempts have been made to create different forms of delivery for both agents. This review is focused on the latest developments in nanoparticles for the delivery of Dtx, Res and for the combined delivery of those two drugs. The aim of this review was also to summarize the synergistic mechanism of action of Dtx and Res on cancer cells. According to recent reports, Dtx and Res loaded in a nano-delivery system exhibit better efficiency in cancer treatment compared to free drugs. Also, the co-delivery of Dtx and Res in one actively targeted delivery system providing the simultaneous release of both drugs in cancer cells has a chance to fulfil the requirements of effective anticancer therapy and reduce limitations in therapy caused by multidrug resistance (MDR).
Lipidomics Analysis of Free Fatty Acids in Human Plasma of Healthy and Diabetic Subjects by Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS)
Authors: Kokotou Maroula G. , Mantzourani Christiana , Batsika Charikleia S. , Mountanea Olga G. , Eleftheriadou Ioanna , Kosta Ourania , Tentolouris Nikolaos , Kokotos George
Published: May 2022

Targeted analytical methods for the determination of free fatty acids (FFAs) in human plasma are of high interest because they may help in identifying biomarkers for diseases and in monitoring the progress of a disease. The determination of FFAs is of particular importance in the case of metabolic disorders because FFAs have been associated with diabetes. We present a liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) method, which allows the simultaneous determination of 74 FFAs in human plasma. The method is fast (10-min run) and straightforward, avoiding any derivatization step and tedious sample preparation. A total of 35 standard saturated and unsaturated FFAs, as well as 39 oxygenated (either hydroxy or oxo) saturated FFAs, were simultaneously detected and quantified in plasma samples from 29 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), 14 with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D), and 28 healthy subjects. Alterations in the levels of medium-chain FFAs (C6:0 to C10:0) were observed between the control group and T2D and T1D patients.
Biomimetic Antibacterial Pro-Osteogenic Cu-Sericin MOFs for Osteomyelitis Treatment
Authors: Kundu Banani , Reis Rui L. , Kundu Subhas C.
Published: May 2022

Osteomyelitis is an inflammation of the bone caused by bacterial infection. It usually develops from broken bones, decayed teeth, or heavily punctured wounds. Multi-drug-resistant bacteria are the major hurdle in the treatment of osteomyelitis. The ever-rising antibiotic resistance even leads to amputations or fatalities as a consequence of chronic osteomyelitis. Hence, a single agent with antibacterial activity as well as bone regenerative properties can serve as a potential off-the-shelf product in the treatment of osteomyelitis. Herein, the antibacterial and pro-osteogenic characteristics of copper sericin (Cu-SER) metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are reported. Sericin, a silk protein with antibacterial activity and an osteoinduction property, acts as an organic template for the deposition of Cu-SER MOFs, similar to collagen during biomineralization in bone. The MOFs exhibit cytocompatibility and osteogenic activity in a dose-dependent manner, as revealed by cell proliferation (alamarBlue) and mineralization (Alizarin Red S and Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis). The bactericidal activity of Cu-SER MOFs was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and a growth kinetic analysis. Together, the report illuminates the unique phenomenon of Cu-SER MOFs that kill bacteria upon contact while being well-tolerated by primary human cells. Hence, Cu-SER MOFs hold the potential to minimize antibiotic dependence.
Early Detection of Male-Predominant Phenotypes in the Pattern of Ultrasonic Vocalizations Emitted by Autism Spectrum Disorder Model (Crmp4-Knockout) Mice
Authors: Shiono Suzuka , Tsutiya Atsuhiro , Ohtani-Kaneko Ritsuko
Published: May 2022

Male predominance is a known feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although ASD mouse models can be useful for elucidating mechanisms underlying abnormal behaviors relevant to human ASD, suitable models to analyze sex differences in ASD pathogenesis remain insufficient. Herein, we used collapsin response mediator protein 4 (Crmp4)-knockout (KO) mice exhibiting ASD-like phenotypes in a male-predominant manner and analyzed ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) to detect potential differences between genotypes and sexes during the early postnatal period. We recorded isolation-induced USVs emitted from wild-type (WT) and Crmp4-KO littermates and compared the total number of USVs between genotypes and sexes. We classified USVs into 10 types based on internal pitch changes, lengths, and shapes and compared the number of USVs in each type by genotypes and sex. Male Crmp4-KO mice exhibited a reduction in the total number of USVs. Crmp4-KO decreased the number of USVs in 7 out of 10 USV types, and male KO mice exhibited a greater reduction than females in 3 of the 7 types. This study offers a suitable ASD animal model and tool for assessing sex-based communication deficits during the early postnatal period, both of which would be valuable for elucidating the underlying mechanism.
Superordinate Categorization Based on the Perceptual Organization of Parts
Authors: Tiedemann Henning , Schmidt Filipp , Fleming Roland W.
Published: May 2022

Plants and animals are among the most behaviorally significant superordinate categories for humans. Visually assigning objects to such high-level classes is challenging because highly distinct items must be grouped together (e.g., chimpanzees and geckos) while more similar items must sometimes be separated (e.g., stick insects and twigs). As both animals and plants typically possess complex multi-limbed shapes, the perceptual organization of shape into parts likely plays a crucial rule in identifying them. Here, we identify a number of distinctive growth characteristics that affect the spatial arrangement and properties of limbs, yielding useful cues for differentiating plants from animals. We developed a novel algorithm based on shape skeletons to create many novel object pairs that differ in their part structure but are otherwise very similar. We found that particular part organizations cause stimuli to look systematically more like plants or animals. We then generated other 110 sequences of shapes morphing from animal- to plant-like appearance by modifying three aspects of part structure: sprouting parts, curvedness of parts, and symmetry of part pairs. We found that all three parameters correlated strongly with human animal/plant judgments. Together our findings suggest that subtle changes in the properties and organization of parts can provide powerful cues in superordinate categorization.
Is Neuronal Fatigue the Cause of Migraine?
Authors: Pusch Michael , Gavazzo Paola
Published: May 2022

The pathological basis of migraine is not fully understood. Familial hemiplegic migraines (FHM) are monogenic forms of severe migraine, caused by mutations in genes encoding various neuronal and/or astrocytic ion transporting proteins. The leading hypothesis regarding the mechanism underlying migraine in FHM is that enhanced electrical excitability leads to increased extracellular potassium levels with subsequent cortical spreading depression. In this short commentary we would like to propose an additional mechanism distinct from enhanced electrical excitability per se. Rather, we propose that FHM mutations cause substantially increased energy expenditure of neurons for re-establishing ion gradients and/or for increased synaptic activity, a mechanism we call neuronal fatigue. Such a metabolic mechanism had been proposed earlier for common migraine and has received recent experimental evidence in particular for the case of FHM3. The hypothesis could be tested in future studies of FHM related models that would need to take metabolic parameters into account.
The Novelty of Using Glass Powder and Lime Powder for Producing UHPSCC
Authors: Ghareeb Kareem S. , Ahmed Hossam E. , El-Affandy Tamer H. , Deifalla Ahmed F. , El-Sayed Taha A.
Published: May 2022

In recent years, UHP self-compacted concrete is an innovative category of concrete that has attached a lot of attention because of its higher durability and compressive strength than conventional concrete. So, to overcome the cost of preparation of UHPC and preservation of high-strength deformation and rheological characteristic of self-compacting concrete when replacing a part of expensive cement with three types of production waste. In addition, the problem of reducing environmental pollution is solved. In this study. recycled glass (GP) and lime (LP) powder were used as substitution materials in the manufacture of the UHPSCC. The flowability of UHPSCC was measured by slump flow,  T50, V-funnel tests as an indication for the capability of filling and J-ring tests as an indication for the capability of passing. Furthermore, durability and mechanical properties were investigated. The elevated temperature effect was investigated on several UHPCSCC samples with glass (GP) and lime (LP) powder. The test results showed that the incorporation of GP and LP partially replaced cement improved the flowability of UHPSCC. The compressive, tensile, and flexural strength were enhanced by using GP till 20% replacement of cement also, the compression strength values were highly improved by using LP replacement of cement at different ages for (hot and normal curing). The highly compressive strength values for UHPSCC mixes with a 20% replacement ratio of GP and LP as cement replacement materials were 119.0 and 128.8 MPa under hot curing regimes and increased by 6.25% and 9.62%, respectively, than that of similar mixes under normal curing regimes at 90 days. The highly splitting and flexural strength values for UHPSCC 7 mix with 20% replacement level of LP and UHPSCC 9 mix with 20% replacement level of LP and GP were reported at 11.80 and 17.85 MPa which increased by 24.20% and 58.60%, respectively, compared to the control mix.
Future City, Digital Twinning and the Urban Realm: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Saeed Zaid , Mancini Francesco , Glusac Tanja , Izadpanahi Parisa
Published: May 2022

Digitalisation and the future city paradigm are becoming a trend in recent research and practices. Literature discusses digitalisation and its applications as the main gear in the transformation to the ideal future city vision. Yet, the concept of digitalisation is articulated in many interpretations and presented in different applications in the built environment. One emerging application is digital twinning. Literature envisions the potential of digital twinning applications in the urban realm and discusses the cognitive city model and its implications on the future of our cities, its urban realm and the built environment in general. With the evolving themes on the ideal future city model, this systematic review tackles the following questions: what are the key motives and drivers of the future city paradigm; what is a city digital twin; and what are their expected applications. Additionally, how literature envisions the definition of the city users and their experience in the urban realm of the city of the future. This review article explores related literature on the themes of future city model, digital urban realm, digital twinning and city users. The main findings are: identifying key gears of the future city model in literature, exploring city digital twin conceptualization and applications and discussing concepts on the definition of city user and user experience in the city of the future.
Pediatric Sarcomas: The Next Generation of Molecular Studies
Authors: Giannikopoulos Petros , Parham David M.
Published: May 2022

Pediatric sarcomas constitute one of the largest groups of childhood cancers, following hematopoietic, neural, and renal lesions. Partly because of their diversity, they continue to offer challenges in diagnosis and treatment. In spite of the diagnostic, nosologic, and therapeutic gains made with genetic technology, newer means for investigation are needed. This article reviews emerging technology being used to study human neoplasia and how these methods might be applicable to pediatric sarcomas. Methods reviewed include single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq), spatial multi-omics, high-throughput functional genomics, and clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic sequence-Cas9 (CRISPR-Cas9) technology. In spite of these advances, the field continues to be challenged by a dearth of properly annotated materials, particularly from recurrences and metastases and pre- and post-treatment samples.
Asymptomatic Survivors of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Demonstrate a Biological Profile of Inflamm-Aging Early in Life
Authors: Latoch Eryk , Konończuk Katarzyna , Konstantynowicz-Nowicka Karolina , Muszyńska-Rosłan Katarzyna , Sztolsztener Klaudia , Chabowski Adrian , Krawczuk-Rybak Maryna
Published: May 2022

Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivors are at higher risk of developing many late effects later in life. They experience multiple health problems that have significant public health implications, such as frailty, premature onset of lifestyle diseases, and second tumors. There is some evidence that chronic inflammation causes accelerated aging in childhood cancer survivors; however, the available data are very limited. The aim of the study was to evaluate the broad panel of cytokines among asymptomatic ALL survivors after anticancer treatment. The study included 56 subjects with a mean age of 16.11 ± 3.98 years. The commercially available Bio-Plex Pro Human Cytokine Screening 48-Plex Panel Assay and Bio-Plex TGF-β Assay were used for simultaneous determination of 48 cytokines and 3 isoforms of TGF-β. Among 51 tested cytokines, the levels of 33 were statistically significantly higher in ALL survivors than in the control group (p < 0.05). Increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including the IL-1 family (IL-1 β, IL-1Ra; p < 0.0001), IL-6 (p < 0.001), IL-17 (p < 0.001), IL-18 (p < 0.05), TNFα (p < 0.01), IFNα2 (p < 0.05), and IFNγ (p < 0.01), were found elevated in the entire study group, compared with the controls. Subjects treated previously according to the high-risk protocol had higher IL-18 levels than low- and intermediate-risk groups (p < 0.05). Elevated levels of IL-1ra, IL-6, IL-12 (p70), IL-17, LIF, M-CSF, CSF, and VEGF were found in ALL survivors treated before the age of 5, compared with subjects treated over 5 years of age (p < 0.05). Moreover, individuals who received radiotherapy presented elevated levels of both IL-18 (p < 0.05) and MIG (p < 0.05). In conclusion, we found that young asymptomatic survivors after ALL treatment demonstrated a biological profile of complex low-grade chronic inflammation.
Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) in Early Breast Cancer Patients: High CD3+, CD8+, and Immunoscore Are Associated with a Pathological Complete Response
Authors: Rapoport Bernardo Leon , Nayler Simon , Mlecnik Bernhard , Smit Teresa , Heyman Liezl , Bouquet Isabelle , Martel Marine , Galon Jérôme , Benn Carol-Ann , Anderson Ronald
Published: May 2022

Background: Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are associated with a better prognosis in early triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). These cells can be enumerated in situ by the “Immunoscore Clinical Research” (ISCR). The original Immunoscore® is a prognostic tool that categorizes the densities of CD3+ and CD8+ cells in both the invasive margin (IM) and center of the tumor (CT) in localized colon cancer, yielding a five-tiered classification (0–4). We evaluated the prognostic potential of ISCR and pathological complete response (pCR) following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). Methods: The cohort included 53 TNBC, 32 luminal BC, and 18 HER2-positive BC patients undergoing NACT. Pre-treatment tumor biopsies were immune-stained for CD3+ and CD8+ T-cell markers. Quantitative analysis of these cells in different tumor locations was performed using computer-assisted image analysis. Results: The pCR rate was 44%. Univariate analysis showed that primary tumor size, estrogen-receptor negative, progesterone-receptor negative, luminal vs. HER2-positive vs. TNBC, high Ki-67, high densities (cells/mm2) of CD3 CT, CD8+ CT, CD3+ IM, and CD8+ IM cells were associated with a high pCR. ISCR was associated with pCR following NACT. A multivariate model consisting of ISCR and the significant variables from the univariate analysis showed a significant trend for ISCR; however, the low sample size did not provide enough power for the model to be included in this study. Conclusions: These results revealed a significant prognostic role for the spatial distributions of the CD3+, and CD8+ lymphocytes, as well as the ISCR in relation to pCR following NACT.
Deep Learning for Reaction-Diffusion Glioma Growth Modeling: Towards a Fully Personalized Model?
Authors: Martens Corentin , Rovai Antonin , Bonatto Daniele , Metens Thierry , Debeir Olivier , Decaestecker Christine , Goldman Serge , Van Simaeys Gaetan
Published: May 2022

Reaction-diffusion models have been proposed for decades to capture the growth of gliomas, the most common primary brain tumors. However, ill-posedness of the initialization at diagnosis time and parameter estimation of such models have restrained their clinical use as a personalized predictive tool. In this work, we investigate the ability of deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) to address commonly encountered pitfalls in the field. Based on 1200 synthetic tumors grown over real brain geometries derived from magnetic resonance (MR) data of six healthy subjects, we demonstrate the ability of DCNNs to reconstruct a whole tumor cell-density distribution from only two imaging contours at a single time point. With an additional imaging contour extracted at a prior time point, we also demonstrate the ability of DCNNs to accurately estimate the individual diffusivity and proliferation parameters of the model. From this knowledge, the spatio-temporal evolution of the tumor cell-density distribution at later time points can ultimately be precisely captured using the model. We finally show the applicability of our approach to MR data of a real glioblastoma patient. This approach may open the perspective of a clinical application of reaction-diffusion growth models for tumor prognosis and treatment planning.
Circulating Virus–Host Chimera DNAs in the Clinical Monitoring of Virus-Related Cancers
Authors: Li Chiao-Ling , Yeh Shiou-Hwei , Chen Pei-Jer
Published: May 2022

The idea of using tumor-specific cell-free DNA (ctDNA) as a tumor biomarker has been widely tested and validated in various types of human cancers and different clinical settings. ctDNA can reflect the presence or size of tumors in a real-time manner and can enable longitudinal monitoring with minimal invasiveness, allowing it to be applied in treatment response assessment and recurrence monitoring for cancer therapies. However, tumor detection by ctDNA remains a great challenge due to the difficulty in enriching ctDNA from a large amount of homologous non-tumor cell-free DNA (cfDNA). Only ctDNA with nonhuman sequences (or rearrangements) can be selected from the background of cfDNA from nontumor DNAs. This is possible for several virus-related cancers, such as hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC or human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cervical or head and neck cancers, which frequently harbor randomly integrated viral DNA. The junction fragments of the integrations, namely virus–host chimera DNA (vh-DNA), can represent the signatures of individual tumors and are released into the blood. Such ctDNA can be enriched by capture with virus-specific probes and therefore exploited as a circulating biomarker to track virus-related cancers in clinical settings. Here, we review virus integrations in virus-related cancers to evaluate the feasibility of vh-DNA as a cell-free tumor marker and update studies on the development of detection and applications. vh-DNA may be a solution to the development of specific markers to manage virus-related cancers in the future.