bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeting IRAK4 with Emavusertib in Lymphoma Models with Secondary Resistance to PI3K and BTK Inhibitors
Authors: Guidetti Francesca , Arribas Alberto J. , Sartori Giulio , Spriano Filippo , Barnabei Laura , Tarantelli Chiara , Von Roemeling Reinhard , Martinez Elizabeth , Zucca Emanuele , Bertoni Francesco
Published: January 2023

Inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) represent a recognized option for the treatment of patients affected by indolent B cell lymphomas. However, small molecules as single agents show limited success in their ability in inducing complete responses, with only partial remission achieved in most patients, suggesting the need for combination therapies. IRAK4 is a protein kinase downstream of the Toll-like receptor signaling (TLR), a driver pathway of secondary tumor° resistance in both hematological and solid tumor malignancies. Activation of IRAK4 upon TLRs and IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) stimulation and through the adaptor protein MYD88 initiates a signaling cascade that induces cytokine and survival factor expression mediated by the transcription factor NF-κB. MYD88-L265P encoding mutations occur in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, in lymphoplasmacytic lymphomas and in few marginal zone lymphomas (MZL). The IRAK4 inhibitor emavusertib (CA-4948) has shown early safety and clinical activity in lymphoma and leukemia patients. In this preclinical study, we assessed emavusertib effectiveness in MZL, both as single agent and in combination with targeted agents, with a particular focus on its capability to overcome resistance to BTK and PI3K inhibitors. We showed that the presence of MYD88 L265P mutation in bona fide MZL cell lines confers sensitivity to the IRAK4 inhibitor emavusertib as single agent. Emavusertib-based combinations improved the sensitivity of MZL cells to BTK and PI3K inhibitors, including cells with a secondary resistance to these agents. Emavusertib exerted its activity via inhibition of NF-κB signaling and induction of apoptosis. Considering the early safety data from clinical trials, our study identifies the IRAK4 inhibitor emavusertib as a novel compound to be explored in trials for patients with MYD88-mutated indolent B cell lymphomas as single agent and as combination partner with BTK or PI3K inhibitors in unselected populations of patients.
iERM: An Interpretable Deep Learning System to Classify Epiretinal Membrane for Different Optical Coherence Tomography Devices: A Multi-Center Analysis
Authors: Jin Kai , Yan Yan , Wang Shuai , Yang Ce , Chen Menglu , Liu Xindi , Terasaki Hiroto , Yeo Tun-Hang , Singh Neha Gulab , Wang Yao , Ye Juan
Published: January 2023

Background: Epiretinal membranes (ERM) have been found to be common among individuals >50 years old. However, the severity grading assessment for ERM based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) images has remained a challenge due to lacking reliable and interpretable analysis methods. Thus, this study aimed to develop a two-stage deep learning (DL) system named iERM to provide accurate automatic grading of ERM for clinical practice. Methods: The iERM was trained based on human segmentation of key features to improve classification performance and simultaneously provide interpretability to the classification results. We developed and tested iERM using a total of 4547 OCT B-Scans of four different commercial OCT devices that were collected from nine international medical centers. Results: As per the results, the integrated network effectively improved the grading performance by 1–5.9% compared with the traditional classification DL model and achieved high accuracy scores of 82.9%, 87.0%, and 79.4% in the internal test dataset and two external test datasets, respectively. This is comparable to retinal specialists whose average accuracy scores are 87.8% and 79.4% in two external test datasets. Conclusion: This study proved to be a benchmark method to improve the performance and enhance the interpretability of the traditional DL model with the implementation of segmentation based on prior human knowledge. It may have the potential to provide precise guidance for ERM diagnosis and treatment.
Feasibility, Acceptability, and Efficacy of Home-Based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Pain in Older Adults with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias: A Randomized Sham-Controlled Pilot Clinical Trial
Authors: Martorella Geraldine , Miao Hongyu , Wang Duo , Park Lindsey , Mathis Kenneth , Park JuYoung , Sheffler Julia , Granville Lisa , Teixeira Antonio , Schulz Paul , Ahn Hyochol
Published: January 2023

Although transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is emerging as a convenient pain relief modality for several chronic pain conditions, its feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy on pain in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) have not been investigated. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of 5, 20-min home-based tDCS sessions on chronic pain in older adults with ADRD. We randomly assigned 40 participants to active (n = 20) or sham (n = 20) tDCS. Clinical pain intensity was assessed using a numeric rating scale (NRS) with patients and a proxy measure (MOBID-2) with caregivers. We observed significant reductions of pain intensity for patients in the active tDCS group as reflected by both pain measures (NRS: Cohen’s d = 0.69, p-value = 0.02); MOBID-2: Cohen’s d = 1.12, p-value = 0.001). Moreover, we found home-based tDCS was feasible and acceptable intervention approach for pain in ADRD. These findings suggest the need for large-scale randomized controlled studies with larger samples and extended versions of tDCS to relieve chronic pain on the long-term for individuals with ADRD.
Trimethylamine N-Oxide Levels Are Associated with Severe Aortic Stenosis and Predict Long-Term Adverse Outcome
Authors: Guo Yuchao , Xu Shaojun , Zhan Hong , Chen Han , Hu Po , Zhou Dao , Dai Hanyi , Liu Xianbao , Hu Wangxing , Zhu Gangjie , Suzuki Toru , Wang Jian’an
Published: January 2023

Objective: Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a pathological microbial metabolite, is demonstrated to be related to cardiovascular diseases. This study was (1) to investigate the association between TMAO and aortic stenosis and (2) to determine the prognostic value of TMAO for predicting mortality after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Methods: 299 consecutive patients (77 (72–81) years, 58.2% male, Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score 5.8 (4.9–9.3)) with severe aortic stenosis and 711 patients (59 (52–66) years, 51.9% male) without aortic stenosis were included in this retrospective study. A total of 126 pairs of patients were assembled by Propensity Score Matching. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality using survival analyses stratified by TMAO quartiles. Results: Patients with severe aortic stenosis had higher TMAO levels (3.18 (1.77–6.91) μmol/L vs. 1.78 (1.14–2.68) μmol/L, p < 0.001), and TMAO remained significantly higher after adjusting for baseline characteristics. Higher TMAO level was associated with higher 2-year all-cause mortality (19.2% vs. 9.5%, log-rank p = 0.028) and higher late cumulative mortality (34.2% vs. 19.1%, log-rank p = 0.004). In Cox regression multivariate analysis, higher TMAO level remained an independent predictor (hazard ratio 1.788; 95% CI 1.064–3.005, p = 0.028) of all-cause mortality after adjusting for STS score, N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide, and maximum velocity. Conclusions: The TMAO level was higher in aortic stenosis patients. Elevated TMAO was associated with poor adverse outcome after TAVR.
The Influence of Methods for Cardiac Output Determination on the Diagnosis of Precapillary Pulmonary Hypertension: A Mathematical Model
Authors: Genecand Léon , Simian Gaëtan , Desponds Roberto , Wacker Julie , Ulrich Silvia , Lechartier Benoit , Fellrath Jean-Marc , Sitbon Olivier , Beghetti Maurice , Lador Frédéric
Published: January 2023

Background: precapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH, PcPH) is now defined as a mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) > 20 mmHg, a pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) ≤ 15 mmHg and a pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) > 2 WU. For PVR calculation, the measurement of cardiac output (CO) is necessary. It is generally measured using thermodilution. However, recent data showed that the agreement with direct Fick method, historically the gold standard, is less than previously reported. We aimed to create a mathematical model that calculated the probability of being classified differently (PcPH or unclassified PH) if CO measured by direct Fick was used instead of thermodilution for any individual patients with a mPAP > 20 mmHg and a PAWP ≤ 15 mmHg. Methods: The model is based on Bland and Altman analysis with a normally distributed difference of cardiac output, fixed 1.96 standard deviation of bias, bias and physiological cardiac output limits. Results: Following a literature review of the studies comparing CO measured with direct Fick and thermodilution, we fixed the 1.96 standard deviation of bias at 2 L/min, bias at 0 L/min and physiological resting CO limits between 1.3 L/min and 10.2 L/min. Conclusions: This model can help the clinician to evaluate the potential benefit of measuring CO using direct Fick during the diagnostic work-up and its utility in confirming or ruling out a diagnosis of PcPH in any given patient with a mPAP > 20 mmHg and a PAWP ≤ 15 mmHg.
Thermal Transformation of Secondary Resources of Carbon-Rich Wastes into Valuable Industrial Applications
Authors: Hemati Sepideh , Udayakumar Sanjith , Wesley Charlotte , Biswal Smitirupa , Nur-A-Tomal Md. Shahruk , Sarmadi Negin , Pahlevani Farshid , Sahajwalla Veena
Published: January 2023

Carbon-based materials have become an indispensable component in a myriad of domestic and industrial applications. Most of the carbon-based end-of-life products discussed in this review end up in landfills. Where recycling is available, it usually involves the production of lower-value products. The allotropic nature of carbon has been analysed to identify novel materials that could be obtained from used products, which also transform into a secondary carbon resource. Thermal transformation of carbon-rich wastes is a promising and viable pathway for adding value to waste that would otherwise go to landfills. The valorisation routes of four different carbon-rich wastes by thermal transformation are reviewed in the study—automotive shredder residue (ASR), textile wastes, leather wastes, and spent coffee grounds (SCGs). Textile wastes were thermally transformed into carbon fibres and activated carbon, while ASRs were used as a reductant to produce silicon carbide (SiC) from waste glass. The leather wastes and spent coffee grounds (SCGs) were employed as reductants in the reduction of hematite. This paper examines the possible routes of thermally transforming carbon-rich wastes into different industrial processes and applications. The transformation products were characterised using several techniques to assess their suitability for their respective applications. The strategy of valorising the wastes by thermal transformation has successfully prevented those wastes from ending up in landfills.
Evaluation of the Metallurgical Quality of Nodular Cast Iron in the Production Conditions of a Foundry
Authors: Dwulat Rafał , Janerka Krzysztof
Published: January 2023

The aim of this research was to determine the factors affecting the metallurgical quality of cast iron during serial production of castings using a campaign cupola and a holding furnace. The problem to be solved, which was to obtain cast iron with the required mechanical properties while reducing the internal porosity, results from the foundry’s need to increase the metallurgical quality of the alloy. The increasing difficulty and complicated constructions of castings, for which it is not possible to introduce risers at the stage of technological design, make the stage of proper preparation of cast iron the only way to obtain castings without shrinkage defects. The article presents the results of the study of physicochemical and mechanical properties, microstructure and shrinkage tendency of ductile iron depending on the charge materials used, the amount of Mg used during spheroidization and the type of final inoculants. Step castings and wedge tests were produced on a vertical molding line. The spheroidization was carried out by injecting a core wire containing Mg alloy into the cast iron. The final inoculation of 0.2% was performed using a pneumatic dispenser equipped with a vision system to control the effectiveness of the inoculation. The ITACA Meltdeck thermal analysis system was used to study the physicochemical properties of the initial cast iron, and the ITACA X system to analyze the state of the final cast iron on the molding line. Mechanical tests were performed on samples cut from a stepped casting, and microstructure tests were carried out using a light microscope and a scanning electron microscope. The results of thermal analyses show that increasing the share of pig iron at the expense of steel increases the minimum solidification temperature of eutectic, and thus, increases the potential for graphite nucleation in cast iron. Increasing the nucleation potential can be obtained by adding anthracite, FeSi and SiC. A very important factor in obtaining cast iron of high metallurgical quality is the possible limitation during spheroidization of the length of the core wire containing Mg, which is a carbide-forming element. The lower the initial sulfur level, the greater the possibility of reducing the amount of cored wire. The inoculants containing Ce and Bi were the most advantageous final inoculants from the point of view of obtaining the best microstructure parameters and plastic properties of cast iron.
Momentum Balance Analysis of Spherical Objects and Long-Term Field Observations of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) in the Swash Zone
Authors: Cristaudo Demetra , Gross Benedict M. , Puleo Jack A.
Published: January 2023

Military activity has resulted in unexploded ordnance (UXO) existing in the nearshore. Understanding and predicting UXO behavior is important for object identification, and management. Here, two studies (laboratory and fieldwork) have been conducted to observe UXO surrogates in the swash zone and relate burial and migration to the underlying forcing conditions. A small-scale laboratory dam-break study was conducted to quantify migration of varying density spherical objects at different locations on a sloping, mobile, sandy bed. A moment balance was applied to derive two data-driven relationships to: (1) predict moments from the cross-shore flow velocity with predictions confined within a factor of two; (2) predict upslope or downslope migration from the moment. Fitting coefficients for the upslope and downslope relationships vary as a function of density, initial position, and burial. A field study was also conducted to investigate long-term behavior of eight varieties of UXO surrogates. Of the 129 observations, 56% were mobilized of which 76% were directed offshore. Burial/exposure was mostly related to far-field beach accretion/erosion (67%). However, scouring processes were also observed. Data showed that migration is likely a short-term process and most munitions will ultimately scour into a mobile bed.
Sponges as Emerging By-Product of Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture (IMTA)
Authors: Aguilo-Arce Joseba , Ferriol Pere , Trani Roberta , Puthod Patrizia , Pierri Cataldo , Longo Caterina
Published: January 2023

The use of marine sponges dates back thousands of years, and interest in these animals is increasing as new applications are discovered. Their potential is extensive, both in their ancient and still popular use as bath sponges for cosmetics and regarding the more recent discovery of bioactive secondary metabolites mainly of interest for the pharmaceutical industry and the less developed aquariology. Despite their proven biofiltration and ecosystem restoration ability and the biomass supply problem for the interested industries, few integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems incorporate these invertebrates in their facilities. Therefore, in this brief review, the benefits that marine sponges could bring to rapidly growing IMTA systems are summarized, highlighting their suitability for a circular blue economy.
Research on Multi-Objective Energy Efficiency Optimization Method of Ships Considering Carbon Tax
Authors: Yuan Yupeng , Wang Xiaoyu , Tong Liang , Yang Rui , Shen Boyang
Published: January 2023

Various measures have been taken to improve ship energy efficiency while decreasing CO2 emissions. In this work, the navigation environment between Wuhan and Shanghai in China has been classified based on an improved K-means algorithm in order to realize route division. A fuel consumption prediction model considering the navigation environment factors has been established. Consequently, speed optimization models with multiple different optimization objectives have been constructed and tested based on an actual case using an artificial fish swarm algorithm. Finally, sensitivity analysis has been carried out focusing on the navigation time, fuel price, charter rate, free carbon credits, and carbon tax rate. The results show that the total shipping cost and CO2 emissions could be reduced by 0.94% and 0.38%, respectively, after the optimization. Considering a carbon tax policy with a tax rate of roughly 1300 RMB/t, the optimization result (including the carbon tax cost) is close to the compromised solution of multi-objective optimization, and the corresponding carbon tax rate can provide a useful reference for policymakers.
Theoretical Analysis of Dynamic Response of Pipe Pile with Multi-Defects
Authors: Zhong Mingchen , Meng Kun
Published: January 2023

A mathematical model for an outer soil, multi-defects pipe pile, and inner soil dynamic interaction system is established to research the influences of multi-defects on the vibration of a pipe pile. The dynamic impedance of the pipe pile is deduced by applying a Laplace transformation method and an impedance recursive technique. Then, the velocity response at the pile head is further obtained using the inverse Fourier transform method. Moreover, parametric analyses are conducted to research the influences of the type, degree, distribution, length, and depth of multi-defects on the vibration of the pipe pile. The results indicate that the characteristics of multi-defects appear different, with amplitude differences and reflected signal features on the velocity admittance and velocity response curve, respectively. This means that the obtained analytical solutions and relevant results can be used to detect multi-defects of pipe piles using the different appearances of the velocity admittance and velocity response curve, as measured in engineering practice.
Microbial Community Diversity of Coral Reef Sediments on Liuqiu Island, Southwestern Taiwan
Authors: Wang Feng-Yu , Liu Min-Yun
Published: January 2023

Microbes in coral reef sediments are thought to play an important role in organic matter remineralization and nutrient recycling. Microbial communities also reflect the environmental conditions, such as nutrient status, of an ecosystem. This study investigates the relationship between microbial community diversity in the reef sediments and environmental conditions at Liuqiu Island. We sampled sediments seasonally from four sites around the island, Beauty Cave, Geban Bay, Houshi Fringing Reef, and Lobster Cave, from 2015–2020. The V5–V6 hypervariable region of 16S rRNA was amplified and sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform to identify the microbial communities. The results showed that the high abundance of Pseudomonadota, Planctomycetota, and Bacteroidota might reflect the eutrophic environments of the sediments on Liuqiu Island. Second, the identification of putative pathogens and human-related genera suggests that human activities have affected the marine environment of Liuqiu Island. Third, the insignificant spatial differences and the significant temporal differences in the microbial communities of Liuqiu Island indicate that annual or periodical events, such as the Kuroshio Branch Current and South China Sea Surface Current, could shape the microbial communities of Liuqiu Island. Furthermore, the abundance of human-related genera—Cutibacterium, Herbaspirillum, Corynebacterium 1, Escherichia-Shigella, and Kocuria—increased dramatically in the Lobster Cave site in September 2015 and may have been induced by a strong climate event, such as a typhoon or heavy rainfall. Our results revealed that the microbial communities of Liuqiu Island are dynamic and sensitive to adjacent environmental conditions. The sedimented microbial communities could monitor the bacteria and pathogens related to human activities and even reveal the putative events that could affect the ecological environments.
Numerical Method for Predicting Emissions from Biodiesel Blend Fuels in Diesel Engines of Inland Waterway Vessels
Authors: Wu Gang , Li Jiaoxiu , Guo Hao , Wang Xin , Jiang Guohe
Published: January 2023

The use of alternative fuels in ships faces the dual challenge of emission regulations and cost of use. In this paper, the impact of biodiesel blends from cooking waste as a carbon-neutral fuel for inland waterway vessels was investigated. The software AVL FIRE was used to simulate the detailed chemical combustion process of a marine diesel engine running on D100 (pure diesel), B5 (5% biodiesel by volume), B10 (10% biodiesel by volume), and B15 (15% biodiesel by volume). The results showed that B5, B10, and B15 all provided a better air-fuel mixture and significantly reduced soot production. Based on the performance and emission values, B5, B10, and B15 cause relatively small differences in engine performance compared to diesel and are readily applicable in practice. Optimizing exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and varying injection timing can further optimize biodiesel fuel combustion while reducing NOx and soot emissions. The results of this study are helpful for the application of waste cooking oil biodiesel fuel and reducing exhaust gas emissions from ships.
Temperature and Humidity Effects on the Dynamic Stiffness of a Polyester Mooring Rope
Authors: Li Wenhua , Liu Xiongyan , Li Gen , Lin Shanying , Li Hangyu , Ge Yangyuan
Published: January 2023

In this paper, the nonlinear stiffness of a polyester rope under dynamic loads at different temperatures was experimentally investigated. The effects and evolution of the average load, load period and load amplitude on dynamic stiffness were studied. The experimental results show that the dynamic stiffness at 30 °C was greater than that at 20 °C and 40 °C. This is because the dynamic stiffness reduced as the temperature and humidity increased, while in the closed thermostat, humidity decreased with an increase in temperature. In response to this phenomenon, a new set of empirical equations was proposed to consider temperature, humidity, and dynamic load based on the existing empirical formulas, by combining the experimental results. A set of experiments was conducted at 25 °C to verify the accuracy and applicability of the formula. The experimental results and the predicted results are in good agreement.
High-Efficiency Pre-Treatment Core Tube for Produced Water in the Main Cavity Coupled with Secondary Cavities and Its Application in the Bohai Heavy Oilfield
Authors: Li Yudong , Qian Yundong , Lu Hao , Dai Pinyi , Zhu Huatong , Yang Qiang , Liu Yiqian
Published: January 2023

Improving the produced fluid yield is an effective measure for realizing the crude oil production capacity of offshore platforms. However, for offshore platforms employed in production, using the narrow space of the platform to expand the produced water treatment system is a significant problem. In this study, a highly efficient pre-treatment core tube was coupled with the main cavity and secondary cavities (MCSCs) based on a vane-type tubular separator and a cub-mother cyclone. The optimal inlet Reynolds number and processing capacity were determined according to the structure size of the MCSC, and the MCSC was applied to achieve highly efficient pre-treatment of produced water in a heavy oilfield in the Bohai Sea. The comprehensive evaluation indicators FA and FV were better than those used by current technology. When the influent oil content fluctuated around 2000 mg/L (average of 1772.81 mg/L), the oil content in the effluent was stable and below 200 mg/L (average of 106.44 mg/L), and the separation efficiency was nearly 94%. Compared to those of the current corrugated plate interceptor on the platform, the floor space was reduced by more than 60% and the separation efficiency increased by up to 65%.
Effectiveness of Sacrificial Shielding for Blast Mitigation of Steel Floating Pontoons
Authors: Khalifa Yasser A. , Lotfy Mohamed N. , Fathallah Elsayed
Published: January 2023

Floating pontoons have played a supreme and indispensable role in crises and disasters for both civil and military purposes. Floating bridges and ferries are exposed to blast loadings in the case of wars or terrorist attacks. The protection effectiveness of sacrificial cladding subjected to a blast was numerically investigated. In this study, a steel ferry has been simulated and exposed to side explosions with different explosive charges at certain stand-off distances, according to military standards from NATO and American standard TM5. In this simulation, nonlinear three-dimensional hydro-code numerical simulation ANSYS autodyn-3d has been used. The results reported that the ferry could withstand a charge of 5 kg TNT at a stand-off distance of 1 m without failure. The main objective of this research is to achieve a design that would increase the capacity against the blast loading with minimal plastic deformation in the absence of any failure in the ferry. Therefore, an innovative mitigation system has been proposed to dissipate the blast energy of the explosion based on the scientific theory of impedance using sacrificial cladding. The new mitigation system used a specific structural system in order to install the existing pontoon structure without any distraction. The response, elastic deformations, plastic deformations and plastic failure of the ferry were illustrated in this paper. Furthermore, the results revealed that the proposed mitigation system could mitigate more than 50% of the blast waves. The new design revealed promising results, which makes it suitable for mitigating blast waves. Finally, the results were provided with a reference for the preliminary design and application of sacrificial cladding for structural protection against blast waves.
An Inequality Indicator for High-Resistance Connection Fault Diagnosis in Marine Current Turbine
Authors: Jia Dongxu , Wang Tianzhen , Amirat Yassine , Tang Yunjie
Published: January 2023

Marine current energy is an abundant renewable energy resource. Marine current turbines (MCTs) can convert the kinetic energy of marine currents into electrical energy. However, the variations in the marine currents are violent and complex. These characteristics will be reflected in the variation in the operating condition of MCTs, thus interfering with normal diagnosis for the high-resistance connection (HRC). The HRC can be caused by damaged connections between device components that are easily made due to the harsh marine environment. To diagnose HRC in MCT, an inequality indicator is proposed to quantify the current imbalance caused by HRC. The inequality indicator is defined based on the arithmetic–geometric mean inequality and can identify slight current imbalances in the early stages of HRC. The inequality indicator is robust to the variable operating conditions of the permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) in the MCT. Experimental results show that the inequality indicator can be used to effectively diagnose HRC in the MCT with 100% accuracy. This research will help maintain the health condition of the MCTs and provide some ideas for diagnosis in MCTs. Moreover, the inequality indicator may provide a different approach to the analysis for other faults that can lead to a current imbalance.
Experimental and Numerical Study of Lateral Indentation for Pipe-in-Pipe Structures
Authors: Wang Yi , Huang Jun , Duan Menglan , Sun Chengong , Wang Xiongfei
Published: January 2023

Pipe-in-pipe (PIP) flowlines have been widely arranged in offshore oil and gas fields for transportation, to achieve a significant thermal insulation capacity and outstanding resistance to external loads. However, the lateral indentation mechanisms of these multilayer pipelines are more complicated than those of single-layer pipelines. In this paper, the change and deformation laws of lateral indentation in the PIP structure were studied by experimental and numerical methods, and three stages of deformation behavior for PIP during lateral indentation were observed. The effects of the diameter and wall thickness of inner and outer pipes on the relationship between the indentation load and lateral indentation were also studied, which provided a reference for the design and analysis of PIP structures.
Data Augmentation for Neutron Spectrum Unfolding with Neural Networks
Authors: McGreivy James , Manfredi Juan J. , Siefman Daniel
Published: January 2023

Neural networks require a large quantity of training spectra and detector responses in order to learn to solve the inverse problem of neutron spectrum unfolding. In addition, due to the under-determined nature of unfolding, non-physical spectra which would not be encountered in usage should not be included in the training set. While physically realistic training spectra are commonly determined experimentally or generated through Monte Carlo simulation, this can become prohibitively expensive when considering the quantity of spectra needed to effectively train an unfolding network. In this paper, we present three algorithms for the generation of large quantities of realistic and physically motivated neutron energy spectra. Using an IAEA compendium of 251 spectra, we compare the unfolding performance of neural networks trained on spectra from these algorithms, when unfolding real-world spectra, to two baselines. We also investigate general methods for evaluating the performance of and optimizing feature engineering algorithms.
Alternaria alternata, the Causal Agent of a New Needle Blight Disease on Pinus bungeana
Authors: Zhang Mao-Jiao , Zheng Xiang-Rong , Li Huan , Chen Feng-Mao
Published: January 2023

Pinus bungeana, an endangered and native coniferous tree species in China, has considerable timber and horticulture value. However, little is known about needle diseases in P. bungeana. A needle blight of P. bungeana has been observed in Hebei Province, China. P. bungeana inoculated with mycelial plugs of fungal isolates presented symptoms similar to those observed under field conditions. Ten virulent fungal isolates were identified as a small-spored Alternaria species based on morphological observations. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses carried out with multilocus sequence typing of eight regions (SSU, LSU, ITS, gapdh, tef1, Alt a 1, endoPG, OPA10-2) assigned the pathogen to Alternaria alternata. This is the first report of A. alternata causing needle blight on P. bungeana in China.
Uniting the Role of Endophytic Fungi against Plant Pathogens and Their Interaction
Authors: Akram Shazia , Ahmed Ayesha , He Pengfei , He Pengbo , Liu Yinglong , Wu Yixin , Munir Shahzad , He Yueqiu
Published: January 2023

Endophytic fungi are used as the most common microbial biological control agents (MBCAs) against phytopathogens and are ubiquitous in all plant parts. Most of the fungal species have roles against a variety of plant pathogens. Fungal endophytes provide different services to be used as pathogen control agents, using an important aspect in the form of enhanced plant growth and induced systemic resistance, produce a variety of antifungal secondary metabolites (lipopeptides, antibiotics and enzymes) through colonization, and compete with other pathogenic microorganisms for growth factors (space and nutrients). The purpose of this review is to highlight the biological control potential of fungal species with antifungal properties against different fungal plant pathogens. We focused on the introduction, biology, isolation, identification of endophytic fungi, and their antifungal activity against fungal plant pathogens. The endosymbionts have developed specific genes that exhibited endophytic behavior and demonstrated defensive responses against pathogens such as antibiosis, parasitism, lytic enzyme and competition, siderophore production, and indirect responses by induced systemic resistance (ISR) in the host plant. Finally, different microscopic detection techniques to study microbial interactions (endophytic and pathogenic fungal interactions) in host plants are briefly discussed.
Fungi as a Source of Edible Proteins and Animal Feed
Authors: Amara Amro A. , El-Baky Nawal Abd
Published: January 2023

It is expected that the world population will reach 9 billion by 2050. Thus, meat, dairy or plant-based protein sources will fail to meet global demand. New solutions must be offered to find innovative and alternative protein sources. As a natural gift, edible wild mushrooms growing in the wet and shadow places and can be picked by hand have been used as a food. From searching mushrooms in the forests and producing single cell proteins (SCP) in small scales to mega production, academia, United Nations Organizations, industries, political makers and others, play significant roles. Fermented traditional foods have also been reinvestigated. For example, kefir, miso, and tempeh, are an excellent source for fungal isolates for protein production. Fungi have unique criteria of consuming various inexpensive wastes as sources of carbon and energy for producing biomass, protein concentrate or amino acids with a minimal requirement of other environmental resources (e.g., light and water). Fungal fermented foods and SCP are consumed either intentionally or unintentionally in our daily meals and have many applications in food and feed industries. This review addresses fungi as an alternative source of edible proteins and animal feed, focusing mainly on SCP, edible mushrooms, fungal fermented foods, and the safety of their consumption.
Buerger’s Disease as a Cause of Post-Operative Skin Necrosis: A Case Report
Authors: Kim Jong Hyup , Kim Hoon , Koh In Chang , Lim Soo Yeon
Published: January 2023

Postoperative skin necrosis occurs due to various causes, including infections, lack of oxygenation, underlying diseases, and lack of nutrition. Therefore, a thorough evaluation of the cause of skin necrosis should be conducted. In the present case, the patient underwent disarticulation of the interphalangeal joint of the right first toe by an orthopedic surgeon and developed postoperative skin necrosis. Through physical examination, imaging studies, and detailed medical history evaluation, the patient was diagnosed with thromboangiitis obliterans, also known as Buerger’s disease. After 4 months of medication for Buerger’s disease and smoking cessation, the wound healed without complications or recurrence. Therefore, in cases of untreatable chronic wounds in young and heavy smoking patients, Buerger’s disease should be suspected as a potential cause.
Personalized Oral and Dental Care
Authors: Amato Alessandra
Published: January 2023

Recent advances in genomics, data analytics technologies, and biotechnology have been unprecedented, ushering in a new era of healthcare in which interventions are increasingly tailored to individual patients [...]
Integrating P4 Medicine in Teledentistry and M-Health in Oral, Dental, and Periodontal Care
Authors: Di Spirito Federica
Published: January 2023

Given that dental practice is currently based on the “average” patient, providing therapeutic and rehabilitative interventions rather than preventive measures [...]
Renovation Potential Evaluation and Type Identification of Rural Idle Residential Land: A Case Study of Yuzhong County, Longzhong Loess Hilly Region, China
Authors: Ma Libang , Tao Tianmin , Yao Yao , Li Yawei
Published: January 2023

The land problem is the key to the implementation of the rural revitalization strategy, and the land suitability evaluation is the basis for the renovation and classification of idle rural residential areas. Taking Yuzhong County in the Loess Hilly region of Longzhong, China as the research area, this study constructed an idle residential identification matrix by combining the evaluation results of ecological protection suitability, agricultural production suitability, and construction and development suitability, and realizing renovation zoning of rural residents through the advantage type identification method. The results show that: (1) The waste in rural residential is serious, and there are significant phenomena of “one household with two houses” and “one household with multiple houses.” The renovation potential of 1700 idle rural residential patches is 1.18 km2. (2) The spatial differences in the suitability of rural residents in Yuzhong County are significant, and through the rational guidance and planning layout of rural residential renovation, it can provide an important decision-making basis for the rational utilization of rural residents and national land–space planning. (3) The renovation of rural residential should be guided by national land–space planning; make a solid plan for the renovation of rural residential areas; formulate a scientific plan for the renovation, relocation, and reuse of rural “hollow houses”; stimulate the vitality of rural land resources; and promote the revitalization of the countryside and the improvement of the rural living environment.
Bibliometric Analysis of the Research (2000–2020) on Land-Use Carbon Emissions Based on CiteSpace
Authors: Li Xiaoping , Hu Sai , Jiang Lifu , Han Bing , Li Jie , Wei Xuan
Published: January 2023

Carbon emissions are critical to climate change, and land-use change is an essential source of growth in carbon emissions. Research on land-use carbon emissions has become one of the hotspots in academic research. To explore the research hotspots and development trends of land-use carbon emissions in the last 20 years, CiteSpace software was used to conduct a quantitative analysis of relevant literature. This paper was based on the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Web of Science (WoS) database literature on land-use carbon emissions from 2001 to 2020. The scientific research cooperation network CiteSpace software, with keyword co-occurrence, clustering, and burst word detection, was used to systematically analyze the main research strengths, hotspots and frontiers and clarify the research progress. The research results are as follows: (1) the amount of literature and the depth of research on land-use carbon emissions have increased yearly. However, there is little cooperation between research institutions and scholars, and there is still a lack of large-scale and stable research teams. (2) At the research hotspot level, the English literature focuses on building models and theoretical frameworks to study the internal mechanisms and driving factors of carbon emissions and climate change. The Chinese literature focuses on achieving regional carbon emissions reductions and carbon cycle goals and optimizing a low-carbon economy, transportation and land-use structure. (3) Research frontiers and trends show that the English literature first explored carbon sequestration, organic carbon, and carbon accounting. In China, the research frontiers are gradually becoming focused on influencing factors, decoupling analysis, and the built environment. The study will strengthen the intensity and depth of global carbon emission research and provide a reference for improving global climate change, protecting ecology and balancing economic development.
Urban Rural Interaction: Processes and Changes in the Marina Oriental of Cantabria (Spain)
Authors: Lagüera Díaz Sara
Published: January 2023

Since the middle of the last century, especially since the seventies, processes have been generated and consolidated that have changed the image of certain rural environments in Spain, especially coastal, with new forms of organization and territorialities that break the traditional model. The Cantabrian territory, like other areas of the Spanish coast, has seen its territories and landscapes altered in terms of its demographic, economic, and urban structures. The variation over the easternmost area of the Autonomous Community of Cantabria is significant, affected by various growth processes of both cities in the region, as well as others adjacent and connected, such as the urban agglomeration of Bilbao, influencing this space that we call Marina Oriental de Cantabria. The justification and objectives are to know how the coastal geographical situation, good communications, and proximity to Bilbao have configured this space to become a functional part of the metropolitan agglomeration that is generated around this city. An investigation focused on the analysis of the intensification and the effects of the urbanization process of a rural and rururban area, from an integrative, transversal, and multiscale approach, supported by inductive and hybrid methodology, with quantitative and qualitative methods. Through this study, the evolution and problems of these spaces will be known, to analyze the processes that have occurred and continue to occur and, thus, propose measures to reduce the negative effects. The main results and conclusions of the research are manifested in transformations on a legacy space, which has been productively redefined, being one of the most changed since the middle of the last century.
A Perception and Judgement of Contributing Factors for Allocating Urban Residential Land: A Systematic Review and Statistical Analysis
Authors: Wang Ke , Zhang Jianjun , Guo Wenhua , Liu Zhen , Xu Ze
Published: January 2023

With the intensification of the contradiction between living space and population growth, it is necessary to improve the effectiveness of urban residential land allocation. This study systematically reviews 169 papers following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol to collect and collate the contributing factors that affecting the supply of and demand for urban residential land for different countries, and a statistical analysis of long-term series data is conducted to further verify the rationality of the contributing factors. Based on systematic literature review and empirical analysis, the contributing factor set is constructed to serve the decision-making of residential land allocation. The main findings indicate that the population, house price, income, rent, mortgage loan, investment, the number of affordable houses, GDP, employment, housing stock and migration are the general contributing factors that significantly affect allocation of urban residential land. A systematic understanding of general contributing factors will help decision-makers more intuitively realize the urgent problems of urban residential land supply. Moreover, there are some specific contributing factors influencing the allocation of urban residential land in different types of countries, and the identification of specific contributing factors provides different perspectives on residential land allocation for the differentiated global development status. The contribution of this study is to assist decision-makers formulate more rational residential land allocation strategies by systematically sorting out the contributing factors influencing residential land allocation.
Analysis on the Development Mode of Leisure Agriculture Industrialization Based on General Equilibrium Model
Authors: Li Binbin , Du Kai
Published: January 2023

In recent years, leisure agriculture has been developing rapidly. Leisure agriculture has gradually become an important way to promote economic growth in rural areas and improve farmers’ income. By building a two-department general equilibrium model, this paper finds that the simple pursuit of leisure agriculture development may have a certain negative impact on the development of traditional industries in rural areas, so as to put forward the development idea of leisure agriculture industrialization. Combined with the general equilibrium model, it proves that the industrialization of leisure agriculture can promote the development of rural economy and improve the economic competitiveness of rural areas. The research of this paper enriches the research direction of leisure agriculture and provides theoretical support for the industrialization development of leisure agriculture.
Clinical Guideline on Perioperative Management of Patients with Advanced Chronic Liver Disease
Authors: Canillas Lidia , Pelegrina Amalia , Álvarez Juan , Colominas-González Elena , Salar Antonio , Aguilera Lluís , Burdio Fernando , Montes Antonio , Grau Santiago , Grande Luis , Carrión José A.
Published: January 2023

(1) Background: Patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) are living longer with more comorbidities because of improved medical and surgical management. However, patients with ACLD are at increased risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality; (2) Methods: We conducted a comprehensive review of the literature to support a narrative clinical guideline about the assessment of mortality risk and management of perioperative morbidity in patients with ACLD undergoing surgical procedures; (3) Results: Slight data exist to guide the perioperative management of patients with ACLD, and most recommendations are based on case series and expert opinion. The severity of liver dysfunction, portal hypertension, cardiopulmonary and renal comorbidities, and complexity of surgery and type (elective versus emergent) are predictors of perioperative morbidity and mortality. Expert multidisciplinary teams are necessary to evaluate and manage ACLD before, during, and after surgical procedures; (4) Conclusions: This clinical practice document updates the available data and recommendations to optimize the management of patients with advanced chronic liver disease who undergo surgical procedures.
Newly Synthesized Creatine Derivatives as Potential Neuroprotective and Antioxidant Agents on In Vitro Models of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Kostadinova Ivanka , Kondeva-Burdina Magdalena , Marinov Lyubomir , Vezenkov Lubomir L. , Simeonova Rumyana
Published: January 2023

Oxidative stress is one of the key factors responsible for many diseases–neurodegenerative (Parkinson and Alzheimer) diseases, diabetes, atherosclerosis, etc. Creatine, a natural amino acid derivative, is capable of exerting mild, direct antioxidant activity in cultured mammalian cells acutely injured with an array of different reactive oxygen species (ROS) generating compounds. The aim of the study was in vitro (on isolated rat brain sub-cellular fractions–synaptosomes, mitochondria and microsomes) evaluation of newly synthetized creatine derivatives for possible antioxidant and neuroprotective activity. The synaptosomes and mitochondria were obtained by multiple centrifugations with Percoll, while microsomes–only by multiple centrifugations. Varying models of oxidative stress were used to study the possible antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of the respective compounds: on synaptosomes–6-hydroxydopamine; on mitochondria–tert-butyl hydroperoxide; and on microsomes–iron/ascorbate (non-enzyme-induced lipid peroxidation). Administered alone, creatine derivatives and creatine (at concentration 38 µM) revealed neurotoxic and pro-oxidant effects on isolated rat brain subcellular fractions (synaptosomes, mitochondria and microsomes). In models of 6-hydroxydopamine (on synaptosomes), tert-butyl hydroperoxide (on mitochondria) and iron/ascorbate (on microsomes)-induced oxidative stress, the derivatives showed neuroprotective and antioxidant effects. These effects may be due to the preservation of the reduced glutathione level, ROS scavenging and membranes’ stabilizers against free radicals. Thus, they play a role in the antioxidative defense system and have a promising potential as therapeutic neuroprotective agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, connected with oxidative stress, such as Parkinson’s disease.