bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Construction of the Visible and Invisible Boundaries of Microsegregation: A Case Study from Szeged, Hungary
Authors: Vámos Ramóna , Nagy Gyula , Kovács Zoltán
Published: September 2023

The concept of microsegregation has gained increasing popularity among researchers dealing with socio-spatial disparities in cities. This is because urban space has become increasingly multifaceted over recent decades, and the boundaries of socio-spatial segregation have also become increasingly subtle, often taking invisible forms below the neighborhood level. This study contributes to the literature on microsegregation by exploring small-scale forms of social disparities in one of the neighborhoods of Szeged, a second-tier city in Hungary. We used both quantitative and qualitative research methods to capture visible and invisible forms of microsegregation in the study area. An analysis of census data confirmed the coupling of socio-economic diversity and polarization at the census-tract level in three different forms as a result of various underlying factors, among which the sorting effect of the housing market plays a leading role. The results of in-depth interviews with experts and residents suggest that although the overall perception of the neighborhood is good and that serious conflicts do not occur, there are palpable socio-spatial differences and signs of segregation at the micro scale. The weak sense of segregation can be partly linked to the lack of public spaces where daily encounters between people from different social groups could take place.
Environmental Stability and Its Importance for the Emergence of Darwinian Evolution
Authors: Daga Khushi R. , Feray Çoşar Mensura , Lowenkron Abigail , Hao Jihua , Rouillard Joti
Published: September 2023

The emergence of Darwinian evolution represents a central point in the history of life as we know it. However, it is generally assumed that the environments in which life appeared were hydrothermal environments, with highly variable conditions in terms of pH, temperature or redox levels. Are evolutionary processes favored to appear in such settings, where the target of biological adaptation changes over time? How would the first evolving populations compete with non-evolving populations? Using a numerical model, we explore the effect of environmental variation on the outcome of the competition between evolving and non-evolving populations of protocells. Our study found that, while evolving protocells consistently outcompete non-evolving populations in stable environments, they are outcompeted in variable environments when environmental variations occur on a timescale similar to the average duration of a generation. This is due to the energetic burden represented by adaptation to the wrong environmental conditions. Since the timescale of temperature variation in natural hydrothermal settings overlaps with the average prokaryote generation time, the current work indicates that a solution must have been found by early life to overcome this threshold.
LSTM for Modeling of Cylinder Pressure in HCCI Engines at Different Intake Temperatures via Time-Series Prediction
Authors: Sontheimer Moritz , Singh Anshul-Kumar , Verma Prateek , Chou Shuo-Yan , Kuo Yu-Lin
Published: September 2023

Modeling engines using physics-based approaches is a traditional and widely-accepted method for predicting in-cylinder pressure and the start of combustion (SOC). However, developing such intricate models typically demands significant effort, time, and knowledge about the underlying physical processes. In contrast, machine learning techniques have demonstrated their potential for building models that are not only rapidly developed but also efficient. In this study, we employ a machine learning approach to predict the cylinder pressure of a homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine. We utilize a long short-term memory (LSTM) based machine learning model and compare its performance against a fully connected neural network model, which has been employed in previous research. The LSTM model’s results are evaluated against experimental data, yielding a mean absolute error of 0.37 and a mean squared error of 0.20. The cylinder pressure prediction is presented as a time series, expanding upon prior work that focused on predicting pressure at discrete points in time. Our findings indicate that the LSTM method can accurately predict the cylinder pressure of HCCI engines up to 256 time steps ahead.
A Novel Exoskeleton Design and Numerical Characterization for Human Gait Assistance
Authors: Copilusi Cristian , Ceccarelli Marco , Dumitru Sorin , Geonea Ionut , Margine Alexandru , Popescu Dorin
Published: September 2023

This paper addressed attention to the design of a new lower limb exoskeleton that can be used for human gait assistance as based on kinematic considerations. The designed leg exoskeleton had on its own structure a combination of three mechanism types, namely a Chebyshev mechanism, a pantograph, and a Stephenson six-bar mechanism. The design core focused on inserting the Stephenson six-bar bar mechanism in order to obtain an imposed motion at the ankle joint level. Numerical simulations of the designed lower limb exoskeleton have been developed and the obtained results demonstrate the engineering feasibility of the proposed prototype, with a characterization of satisfactory operation performance.
AI and Blockchain-Assisted Secure Data-Exchange Framework for Smart Home Systems
Authors: Shah Khush , Jadav Nilesh Kumar , Tanwar Sudeep , Singh Anupam , Pleșcan Costel , Alqahtani  Fayez , Tolba  Amr
Published: September 2023

The rapid expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) on a global scale has facilitated the convergence of revolutionary technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and cloud computing. The integration of these technologies has paved the way for the development of intricate infrastructures, such as smart homes, smart cities, and smart industries, that are capable of delivering advanced solutions and enhancing human living standards. Nevertheless, IoT devices, while providing effective connectivity and convenience, often rely on traditional network interfaces that can be vulnerable to exploitation by adversaries. If not properly secured and updated, these legacy communication protocols and interfaces can expose potential vulnerabilities that attackers may exploit to gain unauthorized access, disrupt operations, or compromise sensitive data. To overcome the security challenges associated with smart home systems, we have devised a robust framework that leverages the capabilities of both AI and blockchain technology. The proposed framework employs a standard dataset for smart home systems, from which we first eliminated the anomalies using an isolation forest (IF) algorithm using random partitioning, path length, anomaly score calculation, and thresholding stages. Next, the dataset is utilized for training classification algorithms, such as K-nearest neighbors (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), linear discriminate analysis (LDA), and quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA) to classify the attack and non-attack data of the smart home system. Further, an interplanetary file system (IPFS) is utilized to store classified data (non-attack data) from classification algorithms to confront data-manipulation attacks. The IPFS acts as an onsite storage system, securely storing non-attack data, and its computed hash is forwarded to the blockchain’s immutable ledger. We evaluated the proposed framework with different performance parameters. These include training accuracy (99.53%) by the KNN classification algorithm and 99.27% by IF for anomaly detection. Further, we used the validation curve, lift curve, execution cost of blockchain transactions, and scalability (86.23%) to showcase the effectiveness of the proposed framework.
Approximate Controllability for a Class of Semi-Linear Fractional Integro-Differential Impulsive Evolution Equations of Order 1 < α < 2 with Delay
Authors: Zhao Daliang
Published: September 2023

This article is mainly concerned with the approximate controllability for some semi-linear fractional integro-differential impulsive evolution equations of order 1<α<2 with delay in Banach spaces. Firstly, we study the existence of the PC-mild solution for our objective system via some characteristic solution operators related to the Mainardi’s Wright function. Secondly, by using the spatial decomposition techniques and the range condition of control operator B, some new results of approximate controllability for the fractional delay system with impulsive effects are obtained. The results cover and extend some relevant outcomes in many related papers. The main tools utilized in this paper are the theory of cosine families, fixed-point strategy, and the Grönwall-Bellman inequality. At last, an example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of our research results.
Scattering and Attenuation in 5G Electromagnetic Propagation (5 GHz and 25 GHz) in the Presence of Rainfall: A Numerical Study
Authors: Yáñez-Casas Gabriela Aurora , Couder-Castañeda Carlos , Hernández-Gómez Jorge Javier , Enciso-Aguilar Mauro Alberto
Published: September 2023

Rainfall has always been a concern for wireless communications systems. As 5G technology relies on high-frequency bands, it is fundamental to model and simulate the interaction of such radio waves with rainfall, as the deployment of large-scale infrastructure for 5G is highly expensive. This research presents a reformulation of the Maxwell equations for a bi-dimensional space in a transverse electric propagation mode, for a linear, inhomogeneous, and isotropic propagation medium with its magnetic and electric properties dependent on time. This reformulation was solved using the Finite Differences in Time Domain (FDTD) method with the Convolutional Perfectly Matched Layer (CPML) boundary condition. Two main frequency propagation scenarios were studied: 5 GHz (corresponding to Wi-Fi in the 802.11n standard as well as to the lowest bands of 5G) and 25 GHz (corresponding to 5G), within a 10m×3m rectangular domain in air and with rain. The rainfall was simulated using a parallel Ziggurat algorithm. According to the findings, while 5 GHz waves experience scattering processes, 25 GHz waves experience substantial dispersion and attenuation throughout the domain in low- to moderate-intensity rain.
Urban Traffic Flow Congestion Prediction Based on a Data-Driven Model
Authors: Zhang Kai , Chu Zixuan , Xing Jiping , Zhang Honggang , Cheng Qixiu
Published: September 2023

Intelligent transportation systems need to realize accurate traffic congestion prediction. The spatio-temporal features of traffic flow are essential to analyze and predict congestion. Our study proposes a data-driven model to predict the traffic congested flow. Firstly, the traffic zone/grid method is used to store the local area roads’ average speed of the vehicles. Second, the discrete snapshot set is proposed to characterize traffic flow’s spatial and temporal features over a continuous period. Third, the evolution of traffic congested flow in various time dimensions (weekly days, weekend days, and one week) is examined by transforming the global urban transportation network into traffic zones. Finally, the data-driven model is constructed to predict urban road traffic congestion by using the extracted spatio-temporal characteristics of traffic zones’ traffic flow, the snapshot set of which serves as inputs for this model. The model adopts the convolutional LSTM network to learn the temporal and local spatial features of traffic flow, while utilizing a convolutional neural network to effectively capture the global spatial features inherent in traffic flow. The numerical experiments are conducted on two cities’ transportation networks, and the results demonstrate that the performance of the proposed model outperforms traditional traffic flow prediction models.
Lifestyle and Quality of Life of Women with Diagnosed Hypothyroidism in the Context of Metabolic Disorders
Authors: Janota Barbara , Szczepańska Elżbieta , Noras Kinga , Janczewska Ewa
Published: September 2023

The lifestyle causes of metabolic disorders in patients with hypothyroidism should be investigated. We aimed to assess the lifestyle and quality of life of women diagnosed with hypothyroidism and search for the presence of differences between the lifestyle and quality of life of women with and without diagnosed lipid metabolism disorders. This study included 311 women. To assess the differences between the groups with and without metabolic disorders, a non-parametric Mann–Whitney U test was performed. Of the products that were potentially beneficial for health, statistically significant differences in the average frequency of consumption were observed for legume seeds (p = 0.014), and of the products potentially unbeneficial for health, the frequencies of consumption of fried dishes (p = 0.016) and fast-food products (p = 0.001) were significant. Only 11.9% rated their free-time physical activity as high. The quality of life was significantly different between the groups. The lifestyle was moderately appropriate. Compared with women with lipid metabolism disorders, women without them exhibited a higher frequency of correct dietary behaviors regarding the consumption of products with a potentially beneficial effect and sleeping duration. Women without lipid metabolism disorders had a better quality of life. Women with hypothyroidism should be educated about the beneficial aspects of the regular consumption of vegetables, fruits, legumes, and fish and sleeping for the optimal amount of time.
Metabolic Clues to Bile Acid Patterns and Prolonged Survival in Patients with Metastatic Soft-Tissue Sarcoma Treated with Trabectedin
Authors: Miolo Gianmaria , Buonadonna Angela , Scalone Simona , Lombardi Davide , Della Puppa Lara , Steffan Agostino , Corona Giuseppe
Published: September 2023

Metastatic soft-tissue sarcomas (mSTS) encompass a highly heterogeneous group of rare tumours characterized by different clinical behaviours and outcomes. Currently, prognostic factors for mSTS are very limited, posing significant challenges in predicting patient survival. Within a cohort of 39 mSTS patients undergoing trabectedin treatment, it was remarkable to find one patient who underwent 73 cycles of trabectedin achieving an unforeseen clinical outcome. To identify contributing factors to her exceptional long-term survival, we have explored circulation metabolomics and biohumoral biomarkers to uncover a potential distinct host biochemical phenotype. The long-term survival patient compared with the other mSTS patients exhibited a distinctive metabolic profile characterized by remarkably higher levels of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) derivatives and vitamin D and lower levels of lithocholic acid (LCA) derivatives, as well as reduced levels of inflammatory C-Reactive Protein 4 (C-RP4) biomarker. Despite its exploratory nature, this study reveals a potential association between specific bile acid metabolic profiles and mSTS patients’ prognosis. Enhanced clinical understanding of the interplay between bile acid metabolism and disease progression could pave the way for new targeted therapeutic interventions which may improve the overall survival of mSTS patients.
Novel Insights into Exogenous Phytohormones: Central Regulators in the Modulation of Physiological, Biochemical, and Molecular Responses in Rice under Metal(loid) Stress
Authors: Bilal Saqib , Saad Jan Syed , Shahid Muhammad , Asaf Sajjad , Khan Abdul Latif , Lubna  , Al-Rawahi Ahmed , Lee In-Jung , AL-Harrasi Ahmed
Published: September 2023

Rice (Oryza sativa) is a research model for monocotyledonous plants. Rice is also one of the major staple foods and the primary crop for more than half of the world’s population. Increasing industrial activities and the use of different fertilizers and pesticides containing heavy metals (HMs) contribute to the contamination of agriculture fields. HM contamination is among the leading causes that affect the health of rice plants by limiting their growth and causing plant death. Phytohormones have a crucial role in stress-coping mechanisms and in determining a range of plant development and growth aspects during heavy metal stress. This review summarizes the role of different exogenous applications of phytohormones including auxin, cytokinin, gibberellins, ethylene, abscisic acid, strigolactones, jasmonates, brassinosteroids, and salicylic acids in rice plants for mitigating heavy metal stress via manipulation of their stress-related physiological and biochemical processes, and alterations of signaling and biosynthesis of genes. Exogenous administration of phytohormones and regulation of endogenous levels by targeting their biosynthesis/signaling machineries is a potential strategy for protecting rice from HM stress. The current review primarily emphasizes the key mechanistic phytohormonal-mediated strategies for reducing the adverse effects of HM toxicity in rice. Herein, we have provided comprehensive evidence for the effective role of exogenous phytohormones in employing defense responses and tolerance in rice to the phytotoxic effects of HM toxicity along with endogenous hormonal crosstalk for modulation of subcellular mechanisms and modification of stress-related signaling pathways, and uptake and translocation of metals. Altogether, this information offers a systematic understanding of how phytohormones modulate a plant’s tolerance to heavy metals and may assist in directing the development of new approaches to strengthen rice plant resistance to HM toxicity.
Volumetric Absorptive Microsampling in the Analysis of Endogenous Metabolites
Authors: de Sá e Silva Daniel Marques , Thaitumu Marlene , Theodoridis Georgios , Witting Michael , Gika Helen
Published: September 2023

Volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS) has arisen as a relevant tool in biological analysis, offering simplified sampling procedures and enhanced stability. Most of the attention VAMS has received in the past decade has been from pharmaceutical research, with most of the published work employing VAMS targeting drugs or other exogenous compounds, such as toxins and pollutants. However, biomarker analysis by employing blood microsampling has high promise. Herein, a comprehensive review on the applicability of VAMS devices for the analysis of endogenous metabolites/biomarkers was performed. The study presents a full overview of the analysis process, incorporating all the steps in sample treatment and validation parameters. Overall, VAMS devices have proven to be reliable tools for the analysis of endogenous analytes with biological importance, often offering improved analyte stability in comparison with blood under ambient conditions as well as a convenient and straightforward sample acquisition model.
Enhanced Growth of Bacterial Cells in a Smart 3D Printed Bioreactor
Authors: Pechlivani Eleftheria Maria , Pemas Sotirios , Kanlis Alexandros , Pechlivani Paraskevi , Petrakis Spyros , Papadimitriou Athanasios , Tzovaras Dimitrios , Hatzistergos Konstantinos E.
Published: September 2023

In the last decade, there has been a notable advancement in diverse bioreactor types catering to various applications. However, conventional bioreactors often exhibit bulkiness and high costs, making them less accessible to many researchers and laboratory facilities. In light of these challenges, this article aims to introduce and evaluate the development of a do-it-yourself (DIY) 3D printed smart bioreactor, offering a cost-effective and user-friendly solution for the proliferation of various bioentities, including bacteria and human organoids, among others. The customized bioreactor was fabricated under an ergonomic design and assembled with 3D printed mechanical parts combined with electronic components, under 3D printed housing. The 3D printed parts were designed using SOLIDWORKS® CAD Software (2022 SP2.0 Professional version) and fabricated via the fused filament fabrication (FFF) technique. All parts were 3D printed with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) in order for the bioreactor to be used under sterile conditions. The printed low-cost bioreactor integrates Internet-of-things (IoT) functionalities, since it provides the operator with the ability to change its operational parameters (sampling frequency, rotor speed, and duty cycle) remotely, via a user-friendly developed mobile application and to save the user history locally on the device. Using this bioreactor, which is adjusted to a standard commercial 12-well plate, proof of concept of a successful operation of the bioreactor during a 2-day culture of Escherichia coli bacteria (Mach1 strain) is presented. This study paves the way for more in-depth investigation of bacterial and various biological-entity growth cultures, utilizing 3D printing technology to create customized low-cost bioreactors.
Cystic Echinococcosis in Hospitalized Adult Patients from Western Romania: 2007–2022
Authors: Paduraru Ana Alexandra , Lupu Maria Alina , Sima Laurentiu , Cozma Gabriel Veniamin , Olariu Sorin Dan , Chiriac Sorin Dan , Totolici Bogdan Dan , Pirvu Catalin Alexandru , Lazar Fulger , Nesiu Alexandru , Mihu Alin Gabriel , Cumpanas Alin Adrian , Cretu Octavian Marius , Olariu Tudor Rares
Published: September 2023

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected parasitic disease caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. The aim of this study was to assess the epidemiological features of human cystic echinococcosis in patients from Western Romania. We retrospectively investigated the medical records of patients hospitalized with CE between 1 January 2007 and 1 September 2022. A total of 366 patients (range 18–90 years) were recorded. The number of hospitalized individuals was higher in patients aged 50–59 years (83/366, 22.7%), in females (194/366, 53%), and in residents of rural areas (225/366, 61.5%). The liver was the most common localization of the cysts (302/366, 82.5%). Ninety-eight patients (26.8%) presented complications, including biliary fistula, allergies, and infection of the cyst. Patients with complications had a longer mean hospital stay (15.7 ± 8.3 days) compared to patients without complications (11.5 ± 7.3 days) (p < 0.001). The results of this study revealed that patients diagnosed with CE required hospitalization and extended medical care, indicating that this zoonotic disease remains a significant public health problem in Western Romania. Public health authorities should enhance CE surveillance by implementing control programs and mandatory notification of new cases.
Efficacy of Different Encapsulation Techniques on the Viability and Stability of Diverse Phage under Simulated Gastric Conditions
Authors: Dlamini Sicelo B. , Gigante Adriano M. , Hooton Steven P. T. , Atterbury Robert J.
Published: September 2023

Salmonella causes a range of diseases in humans and livestock of considerable public health and economic importance. Widespread antimicrobial use, particularly in intensively produced livestock (e.g., poultry and pigs) may contribute to the rise of multidrug-resistant Salmonella strains. Alternative treatments such as bacteriophages have shown promise when used to reduce the intestinal carriage of Salmonella in livestock. However, the digestive enzymes and low pH encountered in the monogastric GI tract can significantly reduce phage viability and impact therapeutic outcomes. This study deployed alginate–carrageenan microcapsules with and without CaCO3 to protect a genomically diverse set of five Salmonella bacteriophages from simulated gastrointestinal conditions. None of the unprotected phage could be recovered following exposure to pH < 3 for 10 min. Alginate–carrageenan encapsulation improved phage viability at pH 2–2.5 after exposure for 10 min, but not at pH 2 after 1 h. Including 1% (w/v) CaCO3 in the formulation further reduced phage loss to <0.5 log10 PFU/mL, even after 1 h at pH 2. In all cases, phage were efficiently released from the microcapsules following a shift to a neutral pH (7.5), simulating passage to the duodenum. In summary, alginate–carrageenan-CaCO3 encapsulation is a promising approach for targeted intestinal delivery of genomically diverse Salmonella bacteriophages.
Ruminant Salivary Microbes: Passenger or Player in the Rumen?
Authors: Edwards Joan E. , Kim Eun Joong , Davies David R. , Hanafy Radwa , Kingston-Smith Alison H.
Published: September 2023

Sampling of ruminant saliva has gained interest as a non-invasive proxy for exploring the structure of the rumen microbiome. However, the subsequent data analysis assumes that bacteria originating from the oral cavity are merely passengers in the rumen and play no active role. In this study, it was hypothesised that metabolically active oral bacteria present in the salivary microbiome play a role in the ruminal degradation of plant material. In vitro cultivation-based enumeration confirmed that the ruminant oral cavity harbours a significant number of anaerobic and cellulolytic bacteria that are metabolically active under ruminal conditions. Bacterial 16S rRNA gene profiling of in vitro enrichments also confirmed that oral-derived bacteria were capable of colonising plant material. Preliminary analysis of the colonising bacteria indicated that bacteria belonging to the genus Streptococcus were of particular interest. In conclusion, the findings of the current study clearly indicate that bolus-associated bacteria have the potential to play a metabolically active role in terms of ruminal colonisation and the degradation of plant material. This evidence confirms the merit of the hypothesis that the metabolically active oral bacteria present in the salivary microbiome may play a role in the ruminal degradation of plant material.
Thiorhodovibrio frisius and Trv. litoralis spp. nov., Two Novel Members from a Clade of Fastidious Purple Sulfur Bacteria That Exhibit Unique Red-Shifted Light-Harvesting Capabilities
Authors: Methner Anika , Kuzyk Steven , Petersen Jörn , Bauer Sabine , Brinkmann Henner , Sichau Katja , Wanner Gerhard , Wolf Jacqueline , Neumann-Schaal Meina , Henke Petra , Tank Marcus , Spröer Cathrin , Bunk Boyke , Overmann Jörg
Published: September 2023

In the pursuit of cultivating anaerobic anoxygenic phototrophs with unusual absorbance spectra, a purple sulfur bacterium was isolated from the shoreline of Baltrum, a North Sea island of Germany. It was designated strain 970, due to a predominant light harvesting complex (LH) absorption maximum at 963–966 nm, which represents the furthest infrared-shift documented for such complexes containing bacteriochlorophyll a. A polyphasic approach to bacterial systematics was performed, comparing genomic, biochemical, and physiological properties. Strain 970 is related to Thiorhodovibrio winogradskyi DSM 6702T by 26.5, 81.9, and 98.0% similarity via dDDH, ANI, and 16S rRNA gene comparisons, respectively. The photosynthetic properties of strain 970 were unlike other Thiorhodovibrio spp., which contained typical LH absorbing characteristics of 800–870 nm, as well as a newly discovered absorption band at 908 nm. Strain 970 also had a different photosynthetic operon composition. Upon genomic comparisons with the original Thiorhodovibrio strains DSM 6702T and strain 06511, the latter was found to be divergent, with 25.3, 79.1, and 97.5% similarity via dDDH, ANI, and 16S rRNA gene homology to Trv. winogradskyi, respectively. Strain 06511 (=DSM 116345T) is thereby described as Thiorhodovibrio litoralis sp. nov., and the unique strain 970 (=DSM 111777T) as Thiorhodovibrio frisius sp. nov.
A Comparative Study of Growth Performance, Blood Biochemistry, Rumen Fermentation, and Ruminal and Fecal Bacterial Structure between Yaks and Cattle Raised under High Concentrate Feeding Conditions
Authors: Liu Xiaojing , Yang Zhanming , Yang Jinfen , Wang Dongyang , Niu Jianzhang , Bai Binqiang , Sun Wu , Ma Shike , Cheng Yanfen , Hao Lizhuang
Published: September 2023

This study compared the growth performance, serum biochemical indicators, rumen fermentation parameters, rumen bacterial structure, and fecal bacterial structure of cattle and yaks fed for two months and given a feed containing concentrate of a roughage ratio of 7:3 on a dry matter basis. Compared with cattle, yak showed better growth performance. The serum biochemical results showed that the albumin/globulin ratio in yak serum was significantly higher than that in cattle. Aspartate aminotransferase, indirect bilirubin, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and total cholesterol were significantly lower in yaks than in cattle. The rumen pH, acetate to propionate ratio, and acetate were lower in yaks than in cattle, whereas the lactate in yaks was higher than in cattle. There were significant differences in the structure of ruminal as well as fecal bacteria between cattle and yaks. The prediction of rumen bacterial function showed that there was a metabolic difference between cattle and yaks. In general, the metabolic pathway of cattle was mainly riched in a de novo synthesis of nucleotides, whereas that of yaks was mainly riched in the metabolic utilization of nutrients. This study provides a basis for understanding a rumen ecology under the condition of a high concentrate diet.
Molecular Identification and Pathogenicity of Diaporthe eres and D. hongkongensis (Diaporthales, Ascomycota) Associated with Cherry Trunk Diseases in China
Authors: Chen Pengzhao , Abeywickrama Pranami D. , Ji Shuxian , Zhou Yueyan , Li Xinghong , Zhang Wei , Yan Jiye
Published: September 2023

This study aimed to identify fungal species associated with trunk diseases of sweet cherries (Prunus avium) in several commercial cherry orchards in Beijing, Guizhou and Shandong provinces, China. In total, eighteen fungal strains that fitted well into the species concept of Diaporthe were isolated. Based on both morphological and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses of internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), beta-tubulin (tub-2), calmodulin (Cal) and translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1–α) sequencing data, fourteen isolates were identified as Diaporthe eres, while four isolates were classified as D. hongkongensis. Here, we report D. hongkongensis causing sweet cherry branch dieback disease and, further, we confirmed the host association of D. eres with sweet cherries in China. A pathogenicity assay revealed the ability of both D. eres and D. hongkongensis to cause shoot necrosis and stem lesions on Prunus avium cv. ‘Brooks’ (mean lesion lengths of 1.86 cm and 1.56 cm, respectively). The optimal temperature for the growth of both Diaporthe species was tested. The optimal growth temperature for D. hongkongensis was 30 °C, and the 25–28 °C temperatures were the most favorable for the growth of D. eres strains. This research advances the understanding of fungal trunk diseases in fruit crops, particularly gummosis and branch dieback disease in Chinese cherry orchards, and will aid growers in making decisions about cultural practices and disease management.
Bacterial Viability in Self-Healing Concrete: A Case Study of Non-Ureolytic Bacillus Species
Authors: Ivaškė Augusta , Gribniak Viktor , Jakubovskis Ronaldas , Urbonavičius Jaunius
Published: September 2023

Cracking is an inevitable feature of concrete, typically leading to corrosion of the embedded steel reinforcement and massive deterioration because of the freezing–thawing cycles. Different means have been proposed to increase the serviceability performance of cracked concrete structures. This case study deals with bacteria encapsulated in cementitious materials to “heal” cracks. Such a biological self-healing system requires preserving the bacteria’s viability in the cement matrix. Many embedded bacterial spores are damaged during concrete curing, drastically reducing efficiency. This study investigates the viability of commonly used non-ureolytic bacterial spores when immobilized in calcium alginate microcapsules within self-healing cementitious composites. Three Bacillus species were used in this study, i.e., B. pseudofirmus, B. cohnii, and B. halodurans. B. pseudofirmus demonstrated the best mineralization activity; a sufficient number of bacterial spores remained viable after the encapsulation. B. pseudofirmus and B. halodurans spores retained the highest viability after incorporating the microcapsules into the cement paste, while B. halodurans spores retained the highest viability in the mortar. Cracks with a width of about 0.13 mm were filled with bacterial calcium carbonate within 14 to 28 days, depending on the type of bacteria. Larger cracks were not healed entirely. B. pseudofirmus had the highest efficiency, with a healing coefficient of 0.497 after 56 days. This study also revealed the essential role of the cement hydration temperature on bacterial viability. Thus, further studies should optimize the content of bacteria and nutrients in the microcapsule structure.
A Multi-Objective Approach for Optimizing the Layout of Additional Boreholes in Mineral Exploration
Authors: Hossein-Morshedy Amin , Khorram Farzaneh , Emery Xavier
Published: September 2023

Accurate subsurface exploration requires an optimal network of boreholes. This paper proposes a multi-objective approach to optimize the layout of additional exploratory boreholes. In order to illustrate this approach, geochemical analyses of core samples at the eastern part of the Kahang copper deposit, Central Iran, were used. A measure of the grade uncertainty (kriging standard deviation) and a confidence measure on the ore/waste classification were first calculated by implementing ordinary and indicator kriging. An ore value function was then determined to measure the total value of each block by considering the grades of all the effective variables and their ore membership degree derived from a fuzzy treatment of the grades. Finally, a misclassification cost is defined for each block based on the expected economic effects of ore loss and waste dilution. As a result, an index for the selection of additional boreholes was introduced in order to maximize the kriging standard deviation, the ore misclassification cost, and the ore value and to minimize the confidence measure. Applied to the Kahang copper deposit, this index allowed the prioritization of areas for infill sampling, leading to the recommendation for eight vertical and two directional additional boreholes.
Discovery of Novel Mono-Carbonyl Curcumin Derivatives as Potential Anti-Hepatoma Agents
Authors: Cao Weiya , Yu Pan , Yang Shilong , Li Zheyu , Zhang Qixuan , Liu Zengge , Li Hongzhuo
Published: September 2023

Curcumin possesses a wide spectrum of liver cancer inhibition effects, yet it has chemical instability and poor metabolic properties as a drug candidate. To alleviate these problems, a series of new mono-carbonyl curcumin derivatives G1–G7 were designed, synthesized, and evaluated by in vitro and in vivo studies. Compound G2 was found to be the most potent derivative (IC50 = 15.39 μM) compared to curcumin (IC50 = 40.56 μM) by anti-proliferation assay. Subsequently, molecular docking, wound healing, transwell, JC-1 staining, and Western blotting experiments were performed, and it was found that compound G2 could suppress cell migration and induce cell apoptosis by inhibiting the phosphorylation of AKT and affecting the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. Moreover, the HepG2 cell xenograft model and H&E staining results confirmed that compound G2 was more effective than curcumin in inhibiting tumor growth. Hence, G2 is a promising leading compound with the potential to be developed as a chemotherapy agent for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Detection of Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Aqueous Solutions Using Quartz Tuning Fork Sensors Modified with Calix[4]arene Methoxy Ester Self-Assembled Monolayers: Experimental and Density Functional Theory Study
Authors: Rahman Shofiur , Al-Gawati Mahmoud A. , Alfaifi Fatimah S. , Alenazi Wadha Khalaf , Alarifi Nahed , Albrithen Hamad , Alodhayb Abdullah N. , Georghiou Paris E.
Published: September 2023

Quartz tuning forks (QTFs), which were coated with gold and with self-assembled monolayers (SAM) of a lower-rim functionalized calix[4]arene methoxy ester (CME), were used for the detection of benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene in water samples. The QTF device was tested by measuring the respective frequency shifts obtained using small (100 µL) samples of aqueous benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene at four different concentrations (10−12, 10−10, 10−8, and 10−6 M). The QTFs had lower limits of detection for all three aromatic hydrocarbons in the 10−14 M range, with the highest resonance frequency shifts (±5%) being shown for the corresponding 10−6 M solutions in the following order: benzene (199 Hz) > toluene (191 Hz) > ethylbenzene (149 Hz). The frequency shifts measured with the QTFs relative to that in deionized water were inversely proportional to the concentration/mass of the analytes. Insights into the effects of the alkyl groups of the aromatic hydrocarbons on the electronic interaction energies for their hypothetical 1:1 supramolecular host–guest binding with the CME sensing layer were obtained through density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the electronic interaction energies (ΔIEs) using B3LYP-D3/GenECP with a mixed basis set: LANL2DZ and 6-311++g(d,p), CAM-B3LYP/LANL2DZ, and PBE/LANL2DZ. The magnitudes of the ΔIEs were in the following order: [Au4-CME⊃[benzene] > [Au4-CME]⊃[toluene] > [Au4-CME]⊃[ethylbenzene]. The gas-phase BSSE-uncorrected ΔIE values for these complexes were higher, with values of −96.86, −87.80, and −79.33 kJ mol−1, respectively, and −86.39, −77.23, and −67.63 kJ mol−1, respectively, for the corresponding BSSE-corrected values using B3LYP-D3/GenECP with LANL2dZ and 6-311++g(d,p). The computational findings strongly support the experimental results, revealing the same trend in the ΔIEs for the proposed hypothetical binding modes between the tested analytes with the CME SAMs on the Au-QTF sensing surfaces.
Green Synthesis of NiFe2O4 Nano-Spinel Oxide-Decorated Carbon Nanotubes for Efficient Capacitive Performance—Effect of Electrolyte Concentration
Authors: Bashal Ali H. , Hefnawy Mahmoud A. , Ahmed Hoda A. , El-Atawy Mohamed A. , Pashameah Rami Adel , Medany Shymaa S.
Published: September 2023

Energy storage applications received great attention due to environmental aspects. A green method was used to prepare a composite of nickel–iron-based spinel oxide nanoparticle@CNT. The prepared materials were characterized by different analytical methods like X-ray diffraction, X-ray photon spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmitted electron microscopy (TEM). The synergistic effect between nickel–iron oxide and carbon nanotubes was characterized using different electrochemical methods like cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charging/discharging (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The capacitances of the pristine NiFe2O4 and NiFe2O4@CNT were studied in different electrolyte concentrations. The effect of OH− concentrations was studied for modified and non-modified surfaces. Furthermore, the specific capacitance was estimated for pristine and modified NiFe2O4 at a wide current range (5 to 17 A g−1). Thus, the durability of different surfaces after 2000 cycles was studied, and the capacitance retention was estimated as 78.8 and 90.1% for pristine and modified NiFe2O4. On the other hand, the capacitance rate capability was observed as 65.1% (5 to 17 A g−1) and 62.4% (5 to 17 A g−1) for NiFe2O4 and NiFe2O4@CNT electrodes.
Cultural Influences on African Migrant Pregnant and Postnatal Women’s Dietary Behaviours and Nutrition Support Needs in the UK
Authors: Ngongalah Lem , Rapley Tim , Rankin Judith , Heslehurst Nicola
Published: September 2023

Black women in the UK face significantly higher risks of overweight and obesity and adverse pregnancy outcomes compared to women from other ethnic groups. Maternal nutrition plays a pivotal role in influencing the health outcomes of women and their children, especially during preconception and pregnancy. Cultural and environmental factors significantly influence the dietary experiences of African women after migration. This study explored the unique nutrition-related challenges faced by African migrant pregnant and postnatal women in the UK, and their nutrition support needs. Interviews were conducted with 23 African migrant women living in the UK, who were either pregnant or had a pregnancy within the past 3 years. These were analysed thematically, resulting in five overarching themes: food rituals and beliefs, pregnancy cravings, limited access to culturally appropriate food, limited access to culturally appropriate and evidence-based nutritional guidance, and the focus on healthy weight. The study identified challenges that African migrant women face in balancing their cultural heritage with the UK food environment and dietary recommendations, including potential implications on their health and pregnancy outcomes. It emphasised the importance of addressing these challenges through culturally sensitive approaches and tailored interventions, to enable informed decision making and enhance health outcomes for these women.
Cooking Skills, Eating Habits and Nutrition Knowledge among Italian Adolescents during COVID-19 Pandemic: Sub-Analysis from the Online Survey COALESCENT (Change amOng ItAlian adoLESCENTs)
Authors: Marconi Silvia , Covolo Loredana , Marullo Monica , Zanini Barbara , Viola Gaia Claudia Viviana , Gelatti Umberto , Maroldi Roberto , Latronico Nicola , Castellano Maurizio
Published: September 2023

Background: Cooking skills (CS) have the potential to improve self-care behaviours and healthy development among adolescents. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected lifestyles worldwide, and the present study aims to investigate the level of CS after the pandemic, as well as its associations with nutrition knowledge and eating behaviours among a cohort of Italian adolescents. Methods: We submitted an online survey about lifestyle changes to students aged 13–21 years during the pandemic. Based on overall culinary abilities, we divided respondents into high, medium and low CS. Worsening or improvement in diet quality was detected by assigning an eating habit index (EHI; 0–54). Results: Out of the 1686 questionnaires collected, 21.5%, 63.6% and 14.9% reported high, medium and low CS, respectively. The EHI scores were statistically higher among students who were able to cook more than 20 recipes compared to those reporting no cooking abilities (30.2 ± 5.9 vs. 26.6 ± 5.7; p = 0.0001). High CS significantly correlated with better EHI (OR 1.44; p = 0.009), lower consumption of ultra-processed food (OR 1.80; p < 0.0001) and better nutrition knowledge (OR 1.42; p = 0.007). Conclusions: Adolescents with good CS showed better nutrition knowledge and healthier eating habits, including lower consumption of ultra-processed foods. Projects aimed to improve CS in adolescents can therefore promote healthier development.
Machine Learning-Based Prediction of Complications and Prolonged Hospitalization with the GLIM Criteria Combinations Containing Calf Circumference in Elderly Asian Patients
Authors: Ren Shan-Shan , Zhang Kai-Wen , Chen Bo-Wen , Yang Chun , Xiao Rong , Li Peng-Gao , Zhu Ming-Wei
Published: September 2023

Background and aims: Malnutrition is widely present and influences the prognosis of elderly inpatients, so it is helpful to be able to identify it with a convenient method. However, in the widely accepted criteria for malnutrition, the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM), a lot of metrics can be used to define the phenotypic and etiological criteria. To identify muscle mass reduction, anthropometric parameters such as calf circumference (CC) and hand grip strength (HGS) are preferable to other expensive methods in many situations because they are easy and inexpensive to measure, but their applicability needs to be verified in specific clinical scenarios. This study aims to verify the value of CC- and HGS-identified muscle loss in diagnosing malnutrition and predicting in-hospital complications (IHC) and prolonged length of hospital stay (PLOS) in elderly inpatients using machine learning methods. Methods: A sample of 7122 elderly inpatients who were enrolled in a previous multicenter cohort study in China were screened for eligibility for the current study and were then retrospectively diagnosed for malnutrition using 33 GLIM criteria that differ in their combinations of phenotypic and etiological criteria, in which CC or CC+HGS were used to identify muscle mass reduction. The diagnostic consistency with the subjective global assessment (SGA) criteria at admission was evaluated according to Kappa coefficients. The association and the predictive value of the GLIM-defined malnutrition with 30-day IHC and PLOS were evaluated with logistic regression and randomized forest models. Results: In total, 2526 inpatients (average age 74.63 ± 7.12 years) were enrolled in the current study. The prevalence of malnutrition identified by the 33 criteria combinations ranged from 3.3% to 27.2%. The main IHCs was infectious complications (2.5%). The Kappa coefficients ranged from 0.130 to 0.866. Logistic regression revealed that malnutrition was identified by 31 GLIM criteria combinations that were significantly associated with 30-day IHC, and 22 were significantly associated with PLOS. Random forest prediction revealed that GLIM 15 (unconscious weight loss + muscle mass reduction, combined with disease burden/inflammation) performs best in predicting IHC; GLIM 30 (unconscious weight loss + muscle mass reduction + BMI reduction, combined with disease burden/inflammation) performs best in predicting PLOS. Importantly, CC alone performs better than CC+HGS in the criteria combinations for predicting adverse clinical outcomes. Conclusion: Muscle mass reduction defined by a reduced CC performs well in the GLIM criteria combinations for diagnosing malnutrition and predicting IHC and PLOS in elderly Asian inpatients. The applicability of other anthropometric parameters in these applications needs to be further explored.
Glycerol Monolaurate Inhibits Wild-Type African Swine Fever Virus Infection in Porcine Macrophages
Authors: Jackman Joshua A. , Arabyan Erik , Zakaryan Hovakim , Elrod Charles C.
Published: September 2023

Naturally abundant antimicrobial lipids, such as fatty acids and monoglycerides, that disrupt membrane-enveloped viruses are promising mitigants to inhibit African swine fever virus (ASFV). Among mitigant candidates in this class, glycerol monolaurate (GML) has demonstrated particularly high antiviral activity against laboratory-adapted ASFV strains. However, there is an outstanding need to further determine the effects of GML on wild-type ASFV strains, which can have different virulence levels and sensitivities to membrane-disrupting compounds as compared to laboratory-adapted strains. Herein, we investigated the antiviral effects of GML on a highly virulent strain of a wild-type ASFV isolate (Armenia/07) in an in vitro porcine macrophage model. GML treatment caused a concentration-dependent reduction in viral infectivity, and there was a sharp transition between inactive and active GML concentrations. Low GML concentrations had negligible effect on viral infectivity, whereas sufficiently high GML concentrations caused a >99% decrease in viral infectivity. The concentration onset of antiviral activity matched the critical micelle concentration (CMC) value of GML, reinforcing that GML micelles play a critical role in enabling anti-ASFV activity. These findings validate that GML can potently inhibit wild-type ASFV infection of porcine macrophages and support a biophysical explanation to guide antimicrobial lipid performance optimization for pathogen mitigation applications.