bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Post-Transcriptional Regulatory Protein CsrA Amplifies Its Targetome through Direct Interactions with Stress-Response Regulatory Hubs: The EvgA and AcnA Cases
Authors: Rojano-Nisimura Alejandra Matsuri , Grismore Kobe B. , Ruzek Josie S. , Avila Jacqueline L. , Contreras Lydia M.
Published: March 2024

Global rewiring of bacterial gene expressions in response to environmental cues is mediated by regulatory proteins such as the CsrA global regulator from E. coli. Several direct mRNA and sRNA targets of this protein have been identified; however, high-throughput studies suggest an expanded RNA targetome for this protein. In this work, we demonstrate that CsrA can extend its network by directly binding and regulating the evgA and acnA transcripts, encoding for regulatory proteins. CsrA represses EvgA and AcnA expression and disrupting the CsrA binding sites of evgA and acnA, results in broader gene expression changes to stress response networks. Specifically, altering CsrA-evgA binding impacts the genes related to acidic stress adaptation, and disrupting the CsrA-acnA interaction affects the genes involved in metal-induced oxidative stress responses. We show that these interactions are biologically relevant, as evidenced by the improved tolerance of evgA and acnA genomic mutants depleted of CsrA binding sites when challenged with acid and metal ions, respectively. We conclude that EvgA and AcnA are intermediate regulatory hubs through which CsrA can expand its regulatory role. The indirect CsrA regulation of gene networks coordinated by EvgA and AcnA likely contributes to optimizing cellular resources to promote exponential growth in the absence of stress.
Limosilactobacillus reuteri HCS02-001 Attenuates Hyperuricemia through Gut Microbiota-Dependent Regulation of Uric Acid Biosynthesis and Excretion
Authors: Hussain Akbar , Rui Binqi , Ullah Hayan , Dai Panpan , Ahmad Kabir , Yuan Jieli , Liu Yinhui , Li Ming
Published: March 2024

Hyperuricemia is a prevalent metabolic disorder that arises from abnormal purine metabolism and reduced excretion of uric acid (UA). The gut microbiota plays a significant role in the biosynthesis and excretion of UA. Probiotics capable of purine degradation possess the potential to prevent hyperuricemia. Our study aimed to screen probiotics in areas with abundant dairy products and longevity populations in China, which could attenuate the level of UA and explore the underlying mechanism. In this study, twenty-three lactic acid bacteria isolated from healthy Chinese infant feces and traditional fermented foods such as hurood and lump milk were evaluated for the ability to tolerance acid, bile, artificial gastric juice, and artificial intestinal juice to determine the potential of the candidate strains as probiotics. Eight strains were identified as possessing superior tolerance to simulated intestinal conditions and were further analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), revealing that Limosilactobacillus reuteri HCS02-001 (Lact-1) and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei HCS17-040 (Lact-2) possess the most potent ability to degrade purine nucleosides. The effect of Lact-1 and Lact-2 on hyperuricemia was evaluated by intervening with them in the potassium oxonate and adenine-induced hyperuricemia Balb/c mice model in vivo. Our results showed that the level of serum UA in hyperuricemic mice can be efficiently reduced via the oral administration of Lact-1 (p < 0.05). It significantly inhibited the levels of liver inflammatory cytokines and hepatic xanthine oxidase through a TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway across the gut–liver axis. Furthermore, UA transporters ABCG2 and SLC2A9 were substantially upregulated by the intervention of this probiotic. Fecal ATP levels were significantly induced, while fecal xanthine dehydrogenase and allantoinase levels were increased following probiotics. RNA sequencing of HT-29 cells line treated with Lact-1 and its metabolites demonstrated significant regulation of pathways related to hyperuricemia. In summary, these findings demonstrate that Limosilactobacillus reuteri HCS02-001 possesses a capacity to ameliorate hyperuricemia by inhibiting UA biosynthesis via enhancing gastrointestinal barrier functions and promoting UA removal through the upregulation of urate transporters, thereby providing a basis for the probiotic formulation by targeting the gut microbiota.
Oily Bubble Flotation of Coal Macerals of Shendong Jurassic Coal
Authors: Qu Jinzhou , Luo Chang , Zhu Zhanglei , An Quan , Li Xinyi , Zhu Honglin , Chang Jing , Li Zhen , Zhou Anning , Chen Songjiang , Zhang Ningning
Published: March 2024

The comprehensive quality enhancement and grading of coal are crucial methods for unlocking the high value-added and low-carbon utilization of coal resources. In this work, the influence of oily bubbles on the flotation of Shendong Jurassic vitrinite-rich coal and inertinite-rich coal was studied via flotation tests, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), contact angle detection, and induction time measurements. FT-IR and XPS analyses demonstrated that the surface of inertinite-rich coal contains more hydrophilic oxygen-containing functional groups. Contact angle and induction time measurements showed that the vitrinite-rich coal is more hydrophobic than inertinite-rich coal, and that for both air and oily bubbles, the induction time on the surface of vitrinite-rich coal is shorter than that on the surface of inertinite-rich coal. In addition, rather remarkably, the induction times for both vitrinite-rich coal and inertinite-rich coal are significantly reduced by oily bubbles. Finally, a better flotation performance for oily bubble flotation of vitrinite-rich coal and inertinite-rich coal was found. It appears that oily bubble flotation is an efficient method for enhancing the recovery of vitrinite-rich coal and inertinite-rich coal.
Ketogenic Diet in the Management of Glioblastomas: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Brotis Alexandros G. , Arvaniti Christina , Kontou Marina , Tsekouras Alexandros , Fountas Kostas N.
Published: March 2024

Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive brain tumor that has a poor prognosis despite various treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and irradiation. However, a restricted ketogenic diet (RKD), which has been proven to be effective in treating drug-resistant epilepsy, could be a potential adjunct in the treatment of certain GBM cases. Our study aimed to highlight the existing knowledge, identify collaboration networks, and emphasize the ongoing research based on highly cited studies. During the literature search, we found 119 relevant articles written between 2010 and 2023. Among the top 20 most cited articles, there were seven laboratory and five clinical studies. The works of Olson LK, Chang HT, Schwartz KA, and Nikolai M from the Michigan State University, followed by Seyfried TN and Mukherjee P from Boston College, and Olieman JF, and Catsman-Berrevoets CE from the University Medical Center of Rotterdam, were significant contributions. The laboratory studies showed that RKD had a significant antitumor effect and could prolong survival in mouse glioblastoma models. The clinical studies verified the tolerability, efficacy, and safety of RKD in patients with GBM, but raised concerns about whether it could be used as a single therapy. The current research interest is focused on the efficacy of using RKD as an adjunct in selected chemotherapy regimens and demonstrates that it could provide GBM patients with better treatment options.
N Losses from an Andisol via Gaseous N2O and N2 Emissions Increase with Increasing Ruminant Urinary–N Deposition Rate
Authors: Ramírez-Sandoval Magdalena A. , Loick Nadine , Pinochet Dante E. , López-Aizpun Maria , Rivero M. Jordana , Cárdenas Laura M.
Published: March 2024

Agricultural soils account for about 60% of the global atmospheric emissions of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). One of the main processes producing N2O is denitrification, which occurs under oxygen-limiting conditions when carbon is readily available. On grazed pastures, urine patches create ideal conditions for denitrification, especially in soils with high organic matter content, like Andisols. This lab study looks at the effects of Urine-urea-N load on the Andisol potential to emit N2O. For this, we investigated the effects of three levels of urea-N concentrations in cow urine on emissions of N2O, N2, and CO2 under controlled conditions optimised for denitrification to occur. Results show total N2O emissions increased with increasing urine-N concentration and indicate that denitrification was the main N2O-producing process during the first 2–3 days after urine application, though it was most likely soil native N rather than urine-N being utilised at this stage. An increase in soil nitrate indicates that a second peak of N2O emissions was most likely due to the nitrification of ammonium hydrolysed from the added urine, showing that nitrification and denitrification have the potential to play a big part in N losses and greenhouse gas production from these soils.
Nurse-Implemented Music Therapy to Reduce Anxiety in Community-Dwelling Individuals with Severe Mental Illness: A Pilot Study
Authors: Ibáñez-del Valle Vanessa , Sánchez-Martínez Vanessa , Silva Josep
Published: March 2024

Anxiety is an important and recurrent problem in people with severe mental illness (SMI). The aim of this work is to measure the effectiveness of the Music Therapy nursing intervention in reducing anxiety in outpatients diagnosed with SMI (bipolar disorder and schizophrenia). The intervention was structured over five weeks (ten 1-h sessions, twice weekly). Objective measures (blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate) and subjective measures (anxiety response and the subjective perception of relaxation) were taken before and after every session. Our results show that this nursing intervention entails an objective reduction of the respiratory rate ((−4.5, −0.5) breaths per minute), the heart rate ((−5.80, −2.13) bpm), and it evidences a reduction in the subjective perception of anxiety (16.08% mean reduction in state anxiety). Considering all the sessions, the subjective perception of relaxation increased 97.33% of the time. This study provides evidence that the Music Therapy intervention can effectively promote relaxation and reduce anxiety symptoms in people with SMI. This study was retrospectively registered at Clinical Trials with Protocol Identifier NCT06315049.
Computational Methods in the Design of Anticancer Drugs
Authors: Fantacuzzi Marialuigia , Agamennone Mariangela
Published: March 2024

In recent years, continuous progress has been made in the development of new anticancer drugs, and several compounds (small molecules, engineered antibodies, immunomodulators, etc [...]
Pediatric Formulations Developed by Extrusion-Based 3D Printing: From Past Discoveries to Future Prospects
Authors: Ianno Veronica , Vurpillot Sarah , Prillieux Sylvain , Espeau Philippe
Published: March 2024

Three-dimensional printing (3DP) technology in pharmaceutical areas is leading to a significant change in controlled drug delivery and pharmaceutical product development. Pharmaceutical industries and academics are becoming increasingly interested in this innovative technology due to its inherent inexpensiveness and rapid prototyping. The 3DP process could be established in the pharmaceutical industry to replace conventional large-scale manufacturing processes, particularly useful for personalizing pediatric drugs. For instance, shape, size, dosage, drug release and multi-drug combinations can be tailored according to the patient’s needs. Pediatric drug development has a significant global impact due to the growing needs for accessible age-appropriate pediatric medicines and for acceptable drug products to ensure adherence to the prescribed treatment. Three-dimensional printing offers several significant advantages for clinical pharmaceutical drug development, such as the ability to personalize medicines, speed up drug manufacturing timelines and provide on-demand drugs in hospitals and pharmacies. The aim of this article is to highlight the benefits of extrusion-based 3D printing technology. The future potential of 3DP in pharmaceuticals has been widely shown in the last few years. This article summarizes the discoveries about pediatric pharmaceutical formulations which have been developed with extrusion-based technologies.
Multi-Mode Long-Wavelength GaAs/AlGaAs Quantum Well Infrared Photodetectors for Circular Polarization Detection
Authors: Feng Jianlin , Jiang Hengrui , Zhao Jun , Xiong Dayuan
Published: March 2024

We present an integrated device combining a double L-shaped chiral metasurface with long-wavelength GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIPs), achieving a circular polarized extinction ratio (CPER) as high as 45 in the long-wavelength infrared range of 7–9 μm. The unit of the chiral metasurface array consists of two structurally identical L-shaped gold structures with central symmetry. The CPER of the double L-shaped QWIPs is 14 times higher than that of a single L-shaped QWIP. The device operates in three modes within the detection band: the microcavity mode, the surface plasmon polariton (SPP) mode, and the hybrid mode. The double L-shaped chiral structure selects and reflects a small portion of left-handed circularly polarized light (LCP), while the majority enters the device and excites SPP modes with the bottom gold grating layer, leading to an absorption enhancement. In contrast, right-handed circularly polarized light (RCP) is mostly reflected with limited excitation of SPP waves. QWIPs exhibit a peak absorption of 0.8 and a coupling efficiency of 2700% in the active region of the quantum well due to the combined effects of the microcavity and SPP modes, in which the SPP mode plays a dominant role. The proposed device maintains high circular polarization discrimination capability under large incident angles and can be applied in spectral imaging.
Deterministic Shaping of Quantum Light Statistics
Authors: Compton Garrett D. , Kuzyk Mark G.
Published: March 2024

We propose a theoretical method for the deterministic shaping of quantum light via photon number state selective interactions. Nonclassical states of light are an essential resource for high-precision optical techniques that rely on photon correlations and noise reshaping. Notable techniques include quantum enhanced interferometry, ghost imaging, and generating fault-tolerant codes for continuous variable optical quantum computing. We show that a class of nonlinear-optical resonators can transform many-photon wavefunctions to produce structured states of light with nonclassical noise statistics. The devices, based on parametric down conversion, utilize the Kerr effect to tune photon-number-dependent frequency matching, inducing photon-number-selective interactions. With a high-amplitude coherent pump, the number-selective interaction shapes the noise of a two-mode squeezed cavity state with minimal dephasing, illustrated with simulations. We specify the requisite material properties to build the device and highlight the remaining material degrees of freedom which offer flexible material design.
Line Illumination in Linear Array Photoacoustic Imaging Using a Powell Lens: A Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: Ranjbaran Seyed Mohsen , Kratkiewicz Karl , Manwar Rayyan , Avanaki Kamran
Published: March 2024

Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is a rapidly developing biomedical imaging technology. Linear array-based photoacoustic tomography (LA-PAT) is one of the most popular configurations of cross-sectional PAI due to its simplicity and clinical translatability. However, when using an optical fiber for LA-PAT, the optical beam shape is deformed due to rapid divergence and, therefore, a larger area on the tissue is illuminated (and the illumination across the linear array is non-uniform), leading to the acquisition of PA signals outside the desired cross-section, which generates artifacts and degrades image resolution. A Powell lens is an optical element that converts a circular beam profile to a nearly linear flat-top profile. In this paper, a Powell lens is used to generate a uniform line illumination scheme that is evaluated with Zemax OpticStudio 2023 R1.02. The system is then characterized experimentally, and the performance is compared with a conventional illumination scheme in LA-PAT.
Stability and Bioaccessibility of Quercetin-Enriched Pickering Emulsion Gels Stabilized by Cellulose Nanocrystals Extracted from Rice Bran
Authors: Wang Guozhen , Li Jin , Yan Xiaoqin , Meng Yan , Zhang Yanpeng , Chang Xianhui , Cai Jie , Liu Shilin , Ding Wenping
Published: March 2024

To investigate the optimal delivery system of quercetin, in this paper, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) extracted from rice bran were used to stabilize the Pickering emulsion and Pickering emulsion gels (PEGs) with quercetin. To compare the emulsion properties, stability, antioxidation activity, encapsulation rate, and bioaccessibility of the quercetin, four emulsions of CNC Pickering emulsion (C), CNC Pickering emulsion with quercetin (CQ), CNC Pickering gel emulsion (CG), and CNC Pickering gel emulsions with quercetin (CQG) were prepared. All four emulsions exhibited elastic gel network structure and good stability. The quercetin significantly reduced the particle size, increased the stability, and improved the antioxidant capacity of CQ and CQG. Compared to C and CG, the ABTS+ radical scavenging capacities of CQ and CQG were respectively enhanced by 46.92% and 3.59%. In addition, CQG had a higher encapsulation rate at 94.57% and higher bioaccessibility (16.17) compared to CQ. This study not only indicated that CNC from rice bran could be exploited as an excellent stabilization particle for Pickering emulsions, but also provided a highly stable and bioaccessible delivery system for water-insoluble functional active factors.
Numerical Simulation of Polyacrylamide Hydrogel Prepared via Thermally Initiated Frontal Polymerization
Authors: Yi Xiong , Li Shengfang , Wen Pin , Yan Shilin
Published: March 2024

Traditional polymer curing techniques present challenges such as a slow processing speed, high energy consumption, and considerable initial investment. Frontal polymerization (FP), a novel approach, transforms monomers into fully cured polymers through a self-sustaining exothermic reaction, which enhances speed, efficiency, and safety. This study focuses on acrylamide hydrogels, synthesized via FP, which hold significant potential for biomedical applications and 3D printing. Heat conduction is critical in FP, particularly due to its influence on the temperature distribution and reaction rate mechanisms, which affect the final properties of polymers. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of heat conduction and chemical reactions during FP is presented through the establishment of mathematical models and numerical methods. Existing research on FP hydrogel synthesis primarily explores chemical modifications, with limited studies on numerical modeling. By utilizing Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) data on the curing kinetics of polymerizable deep eutectic solvents (DES), this paper employs Malek’s model selection method to establish an autocatalytic reaction model for FP synthesis. In addition, the finite element method is used to solve the reaction–diffusion model, examining the temperature evolution and curing degree during synthesis. The results affirm the nth-order autocatalytic model’s accuracy in studying acrylamide monomer curing kinetics. Additionally, factors such as trigger temperature and solution initial temperature were found to influence the FP reaction’s frontal propagation speed. The model’s predictions on acrylamide hydrogel synthesis align with experimental data, filling the gap in numerical modeling for hydrogel FP synthesis and offering insights for future research on numerical models and temperature control in the FP synthesis of high-performance hydrogels.
Enhancing the Cooling Efficiency of Aluminum-Filled Epoxy Resin Rapid Tool by Changing Inner Surface Roughness of Cooling Channels
Authors: Kuo Chil-Chyuan , Chen Hong-Wei , Lin Geng-Feng , Huang Song-Hua , Tseng Shih-Feng
Published: March 2024

In low-pressure wax injection molding, cooling time refers to the period during which the molten plastic inside the mold solidifies and cools down to a temperature where it can be safely ejected without deformation. However, cooling efficiency for the mass production of injection-molded wax patterns is crucial. This work aims to investigate the impact of varying surface roughness on the inner walls of the cooling channel on the cooling efficiency of an aluminum-filled epoxy resin rapid tool. It was found that the cooling time for the injection-molded products can be determined by the surface roughness according to the proposed prediction equation. Employing fiber laser processing on high-speed steel rods allows for the creation of microstructures with different surface roughness levels. Results demonstrate a clear link between the surface roughness of cooling channel walls and cooling time for molded wax patterns. Employing an aluminum-filled epoxy resin rapid tool with a surface roughness of 4.9 µm for low-pressure wax injection molding can save time, with a cooling efficiency improvement of approximately 34%. Utilizing an aluminum-filled epoxy resin rapid tool with a surface roughness of 4.9 µm on the inner walls of the cooling channel can save the cooling time by up to approximately 60%. These findings underscore the significant role of cooling channel surface roughness in optimizing injection molding processes for enhanced efficiency.
Wear Behavior of Epoxy Resin Reinforced with Ceramic Nano- and Microparticles
Authors: Abenojar Juana , Ballesteros Yolanda , Bahrami Mohsen , Martínez Miguel Angel , del Real Juan Carlos
Published: March 2024

Cavitation erosion poses a significant challenge in fluid systems like hydraulic turbines and ship propellers due to pulsed pressure from collapsing vapor bubbles. To combat this, various materials and surface engineering methods are employed. In this study, nano and micro scale particles of silicon carbide (SiC) or boron carbide (B4C) were incorporated as reinforcement at 6% and 12% ratios, owing to their exceptional resistance to abrasive wear and high hardness. Microparticles were incorporated to assess the damage incurred during the tests in comparison to nanoparticles. Wear tests were conducted on both bulk samples and coated aluminum sheets with a 1mm of composite. Additionally, cavitation tests were performed on coated aluminum tips until stability of mass loss was achieved. The results indicated a distinct wear behavior between the coatings and the bulk samples. Overall, wear tended to be higher for the coated samples with nanocomposites than bulk, except for the nano-composite material containing 12% SiC and pure resin. With the coatings, higher percentages of nanometric particles correlated with increased wear. The coefficient of friction remained within the range of 0.4 to 0.5 for the coatings. Regarding the accumulated erosion in the cavitation tests for 100 min, it was observed that for all nanocomposite materials, it was lower than in pure resin. Particularly, the composite with 6% B4C was slightly lower than the rest. In addition, the erosion rate was also lower for the composites.
High-Performance Defect Detection Methods for Real-Time Monitoring of Ceramic Additive Manufacturing Process Based on Small-Scale Datasets
Authors: Jia Xinjian , Li Shan , Wang Tongcai , Liu Bingshan , Cui Congcong , Li Wei , Wang Gong
Published: March 2024

Vat photopolymerization is renowned for its high flexibility, efficiency, and precision in ceramic additive manufacturing. However, due to the impact of random defects during the recoating process, ensuring the yield of finished products is challenging. At present, the industry mainly relies on manual visual inspection to detect defects; this is an inefficient method. To address this limitation, this paper presents a method for ceramic vat photopolymerization defect detection based on a deep learning framework. The framework innovatively adopts a dual-branch object detection approach, where one branch utilizes a fully convolution network to extract the features from fused images and the other branch employs a differential Siamese network to extract the differential information between two consecutive layer images. Through the design of the dual branches, the decoupling of image feature layers and image spatial attention weights is achieved, thereby alleviating the impact of a few abnormal points on training results and playing a crucial role in stabilizing the training process, which is suitable for training on small-scale datasets. Comparative experiments are implemented and the results show that using a Resnet50 backbone for feature extraction and a HED network for the differential Siamese network module yields the best detection performance, with an obtained F1 score of 0.89. Additionally, as a single-stage defect object detector, the model achieves a detection frame rate of 54.01 frames per second, which meets the real-time detection requirements. By monitoring the recoating process in real-time, the manufacturing fluency of industrial equipment can be effectively enhanced, contributing to the improvement of the yield of ceramic additive manufacturing products.
Literati Ingredients in the 17th-Century Chinese Christian Paintings
Authors: Xiao Jie
Published: March 2024

In this paper, the modification methods of the Chinese Christian painting created by the missionaries in the late Ming Dynasty (1573–1644) were analyzed with the Chinese Catholic studies of the “Song nianzhu guicheng” and the “Tianzhu Jiangsheng Chuxiang Jingjie”. After carefully studying the differences between the Chinese Christian painting and the original European version, the study shows that these Chinese Christian paintings were integrated with the Chinese literati paintings’ elements and literati symbols, which include the “Yudiancun” (raindrop texture stroke), “Pimacun” (hemp-fiber texture stroke), “landscape screen” (painted screens with natural landscapes), and the mark of Chinese famous literati such as Dong Qichang. These adjustments conducted by missionaries aimed to make religious paintings more in line with literati aesthetics, which could build connections between the missionaries and the literati community for proselytization. However, the missionaries neglected that the literati community certainly would not sacrifice the existing social order and the vested interest brought by the current Confucian culture to support new ideas of “liberty” and “equality” in the Catholic doctrine, which caused a huge setback in the missionary work since the Nanjing Teaching Case in 1616. This research makes significant contributions to the understanding of cultural exchanges in the 17th century through a detailed exploration of the adjustments made by missionaries in the visual representations within Chinese Catholic literature.
The Catholic Church and Refugees in Slovenia
Authors: Dragoš Srečo
Published: March 2024

In Slovenia, the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) is the largest, most influential, richest, and most politically significant among all religious organisations. In estimating its contribution related to migration and the refugee situation it is necessary to consider the wider context of Slovenian society, primarily four characteristics: (1) despite the principle of separation of state and religious spheres, it is in relation to the Roman Catholic Church that the bulk of unresolved issues and occasional exacerbations occur; (2) while Slovenian public opinion is rather volatile in its expression of social distance to foreigners, it does not represent the main problem; (3) Slovenia’s state politics are very closed to refugees; and (4) political parties from the right wing of the political spectrum are rather xenophobic. While the Catholic Caritas plays a positive role in the care of refugees, the RCC has always supported the right-wing political parties when they come to power, and it is also susceptible to Islamophobia.
Optimizing Wireless Connectivity: A Deep Neural Network-Based Handover Approach for Hybrid LiFi and WiFi Networks
Authors: Khan Mohammad Usman Ali , Babar Mohammad Inayatullah , Rehman Saeed Ur , Komosny Dan , Chong Peter Han Joo
Published: March 2024

A Hybrid LiFi and WiFi network (HLWNet) integrates the rapid data transmission capabilities of Light Fidelity (LiFi) with the extensive connectivity provided by Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), resulting in significant benefits for wireless data transmissions in the designated area. However, the challenge of decision-making during the handover process in HLWNet is made more complex due to the specific characteristics of electromagnetic signals’ line-of-sight transmission, resulting in a greater level of intricacy compared to previous heterogeneous networks. This research work addresses the problem of handover decisions in the Hybrid LiFi and WiFi networks and treats it as a binary classification problem. Consequently, it proposes a handover method based on a deep neural network (DNN). The comprehensive handover scheme incorporates two sets of neural networks (ANN and DNN) that utilize input factors such as channel quality and the mobility of users to enable informed decisions during handovers. Following training with labeled datasets, the neural-network-based handover approach achieves an accuracy rate exceeding 95%. A comparative analysis of the proposed scheme against the benchmark reveals that the proposed method considerably increases user throughput by approximately 18.58% to 38.5% while reducing the handover rate by approximately 55.21% to 67.15% compared to the benchmark artificial neural network (ANN); moreover, the proposed method demonstrates robustness in the face of variations in user mobility and channel conditions.
A Novel Experimental Approach for the Measurement of Vibration-Induced Changes in the Rheological Properties of Ex Vivo Ovine Brain Tissue
Authors: Lilley Rebecca L. , Kabaliuk Natalia , Reynaud Antoine , Devananthan Pavithran , Smith Nicole , Docherty Paul D.
Published: March 2024

Increased incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) imposes a growing need to understand the pathology of brain trauma. A correlation between the incidence of multiple brain traumas and rates of behavioural and cognitive deficiencies has been identified amongst people that experienced multiple TBI events. Mechanically, repetitive TBIs may affect brain tissue in a similar way to cyclic loading. Hence, the potential susceptibility of brain tissue to mechanical fatigue is of interest. Although temporal changes in ovine brain tissue viscoelasticity and biological fatigue of other tissues such as tendons and arteries have been investigated, no methodology currently exists to cyclically load ex vivo brain tissue. A novel rheology-based approach found a consistent, initial stiffening response of the brain tissue before a notable softening when subjected to a subsequential cyclic rotational shear. History dependence of the mechanical properties of brain tissue indicates susceptibility to mechanical fatigue. Results from this investigation increase understanding of the fatigue properties of brain tissue and could be used to strengthen therapy and prevention of TBI, or computational models of repetitive head injuries.
Improving SLAM Techniques with Integrated Multi-Sensor Fusion for 3D Reconstruction
Authors: Cai Yiyi , Ou Yang , Qin Tuanfa
Published: March 2024

Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) poses distinct challenges, especially in settings with variable elements, which demand the integration of multiple sensors to ensure robustness. This study addresses these issues by integrating advanced technologies like LiDAR-inertial odometry (LIO), visual-inertial odometry (VIO), and sophisticated Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) preintegration methods. These integrations enhance the robustness and reliability of the SLAM process for precise mapping of complex environments. Additionally, incorporating an object-detection network aids in identifying and excluding transient objects such as pedestrians and vehicles, essential for maintaining the integrity and accuracy of environmental mapping. The object-detection network features a lightweight design and swift performance, enabling real-time analysis without significant resource utilization. Our approach focuses on harmoniously blending these techniques to yield superior mapping outcomes in complex scenarios. The effectiveness of our proposed methods is substantiated through experimental evaluation, demonstrating their capability to produce more reliable and precise maps in environments with variable elements. The results indicate improvements in autonomous navigation and mapping, providing a practical solution for SLAM in challenging and dynamic settings.
Real-Time Measurement and Uncertainty Evaluation of Optical Path Difference in Fiber Optic Interferometer Based on Auxiliary Interferometer
Authors: Li Huicong , Lou Minggan , Huang Wenzhu , Zhang Wentao
Published: March 2024

Optical interferometers are the main elements of interferometric sensing and measurement systems. Measuring their optical path difference (OPD) in real time and evaluating the measurement uncertainty are key to optimizing system noise and ensuring system consistency. With the continuous sinusoidal wavelength modulation of the laser, real-time OPD measurement of the main interferometer is achieved through phase comparison of the main and auxiliary interferometers. The measurement uncertainty of the main interferometer OPD is evaluated. It is the first evaluation of the impact of different auxiliary interferometer calibration methods on OPD measurements. A homodyne quadrature laser interferometer (HQLI) is used as the main interferometer, and a 3 × 3 interferometer is used as the auxiliary interferometer. The calibration of the auxiliary interferometer using optical spectrum analyzer scanning and ruler measurement is compared. The evaluation shows that the auxiliary interferometer is the most significant source of uncertainty and causes the total uncertainty to increase linearly with increasing OPD. It is proven that a high-precision calibration and large-OPD auxiliary interferometer can improve the real-time accuracy of OPD measurements based on the auxiliary interferometer. The scheme can determine the minimum uncertainty to optimize the system noise and consistency for vibration, hydroacoustic, and magnetic field measurements with OPDs of the ~m level.
Variations in Seed Dormancy Occurrence and Their Classifications in Thirteen Actinidia Species
Authors: Esfandiari Azadeh , Norling Cara , Kaji Ryohei , McLachlan Andrew , Mathew Liya , Fleming Margaret , Morgan Ed , Nadarajan Jayanthi
Published: March 2024

As differences in seed dormancy between Actinidia species have not been reported previously, in this study we characterized the variation in the dormancy of seeds in 13 kiwifruit species that originated from different regions of China and Taiwan, and for which mature plants are now growing in New Zealand orchards. Dormancy-breaking treatments, including cold-moist stratification, seed coat scarification and soaking in water and gibberellic acid (GA3), were tested for their efficacy in alleviating dormancy and improving final germination and germination rates. In addition, we assessed seed viability using RNA integrity analysis to distinguish dead seeds from dormant seeds. This study identified that dormancy type in Actinidia seeds is species-specific and can be morphological, morphophysiological or a combination of physiological and physical, and that seed RNA integrity is a useful metric to incorporate into seed dormancy studies. Our results also suggest that species originating from colder climates that experience large differences between winter minimum and summer maximum temperatures exhibit physiological dormancy and require cold-moist stratification, contrasting with species originating in milder climates. Interestingly, although not all seeds from all the species were dormant, the proportion of dormant seeds in each species did not correlate to the climatic data of the region from which they originated. These findings provide new insights into mechanisms of seed dormancy in kiwifruit.
Technical and Economic Feasibility of Multi-Family Social Housing and Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings in Southern Brazil
Authors: Pierozan Eduardo , Piccinini Scolaro Taylana , Watzko Elise Sommer , Ghisi Enedir
Published: March 2024

Several studies have shown that social housing in Brazil usually fails to provide thermal comfort to its occupants. This study aimed to define energy efficiency measures for a representative social housing model to, together with local production of renewable energy, achieve the nearly zero-energy target. The thermal performance and energy efficiency of the representative model were evaluated using computer simulation, considering the southern Brazilian climatic context. An analysis of the economic feasibility of energy efficiency measures was also carried out. The results showed that the nearly zero-energy model with energy efficiency measures on the envelope (EPS and gypsum board in the external walls and rock wall in the roof) and a solar water heating system reduced 13.1% of the annual primary energy consumption in comparison with the representative model. Considering the renewable energy generation in the nearly zero-energy building, the electricity consumption was 38,777.6 kWh/year lower than that in the representative model (57.0% reduction). The economic analysis of the energy efficiency measures indicated a positive net present value and a payback of nearly six years. It was concluded that using energy efficiency measures and an on-site renewable made it possible to reach the nearly zero-energy target in a representative social housing model.
Application of the Black–Scholes Financial Model to Support Adaptability as a Sustainability Strategy for Buildings: A Case Study of an Adaptable Campus Parking Garage
Authors: Reed-Grice Miranda , Ross Brandon E.
Published: March 2024

In many construction projects, a “green premium” must be paid to implement sustainable designs that reduce environmental costs. Design for Adaptability (DfA) is a sustainable design philosophy that facilitates incremental renewal and infrastructure adaptation, thereby delaying future demolition and reconstruction. This paper focuses on the potential economic benefits of DfA. Notably, the paper contributes to answering the following question: is the green premium paid for an adaptable design justified by the potential long-term economic benefits? A modified version of the Black–Scholes financial options model is developed and demonstrated to address this question. A hypothetical case study of a parking garage is explored. This case study compares traditional and adaptable three-level parking garages and their potential expansion to a five-level garage at a future time. The “real option value” (i.e., the economic benefit of having the option to expand in the future) is calculated and compared under various assumptions and input parameters. The selection of reasonable model parameters for a given situation and the limitations of the Black–Scholes approach for valuing adaptable buildings are discussed. The model was developed for institutional (i.e., government or university) owners who consider their buildings as a cost of doing business without a direct relationship to revenue. It is concluded from the case study that the option value from the adaptable features of the parking garage exceeds the green premium given certain conditions. The payoff is most sensitive to the green premium, construction costs, and the owner’s inflation value on future additional parking. The work contributes to an economic case for DfA as a sustainability strategy for buildings.
Assessing the Level of Urban Sustainability in the Capital of Pakistan: A Social Analysis Applied through Multiple Linear Regression
Authors: Aziz Asad , Anwar Muhammad Mushahid
Published: March 2024

It is reported that the rapid rate of urbanization has negative impacts on the environment, society, and economic conditions in the capital of Pakistan, which need to be addressed for sustainability. This study attempts to quantify the level of urban sustainability by using a Multiple Linear Regression Analysis in a social context. Primary data were collected through a random sampling survey, while secondary data were collected from the Capital Development Authority, public documents, and past studies or case reports. These data were associated with land values, property rent, the availability of commercial space, social security, the sense of belonging, and the frequency of urban flooding. The major sources of secondary data were the revised master plan of the city (2020–2040), urban gazette data, land value registers, property dealers’ records of real estate, and government documents. The results of the analyses show that there is a strong correlation between the selected variables and the urban sustainability of the area. These results were expressed through the coefficient of regression and coefficient of correlation through regression statistics, including R = 0.801 for economic sustainability, R = 0.822 for urban sustainability, and R = 0.905 for social sustainability. The results reveal that the level of urban sustainability is at risk due to overpopulation and the degradation of the ecosystem. It is concluded that there is a need for the implementation of a revised master plan in the area for the sustainable development of the city.
Correction: Mekonen et al. Recharge Estimation Approach in a Data-Scarce Semi-Arid Region, Northern Ethiopian Rift Valley. Sustainability 2023, 15, 15887
Authors: Mekonen Sisay S. , Boyce Scott E. , Mohammed Abdella K. , Flint Lorraine , Flint Alan , Disse Markus
Published: March 2024

The authors would like to make the following corrections about the published paper [...]
Psychometrics of Emotional Intelligence in Hospitality: A Cross-Sectional Study on Human Capital and Quality of Service
Authors: Sanz-García Alberto , Ros-Martínez Almudena , López-Navas Ana , Puig-Cabrera Miguel
Published: March 2024

Little research has been conducted specifically on emotional intelligence (EI) and perceived quality of service in the hospitality industry. The main goal of this research consists of providing empirical evidence related to EI regarding its importance in quality of hospitality service (QHS). To do so, a hypothetical and conceptual model was tested by Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) techniques based on a sample of 408 employees in the hospitality sector in the region of Murcia (Spain). The findings of this work reveal the incidence that EI has on the QHS of human capital, despite a scenario that is characterized by a high rate of talent shortage worldwide and an increasing digitalization that could reduce human interaction. Also, implications are given so that EI could be more deeply analyzed for EI strategy-building within organizational behavior and human resource management areas from a practical approach, increasing engagement and preventing the so-called quality service sabotage.
Design of Vif-Derived Peptide Inhibitors with Anti-HIV-1 Activity by Interrupting Vif-CBFβ Interaction
Authors: Gai Yanxin , Duan Sizhu , Wang Shiqi , Liu Kaifeng , Yu Xin , Yang Chumeng , Li Guoqing , Zhou Yan , Yu Bin , Wu Jiaxin , Wang Chu , Yu Xianghui
Published: March 2024

One of the major functions of the accessory protein Vif of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is to induce the degradation of APOBEC3 (A3) family proteins by recruiting a Cullin5-ElonginB/C-CBFβ E3 ubiquitin ligase complex to facilitate viral replication. Therefore, the interactions between Vif and the E3 complex proteins are promising targets for the development of novel anti-HIV-1 drugs. Here, peptides are designed for the Vif-CBFβ interaction based on the sequences of Vif mutants with higher affinity for CBFβ screened by a yeast surface display platform. We identified two peptides, VMP-63 and VMP-108, that could reduce the infectivity of HIV-1 produced from A3G-positive cells with IC50 values of 49.4 μM and 55.1 μM, respectively. They protected intracellular A3G from Vif-mediated degradation in HEK293T cells, consequently increasing A3G encapsulation into the progeny virions. The peptides could rapidly enter cells after addition to HEK293T cells and competitively inhibit the binding of Vif to CBFβ. Homology modeling analysis demonstrated the binding advantages of VMP-63 and VMP-108 with CBFβ over their corresponding wild-type peptides. However, only VMP-108 effectively restricted long-term HIV-1 replication and protected A3 functions in non-permissive T lymphocytes. Our findings suggest that competitive Vif-derived peptides targeting the Vif-CBFβ interaction are promising for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
Humoral Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Receptor-Binding Motif Linear Epitopes
Authors: Monteiro Maria E. S. , Lechuga Guilherme C. , Napoleão-Pêgo Paloma , Carvalho João P. R. S. , Gomes Larissa R. , Morel Carlos M. , Provance David W. , De-Simone Salvatore G.
Published: March 2024

The worldwide spread of SARS-CoV-2 has led to a significant economic and social burden on a global scale. Even though the pandemic has concluded, apprehension remains regarding the emergence of highly transmissible variants capable of evading immunity induced by either vaccination or prior infection. The success of viral penetration is due to the specific amino acid residues of the receptor-binding motif (RBM) involved in viral attachment. This region interacts with the cellular receptor ACE2, triggering a neutralizing antibody (nAb) response. In this study, we evaluated serum immunogenicity from individuals who received either a single dose or a combination of different vaccines against the original SARS-CoV-2 strain and a mutated linear RBM. Despite a modest antibody response to wild-type SARS-CoV-2 RBM, the Omicron variants exhibit four mutations in the RBM (S477N, T478K, E484A, and F486V) that result in even lower antibody titers. The primary immune responses observed were directed toward IgA and IgG. While nAbs typically target the RBD, our investigation has unveiled reduced seroreactivity within the RBD’s crucial subregion, the RBM. This deficiency may have implications for the generation of protective nAbs. An evaluation of S1WT and S2WT RBM peptides binding to nAbs using microscale thermophoresis revealed a higher affinity (35 nM) for the S2WT sequence (GSTPCNGVEGFNCYF), which includes the FNCY patch. Our findings suggest that the linear RBM of SARS-CoV-2 is not an immunodominant region in vaccinated individuals. Comprehending the intricate dynamics of the humoral response, its interplay with viral evolution, and host genetics is crucial for formulating effective vaccination strategies, targeting not only SARS-CoV-2 but also anticipating potential future coronaviruses.