bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinically Relevant Anatomical Variations in the Brachial Plexus
Authors: Patel Niki T. , Smith Heather F.
Published: February 2023

Anatomical variation in the brachial plexus may result in a variety of clinically relevant patterns, including various neuralgias of the upper extremity and differing nerve territories. Some conditions can be debilitating in symptomatic patients, resulting in paresthesia, anesthesia, or weakness of the upper extremity. Others may simply result in cutaneous nerve territories that deviate from a traditional dermatome map. This study evaluated the frequency and anatomical presentations of a large number of clinically relevant brachial plexus nerve variations in a sample of human body donors. We identified a high frequency of various branching variants, of which clinicians, especially surgeons, should be aware. The medial pectoral nerves in 30% of the sample were found to originate from either the lateral cord, or both the medial and lateral cords of the brachial plexus rather than exclusively from the medial cord. The dual cord innervation pattern greatly increases the number of spinal cord levels traditionally believed to innervate the pectoralis minor muscle. The thoracodorsal nerve arose as a branch of the axillary nerve 17% of the time. The musculocutaneous nerve sent branches to the median nerve in 5% of specimens. The medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve shared a common trunk with the medial brachial cutaneous nerve in 5% of individuals and derived from the ulnar nerve in 3% of specimens.
Medical Image Classifications for 6G IoT-Enabled Smart Health Systems
Authors: Elaziz Mohamed Abd , Dahou Abdelghani , Mabrouk Alhassan , Ibrahim Rehab Ali , Aseeri Ahmad O.
Published: February 2023

As day-to-day-generated data become massive in the 6G-enabled Internet of medical things (IoMT), the process of medical diagnosis becomes critical in the healthcare system. This paper presents a framework incorporated into the 6G-enabled IoMT to improve prediction accuracy and provide a real-time medical diagnosis. The proposed framework integrates deep learning and optimization techniques to render accurate and precise results. The medical computed tomography images are preprocessed and fed into an efficient neural network designed for learning image representations and converting each image to a feature vector. The extracted features from each image are then learned using a MobileNetV3 architecture. Furthermore, we enhanced the performance of the arithmetic optimization algorithm (AOA) based on the hunger games search (HGS). In the developed method, named AOAHG, the operators of the HGS are applied to enhance the AOA’s exploitation ability while allocating the feasible region. The developed AOAG selects the most relevant features and ensures the overall model classification improvement. To assess the validity of our framework, we conducted evaluation experiments on four datasets, including ISIC-2016 and PH2 for skin cancer detection, white blood cell (WBC) detection, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) classification, using different evaluation metrics. The framework showed remarkable performance compared to currently existing methods in the literature. In addition, the developed AOAHG provided results better than other FS approaches according to the obtained accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score as performance measures. For example, AOAHG had 87.30%, 96.40%, 88.60%, and 99.69% for the ISIC, PH2, WBC, and OCT datasets, respectively.
Solving STODS—Surgical Temporary Ocular Discomfort Syndrome
Authors: Hirabayashi Matthew T. , Barnett Brad P.
Published: February 2023

The term STODS (Surgical Temporary Ocular Discomfort Syndrome) has been coined to describe the ocular surface perturbations induced by surgery. As one of the most important refractive elements of the eye, Guided Ocular Surface and Lid Disease (GOLD) optimization is fundamental to success in achieving refractive outcomes and mitigating STODS. Effective GOLD optimization and the prevention/treatment of STODS requires an understanding of the molecular, cellular, and anatomic factors that influence ocular surface microenvironment and the associated perturbations induced by surgical intervention. By reviewing the current understanding of STODS etiologies, we will attempt to outline a rationale for a tailored GOLD optimization depending on the ocular surgical insult. With a bench-to-bedside approach, we will highlight clinical examples of effective GOLD perioperative optimization that can mitigate STODS’ deleterious effect on preoperative imaging and postoperative healing.
Tomographic Evaluation of Alveolar Ridge Preservation Using Bone Substitutes and Collagen Membranes—A Retrospective Pilot Study
Authors: Binkhorst Tegan S. , Tawse-Smith Andrew , Goh Rayner , Nogueira Getulio R. , Atieh Momen
Published: February 2023

Alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) reduces dimensional changes following tooth extraction. We evaluated the changes in alveolar ridge dimensions after ARP using bone substitutes and collagen membranes. Objectives included the tomographic evaluation of sites prior to extraction and six months after ARP and the assessment of the extent ARP preserved the ridge and reduced the need for additional augmentation at the time of implant placement. A total of 12 participants who underwent ARP in the Postgraduate Periodontics Clinic (Faculty of Dentistry) were included. Cone beam computed tomography images were used to retrospectively assess 17 sites prior to and six months after dental extraction. Alveolar ridge changes were recorded and analysed using reproducible reference points. The alveolar ridge height was measured at buccal and palatal/lingual aspects, whilst width was measured at crestal level, 2 mm, 4 mm and 6 mm below the crest. Statistically significant changes were found in alveolar ridge width at all four heights, with mean reduction differences ranging from 1.16 mm to 2.84 mm. Likewise, significant changes in the palatal/lingual alveolar ridge height (1.28 mm) were observed. However, changes of 0.79 mm in buccal alveolar ridge height were not significant (p = 0.077). Although ARP reduced dimensional changes following a tooth extraction, some degree of alveolar ridge collapse could not be avoided. The amount of resorption on the buccal aspect of the ridge was less compared to the palatal/lingual after ARP. This indicated that the use of bone substitutes and collagen membranes was effective in reducing changes in the buccal alveolar ridge height.
Development of a Novel Lightweight CNN Model for Classification of Human Actions in UAV-Captured Videos
Authors: Othman Nashwan Adnan , Aydin Ilhan
Published: February 2023

There has been increased attention paid to autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) recently because of their usage in several fields. Human action recognition (HAR) in UAV videos plays an important role in various real-life applications. Although HAR using UAV frames has not received much attention from researchers to date, it is still a significant area that needs further study because of its relevance for the development of efficient algorithms for autonomous drone surveillance. Current deep-learning models for HAR have limitations, such as large weight parameters and slow inference speeds, which make them unsuitable for practical applications that require fast and accurate detection of unusual human actions. In response to this problem, this paper presents a new deep-learning model based on depthwise separable convolutions that has been designed to be lightweight. Other parts of the HarNet model comprised convolutional, rectified linear unit, dropout, pooling, padding, and dense blocks. The effectiveness of the model has been tested using the publicly available UCF-ARG dataset. The proposed model, called HarNet, has enhanced the rate of successful classification. Each unit of frame data was pre-processed one by one by different computer vision methods before it was incorporated into the HarNet model. The proposed model, which has a compact architecture with just 2.2 million parameters, obtained a 96.15% success rate in classification, outperforming the MobileNet, Xception, DenseNet201, Inception-ResNetV2, VGG-16, and VGG-19 models on the same dataset. The proposed model had numerous key advantages, including low complexity, a small number of parameters, and high classification performance. The outcomes of this paper showed that the model’s performance was superior to that of other models that used the UCF-ARG dataset.
From Struggles to Success: Investigating the Impact of Early Learning Assessments on Students Performance and Motivation
Authors: Boyle Christopher T. , Hashemi Nicole N.
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we investigated the impact of an early learning assessment on students’ motivation for improving their performance throughout the semester. An observation analysis was conducted on an entry level mechanical engineering course in which students are enrolled during their first semester of engineering work. This study analyzes the effect that a first exam, with an average below a passing grade, has on a student’s outcome in the course. It was hypothesized that students were motivated to achieve their desired grade outcomes following an inadequate performance on the first exam. This was investigated by diving into the results of the course and referencing initial performance to the remaining exam and assessment outcomes. Students were placed into grade bands ranging between 0 and 100 in 20% increments. Their results were tracked, and it was shown that for the second mechanics exam, the averages increased by 43.333%, 35.35%, and 30.055% for the grade bands: 0 to 20, 20 to 40, and 40 to 60, respectively. The assessment grades also increased, with the remaining assessments being averaged to a score of 91.095%. The variables contributing to student performance came from both inside and outside the classroom. Learning communities, material differentiation, and student and professor adaptation all contributed to the rise in performance. It was concluded that the internal and external variables acted in combination with one another to increase student dedication to achieving success.
Particle-In-Cell Simulations of High Efficiency 12-Vanes 2.45 GHz Continuous Wave Magnetron
Authors: Li Wenlong , Li Hailong , Yin Yong , Song Minsheng , Wang Bin , Bi Liangjie , Meng Lin
Published: February 2023

As an essential vacuum electronic device for producing the microwave, the magnetron has various applications. This study developed a novel high-efficiency 12-vanes CW magnetron and anode resonance system that improved mode separation, expanded the working space of π-mode and made other modes more challenging to trigger, ultimately eliminating the possibility of mode jumping. A magnetron was simultaneously supplied with a particular quantity of anode voltage, and the cathode was generated by the electron, and high-frequency field interaction of a homogeneous magnetic field. The work efficiency of the 12-vanes CW magnetron was significantly enhanced. Given an anode voltage of 8000 V and a magnetic flux density of 3980 Gs as a consequence of particle simulation, the variation trend of a magnetron’s output power oscillation curve correlated with the development of hexagonal spokes. After a period of stable operation, the magnetron’s fundamental parameters were determined to be as follows: the primary frequency oscillation frequency was 2.466 GHz, the anode collision current was 1.08 A, the amplitude of sinusoidal oscillation was 125, the output power was 7812.5 W, and the corresponding power conversion efficiency was 90.42%. Changing the magnitude of the anode voltage or magnetic flux density resulted in a reduction in power conversion efficiency within a particular range; however, between 85% and 90% stability was maintained.
Dynamic Target Tracking of Small UAVs in Unstructured Environment
Authors: Li Haiqing , Yang Mengbo , Li Yanbo , Dai Liming , Zhao Chunhui
Published: February 2023

In this paper, an adaptive multi-rotor UAV system of dynamic target tracking and path planning is proposed for the problems of occlusion, lighting change, and similar target interference in an unstructured environment. A DTE-tracker module is designed, consisting of a detector, tracker, and examiner, and proposes a dynamic target capture mechanism to improve the robustness and continuity of target tracking in complex environments. A DWA local path planning algorithm based on a dynamic target tracking task is proposed to control the yaw of the UAV to accurately locate specific targets in the center of the image, and finally achieve the purpose of stable tracking. A UAV platform was built equipped with an onboard computer, laser sensor, and visual sensor, and a series of target tracking and path planning experiments were carried out to verify the effectiveness of the method and test the performance of the algorithm in a complex jungle environment.
Assessment of Voltage Fluctuations for Battery Storage Systems Providing Frequency Response Services
Authors: Sommerville Stephen , Taylor Gareth , Abbod Maysam
Published: February 2023

This paper investigates voltage fluctuations caused by the operation of battery energy storage (BES) units which provide frequency response (FR) and fast frequency response (FFR) services using a test network based on a typical part of the United Kingdom (UK) mainland system. This paper provides an overview of current FR/FFR services currently used in the UK, and a summary of their typical modes of operation. Using DIgSILENT Powerfactory, the paper introduces a simple frequency disturbance generator to mimic typical frequency disturbances that would occur in the UK network, and then subsequently uses a representative test distribution network to show how voltage disturbances associated with BES units can develop across the electrical network. The paper provides a contribution to knowledge by creating a systematic approach for assessing voltage disturbance and flicker concerns for BES units on island networks, using a simple control algorithm and novel frequency disturbance generator.
Macromolecules: Contemporary Futurist Thoughts on Progressive Journey
Authors: Joseph Tomy Muringayil , Hasanin Mohamed S. , Unni Aparna Beena , Kar Mahapatra Debarshi , Haponiuk Jozef , Thomas Sabu
Published: February 2023

The 1920 paper by Hermann Staudinger, which introduced the groundbreaking theory of the existence of long-chain molecules made up of many covalently linked monomeric units, was remembered in 2020 for the 100th anniversary of its publication. This article and the follow-up works of Staudinger on the subject serve as the basis for the study of macromolecular chemistry and polymer science. Although Staudinger saw the great potential of macromolecules, he most likely did not predict the repercussions of their widespread use. We are confronting an environmental and public health crisis with 6.3 billion metric tons of plastic garbage contaminating our land, water, and air. Synthetic polymer chemists can contribute to a more sustainable future, but are we on the right track? In this regard, this review provides insights into the trends, or perspectives, on the current, past, and future developments in macromolecular chemistry to promote an increased emphasis on “sustainable polymers”.
Reservoir Adaptability Evaluation and Application Technology of Carbon Quantum Dot Fluorescent Tracer
Authors: Chen Jinjian , Liu Jianxin , Dai Jijian , Lin Bo , Gao Chunyu , Wang Ci
Published: February 2023

This study investigates the application of carbon quantum dots as tracers in inter-well connectivity monitoring. A new laboratory-made water-soluble carbon quantum dot fluorescent tracer (CQD-W) was studied using 3D fluorescence characterization, structural characterization, reservoir suitability evaluation, and core flow experiments. The experimental results showed that CQD-W has a size of about 2 nm, a minimum detection limit of 10−2 mg·L−1. It has good stability when the salinity is 200,000 mg·L−1, the concentration of Ca2+ is 1000 mg·L−1, the pH value is 1–9, and the temperature is 80 °C. Because CQD-W contains many functional groups, such as carboxyl and hydroxyl, it shows good water solubility and has a negative surface charge. In the process of formation flow, CQD-W has a small adsorption amount, high tracer resolution, and excellent injectivity and mobility, meaning it is less likely to cause reservoir damage. Through the study of this method, the application field of carbon quantum dots is broadened, and it is proved that the CQD-W fluorescent tracer has a high potential for application in the oil industry, laying the foundation for the popularization of this technology.
Assessment of the Combined Charring and Coating Treatments as a Wood Surface Protection Technique
Authors: Žigon Jure , Pavlič Matjaž
Published: February 2023

Flame treatment is an ancient technique for surface protection of wood. Further processing of charred wood elements depends on aesthetic and protective requirements. This study presents some general properties and weathering behaviour of the Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and the European larch (Larix decidua Mill.), protected by variations of sanding, charring, charring + brushing, and coating treatments. Charring and charring + brushing reduced the original mass of the samples by up to 8% and notably changed their colour (ΔE* ≤ 75). A study of chemical properties showed that charring dehydrated the wood and degraded lignin and hemicelluloses. The surface roughness of the wood after charring and charring + brushing increased by as much as 560%, while coating with waterborne acrylic high build stain had no effect on the roughness of these surfaces. The type of surface treatment of the wood did not affect the uptake of the coating in the wood samples, but the uncoated and coated spruce wood absorbed more water than larch wood. Higher water absorption was observed in the samples treated by charring, and it decreased when the char layer was removed by brushing. The film of a waterborne high build stain reduced water uptake only for surfaces treated by sanding and charring + brushing. Larch wood exhibited higher surface hardness (EHz ≤ 1.70 MPa) than spruce wood (EHz ≤ 0.89 MPa), with the brittle char layer reducing the determined hardness of the tested surfaces. During two years of natural weathering, the char layer was removed from the wood surface, even if the samples were additionally coated. The greatest colour changes during weathering were observed on samples treated by sanding (ΔE* ≤ 60) and sanding + coating (ΔE* ≤ 33), followed by samples treated with charring + brushing (ΔE* ≤ 10) and samples treated with charring (ΔE* ≤ 9). In summary, treating wood by charring in combination with brushing was the best wood protection technique.
Biological Control in Forests Protection
Authors: Nowakowska Justyna Anna , Belbahri Lassaâd , Oszako Tomasz
Published: February 2023

Forests are a vital component of the natural environment as they support biodiversity, sequester carbon, play a key role in biogeochemical cycles, and produce the organic matter necessary for terrestrial organisms [...]
Sustainability Language in Forest Management Plans: A Comparative Analysis for Public Forests of the US and Turkey
Authors: Vatandaşlar Can , Bettinger Pete , Gutierrez Garzon Alba Rocio , Merry Krista , Boston Kevin , Lee Taeyoon , Uzu Joshua
Published: February 2023

Forest management plans often suggest that economic, ecological, and/or social sustainability will be achieved if the proposed management actions are followed. Using forest plans developed by the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service and the Republic of Turkey, the purposes of this study were to (i) extract those statements that suggest sustainability will be achieved and (ii) assess whether there exist statistical differences between the two countries’ plans and the emphases of the findings. A content analysis and non-parametric statistical tests were employed to measure the frequency of a set of terms related to sustainability and to estimate significant differences in the use of sustainability terms in the plans sampled. Results suggest that ecological aspects are dominant in forest plans from both countries. While silviculture, sustained yield, and multiple use were the most frequently used terms in Turkish plans, the occurrences of conservation and recreation were significantly higher in US plans (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that the differences in the plans’ emphases could be attributable to the importance of Turkey’s forests for the wood production-related needs of Turkish society, whereas US national forests might no longer be seen as an important wood supply base but instead have been given a more “passive” forest use.
Design and Experimental Investigation of a Thermoelectric Conversion Device with Power Management for Forest Fire Monitoring
Authors: Ga Latai , Zhang Yuqi , Xu Daochun , Li Wenbin
Published: February 2023

Forest fires have long been a significant global problem. How to reliably accomplish the early warning and real-time monitoring of forest fires has become a pressing issue in order to limit the damage caused by forest fires. A novel technological approach for forest fire monitoring has been made possible by the quick development of wireless sensor network (WSN) technology. Currently, batteries are the primary source of power for WSNs used in forests, but frequent battery replacement will compromise the network for monitoring. As a result, the power supply is the key limit to its application in forest areas. This paper puts forward the thermoelectric conversion based on the Seebeck effect. Its notable feature is to convert heat energy into electric energy through the temperature difference between shallow soil and air. In the process of testing the device, the maximum voltage was 803.36 mV. At the same time, a power management system (PMS) for a thermoelectric conversion device was designed. The main feature of this system is that there is no need for an external control module. In the laboratory test, the minimum input power of this system was 200 mV. When the load resistance was 8 KΩ, the output power was 0.55 mW, and the maximum efficiency could reach 65.38% when the input was 500 mV, which fulfills the requirements of low cost and high reliability, providing a feasible solution for solving the energy limitation problem of WSNs in a forest area.
Improvement of L-asparaginase, an Anticancer Agent of Aspergillus arenarioides EAN603 in Submerged Fermentation Using a Radial Basis Function Neural Network with a Specific Genetic Algorithm (RBFNN-GA)
Authors: Alzaeemi Shehab Abdulhabib , Noman Efaq Ali , Al-shaibani Muhanna Mohammed , Al-Gheethi Adel , Mohamed Radin Maya Saphira Radin , Almoheer Reyad , Seif Mubarak , Tay Kim Gaik , Zin Noraziah Mohamad , El Enshasy Hesham Ali
Published: February 2023

The present study aimed to optimize the production of L-asparaginase from Aspergillus arenarioides EAN603 in submerged fermentation using a radial basis function neural network with a specific genetic algorithm (RBFNN-GA) and response surface methodology (RSM). Independent factors used included temperature (x1), pH (x2), incubation time (x3), and soybean concentration (x4). The coefficient of the predicted model using the Box–Behnken design (BBD) was R2 = 0.9079 (p < 0.05); however, the lack of fit was significant indicating that independent factors are not fitted with the quadratic model. These results were confirmed during the optimization process, which revealed that the standard error (SE) of the predicted model was 11.65 while the coefficient was 0.9799, at which 145.35 and 124.54 IU mL−1 of the actual and predicted enzyme production was recorded at 34 °C, pH 8.5, after 7 days and with 10 g L−1 of organic soybean powder concentrations. Compared to the RBFNN-GA, the results revealed that the investigated factors had benefits and effects on L-asparaginase, with a correlation coefficient of R = 0.935484, and can classify 91.666667% of the test data samples with a better degree of precision; the actual values are higher than the predicted values for the L-asparaginase data.
Phages in Fermented Foods: Interactions and Applications
Authors: Wu Qian , Li Luming , Xiang Peng , Zhang Ting , Peng Lianxin , Zou Liang , Li Qiang
Published: February 2023

Phage ecology has attracted increasing attention in recent years. Fermented foods have rich and diverse microbial communities, which are not only the creators of the unique flavors in food, but also good hosts for bacteriophages. However, at present, much is known about the bacterial and fungal communities and their functions in fermented foods, but little is known about the bacteriophages that inhabit the bacteria. This article reviews recent findings on phage diversity in fermented foods, highlighting how these organisms influence and relate to the dynamics of microbial communities in fermented foods. The application of bacteriophages in fermented food is also discussed, which will help to better control the food fermentation process in the future and promote its further development by the food industry.
Glycoside Hydrolase Family 48 Cellulase: A Key Player in Cellulolytic Bacteria for Lignocellulose Biorefinery
Authors: You Cai , Liu Ya-Jun , Cui Qiu , Feng Yingang
Published: February 2023

Cellulases from glycoside hydrolase family 48 (GH48) are critical components of natural lignocellulose-degrading systems. GH48 cellulases are broadly distributed in cellulolytic microorganisms. With the development of genomics and metatranscriptomics, diverse GH48 genes have been identified, especially in the highly efficient cellulose-degrading ruminal system. GH48 cellulases utilize an inverting mechanism to hydrolyze cellulose in a processive mode. Although GH48 cellulases are indispensable for cellulolytic bacteria, they exhibit intrinsically low cellulolytic activity. Great efforts have been made to improve their performance. Besides, GH48 cellulases greatly synergize with the complementary endoglucanases in free cellulase systems or cellulosome systems. In this review, we summarized the studies on the diversity of GH48 cellulases, the crystal structures, the catalytic mechanism, the synergy between GH48 cellulases and endocellulases, and the strategies and progress of GH48 engineering. According to the summarized bottlenecks in GH48 research and applications, we suggest that future studies should be focused on mining and characterizing new GH48 enzymes, thoroughly understanding the progressive activity and product inhibition, engineering GH48 enzymes to improve stability, activity, and stress resistance, and designing and developing new biocatalytic system employing the synergies between GH48 and other enzymes.
Butyrate Properties in Immune-Related Diseases: Friend or Foe?
Authors: Anshory Muhammad , Effendi Raden Mohamad Rendy Ariezal , Kalim Handono , Dwiyana Reiva Farah , Suwarsa Oki , Nijsten Tamar E. C. , Nouwen Jan L. , Thio Hok Bing
Published: February 2023

Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) created within the intestinal lumen by bacterial fermentation of largely undigested dietary carbohydrates. Its beneficial effects on cellular energy metabolism and intestinal homeostasis have garnered significant attention among SCFAs. Butyrate also has systemic effects and is known to regulate the immune system. Most of the butyrate and other SCFAs are produced in the human colon, through the fermentation of dietary fiber or resistant starch. However, the modern diet often lacks sufficient intake of fermentable dietary fiber, which can lead to low butyrate levels in the colon. To increase butyrate levels, it is helpful to incorporate fiber sources into meals and drinks that rely on slow bacterial fermentation. Butyrate is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties and has a range of immune system-related properties. As an agonist for GPR41, GPR43, or GPR109A, butyrate may have anti-inflammatory effects through these receptors’ signaling pathways. Butyrate also serves as an epigenetic regulator, responding to environmental or pharmacological changes by inhibiting HDAC, up-regulating miR-7a-5p, and promoting histone butyrylation and autophagy processes. This review discusses the importance of butyrate in regulating immunological homeostasis and the inflammatory response. It also addresses experimental models and human studies investigating the therapeutic potential of butyrate supplementation in immune-related conditions linked to butyrate depletion. Specifically, it covers the role of butyrate in some immune-related diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, human immunodeficiency virus, cancer, and several other special conditions.
Regional Drivers behind the Burning of Remanent Forests in Michoacán Avocado Belt, Central Mexico
Authors: Olivares-Martinez Luis D. , Gomez-Tagle Alberto , Pérez-Salicrup Diego R.
Published: February 2023

The state of Michoacán in central Mexico supplies nearly 50% of the global avocado trade in a region known as the Michoacan Avocado Belt or Avocadoland. Fire has been a component associated with regional land-use change processes. We documented fire regime attributes for the period 2000–2017, discussed the use of fire related to the expansion of avocado orchards, and evaluated the role of atmospheric variables and human infrastructure. There was a mean of 276 fires covering 3287 ha of forest per year. Over 80% of the burned area was covered by pine and pine–oak forests, with a strong correlation of ignitions with the distance to urban settlements, roads, agricultural plots, and avocado orchards. There is a median fire return interval of 2–3 years, and the distance to avocado orchards and main roads was highly correlated with fire recurrence. Final users of the international marketing of this fruit may be unaware of the fire-related land-use changes, namely, the damage to biodiversity, forest health, and water bodies, as well as to producers’ well-being, behind the great demand for avocados. The present conditions of insecurity and social conflict must be addressed to guarantee, among other things, the conservation of these diverse forests.
Containment and Suppression of Class A Fires Using CO2 Hydrate
Authors: Gaidukova Olga , Morozov Vladimir , Volkov Roman , Strizhak Pavel
Published: February 2023

This paper presents the experimental findings on fire containment and suppression by dropping CO2 hydrate granules and tablets on burning solid materials. We used the combustible materials typical of compartment fires—wood, linoleum, and cardboard—to determine the volume and mass of gas hydrate powder necessary for the effective fire suppression. Gaseous emissions were recorded from the combustion with and without fire suppression using hydrates. Conditions were specified in which a fire can be extinguished with minimum air pollution. We also identified the conditions for effective fire containment and suppression using hydrates as compared to water spray, snow, and ice. The necessary volume of hydrate was determined for effective fire suppression in a compartment filled with various materials. Experimental data show that the impact of temperature on the CO2 hydrate decomposition is highly nonlinear. The carbon dioxide hydrate exhibited a much better fire suppression performance than water spray in the course of total flooding of solid combustible materials. It was established that fine water spray failed to reach the lower levels of multi-tier crib fires. Finally, key patterns of total flooding with CO2 hydrate powder were identified when applied to fires.
Influence of Morphological Parameters on the Flow Development within Human Airways
Authors: Espinosa-Moreno Andres Santiago , Duque-Daza Carlos Alberto , Garzón-Alvarado Diego Alexander
Published: February 2023

Anatomical airways parameters, such as length, diameter and angles, have a strong effect on the flow dynamics. Aiming to explore the effect of variations of the bifurcation angle (BA) and carina rounding radius (CRR) of lower human airways on respiratory processes, numerical simulations of airflow during inhalation and exhalation were performed using synthetic bifurcation models. Geometries for the airways models were parameterized based on a set of different BA’s and several CRR’s. A range of Reynolds numbers (Re), relevant to the human breathing process, were selected to analyze airflow behavior. The numerical results showed a significant influence of BA and the CRR on the development of the airflow within the airways, and, therefore, affecting the following relevant features of the flow: the deformation of velocity profiles, alterations of pressure drop, flow patterns, and, finally, enhancement or attenuation of wall shear stresses (WSS) appearing during the regular respiratory process. The numerical results showed that increases in the bifurcation angle value were accompanied by pressure increases of about 20%, especially in the regions close to the bifurcation. Similarly, increases in the BA value led to a reduction in peak shear stresses of up to 70%. For the ranges of angles and radii explored, an increase in pressure of about 20% and a reduction in wall shear stress of more than 400% were obtained by increasing the carina rounding radius. Analysis of the coherent structures and secondary flow patterns also revealed a direct relationship between the location of the vortical structures, the local maxima of the velocity profiles and the local vorticity minima. This relationship was observed for all branches analyzed, for both the inhalation and exhalation processes of the respiratory cycle.
Fermented Wheat Germ Alleviates Depression-like Behavior in Rats with Chronic and Unpredictable Mild Stress
Authors: Hu Zheyuan , Zhao Penghui , Liao Aimei , Pan Long , Zhang Jie , Dong Yuqi , Huang Jihong , He Weiwei , Ou Xingqi
Published: February 2023

Depression is a chronic mental illness with devastating effects on a person’s physical and mental health. Studies have reported that food fermentation with probiotics can enrich the nutritional values of food and produce functional microorganisms that can alleviate depression and anxiety. Wheat germ is an inexpensive raw material that is rich in bioactive ingredients. For example, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is reported to have antidepressant effects. Several studies concluded that Lactobacillus plantarum is a GABA-producing bacteria and can alleviate depression. Herein, fermented wheat germs (FWGs) were used to treat stress-induced depression. FWG was prepared by fermenting wheat germs with Lactobacillus plantarum. The chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model was established in rats, and these rats were treated with FWG for four weeks to evaluate the effects of FWG in relieving depression. In addition, the study also analyzed the potential anti-depressive mechanism of FWG based on behavioral changes, physiological and biochemical index changes, and intestinal flora changes in depressed rats. The results demonstrated that FWG improved depression-like behaviors and increased neurotransmitter levels in the hippocampus of CUMS model rats. In addition, FWG effectively altered the gut microbiota structure and remodeled the gut microbiota in CUMS rats, restored neurotransmitter levels in depressed rats through the brain–gut axis, and restored amino acid metabolic functions. In conclusion, we suggest that FWG has antidepressant effects, and its potential mechanism may act by restoring the disordered brain–gut axis.
Changes in the Sensory Odor Profile during Chorizo Maturation and Their Relationship with Volatile Compound Patterns by Partial Least Square Regression (PLS)
Authors: Carmona-Escutia Rosa Pilar , Ponce-Alquicira Edith , García-Parra María Dolores , Villanueva-Rodríguez Socorro Josefina , Escalona-Buendía Héctor B.
Published: February 2023

Odor is one of the most important attributes to determine the overall acceptance of a product. The aim of this investigation is to evaluate the changes in the odor profile and the volatile compounds during thirty-three days of ripening to obtain the pattern of volatile compounds necessary to integrate the odor profile of chorizo (fermented sausage), using Partial Least Squares (PLS). The chili and pork meat odors were predominant during the first five days, vinegar and fermented odors at days twelve and nineteen days, and finally a rancid odor predominated at the end. Only the vinegar, rancid, and fermented odors could be predicted with a good fit model, with the R2 coefficient above 0.5, using linear PLS, and the pork meat odor using logarithmic PLS. Each group of volatile compounds interacted in different ways; esters had a positive influence on the vinegar and rancid odors, but a negative on the fermented odor. Some volatile compounds contributed to more than one odor, such as hexanal, ethanol, and ethyl octanoate. This work allowed us to understand the pattern of volatile compounds required to generate some of the specific odors of chorizo; further studies are required to explore the effect of other food components on these patterns of odors.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Consumers on Food Allergy and Food Allergen Labeling: A Case of Lebanon
Authors: Chafei Hanin , El Harake Marwa Diab , Toufeili Imad , Kharroubi Samer A.
Published: February 2023

The epidemiology of food allergies is increasing worldwide. International labeling standards were developed to enhance consumers’ awareness of allergen-free foods. The main objective of the present study is to assess the characteristics of allergen labeling and consumers’ knowledge, attitudes, and purchasing habits of food products with allergens in Lebanon. We evaluated the allergen labeling of 1000 food products form Lebanese supermarkets. A random sample of 541 consumers was recruited through an online survey (November 2020–February 2021). Descriptives and regression analysis were conducted. Results showed that wheat represents the largest group of food allergens on food labels, followed by milk and soybean. Furthermore, 42.9% of supermarket food products had a precautionary allergen labeling with “may contain traces of allergens”. The majority of food products complied with local regulations for locally manufactured and imported products. One-quarter of survey respondents had a food allergy or were caregivers of food-allergic individuals. Regression analyses showed that “previous experience of a severe reaction” was negatively associated with food allergy-related knowledge and attitude scores respectively (β = −1.394, 95% CI: (−1.827, −1.034) and β = −1.432, 95% CI: (−2.798, −0.067)). The findings of this study provide practical insights on food allergy labeling issues for stakeholders and policymakers in the food supply chain.
Extended Newton-like Midpoint Method for Solving Equations in Banach Space
Authors: Argyros Ioannis , Deep Gagan , Regmi Samundra
Published: February 2023

In this study, we present a convergence analysis of a Newton-like midpoint method for solving nonlinear equations in a Banach space setting. The semilocal convergence is analyzed in two different ways. The first one is shown by replacing the existing conditions with weaker and tighter continuity conditions, thereby enhancing its applicability. The second one uses more general ω-continuity conditions and the majorizing principle. This approach includes only the first order Fréchet derivative and is applicable for problems that were otherwise hard to solve by using approaches seen in the literature. Moreover, the local convergence is established along with the existence and uniqueness region of the solution. The method is useful for solving Engineering and Applied Science problems. The paper ends with numerical examples that show the applicability of our convergence theorems in cases not covered in earlier studies.
Heterochiasmy and Sex Chromosome Evolution in Silene
Authors: Filatov Dmitry A.
Published: February 2023

The evolution of a non-recombining sex-specific region is a key step in sex chromosome evolution. Suppression of recombination between the (proto-) X- and Y-chromosomes in male meiosis creates a non-recombining Y-linked region (NRY), while the X-chromosome continues to recombine in females. Lack of recombination in the NRY defines its main properties—genetic degeneration and accumulation of repetitive DNA, making X and Y chromosomes very different from each other. How and why recombination suppression on sex chromosomes evolves remains controversial. A strong difference in recombination rates between the sexes (heterochiasmy) can facilitate or even cause recombination suppression. In the extreme case—complete lack of recombination in the heterogametic sex (achiasmy)—the entire sex-specific chromosome is automatically non-recombining. In this study, I analyse sex-specific recombination rates in a dioecious plant Silene latifolia (Caryophyllaceae), which evolved separate sexes and sex chromosomes ~11 million years ago. I reconstruct high-density RNAseq-based genetic maps including over five thousand genic markers for the two sexes separately. The comparison of the male and female maps reveals only modest heterochiasmy across the genome, with the exception of the sex chromosomes, where recombination is suppressed in males. This indicates that heterochiasmy likely played only a minor, if any, role in NRY evolution in S. latifolia, as recombination suppression is specific to NRY rather than to the entire genome in males. Other mechanisms such as structural rearrangements and/or epigenetic modifications were likely involved, and comparative genome analysis and genetic mapping in multiple Silene species will help to shed light on the mechanism(s) of recombination suppression that led to the evolution of sex chromosomes.
Koala Genome Survey: An Open Data Resource to Improve Conservation Planning
Authors: Hogg Carolyn J. , Silver Luke , McLennan Elspeth A. , Belov Katherine
Published: February 2023

Genome sequencing is a powerful tool that can inform the management of threatened species. Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) are a globally recognized species that captured the hearts and minds of the world during the 2019/2020 Australian megafires. In 2022, koalas were listed as ‘Endangered’ in Queensland, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory. Populations have declined because of various threats such as land clearing, habitat fragmentation, and disease, all of which are exacerbated by climate change. Here, we present the Koala Genome Survey, an open data resource that was developed after the Australian megafires. A systematic review conducted in 2020 demonstrated that our understanding of genomic diversity within koala populations was scant, with only a handful of SNP studies conducted. Interrogating data showed that only 6 of 49 New South Wales areas of regional koala significance had meaningful genome-wide data, with only 7 locations in Queensland with SNP data and 4 locations in Victoria. In 2021, we launched the Koala Genome Survey to generate resequenced genomes across the Australian east coast. We have publicly released 430 koala genomes (average coverage: 32.25X, range: 11.3–66.8X) on the Amazon Web Services Open Data platform to accelerate research that can inform current and future conservation planning.
Automating the Management of 300 Years of Ocean Mapping Effort in Order to Improve the Production of Nautical Cartography and Bathymetric Products: Shom’s Téthys Workflow
Authors: Le Deunf Julian , Schmitt Thierry , Keramoal Yann , Jarno Ronan , Fally Morvan
Published: February 2023

With more than 300 years of existence, Shom is the oldest active hydrographic service in the world. Compiling and deconflicting this much history automatically is a real challenge. This article will present the types of data Shom has to manipulate and the different steps of the workflow that allows Shom to compile over 300 years of bathymetric knowledge. The Téthys project for Shom will be presented in detail. The implementation of this type of process is a scientific, algorithmic, and infrastructure challenge.
Functional Improvement and Satisfaction with a Wearable Hip Exoskeleton in Community-Living Adults
Authors: Kim Jihye , Chun Hyelim , Lee Su-Hyun , Lee Hwang-Jae , Kim Yun-Hee
Published: February 2023

Demand for wearable devices and supportive technology is growing as these devices have the potential to enhance physical function and quality of life in users. The purpose of this study was to investigate usability and satisfaction after performing functional and gait exercise with a wearable hip exoskeleton in community-living adults. A total of 225 adults residing in the local community participated in this study. All participants performed 40 min of exercise once with a wearable hip exoskeleton in various environments. The EX1, which functions as a wearable hip exoskeleton, was used. Physical function was assessed before and after exercise with the EX1. After completing exercise with the EX1, the usability and satisfaction questionnaires were evaluated. Gait speed, timed up and go test (TUG), and four square step test (FSST) showed statistically significant improvements after exercise with the EX1 in both groups (p < 0.05). In the 6 min walking test (6MWT), a significant increase was observed in the middle-aged group (p < 0.05). In the short physical performance battery (SPPB), there was a significant improvement in the old-aged group (p < 0.05). On the other hand, positive results in usability and satisfaction were noticed in both groups. These results demonstrate that a single session of exercise with the EX1 was effective in improving physical performance of both middle- and old-aged adults, with positive feedback from most of the participants.
Combining Historical, Remote-Sensing, and Photogrammetric Data to Estimate the Wreck Site of the USS Kearsarge
Authors: Gomez Pretel William , Carvajal Diaz Andres , Jeong Moonsoo
Published: February 2023

Colombia has hundreds of historical shipwrecks, but systematic research on this topic is scarce, which makes locating wreck sites problematic. Colombia is home to the Caribbean archipelago of San Andres, Old Providence, and Santa Catalina. Its complex environmental conditions make it a “ship trap”. On 2 February 1894, the USS Kearsarge ran aground on Roncador Cay, one of the Archipelago’s islets, and the location of the wreck site remains uncertain. Due to its role in the American Civil War, the Kearsarge is important naval heritage. Based on historical and cartographic records, orthophotographs, Landsat images, and light-detection-and-ranging (LiDAR) data, this study aimed to estimate the location of the wreck site in a Geographic Information System (GIS). Court-martial records, particularly nautical data and astronomical coordinates, were reviewed, including a study from 1894 indicating the wreck’s location on a map without coordinates. Nautical charts were also analyzed to find the Kearsarge wreck symbol. To identify the wreck site’s ordnance, logbooks and information on previous salvage efforts were examined. The analysis of nautical charts revealed a few shipwrecks, but not the Kearsarge. Historical and remote-sensing data were processed in a GIS, along with the most recent nautical chart of Roncador Cay from 2017, to obtain a possible geographical location. This resulted in coordinates, which were used to detect features associated with the USS Kearsarge in the processed data. Although the wreck was not detected, the data helped to estimate the approximate coordinates for where the wreck could be located, quantifying our degree of uncertainty.