bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classification of Different Recycled Rubber-Epoxy Composite Based on Their Hardness Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) with Comparison Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Yılmaz Vadi Su , Eseller Kemal Efe , Aslan Ozgur , Bayraktar Emin
Published: March 2023

This paper aims toward the successful detection of harmful materials in a substance by integrating machine learning (ML) into laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). LIBS is used to distinguish five different synthetic polymers where eight different heavy material contents are also detected by LIBS. Each material intensity-wavelength graph is obtained and the dataset is constructed for classification by a machine learning (ML) algorithm. Seven popular machine learning algorithms are applied to the dataset which include eight different substances with their wavelength-intensity value. Machine learning algorithms are used to train the dataset, results are discussed and which classification algorithm is appropriate for this dataset is determined.
Cardiovascular Side Effects of Anthracyclines and HER2 Inhibitors among Patients with Breast Cancer: A Multidisciplinary Stepwise Approach for Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment
Authors: Mauro Ciro , Capone Valentina , Cocchia Rosangela , Cademartiri Filippo , Riccardi Ferdinando , Arcopinto Michele , Alshahid Maie , Anwar Kashif , Carafa Mariano , Carbone Andreina , Castaldo Rossana , Chianese Salvatore , Crisci Giulia , D’Assante Roberta , De Luca Mariarosaria , Franzese Monica , Galzerano Domenico , Maffei Vincenzo , Marra Alberto M. , Valente Valeria , Giardino Federica , Mazza Alfredo , Ranieri Brigida , D’Agostino Anna , Rega Salvatore , Romano Luigia , Scagliarini Sarah , Sepe Chiara , Vriz Olga , Izzo Raffaele , Cittadini Antonio , Bossone Eduardo , Salzano Andrea
Published: March 2023

Cardiovascular (CV) diseases (CVD) are a major cause of long-term morbidity and mortality affecting life expectancy amongst cancer survivors. In recent years, because of the possibility of early diagnosis and the increased efficacy of neo-adjuvant and adjuvant systemic treatments (targeting specific molecular pathways), the high percentage of survival from breast cancer led CVD to become the first cause of death among survivors. Therefore, it is mandatory to adopt cardioprotective strategies to minimize CV side effects and CVD in general in breast cancer patients. Cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) is a common group of side effects of chemotherapeutics widely employed in breast cancer (e.g., anthracycline and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 inhibitors). The aim of the present manuscript is to propose a pragmatic multidisciplinary stepwise approach for prevention, early detection, and treatment of cardiotoxicity in patients with breast cancer.
Commissural Alignment and Coronary Access after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Quagliana Angelo , Montarello Nicholas J. , Willemen Yannick , Bække Pernille S. , Jørgensen Troels H. , De Backer Ole , Sondergaard Lars
Published: March 2023

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVR) is the first therapeutic option for elderly patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, and indications are steadily expanding to younger patients and subjects with lower surgical risk and longer life expectancy. Commissural alignment between native and transcatheter valves facilitates coronary access after TAVR and is thus considered a procedural goal, allowing long-term management of coronary artery disease. Moreover, commissural alignment may potentially have a positive impact on transvalvular hemodynamic and valve durability. This review focus on technical hints to achieve commissural alignment and current evidence for different transcatheter aortic valves.
Comparison of Image Quality and Quantification Parameters between Q.Clear and OSEM Reconstruction Methods on FDG-PET/CT Images in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Naghavi-Behzad Mohammad , Vogsen Marianne , Gerke Oke , Dahlsgaard-Wallenius Sara Elisabeth , Nissen Henriette Juel , Jakobsen Nick Møldrup , Braad Poul-Erik , Vilstrup Mie Holm , Deak Paul , Hildebrandt Malene Grubbe , Andersen Thomas Lund
Published: March 2023

We compared the image quality and quantification parameters through bayesian penalized likelihood reconstruction algorithm (Q.Clear) and ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) algorithm for 2-[18F]FDG-PET/CT scans performed for response monitoring in patients with metastatic breast cancer in prospective setting. We included 37 metastatic breast cancer patients diagnosed and monitored with 2-[18F]FDG-PET/CT at Odense University Hospital (Denmark). A total of 100 scans were analyzed blinded toward Q.Clear and OSEM reconstruction algorithms regarding image quality parameters (noise, sharpness, contrast, diagnostic confidence, artefacts, and blotchy appearance) using a five-point scale. The hottest lesion was selected in scans with measurable disease, considering the same volume of interest in both reconstruction methods. SULpeak (g/mL) and SUVmax (g/mL) were compared for the same hottest lesion. There was no significant difference regarding noise, diagnostic confidence, and artefacts within reconstruction methods; Q.Clear had significantly better sharpness (p < 0.001) and contrast (p = 0.001) than the OSEM reconstruction, while the OSEM reconstruction had significantly less blotchy appearance compared with Q.Clear reconstruction (p < 0.001). Quantitative analysis on 75/100 scans indicated that Q.Clear reconstruction had significantly higher SULpeak (5.33 ± 2.8 vs. 4.85 ± 2.5, p < 0.001) and SUVmax (8.27 ± 4.8 vs. 6.90 ± 3.8, p < 0.001) compared with OSEM reconstruction. In conclusion, Q.Clear reconstruction revealed better sharpness, better contrast, higher SUVmax, and higher SULpeak, while OSEM reconstruction had less blotchy appearance.
Effect of Composite Bionic Micro-Texture on Bearing Lubrication and Cavitation Characteristics of Slipper Pair
Authors: Liang Yingna , Wang Cunyuan , Wang Wei , Xing Hao , Zhang Zhepeng , Gao Dianrong
Published: March 2023

The slipper pair is the crucial friction pair of the seawater axial piston pump. Taking seawater as the working medium will inevitably affect the bearing performance of the slipper pair. In this paper, a seawater axial piston pump slipper pair model with a composite bionic micro-texture of the first-stage circular pit and the second-stage circular ball is established. Using the CFD simulation method, 18 groups of orthogonal tests are designed to explore the effects of seven test factors, such as rotational speed, first-stage diameter, first-stage aspect ratio, second-stage diameter, second-stage aspect ratio, area ratio, and distribution angle, on the bearing characteristics of the water film of the slipper pair. Study whether cavitation can further improve the bearing characteristics of the water film. The research shows that there is a vortex behind the circular pit, and there is a pressure difference in the calculation domain of the water film. The existence of the pressure difference causes the bearing force of the water film surface to increase. The cavitation phenomenon mainly occurs at the divergent wedge behind the circular pit. Among them, the total pressure bearing force of the 5th test group increased by 90% after introducing cavitation effect, and the total pressure bearing force of the 17th test group increased by about 86% compared with other test groups at the same speed. The order of the test factors affecting the water film bearing features is: A (rotational speed) > C (first-stage aspect ratio) > B (first-stage diameter) > E (second-stage aspect ratio) > F (area ratio) > D (second-stage diameter) > G (distribution angle). The optimal model is A6B2C1D3E3F2G3.
Identifying Oxidized Lipid Metabolism-Related LncRNAs as Prognostic Biomarkers of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Ziwei , Kim Byeong Seop , Han Wenqing , Chen Xiaojun , Yan Yingjie , Lin Li , Chai Gang
Published: March 2023

The relationship between oxidized lipid metabolism and the immunological function of cancer is well known. However, the functions and regulatory mechanisms of lncRNAs associated with oxidized lipid metabolism in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remain to be fully elucidated. In this study, we established an oxidized lipid metabolism-related lncRNA prognostic signature to assess the prognosis and immune infiltration of HNSCC patients. The HNSCC transcriptome was obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas. The choice of the target genes with a relevance score greater than 10 was performed via a correlation analysis by GeneCards. Patients were categorized by risk score and generated with multivariate Cox regression, which was then validated and evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier analysis and time-dependent receiver operating characteristics (ROC). A nomogram was constructed by combining the risk score with the clinical data. We constructed a risk score with 24 oxidized lipid metabolism-related lncRNAs. The areas’ 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS under the ROC curve (AUC) were 0.765, 0.724, and 0.724, respectively. Furthermore, the nomogram clearly distinguished the survival probabilities of patients in high- and low-risk groups, between which substantial variations were revealed by immune infiltration analysis. The results supported the fact that oxidized lipid metabolism-related lncRNAs might predict prognoses and assist with differentiating amid differences in immune infiltration in HNSCC.
Systematic Contagion Effects of the Global Finance Crisis: Evidence from the World’s Largest Advanced and Emerging Equity Markets
Authors: Gajurel Dinesh , Dungey Mardi
Published: March 2023

This paper examines the systematic contagion effects of the global financial crisis of 2007–2009 on the world’s largest advanced and emerging equity markets, using the conditional factor model of Dungey and Renault (2018) and and the adjusted correlation coefficient approach of Forbes and Rigobon (2002). Our findings indicate that when applying the Forbes and Rigobon approach, no evidence of contagion is found, while using the conditional factor model, we observe significant evidence of contagion in the aggregate equity markets of both advanced and emerging markets. Furthermore, the results from the conditional factor model suggest that the structural relationship across the financial sectors of advanced and emerging markets was significantly disrupted during the crisis period.
Examining the Impact of Infrastructure Financialization on Uneven Regional Development: Evidence from China
Authors: Li Yun , Xu Ming , Dai Juncheng , Yang Zhenshan , Cheng Zhe
Published: March 2023

Infrastructure financialization is an important economic phenomenon in urbanization and urban financialization. The existing studies are mainly focused on qualitative and theoretical analysis around the world. To quantitatively evaluate the impact of infrastructure financialization on uneven regional development, this study firstly measures the characteristics of uneven regional development in China, then we use the Tobit model to analyze the impact of infrastructure financialization based on panel data from 2006 to 2019. The results find that infrastructure financialization plays a significant role in uneven regional development in China. Low infrastructure financialization constrains the economic growth and urbanization of underdeveloped regions. This study not only contributes to the knowledge body of global financialization theory, but also provides a scientific basis for the optimization of infrastructure development both in China and the Global South.
Occurrences and Durations of Filled Pauses in Relation to Words and Silent Pauses in Spontaneous Speech
Authors: Gósy Mária
Published: March 2023

Filled pauses (i.e., gaps in speech production filled with non-lexical vocalizations) have been studied for more than sixty years in different languages. These studies utilize many different approaches to explore the origins, specific patterns, forms, incidents, positions, and functions of filled pauses. The present research examines the presence of filled pauses by considering the adjacent words and silent pauses that define their immediate positions as well as the influence of the immediate position on filled pause duration. The durations of 2450 filled pauses produced in 30 narratives were analyzed in terms of their incidence, immediate positions, neighboring silent pauses, and surrounding word types. The data obtained showed that filled pauses that were attached to a word on one side were the most frequent. Filled pauses occurring within a word and between two silent pauses were the longest of all. Hence, the durations of filled pauses were significantly influenced by the silent pauses occurring in their vicinity. The durations and occurrence of filled pauses did not differ when content or function words preceded the filled pause or followed it. These findings suggest that the incidence and duration of filled pauses as influenced by the neighboring words and silent pauses may be indicative of their information content, which is related to the processes of transforming ideas into grammatical structures.
Physico-Chemical Properties of Lithium Silicates Related to Their Utilization for Concrete Densifiers
Authors: Kalina Lukáš , Bílek Vlastimil , Sedlačík Martin , Cába Vladislav , Smilek Jiří , Švec Jiří , Bartoníčková Eva , Rovnaník Pavel , Fládr Josef
Published: March 2023

Protection of concrete against aggressive influences from the surrounding environment becomes an important step to increase its durability. Today, alkali silicate solutions are advantageously used as pore-blocking treatments that increase the hardness and impermeability of the concrete’s surface layer. Among these chemical substances, known as concrete densifiers, lithium silicate solutions are growing in popularity. In the present study, the chemical composition of the lithium silicate densifiers is put into context with the properties of the newly created insoluble inorganic gel responsible for the micro-filling effect. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was used as a key method to describe the structure of the formed gel. In this context, the gelation process was studied through the evolution of viscoelastic properties over time using oscillatory measurements. It was found that the gelation process is fundamentally controlled by the molar ratio of SiO2 and Li2O in the densifier. The low SiO2 to Li2O ratio promotes the gelling process, resulting in a rapidly formed gel structure that affects macro characteristics, such as water permeability, directly related to the durability of treated concretes.
Combined Femtosecond Laser Glass Microprocessing for Liver-on-Chip Device Fabrication
Authors: Butkutė Agnė , Jurkšas Tomas , Baravykas Tomas , Leber Bettina , Merkininkaitė Greta , Žilėnaitė Rugilė , Čereška Deividas , Gulla Aiste , Kvietkauskas Mindaugas , Marcinkevičiūtė Kristina , Schemmer Peter , Strupas Kęstutis
Published: March 2023

Nowadays, lab-on-chip (LOC) devices are attracting more and more attention since they show vast prospects for various biomedical applications. Usually, an LOC is a small device that serves a single laboratory function. LOCs show massive potential for organ-on-chip (OOC) device manufacturing since they could allow for research on the avoidance of various diseases or the avoidance of drug testing on animals or humans. However, this technology is still under development. The dominant technique for the fabrication of such devices is molding, which is very attractive and efficient for mass production, but has many drawbacks for prototyping. This article suggests a femtosecond laser microprocessing technique for the prototyping of an OOC-type device—a liver-on-chip. We demonstrate the production of liver-on-chip devices out of glass by using femtosecond laser-based selective laser etching (SLE) and laser welding techniques. The fabricated device was tested with HepG2(GS) liver cancer cells. During the test, HepG2(GS) cells proliferated in the chip, thus showing the potential of the suggested technique for further OOC development.
Ni0.6Zn0.4O Synthesised via a Solid-State Method for Promoting Hydrogen Sorption from MgH2
Authors: Sazelee Noratiqah , Md Din Muhamad Faiz , Ismail Mohammad
Published: March 2023

Magnesium hydrides (MgH2) have drawn a lot of interest as a promising hydrogen storage material option due to their good reversibility and high hydrogen storage capacity (7.60 wt.%). However, the high hydrogen desorption temperature (more than 400 °C) and slow sorption kinetics of MgH2 are the main obstacles to its practical use. In this research, nickel zinc oxide (Ni0.6Zn0.4O) was synthesized via the solid-state method and doped into MgH2 to overcome the drawbacks of MgH2. The onset desorption temperature of the MgH2–10 wt.% Ni0.6Zn0.4O sample was reduced to 285 °C, 133 °C, and 56 °C lower than that of pure MgH2 and milled MgH2, respectively. Furthermore, at 250 °C, the MgH2–10 wt.% Ni0.6Zn0.4O sample could absorb 6.50 wt.% of H2 and desorbed 2.20 wt.% of H2 at 300 °C within 1 h. With the addition of 10 wt.% of Ni0.6Zn0.4O, the activation energy of MgH2 dropped from 133 kJ/mol to 97 kJ/mol. The morphology of the samples also demonstrated that the particle size is smaller compared with undoped samples. It is believed that in situ forms of NiO, ZnO, and MgO had good catalytic effects on MgH2, significantly reducing the activation energy and onset desorption temperature while improving the sorption kinetics of MgH2.
Analysis of Kerf Quality Characteristics of Kevlar Fiber-Reinforced Polymers Cut by Abrasive Water Jet
Authors: Gubencu Dinu-Valentin , Opriș Carmen , Han Adelina-Alina
Published: March 2023

Abrasive water jet machining has become an indispensable process for cutting Kevlar fiber-reinforced polymers used in applications such as ballistics protection, race cars, and protective gloves. The complex and diffuse action of a large number of input parameters leads to the need to evaluate the quality characteristics of the technological transformation as a result of the deployment of experimental studies adapted to the specific processing conditions. Thus, the paper focuses on identifying the influence of different factors and modeling their action on the characteristics that define the quality of the cut parts, such as the kerf taper angle and the Ra roughness parameter, by applying statistical methods of design and analysis of experiments.
Deashed Wheat-Straw Biochar as a Potential Superabsorbent for Pesticides
Authors: Ćwieląg-Piasecka Irmina , Jamroz Elżbieta , Medyńska-Juraszek Agnieszka , Bednik Magdalena , Kosyk Bogna , Polláková Nora
Published: March 2023

Biochar activation methods have attracted extensive attention due to their great role in improving sorptive properties of carbon-based materials. As a result, chemically modified biochars gained application potential in the purification of soil and water from xenobiotics. This paper describes changes in selected physicochemical properties of high-temperature wheat-straw biochar (BC) upon its deashing. On the pristine and chemically activated biochar (BCd) retention of five pesticides of endocrine disrupting activity (carbaryl, carbofuran, 2,4-D, MCPA and metolachlor) was studied. Deashing resulted in increased sorbent aromaticity and abundance in surface hydroxyl groups. BCd exhibited more developed meso- and microporosity and nearly triple the surface area of BC. Hydrophobic pesticides (metolachlor and carbamates) displayed comparably high (88–98%) and irreversible adsorption on both BCs, due to the pore filling, whereas the hydrophilic and ionic phenoxyacetic acids were weakly and reversibly sorbed on BC (7.3 and 39% of 2,4-D and MCPA dose introduced). Their removal from solution and hence retention on the deashed biochar was nearly total, due to the increased sorbent surface area and interactions of the agrochemicals with unclogged OH groups. The modified biochar has the potential to serve as a superabsorbent, immobilizing organic pollutant of diverse hydrophobicity from water and soil solution.
Effects of Mellowing Practice on the Strength and Swelling Properties of Road Construction Materials: Case of Sulphate-Bearing Clay Soils Stabilised with Lime-Silica Fume Blended Binder
Authors: Al-Waked Qusai , Kinuthia John M. , Adeleke Blessing O. , Oti Jonathan , Khalifa Ahmed
Published: March 2023

The main thrust of this research was to establish any benefits of mellowing, and the optimal moisture content (OMC) for compacting mellowed sulphate-bearing clay soil undergoing the stabilization process. Two three-day mellowing regimes were carried out, prior to final compaction, at different initial moisture contents of 30% or 40% OMC. The unmellowed specimens were compacted immediately after mixing with the blended stabilizers. A blend of quicklime (L) with a sustainable by-product, silica fume (SF), at a 1:1 ratio (2%L–2%SF) was used. Linear expansion and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests were carried out to evaluate the benefits of mellowing. The test results suggested that the mellowed test specimens achieved better UCS and swelling properties compared to the unmellowed specimens. Mellowing at 1.2 OMC produced better strength performance than at 1.4 OMC, whereas mellowed specimens at 1.4 OMC showed better resistance to linear expansion compared to 1.2 OMC. The research findings suggested that optimal performance was achieved by mellowing at the higher initial moisture condition of 40% OMC and compacting the materials at the lower moisture condition of 1.2 OMC.
Bismuth−Antimony Alloy Embedded in Carbon Matrix for Ultra-Stable Sodium Storage
Authors: Ma Wensheng , Yu Bin , Tan Fuquan , Gao Hui , Zhang Zhonghua
Published: March 2023

Alloy-type anodes are the most promising candidates for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to their impressive Na storage capacity and suitable voltage platform. However, the implementation of alloy-type anodes is significantly hindered by their huge volume expansion during the alloying/dealloying processes, which leads to their pulverization and detachment from current collectors for active materials and the unsatisfactory cycling performance. In this work, bimetallic Bi−Sb solid solutions in a porous carbon matrix are synthesized by a pyrolysis method as anode material for SIBs. Adjustable alloy composition, the introduction of porous carbon matrix, and nanosized bimetallic particles effectively suppress the volume change during cycling and accelerate the electrons/ions transport kinetics. The optimized Bi1Sb1@C electrode exhibits an excellent electrochemical performance with an ultralong cycle life (167.2 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 over 8000 cycles). In situ X-ray diffraction investigation is conducted to reveal the reversible and synchronous sodium storage pathway of the Bi1Sb1@C electrode: (Bi,Sb) Na(Bi,Sb) Na3(Bi,Sb). Furthermore, online electrochemical mass spectrometry unveils the evolution of gas products of the Bi1Sb1@C electrode during the cell operation.
Liquefaction Potential of Saturated Sand Reinforced by Cement-Grouted Micropiles: An Evolutionary Approach Based on Shaking Table Tests
Authors: Ghorbani Ali , Hasanzadehshooiili Hadi , Somti Foumani Mohammad Ali , Medzvieckas Jurgis , Kliukas Romualdas
Published: March 2023

Cement-grouted injections are increasingly employed as a countermeasure material against liquefaction in active seismic areas; however, there is no methodology to thoroughly and directly evaluate the liquefaction potential of saturated sand materials reinforced by the cement grout-injected micropiles. To this end, first, a series of 1 g shaking table model tests are conducted. Time histories of pore water pressures, excess pore water pressure ratios (ru), and the number of required cycles (Npeak) to liquefy the soil are obtained and modified lower and upper boundaries are suggested for the potential of liquefaction of both pure and grout-reinforced sand. Next, adopting genetic programming and the least square method in the framework of the evolutionary polynomial regression technique, high-accuracy predictive equations are developed for the estimation of rumax. Based on the results of a three-dimensional, graphical, multiple-variable parametric (MVP) analysis, and introducing the concept of the critical, boundary inclination angle, the inclination of micropiles is shown to be more effective in view of liquefaction resistivity for loose sands. Due to a lower critical boundary inclination angle, the applicability range for inclining micropiles is narrower for the medium-dense sands. MVP analyses show that the effects of a decreasing spacing ratio on decreasing rumax are amplified while micropiles are inclined.
Van der Pol Equation with a Large Feedback Delay
Authors: Kashchenko Sergey
Published: March 2023

The well-known Van der Pol equation with delayed feedback is considered. It is assumed that the delay factor is large enough. In the study of the dynamics, the critical cases in the problem of the stability of the zero equilibrium state are identified. It is shown that they have infinite dimension. For such critical cases, special local analysis methods have been developed. The main result is the construction of nonlinear evolutionary boundary value problems, which play the role of normal forms. Such boundary value problems can be equations of the Ginzburg–Landau type, as well as equations with delay and special nonlinearity. The nonlocal dynamics of the constructed equations determines the local behavior of the solutions to the original equation. It is shown that similar normalized boundary value problems also arise for the Van der Pol equation with a large coefficient of the delay equation. The important problem of a small perturbation containing a large delay is considered separately. In addition, the Van der Pol equation, in which the cubic nonlinearity contains a large delay, is considered. One of the general conclusions is that the dynamics of the Van der Pol equation in the presence of a large delay is complex and diverse. It fundamentally differs from the dynamics of the classical Van der Pol equation.
Novelty for Different Prime Partial Bi-Ideals in Non-Commutative Partial Rings and Its Extension
Authors: Palanikumar M. , Al-Shanqiti Omaima , Jana Chiranjibe , Pal Madhumangal
Published: March 2023

In computer programming languages, partial additive semantics are used. Since partial functions under disjoint-domain sums and functional composition do not constitute a field, linear algebra cannot be applied. A partial ring can be viewed as an algebraic structure that can process natural partial orderings, infinite partial additions, and binary multiplications. In this paper, we introduce the notions of a one-prime partial bi-ideal, a two-prime partial bi-ideal, and a three-prime partial bi-ideal, as well as their extensions to partial rings, in addition to some characteristics of various prime partial bi-ideals. In this paper, we demonstrate that two-prime partial bi-ideal is a generalization of a one-prime partial bi-ideal, and three-prime partial bi-ideal is a generalization of a two-prime partial bi-ideal and a one-prime partial bi-ideal. A discussion of the mpb1,(mpb2,mpb3) systems is presented. In general, the mpb2 system is a generalization of the mpb1 system, while the mpb3 system is a generalization of both mpb2 and mpb1 systems. If Φ is a prime bi-ideal of ℧, then Φ is a one-prime partial bi-ideal (two-prime partial bi-ideal, three-prime partial bi-ideal) if and only if ℧\Φ is a mpb1 system (mpb2 system, mpb3 system) of ℧. If Θ is a prime bi-ideal in the complete partial ring ℧ and Δ is an mpb3 system of ℧ with Θ∩Δ=ϕ, then there exists a three-prime partial bi-ideal Φ of ℧, such that Θ⊆Φ with Φ∩Δ=ϕ. These are necessary and sufficient conditions for partial bi-ideal Θ to be a three-prime partial bi-ideal of ℧. It is shown that partial bi-ideal Θ is a three-prime partial bi-ideal of ℧ if and only if HΘ is a prime partial ideal of ℧. If Θ is a one-prime partial bi-ideal (two-prime partial bi-ideal) in ℧, then HΘ is a prime partial ideal of ℧. It is guaranteed that a three-prime partial bi-ideal Φ with a prime bi-ideal Θ does not meet the mpb3 system. In order to strengthen our results, examples are provided.
Consumer Acceptance and Adoption of AI Robo-Advisors in Fintech Industry
Authors: Sabir Asrar Ahmed , Ahmad Iftikhar , Ahmad Hassan , Rafiq Muhammad , Khan Muhammad Asghar , Noreen Neelum
Published: March 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) has provided significant help in many fields of life. This study proposed a framework that helped in understanding customers’ attitudes about the adoption of Robo-advisors. The role of the Technology Readiness Index moderated as one of the primary relationships. A total of 208 potential users of Robo-advisor services provided the data that confirmed the validity of the model. This model provided the input for structural equation modeling and analysis of the study hypotheses. The results indicated that consumers showed positive attitudes about Robo-advisor services, with the moderating effect of Technology Readiness Index dimensions, namely, contributors and inhibitors. Perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and perceived convenience influenced consumers in developing positive attitudes about this service. Financial businesses can design better AI Robo-advisor services to fulfill the requirements of a wide range of consumers. This proposed framework contributes to the consumers’ understanding of behavioral intentions for the use of Robo-advisors in FinTech.
Review of the Digital Twin Technology Applications for Electrical Equipment Lifecycle Management
Authors: Khalyasmaa Alexandra I. , Stepanova Alina I. , Eroshenko Stanislav A. , Matrenin Pavel V.
Published: March 2023

Digital twin is one of the emerging technologies for the digital transformation of the power industry. Many existing studies claim that the widespread application of digital twins will shift the industry to a principally new level of development. This article provides an extensive overview of the industrial application experience of digital twin technologies for solving the problems of modern power systems with a particular focus on the task of high-voltage power equipment lifecycle management. The latter task contours one of the most promising areas for the application of the digital twins in the power industry since it requires deep analysis of the technological processes dynamics and the development of physical, mathematical and computer models that cover all the potential benefits of the digital twin technology. At the moment, there is a lack of reliable data on the problems of assessing and predicting the technical state of high-voltage power equipment. The use of digital twin technology in modern power systems will allow for aggregating data from a variety of real objects and will allow the automatization of collecting and processing of big data by implementing artificial intelligence methods, which will ultimately make it possible to manage the life cycle of the power equipment. The article puts to scrutiny the industrial experience of digital twins creation, considering the technical solutions suggested by the largest manufacturers of electrical equipment. A classification of digital twins, examples and main features of their application in the power industry, including the problem of managing the life cycle of high-voltage electrical equipment, are considered and discussed.
Prediction Interval for Compound Conway–Maxwell–Poisson Regression Model with Application to Vehicle Insurance Claim Data
Authors: Merupula Jahnavi , Vaidyanathan V. S. , Chesneau Christophe
Published: March 2023

Regression models in which the response variable has a compound distribution have applications in actuarial science. For example, the aggregate claim amount in a vehicle insurance portfolio can be modeled using a compound Poisson distribution. In this paper, we propose a regression model, wherein the response variable is assumed to have a compound Conway–Maxwell–Poisson (CMP) distribution. This distribution is a parsimonious two-parameter Poisson distribution that accounts for both over- and under-dispersed count data, making it more suitable for application in various fields. A two-part methodology in the framework of a generalized linear model is proposed to estimate the parameters. Additionally, a method to obtain the prediction interval of the response variable is developed. The workings of the proposed methodology are illustrated through simulated data. An application of the compound CMP regression model to real-life vehicle insurance claims data is presented.
New Data on the Rhamnose-Binding Lectin from the Colonial Ascidian Botryllus schlosseri: Subcellular Distribution, Secretion Mode and Effects on the Cyclical Generation Change
Authors: Bovo Giacomo , Ballarin Loriano
Published: March 2023

Botryllus schlosseri in a cosmopolitan ascidian, considered a reliable model organism for studies on the evolution of the immune system. B. schlosseri rhamnose-binding lectin (BsRBL) is synthesised by circulating phagocytes and behaves as an opsonin by interacting with foreign cells or particles and acting as a molecular bridge between them and the phagocyte surface. Although described in previous works, many aspects and roles of this lectin in Botryllus biology remain unknown. Here, we studied the subcellular distribution of BsRBL during immune responses using light and electron microscopy. In addition, following the hints from extant data, suggesting a possible role of BsRBL in the process of cyclical generation change or takeover, we investigated the effects of interfering with this protein, by injecting a specific antibody in the colonial circulation, starting one day before the generation change. Results confirm the requirement of the lectin for a correct generation change and open new queries on the roles of this lectin in Botryllus biology.
Differences in Soil Microbial Communities between Healthy and Diseased Lycium barbarum cv. Ningqi-5 Plants with Root Rot
Authors: Jia Chenbo , An Yingrui , Du Zhongyu , Gao Huihui , Su Jianyu , Xu Chunyan
Published: March 2023

For a long time, the development of the Lycium barbarum industry has been seriously restricted by root rot disease. In general, the occurrence of plant root rot is considered to be closely related to the composition and diversity of the soil microbial community. It is critical to understand the relationship between the occurrence of root rot in L. barbarum and the soil microbial composition. In this study, samples of the rhizosphere, rhizoplane, and root zone were collected from diseased and healthy plants. The V3–V4 region of bacterial 16S rDNA and the fungal ITS1 fragment of the collected samples were sequenced using Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing technology. The sequencing results were first quality controlled and then aligned with the relevant databases for annotation and analysis. The richness of fungal communities in the rhizoplane and root zone of the healthy plants was significantly higher than that of the diseased plants (p < 0.05), and the community evenness and diversity of all the rhizoplane samples were significantly different from those of the rhizosphere and root zone. The richness of the bacterial communities in the rhizosphere and root zone of healthy plants was significantly greater than those of diseased plants (p < 0.05). The community composition of the rhizoplane was quite different from the other parts. The abundance of Fusarium in the rhizoplane and rhizosphere soil of diseased plants was higher than that in the corresponding parts of healthy plants. The abundances of Mortierella and Ilyonectria in the three parts of the healthy plants were correspondingly higher than those in the three parts of the diseased plants, and Plectosphaerella was the most abundant in the rhizoplane of diseased plants. There was little difference in the composition of the dominant bacteria at the phylum and genus levels between healthy plants and diseased plants, but the abundances of these dominant bacteria were different between healthy and diseased plants. Functional prediction showed that the bacterial community had the largest proportion of functional abundance belonging to metabolism. The functional abundances of the diseased plants, such as metabolism and genetic information processing, were lower than those of the healthy plants. The fungal community function prediction showed that the Animal Pathogen-Endophyte-Lichen Parasite-Plant Pathogen-Soil Saprotroph-Wood Saprotroph group had the largest functional abundance, and the corresponding fungi were Fusarium. In this study, we mainly discussed the differences in the soil microbial communities and their functions between the healthy and diseased L. barbarum cv. Ningqi-5, and predicted the functional composition of the microbial community, which is of great significance to understanding the root rot of L. barbarum.
Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analysis of Gardnerella vaginalis Responding to Acidic pH and Hydrogen Peroxide Stress
Authors: Zhang Kundi , Lu Mengyao , Qiu Yuxin , Zhu Xiaoxuan , Wang Hongwei , Huang Yan , Dong Hongjie , Gu Lichuan
Published: March 2023

Gardnerella vaginalis is the main pathogen that causes bacterial vaginosis. In the healthy vaginal microecological environment of a woman, the lactobacilli produce lactate and hydrogen peroxide to inhibit the growth of pathogens such as G. vaginalis. The lack of lactobacilli results in a high pH and low hydrogen peroxide in the vagina which facilitate G. vaginalis growth, leading to the imbalance of the vaginal microecology. In this study, lactate and hydrogen peroxide were added to a G. vaginalis culture medium to simulate the co-culture of the lactobacilli and G. vaginalis, and then the genes related to the stress response of G. vaginalis were identified using transcriptomics and proteomics. It was indicated that, among all the upregulated genes, most of them encoded transporters associated with the efflux of harmful substances, and the majority of the downregulated genes were related to the biofilm formation and epithelial cell adhesion. This study may help find new drug targets for G. vaginalis for the development of novel therapies for bacterial vaginosis.
Succession Patterns of Microbial Composition and Activity following the Diesel Spill in an Urban River
Authors: Yang Ruiyu , Peng Chao , Ye Yuqiu , Tang Yun , Lu Lu
Published: March 2023

Diesel spills in freshwater systems have adverse impacts on the water quality and the shore wetland. Microbial degradation is the major and ultimate natural mechanism that can clean the diesel from the environment. However, which, and how fast, diesel-degrading microorganisms could degrade spilled diesel has not been well-documented in river water. Using a combination of 14C-/3H--based radiotracer assays, analytical chemistry, MiSeq sequencing, and simulation-based microcosm incubation approaches, we demonstrated succession patterns of microbial diesel-degrading activities, and bacterial and fungal community compositions. The biodegradation activities of alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were induced within 24 h after diesel addition, and reached their maximum after incubation for 7 days. Potential diesel-degrading bacteria Perlucidibaca, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Acidovorax, and Aquabacterium dominated the community initially (day 3 and day 7), but later community structure (day 21) was dominated by bacteria Ralstonia and Planctomyces. The key early fungi responders were Aspergillus, Mortierella, and Phaeoacremonium by day 7, whereas Bullera and Basidiobolus dominated the fungal community at day 21. These results directly characterize the rapid response of microbial community to diesel spills, and suggest that the progression of diesel microbial degradation is performed by the cooperative system of the versatile obligate diesel-degrading and some general heterotrophic microorganisms in river diesel spills.
Occurrence and Molecular Study of Hypermucoviscous/Hypervirulence Trait in Gut Commensal K. pneumoniae from Healthy Subjects
Authors: Osama Dina M. , Zaki Bishoy M. , Khalaf Wafaa S. , Mohamed Marwa Yousry A. , Tawfick Mahmoud M. , Amin Heba M.
Published: March 2023

Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) is emerging worldwide. Hypermucoviscousity is the characteristic trait that distinguishes it from classic K. pneumoniae (cKp), which enables Kp to cause severe invasive infections. This research aimed to investigate the hypermucoviscous Kp (hmvKp) phenotype among gut commensal Kp isolated from healthy individuals and attempted to characterize the genes encoding virulence factors that may regulate the hypermucoviscosity trait. Using the string test, 50 identified Kp isolates from healthy individuals’ stool samples were examined for hypermucoviscosity and investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Kp isolates were determined using the Kirby Bauer disc method. Kp isolates were tested for genes encoding different virulence factors by PCR. Biofilm formation was assayed by the microtiter plate method. All Kp isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR). Phenotypically, 42% of isolates were hmvKp. PCR-based genotypic testing revealed the hmvKp isolates belonged to capsular serotype K2. All study Kp isolates harbored more than one virulence gene. The genes magA and rmpA were not detected, while the terW gene was present in all isolates. The siderophores encoding genes entB and irp2 were most prevalent in hmvKp isolates (90.5%) and non-hmvKp (96.6%), respectively. hmvKp isolates harbored the genes wabG and uge with rates of 90.5% and 85.7%, respectively. The outcomes of this research highlight the potential health risk of commensal Kp to cause severe invasive diseases, owing to being hmvKp and MDR, and harboring multiple virulence genes. The absence of essential genes related to hypermucoviscosity such as magA and rmpA in hmvKp phenotypes suggests the multifactorial complexity of the hypermucoviscosity or hypervirulence traits. Thus, further studies are warranted to verify the hypermucoviscosity-related virulence factors among pathogenic and commensal Kp in different colonization niches.
The Potential of Bacilli-Derived Biosurfactants as an Additive for Biocontrol against Alternaria alternata Plant Pathogenic Fungi
Authors: Sakiyo Jesse John , Németh Áron
Published: March 2023

Fungal diseases caused by Alternaria alternata constitute a significant threat to the production and quality of a wide range of crops, including beans, fruits, vegetables, and grains. Traditional methods for controlling these diseases involve synthetic chemical pesticides, which can negatively impact the environment and human health. Biosurfactants are natural, biodegradable secondary metabolites of microorganisms that have also been shown to possibly have antifungal activity against plant pathogenic fungi, including A. alternata being sustainable alternatives to synthetic pesticides. In this study, we investigated the potential of biosurfactants of three bacilli (Bacillus licheniformis DSM13, Bacillus subtilis DSM10, and Geobacillus stearothermophilus DSM2313) as a biocontrol agent against A. alternata on beans as a model organism. For this fermentation, we describe using an in-line biomass sensor monitoring both permittivity and conductivity, which are expected to correlate with cell concentration and products, respectively. After the fermentation of biosurfactants, we first characterised the properties of the biosurfactant, including their product yield, surface tension decrement capability, and emulsification index. Then, we evaluated the antifungal properties of the crude biosurfactant extracts against A. alternata, both in vitro and in vivo, by analysing various plant growth and health parameters. Our results showed that bacterial biosurfactants effectively inhibited the growth and reproduction of A. alternata in vitro and in vivo. B. licheniformis manufactured the highest amount of biosurfactant (1.37 g/L) and demonstrated the fastest growth rate, while G. stearothermophilus produced the least amount (1.28 g/L). The correlation study showed a strong positive relationship between viable cell density VCD and OD600, as well as a similarly good positive relationship between conductivity and pH. The poisoned food approach in vitro demonstrated that all three strains suppressed mycelial development by 70–80% when applied with the highest tested dosage of 30%. Regarding in vivo investigations, B. subtilis post-infection treatment decreased the disease severity to 30%, whereas B. licheniformis and G. stearothermophilus post-infection treatment reduced disease severity by 25% and 5%, respectively. The study also revealed that the plant’s total height, root length, and stem length were unaffected by the treatment or the infection.
The Impact of Hydrothermal Fluids on Porosity Enhancement and Hydrocarbon Migration in Qamchuqa Formation, Lower Cretaceous, Kirkuk Oil Company
Authors: Salih Namam M.
Published: March 2023

The Lower Cretaceous reservoir core samples from the upper part of Qamchuqa Formation, Baba Dome, Kirkuk Oil Company, show evidence for multistage episodes of dolomitization and a complex diagenetic history. Optical microscope reveals muti-phase of diagenesis: an early stage of diagenesis and its alteration, later, by evaporated seawater under near-surface setting conditions, followed by different event of dolomitization. The stylolite microstructures postdate anhydrite and early matrix dolomite crystals (DI) and predated the coarse rhombohedral (DII) and saddle dolomite crystals (SD), which were formed under a deep burial realm. High-resolution data from stable isotopes integrated with intensive optical observation, ImageJ software, and litho-log are utilized to establish a qualified methods for mapping a better image of hydrothermal diagenesis under subsurface conditions. These methods revealed different types of dolomites, mostly focused on fractures and void spaces, and the paragenetic sequence shows the complex history of diagenetic carbonate rocks hosted in the limestone of Qamchuqa Formation. The sequence is started from older to younger as follow: Micritization, early anhydrite mineral formation, early dolomite, stylolization, rhombohedral dolomite, and saddle dolomite crystals. The early dolomite phase is usually corroded by hydrocarbon phase, and, geometrically, the hydrocarbon phase is overgrown by the early dolomite. Therefore, the dolomitizing fluids enhanced the porosity system and had positive impact on the hydrocarbon movement. This phase of dolomite and anhydrite formation were associated with the first groups of δ18OVPDB and δ13CVPDB data, a narrow range of oxygen values, and inverse Js of Lohmann curve fits towards the near-surface and shallow diagenetic settings. Detailed optical microscope and supportive data from oxygen-carbon isotopes of saddle dolomite confirm the presence of hot fluids under subsurface condition. The latter data were supported by light δ18OVPDB and constant heavy δ13CVPDB, which indicates a hot fluid possibly circulated in deep burial conditions, and this is channeled along the fracture and pore spaces, consistent with hydrocarbon migration. These pore spaces influenced by leaching were hydrocarbon migrations associated with hot fluids under deep sitting conditions. However, a remarkable part of pristine microfacies of host limestone was preserved. In summary, this study will add a new understanding and insight into the origin, genesis, and timing of these dolomites and their direct connection to hydrocarbon exploration and development in most reservoir oil rocks, which are exposed to hydrothermal fluids. Additionally, the study adds new data on hydrothermal fluids in subsurface conditions, whereas most of the previous reported work has mostly focused on exposed rock.