bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization of extraction parameters of diterpene glycosides from stevia leaves by mathematical modeling
Authors: Chusova Alla , Romanyuk Tatiana , Yakovlev Alexey , Zueva Natalia , Novikova Inna , Tararykov Mikhail
Published: April 2024

The parameters and modes of extraction of stevioside – hydromodule, temperature and duration of the process were selected in the work. The object of the study was dried stevia leaves of the Ramon Sweetmeat variety. The determination of diterpene glycosides in the extract was carried out by the modified Komissarenko method. To optimize the technological parameters of extraction, regression models of the second order were built using orthogonal central composition planning. The degree of crushing of stevia leaves was 1-3 mm. The extraction at a temperature below 76 ° C reduces the amount of diterpene glycosides in the aqueous extract, and an increase in the extraction temperature above 92 ° C does not increase the yield of glycoside. The maximum extraction of diterpene glycosides is achieved at an extraction temperature of 92 ° C. When selecting a hydromodule, extraction was carried out at the ratio of stevia leaves and water 1:5, 1:10, 1:15. The highest yield of extractive substances was observed with a hydromodule of 1:10. With an increase in the duration of extraction from 60 to 180 minutes, an increase in the extract is observed. The optimal duration of the extraction process is 120 min. Based on the experimental data obtained, a second-order mathematical model was constructed, suitable for optimizing the process of obtaining stevia extract. The main factors influencing the process of stevioside transition from leaves to solution were considered: extraction temperature, °C; extraction duration, min; hydromodule. The criteria for evaluating the efficiency of the extraction process were: the yield of diterpene glycosides % by weight of stevia and energy consumption kW/dm3 extract. The first criterion is desirable to maximize, the second – to minimize. Optimal extraction modes are obtained:hydromodule - 1:10.8, temperature - 79.8 ° C, duration - 94.1 min.
Study of quality indicators of mixed fodder when using byproducts of the fat-and-oil industry
Authors: Vasilenko Vitalii , Frolova Larisa , Kochkin Ilya , Eremin Ilya , Kocharian Artem , Derkanosova Anna , Zheltoukhova Ekaterina
Published: April 2024

At the same time, rapeseed meal has an increased nutritional value and is almost completely devoid of the shortcomings that are characteristic of rapeseed cake. However, a small amount of fat limits their use in feed for valuable fish breeds. During the manufacture of fat-and-oil products, fat waste and other products that have a certain feed value are formed. In particular, we are talking about fat processing - soapstock. The feed value of this product has been confirmed by numerous studies and large-scale feeding experiments conducted by the parent institutes of the Ministry of Agriculture and specialized organizations. The article presents studies of the possibility of introducing rapeseed meal enriched with soapstocks into feed for valuable breeds of fish, and also presents the dynamics of quality indicators of the starting production feed for sturgeon fish during storage in warehouse conditions. During the production of mixed fodder, the preparation and supply to the experimental department of the studied products were carried out through the line of cakes. Grinding of granules was carried out on a crusher with a sieve with holes with a diameter of 6 millimeters, a sheet thickness of 4 millimeters. The shredded meal was sent to the silage of the raw material warehouse and then to the naddozer bunker. The supply of loose enriched meal to the production building was similar. Analysis of the data obtained indicates that the introduction of rapeseed meal enriched with soapstock lipids into the feed does not change the quality and does not reduce its shelf life.
Applications and synthesis of nanostructured carbon in the food industry
Authors: Gavrilov Alexander , Alekseev Mikhail , Emelyanov Alexander , Ivanov Andrey , Sukhanova Natalia , Kozenko Ivan
Published: April 2024

Nanostructurable carbon is of considerable interest for use in the processes of the modern food industry. Equipment for its production, using the method of plasma sublimation of graphite raw materials due to the complexity of the process, due to the large number of parame-ters affecting the yield and quality of the resulting product. The purpose of this study is to de-velop a methodology for the design and calculation of plasma fusion conditions, allowing to in-crease the efficiency and productivity of existing technologies and equipment based on mathe-matical modeling of processes. This paper presents a kinetic model that allows us to study the formation of various carbon nanostructures in electric arc discharge plasma using a catalyst. The results of numerical and experimental studies of the deposited sludge mass dynamics using Ni catalyst are presented, which confirm the feasibility of using catalysts. The developed math-ematical model and its elements can be used to design control systems and installations for plasma synthesis of fullerenes and nanotubes.
Modeling the recipe composition of food products
Authors: Korobova Lyudmila , Gladkikh Tatiana , Chernyaeva Svetlana , Matytsina Irina , Tolstova Irina
Published: April 2024

Much attention is paid to the formulation of functional products. Establishing the ratios of recipe components is shown using the example of bakery and flour confectionery products. When conducting research, methods of system analysis, mathematical modeling, relational algebra, and object-oriented programming were used. Modeling of the recipe composition of the components of functional food products was carried out, ensuring a minimum deviation of the amount of essential amino acids of the product from their amount in the reference protein, as well as meeting the required standards of consumption of carbohydrates, protein, dietary fiber and calcium for elderly people suffering from various diseases.
Modeling of sugar beet losses during storage in heaps
Authors: Korobova Lyudmila , Ivliev Maxim , Chikunov Sergey , Tolstova Irina , Arapov Denis
Published: April 2024

After harvesting root crops (beets, carrots, turnips) are stored in the fields or in the processing enterprises warehouse areas. Storage takes place in open space, and not always under shelters. Bulk heaps are formed from the collected root crops. Harmful microflora may occur in it under the influence of various weather conditions. This article discusses the root crops quality reducing issues. The raw materials quality deteriorates due to the development and increase in damaging fungal diseases. This leads to raw materials losses and a decrease in the processing plants productivity. The subject of the study is the storing root crops process. The fungal diseases six types distribution analysis results are presented. Its development patterns are revealed. The damage to root crops in bulk heaps intensity dynamics mathematical models are proposed in the article. Possible ways to normalize climatic conditions when storing root crops in heaps are given.
Using non-traditional raw materials in the production of grain beverages
Authors: Miller Yulia Yu. , Kiseleva Tatyana , Pomozova Valentina
Published: April 2024

Food production technologies aimed at expanding the range of products, imparting them original organoleptic characteristics and functionality, are improved by using new types of raw materials, including vegetable raw materials. Barley and wheat are mainly used in the production of beer and alcoholic beverages, while other types of cereals are used only to a limited extent or not at all. Oats are unpretentious in cultivation, have high agronomic and production characteristics and, unlike other cereal crops, are characterised by a high content of protein and amino acids. In this connection, they can be considered as a new resource element in the production of fermented beverages. The paper shows the possibility of using oats in the production of fermented grain beverages with preliminary biocatalytic treatment of the grain in the malting process. The use of the cytolytic enzyme preparation was proposed as a stimulator of biochemical processes. Oat germination allows increasing the cytolytic activity of grain 4.2 times, proteolytic activity 6.5 times in comparison with the initial grain oats, while the use of enzymatic influence on oats in the process of soaking contributes to the growth of the same activities by 15.5 and 25.4% respectively in comparison with oats without additional treatment. The process of malting increases the content of amino acids, including essential ones, which are subsequently transferred into beverages. The use of oat malt in the production of fermented cereal drinks has been tested, the qualitative parameters of which correspond to the regulated norms. The biological value of drinks is confirmed by the presence of amino acids: 22.61±0.23, mg/100 cm3 (substituted), 12.87±0.21 mg/100 cm3 (essential).
Research on Intelligent Construction of Shale Oil Station in Daqing Oilfield
Authors: Wu Yang
Published: April 2024

This article takes the Daqing shale oil station as the research object and explores the research direction of intelligentization of shale oil stations. With the continuous development of digital and intelligent technology, oil field production is gradually realizing digital transformation and intelligent upgrade. However, as a new type of station, shale oil production and operation management costs are huge. Therefore, how to use digital and intelligent technology to improve the production efficiency and management level of shale oil stations has become an urgent problem to be solved. This article first analyzes the current production, operation, and management status of the Daqing shale oil station, pointing out the existing problems and challenges. It proposes the direction of intelligent research on the Daqing shale oil station and, for each research direction, it puts forward specific research content and technological routes, which has theoretical and practical significance for promoting the digital transformation and intelligent upgrade of the Daqing shale oil station.
Experimental study on the influence of coal soaking pressure on saturated water content and effective porosity
Authors: Chen Fang
Published: April 2024

This article takes the main mining of coal seam 2# in Yulin mining area of northern Shaanxi as the background, uses true density and apparent density testing methods to obtain the total porosity of coal, and uses a pressurized saturation test device and a pressurized soaking method to obtain the saturated water content and soaking pressure change law of coal under the soaking pressure condition of 0~10MPa. At the same time, the mathematical relationship between saturated water content and effective porosity is used, Revealed the influence of soaking pressure on the effective porosity and proportion of coal samples. The experimental results show that the saturated water content of coal is related to the pressure of the aqueous solution. The saturated water content increases with the increase of soaking pressure. Under the pressure condition of 0~4MPa, the water content increases rapidly. When the soaking pressure reaches 8MPa, the saturated water content gradually stabilizes at around 5.8%; The effective porosity and the proportion of effective porosity of coal samples increase with the increase of soaking pressure. When the soaking pressure increases from 0 MPa to 6MPa, the effective porosity increases rapidly, and the proportion of effective porosity increases by 17%; After the soaking pressure increased to 8 MPa, the effective porosity gradually stabilized at around 7.3%, at which point the proportion of effective porosity reached 78.79%, an increase of about 18%; Increasing the soaking pressure can force water molecules to enter more pores in the coal body, shorten the time for water molecules to enter pores and cracks, increase the proportion of effective porosity in coal, and have a good effect on increasing permeability and wetting of the coal body. It can provide guidance and support for the application of coal seam water injection and dust reduction engineering.
Hydrogen Liquefaction Process with Mixed Refrigerant Pre-cooling
Authors: Liu Zilong , Zhao Lianpeng , Feng Yangmin
Published: April 2024

A novel hydrogen liquefaction process based on precooled mixed refrigerant is proposed in this paper. The specific energy and the exergy loss are also analyzed. The feed gas with a temperature of 302K and a pressure of 2.012MPa is first precooled to 81K with mixed refrigerant. Three refrigerant cycles with hydrogen expanders and one with throttling valves are adopted to cool the gaseous hydrogen to 21K. The proportion of para-hydrogen of the product is 99%. The specific energy consumption of the process is 9.28 kW·h/kgLH2 and the exergy efficiency is 24.3%. Furthermore, the exergy analysis indicates that the exergy loss caused by heat exchangers, compressors and expanders weights the most.
Carbon Emission Calculation Guides the Exploration of the Optimization Path of Building Form——Take the design of the Bajau maritime house as an example
Authors: Zhou Zifan
Published: April 2024

The 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are approaching, and SDGs-11 – Sustainable Cities and Settlements deserves the attention of architects. With the help of the design scheme of the Bajau maritime residence, this paper studies the method of optimizing the architectural form through the fitting results of carbon emission calculation. Rhino & Grasshopper parametric platform, Revit and other tools are used to collect and organize the data of building materials, energy consumption and other projects, and the carbon emission factors are used to calculate the carbon emissions of buildings. Finally, by fitting different data line charts, the best results of design scheme optimization are obtained, and the results are verified. This study proposes a new strategy for building form optimization focusing on low-carbon and sustainable goals, which provides a new idea for solving the living problem of the Bajau people, and has an important impact and significance on the realization of green buildings, sustainable design, and SDGs-11.
Study of (n,α) reactions of interest for nuclear reactors: the case of19F(n,α)16N with SCALP detector
Authors: Chevalier Aurélien , Lecolley François-René , Lehaut Grégory , Lecouey Jean-Luc , Marie Nathalie , Manduci Loredana , Ledoux Xavier , Beyer Roland , Junghans Arnd , Bouland Olivier , Serot Olivier
Published: April 2024

The19F(n,α)16N cross section is of great interest for the development of the next generation IV reactors that could potentially use molten fluoride salts. Significant differences (up to a factor of 3) have been observed for this nucleus regarding the (n,α) channel. In view of improving our knowledge on this (n,α) reactions, the GrACE group (Groupe Aval du Cycle Electronucl´eaire) of the LPC Caen has developed a new detector named SCALP (Scintillating ionization Chamber for ALPha particle detection in neutron induced reactions). This paper deals with the first experiment carried out with this brand new detector at the new NFS facility (GANIL, Caen, France). After discussing the needs for new measurments of the19F(n,α)16N reaction, the operating procedure of the SCALP detector will be presented, as well as the experiments that have been conducted using it. Furthermore, insights into the data acquired during our experiment, as well as the ongoing data processing and associated multi-channel analysis, will be provided.
Validation of the Monte Carlo model of the LOENIEv2 long counter for absolute efficiency calculation
Authors: Leconte Pierre , Geslot Benoit , Kooyman Timothée , Belverge Dorian , Boffy Romain
Published: April 2024

LOENIEv2 is a long counter detector used for delayed neutron (DN) measurements. It is composed of sixteen 3He tubes embedded in a cylindrical high-density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix. Thanks to a special arrangement of the 3He tubes in three concentric rings, relative variations of the total efficiency as low as 2% can be reached over the [0.1 – 1 MeV] energy range. This paper addresses the development of a Monte-Carlo model of the detector and its validation thanks to calibrated neutron source measurements, performed at the NPL institute. These sources are in the form of small cylinders containing either a spontaneous fission material (252Cf) or a radioactive material producing neutron through (Α,n) reactions (AmLi, AmB, AmF, AmBe). These sources are well characterized in emission rate, spectrum and anisotropy so that they can used as standards for efficiency calibration. Using the JEFF-3.3 nuclear data library, the calculation of the detector absolute efficiency is validated within experimental uncertainties. The averaging of [C/E-1] values between the different sources end up to an estimated bias of -0.3% with an uncertainty of ±0.6% (1σ) over the range [0.5 – 4.1 MeV].
Revisiting prompt emission calculations for 252Cf(SF) with focus on post-neutron fragment distributions and different correlations
Authors: Tudora Anabella
Published: April 2024

The impact of energy partition in fission and the Y(A,TKE) distribution of pre-neutron fragments on the independent FPY and different correlations between pre-and post-neutron fragment quantities is investigated in the frame of a deterministic approach of prompt emission in fission.
Investigation of the structure in 235U(nth,fis) prompt gamma energy spectrum by FIFRELIN
Authors: Ogawa Tatsuhiko , Litaize Olivier , Mancusi Davide , Chebboubi Abdelhazize , Serot Olivier
Published: April 2024

The energy spectrum of prompt gamma-rays from 235U thermal fission is reproduced by a fission reaction model FIFRELIN to identify the origin of spectral features. This spectrum is characterized by a bump at 4-4.5 MeV, a shoulder at around 8 MeV, and a tail above 10 MeV, which are attributed to 132Sn and 133Sb, fission fragments with mass from 130 to 134, and those with mass from 99 to 104, charge from 40 to 42, and spin from 12 ℏto 16 ℏ, respectively. Among prompt gamma-rays, high-energy part is important to get insight into scission, because the quanta are emitted by highly excited fission fragments, which still keep the memory of the scission configuration.

Our analysis suggests that coincidence detection of high energy gamma-rays and their source fission fragments identifying their isotopic species, spin and excitation energy with particular focus on those with mass number less than 104 will be useful to make conclusions about the origin of high energy gamma-rays.
Towards systematic large scale Quasiparticle Random-Phase Approximation calculations with covariant and chiral interactions
Authors: González-Miret Zaragoza Luis , Ebran Jean-Paul , Hilaire Stéphane , Péru Sophie , Frosini Mikael , Duguet Thomas
Published: April 2024

One of the main methods used to microscopically describe collective states in atomic nuclei is the quasiparticle random-phase approximation (QRPA). However, due to its high computational cost, systematic studies covering the full nuclear chart are rare. In this work we show the first results of our systematic large-scale QRPA calculations. We do this by means of the quasiparticle finite-amplitude method (QFAM), which significantly reduces computation times. We use two kinds of interactions, the covariant DD-PC1 and a novel chiral interaction.
Progress towards the ENDF/B-VIII.1 release
Authors: Nobre Gustavo , Brown David , Arcilla Ramon , Coles Rebecca , Shu Benjamin
Published: April 2024

The efficient, safe, and high-performance design and operation of nuclear reactors, and other nuclear systems, rely on complete and accurate nuclear data files. The ENDF/B library is the main nuclear reaction data library in the United States and one of the main ones in the world. It encompasses sub-libraries for neutron, proton, alpha, deuteron, 3He, and gamma projectiles, in addition to thermal neutron scattering law, fission product yields and three atomic sub-libraries. The last release of ENDF/B was ENDF/B-VIII.0 in 2018. Since then, many important and impactful developments have been made for actinides, structural materials and light elements. Some of these contributions are part of the IAEA-coordinated International Nuclear Data Evaluation Network (INDEN). The scale and impact of these changes warrant a new library release, namely ENDF/B-VIII.1, which is scheduled for early 2024. This release is planned to happen in both ENDF-6 and GNDS-2.0 formats. The present work describes the updates expected to be present in ENDF/B-VIII.1, as well as the review process and quality control procedures developed and implemented at the National Nuclear Data Center (NNDC). Preliminary results from the Beta versions already released are also shown.
A Nuclear Data Evaluation Pipeline for the Fast Neutron Energy Range – using heteroscedastic Gaussian processes to treat model defects
Authors: Göök Alf , Andersson-Sundén Erik , Hansson Joachim , Sjöstrand Henrik
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we discuss the development of a nuclear data evaluation pipeline, based around the TALYS code system. The pipeline focuses on the evaluation of the fast neutron energy range, above the resolved resonances. A strong focus in development lies on automation and reproducibility, as well as the efficient use of large-scale computational infrastructure, to enable rapid testing of new algorithms and modified assumptions. Several novel concepts for nuclear data evaluation methodology are implemented. A particular problem in evaluating the neutron-induced reaction cross-section using TALYS, relates to the intermediate energy range. While TALYS only predicts the smooth energy-averaged cross-section, experiments reveal unresolved resonance-like structures. In this paper, we explore ways to treat this type of model defect using heteroscedastic Gaussian processes to automatically determine the distribution of experimental data around an energy-averaged cross-section curve.
Nuclear Data Uncertainty Quantification for Reactor Physics Parameters in Fluorine-19-based Molten Salt Reactors
Authors: Stjärnholm Sigfrid , Elter Zsolt , Sjöstrand Henrik
Published: April 2024

The use of the F-19 isotope in the nuclear fuel cycle is already well established for fuel enrichment, but future plans for Gen-IV reactors, such as Molten Salt Reactors, could utilize a fluorine-based salt as a basis for the fuel. It is therefore imperative that an understanding of the characteristics of F-19 is instituted, and one component of key interest is the quantification of reactor parameter uncertainties that arise from the uncertainties in the nuclear data. The results from such analyses can shed light on where experimentalists need to further improve nuclear data for F-19, as well as yielding critical information for developing and optimizing reactor designs thanks to greater knowledge of the uncertainties that result from nuclear data.

In this work, we analysed a molten salt reactor based on the designs made by Transatomic Power. We conducted uncertainty quantification on three reactor operating modes: thermal, semi-epithermal, and epithermal. In the epithermal mode, the neutron spectrum is faster than in the thermal mode because fewer moderator rods are used. We generated nuclear data that was sampled from the covariance matrices in the JEFF-3.3 nuclear data library using SANDY[1] and NJOY. By utilising the Total Monte Carlo approach, we propagated the uncertainties from the samples to uncertainties in the neutron multiplication by simulating the reactor in OpenMC, a Monte Carlo-based neutron transport code. By perturbing individual reaction channels while keeping others constant, it was possible to quantify the amount of contribution each single reaction channel has to the overall uncertainty.

For the thermal reactor, the F-19 data sampling resulted in an uncertainty in reactivity of 62 pcm. The main contributors to the reactivity uncertainty for the thermal reactor are elastic scattering, neutron capture and alpha production. The epithermal reactor, with a reactivity uncertainty of 213 pcm, is mostly affected by elastic scattering, inelastic scattering, and alpha production. The alpha production channel had an unexpectedly large contribution, and it should be investigated further. The results should be considered preliminary. Quantitatively, we observe that scattering plays a bigger role for the uncertainty in the epithermal system, a phenomenon which could be explained by the fact that with less moderation in the form of moderator rods, the role of F-19 in slowing down neutrons is greater, and hence its contribution to the uncertainty is greater.
Students with special educational needs in regular classrooms and their peer effects on learning achievement
Authors: Salas García V. B. , Rentería José María
Published: April 2024

This study explores the impact of inclusive education on the educational outcomes of students without Special Educational Needs (non-SEN) in Peru, utilizing official Ministry of Education data and implementing cross-sectional regression analyses. Inclusive education is a complex issue that, without appropriate adaptations and comprehensive understanding, can present substantial challenges to the educational community. While prior research from developed nations offers diverse perspectives on the effects of inclusive education on non-SEN students, limited evidence exists regarding its impact in developing countries. Our study addresses this gap by examining inclusive education in Peru and its influence on non-SEN students, thereby contributing to the existing literature. Our findings reveal that, on average, the presence of SEN students in regular classrooms does not significantly affect their non-SEN counterparts. However, we uncover heterogeneous results contingent on the specific type of SEN and students’ academic placement. These results emphasize the importance of targeted resources and parental involvement in facilitating successful inclusive education, particularly for specific SEN types. In summary, this study underscores the need for tailored strategies and additional resources to foster the success of inclusive education and calls for further research in this field to expand our understanding and enhance educational policy.
Low-frequency acoustic isolation performance of Helmholtz cavity acoustic metamaterials with bilateral single openings
Authors: Hu PeiZhou , Zhao Jing-Bo , Liu Hong , Zhang XiaoSheng , Yao Hong , Zhang Guang-jun
Published: April 2024

In this study, we designed a single-opening Helmholtz chamber type acoustic metamaterial with two sides. The complexity of the open channel results in the material having a low frequency of the first sound insulation peak and excellent sound insulation performance. The research indicates that this type of acoustic metamaterial has many sound insulation peaks in the frequency range of 20–1200 Hz. The first sound insulation peak exhibits a low frequency of 36 Hz and a bandwidth of 10 Hz, resulting in a maximum sound insulation volume of 43.15 dB. We used an equivalent model to perform sound-force analogy and the transfer matrix method to construct the equivalent model of this type of metamaterial. We studied the resonance frequencies of multiple sound insulation peaks and used 3D printing technology to obtain physical samples for experimental analysis. The results obtained from physical experiments are consistent with the theoretical calculation results.
Inferring COVID-19 testing and vaccination behavior from New Jersey testing data
Authors: Freedman Ari S. , Sheen Justin K. , Tsai Stella , Yao Jihong , Lifshitz Edward , Adinaro David , Levin Simon A. , Grenfell Bryan T. , Metcalf C. Jessica E.
Published: April 2024

Characterizing the relationship between disease testing behaviors and infectious disease dynamics is of great importance for public health. Tests for both current and past infection can influence disease-related behaviors at the individual level, while population-level knowledge of an epidemic’s course may feed back to affect one’s likelihood of taking a test. The COVID-19 pandemic has generated testing data on an unprecedented scale for tests detecting both current infection (PCR, antigen) and past infection (serology); this opens the way to characterizing the complex relationship between testing behavior and infection dynamics. Leveraging a rich database of individualized COVID-19 testing histories in New Jersey, we analyze the behavioral relationships between PCR and serology tests, infection, and vaccination. We quantify interactions between individuals’ test-taking tendencies and their past testing and infection histories, finding that PCR tests were disproportionately taken by people currently infected, and serology tests were disproportionately taken by people with past infection or vaccination. The effects of previous positive test results on testing behavior are less consistent, as individuals with past PCR positives were more likely to take subsequent PCR and serology tests at some periods of the epidemic time course and less likely at others. Lastly, we fit a model to the titer values collected from serology tests to infer vaccination trends, finding a marked decrease in vaccination rates among individuals who had previously received a positive PCR test. These results exemplify the utility of individualized testing histories in uncovering hidden behavioral variables affecting testing and vaccination.
Cullin 3 RING E3 ligase inactivation causes NRF2-dependent NADH reductive stress, hepatic lipodystrophy, and systemic insulin resistance
Authors: Gu Lijie , Du Yanhong , Chen Jianglei , Hasan Mohammad Nazmul , Clayton Yung Dai , Matye David J. , Friedman Jacob E. , Li Tiangang
Published: April 2024

Cullin RING E3 ligases (CRL) have emerged as key regulators of disease-modifying pathways and therapeutic targets. Cullin3 (Cul3)-containing CRL (CRL3) has been implicated in regulating hepatic insulin and oxidative stress signaling. However, CRL3 function in liver pathophysiology is poorly defined. Here, we report that hepatocyte Cul3 knockout results in rapid resolution of steatosis in obese mice. However, the remarkable resistance of hepatocyte Cul3 knockout mice to developing steatosis does not lead to overall metabolic improvement but causes systemic metabolic disturbances. Liver transcriptomics analysis identifies that CRL3 inactivation causes persistent activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (NRF2) antioxidant defense pathway, which also reprograms the lipid transcriptional network to prevent TG storage. Furthermore, global metabolomics reveals that NRF2 activation induces numerous NAD
+
-consuming aldehyde dehydrogenases to increase the cellular NADH/NAD
+
ratio, a redox imbalance termed NADH reductive stress that inhibits the glycolysis–citrate–lipogenesis axis in Cul3 knockout livers. As a result, this NRF2-induced cellular lipid storage defect promotes hepatic ceramide accumulation, elevates circulating fatty acids, and worsens systemic insulin resistance in a vicious cycle. Hepatic lipid accumulation is restored, and liver injury and hyperglycemia are attenuated when NRF2 activation and NADH reductive stress are abolished in hepatocyte Cul3/Nrf2 double-knockout mice. The resistance to hepatic steatosis, hyperglycemia, and NADH reductive stress are observed in hepatocyte Keap1 knockout mice with NRF2 activation. In summary, our study defines a critical role of CRL3 in hepatic metabolic regulation and demonstrates that the CRL3 downstream NRF2 overactivation causes hepatic metabolic maladaptation to obesity and insulin resistance.
‘They will not survive here’
Authors: Pietiläinen Sonja
Published: April 2024

To justify the hardening of borders the populist radical right sometimes uses environmental rhetoric to frame
migrants as a threat. The radical right’s environmental politics has been analysed through a focus on state borders, but less
attention has been paid to the (re)production of bordering within and beyond the nation-state and to the racialising effects of
such rhetoric, in other words how racial differences and hierarchies are (re)produced and justified through language on nature.
Drawing on geographical literature on bordering and nationalism and postcolonial theory, this article investigates the semantic
structures that convey the racist messaging. The article argues that the ‘racialized Other’ is bordered from the ’green’ homeland
and Western space by utilising determinist conceptions of nature, through animalistic and environmental disaster metaphors, and by
mobilising an idea of the environmentally conscious Finn as the opposite of the littering migrant.
The validity of haematuria in the community diagnosis of urinary schistosomiasis infections
Authors: Anosike J.C. , Nwoke B.E.B. , Njoku A.J.
Published: April 2024

The validity and reliability of haematuria when used as screening criteria in community diagnosis of urinary schistosomiasis is presented. Between May and July, 1998, 1173 persons were screened for haematuria and examined for the presence of eggs of Schistosoma haematobium in their urine from all participating households in the Ozitem area of Bende Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria. Haematuria showed a sensitivity rate of 41.0% and specificity of 82.0% when used to identify cases of urinary schistosomiasis. Some factors that influenced the validity of haematuria as a diagnostic criterion are discussed. The use of haematuria amongst subjects in the first twenty years of their life is recommended.
Aminopeptidase-like activities in Caenorhabditis elegans and the soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines
Authors: Masler E.P. , Kovaleva E.S. , Sardanelli S.
Published: April 2024

Aminopeptidase-like activities in crude whole body extracts of the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and the plant parasitic soybean cyst nematode Heterodera glycines were examined. General characteristics including pH optima, heat lability, and inactivation of enzyme by organic solvent were the same for the two species. All developmental stages of H. glycines exhibited activity. In older females, activity was present primarily in the eggs. Affinity for the substrate L-alanine-4-nitroanilide was the same regardless of the stage examined, and was similar for the two species (Km=2.3±0.3 mM FOR C. ELEGANS AND 2.9±0.2 Mm for H. glycines). Nearly all (>95%) of C. elegans aminopeptidase-like activity was present in the soluble fraction of the extract, while H. glycines activity was distributed between the soluble and membrane fractions. Specific activities of the soluble enzymes were highest in C. elegans and H. glycines juveniles. The C. elegans enzyme was susceptible to a number of aminopeptidase inhibitors, particularly to amastatin and leuhistin, each of which inhibited aminopeptidase-like activity more than 90% at 90 μm. In H. glycines, aminopeptidase-like activity was inhibited 39% by amastatin at 900 μm. The apparent molecular weight of the soluble C. elegans enzyme is 70–80 kDa. Some activity in H. glycines is present in the 70–80 kDa range, but most activity (80–90%) is associated with a very high molecular weight (>240 kDa) component.
Eggs of Toxocara spp. in the environment and their public health implications
Authors: Mizgajska H.
Published: April 2024

The high prevalence of Toxocara in cats, dogs and foxes results in the contamination of soil with infective eggs of Toxocara spp. which are found in soil samples from public and private places worldwide. In Poland the most contaminated areas were city backyards where 38–53% of soil samples were positive, especially in the spring. Human exposure to infection with Toxocara spp. was proportional to the prevalence of eggs in the samples examined but soil texture was not a critical factor in the degree of soil contamination. Eggs of Toxocara spp. placed on the ground penetrated a sand soil profile slowly. Their presence in the superficial layer of soils and the role of earthworms are instrumental in the dissemination of Toxocara eggs.
The epidemiology of ocular toxocariasis
Authors: Taylor M.R.H.
Published: April 2024

Abstract Ocular toxocariasis damages vision and may cause blindness. It is a relatively ‘new’ disease, the histological changes having been described in 1950 and the causative organism identified in 1956. Many aspects of the epidemiology of toxocariasis are unclear. It is generally accepted that the usual route of entry to the eye is via the blood stream. Once the eye is invaded characteristic changes are produced with comparative sparing of the anterior segment. Species differences in susceptibility can be very marked. In Mongolian gerbils 55% of infected animals exhibit ocular lesions. Humans are fortunate in that they are far less susceptible to ocular infection. While it has been established that ocular toxocariasis is caused by Toxocara canis, the role of T. cati in this condition is still unclear. It is perhaps surprising that the prevalence of such a disease in humans should remain in doubt. However, the wide variation in the few estimates of prevalence may well be a reflection of the wide variation in exposure as evidenced by the wide variation in seroprevalence. A further factor mitigating against an identification of prevalence rates is the fact that the condition is usually unilateral. Most surveys of blindness stipulate a vision of 6/60 or less in the better eye and so toxocariasis cases go unrecorded. There is a need for surveys which identify the level of vision in both eyes.
Inhibition of Site I mitochondrial electron transport by an extract of the seeds of Millettia thonningii: a potential mechanism for the plant's molluscicidal and schistosome larvicidal activity
Authors: Lyddiard J.R.A. , Whitfield P.J.
Published: April 2024

A dichloromethane extract of the seeds of Millettia thonningii (Leguminosae) which contains a mixture of isoflavonoids (predominately robustic acid, alpinumisoflavone and dimethylalpinumisoflavone) is known to have larvicidal activity towards the miracidia and cercariae of schistosomes and to possess significant molluscicidal activity. The present investigation has assayed the effects of this extract on the electron transport systems of isolated rat liver mitochondria. The extract was found to inhibit mitochondrial electron transport at Site I (NADH dehydrogenase) at concentrations of 30–159 mg l-1. Although the extract is not as potent an inhibitor at Site I as rotenone, a known inhibitor of NADH dehydrogenase, such observations could explain the molluscicidal and schistosomicidal activity of dichloromethane extracts of the seeds of M. thonningii.
Improving the capacity of quantum dense coding with both spontaneous emission and dephasing by non-Hermitian operation
Authors: Chen Fei , Leng Yang
Published: April 2024

Using a non-Hermitian operation approach, we propose a scheme to improve quantum dense coding of a qubit-qubit system interacting with a zero-temperature reservoir with both spontaneous emission and dephasing. By solving the master equation of the two-qubit system, we numerically obtain the final capacity of quantum dense coding. The numerical results show explicitly that the non-Hermitian operation indeed helps to improve the non-Hermitian operation from amplitude-phase decoherence. In particular, non-Hermitian operations can protect quantum dense coding more efficiently in the case of strong decay rates than those with small decay rates.
Optimized generation of entanglement based on the f-STIRAP technique
Authors: Chen Dongni , Li Jiahui , Chesi Stefano , Wang Ying-Dan
Published: April 2024

We consider generating maximally entangled states (Bell states) between two qubits coupled to a common bosonic mode, based on f-STIRAP. Utilizing the systematic approach developed by Wang et al (2017 New J. Phys.
19 093016), we quantify the effects of non-adiabatic leakage and system dissipation on the entanglement generation, and optimize the entanglement by balancing non-adiabatic leakage and system dissipation. We find the analytical expressions of the optimal coupling profile, the operation time, and the maximal entanglement. Our findings have broad applications in quantum state engineering, especially in solid-state devices where dissipative effects cannot be neglected.
Bibliometric analysis of global research trends on biomimetics, biomimicry, bionics, and bio-inspired concepts in civil engineering using the Scopus database
Authors: Sedira Naim , Pinto Jorge , Bentes Isabel , Pereira Sandra
Published: April 2024

This paper presents a bibliometrics analysis aimed at discerning global trends in research on ‘biomimetics’, ‘biomimicry’, ‘bionics’, and ‘bio-inspired’ concepts within civil engineering, using the Scopus database. This database facilitates the assessment of interrelationships and impacts of these concepts within the civil engineering domain. The findings demonstrate a consistent growth in publications related to these areas, indicative of increasing interest and impact within the civil engineering community. Influential authors and institutions have emerged, making significant contributions to the field. The United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom are recognised as leaders in research on these concepts in civil engineering. Notably, emerging countries such as China and India have also made considerable contributions. The integration of design principles inspired by nature into civil engineering holds the potential to drive sustainable and innovative solutions for various engineering challenges. The conducted bibliometrics analysis grants perspective on the current state of scientific research on biomimetics, biomimicry, bionics, and bio-inspired concepts in the civil engineering domain, offering data to predict the evolution of each concept in the coming years. Based on the findings of this research, ‘biomimetics’ replicates biological substances, ‘biomimicry’ directly imitates designs, and ‘bionics’ mimics biological functions, while ‘bio-inspired’ concepts offer innovative ideas beyond direct imitation. Each term incorporates distinct strategies, applications, and historical contexts, shaping innovation across the field of civil engineering.
Battery-powered bargains? Assessing electric vehicle resale value in the United States
Authors: Roberson Laura , Pantha Saurav , Helveston John Paul
Published: April 2024

The resale market will play a critical role in expanding plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) adoption to middle- and lower-income households. Understanding PEV depreciation trends in comparison to those of conventional gasoline vehicles (CVs) is critical for assessing PEV affordability and informing relevant policy, such as subsidies for used PEVs. We deliver comprehensive, high-resolution estimates of value retention rates at the make-model level in the United States for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and CVs using a database of 9 million used cars listed online between 2016 and 2022. While BEVs and PHEVs have depreciated at faster rates than CVs, this trend is changing, with newer model year BEVs and those with larger ranges have significantly higher retention rates than older model years with smaller ranges. Tesla BEVs are a notable exception following the opposite trend, with earlier model years holding their value better than newer model years. Subsidized BEVs in the new market are associated with lower prices for the same model in the resale market, with the $7500 federal subsidy translating to a 3% lower resale price on average. Finally, disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic have affected affordability across all vehicles, with mean listing prices rising 37% and 39% for CVs and BEVs, respectively, from January 2020 to March 2022 in inflation-adjusted 2019 dollars.
Wearing face masks while climbing stairs influences respiratory physiology
Authors: Bar-On Ophir , Goldberg Ori , Stafler Patrick , Levine Hagit , Jacobi Eyal , Shmueli Einat , Rothschild Ben , Prais Dario , Mei-Zahav Meir
Published: April 2024

During the COVID-19 pandemic wearing face masks was mandatory. Nowadays, face masks are still encouraged indoors, especially in hospitals. People climbing stairs with masks describe unpredictable dyspnea. In this study, healthy adults climbed 5 floors with and without a mask. Various cardio-respiratory parameters were measured, including O2−saturation (O2−Sat) and end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2), at baseline and on the top floor. Subjective indexes, such as Borg’s scale, were evaluated. Thirty-two volunteers (16 males), median age 39 years (IQR 32.5–43), median BMI = 23.6 (IQR 21.5–25.1), with good fitness levels, participated. Comparing baseline to end-activity, median (IQR): O2−Sat change was −1.0% (−2–0) without mask, versus −3.0% (−4–0) with mask, p = 0.003; EtCO2 + 7.0 (+3.3–+9) without mask, versus +8.0 (+6–+12) with mask, p = 0.0001. Hypercarbia was seen in 5 (15.6%) participants without mask, median = 48 mmHg (IQR 47.5–51), and in 11 (34%) participants with mask, median = 50 mmHg (IQR 47–54), p < 0.001. Desaturation (O2−Sat < 95%) was seen in 5 (15.6%) participants without mask, median = 94% (IQR 93%–94%), and in 10 (31%) participants with mask, median = 91.5% (IQR 90%–93%), p = 0.06. Regression analysis demonstrated that only male sex was significantly associated with abnormal EtCO2 (OR = 26.4, 95% CI = 1.9–366.4, p = 0.005). Ascent duration increased from median (IQR) of 94 s (86–100) without mask to 98 s (89–107) with mask, p < 0.001. Borg’s scale of perceived exertion (range 0–10) increased from median (IQR) of 3.0 (2.5–3.87) without mask to 4.0 (3.0–4.37) with mask, p < 0.001. To conclude, during routine daily activities, such as stair-climbing, face masks cause dyspnea, and have measurable influences on ventilation, including true desaturation and hypercapnia, especially in males.
Establishing breath as a biomarker platform—take home messages from the Breath Biopsy Conference 2023
Authors: Chou Hsuan , Godbeer Lucy , Ball Madeleine L
Published: April 2024

The annual Breath Biopsy Conference hosted by Owlstone Medical gathers together the leading experts, early career researchers, and physicians working with breath as a biomarker platform for clinical purposes. The current topics in breath research are discussed and presented, and an overarching topical theme is identified and discussed as part of an expert panel to close the conference. The profiling of normal breath composition and the establishment of standards for analyzing breath compared to background signal were two important topics that were major focuses of this conference, as well as important innovative progress that has been made since last year, including the development of a non-invasive breath test for lung cancer and liver disease. This meeting report offers an overview of the key take-home messages from the various presentations, posters, and discussions from the conference.
A Practical Design Approach of the Tesla Turbine for Hydro Power Applications
Authors: Islam Sk. Hasan Tanvirul , Islam Mazharul , Rafee Abir Khan , Islam Tahzinul
Published: April 2024

In the global push for harnessing energy in a vast number of scenarios, the Tesla Turbine stands out as a potential niche device in various small-scale applications. This device can be fabricated rapidly, using locally available materials and conventional manufacturing operations. Despite these advantages, several technological challenges have held back the development of the Tesla Turbine. Besides, modern bladed turbines have a much broader range of applications. Another issue is that this turbine’s most recent experiments were focused on numerical tests or findings from the computational simulation. Very few studies that were conducted resulted in low-efficiency ratings. For advanced applications such as particulate flow, biomedical, and some modern machining methods that use abrasive particle-rich fluids, Tesla turbines can also be used as it is not sensitive to mixed fluids compared to conventional bladed turbines. Moreover, the construction cost of a Tesla turbine is meager compared to bladed turbines. Thus, the cost-to-performance ratio is higher than that of conventional turbines, which the authors believe could pose much interest for both further research and development.