bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Origin and Occurrence of Natural Hydrogen
Authors: Wang Lu , Jin Zhijun , Chen Xiao , Su Yutong , Huang Xiaowei
Published: March 2023

Hydrogen is an attractive, clean, sustainable energy source primarily produced via industry. At present, most reviews on hydrogen mainly focus on the preparation and storage of hydrogen, while the development and utilization of natural hydrogen will greatly reduce its cost. Natural hydrogen has been discovered in many geological environments. Therefore, based on extensive literature research, in this study, the distribution and sources of natural hydrogen were systematically sorted, and the identification method and occurrence state of natural hydrogen were examined and summarized. The results of this research show that hydrogen has been discovered in oceanic spreading centers, transform faults, passive margins, convergent margins, and intraplate settings. The primary sources of the hydrogen include alterations in Fe(II)-containing rocks, the radiolysis of water, degassed magma, and the reaction of water- and silica-containing rocks during the mechanical fracturing. Hydrogen can appear in free gas, it can be adsorbed and trapped in inclusions. Currently, natural hydrogen exploration is in its infancy. This systematic review helps to understand the origin, distribution, and occurrence pattern of natural hydrogen. In addition, it facilitates the exploration and development of natural hydrogen deposits, thus enabling the production of low-cost hydrogen.
Multi-Objective Optimization of Graded Thermal Storage System for Direct Steam Generation with Dish Concentrators
Authors: Zhu Zhengyue , Bian Ruihao , Deng Yajun , Yu Bo , Sun Dongliang
Published: March 2023

A single sensible thermal storage system has the disadvantage of poor system efficiency, and a sensible-latent graded thermal storage system can effectively solve this problem. Moreover, the graded thermal storage system has the virtue of being adjustable, which can be adapted to many power generation systems. Therefore, this paper first analyzes the influence factors of the graded thermal storage system’s exergy and thermal efficiency. Subsequently, each factor’s significance was analyzed using the response surface method, and the prediction model for system exergy efficiency and cost was established using the support vector machine method. Finally, the second-generation nondominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) was used to globally optimize the graded thermal storage system’s exergy efficiency and cost by Matlab software. As a result, the exergy efficiency was increased by 11.01%, and the cost was reduced by RMB 5.85 million. In general, the effect of multi-objective optimization is obvious.
Multi-Lateral Well Productivity Evaluation Based on Three-Dimensional Heterogeneous Model in Nankai Trough, Japan
Authors: Xin Xin , Shan Ying , Xu Tianfu , Li Si , Zhu Huixing , Yuan Yilong
Published: March 2023

Widely employed in hydrate exploitation, the single well method is utilized to broaden the scope of hydrate decomposition. Optimizing the well structure and production strategy is necessary to enhance gas recovery efficiency. Complex wells represented by the multilateral wells have great application potential in hydrate mining. This study focused on the impact of multilateral well production methods on productivity, taking the Nankai Trough in Japan as the study area. The spatial distribution of physical parameters such as porosity, permeability, and hydrate saturation in the Nankai Trough has significant heterogeneity. For model accuracy, the Sklearn machine learning and Kriging interpolation methods were used to construct a three-dimensional heterogeneous geological model to describe the structure and physical property parameters in the study area of the hydrate reservoir. The numerical simulation model was solved using the TOUGH + Hydrate program and fitted with the measured data of the trial production project to verify its reliability. Finally, we set the multilateral wells for hydrate high saturation area to predict the gas and water production of hydrate reservoir with different exploitation schemes. The main conclusions are as follows: ① The Sklearn machine learning and Kriging interpolation methods can be used to construct a three-dimensional heterogeneous geological model for limited site data, and the fitting effect of the heterogeneous numerical simulation model is better than that of the homogeneous numerical simulation model. ② The multilateral well method can effectively increase the gas production rate from the hydrate reservoir compared with the traditional single well method by approximately 8000 m3/day on average (approximately 51.8%). ③ In the high saturation area, the number of branches of the multilateral well were set to 2, 3, and 4, and the gas production rate was increased by approximately 51.8%, 52.5%, and 53.5%. Considering economic consumption, the number of branching wells should be set at 2–3 in the same layer.
Simplified Guidelines for Retrofitting Scenarios in the European Countries
Authors: Furtado André , Rodrigues Hugo , Varum Humberto
Published: March 2023

A large part of the European building stock was built before implementing the recent energy and structural codes, resulting in buildings characterized by deficiencies in terms of comfort, energy savings and structural safety. The retrofitting and rehabilitation of the existing building stock need to be adequately performed, aiming to improve the seismic and energy performance simultaneously. The work summarized here is dedicated to defining priority scenarios for buildings’ retrofitting to improve the seismic safety and energy efficiency of the European Union (EU) building stock. First, the state of the EU building stock is analysed in terms of buildings’ age, types of structures, energy efficiency, energy consumption and energy poverty. Then, the EU climate demands are presented, namely the regions with higher temperature variations, i.e., heating or cooling degree days. The EU seismic risk is also presented and discussed in terms of average annual losses, average annual economic losses and average annual life losses. Based on these input parameters, nine seismic–climate regions in the EU are proposed using a simplified approach. Finally, retrofitting scenarios are proposed for two types of buildings (i.e., masonry and reinforced concrete) based on their seismic–climate region.
Numerical Investigation of the Enhanced Stirring Characteristics of a Multi-Lance Top-Blowing Continuous Converting Furnace for Lance Arrangement and Variable-Velocity Blowing
Authors: Li Wenjie , Wang Shibo , Xu Jianxin , Hu Jianhang , Wang Hua , Zhai Yuling , Xiao Qingtai , Deng Ge , Li Dongbo
Published: March 2023

Oxygen lances are key equipment for copper converters. The effect of the lance arrangement on the mixing of a gas–slag two–phase is discussed using numerical simulation and experimental verification with a water model, and the stirring characteristics enhanced by variable–velocity blowing are explored. The results showed that the single–row lance arrangement (SA) increased the average velocity in the slag phase by 17.93% and reduced the disturbance to the metal phase by 27.78% compared to the double–row lance arrangement (DA). Compared to the constant–velocity blowing system (CSB), the sine–wave blowing system (SWB) and rectangular–wave blowing system (RWB) increased the average velocity in the slag phase by 24.03% and 13.96%, respectively, and reduced the proportion of the low–velocity area by more than 46.2%. The velocity imbalance in the SA local area enhances the mixing of the gas–slag two–phase. The variable–speed blowing improves the mass transfer and mixing effect.
PMV Dimension Reduction Utilizing Feature Selection Method: Comparison Study on Machine Learning Models
Authors: Park Kyung-Yong , Woo Deok-Oh
Published: March 2023

Since P.O. Fanger proposed PMV, it has been the most widely used index to estimate thermal comfort. However, in some cases, it is challenging to measure all six parameters within indoor spaces, which are essential for PMV estimation; a couple of parameters, such as Clo or Met, tend to show a large deviation in accuracy. For these reasons, several studies have suggested methods to estimate PMV but their accuracies were significantly compromised. In this vein, this study proposed a way to reduce the dimensions of parameters for PMV prediction utilizing the machine learning method, in order to provide fast PMV calculations without compromising its prediction accuracy. Throughout this study, the most influential features for PMV were pinpointed using PCA, Best Subset, and the Gini Importance, with each model compared to the others. The results showed that PCA and ANN achieved the highest accuracy of 89.70%, and the combination of Best Subset and Random Forest showed the fastest prediction performance among all.
Modelling the Impacts of Hydrogen–Methane Blend Fuels on a Stationary Power Generation Engine
Authors: Haghighi Kimia , McTaggart-Cowan Gordon P.
Published: March 2023

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions from natural gas use, utilities are investigating the potential of adding hydrogen to their distribution grids. This will reduce the carbon dioxide emissions from grid-connected engines used for stationary power generation, and it may also impact their power output and efficiency. Promisingly, hydrogen and natural gas mixtures have shown encouraging results regarding engine power output, pollutant emissions, and thermal efficiency in well-controlled on-road vehicle applications. This work investigates the effects of adding hydrogen to the natural gas fuel for a lean-burn spark-ignited four-stroke, 8.9 liter eight-cylinder naturally aspirated engine used in a commercial stationary power generation application via an engine model developed in the GT-SUITETM modelling environment. The model was validated for fuel consumption, air flow, and exhaust temperature at two operating modes. The focus of the work was to assess the sensitivity of the engine’s power output, brake thermal efficiency, and pollutant emissions to blends of methane with 0–30% (by volume) hydrogen. Without adjusting for the change in fuel energy, the engine power output dropped by approximately 23% when methane was mixed with 30% by volume hydrogen. It was found that increasing the fueling rate to maintain a constant equivalence ratio prevented this drop in power and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by almost 4.5%. In addition, optimizing the spark timing could partially offset the increases in in-cylinder burned and unburned gas temperatures and in-cylinder pressures that resulted from the faster combustion rates when hydrogen was added to the natural gas. Understanding the effect of fuel change in existing systems can provide insight on utilizing hydrogen and natural gas mixtures as the primary fuel without the need for major changes in the engine.
Prediction of Storage Conditions to Increase the Bioenergy Efficiency of Giant Miscanthus Pellets Produced through On-Site Integrated Pretreatment Machines
Authors: Lee Jung-Kyu , Hong Dongho , Chae Hyunkyu , Lee Dong-Hoon
Published: March 2023

Fossil fuels are associated with problems such as resource depletion and pollution, necessitating the exploration of alternatives. Giant miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus Greef et Deu), a perennial that can be harvested yearly, requires a low production energy input. It has less ash content and high heat efficiency and has attracted attention as an energy source. An on-site processing equipment, powered via a tractor and equipped with a chipper and a two-stage compression roller, was developed that can harvest 1000 kg of giant miscanthus per hour and simultaneously produce compressed pellets eliminating unnecessary processes such as transportation and processing. With its use, 33–74.5 kWh/t of electrical energy can be saved by producing pellets. The changes in moisture content between the produced compressed pellets and two samples of the ground product were measured immediately before compression for 24 h at relative humidity ranging from 65% to 80%. The moisture content was 6% initially; it ranged from 6.71% to 7.81% in compressed pellets, depending on the conditions, and from 7.44% to 9.82% in the ground sample immediately before compression, indicating the effect of the physical form of the biomass and humidity in the environment. The possible storage period (while maintaining the moisture content at 8–10% for optimal biofuel efficiency based on the measured data) was predicted. The optimal relative humidity of the storage environment for maintaining biomass quality for more than 6 months was predicted to be ≤77% and ≤70% for the compressed pellet and ground sample, respectively. Moreover, at a relative humidity ≥77%, giant miscanthus biomass, immediately before compression, had >10% moisture content in 2 days, warranting caution in storage.
A Review Unveiling Various Machine Learning Algorithms Adopted for Biohydrogen Productions from Microalgae
Authors: Ahmad Sobri Mohamad Zulfadhli , Redhwan Alya , Ameen Fuad , Lim Jun Wei , Liew Chin Seng , Mong Guo Ren , Daud Hanita , Sokkalingam Rajalingam , Ho Chii-Dong , Usman Anwar , Nagaraju D. H. , Rao Pasupuleti Visweswara
Published: March 2023

Biohydrogen production from microalgae is a potential alternative energy source that is now intensively being researched. The complex natures of the biological processes involved have afflicted the accuracy of traditional modelling and optimization, besides being costly. Accordingly, machine learning algorithms have been employed to overcome setbacks, as these approaches have the capability to predict nonlinear interactions and handle multivariate data from microalgal biohydrogen studies. Thus, the review focuses on revealing the recent applications of machine learning techniques in microalgal biohydrogen production. The working principles of random forests, artificial neural networks, support vector machines, and regression algorithms are covered. The applications of these techniques are analyzed and compared for their effectiveness, advantages and disadvantages in the relationship studies, classification of results, and prediction of microalgal hydrogen production. These techniques have shown great performance despite limited data sets that are complex and nonlinear. However, the current techniques are still susceptible to overfitting, which could potentially reduce prediction performance. These could be potentially resolved or mitigated by comparing the methods, should the input data be limited.
Effects of Water Potential on Anaerobic Methane Production and a Microbial Consortium
Authors: Yeo Jin , Kim Chang-Gyu , Lee Jun-Hyeong , Song Eunhye , Yoon Young-Man
Published: March 2023

This study probed the effect of the water potential (Ψ) on anaerobic methane production and a microbial consortium. The Ψ level of the investigated anaerobic digester (n = 20) was in the range from −0.10 to −2.09 MPa with a mean value of −1.23 MPa, and the Ψ level of the anaerobic digester was significantly correlated with the SCOD, TKN, NH4+-N, alkalinity, salinity (SPS), NH4+, Na+, K+, Cl−, NO3−, and PO43− (p < 0.001). The maximum methane production rate (Rm) of the Control (−0.40 MPa) was 8.11 mL day−1 and decreased to 1.70 mL day−1 at −3.91 MPa (K5), and the lag growth phase time (λ) was delayed to 35.96 and 25.34 days at −2.85 MPa (K4) and −3.91 MPa (K5), respectively. The ultimate methane potential (Bu) was 0.264 Nm3 kg−1-VSadded for the Control, and when Ψ was adjusted, Bu increased to 0.278 Nm3 kg−1-VSadded at −1.49 MPa (K3) but decreased to 0.203 and 0.172 Nm3 kg−1-VSadded at −2.85 MPa (K4) and −3.91 MPa (K5), respectively. Therefore, the methane yield was inhibited due to the decrease in Ψ, and the methane yield is predicted to be inhibited from about −1.65 MPa. In the genus-level taxonomic classification of the microbial community, the relative abundance of Methanosarcina decreased significantly to 36.76% at −3.91 MPa (K5) compared to 58.15% for the Control; however, the relative abundance of Methanoculleus significantly increased to 35.16% at −3.91 MPa (K5) compared to 14.85% for the Control.
Comparison of Immune Response of Litopenaeus vannamei Shrimp Naturally Infected with Vibrio Species, and after Being Fed with Florfenicol
Authors: Shakweer Medhat S. , Elshopakey Gehad E. , Abdelwarith Abdelwahab A. , Younis Elsayed M. , Davies Simon John , Elbahnaswy Samia
Published: March 2023

The outbreaks caused by Vibrio spp. are a notable threat to the potential growth of the economy of penaeid culture, which is still controlled by the administration of antibiotics. At first, the infected group was subjected to phenotypic bacteriological examination with subsequent molecular identification via 16S rRNA gene sequencing, which confirmed four strains of Vibrio spp., V. atlanticus, V. natriegens, V. alginolyticus, and V. harveyi, from moribund-infected shrimp during mortality events in an Egyptian hatchery. To better understand the defense mechanism of the most effective antibiotic against Vibrio strains, the immune responses were compared and evaluated in infected Litopenaeus vannamei broodstock after being fed 5 mg kg−1 of florfenicol antibiotic, which was first determined through in vitro antibiogram tests. Therefore, our study aimed to determine the immune response of L. vannamei during Vibrio spp. infection in Egyptian hatcheries and after antibiotic medication. The parameters assessed were the total and differential hemocyte count (THC), granular cells (GC), semi-granular cells (SGC), and hyaline cells (HC). As well as the metabolic and immune enzymes: alanine aminotransferases (ALT), aspartate aminotransferases (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), and lysozyme activity; an antioxidant index, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH); a phagocytic assay; changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS); and bactericidal activity in the hemolymph of the control, infected, and treated groups. Further evaluation of the mRNA expression levels of the prophenoloxidase (LvproPO), toll-like receptor 1 (LvToll1), and haemocyanin (LvHc) genes were performed in the hepatopancreas of the same groups. A significant drop in the THC, GC, SGC, and HC counts, as well as lysozyme and bactericidal activities, phagocytic assay, ROS, SOD, and GSH index, were represented in infected shrimp compared to control shrimp; however, a marked increase in the activity of ALT, AST, ALP, and ACP was observed. These activities were significantly restored in the treated shrimp compared to the infected shrimp. Nevertheless, no significant changes were noted in the transcriptional levels of the LvproPO and LvToll1 genes in the treated shrimp when compared to the infected shrimp; however, a significant suppression of the LvHc gene was noted. Our study aimed to determine the immune response of L. vannamei during Vibrio spp. infection in Egyptian hatcheries and after antibiotic medication. We concluded that florfenicol in medicated feed could be effective in controlling vibriosis and ameliorating the immune response of shrimp.
The Complete Mitochondrial Genome of the Fivespot Flounder, Pseudorhombus pentophthalmus (Pleuronectiformes: Paralichthyidae), from Korea and Its Phylogenetic Analysis
Authors: Lee Yong-Suk , Patil Maheshkumar Prakash , Kim Jong-Oh , Lee Yu-Jin , Seo Yong Bae , Kim Jin-Koo , Suryawanshi Rahul K. , Kim Gun-Do
Published: March 2023

The mitogenome is an important tool for researching the evolution of metazoan animals. However, until now, only few mitochondrial genes of Pseudorhombus pentophthalmus have been reported. Here, we report the complete mitogenome of P. pentophthalmus, assembled using the Illumina platform. The circular mitogenome of P. pentophthalmus is 16,684 bp in length, has a bias A+T content of 52.78%, encodes 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes), and has a control region. The overall nucleotide composition was A: 26.56%, T: 26.22%, G: 17.97%, and C: 29.25%. The phylogenetic tree based on the complete mitogenome P. pentophthalmus was shown to be monophyletic with the other Pseudorhombus species and was shown to be on the same branch as P. dupliciocellatus. This research might be useful for future studies on population genetics and evolution analysis.
Has the Regulatory Compliance Burden Reduced Competitiveness of the U.S. Tilapia Industry?
Authors: Engle Carole R. , van Senten Jonathan , Clark Charles , Boldt Noah
Published: March 2023

Emerging research on aquaculture governance has pointed to the conundrum of negative global environmental effects from economic incentives for aquaculture production to shift from more highly regulated to less regulated countries. This study has focused on examining whether regulatory costs on U.S. tilapia farms may have contributed to their contraction in contrast to the growth of global tilapia production that contributes to the volume of seafood imports into the U.S. A national survey (coverage rate = 75% of tilapia sold; response rate = 18%) found that on-farm regulatory costs accounted for 15% of total production costs on U.S. tilapia farms, the fifth-highest cost of production. The total direct regulatory costs nationally were $4.4 million, averaging $137,611/farm. Most problematic were regulations of effluent discharge, predatory bird control, international export, and water and energy policies. Manpower costs for monitoring and reporting were the greatest cost of regulatory compliance. The lost sales revenue resulting from regulations was $32 million a year, or 82% of total annual sales, indicating that the regulatory framework has constrained the growth of U.S. tilapia farming. The smallest tilapia farms had the greatest regulatory cost per kg. This study provides evidence that regulatory costs, along with other challenges related to live fish markets, have contributed to the decline in U.S. tilapia production. Increased competitiveness of the U.S. tilapia industry will require a combination of: (1) improved regulatory efficiency that reduces on-farm cost burdens without reducing societal benefits; (2) research and on-farm extension assistance to evaluate new tilapia fillet equipment; and (3) research on changing consumer preferences to provide guidance on effective strategies to penetrate the large U.S. fillet market.
Design of Lactococcus lactis Strains Producing Garvicin A and/or Garvicin Q, Either Alone or Together with Nisin A or Nisin Z and High Antimicrobial Activity against Lactococcus garvieae
Authors: Feito Javier , Araújo Carlos , Arbulu Sara , Contente Diogo , Gómez-Sala Beatriz , Díaz-Formoso Lara , Muñoz-Atienza Estefanía , Borrero Juan , Cintas Luis M. , Hernández Pablo E.
Published: March 2023

Lactococcus garvieae is a main ichthyopathogen in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum) farming, although bacteriocinogenic L. garvieae with antimicrobial activity against virulent strains of this species have also been identified. Some of the bacteriocins characterized, such as garvicin A (GarA) and garvicin Q (GarQ), may show potential for the control of the virulent L. garvieae in food, feed and other biotechnological applications. In this study, we report on the design of Lactococcus lactis strains that produce the bacteriocins GarA and/or GarQ, either alone or together with nisin A (NisA) or nisin Z (NisZ). Synthetic genes encoding the signal peptide of the lactococcal protein Usp45 (SPusp45), fused to mature GarA (lgnA) and/or mature GarQ (garQ) and their associated immunity genes (lgnI and garI, respectively), were cloned into the protein expression vectors pMG36c, which contains the P32 constitutive promoter, and pNZ8048c, which contains the inducible PnisA promoter. The transformation of recombinant vectors into lactococcal cells allowed for the production of GarA and/or GarQ by L. lactis subsp. cremoris NZ9000 and their co-production with NisA by Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis DPC5598 and L. lactis subsp. lactis BB24. The strains L. lactis subsp. cremoris WA2-67 (pJFQI), a producer of GarQ and NisZ, and L. lactis subsp. cremoris WA2-67 (pJFQIAI), a producer of GarA, GarQ and NisZ, demonstrated the highest antimicrobial activity (5.1- to 10.7-fold and 17.3- to 68.2-fold, respectively) against virulent L. garvieae strains.
An Authentication Survey on Retail Seafood Products Sold on the Bulgarian Market Underlines the Need for Upgrading the Traceability System
Authors: Tinacci Lara , Stratev Deyan , Strateva Mariyana , Zhelyazkov Georgi , Kyuchukova Ralica , Armani Andrea
Published: March 2023

Economically motivated or accidental species substitutions lead to economic and potential health damage to consumers with a loss of confidence in the fishery supply chain. In the present study, a three–year survey on 199 retail seafood products sold on the Bulgarian market was addressed to assess: (1) product authenticity by molecular identification; (2) trade name compliance to the list of official trade names accepted in the territory; (3) adherence of the list in force to the market supply. DNA barcoding on mitochondrial and nuclear genes was applied for the identification of whitefish (WF), crustaceans (C) and mollusks (cephalopods—MC; gastropods—MG; bivalves—MB) except for Mytilus sp. products for which the analysis was conducted with a previously validated RFLP PCR protocol. Identification at the species level was obtained for 94.5% of the products. Failures in species allocation were reconducted due to low resolution and reliability or the absence of reference sequences. The study highlighted an overall mislabeling rate of 11%. WF showed the highest mislabeling rate (14%), followed by MB (12.5%), MC (10%) and C (7.9%). This evidence emphasized the use of DNA–based methods as tools for seafood authentication. The presence of non–compliant trade names and the ineffectiveness of the list to describe the market species varieties attested to the need to improve seafood labeling and traceability at the national level.
Effects of Highland Barley Flour with Different Particle Sizes on the Characteristics of Reconstituted Flour and Noodles
Authors: Liu Haibo , Duan Jiaojiao , Zhu Jing , Liu Xiong
Published: March 2023

To study the effects of highland barley flour with different particle sizes on dough characteristics and noodle quality, highland barley flours (median particle sizes of 223.25, 143.12, 90.73, 42.33 and 19.26 μm, respectively) were mixed with the wheat flour to make noodles. The damaged starch content of highland barley flour with five particle sizes was 47.0, 61.0, 62.3, 102.0, and 108.0 g/kg, respectively. The reconstituted flour containing highland barley powder with smaller particle sizes showed higher viscosity and water absorption. The smaller the particle size of barley flour, the lower the cooking yield, shear force and pasting enthalpy of the noodles, and the higher the hardness of the noodles. As the particle size of barley flour decreases, the structural density of the noodles increases. This study is expected to provide a constructive reference for the development of barley-wheat composite flour and the production of barley-wheat noodles.
The Composite Method: A Novel, Continuum-Based Approach to Estimating Age from the Female Pubic Symphysis with Particular Relevance to Mature Adults
Authors: Truesdell Janamarie
Published: March 2023

While a myriad of effective techniques exist to aid in symphyseal age estimation for those 40 years and younger, few offer similar levels of efficacy for those beyond that threshold. Through the application of a novel technique, this study sought to determine whether a closer inspection of degenerative change may help to improve precision in age estimation for post-epiphyseal adults. Results show that the combination of five distinct areas of interest, plus a correction for density, accurately estimated age 87.75% of the time (averaged amongst four observers [spread: 72–100%]) for a subset of 50 living British females. An adjusted R2 value of 0.85, an RSME value of 5.62 years, and a PCC value of 0.92 also confirmed the trialed technique to be a good predictor of age for the entirety of the larger female sample (n = 533). Low inaccuracy (3.86 years) and Bias (0.69 years) further indicate that a continuum-based approach, without pre-set phases or ranges, such as was utilized by this research holds the potential to be at least as effective as the currently available methodologies but with the added advantage of allowing for increased variation at the individual level. Age estimation by linear regression, or by simple addition, yielded estimation envelopes (intervals) of 22–23 and 24 years, respectively, which remain narrow enough to be forensically useful while still wide enough to maximize accuracy in mature adults.
Triple Primary Malignancies: Tumor Associations, Survival, and Clinicopathological Analysis: A 25-Year Single-Institution Experience
Authors: Almasan Iulia , Piciu Doina
Published: March 2023

The detection of multiple primary malignancies is on the rise despite their rare occurrence rate. This research aims to determine the prevalence, tumor association patterns, overall survival, and the correlation between survival time and independent factors in patients with triple primary malignancies. This single-center retrospective study included 117 patients with triple primary malignancies admitted to a tertiary cancer center between 1996 and 2021. The observed prevalence was 0.082%. The majority of patients (73%) were over the age of fifty at the first tumor diagnosis, and regardless of gender, the lowest median age occurred in the metachronous group. The most common tumor associations were found between genital–skin–breast, skin–skin–skin, digestive–genital–breast, and genital–breast–lung cancer. The male gender and being over the age of fifty at the first tumor diagnosis are associated with a higher risk of mortality. Compared with the metachronous group, patients with three synchronous tumors demonstrate a risk of mortality 6.5 times higher, whereas patients with one metachronous and two synchronous tumors demonstrate a risk of mortality three times higher. The likelihood of subsequent malignancies should always be considered throughout cancer patients’ short- and long-term surveillance to ensure prompt tumor diagnosis and treatment.
Additional Active Movements Are Not Required for Strength Gains in the Untrained during Short-Term Whole-Body Electromyostimulation Training
Authors: Stephan Holger , Wehmeier Udo Frank , Förster Tim , Tomschi Fabian , Hilberg Thomas
Published: March 2023

Recommendations for conventional strength training are well described, and the volume of research on whole-body electromyostimulation training (WB-EMS) is growing. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether active exercise movements during stimulation have a positive effect on strength gains. A total of 30 inactive subjects (28 completed the study) were randomly allocated into two training groups, the upper body group (UBG) and the lower body group (LBG). In the UBG (n = 15; age: 32 (25–36); body mass: 78.3 kg (53.1–114.3 kg)), WB-EMS was accompanied by exercise movements of the upper body and in the LBG (n = 13; age: 26 (20–35); body mass: 67.2 kg (47.4–100.3 kg)) by exercise movements of the lower body. Therefore, UBG served as a control when lower body strength was considered, and LBG served as a control when upper body strength was considered. Trunk exercises were performed under the same conditions in both groups. During the 20-min sessions, 12 repetitions were performed per exercise. In both groups, stimulation was performed with 350 μs wide square pulses at 85 Hz in biphasic mode, and stimulation intensity was 6–8 (scale 1–10). Isometric maximum strength was measured before and after the training (6 weeks set; one session/week) on 6 exercises for the upper body and 4 for the lower body. Isometric maximum strength was significantly higher after the EMS training in both groups in most test positions (UBG p < 0.001–0.031, r = 0.88–0.56; LBG p = 0.001–0.039, r = 0.88–0.57). Only for the left leg extension in the UBG (p = 0.100, r = 0.43) and for the biceps curl in the LBG (p = 0.221, r = 0.34) no changes were observed. Both groups showed similar absolute strength changes after EMS training. Body mass adjusted strength for the left arm pull increased more in the LBG group (p = 0.040, r = 0.39). Based on our results we conclude that concurring exercise movements during a short-term WB-EMS training period have no substantial influence on strength gains. People with health restrictions, beginners with no experience in strength training and people returning to training might be particularly suitable target groups, due to the low training effort. Supposedly, exercise movements become more relevant when initial adaptations to training are exhausted.
The Price to Pay for Being Yourself: Experiences of Microaggressions among Non-Binary and Genderqueer (NBGQ) Youth
Authors: Arijs Quinn , Burgwal Aisa , Van Wiele Jara , Motmans Joz
Published: March 2023

This study explores the experiences of NBGQ youth with microaggressions. It investigates the types of microaggressions they face and their subsequent needs and coping mechanisms and the impacts on their lives. Semi-structured interviews with ten NBGQ youth in Belgium were conducted and analyzed using a thematic approach. The results showed that experiences of microaggressions were centered around denial. The most common ways to cope were finding acceptance from (queer) friends and therapists, engaging in a conversation with the aggressor, and rationalizing and empathizing with the aggressor, leading to self-blame and normalization of the experiences. Microaggressions were experienced as exhausting, which influenced the extent to which the NBGQ individuals wanted to explain themselves to others. Furthermore, the study shows an interaction between microaggressions and gender expression, in which gender expression is seen as a motive for microaggressions and microaggressions have an impact on the gender expression of NBGQ youth.
Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: A Review of Imaging Modalities with Special Focus on Pathology Concordance
Authors: Pereslucha Alicia M , Wenger Danielle M , Morris Michael F , Aydi Zeynep Bostanci
Published: March 2023

Invasive lobular cancer (ILC) is the second most common type of breast cancer. It is characterized by a unique growth pattern making it difficult to detect on conventional breast imaging. ILC can be multicentric, multifocal, and bilateral, with a high likelihood of incomplete excision after breast-conserving surgery. We reviewed the conventional as well as newly emerging imaging modalities for detecting and determining the extent of ILC- and compared the main advantages of MRI vs. contrast-enhanced mammogram (CEM). Our review of the literature finds that MRI and CEM clearly surpass conventional breast imaging in terms of sensitivity, specificity, ipsilateral and contralateral cancer detection, concordance, and estimation of tumor size for ILC. Both MRI and CEM have each been shown to enhance surgical outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed ILC that had one of these imaging modalities added to their preoperative workup.
Digital Money Options for the BRICS
Authors: Zharikov Mikhail Vyacheslavovich
Published: March 2023

The article is time relevant, since a number of countries, such as China and Russia, started pilot testing their digital currencies in 2020, due to the necessity of contactless means of payment during the coronavirus pandemic. The purpose of this research is to revisit the phenomenon of the virtual money. What is new here is that this is one of the first papers concentrated on a digital currency for a group of countries. The article offers an econometric representation of how the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) currency may be utilized when hypothetically coined on a crypto-exchange of the BRICS monetary union. This research contains data condensed in a table and graphical form. The major idea of this article is that only a digital unit of account for a group of countries such as the BRICS, unlike a cryptocurrency, may help create a sustainable financial stability environment and solid monetary infrastructure. The author conducts a detailed analysis of a digital currency compared to a cryptocurrency. The hypothesis is that a shared digital currency for the BRICS may promote financial risk diversification through a risk-sharing mechanism. The author’s results include a formula that may provide a way of calculating the quantity of the BRICS’ digital currency, as well as a simulated representation of a would-be BRICS currency’s dynamics. The practical significance of this paper is that the proposed BRICS digital currency can find its use in investment portfolios as an asset. This asset may provide stable returns and benefit from the growth prospects of the BRICS economies as ones of the most rapidly developing markets in the world. Potential investors in the currency of the union may profit from the abundance of natural resources of Brazil, Russia, and South Africa in terms of energy and other minerals offered at the best world market prices, as well as the technology, labor, and durable goods of India and China priced at competitive valuations. The assets expressed in the BRICS currency have the potential of growing over the years, so a dollar invested today may turn an enormous return on investment within this decade, unlike stagnant markets in Europe, Japan, and the US. The author proves that a cryptocurrency cannot serve a shared currency function for the BRICS, and it stresses the very significance of circulating the shared digital currency in particular. Finally, the author simulates the dynamics of the BRICS’ digital currency and proposes an approach to calculating its exchange rate relative to some of the leading currencies in the international monetary system.
The Role of Proteomics and Phosphoproteomics in the Discovery of Therapeutic Targets and Biomarkers in Acquired EGFR-TKI-Resistant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Moonmuang Sutpirat , Tantraworasin Apichat , Orrapin Santhasiri , Udomruk Sasimol , Chewaskulyong Busyamas , Pruksakorn Dumnoensun , Chaiyawat Parunya
Published: March 2023

The discovery of potent EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) has revolutionized the treatment of EGFR-mutated lung cancer. Despite the fact that EGFR-TKIs have yielded several significant benefits for lung cancer patients, the emergence of resistance to EGFR-TKIs has been a substantial impediment to improving treatment outcomes. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance is crucial for the development of new treatments and biomarkers for disease progression. Together with the advancement in proteome and phosphoproteome analysis, a diverse set of key signaling pathways have been successfully identified that provide insight for the discovery of possible therapeutically targeted proteins. In this review, we highlight the proteome and phosphoproteomic analyses of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as well as the proteome analysis of biofluid specimens that associate with acquired resistance in response to different generations of EGFR-TKI. Furthermore, we present an overview of the targeted proteins and potential drugs that have been tested in clinical studies and discuss the challenges of implementing this discovery in future NSCLC treatment.
Participants in the Trans-Antarctic Winter Traverse Expedition Showed Increased Bacterial Load and Diversity in Saliva but Maintained Individual Differences within Stool Microbiota and Across Metabolite Fingerprints
Authors: Cameron Simon J. S. , Edwards Arwyn , Lambert Robert J. , Stroud Mike , Mur Luis A. J.
Published: March 2023

Understanding the impact of long-term physiological and environmental stress on the human microbiota and metabolome may be important for the success of space flight. This work is logistically difficult and has a limited number of available participants. Terrestrial analogies present important opportunities to understand changes in the microbiota and metabolome and how this may impact participant health and fitness. Here, we present work from one such analogy: the Transarctic Winter Traverse expedition, which we believe is the first assessment of the microbiota and metabolome from different bodily locations during prolonged environmental and physiological stress. Bacterial load and diversity were significantly higher during the expedition when compared with baseline levels (p < 0.001) in saliva but not stool, and only a single operational taxonomic unit assigned to the Ruminococcaceae family shows significantly altered levels in stool (p < 0.001). Metabolite fingerprints show the maintenance of individual differences across saliva, stool, and plasma samples when analysed using flow infusion electrospray mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Significant activity-associated changes in terms of both bacterial diversity and load are seen in saliva but not in stool, and participant differences in metabolite fingerprints persist across all three sample types.
Oxidative Status Determines the Cytotoxicity of Ascorbic Acid in Human Oral Normal and Cancer Cells
Authors: Huang Wei-Zhi , Liu Ting-Ming , Liu Shu-Ting , Chen Ssu-Yu , Huang Shih-Ming , Chen Gunng-Shinng
Published: March 2023

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) can arise anywhere in the oral cavity. OSCC’s molecular pathogenesis is complex, resulting from a wide range of events that involve the interplay between genetic mutations and altered levels of transcripts, proteins, and metabolites. Platinum-based drugs are the first-line treatment for OSCC; however, severe side-effects and resistance are challenging issues. Thus, there is an urgent clinical need to develop novel and/or combinatory therapeutics. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxic effects of pharmacological concentrations of ascorbate on two human oral cell lines, the oral epidermoid carcinoma meng-1 (OECM-1) cell and the Smulow–Glickman (SG) human normal gingival epithelial cell. Our study examined the potential functional impact of pharmacological concentrations of ascorbates on the cell-cycle profiles, mitochondrial-membrane potential, oxidative response, the synergistic effect of cisplatin, and the differential responsiveness between OECM-1 and SG cells. Two forms of ascorbate, free and sodium forms, were applied to examine the cytotoxic effect and it was found that both forms had a similar higher sensitivity to OECM-1 cells than to SG cells. In addition, our study data suggest that the determinant factor of cell density is important for ascorbate-induced cytotoxicity in OECM-1 and SG cells. Our findings further revealed that the cytotoxic effect might be mediated through the induction of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and the reduction in cytosolic ROS generation. The combination index supported the agonistic effect between sodium ascorbate and cisplatin in OECM-1 cells, but not in SG cells. In summary, our current findings provide supporting evidence for ascorbate to serve as a sensitizer for platinum-based treatment of OSCC. Hence, our work provides not only repurposing of the drug, ascorbate, but also an opportunity to decrease the side-effects of, and risk of resistance to, platinum-based treatment for OSCC.
Fecal Metagenomics and Metabolomics Identifying Microbial Signatures in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Pekkala Satu
Published: March 2023

The frequency of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has intensified, creating diagnostic challenges and increasing the need for reliable non-invasive diagnostic tools. Due to the importance of the gut–liver axis in the progression of NAFLD, studies attempt to reveal microbial signatures in NAFLD, evaluate them as diagnostic biomarkers, and to predict disease progression. The gut microbiome affects human physiology by processing the ingested food into bioactive metabolites. These molecules can penetrate the portal vein and the liver to promote or prevent hepatic fat accumulation. Here, the findings of human fecal metagenomic and metabolomic studies relating to NAFLD are reviewed. The studies present mostly distinct, and even contradictory, findings regarding microbial metabolites and functional genes in NAFLD. The most abundantly reproducing microbial biomarkers include increased lipopolysaccharides and peptidoglycan biosynthesis, enhanced degradation of lysine, increased levels of branched chain amino acids, as well as altered lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Among other causes, the discrepancies between the studies may be related to the obesity status of the patients and the severity of NAFLD. In none of the studies, except for one, was diet considered, although it is an important factor driving gut microbiota metabolism. Future studies should consider diet in these analyses.
Impact of Double-Stranded RNA Internalization on Hematopoietic Progenitors and Krebs-2 Cells and Mechanism
Authors: Ritter Genrikh S. , Proskurina Anastasia S. , Meschaninova Maria I. , Potter Ekaterina A. , Petrova Daria D. , Ruzanova Vera S. , Dolgova Evgeniya V. , Kirikovich Svetlana S. , Levites Evgeniy V. , Efremov Yaroslav R. , Nikolin Valeriy P. , Popova Nelly A. , Venyaminova Aliya G. , Taranov Oleg S. , Ostanin Alexandr A. , Chernykh Elena R. , Kolchanov Nikolay A. , Bogachev Sergey S.
Published: March 2023

It is well-established that double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) exhibits noticeable radioprotective and radiotherapeutic effects. The experiments conducted in this study directly demonstrated that dsRNA was delivered into the cell in its native form and that it induced hematopoietic progenitor proliferation. The 68 bp synthetic dsRNA labeled with 6-carboxyfluorescein (FAM) was internalized into mouse hematopoietic progenitors, c-Kit+ (a marker of long-term hematopoietic stem cells) cells and CD34+ (a marker of short-term hematopoietic stem cells and multipotent progenitors) cells. Treating bone marrow cells with dsRNA stimulated the growth of colonies, mainly cells of the granulocyte–macrophage lineage. A total of 0.8% of Krebs-2 cells internalized FAM-dsRNA and were simultaneously CD34+ cells. dsRNA in its native state was delivered into the cell, where it was present without any signs of processing. dsRNA binding to a cell was independent of cell charge. dsRNA internalization was related to the receptor-mediated process that requires energy from ATP. Synthetic dsRNA did not degrade in the bloodstream for at least 2 h. Hematopoietic precursors that had captured dsRNA reinfused into the bloodstream and populated the bone marrow and spleen. This study, for the first time, directly proved that synthetic dsRNA is internalized into a eukaryotic cell via a natural mechanism.
The Role of NLRP3, a Star of Excellence in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
Authors: Parciante Elisa , Cumbo Cosimo , Anelli Luisa , Zagaria Antonella , Redavid Immacolata , Minervini Angela , Conserva Maria Rosa , Tota Giuseppina , Coccaro Nicoletta , Tarantini Francesco , Minervini Crescenzio Francesco , Macchia Maria Giovanna , Specchia Giorgina , Musto Pellegrino , Albano Francesco
Published: March 2023

Nucleotide-binding domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) is the most widely investigated inflammasome member whose overactivation can be a driver of several carcinomas. It is activated in response to different signals and plays an important role in metabolic disorders and inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. NLRP3 belongs to the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) family, expressed in numerous immune cells, and it plays its primary function in myeloid cells. NLRP3 has a crucial role in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), considered to be the diseases best studied in the inflammasome context. The investigation of the NLRP3 inflammasome complex is a new horizon to explore, and inhibiting IL-1β or NLRP3 could be a helpful cancer-related therapeutic strategy to improve the existing protocols.