bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Generalization of Tempered-Hilfer Fractional Calculus in the Space of Pettis-Integrable Functions
Authors: Cichoń Mieczysław , Salem Hussein A. H. , Shammakh Wafa
Published: June 2023

We propose here a general framework covering a wide range of fractional operators for vector-valued functions. We indicate to what extent the case in which assumptions are expressed in terms of weak topology is symmetric to the case of norm topology. However, taking advantage of the differences between these cases, we emphasize the possibly less-restrictive growth conditions. In fact, we present a definition and a serious study of generalized Hilfer fractional derivatives. We propose a new version of calculus for generalized Hilfer fractional derivatives for vector-valued functions, which generalizes previously studied cases, including those for real functions. Note that generalized Hilfer fractional differential operators in terms of weak topology are studied here for the first time, so our results are new. Finally, as an application example, we study some n-point boundary value problems with just-introduced general fractional derivatives and with boundary integral conditions expressed in terms of fractional integrals of the same kind, extending all known cases of studies in weak topology.
A Study of Roots of a Certain Class of Counting Polynomials
Authors: Ghorbani Modjtaba , Alidehi-Ravandi Razie , Dehmer Matthias , Emmert-Streib Frank
Published: June 2023

In this article, we introduce a new counting polynomial, namely the orbit polynomial. It is well-known that this polynomial has a unique positive zero δ in the interval [0, 1]. The aim of this paper is to study the specific properties of this polynomial and then determine the location of this root for several classes of complex networks to compare with other graphical measures. Additionally, we compare the unique positive zero measure with several well-known centrality graph measures.
How Effective Is Reverse Cross-Docking and Carbon Policies in Controlling Carbon Emission from the Fashion Industry?
Authors: Mukherjee Taniya , Sangal Isha , Sarkar Biswajit , Almaamari Qais , Alkadash Tamer M.
Published: June 2023

The present consumer behavior is manipulated by “fast fashion”, where purchasing new, trendy, affordable clothes is preferred over recycling old ones. This changing mannerism has escalated the GHG emissions from the fashion industry. Energy-intensive raw material production, preparation, and processing contribute to considerable emissions. The management of the returned goods from the primary market and further processing through the secondary outlets indulge in reverse logistics. In this paper, efforts are made to minimize the total cost and the carbon emission amount during the process of managing the return articles from the primary market to the reverse distribution center, further processing of the articles at the secondary outlet, and the return of the unsold or excess articles from the secondary outlet. Reverse cross-docking has been implemented in managing the return articles, while environmental concerns over GHG emissions have been addressed by investing in green technology under a strict carbon cap policy. In this research, return articles from the primary and secondary markets, rework of the returned articles, and disposal of the impaired returned articles have been considered. The carbon emission cost at all stages of transportation, rework, or disposal has also been incorporated into this model. A constrained mixed integer linear programming model is proposed and solved considering green investment. A numerical example has been formulated to investigate the effect of green technology on the total cost. The results portray that, though the total cost increases by nearly 2% due to investment in green technology, it ensures a considerable drop of 23% in the carbon emission amount. Also, the result is successful in establishing that reverse cross-docking is a better option than traditional warehousing in terms of minimizing the cost.
The Generation Mechanism of Degree Distribution with Power Exponent >2 and the Growth of Edges in Temporal Social Networks
Authors: Li Zhenpeng , Li Luo
Published: June 2023

The structures of social networks with power laws have been widely investigated. People have a great interest in the scale-invariant generating mechanism. We address this problem by introducing a simple model, i.e., a heuristic probabilistic explanation for the occurrence of a power law. In particular, the proposed model can be used to explain the generative mechanism that leads to the scale-invariant of the degree distribution with a power exponent of τ>2. Furthermore, a stochastic model (the pure birth points process) is used to describe the cumulative growth trend of edges of a temporal social network. We applied our model to online temporal social networks and found that both the degree distribution scaling behaviors and the growth law of edges can be quantitatively reproduced. We gained further insight into the evolution nature of scale-invariant temporal social networks from the empirical observation that the power exponent τ gradually decreases and approaches 2 or less than 2 over evolutionary time.
Price, Complexity, and Mathematical Model
Authors: Fu Na , Geng Liyan , Ma Junhai , Ding Xue
Published: June 2023

The whole world has entered the era of the Vuca. Some traditional methods of problem analysis begin to fail. Complexity science is needed to study and solve problems from the perspective of complex systems. As a complex system full of volatility and uncertainty, price fluctuations have attracted wide attention from researchers. Therefore, through a literature review, this paper analyzes the research on complex theories on price prediction. The following conclusions are drawn: (1) The price forecast receives widespread attention year by year, and the number of published articles also shows a rapid rising trend. (2) The hybrid model can achieve higher prediction accuracy than the single model. (3) The complexity of models is increasing. In the future, the more complex methods will be applied to price forecast, including AI technologies such as LLM. (4) Crude-oil prices and stock prices will continue to be the focus of research, with carbon prices, gold prices, Bitcoin, and others becoming new research hotspots. The innovation of this research mainly includes the following three aspects: (1) The whole analysis of all the articles on price prediction using mathematical models in the past 10 years rather than the analysis of a single field such as oil price or stock price. (2) Classify the research methods of price forecasting in different fields, and found the common problems of price forecasting in different fields (including data processing methods and model selection, etc.), which provide references for different researchers to select price forecasting models. (3) Use VOSviewer to analyze the hot words appearing in recent years according to the timeline, find the research trend, and provide references for researchers to choose the future research direction.
Traffic Accident Detection Using Background Subtraction and CNN Encoder–Transformer Decoder in Video Frames
Authors: Zhang Yihang , Sung Yunsick
Published: June 2023

Artificial intelligence plays a significant role in traffic-accident detection. Traffic accidents involve a cascade of inadvertent events, making traditional detection approaches challenging. For instance, Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)-based approaches cannot analyze temporal relationships among objects, and Recurrent Neural Network (RNN)-based approaches suffer from low processing speeds and cannot detect traffic accidents simultaneously across multiple frames. Furthermore, these networks dismiss background interference in input video frames. This paper proposes a framework that begins by subtracting the background based on You Only Look Once (YOLOv5), which adaptively reduces background interference when detecting objects. Subsequently, the CNN encoder and Transformer decoder are combined into an end-to-end model to extract the spatial and temporal features between different time points, allowing for a parallel analysis between input video frames. The proposed framework was evaluated on the Car Crash Dataset through a series of comparison and ablation experiments. Our framework was benchmarked against three accident-detection models to evaluate its effectiveness, and the proposed framework demonstrated a superior accuracy of approximately 96%. The results of the ablation experiments indicate that when background subtraction was not incorporated into the proposed framework, the values of all evaluation indicators decreased by approximately 3%.
Unit Distributions: A General Framework, Some Special Cases, and the Regression Unit-Dagum Models
Authors: Condino Francesca , Domma Filippo
Published: June 2023

In this work, we propose a general framework for models with support in the unit interval, which is obtained using the technique of random variable transformations. For this class, the general expressions of distribution and density functions are given, together with the principal characteristics, such as quantiles, moments, and hazard and reverse hazard functions. It is possible to verify that different proposals already present in the literature can be seen as particular cases of this general structure by choosing a suitable transformation. Moreover, we focus on the class of unit-Dagum distributions and, by specifying two different kinds of transformations, we propose the type I and type II unit-Dagum distributions. For these two models, we first consider the possibility of expressing the distribution in terms of indicators of interest, and then, through the regression approach, relate the indicators and covariates. Finally, some applications using data on the unit interval are reported.
Tissue Extract from Brittle Star Undergoing Arm Regeneration Promotes Wound Healing in Rat
Authors: Afshar Alireza , Khoradmehr Arezoo , Nowzari Fariborz , Baghban Neda , Zare Masoud , Najafi Maryam , Keshavarzi Seyedeh Zahra , Zendehboudi Fatemeh , Mohebbi Gholamhossein , Barmak Alireza , Mohajer Fatemeh , Basouli Nahid , Keshtkar Mohammadreza , Iraji Aida , Sari Aslani Fatemeh , Irajie Cambyz , Nabipour Iraj , Mahmudpour Mehdi , Tanideh Nader , Tamadon Amin
Published: June 2023

This study set out to evaluate the wound healing properties of brittle star extracts in vitro and in vivo. Due to the great arm regeneration potential of the brittle star, Ophiocoma cynthiae, the present study aimed to evaluate the wound healing effect of hydroalcoholic extracts of brittle star undergoing arm regeneration in wound healing models. The brittle star samples were collected from Nayband Bay, Bushehr, Iran. After wound induction in the arm of brittle stars, hydroalcoholic extracts relating to different times of arm regeneration were prepared. The GC-MS analysis, in vitro MTT cell viability and cell migration, Western blot, and computational analysis tests were performed. Based on the in vitro findings, two BSEs were chosen for in vivo testing. Macroscopic, histopathological and biochemical evaluations were performed after treatments. The results showed positive proliferative effects of BSEs. Specifically, forty-two compounds were detected in all groups of BSEs using GC-MS analysis, and their biological activities were assessed. The MTT assay showed that the 14 d BSE had a higher proliferative effect on HFF cells than 7 d BSE. The cell migration assay showed that the wound area in 7 d and 14 d BSEs was significantly lower than in the control group. Western blot analysis demonstrated an increase in the expression of proliferation-related proteins. Upon the computational analysis, a strong affinity of some compounds with proteins was observed. The in vivo analysis showed that the evaluation of wound changes and the percentage of wound healing in cell migration assay in the 7 d BSE group was better than in the other groups. Histopathological scores of the 7 d BSE and 14 d BSE groups were significantly higher than in the other groups. In conclusion, the hydroalcoholic extract of O. cynthiae undergoing arm regeneration after 7 and 14 days promoted the wound healing process in the cell and rat skin wound healing model due to their proliferative and migratory biological activity.
Sex-Related Differences in Short-Term Prognosis in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction-Related Cardiogenic Shock Receiving Impella Support in Japan: From the J-PVAD Registry
Authors: Nakamura Makiko , Imamura Teruhiko , Ueno Hiroshi , Kinugawa Koichiro , Investigators J-PVAD
Published: June 2023

Background and Objectives: Sex-specific outcome in patients with acute myocardial infarction-related cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS) receiving temporary mechanical circulatory support remains controversial. Materials and Methods: Patients with AMI-CS who received Impella support were prospectively enrolled in the Japanese registry for Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device. Patients enrolled between January 2021 and December 2022 were considered to be eligible. Patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and those without revascularization were excluded. The sex disparity in the 30-day survival after the initiation of Impella support was evaluated. Results: A total of 924 patients (median age 73 years; 21% female) were included. Female patients were older and had a smaller physiques than male patients (p < 0.05 for both). Female sex was significantly associated with a higher 30-day mortality after adjustment for four other potential confounders with a hazard ratio of 1.365 (95% confidence interval 1.026–1.816, p = 0.0324). In the female cohort, patients who received Impella prior to revascularization (N = 138) had a greater survival rate compared to those who received Impella after revascularization (68.1% versus 44.8%, p = 0.0015). Conclusions: Among the patients with AMI-CS who received Impella support and underwent revascularization, female sex was independently associated with a lower 30-day survival. For female patients, early initiation of Impella support prior to revascularization may improve their clinical outcomes.
Double Malignancy and Double Transplant—A Bumpy Road to Success
Authors: Razik Michał , Rozwadowska Patrycja , Koclęga Anna , Helbig Grzegorz
Published: June 2023

The occurrence of secondary neoplasms in adult patients treated with chemotherapy in childhood is not uncommon. Prior chemotherapy is found to be an independent risk factor for the development of secondary malignancies, which are usually associated with a worse prognosis. The presented case is a 35-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma in her late adolescence. The tumor was successfully treated with chemotherapy, but 3 years later she was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. The patient received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) from human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matched related donor. The procedure was complicated by grade 2 acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) which resolved after implementation of immunosuppressive treatment. However, a year later, the patient developed extensive chronic GvHD (cGvHD) and required reintroduction of immunosuppressants. Prolonged immunosuppressive treatment with tacrolimus led to irreversible kidney failure. After a 2-year period of regular peritoneal dialysis, she was found to be eligible for a kidney transplant from a deceased donor. Now, 15 years after stem cell transplantation and 8 years after kidney transplantation, the patient remains in good condition overall, presenting with symptoms of limited cGvHD. The case described here presents a unique clinical scenario of a female patient who was successfully treated for her double malignancy. Moreover, she underwent effective double transplantations and was eventually found to be cured despite accompanying complications.
Advances in Plastic Deformation Technologies
Authors: Travieso-Rodríguez J. Antonio , Bobrovskij Igor
Published: June 2023

Material enhancement plays an important role in everyday life due to its impacts on the quality of goods, which we, consumers, buy and use [...]
Integrating (Nutri-)Metabolomics into the One Health Tendency—The Key for Personalized Medicine Advancement
Authors: Hotea Ionela , Sirbu Catalin , Plotuna Ana-Maria , Tîrziu Emil , Badea Corina , Berbecea Adina , Dragomirescu Monica , Radulov Isidora
Published: June 2023

Metabolomics is an advanced technology, still under development, with multiple research applications, especially in the field of health. Individual metabolic profiles, the functionality of the body, as well as its interaction with the environment, can be established using this technology. The body’s response to various external factors, including the food consumed and the nutrients it contains, has increased researchers’ interest in nutrimetabolomics. Establishing correlations between diet and the occurrence of various diseases, or even the development of personalized nutrition plans, could contribute to advances in precision medicine. The interdependence between humans, animals, and the environment is of particular importance today, with the dramatic emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases, food, water and soil contamination, and the degradation of resources and habitats. All these events have led to an increase in risk factors for functional diseases, burdening global health. Thus, this study aimed to highlight the importance of metabolomics, and, in particular, nutrimetabolomics, as a technical solution for a holistic, collaborative, and precise approach for the advancement of the One Health strategy.
Mass Spectrometry Analysis Reveals Lipids Induced by Oxidative Stress in Candida albicans Extracellular Vesicles
Authors: Trentin Gabriel , Bitencourt Tamires A. , Guedes Arthur , Pessoni André M. , Brauer Veronica S. , Pereira Alana Kelyene , Costa Jonas Henrique , Fill Taicia Pacheco , Almeida Fausto
Published: June 2023

Candida albicans is a commensal fungus in healthy humans that causes infection in immunocompromised individuals through the secretion of several virulence factors. The successful establishment of infection is owing to elaborate strategies to cope with defensive molecules secreted by the host, including responses toward oxidative stress. Extracellular vesicle (EV) release is considered an alternative to the biomolecule secretory mechanism that favors fungal interactions with the host cells. During candidiasis establishment, the host environment becomes oxidative, and it impacts EV release and cargo. To simulate the host oxidative environment, we added menadione (an oxidative stress inducer) to the culture medium, and we explored C. albicans EV metabolites by metabolomics analysis. This study characterized lipidic molecules transported to an extracellular milieu by C. albicans after menadione exposure. Through Liquid Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) analyses, we identified biomolecules transported by EVs and supernatant. The identified molecules are related to several biological processes, such as glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid pathways, which may act at different levels by tuning compound production in accordance with cell requirements that favor a myriad of adaptive responses. Taken together, our results provide new insights into the role of EVs in fungal biology and host–pathogen interactions.
‘Follow the Water’: Microbial Water Acquisition in Desert Soils
Authors: Cowan Don A , Cary S. Craig , DiRuggiero Jocelyne , Eckardt Frank , Ferrari Belinda , Hopkins David W. , Lebre Pedro H. , Maggs-Kölling Gillian , Pointing Stephen B. , Ramond Jean-Baptiste , Tribbia Dana , Warren-Rhodes Kimberley
Published: June 2023

Water availability is the dominant driver of microbial community structure and function in desert soils. However, these habitats typically only receive very infrequent large-scale water inputs (e.g., from precipitation and/or run-off). In light of recent studies, the paradigm that desert soil microorganisms are largely dormant under xeric conditions is questionable. Gene expression profiling of microbial communities in desert soils suggests that many microbial taxa retain some metabolic functionality, even under severely xeric conditions. It, therefore, follows that other, less obvious sources of water may sustain the microbial cellular and community functionality in desert soil niches. Such sources include a range of precipitation and condensation processes, including rainfall, snow, dew, fog, and nocturnal distillation, all of which may vary quantitatively depending on the location and geomorphological characteristics of the desert ecosystem. Other more obscure sources of bioavailable water may include groundwater-derived water vapour, hydrated minerals, and metabolic hydro-genesis. Here, we explore the possible sources of bioavailable water in the context of microbial survival and function in xeric desert soils. With global climate change projected to have profound effects on both hot and cold deserts, we also explore the potential impacts of climate-induced changes in water availability on soil microbiomes in these extreme environments.
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii—A Reference Microorganism for Eukaryotic Molybdenum Metabolism
Authors: Tejada-Jimenez Manuel , Leon-Miranda Esperanza , Llamas Angel
Published: June 2023

Molybdenum (Mo) is vital for the activity of a small but essential group of enzymes called molybdoenzymes. So far, specifically five molybdoenzymes have been discovered in eukaryotes: nitrate reductase, sulfite oxidase, xanthine dehydrogenase, aldehyde oxidase, and mARC. In order to become biologically active, Mo must be chelated to a pterin, forming the so-called Mo cofactor (Moco). Deficiency or mutation in any of the genes involved in Moco biosynthesis results in the simultaneous loss of activity of all molybdoenzymes, fully or partially preventing the normal development of the affected organism. To prevent this, the different mechanisms involved in Mo homeostasis must be finely regulated. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a unicellular, photosynthetic, eukaryotic microalga that has produced fundamental advances in key steps of Mo homeostasis over the last 30 years, which have been extrapolated to higher organisms, both plants and animals. These advances include the identification of the first two molybdate transporters in eukaryotes (MOT1 and MOT2), the characterization of key genes in Moco biosynthesis, the identification of the first enzyme that protects and transfers Moco (MCP1), the first characterization of mARC in plants, and the discovery of the crucial role of the nitrate reductase–mARC complex in plant nitric oxide production. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the progress achieved in using C. reinhardtii as a model organism in Mo homeostasis and to propose how this microalga can continue improving with the advancements in this field in the future.
Seroepidemiological and Molecular Survey for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Infection among Children in Iran, September 2020 to June 2021: 1-Year Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Mansour Ghanaie Roxana , Boone Idesbald , Shamshiri Ahmad Reza , Karimi Abdollah , Amirali Arezu , Marhamati Noushin , Rostami Mohammad Hossein , Pashaei Niloofar , Janbazi Shahriar , Azimi Leila , Khodaei Hannan , Fallah Fatemeh , Eckmanns Tim , Jansen Andreas , Baradaran Hamid Reza , Momeny Ourimi Maryam , Maham Saeed , Elikaei Ameneh , Alebouyeh Masoud
Published: June 2023

A population-based seroepidemiological and molecular survey on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was performed to detect induced antibodies to prior exposure and active infection of children aged 14 years or less in Tehran between 19 September 2020 and 21 June 2021. Moreover, correlations between the children’s demographic data and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms with the infection status were investigated. Out of 1517 participants, cardinal symptoms of COVID-19 (fever > 38 °C and/or cough and/or diarrhea) were detected in 18%, and serological history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positivity were confirmed in 33.2% and 10.7% of the weighted population, respectively. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was significantly higher among 10–14-year-old children. Active infection was significantly higher in symptomatic children and during autumn 2020 and spring 2021. The quantitative reverse transcription real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) positivity was significantly higher among families with a lower socioeconomic status, whereas no association between RT-qPCR or seropositivity was determined with household size, underlying diseases, or gender. In conclusion, high SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence and seroprevalence were detected in children in Tehran in different seasons. Infection prevalence was significantly higher in older children and in those with a positive history of close contact with infected cases and/or lower socioeconomic status.
Efficient Dual-Function Catalyst: Palladium–Copper Nanoparticles Immobilized on Co-Cr LDH for Seamless Aerobic Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol and Nitrobenzene Reduction
Authors: Alzarea Linah A. , Alhumaimess Mosaed S. , Alsohaimi Ibrahim Hotan , Hassan Hassan M. A. , El-Aassar M. R. , Essawy Amr A. , Kalil Haitham
Published: June 2023

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) present exciting possibilities across various industries, ranging from catalytic applications to water remediation. By immobilizing nanoparticles, LDHs’ characteristics and functionality can be enhanced, allowing for synergetic interactions that further expand their potential uses. A simple chemical method was developed to produce well-dispersed Pd-Cu NPs on a Co-Cr LDH support using a combination of in situ coprecipitation/hydrothermal and sol-immobilization techniques. The Pd-Cu@Co-Cr LDH catalysts was obtained, showing its catalytic activity in promoting the aerobic oxidation of alcohols and enabling the reduction of nitro-compounds through NaBH4 mediation. The physicochemical properties of the prepared catalyst were comprehensively investigated utilizing a range of analytical techniques, comprising FTIR, XRD, XPS, TGA, nitrogen adsorption isotherm, FESEM, and HRTEM-EDX. The findings showed the significance of immobilizing the bimetallic Pd-Cu nanoparticles on the Co-Cr LDH via an exceptional performance in the aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol (16% conversion, 99.9% selectivity to benzaldehyde) and the reduction of nitrobenzene (98.2% conversion, rate constant of 0.0921 min−1). The improved catalytic efficacy in benzyl alcohol oxidation and nitrobenzene reduction on the Pd-Cu@Co-Cr LDH catalyst is attributed to the uniform distribution and small size of the Pd-Cu NPs as active sites on the Co-Cr LDH surface. The prepared catalyst demonstrated exceptional stability during repeated runs. This study paves the way for multiple opportunities in tailoring, producing, and precisely controlling catalysts for various organic transformation reactions.
A Proposed Strategy against Obesity: How Government Policy Can Counter the Obesogenic Environment
Authors: Temple Norman J.
Published: June 2023

An epidemic of obesity emerged in the USA in 1976–1980. The epidemic then spread to many other Westernized nations. Many interventions have been carried out with the goal of lowering the prevalence of obesity. These have mostly taken the form of various types of health promotion (i.e., providing people with education, advice, and encouragement). These actions have achieved, at most, only limited success. A strategy with a better chance of success starts with the recognition that the fundamental cause of obesity is that we live in an obesogenic environment. It is therefore necessary to change the environment so that it fosters a generally healthy lifestyle, thereby leading to enhanced health for the population, including improved weight control. A major goal is to increase the intake of healthy foods (especially fruit, vegetables, and whole grains), while decreasing intake of unhealthy foods (especially ultra-processed foods such as sugar). This will require major changes of many government policies. Some of the required policies are as follows. Schools should implement policies that create a healthy environment for children. For example, they should adopt a policy that only foods of high nutritional quality are sold in vending machines or given to students within school meals. Policies need to go well beyond the school setting; a broad strategy is needed that creates a healthy environment for children. Another important policy is the manipulation of food prices in order to shift the diet toward healthy foods. This requires using subsidies to lower the price of healthy foods, while adding a tax to less healthy foods to increase the price. This policy has been implemented in many cities and countries in the form of a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). The advertising of unhealthy foods (including fast-food restaurants) should be banned, especially where children and adolescents are the major target. Such a ban could be extended to a complete ban on all advertising for unhealthy foods, including that directed at adults. The proposed policy measures are likely to be strongly opposed by food corporations.
Putrescine Detected in Strains of Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Seravalli Javier , Portugal Frank
Published: June 2023

Most forms of life, including the archaea, bacteria, and eukaryotes synthesize the polyamine putrescine. Although putrescine is widely distributed, several Gram-positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), appear to be the exceptions. We report here that strains of S. aureus can produce the polyamine putrescine, as well as the derivative N-acetyl-putrescine. Three strains of S. aureus from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), one strain listed in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database, whose genomic sequence is well defined, and well as eight strains from S. aureus-induced brain abscesses of individual patients from multiple geographic locations were evaluated. Each strain was grown in complete chemically defined medium (CDM) under stringent conditions, after which the partially purified conditioned medium (CM) was analyzed by mass spectroscopy (MS), and the data were reported as the ratio of experimental results to controls. We confirmed the synthesis of putrescine by S. aureus by using 13C/15N-labeled arginine as a tracer. We found that agmatine, N-acetyl-putrescine, ornithine, citrulline, proline, and NH3 were all labeled with heavy isotope derived from 13C/15N-labeled arginine. None of the strains examined produced spermine or spermidine, but strains from either ATCC or human brain abscesses produced putrescine and/or its derivative N-acetyl-putrescine.
Cryogels: Advancing Biomaterials for Transformative Biomedical Applications
Authors: Omidian Hossein , Dey Chowdhury Sumana , Babanejad Niloofar
Published: June 2023

Cryogels, composed of synthetic and natural materials, have emerged as versatile biomaterials with applications in tissue engineering, controlled drug delivery, regenerative medicine, and therapeutics. However, optimizing cryogel properties, such as mechanical strength and release profiles, remains challenging. To advance the field, researchers are exploring advanced manufacturing techniques, biomimetic design, and addressing long-term stability. Combination therapies and drug delivery systems using cryogels show promise. In vivo evaluation and clinical trials are crucial for safety and efficacy. Overcoming practical challenges, including scalability, structural integrity, mass transfer constraints, biocompatibility, seamless integration, and cost-effectiveness, is essential. By addressing these challenges, cryogels can transform biomedical applications with innovative biomaterials.
Motion Artifact Suppression Method for the Clinical Application of Otoscopic Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Ksenofontov Sergey Y. , Shilyagin Pavel A. , Gelikonov Valentin M. , Gelikonov Grigory V.
Published: June 2023

A compact OCT device and a method for image reconstruction are described. The proposed algorithm contains a novel procedure for motion artifact suppression based on a correction of the phase of the original interferometric signal due to the mutual correlation of adjacent A-scans. This procedure corrects distortions caused by unwanted displacements of the probe relative to the object in real time at a speed of up to 3 mm/s and an image acquisition rate of 20 B-scans per second. All processing is performed in real time using only the CPU, allowing the device to be controlled from a consumer-grade laptop or compact PC without the need for a discrete GPU. Due to its compact size, the device can be used in the conditions of an ENT examination room or operating room and can be freely moved to another room without the help of additional personnel, if necessary.
Experimental Generation of Structured Light Beams through Highly Anisotropic Scattering Media with an Intensity Transmission Matrix Measurement
Authors: Lei Qiannan , Gong Haokai , Tu Shijie , Cai Yangjian , Zhao Qian
Published: June 2023

Structured light beams have played important roles in the fields of optical imaging and optical manipulation. However, light fields scatter when they encounter highly anisotropic scattering media, such as biological tissue, which destroys their original structured fields and turns them into speckle fields. To reconstruct structured light beams through highly anisotropic scattering media, we present a method based on intensity transmission matrix which only relates the input and output light intensity distributions. Compared with the conventional method which relies on the measurement of complex-valued transmission matrix, our scheme is easy to implement, fast and stable. With the assistance of spatial filters, three kinds of structured light beams, Bessel-like beams, vortex beams and cylindrical vector beams, were constructed experimentally through a ZnO scattering layer. The present method is expected to promote optical applications through highly anisotropic scattering media.
Photosynthesis, Water Status and K+/Na+ Homeostasis of Buchoe dactyloides Responding to Salinity
Authors: Guo Huan , Cui Yannong , Li Zhen , Nie Chunya , Xu Yuefei , Hu Tianming
Published: June 2023

Soil salinization is one of the most serious abiotic stresses restricting plant growth. Buffalograss is a C4 perennial turfgrass and forage with an excellent resistance to harsh environments. To clarify the adaptative mechanisms of buffalograss in response to salinity, we investigated the effects of NaCl treatments on photosynthesis, water status and K+/Na+ homeostasis of this species, then analyzed the expression of key genes involved in these processes using the qRT-PCR method. The results showed that NaCl treatments up to 200 mM had no obvious effects on plant growth, photosynthesis and leaf hydrate status, and even substantially stimulated root activity. Furthermore, buffalograss could retain a large amount of Na+ in roots to restrict Na+ overaccumulation in shoots, and increase leaf K+ concentration to maintain a high K+/Na+ ratio under NaCl stresses. After 50 and 200 mM NaCl treatments, the expressions of several genes related to chlorophyll synthesis, photosynthetic electron transport and CO2 assimilation, as well as aquaporin genes (BdPIPs and BdTIPs) were upregulated. Notably, under NaCl treatments, the increased expression of BdSOS1, BdHKT1 and BdNHX1 in roots might have helped Na+ exclusion by root tips, retrieval from xylem sap and accumulation in root cells, respectively; the upregulation of BdHAK5 and BdSKOR in roots likely enhanced K+ uptake and long-distance transport from roots to shoots, respectively. This work finds that buffalograss possesses a strong ability to sustain high photosynthetic capacity, water balance and leaf K+/Na+ homeostasis under salt stress, and lays a foundation for elucidating the molecular mechanism underlying the salt tolerance of buffalograss.
Removal of Organic Contaminants in Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) Process Water Using Adsorption on Activated Carbon Fibers (ACFs)
Authors: Yousef Roghayeh , Qiblawey Hazim , El-Naas Muftah H.
Published: June 2023

Gas-To-Liquid (GTL) processing involves the conversion of natural gas to liquid hydrocarbons that are widely used in the chemical industry. In this process, the Fischer–Tropsch (F-T) approach is utilized and, as a result, wastewater is produced as a by-product. This wastewater commonly contains alcohols and acids as contaminants. Prior to discharge, the treatment of this wastewater is essential, and biological treatment is the common approach. However, this approach is not cost effective and poses various waste-related issues. Due to this, there is a need for a cost-effective treatment method. This study evaluated the adsorption performance of activated carbon fibers (ACFs) for the treatment of GTL wastewater. The ACF in this study exhibited a surface area of 1232.2 m2/g, which provided a significant area for the adsorption to take place. Response surface methodology (RSM) under central composite design was used to assess the effect of GTL wastewater’s pH, initial concentration and dosage on the ACF adsorption performance and optimize its uptake capacity. It was observed that ACF was vitally affected by the three studied factors (pH, initial concentration and dosage), where optimum conditions were found to be at a pH of 3, 1673 mg/L initial concentration and 0.03 g of dosage, with an optimum uptake of 250 mg/L. Kinetics and isotherm models were utilized to fit the adsorption data. From this analysis, it was found that adsorption was best described using the pseudo-second order and Freundlich models, respectively. The resilience of ACF was shown in this study through conducting a regeneration analysis, as the results showed high regeneration efficiency (~86%) under acidic conditions. The results obtained from this study show the potential of using ACF under acidic conditions for the treatment of industrial GTL wastewater.
Research on Oxy-Fuel Combustion Characteristics of Two Typical Chinese Coals
Authors: Wang Minghao , Pang Zhenzhou , Wei Guohua , Wang Jingjie , Wang Guangmeng , Jia Geng , Zhang Lingbu , Guan Jingyu
Published: June 2023

Oxy–fuel (O2/CO2) combustion technology shows great potential for carbon reduction. However, difference in the combustion atmosphere would affect coal combustion characteristics and pollutant emissions. In order to explore oxy–fuel combustion characteristics, two typical Chinese coals, sub–bituminous and lean coal, were utilized. Based on thermogravimetry and pilot–scale test, the ignition and burnout characteristics under oxy–fuel and air combustion atmosphere were investigated. Besides, the NOx emission characteristics were also investigated on the pilot–scale test. Through experimental results, these two kinds of coal showed different combustion characteristics, mainly due to differences in coal quality. Compared with air combustion, oxy–fuel combustion affected the coal combustion process. Firstly, the ignition temperature of sub–bituminous and lean coal decreased from 418 and 477 °C to 405 and 415 °C, respectively; the burnout temperature also decreased from 855 and 985 °C to 808 and 838 °C, respectively. Then, coal combustion performance was evaluated by comprehensive combustion characteristics (S); with an increase in S from, respectively, 3.659 and 2.013 to 4.826 and 3.545 × 10−8(min−2 × K−3), the combustion performance significantly improved. Then, the char burnout time was advanced for 1~3 min. Similar results were obtained on the pilot–scale test. The ignition temperatures decreased from 505 and 552 to 490 and 512 °C, respectively. Moreover, the char burnout rate increased by 0.5~5% and 2~11%, respectively. Lastly, the NOx concentration in flue gas was 2.2~2.6 and 2.0~2.3 times higher for the two kinds of coal under oxy–fuel combustion.
Effect of Powder Formulation and Energy Density on the Nitrogen Content, Microstructure, and Mechanical Properties of SLMed High-Nitrogen Steel
Authors: Sun Xin , Ren Jianbiao , Wang Shuhuan , Zhao Dingguo
Published: June 2023

The effects of powder formulation, including elemental mixed powder (EMP) and alloy mixed powder (AMP), and energy density on the nitrogen content and microstructural characteristics of high-nitrogen steel prepared by selective laser melting were investigated. The results reveal that the samples prepared with EMP had more nonfusion flaws and a relatively low density, with a maximum of only 92.36%, while samples prepared with AMP had fewer defects and a relative density of up to 97.21%. The nitrogen content and microstructural characteristics were significantly influenced by the laser energy density. The relative density of the EMP samples increased from 88.29% to 92.36% as the laser energy density increased from 83.3 J/mm3 to 125 J/mm3, while the relative density of the AMP samples rose from 93.31% to 97.21%, and the number of defects and the nitrogen content decreased. The mechanical properties of the AMP samples were superior to those of the EMP samples when the energy density rose, and the strength of the high-nitrogen steel first rose and then fell. The AMP samples showed the best mechanical properties when the energy density was 104.2 J/mm3, which corresponds to a laser power of 250 W, a scanning speed of 1000 mm/s, and a layer thickness of 30 μm. The corresponding values of yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and elongation were 958.8 MPa, 1189.2 MPa, and 30.66%, respectively.
Leaching Kinetics of Y and Eu from Waste Phosphors under Microwave Irradiation
Authors: Yang Delong , Yu Mingming , Zhao Yunqi , Cheng Mingyu , Mei Guangjun
Published: June 2023

Waste fluorescent powder contains a large amount of rare earth elements, which have a high value for recovery and utilization. In order to achieve the rapid and efficient leaching of rare earth elements in these waste phosphors, microwave-assisted leaching of rare earth elements Y and Eu from the waste phosphor with hydrochloric acid was studied. The maximum leaching rates of Y (99.84%) and Eu (89.82%) were obtained at 600 W microwave power, 60 min microwave radiation time at 60 °C. The leaching kinetics showed that the microwave leaching process of Y and Eu conforms to the chemical reaction control model, and the apparent activation energy is 25.30 kJ/mol and 24.78 kJ/mol. Compared with the conventional heating method, the microwave leaching process can obviously reduce the reaction activation energy, shorten the reaction time, and achieve the rapid and efficient leaching of rare earth elements in the waste phosphors.
Food Production Scheduling: A Thorough Comparative Study between Optimization and Rule-Based Approaches
Authors: Samouilidou Maria E. , Georgiadis Georgios P. , Georgiadis Michael C.
Published: June 2023

This work addresses the lot-sizing and production scheduling problem of multi-stage multi-product food industrial facilities. More specifically, the production scheduling problem of the semi-continuous yogurt production process, for two large-scale Greek dairy industries, is considered. Production scheduling decisions are made using two approaches: (i) an optimization approach and (ii) a rule-based approach, which are followed by a comparative study. An MILP model is applied for the optimization of short-term production scheduling of the two industries. Then, the same problems are solved using the commercial scheduling tool ScheduleProTM, which derives scheduling decisions using simulation-based techniques and empirical rules. It is concluded that both methods, despite having their advantages and disadvantages, are suitable for addressing complex food industrial scheduling problems. The optimization-based approach leads to better results in terms of operating cost reduction. On the other hand, the complexity of the problem and the experience of production engineers and plant operators can significantly impact the quality of the obtained solutions for the rule-based approach.
Propagation Law of Hydraulic Fracture across the Coal–Rock Interface under the Co-Effect of Natural Fractures and Tectonic Stress
Authors: Zhu Dijie , Li Wenda , Niu Dong , Xiao Hecheng , Song Xiaoxia
Published: June 2023

Indirect fracturing from roof rock to coal using a horizontal well is a new and promising technology for coalbed methane surface exploitation in soft and low-permeability coal seams. In order to study the propagation law of hydraulic fractures across the coal–rock interface, a pore pressure cohesive element is used to establish a numerical model for indirect fracturing. Combined with practical engineering in a 3# coal seam in the Xinjing mine in China, the propagation behavior of hydraulic fractures across the coal–rock interface was researched, and the range of the horizontal well position for indirect fracturing was determined. The results show that: (1) the pore pressure cohesive element can be used to accurately simulate the interaction between hydraulic fractures and natural fractures, and the propagation of hydraulic fractures across the coal–rock interface. (2) As the vertical distance between the horizontal well and coal–rock interface decreases, the breakdown pressure of perforation decreases, while the injection pressure increases when the hydraulic fracture crosses the coal–rock interface. (3) For the indirect fracturing engineering in a 3# coal seam in the Xinjing mine, the vertical distance between the horizontal well and coal–rock interface should not be larger than 2.0 m to make the hydraulic fracture propagate into the coal seams.
Biodiesel Production from Waste Cooking Oil: A Perspective on Catalytic Processes
Authors: Cerón Ferrusca Montserrat , Romero Rubi , Martínez Sandra Luz , Ramírez-Serrano Armando , Natividad Reyna
Published: June 2023

Presently, the use of fossil fuels is not ecologically sustainable, which results in the need for new alternative energies such as biodiesel. This work presents a review of the classification of the lipidic feedstocks and the catalysts for biodiesel production. It also presents the pros and cons of the different processes and feedstocks through which biodiesel is obtained. In this context, cooking oil (WCO) has emerged as an alternative with a high potential for making the process sustainable. A detected limitation to achieving this is the high content of free fatty acids (FFA) and existing problems related to homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. To overcome this, the use of bifunctional catalysts is being evaluated by the scientific community. Thus, this work also explores the advances in the study of bifunctional catalysts, which are capable of simultaneously carrying out the esterification of free fatty acids (FFA) and the triglycerides present in the WCO. For the sake of an improved understanding of biodiesel production, flow diagrams and the mechanisms implied by each type of process (enzymatic, homogenous, and heterogeneous) are provided. This article also highlights some of the challenges in catalyst development for sustainable biodiesel production from low-grade raw materials.
Charting the Spiritual Experience in Jazz
Authors: Reynolds Nick
Published: June 2023

This article examines the spiritual dimension of jazz performance by looking at first-person accounts of improvising musicians and locating their experiential descriptions within a spiritual framework. The spiritual context is here defined as the realm of invisible processes that support and underpin the visible and auditory dimensions of improvised music. By collating evidence through first-person accounts, a series of themes emerge (wonderment, force, inspiration, letting go, happening, connection, being yourself, meaning and staying in the present), which, when seen as parts of a holistic process, can provide important components that are often missed in jazz education and jazz performance.