bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Mathematical Model for Dynamic Electric Vehicles: Analysis and Optimization
Authors: Khan Khalid , Samuilik Inna , Ali Amir
Published: January 2024

In this article, we introduce a flexible and reliable technique to simulate and optimize the characteristics of a Dynamic Electrical Vehicle (DEV). The DEV model is a discrete event-based modeling technique used in electrical vehicle research to improve the effectiveness and performance of various electrical vehicles (EVs) components. Here, the DEVS model is applied to EV research in several ways, including battery management optimization, evaluation of power train design and control strategy, and driver behavior analysis. The essential power train elements, including the battery, motor, generator, internal combustion engine, and power electronics are included in the mathematical model for the dynamic electric vehicle. The model is derived using the conservation of energy principle. The model includes mathematical equations for the electrical power output, battery charge level, motor torque, motor power output, generator power output, internal combustion engine torque, mechanical power delivered to the generator, and the efficiencies of the power electronics, motor, generator, and engine. The model is examined by using a numerical method called the Runge–Kutta Method of order 4 for dynamic electric vehicle’s performance under various driving states for maximum effectiveness and performance. It is revealed that the DEV model provides a systematic method to simulate and optimize the behavior of complex EV systems.
Theoretical Analysis of the Influence of Spacers on Salt Ion Transport in Electromembrane Systems Considering the Main Coupled Effects
Authors: Kovalenko Anna , Urtenov Makhamet , Chekanov Vladimir , Kandaurova Natalya
Published: January 2024

This article considers a theoretical analysis of the influence of the main coupled effects and spacers on the transfer of salt ions in electromembrane systems (EMS) using a 2D mathematical model of the transfer process in a desalting channel with spacers based on boundary value problems for the coupled system of Nernst–Planck–Poisson and Navier–Stokes equations. The basic patterns of salt ion transport have been established, taking into account diffusion, electromigration, forced convection, electroconvection, dissociation/recombination reactions of water molecules, as well as spacers located inside the desalting channel. It has been shown that spacers and taking into account the dissociation/recombination reaction of water molecules significantly change both the formation and development of electroconvection. This article confirms the fact of the exaltation of the limiting current studied by Harkatz, where it is shown that the current (flux) of salt ions increases when the dissociation reaction begins by a certain value called the exaltation current, which is proportional to the flow of water dissociation products. A significant combined effect of electroconvection and dissociation/recombination reactions as well as the spacer system in the desalting channel on the transport of salt ions are shown. The complex, nonlinear, and non-stationary interaction of all the main effects of concentration polarization and spacers in the desalting channel are also considered in the work.
Design of Near α-Ti Alloys with Optimized Mechanical and Corrosion Properties and Their Characterizations
Authors: Ma Xi-Long , Matsugi Kazuhiro , Liu Ye
Published: January 2024

The designed alloy Ti-10.56%Al-2.08%Zr-0.80%Sn-0.88%Mo-0.51%Si (mol%), modified alloy Ti-10.81%Al-4.80%Zr-1.23%Sn-0.76%Cu-0.35%Si (mol%) and reference alloy Ti-10.52%Al-2.07%Zr-1.1%Sn-0.2%Mo-0.76%Si (mol%) with the same bond order (Bot) value of 3.49 and different d-orbital energy level (Mdt) values of 2.43, 2.42 and 2.42 were proposed and their mechanical and corrosion properties were compared in the present study. The ultimate tensile strength (σUTS) and fracture strain (ɛf) values of the three near α-Ti alloys at both as-cast and solution-treated conditions were 989 and 1118 MPa and 11.6% and 3.4% for the designed alloy, 993 and 1354 MPa with 13.5% and 2.3% for the modified alloy and 991 and 1238 MPa with 12.7% and 3.1% for the reference alloy, respectively. The thickness of corrosion layers of the solution-treated designed, modified and reference near α-Ti alloys after immersion in hot salts for 28.8 ks were measured at 3.06, 3.68 and 4.89 µm. The comparable mechanical properties and improved hot salt corrosion resistance ability of designed and modified alloys compared to those of the reference alloy were obtained by considering their Bot and Mdt values; this might lead to the development of alternative near α-Ti alloys to conventional materials.
Recurrent Neural Networks and Three-Point Bending Test on the Identification of Material Hardening Parameters
Authors: Cruz Daniel J. , Barbosa Manuel R. , Santos Abel D. , Amaral Rui L. , de Sa Jose Cesar , Fernandes Jose V.
Published: January 2024

The continuous evolution of metallic alloys in the automotive industry has led to the development of more advanced and flexible constitutive models that attempt to accurately describe the various fundamental properties and behavior of these materials. These models have become increasingly complex, incorporating a larger number of parameters that require an accurate calibration procedure to fit the constitutive parameters with experimental data. In this context, machine learning (ML) methodologies have the potential to advance material constitutive modeling, enhancing the efficiency of the material parameter calibration procedure. Recurrent neural networks (RNNs) stand out among various learning algorithms due to their ability to process sequential data and overcome limitations imposed by nonlinearities and multiple parameters involved in phenomenological models. This study explores the modeling capabilities of long short-term memory (LSTM) structures, a type of RNN, in predicting the hardening behavior of a sheet metal material using the results of a standardized experimental three-point bending test, with the aim of extending this methodology to other experimental tests and constitutive models. Additionally, a variable analysis is performed to select the most important variables for this experimental test and assess the influence of friction, material thickness, and elastic and plastic properties on the accuracy of predictions made by neural networks. The required data for designing and training the network solutions are collected from numerical simulations using finite element methodology (FEM), which are subsequently validated by experiments. The results demonstrate that the proposed LSTM-based approach outperforms traditional identification techniques in predicting the material hardening parameters. This suggests that the developed procedure can be effectively applied to efficiently characterize different materials, especially those extensively used in industrial applications, ranging from mild steels to advanced high-strength steels.
Biogas Dynamics and Microbial Composition Employing Different Inocula and Substrates in Continuous Stirred-Tank Reactors
Authors: Shah Fayyaz Ali , Mackie Roderick I. , Mahmood Qaisar
Published: January 2024

The current investigation delved into the utilization of cattle and municipal sanitary inocula for anaerobic digestion of poultry wastes, addressing a crucial and pragmatic challenge in waste management. The emphasis on poultry waste is pertinent due to its well-documented impediments in anaerobic digestion, attributed to heightened levels of ammonia and volatile fatty acids (VFAs). The strategic selection of cattle and municipal sanitary inocula suggests an approach aimed at bolstering the anaerobic digestion process. In this study, we evaluated the use of cattle and municipal sanitary inocula for the anaerobic digestion of various poultry wastes, which is often challenged by high levels of ammonia and volatile fatty acids (VFAs). The substrates tested included belt waste (Poultry A), poultry litter plus feed residues (Poultry B), tray hatchery ©, and stillage. These substrates were processed in two continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTRs), R-1 (with antibiotic monensin) and R-2 (without monensin). Initially, both reactors operated with the same hydraulic retention time (HRT), using a substrate ratio of stillage: belt: tray hatchery (S:B:T) of 70:15:15. On the 41st day, the HRT was adjusted to 20 days, and the substrate ratio was changed to S:A:T 70:40:40. The specific methane yield for R-1 started at 10.768 L g−1 COD, but decreased to 2.65 L g−1 COD by the end of the experiment. For R-2, the specific methane yield varied between 0.45 L g−1 COD and 0.243 L g−1 COD. Microbial composition in the reactors changed over time. In R-1, bacteroides were consistently dominant, while firmicutes were less abundant compared to R-2. Proteobacteria were initially low in abundance, but spirochetes were found in both reactors throughout the experiment. The study concluded that Poultry B substrates, due to their rich nutrient and trace element composition, are suitable for biogas plants. Municipal sanitary inocula also showed promise due to their resilience in high ammonia concentrations. Further research into biofilm interactions is recommended to better understand microbial responses to high ammonia concentrations, which can lead to propionate production in anaerobic digestion (AD).
Campylobacteriosis in Finland: Passive Surveillance in 2004–2021 and a Pilot Case-Control Study with Whole-Genome Sequencing in Summer 2022
Authors: Suominen Kristiina , Häkkänen Tessa , Ranta Jukka , Ollgren Jukka , Kivistö Rauni , Perko-Mäkelä Päivikki , Salmenlinna Saara , Rimhanen-Finne Ruska
Published: January 2024

Campylobacteriosis causes a significant disease burden in humans worldwide and is the most common type of zoonotic gastroenteritis in Finland. To identify infection sources for domestic Campylobacter infections, we analyzed Campylobacter case data from the Finnish Infectious Disease Register (FIDR) in 2004–2021 and outbreak data from the National Food- and Waterborne Outbreak Register (FWO Register) in 2010–2021, and conducted a pilot case-control study (256 cases and 756 controls) with source attribution and patient sample analysis using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in July–August 2022. In the FIDR, 41% of the cases lacked information on travel history. Based on the case-control study, we estimated that of all cases, 39% were of domestic origin. Using WGS, 22 clusters of two or more cases were observed among 185 domestic cases, none of which were reported to the FWO register. Based on this case-control study and source attribution, poultry is an important source of campylobacteriosis in Finland. More extensive sampling and comparison of patient, food, animal, and environmental isolates is needed to estimate the significance of other sources. In Finland, campylobacteriosis is more often of domestic origin than FIDR notifications indicate. To identify the domestic cases, travel information should be included in the FIDR notification, and to improve outbreak detection, all domestic patient isolates should be sequenced.
Effect of Agroindustrial Waste Substrate Fermented with Lactic Acid Bacteria and Yeast on Changes in the Gut Microbiota of Guinea Pigs
Authors: Miranda-Yuquilema José , Taboada Juan , Once Verónica , Coyago Marco , Briñez Wilfrido
Published: January 2024

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of probiotics obtained from an agroindustrial waste substrate fermented with lactic acid bacteria and/or yeasts on the health and changes in the microbiota of the digestive tract of guinea pigs. Eighty male guinea pigs, Kuri breed, 30 days old and 250 g live weight, were randomly selected and divided into four groups of 20 animals each: T0, control; T1, Lactobacillus acidophilus and L. bulgaricus; T2, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Kluyveromyces fragilis; and T3. L. acidophilus, L. bulgariccus, S. cerevisiae and K. fragilis. T1, T2 and T3 contained molasses-vinasse substrate in their base, the dose administered was 1.00 mL/animal orally every 3 days. The indicators evaluated were weight gain, occurrence of diarrhea and mortality, macroscopic lesions in the digestive tract organs and changes in the microbiota of the stomach, caecum, small and large intestine. Treatments T1, T2 and T3 improved weight gain (p < 0.05) and reduced the presence of guinea pigs with diarrhea (p < 0.05) and there was no mortality; animals in the control group presented a greater amount (p < 0.05) of macroscopic lesions in the digestive tract organs; in the T1, T2 and T3 groups there was an improvement in the natural microbiota. It is concluded that the inclusion of a microbial additive in young guinea pigs improves intestinal health and consequently improves weight gain, reduces diarrhea and deaths and normalizes the natural microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract.
Predicting Salmonella MIC and Deciphering Genomic Determinants of Antibiotic Resistance and Susceptibility
Authors: Ayoola Moses B. , Das Athish Ram , Krishnan B. Santhana , Smith David R. , Nanduri Bindu , Ramkumar Mahalingam
Published: January 2024

Salmonella spp., a leading cause of foodborne illness, is a formidable global menace due to escalating antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The evaluation of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for antimicrobials is critical for characterizing AMR. The current whole genome sequencing (WGS)-based approaches for predicting MIC are hindered by both computational and feature identification constraints. We propose an innovative methodology called the “Genome Feature Extractor Pipeline” that integrates traditional machine learning (random forest, RF) with deep learning models (multilayer perceptron (MLP) and DeepLift) for WGS-based MIC prediction. We used a dataset from the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS), comprising 4500 assembled genomes of nontyphoidal Salmonella, each annotated with MIC metadata for 15 antibiotics. Our pipeline involves the batch downloading of annotated genomes, the determination of feature importance using RF, Gini-index-based selection of crucial 10-mers, and their expansion to 20-mers. This is followed by an MLP network, with four hidden layers of 1024 neurons each, to predict MIC values. Using DeepLift, key 20-mers and associated genes influencing MIC are identified. The 10 most significant 20-mers for each antibiotic are listed, showcasing our ability to discern genomic features affecting Salmonella MIC prediction with enhanced precision. The methodology replaces binary indicators with k-mer counts, offering a more nuanced analysis. The combination of RF and MLP addresses the limitations of the existing WGS approach, providing a robust and efficient method for predicting MIC values in Salmonella that could potentially be applied to other pathogens.
Provenance of the Upper Carboniferous Yanghugou Formation in the Western Margin of the Ordos Basin, China: Constraints on Paleogeography and Basin Development
Authors: Zhang Tao , Chen Rong , Wang Feng , Hu Jianling , Zhang Min , Li Qian , Wu Jingyi , Liu Lei
Published: January 2024

The Carboniferous Yanghugou Formation in the western margin of the Ordos Basin exhibits significant potential for oil and gas exploration. However, due to the influence of complex tectonic activities, there are substantial variations in stratigraphic thickness and depositional environments across the formation. The lack of a systematic source–sink comparative study has resulted in an unclear understanding of sediment sources and paleogeographic patterns, impacting the exploration for hydrocarbon accumulations. We conducted a comprehensive study of the source–sink system characteristics and paleogeography in the research area through field outcrop observations and drilling core sampling. By utilizing detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology and geochemistry, paleocurrent directions, lithofacies types, and sedimentary features, we delve into the understanding of the source–sink systems. Four major source–sink regions in the research area were identified: the Alxa, Yinshan, Alxa–Yinshan mixed and Qilian source–sink regions. The Alxa source–sink region formed a transitional delta-barrier-island sedimentary system. The northern part of the Yinshan source–sink region developed a transitional tidal-controlled delta-tidal-flat sedimentary system, while the southern deep-water area developed a shallow marine to semi-deep marine shelf sedimentary systems. The sediments of Alxa–Yinshan mixed source–sink region were deposited in a transitional tidal-controlled delta-tidal-flat barrier-island system. The Qilian source–sink region is characterized by small tidal-controlled delta-barrier-island system. From the analysis of the source–sink systems, it is inferred that the Alxa Block and the North China Craton had already merged before deposition of the late Carboniferous Yanghugou Formation. The delta sand bodies in the Alxa–Yinshan mixed source–sink region have the highest compositional and structural maturity, the best reservoir performance, and the great exploration potential.
Using Pharmacokinetic–Pharmacodynamic Modeling to Study the Main Active Substances of the Anticancer Effect in Mice from Panax ginseng–Ophiopogon japonicus
Authors: Liu Lu , Lyu Jing , Yang Longfei , Gao Yan , Zhao Bonian
Published: January 2024

Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma Rubra (Panax ginseng C.A. Mey, Hongshen, in Chinese) and Ophiopogonis Radix (Ophiopogon japonicus (L.f) Ker-Gawl., Maidong, in Chinese) are traditional Chinese herbal pairs, which were clinically employed to enhance the immune system of cancer patients. This study employed the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK–PD) spectrum-effect association model to investigate the antitumor active substances of P. ginseng and O. japonicus (PG–OJ). The metabolic processes of 20 major bioactive components were analyzed using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) in the lung tissue of tumor-bearing mice treated with PG–OJ. The ELISA method was employed to detect the levels of TGF-β1, TNF-α, and IFN-γ in the lung tissue of mice at various time points, and to analyze their changes after drug administration. The results showed that all components presented a multiple peaks absorption pattern within 0.083 to 24 h post-drug administration. The tumor inhibition rate of tumor and repair rate of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and TGF-β1 all increased, indicating a positive therapeutic effect of PG–OJ on A549 tumor-bearing mice. Finally, a PK–PD model based on the GBDT algorithm was developed for the first time to speculate that Methylophiopogonanone A, Methylophiopogonanone B, Ginsenoside Rb1, and Notoginsenoside R1 are the main active components in PG–OJ for lung cancer treatment.
Solid-State [2+2] Photoreaction of Isostructural Cd(II) Metal Complexes and Solid-State Fluorescence
Authors: Ekka Akansha , Choudhury Aditya , Samanta Madhumita , Deshmukh Ayushi , Halcovitch Nathan R. , Park In-Hyeok , Medishetty Raghavender
Published: January 2024

A green method to synthesize cyclobutane derivatives has been developed over the past three decades in the form of solid-state [2+2] photochemical reactions. These solid-state reactions also play a major role in the structural transformation of hybrid materials. In this regard, crystal engineering has played a major role in designing photoreactive molecular systems. Here, we report three novel binuclear Cd(II) complexes with the molecular formula [Cd2(4spy)4L4], where 4spy = 4-styryl pyridine and L = p-toluate (1); 4-fluorobenzoate (2); and 3-fluorobenzoate (3). Although three different benzoates are used, all three complexes are isostructural, as corroborated through SCXRD experiments. Structural analysis also helped in identifying two potential photoreactions. These are both intra- and intermolecular in nature and are driven by the head-to-head (HH) and head-to-tail (HT) alignment of 4spy linkers within these metal complexes. 1H NMR spectroscopy studies showed evidence of a quantitative head-to-head photoreaction in all these three complexes, and SCXRD analysis of the recrystallization of the photoproducts also provided confirmation. TGA studies of these photoreactive complexes showed an increase in the thermal stability of the complexes due to the solid-state photoreaction. Photoluminescence studies of these complexes have been conducted, showing a blue shift in emission spectra across all three cases after the photoreaction.
Antioxidant and Inhibitory Activities of Filipendula glaberrima Leaf Constituents against HMG-CoA Reductase and Macrophage Foam Cell Formation
Authors: Cho You Bin , Lee Hyunbeom , Jeon Hui-Jeon , Lee Jae Yeol , Kim Hyoung Ja
Published: January 2024

In our search for bioactive components, various chromatographic separations of the organic fractions from Filipendula glaberrima leaves led to the isolation of a new ellagitannin and a triterpenoid, along with 26 known compounds. The structures of the isolates were determined based on their spectroscopic properties and chemical evidence, which were then evaluated for their antioxidant activities, inhibitory activities on 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, and foam cell formation in THP-1 cells to prevent atherosclerosis. Rugosin B methyl ester (1) showed the best HMG-CoA reductase inhibition and significantly reduced ox-low-density lipoprotein-induced THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cell formation at 25 µM. In addition, no cytotoxicity was observed in THP-1 cells at 50 μg/mL of all extracts in the macrophage foam cell formation assay. Therefore, F. glaberrima extract containing 1 is promising in the development of dietary supplements due to its potential behavior as a novel source of nutrients for preventing and treating atherosclerosis.
Utilizing Cymbopogon Proximus Grass Extract for Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanorod Needles in Dye Degradation Studies
Authors: Awad Manal A. , Hendi Awatif A. , Ortashi Khalid M. O. , Alnamlah Reema A. , Alangery Asma , Ali Alshaya Eman , Alshammari Saad G.
Published: January 2024

This study successfully synthesized zinc oxide nanorod needles (ZnO-NRNs) using an environmentally friendly method employing Cymbopogon Proximus extract. The resulting ZnO-NRNs exhibited exceptional physicochemical and structural properties, confirmed through various characterization techniques, including UV-Vis spectrophotometry, dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The analysis revealed a hexagonal wurtzite structure with high crystallinity, a 3.6 eV band gap, and a notably blue-shifted absorption band. ZnO-NRNs showed impressive photocatalytic activity, degrading Rhodamine B dye by 97% under UV and visible sunlight, highlighting their photostability and reusability. This green synthesis process offers cost effectiveness and environmental sustainability for practical applications.
Antibacterial Hydrophilic ZnO Microstructure Film with Underwater Oleophobic and Self-Cleaning Antifouling Properties
Authors: Li Yannan , Xue Yu , Wang Jie , Zhang Dan , Zhao Yan , Liu Jun-Jie
Published: January 2024

Super-hydrophilic and oleophobic functional materials can prevent pollution or adsorption by repelling oil, and have good circulation. However, traditional strategies for preparing these functional materials either use expensive fabrication machines or contain possibly toxic organic polymers, which may prohibit the practical application. The research of multifunctional ZnO microstructures or nanoarrays thin films with super-hydrophilic, antifouling, and antibacterial properties has not been reported yet. Moreover, the exploration of underwater oleophobic and self-cleaning antifouling properties in ZnO micro/nanostructures is still in its infancy. Here, we prepared ZnO microstructured films on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates (F-ZMF) for the development of advanced self-cleaning type super-hydrophilic and oleophobic materials. With the increase of the accelerators, the average size of the F-ZMF microstructures decreased. The F-ZMF shows excellent self-cleaning performance and hydrophilic (water contact angle ≤ 10°) and oleophobic characteristics in the underwater antifouling experiment. Under a dark condition, F-ZMF-4 showed good antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) with inhibition rates of 99.1% and 99.9%, respectively. This study broadens the application scope of ZnO-based material and provides a novel prospect for the development of self-cleaning super-hydrophilic and oleophobic materials.
Nutrition and Growth of Preterm Neonates during Hospitalization: Impact on Childhood Outcomes
Authors: Gounaris Antonios K. , Sokou Rozeta
Published: January 2024

The Special Issue has been completed with the publication of 13 review and research articles [...]
Measures for Identifying Malnutrition in Geriatric Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review
Authors: Nishioka Shinta , Kokura Yoji , Momosaki Ryo , Taketani Yutaka
Published: January 2024

Malnutrition is a common condition in geriatric rehabilitation settings; however, the accuracy and predictive validity of the measures to identify malnutrition have not been established. The current scoping review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute’s evidence synthesis manual and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. Literature published through September 2023 was searched using MEDLINE and CINAHL. The inclusion criteria selected studies reporting malnutrition measures, which include static body weight and weight loss. Identified tools were classified as nutritional screening tools, nutritional assessment tools, or diagnostic criteria. The domains of each tool/criterion and their accuracy and predictive validity were extracted. Fifty-six articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and six nutritional screening tools, three nutritional assessment tools, and three diagnostic criteria for malnutrition were identified. These measures consisted of various phenotypes, e.g., weight loss, causes such as inflammation/disease, and risk factors of malnutrition, e.g., functional impairment. The predictive validity of nutritional screening tools (n = 6) and malnutrition diagnostic criteria (n = 5) were inconsistently reported, whereas those for nutritional assessment tools were scarce (n = 1). These findings highlight the need to distinguish the functional impairment of nutritional origin from that of non-nutritional origin in nutritional assessment procedures, and the need to study the accuracy and the predictive validity of these measures in geriatric rehabilitation patients.
Sustainable Nutrition and Human Health as Part of Sustainable Development
Authors: Gibas-Dorna Magdalena , Żukiewicz-Sobczak Wioletta
Published: January 2024

The concept of sustainable nutrition is focused on an optimal and health-promoting diet that is culturally acceptable, easily accessible, and eco-friendly by reducing environmental costs for present and future generations [...]
Evaluation of the Impact of a Midwife-Led Breastfeeding Group Intervention on Prevention of Postpartum Depression: A Multicentre Randomised Clinical Trial
Authors: Rodríguez-Gallego Isabel , Vila-Candel Rafael , Corrales-Gutierrez Isabel , Gomez-Baya Diego , Leon-Larios Fatima
Published: January 2024

Postpartum depression is a significant health issue affecting both mothers and newborns during the postpartum period. Group support interventions during this period have proven effective in helping women cope with depression and improving breastfeeding rates. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a midwife-led breastfeeding support group intervention on breastfeeding rates, postpartum depression and general self-efficacy. This was a multicentric cluster randomised controlled trial with control and intervention groups and was not blinded. It was conducted in Andalusia (southern Spain) from October 2021 to May 2023. A total of 382 women participated in the study. The results showed a significant difference in exclusive breastfeeding rates at 4 months postpartum between the groups (control 50% vs. intervention 69.9%; p < 0.001). Additionally, there was a lower mean score on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in the intervention group (12.49 ± 3.6 vs. 13.39 ± 4.0; p = 0.044). Similarly, higher scores of general self-efficacy were observed among breastfeeding women at 2 and 4 months postpartum (77.73 ± 14.81; p = 0.002 and 76.46 ± 15.26; p < 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, midwife-led breastfeeding support groups enhanced self-efficacy, prolonged breastfeeding and reduced postpartum depression 4 months after giving birth.
A Study of Cross-Protection between Eimeria maxima Immunovariants
Authors: Jenkins Mark C. , O'Brien Celia N. , Parker Carolyn C. , Tucker Matthew S.
Published: January 2024

For reasons unknown, Eimeria maxima is unique among Eimeria species infecting chickens in the immunovariability it displays among isolates from different geographical areas. Eimeria maxima oocysts (named EmaxAPU3) were isolated late in grow-out (6 weeks) from litter in a commercial broiler operation that was using Eimeria vaccination as the coccidiosis control program. Cross-protection studies (n = 4) were conducted in immunologically naïve chickens between EmaxAPU3 and two E. maxima lab strains (EmaxAPU1, EmaxAPU2) by immunizing with one E. maxima strain and challenging with either the homologous or heterologous E. maxima. As measured by oocyst output, immunization with EmaxAPU1 protected against homologous challenge (EmaxAPU1) and against heterologous challenge with EmaxAPU3, but not against EmaxAPU2. Similarly, immunization with EmaxAPU3 protected against homologous challenge (EmaxAPU3) and against heterologous challenge with EmaxAPU1, but not against EmaxAPU2. Immunization of chickens with EmaxAPU2 elicited a protective response against homologous challenge (EmaxAPU2), but not against EmaxAPU1 nor EmaxAPU3. The most plausible explanation for the appearance of this immunovariant late in grow-out is that E. maxima APU3 escaped immunity directed to E. maxima antigenic types in the commercial vaccine.
Gemcitabine-Vitamin E Prodrug-Loaded Micelles for Pancreatic Cancer Therapy
Authors: Pereira-Silva Miguel , Miranda-Pastoriza Darío , Diaz-Gomez Luis , Sotelo Eddy , Paiva-Santos Ana Cláudia , Veiga Francisco , Concheiro Angel , Alvarez-Lorenzo Carmen
Published: January 2024

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is an aggressive cancer subtype presenting unmet clinical challenges. Conventional chemotherapy, which includes antimetabolite gemcitabine (GEM), is seriously undermined by a short half-life, its lack of targeting ability, and systemic toxicity. GEM incorporation in self-assembled nanosystems is still underexplored due to GEM’s hydrophilicity which hinders efficient encapsulation. We hypothesized that vitamin E succinate–GEM prodrug (VES-GEM conjugate) combines hydrophobicity and multifunctionalities that can facilitate the development of Pluronic® F68 and Pluronic® F127 micelle-based nanocarriers, improving the therapeutic potential of GEM. Pluronic® F68/VES-GEM and Pluronic® F127/VES-GEM micelles covering a wide range of molar ratios were prepared by solvent evaporation applying different purification methods, and characterized regarding size, charge, polydispersity index, morphology, and encapsulation. Moreover, the effect of sonication and ultrasonication and the influence of a co-surfactant were explored together with drug release, stability, blood compatibility, efficacy against tumour cells, and cell uptake. The VES-GEM conjugate-loaded micelles showed acceptable size and high encapsulation efficiency (>95%) following an excipient reduction rationale. Pluronic® F127/VES-GEM micelles evidenced a superior VES-GEM release profile (cumulative release > 50%, pH = 7.4), stability, cell growth inhibition (<50% cell viability for 100 µM VES-GEM), blood compatibility, and extensive cell internalization, and therefore represent a promising approach to leveraging the efficacy and safety of GEM for PC-targeted therapies.
Ecological Virtuous Selves: Towards a Non-Anthropocentric Environmental Virtue Ethic?
Authors: Delorme Damien , Calidori Noemi , Frigo Giovanni
Published: January 2024

Existing predominant approaches within virtue ethics (VE) assume humans as the typical agent and virtues as dispositions that pertain primarily to human–human interpersonal relationships. Similarly, the main accounts in the more specific area of environmental virtue ethics (EVE) tend to support weak anthropocentric positions, in which virtues are understood as excellent dispositions of human agents. In addition, however, several EVE authors have also considered virtues that benefit non-human beings and entities (e.g., environmental or ecological virtues). The latter correspond to excellent character dispositions that would extend moral consideration and care for the benefit of non-human beings, entities, or entire ecosystems. In this direction, a few authors have argued that EVE could be considered non-anthropocentric insofar as it could: (a) promote non-human ends, well-being, and the flourishing of non-human beings and entities; (b) involve significant relations to non-humans. Drawing from different traditions, including ecofeminism and care ethics, we argue for a broader notion of self and a decentered notion of virtues. The broader notion of selfhood corresponds to the “ecological self”, one that can be enacted by both human and non-human beings, is embedded in a network of relations, and recognizes the more-than-human world as fundamental and yet indispensable otherness. We suggest that this broader notion of agency allows for an expansive understanding of virtues that includes a-moral functional ecological virtues, which can be exercised not only by humans but also by certain non-human beings. This alternative understanding of selfhood and ecological virtues within EVE could have several theoretical and practical implications, some of which may enable different types of agencies and transform collective action.
Complex Noise-Based Phase Retrieval Using Total Variation and Wavelet Transform Regularization
Authors: Qin Xing , Gao Xin , Yang Xiaoxu , Xie Meilin
Published: January 2024

This paper presents a phase retrieval algorithm that incorporates sparsity priors into total variation and framelet regularization. The proposed algorithm exploits the sparsity priors in both the gradient domain and the spatial distribution domain to impose desirable characteristics on the reconstructed image. We utilize structured illuminated patterns in holography, consisting of three light fields. The theoretical and numerical analyses demonstrate that when the illumination pattern parameters are non-integers, the three diffracted data sets are sufficient for image restoration. The proposed model is solved using the alternating direction multiplier method. The numerical experiments confirm the theoretical findings of the lighting mode settings, and the algorithm effectively recovers the object from Gaussian and salt–pepper noise.
Production of Lignin-Derived Functional Material for Efficient Electromagnetic Wave Absorption with an Ultralow Filler Ratio
Authors: Xi Yuebin , Ji Xingxiang , Kong Fangong , Li Tianjin , Zhang Binpeng
Published: January 2024

Industrial lignin, a by-product of pulping for papermaking fibers or of second-generation ethanol production, is primarily served as a low-grade combustible energy source. The fabrication of high-value-added functional materials with industrial lignin is still a challenge. Herein, a three-dimensional hierarchical lignin-derived porous carbon (HLPC) was prepared with lignosulfonate as the carbon source and MgCO3 as the template. The uniform mixing of precursor and template agent resulted in the construction of a three-dimensional hierarchical porous structure. HLPC presented excellent electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption performance. With a low filler content of 7 wt%, HLPC showed a minimum reflection loss (RL) value of −41.8 dB (1.7 mm, 13.8 GHz), and a maximum effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 4.53 GHz (1.6 mm). In addition, the enhancement mechanism of HLPC for EMW absorption was also explored through comparing the morphology and electromagnetic parameters of lignin-derived carbon (LC) and lignin-derived porous carbon (LPC). The three-dimensional hierarchical porous structure endowed the carbon with a high pore volume, resulting in an abundant gas–solid interface between air and carbon for interfacial polarization. This structure also provided conductive networks for conduction loss. This work offers a strategy to synthesize biomass-based carbon for high-performance EMW absorption.
UnA-Mix: Rethinking Image Mixtures for Unsupervised Person Re-Identification
Authors: Liu Jingjing , Sun Haiming , Liu Wanquan , Guo Aiying , Zhang Jianhua
Published: January 2024

With the development of ultra-long-range visual sensors, the application of unsupervised person re-identification algorithms to them has become increasingly important. However, these algorithms inevitably generate noisy pseudo-labels, which seriously hinder the performance of tasks over a large range. Mixup, a data enhancement technique, has been validated in supervised learning for its generalization to noisy labels. Based on this observation, to our knowledge, this study is the first to explore the impact of the mixup technique on unsupervised person re-identification, which is a downstream task of contrastive learning, in detail. Specifically, mixup was applied in different locations (at the pixel level and feature level) in an unsupervised person re-identification framework to explore its influences on task performance. In addition, based on the richness of the information contained in the person samples to be mixed, we propose an uncertainty-aware mixup (UnA-Mix) method, which reduces the over-learning of simple person samples and avoids the information damage that occurs when information-rich person samples are mixed. The experimental results on three benchmark person re-identification datasets demonstrated the applicability of the proposed method, especially on the MSMT17, where it outperformed state-of-the-art methods by 5.2% and 4.8% in terms of the mAP and rank-1, respectively.
Do Catholic Religious Practices Attenuate the Deconversion of Emerging Adults in Poland? The Mediating Role of Transcendent Indebtedness
Authors: Krok Dariusz , Falewicz Adam , Szcześniak Małgorzata
Published: January 2024

Emerging adulthood is a time of strong religious change that often leads to deconversion, understood as the abandonment of faith. In the present study, we aimed to verify the role of Catholic religious practices in the deconversion process and the mediating nature of transcendent indebtedness in emerging adults from Poland. In this study, we used the Catholic Religious Practices Questionnaire (CRPQ), the Transcendent Indebtedness to God scale (T-ITG), and the Adolescents’ Deconversion Processes Scale (ADS). Two hundred and fifty-four emerging adults, 135 women (53.1%) and 119 men (46.9%), participated in a study conducted in Southern and Northern Poland between September 2022 and May 2023. Our study results revealed that those involved in both official religiosity and folk practices exhibit lower levels of deconversion, and this relationship is mediated by transcendent indebtedness. The presented research indicates that the belief and sense of obligation to repay a favor or debt to God is a buffering factor in the tendency to withdraw from the religious community and abandon faith.
The Historical Approach to New Testament Rhetorical Criticism: A Rhetorical Analysis of 1 Corinthians 15
Authors: Christian Timothy J.
Published: January 2024

The historical approach to New Testament rhetorical criticism uses ancient Greco-Roman rhetorical theory and practice to better understand the rhetoric and rhetorical context of the New Testament. Since most Bible scholars and students are unfamiliar with ancient Greco-Roman rhetoric, this article summarizes and explains Greco-Roman rhetoric in an accessible way so that non-experts can understand and apply the historical method of New Testament rhetorical criticism. It provides a rigorous step-by-step process for doing rhetorical analysis followed by a rhetorical analysis of 1 Corinthians 15 as an example of the method. This analysis displays Paul’s rhetorical prowess in 1 Corinthians 15 and demonstrates that Paul had more than a passing familiarity with Greco-Roman rhetoric. Overall, this article shows that rhetorical criticism is an indispensable and essential tool needed in the arsenal of biblical exegetes for understanding the New Testament in its original contexts.
Correction: Titova et al. Meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals in the Decarbonization Agenda: A Case of Russian Oil and Gas Companies. Resources 2023, 12, 121
Authors: Titova Nataliya , Cherepovitsyna Alina , Guseva Tatiana
Published: January 2024

Text Correction [...]
Resources of Urban Green Spaces and Sustainable Development
Authors: Aram Farshid
Published: January 2024

Urban green spaces are considered one of the most valuable natural resources in cities [...]
Evolution and Driving Forces of Ecological Service Value in Anhui Based on Landsat Land Use and Land Cover Change
Authors: Quan Li’ao , Jin Shuanggen , Chen Junyun , Li Tuwang
Published: January 2024

The main challenge in protecting ecosystems and improving the supply of ecosystem services is to quantify the ecological services value (ESV). However, the detailed spatiotemporal changes, sensitivity, spatial autocorrelation, and driving mechanisms of ESV are not clear in rapidly developing regions, particularly subsidence, floods, landslides, and the rapid urban development of Anhui province, China. In this paper, the ecological service value of Anhui Province in the past 30 years was calculated using the improved equivalent factor assessment method from satellite remote sensing such as Landsat. The spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of ESV were analyzed and the driving mechanism of ESV changes was studied using Geodetector. Finally, The GeoSOS-FLUS model was selected to predict the ecosystem service value until 2030 with three scenarios: business as usual (BAU), ecological protection (EP), and cultivated land protection (CLP). The main results were obtained: (1) the ESV in Anhui Province continued to decrease by 2.045 billion yuan (−6.03%) from 1990 to 2020. The top two contributors were the forest land, followed by water area. (2) The global Moran’s I of ESV at the landform subdivision, county, town, and grid scales in Anhui Province were −0.157, 0.321, 0.357 and 0.759, respectively. (3) The order of influence degree of driving factors was: precipitation (F4), distance to intercity road (F9), net primary productivity, NPP (F6), distance to urban road (F8), population (F13), temperature (F5), aspect (F3), distance to settlement (F11), slope (F2), elevation (F1), GDP (F14), distance to water (F12), distance to railway (F10), and soil erosion (F7). (4) In 2030, the simulated ESV under the three scenarios will decrease to varying degrees. Compared with 2020, the ESV of the three scenarios will decrease successively as follows: BAU (−1.358 billion yuan), EP (−0.248 billion yuan), and CLP (−1.139 billion yuan).
Assessing the Current and Future Potential Distribution of Solanum rostratum Dunal in China Using Multisource Remote Sensing Data and Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Huang Tiecheng , Yang Tong , Wang Kun , Huang Wenjiang
Published: January 2024

Accurate information concerning the spatial distribution of invasive alien species’ habitats is essential for invasive species prevention and management, and ecological sustainability. Currently, nationwide identification of suitable habitats for the highly destructive and potentially invasive weed, Solanum rostratum Dunal (S. rostratum), poses a series of challenges. Simultaneously, research on potential future invasion areas and likely directions of spread has not received adequate attention. This study, based on species occurrence data and multi-dimensional environmental variables constructed from multi-source remote sensing data, utilized Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in combination with the Maxent model to effectively model the current and future potential habitat distribution of S. rostratum in China, while quantitatively assessing the various factors influencing its distribution. Research findings indicate that the current suitable habitat area of S. rostratum covers 1.3952 million km2, all of which is located in northern China. As the trend of climate warming persists, the potential habitat suitability range of S. rostratum is projected to shift southward and expand in the future; while still predominantly located in northern China, it will have varying degrees of expansion at different time frames. Notably, during the period from 2040 to 2061, under the SSP1-2.6 scenario, the habitat area exhibits the most significant increase, surpassing the current scenario by 19.23%. Furthermore, attribution analysis based on PCA inverse transformation reveals that a combination of soil, climate, spatial, humanistic, and topographic variables collectively influence the suitability of S. rostratum habitats, with soil factors, in particular, playing a dominant role and contributing up to 75.85%. This study identifies target areas for the management and control of S. rostratum, providing valuable insights into factor selection and variable screening methods in species distribution modeling (SDM).
The Turkey Earthquake Induced Equatorial Ionospheric Current Disturbances on 6 February 2023
Authors: Zhang Kedeng , Wang Hui , Xia Hao , Wang Wenbin , Liu Jing , Zhang Shunrong , Jin Yaqi
Published: January 2024

An earthquake is a seismic event resulting from a sudden release of energy in the lithosphere, which produces waves that can propagate through the atmosphere into the ionosphere, causing ionospheric disturbances, and excites an additional electric field in the lower ionosphere. Two large-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (LSTIDs) at daytime Turkey longitudes were found, with phase speeds of 534 and 305 m/s, respectively, after the second strong earthquake at 10:24 UT on 6 February 2023. During strong earthquakes, the equatorial ionospheric currents including the E-region equatorial electrojet (EEJ) and F-region ionospheric radial current (IRC) might be perturbed. At the Tatuoca station in Brazil, we observed a stronger-than-usual horizontal magnetic field associated with the EEJ, with a magnitude of ~100 nT. EEJ perturbations are mainly controlled by neutral winds, especially zonal winds. In the equatorial F-region, a wave perturbation of the IRC was caused by a balance of the electric field generated by the zonal winds at ~15° MLat, the F-region local winds driven by atmospheric resonance, and the additional polarization electric field. Our findings better the understanding of the complex interplay between seismic events and ionospheric current disturbances.