bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing the Hardware Pipelining Optimization Technique of the SHA-3 via FPGA
Authors: Sideris Argyrios , Dasygenis Minas
Published: August 2023

Information is transmitted between multiple insecure routing hops in text, image, video, and audio. Thus, this multi-hop digital data transfer makes secure transmission with confidentiality and integrity imperative. This protection of the transmitted data can be achieved via hashing algorithms. Furthermore, data integrity must be ensured, which is feasible using hashing algorithms. The advanced cryptographic Secure Hashing Algorithm 3 (SHA-3) is not sensitive to a cryptanalysis attack and is widely preferred due to its long-term security in various applications. However, due to the ever-increasing size of the data to be transmitted, an effective improvement is required to fulfill real-time computations with multiple types of optimization. The use of FPGAs is the ideal mechanism to improve algorithm performance and other metrics, such as throughput (Gbps), frequency (MHz), efficiency (Mbps/slices), reduction of area (slices), and power consumption. Providing upgraded computer architectures for SHA-3 is an active area of research, with continuous performance improvements. In this article, we have focused on enhancing the hardware performance metrics of throughput and efficiency by reducing the area cost of the SHA-3 for all output size lengths (224, 256, 384, and 512 bits). Our approach introduces a novel architectural design based on pipelining, which is combined with a simplified format for the round constant (RC) generator in the Iota (ι) step only consisting of 7 bits rather than the standard 64 bits. By reducing hardware resource utilization in the area and minimizing the amount of computation required at the Iota (ι) step, our design achieves the highest levels of throughput and efficiency. Through extensive experimentation, we have demonstrated the remarkable performance of our approach. Our results showcase an impressive throughput rate of 22.94 Gbps and an efficiency rate of 19.95 Mbps/slices. Our work contributes to advancing computer architectures tailored for SHA-3, therefore unlocking new possibilities for secure and high-performance data transmission.
Downlink Power Allocation for CR-NOMA-Based Femtocell D2D Using Greedy Asynchronous Distributed Interference Avoidance Algorithm
Authors: Elmadina Nahla Nur , Saeed Rashid , Saeid Elsadig , Ali Elmustafa Sayed , Abdelhaq Maha , Alsaqour Raed , Alharbe Nawaf
Published: August 2023

This paper focuses on downlink power allocation for a cognitive radio-based non-orthogonal multiple access (CR-NOMA) system in a femtocell environment involving device-to-device (D2D) communication. The proposed power allocation scheme employs the greedy asynchronous distributed interference avoidance (GADIA) algorithm. This research aims to optimize the power allocation in the downlink transmission, considering the unique characteristics of the CR-NOMA-based femtocell D2D system. The GADIA algorithm is utilized to mitigate interference and effectively optimize power allocation across the network. This research uses a fairness index to present a novel fairness-constrained power allocation algorithm for a downlink non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) system. Through extensive simulations, the maximum rate under fairness (MRF) algorithm is shown to optimize system performance while maintaining fairness among users effectively. The fairness index is demonstrated to be adaptable to various user counts, offering a specified range with excellent responsiveness. The implementation of the GADIA algorithm exhibits promising results for sub-optimal frequency band distribution within the network. Mathematical models evaluated in MATLAB further confirm the superiority of CR-NOMA over optimum power allocation NOMA (OPA) and fixed power allocation NOMA (FPA) techniques.
Coronal Repercussions of the Maxillary Central Incisor Torque in the First Set of Aligners: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Oliveira Ana Catarina , Rocha Ana Sofia , Leitão Rita , Maia Manuela , Pinho Teresa
Published: August 2023

Coronal torque is one of the key factors in orthodontic treatment. An adequate torque value has an impact on aesthetics and soft tissue profile. The aim of this quantitative, comparative and observational longitudinal cohort study was to analyze the efficacy of the maxillary central incisor coronal torque in the Invisalign® system and evaluate the relation between coronal torque movement and patient’s facial biotype. In total, 27 patients were selected. The planned movements (TP) were obtained from the Invisalign Doctor Site® using mathematical formulas that consider the T0 measurements. Pre-treatment (T0) and after full use of the first set of aligners (T1) scanners were evaluated using Geomagic® Control X TM by superimposing T0 and T1 models using a transverse plane and the long axis of the tooth crown. IBM® SPSS® software was used for statistical purposes. We found statistically significant differences between T0 and T1 in pro-inclination and retro-inclination, as well as between achieved and planned values in pro-inclination (p = 0.011). We verified that hyperdivergent clinical cases presented higher mean values of coronal torque, and hypodivergent cases presented lower values. In pro-inclination, the differences between the planned and achieved values were greater in hypodivergent cases and smaller in hyperdivergent cases. In retro-inclination, the differences between the planned and achieved values were greater in normodivergent cases and smaller in hypodivergent cases. This study highlights that inefficacy is more accentuated in pro-inclination. Aligners are an effective tool for producing coronal repercussions of torque movement, being more effective in retro-inclination.
Digital Recording of Historical Defensive Structures in Mountainous Areas Using Drones: Considerations and Comparisons
Authors: Barazzetti Luigi , Previtali Mattia , Cantini Lorenzo , Oteri Annunziata Maria
Published: August 2023

Digital recording of historic buildings and sites in mountainous areas could be challenging. The paper considers and discusses the case of historical defensive structures in the Italian Alps, designed and built to be not accessible. Drone images and photogrammetric techniques for 3D modeling play a fundamental role in the digital documentation of fortified constructions with non-contact techniques. This manuscript describes the use of drones for reconstructing the external surfaces of some fortified structures using traditional photogrammetric/SfM solutions and novel methods based on NeRFs. The case of direct orientation based on PPK and traditional GCPs placed on the ground is also discussed, considering the difficulties in placing and measuring control points in such environments.
Woman against a Woman? Inherited Discourses to Reproduce Power: A Gender Discourse Analysis of School Textbooks in the Context of Georgia
Authors: Tabatadze Shalva
Published: August 2023

This study conducted a critical discourse analysis of research studies on school textbooks conducted in Georgia. The research aimed to address the following questions: What specific discourses are identified in school textbooks developed under the first, second, and third generations of the National Curriculum in Georgia? What factors contribute to the development of these identified discourses in the context of Georgia’s educational system? A total of ten published research studies in this field were selected for analysis. Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis (FCDA), developed by Lazar was used for the categorization of discourses. This discourse analysis yielded significant findings and carried both theoretical and practical implications. First, the study uncovers a noteworthy pattern in school textbooks and contributes to the development of a framework for analyzing school textbooks. Second, the study identified the formation of specific discourses through the omission and invisibility of women. This pattern is termed the development of “language-free” discourses. Third, the study demonstrated that the structural power of women in education alone is insufficient for transforming power relations through discursive practices. Therefore, in order to achieve transformation and change, it is important to challenge and transform the learned and inherited discourses of those who hold power in education. Fourth, the value of this research study is its contribution to identifying future research directions in the field.
Analysis and Performance Evaluation of Transfer Learning Algorithms for 6G Wireless Networks
Authors: Girelli Consolaro Niccolò , Shinde Swapnil Sadashiv , Naseh David , Tarchi Daniele
Published: August 2023

The development of the 5G network and the transition to 6G has given rise to multiple challenges for ensuring high-quality and reliable network services. One of these main challenges is the emergent intelligent defined networks (IDN), designed to provide highly efficient connectivity, by merging artificial intelligence (AI) and networking concepts, to ensure distributed intelligence over the entire network. To this end, it will be necessary to develop and implement proper machine learning (ML) algorithms that take into account this new distributed nature of the network to represent increasingly dynamic, adaptable, scalable, and efficient systems. To be able to cope with more stringent service requirements, it is necessary to renew the ML approaches to make them more efficient and faster. Distributed learning (DL) approaches are shown to be effective in enabling the possibility of deploying intelligent nodes in a distributed network. Among several DL approaches, transfer learning (TL) is a valid technique to achieve the new objectives required by emerging networks. Through TL, it is possible to reuse ML models to solve new problems without having to recreate a learning model from scratch. TL, combined with distributed network scenarios, turns out to be one of the key technologies for the advent of this new era of distributed intelligence. The goal of this paper is to analyze TL performance in different networking scenarios through a proper MATLAB implementation.
Cuckoo-Store Engine: A Reed–Solomon Code-Based Ledger Storage Optimization Scheme for Blockchain-Enabled IoT
Authors: Yang Jinsheng , Jia Wencong , Gao Zhen , Guo Zhaohui , Zhou Ying , Pan Zhou
Published: August 2023

As the distributed ledger technology underlying cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, blockchain has empowered various industries, such as supply chain management, healthcare, government services, e-voting, etc. However, the ever-growing ledger on each node has been the main bottleneck for blockchain scalability as the network scale expands, which worsens in blockchain-enabled IoT scenarios with resource-limited devices. With the support of the Reed–Solomon (RS) code, the Cuckoo-Store (CS), a ledger storage optimization engine, is proposed in this paper to dramatically decrease the storage burden on each node by encoding the ledger as data segments with redundancy and distributing them to multiple nodes. These distributed data segments can be collected and decoded using RS code to recover the original ledger. Furthermore, the Cuckoo filter (CF) is used to guarantee the integrity of the encoded segments, which helps detect the forged segments and facilitates the process of ledger recovery. Theoretical analysis and simulation results show that the CS engine can decrease the storage in each node by more than 94%, and the original ledger can be recovered efficiently with acceptable communication overheads.
Synthesis and Performance Evaluation of Graphene-Based Comb Polymer Viscosity Reducer
Authors: Xu Zhengdong , Li Mingjie , Kong Yidan , Long Changjun , Sun Yankun , Liu Guohua , Yu Chunhui , Lu Yi , An Junpu , Yang Fan
Published: August 2023

The high viscosity of heavy oil makes it difficult to realize its economic value. Therefore, improving the fluidity of heavy oil can effectively improve the economic benefit of the development of heavy oil resources. Oil-soluble viscosity reducers can utilize functional groups in monomers to break up asphaltene aggregates to improve the flow of crude oil. Graphene can be used to insert and split asphaltene aggregates through sliding phenomena and π–π interaction with colloidal asphaltene, thereby improving the fluidity of heavy oil. In this study, a graphene nanocomposite viscosity reducer was synthesized from lipophilic-modified graphene and a polymer viscosity reducer. The net viscosity reduction rate reached 80.0% at 400 ppm. Compared with a polymer viscosity reducer, the viscosity reduction effect of a graphene nanocomposite viscosity reducer was improved by about 7%. Structural characterization of a graphene nanocomposite viscosity reducer was characterized with infrared spectroscopy and a thermogravimetric test. The mechanism of a graphene nanocomposite viscosity reducer splitting asphaltene aggregates was verified with scanning electron microscopy. This study provides a theoretical and practical basis for the research and development of a novel nanocomposite viscosity reducer.
Assessment of Subsidization Strategies for Multi-Objective Optimization of Energy Efficiency Measures for Building Renovation at District Scale
Authors: Battini Federico , Pernigotto Giovanni , Morandi Federica , Gasparella Andrea , Kämpf Jérôme Henri
Published: August 2023

In recent years, public authorities around the world have used incentive strategies to encourage the renovation of the existing building stock to meet the set carbon neutrality targets. However, the design of the incentives typically does not consider that the subsidized energy efficiency measures should result in robust long-term improvements with respect to various objectives. Moreover, building energy retrofit analyses are commonly conducted at the individual building level rather than at urban scale, which could instead significantly accelerate the renovation rate. In this context, the current research aims to combine these different factors to support the design of building energy retrofit programs. We developed 21 subsidization strategies and their impact was evaluated on a parametric multi-objective optimization with respect to energy, economic, and environmental performance for a district located in Bolzano, Northern Italy. The optimization was performed considering a set of energy efficiency measures, pertaining to building envelope, climate change, economic scenarios, and two types of energy supplies. The results showed that (1) the impact of climate change is limited for the climate of Bolzano; (2) the type of energy supply strongly influences the economic feasibility of the retrofit investments; (3) when the investment is profitable, the optimal solutions include those measures with the largest impact on energy efficiency; and (4) subsidization strategies modify the number and composition of the Pareto solutions.
Reverse Water Gas Shift versus Carbon Dioxide Electro-Reduction: The Reaction Pathway Responsible for Carbon Monoxide Production in Solid Oxide Co-Electrolysis Cells
Authors: Nielsen Anders S. , Peppley Brant A. , Burheim Odne S.
Published: August 2023

Solid oxide co-electrolysis cells can utilize renewable energy sources for the conversion of steam and carbon dioxide into valuable chemicals and feedstocks. An important challenge in the analysis of these devices is understanding the reaction pathway(s) that govern carbon monoxide generation. Studies in which co-electrolysis polarization lies between those of pure steam and pure carbon dioxide electrolysis suggest that carbon dioxide electro-reduction (CO2ER) and the reverse water gas shift (RWGS) reaction are both contributors to CO generation. However, experiments in which co-electrolysis polarization overlaps that of pure steam electrolysis propose that the RWGS reaction dominates CO production and CO2ER is negligible. Supported by dimensional analysis, thermodynamics, and reaction kinetics, this work elucidates the reasons for which the latter conclusion is infeasible, and provides evidence for why the observed overlap between co-electrolysis and pure steam electrolysis is a result of the slow kinetics of CO2ER in comparison to that of steam, with the RWGS reaction being inconsequential. For sufficiently thin cathode current collectors, we reveal that CO2ER is dominant over the RWGS reaction, while the rate of steam electro-reduction is much higher than that of carbon dioxide, which causes the co-electrolysis and pure steam electrolysis polarization curves to overlap. This is contrary to what has been proposed in previous experimental analyses. Ultimately, this work provides insight into how to design solid oxide co-electrolysis cells such that they can exploit a desired reaction pathway in order to improve their efficiency and product selectivity.
Temperature Evaluation of a Building Facade with a Thin Plaster Layer under Various Degrees of Cloudiness
Authors: Korkina Elena V. , Gorbarenko Ekaterina V. , Voitovich Elena V. , Tyulenev Matvey D. , Kozhukhova Natalia I.
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we investigate the surface temperature of a wall with a facade heat-insulating composite system (FHIC), which has a thin plaster layer, taking into account solar radiation exposure at different degrees of cloudiness during the month. The object of study is a wall with FHIC, on the outer surface of which temperature sensors were mounted and measurements were taken. Air temperatures were also measured for one month of the warm period of the year. The coefficient of absorption of solar radiation by the surface of the facade is calculated based on the measurement of the spectral reflection coefficient. Measurements of direct and scattered solar radiation arriving on a horizontal surface were carried out, and the cloudiness of the sky was also recorded. The calculation of direct and scattered solar radiation was carried out, taking into account the shading of surrounding buildings using the authors’ novel methods. The experimental days were divided into three groups according to the degree of cloudiness; statistically significant differences between the groups for the studied parameters were demonstrated. The temperature of the outer surface of the wall was calculated according to A.M. Shklover’s formula. The measured values of the temperature of the outer surface of the wall were compared with the calculated ones. It was shown that there is a good correlation between the measured and calculated temperatures for different degrees of cloudiness. At the same time, for days with no or slight cloudiness (Group I), when direct solar radiation predominates, the differences reach 1.7 °C; smaller differences are observed for days with average cloudiness (Group II) during daytime hours, with a maximum difference of 0.5 °C; and on days with continuous cloudiness (Group III), when only scattered radiation is present for daytime hours, the maximum difference is 0.3 °C. Statistically significant differences were found between the measured and calculated temperatures for groups of days, divided by the degree of cloudiness, for the experimental period of a day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., which indicates the possibility of considering amendments to A.M. Shklover’s formula for sunny days. The results of comparing the measured and calculated heating temperatures of the facade surface also indirectly confirm the correctness of the author’s calculations of the incoming solar radiation, taking into account the effect of the surrounding buildings. The results obtained can be used to study the inertia and durability of building structures under solar radiation.
Experimental Investigation of the Frequency Response of an LC-Filter and Power Transformer for Grid Connection
Authors: Fjellstedt Christoffer , Forslund Johan , Thomas Karin
Published: August 2023

The power delivered by a voltage source inverter needs to be filtered to fulfill grid code requirements. A commonly used filter technology is the LCL-filter. An issue with the LCL-filter is the occurrence of a resonance peak, which can be mitigated with active or passive damping methods. The transfer function of the filter is often used to investigate the frequency response of the system and propose damping methods. The use of an LC-filter combined with a power transformer to form an LCL-filter has not been extensively investigated. Therefore, the study in this article introduces a model for an LC-filter and power transformer for the grid connection and a derived transfer function for the model. The transfer function for the system is validated with simulations and experimental investigations. The results from simulations and the results from a direct solution of the derived analytical function overlap almost perfectly. The magnitudes of the experimental results are approximately 1 dB lower than the simulation and analytical results before the resonance frequency. At the resonance frequency, the experimental results are approximately 13.4 dB lower. The resonance frequency, however, occurs at approximately the same frequency. It is also concluded that the system is significantly damped.
Storing Carbon in Forest Biomass and Wood Products in Poland—Energy and Climate Perspective
Authors: Kundzewicz Zbigniew W. , Olejnik Janusz , Urbaniak Marek , Ziemblińska Klaudia
Published: August 2023

Huge amounts of carbon being sequestered in forest ecosystems make them an important land carbon sink at the global scale. Their ability to withdraw carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, whose concentration is gradually increasing due to anthropogenic emissions, renders them important natural climate-mitigation solutions. The urgent need for transition from high to zero net emission on country, continental, and global scales, to slow down the warming to an acceptable level, calls for the analysis of different economic sectors’ roles in reaching that ambitious goal. Here, we examine changes in CO2 emission and sequestration rates during recent decades focusing on the coal-dominated energy sector and Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF) as well as wood production at the country level. The main purpose of the presented study is to examine the potential of storing carbon in standing forest biomass and wood products in Poland as well as the impact of disturbances. The ratio of LULUCF absorption of CO2 to its emission in Poland has ranged from about 1% in 1992 to over 15% in 2005. From a climate-change mitigation point of view, the main challenge is how to maximize the rate and the duration of CO2 withdrawal from the atmosphere by its storage in forest biomass and wood products. Enhancing carbon sequestration and storage in forest biomass, via sustainable and smart forestry, is considered to be a nature-based climate solution. However, not only forests but also wood-processing industries should be included as important contributors to climate-change mitigation, since harvested wood products substitute materials like concrete, metal, and plastic, which have a higher carbon footprint. The energy perspective of the paper embraces two aspects. First, CO2 sequestration in forests and subsequently in harvested wood products, is an effective strategy to offset a part of national CO2 emissions, resulting largely from fossil fuel burning for energy-production purposes. Second, wood as biomass is a renewable energy source itself, which played an important role in sustaining energy security for many individual citizens of Poland during the unusual conditions of winter 2022/2023, with a scarce coal supply.
Modeling Benthic Community Settlement and Recruitment on Living Dock Restoration Mats
Authors: Rech Sandra , Hunsucker Kelli Z. , Weaver Robert J.
Published: August 2023

An increase in population along the Indian River Lagoon has led to eutrophication, a decline in water quality, and overall degradation. The Living Docks program is a citizen–science initiative started at the Florida Institute of Technology for lagoon restoration. Public and private docks are volunteered to become Living Docks, where oyster mats are attached to dock pilings to provide a natural substrate for benthic organism growth. The community development on the oyster mats boosts water filtration to improve overall water quality and combat anthropogenic effects on the lagoon. The purpose of this project was to model benthic settlement and recruitment of prominent organisms on the Living Dock oyster mats at four research sites with specific environmental factors (e.g., temperature, salinity, turbidity, and pH). Beta regression models for recruitment and settlement were created for five of the more dominant organisms observed: oyster, barnacle, sponge, tubeworm, and encrusting bryozoan. The results of the modeling indicated that the settlement was influenced by pH, salinity, dock location, and turbidity, while recruitment was influenced by pH, salinity, dock location, and immersion time. This project provides insight into how lagoon conditions surrounding the Living Docks impact benthic growth and can aid in IRL restoration.
High Salt Concentration Affects the Microbial Diversity of Cassava during Fermentation, as Revealed by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
Authors: Zhou Wei , Ananga Anthony , Ukuku Dike O. , Aryee Alberta N. A.
Published: August 2023

Cassava plays an important role in the life and diet of several communities worldwide. It is used in various processed forms and has become the focus of research and innovation in recent years. Bioprocessing techniques, such as fermentation, have been utilized to create new avenues for its application in food and functional products. The fermentation of cassava can enhance its nutritional value, improve its shelf life, and increase its digestibility. However, the effect of salt-mediated fermentation on microbial diversity and potential benefits has not been widely reported. In this study, the effect of six levels of salt (NaCl), ranging from 0 to 25% after 50 days of spontaneous cassava fermentation at 25–30 °C, was investigated. A total of 30 bacterial isolates were selected for molecular characterization. A proprietary pool of universal 16S rRNA primers and species-specific primers were used to amplify a wide variety of species in clonal samples. The bacteria observed include Lactiplantibacillus, Limosilactobacillus, and Weissella. The population of Lactiplantibacillus in the cassava microflora increased with and without salt treatment, while Weissella, a new genus, was detected in 20 and 25% of salt-treated samples. Lactiplantibacillus and Weissella accounted for 32 and 68% and 60 and 40% of the bacterial populations detected at 20 and 25% salt treatment, respectively. A total of 17 strains and sequences were identified from the 30 isolates screened. Sequencing results classified the 30 isolates into four groups, of which 76.67% were Limosilactobacillus. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all 17 strains were divided into three clusters. These results show that high salt-mediated fermentation of cassava can trigger a shift in dominance in the bacterial community, changing the diversity of the microbial community.
Effect of Lignin or Lignosulfonate Addition on the Fire Resistance of Areca (Areca catechu) Particleboards Bonded with Ultra-Low-Emitting Urea-Formaldehyde Resin
Authors: Madyaratri Elvara Windra , Ridho Muhammad Rasyidur , Iswanto Apri Heri , Osvaldová Linda Makovická , Lee Seng Hua , Antov Petar , Fatriasari Widya
Published: August 2023

As a way to accommodate the rising demand for “green” wood-based products, agricultural waste from Areca (Areca catechu) nut farms, which is generally burned on-site, can be used to raise the value of alternative lignocellulosic raw materials. This research aimed to investigate and evaluate the effect of technical lignin (kraft lignin or lignosulfonate) addition on particleboard properties from areca bonded with ultra-low-emitting urea formaldehyde (UF) resin. The physical properties, mechanical properties, and fire resistance of the laboratory-made particleboards were tested and evaluated in accordance with the applicable Japanese industrial standards (JIS). The highest density of 0.84 g/cm3 was determined for the laboratory boards, bonded with an adhesive mixture of UF resin and kraft lignin with three washing treatments. The lowest moisture content of 9.06%, thickness swelling of 71.16%, and water absorption of 129.17% were determined for the boards bonded with lignosulfonate with three washing treatments, with commercial lignin, and with lignosulfonate with five washing treatments, respectively. The highest MOR and MOE values, i.e., 113.49 kg/cm2 and 10,663 kg/cm2, respectively, were obtained for the particleboards bonded with lignosulfonate with five washing treatments. Interestingly, all laboratory boards exhibited good fire resistance following the UL-94 standard. Based on the gas torch test, the lowest weight loss of 16.7% was determined in the boards fabricated with lignosulfonate with five washing treatments. This study demonstrated that adding lignin-based fire retardants represents a viable approach to producing lignocellulosic composites with enhanced fire resistance and a lower carbon footprint.
Evaluation of a Prefabricated Fish Passage Design for Great Plains Fishes
Authors: Fitzpatrick Ryan M. , Longrie David W. , Friebertshauser Ryan J. , Foutz H. Paul
Published: August 2023

Connectivity is critical for stream fish persistence, and fish passage structures are a useful conservation tool to reconnect fragmented systems. The design of fish passage structures is a tradeoff between the area available for construction, slope, and costs associated with the structure. The Longrie–Fecteau fish passage structure was designed to be modular, adjustable to barrier-specific needs, and to have a low slope (2%) to pass small-bodied fishes. We evaluated fish passage through this structure in Fountain Creek, Colorado, USA, via a PIT tag mark–recapture study. We documented four native Great Plains fish species successfully ascending the passage structure, with most passage occurring at night. We estimated a 3% probability of a released fish entering the structure, then 89% and 99% passage to the midpoint and exit of the 123 m structure, respectively. Low entrance efficiency was due to low recapture probability of small-bodied study organisms in a relatively large system, and the low percentage of space of the entryway on this barrier (<3% of the length of the barrier). Fish that entered the structure ascended quickly, with median time for successful ascent of 19 min, and minimum time of 6 min. The Longrie–Fecteau fish passage structure is a conservation tool that may broaden the adoption of fish passage structures for small-bodied fishes due to its modularity and low slope.
Effect of Heat Treatment on the Digestive Characteristics of Different Soybean Oil Body Emulsions
Authors: Yang Xufeng , Zhou Luyao , Wu Yingying , Ding Xiuzhen , Wang Wentao , Zhang Dajian , Zhao Luping
Published: August 2023

Soybean oil body (SOB) emulsions were prepared using OBs extracted at pH 11.0 and pH 7.0. The pH 11.0-SOB comprised oleosins, whereas pH 7.0-SOB comprised extrinsic proteins and oleosins. All SOB emulsions were heated at 60–100 °C for 15 min. Heating may lead to the release of extrinsic proteins from the surface of pH 7.0-SOB due to heat-induced denaturation. The total proportion of α-helix and β-sheets gradually decreased from 77 (unheated) to 36.2% (100 °C). During stomach digestion, the extrinsic protein hydrolysis of heated pH 7.0-SOB emulsions was fast between 60 and 80 °C, and it then slowed between 90 and 100 °C; heating inhibited the oleosin hydrolysis of pH 7.0- and 11.0-SOBs. Heat treatment promoted aggregation and coalescence, and it resulted in increased particle sizes for all emulsions. Larger aggregates were found in heated pH 7.0-SOB emulsions, and larger oil droplets were found in heated pH 11.0-SOB emulsions. After intestinal digestion, the droplets of all SOB emulsions gradually dispersed, and particle sizes decreased. Different heating temperatures had lesser effects on particle sizes and microstructures. Lipolysis was affected by the extraction pH and heating. For pH 11.0-SOB emulsions, the FFA release tendency was greatly affected by the heating temperature, and heating to 80 °C resulted in the highest FFA release (74%). However, all pH 7.0-SOB emulsions had similar total FFA releases. In addition, the droplet charges of heated pH 7.0-SOB emulsions were lower than those of unheated pH 7.0-SOB emulsions in both the intestine and stomach phases; however, the charge changes in different pH 11.0-SOB emulsions showed the opposite tendency. This study will offer guidance regarding the application of SOB emulsions in food.
Immobilization of Bacteriophages in Ex Tempore Hydrogel for the Treatment of Burn Wound Infection
Authors: Beschastnov Vladimir V. , Egorikhina Marfa N. , Tulupov Alexander A. , Pogodin Igor E. , Orlinskaya Natalia Yu. , Antoshina Veronica. V. , Shirokova Irina Yu. , Ryabkov Maksim G.
Published: August 2023

The resistance of bacteria to antibiotics is a major problem for anti-bacterial therapy. This problem may be solved by using bacteriophages—viruses that can attack and destroy bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant ones. In this article, the authors compared the efficacy of topical bacteriophage therapy and systemic antibiotic therapy in the treatment of wound infections caused by ESKAPE pathogens in patients with limited (less than 5% of the body surface) full-thickness burns. Patients in the study group (n = 30) were treated with PVA-based hydrogel dressings saturated ex tempore with a bacteriophage suspension characterized by its lytic activity against the bacteria colonizing the wound. Patients in the control group (n = 30) were treated using etiotropic systemic antibiotic therapy, and the wounds were covered with gauze bandages soaked in an aqueous solution of povidone-iodine. An assessment of the decrease in the level of bacterial contamination of the recipient wounds in both groups was conducted after 7 days, and after that, free skin grafting was performed. On day 14 after free skin grafting, patients in both groups underwent incisional biopsy. The study group demonstrated an increase in the indices of proliferative activity (Ki-67), and angiogenesis (CD-31, VEGF) in the area of engraftment of the split-thickness skin grafts. The results indicate that PVA-based hydrogel wound dressings can be used as bacteriophage carriers for local antimicrobial therapy ahead of free skin grafting.
Development of Soft Luliconazole Invasomes Gel for Effective Transdermal Delivery: Optimization to In-Vivo Antifungal Activity
Authors: Kumari Sunitha , Alsaidan Omar Awad , Mohanty Dibyalochan , Zafar Ameeduzzafar , Das Swagatika , Gupta Jeetendra Kumar , Khalid Mohammad
Published: August 2023

Luliconazole (LZ) is a good candidate for the treatment of fungal infection topically but has limitations, i.e., poor solubility and poor permeability to skin. Due to these limitations, multiple administrations for a long time are required to treat the inflection. The aim of the present study was to develop the invasomes (IVS) gel of LZ to improve the topical antifungal activity. The IVS was prepared by the thin-film hydration method and optimized by Box-Bhekhen design software. The optimized LZIVS (LZIVSopt) has 139.1 ± 4.32 nm of vesicle size, 88.21 ± 0.82% of entrapment efficiency, 0.301 ± 0.012 of PDI, and 19.5 mV (negative) of zeta potential. Scanning microscopy showed a spherical shape of the vesicle. FTIR spectra showed there is no interaction between the drug and lipid. Thermogram showed that the LZ is encapsulated into the LZIVS matrix. LZIVSopt gel (LZIVSopt-G3) exhibited optimum viscosity (6493 ± 27 cps) and significant spreadability (7.2 g·cm/s). LZIVSopt-G3 showed 2.47-fold higher permeation than pure LZ-gel. LZIVSopt-G3 did not show any edema or swelling in the skin, revealing that the developed formulation is non-irritant. LZIVSopt-G3 exhibited significant inhibition of the fungus infection (C. albicans) in the infected rats. The finding concluded that IVS gel is a good carrier and an attractive approach for the enhancement of topical delivery of LZ to treat the fungal infection.
Comparison of Empirical ETo Relationships with ERA5-Land and In Situ Data in Greece
Authors: Gourgouletis Nikolaos , Gkavrou Marianna , Baltas Evangelos
Published: August 2023

Reference evapotranspiration (ETo) estimation is essential for water resources management. The present research compares four different ETo estimators based on reanalysis data (ERA5-Land) and in situ observations from three different cultivation sites in Greece. ETo based on FAO56-Penman–Monteith (FAO-PM) is compared to ETo calculated from the empirical methods of Copais, Valiantzas and Hargreaves-Samani using both reanalysis and in situ data. The daily and monthly biases of each method are calculated against the FAO56-PM method. ERA5-Land data are also compared to ground-truth observations. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis is conducted on each site for different cultivation periods. The present research finds that the use of ERA5-Land data underestimates ground-truth-based ETo by 35%, approximately, when using the FAO56-PM method. Additionally, the use of other methodologies also shows underestimation of ETo when calculated with ERA5-Land data. On the contrary, the use of the Valiantzas and Copais methodologies with in situ observations shows overestimation of ETo when compared to FAO56-PM, in the ranges of 32–62% and 24–56%, respectively. The sensitivity analysis concludes that solar radiation and relative humidity are the most sensitive variables of the Copais and Valiantzas methodologies. Overall, the Hargreaves-Samani methodology was found to be the most efficient tool for ETo estimation. Finally, the evaluation of the ERA5-Land data showed that only air temperature inputs can be utilized with high levels of confidence.
Gout, Hyperuricemia and Crystal-Associated Disease Network (G-CAN) Conference 2022: Early-Career Investigators’ Abstracts
Authors:   Gout, Hyperuricemia and Crystal-Associated Disease Network
Published: August 2023

The eighth annual international G-CAN research symposium was held in Alexandria, VA on 21st and 22nd October 2022. This hybrid meeting, live face-to-face and virtual live symposium, was attended by over 150 participants. Over 20 research abstract submissions were received from early-career investigators, for plenary oral and poster presentations. Here, we present the accepted, lightly-edited abstracts from the presenters consenting to have their materials published. We thank and congratulate the presenters for their work and contributions to the meeting.
Safe Care and Medication Intake Provided by Caregivers at Home: Reality Care Study Protocol
Authors: Mira José Joaquín , Ballester Pura , Gil-Hernández Eva , Sambrano Valeriano Luisanna , Álvarez Gómez Esther , Olier Garate Clara , Márquez Ruiz Álvaro , Acedo Torrecilla María , Arroyo Rodríguez Almudena , Hidalgo Galache Ezequiel , Navas Gutiérrez Paloma , Pérez-Jover Virtudes , Lorenzo Martínez Susana , Carrillo Murcia Irene , Fernández Peris César , Sánchez-García Alicia , Vicente Ripoll María Asunción , Cobos Vargas Ángel , Pérez-Pérez Pastora , Guilabert Mora Mercedes
Published: August 2023

Justification: Providing care to patients with several conditions and simultaneously taking several medications at home is inexorably growing in developed countries. This trend increases the chances of home caregivers experiencing diverse errors related with medication or care. Objective: To determine the effectiveness of four different educational solutions compared to the natural intervention (absence of intervention) to provide a safer care at home by caregivers. Method: Prospective, parallel, and mixed research study with two phases. Candidates: Home-based caregivers caring a person with multiple comorbid conditions or polymedication who falls into one of the three profiles of patients defined for the study (oncology, cardiovascular, or pluripathological patients). First phase: Experts first answered an online survey, and then joined together to discuss the design and plan the content of educational solutions directed to caregivers including the identification of medication and home care errors, their causes, consequences, and risk factors. Second phase: The true experiment was performed using an inter- and intrasubject single-factor experimental design (five groups: four experimental groups against the natural intervention (control), with pre- and post-intervention and follow-up measures) with a simple random assignment, to determine the most effective educational solution (n = 350 participants). The participants will be trained on the educational solutions through 360 V, VR, web-based information, or psychoeducation. A group of professionals called the “Gold Standard” will be used to set a performance threshold for the caring or medication activities. The study will be carried out in primary care centers, hospitals, and caregivers’ associations in the Valencian Community, Andalusia, Madrid, and Murcia. Expected results: We expect to identify critical elements of risk management at home for caregivers and to find the most effective and optimal educational solution to reduce errors at home, increasing caregivers’ motivation and self-efficacy whilst the impact of gender bias in this activity is reduced. Trial Registration: Clinical Trial NCT05885334.
Diabetic Nephropathy: Significance of Determining Oxidative Stress and Opportunities for Antioxidant Therapies
Authors: Darenskaya Marina , Kolesnikov Sergey , Semenova Natalya , Kolesnikova Lyubov
Published: August 2023

Diabetes mellitus (DM) belongs to the category of socially significant diseases with epidemic rates of increases in prevalence. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a specific kind of kidney damage that occurs in 40% of patients with DM and is considered a serious complication of DM. Most modern methods for treatments aimed at slowing down the progression of DN have side effects and do not produce unambiguous positive results in the long term. This fact has encouraged researchers to search for additional or alternative treatment methods. Hyperglycemia has a negative effect on renal structures due to a number of factors, including the activation of the polyol and hexosamine glucose metabolism pathways, the activation of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone and sympathetic nervous systems, the accumulation of advanced glycation end products and increases in the insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction of tissues. The above mechanisms cause the development of oxidative stress (OS) reactions and mitochondrial dysfunction, which in turn contribute to the development and progression of DN. Modern antioxidant therapies for DN involve various phytochemicals (food antioxidants, resveratrol, curcumin, alpha-lipoic acid preparations, etc.), which are widely used not only for the treatment of diabetes but also other systemic diseases. It has also been suggested that therapeutic approaches that target the source of reactive oxygen species in DN may have certain advantages in terms of nephroprotection from OS. This review describes the significance of studies on OS biomarkers in the pathogenesis of DN and analyzes various approaches to reducing the intensity of OS in the prevention and treatment of DN.
Efficient Biosynthesis of Acidic/Lactonic Sophorolipids and Their Application in the Remediation of Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms
Authors: Xia Yuanyuan , Shi Yibo , Chu Jieyu , Zhu Shiying , Luo Xiaozhou , Shen Wei , Chen Xianzhong
Published: August 2023

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) pose significant threats to human health and natural ecosystems worldwide, primarily caused by water eutrophication, increased surface water temperature, and co-occurring microorganisms. Urgent action is needed to develop an eco-friendly solution to effectively curb the proliferation of CyanoHABs. Sophorolipids (SLs) are fully biodegradable biosurfactants synthesized by Starmerella bombicola. They can be classified into lactone and acid types. The lactone type displays strong antimicrobial activity, while the acid type exhibits good solubility, which make them ideal agents for mitigating CyanoHABs. Nevertheless, the broad utilization of SLs are hindered by their expensive production costs and the absence of effective genetic editing tools in the native host. In this study, we constructed recombinant strains capable of producing either acidic or lactonic SLs using the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system. The yields of acidic and lactonic SLs reached 53.64 g/L and 45.32 g/L in a shaking flask, respectively. In a 5 L fermenter, acidic SLs reached 129.7 g/L using low-cost glucose and rapeseed oil as substrates. The addition of 5 mg/L lactonic SLs effectively degraded cyanobacteria within 30 min, and a ratio of 8.25:1.75 of lactonic to acidic SLs showed the highest degradation efficiency. This study offers a safe and promising solution for CyanoHABs treatment.
Nutritional Status and Metabolism in Celiac Disease: Narrative Review
Authors: Mędza Aleksandra , Szlagatys-Sidorkiewicz Agnieszka
Published: August 2023

This review summarizes findings from studies assessing the nutritional status of patients with celiac disease (CD). Malnutrition, including over- and undernutrition, may be present in CD, both at diagnosis and while under treatment. Underweight and growth retardation in children, which mostly reflect malabsorption as a consequence of intestinal inflammation, are not a rule. Clinical presentations of CD can vary widely, and each manifestation has its own characteristics. Evaluating various nutritional parameters can be beneficial for CD patients and may improve health outcomes by facilitating an accurate definition of dietary needs and the development of a balanced diet that not only focuses on eliminating gluten but also provides adequate nutrients, alters metabolism, and reduces the risk of other disorders developing. The cornerstone of CD therapy is a gluten-free diet (GFD), which improves nutritional status, but even on a GFD, features of malnutrition may be present. Additionally, overweight and obesity may occur in patients on a GFD, with typical metabolic consequences.