bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal Circulating Vitamin D Level, Targeted Supplementation, and Perinatal Outcomes in Twin Pregnancy
Authors: Roero Sofia , Ingala Agata , Arduino Silvana , Folino Gallo Miriam , Arese Arianna , Ferrando Isabella , Bossotti Carlotta , Revelli Alberto
Published: July 2024

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with several obstetric complications in singleton pregnancy. The aim of this study was to assess whether vitamin D levels affect the outcomes of twin pregnancy and if targeted supplementation can improve perinatal outcomes. Methods: The serum vitamin D levels of 143 women with twin pregnancies were measured during their first trimester. Those with insufficient (10–30 ng/mL; IL group) or severely deficient (<10 ng/mL, DL group) vitamin D levels were supplemented. In the third trimester, vitamin D levels were reassessed. Perinatal outcomes of the IL and DL groups were compared with those of patients with sufficient levels (>30 ng/mL, SL group) since the beginning of pregnancy. Results: Women in the IL and DL groups had a higher incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) compared to the SL group (24.8% and 27.8% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.045): OR = 1.58 for the IL group and 1.94 for the DL group compared to the SL group. In patients whose vitamin D levels were restored after supplementation, HDP incidence was lower than in patients who remained in the IL or DL groups (23.4% vs. 27.3%) but higher than those who were always in the SL group (12.5%). Conclusions: Insufficient or severely deficient levels of vitamin D in the first trimester are associated with an increased risk of HDP in twin pregnancy. The beneficial effect of targeted vitamin D supplementation in reducing HDP seems limited.
Nutrition in Gilbert’s Syndrome—A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials According to the PRISMA Statement
Authors: Goluch Zuzanna , Wierzbicka-Rucińska Aldona , Książek Ewelina
Published: July 2024

Gilbert syndrome is the most common hyperbilirubinemia, associated with a mutation in the UGT1A1 bilirubin gene, which produces an enzyme that conjugates bilirubin with glucuronic acid. Episodes of jaundice occurring in GS negatively affect patients’ quality of life. This systematic review aimed to analyze clinical studies regarding nutrition in people with GS. The study followed the PRISMA guidelines and utilized the Ebsco, Embase, Cochrane, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to search clinical trials focused on diet/nutrition in GS (1963–2023 years). The methodological quality of selected studies was assessed using the Jadad scale. As a result, 19 studies met the inclusion criteria. The research mainly focused on the impact of caloric restriction, consumption of various diet variants, and vegetables and fruits on hyperbilirubinemia and metabolic health. A nutritional intervention consisting of not applying excessive calorie restrictions and consuming fats and biologically active compounds in vegetables and fruits (Cruciferae, Apiaceous, Rutaceae) may prevent the occurrence of jaundice episodes. It is justified to conduct further research on detecting such compounds in food, which, by influencing the expression of the UGT liver enzyme gene, could contribute to regulating bilirubin concentration in the blood of people with GS.
Toraldo’s Composed Pupil: A Theoretical Analysis of the Near Field
Authors: Mugnai Daniela , Bolli Pietro , Burzagli Laura , Olmi Luca
Published: July 2024

Over the years, there has been much speculation to understand whether (and how) it was possible to go below the diffraction limit. An advance in knowledge was achieved with the development of microwave techniques. In fact, more than fifty years after the publication of Toraldo’s article dealing with this topic, some experimental measurements in the range of microwaves confirmed the validity of his model. Since some measurements were performed in the region of near field, while Toraldo’s model refers to the far field, the need for a theoretical analysis in the framework of the Fresnel optics arose. The main goal of the present paper is to describe the problem of propagation in the near field (Fresnel optics) by using the same theoretical model already proposed by Toraldo. In order to test the validity of this new approach, the theoretical model has been compared with the FEKO simulation. The comparison of the theoretical model with the FEKO simulation in the far field for an open pupil (an open circular aperture) shows perfect agreement, as expected. We will demonstrate that there is also good agreement in the near field, although it is limited to the region around the main lobe, which is usually the region of main physical interest. Moving away from the main lobe, namely away from the optical axis, the agreement becomes less significant.
Biosimilars in the Era of Artificial Intelligence—International Regulations and the Use in Oncological Treatments
Authors: Bas Tomas Gabriel , Duarte Vannessa
Published: July 2024

This research is based on three fundamental aspects of successful biosimilar development in the challenging biopharmaceutical market. First, biosimilar regulations in eight selected countries: Japan, South Korea, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, and South Africa, represent the four continents. The regulatory aspects of the countries studied are analyzed, highlighting the challenges facing biosimilars, including their complex approval processes and the need for standardized regulatory guidelines. There is an inconsistency depending on whether the biosimilar is used in a developed or developing country. In the countries observed, biosimilars are considered excellent alternatives to patent-protected biological products for the treatment of chronic diseases. In the second aspect addressed, various analytical AI modeling methods (such as machine learning tools, reinforcement learning, supervised, unsupervised, and deep learning tools) were analyzed to observe patterns that lead to the prevalence of biosimilars used in cancer to model the behaviors of the most prominent active compounds with spectroscopy. Finally, an analysis of the use of active compounds of biosimilars used in cancer and approved by the FDA and EMA was proposed.
Examining the Impact of Ertugliflozin on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials
Authors: Pescariu Silvius Alexandru , Elagez Ahmed , Nallapati Balaji , Bratosin Felix , Bucur Adina , Negru Alina , Gaita Laura , Citu Ioana Mihaela , Popa Zoran Laurentiu , Barata Paula Irina
Published: July 2024

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) constitute a significant cause of morbidity and mortality globally, particularly among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Ertugliflozin, a Sodium-Glucose Co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, is hypothesized to confer cardiovascular protection; however, long-term follow-up studies are necessary to support the hypothesis. This systematic review was conducted to evaluate the cardiovascular effects of ertugliflozin in diabetic versus non-diabetic cohorts, focusing on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), hospitalizations for heart failure, and cardiovascular mortality. Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, the review encompassed studies indexed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up to March 2024. Eligibility was restricted to studies involving T2DM patients undergoing ertugliflozin treatment with reported outcomes relevant to cardiovascular health. Out of 767 initially identified articles, 6 met the inclusion criteria. Data concerning hazard ratios (HR) and confidence intervals (CI) were extracted to compare the effects of ertugliflozin with those of a placebo or other standard therapies. The collective sample size across these studies was 8246 participants. Ertugliflozin was associated with a significant reduction in hospitalizations for heart failure relative to a placebo (HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.54–0.90, p < 0.05). Furthermore, when combined with metformin, ertugliflozin potentially reduced MACEs (HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.79–1.07), although this finding did not reach statistical significance. Importantly, for patients with pre-existing heart failure, ertugliflozin significantly decreased the exacerbations of heart failure (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.33–0.84, p < 0.01). Overall, ertugliflozin markedly reduces hospitalizations due to heart failure in T2DM patients and may improve additional cardiovascular outcomes. These results endorse the integration of ertugliflozin into therapeutic protocols for T2DM patients at elevated cardiovascular risk and substantiate its efficacy among SGLT2 inhibitors. Continued investigations are recommended to delineate its long-term cardiovascular benefits in diverse patient populations, including the potential impact on arrhythmias.
Exploring Vacuum Compression Molding as a Preparation Method for Flexible-Dose Pediatric Orodispersible Films
Authors: Hales Dana , Bogdan Cătălina , Tefas Lucia Ruxandra , Cornilă Andreea , Chiver Maria-Andreea , Tomuță Ioan , Casian Tibor , Iovanov Rareș , Katona Gábor , Ambrus Rita , Iurian Sonia
Published: July 2024

In recent years, solid dosage forms have gained interest in pediatric therapy because they can provide valuable benefits in terms of dose accuracy and stability. Particularly for orodispersible films (ODFs), the literature evidences increased acceptability and dose flexibility. Among the various available technologies for obtaining ODFs, such as solvent casting, hot-melt extrusion, and ink printing technologies, the solvent-free preparation methods exhibit significant advantages. This study investigated Vacuum Compression Molding (VCM) as a solvent-free manufacturing method for the preparation of flexible-dose pediatric orodispersible films. The experimental approach focused on selecting the appropriate plasticizer and ratios of the active pharmaceutical ingredient, diclofenac sodium, followed by the study of their impacts on the mechanical properties, disintegration time, and drug release profile of the ODFs. Additional investigations were performed to obtain insights regarding the solid-state properties. The ODFs obtained by VCM displayed adequate quality in terms of their critical characteristics. Therefore, this proof-of-concept study shows how VCM could be utilized as a standalone method for the production of small-scale ODFs, enabling the customization of doses to meet the individual needs of pediatric patients.
The Effects of Seleno-Methionine in Cadmium-Challenged Human Primary Chondrocytes
Authors: Urzì Brancati Valentina , Aliquò Federica , Freni José , Pantano Alice , Galipò Erika , Puzzolo Domenico , Minutoli Letteria , Marini Herbert Ryan , Campo Giuseppe Maurizio , D’Ascola Angela
Published: July 2024

Cadmium (Cd) is a potentially toxic element able to interfere with cellular functions and lead to disease or even death. Cd accumulation has been demonstrated in cartilage, where it can induce damage in joints. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of CdCl2 on primary cultures of human chondrocytes and the possible protective effect of seleno-methionine (Se-Met). Human primary articular chondrocytes were cultured and treated as follows: control groups, cells challenged with 7.5 μM and 10 μM CdCl2 alone, and cells pretreated with 10 and 20 μM Se-Met and then challenged with 7.5 μM and 10 μM CdCl2. Twenty-four hours after incubation, cell viability, histological evaluation with hematoxylin–eosin stain, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay were performed. Furthermore, reverse transcription-PCR was carried out to evaluate mRNA levels of BAX, BAK1, CASP-3, and CASP-9. After CdCl2 challenge at both doses, a reduced cell viability and an overexpression of BAX, BAK1, CASP-3, and CASP-9 genes, as well as a high number of TUNEL-positive cells, were demonstrated, all parameters becoming higher as the dose of CdCl2 was increased. The pretreatment with Se-Met lowered the expression of all considered genes, improved cell viability and morphological changes, and reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells. It was concluded that Se-Met plays a protective role against CdCl2-induced structural and functional changes in chondrocytes in vitro, as it improved cell viability and showed a positive role in the context of the apoptotic pathways. It is therefore suggested that a translational, multifaceted approach, with plant-based diets, bioactive functional foods, nutraceuticals, micronutrients, and drugs, is possibly advisable in situations of environmental pollution caused by potentially toxic elements.
Redesigning Pharmacy to Improve Public Health Outcomes: Expanding Retail Spaces for Digital Therapeutics to Replace Consumer Products That Increase Mortality and Morbidity Risks
Authors: Bulaj Grzegorz , Coleman Melissa , Johansen Blake , Kraft Sarah , Lam Wayne , Phillips Katie , Rohaj Aarushi
Published: July 2024

United States healthcare outcomes, including avoidable mortality rates, are among the worst of high-income countries despite the highest healthcare spending per capita. While community pharmacies contribute to chronic disease management and preventive medicine, they also offer consumer products that increase mortality risks and the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and depression. To resolve these contradictions, our perspective article describes opportunities for major pharmacy chains (e.g., CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens) to introduce digital health aisles dedicated to prescription and over-the-counter digital therapeutics (DTx), together with mobile apps and wearables that support disease self-management, wellness, and well-being. We provide an evidence-based rationale for digital health aisles to replace spaces devoted to sugar-sweetened beverages and other unhealthy commodities (alcohol, tobacco) that may increase risks for premature death. We discuss how digital health aisles can serve as marketing and patient education resources, informing customers about commercially available DTx and other technologies that support healthy lifestyles. Since pharmacy practice requires symbiotic balancing between profit margins and patient-centered, value-based care, replacing health-harming products with health-promoting technologies could positively impact prevention of chronic diseases, as well as the physical and mental health of patients and caregivers who visit neighborhood pharmacies in order to pick up medicines.
Optical Rogue Waves in Fiber Lasers
Authors: Kbashi Hani J. , Sergyev Sergey V.
Published: July 2024

Optical rogue waves are a nonlinear phenomenon that offers a unique opportunity to gain fundamental insights into wave interaction and behavior, and the evolution of complex systems. Optical systems serve as a suitable testbed for the well-controlled investigation of this natural phenomenon, which cannot be easily studied in an ocean environment. Additionally, such systems offer practical applications in telecommunications and optical signal processing, making this topic a vital area of research. Fiber lasers are considered the best candidates for demonstrating and investigating the emergence of optical rogue waves. In particular, they offer significant advantages in nonlinear dynamics due to faster field evolution and a higher number of events that can be recorded within a relatively short time. In this paper, we present the development mechanisms of optical rogue wave events. It was found that multimode vector instability, pulse–pulse interaction, and soliton rain are the main nonlinear dynamics leading to the formation of optical rogue wave events.
Correction: Jiang et al. Role of Pyramidal Low-Dimensional Semiconductors in Advancing the Field of Optoelectronics. Photonics 2024, 11, 370
Authors: Jiang Ao , Xing Shibo , Lin Haowei , Chen Qing , Li Mingxuan
Published: July 2024

In the original publication [...]
Impact of Methyl Jasmonate on Terpenoid Biosynthesis and Functional Analysis of Sesquiterpene Synthesis Genes in Schizonepeta tenuifolia
Authors: Li Dishuai , Jia Congling , Lin Guyin , Dang Jingjie , Liu Chanchan , Wu Qinan
Published: July 2024

This study investigates the impact of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on the volatile oil composition of Schizonepeta tenuifolia and elucidates the function of the StTPS45 gene, a key player in terpenoid biosynthesis. The effect of different concentrations of MeJA (0, 50, 100, 200, and 300 μmol/L) on the growth of S. tenuifolia adventitious bud clusters was analyzed over a 20 d period. Using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), 17 compounds were identified from the adventitious bud clusters of S. tenuifolia. Significant changes in the levels of major monoterpenes, including increased contents of (+)-limonene and (+)-menthone, were observed, particularly at higher concentrations of MeJA. Analysis of transcriptome data from three groups treated with 0, 100, and 300 μmol/L MeJA revealed significant changes in the gene expression profiles following MeJA treatment. At 100 μmol/L MeJA, most terpene synthase (TPS) genes were overexpressed. Additionally, gene expression and functional predictions suggested that StTPS45 acts as germacrene D synthase. Therefore, StTPS45 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, and enzyme activity assays confirmed its function as a germacrene D synthase. Molecular docking and structural prediction of StTPS45 further suggested specific interactions with farnesyl diphosphate (FPP), aligning with its role in the terpenoid synthesis pathway. These findings provide valuable insights into the modulation of secondary metabolite pathways by jasmonate signaling and underscore the potential of genetic engineering approaches to enhance the production of specific terpenoids in medicinal plants.
Hyperspectral Indices Developed from Fractional-Order Derivative Spectra Improved Estimation of Leaf Chlorophyll Fluorescence Parameters
Authors: Zhuang Jie , Wang Quan
Published: July 2024

Chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) parameters offer valuable insights into quantifying energy transfer and allocation at the photosystem level. However, tracking their variation based on reflectance spectral information remains challenging for large-scale remote sensing applications and ecological modeling. Spectral preprocessing methods, such as fractional-order derivatives (FODs), have been demonstrated to have advantages in highlighting spectral features. In this study, we developed and assessed the ability of novel spectral indices derived from FOD spectra and other spectral transformations to retrieve the ChlF parameters of various species and leaf groups. The results obtained showed that the empirical spectral indices were of low reliability in estimating the ChlF parameters. In contrast, the indices developed from low-order FOD spectra demonstrated a significant improvement in estimation. Furthermore, the incorporation of species specificity enhanced the tracking of the non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) of sunlit leaves (R2 = 0.61, r = 0.79, RMSE = 0.15, MAE = 0.13), the fraction of PSII open centers (qL) of shaded leaves (R2 = 0.50, r = 0.71, RMSE = 0.09, MAE = 0.08), and the fluorescence quantum yield (ΦF) of shaded leaves (R2 = 0.71, r = 0.85, RMSE = 0.002, MAE = 0.001). Our study demonstrates the potential of FOD spectra in capturing variations in ChlF parameters. Nevertheless, given the complexity and sensitivity of ChlF parameters, it is prudent to exercise caution when utilizing spectral indices for tracking them.
Enhancing Winter Wheat Soil–Plant Analysis Development Value Prediction through Evaluating Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Flight Altitudes, Predictor Variable Combinations, and Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Wang Jianjun , Yin Quan , Cao Lige , Zhang Yuting , Li Weilong , Wang Weiling , Zhou Guisheng , Huo Zhongyang
Published: July 2024

Monitoring winter wheat Soil–Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) values using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is an effective and non-destructive method. However, predicting SPAD values during the booting stage is less accurate than other growth stages. Existing research on UAV-based SPAD value prediction has mainly focused on low-altitude flights of 10–30 m, neglecting the potential benefits of higher-altitude flights. The study evaluates predictions of winter wheat SPAD values during the booting stage using Vegetation Indices (VIs) from UAV images at five different altitudes (i.e., 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120 m, respectively, using a DJI P4-Multispectral UAV as an example, with a resolution from 1.06 to 6.35 cm/pixel). Additionally, we compare the predictive performance using various predictor variables (VIs, Texture Indices (TIs), Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT)) individually and in combination. Four machine learning algorithms (Ridge, Random Forest, Support Vector Regression, and Back Propagation Neural Network) are employed. The results demonstrate a comparable prediction performance between using UAV images at 120 m (with a resolution of 6.35 cm/pixel) and using the images at 20 m (with a resolution of 1.06 cm/pixel). This finding significantly improves the efficiency of UAV monitoring since flying UAVs at higher altitudes results in greater coverage, thus reducing the time needed for scouting when using the same heading overlap and side overlap rates. The overall trend in prediction accuracy is as follows: VIs + TIs + DWT > VIs + TIs > VIs + DWT > TIs + DWT > TIs > VIs > DWT. The VIs + TIs + DWT set obtains frequency information (DWT), compensating for the limitations of the VIs + TIs set. This study enhances the effectiveness of using UAVs in agricultural research and practices.
Dry Matter Accumulation, Water Productivity and Quality of Potato in Response to Regulated Deficit Irrigation in a Desert Oasis Region
Authors: Zhang Hengjia , Chen Xietian , Xue Daoxin , Zhang Wanheng , Li Fuqiang , Teng Anguo , Zhang Changlong , Lei Lian , Ba Yuchun
Published: July 2024

As one of the most important food crops, the potato is widely planted in the oasis agricultural region of Northwest China. To ascertain the impact of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) on various facets including dry matter accumulation, tuber yield, quality and water use efficiency (WUE) of potato plants, a two-growth season field experiment under mulched drip irrigation was conducted in the desert oasis region of Northwest China. Water deficits, applied at the seedling, tuber formation, tuber expansion and starch accumulation stages, encompassed two distinctive levels: mild (55–65% of field capacity, FC) and moderate (45–55% FC) deficit, with full irrigation (65–75% FC) throughout the growing season as the control (CK). The results showed that water deficit significantly reduced (p < 0.05) above-ground dry matter, water consumption and tuber yield compared to CK, and the reduction increased with the increasing water deficit. A mild water deficit at the tuber formation stage, without significantly reducing (p > 0.05) yield, could significantly increase WUE and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), with two-year average increases of 25.55% and 32.33%, respectively, compared to CK. Water deficit at the tuber formation stage increased starch content, whereas water deficit at tuber expansion stage significantly reduced starch, protein and reducing sugar content. Additionally, a comprehensive evaluation showed that a mild water deficit at the tuber formation stage is the optimal RDI strategy for potato production, providing a good balance between yield, quality and WUE. The results of this study can provide theoretical support for efficient and sustainable potato production in the desert oasis regions of Northwest China.
Molecular Insights into Red Palm Weevil Resistance Mechanisms of Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Leaves
Authors: Liu Li , Yan Wei , Liu Bo , Qin Weiquan
Published: July 2024

Red palm weevil (RPW) (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) threatens most palm species worldwide. This study investigated the molecular responses of coconut (Cocos nucifera) leaves to RPW infestation through metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis. An RPW insect attack model was developed by placing different RPW larval densitiesin coconut plants and measuring the relative chlorophyll content of different leaf positions and physiological indicators of dysfunction after RPW infestation. The metabolomic changes were detected in the leaves of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 days after infestation (DAI) using GC-MS. Certain metabolites (glycine, D-pinitol, lauric acid, allylmalonic acid, D-glucaro-1, 4-lactone, protocatechuic acid, alpha, and alpha-trehalose) were found to be possible indicators for distinct stages of infestation using metabolomics analysis. The influence on ABC transporters, glutathione, galactose, and glycolipid metabolism was emphasized by pathway analysis. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified at 5, 10, 15, and 20 DAI through transcriptomics analysis of infested coconut leaves, with altered expression levels under RPW infestation. The KEGG pathway and GO analysis revealed enrichment in pathways related to metabolism, stress response, and plant–pathogen interactions, shedding light on the intricate mechanisms underlying coconut–RPW interactions. The identified genes may serve as potential markers for tracking RPW infestation progression and could inform strategies for pest control and management.
Response of Tomato Plants, Ailsa Craig and Carotenoid Mutant tangerine, to Simultaneous Treatment by Low Light and Low Temperature
Authors: Popova Antoaneta V. , Stefanov Martin , Mihailova Gergana , Borisova Preslava , Georgieva Katya
Published: July 2024

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plants, wild type Ailsa Craig, and carotenoid mutant tangerine that accumulates prolycopene instead of all-trans-lycopene were exposed to a combined treatment by low light and low temperature for 5 days. The ability of plants to recover from the stress after development for 3 days at control conditions was followed as well. The suffered oxidative stress was evaluated by the extent of pigment content, lipid peroxidation, membrane stability, and H2O2 generation. The level of MDA content under combined treatment in tangerine implies that the mutant demonstrates lower sensitivity to stress in comparison with Ailsa Craig. The oxidative protective strategy of plants was estimated by following the antioxidant and antiradical activity of phenolic metabolites, including anthocyanins, as well as the activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT). Presented results revealed that the oxidative stress was much stronger expressed after exposure of both types of plants to low light combined with low temperature compared to that after treatment with only low light. The most significant antioxidant protection was provided by phenolic substances, including anthocyanins. The lower sensitivity of tangerine plants to low light can be attributed to the higher activity of the antioxidant enzyme CAT.
Photocatalytic Degradation of Azo Dyes in Aqueous Solution Using TiO2 Doped with rGO/CdS under UV Irradiation
Authors: Madduri Sunith B. , Kommalapati Raghava R.
Published: July 2024

Photocatalysis, mainly using TiO2 as a catalyst, has emerged as a promising method to address the issue of wastewater treatment. This study explores the enhanced photocatalytic activity of TiO2 through the introduction of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and cadmium sulfide (CdS) as selective metal dopants. The incorporation of rGO and CdS into the TiO2 lattice aims to optimize its photocatalytic properties, including bandgap engineering, charge carrier separation, and surface reactivity. The unique combination of CdS and rGO with TiO2 is expected to boost degradation efficiency and reduce the reliance on expensive and potentially harmful sensitizers. This experimental investigation involves the synthesis and characterization of TiO2-based photocatalysts. The photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) and methylene blue (MB) was assessed under controlled laboratory conditions, studying the influence of metal dopants on degradation kinetics and degradation efficiency. Furthermore, the synthesized photocatalyst is characterized by advanced techniques, including BET, SEM, TEM, XRD, and XPS analyses. The degraded samples were analyzed by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Insights into the photoexcitation and charge transfer processes shed light on the role of metal dopants in enhancing photocatalytic performance. The results demonstrate the potential of a TiO2-rGO-CdS-based photocatalyst in which 100% degradation was achieved within four hours for MO and six hours for MB, confirming efficient azo dye degradation. The findings contribute to understanding the fundamental principles underlying the photocatalytic process and provide valuable guidance for designing and optimizing advanced photocatalytic systems. Ultimately, this research contributes to the development of sustainable and effective technologies for removing azo dyes from various wastewaters, promoting environmental preservation and human well-being.
Computational Insight of Oleracone L, Portulacatone B, and Portulacatal from Portulaca oleracea L. as Potential Anticholinesterase Inhibitors for Alzheimer’s
Authors: Alshammari Shifaa O.
Published: July 2024

Alzheimer’s disease, characterized by a decline in cognitive functions, is frequently associated with decreased levels of acetylcholine due to the overactivity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Inhibiting AChE has been a key therapeutic strategy in treating Alzheimer’s disease, yet the search for effective inhibitors, particularly from natural sources, continues due to their potential for fewer side effects. In this context, three new alkaloids—oleracone L, portulacatone B, and portulacatal—extracted from Portulaca oleracea L., have recently shown promising anticholinesterase activity in vitro. However, no experimental or computational studies have yet explored their binding potential. This study represents the first comprehensive in silico analysis of these compounds, employing ADME prediction, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and MM-PBSA calculations to assess their therapeutic potential. The drug-likeness was evaluated based on Lipinski, Pfizer, Golden Triangle, and GSK rules, with all three alkaloids meeting these criteria. The ADME profiles suggested that these alkaloids can effectively cross the blood–brain barrier, a critical requirement for Alzheimer’s treatment. Molecular docking studies revealed that oleracone L had the highest binding affinity (−10.75 kcal/mol) towards AChE, followed by portulacatal and portulacatone B, demonstrating significant interactions with crucial enzyme residues. Molecular dynamics simulations over 200 ns confirmed the stability of these interactions, with RMSD values below 2 Å for all complexes, indicating stable binding throughout the simulation period. RMSF and the radius of gyration analyses further corroborated the minimal impact of these alkaloids on the enzyme’s overall flexibility and compactness. Moreover, MM-PBSA calculations provided additional support for the binding efficacy, showing that oleracone L, with the most favorable binding energy, could be a superior inhibitor, potentially due to its stronger and more consistent hydrogen bonding and favorable electrostatic interactions compared to the other studied alkaloids. These computational findings highlight the binding efficiency and potential therapeutic viability of these alkaloids as AChE inhibitors, suggesting they could be promising candidates for Alzheimer’s disease treatment. The study underscores the importance of further validation through in vitro and in vivo experiments to confirm these predictions.
Thermal Power Calculation of Interior Permanent Magnet Eddy Current Heater Using Analytical Method
Authors: Lu Honglei , Zhang Ling , Hong Wenpeng
Published: July 2024

This paper presents an interior permanent magnet eddy current heater (IPMECH) that can be driven by wind turbine, which can realize the direct conversion of wind energy to thermal energy. A power analysis method for the IPMECH is proposed. The key to this method is to consider the influence of the skin effect on the distribution of eddy currents based on Coulomb’s law, Maxwell’s equation, and the Lorentz force law. Firstly, the equivalent magnetic circuit model is established, and the mathematical analytical expressions of air gap magnetic flux density (MFD), torque and thermal power of the IPMECH are derived. Then, the air gap MFD, torque and thermal power of the IPMECH are calculated, respectively. Finally, the analytical method (AM) is verified by the finite element method (FEM) and experiments. The results show that the proposed AM is sufficient to calculate the air gap MFD and thermal power of the IPMECH. The AM provides a quick and easy way to optimize and design an IPMECH.
The Effect of High-Speed Steam Discharged from the Bypass Diffusers on Low-Pressure Turbine Blades
Authors: Chen Fang , Zhong Zhuhai , Bai Kunlun , Liu Honglin , Luo Ming
Published: July 2024

Bypass diffusers are used to drain the excess steam generated in the steam generator in case of sudden load reduction or shutdown of the steam turbine. However, the steam at the orifice outlet with the high flow velocity may reverse into the space of last-stage blades and cause forced vibration of the turbine blades. For this study, a full-scale CFD calculation model which couples the last stage and the second-last stage with the bypass diffusers was constructed. The fluid dynamic characteristics of the high-speed steam discharged from the outlet of the bypass diffusers and the effect of steam on the last-stage rotating blades were analyzed comprehensively via both steady and transient numerical methods. The steady results show that the steam at the orifice outlet of the bypass diffusers presents a typical jet flow with some steam flowing back into the last-stage blades region through the exhaust of the cylinders. This results in a notable disturbance to the last-stage rotating blades, characterized by a non-uniform circumferential pressure distribution. The transient numerical simulation results reveal that the outlet mass flow rate of the steam from the second-last-stage stationary blades has a significant effect on both the Mach number distribution and the surface forces acting on the last-stage rotating blades. The higher outlet mass flow rate of the steam escalates the instability of the flow field. The difference in the Mach number at the same position can reach as high as 60% or more under different operating conditions. The forces acting on the last-stage rotating blades in different directions change periodically with time, and the magnitude and period of the variation correlate with the outlet mass flow rate of the steam.
Development and Performance Analysis of a Low-Cost Redox Flow Battery
Authors: Huq Nayeem Md. Lutful , Mohammed Mahbubul Islam , Lotif Gazi , Ashrafi Md. Rabbul , Himan Miah
Published: July 2024

Redox Flow Batteries (RFBs) offer a promising solution for energy storage due to their scalability and long lifespan, making them particularly attractive for integrating renewable energy sources with fluctuating power output. This study investigates the performance of a prototype Zinc-Chlorine Flow Battery (ZCFB) designed for low-cost and readily available electrolytes. The ZCFB utilizes a saltwater electrolyte containing ZnCl2 and NaCl, paired with a mineral spirits catholyte. The electrolyte consists of a 4 M ZnCl2 and a 2 M NaCl solution, both with a pH of 4.55. The anode was a zinc metal electrode, while the cathode comprised a porous carbon electrode on a titanium grid current collector. The cell volume was approximately 4.0 mL, with separate reservoirs for the NaCl/H2O and mineral spirits electrolytes. Experiments were conducted under constant current conditions, with a 0.2 A charging current and a 5 mA discharge current chosen for optimal cell voltage. The study analyzed the relationship between voltage, current, power, and capacity during both charging and discharging cycles. Results from multiple charge/discharge cycles found that the current density of the battery is around 62.658 mA/cm2 with an energy capacity average of 1.2 Wh. These findings can contribute to the development of more efficient and practical ZCFBs, particularly for applications requiring low-cost and readily available electrolytes.
Production of Motor Fuel Components by Processing Vegetable Oils Using a CoMo/Al2O3 Hydrotreating Catalyst and a ZSM-5 Zeolite Catalyst
Authors: Sosnina Daria , Altynov Andrey , Kirgina Maria , Bogdanov Ilya
Published: July 2024

Nowadays, there is a need to search for new renewable energy sources from which it is possible to obtain hydrocarbons that are similar in composition and properties to hydrocarbons of petroleum origin. This is due to a significant increase in demand for natural minerals and, as a consequence, the depletion of their reserves. Today, the most promising alternative renewable energy sources are various vegetable oils, which are used both in their pure form, adding them to commercial mineral fuels, and as products of catalytic processing using various catalysts. However, most studies in the field of alternative energy show that the use of fuels obtained from vegetable oils is limited by their properties as well as the climatic conditions of the areas where biofuels can be used. In this work, we propose an integrated approach to the processing of vegetable oils, which allows us to obtain products of a wide fractional composition with improved operational properties. This approach consists of sequential processing of vegetable oils, first using a CoMo/Al2O3 hydrotreating catalyst in order to obtain classical long-chain hydrocarbons with unsatisfactory properties, and then using a zeolite catalyst, ZSM-5 type, which is characterized by the active occurrence of cracking, isomerization, and aromatization reactions, which are accompanied by a decrease in the length of the hydrocarbon chain of the hydrocarbons obtained during the hydrotreating process and, as a result, improving the physicochemical and low-temperature properties of the resulting processed products.
A Bifrost Accelerated Intermittent Small Baseline Subset Analysis Pipeline for InSAR Ground Deformation
Authors: Bruzewski Seth , Dowell Jayce , Taylor Greg B. , Lindsey Eric O.
Published: July 2024

The Intermittent Small Baseline Subset approach to Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar data was originally devised as a way to recover information from regions with intermittent coherence, making it particularly useful in agricultural regions or those featuring significant vegetation. However, as modern data products grow in size, the increased computational complexity that this methodology demands makes processing more daunting. Here, we present a solution: leveraging the Bifrost data processing framework and GPUs, we analyze Sentinel-1 data covering a large region of northern California and are able to achieve dramatic speed-ups on the order of 300–400 times faster than CPU-bound implementations of ISBAS, processing the entire dataset in only 5 h.
Optimization on the Polarization and Waveform of Radar for Better Target Detection Performance under Rainy Condition
Authors: Li Xinda , Cheng Xu , Ju Xinjie , Peng Yunli , Hu Jinzhu , Li Jianbing
Published: July 2024

Under rainy conditions, atmospheric settling particles have significant depolarization effects on radar waves and thus affect the target detection performance. This paper establishes an extended target detection model for fully polarized radar under complex rainy conditions and proposes two polarization and waveform optimization methods by taking into account the transmission effect of rainfall. If the rainfall information is known, the polarization and waveform for transmitting and receiving are optimized by maximizing the system Signal-to-Clutter/Noise Ratio (SCNR). While the rainfall information is absent, the optimal transmitting polarization and waveform are obtained by directly compensating the transmission effect from non-rainfall optimization results using fully polarized radar observation parameters. Using measured data from the T-72 tank, The experimental results verify the effectiveness and robustness of the two methods in real scenarios and 4 dB on the improvement of SCNR can be achieved.
Position-Sensitive Silicon Photomultiplier Arrays with Large-Area and Sub-Millimeter Resolution
Authors: Acerbi Fabio , Merzi Stefano , Gola Alberto
Published: July 2024

Silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) are solid-state single-photon-sensitive detectors that show excellent performance in a wide range of applications. In FBK (Trento, Italy), we developed a position-sensitive SiPM technology, called “linearly graded” (LG-SiPM), which is based on an avalanche-current weighted-partitioning approach. It shows position reconstruction resolution below 250 μm on an 8 × 8 mm2 device area with four readout channels and minimal distortions. A recent development in terms of LG-SIPM is a larger chip version (10 × 10 mm2) based on FBK NUV-HD technology (near-ultraviolet sensitive), with a peak photon detection efficiency at 420 nm. Such a large-area detector with position sensitivity is very interesting in applications like MR-compatible PET, high-energy physics experiments, and readout of time-projection chambers, gamma and beta cameras, or scintillating fibers, with a reduced number of channels. These SiPMs were characterized in terms of noise, photon detection efficiency, and position resolution. We also developed tiles of 2 × 2 and 3 × 3 LG-SiPMs, reaching very large sensitive areas of 20 × 20 mm2 and 30 × 30 mm2. We implemented a “smart-channel” configuration, which allowed us to have just six output channels for the 2 × 2 elements and eight channels for the 3 × 3 element tiles, preserving a position resolution below 0.5 mm. These kinds of detectors provide a great advantage in compact and low-power applications by maintaining position sensitivity over large areas with a small number of channels.
System Design for Sensing in Manufacturing to Apply AI through Hierarchical Abstraction Levels
Authors: Sopidis Georgios , Haslgrübler Michael , Azadi Behrooz , Guiza Ouijdane , Schobesberger Martin , Anzengruber-Tanase Bernhard , Ferscha Alois
Published: July 2024

Activity recognition combined with artificial intelligence is a vital area of research, ranging across diverse domains, from sports and healthcare to smart homes. In the industrial domain, and the manual assembly lines, the emphasis shifts to human–machine interaction and thus to human activity recognition (HAR) within complex operational environments. Developing models and methods that can reliably and efficiently identify human activities, traditionally just categorized as either simple or complex activities, remains a key challenge in the field. Limitations of the existing methods and approaches include their inability to consider the contextual complexities associated with the performed activities. Our approach to address this challenge is to create different levels of activity abstractions, which allow for a more nuanced comprehension of activities and define their underlying patterns. Specifically, we propose a new hierarchical taxonomy for human activity abstraction levels based on the context of the performed activities that can be used in HAR. The proposed hierarchy consists of five levels, namely atomic, micro, meso, macro, and mega. We compare this taxonomy with other approaches that divide activities into simple and complex categories as well as other similar classification schemes and provide real-world examples in different applications to demonstrate its efficacy. Regarding advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, our study aims to guide and optimize industrial assembly procedures, particularly in uncontrolled non-laboratory environments, by shaping workflows to enable structured data analysis and highlighting correlations across various levels throughout the assembly progression. In addition, it establishes effective communication and shared understanding between researchers and industry professionals while also providing them with the essential resources to facilitate the development of systems, sensors, and algorithms for custom industrial use cases that adapt to the level of abstraction.
Potential of a New, Flexible Electrode sEMG System in Detecting Electromyographic Activation in Low Back Muscles during Clinical Tests: A Pilot Study on Wearables for Pain Management
Authors: Frasie Antoine , Massé-Alarie Hugo , Bielmann Mathieu , Gauthier Nicolas , Roudjane Mourad , Pagé Isabelle , Gosselin Benoit , Roy Jean-Sébastien , Messaddeq Younes , Bouyer Laurent J.
Published: July 2024

Background: While low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide, its clinical objective assessment is currently limited. Part of this syndrome arises from the abnormal sensorimotor control of back muscles, involving increased muscle fatigability (i.e., assessed with the Biering–Sorensen test) and abnormal muscle activation patterns (i.e., the flexion–extension test). Surface electromyography (sEMG) provides objective measures of muscle fatigue development (median frequency drop, MDF) and activation patterns (RMS amplitude change). This study therefore assessed the sensitivity and validity of a novel and flexible sEMG system (NSS) based on PEVA electrodes and potentially embeddable in textiles, as a tool for objective clinical LBP assessment. Methods: Twelve participants wearing NSS and a commercial laboratory sEMG system (CSS) performed two clinical tests used in LBP assessment (Biering–Sorensen and flexion–extension). Erector spinae muscle activity was recorded at T12-L1 and L4-L5. Results: NSS showed sensitivity to sEMG changes associated with fatigue development and muscle activations during flexion–extension movements (p < 0.05) that were similar to CSS (p > 0.05). Raw signals showed moderate cross-correlations (MDF: 0.60–0.68; RMS: 0.53–0.62). Adding conductive gel to the PEVA electrodes did not influence sEMG signal interpretation (p > 0.05). Conclusions: This novel sEMG system is promising for assessing electrophysiological indicators of LBP during clinical tests.
Model Predictive Control (MPC) of a Countercurrent Flow Plate Heat Exchanger in a Virtual Environment
Authors: Siza Jairo , Llanos Jacqueline , Velasco Paola , Moya Alexander Paul , Sumba Henry
Published: July 2024

This research proposes advanced model-based control strategies for a countercurrent flow plate heat exchanger in a virtual environment. A virtual environment with visual and auditory effects is designed, which requires a mathematical model describing the real dynamics of the process; this allows parallel fluid movement in different directions with hot and cold temperatures at the outlet, incorporating control monitoring interfaces as communication links between the virtual heat exchanger and control applications. A multivariable and non-linear process like the plate and countercurrent flow heat exchanger requires analysis in the controller design; therefore, this work proposes and compares two control strategies to identify the best-performing one. The first controller is based on the inverse model of the plant, with linear algebra techniques and numerical methods; the second controller is a model predictive control (MPC), which presents optimal control actions that minimize the steady-state errors and aggressive variations in the actuators, respecting the temperature constraints and the operating limits, incorporating a predictive model of the plant. The controllers are tested for different setpoint changes and disturbances, determining that they are not overshot and that the MPC controller has the shortest settling time and lowest steady-state error.