bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gut Microbiota and Infectious Complications in Advanced Chronic Liver Disease: Focus on Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis
Authors: Maccauro Valeria , Airola Carlo , Santopaolo Francesco , Gasbarrini Antonio , Ponziani Francesca Romana , Pompili Maurizio
Published: April 2023

Liver cirrhosis is a chronic disease that can be complicated by episodes of decompensation such as variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, ascites, and jaundice, with subsequent increased mortality. Infections are also among the most common complications in cirrhotic patients, mostly due to a defect in immunosurveillance. Among them, one of the most frequent is spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), defined as the primary infection of ascitic fluid without other abdominal foci. SBP is mainly induced by Gram-negative bacteria living in the intestinal tract, and translocating through the intestinal barrier, which in cirrhotic patients is defective and more permeable. Moreover, in cirrhotic patients, the intestinal microbiota shows an altered composition, poor in beneficial elements and enriched in potentially pathogenic ones. This condition further promotes the development of leaky gut and increases the risk of SBP. The first-line treatment of SBP is antibiotic therapy; however, the antibiotics used have a broad spectrum of action and may adversely affect the composition of the gut microbiota, worsening dysbiosis. For this reason, the future goal is to use new therapeutic agents that act primarily on the gut microbiota, selectively modulating it, or on the intestinal barrier, reducing its permeability. In this review, we aim to describe the reciprocal relationship between gut microbiota and SBP, focusing on pathogenetic aspects but also on new future therapies.
A Longitudinal Study of the Relationship of Adiponectin with Reproduction in Infertile Women Undergoing IVF/ICSI Treatment, and an Experimental Study in Human Granulosa Cells
Authors: Qin Lixian , Sitticharoon Chantacha , Petyim Somsin , Keadkraichaiwat Issarawan , Sririwichitchai Rungnapa , Maikaew Pailin , Churintaraphan Malika
Published: April 2023

This study investigated the roles of adiponectin in IVF treatment during Phase I (the basal stage before gonadotropin administration), Phase II (approximately 8 days after gonadotropin administration), and Phase III (on the ovum pick-up day), as well as the effects of adiponectin on CYP19A1 and the FSH receptor (FSHR) mRNA expression in a human granulosa-like tumor cell line (KGN). In human subjects (a longitudinal study, n = 30), blood samples were collected in all phases, while follicular fluid (FF) was only collected in Phase III. The participants were classified into successful and unsuccessful groups based on the determination of fetal heartbeats. KGN cells were treated with adiponectin/FSH/IGF-1 (an experimental study, n = 3). There was no difference in the adiponectin levels between successful and unsuccessful pregnancies in the FF (Phase III) and in serum (all phases), as well as among the three phases in both groups. Serum FSH (Phase I) was positively associated with serum adiponectin in the unsuccessful group, but it had a negative association in the successful group (all phases). Serum adiponectin and serum FSH (Phase I) were positively correlated in the unsuccessful group, whereas they were negatively correlated (all phases) in the successful group. The serum adiponectin levels (Phase III) were significantly higher than in the FF in unsuccessful pregnancies, but there was no difference in successful pregnancies. FF adiponectin concentrations were negatively correlated with serum LH in successful subjects. In KGN cells, adiponectin had no influence on CYP19A1 and FSHR mRNA expression. High adiponectin levels in serum compared to FF (Phase III) in unsuccessful subjects might negatively impact IVF treatment.
The Role of Genetic Mutations in Mitochondrial-Driven Cancer Growth in Selected Tumors: Breast and Gynecological Malignancies
Authors: Czegle Ibolya , Huang Chelsea , Soria Priscilla Geraldine , Purkiss Dylan Wesley , Shields Andrea , Wappler-Guzzetta Edina Amalia
Published: April 2023

There is an increasing understanding of the molecular and cytogenetic background of various tumors that helps us better conceptualize the pathogenesis of specific diseases. Additionally, in many cases, these molecular and cytogenetic alterations have diagnostic, prognostic, and/or therapeutic applications that are heavily used in clinical practice. Given that there is always room for improvement in cancer treatments and in cancer patient management, it is important to discover new therapeutic targets for affected individuals. In this review, we discuss mitochondrial changes in breast and gynecological (endometrial and ovarian) cancers. In addition, we review how the frequently altered genes in these diseases (BRCA1/2, HER2, PTEN, PIK3CA, CTNNB1, RAS, CTNNB1, FGFR, TP53, ARID1A, and TERT) affect the mitochondria, highlighting the possible associated individual therapeutic targets. With this approach, drugs targeting mitochondrial glucose or fatty acid metabolism, reactive oxygen species production, mitochondrial biogenesis, mtDNA transcription, mitophagy, or cell death pathways could provide further tailored treatment.
The Rehbinder Effect in Testing Saturated Carbonate Geomaterials
Authors: Riabokon Evgenii , Turbakov Mikhail , Kozhevnikov Evgenii , Poplygin Vladimir , Jing Hongwen
Published: April 2023

Carbonate geomaterial samples were tested for uniaxial compressive strength and tensile strength under air-dried and distilled-water-wet conditions. When tested for uniaxial compression, samples saturated with distilled water showed 20% lower average strength than that of air-dried samples. In the indirect tensile (Brazilian) test, samples saturated with distilled water showed 25% lower average strength than that of dry samples. In comparison with air-dried conditions, when the geomaterial is saturated with water, the ratio of the tensile strength to the compressive strength is decreased, mainly due to the decrease in the tensile strength caused by the Rehbinder effect.
Mo-LDH-GO Hybrid Catalysts for Indigo Carmine Advanced Oxidation
Authors: Pavel Octavian Dumitru , Stamate Alexandra-Elisabeta , Zăvoianu Rodica , Cruceanu Anca , Tirsoaga Alina , Bîrjega Ruxandra , Brezeștean Ioana Andreea , Ciorîță Alexandra , Culiță Daniela Cristina , Dias Ana Paula Soares
Published: April 2023

This paper is focused on the utilization of hybrid catalysts obtained from layered double hydroxides containing molybdate as the compensation anion (Mo-LDH) and graphene oxide (GO) in advanced oxidation using environmentally friendly H2O2 as the oxidation agent for the removal of indigo carmine dye (IC) from wastewaters at 25 °C using 1 wt.% catalyst in the reaction mixture. Five samples of Mo-LDH-GO composites containing 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 wt% GO labeled as HTMo-xGO (where HT is the abbreviation used for Mg/Al in the brucite type layer of the LDH and x stands for the concentration of GO) have been synthesized by coprecipitation at pH 10 and characterized by XRD, SEM, Raman, and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, determination of the acid and base sites, and textural analysis by nitrogen adsorption/desorption. The XRD analysis confirmed the layered structure of the HTMo-xGO composites and GO incorporation in all samples has been proved by Raman spectroscopy. The most efficient catalyst was found to be the catalyst that contained 20%wt. GO, which allowed the removal of IC to reach 96.6%. The results of the catalytic tests indicated a strong correlation between catalytic activity and textural properties as well as the basicity of the catalysts.
The Influence of the Synthesis Method on the Characteristics of BaTiO3
Authors: Almeida G. N. , de Souza R. N. , Lima L. F. S. , Mohallem N. D. S. , da Silva E. P. , Silva A. M. A.
Published: April 2023

In this work, barium titanate powders were produced by sol-gel and sol-precipitation methods from metal alkoxides. In the sol-gel method, tetraisopropyl orthotitanate was mixed with 2-propanol, acetic acid and barium acetate, and the gel samples obtained were calcined at 600 °C, 800 °C and 1000 °C. Through the sol-precipitation method, tetraisopropyl orthotitanate was mixed with acetic acid and deionized water and precipitated by the addition of a concentrated solution of KOH. The products were calcined at various temperatures, and the microstructural and dielectric properties of the BaTiO3 prepared for the two processes were analyzed and compared. The results of these analyses allowed us to observe an increase in the tetragonal phase and the dielectric constant (15–50 at 20 kHz) with increasing temperatures in the samples produced by the sol-gel method, while the sample obtained by sol precipitation was cubic. The presence of BaCO3 is more evident in the sample produced by sol-precipitation, and the band gap of the products obtained did not show significant variation, changing the synthesis method (3.363–3.594 eV).
Hybrid Learning Moth Search Algorithm for Solving Multidimensional Knapsack Problems
Authors: Feng Yanhong , Wang Hongmei , Cai Zhaoquan , Li Mingliang , Li Xi
Published: April 2023

The moth search algorithm (MS) is a relatively new metaheuristic optimization algorithm which mimics the phototaxis and Lévy flights of moths. Being an NP-hard problem, the 0–1 multidimensional knapsack problem (MKP) is a classical multi-constraint complicated combinatorial optimization problem with numerous applications. In this paper, we present a hybrid learning MS (HLMS) by incorporating two learning mechanisms, global-best harmony search (GHS) learning and Baldwinian learning for solving MKP. (1) GHS learning guides moth individuals to search for more valuable space and the potential dimensional learning uses the difference between two random dimensions to generate a large jump. (2) Baldwinian learning guides moth individuals to change the search space by making full use of the beneficial information of other individuals. Hence, GHS learning mainly provides global exploration and Baldwinian learning works for local exploitation. We demonstrate the competitiveness and effectiveness of the proposed HLMS by conducting extensive experiments on 87 benchmark instances. The experimental results show that the proposed HLMS has better or at least competitive performance against the original MS and some other state-of-the-art metaheuristic algorithms. In addition, the parameter sensitivity of Baldwinian learning is analyzed and two important components of HLMS are investigated to understand their impacts on the performance of the proposed algorithm.
An Adaptive-to-Model Test for Parametric Functional Single-Index Model
Authors: Xia Lili , Lai Tingyu , Zhang Zhongzhan
Published: April 2023

Model checking methods based on non-parametric estimation are widely used because of their tractable limiting null distributions and being sensitive to high-frequency oscillation alternative models. However, this kind of test suffers from the curse of dimensionality, resulting in slow convergence, especially for functional data with infinite dimensional features. In this paper, we propose an adaptive-to-model test for a parametric functional single-index model by using the orthogonality of residual and its conditional expectation. The test achieves model adaptation by sufficient dimension reduction which utilizes functional sliced inverse regression. This test procedure can be easily extended to other non-parametric test methods. Under certain conditions, we prove the asymptotic properties of the test statistic under the null hypothesis, fixed alternative hypothesis and local alternative hypothesis. Simulations show that our test has better performance than the method that does not use functional sufficient dimension reduction. An analysis of COVID-19 data verifies our conclusion.
A Survey on Multimodal Knowledge Graphs: Construction, Completion and Applications
Authors: Chen Yong , Ge Xinkai , Yang Shengli , Hu Linmei , Li Jie , Zhang Jinwen
Published: April 2023

As an essential part of artificial intelligence, a knowledge graph describes the real-world entities, concepts and their various semantic relationships in a structured way and has been gradually popularized in a variety practical scenarios. The majority of existing knowledge graphs mainly concentrate on organizing and managing textual knowledge in a structured representation, while paying little attention to the multimodal resources (e.g., pictures and videos), which can serve as the foundation for the machine perception of a real-world data scenario. To this end, in this survey, we comprehensively review the related advances of multimodal knowledge graphs, covering multimodal knowledge graph construction, completion and typical applications. For construction, we outline the methods of named entity recognition, relation extraction and event extraction. For completion, we discuss the multimodal knowledge graph representation learning and entity linking. Finally, the mainstream applications of multimodal knowledge graphs in miscellaneous domains are summarized.
Resources Relocation Support Strategy Based on a Modified Genetic Algorithm for Bike-Sharing Systems
Authors: Florian Horațiu , Avram Camelia , Pop Mihai , Radu Dan , Aștilean Adina
Published: April 2023

In recent decades, special attention has been given to the adverse effects of traffic congestion. Bike-sharing systems, as a part of the broader category of shared transportation systems, are seen as viable solutions to these problems. Even if the quality of service in bike-sharing service systems were permanently improved, there would still be some issues that needed new and more efficient solutions. One of these refers to the rebalancing operations that follow the bike depletion phenomenon that affects most stations during shorter or longer time periods. Current work develops a two-step method to perform effective rebalancing operations in bike-sharing. The core elements of the method are a fuzzy logic-controlled genetic algorithm for bike station prioritization and an inference mechanism aiming to do the assignment between the stations and trucks. The solution was tested on traffic data collected from the Citi Bike New York bike-sharing system. The proposed method shows overall superior performance compared to other algorithms that are specific to capacitated vehicle routing problems: standard genetic algorithm, ant colony optimization, Tabu search algorithm, and improved performance compared to Harris Hawks optimization for some scenarios. Since the algorithm is independent of past traffic measurements, it applies to any other potential bike-sharing system.
Where Are We Going with Statistical Computing? From Mathematical Statistics to Collaborative Data Science
Authors: Makowski Dominique , Waggoner Philip D.
Published: April 2023

The field of statistical computing is rapidly developing and evolving. Shifting away from the formerly siloed landscape of mathematics, statistics, and computer science, recent advancements in statistical computing are largely characterized by a fusing of these worlds; namely, programming, software development, and applied statistics are merging in new and exciting ways. There are numerous drivers behind this advancement, including open movement (encompassing development, science, and access), the advent of data science as a field, and collaborative problem-solving, as well as practice-altering advances in subfields such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and Bayesian estimation. In this paper, we trace this shift in how modern statistical computing is performed, and that which has recently emerged from it. This discussion points to a future of boundless potential for the field.
A Computational Magnetohydrodynamic Modelling Study on Plasma Arc Behaviour in Gasification Applications
Authors: Reynolds Quinn G. , Kekana Thokozile P. , Xakalashe Buhle S.
Published: April 2023

The application of direct-current plasma arc furnace technology to the problem of coal gasification is investigated using computational multiphysics models of the plasma arc inside such units. An integrated modelling workflow for the study of DC plasma arc discharges in synthesis gas atmospheres is presented. The thermodynamic and transport properties of the plasma are estimated using statistical mechanics calculations and are shown to have highly non-linear dependencies on the gas composition and temperature. A computational magnetohydrodynamic solver for electromagnetically coupled flows is developed and implemented in the OpenFOAM® framework, and the behaviour of three-dimensional transient simulations of arc formation and dynamics is studied in response to different plasma gas compositions and furnace operating conditions. To demonstrate the utility of the methods presented, practical engineering results are obtained from an ensemble of simulation results for a pilot-scale furnace design. These include the stability of the arc under different operating conditions and the dependence of voltage–current relationships on the arc length, which are relevant in understanding the industrial operability of plasma arc furnaces used for waste coal gasification.
Prognostic Value for Mortality of Plasma Bioactive Adrenomedullin in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Sub Analysis of the Biomarker Study in the COHARD-PH Registry
Authors: Hartopo Anggoro Budi , Anggrahini Dyah Wulan , Dinarti Lucia Kris , Schäfer Anne-Kathrin , Bergmann Andreas , Fachiroh Jajah , Somma Salvatore Di
Published: April 2023

The adrenomedullin level increases in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH, and correlates with a high mortality rate. Its active form, bioactive adrenomedullin (bio-ADM), has been recently developed and has significant prognostic applications in acute clinical settings. Aside from idiopathic/hereditary PAH (I/H-PAH), atrial septal defects-associated pulmonary artery hypertension (ASD-PAH) is still prevalent in developing countries and associated with increased mortality. This study aimed to investigate the mortality-wise prognostic value of the plasma bio-ADM level by comparing subjects with ASD-PAH and I/H-PAH with ASD patients without pulmonary hypertension (PH) as a control group. This was a retrospective, observational cohort study. The subjects were Indonesian adult patients who were recruited from the Congenital Heart Disease and Pulmonary Hypertension (COHARD-PH) registry and divided into three groups: (1) ASD without PH (control group), (2) ASD-PAH and (3) I/H-PAH. During right-heart catheterization at the time of diagnosis, a plasma sample was taken and assayed for bio-ADM using a chemiluminescence immunoassay. Follow-up was performed as a part of the COHARD-PH registry protocol in order to evaluate the mortality rate. Among the 120 subjects enrolled: 20 turned out to have ASD without PH, 85 had ASD-PAH and 15 had I/H-PAH. Compared to the control group (5.15 (3.0–7.95 pg/mL)) and ASD-PAH group (7.30 (4.10–13.50 pg/mL)), bio-ADM levels were significantly higher in the I/H-PAH group (median (interquartile range (IQR)): 15.50 (7.50–24.10 pg/mL)). Moreover, plasma bio-ADM levels were significantly higher in subjects who died (n = 21, 17.5%) compared to those who survived (median (IQR): 11.70 (7.20–16.40 pg/mL) vs. 6.90 (4.10–10.20 pg/mL), p = 0.031). There was a tendency toward higher bio-ADM levels in those who died among the PAH subjects, in both ASD-PAH and I/H-PAH groups. In conclusion, the plasma bio-ADM level is elevated in subjects with PAH from both ASD-PAH and I/H-PAH origins, reaching the highest levels in subjects with the I/H-PAH form. A high bio-ADM level tended to be associated with a high mortality rate in all subjects with PAH, indicating a relevant prognostic value for this biomarker. In patients with I/H-PAH, monitoring bio-ADM could represent a valid tool for predicting outcomes, allowing more appropriate therapeutical choices.
Maternal High-Fat Diet Consumption in Sprague Dawley Rats Compromised the Availability and Altered the Tissue Distribution of Lutein in Neonatal Offspring
Authors: Zhang Yanqi , Tan Libo
Published: April 2023

Lutein, the most abundant carotenoid in the infant eye and brain, is critical for their visual and cognitive development. Due to its lipophilic nature, a high adiposity may affect the tissue distribution of lutein. The aim of the study was to determine the impacts of a maternal high-fat diet (HFD) consumption on the status of lutein in the neonatal offspring. Female Sprague Dawley rats (n = 6) were fed a normal fat diet (NFD) or a HFD for 8 weeks before mating, and they were switched to an NFD or an HFD containing the same concentration of lutein ester during gestation and lactation. Rat pups (n = 7/group/time) were euthanized on postnatal day 2 (P2), P6, P11, and P20 for measuring tissue lutein concentrations. No significant difference in maternal lutein intake was found between the two groups. At both P6 and P11, a significantly lower lutein concentration was noted in the milk samples separated from the stomach of HFD pups than the concentration in the samples from the NFD pups; the HFD group showed a significantly lower lutein concentration in the liver. At P11, the HFD pups exhibited a significantly lower lutein concentration in the eye, brain, and brown adipose tissue accompanied with a significantly higher lutein concentration and mass in the visceral white adipose tissue. The study was the first to provide evidence that maternal HFD consumption resulted in a compromised availability and altered distribution of lutein in the neonatal offspring.
Effects of Low- and High-Frequency Cardiac Rehabilitation on Risk Factors, Physical Fitness and Quality of Life in Middle-Aged Women with Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: Zhou Peng , Zhang Wangyang , Kim Yonghwan , Meng Huan
Published: April 2023

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a system that comprehensively manages risk factors to reduce the recurrence rate after cardiovascular disease treatment. This study compared the effects of home-based low-frequency CR (1–2 times/week) and center-based high-frequency CR (3–5 times/week) for 12 weeks. This study was conducted as an observational case-control study. Ninety women, ages 45 to 60, who underwent coronary artery stenting were enrolled. Measurement variables were waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), triglycerides (TG), glucose, VO2 peak, body composition, and quality of life. Significant changes were observed in systolic BP, TC, LDLC, TG, VO2 peak, exercise duration, and quality of life in both groups. However, BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage, HDLC, and blood glucose only exhibited significant changes with HFT. The interaction effects according to time and group were as follows: systolic BP, waist circumference, body fat, BMI, HDLC, and glucose (p < 0.05). Therefore, in CR participants, HFT improved more than LFT on obesity factors, HDLC, and glucose change. As well as center-based HFT, home-based LFT also improved risk factors for cardiovascular disease, fitness, and quality of life. For female patients who have difficulty visiting the CR center frequently, home-based LFT may be a CR program that can be presented as an alternative.
Rosenbergiella meliponini D21B Isolated from Pollen Pots of the Australian Stingless Bee Tetragonula carbonaria
Authors: Farlow Anthony J. , Rupasinghe Darshani B. , Naji Khalid M. , Capon Robert J. , Spiteller Dieter
Published: April 2023

Rosenbergiella bacteria have been previously isolated predominantly from floral nectar and identified in metagenomic screenings as associated with bees. Here, we isolated three Rosenbergiella strains from the robust Australian stingless bee Tetragonula carbonaria sharing over 99.4% sequence similarity with Rosenbergiella strains isolated from floral nectar. The three Rosenbergiella strains (D21B, D08K, D15G) from T. carbonaria exhibited near-identical 16S rDNA. The genome of strain D21B was sequenced; its draft genome contains 3,294,717 bp, with a GC content of 47.38%. Genome annotation revealed 3236 protein-coding genes. The genome of D21B differs sufficiently from the closest related strain, Rosenbergiella epipactidis 2.1A, to constitute a new species. In contrast to R. epipactidis 2.1A, strain D21B produces the volatile 2-phenylethanol. The D21B genome contains a polyketide/non-ribosomal peptide gene cluster not present in any other Rosenbergiella draft genomes. Moreover, the Rosenbergiella strains isolated from T. carbonaria grew in a minimal medium without thiamine, but R. epipactidis 2.1A was thiamine-dependent. Strain D21B was named R. meliponini D21B, reflecting its origin from stingless bees. Rosenbergiella strains may contribute to the fitness of T. carbonaria.
Development of Type 1 Diabetes in Mice Is Associated with a Decrease in IL-2-Producing ILC3 and FoxP3+ Treg in the Small Intestine
Authors: Saksida Tamara , Paunović Verica , Koprivica Ivan , Mićanović Dragica , Jevtić Bojan , Jonić Natalija , Stojanović Ivana , Pejnović Nada
Published: April 2023

Recent data indicate the link between the number and function of T regulatory cells (Treg) in the gut immune tissue and initiation and development of autoimmunity associated with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Since type 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3) in the small intestine are essential for maintaining FoxP3+ Treg and there are no data about the possible role of ILC3 in T1D pathogenesis, the aim of this study was to explore ILC3-Treg link during the development of T1D. Mature diabetic NOD mice had lower frequencies of IL-2-producing ILC3 and Treg in small intestine lamina propria (SILP) compared to prediabetic NOD mice. Similarly, in multiple low doses of streptozotocin (MLDS)-induced T1D in C57BL/6 mice, hyperglycemic mice exhibited lower numbers of ILC3, IL-2+ ILC3 and Treg in SILP compared to healthy controls. To boost T1D severity, mice were treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics (ABX) for 14 days prior to T1D induction by MLDS. The higher incidence of T1D in ABX-treated mice was associated with significantly lower frequencies of IL-2+ ILC3 and FoxP3+ Treg in SILP compared with mice without ABX treatment. The obtained findings show that the lower proportions of IL-2-expressing ILC3 and FoxP3+ Treg in SILP coincided with diabetes progression and severity.
Series of Organotin(IV) Compounds with Different Dithiocarbamate Ligands Induced Cytotoxicity, Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest on Jurkat E6.1, T Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells
Authors: Rasli Nur Rasyiqin , Hamid Asmah , Awang Normah , Kamaludin Nurul Farahana
Published: April 2023

The discovery of cisplatin has influenced scientists to study the anticancer properties of other metal complexes. Organotin(IV) dithiocarbamate compounds are gaining attention as anticancer agents due to their potent cytotoxic properties on cancer cells. In this study, a series of organotin compounds were assessed for their toxic effects on the Jurkat E6.1 cell line. WST-1 assay was used to determine the cytotoxic effect of the compounds and showed that six out of seven organotin(IV) dithiocarbamate compounds exhibited potent cytotoxic effects toward T-lymphoblastic leukemia cells, Jurkat E6.1 with the concentration of IC50 ranging from 0.67–0.94 µM. The apoptosis assay by Annexin V-FITC/PI staining showed that all tested compounds induced cell death mainly via apoptosis. Cell cycle analysis assessed using RNase/PI staining showed that organotin(IV) dithiocarbamate compounds induced cell cycle arrest at different phases. In conclusion, the tested organotin(IV) dithiocarbamate compounds demonstrated potent cytotoxicity against Jurkat E6.1 cells via apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at low IC50 value. However, further studies on the mechanisms of action are required to probe the possible potential of these compounds on leukemia cells before they can be developed into anti-leukemic agents.
Green One-Pot Syntheses of 2-Sulfoximidoyl-3,6-dibromo Indoles Using N-Br Sulfoximines as Both Brominating and Sulfoximinating Reagents
Authors: Chen Xiao Yun , Tang Yaonan , Xiang Xinran , Tang Yisong , Huang Mingyang , Zheng Shaojun , Yang Cuifeng
Published: April 2023

A green one-pot 2,3,6-trifunctionalization of N-alkyl/aryl indoles was achieved by adding three equivalents of N-Br sulfoximine to the indole solution. A variety of 2-sulfoximidoyl-3,6-dibromo indoles were prepared with 38–94% yields using N-Br sulfoximines as both brominating and sulfoximinating reagents. Based on the results of controlled experiments, we propose that a radical substitution involving 3,6-dibromination and 2-sulfoximination occurs in the reaction process. This is first time that 2,3,6-trifunctionalization of indole in one pot has been achieved.
Nanoscale Clustering in an Additively Manufactured Zr-Based Metallic Glass Evaluated by Atom Probe Tomography
Authors: Goetz Inga K. , Sälker Janis A. , Hans Marcus , Hjörvarsson Björgvin , Schneider Jochen M.
Published: April 2023

Composition analysis at the nm-scale, marking the onset of clustering in bulk metallic glasses, can aid the understanding and further optimization of additive manufacturing processes. By atom probe tomography, it is challenging to differentiate nm-scale segregations from random fluctuations. This ambiguity is due to the limited spatial resolution and detection efficiency. Cu and Zr were selected as model systems since the spatial distributions of the isotopes therein constitute ideal solid solutions, as the mixing enthalpy is, by definition, zero. Close agreement is observed between the simulated and measured spatial distributions of the isotopes. Having established the signature of a random distribution of atoms, the elemental distribution in amorphous Zr59.3Cu28.8Al10.4Nb1.5 samples fabricated by laser powder bed fusion is analyzed. By comparison with the length scales of spatial isotope distributions, the probed volume of the bulk metallic glass shows a random distribution of all constitutional elements, and no evidence for clustering is observed. However, heat-treated metallic glass samples clearly exhibit elemental segregation which increases in size with annealing time. Segregations in Zr59.3Cu28.8Al10.4Nb1.5 > 1 nm can be observed and separated from random fluctuations, while accurate determination of segregations < 1 nm in size are limited by spatial resolution and detection efficiency.
Computer Simulation of Multichannel Beam Focusing System in Turbulent Atmosphere
Authors: Konyaev Petr , Lukin Vladimir
Published: April 2023

The results of a computer simulation of laser beams focused by a combined multichannel array system in the atmosphere are presented. Beam propagation on atmospheric paths is considered taking into account the influence of turbulence and time-dependent thermal blooming interactions. The increase in the maximum intensity of the focal spot due to the optimization of the initial power density of the emitting aperture is estimated. It is shown that the scaling of the optimal initial power in multichannel arrays preserves the proportional dependence of the maximum intensity in focus with an increase in the number of channels. For wave-optics simulation, custom made software was developed based on the split-step method and modified for parallel algorithms using the functions of the Intel ® Math Kernel Library.
Feasibility Study of Hypernucleus Production at NICA/MPD
Authors: Kolesnikov Vadim , Kireyeu Viktar , Mudrokh Alexander , Vasendina Veronika , Zinchenko Alexander
Published: April 2023

The NICA (Nuclotron-based Ion Collider fAcility) project at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR, Dubna, Russia) is aimed at the construction of a new accelerator complex for heavy ions and polarized particles. Heavy-ion collisions at NICA are planned to be studied in the region of the highest net-baryon density, which favors the formation of bound nuclear systems with strangeness hypernuclei. The multipurpose detector (MPD) at NICA is designed to reconstruct interactions of relativistic nuclei in a high-multiplicity environment. In this paper, we report the feasibility study results for the reconstruction of Λ3H, Λ4H and Λ4He in Bi+Bi collisions at the nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy, sNN= 9.2 GeV.
The Asymmetric Dynamical Casimir Effect
Authors: Gorban Matthew , Julius William , Brown Patrick , Matulevich Jacob , Cleaver Gerald
Published: April 2023

A mirror with time-dependent boundary conditions will interact with the quantum vacuum to produce real particles via a phenomenon called the dynamical Casimir effect (DCE). When asymmetric boundary conditions are imposed on the fluctuating mirror, the DCE produces an asymmetric spectrum of particles. We call this the asymmetric dynamical Casimir effect (ADCE). Here, we investigate the necessary conditions and general structure of the ADCE through both a waves-based and a particles-based perspective. We review the current state of the ADCE literature and expand upon previous studies to generate new asymmetric solutions. The physical consequences of the ADCE are examined, as the imbalance of particles produced must be balanced with the subsequent motion of the mirror. The transfer of momentum from the vacuum to macroscopic objects is discussed.
Mapping Asia Plants: Historical Outline and Review of Sources on Floristic Diversity in South Asia
Authors: Xiao Cui , Zhang Zhixiang , Ma Keping , Lin Qinwen
Published: April 2023

South Asia, which is composed of eight countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, is an important global biodiversity hotspot. As a part of the Mapping Asia Plants (MAP) project, we reviewed the history of botanical investigations, floristic works, and publications in this region, as well as the key floras, checklists, and online databases in South Asia. The botanical survey of this region, which began during the 17th century, has two distinct phases: surveys conducted during the British India period and those conducted in the post-British period. The seven volumes of The Flora of British India are the most important contributions to flora research in South Asia because of their wider geographical coverage, which was performed by British botanists. Following on from this, different countries have launched independent floristic surveys. At the country level, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka have completed, or partially completed, their flora surveys at the country level, while Maldives has not yet published its national flora survey. According to currently available information, the approximated numbers of plant taxa for each country in South Asia are as follows: Afghanistan, 5261 (vascular plants); Bangladesh, 3470 (vascular plants); Bhutan, 5985 (flowering plants); India, 21,558 (flowering plants); Maldives, 270 (common plants); Nepal, 6500 (flowering plants); Pakistan, 6000+ (vascular plants); and Sri Lanka, 4143 (flowering plants). Additionally, there are 151 books devoted to the key floras and checklists in South Asia. A total of 1.1 million digital records of specimens from this region can be found on the website of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). However, there are still major gaps and limitations—such as out-of-date publications, national floras that are mainly detailed only in local languages, massive non-digitized specimens, and the lack of a comprehensive online database or platform—which should be addressed in terms of their global applications.
Leaf Gas Exchange and Photosystem II Fluorescence Responses to CO2 Cycling
Authors: Bunce James
Published: April 2023

Experimental systems to simulate future elevated CO2 conditions in the field often have large, rapid fluctuations in CO2. To examine possible impacts of such fluctuations on photosynthesis, the intact leaves of the field-grown plants of five species were exposed to two-minute cycles of CO2 between 400 and 800 μmol mol−1, lasting a total of 10 min, with photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and PSII fluorescence measured at the end of each half-cycle and also 10 min after the end of the cycling. Prior to the cyclic CO2 treatments, the steady-state responses of leaf gas exchange and fluorescence to CO2 were determined. In four of the five species, in which stomatal conductance decreased with increasing CO2, the cyclic CO2 treatments reduced stomatal conductance. In those species, both photosynthesis and the photochemical efficiency of PSII were reduced at limiting internal CO2 levels, but not at saturating CO2. In the fifth species, there was no change in stomatal conductance with CO2 and no change in either photosynthesis or PSII efficiency at any CO2 level with CO2 cycling. It is concluded that in many, but not all, species, fluctuations in CO2 may reduce photosynthesis at low CO2, partly by decreasing the photochemical efficiency of photosystem II as well as by decreasing stomatal conductance.
The Effect of Housing Environment on Physical Egg Quality of White Egg Layers
Authors: Alig Benjamin N. , Malheiros Ramon D. , Anderson Kenneth E.
Published: April 2023

Currently, the egg industry is experiencing a shift in demand for eggs from cage-free environments. This study aims to evaluate the egg quality parameters of white eggs laid in several different housing environments utilized in the industry. Egg quality parameters from battery cages, barren colony cages, enriched colony cages and cage-free pens were compared. Overall, most egg quality parameters were found to be different across housing environments. Battery cages produced the heaviest eggs and eggs with the highest Haugh unit (p < 0.05). Cage-free hens produced eggs with the darkest yolks, lowest Haugh units, strongest shells and highest solids percentage compared to other environments (p < 0.05). This study did not detect differences between any housing environment in shell color, shell elasticity, vitelline membrane strength or vitelline membrane elasticity (p > 0.05). Moreover, this study did not detect any differences in egg quality parameters between enriched and barren colony cages (p > 0.05). It appears that white egg-laying hens had superior egg quality performance in caged environments and that cage-free pens only improved yolk color. Furthermore, it appears that simply adding enrichments to cages does not affect any egg quality parameters. From the results of our study, we believe that current intensive environments, such as cages, are the most beneficial for white egg layer egg quality and that as the industry moves toward cage-free, new strategies will need to be developed to preserve egg quality. More research is needed, particularly evaluating free-range environments.
Acoustic Sensing and Supervised Machine Learning for In Situ Classification of Semi-Autogenous (SAG) Mill Feed Size Fractions Using Different Feature Extraction Techniques
Authors: Owusu Kwaku Boateng , Skinner William , Asamoah Richmond K.
Published: April 2023

The harsh and hostile internal environment of semi-autogenous (SAG) mills renders real-time monitoring of some critical variables practically unmeasured. Typically, feed size fractions are known to cause mill fluctuations and impede the consistent processing behaviour of ores. There is, therefore, the need for continuous monitoring of mill parameters for optimal operation. In this paper, an acoustic-based sensing method is employed to estimate, in real time, a snapshot of the different feed size fractions presented to a laboratory-scale SAG mill. Employing the MATLAB 2020b programme, the mill acoustic signal is processed using various transform techniques such as power spectral density estimate (PSDE) by Welch’s method, discrete wavelet transform (DWT), wavelet packet transform (WPT), empirical mode decomposition (EMD), and variational mode decomposition (VMD). Different fractional bandpowers are obtained from the PSDE spectrum, while the statistical root mean square values are further extracted from DWT, WPT, EMD, and VMD as feature vectors. The features are used as input features in different machine-learning classification algorithms for different mill feed size fractions predictions. The various transform techniques and feed size fraction predictions are evaluated using the various performance indicators obtained from the confusion matrix such as accuracy, precision, sensitivity and F1 score. The study showed that the acoustic signal feature extraction techniques used in conjunction with the Support Vector Machine (SVM), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), and ensemble with subclass discriminant machine learning algorithms demonstrated improved performance for predicting feed size variations.
Bioactivities of Kenaf Biomass Extracts: A Review
Authors: Norhisham Danial ‘Aizat , Saad Norsharina Md , Ahmad Usuldin Siti Rokhiyah , Vayabari Diwiyaa A G , Ilham Zul , Ibrahim Mohamad Faizal , Wan-Mohtar Wan Abd Al Qadr Imad
Published: April 2023

Kenaf or Hibiscus cannabinus is an annual herbaceous crop that grows well in temperate regions with high rainfall and abundant solar radiation. This Malvaceae member is famously known for its high-quality fibre that is directly retrieved from its dried stem materials and is useful in various industries, mainly in paper and pulp, bio-composite, textiles and manufacturing. With recent discoveries, kenaf can now be regarded as a multipurpose crop as its usage has been extended beyond its traditional applications, which include applications within the medicinal, pharmaceutical and food industries since its extracts possess several bioactivities that include anticancer, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, antidiabetic and antithrombotic abilities along with many more. The plant’s versatile applications and pharmaceutical activities come from its different plant parts such as its leaves, seeds, flowers and stems. This demonstrates that kenaf can also be safely regarded as a zero-waste crop, which is crucial for the sustainable development of any kenaf-based medicinal or therapeutic compounds. However, the biological properties of kenaf are still not known by many as industries mainly focus on the direct application of its fibre material. If this trend continues, the true potential of kenaf could be halted and undermined. Therefore, this paper aims to provide a concise overview of kenaf’s bioactivities that will hopefully provide better knowledge and understanding about this overlooked crop. This paper reviews the latest findings on kenaf’s bioactivities from its extracts that are retrieved from either its seeds, leaves, flowers or stems and provides additional information about its current status in Malaysia.
Functional Foods and Bioactive Compounds through Environmentally Benign Emerging Processes
Authors: Nath Arijit , Vatai Gyula , Bánvölgyi Szilvia
Published: April 2023

Functional Food demonstrates a wide spectrum of physiological benefits and reduces the risks of several health hazards to consumers; however, its appearance is similar to conventional food and is considered as part of the regular diet [...]
Modern Technologies Providing a Full Cycle of Geo-Resources Development
Authors: Kongar-Syuryun Cheynesh B. , Aleksakhin Alexander V. , Eliseeva Evgeniya N. , Zhaglovskaya Anna V. , Klyuev Roman V. , Petrusevich Denis A.
Published: April 2023

Resource-dependent countries and economies are found to be particularly sensitive to global shocks. A unifying parallel is drawn between resource-dependent countries and regions with depleted mineral resources. The objective factors of losses of accessed reserves are analyzed. A unifying parallel is drawn between sub-standard ores and industrial waste. The paper proposes shifting geotechnology development from simple mineral extraction towards technologies that provide a full cycle of geo-resources development. A radical way of ensuring a full cycle of geo-resources development is the involvement of sub-standard ores and industrial waste in a closed processing cycle. The utilization of industrial waste without a valuable component extracting or reducing a harmful component to a background value is palliative. A comparative description of various technologies that allow extracting valuable components from sub-standard ores and industrial waste is made. The paper proposes a variant of chemical–physical technology that makes it possible to extract a valuable component from industrial waste to a minimum value. The activation of industrial waste with a disintegrator before a chemical extraction significantly increases the yield of a valuable component from 2.6 to 218.5%. A differentiated approach is needed regarding the choice of leaching solution, its percentage, as well as the leaching method and the need for activation processing of valuable components and industrial ones. The combined highly efficient physical–chemical and physical–technical technologies will ensure the maximum extraction of the valuable component from 52.6 to 98.8% in the full cycle of natural and industrial geo-resources development.
Development of Serious Games for the Rehabilitation of the Human Vertebral Spine for Home Care
Authors: Gonçalves Rogério Sales , Prado Rodrigo Alves , Ladeira Guênia Mara Vieira , Gasparini Andréa Licre Pessina
Published: April 2023

With the occurrence of pandemics, such as COVID-19, which lead to social isolation, there is a need for home rehabilitation procedures without the direct supervision of health professionals. The great difficulty of treatment at home is the cost of the conventional equipment and the need for specialized labor to operate it. Thus, this paper aimed to develop serious games to assist health professionals in the physiotherapy of patients with spinal pain for clinical and home applications. Serious games integrate serious aspects such as teaching, rehabilitation, and information with the playful and interactive elements of video games. Despite the positive indication and benefits of physiotherapy for cases of chronic spinal pain, the long treatment time, social isolation due to pandemics, and lack of motivation to use traditional methods are some of the main causes of therapeutic failure. Using Unity 3D (version 2019.4.24f1) software and a personal computer with a webcam, we developed aesthetically pleasing, smooth, and attractive games, while maintaining the essence of seriousness that is required for rehabilitation. The serious games, controlled using OpenPose (version v1.0.0alpha-1.5.0) software, were tested with a healthy volunteer. The findings demonstrated that the proposed games can be used as a playful tool to motivate patients during physiotherapy and to reduce cases of treatment abandonment, including at home.
A Modular Structure for Immediate and Transitory Interventions to Guarantee Access to Basic Healthcare in Italy
Authors: Brunoro Silvia , Mensi Lisa
Published: April 2023

The access to basic healthcare for people who are not registered in the national health system is nowadays a very urgent problem, both in Italy and in the rest of the world. Immigration and poverty are only some of the factors that make one of the primary rights of humanity—healthcare—not a right for everyone. The main problems, which have grown exponentially in the last decade, are at operational level, due to the lack of personnel (mostly volunteers) and the lack of spaces. This paper illustrates procedures and techniques for the design of a small emergency structure that can be moved and positioned in urban contexts. The first part consists of a deep analysis of the problem and of the state of the art of existing typologies. The second part is dedicated to the conceptual framework (requirements, conceptual model) and to the definition of the preliminary design for the new approach to basic non-conventional sanitary spaces. Finally, a virtual case study (project application) in Italy is presented.