bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis for End-of-Life Solar Panel Generations by Renewable Energy Supply towards Carbon Neutrality in South Korea
Authors: Lee Su-Hee , Jang Yong-Chul
Published: December 2023

When solar panels reach end-of-life, the disposal of solar panel waste is an issue of concern because it creates environmental pollution if it is improperly disposed of. It is expected that such waste will probably be increasing as the widespread use of renewable energy is adopted by taking measures associated with carbon neutrality. Thus, accurate prediction of solar panel waste with future demands for renewable energy is urgently needed for sustainable waste management. This study examined the amounts of solar panels to be retried by 2050 under three scenarios (S1-BAU, S2, S3). The amounts of solar panels to be retired are estimated by using the PBM (population balance model) with the Weibull distribution. According to the carbon neutral scenario (S3), the total amounts of solar panels to be retired are anticipated to be around 172 kt in 2030, 932 kt in 2040, and 3146 kt in 2050. The total volume of retired solar panels was projected to be 168 kt in 2030, 820 kt in 2040, and 2331 kt in 2050 under the government-led scenario (S2). The average recovery of end-of-life solar panels produced by the three scenarios in 2050 is 1531 kt, 337 kt, 535 kt, and 22 kt for glass, aluminum, silicon, and copper, respectively. Economic benefits by resource recovery of retired solar panels in 2050 range from $25.6 million in S1 to $519.1 million in S3. Based on the sensitivity analysis with the weight of solar panel (5% and 10% reduction), the results indicated that the annual volumes of retired solar panels mostly fell within the range of 4.9% to 10.0% in 2050. To confirm the predicted volumes of retired solar panels in this study, a further study is warranted because they can be influenced by other factors (e.g., weight, technology development, early loss rate, or reuse and recycling options).
Optimal Energy Management Strategy of Clustered Industry Factories Considering Carbon Trading and Supply Chain Coupling
Authors: Wang Jiaying , Lu Chunguang , Zhang Shuai , Yan Huajiang , Feng Changsen
Published: December 2023

Industrial parks, characterized by the clustering of multiple factories and interconnected energy sources, require optimized operational strategies for their Integrated Energy Systems (IES). These strategies not only aim to conserve energy for industrial users but also relieve the burden on the power supply, reducing carbon emissions. In this context, this paper introduces an optimization strategy tailored to clustered factories, considering the incorporation of carbon trading and supply chain integration throughout the entire production process of each factory. First, a workshop model is established for each factory, accompanied by an energy consumption model that accounts for the strict sequencing of the production process and supply chain integration. Furthermore, energy unit models are devised for the IES and then a low-carbon and economically optimized scheduling model is outlined for the IES within the industrial park, aiming to minimize the total operational cost, including the cost of carbon trading. Finally, case studies are conducted within a paper-making industrial park located in the Zhejiang Province. Various scenarios are compared and analyzed. The numerical results underscore the model’s economic and low-carbon merits, and it offers technical support for energy conservation and emission reduction in paper-making fields.
The Efficiency Improvement of Track-Type Wireless Power Transmission Systems through Electromagnetic Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Joo Changdae , Kim Taekue
Published: December 2023

The original system, designed as a combination structure of a linear machine and a wireless power transmission transformer, was designed to overcome the limitations of the wired power supply method used for working robots and transportation equipment in existing smart factories, and improvements in magnetic coupling and power transfer efficiency are needed. In this work, we study the efficiency improvement of a system that can supply wireless power to track-type transportation equipment. For this purpose, electromagnetic properties such as magnetic equivalent resistance, inductance, magnetic coupling rate, and core loss are analyzed using the finite element method. In addition, the results of magnetic field finite element analysis are applied in electrical equivalent circuit modeling to analyze the voltage transfer ratio and input/output characteristics of a CLLC resonant converter designed for wireless power transmission. The efficiency improvements of the proposed model are verified through a comparison of experimental and simulation results after fabricating a prototype. From the results of this study, a more optimized wireless power transmission system design based on the analysis results from an electromagnetic perspective can be realized to improve the efficiency of wireless power transmission.
An Experimental Investigation and Numerical Simulation of Photovoltaic Cells with Enhanced Surfaces Using the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ Software
Authors: Piasecka Magdalena , Piasecki Artur , Dadas Norbert
Published: December 2023

This article proposes a passive cooling system for photovoltaic (PV) panels to achieve a reduction in their temperature. It is known that the cooling of PV panels allows for an increase in the efficiency of photovoltaic conversion. Furthermore, reducing the high temperature of the surfaces of PV panels is also desirable to ensure their long-lasting operation and high efficiency. Photovoltaic panels were modified by adding copper sheets to the bottom side of the panels. Two types of modification of the outer surface of the sheet were investigated experimentally, which differed in surface roughness. One was characterised by the nominal roughness of the copper sheet according to its manufacturer, while the other was enhanced by a system of pins. Numerical simulations, performed using the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ software, version 2020.2.1 Build 15.04.010, helped to describe the geometry of the pins and their role in the resulting reduction in the temperature of the PV panel surface. As a result, modifying a typical PV panel by adding a copper sheet with pins helps to achieve a higher decrease in the temperature of the PV panel. The addition of a copper sheet with a smooth surface to the bare PV panel improved the operating conditions by lowering its surface temperature by approximately 6.5 K but using an enhanced surface with the highest number of pins distributed uniformly on the copper sheet surface resulted in the highest temperature drop up to 12 K. The highest number of pins distributed uniformly on the copper sheet surface resulted in the highest temperature drop in its bottom surface, that is, on average by more than 12 K compared to the surface temperature of the bare PV panel surface. The validation of the numerical calculations was performed on data from the experiments. An analysis of the quality of the numerical mesh was also performed using a method based on the grid convergence index.
Optimal Capacity Configuration of Pumped-Storage Units Used to Retrofit Cascaded Hydropower Stations
Authors: Li Yang , Hong Feilong , Ge Xiaohui , Zhang Xuesong , Zhao Bo , Wu Feng
Published: December 2023

As flexible resources, cascaded hydropower stations can regulate the fluctuations caused by wind and photovoltaic power. Constructing pumped-storage units between two upstream and downstream reservoirs is an effective method to further expand the capacity of flexible resources. This method transforms cascaded hydropower stations into a cascaded pumped-hydro-energy storage system. In this paper, a flexibility reformation planning model of cascaded hydropower stations retrofitted with pumped-storage units under a hybrid system composed of thermal, wind, and photovoltaic power is established with the aim of investigating the optimal capacity of pumped-storage units. First, a generative adversarial network and a density peak clustering algorithm are utilized to generate typical scenarios to deal with the seasonal fluctuation of renewable energy generation, natural water inflow, and loads. Then, a full-scenario optimization method is proposed to optimize the operation costs of multiple scenarios considering the variable-speed operation characteristics of pumped storage and to obtain a scheme with better comprehensive economy. Meanwhile, the proposed model is retransformed into a mixed-integer linear programming problem to simplify the solution. Case studies in Sichuan province are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model.
GK-SPSA-Based Model-Free Method for Performance Optimization of Steam Generator Level Control Systems
Authors: Li Xiaoyu , Yang Zean , Yang Yongkuan , Kong Xiangsong , Shi Changqing , Shi Jinguang
Published: December 2023

The Steam Generator (SG) is a crucial component of a Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), generating steam to transfer heat from the primary loop to the secondary loop. The control performance of the Steam Generator Level Control System (SGLCS) plays a crucial role in the normal operation of the SG. To improve the system’s performance, the parameters of the control system should be optimized. However, the steam generator and its corresponding control system are highly complex, exhibiting nonlinearity and time-varying properties. Conventional parameter-setting methods mainly rely on engineers’ experience, and are laborious and time-intensive. To tackle the aforementioned challenges, a Model-Free Optimization (MFO) method based on Knowledge-informed Historical Gradient-based Simultaneous Perturbation Stochastic Approximation (GK-SPSA) is applied to the performance optimization of the steam generator level control system. The GK-SPSA algorithm is a variant of the traditional SPSA algorithm. The fundamental idea of this revised algorithm is to maximize the utilization of historical gradient information generated during the optimization process of the SPSA algorithm, with the aim of enhancing overall algorithm performance in a model-free optimization context. Based on the effective utilization of historical gradient information, the GK-SPSA algorithm exhibits two improvements over the SPSA algorithm. The first improvement is related to the recognition of the online optimization progress, utilizing the state of the optimization progress to dynamically adjust the optimization step size. The second improvement is related to gradient estimation compensation, employing compensation rules to enhance the accuracy of gradient estimation, thus improving the optimization efficiency. Through simulation experiments, it can be observed that there is not much difference in the final iteration values among the GK-SPSA, IK-SPSA, and SPSA methods. However, the iteration count of GK-SPSA is reduced by about 20% compared to SPSA and by 11.11% compared to Knowledge-informed SPSA (IK-SPSA). The results indicate that this method can significantly improve the efficiency of parameter tuning for the liquid level control system of a steam generator.
Physics-Based Modeling and Fluttering Dynamic Process Simulation for Catkins
Authors: Zhang Jiaxiu , Yang Meng , Xi Benye , Duan Jie , Huang Qingqing , Meng Weiliang
Published: December 2023

Flight simulation of catkins using computer technology helps their prevention and control. However, this is a challenging task due to the complex characteristics, and irregular shapes of catkins, while existing methods mainly focus on rain and snow, which are not suitable for catkins. In this paper, we propose a physics-based algorithm for the dynamic simulation of fluttering catkins. Our approach includes an L-system based 3D modeling method for simulating the natural phenomena of the catkin. We consider the motion of wind, free fall of catkins, and the dynamics of catkins under the joint action of attraction between them, while adhering to the physical motion law of catkins. To provide wind force, we first establish a three-dimensional wind field based on Boltzmann’s equation. We then use the kernel function idea to calculate the attraction force between catkins and finally update the position of the catkin. We incorporate the phenomena of collision and adhesion, attraction, and accumulation of catkins while simulating motion states depending on the adjusted wall height and ground humidity parameters. Our approach overcomes limitations of previous models by achieving good simulation while using relatively less code to simulate various realistic motion states. According to our users’ study, more than 71% of users found the simulation results to be acceptable, authentic, and realistic, confirming the authenticity of our simulation. Our method can generate highly realistic effects, significantly improving efficiency by several orders of magnitude compared to manual modeling. In addition, it can effectively simulate the dynamics of catkins in different scales, providing a decision-making reference for catkin control.
Mapping Tree Mortality Caused by Siberian Silkmoth Outbreak Using Sentinel-2 Remote Sensing Data
Authors: Slinkina Olga A. , Mikhaylov Pavel V. , Sultson Svetlana M. , Demidko Denis A. , Khizhniak Natalia P. , Tatarintsev Andrey I.
Published: December 2023

The Siberian silkmoth is one of the most dangerous coniferous forests pests. Siberian silkmoth outbreaks cause massive defoliation and subsequent forest fires over vast areas. Remote forest disturbance assessments performed after an outbreak make it possible to assess carbon emissions and the potential for natural regeneration, estimate forest fire danger, and reveal the need to implement forest management practices. The goal of the present research was to investigate the use of modern satellite imagery of medium spatial resolution to estimate the percentage of dead trees in a given area. The subject of this study is the Siberian silkmoth outbreak that occurred in 2018–2020 and covered 42 thousand ha in the Irbey region of the Krasnoyarsk Krai. Imagery from the Sentinel-2/MSI sensor was used to calculate a number of spectral indices for images received before and after the outbreak. Field study data were used to create regression models relating the index values to the percentage of dead trees. A number of spectral indices, such as NDVI, dNDVI, NBR, dNBR, NDMI, EVI, and TCG, were used. As a result, spectral indices based on the data from NIR/SWIR bands (NBR, NDMI, dNBR) demonstrated the best correlations with field-measured tree mortality. Therefore, these indices may be used to accurately estimate the percentage of dead trees by remote sensing data. The best was the NBR index with an R2 equal to 0.87, and the lowest RMSE and MAE errors. Consequently, Sentinel-2 imagery can be successfully used for tree mortality assessment over large inaccessible areas disturbed by Siberian silkmoth outbreaks at a relatively low cost.
Lavandula pedunculata Polyphenol-Rich Extracts Obtained by Conventional, MAE and UAE Methods: Exploring the Bioactive Potential and Safety for Use a Medicine Plant as Food and Nutraceutical Ingredient
Authors: Vilas-Boas Ana A. , Goméz-García Ricardo , Machado Manuela , Nunes Catarina , Ribeiro Sónia , Nunes João , Oliveira Ana L. S. , Pintado Manuela
Published: December 2023

Nowadays, plant-based bioactive compounds (BCs) are a key focus of research, supporting sustainable food production and favored by consumers for their perceived safety and health advantages over synthetic options. Lavandula pedunculata (LP) is a Portuguese, native species relevant to the bioeconomy that can be useful as a source of natural BCs, mainly phenolic compounds. This study compared LP polyphenol-rich extracts from conventional maceration extraction (CE), microwave and ultrasound-assisted extraction (MAE and UAE). As a result, rosmarinic acid (58.68–48.27 mg/g DE) and salvianolic acid B (43.19–40.09 mg/g DE) were the most representative phenolic compounds in the LP extracts. The three methods exhibited high antioxidant activity, highlighting the ORAC (1306.0 to 1765.5 mg Trolox equivalents (TE)/g DE) results. In addition, the extracts obtained with MAE and CE showed outstanding growth inhibition for B. cereus, S. aureus, E. coli, S. enterica and P. aeruginosa (>50%, at 10 mg/mL). The MAE extract showed the lowest IC50 (0.98 mg DE/mL) for angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition and the best results for α-glucosidase and tyrosinase inhibition (at 5 mg/mL, the inhibition was 87 and 73%, respectively). The LP polyphenol-rich extracts were also safe on caco-2 intestinal cells, and no mutagenicity was detected. The UAE had lower efficiency in obtaining LP polyphenol-rich extracts. MAE equaled CE’s efficiency, saving time and energy. LP shows potential as a sustainable raw material, allowing diverse extraction methods to safely develop health-promoting food and nutraceutical ingredients.
Effect of High-Protein and High-Fiber Breaders on Oil Absorption and Quality Attributes in Chicken Nuggets
Authors: Gutiérrez-Silva Glenda , Vásquez-Lara Francisco , Heredia-Sandoval Nina G. , Islas-Rubio Alma R.
Published: December 2023

Consumption of fried foods is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular and other diseases; therefore, consumers are looking to reduce fat intake. We evaluated the effect of high-protein breaders and fiber on oil absorption and quality attributes in chicken nuggets, using flour blends (wheat, chickpea, coconut, oil-quinoa-chia), soy protein concentrate, and brewers’ spent grain. We evaluated the chemical composition, water and oil retention capacity (ORC), viscosity profile, and flour particle size distribution, along with the developed breaders (Formulation 1 and 2) and a commercial breader (CB), in addition to texture, color, fat, and moisture contents of the fried chicken nuggets prepared with the developed breaders and the CB. The total dietary fiber content (TDF) of the nuggets breaded with only Formulation-1 and CB was determined. Nuggets breaded with Formulation-1 showed lower (p ≤ 0.05) ORC, better moisture retention (67.6%), and more TDF (4.5% vs. 2.3%, p ≤ 0.05) compared to CB-breaded nuggets. Nuggets with Formulation-1 showed the expected texture and color characteristics for fried products. Formulation-1 has the potential to be used as a breader due to its moisture, reduced ORC, and the texture and color it imparts to the fried nuggets, providing higher amounts of nutrients and possible health benefits.
Analysis of the Differentially Expressed Proteins in Donkey Milk in Different Lactation Stages
Authors: Zhou Miaomiao , Huang Fei , Du Xinyi , Liu Guiqin , Wang Changfa
Published: December 2023

Proteins in donkey milk (DM) have special biological activities. However, the bioactive proteins and their expression regulation in donkey milk are still unclear. Thus, the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in DM in different lactation stages were first investigated by data-independent acquisition (DIA) proteomics. A total of 805 proteins were characterized in DM. The composition and content of milk proteins varied with the lactation stage. A total of 445 candidate DEPs related to biological processes and molecular functions were identified between mature milk and colostrum. The 219 down-regulated DEPs were mainly related to complement and coagulation cascades, staphylococcus aureus infection, systemic lupus erythematosus, prion diseases, AGE-RAGE signaling pathways in diabetic complications, and pertussis. The 226 up-regulated DEPs were mainly involved in metabolic pathways related to nutrient (fat, carbohydrate, nucleic acid, and vitamin) metabolism. Some other DEPs in milk from the lactation period of 30 to 180 days also had activities such as promoting cell proliferation, promoting antioxidant, immunoregulation, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects, and enhancing skin moisture. DM can be used as a nutritional substitute for infants, as well as for cosmetic and medical purposes. Our results provide important insights for understanding the bioactive protein differences in DM in different lactation stages.
Gel Polymer Electrolytes for Lithium-Ion Batteries Enabled by Photo Crosslinked Polymer Network
Authors: Kim Kyeongsik , Chae Wookil , Kim Jaehyeon , Kim Choongik , Earmme Taeshik
Published: December 2023

We demonstrate a gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) featuring a crosslinked polymer matrix formed by poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) and dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate (DPHA) using the radical photo initiator via ultraviolet (UV) photopolymerization for lithium-ion batteries. The two monomers with acrylate functional groups undergo chemical crosslinking, resulting in a three-dimensional structure capable of absorbing liquid electrolytes to form a gel. The GPE system was strategically designed by varying the ratios between the main polymer backbone (PEGDA) and the crosslinker (DPHA) to achieve an optimal gel polymer electrolyte network. The resulting GPE exhibited enhanced thermal stability compared to conventional liquid electrolytes (LE) and demonstrated high ionic conductivity (1.40 mS/cm) with a high lithium transference number of 0.65. Moreover, the obtained GPE displayed exceptional cycle performance, maintaining a higher capacity retention (85.2%) comparable to the cell with LE (79.3%) after 200 cycles.
“How Far Is the Closest Bus Stop?” An Evaluation of Self-Reported versus GIS-Computed Distance to the Bus among Older People and Factors Influencing Their Perception of Distance
Authors: Balducci Francesco , Ståhl Agneta , Svensson Ola , Jonsson Benny , Westerlund Yngve , Dolcini Jacopo , Chiatti Carlos
Published: December 2023

Previous research showed that living closer to bus stops could be a factor in promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. However, most of the studies relied on self-reported measures of distance, which might be affected by several confounders. In this study, self-reported distances among study participants were compared to actual ones, computed by the use of GIS (Geographic Information System) technology and routing algorithms. We tested whether distance to the bus stop is associated with health and socioeconomic conditions of the respondents, using data among 2398 older people (75–90 years) in three cities in Sweden. We found that several variables including older age, female gender, living alone, and worse health status are associated with an over-estimation of bus stop distance. People who use public transport daily or several times a week and are satisfied with the walking environment in the neighbourhood tend to underestimate bus stop distances. Evidence based on self-reported measures only should be treated cautiously. Considering the limitations still present in open-data-based routing algorithms, the best indication is to combine the subjective with the objective measure of distance. Having the possibility to combine the two measures appears as a sound strategy to overcome the limitations associated with each single measure.
Cyberbullying and Psychopathological Behaviors in Spanish Secondary Education Students
Authors: Contreras-Piqueras Ángel Enrique , Ruiz-Esteban Cecilia , Méndez Inmaculada
Published: December 2023

Cyberbullying is considered a serious health problem that mainly affect adolescents, with different characteristics depending on the role in which they are directly involved. The objective of our research was to analyze the sociodemographic characteristics and psychopathological behaviors among the roles of those involved in cyberbullying (victims, aggressors, bystanders and aggressive victims). The study participants were 280 students aged between 12 and 17 years (61.8% female) from the Region of Murcia, Spain. The Cyberbullying Screening of Bullying among Peers, the Clinical Analysis Questionnaire and a sociodemographic survey were used. Hierarchical regression analysis was used. This study showed that the roles of those directly involved in cyberbullying correlate with psychopathological behaviors. It is a priority to promote prevention programs aimed at improving cyberbullying among students.
Upper Airway-Related Symptoms According to Mental Illness and Sleep Disorders among Workers Employed by a Large Non-Profit Organization in the Mountain West Region of the United States
Authors: Merrill Ray M. , Gibbons Ian S. , Barker Christian J.
Published: December 2023

The relationships between selected upper airway-related symptoms (speech disturbances, voice disorders, cough, and breathing abnormalities) and mental illness and sleep disorders have been previously demonstrated. However, these relationships have not been compared in a single study with consideration of potential confounding variables. The current research incorporates a descriptive study design of medical claims data for employees (~21,362 per year 2017–2021) with corporate insurance to evaluate the strength of these relationships, adjusting for demographic variables and other important confounders. The upper airway-related symptoms are each significantly and positively associated with several mental illnesses and sleep disorders, after adjusting for demographic and other potential confounders. The rate of any mental illness is 138% (95% CI 93–195%) higher for speech disturbances, 55% (95% CI 28–88%) higher for voice disorders, 28% (95% CI 22–34%) higher for cough, and 58% (95% CI 50–66%) higher for breathing abnormalities, after adjustment for the confounding variables. Confounding had significant effects on the rate ratios involving cough and breathing abnormalities. The rate of any sleep disorder is 78% (95% CI 34–136%) higher for speech disturbances, 52% (95% CI 21–89%) higher for voice disorders, 34% (95% CI 27–41%) higher for cough, and 172% (95% CI 161–184%) higher for breathing abnormalities, after adjustment for the confounding variables. Confounding had significant effects on each of the upper airway-related symptoms. Rates of mental illness and sleep disorders are positively associated with the number of claims filed for each of the upper airway-related symptoms. The comorbid nature of these conditions should guide clinicians in providing more effective treatment plans that ultimately yield the best outcome for patients.
Unveiling the Dynamics of Financial Institutions and Markets in Shaping Economic Prosperity in MENA
Authors: Shaddady Ali
Published: December 2023

This research explored the relationship between financial development and economic growth in the MENA region from 1996 to 2022. Using panel data, it assessed whether financial institutions and financial markets had differing impacts on economic growth. Various statistical methods, including OLS, GMM, quantile, and U-tests, were employed to analyze this correlation. Our findings revealed a nonlinear relationship between financial development (institutions and markets) and economic growth, characterized by an inverted U-shaped curve. This relationship was influenced by the MENA region’s limited financial regulations and the “vanishing effect”. Financial institutions were found to have an insignificant impact on economic growth but played a role in constraining it. Conversely, financial markets significantly contributed to growth initially, but this effect diminished over time, eventually turning negative. Additionally, this research highlighted the positive influences of liquidity and exports on economic growth, while noting that the rule of law and political stability had adverse effects.
Dynamic Stability of Public Debt: Evidence from the Eurozone Countries
Authors: Katsikas Epameinondas , Laopodis Nikiforos T. , Spanos Konstantinos
Published: December 2023

This paper investigates the dynamic stability of public debt and its solvency condition in the face of crisis periods (1980–2021) in a sample of 11 euro-area countries. The focus is on the feedback loop between the dynamic stability of public debt and interest rates, discounted by economic growth, in conjunction with budget deficits during tranquil and turbulent periods. Using the GMM panel dynamic model, the results show that dynamic stability was the case before the global financial crisis (GFC), while from GFC to the pandemic, dynamic instability prevailed and persisted in the evolution of public debt. Furthermore, panel threshold estimates show that dynamic instability of debt starts to violate the solvency condition when the borrowing cost is above 3.29%, becomes even stronger when it is above 4.39%, and exerts even more pressure when the level of debt is greater than 91%. However, the debt sustainability condition reverses course when economic growth is higher than 3.4%. The main policy implication drawn from the results is that low interest rates can create a self-reinforcing loop of high debt, which itself is a serious matter for public authorities when designing economic policies.
Spontaneous Mutations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae mtDNA Increase Cell-to-Cell Variation in mtDNA Amount
Authors: Potapenko Elena Yu. , Kashko Nataliia D. , Knorre Dmitry A.
Published: December 2023

In a eukaryotic cell, the ratio of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to nuclear DNA (nDNA) is usually maintained within a specific range. This suggests the presence of a negative feedback loop mechanism preventing extensive mtDNA replication and depletion. However, the experimental data on this hypothetical mechanism are limited. In this study, we suggested that deletions in mtDNA, known to increase mtDNA abundance, can disrupt this mechanism, and thus, increase cell-to-cell variance in the mtDNA copy numbers. To test this, we generated Saccharomyces cerevisiae rho− strains with large deletions in the mtDNA and rho0 strains depleted of mtDNA. Given that mtDNA contributes to the total DNA content of exponentially growing yeast cells, we showed that it can be quantified in individual cells by flow cytometry using the DNA-intercalating fluorescent dye SYTOX green. We found that the rho− mutations increased both the levels and cell-to-cell heterogeneity in the total DNA content of G1 and G2/M yeast cells, with no association with the cell size. Furthermore, the depletion of mtDNA in both the rho+ and rho− strains significantly decreased the SYTOX green signal variance. The high cell-to-cell heterogeneity of the mtDNA amount in the rho− strains suggests that mtDNA copy number regulation relies on full-length mtDNA, whereas the rho− mtDNAs partially escape this regulation.
Effects of Nutraceuticals on Cisplatin-Induced Cytotoxicity in HEI-OC1 Cells
Authors: Guidotti Lorenzo , Tomassi Elena , Marracci Silvia , Lai Michele , Lapi Dominga , Pesi Rossana , Pucci Laura , Novellino Ettore , Albi Elisabetta , Garcia-Gil Mercedes
Published: December 2023

Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of several solid tumors, whose use is limited by its nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, ototoxicity, and development of resistance. The toxicity is caused by DNA cross-linking, increase in reactive oxygen species and/or depletion of cell antioxidant defenses. The aim of the work was to study the effect of antioxidant compounds (Lisosan G, Taurisolo®) or hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-releasing compounds (erucin) in the auditory HEI-OC1 cell line treated with cisplatin. Cell viability was determined using the MTT assay. Caspase and sphingomyelinase activities were measured by fluorometric and colorimetric methods, respectively. Expression of transcription factors, apoptosis hallmarks and genes codifying for antioxidant response proteins were measured by Western blot and/or RT-qPCR. Lisosan G, Taurisolo® and erucin did not show protective effects. Sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a donor of H2S, increased the viability of cisplatin-treated cells and the transcription of heme oxygenase 1, superoxide dismutase 2, NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase type 1 and the catalytic subunit of glutamate-cysteine ligase and decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS), the Bax/Bcl2 ratio, caspase-3, caspase-8 and acid sphingomyelinase activity. Therefore, NaHS might counteract the cytotoxic effect of cisplatin by increasing the antioxidant response and by reducing ROS levels and caspase and acid sphingomyelinase activity.
Effect of Petiveria alliacea Extracts on Metabolism of K562 Myeloid Leukemia Cells
Authors: Rojas Laura , Pardo-Rodriguez Daniel , Urueña Claudia , Lasso Paola , Arévalo Cindy , Cala Mónica P. , Fiorentino Susana
Published: December 2023

Previously, studies have shown that leukemic cells exhibit elevated glycolytic metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation in comparison to hematopoietic stem cells. These metabolic processes play a crucial role in the growth and survival of leukemic cells. Due to the metabolic plasticity of tumor cells, the use of natural products has been proposed as a therapeutic alternative due to their ability to attack several targets in tumor cells, including those that could modulate metabolism. In this study, the potential of Petiveria alliacea to modulate the metabolism of K562 cell lysates was evaluated by non-targeted metabolomics. Initially, in vitro findings showed that P. alliacea reduces K562 cell proliferation; subsequently, alterations were observed in the endometabolome of cell lysates treated with the extract, mainly in glycolytic, phosphorylative, lipid, and amino acid metabolism. Finally, in vitro assays were performed, confirming that P. Alliacea extract decreased the oxygen consumption rate and intracellular ATP. These results suggest that the anti-tumor activity of the aqueous extract on the K562 cell line is attributed to the decrease in metabolites related to cell proliferation and/or growth, such as nucleotides and nucleosides, leading to cell cycle arrest. Our results provide a preliminary part of the mechanism for the anti-tumor and antiproliferative effects of P. alliacea on cancer.
The LIFR Inhibitor EC359 Effectively Targets Type II Endometrial Cancer by Blocking LIF/LIFR Oncogenic Signaling
Authors: Spencer Nicole , Rodriguez Sanchez Alondra Lee , Gopalam Rahul , Subbarayalu Panneerdoss , Medina Daisy M. , Yang Xue , Ramirez Paulina , Randolph Lois , Aller Emily Jean , Santhamma Bindu , Rao Manjeet K. , Tekmal Rajeshwar Rao , Nair Hareesh B. , Kost Edward R. , Vadlamudi Ratna K. , Viswanadhapalli Suryavathi
Published: December 2023

Endometrial cancer (ECa) is the most common female gynecologic cancer. When comparing the two histological subtypes of endometrial cancer, Type II tumors are biologically more aggressive and have a worse prognosis than Type I tumors. Current treatments for Type II tumors are ineffective, and new targeted therapies are urgently needed. LIFR and its ligand, LIF, have been shown to play a critical role in the progression of multiple solid cancers and therapy resistance. The role of LIF/LIFR in the progression of Type II ECa, on the other hand, is unknown. We investigated the role of LIF/LIFR signaling in Type II ECa and tested the efficacy of EC359, a novel small-molecule LIFR inhibitor, against Type II ECa. The analysis of tumor databases has uncovered a correlation between diminished survival rates and increased expression of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), suggesting a potential connection between altered LIF expression and unfavorable overall survival in Type II ECa. The results obtained from cell viability and colony formation assays demonstrated a significant decrease in the growth of Type II ECa LIFR knockdown cells in comparison to vector control cells. Furthermore, in both primary and established Type II ECa cells, pharmacological inhibition of the LIF/LIFR axis with EC359 markedly decreased cell viability, long-term cell survival, and invasion, and promoted apoptosis. Additionally, EC359 treatment reduced the activation of pathways driven by LIF/LIFR, such as AKT, mTOR, and STAT3. Tumor progression was markedly inhibited by EC359 treatment in two different patient-derived xenograft models in vivo and patient-derived organoids ex vivo. Collectively, these results suggest LIFR inhibitor EC359 as a possible new small-molecule therapeutics for the management of Type II ECa.
Exploring Structural–Photophysical Property Relationships in Mitochondria-Targeted Deep-Red/NIR-Emitting Coumarins
Authors: Izquierdo-García Eduardo , Rovira Anna , Forcadell Joan , Bosch Manel , Marchán Vicente
Published: December 2023

Organic fluorophores operating in the optical window of biological tissues, namely in the deep-red and near-infrared (NIR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum, offer several advantages for fluorescence bioimaging applications owing to the appealing features of long-wavelength light, such as deep tissue penetration, lack of toxicity, low scattering, and reduced interference with cellular autofluorescence. Among these, COUPY dyes based on non-conventional coumarin scaffolds display suitable photophysical properties and efficient cellular uptake, with a tendency to accumulate primarily in mitochondria, which renders them suitable probes for bioimaging purposes. In this study, we have explored how the photophysical properties and subcellular localization of COUPY fluorophores can be modulated through the modification of the coumarin backbone. While the introduction of a strong electron-withdrawing group, such as the trifluoromethyl group, at position 4 resulted in an exceptional photostability and a remarkable redshift in the absorption and emission maxima when combined with a julolidine ring replacing the N,N-dialkylaminobenzene moiety, the incorporation of a cyano group at position 3 dramatically reduced the brightness of the resulting fluorophore. Interestingly, confocal microscopy studies in living HeLa cells revealed that the 1,1,7,7-tetramethyl julolidine-containing derivatives accumulated in the mitochondria with much higher specificity. Overall, our results provide valuable insights for the design and optimization of new COUPY dyes operating in the deep-red/NIR region.
Monosex Populations of the Giant Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii—From a Pre-Molecular Start to the Next Generation Era
Authors: Wahl Melody , Levy Tom , Ventura Tomer , Sagi Amir
Published: December 2023

Sexual manipulation in the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii has proven successful in generating monosex (both all-male and all-female) populations for aquaculture using a crustacean-specific endocrine gland, the androgenic gland (AG), which serves as a key masculinizing factor by producing and secreting an insulin-like AG hormone (IAG). Here, we provide a summary of the advancements from the discovery of the AG and IAG in decapods through to the development of monosex populations in M. rosenbergii. We discuss the broader sexual development pathway, which is highly divergent across decapods, and provide our future perspective on the utility of novel genetic and genomic tools in promoting refined approaches towards monosex biotechnology. Finally, the future potential benefits of deploying monosex prawn populations for environmental management are discussed.
Molecular Mechanisms of Anti-Inflammatory Phytochemicals 2.0
Authors: Cruz-Martins Natália
Published: December 2023

Inflammation is currently the most investigated cell response, not only for the frequency with which it occurs but essentially due to the growing incidence of inflammatory diseases, increasingly labeled as characteristics of modern society [...]
New 5-Substituted SN38 Derivatives: A Stability Study and Interaction with Model Nicked DNA by NMR and Molecular Modeling Methods
Authors: Bednarek Elżbieta , Bocian Wojciech , Sitkowski Jerzy , Urbanowicz Magdalena , Kozerski Lech
Published: December 2023

The new 5-substituted SN-38 derivatives, 5(R)-(N-pyrrolidinyl)methyl-7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (1) and its diastereomer 5(S) (2), were investigated using a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and molecular modeling methods. The chemical stability, configuration stability, and propensity to aggregate as a function of concentration were determined using 1H NMR. The calculated self-association constants (Ka) were found to be 6.4 mM−1 and 2.9 mM−1 for 1 and 2, respectively. The NMR experiments were performed to elucidate the interaction of each diastereomer with a nicked decamer duplex, referred to as 3. The calculated binding constants were determined to be 76 mM−1 and 150 mM−1 for the 1–3 and 2–3 complexes, respectively. NMR studies revealed that the interaction between 1 or 2 and the nicked decamer duplex occurred at the site of the DNA strand break. To complement these findings, molecular modeling methods and calculation protocols were employed to establish the interaction mode and binding constants and to generate molecular models of the DNA/ligand complexes.
A 4D Proteome Investigation of the Potential Mechanisms of SA in Triggering Resistance in Kiwifruit to Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae
Authors: Qu Dong , Yan Fei , Zhang Yu , Huang Lili
Published: December 2023

Kiwifruit bacterial cankers caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa) are a serious threat to the kiwifruit industry. Salicylic acid (SA) regulates plant defense responses and was previously found to enhance kiwifruit’s resistance to Psa. However, the underlying mechanisms of this process remain unclear. In this study, we used 4D proteomics to investigate how SA enhances kiwifruit’s resistance to Psa and found that both SA treatment and Psa infection induced dramatic changes in the proteomic pattern of kiwifruit. Psa infection triggered the activation of numerous resistance events, including the MAPK cascade, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and hormone signaling transduction. In most cases, the differential expression of a number of genes involved in the SA signaling pathway played a significant role in kiwifruit’s responses to Psa. Moreover, SA treatment upregulated numerous resistance-related proteins, which functioned in defense responses to Psa, including phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, the MAPK cascade, and the upregulation of pathogenesis-related proteins. We also found that SA treatment could facilitate timely defense responses to Psa infection and enhance the activation of defense responses that were downregulated in kiwifruit during infection with Psa. Thus, our research deciphered the potential mechanisms of SA in promoting Psa resistance in kiwifruit and can provide a basis for the use of SA to enhance kiwifruit resistance and effectively control the occurrence of kiwifruit bacterial cankers.
The Molecular Resistance Mechanisms of European Earwigs from Apple Orchards Subjected to Different Management Strategies
Authors: Fricaux Thierry , Le Navenant Adrien , Siegwart Myriam , Rault Magali , Coustau Christine , Le Goff Gaëlle
Published: December 2023

To date, apple orchards are among the most treated crops in Europe with up to 35 chemical treatments per year. Combining control methods that reduce the number of pesticide treatments is essential for agriculture and more respectful of the environment, and the use of predatory insects such as earwigs may be valuable to achieve this goal. European earwigs, Forficula auricularia (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) are considered beneficial insects in apple orchards where they can feed on many pests like aphids. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential impact of orchards’ insecticide treatments on resistance-associated molecular processes in natural populations of earwigs. Because very few molecular data are presently available on earwigs, our first goal was to identify earwig resistance-associated genes and potential mutations. Using earwigs from organic, integrated pest management or conventional orchards, we identified mutations in acetylcholinesterase 2, α1 and β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. In addition, the expression level of these targets and of some essential detoxification genes were monitored using RT-qPCR. Unexpectedly, earwigs collected in organic orchards showed the highest expression for acetylcholinesterase 2. Four cytochromes P450, one esterase and one glutathione S-transferases were over-expressed in earwigs exposed to various management strategies in orchards. This first study on resistance-associated genes in Forficula auricularia paves the way for future experimental studies aimed at better understanding the potential competition between natural enemies in apple orchards in order to optimize the efficiency of biocontrol.
A Thermo-Structural Analysis of Die-Sinking Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) of a Haynes-25 Super Alloy Using Deep-Learning-Based Methodologies
Authors: Aneesh T. , Mohanty Chinmaya Prasad , Tripathy Asis Kumar , Chauhan Alok Singh , Gupta Manoj , Annamalai A. Raja
Published: December 2023

The most effective and cutting-edge method for achieving a 0.004 mm precision on a typical material is to employ die-sinking electrical discharge machining (EDM). The material removal rate (MRR), tool wear rate (TWR), residual stresses, and crater depth were analyzed in the current study in an effort to increase the productivity and comprehension of the die-sinking EDM process. A parametric design was employed to construct a two-dimensional model, and the accuracy of the findings was verified by comparing them to prior research. Experiments were conducted utilizing the EDM machine, and the outcomes were assessed in relation to numerical simulations of the MRR and TWR. A significant temperature disparity that arises among different sections of the workpiece may result in the formation of residual strains throughout. As a consequence, a structural model was developed in order to examine the impacts of various stress responses. The primary innovations of this paper are its parametric investigation of residual stresses and its use of Haynes 25, a workpiece material that has received limited attention despite its numerous benefits and variety of applications. In order to accurately forecast the output parameters, a deep neural network model, more precisely, a multilayer perceptron (MLP) regressor, was utilized. In order to improve the precision of the outcomes and guarantee stability during convergence, the L-BFGS solver, an adaptive learning rate, and the Rectified Linear Unit (ReLU) activation function were integrated. Extensive parametric studies allowed us to determine the connection between key inputs, including the discharge current, voltage, and spark-on time, and the output parameters, namely, the MRR, TWR, and crater depth.
“Firefly” of the Submarine Mountains: New Data on Physiculus cynodon (Moridae, Teleostei) from Emperor Seamounts and Northwestern Hawaiian Ridge
Authors: Korostelev Nikolai B. , Volvenko Igor V. , Belyakov Vladimir V. , Baytaliuk Aleksey A. , Bush Andrey G. , Kanzeparova Albina N. , Orlov Alexei M.
Published: December 2023

Physiculus cynodon is a member of the Moridae family and possesses a ventral bioluminescent organ. Although it has been captured by commercial vessels for decades, our understanding of its biology and ecology remains fragmented. This paper provides data on the species’ spatial and vertical distributions; age and growth; size, age, sex compositions; and sex ratio in the waters around the Emperor Seamounts and the northwestern Hawaiian Ridge. This information is based on the analysis of multi-year Russian data obtained from scientific surveys and observations on commercial fishing vessels. The northernmost capture of this species has been recorded at Nintoku Seamount. Additionally, this species was regularly encountered at depths ranging from 53 to 900 m on seamounts such as Lira (Annei), Koko, Milwaukee (Yuryaku and Kammu), Colahan, and C-H of the Emperor Seamounts and Hancock, Zapadnaya, and Academician Berg of the northwestern Hawaiian Ridge. Catch rates of P. cynodon gradually decreased in a southeastern direction. Notably, the relative abundance of this species in bottom trawl catches significantly surpasses that in pelagic catches. The age of the fish in the catch varied from 9 to 37 years, and its growth is described by the VBGF equation with the following coefficients: L∞ = 858.6, k = 0.030, t0 = 3.5. While the growth patterns for males and females were similar, it is worth mentioning that males rarely survive beyond the age of 25 years.