bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Operative Management of Burns: Traditional Care
Authors: Greenhalgh David G.
Published: June 2023

Surgical treatment of burn wounds has had a tremendous impact on burn patients. The survival of patients with massive burns is now very common. Expeditious coverage of the wound has been a major contributor to improved survival, but survival is not enough. There is a need to improve the ultimate functional and cosmetic outcomes of the wound in order to facilitate a patient’s return to society. This paper reviews strategies, using fairly basic techniques, to optimize the outcomes of burn patients. While there are many new skin products available, the strategies presented here can apply to any surgeon treating burns throughout the entire world.
FPGA-Based Chaotic Image Encryption Using Systolic Arrays
Authors: Ciylan Furkan , Ciylan Bünyamin , Atak Mehmet
Published: June 2023

Along with the recent advancements in video streaming, concerns over the security of transferred data have increased. Thus, the development of fast and reliable image encryption methodologies has become an emerging research area in the field of communications. In this paper, a systolic array-based image encryption architecture is proposed. Systolic arrays are used to apply the convolution operation, and a Lü–Chen chaotic oscillator is used to obtain a convolutional filter. To decrease resource consumption, a method to fuse confusion and diffusion processes by using systolic arrays is also proposed in this paper. The results show that the proposed method is highly secure against some differential and statistical attacks. It is also shown that the proposed method has a high speed of encryption compared to other methods.
Load Disaggregation Based on a Bidirectional Dilated Residual Network with Multihead Attention
Authors: Shu Yifei , Kang Jieying , Zhou Mei , Yang Qi , Zeng Lai , Yang Xiaomei
Published: June 2023

Load disaggregation determines appliance-level energy consumption unintrusively from aggregated consumption measured by a single meter. Deep neural networks have been proven to have great potential in load disaggregation. In this article, a temporal convolution network, mainly consisting of residual blocks with bidirectional dilated convolution, the GeLu activation function, and multihead attention, is proposed to improve the prediction accuracy of individual appliances. Bidirectional dilated convolution is applied to enlarge the receptive field and effectively extract load features from historical and future information. Meanwhile, GeLU is introduced into the residual structure to overcome the “dead state” issue of traditional ReLU. Furthermore, multihead attention aims to improve the prediction accuracy by giving different weights according to the importance of different-level load features. The proposed model is validated using the REDD and UK-DALE datasets. Among six existing neural networks, the experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm achieves the least average errors when disaggregating four appliances in terms of mean absolute error (MAE) and signal aggregate error (SAE), respectively, reduced by 22.33% and 60.58% compared with the model with the second-best performance on the REDD dataset. Additionally, the proposed algorithm shows superior results in identifying the on/off state in four appliances from the UK-DALE dataset.
A Secure Data-Sharing Scheme for Privacy-Preserving Supporting Node–Edge–Cloud Collaborative Computation
Authors: Zheng Kaifa , Ding Caiyang , Wang Jinchen
Published: June 2023

The node–edge–cloud collaborative computation paradigm has introduced new security challenges to data sharing. Existing data-sharing schemes suffer from limitations such as low efficiency and inflexibility and are not easily integrated with the node–edge–cloud environment. Additionally, they do not provide hierarchical access control or dynamic changes to access policies for data privacy preservation, leading to a poor user experience and lower security. To address these issues, we propose a data-sharing scheme using attribute-based encryption (ABE) that supports node–edge–cloud collaborative computation (DS-ABE-CC). Our scheme incorporates access policies into ciphertext, achieving fine-grained access control and data privacy preservation. Firstly, considering node–edge–cloud collaborative computation, it outsources the significant computational overhead of data sharing from the owner and user to the edge nodes and the cloud. Secondly, integrating deeply with the “node–edge–cloud” scenario, the key distribution and agreement between all entities embedded in the encryption and decryption process, with a data privacy-preserving mechanism, improve the efficiency and security. Finally, our scheme supports flexible and dynamic access control policies and realizes hierarchical access control, thereby enhancing the user experience of data sharing. The theoretical analysis confirmed the security of our scheme, while the comparison experiments with other schemes demonstrated the practical feasibility and efficiency of our approach in node–edge–cloud collaborative computation.
Deep Comparisons of Neural Networks from the EEGNet Family
Authors: Köllőd Csaba Márton , Adolf András , Iván Kristóf , Márton Gergely , Ulbert István
Published: June 2023

A preponderance of brain–computer interface (BCI) publications proposing artificial neural networks for motor imagery (MI) electroencephalography (EEG) signal classification utilize one of the BCI Competition datasets. However, these databases encompass MI EEG data from a limited number of subjects, typically less than or equal to 10. Furthermore, the algorithms usually include only bandpass filtering as a means of reducing noise and increasing signal quality. In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of five renowned neural networks (Shallow ConvNet, Deep ConvNet, EEGNet, EEGNet Fusion, and MI-EEGNet) utilizing open-access databases with a larger subject pool in conjunction with the BCI Competition IV 2a dataset to obtain statistically significant results. We employed the FASTER algorithm to eliminate artifacts from the EEG as a signal processing step and explored the potential for transfer learning to enhance classification results on artifact-filtered data. Our objective was to rank the neural networks; hence, in addition to classification accuracy, we introduced two supplementary metrics: accuracy improvement from chance level and the effect of transfer learning. The former is applicable to databases with varying numbers of classes, while the latter can underscore neural networks with robust generalization capabilities. Our metrics indicated that researchers should not disregard Shallow ConvNet and Deep ConvNet as they can outperform later published members of the EEGNet family.
Dynamic Reconfiguration Method of Photovoltaic Array Based on Improved HPSO Combined with Coefficient of Variation
Authors: Hou Shuainan , Zhu Wu
Published: June 2023

In order to address the issue of power loss resulting from partial shadow and enhance the efficiency of photovoltaic power generation, the photovoltaic array reconfiguration technology is being increasingly utilized in photovoltaic power generation systems. This paper proposes a reconfiguration method based on improved hybrid particle swarm optimization (HPSO) for the photovoltaic array of TCT (total-cross-tied) structure. The motivation behind this method is to get the best reconfiguration scheme in a simple and efficient manner. The ultimate goal is to enhance the output power of the array, save energy, and improve its overall efficiency. The improved HPSO introduces the concept of hybridization in genetic algorithms and adopts a nonlinear decreasing weight method to balance the local search and global search ability of the algorithm and prevent it from falling into the local optimal solution. The objective function used is the variation coefficient of the row current without the weight factor. This approach saves time and balances the row current of the array by altering the electrical connection of the component. In the 4 × 3 array, the improved HPSO is compared with the Zig-Zag method. In the 9 × 9 array, the improved HPSO is compared with the CS (competence square) method and the improved SuDoKu method. The simulation results show that the power enhancement percentage of the improved HPSO is between 6.39% and 28.26%, and the power curve tends to single peak characteristics. The improved HPSO has a smaller mismatch loss and a higher fill factor in the five shadow modes, which can effectively improve the output power, and it is convenient to track the maximum power point later.
Biodiesel Preparation without a Cosolvent in an Opposite-Side Micro-Fixed-Bed Reactor
Authors: Yue Qianqian , Gao Lijing , Xiao Guomin , Xu Wei
Published: June 2023

In the process of preparing biodiesel using microreactors, cosolvents and homogeneous catalysts are generally used, which adds to the separation cost. Hence, this study explored the use of an opposite-side feed micro-fixed-bed reactor with an inner diameter of 2 mm to produce biodiesel by the transesterification of soybean oil and methanol without any cosolvent, in which a fixed solid base acted as catalyst and obstacles. A biodiesel yield of 99.4% was achieved when the methanol-to-oil molar ratio was 12, the temperature was 70 °C, and the residence time was 8.05 min. A mixing study was conducted for this microreactor through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The results showed that the best mixing index could reach 0.94 within 25 mm (length). Then, the transesterification kinetics in this reactor were found to be consistent with the proposed pseudo-homogeneous secondary reaction model. With the kinetics data and mixed-model, the biodiesel yield could be predicted. The simulated results were consistent with the experimental data.
A GPU-Accelerated Particle Advection Methodology for 3D Lagrangian Coherent Structures in High-Speed Turbulent Boundary Layers
Authors: Lagares Christian , Araya Guillermo
Published: June 2023

In this work, we introduce a scalable and efficient GPU-accelerated methodology for volumetric particle advection and finite-time Lyapunov exponent (FTLE) calculation, focusing on the analysis of Lagrangian coherent structures (LCS) in large-scale direct numerical simulation (DNS) datasets across incompressible, supersonic, and hypersonic flow regimes. LCS play a significant role in turbulent boundary layer analysis, and our proposed methodology offers valuable insights into their behavior in various flow conditions. Our novel owning-cell locator method enables efficient constant-time cell search, and the algorithm draws inspiration from classical search algorithms and modern multi-level approaches in numerical linear algebra. The proposed method is implemented for both multi-core CPUs and Nvidia GPUs, demonstrating strong scaling up to 32,768 CPU cores and up to 62 Nvidia V100 GPUs. By decoupling particle advection from other problems, we achieve modularity and extensibility, resulting in consistent parallel efficiency across different architectures. Our methodology was applied to calculate and visualize the FTLE on four turbulent boundary layers at different Reynolds and Mach numbers, revealing that coherent structures grow more isotropic proportional to the Mach number, and their inclination angle varies along the streamwise direction. We also observed increased anisotropy and FTLE organization at lower Reynolds numbers, with structures retaining coherency along both spanwise and streamwise directions. Additionally, we demonstrated the impact of lower temporal frequency sampling by upscaling with an efficient linear upsampler, preserving general trends with only 10% of the required storage. In summary, we present a particle search scheme for particle advection workloads in the context of visualizing LCS via FTLE that exhibits strong scaling performance and efficiency at scale. Our proposed algorithm is applicable across various domains, requiring efficient search algorithms in large, structured domains. While this article focuses on the methodology and its application to LCS, an in-depth study of the physics and compressibility effects in LCS candidates will be explored in a future publication.
Fungal Endophytes: An Alternative Biocontrol Agent against Phytopathogenic Fungi
Authors: Priyashantha Alviti Kankanamalage Hasith , Karunarathna Samantha C. , Lu Li , Tibpromma Saowaluck
Published: June 2023

There has been renewed interest in the application of endophytic fungi to control phytopathogenic fungi, which cause significant damage to crop health, ultimately leading to losses in agricultural productivity. Endophytic fungi inhibit pathogens via different modes of action—mycoparasitism, competition (for nutrients and ecological niches), antibiosis, and induction of plant defense—thus demonstrating the ability to control a wide range of phytopathogenic fungi in different growth phases and habitats. However, many studies have been conducted under laboratory conditions, and there is a huge lack of studies in which real field testing was performed. Aspergillus, Clonostachys, Coniothyrium, Trichoderma, and Verticillium have been proven to be the most effective fungal biocontrol agents. Trichoderma is regarded as the most promising group in commercial formulations. In this study, we attempted to emphasize the significance of fungal endophytes in controlling phytopathogenic fungi, while reporting recent advances in endophytic biology and application.
Improved Structural Health Monitoring Using Mode Shapes: An Enhanced Framework for Damage Detection in 2D and 3D Structures
Authors: Zamani Kouhpangi Marzieh , Yaghoubi Shaghayegh , Torabipour Ahmadreza
Published: June 2023

Structural health monitoring (SHM) is crucial for ensuring the safety and performance of offshore platforms. SHM uses advanced sensor systems to detect and respond to negative changes in structures, improving their reliability and extending their life cycle. Model updating methods are also useful for sensitivity analysis. It is feasible to discuss and introduce established techniques for detecting damage in structures by utilizing their mode shapes. In this research, by considering reducing the stiffness of elements in the damage scenarios, we conducted simulations of the models in MATLAB, including both two-dimensional and three-dimensional structures, to update the method suggested by Wang. Wang’s method was improved to produce a sensitivity equation for the damaged structures. The sensitivity equation solution using a subset of mode shapes data was found to evaluate structural parameter changes. Comparing the updated results for Wang’s method and the suggested method in the two- and three-dimensional frames showed a noticeable modification in damage recognition. Furthermore, the suggested method can update a model containing measurement errors. Since Wang’s damage detection formulation is suitable only for 2D structures, this modified framework provides a more accurate decision-making tool for damage detection of structures, regardless of whether a 2D or 3D formulation is used.
Exogenous Carbon Addition Reduces Soil Organic Carbon: The Effects of Fungi on Soil Carbon Priming Exceed Those of Bacteria on Soil Carbon Sequestration
Authors: Zhang Limin , Wang Yang , Chen Jin , Zhang Chengfu , Cao Yang , Cai Guojun , Yu Lifei
Published: June 2023

Soil organic carbon (SOC) forms the largest terrestrial organic carbon (C) pool, which is regulated by complex connections between exogenous C input, microbial activity, and SOC conversion. Few studies have examined the changes in natural abundance C due to microbial activity after exogenous C inputs in karst lime soils in China. In this research, the 13C isotope tracer technique was employed to investigate the priming effect of SOC on typical lime soil (0~20 cm) of 13C_litter and 13C_calcium carbonate (CaCO3) through a mineralization incubation experiment. Samples were collected at 5, 10, 20, 40, 60, and 80 days of incubation and analyzed for SOC mineralization, SOC distribution across fractions (>250 μm, 53~250 μm, and <53 μm), and soil microbial diversity. A control consisting of no exogenous C addition was included. SOC mineralization and SOC priming were considerably higher (15.48% and 61.00%, respectively) after litter addition compared to CaCO3. The addition of either litter or CaCO3 reduced the total organic C (TOC) and macroaggregate (>250 μm) and microaggregate (53~250 μm) C fractions by 2150.13, 2229.06, and 1575.06 mg C kg−1 Cbulk on average and increased the mineral particulate C fraction (<53 μm) by 1653.98 mg C kg−1 Cbulk. As the incubation time extended, a significantly positive correlation was apparent between SOC priming and soil fungal diversity, as well as between the mineral particulate C fraction and soil bacterial diversity. The effect of soil fungal diversity on SOC priming (R = 0.40, p = 0.003) significantly exceeded that of bacterial diversity on SOC sequestration (R = 0.27, p = 0.02). Our results reveal that after adding litter or CaCO3, soil fungi stimulate SOC mineralization and decomposition and soil bacteria enhance SOC sequestration, with the effects of fungi being more pronounced. These findings can provide a theoretical basis for understanding C sequestration and emission reduction in karst lime soils.
Studying the Genetic and the Epigenetic Diversity of the Endangered Species Juniperus drupacea Labill. towards Safeguarding Its Conservation in Greece
Authors: Avramidou Evangelia V. , Korakaki Evangelia , Malliarou Ermioni , Boutsios Stefanos
Published: June 2023

Juniperus drupacea Labill is a unique representative tree which, nowadays, has limited geographical range. In Greece, it exists only in the southeastern part of the Peloponnese, and it is labeled as endangered according to the IUCN in Europe. In the light of climatic changes, a conservation plan which will secure its adaptation and resilience is important. Knowledge of the genetic and the epigenetic diversity of J. drupacea in Greece can establish a pledge for sustainability. In this study, genetic diversity with amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers and epigenetic diversity assessed with methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) were used for eleven subpopulations of the species. Simultaneously, first assessment between midday water potential (Ψmd) and epigenetic diversity was calculated in order to determine drought response of the species. Results showed that genetic diversity was higher than epigenetic diversity and no subpopulation differentiation was observed. No significant correlations were found between geographic, epigenetic, and genetic diversity, indicating that the genetic diversity is uncoupled from epigenetic diversity. A significant negative correlation between epigenetic Shannon index and Ψmd was found. The holistic research of genetic and epigenetic diversity paves the way for an effective conservation plan for the species.
Through the Window: Exploitation and Countermeasures of the ESP32 Register Window Overflow
Authors: Lehniger Kai , Langendörfer Peter
Published: June 2023

With the increasing popularity of IoT (Internet-of-Things) devices, their security becomes an increasingly important issue. Buffer overflow vulnerabilities have been known for decades, but are still relevant, especially for embedded devices where certain security measures cannot be implemented due to hardware restrictions or simply due to their impact on performance. Therefore, many buffer overflow detection mechanisms check for overflows only before critical data are used. All data that an attacker could use for his own purposes can be considered critical. It is, therefore, essential that all critical data are checked between writing a buffer and its usage. This paper presents a vulnerability of the ESP32 microcontroller, used in millions of IoT devices, that is based on a pointer that is not protected by classic buffer overflow detection mechanisms such as Stack Canaries or Shadow Stacks. This paper discusses the implications of vulnerability and presents mitigation techniques, including a patch, that fixes the vulnerability. The overhead of the patch is evaluated using simulation as well as an ESP32-WROVER-E development board. We showed that, in the simulation with 32 general-purpose registers, the overhead for the CoreMark benchmark ranges between 0.1% and 0.4%. On the ESP32, which uses an Xtensa LX6 core with 64 general-purpose registers, the overhead went down to below 0.01%. A worst-case scenario, modeled by a synthetic benchmark, showed overheads up to 9.68%.
Development of an Accurate Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Assay for Genetic Sex Identification in Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) Based on Male-Specific Anti-Mullerian Hormone (amh) Gene
Authors: Chaiyasut Kasidis , Merviel Paul , Palma Peter , Perschthaler Johanna , Jimenez-Fernandez Eduardo , Davie Andrew , Gutierrez Alejandro P.
Published: June 2023

The production of lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) has become crucial in controlling sea lice levels in salmonid aquaculture. To improve their breeding, there is a need for early sex identification. The genomic region containing the anti-Müllerian hormone (amh) gene was suggested as the candidate master sex-determining gene in lumpfish. However, the genome of lumpfish contains three copies of amh with ambiguous sex specificity, designated amh1, amh2, and amh3. The study aims to analyse the male-specific region between these amh paralogues for its application as a sex marker. In this study, we utilised polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays to identify the male-specific amh markers in lumpfish and estimate the length of the male-specific region in the lumpfish genome. Our results indicate that a specific genomic region of approximately 27 kilobases (kb), encompassing amh1 and amh2 genes, exhibits male specificity, whereas amh3 is present in both sexes. The developed PCR-based genetic sex identification assays targeting amh1 and amh2 exhibited over 97% concordance with phenotypic records. Further experiments in other members of the Cyclopteridae: Aptocyclus ventricosus, Eumicrotremus taranetzi, and E. asperrimus revealed male-specific amh genome region only in A. ventricosus. Phylogenetic analyses using the available Cyclopteridae amh sequences suggest that male-specific amh arose early in the Cyclopteridae lineage. Our findings, along with the development of the PCR test, hold great promise for the field of lumpfish aquaculture and will also contribute significantly to future investigations aiming to enhance our understanding of the sex-determination system and the evolution of sex chromosomes in teleostean fish.
Ancient Wheats—A Nutritional and Sensory Analysis Review
Authors: Roumia Hala , Kókai Zoltán , Mihály-Langó Bernadett , Csobod Éva Csajbókné , Benedek Csilla
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this review is to provide a critical evaluation of the nutritional and sensory properties of ancient wheats (spelt, emmer, einkorn, and kamut) and the methods used to analyze them. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the main analytical methods applied to study the nutritional properties of ancient wheats. According to our findings, protein content was the most commonly studied macronutrient across all types of ancient wheat species. The article notes that einkorn bran showed the highest protein and ash content, which reveals the potential of ancient wheats to be more widely used in food products. Regarding the majority of amino acids in spelt wheat cultivars, the general trend in the data was rather consistent. This review also compares sensory evaluation methods for different wheat products made from ancient wheats, such as bread, pasta, cooked grains, porridge, snacks, and muffins. The various reported methods and panel sizes used prove that ancient wheat products have many potential sensory advantages. Overall, using ancient wheats in wheat products can enhance the nutritional benefits, increase diversity in the food systems, and may be more appealing to consumers looking for something different, thereby contributing to the development of more sustainable and locally based food systems.
Discovering New B[e] Supergiants and Candidate Luminous Blue Variables in Nearby Galaxies
Authors: Maravelias Grigoris , de Wit Stephan , Bonanos Alceste Z. , Tramper Frank , Munoz-Sanchez Gonzalo , Christodoulou Evangelia
Published: June 2023

Mass loss is one of the key parameters that determine stellar evolution. Despite the progress we have achieved over the last decades we still cannot match the observational derived values with theoretical predictions. Even worse, there are certain phases, such as the B[e] supergiants (B[e]SGs) and the Luminous Blue Variables (LBVs), where significant mass is lost through episodic or outburst activity. This leads to various structures forming around them that permit dust formation, making these objects bright IR sources. The ASSESS project aims to determine the role of episodic mass in the evolution of massive stars, by examining large numbers of cool and hot objects (such as B[e]SGs/LBVs). For this purpose, we initiated a large observation campaign to obtain spectroscopic data for ∼1000 IR-selected sources in 27 nearby galaxies. Within this project we successfully identified seven B[e] supergiants (one candidate) and four Luminous Blue Variables of which six and two, respectively, are new discoveries. We used spectroscopic, photometric, and light curve information to better constrain the nature of the reported objects. We particularly noted the presence of B[e]SGs at metallicity environments as low as 0.14 Z⊙.
Bile Acid Sequestrants Based on Natural and Synthetic Gels
Authors: Stanciu Magdalena-Cristina , Nichifor Marieta , Teacă Carmen-Alice
Published: June 2023

Bile acid sequestrants (BASs) are non-systemic therapeutic agents used for the management of hypercholesterolemia. They are generally safe and not associated with serious systemic adverse effects. Usually, BASs are cationic polymeric gels that have the ability to bind bile salts in the small intestine and eliminate them by excretion of the non-absorbable polymer–bile salt complex. This review gives a general presentation of bile acids and the characteristics and mechanisms of action of BASs. The chemical structures and methods of synthesis are shown for commercial BASs of first- (cholestyramine, colextran, and colestipol) and second-generation (colesevelam and colestilan) and potential BASs. The latter are based on either synthetic polymers such as poly((meth)acrylates/acrylamides), poly(alkylamines), poly(allylamines) and vinyl benzyl amino polymers or biopolymers, such as cellulose, dextran, pullulan, methylan, and poly(cyclodextrins). A separate section is dedicated to molecular imprinting polymers (MIPs) because of their great selectivity and affinity for the template molecules used in the imprinting technique. Focus is given to the understanding of the relationships between the chemical structure of these cross-linked polymers and their potential to bind bile salts. The synthetic pathways used in obtaining BASs and their in vitro and in vivo hypolipidemic activities are also introduced.
Synthesis and Characterization of Hydrogel Droplets Containing Magnetic Nano Particles, in a Microfluidic Flow-Focusing Chip
Authors: Moharramzadeh Fereshteh , Seyyed Ebrahimi Seyyed Ali , Zarghami Vahid , Lalegani Zahra , Hamawandi Bejan
Published: June 2023

Magnetic hybrid hydrogels have exhibited remarkable efficacy in various areas, particularly in the biomedical sciences, where these inventive substances exhibit intriguing prospects for controlled drug delivery, tissue engineering, magnetic separation, MRI contrast agents, hyperthermia, and thermal ablation. Additionally, droplet-based microfluidic technology enables the fabrication of microgels possessing monodisperse characteristics and controlled morphological shapes. Here, alginate microgels containing citrated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were produced by a microfluidic flow-focusing system. Superparamagnetic magnetite nanoparticles with an average size of 29.1 ± 2.5 nm and saturation magnetization of 66.92 emu/g were synthesized via the co-precipitation method. The hydrodynamic size of MNPs was changed from 142 nm to 826.7 nm after the citrate group’s attachment led to an increase in dispersion and the stability of the aqueous phase. A microfluidic flow-focusing chip was designed, and the mold was 3D printed by stereo lithographic technology. Depending on inlet fluid rates, monodisperse and polydisperse microgels in the range of 20–120 μm were produced. Different conditions of droplet generation in the microfluidic device (break-up) were discussed considering the model of rate-of-flow-controlled-breakup (squeezing). Practically, this study indicates guidelines for generating droplets with a predetermined size and polydispersity from liquids with well-defined macroscopic properties, utilizing a microfluidic flow-focusing device (MFFD). Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR) results indicated a chemical attachment of citrate groups on MNPs and the existence of MNPs in the hydrogels. Magnetic hydrogel proliferation assay after 72 h showed a better rate of cell growth in comparison to the control group (p = 0.042).
Cryopreservation of 3D Bioprinted Scaffolds with Temperature-Controlled-Cryoprinting
Authors: Warburton Linnea , Rubinsky Boris
Published: June 2023

Temperature-Controlled-Cryoprinting (TCC) is a new 3D bioprinting technology that allows for the fabrication and cryopreservation of complex and large cell-laden scaffolds. During TCC, bioink is deposited on a freezing plate that descends further into a cooling bath, keeping the temperature at the nozzle constant. To demonstrate the effectiveness of TCC, we used it to fabricate and cryopreserve cell-laden 3D alginate-based scaffolds with high cell viability and no size limitations. Our results show that Vero cells in a 3D TCC bioprinted scaffold can survive cryopreservation with a viability of 71%, and cell viability does not decrease as higher layers are printed. In contrast, previous methods had either low cell viability or decreasing efficacy for tall or thick scaffolds. We used an optimal temperature profile for freezing during 3D printing using the two-step interrupted cryopreservation method and evaluated drops in cell viability during the various stages of TCC. Our findings suggest that TCC has significant potential for advancing 3D cell culture and tissue engineering.
Insights into the Adaptation to High Altitudes from Transcriptome Profiling: A Case Study of an Endangered Species, Kingdonia uniflora
Authors: Nong Man-Li , Luo Xiao-Hui , Zhu Li-Xin , Zhang Ya-Nan , Dun Xue-Yi , Huang Lei
Published: June 2023

Kingdonia uniflora is an endangered alpine herb that is distributed along an altitudinal gradient. The unique traits and important phylogenetic position make K. uniflora an ideal model for exploring how endangered plants react to altitude variation. In this study, we sampled nine individuals from three representative locations and adopted RNA-seq technology to sequence 18 tissues, aiming to uncover how K. uniflora responded to different altitudes at the gene expression level. We revealed that genes that responded to light stimuli and circadian rhythm genes were significantly enriched in DEGs in the leaf tissue group, while genes that were related to root development and peroxidase activity or involved in the pathways of cutin, suberin, wax biosynthesis, and monoterpenoid biosynthesis were significantly enriched in DEGs in the flower bud tissue group. All of the above genes may play an important role in the response of K. uniflora to various stresses, such as low temperatures and hypoxia in high-altitude environments. Furthermore, we proved that the discrepancy in gene expression patterns between leaf and flower bud tissues varied along the altitudinal gradient. Overall, our findings provide new insights into the adaptation of endangered species to high-altitude environments and further encourage parallel research to focus on the molecular mechanisms of alpine plant evolution.
Molecular and Clinical Characterization of CNGA3 and CNGB3 Genes in Brazilian Patients Affected with Achromatopsia
Authors: Amaral Rebeca A. S. , Motta Fabiana L. , Zin Olivia A. , da Palma Mariana M. , Rodrigues Gabriela D. , Sallum Juliana M. F.
Published: June 2023

Achromatopsia (ACHM) is a congenital cone photoreceptor disorder characterized by reduced visual acuity, nystagmus, photophobia, and very poor or absent color vision. Pathogenic variants in six genes encoding proteins composing the cone phototransduction cascade (CNGA3, CNGB3, PDE6C, PDE6H, GNAT2) and of the unfolded protein response (ATF6) have been related to ACHM cases, while CNGA3 and CNGB3 alone are responsible for most cases. Herein, we provide a clinical and molecular overview of 42 Brazilian patients from 38 families affected with ACHM related to biallelic pathogenic variants in the CNGA3 and CNGB3 genes. Patients’ genotype and phenotype were retrospectively evaluated. The majority of CNGA3 variants were missense, and the most prevalent CNGB3 variant was c.1148delC (p.Thr383Ilefs*13), resulting in a frameshift and premature stop codon, which is compatible with previous publications in the literature. A novel variant c.1893T>A (p.Tyr631*) in the CNGB3 gene is reported for the first time in this study. A great variability in morphologic findings was observed in our patients, although no consistent correlation with age and disease stage in OCT foveal morphology was found. The better understanding of the genetic variants landscape in the Brazilian population will help in the diagnosis of this disease.
The Effect of Diabetes and Hyperglycemia on Horizontal Guided Bone Regeneration: A Clinical Prospective Analysis
Authors: De Angelis Paolo , Rella Edoardo , Manicone Paolo Francesco , De Rosa Giuseppe , Gallottini Sofia , Liguori Margherita Giorgia , Papi Piero , Desantis Viviana , Passarelli Pier Carmine , D’Addona Antonio
Published: June 2023

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) is a reconstructive procedure for treating atrophic alveolar ridges. This study aims to assess the correlation between different glycemic control levels and clinical findings in patients undergoing horizontal GBR before implant placement. The study population consisted of all patients requiring horizontal GBR. Patients were divided into three groups based on HbA1c levels: non-diabetic normoglycemic patients (HbA1c < 5.7%), non-diabetic hyperglycaemic patients (HbA1c < 6.5%), and patients with controlled diabetes (HbA1c < 7%). The primary outcomes were the horizontal (mm) and vertical (mm) dimensional changes of the alveolar ridge 6 months after the procedure. The study sample consisted of 54 patients. Sixty-eight implants (95.8%) were classified as “successful,” meaning the possibility of inserting a standard-sized implant following the GBR (diameter ≥ 4 mm). There was a statistically significant difference between the three groups in terms of horizontal gain at 6 months: in particular, there was a statistically significant difference between group 1 and group 2 (p = 0.026) and between group 1 and group 3 (p = 0.030). The present investigation showed that patients with HbA1c levels below 7% could undergo GBR and obtain a statistically significant horizontal bone gain.
Comparison of Sleep Disturbance, Physical Activity, and Health-Related Quality of Life According to Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Secondary Analysis from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Using a Propensity Score Matching Analysis
Authors: Yun Jungmi , Lee Yunji
Published: June 2023

Metabolic syndrome has become a global epidemic, and the age of its onset is decreasing. However, its prevalence can be reduced by lifestyle modifications. This study examined the differences in sleep disturbance, physical activity, and health-related quality of life associated with depressive symptoms in patients with metabolic syndrome aged ≥ 40 years. This cross-sectional secondary analysis of data from the 2016 and 2018 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Of 1404 patients with metabolic syndrome aged ≥ 40 years, depressed and non-depressed patients (103 vs. 103) were matched 1:1 on demographic characteristics using propensity score matching. The outcome variables were then compared between the two groups. We investigated health status, including metabolic syndrome indices, health behaviors, such as sleep disturbances and physical activity, and health-related quality of life. After propensity score matching, health-related quality of life was the only variable that differed significantly between the groups; it was significantly lower in patients with depression (0.77) than in those without depression (0.88) (p = 0.001). Our results suggest that depression with metabolic syndrome is likely to cause a decrease in patients’ quality of life; therefore, development of management systems and programs for early intervention to tackle at-risk groups is necessary.
The Association between Electronic Health Literacy and Oral Health Outcomes among Dental Patients in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Hakeem Faisal F. , Abdouh Ismail , Hamadallah Hatem Hazzaa , Alarabi Yunus Osama , Almuzaini Abdulrahman Saad , Abdullah Majed Maher , Altarjami Ammar Abdulrahman
Published: June 2023

Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between electronic health (eHealth) literacy and oral health outcomes, including the number of teeth and brushing frequency. Methods: A total of 478 participants were included in the study and assessed for their eHealth literacy levels. Demographic variables, including age, gender, income, and education, were collected. The participants’ number of teeth and brushing frequency were also recorded. Multiple regression analyses were performed to examine the relationship between eHealth literacy and oral health outcomes, adjusting for sociodemographic variables. Results: The study sample consisted of both males (66.5%) and females (33.5%), with a mean age of 31.95 years. Among the participants, 16.95% were classified as having inadequate eHealth literacy, 24.06% had problematic eHealth literacy, and the majority (59.00%) demonstrated sufficient eHealth literacy. There was a significant association between eHealth literacy and oral health outcomes. Individuals with problematic eHealth literacy had a higher likelihood of having a greater number of teeth (RR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.05–1.20, p < 0.001) compared to those with inadequate eHealth literacy. Similarly, individuals with sufficient eHealth literacy showed a higher likelihood of having more teeth (RR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.07–1.21, p < 0.001) compared to the inadequate eHealth literacy group controlling for age, gender, income, and education. Individuals with problematic eHealth literacy exhibited a tendency towards lower odds of irregular brushing (OR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.15–1.02, p = 0.054), although this result was marginally significant. In contrast, individuals with sufficient eHealth literacy had significantly lower odds of irregular brushing frequency (OR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.10–0.62, p = 0.003) compared to the inadequate eHealth literacy group. Conclusion: The findings suggest a positive association between eHealth literacy and oral health outcomes. Improving eHealth literacy may have implications for promoting better oral health behaviors and outcomes.
The Persistence of Memory. Exploring the Significance of Glass from Materiality to Intangible Values
Authors: Fiorentino Sara , Chinni Tania
Published: June 2023

As a material, glass has been linked with knowledge and skill mastery for at least three millennia, reflecting the use of traditional tools and technologies inherited from the past. The history of glass speaks of know-how, technological transitions, and contaminations among preferences and raw materials. An increase in the awareness of traditional knowledge underlying the tradition of glass manufacturing has recently been observed with the inscription of the art of Venetian glass beads on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which has been recognized as a repository of knowledge and mastery of skills, reflecting the use of traditional tools and technologies inherited from the past. However, the potential that glass holds to rediscover the flows and exchanges of technological knowledge in the past has only been explored marginally, and issues linked to the intangible values and the socio-cultural significance of glass are still only sporadically addressed. This review aims to stimulate reflection on the diversity of the significance underlying glass as a material that has marked the cultural and technological history of man. This study will establish the foundation for a methodological reflection in the approach to the study of ancient glass that is intended to help uncover the intangible values that it is an embodiment for.
Apricot Rootstocks with Potential in Hungary
Authors: Mendelné Pászti Edina , Bujdoso Geza , Ercisli Sezai , Hrotkó Karoly , Mendel Ákos
Published: June 2023

In the last five decades, the use of rootstocks and scions has changed, along with their systems of cultivation. Associated with climate change, fruit trees face new ecological and phytopathological challenges. Rootstocks affect the generative and vegetative performance of a scion, such as productivity, span of nonbearing period, growth vigor, shelf-life and quality of fruits. According to a recent study, they also affect the frost tolerance of floral buds. Several traits of rootstocks facilitate the growth of a grafted tree under different climatic and soil conditions. Due to the high risks of cultivation, it is extremely important to determine which rootstocks are suitable for successful apricot production. Origin, effects on vegetative and generative traits, tolerance, resistance and adaptability of rootstocks are summarized in this review to select suitable rootstock for apricot cultivars under Hungarian conditions.
Effects of Organic and Conventional Cultivation on Composition and Characterization of Two Citrus Varieties ‘Navelina’ Orange and ‘Clemenules’ Mandarin Fruits in a Long-Term Study
Authors: Domínguez-Gento Alfons , Di Giorgi Rosita , García-Martínez María Dolores , Raigón María Dolores
Published: June 2023

A transition towards an organic food system is taking place around the world. This process is favored by growing consumer demand, who associate organic crops with being healthier, tastier, and safer for the environment than conventional crops. Citrus is one of the most widely produced crops worldwide and has important socio-economic and cultural significance in the Mediterranean area. The aim of this work is twofold; on the one hand, it reveals the variability of a set of physical–chemical and nutritional quality parameters of two citrus fruit varieties, ‘Navelina’ oranges and ‘Clemenules’ mandarins, from organic and conventional production in a long-term study. On the other hand, taking advantage of the large number of results, a model is proposed that allows the successful differentiation of citrus fruits from organic and conventional production and a tool that allows predicting the production system of citrus fruits. The results suggest that organically produced citrus fruits do not generate differences in terms of external aspects, providing fruits that are acceptable to the market. Organic production techniques influenced the lower peel content and higher pulp and juice content in ‘Navelina’ orange and ‘Clemenules’ mandarin fruits and led to a greater ability to synthesize vitamin C in the juice, more essential oils in the skin, and higher seed numbers, although in all cases, the fruits can be classified as having low seed numbers. Two discriminating equations were obtained that use easy-to-measure parameters to successfully classify organic citrus fruits. The classification and prediction models obtained constitute useful tools to help in the control of the purity/authenticity of organic citrus fruits.
The Characterization of Groundwater Quality for Safe Drinking Water Wells via Disinfection and Sterilization in Jordan: A Case Study
Authors: Al-Mahasneh Mehaysen , Al Bsoul Abeer , Al-Ananzeh Nada , Al-Khasawane Hussam Elddin , Al-Mahasneh Marwan , Tashtoush Raeda
Published: June 2023

This work aims to evaluate the quality of drinking water in the Disi aquifer in Jordan. Several water quality parameters are included in the mathematical equation to evaluate the average water quality and establish the suitability of water for drinking purposes. Water sampling zones from three wells were used to calculate the water quality indices (WQI). The water samples were analyzed for several physicochemical parameters, including pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3−, SO42−, Cl−, NO3−, total hardness, electrical conductivity (EC) and other elements (Fe2+, Zn2+, Mn2+, Cd2+, As2−, Pb4+ and Cu2+), in the groundwater wells. Biological parameters, such as faecal coliform, were also tested. The Weighted Arithmetic WQI indicated that most of the wells were of good to excellent quality. These determined indices support decision making and are beneficial to monitoring the groundwater quality in the Disi aquifer. The relative weight is specific to each parameter and ranges from 1 to 5; it establishes the importance of the water quality parameters for domestic purposes. The WQI analysis rates the water quality between 75 to 65 from good to medium. The water quality of the Disi aquifer for potable drinking water was compared with the guidelines of the World Health Organization (2011) and the Jordan Drinking Standard (JS286); the results indicated that water in the Disi aquifer was of high quality and was fit for drinking.
Neurological and Neurocognitive Impairments in Adults with a History of Prenatal Methylmercury Poisoning: Minamata Disease
Authors: Yorifuji Takashi , Kadowaki Tomoka , Yasuda Mariko , Kado Yoko
Published: June 2023

Minamata disease, which happened during the 1950s and 1960s in Minamata, Japan, is a well-known case of food poisoning caused by methylmercury-contaminated fish. Although many children were born, in the affected areas, with severe neurological signs after birth (known as congenital Minamata disease (CMD)), few studies have explored the possible effects of low-to-moderate methylmercury exposure in utero, probably at lower levels than in CMD patients, in Minamata. We, therefore, recruited 52 participants in 2020: 10 patients with known CMD; 15 moderately exposed residents; and 27 non-exposed controls. The average umbilical cord methylmercury concentrations were 1.67 parts per million (ppm) for CMD patients and 0.77 ppm for moderately exposed participants. After conducting four neuropsychological tests, we compared the functions among the groups. Compared with the non-exposed controls, both the CMD patients and moderately exposed residents had worse scores in the neuropsychological tests, although the score decline was more severe in the CMD patients. For example, even after adjusting for age and sex, the CMD patients and moderately exposed residents had 16.77 (95% CI: 13.46 to 20.08) and 4.11 (95% CI: 1.43 to 6.78) lower scores in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, respectively, than the non-exposed controls. The present study indicates that residents of Minamata who experienced low-to-moderate prenatal methylmercury exposure also have neurological or neurocognitive impairments.