bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of Extended Spectrum ß-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli with Biofilm Formation from Chicken Meat in Istanbul
Authors: Aydin Ali , Suleymanoglu Ali Anil , Abdramanov Abzal , Paulsen Peter , Dumen Emek
Published: April 2024

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the major public health problems worldwide. This study aimed to detect the presence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-(ESBL-)producing Escherichia (E.) coli in chicken meat in Istanbul, Türkiye. Raw chicken meat samples (n = 208) were collected from different sale points and analyzed for ESBL-producing E. coli. In total, 101 (48.5%) isolates were confirmed as E. coli by PCR, of which 80/101 (79.2%) demonstrated multiple antibiotic resistance. Resistance against amoxicillin-clavulanic acid was most frequent (87.1%). Eighteen isolates (17.8%) demonstrated phenotypical ESBL resistance, as assessed by the double disc synergy test (DDST). Isolates were tested for the presence of β-lactamase genes and mobilized colistin-resistant genes. The blaTEM group was most frequently detected (97.02%), followed by blaCTX m (45.5%), blaSHV (9.9%), and blaOXA-2 (0.9%). However, mcr genes and blaNDM, blaKPC, blaVIM, and blaOXA-48 genes were not found in any isolate. E. coli strains were tested for biofilm formation in six different media [Nutrient broth, LB broth, Tryptone Soya broth (TSB), TSB containing 1% sucrose, TSB containing 0.6% yeast extract, and BHI]. Biofilm formation by E. coli isolates (44/101, 43.5%) was highest in TSB with 1% sucrose. It is worth noting that all biofilm-producing isolates were found to harbor the blaTEM-1 gene, which can indicate a high level of antibiotic resistance. This is the first report about ESBL-producing E. coli in poultry meat, the exposure of consumers in Istanbul metropolitan areas, and the ability of E. coli from this region to produce biofilms.
The Neural Correlates of Food Preference among Music Kinds
Authors: Jing Yuanluo , Xu Ziyuan , Pang Yazhi , Liu Xiaolin , Zhao Jia , Liu Yong
Published: April 2024

The calorie and taste choices of food have been shown to be related to the external environment, including music. Previous studies have mostly focused on manipulating basic auditory parameters, with few scholars exploring the impact of complex musical parameters on food selection. This study explored the effects of different kinds of music (classical, rock, jazz, and hip-hop) on food liking based on the calories (high and low) and taste (sweet and salty) using event-related potentials (ERPs). Twenty-four participants (8 males, 16 females) were recruited from Southwest University, China to participate in the food liking task using a Likert seven-point rating and simultaneously recording EEG signals (N2, P2, N3, and LPC). This study used repeated-measures analyses of covariances and found that the score of the high-calorie foods was greater than that of the low-calorie foods. Additionally, results revealed that the score in classical music was greatest for sweet foods, while there was no difference among music kinds in the salty foods. The ERP results showed that P2 amplitudes were greater for sweet foods than those for the salty foods. N2 amplitudes for the salty foods were greater than those for the sweet foods during rock music; in addition, N2 amplitudes during hip-hop music were greatest for sweet foods. However, N2 amplitudes during rock music were the greatest for salty foods. The results also revealed that N2 amplitudes during hip-hop music were greater than those during jazz music. This study provides unique operational insights for businesses.
Study of the Microbiome of the Cretan Sour Cream Staka Using Amplicon Sequencing and Shotgun Metagenomics and Isolation of Novel Strains with an Important Antimicrobial Potential
Authors: Papadimitriou Konstantinos , Georgalaki Marina , Anastasiou Rania , Alexandropoulou Athanasia-Maria , Manolopoulou Eugenia , Zoumpopoulou Georgia , Tsakalidou Effie
Published: April 2024

Staka is a traditional Greek sour cream made mostly from spontaneously fermented sheep milk or a mixture of sheep and goat milk. At the industrial scale, cream separators and starter cultures may also be used. Staka is sometimes cooked with flour to absorb most of the fat. In this study, we employed culture-based techniques, amplicon sequencing, and shotgun metagenomics to analyze the Staka microbiome for the first time. The samples were dominated by Lactococcus or Leuconostoc spp. Most other bacteria were lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from the Streptococcus and Enterococcus genera or Gram-negative bacteria from the Buttiauxella, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, Escherichia-Shigella, and Hafnia genera. Debaryomyces, Kluyveromyces, or Alternaria were the most prevalent genera in the samples, followed by other yeasts and molds like Saccharomyces, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Stemphylium, Coniospotium, or Cladosporium spp. Shotgun metagenomics allowed the species-level identification of Lactococcus lactis, Lactococcus raffinolactis, Streptococcus thermophilus, Streptococcus gallolyticus, Escherichia coli, Hafnia alvei, Streptococcus parauberis, and Enterococcus durans. Binning of assembled shotgun reads followed by recruitment plot analysis of single reads could determine near-complete metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs). Culture-dependent and culture-independent analyses were in overall agreement with some distinct differences. For example, lactococci could not be isolated, presumably because they had entered a viable but not culturable (VBNC) state or because they were dead. Finally, several LAB, Hafnia paralvei, and Pseudomonas spp. isolates exhibited antimicrobial activities against oral or other pathogenic streptococci, and certain spoilage and pathogenic bacteria establishing their potential role in food bio-protection or new biomedical applications. Our study may pave the way for additional studies concerning artisanal sour creams to better understand the factors affecting their production and the quality.
Impact of 12-SNP and 6-SNP Polygenic Scores on Predisposition to High LDL-Cholesterol Levels in Patients with Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Cardiero Giovanna , Ferrandino Martina , Calcaterra Ilenia Lorenza , Iannuzzo Gabriella , Di Minno Matteo Nicola Dario , Buganza Raffaele , Guardamagna Ornella , Auricchio Renata , Di Taranto Maria Donata , Fortunato Giuliana
Published: April 2024

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) comprises high LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c) levels and high cardiovascular disease risk. In the absence of pathogenic variants in causative genes, a polygenic basis was hypothesized. Methods: In a population of 418 patients (excluding homozygotes) with clinical suspicion of FH, the FH-causative genes and the regions of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) included in 12-SNP and 6-SNP scores were sequenced by next-generation sequencing, allowing for the detection of pathogenic variants (V+) in 220 patients. To make a comparison, only patients without uncertain significance variants (V−/USV−) were considered (n = 162). Results: Higher values of both scores were observed in V+ than in V−. Considering a cut-off leading to 80% of V−/USV− as score-positive, a lower prevalence of patients positive for both 12-SNP and 6-SNP scores was observed in V+ (p = 0.010 and 0.033, respectively). Mainly for the 12-SNP score, among V+ patients, higher LDL-c levels were observed in score-positive (223 mg/dL -IQR 187-279) than in negative patients (212 mg/dL -IQR 162–240; p = 0.006). Multivariate analysis confirmed the association of scores and LDL-c levels independently of age, sex, and presence of pathogenic variants and revealed a greater association in children. Conclusions: The 12-SNP and 6-SNP polygenic scores could explain hypercholesterolemia in patients without pathogenic variants as well as the variability of LDL-c levels among patients with FH-causative variants.
Sounding Grief in Henry Dumas’s “Echo Tree”
Authors: Pantoja Timothy
Published: April 2024

“Sounding Grief in Henry Dumas’s ‘Echo Tree’” engages Dumas’s experimental short story about two youths discussing how to speak to the dead while on a Southern hillside at dusk. This article studies how this short story meditates on how grief affects our engagement with and reliance upon voiced languages to express a desire for communion that persists beyond death. “Echo Tree”, the article argues, reveals how openness to grief, and the subsequent desire for communication with the dead, improves the imaginative capacity needed for empathetic alignment among the living. In its presentation of the psychological and imaginative difficulties of performing a call-and-response with the dead, “Echo Tree” also analogizes how a reader engages in an act of call-and-response with a muted acousmatic voice from the printed page.
A Spatiotemporal Assessment of the Precipitation Variability and Pattern and an Evaluation of the Predictive Reliability of Global Climate Models over Bihar
Authors: Rashiq Ahmad , Kumar Vishwajeet , Prakash Om
Published: April 2024

Climate change is significantly altering precipitation patterns, leading to spatiotemporal changes throughout the world. In particular, the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, leading to heavy rainfall, floods, and droughts, have been a cause of concern. A comprehensive understanding of these changes in precipitation patterns on a regional scale is essential to enhance resilience against the adverse effects of climate change. The present study, focused on the state of Bihar in India, uses a long-term (1901–2020) gridded precipitation dataset to analyze the effect of climate change. Change point detection tests divide the time series into two epochs: 1901–1960 and 1961–2020, with 1960 as the change point year. Modified Mann–Kendall (MMK) and Sen’s slope estimator tests are used to identify trends in seasonal and annual time scales, while Centroidal Day (CD) analysis is performed to determine changes in temporal patterns of rainfall. The results show significant variability in seasonal rainfall, with the nature of pre-monsoon and post-monsoon observed to have flipped in second epoch. The daily rainfall intensity during the monsoon season has increased considerably, particularly in north Bihar, while the extreme rainfall has increased by 60.6 mm/day in the second epoch. The surface runoff increased by approximately 13.43% from 2001 to 2020. Further, 13 Global Climate Models (GCMs) evaluate future scenarios based on Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP) 370 and SSP585. The suitability analysis of these GCMs, based on probability density function (PDF), monthly mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE) and percentage bias (P-Bias), suggests that EC-Earth3-Veg-LR, MIROC6, and MPI-ESM1-2-LR are the three best GCMs representative of rainfall in Bihar. A Bayesian model-averaged (BMA) multi-model ensemble reflects the variability expected in the future with the least uncertainty. The present study’s findings clarify the current state of variability, patterns and trends in precipitation, while suggesting the most appropriate GCMs for better decision-making and preparedness.
High NaCl Concentrations in Water Are Associated with Developmental Abnormalities and Altered Gene Expression in Zebrafish
Authors: Seli Denis A. , Prendergast Andrew , Ergun Yagmur , Tyagi Antariksh , Taylor Hugh S.
Published: April 2024

Salt is frequently introduced in ecosystems, where it acts as a pollutant. This study examined how changes in salinity affect the survival and development of zebrafish from the two-cell to the blastocyst stage and from the blastocyst to the larval stage. Control zebrafish embryos were cultured in E3 medium containing 5 mM Sodium Chloride (NaCl), 0.17 mM Potassium Chloride (KCL), 0.33 mM Calcium Chloride (CaCl2), and 0.33 mM Magnesium Sulfade (MgSO4). Experiments were conducted using increasing concentrations of each individual salt at 5×, 10×, 50×, and 100× the concentration found in E3 medium. KCL, CaCl2, and MgSO4 did not result in lethal abnormalities and did not affect early embryo growth at any of the concentrations tested. Concentrations of 50× and 100× NaCl caused embryonic death in both stages of development. Concentrations of 5× and 10× NaCl resulted in uninflated swim bladders in 12% and 65% of larvae, compared to 4.2% of controls, and caused 1654 and 2628 genes to be differentially expressed in blastocysts, respectively. The ATM signaling pathway was affected, and the Sonic Hedgehog pathway genes Shh and Ptc1 implicated in swim bladder development were downregulated. Our findings suggest that increased NaCl concentrations may alter gene expression and cause developmental abnormalities in animals found in affected ecosystems.
Insulator Defect Detection Based on YOLOv8s-SwinT
Authors: He Zhendong , Yang Wenbin , Liu Yanjie , Zheng Anping , Liu Jie , Lou Taishan , Zhang Jie
Published: April 2024

Ensuring the safety of transmission lines necessitates effective insulator defect detection. Traditional methods often need more efficiency and accuracy, particularly for tiny defects. This paper proposes an innovative insulator defect recognition method leveraging YOLOv8s-SwinT. Combining Swin Transformer and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) enhances the model’s understanding of multi-scale global semantic information through cross-layer interactions. The improved BiFPN structure in the neck achieves bidirectional cross-scale connections and weighted feature fusion during feature extraction. Additionally, a new small-target detection layer enhances the capability to detect tiny defects. The experimental results showcase outstanding performance, with precision, recall, and mAP reaching 95.6%, 95.3%, and 97.7%, respectively. This boosts detection efficiency and ensures high accuracy, providing robust support for real-time detection of tiny insulator defects.
A Quantum Approach to News Verification from the Perspective of a News Aggregator
Authors: Andronikos Theodore , Sirokofskich Alla
Published: April 2024

In the dynamic landscape of digital information, the rise of misinformation and fake news presents a pressing challenge. This paper takes a completely new approach to verifying news, inspired by how quantum actors can reach agreement even when they are spatially spread out. We propose a radically new—to the best of our knowledge—algorithm that uses quantum “entanglement” (think of it as a special connection) to help news aggregators “sniff out” bad actors, whether they are other news sources or even fact-checkers trying to spread misinformation. This algorithm does not rely on quantum signatures; it merely uses basic quantum technology which we already have, in particular, special pairs of particles called “EPR pairs” that are much easier to create than other options. More elaborate entangled states are like juggling too many balls—they are difficult to make and slow things down, especially when many players are involved. So, we adhere to Bell states, the simplest form of entanglement, which are easy to generate no matter how many players are involved. This means that our algorithm is faster to set up, works for any number of participants, and is more practical for real-world use. Additionally, as a “bonus point”, it finishes in a fixed number of steps, regardless of how many players are involved, making it even more scalable. This new approach may lead to a powerful and efficient way to fight misinformation in the digital age, using the weird and wonderful world of quantum mechanics.
A Low Power Injection-Locked CDR Using 28 nm FDSOI Technology for Burst-Mode Applications
Authors: Mao Yuqing , Charlon Yoann , Leduc Yves , Jacquemod Gilles
Published: April 2024

In this paper, a low-power Injection-Locked Clock and Data Recovery (ILCDR) using a 28 nm Ultra-Thin Body and Box-Fully Depleted Silicon On Insulator (UTBB-FDSOI) technology is presented. The back-gate auto-biasing of UTBB-FDSOI transistors enables the creation of a Quadrature Ring Oscillator (QRO) reducing both size and power consumption compared to an LC tank oscillator. By injecting a digital signal into this circuit, we realize an Injection-Locked Oscillator (ILO) with low jitter. Thanks to the good performance of this oscillator, we propose a low-power ILCDR with fast locking time and low jitter for burst-mode applications. The main novelty consists of the implementation of a complementary QRO based on back-gate control using FDSOI technology to realize a simple and efficient ILCDR circuit. With a Pseudo-Random Binary Sequence (PRBS7) at 868 Mbps, the recovered clock jitter is 26.7 ps (2.3% UIp-p) and the recovered data jitter is 11.9 ps (1% UIp-p). With a 0.6 V power supply, the power consumption is 318μW. All the results presented here are based on post-layout simulations, as no prototypes have been produced. Similarly, we can estimate the surface area of the chip (without the pad ring) at around 6600 μm2.
A Multi-Scenario Simulation and Dynamic Assessment of the Ecosystem Service Values in Key Ecological Functional Areas: A Case Study of the Sichuan Province, China
Authors: Li Wei , Chen Xi , Zheng Jianghua , Zhang Feifei , Yan Yang , Hai Wenyue , Han Chuqiao , Liu Liang
Published: April 2024

The ecosystem service value (ESV) is an important basis for measuring an ecological environment’s quality and the efficient management of ecosystems. It is particularly necessary to explore a proven methodology for assessing and predicting ESV dynamics coupled with policy-oriented scenarios that can provide a theoretical groundwork for macro decision, particularly in the context of implementing ecological protection and restoration projects. This study selected the land cover (LC) of Sichuan Province at five periods and the spatiotemporal dynamic equivalent factor method to assess the ESVs from 2000 to 2020. Additionally, the study coupled the Markov chain and GeoSOS-FLUS model, and predicted the future pattern of ESVs under four future development scenarios. The results show that (a) the areas of forests, shrubs, waters, wastelands, wetlands, and impervious areas showed a continuous increase from 2000 to 2020, with the most frequent interchanges occurring among croplands, forests, and grasslands. (b) The implementation of ecological protection and restoration projects led to a 13,083.32 × 108 yuan increase in ESV, and barycenter of the ESVs is located in the northeastern part of Ya’an and exhibits a tendency to move towards the northeast. (c) The ESV aggregation pattern of each city has remained unchanged, with Ganzi being the only city with a high aggregation. Overall, there are more conflict cities than coordination cities between economic development and the ecological environment. (d) The total ESV in 2025 will continue to increase under all development scenarios, reaching a maximum of 50,903.37 × 108 yuan under the EP scenario. This study can provide insights for ecological planning decisions and sustainable regional socio-economic development.
Overview of Technology and Functionality Standards for Industry 4.0 and Digitalization in Mechanical Engineering
Authors: Staiger Matthias , Voigt Tobias
Published: April 2024

This paper concerns the identification of current communication technologies and software functionalities from the field of digitalization and Industry 4.0, from the point of view of benefits and applicability for the machine manufacturer. To identify the relevant technologies and functionalities, research was carried out in both the descriptive and statistical literature. As a result, both technologies that are currently the most widely distributed, as well as eleven IT functionalities relevant to mechanical engineers, were identified and described in terms of their application and implementation. Furthermore, a knowledge gap was identified in the area of industry transfer in the field of Industry 4.0/digitalization.
On Linear Codes over Finite Singleton Local Rings
Authors: Alabiad Sami , Alhomaidhi Alhanouf Ali , Alsarori Nawal A.
Published: April 2024

The study of linear codes over local rings, particularly non-chain rings, imposes difficulties that differ from those encountered in codes over chain rings, and this stems from the fact that local non-chain rings are not principal ideal rings. In this paper, we present and successfully establish a new approach for linear codes of any finite length over local rings that are not necessarily chains. The main focus of this study is to produce generating characters, MacWilliams identities and generator matrices for codes over singleton local Frobenius rings of order 32. To do so, we first start by characterizing all singleton local rings of order 32 up to isomorphism. These rings happen to have strong connections to linear binary codes and Z4 codes, which play a significant role in coding theory.
Modeling Implied Volatility Surface Using B-Splines with Time-Dependent Coefficients Predicted by Tree-Based Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Chen Zihao , Li Yuyang , Yu Cindy
Published: April 2024

Implied volatility is known to have a string structure (smile curve) for a given time to maturity and can be captured by the B-spline. The parameters characterizing the curves can change over time, which complicates the modeling of the implied volatility surface. Although machine learning models could improve the in-sample fitting, they ignore the structure in common over time and might have poor prediction power. In response to these challenges, we propose a two-step procedure to model the dynamic implied volatility surface (IVS). In the first step, we construct the bivariate tensor-product B-spline (BTPB) basis to approximate cross-sectional structures, under which the surface can be represented by a vector of coefficients. In the second step, we allow for the time-dependent coefficients and model the dynamic coefficients with the tree-based method to provide more flexibility. We show that our approach has better performance than the traditional linear models (parametric models) and the tree-based machine learning methods (nonparametric models). The simulation study confirms that the tensor-product B-spline is able to capture the classical parametric model for IVS given different sample sizes and signal-to-noise ratios. The empirical study shows that our two-step approach outperforms the traditional parametric benchmark, nonparametric benchmark, and parametric benchmark with time-varying coefficients in predicting IVS for the S&P 500 index options in the US market.
SSGCL: Simple Social Recommendation with Graph Contrastive Learning
Authors: Duan Zhihua , Wang Chun , Zhong Wending
Published: April 2024

As user–item interaction information is typically limited, collaborative filtering (CF)-based recommender systems often suffer from the data sparsity issue. To address this issue, recent recommender systems have turned to graph neural networks (GNNs) due to their superior performance in capturing high-order relationships. Furthermore, some of these GNN-based recommendation models also attempt to incorporate other information. They either extract self-supervised signals to mitigate the data sparsity problem or employ social information to assist with learning better representations under a social recommendation setting. However, only a few methods can take full advantage of these different aspects of information. Based on some testing, we believe most of these methods are complex and redundantly designed, which may lead to sub-optimal results. In this paper, we propose SSGCL, which is a recommendation system model that utilizes both social information and self-supervised information. We design a GNN-based propagation strategy that integrates social information with interest information in a simple yet effective way to learn user–item representations for recommendations. In addition, a specially designed contrastive learning module is employed to take advantage of the self-supervised signals for a better user–item representation distribution. The contrastive learning module is jointly optimized with the recommendation module to benefit the final recommendation result. Experiments on several benchmark data sets demonstrate the significant improvement in performance achieved by our model when compared with baseline models.
Tolerance Interval for the Mixture Normal Distribution Based on Generalized Extreme Value Theory
Authors: Jiao Junjun , Guan Ruijie
Published: April 2024

For a common type of mixture distribution, namely the mixture normal distribution, existing methods for constructing its tolerance interval are unsatisfactory for cases of small sample size and large content. In this study, we propose a method to construct a tolerance interval for the mixture normal distribution based on the generalized extreme value theory. The proposed method is implemented on simulated as well as real-life datasets and its performance is compared with the existing methods.
Effects of Summer Heat on Adipose Tissue Activity in Periparturient Simmental Cows
Authors: Turk Romana , Rošić Nikola , Beer Ljubić Blanka , Vince Silvijo
Published: April 2024

Hot climate is one of the major factors affecting the dairy industry. Heat stress could be responsible for decreased feed intake and consequently leads to alterations in energy metabolism, particularly during late pregnancy and early lactation. This study aimed to assess the effects of summer heat on adipose tissue activities during the periparturient period in Simmental cows. Two groups of cows were involved: heat-stressed cows (n = 12) that calved from June to August and thermoneutral cows (n = 12) that calved from October to December. Blood samples were taken from each cow during the periparturient period: 21 and 7 days before calving and 8, 16, 24, 32, and 40 days after calving. Glucose, beta-hydroxy butyrate (BHB), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), leptin (LP), and adiponectin (ADP) were measured in serum samples by commercial kits. Thermoneutral cows expressed higher degrees of lipomobilization syndrome than heat-stressed cows, indicated by significantly higher serum NEFA and BHB concentrations in the early lactation. Leptin levels were significantly decreased, while adiponectin was increased in heat-stressed cows compared to thermoneutral ones. The results indicated that heat-stressed cows during the periparturient period mobilized less fat from adipose tissue to reduce the heat generation by fatty acid oxidation.
Strategic Qualitative Risk Assessment of Thousands of Legacy Wells within the Area of Review (AoR) of a Potential CO2 Storage Site
Authors: Arbad Nachiket , Watson Marshall , Emadi Hossein , Eyitayo Stella , Leggett Smith
Published: April 2024

The subsurface confinement of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) demands robust risk assessment methodologies to identify potential leakage pathways. Legacy wells within the Area of Review (AoR) represent one potential leakage pathway. Robust methodologies require enormous amounts of data, which are not available for many old legacy wells. This study strategically categorizes 4386 legacy wells within the AoR of a potential CO2 storage site in the Illinois basin and identifies the high-risk wells by leveraging publicly available data—reports and well logs submitted to state regulatory agencies. Wells were categorized based on their proximity to the injection well location, depth, the mechanical integrity of well barriers, and the accessibility to these wells throughout the project lifecycle. Wells posing immediate risks were identified, guiding prioritized corrective actions and monitoring plans. Out of 4386 wells, 54 have high priority for corrective action, 10 have medium priority, and the remainder are of low priority. Case study results from the Illinois basin demonstrate the effectiveness and applicability of this approach, to assess the risk associated with legacy wells within the AoR of potential CO2 storage site, strategically categorizing over 4000 such wells despite data limitations.
Physicochemical Characterization, Antioxidant, and Proliferative Activity of Colombian Propolis Extracts: A Comparative Study
Authors: Buitrago Diana Marcela , Perdomo Sandra J. , Silva Francisco Arturo , Cely-Veloza Willy , Lafaurie Gloria Inés
Published: April 2024

Propolis extracts have been widely studied due to their popularity in traditional medicine, presenting incredible biodiversity. This study aimed to analyze propolis extracts’ phytochemical, physicochemical, and biological activities from four different biogeographic zones of the Huila region (Colombia). The raw material samples were collected by the scraping method and the ethanolic extracts (EEPs) were obtained by cold maceration with ethanol (96%). The physicochemical and sensory characterization was carried out according to the protocols recommended by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and the main components of the EEPs were identified by LC-HRMS analysis. The determination of total phenols and flavonoids was carried out using colorimetric techniques. The antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity, and cell cycle regulation analyses in L929 and HGnF cells were evaluated using DPPH, Alamar Blue, and 7-amino actinomycin D (7-AAD) assays. The propolis samples presented an average yield of 33.1%, humidity between 1.6 and 2.8%, melting point between 54 and 62 °C, ashes between 1.40 and 2.19%, and waxes of 6.6–17.9%, respectively. The sensory characteristics of all samples were heterogeneous, complying with the quality specifications established by international standards. The polyphenolic and total flavonoid content was representative in the samples from Quebradon (255.9 ± 9.2 mg GAE/g, 543.1 ± 8.4 mg QE/g) and Arcadia (543.1 ± 8.4 mg GAE/g, 32.5 ± 1.18 g QE/g) (p < 0.05) that correlated with high antioxidant activity (Quebradon: 37.2 ± 1.2 µmol/g, Arcadia: 38.19 ± 0.7 µmol/g). In the chemical composition analysis, 19 compounds were characterized as phenolic acids and flavonoids, the most representative being chrysoeriol-O-methyl-ether, ellagic acid, and 3,4-O-dimethylcaffeic acid. Regarding biological activity, Quebradon and Arcadia propolis presented low toxicity with IC50 of 2.83 ± 2.3 mg/mL and 4.28 ± 1.4 mg/mL in HGnF cells, respectively, and an arrest of the cell cycle in the G2/M phase of 71.6% and 50.8% compared to the control (11.9%) (p < 0.05). In general, the results of this study contribute to the identification of valid quality criteria to evaluate Colombian propolis, contributing to its study and chemical and biological characterization as a source of raw material for industrial and pharmaceutical use. In addition, Quebradon and Arcadia propolis can be important sources of bioactive molecules for the development of new drugs.
Antimicrobial Activity and Phytochemical Characterization of Baccharis concava Pers., a Native Plant of the Central Chilean Coast
Authors: Rodríguez-Díaz Maité , Pérez Fabián E. , Manosalva Paloma M. , Cerda Juan I. , Martínez-Contreras Consuelo F. , Mora Aracely Y. , Villagra Nicolás A. , Bucarey Sergio A. , Barriga Andrés , Escobar Jorge , Martínez José L. , Hidalgo Alejandro A.
Published: April 2024

Few sclerophyllous plants from the central coast of Chile have been systematically studied. This work describes the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial properties of Baccharis concava Pers. (sin. B. macraei), a shrub found in the first line and near the Pacific coast. B. concava has been traditionally used by indigenous inhabitants of today’s central Chile for its medicinal properties. Few reports exist regarding the phytochemistry characterization and biological activities of B. concava. A hydroalcoholic extract of B. concava was prepared from leaves and small branches. Qualitative phytochemical characterization indicated the presence of alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic, and tannin compounds. The antimicrobial activity of this extract was assessed in a panel of microorganisms including Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and pathogenic yeasts. The extract displayed an important antimicrobial effect against Gram-positive bacteria, Candida albicans, and Cryptococcus neoformans but not against Gram-negatives, for which an intact Lipopolysaccharide is apparently the determinant of resistance to B. concava extracts. The hydroalcoholic extract was then fractionated through a Sephadex LH-20/methanol–ethyl acetate column. Afterward, the fractions were pooled according to a similar pattern visualized by TLC/UV analysis. Fractions obtained by this criterion were assessed for their antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The fraction presenting the most antimicrobial activity was HPLC-ESI-MS/MS, obtaining molecules related to caffeoylquinic acid, dicaffeoylquinic acid, and quercetin, among others. In conclusion, the extracts of B. concava showed strong antimicrobial activity, probably due to the presence of metabolites derived from phenolic acids, such as caffeoylquinic acid, and flavonoids, such as quercetin, which in turn could be responsible for helping with wound healing. In addition, the development of antimicrobial therapies based on the molecules found in B. concava could help to combat infection caused by pathogenic yeasts and Gram-positive bacteria, without affecting the Gram-negative microbiota.
Fluorescent Paper Based on CQDs/Rhodamine B: A Ratio and Sensitive Detection Platform for On-Site Fe3+ Sensing
Authors: Han Guangda , Cai Jihai , Yang Lu , Li Xiaoyun , Wang Xiaoying
Published: April 2024

Fluorescent sensors with single reading are generally subject to unpredictable disturbs from environmental and artificial factors. In order to overcome this barrier of detection reliability, a paper-based optical sensor with proportional fluorescence was established and further combined with a smartphone for visual, on-site and quantitative detection of Fe3+, which affects the color, smell and taste of water, and endangers the health of plants and animals. The ratio fluorescent probe was fabricated by rhodamine B and carbon quantum dots derived from xylan. The red fluorescence of rhodamine B was inert to Fe3+, which was referred to as background. And blue emitting carbon quantum dots functioned as signal report units, which would be quenched by Fe3+ and make the fluorescence of the ratio probe change from purple to red. The quantitative detection of Fe3+ was conducted by investigating the RGB value of fluorescent images with a smartphone. With the increase of Fe3+ concentration, the R/B (red/blue) value of the fluorescent paper gradually increased. The linear detection range was 10–180 μM, and the limit of detection was 198.2 nM. The application of ratio fluorescent paper with a smartphone provides a facile method for the rapid detection of ions.
The Effect of Fermentation on the Chemical Constituents of Gastrodia Tuber Hallimasch Powder (GTHP) Estimated by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS and HPLC
Authors: Wu Yaning , Zhang Hongwei , Zhu Jianguang , Zhang Zhenling , Ma Songbo , Zhao Yongqi , Wang Yiming , Yuan Jun , Guo Xing , Li Yajing , Zhang Shuai
Published: April 2024

Objective: To compare the effect of fermentation on the chemical constituents of Gastrodia Tuder Halimasch Powder (GTHP), to establish its fingerprinting and multicomponent content determination, and to provide a basis for the processing, handling, and clinical application of this herb. Methods: Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS) was used to conduct a preliminary analysis of the chemical constituents in GTHP before and after fermentation. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine some major differential components of GTHP and establish fingerprints. Cluster analysis (CA), and principal component analysis (PCA) were employed for comprehensive evaluation. Results: Seventy-nine compounds were identified, including flavonoids, organic acids, nucleosides, terpenoids, and others. The CA and PCA results showed that ten samples were divided into three groups. Through standard control and HPLC analysis, 10 compounds were identified from 22 peaks, namely uracil, guanosine, adenosine, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), daidzin, genistin, glycitein, daidzein, genistein, and ergosterol. After fermentation, GTHP exhibited significantly higher contents of uracil, guanosine, adenosine, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, and ergosterol and significantly lower genistein and daidzein contents. Conclusions: The UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS and HPLC methods can effectively identify a variety of chemical components before and after the fermentation of GTHP. This study provides a valuable reference for further research on the rational clinical application and quality control improvement of GTHP.
Effect of Metal Elements on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ultrafine Cemented Carbide Prepared by SPS
Authors: Jiang Hao , Fu Siyuan , Zhang Zichang , Wang Shun , Zhao Zhiwei
Published: April 2024

To satisfy the needs of precision machining, ultrafine tungsten carbide (WC)-based cemented carbide with fine grain size and excellent mechanical properties was prepared. Ultrafine cemented carbide was prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS) using WC, Co as raw materials and metal elements V, and Cr as additives, and the effects of metal elements on the microstructure and mechanical properties of cemented carbide were investigated. The results show that the specimen (91.6WC-1.2V-1.2Cr-6Co) prepared at 1350 °C, 6 min, 25 MPa has the best mechanical properties (HV 2322.9, KIC 8.7 MPa·m1/2) and homogeneous microstructure. The metal elements could react with WC to form a (W, V, Cr) Cx segregation layer, which effectively inhibits the growth of WC grains (300 nm). The combination of SPS and metal element additives provides a new approach for the preparation of ultrafine cemented carbides with excellent properties.
Advances in Nanodynamic Therapy for Cancer Treatment
Authors: Zhang Bingchang , Huang Yan , Huang Yong
Published: April 2024

Nanodynamic therapy (NDT) exerts its anti-tumor effect by activating nanosensitizers to generate large amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in tumor cells. NDT enhances tumor-specific targeting and selectivity by leveraging the tumor microenvironment (TME) and mechanisms that boost anti-tumor immune responses. It also minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissues and enhances cytotoxicity in tumor cells, showing promise in cancer treatment, with significant potential. This review covers the research progress in five major nanodynamic therapies: photodynamic therapy (PDT), electrodynamic therapy (EDT), sonodynamic therapy (SDT), radiodynamic therapy (RDT), and chemodynamic therapy (CDT), emphasizing the significant role of advanced nanotechnology in the development of NDT for anti-tumor purposes. The mechanisms, effects, and challenges faced by these NDTs are discussed, along with their respective solutions for enhancing anti-tumor efficacy, such as pH response, oxygen delivery, and combined immunotherapy. Finally, this review briefly addresses challenges in the clinical translation of NDT.
Phloretamide Protects against Diabetic Kidney Damage and Dysfunction in Diabetic Rats by Attenuating Hyperglycemia and Hyperlipidemia, Suppressing NF-κβ, and Upregulating Nrf2
Authors: Al-Hussan Rasha , Albadr Nawal A. , Alshammari Ghedeir M. , Almasri Soheir A. , Alfayez Farah Fayez , Yahya Mohammed Abdo
Published: April 2024

Potent hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects were recently reported for the apple-derived phenolic compound phloretamide (PLTM). The renoprotective effects of this compound are yet to be shown. This study aimed to examine the potential of PLTM to prevent diabetic nephropathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and to examine the possible mechanisms of protection. Non-diabetic and STZ-diabetic male rats were treated orally by gavage with either the vehicle or with PTLM (200 mg/kg; twice/week) for 12 weeks. PTLM significantly increased urine volume and prevented glomerular and tubular damage and vacuolization in STZ-diabetic rats. It also increased creatinine excretion and reduced urinary albumin levels and the renal levels of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and nephrin in the diabetic rats. PTLM also prevented an increase in the nuclear levels of NF-κβ, as well as the total levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), caspase-3, and Bax in the kidneys of diabetic rats. These effects were associated with reduced serum levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In both the control and diabetic rats, PTLM significantly reduced fasting plasma glucose and enhanced the renal mRNA and cytoplasmic levels of Nrf2, as well as the levels of Bcl2, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH). However, PTLM failed to alter the cytoplasmic levels of keap1 in diabetic rats. In conclusion, PTLM prevents renal damage and dysfunction in STZ-diabetic rats through its hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities, as well as through its antioxidant potential, which is mediated by activating the Nrf2/antioxidant axis.
Insights into the Mechanism of Enhanced Dissolution in Solid Crystalline Formulations
Authors: Justen Anna , Schaldach Gerhard , Thommes Markus
Published: April 2024

Solid dispersions are a promising approach to enhance the dissolution of poorly water-soluble drugs. Solid crystalline formulations show a fast drug dissolution and a high thermodynamic stability. To understand the mechanisms leading to the faster dissolution of solid crystalline formulations, physical mixtures of the poorly soluble drugs celecoxib, naproxen and phenytoin were investigated in the flow through cell (apparatus 4). The effect of drug load, hydrodynamics in the flow through cell and particle size reduction in co-milled physical mixtures were studied. A carrier- and drug-enabled dissolution could be distinguished. Below a certain drug load, the limit of drug load, carrier-enabled dissolution occurred, and above this value, the drug defined the dissolution rate. For a carrier-enabled behavior, the dissolution kinetics can be divided into a first fast phase, a second slow phase and a transition phase in between. This study contributes to the understanding of the dissolution mechanism in solid crystalline formulations and is thereby valuable for the process and formulation development.
Polydopamine-Modified Copper Coordination Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Loaded with Disulfiram for Synergistic Chemo-Photothermal Therapy
Authors: Ling Junhong , Cai Yingying , Feng Haozhan , Liu Zhen , Ouyang Xiao-kun
Published: April 2024

Disulfiram (DSF) degrades to diethyldithiocarbamate (DTC) in vivo and coordinates with copper ions to form CuET, which has higher antitumor activity. In this study, DSF@CuMSN-PDA nanoparticles were prepared using mesoporous silica with copper ions, DSF as a carrier, and polydopamine (PDA) as a gate system. The nanoparticles selectively released CuET into tumor tissue by taking advantage of the tumor microenvironment, where PDA could be degraded. The release ratio reached 79.17% at pH 5.0, indicating pH-responsive drug release from the nanoparticles. The PDA-gated system provided the nanoparticles with unique photothermal conversion performance and significantly improved antitumor efficiency. In vivo, antitumor experiments showed that the designed DSF@CuMSN-PDA nanoparticles combined with near-infrared light (808 nm, 1 W/cm2) irradiation effectively inhibited tumor growth in HCT116 cells by harnessing the combined potential of chemotherapy and photothermal therapy; a synergistic effect was achieved. Taken together, these results suggest that the designed DSF@CuMSN-PDA construct can be employed as a promising candidate for combined chemo-photothermal therapy.
Polymer Waste Recycling of Injection Molding Purges with Softening for Cutting with Fresnel Solar Collector—A Real Problem Linked to Sustainability and the Circular Economy
Authors: Plaza Ma. Guadalupe , Mendoza López Maria Luisa , Pérez Bueno José de Jesús , Pérez Meneses Joaquín , Maldonado Pérez Alejandra Xochitl
Published: April 2024

A plastic injection waste known as “purge” cannot be reintegrated into the recycling chain due to its shape, size, and composition. Grinding these cannot be carried out with traditional mills due to significant variations in size and shape. This work proposes a process and the design of a device that operates with solar energy to cut the purges without exceeding the degradation temperature. The size reduction allows reprocessing, revalorization, and handling. The purges are mixtures of processed polymers, so their characterization information is unavailable. Some characterizations were conducted before the design of the process and after the cut of the purges. Some of the most representative purges in a recycling company were evaluated. The flame test determines that all material mixtures retain thermoplasticity. The hardness (Shore D) presented changes in four of the purges being assessed, with results in a range of 59–71 before softening and 60–68 after softening. Young’s modulus was analyzed by the impulse excitation technique (IET), which was 2.38–3.95 GPa before softening and 1.7–4.28 after softening. The feasibility of cutting purges at their softening temperature was evaluated. This was achieved in all the purges evaluated at 250–280 °C. FTIR allowed for corroboration of no significant change in the purges after softening. The five types of purges evaluated were polypropylene-ABS, polycarbonate-ABS-polypropylene, yellow nylon 66, acetal, and black nylon 66 with fillers, and all were easily cut at their softening temperature, allowing their manipulation in subsequent process steps.
Assessment of Fungal Resistance and Preservative Retention in Microwave-Pretreated Norway Spruce Wood
Authors: Ganguly Sauradipta , Petrič Marko , Tripathi Sadhna , Kržišnik Davor
Published: April 2024

This study investigates the effectiveness of microwave treatment (MW) on the antifungal properties of Norway spruce wood and the leaching of preservatives. Given the environmental and health concerns about conventional wood preservatives, this study evaluates microwave treatment as a sustainable pretreatment to limit the leaching of preservatives from wood. In the experiment, wood samples were treated with microwaves at five different energy levels before being impregnated with copper–ethanolamine- and boron-based preservatives. We assessed preservative retention by leaching tests and assessed the resistance of the wood to fungal attack. The results show that MW treatment improves the uptake and fixation of preservatives, reduces leachability, and significantly improves the durability of an otherwise perishable wood against fungal attack. This study emphasises the potential of microwave treatment for wood preservation. It offers an environmentally friendly approach to extending the life of wood products while maintaining their protective properties against decay.
The Factors Influencing Lithium Carbonate Crystallization in Spent Lithium-Ion Battery Leachate
Authors: Gu Kaihua , Feng Wenhui , Wei Hongyuan , Dang Leping
Published: April 2024

In this study, lithium was recovered from spent lithium-ion batteries through the crystallization of lithium carbonate. The influence of different process parameters on lithium carbonate precipitation was investigated. The results indicate that under the conditions of 90 °C and 400 rpm, a 2.0 mol/L sodium carbonate solution was added at a rate of 2.5 mL/min to a 2.5 mol/L lithium chloride solution, yielding lithium carbonate with a recovery rate of 85.72% and a purity of 98.19%. The stirring rate and LiCl solution concentration significantly impact the particle size of lithium carbonate aggregates. As the stirring rate increases from 200 to 800 rpm, the average particle size decreases from 168.694 μm to 115.702 μm. Conversely, an increase in the LiCl solution concentration reduces the lithium carbonate particle size, with an average particle size of only 97.535 μm being observed at a LiCl solution concentration of 2.5 mol/L. It was also observed that nickel and cobalt ions become incorporated into the crystal lattice of lithium carbonate, thereby affecting the growth and morphology of lithium carbonate.
Introduction to the Special Issue
Authors: Lehmann Curtis
Published: April 2024

This Special Issue reflects a personal interest I have held in the relationship between religion/spirituality and suicidality [...]