bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis of Human Cytomegalovirus Drug Resistance Mutations in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients—A Review
Authors: Alsanea Madain S. , Al-Qahtani Ahmed A. , Almaghrabi Reem S. , AlAbdulkareem Maha A. , Alahideb Basma M. , Obeid Dalia , Alsuwairi Feda A. , Alhamlan Fatimah S.
Published: January 2024

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection may be asymptomatic in healthy individuals but can cause severe complications in immunocompromised patients, including transplant recipients. Breakthrough and drug-resistant HCMV infections in such patients are major concerns. Clinicians are first challenged to accurately diagnose HCMV infection and then to identify the most effective antiviral drug and determine when to initiate therapy, alter drug dosage, or switch medication. This review critically examines HCMV diagnostics approaches, particularly for immunocompromised patients, and the development of genotypic techniques to rapidly diagnose drug resistance mutations. The current standard method to identify prevalent and well-known resistance mutations involves polymerase chain reaction amplification of UL97, UL54, and UL56 gene regions, followed by Sanger sequencing. This method can confirm clinical suspicion of drug resistance as well as determine the level of drug resistance and range of cross-resistance with other drugs. Despite the effectiveness of this approach, there remains an urgent need for more rapid and point-of-care HCMV diagnosis, allowing for timely lifesaving intervention.
Autoimmune Hepatitis: From Evolution to Current Status—A Pathologist’s Perspective
Authors: Sakhuja Puja , Goyal Surbhi
Published: January 2024

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic, relapsing and remitting, immune-mediated liver disease that progresses to cirrhosis if left untreated. A significant number of patients may present with acute hepatitis or acute liver failure, which are often misdiagnosed as toxic liver injury. AIH shows a preponderance in young women but may be seen in children and the elderly. Diagnosis requires the integration of clinical, biochemical, and serologic parameters, along with supportive liver histology and exclusion of other causes of liver disease. Liver biopsy is a prerequisite for diagnosis of AIH, to assess severity and stage of disease, exclude other entities, and recognize any concurrent morbidities. No single biomarker or histologic feature is pathognomonic for AIH. The diagnostic and histologic criteria have undergone several modifications since the original scoring system was proposed by the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group (IAIHG) in 1993. Recently, the IAIHG has proposed consensus recommendations for histologic criteria, relevant for both acute and chronic AIH. This review article will describe the evolving diagnostic criteria for AIH, with their limitations and utility, and with an emphasis on the role of liver histology in the diagnosis and management of AIH.
Oral Function and the Oral Microbiome in the Elderly in the Kyotango Area
Authors: Yamamoto Yoshiaki , Yamamoto Toshiro , Miyamoto Nao , Kinoshita Kohei , Nishikawa Satomi , Adachi Tetsuya , Takizawa Shigeta , Inoue Ryo , Matoba Satoaki , Kanamura Narisato
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Prevention of tooth loss contributes to an extended life expectancy, namely longevity. Aging-related oral hypofunction, including tooth loss, markedly increases the risks of functional disorder and mortality. Dysbiosis of the oral microbiome has recently been associated with various diseases, such as liver cirrhosis, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease. Therefore, the relationship between the oral microbiome and systemic health has been attracting increasing attention. In the present study, we examined oral function and the oral microbiome in the elderly in a world-leading longevity area. Materials and Methods: An oral examination, chewing ability/tongue-lip motor function/saliva tests, and a metagenomic analysis with a 16S rRNA gene-targeting next-generation sequencer were conducted on 78 subjects aged ≥80 years. Twenty-six healthy individuals aged between 20 and 39 years were also investigated as controls. The data obtained were statistically analyzed. The protocol of the present study was approved by the Ethics Review Board of our university (ERB-C-885). Results: Chewing ability, tongue–lip motor function, and saliva volume were normal in elderly subjects with a current tooth number ≥20, but were significantly lower in those with a current tooth number <20. The oral microbiome in elderly subjects with a current tooth number ≥20 and young controls differed from that in elderly subjects with a current tooth number <20. Conclusion: Tooth number ≥20 in elderly subjects in the longevity area contributed to the maintenance of both oral function and the diversity of the oral microbiome.
Globalization and Income Inequality in Developing Economies: A Comprehensive Analysis
Authors: Tabash Mosab I. , Elsantil Yasmeen , Hamadi Abdullah , Drachal Krzysztof
Published: January 2024

Around the world, people are becoming more and more worried about how globalization will affect their standard of living. According to the literature, globalization has resulted in the marginalization of the impoverished populations in developing economies and has exacerbated inequality, while the opposite may also be true. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of globalization on income inequality. The study used two-stage least squares (2SLS) to study the influence of globalization on income inequality in 18 developing countries from 1991–2021. Utilizing the KOF index of globalization, it is determined that globalization, together with its three aspects, has a negative effect on income inequality among developing economies. Evidence demonstrates that the combination of trade openness and foreign direct investment (FDI) plays a significant role in reducing inequality among developing economies. We recommend developing economies actively support globalization in terms of trade and FDI in accordance with the findings. By expanding trade opportunities and opening up markets, globalization can benefit developing nations. This may result in a rise in FDI, the creation of jobs, and technological developments. Governments can contribute to raising the living standards of their inhabitants, lowering rates of poverty, and closing the income gap by promoting globalization. Although the study emphasizes the well-established link between globalization and income inequality, it focuses on the effects of various globalization dimensions, emphasizing the need to comprehend how different dimensions of globalization, namely economic, political, and social globalization affects inequality in developing economies.
Identifying Implementation Strategies for Integrating Drones into STEM and Career Technology Education CTE Programs
Authors: Slater Timothy F.
Published: January 2024

As drone technology is rapidly becoming accessible to school children in terms of both low cost and ease-of-use, primary and secondary school teachers are beginning to consider where modern drones can play an important role in schooling. To date, there is little empirical education research printed in the education research literature guiding innovative curriculum developers in the incipient domain of drone education. As a result, teachers interested in including emerging technologies in their classrooms are often at a loss of where to begin. Through clinical interviews with schoolteachers in the United States, our study identified five readily accessible “departure points” to include drones in contemporary STEM and vocational technology (CTE) school classrooms that help teachers address common curricular goals. Taken together, these interviews reveal that teachers using drones follow one of several distinct pathways as a first step toward achieving a widespread goal of teaching students to use modern technologies to construct, pursue, and communicate findings of fruitful research inquiries—the prevalence of which is not reflected in a comprehensive review of the literature. The five dominant pathways for starting a successful drone education emerging from the interview data were as follows: timed racing trials; precision flight obstacle courses; computer coding; videography; and domain-specific knowledge of drone operation laws and ethics.
The Student Evaluation of Teaching Premium for Clinical Faculty in Economics
Authors: Bordere Jasmine , Carter Fonda , Caudill Steven , Mixon Franklin
Published: January 2024

This article uses student evaluation of teaching (SET) data for 947 faculty members affiliated with 90 U.S. colleges and universities to study the presence of a teaching quality rating premium for clinical economics faculty relative to traditional tenure-track economics faculty. Based on OLS estimation, we find this difference ranges between 3.9% and 4.8% and is robust to different econometric model specifications. Moreover, the average treatment effect from a propensity score weighting approach suggests that the difference ranges between 5.8% and 6.1%. Lastly, our analysis produces an institutional ranking of economics departments based on department-level SETs. Overall, our findings are encouraging signs for the hiring and retention of clinical faculty in economics departments.
High-Fidelity Synthetic Face Generation for Rosacea Skin Condition from Limited Data
Authors: Mohanty Anwesha , Sutherland Alistair , Bezbradica Marija , Javidnia Hossein
Published: January 2024

Similarly to the majority of deep learning applications, diagnosing skin diseases using computer vision and deep learning often requires a large volume of data. However, obtaining sufficient data for particular types of facial skin conditions can be difficult, due to privacy concerns. As a result, conditions like rosacea are often understudied in computer-aided diagnosis. The limited availability of data for facial skin conditions has led to the investigation of alternative methods of computer-aided diagnosis. In recent years, generative adversarial networks (GANs), mainly variants of StyleGANs, have demonstrated promising results in generating synthetic facial images. In this study, for the first time, a small dataset of rosacea with 300 full-face images was utilized to further investigate the possibility of generating synthetic data. Our experimentation demonstrated that the strength of R1 regularization is crucial for generating high-fidelity rosacea images using a few hundred images. This was complemented by various experimental settings to ensure model convergence. We successfully generated 300 high-quality synthetic images, significantly contributing to the limited pool of rosacea images for computer-aided diagnosis. Additionally, our qualitative evaluations by 3 expert dermatologists and 23 non-specialists highlighted the realistic portrayal of rosacea features in the synthetic images. We also provide a critical analysis of the quantitative evaluations and discuss the limitations of solely relying on validation metrics in the field of computer-aided clinical image diagnosis.
An Effective Spherical NF/FF Transformation Suitable for Characterising an Antenna under Test in Presence of an Infinite Perfectly Conducting Ground Plane
Authors: Ferrara Flaminio , Gennarelli Claudio , Guerriero Rocco , Riccio Giovanni
Published: January 2024

An effective near-field to far-field transformation using a reduced number of near-field measurements collected via a spherical scan over the upper hemisphere, due to the presence of a flat metallic ground, is devised in this paper. Such a transformation relies on the non-redundant sampling representations of electromagnetic fields and exploits the image principle to properly account for the metallic ground, supposed to be of infinite extent and realised by perfectly conducting material. The sampling representation of the probe voltage over the upper hemisphere is developed by modelling the antenna under test and its image by a very adaptable convex surface, which is able to fit as much as possible the geometry of any kind of antenna, thus minimising the volumetric redundancy and, accordingly, the number of required samples as well as the measurement time. Then, the use of a two-dimensional optimal sampling interpolation algorithm allows the reconstruction of the voltage value at each sampling point of the spherical grid required by the classical near-field-to-far-field transformation developed by Hansen. Numerical examples proving the effectiveness of the developed sampling representation and related near-field-to-far-field transformation techniques are reported.
A Novel Portable Solar Powered Wireless Charging Device
Authors: Kok Chiang Liang , Fu Xuanyao , Koh Yit Yan , Teo Tee Hui
Published: January 2024

This paper presents the development of a portable solar panel wireless charging device with an advanced charging algorithm. The device features a 6500 mAh Li-ion battery and is designed to efficiently charge smartphones and laptops. It incorporates a simulated solar panel, charging circuit, microcontroller, and wireless charging circuits. Rigorous testing has demonstrated its stable output voltage and current at 5 V/2 A, with high power transfer efficiency. The advanced charging algorithm optimizes power transfer efficiency and reduces charging time by adjusting the current and voltage to match the device’s needs. This smart approach extends battery life and improves device performance. The device utilizes the Basic MPPT P&O Algorithm to dynamically track the solar panel’s Maximum Power Point and optimize power extraction. The Lithium Battery Charging Characteristic Algorithm adjusts the charging levels to ensure safe and efficient charging. However, challenges were encountered during implementation and testing, highlighting the complexities of real-world scenarios and the need for further optimization. The device offers a sustainable and environmentally friendly charging alternative, particularly in areas with limited power access. The research findings contribute to the field of wireless charging, driving advancements in sustainable and efficient technologies.
Common-Mode Voltage Suppression of a Five-Level Converter Based on Multimode Characteristics of Selective Harmonic Elimination PWM
Authors: Luo Chuanchuan , Guan Bo
Published: January 2024

The combination of five-level converters with selective harmonic elimination pulse-width modulation (SHEPWM) is a practical need in medium-voltage, high-power applications. However, how to suppress the common-mode voltage (CMV) in this case becomes a difficult problem. Although CMV suppression under high switching frequency (SF) modulations and three-level SHEPWM has been discussed in many studies, these methods are not applicable to five-level SHEPWM. This is partly because the zero-sequence voltage under SHEPWM is difficult to adjust and partly because the solution spaces of three- and five-level SHEPWM are completely different. Moreover, conventional CMV suppression in three-level SHEPWM must sacrifice the switching angles to control the zero-sequence voltage, which makes the equivalent SF increase. Therefore, in this article, we propose a novel CMV suppression method that effectively utilizes the multimode characteristics of five-level SHEPWM. Multimode characteristics refers to the output waveform containing different levels of jump patterns. Therefore, there are a large number of switching angle trajectories in five-level SHEPWM, which outputs the same fundamental voltage with different CMVs. The proposed method uses the special multimode characteristics to reduce the CMV without sacrificing the switching angles. Its effectiveness and feasibility are verified by experiments.
Review of Concentrated Solar Power Technology Applications in Photocatalytic Water Purification and Energy Conversion: Overview, Challenges and Future Directions
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Li Na , An Guangqi
Published: January 2024

Photocatalysis, a promising semiconductor-based technology activated by free and eternal solar energy, has great potential for addressing environmental remediation and energy conversion challenges. Concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies, namely parabolic trough reflectors, solar power towers, parabolic dish reflectors and linear Fresnel reflectors, exhibited excellent feasibility for boosting solar-driven photocatalytic processes. Based on the structural characteristics of CSP technologies, the CSP-based photocatalytic reactors could be divided into concentrated types and non/low-concentrated types. This academic review comprehensively investigated the integration of CSP technology in photocatalysis, emphasizing the feasibility of sunlight as an ideal energy source. Additionally, considering the optimal light irradiance and reaction temperature demands for achieving efficient photocatalytic processes, the significance of introducing CSP into solar light-driven photocatalytic reactions was highlighted. Moreover, the current challenges that exist in CSP-based photoreactors were identified, and potential solutions were proposed accordingly. This work hopes to provide some references for the future study of CSP-based photocatalytic reactors under the theme of sustainable development.
Characterisation of Bottom Ashes from Non-Woody Biomass Combustion for Application as Sustainable Supplementary Cementitious Material
Authors: Putra Rafiandy Dwi , Dizaji Hossein Beidaghy , Kulshresth Dripti , Zeng Thomas , Overmann Steffen , Vollpracht Anya
Published: January 2024

Cement production is an energy- and resource-intensive industry accounting for approximately 7% of global carbon dioxide emissions. Therefore, a key decarbonisation option for the cement industry is to substitute the clinker with so-called supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). Due to its properties and availability, the bottom ash from the biomass combustion process could be suitable as an SCM. Several agricultural residues were collected and analysed. The materials were applied for ashing experiments in a lab-scale muffle furnace, which was operated at different temperatures. The chemical, physical, and mineralogical characterisation of the ashes produced was carried out. In addition, the reactivity of the cementitious paste made from the ashes was measured through lab-scale experiments. The influence of the different ashing temperatures and the additive mixing on the properties of the ashes and cementitious paste was analysed. The results show that the spelt husk ash is the most promising biomass ash, with its high silica content and high pozzolanic reactivity. The bound water of the cementitious paste made from spelt husk ash reaches 7.3 g/100 g paste at 700 °C but decreases to 2.5 g/100 g paste at 900 °C due to the formation of a crystalline structure. Nevertheless, the addition of kaolin to the spelt husk can maintain the reactivity of the spelt husk ash produced at high ashing temperatures by stabilising the amorphous structure in the ash.
Optimal Control of Cascade Hydro Plants as a Prosumer-Oriented Distributed Energy Depot
Authors: Ignaciuk Przemysław , Morawski Michał
Published: January 2024

For political and economic reasons, renewable sources of energy have gained much importance in establishing a sustainable energy economy. By their very nature, however, their benefits depend on changeable weather conditions, and are unrelated to the generation and consumption patterns in industrial or home environments. This generation–dissipation disparity induces price fluctuations and threatens the stability of the supply system, yet can be alleviated by installing energy depots. While the classic methods of energy storage are hardly cost-effective, they may be supplemented, or replaced, by a distributed system of small-scale hydropower plants with ponds used as energy reservoirs. In this paper, following a rigorous mathematical argument, a dynamic model of a multi-cascade of hydropower plants is constructed, and a cost-optimal controller, with formally proven properties, is designed. On the one hand, it allows for an increase in the owners’ revenue by as much as 30% (compared to a free-flow state); on the other hand, it reduces the load fluctuation imposed on the grid and the legacy supply system. Moreover, the risk of floods and droughts downstream resulting from inappropriate use of the plants is averted.
An Experimental Study on the Influence Solution Concentration and Nano-Additives on Cold Storage Performance of Tetrabutylammonium Bromide
Authors: Yang Xiao , Ji Yuqi , Zhang Haoyan , Liu Bin
Published: January 2024

Tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) is considered a promising alternative cold energy storage material. Due to the high dissociation heat of phase transition at an atmospheric pressure of 278–293 K, which reaches 200–500 kJ/kg, this substance is considered an effective cold energy storage medium for air conditioning systems. In this paper, the cold storage crystallization process of TBAB solution with different concentrations was tested by conducting experiments and the phase transition’s temperature and latent heat were measured. Finally, the growth characteristics of TBAB hydrate crystals with different concentrations (10%, 20%, 30% and 40%) were analyzed. Considering the cold storage temperature, phase transformation temperature and latent heat, the cold storage effect is the best when 40% TBAB solution is used. Although single substance phase change materials have a long service life, they have problems with low thermal conductivity and high undercooling. Therefore, researchers usually improve the performance of phase change materials by adding other auxiliary materials, thereby enhancing their application prospects. Among these auxiliary materials, adding nano additives to phase change materials can significantly improve latent heat, thermal conductivity and nucleation ability, while also reducing undercooling. Therefore, we studied the influence of different nano-additives (Al2O3, SiC, TiO2 and ZnO) on phase change materials. The composites with excellent properties were screened by cooling step cooling curve and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Compared with pure TBAB solution, the phase transition latent heat of the composite phase change materials (PCMs) prepared by adding nanoparticles were significantly increased. The results show that adding nano-SiC into 40% TBAB solution can obtain better performance. This work not only provides reference for the further research, but also a sight to design the phase change materials for the application of new phase change cold storage materials.
Numerical Study on Effect of Flue Gas Recirculation and Co-Firing with Biomass on Combustion Characteristics in Octagonal Tangentially Lignite-Fired Boiler
Authors: Du Jiajun , Yang Jiahui , Zhao Yonggang , Guo Qianxin , Da Yaodong , Che Defu
Published: January 2024

The octagonal tangentially fired boiler can be utilized for burning lignite with high moisture. Co-firing biomass in an octagonal tangential boiler is considered a promising approach. A numerical simulation is carried out in this study to analyze the impact of flue gas recirculation (FGR) and the biomass blending ratio on heat and mass transfer in an octagonal tangentially fired boiler. When the FGR rate increases from 0 to 30%, the maximum temperature in the boiler decreases from 2162.8 to 2106.5 K. Simultaneously, the average temperature of the center longitudinal section decreases from 1589.0 to 1531.9 K. The maximum fluctuation of the outlet flue gas temperature remains within 10.9 K for the four calculated working conditions. Consequently, the efficiency of the boiler is basically unchanged. However, the flue gas temperature at the furnace outlet decreases significantly from 1605.9 to 1491.9 K. When the biomass blending ratio increases from 0 to 20%, the mean temperature of the primary combustion zone decreases from 1600.5 to 1571.2 K.
Energy and Conventional Exergy Analysis of an Integrated Transcritical CO2 (R-744) Refrigeration System
Authors: Söylemez Engin
Published: January 2024

This study analyses the performance of an integrated transcritical CO2 (R-744) refrigeration system operating in winter conditions within a supermarket in Trento, north Italy. This system fulfils multiple functions, providing the heating (for domestic hot water and space heating), cooling, and freezing capabilities for the supermarket. Energy analysis reveals that the average value of the total coefficient of performance, total COP, over the entire study period is calculated at 2.47. Notably, the medium-temperature (MT) compressor rack exhibits the highest power consumption, especially in sub −5 °C conditions. The auxiliary (AUX) compressor rack and the gas cooler (GC) fan contribute significantly to the electrical power usage. The air conditioning (AC) heating load is consistently high, averaging 41.6 kW, while the domestic hot water (DHW) heating load remains stable at approximately 5 kW. The refrigeration demands include an average MT cooling load of 25.86 kW and a low-temperature (LT) freezing load of 10–15 kW, with an average of 13.76 kW. The current study also delves into exergy analysis, disclosing an overall system exergy efficiency of 22.4%. The AUX compressor rack is identified as the primary exergy destructor, followed by the GC, AC coils, MT compressor rack, and the ejector. The LT compressor rack has the highest exergy efficiency, followed by the MT and LT expansion valves.
Dissipation Kinetics, Leaching, and Ecological Risk Assessment of S-Metolachlor and Benfluralin Residues in Soil
Authors: Parlakidis Paraskevas , Adamidis George S. , Gikas Georgios D. , Vasiliou Sofia , Kissa Melpomeni , Doitsinis Konstantinos , Alexoudis Christos , Vryzas Zisis
Published: January 2024

The use of selective herbicides is one of the best methods for weed management. However, the extensive use of herbicides can have adverse impacts on non-target organisms. The goals of this study were to assess the dissipation kinetics, leaching, and ecological risk assessment of S-metolachlor and benfluralin residues in silty loam soil planted with chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). The experimental setup included four different layers with four replications corresponding to an experimental randomized complete block design consisting of 16 plots. The application doses of S-metolachlor and benfluralin were 1350 and 1920 g a.i./ha, respectively, according to manufacturer recommendations. Soil samples were split into four depths, 0 to 20 cm (Layer A), 20 to 40 cm (Layer B), 40 to 60 cm (Layer C), and 60 to 80 cm (Layer D), to determine the dissipation kinetics and the leaching behavior of the herbicides. Gas chromatography coupled with the electron capture detector (GC-ECD) method was developed and validated for the determination of S-metolachlor and benfluralin residues in soil. The analytes were extracted from the soil with distilled water and ethyl acetate followed by solid-phase extraction (SPE). The limit of quantification (LOQ) of the method was 0.1 μg/g, and the recoveries of S-metolachlor and benfluralin were in the ranges 81% to 97% and 88% to 101%, respectively, with relative standard deviations (RSD) of less than 9.7%. The dissipation kinetics of S-metolachlor and benfluralin in soil (0–20 cm) followed first-order kinetics with half-lives of 21.66 and 30.13 days, respectively. The results for samples obtained from the 20–80 cm soil profile showed that both benfluralin and S-metolachlor presented high leaching, following preferential flow. Also, a soil ecological risk assessment was conducted in the top 0–20 cm soil profile, estimating the toxicity–exposure ratio (TER) for four soil organisms and the risk quotient (RQ). The mean herbicide levels found at the studied soil profile at 0 days (2 h) and 60 days of the experiment were used for risk assessment. In the first case, the mean pesticide concentration (MPC) gives a worst-case scenario (ws); in the second case, a dissipation scenario (ds) is given using the respective MPC. In all cases, both TER and RQ values showed that benfluralin corresponds to a higher risk than S-metolachlor for soil organisms.
Policy and Regulations for Mobile Biochar Production in the United States of America
Authors: Rodriguez Franco Carlos , Page-Dumroese Deborah S. , Pierson Derek , Miller Margaret , Miles Thomas
Published: January 2024

Pyrolysis is a combustion process of woody biomass conducted under low or no oxygen conditions. It converts any kind of biomass into biochar, bio-oil, or biogas. Hence plants’ woody material can also be converted into bioenergy products. Valorization of woody biomass in the form of energy-rich compound biochar is a more sustainable technique as compared to conventional burning which leads to toxicity to the environment. Innovations and the need to limit open burning have resulted in numerous mobile and fixed plant pyrolysis methods that burn a variety of woody residues. Production technologies that reduce the need for open burning, the main source of potential pollutants, fall under the regulations in the Clean Air Act of 1990. This Act is the legal instrument to regulate air pollution at its source across the United States of America and it is implemented and enforced through the Environmental Protection Agency, in coordination with sister agencies. One newer innovation for reducing wood residues and emissions is an air curtain incinerator. Currently, the Clean Air Act regulates stationary solid waste incinerators, and this is also applied to mobile air curtain incinerators burning woody biomass. However, other woody biochar production methods (e.g., flame cap kilns) are not subjected to these regulations. Discrepancies in the interpretation of definitions related to incineration and pyrolysis and the myriad of differences related to stationary and mobile air curtain incinerators, type of waste wood from construction activities, forest residues, and other types of clean wood make the permit regulations confusing as permits can vary by jurisdiction. This review summarizes the current policies, regulations, and directives related to in-woods biochar production and the required permits.
CGAN-Based Forest Scene 3D Reconstruction from a Single Image
Authors: Li Yuan , Kan Jiangming
Published: January 2024

Forest scene 3D reconstruction serves as the fundamental basis for crucial applications such as forest resource inventory, forestry 3D visualization, and the perceptual capabilities of intelligent forestry robots in operational environments. However, traditional 3D reconstruction methods like LiDAR present challenges primarily because of their lack of portability. Additionally, they encounter complexities related to feature point extraction and matching within multi-view stereo vision sensors. In this research, we propose a new method that not only reconstructs the forest environment but also performs a more detailed tree reconstruction in the scene using conditional generative adversarial networks (CGANs) based on a single RGB image. Firstly, we introduced a depth estimation network based on a CGAN. This network aims to reconstruct forest scenes from images and has demonstrated remarkable performance in accurately reconstructing intricate outdoor environments. Subsequently, we designed a new tree silhouette depth map to represent the tree’s shape as derived from the tree prediction network. This network aims to accomplish a detailed 3D reconstruction of individual trees masked by instance segmentation. Our approach underwent validation using the Cityscapes and Make3D outdoor datasets and exhibited exceptional performance compared with state-of-the-art methods, such as GCNDepth. It achieved a relative error as low as 8% (with an absolute error of 1.76 cm) in estimating diameter at breast height (DBH). Remarkably, our method outperforms existing approaches for single-image reconstruction. It stands as a cost-effective and user-friendly alternative to conventional forest survey methods like LiDAR and SFM techniques. The significance of our method lies in its contribution to technical support, enabling the efficient and detailed utilization of 3D forest scene reconstruction for various applications.
An Exploration of the Physiological and Psychological Aspects of Student Anxiety Using a Greenspace Restorative Environment Based on Virtual Reality: A Controlled Experiment in Nanjing College
Authors: Zhao Ruhui , Xu Yuhang , Xia Tianyu , Li Hongyi , Zhao Bing , Wei Wei
Published: January 2024

Psychological anxiety among college students has attracted research interest. Previous studies have shown that greenspaces play a positive role in the recovery of student health. However, limited studies have explored the benefits of restorative environmental greenspace components. Therefore, this study used virtual reality to conduct control variable experiments. Considering the terrain scene, pavement material, and green vision rate as research elements, we monitored the skin conductance level and heart rate variability of 36 college students, as well as the positive and negative affect schedule and perceptual recovery scales, and we found that terrain elements have a significant impact on perceptual recovery, while pavement material has a significant impact on physiological recovery. Significant differences in perceptual recovery scores and changes in negative emotions among the different green vision levels were also observed. According to the regression relationship, the scene’s attractiveness rating was the highest when the scene’s green vision rate was 50%, while at 48%, the positive emotional improvement was the highest, and at 40%, the negative emotional improvement was the greatest.
Microbiological and Physicochemical Dynamics in Traditional and Industrial Fermentation Processes of Koumiss
Authors: Zhao Xin , Song Liang , Han Dayong , Han Peijie , Bai Fengyan
Published: January 2024

Koumiss, a traditional fermented beverage made from mare’s milk, is typically consumed by nomads. Industrialized production of koumiss has been increasingly applied recently due to the increased demand for the beverage and awareness of its potential health benefits. However, it is unknown whether industrial koumiss is comparable to the traditional koumiss in terms of quality. In this study, we compared the microbiological and physicochemical properties in the industrial and traditional koumiss fermentation processes synchronously using culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches. Although Lactobacillus and Kazachstania species were similarly dominant in the bacterial and fungal communities, respectively, in both processes, the microbial counts and diversity in the traditional koumiss were significantly higher than those in the industrial koumiss. Furthermore, the traditional koumiss fermentation consumed more lactose, produced more flavor substances including acetic acid, lactic acid, ethanol, and free amino acids, and reached a lower pH value at the final stage. The physicochemical characters of traditional koumiss were mainly associated with Lactobacillus and Kazachstania species, which, in turn, were positively correlated with each other but negatively correlated with other non-dominant microbes. The starter was the major source of the microbial community of industrial koumiss, whereas both the starter and environment were the major sources of traditional koumiss. Random forest analysis recognized 11 significantly important genera as microbial indicators to distinguish industrial from traditional koumiss. Overall, this study shows that the microbial and physicochemical dynamics during the traditional and industrial fermentation of koumiss differ significantly, and the results obtained are valuable for improving the quality of industrial koumiss.
Global Food Security and Sustainability Issues: The Road to 2030 from Nutrition and Sustainable Healthy Diets to Food Systems Change
Authors: Varzakas Theodoros , Smaoui Slim
Published: January 2024

The accomplishment of food/nutrition security for all across sustainable food systems (SFS) is tied to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SFS is connected to all SDGs via the traditional framework of social inclusion, economic development, environmental safety, inclusivity, and the development of sustainable food systems. We suggest that, for the world to achieve sustainable development, a shift to SFS is necessary to guarantee food/nutrition security for all, while operating within planetary boundaries to protect ecosystems and adapt to and mitigate climate change. Therefore, there is a requirement for original approaches that implement systemic and more participatory methods to engage with a wider range of food system stakeholders. However, the lack of skills and tools regarding novel methodologies for food system transformation is a key obstacle to the deployment of such approaches in practice. In the first part of this review, a summary of some challenges that occur in the governance of food system transformation is given. Through a case study of plant-based proteins and their biological and chemical modification as diets shift towards alternative proteins, we demonstrate that resource-efficient food systems and food waste, through system transformation, are useful in understanding both (i) how food system transformation has ensued and (ii) how the required transformation is prohibited. Finally, we discuss the implications of food system transformation in terms of nutrition and sustainable healthy diets, which are needed to achieve changes in food safety systems in the future. The linkage of food and the environment is evident, focusing on nutrition and sustainable healthy diets. This cannot be accomplished without system change and research towards new foods and, more specifically, new proteins such as plant-based ones and their biological and chemical modification.
Effect of Yeast Inoculation on the Bacterial Community Structure in Reduced-Salt Harbin Dry Sausages: A Perspective of Fungi–Bacteria Interactions
Authors: Sui Yumeng , Li Xiangao , Gao Yuan , Kong Baohua , Jiang Yitong , Chen Qian
Published: January 2024

Yeast strains are promising starters to compensate for the flavor deficiencies of reduced-salt dry sausages, but their influence on the bacterial community’s structure has not yet been clarified. In this study, the effect of separately inoculating Pichia kudriavzevii MDJ1 (Pk) and Debaryomyces hansenii HRB3 (Dh) on the bacterial community structure in reduced-salt dry sausage was investigated. The results demonstrated that the inoculation of two yeast strains significantly reduced the pH, and enhanced the total acid content, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts, and total bacterial counts of reduced-salt sausages after a 12-day fermentation (p < 0.05). Furthermore, high-throughput sequencing results elucidated that the inoculation of yeast strains significantly affected the bacterial composition of the dry sausages. Especially, the relative abundance of bacteria at the firmicute level in the Pk and Dh treatments exhibited a significant increase of 83.22% and 82.19%, respectively, compared to the noninoculated reduced-salt dry sausage treatment (Cr). The relative abundance of Latilactobacillus, especially L. sakei (0.46%, 2.80%, 65.88%, and 33.41% for the traditional dry sausage (Ct), Cr, Pk, and Dh treatments, respectively), increased significantly in the reduced-salt sausages inoculated with two yeast strains. Our work demonstrates the dynamic changes in the bacterial composition of reduced-salt sausages inoculated with different yeast strains, which could provide the foundation for the in-depth study of fungi–bacteria interactions in fermented foods.
Co-Occurrence of Aflatoxin B1, Zearalenone and Ochratoxin A in Feed and Feed Materials in Central Italy from 2018 to 2022
Authors: Sdogati Stefano , Pacini Tommaso , Bibi Rita , Caporali Angela , Verdini Emanuela , Orsini Serenella , Ortenzi Roberta , Pecorelli Ivan
Published: January 2024

Mycotoxin contamination of feed and feed materials represent a serious health hazard. This study details the occurrence of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), zearalenone (ZEN) and ochratoxin A (OTA) in 826 feed and 617 feed material samples, collected in two Italian Regions (Umbria and Marche) from 2018 to 2022 analyzed using a UPLC-FLD platform. The developed method was validated and accredited (ISO/IEC 17025) with satisfactory accuracy and precision data obtained in repeatability and intralaboratory reproducibility conditions. Feed had a higher incidence of contaminated samples (26%) with respect to feed materials (6%). AFB1 was found up to 0.1045 mg/kg in cattle feeds and 0.1234 mg/kg in maize; ZEN was detected up to 6.420 mg/kg in sheep feed while OTA was rarely reported and in lower concentrations (up to 0.085 mg/kg). Co-contamination of at least two mycotoxins was reported in 0.8% of the analyzed samples. The incidence of above maximum content/guidance level samples was 2% for feed and feed materials while almost 3-fold-higher for maize (5.8%) suggesting how mycotoxin contamination can affect some matrices more than others. Obtained data can be useful to improve official monitoring plans and therefore further raise awareness of this issue between agriculture stakeholders, healthcare entities and non-professionals.
Molecular Characterization and Genome Mechanical Features of Two Newly Isolated Polyvalent Bacteriophages Infecting Pseudomonas syringae pv. garcae
Authors: Silva Erica C. , Quinde Carlos A. , Cieza Basilio , Basu Aakash , Vila Marta M. D. C. , Balcão Victor M.
Published: January 2024

Coffee plants have been targeted by a devastating bacterial disease, a condition known as bacterial blight, caused by the phytopathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. garcae (Psg). Conventional treatments of coffee plantations affected by the disease involve frequent spraying with copper- and kasugamycin-derived compounds, but they are both highly toxic to the environment and stimulate the appearance of bacterial resistance. Herein, we report the molecular characterization and mechanical features of the genome of two newly isolated (putative polyvalent) lytic phages for Psg. The isolated phages belong to class Caudoviricetes and present a myovirus-like morphotype belonging to the genuses Tequatrovirus (PsgM02F) and Phapecoctavirus (PsgM04F) of the subfamilies Straboviridae (PsgM02F) and Stephanstirmvirinae (PsgM04F), according to recent bacterial viruses’ taxonomy, based on their complete genome sequences. The 165,282 bp (PsgM02F) and 151,205 bp (PsgM04F) genomes do not feature any lysogenic-related (integrase) genes and, hence, can safely be assumed to follow a lytic lifestyle. While phage PsgM02F produced a morphogenesis yield of 124 virions per host cell, phage PsgM04F produced only 12 virions per host cell, indicating that they replicate well in Psg with a 50 min latency period. Genome mechanical analyses established a relationship between genome bendability and virion morphogenesis yield within infected host cells.
Transcriptome Analysis and Reactive Oxygen Species Detection Suggest Contrasting Molecular Mechanisms in Populus canadensis’ Response to Different Formae Speciales of Marssonina brunnea
Authors: Zhang Yanfeng , Tian Longyan
Published: January 2024

Revealing plant–pathogen interactions is important for resistance breeding, but it remains a complex process that presents many challenges. Marssonina leaf spot of poplars (MLSP) is the main disease in poplars; in China, its pathogens consist of two formae speciales, namely, Marssonina brunnea f. sp. Monogermtubi (MO) and M. brunnea f. sp. Multigermtubi (MU). However, the mechanism of the molecular interaction between poplars and the two formae speciales, especially for an incompatible system, remains unclear. In this study, we conducted transcriptome sequencing and reactive oxygen species (ROS) staining based on the interactions between Populus canadensis and the two formae speciales. The results show that the gene expression patterns of P. canadensis induced by MO and MU were significantly different, especially for the genes associated with biotic stress. Furthermore, MO and MU also triggered distinct ROS reactions of P. canadensis, and ROS (mainly H2O2) burst was only observed around the cells penetrated by MU. In conclusion, this study suggested that P. canadensis experienced different resistance reactions in response to the two formae speciales of M. brunnea, providing valuable insights for further understanding the host–pathogen interactions of MLSP.
From Churchill to Elephants: The Role of Protective Genes against Cancer
Authors: Gazzellone Annalisa , Sangiorgi Eugenio
Published: January 2024

Richard Peto’s paradox, first described in 1975 from an epidemiological perspective, established an inverse correlation between the probability of developing cancer in multicellular organisms and the number of cells. Larger animals exhibit fewer tumors compared to smaller ones, though exceptions exist. Mice are more susceptible to cancer than humans, while elephants and whales demonstrate significantly lower cancer prevalence rates than humans. How nature and evolution have addressed the issue of cancer in the animal kingdom remains largely unexplored. In the field of medicine, much attention has been devoted to cancer-predisposing genes, as they offer avenues for intervention, including blocking, downregulating, early diagnosis, and targeted treatment. Predisposing genes also tend to manifest clinically earlier and more aggressively, making them easier to identify. However, despite significant strides in modern medicine, the role of protective genes lags behind. Identifying genes with a mild predisposing effect poses a significant challenge. Consequently, comprehending the protective function conferred by genes becomes even more elusive, and their very existence is subject to questioning. While the role of variable expressivity and penetrance defects of the same variant in a family is well-documented for many hereditary cancer syndromes, attempts to delineate the function of protective/modifier alleles have been restricted to a few instances. In this review, we endeavor to elucidate the role of protective genes observed in the animal kingdom, within certain genetic syndromes that appear to act as cancer-resistant/repressor alleles. Additionally, we explore the role of protective alleles in conditions predisposing to cancer. The ultimate goal is to discern why individuals, like Winston Churchill, managed to live up to 91 years of age, despite engaging in minimal physical activity, consuming large quantities of alcohol daily, and not abstaining from smoking.
Dante and Siger: An Intellectual Mission Overcoming Error and Authority
Authors: Guzzardi Annalisa
Published: January 2024

This article places the question of the presence of the Averroist philosopher Siger of Brabant in Dante’s Paradiso within the debate concerning Dante’s relationship with Averroistic philosophy throughout his works, particularly in the Commedia. The purpose of this research is to initially query the issue of Dante’s potential retraction of previously adopted Averroistic positions in the Commedia, and then to examine in greater detail the relationship between the Florentine poet and the Brabantian philosopher. United by the thematic and autobiographical thread of knowledge persecuted by power, embodied in the history of both figures, the proposed viewpoint is that Dante finds a model of intellectual honesty and freedom in Siger’s thought, ready to question even the authority of Aristotle, a model that Dante admires, places in Paradise, and upon which he structures his poema sacro. In conclusion, this work suggests a reading of some paradigmatic and antithetical pairs in the Commedia, linked by common principles yet opposite destinies, including Dante himself.