bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent Advances in the Study of In Situ Combustion for Enhanced Oil Recovery
Authors: Minakov Andrey V. , Meshkova Victoria D. , Guzey Dmitry Viktorovich , Pryazhnikov Maksim I.
Published: May 2023

Global estimates for our remaining capacity to exploit developed oil fields indicate that the currently recoverable oil (light oil) will last for approximately 50 years. This necessitates the development of viscous and superviscous oil fields, which will further compensate for the loss of easily produced oil. In situ combustion is the most promising production method, which allows for increased oil recovery from a reservoir. This being the case, this study provides an overview of global trends regarding the research and implementation of the method under consideration, in order to promote understanding of its applicability and effectiveness. The background to the development of the method is discussed in detail, illustrating the growing interest of researchers in its study. Cases of both successful as well as inefficient implementations of this method in real oil fields are considered. The main focus of the article is to investigate the influence of the parent rock and catalysts on the combustion process, as this is a new and actively developing area in the study of enhanced oil recovery using in situ combustion. Geological surveys, in addition to experimental and numerical studies, are considered to be the main methods that are used to investigate processes during in situ combustion. The analysis that we carried out led us to understand that the processes which occur during the combustion of heavy oil are practically unpredictable and, therefore, poorly understood. The specificity of the oil composition under consideration depends on the field, which can lead to a change in the required temperature regimes for its production. This indicates that there exists multiple specific applications for the method under consideration, each requiring additional full studies into both the fractional composition of oil and its reservoirs. The article also considers various technologies for implementing the in situ combustion method, such as ND-ISC, THAITM, COSH, CAGD, and SAGD. However, the literature review has shown that none of the technologies presented is widely used, due to the lack of an evidence base for their successful application in the field. Moreover, it should be noted that this method has no limits associated with the oil occurrence depth. This technology can be implemented in thin reservoirs, as well as in flooded, clayey, sandy, and carbonate reservoirs. The review we have presented can be considered as a guide for further research into the development of global solutions for using the proposed method.
A Novel Method for the Calculation of Oil–Water Relative Permeability for Tight Oil Reservoirs by Considering Nonlinear Seepage Characteristics
Authors: Jia Junhong , Zhang Yongqiang , Xiong Weiliang , Gou Congbo , Liu Wenjian , Wang Shuoliang
Published: May 2023

In view of the lack of clear physical significance of the parameters of the traditional nonlinear seepage models and the difficulty of obtaining accurate experimental measurements of the two-phase relative permeability curve, a nonlinear seepage model of a tight reservoir is established on the basis of fractal theory and boundary layer theory. The results show that the proposed model can comprehensively reflect the effects of reservoir matrix physical properties, reservoir fluid physical properties, wettability, and displacement-pressure gradient on the single-phase and two-phase nonlinear seepage characteristics of tight reservoirs. Furthermore, the introduction of the permeability loss factor makes the two-phase relative permeability model more representative of the morphological characteristics of the actual relative permeability curve and avoids the disadvantage that the relative permeability at the end point of the wetting phase has in the traditional model. Finally, by taking the tight core of Changqing Oilfield as an example, a sensitivity analysis of the proposed model is conducted, which proves the practical application of this model. The proposed model provides a convenient theoretical method for the accurate characterization of nonlinear seepage characteristics of tight reservoirs and is of great significance to the numerical simulation, productivity evaluation, and optimization of tight reservoirs.
Topology Identification of Low-Voltage Distribution Network Based on Deep Convolutional Time-Series Clustering
Authors: Ni Qingzhong , Jiang Hui
Published: May 2023

Accurate topology relationships of low-voltage distribution networks are important for distribution network management. However, the topological information in Geographic Information System (GIS) systems for low-voltage distribution networks is prone to errors such as omissions and false alarms, which can have a heavy impact on the effective management of the networks. In this study, a novel method for the identification of topology relationships, including the user-transformer relationship and the user-phase relationship, is proposed, which is based on Deep Convolutional Time-Series Clustering (DCTC) analysis. The proposed DCTC method fuses convolutional autoencoder and clustering layers to perform voltage feature representation and clustering in a low-dimensional feature space simultaneously. By jointly optimizing the clustering process via minimizing the sum of the reconstruction loss and clustering loss, the proposed method effectively identifies the network topology relationships. Analysis of examples shows that the proposed method is correct and effective.
Multi-Stage Bargaining of Smart Grid Energy Trading Based on Cooperative Game Theory
Authors: Devi Nongmaithem Nandini , Thokchom Surmila , Singh Thoudam Doren , Panda Gayadhar , Naayagi Ramasamy Thaiyal
Published: May 2023

Due to global warming and climate change, it is essential to produce power using renewable sources, such as solar, wind, fuel cells, etc. The traditional grid shifts towards the smart grid by infusing digital communication techniques and information technology. As the current power system is shifting towards a smart grid, the utility and prosumers participate in the energy trading process. Due to the distributed nature of the smart grid, providing a fair price among them is becoming a difficult task. The article introduces a model for energy trading in a smart grid by allowing participants to negotiate in multiple stages using a game-theory-based multi-stage Nash Bargaining Solution (NBS). The model’s application of game theory enables the participants to decide on a mutually acceptable price, thereby encouraging the utility, private parties and prosumers (those who are able to generate and consume energy) to participate in the trading process. Since all parties participate in the trading procedure, greenhouse gas emissions are reduced. The proposed model also balances the benefits of consumers and producers in the final agreed fixed price. To demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed work, we compare the analytical results with feed-in-tariff (FiT) techniques in terms of consumers’ energy bills and producers’ revenue. For experimental analysis, 20 participants are considered, where the percentage reduction in the bill of each consumer and the percentage increment of revenue of each producer are compared to FiT. On average, the overall bill of the consumer is reduced by 32.8%, and the producers’ revenue is increased by 64.83% compared to FiT. It has been shown further that the proposed model shows better performance as compared to FiT with an increase in the number of participants. The analysis of carbon emission reduction in the proposed model has been analyzed, where, for 10 participants, the carbon emission reduction is approximately 28.48 kg/kWh, and for 100 participants is 342.397 kg/kWh.
Intrinsic Regulation of Diameter Growth in Woody Plants
Authors: Savidge Rodney Arthur
Published: May 2023

The defining feature of each forest is the organism that humanity generically designates as ‘tree’ [...]
Effects of Acid Rain Stress on the Physiological and Biochemical Characteristics of Three Plant Species
Authors: Zhang Yuxuan , Yang Feng , Wang Yunqi , Zheng Yonglin , Zhu Junlin
Published: May 2023

The physiological and biochemical indicators of plants reflect the plant’s adaptation to environmental changes and provide information for the planting and management of acid-resistant tree species. To analyze the responses of typical tree species to recent changes in acid rain conditions in Jinyun Mountain, Chongqing, we focused on three representative tree species in the Jinyun Mountain area of Chongqing: Pinus massoniana, Phyllostachys edulis, and Cinnamomum camphora. A mixed acid rain experiment with five gradients of natural rainfall (NR) and pH values of 7.0, 4.5, 3.5, and 2.5 was conducted in May 2021. The changes in physiological and biochemical indicators (net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 concentration, transpiration rate, light saturation point, light compensation point, apparent quantum efficiency, dark respiration rate, soluble sugar, starch, soluble protein, proline, malondialdehyde, and antioxidant enzyme activity) were determined. The results show the following: 1. Compared with other treatments, NR and slightly acidic rain increased the relative chlorophyll content in plant seedlings. 2. The synthesis of soluble sugars, starches, and soluble proteins was inhibited to different degrees in the three species under acid rain stress at pH ≤ 3.5. 3. The enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) initially increased and then decreased with an increase in acidity. 4. Acid rain treatments with pH ≤ 4.5 reduced the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) of plants; the higher the acidity, the lower the Pn. Conclusion: A comprehensive comparison of the indicators revealed that NR and mild acid rain enhanced the plant seedlings’ physiological and biochemical characteristics. A pH of 3.5 was the threshold where acid rain had an adverse effect on Pinus massoniana, Phyllostachys edulis, and Cinnamomum camphora. The high indicator values for NR indicate that these tree species have adapted to current conditions in the Jinyun Mountain area of Chongqing. This study provides new information for selecting tree species adapted to the acid rain environment in Jinyun Mountain, Chongqing.
Effect of High-Temperature Paraffin Impregnation on the Properties of the Amorphous Cellulose Region Based on Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Qu Zening , Wang Wei , Hua Youna , Cang Shilong
Published: May 2023

A paraffin–cellulose composite model was created using Materials Studio software, establishing a cellulose chain with a polymerization degree of 20 and paraffin molecules. A theoretical foundation for the research of wood heat treatment was established by explaining the changes in macroscopic qualities, such as mechanical properties, water absorption, etc., from a microscopic point of view. The model tended to a stable state with lower energy through geometric optimization and kinetic relaxation. The dynamics simulation was run based on this condition at a total of five different temperatures: 100 °C, 150 °C, 170 °C, 190 °C, and 210 °C. The energy balance, paraffin molecular diffusion coefficients, cell parameters and densities, hydrogen bonding numbers and mechanical parameters of the paraffin–cellulose composite model were analyzed. The results demonstrated that the paraffin diffusion range increased with temperature, and the paraffin diffusion coefficient was greatest at 210 °C, which also resulted in the maximum cell volume, the lowest density, and the lowest water absorption at this temperature. On the other hand, the paraffin–cellulose hybrid model had the most hydrogen bonds and the most stable system at 100 °C. The mechanical properties of the amorphous cellulose region of wood are influenced by temperature. According to the calculation of Lamé constants, with the system’s temperature rise, Young’s modulus (E) and shear modulus (G) were maximum at 100 °C, indicating the wood’s optimal toughness and plasticity. Poisson’s ratio and K/G values were largest at 210 °C, indicating the optimal toughness and plasticity of wood. The thermal modification of wood under different conditions can not only retain its natural advantages, but also improve its own performance, expand the application range of wood, and increase the utilization rate of wood. Therefore, the appropriate temperature and other conditions can be selected according to the actual needs of the wood heat treatment, which has significant practical significance for the study of wood heat treatment.
Development of the Vascular Cambium of Taxodium ascendens and Its Seasonal Activities in Subtropical China
Authors: Xu Youming , Liu Cong , Lin Han , Wang Kunxi , Han Zhuang
Published: May 2023

The vascular cambium is an extensive and permanent secondary meristem with wood cells products of periclinal divisions commonly contributed to two directions and arranged in radial files of trees. Cambium activity is the origin of timber production. Taxodium ascendens Brongn is an exotic species in China, and its apical meristem and cambial activity are still elusive, resulting in a lack of understanding about its wood formation and improvement. We thus addressed this knowledge gap by studying Cambium activity. For studying, twigs from five 30-year-old healthy trees were collected between February-2017 and March-2018. Anatomy deciphered its apical meristem with a Cryptomeria–Abies type. The procambium appeared after leaf primordium and initially presented five lobes as observed transversely from a one-year-old shoot. The procambium under the apical differentiated into protophloem first and then protoxylem toward the inside. It means that protoxylem differentiated later than protophloem did. After dormancy, the vascular cambium began to be active, starting in early April 2017, which was later than shoot differentiation. On 25 July 2017, the cambial zone had 9–10 immature xylem cell layers. Both initiation and cessation of the xylem preceded that of the phloem. Until 10 October 2017, few immature elements were found, indicating the translation of cells from activity to dormancy. On 15 November 2017, the cambium contained 3–4 cells in radial rows, which demonstrated the dormancy of the cambium until next spring. Furthermore, immature xylem elements increased as cell layers in the cambium zone and cell fission increased. The growth pattern of T. ascendens revealed that cambial activity is highly seasonal and dependent on changes in abiotic conditions. Thus, the wood formation in the species will be significantly altered in a changing climatic pattern. These enhance our understanding of tree growth science, wood formation, wood structure, wood properties variation and wood improvement in tree breeding.
Mechanical Efficiency and Quality Control Preliminary Analysis of Incompletely Bonded Wood-Based Sandwich Panels
Authors: Luengo Emilio , Arriaga Francisco , Bobadilla Ignacio , Hermoso Eva
Published: May 2023

Wood-based sandwich panels are building products composed of two skins attached to a lightweight continuous core in which at least one skin is made of wood-based products, contributing to the use of renewable forest goods. Since the connection between the skins and the core is often provided by adhesive bonding, its characteristics affect the mechanical behavior of the sandwich and, therefore, must be thoroughly assessed. Full adhesion is often considered the standard situation, although some batches of the commercial product show incompletely glued surfaces, and scarce data is available with regard to their bonding performance. For this reason, analyses were performed using tensile tests with a load perpendicular to the skins and specific shear tests with a load parallel to the longitudinal direction of the panel. The test samples were obtained from wood-based sandwich panels with extruded polystyrene cores and different skin materials. The tensile tests proved to be suitable only for panels with adequate skin material cohesion, their functionality improving as a control method when the glued surface percentage assessment is used together with the tensile strength. The results of the shear tests provided non-linear models relating the effect of the glued surface to the mechanical properties, revealing that the mechanical efficiency of the incompletely bonded specimens is better than that which might be expected if the core only worked in proportion to the glued surface, due to the help of the adjoining non-glued core material.
Exploring Microbial Diversity of Non-Dairy Fermented Beverages with a Focus on Functional Probiotic Microorganisms
Authors: da Silva Vale Alexander , Venturim Bárbara Côgo , da Silva Rocha André Ricardo Ferreira , Martin José Guilherme Prado , Maske Bruna Leal , Balla Gabriel , De Dea Lindner Juliano , Soccol Carlos Ricardo , de Melo Pereira Gilberto Vinícius
Published: May 2023

In recent years, the development of non-dairy probiotic beverages has been stimulated due to the increase in the number of people with milk protein allergies, lactose intolerance, and those that are vegetarian and vegan eating. These functional foods have a number of health benefits, combining properties of plant matrices and probiotic effects. However, a major challenge in formulating these beverages is the limited number of adapted microbial strains with probiotic phenotype that promote desirable sensory characteristics, besides remaining viable in the final product for long periods. Therefore, this review aimed to provide an overview of the production of traditional non-dairy fermented beverages produced in the world and to show the biotechnological potential of these foods as a source of strains presenting a probiotic phenotype. In addition, the latest developments on the role of lactic acid bacteria, Bifidobacterium, and yeast species in the development of new probiotic beverages from the fermentation of fruit and cereal are discussed. Finally, some aspects related to food safety issues are shown.
Extracellular Production of the Taiwan-Native Norovirus P Domain Overexpressed in Pichia pastoris
Authors: Chien Man-Ling , Yu Chun-Fu , Huang Ching-Tsan
Published: May 2023

Many efforts in norovirus vaccine development have focused on subunit or recombinant protein vaccines, such as subviral P particles formed by the protruding (P) domain of VP1. P particles are immunogenic and have a region with a human histo-blood group antigen binding site, an interaction critical for infecting the host. In the past, only intracellular NoV P proteins expressed in Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris were reported, and the low yield and difficulty in purification limited their applications. In this study, the Taiwan-native NoV P domain was successfully expressed and secreted by P. pastoris. The secretion efficiency was greatly enhanced by integrating oligosaccharyl transferase (Ost1) into the α-factor signal peptide and coexpressing Hac1. The production of NoV P in fermentation cultures reached 345 mg/L, and the purity and recovery were 94.8% and 66.9%, respectively, after only ion-exchange chromatography. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that the small P particles were mostly ring-, square-, and triangle-shaped, with diameters of 10-15 nm. The biological activity of NoV P was confirmed by saliva-binding assay using human histo-blood group antigen. This study describes the secretion and characterization of the Taiwan-native norovirus P domain in P. pastoris. Particles formed from the P domain were similar in size, morphology, and binding ability to those expressed intracellularly. The strategy described in this study provides great potential in scale-up production and antiviral vaccine development.
Mushroom–Legume-Based Minced Meat: Physico-Chemical and Sensory Properties
Authors: Mazumder Md. Anisur Rahman , Sukchot Shanipa , Phonphimai Piyawan , Ketnawa Sunantha , Chaijan Manat , Grossmann Lutz , Rawdkuen Saroat
Published: May 2023

A growing number of health-conscious consumers are looking for animal protein alternatives with similar texture, appearance, and flavor. However, research and development still needs to find alternative non-meat materials. The aim of this study was to develop a mushroom-based minced meat substitute (MMMS) from edible Pleurotus sajor-caju (PSC) mushrooms and optimize the concentration of chickpea flour (CF), beetroot extract, and canola oil. CF was used to improve the textural properties of the MMMS by mixing it with PSC mushrooms in ratios of 0:50, 12.5:37.5, 25:25, 37.5:12.5, and 50:0. Textural and sensory attributes suggest that PSC mushrooms to CF in a ratio of 37.5:12.5 had better textural properties, showing hardness of 2610 N and higher consumer acceptability with protein content up to 47%. Sensory analysis suggests that 5% (w/w) canola oil showed the most acceptable consumer acceptability compared to other concentrations. Color parameters indicate that 0.2% beetroot extract shows higher whiteness, less redness, and higher yellowness for both fresh and cooked MMMS. This research suggests that MMMS containing PSC, CF, canola oil, and beetroot extract could be a suitable alternative and sustainable food product which may lead to higher consumer adoption as a meat substitute.
Impact of Fermentation and Pasteurization on the Physico-Chemical and Phytochemical Composition of Opuntia ficus-indica Juices
Authors: Ferreira Ricardo M. , Costa Adriana M. , Pinto Carlos A. , Silva Artur M. S. , Saraiva Jorge A. , Cardoso Susana M.
Published: May 2023

Opuntia ficus-indica fruits are a source of valuable compounds, presenting a high nutritional value and several health benefits. However, due to its low shelf life and increased production, there are considerable post-harvest losses of this cactus fruit. So, ways need to be found to drain the increased production of this fruit that is being wasted. The chemical composition of prickly pear makes it an appealing substrate for fermentation. This study investigates the production of fermented beverages produced from Opuntia ficus-indica cv ‘Rossa’ and evaluates the effects of different fermentation times (18 and 42 h) and post-fermentation pasteurization by high-pressure (500 MPa for 10 min) and temperature (71.1 °C for 30 s) on the physico-chemical and biological characteristics of the produced beverages. According to the results, the beverage produced from 48 h of fermentation has an alcohol content value of 4.90 ± 0.08% (v/v) and a pH of 3.91 ± 0.03. These values contribute to an extended shelf life and improved organoleptic characteristics compared to the sample fermented for 18 h. Additionally, the longer fermentation resulted in 50% fewer total soluble solids, 90% less turbidity, and lower pH when compared to the sample fermented for 18 h. Moreover, overall, high-pressure processing demonstrates better retention of “fresh-like” characteristics, along with higher levels of phytochemical compounds and antioxidant capacity, similar to those observed in the juice for SO•- and NO•-scavenging abilities.
Optimization of Extraction Parameters for Enhanced Recovery of Bioactive Compounds from Quince Peels Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Athanasiadis Vassilis , Chatzimitakos Theodoros , Bozinou Eleni , Kotsou Konstantina , Palaiogiannis Dimitrios , Lalas Stavros I.
Published: May 2023

Quinces are well known for their multiple health benefits, including antioxidant, hypoglycemic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, etc., properties. Despite the widespread utilization of various plant parts, the peel has been largely ignored in the industry. In this study, we explored the effects of different extraction parameters, such as temperature, time, and composition of the extraction solvent, and techniques such as ultrasound (US) and a pulsed electric field (PEF), either alone or in combination, and optimized these parameters using a response surface methodology (RSM) to enhance the extraction of bioactive compounds such as chlorogenic acid, total polyphenols, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid from waste quince peels. From our results, it was apparent that quince peels are a great source of many bioactive compounds with high antioxidant activity. More specifically, after principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS) analysis, quince peels contain high levels of total polyphenols (43.99 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dw), total flavonoids (3.86 mg rutin equivalents/g dw), chlorogenic acid (2.12 mg/g dw), and ascorbic acid (543.93 mg/100 g dw), as well as antioxidant activity of 627.73 μmol AAE/g and 699.61 μmol DPPH/g as evidenced by FRAP and DPPH assays, respectively. These results emphasize the potential of utilizing quince peels as an eco-friendly and cost-effective source of bioactive compounds with various applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries for the prepared extracts.
Effects of Phytochemicals from Fermented Food Sources in Alzheimer’s Disease In Vivo Experimental Models: A Systematic Review
Authors: Baciu Alina Mihaela , Opris Razvan Vlad , Filip Gabriela Adriana , Florea Adrian
Published: May 2023

The socioeconomic burden of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) stems from its characteristic multifactorial etiology and, implicitly, the difficulties associated with its treatment. With the increase in life expectancy and health awareness, nutraceuticals and functional foods are filling in the gaps left by the limitation of classical medical treatment in chronic conditions associated with lifestyle factors, such as neurological disorders. Processes, such as fermentation that enhance food phytochemical content are garnering increased attention due to their functional and health-related properties. This systematic review aims to provide an overview of the evidence of phytochemicals from fermented food sources inducing therapeutic outcomes and cognitive benefits from in vivo experimental models of Alzheimer’s Disease. The present systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Searches were performed in the following databases: MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science) by two independent reviewers. Titles and abstracts yielded by the search were screened for eligibility against the inclusion criteria. The search strategy yielded 1899 titles, encompassing studies from 1948 to 2022. After the removal of duplicates, and screening of titles, abstracts, and full texts, thirty three studies obtained from the original search strategy and seven studies from references satisfied the inclusion criteria and were included in the present systematic review. Several studies have emphasized the potential of fermentation to yield small-molecule phytochemicals that are not present in raw products. When these phytochemicals are combined, their collective strength has demonstrated the ability to exceed the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective benefits of individual phytochemicals when given in their pure form. Among the various fermented foods that have been studied, soy isoflavones obtained through fermentation have shown the most substantial evidence of altering phytochemical content and improving outcomes in animal models of AD. While promising in initial results, other fermented foods and traditional medicines require more detailed research in order to establish their effectiveness and proper utilization. As is, many of the experimental designs lacked phytochemical analysis of the used fermented product or comparison with the non-fermented counterpart. This, coupled with proper reporting in animal studies, will significantly raise the quality of performed studies as well as the weight of obtained results.
Fractional p-Laplacian Equations with Sandwich Pairs
Authors: Sousa Jose Vanterler da C.
Published: May 2023

The main purpose of this paper was to consider new sandwich pairs and investigate the existence of a solution for a new class of fractional differential equations with p-Laplacian via variational methods in ψ-fractional space Hpα,β;ψ(Ω). The results obtained in this paper are the first to make use of the theory of ψ-Hilfer fractional operators with p-Laplacian.
Hydrogelation from Self-Assembled and Scaled-Down Chitin Nanofibers by the Modification of Highly Polar Substituents
Authors: Kadokawa Jun-ichi
Published: May 2023

Chitin nanofibers (ChNFs) with a bundle structure were fabricated via regenerative self-assembly at the nanoscale from a chitin ion gel with an ionic liquid using methanol. Furthermore, the bundles were disentangled by partial deacetylation under alkaline conditions, followed by cationization and electrostatic repulsion in aqueous acetic acid to obtain thinner nanofibers called scaled-down ChNFs. This review presents a method for hydrogelation from self-assembled and scaled-down ChNFs by modifying the highly polar substituents on ChNFs. The modification was carried out by the reaction of amino groups on ChNFs, which were generated by partial deacetylation, with reactive substituent candidates such as poly(2-oxazoline)s with electrophilic living propagating ends and mono- and oligosaccharides with hemiacetallic reducing ends. The substituents contributed to the formation of network structures from ChNFs in highly polar dispersed media, such as water, to produce hydrogels. Moreover, after the modification of the maltooligosaccharide primers on ChNFs, glucan phosphorylase-catalyzed enzymatic polymerization was performed from the primer chain ends to elongate the amylosic graft chains on ChNFs. The amylosic graft chains formed double helices between ChNFs, which acted as physical crosslinking points to construct network structures, giving rise to hydrogels.
Association between IL-17F, IL-17RA Gene Polymorphisms and Response to Biological Drugs in Psoriasis and Beyond
Authors: Pușcaș Alexandra Dana , Morar Iulia Ioana , Vesa Ștefan Cristian , Cătană Andreea , Pușcaș Cristian , Ilieș Roxana Flavia , Orasan Remus-Ioan
Published: May 2023

Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease that associates with multiple comorbidities. It involves complex interactions between environmental factors and polygenic predisposition. The IL-17 family is one of the main actors in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Secondary nonresponse is common, especially during the long-term use of TNF-α inhibitors, but it is not uncommon even for newer biologics, such as IL-17 inhibitors. Identification of clinically useful biomarkers of treatment efficacy and safety would enable optimal treatment selection, improve patient quality of life and outcome, and reduce healthcare costs. To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the relationship between genetic polymorphism of IL-17F (rs763780) and IL-17RA (rs4819554) and response to biological treatment and other clinical data in bio-naive and secondary non-responders psoriasis patients in Romania and Southeastern Europe. We performed a prospective, longitudinal, analytical cohort study of 81 patients diagnosed with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis who received biological treatments for the first time. Of the 79 patients treated with TNF-α inhibitors, 44 experienced secondary nonresponse. All patients were genotyped for the two SNPs in IL-17F and IL-17RA genes. The rs763780 polymorphism in the IL-17F gene could be an attractive candidate biomarker for predicting which patients will respond to anti-TNF-α therapies. Another emergent association of rs4819554 in IL-17RA with the risk of nail psoriasis and a higher BMI in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis patients is described.
Identification of ZmBK2 Gene Variation Involved in Regulating Maize Brittleness
Authors: Xu Wei , Zhao Yan , Liu Qingzhi , Diao Yuqiang , Wang Qingkang , Yu Jiamin , Jiang Enjun , Zhang Yongzhong , Liu Baoshen
Published: May 2023

Maize stalk strength is a crucial agronomic trait that affects lodging resistance. We used map-based cloning and allelic tests to identify a maize mutant associated with decreased stalk strength and confirmed that the mutated gene, ZmBK2, is a homolog of Arabidopsis AtCOBL4, which encodes a COBRA-like glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein. The bk2 mutant exhibited lower cellulose content and whole-plant brittleness. Microscopic observations showed that sclerenchymatous cells were reduced in number and had thinner cell walls, suggesting that ZmBK2 affects the development of cell walls. Transcriptome sequencing of differentially expressed genes in the leaves and stalks revealed substantial changes in the genes associated with cell wall development. We constructed a cell wall regulatory network using these differentially expressed genes, which revealed that abnormal cellulose synthesis may be a reason for brittleness. These results reinforce our understanding of cell wall development and provide a foundation for studying the mechanisms underlying maize lodging resistance.
Molecular Characterization and Function of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 (BMP7) in the Pacific Abalone, Haliotis discus hannai
Authors: Huang Jianfang , Zhou Mingcan , You Weiwei , Luo Xuan , Ke Caihuan
Published: May 2023

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play important roles in a lot of biological processes, such as bone development, cell proliferation, cell differentiation, growth, etc. However, the functions of abalone BMP genes are still unknown. This study aimed to better understand the characterization and biological function of BMP7 of Haliotis discus hannai (hdh-BMP7) via cloning and sequencing analysis. The coding sequence (CDS) length of hdh-BMP7 is 1251 bp, which encodes 416 amino acids including a signal peptide (1–28 aa), a transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) propeptide (38–272 aa), and a mature TGF-β peptide (314–416 aa). The analysis of expression showed that hdh-BMP7 mRNA was widely expressed in all the examined tissues of H. discus hannai. Four SNPs were related to growth traits. The results of RNA interference (RNAi) showed that the mRNA expression levels of hdh-BMPR I, hdh-BMPR II, hdh-smad1, and hdh-MHC declined after hdh-BMP7 was silenced. After RNAi experiment for 30 days, the shell length, shell width, and total weight were found to be reduced in H. discus hannai (p < 0.05). The results of real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR revealed that the hdh-BMP7 mRNA was lower in abalone of the S-DD-group than in the L-DD-group. Based on these data, we hypothesized that BMP7 gene has a positive role in the growth of H. discus hannai.
The Portofino Conglomerate (Eastern Liguria, Northern Italy): Provenance, Age and Geodynamic Implications
Authors: Mantovani Federico , Elter Franco Marco , Pandeli Enrico , Briguglio Antonino , Piazza Michele
Published: May 2023

The Portofino Conglomerate (PC) cropping out in the Eastern Liguria is an approximately 500 m thick, very gently folded succession mainly composed of poorly bedded and mostly matrix-supported conglomerates. It stratigraphically rests on the Helminthoid Flysch (UA3) thrusted onto the Antola Unit. We vertically distinguished three mostly ruditic litho/petrofacies: (i) Paraggi (fP) with carbonate clasts from an Helminthoid Flysch succession; (ii) Monte Pallone (fMP) with prevailing carbonate and meta-carbonate clasts and minor quartz-rich (meta)siliciclastic and high-pressure–low-pressure (HP-LP) metabasite clasts; and (iii) Monte Bocche (fMB) with dominant quartz-rich (meta)siliciclastic, meta-carbonate clasts, and minor granitoid elements and medium-temperature–high-temperature (MT-HT) regional metamorphic rocks. The middle-upper Eocen age of Paraggi litho/petrofacies is constrained by well-preserved microforaminifers (e.g., Globigerinatheka) recovered in the matrix. During its sedimentation, the directions of the paleocurrents would indicate that the PC underwent a counterclockwise rotation coeval with the first Cenozoic rotational phase of the Sardinia–Corsica system (50–30 Ma) and then stopped before the sedimentation of the Monte Pallone and Monte Bocche litho/petrofacies. The vertical compositional variation in the sedimentary inputs suggested that the PC is the result of a progressive deepening of the erosional level of a tectonic pile that can be located in the Ligurian Alps Chain. We considered the PC as the likely apical part of a submarine fan deposited in a piggy-back/thrust-top basin within the Alpine nappe stack. This sedimentary body was later tectonically transported eastward with its UA3 Helminthoid Flysch substrate (similarly to Epiligurian Units of the Northern Apennines) onto the Apenninic orogenic system (i.e., the Antola Unit).
Resource Support for “Mobilization–Participation” in Public Health Emergencies Based on a Complex Network Evolutionary Game
Authors: Lian Chenxi , Liu Jida , Wang Jian
Published: May 2023

The organized system of emergency resources with the participation of social subjects features a network, which puts forward new requirements for mobilization policies for public health emergencies. Considering the “mobilization–participation” action of the relationship between the government and social resource subjects and revealing the mechanism of governance measures represent the foundation of developing effective mobilization strategies. To analyze the behavior of subjects in an emergency resource network, this study proposes a framework for the emergency actions of government and social resource subjects, as well as clarifies the functions of relational mechanisms and interorganizational learning in decision making. The game model and its rules of evolution in the network were developed by considering the interventions of rewards and penalties. An emergency resource network was constructed on the basis of a response to the COVID-19 epidemic in a city in China, and a simulation of the “mobilization–participation” game was designed and conducted. We propose a path to promote emergency resource actions by analyzing the initial situations and the interventions’ effects. This article suggests that guiding and improving the initial selection of subjects under a certain reward system would be an effective path to facilitate resource support actions during public health emergencies.
The Epidemiology of Dental Pathologies in Elderly Patients Admitted to a Tertiary Level Hospital in Oradea, NW Romania: A 5-Year Retrospective Study
Authors: Janto Michael , Iurcov Raluca , Moca Abel Emanuel , Daina Cristian Marius , Moca Rahela Tabita , Daina Lucia Georgeta
Published: May 2023

Oral diseases can affect the quality of life of all individuals, including elderly people. In elderly people, the associated general diseases can increase the risk of dental pathologies or can impact their treatment. The main aim of this study was to identify elderly patients with dental pathology out of the total number of patients admitted to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at a tertiary-level hospital in North-Western Romania. Another aim was to describe the characteristics of the patients included in this study, as well as to analyze data from patients with dental pathologies. In this retrospective study, the medical records of patients admitted to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Bihor County Emergency Hospital between 2016 and 2020 were analyzed, with a focus on patients aged 65 years or more. After applying the exclusion criteria, 721 patients were kept in the study, of which 316 (43.8%) had at least one dental pathology. Most elderly patients with dental pathologies were admitted in 2018 (n = 89). The most common associated systemic diseases were arterial hypertension (n = 268) and ischemic heart disease (n = 233), while the most common dental pathologies were pulpitis (n = 185), chronic apical periodontitis (n = 61) and abscesses (n = 35). Most patients were either healed or had an improved condition at the time of discharge. The great number of dental pathologies, as well as the diversity in dental pathologies, underline the necessity for better preventive programs aimed not only at children, adolescents or young people but at the elderly population as well.
Additional Genetic Alterations and Clonal Evolution of MPNs with Double Mutations on the MPL Gene: Two Case Reports
Authors: Pennisi Maria Stella , Di Gregorio Sandra , Tirrò Elena , Romano Chiara , Duminuco Andrea , Garibaldi Bruno , Giuffrida Gaetano , Manzella Livia , Vigneri Paolo , Palumbo Giuseppe A.
Published: May 2023

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF) are two of the main BCR-ABL1-negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) characterized by abnormal megakaryocytic proliferation. Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) mutations are detected in 50–60% of ET and PMF, while myeloproliferative leukemia (MPL) virus oncogene mutations are present in 3–5% of cases. While Sanger sequencing is a valuable diagnostic tool to discriminate the most common MPN mutations, next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a more sensitive technology that also identifies concurrent genetic alterations. In this report, we describe two MPN patients with simultaneous double MPL mutations: a woman with ET presenting both MPLV501A-W515R and JAK2V617F mutations and a man with PMF displaying an uncommon double MPLV501A-W515L. Using colony-forming assays and NGS analyses, we define the origin and mutational landscape of these two unusual malignancies and uncover further gene alterations that may contribute to the pathogenesis of ET and PMF.
Karst Landscape Governance in the Guilin World Heritage Site, China
Authors: He Guizhen , Yu Mingzhao , Zhao Xiang , Zhang Lei , Shen Lina
Published: May 2023

Sustaining karst landscape areas in World Heritage Sites under increasing human pressures and climate change is an emerging challenge. Growing evidence has highlighted the transition from traditional government-oriented regulation to the collaborative governance of different stakeholders in governing karst landscape resources. However, the complexity and dynamics of karst landscape policy and stakeholder networks are poorly understood. This study combined a legislative analysis, network analysis, and public survey to explore effective methods of karst landscape conservation in the Guilin World Heritage Site, China. The policy analysis showed that various national laws and local regulations have been enacted in China, but these regulations often focused on individual aspects of karst–human interactions. The network analysis indicated the complexity and relationship of networks in karst World Heritage Site governance at the national, provincial, and municipal scales. The majority of questionnaire respondents (65–89%) reported a medium and high level of karst landscape governance effectiveness. The insights in the present study may be valuable for other karst World Heritage Sites facing complex challenges, especially in developing countries.
Effect of Temperature Variation and Blue and Red LEDs on the Elongation of Arugula and Mustard Microgreens
Authors: Kong Yun , Masabni Joseph , Niu Genhua
Published: May 2023

Recent studies using LED lighting at low to modest intensity have indicated that compared with red light, blue light can promote plant elongation in many crops as a shade avoidance response despite varying sensitivity with light environments, plant species, and growth stages. Currently, there is limited understanding of how temperature affects the blue light-mediated plant response. To clarify this point, two microgreen species (arugula and mustard) were grown indoors under two light quality × two temperature treatments: red LED light (peak at 670 nm) and blue LED light (peak at 450 nm) at 18 °C or 28 °C. A photosynthetic photon flux density of 110 µmol m−2 s−1 and a photoperiod of 12 h d−1 were used for all treatments. After 6 to 8 days of treatment, at both temperatures, blue vs. red light promoted plant elongation, as demonstrated by a greater plant elongation rate, final plant height, and hypocotyl length, in arugula but not in mustard. Blue vs. red light also promoted some shade-avoidance responses such as decreased cotyledon size in both species and increased petiole length and dry mass partitioning to hypocotyls in arugula only. The elongation promotion in arugula by blue light was greater at 18 °C than at 28 °C, showing interactions between light and temperature on most plant traits. For mustard, plant elongation was promoted at 28 °C compared to 18 °C independent of light treatment, showing no interactions between light and temperature on most plant traits. These results suggest that the blue light-mediated elongation as a shade-avoidance response is not reversed by high temperature, despite the varying sensitivity with temperatures and species.
Algerian Fig Trees: Botanical and Morphometric Leaf Characterization
Authors: Abdelkader Fahima , Laiadi Ziane , Boso Susana , Santiago José-Luis , Gago Pilar , Martínez María-Carmen
Published: May 2023

Leaf morphology in plants is very important in the evaluation of intraspecific variation. Indeed, the leaves of the fig tree (Ficus carica L.) present a great diversity of shape and size. The present study consists of the botanical, morphological, and morphometric characterization of the leaves of 26 local fig tree varieties cultivated in different areas of Bejaia (northeast Algeria). Our results indicate that the morphological parameters of the leaves allowed a good differentiation of the studied cultivars according to the descriptors (UPOV) among varieties and independent of their growing environment. Moreover, the method of morphometric description proposed in this paper allows the differentiation of varieties and the comparison among them in an objective way and by simple mathematical methods. This method demonstrates the existence of a very high percentage of polymorphisms within the studied varieties, but also their classification according to the number of lobes, the depth of the lateral sinuses, and the degree of openness of the angles performed by the main veins of the leaves. The Azougagh variety is characterized by wider angles, and, on the contrary, the Tassahlit variety has the least-open angles. None of the studied varieties presented “entire” leaves. The majority presented leaves with five lobes. The varieties Tilizwith, Tazarzourth, Avarkan, Tamkarkourth, and Inconnu B differed clearly from the rest by showing leaves with seven lobes and deep lateral sinuses. In contrast, the varieties Zarika, Baccor Blanc, Avarkan Lisse, and Avgaiti presented leaves with only three lobes. This is the first work on fig tree characterization using morphometric methods, which are shown to be complementary to the UPOV code and efficient in separating even the closed varieties. It will be interesting to extend these studies to larger scales and areas.
Developing a Modified Online Water Quality Index: A Case Study for Brazilian Reservoirs
Authors: Silva Pamela Lais Cabral , Borges Alisson Carraro , Lopes Lucas Sampaio , Rosa André Pereira
Published: May 2023

Online approaches for monitoring water quality can be an alternative aid to rapid decision-making in watershed management, especially reservoirs, given their vulnerability to the process of eutrophication. In this study, a modified water quality index (WQI) was developed using parameters that are easily measured with sensors, which would allow for the online monitoring of reservoirs. The modified WQI was based on WQICETESB and we used regression models to obtain values for the parameters: total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total solids (TS). Water quality data from reservoirs from 2003 to 2020 were used, which were provided by the Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo (CETESB), Brazil. The adjusted modified WQI employing weight redistribution (WQIRWAdj or WQISOL) presented the most promising results, with a Pearson correlation of 0.92 and a success rate of 72.6% and 97.0% for the CETESB and simplified classifications, respectively. WQISOL, which was proposed in the present study, exhibited a satisfactory performance, allowing the water quality of reservoirs to be monitored remotely and in real-time.