bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens QST713 on Inter-Root Substrate Environment of Cucumber under Low-Calcium Stress
Authors: Li Bin , Zhang Li , Wei Lincao , Yang Yujie , Wang Zhexuan , Qiao Bo , Han Lingjuan
Published: March 2024

(1) Background: Low-calcium stress can have adverse effects on the rhizosphere environment of cucumber, subsequently impacting cucumber growth. However, plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria can directly or indirectly enhance plant growth and induce plant tolerance, thereby mitigating the detrimental effects of low-calcium stress on cucumber growth. This study aims to elucidate the role of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens QST713 in the rhizosphere environment of cucumber under low-calcium stress, providing a theoretical basis for the application and promotion of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. (2) Methods: This study used the ‘JinYou NO.4′ cucumber variety as test material, setting four treatments of CK, CK+Q, LCa, LCa+Q. We conducted measurements of plant height and stem diameter for four groups of cucumber plants: before treatment (0 d), and at 10 d, 20 d, 30 d, and 60 d after treatment. Additionally, we determined the biomass of cucumber plants under different treatments during the peak fruiting period. Inter-root matrix samples of cucumber were collected during the fruiting late period, and the physical and chemical properties and nutrient contents of the inter-root matrix of cucumber were determined, and bacterial microbial diversity and bacterial microbial communities were analysed using Illumina-MiSeq high-throughput sequencing technology. (3) Results: Low-calcium stress significantly inhibits the growth of cucumber plants. However, the application of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens QST713 effectively mitigates the inhibitory effects of low-calcium stress on cucumber growth. The application of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens QST713 was able to improve the physicochemical environment of the matrix and enhanced the absorption and utilisation of matrix nutrients in cucumber. The high-throughput sequencing analysis showed that the richness and diversity of bacterial communities and the number of bacteria decreased significantly under low-calcium stress, and increased significantly after the application of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens QST713. The composition of the dominant bacterial groups of the inter-root matrix of cucumber was basically the same among the four treatments, and the main difference was in the abundance of bacteria. The application of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens QST713 increased the relative abundance of bacteria that decreased under low-calcium stress, and decreased the relative abundance of bacteria that increased under low-calcium stress. (4) Conclusions: The results of this study elucidated the positive effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens QST713 on the growth and inter-root environment of cucumber under low-calcium stress, and provided a theoretical basis for in-depth research on the resistance of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and its popularised application.
Exploring Candidate Genes and Regulatory Mechanisms for Salt–Alkali Tolerance in Cucumber
Authors: Zhang Fan , Zhang Junming , Li Qifeng , Yang Yang , Sheng Yunyan
Published: March 2024

Soil salinization is one of the main problems faced by modern agricultural production, especially cucumber production. This study screened the salt–alkali-tolerant cultivar ‘D1909’ and the salt–alkali-sensitive cultivar ‘D1604’ from 32 different cucumber ecological types on the basis of morphological indicators and salt–alkali indices combined with relevant physiological and biochemical indices. By performing a transcriptome metabolome analysis, the key gene CsSRG1, which is responsive to salt–alkali stress in cucumber, was screened, and its function was verified. The role of CsSRG1 in reducing salt–alkali stress in cucumber was clarified, and the mechanism of salt–alkali tolerance in cucumber was preliminarily explored. This study provides germplasm resources for cucumber salt–alkali tolerance breeding and a theoretical basis for the effective use of saline alkali soil to achieve high quality and high yield in other crops.
Plastic Pollution in Agriculture as a Threat to Food Security, the Ecosystem, and the Environment: An Overview
Authors: Lakhiar Imran Ali , Yan Haofang , Zhang Jianyun , Wang Guoqing , Deng Shuaishuai , Bao Rongxuan , Zhang Chuan , Syed Tabinda Naz , Wang Biyu , Zhou Rui , Wang Xuanxuan
Published: March 2024

Plastic products in plant production and protection help farmers increase crop production, enhance food quality, and reduce global water use and their environmental footprint. Simultaneously, plastic has emerged as a critical ecological issue in recent years, and its pollution has significantly impacted soil, water, and plants. Thus, this review examines the multifaceted problems of plastic pollution in agriculture as a risk to food security, the ecosystem, and the environment. The study’s objective was to review and present the most recent information on using different plastic products in agriculture, the sources of plastic pollution, the advantages and drawbacks of using plastic products, and the strategies for mitigating plastic pollution in agriculture. Furthermore, after examining current plastic applications, benefits, adverse effects, and risks to soil, plants, and the environment, we addressed the requirements for technological advancements, regulations, and social processes that could contribute to mitigating plastic pollution in our ecosystems. We identified different pathways toward more sustainable use of plastics in agriculture and discussed future research directions.
A Retrospective Study on the Status of Working Equids Admitted to an Equine Clinic in Cairo: Disease Prevalence and Associations between Physical Parameters and Outcome
Authors: Benedetti Beatrice , Freccero Francesca , Barton Jill , Elmallah Farah , Refat Sandy , Padalino Barbara
Published: March 2024

Working equids are often used to exhaustion, living and dying in conditions below minimal welfare standards. Due to their poor welfare status, euthanasia should be considered in certain conditions. The study aimed to describe the population and the disease frequency of the working equids admitted at an equine clinic in Cairo (i.e., Egypt Equine Aid (EEA)) from 2019 to 2022 and identify possible associations between physical parameters at admission and the outcome. Records of 1360 equids admitted at EEA were reviewed. The majority of the admitted equids were horses (65.6%), followed by donkeys (33%), in particular stallions (68.7%), from 1 to 15 years old (74.8%). Hospitalisation was mainly due to wounds (28.9%), orthopaedic problems (27.4%), colic (8.5%), or infectious diseases (7.4%). The majority of the equids were discharged, but 5.1% died on their own, without human intervention, and 23% were euthanised. Text mining revealed the anamnesis’s most frequent words were ‘accident’, ‘lameness’, and ‘wound’. In addition, owners sometimes reported using inappropriate remedies (e.g., firing) before hospitalisation. Multivariable ordinal regression analysis performed between physical parameters and the outcome (ordered based on severity: discharged, euthanasia, and dead) revealed that sex (male vs. female: OR = 1.33; p < 0.05), colour of the mucous membrane (pathological vs. physiological: OR = 1.72; p < 0.01), and capillary refill time (pathological vs. physiological: OR = 1.42; p = 0.02) increased the likelihood of a non-survival outcome. In conclusion, early euthanasia should be considered for these equids, to minimise prolonged suffering. Moreover, owners’ education is recommended to guarantee minimal welfare standards to the working equids.
Methods to Isolate Muscle Stem Cells for Cell-Based Cultured Meat Production: A Review
Authors: Lee Jae-Hoon , Kim Tae-Kyung , Kang Min-Cheol , Park Minkyung , Choi Yun-Sang
Published: March 2024

Cultured meat production relies on various cell types, including muscle stem cells (MuSCs), embryonic stem cell lines, induced pluripotent cell lines, and naturally immortalized cell lines. MuSCs possess superior muscle differentiation capabilities compared to the other three cell lines, making them key for cultured meat development. Therefore, to produce cultured meat using MuSCs, they must first be effectively separated from muscles. At present, the methods used to isolate MuSCs from muscles include (1) the pre-plating method, using the ability of cells to adhere differently, which is a biological characteristic of MuSCs; (2) the density gradient centrifugation method, using the intrinsic density difference of cells, which is a physical characteristic of MuSCs; and (3) fluorescence- and magnetic-activated cell sorting methods, using the surface marker protein on the cell surface of MuSCs, which is a molecular characteristic of MuSCs. Further efficient and valuable methods for separating MuSCs are expected to be required as the cell-based cultured meat industry develops. Thus, we take a closer look at the four methods currently in use and discuss future development directions in this review.
Oregano Essential Oil as a Natural Plant Additive Affects Growth Performance and Serum Antibody Levels by Regulating the Rumen Microbiota of Calves
Authors: Luo Zhihao , Liu Ting , Cairang Dongzhu , Cheng Shuru , Hu Jiang , Shi Bingang , Zhu Hui , Chen Huan , Zhang Tao , Yi Xuejiao
Published: March 2024

This experiment aimed to investigate whether supplementation of calves with different doses of oregano essential oil (OEO) could promote the development of the gastrointestinal tract and enhance the immune ability of calves by regulating the rumen microbiota. Twenty-four 70-day-old healthy and disease-free Holstein male calves were randomly divided into four groups, with the control group fed a basal diet, and the treatment group provided 4 g, 6 g, and 8 g of oregano essential oil per day in addition to the basal diet. After the 14-day pre-test, a 56-day formal test was conducted. At days 0 and 56 of the standard test period, calves were weighed, the average daily weight gain of calves during the test period was calculated, and serum samples were collected to measure the concentration of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, and IgM) in the serum; at day 56 of the formal test period, rumen fluid was collected from the calves, and 16SrRNA was sequenced to analyze changes in the rumen microbiota of the calves. The changes in the rumen microbiota of calves were analyzed by 16SrRNA sequencing. The results of the study showed that (1) OEO supplementation in calves significantly increased end weight and average daily gain (p < 0.05); (2) OEO supplementation in calves significantly increased serum concentrations of immunoglobulins IgA and IgM (p < 0.05); (3) OEO supplementation in calves significantly increased the abundance and diversity of rumen microbial organisms (p < 0.05); (4) OEO supplementation in calves significantly regulates the relative abundance of some species, and biomarkers with significant differences were screened by LEfSe analysis: g_Turicibacter, g_Romboutsia, f_Peptostreptococcaceae, f_Clostridiaceae, g_Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, o_Clostridiales, g_unclassified_f_Synergistaceae, c_Coriobacteriia, o_Coriobacteriales, f_Atopobiaceae, g_Olsenella, p_Actinobacteriota, g_Defluviitaleaceae_UCG-011, f_Defluviitaleaceae, o_Corynebacteriales, g_Corynebacterium, f_Corynebacteriaceae, g_Shuttleworthia, f_Hungateiclostridiaceae, o_norank_c_Clostridia, g_Saccharofermentans, g_Streptococcus, f_Streptococcaceae, g_unclassified_o_Oscillospirales, and f_unclassified_o_Oscillospirales (p < 0.05, LDA ≥ 3); and (5) OEO supplementation in calves significantly enriched the metabolism of cofactors and vitamins pathway (p < 0.05). (6) Using Superman’s correlation analysis, we screened unclassified_c_Clostridia, Shuttleworthia, and Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, three beneficial strains for calves. (7) Daily supplementation with 8g of OEO significantly affected rumen microbiota regulation in calves.
The Mediterranean Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis (Mollusca: Bivalvia) in Chile: Distribution and Genetic Structure of a Recently Introduced Invasive Marine Species
Authors: Oyarzún Pablo A. , Toro Jorge E. , Nuñez José J. , Ruiz-Tagle Gonzalo , Gardner Jonathan P. A.
Published: March 2024

The genetic characteristics of invasive species have a significant impact on their ability to establish and spread. The blue mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis), native to the Mediterranean Sea, is a leading invasive species of intertidal coasts throughout much of the world. Here, we used mitochondrial DNA sequence data to investigate the genetic diversity and phylogeographic structure of invasive (M. galloprovincialis) versus native (Mytilus chilensis) populations of blue mussels in Chile. We evaluated whether genetic diversity in invasive populations could be explained by the genetic characteristics of the native sources from which they might be derived. A phylogenetic analysis confirmed two lineages of the invasive M. galloprovincialis, i.e., the NW Atlantic and the Mediterranean lineages. We found no evidence of genetic structure in the invasive range of M. galloprovincialis in Chile, most probably because of its recent arrival. We did, however, detect a spatial mixture of both M. galloprovincialis lineages at sampling locations along the Chilean coast, giving rise to higher levels of genetic diversity in some areas compared to the population of native M. chilensis. The coastal area of the invasion is still small in extent (~100 km on either side of two large ports), which supports the hypothesis of a recent introduction. Further expansion of the distribution range of M. galloprovincialis may be limited to the north by increasing water temperatures and to the south by a natural biogeographic break that may slow or perhaps stop its spread. The use of internal borders as a tool to minimise or prevent M. galloprovincialis spread is therefore a genuine management option in Chile but needs to be implemented rapidly.
A New Species of the Genus Pseudocalotes (Squamata: Agamidae) from Southwest Yunnan, China
Authors: Xu Yuhao , Gong Yanan , Hou Mian , Weng Shiyang , Liu Shuo , Deng Jundong , Hu Junkang , Peng Lifang
Published: March 2024

In this study, a new species of the genus Pseudocalotes is described from Yingjiang County, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China, based on four female specimens. It can be distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) interoculabials 3 or 4; (2) canthals 5–7; (3) cicrcumorbitals 8–11; (4) 1 scale between rostral and nasal; (5) interparietal 1; (6) superciliaries 4–6; (7) supralabials 6–7, the 1st in contact with the nasal; (8) infralabials 6–8; (9) transverse gular fold and antehumeral fold present; (10) 2–3 enlarged scales between eye and ear; (11) nuchal crest single, consists of 3–5 erected spines; (12) dorsal crest row single, discontinuous and low, located between two keeled, parallel and enlarged scale rows; (13) enlarged postrictals absent; (14) scales around midbody 53–62, dorsal body scales heterogenous in size and shape; (15) midventrals smaller than dorsals; (16) subdigital scales on the 4th finger 20–26, and on the 4th toe 24–29; (17) dorsal background coloration light taupe with four irregular brown patches along the middle of dorsal; (18) inner lips wathet, tongue aurantiacus, throat bluish black. The population from Yingjiang County was nested within a highly supported lineage, formed a sister taxon with P. kakhienensis (SH 97/UFB 100) and according to the p-distance, the new species differed from its congeners by 14.5% to 35.2% for NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) and 15.5% to 25.0% for NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4).
Melanoma Brain Metastases: Immunotherapy or Targeted Therapy? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses
Authors: Onofrio Livia , Gaeta Aurora , D’Ecclesiis Oriana , Cugliari Giovanni , Gandini Sara , Queirolo Paola
Published: March 2024

Background. Brain metastases are one of the leading causes of death in melanoma patients. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to look at the variables that affect melanoma patients’ intracranial treatment responses to immunotherapy and targeted therapy. Methods. A systematic search of PubMed and Scopus up to December 2023 was conducted to identify trials investigating treatment response of melanoma brain metastasis. This meta-analysis presents summary estimates (SEs) of treatment response and odd ratios (ORs) for the comparison between symptomatic and asymptomatic metastases. Generalised linear mixed models were used for the SE of the proportion of clinical responses and 95% CIs are reported. We investigated between-study heterogeneity using meta-regression. Results. We included 19 independent clinical trials for a total of 1074 patients with brain metastases. The SE of the overall response was 36% 95%CI [27%; 47%], I2 = 84%, similar to the SE for symptomatic metastases: SE = 29% 95%CI [16%; 47%], I2 = 80%. A significantly higher response of symptomatic metastases was observed between patients who had previously received immunotherapy compared to those who had not (47% vs. 9%, p-value = 0.001). The SE was greater for asymptomatic metastases (38% 95%CI [29%; 49%], I2 = 80%), and among these, patients that received the combo-immunotherapy importantly responded more than those who had received monotherapy (45% vs. 26.1%, p-value = 0.002). The major limit of our analysis is the absence of data about the specific intracranial response separately in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients in seven studies. Conclusions. This study shows the importance of starting immunotherapy as early as possible in asymptomatic patients. Randomised trials with greater statistical power are needed to find the best strategies for symptomatic and asymptomatic brain metastases.
Numerical Heat Transfer Simulation of Oil Shale Large-Size Downhole Heater
Authors: Bu Qingfeng , Li Qiang , Li Xiaole
Published: March 2024

Downhole heaters are critical for effectively achieving in situ oil shale cracking. In this study, we simulate the heat transfer performance of a large-scale helical baffle downhole heater under various operational conditions. The findings indicate that at 160 m3/h and 6 kW the outlet temperature can reach 280 °C. Controlling heating power or increasing the injected gas flow effectively mitigates heat accumulation on the heating rod’s surface. The outlet temperature curve exhibits two phases. Simultaneously, a balance in energy exchange between the injected gas and heating power occurs, mitigating high-temperature hotspots. Consequently, the outlet temperature cannot attain the theoretical maximum temperature, referred to as the actual maximum temperature. Employing h/∆p13 as the indicator to evaluate heat transfer performance, optimal performance occurs at 100 m3/h. Heat transfer performance at 200 m3/h is significantly impacted by heating power, with the former being approximately 6% superior to the latter. Additionally, heat transfer performance is most stable below 160 m3/h. The gas heating process is categorized into three stages based on temperature distribution characteristics within the heater: rapid warming, stable warming, and excessive heating. The simulation findings suggest that the large-size heater can inject a higher flow rate of heat-carrying gas into the subsurface, enabling efficient oil shale in situ cracking.
Efficient Sampling of Two-Stage Multi-Person Pose Estimation and Tracking from Spatiotemporal
Authors: Lin Song , Hou Wenjun
Published: March 2024

Tracking the articulated poses of multiple individuals in complex videos is a highly challenging task due to a variety of factors that compromise the accuracy of estimation and tracking. Existing frameworks often rely on intricate propagation strategies and extensive exchange of flow data between video frames. In this context, we propose a spatiotemporal sampling framework that addresses the degradation of frames at the feature level, offering a simple yet effective network block. Our spatiotemporal sampling mechanism empowers the framework to extract meaningful features from neighboring video frames, thereby optimizing the accuracy of pose detection in the current frame. This approach results in significant improvements in running latency. When evaluated on the COCO dataset and the mixed dataset, our approach outperforms other methods in terms of average precision (AP), recall rate (AR), and acceleration ratio. Specifically, we achieve a 3.7% increase in AP, a 1.77% increase in AR, and a speedup of 1.51 times compared to mainstream state-of-the-art (SOTA) methods. Furthermore, when evaluated on the PoseTrack2018 dataset, our approach demonstrates superior accuracy in multi-object tracking, as measured by the multi-object tracking accuracy (MOTA) metric. Our method achieves an impressive 11.7% increase in MOTA compared to the prevailing SOTA methods.
Improved Adversarial Transfer Network for Bearing Fault Diagnosis under Variable Working Conditions
Authors: Wang Jun , Ahmed Hosameldin , Chen Xuefeng , Yan Ruqiang , Nandi Asoke K.
Published: March 2024

Bearings are one of the critical components of rotating machinery, and their failure can cause catastrophic consequences. In this regard, previous studies have proposed a variety of intelligent diagnosis methods. Most existing bearing fault diagnosis methods implicitly assume that the training and test sets are from the same distribution. However, in real scenarios, bearings have been working in complex and changeable working environments for a long time. The data during their working processes and the data used for model training cannot meet this condition. This paper proposes an improved adversarial transfer network for fault diagnosis under variable working conditions. Specifically, this paper combines an adversarial transfer network with a short-time Fourier transform to obtain satisfactory results with the lighter network. Then, this paper employs a channel attention module to enhance feature fusion. Moreover, this paper designs a novel domain discrepancy hybrid metric loss to improve model transfer learning performance. Finally, this paper verifies the method’s effectiveness on three datasets, including dual-rotor, a Case Western Reserve University dataset and the Ottawa dataset. The proposed method achieves average accuracy, surpassing other methods, and shows better domain alignment capabilities.
Exploring New Fruit- and Vegetable-Derived Rennet for Cheese Making
Authors: Pacifico Severina , Caputo Emilia , Piccolella Simona , Mandrich Luigi
Published: March 2024

Cheese production is an ancient practice to preserve a perishable food, such as milk, for a long time. The first step of cheese processing involves the addition of rennet, which contains the enzymes necessary for the hydrolysis and coagulation of the caseins present in milk. Typically, animal-derived rennet, such as calf rennet containing chymosin, are used as source of enzymes for cheese processing. Alternatively, microbial chymosin or recombinant chymosin is used. However, recently, plant-derived rennet such as the ones derived from thistle and bitter orange flowers and from artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus) have also been demonstrated to be valid sources of enzymes for cheese processing. Therefore, herein, different plant and fruit extracts were tested and compared for their ability to coagulate milk caseins. In particular, beyond artichoke and cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) extracts, those from pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.), papaya (Carica papaya L.), common fig (Ficus carica L.) milky sap, and oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex Fr.) P. Kumm.) were investigated for their proteolytic, esterase, and milk-clotting activities. The extracts were then exploited as vegetable and fruit rennet for the experimental production of cheeses, which were examined, after 30 days of maturation, for their moisture, fat, protein, and free fatty acid (FFA) content. Interestingly, the artichoke, cardoon, and thistle mushroom extracts showed high proteolytic activity compared to calf rennet, while the level of esterase activity appeared to be similar for all the extracts. The papaya extract showed the lowest proteolytic and esterase activity. Although the pH, moisture, fat, and protein contents were very similar to those of cheese made with calf rennet, the medium- and long-chain FFAs broadly differed among produced cheeses, with variations in the lipid quality indices.
Inhibition of Advanced Glycation End Products and NADPH Oxidase by Cirsium japonicum in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Choi Jihye , Park Chan-Hum , Song In-Bong , Lee Sangmin , Choi Hwal , Youn Dong-Hyuk , Han Sung-Woo , Jeon Jin-Pyeong , Kwon Jungkee
Published: March 2024

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and their receptor cause diabetic liver disease by increasing oxidative stress and inflammation. We investigate the potential therapeutic benefits of Cirsium japonicum (CJ) in preventing the progression of diabetes, focusing on complications for both liver and kidney health associated with AGEs. Streptozotocin (STZ, 30 mg/kg) was injected into SD rats and CJ (50, 100 mg/kg) was orally administered for 4 weeks. CJ treatment led to a marked reduction in key diabetic markers (glucose, reaction oxygen species, and lactate dehydrogenase), compared with the rats treated only with STZ. Moreover, the hepatic tissues of STZ-treated rats exhibited heightened biomarkers associated with AGE induction and formation, and these were notably attenuated in the CJ-treated rats. This effectively alleviated oxidative stress, inflammation, and AGE accumulation in the liver. Similarly, in the context of diabetic nephropathy, CJ treatment resulted in significant improvements in the rats with STZ-induced diabetes. Biomarkers associated with AGE induction and formation were significantly reduced in CJ-treated rats, demonstrating the ability of CJ to combat renal oxidative stress, inflammation, and AGE-related complications in diabetic nephropathy. CJ thus shows potential as a promising natural remedy that might mitigate the detrimental effects of diabetes on both the liver and kidneys through its anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, and anti-AGE activities. These findings suggest that CJ is a beneficial agent for preventing and treating diabetic complications.
Exposure to PM2.5 on Public Transport: Guidance for Field Measurements with Low-Cost Sensors
Authors: Fameli Kyriaki-Maria , Moustris Konstantinos , Spyropoulos Georgios , Rodanas Dimitrios-Michael
Published: March 2024

Air pollution is one of the most important problems in big cities, resulting in adverse health effects. The aim of the present study was to characterize the personal exposure to indoor and outdoor pollution in the Greater Athens Area in Greece by taking measurements during a journey from suburban to mixed industrial–urban areas, encompassing walking, waiting, bus travel, and metro travel at various depths. For this reason, low-cost (LC) sensors were used, and the inhaled dose of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than or equal to 2.5 μm (PM2.5) in different age groups of passengers was calculated. Specific bus routes and the Athens metro network were monitored throughout different hours of the day. Then, the average particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure for a metro passenger was calculated and evaluated. By considering the ventilation rate of a passenger, an estimation of the total PM2.5 inhaled dose for males and females as well as for different age groups was made. The results showed that the highest PM2.5 concentrations were observed inside the wagons with significant increases during rush hours or after rush hours. Furthermore, there should be a concern regarding older individuals using the subway network in Athens during rush hours and in general for sensitive groups (people with asthma, respiratory and cardiovascular problems, etc.).
Assessment of the Sensitivity of the Mean Climate Simulation over West Africa to Planetary Boundary Layer Parameterization Using RegCM5 Regional Climate Model
Authors: Silué Foungnigué , Diawara Adama , Koné Brahima , Diedhiou Arona , Kouassi Adjon Anderson , Kouassi Benjamin Komenan , Yoroba Fidèle , Bamba Adama , Kouadio Kouakou , Tiémoko Dro Touré , Yapo Assi Louis Martial , Koné Dianicoura Ibrahim , Famien Adjoua Moise Landry
Published: March 2024

This study evaluates the performance of two planetary boundary parameterizations in simulating the mean climate of West Africa using the Regional Climate Model version 5 (RegCM5). These planetary boundary parameterizations are the Holtslag scheme and the University of Washington scheme. Two sets of three one-year simulations were carried out at 25 km horizontal resolution with three different initial conditions. The first set of simulations used the Holtslag scheme (hereafter referred to as Hol), while the second used the University of Washington (UW) scheme (hereafter referred to as UW). The results displayed in this study are an average of the three simulations. During the JJAS rainy season, with respect to GPCP, both models overestimated total rainfall in the orographic regions. The UW experiment represented total rainfall fairly well compared to its counterpart, Hol. Both models reproduced convective rainfall well, with a relatively weak dry bias over the Guinean coast subregion. Globally, UW performed better than Hol in simulating precipitation. The pattern of near-surface temperature in both models was well reproduced with a higher bias with Hol than with UW. Indeed, the UW scheme led to a cooling effect owing to the reduction in eddy heat diffusivity in the lower troposphere contributing to reduce the bias. As a consequence, the height of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) was best simulated using the UW scheme but was underestimated compared to ERA5, while using the Hol scheme failed to capture the height of the PBL. This is coherent with the distribution of total cloud cover, which was better simulated with the UW scheme compared to the Hol scheme. This study shows that use of both planetary boundary parameterizations leads to a good simulation of most of the climatological characteristics of the West African region. Nevertheless, use of the UW scheme contributes to a better performance than use of the Hol scheme, and the differentiation between the two schemes is significant along the Guinea Coast and in orographic regions. In these topographically complex regions, UW appears to be more appropriate than Hol. This study emphasizes the importance of planetary boundary parameterizations for accurately simulating climate variables and for improving climate forecasts and projections in West Africa.
Norm and Numerical Radius Inequalities for Sums of Power Series of Operators in Hilbert Spaces
Authors: Altwaijry Najla , Dragomir Silvestru Sever , Feki Kais
Published: March 2024

The main focus of this paper is on establishing inequalities for the norm and numerical radius of various operators applied to a power series with the complex coefficients h(λ)=∑k=0∞akλk and its modified version ha(λ)=∑k=0∞|ak|λk. The convergence of h(λ) is assumed on the open disk D(0,R), where R is the radius of convergence. Additionally, we explore some operator inequalities related to these concepts. The findings contribute to our understanding of operator behavior in bounded operator spaces and offer insights into norm and numerical radius inequalities.
Identification and Validation of a PEX5-Dependent Signature for Prognostic Prediction in Glioma
Authors: Qin Xuhui , Wang Bing , Lu Xia , Song Yanyang , Wang Wei
Published: March 2024

Gliomas, the most prevalent and lethal form of brain cancer, are known to exhibit metabolic alterations that facilitate tumor growth, invasion, and resistance to therapies. Peroxisomes, essential organelles responsible for fatty acid oxidation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis, rely on the receptor PEX5 for the import of metabolic enzymes into their matrix. However, the prognostic significance of peroxisomal enzymes for glioma patients remains unclear. In this study, we elucidate that PEX5 is indispensable for the cell growth, migration, and invasion of glioma cells. We establish a robust prognosis model based on the expression of peroxisomal enzymes, whose localization relies on PEX5. This PEX5-dependent signature not only serves as a robust prognosis model capable of accurately predicting outcomes for glioma patients, but also effectively distinguishes several clinicopathological features, including the grade, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation, and 1p19q codeletion status. Furthermore, we developed a nomogram that integrates the prognostic model with other clinicopathological factors, demonstrating highly accurate performance in estimating patient survival. Patients classified into the high-risk group based on our prognostic model exhibited an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Finally, our validation reveals that the elevated expression of GSTK1, an antioxidant enzyme within the signature, promotes the cell growth and migration of glioma cells, with this effect dependent on the peroxisomal targeting signal recognized by PEX5. These findings identify the PEX5-dependent signature as a promising prognostic tool for gliomas.
Effects of Different Capsulotomy and Fragmentation Energy Levels on the Generation of Oxidative Stress Following Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery
Authors: Han Sang Beom , Liu Yu-Chi , Setiawan Melina , Lee Isabelle Xin Yu , Patil Moushmi , Ong Hon Shing , Mehta Jodhbir S.
Published: March 2024

Purpose. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different capsulotomy and fragmentation energy levels on the production of oxidative free radicals following femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) with a low-energy platform. Methods. The experimental study included 60 porcine eyes (12 groups). In each group, capsulotomies with 90% or 150% energy, and fragmentations with 90%, 100%, or 150% energy or 150% with high spot density, respectively, were performed. Control samples were obtained from non-lasered eyes at the beginning (five eyes) and end (five eyes) of the experiment. In the clinical study, 104 eyes were divided into 5 groups, and they received conventional phacoemulsification (20 eyes), FLACS with 90% capsulotomy and 100% fragmentation energy levels without NSAIDs (16 eyes), FLACS with 90% (26 eyes) or 150% (22 eyes) capsulotomy energy levels, respectively, with a 100% fragmentation energy level and NSAIDs, and FLACS with 90% capsulotomy and 150% fragmentation energy levels and NSAIDs (20 eyes). Aqueous samples were analyzed for their malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Results. In the experimental study, there were no significant differences in the MDA and SOD levels between the groups with different capsulotomy energy levels. An increase in the fragmentation energy from 100% to 150% led to significantly higher MDA levels in the groups with both 90% (p = 0.04) and 150% capsulotomy energy levels (p = 0.03), respectively. However, increased laser spot densities did not result in significant changes in MDA or SOD levels. In the clinical study, all four of the FLACS groups showed higher MDA levels than the conventional group. Similarly, the increase in the fragmentation energy from 100% to 150% resulted in significantly elevated levels of MDA and SOD, respectively. Conclusions. Although increasing the FSL capsulotomy energy level may not have increased free radicals, higher fragmentation energy levels increased the generation of aqueous free radicals. However, fragmentation with high spot density did not generate additional oxidative stress. Increased spot density did not generate additional oxidative stress, and this can be helpful for dense cataracts.
The Influence of Geographical Environment on Public Social Trust: What Role Do Tourism Activities Play?
Authors: Gao Yang , Zhao Zhenbin , Ma Yaofeng , He Ping , Li Yuan
Published: March 2024

Social trust is derived from the interaction of environmental and social factors, which has important significance for the sustainable development of society and social governance. In particular, in the post-pandemic era, tourist activity will receive special attention in terms of its role in the development of the public’s social trust. On the basis of the sample of big data, this research takes China as an example to study the influences of different geographical and environmental elements on individuals’ social trust as well as the common role played by the tourist activity. The research showed that the geographical environment and tourism activities have interacting effects on public social trust. This influencing mechanism is specifically manifested as the rice-growing ratio and tourist reception level can have interacting effects on the social trust of the residents in a tourist destination; pathogen stress and tourist supply level can exert interacting effects on the social trust of the residents in an area from which tourists originate; and economic development and tourist reception level can have interacting effects on the social trust of the residents in a tourist destination. By doing so, this research provides theoretical support and practical suggestions for the recovery of the public’s social trust from the perspective of tourism geography in the post-pandemic era.
Study on Structural Parameter Sensitivity and the Force Transmission Mechanism of Steel–Concrete Joints in Hybrid Beam Bridges
Authors: Jia Lijun , Yuan Shanshan , Li Jiawei , Wu Tingying , Zhan Gangyi , Pei Huiteng
Published: March 2024

In this study, a refined model of the Shanghai Damaogang Bridge’s (hybrid beam type) box deck joints is established. The correctness of the model is verified by construction monitoring. For the front and back bearing plates, the force performance of the joint members under the most unfavorable loads is investigated, and the force transmission mechanism is analyzed. The influence of the bearing plate thickness and the joints’ stiffness on the stress distribution of the joint members, the internal force of the joints, and the force-transfer efficiency is investigated by the method of controlling variables, and the optimal structural parameters of the nodes are also studied. The results show that, within the proximity of the back bearing plate, the thickness of the back bearing plate affects stress distribution in the joint. The increased stiffness of the welding studs makes the range of shear force along the bridge direction of the top and bottom welding studs larger, and the longitudinal distribution of welding stud shear force is more uneven. The concrete structure bears a higher proportion of the internal force in the joint compared to the steel structure.
Machine Learning Modeling of Wheel and Non-Wheel Path Longitudinal Cracking
Authors: Alnaqbi Ali , Zeiada Waleed , Al-Khateeb Ghazi G. , Abuzwidah Muamer
Published: March 2024

Roads degrade over time due to various factors such as traffic loads, environmental conditions, and the quality of materials used. Significant investments have been poured into road construction globally, necessitating regular evaluations and the implementation of maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R) strategies to keep the infrastructure performing at a satisfactory level. The development and refinement of performance prediction models are essential for forecasting the condition of pavements, especially to address longitudinal cracking distress, a major issue in thick asphalt pavements. This research leverages multiple machine learning methods to create models predicting non-wheel path (NWP) and wheel path (WP) longitudinal cracking using data from the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program. This study highlights the marked differences in distress conditions between WP and NWP, underscoring the importance of precise models that cater to their unique features. Aging trends for both types of cracking were identified through correlation analysis, showing an increase in WP cracking with age and a higher initial International Roughness Index (IRI) linked to NWP cracking. Factors such as material characteristics, kinematic viscosity, pavement thickness, air voids, particle size distribution, temperature, KESAL, and asphalt properties were found to significantly influence both WP and NWP cracking. The Exponential Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) emerged as the best model for NWP cracking, showcasing exceptional accuracy with the lowest RMSE of 89.11, MSE of 7940.72, and an impressive R-Squared of 0.63. For WP cracking, the Squared Exponential GPR model was most effective, with the lowest RMSE of 12.00, MSE of 143.93, and a high R-Squared of 0.62. The GPR models, with specific kernels for each cracking type, proved their adaptability and efficiency in various pavement scenarios. A comparative analysis highlighted the superiority of our new machine learning model, which achieved an R2 of 0.767, outperforming previous empirical models, demonstrating the strength and precision of our machine learning approach in predicting longitudinal cracking.
Summer Thermal Challenges in Emergency Tents: Insights into Thermal Characteristics of Tents with Air Conditioning
Authors: Xiang Mingli , Liao Yuxuan , Jia Yonghong , Zhang Wentao , Long Enshen
Published: March 2024

Emergency tents face challenges in harsh weather conditions and sometimes require the use of air conditioning for indoor thermal environment control. However, their lightweight structure makes their control methods different from conventional buildings. This study focuses on the indoor thermal environment and thermal comfort of air-conditioned tents during summer. Through experimental measurements, this study captures the distribution of air temperatures and inner surface temperatures within a tent, thus providing an understanding of the characteristics of indoor thermal environment in air-conditioned settings. Additionally, the numerical simulations conducted using the ANSYS FLUENT 2021 R1 calculate the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and Predicted Percentage Dissatisfied (PPD), thus contributing to a detailed analysis of the indoor thermal comfort states. The experiment revealed that the mean radiative temperature (MRT) inside the tent can exceed the air temperature by more than 10 °C. Even when the air temperature is around 26 °C, the excessively high MRT can cause occupants to feel uncomfortable, with the PMV exceeding 1.4 and the PPD surpassing 50%. Furthermore, the high MRT results in an increased demand for cooling airflow, with the cooling loss through gaps becoming a significant part in the cooling load. To ensure a comfortable thermal environment, the air-conditioning set temperature needs to be adjusted according to the weather conditions. For instance, even at the same air temperature of 35 °C, when solar radiation increases from 400 W/m2 to 1000 W/m2, the set temperature needs to be reduced from 24.7 °C to 20.7 °C. The findings of this study provide an important reference for establishing summer air-conditioning strategies for emergency tents.
Interactions between Design Innovation and Educational Change in Non-Western Schools
Authors: Cardellino Paula , Deed Craig
Published: March 2024

In Western countries, school systems have employed modern school building designs as symbols for progressive and innovative educational change. Yet, how does this design symbolism change teaching and learning? To address this, we examine the challenges and complexities of innovative school design by drawing on case studies of preschool and primary-level schools from non-Western cultural contexts. A conceptual framework that links social, organisational, cultural, and material elements is used to analyse two new schools in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Uruguay that used modern school designs as a basis for changes to local pedagogical approaches. Our findings suggest that school building design is not able, by itself, to drive educational changes; and that there are inherent challenges involved in its alignment with localities in terms of staff cultures, student dynamics, and school organisation. Special focus is given to the design of the new school facilities, and the voice of educators in this process. The conclusion points out the need for an adaptive alignment between non-Western educational conventions and introduced education and design concepts.
The Effects of Sound Absorption of Stage House on the Acoustics of Auditorium in an Opera House
Authors: Gao Jianliang , Zhao Yuezhe , Pan Lili
Published: March 2024

The coupling effects between the stage house and the auditorium in opera houses make the sound field very complex. In the present study, the effects of stage absorption on the primary monaural objective room acoustic parameters in the seating area of an opera house in China were investigated by means of computer simulation and scaled model measurement. In computer simulations, the absorption coefficient of the ceiling and walls of the stage house was changed across several steps, and then a series of experiments were conducted in a 1:20 scaled hall with and without curtains and wall absorption on the stage to verify the simulation results. It was found that stage absorption has a significant influence on early decay time (EDT), reverberation time (RT) and clarity (C80) in the seating area, while the effect on sound strength (G) is much smaller. The values of EDT and RT decrease with an increase in sound absorption on the stage, while C80 displays an opposite trend. In addition, when the average absorption coefficient of the stage walls and ceiling is over 0.5, the variations in these four parameters due to the increase in stage absorption can be constrained within an acceptable range.
The Combined Use of Inflammation Markers, Modified Glasgow Prognostic Score, and Sarculator Nomogram in Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcoma: A Multicenter Observational Study
Authors: Nakamura Tomoki , Takenaka Satoshi , Outani Hidetatsu , Hagi Tomohito , Tamiya Hironari , Imura Yoshinori , Asanuma Kunihiro , Sudo Akihiro
Published: March 2024

Background: Sarculator is a validated nomogram designed to predict overall survival (OS) in extremity soft tissue sarcoma (STS). Inflammation plays a critical role in cancer development and progression. There were no reports which investigated the relationship between Sarculator and inflammation. Methods: A total of 217 patients with extremity STS were included. The Sarculator-predicted 10-year probability of OS (pr-OS) was stratified into two subgroups: lower risk (10-year pr-OS ≥ 60%) and higher risk (10-year pr-OS < 60%). The modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS) varied from 0 to 2. Results: Out of the 217 patients, 67 were classified as higher risk, while 150 were lower risk. A total of 181 patients had an mGPS of 0, and 36 had a score of 1 or 2. The 5-year OS was 83.3%. When patients were divided into two groups according to the 10-year pr-OS, those with a higher risk had poorer OS than those with a lower risk. Among the patients with a higher risk, those with an mGPS of 1 or 2 had poorer OS compared to those with a score of 0. Conclusions: The mGPS could potentially play an important role in identifying patients who are at high risk of death and metastasis in the higher-risk group on the Sarculator.