bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Differentiation of Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) Cultivars and Their Wild Relatives
Authors: Petrauskas Giedrius , Norkevičienė Eglė , Baistruk-Hlodan Lesia
Published: May 2023

Biodiversity of red clover is changing. It is become more difficult to find new breeding material. Moreover, populations with predominant morphological features of cultivars are more frequently found in wild habitats. Therefore, it is important to identify genetic structure and diversity within and among wild populations and cultivars worldwide. During this research, seed samples from wild red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) habitats were collected in different Lithuanian sites in nemoral environmental zone. Subsequently, samples were germinated in greenhouse and randomly taken for genetic analyses. ISSR fingerprints of 339 genotypes from 13 populations and 5 varieties were analysed. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) has shown high genetic variation within populations (83%). The highest polymorphism was identified in population pop2887 (PPL = 82.28%). Interestingly the polymorphism of varieties was high and ranged from 64.56 (‘Vytis’) to 83.54 (‘Liepsna’). Meanwhile, variance among populations was low—17%. Fixation index FST = 0.182 revealed high differentiation of the populations while gene flow was high with an exchange of 2.2474 migrants per generation. This revealed a high genetic diversity within populations and high gene flow between wild populations and cultivars in Lithuania.
Genome-Resolved Metagenomics of Nitrogen Transformations in the Switchgrass Rhizosphere Microbiome on Marginal Lands
Authors: White Richard Allen , Garoutte Aaron , Mclachlan Emily E. , Tiemann Lisa K. , Evans Sarah , Friesen Maren L.
Published: May 2023

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) remains the preeminent American perennial (C4) bioenergy crop for cellulosic ethanol, that could help displace over a quarter of the US current petroleum consumption. Intriguingly, there is often little response to nitrogen fertilizer once stands are established. The rhizosphere microbiome plays a critical role in nitrogen cycling and overall plant nutrient uptake. We used high-throughput metagenomic sequencing to characterize the switchgrass rhizosphere microbial community before and after a nitrogen fertilization event for established stands on marginal land. We examined community structure and bulk metabolic potential, and resolved 29 individual bacteria genomes via metagenomic de novo assembly. Community structure and diversity were not significantly different before and after fertilization; however, the bulk metabolic potential of carbohydrate-active enzymes was depleted after fertilization. We resolved 29 metagenomic assembled genomes, including some from the ‘most wanted’ soil taxa such as Verrucomicrobia, Candidate phyla UBA10199, Acidobacteria (rare subgroup 23), Dormibacterota, and the very rare Candidatus Eisenbacteria. The Dormibacterota (formally candidate division AD3) we identified have the potential for autotrophic CO utilization, which may impact carbon partitioning and storage. Our study also suggests that the rhizosphere microbiome may be involved in providing associative nitrogen fixation (ANF) via the novel diazotroph Janthinobacterium to switchgrass.
Olfactory Enrichment in Hoary Foxes (Lycalopex vetulus LUND 1842): A Case Study
Authors: Figueira Milene de Paula , Silva Ita de Oliveira e , Boere Vanner
Published: May 2023

We have tested a method of olfactory environmental enrichment in hoary foxes used in other wild canids in captivity. The individuals were exposed to four olfactory stimuli (meat, mouse urine, cheese, and egg) that were wrapped in cotton bags outside the enclosures at the zoo for five minutes. Behavioral observations were performed using the focal animal method, and all occurrences were recorded. The pre-exposure phase (Basal), exposure phase (Exp), and post-exposure phase and Basal phase (Pos) were analyzed for a period of five minutes. Behavioral responses were categorized as positive, negative, or other. Positive behavior tended to increase (p = 0.07) from the Basal phase to the Exp phase, but there was no statistical difference (p = 0.31) between the phases. Negative and other behavior did not differ statistically from the Basal phase to the Exp phase (N−, p = 0.32; Ot, p = 0.35) or Basal to the Pos phase (N−, p = 0.18; Ot, p = 0.92). The odors used seemed to elicit positive behavior weakly. Negative behavior was stable for the hoary foxes. The method failed to improve the hoary foxes’ welfare. Because their natural diet is based on insects and fruits, it is suggested that the stimuli used in this study have no appetitive value for hoary foxes. The method used with the same olfactory stimuli that were successful in other canid species is unsuitable for hoary foxes.
Karyotypic and Molecular Analysis of Pterygoplichthys pardalis (Castelnau 1855) from the Lower Amazon River
Authors: dos Santos Guimarães Alcimara , Maciel Luan Aércio Melo , de Souza Mendelshon Fujiie Belém , Rodrigues Luís Reginaldo Ribeiro
Published: May 2023

Pterygoplichthys pardalis is an armored catfish native to South America and an important resource for the ornamental fish industry. Recently, several exotic populations have been introduced into rivers on five continents. Despite its commercial and environmental importance, P. pardalis is poorly studied from a genetic perspective. In this study, we analyzed the karyotype of P. pardalis from the Amazon River and molecular variations in the mitochondrial gene Cytochrome oxidase I (COI) between native and exotic populations. The karyotype presented diploid number 2n = 52 and NF = 100 without cytogenetic variation between males and females. Nucleolus organizer regions (Ag-NOR) in the distal region of the long arm of pair 12 coincided with the 18S hybridization signal, whereas 5S was syntenic to this chromosome but localized in the short arm. The constitutive heterochromatin was restricted in the distal regions of pairs 4, 12, 25, and 26. Telomeric probes showed only distal hybridization signals. The karyotype of P. pardalis diverged from that of its congeners, and COI molecular variation revealed four haplotypes. The Philippine population revealed the greatest diversity with three haplotypes, while haplotype H1 was the most abundant and observed in both native and exotic populations. This new genetic data contributes to species management and provides useful information from an aquaculture perspective.
Fishermen Interviews: A Cost-Effective Tool for Evaluating the Impact of Fisheries on Vulnerable Sea Turtles in Tunisia and Identifying Levers of Mitigation
Authors: Louhichi Maissa , Girard Alexandre , Jribi Imed
Published: May 2023

Fisheries bycatch is considered one of the main threats to sea turtles. To provide an updated assessment of the bycatch impact on loggerhead turtles in Tunisia, 483 interviews were conducted with fishermen in 19 ports along the Gulfs of Gabes and Hammamet. The interview questions included data on vessel and fishing gear characteristics, monthly fishing effort, and monthly sea turtle bycatch of the last year. Results revealed that sea turtle bycatch per unit effort (BPUE) was the highest for ray nets (0.73 turtles/vessel/day, 95% CI [0.02–1.15]), followed by pelagic longlines (0.6 turtles/vessel/day, 95% CI [0–4.23]) and shark nets (0.4 turtles/vessel/day, 95% CI [0–2.12]). However, due to the trawlers’ high fishing effort, the cumulative impact of the trawl nets was the highest with an estimated number of 11,740 (95% CI [0–41,525.75]) turtles caught per year in Tunisia. Factors influencing the bycatch risk were gear characteristics (mesh size for nets, hook size for longlines, vertical opening for trawls), as well as season and location of operations. These factors will guide the research of mitigation solutions. The interviews with fishermen proved to be a cost-effective approach for the rapid assessment of sea turtle interactions with fisheries in the context of Tunisia.
Synergistic Inhibition of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by Melaleuca alternifolia Chell (Tea Tree) and Eucalyptus globulus Labill. Essential Oils in Association with Oxacillin
Authors: Iseppi Ramona , Condò Carla , Messi Patrizia
Published: May 2023

The presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has become a major therapeutic priority. This trend indicates the need for alternative agents to antibiotics, such as natural compounds of plant origin. By assessing membrane permeability, we investigated the antimicrobial activity of Melaleuca alternifolia and Eucalyptus globulus essential oils (EOs) against three strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Using the checkerboard method, the efficacy of single EOs, in association with each other or in combination with oxacillin, was quantified by calculating the fractional inhibitory concentrations (FIC Index). All EOs showed a reduction in bacterial load, an alteration of membrane permeability which leads to an increase in its function, resulting in the release of nucleic acids and proteins. The treatment with EO–oxacillin combinations and associated EO–EO resulted in a synergistic effect in most of the tests performed. EO–EO association showed a high activity in the alteration of the membrane, increasing the permeability to about 80% in all the MRSA strains treated. In conclusion, the combination of EOs and antibiotics represents a valid therapeutic support against MRSA bacteria, allowing for a decrease in the antibiotic concentration needed for therapeutic use.
Physical Exercise Mitigates Salivary Gland and Saliva Damages in Rats Exposed to Binge-like Ethanol Pattern
Authors: Peinado Beatriz Rodrigues Risuenho , Aragão Walessa Alana Bragança , Pereira Cristian dos Santos , da Silva Diane Cleydes Baia , Ferreira Railson de Oliveira , Chaves-Neto Antônio Hernandes , Fernandes Luanna Melo Pereira , Lima Rafael Rodrigues
Published: May 2023

Heavy episodic ethanol (EtOH) consumption is a typical pattern, especially among younger people. The therapeutic effect of exercise on EtOH damage has not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether moderate exercise can reduce the damage generated by ethanol consumption in salivary glands and saliva. Thus, 32 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control (sedentary animals treated with water); training (trained animals treated with EtOH); EtOH (sedentary animals treated with EtOH); and EtOH + training (trained animals treated with ethanol). EtOH was administered to the animals at a dose of 3 g/kg/day at a concentration of 20% w/v for three consecutive days per week via intragastric gavage. The training was performed on a treadmill for five successive days. At the end of the 4-week experimental protocol, the animals were euthanized, and salivary glands and saliva were collected for oxidative biochemistry analysis. Our results showed that EtOH consumption generated changes in the oxidative biochemistry of the salivary glands and saliva. Thus, it was possible to conclude that moderate physical exercise can significantly recover antioxidant activity, reducing the damage generated by EtOH.
Pteridium aquilinum (Dennstaedtiaceae), a Novel Hyperaccumulator Species of Hexavalent Chromium
Authors: Eslava-Silva Felipe de Jesús , Muñíz-Díaz de León María Eugenia , Jiménez-Estrada Manuel
Published: May 2023

Hexavalent chromium (Cr VI) is a highly toxic environmental pollutant produced as a byproduct of stainless steel manufacture and leather tanning. Several vegetal Cr VI-accumulating species have been investigated in phytoremediation, a promising technology to remove heavy metals from soils and water bodies. The aim of this work was to test the sensitivity, accumulation and remotion of Cr VI in both life cycle phases of the fern Pteridium aquilinum. Both gametophytes and sporophytes were obtained (in vitro) and evaluated (in vitro and using hydroponics) under controlled temperature, photoperiod and humidity conditions. One-month gametophytes were exposed in vitro to K2Cr2O7 (0, 50, 200, 600 and 800 µM). Four-month sporophytes were exposed to K2Cr2O7 (0, 800, 1600 and 6400 µM) under hydroponic conditions. Both phases were harvested at 24, 28, 72 and 168 h post-exposure, and biomass, chlorophyll content (a and b) and the amount of Cr in tissues and culture medium were tested. The results indicate that both phases of the cycle are not sensitive to Cr VI, since chlorosis and reduction in biomass were not observed. The gametophytes accumulated up to 915 mg of Cr×Kg−1 DW, while the sporophytes accumulated up to 11,854 of Cr×kg−1 DW in the underground parts. The sporophytes showed higher Cr uptake in rhizomes and adventitious roots, and despite having a low translocation index toward the leaves, these reached high concentrations as well (2240 mg Cr×Kg−1 DW). Given the uptake capacity in sporophytes, this fern places within the top five species with highest Cr accumulation, and it may be successfully used in phytoremediation methods.
A Chemical Approach to Obtaining α-copaene from Clove Oil and Its Application in the Control of the Medfly
Authors: Lull Cristina , Gil-Ortiz Ricardo , Cantín Ángel
Published: May 2023

The Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) fruit fly pest has been widely ecologically controlled by means of using attractant substances. This study supports the idea that α-copaene, a naturally occurring substance found in numerous plants, might be used as a semiochemical to control this pest. The possibility of obtaining this natural compound in abundant quantities may reveal its potential use in integrated pest management. The main goal of this study was to demonstrate, on a small scale, how the extraction of clove oil by fractional distillation and other laboratory-assisted techniques can facilitate the obtaining of abundant amounts of α-copaene for its use in the control of the medfly. As a result, the male attraction of α-copaene isolated from clove oil was confirmed to be 5–6 times higher than commercial trimedlure. In its field projection, five distilled fractions with an α-copaene content of less than 10% were shown to have from a quarter to half of the attractive power exerted by trimedlure on males. It can be concluded that the use of selected distilled fractions of α-copaene can be enough to obtain large quantities of this compound to be applied successfully in ecological programs to lure medflies.
Communication Analysis and Privacy in CAI Based on Data Mining and Federated Learning
Authors: Hu Qian , Jiang Jiatao , Lin Weiping
Published: May 2023

Due to the fact that client data do not need to leave the local area, a distributed machine learning framework can aggregate training from several clients while preserving data privacy. In this essay, the development of CAI both domestically and internationally is reviewed and summarized, and the current state of CAI is examined. Communication analysis has so far been a key academic and theoretical area in federated learning, and some theoretical contributions have become the crucial theoretical foundations for understanding, defending, and guiding various human social behaviors. The major objective of knowledge distillation based on model responses is to provide students the ability to rapidly replicate the teacher’s model’s output. The experimental results demonstrate that the optimized Smith Regan model adopts the “Smith Logan” teaching design model, selects the courseware structure and record preservation as the teaching content in the fundamental CAI courseware design, and optimizes the teaching design from the perspectives of learning environment analysis, learner characteristics analysis, etc. Based on this, the model’s accuracy and robustness are increased by 7.34%.
PV-Powered Charging Station with Energy Cost Optimization via V2G Services
Authors: Cheikh-Mohamad Saleh , Celik Berk , Sechilariu Manuela , Locment Fabrice
Published: May 2023

Satisfying the increased power demand of electric vehicles (EVs) charged by clean energy sources will become an important aspect that impacts the sustainability and the carbon emissions of the smart grid. A photovoltaic (PV)-powered charging station (PVCS) formed by PV modules and a stationary storage system with a public grid connection can provide cost-efficient and reliable charging strategies for EV batteries. Moreover, the utilization of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) service is a promising solution, as EVs spend most of their time idle in charging stations. As a result, V2G services have the potential to provide advantages to both public grid operators and EV users. In this paper, an energy management algorithm of a PVCS formulated with mixed-integer linear programming is presented to minimize the total energy cost of the participation of EV users in V2G service. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed optimization method satisfies EV user demands while providing V2G service and highlights the benefits of the V2G service where the determined costs of the proposed algorithm perform significantly better compared to the baseline scenario (simulation without optimization).
The Effect of Soil Mineralogy and Particle Breakage on the Impulse Generated from Shallow Buried Charges
Authors: Lodge Tommy , Clarke Sam , Waddoups Ross , Rigby Sam , Gant Matt , Elgy Ian
Published: May 2023

Historically, most testing with shallow buried charges has focussed on soils which are predominantly quartz (silica)-based. Particle size, moisture content and density have previously been investigated to ascertain their importance, along with other geotechnical parameters, in governing the magnitude of an impulsive output. This has shown that, in order of importance, moisture content, density and particle size drive the total impulse imparted. The work in this paper presents the results of blast testing carried out with carbonate sands to investigate the difference that particle mineralogy (and hence, propensity for breakage) has on both the localised loading and the total impulse using an array of 17 Hopkinson pressure bars known as the Characterisation of Blast Loading (CoBL) apparatus. Carbonate sands are thought to have more friable particles due to their plate-like morphology, as opposed to the rounded morphology of quartz-based sands. Testing was conducted with low moisture content samples and compared with the well-established Leighton Buzzard uniform sand to isolate the effect of particle mineralogy/morphology on the loadings measured. The results show that, despite attaining a 23% lower bulk density, carbonate soils deliver almost identical total impulses (0.7–3.0% higher) when compared with quartz soils for nominally identical moisture contents.
Lossless Compression of Large Aperture Static Imaging Spectrometer Data
Authors: Yu Lu , Li Hongbo , Li Jing , Li Wei
Published: May 2023

The large-aperture static imaging spectrometer (LASIS) is an interference spectrometer with high device stability, high throughput, a wide spectral range, and a high spectral resolution. One frame image of the original data cube acquired by the LASIS shows the image superimposed with interference fringes, which is distinctly different from traditional hyperspectral images. For compression studies using this new type of data, a lossless compression scheme that combines a novel data rearrange method and the lossless multispectral and hyperspectral image compression standard CCSDS-123 is presented. In the rearrange approach, the LASIS data cube is rearranged such that the interference information overlapped on the image can be separated, and the results are then processed using the CCSDS-123 standard. Then, several experiments are conducted to investigate the performance of the rearrange method and examine the impact of different CCSDS-123 parameter settings for the LASIS. The experimental results indicate that the proposed scheme provides a 32.9% higher ratio than traditional rearrange methods. Moreover, an adequate parameter combination for this compression scheme for LASIS is presented, and it yields a 19.6% improvement over the default settings suggested by the standard.
Novel Materials for Heavy Metal Removal in Capacitive Deionization
Authors: Xu Youze , Zhong Zhenyu , Zeng Xianhui , Zhao Yuanyuan , Deng Wenting , Chen Yuehui
Published: May 2023

Heavy metals are considered a class of contaminant that can accumulate in the food chain and thus must be removed from contaminated media. Heavy metals can be removed by electrocoagulation, electroflotation, electrodialysis, capacitive deionization, and so on. Among the methods to remove heavy metals, capacitive deionization is one of the most attractive methods that can remove heavy metal ions without using a large volume of chemicals and producing a high number of heavy metals containing solid wastes. In this study, after a brief introduction to the mechanism of capacitive deionization, we focus on materials that have been developed as electrodes for heavy metal removal in capacitive deionization and summarize the latest advancements. Finally, with particular emphasis on material design, we provide some further insights in this area.
Studying the Cable Loss Effect on the Seismic Behavior of Cable-Stayed Bridge
Authors: Park Jaegyun , Yoon Jaeyong , Park Chulho , Lee Jungwhee
Published: May 2023

As the demand and construction of cable-stayed bridges have increased, research on the safety of cable-stayed bridges in the event of natural disasters such as fires and explosions is actively being conducted. If a cable-stayed bridge is damaged by an unexpected natural disaster or accident, it can cause serious traffic congestion and huge economic losses. This study evaluates the usability of the cable-stayed bridge in the event of cable damage. Additionally, seismic performance and the impact of the damage are evaluated by numerical analysis. To achieve this goal, the cable-stayed bridge is modeled using 3D BEAM elements and two-node cable elements. Then, the impact of the damage was evaluated by gradually damaging the cable. The deflection, axial force of the girder, and cable stress changes under far-field ground motion (El-Centro earthquake) were reviewed. A representative dynamic analysis program LS-DYNA was utilized for the numerical analyses. The results show that the loss of a small number of cables does not affect the usability of the bridge. However, if five or more cables are continuously lost, or if an earthquake occurs when cables are already lost, excessive deflections and changes in the girders’ axial forces can cause usability problems.
Design and Mechanical Properties of Flat Anchorage Limit Plate
Authors: Huang Bo , Wu Anyang , Zhang Shuang , Wang Jiawei , Cao Bing , Du Yihan , Zhang Yue
Published: May 2023

To address the safety problems caused by clips being squeezed by jacks and wire slipping in the tensioning process of flat anchorages, we designed a limit plate to be used with a flat anchorage, and we studied the mechanical properties of the anchorage system after adding the limit plate through numerical simulation. Lastly, the limit plate was created and applied in a practical engineering scenario to test its safety performance. The results showed that the newly designed limit plate changed the butt position of the jack during tension, increased the hole distance, and hid the clips in the hole position of the limit plate, thus mitigating the safety hazard caused by the narrow surface tension construction in practice. The limit plate alleviated the stress concentration on the anchorage, and the extreme stress value decreased by 10–13%. Adverse effects, such as stress concentration caused by tension, were transferred to the replaceable limit plate, thus improving the reliability of the flat anchorage. The symmetrical tensioning scheme represented by sequential tensioning of holes 1, 4, 2, 5, and 3 is recommended, which produced the lowest extreme stress value of 685.55 kPa, which is 22.42 kPa lower than the maximum value of various other schemes.
New-Generation ASiR-V for Dose Reduction While Maintaining Image Quality in CT: A Phantom Study
Authors: Ungania Sara , Solivetti Francesco Maria , D’Arienzo Marco , Quagliani Francesco , Sperduti Isabella , Morrone Aldo , de Mutiis Carlo , Bruzzaniti Vicente , Guerrisi Antonino
Published: May 2023

Over the last few decades, the need to reduce and optimize patient medical radiation exposure has prompted the introduction of novel reconstruction algorithms in computed tomography (CT). Against this backdrop, the present study aimed to assess whether reduced radiation dose CT images reconstructed with the new-generation adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASiR-V) maintain the same image quality as that of routine image reconstruction. In addition, the optimization of image quality parameters for the ASiR-V algorithm (e.g., an optimal combination of blending percentage and noise index (NI)) was investigated. An abdominal reference phantom was imaged using the routine clinical protocol (fixed noise index of 18 and 40% ASiR reconstruction). Reduced radiation dose CT scans were performed with varying NI (22, 24, and 30) and using the ASiR-V reconstruction algorithm. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of image noise, contrast, and resolution were performed against NI and reconstruction blending percentages. Our results confirm the ability of the ASiR-V algorithm to provide images of high diagnostic quality while reducing the patient dose. All the parameters were improved in ASiR-V images as compared to ASiR. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses showed that the best agreement was obtained for the images reconstructed using ASiR-V with NI24 and a high percentage of blending (70–100%). This preliminary study results show that ASiR-V allows for a significant reduction in patient dose (about 40%) while maintaining a good overall image quality when appropriate NI (i.e., 24) is used.
Potential Implications of the Sesquiterpene Presence over the Remote Marine Boundary Layer in the Arctic Region
Authors: Park Keyhong , Rodriguez Blanca , Thomas Jerry , Gu Dasa , Zhang Miming , Sarkar Chinmoy , Guenther Alex , Kim Saewung
Published: May 2023

We present reactive VOC observations over the North Pacific and the Arctic Ocean from airborne and shipborne measurements, investigating, in particular, distributions of biogenic volatile organic compounds that may be emitted from phytoplankton. In contrast to terrestrial observations, isoprene (C5H8), the most dominant BVOC emission from the terrestrial ecosystem, was mostly present under the lower detection limit along with monoterpenes (C10H16), the second largest emission from the terrestrial ecosystem. However, we consistently detected sesquiterpenes (C15H24) over the Arctic Ocean for the two Arctic cruises. The results of the analysis of sorbent cartridge samplings conducted over the Arctic Ocean on Korean icebreaker R/V Araon in 2016 and 2017 illustrate that few tens ppt levels of sesquiterpenes were present over the Arctic Ocean. Moreover, the concentration variation was positively correlated with the quantitative indicators of ocean biological activities, such as chlorophyll-a, dissolved DMS, and the ratio of dissolved O2 and Ar. This suggests that further investigations on sesquiterpene’s emission and atmospheric transformation processes over the marine boundary layer are required.
Effects of Climate Change on Wheat Yield and Nitrogen Losses per Unit of Yield in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River in China
Authors: Zhou Yanhui , Zhu Xinkai , Guo Wenshan , Feng Chaonian
Published: May 2023

Nitrogen fertilizer is one of the essential nutrients for wheat growth and development, and it plays an important role in increasing and stabilizing wheat yield. Future climate change will affect wheat growth, development, and yield, since climate change will also alter nitrogen cycles in farmland. Therefore, further research is needed to understand the response of wheat yield and nitrogen losses to climate change during cultivation. In this study, we investigate the wheat-producing region in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River in China, one of the leading wheat-producing areas, by employing a random forest model using wheat yield records from agricultural meteorological observation stations and spatial data on wheat yield, nitrogen application rate, and nitrogen losses. The model predicts winter wheat yield and nitrogen losses in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River based on CMIP6 meteorological data and related environmental variables, under SSP126 and SSP585 emission scenarios. The results show that future climate change (temperature and precipitation changes) will decrease winter wheat yield by 2~4% and reduce total nitrogen losses by 0~5%, but in other areas, the total nitrogen losses will increase by 0~5% and the N leaching losses per unit of yield will increase by 0~10%. The results of this study can provide a theoretical basis and reference for optimizing nitrogen application rates, increasing yield, and reducing nitrogen losses in wheat cultivation under climate change conditions.
Projectile Coherence Effects in Twisted Electron Ionization of Helium
Authors: Harris A. L.
Published: May 2023

Over the last decade, it has become clear that for heavy ion projectiles, the projectile’s transverse coherence length must be considered in theoretical models. While traditional scattering theory often assumes that the projectile has an infinite coherence length, many studies have demonstrated that the effect of projectile coherence cannot be ignored, even when the projectile-target interaction is within the perturbative regime. This has led to a surge in studies that examine the effects of the projectile’s coherence length. Heavy-ion collisions are particularly well-suited to this because the projectile’s momentum can be large, leading to a small deBroglie wavelength. In contrast, electron projectiles that have larger deBroglie wavelengths and coherence effects can usually be safely ignored. However, the recent demonstration of sculpted electron wave packets opens the door to studying projectile coherence effects in electron-impact collisions. We report here theoretical triple differential cross-sections (TDCSs) for the electron-impact ionization of helium using Bessel and Laguerre-Gauss projectiles. We show that the projectile’s transverse coherence length affects the shape and magnitude of the TDCSs and that the atomic target’s position within the projectile beam plays a significant role in the probability of ionization. We also demonstrate that projectiles with large coherence lengths result in cross-sections that more closely resemble their fully coherent counterparts.
Fractional Dynamical Systems Solved by a Collocation Method Based on Refinable Spaces
Authors: Pezza Laura , Di Lillo Simmaco
Published: May 2023

A dynamical system is a particle or set of particles whose state changes over time. The dynamics of the system is described by a set of differential equations. If the derivatives involved are of non-integer order, we obtain a fractional dynamical system. In this paper, we considered a fractional dynamical system with the Caputo fractional derivative. We collocated the fractional differential problem in dyadic nodes and used refinable functions as approximation functions to achieve a good degree of freedom in the choice of the regularity. The collocation method stands out as a particularly useful and attractive tool for solving fractional differential problems of various forms. A numerical result is presented to show that the numerical solution fits the analytical one very well. We collocated the fractional differential problem in dyadic nodes using refinable functions as approximation functions to achieve a good degree of freedom in the choice of regularity.
Assessment of the Efficiency of Measuring Foot and Ankle Edema with a 3D Portable Scanner
Authors: Beldame Julien , Sacco Riccardo , Munoz Marie-Aude , Masse Marion , Lalevée Matthieu
Published: May 2023

Background: To prospectively evaluate the reliability of a portable optical scanner compared to the water displacement technique for volumetric measurements of the foot and ankle and to compare the acquisition time associated with these two methods. Methods: Foot volume was measured in 29 healthy volunteers (58 feet, 24 females and 5 males) by a 3D scanner (UPOD-S 3D Laser Full-Foot Scanner®) and by water displacement volumetry. Measurements were performed on both feet, up to a height of 10 cm above the ground. The acquisition time for each method was evaluated. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Lin’s Concordance Correlation Coefficient, and a Student’s t-test were performed. Results: Mean foot volume was 869.7 +/− 165.1 cm3 (3D scanner) versus 867.9 +/− 155.4 cm3 (water-displacement volumetry) (p < 10−5). The concordance of measurements was 0.93, indicative of a high correlation between the two techniques. Volumes were 47.8 cm3 lower when using the 3D scanner versus water volumetry. After statistically correcting this underestimation, the concordance was improved (0.98, residual bias = −0.03 +/− 35.1 cm3). The mean examination time was 4.2 +/− 1.7 min (3D optical scanner) versus 11.1 +/− 2.9 min (water volumeter) (p < 10−4). Conclusions: Ankle/foot volumetric measurements performed using this portable 3D scanner are reliable and fast and can be used in clinical practice and research.
Renal Dysfunction Phenotypes in Patients Undergoing Obesity Surgery
Authors: Pereira Pedro R. , Pereira João , Braga Patrícia C. , Pereira Sofia S. , Nora Mário , Guimarães Marta , Monteiro Mariana P. , Rodrigues Anabela
Published: May 2023

Obesity surgery candidates are at an increased risk of kidney injury, but pre-operative evaluation usually neglects kidney function assessment. This study aimed to identify renal dysfunction in candidates for bariatric surgery. To reduce the sources of bias, subjects with diabetes, prediabetes under metformin treatment, neoplastic or inflammatory diseases were excluded. Patients’ (n = 192) average body mass index was 41.7 ± 5.4 kg/m2. Among these, 51% (n = 94) had creatinine clearance over 140 mL/min, 22.4% (n = 43) had proteinuria over 150 mg/day and 14.6% (n = 28) albuminuria over 30 mg/day. A creatinine clearance higher than 140 mL/min was associated with higher levels of proteinuria and albuminuria. Univariate analysis identified sex, glycated hemoglobin, uric acid, HDL and VLDL cholesterol as being associated with albuminuria, but not with proteinuria. On multivariate analysis, glycated hemoglobin and creatinine clearance as continuous variables were significantly associated with albuminuria. In summary, in our patient population prediabetes, lipid abnormalities and hyperuricemia were associated with albuminuria, but not with proteinuria, suggesting different disease mechanisms might be implicated. Data suggest that in obesity-associated kidney disease, tubulointerstitial injury precedes glomerulopathy. A significant proportion of obesity surgery candidates present clinically relevant albuminuria and proteinuria along with renal hyperfiltration, suggesting that routine pre-operative assessment of these parameters should be considered.
Omega-3 versus Omega-6: Are We Underestimating the Ecological Significance of Arachidonic Acid in Aquatic Systems?
Authors: Kiene Marvin , Wacker Alexander , Martin-Creuzburg Dominik
Published: May 2023

The long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, ω-3, or n-3) and arachidonic acid (ARA, ω-6 or n-6) are known to have distinct physiological functions, yet can both support growth and reproduction of consumers, raising the question of whether EPA and ARA are ecologically substitutable dietary resources. We explored the relative importance of EPA and ARA for the growth and reproduction of the freshwater keystone herbivore Daphnia in a life-history experiment. Both PUFA were supplemented in a concentration-dependent manner to a PUFA-free diet, separately and in combination (50% EPA: 50% ARA mixture). The growth-response curves obtained with EPA, ARA, and the mixture were virtually congruent and the thresholds for PUFA limitation did not differ, indicating that EPA (n-3) and ARA (n-6) were substitutable dietary resources under the applied experimental conditions. The actual requirements for EPA and ARA might change with growth conditions, e.g., under the influence of parasites or pathogens. The higher retention of ARA in Daphnia suggests that EPA and ARA are subject to different turnover rates, which also implies different physiological functions. Studies on the ARA requirements of Daphnia could provide valuable information on the presumably underestimated ecological importance of ARA in freshwater food webs.
Antiproliferative Effect of Inorganic and Organic Selenium Compounds in Breast Cell Lines
Authors: da Costa Nayara Souza , Lima Luíza Siqueira , Oliveira Franciele Aparecida Mendes , Galiciolli Maria Eduarda Andrade , Manzano Mariana Inocêncio , Garlet Quelen Iane , Irioda Ana Carolina , Oliveira Cláudia Sirlene
Published: May 2023

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive, fast-growing tumor that is more likely to spread to distant organs. Among women diagnosed with breast cancer, the prevalence of TNBC is 20%, and treatment is currently limited to chemotherapy. Selenium (Se), an essential micronutrient, has been explored as an antiproliferative agent. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of exposure to organic (selenomethionine, ebselen, and diphenyl diselenide) and inorganic (sodium selenate and sodium selenite) Se molecules in different breast cell lines. The compounds were tested at 1, 10, 50, and 100 μM for 48 h in the non-tumor breast cell line (MCF-10A) and TNBC derivatives cell lines (BT-549 and MDA-MB-231). The effects of Se on cell viability, apoptotic and necrotic processes, colony formation, and cell migration were analyzed. Exposure to selenomethionine and selenate did not alter the evaluated parameters. However, selenomethionine had the highest selectivity index (SI). The exposure to the highest doses of selenite, ebselen, and diphenyl diselenide resulted in antiproliferative and antimetastatic effects. Selenite had a high SI to the BT cell line; however, the SI of ebselen and diphenyl diselenide was low in both tumoral cell lines. In conclusion, the Se compounds had different effects on the breast cell lines, and additional tests are needed to reveal the antiproliferative effects of Se compounds.
The Impact of microRNAs on Mitochondrial Function and Immunity: Relevance to Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Guedes Beatriz F. S. , Cardoso Sandra Morais , Esteves Ana Raquel
Published: May 2023

Parkinson’s Disease (PD), the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, is characterised by the severe loss of dopaminergic neurons in the Substantia Nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and by the presence of Lewy bodies. PD is diagnosed upon the onset of motor symptoms, such as bradykinesia, resting tremor, rigidity, and postural instability. It is currently accepted that motor symptoms are preceded by non-motor features, such as gastrointestinal dysfunction. In fact, it has been proposed that PD might start in the gut and spread to the central nervous system. Growing evidence reports that the gut microbiota, which has been found to be altered in PD patients, influences the function of the central and enteric nervous systems. Altered expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in PD patients has also been reported, many of which regulate key pathological mechanisms involved in PD pathogenesis, such as mitochondrial dysfunction and immunity. It remains unknown how gut microbiota regulates brain function; however, miRNAs have been highlighted as important players. Remarkably, numerous studies have depicted the ability of miRNAs to modulate and be regulated by the host’s gut microbiota. In this review, we summarize the experimental and clinical studies implicating mitochondrial dysfunction and immunity in PD. Moreover, we gather recent data on miRNA involvement in these two processes. Ultimately, we discuss the reciprocal crosstalk between gut microbiota and miRNAs. Studying the bidirectional interaction of gut microbiome–miRNA might elucidate the aetiology and pathogenesis of gut-first PD, which could lead to the application of miRNAs as potential biomarkers or therapeutical targets for PD.
DenseNet_ HybWWoA: A DenseNet-Based Brain Metastasis Classification with a Hybrid Metaheuristic Feature Selection Strategy
Authors: Alshammari Abdulaziz
Published: May 2023

Brain metastases (BM) are the most severe consequence of malignancy in the brain, resulting in substantial illness and death. The most common primary tumors that progress to BM are lung, breast, and melanoma. Historically, BM patients had poor clinical outcomes, with limited treatment options including surgery, stereotactic radiation therapy (SRS), whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT), systemic therapy, and symptom control alone. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a valuable tool for detecting cerebral tumors, though it is not infallible, as cerebral matter is interchangeable. This study offers a novel method for categorizing differing brain tumors in this context. This research additionally presents a combination of optimization algorithms called the Hybrid Whale and Water Waves Optimization Algorithm (HybWWoA), which is used to identify features by reducing the size of recovered features. This algorithm combines whale optimization and water waves optimization. The categorization procedure is consequently carried out using a DenseNet algorithm. The suggested cancer categorization method is evaluated on a number of factors, including precision, specificity, and sensitivity. The final assessment findings showed that the suggested approach exceeded the authors’ expectations, with an F1-score of 97% and accuracy, precision, memory, and recollection of 92.1%, 98.5%, and 92.1%, respectively.
Cellulose–Hemicellulose–Lignin Interaction in the Secondary Cell Wall of Coconut Endocarp
Authors: Mazumder Sharmi , Zhang Ning
Published: May 2023

The coconut shell consists of three distinct layers: the skin-like outermost exocarp, the thick fibrous mesocarp, and the hard and tough inner endocarp. In this work, we focused on the endocarp because it features a unique combination of superior properties, including low weight, high strength, high hardness, and high toughness. These properties are usually mutually exclusive in synthesized composites. The microstructures of the secondary cell wall of the endocarp at the nanoscale, in which cellulose microfibrils are surrounded by hemicellulose and lignin, were generated. All-atom molecular dynamics simulations with PCFF force field were conducted to investigate the deformation and failure mechanisms under uniaxial shear and tension. Steered molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to study the interaction between different types of polymer chains. The results demonstrated that cellulose–hemicellulose and cellulose–lignin exhibit the strongest and weakest interactions, respectively. This conclusion was further validated against the DFT calculations. Additionally, through shear simulations of sandwiched polymer models, it was found that cellulose–hemicellulose-cellulose exhibits the highest strength and toughness, while cellulose–lignin-cellulose shows the lowest strength and toughness among all tested cases. This conclusion was further confirmed by uniaxial tension simulations of sandwiched polymer models. It was revealed that hydrogen bonds formed between the polymer chains are responsible for the observed strengthening and toughening behaviors. Additionally, it was interesting to note that failure mode under tension varies with the density of amorphous polymers located between cellulose bundles. The failure mode of multilayer polymer models under tension was also investigated. The findings of this work could potentially provide guidelines for the design of coconut-inspired lightweight cellular materials.
High-Performance FET-Based Dopamine-Sensitive Biosensor Platform Based on SOI Substrate
Authors: Hyun Tae-Hwan , Cho Won-Ju
Published: May 2023

Dopamine is a catecholamine neurotransmitter that plays a significant role in the human central nervous system, even at extremely low concentrations. Several studies have focused on rapid and accurate detection of dopamine levels using field-effect transistor (FET)-based sensors. However, conventional approaches have poor dopamine sensitivity with values <11 mV/log [DA]. Hence, it is necessary to increase the sensitivity of FET-based dopamine sensors. In the present study, we proposed a high-performance dopamine-sensitive biosensor platform based on dual-gate FET on a silicon-on-insulator substrate. This proposed biosensor overcame the limitations of conventional approaches. The biosensor platform consisted of a dual-gate FET transducer unit and a dopamine-sensitive extended gate sensing unit. The capacitive coupling between the top- and bottom-gate of the transducer unit allowed for self-amplification of the dopamine sensitivity, resulting in an increased sensitivity of 373.98 mV/log[DA] from concentrations 10 fM to 1 μM. Therefore, the proposed FET-based dopamine sensor is expected to be widely applied as a highly sensitive and reliable biosensor platform, enabling fast and accurate detection of dopamine levels in various applications such as medical diagnosis and drug development.
Persistent Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Suicidality in Referred Adolescents: A Longitudinal Study Exploring the Role of Cyclothymic Temperament
Authors: Masi Gabriele , Pisano Simone , Sesso Gianluca , Mazzullo Cristina , Berloffa Stefano , Fantozzi Pamela , Narzisi Antonio , Placini Francesca , Valente Elena , Viglione Valentina , Milone Annarita
Published: May 2023

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is deliberate harm to the body surface without suicidal intent, though it may be a predictor of suicide attempts. Our aim was to test the hypothesis that persisting and recovering NSSI may have a different longitudinal risk for suicidal ideation and behavior and that the intensity of Cyclothymic Hypersensitive Temperament (CHT) may increase this risk. Fifty-five patients (mean age 14.64 ± 1.77 years) referred for mood disorders according to the DSM-5 were consecutively recruited and followed-up for a mean of 19.79 ± 11.67 months and grouped according to the presence/absence of NSSI at baseline and follow-up into three groups: without NSSI (non-NSSI; n = 22), with NSSI recovered at follow-up (past-NSSI; n = 19), and with persistent NSSI at follow-up (pers-NSSI; n = 14). At follow-up, both NSSI groups were more severely impaired and failed to improve internalizing problems and dysregulation symptoms. Both NSSI groups reported higher scores in suicidal ideation compared to non-NSSI, but only pers-NSSI presented higher scores in suicidal behavior. CHT was higher in pers-NSSI, followed by past-NSSI and then by non-NSSI. Our data support a continuity between NSSI and suicidality, and they suggest the prognostic validity of persistent NSSI, associated with highest CHT scores.
Emotion Recognition Using a Novel Granger Causality Quantifier and Combined Electrodes of EEG
Authors: Goshvarpour Atefeh , Goshvarpour Ateke
Published: May 2023

Electroencephalogram (EEG) connectivity patterns can reflect neural correlates of emotion. However, the necessity of evaluating bulky data for multi-channel measurements increases the computational cost of the EEG network. To date, several approaches have been presented to pick the optimal cerebral channels, mainly depending on available data. Consequently, the risk of low data stability and reliability has increased by reducing the number of channels. Alternatively, this study suggests an electrode combination approach in which the brain is divided into six areas. After extracting EEG frequency bands, an innovative Granger causality-based measure was introduced to quantify brain connectivity patterns. The feature was subsequently subjected to a classification module to recognize valence–arousal dimensional emotions. A Database for Emotion Analysis Using Physiological Signals (DEAP) was used as a benchmark database to evaluate the scheme. The experimental results revealed a maximum accuracy of 89.55%. Additionally, EEG-based connectivity in the beta-frequency band was able to effectively classify dimensional emotions. In sum, combined EEG electrodes can efficiently replicate 32-channel EEG information.