bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elemental Composition of Particulate Matter in the Euphotic and Benthic Boundary Layers of the Barents and Norwegian Seas
Authors: Starodymova Dina P. , Kravchishina Marina D. , Kochenkova Anastasia I. , Lokhov Alexey S. , Makhnovich Natalia M. , Vazyulya Svetlana V.
Published: January 2023

The increasing influence of Atlantic inflows in the Arctic Ocean in recent decades has had a potential impact on regional biogeochemical cycles of major and trace elements. The warm and salty Atlantic water, entering the Eurasian Basin through the Norwegian Sea margin and the Barents Sea, affects particle transport, sink, phyto-, and zooplankton community structure and could have far-reaching consequences for the marine ecosystems. This study discusses the elemental composition of suspended particulate matter and fluffy-layer suspended matter derived from samples collected in the Barents Sea and northern Norwegian Sea in August 2017. The mosaic distribution of SPM elemental composition is mainly determined by two factors: (i) The essential spatial variability of biological processes (primary production, abundance, and phytoplankton composition) and (ii) differences in the input of terrigenous sedimentary matter to the sea area from drainage sources (weak river runoff, melting of archipelago glaciers, etc.). The distribution of lithogenic, bioessential, and redox-sensitive groups of elements in the particulate matter was studied at full-depth profiles. Marine cycling of strontium in the Barents Sea is shown to be significantly affected by increasing coccolithophorid bloom, which is associated with Atlantic water. Mn, Cu, Cd, and Ba significantly enrich the suspended particulate matter of the benthic nepheloid layer relative to the fluffy layer particulate matter within the benthic boundary layer.
Persistency and Surface Convergence Evidenced by Two Maker Buoys in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Authors: Sainte-Rose Bruno , Pham Yannick , Pavalko Wayne
Published: January 2023

The accumulation of plastic debris on land and coastlines and in waterways and garbage patches is one of the greatest ecological concerns of the 21st century. In that context, the sources and pathways of plastic marine debris (PMD) have been increasingly studied in the past ten years. The purpose of this communication was to analyze, thanks to the tracks of two drifting buoys released in May–June 2019 in the North-East Pacific, two features encountered within the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP): a surface convergence, which could lead to the formation of plastic hotspots, and the persistency of the floating material in this area of the ocean. The evolution of the distance between the buoys was compared with the local circulation field divergence, a Lagrangian plastic dispersal model and sea-level anomalies (SLAs). These analyses highlighted the link between the converging behavior of the drifters and a persistent negative velocity divergence as well as a higher than average-encountered modelled plastic surface density (MPSD). The persistence of the material within the GPGP was observed thanks to the trajectory of the longest persisting drifter in comparison with the trajectory of the GPGP center and extent.
A Novel Deep Learning Method for Underwater Target Recognition Based on Res-Dense Convolutional Neural Network with Attention Mechanism
Authors: Jin Anqi , Zeng Xiangyang
Published: January 2023

Long-range underwater targets must be accurately and quickly identified for both defense and civil purposes. However, the performance of an underwater acoustic target recognition (UATR) system can be significantly affected by factors such as lack of data and ship working conditions. As the marine environment is very complex, UATR relies heavily on feature engineering, and manually extracted features are occasionally ineffective in the statistical model. In this paper, an end-to-end model of UATR based on a convolutional neural network and attention mechanism is proposed. Using raw time domain data as input, the network model combines residual neural networks and densely connected convolutional neural networks to take full advantage of both. Based on this, a channel attention mechanism and a temporal attention mechanism are added to extract the information in the channel dimension and the temporal dimension. After testing the measured four types of ship-radiated noise dataset in experiments, the results show that the proposed method achieves the highest correct recognition rate of 97.69% under different working conditions and outperforms other deep learning methods.
Transcriptome Profile of Fusarium graminearum Treated by Putrescine
Authors: Zhang Lina , Zhou Xishi , Li Pengfeng , Wang Yiwei , Hu Qianyong , Shang Yuping , Chen Yunshen , Zhu Xiying , Feng Hongjie , Zhang Cuijun
Published: January 2023

Fusarium graminearum (F. graminearum) is the main pathogen of Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat, barley, and corn. Deoxynivalenol (DON), produced by F. graminearum, is the most prevalent toxin associated with FHB. The wheat defense compound putrescine can promote DON production during F. graminearum infection. However, the underlying mechanisms of putrescine-induced DON synthesis are not well-studied. To investigate the effect of putrescine on the global transcriptional regulation of F. graminearum, we treated F. graminearum with putrescine and performed RNA deep sequencing. We found that putrescine can largely affect the transcriptome of F. graminearum. Gene ontology (GO) and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that having a large amount of DEGs was associated with ribosome biogenesis, carboxylic acid metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and amino acid metabolism pathways. Co-expression analysis showed that 327 genes had similar expression patterns to FgTRI genes and were assigned to the same module. In addition, three transcription factor genes were identified as hub genes in this module, indicating that they may play important roles in DON synthesis. These results provide important clues for further analysis of the molecular mechanisms of putrescine-induced DON synthesis and will facilitate the study of the pathogenic mechanisms of FHB.
The Relationship between Ectomycorrhizal Fungi, Nitrogen Deposition, and Pinus massoniana Seedling Nitrogen Transporter Gene Expression and Nitrogen Uptake Kinetics
Authors: Sun Pengfei , Cheng Ruimei , Xiao Wenfa , Zeng Lixiong , Shen Yafei , Wang Lijun , Chen Tian , Zhang Meng
Published: January 2023

Analyzing the molecular and physiological processes that govern the uptake and transport of nitrogen (N) in plants is central to efforts to fully understand the optimization of plant N use and the changes in the N-use efficiency in relation to changes in atmospheric N deposition changes. Here, a field experiment was conducted using the ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF), Pisolithus tinctorius (Pt) and Suillus grevillei (Sg). The effects of N deposition were investigated using concentrations of 0 kg·N·hm−2a−1 (N0), a normal N deposition of 30 kg·N·hm−2a−1 (N30), a moderate N deposition of 60 kg·N·hm−2a−1 (N60), and a severe N deposition of 90 kg·N·hm−2a−1 (N90), with the goal of examining how these factors impacted root activity, root absorbing area, NH4+ and NO3− uptake kinetics, and the expression of ammonium and nitrate transporter genes in Pinus massoniana seedlings under different levels of N deposition. These data revealed that EMF inoculation led to increased root dry weight, activity, and absorbing area. The NH4+ and NO3− uptake kinetics in seedlings conformed to the Michaelis–Menten equation, and uptake rates declined with increasing levels of N addition, with NH4+ uptake rates remaining higher than NO3− uptake rates for all tested concentrations. EMF inoculation was associated with higher Vmax values than were observed for non-mycorrhizal plants. Nitrogen addition resulted in the upregulation of genes in the AMT1 family and the downregulation of genes in the NRT family. EMF inoculation under the N60 and N90 treatment conditions resulted in the increased expression of each of both these gene families. NH4+ and NO3− uptake kinetics were also positively correlated with associated transporter gene expression in P. massoniana roots. Together, these data offer a theoretical foundation for EMF inoculation under conditions of increased N deposition associated with climate change in an effort to improve N absorption and transport rates through the regulation of key nitrogen transporter genes, thereby enhancing N utilization efficiency and promoting plant growth. Synopsis: EMF could enhance the efficiency of N utilization and promote the growth of Pinus massoniana under conditions of increased N deposition.
Testing the Biocontrol Ability of a Trichoderma-Streptomycetes Consortium against Pyrrhoderma noxium (Corner) L.W. Zhou and Y.C. Dai in Soil
Authors: Panchalingam Harrchun , Ashfield-Crook Nina , Naik Vatsal , Frenken Richard , Foster Keith , Tomlin Russell , Shapcott Alison , Kurtböke D. İpek
Published: January 2023

The Brown root rot pathogen Pyrrhoderma noxium (Corner) L.W. Zhou and Y.C. Dai is known to infect a large number of culturally and economically important plant species across the world. Although chemical control measures have been effective in managing this pathogen, their adverse effects on the ecosystem have limited their use. The use of biological control agents (BCAs) thus is generally accepted as an environmentally friendly way of managing various pathogens. Testing various consortia of the BCAs with different antagonistic mechanisms may even provide better disease protection than the use of a single BCA against aggressive plant pathogens such as the P. noxium. In the presented study, the wood decay experiment and the pot trial confirmed that the consortium of Trichoderma strains (#5029 and 5001) and streptomycetes (#USC−6914 and #USC−595-B) used was effective in protecting wood decay and plant disease caused by P. noxium. Among the treatments, complete elimination of the pathogen was observed when the BCAs were applied as a consortium. In addition, the BCAs used in this study promoted the plant growth. Therefore, Trichoderma and streptomycetes consortium could be used as a potential biocontrol measure to manage P. noxium infections in the field over the application of hazardous chemical control measures.
Nomogram for Predicting Portal Vein Thrombosis in Cirrhotic Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Ding Jingnuo , Zhao Fazhi , Miao Youhan , Liu Yunnuo , Zhang Huiting , Zhao Weifeng
Published: January 2023

Aim: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a common complication in cirrhotic patients and will aggravate portal hypertension, thus leading to a series of severe complications. The aim of this study was to develop a nomogram based on a simple and effective model to predict PVT in cirrhotic patients. Methods: Clinical data of 656 cirrhotic patients with or without PVT in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University and The Third Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from January 2017 to March 2022 were retrospectively collected, and all patients were divided into training, internal and external validation cohorts. SPSS and R software were used to identify the independent risk factors and construct a predictive model. We evaluated the predictive value of the model by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analyses. The feasibility of the model was further validated in the internal and external cohorts. All enrolled patients were followed up to construct the survival curves and calculate the incidence of complications. Results: The predictors of PVT included serum albumin, D-dimer, portal vein diameter, splenectomy, and esophageal and gastric varices. Based on the clinical and imaging findings, the final model served as a potential tool for predicting PVT in cirrhotic patients, with an AUC of 0.806 (0.766 in the internal validation cohort and 0.845 in the external validation cohort). The decision curve analysis revealed that the model had a high level of concordance between different medical centers. There was a significant difference between the PVT and non-PVT groups in survival analyses, with p values of 0.0477 and 0.0319 in the training and internal validation groups, respectively, along with p value of 0.0002 in the external validation group according to log-rank test; meanwhile, the median survival times of the PVT group were 54, 43, and 40 months, respectively. The incidence of recurrent esophageal and gastric variceal bleeding (EGVB) during the follow-up showed significant differences among the three cohorts (p = 0.009, 0.048, and 0.001 in the training, internal validation, and external validation cohorts, respectively). Conclusion: The nomogram based on our model provides a simple and convenient method for predicting PVT in cirrhotic patients. Cirrhotic patients with PVT had a shorter survival time and were prone to recurrent EGVB compared with those in the non-PVT group.
The Impacts of Land Use Spatial Form Changes on Carbon Emissions in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau from 2000 to 2020: A Case Study of the Lhasa Metropolitan Area
Authors: Wang Meimei , Kong Dezhen , Mao Jinhuang , Ma Weijing , Ayyamperumal Ramamoorthy
Published: January 2023

The ecological contribution of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau has received considerable attention as a result of the increased focus on global climate change and the continuous growth of carbon emissions in all countries. In this study, we proposed a method and measured the carbon emissions from land use in the Lhasa metropolitan area from 2000 to 2020, based on image interpretation data, by exploiting corrected carbon emission factors in different land types from the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. We studied the impact of construction land form on carbon emissions using the spatial lag model (SLM) and the spatial error model (SEM), and the results show that the Lhasa metropolitan area’s carbon emissions showed an overall increasing trend from 2000 to 2020, with the characteristics of “slow acceleration–slight deceleration–acceleration”, with a deceleration period from 2005 to 2015. As a result, the construction land has a relatively low capacity, but it constitutes about 90% of all emissions; moreover, carbon emissions from cultivated land cover about 9%. The rate of spatial expansion of carbon emissions from land use is significantly slower in the Lhasa metropolitan area, yet the spatial expansion of carbon emissions has a clear direction and increases in the north and west of Lhasa. The carbon emissions from land use in the Lhasa metropolitan area is characterized by “one core, many points, and multiple belts” in spatial distribution. The changing of spatial forms of construction land has a significant impact on carbon emissions. Finally, we depicted the impact logic of land use pattern on carbon emissions and provided policy and management recommendations that were both feasible and reasonable.
Tip-Over Detection and Avoidance Algorithms as Stabilization Strategy for Small-Footprint and Lightweight Mobile Manipulators
Authors: Toledo Fuentes Aishe , Kempf Franziska , Kipfmüller Martin , Bergmann Tobias , J. Prieto Miguel
Published: January 2023

The risk of tip-over is a common problem in agile, lightweight mobile manipulators. An easy-to-implement and reliable stabilization strategy plays a key role for the wide operation of these highly dynamic systems in the industrial sector. This study addresses a method in which mobile manipulators independently detect instabilities and trigger countermeasures to prevent them from tilting. A tip-over detection algorithm was implemented based on the Moment Height Stability method, whose main advantage is the examination of all dynamical influences affecting the mobile manipulator to indicate how stable/unstable the system is during its operation. Consequently, the theoretical workspace of the robot manipulator was redefined using a certain critical boundary surface subjected to the analysis of the stability value. This workspace optimization was complemented with an additional algorithm in which the robot manipulator joints adopt an appropriate configuration to compensate in real-time detected instabilities. During repositioning of the robot manipulator’s arm, the initial orientation of its tool center point is maintained to avoid a workpiece mishandle. The simulation and experimental results suggest that the system is stable and safe to operate in changing environments, thus providing a universal approach to avoid the inherent stability problems of agile and lightweight mobile manipulators.
Evolution Strategies under the 1/5 Success Rule
Authors: Agapie Alexandru
Published: January 2023

For large space dimensions, the log-linear convergence of the elitist evolution strategy with a 1/5 success rule on the sphere fitness function has been observed, experimentally, from the very beginning. Finding a mathematical proof took considerably more time. This paper presents a review and comparison of the most consistent theories developed so far, in the critical interpretation of the author, concerning both global convergence and the estimation of convergence rates. I discuss the local theory of the one-step expected progress and success probability for the (1+1) ES with a normal/uniform distribution inside the sphere mutation, thereby minimizing the SPHERE function, but also the adjacent global convergence and convergence rate theory, essentially based on the 1/5 rule. Small digressions into complementary theories (martingale, irreducible Markov chain, drift analysis) and different types of algorithms (population based, recombination, covariance matrix adaptation and self-adaptive ES) complete the review.
DARI-Mark: Deep Learning and Attention Network for Robust Image Watermarking
Authors: Zhao Yimeng , Wang Chengyou , Zhou Xiao , Qin Zhiliang
Published: January 2023

At present, deep learning has achieved excellent achievements in image processing and computer vision and is widely used in the field of watermarking. Attention mechanism, as the research hot spot of deep learning, has not yet been applied in the field of watermarking. In this paper, we propose a deep learning and attention network for robust image watermarking (DARI-Mark). The framework includes four parts: an attention network, a watermark embedding network, a watermark extraction network, and an attack layer. The attention network used in this paper is the channel and spatial attention network, which calculates attention weights along two dimensions, channel and spatial, respectively, assigns different weights to pixels in different channels at different positions and is applied in the watermark embedding and watermark extraction stages. Through end-to-end training, the attention network can locate nonsignificant areas that are insensitive to the human eye and assign greater weights during watermark embedding, and the watermark embedding network selects this region to embed the watermark and improve the imperceptibility. In watermark extraction, by setting the loss function, larger weights can be assigned to watermark-containing features and small weights to noisy signals, so that the watermark extraction network focuses on features about the watermark and suppresses noisy signals in the attacked image to improve robustness. To avoid the phenomenon of gradient disappearance or explosion when the network is deep, both the embedding network and the extraction network have added residual modules. Experiments show that DARI-Mark can embed the watermark without affecting human subjective perception and that it has good robustness. Compared with other state-of-the-art watermarking methods, the proposed framework is more robust to JPEG compression, sharpening, cropping, and noise attacks.
On Harmonic Complex Balancing Numbers
Authors: Yılmaz Fatih , Ertaş Aybüke , Jia Jiteng
Published: January 2023

In the present work, we define harmonic complex balancing numbers by considering well-known balancing numbers and inspiring harmonic numbers. Mainly, we investigate some of their basic characteristic properties such as the Binet formula and Cassini identity, etc. In addition, one type of symmetric matrix family whose entries are harmonic complex balancing numbers is constructed. Additionally, some linear algebraic properties are obtained. Furthermore, some inequalities are stated by exploiting the well-known inequalities between various matrix norms. Finally, we illustrate the results with some numerical examples.
Dual Solutions of Unsteady Mixed Convection Hybrid Nanofluid Flow Past a Vertical Riga Plate with Radiation Effect
Authors: Yahaya Rusya Iryanti , Arifin Norihan Md , Pop Ioan , Ali Fadzilah Md , Isa Siti Suzilliana Putri Mohamed
Published: January 2023

A mathematical model for the unsteady, two-dimensional mixed convection stagnation point flow over a Riga plate is presented in this study. Convective boundary conditions, time-dependent derivatives, mixed convection, radiation effects, and the Grinberg term were all incorporated into the formulation of the governing equations and boundary conditions. By incorporating similarity transformations, ordinary differential (similarity) equations (ODEs) are derived from the partial differential equations (PDEs) of the flow model. The boundary value problem of the fourth-order accuracy code (bvp4c) was implemented in MATLAB (2017b, The MathWorks, Inc., Natick, MA. USA, 2017) to solve the mathematical model numerically. Due to the plate’s shrinking motion, two (dual) solutions are possible (first and second solutions). Based on the stability analysis, it was found that the first solution is stable and physically realizable in practice, while the second solution is not stable and not physically realizable in practice. It was found that the increase in the mixed convection parameter, modified Hartmann number, and unsteadiness parameter improved the hybrid nanofluid’s temperature profile. In addition, increasing the unsteadiness parameter decreased the velocity profile and the skin friction coefficient. Thus, the numerical results suggested that the augmentation of the modified Hartmann number, mixed convection parameter, and unsteadiness parameter can enhance the heat transfer performance in this flow model. This study offers valuable insight into fundamental transport phenomena such as the transmission of momentum, heat, or mass. Hence, it provides valuable information on the gradients of essential factors to control the boundary layer flow pattern.
Resource Allocation Scheduling with Position-Dependent Weights and Generalized Earliness–Tardiness Cost
Authors: Wang Yi-Chun , Wang Si-Han , Wang Ji-Bo
Published: January 2023

Under just-in-time production, this paper studies a single machine common due-window (denoted by CONW) assignment scheduling problem with position-dependent weights and resource allocations. A job’s actual processing time can be determined by the resource assigned to the job. A resource allocation model is divided into linear and convex resource allocations. Under the linear and convex resource allocation models, our goal is to find an optimal due-window location, job sequence and resource allocation. We prove that the weighted sum of scheduling cost (including general earliness–tardiness penalties with positional-dependent weights) and resource consumption cost minimization is polynomially solvable. In addition, under the convex resource allocation, we show that scheduling (resp. resource consumption) cost minimization is solvable in polynomial time subject to the resource consumption (resp. scheduling) cost being bounded.
Optimal Agent Search Using Surrogate-Assisted Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Shin Seung-Soo , Kim Yong-Hyuk
Published: January 2023

An intelligent agent is a program that can make decisions or perform a service based on its environment, user input, and experiences. Due to the complexity of its state and action spaces, agents are approximated by deep neural networks (DNNs), and it can be optimized using methods such as deep reinforcement learning and evolution strategies. However, these methods include simulation-based evaluations in the optimization process, and they are inefficient if the simulation cost is high. In this study, we propose surrogate-assisted genetic algorithms (SGAs), whose surrogate models are used in the fitness evaluation of genetic algorithms, and the surrogates also predict cumulative rewards for an agent’s DNN parameters. To improve the SGAs, we applied stepwise improvements that included multiple surrogates, data standardization, and sampling with dimensional reduction. We conducted experiments using the proposed SGAs in benchmark environments such as cart-pole balancing and lunar lander, and successfully found optimal solutions and significantly reduced computing time. The computing time was reduced by 38% and 95%, in the cart-pole balancing and lunar lander problems, respectively. For the lunar lander problem, an agent with approximately 4% better quality than that found by a gradient-based method was even found.
Survival of Complete Coverage Tooth-Retained Fixed Lithium Disilicate Prostheses: A Systematic Review
Authors: AlMashaan Abdulmohsen , Aldakheel Abdullah
Published: January 2023

Background and objectives: Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) prostheses are considered the gold standard for the replacement of missing teeth, however, these have several drawbacks. Therefore, lithium disilicate (LDS) prostheses have been introduced for the construction of fixed crowns and bridges. The aim of this systematic review was to ascertain the long-term survival of LDS fixed prostheses in comparison to other materials. Materials and methods: The focused question was ‘In patients who have undergone prosthodontic treatment (participants), what are the overall survival rate of lithium disilicate (LDS) crowns and fixed bridges; and how do they relate to survival rates of non-LDS similar restoration are the survival and com-plication rates (outcomes) of LDS-based fixed prostheses with complete coverage (intervention) higher or lower when compared to non-LDS materials (controls)?’. An electronic search was conducted in PubMED/Medline, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov for articles published between January 2006 and August 2022 using appropriate MeSH terms and keywords. The following types of studies were included: (1) All types of prospective clinical studies; (2) Clinical studies focusing on the survival of fixed LDS bridges and crowns; (3) Studies using natural teeth with complete coverage as abutment for fixed LDS bridges and crowns; and (4) Studies in English. The following studies were excluded: (1) Laboratory/in vitro studies and studies on LDS prostheses with no description of outcomes or survival rates; (2) Commentaries; (3) Letters to the editor; (4) Reviews; and (5) Internal data from manufacturers. The data from included studies were extracted and the risk of bias was assessed within the studies using ROBINS-I. Results: A total of 25 studies were included in this systematic review. The overall 5-year and 10-year survival rates were of 95–100% and 71.4–100%, respectively. Generally, three-unit bridges had a significantly lower survival rate over 5 and 10 years compared to single-unit crowns. Overall, the risk of bias in the included studies was moderate. Conclusions: The LDS-based complete coverage prostheses have a survival rate ranging between 48.6% and 100%. Furthermore, due to the lack of comparative studies, the long-term function and survival of LDS prostheses compared to other material prosthesis (PFM and ZrO) is debatable.
A Flexible 7-in-1 Microsensor Embedded in a Hydrogen/Vanadium Redox Battery for Real-Time Microscopic Measurements
Authors: Lee Chi-Yuan , Chen Chia-Hung , Chen Yu-Chun , Jiang Xin-Fu
Published: January 2023

The latest document indicates that the hydrogen/vanadium redox flow battery has better energy density and efficiency than the vanadium redox flow battery, as well as being low-cost and light-weight. In addition, the hydrogen, electrical conductivity, voltage, current, temperature, electrolyte flow, and runner pressure inside the hydrogen/vanadium redox flow battery can influence its performance and life. Therefore, this plan will try to step into the hydrogen/vanadium redox flow battery stack and improve the vanadium redox flow battery of this R&D team, whereof the electrolyte is likely to leak during assembling, and the strong acid corrosion environment is likely to age or fail the vanadium redox flow battery and microsensors. Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) are used, which are integrated with the flexible 7-in-1 microsensor, which is embedded in the hydrogen/vanadium redox flow battery for internal real-time microscopic sensing and diagnosis.
γ-Core Guided Antibiotic Design Based on Human Enteric Defensin 5
Authors: Zhao Gaomei , Jia Changsheng , Zhu Cheng , Fang Minchao , Li Chenwenya , Chen Yin , He Yingjuan , Han Songling , He Yongwu , Gao Jining , Wang Tao , Wang Cheng , Wang Junping
Published: January 2023

An increase in the number of infections caused by resistant bacteria worldwide necessitates the development of alternatives to antibiotics. Human defensin (HD) 5 is an innate immune peptide with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, but its complicated structure makes its preparation difficult. Herein, we truncated the HD5 structure by extracting the highly conserved γ-core motif. A structure-activity study showed that this motif was ineffective in killing bacteria in the absence of specific spatial conformation. Notably, after the introduction of two intramolecular disulfide bonds, its antibacterial activity was markedly improved. Glu and Ser residues were then replaced with Arg to create the derivative RC18, which exhibited stronger potency than HD5, particularly against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Mechanistically, RC18 bound to lipid A and lipoteichoic acid at higher affinities than HD5. Furthermore, RC18 was more efficient than HD5 in penetrating the bacterial membranes. Molecular dynamics simulation revealed that five Arg residues, Arg1, Arg7, Arg9, Arg15, and Arg18, mediated most of the polar interactions of RC18 with the phospholipid head groups during membrane penetration. In vivo experiments indicated that RC18 decreased MRSA colonization and dramatically improved the survival of infected mice, thus demonstrating that RC18 is a promising drug candidate to treat MRSA infections.
Sorption of Polar Sorbents into GO Powders and Membranes
Authors: Kaplin A. V. , Rebrikova A. T. , Eremina E. A. , Chumakova N. A. , Avramenko N. V. , Korobov M. V.
Published: January 2023

The comparative study of sorption of polar substances acetonitrile and water into powders and membranes (>10 μm thick) of modified Hummers (HGO) and Brodie (BGO) graphite oxides was performed using isopiestic method (IM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Additional sorption data were obtained for pyridine and 1-octanol. Sorption measurements were accompanied by conventional XRD and XPS control. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) was additionally used to characterize ordering of the membranes. The impact on sorption of synthetic procedure (Brodie or Hummers), method of making membranes, chemical nature of the sorbent, and method of sorption was systematically examined. It was demonstrated that variations in synthetic procedures within both Hummers and Brodie methods did not lead to changes in the sorption properties of the corresponding powders. Sorption of acetonitrile and pyridine was reduced by approximately half when switching from powders to membranes at ambient temperature. DSC measurements at a lower temperature gave equal sorption of acetonitrile into HGO powder and membranes. Water has demonstrated unique sorption properties. Equal sorption of water was measured for HGO membranes and powders at T = 298 K and at T = 273 K. It was demonstrated that lowering the orientational alignment of the membranes led to the increase of sorption. In practice this could allow one to tune sorption/swelling and transport properties of the GO membranes directly by adjusting their internal ordering without the use of any composite materials.
Microwave Drying Kinetics of Chromium-Rich Electroplating Sludge
Authors: Zhang Jian , Peng Zhiwei , Luo Guanwen , Tian Ran , Rao Mingjun
Published: January 2023

Chromium-rich electroplating sludge (CRES) is a hazardous solid waste with a high content of moisture requiring efficient drying before subsequent treatment. In this study, the microwave drying kinetics of CRES were examined. The results showed that CRES had good microwave absorptivity, contributing to a much shorter drying time and better drying performance compared with conventional drying. In comparison with conventional drying at 105 °C, the time of microwave drying at 600 W for total moisture removal was reduced by 98.5%. Compared to load mass and particle size, microwave power played a more important role in microwave drying. Based on the kinetics analysis, the microwave drying process of CRES could be divided into three successive stages, in which the drying rates were limited by external diffusion (before 110 s), both external diffusion and chemical reaction (between 110 s and 160 s), and chemical reaction (after 160 s), respectively. The Danish model was found to have the best fit with the microwave drying process of CRES.
Research of the Process of Purification of Sulfate Zinc Solution from Iron Ions Using Anodic Oxidation
Authors: Liakyn Lyazat , Onalbayeva Zhanar , Kulenova Natalya , Daumova Gulzhan , Mamyachenkov Sergey , Anisimova Olga
Published: January 2023

The possibility of using a membrane electrolytic cell for the electrochemical oxidation of Fe(II) and purification from impurities of real industrial solutions obtained by atmospheric leaching of low-grade zinc concentrates is considered. The average indicators for carrying out the electrooxidation process are given. The principal possibility of conditioning a zinc sulfate solution by hydrolytic purification with preliminary oxidation of iron in a membrane electrolytic cell with an anion-exchange membrane MA-41 TU 2255-062-05761695-2009 is considered. Carrying out direct electrooxidation of iron (II) in sulfate zinc solutions in the anode chamber of a flow membrane electrolyzer ensures good filterability of precipitates after hydrolytic precipitation of iron, since this solution does not contain Fe(II) ions, the presence of which leads to significant difficulties in the operations of separating solid and liquid phases. This makes it possible to exclude the thickening operation from the technological scheme. The degree of oxidation of iron during the test period was 99.8–99.9%. The residual concentration of iron after precipitation from solutions obtained after electrochemical oxidation in the form of oxide and hydroxide compounds was less than 0.01 g/dm3.
Separation of Cobalt, Samarium, Iron, and Copper in the Leaching Solution of Scrap Magnets
Authors: Wang Jian-Zhi , Hsieh Yi-Hsun , Tang Yi-Chin , Shen Yun-Hwei
Published: January 2023

With the growing awareness of protecting the urban environment and the increasing demand for strategic materials, recycling of SmCo magnets has become imperative. This paper provides a series of methods regarding the available hydrometallurgical technologies for recycling scrap magnets. This study aimed to recover samarium (Sm), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) from acid leachate of SmCo scrap by using precipitation and ion exchange. IRC748 showed a good adsorption capacity for Fe and Cu. Elution tests were conducted using sulfuric acid at the concentration of 2N as eluents. Precipitation was performed first using a selective chemical precipitation method, and the Sm was first precipitated as a sodium samarium sulfate powder. Then, the samarium-deprived solution was placed in the beaker, and the addition of oxalic acid promoted cobalt oxalate precipitation. Furthermore, the leachate, which is rich in Cu and Fe, was mixed with oxalic acid to obtain the copper oxalate precipitation. This study successfully recovered SmCo magnets through ion exchange and precipitants.
Equivalent Modeling of Bolted Connections under Transverse Load Using Iwan-Based Material Properties
Authors: Jiang Dong , Wang Minrui , Sun Yuhang , Hang Xiaochen
Published: January 2023

The nonlinear characteristics of bolted connections are of significant importance for analyzing the mechanical performance of structures. The Iwan model is well-known and has been widely applied; its limitation is that it is not convenient for complex structures with multiple bolted connections. To simplify the modeling process, a material with the force-displacement characteristics of the Iwan model is proposed and applied to the bolted connection region, which can convert the nonlinearity of the bolted connection into the nonlinearity of the material. The constitutive relation of the proposed Iwan-based material is determined by the force-displacement equation of the bolted connection under load and the elastic-plastic hypothesis. The proposed Iwan-based material is implemented using the UMAT subroutine of ABAQUS, and the properties of the Iwan-based material are assigned to a solid finite element for an equivalent modeling of bolted connections. Through comparisons with the s imul ation results of the AIBE, the feasibility of the equivalent modeling method for the force-displacement relationship of the original Iwan model is verified, and through comparisons with the simulation results and experimental results of a detailed 3D FE model of the bolted connection, the universality of the equivalent modeling method is verified. The results show that the equivalent modeling method can well restore the statics characteristics of bolted structures under cyclic loading and can be applied to complex combined structures. The method is more convenient for establishing the finite element model of bolted connections and has more flexibility in adjusting parameters than traditional methods.
The Periparturient Gut Microbiota’s Modifications in Shaziling Sows concerning Bile Acids
Authors: Wang Jie , Li Yulian , Cao Chang , Yang Runhua , He Meilin , Yan Jiaqi , Huang Peng , Tan Bie , Fan Zhiyong
Published: January 2023

Shaziling pigs, as a native Chinese breed, have been classified as a fatty liver model. As the core of the whole pig farm, the sow’s organism health is especially important, especially in the perinatal period; however, there are few reports on the perinatal intestinal microbiology and bile acid metabolism of Shaziling pig sows. The purpose of this research was to investigate the alterations in bile acids and gut microbiota of sows that occur throughout the perinatal period. Forty-two sows were selected for their uniformity of body conditions and were given the same diet. Fecal samples were collected for 16srDNA sequencing and bile acid targeted metabolome detection in four stages (3 days before delivery, 3 days after delivery, 7 days after delivery and 21 days after delivery). As revealed by the results, there were statistically significant variations in bile acids among the four stages, with the concentration of bile acids identified by SZL-4 being substantially greater than that of the other three groups (p < 0.05). When compared to the other three groups (p < 0.05), SZL-2 had considerably lower Shannon, Simpson and Chao 1 indices, and exhibited a statistically significant difference in β-diversity. SZL-2 samples included a greater proportion of Proteobacteria than SZL-3 and SZL-4 samples; however, SZL-2 samples contained a smaller proportion of spirochetes than SZL-3 and SZL-4 samples. To a large extent, lactic acid bacteria predominated in the SZL-2 samples. The LEfSe analysis showed that the relative abundances of Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014_group, Christensenellaceae_R_7_group, Clostridium, Collinsella, Turicibacter, and Mollicutes_RF39_unclassified were the main differential bacteria in the SZL-1 swine fecal samples and the Eubacterium__coprostanoligenes_group in sow fecal samples from SZL-2. The relative abundance of Bacteroides, UBA1819, Enterococcus, Erysipelatoclostridium, and Butyricimonas in SZL-3 and SZL-4 Streptococcus, Coriobacteriaceae_unclassified, Prevotellaceae_UCG_001, Streptomyces, and Ochrobactrum in SZL-3. g_Collinsella was significantly and positively correlated with vast majority bile acids, and the g_Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014_group with GCDCA and GHDCA into positive correlations. Simultaneously, g_Streptococcus, g_Bacteroides, and g_UBA1819 inversely correlated with bile acid, accounting for the great bulk of the difference. In conclusion, there is an evident correlation between bile acids and gut microbiota in the perinatal period of Shaziling sows. Additionally, the discovery of distinct bacteria associated to lipid metabolism gives a reference for ameliorating perinatal body lipid metabolism disorder of sows through gut microbiota.
Accuracy and Completeness of Long Read Metagenomic Assemblies
Authors: Buttler Jeremy , Drown Devin M.
Published: January 2023

Microbes influence the surrounding environment and contribute to human health. Metagenomics can be used as a tool to explore the interactions between microbes. Metagenomic assemblies built using long read nanopore data depend on the read level accuracy. The read level accuracy of nanopore sequencing has made dramatic improvements over the past several years. However, we do not know if the increased read level accuracy allows for faster assemblers to make as accurate metagenomic assemblies as slower assemblers. Here, we present the results of a benchmarking study comparing three commonly used long read assemblers, Flye, Raven, and Redbean. We used a prepared DNA standard of seven bacteria as our input community. We prepared a sequencing library using a VolTRAX V2 and sequenced using a MinION mk1b. We basecalled with Guppy v5.0.7 using the super-accuracy model. We found that increasing read depth benefited each of the assemblers, and nearly complete community member chromosomes were assembled with as little as 10× read depth. Polishing assemblies using Medaka had a predictable improvement in quality. We found Flye to be the most robust across taxa and was the most effective assembler for recovering plasmids. Based on Flye’s consistency for chromosomes and increased effectiveness at assembling plasmids, we would recommend using Flye in future metagenomic studies.
Improvement of Alternaria Leaf Blotch and Fruit Spot of Apple Control through the Management of Primary Inoculum
Authors: Cabrefiga Jordi , Salomon Maria Victoria , Vilardell Pere
Published: January 2023

Alternaria spp. is the causal agent of apple leaf blotch and fruit spot, diseases of recent appearance in Spain. The overwinter inoculum of Alternaria spp. is the source of primary infections in apple, thus the aim of this work was to optimize the control of infection through two environmentally friendly inoculum-management strategies, the removal of winter fallen leaves and the treatment of leaves with the biological agent Trichoderma asperellum to inhibit or prevent inoculum development in commercial orchards. The results of commercial orchard trials showed that leaf aspiration and application of T. asperellum on the ground have efficacy to reduce fruit spot between 50 and 80% and leaf blotch of between 30 and 40% depending on the year. The efficacies on the reduction of leaf blotch were slightly lower than of fruit spot. Disease reduction has been related to a reduction of total spores released during the season. Results of dynamics of spore release indicate that factors influencing spore release were rainfall and temperature. In conclusion, the use of environmentally friendly strategies combined with standard fungicides, and with monitoring environmental conditions, might allow a reduction in the number of phytosanitary applications, thus achieving the goal of reducing their use.
Probiotics and Postbiotics as the Functional Food Components Affecting the Immune Response
Authors: Szydłowska Aleksandra , Sionek Barbara
Published: January 2023

The food market is one of the most innovative segments of the world economy. Recently, among consumers there is a forming trend of a healthier lifestyle and interest in functional foods. Products with positive health properties are a good source of nutrients for consumers’ nutritional needs and reduce the risk of metabolic diseases such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, or obesity. They also seem to boost the immune system. One of the types of functional food is “probiotic products”, which contain viable microorganisms with beneficial health properties. However, due to some technical difficulties in their development and marketing, a new alternative has started to be sought. Many scientific studies also point to the possibility of positive effects on human health, the so-called “postbiotics”, the characteristic metabolites of the microbiome. Both immunobiotics and post-immunobiotics are the food components that affect the immune response in two ways: as inhibition (suppressing allergies and inflammation) or as an enhancement (providing host defenses against infection). This work’s aim was to conduct a literature review of the possibilities of using probiotics and postbiotics as the functional food components affecting the immune response, with an emphasis on the most recently published works.
Maternal Sepsis in Italy: A Prospective, Population-Based Cohort and Nested Case-Control Study
Authors: Ornaghi Sara , Maraschini Alice , Buoncristiano Marta , Corsi Decenti Edoardo , Colciago Elisabetta , Cetin Irene , Donati Serena ,   on behalf of the ItOSS-Regional Working Group
Published: January 2023

Maternal sepsis represents a leading cause of mortality and severe morbidity worldwide. In Italy, it is the second cause of direct maternal mortality. Delay in recognition and treatment initiation are the drivers of sepsis-associated adverse outcomes. Between November 2017 and October 2019, the Italian Obstetric Surveillance System coordinated a prospective population-based study on maternal sepsis occurring before or after childbirth from 22 weeks’ gestation onward and up to 42 days following the end of pregnancy. A nested 1:2 matched case-control study on postpartum sepsis was also performed. Maternal sepsis was diagnosed for the presence of suspected or confirmed infection alongside signs or symptoms of organ failure. The aim of this study was to assess maternal sepsis incidence and its associated risk factors, management, and perinatal outcomes. Six Italian regions, covering 48.2% of the national births, participated in the project. We identified an incidence rate of 5.5 per 10,000 maternities (95% CI 4.80–6.28). Seventy percent of patients had a low education level and one third were foreigners with a language barrier. Genital, respiratory, and urinary tract infections were the predominant sources of infection; the majority of cases was caused by E. coli and polymicrobial infections. The presence of vascular and indwelling bladder catheters was associated with a nine-fold increased risk of postpartum sepsis. There were no maternal deaths, but one fourth of women experienced a serious adverse event and 28.3% required intensive care; 1.8% of newborns died. Targeted interventions to increase awareness of maternal sepsis and its risk factors and management should be promoted.