bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ginsenoside Rg1 Delays Chronological Aging in a Yeast Model via CDC19- and SDH2-Mediated Cellular Metabolism
Authors: Wang Siming , Qiao Juhui , Jiang Chunyan , Pan Daian , Yu Shiting , Chen Jingjing , Liu Shichao , Zhang Peiguang , Zhao Daqing , Liu Meichen
Published: January 2023

Ginsenosides, active substances in Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (ginseng), extend lifespan in multiple species, ameliorate age-associated damage, and limit functional decline in multiple tissues. However, their active components and their molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) promoted longevity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Treatment with Rg1 decreased aging-mediated surface wrinkling, enhanced stress resistance, decreased reactive oxygen species’ production and apoptosis, improved antioxidant enzyme activity, and decreased the aging rate. Proteomic analysis indicated that Rg1 delays S. cerevisiae senescence by regulating metabolic homeostasis. Protein–protein interaction networks based on differential protein expression indicated that CDC19, a homologue of pyruvate kinase, and SDH2, the succinate dehydrogenase iron–sulfur protein subunit, might be the effector proteins involved in the regulation by Rg1. Further experiments confirmed that Rg1 improved specific parameters of mitochondrial bioenergetics and core enzymes in the glycolytic pathway. Mutant strains were constructed that demonstrated the relationships between metabolic homeostasis and the predicted target proteins of Rg1. Rg1 could be used in new treatments for slowing the aging process. Our results also provide a useful dataset for further investigations of the mechanisms of ginseng in aging.
Age-Dependent Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Response to Short-Term Increased Dietary Fructose
Authors: Gatto Cristina , Di Porzio Angela , Crescenzo Raffaella , Barrella Valentina , Iossa Susanna , Mazzoli Arianna
Published: January 2023

The harmful effect of a long-term high-fructose diet is well established, but the age-dependent physiological responses that can be triggered by a short-term high-fructose diet in skeletal muscles have not been deeply explored. Therefore, the aim of this work was to compare the alterations in mitochondrial energetic and insulin responsiveness in the skeletal muscle induced by a short-term (2 weeks) fructose feeding in rats of different ages. For this purpose, fructose and uric acid levels, insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial bioenergetics and oxidative status were evaluated in the skeletal muscles from young (30 days old) and adult (90 days old) rats. We showed that, even in the short term, a high-fructose diet has a strong impact on skeletal muscle metabolism, with more marked effects in young rats than in adults ones. In fact, despite both groups showing a decrease in insulin sensitivity, the marked mitochondrial dysfunction was found only in the young rats, thus leading to an increase in the mitochondrial production of ROS, and therefore, in oxidative damage. These findings underscore the need to reduce fructose consumption, especially in young people, to preserve the maintenance of a metabolically healthy status.
Characterization and Preliminary In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of a New Multidrug Formulation Based on the Co-Encapsulation of Rutin and the α-Acylamino-β-Lactone NAAA Inhibitor URB894 within PLGA Nanoparticles
Authors: Gagliardi Agnese , Voci Silvia , Ambrosio Nicola , Fresta Massimo , Duranti Andrea , Cosco Donato
Published: January 2023

A biodegradable and biocompatible polymeric matrix made up of poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) was used for the simultaneous delivery of rutin and the (S)-N-(2-oxo-3-oxetanyl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide derivative (URB894). The goal was to exploit the well-known radical scavenging properties of rutin and the antioxidant features recently reported for the molecules belonging to the class of N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase (NAAA) inhibitors, such as URB894. The use of the compounds, both as single agents or in association promoted the development of negatively-charged nanosystems characterized by a narrow size distribution and an average diameter of ~200 nm when 0.2–0.6 mg/mL of rutin or URB894 were used. The obtained multidrug carriers evidenced an entrapment efficiency of ~50% and 40% when 0.4 and 0.6 mg/mL of rutin and URB894 were associated during the sample preparation, respectively. The multidrug formulation evidenced an improved in vitro dose-dependent protective effect against H2O2-related oxidative stress with respect to that of the nanosystems containing the active compounds as a single agent, confirming the rationale of using the co-encapsulation approach to obtain a novel antioxidant nanomedicine.
Brain Damage in Preterm and Full-Term Neonates: Serum Biomarkers for the Early Diagnosis and Intervention
Authors: Perrone Serafina , Grassi Federica , Caporilli Chiara , Boscarino Giovanni , Carbone Giulia , Petrolini Chiara , Gambini Lucia Maria , Di Peri Antonio , Moretti Sabrina , Buonocore Giuseppe , Esposito Susanna Maria Roberta
Published: January 2023

The Brain is vulnerable to numerous insults that can act in the pre-, peri-, and post-natal period. There is growing evidence that demonstrate how oxidative stress (OS) could represent the final common pathway of all these insults. Fetuses and newborns are particularly vulnerable to OS due to their inability to active the antioxidant defenses. Specific molecules involved in OS could be measured in biologic fluids as early biomarkers of neonatal brain injury with an essential role in neuroprotection. Although S-100B seems to be the most studied biomarker, its use in clinical practice is limited by the complexity of brain damage etiopathogenesis and the time of blood sampling in relation to the brain injury. Reliable early specific serum markers are currently lacking in clinical practice. It is essential to determine if there are specific biomarkers that can help caregivers to monitor the progression of the disease in order to active an early neuroprotective strategy. We aimed to describe, in an educational review, the actual evidence on serum biomarkers for the early identification of newborns at a high risk of neurological diseases. To move the biomarkers from the bench to the bedside, the assays must be not only be of a high sensitivity but suitable for the very rapid processing and return of the results for the clinical practice to act on. For the best prognosis, more studies should focus on the association of these biomarkers to the type and severity of perinatal brain damage.
Content and Stability of Hydroxycinnamic Acids during the Production of French Fries Obtained from Potatoes of Varieties with Light-Yellow, Red and Purple Flesh
Authors: Tajner-Czopek Agnieszka , Rytel Elżbieta , Kita Agnieszka , Sokół-Łętowska Anna , Kucharska Alicja Z.
Published: January 2023

Potatoes with different flesh colours contain health-promoting compounds, i.e., hydroxycinnamic acids, which vary in content and stability during thermal processing. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the technological stages of the production of French fries obtained from potatoes with different flesh colours on the content of selected hydroxycinnamic acids, as well as the stability of these acids, their percentage in sum of acids, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity (ABTS, DPPH) in semi-products and ready-to-eat products. During the production of French fries, samples of unpeeled, peeled, cut, blanched, pre-dried and fried potatoes were collected. After peeling, coloured potatoes, especially purple ones, had more hydroxycinnamic (5-CQA, 4-CQA, 3-CQA and CA) acids remaining in the flesh than in the flesh of the light-yellow variety. The greatest losses of the determined hydroxycinnamic acids, regardless of the given potato’s variety, were caused by the stage of pre-drying (about 91%) and frying (about 97%). The French fries obtained from the potatoes with coloured flesh, especially those with purple flesh, had the highest amount of stable 5-CQA and 4-CQA acids as well as 3-CQA acid, already absent in light-yellow French fries. The least stable acid was CA acid, which was not found in any of the ready snacks.
The Pleiotropic Regulator AdpA Regulates the Removal of Excessive Sulfane Sulfur in Streptomyces coelicolor
Authors: Lu Ting , Wang Qingda , Cao Qun , Xia Yongzhen , Xun Luying , Liu Huaiwei
Published: January 2023

Reactive sulfane sulfur (RSS), including persulfide, polysulfide, and elemental sulfur (S8), has important physiological functions, such as resisting antibiotics in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli and regulating secondary metabolites production in Streptomyces spp. However, at excessive levels it is toxic. Streptomyces cells may use known enzymes to remove extra sulfane sulfur, and an unknown regulator is involved in the regulation of these enzymes. AdpA is a multi-functional transcriptional regulator universally present in Streptomyces spp. Herein, we report that AdpA was essential for Streptomyces coelicolor survival when facing external RSS stress. AdpA deletion also resulted in intracellular RSS accumulation. Thioredoxins and thioredoxin reductases were responsible for anti-RSS stress via reducing RSS to gaseous hydrogen sulfide (H2S). AdpA directly activated the expression of these enzymes at the presence of excess RSS. Since AdpA and thioredoxin systems are widely present in Streptomyces, this finding unveiled a new mechanism of anti-RSS stress by these bacteria.
The Combination of Untargeted Metabolomics with Response Surface Methodology to Optimize the Functional Potential of Common Duckweed (Lemna minor L.)
Authors: Zhang Leilei , Rocchetti Gabriele , Zengin Gokhan , Del Buono Daniele , Trevisan Marco , Lucini Luigi
Published: January 2023

The present study was designed to evaluate the functional potential of common duckweed (Lemna minor L.) as a source of bioactive compounds of nutraceutical interest. The untargeted profiling of the bioactive components of common duckweed was carried out through ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS), in parallel with assessing in vitro antioxidant and enzymatic inhibition properties. The optimization of extraction parameters was determined using the response surface methodology (RSM) through a 3-factor central composite design. The process parameters included extraction temperature, % of ethanol, and ultrasound power, while the response variables were the phenolic content (considering each main phenolic class), total glucosinolates, total carotenoids, the antioxidant potential, and enzyme inhibition activities. The results revealed that common duckweed was a rich source of carotenoids and total flavonoids (mainly flavones and flavonols), followed by phenolic acids, low-molecular-weight phenolics, and glucosinolates. Interestingly, the total flavones, total flavonols and total carotenoid equivalents showed the highest and most positive correlation values with the bioactive properties measured. Finally, the combined RSM approach and unsupervised statistics allowed us to point out the pivotal impact of ethanol percentage in the extraction solvent to recover the highest amounts of bioactive compounds efficiently.
CaMKII-Dependent Contractile Dysfunction and Pro-Arrhythmic Activity in a Mouse Model of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Hegner Philipp , Lebek Simon , Schaner Benedikt , Ofner Florian , Gugg Mathias , Maier Lars Siegfried , Arzt Michael , Wagner Stefan
Published: January 2023

Left ventricular contractile dysfunction and arrhythmias frequently occur in patients with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). The CaMKII-dependent dysregulation of cellular Ca homeostasis has recently been described in SDB patients, but these studies only partly explain the mechanism and are limited by the patients’ heterogeneity. Here, we analyzed contractile function and Ca homeostasis in a mouse model of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) that is not limited by confounding comorbidities. OSA was induced by artificial tongue enlargement with polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) injection into the tongue of wildtype mice and mice with a genetic ablation of the oxidative activation sites of CaMKII (MMVV knock-in). After eight weeks, cardiac function was assessed with echocardiography. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Ca transients were measured using confocal and epifluorescence microscopy, respectively. Wildtype PTFE mice exhibited an impaired ejection fraction, while MMVV PTFE mice were fully protected. As expected, isolated cardiomyocytes from PTFE mice showed increased ROS production. We further observed decreased levels of steady-state Ca transients, decreased levels of caffeine-induced Ca transients, and increased pro-arrhythmic activity (defined as deviations from the diastolic Ca baseline) only in wildtype but not in MMVV PTFE mice. In summary, in the absence of any comorbidities, OSA was associated with contractile dysfunction and pro-arrhythmic activity and the inhibition of the oxidative activation of CaMKII conveyed cardioprotection, which may have therapeutic implications.
Genetic Polymorphisms in Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Pathways as Potential Biomarkers in Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
Authors: Vogrinc David , Gregorič Kramberger Milica , Emeršič Andreja , Čučnik Saša , Goričar Katja , Dolžan Vita
Published: January 2023

Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are important processes involved in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Numerous risk factors, including genetic background, can affect the complex interplay between those mechanisms in the aging brain and can also affect typical AD hallmarks: amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Our aim was to evaluate the association of polymorphisms in oxidative stress- and inflammation-related genes with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker levels and cognitive test results. The study included 54 AD patients, 14 MCI patients with pathological CSF biomarker levels, 20 MCI patients with normal CSF biomarker levels and 62 controls. Carriers of two polymorphic IL1B rs16944 alleles had higher CSF Aβ1–42 levels (p = 0.025), while carriers of at least one polymorphic NFE2L2 rs35652124 allele had lower CSF Aβ1–42 levels (p = 0.040). Association with IL1B rs16944 remained significant in the AD group (p = 0.029). Additionally, MIR146A rs2910164 was associated with Aβ42/40 ratio (p = 0.043) in AD. Significant associations with cognitive test scores were observed for CAT rs1001179 (p = 0.022), GSTP1 rs1138272 (p = 0.005), KEAP1 rs1048290 and rs9676881 (both p = 0.019), as well as NFE2L2 rs35652124 (p = 0.030). In the AD group, IL1B rs1071676 (p = 0.004), KEAP1 rs1048290 and rs9676881 (both p = 0.035) remained associated with cognitive scores. Polymorphisms in antioxidative and inflammation genes might be associated with CSF biomarkers and cognitive test scores and could serve as additional biomarkers contributing to early diagnosis of dementia.
Antioxidant Capacity through Electrochemical Methods and Chemical Composition of Oenocarpus bataua and Gustavia macarenensis from the Ecuadorian Amazon
Authors: Méndez-Durazno Carlos , Cisneros-Perez Pablo A. , Loja-Ojeda Bryan A. , Monge-Sevilla Raúl , Romero-Estévez David , Fernández Lenys , Espinoza-Montero Patricio J.
Published: January 2023

This study evaluated the antioxidant properties and chemical composition of the seeds, pulp and peels of Ungurahua (Oenocarpus bataua) and Pasu (Gustavia macarenensis)—fruits, native to the Ecuadorian Amazon. The antioxidant capacity was measured by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and cyclic voltammetry (antioxidant index 50 (AI50)) assays; differential pulse voltammetry was used to evaluate antioxidant power using the electrochemical index. The total phenolic content, as well as the yellow flavonoid and anthocyanin content, were quantified via spectrophotometry. In addition, the trans-resveratrol and ascorbic acid content were evaluated through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) was used to identify secondary metabolites with possible therapeutic properties. Results showed that the Pasu peel and seed extracts had the highest antioxidant capacity, followed by the Ungurahua peel; these results were consistent for both spectroscopic and electrochemical assays. HPLC and UPLC-MS analysis suggest that Oenocarpus bataua and Gustavia macarenensis are important sources of beneficial bioactive compounds.
Protection against Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity by Ergothioneine
Authors: Cheah Irwin K. , Tang Richard M. Y. , Wang Xiaoyuan , Sachaphibulkij Karishma , Chong Suet Yen , Lim Lina H. K. , Wang Jiong-Wei , Halliwell Barry
Published: January 2023

Background: Anthracyclines such as doxorubicin remain a primary treatment for hematological malignancies and breast cancers. However, cardiotoxicity induced by anthracyclines, possibly leading to heart failure, severely limits their application. The pathological mechanisms of anthracycline-induced cardiac injury are believed to involve iron-overload-mediated formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation. The dietary thione, ergothioneine (ET), is avidly absorbed and accumulated in tissues, including the heart. Amongst other cytoprotective properties, ET was shown to scavenge ROS, decrease proinflammatory mediators, and chelate metal cations, including Fe2+, preventing them from partaking in redox activities, and may protect against mitochondrial damage and dysfunction. Plasma ET levels are also strongly correlated to a decreased risk of cardiovascular events in humans, suggesting a cardioprotective role. This evidence highlights ET’s potential to counteract anthracycline cardiotoxicity. Methods and Findings: We investigated whether ET supplementation can protect against cardiac dysfunction in mice models of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and revealed that it had significant protective effects. Moreover, ET administration in a mouse breast cancer model did not exacerbate the growth of the tumor or interfere with the chemotherapeutic efficacy of doxorubicin. Conclusion: These results suggest that ET could be a viable co-therapy to alleviate the cardiotoxic effects of anthracyclines in the treatment of cancers.
NO and Heme Proteins: Cross-Talk between Heme and Cysteine Residues
Authors: Verde Cinzia , Giordano Daniela , Bruno Stefano
Published: January 2023

Heme proteins are a diverse group that includes several unrelated families. Their biological function is mainly associated with the reactivity of the heme group, which—among several other reactions—can bind to and react with nitric oxide (NO) and other nitrogen compounds for their production, scavenging, and transport. The S-nitrosylation of cysteine residues, which also results from the reaction with NO and other nitrogen compounds, is a post-translational modification regulating protein activity, with direct effects on a variety of signaling pathways. Heme proteins are unique in exhibiting this dual reactivity toward NO, with reported examples of cross-reactivity between the heme and cysteine residues within the same protein. In this work, we review the literature on this interplay, with particular emphasis on heme proteins in which heme-dependent nitrosylation has been reported and those for which both heme nitrosylation and S-nitrosylation have been associated with biological functions.
Protective Effect of Treated Olive Mill Wastewater on Target Bacteria and Mitochondrial Voltage-Dependent Anion-Selective Channel 1
Authors: Foti Paola , Conti-Nibali Stefano , Randazzo Cinzia L. , Reina Simona , Romeo Flora V. , Caggia Cinzia , De Pinto Vito
Published: January 2023

Olive mill wastewater, a by-product of the olive oil industry, represents an important resource, rich in bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity. In this study, two strategies to concentrate the bioactive components were used: the tangential membrane filtration (ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis) and the selective resin extraction. The concentrates were evaluated for physico-chemical characteristics and antioxidant activity. Furthermore, the antimicrobial activity and the effect on the mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion selective channel 1 were evaluated. The chemical results highlighted that the highest concentration of hydroxytyrosol (as 7204 mg/L) was revealed in the sample obtained by inverse osmosis while the highest concentration of oleuropein (10005 mg/L) was detected in the sample obtained by resin extraction. The latter sample exhibited the highest antimicrobial effects against Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Both samples exhibited a high impact on the electrophysiological parameters of VDAC1 activity. These results showed that both valorization techniques, which can be reproduced at industrial scale, provided phenolic concentrates with antioxidant and antimicrobial activity useful for different future perspectives.
Sequential Biorefining of Bioactive Compounds of High Functional Value from Calafate Pomace (Berberis microphylla) Using Supercritical CO2 and Pressurized Liquids
Authors: Ortiz-Viedma Jaime , Bastias-Montes José M. , Char Cielo , Vega Camila , Quintriqueo Alejandra , Gallón-Bedoya Manuela , Flores Marcos , Aguilera José M. , Miranda José M. , Barros-Velázquez Jorge
Published: January 2023

A biorefinery process was developed for a freeze-dried pomace of calafate berries (Berberis microphylla). The process consisted of extraction of lipophilic components with supercritical CO2 (scCO2) and subsequent extraction of the residue with a pressurized mixture of ethanol/water (1:1 v/v). scCO2 extracted oil from the pomace, while pressurized liquid extraction generated a crude extract rich in phenols and a residue rich in fiber, proteins and minerals. Response surface analysis of scCO2 extraction suggested optimal conditions of 60 °C, 358.5 bar and 144.6 min to obtain a lipid extract yield of 11.15% (d.w.). The dark yellow oil extract contained a good ratio of ω6/ω3 fatty acids (1:1.2), provitamin E tocopherols (406.6 mg/kg), and a peroxide index of 8.6 meq O2/kg. Pressurized liquid extraction generated a polar extract with good phenolic content (33 mg gallic acid equivalents /g d.w.), anthocyanins (8 mg/g) and antioxidant capacity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl test = 25 µg/mL and antioxidant activity = 63 µM Te/g). The extraction kinetics of oil by scCO2 and phenolic compounds were optimally adjusted to the spline model (R2 = 0.989 and R2 = 0.999, respectively). The solid extracted residue presented a fiber content close to cereals (56.4% d.w.) and acceptable values of proteins (29.6% d.w.) and minerals (14.1% d.w.). These eco-friendly processes valorize calafate pomace as a source of ingredients for formulation of healthy foods, nutraceuticals and nutritional supplements.
Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Status of Cookies Supplemented with Apple Pomace
Authors: Kruczek Marek , Gumul Dorota , Korus Anna , Buksa Krzysztof , Ziobro Rafał
Published: January 2023

The post-production leftovers after the pressing of apple juice are a rich source of health-promoting compounds, which could be used in the food industry for the manufacture of dietary foods, applicable also for people with celiac disease. This raw material is currently little used, and the cost of its disposal is considerable. Therefore, an attempt was made to enrich gluten-free cookies with different proportions of apple pomace. The content of individual polyphenols determined by the UPLC-PDA-MS/MS method, basic chemical composition, physical properties of cookies with 15%, 30%, 45%, and 60% apple pomace, were evaluated. It was found that apple pomace in gluten-free cookies caused an increase in the content of phenolic acids, quercetin derivatives, flavan-3-ols and dihydrochalcones. An elevation in protein, fat, and minerals was also observed. The growing share of apple pomace caused a significant increase in the content of total fiber, soluble, and insoluble fractions, but resulted in an increase in the hardness and darkening of the cookies while reducing their volume.
Greenhouse Temperature Prediction Based on Time-Series Features and LightGBM
Authors: Cao Qiong , Wu Yihang , Yang Jia , Yin Jing
Published: January 2023

A method of establishing a prediction model of the greenhouse temperature based on time-series analysis and the boosting tree model is proposed, aiming at the problem that the temperature of a greenhouse cannot be accurately predicted owing to nonlinear changes in the temperature of the closed ecosystem of a greenhouse featuring modern agricultural technology and various influencing factors. This model comprehensively considers environmental parameters, including humidity inside and outside the greenhouse, air pressure inside and outside the greenhouse, and temperature outside the greenhouse, as well as time-series changes, to make a more accurate prediction of the temperature in the greenhouse. Experiments show that the R2 determination coefficients of different prediction models are improved and the mean square error and mean absolute error are reduced after adding time-series features. Among the models tested, LightGBM performs best, with the mean square error of the prediction results of the model decreasing by 18.61% after adding time-series features. Comparing with the support vector machine, radial basis function neural network, back-propagation neural network, and multiple linear regression model after adding time-series features, the mean square error is 11.70% to 29.12% lower. Furthermore, the fitting degree of LightGBM is the best among the models. The prediction results of LightGBM therefore have important application value in greenhouse temperature control.
Machine Learning Prediction of the Long-Term Environmental Acoustic Pattern of a City Location Using Short-Term Sound Pressure Level Measurements
Authors: Navarro Juan M. , Pita Antonio
Published: January 2023

To manage noise pollution, cities use monitoring systems over wireless acoustic sensor networks. These networks are mainly composed of fixed-location sound pressure level sensors deployed in outdoor sites of the city for long-term monitoring. However, due to high economic and human resource costs, it is not feasible to deploy fixed metering stations on every street in a city. Therefore, these continuous measurements are usually complemented with short-term measurements at different selected locations, which are carried out by acoustic sensors mounted on vehicles or at street level. In this research, the application of artificial neural networks is proposed for estimation of the long-term environmental acoustic pattern of a location based on the information collected during a short time period. An evaluation has been carried out through a comparison of eight artificial neural network architectures using real data from the acoustic sensor network of Barcelona, Spain, showing higher accuracy in prediction when the complexity of the model increases. Moreover, time slots with better performance can be detected, helping city managers to deploy temporal stations optimally.
Quad Key-Secured 3D Gauss Encryption Compression System with Lyapunov Exponent Validation for Digital Images
Authors: Salunke Sharad , Shrivastava Ashok Kumar , Hashmi Mohammad Farukh , Ahuja Bharti , Bokde Neeraj Dhanraj
Published: January 2023

High-dimensional systems are more secure than their lower-order counterparts. However, high security with these complex sets of equations and parameters reduces the transmission system’s processing speed, necessitating the development of an algorithm that secures and makes the system lightweight, ensuring that the processing speed is not compromised. This study provides a digital image compression–encryption technique based on the idea of a novel quad key-secured 3D Gauss chaotic map with singular value decomposition (SVD) and hybrid chaos, which employs SVD to compress the digital image and a four-key-protected encryption via a novel 3D Gauss map, logistic map, Arnold map, or sine map. The algorithm has three benefits: First, the compression method enables the user to select the appropriate compression level based on the application using a unique number. Second, it features a confusion method in which the image’s pixel coordinates are jumbled using four chaotic maps. The pixel position is randomized, resulting in a communication-safe cipher text image. Third, the four keys are produced using a novel 3D Gauss map, logistic map, Arnold map, or sine map, which are nonlinear and chaotic and, hence, very secure with greater key spaces (2498). Moreover, the novel 3D Gauss map satisfies the Lyapunov exponent distribution, which characterizes any chaotic system. As a result, the technique is extremely safe while simultaneously conserving storage space. The experimental findings demonstrate that the method provides reliable reconstruction with a good PSNR on various singular values. Moreover, the applied attacks demonstrated in the result section prove that the proposed method can firmly withstand the urge of attacks.
Perception of and Practice in Salt and Fruit Consumption and Their Associations with High Blood Pressure: A Study in a Rural Area in Bangladesh
Authors: Islam Fakir M. Amirul , Wong Carrie K. , Hosen Mohammad Arzan , Bhowmik Jahar
Published: January 2023

Background: Minimizing raw salt and increasing fruit consumption are important factors for controlling blood pressure. The study aimed to investigate the following associations: (i) the association between socio-demographic characteristics and awareness of, and attitudes towards, raw salt and fruit consumption and (ii) the association between salt and fruit consumption and blood pressure. Methods: In a cluster-RCT, 307 adults, aged 30 to 75 years, with hypertension were recruited in 2021. Blood pressure was the primary outcome, and knowledge, attitudes and intakes of raw salt and fruit were secondary outcomes. Results: Of the participants, 271 (78.5%) consumed raw salt. More than 80% of the participants knew that reduced raw salt was good for controlling blood pressure and almost everyone knew that fruits and vegetables were good for health. Despite this, 95% of the participants had a habit of eating fruit irregularly. A lower proportion (64%) of the participants having at least a secondary school certificate (SSC) consumed raw salt, compared with those having an education level SSC (82%), p = 0.002. Blood pressure was not significantly different for participants, irrespective of raw salt or fruit consumption. Conclusions: Raw salt consumption among rural people was high and regular fruit consumption was deficient. They intended to reduce raw salt consumption. Appropriate intervention programs should be implemented to reduce salt consumption and increase fruit consumption.
Adaptive Optimization Method for Piled Raft Foundations Based on Variable Pile Spacing
Authors: Yuan Chenyang , Xie Yunfei , Ou Mang
Published: January 2023

Stricter control of the differential settlement is always required in important buildings more than in ordinary buildings. It becomes a necessity to find a simple and efficient optimum design method for pile foundations in terms of performance and economy. In this paper, an adaptive optimization method (AOM) is proposed to reduce the differential settlement of the pile group and piled raft, in which the piles are located in appropriate locations according to the settlement characteristic of the raft. Piled raft foundations with different types of load and different raft shapes are optimized using this method; soil inhomogeneity and nonlinear characteristic are considered during this process. The optimization results show that the reductions of the differential settlement are more than 80%. The overall foundation performances are improved as the maximum settlements of the foundations are reduced. The maximum bearing capacity of the pile group is no more than its ultimate bearing capacity after optimization design, and part of the excess bearing capacity can be translated into economic savings (AOM-ES). By keeping a good optimization effect of the differential settlement, the number of piles can be reduced by AOM-ES compared with the initial design. The AOM is robust and can be applied to the piled foundations of various raft shapes in layered soils under complex vertical loads with no significant impact on optimization efficiency.
Noise Control in Air Mechanical Ventilation Systems with Three-Dimensional Metamaterials
Authors: Trematerra Amelia , Bevilacqua Antonella , Iannace Gino
Published: January 2023

The diffusion of mechanical ventilation systems increased rapidly due to the climate changes in all parts of the world. The mechanical ventilation systems are mainly used in the summer for many difficulties to face very hot temperatures. One of the biggest problems considered if every residential unit is equipped with a mechanical ventilation system is the generation of noise by the rotating blades of the fan for refrigeration. This paper discusses the applications of metamaterials to create attenuation filters to be installed inside the encases of the mechanical ventilation systems in order to obtain sound attenuation. A three-dimensional reticular structure made with spheres has been studied in different configurations related to the numbers of layers employed. The sound attenuations were measured at some specific octaves, depending on the particular configurations. In general, the sound attenuation peaks have been measured between 4 kHz and 8 kHz; this is expected to mitigate the tonal noise component typical of fans based on different variables that compose the whole system (e.g., fan diameter, number of blades, fan speed). However, the outcomes shall be considered in terms of laboratory conditions since material properties of the enclosure and potential polarization effects due to reflection of sound waves at the boundaries may occur.
Research and Evaluation Method for Echelon Usage of Double-Life Equipment Considering Calendar Life
Authors: Qin Pisheng , Zhang Xiaofeng , Miao Qinglin , Liu Nachuan
Published: January 2023

Echelon usage is an important usage and control method for double-life equipment considering calendar life, which can improve the utilization rate of equipment life and give full play to the economic benefits of the equipment. However, the life indicator considered by the most common echelon usage method is single, and most methods evaluate the echelon usage through the echelon uniformity of working life. The conclusions obtained are limited for the usage and control of double-life equipment, so it is necessary to study the life evaluation method considering calendar life. In this paper, by analyzing the life consumption law of double-life equipment, the recursive method is used to calculate the controllable life range in the process of echelon usage. The evaluation method of working life distribution considering calendar life is proposed. The equipment life reserve is evaluated according to the unit task quantity of the equipment. The results show that the new method can quickly analyze the equipment beyond the usage and control range, evaluate the distribution of working life more accurately, reflect the shortage of equipment reserve life, and has guiding significance for the usage and control of equipment.
Recent Developments in DC-DC Converter Topologies for Light Electric Vehicle Charging: A Critical Review
Authors: Akhtar Mohammad Faisal , Raihan Siti Rohani S. , Rahim Nasrudin Abd , Akhtar Mohammad Nishat , Abu Bakar Elmi
Published: January 2023

Rising greenhouse gas emissions stemming from fossil fuel-driven vehicles are causing damage to the environment. To counteract this, one solution is the adoption of electric vehicles (EV) for transportation requirements. In this regard, one category of EVs that requires special attention is light electric vehicle (LEV), mainly because of their wide potential in public transportation—especially in developing countries. To realise widespread adoption of LEVs for this purpose, it is imperative to make their charging systems more robust. Consequently, the subject of LEV charging has gained considerable traction, and numerous research works have been reported on this subject in recent years. Hence, this paper aims to chronicle recent research developments on LEV charging techniques, by placing special attention on DC-DC converter topologies used in both on-board and off-board chargers. This review explores recent LEV charger DC-DC converters in literature by segregating them into isolated and non-isolated topologies. Lastly, this work explores challenges and emerging trends in LEV charging, which can potentially be explored by researchers in the future.
Wind Loads on Overhead Sign Structures: A Comparative Study
Authors: Aly Aly Mousaad , Benson James
Published: January 2023

Road signs are prone to extreme winds that cause significant damage. Overhead sign structures can disrupt traffic and cause harm to the traveling public if a failure occurs under extreme wind conditions. In this paper, we employ Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in a comparative study to understand the aerodynamics of standard, porous, and curved signs. The study shows the viability of porous and curved overhead boards for lessening aerodynamic loads, which can mini-mize damage and enhance safety on roadways. Porous overhead signs can decrease the drag forces; however, the size of the openings is a vital parameter in reducing wind loads. Small and uniform perforations lead to higher drag forces, compared to larger ones, under the same porosity ratio. Introducing porosity to a solid panel moves the vorticity region further downstream, reducing the magnitude of pressures on the leeward side and decreasing the drag force. However, curved panels further enhanced the force reduction.
Investigation of Functionality of Vehicle Crumple Zones Recovered after a Traffic Accident
Authors: Lukoševičius Vaidas , Juodvalkis Darius , Keršys Artūras , Makaras Rolandas
Published: January 2023

It is fairly common for a used vehicle to have a history of damage related to traffic accidents. Post-accident repair of a vehicle is associated with both technical and economic challenges. Safe operation is mentioned primarily in the technical requirements that restrict further use of the vehicle. Here, forecasting the behaviour of the restored safety elements during another traffic accident should be addressed from the theoretical perspective. During a collision, the longitudinal members lose local stability due to the compressive impact load and partially absorb the impact energy due to the plastic deformations taking place during buckling. Recent research has placed a considerable focus on the analysis of this process, and guidelines have been developed for the design of these elements. However, the accumulated data on the effect of potential operational damages and the behaviour of the damaged elements during a traffic accident are insufficient. Moreover, no theoretical models have been developed, and the experimental investigations are insufficient. Investigating changes in the properties of elements of the crumple zone by using materials of different mechanical characteristics or changing the geometry is the essential part of this paper and forms the basis for the study of key deformation properties of the elements. This study designed numerical models allowing for forecasting of the longitudinal member and other structural elements of the vehicle in case of collision with an obstacle. The methodology was designed to forecast the amount of energy absorbed by the thin-walled sections used in the vehicle safety cage and the course of deformation under impact loads that caused stability loss. The effect of potential damages, such as geometric deviations and changes in the characteristics of materials and fabricated joints, was identified on the deformation of the restored safety elements.
Role of Natural Gas Supply Sector in the National Economy: A Comparative Analysis between South Korea and Japan
Authors: Lee Seo-Young , Kim Ju-Hee , Yoo Seung-Hoon
Published: January 2023

This study examines the role of the natural gas supply sector in the national economy by applying input–output analysis to South Korea and Japan. Specifically, the production-inducing effect, value-added creation effect, wage-inducing effect, employment-inducing effect, supply shortage effect, and price-inducing effect were analyzed using an input–output table of South Korea and Japan. As a result, the production-inducing effect, value-added creation effect, and employment-inducing effect of same investment amount in the natural gas supply sector were greater in Japan than in South Korea. On the other hand, the wage-inducing effect of an investment of USD 1 in the natural gas supply sector was found to be greater in South Korea than in Japan. In addition, the supply shortage effect and price-inducing effect in the natural gas supply sector were greater in South Korea than in Japan. The causes of differences in analysis results for each country and their implications were discussed. The results of this study could be a useful reference for the government to establish policies related to natural gas supply in the future.
A Framework for Assessing the Interference from NGSO Satellite Systems to a Radio Astronomy System
Authors: Zou Cheng , Wang Haiwang , Xia Shiyi , Chang Jiachao , Shao Fengwei , Shang Lin , Hu Yuemei , Li Guotong
Published: January 2023

As the number of non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellites continues to grow, interference with other communication systems, including radio astronomy systems (RASs), is becoming increasingly critical. In this study, an interference simulation framework was developed to analyse the potential impact of NGSO systems on RAS in accordance with the relevant International Telecommunication Union (ITU) regulations and recommendations. In addition to the simulation of interference generated by individual NGSO satellite systems, the framework also supports the analysis of aggregate interference from multiple NGSO satellite systems. By inputting satellite system parameters, including constellation configuration, user distribution and beam scheduling strategy, the framework is able to obtain interference probability distributions for a typical RAS ground station at different latitudes and observation directions. The simulation results provide a reference for the analysis of interference from NGSO satellite systems to RASs, and can also be used to guide the development of strategies to mitigate harmful interference to RASs.
Effects of Anaerobic Fatigue Induced by Sport-Specific Exercise on Postural Control in Highly-Trained Adolescent Road Cyclists
Authors: Zając Bartosz , Mika Anna , Gaj Paulina Katarzyna , Ambroży Tadeusz
Published: January 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether and how anaerobic fatigue induced by sport-specific exercise affects the postural control of highly-trained adolescent road cyclists. Twenty-three male athletes, aged 15–18 years, were included in the study. Postural control was assessed using the pedobarographic platform (bipedal upright stance, sequentially, with eyes open (EO) and closed (EC) for 60 s each, with a 30 s interval), before and 3 min after a 30 s all-out effort performed on the ergometer. The results showed significant increases in the 95%-confidence ellipse area (p-value 0.000 and 0.001 for EO and EC, respectively), as well as centre-of-pressure (CoP) range displacement in the anteroposterior (p-value 0.000 for both EO and EC) and mediolateral (p-value 0.011 and 0.001 for EO and EC, respectively) planes. In addition, a significant decrease in CoP mean sway frequency was observed (p-value 0.000 and 0.001 for EO and EC, respectively), but no changes were noted in CoP mean velocity (p-value 0.316 and 0.670 for EO and EC, respectively). In our study, it has been indicated that anaerobic fatigue induced by sport-specific exercise deteriorates postural control in adolescent cyclists. Moreover, cycling training may affect the quality of postural corrective reactions occurring in response to anaerobic fatigue.
Fast Ion Speed Diffusion Effect on Distributions of Fusion Neutrons
Authors: Goncharov Pavel
Published: January 2023

Velocity distributions of fuel nuclei enter the formulae for distributions of products of fusion reactions in plasma. The formulae contain multiple integration, which is a computationally heavy task. Therefore, simplifications of the integrand are advantageous. One of possible simplifications is the use of closed-form analytical distributions of fast deuterons and tritons, accounting for slowing down and pitch-angle scattering and neglecting the speed diffusion. The plausibility of such a model has been studied from the viewpoint of its influence on the calculated spectra of fusion neutrons. Calculations have shown that the speed diffusion effect on suprathermal ion distribution tails does not significantly alter the qualitative behaviour of energy and angle distributions of fusion products in a beam-heated plasma.
Simple, Scalable Route to Produce Transparent Superhydrophobic/Hydrophilic Film Surfaces
Authors: AlZadjali Shroq , Matouk Zineb , AlShehhi Abdulla , Rajput Nitul , Mohammedture Meriam , Guttierrez Monserrat
Published: January 2023

Superhydrophobic coatings are gaining popularity because of their low maintenance requirements, high durability, and wide range of potential uses. Such coatings, for instance, may provide beneficial resistance to fouling, icing, smear, and corrosion, and can separate oil from water. Therefore, the creation of superhydrophobic materials is a topic of great interest to academics all around the world. In this paper, a spray-coating deposition technique is used to deposit silica nanoparticles on glass while using a sol–gel as a base. The applied coating increased the transmittance to 99% at 600 nm. Water contact angle (WCA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations of the coated layer’s grade index and induced porousness led to superhydrophobic behavior with a water contact angle that was higher than 158°.
Comparison of ANN and ANFIS Models for AF Diagnosis Using RR Irregularities
Authors: Duangburong Suttirak , Phruksaphanrat Busaba , Muengtaweepongsa Sombat
Published: January 2023

Classification of normal sinus rhythm (NSR), paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) is crucial in order to diagnose and effectively plan treatment for patients. Current classification models were primarily developed by electrocardiogram (ECG) signal databases, which may be unsuitable for local patients. Therefore, this research collected ECG signals from 60 local Thai patients (age 52.53 ± 23.92) to create a classification model. The coefficient of variance (CV), the median absolute deviation (MAD), and the root mean square of the successive differences (RMSSD) are ordinary feature variables of RR irregularities used by existing models. The square of average variation (SAV) is a newly proposed feature that extracts from the irregularity of RR intervals. All variables were found to be statistically different using ANOVA tests and Tukey’s method with a p-value less than 0.05. The methods of artificial neural network (ANN) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) were also tested and compared to find the best classification model. Finally, SAV showed the best performance using the ANFIS model with trapezoidal membership function, having the highest system accuracy (ACC) at 89.33%, sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP), and positive predictivity (PPR) for NSR at 100.00%, 94.00%, and 89.29%, PAF at 88.00%, 90.57%, and 81.48%, and AF at 80.00%, 96.00%, and 90.91%, respectively.