bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Concentration Prediction-Based Crop Digital Twin Using Nutrient Co-Existence and Composition in Regression Algorithms
Authors: Ghazvini Anahita , Sharef Nurfadhlina Mohd , Balasundram Siva Kumar , Lee Lai Soon
Published: April 2024

Crop digital twin is redefining traditional farming practices, offering unprecedented opportunities for real-time monitoring, predictive and simulation analysis, and optimization. This research embarks on an exploration of the synergy between precision agriculture, crop modeling, and regression algorithms to create a digital twin for farmers to augment the concentration and composition prediction-based crop nutrient recovery. This captures the holistic representation of crop characteristics, considering the intricate relationships between environmental factors, nutrient concentrations, and crop compositions. However, the complexity arising from diverse soil and environmental conditions makes nutrient content analysis expensive and time-consuming. This paper presents two approaches, namely, (i) single-nutrient concentration prediction and (ii) nutrient composition concentration prediction, which is the result of a predictive digital twin case study that employs six regression algorithms, namely, Elastic Net, Polynomial, Stepwise, Ridge, Lasso, and Linear Regression, to predict rice nutrient content efficiently, particularly considering the coexistence and composition of multiple nutrients. Our research findings highlight the superiority of the Polynomial Regression model in predicting nutrient content, with a specific focus on accurate nitrogen percentage prediction. This insight can be used for nutrient recovery intervention by knowing the precise amount of nutrient to be added into the crop medium. The adoption of the Polynomial Regression model offers a valuable tool for nutrient management practices in the crop digital twin, potentially resulting in higher-quality rice production and a reduced environmental impact. The proposed method can be replicable in other low-resourced crop digital twin system.
Bi-Objective Function Optimization for Welding Robot Parameters to Improve Manipulability
Authors: Lee Dongjun , Jin Sangrok
Published: April 2024

This paper presents a study on optimal design to determine the installation position and link lengths of a robot within a designated workspace for welding, aiming to minimize singularities during the robot’s motion. Bi-objective functions are formulated to minimize singularities while maximizing the volumes of linear velocity manipulability ellipsoid and angular velocity manipulability ellipsoid, respectively, ensuring isotropy. We have constructed a simulation environment incorporating PID control to account for robot tracking errors. This environment was utilized as a simulator to derive a Bi-objective function set within a genetic algorithm. Through this, we optimized four robot link length variables and two installation position variables, selecting the optimal design variables on the Pareto Front. In the standard work object, the volume average of the linear velocity manipulability ellipsoid was confirmed to have improved by 72% compared to the initial level, and the isotropy of the angular velocity manipulability ellipsoid was confirmed to have improved by 23% compared to the initial level. Furthermore, correlation analysis between design parameters identified those with a high correlation with the objective functions, and the analysis results are discussed.
DIFFBAS: An Advanced Binaural Audio Synthesis Model Focusing on Binaural Differences Recovery
Authors: Li Yusen , Shen Ying , Wang Dongqing
Published: April 2024

Binaural audio synthesis (BAS) aims to restore binaural audio from mono signals obtained from the environment to enhance users’ immersive experiences. It plays an essential role in building Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality environments. Existing deep neural network (DNN)-based BAS systems synthesize binaural audio by modeling the overall sound propagation processes from the source to the left and right ears, which encompass early decay, room reverberation, and head/ear-related filtering. However, this end-to-end modeling approach brings in the overfitting problem for BAS models when they are trained using a small and homogeneous data set. Moreover, existing losses cannot well supervise the training process. As a consequence, the accuracy of synthesized binaural audio is far from satisfactory on binaural differences. In this work, we propose a novel DNN-based BAS method, namely DIFFBAS, to improve the accuracy of synthesized binaural audio from the perspective of the interaural phase difference. Specifically, DIFFBAS is trained using the average signals of the left and right channels. To make the model learn the binaural differences, we propose a new loss named Interaural Phase Difference (IPD) loss to supervise the model training. Extensive experiments have been performed and the results demonstrate the effectiveness of the DIFFBAS model and the IPD loss.
Position-Based Formation Control Scheme for Crowds Using Short Range Distance (SRD)
Authors: Son Jun Hyuck , Sung Man Kyu
Published: April 2024

In crowd simulation, representing crowd behavior in complex dynamic environments is one of the biggest challenges. In this paper, we propose new algorithms to make crowds satisfy a given formation while they are moving towards a destination. For this, we apply the Position Based Dynamics (PBD) framework, but introduce a new formation constraint based on a so-called Short Range Destination (SRD). The SRD is a short-term goal to which an agent must move in formation. In addition, a grid structure that we use for neighbor search is also used for congestion control. Depending on the congestion value, the agents in the cell may break the formation and instead exhibit emergent behaviors such as collision avoidance, but must automatically restore the original formation once the situation is resolved. Smooth movement of agents is also achieved by adding special behaviors when they are moving along the path that the user specifies. From several experiments, we show that the proposed scheme is capable of exhibiting natural aggregate behavior of crowds in real time, even for a highly condensed environment.
Methodology for Sustainability Assessment for the Use of Ground Olive Stones in Mortar Bricks for Facades
Authors: San Vicente-Navarro Alejandro , Los Santos-Ortega Jorge , Fraile-García Esteban , Ferreiro-Cabello Javier
Published: April 2024

The addition of ground olive stones in the manufacture of mortar bricks reduces their thermal conductivity coefficient and increases heat exchange insulation. So, it can improve energy efficiency and reduce the energy demand of buildings. This research analyzes, from other points of view, the economic, social and environmental impacts of the doping of GERO mortar bricks with ground olive stone in a percentage between 5% and 15% by volume of fine aggregate for use in building construction. The study focuses mainly on the region of Andalusia, Spain, where large quantities of olive stones are collected as waste from olive oil production. The economic analysis shows how the use of ground olive stones as a partial replacement of fine aggregate in mortar can generate significant savings and economic returns in the medium term (10–20 years) by reducing conventional energy consumption in heating and air conditioning installations. Finally, the Environmental Life Cycle Analysis shows that the use of ground olive stones in GERO perforated bricks reduces environmental impacts in the medium term. In summary, the research concludes that the doping of mortar bricks with ground olive stones can have a positive impact on the economy, society and the environment, and represents a sustainable and cost-effective alternative for the construction industry.
The Role of Burdock and Black Radish Powders Obtained by Low-Temperature Drying in Emulsion-Type Hair Conditioners
Authors: Zięba Małgorzata , Klimaszewska Emilia , Ogorzałek Marta , Ruszkowska Millena
Published: April 2024

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential role of burdock and black radish powders in emulsion-type hair conditioners. The studied plant powders were obtained by low-temperature drying. This method allows plants to retain many valuable nutrients, including vitamins or phytosterols, which have a positive effect on the condition of hair and skin. For the selected plant powders, the content of vitamin C and total polyphenolic content, as well as the degree of reduction of DPPH free radicals, were determined. Burdock and black radish powders proved to contain polyphenolic compounds and exhibited antioxidant activity, which is particularly evident in burdock powder. The plant material under study was also proven to contain vitamin C. The following stage of this study involved designing the formulations and preparing seven hair conditioner emulsions containing different plant-based powders at various concentrations. In the next step, the cosmetic prototypes were evaluated for their physicochemical and functional properties. The hair conditioners were found to have satisfactory functional characteristics, including dynamic viscosity, yield stress, and consistency. Colorimetric analysis showed that an increase in the concentration of burdock and black radish powders obtained by low-temperature drying in hair conditioners resulted in a more saturated color compared to the reference sample. The test results indicated that an increase in the concentration of the plant-derived powders contributes to an increase in the intensity of the yellow color of the samples.
Usefulness Evaluation for Nonlocal Means Algorithm in Low-Dose Computed Tomography with Various Iterative Reconstruction Intensities and Kernels: A Pilot Study
Authors: Song Chaehyeon , Jin Yubin , Shim Jina , Kang Seong-Hyeon , Lee Youngjin
Published: April 2024

The aim of this study was to evaluate the application feasibility of the nonlocal means (NLM) noise reduction algorithm in low-dose computed tomography (CT) images using an advanced modeled iterative reconstruction (ADMIRE) iterative reconstruction technique-based tin filter with various applied parameters. Low-dose CT images were based on high pitch and tin filters and acquired using slices of the aortic arch, the four chambers of the heart, and the end of the heart. Intensities A2 and A3 as well as kernels B40 and B59 were used as the parameters for the ADMIRE technique. The NLM denoising algorithm was modeled based on the principle of weighting between pixels; the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), edge rise distance (ERD), and blind/referenceless image spatial quality evaluator (BRISQUE) were used as image quality evaluation parameters. The CNR result was the highest, with an average of 43.51 in three slices when the proposed NLM denoising algorithm was applied to CT images acquired using the ADMIRE intensity 2 and B59 kernel. The ERD results were similar to those obtained using the ADMIRE intensity 2 and B59 kernel in the CT image acquired using the proposed method. In addition, BRISQUE, which can evaluate the overall image quality, showed a similar trend to the ERD results. In conclusion, the NLM noise reduction algorithm is expected to maximize image quality by preserving efficient edge information while improving noise characteristics in low-dose CT examinations.
Study on Dynamic Loading Characteristics of Rock Containing Holes
Authors: Zang Chuanwei , Li Qi , Chen Miao , Wang Xiaoshan , Xiao Can , Tu Hongyuan
Published: April 2024

Accurately characterizing the mechanical behavior and fracture mechanisms of rock containing holes under dynamic loads is essential for ensuring the stability of underground rock structures. In this study, to enhance the understanding of the fracture processes in rock specimens with cavities subjected to dynamic impacts, experimental and numerical studies focusing on the influence of borehole geometry and strain rate are conducted. The results reveal that the strain rate affects the specimens’ dynamic mechanical strength and peak strain. However, the degree of such influence diminishes as the borehole diameter increases in specimens containing two holes. Fractures that lead to failure are primarily initiated at the axial and radial edges of the holes, the specimen extremities, and around the rock bridges in specimens with dual cavities, indicating significant stress concentration zones within the stress field distribution for specimens with a single hole. Further analysis using displacement field diagrams confirms that shear-induced fractures are the predominant cause of failure across all specimens. These findings provide critical insights for developing borehole pressure relief technology to protect against the risks of deep dynamic impacts.
Power–Pitch Cascade Control-Based Approach for the Up/Down-Regulated Operation of Large Wind Turbines
Authors: Gambier Adrian
Published: April 2024

Modern energy needs require controlled and clean power generation. This demands that the wind turbines be integrated into joint generation groups (wind farms) and the power supply passes be managed by the grid. In this case, the control system of both the wind farm and the individual machines needs the ability to decrease and increase the power output as required. This control system feature is normally implemented by changing control strategies and an associated switching logic. This makes the control system additionally complex and prone to errors. This paper proposes an integrated control configuration for torque and pitch based on a cascade power tracking control (PTC) approach that extends the traditional wind turbine control to enable or disable up/down-regulation. Hence, the resulting control system topology is not complex, and its theoretic dynamic behaviour is known and expected. The new control configuration is studied within a simulation environment with a 20 MW reference machine. The simulation results are very promising from the control performance viewpoint.
Knowledge Graph-Based Framework to Support Human-Centered Collaborative Manufacturing in Industry 5.0
Authors: Nagy László , Abonyi János , Ruppert Tamás
Published: April 2024

The importance of highly monitored and analyzed processes, linked by information systems such as knowledge graphs, is growing. In addition, the integration of operators has become urgent due to their high costs and from a social point of view. An appropriate framework for implementing the Industry 5.0 approach requires effective data exchange in a highly complex manufacturing network to utilize resources and information. Furthermore, the continuous development of collaboration between human and machine actors is fundamental for industrial cyber-physical systems, as the workforce is one of the most agile and flexible manufacturing resources. This paper introduces the human-centric knowledge graph framework by adapting ontologies and standards to model the operator-related factors such as monitoring movements, working conditions, or collaborating with robots. It also presents graph-based data querying, visualization, and analysis through an industrial case study. The main contribution of this work is a knowledge graph-based framework that focuses on the work performed by the operator, including the evaluation of movements, collaboration with machines, ergonomics, and other conditions. In addition, the use of the framework is demonstrated in a complex use case based on an assembly line, with examples of resource allocation and comprehensive support in terms of the collaboration aspect between shop-floor workers.
Design and Application of New Aeration Device Based on Recirculating Aquaculture System
Authors: Tong Chengbiao , He Kang , Hu Haoyu
Published: April 2024

This study optimized the design of an aeration device for pond engineered recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs) whose application is aimed at increasing dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in RAS aquaculture practice. DO is a key factor in aquaculture productivity, and oxygenators are the power devices used for regulating its levels in aquaculture ponds. In this study, grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) aquaculture trials were conducted in a self-built RAS by using the new aeration device (NAD); the microporous and impeller aeration components were individually tested in terms of performance, and then combined for the orthogonal testing of their operating parameters in order to assess the NAD’s oxygenation capacity. The test results show that the device effectively increased the dissolved oxygen levels in the RAS tank, enhanced the upper–lower water layer exchange and directional flow, and met the design and parameter selection requirements. Compared with the existing RAS oxygenation equipment, the NAD operated with the optimal parameters and increased the oxygen transfer rate in the pond water tank by 122%.
Measurements of Human Perception of Train Vibration
Authors: Kowalska-Koczwara Alicja , Pachla Filip , Tatara Tadeusz
Published: April 2024

Environmental protection encompasses various aspects, ranging from well-known concerns like air and water pollution to landscape preservation. One often-overlooked facet of pollution is the mitigation of vibrations, a matter addressed not only by Polish legislation but also by EU directives. Human perception of vibrations constitutes a crucial subjective parameter in evaluating the level of vibration pollution, and is influenced by factors such as age, gender, and individual height. Buildings are predominantly exposed to vibration excitation from external sources, including industrial machinery (e.g., vibration road rollers, pile driving) and transport-related sources such as roads, railways, subways, or trams. Vibrations transmitted from the ground to a building can impact its structural integrity, but more commonly, they result in discomfort for occupants. Particularly, unexpected vibrations from transport-related sources can be bothersome. This study aimed to check whether there is a correlation between the type of train and the speed of travel near a representative residential building of brick construction. This study used actual in situ measurements of the horizontal components and the vertical component of vibrations in the building. Analyses of the measured vibration components were carried out to assess the impact of vibrations on people staying in the building and passively receiving these vibrations. Procedures described in the Polish standard concerning measurements and method of analysis were used. The analyses used the value of the vibration impact index on people (WODL). This study used linear and nonlinear regression analyses to obtain information on whether there is a relationship between the type of train, its speed, and the value of the WODL index. The results of the analyses indicate a relationship between the speed of the train and the value of the WODL index, but it should be emphasized that some events deviate from the developed regression model. Adopting a multiple regression model that takes into account the speed of the train and its type gives better results. Our findings should provide valuable information for designers and managers involved in the planning and operation of train transport systems.
Study on the Influence of Dust Removal Fan Structure Parameters on Dust Removal Performance
Authors: Zhao Jinchen , Gao Guijun , Gao Xinqi
Published: April 2024

In order to study the influence of various parts of the structure of a wet dust removal fan for mining (including the number of driving impeller blades, the airfoil of the driving impeller blades, the number of driven impeller blades, the rear guide vane, the swirl guide vane, and the length of the outlet section) on dust removal performance, a wet dust removal fan for mining was modeled according to different structural parameters. The internal flow field and dust removal of the fan were then numerically simulated using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method. The results show that after the airflow passes through the swirl guide vane of the dust removal fan, there is an obvious swirl flow in the exit section of the dust removal fan. Under the action of centrifugal force, a large amount of dust is collected on the side wall of the exit section. With the increase in the number of driving impeller blades, the total pressure efficiency, static pressure efficiency, and dust removal efficiency of the dust removal fan decrease. When the driving impeller blade adopts the C-4 airfoil, the total pressure efficiency and static pressure efficiency of the dust removal fan are higher but the dust removal efficiency is lower than that of the same thickness circular plate airfoil. With the increase in the number of driven impeller blades, the power of the driving impeller shaft of the dust removal fan gradually increases; the total pressure and static pressure values first increase and then decrease; and the driven impeller speed, total pressure efficiency, static pressure efficiency, and dust removal efficiency gradually decrease. Adding the rear guide vane structure can improve the total pressure efficiency and static pressure efficiency of the dust removal fan but will reduce the dust removal efficiency of the dust removal fan. The increase in the swirl guide vane structure will reduce the total pressure efficiency and static pressure efficiency of the dust removal fan but the dust removal efficiency will be significantly improved. The extension of the outlet section of the dust removal fan will reduce the total pressure efficiency and static pressure efficiency of the dust removal fan, but the dust removal efficiency will increase. In this paper, by changing the structural parameters of the dust removal fan and establishing different models for numerical simulation and analysis, the influence law of the structural parameters of the dust removal fan on the dust removal performance is obtained, providing a way to improve the performance of the dust removal fan.
Evolution Law and Grouting Treatment of Water Inrush in Hydraulic Tunnel Approaching Water-Rich Fault: A Case Study
Authors: Gu Jiheng , Guo Jiaqi , Chen Fan , Li Jianhe
Published: April 2024

Tunnel construction adjacent to the fault fracture zone is prone to water inrush disasters, which pose a serious threat to the safety of tunnel construction. To provide theoretical support for the early warning and prevention of water inrush disasters of the tunnel adjacent to the water-rich faults, a numerical analysis based on the three-dimensional discrete element method (DEM) was performed to study the evolution of the displacement and seepage fields of the water-resistant rock mass of a tunnel adjacent to a water-rich fault during the water inrush process by taking the Xianglushan tunnel as the research project. With reference to the obtained results, a grouting reinforcement scheme was developed, and its effectiveness was evaluated. The results indicated that as the tunnel face approached the water-rich fault fracture zone, the effect of water pressure gradually became obvious, and the displacement at the face continuously increased. When the tunnel face was excavated to the position 5 m from the fault, the displacement at the center of the face changed suddenly with a sudden increase in water pressure. The water-resistant rock mass ahead of the center of the face was damaged, and a water inrush disaster occurred in the tunnel. Numerical simulation results demonstrated the feasibility of the grouting reinforcement scheme. The assessment based on the borehole acoustic waves, borehole TV, geological radar detection, and convergence monitoring as well as the excavation results confirmed that the water inrush disasters in the 2# adit of Xianglushan tunnel adjacent to the water-rich fault were effectively prevented and controlled, which can provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of the frequent water inrush disasters in underground projects constructed in the water-rich fault area.
Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Vegetation Productivity and Its Response to Meteorological Factors in China
Authors: Gong Enjun , Ma Zhijin , Wang Zhihui , Zhang Jing
Published: April 2024

Climate is one of the key factors driving changes in vegetation, and the response of the vegetation to climate often occurs with a time delay. However, research on the cumulative lagged response of the vegetation to meteorological factors in large-scale regions is limited. Therefore, this study first evaluated the performance of the Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) products provided by Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Penman–Monteith–Leuning (PML) over the past 20 years in China and then determined the lagged relationships between the GPP and major meteorological factors in different regions and land-use types in China based on a partial correlation analysis. The results indicate that (1) GPP_PML outperforms GPP_MODIS products in the regional context of China; (2) China’s regional GPP has shown a fluctuating upward trend over the past 20 years, with a stepwise increase in the multi-year average from the northwest inland to the southeast coastal regions, and a higher contribution from the southern regions than the northern ones; (3) unlike the recent upward trend in regional temperatures, both precipitation and radiation have decreased, with these two factors showing completely opposite multi-year trends in most regions; and (4) the proportion of regions with lagged effects of the GPP on meteorological factors is higher than those with cumulative effects in China. Among these, GPP exhibits a higher proportion of a 3-month lagged response to precipitation, which is particularly pronounced at altitudes between 500 and 2500 m and above 5500 m. the proportion of the areas with no lag cumulative response to temperature and radiation with GPP in China is the highest due to the influence of more barren land and grassland in the northwest interior. Simultaneously, grassland and barren land have a higher proportion of the non-lagged cumulative responses to temperature and precipitation. This study contributes to our understanding of vegetation dynamics in the context of global climate change and provides a theoretical foundation for regional ecological conservation and high-quality coordinated development.
Bond Rearrangement Produces Oxygen from Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Kumar Kamal , Mukherjee Jibak , Singh Harpreet , Misra Deepankar
Published: April 2024

We present a direct observation where fragmentation of the CO22+ dication, upon highly charged ion impact, leads to the formation of molecular oxygen. We assert that molecular bending and bond stretching modes of the dication represent the underlying mechanisms driving the generation of O2+. We conducted ab initio quantum chemistry calculations for the electronic state of the dication and found that the 5A1 state is responsible for the bond-rearrangement reaction. The branching ratios of this channel for multiple projectile beams of varying charge and velocity have been reported and are found to be independent of the projectile’s charge and velocity.
An Extended Thermodynamics Study for Second-Grade Adiabatic Fluids
Authors: Barbera Elvira , Fazio Claudia
Published: April 2024

A 10-field theory for second-grade viscoelastic fluids is developed in the framework of Rational Extended Thermodynamics. The field variables are the density, the velocity, the temperature and the stress tensor. The particular case of an adiabatic fluid is considered. The field equations are determined by use of physical universal principles such as the Galileian and the Entropy Principles. As already proved, Rational Extended Thermodynamics is able to eliminate some inconsistencies with experiments that arise in Classical Thermodynamics. Moreover, the paper shows that, if the quadratic terms are taken into account, the classical constitutive relations for a second-grade fluid can be obtained as a limit case of the field equations of the present theory.
Early Investigations on Electrolyte Mixing Issues in Large Flow Battery Tanks
Authors: Trovò Andrea , Prieto-Díaz Pablo A. , Zatta Nicolò , Picano Francesco , Guarnieri Massimo
Published: April 2024

Most investigations on flow batteries (FBs) make the assumption of perfectly mixed electrolytes inside the tanks without estimating their likelihood, while specific analyses are missing in the literature. This paper presents a pioneering investigation of the electrolyte flow dynamics inside FB tanks. This study considers the Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) measured at the stack of a 9 kW/27 kWh Vanadium FB with 500 L tanks. Order-of-magnitude estimates of the measured dynamics suggest that differences in densities and viscosities of the active species drive gradients of concentrations with different patterns in the positive and negative tanks and in charge and discharge, affected by current and flow rate, which result in significant deviation from homogeneity, affecting the State of Charge (SoC) of the electrolytes flowed into the stack and thus the FB performance. In particular, stratifications of the inlet electrolytes may appear which are responsible for delays in reaching the outlets, with initial plateau and following step (s) in the SoC at the stack. These events can have a major impact in the performance of industrial FBs with large tanks and suggest that specific tank designs may improve the overall dynamics, calling for further analysis.
Pure and (Sn or Mg) Doped GeFe2O4 as Anodes for Sodium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Ambrosetti Marco , Quinzeni Irene , Girella Alessandro , Berbenni Vittorio , Albini Benedetta , Galinetto Pietro , Sturini Michela , Bini Marcella
Published: April 2024

GeFe2O4 (GFO) is a germanium mineral whose spinel crystal structure determines its interesting functional properties. Recently, it was proposed for application as an anode for Sodium and Lithium-Ion Batteries (SIBs and LIBs) thanks to its combined conversion and alloying electrochemical mechanism. However, its entire potential is limited by the poor electronic conductivity and volumetric expansion during cycling. In the present paper, pure and Sn or Mg doped GFO samples obtained from mechano-chemical solid-state synthesis and properly carbon coated were structurally and electrochemically characterized and proposed, for the first time, as anodes for SIBs. The spinel cubic structure of pure GFO is maintained in doped samples. The expected redox processes, involving Fe and Ge ions, are evidenced in the electrochemical tests. The Sn doping demonstrated a beneficial effect on the long-term cycling (providing 150 mAh/g at 0.2 C after 120 cycles) and on the capacity values (346 mAh/g at 0.2 C with respect to 300 mAh/g of the pure one), while the Mg substitution was less effective.
Behavior of NO3−-Based Electrolyte Additive in Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Kim Jeongmin , Yoon Taeho , Chae Oh B.
Published: April 2024

While lithium metal is highly desired as a next-generation battery material due to its theoretically highest capacity and lowest electrode potential, its practical application has been impeded by stability issues such as dendrite formation and short cycle life. Ongoing research aims to enhance the stability of lithium metal batteries for commercialization. Among the studies, research on N-based electrolyte additives, which can stabilize the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer and provide stability to the lithium metal surface, holds great promise. The NO3− anion in the N-based electrolyte additive causes the SEI layer on the lithium metal surface to contain compounds such as Li3N and Li2O, which not only facilitates the conduction of Li+ ions in the SEI layer but also increases its mechanical strength. However, due to challenges with the solubility of N-based electrolyte additives in carbonate-based electrolytes, extensive research has been conducted on electrolytes based on ethers. Nonetheless, the low oxidative stability of ether-based electrolytes hinders their practical application. Hence, a strategy is needed to incorporate N-based electrolyte additives into carbonate-based electrolytes. In this review, we address the challenges of lithium metal batteries and propose practical approaches for the application and development of N-based electrolyte additives.
Antioxidant Responses and Growth Impairment in Cucurbita moschata Infected by Meloidogyne incognita
Authors: Tzean Yuh , Wang Kuang-Teng , Gamboa Chen Elena , Wang Hung-Wen , Wu Tsung-Meng , Liu Chia-An
Published: April 2024

Pumpkins (Cucurbita moschata), valued for their nutritional, medicinal, and economic significance, face threats from Meloidogyne incognita, a critical plant-parasitic nematode. This study extensively examines the impact of M. incognita on the growth, physiological, and biochemical responses of C. moschata. We demonstrate that M. incognita infection leads to significant growth impairment in C. moschata, evidenced by reduced plant height and biomass, along with the significant development of nematode-induced galls. Concurrently, a pronounced oxidative stress response was observed, characterized by elevated levels of hydrogen peroxide and a significant increase in antioxidant defense mechanisms, including the upregulation of key antioxidative enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, catalase, and peroxidase) and the accumulation of glutathione. These responses highlight a dynamic interaction between the plant and the nematode, wherein C. moschata activates a robust antioxidant defense to mitigate the oxidative stress induced by nematode infection. Despite these defenses, the persistence of growth impairment underscores the challenge posed by M. incognita to the agricultural production of C. moschata. Our findings contribute to the understanding of plant–nematode interactions, paving the way for the development of strategies aimed at enhancing resistance in Cucurbitaceae crops against nematode pests, thus supporting sustainable agricultural practices.
Analysis of Elimination Effects of Inbreeding on Genotype Frequency in Larval Stages of Chinese Shrimp
Authors: Fu Qiang , Zhou Jingxin , Luan Sheng , Dai Ping , Lyu Ding , Chen Baolong , Luo Kun , Kong Jie , Meng Xianhong
Published: April 2024

Marine animals possess genomes of considerable complexity and heterozygosity. Their unique reproductive system, characterized by high fecundity and substantial early mortality rates, increases the risk of inbreeding, potentially leading to severe inbreeding depression during various larval developmental stages. In this study, we established a set of inbred families of Fenneropenaeus chinensis, with an inbreeding coefficient of 0.25, and investigated elimination patterns and the manifestations of inbreeding depression during major larval developmental stages. Reduced-representation genome sequencing was utilized to explore the genotype frequency characteristics across two typical elimination stages. The results revealed notable mortality in hatching and metamorphosis into mysis and post-larvae stages. Inbreeding depression was also evident during these developmental stages, with depression rates of 24.36%, 29.23%, and 45.28%. Segregation analysis of SNPs indicated an important role of gametic selection before hatching, accounting for 45.95% of deviation in the zoea stage. During the zygotic selection phase of larval development, homozygote deficiency and heterozygote excess were the main selection types. Summation of the two types explained 82.31% and 89.91% of zygotic selection in the mysis and post-larvae stage, respectively. The overall distortion ratio decreased from 22.37% to 12.86% in the late developmental stage. A total of 783 loci were identified through selective sweep analysis. We also found the types of distortion at the same locus could change after the post-larvae stage. The predominant shifts included a transition of gametic selection toward normal segregation and other forms of distortion to heterozygous excess. This may be attributed to high-intensity selection on deleterious alleles and genetic hitchhiking effects. Following larval elimination, a greater proportion of heterozygous individuals were preserved. We detected an increase in genetic diversity parameters such as expected heterozygosity, observed heterozygosity, and polymorphic information content in the post-larvae stage. These findings suggest the presence of numerous recessive deleterious alleles and their linkage and suggest a major role of the partial dominance hypothesis. The results provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of inbreeding depression in marine animals and offer guidance for formulating breeding strategies in shrimp populations.
Application of Cas12j for Streptomyces Editing
Authors: Tan Lee Ling , Heng Elena , Leong Chung Yan , Ng Veronica , Yang Lay Kien , Seow Deborah Chwee San , Koduru Lokanand , Kanagasundaram Yoganathan , Ng Siew Bee , Peh Guangrong , Lim Yee Hwee , Wong Fong Tian
Published: April 2024

In recent years, CRISPR-Cas toolboxes for Streptomyces editing have rapidly accelerated natural product discovery and engineering. However, Cas efficiencies are oftentimes strain-dependent, and the commonly used Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) is notorious for having high levels of off-target toxicity effects. Thus, a variety of Cas proteins is required for greater flexibility of genetic manipulation within a wider range of Streptomyces strains. This study explored the first use of Acidaminococcus sp. Cas12j, a hypercompact Cas12 subfamily, for genome editing in Streptomyces and its potential in activating silent biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) to enhance natural product synthesis. While the editing efficiencies of Cas12j were not as high as previously reported efficiencies of Cas12a and Cas9, Cas12j exhibited higher transformation efficiencies compared to SpCas9. Furthermore, Cas12j demonstrated significantly improved editing efficiencies compared to Cas12a in activating BGCs in Streptomyces sp. A34053, a strain wherein both SpCas9 and Cas12a faced limitations in accessing the genome. Overall, this study expanded the repertoire of Cas proteins for genome editing in actinomycetes and highlighted not only the potential of recently characterized Cas12j in Streptomyces but also the importance of having an extensive genetic toolbox for improving the editing success of these beneficial microbes.
In Silico Analysis of the Ga3+/Fe3+ Competition for Binding the Iron-Scavenging Siderophores of P. aeruginosa—Implementation of Three Gallium-Based Complexes in the “Trojan Horse” Antibacterial Strategy
Authors: Kircheva Nikoleta , Dobrev Stefan , Petkova Vladislava , Yocheva Lyubima , Angelova Silvia , Dudev Todor
Published: April 2024

The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) microorganisms combined with the ever-draining antibiotic pipeline poses a disturbing and immensely growing public health challenge that requires a multidisciplinary approach and the application of novel therapies aimed at unconventional targets and/or applying innovative drug formulations. Hence, bacterial iron acquisition systems and bacterial Fe2+/3+-containing enzymes have been identified as a plausible target of great potential. The intriguing “Trojan horse” approach deprives microorganisms from the essential iron. Recently, gallium’s potential in medicine as an iron mimicry species has attracted vast attention. Different Ga3+ formulations exhibit diverse effects upon entering the cell and thus supposedly have multiple targets. The aim of the current study is to specifically distinguish characteristics of great significance in regard to the initial gallium-based complex, allowing the alien cation to effectively compete with the native ferric ion for binding the siderophores pyochelin and pyoverdine secreted by the bacterium P. aeruginosa. Therefore, three gallium-based formulations were taken into consideration: the first-generation gallium nitrate, Ga(NO3)3, metabolized to Ga3+-hydrated forms, the second-generation gallium maltolate (tris(3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-pyronato)gallium), and the experimentally proven Ga carrier in the bloodstream—the protein transferrin. We employed a reliable in silico approach based on DFT computations in order to understand the underlying biochemical processes that govern the Ga3+/Fe3+ rivalry for binding the two bacterial siderophores.
Categorizing Extrachromosomal Circular DNA as Biomarkers in Serum of Cancer
Authors: Deng Enze , Fan Xiaoying
Published: April 2024

Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA), a double-stranded circular DNA molecule found in multiple organisms, has garnered an increasing amount of attention in recent years due to its close association with the initiation, malignant progression, and heterogeneous evolution of cancer. The presence of eccDNA in serum assists in non-invasive tumor diagnosis as a biomarker that can be assessed via liquid biopsies. Furthermore, the specific expression patterns of eccDNA provide new insights into personalized cancer therapy. EccDNA plays a pivotal role in tumorigenesis, development, diagnosis, and treatment. In this review, we comprehensively outline the research trajectory of eccDNA, discuss its role as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker, and elucidate its regulatory mechanisms in cancer. In particular, we emphasize the potential application value of eccDNA in cancer diagnosis and treatment and anticipate the development of novel tumor diagnosis strategies based on serum eccDNA in the future.
Algae: Nature’s Renewable Resource for Fuels and Chemicals
Authors: Chakraborty Sourabh , Dunford Nurhan Turgut
Published: April 2024

Microalgae-based renewable energy, industrial chemicals, and food have received great attention during the last decade. This review article highlights the versatility of algal biomass as a feedstock for producing various commodities and high-value products, including aromatic hydrocarbons and lipids within biorefinery systems. Lipid content and the composition of algal biomass cultivated in various media, specifically in wastewater streams generated at agricultural and industrial production facilities, are reviewed. Technical and chemical aspects of algal biomass conversion via thermochemical techniques including pyrolysis, hydrothermal liquefaction, and hydrothermal carbonization are discussed. The properties of the final products are reviewed based on the conversion process employed. Studies published within the last 5 years are reviewed. The importance of further research on inexpensive and more effective catalysts and the development of downstream processes to upgrade crude products obtained from thermal conversion processes is emphasized. This review concludes with an in-depth discussion of the opportunities and challenges involved in algal biomass-based bioproduct manufacturing and commercialization.
Toward Consensus Epitopes B and T of Tropomyosin Involved in Cross-Reactivity across Diverse Allergens: An In Silico Study
Authors: Martínez Dalgys , Fang Luis , Meza-Torres Catherine , Garavito Gloria , López-Lluch Guillermo , Egea Eduardo
Published: April 2024

Tropomyosin (TM) is a pan-allergen with cross-reactivity to arthropods, insects, and nematodes in tropical regions. While IgE epitopes of TM contribute to sensitization, T-cell (MHC-II) epitopes polarize the Th2 immune response. This study aimed to identify linear B and T consensus epitopes among house dust mites, cockroaches, Ascaris lumbricoides, shrimp, and mosquitoes, exploring the molecular basis of cross-reactivity in allergic diseases. Amino acid sequences of Der p 10, Der f 10, Blo t 10, Lit v 1, Pen a 1, Pen m 1, rAsc l 3, Per a 7, Bla g 7, and Aed a 10 were collected from Allergen Nomenclature and UniProt. B epitopes were predicted using AlgPred 2.0 and BepiPred 3.0. T epitopes were predicted with NetMHCIIpan 4.1 against 10 HLA-II alleles. Consensus epitopes were obtained through analysis and Epitope Cluster Analysis in the Immune Epitope Database. We found 7 B-cell epitopes and 28 linear T-cell epitopes binding to MHC II. A unique peptide (residues 160–174) exhibited overlap between linear B-cell and T-cell epitopes, highly conserved across tropomyosin sequences. These findings shed light on IgE cross-reactivity among the tested species. The described immuno-informatics pipeline and epitopes can inform in vitro research and guide synthetic multi-epitope proteins’ design for potential allergology immunotherapies. Further in silico studies are warranted to confirm epitope accuracy and guide future experimental protocols.
Validating Brain Tumor Reporting and Data System (BT-RADS) as a Diagnostic Tool for Glioma Follow-Up after Surgery
Authors: Almalki Yassir Edrees , Basha Mohammad Abd Alkhalik , Metwally Maha Ibrahim , Zeed Nesma Adel , Nada Mohamad Gamal , Alduraibi Sharifa Khalid , Morsy Ahmed A. , Balata Rawda , Al Attar Ahmed Z. , Amer Mona M. , Farag Mohamed Abd El-Aziz Mohamed , Aly Sameh Abdelaziz , Basha Ahmed M. Abdelkhalik , Hamed Enas Mahmoud
Published: April 2024

Gliomas are a type of brain tumor that requires accurate monitoring for progression following surgery. The Brain Tumor Reporting and Data System (BT-RADS) has emerged as a potential tool for improving diagnostic accuracy and reducing the need for repeated operations. This prospective multicenter study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and reliability of BT-RADS in predicting tumor progression (TP) in postoperative glioma patients and evaluate its acceptance in clinical practice. The study enrolled patients with a history of partial or complete resection of high-grade glioma. All patients underwent two consecutive follow-up brain MRI examinations. Five neuroradiologists independently evaluated the MRI examinations using the BT-RADS. The diagnostic accuracy of the BT-RADS for predicting TP was calculated using histopathology after reoperation and clinical and imaging follow-up as reference standards. Reliability based on inter-reader agreement (IRA) was assessed using kappa statistics. Reader acceptance was evaluated using a short survey. The final analysis included 73 patients (male, 67.1%; female, 32.9%; mean age, 43.2 ± 12.9 years; age range, 31–67 years); 47.9% showed TP, and 52.1% showed no TP. According to readers, TP was observed in 25–41.7% of BT-3a, 61.5–88.9% of BT-3b, 75–90.9% of BT-3c, and 91.7–100% of BT-RADS-4. Considering >BT-RADS-3a as a cutoff value for TP, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the BT-RADS were 68.6–85.7%, 84.2–92.1%, and 78.1–86.3%, respectively, according to the reader. The overall IRA was good (κ = 0.75) for the final BT-RADS classification and very good for detecting new lesions (κ = 0.89). The readers completely agreed with the statement “the application of the BT-RADS should be encouraged” (score = 25). The BT-RADS has good diagnostic accuracy and reliability for predicting TP in postoperative glioma patients. However, BT-RADS 3 needs further improvements to increase its diagnostic accuracy.
A Mechanical Approach for Comparing Jaws in Fishes
Authors: Trotta Federica , Sandulli Roberto , Cinquemani Simone
Published: April 2024

This paper aims to propose an quantitative engineering approach to study and compare the jaw mechanisms of different marine species, considering essential mechanical parameters generally used to evaluate the performance of industrial linkage mechanisms. By leveraging these parameters, the paper demonstrates how the species’ characteristics and behaviors align with the findings of biologists, enabling a meaningful comparison that was not previously possible. Seven fish species from various families are chosen to maintain a generic approach.