bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Vieta–Fibonacci Projection Method for Solving a System of Fractional Integrodifferential Equations
Authors: Moumen Abdelkader , Mennouni Abdelaziz , Bouye Mohamed
Published: September 2023

In this paper, a new approach for numerically solving the system of fractional integrodifferential equations is devised. To approximate the issue, we employ Vieta–Fibonacci polynomials as basis functions and derive the projection method for Caputo fractional order for the first time. An efficient transformation reduces the problem to a system of two independent equations. Solving two algebraic equations yields an approximate solution to the problem. The proposed method’s efficiency and accuracy are validated. We demonstrate the existence of the solution to the approximate problem and conduct an error analysis. Numerical tests reinforce the interpretations of the theory.
Ratio Test for Mean Changes in Time Series with Heavy-Tailed AR(p) Noise Based on Multiple Sampling Methods
Authors: Xu Tianming , Wei Yuesong
Published: September 2023

This paper discusses the problem of the mean changes in time series with heavy-tailed AR(p) noise. Firstly, it proposes a modified ratio-type test statistic, and the results show that under the null hypothesis of no mean change, the asymptotic distribution of the modified statistic is a functional of Lévy processes and the consistency under the alternative hypothesis is obtained. However, a heavy-tailed index exists in the asymptotic distribution and is difficult to estimate. This paper uses bootstrap sampling, jackknife sampling, and subsampling to approximate the distribution under the null hypothesis, and obtain more accurate critical values and empirical power. In addition, some results from a small simulation study and a practical example give an idea of the finite sample behavior of the proposed statistic.
Isolation and Characterization of Fungal Endophytes from Petiveria alliacea and Their Antimicrobial Activities in South Florida
Authors: Khadka Ganesh , Annamalai Thirunavukkarasu , Shetty Kateel G. , Tse-Dinh Yuk-Ching , Jayachandran Krish
Published: September 2023

Microorganisms associated with medicinal plants are of great interest as they are the producers of important bioactive compounds effective against common and drug-resistant pathogens. The characterization and biodiversity of fungal endophytes of the Petiveria alliacea plant and their antimicrobial production potential are of great interest as they are known for their antimicrobial and anticancer properties. In this study, we investigated the endophytic fungal microbiome associated with P. alliacea, and the endophytic fungal isolates were classified into 30 morphotypes based on their cultural and morphological characteristics. Ethyl acetate extract of fungal endophytes was obtained by liquid–liquid partitioning of culture broth followed by evaporation. The crude extract dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide was screened for antimicrobial activity against three bacterial strains (Escherichia coli ATTC 25902, Staphylococcus aureus ATTC 14775, Bacillus subtilis NRRL 5109) and two fungal strains (Candida albicans ATTC 10231 and Aspergillus fumigatus NRRL 5109). Among the crude extracts from endophytes isolated from leaves, 65% of them showed antimicrobial activity against the bacteria tested. Similarly, 71 and 88% of the fungal crude extracts from endophytes isolated from root and stem, respectively, showed inhibitory activities against at least one of the bacterial strains tested. Crude extracts (at a concentration of 10 mg/mL) from ten of the fungal isolates have shown a zone of inhibition of more than 12 mm against both Gram-positive and negative bacteria tested. Sequenced data from isolates showing strong inhibitory activity revealed that Fusarium solani, F. proliferatum, and Fusarium oxysporium are the major endophytes responsible for bioactive potential. These results indicate that Petiveria alliacea harbors fungal endophytes capable of producing antimicrobial metabolites. Future studies need to focus on testing against drug-resistant bacteria (ESKAPE group) and other pathogenic bacteria and fungi.
Microbiome Diversity of Anaerobic Digesters Is Enhanced by Microaeration and Low Frequency Sound
Authors: Loughrin John H. , Parekh Rohan R. , Agga Getahun E. , Silva Philip J. , Sistani Karamat R.
Published: September 2023

Biogas is produced by a consortium of bacteria and archaea. We studied how the microbiome of poultry litter digestate was affected by time and treatments that enhanced biogas production. The microbiome was analyzed at six, 23, and 42 weeks of incubation. Starting at week seven, the digesters underwent four treatments: control, microaeration with 6 mL air L−1 digestate per day, treatment with a 1000 Hz sine wave, or treatment with the sound wave and microaeration. Both microaeration and sound enhanced biogas production relative to the control, while their combination was not as effective as microaeration alone. At week six, over 80% of the microbiome of the four digesters was composed of the three phyla Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Firmicutes, with less than 10% Euryarchaeota and Bacteroidetes. At week 23, the digester microbiomes were more diverse with the phyla Spirochaetes, Synergistetes, and Verrucomicrobia increasing in proportion and the abundance of Actinobacteria decreasing. At week 42, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Euryarchaeota, and Actinobacteria were the most dominant phyla, comprising 27.8%, 21.4%, 17.6%, and 12.3% of the microbiome. Other than the relative proportions of Firmicutes being increased and proportions of Bacteroidetes being decreased by the treatments, no systematic shifts in the microbiomes were observed due to treatment. Rather, microbial diversity was enhanced relative to the control. Given that both air and sound treatment increased biogas production, it is likely that they improved poultry litter breakdown to promote microbial growth.
Novel Second-Order Derivative-Based Filters for Edge and Ridge/Valley Detection in Geophysical Data
Authors: Cooper Gordon Robert John
Published: September 2023

Derivative-based high-pass filters of various types are commonly applied to potential field data to reveal subtle or hard-to-see structures in the quest for mineral exploration. One approach is to exploit the fact that data have an amplitude and phase component in the space domain. In the past, this has been used to produce first-order derivative-based enhanced datasets with minimal noise issues. The work is extended here to second-order derivative-based filters, which are useful in enhancing not just edges but also ridges and valleys in data. The filters compare favourably with existing second-order derivative-based filters that were applied to gravity and magnetic datasets from South Africa.
PEGA-BA@Ce6@PFCE Micelles as Oxygen Nanoshuttles for Tumor Hypoxia Relief and Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Zhang Junan , Jiang Xiaoyun , Luo Wenyue , Mo Yongjie , Dai Chunyan , Zhu Linhua
Published: September 2023

Tumor hypoxia, which is mainly caused by the inefficient microvascular systems induced by rapid tumor growth, is a common characteristic of most solid tumors and has been found to hinder treatment outcomes for many types of cancer therapeutics. In this study, an amphiphilic block copolymer, poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate-block-n-butyl acrylate (PEGA-BA), was prepared via the ATRP method and self-assembled into core-shell micelles as nano radiosensitizers. These micelles encapsulated a photosensitizer, Chlorin e6 (Ce6), and demonstrated well-defined morphology, a uniform size distribution, and high oxygen loading capacity. Cell experiments showed that PEGA-BA@Ce6@PFCE micelles could effectively enter cells. Further in vitro anticancer studies demonstrated that the PEGA-BA@Ce6@PFCE micelles significantly suppressed the tumor cell survival rate when exposed to a laser.
Stereospecificity of Ginsenoside AD-1 and AD-2 Showed Anticancer Activity via Inducing Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Reactive Oxygen Species Mediate Cell Apoptosis
Authors: Wang Xude , Ding Meng , Zhao Hong , Zhou Mengru , Lu Xuan , Sun Yuanyuan , Zhang Qinggao , Zhao Yuqing , Wang Ruoyu
Published: September 2023

In this paper, the anti-cancer activity and molecular mechanisms of the isomers of AD-1 and AD-2 (20(R)-AD-1, 20(R)-AD-2, 20(S)-AD-1 and 20(S)-AD-2) were investigated. The results indicated that all of the four compounds obviously suppressed the viability of various cancer cells, and the anti-cancer activity of 20(R)-AD-1 and 20(R)-AD-2 was significantly better than 20(S)-AD-1 and 20(S)-AD-2, especially for gastric cancer cells (BGC-803). Then, the differences in the anti-cancer mechanisms of the isomers were investigated. The data showed that 20(R)-AD-1 and 20(R)-AD-2 induced apoptosis and decreased MMP, up-regulated the expression of cytochrome C in cytosol, transferred Bax to the mitochondria, suppressed oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis and stimulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Apoptosis can be attenuated by the reactive oxygen species scavenger N-acetylcysteine. However, 20(S)-AD-1 and 20(S)-AD-2 barely exhibited the same results. The results indicated that 20(R)-AD-1 and 20(R)-AD-2 suppressed cellular energy metabolism and caused apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway, which ROS generation was probably involved in. Above all, the data support the development of 20(R)-AD-1 and 20(R)-AD-2 as potential agents for human gastric carcinoma therapy.
A Validated HPLC-UV-ESI-IT-MS Method for the Quantification of Carnosol in Lepechinia mutica, a Medicinal Plant Endemic to Ecuador
Authors: Solano-Cueva Natalí , Figueroa Jorge G. , Loja Corina , Armijos Chabaco , Vidari Giovanni , Ramírez Jorge
Published: September 2023

The diphenolic diterpene carnosol was isolated from several species of the family Lamiaceae, including Lepechinia mutica, a medicinal plant endemic to Ecuador. The compound has exhibited high antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, and antifungal properties, as well as promising cytotoxicity against prostate, breast, skin, leukemia, and human colon cancer cell lines. In this paper, we developed and validated a simple, accurate, and reliable analytical HPLC-UV-ESI-IT-MS method, carried out on a C18 column, which is potentially suitable to quantify carnosol in plant extracts. The procedure complied with the established ICH validation parameters of analytical range (linearity in the range of 0.19–5.64 μg/g dried leaves; REAVERGE = 4.9%; R2 = 0.99907), analysis repeatability (RSD = 2.8–3.6%), intermediate precision (RSD = 1.9–3.6%), accuracy (estimated as % carnosol recovery in the range of 81 to 108%), and robustness. Finally, the LOD (0.04 µg/mg) and LOQ (0.19 μg/mg) values of carnosol/dried leaves were determined. Using this validated method, the content of carnosol in L. mutica was estimated to be 0.81 ± 0.04 mg/g of dried leaves (0.081%).
Optimized Extraction of Polyphenols from Unconventional Edible Plants: LC-MS/MS Profiling of Polyphenols, Biological Functions, Molecular Docking, and Pharmacokinetics Study
Authors: Kiani Hafiza Sehrish , Ahmad Waheed , Nawaz Sana , Farah Mohammad Abul , Ali Akhtar
Published: September 2023

Plant bioactive phenolic metabolites have recently attracted the attention of researchers due to their numerous health advantages. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate with advanced techniques the bioactive metabolites and antioxidant and antidiabetic capacity of four unconventional edible plant leaves: lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf), chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.), and ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). The extraction process was optimized using different solvents. These plants’ phenolic composition, identification, and characterization have been determined herein using LCESI-QTOF-MS/MS. This research identified 85 phenolic compounds, including 24 phenolic acids, 31 flavonoids, 7 stilbenes and lignans, and 17 other metabolites. Moreover, the study determined that moringa has the highest total phenolic content (TPC; 18.5 ± 1.01 mg GAE/g), whereas ryegrass has the lowest (3.54 ± 0.08 mg GAE/g) among the selected plants. It seems that, compared to other plants, moringa was found to have the highest antioxidant potential and antidiabetic potential. In addition, twenty-two phenolic compounds were quantified in these chosen edible plants. Rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, chicoric acid, ferulic acid, protocatechuic acid, and caffeic acid were the most abundant phenolic acids. In silico molecular docking was also conducted to investigate the structure–function relationship of phenolic compounds to inhibit the alpha-glucosidase. Finally, the simulated pharmacokinetic characteristics of the most common substances were also predicted. In short, this investigation opens the way for further study into these plants’ pharmaceutical and dietary potential.
Eco-Friendly Dispersant-Free Purification Method of Boron Nitride Nanotubes through Controlling Surface Tension and Steric Repulsion with Solvents
Authors: Kang Minsung , Kim Jungmo , Lim Hongjin , Ko Jaehyoung , Kim Hong-Sik , Joo Yongho , Moon Se Youn , Jang Se Gyu , Lee Eunji , Ahn Seokhoon
Published: September 2023

Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) were purified without the use of a dispersant by controlling the surface tension and steric repulsion of solvent molecules. This method effectively enhanced the difference in solubilities of impurities and BNNTs. The purification process involved optimizing the alkyl-chains of alcohol solvents and adjusting the concentration of alcohol solvent in water to regulate surface tension and steric repulsion. Among the solvents tested, a 70 wt% t-butylalcohol in water mixture exhibited the highest selective isolation of BNNTs from impurities based on differences in solubilities. This favorable outcome was attributed to the surface tension matching with BNNTs, steric repulsion from bulky alkyl chain structures, and differences in interfacial energy between BNNT–liquid and impurity–liquid interfaces. Through this optimized purification process, impurities were removed to an extent of up to 93.3%. Additionally, the purified BNNTs exhibited a distinct liquid crystal phase, which was not observed in the unpurified BNNTs.
Calcium Homeostasis and Psychiatric Disorders: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Jiang Miaomiao , Yan Weiheng , Li Xianjing , Zhao Liyang , Lu Tianlan , Zhang Dai , Li Jun , Wang Lifang
Published: September 2023

Observational studies have investigated the impact of calcium homeostasis on psychiatric disorders; however, the causality of associations is yet to be established. Bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis of calcium homeostasis hormones was conducted on nine psychiatric disorders. Calcium, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (25OHD), parathyroid hormone, and fibroblast growth factor 23 are the major calcium homeostasis hormones. The causality was evaluated by the inverse variance weighted method (IVW) and the MR Steiger test, while Cochran’s Q test, the MR-Egger intercept test, funnel plot, and the leave-one-out method were used for sensitivity analyses. Bonferroni correction was used to determine the causative association features (p < 6.94 × 10−4). Schizophrenia (SCZ) was significantly associated with decreased 25OHD concentrations with an estimated effect of −0.0164 (Prandom-effect IVW = 2.39 × 10−7). In the Multivariable MR (MVMR) analysis adjusting for potentially confounding traits including body mass index, obesity, mineral supplements (calcium, fish oil, and vitamin D) and outdoor time (winter and summer), the relationship between SCZ and 25OHD remained. The genetically predicted autism spectrum disorder and bipolar disorder were also nominally associated with decreased 25OHD. This study provided evidence for a causal effect of psychiatric disorders on calcium homeostasis. The clinical monitoring of 25OHD levels in patients with psychiatric disorders is beneficial.
A Comparison Study of Nutritional Assessment, Diet and Physical Activity Habits, Lifestyle and Socio-Demographic Characteristics in Individuals with and without Dizziness/Vertigo
Authors: Gunes-Bayir Ayse , Tandogan Zelal , Gedik-Toker Özge , Yabaci-Tak Aysegul , Dadak Agnes
Published: September 2023

Dizziness and vertigo are growing health problems and have become responsible for increases in health expenditures. In this context, a case-control study has been conducted by nutritional assessment, including dietary and physical activity habits, lifestyle, and socio-demographic characteristics in adults with (patient group) and without (control group) dizziness or vertigo, and the outcomes were compared between these groups. The patient (n = 150) and control (n = 150) groups included 300 participants. The 24-h Dietary Recall and the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ-21) were conducted in order to gain detailed information about foods and beverages consumed by the participants. Additionally, a questionnaire was completed, assessing general socio-demographic (age, gender, etc.) and lifestyle (smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity) characteristics, anthropometric measurements, and dietary and physical activity habits. The results revealed that there is an association between dizziness/vertigo and female gender and increasing age. Smoking status and alcohol consumption did not differ between the groups, whereas differences in body mass index and obesity were significantly higher in the patient group (65%; n = 98) than the control group (46%; n = 69) (p = 0.001). Skipping meals “everyday” was significantly high (p = 0.044), and lunch was the most skipped meal in the patient group. The three most preferred cooking methods were oven baking, boiling, and frying for both groups. Daily water intake in the patient group was lower than in the control group (p = 0.026). Dietary intake for carotene and vitamin K were significantly lower in the patient group than the control group, but the opposite was true for vitamin D intake (p < 0.05). Daily consumption of bread and dairy products were highest in the patient group (p < 0.05). The physical activity rate was 35% (n = 53) in the control group and 28% (n = 42) in the patient group. Regular walking was the most preferred activity in both groups (p = 0.037). Active monitoring of individual diet and hydration along with supporting professional counseling are advisable. In addition, a healthy lifestyle including weight control and regular physical activity can be helpful to reduce symptoms of dizziness/vertigo.
Whole Goat Milk-Based Formula versus Whey-Based Cow Milk Formula: What Formula Do Infants Enjoy More?—A Feasibility, Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Jung Camille , González Serrano Adolfo , Batard Christophe , Seror Elisa , Gelwane Georges , Poidvin Amélie , Lavallée Isabelle , Elbez Annie , Brussieux Maxime , Prosser Colin , Gallier Sophie , Bellaïche Marc
Published: September 2023

(1) Background: While goat milk formula (GMF) is an alternative to cow milk formula (CMF), infants’ preferences for one over the other have not been formally assessed. Specifically, our aim in this study was to determine whether infants experience fewer feeding behavior problems with whole milk-based GMF than with conventional whey-based CMF. (2) Methods: This was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial with two-arm parallel assignment conducted in six pediatricians’ offices in or near Paris, France, between June 2018 and 31 December 2021. Overall, 64 healthy infants (≤4 months old), predominantly formula-fed, were randomly assigned to either the whole milk-based GMF (n = 33) or whey-based CMF (n = 31) arm. Parents completed the Baby Eating Behavior Questionnaire (BEBQ) and the modified QUALIN questionnaire to evaluate infant feeding behavior and quality of life (psychomotor and socioemotional development), respectively, at inclusion (1 to 5 days before milk delivery) and the final visit (day 28 ± 3 after milk delivery). Informed consent was obtained for all recruited patients, and an ethical committee approved the study. (3) Results: Changes in BEBQ Enjoyment of Food and Slowness in Eating subscale scores from inclusion to final visit did not differ between arms. However, there were significant improvements in subscale scores for Food Responsiveness (GMF: 0.15 ± 1; CMF: −0.48 ± 0.81; p = 0.010) and General Appetite (GMF: 0.26 ± 1.2; CMF: −0.48 ± 0.88; p = 0.012), and modified QUALIN (GMF: 4.6 ± 9.4; CMF: −0.40 ± 7.6; p = 0.03) scores in favor of the GMF group. (4) Conclusions: In this double-blind, randomized controlled trial, GMF-fed infants exhibited a greater general appetite than CMF-fed infants, possibly due to differences in the composition of these formulas (i.e., protein and lipid profiles). In addition, GMF-fed infants enjoyed a better quality of life. There was no difference in food enjoyment between groups. These findings suggest that whole-milk-based GMF could be an attractive alternative to whey-based CMF. Clinical trial registration: NCT03488758 (clinicaltrials.gov).
The Efficiency of TB LAM Antigen Test to Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra Test for the Diagnosis of Tuberculous Pericarditis Using Pericardial Fluid Samples
Authors: Alomatu Samuel , Vasaikar Sandeep , Thomas Kandathil , Dubula Thozama , Moeketsi Khulile
Published: September 2023

Medical considerations for early diagnosis of tuberculous pericarditis (TBP) include Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra and TB lipoarabinomannan (LAM) antigen (Ag) tests, with immunological status influencing the performance of the latter. An evaluation of the efficiency of Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra and TB LAM Ag in detecting TBP was conducted using pericardial fluid samples from 46 patients with suspected TBP. Fifteen patients (34.1%) were diagnosed with TBP according to culture results. TB LAM Ag’s sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), positive likelihood ratio (PLR), and negative likelihood ratio (NLR) were 33.3%, 100%, 100%, 74.4%, 0, and 0.67, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, PPV, and NPV of Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra were 80%, 93.1%, 11.6, 0.21, 85.7%, and 90%, respectively. There was an association observed between a positive TB LAM Ag test and HIV status. When compared to the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra test, TB LAM Ag has lower accuracy for the detection of microbiologically proven tuberculous pericarditis, yet its usage in HIV-positive populations may be worth exploring. The TB LAM Ag assay is not the best first-line test for the diagnosis of tuberculous pericarditis, and it should be used in conjunction with other diagnostic tests.
Early Diagnostic Markers of Late-Onset Neonatal Sepsis
Authors: Gatseva Preslava , Blazhev Alexander , Yordanov Zarko , Atanasova Victoria
Published: September 2023

Objective: Early diagnosis of nosocomial infections in newborns is a great challenge, because in the initial phase of systemic infection, clinical symptoms are often non-specific, and routinely used hematological markers are not sufficiently informative. The aim of this study was to determine the potential of early inflammatory markers to diagnose late-onset neonatal sepsis—procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8) and endocan (ESM-1). Material and methods: A prospective clinical–epidemiological study was conducted in a third-level NICU in Pleven, Bulgaria. Patients with suspected late-onset sepsis and healthy controls were tested. A sandwich ELISA method was used to measure the serum concentrations of biomarkers. Results: Sixty newborns were included, of which 35% symptomatic and infected, 33.3% symptomatic but uninfected and 31.7% asymptomatic controls. The mean values of PCT, IL-6, I/T index and PLT differ significantly in the three groups. For ESM-1, IL-8 and CRP, the difference was statistically insignificant. The best sensitivity (78%) and negative predictive value (84%) was found for IL-6. The combinations of PCT + IL-6 and PCT + IL-6+ I/T+ PLT showed very good diagnostic potential. Conclusion: The introduction into the routine practice of indicators such as PCT and IL-6 may provide an opportunity to promptly optimize the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to LOS.
Effect of Growth Hormone and Estrogen Replacement Therapy on Bone Mineral Density in Women with Turner Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review
Authors: Szybiak Weronika , Kujawa Barbara , Miedziaszczyk Miłosz , Lacka Katarzyna
Published: September 2023

Osteoporosis is a serious implication of Turner syndrome (TS). Common methods for the treatment of TS are growth hormone (GHT) and estrogen replacement therapy (ERT). We examined the relationship between the treatment of TS and bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine. The purpose of our study was to show the currency of BMD states among patients with TS for treatment with GHT and ERT. We searched databases for studies published from inception to April 2023. The articles were related to TS, osteoporosis, ERT, GHT, BMD and treatment patients with TS. We applied the selection criteria: lumbar spine values at L1–L4; dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA); treatment which was applied: one group of articles: ERT and two group of articles: GHT; results performed as means ± SD. In total, 79 articles were analyzed, of which 20 studies were included and 5 were considered for meta-analysis. The total number of women in the articles selected was 71. Based on the results of the meta-analysis, the effect of ERT on BMD demonstrated a significant increase in BMD (the standardized mean difference in the random model was 0.593 g/cm2, 95% CI: 0.0705 to 1.116; p = 0.026), which showed that treatment with estrogen particularly increases bone mass during treatment, which contributes to reducing the risk of fractures. The effect of GHT on BMD demonstrated a non-significant decrease in BMD in patients with TS. The results for growth hormone show that this therapy does not improve bone density. However, our review emphasizes the beneficial effect of supplementing growth hormone (GH) on the clinical presentation of TS.
Photothermal Effect of Gold Nanoparticles as a Nanomedicine for Diagnosis and Therapeutics
Authors: Kumar Panangattukara Prabhakaran Praveen , Lim Dong-Kwon
Published: September 2023

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have received great attention for various medical applications due to their unique physicochemical properties. AuNPs with tunable optical properties in the visible and near-infrared regions have been utilized in a variety of applications such as in vitro diagnostics, in vivo imaging, and therapeutics. Among the applications, this review will pay more attention to recent developments in diagnostic and therapeutic applications based on the photothermal (PT) effect of AuNPs. In particular, the PT effect of AuNPs has played an important role in medical applications utilizing light, such as photoacoustic imaging, photon polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and hyperthermia therapy. First, we discuss the fundamentals of the optical properties in detail to understand the background of the PT effect of AuNPs. For diagnostic applications, the ability of AuNPs to efficiently convert absorbed light energy into heat to generate enhanced acoustic waves can lead to significant enhancements in photoacoustic signal intensity. Integration of the PT effect of AuNPs with PCR may open new opportunities for technological innovation called photonic PCR, where light is used to enable fast and accurate temperature cycling for DNA amplification. Additionally, beyond the existing thermotherapy of AuNPs, the PT effect of AuNPs can be further applied to cancer immunotherapy. Controlled PT damage to cancer cells triggers an immune response, which is useful for obtaining better outcomes in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors or vaccines. Therefore, this review examines applications to nanomedicine based on the PT effect among the unique optical properties of AuNPs, understands the basic principles, the advantages and disadvantages of each technology, and understands the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. Based on this, it is expected that it will help understand the current status and development direction of new nanoparticle-based disease diagnosis methods and treatment methods, and we hope that it will inspire the development of new innovative technologies.
Distinguishing the Concentration- vs. Bioaccumulation-Dependent Immunological and Metabolic Effects of Clofazimine
Authors: Willmer Andrew R. , Diaz-Espinosa Jennifer , Zhou Austin , Stringer Kathleen A. , Rosania Gus R.
Published: September 2023

The antimycobacterial drug clofazimine (CFZ) is used as a single agent at high doses, to suppress the exaggerated inflammation associated with leprosy. Paradoxically, increasing doses of CFZ leads to bioaccumulation of CFZ in the spleen and other organs under physiologically relevant dosing regimens, without accompanying dose-dependent elevation in the concentrations of the circulating drug in the blood. In long-term oral dosing regimens, CFZ induces immunological and metabolic changes resulting in splenomegaly, while the mass of other organs decreases or remains unchanged. As an organ that extensively sequesters CFZ as insoluble drug precipitates, the spleen likely influences drug-induced inflammatory signaling. To probe the role of systemic drug concentrations vs. drug bioaccumulation in the spleen, healthy mice were treated with six different dosing regimens. A subgroup of these mice underwent surgical splenectomies prior to drug treatment to assess the bioaccumulation-dependent changes in immune system signaling and immune-system-mediated drug distribution. Under increasing drug loading, the spleen was observed to grow up to six times in size, sequestering over 10% of the total drug load. Interestingly, when the spleen was removed prior to CFZ administration, drug distribution in the rest of the organism was unaffected. However, there were profound cytokine elevations in the serum of asplenic CFZ-treated mice, indicating that the spleen is primarily involved in suppressing the inflammatory signaling mechanisms that are upregulated during CFZ bioaccumulation. Thus, beyond its role in drug sequestration, the spleen actively modulates the systemic effect of CFZ on the immune system, without impacting its blood concentrations or distribution to the rest of the organism.
Transcriptomic Time-Course Sequencing: Insights into the Cell Wall Macromolecule-Mediated Fruit Dehiscence during Ripening in Camellia oleifera
Authors: Sheng Yu , Yao Xiaohua , Liu Linxiu , Yu Chunlian , Wang Kunxi , Wang Kailiang , Chang Jun , Chen Juanjuan , Cao Yongqing
Published: September 2023

Camellia oleifera (C. oleifera), one of the world’s four major edible woody oil crops, has been widely planted in southern China’s subtropical region for the extremely high nutritional and health benefits of its seed oil. Timing and synchronization of fruit dehiscence are critical factors influencing the oil output and quality, as well as the efficiency and cost of harvesting C. oleifera, yet they extremely lack attention. To gain an understanding of the molecular basis underlying the dehiscence of C. oleifera fruit, we sampled pericarp–replum tissues containing dehiscence zones from fruits at different developmental stages and performed time-series transcriptomic sequencing and analysis for the first time. Statistical and GO enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed that drastic transcriptional changes occurred over the last short sampling interval (4 days, 18th–22nd October), which directed functional classifications link to cell wall and cell wall macromolecule activity. WGCNA further showed that factors controlling cell wall modification, including endo-1,3;1,4-beta-D-glucanase, WAT1-like protein 37, LRR receptor-like serine/threonine-protein kinase, and cellulose synthase A catalytic subunit, were identified as core members of the co-expression network of the last stage highly related modules. Furthermore, in these modules, we also noted genes that were annotated as coding for polygalacturonase and pectinesterase, two pectinases that were expected to be major players in cell separation during dehiscence. qRT-PCR further confirmed the expression profiles of these cell wall modification relating factors, which possessed a special high transcriptional abundance at the final stage. These results suggested the cell wall associated cell separation, one of the essential processes downstream of fruit dehiscence, happened in dehiscing fruit of C. oleifera during ripening. Hydrolases acting on cell wall components are good candidates for signal mediating dehiscence of C. oleifera fruit. In conclusion, our analysis provided insights into the cell wall macromolecule-mediated fruit dehiscence during ripening in C. oleifera.
Alternative Ecological Products for Aphid Control on Plum
Authors: Moldovan Claudiu , Zagrai Ioan , Guzu Georgeta Maria , Jakab-Ilyefalvi Zsolt , Zagrai Luminita Antonela , Mang Stefania Mirela , Maxim Aurel
Published: September 2023

Ecological farming is increasing worldwide, as more and more consumers prefer chemical-free fruits. As a result, ecological farming is becoming increasingly appealing to European farmers, including those in Romania. However, implementing an effective ecological phytosanitary program remains a challenge for farmers due to limited options and a lack of information about their effectiveness. Romania is a major producer of plums and ranks second in the world after China. Aphids are common pests of plum, and some species are vectors of the damaging Plum pox virus, and therefore require special attention regarding their control. Eight ecological products were tested both in the field and laboratory for a duration of three vegetative periods to determine their efficiency in aphid control. The effects of ecological products were compared with five chemical insecticides known to be effective against aphids. Observations were made 24 and 48 h after spraying. Two of the eight ecological products tested were proven to be efficient in aphid control, Ovipron Top and Prev-Am, with a mortality rate over 90%. The results indicate that these two ecological products are comparable in effectiveness to chemical insecticides and could be suitable candidates for both ecological and conventional treatment programs.
Influence of Three-Dimensional Printing Parameters on Compressive Properties and Surface Smoothness of Polylactic Acid Specimens
Authors: Bakhtiari Hamed , Nikzad Mostafa , Tolouei-Rad Majid
Published: September 2023

While the mechanical performance of fused filament fabrication (FFF) parts has been extensively studied in terms of the tensile and bending strength, limited research accounts for their compressive performance. This study investigates the effect of four process parameters (layer height, extrusion width, nozzle temperature, and printing speed) on the compressive properties and surface smoothness of FFF parts made of Polylactic Acid (PLA). The orthogonal Taguchi method was employed for designing the experiments. The surface roughness and compressive properties of the specimens were then measured and optimized using the analysis of variance (ANOVA). A microscopic analysis was also performed to identify the failure mechanism under static compression. The results indicated that the layer height had the most significant influence on all studied properties, followed by the print speed in the case of compressive modulus, hysteresis loss, and residual strain; extrusion width in the case of compressive strength and specific strength; and nozzle temperature in the case of toughness and failure strain. The optimal design for both high compressive properties and surface smoothness were determined as a 0.05 mm layer height, 0.65 mm extrusion width, 205 °C nozzle temperature, and 70 mm/s print speed. The main failure mechanism observed by SEM analysis was delamination between layers, occurring at highly stressed points near the stitch line of the PLA prints.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation of Combustion and Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction in a 750 t/d Waste Incinerator
Authors: Cao Hai , Jin Yan , Song Xiangnan , Wang Ziming , Liu Baoxuan , Wu Yuxin
Published: September 2023

In this study, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach using Ansys Fluent 15.0 and FLIC software was employed to simulate the combustion process of a 750 t/d grate-type waste incinerator. The objective was to assess the performance of Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction (SNCR) technology in reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. Two-stage simulations were conducted, predicting waste combustion on the bed and volatile matter combustion in the furnace. The results effectively depicted the temperature and gas concentration distributions on the bed surface, along with the temperature, velocity, and composition distributions in the furnace. Comparison with field data validated the numerical model. The findings serve as a reference for optimizing large-scale incinerator operation and parameter design through CFD simulation.
New Alternatives in the Fight against Tuberculosis: Possible Targets for Resistant Mycobacteria
Authors: Rodríguez-Bustamante Eduardo , Gómez-Manzo Saúl , De Obeso Fernández del Valle Alvaro , Arreguín-Espinosa Roberto , Espitia-Pinzón Clara , Rodríguez-Flores Eden
Published: September 2023

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial disease that remains a global health threat due to the millions of deaths attributed to it each year. The emergence of drug resistance has exacerbated and further increased the challenges in the fight against this illness. Despite the preventive measures using the application of the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine, the desired immunization outcome is not as high as expected. Conventional TB treatments exhibit serious limitations, such as adverse effects and prolonged duration, leading to a pressing need for alternative and more effective treatment options. Despite significant efforts, it took nearly four decades for diarylquinoline to become the most recently approved medicine for this disease. In addition, various possibilities, such as the usage of medications used for many other conditions (repurposed drugs), have been explored in order to speed up the process of achieving faster outcomes. Natural compounds derived from various sources (microorganisms, plants, and animals) have emerged as potential candidates for combating TB due to their chemical diversity and their unique modes of action. Finally, efforts towards the generation of novel vaccines have received considerable attention. The goal of this paper was to perform an analysis of the current state of treating drug-resistant TB and to evaluate possible approaches to this complicated challenge. Our focus is centered on highlighting new alternatives that can be used to combat resistant strains, which have potentiated the health crisis that TB represents.
Cyber Risk Contagion
Authors: Agosto Arianna , Giudici Paolo
Published: September 2023

Financial technologies (fintechs) are continuously expanding, across different markets and financial services. While financial technologies bring many opportunities, such as reduced costs and extended inclusion, they also bring risks, among which include cyber risks, that are difficult to measure. One of the difficulties that arise in the measurement of cyber risks is the interdependence among cyber losses, a problem that has not yet been solved. To fill the gap, this paper proposes a multivariate model for cyber risks, based on their observed time series of counts. The time-varying intensity parameter of the model determines the probability that a cyber attack occurs, and its specification takes not only time but also sectorial interdependence into account. The effectiveness of the proposed model is demonstrated by means of a real cyber loss dataset, in which there exists time and sectorial dependence among different events.
Land Subsidence Prediction and Analysis along Typical High-Speed Railways in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Plain Area
Authors: Wang Lin , Zhou Chaofan , Gong Huili , Chen Beibei , Xu Xinyue
Published: September 2023

High-speed railways in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) Plain are gradually becoming more widespread, covering a greater area. The operational safety of high-speed railways is influenced by the continuous development of land subsidence. It is necessary to predict the subsidence along the high-speed railways; thus, this work is of critical importance to the safety of high-speed railway operation. In this study, we processed Sentinel-1A data using the Persistent Scatterer Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PS-InSAR) technique to acquire the land subsidence in the typical BTH area. Then, we combined the Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) and Gradient Boosting Decision Tree (GBDT) methods (EMD-GBDT) to forecast land subsidence along high-speed railways. The results revealed that some parts of the high-speed railways in the BTH plain had passed through or approached the land subsidence area; the maximum cumulative subsidence of the Beijing–Shanghai, Tianjin–Baoding and Shijiazhuang–Jinan high-speed railways reached 326 mm, 384 mm and 350 mm, respectively. The forecasting accuracy for land subsidence along high-speed railways was enhanced by the EMD-GBDT model. The Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Error (MAE) were 0.38 mm to 0.56 mm and 0.23 mm to 0.38 mm, respectively.
Correction: Mäkynen et al. Wearable Devices Combined with Artificial Intelligence—A Future Technology for Atrial Fibrillation Detection? Sensors 2022, 22, 8588
Authors: Mäkynen Marko , Ng G. Andre , Li Xin , Schlindwein Fernando S.
Published: September 2023

The authors wish to add two authors to the original paper [...]
mmWave Zero Order Resonant Antenna with Patch-Like Radiation Fed by a Butler Matrix for Passive Beamforming
Authors: Mohan Manoj Prabhakar , Cai Hong , Alphones Arokiaswami , Karim Muhammad Faeyz
Published: September 2023

A small zero-order resonant antenna based on the composite right-left-handed (CRLH) principle is designed and fabricated without metallic vias at 30 GHz to have patch-like radiation. The mirror images of two CRLH structures are connected to design the antenna without via holes. The equivalent circuit, parameter extraction, and dispersion diagram are studied to analyze the characteristics of the CRLH antenna. The antenna was fabricated and experimentally verified. The measured realized gain of the antenna is 5.35 dBi at 30 GHz. The designed antenna is free of spurious resonance over a band width of 10 GHz. A passive beamforming array is designed using the proposed CRLH antenna and the Butler matrix. A substrate integrated waveguide is used to implement the Butler matrix. The CRLH antennas are connected to four outputs of a 4×4 Butler matrix. The scanning angles are 12∘, −68∘, 64∘, and −11∘ for excitations from port 1 to port 4 of the 4×4 Butler matrix feeding the CRLH antenna.
Comparative Analysis of Open-Source Tools for Conducting Static Code Analysis
Authors: Kuszczyński Kajetan , Walkowski Michał
Published: September 2023

The increasing complexity of web applications and systems, driven by ongoing digitalization, has made software security testing a necessary and critical activity in the software development lifecycle. This article compares the performance of open-source tools for conducting static code analysis for security purposes. Eleven different tools were evaluated in this study, scanning 16 vulnerable web applications. The selected vulnerable web applications were chosen for having the best possible documentation regarding their security vulnerabilities for obtaining reliable results. In reality, the static code analysis tools used in this paper can also be applied to other types of applications, such as embedded systems. Based on the results obtained and the conducted analysis, recommendations for the use of these types of solutions were proposed, to achieve the best possible results. The analysis of the tested tools revealed that there is no perfect tool. For example, Semgrep performed better considering applications developed using JavaScript technology but had worse results regarding applications developed using PHP technology.
Editorial: Biomedical Data in Human–Machine Interaction
Authors: Kawala-Sterniuk Aleksandra , Wójcik Grzegorz Marcin , Bauer Waldemar
Published: September 2023

Analysis of biomedical data can provide useful information regarding human condition and as a result—analysis of these signals has become one of the most popular diagnostic methods [...]
Exploring the Carbon Abatement Strategies in Shipping Using System Dynamics Approach
Authors: Gao Xinjia , Zhu Aoshuang , Yu Qifeng
Published: September 2023

Amid growing global concerns about climate change and its environmental impact, the maritime sector is under increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions. This study presents a system dynamics model that predicts and simulates vessel carbon emissions, considering different scenarios such as the implementation of carbon levies and the use of alternative marine fuels. The research focuses on the Pacific route, a key international container route, as a practical case study to simulate ship emissions along the Shanghai-Los Angeles container route under various emission reduction measures. Through a comparative analysis of different policy combinations, the findings demonstrate the effectiveness of carbon taxation and the adoption of diverse fuels in reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from ships. Furthermore, the combination of these policies proves to be more effective in reducing emissions than implementing them individually. These results provide valuable insights for policymakers, industry professionals, and researchers working towards achieving low-carbon transitions in the shipping sector.
Study on Compaction Properties and Skeleton Structural Characteristics of Porous Asphalt Mixture
Authors: Cheng Zhihao , Li Xiao , Yang Qilin , Liang Naixing , Chen Liangliang , Zheng Shaopeng , Wang Dawei
Published: September 2023

Porous asphalt pavements have a skeletal structure with a large number of interconnecting pores, which can improve drainage, ensure traffic safety, and reduce tire noise. However, it can weaken the mechanical properties of the pavement. One of the key factors affecting the performance of porous asphalt pavements is the quality of compaction, the assessment of which is difficult to accurately quantify. Therefore, Superpave gyratory compaction (SGC) and skeleton penetration tests of porous asphalt mixtures were carried out using three engineering-differentiated gradations in this paper to investigate the gyratory compaction characteristics and the skeleton contact state during penetration. The results show that obvious stages with the increase in number of cycles can be observed during the compaction process. All gradations can achieve the maximum porosity requirements within a reasonable number of compaction cycles, while only the medium and fine gradations can approximately meet the minimum porosity requirements. The coarse gradation takes too long to finish compaction and is almost impossible to meet the minimum porosity. The optimum match between the void ratio of the design gradation and the skeleton contact state can be verified using the VCA ratio and void ratio curves. This is a new method to determine the corresponding target compaction number that can ensure better accuracy and ease of engineering application. Moreover, medium-graded mixtures with better skeletal embedding exhibit greater skeletal strength than coarse-graded aggregates, which provide theoretical support for the establishment of material grade optimization methods.