bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diffusion Probabilistic Modeling for Video Generation
Authors: Yang Ruihan , Srivastava Prakhar , Mandt Stephan
Published: October 2023

Denoising diffusion probabilistic models are a promising new class of generative models that mark a milestone in high-quality image generation. This paper showcases their ability to sequentially generate video, surpassing prior methods in perceptual and probabilistic forecasting metrics. We propose an autoregressive, end-to-end optimized video diffusion model inspired by recent advances in neural video compression. The model successively generates future frames by correcting a deterministic next-frame prediction using a stochastic residual generated by an inverse diffusion process. We compare this approach against six baselines on four datasets involving natural and simulation-based videos. We find significant improvements in terms of perceptual quality and probabilistic frame forecasting ability for all datasets.
“I’d Rather Do It Single-Handed”—Nursing Students’ Struggles with Group Assignments: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Mao Aimei , Cheong Pak-Leng , Van Iat-Kio , Tam Hon-Lon
Published: October 2023

This study, framed by the GRPI (Goal, Role, Process, and Interaction) teamwork model, explores team dynamics among nursing students in performing group assignments, utilizing a qualitative research design. Twenty-three nursing students from Year 1 to Year 4 at a nursing school in Macau were invited. Semi-structured personal interviews were carried out. In addition, three teachers who were involved in instructing and assessing group assignments of nursing students were also interviewed. Data were analyzed using inductive and deductive approaches. The study found that although the barriers to accomplishing effective teamwork were embedded into the four dimensions of the DRPI model, they were interplayed. Communication was fundamental for teamwork, thus leading to a modified DRPI model. Teammates did not equally share the workload. Despite interpersonal conflicts among teammates, nursing students managed to stay in superficial harmony with their peers. They became more familiar with teamwork while advancing into their senior years but with decreased group communications. This study highlights various factors preventing students from transferring individualism to team players. Teaming is not an equal learning opportunity for teammates. Culturally upheld value of harmony prevails in the interpersonal relationships of the team members, which may compromise the teamwork spirit cultivation expectations from the teachers.
Assessments Used for Summative Purposes during Internal Medicine Specialist Training: A Rapid Review
Authors: Patterson Scott , Shaw Louise , Rank Michelle M , Vaughan Brett
Published: October 2023

Assessments used for summative purposes of patient-facing clinical competency in specialist internal medicine training are high-stakes, both to doctors in training, as it is a prerequisite for qualification, as well as their community of prospective patients. A rapid review of the literature evaluated methods of assessments used for summative purposes of patient-facing clinical competency during specialist internal medicine training in Australia. Four online databases identified literature published since the year 2000 that reported on summative assessment in specialist medical training. Two reviewers screened and selected eligible studies and extracted data, with a focus on evidence of support for the criteria for good assessment as set out in the 2010 Ottawa Consensus framework for good assessment. Ten eligible studies were included. Four studied the mini-clinical evaluation exercise (mini-CEX), two the Royal Australasian College of Physicians short case exam, three a variety of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) or summative entrustment and progression review processes, and one a novel clinical observation tool. The mini-CEX assessment demonstrated the most evidence in support of the Ottawa criteria. There was a paucity of published evidence regarding the best form of summative assessment of patient-facing clinical competency in specialist internal medicine training.
Zero-Voltage Ride-Through Scheme of PMSG Wind Power System Based on NLESO and GFTSMC
Authors: Kang Zhongjian , Li Jinfeng
Published: October 2023

In this paper, a scheme for zero-voltage ride through of a permanent magnet synchronous generator wind power system is proposed. Maintaining the stability of DC-link voltage is the key to realizing zero-voltage ride through. A braking chopper is used to dissipate the active power to restrain the rise of DC-link voltage during a grid fault. However, the braking chopper-caused disturbance to the double closed-loop control of the grid side converter makes the control effect on DC-link voltage worse. Therefore, a robust current feedforward control, based on a nonlinear extended state observer and global fast terminal sliding mode control is proposed. A nonlinear extended state observer estimates the total disturbance in the system and compensates for the control law. Global fast terminal sliding mode control enables the system to reach the sliding mode surface in a finite time, and its control law is continuous without switching terms, thereby eliminating the chattering phenomenon. A nonlinear extended state observer and global fast terminal sliding mode control change the current feedforward control into a nonlinear robust current feedforward control. The control effect is improved, and the use of current transformers is reduced in practical applications, thereby reducing costs. The validity of this scheme has been verified by simulation.
Siamese Visual Tracking with Spatial-Channel Attention and Ranking Head Network
Authors: Zhang Jianming , Liang Yifei , Huang Xiaoyi , Kuang Li-Dan , Zheng Bin
Published: October 2023

Trackers based on the Siamese network have received much attention in recent years, owing to its remarkable performance, and the task of object tracking is to predict the location of the target in current frame. However, during the tracking process, distractors with similar appearances affect the judgment of the tracker and lead to tracking failure. In order to solve this problem, we propose a Siamese visual tracker with spatial-channel attention and a ranking head network. Firstly, we propose a Spatial Channel Attention Module, which fuses the features of the template and the search region by capturing both the spatial and the channel information simultaneously, allowing the tracker to recognize the target to be tracked from the background. Secondly, we design a ranking head network. By introducing joint ranking loss terms including classification ranking loss and confidence&IoU ranking loss, classification and regression branches are linked to refine the tracking results. Through the mutual guidance between the classification confidence score and IoU, a better positioning regression box is selected to improve the performance of the tracker. To better demonstrate that our proposed method is effective, we test the proposed tracker on the OTB100, VOT2016, VOT2018, UAV123, and GOT-10k testing datasets. On OTB100, the precision and success rate of our tracker are 0.925 and 0.700, respectively. Considering accuracy and speed, our method, overall, achieves state-of-the-art performance.
Design and Implementation of Automatic Cooling Case Based on High-Power and High-Density Power Supply Array
Authors: Chen Zerui , Feng Hangwei , Zhang Guoguang , Yang Chong
Published: October 2023

Multi-board electronic cases with high-density and power modules are widely used in industrial power supply management. Heat dissipation becomes an important factor in the design process in improving case performance and miniaturization requirements. The design of existing small electronic thermal methods ignores high-temperature and high-load environment tests without automation control. To solve these problems, a heat dissipation case is designed with a magnesium and aluminum alloy, for intelligent temperature control based on a high-power and high-density power supply array. Based on the extreme miniaturization design principle, a composite heat dissipation mode is adopted based on conduction and supplemented by forced air cooling. The results show that the heat dissipation design in this article can work normally in high-temperature and high-load environment tests. Finally, the existing cooling designs are compared and analyzed. The cooling performance parameters in this article are better than those in the existing case. It contributes to the thermal design of miniaturized electronic cases in power supply management.
Chasing a Better Decision Margin for Discriminative Histopathological Breast Cancer Image Classification
Authors: Alirezazadeh Pendar , Dornaika Fadi , Moujahid Abdelmalik
Published: October 2023

When considering a large dataset of histopathologic breast images captured at various magnification levels, the process of distinguishing between benign and malignant cancer from these images can be time-intensive. The automation of histopathological breast cancer image classification holds significant promise for expediting pathology diagnoses and reducing the analysis time. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have recently gained traction for their ability to more accurately classify histopathological breast cancer images. CNNs excel at extracting distinctive features that emphasize semantic information. However, traditional CNNs employing the softmax loss function often struggle to achieve the necessary discriminatory power for this task. To address this challenge, a set of angular margin-based softmax loss functions have emerged, including angular softmax (A-Softmax), large margin cosine loss (CosFace), and additive angular margin (ArcFace), each sharing a common objective: maximizing inter-class variation while minimizing intra-class variation. This study delves into these three loss functions and their potential to extract distinguishing features while expanding the decision boundary between classes. Rigorous experimentation on a well-established histopathological breast cancer image dataset, BreakHis, has been conducted. As per the results, it is evident that CosFace focuses on augmenting the differences between classes, while A-Softmax and ArcFace tend to emphasize augmenting within-class variations. These observations underscore the efficacy of margin penalties on angular softmax losses in enhancing feature discrimination within the embedding space. These loss functions consistently outperform softmax-based techniques, either by widening the gaps among classes or enhancing the compactness of individual classes.
Random Convolutional Kernels for Space-Detector Based Gravitational Wave Signals
Authors: Poghosyan Ruben , Luo Yuan
Published: October 2023

Neural network models have entered the realm of gravitational wave detection, proving their effectiveness in identifying synthetic gravitational waves. However, these models rely on learned parameters, which necessitates time-consuming computations and expensive hardware resources. To address this challenge, we propose a gravitational wave detection model tailored specifically for binary black hole mergers, inspired by the Random Convolutional Kernel Transform (ROCKET) family of models. We conduct a rigorous analysis by factoring in realistic signal-to-noise ratios in our datasets, demonstrating that conventional techniques lose predictive accuracy when applied to ground-based detector signals. In contrast, for space-based detectors with high signal-to-noise ratios, our method not only detects signals effectively but also enhances inference speed due to its streamlined complexity—a notable achievement. Compared to previous gravitational wave models, we observe a significant acceleration in training time while maintaining acceptable performance metrics for ground-based detector signals and achieving equal or even superior metrics for space-based detector signals. Our experiments on synthetic data yield impressive results, with the model achieving an AUC score of 96.1% and a perfect recall rate of 100% on a dataset with a 1:3 class imbalance for ground-based detectors. For high signal-to-noise ratio signals, we achieve flawless precision and recall of 100% without losing precision on datasets with low-class ratios. Additionally, our approach reduces inference time by a factor of 1.88.
A Multi-Modal Retrieval Model for Mathematical Expressions Based on ConvNeXt and Hesitant Fuzzy Set
Authors: Li Ruxuan , Wang Jingyi , Tian Xuedong
Published: October 2023

Mathematical expression retrieval is an essential component of mathematical information retrieval. Current mathematical expression retrieval research primarily targets single modalities, particularly text, which can lead to the loss of structural information. On the other hand, multimodal research has demonstrated promising outcomes across different domains, and mathematical expressions in image format are adept at preserving their structural characteristics. So we propose a multi-modal retrieval model for mathematical expressions based on ConvNeXt and HFS to address the limitations of single-modal retrieval. For the image modal, mathematical expression retrieval is based on the similarity of image features and symbol-level features of the expression, where image features of the expression image are extracted by ConvNeXt, while symbol-level features are obtained by the Symbol Level Features Extraction (SLFE) module. For the text modal, the Formula Description Structure (FDS) is employed to analyze expressions and extract their attributes. Additionally, the application of the Hesitant Fuzzy Set (HFS) theory facilitates the computation of hesitant fuzzy similarity between mathematical queries and candidate expressions. Finally, Reciprocal Rank Fusion (RRF) is employed to integrate rankings from image modal and text modal retrieval, yielding the ultimate retrieval list. The experiment was conducted on the publicly accessible ArXiv dataset (containing 592,345 mathematical expressions) and the NTCIR-mair-wikipedia-corpus (NTCIR) dataset.The MAP@10 values for the multimodal RRF fusion approach are recorded as 0.774. These substantiate the efficacy of the multi-modal mathematical expression retrieval approach based on ConvNeXt and HFS.
Consideration of FedProx in Privacy Protection
Authors: An Tianbo , Ma Leyu , Wang Wei , Yang Yunfan , Wang Jingrui , Chen Yueren
Published: October 2023

As federated learning continues to increase in scale, the impact caused by device and data heterogeneity is becoming more severe. FedProx, as a comparison algorithm, is widely used as a solution to deal with system heterogeneity and statistical heterogeneity in several scenarios. However, there is no work that comprehensively investigates the enhancements that FedProx can bring to current secure federation algorithms in terms of privacy protection. In this paper, we combine differential privacy and personalized differential privacy with FedProx, propose the DP-Prox and PDP-Prox algorithms under different privacy budget settings and simulate the algorithms on multiple datasets. The experiments show that the proposed algorithms not only significantly improve the convergence of the privacy algorithms under different heterogeneity conditions, but also achieve similar or even better accuracy than the baseline algorithm.
Geothermal Energy and Its Potential for Critical Metal Extraction—A Review
Authors: Szanyi János , Rybach Ladislaus , Abdulhaq Hawkar A.
Published: October 2023

In an era of accelerating energy transition and growing demand for critical metals essential for clean technologies, the innovative integration of geothermal energy with critical metal extraction stands as a paradigm shift in sustainable resource utilization. This comprehensive review unravels the synergistic potential of coupling geothermal energy systems with critical metal extraction, thereby transforming a dual crisis of energy and resource scarcity into an opportunity for circular economy. Through rigorous analysis of existing geothermal technologies, and extraction methodologies, the study establishes a coherent framework that merges energy production with environmental stewardship. It scrutinizes current extraction techniques, and evaluates their compatibility with geothermal brine characteristics, proposing optimized pathways for maximum yield. Through detailed case studies and empirical data, the paper elucidates the economic and environmental advantages of this multifaceted approach, from reduced carbon footprint to enhanced energy efficiency and resource recovery. It concludes that combined heat and mineral production technology can open new, unexplored resources, increasing the supply of previously untapped resources, while the potential of geothermal energy for sustainable mineral extraction and energy production is in line with Sustainable Development Goal 7, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
A Composite Framework Model for Transient Pressure Dynamics in Tight Gas Reservoirs Incorporating Stress Sensitivity
Authors: Cao Lina , Wang Hehua , Jiang Liping , Zhang Bo , Ganzer Leonhard , Xie Yachen , Luo Jiashun , Wang Xiaochao
Published: October 2023

Natural gas is an eco-friendly energy source with low carbon emissions, making it attractive globally. Understanding gas reservoirs is crucial for sustainable extraction and optimizing potential. However, the complicated fluid flow and production dynamics within intricate gas reservoirs, particularly those characterized by abnormally high pressures and tight porous media, remain partially understood and demand further investigation. In a tight porous medium subjected to high pressure, the assumption of constant permeability is no longer valid. Consequently, a novel composite seepage model has been developed in this study, which considers the responsiveness of permeability to stress. Perturbation theory is employed to address the inherent non-linearity demonstrated by the permeability modulus. The solution of dimensionless pressure responses under constant production conditions is accomplished in the Laplace domain by implementing integral transformation methods. Overall, a comprehensive model is provided to understand the production behaviors of tight gas reservoirs. Moreover, in order to comprehend the transient flow characteristics of tight gas reservoirs, log–log plots are generated through the Stehfest numerical inversion approach, with the flow regimes categorized based on the normalized time phases of the pressure curves. Parametric investigations reveal that stress sensitivity detrimentally affects permeability, resulting in more pronounced pressure declines during the intermediate and late flow phases. The transient seepage model elaborated in this study is able to consider the pertinent formation and well parameters. These interpreted parameters bear significance in designing hydraulic fracturing operations, assessing the potential of tight gas reservoirs, and ultimately enhancing gas production. The presented model not only enhances our understanding of the behavior of horizontal wells in stress-sensitive tight gas reservoirs but also makes a valuable contribution to the broader discussion on transient flow phenomena in petroleum engineering.
The Optimization of a Pipeline Temperature Monitoring Method Based on Non-Local Means with the Black Widow Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Lou Fangwei , Wang Benji , Sima Rui , Chen Zuan , He Wei , Zhu Baikang , Hong Bingyuan
Published: October 2023

The accuracy of pipeline temperature monitoring using the Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analysis system depends on the Brillouin Gain Spectrum in the Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analysis system. The Non-Local Means noise reduction algorithm, due to its ability to use the data patterns available within the two-dimensional measurement data space, has been used to improve the Brillouin Gain Spectrum in the Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analysis system. This paper studies a new Non-Local Means algorithm optimized through the Black Widow Optimization Algorithm, in view of the unreasonable selection of smoothing parameters in other Non-Local Means algorithms. The field test demonstrates that, the new algorithm, when compared to other Non-Local Means methods, excels in preserving the detailed information within the Brillouin Gain Spectrum. It successfully restores the fundamental shape and essential characteristics of the Brillouin Gain Spectrum. Notably, at the 25 km fiber end, it achieves a 3 dB higher Signal-to-Noise Ratio compared to other Non-Local Means noise reduction algorithms. Furthermore, the Brillouin Gain Spectrum values exhibit increases of 9.4% in Root Mean Square Error, 12.5% in Sum of Squares Error, and 10% in Full Width at Half Maximum. The improved method has a better denoising effect and broad application prospects in pipeline safety.
Identification and Functional Analysis of the Phosphatidylethanolamine-Binding Protein (PEBP) Gene Family in Liriodendron Hybrids
Authors: Hu Miao , Liu Lipan , Hu Ping , Yu Xiaoling , Zhou Hua , Liu Shujuan , Liu Tengyun , Yu Faxin , Yang Aihong
Published: October 2023

The plant phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein (PEBP) gene family plays important roles in regulating flowering time and vegetative growth. Compared with its parents, Liriodendron hybrids (Liriodendron chinense (Hemsl.) Sarg. × L. tulipifera L.), have obvious heterosis in terms of higher seed germination, fast growth, bright flower colors, and long growth seasons. However, the genome-wide identification and functional analysis of PEBP genes that contribute to the heterosis of Liriodendron hybrids have not been studied. In this study, we characterized four members of expressed LhPEBP genes in Liriodendron hybrids and divided them into three subfamilies based on their phylogenetic relationships: FT-like (LhFT), TFL1-like (LhTFL1), and MFT-like (LhMFT1 and LhMFT2). A functional analysis of Arabidopsis showed that the overexpression of LhFT significantly promoted flowering, and the LhTFL1 gene induced a wide dispersion of the flowering timing. LhMFTs function differently, with LhMFT2 suppressing flowering, while LhMFT1 accelerates it and had a stronger promoting effect on the early stage of seed germination. Additionally, the seed germination of the LhMFT lines was relatively less influenced by ABA, while the transgenic LhFT and LhTFL1 lines were sensitive to both ABA and GA3. These results provide valuable insights into the functions of LhPEBP genes in flowering and seed germination.
Identification of CpbZIP11 in Cyclocarya paliurus Involved in Environmental Stress Responses
Authors: An Yin , He Fayin , Ye Qian , Fan Sixian , Zeng Yue , Tang Ming , Yang Zhengting , Li Kun
Published: October 2023

Environmental stresses can disrupt protein structure, resulting in unfolded or misfolded proteins, thereby triggering endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The unfolded protein response (UPR), particularly as activated by Arabidopsis AtbZIP60 gene, is pivotal for counteracting ER stress and ensuring cell survival. The medicinal plant, Cyclocarya paliurus, known for its wealth of beneficial compounds, is threatened by environmental stresses, limiting the exploration of its therapeutic potential. In order to better exploit and utilize its value, it is necessary to understand the signal pathway of environmental stresses. Here, we identify a homolog of AtbZIP60 in C. paliurus, termed CpbZIP11, which can be upregulated by tunicamycin. The conserved double stem-loop structure in its mRNA is spliced under environmental stresses. This splicing event results in a novel CpbZIP11 mRNA variant, leading to the production of a nuclear-localized CpbZIP11 protein with transcriptional activation activity in yeast. We further delve into the study of evolutionary lineage and motif conservation of CpbZIP11 homologs across various plant groups. This research illuminates the stress adaptation mechanisms in C. paliurus and deepens our understanding of the bZIP evolution, which endows versatility for the understanding of this transcription factor.
Long Term Seasonal Variability on Litterfall in Tropical Dry Forests, Western Thailand
Authors: Marod Dokrak , Nakashizuka Tohru , Saitoh Tomoyuki , Hirai Keizo , Thinkampheang Sathid , Asanok Lamthai , Phumphuang Wongsatorn , Danrad Noppakun , Pattanakiat Sura
Published: October 2023

Nutrient recycling is one of the most important services that supports other processes in ecosystems. Changing litterfall patterns induced by climate change can cause imbalances in nutrient availability. In this study, we reported the long-term (28-year) interplay between environmental factors and variability among litterfall fractions (leaves, flowers, and fruit) in a tropical dry forest located in Kanchanaburi, Thailand. A long-term litter trap dataset was collected and analyzed by lagged generalized additive models. Strong seasonality was observed among the litter fractions. The greatest leaf and flower litterfall accumulated mostly during the cool, dry season, while fruit litterfall occurred mostly during the rainy season. For leaf litter, significant deviations in maximum temperature (Tmax), volumetric soil moisture content (SM), and evapotranspiration (ET) during the months prior to the current litterfall month were the most plausible factors affecting leaf litter production. Vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and ET were isolated as the most significant factors affecting flower litterfall. Interestingly, light, mean temperature (Tmean), and the southern oscillation index (SOI) were the most significant factors affecting fruit litterfall, and wetter years proved to be highly correlated with elevated fruit litterfall. Such environmental variability affects both the triggering of litterfall and its quantity. Shifting environmental conditions can therefore alter nutrient recycling rates through the changing characteristics and quantity of litter.
Inter-Month Nutrients Dynamic and Plant Growth in Calamagrostis angustifolia Community and Soil after Different Burning Seasons
Authors: Xu Ziyang , Zhao Hongmei , Wang Guoping , Cong Jinxin , Han Dongxue , Sun Long , Gao Chuanyu
Published: October 2023

Presently, as human activity and climate warming gradually increase, straw burning leads to more accidental burning in neighbouring wetlands, which threatens wetland carbon stores. Plants are important carbon fixers in wetlands, converting carbon dioxide to biomass through photosynthesis and releasing carbon into the soil as plants die off. Nitrogen and phosphorus limitation in wetlands is a key factor affecting plant growth, and different burning seasons have different effects on mitigating this limitation. To further elucidate the effects of nitrogen and phosphorus distribution on wetland inter-month nutrient dynamics after different burning seasons, we selected a Calamagrostis angustifolia wetland in the Sanjiang Plain that was burned in spring and autumn, respectively, and conducted a monthly survey from May to September. We found that the leaf nitrogen content in September at spring burning sites was 3.59 ± 2.69 g/kg, which was significantly lower than that in July, while the difference at the unburned sites was only 0.60 ± 3.72 g/kg, and after the autumn burning, soil nitrogen and phosphorus contents remained higher than at the unburned sites in August, being 0.55 ± 1.74 g/kg and 0.06 ± 0.12 g/kg, respectively. Our results indicate that spring burning immediately increased the nitrogen and phosphorus contents in soil and plants but that these effects only lasted for a short time, until June. In comparison, autumn burning had a long-term effect on soil nitrogen and phosphorus levels and significantly increased the aboveground biomass. Thus, we recommend that conducting autumn burning before the commencement of agricultural burning not only reduces combustible accumulation to prevent fires but also promotes nitrogen and phosphorus cycling in wetlands, and the increase in plant biomass after autumn burning also enhances the carbon fixation capacity of the wetland.
Field-Scale Physical Modelling of Grassfire Propagation on Sloped Terrain under Low-Speed Driving Wind
Authors: Innocent Jasmine , Sutherland Duncan , Moinuddin Khalid
Published: October 2023

Driving wind and slope of terrain can increase the rate of surface fire propagation. Previous physical modelling under higher driving wind (3–12.5 m/s) on slopes (Innocent et al., IJWF, 2023, 32(4), pp. 496–512 and 513–530) demonstrated that the averaged rate of fire spread (RoS) varied from that of empirical models. This study investigates the potential for better agreement at lower wind velocities (0.1 and 1 m/s), since empirical models are typically developed from experimental studies conducted under benign wind conditions. The same physical model WFDS is used. The results are analysed to understand the behaviour of various parameters (RoS, fire isochrone progression, fire intensity, flame dynamics, and heat fluxes) across different slopes. The RoS–slope angle relationship closely fits an exponential model, aligning with the findings from most experimental studies. The relative RoSs are aligned more closely with the Australian and Rothermel models’ slope corrections for 0.1 and 1 m/s, respectively. The relationship between flame length and fire intensity matches predictions from an empirical power–law correlation. Flame and plume dynamics reveal that the plume rises at a short distance from the ignition line and fire propagation is primarily buoyancy-driven. The Byram number analysis shows buoyancy-dominated fire propagation at these lower wind velocities. Convective heat fluxes are found to be more significant at greater upslopes. The study confirmed that “lighter & drier” fuel parameters accelerated the fire front movement, increasing the RoS by approximately 57–60% compared to the original parameters. Overall, this study underscores the nuanced interplay of wind speed, slope, and other factors in influencing grassfire behaviour, providing valuable insights for predictive modelling and firefighting strategies.
Regional Variation in the Trophic Ecology of Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) in the Western Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Gough Brendan , Prouse Alexandra , Dance Michael A. , Wells R. J. David , Rooker Jay R.
Published: October 2023

Intrinsic tracers, such as stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen, are common dietary markers that accumulate in the muscle tissue of consumers and can be used to determine the dietary sources and trophic positions of consumers. The aim of this study was to assess regional variation in the trophic ecology of wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) using bulk stable isotopes. Muscle biopsies of wahoo were collected from four regions in the western Atlantic Ocean: the eastern Gulf of Mexico, western Gulf of Mexico, Northwest Atlantic Ocean, and Caribbean Sea. Muscle tissue δ13C and δ15N values for wahoo ranged from −15.8‰ to −18.8‰ and from 7.2‰ to 12.8‰, respectively. Wahoo collected in the Caribbean Sea displayed the highest mean δ13C value (−16.3‰), and individuals from this region were statistically different from the three other regions sampled. Mean δ15N values were elevated for wahoo collected in the eastern and western Gulf of Mexico (11.4‰ and 11.1‰, respectively), and the values were over 2‰ higher than samples from the Northwest Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Trophic position (TP) was estimated using δ15N baselines (zooplankton) and δ15N wahoo values for each region, and mean TP was 0.4 to 0.9 higher in the Caribbean Sea relative to the three other regions, suggesting that wahoo in this region feed on higher-trophic-level prey. The results indicate that δ15N baselines and the trophic positions of wahoo each vary as a function of their geographic location, which supports the hypothesis that this species feeds opportunistically throughout its range.
Winter Behavior of Juvenile Brown Trout in a Changing Climate: How Do Light and Ice Cover Affect Encounters with Instream Predators?
Authors: Filipsson Karl , Åsman Veronika , Greenberg Larry , Österling Martin , Watz Johan , Bergman Eva
Published: October 2023

During winter, stream fishes are vulnerable to semi-aquatic predators like mammals and birds and reduce encounters by being active in darkness or under surface ice. Less is known about the behavior of fishes towards instream piscivorous fishes. Here, we examined how surface ice and light affected the anti-predator behavior of juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta Linnaeus, 1758) in relation to piscivorous burbot (Lota lota Linnaeus, 1758) and northern pike (Esox lucius Linnaeus, 1758) at 4 °C in experimental flumes. Trout had lower foraging and swimming activity and spent more time sheltering when predators were present than when absent. In daylight, trout’s swimming activity was not affected by predators, whereas in darkness trout were less active when predators were present. Trout consumed more drifting prey during the day when ice was present, and they positioned themselves further upstream when under ice cover, regardless of light conditions. Trout stayed closer to conspecifics under ice, but only in the presence of pike. Piscivorous fishes thus constitute an essential part of the predatory landscape of juvenile trout in winter, and thus loss of ice cover caused by climate warming will likely affect trout’s interactions with predators.
First Records of a Hydrolagus Species (Holocephali: Chimaeridae) from Reunion Island and Mayotte (Southwestern Indian Ocean)
Authors: Séret Bernard , Quod Jean-Pascal
Published: October 2023

Two specimens of large blackish chimaeras of the genus Hydrolagus were caught, one off Reunion Island and the other off Mayotte in the southwestern Indian Ocean. The specimens, an adult male of 710 mm BDL and a female of 870 m BDL, are described, compared to similar species (i.e., having a large size, over 110 cm TL, dark blackish colour, and rather long conical snout), and tentatively identified to the small-eyed rabbitfish Hydrolagus affinis, pending a taxonomic revision of the large blackish chimaeras is completed.
Development of Seven New dPCR Animal Species Assays and a Reference Material to Support Quantitative Ratio Measurements of Food and Feed Products
Authors: Griffiths Kate R. , McLaughlin Jacob L. H. , Hall Felicity , Partis Lina , Hansen Samuel C. , Tulloch Rachel , Burke Daniel G.
Published: October 2023

Laboratory testing methods to confirm the identity of meat products and eliminate food fraud regularly rely on PCR amplification of extracted DNA, with most published assays detecting mitochondrial sequences, providing sensitive presence/absence results. By targeting single-copy nuclear targets instead, relative quantification measurements are achievable, providing additional information on the proportions of meat species detected. In this Methods paper, new assays for horse, donkey, duck, kangaroo, camel, water buffalo and crocodile have been developed to expand the range of species that can be quantified, and a previously published reference assay targeting the myostatin gene has been modified to include marsupials and reptiles. The accuracy of this ratio measurement approach was demonstrated using dPCR with mixtures of meat DNA down to 0.1%. However, the limit of detection (LOD) of this approach is not just determined by the assay targets, but by the samples themselves, with food or feed ingredients and processing impacting the DNA yield and integrity. In routine testing settings, the myostatin assay can provide multiple quality control roles, including monitoring the yield and purity of extracted DNA, identifying the presence of additional meats not detected by the suite of species-specific assays and potentially estimating a sample-specific LOD based on measured copy numbers of the myostatin target. In addition to the myostatin positive control assay, a synthetic DNA reference material (RM) has been designed, containing PCR targets for beef, pork, sheep, chicken, goat, kangaroo, horse, water buffalo and myostatin, to be used as a positive template control. The availability of standardised measurement methods and associated RMs significantly improves the reliability, comparability and transparency of laboratory testing, leading to greater confidence in results.
A Geographical Origin Classification of Durian (cv. Monthong) Using Near-Infrared Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy
Authors: Chanachot Kingdow , Saechua Wanphut , Posom Jetsada , Sirisomboon Panmanas
Published: October 2023

The objective of this research was to classify the geographical origin of durians (cv. Monthong) based on geographical identification (GI) and regions (R) using near infrared (NIR). The samples were scanned with an FT-NIR spectrometer (12,500 to 4000 cm−1). The NIR absorbance differences among samples that were collected from different parts of the fruit, including intact peel with thorns (I-form), cut-thorn peel (C-form), stem (S-form), and the applied synthetic minority over-sampling technique (SMOTE), were also investigated. Models were developed across several classification algorithms by the classification learner app in MATLAB. The models were optimized using a featured wavenumber selected by a genetic algorithm (GA). An effective model based on GI was developed using SMOTE-I-spectra with a neural network; accuracy was provided as 95.60% and 95.00% in cross-validation and training sets. The test model was provided with a testing set value of %accuracy, and 94.70% by the testing set was obtained. Likewise, the model based on the regions was developed from SMOTE-ICS-form spectra, with the ensemble classifier showing the best result. The best result, 88.00FF% accuracy by cross validation, 86.50% by training set, and 64.90% by testing set, indicates the classification model of East (E-region), Northeast (NE-region), and South (S-region) regions could be applied for rough screening. In summary, NIR spectroscopy could be used as a rapid and nondestructive method for the accurate GI classification of durians.
Chitooligosaccharide and Its Derivatives: Potential Candidates as Food Additives and Bioactive Components
Authors: Mittal Ajay , Singh Avtar , Buatong Jirayu , Saetang Jirakrit , Benjakul Soottawat
Published: October 2023

Chitooligosaccharide (CHOS), a depolymerized chitosan, can be prepared via physical, chemical, and enzymatic hydrolysis, or a combination of these techniques. The superior properties of CHOS have attracted attention as alternative additives or bioactive compounds for various food and biomedical applications. To increase the bioactivities of a CHOS, its derivatives have been prepared via different methods and were characterized using various analytical methods including FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. CHOS derivatives such as carboxylated CHOS, quaternized CHOS, and others showed their potential as potent anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, neuroprotective, and anti-cancer agents, which could further be used for human health benefits. Moreover, enhanced antibacterial and antioxidant bioactivities, especially for a CHOS-polyphenol conjugate, could play a profound role in shelf-life extension and the safety assurance of perishable foods via the inhibition of spoilage microorganisms and pathogens and lipid oxidation. Also, the effectiveness of CHOS derivatives for shelf-life extension can be augmented when used in combination with other preservative technologies. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the production of a CHOS and its derivatives, as well as their potential applications in food as either additives or nutraceuticals. Furthermore, it revisits recent advancements in translational research and in vivo studies on CHOS and its derivatives in the medical-related field.
Thermo-Responsive Sol-Gel-Based Nano-Carriers Containing Terbinafine HCl: Formulation, In Vitro and Ex Vivo Characterization, and Antifungal Activity
Authors: Bajwa Maryam , Tabassam Naila , Hameed Huma , Irfan Ali , Zaman Muhammad , Khan Mahtab Ahmad , Shazly Gamal A. , Mehboob Tooba , Riaz Tehseen , Jardan Yousef A. Bin
Published: October 2023

The current research aims to create a sol-gel-based nanocarrier containing terbinafine formulated for transdermal delivery of the drug into the skin. Sol-gel-based nanocarriers were prepared via the cold method using poloxamer-188, poloxamer-407, and distilled water. The prepared formulation was examined for pH, gelation temperature, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) analysis, thermal stability analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), particle size analysis, zeta potential, and anti-microbial activity. The in-vitro drug release study of F1 was found to be 94%, which showed greater drug release as compared to F2 and F3. The pH of the formulation was found to be within the range applicable to the skin. The gelation temperature was detected at 28 °C. The SEM images of formulations have spotted various particles well-segregated from each other. Analysis of formulations showed a mean globule size diameter of 428 nm, zeta potential values of 0.04 mV, refractive index (1.329), and viscosity (5.94 cP). FTIR analysis confirmed various functional groups’ presence in the prepared formulation. Thermal analysis has confirmed the stability of the drug within the prepared formulation. The growth of inhibition was found to be 79.2% in 60 min, which revealed that the prepared formulation has shown good permeation from the membrane. Hence, the sol-gel-based nanocarrier formulation of terbinafine was successfully developed and evaluated.
Notch Signaling Regulates Mouse Perivascular Adipose Tissue Function via Mitochondrial Pathways
Authors: Yang Chenhao , Yang Xuehui , Harrington Anne , Potts Christian , Kaija Abigail , Ryzhova Larisa , Liaw Lucy
Published: October 2023

Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) regulates vascular function by secreting vasoactive substances. In mice, Notch signaling is activated in the PVAT during diet-induced obesity, and leads to the loss of the thermogenic phenotype and adipocyte whitening due to increased lipid accumulation. We used the Adiponectin-Cre (Adipoq-Cre) strain to activate a ligand-independent Notch1 intracellular domain transgene (N1ICD) to drive constitutive Notch signaling in the adipose tissues (N1ICD;Adipoq-Cre). We previously found that constitutive activation of Notch1 signaling in the PVAT phenocopied the effects of diet-induced obesity. To understand the downstream pathways activated by Notch signaling, we performed a proteomic analysis of the PVAT from control versus N1ICD;Adipoq-Cre mice. This comparison identified prominent changes in the protein signatures related to metabolism, adipocyte homeostasis, mitochondrial function, and ferroptosis. PVAT-derived stromal vascular fraction cells were derived from our mouse strains to study the cellular and molecular phenotypes during adipogenic induction. We found that cells with activated Notch signaling displayed decreased mitochondrial respiration despite similar levels of adipogenesis and mitochondrial number. We observed variable regulation of the proteins related to mitochondrial dynamics and ferroptosis, including PHB3, PINK1, pDRP1, and the phospholipid hydroperoxidase GPX4. Mitochondria regulate some forms of ferroptosis, which is a regulated process of cell death driven by lipid peroxidation. Accordingly, we found that Notch activation promoted lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis in PVAT-derived adipocytes. Because the PVAT phenotype is a regulator of vascular reactivity, we tested the effect of Notch activation in PVAT on vasoreactivity using wire myography. The aortae from the N1ICD;Adipoq-Cre mice had increased vasocontraction and decreased vasorelaxation in a PVAT-dependent and age-dependent manner. Our data provide support for the novel concept that increased Notch signaling in the adipose tissue leads to PVAT whitening, impaired mitochondrial function, increased ferroptosis, and loss of a protective vasodilatory signal. Our study advances our understanding of how Notch signaling in adipocytes affects mitochondrial dynamics, which impacts vascular physiology.
Resources and Obstacles of a Maternity Staff Facing Intimate Partner Violence during Pregnancy—A Qualitative Study
Authors: Sureau Yam , Moro Marie-Rose , Radjack Rahmeth
Published: October 2023

Introduction: Intimate partner violence occurring during pregnancy has a similar prevalence as usual obstetrical disorders that are routinely screened for. Referenced publications insist on the importance of adequate screening, but the proper course of action has yet to be defined. Aim of study: We qualitatively explored the different resources and concepts that emerge from the discourse of maternity staff across professions. Material and methods: We led a semi structured interview with professionals, which included following their involvement with preselected patients. Nine professionals provided a sample of 19 interviews. The data was analysed using IPA methodology. Results We highlight the investigative importance of navigating the patient’s initial demand or lack thereof and the baby’s importance within, while identifying mechanisms of maternal disqualification. Creating an atmosphere prone to patient empowerment was the final theme to emerge from the study as the most beneficial tactic both in the short and long term. Conclusions: HCPs need to enable patients’ trust on a personal and an institutional level, as well as empowering the patient in the moment and respecting their values and choices. HCPs also convey the stability of the institution that has become a reference of refuge and assistance for patients from their pregnancy onwards.