bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pig Face Recognition Based on Metric Learning by Combining a Residual Network and Attention Mechanism
Authors: Wang Rong , Gao Ronghua , Li Qifeng , Dong Jiabin
Published: January 2023

As machine vision technology has advanced, pig face recognition has gained wide attention as an individual pig identification method. This study establishes an improved ResNAM network as a backbone network for pig face image feature extraction by combining an NAM (normalization-based attention module) attention mechanism and a ResNet model to probe non-contact open-set pig face recognition. Then, an open-set pig face recognition framework is designed by integrating three loss functions and two metrics to finish the task with no crossover of individuals in the training and test sets. The SphereFace loss function with the cosine distance as a metric and ResNAM are combined in the framework to obtain the optimal open-set pig face recognition model. To train our model, 37 pigs with a total of 12,993 images were randomly selected from the collected pig face images, and 9 pigs with a total of 3431 images were set as a test set. 900 pairs of positive sample pairs and 900 pairs of negative pairs were obtained from the images in the test set. A series of experimental results show that our accuracy reached 95.28%, which was 2.61% higher than that of a human face recognition model. NAM was more effective in improving the performance of the pig face recognition model than the mainstream BAM (bottleneck attention module) and CBAM (convolutional block attention module). The research results can provide technological support for non-contact open-set individual recognition for intelligent farming processes.
Responses of Soybean to Selected Abiotic Stresses—Photoperiod, Temperature and Water
Authors: Staniak Mariola , Szpunar-Krok Ewa , Kocira Anna
Published: January 2023

The sharp increase in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) acreage in the late 20th century and early 21st century is due to the demand for edible oil and feed protein. However, a limiting factor in the extent of soybean cultivation is its high heat requirements and response to photoperiod. Most varieties are short-day plants and are generally the best-yielding genotypes. At higher latitudes (longer day length), there is a delay in the occurrence of subsequent developmental stages and problems with plant maturation before the onset of autumn frost. Global warming allows the cultivation range of warm-season species (including soya) to be shifted; however, periodic droughts and very high temperatures limit crop production. Adverse weather events result in a reduction in soybean seed yield of around 30%. Environmental stresses related to day length, high and low temperatures and water shortage or excess have the greatest impact on soybean yields, as we have no influence on them and can only, to a very limited extent, offset their negative effects. This paper reviews the recent world literature on how soybean responds to these stress factors. The results of our own research were also used.
A Transcriptomic Regulatory Network among miRNAs, lncRNAs, circRNAs, and mRNAs Associated with L-leucine-induced Proliferation of Equine Satellite Cells
Authors: Xing Jingya , Qi Xingzhen , Liu Guiqin , Li Xinyu , Gao Xing , Bou Gerelchimeg , Bai Dongyi , Zhao Yiping , Du Ming , Dugarjaviin Manglai , Zhang Xinzhuang
Published: January 2023

In response to muscle injury, muscle stem cells are stimulated by environmental signals to integrate into damaged tissue to mediate regeneration. L-leucine (L-leu), a branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) that belongs to the essential amino acids (AAs) of the animal, has gained global interest on account of its muscle-building and regenerating effects. The present study was designed to investigate the impact of L-leu exposure to promote the proliferation of equine skeletal muscle satellite cells (SCs) on the regulation of RNA networks, including mRNA, long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), covalently closed circular RNA (circRNA), and microRNA (miRNA) in skeletal muscles. Equine SCs were used as a cell model and cultured in different concentrations of L-leu medium. The cell proliferation assay found that the optimal concentration of L-leu was 2 mM, so we selected cells cultured with L-leu concentrations of 0 mM and 2 mM for whole-transcriptiome sequencing, respectively. By high-throughput sequencing analysis, 2470 differentially expressed mRNAs (dif-mRNAs), 363 differentially expressed lncRNAs (dif-lncRNAs), 634 differentially expressed circRNAs (dif-circRNAs), and 49 differentially expressed miRNAs (dif-miRNAs) were significantly altered in equine SCs treated with L-leu. To identify the function of autoimmunity and anti-inflammatory responses after L-leu exposure, enrichment analysis was conducted on those differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to lncRNA, circRNA, and miRNA. The hub genes were selected from PPI Network, including ACACB, HMGCR, IDI1, HAO1, SHMT2, PSPH, PSAT1, ASS1, PHGDH, MTHFD2, and DPYD, and were further identified as candidate biomarkers to regulate the L-leu-induced proliferation of equine SCs. The up-regulated novel 699_star, down-regulated novel 170_star, and novel 360_mature were significantly involved in the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) complex network. The hub genes involved in cell metabolism and dif-miRNAs may play fundamental roles in the L-leu-induced proliferation of equine SCs. Our findings suggested that the potential network regulation of miRNAs, circ-RNAs, lncRNAs, and mRNAs plays an important role in the proliferation of equine SCs, so as to build up new perspectives on improving equine performance and treatment strategies for the muscle injuries of horses.
Comparison of Lateral Flow Immunochromatography and Phenotypic Assays to PCR for the Detection of Carbapenemase-Producing Gram-Negative Bacteria, a Multicenter Experience in Mexico
Authors: Mendez-Sotelo Braulio Josue , López-Jácome Luis Esaú , Colín-Castro Claudia A. , Hernández-Durán Melissa , Martínez-Zavaleta Maria Guadalupe , Rivera-Buendía Frida , Velázquez-Acosta Consuelo , Rodríguez-Zulueta Ana Patricia , Morfín-Otero Maria del Rayo , Franco-Cendejas Rafael
Published: January 2023

The identification of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa is important for treating and controlling hospital infections. The recommended methods for their identification require a long waiting time, technical training, and expertise. Lateral flow immunoassays such as NG-Test CARBA 5® overcome these needs. We analyzed 84 clinical isolates of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales and P. aeruginosa from four different hospitals in a two-year period. Antimicrobial resistance patterns were confirmed with the broth dilution method. Evaluation of KPC, VIM, NDM, IMP, and OXA-48-like enzymes was performed and compared to NG-Test CARBA 5 and phenotypic assays. Enterobacterales represented 69% of isolates and P. aeruginosa represented 31%. Carbapenemase-producing strains were 51 (88%) of Enterobacterales and 23 (88.4%) of P. aeruginosa; 20 (34%) and 23 (88%) were Class B ß-lactamases, respectively. The NG-Test CARBA 5® assay for Enterobacterales showed high sensitivity (98%), specificity (100%), and PPV (100%); however, it did not for P. aeruginosa. The Kappa concordance coefficient was 0.92 for Enterobacterales and 0.52 for P. aeruginosa. NG-Test CARBA 5® is a fast and easy-to-use assay. In Enterobacterales, we found excellent agreement in our comparison with molecular tests. Despite the low agreement in P. aeruginosa, we suggest that this test could be used as a complementary tool.
Microbial Community Structure among Honey Samples of Different Pollen Origin
Authors: Stavropoulou Elisavet , Remmas Nikolaos , Voidarou Chrysoula (Chrysa) , Vrioni Georgia , Konstantinidis Theodoros , Ntougias Spyridon , Tsakris Athanasios
Published: January 2023

Honey’s antibacterial activity has been recently linked to the inhibitory effects of honey microbiota against a range of foodborne and human pathogens. In the current study, the microbial community structure of honey samples exerting pronounced antimicrobial activity was examined. The honey samples were obtained from different geographical locations in Greece and had diverse pollen origin (fir, cotton, fir–oak, and Arbutus unedo honeys). Identification of honey microbiota was performed by high-throughput amplicon sequencing analysis, detecting 335 distinct taxa in the analyzed samples. Regarding ecological indices, the fir and cotton honeys possessed greater diversity than the fir–oak and Arbutus unedo ones. Lactobacillus kunkeei (basionym of Apilactobacillus kun-keei) was the predominant taxon in the fir honey examined. Lactobacillus spp. appeared to be favored in honey from fir-originated pollen and nectar since lactobacilli were more pronounced in fir compared to fir–oak honey. Pseudomonas, Streptococcus, Lysobacter and Meiothermus were the predominant taxa in cotton honey, whereas Lonsdalea, the causing agent of acute oak decline, and Zymobacter, an osmotolerant facultative anaerobic fermenter, were the dominant taxa in fir–oak honey. Moreover, methylotrophic bacteria represented 1.3–3% of the total relative abundance, independently of the geographical and pollen origin, indicating that methylotrophy plays an important role in honeybee ecology and functionality. A total of 14 taxa were identified in all examined honey samples, including bacilli/anoxybacilli, paracocci, lysobacters, pseudomonads, and sphingomonads. It is concluded that microbial constituents of the honey samples examined were native gut microbiota of melliferous bees and microbiota of their flowering plants, including both beneficial bacteria, such as potential probiotic strains, and animal and plant pathogens, e.g., Staphylococcus spp. and Lonsdalea spp. Further experimentation will elucidate aspects of potential application of microbial bioindicators in identifying the authenticity of honey and honeybee-derived products.
Bavachin and Corylifol A Improve Muscle Atrophy by Enhancing Mitochondria Quality Control in Type 2 Diabetic Mice
Authors: Yeon Myeong-Hoon , Seo Eunhui , Lee Jong-Han , Jun Hee-Sook
Published: January 2023

Type 2 diabetes reduces muscle mass and function. Chronic inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction play critical roles in muscle atrophy pathogenesis. Here, we investigated the effects of bavachin and corylifol A from Psoralea corylifolia L. seeds on muscle atrophy in dexamethasone-treated mice and in db/db mice. Bavachin and corylifol A enhanced muscle strength and muscle mass in dexamethasone-treated mice. In diabetic mice, they enhanced muscle strength and cross-sectional areas. Bavachin and corylifol A suppressed inflammatory cytokine (interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α) expression levels by downregulating nuclear factor-κB phosphorylation. They decreased the muscle atrophic factor (myostatin, atrogin-1, and muscle RING finger-1) expression levels. They activated the AKT synthetic signaling pathway and induced a switch from fast-type glycolytic fibers (type 2B) to slow-type oxidative fibers (types I and 2A). They increased mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamic factor (optic atrophy-1, mitofusin-1/2, fission, mitochondrial 1, and dynamin 1-like) expression levels via the AMP-activated protein kinase–peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha signaling pathway. They also improved mitochondrial quality by upregulating the mitophagy factor (p62, parkin, PTEN-induced kinase-1, and BCL2-interacting protein-3) expression levels. Therefore, bavachin and corylifol A exert potential therapeutic effects on muscle atrophy by suppressing inflammation and improving mitochondrial function.
Revalidation Technique on Landslide Susceptibility Modelling: An Approach to Local Level Disaster Risk Management in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Authors: Affandi Elanni , Ng Tham Fatt , Pereira Joy J. , Ahmad Ferdaus , Banks Vanessa J.
Published: January 2023

Landslide susceptibility modelling in tropical climates is hindered by incomplete inventory due to rapid development and natural processes that obliterate field evidence, making validation a challenge. Susceptibility modelling was conducted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia using a new spatial partitioning technique for cross-validation. This involved a series of two alternating east-west linear zones, where the first zone served as the training dataset and the second zone was the test dataset, and vice versa. The results show that the susceptibility models have good compatibility with the selected landslide conditioning factors and high predictive accuracy. The model with the highest area under curve (AUC) values (SRC = 0.92, PRC = 0.90) was submitted to the City Council of Kuala Lumpur for land use planning and development control. Rainfall-induced landslides are prominent within the study area, especially during the monsoon period. An extreme rainfall event in December 2021 that triggered 122 landslides provided an opportunity to conduct retrospective validation of the model; the high predictive capability (AUC of PRC = 0.93) was reaffirmed. The findings proved that retrospective validation is vital for landslide susceptibility modelling, especially where the inventory is not of the best quality. This is to encourage wider usage and acceptance among end users, especially decision-makers in cities, to support disaster risk management in a changing climate.
Investigation into Solar Drying of Moroccan Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo L.) Fruit: Effects on Drying Kinetics and Phenolic Composition
Authors: Bajoub Aadil , Ennahli Nabil , Ouaabou Rachida , Chaji Salah , Hafida Hanine , Soulaymani Abdelmajid , Idlimam Ali , Merah Othmane , Lahlali Rachid , Ennahli Said
Published: January 2023

Solar drying is affordable, requiring low energy and an eco-friendly method. Thus, the present paper studies the efficiency and characteristics of the indirect solar convective drying in the fruits of Arbutus unedo L. as well as its effects on the fruit phenolic compounds. The fruit samples were dried at 60 °C, 70 °C, and 80 °C. Phenolic compounds were investigated using a Liquid Chromatography platform. Experimental results revealed that the effective moisture diffusivity determined by Fick’s second law varied from 1.51 × 10−9 to 4.68 × 10−9 m2/s, and the activation energy recorded was 2203.62 kJ/kg. Both the total energy consumption and the specific electrical energy of the dried fruits decreased as temperature increased. The Midilli–Kucuk model was selected as the best-fitted model for drying Arbutus unedo L. Significant effect of temperature on phenolics was observed. The concentration of the phenolic compounds decreased by 15.54, 39, and 40.63% at 60, 70, and 80 °C, respectively.
Mitigation of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory and Antiretroviral Drugs as Environmental Pollutants by Adsorption Using Nanomaterials as Viable Solution—A Critical Review
Authors: Sigonya Sisonke , Mokhothu Thabang Hendrica , Mokhena Teboho Clement , Makhanya Talent Raymond
Published: January 2023

Traces of pharmaceuticals of various classes have been reported as emerging pollutants, and they continue to be detected in aquatic environments. The steady growth of pharmaceuticals in water, as well as the related negative consequences, has made it a major priority to discover effective ways for their removal from water. Various strategies have been used in the past in order to address this issue. Recently, nanotechnology has emerged as a topic of intense interest for this purpose, and different technologies for removing pharmaceuticals from water have been devised and implemented, such as photolysis, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, and oxidation. Nanotechnological approaches including adsorption and degradation have been comprehensively examined in this paper, along with the applications and limits, in which various types of nanoparticles, nanocomposites, and nanomembranes have played important roles in removing these pharmaceutical pollutants. However, this review focuses on the most often used method, adsorption, as it is regarded as the superior approach due to its low cost, efficiency, and ease of application. Adsorption kinetic models are explained to evaluate the effectiveness of nano-adsorbents in evaluating mass transfer processes in terms of how much can be adsorbed by each method. Several robust metals, metal oxides, and functionalized magnetic nanoparticles have been highlighted, classified, and compared for the removal of pharmaceuticals, such as non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory and antiretroviral drugs, from water. Additionally, current research difficulties and prospects have been highlighted.
Teachers Perceptions on Early Childhood’s Traffic and Life Safety Education Program Using VR
Authors: An Mi-Young , Shin Kwang-Seong
Published: January 2023

The objective of this study is to verify the preventive effect of daily safety education on children by analyzing its influence on the improvement in their understanding, perceptions, and attitudes toward safety, when virtual reality (VR) is used. The use of VR-based tangible safety education is increasing. Thus, the effectiveness of VR stability education should be verified. This study was conducted for three months by selecting infants aged 4–5 years and their homeroom teachers enrolled in early childhood education institutions. After completing daily safety education using VR, questionnaires prepared by the teacher, comprising interviews and Q&A with the infants, were analyzed. Descriptive statistics, F-test, ANOVA, and multiple regression were used for data analysis. It was found that (a) the preference for audiovisual and VR as effective teaching methods in early childhood educational institutions was high; (b) safety education using VR showed a positive correlation with children’s traffic safety perceptions and attitudes; and (c) immersion was found to be a significant factor influencing the perception and attitude of safety education. These findings suggest that various methods to implement and utilize safety education programs using VR should be explored. Finally, VR safety education improved preventive attitudes toward the safety of children.
Elastic Critical Lateral Buckling of Beams Subjected to Simultaneous Negative End Moments and Transverse Loads
Authors: Nguyen Xuan Tung , Nguyen Tri N. M. , Nguyen Kha Loc , Yoon Ki-Yong , Park Sun-Hee , Kim Jung J.
Published: January 2023

This study presents a numerical investigation of the elastic critical lateral-torsional buckling of a steel beam subjected to simultaneous transverse loading at the top flange and negative end moments. Here, the elastic critical buckling of the steel beam was estimated by utilizing the finite element software ABAQUS. In addition, the influence of the length-to-height ratio was taken into account. Additionally, the predicted values for elastic critical buckling when applying existing design codes and a previous study were also analyzed and compared to the numerical results of the finite element analysis. The result of the comparison revealed that the projected values from the design codes and the study are conservative for the majority of cases and have a tendency to be too conservative when the length-to-height ratio increases. Furthermore, a new equation with a factor considering the influence of the length-to-height ratio and transverse loading on the top flange is proposed, and the proposed equation shows sufficient accuracy and less conservative values for most cases.
Seismic Response Analysis of Rock-Socketed Piles in Karst Areas under Vertical Loads
Authors: Wang Peisen , Zhang Puyang , Hu Wenjun , Qiu Dapeng
Published: January 2023

Karst landforms constitute one of the most harmful geological conditions, which have an adverse effect on the deep foundation structures of bridges. During earthquakes, the existence of karst caves can cause serious seismic damage to the bridge pile foundation. In order to investigate the seismic response of rock-socketed piles under vertical loads in complex karst cave conditions, finite element numerical simulation analyses were carried out, referring to the practical major bridge structure rock-socketed pile project in China. The peak strain distributions of rock-socketed pile foundation influenced by single-karst cave factors under the combined action of vertical loads and ground motions were investigated, and the influences of complex multi-caves were further explored. The results showed that the restraint effect of the bedrock near the pile would gradually decrease with the increase of the height of the karst cave and the decrease of the height of the karst cave roof; under the condition of a beaded karst cave, the constraint of bedrock between the karst caves makes the pile present the distribution characteristics of “multi-segment and multi-broken line”; under the condition of an underlying karst cave, the existence of the underlying karst cave would decrease the restraint of the bedrock at the bottom pile and increase the peak strain of the pile to a certain extent. This paper revealed the seismic response law of the rock-socketed pile under vertical loads within various complex karst cave conditions and developed reasonable reinforcement measures aiming at dangerous locations, providing important engineering guidance and a reference for the seismic design of rock-socketed pile foundation in complex karst areas.
Specifying Internet of Things Behaviors in Behavior-Driven Development: Concurrency Enhancement and Tool Support
Authors: Wang Bing-Yun , Yen Yi-Chun , Cheng Yu Chin
Published: January 2023

The Internet of Things (IoT) systems are inherently distributed with many concurrent behaviors. In order to apply behavior-driven development (BDD), a proven agile practice of software development that brings many benefits, we must ensure that the specification of sequential and concurrent behaviors is supported at the specification level and that tool support is in place to execute the specification. This study proposes a minimal semantic enhancement to the Gherkin language, the most popular specification language in BDD, to distinguish sequential and concurrent behaviors. At the same time, a tool called concurrentSpec is developed to support the correct execution of specifications written in the enhanced Gherkin language. With two IoT examples involving both sequential and concurrent behaviors, it is shown that the enhanced Gherkin with concurrentSpec can correctly specify and execute the specifications, while the original Gherkin with existing tools is unable to do so. Hence, the contribution of this study is to eliminate a technical impediment for the IoT development community to adopt BDD and receive its benefits.
Movement Time for Pointing Tasks in Real and Augmented Reality Environments
Authors: Zhao Caijun , Li Kai Way , Peng Lu
Published: January 2023

Human–virtual target interactions are becoming more and more common due to the emergence and application of augmented reality (AR) devices. They are different from interacting with real objects. Quantification of movement time (MT) for human–virtual target interactions is essential for AR-based interface/environment design. This study aims to investigate the motion time when people interact with virtual targets and to compare the differences in motion time between real and AR environments. An experiment was conducted to measure the MT of pointing tasks on the basis of both a physical and a virtual calculator panel. A total of 30 healthy adults, 15 male and 15 female, joined. Each participant performed pointing tasks on both physical and virtual panels with an inclined angle of the panel, hand movement direction, target key, and handedness conditions. The participants wore an AR head piece (Microsoft Hololens 2) when they pointed on the virtual panel. When pointing on the physical panel, the participants pointed on a panel drawn on board. The results showed that the type of panel, inclined angle, gender, and handedness had significant (p < 0.0001) effects on the MT. A new finding of this study was that the MT of the pointing task on the virtual panel was significantly (p < 0.0001) higher than that of the physical one. Users using a Hololens 2 AR device had inferior performance in pointing tasks than on a physical panel. A revised Fitts’s model was proposed to incorporate both the physical–virtual component and inclined angle of the panel in estimating the MT. This model is novel. The index of difficulty and throughput of the pointing tasks between using the physical and virtual panels were compared and discussed. The information in this paper is beneficial to AR designers in promoting the usability of their designs so as to improve the user experience of their products.
Short-Term Load Forecasting Based on Spiking Neural P Systems
Authors: Li Lin , Guo Lin , Wang Jun , Peng Hong
Published: January 2023

Short-term load forecasting is a significant component of safe and stable operations and economical and reliable dispatching of power grids. Precise load forecasting can help to formulate reasonable and effective coordination plans and implementation strategies. Inspired by the spiking mechanism of neurons, a nonlinear spiking neural P (NSNP) system, a parallel computing model, was proposed. On the basis of SNP systems, this study exploits a fresh short-term load forecasting model, termed as the LF-NSNP model. The LF-NSNP model is essentially a recurrent-like model, which can effectively capture the correlation between the temporal features of the electric load sequence. In an effort to validate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed LF-NSNP model in short-term load forecasting tasks, tests were conducted on datasets of different time and different variable types, and the predictive competence of various baseline models was compared.
Understanding the Distributions of Benthic Foraminifera in the Adriatic Sea with Gradient Forest and Structural Equation Models
Authors: A. Rostami Masoud , Frontalini Fabrizio , Armynot du Châtelet Eric , Francescangeli Fabio , Alves Martins Maria Virginia , De Marco Rocco , Dinelli Enrico , Tramontana Mario , Dyer Lee A. , Abraham Romain , Bout-Roumazeilles Viviane , Delattre Marion , Spagnoli Federico
Published: January 2023

In the last three decades, benthic foraminiferal ecology has been intensively investigated to improve the potential application of these marine organisms as proxies of the effects of climate change and other global change phenomena. It is still challenging to define the most important factors affecting foraminiferal communities and derived faunistic parameters. In this study, we examined the abiotic-biotic relationships of foraminiferal communities in the central-southern area of the Adriatic Sea using modern machine learning techniques. We combined gradient forest (Gf) and structural equation modeling (SEM) to test hypotheses about determinants of benthic foraminiferal assemblages. These approaches helped determine the relative effect of sizes of different environmental variables responsible for shaping living foraminiferal distributions. Four major faunal turnovers (at 13–28 m, 29–58 m, 59–215 m, and >215 m) were identified along a large bathymetric gradient (13–703 m water depth) that reflected the classical bathymetric distribution of benthic communities. Sand and organic matter (OM) contents were identified as the most relevant factors influencing the distribution of foraminifera either along the entire depth gradient or at selected bathymetric ranges. The SEM supported causal hypotheses that focused the factors that shaped assemblages at each bathymetric range, and the most notable causal relationships were direct effects of depth and indirect effects of the Gf-identified environmental parameters (i.e., sand, pollution load Index–PLI, organic matter–OM and total nitrogen–N) on foraminifera infauna and diversity. These results are relevant to understanding the basic ecology and conservation of foraminiferal communities.
Evaluation of Root Canal Cleanliness on Using a Novel Irrigation Device with an Ultrasonic Activation Technique: An Ex Vivo Study
Authors: Rajamanickam Keerthika , Teja Kavalipurapu Venkata , Ramesh Sindhu , Choudhari Sahil , Cernera Mariangela , Armogida Niccolo Giuseppe , Mustafa Mohammed , Spagnuolo Gianrico
Published: January 2023

Root canal preparation generates inorganic and organic tissue debris. Various irrigation techniques are used to remove the smear layer from the root canal system. The present study aimed to evaluate canal cleanliness using a novel irrigation device with ultrasonic and manual irrigation in extracted teeth. Twenty-one freshly extracted single-rooted teeth with specified inclusion and exclusion criteria were collected for the present study. The specimens were prepared to a size using a rotary file to size 30 and 6% taper preparation. The specimens were then divided into three groups: group I, Manual irrigation group (n = 7), group II, Automated irrigation (n = 7), group III, Passive ultrasonic irrigation (n = 7). Following the experimental irrigation, the teeth were subjected to the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Statistically significant reduction (p < 0.05) in both smear layer and debris scores were seen in group III as compared to the other groups. Based on Hülsmann’s scoring method, it was found that the automated root canal irrigation device showed better canal cleanliness when compared with the manual irrigation technique but was less effective than passive ultrasonic irrigation.
Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Specific Phenolic Compounds from Petroselinum crispum Leaves Using Response Surface Methodology and HPLC-PDA and Q-TOF-MS/MS Identification
Authors: Michalaki Afroditi , Karantonis Haralabos C. , Kritikou Anastasia S. , Thomaidis Nikolaos S. , Dasenaki Marilena E.
Published: January 2023

Petroselinum crispum is native to the Mediterranean region and has been reported to contain several phenolic compounds in addition to the highest quantity of apigenin among several natural raw materials. The aim of the present study was to establish an extraction method for the most abundant phenolic compounds of Petroselinum crispum leaves by using response surface methodology. A Box–Behnken design was applied to optimize the extraction conditions with regards to the extraction time, temperature, solvent mixture, and sample to solvent ratio with the use of ultrasound-assisted extraction. An analytical HPLC-PDA methodology was developed to accurately quantify the phenolic compounds in the extracts. Identification of the most abundant phenolic compounds (luteolin, caffeic acid, and apigenin) was also performed with an UPLC-Q-TOF MS methodology. The predicted optimal conditions of the statistical model were identified, and the predicted values confirmed. Actual values of 23.92 ± 1.86 with 100 mL/g, 40% ethanol, 70 °C and 40 min, 19.10 ± 0.75 with 20 mL/g, 0% ethanol, 70 °C and 40 min, and 25.29 ± 1.82 μg/g dry parsley with and 100 mL/g, 0% ethanol, 25 °C and 40 min of luteolin, caffeic acid, and apigenin respectively, were estimated. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activities by DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and CUPRAC assays were performed for the extracts. The extracts acquired under the optimum conditions contain an adequate quantity of phenolic compounds that could be used in the production of functional foods by food enrichment prcedure.
A Graph-Theoretic Approach for Modelling and Resiliency Analysis of Synchrophasor Communication Networks
Authors: Jha Amitkumar V. , Appasani Bhargav , Bizon Nicu , Thounthong Phatiphat
Published: January 2023

In recent years, the Smart Grid (SG) has been conceptualized as a burgeoning technology for improvising power systems. The core of the communication infrastructure in SGs is the Synchrophasor Communication Network (SCN). Using the SCN, synchrophasor data communication is facilitated between the Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) and Phasor Data Concentrator (PDC). However, the SCN is subjected to many challenges. As a result, the components, such as the links, PMUs, PDCs, nodes, etc., of the SCN are subjected to failure. Such failure affects the operation of the SCN and results in the performance degradation of the SG. The performance degradation of the smart grid is observed either temporarily or permanently due to packet loss. To avoid dire consequences, such as a power blackout, the SCN must be resilient to such failures. This paper presents a novel analytical method for the resiliency analysis of SCNs. A graph-theoretic approach was used to model SCN from the resiliency analysis perspective. Furthermore, we proposed a simulation framework for validating the analytical method using the Network Simulator-3 (ns-3) software. The proposed non-intrusive simulation framework can also be extended to design and analyse the resiliency of generic communication networks.
Effects of Different Charging Currents and Temperatures on the Voltage Plateau Behavior of Li-Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Xingxing , Zhang Yujie , Deng Yelin , Yuan Yinnan , Zhang Fubao , Lv Shuaishuai , Zhu Yu , Ni Hongjun
Published: January 2023

Lithium-ion power batteries, which are the foundation of electric cars and are expected to play a significant role in a variety of operating environments and application situations, have major development prospects. In order to obtain the optimal operation range of ternary Li-ion batteries under various current rates and test temperatures, the characteristics of the voltage plateau period (VPP) of batteries in different states are examined by piecewise fitting based on charging and discharging cycle experiments. The findings demonstrate that while charging at current rates of 0.10C, 0.25C, 0.50C, 0.75C, and 1.00C under temperatures of 40 °C, 25 °C, and 10 °C, the battery’s termination voltage changes seamlessly from 3.5–3.75 V, 3.55–3.8 V, 3.6–3.85 V, 3.7–4 V, and 3.85–4.05 V, the growth in surface temperature does not surpass its maximum level, and the charge capacity exceeds 50%. Batteries operate more effectively. When the test temperature is −20 °C, the voltage rebound stage that occurs in the initial period of charging at 0.50C, 0.75C, and 1.00C accounts for the highest charge capacity, close to 70%. The study’s findings can be used as a guide when designing a lithium-ion power battery’s model and control method for an electric vehicle’s energy storage system.
Melatonin: Both a Messenger of Darkness and a Participant in the Cellular Actions of Non-Visible Solar Radiation of Near Infrared Light
Authors: Tan Dun-Xian , Reiter Russel J. , Zimmerman Scott , Hardeland Ruediger
Published: January 2023

Throughout the history of melatonin research, almost exclusive focus has been on nocturnally-generated pineal melatonin production, which accounts for its circadian rhythm in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid; these light/dark melatonin cycles drive the daily and seasonal photoperiodic alterations in organismal physiology. Because pineal melatonin is produced and secreted primarily at night, it is referred to as the chemical expression of darkness. The importance of the other sources of melatonin has almost been ignored. Based on current evidence, there are at least four sources of melatonin in vertebrates that contribute to the whole-body melatonin pool. These include melatonin produced by (1) the pineal gland; (2) extrapineal cells, tissues, and organs; (3) the microbiota of the skin, mouth, nose, digestive tract, and vagina as well as (4) melatonin present in the diet. These multiple sources of melatonin exhibit differentially regulated mechanisms for its synthesis. Visible light striking the retina or an intense physical stimulus can suppress nocturnal pineal melatonin levels; in contrast, there are examples where extrapineal melatonin levels are increased during heavy exercise in daylight, which contains the whole range of NIR radiation. The cumulative impact of all cells producing augmented extrapineal melatonin is sufficient to elevate sweat concentrations, and potentially, if the exposure is sustained, to also increasing the circulating values. The transient increases in sweat and plasma melatonin support the premise that extrapineal melatonin has a production capacity that exceeds by far what can be produced by the pineal gland, and is used to maintain intercellular homeostasis and responds to rapid changes in ROS density. The potential regulatory mechanisms of near infrared light (NIR) on melatonin synthesis are discussed in detail herein. Combined with the discovery of high levels of melanopsin in most fat cells and their response to light further calls into question pineal centric theories. While the regulatory processes related to microbiota-derived melatonin are currently unknown, there does seem to be crosstalk between melatonin derived from the host and that originating from microbiota.
Electroencephalographic Response in Juvenile Tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum, Exposed to Short-Term Anaesthetic Baths with Geraniol and Citronellol
Authors: De Araújo Ednara Ronise Lima , Torres Marcelo Ferreira , Da Costa Brenda Maria Pereira Alho , Hamoy Moisés , Sampaio Luís André , Barbas Luis André Luz
Published: January 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of neuronal depression in juvenile tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum, exposed to geraniol (GRL) and citronellol (CTL) in immersion baths. A total of 36 juveniles weighing 35.2 ± 9.4 g were used, organised into six experimental groups: I—control (clean water); II—ethanol (water containing the highest volume of ethanol used in the anaesthetic pre-dilution); III—GRL induction (70 µL·L−1); IV—CTL induction (90 µL·L−1); V—GRL recovery; VI—CTL recovery. Electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings were performed for 300 s in each group. EEG tracings of the control and ethanol groups showed regular and similar activity. Upon exposure to the anaesthetics, irregularities were observed in the tracings showing neuronal excitability and increased amplitudes, mainly in the case of CTL. Overall, GRL-exposed fish showed depression of the central nervous system with low and regular tracings throughout induction, presenting a gradual recovery and stable tracings, which were consistent with an adequate general anaesthetic effect. On the other hand, fish exposed to CTL showed altered EEG activity during induction, that could be considered incompatible with an appropriate anaesthetic effect and smooth recovery, presenting high and irregular EEG tracing amplitudes.
Metalloproteinases in Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review
Authors: Serraino Giuseppe Filiberto , Jiritano Federica , Costa Davide , Ielapi Nicola , Battaglia Domenica , Bracale Umberto Marcello , Mastroroberto Pasquale , Andreucci Michele , Serra Raffaele
Published: January 2023

The role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in routine cardiac operations including cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is still poorly explored. The purpose of this systematic review was to thoroughly summarize and discuss the existing knowledge of the MMP profile in cardiac surgery. All studies meeting the inclusion criteria (i.e., those reporting detailed data about MMP release during and after CPB) were selected after screening the literature published between July 1975 and August 2022. Fifteen trials that enrolled a total of 431 participants were included. MMP levels were found to be significantly correlated with CPB in all included studies. The gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 were highly released in cardiac surgery with CPB. MMP-9 levels were found to be increased after CPB start and during the duration of CPB. Particularly, it is overexpressed both in the myocardial tissue and circulating in the bloodstream. Also, MMP-2 levels increased after CPB both in plasma and in myocardial tissue. MMP-7, MMP-8, and MMP-13 levels increased after CPB start and remained elevated up to 6 h later. Increased levels of MMPs were associated with adverse post-operative outcomes. Conversely, TIMP-1 decreased with CPB. Mechanical and pharmacological strategies were applied in two studies to analyze their effect on the inflammatory response to cardiac surgery and CPB and on postoperative outcomes. New targeted MMP inhibitor therapies could protect against systemic inflammatory response syndrome after CPB and should be the subject of future large prospective multicenter randomized clinical trials.
The Molecular Pharmacology of Phloretin: Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms of Action
Authors: Habtemariam Solomon
Published: January 2023

The isolation of phlorizin from the bark of an apple tree in 1835 led to a flurry of research on its inhibitory effect on glucose transporters in the intestine and kidney. Using phlorizin as a prototype drug, antidiabetic agents with more selective inhibitory activity towards glucose transport at the kidney have subsequently been developed. In contrast, its hydrolysis product in the body, phloretin, which is also found in the apple plant, has weak antidiabetic properties. Phloretin, however, displays a range of pharmacological effects including antibacterial, anticancer, and cellular and organ protective properties both in vitro and in vivo. In this communication, the molecular basis of its anti-inflammatory mechanisms that attribute to its pharmacological effects is scrutinised. These include inhibiting the signalling pathways of inflammatory mediators’ expression that support its suppressive effect in immune cells overactivation, obesity-induced inflammation, arthritis, endothelial, myocardial, hepatic, renal and lung injury, and inflammation in the gut, skin, and nervous system, among others.
Impaired Ghrelin Signaling Does Not Lead to Alterations of Anxiety-like Behaviors in Adult Mice Chronically Exposed to THC during Adolescence
Authors: Sestan-Pesa Matija , Shanabrough Marya , Horvath Tamas L. , Miletta Maria Consolata
Published: January 2023

As marijuana use during adolescence has been increasing, the need to understand the effects of its long-term use becomes crucial. Previous research suggested that marijuana consumption during adolescence increases the risk of developing mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety. Ghrelin is a peptide produced primarily in the gut and is important for feeding behavior. Recent studies have shown that ghrelin and its receptor, the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), play important roles in mediating stress, as well as anxiety and depression-like behaviors in animal models. Here, we investigated the effects of chronic tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) administration during late adolescence (P42–55) in GHSR (GHSR −/−) knockout mice and their wild-type littermates in relation to anxiety-like behaviors. We determined that continuous THC exposure during late adolescence did not lead to any significant alterations in the anxiety-like behaviors of adult mice, regardless of genotype, following a prolonged period of no exposure (1 month). These data indicate that in the presence of intact or impaired ghrelin/GHSR signaling, THC exposure during late adolescence has limited if any long-term impact on anxiety-like behaviors in mice.
The Relationship between Short- and Long-Term Memory Is Preserved across the Age Range
Authors: Čepukaitytė Giedrė , Thom Jude L. , Kallmayer Melvin , Nobre Anna C. , Zokaei Nahid
Published: January 2023

Both short- and long-term memories decline with healthy ageing. The aims of the current study were twofold: firstly, to build on previous studies and investigate the presence of a relationship between short- and long-term memories and, secondly, to examine cross-sectionally whether there are changes in this relationship with age. In two experiments, participants across the age range were tested on contextual-spatial memories after short and long memory durations. Experimental control in stimulus materials and task demands enabled the analogous encoding and probing for both memory durations, allowing us to examine the relationship between the two memory systems. Across two experiments, in line with previous studies, we found both short-term memory and long-term memory declined from early to late adulthood. Additionally, there was a significant relationship between short- and long-term memory performance, which, interestingly, persisted throughout the age range. Our findings suggest a significant degree of common vulnerability to healthy ageing for short- and long-term memories sharing the same spatial-contextual associations. Furthermore, our tasks provide a sensitive and promising framework for assessing and comparing memory function at different timescales in disorders with memory deficits at their core.
An Exploration of the Effects of Cross-Modal Tasks on Selective Attention
Authors: Nambiar Krithika , Bhargava Pranesh
Published: January 2023

Successful performance of a task relies on selectively attending to the target, while ignoring distractions. Studies on perceptual load theory (PLT), conducted involving independent tasks with visual and auditory modalities, have shown that if a task is low-load, distractors and the target are both processed. If the task is high-load, distractions are not processed. The current study expands these findings by considering the effect of cross-modality (target and distractor from separate modalities) and congruency (similarity of target and distractor) on selective attention, using a word-identification task. Parameters were analysed, including response time, accuracy rates, congruency of distractions, and subjective report of load. In contrast to past studies on PLT, the results of the current study show that modality (congruency of the distractors) had a significant effect and load had no effect on selective attention. This study demonstrates that subjective measurement of load is important when studying perceptual load and selective attention.
Value of Information Analysis for the Post-Earthquake Assessment of Existing Masonry Structures—Case Studies
Authors: Ožić Karlo , Skejić Davor , Lukačević Ivan , Stepinac Mislav
Published: January 2023

In the last decades, the post-earthquake assessment and strengthening of existing structures are becoming one of the most critical fields of civil engineering. Most parts of Europe, as well as many existing buildings in Croatia, are built in masonry. For that reason, the main objective of this paper is to show the role of updating knowledge in the decision analysis process of existing masonry assessment. Collecting information through condition assessment can be performed on multiple levels with different precision and quality of the obtained data. Several alternative maintenance strategies and corresponding outcomes usually represent decision problems regarding the assessment of existing structures. Regarding existing buildings, decision analysis proved the benefits of updating knowledge in the building post-earthquake assessment process. As case studies, two existing masonry buildings were selected and different assessment procedures and decision scenarios were presented. The Value of Information (VoI) analysis showed that the applied method is feasible from the perspective of owners and users, as its implementation resulted in a reduction in the overall strengthening and maintenance costs.