bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of microbial photoinactivation by curcumin’s micellar delivery
Authors: Ryu Victor , Ghoshal Mrinalini , Chuesiang Piyanan , Ruiz-Ramirez Silvette , McLandsborough Lynne , Corradini Maria G.
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Microbial photoinactivation using UV light can be enhanced by the addition of food-grade photosensitizers (PSs), such as curcumin. Micellization of curcumin can improve its stability and antimicrobial activity. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential mechanisms that contribute to the photoinactivation of Escherichia coli O157: H7 and Listeria innocua by curcumin-loaded surfactant solutions produced with Surfynol 465 (S465) or Tween 80 (T80) below, near, and above their critical micelle concentration (CMC).

Methods: Stock curcumin-surfactant solutions were produced with S465 or T80 (5 mM sodium citrate buffer, pH 3.5). Mixtures of each bacterial suspension (initial inoculum = 6 LogCFU/mL), 1 µM curcumin, and surfactants were irradiated with UV-A light (λ = 365 nm) for 5 min. Microbial recovery after treatments was assessed by monitoring the growth of the treated E. coli O157: H7 or L. innocua using an oCelloscope™. The growth curves were characterized using a modified logistic model.

Results and Discussion: Both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria showed less and slower recovery when treated with curcumin-S465 (near or at CMC) than curcumin-T80 solutions after irradiation. FLIM micrographs suggested that curcumin was preferentially localized at the cell membrane when S465 was present, as evidenced by its longer lifetimes in samples treated with curcumin-S465 solutions. Washing after treatment resulted in the removal of loosely bound or unbound S465-curcumin micelles; hence, both E. coli O157: H7 and L. innocua recovery was faster. This suggested that curcumin partitioning has a significant role in microbial photoinactivation, possibly due to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) closer to/within the membrane. The permeability of the membrane of E. coli O157: H7, as inferred from the Live/Dead cell assay, increased when S465 was present, suggesting that S465 can also facilitate inactivation by disrupting the membrane and by favoring the localization of curcumin adjacent to the cell membrane. Therefore, a synergistic antimicrobial effect is observed when curcumin is present alongside S465 at concentrations below or near its CMC due to the disruption of the cell membrane by S465.
Addressing disparities in cancer clinical trials: a roadmap to more equitable accrual
Authors: Hoin Jon A. , Carthon Bradley C. , Brown Shantoria J. , Durham Lynn M. , Garrot L. Crain , Ghamande Sharad A. , Pippas Andrew W. , Rivers Brian M. , Snyder Cindy T. , Gabram-Mendola Sheryl Gordon Ann
Published: March 2024

The Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education (Georgia CORE) and the Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology (GASCO) held a one-day summit exploring opportunities and evidence-based interventions to address disparities in cancer clinical trials. The purpose of the summit was to identify clear and concise recommendations aimed at decreasing clinical trial accrual disparities in Georgia for rural and minority populations. The summit included expert presentations, panel discussions with leaders from provider organizations throughout Georgia, and breakout sessions to allow participants to critically discuss the information presented. Over 120 participants attended the summit. Recognizing the need for evidence-based interventions to improve clinical trial accrual among rural Georgians and persons of color, summit participants identified four key areas of focus that included: improving clinical trial design, providing navigation for all, enhancing public education and awareness of cancer clinical trials, and identifying potential policy and other opportunities. A comprehensive list of takeaways and action plans was developed in the four key areas of focus with the expectation that implementation of the strategies that emerged from the summit will enhance cancer clinical trial accrual for all Georgians.
Isoflurane treatment for refractory and super-refractory status epilepticus in dogs
Authors: Sarpekidou Eirini , Polyzois Georgios , Papageorgiou Virginia , Savvas Ioannis , Polizopoulou Zoe , Kazakos George
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Resistant epileptic episodes, such as refractory status epilepticus (RSE) and super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE), are neurological emergencies that require immediate medical treatment. Although inhalational anesthetics, such as isoflurane (ISO), have been proposed as a means of seizure control in dogs, there is currently a lack of both experimental and clinical studies on this subject.

Study design

This is a retrospective clinical study.

Methods

Records of dogs that received ISO for the management of RSE and SRSE during their intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization at the Companion Animal Clinic of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki were included in the present study. The study period spanned from February 2013 to March 2023. Dogs were identified as responders (R) when RSE/SRSE ceased after ISO administration, and the dogs were successfully discharged from the ICU after ISO discontinuation. Dogs were identified as non-responders (NR) when RSE/SRSE ceased after ISO administration, but RSE/SRSE reoccurred after ISO discontinuation. Additional data about the number and time of ISO cycles, the time of ICU hospitalization, the side effects of ISO administration, and an additional administration of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and anesthetic drugs were also recorded.

Results

A total of 20 dogs with 26 recorded RSE/SRSE episodes and 26 anesthetic cycles with ISO were included in the present study. The clinical termination of seizure activity was achieved 100% (26/26) in all episodes. In 73.1% (19/26) of the episodes, ISO administration resulted in successful RSE/SRSE treatment. Poor outcome was recorded in 26.9% (7/26) of the episodes because RSE/SRSE reoccurred after ISO discontinuation, and the dogs were euthanatized or died due to cardiac arrest. Inspiratory ISO ranged between 0.5 and 4.0%. The median time of the anesthetic cycles with ISO was 12.67 h (4.00–62.00). The median duration of the ICU hospitalization was 48.00 h (24.00–120.00). At least one ISO-related side effect was recorded in 23 out of 26 (88.5%) episodes.

Conclusion

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first clinical study that addresses the administration of ISO for RSE/SRSE treatment in dogs. The use of ISO may be beneficial in terminating RSE/SRSE; however, further prospective studies are necessary to confirm this observation.
Metabolic Syndrome and Heart Transplantation: An Underestimated Risk Factor?
Authors: Sponga Sandro , Vendramin Igor , Ferrara Veronica , Marinoni Michela , Valdi Giulia , Di Nora Concetta , Nalli Chiara , Benedetti Giovanni , Piani Daniela , Lechiancole Andrea , Parpinel Maria , Bortolotti Uberto , Livi Ugolino
Published: March 2024

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS), a multifactorial condition that increases the risk of cardio-vascular events, is frequent in Heart-transplant (HTx) candidates and worsens with immunosuppressive therapy. The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of MetS on long-term outcome of HTx patients. Since 2007, 349 HTx patients were enrolled. MetS was diagnosed if patients met revised NCEP-ATP III criteria before HTx, at 1, 5 and 10 years of follow-up. MetS was present in 35% of patients pre-HTx and 47% at 1 year follow-up. Five-year survival in patients with both pre-HTx (65% vs. 78%, p < 0.01) and 1 year follow-up MetS (78% vs 89%, p < 0.01) was worst. At the univariate analysis, risk factors for mortality were pre-HTx MetS (HR 1.86, p < 0.01), hypertension (HR 2.46, p < 0.01), hypertriglyceridemia (HR 1.50, p=0.03), chronic renal failure (HR 2.95, p < 0.01), MetS and diabetes at 1 year follow-up (HR 2.00, p < 0.01; HR 2.02, p < 0.01, respectively). MetS at 1 year follow-up determined a higher risk to develop Coronary allograft vasculopathy at 5 and 10 year follow-up (25% vs 14% and 44% vs 25%, p < 0.01). MetS is an important risk factor for both mortality and morbidity post-HTx, suggesting the need for a strict monitoring of metabolic disorders with a careful nutritional follow-up in HTx patients.
Design of an Internet of Things (IoT)-Based Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) Monitoring System
Authors: Dong Younsuk , Hansen Hunter
Published: March 2024

Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) is an important parameter in the plant photosynthesis process, which can relate to plant growth, crop water use, and leaf gas exchange. Previously, many researchers utilized commercially available sensors to monitor PAR. The high cost of the commercially available PAR sensors has limited researchers, agricultural professionals, and farmers to use and expand PAR monitoring in agricultural lands. Thus, this paper focuses on designing an affordable Internet of Things (IoT)-based PAR sensor monitoring system including 3D-printed enclosures (waterproof) for the sensors, performance evaluation of multiple light sensors, solar powering configuration, cloud setup, and cost analysis. Three sensors, including VTB8440BH photodiode, SI 1145, and LI-190R sensors, were evaluated. The 3D-printed waterproof enclosures were designed for the photodiode and SI 1145. Particle Boron was used for recording and sending the sensor data to the IoT webserver. Both the photodiode and SI 1145 were compared to LI-190R, which is the industry standard. In the calibration process, the R2 values of the photodiode and SI 1145 with LI-190R were 0.609 and 0.961, respectively. Field validation data shows that SI 1145 had a strong correlation with LI-190R. In addition, the performance evaluation data shows the photodiode had a weaker correlation with LI-190R than SI 1145. In conclusion, the study successfully developed and designed affordable and reliable IoT-based PAR sensor monitoring systems, including a 3D-printed housing, hardware, programming, and IoT website. SI 1145 with a glass filter is an alternative sensor to monitor PAR at a low cost and has the advantage of being connected to IoT microcontrollers.
Diversity as a Plant Breeding Objective
Authors: Ceccarelli Salvatore , Grando Stefania
Published: March 2024

This review paper addresses the importance of increasing agrobiodiversity to cope with climate change and, at the same time, providing a sufficient amount of healthy food. This is in agreement with the messages from ecology and medicine indicating the advantages of biodiversity in general and agrobiodiversity in particular for the planet and for our health. Plant breeding is considered to be one of the causes of the decline in agrobiodiversity, and therefore, this paper illustrates alternatives to the commonly used approach based on centralized selection. The first alternative is decentralized participatory breeding, which adapts crops to both different agronomic environments and client preferences, representing an “option by context” model of research. The second alternative is evolutionary breeding, which is a more dynamic strategy than participatory plant breeding because it merges the advantages of decentralization with the ability of dynamic mixtures and evolutionary populations to cope with biotic and abiotic stresses and evolve, thus adapting to climate change and to the associated changes in the spectrum of pests. A crop capable of evolving as the environment around it evolves appears to be the most ideal way of responding to climate change and increasing agricultural biodiversity.
An Estimation of the Leaf Nitrogen Content of Apple Tree Canopies Based on Multispectral Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Imagery and Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Zhao Xin , Zhao Zeyi , Zhao Fengnian , Liu Jiangfan , Li Zhaoyang , Wang Xingpeng , Gao Yang
Published: March 2024

Accurate nitrogen fertilizer management determines the yield and quality of fruit trees, but there is a lack of multispectral UAV-based nitrogen fertilizer monitoring technology for orchards. Therefore, in this study, a field experiment was conducted by UAV to acquire multispectral images of an apple orchard with dwarf stocks and dense planting in southern Xinjiang and to estimate the nitrogen content of canopy leaves of apple trees by using three machine learning methods. The three inversion methods were partial least squares regression (PLSR), ridge regression (RR), and random forest regression (RFR). The results showed that the RF model could significantly improve the accuracy of estimating the leaf nitrogen content of the apple tree canopy, and the validation set of the four periods of apple trees ranged from 0.670 to 0.797 for R2, 0.838 mg L−1 to 4.403 mg L−1 for RMSE, and 1.74 to 2.222 for RPD, among which the RF model of the pre-fruit expansion stage of the 2023 season had the highest accuracy. This paper shows that the apple tree leaf nitrogen content estimation model based on multispectral UAV images constructed by using the RF machine learning method can timely and accurately diagnose the growth condition of apple trees, provide technical support for precise nitrogen fertilizer management in orchards, and provide a certain scientific basis for tree crop growth.
Ecofriendly Application of Calabrese Broccoli Stalk Waste as a Biosorbent for the Removal of Pb(II) Ions from Aqueous Media
Authors: Granado-Castro María Dolores , Galindo-Riaño María Dolores , Gestoso-Rojas Jesús , Sánchez-Ponce Lorena , Casanueva-Marenco María José , Díaz-de-Alba Margarita
Published: March 2024

A new biosorbent obtained from Calabrese broccoli stalks has been prepared, characterised and used as an effective, low-cost and ecofriendly biomass to remove Pb(II) from aqueous solutions, without any complicated pretreatment. Structural and morphological characterisation were performed by TGA/DGT, FTIR and SEM/EDX; the main components are hemicellulose, starches, pectin, cellulose, lignin and phytochemicals, with important electron donor elements (such as S from glucosinolates of broccoli) involved in Pb(II) sorption. The biosorbent showed values of 0.52 and 0.65 g mL−1 for bulk and apparent densities, 20.6% porosity, a specific surface area of 15.3 m2 g−1, pHpzc 6.25, iodine capacity of 619 mg g−1 and a cation exchange capacity of 30.7 cmol kg−1. Very good sorption (88.3 ± 0.8%) occurred at pH 4.8 with a biomass dose of 10 g L−1 after 8 h. The Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms and the pseudo-second-order kinetic models explained with good fits the favourable Pb(II) sorption on the heterogeneous surface of broccoli biomass. The maximum adsorption capacity was 586.7 mg g−1. The thermodynamic parameters evaluated showed the endothermic and spontaneous nature of the Pb(II) biosorption. The chemical mechanisms mainly involved complexation, ligand exchange and cation–π interaction, with possible precipitation.
Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms of Growth Hormone Gene and Its Relationship with Growth Traits in Black Bengal Goats
Authors: Buranakarl Chollada , Chamsuwan Sumonwan , Thammacharoen Sumpun , Ratchakom Panupat , Chuaypen Natthaya
Published: March 2024

The single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the growth hormone (GH) gene could be related to growth traits, particularly in farm animals. This study aimed to identify the SNPs of the GH gene (A781G and A1575G) in Black Bengal (BB) goats in Thailand. Seventy-seven BB goats of both sexes were recruited, and their genotypes were identified. Preweaning growth at birth (weight, W0; height, H0; length, L0; and chest girth, C0) and at 10 weeks postpartum (W10, H10, L10, and C10), including average daily gain (ADG) at 0–4 weeks (ADG0–4W), 4–8 weeks (ADG4–8W), and 8–12 weeks (ADG8–12W), was compared among the different genotypes in goats born from twin litter-size dams. The results showed one genotype, CC, for A1575G and three genotypes, AA, AB, and BB, for A781G. The AA gene had significantly higher W10 than AB (p < 0.05) and BB (p < 0.05). The AA had significantly higher L10 than AB (p < 0.05), while C10 was only higher in male goats (p < 0.01). The ADG4–8W of the AA genotype was significantly higher than the BB genotype (p < 0.01). We came to the conclusion that A781G is associated with growth traits during the preweaning period, while the AA genotype showed better performance than the other genotypes.
Determining Appropriate Numbers and Times of Daily Measurements Using GreenFeed System to Estimate Ruminal Methane Emission of Meat Goats
Authors: Tadesse Dereje , Puchala Ryszard , Yirga Hirut , Patra Amlan Kumar , Gipson Terry Allen , Min Byeng Ryel , Goetsch Arthur Louis
Published: March 2024

The study was conducted to determine appropriate numbers and times of daily gas measurements to estimate total daily methane (CH4) emission of meat goats using a GreenFeed system (GFS). A replicated 4 (four measurement protocols) × 4 (four periods) Latin square design was employed with 16 Boer wethers in a confinement pen setting. Measurement protocols entailed three (G-3T; 0600–0700, 1400–1500, and 2200–2300 h), four (G-4T; 0700–0800, 1300–1400, 1900–2000, and 0100–0200 h), and six (G-6T; 0800–0900, 1200–1300, 1600–1700, 2000–2100, 0000–0100, and 0400–0500 h) times for daily measurement periods in GFS. The fourth protocol was continuous measurement over 24 h with animals in an open-circuit respiration calorimetry system (CS). Oat hay was given in individual feeders, and a small predetermined quantity of a pelleted concentrate supplement (bait) was dispensed by the GFS or manually offered for the CS. Overall, total dry matter (DM) intake (614, 625, 635, and 577 g/day for CS, G-3T, G-4T, and G-6T, respectively; SEM = 13.9) and digestible DM intake (359, 368, 374, and 320 CS, G-3T, G-4T, and G-6T, respectively; SEM = 15.9) were lower for CS than for G-3T, G-4T, and G-6T (p < 0.05), but these variables were not different among the GFS protocols. There was a significant (p < 0.001) effect of measurement protocol on CH4 emission in g/day (11.1, 25.6, 27.3, and 26.7 for CS, G-3T, G-4T, and G-6T, respectively; SEM = 1.11), g/kg DM intake (19.3, 46.4, 43.9, and 42.4 for CS, G-3T, G-4T, and G-6T, respectively; SEM = 2.03), and g/kg body weight (0.49, 1.11, 1.18, and 1.16 for CS, G-3T, G-4T, and G-6T, respectively; SEM = 0.052), with values being much lower for CS than for G-3T, G-4T and G-6T. Conversely, CH4 emission was similar among the GFS protocols despite differences in the time and number of daily visits (2.03, 2.76, and 3.75 visits for G-3T, G-4T, and G-6T, respectively; SEM = 0.114; p < 0.001). Pearson correlation (r) analysis indicated a moderate to high (p < 0.05) correlation between CS and G-3T (r = 0.62 for CH4 in g/day and r = 0.59 for CH4 in g/kg BW), CS and G-4T (r = 0.67 for CH4 in g/day and r = 0.76 for CH4 in g/kg BW), and CS and G-6T (r = 0.70 for CH4 in g/day and r = 0.75 for CH4 in g/kg BW). However, the correlation coefficient for CH4 in g/kg DM intake was low between CS and G-3T (r = 0.11) and CS and G-6T (r = 0.31) but slightly greater between CS and G-4T (r = 0.47). In conclusion, the results suggest that CH4 emissions using GFS in a confinement setting were greater compared with the CS in goats, but CH4-emission estimation using the GFS correlated with the CH4 emission in the CS system with a stronger relationship for the four times of daily measurements.
Research Progress of High-Speed Data Transmission Technology for Lightweight and Small-Sized Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Platforms
Authors: Jiang Dongxu , Bai Suping , Yu Xin , Lu Xuancai , He Guoqiang , Han Jiebing
Published: March 2024

With the continuous development of science and technology, UAV technology has been widely used in various fields. As an essential part, light and small UAV platforms have the advantages of being small, lightweight, and easy to operate and thus have been widely used in aerial photography, monitoring, rescue, and other fields. However, the traditional data transmission method can no longer meet the demand for the data transmission speed and stability of small and light UAV platforms. Wireless optical communication has the advantages of being high-speed and license-free, as well as having a large bandwidth strong anti-interference ability, and good confidentiality. Therefore, this paper aims to study high-speed data transmission technology for light and small UAV platforms to improve their transmission speed and stability. In this paper, the characteristics and advantages of UAV airborne laser communication are first elaborated to illustrate the advancements and importance of data transmission technology based on light and small UAV platforms. Then, the composition of a UAV airborne laser communication system is clarified to illustrate the feasibility of conducting airborne laser communication research. Then, the current domestic and international research status of people on light and small UAV airborne laser communication high-speed data transmission systems is reviewed, and its key technical features are analyzed. Finally, the prospects for its application and development trend are investigated.
A New Smart Grid Hybrid DC–DC Converter with Improved Voltage Gain and Synchronized Multiple Outputs
Authors: Mahafzah Khaled A. , Obeidat Mohammad A. , Mansour Ayman , Sanseverino Eleonora Riva , Zizzo Gaetano
Published: March 2024

This paper introduces a new hybrid DC–DC converter with enhanced voltage gain and synchronized multiple output capabilities, specifically tailored for smart grid applications. The proposed converter is based on the integration of non-isolated Zeta and Mahafzah converters, comprising a single controlled switch, two diodes, three inductors, and two coupling capacitors. The primary objective of this novel hybrid converter is to improve voltage gain as compared to conventional Zeta and Mahafzah topologies. By achieving higher voltage gain at lower duty cycles, the converter effectively reduces voltage stress on semiconductor switches and output diodes, thereby enhancing overall performance and reliability. A comprehensive examination of the hybrid converter’s operating principle is presented, along with detailed calculations of duty cycle and switching losses. The paper also explores the converter’s application in smart grids, specifically in the context of renewable energy systems and electric vehicles. Two distinct scenarios are analyzed to evaluate the converter’s efficacy. Firstly, the converter is assessed as a DC–DC converter for renewable energy systems, highlighting its relevance in sustainable energy applications. Secondly, the converter is evaluated as an electric vehicle adapter, showcasing its potential in the transportation sector. To validate the converter’s performance, extensive simulations are carried out using MATLAB/SIMULINK with parameters set at 25 kW, 200 V, and 130 A. The simulation results demonstrate the converter’s ability to efficiently supply multiple loads with opposing energy flows, making it a promising technology for optimized grid management and energy distribution. Moreover, the paper investigates the total harmonic distortion (THD) of the grid current, focusing on its impact in smart grid environments. Notably, the new hybrid converter topology achieves a THD of 21.11% for the grid current, indicating its ability to effectively mitigate harmonics and improve power quality. Overall, this research introduces a cutting-edge hybrid DC–DC converter that enhances voltage gain and synchronizes multiple outputs, specifically catering to the requirements of smart grid applications. The findings underscore the converter’s potential to significantly contribute to the advancement of efficient and resilient power conversion technologies for smart grids, enabling seamless integration of renewable energy systems and electric vehicles into the grid.
Study on Hydration Heat Release Model and Its Influence Coefficient of Addition Concrete
Authors: Wu Ke , Dou Zhongyu , Liu Zhenhua , Xu Jiaxiang
Published: March 2024

The concrete of the main structure of subway stations is highly constrained, so the temperature effect and shrinkage effect generated during the construction process often cause large restraint stress, thus causing the problem of structural cracking. Therefore, low-heat-of-hydration cements are usually used in such construction work to reduce the temperature during the aging of concrete. Therefore, based on the hydration heat release subprogram of concrete, an effective numerical simulation was carried out, and compared with the semi-adiabatic temperature rise test, a method of numerical calculation and parameter fitting to solve the influence coefficient of the hydration heat model was proposed, and the sensitivity of the hydration heat release model and the influence coefficient for several concrete mixtures with additives was studied. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) Combined with the measured temperature curves of several types of mineral-admixed concrete, the composite exponential exothermic model of several types of mineral-admixed concrete can be obtained by adjusting the parameter fitting to solve the influence coefficient of the exothermic hydration model proposed in this paper. (2) One can adjust the influencing coefficient a to control the maximum temperature of concrete. Similarly, the temperature curve of concrete can be adjusted by modifying the influencing coefficient b.
An Improved Winkler Foundation Modulus for a Beam in a Full Space
Authors: Xu Lihui , Zhao Mi , Huang Jingqi , Li Huifang , Du Xiuli , Zhao Xu , Cao Shengtao
Published: March 2024

The Winkler foundation modulus is key to evaluating the response of underground structures using the elastic foundation beam model. In this paper, an improved formula of the Winkler foundation modulus for a beam embedded in a full space is proposed to overcome the limitation of inconsistent assumptions in previous studies. To achieve this goal, the bending responses of the beam are obtained using the elastic foundation beam model and three-dimensional elastic continuum model, respectively, wherein a consistent assumption is proposed that tangential interactions at the beam–ground interface are ignored in the two models. In addition, as deformation of the site is an important source of the underground structure response, the beam is applied to standard soil displacement of the free field on the Winkler foundation to improve the accuracy of the Winkler modulus obtained by fitting solutions based on the concentrated force on the beam. The formula for the Winkler foundation is obtained by equating the first zero of the bending moment in the two models. The Winkler foundation modulus is verified by comparing the results with numerical solutions and previous studies.
Adsorption of Ammonium, Nitrate, and Phosphate on Hydrochars and Biochars
Authors: Trazzi Paulo André , Vashishtha Mayank , Najser Jan , Schmalenberger Achim , Kannuchamy Vasanth Kumar , Leahy James J. , Kwapinski Witold
Published: March 2024

Biochar (BC) and hydrochar (HC) have attracted considerable attention owing to their versatile characteristics and proven effectiveness in diverse technical fields. Solid BC is generated as a result of the dry carbonisation process of pyrolysis, in contrast to the slurry HC, which is produced during the hydrothermal carbonisation process. In this study, we evaluated the adsorption potential of two hydrochar samples (HCs) and three biochar samples (BCs) produced from sugar cane bagasse. The adsorption capacity of these samples was tested for ammonium, nitrate, and phosphate ions under various conditions. The BCs and HCs were subjected to characterisation using a CHNS/O analyser, the zeta potential, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Elevating the pyrolysis temperature of the biochar resulted in changes in the fixed carbon and ash contents, while the volatile matter and H/C and O/C atomic ratios decreased. As the residence time increased, the H/C ratio and volatile matter content of the hydrochars (HCs) decreased. However, the fixed carbon content, ash content, and O/C and C/N ratios exhibited an increase. Thermodynamics, adsorption isotherms, and pH were also taken into consideration. The FTIR spectra analysis indicated that the carboxyl and ester functional groups present in both the BCs and HCs displayed reduced peak intensities subsequent to the adsorption of the three ions. While the adsorption was exothermic, we noticed that the adsorption capacity increased with temperature. The results indicate that sorption was homogenous across all binding sites, as evidenced by the optimal fit to the Langmuir isotherm. The research findings indicate that the adsorption capacity of various BC and HC adsorbents is significantly influenced by the surface area of the adsorbents in the case of nitrate and phosphate, but in the case of ammonia, adsorption is dictated by the functional polar groups present on the adsorbent surface.
Impact of Latency on QoE, Performance, and Collaboration in Interactive Multi-User Virtual Reality
Authors: Van Damme Sam , Sameri Javad , Schwarzmann Susanna , Wei Qing , Trivisonno Riccardo , De Turck Filip , Torres Vega Maria
Published: March 2024

Interactive, multi-user experiences are meant to define the present and future of Virtual Reality (VR). Such immersive experiences will typically consist of remote collaborations where content is streamed and/or synchronized over a network connection. Thus, real-time collaboration will be key. In this light, the responsiveness of the system and the network will define the overall experience. As such, understanding the effect of network distortions, especially related to time delay, on end-user’s perception (in terms of Quality-of-Experience (QoE)), performance, and collaboration becomes crucial. The existing literature, however, has mostly focused on network requirements from a system point-of-view, where the key performance parameters are only provided in the form of Quality-of-Service (QoS) parameters (such as end-to-end latency). However, the translation of these network impairments to the end-user experience is often omitted. The purpose of this paper is to fill the gap by providing a thorough investigation of the impact of latency on the perception of users while performing collaborative tasks in multi-user VR. To this end, an experimental framework was designed, developed, and tested. It is based on a multi-device synchronizing architecture, enabling two simultaneous users to work together in a gamified virtual environment. The developed test environment also allows for the identification of the most prominent network requirements and objective analysis for each traffic link. To experimentally investigate the impact of latency on user perception, a user study was conducted. Participants were paired and asked to perform the collaborative task under different latency-prone scenarios. The results show that users are able to easily distinguish between distorted and non-distorted network configurations. However, making a distinction between different manifestations of latency is much less straightforward. Moreover, factors such as the user’s role in the experience and the required task, and the level of interactivity and movement have an important influence on the subjective level of perception, the strength of the user’s preferences, and the occurrence of cybersickness. In contrast, no significant differences in objective metrics, such as system performance and user completion time were observed. These results can support the creation of collective QoE metrics that model the group as a whole rather than each individual separately. As such, this work provides an important step to dynamically counteract any drops in group dynamics and performance by means of smart interventions in the transmission system and/or virtual environment.
A Deep Learning Approach to Semantic Segmentation of Steel Microstructures
Authors: Muñoz-Rodenas Jorge , García-Sevilla Francisco , Miguel-Eguía Valentín , Coello-Sobrino Juana , Martínez-Martínez Alberto
Published: March 2024

The utilization of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for semantic segmentation has proven to be successful in various applications, such as autonomous vehicle environment analysis, medical imaging, and satellite imagery. In this study, we investigate the application of different segmentation networks, including Deeplabv3+, U-Net, and SegNet, each recognized for their effectiveness in semantic segmentation tasks. Additionally, in the case of Deeplabv3+, we leverage the use of pre-trained ResNet50, ResNet18 and MobileNetv2 as feature extractors for a comprehensive analysis of steel microstructures. Our specific focus is on distinguishing perlite and ferrite phases in micrographs of low-carbon steel specimens subjected to annealing heat treatment. The micrographs obtained using an optical microscope are manually segmented. Preprocessing techniques are then applied to create a dataset for building a supervised learning model. In the results section, we discuss in detail the performance of the obtained models and the metrics used. The models achieve a remarkable 95% to 98% accuracy in correctly labeling pixels for each phase. This underscores the effectiveness of our approach in differentiating perlite and ferrite phases within steel microstructures.
Simulation Performance of Temperature and Precipitation in the Yangtze River by Different Cumulus and Land Surface Schemes in RegCM4
Authors: Yan Sheng , Li Bingxue , Du Lijuan , Wang Dequan , Huang Ya
Published: March 2024

To improve the simulation performance of the RegCM4 model in climate simulations over the Yangtze River Basin (YRB), it is essential to determine the optimal cumulus convection and land surface process schemes from the numerous physical parameterization options within RegCM4. In this study, we selected five cumulus convection schemes (Kuo, Grell, Emanuel, Tiedtke, and Kain–Fritsch) and three land surface process schemes (BATS, CLM3.5, and CLM4.5) to configure 72 mixed schemes. Four years of short-term simulations (1990–1993) with a horizontal resolution of 50 km were conducted using ERA-Interim as the initial and boundary conditions for the 72 schemes. The climate simulation performance of all schemes in the YRB was comprehensively evaluated using a multi-criteria scoring approach. The results indicate that among the selected cumulus convection schemes, the Kain–Fritsch scheme, applied to both ocean and land, demonstrates optimal performance in simulating precipitation over the YRB, with spatial correlation coefficients between simulated and observed annual precipitation around 0.3. Compared to the Community Land Models (CLM3.5 and CLM4.5), BATS exhibits superior capabilities in reproducing the temperature features of the region, with spatial correlation coefficients between simulated and observed values typically exceeding 0.99 and standard deviations within 1.25 °C. Under the optimal KF scheme, the simulated soil moisture in the YRB using CLMs is notably drier, ranging from −7.79 to −8.39 kg/m2, compared to that achieved with BATS. The findings provide a localized reference for the parameterization schemes of RegCM4 in the YRB.
Effects of Dust Storm and Wildfire Events on Phytoplankton Growth and Carbon Sequestration in the Tasman Sea, Southeast Australia
Authors: Nguyen Hiep Duc , Leys John , Riley Matthew , White Stephen , Azzi Merched , Trieu Toan , Salter David , Ji Fei , Nguyen Huynh , Chang Lisa Tzu-Chi , Monk Khalia , Firth Justine , Fuchs David , Barthelemy Xavier
Published: March 2024

Dust storms and wildfires occur frequently in south-eastern Australia. Their effects on the ecology, environment and population exposure have been the focus of many studies recently. Dust storms do not emit ground-sequestered carbon, but wildfires emit significant quantities of carbon into the atmosphere. However, both natural events promote phytoplankton growth in water bodies because carbon, and other trace elements such as iron, deposit on the surface water of oceans. Carbon dioxide is reabsorbed by phytoplankton via photosynthesis. The carbon balance cycle due to dust storms and wildfires is not well known. Recent studies on the carbon emission of the 2019–2020 summer wildfires in eastern Australia indicated that this megafire event emitted approximately 715 million tonnes of CO2 (195 Tg C) into the atmosphere from burned forest areas. This study focusses on the association of dust storms and wildfires in southeastern Australia with phytoplankton growth in the Tasman Sea due to the February 2019 dust storm event and the 2019–2020 Black Summer wildfires. Central Australia and western New South Wales were the sources of the dust storm emission (11 to 16 February 2019), and the Black Summer wildfires occurred along the coast of New South Wales and Victoria (from early November 2019 to early January 2020). The WRF-Chem model is used for dust storm simulation with the AFWA (Air Force Weather Agency of the US) dust emission version of the GOCART model, and the WRF-Chem model is used for wildfire simulation with FINN (Fire Emission Inventory from NCAR) emission data. The results show the similarities and differences in the deposition of particulate matter, phytoplankton growth and carbon reabsorption patterns in the Tasman Sea from these events. A higher rate of deposition of PM2.5 on the ocean surface corresponds to a higher rate of phytoplankton growth. Using the WRF-Chem model, during the 5-day dust storm event in February 2019, approximately ~1230 tons of total dust was predicted to have been deposited in the Tasman Sea, while ~132,000 tons of PM10 was deposited in the early stage of the wildfires from 1 to 8 November 2019.
Digital h-Fibrations and Some New Results on Digital Fibrations
Authors: Termen Talip Can , Ege Ozgur
Published: March 2024

In this work, the notion of digital fiber homotopy is defined and its properties are given. We present some new results on digital fibrations. Moreover, we introduce digital h-fibrations. We prove some of the properties of these digital h-fibrations. We show that a digital fibration and a digital map p are fiber homotopic equivalent if and only if p is a digital h-fibration. Finally, we explore a relation between digital fibrations and digital h-fibrations.
High-Entropy Materials for Lithium Batteries
Authors: Ritter Timothy G. , Pappu Samhita , Shahbazian-Yassar Reza
Published: March 2024

High-entropy materials (HEMs) constitute a revolutionary class of materials that have garnered significant attention in the field of materials science, exhibiting extraordinary properties in the realm of energy storage. These equimolar multielemental compounds have demonstrated increased charge capacities, enhanced ionic conductivities, and a prolonged cycle life, attributed to their structural stability. In the anode, transitioning from the traditional graphite (372 mAh g−1) to an HEM anode can increase capacity and enhance cycling stability. For cathodes, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) can be replaced with new cathodes made from HEMs, leading to greater energy storage. HEMs play a significant role in electrolytes, where they can be utilized as solid electrolytes, such as in ceramics and polymers, or as new high-entropy liquid electrolytes, resulting in longer cycling life, higher ionic conductivities, and stability over wide temperature ranges. The incorporation of HEMs in metal–air batteries offers methods to mitigate the formation of unwanted byproducts, such as Zn(OH)4 and Li2CO3, when used with atmospheric air, resulting in improved cycling life and electrochemical stability. This review examines the basic characteristics of HEMs, with a focus on the various applications of HEMs for use as different components in lithium-ion batteries. The electrochemical performance of these materials is examined, highlighting improvements such as specific capacity, stability, and a longer cycle life. The utilization of HEMs in new anodes, cathodes, separators, and electrolytes offers a promising path towards future energy storage solutions with higher energy densities, improved safety, and a longer cycling life.
New Genetic Variants of RUNX2 in Mexican Families Cause Cleidocranial Dysplasia
Authors: Toral López Jaime , Gómez Martinez Sandra , Rivera Vega María del Refugio , Hernández-Zamora Edgar , Cuevas Covarrubias Sergio , Ibarra Castrejón Belem Arely , González Huerta Luz María
Published: March 2024

Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is an autosomal dominant skeletal dysplasia characterized by persistent open skull sutures with bulging calvaria, hypoplasia, or aplasia of clavicles permitting abnormal opposition of the shoulders; wide public symphysis; short middle phalanx of the fifth fingers; and vertebral, craniofacial, and dental anomalies. It is a rare disease, with a prevalence of 1–9/1,000,000, high penetrance, and variable expression. The gene responsible for CCD is the Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) gene. We characterize the clinical, genetic, and bioinformatic results of four CCD cases: two cases within Mexican families with six affected members, nine asymptomatic individuals, and two sporadic cases with CCD, with one hundred healthy controls. Genomic DNA analyses of the RUNX2 gene were performed for Sanger sequencing. Bioinformatics tools were used to predict the function, stability, and structural changes of the mutated RUNX2 proteins. Three novel heterozygous mutations (c.651_652delTA; c.538_539delinsCA; c.662T>A) and a previously reported mutation (c.674G>A) were detected. In silico analysis showed that all mutations had functional, stability-related, and structural alterations in the RUNX2 protein. Our results show novel mutations that enrich the pool of RUNX2 gene mutations with CCD. Moreover, the proband 1 presented clinical data not previously reported that could represent an expanded phenotype of severe expression.
First European Erwinia amylovora Lytic Bacteriophage Cocktails Effective in the Host: Characterization and Prospects for Fire Blight Biocontrol
Authors: Biosca Elena G. , Delgado Santander Ricardo , Morán Félix , Figàs-Segura Àngela , Vázquez Rosa , Català-Senent José Francisco , Álvarez Belén
Published: March 2024

Fire blight, caused by the plant-pathogenic bacterium Erwinia amylovora, is a highly contagious and difficult-to-control disease due to its efficient dissemination and survival and the scarcity of effective control methods. Copper and antibiotics are the most used treatments but pose environmental and human health risks. Bacteriophages (phages) constitute an ecological, safe, and sustainable fire blight control alternative. The goal of this study was to search for specific E. amylovora phages from plant material, soil, and water samples in Mediterranean environments. A collection of phages able to specifically infect and lyse E. amylovora strains was generated from former fire blight-affected orchards in Eastern Spain. Following in vitro characterization, assays in immature fruit revealed that preventively applying some of the phages or their combinations delayed the onset of fire blight symptoms and reduced the disease’s severity, suggesting their biocontrol potential in Spain and other countries. The morphological and molecular characterization of the selected E. amylovora phages classified them as members of the class Caudoviricetes (former Myoviridae family) and genus Kolesnikvirus. This study reveals Mediterranean settings as plausible sources of E. amylovora-specific bacteriophages and provides the first effective European phage cocktails in plant material for the development of sustainable fire blight management measures.
LL-37: Structures, Antimicrobial Activity, and Influence on Amyloid-Related Diseases
Authors: Bhattacharjya Surajit , Zhang Zhizhuo , Ramamoorthy Ayyalusamy
Published: March 2024

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), as well as host defense peptides (HDPs), constitute the first line of defense as part of the innate immune system. Humans are known to express antimicrobial precursor proteins, which are further processed to generate AMPs, including several types of α/β defensins, histatins, and cathelicidin-derived AMPs like LL37. The broad-spectrum activity of AMPs is crucial to defend against infections caused by pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. The emergence of multi-drug resistant pathogenic bacteria is of global concern for public health. The prospects of targeting antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria with AMPs are of high significance for developing new generations of antimicrobial agents. The 37-residue long LL37, the only cathelicidin family of AMP in humans, has been the major focus for the past few decades of research. The host defense activity of LL37 is likely underscored by its expression throughout the body, spanning from the epithelial cells of various organs—testis, skin, respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal tract—to immune cells. Remarkably, apart from canonical direct killing of pathogenic organisms, LL37 exerts several other host defense activities, including inflammatory response modulation, chemo-attraction, and wound healing and closure at the infected sites. In addition, LL37 and its derived peptides are bestowed with anti-cancer and anti-amyloidogenic properties. In this review article, we aim to develop integrative, mechanistic insight into LL37 and its derived peptides, based on the known biophysical, structural, and functional studies in recent years. We believe that this review will pave the way for future research on the structures, biochemical and biophysical properties, and design of novel LL37-based molecules.
Variations of the NodB Architecture Are Attuned to Functional Specificities into and beyond the Carbohydrate Esterase Family 4
Authors: Molfetas Alexis S. , Boutris Nikiforos , Tomatsidou Anastasia , Kokkinidis Michael , Fadouloglou Vasiliki E.
Published: March 2024

Enzymes of the carbohydrate esterase family 4 (CE4) deacetylate a broad range of substrates, including linear, branched and mesh-like polysaccharides. Although they are enzymes of variable amino acid sequence length, they all comprise the conserved catalytic domain NodB. NodB carries the metal binding and active site residues and is characterized by a set of conserved sequence motifs, which are linked to the deacetylation activity. Besides a non-structured, flexible peptide of variable length that precedes NodB, several members of the CE4 family contain additional domains whose function or contribution to substrate specificity are not efficiently characterized. Evidence suggests that CE4 family members comprising solely the NodB domain have developed features linked to a variety of substrate specificities. To understand the NodB-based substrate diversity within the CE4 family, we perform a comparative analysis of all NodB domains structurally characterized so far. We show that amino acid sequence variations, topology diversities and excursions away from the framework structure give rise to different NodB domain classes associated with different substrate specificities and particular functions within and beyond the CE4 family. Our work reveals a link between specific NodB domain characteristics and substrate recognition. Thus, the details of the fold are clarified, and the structural basis of its variations is deciphered and associated with function. The conclusions of this work are also used to make predictions and propose specific functions for biochemically/enzymatically uncharacterized NodB-containing proteins, which have generally been considered as putative CE4 deacetylases. We show that some of them probably belong to different enzymatic families.