bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Nanomaterials in the Production of Biomolecules in Microalgae: A Review
Authors: Yuan Xiaolong , Gao Xiang , Liu Chang , Liang Wensheng , Xue Huidan , Li Zhengke , Jin Haojie
Published: November 2023

Nanomaterials (NMs) are becoming more commonly used in microalgal biotechnology to empower the production of algal biomass and valuable metabolites, such as lipids, proteins, and exopolysaccharides. It provides an effective and promising supplement to the existing algal biotechnology. In this review, the potential for NMs to enhance microalgal growth by improving photosynthetic utilization efficiency and removing reactive oxygen species is first summarized. Then, their positive roles in accumulation, bioactivity modification, and extraction of valuable microalgal metabolites are presented. After the application of NMs in microalgae cultivation, the extracted metabolites, particularly exopolysaccharides, contain trace amounts of NM residues, and thus, the impact of these residues on the functional properties of the metabolites is also evaluated. Finally, the methods for removing NM residues from the extracted metabolites are summarized. This review provides insights into the application of nanotechnology for sustainable production of valuable metabolites in microalgae and will contribute useful information for ongoing and future practice.
Epidemiological, Pathophysiological, and Clinical Considerations on the Interplay between Thyroid Disorders and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Grigoriadis Gregory , Koufakis Theocharis , Kotsa Kalliopi
Published: November 2023

Thyroid disorders (TD) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are the two endocrinopathies with the highest prevalence in the general population that frequently coexist. Thyroid dysfunction is more common in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) compared to normoglycemic individuals. Untreated TD can impair glycemic control, increasing the risk of diabetes complications. Hyperinsulinemia can affect the morphology of the thyroid gland by promoting the proliferation of thyroid tissue and increasing the size of thyroid nodules. Metformin can confer benefits in both endocrinopathies, while other antidiabetics, such as sulfonylureas, can negatively affect thyroid function. Animal and human observational data suggest an increased risk of medullary thyroid carcinoma after treatment with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. However, randomized trials have so far been reassuring. Furthermore, some observational studies suggest an association between thyroid cancer and T2DM, especially in women. This narrative review aims to shed light on the epidemiological, pathophysiological, and clinical aspects of the interplay between TD and T2DM. Taking into account the important clinical implications of the coexistence of T2DM and TD, proper screening and management strategies are needed for both endocrinopathies to ensure optimal patient care.
Imaging Modalities for Evaluating Lymphedema
Authors: Nagy Bendeguz Istvan , Mohos Balazs , Tzou Chieh-Han John
Published: November 2023

Lymphedema is a progressive condition. Its therapy aims to reduce edema, prevent its progression, and provide psychosocial aid. Nonsurgical treatment in advanced stages is mostly insufficient. Therefore—in many cases—surgical procedures, such as to restore lymph flow or excise lymphedema tissues, are the only ways to improve patients’ quality of life. Imaging modalities: Lymphoscintigraphy (LS), near-infrared fluorescent (NIRF) imaging—also termed indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography (ICG-L)—ultrasonography (US), magnetic resonance lymphangiography (MRL), computed tomography (CT), photoacoustic imaging (PAI), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) are standardized techniques, which can be utilized in lymphedema diagnosis, staging, treatment, and follow-up. Conclusions: The combined use of these imaging modalities and self-assessment questionnaires deliver objective parameters for choosing the most suitable surgical therapy and achieving the best possible postoperative outcome.
Solitary Bees Host More Bacteria and Fungi on Their Cuticle than Social Bees
Authors: Thamm Markus , Reiß Fabienne , Sohl Leon , Gabel Martin , Noll Matthias , Scheiner Ricarda
Published: November 2023

Bees come into contact with bacteria and fungi from flowering plants during their foraging trips. The Western honeybee (Apis mellifera) shows a pronounced hygienic behavior with social interactions, while the solitary red mason bee (Osmia bicornis) lacks a social immune system. Since both visit the same floral resources, it is intriguing to speculate that the body surface of a solitary bee should harbor a more complex microbiome than that of the social honeybee. We compared the cuticular microbiomes of A. mellifera (including three European subspecies) and O. bicornis for the first time by bacterial 16S rRNA and fungal ITS gene-based high-throughput amplicon sequencing. The cuticular microbiome of the solitary O. bicornis was significantly more complex than that of the social A. mellifera. The microbiome composition of A. mellifera subspecies was very similar. However, we counted significantly different numbers of fungi and a higher diversity in the honeybee subspecies adapted to warmer climates. Our results suggest that the cuticular microbiome of bees is strongly affected by visited plants, lifestyle and adaptation to temperature, which have important implications for the maintenance of the health of bees under conditions of global change.
Pneumococcal Serotypes Associated with Community-Acquired Pneumonia Hospitalizations in Adults in Spain, 2016–2020: The CAPA Study
Authors: Menéndez Rosario , Torres Antoni , España Pedro Pablo , Fernández-Villar Jose Alberto , Marimón José María , Méndez Raúl , Cilloniz Catia , Egurrola Mikel , Botana-Rial Maribel , Ercibengoa María , Méndez Cristina , Cifuentes Isabel , Gessner Bradford D.
Published: November 2023

Newer higher valency pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) have the potential to reduce the adult community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) burden. We describe the evolution and distribution of adult community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) serotypes in Spain, focusing on serotypes contained in the 20-valent PCV (PCV20). This was a prospective, observational study of chest X-ray (CXR)-confirmed CAP in immunocompetent adults hospitalized in one of four Spanish hospitals between November 2016 and November 2020. Pneumococci were isolated from cultures and detected in urine using BinaxNow® and Pfizer serotype-specific urinary antigen tests UAD1 and UAD2. We included 1948 adults hospitalized with CXR-CAP. The median age was 69.0 years (IQR: 24 years). At least one comorbidity was present in 84.8% (n = 1653) of patients. At admission, 76.1% of patients had complicated pneumonia. Pneumococcus was identified in 34.9% (n = 680) of study participants. The PCV20 vaccine-type CAP occurred in 23.9% (n = 465) of all patients, 68.4% (n = 465) of patients with pneumococcal CAP, and 82.2% (83/101) of patients who had pneumococcus identified by culture. Serotypes 8 (n = 153; 7.9% of all CAP) and 3 (n = 152; 7.8% of all CAP) were the most frequently identified. Pneumococcus is a common cause of hospitalized CAP among Spanish adults and serotypes contained in PCV20 caused the majority of pneumococcal CAP.
The Impact of Microplastics on Global Food Production: A Brief Overview of This Complex Sector
Authors: Corrêa Thúlio Righeti , Gaylarde Christine C. , Baptista Neto José Antônio , Delgado Jéssica de F. , Lima Leonardo da S. , Cunha Danieli L. , da Fonseca Estefan M.
Published: November 2023

Environmental pollution management combined with food safety represents two of the main challenges of the last decades. Soil and water contamination has historically threatened food safety. As ubiquitous pollutants, microplastics (MPs) have attracted increasing attention over the last few years. These particles can affect the balance of terrestrial, aquatic, and aerial ecosystems. Their negative impacts are intensified when they adsorb and carry toxic chemicals. They can circulate through organisms and accumulate in human beings via food and water. Physiological dysfunctions in all species continue to be reported, both in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. This article considers how this might be affecting the global production of food. It reports the adverse effects induced by MPs in soils, their properties and organisms growing within and upon them, including livestock and the pollinating agents necessary for plant growth. A separate section discusses the effects of MPs on aquaculture, mentioning effects on wild species, as well as farmed fish. The growing concern of the food production sector with MPs mimics that of the world with global warming; the danger is real and requires urgent attention.
Putative Identification of New Phragmaline-Type Limonoids from the Leaves of Swietenia macrophylla King: A Case Study Using Mass Spectrometry-Based Molecular Networking
Authors: Reis José , Gomes Paulo , Sá Paulo , Pamplona Sônia , Silva Consuelo , da Silva Maria , Bishayee Anupam , da Silva Milton
Published: November 2023

Swietenia macrophylla King is a plant commonly known as Brazilian mahogany. The wood from its stem is highly prized for its exceptional quality, while its leaves are valued for their high content of phragmalin-type limonoids, a subclass of compounds known for their significant biological activities, including antimalarial, antitumor, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. In this context, twelve isolated limonoids from S. macrophylla leaves were employed as standards in mass spectrometry-based molecular networking to unveil new potential mass spectrometry signatures for phragmalin-type limonoids. Consequently, ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry was utilized for data acquisition. Subsequently, the obtained data were analyzed using the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking platform based on spectral similarity. In summary, this study identified 24 new putative phragmalin-type limonoids for the first time in S. macrophylla. These compounds may prove valuable in guiding future drug development efforts, leveraging the already established biological activities associated with limonoids.
Preparation, Characterization, Photochromic Properties, and Mechanism of PMoA/ZnO/PVP Composite Film
Authors: Song Tiehong , Li Jinyao , Deng Qiyuan , Gao Yanjiao
Published: November 2023

A novel photochromic heteropolyacid-based composite film consisting of phosphomolybdic acid (PMoA), ZnO, and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was fabricated by a sol–gel process. The microstructure and photochromic properties of the PMoA/ZnO/PVP were characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). The FTIR spectra showed that the basic structures of ZnO and PVP, and the Keggin structure of PMoA in the PMoA/ZnO/PVP composite film, had not been destroyed during the preparation. The TEM images demonstrated that ZnO presented a rod-like structure, while PMoA was spherical, and many PMoA balls adhered to the surface of the ZnO rods. The XPS spectra of Mo 3d indicated that the valency of Mo atoms in the PMoA/ZnO/PVP was changed by visible light exposure. After visible light irradiation, the PMoA/ZnO/PVP varied from slight yellow to blue, while undergoing an opposite color change upon heating. The discoloration mechanism of the PMoA/ZnO/PVP was consistent with the photoelectron transfer mechanism.
Galactooligosaccharide Mediates NF-κB Pathway to Improve Intestinal Barrier Function and Intestinal Microbiota
Authors: Xi Menglu , Hao Guo , Yao Qi , Duan Xuchang , Ge Wupeng
Published: November 2023

The use of antibiotics to treat diarrhea and other diseases early in life can lead to intestinal disorders in infants, which can cause a range of immune-related diseases. Intestinal microbiota diversity is closely related to dietary intake, with many oligosaccharides impacting intestinal microorganism structures and communities. Thus, oligosaccharide type and quantity are important for intestinal microbiota construction. Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) are functional oligosaccharides that can be supplemented with infant formula. Currently, information on GOS and its impact on intestinal microbiota diversity and disorders is lacking. Similarly, GOS is rarely reported within the context of intestinal barrier function. In this study, 16S rRNA sequencing, gas chromatography, and immunohistochemistry were used to investigate the effects of GOS on the intestinal microbiota and barrier pathways in antibiotic-treated mouse models. The results found that GOS promoted Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia proliferation, increased short-chain fatty acid levels, increased tight junction protein expression (occludin and ZO-1), increased secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) and albumin levels, significantly downregulated NF-κB expression, and reduced lipopolysaccharide (LPS), interleukin-IL-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 levels. Also, a high GOS dose in ampicillin-supplemented animals provided resistance to intestinal damage.
Exploring Human Metabolome after Wine Intake—A Review
Authors: Lekka Pelagia , Fragopoulou Elizabeth , Terpou Antonia , Dasenaki Marilena
Published: November 2023

Wine has a rich history dating back to 2200 BC, originally recognized for its medicinal properties. Today, with the aid of advanced technologies like metabolomics and sophisticated analytical techniques, we have gained remarkable insights into the molecular-level changes induced by wine consumption in the human organism. This review embarks on a comprehensive exploration of the alterations in human metabolome associated with wine consumption. A great number of 51 studies from the last 25 years were reviewed; these studies systematically investigated shifts in metabolic profiles within blood, urine, and feces samples, encompassing both short-term and long-term studies of the consumption of wine and wine derivatives. Significant metabolic alterations were observed in a wide variety of metabolites belonging to different compound classes, such as phenolic compounds, lipids, organic acids, and amino acids, among others. Within these classes, both endogenous metabolites as well as diet-related metabolites that exhibited up-regulation or down-regulation following wine consumption were included. The up-regulation of short-chain fatty acids and the down-regulation of sphingomyelins after wine intake, as well as the up-regulation of gut microbial fermentation metabolites like vanillic and syringic acid are some of the most important findings reported in the reviewed literature. Our results confirm the intact passage of certain wine compounds, such as tartaric acid and other wine acids, to the human organism. In an era where the health effects of wine consumption are of growing interest, this review offers a holistic perspective on the metabolic underpinnings of this centuries-old tradition.
A Strategy for Studying Environmental Engineering: Simple Hydrothermal Synthesis of Flower-Shaped Stannous Sulfide Nanomaterials for Efficient Cataluminescence Sensing of Diethyl Ether
Authors: Sun Bai , Fan Jingjie , Tang Zhuo , Shi Guoji , Yi Mingjian , Wang Yun , Wang Xiangxiang , Guo Yuxian , Zhu Shuguang
Published: November 2023

In this work, flower-like stannous sulfide (SnS) nanomaterials are synthesized using a hydrothermal method and used as sensitive materials for cataluminescence (CTL)-based detection of diethyl ether. Gas sensors based on SnS nanomaterials are prepared, and the SnS nanomaterials exhibit excellent gas-sensitive behavior towards ether. High sensitivity to ether is achieved at a relatively low operating temperature (153 °C) compared to other common sensors. The response time is 3 s and the recovery time is 8 s. The CTL intensity shows a good linear relationship (R2 = 0.9931) with a detection limit of 0.15 ppm and the concentration of ether in the range of 1.5–60 ppm. The proposed CTL sensor shows good selectivity towards ether. In addition, a highly stable signal is obtained with a relative standard deviation of 1.5%. This study indicates that the SnS-based sensor has excellent gas-sensitive performance and shows potential for applications in the detection of ether.
Synthesis of a Grease Thickener from Cashew Nut Shell Liquor
Authors: Hoang Son A. , Pham Khanh D. , Nguyen Nhung H. , Tran Ha T. , Hoang Ngoc , Phan Chi M.
Published: November 2023

Thickener, also known as a gelling agent, is a critical component of lubricating greases. The most critical property of thickener, temperature resistance, is determined by the molecular structure of the compounds. Currently, all high-temperature-resistant thickeners are based on 12-hydroxystearic acid, which is exclusively produced from castor oil. Since castor oil is also an important reagent for other processes, finding a sustainable alternative to 12-hydroxystearic acid has significant economic implications. This study synthesises an alternative thickener from abundant agricultural waste, cashew nut shell liquor (CNSL). The synthesis and separation procedure contains three steps: (i) forming and separating calcium anacardate by precipitation, (ii) forming and separating anacardic acid (iii) forming lithium anacardate. The obtained lithium anacardate can be used as a thickener for lubricating grease. It was found that the recovery of anacardic acid was around 80%. The optimal reaction temperature and time conditions for lithium anacardate were 100 °C and 1 h, respectively. The method provides an economical alternative to castor and other vegetable oils. The procedure presents a simple pathway to produce the precursor for the lubricating grease from agricultural waste. The first reaction step can be combined with the existing distillation of cashew nut shell processing. An effective application can promote CNSL to a sustainable feedstock for green chemistry. The process can also be combined with recycled lithium from the spent batteries to improve the sustainability of the battery industry.
Effect of Simmering Technology on Components and Activity of Myristica fragrans Houtt.
Authors: Sun Jiaqi , Zhao Fuyin , Wang Zhenlei , Zhang Weina , Yang Xiudong , Zhou Hongli , Wan Peng
Published: November 2023

This study aims to optimize the processing of Myristica fragrans Houtt. by talcum powder simmering using single-factor and orthogonal experimental methods, and the overall desirability values of dehydrodiisoeugenol and essential oils content were selected as indicators of the process. The new process reduced the total content of the three toxic components, namely myristicin, safrole and elemicin, from 1.91% to 1.16% before and after processing, indicating that the toxic components were reduced by 39%. The IC50 of the essential oils before and after processing were 1.002 ± 0.05 and 0.233 ± 0.05 mg/mL for DPPH scavenging activity and 0.132 ± 0.04 and 0.057 ± 0.05 mg/mL for ABTS scavenging activity, respectively. And the absorbance of the antioxidant activity against Ferric reducing power ranged from 0.213 to 0.709 and from 0.225 to 0.755, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration for Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus pumilus and Escherichia coli were all lower after processing than before. The antioxidant activity and antibacterial activity of the essential oils after processing were better than before. The results of the survival of zebrafish embryos at different concentrations of essential oils at 0–168 h post fertilisation were higher after processing than before. These findings suggest that processing plays the role of reducing toxicity and increasing beneficial effects. They provide a scientific basis not only for the processing of M. fragrans, but also for the processing of other foods.
The Synergistic Activity of Rhamnolipid Combined with Linezolid against Linezolid-Resistant Enterococcus faecium
Authors: Chang Qingru , Chen Huinan , Li Yifan , Li Hai , Yang Zaixing , Zeng Jiankai , Zhang Ping , Ge Junwei , Gao Mingchun
Published: November 2023

Enterococci resistance is increasing sharply, which poses a serious threat to public health. Rhamnolipids are a kind of amphiphilic compound used for its bioactivities, while the combination of nontraditional drugs to restore linezolid activity is an attractive strategy to treat infections caused by these pathogens. This study aimed to investigate the activity of linezolid in combination with the rhamnolipids against Enterococcus faecium. Here, we determined that the rhamnolipids could enhance the efficacy of linezolid against enterococci infections by a checkerboard MIC assay, a time–kill assay, a combined disk test, an anti-biofilm assay, molecular simulation dynamics, and mouse infection models. We identified that the combination of rhamnolipids and linezolid restored the linezolid sensitivity. Anti-biofilm experiments show that our new scheme can effectively inhibit biofilm generation. The mouse infection model demonstrated that the combination therapy significantly reduced the bacterial load in the feces, colons, and kidneys following subcutaneous administration. This study showed that rhamnolipids could play a synergistic role with linezolid against Enterococcus. Our combined agents could be appealing candidates for developing new combinatorial agents to restore antibiotic efficacy in the treatment of linezolid-resistant Enterococcus infections.
Research Progress on Natural Plant Molecules in Regulating the Blood–Brain Barrier in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Wu Weidong , Huang Jiahao , Han Pengfei , Zhang Jian , Wang Yuxin , Jin Fangfang , Zhou Yanyan
Published: November 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder. With the aging population and the continuous development of risk factors associated with AD, it will impose a significant burden on individuals, families, and society. Currently, commonly used therapeutic drugs such as Cholinesterase inhibitors, N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists, and multiple AD pathology removal drugs have been shown to have beneficial effects on certain pathological conditions of AD. However, their clinical efficacy is minimal and they are associated with certain adverse reactions. Furthermore, the underlying pathological mechanism of AD remains unclear, posing a challenge for drug development. In contrast, natural plant molecules, widely available, offer multiple targeting pathways and demonstrate inherent advantages in modifying the typical pathologic features of AD by influencing the blood–brain barrier (BBB). We provide a comprehensive review of recent in vivo and in vitro studies on natural plant molecules that impact the BBB in the treatment of AD. Additionally, we analyze their specific mechanisms to offer novel insights for the development of safe and effective targeted drugs as well as guidance for experimental research and the clinical application of drugs for the prevention and treatment of AD.
Asymmetric Henry Reaction Using Cobalt Complexes with Bisoxazoline Ligands Bearing Two Fluorous Tags
Authors: Ishihara Kazuki , Kato Yamato , Takeuchi Narisa , Hayashi Yuka , Hagiwara Yuna , Shibuya Shyota , Natsume Tohya , Matsugi Masato
Published: November 2023

The effect of the presence of fluorous tags in bisoxazoline ligands on the stereoselectivity of the cobalt-catalyzed asymmetric Henry reaction was investigated. In contrast to the stereoselectivity obtained with conventional nonfluorous ligands, using bisoxazoline bidentate ligands featuring two fluorous tags in adjacent positions on the aromatic ring yielded a reversed stereoselectivity. The stereoselectivity also reversed when the fluorous tags were replaced with alkyl chains of equivalent length, albeit to a considerably lesser degree, highlighting the effect of the fluorous tags.
Influence of Binary Ligands in Designing Cesium Lead Halide (CsPbX3, X = Cl, Br, I) Perovskite Nanocrystals-Oleic Acid and Oleylamine
Authors: Soosaimanickam Ananthakumar , Saura Alejandro , Farinós Noemi , Abargues Rafael
Published: November 2023

The surface chemistry of cesium lead halide perovskite nanocrystals has been elaborately studied in recent years and has proved the critical role of carboxylic acids and amines in the formation and stability of the nanocrystals. Specifically, a slight change in the concentration and ratio of the frequently used oleic acid and oleylamine critically influences the resultant phase and physical properties. Thus, understanding the delicate surface of cesium lead halide perovskite nanocrystals mainly relies on chemical bonding and the dynamic ligand environment of these two organic species. In this aspect, this review summarizes experimental findings about the critical role of oleic acid and oleylamine on the nucleation, growth, stability, phase, and morphology of cesium lead halide perovskite nanocrystals and their effect under different circumstances.
AIS for Malware Detection in a Realistic IoT System: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Alrubayyi Hadeel , Goteng Gokop , Jaber Mona
Published: November 2023

With the expansion of the digital world, the number of Internet of things (IoT) devices is evolving dramatically. IoT devices have limited computational power and a small memory. Consequently, existing and complex security methods are not suitable to detect unknown malware attacks in IoT networks. This has become a major concern in the advent of increasingly unpredictable and innovative cyberattacks. In this context, artificial immune systems (AISs) have emerged as an effective malware detection mechanism with low requirements for computation and memory. In this research, we first validate the malware detection results of a recent AIS solution using multiple datasets with different types of malware attacks. Next, we examine the potential gains and limitations of promising AIS solutions under realistic implementation scenarios. We design a realistic IoT framework mimicking real-life IoT system architectures. The objective is to evaluate the AIS solutions’ performance with regard to the system constraints. We demonstrate that AIS solutions succeed in detecting unknown malware in the most challenging conditions. Furthermore, the systemic results with different system architectures reveal the AIS solutions’ ability to transfer learning between IoT devices. Transfer learning is a pivotal feature in the presence of highly constrained devices in the network. More importantly, this work highlights that previously published AIS performance results, which were obtained in a simulation environment, cannot be taken at face value. In reality, AIS’s malware detection accuracy for IoT systems is 91% in the most restricted designed system compared to the 99% accuracy rate reported in the simulation experiment.
Influence of Pasture Stocking Method on Surface Runoff and Nutrient Loss in the US Upper Midwest
Authors: Young Eric O. , Sherman Jessica F. , Bembeneck Brooke R. , Jackson Randall D. , Cavadini Jason S. , Akins Matthew S.
Published: November 2023

Grazing and hay forage crops reduce erosion compared to annual crops, but few studies have compared soil and nutrient loss among grazing systems compared to a control. We evaluated runoff water quality and nutrient loss among three grazing systems and a hay crop production field with manure application (control) using a paired watershed design. Four edge-of-field sites at a research farm in central Wisconsin were managed as hay during calibration (2013–2018) followed by a grazing treatment phase (2018–2020). Grazing treatments of different stocking methods included continuous stocking (CS), primary paddock stocking (PPS), and adaptive multi-paddock stocking (AMPS). Runoff, sediment, nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) loads were monitored year-round. Grazing increased average runoff volume by as much as 1.7-fold depending on stocking method and tended to decrease event mean N and P concentrations. CS had larger mean sediment (2.0-fold), total N (1.9-fold), and total P loads (1.2-fold) compared to the control and had the lowest average pasture forage mass. AMPS had lower N and P loss as a percentage of that applied from manure application/livestock excretion (1.3 and 1.6%, respectively) compared to the control (2.5 and 2.1%), PPS (2.5 and 2.6%), and CS (3.2 and 3.0%). Stocking method had a marked impact on nutrient loss in runoff from these systems, suggesting water quality models should account for pasture management, but nutrient losses from all perennial forage systems were small relative to previous data from annual cropping systems.
Exploring the Impact of a Vicarious Learning Approach on Student Pharmacists’ Professional Identity Formation Using a Simulated Pharmacist–Patient Encounter
Authors: Briceland Laurie L. , Dudla Courtney , Watson Alexandra , Denvir Paul
Published: November 2023

Purposefully developed professional identity formation (PIF) learning activities within the didactic curriculum provide crucial groundwork to complement PIF within authentic settings. The aim of this didactic exercise was to explore the impact upon student pharmacists’ PIF after viewing, analyzing, and reflecting upon a simulated pharmacist–patient encounter (PPE). A 12 min role-play video was created, featuring a pharmacist counseling a standardized patient on a new medication regimen; foundational principles of medication safety, health literacy, social determinants of health, empathic communication, and motivational interviewing were included in the counseling, with some aspects intentionally performed well, others in need of improvement. Also included were the patient’s varied reactions to the counseling. Students assumed the observer role and learned vicariously through viewing the PPE. Postactivity debriefs included justifying a foundational principle performed well by the pharmacist, and another in need of improvement, and a self-reflection essay expressing the impact of viewing the PPE on their PIF, from which extracts were thematically analyzed for impact. The main themes of the impact included increased awareness of counseling techniques, patient-friendly medical jargon, patient perspectives/empathy, positive and negative pharmacist role-modeling, and the value of the observer role. This PPE exercise enhanced PIF in terms of students thinking, acting, and feeling like a pharmacist, based on students’ self-reflections, which most often referenced effective pharmacist–patient communication and enacting optimal patient care.
Multiplexing Quantum and Classical Channels of a Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) System by Using the Attenuation Method
Authors: Klicnik Ondrej , Munster Petr , Horvath Tomas
Published: November 2023

The primary goal in this paper is to verify the possibility of combining a quantum channel into a single optical fiber with other classical channels by using the so-called attenuation method. Since the quantum channel is very weak in terms of power, combining it into a single fiber with much more powerful classical channels is challenging. Thus, sufficiently high-quality filtering is important to avoid possible crosstalk. A second and more difficult problem to address is the interference caused by Raman noise, which increases with the fiber length and is also dependent on the input power of the classical channel. Thus, in this paper the focus is on the possibility of suppressing the Raman noise effect, both in advance by means of wavelength positioning and by means of installed optical components. Such phenomena must be considered in the route design, as the quantum channel must be placed at a suitable wavelength with respect to the classical channels. The influence of other nonlinear phenomena has been neglected. In this paper, a practical experiment aimed at building a fully functional multiplexed quantum key distribution link is also described.
Dual-Stage Double-Pass Extended L-Band Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier with Improved Gain Performance
Authors: Lao Haoxian , Ruan Jiyu , Lin Manbing , Zhong Li , Wang Song , Xu Pengbai , Dong Xinyong
Published: November 2023

Extended L-band erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) have attracted much attention in recent years despite their relatively low gain levels. In this paper, a dual-stage extended L-band EDFA with improved gain level is demonstrated by using an Er/Yb/P co-doped fiber-based double-pass structure assisted by a low noise pre-amplifier. High gain levels of up to 48.79 dB at 1566 nm and 20.05 dB at 1621.4 nm are achieved with saturated output power at 1605 nm of 20.58 dBm under a total pump power of only 400 mW. Bandwidths with the gain of more than 20 and 30 dB are reached up to 66 nm (1555.4–1621.4 nm) and 58.4 nm (1557.5–1615.9 nm), respectively. The noise figure benefited by using the low noise pre-amplifier is 5.40 ± 1.55 dB in the 1565–1610 nm range. The wide gain bandwidth, high gain level and relatively low pump power give it great potential for future high-capacity optical fiber communication systems.
Interface Engineering and Electron-Hole Wave Function Overlap of InAs/AlSb Superlattice Infrared Detectors
Authors: Yu Jing , Zhu Lianqing , Lu Lidan , Chen Weiqiang , Zheng Xiantong , Zhang Dongliang , Fu Yuegang , Ou Jianzhen
Published: November 2023

InAs/AlSb is a material system that can be used as a low-noise avalanche detector and operates in the short-wave infrared band. The interface parameters determine the wave function overlap (WFO). Maximizing the WFO of InAs/AlSb superlattices improves the quantum efficiency (QE) of infrared avalanche photodetectors (APDs). However, this remains a huge challenge. Here, the 8-band k·p perturbation method based on Bloch wave envelope function approximation was used to calculate the energy level structure of InAs/AlSb superlattices. The results indicate that the WFO is enhanced with increasing InSb interface thickness or when the InSb (or AlAs) interface is far from the intersection of InAs and AlSb. As the AlAs interface thickness increases, the WFO enhances and then reduces. The maximum increase in WFO is 15.7%, 93%, and 156.8%, respectively, with three different models. Based on the stress equilibrium condition, we consider the interface engineering scheme proposed for enhancing WFO with an increase of 16%, 114%, and 159.5%, respectively. Moreover, the absorption wavelength shift is less than ±0.1 μm. Therefore, the interface layer thickness and position can be designed to enhance the WFO without sacrificing other properties, thereby improving the QE of the device. It provides a new idea for the material epitaxy of APDs.
Toward Climate Neutrality: A Comprehensive Overview of Sustainable Operations Management, Optimization, and Wastewater Treatment Methods
Authors: Alevizos Vasileios , Georgousis Ilias , Kapodistria Annamaria
Published: November 2023

Various studies have been conducted in the fields of sustainable operations management (SOM), optimization, and wastewater treatment, yielding unsubstantiated recovery. In the context of Europe’s climate neutrality vision, this paper reviews effective decarbonization strategies and proposes sustainable approaches to mitigate carbonization in various sectors such as buildings, energy, industry, and transportation and how these interlink with wastewater management. The study also explores the role of digitalization in decarbonization and reviews policies that can direct governments’ actions towards a climate-neutral society. This paper presents a review of optimization approaches applied in the fields of science and technology, incorporating modern optimization techniques based on various peer-reviewed published research papers. It emphasizes non-conventional energy and distributed power-generating systems along with the deregulated and regulated environment. Additionally, this paper critically reviews the performance and capability of the micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration (MEUF) process in the treatment of dye wastewater. The review presents evidence of the simultaneous removal of co-existing pollutants and explores the feasibility and efficiency of biosurfactants instead of chemical surfactants. Lastly, the paper proposes a novel Firm–Regulator–Consumer-Technology Enablers/Facilitators interaction framework to study operations, decisions and interactive cooperation considering the relationships between the four agents through a comprehensive literature review of SOM. The proposed framework provides support for exploring future research opportunities and holistic sustainability initiatives.
Tradition-Driven Religiosity on the Internet
Authors: Korpics Márta Katalin , Béres István József , Hommer Anna Veronika
Published: November 2023

The evolution of the media environment and the expanding use of social media pose a question about how the public sphere has changed in the last decade and what standards churches and religious communities can refer to in order to thrive and be present. It is vital to see that the nature of mass communication is different from the way religious ideas are conveyed. Consequently, there is a constant threat that, if mass media report on religions and religious activities, even with the greatest possible neutrality, they can easily falsify them. This paper sets out to explore this paradox; we examine the social media activity of a tradition-driven religious community. This research focuses on particular phenomena that lead to general assumptions. Despite the fact that the online reality is not the primary space of the researched community, its activity has moved towards cyber space because of the diminishing presence of interpersonal and group relationships. This paper analyses this community’s Facebook presence by applying quantitative and qualitative methods.
A Method of Chestnut Forest Identification Based on Time Series and Key Phenology from Sentinel-2
Authors: Xiong Nina , Chen Hailong , Li Ruiping , Su Huimin , Dai Shouzheng , Wang Jia
Published: November 2023

Chestnut trees hold a prominent position in China as an economically significant forest species, offering both high economic value and ecological advantages. Identifying the distribution of chestnut forests is of paramount importance for enhancing efficient management practices. Presently, many studies are employing remote sensing imaging methods to monitor tree species. However, in comparison to the common classification of land cover types, the accuracy of tree species identification is relatively lower. This study focuses on accurately mapping the distribution of planted chestnut forests in China, particularly in the Huairou and Miyun regions, which are the main producing areas for Yanshan chestnuts in northeastern Beijing. We utilized the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud platform and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery to develop a method based on vegetation phenological features. This method involved identifying three distinct phenological periods of chestnut trees: flowering, fruiting, and dormancy, and extracting relevant spectral, vegetation, and terrain features. With these features, we further established and compared three machine learning algorithms for chestnut species identification: random forest (RF), decision tree (DT), and support vector machine (SVM). Our results indicated that the recognition accuracy of these algorithms ranked in descending order as RF > DT > SVM. We found that combining multiple phenological characteristics significantly improved the accuracy of chestnut forest distribution identification. Using the random forest algorithm and Sentinel-2 phenological features, we achieved an impressive overall accuracy (OA) of 98.78%, a Kappa coefficient of 0.9851, and a user’s accuracy (UA) and producer’s accuracy (PA) of 97.25% and 98.75%, respectively, for chestnut identification. When compared to field surveys and official area statistics, our method exhibited an accuracy rate of 89.59%. The implementation of this method not only offers crucial data support for soil erosion prevention and control studies in Beijing but also serves as a valuable reference for future research endeavors in this field.
Super Resolution of Satellite-Derived Sea Surface Temperature Using a Transformer-Based Model
Authors: Zou Runtai , Wei Li , Guan Lei
Published: November 2023

Sea surface temperature (SST) is one of the most important factors related to the ocean and the climate. In studying the domains of eddies, fronts, and current systems, high-resolution SST data are required. However, the passive microwave radiometer achieves a higher spatial coverage but lower resolution, while the thermal infrared radiometer has a lower spatial coverage but higher resolution. In this paper, in order to improve the performance of the super-resolution SST images derived from microwave SST data, we propose a transformer-based SST reconstruction model comprising the transformer block and the residual block, rather than purely convolutional approaches. The outputs of the transformer model are then compared with those of the other three deep learning super-resolution models, and the transformer model obtains lower root-mean-squared error (RMSE), mean bias (Bias), and robust standard deviation (RSD) values than the other three models, as well as higher entropy and definition, making it the better performing model of all those compared.
Surface Motion and Topographic Effects on Ice Thickness Inversion for High Mountain Asia Glaciers: A Comparison Study from Three Numerical Models
Authors: Pang Xiaoguang , Jiang Liming , Guo Rui , Xu Zhida , Li Xiaoen , Lu Xi
Published: November 2023

Several studies have evaluated the accuracy of ice thickness model inversions, but the effects of surface velocity and topographic factors have not been fully studied. Because of the important potential of models for estimating regional and global ice thickness, the influence of the characteristics of the glaciers themselves on the models is unknown. Therefore, we estimated the thickness of 10 glaciers in HMA based on remote sensing data using the GlabTop2, GV22, and VOLTA models, and we analyzed the factors affecting accuracy. The first two models are representative of the widely used shallow ice approximation and laminar flow theory, and the latter is a new model based on shallow ice approximation. The results show that the RMSEs for GlabTop2, VOLTA, and GV22 are 36.6 m, 56.8 m, and 63.2 m, respectively. The accuracy of the three models differed obviously under the influence of different slopes, aspects, and surface velocities. In contrast to glaciers with higher surface velocities, GV22 is more suitable for glaciers with smaller surface velocities, and the accuracy of the model is significantly reduced when surface velocities are greater than 50 m/yr. Aspect has an effect on the accuracy of the GV22 ice thickness inversion but not on the other models. Ice thicknesses estimated using the three models is more reliable at surface slopes of 16–24°. These three models do not apply to gentle glaciers such as icecaps. Our study provides an important reference for choosing a suitable model to invert the glacier thickness in HMA.
GNSS-IR Soil Moisture Inversion Derived from Multi-GNSS and Multi-Frequency Data Accounting for Vegetation Effects
Authors: Wei Haohan , Yang Xiaofeng , Pan Yuwei , Shen Fei
Published: November 2023

The Global Navigation Satellite System Interferometric Reflectometry (GNSS-IR) technique provides a new remote sensing method that shows great potential for soil moisture detection and vegetation growth, as well as for climate research, water cycle management, and ecological environment monitoring. Considering that the land surface is always covered by vegetation, it is essential to take into account the impacts of vegetation growth when detecting soil moisture (SM). In this paper, based on the GNSS-IR technique, the SM was retrieved from multi-GNSS and multi-frequency data using a machine learning model, accounting for the impact of the vegetation moisture content (VMC). Both the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) data that was used to retrieve SM and the multipath data that was used to eliminate the vegetation influence were collected from a standard geodetic GNSS station located in Nanjing, China. The normalized microwave reflectance index (NMRI) calculated by multipath data was mapped to a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), which was derived from Sentinel-2 data on the Google Earth Engine platform to estimate and eliminate the influence of VMC. Based on the characteristic parameters of amplitude and phase extracted from detrended SNR signals and NDVI derived from multipath data, three machine learning methods, including random forest (RF), multiple linear regression (MLR), and multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS), were employed for data fusion. The results show that the vegetation effect can be well eliminated using the NMRI method. Comparing MLR and MARS, RF is more suitable for GNSS-IR SM inversion. Furthermore, the SM reversed from amplitude and phase fusion is better than only those from either amplitude fusion or phase fusion. The results prove the feasibility of the proposed method based on a multipath approach to characterize the vegetation effect, as well as the RF model to fuse multi-GNSS and multi-frequency data to retrieve SM with vegetation error-correcting.
Patient Confidential Data Hiding and Transmission System Using Amplitude Quantization in the Frequency Domain of ECG Signals
Authors: Chen Shuo-Tsung , Ye Ren-Jie , Wu Tsung-Hsien , Cheng Chun-Wen , Zhan Po-You , Chen Kuan-Ming , Zhong Wan-Yu
Published: November 2023

The transform domain provides a useful tool in the field of confidential data hiding and protection. In order to protect and transmit patients’ information and competence, this study develops an amplitude quantization system in a transform domain by hiding patients’ information in an electrocardiogram (ECG). In this system, we first consider a non-linear model with a hiding state switch to enhance the quality of the hidden ECG signals. Next, we utilize particle swarm optimization (PSO) to solve the non-linear model so as to have a good signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), root mean square error (RMSE), and relative root mean square error (rRMSE). Accordingly, the distortion of the shape in each ECG signal is tiny, while the hidden information can fulfill the needs of physiological diagnostics. The extraction of hidden information is reversely similar to a hiding procedure without primary ECG signals. Preliminary outcomes confirm the effectiveness of our proposed method, especially an Amplitude Similarity of almost 1, an Interval RMSE of almost 0, and SNRs all above 30.