bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Dynamics Simulation of Interference Phenomenon for Physical and Biological Systems
Authors: Ando Tadashi , Asano Masanari , Khrennikov Andrei , Matsuoka Takashi , Yamato Ichiro
Published: October 2023

Biological systems have been shown to have quantum-like behaviors by applying the adaptive dynamics view on their interaction networks. In particular, in the process of lactose–glucose metabolism, cells generate probabilistic interference patterns similarly to photons in the two-slit experiment. Such quantum-like interference patterns can be found in biological data, on all scales, from proteins to cognitive, ecological, and social systems. The adaptive dynamics approach covers both biological and physical phenomena, including the ones which are typically associated with quantum physics. We guess that the adaptive dynamics can be used for the clarification of quantum foundations, and the present paper is the first step in this direction. We suggest the use of an algorithm for the numerical simulation of the behavior of a billiard ball-like particle passing through two slits by explicitly considering the influence of the two-slit environment (experimental context). Our simulation successfully mimics the interference pattern obtained experimentally in quantum physics. The interference of photons or electrons by two slits is known as a typical quantum mechanical effect. We do not claim that the adaptive dynamics can reproduce the whole body of quantum mechanics, but we hope that this numerical simulation example will stimulate further extensive studies in this direction—the representation of quantum physical phenomena in an adaptive dynamical framework.
“A Common Danger Unites”: Reflecting on Lecturers’ Higher Education Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic Using an Ethnographic Fictional Analysis
Authors: Griggs Gerald , Heaviside Helen J.
Published: October 2023

The sudden transition of Higher Education (HE) from predominately face-to-face to online delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns placed many lecturers in unfamiliar situations. This study aimed to explore and represent the experiences of lecturers working in HE during this time. We used a storytelling approach to represent an amalgamation of experiences collated from lecturers. Data were collected using (i) a focus group interview, (ii) reflections on our experiences, and (iii) experiences alluded to by academics via online blogs. The data were presented using an ethnographic fiction. Salient experiences detailed throughout the ethnographic fiction include (i) challenges building a community between colleagues, academics, and students; (ii) concerns regarding the capacity of institutions and staff to deliver online; (iii) a lack of synergy between the expectations of staff to fulfil duties and the reality of being able to do so in time; (iv) the challenges of engaging students; (v) concerns regarding the accessibility of online learning for a diverse body of students; and (vi) challenges with work–life balance. The ethnographic fiction provides a voice for HE lecturers who candidly shared their experiences of working during the pandemic. Stakeholders are encouraged to develop their own interpretations of the story and apply these to policy and practice.
Influence of Organic Loading Rate on Methane Production from Brewery Wastewater in Bioelectrochemical Anaerobic Digestion
Authors: Pan Hongda , Feng Qing , Zhao Yong , Li Xiaoxiang , Zi Hao
Published: October 2023

The effect of bioelectrochemical anaerobic digestion (BEAD) on the methanogenic performance of brewery wastewater at different organic loading rates (OLRs) was investigated and compared to conventional anaerobic digestion. A continuous BEAD reactor was used to treat brewery wastewater at different OLRs of 2, 4, 8, 16, and 20 g COD/L.d. The experimental results showed that the methane production was gradually increased from 0.48 L/L.d at an OLR of 2 g COD/L.d to 5.64 L/L.d at an OLR of 20 g COD/L.d. The methane production of the BEAD system was significantly higher than that of the conventional anaerobic reactor, indicating that BEAD has a better treatment effect for brewery wastewater. The performance of the conventional anaerobic reactor was significantly reduced especially at an OLR of 16 g COD/L.d, while the BEAD system could withstand a higher OLR. Bioelectrochemical systems provide a completely new platform for the anaerobic treatment of brewery wastewater and greatly improve the operation of anaerobic processes.
A Comparison of Chitosan Adhesion to KOH and H2O2 Pre-Treated Electrospun Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate) Nanofibers
Authors: Zhou Yansheng , Li Daqing , Li Xin , Li Ying , Li Bing , Zhou Fenglei
Published: October 2023

Chitosan coatings could effectively increase the biostability and biocompatibility of biomaterials while maintaining their structural integrity. In this study, electrospun fibrous polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) membranes were pre-treated with potassium hydroxide (KOH) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and then modified with dopamine (DA) and glutaraldehyde (GA) to improve their adhesion with chitosan (CS). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water contact angles (WCA), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to demonstrate the successful generation of DA and GA-modified PHB fibers. KOH pre-treated PHB membranes exhibited superior binding efficiency with CS at low concentrations compared to their H2O2 pre-treated counterparts. The thermal analysis demonstrated a considerable decrease in the degradation temperature and crystallinity of KOH pre-treated membranes, with temperatures dropping from 309 °C to 265.5 °C and crystallinity reducing from 100% to 25.59% as CS concentration increased from 0 to 2 w/v%. In comparison, H2O2 pre-treated membranes experienced a mild reduction in degradation temperature, from 309 °C to 284.4 °C, and a large decrease in crystallinity from 100% to 43%. UV-vis analysis using Cibacron Brilliant Red 3B-A dye (CBR) indicated similar binding efficiencies at low CS concentrations for both pre-treatments, but decreased stability at higher concentrations for KOH pre-treated membranes. Mechanical testing revealed a considerable increase in Young’s modulus (2 to 14%), toughness (31 to 60%), and ultimate tensile stress (UTS) (14 to 63%) for KOH-treated membranes compared with H2O2 pre-treated membranes as CS concentration increased from 0 to 2 w/v%.
Simulation of Soil Organic Carbon Dynamics in Postfire Boreal Forests of China by Incorporating High-Resolution Remote Sensing Data and Field Measurement
Authors: Hu Tongxin , Yu Cheng , Dou Xu , Zhang Yujing , Li Guangxin , Sun Long
Published: October 2023

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is an important component of the ecosystem carbon pool, and fire is one of the important disturbances in forest ecosystems. With global warming, there has been a gradual increase in boreal forest fires, which has a nonnegligible impact on the SOC dynamics in forests. The CENTURY model was employed in our study to simulate the changes in SOC stocks in boreal forests of the Great Xing’an Mountains, China under different fire severity conditions. Fire severity was represented by the metric of difference normalized burn ratio (dNBR) derived from 30-m Landsat-8 imageries. Changes in forest SOC stocks following fire disturbance were predicted under four future Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0, and RCP8.5). We found that the CENTURY model had good results in simulating the SOC stocks in the postfire of China’s boreal forests. Forest SOC dynamics responded differently to fire severities and the larger SOC loss was associated with increasing fire severity. Importantly, a feedback mechanism was found between climate change and SOC stocks, which reduces SOC stocks with increasing temperatures. High-severity forest fires tended to cause serious damage to the SOC pool and delay forest SOC recovery time; after such events, forest SOC stocks cannot be fully recovered to the prefire levels (6.74% loss). In addition, higher CO2 emissions and warmer temperatures significantly affected the recovery of SOC stocks after fire disturbance, resulting in larger SOC losses. Overall, we projected losses of 10.14%, 12.06%, 12.41%, and 15.70% of SOC stocks after high-severity fires in four RCP scenarios, respectively. Our findings emphasize the importance of fire disturbance and climate change on future dynamics of SOC stocks in China’s boreal forests, providing a scientific basis for future boreal forest management and fire management.
The Incorporation of Ladle Furnace Slag in Fire Insulating Gypsum-Based Materials
Authors: Peceño Begoña , Pérez-Soriano Eva M. , Luna-Galiano Yolanda , Leiva Carlos
Published: October 2023

Ladle slag, a byproduct of steel manufacturing, exhibits inherent reactivity and undergoes hydration when exposed to water. Nevertheless, these reaction byproducts often remain metastable, leading to microstructural alterations when incorporated into cementitious materials, thereby limiting the recycling potential of ladle slag. This study explores the fire insulating capacity and the physical, mechanical, and leaching characteristics of gypsum-based materials with substantial quantities of ladle slag in instead of gypsum. The mechanical strength of the specimens declines as the ladle slag content increases. Nevertheless, the percentage decrease in compressive strength at various temperatures (300 °C, 500 °C, and 700 °C) is less pronounced when higher amounts of ladle slag are used. Fire-resistant properties, assessed using the EN 1363-1 standards, diminish with increasing slag proportions; although the inclusion of ladle slag introduces certain endothermic processes that positively affect the fire insulating capacity, resulting in a 20% reduction when 60%wt of slag is employed. Notably, no gas emissions were observed during the fire test, indicating the absence of environmental hazards. In conclusion, ladle slag does not pose a leaching threat to the environment, making it a viable and sustainable alternative to gypsum in gypsum-based materials.
Applicability of the Cox–Merz Relationship for Mayonnaise Enriched with Natural Extracts
Authors: Quintana Somaris E. , Zuñiga-Navarro Maria , Ramirez-Brewer David , García-Zapateiro Luis A.
Published: October 2023

The Cox and Merz rules are empirical correlations between the apparent viscosity of polymers with the effect of shear rate and the complex dynamic viscosity with the effect of frequency. In this study, the rheological properties of mayonnaise-type emulsions enriched with Averrhoa carambola extracts were investigated using small-amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS) and steady shear flow. The results showed that the shear-thinning behavior of the samples was non-Newtonian with yield stress and had time-dependent characteristics, as evidenced by curves from non-oscillatory measurements. It was observed that the experimental data on the complex and apparent viscosity of the samples obeyed the Cox–Merz rule.
Differential Rotation in Convecting Spherical Shells with Non-Uniform Viscosity and Entropy Diffusivity
Authors: Gupta Parag , MacTaggart David , Simitev Radostin D.
Published: October 2023

Contemporary three-dimensional physics-based simulations of the solar convection zone disagree with observations. They feature differential rotation substantially different from the true rotation inferred by solar helioseismology and exhibit a conveyor belt of convective “Busse” columns not found in observations. To help unravel this so-called “convection conundrum”, we use a three-dimensional pseudospectral simulation code to investigate how radially non-uniform viscosity and entropy diffusivity affect differential rotation and convective flow patterns in density-stratified rotating spherical fluid shells. We find that radial non-uniformity in fluid properties enhances polar convection, which, in turn, induces non-negligible lateral entropy gradients that lead to large deviations from differential rotation geostrophy due to thermal wind balance. We report simulations wherein this mechanism maintains differential rotation patterns very similar to the true solar profile outside the tangent cylinder, although discrepancies remain at high latitudes. This is significant because differential rotation plays a key role in sustaining solar-like cyclic dipolar dynamos.
Enhance Wine Production Potential by Using Fresh and Dried Red Grape and Blueberry Mixtures with Different Yeast Strains for Fermentation
Authors: Martín-Gómez Juan , García-Martínez Teresa , Varo M. Ángeles , Mérida Julieta , Serratosa María P.
Published: October 2023

Red grapes and blueberries are known for their high content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties. In Mediterranean winemaking, traditional sun-drying can be replaced by controlled-airflow-chamber-drying, which provides better quality, higher phenolic content, and increased antioxidants. This study aimed to increase the sugar content and phenolic compounds of the must by drying the fruits to fifty per cent of their original moisture content. Two musts were prepared: the first one was prepared by combining fresh red grapes and dried blueberries (M1), while the other was created using dried red grapes and fresh blueberries (M2), followed by fermentation at 25 °C with M05 Mead and X5 yeast strains. The M2 must showed the highest levels of phenolic compounds, red color (A520), total anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity. During fermentation, the anthocyanin content increased mainly in the dried blueberry macerates, where it increased between 4- to 5.5-fold. More bioactive compounds were extracted from the wines produced using yeast inoculation despite the shorter maceration times. A sensory analysis demonstrated consumers’ acceptance of the wines in terms of color, flavor, and aroma. In conclusion, the use of red grapes in the production of blueberry red wine proved to be effective, providing higher sugar and must yields, while the dried fruits improved the fermentable sugar content obtaining wines with an alcoholic content between 10 and 11% (v/v). The higher levels of bioactive compounds increased the antioxidant capacity of the resulting red fruit wines.
Exploring the Link between Cardiorenal and Metabolic Diseases
Authors: D’Marco Luis , Checa-Ros Ana
Published: October 2023

The close link between metabolic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes mellitus, and cardiorenal disease can be attributed not only to direct risk factors, such as hypertension, but also to the intricate interplay of various pathophysiological processes [...]
Fruit Quality Parameters, Sugars, Vitamin C, Antioxidant Activity, Organic Acids, and Phenolic Compounds for a New Endemic Apple Variety, “Long Apple”
Authors: Balık Serdar , Kaya Tuncay , Aslantaş Rafet
Published: October 2023

The aim of this study was to determine the quality characteristics and bioactive components of the local variety “Long Apple”. Although it is a very delicious and popular old apple variety, the knowledge about “Long Apple” is very insufficient. In this study, fruit quality parameters, organic acids, vitamin C, sugar components, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity of the endemic apple “Long Apple” were determined as follows: chlorogenic acid, catechin, syringic acid, and o—coumaric acids, 117.68, 35.11, 22.71, and 15.54 mg kg−1fw, respectively; vitamin c 135.67 mg L−1, total sugar 196.29 g L−1; malic, succinic, and citric acid 10.50, 2.88, and 2.13 g 100g−1, respectively; fruit weight 139.11 g, hardness 8.27 kg cm−2, shape index 1.42, and soluble solid content 16.70%; antioxidant capacity 3.30 µmol g−1 TE were the highest. Except for fruit size and shape, the “Long Apple” genotypes outperformed Starking Delicious based on quality parameters and bioactive properties. The genotypes of “Long Apple” are separated by different parameters, but the genotypes 36K093, 36K094, and 36K106 are more prominent than others. In addition to its health benefits, the “Long Apple” has valuable properties for researchers. Therefore, increased research on “Long Apple” has been recommended.
Genome-Wide Classification and Evolutionary Analysis of the KNOX Gene Family in Plants
Authors: Gan Zhi-Meng , Ai Xiao-Yan , Hu Chun-Gen , Zhang Jin-Zhi
Published: October 2023

The Knotted1-like homeobox (KNOX) gene family plays a pivotal role in regulating meristem activity, organ differentiation, and cell meristematic identity. However, there has been a lack of large-scale, systematic, and comprehensive comparative analyses to explore their expression patterns and evolutionary mechanisms. In this study, a total of 1425 KNOX genes were identified across 118 plant species. The result showed that higher plants exhibited a significantly higher abundance of KNOX genes compared to lower plants. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all KNOX genes can be divided into two classes (class I and II) and evolved independently after species differentiation. An analysis of gene duplication or loss showed that gene loss was more common than gene duplication in lower plants within the KNOX gene family. These findings suggest that gene loss in the KNOX gene family occurs after events such as whole-genome duplication (WGD) or whole-genome triplication (WGT). In addition, conserved motif analysis was also conducted to uncover the evolutionary trajectories of KNOX genes. We found that three motifs (M1, M2, and M4) were present in nearly all KNOX genes, while four novel motifs (M7–M10) were lost in lower plants but present in higher plants. Moreover, the loss of certain motifs in the KNOX genes was also observed in higher plants, indicating sequence divergence in KNOX genes throughout evolution. To understand the expression patterns of KNOX genes, a gene expression pattern analysis was performed in A. thaliana and O. sativa. The results showed that class I KNOX genes exhibit conserved high expression in stems, suggesting their potential similar biological roles across different plant species and the conservation of their functions during evolution. Additionally, we analyzed the KNOX genes in the Citrus genus and closely related species, and we found that the number of KNOX genes evolved at a slower rate in these species, indicating a relatively conservative nature. In conclusion, this study provides valuable resources for the investigation of KNOX gene family evolution and function in plants.
Selection and Validation of Reference Genes for qRT-PCR Analysis of Gene Expression in Tropaeolum majus (Nasturtium)
Authors: Tang Qing , Zhou Guang-Can , Liu Si-Jie , Li Wen , Wang Yi-Lei , Xu Gao-Ying , Li Teng-Fei , Meng Guo-Qing , Xue Jia-Yu
Published: October 2023

Tropaeolum majus (nasturtium) is an important ornamental and medicinal plant due to its colorful flowers, shield-shaped leaves, and richness in mineral elements and bioactive compounds. However, the key genes related to these important biological traits, as well as their expression patterns and functions, remain obscure. In this study, to choose appropriate reference genes for quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis, we screened 14 candidate genes from the transcriptome of T. majus and evaluated their expression stability. Through evaluation with four commonly used algorithms (geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder), EXP1, EXP2, and TUB6 were found to be the most stably expressed genes among different organs, while EXP1 combined with CYP2 was identified as the optimal reference gene combination for seeds at different development stages. For all the tested samples, EXP1, EXP2, CYP2, and ACT2 were the most suitable reference genes. Moreover, the target gene KCS11 involved in very-long-chain fatty acid biosynthesis was employed to confirm the most and least stable reference genes in different organs, seeds at different development stages, and all the tested samples. The expression profiles of KCS11 were similar, with minor differences based on the analysis of different stable reference genes (either alone or in combination), while the expression profiles were diverse and the relative expression level was overestimated when using the least stable ones. These results suggest that the appropriate selection of reference genes is critical for the normalization of gene expression. Furthermore, the reference genes screened in this study will greatly improve the accuracy of the qRT-PCR quantification of candidate genes involved in the many biological characteristics of nasturtium.
The Role of Silver Nanoparticles in Response of In Vitro Boysenberry Plants to Drought Stress
Authors: Şener Sevinç , Sayğı Hülya
Published: October 2023

Drought is one of the leading abiotic factors limiting morphological and physiological activities in blackberry cultivation. In this study, the effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on some morphological and biochemical processes in boysenberry (Rubus ursinus Chamisso and Schlenhtendal) under drought stress were investigated. The experiment was performed with three drought stress levels simulated with Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) (0, 4, 8%) and three AgNP treatments (0, 0.1, 0.2 mg L−1) in vitro conditions. Drought stress reduced root and shoot development of boysenberry plants grown in vitro. The addition of AgNPs significantly alleviated the adverse effect of drought stress and increased the plant growth parameters. Antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymes increased in boysenberry leaves when treated with AgNPs under drought conditions, while the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased. As a result of the study, 0.1 mg L−1 AgNPs is recommended as the most effective dose to promote the growth and development of in vitro boysenberry plants under drought stress.
Trends in Serum Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Concentrations in Teenagers and Adults, 1999–2018 NHANES
Authors: Sonnenberg Nilisha Khadgi , Ojewole Akinloye Emmanuel , Ojewole Catherine Oluwalopeye , Lucky Otite Precious , Kusi Joseph
Published: October 2023

Some types of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been banned over the last two decades, but millions of Americans continue to have exposure to the compounds through drinking water and consumer products. Therefore, understanding the changes in serum PFAS concentrations after their limited use is necessary to protect public health. In this study, we evaluated trends of serum PFAS compounds (PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFDA, and PFNA) to determine their distribution among the United States general population. We analyzed serum concentrations of PFAS measured from random subsamples of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) participants. The study results demonstrated that demographic factors such as race/ethnicity, age, and sex may influence the levels of serum PFAS over time. Adults, males, Asians, Non-Hispanic Blacks, and Non-Hispanic Whites had high risks of exposure to the selected PFAS. Overall, serum PFAS levels declined continuously in the studied population from 1999 to 2018. Among the studied population, PFOS and PFDA were the most and least prevalent PFAS in blood serum, respectively. Serum levels of PFDA, PFOA, and PFHxS showed upward trends in at least one racial/ethnic group after 2016, which underscores the need for continuous biomonitoring of PFAS levels in humans and the environment.
Progress on Noble-Metal-Free Organic–Inorganic Hybrids for Electrochemical Water Oxidation
Authors: Tan Zheng , Zhang Lihua , Wu Tong , Zhan Yinbo , Zhou Bowei , Dong Yilin , Long Xia
Published: October 2023

Emerging as a new class of advanced functional materials with hierarchical architectures and redox characters, organic–inorganic hybrid materials (OIHs) have been well developed and widely applied in various energy conversion reactions recently. In this review, we focus on the applications and structure–performance relationship of OIHs for electrochemical water oxidation. The general principles of water oxidation will be presented first, followed by the progresses on the applications of OIHs that are classified as metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and their derivates, covalent organic framework (COF)-based hybrids and other OIHs. The roles of organic counterparts on catalytic active centers will be fully discussed and highlighted with typical examples. Finally, the challenges and perspectives assessing this promising hybrid material as an electrocatalyst will be provided.
Effect of Metal Environment and Immobilization on the Catalytic Activity of a Cu Superoxide Dismutase Mimic
Authors: Richezzi Micaela , Ferreyra Joaquín , Signorella Sharon , Palopoli Claudia , Terrestre Gustavo , Pellegri Nora , Hureau Christelle , Signorella Sandra R.
Published: October 2023

The Cu(II)/Cu(I) conversion involves variation in the coordination number and geometry around the metal center. Therefore, the flexibility/rigidity of the ligand plays a critical role in the design of copper superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimics. A 1,3-Bis[(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)(propargyl)amino]propane (pypapn), a flexible ligand with an N4-donor set, was used to prepare [Cu(pypapn)(ClO4)2], a trans-Cu(II) complex whose structure was determined by the X-ray diffraction. In DMF or water, perchlorate anions are exchanged with solvent molecules, affording [Cu(pypan)(solv)2]2+ that catalyzes O2•− dismutation with a second-order rate constant kMcF = 1.26 × 107 M−1 s−1, at pH 7.8. This high activity results from a combination of ligand flexibility, total charge, and labile binding sites, which places [Cu(pypapn)(solv)2]2+ above other mononuclear Cu(II) complexes with more favorable redox potentials. The covalent anchoring of the alkyne group of the complex to azide functionalized mesoporous silica through “click” chemistry resulted in the retention of the SOD activity and improved stability. A dicationic Cu(II)-N4-Schiff base complex encapsulated in mesoporous silica was also tested as an SOD mimic, displaying higher activity than the free complex, although lower than [Cu(pypapn)(solv)2]2+. The robustness of covalently attached or encapsulated doubly charged Cu(II) complexes in a mesoporous matrix appears as a suitable approach for the design of copper-based hybrid catalysts for O2•− dismutation under physiological conditions.
Recent Advances in Fluid Mechanics and Transport Phenomena
Authors: Chang Shyy Woei
Published: October 2023

Transport phenomena draw from the fields of continuum mechanics and thermodynamics with diverse industrial applications [...]
Applications, Evolutions, and Challenges of Drones in Maritime Transport
Authors: Wang Jingbo , Zhou Kaiwen , Xing Wenbin , Li Huanhuan , Yang Zaili
Published: October 2023

The widespread interest in using drones in maritime transport has rapidly grown alongside the development of unmanned ships and drones. To stimulate growth and address the associated technical challenges, this paper systematically reviews the relevant research progress, classification, applications, technical challenges, and possible solutions related to the use of drones in the maritime sector. The findings provide an overview of the state of the art of the applications of drones in the maritime industry over the past 20 years and identify the existing problems and bottlenecks in this field. A new classification scheme is established based on their flight characteristics to aid in distinguishing drones’ applications in maritime transport. Further, this paper discusses the specific use cases and technical aspects of drones in maritime rescue, safety, navigation, environment, communication, and other aspects, providing in-depth guidance on the future development of different mainstream applications. Lastly, the challenges facing drones in these applications are identified, and the corresponding solutions are proposed to address them. This research offers pivotal insights and pertinent knowledge beneficial to various entities such as maritime regulatory bodies, shipping firms, academic institutions, and enterprises engaged in drone production. This paper makes new contributions in terms of the comprehensive analysis and discussion of the application of drones in maritime transport and the provision of guidance and support for promoting their further development and integration with intelligent transport.
Morpho-Phylogenetic Evidence Reveals Novel Species and New Records of Botryosphaeriaceae in China and Thailand
Authors: Wu Na , Dissanayake Asha J. , Du Hong-Zhi , Liu Jian-Kui
Published: October 2023

Species in the Botryosphaeriaceae are common plant pathogens, endophytes, and saprobes found on a variety of mainly woody hosts. Botryosphaeriaceae is a high-profile fungal family whose genera have been subjected to continuous revisions in recent years. Surveys conducted during 2019 and 2020 on several decaying woody hosts (from dead arial twigs, branches, stems, bark, and seed pods) in China and Thailand revealed a high diversity of Botryosphaeriaceae fungi. Identification of 16 Botryosphaeriaceae isolates was carried out based on both morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS, LSU, tef1-α, and tub2 sequence data. Four novel species (Dothiorella ovata, Do. rosacearum, Do. septata, and Lasiodiplodia delonicis) and seven previously known species (Botryosphaeria fujianensis, Diplodia mutila, Di. seriata, L. crassispora, L. mahajangana, Macrophomina euphorbiicola and Sphaeropsis eucalypticola) were identified while new hosts and geographical records were reported. This study indicates that the fungal family Botryosphaeriaceae seems to be common and widespread on a broad range of hosts in China and Thailand.
Fungal Biodeterioration and Preservation of Miniature Artworks
Authors: Ventorino Valeria , La Storia Antonietta , Robertiello Alessandro , Corsi Silvia , Romano Ida , Sannino Luigi , Pepe Olimpia
Published: October 2023

The study of biodeterioration is an important issue to allow the best conservation and prevent the decay of cultural heritage and artworks. In Naples (Italy), a particular museum (Museodivino) preserves the miniature artworks representing Dante’s Divine Comedy and Nativity scenes, executed with organic-based materials in walnut and clay shells. Since they showed putative signs of biodeterioration, the first aim of this study was to verify the presence of microbial colonization. A culture-dependent approach and molecular biology allowed us to isolate and identify the sole fungal strain Aspergillus NCCD (Nativity and Dante’s Divine Comedy) belonging to the A. sydowii sub-clade. Based on this result, a sustainable and eco-friendly approach was applied to find a method to preserve the miniature artwork by contrasting the growth of the strain NCCD. Several essential oils used as a natural biocide were tested against Aspergillus strain NCCD belonging to the A. sydowii subclade to determine their potential antimicrobial activity. Results revealed that basil, cloves, fennel, and thyme essential oils exerted antifungal activity, although their effect depended also on the concentration used. Moreover, anoxic treatment and the control of the relative humidity were used in the presence of thyme, in vitro, and in vivo assays to define the impact on fungal growth. No fungal development was detected in vivo in the shells treated with thyme essential oil at high relative humidity after 60 days of incubation at 28 °C. These results highlighted that although relative humidity was the major factor affecting the development of the strain Aspergillus NDDC, the application of thyme in an anaerobic environment is essential in contrasting the fungal growth. Identifying the biodeterioration agent allowed us to plan an eco-friendly, non-destructive approach to be successfully used to guarantee the conditions suitable for conserving miniature artwork.
Targeting Mosquitoes through Generation of an Insecticidal RNAi Yeast Strain Using Cas-CLOVER and Super PiggyBac Engineering in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Brizzee Corey , Mysore Keshava , Njoroge Teresia M. , McConnell Seth , Hamid-Adiamoh Majidah , Stewart Akilah T. M. , Kinder J. Tyler , Crawford Jack , Duman-Scheel Molly
Published: October 2023

The global deployment of RNAi yeast insecticides involves transitioning from the use of laboratory yeast strains to more robust strains that are suitable for scaled fermentation. In this investigation, the RNA-guided Cas-CLOVER system was used in combination with Piggybac transposase to produce robust Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains with multiple integrated copies of the Sh.463 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) insecticide expression cassette. This enabled the constitutive high-level expression of an insecticidal shRNA corresponding to a target sequence that is conserved in mosquito Shaker genes, but which is not found in non-target organisms. Top-expressing Cas-CLOVER strains performed well in insecticide trials conducted on Aedes, Culex, and Anopheles larvae and adult mosquitoes, which died following consumption of the yeast. Scaled fermentation facilitated the kilogram-scale production of the yeast, which was subsequently heat-killed and dried. These studies indicate that RNAi yeast insecticide production can be scaled, an advancement that may one day facilitate the global distribution of this new mosquito control intervention.
Development of a Neuroergonomic Assessment for the Evaluation of Mental Workload in an Industrial Human–Robot Interaction Assembly Task: A Comparative Case Study
Authors: Caiazzo Carlo , Savkovic Marija , Pusica Milos , Milojevic Djordje , Leva Maria Chiara , Djapan Marko
Published: October 2023

The disruptive deployment of collaborative robots, named cobots, in Industry 5.0 has brought attention to the safety and ergonomic aspects of industrial human–robot interaction (HRI) tasks. In particular, the study of the operator’s mental workload in HRI activities has been the research object of a new branch of ergonomics, called neuroergonomics, to improve the operator’s wellbeing and the efficiency of the system. This study shows the development of a combinative assessment for the evaluation of mental workload in a comparative analysis of two assembly task scenarios, without and with robot interaction. The evaluation of mental workload is achieved through a combination of subjective (NASA TLX) and real-time objective measurements. This latter measurement is found using an innovative electroencephalogram (EEG) device and the characterization of the cognitive workload through the brainwave power ratio β/α, defined after the pre-processing phase of EEG data. Finally, observational analyses are considered regarding the task performance of the two scenarios. The statistical analyses show how significantly the mental workload diminution and a higher level of performance, as the number of components assembled correctly by the participants, are achieved in the scenario with the robot.
New Criteria for Analyzing the Permanence, Periodic Solution, and Global Attractiveness of the Competition and Cooperation Model of Two Enterprises with Feedback Controls and Delays
Authors: Muhammadhaji Ahmadjan , Maimaiti Yimamu
Published: October 2023

This paper studies a class of the non-autonomous competition and cooperation model of two enterprises involving discrete time delays and feedback controls. The paper proposes new criteria for analyzing the permanence, periodic solution, and global attractiveness of the model. The common mathematical techniques of the Lyapunov method, the continuation theorem, and the comparison principle are used in this paper. By means of the comparison principle and inequality techniques, the concept of permanence is investigated, which refers to the long-term survival of the enterprises within the competitive and cooperative framework. Meanwhile, using the continuation theorem, we establish conditions under which the system exhibits periodic behavior. Additionally, the global attractiveness of the system is derived by constructing multiple Lyapunov functionals. Finally, an example is presented to illustrate the applicability and validity of the proposed criteria in this paper. This example serves as a demonstration that showcases the main results derived from the analysis.
Existence of Fixed Points of Suzuki-Type Contractions of Quasi-Metric Spaces
Authors: Ali Basit , Ali Hammad , Nazir Talat , Ali Zakaria
Published: October 2023

In order to generalize classical Banach contraction principle in the setup of quasi-metric spaces, we introduce Suzuki-type contractions of quasi-metric spaces and prove some fixed point results. Further, we suggest a correction in the definition of another class of quasi-metrics known as Δ-symmetric quasi-metrics satisfying a weighted symmetry property. We discuss equivalence of various types of completeness of Δ-symmetric quasi-metric spaces. At the end, we consider the existence of fixed points of generalized Suzuki-type contractions of Δ-symmetric quasi-metric spaces. Some examples have been furnished to make sure that generalizations we obtain are the proper ones.
Differences in the Electric Field Distribution Predicted with a Mathematical Model of Cylindrical Electrodes of Finite Length vs. Infinite Length: A Comparison Based on Analytical Solution
Authors: Romero-Mendez Ricardo , Berjano Enrique
Published: October 2023

Cylindrical-shaped metal electrodes are used in numerous medical specialties to force an electric field into the surrounding tissue (e.g., in electrical stimulation and electroporation). Although these electrodes have a limited length in reality, previous mathematical modeling studies have simplified the physical situation and have built a model geometry based on a cylindrical electrode of infinite length, which allows for reducing the model from 2D to 1D. Our objective was to quantify the differences in the electric field values between the finite and infinite electrode cases and assess the adequacy of the mentioned simplification for different values of electrode diameter and length. We used analytical solutions for the electric field distribution. We found that the electric field distribution is substantially different for both cases, not only near the edges of the electrode (when finite length is assumed) and in close locations (<1 mm), but even in the central area and at distances greater than 2 mm. Our work presents analytical solutions for both cases (finite and infinite length), which, despite the oscillations derived from computational limitations, could be used by researchers involved in electric field modeling in biological tissues, in order to quantify the possible error generated with simple models in geometric terms that assume infinite length.
Improving the Performance of Object Detection by Preserving Balanced Class Distribution
Authors: Lee Heewon , Ahn Sangtae
Published: October 2023

Object detection is a task that performs position identification and label classification of objects in images or videos. The information obtained through this process plays an essential role in various tasks in the field of computer vision. In object detection, the data utilized for training and validation typically originate from public datasets that are well-balanced in terms of the number of objects ascribed to each class in an image. However, in real-world scenarios, handling datasets with much greater class imbalance, i.e., very different numbers of objects for each class, is much more common, and this imbalance may reduce the performance of object detection when predicting unseen test images. In our study, thus, we propose a method that evenly distributes the classes in an image for training and validation, solving the class imbalance problem in object detection. Our proposed method aims to maintain a uniform class distribution through multi-label stratification. We tested our proposed method not only on public datasets that typically exhibit balanced class distribution but also on private datasets that may have imbalanced class distribution. We found that our proposed method was more effective on datasets containing severe imbalance and less data. Our findings indicate that the proposed method can be effectively used on datasets with substantially imbalanced class distribution.
Predictors of Dizziness and Hearing Disorders in People with Long COVID
Authors: Obeidat Faten S. , Alghwiri Alia A. , Whitney Susan L.
Published: October 2023

Background and Objectives: Individuals report persistent symptoms after becoming infected by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) that last for >4 weeks (long-COVID syndrome). Dizziness and hearing loss have been reported among long-COVID symptoms. However, little is known about the potential predictors of dizziness and hearing loss in individuals with long COVID. This study aimed to explore the presence and correlates of dizziness and hearing loss in a sample of people with long-COVID syndrome. Materials and Methods: Individuals aged 18 years and older who were infected with COVID-19 at least 8 weeks prior to the start of the study were included if they were not diagnosed with dizziness or hearing loss before getting COVID-19. Demographics and COVID-19-related information were collected. Participants completed the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I), Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), and Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12 (SF-12). Finally, hearing was assessed using pure-tone audiometry (PTA) in a subsample. Results: Two hundred and nine individuals (66% female) with a mean (SD) age of 27 (9) participated in the study. Perceived dizziness and hearing loss were reported in 26 and 15.3% of the sample, respectively. Logistic regression was conducted to identify potential predictors of dizziness and hearing loss separately. After controlling for age and severity of dizziness, female sex and high fatigue severity were associated with an increased likelihood of reporting dizziness (R2 = 31%). The severity of dizziness and neurological symptoms during the acute stage of COVID-19 were associated with an increased likelihood of reporting hearing loss (R2 = 10.4%) after controlling for age. Conclusions: Dizziness and hearing loss present in long COVID and can be disabling. Females with high levels of fatigue should be questioned about persistent dizziness. Hearing loss should be considered in individuals with neurological symptoms and severe dizziness as a consequence of long COVID.
Impacts of Surface Characteristics and Dew Point on the Blue-Light (BL405) Inactivation of Viruses
Authors: Bernardy Castine , Malley James
Published: October 2023

The increased prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), healthcare associated infections (HAIs), and the recent COVID-19 pandemic has caused the photoinactivation industry to explore alternative wavelengths. Blue light (BL405) has gained significant interest as it is much less harmful to the skin and eyes than traditional germicidal wavelengths; therefore, in theory, it can be used continuously with human exposure. At present, the viricidal effects of BL405 are largely unknown as the literature predominately addresses bacterial disinfection performed with this wavelength. This work provides novel findings to the industry, reporting on the virucidal effects of BL405 on surfaces. This research utilizes three surfaces: ceramic, PTFE, and stainless steel. The efficacy of BL405 inactivation varied by surface type, which was due to surface characteristics, such as the contact angle, porosity, zeta potential, and reflectivity. Additionally, the effect of the dew point on BL405 inactivation efficacy was determined. This research is the first to study the effects of the dew point on the virucidal effectiveness of BL405 surface inactivation. The effects of the dew point were significant for all surfaces and the control experiments. The high-dew-point conditions (18 °C) yielded higher levels of BL405 inactivation and viral degradation for the experiments and controls, respectively.
Tracking the Selective Pressure Profile and Gene Flow of SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant in Italy from April to October 2021 and Frequencies of Key Mutations from Three Representative Italian Regions
Authors: Lo Presti Alessandra , Di Martino Angela , Ambrosio Luigina , De Sabato Luca , Knijn Arnold , Vaccari Gabriele , Di Bartolo Ilaria , Morabito Stefano , Terregino Calogero , Fusaro Alice , Monne Isabella , Giussani Edoardo , Tramuto Fabio , Maida Carmelo Massimo , Mazzucco Walter , Costantino Claudio , Rueca Martina , Giombini Emanuela , Gruber Cesare Ernesto Maria , Capobianchi Maria Rosaria , Palamara Anna Teresa , Stefanelli Paola ,   on behalf of the Italian Genomic Laboratory Network
Published: October 2023

The SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant of concern (VOC) was often associated with serious clinical course of the COVID-19 disease. Herein, we investigated the selective pressure, gene flow and evaluation on the frequencies of mutations causing amino acid substitutions in the Delta variant in three Italian regions. A total of 1500 SARS-CoV-2 Delta genomes, collected in Italy from April to October 2021 were investigated, including a subset of 596 from three Italian regions. The selective pressure and the frequency of amino acid substitutions and the prediction of their possible impact on the stability of the proteins were investigated. Delta variant dataset, in this study, identified 68 sites under positive selection: 16 in the spike (23.5%), 11 in nsp2 (16.2%) and 10 in nsp12 (14.7%) genes. Three of the positive sites in the spike were located in the receptor-binding domain (RBD). In Delta genomes from the three regions, 6 changes were identified as very common (>83.7%), 4 as common (>64.0%), 21 at low frequency (2.1%–25.0%) and 29 rare (≤2.0%). The detection of positive selection on key mutations may represent a model to identify recurrent signature mutations of the virus.
Significance of Zn Complex Concentration on Microstructure Evolution and Corrosion Behavior of Al/WS2
Authors: Gawas Pratiksha P. , Pandurangan Praveenkumar , Rabiei Marzieh , Palevicius Arvydas , Vilkauskas Andrius , Janusas Giedrius , Hosseinnezhad Mozhgan , Ebrahimi-Kahrizsangi Reza , Nasiri Sohrab , Nunzi Jean Michel , Nutalapati Venkatramaiah
Published: October 2023

Corrosion is a harmful processes which by definition is a chemical or electrochemical reaction between a substance (usually a metal) and the environment which leads to a change in the properties of the substance and has destructive effects. In this study, new composites consisting of Al/WS2/ZnTerp-2TH with 5 and 10 wt.% ZnTerp-2TH were prepared and the results were fully compared. Al/WS2 played the role of matrix and ZnTerp-2TH played the role of reinforcement. In other words, as a novelty to prevent the corrosion of Al/WS2, ZnTerp-2TH is designed and synthesized and showed good results when the corrosion ratio was reduced by the existence of ZnTerp-2TH. Furthermore, the NMR and mass analysis of ZnTerp-2TH were carried out, and the thermal properties, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, morphology, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis and corrosion behavior of the composites were also discussed in detail. The crystal size values of composites were calculated by the modified Scherrer method 34, 26 and 27 nm for Al/WS2, Al/WS2/5 wt.% ZnTerp-2TH and Al/WS2/10 wt.% ZnTerp-2TH, respectively. The microstructural examination of the specimens showed that the reinforcing phase (ZnTerp-2TH) has a favorable distribution on the surface of Al/WS2 when it covers the cracks and holes. In addition, the corrosion investigation results showed that the addition of ZnTerp-2TH to Al/WS2 can improve the corrosion resistance when the Ecorr and Icorr values of Al/WS2/10 wt.% ZnTerp-2TH were recorded in tandem −724 mV/decade and 5 uA cm−2.