bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Aspect of Chiral SU(2) and U(1) Axial Breaking in QCD
Authors: Cui Chuan-Xin , Li Jin-Yang , Matsuzaki Shinya , Kawaguchi Mamiya , Tomiya Akio
Published: March 2024

The violation of the U(1) axial symmetry in QCD is stricter than the chiral SU(2) breaking simply because of the presence of the quantum axial anomaly. If the QCD gauge coupling is sent to zero (the asymptotic free limit, where the U(1) axial anomaly does not exist), the strength of the U(1) axial breaking coincides with that of the chiral SU(2) breaking, which we, in short, call an axial–chiral coincidence. This coincidence is trivial since QCD then becomes a non-interacting theory. Actually, there exists another limit in the QCD parameter space, where an axial–chiral coincidence occurs even with nonzero QCD gauge coupling, which can be dubbed a nontrivial coincidence: it is the case with the massive light quarks (ml≠0) and the massless strange quark (ms=0) due to the flavor-singlet nature of the topological susceptibility. This coincidence is robust and tied to the anomalous chiral Ward–Takahashi identity, which is operative even at hot QCD. This implies that the chiral SU(2) symmetry is restored simultaneously with the U(1) axial symmetry at high temperatures. This simultaneous restoration is independent of ml(≠0) and, hence, is irrespective of the order of the chiral phase transition. In this paper, we discuss how the real-life QCD can be evolved from the nontrivial chiral–axial coincidence limit by working on a Nambu–Jona–Lasinio model with the U(1) axial anomaly contribution properly incorporated. It is shown that, at high temperatures, the large differences between the restorations of the chiral SU(2) symmetry and the U(1) axial symmetry for two light quarks and a sufficiently large current mass for the strange quark are induced by a significant interference of the topological susceptibility. Thus, the deviation from the nontrivial coincidence, which is monitored by the strange quark mass controlling the topological susceptibility, provides a new way of understanding the chiral SU(2) and U(1) axial breaking in QCD.
A Comparison of Parent Reports, the Mental Synthesis Evaluation Checklist (MSEC) and the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC), with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS)
Authors: Netson Rebecca , Schmiedel Fucks Andriane , Schmiedel Sanches Santos Andressa , Poloni Lucas Ernesto Pavoski , Nacano Nilson Noboru , Fucks Elielton , Radi Katarina , Strong William E. , Carnaval Alice Aparecida , Russo María , Venkatesh Rohan , Vyshedskiy Andrey
Published: March 2024

This study compares two parent reports, the Mental Synthesis Evaluation Checklist (MSEC) and the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC), with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). The ATEC consists of four subscales, as follows: (1) expressive language, (2) sociability, (3) sensory awareness, and (4) health. The MSEC is complementary to the ATEC in measuring complex language comprehension. The parents of 143 autistic children, from 2 to 22 years of age (mean 6.7 ± 5.1 years), completed the MSEC and the ATEC questionnaires and a clinician assessed their CARS score. The CARS score correlated strongly with all parent reports, the complex language comprehension MSEC (r = 0.60, p < 0.0001), expressive language (r = 0.66, p < 0.0001), sociability (r = 0.58, p < 0.0001), sensory awareness (r = 0.71, p < 0.0001), and health (r = 0.53, p < 0.0001), as well as the total ATEC score (r = 0.75, p < 0.0001). The strongest correlation was between the CARS score and the composite of all five parent-reported scores (total ATEC + MSEC, r = 0.77, p < 0.0001). These results suggest a high fidelity of the MSEC and ATEC parent reports and especially of their composite score, total ATEC + MSEC.
Cardioprotective Effect of Hydroalcohol Extract of Andaliman (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC.) Fruits on Doxorubicin-Induced Rats
Authors: Dalimunthe Aminah , Satria Denny , Sitorus Panal , Harahap Urip , Angela Intan Farah Diba , Waruwu Syukur Berkat
Published: March 2024

Andaliman (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC.) fruit is a spice plant widely used in North Sumatra. The chemical content in the Andaliman plant has a cardioprotective effect, with antioxidant properties that inhibit oxidative stress and free radicals. SOD (superoxide dismutase), BNP (Brain Natriuretic Peptide), and cTnT (troponin T) are measured as markers of heart damage, and histopathology is to see heart damage. Quercetin administration was used as a comparison. The hydroalcoholic extract’s phytochemical content and chemical elements were analyzed using LC-HRMS and GC-MS. The findings showed that the hydroalcohol extract of Andaliman fruits affected the blood levels of SOD, BNP, and cTnT in the blood of doxorubicin-induced rats. SOD levels increased, and BNP decreased; the 300 mg/kg BW group was not significantly different from the 50 mg/kg BW quercetin group. cTnT levels also decreased; the 150 mg/kg BW and 300 mg/kg BW groups were not significantly different, and both were better than the 50 mg/kg BW quercetin group. EAF with 150 mg/kg BW and 300 mg/kg BW can also repair damage to rat heart tissue caused by doxorubicin. Andaliman fruit extract has cardioprotective effects and anti-free radical activity due to its content and potential to be developed.
Sodium Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors in Non-Diabetic Kidney Disease: Evidence in Experimental Models
Authors: Castoldi Giovanna , Carletti Raffaella , Barzaghi Francesca , Meani Michela , Zatti Giovanni , Perseghin Gianluca , Di Gioia Cira , Zerbini Gianpaolo
Published: March 2024

Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a class of glucose-lowering agents widely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. A number of clinical trials in type 2 diabetic patients with different degrees of renal impairment have clearly demonstrated that SGLT2 inhibitors reduce the progression rate of diabetic kidney disease. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that SGLT2 inhibitors also exert a protective effect in the case of non-diabetic kidney disease. Consequently, it has been hypothesized that the nephroprotective activity of these drugs could exceed the canonical impact on glycemic control and that the resulting beneficial effects could be the consequence of their pleiotropic properties (proven reduction of inflammation, fibrosis, oxidative stress and sympathetic nervous activity) both at systemic and tissue levels, suggesting that the efficacy of these drugs could also be extended to non-diabetic nephropathies. This review focuses on the nephroprotective effects of SGLT2 inhibitors in different experimental models of non-diabetic kidney disease. The different glucose-independent mechanisms potentially implemented by SGLT2 inhibitors to ultimately protect the non-diabetic kidney are described in detail, and conflicting results, when present, are discussed.
A Common Neuronal Ensemble in the Lateral Habenula Regulates Ciprofol Anesthesia in Mice
Authors: Zhou Kang , Zhang Lin-Chen , Zhu He , Wen Bei , Tang Jia-Li , Yuan Ping-Chuan , Zhu A-Fang , Huang Yu-Guang
Published: March 2024

General anesthetics were first used over 170 years ago; however, the mechanisms of how general anesthetics induce loss of consciousness (LOC) remain unclear. Ciprofol, a novel intravenous anesthetic, has been developed by incorporating cyclopropyl into the chemical structure of propofol. This modification offers the benefits of rapid onset and minimal injection pain. Recent studies have revealed that the glutamatergic neurons of the lateral habenula (LHb) play a crucial role in modulating the LOC induced by propofol and sevoflurane. Nevertheless, the specific involvement of LHb in the anesthetic effects of ciprofol remains uncertain. Here, using targeted recombination in active populations (TRAP) combined with electroencephalogram/electromyography recordings and the righting reflex behavioral test, our study revealed that intravenous infusion of ciprofol for 1 h could lead to the induction of c-Fos expression in the LHb in mice. The combination of TRAP and gene ablation, aimed at selectively ablating ciprofol-activated neurons in the LHb, has been shown to facilitate the emergence of ciprofol anesthesia and decrease the proportion of delta waves during the emergence phase. Chemogenetic inhibition of these neurons produced a comparable effect, whereas chemogenetic activation resulted in the opposite outcome. Chemogenetic activation of ciprofol-activated neurons in the LHb delays the emergence of anesthesia and induces a deep hypnotic state during the emergence phase. Taken together, our findings suggest that LHb ciprofol-activated neurons modulate the state of consciousness and could potentially be targeted to manipulate consciousness during ciprofol anesthesia.
Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: McDonald Jennifer , Mohak Sidhesh , Fabian Zsolt
Published: March 2024

Cardiovascular disease constitutes a noteworthy public health challenge characterized by a pronounced incidence, frequency, and mortality rate, particularly impacting specific demographic groups, and imposing a substantial burden on the healthcare infrastructure. Certain risk factors, such as age, gender, and smoking, contribute to the prevalence of fatal cardiovascular disease, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. Current challenges in clinical practice involve medication complexities, the lack of a systematic decision-making approach, and prevalent drug therapy problems. Stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles stand as versatile entities with a unique molecular fingerprint, holding significant therapeutic potential across a spectrum of applications, particularly in the realm of cardio-protection. Their lipid, protein, and nucleic acid compositions, coupled with their multifaceted functions, underscore their role as promising mediators in regenerative medicine and pave the way for further exploration of their intricate contributions to cellular physiology and pathology. Here, we overview our current understanding of the possible role of stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles in the clinical management of human cardiovascular pathologies.
Optical Manipulation of Fibroblasts with Femtosecond Pulse and CW Laser
Authors: Zhang Xia , Wu Yi , Cai Siao , Feng Guoying
Published: March 2024

Using tight focusing light, optical tweezers (OT) are tools that can manipulate and capture microscopic particles and biological cells as well as characterize a wide range of micro and nanomaterials. In this paper, we focused on fibroblasts, which are widely used in the biomedical area for a variety of purposes, including promoting human wound healing and preventing the early proliferation of tumor cells. We first built an optical tweezer experimental platform, using an 808 nm continuous-wave laser as the capture light source, to confirm that the device can precisely control the movement of single or multiple particles as well as fibroblasts. Then, a 1030 nm femtosecond laser was employed as the capture light source to study the manipulation of microparticles and fibroblasts at different powers. Lastly, a protracted manipulation protocol was used to prevent the fibroblasts from adhering to the wall. This method can be used to isolate and precisely block adherent growth of fibroblasts in cell populations. This experimental result can be further extended to other biological cells.
Towards Construction of a Novel Nanometer-Resolution MeV-STEM for Imaging Thick Frozen Biological Samples
Authors: Yang Xi , Wang Liguo , Maxson Jared , Bartnik Adam Christopher , Kaemingk Michael , Wan Weishi , Cultrera Luca , Wu Lijun , Smaluk Victor , Shaftan Timur , McSweeney Sean , Jing Chunguang , Kostin Roman , Zhu Yimei
Published: March 2024

Driven by life-science applications, a mega-electron-volt Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope (MeV-STEM) has been proposed here to image thick frozen biological samples as a conventional Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) may not be suitable to image samples thicker than 300–500 nm and various volume electron microscopy (EM) techniques either suffering from low resolution, or low speed. The high penetration of inelastic scattering signals of MeV electrons could make the MeV-STEM an appropriate microscope for biological samples as thick as 10 μm or more with a nanoscale resolution, considering the effect of electron energy, beam broadening, and low-dose limit on resolution. The best resolution is inversely related to the sample thickness and changes from 6 nm to 24 nm when the sample thickness increases from 1 μm to 10 μm. To achieve such a resolution in STEM, the imaging electrons must be focused on the specimen with a nm size and an mrad semi-convergence angle. This requires an electron beam emittance of a few picometers, which is ~1000 times smaller than the presently achieved nm emittance, in conjunction with less than 10−4 energy spread and 1 nA current. We numerically simulated two different approaches that are potentially applicable to build a compact MeV-STEM instrument: (1) DC (Direct Current) gun, aperture, superconducting radio-frequency (SRF) cavities, and STEM column; (2) SRF gun, aperture, SRF cavities, and STEM column. Beam dynamic simulations show promising results, which meet the needs of an MeV-STEM, a few-picometer emittance, less than 10−4 energy spread, and 0.1–1 nA current from both options. Also, we designed a compact STEM column based on permanent quadrupole quintuplet, not only to demagnify the beam size from 1 μm at the source point to 2 nm at the specimen but also to provide the freedom of changing the magnifications at the specimen and a scanning system to raster the electron beam across the sample with a step size of 2 nm and the repetition rate of 1 MHz. This makes it possible to build a compact MeV-STEM and use it to study thick, large-volume samples in cell biology.
Deciphering the Enhancing Impact of Exogenous Brassinolide on Physiological Indices of Melon Plants under Downy Mildew-Induced Stress
Authors: Liu Tai , Xu Huichun , Amanullah Sikandar , Du Zhiqiang , Hu Xixi , Che Ye , Zhang Ling , Jiang Zeyu , Zhu Lei , Wang Di
Published: March 2024

Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is a valuable horticultural crop of the Cucurbitaceae family. Downy mildew (DM), caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis, is a significant inhibitor of the production and quality of melon. Brassinolide (BR) is a new type of phytohormone widely used in cultivation for its broad spectrum of resistance- and defense-mechanism-improving activity. In this study, we applied various exogenous treatments (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg·L−1) of BR at four distinct time periods (6 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h) and explored the impact of BR on physiological indices and the genetic regulation of melon seedling leaves infected by downy-mildew-induced stress. It was mainly observed that a 2.0 mg·L−1 BR concentration effectively promoted the enhanced photosynthetic activity of seedling leaves, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis similarly exhibited an upregulated expression of the predicted regulatory genes of photosystem II (PSII) CmHCF136 (MELO3C023596.2) and CmPsbY (MELO3C010708.2), thus indicating the stability of the PSII reaction center. Furthermore, 2.0 mg·L−1 BR resulted in more photosynthetic pigments (nearly three times more than the chlorophyll contents (264.52%)) as compared to the control and other treatment groups and similarly upregulated the expression trend of the predicted key enzyme genes CmLHCP (MELO3C004214.2) and CmCHLP (MELO3C017176.2) involved in chlorophyll biosynthesis. Meanwhile, the maximum contents of soluble sugars and starch (186.95% and 164.28%) were also maintained, which were similarly triggered by the upregulated expression of the predicted genes CmGlgC (MELO3C006552.2), CmSPS (MELO3C020357.2), and CmPEPC (MELO3C018724.2), thereby maintaining osmotic adjustment and efficiency in eliminating reactive oxygen species. Overall, the exogenous 2.0 mg·L−1 BR exhibited maintained antioxidant activities, plastid membranal stability, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. The chlorophyll fluorescence parameter values of F0 (42.23%) and Fv/Fm (36.67%) were also noticed to be higher; however, nearly three times higher levels of NPQ (375.86%) and Y (NPQ) (287.10%) were observed at 48 h of treatment as compared to all other group treatments. Increased Rubisco activity was also observed (62.89%), which suggested a significant role for elevated carbon fixation and assimilation and the upregulated expression of regulatory genes linked with Rubisco activity and the PSII reaction process. In short, we deduced that the 2.0 mg·L−1 BR application has an enhancing effect on the genetic modulation of physiological indices of melon plants against downy mildew disease stress.
The Role of Snow-Related Environmental Variables in Plant Conservation Plans in the Mediterranean Mountains
Authors: Algarra Jose A. , Cariñanos Paloma , Ramos-Lorente María M.
Published: March 2024

This study aims to analyze the effects that snow cover may have on the survival of one-year-old seedlings from 15 different taxa in the Mediterranean high mountains (Sierra Nevada National Park, SE Spain) in order to have clearer criteria for the planning and management of restoration efforts in these environments. Additionally, the influence of variables that have been scarcely explored up to now is also revised. We use the survival rates of the seedlings observed from the ecological restoration trial as reference values. The survival data analyzed are based on six variables to evaluate their effects. The results confirm that the permanence of snow is a favorable factor for seedlings, independent of the plant community. Contrastingly, a specific type of foundation (stones and rocks) stands out for being clearly unfavorable, regardless of other variables. For both altitude and solar radiation, a worsening of the survival ratio has been observed as they increase. The species’ geographic ranges are all shown to be unfavorable for taxa of a boreo-alpine distribution. Finally, the plant community does not have a significant influence on the survival of seedlings. These results provide novel indications to improve the results of the first stages of restoration work in the Mediterranean high mountains. They are also valuable for the management and cataloging of threatened flora, as well as having direct applications in recovery plans and protection lists.
Integrated Management of Pathogens and Microbes in Cannabis sativa L. (Cannabis) under Greenhouse Conditions
Authors: Buirs Liam , Punja Zamir K.
Published: March 2024

The increased cultivation of high THC-containing Cannabis sativa L. (cannabis), particularly in greenhouses, has resulted in a greater incidence of diseases and molds that can negatively affect the growth and quality of the crop. Among them, the most important diseases are root rots (Fusarium and Pythium spp.), bud rot (Botrytis cinerea), powdery mildew (Golovinomyces ambrosiae), cannabis stunt disease (caused by hop latent viroid), and a range of microbes that reduce post-harvest quality. An integrated management approach to reduce the impact of these diseases/microbes requires combining different approaches that target the reproduction, spread, and survival of the associated pathogens, many of which can occur on the same plant simultaneously. These approaches will be discussed in the context of developing an integrated plan to manage the important pathogens of greenhouse-grown cannabis at different stages of plant development. These stages include the maintenance of stock plants, propagation through cuttings, vegetative growth of plants, and flowering. The cultivation of cannabis genotypes with tolerance or resistance to various pathogens is a very important approach, as well as the maintenance of pathogen-free stock plants. When combined with cultural approaches (sanitation, management of irrigation, and monitoring for diseases) and environmental approaches (greenhouse climate modification), a significant reduction in pathogen development and spread can be achieved. The use of preventive applications of microbial biological control agents and reduced-risk biorational products can also reduce disease development at all stages of production in jurisdictions where they are registered for use. The combined use of promising strategies for integrated disease management in cannabis plants during greenhouse production will be reviewed. Future areas for research are identified.
Extracted Eucalyptus globulus Bark Fiber as a Potential Substrate for Pinus radiata and Quillaja saponaria Germination
Authors: Ferrer-Villasmil Víctor , Fuentealba Cecilia , Reyes-Contreras Pablo , Rubilar Rafael , Cabrera-Barjas Gustavo , Bravo-Arrepol Gastón , Escobar-Avello Danilo
Published: March 2024

This study aimed to explore alternative substrates for growing forest species using eucalyptus bark. It evaluated the potential of extracted Eucalyptus globulus fiber bark as a substitute for commercial growing media such as coconut fiber, moss, peat, and compost pine. We determined the physicochemical parameters of the growing media, the germination rate, and the mean fresh and dry weights of seedlings. We used the Munoo-Liisa Vitality Index (MLVI) test to evaluate the phytotoxicity of the bark alone and when mixed with commercial substrates. Generally, the best mixture for seed growth was 75% extracted eucalyptus bark fiber and 25% commercial substrates. In particular, the 75E-25P (peat) mixture is a promising substitute for seedling growth of Pinus radiata, achieving up to 3-times higher MLVI than the control peat alone. For Quillaja saponaria, the best growth substrate was the 50E-50C (coconut fiber) mixture, which had the most significant MLVI values (127%). We added chitosan and alginate-encapsulated fulvic acid phytostimulants to improve the performance of the substrate mixtures. The fulvic acid, encapsulated or not, significantly improved MLVI values in Q. saponaria species and P. radiata in concentrations between 0.05 and 0.1% w/v. This study suggests that mixtures with higher levels of extracted fiber are suitable for growing forest species, thus promoting the application of circular economy principles in forestry.
Press Conduction Welding for Secondary Bonding of Aircraft Skin/Stiffener Assemblies Using Carbon Fiber/PEKK Thermoplastic Composites and PEI Adhesive
Authors: Choi Hyunseok , Lee Chan-Joo , Jeon Yong-Jun , Choi Woo-Chun , Kim Dongearn
Published: March 2024

This study investigates the secondary bonding of aircraft skin/stiffener assemblies using press conduction welding with carbon fiber/polyetherketoneketone thermoplastic composites and polyetherimide adhesive. Recognizing the challenges posed by conventional welding methods in maintaining material integrity and uniformity, this research explores an alternative methodology that mitigates these issues while ensuring high-strength bonds. The press conduction welding parameters were selected based on single-lap shear tests and applied in the bonding of skin and omega stiffener components. The temperature range was determined using differential scanning calorimetry. The pressure was held at 1 MPa for 180 s. The welding temperature that produced a high-bonding strength was identified experimentally; these key variables were then used in the welding process of the skin and omega stiffener. By analyzing how the fibers tear and the effectiveness of interdiffusion between the plies, we were able to gain insights into the bonding strength and fractured surface. The findings suggest that press conduction welding provides a viable route for secondary bonding in thermoplastic composite structures, highlighting its advantages in terms of processing efficiency and integrity. This study contributes to the understanding of the mechanical behaviors of bonded joints and underscores the significance of temperature control in the welding process.
Maltodextrin-Based Cross-Linked Electrospun Mats as Sustainable Sorbents for the Removal of Atenolol from Water
Authors: Cecone Claudio , Fiume Valentina , Bracco Pierangiola , Zanetti Marco
Published: March 2024

Maltodextrins are products of starch hydrolysis that can be processed into dry fibres through electrospinning and subsequently cured via mild thermal treatment to obtain nonwoven cross-linked polysaccharide-based mats. The sustainability of the process and the bioderived nature make this class of materials suitable candidates to be studied as renewable sorbents for the removal of contaminants from water. In this work, electrospinning of water solutions containing 50% wt. of commercial maltodextrin (Glucidex 2®) and 16.6% wt. of citric acid was carried out at 1.2 mL/h flow and 30 kV applied voltage, followed by thermal curing at 180 °C of the dry fibres produced to obtain cross-linked mats. Well-defined fibres with a mean diameter of 1.64 ± 0.35 µm were successfully obtained and characterised by scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Afterwards, a series of sorption tests were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the mats in removing atenolol from water. The results of the batch tests followed by HPLC-UV/Vis showed high sorption rates, with over 90% of the atenolol removed, and a maximum removal capacity of 7 mg/g. Furthermore, continuous fixed-bed sorption tests proved the positive interaction between the polymers and atenolol.
Effect of Methyl Hydro-Silicone Oil Content and Aging Time on Compression Modulus and Breakdown Strength of Additional Liquid Silicone Rubber Gel
Authors: Wang Kun , Chen Yun , Yang Wei , Qiao Bo , Qiao Jian , He Jianfei , Ning Qinying
Published: March 2024

The performance of silicone rubber gel elastomers is affected by the composition and structure of the crosslinker. In this work, a two-component addition liquid silicone rubber gel material was developed, and the effects of the contents of two methyl hydro-silicone oils on the compression modulus and breakdown strength of the silicone rubber gel insulating material, as well as the performance change after hot air aging at different times (24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 96 h, 120 h, 144 h, 168 h), were studied. The results showed that the breakdown strength and compression modulus exhibited an upward trend with the increase in the hydrogen silicone oil content. The best performance was achieved in the silicone rubber gel with Si-H:Si-Vi = 1.4:1. Moreover, with the increase in aging time, the breakdown strength decreased and the compression modulus increased.
A Modular and Cost-Effective Droplet Microfluidic Device for Controlled Emulsion Production
Authors: Jiang Hao , Liu Zhaoyue , Tang Fengwei , Cheng Yimin , Tian Wei , Shi Woda , Zhang Jia Ming , Zhang Yajun
Published: March 2024

The droplet microfluidic device has become a widely used tool in fields such as physics, chemistry, and biology, but its complexity has limited its widespread application. This report introduces a modular and cost-effective droplet microfluidic device for the controlled production of complex emulsions, including oil and aqueous single emulsions, and double emulsions with varying numbers of encapsulated droplets. The droplet sizes can be precisely controlled by easily replacing flat needles and adjusting the needle position within an axially accelerated co-flow field. This modular device not only allows for easy repair and maintenance in case of device clogging or damage but can also be readily expanded to produce complex emulsions. The low-cost and user-friendly nature of the device greatly facilitates the widespread adoption and utilization of droplet microfluidics.
Research on Multi-Objective Energy Management of Renewable Energy Power Plant with Electrolytic Hydrogen Production
Authors: Shi Tao , Gu Libo , Xu Zeyan , Sheng Jialin
Published: March 2024

This study focuses on a renewable energy power plant equipped with electrolytic hydrogen production system, aiming to optimize energy management to smooth renewable energy generation fluctuations, participate in peak shaving auxiliary services, and increase the absorption space for renewable energy. A multi-objective energy management model and corresponding algorithms were developed, incorporating considerations of cost, pricing, and the operational constraints of a renewable energy generating unit and electrolytic hydrogen production system. By introducing uncertain programming, the uncertainty issues associated with renewable energy output were successfully addressed and an improved particle swarm optimization algorithm was employed for solving. A simulation system established on the Matlab platform verified the effectiveness of the model and algorithms, demonstrating that this approach can effectively meet the demands of the electricity market while enhancing the utilization rate of renewable energies.
Effect of Cold Plasma on the Germination and Seedling Growth of Durum Wheat Genotypes
Authors: Bozhanova Violeta , Marinova Plamena , Videva Maria , Nedjalkova Spasimira , Benova Evgenia
Published: March 2024

Cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) has attracted increased interest in recent years for possible biomedical, environmental and agricultural applications. A wide range of cold plasma treatment effects is observed in agricultural applications, like effects on the seed germination and seedling growth, but more systematic investigations are needed. The aim of this study was to identify the most appropriate combinations of the plasma source and duration of treatment positively affecting seed germination. In addition, the effect of cold plasma on the seedling growth and osmotic stress tolerance was studied. The seeds of three Bulgarian durum wheat cultivars were treated with cold plasma in twelve variants. The results obtained were processed statistically via two-way ANOVA. The treatment of seeds with a plasma torch for 20 s and the treatment with underwater diaphragm discharge for 5 min when the seeds were placed in both cameras in two different positions (relative to the electrodes between which the plasma is supplied, “+” and “−”) have the greatest positive effect on the all traits related to germination. The analysis of variance reveals that the variation in germination energy, shoot length and root length after the cold plasma treatment of seeds is mainly due to the interaction between the genotype and treatment variant and to a small degree due to the genotype. The treatment of seeds with cold plasma improves the osmoregulation ability of cells and therefore increases the drought resistance of genotypes.
Design of a Bioreactor for Aerobic Biodegradation of Biowaste Based on Insight into Its Composition and Estimated Process Parameters
Authors: Domanovac Tomislav , Kučić Grgić Dajana , Šabić Runjavec Monika , Vuković Domanovac Marija
Published: March 2024

Biowaste, which often accounts for more than 50% of municipal waste, is an environmental problem if disposed of improperly in landfills but has great potential to achieve the recycling targets set out in Directive (EU) 2018/851. Despite the knowledge in theory and practice about the processing of biowaste and the benefits of recycling, there is a lack of methodological approaches in describing the process of aerobic biodegradation in a concise and suitable way for decision makers, environmental engineers, and project designers. This paper presents how basic data on the properties of biowaste can be used, using theoretical models, to determine basic indicators of the dynamics and material balance of the process. The maximum rate of CO2 generation on the 4th day was Rm = 45.3 g/d, with the potential of available, readily biodegradable components of the biowaste sample of P = 526 g CO2/kg VS. A substrate conversion of 51.7% was achieved in the bioreactor by the 17th day of treatment. The results of this analysis, together with future analyses of sensitivity and boundary conditions of the process, are useful for rapidly sizing a biological treatment system for municipal solid waste in a given area.
Optimizing Short-Term Photovoltaic Power Forecasting: A Novel Approach with Gaussian Process Regression and Bayesian Hyperparameter Tuning
Authors: Islam Md. Samin Safayat , Ghosh Puja , Faruque Md. Omer , Islam Md. Rashidul , Hossain Md. Alamgir , Alam Md. Shafiul , Islam Sheikh Md. Rafiqul
Published: March 2024

The inherent volatility of PV power introduces unpredictability to the power system, necessitating accurate forecasting of power generation. In this study, a machine learning (ML) model based on Gaussian process regression (GPR) for short-term PV power output forecasting is proposed. With its benefits in handling nonlinear relationships, estimating uncertainty, and generating probabilistic forecasts, GPR is an appropriate approach for addressing the problems caused by PV power generation’s irregularity. Additionally, Bayesian optimization to identify optimal hyper-parameter combinations for the ML model is utilized. The research leverages solar radiation intensity data collected at 60-min and 30-min intervals over periods of 1 year and 6 months, respectively. Comparative analysis reveals that the data set with 60-min intervals performs slightly better than the 30-min intervals data set. The proposed GPR model, coupled with Bayesian optimization, demonstrates superior performance compared to contemporary ML models and traditional neural network models. This superiority is evident in 98% and 90% improvements in root mean square errors compared to feed-forward neural network and artificial neural network models, respectively. This research contributes to advancing accurate and efficient forecasting methods for PV power output, thereby enhancing the reliability and stability of power systems.
Optimizing Pneumonia Diagnosis Using RCGAN-CTL: A Strategy for Small or Limited Imaging Datasets
Authors: Han Ke , He Shuai , Yu Yue
Published: March 2024

In response to the urgent need for efficient pneumonia diagnosis—a significant health challenge that has been intensified during the COVID-19 era—this study introduces the RCGAN-CTL model. This innovative approach combines a coupled generative adversarial network (GAN) with relativistic and conditional discriminators to optimize performance in contexts with limited data resources. It significantly enhances the efficacy of small or incomplete datasets through the integration of synthetic images generated by an advanced RCGAN. Rigorous evaluations using a wide range of lung X-ray images validate the model’s effectiveness. In binary classification tasks that differentiate between normal and pneumonia cases, RCGAN-CTL demonstrates exceptional accuracy, exceeding 99%, with an area under the curve (AUC) of around 95%. Its capabilities extend to a complex triple classification task, accurately distinguishing between normal, viral pneumonia, and bacterial pneumonia, with precision scores of 89.9%, 95.5%, and 90.5%, respectively. A notable improvement in sensitivity further evidences the model’s robustness. Comprehensive validation underscores RCGAN-CTL’s superior accuracy and reliability in both binary and triple classification scenarios. This advancement is pivotal for enhancing deep learning applications in medical diagnostics, presenting a significant tool in addressing the challenges of pneumonia diagnosis, a key concern in contemporary healthcare.
Calculation Method of the Phase Recovery of Gas Cap Reservoir with Bottom Water
Authors: Li Mingzhe , Zhang Yizhong , Zhang Maolin , Ju Bin , Yang Long , Guo Xu
Published: March 2024

In gas cap reservoirs underlain by bottom water, the connection between the reservoir and the aquifer leads to an increasing invasion of bottom water as reservoir development progresses. The average formation pressure of the reservoir will change, and the separated phase recovery of the gas cap reservoir with bottom water will be affected by the change in the average formation pressure. The traditional average formation pressure calculation formulas do not consider the water influx, so the accurate calculation of separated recovery cannot be obtained by those calculation methods. The development of gas cap reservoirs with bottom water presents several challenges, including the simultaneous production of oil and gas, undetermined rates of bottom water influx, and uncertain formation pressure and gas-to-oil ratios. These factors contribute to substantial discrepancies between theoretical calculations and actual observations. A more accurate and comprehensive approach is required to address these issues and enable a precise determination of the phase separated recovery in gas cap reservoirs with bottom water. The volume-deficit method is integrated with the Fetkovich quasi-steady state method for water influx. The water-influx prediction is incorporated into the material balance equation, which is further refined by introducing the Fetkovich model to enhance the estimation of the average formation pressure. The average formation pressure, once determined, is utilized in conjunction with the established relationships among this pressure, surface oil production, gas production, and the dissolved gas–oil ratio. Through the application of mass conservation principles, the varying degree of phase recovery, as influenced by fluctuations in the average formation pressure, is calculated. The precision of this refined method has been validated by a comparison with outcomes generated by simulation software. The results reveal a commendable accuracy: an error in the average formation pressure calculation is found to be merely 2.61%, while the errors in recovery degrees for gas cap gas, dissolved gas, and oil-rim oil are recorded at 2.73%, 2.94%, and 1.28%, respectively. These minor discrepancies indicate a good level of consistency and affirm the reliability of this advanced methodology, as demonstrated by passive assessments. This paper provides a method to accurately calculate the phase recovery without some oil- and gas-production data, which provides accurate data support for the actual production evaluation and subsequent development measures.
The Oneiro- and the Hagio-: Teaching about Dreams from the Standpoint of Comparative Hagiology
Authors: Jensen Christopher
Published: March 2024

This paper explores the potentially fruitful interplay between a set of practical and theoretical approaches developed to teach post-secondary students about accounts of dreams and of exemplars, in cases where these phenomena have been deemed significant by specific religious discourse communities. Incorporating insights from his participation in the Comparative Hagiology group, the author suggests—in particular—that the expanded perspective on hagiography proposed by Rondolino, Hollander, and others can serve as a fruitful vantage from which to survey both of these phenomena in the classroom, revealing some intriguing correspondences between them. The author concludes by proposing some ways that the comparative hagiological classroom could be a particularly productive learning environment, and one that directly addresses some of the challenges of contemporary post-secondary education (from both the instructors’ and students’ perspectives).
Harmony or Discordance between Sacramental and Liturgical Theology?
Authors: Acedo Moreno Luz Imelda
Published: March 2024

This paper aims to show a way of approximating between liturgical studies and sacramental theology, trying to undo a too formal separation between the two sciences. The paramount cause is to be found at the request of Sacrosanctum Concilium, starting from the link between the two to achieve a greater and more fruitful participation of those faithful to the sacraments. In the words of Card. Ratzinger, this request has not been fully met. The dichotomy and relationship between the notions of theoria and praxis in both sciences are presented as the need for a solid foundation or philosophical frame of reference with a metaphysical or realistic background, attending to the problems raised by the International Theological Commission in the document on “The Reciprocity between Faith and Sacraments in the Sacramental Economy” (1999). The pathway is open, some solutions are proposed, and an attempt is made to show the importance of this subject for the understanding of man himself and his Christian life.
Ice Thickness Assessment of Non-Freshwater Lakes in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau Based on Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Borne Ice-Penetrating Radar: A Case Study of Qinghai Lake and Gahai Lake
Authors: Jin Huian , Yao Xiaojun , Wei Qixin , Zhou Sugang , Zhang Yuan , Chen Jie , Yu Zhipeng
Published: March 2024

Ice thickness has a significant effect on the physical and biogeochemical processes of a lake, and it is an integral focus of research in the field of ice engineering. The Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, known as the Third Pole of the world, contains numerous lakes. Compared with some information, such as the area, water level, and ice phenology of its lakes, the ice thickness of these lakes remains poorly understood. In this study, we used an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a 400/900 MHz ice-penetrating radar to detect the ice thickness of Qinghai Lake and Gahai Lake. Two observation fields were established on the western side of Qinghai Lake and Gahai Lake in January 2019 and January 2021, respectively. Based on the in situ ice thickness and the propagation time of the radar, the accuracy of the ice thickness measurements of these two non-freshwater lakes was comprehensively assessed. The results indicate that pre-processed echo images from the UAV-borne ice-penetrating radar identified non-freshwater lake ice, and we were thus able to accurately calculate the propagation time of radar waves through the ice. The average dielectric constants of Qinghai Lake and Gahai Lake were 4.3 and 4.6, respectively. This means that the speed of the radar waves that propagated through the ice of the non-freshwater lake was lower than that of the radio waves that propagated through the freshwater lake. The antenna frequency of the radar also had an impact on the accuracy of ice thickness modeling. The RMSEs were 0.034 m using the 400 MHz radar and 0.010 m using the 900 MHz radar. The radar with a higher antenna frequency was shown to provide greater accuracy in ice thickness monitoring, but the control of the UAV’s altitude and speed should be addressed.
MVP-Stereo: A Parallel Multi-View Patchmatch Stereo Method with Dilation Matching for Photogrammetric Application
Authors: Yan Qingsong , Kang Junhua , Xiao Teng , Liu Haibing , Deng Fei
Published: March 2024

Multi-view stereo plays an important role in 3D reconstruction but suffers from low reconstruction efficiency and has difficulties reconstructing areas with low or repeated textures. To address this, we propose MVP-Stereo, a novel multi-view parallel patchmatch stereo method. MVP-Stereo employs two key techniques. First, MVP-Stereo utilizes multi-view dilated ZNCC to handle low texture and repeated texture by dynamically adjusting the matching window size based on image variance and using a portion of pixels to calculate matching costs without increasing computational complexity. Second, MVP-Stereo leverages multi-scale parallel patchmatch to reconstruct the depth map for each image in a highly efficient manner, which is implemented by CUDA with random initialization, multi-scale parallel spatial propagation, random refinement, and the coarse-to-fine strategy. Experiments on the Strecha dataset, the ETH3D benchmark, and the UAV dataset demonstrate that MVP-Stereo can achieve competitive reconstruction quality compared to state-of-the-art methods with the highest reconstruction efficiency. For example, MVP-Stereo outperforms COLMAP in reconstruction quality by around 30% of reconstruction time, and achieves around 90% of the quality of ACMMP and SD-MVS in only around 20% of the time. In summary, MVP-Stereo can efficiently reconstruct high-quality point clouds and meet the requirements of several photogrammetric applications, such as emergency relief, infrastructure inspection, and environmental monitoring.
A Single Data Extraction Algorithm for Oblique Photographic Data Based on the U-Net
Authors: Wang Shaohua , Li Xiao , Lin Liming , Lu Hao , Jiang Ying , Zhang Ning , Wang Wenda , Yue Jianwei , Li Ziqiong
Published: March 2024

In the automated modeling generated by oblique photography, various terrains cannot be physically distinguished individually within the triangulated irregular network (TIN). To utilize the data representing individual features, such as a single building, a process of building monomer construction is required to identify and extract these distinct parts. This approach aids subsequent analyses by focusing on specific entities, mitigating interference from complex scenes. A deep convolutional neural network is constructed, combining U-Net and ResNeXt architectures. The network takes as input both digital orthophoto map (DOM) and oblique photography data, effectively extracting the polygonal footprints of buildings. Extraction accuracy among different algorithms is compared, with results indicating that the ResNeXt-based network achieves the highest intersection over union (IOU) for building segmentation, reaching 0.8255. The proposed “dynamic virtual monomer” technique binds the extracted vector footprints dynamically to the original oblique photography surface through rendering. This enables the selective representation and querying of individual buildings. Empirical evidence demonstrates the effectiveness of this technique in interactive queries and spatial analysis. The high level of automation and excellent accuracy of this method can further advance the application of oblique photography data in 3D urban modeling and geographic information system (GIS) analysis.
Downscale Inversion of Soil Moisture during Vegetation Growth Period in Ebinur Lake Watershed
Authors: Xiao Hongzhi , Wang Jinjie , Ding Jianli , Li Xiang , Chen Keyu
Published: March 2024

Soil moisture content is an important measure of soil health, and high-precision soil moisture trend analysis is essential for understanding regional ecological quality in the context of climate change, flood monitoring, and water cycle processes. However, in the arid regions of Central Asia, where data are severely lacking, obtaining high-spatial-resolution, continuous soil moisture data is difficult due to the scarcity of stations. Moreover, because soil moisture is easily affected by evaporation time, surface morphology, and anthropogenic factors, mature theoretical models or empirical or semiempirical models to measure soil moisture are also lacking. To investigate the distribution and trend of soil moisture in the Ebinur Lake water, in this study, microwave remote sensing and visible remote sensing data were selected as inputs, and the Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS-2.2) data products were downscaled using the GTWR model, which increased the spatial scale from 27,830 m × 27,830 m to 30 m × 30 m. The phenomena involved in the soil moisture change cycle, spatial distribution, temporal variation, and internal randomness distance were analyzed in the study area through wavelet analysis, Theil–Sen trend analysis, the Mann–Kendall (MK) test, and a variogram. This study obtained high-resolution continuous soil moisture data in the arid and data-scarce region in Central Asia, thus broadening the field of multisource remote sensing analysis and providing a theoretical basis for the construction of precision agriculture in northwest China.