bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hypotensive and Cardioprotective Potential of Yellow Bedstraw Extract-Based Oral Liquid in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Bradic Jovana , Petrovic Anica , Kocovic Aleksandar , Mitrovic Slobodanka , Jakovljevic Vladimir , Lazarevic Nevena , Bolevich Sergey , Simanic Igor
Published: July 2024

This study aimed to prepare, characterize and assess the antioxidant activity of yellow bedstraw extracts (YBEs), focusing on identifying extracts with high antioxidant capacity. The selected extract was loaded into an oral liquid formulation and further investigated for its therapeutic potential in reducing blood pressure and associated complications in spontaneously hypertensive Wistar kyoto rats (SHR). Rats were divided into untreated SHR and SHR treated with a YBE-based oral formulation over four weeks. After treatment, blood pressure was measured, and cardiac function was assessed using the Langendorff technique to simulate ex vivo ischemic conditions. Prooxidant levels were assessed in plasma while antioxidant activity was evaluated in red blood cells. Histological analyses of heart, kidney, and liver samples were conducted to assess pathological changes induced by hypertension. Our results showed that the oral formulation loaded with ethanol YBE effectively reduced blood pressure, preserved myocardial function under ischemic stress, and decreased oxidative stress markers in blood. Importantly, our formulation with YBE demonstrated potential in attenuating structural kidney damage associated with hypertension. Overall, these findings suggest a cardioprotective effect of orally administered YBE formulation, highlighting its potential as an herbal supplement. However, clinical studies are warranted to validate these findings and explore the extract’s suitability for clinical use.
A Newly Incompatibility F Replicon Allele (FIB81) in Extensively Drug-Resistant Escherichia coli Isolated from Diseased Broilers
Authors: Ammar Ahmed M. , Abd El-Aziz Norhan K. , Aggour Mohamed G. , Ahmad Adel A. M. , Abdelkhalek Adel , Muselin Florin , Smuleac Laura , Pascalau Raul , Attia Fatma A.
Published: July 2024

Multiple drug resistance (MDR) has gained pronounced attention among Enterobacterales. The transfer of multiple antimicrobial resistance genes, frequently carried on conjugative incompatibility F (IncF) plasmids and facilitating interspecies resistance transmission, has been linked to Salmonella spp. and E. coli in broilers. In Egypt, the growing resistance is exacerbated by the limited clinical efficacy of many antimicrobials. In this study, IncF groups were screened and characterized in drug-resistant Salmonella spp. and E. coli isolated from broilers. The antimicrobial resistance profile, PCR-based replicon typing of bacterial isolates pre- and post-plasmid curing, and IncF replicon allele sequence typing were investigated. Five isolates of E. coli (5/31; 16.13%) and Salmonella spp. (5/36; 13.89%) were pan-susceptible to the examined antimicrobial agents, and 85.07% of tested isolates were MDR and extensively drug-resistant (XDR). Twelve MDR and XDR E. coli and Salmonella spp. isolates were examined for the existence of IncF replicons (FII, FIA, and FIB). They shared resistance to ampicillin, ampicillin/sulbactam, amoxicillin/clavulanate, doxycycline, cefotaxime, and colistin. All isolates carried from one to two IncF replicons. The FII-FIA-FIB+ and FII-FIA+FIB- were the predominant replicon patterns. FIB was the most frequently detected replicon after plasmid curing. Three XDR E. coli isolates that were resistant to 12–14 antimicrobials carried a newly FIB replicon allele with four nucleotide substitutions: C99→A, G112→T, C113→T, and G114→A. These findings suggest that broilers are a significant reservoir of IncF replicons with highly divergent IncF-FIB plasmid incompatibility groups circulating among XDR Enterobacterales. Supporting these data with additional comprehensive epidemiological studies involving replicons other than the IncF can provide insights for implementing efficient policies to prevent the spreading of new replicons to humans.
A Review of Probe-Based Enrichment Methods to Inform Plant Virus Diagnostics
Authors: Farrall Thomas , Brawner Jeremy , Dinsdale Adrian , Kehoe Monica
Published: July 2024

Modern diagnostic techniques based on DNA sequence similarity are currently the gold standard for the detection of existing and emerging pathogens. Whilst individual assays are inexpensive to use, assay development is costly and carries risks of not being sensitive or specific enough to capture an increasingly diverse range of targets. Sequencing can provide the entire nucleic acid content of a sample and may be used to identify all pathogens present in the sample when the depth of coverage is sufficient. Targeted enrichment techniques have been used to increase sequence coverage and improve the sensitivity of detection within virus samples, specifically, to capture sequences for a range of different viruses or increase the number of reads from low-titre virus infections. Vertebrate viruses have been well characterised using in-solution hybridisation capture to target diverse virus families. The use of probes for genotyping and strain identification has been limited in plants, and uncertainty around sensitivity is an impediment to the development of a large-scale virus panel to use within regulatory settings and diagnostic pipelines. This review aims to compare significant studies that have used targeted enrichment of viruses to identify approaches to probe design and potential for use in plant virus detection and characterisation.
Carbon Source and Substrate Surface Affect Biofilm Formation by the Plant-Associated Bacterium Pseudomonas donghuensis P482
Authors: Rajewska Magdalena , Maciąg Tomasz , Narajczyk Magdalena , Jafra Sylwia
Published: July 2024

The ability of bacteria to colonize diverse environmental niches is often linked to their competence in biofilm formation. It depends on the individual characteristics of a strain, the nature of the colonized surface (abiotic or biotic), or the availability of certain nutrients. Pseudomonas donghuensis P482 efficiently colonizes the rhizosphere of various plant hosts, but a connection between plant tissue colonization and the biofilm formation ability of this strain has not yet been established. We demonstrate here that the potential of P482 to form biofilms on abiotic surfaces and the structural characteristics of the biofilm are influenced by the carbon source available to the bacterium, with glycerol promoting the process. Also, the type of substratum, polystyrene or glass, impacts the ability of P482 to attach to the surface. Moreover, P482 mutants in genes associated with motility or chemotaxis, the synthesis of polysaccharides, and encoding proteases or regulatory factors, which affect biofilm formation on glass, were fully capable of colonizing the root tissue of both tomato and maize hosts. Investigating the role of cellular factors in biofilm formation using these plant-associated bacteria shows that the ability of bacteria to form biofilm on abiotic surfaces does not necessarily mirror its ability to colonize plant tissues. Our research provides a broader perspective on the adaptation of these bacteria to various environments.
Epigenetics of Skeletal Muscle Atrophy
Authors: Du Jiacheng , Wu Qian , Bae Eun Ju
Published: July 2024

Skeletal muscle atrophy, characterized by diminished muscle strength and mass, arises from various causes, including malnutrition, aging, nerve damage, and disease-related secondary atrophy. Aging markedly escalates the prevalence of sarcopenia. Concurrently, the incidence of muscle atrophy significantly rises among patients with chronic ailments such as heart failure, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Epigenetics plays a pivotal role in skeletal muscle atrophy. Aging elevates methylation levels in the promoter regions of specific genes within muscle tissues. This aberrant methylation is similarly observed in conditions like diabetes, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. This study aims to explore the relationship between epigenetics and skeletal muscle atrophy, thereby enhancing the understanding of its pathogenesis and uncovering novel therapeutic strategies.
In Vitro Biocompatibility Assessment of Bioengineered PLA-Hydrogel Core–Shell Scaffolds with Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Bone Regeneration
Authors: Re Federica , Sartore Luciana , Pasini Chiara , Ferroni Matteo , Borsani Elisa , Pandini Stefano , Bianchetti Andrea , Almici Camillo , Giugno Lorena , Bresciani Roberto , Mutti Silvia , Trenta Federica , Bernardi Simona , Farina Mirko , Russo Domenico
Published: July 2024

Human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs), whether used alone or together with three-dimensional scaffolds, are the best-studied postnatal stem cells in regenerative medicine. In this study, innovative composite scaffolds consisting of a core–shell architecture were seeded with bone-marrow-derived hMSCs (BM-hMSCs) and tested for their biocompatibility and remarkable capacity to promote and support bone regeneration and mineralization. The scaffolds were prepared by grafting three different amounts of gelatin–chitosan (CH) hydrogel into a 3D-printed polylactic acid (PLA) core (PLA-CH), and the mechanical and degradation properties were analyzed. The BM-hMSCs were cultured in the scaffolds with the presence of growth medium (GM) or osteogenic medium (OM) with differentiation stimuli in combination with fetal bovine serum (FBS) or human platelet lysate (hPL). The primary objective was to determine the viability, proliferation, morphology, and spreading capacity of BM-hMSCs within the scaffolds, thereby confirming their biocompatibility. Secondly, the BM-hMSCs were shown to differentiate into osteoblasts and to facilitate scaffold mineralization. This was evinced by a positive Von Kossa result, the modulation of differentiation markers (osteocalcin and osteopontin), an expression of a marker of extracellular matrix remodeling (bone morphogenetic protein-2), and collagen I. The results of the energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS) clearly demonstrate the presence of calcium and phosphorus in the samples that were incubated in OM, in the presence of FBS and hPL, but not in GM. The chemical distribution maps of calcium and phosphorus indicate that these elements are co-localized in the same areas of the sections, demonstrating the formation of hydroxyapatite. In conclusion, our findings show that the combination of BM-hMSCs and PLA-CH, regardless of the amount of hydrogel content, in the presence of differentiation stimuli, can provide a construct with enhanced osteogenicity for clinically relevant bone regeneration.
Advancing Offshore Renewable Energy: Integrative Approaches in Floating Offshore Wind Turbine-Oscillating Water Column Systems Using Artificial Intelligence-Driven Regressive Modeling and Proportional-Integral-Derivative Control
Authors: Ahmad Irfan , M’zoughi Fares , Aboutalebi Payam , Garrido Aitor J. , Garrido Izaskun
Published: July 2024

This research investigates the integration of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines (FOWTs) with Oscillating Water Columns (OWCs) to enhance sustainable energy generation, focusing on addressing dynamic complexities and uncertainties inherent in such systems. The novelty of this study lies in its dual approach, which integrates regressive modeling with an aero-hydro-elasto-servo-mooring coupled system with a deep data-driven network and implements a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control mechanism to improve system stability. By employing Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), the study circumvents the challenges of real-time closed-loop control on FOWT structures using the OpenFAST simulation tool. Data-driven models, trained on OpenFAST datasets, facilitate real-time predictive behavior analysis and decision-making. Advanced computational learning techniques, particularly ANNs, accurately replicate the dynamics of FOWT-OWC numerical models. An intelligent PID control mechanism is subsequently applied to mitigate structural vibrations, ensuring effective control. A comparative analysis with traditional barge-based FOWT systems underscores the enhanced modeling and control methodologies’ effectiveness. In this sense, the experimental results demonstrate substantial reductions in the mean oscillation amplitude, with reductions from 5% to 35% observed across various scenarios. Specifically, at a wave period from 20 s and a wind speed of 5 m/s, the fore-aft displacement was reduced by 35%, exemplifying the PID control system’s robustness and efficacy under diverse conditions. This study highlights the potential of ANN-driven modeling as an alternative to managing the complex non-linear dynamics of NREL 5 MW FOWT models and underscores the significant improvements in system stability through tailored PID gain scheduling across various operational scenarios.
Habitat Prediction of Bigeye Tuna Based on Multi-Feature Fusion of Heterogenous Remote-Sensing Data
Authors: Han Yanling , Wang Xiaotong , He Haiyang , Wang Jing , Zhang Yun
Published: July 2024

Accurate habitat prediction of Bigeye Tuna, the main fishing target of tuna pelagic fishery, is of great significance to the fishing operation. In response to the fact that most of the current studies use single-source data for habitat prediction, and the association between spatiotemporal features and habitat distribution is not fully explored and that this has limited the further improvement of prediction accuracy, this paper analyzes the spatiotemporal distribution of the characteristics of Bigeye Tuna’s highly migratory nature. Additionally, it puts forward a method of habitat prediction that utilizes heterosource remote-sensing data for the four-dimensional time–space–environment–spectrum (TSES) for deep-level feature extraction. First, a multi-source heterogeneous dataset was constructed by combining the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of the product-level environmental remote-sensing data and the L1B-level original spectral remote-sensing data, and then a multi-branch, dynamic spatiotemporal feature extraction, Long Short-Term Memory Network (LSTM) time-series model was constructed to extract the characteristics of the heterogeneous data. This model was constructed to fully explore and utilize the multidimensional deep-level TSES distribution features affecting the habitat prediction. Finally, the two types of heterogeneous data were subjected to the weighted average-based decision-level fusion to obtain the final prediction results. The experimental results show that compared with other methods, the proposed method in this paper outperforms traditional machine-learning models and other single-source, data-based time-series models, with R2 reaching 0.96278 and RMSE decreasing to 0.031361 in the validation experiments of these models. In contrast, the method in this paper demonstrates good generalization ability and achieves accurate prediction of future fishery distribution.
What Formal Approaches to Syntactic Interfaces Can Tell Us about the Syntax of Preverbal and Prenominal Constituents in Galician
Authors: Gupton Timothy , Gravely Brian
Published: July 2024

An important line of research within a generative, formal approach to syntax in the early 21st century has centered on exploring phenomena related to the interface between syntax and other linguistic modules in human language. In this paper, we review the notion of interfaces and how they have been viewed within formal theoretical approaches to monolingual and bilignual competence and language acquistion, noting their relevance as they relate to language acquisition and bilingualism in the context of Galicia (Spain). We review a selection of Noun Phrase (NP) structures that implicate a syntactic interface: subject position, clitic directionality, and determiner clitic allomorphy. We provide a review of the relevant literature and the theoretical issues of interest as they relate to our understanding of these syntactic interfaces, reporting on our current theoretical understandings, persistent questions, and our view of the path forward as it relates to linguistic research on the Galician language.
Tribological Research of Resin Composites with the Fillers of Glass Powder and Micro-Bubbles
Authors: Padgurskas Juozas , Vilčinskas Vitoldas , Rashyid Muhammad Ibnu , Muflikhun Muhammad Akhsin , Rukuiža Raimundas , Selskienė Aušra
Published: July 2024

This study investigates the tribological properties of resin composites reinforced with the fillers of glass powder and micro-bubbles. Resin composites were prepared with varying concentrations from 1% to 5% wt of fillers. Tribological tests were conducted using a block-on-ring scheme under dry friction conditions. The measurements of friction coefficient and wear values were performed under variable rotation speeds and loading conditions. The study showed that resin composites with 2–3% glass powder fillers and resin composites with 3–4% micro-bubbles exhibited optimal tribological properties. The resin glass powder modifications reduce the wear by 63% and resin micro-bubbles reduce wear by 32%. SEM analysis of the surfaces revealed surface imperfections and structural damage mechanisms, including abrasive and fatigue wear. The study concludes that specific filler concentrations improve the friction and wear resistance of resin composites, highlighting the importance of material preparation and surface quality in tribological performance. The increased wear resistance on both composites would hopefully expand the usage of additive manufactured composite, namely industrial moving components such as polymer gear, wheel, pulley, etc.
Effects of Thermocycling with Two Different Curing Techniques on Enamel Micro-Cracks Formation, Debonding, and Failure Modes of Ceramic Brackets: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Qali Mohammad , Alsulaimani Lujain , Alamer Nora , Alghamdi Faisal , Alhazmi Anwar , Masoud Ahmed
Published: July 2024

Despite the rise in popularity of ceramic braces for adults, the risk of enamel microcracks (EMCs) upon removal remains a significant drawback for both dental professionals and patients. Our study aimed to assess the effects of thermocycling, pre-curing, and co-curing techniques with different bonding agents on the enamel surface of teeth after the removal of ceramic brackets. We also examined the incidence, quantity, length, and direction of EMCs on tooth surfaces. Additionally, the adhesive remnant index (ARI) scores and orthodontic bracket bond failure modes were evaluated and compared. The study divided 40 extracted upper canine teeth into ten groups for further analysis. Two groups had intact enamel as the negative control, while the remaining groups had orthodontic ceramic brackets bonded using different bonding agents and curing techniques. Thermocycling was performed in five groups, and ARI was assessed after debonding. The study findings were statistically significant (p < 0.05) in demonstrating the impact of curing techniques on EMCs and debonding outcomes. Seventh-generation bonding agents resulted in complete adhesive removal (ARI = 0). The microcracks’ incidence, number, and length showed insignificant results. Differences in ARI between thermocycler and non-thermocycler samples were insignificant. Both co-curing and pre-curing techniques yielded comparable ARI results. This study highlights the importance of using advanced bonding agents to minimize enamel damage during ceramic bracket debonding.
Effect of Pressure on Ce-Substituted Nd-Fe-B Hot-Deformed Magnets in the Hot-Pressing Process
Authors: Jang Ye Ryeong , Kim Wonjin , Kim Sumin , Lee Wooyoung
Published: July 2024

With the increasing demand for Nd-Fe-B magnets across various applications, the cost-effective substitution of Ce has garnered significant interest. Many studies have been conducted to achieve the high magnetic properties of Nd-Ce-Fe-B hot deformation magnets in which Nd is replaced with Ce. We propose a method to improve magnetic properties of the Ce-substituted Nd-Ce-Fe-B hot-deformed magnets by optimizing the hot-pressing process. This study investigates the microstructure and properties following hot deformation of Ce-substituted Nd-Ce-Fe-B magnets fabricated at a constant temperature and different pressures (100–300 MPa) during the hot-pressing process. The results highlight the influence of pressure from previous hot-pressing processes on grain alignment and microstructure during hot deformation. Magnets subjected to hot pressing at 200 MPa followed by hot deformation achieved superior magnetic properties, with Hci = 8.9 kOe, Br = 12.2 kG, and (BH)max = 31 MGOe with 40% of Nd replaced with Ce. Conversely, precursors prepared at 100 MPa exhibited low density due to high porosity, resulting in poor microstructure and magnetic properties after hot deformation. In magnets using precursors prepared at 300 MPa, coarsened grains and a condensed h-RE2O3 phase were observed. Incorporating Ce into the magnets led to insufficient formation of RE-rich phases due to the emergence of REFe2 secondary phases, disrupting grain alignment and hindering the homogeneous distribution of the RE-rich phase essential for texture formation. Precursors prepared under suitable pressure exhibited uniform distribution of the RE-rich phase, enhancing grain alignment along the c-axis and improving magnetic properties, particularly remanence. In conclusion, our findings present a strategy for achieving the ideal microstructure and magnetic properties of hot-deformed magnets with high Ce contents.
Application of Large Language Models and Assessment of Their Ship-Handling Theory Knowledge and Skills for Connected Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships
Authors: Pei Dashuai , He Jianhua , Liu Kezhong , Chen Mozi , Zhang Shengkai
Published: July 2024

Maritime transport plays a critical role in global logistics. Compared to road transport, the pace of research and development is much slower for maritime transport. It faces many major challenges, such as busy ports, long journeys, significant accidents, and greenhouse gas emissions. The problems have been exacerbated by recent regional conflicts and increasing international shipping demands. Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASSs) are widely regarded as a promising solution to addressing maritime transport problems with improved safety and efficiency. With advanced sensing and path-planning technologies, MASSs can autonomously understand environments and navigate without human intervention. However, the complex traffic and water conditions and the corner cases are large barriers in the way of MASSs being practically deployed. In this paper, to address the above issues, we investigated the application of Large Language Models (LLMs), which have demonstrated strong generalization abilities. Given the substantial computational demands of LLMs, we propose a framework for LLM-assisted navigation in connected MASSs. In this framework, LLMs are deployed onshore or in remote clouds, to facilitate navigation and provide guidance services for MASSs. Additionally, certain large oceangoing vessels can deploy LLMs locally, to obtain real-time navigation recommendations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to apply LLMs to assist with ship navigation. Specifically, MASSs transmit assistance requests to LLMs, which then process these requests and return assistance guidance. A crucial aspect, which has not been investigated in the literature, of this safety-critical LLM-assisted guidance system is the knowledge and safety performance of the LLMs, in regard to ship handling, navigation rules, and skills. To assess LLMs’ knowledge of navigation rules and their qualifications for navigation assistance systems, we designed and conducted navigation theory tests for LLMs, which consisted of more than 1500 multiple-choice questions. These questions were similar to the official theory exams that are used to award the Officer Of the Watch (OOW) certificate based on the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) for Seafarers. A wide range of LLMs were tested, which included commercial ones from OpenAI and Baidu and an open-source one called ChatGLM, from Tsinghua. Our experimental results indicated that among all the tested LLMs, only GPT-4o passed the tests, with an accuracy of 86%. This suggests that, while the current LLMs possess significant potential in regard to navigation and guidance systems for connected MASSs, further improvements are needed.
Customized Bus Stop Location Model Based on Dual Population Adaptive Immune Algorithm
Authors: Yuan Tengfei , Liu Hongjie , Wang Yawen , Yang Fengrui , Gu Qinyue , Wang Yizeng
Published: July 2024

Selecting optimal locations for customized bus stops is crucial for enhancing the adoption rate of customized bus services, reducing operational costs, and, consequently, mitigating traffic congestion. This study leverages ride-hailing data to analyze the distance between passengers and bus stops, as well as the operational costs associated with establishing these stops, to construct a customized bus stop location model. To address the limited local search capability of conventional immune algorithms, we propose a Dual Population Adaptive Immunity Algorithm (DPAIA) to solve the bus stop location problem. Finally, we conduct simulation experiments using passenger travel data from a ride-hailing company in Chengdu to evaluate the proposed customized bus stop location model. Through simulations with Chengdu ride-hailing data, the DPAIA algorithm minimized the weighted cost to CNY 28.95 ten thousand, outperforming all counterparts. Although proposing 9–11 more stops than competitors, this increase slightly impacts costs while markedly reducing passenger walking distances. Optimizing station placement to meet demand and road networks, our model endorses 50 strategic bus stops, enhancing service accessibility and potentially easing urban congestion while boosting operator profits.
Organized Optimization Integration Validation Model for Internet of Things (IoT)-Based Real-Time Applications
Authors: Alghuried Abdullah , Alghuson Moahd Khaled , Alahmari Turki S. , Abuhasel Khaled Ali
Published: July 2024

Emerging technology like the Internet of Things (IoT) has great potential for use in real time in many areas, including healthcare, agriculture, logistics, manufacturing, and environmental surveillance. Many obstacles exist alongside the most popular IoT applications and services. The quality of representation, modeling, and resource projection is enhanced through interactive devices/interfaces when IoT is integrated with real-time applications. The architecture has become the most significant obstacle due to the absence of standards for IoT technology. Essential considerations while building IoT architecture include safety, capacity, privacy, data processing, variation, and resource management. High levels of complexity minimization necessitate active application pursuits with variable execution times and resource management demands. This article introduces the Organized Optimization Integration Validation Model (O2IVM) to address these issues. This model exploits k-means clustering to identify complexities over different IoT application integrations. The harmonized service levels are grouped as a single entity to prevent additional complexity demands. In this clustering, the centroids avoid lags of validation due to non-optimized classifications. Organized integration cases are managed using centroid deviation knowledge to reduce complexity lags. This clustering balances integration levels, non-complex processing, and time-lagging integrations from different real-time levels. Therefore, the cluster is dissolved and reformed for further integration-level improvements. The volatile (non-clustered/grouped) integrations are utilized in the consecutive centroid changes for learning. The proposed model’s performance is validated using the metrics of execution time, complexity, and time lag.
Optimization of Predefined-Time Agent-Scheduling Strategy Based on PPO
Authors: Qi Dingding , Zhao Yingjun , Li Longyue , Jia Zhanxiao
Published: July 2024

In this paper, we introduce an agent rescue scheduling approach grounded in proximal policy optimization, coupled with a singularity-free predefined-time control strategy. The primary objective of this methodology is to bolster the efficiency and precision of rescue missions. Firstly, we have designed an evaluation function closely related to the average flying distance of agents, which provides a quantitative benchmark for assessing different scheduling schemes and assists in optimizing the allocation of rescue resources. Secondly, we have developed a scheduling strategy optimization method using the Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) algorithm. This method can automatically learn and adjust scheduling strategies to adapt to complex rescue environments and varying task demands. The evaluation function provides crucial feedback signals for the PPO algorithm, ensuring that the algorithm can precisely adjust the scheduling strategies to achieve optimal results. Thirdly, aiming to attain stability and precision in agent navigation to designated positions, we formulate a singularity-free predefined-time fuzzy adaptive tracking control strategy. This approach dynamically modulates control parameters in reaction to external disturbances and uncertainties, thus ensuring the precise arrival of agents at their destinations within the predefined time. Finally, to substantiate the validity of our proposed approach, we crafted a simulation environment in Python 3.7, engaging in a comparative analysis between the PPO and the other optimization method, Deep Q-network (DQN), utilizing the variation in reward values as the benchmark for evaluation.
A Noisy Sample Selection Framework Based on a Mixup Loss and Recalibration Strategy
Authors: Zhang Qian , Yu De , Zhou Xinru , Gong Hanmeng , Li Zheng , Liu Yiming , Shao Ruirui
Published: July 2024

Deep neural networks (DNNs) have achieved breakthrough progress in various fields, largely owing to the support of large-scale datasets with manually annotated labels. However, obtaining such datasets is costly and time-consuming, making high-quality annotation a challenging task. In this work, we propose an improved noisy sample selection method, termed “sample selection framework”, based on a mixup loss and recalibration strategy (SMR). This framework enhances the robustness and generalization abilities of models. First, we introduce a robust mixup loss function to pre-train two models with identical structures separately. This approach avoids additional hyperparameter adjustments and reduces the need for prior knowledge of noise types. Additionally, we use a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) to divide the entire training set into labeled and unlabeled subsets, followed by robust training using semi-supervised learning (SSL) techniques. Furthermore, we propose a recalibration strategy based on cross-entropy (CE) loss to prevent the models from converging to local optima during the SSL process, thus further improving performance. Ablation experiments on CIFAR-10 with 50% symmetric noise and 40% asymmetric noise demonstrate that the two modules introduced in this paper improve the accuracy of the baseline (i.e., DivideMix) by 1.5% and 0.5%, respectively. Moreover, the experimental results on multiple benchmark datasets demonstrate that our proposed method effectively mitigates the impact of noisy labels and significantly enhances the performance of DNNs on noisy datasets. For instance, on the WebVision dataset, our method improves the top-1 accuracy by 0.7% and 2.4% compared to the baseline method.
Odontoma Recurrence. The Importance of Radiographic Controls: Case Report with a 7-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Alarcón Apablaza Josefa , Muñoz Gonzalo , Arriagada Carlos , Bucchi Cristina , Masuko Telma S. , Fuentes Ramón
Published: July 2024

Odontomas are benign tumors characterized by slow and limited growth with a rare recurrence. Odontomas are generally detected by radiographic findings in the radiopaque stage, where calcification of the tissues is observed. This article seeks to report the recurrence of a radiologically diagnosed odontoma to show the importance of radiographic controls after enucleation as a diagnostic and follow-up method. Case report: A female patient, 9 years old, attended dental care in 2020 due to malpositioned teeth. In the intraoral clinical examination, she presented stage II mixed dentition with crowding. A radiographic exam showed no associated lesions. The patient reported a history of odontoma removal and a supernumerary tooth in sextant II in 2016. Subsequently, she was referred to orthodontics, where permanent dentition with moderate anterior crowding in the maxilla and mandible was observed. The radiographic examination showed a radiopaque area compatible with odontoma, palatal to teeth 12 and 13. Conclusions: Although recurrence is rare, complete removal in the case of an odontoma is critical. This study demonstrates the importance of performing radiographic controls 5 years after enucleation of an odontoma, considering the stages of evolution.
Removal of Microplastics in a Hybrid Treatment Process of Ceramic Microfiltration and Photocatalyst-Mounted PES Spheres with Air Backwashing
Authors: Song Minjoo , Park Jin Yong
Published: July 2024

Microplastics (MPs), which are defined as plastics with a size of less than 5 mm, cannot be treated completely in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and discharged to a water body because they are too small in size. It has been reported that MPs can have adverse effects on human beings and water ecosystems. There is a need to combine existing drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) and WWTPs with the traditional treatment process and technology with high removal efficiency of MPs or to develop a new technology to separate MPs from water and wastewater. In this study, the effects of MPs (polyethylene (PE), 125 μm) and organic matter (humic acid) were researched in a hybrid treatment process of ceramic microfiltration (MF) and photocatalyst (TiO2)-mounted polyether sulfone (PES) spheres with air backwashing. The roles of the MF, photooxidation, and adsorption of PES spheres were confirmed in a single MF process (MF), an MF process with UV irradiation (MF+UV), MF and PES sphere adsorption without UV irradiation (MF+PES), and a hybrid process incorporating MF and PES spheres with UV irradiation (MF+PES+UV). The impact of the air backwashing cycle (filtration time, FT) on filtration characteristics and treatment efficiencies in the hybrid process was studied. In the MF process, membrane fouling increased with increasing organic matter (HA, humic acid). The treatment efficiency of MPs increased; however, that of dissolved organic matter (DOM) decreased with increasing HA. As MPs increased, the membrane fouling decreased; however, total filtration volume (VT) remained almost constant. The treatment efficiency of MPs increased a little, and that of DOM showed a dropping trend. In the hybrid process, the membrane fouling was controlled via the adsorption and UV photooxidation of the PES spheres, and the DOM treatment efficiency increased by combining processes from MF to MF+PES+UV. The optimal FT was 10 min at BT 10 s in this hybrid process. The results could be applied to separate MPs effectively in DWTPs/WWTPs.
The Brittle Fracture of Iron and Steel and the Sharp Upper Yield Point Are Caused by Cementite Grain Boundary Walls
Authors: Altshuler Thomas L.
Published: July 2024

Brittle fractures of iron and steel above twinning temperatures are caused by cementite grain boundary wall cracks. These were revealed by an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). At temperatures below the ductile–brittle transition (DBT), cracks must propagate longitudinally within cementite walls until the stress is sufficiently high for the cracks to propagate across ferrite grains. Calculations using these concepts correctly predict the stress and temperature at the DBT required for fractures to occur. At temperatures above the DBT for hypoeutectoid ferritic steels, dislocations must fracture the walls transversely. That will permit pent-up dislocations to pass through the fractured region of the walls into the adjoining grains. Subsequently, there is rapid multiplication of dislocations at the opposite side of the walls by emission. This causes a rapid drop in stress toward the lower yield point. Here, the walls completely surround all of the grains. Where the walls are segmented, such as in iron, dislocations can pass around the walls, resulting in a gradual change from elastic to plastic deformation. The Cottrell atmosphere theory of yielding is not supported experimentally. It was the best available until later experiments, including those using the AFM, were performed. Methods are presented here giving yield strength versus temperature and also the parameters for the Hall–Petch and Griffith equations.
Differential Oxidative Stress Management in Industrial Hemp (IH: Cannabis sativa L.) for Fiber under Saline Regimes
Authors: Dixit Naveen
Published: July 2024

In the current study, two commercial industrial hemp (IH) fiber varieties (V1: CFX-2 and V2: Henola) were assessed for their ability to regulate salt-induced oxidative stress metabolism. For 30 days, plants were cultivated in greenhouse environments with five different salinity treatments (0, 50, 80, 100, 150, and 200 mM NaCl). Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), and lipoxygenase (LOX) and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, guaiacol peroxidase (GPOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST)) were assessed in fully expanded leaves. At 200 and 100 mM NaCl concentrations, respectively, 30 days after saline treatment, plants in V1 and V2 did not survive. At 80 mM NaCl, the leaves of V2 showed higher concentrations of H2O2, MDA, and LOX than those of V1. Higher SOD, CAT, GPOD, APX, GR, and GST activity in the leaves of V1 up to 100 mM NaCl resulted in lower levels of H2O2 and MDA. At 80 mM NaCl, V2 demonstrated the total failure of the antioxidant defense mechanism. These results reveal that V1 demonstrated stronger salt tolerance than V2, in part due to better antioxidant metabolism.
Ability of Nicotinamide Riboside to Prevent Muscle Fatigue of Barrows Subjected to a Performance Test
Authors: Hennesy Hanna M. , Gravely Morgan E. , Alambarrio Daniela A. , Brannen Savannah R. , McDonald Jonathan J. , Devane Sarah A. , Turner Kari K. , Stelzleni Alexander M. , O’Quinn Travis G. , Gonzalez John M.
Published: July 2024

The objective of this study was to determine the daily dietary nicotinamide riboside (NR) dose required to maximize the delay of subjective muscle fatigue onset. Barrows (N = 100) were assigned to one of five treatments: a conventional swine finishing diet containing 0 (CON), 15 (15NR), 30 (30NR), 45 (45NR) mg·kg body weight−1·d−1 NR, or CON supplemented with 45 mg·kg body weight−1·d−1 NR by drench or cookie dough (DRE). All treatments were administered for the final 11 days of feeding. On supplementation d 10, barrows individually experienced a performance test at 1.09 m/s until they were subjectively exhausted. Wireless electromyography (EMG) sensors were affixed to the biceps femoris (BF), tensor fascia latae (TFL), and semitendinosus (ST) to measure real-time muscle activity. There were no treatment effects for barrow speed (p = 0.57), a tendency for a treatment effect (p = 0.07) for distance, and a treatment effect (p = 0.04) on time to exhaustion. Barrows of the 15NR and DRE treatments had greater (p = 0.05) distances to exhaustion than CON barrows but did not differ from other NR barrows (p > 0.11). Barrows in the 45NR treatment did not differ (p = 0.11) in distance from 30NR barrows but tended to have a greater (p = 0.07) distance compared to CON barrows. All other treatment comparisons did not differ (p > 0.27). Barrows in the DRE treatment moved for longer (p < 0.01) than CON barrows, but all other treatments did not differ from each other (p > 0.15). There was no treatment × period interaction for all muscles’ root mean square (RMS) values (p > 0.16), but there were Period effects for all muscles (p < 0.01) and a Treatment effect (p = 0.04) in the TFL. For all muscles, period 4 had greater RMS values than all other periods (p < 0.01), who did not differ from each other (p > 0.29). In the TFL, CON barrows had greater RMS values during the performance test compared to all NR treatments (p < 0.02), who did not differ from each other (p > 0.18). Overall, NR demonstrates potential in being a useful tool in fatigue prevention, but efficient administration of the compound needs further investigation.
Comparative Study on the Effect of Pyrophosphate and Tripolyphosphate on the Flotation Separation of Arsenopyrite and Muscovite
Authors: Qian Yunlou , Zhou Mengyao , Zhang Yongde , Safarov Sayfidin , Wang Zhen
Published: July 2024

The aim of the study was to compare the effects and mechanism of tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP) and sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) as dispersants on the selective flotation of arsenopyrite from muscovite. The results of single-mineral flotation showed that the recovery of arsenopyrite was 81.4% when no dispersant was added. The recovery of arsenopyrite slightly decreased with increasing dosage of TSPP. When the dosage of STPP was 6 × 10−5 mol/L, the recovery of arsenopyrite was only 28.6%. Neither of the dispersants had significant influence on the muscovite flotation (<10%). However, in a mixed-mineral system, the recovery of arsenopyrite dropped significantly, and then under the action of dispersants, its recovery back up. The RPM results showed that the dispersion effect of TSPP was superior to that of STPP. The electrokinetic potential showed that the potential change value of muscovite with TSPP was −17.37 mV, while that of muscovite with STPP was −8.33 mV (pH = 8). The adsorption of TSPP onto muscovite was stronger than that of STPP. FTIR and XPS analysis confirmed that dispersants exhibited chemical adsorption with the Al atoms on muscovite and that dispersant STPP exhibited stonger adsorption than TSPP on arsenopyrite, which was consistent with flotation experiments.
Unearthing Egypt’s Golden Legacy: Geophysical Insights and New Opportunities in the Central Eastern Desert
Authors: Kotb Adel , Gaber Gaber M. , Alzahrani Hassan , Okok Abdurraouf , Elkhaliq Mohammed H. Abd , Basheer Alhussein Adham
Published: July 2024

Gold mining in Egypt’s Central Eastern Desert (ECED) has a rich history dating back to the Old Kingdom period. In recent years, there has been renewed interest from international mining companies, and several potential areas for gold mining have been identified. Extensive studies have been conducted on the deposition and occurrence of gold in the region, identifying over 100 areas of deposition. Aeromagnetic and radioactive surveys have played a crucial role in locating gold occurrences in ECED by utilizing data from these techniques to identify potential gold deposits. This study utilized geophysical data, including total aeromagnetic intensity (TM) and radiometric data, to identify hydrothermal zones and locate potential areas of gold occurrence. The radiometric ternary map was used to refine the search for gold deposits. Magnetic data were analyzed using edge detection tools to determine the structural framework of the area, facilitating the identification of regions with a high potential for gold occurrence. By integrating these geophysical datasets, this study provided a comprehensive understanding of the geological features and potential for gold mineralization in the study area. The area is divided into four sections by three shear zones, with high magnetic anomalies observed in the southeastern part. The radiometric data revealed that gold occurrence is associated with hydrothermal alteration zones, identified using the K/Th ratio and radiometric ternary map. However, not all these zones contain gold, and the area’s structure and magnetic suitability must be considered when selecting suitable locations for gold extraction. The study area presents a promising opportunity for gold exploration, with the integration of edge detection and radiometric analysis being crucial in identifying suitable locations for exploration.
Biomimetic Oil-in-Water Nanoemulsions as a Suitable Drug Delivery System to Target Inflamed Endothelial Cells
Authors: Lagreca Elena , Caiazzo Elisabetta , Di Natale Concetta , Mollo Valentina , Vecchione Raffaele , Ialenti Armando , Netti Paolo Antonio
Published: July 2024

Currently, the biomimetic approach of drawing inspiration from nature has frequently been employed in designing drug nanocarriers (NCs) of actively target various diseases, ranging from cancer to neuronal and inflammation pathologies. The cell-membrane coating can confer upon the inner nanomaterials a biological identity and the functions exhibited by the cells from which the membrane is derived. Monocyte- and macrophage-membrane-coated nanomaterials have emerged as an ideal delivery system to target inflamed vasculature. Herein, we developed two biomimetic NCs using a human-derived leukaemia monocytic cell line (THP-1), either undifferentiated or differentiated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) into adherent macrophage-like cells as membrane sources for NC coating. We employed a secondary oil-in-water nano-emulsion (SNE) as the inner core, which served as an optimal NC for high payloads of lipophilic compounds. Two different biomimetic systems were produced, combining the biomimetic features of biological membranes with the physicochemical and nano-sized characteristics of SNEs. These systems were named Monocyte NEsoSome (M-NEsoSome) and Macrophage NEsoSome (M0-NEsoSome). Their uptake ability was investigated in tumour necrosis factor alfa (TNFα)-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), selected as a model of inflamed endothelial cells. The M0 membrane coating demonstrated accelerated internalisation compared with the monocyte coating and notably surpassed the uptake rate of bare NCs. In conclusion, M0-NEsoSome NCs could be a therapeutic system for targeting inflamed endothelial cells and potentially delivering anti-inflammatory drugs in vascular inflammation.
Nanoplastic Contamination in Freshwater Biofilms Using Gel Permeation Chromatography and Plasmonic Nanogold Sensor Approaches
Authors: Roubeau Dumont Eva , Gagné Francois
Published: July 2024

The worldwide contamination of aquatic ecosystems by plastics is raising concern, including their potential impacts on the base of the food chain, which has been poorly documented. This study sought to examine, for the first time, the presence of nanoplastics (NPs) in biofilms from freshwater streams/rivers. They were collected at selected polluted sites, such as the industrial sector for plastic recycling and production, miscellaneous industries, agriculture, municipal wastewaters/effluents and road runoffs. In parallel, the functional properties of sampled biofilms were determined by proteins, lipids, esterase (lipase), viscosity and oxidative stress. The results revealed that biofilms collected at the plastic industries and road runoffs contained the highest NP levels based on size exclusion chromatography, fluorescence detection and a new nanogold sensor visualization method. Examination of the chromatographic elution profiles showed increased abundance and size of NPs in the 10–150 nm size range at the polluted sites. Biofilms from the plastic industry site had elevated levels of aldehydes (oxidative stress) and lipids compared to the other sites. Biofilms collected at the municipal sites had elevated levels of proteins and esterases/lipases, with a decrease in total lipids. Biofilms collected at agriculture sites had the lowest levels of NPs in this campaign, but more samples would be needed to confirm these trends. In conclusion, biofilms represent an important sink for plastics in freshwater environments and display signs of distress upon oxidative stress.