bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transition Cow Nutrition and Management Strategies of Dairy Herds in the Northeastern United States: Associations of Nutritional Strategies with Analytes, Health, Milk Yield, and Reproduction
Authors: Kerwin Allison L. , Burhans Winfield S. , Nydam Daryl V. , Overton Thomas R.
Published: August 2023

The objective was to identify relationships between transition cow nutritional strategies and the prevalence of elevated analytes (nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), and haptoglobin (Hp)), disorder incidence (DI), milk yield, and reproductive performance. Multiparous and primiparous cows from 72 farms in the northeastern US were enrolled in a herd-level cohort study. Farms were dichotomized within parity into a nutritional strategy within each period; far-off: controlled energy (CE; <16.5% starch and ≥40% forage neutral detergent fiber (FNDF)) or not CE (NCE; ≥16.5% starch or <40% FNDF or both), close-up: high FNDF (HF; ≥40% FNDF) or low FNDF (LF; <40% FNDF), and fresh: low starch (LS; <25.5% starch) or high starch (HS; ≥25.5% starch). No evidence existed that transition cow nutritional strategies were associated with milk yield outcomes (p ≥ 0.20). In general, our results support feeding multiparous cows HF close-up and HS fresh to minimize excessive BHB and DI; however, multiparous cows fed LF close-up had a higher pregnancy rate, and lower prepartum NEFA and Hp. Similarly, our results support feeding primiparous cows CE far-off, HF close-up, and HS fresh to maximize reproductive performance, and minimize BHB and DI; however, herds fed HF close-up or HS fresh had higher Hp.
Simulation of Soil Temperature under Plateau Zokor’s (Eospalax baileyi) Disturbance in the Qinghai Lake Watershed, Northeast Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
Authors: Xie Ting , Ma Yu-Jun
Published: August 2023

The soil temperature is a key factor affecting the fragile terrestrial ecosystems on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, and has been remarkably altered by the soil mammal’s disturbance. This study first analyzed the soil temperature variation in grassland, mound, and bald patch under the disturbance of plateau zokor (Eospalax baileyi) from October 2018 to July 2020 in the Qinghai Lake watershed. Then, the SHAW (simultaneous heat and water) model was used to simulate the soil temperature change of three land surface types, and the sensitivity of soil temperature to environmental parameters before and after the disturbance was explored. The results showed the following: (1) The daily range of soil temperature was mound > bald patch > grassland, which became smaller as the depth increased, due to the co-influence of vegetation coverage and soil bulk density. There was an obvious hysteresis of soil heat transfer for grassland, as compared with mound and bald patch, especially at 5 and 15 cm depths. (2) The SHAW model was applicable for the simulation of soil temperature under the plateau zokor’s disturbance, especially during the growing season, and had better simulation accuracy for deep soil. (3) Air-entry potential and pore-size distribution index obviously affected soil temperature change, because of the change in root system and soil pores under the plateau zokor’s disturbance. With the evolution of disturbance process, the response of soil temperature to the leaf area index weakened gradually, owing to the different duration of disturbance and restoration. In general, the plateau zokor’s disturbance alters the soil properties and vegetation characteristics, and further, distinctly affects heat transfer and soil temperature.
Effects of Sulforaphene on the Cariogenic Properties of Streptococcus Mutans In Vitro and Dental Caries Development In Vivo
Authors: Zhou Yuehong , Zhang Binhan , Wang Yufei , Hu Rongdang
Published: August 2023

Sulforaphene (SFE) is a common nutritional supplement with antibacterial, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the effects of SFE on the cariogenicity of Streptococcus mutans and dental caries have not been reported. The objectives of this study were to investigate the caries-controlling potential of SFE. The effects of SFE on S. mutans were investigated using the broth microdilution method, crystal violet staining, SEM observation, acid tolerance assays, lactic acid quantification, and polysaccharide measurements. A rat caries model was established to evaluate the caries-controlling effects and biocompatibility of SFE in vivo. SFE inhibited S. mutans growth and biofilm formation. Furthermore, SFE restrained the cariogenic properties of S. mutans, including its acid production, acid tolerance, and extracellular polysaccharide production, without affecting the bacterial viability at sub-inhibitory levels. In the rat caries model, SFE significantly arrested the onset and development of dental caries. Moreover, no visible hemolytic phenomenon or cytotoxicity was detected in the SFE groups. After four weeks of SFE treatment, all rats remained in apparent good health with no significant differences in weight gain; their hemogram and biochemical parameters were normal; no pathological changes were observed in the oral mucosa, liver, or kidneys. In conclusion, SFE was safe and inhibited the development of caries effectively.
Molecular Link between Glo-1 Expression and Markers of Hyperglycemia and Oxidative Stress in Vascular Complications of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Syed Nida Ali , Bhatti Attya , John Peter
Published: August 2023

Chronic hyperglycemia and oxidative stress in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus trigger cellular dysfunction via the formation of Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs), resulting in dicarbonyl stress. Glyoxalase-1 (Glo-1) is the main defense against dicarbonyl stress. The aim of this study was to explore any cross-talk between Glo-1 and markers of hyperglycemia and oxidative stress. The siRNA-mediated downregulation of Glo-1 was performed in human microvascular endothelial cell line (HMEC-1). A Glo-1 transgenic rat model was developed. Glo-1 activity, as determined spectrophotometrically, and methylglyoxal were quantified using UPLC-MS/MS and the expression of representative markers of hyperglycemia and oxidative stress was performed using quantitative real-time PCR. A significant increase in the expression of Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (VCAM-1) was observed in the case of the siRNA-mediated downregulation of Glo-1 in the microvasculature model under hyperglycemic conditions (p-value < 0.001), as well the as overexpression of Glo-1 in the macrovasculature (p-value = 0.0125). The expression of thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) was found to be significantly upregulated in wildtype diabetic conditions vs. Glo-1 transgenic control conditions (p-value = 0.008), whereas the downregulation of Glo-1 had no impact on TXNIP expression. These findings substantiate the role of VCAM as an important marker of dicarbonyl stress (represented by Glo-1 downregulation), as well as of hyperglycemia, in diabetic vascular complications. Our findings also suggest a potential feedback loop that may exist between Glo-1 and TXNIP, as the highest expression of TXNIP is observed in cases of wildtype diabetic conditions, and the lowest expression of TXNIP is observed when Glo-1 transgene is being expressed in absence of dicarbonyl stress.
Effects of Different Dietary Zinc (Zn) Sources on Growth Performance, Zn Metabolism, and Intestinal Health of Grass Carp
Authors: Xu Yi-Chuang , Zheng Hua , Guo Jia-Cheng , Tan Xiao-Ying , Zhao Tao , Song Yu-Feng , Wei Xiao-Lei , Luo Zhi
Published: August 2023

This research was conducted to investigate the effects of four dietary zinc (Zn) sources on growth performance, Zn metabolism, antioxidant capacity, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and tight junctions in the intestine of grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella. Four Zn sources consisted of Zn dioxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), Zn sulfate heptahydrate (ZnSO4·7H2O), Zn lactate (Zn-Lac), and Zn glycine chelate (Zn-Gly), respectively. Grass carp with an initial body weight of 3.54 g/fish were fed one of four experimental diets for 8 weeks. Compared to inorganic Zn (ZnSO4·7H2O), grass carp fed the ZnO NPs and Zn-Gly diets exhibited better growth performance. Furthermore, grass carp fed the organic Zn (Zn-Lac and Zn-Gly) diets displayed enhanced Zn transport activity, improved intestinal histology, and increased intestinal tight junction-related genes expression compared to other groups. In comparison to other Zn sources, dietary ZnO NPs caused increased Zn deposition and damaged antioxidation capacity by suppressing antioxidant enzymatic activities and related gene expression in the intestine. Grass cap fed the ZnO NPs diet also exhibited lower mRNA abundance of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress- and tight junction-associated genes. According to the above findings, it can be concluded that dietary organic Zn addition (Zn-Lac and Zn-Gly) is more beneficial for intestinal health in grass carp compared to inorganic and nanoform Zn sources. These findings provide valuable insights into the application of organic Zn sources, specifically Zn-Lac and Zn-Gly, in the diets for grass carp and potentially for other fish species.
Analysis of the Flavonoidome Reveals the Different Health-Promoting Flavonoid Characteristics in Fruit
Authors: Zhang Chi , Zhao Yao , Tao Han , Li Linying , He Yuqing , Zhang Xueying , Zhu Ying , Hong Gaojie
Published: August 2023

Flavonoids are one of the important metabolites of plants, and many flavonoids have functions of antioxidant or antimicrobial, which can help plants resist environmental stress. On the other hand, flavonoids also have a health-promoting effect for humans, such as antioxidant and anti-aging, and some flavonoids can assist in disease treatment. Fruit is one of the main sources of plant food and flavonoids intake for humans. Understanding the flavonoidome of various fruits is helpful to choose fruit combinations according to different demands. In this study, we explored the composition and relative content of flavonoids in 22 fruits and analyzed some health-promoting flavonoids in fruits. In addition, we selected several fruits and measured their antioxidant capacity through experiments. Our study initially established a database of fruit flavonoidome, and can provide reference for nutrition research, fruit breeding and industrial development.
First Generation of Antioxidant Precursors for Bioisosteric Se-NSAIDs: Design, Synthesis, and In Vitro and In Vivo Anticancer Evaluation
Authors: Ramos-Inza Sandra , Aliaga Cesar , Encío Ignacio , Raza Asif , Sharma Arun K. , Aydillo Carlos , Martínez-Sáez Nuria , Sanmartín Carmen , Plano Daniel
Published: August 2023

The introduction of selenium (Se) into organic scaffolds has been demonstrated to be a promising framework in the field of medicinal chemistry. A novel design of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) derivatives based on a bioisosteric replacement via the incorporation of Se as diacyl diselenide is reported. The antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH radical scavenging assay. The new Se-NSAID derivatives bearing this unique combination showed antioxidant activity in a time- and dose-dependent manner, and also displayed different antiproliferative profiles in a panel of eight cancer cell lines as determined by the MTT assay. Ibuprofen derivative 5 was not only the most antioxidant agent, but also selectively induced toxicity in all the cancer cell lines tested (IC50 < 10 µM) while sparing nonmalignant cells, and induced apoptosis partially without enhancing the caspase 3/7 activity. Furthermore, NSAID derivative 5 significantly suppressed tumor growth in a subcutaneous colon cancer xenograft mouse model (10 mg/kg, TGI = 72%, and T/C = 38%) without exhibiting any apparent toxicity. To our knowledge, this work constitutes the first report on in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity of an unprecedented Se-NSAID hybrid derivative and its rational use for developing precursors for bioisosteric selenocompounds with appealing therapeutic applications.
A 2D-DOA Sparse Estimation Method with Total Variation Regularization for Spatially Extended Sources
Authors: Liu Zhihong , Liu Qingyu , Liu Zunmin , Li Chao , Xu Qixin
Published: August 2023

In this paper, a novel two-dimensional direction of arrival (2D-DOA) estimation method with total variation regularization is proposed to deal with the problem of sparse DOA estimation for spatially extended sources. In a general sparse framework, the sparse 2D-DOA estimation problem is formulated with the regularization of extended source characteristics including spatial position grouping, acoustic signal block sparse, and correlation features. An extended sources acoustic model, two-dimensional array manifold and its complete representation, total variation regularization penalty term, and the regularization equation are built, and are utilized to seek the solutions where the non-zero coefficients are grouped together with optimum sparseness. A total variation sparse 2D-DOA estimation model is constructed by combining total variation regularization with LASSO. The model can be easily solved by the convex optimization algorithm, and the solving process can promote the sparsity of the solution on the spatial derivatives and the solution itself. The theoretical analysis results show that the steps of decorrelation processing and angle matching of traditional 2D-DOA estimation methods could be avoided when adopting the proposed method. The proposed method has better robustness to noise, better sparsity, and faster estimation speed with higher resolution than traditional methods. It is promising to provide a coherent sources sparse representation of a non-strictly sparse field.
Matrix Factorization Collaborative-Based Recommender System for Riyadh Restaurants: Leveraging Machine Learning to Enhance Consumer Choice
Authors: Alabduljabbar Reham
Published: August 2023

Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector has recently started to play a significant role as an economic driver. The restaurant industry in Riyadh has experienced rapid growth in recent years, making it increasingly challenging for customers to choose from the large number of restaurants available. This paper proposes a matrix factorization collaborative-based recommender system for Riyadh city restaurants. The system leverages user reviews and ratings to predict users’ preferences and recommend restaurants likely to be of interest to them. The system incorporates three different approaches, namely, non-negative matrix factorization (NMF), singular value decomposition (SVD), and optimized singular value decomposition (SVD++). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first recommender system specifically designed for Riyadh restaurants. A comprehensive dataset of restaurants in Riyadh was collected, scraped from Foursquare.com, which includes a wide range of restaurant features and attributes. The dataset is publicly available, enabling other researchers to replicate the experiments and build upon the work. The performance of the system was evaluated using a real-world dataset, and its effectiveness was demonstrated by comparing it to a state-of-the-art recommender system. The evaluation results showed that SVD and NMF are effective methods for generating recommendations, with SVD performing slightly better in terms of RMSE and NMF performing slightly better in terms of MAE. Overall, the findings suggest that the collaborative-based approach using matrix factorization algorithms is an effective way to capture the complex relationships between users and restaurants.
SJBCD: A Java Code Clone Detection Method Based on Bytecode Using Siamese Neural Network
Authors: Wan Bangrui , Dong Shuang , Zhou Jianjun , Qian Ying
Published: August 2023

Code clone detection is an important research topic in the field of software engineering. It is significant in developing software and solving software infringement disputes to discover code clone phenomenon effectively in and between software systems. In practical engineering applications, clone detection can usually only be performed on the compiled code due to the unavailability of the source code. Additionally, there is room for improvement in the detection effect of existing methods based on bytecode. Based on the above reasons, this paper proposes a novel code clone detection method for Java bytecode: SJBCD. SJBCD extracts opcode sequences from byte code files, use GloVe to vectorize opcodes, and builds a Siamese neural network based on GRU to perform supervised training. Then the trained network is used to detect code clones. In order to prove the effectiveness of SJBCD, this paper conducts validation experiments using the BigCloneBench dataset and provides a comparative analysis with four other methods. Experimental results show the effectiveness of the SJBCD method.
Electromagnetic Fields from Cloud-to-Cloud Horizontal Lightning Channel on Perfect Conducting Soil: Induced Potentials in Flying Aircraft
Authors: Asensio Gabriel , Faleiro Eduardo , Moreno Jorge , Denche Gregorio
Published: August 2023

Calculation expressions for the electric and magnetic fields produced by a horizontal cloud-to-cloud lightning channel, assuming a perfectly conducted ground, are proposed in this paper. These expressions depend on the current model traveling through the channel and serve as the starting point to calculate the induced fields and potentials at any point in space. The derived expressions for the fields are used to calculate the induced potentials by the channel on metallic structures such as vertically driven rods in the ground and aircraft in flight. The influence of soil with finite conductivity is discussed, and an estimation of the induced potentials in this situation is proposed.
One in Five Trail Running Race Entrants Sustained an Injury in the 12 Months Training Period before the 2021 Mac Mac Ultra Race
Authors: Jooste Mignette , Janse van Rensburg Dina C. , Scheer Volker , Jansen van Rensburg Audrey , Ramagole Dimakatso , Botha Tanita , Viljoen Carel
Published: August 2023

Background: Trail running is characterised by large elevation gains/losses and varying uneven running surfaces. Limited literature is available to help guide injury prevention strategies among trail runners. The purpose of this study was to determine the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and related risk factors for running-related injuries (RRIs) amid trail runners who entered the 2021 Mac Mac Ultra races. Methods: Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Setting: 2021 Mac Mac Ultra Race. Participants: Consent for data analysis was given by 251 of 330 (76%) race entrants. Main outcome measures: Point prevalence (%), frequency (n, %), retrospective annual incidence (RRIs/100 athlete-years), characteristics (pathology type, tissue type, body area, anatomical region), and associated injury risk factors (training and demographic variables) of RRIs. Results: In the sample, the retrospective annual incidence was 19.92/100 athlete-years. The point prevalence was 4%. Injuries mostly appeared in the lower limb (95%), with the lower leg (26%), thigh (22%), ankle and foot (13%) described as the highest injured body areas. Of tissue type injuries, muscle/tendon comprised 60%. Muscle injury (36%), tendinopathy (24%), and joint sprain (9%) were the most reported pathology types. No related injury risk factors were discovered in this study. Conclusions: One in five trail runners reported one or more RRI during the 12 months before a competitive event. RRIs commonly involved the lower limb, especially the lower leg, thigh, foot, and ankle. More studies are needed to establish injury risk factors.
A Hybrid Vibration Isolator Based on Elastomeric and Electromagnetic Restoring Force
Authors: Brancati Renato , Di Massa Giandomenico , Di Noia Luigi Pio , Pagano Stefano
Published: August 2023

The protection of structures and machines from ground vibrations is a deeply felt and widely studied problem. These vibrations are typically generated by the operation of machines, vehicular traffic, seismic events, shocks, explosions, etc., and are generally characterized by frequencies that are not known a priori, making the use of passive isolation systems problematic. Just away from the source, ground vibrations have a predominantly horizontal component. To meet the conflicting requirements of passive isolation systems, which should have higher stiffness when the structure is at rest and lower stiffness when the ground forces it to vibrate, active or semi-active isolation systems can be adopted. In the following article, the possibility of adopting a hybrid isolator is evaluated; it consists of shear-stressed elastomeric pads coupled with an electromagnetic actuator; the latter consists of three coils, two of which are connected to the ground and the other one to the body to be isolated. This kind of isolator has the same flexibility and adaptability as the active ones, with the advantage of ensuring its functioning even in the absence of an external energy source. Its flexibility is due to the presence of a smart element that allows one to tune the characteristics of the isolator to consider the instantaneous isolation requirements. The proposed solution allows one to modify the isolation system’s characteristics in a sufficiently wide range of displacements equal to that defined by the maximum allowed deformation of the elastomeric pads. This paper reports the description of the isolation system and an analytical model to describe its restoring force; then, an experimental setup is adopted to identify the parameters of the analytic model; finally, several simulations are reported to compare the analytical and the experimental trends of the restoring force and to characterize the isolator.
Diagnosing Cracks in the Injector Nozzles of Marine Internal Combustion Engines during Operation Using Vibration Symptoms
Authors: Monieta Jan
Published: August 2023

In the operation of internal combustion engines, despite technical state monitoring, some cracks that develop in metal components go undetected, leading to secondary, critical, or degradation damage. The diagnostic systems used in floating objects mainly use quasi-static thermodynamic signals, which alert operators too late about emerging damage. Although various methods have been developed to detect cracks in internal combustion engine components, the effectiveness and implementation of the proposed methods are not satisfactory. Therefore, this article presents the use of selected vibration and in-cylinder pressure signals to diagnose the development of damage in some components of marine diesel engines. The investigations were conducted under the natural conditions of the operation of sea-going vessels during port-handling operations. During these investigations, it was possible to observe clear changes in the values of diagnostic symptoms, which corresponded to the development of damage. The developing damage detected in the study involved cracks in injector nozzles manufactured from alloy steel. Despite advances in design, materials, and manufacturing technology, injector nozzle cracks still occur. The diagnostic symptoms used to detect damage development were the amplitude and spectral and wavelet measurements of vibration acceleration signals. This work aimed to search for crack-oriented methods of signal analysis, for example, computer visualization and the recording of diagnostic parameters in various domains. Decimation, windowed, time, amplitude, and time-frequency domain analyses; wavelet statistics; color analysis; and machine learning were used for classification using artificial neural networks. Experimental investigations showed the possibility of diagnosing the development processes of damage to marine diesel engines. The advanced signal processing methods used made it possible to obtain many signal measurements, from which the most useful diagnostic symptoms were selected. The new symptoms found with decimation, time-domain windowed analysis, and Haar wavelet statistics were more useful than the existing ones.
When the NFT Hype Settles, What Is Left beyond Profile Pictures? A Critical Review on the Impact of Blockchain Technologies in the Art Market
Authors: Chun Daniel
Published: August 2023

In 2021, online marketplaces such as Nifty and Opensea gained popularity, and digital art creations, including Beeple’s pieces, made headlines worldwide. This attracted traditional fine art practitioners, artists, dealers, digital content creators, and crypto entrepreneurs who wanted to participate in this trend. Several significant investment and token-funded projects took place in Asia, fueling high hopes of revolutionizing the art market with nonfungible token (NFT) technology. However, the numbers suggest a different story, as NFT transactions have reached a historical low. Critics from both sides challenge the value of NFTs, and there is minimal empirical research on the topic of blockchain technologies in the art market. This paper explores the challenges and misunderstandings in the art market through the lens of the researcher’s insight as an art tech entrepreneur. Its aim is to provide an explorative account of the use cases of NFT and blockchain technology vis-a-vis the traditional art market. The paper discusses the current work in progress at the Art ID Standard consortium, covering decentralized identity, blockchain, and use cases, and provides insights into the implications of these challenges for artists, collectors, and the broader art ecosystem.
Climatology of Planetary Boundary Layer Height over Jiangsu, China, Based on ERA5 Reanalysis Data
Authors: Li Xiang , Dong Yiwen , Zhang Yunfei , Shi Zhen , Yao Jiawei
Published: August 2023

Based on the hourly ERA5 reanalysis dataset of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) from 1 January 1979 to 31 December 2019, the climatology of the planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) in Jiangsu, China, is studied. The PBLH based on ERA5 is verified by using radiosonde data, and the results show that the PBLH based on ERA5 fits very well with the PBLH diagnosed by the radiosonde data. Overall, the daytime average PBLH is between 700 and 1200 m, which is higher in the north and lower in the south. It is between 100 and 400 m at night, and it is lower in the north and higher in the south. The PBLH exhibits complex spatiotemporal variation. In the daytime, the PBLH in inland areas is highest in spring, followed by fall and summer, and lowest in winter. At night, the seasonal variation in the PBLH is less obvious. The seasonal variation in the PBLH in coastal areas is higher in fall and winter and lower in spring and summer. The PBLH shows an obvious diurnal cycle, usually reaching its peak at 14:00 (LST) or 15:00 (LST). The diurnal cycle of the PBLH is significantly positively correlated with the near-surface temperature and wind speed and significantly negatively correlated with the relative humidity and lower tropospheric stability. Over these 41 years, the daytime PBLH has increased significantly in most areas. The increase in the PBLH can be attributed to the increase in near-surface temperature and the decrease in near-surface relative humidity and lower tropospheric stability.
Flight Experiments and Numerical Simulations for Investigating Multicopter Flow Field and Structure Deformation
Authors: Pätzold Falk , Bauknecht André , Schlerf Andreas , Sotomayor Zakharov Denis , Bretschneider Lutz , Lampert Astrid
Published: August 2023

The flow field induced by multirotor drones is of high interest for atmospheric research, as it locally influences the atmosphere and therefore may have an impact on the sensors installed for atmospheric measurements. Further, on-board vibrations can cause significant interference with the measurement equipment. To investigate the near flow field, an approach combining measurements of pressure and temperature distribution in-flight and in a laboratory setup together with numerical simulations was applied. Existing high-frequency measurement equipment was piggybacked during the initial flight tests with a newly developed 25 kg quadcopter system in a low-cost early-stage-error approach to obtain initial data and experience. During the flights, high resolution sensors for measuring pressure, temperature, acceleration, and deformation were applied with different setups at different locations below one of the rotor planes, respectively, at one rotor arm, to determine the multicopter’s influence on pressure and temperature measurements, to investigate rotor arm deformations, and to obtain data to compare with numerical simulations of this rotor setup. An external Schlieren-type measurement technique was tested to visualise the rotor vortices. The applied measurement techniques proved to be suitable for acquiring the state of the rotor-induced flow, but with some limitations. The comparison of measurements and simulations showed basic agreement and allowed for the identification of necessary adaptations for subsequent studies. The interaction of the rotor wakes with the rotor arms could be identified as the main source of the measured structural vibrations. The need for necessary improvements in the measurement setup, flight operation, and simulation setup is presented in detail.
Search for Weak Side Branches in the Electromagnetic Decay Paths of the 6526-keV 10+ Isomer in 54Fe
Authors: Böhm Paul , Hrabar Yuliia , Rudolph Dirk , Golubev Pavel , Sarmiento Luis G. , Albers Helena M. , Anderson John T. , Bentley Michael A. , Carpenter Michael P. , Chiara Christopher J. , Copp Patrick A. , Forsberg Ulrika , Huang Tianheng , Jayatissa Heshani , Lauritsen Torben , Müller-Gatermann Claus , Pereira-Lopez Xesus , Reviol Walter , Seweryniak Darek , Stolze Sanna , Uthayakumaar Sivahami , Wilson Gemma L. , Wu Jin
Published: August 2023

High-spin nuclear isomers in N≈Z nuclei between doubly magic 40Ca and 56Ni provide an excellent testing ground for the nuclear shell model and questions related to isospin symmetry breaking in the vicinity of the proton drip line. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the possibility of weak electromagnetic decay branches along the decay paths of the 6526-keV 10+ isomer in 54Fe. The isomer was strongly populated by means of the fusion-evaporation reaction 24Mg(36Ar,α2p)54mFe. The Gammasphere array was used to detect γ-ray cascades emitted from the isomeric state. By means of γγγ coincidences, weak non-yrast decay branches can be discriminated, with the isomer’s half-life confirmed at T1/2=363(4) ns. The yrast 61+→21+ E4 cross-over transition was interrogated. The observations are compared with shell-model calculations.
Decision Rules for Renewable Energy Utilization Using Rough Set Theory
Authors: Huang Chuying , Huang Chun-Che , Chen Din-Nan , Wang Yuju
Published: August 2023

Rough Set (RS) theory is used for data analysis and decision making where decision-making rules can be derived through attribute reduction and feature selection. Energy shortage is an issue for governments, and solar energy systems have become an important source of renewable energy. Rough sets may be used to summarize and compare rule sets for different periods. In this study, the analysis of rules is an element of decision support that allows organizations to make better informed decisions. However, changes to decision rules require adjustment and analysis, and analysis is inhibited by changes in rules. With this consideration, a solution approach is proposed. The results show that not only can decision costs be reduced, but policymakers can also make it easier for the public to understand the incentives of green energy programs and the use of solar panels. The application process is simplified for the implementation of sustainable energy policies.
A New Geometrical Design to Overcome the Asymmetric Pressure Problem and the Resulting Response of Rotor-Bearing System to Unbalance Excitation
Authors: Jamali Hazim U. , Aljibori H. S. S. , Al-Tamimi Adnan Naji Jameel , Abdullah Oday I. , Senatore Adolfo , Mohammed M. N.
Published: August 2023

Improving the bearing design helps in reducing the negative consequences related to errors in installation, manufacturing, deflections under severe loading conditions, progressive wear of machine elements, and many other aspects. One of the methods of such a design improvement effort is changing the bearing profile along the bearing width to compensate for the reduction in the geometrical gap between the shaft and the bearing inner surface due to the aforementioned causes. Since in all rotating machinery, unbalance usually exists at some level, this paper deals with the response of this modified bearing to unbalanced excitation to evaluate the effectiveness of such geometrical design on the dynamic characteristics of the rotor-bearing system. The numerical solution is performed using the finite difference method by assuming Reynolds boundary conditions to determine the cavitation limits, and the 4th-order Range-Kutta method is used to determine the time responses resulting from the unbalance excitation. The time responses to this type of excitation show that the rotor-bearing with the improved geometrical design is more stable, particularly at high speeds. In addition, this modification leads to an improvement in the lubricant layer thickness and the reduction in the levels of the generated pressure between the surfaces despite the presence of large deviations from the perfectly aligned bearing system. Furthermore, the suggested geometrical design overcomes the problem of asymmetricity in the pressure field resulting from the shaft deviation to a large extent. The results of this work (the enhancement in the level of the film thickness and the improvement in the dynamic response of the system as well as the reduction of the maximum pressure value) extend the range of misalignment in which the rotor bearing systems can operate safely which represents a significant step in designing the rotor-bearing system.
A Flexible Dispersed Count Model Based on Bernoulli Poisson–Lindley Convolution and Its Regression Model
Authors: Bakouch Hassan S. , Chesneau Christophe , Maya Radhakumari , Irshad Muhammed Rasheed , Aswathy Sreedeviamma , Qarmalah Najla
Published: August 2023

Count data are encountered in real-life dealings. More understanding of such data and the extraction of important information about the data require some statistical analysis or modeling. One innovative technique to increase the modeling flexibility of well-known distributions is to use the convolution of random variables. This study examines the distribution that results from adding two independent random variables, one with the Bernoulli distribution and the other with the Poisson–Lindley distribution. The considered distribution is named as the two-parameter Bernoulli–Poisson–Lindley distribution. Many of its statistical properties are investigated, such as moments, survival and hazard rate functions, mode, dispersion behavior, mean deviation about the mean, and parameter inference based on the maximum likelihood method. To evaluate the effectiveness of the bias and mean square error of the produced estimates, a simulation exercise is carried out. Then, applications to two practical data sets are given. Finally, we construct a flexible count data regression model based on the proposed distribution with two practical examples.
Multiscale Modelling Methodologies of Lithium-Ion Battery Aging: A Review of Most Recent Developments
Authors: Ali Mir , Da Silva Carlos , Amon Cristina
Published: August 2023

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are leading the energy storage market. Significant efforts are being made to widely adopt LIBs due to their inherent performance benefits and reduced environmental impact for transportation electrification. However, achieving this widespread adoption still requires overcoming critical technological constraints impacting battery aging and safety. Battery aging, an inevitable consequence of battery function, might lead to premature performance losses and exacerbated safety concerns if effective thermo-electrical battery management strategies are not implemented. Battery aging effects must be better understood and mitigated, leveraging the predictive power of aging modelling methods. This review paper presents a comprehensive overview of the most recent aging modelling methods. Furthermore, a multiscale approach is adopted, reviewing these methods at the particle, cell, and battery pack scales, along with corresponding opportunities for future research in LIB aging modelling across these scales. Battery testing strategies are also reviewed to illustrate how current numerical aging models are validated, thereby providing a holistic aging modelling strategy. Finally, this paper proposes a combined multiphysics- and data-based modelling framework to achieve accurate and computationally efficient LIB aging simulations.
Ultramicroporous N-Doped Activated Carbon Materials for High Performance Supercapacitors
Authors: Karakoç Taylan , Ba Housseinou , Phuoc Lai Truong , Bégin Dominique , Pham-Huu Cuong , Pronkin Sergey N.
Published: August 2023

Porous carbon electrode materials are utilized in supercapacitors with very fast charge/discharge and high stability upon cycling thanks to their electrostatic charge storage mechanism. Further enhancement of the performance of such materials can be achieved by doping them with heteroatoms which alter the kinetics of charge/discharge of the adsorbed species and result in pseudocapacitance phenomena. Here, microporous N-doped activated carbons were synthesized by thermochemical activation process. The structure and composition of the final material were adjusted by tuning the synthesis conditions and the choice of precursor molecules. In particular, N-doped activated carbons with a controlled specific surface area in the range of 270–1380 m2/g have been prepared by KOH-activation of sucrose/ammonium citrate mixture. By adjusting the composition of precursors, N-doping was varied from ca. 1.5 to 7.3 at%. The role of the components and synthesis conditions on the composition and structure of final products has been evaluated. The N-doped activated carbon with optimized structure and composition has demonstrated an outstanding performance as electrode material for aqueous electrolyte supercapacitors. The specific capacitance measured in a 3-electrode cell with 0.75 mg/cm2 loading of optimized activated carbon in 1M H2SO4 changed from 359 F/g at 0.5 A/g charging rate to 243 F/g at 20 A/g. Less than 0.01% of capacitance loss has been detected after 1000 charging/discharging cycles.
Enhanced Expansion of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells and Somatic Cell Reprogramming Using Defined and Xeno-Free Culture Conditions
Authors: Timilsina Suraj , McCandliss Kaitlyn Faith , Trivedi Evan , Villa-Diaz Luis G.
Published: August 2023

Human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) have an unprecedented opportunity to revolutionize the fields of developmental biology as well as tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, their applications have been significantly limited by the lack of chemically defined and xeno-free culture conditions. The demand for the high-quality and scaled-up production of cells for use in both research and clinical studies underscores the need to develop tools that will simplify the in vitro culture process while reducing the variables. Here, we describe a systematic study to identify the optimal conditions for the initial cell attachment of hPSC to tissue culture dishes grafted with polymers of N-(3-Sulfopropyl)-N-Methacryloxyethyl-N, N-Dimethylammoniun Betaine (PMEDSAH) in combination with chemically defined and xeno-free culture media. After testing multiple supplements and chemicals, we identified that pre-conditioning of PMEDSAH grafted plates with 10% human serum (HS) supported the initial cell attachment, which allowed for the long-term culture and maintenance of hPSC compared to cells cultured on Matrigel-coated plates. Using this culture condition, a 2.1-fold increase in the expansion of hPSC was observed without chromosomal abnormalities. Furthermore, this culture condition supported a higher reprogramming efficiency (0.37% vs. 0.22%; p < 0.0068) of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells compared to the non-defined culture conditions. This defined and xeno-free hPSC culture condition may be used in obtaining the large populations of hPSC and patient-derived iPSC required for many applications in regenerative and translational medicine.
Menstrual Blood-Derived Stem Cell Paracrine Factors Possess Stimulatory Effects on Chondrogenesis In Vitro and Diminish the Degradation of Articular Cartilage during Osteoarthritis
Authors: Uzieliene Ilona , Bialaglovyte Paulina , Miksiunas Rokas , Lebedis Ignas , Pachaleva Jolita , Vaiciuleviciute Raminta , Ramanaviciene Almira , Kvederas Giedrius , Bernotiene Eiva
Published: August 2023

Articular cartilage is an avascular tissue with a limited capacity for self-regeneration, leading the tissue to osteoarthritis (OA). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising for cartilage tissue engineering, as they are capable of differentiating into chondrocyte-like cells and secreting a number of active molecules that are important for cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of easily accessible menstrual blood-derived MSC (MenSC) paracrine factors in stimulating bone marrow MSC (BMMSCs) chondrogenic differentiation and to investigate their role in protecting cartilage from degradation in vitro. MenSCs and BMMSCs chondrogenic differentiation was induced using four different growth factors: TGF-β3, activin A, BMP-2, and IGF-1. The chondrogenic differentiation of BMMSCs was stimulated in co-cultures with MenSCs and cartilage explants co-cultured with MenSCs for 21 days. The chondrogenic capacity of BMMSCs was analyzed by the secretion of four growth factors and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, as well as the release and synthesis of cartilage ECM proteins, and chondrogenic gene expression in cartilage explants. Our results suggest that MenSCs stimulate chondrogenic response in BMMSCs by secreting activin A and TGF-β3 and may have protective effects on cartilage tissue ECM by decreasing the release of GAGs, most likely through the modulation of activin A related molecular pathway. In conclusion, paracrine factors secreted by MenSCs may turn out to be a promising therapeutical approach for cartilage tissue protection and repair.
Comparison, Analysis, and Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Structures of a Viral Protein Modeled Using Various Computational Tools
Authors: Mani Hemalatha , Chang Chun-Chun , Hsu Hao-Jen , Yang Chin-Hao , Yen Jui-Hung , Liou Je-Wen
Published: August 2023

The structural analysis of proteins is a major domain of biomedical research. Such analysis requires resolved three-dimensional structures of proteins. Advancements in computer technology have led to progress in biomedical research. In silico prediction and modeling approaches have facilitated the construction of protein structures, with or without structural templates. In this study, we used three neural network-based de novo modeling approaches—AlphaFold2 (AF2), Robetta-RoseTTAFold (Robetta), and transform-restrained Rosetta (trRosetta)—and two template-based tools—the Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) and iterative threading assembly refinement (I-TASSER)—to construct the structure of a viral capsid protein, hepatitis C virus core protein (HCVcp), whose structure have not been fully resolved by laboratory techniques. Templates with sufficient sequence identity for the homology modeling of complete HCVcp are currently unavailable. Therefore, we performed domain-based homology modeling for MOE simulations. The templates for each domain were obtained through sequence-based searches on NCBI and the Protein Data Bank. Then, the modeled domains were assembled to construct the complete structure of HCVcp. The full-length structure and two truncated forms modeled using various computational tools were compared. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to refine the structures. The root mean square deviation of backbone atoms, root mean square fluctuation of Cα atoms, and radius of gyration were calculated to monitor structural changes and convergence in the simulations. The model quality was evaluated through ERRAT and phi–psi plot analysis. In terms of the initial prediction for protein modeling, Robetta and trRosetta outperformed AF2. Regarding template-based tools, MOE outperformed I-TASSER. MD simulations resulted in compactly folded protein structures, which were of good quality and theoretically accurate. Thus, the predicted structures of certain proteins must be refined to obtain reliable structural models. MD simulation is a promising tool for this purpose.
Effect of Bovine Milk Peptides on Cell Inflammation, Proliferation and Differentiation: Milk Potential Benefits Are Preserved in an Unconventional Cow Feeding Strategy
Authors: Cicchi Costanza , Paoli Paolo , Modesti Alessandra , Mannelli Federica , Scicutella Federica , Buccioni Arianna , Fontanarosa Carolina , Luti Simone , Pazzagli Luigia
Published: August 2023

Animal feeding through the reuse of agro-industrial by-products in one of the ultimate goals of sustainable agriculture. Olive oil pomace (OOP) produced as a waste product during olive oil milling has been used as an ingredient in the diet for Holstein lactating cows. Recent findings have shown no decrease in animal performance, feed intake or detrimental effect on rumen microbiota. In contrast, an improvement in C18 polyunsaturated fatty acids has been observed. In this work, the milk protein content from cows fed a commercial diet (CON) or an experimental one supplemented with OOP was determined and compared, and the peptides derived from the simulated gastrointestinal digestion of raw milk were analyzed. After fractionation via RP-HPLC, peptides were characterized for their biological activity on different cell lines. The ability to reduce both the intracellular ROS content and the expression of inflammatory markers, such as Cyclooxygenase, isoenzyme 2 (COX-2) and inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS), as well as the remarkable properties to induce cell differentiation and to slow down the proliferation of human intestinal cancer cells, enable us to define them as bioactive peptides. In spite of there being no observed significant difference between the healthy activity of CON and OOP peptides, the results allow us to broaden the knowledge about the biological activity of these bioactive peptides and to confirm that agro-industrial by-products may be successfully incorporated into the feeding strategy of dairy cows.