bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advances in Fuzzy Logic and Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Lima-Junior Francisco Rodrigues
Published: December 2024

Fuzzy logic and artificial neural networks are among the most prominent AI approaches, recognized for their importance across various domains [...]
On a Numerical Solution to an Inverse Structural Density Problem with a Method of Local Corrections
Authors: Tsidaev Alexander , Ladovskii Igor
Published: December 2024

The structural gravimetry problem, which involves determining the geometry of a contact surface between two homogeneous layers based on observed gravity fields, is addressed in this paper. The method of local corrections is presented in a generalized form to improve its applicability to a broader range of problems. This study introduces several improvements to the local corrections method, including the use of a finite element approach for more accurate field calculations, particularly for near-surface boundaries. Additionally, the method incorporates prior knowledge of the boundary geometry, which serves as an initial approximation to enhance convergence and avoid potential divergence issues. Demonstrations on several synthetic examples are performed, which show the advantages of the generalized form of the method. For the territory of the Middle Urals, Russia, the refinement of two crustal boundaries is performed (the Moho boundary and middle crust boundary).
Recursive Estimation of the Expectile-Based Shortfall in Functional Ergodic Time Series
Authors: Almulhim Fatimah A. , Alamari Mohammed B. , Rachdi Mustapha , Laksaci Ali
Published: December 2024

This paper considers the Recursive Kernel Estimator (RKE) of the expectile-based conditional shortfall. The estimator is constructed under a functional structure based on the ergodicity assumption. More preciously, we assume that the input-variable is valued in a pseudo-metric space, output-variable is scalar and both are sampled from ergodic functional time series data. We establish the complete convergence rate of the RKE-estimator of the considered functional shortfall model using standard assumptions. We point out that the ergodicity assumption constitutes a relevant alternative structure to the mixing time series dependency. Thus, the results of this paper allows to cover a large class of functional time series for which the mixing assumption is failed to check. Moreover, the obtained results is established in a general way, allowing to particularize this convergence rate for many special situations including the kernel method, the independence case and the multivariate case. Finally, a simulation study is carried out to illustrate the finite sample performance of the RKE-estimator. In order to examine the feasibility of the recursive estimator in practice we consider a real data example based on financial time series data.
Towards Reliable Methodology: Microbiome Analysis of Fresh Frozen vs. Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Bladder Tissue Samples: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Enderlin Dominik , Bieri Uwe , Gadient Jana , Morsy Yasser , Scharl Michael , Rüschoff Jan Hendrik , Hefermehl Lukas John , Nikitin Anna , Langenauer Janine , Engeler Daniel Stephan , Förster Beat , Obrecht Fabian , Surber Jonathan , Scherer Thomas Paul , Eberli Daniel , Poyet Cédric
Published: December 2024

Studies have shown that the human microbiome influences the response to systemic immunotherapy. However, only scarce data exist on the impact of the urinary microbiome on the response rates of bladder cancer (BC) to local Bacillus Calmette-Guérin instillation therapy. We launched the prospective SILENT-EMPIRE study in 2022 to address this question. We report the results of the pilot study of SILENT-EMPIRE, which aimed to compare the microbiome between fresh frozen (FF) and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples in the cancerous tissue and adjacent healthy tissue of BC patients. Our results show that alpha diversity is increased in FF samples compared to FFPE (coverage index p = 0.041, core abundance index p = 0.008). No significant differences concerning alpha diversity could be detected between cancerous and non-cancerous tissue in the same BC patients. This study demonstrates that microbiome analysis from both FF and FFPE samples is feasible. Implementing this finding could aid in the translation of research findings into clinical practice.
Facultatively Anaerobic Staphylococci Enable Anaerobic Cutibacterium Species to Grow and Form Biofilms Under Aerobic Conditions
Authors: Kaplan Jeffrey B. , Assa Michael , Mruwat Noor , Sailer Miloslav , Regmi Suresh , Kridin Khalaf
Published: December 2024

Facultatively anaerobic Staphylococcus spp. and anaerobic Cutibacterium spp. are among the most prominent bacteria on human skin. Although skin microbes generally grow as multispecies biofilms, few studies have investigated the interaction between staphylococci and Cutibacterium spp. in dual-species biofilms. Here, we measured the mono- and dual-species biofilm formation of four staphylococcal species (S. epidermidis, S. hominis, S. capitis, and S. aureus) and two Cutibacterium spp. (C. acnes and C. avidum) cultured in vitro under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The biofilms were quantitated by rinsing them to remove planktonic cells, detaching the biofilm bacteria via sonication, and enumerating the cells by dilution plating. When cultured alone, staphylococci formed biofilms under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, whereas Cutibacterium spp. formed biofilms only under anaerobic conditions. In co-culture, staphylococcal biofilm formation was unaffected by the presence of Cutibacterium spp., regardless of oxygen availability. However, Cutibacterium spp. biofilm formation was significantly enhanced in the presence of staphylococci, enabling robust growth under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions. Fluorescence confocal microscopy of the aerobic dual-species biofilms suggested that staphylococci create anaerobic niches at the base of the biofilm where C. acnes can grow. These findings demonstrate that staphylococci facilitate the colonization of Cutibacterium spp. in oxygen-rich environments, potentially explaining their presence in high numbers on the oxygen-exposed stratum corneum.
An In Vitro Evaluation of Industrial Hemp Extracts Against the Phytopathogenic Bacteria Erwinia carotovora, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, and Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci
Authors: Kanyairita Getrude G. , Mortley Desmond G. , Collier Willard E. , Fagbodun Sheritta , Mweta Jamila M. , Uwamahoro Hilarie , Dowell Le’Shaun T. , Mukuka Mwamba F.
Published: December 2024

Pests and diseases have caused significant problems since the domestication of crops, resulting in economic loss and hunger. To overcome these problems, synthetic pesticides were developed to control pests; however, there are significant detrimental side effects of synthetic pesticides on the environment and human health. There is an urgent need to develop safer and more sustainable pesticides. Industrial hemp is a reservoir of compounds that could potentially replace some synthetic bactericides, fungicides, and insecticides. We determined the efficacy of industrial hemp extracts against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci (PSTA), Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (PSTO), and Erwinia carotovora (EC). The study revealed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2.05 mg/mL and a non-inhibitory concentration (NIC) of 1.2 mg/mL for PSTA, an MIC of 5.7 mg/mL and NIC of 0.66 mg/mL for PSTO, and an MIC of 12.04 mg/mL and NIC of 5.4 mg/mL for EC. Time-kill assays indicated the regrowth of E. carotovora at 4 × MIC after 15 h and P. syringae pv. tomato at 2 × MIC after 20 h; however, P. syringae pv. tabaci had no regrowth. The susceptibility of test bacteria to hemp extract can be ordered from the most susceptible to the least susceptible, as follows: P. syringae pv. tabaci > P. syringae pv. tomato > E. carotovora. Overall, the data indicate hemp extract is a potential source of sustainable and safe biopesticides against these major plant pathogens.
Exploring the Interaction of 3-Hydroxy-4-pyridinone Chelators with Liposome Membrane Models: Insights from DSC and EPR Analysis
Authors: Amaral Luísa M. P. F. , Moniz Tânia , Rangel Maria
Published: December 2024

In this study, we synthesized a series of 3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone (3,4-HPO) chelators with varying lipophilicity by modifying the length of their alkyl chains. To investigate their interaction with lipid membranes, we employed differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy using dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) liposomes as membrane model systems. DSC experiments on DMPC liposomes revealed that hexyl-substituted chelators significantly altered the thermotropic phase behavior of the lipid bilayer, indicating their potential as membrane property modulators. EPR studies on DMPC and POPC liposomes provided detailed insights into the depth-dependent effects of chelators on membrane fluidity. Our findings highlight the crucial role of alkyl chain length in determining the interaction of 3,4-HPO chelators with lipid membranes and offer valuable insights for the design of lipid-interacting therapeutic agents based on this scaffold.
Mechanisms and Impact of Rhizosphere Microbial Metabolites on Crop Health, Traits, Functional Components: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Chen Qingxia , Song Yingjie , An Yuxing , Lu Yinglin , Zhong Guohua
Published: December 2024

Current agricultural practices face numerous challenges, including declining soil fertility and heavy reliance on chemical inputs. Rhizosphere microbial metabolites have emerged as promising agents for enhancing crop health and yield in a sustainable manner. These metabolites, including phytohormones, antibiotics, and volatile organic compounds, play critical roles in promoting plant growth, boosting resistance to pathogens, and improving resilience to environmental stresses. This review comprehensively outlines the mechanisms through which rhizosphere microbial metabolites influence crop health, traits, functional components, and yield. It also discusses the potential applications of microbial secondary metabolites in biofertilizers and highlights the challenges associated with their production and practical use. Measures to overcome these challenges are proposed, alongside an exploration of the future development of the functional fertilizer industry. The findings presented here provide a scientific basis for utilizing rhizosphere microbial metabolites to enhance agricultural sustainability, offering new strategies for future crop management. Integrating these microbial strategies could lead to increased crop productivity, improved quality, and reduced dependence on synthetic chemical inputs, thereby supporting a more environmentally friendly and resilient agricultural system.
Research on the Wear Suppression of Diamond Grain Enabled by Hexagonal Boron Nitride in Grinding Cast Steel
Authors: Zhao Hongrui , Sun Qun , Wang Chong , Yuan Xiuhua , Li Xia
Published: December 2024

Diamond grinding wheels have been widely used to remove the residual features of cast parts, such as parting lines and pouring risers. However, diamond grains are prone to chemical wear as a result of their strong interaction with ferrous metals. To mitigate this wear, this study proposes the use of a novel water-based hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) as a minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) during the grinding of cast steel and conducted the grinding experiment and molecular dynamics simulation. The experiment demonstrated that compared to dry grinding, the water-based hBN nanofluid can effectively reduce the maximum temperature of a workpiece at contact zone from 408 K to 335 K and change the serious abrasion wear of diamond grain to slightly micro-broken. The molecular dynamics simulation indicates that the flake of hBN can weaken the catalytic effect of iron on the diamond, prevent the diffusion of carbon atom to cast steel, and suppress the graphitization of diamond grain. Additionally, the flake of hBN improves the contact state between the diamond grain and cast steel and reduces the cutting heat and friction coefficient from about 0.5 to 0.25. Thus, the water-based hBN nanofluid as a new MQL was proven to be suitable for the wear inhibition of diamond grain when grinding cast steel.
Phytochemical Study and In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Helianthemum cinereum Along with Antitumor Activity of the Isolated trans-Tiliroside and Luteolin 4′-O-β-Xyloside
Authors: Bertella Anis , Smadi Abla , Benhabrou Hakim , Salvador Diana , Wrona Magdalena , Oliveira Helena , Sidaoui Abouamama , Gavril-Luminita Georgiana , Pinto Diana C. G. A. , Olewnik-Kruszkowska Ewa , Nerín Cristina , Silva Artur M. S. , Bitam Fatma
Published: December 2024

Twelve compounds (1–12), kaempferol (1), luteolin (2), luteolin 4′-O-β-xyloside (3), luteolin 4′-O-β-glucoside (4), quercetin 4′-O-β-xyloside (5), kaempferol-3-O-[6″-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl]-β-D-glucoside (trans-tiliroside) (6), protocatechuic acid (7), gallic acid (8), methyl gallate (9), ethyl gallate (10), shikimic acid-3-O-gallate (11), and 3,3′,4′-tri-O-methyl-ellagic acid 4-sulfate (12), were isolated and identified from the aerial parts of Helianthemum cinereum (Cav.) Pers (synonym: Helianthemum rubellum C. Presl. All compounds were isolated by applying different chromatographic procedures, such as silica gel, RP-18 and Sephadex LH-20 columns. The structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, mainly nuclear magnetic resonance NMR 1D and 2D, and mass spectrometry, as well as by comparison with the reported spectroscopic data. The two organic extracts, ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and butanol (BuOH), were evaluated for their potent phenolic and flavonoid contents using the Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride colorimetric methods. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the two extracts was determined using the DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS methods. Pure trans-tiliroside (6), the main isolated compound, and luteolin 4′-O-β-xyloside (3) were evaluated for their antitumor activity against the lung cancer (A549), melanoma (A375) and pancreatic cancer (Mia PaCa-2 and Panc-1) cell lines by MTT assay.
Pathology and Treatments of Alzheimer’s Disease Based on Considering Changes in Brain Energy Metabolism Due to Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Yanai Hidekatsu , Adachi Hiroki , Hakoshima Mariko , Katsuyama Hisayuki
Published: December 2024

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with cognitive dysfunction, memory decline, and behavioral disturbance, and it is pathologically characterized by the accumulation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. Although various hypotheses have been proposed to explain the pathogenesis of AD, including the amyloid beta hypothesis, oxidative stress hypothesis, and abnormal phosphorylation of tau proteins, the exact pathogenic mechanisms underlying AD remain largely undefined. Furthermore, effective curative treatments are very limited. Epidemiologic studies provide convincing evidence for a significant association between type 2 diabetes and AD. Here, we showed energy metabolism using glucose, lactate, ketone bodies, and lipids as energy substrates in a normal brain, and changes in such energy metabolism due to type 2 diabetes. We also showed the influences of such altered energy metabolism due to type 2 diabetes on the pathology of AD. Furthermore, we comprehensively searched for risk factors related with type 2 diabetes for AD and showed possible therapeutic interventions based on considering risk factors and altered brain energy metabolism due to type 2 diabetes for the development of AD.
Agarose Hydrogels Enriched by Humic Acids as a Functional Model for the Transport of Pharmaceuticals in Nature Systems
Authors: Klučáková Martina , Závodská Petra
Published: December 2024

The presence of pharmaceuticals in nature systems poses a threat to the environment, plants, animals, and, last but not least, human health. Their transport in soils, waters, and sediments plays important roles in the toxicity and bioavailability of pharmaceuticals. The mobility of pharmaceuticals can be affected by their interactions with organic matter and other soil and water constituents. In this study, a model agarose hydrogel enriched by humic acid as a representative of organic matter is used as a transport medium for pharmaceuticals. Sulphapyridine (as a representative of sulphonamide antibiotics) and diclofenac (as a representative of widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) were chosen for experiments in diffusion cells. Pharmaceuticals were passed through the hydrogel from the donor solution to the acceptor compartment and could interact with humic acids incorporated in the hydrogel. The lag time was prolonged if the hydrogel was enriched by humic acids from 134 to 390 s for sulphapyridine and from 323 to 606 s for diclofenac. Similarly, the incorporation of humic acids in the hydrogel resulted in a decrease in the determined diffusion coefficients. The decrease was stronger in the first stage of the experiment when diffusing particles could interact with vacant binding sites.
Solid-State Photoluminescence of Diphenylnaphthalenes Studied by Photophysical Measurements and Crystallographic Analysis
Authors: Yamaji Minoru , Mutai Toshiki , Yoshikawa Isao , Houjou Hirohiko , Okamoto Hideki
Published: December 2024

Thanks to recent developments in spectrophotometric instruments, the spectra, quantum yields (Φf), and lifetimes (τf) of photoluminescence from organic and inorganic compounds can be readily determined not only in solution but also in the solid state. It is known that naphthalene emits fluorescence in solution, but not in the solid state. In a previous paper, we reported that solid-state emission can be seen from biaryl compounds comprised of chromophores that show no emission in the solid state. In this work, we prepared diphenylnaphthalenes (DPNs), and the spectra and the Φf and τf values of fluorescence were determined in solution and the solid state, as well as the crystallographic features. The 2,6-Diphenylnphthalene (26DPN) showed solid-state emission in the wavelength region for longer than those in solution, while the emission spectra of the others in the solid state were similar to those in solution. The crystal structure of 26DPN belonged to a herringbone motif, whereas those of the others were column-stacked structures. Based on these spectroscopic and crystallographic facts, the relationship between the crystal motif and the emission features in the solid state is discussed.
Identification of New Polyacetylenes from Dendropanax morbifera with PPAR-α Activity Study
Authors: Piao Donglan , Youn Isoo , Huynh Thanh-Hau , Kim Hyun Woo , Noh Sang Gyun , Chung Hae Young , Oh Dong-Chan , Seo Eun Kyoung
Published: December 2024

Dendropanax morbifera Leveille is a traditional medicine used to treat migraine headache and dysmenorrhea. In this study, three polyacetylenes, methyl (10E,9R,16R)-16-acetoxy-9-hydroxyoctadeca-10,17-dien-12,14-diynoate (1), methyl (10E,9R,16S)-9,16-dihydroxyoctadeca-10-en-12,14-diynoate (2), and methyl (10Z,9R,16S)-9,16-dihydroxyoctadeca-10,17-dien-12,14-diynoate (3), were isolated from the aerial parts of D. morbifera, together with seven known compounds (4–10). Importantly, the isolates (6 and 8) were found in the family Araliaceae for the first time in this study. Compounds 1−10 were evaluated for their binding affinity to AMPK and CTSS receptors using in silico docking simulations. Only compound 7 increased the protein expression levels of PPAR-α, Sirt1, and AMPK when administered to HepG2 cells as a PPAR-α agonist. On the other hand, 7 did not produce any significant reduction in CTSS activity. This study could pave the way for the discovery of novel treatments from D. morbifera targeting PPAR-α and AMPK.
AISMPred: A Machine Learning Approach for Predicting Anti-Inflammatory Small Molecules
Authors: Selvam Subathra , Balaji Priya Dharshini , Sohn Honglae , Madhavan Thirumurthy
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Inflammation serves as a vital response to diverse harmful stimuli like infections, toxins, or tissue injuries, aiding in the elimination of pathogens and tissue repair. However, persistent inflammation can lead to chronic diseases. Peptide therapeutics have gained attention for their specificity in targeting cells, yet their development remains costly and time-consuming. Therefore, small molecules, with their stability, low immunogenicity, and oral bioavailability, have become a focal point for predicting anti-inflammatory small molecules (AISMs). Methods: In this study, we introduce a computational method called AISMPred, designed to classify AISMs and non-AISMs. To develop this approach, we constructed a dataset comprising 1750 AISMs and non-AISMs, each annotated with IC50 values sourced from the PubChem BioAssay database. We computed two distinct types of molecular descriptors using PaDEL and Mordred tools. Subsequently, these descriptors were concatenated to form a hybrid feature set. The SVC-L1 regularization method was implemented for the optimum feature selection to develop robust Machine learning (ML) models. Five different conventional ML classifiers were employed, such as RF, ET, KNN, LR, and Ensemble methods. Results: A total of 15 ML models were developed using 2D, FP, and Hybrid feature sets, with the ET model with hybrid features achieving the highest accuracy of 92% and an AUC of 0.97 on the independent test dataset. Conclusions: This study provides an effective method for screening AISMs, potentially impacting drug discovery and design.
A Modified Regular Perturbation Model for the Single-Span Fiber Transmission Using Learnable Methods
Authors: He Shuhong , Li Zhongya , Xing Sizhe , Yan An , Zhou Yingjun , Shi Jianyang , Shen Chao , Li Ziwei , He Zhixue , Chen Wei , Chi Nan , Zhang Junwen
Published: December 2024

In fiber optic communication systems, the dispersion and nonlinear interaction of optical signals are critical to modeling fiber optic communication, and the regular perturbation (RP) model is a simplified modeling method composed of parallel branches, which has obvious advantages in deep learning backpropagation. In this paper, we propose a simplified single-mode fiber signal transmission model based on the RP model, which significantly improves the fitting accuracy of the model for dispersion and nonlinear interactions at the same complexity by adding trainable parameters to the standard RP model. We explain in the paper that this improvement is applicable to dual-polarization systems and still effective under the conditions of large launch power, without dispersion management, and containing amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise. The model uses the standard split-step Fourier method (SSFM) to generate labels and updates parameters through gradient descent method. When transmitting a dual-polarization signal with a launch power of 13 dBm, the modified regular perturbation (MRP) model proposed in the paper can reduce the fitting errors by more than 75% compared to the standard RP model after transmitting through a 120 km standard single-mode fiber.
Quantitative Ethnobotany of Medicinal Plants from Darjeeling District of West Bengal, India, along with Phytochemistry and Toxicity Study of Betula alnoides Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don bark
Authors: Subba Yasodha , Hazra Samik , Rahaman Chowdhury Habibur
Published: December 2024

This study offers considerable information on plant wealth of therapeutic importance used traditionally by the residents of 11 villages under three subdivisions of Kurseong, Darjeeling Sadar, and Mirik in the Darjeeling District, West Bengal. For the acquisition of ethnomedicinal information, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 47 informants, of whom 11 persons were herbalists and 36 were knowledgeable persons. Free prior informed consent was obtained from each participant prior to the collection of field data. A total of 115 species were documented, which spread over 65 families and 104 genera. From the informants, a total of 101 monoherbal and 21 polyherbal formulations were recorded for treating 50 types of health conditions. The collected ethnobotanical data have been evaluated to measure the utilitarian significance of remedies using three quantitative tools, informant consensus factor (Fic), use value (UV), and fidelity level (FL%). A statistical analysis revealed that among 11 disease categories, the highest Fic value was estimated for the category of digestive diseases. The plant Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta scored the highest use value among all the recorded plant species. In the case of the FL% analysis, the highest score (97%) was observed in Betula alnoides Buch-Ham. ex D.Don, which is used for snake bites, among the recorded 115 plant species. In addition, the present study embodies the quantitative estimation of phenolics and flavonoids, along with an HPLC analysis of the B. alnoides bark to endorse this most important and underexplored plant as a potential source of therapeutically important chemical compounds. The bark extract contains significant amounts of phenolics (87.8 mg GAE/g dry tissue) and flavonoids (30.1 mg CE/g dry tissue). An HPLC analysis unveiled a captivating ensemble of six phenolic compounds, namely, chlorogenic acid, sinapic acid, caffeic acid, coumarin, p-coumaric acid, and gallic acid. Among the identified phenolics, chlorogenic acid scored the highest amount of 117.5 mg/g of dry tissue. The present study also explored the moderate cytotoxic nature of the bark extract through an in vitro cytotoxicity assay on the L929 mouse fibroblast cell line. Our study not only documents the statistically analyzed information about ethnomedicinal practices that prevailed in the rural communities of the Darjeeling District but also highlights the profound therapeutic capabilities and non-toxic nature of B. alnoides bark.
Structure Investigation of Polysaccharides Extracted from Spent Coffee Grounds Using an Eco-Friendly Technique
Authors: Košťálová Zuzana , Manavaki Malamatenia , Christaki Stamatia , Papadakis Emmanouil-Nikolaos , Mourtzinos Ioannis
Published: December 2024

Coffee is one of the most marketable products worldwide but throughout the production chain, many by-products and waste are generated, e.g., spent coffee grounds (SCG). SCG are considered a promising source of polysaccharides. In the present study, the polysaccharides from SCG were recovered through microwave-assisted extraction. Detailed structural analysis showed that SCG were mainly composed of low-branched galactomannan, followed by various lengths and branches of galactan or arabinogalactan chains whose side chains are randomly ended by glucuronic acid. These findings indicate that glucuronic acid remains attached to the arabinogalactan chain even after coffee roasting and brewing. The investigation confirmed that microwave-assisted extraction, as a green extraction technique, is a promising method for preparing polysaccharides with lower molecular weight. This extraction method ensures the recovery of SCG polysaccharides with potential biological activity without destroying the glucuronic acid at the arabinogalactan chains.
Kinetics and Reusability of Hydrophobic Eutectic Solvents in Continuous Extraction Processes in a Pilot Setting
Authors: Kozhevnikova Arina V. , Lobovich Dmitriy V. , Milevskii Nikita A. , Fedulov Igor S. , Zakhodyaeva Yulia A. , Voshkin Andrey A.
Published: December 2024

Hydrophobic eutectic solvents (HES) show significant promise as extractants for metal ions. At their current stage of development, however, they have many disadvantages, such as high costs, limited data on reusability and, often, lower extraction efficiency when compared with traditional extraction systems. This study investigates the physico-chemical properties of five HES formulations based on 1-octanol in combination with camphor, 2′-hydroxypropiophenone, menthol, 1-octanoic acid, and thymol. The 1-octanol/camphor HES exhibited substantially higher extraction efficiency for Fe(III) ions than a solution of 1-octanol in toluene at the same concentration. Furthermore, it showed stability when used in a mixer-settler type extractor. The 1-octanol/camphor HES achieved a rapid extraction and re-extraction rate, with phase contact time reduced to just 2 min, without loss of extraction efficiency. Using the supported liquid membrane method, the proposed Oct/Cam HES enabled a threefold concentration of iron ions in the raffinate phase under continuous operation, confirming its potential for reusability.
Application of Soil Remediation Techniques: A Case Study of Rice in a High-Selenium and High-Cadmium Soil Background Area in the Enshi Area
Authors: Zheng Xiongwei , Hu Mingyi , Guo Wei , Wang Shiying , Zhang Chenglong , He Yu , Hu Qing , Bai Yang
Published: December 2024

Seeking effective measures for the improvement of high-selenium and high-cadmium soils holds significant theoretical and practical importance for sustainable agricultural development. This paper focuses on conducting a site-specific soil survey in the characteristic agricultural product production area of Hefeng County, Enshi Prefecture, Hubei Province. Through field experiments, we compared 14 soil improvement methods across three techniques: chemical passivation remediation, agronomic regulation, and microbial remediation. The study investigated their impacts on rice Cd content, rice Se content, yield, and quality and conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the remediation effects of the different treatments. The experimental results indicate that (1) increasing the content of soil conditioners can enhance rice yields, with Treatment 14 showing the most significant increase, yielding an additional 257.3 kg per mu, representing a 55.62% increase. Treatment 12 also demonstrated a notable yield increase of 95.1 kg per mu, or a 20.55% increase. Lime, sepiolite, and shell powder can effectively reduce rice’s absorption of Cd. Treatment 9 resulted in the lowest Cd content in the rice, at 0.03 mg/kg, with a Cd reduction rate of 92%. The optimal application rates for this Cd reduction were 200 kg/mu of lime, 125 mL/mu of foliar inhibitor, and 50 kg/mu of carbon-silicon fertilizer. Treatment 12 achieved a rice Cd content of 0.11 mg/kg, with a 70% reduction in Cd, bringing the rice Cd content down to below 0.2 mg/kg, which meets the requirements of the National Food Safety Standard: Maximum Levels of Contaminants in Foods. In the comprehensive scoring of all treatments, considering four evaluation indicators—rice Cd content, rice yield, rice quality, and cost—Treatment 12 (300 kg/mu of soil conditioner + 50 kg/mu of carbon-silicon fertilizer) was found to be the optimal treatment through comparative scoring. It demonstrates good potential for ensuring safe rice production and can serve as a reference standard for repairing Cd-contaminated rice paddies in the local area, with promotional value.
Restoration Evaluation of National Forest Park in Greater Khingan Mountains Region, China
Authors: Sun Yao , Ding Yunhe , Lei Miaoyi , Mao Liang
Published: December 2024

As an important part of ecological civilization construction and harmonious coexistence between man and nature, the importance of restorative environment construction in national forest parks is self-evident. In this paper, the national forest park in the Greater Khingan Mountains region covering a large area of primary forest is taken as the research object. Based on visual perception, PRS, skin conductance level, and eye tracking technology are used as evaluation indexes to conduct restoration experiments on individuals. Among 60 participants, the PRS total scores for lawn space, shady space, dense forest space, and hard space were 166.63, 164.63, 168.43, and 158.93, respectively, indicating good restorative benefits, with hard space scoring lower. SCR decreases for dense forest space (M = 0.52) were significantly greater than for hard space (M = 0.38), suggesting better stress reduction. Eye tracking data showed that dense forest space had the longest total fixation duration (M = 42.57) and hard space the highest fixation count (M = 42.73). The results show that the national forest park is beneficial to the recovery of individual psychology and physiology, and can reduce the pressure of people’s visual perception. The psychological and physiological restorative benefits of different spatial scene types are different. Moreover, there is correlation between the eye movement index, psychological evaluation index, and physiological evaluation index, which confirms the possibility of introducing the eye movement index into the study of restorative environments.
The Effect of Architectural Standards on Energy Consumption in High-Rise Residential Building in Northern Iraq
Authors: Sleman Sarko Hassan , Atakara Cemil
Published: December 2024

Energy consumption is indeed a significant challenge in many countries. It is important to promote sustainable practices for energy and resource conservation for future generations. Sustainable practices may be developed through architectural standards. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of architectural standards on energy consumption, especially in high-rise residential buildings located in Northern Iraq. To meet our aim, we collected primary data through a survey of five high-rise residential buildings that had different architectural standards located in Northern Iraq. Smart PLS-SEM was used for data analysis to obtain the results of the investigation. Our findings show that all the architecture standards, such as residential building envelope design, residential building system and control, residential building shape and massing, green roof and facade design, ventilation and natural ventilation, orientation and solar gain, and thermal comfort and insulation, have positive impacts on energy consumption, indicating the selected high-rise residential building have not followed the international standard in Iraq and have high energy consumption that is not cost-effective. Moreover, window design has a significant negative impact on energy consumption, indicating low energy consumption due to attractive and international standard window design. This study has significant implications for government, policy makers, architects, engineers, and stakeholders.
Exploring the Role of Fractal Geometry in Engineering Image Processing Based on Similarity and Symmetry: A Review
Authors: Song Juan , Wang Bangfu , Jiang Qingyang , Hao Xiaohong
Published: December 2024

Fractal geometry theory has been widely used in engineering image processing. In this work, the basic principles and features of fractal geometry are first introduced and its importance in image processing is explained. The features of the symmetry and asymmetry of images are represented in fractal geometry and symmetry scaling is utilized to deal with image processing problems in engineering applications. Subsequently, specific applications of fractal geometry in engineering image processing are discussed in detail in terms of image compression, edge detection, texture analysis, and image reconstruction and restoration. The exploration of these applications reveals the advantages and usefulness of fractal geometry theory in image processing, and it is found that the image has certain symmetry and self-similarity, which is conducive to the establishment of mathematical models for the statistics of graphic contours and shapes. Finally, the unique value of fractal geometry in engineering image processing is further emphasized by comparing the innovations of fractal geometry with traditional image processing methods, which prompts the in-depth consideration of its potential value in this field. This paper provides new insights and directions for the research of engineering image processing, which is of positive significance for future research.
Water Infrastructure Impacts of Agricultural Industry in China Under Extreme Weather: A System Dynamics Model of a Multi-Level, Climate Resilience Perspective
Authors: Li Jiawen , Zhang Changzheng , Huang Qiaozhi , Ding Mengyao , He Yuxin , Liu Mulan , Yang Chuchu
Published: December 2024

China is the world’s largest agricultural country and is also deeply affected by extreme weather. Water infrastructure is a crucial solution to improve the climate adaptability of the agricultural industry. This study aimed to explore the above adaptive processes of the agricultural industry from a resilience perspective. This study builds a multi-level system dynamics (SD) model to assess the development of the agricultural industry and water infrastructure, predict the future resilience development trend, identify the key influencing factors, and simulate the effectiveness of different water infrastructure measures. The results show that (1) water infrastructure involving various climate adaptation measures significantly promotes the development of the agricultural industry. (2) Agricultural output, water infrastructure investment, and other fixed asset investments strongly improve the resilience, and the impact of the crop planting area is limited. (3) The resilience level is higher under the eco-friendly water conservation scenario than in the water supply security scenario and flood disaster prevention scenario. Such information will promote the sustainable development of the agricultural industry and future climate adaptation policy-making.
EEG-Based Mobile Robot Control Using Deep Learning and ROS Integration
Authors: Ghinoiu Bianca , Vlădăreanu Victor , Travediu Ana-Maria , Vlădăreanu Luige , Pop Abigail , Feng Yongfei , Zamfirescu Andreea
Published: December 2024

Efficient BCIs (Brain-Computer Interfaces) harnessing EEG (Electroencephalography) have shown potential in controlling mobile robots, also presenting new possibilities for assistive technologies. This study explores the integration of advanced deep learning models—ASTGCN, EEGNetv4, and a combined CNN-LSTM architecture—with ROS (Robot Operating System) to control a two-wheeled mobile robot. The models were trained using a published EEG dataset, which includes signals from subjects performing thought-based tasks. Each model was evaluated based on its accuracy, F1-score, and latency. The CNN-LSTM architecture model exhibited the best performance on the cross-subject strategy with an accuracy of 88.5%, demonstrating significant potential for real-time applications. Integration with ROS was facilitated through a custom middleware, enabling seamless translation of neural commands into robot movements. The findings indicate that the CNN-LSTM model not only outperforms existing EEG-based systems in terms of accuracy but also underscores the practical feasibility of implementing such systems in real-world scenarios. Considering its efficacy, CNN-LSTM shows a great potential for assistive technology in the future. This research contributes to the development of a more intuitive and accessible robotic control system, potentially enhancing the quality of life for individuals with mobility impairments.
The Ability of AST-120 to Lower the Serum Indoxyl Sulfate Level Improves Renal Outcomes and the Lipid Profile in Diabetic and Nondiabetic Animal Models of Chronic Kidney Disease: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Altunkaynak Hande O. , Karaismailoglu Eda , Massy Ziad A.
Published: December 2024

The therapeutic benefit of the oral adsorbent drug AST-120 in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is related to an indoxyl sulfate (IS)-lowering action. Diabetes and dyslipidemia might worsen kidney damage in CKD. However, it is not known whether AST-120 influences lipid abnormalities as well as renal function in patients with CKD and diabetes. The objective of the present meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of AST-120 treatment in CKD using data from preclinical studies. Mixed-effect or random-effect models were used to estimate the standardized mean difference (SMD) and the 95% confidence interval (CI). Publication bias was assessed with a funnel plot and Egger’s test. The potential influence of some variables (the dose and duration of AST-120 treatment, the animal species, and the CKD model’s diabetic status) was evaluated in subgroup analyses. Treatment with AST-120 was associated with a significantly lower IS level in animals with CKD (SMD = −1.75; 95% CI = −2.00, −1.49; p < 0.001). Significant improvements in markers of renal function and the lipid profile were also observed. In subgroup analyses of the cholesterol level, the diabetic status, the AST-120 dose, and the animal species were found to be influential factors. AST-120 lowered serum IS and triglyceride levels and improved renal function in animal models of CKD independent of diabetes status. However, AST-120’s ability to lower the total cholesterol level was more prominent in animals with diabetic CKD.
Macroalgae Compound Characterizations and Their Effect on the Ruminal Microbiome in Supplemented Lambs
Authors: De la Cruz Gómez Adriana Guadalupe , Campos-García Huitzimengari , Mendoza German D. , García-López Juan Carlos , Álvarez-Fuentes Gregorio , Hernández-García Pedro A. , Jiménez José Alejandro Roque , Cifuentes-Lopez Oswaldo , Relling Alejandro E , Lee-Rangel Héctor A.
Published: December 2024

The impact of macroalgae species on rumen function remains largely unexplored. This present study aimed to identify the biocompounds of the three types of marine macroalgae described: Macrocystis pyrifera (Brown), Ulva spp. (Lettuce), Mazzaella spp. (Red) and their effect on species-specific modulations of the rumen microbiome. The macroalgae were characterized using GC-MS. Twelve Rambouillet lambs were randomly assigned to one of four experimental diets (n = 3 per treatment): (a) control diet (CD); (b) CD + 5 g of Red algae; (c) CD + 5 g of Brown algae; and (d) CD + 5 g of Lettuce algae. After the lambs ended their fattening phase, they donated ruminal fluid for DNA extraction and 16S rRNA gene V3 amplicon sequencing. Results: The tagged 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and statistical analysis revealed that the dominant ruminal bacteria shared by all four sample groups belonged to phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidota. However, the relative abundance of these bacterial groups was markedly affected by diet composition. In animals fed with macroalgae, the fibrinolytic and cellulolytic bacteria Selenomonas was found in the highest abundance. The diversity in chemical composition among macroalgae species introduces a range of bioactive compounds, particularly VOCs like anethole, beta-himachalene, and 4-ethylphenol, which demonstrate antimicrobial and fermentation-modulating properties.
Rapid Start-Up of Anammox Process with a Stepwise Strategy: System Performance, Microbial Community Succession and Mechanism Exploration
Authors: Wang Sha , Yin Yangxin , Gao Yueyao , Li Fang , Zhou Jian
Published: December 2024

Anammox has emerged as a primary alternative to conventional biological nitrogen removal because of its excellent nitrogen removal performance and minimal energy utilization. However, the slow growth and reproduction of anammox bacteria (AnAOB) leads to an overlong start-up period, which severely restricts the full-scale promotion and application of anammox in wastewater treatment plants. Therefore, in this study, a sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBR) equipped with combined packing was used to investigate the rapid start-up of the anammox process. The result showed that the anammox reactor started successfully in only 75 days using a stepwise strategy, and the total nitrogen removal rate (TNRR) increased from 0.02 kg N m−3 d−1 on day 1 to 0.23 kg N m−3 d−1 on day 75. The primary AnAOB was Candidatus Kuenenia with a relative abundance of 37.20% at the end of the start-up of the anammox reactor. Denitrifying bacteria, nitrifying bacteria, and hydrolytic bacteria were also detected in the reactor. The synergistic interactions between AnAOB and these bacteria facilitated the efficient removal of pollutants. This study can offer a potential approach for the start-up of anammox in domestic wastewater treatment plants, which is conducive to achieving widespread application of anammox.
Idiomatic Space of Anthroposemic Substantival Bahuvrihi with a Zoonym Component and its Semantic Modelling in Modern English
Authors: Shutova Mariia , Gnezdilova Yaroslava , Minchak Halyna , Talko Svitlana
Published: December 2024

The article considers the versatility in perception of a person's appearance and streaks of character through the phenomenon of bakhuvrihi with a zoonym component according to conceptual pattern: OBJECT (ZOONYM) -> HUMAN / PART OF THE HUMAN BODY, where ZOONYM acts as a conception referred to by a word, and HUMAN / PART OF THE HUMAN BODY - a conception recognized as a target. This study focuses upon the new integrated approach to the anthroposemic substantival bahuvrihi with a zoonym component in the cognitive and semantic perspectives. The choice of such bahuvrihi is justified by the fact that the "zoonym-words" are perhaps the most proliferous lexical source of the items with positive or negative connotation, firmly based on traditions in specific cultural contexts and are traces of mythical thinking. Idiomatic space of anthroposemic substantival bahuvrihi with a zoonym component appears to be a complex structure of knowledge about humankind in biological, mental and social dimensions.
Children as Commodities in the American Suburban Home: Joyce Carol Oates's Adaptation of the Ramsey Case in "My Sister, My Love"
Authors: Miceli Barbara
Published: December 2024

Joyce Carol Oates's My Sister, My Love is a fictional memoir inspired by the unsolved murder of JonBenét Ramsey. The novel, told from the perspective of the victim's brother, satirizes the exploitation of children in beauty pageants and the superficiality of suburban life. Through a counter-memory narrative, Oates sheds light on the hidden abuse endured by children, revealing the dark underbelly of a seemingly perfect family. The novel serves as a powerful critique of societal pressures and the devastating consequences for young victims.
How to send an employee for a medical examination so that he starts work without hitches
Authors:   Pepelyaev Group, Moscow, Zhizherina Yu. Yu.
Published: December 2024

The obligations of the employer in the field of labor protection provided for by Art. 214 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation includes the obligation to conduct mandatory preliminary, periodic, other mandatory medical examinations (hereinafter referred to as medical examinations) at their own expense (paragraph 14, part 3 of article 214 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation). Let’s take a closer look at this procedure.
Legal regulation of determining the amount of damage caused by an employee to an employer under the law The Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation
Authors: Hasanli Narmin Mushfig Kyzy
Published: December 2024

Based on the current labor legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation, the article examines in a comparative aspect the issue of determining the amount of damage caused to an employer by an employee. It is shown that in Russia, a federal law may establish a special procedure for determining the amount of damage to be compensated, caused, in particular, to an employer by theft, intentional damage, shortage or loss of certain types of property and other valuables. It is considered advisable to amend Articles 202 of the Labor Code of the Republic of Armenia and Article 246 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation, which fix the rule for calculating the amount of damage on the day of its detection for cases in which the moment of damage cannot be determined.