bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Powering the Future: A Comprehensive Review of Battery Energy Storage Systems
Authors: Rey Sergi Obrador , Romero Juan Alberto , Romero Lluis Trilla , Martínez Àlber Filbà , Roger Xavier Sanchez , Qamar Muhammad Attique , Domínguez-García José Luis , Gevorkov Levon
Published: September 2023

Global society is significantly speeding up the adoption of renewable energy sources and their integration into the current existing grid in order to counteract growing environmental problems, particularly the increased carbon dioxide emission of the last century. Renewable energy sources have a tremendous potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions because they practically never produce any carbon dioxide or other pollutants. On the other hand, these energy sources are usually influenced by geographical location, weather, and other factors that are of stochastic nature. The battery energy storage system can be applied to store the energy produced by RESs and then utilized regularly and within limits as necessary to lessen the impact of the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources. The main purpose of the review paper is to present the current state of the art of battery energy storage systems and identify their advantages and disadvantages. At the same time, this helps researchers and engineers in the field to find out the most appropriate configuration for a particular application. This study offers a thorough analysis of the battery energy storage system with regard to battery chemistries, power electronics, and management approaches. This paper also offers a detailed analysis of battery energy storage system applications and investigates the shortcomings of the current best battery energy storage system architectures to pinpoint areas that require further study.
State-of-the-Art Techniques for Fault Diagnosis in Electrical Machines: Advancements and Future Directions
Authors: Akbar Siddique , Vaimann Toomas , Asad Bilal , Kallaste Ants , Sardar Muhammad Usman , Kudelina Karolina
Published: September 2023

Electrical machines are prone to various faults and require constant monitoring to ensure safe and dependable functioning. A potential fault in electrical machinery results in unscheduled downtime, necessitating the prompt assessment of any abnormal circumstances in rotating electrical machines. This paper provides an in-depth analysis as well as the most recent trends in the application of condition monitoring and fault detection techniques in the disciplines of electrical machinery. It first investigates the evolution of traditional monitoring techniques, followed by signal-based techniques such as spectrum, vibration, and temperature analysis, and the most recent trends in its signal processing techniques for assessing faults. Then, it investigates and details the implementation and evolution of modern approaches that employ intelligence-based techniques such as neural networks and support vector machines. All these applicable and state-of-art techniques in condition monitoring and fault diagnosis aid in predictive maintenance and identification and have the highly reliable operation of a motor drive system. Furthermore, this paper focuses on the possible transformational impact of electrical machine condition monitoring by thoroughly analyzing each of the monitoring techniques, their corresponding pros and cons, their approaches, and their applicability. It offers strong and useful insights into proactive maintenance measures, improved operating efficiency, and specific recommendations for future applications in the field of diagnostics.
Safety Performance and Failure Criteria of Lithium-Ion Batteries under Mechanical Abuse
Authors: Wang Genwei , Guo Xuanfu , Chen Jingyi , Han Pengfei , Su Qiliang , Guo Meiqing , Wang Bin , Song Hui
Published: September 2023

With the increasing global focus on environmental issues, controlling carbon dioxide emissions has become an important global agenda. In this context, the development of new energy vehicles, such as electric vehicles, is flourishing. However, as a crucial power source for electric vehicles, the safety performance of lithium-ion batteries under mechanical abuse has drawn widespread attention. Evaluating the safety performance of lithium-ion batteries requires in-depth research. This paper provides a review of recent experimental and numerical simulation studies on the mechanical abuse of lithium-ion batteries. It showcases the main methods and conclusions of experimental research, compares different response forms under quasi-static and dynamic loading, discusses the causes of strain-rate dependence in lithium-ion batteries, and briefly describes the impact of the state of charge (SOC) on safety performance under mechanical abuse, as well as the influence of mechanical abuse on battery capacity and impedance characteristics. Furthermore, this paper summarizes the methods of numerical simulation research, analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of detailed modeling and homogenized modeling methods, summarizes the strain-based internal short circuit failure criteria, and reviews numerical predictive models based on multiphysics coupling. Finally, it presents the latest progress in studying the safety performance of battery packs through numerical simulations.
A Review on Advanced Processes of Biohydrogen Generation from Lignocellulosic Biomass with Special Emphasis on Thermochemical Conversion
Authors: Sharma Rajat Kumar , Nazari Mohammad Ali , Haydary Juma , Singh Triveni Prasad , Mandal Sandip
Published: September 2023

The utilization of lignocellulosic biomass as an alternative energy source presents a promising opportunity to achieve a future energy system that is clean and free from CO2 emissions. To realize this potential, it is crucial to develop effective techniques for converting biomass and organic solid waste into secondary energy sources. Among the available options, hydrogen production stands out due to its numerous advantages, including its cleanliness, versatility in conversion and utilization technologies, high energy efficiency, and dense energy content per unit weight. This article offers a comprehensive overview of different conversion pathways and important technologies for generating hydrogen from biomass and organic solid waste. It specifically focuses on the thermochemical conversion process, which shows promise as an economically viable approach. While certain thermochemical conversion processes are still in the developmental phase, utilizing organic biomass for hydrogen production is widely recommended due to its ability to yield higher amounts of end products and its compatibility with existing facilities. However, it should be noted that this method necessitates a substantial amount of energy due to its endothermic nature. This article also explores alternative hydrogen conversion technologies and their potential for utilizing organic biomass as a feedstock, while addressing the challenges and limitations associated with these methods.
Responses of Physiological, Morphological and Anatomical Traits to Abiotic Stress in Woody Plants
Authors: Li Shan , Lu Sen , Wang Jing , Chen Zhicheng , Zhang Ya , Duan Jie , Liu Peng , Wang Xueyan , Guo Junkang
Published: September 2023

Abiotic stresses could have complex and diverse effects on the growth and development of forest trees. In this review, we summarized the responses of morphological, physiological and anatomical traits in woody plants to abiotic stresses, including drought, flood, extreme temperature, salinity, heavy metal, microplastics and combined stresses, especially from the xylem perspective. Under most abiotic stress, xylem hydraulic conductivity decreases, which is associated with leaf stomatal regulation and the inhibition of aquaporin (AQP) activity. Meanwhile, woody plants regulate the size and morphology of their roots and leaves to balance water absorption and transpiration. The anatomical traits are also altered, such as denser leaf stomata, narrower conduits and thicker cell walls. In addition, different stresses have unique effects, such as flood-induced adventitious roots and aeration tissues, forest fire-induced irreversible xylem damage, low temperature-induced tissue freezing, salt stress-induced hinderance of ion absorption and heavy metal-induced biological toxicity. Under stresses of drought, flooding and heavy metals, woody plants’ growth may occasionally be promoted. The effects of combined stress on the physiological, morphological and anatomical traits of woody plants are not simply additive, with the related mechanism to be further studied, especially in natural or near-natural conditions.
Effects of Soil Properties and Nutrients on the Fruit Economic Parameters and Oil Nutrient Contents of Camellia oleifera
Authors: Xu Yanming , Deng Senwen , Ma Li , Li Meiqun , Xie Biyu , Gao Jing , Shao Minghao , Chen Yongzhong
Published: September 2023

The Camellia oleifera industry is hindered by the substandard quality of its fruits and the low yield of camellia seed oil. Although soil factors have been shown to affect the productivity of this plant, the relationship between C. oleifera characteristics and soil properties and nutrients remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated soil factors within the central distribution area of this species. Our findings revealed that this plant thrives in acidic soils with a medium cation exchange capacity. There were moderate differences in the main and medium element contents in the soils, while the variation of microelements was significant. Overall, C. oleifera cultivated soils were poor, with an uneven distribution of soil nutrients. Most of the shape characteristics of camellia fruits showed moderate variability, whereas dry kernel rate and oil content exhibited minor variability. The fatty acid profiles remained stable across different planting sites, but there were higher variations in the content of active compounds. Fruit shape characteristics were primarily influenced by soil properties, while soil nutrients mainly affected the seeds and kernels of the fruit. Minor fatty acid content could be influenced by soil properties and nutrients, except for total nitrogen (TN), which specifically affected the content of palmitic acid and oleic acid. There was no significant correlation between soil factors and sterols, polyphenols, and tocopherols, while squalene was affected by soil properties. Our study highlights the importance of considering soil properties and nutrients in the cultivation of C. oleifera and emphasizes the need for rational fertilizer application.
Alcohol-Free Beer Produced Using Maltose-Negative Wine Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae with Probiotic Potential
Authors: İlpars Emre , Titlová Štěpánka , Hanzalíková Katarína , Křížová Ivana , Brányik Tomáš
Published: September 2023

The ideal yeast for the production of alcohol-free beer does not form ethanol, produces a distinct and pleasant taste and has probiotic properties. This study characterized the potential of a wine yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae CCM 9181, to be an ideal alcohol free beer strain. It was found to be maltose-negative, and the ethanol content in fermented all-malt wort has never exceeded the legal limit of 0.5% v/v. Its specific growth rate (µ) was the highest at 25 °C (μ = 0.41 ± 0.01 h−1) and it was not affected by iso-α-bitter acids (15–50 IBU, international bitterness units). A response surface methodology was used to optimize the temperature and pitching rate affecting the formation of total higher alcohols and esters. A statistical analysis of the experimental data revealed that temperature affected esters most significantly, while both temperature and pitching rate had the most significant effects on higher alcohols. The sensory properties of beers were evaluated by trained panelists and they were described as malty, clove-like, having a very mild bitterness and a bouquet of white wine. The survival rate of S. cerevisiae CCM 9181 after simulated passage through the gastrointestinal tract was investigated as a first step to evaluate its probiotic properties. Our analyses show that Saccharomyces cerevisiae CCM9181 is a suitable candidate for the large-scale commercial production of alcohol-free beer and has probiotic potential that needs to be studied further.
Advances Techniques in Computer Vision and Multimedia
Authors: Wang Yang
Published: September 2023

Computer vision has experienced significant advancements and great success in areas closely related to human society, which aims to enable computer systems to automatically see, recognize, and understand the visual world by simulating the mechanism of human vision [...]
FLAME-VQA: A Fuzzy Logic-Based Model for High Frame Rate Video Quality Assessment
Authors: Mrvelj Štefica , Matulin Marko
Published: September 2023

In the quest to optimize user experience, network, and service, providers continually seek to deliver high-quality content tailored to individual preferences. However, predicting user perception of quality remains a challenging task, given the subjective nature of human perception and the plethora of technical attributes that contribute to the overall viewing experience. Thus, we introduce a Fuzzy Logic-bAsed ModEl for Video Quality Assessment (FLAME-VQA), leveraging the LIVE-YT-HFR database containing 480 video sequences and subjective ratings of their quality from 85 test subjects. The proposed model addresses the challenges of assessing user perception by capturing the intricacies of individual preferences and video attributes using fuzzy logic. It operates with four input parameters: video frame rate, compression rate, and spatio-temporal information. The Spearman Rank–Order Correlation Coefficient (SROCC) and Pearson Correlation Coefficient (PCC) show a high correlation between the output and the ground truth. For the training, test, and complete dataset, SROCC equals 0.8977, 0.8455, and 0.8961, respectively, while PCC equals 0.9096, 0.8632, and 0.9086, respectively. The model outperforms comparative models tested on the same dataset.
Explainable Lightweight Block Attention Module Framework for Network-Based IoT Attack Detection
Authors: Safarov Furkat , Basak Mainak , Nasimov Rashid , Abdusalomov Akmalbek , Cho Young Im
Published: September 2023

In the rapidly evolving landscape of internet usage, ensuring robust cybersecurity measures has become a paramount concern across diverse fields. Among the numerous cyber threats, denial of service (DoS) and distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks pose significant risks, as they can render websites and servers inaccessible to their intended users. Conventional intrusion detection methods encounter substantial challenges in effectively identifying and mitigating these attacks due to their widespread nature, intricate patterns, and computational complexities. However, by harnessing the power of deep learning-based techniques, our proposed dense channel-spatial attention model exhibits exceptional accuracy in detecting and classifying DoS and DDoS attacks. The successful implementation of our proposed framework addresses the challenges posed by imbalanced data and exhibits its potential for real-world applications. By leveraging the dense channel-spatial attention mechanism, our model can precisely identify and classify DoS and DDoS attacks, bolstering the cybersecurity defenses of websites and servers. The high accuracy rates achieved across different datasets reinforce the robustness of our approach, underscoring its efficacy in enhancing intrusion detection capabilities. As a result, our framework holds promise in bolstering cybersecurity measures in real-world scenarios, contributing to the ongoing efforts to safeguard against cyber threats in an increasingly interconnected digital landscape. Comparative analysis with current intrusion detection methods reveals the superior performance of our model. We achieved accuracy rates of 99.38%, 99.26%, and 99.43% for Bot-IoT, CICIDS2017, and UNSW_NB15 datasets, respectively. These remarkable results demonstrate the capability of our approach to accurately detect and classify various types of DoS and DDoS assaults. By leveraging the inherent strengths of deep learning, such as pattern recognition and feature extraction, our model effectively overcomes the limitations of traditional methods, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of intrusion detection systems.
The Impact of Fractal Gradation of Aggregate on the Mechanical and Durable Characteristics of Recycled Concrete
Authors: Quan Chang-Qing , Jiao Chu-Jie , Chen Wei-Zhi , Xue Zhi-Cheng , Liang Rui , Chen Xue-Fei
Published: September 2023

Properties of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) are influenced by the composition and particle size distribution of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA). The study herein designed seven distinct groups of RACs with varying aggregate fractal dimensions (D) and one group of natural concrete (NAC). The impact of D on the workability, compressive strength, resistance to chloride ion penetration, and carbonation resistance of RAC was measured. It was found that an increase in the D value led to a decrease in the slump and slump flow, with the compressive strength and chloride ion penetration increasing and then decreasing, and carbonation gradually declined. The optimal fractal dimension was thereby determined to be 2.547 by a strength model accommodating two parameters of D and the curing age. Additionally, the mass percentage of each particle size for the corresponding gradation was presented. The compressive strength and chloride permeation resistance of RAC (D = 1.0) relative to RAC (D = 2.5) was increased by 16.7% and 13.3%, respectively. Furthermore, the carbonation depth of RAC (D = 2.5) was comparable to that of NAC. Additionally, the carbonation resistance of RAC was influenced by both the size distribution and the degree of natural carbonation of RCA, resulting in four distinct features relative to NAC. It is thereby feasible to enhance RAC performance through the manipulation of RCA’s fractal dimensions.
Can 100% Pasture-Based Livestock Farming Produce Enough Ruminant Meat to Meet the Current Consumption Demand in the UK?
Authors: Qi Aiming , Whatford Louise , Payne-Gifford Sophie , Cooke Richard , Van Winden Steven , Häsler Barbara , Barling David
Published: September 2023

Grassland is grouped into temporary, permanent, and rough grazing types in the United Kingdom (UK), making up more than 60% of the national agricultural land area. It provides avenues for grazed fodder or ensiled forage contributing a large proportion of the diets consumed by cattle and sheep. The official agricultural census data in 2011 to 2020 showed that, on average, UK cattle and sheep farming can produce meat to satisfy 83.3 and 100.8% of domestic cattle beef and sheep meat consumption levels, respectively. Out of the large agricultural census datasets, we used the populations of cattle and sheep, as well as the UK definition of a standard livestock unit (SLU), to normalise the respective herd populations into a total standard livestock unit (TSLU). We then used the annual domestic meat production in dressed carcass weight to calculate cattle and sheep meat productivity per SLU. Using the potential herbal dry matter yields per year and areas of the different grassland types across the UK, the potential total available pasture feed was calculated. This potential production of herbal biomass was translated into the potential carrying capacity expressed in a TSLU. This total potential carrying capacity was partitioned into cattle and sheep sectors so that the routes of pasture-based-only options with which to produce ruminant meat to meet the current UK domestic consumption demands were assessed. The estimated mean potential annual pasture forage feed in 2011–2020 was approximately 82.0 million (M) metric tonnes (t), which can be translated into a potential carrying capacity of 17.9 M SLUs compared with the current mean 9.36 M SLUs in the survey data of the UK. With the ratio of sheep to cattle at 8.2:25 in the national TSLU, the UK national demands at present consumption levels of cattle and sheep meat can be arithmetically met with pasture grass utilisation rates at or above 65% and 50% by cattle and sheep farming systems, respectively.
CD5+ Primary Cutaneous Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, Leg Type, Presenting as an Asymptomatic Nodule
Authors: Xiao Amy , Beatty Colleen J. , Choudhary Sonal , Akilov Oleg E.
Published: September 2023

Primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type (PCDLBCL-LT), is a rare and aggressive variant of primary cutaneous lymphoma that typically expresses B cells as well as MUM1/IRF4, BCL2, and FOXP1, whereas BCL6 may be present or undetectable. We present a case of CD5+ PCDLBCL-LT presenting as a 6 mm pink-bluish nodule on the mid-left thigh, which was concerning for basal cell carcinoma. The histological examination reveals the presence of an intradermal proliferation of large, atypical CD5+, CD20+ BCL2+, BCL6+, MUM-1+, and Cyclin-D1+ lymphocytes in a nodular, diffuse interstitial and perivascular distribution. Because the patient presented with a small, single nodule, the systemic treatment of multiagent chemotherapy was avoided and localized electron beam radiation therapy with rituximab was initiated instead, achieving complete response. Early identification of PCDLBCL-LT is key for maximal therapeutic benefit and prognosis; it is important to consider PCDLBCL-LT on the differential when evaluating small, single nodules on the lower extremities of elderly patients.
Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: Audiometric Findings in Patients with Audiological Symptoms
Authors: Ríos Coronado Oscar O. , Igual Félix Claudia A. , Paz Flores Gabriel , De Alba Márquez Magdicarla E. , Cárdenas Contreras Cynthia R. , González Díaz Esteban , Sedano Paz Ana I. , González-Lucano Luis R.
Published: September 2023

Since the SARS-CoV-19 pandemic, the possibility of audiological involvement by this virus has been speculated without being able to generate a true cause–effect relationship. The objective of this observational, descriptive cross-sectional study is to describe the audiometric findings of post-COVID-19 patients with audiological symptoms. A sample of 47 patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 infection was included: The age range was between 18 and 50 years old, the mean age was 37.0 years with a standard deviation of ±8.3 years, and 32 patients (68.1%) were female and 15 male patients (31.9%). Patients were recruited by the Otolaryngology service at Civil Fray Antonio Mayor Hospital from September 2020 to December 2022. Tonal audiometry was performed in a window of no more than 3 months from the onset of symptoms. The Chi-square test was used and odds ratios (OR) were established to associate the variables of post-COVID-19 audiological symptoms and the prevalence of hearing loss. A 95% confidence interval (CI) and statistical significance were considered of p ≤ 0.05. The audiological symptoms presented a prevalence of 74.4% for a sensation of ear fullness, 59.6% for tinnitus, and 51.1% for a sensation of hearing loss.
Impacts of COVID-19 on Stress in Middle School Teachers and Staff in Minnesota: An Exploratory Study Using Random Forest Analysis
Authors: Harding Alyson B. , Ramirez Marizen R. , Ryan Andrew D. , Xiong Bao Nhia , Rosebush Christina E. , Woods-Jaeger Briana
Published: September 2023

While the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted many occupations, teachers and school staff have faced unique challenges related to remote and hybrid teaching, less contact with students, and general uncertainty. This study aimed to measure the associations between specific impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and stress levels in Minnesota educators. A total of 296 teachers and staff members from eight middle schools completed online surveys between May and July of 2020. The Epidemic Pandemic Impacts Inventory (EPII) measured the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic according to nine domains (i.e., Economic, Home Life). The Kessler-6 scale measured non-specific stress (range: 0–24), with higher scores indicating greater levels of stress. Random forest analysis determined which items of the EPII were predictive of stress. The average Kessler-6 score was 6.8, indicating moderate stress. Three EPII items explained the largest amount of variation in the Kessler-6 score: increase in mental health problems or symptoms, hard time making the transition to working from home, and increase in sleep problems or poor sleep quality. These findings indicate potential areas for intervention to reduce employee stress in the event of future disruptions to in-person teaching or other major transitions during dynamic times.
Organizational Learning in Healthcare Contexts after COVID-19: A Study of 10 Intensive Care Units in Central and Northern Italy through Framework Analysis
Authors: Gambirasio Maddalena , Magatti Demetrio , Barbetta Valentina , Brena Silvia , Lizzola Giordano , Pandolfini Chiara , Sommariva Francesca , Zamperoni Anna , Finazzi Stefano , Ivaldi Silvia
Published: September 2023

The rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has forced healthcare organizations to change their organization, introducing new ways of working, relating, communicating, and managing to cope with the growing number of hospitalized patients. Starting from the analysis of the narratives of healthcare workers who served in the intensive care units of 10 hospitals in Central and Northern Italy, this contribution intends to highlight elements present during the pandemic period within the investigated structures, which are considered factors that can influence the birth of organizational learning. Specifically, the data collected through interviews and focus groups were analyzed using the framework analysis method of Ritchie and Spencer. The conducted study made it possible to identify and highlight factors related to aspects of communication, relationships, context, and organization that positively influenced the management of the health emergency, favoring the improvement of the structure. It is believed that the identification of these factors by healthcare organizations can represent a valuable opportunity to rethink themselves, thus becoming a source of learning.
Spatio-Temporal Relevance Classification from Geographic Texts Using Deep Learning
Authors: Tian Miao , Hu Xinxin , Huang Jiakai , Ma Kai , Li Haiyan , Zheng Shuai , Tao Liufeng , Qiu Qinjun
Published: September 2023

The growing proliferation of geographic information presents a substantial challenge to the traditional framework of a geographic information analysis and service. The dynamic integration and representation of geographic knowledge, such as triples, with spatio-temporal information play a crucial role in constructing a comprehensive spatio-temporal knowledge graph and facilitating the effective utilization of spatio-temporal big data for knowledge-driven service applications. The existing knowledge graph (or geographic knowledge graph) takes spatio-temporal as the attribute of entity, ignoring the role of spatio-temporal information for accurate retrieval of entity objects and adaptive expression of entity objects. This study approaches the correlation between geographic knowledge and spatio-temporal information as a text classification problem, with the aim of addressing the challenge of establishing meaningful connections among spatio-temporal data using advanced deep learning techniques. Specifically, we leverage Wikipedia as a valuable data source for collecting and filtering geographic texts. The Open Information Extraction (OpenIE) tool is employed to extract triples from each sentence, followed by manual annotation of the sentences’ spatio-temporal relevance. This process leads to the formation of quadruples (time relevance/space relevance) or quintuples (spatio-temporal relevance). Subsequently, a comprehensive spatio-temporal classification dataset is constructed for experiment verification. Ten prominent deep learning text classification models are then utilized to conduct experiments covering various aspects of time, space, and spatio-temporal relationships. The experimental results demonstrate that the Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformer-Region-based Convolutional Neural Network (BERT-RCNN) model exhibits the highest performance among the evaluated models. Overall, this study establishes a foundation for future knowledge extraction endeavors.
Function of Transcription Factors PoMYB12, PoMYB15, and PoMYB20 in Heat Stress and Growth of Pleurotus ostreatus
Authors: Yuan Hui , Liu Zongqi , Guo Lifeng , Hou Ludan , Meng Junlong , Chang Mingchang
Published: September 2023

MYB transcription factors (TFs) have been extensively studied in plant abiotic stress responses and growth and development. However, the role of MYB TFs in the heat stress response and growth and development of Pleurotus ostreatus remains unclear. To investigate the function of PoMYB12, PoMYB15, and PoMYB20 TFs in P. ostreatus, mutant strains of PoMYB12, PoMYB15, and PoMYB20 were generated using RNA interference (RNAi) and overexpression (OE) techniques. The results indicated that the mycelia of OE-PoMYB12, OE-PoMYB20, and RNAi-PoMYB15 mutant strains exhibited positive effects under heat stress at 32 °C, 36 °C, and 40 °C. Compared to wild-type strains, the OE-PoMYB12, OE-PoMYB20, and RNAi-PoMYB15 mutant strains promoted the growth and development of P. ostreatus. These mutant strains also facilitated the recovery of growth and development of P. ostreatus after 24 h of 36 °C heat stress. In conclusion, the expression of PoMYB12 and PoMYB20 supports the mycelium’s response to heat stress and enhances the growth and development of P. ostreatus, whereas PoMYB15 produces the opposite effect.
Marine Bacterioplankton Community Dynamics and Potentially Pathogenic Bacteria in Seawater around Jeju Island, South Korea, via Metabarcoding
Authors: Kim Hyun-Jung , Kim Kang Eun , Kim Yu Jin , Kang Hangoo , Shin Ji Woo , Kim Soohyun , Lee Sang Heon , Jung Seung Won , Lee Taek-Kyun
Published: September 2023

Understanding marine bacterioplankton composition and distribution is necessary for improving predictions of ecosystem responses to environmental change. Here, we used 16S rRNA metabarcoding to investigate marine bacterioplankton diversity and identify potential pathogenic bacteria in seawater samples collected in March, May, September, and December 2013 from two sites near Jeju Island, South Korea. We identified 1343 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and observed that community diversity varied between months. Alpha- and Gamma-proteobacteria were the most abundant classes, and in all months, the predominant genera were Candidatus Pelagibacter, Leisingera, and Citromicrobium. The highest number of OTUs was observed in September, and Vibrio (7.80%), Pseudoalteromonas (6.53%), and Citromicrobium (6.16%) showed higher relative abundances or were detected only in this month. Water temperature and salinity significantly affected bacterial distribution, and these conditions, characteristic of September, were adverse for Aestuariibacter but favored Citromicrobium. Potentially pathogenic bacteria, among which Vibrio (28 OTUs) and Pseudoalteromonas (six OTUs) were the most abundant in September, were detected in 49 OTUs, and their abundances were significantly correlated with water temperature, increasing rapidly in September, the warmest month. These findings suggest that monthly temperature and salinity variations affect marine bacterioplankton diversity and potential pathogen abundance.
Association of HDL Subfraction Profile with the Progression of Insulin Resistance
Authors: Piko Peter , Jenei Tibor , Kosa Zsigmond , Sandor Janos , Kovacs Nora , Seres Ildiko , Paragh Gyorgy , Adany Roza
Published: September 2023

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major global public health problem, as it is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Insulin resistance (IR) is a condition characterized by disturbances in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism that precedes T2DM. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between HDL and its subfraction profile and the progression of IR, as assessed by the Homeostatic Model Assessment for IR (HOMA-IR) index, and to define cut-off values to identify an increased risk of IR. Individuals with a HOMA-IR greater than 3.63 were considered to have IR. The HDL subfractions were separated using the Lipoprint system, which identifies ten subfractions (HDL-1-10) in three subclasses as large (HDL-L), intermediate (HDL-I) and small (HDL-S). Analyses were performed on samples from 240 individuals without IR and 137 with IR from the Hungarian general and Roma populations. The HDL-1 to -6 subfractions and the HDL-L and -I classes showed a significant negative association with the progression and existence of IR. Among them, HDL-2 (B = −40.37, p = 2.08 × 10−11) and HDL-L (B = −14.85, p = 9.52 × 10−10) showed the strongest correlation. The optimal threshold was found to be 0.264 mmol/L for HDL-L and 0.102 mmol/L and above for HDL-2. Individuals with HDL-L levels below the reference value had a 5.1-fold higher risk of IR (p = 2.2 × 10−7), while those with HDL-2 levels had a 4.2-fold higher risk (p = 3.0 × 10−6). This study demonstrates that the HDL subfraction profile (especially the decrease in HDL-2 and -L) may be a useful marker for the early detection and intervention of atherogenic dyslipidemia in subjects with impaired glucose and insulin metabolism.
Long Non-Coding RNAs and Their “Discrete” Contribution to IBD and Johne’s Disease—What Stands out in the Current Picture? A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Triantaphyllopoulos Kostas A.
Published: September 2023

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNA) have paved the way to new perspectives on the regulation of gene expression, not only in biology and medicine, but also in associated fields and technologies, ensuring advances in diagnostic means and therapeutic modalities. Critical in this multistep approach are the associations of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) with diseases and their causal genes in their networks of interactions, gene enrichment and expression analysis, associated pathways, the monitoring of the involved genes and their functional roles during disease progression from one stage to another. Studies have shown that Johne’s Disease (JD), caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies partuberculosis (MAP), shares common lncRNAs, clinical findings, and other molecular entities with Crohn’s Disease (CD). This has been a subject of vigorous investigation owing to the zoonotic nature of this condition, although results are still inconclusive. In this review, on one hand, the current knowledge of lncRNAs in cells is presented, focusing on the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal-related pathologies and MAP-related infections and, on the other hand, we attempt to dissect the associated genes and pathways involved. Furthermore, the recently characterized and novel lncRNAs share common pathologies with IBD and JD, including the expression, molecular networks, and dataset analysis results. These are also presented in an attempt to identify potential biomarkers pertinent to cattle and human disease phenotypes.
Differences in Hyperandrogenism Related to Early Detection of Non-Classical Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia on Second Newborn Screen
Authors: McCann-Crosby Bonnie , Liang Mark C. , Geffner Mitchell E. , Koppin Christina M. , Fraga Nicole R. , Sutton V. Reid , Karaviti Lefkothea P. , Bhullar Gagandeep , Kim Mimi S.
Published: September 2023

Screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) remains heterogenous across geographies—we sought to determine the proportion of non-classical CAH (NCAH) detection by one vs. two newborn screens (NBS) in two U.S. regions. Data were collected at tertiary centers in Houston (HOU) and Los Angeles (LA) on 35 patients with NCAH, comparing patients identified via the NBS vs. during childhood, 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) levels, genotype, and phenotype. The NBS filter-paper 17-OHP levels and daily cutoffs were recorded on initial and second screens. In all, 53% of patients with NCAH in the HOU cohort were identified as infants via the second NBS. Patients identified clinically later in childhood presented at a similar age (HOU: n = 9, 5.5 ± 3.1 years; LA: n = 18, 7.9 ± 4 years) with premature pubarche in almost all. Patients in LA had more virilized phenotypes involving clitoromegaly and precocious puberty and were older at treatment onset compared with those identified in HOU by the second NBS (HOU: 3.2 ± 3.9 years; LA: 7.9 ± 4.0 years, p = 0.02). We conclude that the early detection of NCAH could prevent hyperandrogenism and its adverse consequences, with half of the cases in HOU detected via a second NBS. Further studies of genotyping and costs are merited.
Combined Biologic Augmentation Strategies with Collagen Patch Graft, Microfractures, and Platelet Concentrate Injections Improve Functional and Structural Outcomes of Arthroscopic Revision Rotator Cuff Repair
Authors: Colosio Alessandro , Bergomi Andrea , Pratobevera Andrea , Paderno Marco , Saccomanno Maristella Francesca , Milano Giuseppe
Published: September 2023

Background: Arthroscopic revision rotator cuff repair (ARRCR) is challenging. Biologic strategies seem to be promising. The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of the combination of microfractures of the greater tuberosity, augmentation with collagen patch graft, and platelet concentrate injections in ARRCR. Methods: A retrospective comparative study was conducted on patients that underwent ARRCR with a minimum follow-up of two years. Patients in the augmentation group underwent ARRCR combined with microfractures, collagen patch graft, and postoperative subacromial injections of platelet concentrate. A standard rotator cuff repair was performed in the control group. Primary outcome: Constant-Murley score (CMS). Secondary outcomes: disease-specific, health-related quality of life using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score; assessment of tendon integrity with magnetic resonance at least six months after surgery. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Forty patients were included. Mean follow-up was 36.2 ± 8.7 months. The mean CMS was greater in the augmentation group (p = 0.022). No differences could be found for DASH score. Healing failure rate was higher in the control group (p = 0.002). Conclusion: Biologic augmentation of ARRCR using a combination of microfractures, collagen patch graft, and subacromial injections of platelet concentrate is an effective strategy in improving tendon healing rate. Level of evidence: retrospective cohort study, level III.
Interleukin-23 Involved in Fibrotic Autoimmune Diseases: New Discoveries
Authors: Sisto Margherita , Lisi Sabrina
Published: September 2023

Interleukin (IL)-23 is a central pro-inflammatory cytokine with a broad range of effects on immune responses. IL-23 is pathologically linked to the induction of the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-17 and IL-22, which stimulate the differentiation and proliferation of T helper type 17 (Th17) cells. Recent discoveries suggest a potential pro-fibrotic role for IL-23 in the development of chronic inflammatory autoimmune diseases characterized by intense fibrosis. In this review, we summarized the biological features of IL-23 and gathered recent research on the role of IL-23 in fibrotic autoimmune conditions, which could provide a theoretical basis for clinical targeting and drug development.
Sex Differences in the Diagnosis, Management, and Outcomes of Suspected Non-ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes Meeting Rapid Rule-Out Criteria
Authors: Cohen Ben , Tor Ruth , Grossman Alon , Kornowski Ran , Porter Avital , Hasdai David
Published: September 2023

(1) Background: patients who meet current rapid rule-out criteria for myocardial infarction (MI) are considered low risk, yet their management remains nebulous, especially among women. We aimed to examine sex differences in the diagnosis, management, and outcomes of patients meeting the rapid rule-out criteria. (2) Methods: by simulating application of the rapid rule-out MI criteria, we analyzed consecutively triaged men and women with suspected NSTE-ACS who had high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) values that met criteria (n = 11,477), in particular, those who were admitted (n = 3775). (3) Results: men constituted ~55% of triaged patients who met the rule-out criteria, whether admitted or discharged. Men were more likely to be admitted (33.7% vs. 31.9%, p = 0.04), more commonly with hs-cTnT values between level of detection (LOD, 5 ng/ml) and the 99th percentile (59.4% of all admissions vs. 40.5% for women), whereas women were more likely to be admitted with values < level of blank (LOB, 3 ng/mL; 22.9% vs. 9.2% for men). Thirty-day mortality (1 man and 1 woman) and in-hospital MI (9 men vs. 1 woman) were uncommon among admitted patients, yet resource utilization during 3–4 hospitalization days was substantial for both sexes, with men undergoing coronary angiography (6.8% vs. 2.9%) and revascularization (3.4% vs. 1.1%) more commonly. Long-term survival for both men and women, whether admitted or discharged, was significantly worse for hs-cTnT values between LOD and the 99th percentile, even after adjusting for age and cardiovascular comorbidities. (4) Conclusions: reporting actual hs-cTnT values < 99th percentile allows for better risk stratification, especially for women, possibly closing the sex gap.
Factors Associated with Refractive Prediction Error after Phacotrabeculectomy
Authors: Shin Jung Hye , Kim Seok Hwan , Oh Sohee , Lee Kyoung Min
Published: September 2023

Purpose: To compare refractive prediction errors between phacotrabeculectomy and phacoemulsification. Methods: Refractive prediction error was defined as the difference in spherical equivalent between the predicted value using the Barrett Universal II formula and the actual value obtained at postoperative one month. Forty-eight eyes that had undergone phacotrabeculectomy (19 eyes, open-angle glaucoma; 29 eyes, angle-closure glaucoma) were matched with 48 eyes that had undergone phacoemulsification by age, average keratometry value and axial length (AL), and their prediction errors were compared. The factors associated with prediction errors were analyzed by multivariable regression analyses. Results: The phacotrabeculectomy group showed a larger absolute prediction error than the phacoemulsification group (0.51 ± 0.37 Diopters vs. 0.38 ± 0.22 Diopters, p = 0.033). Larger absolute prediction error was associated with longer AL (p = 0.010) and higher intraocular pressure (IOP) difference (p = 0.012). Hyperopic shift (prediction error > 0) was associated with shallower preoperative anterior chamber depth (ACD) (p = 0.024) and larger IOP difference (p = 0.031). In the phacotrabeculectomy group, the prediction error was inversely correlated with AL: long eyes showed myopic shift and short eyes hyperopic shift (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Surgeons should be aware of the possibility of worse refractive outcomes when planning phacotrabeculectomy, especially in eyes with high preoperative IOP, shallow ACD, and/or extreme AL.
Benefits of Premaquick® Combined Detection of IL-6/Total IGFBP-1/Native IGFBP-1 to Predict Preterm Delivery
Authors: Pambet Mathilde , Sirodot Fanny , Pereira Bruno , Cahierc Romain , Delabaere Amélie , Comptour Aurélie , Rouzaire Marion , Sapin Vincent , Gallot Denis
Published: September 2023

We conducted a prospective double-blind study to compare two vaginal diagnostic methods in singleton pregnancies with threatened preterm labor (TPL) at the University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand (France) from August 2018 to December 2020. Our main objective was to compare the diagnostic capacity at admission, in terms of positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV), of Premaquick® (combined detection of IL-6/total IGFBP-1/native IGFBP-1) and QuikCheck fFN™ (fetal fibronectin) for delivery within 7 days in cases of TPL. We included 193 patients. Premaquick® had a sensitivity close to 89%, equivalent to QuikCheck fFN™, but a higher statistical specificity of 49.5% against 38.6% for QuikCheck fFN™. We found no superiority of Premaquick® over QuickCheck fFN™ in terms of PPV (6.6% vs. 7.9%), with NPV being equivalent in predicting childbirth within 7 days in cases of TPL (98.6% vs. 98.9%). Nevertheless, the combination of positive native and total IGFBP-1 and the combination of all three positive markers were associated with a higher PPV. Our results, though non-significant, support this combined multiple-biomarker approach to improve testing in terms of predictive values.
Changes to Blood-Sampling Protocol to Reduce the Sampling Amount in Neonatal Intensive Care Units: A Quality Improvement Project
Authors: Jung Nayoung , Kim Chan , Kim Hanna , Seo Yekyeng , Hwang Jieun , Yang Misun , Ahn So Yoon , Sung Se In , Chang Yun Sil
Published: September 2023

(1) Background: This study aimed to evaluate whether the implementation of a modified blood-sampling protocol, which focused on need-based laboratory testing and minimized venous sampling by replacing it with point-of-care testing (POCT) via capillary puncture, successfully reduced iatrogenic blood loss, incidence of anemia, and the frequency of blood transfusion among extremely low-birth-weight infants (ELBWIs) without negatively affecting neonatal outcomes. (2) Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 313 ELBWIs with a gestational age (GA) of between 23 and 28 weeks and born between 2013 and 2019. The infants were divided into two groups corresponding to the periods before (period I) and after (period II) the implementation of the modified blood-sampling protocol in January 2016. Propensity score matching was conducted to minimize selection bias. Clinical data, including the frequency and amount of blood sampling, the frequency and volume of blood transfusion, and clinical characteristics, such as gestational age, birth weight, and neonatal outcome data, were collected and compared between the two groups. (3) Results: No significant differences in GA or birth weight between the two periods were observed. The total sampling volume a month after birth (16.7 ± 4.1 mL vs. 15.6 ± 4.4 mL, p = 0.03) and the total sampling volume during hospitalization days (51.4 ± 29.7 mL vs. 44.3 ± 27.5 mL, p = 0.04) in period II were significantly lower than those in period I. There were no differences in terms of anemia (hemoglobin 10.8 ± 2.2 vs. 11.0 ± 1.9, p = 0.43) and mortality or morbidity, such as intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, and sepsis, between the two periods. Although the transfusion frequency and amount did not present significant differences between the periods, we observed a positive correlation between the transfusion frequency and sampling volume (coefficient: 0.09, 95% CI: 0.08–0.11). (4) Conclusions: The modified blood-sampling protocol effectively reduced the level of iatrogenic blood loss without negatively affecting the neonatal outcomes.