bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
About Oscillations in Nonlinear Systems with Elastic Bonds
Authors: Ochkov Valery , Vasileva Inna , Chudova Yulia , Tikhonov Anton
Published: April 2023

This article deals with oscillations that occur with a certain combination of parameters in a nonlinear system with elastic bonds, formed by three cylinders pulled together by an elastic thread. The aim of this work was to develop a methodology for studying nonlinear oscillatory systems based on the analysis of the potential energy of a system and the balance of the forces acting on it. The novelty of the work lies in the proposed methods for determining the conditions for the occurrence of vibrations and in those for calculating the threshold value of the elasticity coefficient of an elastic thread, at which an oscillatory process is guaranteed to occur. The differential equations of oscillations were compiled and numerically solved both with and without allowance for friction forces. The critical value of the elasticity coefficient of the thread at which periodic oscillations occurred was determined. A study of the motion of the system was carried out.
Limit Distributions for the Estimates of the Digamma Distribution Parameters Constructed from a Random Size Sample
Authors: Kudryavtsev Alexey , Shestakov Oleg
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we study a new type of distribution that generalizes distributions from the gamma and beta classes that are widely used in applications. The estimators for the parameters of the digamma distribution obtained by the method of logarithmic cumulants are considered. Based on the previously proved asymptotic normality of the estimators for the characteristic index and the shape and scale parameters of the digamma distribution constructed from a fixed-size sample, we obtain a statement about the convergence of these estimators to the scale mixtures of the normal law in the case of a random sample size. Using this result, asymptotic confidence intervals for the estimated parameters are constructed. A number of examples of the limit laws for sample sizes with special forms of negative binomial distributions are given. The results of this paper can be widely used in the study of probabilistic models based on continuous distributions with an unbounded non-negative support.
Automated Differential Equation Solver Based on the Parametric Approximation Optimization
Authors: Hvatov Alexander
Published: April 2023

The classical numerical methods for differential equations are a well-studied field. Nevertheless, these numerical methods are limited in their scope to certain classes of equations. Modern machine learning applications, such as equation discovery, may benefit from having the solution to the discovered equations. The solution to an arbitrary equation typically requires either an expert system that chooses the proper method for a given equation, or a method with a wide range of equation types. Machine learning methods may provide the needed versatility. This article presents a method that uses an optimization algorithm for a parameterized approximation to find a solution to a given problem. We take an agnostic approach without dividing equations by their type or boundary conditions, which allows for fewer restrictions on the algorithm. The results may not be as precise as those of an expert; however, our method enables automated solutions for a wide range of equations without the algorithm’s parameters changing. In this paper, we provide examples of the Legendre equation, Painlevé transcendents, wave equation, heat equation, and Korteweg–de Vries equation, which are solved in a unified manner without significant changes to the algorithm’s parameters.
Integrating Fuzzy AHP and TOPSIS Methods to Evaluate Operation Efficiency of Daycare Centers
Authors: Wang Chia-Nan , Pan Chao-Fen , Nguyen Hoang-Phu , Fang Pei-Chun
Published: April 2023

As the population ages and families become less able to offer care, the need for long-term care among older people increases. Evaluation of daycare centers, which provide localized long-term care services, is essential for the growth and direction of these institutions. Nevertheless, the present evaluation indexes do not adequately emphasize the significance of each index item or the actual effectiveness of an organization’s operations and management. To solve this issue, the purpose of this research was to develop an evaluation model for the operation and administration of daycare centers. Experts were consulted to collect pertinent criteria, which were further assessed using the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) techniques. The results indicated that organizational operation management was the top priority, with administrative operation management and service quality management having the largest impact on productivity. Among the 10 daycare services tested, Institution 3 was judged to have the highest score. These findings shed light on the operational management effectiveness of daycare centers and give a novel evaluation methodology for gauging the efficacy of nursing management.
The Length of Hospital Stay of Patients with Venous Thromboembolism: A Cross-Sectional Study from Jordan
Authors: Amawi Haneen , Arabyat Rasha M. , Al-Azzam Sayer , AlZu’bi Toqa , U’wais Hamza Tayseer , Hammad Alaa M. , Amawi Ruba , Nusair Mohammad B.
Published: April 2023

Background and Objectives: Venous thromboembolism is one of the leading causes of mortality and disability worldwide. Treatment with anticoagulation therapy is essential and requires a delicate approach to select the most appropriate option to improve patient outcomes, including the length of hospital stay (LOS). The aim of this study was to determine the LOS among patients with acute onset of VTE in several public hospitals in Jordan. Materials and Methods: In this study, we recruited hospitalized patients with a confirmed diagnosis of VTE. We reviewed the electronic medical records and charts of VTE admitted patients in addition to a detailed survey to collect the patients’ self-reported data. Hospital LOS was categorized into three levels: 1–3 days, 4–6 days, and ≥7 days. An ordered logistic regression model was used to study the significant predictors of LOS. Results: A total of 317 VTE patients were recruited, with 52.4% of them were male and 35.3% aged between 50 and 69 years. Most patients had a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) diagnosis (84.2%), and most of the VTE cases were admitted for the first-time (64.6%). The majority of the patients were smokers (57.2%), overweight/obese (66.3%), and hypertensive (59%). Most of the VTE patients received Warfarin overlapped with low molecular weight heparins as their treatment regimen (>70%). Almost half of the admitted VTE patients (45%) were hospitalized for at least 7 days. Longer LOS was significantly associated with hypertension. Conclusions: We recommend using therapies that have been proven to reduce hospital LOS, such as non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants or direct oral anticoagulants, to treat VTE patients in Jordan. Additionally, preventing and controlling comorbidities such as hypertension is essential.
Olfactory Neuroblastoma—A Challenging Fine Line between Metastasis and Hematology
Authors: Marina Trandafir Cornelia , Constantin Balica Nicolae , Flavia Baderca , Silvana Sarau Oana , Marioara Poenaru , Sarau Cristian Andrei
Published: April 2023

Developing in a limited space, rare tumors located at the nose and paranasal sinuses are sometimes difficult to diagnose due to their modest clinical presentation, which is uncorrelated with anatomopathological diversity. This limits the preoperative diagnosis without added immune histochemical study; for that reason, we present our experience with these tumors with the intention of raising awareness. The patient included in our study was investigated by our department through clinical and endoscopic examination, imaging investigations, and an anatomic-pathological study. The selected patient gave consent for participation and inclusion in this research study in compliance with the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki.
Comorbid Cognitive Impairment in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Current Understanding, Risk Factors, Implications for Clinical Practice, and Suggested Interventions
Authors: Siraj Rayan A.
Published: April 2023

Cognitive impairment is a common comorbidity in patients with COPD, significantly impacting health and clinical outcomes. Yet it remains under investigated and is largely overlooked. Although the exact cause of cognitive impairment in patients with COPD is still unclear, factors such as hypoxemia, vascular disease, smoking, exacerbation, and physical inactivity have been suggested. While international guidelines recommend identifying comorbidity in patients with COPD, such as cognitive impairment, cognitive assessment is not yet part of the routine assessment. Unidentified cognitive deficits in patients with COPD may have severe impacts on clinical management, resulting in an inability to maintain functional independence, poor self-management, and a greater dropout from pulmonary rehabilitation programs. There is a need to consider cognitive screening as a part of COPD assessment to promote early detection of cognitive impairment. Recognizing cognitive impairment early in the course of the illness allows the development of individualized interventions to meet patients’ needs and improve clinical outcomes. Pulmonary rehabilitation should be tailored to cognitively impaired patients with COPD to maximize the benefits and minimize the incompletion rate.
Risk Factors Associated with Intraoperative Iatrogenic Fracture in Patients Undergoing Intramedullary Nailing for Atypical Femoral Fractures with Marked Anterior and Lateral Bowing
Authors: Joo Yong Bum , Jeon Yoo Sun , Lee Woo Yong , Chung Hyung Jin
Published: April 2023

Background and objectives: Iatrogenic fractures are potential complications during intramedullary (IM) nailing for atypical femoral fractures (AFFs). The risk factors associated with iatrogenic fractures remain unclear, although excessive femoral bowing and osteoporosis are hypothesized to be contributing factors. The present study aimed to determine the risk factors for the occurrence of iatrogenic fractures during IM nailing in patients with AFFs. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated 95 patients with AFF (all female; age range: 49–87 years) who underwent IM nailing between June 2008 and December 2017. The patients were divided into two groups: Group I (with iatrogenic fracture: n = 20) and Group II (without iatrogenic fracture: n = 75). Background characteristics were retrieved from medical records and radiographic measurements were obtained. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for the occurrence of intraoperative iatrogenic fractures. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis was conducted to determine a cut-off value for the prediction of iatrogenic fracture occurrence. Results: Iatrogenic fractures occurred in 20 (21.1%) patients. The two groups exhibited no significant differences regarding age and other background characteristics. Group I exhibited significantly lower mean femoral bone mineral density (BMD) and significantly greater mean lateral and anterior femoral bowing angles than Group II (all p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in AFF location, nonunion, and IM nail diameter, length, or nail entry point between the two groups. In the univariate analysis, femoral BMD and lateral bowing of the femur differed significantly between the two groups. On multivariate analysis, only lateral bowing of the femur remained significantly associated with iatrogenic fracture occurrence. The ROC analysis determined a cut-off value of 9.3° in lateral bowing of the femur for prediction of iatrogenic fracture occurrence during IM nailing for AFF treatment. Conclusions: The lateral bowing angle of the femur is an important predictive factor for intraoperative iatrogenic fracture occurrence in patients undergoing IM nailing for AFF treatment.
Resting-State EEG Connectivity at High-Frequency Bands and Attentional Performance Dysfunction in Stabilized Schizophrenia Patients
Authors: Yeh Ta-Chuan , Huang Cathy Chia-Yu , Chung Yong-An , Park Sonya Youngju , Im Jooyeon Jamie , Lin Yen-Yue , Ma Chin-Chao , Tzeng Nian-Sheng , Chang Hsin-An
Published: April 2023

Background and Objectives: Attentional dysfunction has long been viewed as one of the fundamental underlying cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. There is an urgent need to understand its neural underpinning and develop effective treatments. In the process of attention, neural oscillation has a central role in filtering information and allocating resources to either stimulus-driven or goal-relevant objects. Here, we asked if resting-state EEG connectivity correlated with attentional performance in schizophrenia patients. Materials and Methods: Resting-state EEG recordings were obtained from 72 stabilized patients with schizophrenia. Lagged phase synchronization (LPS) was used to measure whole-brain source-based functional connectivity between 84 intra-cortical current sources determined by eLORETA (exact low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography) for five frequencies. The Conners’ Continuous Performance Test-II (CPT-II) was administered for evaluating attentional performance. Linear regression with a non-parametric permutation randomization procedure was used to examine the correlations between the whole-brain functional connectivity and the CPT-II measures. Results: Greater beta-band right hemispheric fusiform gyrus (FG)-lingual gyrus (LG) functional connectivity predicted higher CPT-II variability scores (r = 0.44, p < 0.05, corrected), accounting for 19.5% of variance in the CPT-II VAR score. Greater gamma-band right hemispheric functional connectivity between the cuneus (Cu) and transverse temporal gyrus (TTG) and between Cu and the superior temporal gyrus (STG) predicted higher CPT-II hit reaction time (HRT) scores (both r = 0.50, p < 0.05, corrected), accounting for 24.6% and 25.1% of variance in the CPT-II HRT score, respectively. Greater gamma-band right hemispheric Cu-TTG functional connectivity predicted higher CPT-II HRT standard error (HRTSE) scores (r = 0.54, p < 0.05, corrected), accounting for 28.7% of variance in the CPT-II HRTSE score. Conclusions: Our study indicated that increased right hemispheric resting-state EEG functional connectivity at high frequencies was correlated with poorer focused attention in schizophrenia patients. If replicated, novel approaches to modulate these networks may yield selective, potent interventions for improving attention deficits in schizophrenia.
Research Progress on the Pharmacodynamic Mechanisms of Sini Powder against Depression from the Perspective of the Central Nervous System
Authors: Shen Zhongqi , Yu Meng , Dong Zhenfei
Published: April 2023

Depression is a highly prevalent emotional disorder characterized by persistent low mood, diminished interest, and loss of pleasure. The pathological causes of depression are associated with neuronal atrophy, synaptic loss, and neurotransmitter activity decline in the central nervous system (CNS) resulting from injuries, such as inflammatory responses. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, patients with depression often exhibit the liver qi stagnation syndrome type. Sini Powder (SNP) is a classic prescription for treating such depression-related syndrome types in China. This study systematically summarized clinical applications and experimental studies of SNP for treatments of depression. We scrutinized the active components of SNP with blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability and speculated about the corresponding pharmacodynamic pathways relevant to depression treatment through intervening in the CNS. Therefore, this article can enhance our understanding of SNP’s pharmacological mechanisms and formula construction for depression treatment. Moreover, a re-demonstration of this classic TCM prescription in the modern-science language is of great significance for future drug development and research.
Interfacial Enzymes Enable Gram-Positive Microbes to Eat Fatty Acids
Authors: Radka Christopher D.
Published: April 2023

Exogenous fatty acid (eFA) activation and utilization play key roles in bacterial physiology and confer growth advantages by bypassing the need to make fatty acids for lipid synthesis. In Gram-positive bacteria, eFA activation and utilization is generally carried out by the fatty acid kinase (FakAB) two-component system that converts eFA to acyl phosphate, and the acyl-ACP:phosphate transacylase (PlsX) that catalyzes the reversible conversion of acyl phosphate to acyl–acyl carrier protein. Acyl–acyl carrier protein is a soluble format of the fatty acid that is compatible with cellular metabolic enzymes and can feed multiple processes including the fatty acid biosynthesis pathway. The combination of FakAB and PlsX enables the bacteria to channel eFA nutrients. These key enzymes are peripheral membrane interfacial proteins that associate with the membrane through amphipathic helices and hydrophobic loops. In this review, we discuss the biochemical and biophysical advances that have established the structural features that drive FakB or PlsX association with the membrane, and how these protein–lipid interactions contribute to enzyme catalysis.
Microbubble-Assisted Cleaning-in-Place Process for Ultrafiltration System and Its Environmental Performance
Authors: Chung Monique Mi Song , Arbour April J. , Huang Jen-Yi
Published: April 2023

Membrane filtration is a key technology in dairy processing for the separation of dairy liquids to clarify, concentrate, and fractionate a variety of dairy products. Ultrafiltration (UF) is widely applied for whey separation, protein concentration and standardization, and lactose-free milk production, though its performance can be hindered by membrane fouling. As an automated cleaning process commonly used in the food and beverage industries, cleaning in place (CIP) uses large amounts of water, chemicals, and energy, resulting in significant environmental impacts. This study introduced micron-scale air-filled bubbles (microbubbles; MBs) with mean diameters smaller than 5 μm into cleaning liquids to clean a pilot-scale UF system. During the UF of model milk for concentration, cake formation was identified as the dominant membrane fouling mechanism. The MB-assisted CIP process was conducted at two bubble number densities (2021 and 10,569 bubbles per mL of cleaning liquid) and two flow rates (130 and 190 L/min). For all the cleaning conditions tested, MB addition largely increased the membrane flux recovery by 31–72%; however, the effects of bubble density and flow rate were insignificant. Alkaline wash was found to be the main step in removing proteinaceous foulant from the UF membrane, though MBs did not show a significant effect on the removal due to the operational uncertainty of the pilot-scale system. The environmental benefits of MB incorporation were quantified by a comparative life cycle assessment and the results indicated that MB-assisted CIP had up to 37% lower environmental impact than control CIP. This is the first study incorporating MBs into a full CIP cycle at the pilot scale and proving their effectiveness in enhancing membrane cleaning. This novel CIP process can help reduce water and energy use in dairy processing and improve the environmental sustainability of the dairy industry.
Study of the Radiation Damage Kinetics in NbTiVZr High-Entropy Alloys Irradiated by Heavy Ions
Authors: Kadyrzhanov Kayrat K. , Kozlovskiy Artem L. , Shlimas Dmitriy I. , Borgekov Daryn B. , Giniyatova Sholpan G. , Uglov Vladimir V. , Zdorovets Maxim V.
Published: April 2023

The purpose of this paper was to study the kinetics of accumulation of radiation damage in the near-surface layer of a high-entropy NbTiVZr alloy upon irradiation with heavy Kr15+ ions and fluences of 1010–1015 ion/cm2. According to the data of X-ray diffraction analysis, it was found that irradiation with heavy ions lead to structural changes associated with the accumulation of deformation distortions and stresses. In this case, the nature of deformation distortions was associated with tensile distortions of the crystal lattice and swelling of the near-surface layer. An analysis of the strength properties of the irradiated samples showed that the accumulation of deformation distortions in the near-surface layer lead to a decrease in the resistance to cracking and destruction of the near-surface layer. In this case, the main changes occurred at fluences above 1013 ion/cm2, which are characterized by an excess of the threshold for overlapping defective regions that appear along the trajectory of incident ions. Tribological tests showed that an increase in defective inclusions in the structure of the near-surface layer lead to an increase in friction and a decrease in crack resistance.
Process Development and Analysis of Electromagnetic Multi-Spot Joining of AA5052 Sheets
Authors: Singh Ummed , Rajak Ashish , Lee Taeseon
Published: April 2023

In this study, two sheets of AA5052 are joined with the high-strain-rate multi-spot joining process using an electromagnetic system. While producing a single spot joint by electromagnetic joining (EMJ) is common, the distribution and application of the pressure can be modified by the design of the coil and spacers to make multiple joints at once. When a preformed dimple is used to provide the standoff distance, it can eliminate the need for spacers and provide good aesthetics for the final product. In the current study, a joint design is developed to provide three spot joints coincidentally by a single discharge of a capacitor bank. For the experiment, four distinctive discharge energies were used for joining: 7, 8, 9, and 10 kJ. The most successful joint sample was made by 8 kJ and was tested for mechanical properties. The cross-section was observed in order for us to understand the joint quality produced by the process. It was found that the ”I”-shaped rectangular coil produces a variable magnetic flux, leading to different flyer deformation variations in the joint geometry. At the centre of the ”I” coil, the minimum flux was predicted, leading to lesser sheet forming, hence a weaker centre-spot joint strength. Further, a numerical study is performed to find the Von Mises stresses, equivalent plastic strain, impact velocity, and impact pressure on the sheets. This manuscript provides new information regarding coil designing and the changes that could be further made to improve the electromagnetic sheet multi-spot joining process.
Computational Model Verification and Validation of Elastoplastic Buckling Due to Combined Loads of Thin Plates
Authors: Baumgardt Guilherme , Fragassa Cristiano , Rocha Luiz , dos Santos Elizaldo , da Silveira Thiago , Isoldi Liércio
Published: April 2023

Thin plates are widely used in various engineering applications. In some cases, these structural components may buckle due to compressive loads, which can be aggravated by lateral loads. Several authors have studied the elastoplastic buckling behavior of thin plates considering parameters such as material and geometric properties, support conditions, and initial out-of-plane imperfections. Some studies have also investigated the effects of notches and holes on the ultimate buckling stress of thin plates. The main goal of the present work is to verify and validate a computational model developed using the Finite Element Method via ANSYS® software, to simulate the mechanical behavior of metallic plates under uniaxial or biaxial compression combined with lateral load. The proposed numerical model was verified and validated by comparing its results with analytical, numerical, and experimental solutions found in the literature, reaching maximum differences and errors of around 5%. In sequence, the verified and validated computational model was used in a simple case study: a simply supported plate with a centered rectangular perforation and subjected to an in-plane compressive biaxial load combined with a lateral load, considering five different metallic materials: AISI 4130 steel, AH-36 steel, spheroidal graphite iron (SGI), compact graphite iron (CGI) and Al 7075-T651 aluminum alloy. The results obtained are consistent and, as expected, prove the applicability of the proposed computational model. From this, the biaxial elastoplastic buckling behavior was evaluated, indicating that among the studied cases the higher ultimate stress and the smallest maximum deflection were achieved, respectively, by the plates made of AISI 4130 steel and AH-36 steel.
Effect of Standing Time after Mixing on the Mixture Microstructure of an Al-Si Alloy during Controlled Diffusion Solidification with Simultaneous Mixing
Authors: Liu Yanghua , Chen Tijun
Published: April 2023

Taking pure Al (938.15 K) and Al-12Si (858.15 K) melts as two precursors and the Al-8Si alloy as the target alloy, the effect of the standing time after mixing on the microstructure of a mixture during controlled diffusion solidification with simultaneous mixing was investigated via a simulation and experiment. The simulation results indicate that the entrapped air will promptly form bubbles and cause the mixture to overflow within a short time of 1.2 s. An effective blending action still occurs during the initial stage (i.e., 0–0.5 s) of the standing process, resulting in the significant homogenization of the temperature field due to the thermal conductivity being much higher than the solute diffusivity. This is due to the large difference between the two thermophysical parameters, causing nuclei to rapidly form in the pure Al melt close to the interface of the pure Al/Al-12Si melts during mixing. Some of the nuclei will remelt, and others will only grow towards the pure Al melt side in a stable solid/liquid interface during standing, resulting in nondendritic Al grains and an increase in their size but a decrease in their number. These changing tendencies of grain morphology, size and number due to the standing time are consistent with those from the experiment, implying the employed simulation and calculation, as well as the achieved results, are reasonable and reliable.
Microstructure and Shear Strength of SiC Joint Brazed with LiAlSiO4 Reinforced AgCuTi Composite Filler
Authors: Jiang Jian , Wang Gang , Wang Mengmeng , Zhao Yu
Published: April 2023

In this work, SiC ceramics were successfully brazed at 900 °C using a composite brazing filler, and the effects of holding time and LiAlSiO4 addition on the interfacial microstructure and mechanical properties of the joints were systematically investigated. The results showed that the brazed joints were devoid of obvious defects, and the joint structure was mainly composed of SiC/Ti5Si3/TiC + TiCu2 + TiO2 + LAS + LiAlSi2O6 + Cu (s, s) + Ag (s, s)/Ti5Si3/TiC/SiC. When the brazing temperature was 900 °C for 10 min and the LiAlSiO4 addition was 1 wt%, the SiC brazed joints reached a maximum shear strength of 106.47 MPa, which was 4.7 times higher than that of the joints without LiAlSiO4 addition under the same conditions. According to theoretical calculations, the addition of LAS can successfully reduce residual stresses in SiC brazed joints and enhance the joint strength.
A Review of the Impact of Maternal Prenatal Stress on Offspring Microbiota and Metabolites
Authors: Yeramilli Venkata , Cheddadi Riadh , Shah Juhi , Brawner Kyle , Martin Colin
Published: April 2023

Maternal prenatal stress exposure affects the development of offspring. We searched for articles in the PubMed database and reviewed the evidence for how prenatal stress alters the composition of the microbiome, the production of microbial-derived metabolites, and regulates microbiome-induced behavioral changes in the offspring. The gut–brain signaling axis has gained considerable attention in recent years and provides insights into the microbial dysfunction in several metabolic disorders. Here, we reviewed evidence from human studies and animal models to discuss how maternal stress can modulate the offspring microbiome. We will discuss how probiotic supplementation has a profound effect on the stress response, the production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and how psychobiotics are emerging as novel therapeutic targets. Finally, we highlight the potential molecular mechanisms by which the effects of stress are transmitted to the offspring and discuss how the mitigation of early-life stress as a risk factor can improve the birth outcomes.
Secondary Metabolites Profiling, Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Properties of Commiphora gileadensis L. Leaves, Seeds, Callus, and Cell Suspension Extracts
Authors: Al-Abdallat Ayed M. , Adayileh Batool K. , Sawwan Jamal S. , Shibli Rida , Al-Qudah Tamara S. , Abu-Irmaileh Bashaer , Albdaiwi Randa N. , Almaliti Jehad , Bustanji Yasser
Published: April 2023

Commiphora gileadensis L. is an important endangered medicinal plant that belongs to the family Burseraceae. In this study, C. gileadensis callus culture was established successfully using mature leaves as explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with 24.50 μM of indole butyric acid (IBA) and 2.22 μM 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) (callus induction media). The obtained callus was maintained on MS medium supplemented with 16.11 μM naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) in combination with 6.66 μM BAP, which resulted in a substantial increase in callus fresh and dry weights. The cell suspension culture was established successfully using liquid callus induction media supplemented with 3.0 mg·L−1 proline. Thereafter, the chemical constituents of different C. gileadensis methanolic extracts (callus, cell suspension, leaves, and seeds) were profiled, and their cytotoxic and antimicrobial properties were investigated. The LC-MS GNPS analyses were applied for chemical profiling of the methanolic plant extracts, and several natural products were identified, including flavonols, flavanones, and flavonoids glycosides, with two unusual families that included puromycin, 10-hydroxycamptothecin, and justicidin B. The methanolic extracts have shown selective antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties against different microbes and cancer cell lines. For instance, leaf extract showed the highest zone of inhibition for Staphylococcus aureus, while cell suspension culture was effective against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus. All extracts showed selective activity against A549 cell lines for the cytotoxicity assay, while the leaf extract had a broad cytotoxic effect against all tested cell lines. This study revealed that C. gileadensis callus and cell suspension cultures can be employed to increase the in vitro formation of biologically active compounds that may have cytotoxicity and antibacterial action against different cancer cell lines and bacterial species. Further studies are required to isolate and identify such constituents that corroborate the observed activities.
Feature-Based Molecular Networking Facilitates the Comprehensive Identification of Differential Metabolites in Diabetic Cognitive Dysfunction Rats
Authors: Du Ke , Zhai Chuanjia , Li Xuejiao , Gang Hongchuan , Gao Xiaoyan
Published: April 2023

Cognitive dysfunction is a frequent complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), usually accompanied by metabolic disorders. However, the metabolic changes in diabetic cognitive dysfunction (DCD) patients, especially compared to T2DM groups, are not fully understood. Due to the subtle differences in metabolic alterations between DCD groups and T2DM groups, the comprehensive detection of the untargeted metabolic profiles of hippocampus and urine samples of rats was conducted by LC–MS, considering the different ionization modes and polarities of the examined compounds, and feature-based molecular networking (FBMN) was performed to help identify differential metabolites from a comprehensive perspective in this study. In addition, an association analysis of the differential metabolites in hippocampus and urine was conducted by the O2PLS model. Finally, a total of 71 hippocampal tissue differential metabolites and 179 urine differential metabolites were identified. The pathway enrichment results showed that glutamine and glutamate metabolism, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism, glycerol phospholipid metabolism, TCA cycle, and arginine biosynthesis in the hippocampus of DCD animals were changed. Seven metabolites (AUC > 0.9) in urine appeared as key differential metabolites that might reflect metabolic changes in the target tissue of DCD rats. This study showed that FBMN facilitated the comprehensive identification of differential metabolites in DCD rats. The differential metabolites may suggest an underlying DCD and be considered as potential biomarkers for DCD. Large samples and clinical experiments are needed for the subsequent elucidation of the possible mechanisms leading to these alterations and the verification of potential biomarkers.
An Engineering Method for Resonant Microcantilever Using Double-Channel Excitation and Signal Acquisition Based on LabVIEW
Authors: Wang Shanlai , Cao Zhi , Zhang Xiaoyang , Yu Haitao , Yao Lei
Published: April 2023

Resonant microcantilevers have the advantages of ultra-high heating rates, analysis speed, ultra-low power consumption, temperature programming, and trace sample analysis when applied in TGA. However, the current single-channel testing system for resonant microcantilevers can only detect one sample at a time, and need two program heating tests to obtain the thermogravimetric curve of a sample. In many cases, it is desirable to obtain the thermogravimetric curve of a sample with a single-program heating test and to simultaneously detect multiple microcantilevers for testing multiple samples. To address this issue, this paper proposes a dual-channel testing method, where a microcantilever is used as a control group and another microcantilever is used as an experimental group, to obtain the thermal weight curve of the sample in a single program temperature ramp test. With the help of the LabVIEW’s convenient parallel running method, the functionality of simultaneously detecting two microcantilevers is achieved. Experimental validation showed that this dual-channel testing system can obtain the thermogravimetric curve of a sample with a single program heating test and detect two types of samples simultaneously.
A Compact Circular Rectenna for RF-Energy Harvesting at ISM Band
Authors: Prashad Lalbabu , Mohanta Harish Chandra , Mohamed Heba G.
Published: April 2023

With low-power gadgets proliferating, the development of a small, effective rectenna is crucial for wirelessly energizing devices. A simple circular patch with a partial ground plane for RF-energy harvesting at ISM (2.45 GHz) band is proposed in this work. The simulated antenna resonates at 2.45 GHz with an input impedance of 50 Ω and a gain of 2.38 dBi. An L-section matching a circuit with a voltage doubler is proposed to provide excellent RF-to-DC transformation efficiency at low power input. The proposed rectenna is fabricated and the results show that the return loss and realized gain have good characteristics at the ISM band with 52% of RF-to-DC transformation efficiency, with an input of 0 dBm power. The projected rectenna is apt for power-up low sensor nodes in wireless sensor applications.
Trajectory Strategy Effects on the Material Characteristics in the WAAM Technique
Authors: Uyen Tran Minh The , Minh Pham Son , Nguyen Van-Thuc , Do Thanh Trung , Nguyen Vinh Tien , Le Minh-Tai , Nguyen Van Thanh Tien
Published: April 2023

The wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) technique has evolved into a cutting-edge 3D printing technique. This study surveys the influences of trajectory on the characteristics of low-carbon steel samples generated by the WAAM technique. The results show that the grains in the WAAM samples are isotropic, with grain size numbers ranging from 7 to 12. Strategy 3, with a spiral trajectory, has the smallest grain size, while strategy 2, with a lean zigzag trajectory, has the largest. The variations in grain size are caused by differences in heat input and output during the printing process. The WAAM samples achieve a significantly higher UTS value than the original wire, demonstrating the WAAM technique’s benefit. Strategy 3, with a spiral trajectory, achieves the highest UTS value, 616.5 MPa, 24% higher than the original wire. The UTS values of strategy 1 (horizontal zigzag trajectory) and strategy 4 (curve zigzag trajectory) are comparable. WAAM samples have significantly higher elongation values than the original wire, with only 22% elongation. The sample with the highest elongation value, 47.2%, was produced by strategy 3. Strategy 2 has an elongation value of 37.9%. The value of elongation is proportional to the value of UTS. WAAM samples have average elastic modulus values of 95.8 GPa, 173.3 GPa, 92.2 GPa, and 83.9 GPa, corresponding to strategies 1, 2, 3, and 4. Only a strategy 2 sample has a similar elastic modulus value to the original wire. All samples have dimples on the fracture surface, indicating that the WAAM samples are ductile. These fracture surfaces’ equiaxial shape corresponds to the original microstructure’s equiaxial shape. The results provide the optimal trajectory for the WAAM products is the spiral trajectory, while the lean zigzag trajectory gains only modest characteristics.
Flexible, Heat-Durable, and Highly Sensitive Piezoelectrets from Cyclic Olefin Copolymer with Microhoneycomb Structure
Authors: Wang Hui , Wang Xiaolin , Zeng Changchun
Published: April 2023

This paper discusses the fabrication and characterization of cyclic olefin copolymer (COC)-based pseudo-piezoelectric materials (piezoelectrets) with exceptionally high piezoelectric activity, and their potential use in sensing applications. Piezoelectrets that utilize a novel microhoneycomb structure to achieve high piezoelectric sensitivity are carefully engineered and fabricated at a low temperature using a supercritical CO2-assisted assembly. The quasistatic piezoelectric coefficient d33 of the material can reach up to 12,900 pCN−1 when charged at 8000 V. The materials also exhibit excellent thermal stability. The charge build-up in the materials and the actuation behavior of the materials are also investigated. Finally, applications of these materials in pressure sensing and mapping and in wearable sensing are demonstrated.
Source Control of Gram-Negative Bacteria Using Self-Disinfecting Sinks in a Swedish Burn Centre
Authors: Gideskog Maria , Falkeborn Tina , Welander Jenny , Melhus Åsa
Published: April 2023

Several retrospective studies have identified hospital sinks as reservoirs of Gram-negative bacteria. The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate the bacterial transmission from sinks to patients and if self-disinfecting sinks could reduce this risk. Samples were collected weekly from sinks (self-disinfecting, treated with boiling water, not treated) and patients in the Burn Centre at Linköping University Hospital, Sweden. The antibiotic susceptibility of Gram-negative isolates was tested, and eight randomly chosen patient isolates and their connected sink isolates were subjected to whole genome sequencing (WGS). Of 489 sink samples, 232 (47%) showed growth. The most frequent findings were Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (n = 130), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 128), and Acinetobacter spp. (n = 55). Bacterial growth was observed in 20% of the samplings from the self-disinfecting sinks and in 57% from the sinks treated with boiling water (p = 0.0029). WGS recognized one transmission of Escherichia coli sampled from an untreated sink to a patient admitted to the same room. In conclusion, the results showed that sinks can serve as reservoirs of Gram-negative bacteria and that self-disinfecting sinks can reduce the transmission risk. Installing self-disinfecting sinks in intensive care units is an important measure in preventing nosocomial infection among critically ill patients.
Isolation and Genomic Characteristics of Cat-Borne Campylobacter felis sp. nov. and Sheep-Borne Campylobacter ovis sp. nov
Authors: Wang Hairui , Li Ying , Gu Yixin , Zhou Guilan , Chen Xiaoli , Zhang Xin , Shao Zhujun , Zhang Jianzhong , Zhang Maojun
Published: April 2023

Nine novel bacterial strains were isolated from the feces of cats and sheep in 2019 and 2020 in Beijing, China. Cells were 1–3 μm long and ≤0.5 μm wide, Gram-stain negative, microaerobic, motile, oxidase positive, and urease negative. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that these nine isolates belong to the genus Campylobacter but formed two robust clades that were clearly separate from the currently recognized species and, respectively, isolated from the cat and sheep. Both these strains shared low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, dDDH relatedness, and ANI values with their closest species C. upsaliensis CCUG 14913T and C. lanienae NCTC 13004T, and against each other, which are below the cut-off values generally recognized for isolates of the same species. The genomic DNA G + C contents of type strains XJK22-1T and SYS25-1T were 34.99 mol% and 32.43 mol%, respectively. Electron microscopy showed that these cells were spiral shaped, with bipolar single flagella. Based on results from genotypic, phenotypic, phylogenetic, and phylogenomic analyses, these nine strains represent two novel species within the genus Campylobacter, for which the names Campylobacter felis sp. nov. (Type strain XJK22-1T = GDMCC 1.3684T = JCM 35847T) and Campylobacter ovis sp. nov. (Type strain SYS25-1T = GDMCC 1.3685T) are proposed.
Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana) Plant–Endophyte Dynamics: Plant Growth, Nutrient Uptake, and Zinc Biofortification
Authors: Chaudhary Renu , Kumar Vijay , Gupta Sanjay , Naik Bindu , Prasad Ram , Mishra Sadhna , Saris Per Erik Joakim , Kumar Vivek
Published: April 2023

Endophytic fungi and bacteria were isolated from finger millet and their effects on finger millet growth parameters and zinc and NPK contents in grains were studied. Out of 70 fungal and 112 bacterial endophytes, the two best fungal and bacterial isolates were selected on the basis of zinc solubilization and plant-growth-promoting attributes. The fungal isolates identified were Aspergillus terreus and Lecanicillium sp., and the bacterial isolates were Pseudomonas bijieensis and Priestia megaterium. The endophytic zinc, NPK mobilization, and plant-growth-promoting efficacy were determined in a pot experiment with zinc carbonate as the zinc source. Endophytic-primed plants showed enhanced shoot and root lengths compared to the unprimed control. Endophytes increased the zinc content in grains by between 12.12% and 18.80% compared to control plants. Endophytes also augmented the NPK concentrations in seeds compared to control plants and exhibited stability in a diverse range of pHs, temperatures, and NaCl concentrations, and exhibited growth on various carbohydrate and nitrogen sources. This is the first study reporting the interaction of Aspergillus terreus, Lecanicillium sp., Pseudomonas bijieensis, and Priestia megaterium with finger millet for grain Zn biofortification and NPK concentration enhancement. This study indicated that zinc-dissolving endophytes possess the potential for enhancing the zinc and NPK content in grains in addition to the plant-growth-promoting attributes.
Colletotrichum siamense Strain LVY 9 Causing Spot Anthracnose on Winterberry Holly in China
Authors: Feng Lin , Zhang Yahui , Chen Weiliang , Mao Bizeng
Published: April 2023

Winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata) is an economically valuable landscaping ornamental plant. Serious outbreaks have been reported, in its leaf tips curl upward, irregular black brown spots appear on leaves, and extensive defoliation is commonly observed. The incidence in Hangzhou was estimated at 50% and resulted in large economic losses for growers in 2018. Samples were collected from the main cultivation area in Zhejiang Province. In total, 11 fungal isolates were obtained from diseased leaves through a single-spore purification method, and isolate LVY 9 exhibited strong pathogenicity. Based on morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses based on multilocus sequence typing of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, actin (ACT), calmodulin (CAL), and chitin synthase (CHS-1) genes, we identified the pathogen as Colletotrichum siamense, causative agent of anthracnose of winterberry holly.
Special Issue “Gastrointestinal Microbiota and Gut Barrier Impact Human Health and Disease”: Editorial
Authors: Raoul Pauline , Cintoni Marco , Rinninella Emanuele , Mele Maria Cristina
Published: April 2023

The increasing incidence of non-communicable diseases is a worldwide public health issue, and the role of gut microbiota is becoming evident [...]
The Potential of the Horizontal Component TEM Data in the Detection of Polarizable Mineral: Synthetic Cases
Authors: Wu Yanqi , Xie Huilin , Ji Yanju , Zhao Peng , Wang Yuebing
Published: April 2023

Induced polarization (IP) effects in transient electromagnetic (TEM) measurement play a significant role in the detection of minerals, such as sulfide ore, clay ore, etc. However, due to the complex impacts caused by the polarization parameters, the structure of the earth, and the measurement system configuration, the IP effects cannot be easily measured and interpreted. We paid more attention to the vertical component of the ungrounded-TEM system in previous work; however, we will now attempt to utilize the horizontal component to enhance the precision of the measurement and interpretation. We quantitatively discussed the behavior of the horizontal and vertical magnetic fields of the towed-TEM (tTEM) system. We simultaneously introduced the vertical and horizontal components into the Jacobian matrix of the 1D laterally constrained inversion to build the joint inversion. Compared to the vertical component, the horizontal component always shows earlier and bigger sign reversals and contains more IP information. Inversion with the single horizontal or single vertical component showed poor accuracy in the deep and shallow layers, respectively. The joint inversion with both components could correct the errors. Including the horizontal component in the detection and interpretation facilitates an improved resolution for polarizable minerals.
Experimental Study of the Activation Effect of Oxalic Acid on the Dissolution of Rare Earth Elements in the Typical Diagenetic Minerals of Coal Seams
Authors: Ma Mengya , Wang Wenfeng , Li Jian , Zhang Kun , He Xin
Published: April 2023

Rare earth elements (REEs) are considered to be one of the most important metal raw materials, and coal seams are one of the potential sources of REEs. As a low-molecular-weight organic acid, oxalic acid has a strong ability to migrate and dissolve minerals. The coal seam is formed by herbaceous plants and contains more oxalic acid, which may affect the enrichment and transport of REEs during coal formation. Based on the provenance minerals and enrichment carriers of REEs in the coal seam, granite and its weathered minerals (plagioclase, kaolinite, montmorillonite, and quartz) were selected for oxalic acid leaching experiments, to clarify the activation ability of oxalic acid for REEs in coal seams. Experimental results have shown that oxalic acid dissolves minerals and leads to the dissolution and migration of REEs. The higher the concentration of oxalic acid, the stronger the dissolution ability. Each element has a similar dissolution ability in high-concentration oxalic acid solutions, while the ionic radius and electronegativity can cause abnormal distribution of individual elements. The REE dissolution ability in different minerals is controlled by the crystal structure, and the re-adsorption of minerals inhibits the dissolution of REEs in low-concentration oxalic acid solutions. In addition, comparative analysis of REE distribution characteristics in natural water shows that the dissolution and migration of REEs are complexly affected by many factors in addition to pH and fluid environment. Therefore, the activation effect of oxalic acid on REEs in coal seams needs to be further studied.