bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Euro Area 12: A Comparative Assessment of Its Member States in the Period 1998–2022
Authors: Santos Bruna , Costa Leonardo , Guedes de Oliveira Francisca
Published: April 2024

The primary objectives of this research are to compare the economic performance of the Member States (MS) in the Euro Area 12 (EA-12) of the European Union (EU) that served as net contributors and net recipients of its budget during the period 1998–2022. The comparison focuses on aspects related to economic growth and the business cycle, exploring the presence of hysteresis. To achieve these objectives, a novel approach is employed, which integrates the analysis of both growth and cycles. This approach involves using the Seemingly Unrelated Regression Equations (SURE) model to estimate a translog production frontier and assess the impact of lagging output gaps on the potential output or capacity for each of the MS considered. The data used to estimate each frontier and analyze growth decomposition consist of quarterly data filtered using the Kalman filter. The results reveal that lagging output gaps, occurring one or two quarters prior, significantly affect the potential output or capacity of the EA-12 MS, thereby supporting the existence of hysteresis. However, the impacts appear to be minimal. Furthermore, the research concludes that changes in total factor productivity (TFP), mainly due to technical change, play a more crucial role in the growth of MS that are net contributors to the EU budget. Conversely, total factor accumulation (TFA), mainly physical capital accumulation, has a more pronounced impact on the growth of MS net recipients from the EU budget. Interestingly, the heterogeneity observed among the EA-12 MS extends beyond the simple division between net contributors and net recipients of the EU budget. This heterogeneity raises questions about the European Central Bank’s (ECB) ability to stabilize the economies of these various MS solely through conventional monetary policy.
Modeling Time-Evolving Electrical Conductivity in Air Ionization Plasma under DC Voltage: A Finite-Difference Time-Domain Approach for Needle-Plate Setup Based on Laboratory Experiments
Authors: de Oliveira Rodrigo M. S. , de Lima Thiago S. , Nascimento Júlio A. S. , Girotto Gustavo G.
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we develop a finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) model in which the time-evolving electrical conductivity of the air ionization plasma in DC voltage needed-plate setup is represented. Maxwell’s equations are solved using the FDTD method, and the associated currents and discharge fields are computed over time and in three-dimensional space. The proposed model for the electrical conductivity is dependent on time, the applied DC voltage, and the gap length. The necessary data for developing the proposed model is obtained experimentally using a standard discharge needle, with its spherical tip measuring approximately 40 μm in diameter. Once high voltage is applied, a steady state is achieved. The electrical conductivity σ(t) and its associated parameters are then calculated using nonlinear equations proposed to reproduce the experimentally obtained plasma behavior in the full-wave FDTD model. Voltage ranges from 4 kV to 9 kV, and gap distances are between 4 mm and 8 mm.
Breathing Planet Earth: Analysis of Keeling’s Data on CO2 and O2 with Respiratory Quotient (RQ), Part II: Energy-Based Global RQ and CO2 Budget
Authors: Annamalai Kalyan
Published: April 2024

For breathing humans, the respiratory quotient (RQ = CO2 moles released/O2 mols consumed) ranges from 0.7 to 1.0. In Part I, the literature on the RQ was reviewed and Keeling’s data on atmospheric CO2 and O2 concentrations (1991–2018) were used in the estimation of the global RQ as 0.47. A new interpretation of RQGlob is provided in Part II by treating the planet as a “Hypothetical Biological system (HBS)”. The CO2 and O2 balance equations are adopted for estimating (i) energy-based RQGlob(En) and (ii) the CO2 distribution in GT/year and % of CO2 captured by the atmosphere, land, and ocean. The key findings are as follows: (i) The RQGlob(En) is estimated as 0.35 and is relatively constant from 1991 to 2020. The use of RQGlob(En) enables the estimation of CO2 added to the atmosphere from the knowledge of annual fossil fuel (FF) energy data; (ii) The RQ method for the CO2 budget is validated by comparing the annual CO2 distribution results with results from more detailed models; (iii) Explicit relations are presented for CO2 sink in the atmosphere, land, and ocean biomasses, and storage in ocean water from the knowledge of curve fit constants of Keeling’s curves and the RQ of FF and biomasses; (iv) The rate of global average temperature rise (0.27 °C/decade) is predicted using RQGlob,(En) and the annual energy release rate and compared with the literature data; and (v) Earth’s mass loss in GT and O2 in the atmosphere are predicted by extrapolating the curve fit to the year 3700. The effect of RQGlob and RQFF on the econometry and policy issues is briefly discussed.
Effect of Pretreatment and Drying on the Nutritional and Functional Quality of Raisins Produced with Seedless Purple Grapes
Authors: Liu Fengjuan , Lei Jing , Shao Xupeng , Fan Yingying , Huang Wei , Lian Weijia , Sun Tao , Chen Ya , Wang Cheng
Published: April 2024

Raisins, known for their delicious taste and high nutritional value, are among the most widely consumed dried fruits globally. The natural waxy layer on the surface of grapes impedes water migration, making pretreatment necessary before drying. This study evaluated the effects of various pretreatment methods on the nutritional and functional quality of seedless purple raisins. By using non-pretreated dry seedless purple raisins as a control, the impact of physical and chemical pretreatment methods on the nutritional and functional qualities of seedless purple raisins was assessed through the analysis of nutrient content, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity. Our results demonstrate that physical pretreatment significantly increases the levels of vitamin C, fructose, glucose, total acid, total phenolics, total flavonoids, total anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity compared to chemical pretreatment and the control group. The correlation analysis revealed that phenolic substances were closely linked to antioxidant capacity. Additionally, phenolic compounds, including resveratrol, ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, ethyl coumarate, and cinnamic acid, were more abundant following physical pretreatment. The OPLS-DA model effectively differentiated the three groups of processed samples, showing that different pretreatments significantly affect the nutritional and functional quality of seedless purple raisins. These findings suggest that physical pretreatment offers considerable potential for improving the drying quality of seedless purple raisins.
Exploring Adverse Drug Reactions in Psychotropic Medications: A Retrospective Analysis of Portuguese Pharmacovigilance Data
Authors: Bandarra Ana , Costa César , Angelova Kristina , Leonardo Lília , Espírito-Santo Margarida
Published: April 2024

Psychotropic drugs (PDs) include anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, antidepressants, and antipsychotics, and they are available as medicines with different safety profiles. Given Portugal’s high anxiolytic consumption and the rising prevalence of mental disorders, safety monitoring is crucial. This study aimed to analyze the individual case safety reports (ICSR) of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) related to PDs, obtained through spontaneous reporting, and recorded in the Portuguese National Pharmacovigilance System between January 2017 and December 2021. This observational and retrospective study analyzed the ICSRs of suspected ADRs to PDs. Most reports pertained to female individuals (67.78%) between 18 and 64 years of age (63.71%). The pharmaceutical industry was the primary source of these reports (62.16%). Antidepressants were responsible for most ICSRs (61.90%). At least one serious ADR was recorded in 58.44% of the reports, and 43.84% of ADRs evolved into “cure”. The most-observed ADRs were nausea (10.92%), dizziness (10.70%), and off-label use (10.30%). In the causality assessment, 45.49% of ADRs were classified as “possible”, and only 4.96% were classified as “definitive”. The current analysis helps to strengthen the safety evidence for PDs. In the future, some measures could be implemented to improve the use of and/or access to PDs, as well as to reinforce the rate of suspected ADR reports within the community, contributing to the safety data available.
Impact of Chronic Disease Self-Management Program on the Self-Perceived Health of People in Areas of Social Vulnerability in Asturias, Spain
Authors: García-Ovejero Ester , Pisano-González Marta , Salcedo-Diego Isabel , Serrano-Gallardo Pilar
Published: April 2024

The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) focuses on a health promotion perspective with a salutogenic approach, reinforcing the pillars of self-efficacy. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the CDSMP on Self-perceived Health (SPH) in disadvantaged areas of Asturias, España. The study included vulnerable adults with experience of chronic diseases for over six months, along with their caregivers. The intervention consisted of a six-session workshop led by two trained peers. SPH was evaluated by administering the initial item of the SF-12 questionnaire at both baseline and six months post-intervention. To evaluate the variable “Change in SPH” [improvement; remained well; worsening/no improvement (reference category)], global and disaggregated by sex multivariate multinomial logistic regression models were applied. There were 332 participants (mean = 60.5 years; 33.6% were at risk of social vulnerability; 66.8% had low incomes). Among the participants, 22.9% reported an improvement in their SPH, without statistically significant sex-based differences, while 38.9% remained in good health. The global model showed age was linked to decreased “improvement” probability (RRRa = 0.96), and the “remaining well” likelihood drops with social risk (RRRa = 0.42). In men, the probability of “remaining well” decreased by having secondary/higher education (RRRa = 0.25) and increased by cohabitation (RRRa = 5.11). Women at social risk were less likely to report “remaining well” (RRRa = 0.36). In conclusion, six months after the intervention, 22.9% of the participants had improved SPH. Age consistently decreased the improvement in the different models.
Hydrodynamic Modeling and Comprehensive Assessment of Pier Scour Depth and Rate Induced by Wood Debris Accumulation
Authors: Al-Jubouri Muhanad , Ray Richard P.
Published: April 2024

This study mainly investigates the impact of debris accumulation on scour depth and scour hole characteristics around bridge piers. Through controlled experiments with uniform sand bed material, the influence of various debris shapes (high wedge, low wedge, triangle yield, rectangular, triangle bow, and half-cylinder), upstream debris length, downstream debris extension, and debris thickness on scour depth and scour hole area and volume around the cylindrical pier were analyzed. The findings revealed that the shape and location of debris in the water column upstream of piers are key factors that determine the depth of scour, with high wedge shapes inducing the deepest scour and potentially the largest scour hole, particularly when positioned close to the pier and fully submerged. Scenarios in which triangle bow debris was submerged at full depth upstream of the pier closely resembled situations devoid of debris. Conversely, debris extension downstream of the pier was found to reduce local scour depth while concurrently enlarging the dimensions of the scour hole. The existing scour prediction equations tend to overestimate scour depth in scenarios involving debris, particularly when applying effective and equivalent pier width. This discrepancy arises because these equations were originally developed to predict scour depth around piers in the absence of debris. In response, a refined model for predicting scour induced by debris was proposed, integrating factors such as upstream debris length, downstream extension, obstruction percentage, and debris shape factor. This model demonstrated strong agreement with experimental data within the scope of this study and underwent further validation using additional experimental datasets from other research endeavors. In conclusion, this experimental study advances the comprehension of scour processes around cylindrical bridge piers, providing valuable insights into the role of debris characteristics and positioning.
Features of the Distribution of Beaver Dams and Ponds along Small Rivers: The Volga-Kama Region, European Russia
Authors: Gusarov Artyom V. , Sharifullin Aidar G. , Beylich Achim A. , Lisetskii Fedor N.
Published: April 2024

In this paper, by using GNSS technologies, some features of the distribution and some morphometric parameters of dams and ponds created by the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber L.) along ten rivers of the Volga-Kama region of European Russia were identified. Detected features depend on the geomorphological, lithological, and landscape features of these rivers and their basins. The significant role of river slopes, as well as landscape zoning, in the distribution of beaver dams and ponds along small rivers in the study region is shown. In the rivers under study, almost all beaver constructions are located on riverbed slopes of less than 3% (most often, less than 2%). In the south of the forest zone (the southern taiga of the Vyatka River basin), the majority of dams and ponds (about 90%) are located on slopes of less than 1%, while, within the uplands of the forest-steppe zone, this location varies depending on the length of the rivers. In general, the greater the average slope of the river (the greater the average elevation of the river basin), the lower, other things being equal, the degree of beaver transformation of such rivers. This feature is better expressed in the rivers of the forest landscape zone and less expressed in the rivers flowing in the forest-steppe zone. Analysis of the morphometric parameters of beaver dams shows statistically significant trends towards an increase in their average height, as the channel slopes increase. Statistically significant trends were also identified towards a decrease in the length of dams and the length of associated ponds, with an increase in channel slopes. It is noteworthy that the critical values of the slope for a statistically significant and relatively sharp change in these parameters are 1.45%, 1.07 (or 0.54)%, and 0.65 (or 0.47)%, respectively. The greatest average heights of beaver dams are confined to those rivers where their basins are composed of loamy rocks/soils (especially those that are poorly plowed), compared with “sandy” river basins. This may be due to the peculiarities of the ratio of surface and underground water runoff in these basins and, as a consequence, different intensities of snowmelt- and rainfall-induced flood flow. We assume that the above-mentioned features reflect the early stages of beaver expansion (population growth) in the studied rivers.
Bullying against Healthcare Professionals and Coping Strategies: A Scoping Review
Authors: Ribeiro Ana Rita Valente , Sani Ana Isabel
Published: April 2024

Violence against healthcare professionals is an event that further burdens the daily lives of those who try every day to care for and assist those who need it most. In an attempt to overcome these events, there are coping strategies that can be used to reduce the stress caused. Therefore, this study aims to analyse the phenomenon of violence against healthcare professionals and the relationship between the bullying suffered by these professionals and the coping strategies they developed to overcome these moments. To this end, a scoping review was conducted in which eight articles were selected for final analysis from a total of 276 articles found in three electronic databases (EBSCO, PubMed, and Web of Science). This review concludes that the most common workplace bullying behaviours include excessive workloads, humiliation and ridicule, impossible deadlines, and verbal attacks. Professionals reported negative impacts, such as helplessness, depression, stress, insomnia, and the desire to change jobs. Victims of workplace bullying often expressed their intention to leave their current job or even abandon the profession. Problem-focused coping strategies are the most used. The studies indicated that workplace bullying negatively affects professionals in physical and mental terms, as well as in terms of quality of life at work, requiring more research and adoption of preventive measures to identify and combat the problem.
Boosting Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma-Specific Drug Discovery Using a Deep Learning Algorithm and Single-Cell Analysis
Authors: Wang Yishu , Chen Xiaomin , Tang Ningjun , Guo Mengyao , Ai Dongmei
Published: April 2024

Clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC), the most common subtype of renal cell carcinoma, has the high heterogeneity of a highly complex tumor microenvironment. Existing clinical intervention strategies, such as target therapy and immunotherapy, have failed to achieve good therapeutic effects. In this article, single-cell transcriptome sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from six patients downloaded from the GEO database were adopted to describe the tumor microenvironment (TME) of ccRCC, including its T cells, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), endothelial cells (ECs), and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Based on the differential typing of the TME, we identified tumor cell-specific regulatory programs that are mediated by three key transcription factors (TFs), whilst the TF EPAS1/HIF-2α was identified via drug virtual screening through our analysis of ccRCC’s protein structure. Then, a combined deep graph neural network and machine learning algorithm were used to select anti-ccRCC compounds from bioactive compound libraries, including the FDA-approved drug library, natural product library, and human endogenous metabolite compound library. Finally, five compounds were obtained, including two FDA-approved drugs (flufenamic acid and fludarabine), one endogenous metabolite, one immunology/inflammation-related compound, and one inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase (N4-methylcytidine, a cytosine nucleoside analogue that, like zebularine, has the mechanism of inhibiting DNA methyltransferase). Based on the tumor microenvironment characteristics of ccRCC, five ccRCC-specific compounds were identified, which would give direction of the clinical treatment for ccRCC patients.
TANK Binding Kinase 1 Promotes BACH1 Degradation through Both Phosphorylation-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms without Relying on Heme and FBXO22
Authors: Liu Liang , Matsumoto Mitsuyo , Watanabe-Matsui Miki , Nakagawa Tadashi , Nagasawa Yuko , Pang Jingyao , Callens Bert K. K. , Muto Akihiko , Ochiai Kyoko , Takekawa Hirotaka , Alam Mahabub , Nishizawa Hironari , Shirouzu Mikako , Shima Hiroki , Nakayama Keiko , Igarashi Kazuhiko
Published: April 2024

BTB and CNC homology 1 (BACH1) represses the expression of genes involved in the metabolism of iron, heme and reactive oxygen species. While BACH1 is rapidly degraded when it is bound to heme, it remains unclear how BACH1 degradation is regulated under other conditions. We found that FBXO22, a ubiquitin ligase previously reported to promote BACH1 degradation, polyubiquitinated BACH1 only in the presence of heme in a highly purified reconstitution assay. In parallel to this regulatory mechanism, TANK binding kinase 1 (TBK1), a protein kinase that activates innate immune response and regulates iron metabolism via ferritinophagy, was found to promote BACH1 degradation when overexpressed in 293T cells. While TBK1 phosphorylated BACH1 at multiple serine and threonine residues, BACH1 degradation was observed with not only the wild-type TBK1 but also catalytically impaired TBK1. The BACH1 degradation in response to catalytically impaired TBK1 was not dependent on FBXO22 but involved both autophagy-lysosome and ubiquitin-proteasome pathways judging from its suppression by using inhibitors of lysosome and proteasome. Chemical inhibition of TBK1 in hepatoma Hepa1 cells showed that TBK1 was not required for the heme-induced BACH1 degradation. Its inhibition in Namalwa B lymphoma cells increased endogenous BACH1 protein. These results suggest that TBK1 promotes BACH1 degradation in parallel to the FBXO22- and heme-dependent pathway, placing BACH1 as a downstream effector of TBK1 in iron metabolism or innate immune response.
Design of New Schiff Bases and Their Heavy Metal Ion Complexes for Environmental Applications: A Molecular Dynamics and Density Function Theory Study
Authors: Chiacchio Maria Assunta , Campisi Agata , Iannazzo Daniela , Giofrè Salvatore V. , Legnani Laura
Published: April 2024

Schiff bases (SBs) are important ligands in coordination chemistry due to their unique structural properties. Their ability to form complexes with metal ions has been exploited for the environmental detection of emerging water contaminants. In this work, we evaluated the complexation ability of three newly proposed SBs, 1–3, by complete conformational analysis, using a combination of Molecular Dynamics and Density Functional Theory studies, to understand their ability to coordinate toxic heavy metal (HMs) ions. From this study, it emerges that all the ligands present geometries that make them suitable to complex HMs through the N-imino moieties or, in the case of 3, with the support of the oxygen atoms of the ethylene diether chain. In particular, this ligand shows the most promising coordination behavior, particularly with Pb2+.
Inclusion Complexes between β-Cyclodextrin and Gaseous Substances—N2O, CO2, HCN, NO2, SO2, CH4 and CH3CH2CH3: Role of the Host’s Cavity Hydration
Authors: Dudev Todor , Spassov Tony
Published: April 2024

The thermodynamic aspects of the process of inclusion complex formation between β-cyclodextrin (acting as a host) and gaseous substances (guests; N2O, CO2, NO2, SO2, HCN, CH4, CH3CH2CH3) are studied by employing well-calibrated and tested density functional theory (DFT) calculations. This study sheds new light on the intimate mechanism of the β-cyclodextrin/gas complex formation and answers several intriguing questions: how the polarity and size of the guest molecule influence the complexation thermodynamics; which process of encapsulation by the host macrocycle is more advantageous—insertion to the central cavity without hydration water displacement or guest binding accompanied by a displacement of water molecule(s); what the major factors governing the formation of the complex between β-cyclodextrin and gaseous substances are. The special role that the cluster of water molecules inside the host’s internal cavity plays in the encapsulation process is emphasized.
Verbenone Affects the Behavior of Insect Predators and Other Saproxylic Beetles Differently: Trials Using Pheromone-Baited Bark Beetle Traps
Authors: Bracalini Matteo , Florenzano Guido Tellini , Panzavolta Tiziana
Published: April 2024

In our study, we assessed the effects of verbenone, the most widely studied bark beetle aggregation inhibitor, on saproxylic beetles in a Mediterranean pine forest in Tuscany. Verbenone pouches were devised in the laboratory and then applied to Ips sexdentatus pheromone traps so that their catches could be compared to those of traps containing just the pheromone. The trial was carried out in spring–summer 2023, and insect catches were collected every two weeks. A total of 9440 beetles were collected that belonged to 32 different families and 57 species. About 80% of the captures were bark beetles, mainly Orthotomicus erosus. Beetle predators accounted for about 17% of the captures, with a total of 12 species. Some of these predator species had not yet been studied in relation to verbenone effects, like other saproxylic beetles recorded in this study. A significant reduction in captures was recorded for some beetles (e.g., I. sexdentatus and O. erosus), while for other species, no differences emerged, and in some cases, captures increased significantly when verbenone was present in the traps (i.e., Hylurgus ligniperda, Corticeus pini, and Aulonium ruficorne). The diversity of caught saproxylic beetles increased significantly in the verbenone traps, highlighting possible implications of the use of verbenone when managing bark beetle outbreaks.
The Propagation Velocity and Influences of Environmental Factors of Deterministic Sea Wave Prediction in the Long Crest Wave
Authors: Wang Xiao , Chen Hangyu , Ma Xuewen , Wang Zhan , Zhou Runsong , Huang Limin
Published: April 2024

Ocean waves are one of the leading environmental factors that cause motion of the ocean’s structure. Wave prediction is of great significance for the safety of marine structures. The deterministic sea wave prediction (DSWP) has been focused on because it provided an accurate temporal wave surface. The propagation velocity of wave components is one of the critical problems in DSWP. In this paper, the research of propagation velocity is focused on. The Taylor expansion to wave number is used to prove that the group velocity is the propagation velocity of wave components. The simulated irregular long crest wave data is generated. Utilizing the simulated data, the calculated wave surfaces based on group velocity are consistent with the simulated results. Meanwhile, the comparisons of calculated results based on the group velocity and phase velocity are given. Then, a tank experiment is set to verify the prediction results. To further investigate the prediction performance under different conditions, the influences of environmental factors, including the wind speed, water depth and sea state are analyzed in this paper.
The Phylogeny and Taxonomy of Cryptothecia (Arthoniaceae, Ascomycota) and Myriostigma (Arthoniaceae, Ascomycota), including Three New Species and Two New Records from China
Authors: Xue Junxia , Cai Yutong , Zhang Lulu
Published: April 2024

Cryptothecia and Myriostigma are important elements of crustose lichen communities in tropical to subtropical forests, but little research has been done on these two genera in China. Morphological and molecular phylogenetic approaches to investigate species diversity of Cryptothecia and Myriostigma from Southern China were carried out in this study. We find five species of Cryptothecia and Myriostigma in our study, including three new species (M. flavescens, M. hainana and M. laxipunctata) and two new records (C. bartlettii and C. inexspectata). In addition, a phylogenetic tree based on mtSSU, RPB2 and nLSU illustrates the placement of the five species and supports the delimitation of the three new taxa. Detailed descriptions of morphological, ecological and chemical characteristics and illustrations are provided for every species. A key to all known Chinese Cryptothecia and Myriostigma species is also provided.
Self-Calibration Method for Circular Encoder Based on Two Reading Heads with Adjustable Positions
Authors: Wang Xiaoyi , Zhao Chengxiang , Xiao Longyuan , Zheng Kunlei , Liu Mingkang , Zhu Dongjie , Yao Tianyang
Published: April 2024

To improve the measuring accuracy of circular encoders in special applications, self-calibration of the circular encoder is necessary. The commonly used self-calibration method, namely the Equal Division Average (EDA) method, requires a large number of reading heads and cannot be used when the structural space is limited. In this paper, a self-calibration method for a circular encoder based on two reading heads with adjustable positions (TRAP) is proposed. This TRAP method uses two reading heads to simulate multiple reading heads, which can be used to achieve self-calibration of circular encoders in limited space. This paper investigates the principle of simulating multiple reading heads with two reading heads, designs and builds an experimental system, and obtains and analyzes experimental data. The experimental results show that the peak-valley value of the angle measurement error is reduced from 252.41″ to 18.82″ after self-calibration with the TRAP method, and the repeatability of multiple self-calibration experimental results is less than 0.75″. The TRAP method breaks through the limitation of the number of reading heads that can be installed during the self-calibration of the circular encoder and can effectively suppress the angle measurement error of the circular encoder.
Role of Staphylococcus aureus’s Buoyant Density in the Development of Biofilm Associated Antibiotic Susceptibility
Authors: Kispert Sarah , Liguori Madison , Velikaneye Cody , Qiu Chong , Wang Shue , Zhang Nan , Gu Huan
Published: April 2024

Biofilms are clusters of microorganisms that form at various interfaces, including those between air and liquid or liquid and solid. Due to their roles in enhancing wastewater treatment processes, and their unfortunate propensity to cause persistent human infections through lowering antibiotic susceptibility, understanding and managing bacterial biofilms is of paramount importance. A pivotal stage in biofilm development is the initial bacterial attachment to these interfaces. However, the determinants of bacterial cell choice in colonizing an interface first and heterogeneity in bacterial adhesion remain elusive. Our research has unveiled variations in the buoyant density of free-swimming Staphylococcus aureus cells, irrespective of their growth phase. Cells with a low cell buoyant density, characterized by fewer cell contents, exhibited lower susceptibility to antibiotic treatments (100 μg/mL vancomycin) and favored biofilm formation at air–liquid interfaces. In contrast, cells with higher cell buoyant density, which have richer cell contents, were more vulnerable to antibiotics and predominantly formed biofilms on liquid–solid interfaces when contained upright. Cells with low cell buoyant density were not able to revert to a more antibiotic sensitive and high cell buoyant density phenotype. In essence, S. aureus cells with higher cell buoyant density may be more inclined to adhere to upright substrates.
Ordered Mesoporous Ceria and Cerium Gadolinium Oxide Prepared by Vacuum-Assisted Nanocasting
Authors: Dougherty Troy A. , Baker Richard T.
Published: April 2024

Four ceria-based mesoporous oxide materials were prepared using a new vacuum impregnation (VI) templating method developed by the authors, namely, vacuum-assisted nanocasting (VAN). Two hard templates (SBA-15 and KIT-6) were employed, and products with compositions CeO2 and Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.9 (CGO) were made with each. The desired fluorite phase and composition were confirmed by powder XRD and EDS. The product structures were characterised by XRD, TEM, gas physisorption and SAXS. All products contained ordered mesoporous material in high yields. The specific surface areas (SSAs) and pore volumes of the products were determined to be high and the pore size and pore spacings related well to the templates from which the materials were synthesised. The TEM studies confirmed that the samples had a 3D pore structure, with this being the negative of the original template. The target materials were not only produced in high yields, but also displayed a porous single-crystal morphology with non-linear lattice planes. The highest SSA values and pore volumes were reported for materials impregnated using the KIT-6 template and with the CGO composition. The results suggest that VAN is an excellent and reproducible method for producing ordered mesoporous cerias and has considerable potential for wider application. All the mesoporous products showed dramatically increased reducibility in TPR experiments compared with a high-SSA nanoparticulate ceria reference. This is very promising for their potential applications in oxidation catalysts and in fuel cell components.
Association between Self-Perception of Chewing, Chewing Behavior, and the Presence of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Candidates for Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Martins Flávia Luciana Pinheiro de Souza Pinto , Inete Millena Borges , Souza Yasmym Dannielle do Espírito Santo , Costa Rafaela Lorena Viana , Gabbay Rafaelle Dias , Moraes Tainá Martins , Costa Vanessa Vieira Lourenço , Paracampo Carla Cristina Paiva , Albuquerque Luiz Carlos de , Gomes Daniela Lopes
Published: April 2024

Given the changes in the digestive tract post-bariatric surgery, adapting to a new pattern of eating behavior becomes crucial, with special attention to the specifics of chewing mechanics. This study aimed to investigate the association between self-perception of chewing, chewing behavior, and the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms in preoperative patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Sixty adult candidates for bariatric surgery at a public hospital in Belém (Brazil) were analyzed. Participants predominantly exhibited unilateral chewing patterns (91.6%), a fast chewing rhythm (73.3%), a large food bolus (80%), liquid intake during meals (36.7%), and 41.7% reported that chewing could cause some issue. Significant associations were found between the perception of causing problems and chewing scarcity (p = 0.006), diarrhea (p = 0.004), absence of slow chewing (p = 0.048), and frequent cutting of food with front teeth (p = 0.034). These findings reveal a relationship between the perception of chewing problems and chewing scarcity, presence of diarrhea, and fast chewing.
Comprehensive Ocular and Systemic Safety Evaluation of Polysialic Acid-Decorated Immune Modulating Therapeutic Nanoparticles (PolySia-NPs) to Support Entry into First-in-Human Clinical Trials
Authors: Krishnan Anitha , Callanan David G. , Sendra Victor G. , Lad Amit , Christian Sunny , Earla Ravinder , Khanehzar Ali , Tolentino Andrew J. , Vailoces Valory Anne Sarmiento , Greene Michelle K. , Scott Christopher J. , Kunimoto Derek Y. , Hassan Tarek S. , Genead Mohamed A. , Tolentino Michael J.
Published: April 2024

An inflammation-resolving polysialic acid-decorated PLGA nanoparticle (PolySia-NP) has been developed to treat geographic atrophy/age-related macular degeneration and other conditions caused by macrophage and complement over-activation. While PolySia-NPs have demonstrated pre-clinical efficacy, this study evaluated its systemic and intraocular safety. PolySia-NPs were evaluated in vitro for mutagenic activity using Salmonella strains and E. coli, with and without metabolic activation; cytotoxicity was evaluated based on its interference with normal mitosis. PolySia-NPs were administered intravenously in CD-1 mice and Sprague Dawley rats and assessed for survival and toxicity. Intravitreal (IVT) administration in Dutch Belted rabbits and non-human primates was assessed for ocular or systemic toxicity. In vitro results indicate that PolySia-NPs did not induce mutagenicity or cytotoxicity. Intravenous administration did not show clastogenic activity, effects on survival, or toxicity. A single intravitreal (IVT) injection and two elevated repeat IVT doses of PolySia-NPs separated by 7 days in rabbits showed no signs of systemic or ocular toxicity. A single IVT inoculation of PolySia-NPs in non-human primates demonstrated no adverse clinical or ophthalmological effects. The demonstration of systemic and ocular safety of PolySia-NPs supports its advancement into human clinical trials as a promising therapeutic approach for systemic and retinal degenerative diseases caused by chronic immune activation.
The Fresnel Approximation and Diffraction of Focused Waves
Authors: Sheppard Colin J. R.
Published: April 2024

In this paper, diffraction of scalar waves by a screen with a circular aperture is explored, considering the incidence of either a collimated beam or a focused wave, a historical review of the development of the theory is presented, and the introduction of the Fresnel approximation is described. For diffraction by a focused wave, the general case is considered for both high numerical aperture and for finite values of the Fresnel number. One aim is to develop a theory based on the use of dimensionless optical coordinates that can help to determined the general behaviour and trends of different system parameters. An important phenomenon, the focal shift effect, is discussed as well. Explicit expressions are provided for focal shift and the peak intensity for different numerical apertures and Fresnel numbers. This is one application where the Rayleigh–Sommerfeld diffraction integrals provide inaccurate results.
Structural Behaviour and Charge-Compensation Mechanism in Li2Fe1−xCoxSeO Solid Solutions during Reversible Delithiation
Authors: Gorbunov Mikhail V. , Mikhailova Daria
Published: April 2024

The constantly growing demand for renewable electrical energy keeps the continuation of battery-related research imperative. In spite of significant progress made in the development of Na- and K-ion systems, Li-ion batteries (LIBs) still prevail in the fields of portative devices and electric or hybrid vehicles. Since the amount of lithium on our planet is significantly limited, studies dedicated to the search for and development of novel materials, which would make LIBs more efficient in terms of their specific characteristics and life lengths, are necessary. Investigations of less industry-related systems are also important, as they provide general knowledge which helps in understanding directions and strategies for the improvement of applied materials. The current paper represents a comprehensive study of cubic Li2Fe1−xCoxSeO compounds with an anti-perovskite structure. These solid solutions demonstrate both cationic and anionic electrochemical activity in lithium cells while being applied as cathodes. Cobalt cations remain inactive; however, their amount in the structure defines if the Se0/Se2− or Fe3+/Fe2+ redox couple dominates the charge compensation mechanism upon (de)lithiation. Apart from that, cobalt affects the structural stability of the materials during cycling. These effects were evaluated by means of operando XRD and XAS techniques. The outcomes can be useful for both fundamental and practice-relevant research.
An Experimental Study on the Seepage Characteristics of Rough Fractures in Coal under Stress Loading
Authors: Luo Yafei , Zhu Yongjian , Huang Fei
Published: April 2024

Fracture and stress environments significantly affect the flow of coalbed methane. Under stress, fracture deformation and damage occur, which change the original fracture characteristics and lead to changes in gas flow characteristics. The change in gas pressure gradient makes the fluid flow obviously nonlinear. Using linear flow theory to describe the fracture flow leads to a large error in predicting coalbed methane productivity. In this study, seepage tests on fractured coal are carried out under different stresses and gas pressure gradients, the nonlinear flow and changes in related parameters are analyzed, and the applicability of the nonlinear flow equation is evaluated. The resulting seepage of the gas flow in the fracture under stress is obviously nonlinear, which gradually increases with increasing effective stress and gas pressure gradient. When the Forchheimer equation is used to characterize the nonlinear seepage in fractures, the coefficients increase with increasing effective stress. The permeability, nonlinear factor, and critical Reynolds number decrease with increasing effective stress. When the Izbash equation is used for this case, the linear coefficient ranges from 1015 to 1016, and the nonlinear coefficient ranges from 1.064 to 1.795. The coefficients are related to the effective stress through a power function. Both the Forchheimer and Izbash equations can characterize the flow in rough fractures in coal during stress loading. However, the Forchheimer equation better reveals the mechanism of flow transformation from linear to nonlinear in fractures.
Suspense and Christian Culture: Visual Analogies in Alfred Hitchcock’s Movies
Authors: Puigarnau Alfons
Published: April 2024

In this text, the author analyzes the convergence between Christian culture and relevant films of Alfred Hitchcock’s suspense filmography. Rather than focusing on Hitchcock’s status as a Catholic director, he makes an empirical analysis that allows him to find certain visual analogies between the Christian imaginary and the frames of certain films of the master of suspense. This article understands cinema as a kind of mental, psychological, or spiritual cartography/geography, and this is how it connects to the theme of space, where cinema is not just as analogous to physical space but the experience of viewing as a space. The Christian iconography of death, understood as participation in an eternal time, helps to understand the projection of the concept of suspension of judgment in constructing suspense that is not only iconographic but also spatially ontological. The author also suggests an epistemological connection between the mysterious nature of space in medieval art and architecture and the aesthetics of perfect crime in films. The allegory of Christ’s Passion will be seen as a recurring thread in Hitchcock’s visual analogies. His cinema and his particular way of seeing reality through space continue to demonstrate the validity of his art in writing new episodes in Western culture.
Rock Layer Classification and Identification in Ground-Penetrating Radar via Machine Learning
Authors: Xu Hong , Yan Jie , Feng Guangliang , Jia Zhuo , Jing Peiqi
Published: April 2024

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) faces complex challenges in identifying underground rock formations and lithological structures. The diversity, intricate shapes, and electromagnetic properties of subsurface rock formations make their accurate detection difficult. Additionally, the heterogeneity of subsurface media, signal scattering, and non-linear propagation effects contribute to the complexity of signal interpretation. To address these challenges, this study fully considers the unique advantages of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) in accurately identifying underground rock formations and lithological structures, particularly their powerful feature extraction capabilities. Deep learning models possess the ability to automatically extract complex signal features from radar data, while also demonstrating excellent generalization performance, enabling them to handle data from various geological conditions. Moreover, deep learning can efficiently process large-scale data, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of identification. In our research, we utilized deep neural networks to process GPR signals, using radar images as inputs and generating structure-related information associated with rock formations and lithological structures as outputs. Through training and learning, we successfully established an effective mapping relationship between radar images and lithological label signals. The results from synthetic data indicate a rock block identification success rate exceeding 88%, with a satisfactory continuity identification of lithological structures. Transferring the network to measured data, the trained model exhibits excellent performance in predicting data collected from the field, further enhancing the geological interpretation and analysis. Therefore, through the results obtained from synthetic and measured data, we can demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of this research method.
Predicting Neighborhood-Level Residential Carbon Emissions from Street View Images Using Computer Vision and Machine Learning
Authors: Shi Wanqi , Xiang Yeyu , Ying Yuxuan , Jiao Yuqin , Zhao Rui , Qiu Waishan
Published: April 2024

Predicting urban-scale carbon emissions (CEs) is crucial in drawing implications for various urgent environmental issues, including global warming. However, prior studies have overlooked the impact of the micro-level street environment, which might lead to biased prediction. To fill this gap, we developed an effective machine learning (ML) framework to predict neighborhood-level residential CEs based on a single data source, street view images (SVIs), which are publicly available worldwide. Specifically, more than 30 streetscape elements were classified from SVIs using semantic segmentation to describe the micro-level street environment, whose visual features can indicate major socioeconomic activities that significantly affect residential CEs. A ten-fold cross-validation was deployed to train ML models to predict the residential CEs at the 1 km grid level. We found, first, that random forest (R2 = 0.8) outperforms many traditional models, confirming that visual features are non-negligible in explaining CEs. Second, more building, wall, and fence views indicate higher CEs. Third, the presence of trees and grass is inversely related to CEs. Our findings justify the feasibility of using SVIs as a single data source to effectively predict neighborhood-level residential CEs. The framework is applicable to large regions across diverse urban forms, informing urban planners of sustainable urban form strategies to achieve carbon-neutral goals, especially for the development of new towns.
High Spatiotemporal Estimation of Reservoir Evaporation Water Loss by Integrating Remote-Sensing Data and the Generalized Complementary Relationship
Authors: Li Yuran , Li Shiqiong , Cheng Lei , Zhou Lihao , Chang Liwei , Liu Pan
Published: April 2024

Accurately estimating the reservoir evaporation loss is crucial for water resources management. The existing research on reservoir evaporation loss estimates primarily focuses on large spatiotemporal scales and neglects the rapid dynamic changes to reservoirs’ surface area. For reservoirs essential for frequent flood control and regular water supply, high spatiotemporal evaporation data are crucial. By integrating remote sensing and the evaporation model, this study proposes a new method for the high spatiotemporal estimation of the evaporation losses from reservoirs. The proposed method is applied to the largest artificial freshwater lake in Asia, i.e., Danjiangkou (DJK) Reservoir. The daily reservoir water surface area is extracted at a spatial resolution of 30 m during the period 2014–2018 based on the Enhanced Spatial and Temporal Adaptive Reflectance Fusion Model (ESTARFM). The daily evaporation rate is estimated at a spatial resolution of 100 m using the generalized complementary relationship (GCR). The results show that the water surface area of the DJK Reservoir exhibits rapid and frequent fluctuations from 2015 to 2018, with a multi-year average area of 731.9 km2 and a maximum and minimum difference of 304 km2. Significant seasonal variations are observed in both the evaporation rate and volume, with a multi-year average evaporation rate of 806 mm and evaporation volume of 595 million m3. The estimated results align well with three other independent estimates, indicating that the GCR is capable of water surface evaporation estimation. Further analysis suggests that the data resolution has a great influence on the evaporative water loss from the reservoir. The estimated mean annual evaporation volume based on the 1000 m resolution water surface area data is 14% lower than that estimated using the 30 m resolution water surface area data. This study not only provides a new method for the high spatiotemporal estimation of reservoir evaporation by integrating remote-sensing data and the GCR method but also highlights that reservoir evaporation water loss should be quantified using the volume rather than the rate and that the estimated loss is noticeably affected by the estimation spatial resolution.