bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robert Rosen’s Anticipatory Systems Theory: The Science of Life and Mind
Authors: Rosen Judith
Published: November 2022

When I am at conferences, talking about the scientific work of my father (theoretical biologist Robert Rosen, 1934–1998), I am often asked which aspects of his work I think are most important. My answer is Anticipatory Systems Theory. It’s about the entailment and characterization of both life and mind. It explains the fundamental nature of all life, showing how the human mind is an evolutionary concentration of the same peculiar behavior patterns manifested by all living organisms, regardless of species. How can we hope to fully understand ourselves or anything else in the biosphere of Earth without an accurate scientific comprehension of the entailment patterns underlying and generating all of it? The physics of orbital mechanics or atomic particles is insufficient for this. Therefore, I spend a lot of my time working to make the meaning of my father’s scientific discoveries accessible to as many human minds as possible. I think humanity is going to need this work in the future, and already needs it now. This paper will examine the basic premises of Anticipatory Systems Theory and describe, using examples familiar to all of us from daily life, how we can recognize Anticipation at work in ourselves and in local ecosystems all over the planet. I will conclude with some important ramifications of this theory, including how Anticipation necessarily plays into evolutionary processes. I will also point out the vulnerabilities of Anticipatory Systems (i.e., living organisms) to rapid change in environment, potentially leading to extinction cascades.
Application of Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning Boosted with Swarm Intelligence for Spam Email Filtering
Authors: Bacanin Nebojsa , Zivkovic Miodrag , Stoean Catalin , Antonijevic Milos , Janicijevic Stefana , Sarac Marko , Strumberger Ivana
Published: November 2022

Spam represents a genuine irritation for email users, since it often disturbs them during their work or free time. Machine learning approaches are commonly utilized as the engine of spam detection solutions, as they are efficient and usually exhibit a high degree of classification accuracy. Nevertheless, it sometimes happens that good messages are labeled as spam and, more often, some spam emails enter into the inbox as good ones. This manuscript proposes a novel email spam detection approach by combining machine learning models with an enhanced sine cosine swarm intelligence algorithm to counter the deficiencies of the existing techniques. The introduced novel sine cosine was adopted for training logistic regression and for tuning XGBoost models as part of the hybrid machine learning-metaheuristics framework. The developed framework has been validated on two public high-dimensional spam benchmark datasets (CSDMC2010 and TurkishEmail), and the extensive experiments conducted have shown that the model successfully deals with high-degree data. The comparative analysis with other cutting-edge spam detection models, also based on metaheuristics, has shown that the proposed hybrid method obtains superior performance in terms of accuracy, precision, recall, f1 score, and other relevant classification metrics. Additionally, the empirically established superiority of the proposed method is validated using rigid statistical tests.
A VNS-Based Matheuristic to Solve the Districting Problem in Bicycle-Sharing Systems
Authors: Cabrera-Guerrero Guillermo , Álvarez Aníbal , Vásquez Joaquín , Maya Duque Pablo A. , Villavicencio Lucas
Published: November 2022

A matheuristic approach that combines a reduced variable neighbourhood search (rVNS) algorithm and a mathematical programming (MP) solver to solve a novel model for the districting problem in a public bicycle-sharing system is presented. The problem is modelled as an integer programming problem. While the rVNS algorithm aims to find a high-quality set of centres for the repositioning zones, the MP solver computes the optimal allocation network of the stations to the centres of the repositioning zones. We use a predefined grid to reduce the search space the rVNS needs to explore. The proposed approach obtains promising results for small and medium-sized instances, and is also able to handle large-sized models.
The Effects of Variable Thermal Conductivity in Thermoelastic Interactions in an Infinite Material with and without Kirchhoff’s Transformation
Authors: Hobiny Aatef , Abbas Ibrahim
Published: November 2022

In this paper, the problem of an unbonded material under variable thermal conductivity with and without Kirchhoff’s transformations is investigated. The context of the problem is the generalized thermoelasticity model. The boundary plane of the medium is exposed to a thermal shock that is time-dependent and considered to be traction-free. Because nonlinear formulations are difficult, the finite element method is applied to solve the problem without Kirchhoff’s transformations. In a linear case, when using Kirchhoff’s transformations, the problem’s solution is derived using the Laplace transforms and the eigenvalue approach. The effect of variable thermal conductivity is discussed and compared with and without Kirchhoff’s transformations. The graphical representations of numerical results are shown for the distributions of temperature, displacement and stress.
Research on Cracked Conditions in Nickel Chrome Alloy Ni50Cr33W4.5Mo2.8TiAlNb, Obtained by Direct Laser Deposition
Authors: Khaimovich Alexander , Shishkovsky Igor , Erisov Yaroslav , Agapovichev Anton , Smelov Vitaliy , Razzhivin Vasilii
Published: November 2022

Nowadays, additive manufacturing (AM) is a powerful way to make complex-shaped components for airspace engineering from nickel-based superalloys. So, while nickel-based superalloys could easily be we L-DED in sheet-metal thicknesses, they suffered from strain-age cracking and solidification during AM or in the post-weld aging treatment. This is attributed to the fact that besides the limitation of γ′- phase forming elements (Al and Ti), as they form by AM very rapidly and reduce ductility, the majority of the superalloys contain carbide-forming elements such as Cr, Mo, and W. The precipitation of carbides, which is very effective in strengthening, develops cracks in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) during AM. The difference in isochoric heat capacities and the thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) at the phase boundary leads to the appearance of dangerous local destruction energy. If the area of the interfacial interface is sufficiently extended, then the accumulation of this energy reaches a level sufficient for a crack formation. We have proposed a crack initiation criterion (CIC) for assessing the dangerous level of fracture energy. The CIC was derived from an estimate of the local energy balance from the heat transfer equation for the two-phase area. Practical approbation of the criterion was carried out after L-DED of samples from Ni50Cr33W4.5Mo2.8TiAlNb (EP648) alloy powder with an increased carbon content based on the study of the chemical composition near the crack formed during solidification. Using the proposed criterion provides an opportunity to give the rank to carbide-forming elements according to the degree of their influence on the fracture energy. Thus, the release of aluminum carbide turned out to be 5.48 times more dangerous than the release of titanium carbide and more than 5 times more dangerous than the release of tungsten carbide and molybdenum.
Investigation of Surface Residual Stress for Medium Carbon Steel Quenched by YAG Laser with Extended Cycloidal Motion
Authors: Hung Tsung-Pin , Tsai Hsiu-An , Lin Ah-Der
Published: November 2022

This study investigated the surface residual stress for AISI 1045 steel quenched by a YAG laser. A coaxial laser spindle was installed on a CNC machine for the experiment. The laser motion was arranged to follow the path of an extended cycloid which widened the quenching area on the steel surface. Both the temperature distribution and the residual stresses were measured by thermocouples and a portable X-ray diffractometer, respectively. When the temperature distribution was cooled down near the value of the room temperature, the residual stresses were then measured after the laser quenching process. The diffractometer used a single exposure of X-ray with a two-dimensional detector to calculate the Debye–Scherrer ring (D-S ring) for the determination of the normal and shear stresses. Different laser powers were exploited for the measurement of residual stresses, including 500, 600, 700, and 900 watts. In addition to the experiment, an analytic model for the investigation of residual stresses was built by the finite element analysis for which MSC Marc was used. The assumption for the FEA was that the laser spot had a circular shape of uniform energy distribution and the thermal–elastic–plastic model was applied to the simulation for the laser quenching process. The analytic and experimental results for the surface residual stresses had excellent consistency with a maximum difference of 10.5% from the normal stresses. The numerical results for the residual stresses also revealed that the normal stresses were compressive for the laser-quenching treatment and the shear stress could be neglected compared to the normal stress.
Influence of Hot Top Height on Macrosegregation and Material Yield in a Large-Size Cast Steel Ingot Using Modeling and Experimental Validation
Authors: Ghodrati Neda , Baiteche Mounir , Loucif Abdelhalim , Gallego Paloma Isabel , Jean-Benoit Morin , Jahazi Mohammad
Published: November 2022

The effect of the hot top height on the formation of positive and negative macrosegregation patterns, the ingot quality, and the material yield during solidification of a 12 MT cast ingot made of a Cr-Mo-low alloy steel was investigated. A 3D numerical simulation of the process was conducted using finite element modeling. A full-size 12 MT ingot was cut off from its center in the longitudinal direction, and a large cross-section was sliced into small samples. The chemical mapping of all the elements in the steel composition was obtained for all samples and compared with the model predictions for validation purposes. The influence of the increase in hot top height on the liquid metal velocity field, size and shape of vortexes, cooling rate of the liquid, and liquidus temperature was determined. Results revealed that increasing the hot top height by 165 mm increased the solidification time, fluid velocity in regions including the hot top and ingot bottom, and decreased the local liquidus temperature. The combination of all the above resulted in an overall decrease in positive and negative macrosegregation of more than 6% and an increase in ingot quality. The results are interpreted based on the interactions between the transport of solute and heat coupled with the flow driven by thermo-solutal convection and shrinkage-induced flow.
Synthesis of Ferroalloys via Mill Scale-Dross-Graphite Interaction: Implication for Industrial Wastes Upcycling
Authors: Wongsawan Praphaphan , Srichaisiriwech Weerayut , Kongkarat Somyote
Published: November 2022

Mill scale and aluminum dross are the industrial wastes from steel and aluminum industries, which have high concentrations of Fe2O3 and Al2O3, respectively. This paper reports the conversion of reducible metal oxides in scale and dross into an alloy via carbothermic reduction at 1550 °C. Scale and dross were mixed with graphite into three different C/O molar ratios of 1, 1.5, and 2 to produce a pellet. The pellets were heated at 1550 °C for up to 6 h under an argon atmosphere. By this method, carbothermic reductions were found to proceed and formed Fe–Si–Al–C alloy that consists of Fe3Al and Fe3Si phases. The presence of Si in the alloy came from the reduction of SiO2 in aluminum dross. Levels of Al and Si in the alloy increase with increasing C/O molar ratios. However, the Si level in the alloy was found to stabilize since 3 h, while the Al level increases with increasing time up to 6 h. Unreacted oxides in the wastes had an insignificant effect on the ferroalloy formation. These results provide evidence for carbothermic reduction of the Fe2O3-Al2O3-SiO2 system at 1550 °C and show the novel method to upcycling aluminum dross and mill scale toward a circular economy.
Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing of Metallic Materials
Authors: Zhang Chaoqun , Yu Hongying , Sun Dongbai , Liu Wen
Published: November 2022

Ultrasonic additive manufacturing (UAM), a solid-state additive manufacturing technology, was invented in 1999 by Dawn White [...]
Different Patterns of Virulence Genes in Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus Originating from Estonian Toddlers—Mothers Cohort
Authors: Maasi Greete , Štšepetova Jelena , Jõesaar Merike , Olak Jana , Mändar Reet
Published: November 2022

Aims: Mutans streptococci include Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus, which can cause tooth decay. The current study aimed to compare their virulence genes with each other and to correlate them with the clinical data of patients. Materials and methods: Altogether 21 S. mutans and 19 S. sobrinus strains were investigated, originating from 24 children (age 2.7 ± 0.4 years) and 13 mothers (27.3 ± 3.7). The PCR method was applied to detect 11 virulence genes. Caries indices (dmf, decayed/missing/filled; DMFT, decayed/missing/filled teeth) and SM score (Mutans streptococci amount in saliva) were recorded. Results: Most of the S. mutans strains harbored all the virulence genes studied, while S. sobrinus had significantly fewer genes. The genes gbpA, gbpB, wapA and ftf were present in all isolates of S. sobrinus, the spaP, gtfB, vicR, SMU.1037c and SMU.105 genes were present in 41–88% of the isolates, while gtfD and SMU.104 genes were absent in S. sobrinus strains studied. A positive correlation appeared between the biofilm-related vicR and polysaccharide-production-related gtfD genes. In contrast, another polysaccharide-production-related gtfB gene was present in some cases in strains lacking the vicR or gtfD gene. Positive association was found between the presence of adhesion-related spaP gene in pediatric-derived S. sobrinus strains and an increase in SM score. Conclusions: Differences exist between the two common species of mutans streptococci: strains of S. mutans have more virulence genes than that of S. sobrinus, both crucial and virulence enhancing. Deeper research is needed to clarify the mechanisms behind the increased cariogenicity in cohabitation.
One-Step Synthesis of Aminobenzoic Acid Functionalized Graphene Oxide by Electrochemical Exfoliation of Graphite for Oxygen Reduction to Hydrogen Peroxide and Supercapacitors
Authors: Lei Yuting , Madalena Ludmila dos Santos , Ossonon Benjamin D. , Junior Fausto Eduardo Bimbi , Chen Jiyun , Lanza Marcos R. V. , Tavares Ana C.
Published: November 2022

Graphene-based materials have attracted considerable attention as promising electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and as electrode materials for supercapacitors. In this work, electrochemical exfoliation of graphite in the presence of 4-aminebenzoic acid (4-ABA) is used as a one-step method to prepare graphene oxide materials (EGO) functionalized with aminobenzoic acid (EGO-ABA). The EGO and EGO-ABAs materials were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the EGO-ABA materials have smaller flake size and higher density of oxygenated functional groups compared to bare EGO. The electrochemical studies showed that the EGO-ABA catalysts have higher activity for the ORR to H2O2 in alkaline medium compared to EGO due to their higher density of oxygenated functional groups. However, bare EGO has a higher selectivity for the 2-electron process (81%) compared to the EGO-ABA (between 64 and 72%) which was related to a lower content of carbonyl groups. The specific capacitance of the EGO-ABA materials was higher than that of EGO, with an increase by a factor of 3 for the materials prepared from exfoliation in 5 mM 4-ABA/0.1 M H2SO4. This electrode material also showed a remarkable cycling capability with a loss of only 19.4% after 5000 cycles at 50 mVs−1.
Flavonoids from Sedum japonicum subsp. oryzifolium (Crassulaceae)
Authors: Mizuno Takayuki , Uchiyama Nahoko , Tanaka Seiji , Nakane Takahisa , Devkota Hari Prasad , Fujikawa Kazumi , Kawahara Nobuo , Iwashina Tsukasa
Published: November 2022

Twenty-two flavonoids were isolated from the leaves and stems of Sedum japonicum subsp. oryzifolium (Crassulaceae). Of these compounds, five flavonoids were reported in nature for the first time, and identified as herbacetin 3-O-xyloside-8-O-glucoside, herbacetin 3-O-glucoside-8-O-(2′′′-acetylxyloside), gossypetin 3-O-glucoside-8-O-arabinoside, gossypetin 3-O-glucoside-8-O-(2′′′-acetylxyloside) and hibiscetin 3-O-glucoside-8-O-arabinoside via UV, HR-MS, LC-MS, acid hydrolysis and NMR. Other seventeen known flavonoids were identified as herbacetin 3-O-glucoside-8-O-arabinoside, herbacetin 3-O-glucoside-8-O-xyloside, gossypetin 3-O-glucoside-8-O-xyloside, quercetin, quercetin 3-O-glucoside, quercetin 3-O-xylosyl-(1→2)-rhamnoside-7-O-rhamnoside, quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside-7-O-glucoside, kaempferol, kaempferol 3-O-glucoside, kaempferol 7-O-rhamnoside, kaempferol 3,7-di-O-rhamnoside, kaempferol 3-O-glucoside-7-O-rhamnoside, kaempferol 3-O-glucosyl-(1→2)-rhamnoside-7-O-rhamnoside, kaempferol 3-O-xylosyl-(1→2)-rhamnoside, kaempferol 3-O-xylosyl-(1→2)-rhamnoside-7-O-rhamnoside, myricetin 3-O-glucoside and cyanidin 3-O-glucoside. Some flavonol 3,8-di-O-glycosides were found in Sedum japonicum subsp. oryzifolium as major flavonoids in this survey. They were presumed to be the diagnostic flavonoids in the species. Flavonoids were reported from S. japonicum for the first time.
The Influence of the Halide in the Crystal Structures of 1-(2,3,5,6-Tetrafluoro-4-pyridyl)-3-benzylimidazolium Halides
Authors: Acharige Udari A. I. , Saunders Graham C.
Published: November 2022

The crystal structures of 1-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-pyridyl)-3-benzylimidazolium chloride (1) and iodide (3) have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure of 1 is similar to that of the bromide salt (2), possessing anion···C5F5N···C6H5 motifs, whilst that of 3 contains columns of alternating iodide anions and parallel tetrafluoropyridyl rings. All three crystal structures possess C(1)–H∙∙∙X− and C(2)–H∙∙∙X− hydrogen bonding. DFT calculations reveal that the strengths of the hydrogen bonding interactions lie in the order C(1)–H···X− > C(3)–H···X− > C(2)–H···X− for the same halide (X−) and Cl− > Br− > I− for each position. It is suggested that salt 3 adopts a different structure to salts 1 and 2 because of the larger size of iodide.
Isolation of a New Polysaccharide from Dandelion Leaves and Evaluation of Its Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Anticancer Activities
Authors: Li Mo , Zhang Henan , Hu Xinyu , Liu Yumeng , Liu Yanfeng , Song Meijun , Wu Rina , Wu Junrui
Published: November 2022

Dandelion, in China, has a long history as a medicinal and edible plant, and possesses high nutritional and medical value. The present study aimed to isolate a new polysaccharide (DLP-3) from dandelion leaves and to evaluate its antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer activities. The structure of DLP-3 was analyzed using HPLC, FT-IR, SEM, GC-MS, and NMR spectroscopy. DLP-3 mainly consisted of Man, Rha, GlcA, Glc, Gal, and Ara with molar ratios of 2.32, 0.87, 1.21, 3.84, 1.00, and 1.05, respectively, with a molecular weight of 43.2 kDa. The main linkages of DLP-3 contained (1→4)-α-d-Glc, (1→4,6)-α-d-Glc, (1→6)-α-d-Gal, (1→2)-α-d-Man, (1→4)-α-d-Man, β-l-Ara-(1→, and α-l-Rha-(1→. DLP-3 exhibited a smooth surface, purely flake-like structure, and a triple helix conformation. Moreover, DLP-3 presented obvious antioxidant and antibacterial activities in a concentration-dependent manner. DLP-3 showed significant anticancer activities by inhibiting tumor cell proliferation. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the application of DLP-3 as a natural functional active substance in functional foods.
A Systematic Method for the Identification of Aporphine Alkaloid Constituents in Sabia schumanniana Diels Using UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap/Mass Spectrometry
Authors: E Shuai , Shang Zi-Chao , Qin Shi-han , Li Kai-lin , Liu Yan-nan , Wu Ji-Li , Yan Fang , Cai Wei
Published: November 2022

Sabia schumanniana Diels (SSD) is a plant whose stems are used in traditional folk medicine for the treatment of lumbago and arthralgia. Previous studies have revealed chemical constituents of SSD, including triterpenoids and aporphine alkaloids. Aporphine alkaloids contain a variety of active components, which might facilitate the effective treatment of lumbago and arthralgia. However, only 5-oxoaporphine (fuseine) has been discovered in SSD to date. In this study, we sought to systematically identify the aporphine alkaloids in SSD. We established a fast and reliable method for the detection and identification of these aporphine alkaloids based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap/mass spectrometry combined with parallel reaction monitoring (PRM). We separated all of the analyzed samples using a Thermo Scientific Hypersil GOLD™ aQ C18 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.9 μm). Finally, we identified a total of 70 compounds by using data such as retention times and diagnostic ions. No fewer than 69 of these SSD aporphine alkaloids have been reported here for the first time. These findings may assist in future studies concerning this plant and will ultimately contribute to the research and development of new drugs.
Radiochemical Feasibility of Mixing of 99mTc-MAA and 90Y-Microspheres with Omnipaque Contrast
Authors: Yang Chang-Tong , Ngam Pei Ing , Phua Vanessa Jing Xin , Yu Sidney Wing Kwong , Apoorva Gogna , Ng David Chee Eng , Huang Hian Liang
Published: November 2022

Yttrium-90 (90Y) microspheres are widely used for the treatment of liver-dominant malignant tumors. They are infused via catheter into the hepatic artery branches supplying the tumor under fluoroscopic guidance based on pre-therapy angiography and Technetium-99m macroaggregated albumin (99mTc-MAA) planning. However, at present, these microspheres are suspended in radiolucent media such as dextrose 5% (D5) solution. In order to monitor the real-time implantation of the microspheres into the tumor, the 90Y microspheres could be suspended in omnipaque contrast for allowing visualization of the correct distribution of the microspheres into the tumor. The radiochemical purity of mixing 90Y-microspheres in various concentrations of omnipaque was investigated. The radiochemical purity and feasibility of mixing 99mTc-MAA with various concentrations of a standard contrast agent were also investigated. Results showed the radiochemical feasibility of mixing 90Y-microspheres with omnipaque is radiochemically acceptable for allowing real-time visualization of radioembolization under fluoroscopy.
Scalable Preparation of Complete Stereo-Complexation Polylactic Acid Fiber and Its Hydrolysis Resistance
Authors: Sun Mingtao , Lu Siyao , Zhao Pengfei , Feng Zhongyao , Yu Muhuo , Han Keqing
Published: November 2022

Due to their high sensitivity to temperature and humidity, the applications of polylactic acid (PLA) products are limited. The stereo-complexation (SC) formed by poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and its enantiomer poly(D-lactic acid) (PDLA) can effectively improve the heat resistance and hydrolysis resistance of PLA products. In this work, the blended melt-spinning process of PLLA/PDLA was carried out using a polyester fiber production line to obtain PLA fiber with a complete SC structure. The effects of high-temperature tension heat-setting on the crystalline structure, thermal properties, mechanical properties, and hydrolysis resistance were discussed. The results indicated that when the tension heat-setting temperature reached 190 °C, the fiber achieved an almost complete SC structure, and its melting point was 222.5 °C. An accelerated hydrolysis experiment in a 95 °C water bath proved that the SC crystallites had better hydrolysis resistance than homocrystallization (HC). The monofilament strength retention rate of SC−190 fiber reached as high as 78.5% after hydrolysis for 24 h, which was significantly improved compared with PLLA/PDLA drawn fiber.
Structural Dynamics of Chloromethanes through Computational Spectroscopy: Combining INS and DFT
Authors: Nolasco Mariela M. , Coimbra Mariana Matos , Parker Stewart F. , Vaz Pedro D. , Ribeiro-Claro Paulo J. A.
Published: November 2022

In this work, the structural dynamics of the chloromethanes CCl4, CHCl3 and CH2Cl2 were evaluated through a computational spectroscopy approach by comparing experimental inelastic neutron scattering (INS) spectra with the corresponding simulated spectra obtained from periodic DFT calculations. The overall excellent agreement between experimental and calculated spectra allows a confident assignment of the vibrational features, including not only the molecular fundamental modes but also lattice and combination modes. In particular, an impressive overtone sequence for CHCl3 is fully described by the simulated INS spectrum. In the CCl4 spectrum, the splitting of the ν3 mode at ca. 765–790 cm−1 is discussed on the basis of the Fermi resonance vs. crystal splitting controversy.
Solubilization of Nile Red in Micelles and Protomicelles of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate
Authors: Rusanov Anatoly I. , Movchan Tamara G. , Plotnikova Elena V.
Published: November 2022

A spectrophotometric study of the solubilization and aggregation of the Nile red dye (NR) in premicellar and micellar aqueous solutions of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was carried out. The experiments were conducted both with saturated solutions of NR under conditions of thermodynamic equilibrium of the solution with a dye precipitate, and at a constant concentration of NR in a homogeneous solution. In the first case, it was proved theoretically and verified experimentally that with an increase in the SDS concentration, the NR concentration always increases, and at the limit of low concentrations, the dependence is linear. In both cases, the concentration of NR dimers as a function passes through a maximum in the premicellar region. There are no dimers in the micellar region. The extinction coefficients of NR monomers in SDS solutions were determined both below and above the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of SDS. A solubilization curve with branches for the premicellar and micellar regions was constructed, the intersection of which was used to find the CMC value in the system under study. The state of deep supersaturation of the NR solution in the metastable state upon dilution of the micellar system with water was studied. It was found that, in addition to dimers, molecular aggregates of higher orders were also formed.
Can Natural Products Targeting EMT Serve as the Future Anticancer Therapeutics?
Authors: Anwar Sirajudheen , Malik Jonaid Ahmad , Ahmed Sakeel , Kameshwar Verma Abhishek , Alanazi Jowaher , Alamri Abdulwahab , Ahemad Nafees
Published: November 2022

Cancer is the leading cause of death and has remained a big challenge for the scientific community. Because of the growing concerns, new therapeutic regimens are highly demanded to decrease the global burden. Despite advancements in chemotherapy, drug resistance is still a major hurdle to successful treatment. The primary challenge should be identifying and developing appropriate therapeutics for cancer patients to improve their survival. Multiple pathways are dysregulated in cancers, including disturbance in cellular metabolism, cell cycle, apoptosis, or epigenetic alterations. Over the last two decades, natural products have been a major research interest due to their therapeutic potential in various ailments. Natural compounds seem to be an alternative option for cancer management. Natural substances derived from plants and marine sources have been shown to have anti-cancer activity in preclinical settings. They might be proved as a sword to kill cancerous cells. The present review attempted to consolidate the available information on natural compounds derived from plants and marine sources and their anti-cancer potential underlying EMT mechanisms.
Collaborative Design in Kinetic Performance: Safeguarding the Uilleann Pipes through Inertial Motion Capture
Authors: Morris Philip I. , Rodriguez-Amat Joan Ramon
Published: November 2022

This paper explores the possibilities of motion capture as a tool to preserve and study Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) practices such as playing instruments. The Uilleann pipes are both an instrument and a culture with a now strong community following and recovering after being almost extinguished several times in Ireland. The playing and making of the Uilleann pipes was incorporated into the Representative list of the UNESCO Convention of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2017. This experience was performed in collaboration with several Uillean pipe players who contributed at every stage of the performance recording with comments and orientation. Some of these comments were also later formally kept as interviews to the players. The technical capture of the movements was done using a Rokoko Smart suit and paired Smart gloves which the piper wears for the performance. The resulting motion file was then cleaned and redirected to Blender 3D, a community made software package that allows the incorporation of a renderable avatar that helps for the dissemination of the performance. This recording process, called Inertial system, allows performers to perform almost anywhere and to capture the movements of the players with good accuracy. This process of recording and collaboration with the community is a cost-effective solution that can be of particular interest for scholars as well as for cultural communities wishing to archive these practices quickly. This design of technology and collaborative recording allows for a round experience that combined the detail of the technically enhanced recording with the interpretive nuance of the player that enriches the capturing process with mentions to how it is ‘relatively’ comfortable for the player and how efficient it is in terms of resulting detail. This collaboratively designed experience also provides the three aspects of intangible heritage preservation: supports the community -who can learn from the resulting animation; helps situating the practice within the cultural practice of the community-as they are part of the process; and helps materialise the output permitting its digital cataloguing, archival, and storage.
An In Vitro Dosimetry Tool for the Numerical Transport Modeling of Engineered Nanomaterials Powered by the Enalos RiskGONE Cloud Platform
Authors: Cheimarios Nikolaos , Pem Barbara , Tsoumanis Andreas , Ilić Krunoslav , Vrček Ivana Vinković , Melagraki Georgia , Bitounis Dimitrios , Isigonis Panagiotis , Dusinska Maria , Lynch Iseult , Demokritou Philip , Afantitis Antreas
Published: November 2022

A freely available “in vitro dosimetry” web application is presented enabling users to predict the concentration of nanomaterials reaching the cell surface, and therefore available for attachment and internalization, from initial dispersion concentrations. The web application is based on the distorted grid (DG) model for the dispersion of engineered nanoparticles (NPs) in culture medium used for in vitro cellular experiments, in accordance with previously published protocols for cellular dosimetry determination. A series of in vitro experiments for six different NPs, with Ag and Au cores, are performed to demonstrate the convenience of the web application for calculation of exposure concentrations of NPs. Our results show that the exposure concentrations at the cell surface can be more than 30 times higher compared to the nominal or dispersed concentrations, depending on the NPs’ properties and their behavior in the cell culture medium. Therefore, the importance of calculating the exposure concentration at the bottom of the cell culture wells used for in vitro arrays, i.e., the particle concentration at the cell surface, is clearly presented, and the tool introduced here allows users easy access to such calculations. Widespread application of this web tool will increase the reliability of subsequent toxicity data, allowing improved correlation of the real exposure concentration with the observed toxicity, enabling the hazard potentials of different NPs to be compared on a more robust basis.
Prevalence of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies and DNA in Raw Milk of Various Ruminants in Egypt
Authors: Fereig Ragab M. , Abdelbaky Hanan H. , Mazeed Amira M. , El-Alfy El-Sayed , Saleh Somaya , Omar Mosaab A. , Alsayeqh Abdullah F. , Frey Caroline F.
Published: November 2022

The prevalence of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in raw milk samples was estimated in different ruminants and Egyptian governorates. Of 13 bulk milk samples tested by ELISA, five (38.5%) were positive for antibodies to N. caninum, and two samples were additionally positive for antibodies to T. gondii, resulting in a seroprevalence of 15.4% for both T. gondii and co-infection. In individual milk samples (n = 171) from the same bulks, antibodies to N. caninum were detected in 25.7%, to T. gondii in 14%, and 3.5% had antibodies to both parasites. A strong correlation between the OD values of the bulk samples and of the relevant individual milk samples was found for T. gondii (Pearson r = 0.9759) and moderately strong for N. caninum (Pearson r = 0.5801). Risk factor assessment for individual milk samples revealed that antibodies to T. gondii were significantly influenced by animal species, while no risk factors were detected for N. caninum antibodies. Additionally, DNA of N. caninum was detected in a bulk milk sample of cattle for the first time in Egypt, and DNA of T. gondii was found in bulk milk samples of cattle, sheep and goats. This is the first study in Egypt in which bulk milk samples of different ruminants were tested for the presence of N. caninum and T. gondii antibodies and DNA. Both individual and bulk milk samples are useful tools for monitoring antibody response to N. caninum and T. gondii infections in different ruminants in Egypt.
Wildlife Hosts of Leishmania infantum in a Re-Emerging Focus of Human Leishmaniasis, in Emilia-Romagna, Northeast Italy
Authors: Taddei Roberta , Bregoli Arianna , Galletti Giorgio , Carra Elena , Fiorentini Laura , Fontana Maria Cristina , Frasnelli Matteo , Musto Carmela , Pupillo Giovanni , Reggiani Alessandro , Santi Annalisa , Rossi Arianna , Tamba Marco , Calzolari Mattia , Rugna Gianluca
Published: November 2022

In the last decade, an upsurge of human leishmaniasis has been reported in the Emilia-Romagna region, Northeast Italy. Epidemiologic data have raised doubts about the role of dogs as the main reservoirs for Leishmania infantum. In the present study, a total of 1077 wild animals were screened for L. infantum DNA in earlobe and spleen samples from 2019 to 2022. The lymph nodes were tested only in 23 animals already positive in the earlobe and/or spleen. A total of 71 (6.6%) animals resulted positive in at least one of the sampled tissues, including 3/18 (16.7%) wolves, 6/39 (15.4%) European hares, 38/309 (12.3%) roe deer, 1/11 (9.1%) red deer, 8/146 (4.9%) wild boars, 13/319 (4.1%) red foxes, 1/54 (1.9%) porcupine, and 1/59 (1.7%) European badger. Most of the infected animals (62/71) tested positive only in the earlobe tissue, only four animals (two roe deer and two wild boars) tested positive only in the spleen, and five animals (three roe deer and two red foxes) resulted positive for both tissues. L. infantum DNA was detected in the lymph nodes of 6/23 animals. L. infantum detection occurred in all seasons associated with low real-time PCR Ct values. Further research is needed in order to clarify the role of wildlife in the re-emerging focus of leishmaniasis in Northeast Italy.
Detection and Genomic Characterisation of Clostridioides difficile from Spinach Fields
Authors: Marcos Pilar , Whyte Paul , Burgess Catherine , Ekhlas Daniel , Bolton Declan
Published: November 2022

Despite an increased incidence of Clostridioides difficile infections, data on the reservoirs and dissemination routes of this bacterium are limited. This study examined the prevalence and characteristics of C. difficile isolates in spinach fields. C. difficile was detected in 2/60 (3.3%) of spinach and 6/60 (10%) of soil samples using culture-based techniques. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis identified the spinach isolates as belonging to the hypervirulent clade 5, sequence type (ST) 11, ribotypes (RT) 078 and 126 and carried the genes encoding toxins A, B and CDT. The soil isolates belonged to clade 1 with different toxigenic ST/RT (ST19/RT614, ST12/RT003, ST46/RT087, ST16/RT050, ST49/RT014/0) strains and one non-toxigenic ST79/RT511 strain. Antimicrobial resistance to erythromycin (one spinach isolate), rifampicin (two soil isolates), clindamycin (one soil isolate), both moxifloxacin and rifampicin (one soil isolate), and multi-drug resistance to erythromycin, vancomycin and rifampicin (two soil isolates) were observed using the E test, although a broader range of resistance genes were detected using WGS. Although the sample size was limited, our results demonstrate the presence of C. difficile in horticulture and provide further evidence that there are multiple sources and dissemination routes for these bacteria.
Design Method of Freeform Anamorphic Telescopes with an Ultrawide Field of View
Authors: Shi Yi , Zheng Yuquan , Lin Chao , Ji Zhenhua , Zhang Jialun , Han Yanxue , Tian Longfei , Hu Denghui
Published: November 2022

An anamorphic telescope has different magnifications in the tangential and sagittal directions, and it can be applied to atmospheric remote sensing satellites to effectively improve the spectral sampling rate. However, the initial structure of an anamorphic system is rare and its optimization requires extensive experience, which brings a challenge to the design of anamorphic telescopes. In this study, we propose a design method that is effective in obtaining the initial structure of an anamorphic system and discuss the conversion relationship between the Biconic surface and the XY polynomial surface. The XY polynomial provides design capabilities with an ultrawide field of view (FOV). With this insight, an initial anamorphic system with XY polynomial surfaces is constructed as a good starting point for further ultrawide FOV optimization. Consequently, an off-axis freeform anamorphic telescope with a focal length of 34 mm × 68 mm, and an ultrawide FOV of 110° × 0.24° is designed as an example. The telescope is a Gregorian structure with two concave mirrors as anamorphic elements, and the simulated design exhibits excellent performance. The method provided in this study facilitates the design of remote sensing instruments.
Advances in Photovoltaic Technologies from Atomic to Device Scale
Authors: David Christin , Hussein Robert
Published: November 2022

The question of how energy resources can be efficiently used is likewise of fundamental and technological interest. In this opinion, we give a brief overview on developments of harvesting solar energy across different length scales and address some strategies to tackle economic and ecological challenges, in particular with a view to sustainability and toward a circular economy. On the mesoscopic scale, the emergence of thermodynamic laws in open quantum systems is of central importance and how they can be employed for efficient quantum thermal machines and batteries. The broad tunability of band gaps in quantum dot systems makes them attractive for hybrid photovoltaic devices. Complementary, machine learning-aided band gap engineering and the high-throughput screening of novel materials assist with improving absorption characteristics. On the device scale, hybrid concepts of optical control via metasurfaces enable a multitude of functionalities such as a directed re-emission of embedded photoluminescent materials or field enhancement effects from nanostructures. Advanced techniques in computational nanophotonics concern a topology optimization of nanostructured layers together with multiobjective optimization toward specific light management tasks. On the industrial level, modern manufacturers explore 3D printing and flexible solar cell platforms obtained from roll-to-roll technologies. The remote control of solar parks through applications via the Internet of Things opens up new strategies to expand to difficult terrain where human interaction is only required to a limited extent.
Effects of Phenolic Compounds on Walnut Bacterial Blight in the Green Husk of Hungarian-Bred Cultivars
Authors: Bujdosó Géza , Lengyel-Kónya Éva , Berki Mária , Végh Anita , Fodor Attila , Adányi Nóra
Published: November 2022

The Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.) is the most grown nut tree crop in Central Europe. The aim was to study the full Hungarian walnut assortment with a distinct early spring phenology to detect the difference in phenolic profile in their green husks. Furthermore, the relationship between the presence and concentration of phenolic compounds and the tolerance/resistance of the observed cultivars to walnut bacterial blight was investigated. Examining the samples, significant differences were found between the concentrations of the different groups of phenolic compounds. Walnut blight immunity tests were also performed to clarify the role of phenolic compounds in the nut derived from a non-irrigated orchard. The Hungarian-bred local cultivars contained phenolic compounds in higher concentrations than the domesticated ones. There was a significant correlation between the budburst, as well as the pistillate flowers’ receptivity and the concentration of juglone. Cultivars with a low concentration of phenolic compounds were the most susceptible to walnut bacterial blight, except ‘Bonifác’.
Unintended Genomic Outcomes in Current and Next Generation GM Techniques: A Systematic Review
Authors: Chu Philomena , Agapito-Tenfen Sarah Zanon
Published: November 2022

Classical genetic engineering and new genome editing techniques, especially the CRISPR/Cas technology, increase the possibilities for modifying the genetic material in organisms. These technologies have the potential to provide novel agricultural traits, including modified microorganisms and environmental applications. However, legitimate safety concerns arise from the unintended genetic modifications (GM) that have been reported as side-effects of such techniques. Here, we systematically review the scientific literature for studies that have investigated unintended genomic alterations in plants modified by the following GM techniques: Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated gene transfer, biolistic bombardment, and CRISPR-Cas9 delivered via Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer (DNA-based), biolistic bombardment (DNA-based) and as ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs). The results of our literature review show that the impact of such techniques in host genomes varies from small nucleotide polymorphisms to large genomic variation, such as segmental duplication, chromosome truncation, trisomy, chromothripsis, breakage fusion bridge, including large rearrangements of DNA vector-backbone sequences. We have also reviewed the type of analytical method applied to investigate the genomic alterations and found that only five articles used whole genome sequencing in their analysis methods. In addition, larger structural variations detected in some studies would not be possible without long-read sequencing strategies, which shows a potential underestimation of such effects in the literature. As new technologies are constantly evolving, a more thorough examination of prospective analytical methods should be conducted in the future. This will provide regulators working in the field of genetically modified and gene-edited organisms with valuable information on the ability to detect and identify genomic interventions.
The Peach (Prunus persica) CBL and CIPK Family Genes: Protein Interaction Profiling and Expression Analysis in Response to Various Abiotic Stresses
Authors: Qiu Keli , Pan Haifa , Sheng Yu , Wang Yunyun , Shi Pei , Xie Qingmei , Zhang Jinyun , Zhou Hui
Published: November 2022

The plant calcineurin B-like protein–CBL interacting protein kinase (CBL–CIPK) signaling pathway is a Ca2+-related signaling pathway that responds strongly to both biological and abiotic environmental stimuli. This study identified eight CBL and eighteen CIPK genes from peach for the first time. Their basic properties and gene structure were analyzed, and the CBL and CIPK members from Arabidopsis and apple were combined to study their evolutionary relationships. Using RT-qPCR and RNA-seq data, we detected the expression patterns of PprCBLs and PprCIPKs in different tissues and fruit development stages of peach. Among them, the expression levels of PprCBL1 and PprCIPK18 were stable in various tissues and stages. The expression patterns of other members showed specificity between cultivars and developmental stages. By treating shoots with drought and salt stress simulated using PEG6000 and NaCl, it was found that PprCIPK3, PprCIPK6, PprCIPK15 and PprCIPK16 were strongly responsive to salt stress, and PprCIPK3, PprCIPK4, PprCIPK10, PprCIPK14, PprCIPK15, PprCIPK16 and PprCIPK18 were sensitive to drought stress. Three genes, PprCIPK3, PprCIPK15 and PprCIPK16, were sensitive to both salt and drought stress. We cloned four PprCBL and several PprCIPK genes and detected their interaction by yeast two-hybrid assay (Y2H). The results of Y2H show not only the evolutionary conservation of the interaction network of CBL–CIPK but also the specificity among different species. In conclusion, CBL and CIPK genes are important in peach and play an important role in the response to various abiotic stresses.
Plant as an Alternative Source of Antifungals against Aspergillus Infections: A Review
Authors: Tan Lee Fang , Yap Vi Lien , Rajagopal Mogana , Wiart Christophe , Selvaraja Malarvili , Leong Mun Yee , Tan Puay Luan
Published: November 2022

Aspergillus species consists of a group of opportunistic fungi that is virulent when the immunity of the host is compromised. Among the various species, Aspergillus fumigatus is the most prevalent species. However, the prevalence of fungal infections caused by non-fumigatus Aspergillus has been increasing. Polyenes, echinocandins and azoles are the three main classes of antifungal agents being used for the treatment of aspergillosis. Nevertheless, the incidence of resistance towards these three classes has been rising over the years among several Aspergillus spp. The side effects associated with these conventional antifungal agents have also limited their usage. This urges the need for the discovery of a safe and effective antifungal agent, which presents a major challenge in medicine today. Plants present a rich source of bioactive molecules which have been proven effective against a wide range of infections and conditions. Therefore, this present review intends to examine the current literature available regarding the efficacy and mechanism of action of plant extracts and their compounds against Aspergillus spp. In addition, novel drug delivery systems of plant extracts against Aspergillus spp. were also included in this review.