bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of a Three-Phase Induction Motor with a Double–Triple-Layer Stator Winding Configuration Operating with Broken Rotor Bar Faults
Authors: Muteba Mbika
Published: November 2023

This paper presents the performance analysis of a three-phase squirrel cage induction motor (SCIM) with a double–triple-layer (DTL) stator winding configuration operating with broken rotor bar (BRB) faults. The effects of BRB faults on the performance of specific parameters are analyzed under a steady-state regime. The SCIM is modeled using the two-dimensional finite element method (FEM) to study electromagnetic performance under healthy and BRB faulty conditions. To validate the finite element analysis (FEA) results, a prototype of an SCIM with a DTL stator winding configuration is tested for performance evaluation under healthy and BRB faulty conditions. The FEA and experimental (EXP) results of the SCIM with a DTL stator winding arrangement are compared with the results of the SCIM with a conventional double-layer (CDL) stator winding configuration. FEA and EXP results evidenced that the SCIM with a DTL stator winding configuration mitigates some of the adverse effects introduced by the BRB faults compared to the SCIM with a CDL stator winding of the exact specifications. Under loaded conditions, the SCIM with a DTL stator winding configuration reduced the magnitudes of the twice slip frequency sidebands caused by BRB faults from ±1.2 Hz for the SCIM with a CDL stator winding arrangement down to ±0.2 Hz and ±0.36 Hz when operating with 3BRB and 6BRB faults, respectively. The results also indicate that the SCIM with a DTL stator winding configuration has reduced the decibel sideband magnitude by 7.5 dB and 8 dB for unloaded and loaded conditions, respectively. This premise has positioned the SCIM with a DTL stator winding configuration as a strong candidate in applications where BRB faults are frequent, and the motor may be required to continue operating with a BRB fault until scheduled maintenance is in effect.
Towards the Design of a User-Friendly Chimney-Cleaning Robot
Authors: Arcorace Giuliano , Caruso Giovanni , Cavallaro Pietro , Paglia Antonio Pantaleone , Sollazzo Christian , Tripodi Manuel , Curcio Elio Matteo , Lago Francesco , Carbone Giuseppe
Published: November 2023

Domestic chimney cleaning is still mostly a manual procedure which can be overly complex, dangerous, and expansive. This paper describes the design of a novel robotic device for chimney cleaning that aims to provide a valuable alternative solution to the traditional manual techniques with user-friendly and low-cost features. The proposed device enables a significant reduction in operator risks, including roof falling and soot dust contact. The paper’s content describes, in detail, the design process, including a definition of the main design requirements and steps towards the manufacturing of a preliminary prototype. Moreover, a preliminary validation is described through laboratory tests to demonstrate the engineering feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed design solution for the intended semi-autonomous chimney-cleaning application.
Sentiment Difficulty in Aspect-Based Sentiment Analysis
Authors: Chifu Adrian-Gabriel , Fournier Sébastien
Published: November 2023

Subjectivity is a key aspect of natural language understanding, especially in the context of user-generated text and conversational systems based on large language models. Natural language sentences often contain subjective elements, such as opinions and emotions, that make them more nuanced and complex. The level of detail at which the study of the text is performed determines the possible applications of sentiment analysis. The analysis can be done at the document or paragraph level, or, even more granularly, at the aspect level. Many researchers have studied this topic extensively. The field of aspect-based sentiment analysis has numerous data sets and models. In this work, we initiate the discussion around the definition of sentence difficulty in this context of aspect-based sentiment analysis. To assess and quantify the difficulty of the aspect-based sentiment analysis, we conduct an experiment using three data sets: “Laptops”, “Restaurants”, and “MTSC” (Multi-Target-dependent Sentiment Classification), along with 21 learning models from scikit-learn. We also use two textual representations, TF-IDF (Terms frequency-inverse document frequency) and BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers), to analyze the difficulty faced by these models in performing aspect-based sentiment analysis. Additionally, we compare the models with a fine-tuned version of BERT on the three data sets. We identify the most challenging sentences using a combination of classifiers in order to better understand them. We propose two strategies for defining sentence difficulty. The first strategy is binary and considers sentences as difficult when the classifiers are unable to correctly assign the sentiment polarity. The second strategy uses a six-level difficulty scale based on how many of the top five best-performing classifiers can correctly identify sentiment polarity. These sentences with assigned difficulty classes are then used to create predictive models for early difficulty detection. The purpose of estimating the difficulty of aspect-based sentiment analysis is to enhance performance while minimizing resource usage.
Bipolar Solitary Wave Interactions within the Schamel Equation
Authors: Didenkulova Ekaterina , Pelinovsky Efim , Flamarion Marcelo V.
Published: November 2023

Pair soliton interactions play a significant role in the dynamics of soliton turbulence. The interaction of solitons with different polarities is particularly crucial in the context of abnormally large wave formation, often referred to as freak or rogue waves, as these interactions result in an increase in the maximum wave field. In this article, we investigate the features and properties of bipolar solitary wave interactions within the framework of the non-integrable Schamel equation, contrasting them with the integrable modified Korteweg-de Vries (mKdV) equation. We show that in bipolar solitary wave interactions involving two solitary waves with significantly different amplitudes in magnitude, the behavior closely resembles what is observed in the mKdV equation. However, when solitary waves have similar amplitudes in modulus, the maximum value of their interaction remains less than the sum of their initial amplitudes. This distinguishes these interactions from integrable models, where the resulting impulse amplitude equals the sum of the soliton amplitudes before interaction. Furthermore, in the Schamel equation, smaller solitary waves can transfer some energy to larger ones, leading to an increase in the larger soliton amplitude and a decrease in the smaller one amplitude. This effect is particularly prominent when the initial solitary waves have similar amplitudes. Consequently, large solitary waves can accumulate energy, which is crucial in scenarios involving soliton turbulence or soliton gas, where numerous solitons interact repeatedly. In this sense, non-integrability can be considered a factor that triggers the formation of rogue waves.
Unique Determination of a Planar Screen in Electromagnetic Inverse Scattering
Authors: Ola Petri , Päivärinta Lassi , Sadique Sadia
Published: November 2023

The target of our research is the object being a highly conducting thin plate or a flat screen. We especially focus on the question of when a single measurement uniquely determines an object. By this, we mean that we have one fixed transmitted wave and the resulting scattered field is measured for all directions in the far field. Such measurements are called passive, since there is no need to move the transmitter after its position has been fixed. We show that the far field of a scattered electromagnetic field corresponding to a single incoming plane wave always uniquely determines a bounded super-conductive planar screen. This generalises a previous acoustic result.
Generalized Fibonacci Sequences for Elliptic Curve Cryptography
Authors: Cheddour Zakariae , Chillali Abdelhakim , Mouhib Ali
Published: November 2023

The Fibonacci sequence is a well-known sequence of numbers with numerous applications in mathematics, computer science, and other fields. In recent years, there has been growing interest in studying Fibonacci-like sequences on elliptic curves. These sequences have a number of exciting properties and can be used to build new encryption systems. This paper presents a further generalization of the Fibonacci sequence defined on elliptic curves. We also describe an encryption system using this sequence which is based on the discrete logarithm problem on elliptic curves.
New Insights into the Education of Children with Congenital Heart Disease with and without Trisomy 21
Authors: Schmitt Katharina R. L. , Sievers Laura K. , Hütter Alina , Abdul-Khaliq Hashim , Poryo Martin , Berger Felix , Bauer Ulrike M. M. , Helm Paul C. , Pfitzer Constanze
Published: November 2023

Background and Objectives: Patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), especially as a concomitant syndromal disease of trisomy 21 (T21), are at risk for impaired neurodevelopment. This can also affect these patients’ education. However, there continues to be a research gap in the educational development of CHD patients and T21 CHD patients. Materials and Methods: In total, data from 2873 patients from the German National Register for Congenital Heart Defects were analyzed. The data are based on two online education surveys conducted among patients registered in the National Register for Congenital Heart Defects (2017, 2020). Results: Of 2873 patients included (mean age: 14.1 ± 4.7 years, 50.5% female), 109 (3.8%) were identified with T21 (mean age: 12.9 ± 4.4 years, 49.5% female). T21 CHD participants had a high demand for early specific interventions (overall cohort 49.1%; T21 cohort 100%). T21 CHD children more frequently attended special schools and, compared to non-trisomy 21 (nT21) CHD patients, the probability of attending a grammar school was reduced. In total, 87.1% of nT21 CHD patients but 11% of T21 CHD patients were enrolled in a regular elementary school, and 12.8% of T21 CHD patients could transfer to a secondary school in contrast to 35.5% of nT21 CHD patients. Most of the T21 CHD patients were diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, e.g., learning, emotional, or behavioral disorders (T21 CHD patients: 82.6%; nT21 CHD patients: 31.4%; p < 0.001). Conclusions: CHD patients are at risk for impaired academic development, and the presence of T21 is an aggravating factor. Routine follow-up examinations should be established to identify developmental deficits and to provide targeted interventions.
Locally Advanced Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Breast—A Case Report with a Review of the Literature
Authors: Rypel Joanna , Kubacka Paulina , Mykała-Cieśla Joanna , Pająk Jacek , Bulska-Będkowska Weronika , Chudek Jerzy
Published: November 2023

Breast cancer (BC) is a heterogeneous disease distinguished by four main subtypes based on the expression of estrogen, progesterone receptors, and human epidermal growth factor-2 on the cancer cells. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) consists of approximately 10–20% of all BCs and is characterized by a poor prognosis. Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the breast is a rare, special type of TNBC with low metastatic potential and usually favorable prognosis. There are no established recommendations concerning systemic therapy in advanced ACC. We present a case of a 70-year-old woman with locally advanced ACC with progression after radical mastectomy, and review the literature concerning the treatment of metastatic disease focused on systemic therapy.
Failure of Elliptical Tubes with Different Long–Short Axis Ratios under Cyclic Bending in Different Directions
Authors: Yu Min-Cheng , Pan Wen-Fung
Published: November 2023

Although elliptical tubes are stronger and more stable than circular tubes, few studies have fully considered the behavior of elliptical tubes under cyclic bending loads. This study experimentally investigated the response and failure of SUS304 stainless steel elliptical tubes with four different ratios of long and short axes (1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0) under cyclic bending along four different orientation angles (0°, 30°, 60°, and 90°). The wall thickness was 0.7 mm, and cyclic bending was applied until buckling failure occurred. The moment–curvature curves exhibited cyclic hardening, and stable loops were formed for all long–short axis ratios and orientation angles. Increasing the long–short axis ratio slightly decreased the peak bending moment while increasing the orientation angle increased the peak bending moment. For a given orientation angle, the curves relating the short-axis variation (i.e., change in length divided by the original length of the short axis) and curvature demonstrated symmetry, serrations, and a growth pattern as the number of cycles increased regardless of the long–short axis ratio. At long–short axis ratios of 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0, these curves even exhibited a butterfly-like trend. Increasing the long–short axis ratio increased the short-axis variation, while increasing the orientation angle decreased the short-axis variation. Regarding the curves relating the curvature and number of cycles required to initiate buckling, for each orientation angle, the four long–short axis ratios corresponded to four straight lines when plotted on double-logarithmic co-ordinates. Based on the experimental results, empirical equations are proposed to describe the above relationships. The empirical equations were applied to predicting experimental data and showed close agreement.
Effect of Piercing Temperature on Stress—Strain Distribution and Dimensional Accuracy for Ti80 Titanium Alloy Seamless Tubes Based on Numerical Simulation
Authors: Zhou Xiaofeng , Fu Wen , Li Chengning , Cheng Fangjie
Published: November 2023

Titanium alloy tubes were an ideal material to replace steel tubes. However, the relationship between piercing temperature and dimensional accuracy for titanium alloy seamless tubes was unclear. Therefore, the effects of piercing temperature on the stress—strain distribution and dimensional accuracy of Ti80 titanium alloy were studied using thermal simulation compression tests, finite element numerical analysis optimization and optical microscopy. Pierced at 1050 °C, Ti80 titanium alloy was cross-rolled and perforated to obtain a capillary tube, whose dimensional accuracy was better than that of those pierced at 850 °C and 950 °C. The microstructure of Ti80 seamless tubes was layered α-Ti, grain boundary β-Ti and a Widmannstatten structure. The tensile strength, yield strength and absorbed energy were 867 MPa, 692 MPa and 52 J, respectively.
Brachybacterium conglomeratum Is Associated with Cervicovaginal Infections and Human Papilloma Virus in Cervical Disease of Mexican Female Patients
Authors: Cortés-Ortíz Iliana Alejandra , Puente-Rivera Jonathan , Ordaz-Pérez Guiedaana , Bonilla-Cortés Alejandra Yareth , Figueroa-Arredondo Paula , Serrano-Bello Carlos Alberto , García-Moncada Eduardo , Acosta-Altamirano Gustavo , Artigas-Pérez Daniel Ernesto , Bravata-Alcántara Juan Carlos , Sierra-Martínez Mónica
Published: November 2023

Brachybacterium conglomeratum, traditionally considered an environmental bacterium, has recently garnered attention for its potential involvement in human health. While prior research hinted at its pathogenic role in humans, our study aims to determine its prevalence and associations in diverse clinical contexts. We examined vaginal swabs from three distinct patient groups: patients with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), patients with cervicovaginal infections, and patients with a history of precancerous lesions undergoing follow-up. B. conglomeratum was present in all three patient groups, with the highest prevalence observed in the LSIL group. Statistically significant associations were primarily identified in the LSIL group, where B. conglomeratum was present in 60% of cases. Notably, the LSIL group exhibited coinfections with multiple high-risk oncogenotypes of human papillomavirus (HPV), suggesting potential synergistic effects, and understanding these microbial relationships and their influence on viral persistence, particularly with HPV, holds promise for mitigating HPV-related carcinogenesis. Furthermore, Gardnerella vaginalis and Atopobium vaginae were frequently detected in this group, along with Ureaplasma parvum as the predominant sexually transmitted bacterium. In all cases, B. conglomeratum was found in association with these microorganisms rather than as a sole pathogen. This coexistence underscores the intricate microbial interactions within cervicovaginal infections and precancerous lesions. This study marks the first report of B. conglomeratum prevalence in women with these clinical conditions.
Infected Shoulder Arthroplasty in Patients Younger than 60 Years: Results of a Multicenter Study
Authors: Jacquot Adrien , Samargandi Ramy , Peduzzi Lisa , Mole Daniel , Berhouet Julien
Published: November 2023

Background: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after shoulder arthroplasty remains a significant complication. This study aimed to explore the epidemiology and risk factors of shoulder PJI in patients aged 60 and younger, analyze treatment options, and evaluate outcomes after 1-year follow-up. Methods: In this retrospective multicentric observational study, data from 1404 shoulders in patients under 60 who underwent primary shoulder arthroplasty were analyzed. Patients with PJI and at least 1-year follow-up after infection treatment were included. Results: The study identified 55 shoulders with PJI, resulting in a 2.35% infection rate after primary shoulder arthroplasty in the young population. Male gender and reverse shoulder arthroplasty were risk factors for infection, while previous surgeries did not significantly contribute. The most common causative agents were Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Open washout had a 52.9% success rate for acute infections, while one-stage and two-stage revisions achieved infection control rates of 91.3% and 85.7%, respectively. Resection arthroplasty had an 81.8% success rate but poorer functional outcomes. Conclusions: PJI following shoulder arthroplasty in young patients is a significant concern. Preoperative planning should be carefully considered to minimize infection risk. Treatment options such as open washout and one-stage and two-stage revisions offer effective infection control and improved functional outcomes. Resection arthroplasty should be reserved for complex cases where reimplantation is not a viable option.
Microbial Biosurfactant: Candida bombicola as a Potential Remediator of Environments Contaminated by Heavy Metals
Authors: da Silva Renata Raianny , Santos Júlio C. V. , Meira Hugo M. , Almeida Sérgio M. , Sarubbo Leonie A. , Luna Juliana M.
Published: November 2023

Industrial interest in surfactants of microbial origin has intensified recently due to the characteristics of these compounds, such as biodegradability and reduced toxicity, and their efficiency in removing heavy metals and hydrophobic organic compounds from soils and waters. The aim of this study was to produce a biosurfactant using Candida bombicola URM 3712 in a low-cost medium containing 5.0% molasses, 3.0% corn steep liquor and 2.5% residual frying oil for 144 h at 200 rmp. Measurements of engine oil tension and emulsification were made under extreme conditions of temperature (0 °C, 5 °C, 70 °C, 100 °C and 120 °C), pH (2–12) and NaCl concentrations (2–12), demonstrating the stability of the biosurfactant. The isolated biosurfactant was characterized as an anionic molecule with the ability to reduce the surface tension of water from 72 to 29 mN/m, with a critical micellar concentration of 0.5%. The biosurfactant had no toxic effect on vegetable seeds or on Eisenia fetida as a bioindicator. Applications in the removal of heavy metals from contaminated soils under dynamic conditions demonstrated the potential of the crude and isolated biosurfactant in the removal of Fe, Zn and Pb with percentages between 70 and 88%, with the highest removal of Pb being 48%. The highest percentage of removal was obtained using the cell-free metabolic liquid, which was able to remove 48, 71 and 88% of lead, zinc and iron from the soil, respectively. Tests in packed columns also confirmed the biosurfactant’s ability to remove Fe, Zn and Pb between 40 and 65%. The removal kinetics demonstrated an increasing percentage, reaching removal of 50, 70 and 85% for Pb, Zn and Fe, respectively, reaching a greater removal efficiency at the end of 24 h. The biosurfactant was also able to significantly reduce the electrical conductivity of solutions containing heavy metals. The biosurfactant produced by Candida bombicola has potential as an adjuvant in industrial processes for remediating soils and effluents polluted by inorganic contaminants.
Lipid Profile in Children Born Small for Gestational Age
Authors: Zamojska Justyna , Niewiadomska-Jarosik Katarzyna , Kierzkowska Beata , Gruca Marta , Wosiak Agnieszka , Smolewska Elżbieta
Published: November 2023

Background: Lipid disorders are one of the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the study was to estimate the lipid profile in early childhood in the population of Polish children born small for gestational age (SGA). Materials and Methods: The study included 140 patients (93 SGA children and 47 controls) aged 5 to 11 years. All the subjects underwent a physical examination and blood laboratory tests for the glucose and lipid profiles. The SGA group was divided into subgroups, i.e., symmetrical and asymmetrical intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Results: Blood sample analysis revealed higher levels of total cholesterol (SGA group 190.61 ± 24.66 mg/dL vs. controls 143.23 ± 23.90; p < 0.001). The analysis of particular cholesterol fractions showed significantly higher mean values of triglycerides and LDL cholesterol as well as lower mean values of HDL cholesterol in SGA children. Children in both groups did not differ significantly in terms of weight or body mass index. A statistically significantly higher glucose concentration was observed in SGA patients with the symmetrical type of IUGR. Analyzing the differences regarding metabolic factors, we obtained a statistically significant difference only in fasting glucose concentration (asymmetrical IUGR = 90.56 ± 10.21 vs. symmetrical IUGR = 98.95 ± 14.79; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Children born SGA, even those not suffering from overweight or obesity in their early childhood, have an abnormal lipid profile, which may contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases in adulthood.
Changes in Anxiety following Taste Education Intervention: Fussy Eating Children with and without Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Authors: Thorsteinsdottir Sigrun , Olafsdottir Anna S. , Traustadottir Olof U. , Njardvik Urdur
Published: November 2023

Despite the surge in studies on fussy eating in recent years, anxiety as an associated factor is generally not considered, even though children with fussy eating and those with neurodevelopmental disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorder or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often have higher levels of anxiety than typically developing children. The current study investigated changes in anxiety scores during a Taste Education intervention, a seven-week school-based intervention for 71 children with fussy eating. Comparisons were made based on neurodevelopmental status (between children with (n = 30) and without (n = 41) neurodevelopmental disorders). Participants were paired based on age, sex, and neurodevelopmental disorder. The Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) was administered at delayed intervention (for those waiting 7 weeks before starting the intervention), pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at six-month follow-up. Results did not indicate elevated anxiety based on mean MASC T-scores. MASC Total T-scores ranged from slightly elevated to average, decreasing significantly between pre-intervention and post-intervention, plateauing at six-month follow-up. Significant reductions between measurement points were seen for the physical symptoms, social anxiety, and separation anxiety subscales, but not for harm avoidance. Repeated measures analysis of variance with neurodevelopmental disorders as between-subjects factors did not reveal a significant interaction effect between neurodevelopmental disorders and changes in MASC Total score or subscales. The results indicated that our food-based intervention did not elevate MASC scores in fussy eating children, with or without neurodevelopmental disorders.
Peri-Implant Bone Loss in Fixed Full-Arch Implant-Supported Mandibular Rehabilitation: A Retrospective Radiographic Analysis
Authors: Caggiano Mario , Acerra Alfonso , Gasparro Roberta , Galdi Marzio , Rapolo Valerio , Giordano Francesco
Published: November 2023

Background: the aim of the study was to assess, through orthopantomograms (OPGs), the existence of peri-implant bone loss of distal implants in implant-supported full-arch mandibular restorations. A comparison between full-arch implant-supported rehabilitations performed in the inter-foraminal region and full-arch rehabilitations that include implant insertion distal to the mental foramen was conducted. Methods: a retrospective observational analysis of 17,950 OPGs from 2010 to 2020 was conducted. The presence of fixed implant-supported prostheses in a fully edentulous mandible was the inclusion criteria of the study. OPGs were divided according to the number of implants (four, six, and eight), position of the implants (mesial or distal to the mental foramen), and positioning patterns (models 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5). Results: a total of 51 OPGs were included in the study, 19 of which showed peri-implant bone loss. In particular, 16 belonged to the six-implant rehabilitation group and 3 to the eight-implant rehabilitation group; none of the four-implant-supported rehabilitations were affected by peri-implant bone loss. In all rehabilitations affected by peri-implant bone loss, the distal implant was the most involved, in particular the implant in positions 36 and 46. Conclusions: implants distal to the mental foramina are more susceptible than mesial implants to bone resorption in full-arch fixed implant-supported prostheses. This significant difference should be investigated further for the presence and synergy of biomechanical factors that could act predominantly in this area, such as mandibular flexure and occlusal loading.
A Simulation Study of the Dynamical Control of Optical Skyrmion Lattices through the Superposition of Optical Vortex Beams
Authors: Tang Gao , Bai Chunyan , Tang Tianchen , Peng Jiansheng , Zhuang Songlin , Zhang Dawei
Published: November 2023

Optical skyrmion lattices play an important role in photonic system design and have potential applications in optical transmission and storage. In this study, we propose a novel metasurface approach to calculating the dependence of the multi-beam interference principle and the angular momentum action in the spin–orbit interaction. The metasurface consists of nanopore structures, which are used to generate an optical skyrmion lattice. The superposition of optical vortex beams with circular polarization states is used to evaluate the evolution of the shape of the topological domain walls of the hexagonal skyrmion lattice. Our results show that the distribution of the skyrmion spin vector can be controlled by changing the lattice arrangement from triangular to hexagonal shapes. The distribution of skyrmion number at the microscale is further calculated. Our work has significant implications for the regulation of the shape of topological domain walls of skyrmion lattices, with potential applications in polarization sensing, nanopositioning, and super-resolution microimaging.
PDT-Induced Variations of Radachlorin Fluorescence Lifetime in Living Cells In Vitro
Authors: Belashov Andrey V. , Zhikhoreva Anna A. , Salova Anna V. , Belyaeva Tatiana N. , Litvinov Ilia K. , Kornilova Elena S. , Semenova Irina V.
Published: November 2023

Variations in the fluorescence lifetimes of Radachlorin photosensitizers in HeLa and A549 cells, caused by photodynamic treatment, were studied using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM). An analysis of FLIM images of the cells demonstrated a substantial decrease in the mean Radachlorin fluorescence lifetime and intensity as a result of UV irradiation of the photosensitized cells at different doses, with higher doses causing a more pronounced decrease in the mean fluorescence lifetime in cells. The post-treatment decrease in Radachlorin fluorescence intensity was accompanied by the appearance of an additional rapidly decaying fluorescence component and a nonlinear decrease in the weighted fluorescence lifetime obtained from double-exponential fits of time-resolved fluorescence signals. Experiments performed in the aqueous solutions of the photosensitizer revealed similar irreversible changes in the Radachlorin fluorescence lifetime and intensity. Therefore, the observed phenomena occurred most likely due to the photodegradation of the photosensitizer molecules and can be applied for dosimetry and monitoring of irradiation doses in different areas of malignant tissues in the course of photodynamic treatment.
Cryogenic Systems for Astronomical Research in the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Authors: Balega Yurii , Bolshakov Oleg , Chernikov Aleksandr , Edelman Valerian , Eliseev Aleksandr , Emelyanov Eduard , Gunbina Aleksandra , Krasilnikov Artem , Lesnov Ilya , Mansfeld Mariya , Markelov Sergey , Markina Mariya , Mitiani Guram , Pevzner Evgenii , Tyatushkin Nickolay , Valyavin Gennady , Vdovin Anton , Vdovin Vyacheslav
Published: November 2023

This article presents the main results and new plans for the development of receivers which are cooled cryogenically to deep cryogenic temperatures and used in optical and radio astronomy research at the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SAO RAS) on both the Big Telescope Alt-Azimuthal optical telescope (BTA) and the Radio Astronomical Telescope Academy of Sciences (RATAN-600) radio telescope, 600 m in diameter. These two instruments almost completely cover the frequency range from long radio waves to the IR and optical bands (0.25–8 mm on RATAN and 10–0.3 μm, on BTA) with a certain gap in the terahertz part (8–0.01 mm) of the spectrum. Today, this range is of the greatest interest for astronomers. In particular, the ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter Array) observatory and the worldwide network of modern telescopes called the EVH (Event Horizon Telescope) operate in this range. New developments at SAO RAS are aimed at mastering this part of the spectrum. Cryogenic systems of receivers in these ranges are a key element of the system and differ markedly from the cooling systems of optical and radio receivers that ensure cooling of the receivers to sub-Kelvin temperatures.
Relationships between Phyllosphere Bacterial Communities and Leaf Functional Traits in a Temperate Forest
Authors: Yuan Zuoqiang , Ye Ji , Lin Fei , Wang Xing , Yang Teng , Bi Boyuan , Mao Zikun , Fang Shuai , Wang Xugao , Hao Zhanqing , Ali Arshad
Published: November 2023

As a vital component of biodiversity, phyllosphere bacteria in forest canopy play a critical role in maintaining plant health and influencing the global biogeochemical cycle. There is limited research on the community structure of phyllosphere bacteria in natural forests, which creates a gap in our understanding of whether and/or how phyllosphere bacteria are connected to leaf traits of their host. In this study, we investigated the bacterial diversity and composition of the canopy leaves of six dominant tree species in deciduous broad-leaved forests in northeastern China, using high-throughput sequencing. We then compare the differences in phyllosphere bacterial community structure and functional genes of dominant tree species. Fourteen key leaf functional traits of their host trees were also measured according to standard protocols to investigate the relationships between bacterial community composition and leaf functional traits. Our result suggested that tree species with closer evolutionary distances had similar phyllosphere microbial alpha diversity. The dominant phyla of phyllosphere bacteria were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes. For these six tree species, the functional genes of phyllosphere bacteria were mainly involved in amino acid metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism processes. The redundancy and envfit analysis results showed that the functional traits relating to plant nutrient acquisition and resistance to diseases and pests (such as leaf area, isotope carbon content, and copper content) were the main factors influencing the community structure of phyllosphere bacteria. This study highlights the key role of plant interspecific genetic relationships and plant attributes in shaping phyllosphere bacterial diversity.
Analysis of Auxin-Encoding Gene Family in Vigna radiata and It’s Cross-Species Expression Modulating Waterlogging Tolerance in Wild Vigna umbellata
Authors: Singh Chandra Mohan , Purwar Shalini , Singh Akhilesh Kumar , Singh Bhupendra Kumar , Kumar Mukul , Kumar Hitesh , Pratap Aditya , Mishra Awdhesh Kumar , Baek Kwang-Hyun
Published: November 2023

Mungbean is known to be susceptible to waterlogging (WL) stress. Some of the wild species have the potential to tolerate this through various physiological and molecular mechanisms. Auxin Response Factor (ARF) and Auxin/Indole Acetic Acid (AUX/IAA), an early responsive gene family, has multiple functions in growth, development, and stress tolerance. Here, we report the first comprehensive analysis of the ARF and AUX/IAA gene family in mungbean. A total of 26 ARF and 19 AUX/IAA genes were identified from the mungbean genome. The ARF and AUX/IAA candidates were clearly grouped into two major clades. Further, the subgrouping within the major clades indicated the presence of significant diversity. The gene structure, motif analysis, and protein characterization provided the clue for further fundamental research. Out of the10 selected candidate genes, VrARF-5, VrARF-11, VrARF-25, and VrAUX/IAA-9 were found to significantly multiple-fold gene expression in the hypocotyl region of WL-tolerant wild relatives (PRR 2008-2) provides new insight into a role in the induction of lateral root formation under WL stress. The analysis provides an insight into the structural diversity of ARF and AUX/IAA genes in mungbean. These results increase our understanding of ARF and AUX/IAA genes and therefore offer robust information for functional investigations, which can be taken up in the future and will form a foundation for improving tolerance against waterlogging stress.
Therapeutics to Treat Psychiatric and Neurological Disorders: A Promising Perspective from Algerian Traditional Medicine
Authors: Larit Farida , León Francisco
Published: November 2023

Ancient people sought out drugs in nature to prevent, cure, and treat their diseases, including mental illnesses. Plants were their primary source for meeting their healthcare needs. In Algeria, folk medicine remains a fundamental part of the local intangible knowledge. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive ethnomedicinal investigation and documentation of medicinal plants and the different plant formulations traditionally used in Algeria for the treatment of pain, psychiatric, and neurological disorders. It also intends to improve the current knowledge of Algerian folk medicine. Several scientific databases were used to accomplish this work. Based on this investigation, we identified 82 plant species belonging to 69 genera and spanning 38 distinct botanical families used as remedies to treat various psychological and neurological conditions. Their traditional uses and methods of preparation, along with their phytochemical composition, main bioactive constituents, and toxicity were noted. Therefore, this review provides a new resource of information on Algerian medicinal plants used in the treatment and management of neurological and psychological diseases, which can be useful not only for the documentation and conservation of traditional knowledge, but also for conducting future phytochemical and pharmacological studies.
Plant Tissue Culture and Secondary Metabolite Production Volume II
Authors: Danova Kalina , Marchioni Ilaria , Pistelli Laura
Published: November 2023

Secondary metabolites play a key role in the communication of the plant organism with the everchanging biotic and abiotic stimuli of its versatile environment [...]
Evaluation of Irrigation Modes for Greenhouse Drip Irrigation Tomatoes Based on AquaCrop and DSSAT Models
Authors: Ge Jiankun , Yu Zihui , Gong Xuewen , Ping Yinglu , Luo Jinyao , Li Yanbin
Published: November 2023

The improvement of the simulation accuracy of crop models in different greenhouse environments would be better applied to the automation management of greenhouse cultivation. Tomatoes under drip irrigation in a greenhouse were taken as the research object, and the cumulative evaporation capacity (Ep) of the 20 cm standard evaporation dish was taken as the basis for irrigation. Three treatments were set up in the experiment: high water treatment without mulch (NM-0.9 Ep), high water treatment with mulch (M-0.9 Ep), and low water treatment with mulch (M-0.5 Ep). AquaCrop and DSSAT models were used to simulate the canopy coverage, soil water content, biomass, and yield of the tomatoes. Data from 2020 were used to correct the model, and simulation results from 2021 were analyzed in this paper. The results showed that: (1) Of the two crop models, the simulation accuracy of the greenhouse tomato canopy coverage kCC was higher, and the root mean square errors were less than 6.8% (AquaCrop model) and 8.5% (DSSAT model); (2) The AquaCrop model could accurately simulate soil water change under high water treatments, while the DSSAT model was more suitable for the conditions without mulch; (3) The relative error RE of simulated and observed values for biomass B, yield Y, and water use efficiency WUE in the AquaCrop model were less than 2.0%, 2.3%, and 9.0%, respectively, while those of the DSSAT model were less than 4.7%, 7.6%, and 10.4%, respectively; (4) Considering the simulation results of each index comprehensively, the AquaCrop model was superior to the DSSAT model; subsequently, the former was used to predict 16 different water and film coating treatments (S1–S16). It was found that the greenhouse tomato yield and WUE were the highest under S7 (0.8 Ep), at 8.201 t/ha and 2.79 kg/m3, respectively.
Genome-Wide Association Study Reveals Novel Powdery Mildew Resistance Loci in Bread Wheat
Authors: Kaur Ramandeep , Vasistha Neeraj Kumar , Ravat Vikas Kumar , Mishra Vinod Kumar , Sharma Sandeep , Joshi Arun Kumar , Dhariwal Raman
Published: November 2023

Powdery mildew (PM), caused by the fungal pathogen Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt), significantly threatens global bread wheat production. Although the use of resistant cultivars is an effective strategy for managing PM, currently available wheat cultivars lack sufficient levels of resistance. To tackle this challenge, we conducted a comprehensive genome-wide association study (GWAS) using a diverse panel of 286 bread wheat genotypes. Over three consecutive years (2020–2021, 2021–2022, and 2022–2023), these genotypes were extensively evaluated for PM severity under field conditions following inoculation with virulent Bgt isolates. The panel was previously genotyped using the Illumina 90K Infinium iSelect assay to obtain genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker coverage. By applying FarmCPU, a multilocus mixed model, we identified a total of 113 marker–trait associations (MTAs) located on chromosomes 1A, 1B, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6B, 7A, and 7B at a significance level of p ≤ 0.001. Notably, four novel MTAs on chromosome 6B were consistently detected in 2020–2021 and 2021–2022. Furthermore, within the confidence intervals of the identified SNPs, we identified 96 candidate genes belonging to different proteins including 12 disease resistance/host–pathogen interaction-related protein families. Among these, protein kinases, leucine-rich repeats, and zinc finger proteins were of particular interest due to their potential roles in PM resistance. These identified loci can serve as targets for breeding programs aimed at developing disease-resistant wheat cultivars.
Megalurothrips usitatus Directly Causes the Black-Heads and Black-Tail Symptoms of Cowpea along with the Production of Insect-Resistance Flavonoids
Authors: He Yunchuan , Gao Yang , Hong Hainuo , Geng Jiamei , Chen Qiulin , Zhou Ying , Zhu Zengrong
Published: November 2023

The thrip (Megalurothrips usitatus) damages the flowers and pods of the cowpea, causing “black-heads and black-tails” (BHBT) symptoms and negatively affecting its economic value. However, the mechanism by which BHBT symptoms develop is still unknown. Our results showed that the microstructure of the pod epidermis was altered and the content of the plant’s resistance-related compounds increased after a thrip infestation. However, the contents of protein and free amino acids did not change significantly, suggesting that the nutritional value was not altered. Pathogens were found not to be involved in the formation of BHBT symptoms, as fungi and pathogenic bacteria were not enriched in damaged pods. Two herbivory-induced flavonoids—7,4′-dihydroxyflavone and coumestrol—were found to exert insecticidal activity. Our study clarified that BHBT symptoms are directly caused by the thrip. Thresholds for pest control need to be reconsidered as thrip herbivory did not degrade cowpea nutrition.
Numerical Investigation of the Heat and Mass Transfer during the In Situ Pyrolysis Process of Oil-Rich Coal
Authors: Yang Fu , Cheng Xiangqiang , Li Mingjie , Wei Jinjia , Duan Zhonghui , Ma Li
Published: November 2023

A multi-physics numerical method coupling fluid flow, heat transfer, and a chemical reaction was used to determine the temperature distribution and the conversion rate of a coal seam during underground pyrolysis. The coal seam was fractured to enhance the heat and mass transfer. The influences of the pyrolysis pressure on the heat transfer, oil and gas production, and pyrolysis time were also analyzed. When the injection gauge pressure was increased to 14 MPa, the conversion rate on the 120th day was 98.8% and the promotion was not obvious any more at further higher pressures for the model without a fracture. For the model with a fracture, the pyrolysis was completed in only 90 days at the much lower pressure of 4 MPa, which is beneficial for both reducing the heating period and enabling the rapid harvesting of oil. Then, the fractured zone was designed and optimized by investigating different radii of the fractured zone at both the inlet and the outlet of the domain. The dead zones around the two corners at the right side of the computational domain near the outlet well were reduced effectively with an increase in the diameter of the fractured region. The heat and mass transfer were enhanced with a larger area of the fractured region at the outlet well for the reason that the flowing dead zones experienced a longer effective heating time.
Enhancing Gas Recovery in Tight Dolomite Reservoirs: A Study of Water-Lock Damage and Chemical Drainage
Authors: Yang Xiaopeng , Fei Hongtao , Shi Junfeng , Sheng Lianqi , Guo Donghong , Yao Erdong
Published: November 2023

The Lower Paleozoic Ordovician strata within the Ordos Basin harbor dolomite gas reservoirs are characterized by low porosity (0.98% to 14.2%) and low permeability (0.001 mD to 2.8 mD). Gas extraction from these reservoirs is frequently impeded by water lock due to the intrusion of water-based drilling fluids and the accumulation of formation water, which increase water saturation near the wellbore and significantly decrease gas permeability. This research is pivotal in elucidating water-lock mechanisms and developing water-unlocking strategies for such tight gas reservoirs. Comprehensive analysis through wettability tests, spontaneous imbibition, high-speed centrifugal drainage, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) revealed that Jingbian gas field rocks are predominantly water-wet with a spontaneous imbibition water saturation of 60% to 80%, indicating a high propensity for water lock. The pore structure, mainly within the 200 to 300 nm range, presents challenges as high-speed centrifugation achieves only 70% to 80% water saturation displacement, with a drainage rate of about 20% to 30% and a drastic decline in gas permeability by several orders of magnitude. This study identifies the surfactant sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) as an optimal agent for enhancing water displacement and gas production. At a 0.1% concentration, SDBS improves drainage rate and permeability by 58.5% and 69.42%, respectively, demonstrating its efficacy in mitigating water lock and enhancing recoverability in tight dolomite reservoirs. These findings serve as a scientific guide for augmenting production in similar geological settings.
Domain Knowledge Features versus LASSO Features in Predicting Risk of Corporate Bankruptcy—DEA Approach
Authors: Mokrišová Martina , Horváthová Jarmila
Published: November 2023

Predicting the risk of corporate bankruptcy is one of the most important challenges for researchers dealing with the issue of financial health evaluation. The risk of corporate bankruptcy is most often assessed with the use of early warning models. The results of these models are significantly influenced by the financial features entering them. The aim of this paper was to select the most suitable financial features for bankruptcy prediction. The research sample consisted of enterprises conducting a business within the Slovak construction industry. The features were selected using the domain knowledge (DK) approach and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO). The performance of VRS DEA (Variable Returns to Scale Data Envelopment Analysis) models was assessed with the use of accuracy, ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristics) curve, AUC (Area Under the Curve) and Somers’ D. The results show that the DK+DEA model achieved slightly better AUC and Somers’ D compared to the LASSO+DEA model. On the other hand, the LASSO+DEA model shows a smaller deviation in the number of identified businesses on the financial distress frontier. The added value of this research is the finding that the application of DK features achieves significant results in predicting businesses’ bankruptcy. The added value for practice is the selection of predictors of bankruptcy for the analyzed sample of enterprises.