bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sedentary Behavior and Lack of Physical Activity among Children in Indonesia
Authors: Hanifah Laily , Nasrulloh Nanang , Sufyan Dian Luthfiana
Published: July 2023

Sedentary behavior and lack of physical activity among children in Indonesia is an important issue that needs to be addressed. It is estimated that 57% of children in Indonesia have insufficient physical activity. Studies have shown that children who engage in sedentary behaviors are at an increased risk for various negative health outcomes, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and poor mental health, compared to physically active ones. This article aims to provide recommendations to increase physical activity and reduce passive behavior in children in Indonesia. This is a commentary article developed from observing the recent progress of sedentary behavior and lack of physical activity among children in Indonesia and the potential consequences. The level of inactive behavior in children in Indonesia is relatively high. Factors that contribute to sedentary behavior and lack of physical activity among children in Indonesia are the increasing use of electronic devices and screen time, the lack of safe and accessible places to be physically active, the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as cultural and social norms that prioritize academic achievement over physical activity. To address sedentary lifestyles among children, there is a need for a comprehensive approach that addresses both the individual and societal factors contributing to the problem. This might include increasing access to healthy food options, promoting physical activity, and implementing education programs to raise awareness about the importance of healthy eating and physical activity, as well as limiting screen time.
Comparing Anxiety Levels during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Mothers of Children with and without Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Authors: Bogavac Ivana , Jeličić Ljiljana , Đorđević Jelena , Veselinović Ivana , Marisavljević Maša , Subotić Miško
Published: July 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly burdened families, perhaps even more for parents of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. This research aims to determine the anxiety levels in mothers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (autism spectrum disorder and specific language impairment) and mothers of typically developed children. The cross-sectional study comprised 280 mothers from the period of the COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia. A confidential survey included main demographic data and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results revealed that the mean levels of STAI-S and STAI-T are elevated in the observed sample of mothers in the first pandemic wave; the STAI-S level is in the high category (STAI-S mean = 46.69), while STAI-T is in the intermediate category near the cut-off value for the high level (STAI-T mean = 43.04). A statistically significant strong positive correlation between STAI-S and STAI-T is seen (r = 0.802, p = 0.001). GLMM analysis revealed that interactions, rather than independent variables, significantly impact anxiety, implying a complex relationship between the observed variables and STAI. Compared with the results from the pre-pandemic study, our findings reveal that COVID-19 affects mothers of children with and without neurodevelopmental disorders in a complex manner, imposing a need for psychological support, which may positively affect mothers’ mental health and the development of their offspring.
Ti-Mo-O Nanotube Arrays Grown by Anodization of Magnetron Sputtered Films
Authors: Makarov Hryhorii , Satrapinskyy Leonid , Vidiš Marek , Roch Tomáš , Plesch Gustáv , Mikula Marian
Published: July 2023

In this study, we introduced the method for the growth of titanium molybdenum oxide (TMO) nanotubes directly from metallic precursor solid state solution and provided their structural and chemical characterization. Precursor films with content of molybdenum from 32 to 82 at% were prepared using co-deposition magnetron sputtering. The optimization of deposition parameters allowed for the growth of a continuous nanotube array with a length up to 700 nm ± 10% by anodic oxidation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) revealed nanotube formation with Ti1−xMoxO2 composition, where x can reach the value of 0.5. Scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with EDS (STEM-EDS) confirmed the incorporation of Mo into the TiO2 lattice and uniform elemental distribution across the nanotube at the submicron level. The nanobeam electron diffraction (NBD) and X-ray diffraction analyses (XRD) did not show any notable crystal phase formation for the titanium molybdenum oxide phase.
Nanoscale Structural Phase Transitions in Aqueous Solutions of Organic Molecules
Authors: Bunkin Nikolai , Sabirov Leonard , Semenov Denis , Ismailov Faxriddin , Khasanov Muxriddin
Published: July 2023

Adiabatic compressibility βS of the 4-methylpyridine + water solution is investigated in a wide concentration and temperature variation interval using Mandelstam–Brillouin scattering spectroscopy. The adiabatic compressibility minimum caused by the microinhomogeneous structure of the solution is experimentally established at the concentration of 0.06 molar fractions of 4-methylpyridine in the solution. The results of the investigations allow the construction of a diagram of possible states caused by a continuous three-dimensional hydrogen bond network of water. The results of experimental study of the excessive hypersound absorption in acetone + water and 3-methylpyridine + water solutions are discussed based on the conclusions of the theory of high-frequency sound scattering near the critical point (developed by Chaban) and the Landau theory. These results are described within the framework of the Landau and Chaban theories and explained by the existence of two different states with minimum thermodynamic stability in the solution.
YAG:Ce Nanophosphors Synthesized by the Polymer–Salt Method for White LEDs with Isomorphic Substitution of Yttrium by Gadolinium
Authors: Bulyga Dmitry V. , Gavrilova Diana A. , Evstropiev Sergey K. , Arefina Irina A. , Myagkih Maxim K. , Shelemanov Andrey A.
Published: July 2023

Fine-dispersed YGdAG:Ce nanopowders with various degrees of isomorphic substitution of yttrium by gadolinium were synthesized. The structure and luminescent properties were studied by X-ray diffraction, attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, luminescence spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The possibility of synthesis of YGdAG:Ce nanopowders with a degree of gadolinium substitution up to 60% and nanocrystals with average sizes of 25–30 nm were shown. The red-shift of the cerium luminescence band with an increase in Gd content was studied. The CIE diagram for emission of YGdAG:Ce synthesized by the polymer–salt method shows that the degree 30–40% substitution of Y by Gd is optimal for the fabrication of a white light source based on LED with an emission wavelength of 470 nm.
Density Functional Theory Study of Electronic Structure and Optical Properties of Ln3+-Doped γ-Bi2MoO6 (Ln=Gd, Ho, Yb)
Authors: Zhang Bohang , Liu Gaihui , Shi Huihui , Wu Qiao , Xue Suqin , Shao Tingting , Zhang Fuchun , Liu Xinghui
Published: July 2023

Based on density functional theory (DFT), theoretical models of three kinds of lanthanide rare earth metal ion-doped γ-Bi2MoO6 were constructed (Ln-BMO (Ln=Gd, Ho, Yb)). The geometric structure, electronic structure, and optical properties of the model were calculated, and the influence of doped Ln3+ ions on the structures and properties of the system was analyzed. The results revealed that the substitution of smaller ionic radius Ln3+ ions for Bi3+ ions caused a contraction of the lattice parameters. At the same time, the contribution of the [Ln]4d near valence band and conduction band reduced the bandwidth of γ-Bi2MoO6, forming the Ln-O ionic bond with different strengths to obtain higher charge conductivity and charge-separation ability. Secondly, Ln3+ ions have a strongly ionic charge, which leads to the appearance of optical absorption bands in the infrared region and part of the visible region. This reduces the reflection in the visible region, improves the utilization rate, delays the loss of electron energy, and promotes phase matching in the visible region. And the Gd3+-doped system has better photocatalytic activity than the other Ln3+-doped system. This research provides theoretical insights into doped lanthanide rare earth ions and also provides strategies for the modification of γ-Bi2MoO6 nanomaterials.
Research on the Melt Pool Shape Formation Mechanism of the Laser Surface Remelting of Nickel-Based Single-Crystal Superalloy
Authors: Yang Ruining , Chen Wenjin , Tang Linfeng , Ma Jincen , Zhou Qingrong , Lei Xiaowei , Yao Wenjing , Wang Nan
Published: July 2023

By numerical simulation and experimental analysis, the melt pool shapes for the laser surface remelting of nickel-based single-crystal superalloy under different processing parameters are investigated. The results show that heat conduction and heat convection work together to determine the formation of the melt pool during the laser surface remelting, and the melt pool shape can be controlled by adjusting the laser power and laser scanning speed. For processing with large laser power and low scanning speed, the alloy vaporizes in the melt pool, which makes the melt pool shape unstable. For laser surface remelting with smaller laser power or higher scanning speed, one can have a stable “ω” shape melt pool, which is because the Peclet number is large, and the heat convection plays the dominant role. For the condition with further smaller laser power or higher scanning speed, the Peclet number in the melt pool is much lower, and the heat convection is the weakest, which produces the semi-elliptical melt pool shape that has no essential difference from that of the pure heat conduction model. The present study offers theoretical support to our previous research and the future parameters selection of processing parameters for the laser repairing of nickel-based single-crystal superalloys.
Cleft Lip and Palate Antenatal Diagnosis: A Swiss University Center Performance Analysis
Authors: Guichoud Yohan , El Ezzi Oumama , de Buys Roessingh Anthony
Published: July 2023

Precision of cleft lip and/or palate antenatal diagnosis plays a significant role in counselling, neonatal care, surgical strategies and psychological support of the family. This study aims to measure the accuracy of antenatal diagnosis in our institution and the detection rate of cleft lip and/or palate on routine morphologic ultrasonography. In this retrospective observational study, we compared antenatal and postnatal diagnosis of 233 patients followed in our unit. We classified our patients according to the Kernahan and Stark’s classification system: Group 1: facial cleft including labial and labio-maxillary clefts; Group 2: facial cleft including total, subtotal and submucous palatal clefts; Group 3: labio-maxillary-palatal clefts. Out of 233 patients, 104 were antenatally diagnosed with a facial cleft, i.e., an overall detection rate of 44.6%. The diagnosis was confirmed at birth in 65 of these patients, i.e., an overall accuracy of 62.5%. Of the 67 children (29.2%) in Group 1, the screening detection rate was 58.2% with an antenatal diagnostic accuracy of 48.7%. Of the 97 children (41.6%) in Group 2, the screening detection rate was 2% with an antenatal diagnostic accuracy of 50%. Of the 69 children (29.6%) in Group 3, the screening detection rate was 91.3% with an antenatal diagnostic accuracy of 71.4%. Our study demonstrates a relatively poor diagnostic accuracy in prenatal ultrasound, where the diagnosis was inaccurate in one third to one half of patients. It showed great variability in the screening detection rate depending on the diagnostic group observed, as well as a low rate of detection of palatal clefts.
Evaluation of Temporomandibular Joint in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: A Comparative Study
Authors: Akbulut Ayse Selenge , Akca Karpuzoglu Aysun Hatice
Published: July 2023

(1) The aim of this study was to perform an evaluation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and present the morphological differences of the TMJ between healthy subjects and patients with PD. (2) A total of 102 Caucasian subjects were divided equally into two groups. The study group consisted of patients with PD, while the control group comprised healthy subjects. Ten parameters, including anterior joint space (AJS), superior joint space (SJS), posterior joint space (PJS), condyle head length (CHL), condylar neck width (CNW), minor axis of the condyle (MAC), long axis of the condyle (LAC), condylar axis inclination (CI), medial joint space (MJS), and lateral joint space (LJS), were measured using magnetic resonance images. The data were statistically analyzed using paired samples t-test and Student’s t-test, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. (3) In the PD group, all TMJ parameters showed a statistically significant difference between both sides of the face (p < 0.05). However, in the control group, AJS, SJS, PJS, CHL, CNW, MAC, CI, MJS, and LJS did not show a statistically significant difference between both sides of the face (p > 0.05), except for LAC (p < 0.05). The asymmetry index values of AJS, SJS, PJS, CHL, CNW, MAC, CI, MJS, and LJS demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the study and control groups (p < 0.05), except for LAC (p > 0.05). (4) Within the limitations of this retrospective study, the findings suggest that TMJ morphology and asymmetry could be associated with PD.
Concomitant Temporomandibular Joint Replacement and Orthognathic Surgery
Authors: Amarista Felix , Perez Daniel
Published: July 2023

The treatment of patients with severe temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and associated skeletal discrepancies presents a complex challenge for oral and maxillofacial surgeons. It is widely recognized that TMDs can impact the stability and outcomes of surgical treatments for dentofacial deformities. Consequently, addressing TMDs prior to or in conjunction with orthodontic or surgical interventions may be necessary to achieve optimal and long-lasting results. Alloplastic temporomandibular joint replacement (TMJR) and orthognathic surgery have emerged as the standard approach due to their predictability, long-term stability and excellent outcomes when addressing end-stage TMJ disease in conjunction with DFDs as it provides a comprehensive solution to address both functional and aesthetic aspects of these patients’ conditions. Understanding the appropriate utilization of TMJR in conjunction with orthognathic surgery can lead to improved treatment planning and successful outcomes for patients with complex TMJ disorders and associated dentofacial deformities. This review aims to discuss the indications, preoperative evaluation, staging, sequencing, and surgical considerations involved in utilizing alloplastic TMJ replacement in the presence of dentofacial deformities.
Alternate Antimicrobial Therapies and Their Companion Tests
Authors: Kalpana Sriram , Lin Wan-Ying , Wang Yu-Chiang , Fu Yiwen , Wang Hsin-Yao
Published: July 2023

New antimicrobial approaches are essential to counter antimicrobial resistance. The drug development pipeline is exhausted with the emergence of resistance, resulting in unsuccessful trials. The lack of an effective drug developed from the conventional drug portfolio has mandated the introspection into the list of potentially effective unconventional alternate antimicrobial molecules. Alternate therapies with clinically explicable forms include monoclonal antibodies, antimicrobial peptides, aptamers, and phages. Clinical diagnostics optimize the drug delivery. In the era of diagnostic-based applications, it is logical to draw diagnostic-based treatment for infectious diseases. Selection criteria of alternate therapeutics in infectious diseases include detection, monitoring of response, and resistance mechanism identification. Integrating these diagnostic applications is disruptive to the traditional therapeutic development. The challenges and mitigation methods need to be noted. Applying the goals of clinical pharmacokinetics that include enhancing efficacy and decreasing toxicity of drug therapy, this review analyses the strong correlation of alternate antimicrobial therapeutics in infectious diseases. The relationship between drug concentration and the resulting effect defined by the pharmacodynamic parameters are also analyzed. This review analyzes the perspectives of aligning diagnostic initiatives with the use of alternate therapeutics, with a particular focus on companion diagnostic applications in infectious diseases.
Factors Affecting Long-Term Soil Organic Carbon Storage in Greek Forests
Authors: Ganatsas Petros , Tsakaldimi Marianthi , Petaloudi Lydia-Maria
Published: July 2023

The recent Glasgow Climate Pact has recognized the contribution of ecosystems as sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases and their importance to achieve the objective of a maximum temperature increase of 1.5 °C. Thus, the knowledge of the long-term storage capacity of the soil organic carbon (C) in forest soils, and the driving factors, are considered of great importance for the mitigation of global climate changes. A database of published data in a ‘grey’ Greek bibliography, concerning the long-term storage of soil organic C in soil profiles for Greek forests, was compiled, including 307 full soil profiles, distributed between 21 types of forest ecosystem throughout the country (Greece). The data collected concerned the amount of long-term stored carbon in the full soil profile, per soil horizon, up to the uncracked bedrock. These also contained information on the sampling location, the type of forest ecosystem, the soil depth, the type of land management, the forest origin, the floristic zone, the altitude, and the climate type. According to the results analysis, the average soil organic C stored was 108.19 Mg ha−1, and ranged greatly between 11.49 and 409.26 Mg ha−1. The type of forest ecosystem, soil depth, land management practices, forest origin, floristic zone, and climate type played an important role in the carbon sequestration process, greatly influencing the long-term amount of stored carbon. Under the demands for mitigating climate change and reducing the rates of global warming, data evaluation indicates the directions to be followed for increasing the long-term storage of carbon, named systematic forest management, and the exclusion of the drivers responsible for the low carbon storage of soil, such as human pressure and overgrazing. Restoration actions such as reforestation and rehabilitation of the degraded forest ecosystems, which were found to store low carbon amounts, can be also considered as effective tools for increasing the long-term carbon storage in forest ecosystems.
The Mechanical Strength Properties, Treatability Retention and Hazard Classification of Treated Small-Clear Fast-Growing Acacia mangium Superbulk at Different Age Groups
Authors: Yahya Nur Syahina , Ismaili Gaddafi , Kalu Meekiong , Wasli Mohd Effendi , Openg Iskanda , Jaimudin Noor Azland , Hashim Mohamad Zain , Rizalman Ahmad Nurfaidhi , Mohammad Hamden , Abdul Rahim Khairul Khuzaimah
Published: July 2023

The slow growth rate of primer species has affected the supply available to accommodate the market demand. To overcome these problems, a study was carried out to fully utilise fast-growing timber as the primary resource to ensure the demand for timber logs continues. This paper aimed to determine mechanical strength properties, treatability retention, and hazard classification of 7-, 10- and 13-year-old small-clear samples of Acacia mangium superbulk collected from Daiken Plantation Sdn. Bhd. Bintulu, Sarawak, following treatment with 10% copper chrome arsenic. As a result of this study, the maximum strength was obtained from the 10-year-old age group, with the modulus of rupture (MOR), the modulus of elasticity (MOE), and compression parallel to the grain values of small-clear treated Acacia mangium superbulk reaching 118.76 N/mm2, 15,020 N/mm2, and 57.82 N/mm2, respectively. In addition, the treatability retentions obtained were 149.27 L/m3, 147.25 L/m3, and 141.09 L/m3, which were recorded from the 7-, 10-, and 13-year-old samples, respectively. Meanwhile, the dry-salt retentions obtained from the 7-, 10- and 13-year-old samples were 14.93 kg/m3, 14.73 kg/m3, and 14.11 kg/m3, respectively. Hence, this species is classified as moderately difficult to treat under CCA (treatability retention: 80–160 L/m3) and is categorised under the hazard class of H4 (dry salt retention: 12–16 kg/m3).
Hydrolase Activities of Sourdough Microorganisms
Authors: Akamine Ingrid Teixeira , Mansoldo Felipe R. P. , Cardoso Verônica S. , de Souza Dias Edilma Paraguai , Vermelho Alane Beatriz
Published: July 2023

Sourdough is renowned for improving bakery products’ nutritional and quality characteristics through the enzymes produced by its microbiota. Among the enzymatic framework present in sourdough fermentation, amylase, cellulase, and peptidase are responsible for many of the properties valued in sourdough products. Furthermore, there is an increasing concern regarding the allergenic potential of gluten, which motivates the investigation of enzymatic gluten hydrolysis. This study aimed to select probiotics, isolate and identify microorganisms from sourdough, and assess their amylase, cellulase, and peptidase profiles. Additionally, a rapid screening method was developed for gluten and wheat flour hydrolysis, and gluten zymography and enzymography were performed. As a result, 18 microorganisms were isolated from sourdough and identified. The probiotic Bacillus licheniformis LMG-S 28935, and three microorganisms isolated from sourdough, the Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Pediococcus pentosaceus, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, completed the profile of analyzed hydrolases and presented the capacity to hydrolyze gluten. These findings contribute to a better understanding of sourdough microorganisms’ hydrolase activities in the bakery science and technology field. In addition, an efficient, fast, and economical method for screening extracellular glutenase, produced by microorganisms, was applied. To our knowledge, it was the first time that amylase, cellulase, and peptidase activities were assessed from sourdough microorganisms.
Kinetic Analysis of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus Cultivated on a Bench Scale: Modeling the Effect of pH and Design of a Sucrose-Based Medium
Authors: Restrepo Gloria M. , Rincón Alejandro , Sánchez Óscar J.
Published: July 2023

Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus is an endophytic bacterium that has shown important plant growth-promoting properties. During the growth of G. diazotrophicus with high carbon source concentrations, organic acids are produced, and pH decreases, thus inhibiting biomass growth. The objective of this work was to design a sucrose-based medium and perform a kinetic analysis of the batch submerged cultivation of this bacterium in a 3 L stirred-tank bioreactor without pH control. A mathematical model was proposed for representing G. diazotrophicus concentration, considering the inhibitory effect of hydrogen ion concentration. It comprises a biomass growth model, a specific growth rate expression that accounts for the inhibitory effect of hydrogen concentration, and a hydrogen model that represents the relationship between hydrogen and biomass concentrations. The sucrose-based medium proved its suitability for G. diazotrophicus growth. A higher biomass concentration (1.10 g/L) was obtained in a modified LGI-P medium containing 30 g/L sucrose with a three-fold increase in biomass production relative to the initial inoculation. The model allowed a satisfactory description of the experimental data obtained, and it could be used to design a cultivation strategy to maximize biomass production leading to the production of an alternative microbial inoculant for plant growth promotion of economically important crops.
Production of Liquid Biofuel Precursors: Optimization and Regulation of Lipase Fermentation and Its Application in Plant Oil Hydrolysis Process
Authors: Huang Shuai , Li Hao , Zhu Ruisong , Wang Meng , Tan Tianwei
Published: July 2023

In the liquid biofuel production process, free fatty acids are important precursors for biodiesel and bio-aviation fuel. Enzymatic hydrolysis to produce free fatty acids has attracted more and more attention. However, enzymatic hydrolysis requires ensuring efficient expression of lipase and high product yield. In the shaking flask, the optimal addition amount of citric acid was 3 g/L, and the composition of composite amino acids was: histidine 0.1 mol/L, aspartic acid 0.03 mol/L and lysine 0.03 mol/L. On the basis of the shaking flask optimization, a 5 L fermentation tank was scaled up to obtain 25,000 U/mL of lipase after multiple batches of stable fermentation. This was the first time to cultivate Y. lipolytica using composite amino acid medium to produce high enzyme-activity lipase, demonstrating the industrial value of this lipase fermentation process. Finally, soybean oil was hydrolyzed to produce free fatty acids on a self-made static reactor. The optimized reaction conditions were: material flow rate 2813 mL/min, reaction temperature 45 °C, water content 25 wt% and lipase consumption 3 wt%. The yield of free fatty acids was 80.63% after 12 h under optimal reaction conditions in the self-made static reactor, 11.95% higher than that in the stirred reactor, which showed its industrial potential in the production of free fatty acids.
Analytical and Computational Analysis of Fractional Stochastic Models Using Iterated Itô Integrals
Authors: Noor Adeeb , Bazuhair Mohammed , El-Beltagy Mohamed
Published: July 2023

Biological and financial models are examples of dynamical systems where both stochastic and historical behavior are important to be considered. The fractional Brownian motion (fBM) is commonly used, sometimes with fractional-order derivatives, to model the combined stochastic and fractional effects. Recently, spectral techniques are used to analyze models with fBM using, e.g., iterated Itô fractional integrals such as the fractional Wiener-Hermite (FWHE). In the current work, FWHE is generalized and adapted to be consistent with the Malliavin calculus approach. The conditions for existence and uniqueness are outlined in addition to the proof of convergence. The solution algorithm is described in detail. Using FWHE, the stochastic fractional model is replaced by a deterministic fractional-order system that can be handled using well-known mathematical tools to evaluate the solution statistics. Analytical solutions can be obtained for many important models such as the fractional stochastic Black–Scholes model. The convergence is studied and compared with the exact solution and high convergence is noticed compared with other techniques. A general numerical algorithm is described to analyze the resultant deterministic system in the case of no feasible analytical solutions. The algorithm is applied to study and simulate the population model with nonlinear losses for different values of the Hurst parameter. The results show the efficiency of FWHE in analyzing practical linear and nonlinear models.
Callus Induction and Adventitious Root Regeneration of Cotyledon Explants in Peach Trees
Authors: Gao Lingling , Liu Jingjing , Liao Liao , Gao Anqi , Njuguna Beatrice Nyambura , Zhao Caiping , Zheng Beibei , Han Yuepeng
Published: July 2023

Callus induction is a key step in establishing plant regeneration and genetic transformation. In this study, we present a comprehensive large-scale investigation of the callus induction rate (CIR) in peach trees, which revealed significant variability within the peach germplasm. Notably, the late-maturing cultivars exhibited significantly higher levels of CIR. Moreover, cultivars characterized as having high CIR exhibited potential for the development of adventitious roots (ARs) during callus induction, and a positive correlation was observed between CIR and the ability to regenerate ARs. However, long-term subculture callus lost root regeneration capacity due to changes in cellular morphology and starch and flavonoid content. Additionally, PpLBD1 was identified as a good candidate gene involved in the regulation of callus adventitious rooting in peach trees. Our results provide an insight into the mechanisms underlying callus induction and adventitious root development and will be helpful for developing regeneration systems in peach trees.
Effects of Endogenous Melatonin Deficiency on the Growth, Productivity, and Fruit Quality Properties of Tomato Plants
Authors: He Zhuo , Wen Cen , Xu Wen
Published: July 2023

Caffeic acid O-methyltransferase 1 (COMT1) is a key enzyme that is involved in melatonin synthesis, affecting the melatonin content in plants. In this experiment, tomato plants (slcomt1) with silenced SlCOMT1 gene expression were used to investigate the effects of SlCOMT1 deficiency on fruit growth, development, and quality formation. The results show that the slcomt1 plants exhibited prolonged fruit development, with reductions in the relative expression levels of SlCOMT1 by 71.1%, 79.7%, 83.9%, and 90.6% during the green fruit, breaker, orange ripening, and red ripening stages, respectively. The endogenous melatonin content also decreased by 29.4%, 43%, 45%, and 61.4% in the corresponding stages. Furthermore, the slcomt1 plants showed a decrease in the individual fruit weight, seed number per fruit, and fruit set rate by approximately 51.1%, 48.2%, and 30.4%, respectively. The slcomt1 plants exhibited an increase in the titratable acid content by 32.1%, 22.1%, 10.3%, and 24.4% during the green fruit, breaker, orange ripening, and red ripening stages, while the sugar-to-acid ratio decreased by 44.9%, 32.6%, 22.7%, and 36.8%. The slcomt1 plants also displayed increased fruit firmness, along with reductions in the relative expression levels of the cell wall and carotenoid-related genes and carotenoid content. Specifically, the Vc content in the slcomt1 plants decreased by 80.7% during the green fruit stage, and by 11.5%, 17.1%, and 2.6% during the breaker, orange ripening, and red ripening stages, respectively. The soluble protein content exhibited a decreasing trend in the corresponding stages. This study highlights the important role of endogenous melatonin in fruit physiology and quality formation, providing insights for further research and application of melatonin in agriculture.
Superior Rate Capability of High Mass Loading Supercapacitors Fabricated with Carbon Recovered from Methane Cracking
Authors: Baptista Joana , Shacklock Jack , Shaban Muhammad , Alkayal Anas , Lobato Killian , Wijayantha Upul
Published: July 2023

High mass loading (ca. 30 mg/cm2) electrodes were prepared with carbon recovered from catalytic methane cracking (MC). As-fabricated supercapacitors displayed 74% of capacitance retention from 6 mA/cm2 to 60 mA/cm2 and a Ragone plot’s slope of −7 Wh/kW (compared to 42% and −31 Wh/kW, respectively, for high mass loading devices fabricated with commercial carbon). The high-rate capability of the MC-recovered carbon is attributed to the presence of carbon black and carbon nanotubes produced during the reaction, which likely increased the electronic and ionic conductivity within the electrode. These results suggest that the by-product of this hydrogen generation route might be a suitable active material for supercapacitors.
Does One Size Fit All? Variations in the DNA Barcode Gaps of Macrofungal Genera
Authors: Wilson Andrew W. , Eberhardt Ursula , Nguyen Nhu , Noffsinger Chance R. , Swenie Rachel A. , Loucks Justin L. , Perry Brian A. , Herrera Mariana , Osmundson Todd W. , DeLong-Duhon Sarah , Beker Henry J. , Mueller Gregory M.
Published: July 2023

The nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) region has been widely used in fungal diversity studies. Environmental metabarcoding has increased the importance of the fungal DNA barcode in documenting fungal diversity and distribution. The DNA barcode gap is seen as the difference between intra- and inter-specific pairwise distances in a DNA barcode. The current understanding of the barcode gap in macrofungi is limited, inhibiting the development of best practices in applying the nrITS region toward research on fungal diversity. This study examined the barcode gap using 5146 sequences representing 717 species of macrofungi from eleven genera, eight orders and two phyla in datasets assembled by taxonomic experts. Intra- and inter-specific pairwise distances were measured from sequence and phylogenetic data. The results demonstrate that barcode gaps are influenced by differences in intra- and inter-specific variance in pairwise distances. In terms of DNA barcode behavior, variance is greater in the ITS1 than ITS2, and variance is greater in both relative to the combined nrITS region. Due to the difference in variance, the barcode gaps in the ITS2 region are greater than in the ITS1. Additionally, the taxonomic approach of “splitting” taxa into numerous taxonomic units produces greater barcode gaps when compared to “lumping”. The results show variability in the barcode gaps between fungal taxa, demonstrating a need to understand the accuracy of DNA barcoding in quantifying species richness. For taxonomic studies, variability in nrITS sequence data supports the application of multiple molecular markers to corroborate the taxonomic and systematic delineation of species.
Study of Angiogenic, Pro-Apoptotic, and Pro-Inflammatory Factors in Congenital and Acquired Cholesteatomas
Authors: Rolesi Rolando , Paciello Fabiola , Paludetti Gaetano , De Corso Eugenio , Sergi Bruno , Fetoni Anna
Published: July 2023

Objectives. Despite recent advances in biomolecular research that have improved our knowledge of cholesteatoma pathogenesis, the reasons behind its highly variable clinical course are still not clarified. It has been proposed that biological signaling between peri-matrix and matrix cells could play a critical role in disease homeostasis. The aim of our study was to analyze the expression of inflammatory (IL-1β), hyper-proliferative (STAT-3, TGF-β), and angiogenic (VEGF-C, PDGFr) factors in congenital and acquired cholesteatomas (both in adults and children), which might correlate with the clinical features observed. We performed an experimental study on 37 patients (29 males and 8 females, ranging from 4 to 66 years of age) who were diagnosed with cholesteatoma between 2020 and 2021 in our institution. All patients underwent clinical, audiologic, and radiologic assessments. Bone erosion grading and staging of cholesteatoma growth were assessed through preoperative evaluation and intraoperative middle ear findings, according to the PTAM System proposed by the Japan Otological Society (2016). Retro-auricular skin specimens were intraoperatively collected in all patients. Skin and cholesteatoma samples were analyzed through histopathological, western blot, and immunohistochemical evaluations. The expression rate was measured to find out the differences between congenital and acquired cholesteatomas as well as between the adult and pediatric populations. Expression of angiogenic, inflammatory, and proliferative biomarkers is significantly increased in acquired cholesteatomas in children as compared to congenital and acquired forms in adults, in accordance with the higher stage of disease shown by imaging, surgical, and histological features. Our data suggest that pathways already supposed to be involved in the pathogenesis of cholesteatomas could be differently activated in more destructive forms, typically found in children. The identification of potential biomarkers of cholesteatoma aggressiveness could lead to more personalized management (timing of intervention, recurrence prevention) and the future identification of anti-growth/anti-proliferative agents as non-surgery therapeutic options.
Negative Concord without Agree: Insights from German, Dutch and English Child Language
Authors: Driemel Imke , Hein Johannes , Bill Cory , Gonzalez Aurore , Ilić Ivona , Jeretič Paloma , van Alem Astrid
Published: July 2023

Children acquiring a non-negative concord language like English or German have been found to consistently interpret sentences with two negative elements in a negative concord manner as conveying a single semantic negation. Corpus-based investigations for English and German show that children also produce sentences with two negative elements but only a single negation meaning. As any approach to negative concord and negative indefinites needs to account for both the typological variation and the child data, we revisit the three most current syntactic Agree-based analyses, as well as a movement-based approach and show that they either have difficulties with the child data or face challenges in the adult language variation or both. As a consequence, we develop a novel analysis of negative concord and negative indefinites which relies on purely morphological operations applying to hierarchical semantic representations within a version of the Meaning First architecture of grammar. We will argue that the typological variation between the main three different types of languages as well as the children’s non adult-like behaviour fall out from this in a straightforward fashion while the downsides of the Agree- and the movement-based accounts are avoided.
Protocol Development of a Personalized Balanced Nutrition Concept for Preschool Children, Primarily Those with Food Allergies, Using an IT Platform
Authors: Košćina Siniša , Miletić Gospić Adrijana , Banić Ivana , Sabljak Domagoj , Lipej Marcel , Birkić Tamara , Plavec Davor , Marjanović Tomislav , Sokolić Darja , Turkalj Mirjana
Published: July 2023

Children with food allergies are at higher risk for severe anaphylactic reactions and for key nutrient deficiency. In order to address these concerns, enable early detection, and improve the monitoring of children with food allergies, an innovative IT platform will be developed by IT experts (IN2 Ltd. Zagreb, Croatia, part of Constellation Software Inc. (Toronto, ON, Canada)) and Srebrnjak Children’s Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia (SCH) for the effective implementation of personalized balanced nutrition in preschool institutions in Croatia. Additionally, the data obtained through this research, including epidemiological data on allergic diseases, clinical data (diagnostic allergy tests and others), anthropometry, and physical activity status, will be used to create a national Allergy registry. Other than being a tool for personalized and balanced nutrition for children, especially those with special dietary requirements (including food allergy and intolerance), the IT platform developed in this study will enable the continuous monitoring of these children as a part of their clinical management plan and earlier detection of food allergies, intolerance, and other conditions, even outside of the healthcare system. This research also aims at optimizing current and developing novel personalized therapeutic regimes, detecting novel early biomarkers in children with food allergies and intolerances, and involving all key stakeholders (caregivers, preschool institutions, etc.) in the shared-care approach in the management of food allergies in children.
Meta-Dynamic Recrystallization in the Ni-Based Superalloy Haynes 282
Authors: Eriksson Emil , Hanning Fabian , Andersson Joel , Hörnqvist Colliander Magnus
Published: July 2023

Forging on an industrial scale often involves slow, size-limited cooling rates or high temperature hold times between, or after, deformation. This enables the dynamic recrystallization (DRX) initiated during forging to further progress under static conditions, a phenomenon called meta-dynamic recrystallization (mDRX). As mDRX will influence the final grain size, and thus properties, it is critical to understand and control it during processing. Here, we study the mDRX evolution in Ni-based superalloy Haynes 282 during post-deformation hold times of up to 120 s at 1080 °C after partial DRX. We find that mDRX is the dominating mechanisms responsible for the microstructure evolution the hold time. The very rapid mDRX kinetics in the initial stages suggest that quench delays (the time between the end of the deformation and the onset of the quenching intended to arrest the microstructure evolution) must be kept well below 1 s in order to allow reliable conclusions to be drawn from post-deformation microstructure investigations. A larger prior strain (larger DRX fraction) leads to faster mDRX kinetics and a larger final grain size. Larger strains leads to earlier impingement of the growing grains, which, in combination with smaller remaining deformed regions into which the grains can grow, limits the maximum size of the mDRX grains. We also note a close correlation between static recovery and stress relaxation during the hold time, whereas no such correlation between mDRX and stress relaxation can be observed.
Features of Intermetallic Formation in the Solid Phase on a Steel–Titanium Bimetal Interface under the Conditions of Arc Welding
Authors: Korzhyk Volodymyr , Zhang Yupeng , Khaskin Vladyslav , Ganushchak Oleg , Kostin Valeryi , Kvasnytskyi Viktor , Perepichay Andrii , Grynyuk Andrii
Published: July 2023

The object of this study is the formation of intermetallic phases (IMPhs) in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of joints of steel–titanium bimetal plates produced by arc welding. A titanium layer (2 mm) was welded by the plasma method (PAW), a barrier layer of Cusi3Mn1 bronze was deposited on it by the TIG method, the first steel layer was deposited by CMT, and Puls-MAG was used for filling the groove. Here, heating in the solid phase takes place in the HAZ, which may lead to undesirable formation of brittle IMPhs and further welded joint failure. Mathematical modeling was performed and metallurgical features formed during the processes of heating of the HAZ in bimetal steel–titanium plates were studied to identify the risk of IMPh formation. It was found that at a temperature increase from 900 to 1450 °C, a continuous intermetallic layer formed on the steel–titanium interface, which contained FeTi IMPh, and the width of which increased from 1 to 10 μm. In the temperature range 1300…1430 °C, an intermetallic TiFe2-type phase additionally formed from the titanium side. In the temperature range 1430…1450 °C, the TiFe2 phase was replaced by the TiXFe phase, which formed both from the steel side and from the titanium side. This phase consists of intermetallics (73–75% Ti + 27–25% Fe) and (80–85% Ti + 20–15% Fe), and it is close to the Ti2Fe-type phase. The interlayer of intermetallics, formed at temperatures of 900…1300 °C, has a continuous morphology (HV0.01–650…690). At temperatures rising above 1300 °C, the IMPh interlayer became more ramified (HV0.01–590…610) because of the formation of a larger number of pores and microcracks within it. In the temperature range 900…1450 °C, solid-phase diffusion proceeded in the steel–titanium bimetal near the interface of the two metals. A zone of iron diffusion, 5–10 μm to 40–60 μm in width, formed in titanium. In steel, a zone of titanium diffusion 15–20 μm to 120–150 μm in width formed, starting from 1300 °C and higher. It is recommended to perform industrial welding of steel–titanium bimetal in modes, for which the heat input is equal to 200…400 J/mm. Here, during the period 10–12 s, the heating temperature of the HAZ 1.5–3.5 mm in width is equal to 900–1150 °C. It promotes formation of an intermetallic FeTi-type interlayer of up to 1–2 μm width.
Slippage during High-Pressure Torsion: Accumulative High-Pressure Torsion—Overview of the Latest Results
Authors: Gunderov Dmitriy V. , Asfandiyarov Rashid N. , Astanin Vasily V. , Sharafutdinov Alfred V.
Published: July 2023

This overview examines the results of a study of the effect of slippage in high-pressure torsion (HPT). A number of papers in this area and the works of the authors of this overview are considered. The authors used the method of the “joint HPT of the disk halves”. This method is the simplest and most illustrative method for evaluating slippage during HPT. The authors used 10 and 20 mm diameter anvils, with a groove on the lower anvil and a calculated pressure of 6 GPa. In the case of the HPT of solid bulk metal glass (BMG), slippage starts at the early stages of HPT and is total. Slippage may also be significant at the early stages of the HPT of such metallic materials as Ti, Ni, Fe-0.1%C, and Zr-2.5%Nb. Slippage increases with the number of revolutions, n. There is no slippage at the initial stages of the HPT of copper. However, after HPT Cu n = 10, slippage can be total. Nevertheless, studies show that the structure of samples using HPT, obtained by the authors, is similar to the nanostructure observed by other authors after using HPT with similar materials. Thus, notwithstanding slippage during HPT, deformation during HPT still occurs, and nanostructure formation occurs. Therefore, the formation of a nanostructure in samples during HPT is not proof of the absence of slippage. The authors provide a possible explanation for this. The authors propose a new method—“accumulative high-pressure torsion”—to achieve a high strain in various materials. In this procedure, several cycles are repeated, according to the following scheme: “HPT for n = 1 or 2 turns of the anvil → cutting the specimen into pieces → unstacking the stacked pieces on the anvil and subsequent HPT for n = 1 or 2”. Studies performed on a number of materials demonstrate that novel method transforms the structure more efficiently than regular HPT.
Mechanical Properties of Refined A356 Alloy in Response to Continuous Rheological Extruded Al-5Ti-0.6C-1.0Ce Alloy Prepared at Different Temperatures
Authors: Teng Da , Zhang Guangzong , Zhang Shuo , Li Junwen , Guan Renguo
Published: July 2023

The microstructure is an important factor determining the mechanical properties of A356 alloy. In this experiment, the refiner Al-5Ti-0.6C-1.0Ce master alloys under different preparation temperatures were prepared, and the A356 alloy was refined. The effects of preparation temperature on the number and morphological distribution of each phase in Al-Ti-C-Ce master alloy and the effects of Al-Ti-C-Ce master alloy at different preparation temperatures on the microstructure and mechanical properties of A356 alloy were explored successively. Results showed that, as preparation temperature increased from 850 to 1150 °C, TiAl3 changed from large blocks to long strips and a needle-like phase, and Ti2Al20Ce changed from a bright white block to a broken small block phase. Al-5Ti-0.6C-1.0Ce prepared at 1050 °C can significantly refine the α-Al of A356 alloy and modify eutectic Si. The α-Al grain size was refined from about 1540 to 179.7 μm, and the eutectic Si length was refined from about 22.3 to 17.8 μm with the transition from a coarse needle-like to a short rod-like structure. The ultimate tensile strength and elongation of A356 alloy changed non-monotonically, and the peak values were 282.216 MPa and 3.9% with the Al-Ti-C-Ce preparation temperature of 1050 °C and 950 °C, respectively.