bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AAindexNC: Estimating the Physicochemical Properties of Non-Canonical Amino Acids, Including Those Derived from the PDB and PDBeChem Databank
Authors: Milchevskiy Yury V. , Kravatskaya Galina I. , Kravatsky Yury V.
Published: November 2024

The physicochemical properties of amino acid residues from the AAindex database are widely used as predictors in building models for predicting both protein structures and properties. It should be noted, however, that the AAindex database contains data only for the 20 canonical amino acids. Non-canonical amino acids, while less common, are not rare; the Protein Data Bank includes proteins with more than 1000 distinct non-canonical amino acids. In this study, we propose a method to evaluate the physicochemical properties from the AAindex database for non-canonical amino acids and assess the prediction quality. We implemented our method as a bioinformatics tool and estimated the physicochemical properties of non-canonical amino acids from the PDB with the chemical composition presentation using SMILES encoding obtained from the PDBechem databank. The bioinformatics tool and resulting database of the estimated properties are freely available on the author’s website and available for download via GitHub.
NMDAR-CaMKII Pathway as a Central Regulator of Aggressiveness: Evidence from Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analysis in Swimming Crabs Portunus trituberculatus
Authors: Liang Qihang , Liu Dapeng , Zhu Boshan , Wang Fang
Published: November 2024

Aggressiveness is one of the personality traits of crustaceans, playing a crucial role in their growth, life history, and adaptability by influencing resource acquisition. However, the neuroregulatory mechanisms of aggressiveness in crustaceans remain poorly understood. The thoracic ganglion offers valuable insights into complementary aspects of aggression control. This study identified the aggressiveness of swimming crabs Portunus trituberculatus, conducted transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of the thoracic ganglia, and confirmed the neural regulatory effects on aggressiveness. Behavioral analyses showed that highly aggressive individuals exhibited increased frequency and duration of chela extension, more frequent attacks, approaches and retreats, as well as extended movement distances. Omics analysis revealed 11 key candidate genes and three metabolites associated with aggressiveness, which were primarily enriched in pathways related to energy metabolism and neurodegeneration. Injection of an NMDAR activator significantly decreased aggressiveness in highly aggressive crabs, accompanied by a significant increase in NMDAR protein fluorescence intensity and downregulation of NR2B, CaMKII, and CREB genes. Conversely, when lowly aggressive crabs were injected with an NMDAR inhibitor, they showed increased aggressiveness alongside significantly decreased NMDAR protein fluorescence intensity, upregulated NR2B expression, and downregulated CaMKII and CREB genes. These results suggest that NMDAR within the thoracic ganglia serves as a key receptor in modulating aggressiveness in P. trituberculatus, potentially by influencing neural energy state via the NMDAR-CaMKII pathway, which in turn affects oxidative phosphorylation, cAMP, and FoxO pathways.
New Approaches to the Creation of Highly Efficient Pd-Ag and Pd-Cu Membranes and Modeling of Their Hydrogen Permeability
Authors: Petriev Iliya , Pushankina Polina , Drobotenko Michail
Published: November 2024

Thin-film membranes of Pd-Ag and Pd-Cu alloys capable of releasing hydrogen in a wide temperature range have been developed. The surface activation of the membranes with a nanostructured coating made it possible to intensify hydrogen transport through Pd-containing membranes at low temperatures. This effect was achieved by accelerating limiting surface processes by increasing the active area of the membrane. Surface-activated membranes demonstrated the highest values of hydrogen flux over the entire temperature range, which reached up to 49.4 mmol s−1 m−2 for Pd-Ag membranes and up to 32.9 mmol s−1 m−2 for Pd-Cu membranes. Membranes modified with filiform nanoparticles demonstrated a hydrogen flux up to 12 times higher than that of membranes with a smooth surface. Based on the results obtained, a theoretical model of hydrogen transport through metal membranes was developed, taking into account the effect of the state of the membrane surface on hydrogen transport at low temperatures. This model makes it possible to predict hydrogen flows in the entire temperature range much more accurately compared to other existing models. The selectivity and stability of the developed membranes over a long period of operation have been confirmed. The study of the effect of the surface activation of Pd-based membranes on the intensification of hydrogen permeability has shown the success of the method developed, which in turn opens up wide opportunities for creating low-temperature, highly efficient membrane hydrogen filters based on palladium and other devices based on them.
Evaluation of Salt Resistance of Six Apple Rootstocks
Authors: Li Lun , Chen Guolin , Sun Qingrong , Wang Qing , Wang Sen , Wang Haibo , Ni Zhihua , Jiang Caina , Li Linguang , Li Tianhong
Published: November 2024

Apples (Malus domestica Borkh) are important fruits in China; however, salt stress is severe in northern regions, and the key to plant resistance to salt stress lies in the rootstock. Therefore, it is necessary to explore rootstocks with strong salt resistance for the development of the apple industry. This study used tissue culture seedlings of six apple rootstocks, namely, ‘71-3-150’, ‘54-118’, ‘M9T337’, ‘GM256’, ‘ML176’, and ‘ML2’, as experimental materials. The seedlings were treated with a medium containing 150 mM NaCl, and the physiological indicators and related gene expression responses of several rootstocks were studied after salt stress. The results showed that salt stress affects the growth of both the aboveground and underground parts of plants. Through physiological indicators and the related gene expression responses of rootstocks, it was observed that salt stress significantly increased Na+ contents in different rootstocks. Simultaneously, the activity of various antioxidant enzymes and the expression levels of related genes also increased. In summary, by analyzing the parameters of various physiological indicators, it can be concluded that among the studied rootstocks, the ‘71-3-150’ and ‘54-118’ rootstocks have the strongest resistance to salt stress, while the ‘M9T337’ and ‘GM256’ rootstocks exhibit moderate resistance, and the ‘ML176’ and ‘ML2’ rootstocks have the weakest resistance.
Pleiotropic Associations with Alzheimer’s Disease and Physical Activity: Sex Differences and the Effects of Environment
Authors: Loika Yury , Loiko Elena , Culminskaya Irina , Kulminski Alexander M.
Published: November 2024

Physical activity (PA) is a modifiable factor in mitigating/preventing Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It is crucial to identify the conditions under which PA’s effects on AD risk would be beneficial. This study aims to gain insights into pleiotropic predisposition to AD and PA within and across sexes and environmental effects. We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of pleiotropic AD-PA associations in individuals (65 years and older) of European ancestry in a US sample (14,628 individuals), for men and women separately and combined, and contrasted them with the UK biobank (204,789 individuals) to elucidate the effects of the environment. Fisher’s method and Wald's test were used for estimating the significance of pleiotropic associations and differences between the samples. We identified genetic markers in 60 loci with significant pleiotropic associations. Of them, 91.7% of loci exhibited antagonistic relationships characterized by a misalignment of the signs of the associations of the same alleles with AD and PA and a correlation between these phenotypes. Only 16.7% of associations were replicated in the UKB. Phosphorylation and the regulation of transcription were identified as more pronounced biological mechanisms of AD-PA pleiotropy in females and males, respectively. Our results demonstrate the intrinsic heterogeneity of AD-PA pleiotropy and suggest that PA should be used as an intervention against AD with caution, after identifying groups of individuals and combinations of gene–environment interactions with beneficial effects.
Antimicrobial Peptide CATH-2 Attenuates Avian Pathogenic E. coli-Induced Inflammatory Response via NF-κB/NLRP3/MAPK Pathway and Lysosomal Dysfunction in Macrophages
Authors: Xu Yating , Xu Liuyi , Zhang Tingting , Tian Hongliang , Lu Yi , Jiang Sha , Cao Xuefeng , Li Zhiwei , Hu Xiaoxiang , Fang Rendong , Peng Lianci
Published: November 2024

Cathelicidins have anti-inflammatory activity and chicken cathelicidin-2 (CATH-2) has shown to modulate immune response, but the underlying mechanism of its anti-inflammation is still unclear. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of CATH-2 on murine peritoneal macrophages during avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) infection. The results showed that CATH-2 priming significantly reduced the production of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-1α, and IL-12. In addition, CATH-2 significantly attenuated APEC-induced caspase-1 activation and the formation of an adaptor (ASC) of NLRP3 inflammasome, indicating that CATH-2 inhibits APEC-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Furthermore, CATH-2 remarkably inhibited NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways activation. Moreover, CATH-2 significantly inhibited mRNA expression of cathepsin B and inhibited lysosomal acidification, demonstrating that CATH-2 disrupts lysosomal function. In addition, promoting lysosomal acidification using ML-SA1 hampered the anti-inflammatory effect of CATH-2 on APEC-infected cells. In conclusion, our study reveals that CATH-2 inhibits APEC-induced inflammation via the NF-κB/NLRP3/MAPK pathway through the dysfunction of lysosome.
Effect of Dihydroquercetin During Long-Last Growth of Yarrowia lipolytica Yeast: Anti-Aging Potential and Hormetic Properties
Authors: Pusev Maxim S. , Klein Olga I. , Gessler Natalya N. , Bachurina Galina P. , Filippovich Svetlana Yu. , Isakova Elena P. , Deryabina Yulia I.
Published: November 2024

Polyphenols are powerful natural antioxidants with numerous biological activities. They change cell membrane permeability, interact with receptors, intracellular enzymes, and cell membrane transporters, and quench reactive oxygen species (ROS). Yarrowia lipolytica yeast, being similar to mammalian cells, can be used as a model to study their survival ability upon long-lasting cultivation, assaying the effect of dihydroquercetin polyphenol (DHQ). The complex assessment of the physiological features of the population assaying cell respiration, survival, ROS detection, and flow cytometry was used. Y. lipolytica showed signs of chronological aging by eight weeks of growth, namely a decrease in the cell number, and size, increased ROS generation, a decrease in colony-forming unit (CFU) and metabolic activity, and decreased respiratory rate and membrane potential. An amount of 150 µM DHQ decreased ROS generation at the 6-week growth stage upon adding an oxidant of 2,2′-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH). Moreover, it decreased CFU at 1–4 weeks of cultivation, inhibited cell metabolic activity of the 24-h-old culture and stimulated that on 14–56 days of growth, induced the cell respiration rate in the 24-h-old culture, and blocked alternative mitochondrial oxidase at growth late stages. DHQ serves as a mild pro-oxidant on the first day of age-stimulating anti-stress protection. In the deep stationary stage, it can act as a powerful antioxidant, stabilizing cell redox status and reducing free radical oxidation in mitochondria. It provides a stable state of population. The hormetic effects of DHQ using lower eukaryotes of Y. lipolytica have been previously discussed, which can be used as a model organism for screening geroprotective compounds of natural origin.
Viral-Porphyrin Combo: Photodynamic and Oncolytic Viral Therapy for Potent Glioblastoma Treatment
Authors: Nazarenko Alina S. , Shkirdova Alena O. , Orlova Ekaterina A. , Biryukova Yulia K. , Vorovitch Mikhail F. , Kolyasnikova Nadezhda M. , Ishmukhametov Aydar A. , Tyurin Vladimir S. , Zamilatskov Ilya A.
Published: November 2024

Combined viral and photodynamic therapy for oncological diseases has great potential to treat aggressive tumors such as glioblastomas. A conjugate of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) with protoporphyrin IX was prepared, and its oncolytic effects were studied and compared to the effects of the individual components. The VSV showed an oncolytic effect on glioblastoma cell lines T98G and LN229 at a virus titer of 105 TCID50/mL. A VSV titer of 104 TCID50/mL was sufficient for neuroblastoma cell death. A study of the effect of VSV in tumor 3D cell modeling found that VSV had a clear viral cytopathic effect on spheroids of T98G and LN229 cells. Conjugation with the porphyrin significantly reduced the viral titer, but when irradiated, lysis of cells was observed. Photodynamic treatment of T98G and LN229 cells and spheroids with protoporphyrin IX as a photosensitizer also had a cytotoxic effect on cells and, to a lesser extent, on the tumoroids, as complete cell death was not achieved for the tumoroids. The combination therapy, which involved sequential photodynamic therapy using protoporphyrin IX as a photosensitizer and treatment with VSV, was shown to significantly enhance efficacy, resulting in complete cell death of both T98G and LN229 cells and tumoroids. The combination treatment allowed for the use of a lower viral titer (103–104 TCID50/mL) and a lower porphyrin concentration (0.5 μg/mL) to achieve a significant cytotoxic effect. As a result, the implementation of this combination therapy would likely lead to fewer side effects from the treatment. This study clearly demonstrated the excellent perspectives of combination therapy for the treatment of highly aggressive tumors such as glioblastomas.
The Successful and Safe Real-Time TDM-Guided Treatment of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis Using Isavuconazole Administered by Enteral Tube
Authors: Corral Alaejos Álvaro , Jiménez Casaus Jose , López Delgado Ángel , Zarzuelo Castañeda Aranzazu
Published: November 2024

Background: Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is an opportunistic infection that affects immunocompromised patients. While voriconazole is commonly used for IA treatment, it presents the risk of drug interactions, particularly in patients on polytherapy. Isavuconazole may serve as a safer alternative with fewer interactions. However, the use of isavuconazole is typically limited to the parenteral route for patients without access to the enteral route, due to recommendations against tablet handling for enteral administration. The objective of this study was to evaluate the suitability of isavuconazole administration via an enteral tube, by therapeutic drug monitoring of isavuconazole plasma concentrations. Methods: This case study examines a patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who was diagnosed with IA and treated with isavuconazole via an enteral tube. Therapeutic pharmacokinetic monitoring of isavuconazole plasma concentrations was performed to assess the feasibility and safety of enteral administration. Results: The results show that isavuconazole concentrations were maintained within the therapeutic range when administered via an enteral tube. No significant deviations in plasma concentration were noted during the monitoring period. Conclusions: Administering isavuconazole through an enteral tube is a safe and viable alternative for patients that are unable to receive the drug via the oral route. Therapeutic monitoring of plasma concentrations is recommended to ensure proper dosing and efficacy.
A Hexagon Sensor and A Layer-Based Conversion Method for Hexagon Clusters
Authors: Kim Jun-Ho , Sung Hanul
Published: November 2024

In reinforcement learning (RL), precise observations are crucial for agents to learn the optimal policy from their environment. While Unity ML-Agents offers various sensor components for automatically adjusting the observations, it does not support hexagon clusters—a common feature in strategy games due to their advantageous geometric properties. As a result, users can attempt to utilize the existing sensors to observe hexagon clusters but encounter significant limitations. To address this issue, we propose a hexagon sensor and a layer-based conversion method that enable users to observe hexagon clusters with ease. By organizing the hexagon cells into structured layers, our approach ensures efficient handling of observation and spatial coherence. We provide flexible adaptation to varying observation sizes, which enables the creation of diverse strategic map designs. Our evaluations demonstrate that the hexagon sensor, combined with the layer-based conversion method, achieves a learning speed up to 1.4 times faster and yields up to twice the rewards compared to conventional sensors. Additionally, the inference performance is improved by up to 1.5 times, further validating the effectiveness of our approach.
Acoustic Communication Among Smart Sensors: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Caruso Paolo , da Rocha Helbert , Espírito-Santo Antonio , Paciello Vincenzo , Salvado José
Published: November 2024

Smart sensors and networks have spread worldwide over the past few decades. In the industry field, these concepts have found an increasing quantity of applications. The omnipresence of smart sensor networks and smart devices, especially in the industrial world, has contributed to the emergence of the concept of Industry 4.0. In a world where everything is interconnected, communication among smart devices is critical to technological development in the field of smart industry. To improve communication, many engineers and researchers implemented methods to standardize communication along the various levels of the ISO-OSI model, from hardware design to the implementation and standardization of different communication protocols. The objective of this paper is to study and implement an unconventional type of communication, exploiting acoustic wave propagation on metallic structures, starting from the state of the art, and highlighting the advantages and disadvantages found in existing literature, trying to overcome them and describing the progress beyond the state of the art. The proposed application for acoustic communication targets the field of smart industries, where implementing signal transmission via wireless or wired methods is challenging due to interference from the widespread presence of metallic structures. This study explores an innovative approach to acoustic communication, with a particular focus on the physical challenges related to acoustic wave propagation. Additionally, communication performance is examined in terms of noise rejection, analyzing the impact of injected acoustic noise on communication efficiency.
Endothelial Protection and Improved Micro- and Macrocirculation with Hemoadsorption in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Papp Marton , Ince Can , Bakker Jan , Molnar Zsolt
Published: November 2024

A dysregulated immune response is associated with an excessive release of cytokines that can lead to systemic vasoplegia and vasoplegic shock with the development of multiorgan failure that is associated with an increased risk of dying. Under physiological circumstances, the endothelium and the glycocalyx are responsible for maintaining vascular tone, capillary permeability, and hemostasis, and controlling inflammation. In hyperinflammation, the endothelium and glycocalyx become damaged due to the excessive production of certain toxic proteins, along with an overwhelming release of cytokines. It has been shown in both in vitro animal experiments and in humans that extracorporeal hemoadsorption can reduce circulating levels of cytokines and may also remove toxic proteins that directly take part in endothelium and glycocalyx damage. The current review aims to summarize current knowledge, put recent findings into context, and introduce the hypothesis of “endothelial protection with hemoadsorption” in critically ill patients.
Comment on Drozdowska-Szymczak et al. Incidence and Risk Factors of Cholestasis in Newborns with Hemolytic Disease—A Case-Control Study. J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13, 3190
Authors: Teng Jonas , Fischler Björn , Bohlin Kajsa , Reilly Marie , Tiblad Eleonor
Published: November 2024

We read with interest the recently published article in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, by Drozdowska-Szymczak et al [...]
Do Acute Illness Perceptions Moderate the Association of Pre-Collision Welfare Benefits and Later Neck Pain or Disability Following Whiplash Trauma? A Prospective Multicentre Cohort Study
Authors: Carstensen Tina B. W. , Ravn Sophie L. , Andersen Tonny E. , Sæther Solbjørg M. M. , Ørnbøl Eva , Wellnitz Kaare B. , Kasch Helge , Frostholm Lisbeth
Published: November 2024

Objectives: Whiplash trauma is a worldwide significant public health issue, with post-collision chronic pain and physical and mental disability; the prevalence of whiplash trauma in the Japanese general population is estimated at 1.2% and in the Danish general population the whiplash condition has been reported to be 2.9%. Pre-collision welfare benefits and illness perceptions have been found to predict poor recovery after whiplash trauma. In this study, we examined whether illness perceptions measured shortly post-collision moderated the effect of welfare benefits five years before the collision on neck pain and neck-related disability one-year post-collision. Methods: Patients consulting emergency rooms or general practices with neck pain after acute whiplash trauma were invited to complete questionnaires during the week after the collision and at three and 12-months post-collision. Further, we obtained register data on the number of weeks on three types of welfare benefits (sick leave benefits, unemployment benefits, and social assistance benefits) for a five-year period before the collision. Multiple logistic regression was applied. Results: 740 patients were included. We did not find a significant moderating effect of illness perceptions on the association between pre-collision welfare benefits and chronic neck pain and related disability. However, there was a trend towards illness perceptions at baseline and at the three-month follow-up having a moderating effect on the relationship between long-term sick leave and neck pain one year after the whiplash collision. Conclusions: Regarding long-term sick leave, we might have overlooked a substantial moderating effect due to methodological matters and recommend a replication of this study on a larger sample, also focusing on other recovery outcomes.
Synthesis of Conjugates of PEG-RGD Derivatives with Fe3O4 Magnetic Nanoparticles for Cell Labelling
Authors: Demin Alexander M. , Vakhrushev Alexander V. , Pershina Alexandra G. , Syomchina Alexandra A. , Efimova Lina V. , Karabanalov Maksim S. , Uimin Mikhail A. , Byzov Iliya V. , Minin Artem S. , Krasnov Victor P.
Published: November 2024

The purpose of this research is to design nanocomposite materials for biomedical applications. New conjugates of PEG derivatives of RGD peptides and magnetic nanoparticles, based on Fe3O4 (MNPs) with silica coating covalently labelled with fluorescent dye Cyanine5, were obtained. It was shown that a higher loading level of RGD peptides occurred in the case of MNPs with SiO2/aminopropylsilane coating, synthesised using N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid (PMIDA) as a surfactant. To confirm the structure and chemical purity of the new RGD-PEG conjugate, a number of methods were used, including 1H NMR, HRMS, and RP-HPLC. The characterisation of MNPs was carried out using the following physical methods: TEM, FTIR, EDX, CHN analysis, DLS, fluorescence spectrometry, vibration magnetometry, and relaxometry. Samples obtained from PMIDA-stabilised MNPs contained a greater amount of the peptide and possessed better hydrodynamic characteristics than samples obtained from non-stabilised MNPs. A comparative study of the MNP cytotoxicity was carried out towards 4T1 and MDA-MB231 cell lines (MTT test), and the possibility of cell labelling was assessed. The cellular uptake was more efficient for nanoconjugates obtained without PMIDA. The data obtained can be used for the design of materials for cell labelling and visualisation.
Evaluation of Bonding Properties Between CFRP Laminate and Concrete Using Externally Bonded Reinforcement on Transverse Grooves (EBROTG) Method
Authors: Al-Abdwais Ahmed H. , Al-Tamimi Adil K.
Published: November 2024

The external bonding system using CFRP composite has been extensively utilized for strengthening different structures worldwide. However, premature debonding in this strengthening technique is a critical failure that leads to the fiber not reaching its ultimate capacity. In order to enhance the capacity of the externally bonded (EB) FRP and to slow the premature debonding failure mechanism, numerous anchoring techniques have been applied to improve the bonding capacity. The externally bonded reinforcement on grooves (EBROG) technology is one of the strategies that have been recently developed to delay the debonding issue. Although extensive studies have been conducted in the literature on the EBROG method, most of these studies have been focused on the bonding characteristics of grooves in the longitudinal direction, and few studies on the effect of different designs and configurations (e.g., width, height, and spacing) in the transverse groove direction have been conducted using only CFRP fabric. In the present study, an experimental investigation was carried out to study the bond behavior of the externally bonded reinforcement on transverse grooves (EBROTG) technique on CFRP-to-concrete joints involving different parameters, including groove width, depth, spaces between grooves, and strain evolution with the corresponding bond stress–slip relationships using CFRP laminate. Twenty-four concrete prisms, divided into eight groups of three specimens, were tested using a single-lap shear test set-up. The results of testing proved that the EBROTG method furnished a proper anchor system and highly enhanced the bonding force of the tests. The increasing range of bonding strength in the specimens reinforced with the transverse grooving method ranged from 11 to 86% compared to the externally bonded reinforcement (EBR), reflecting the effect of different widths, depths, and distances between grooves.
Effects of a Novel Three-Dimensional-Printed Wood–Polylactic Acid Interlayer on the Mode II Delamination of Composites
Authors: Salamat-Talab Mazaher , Kazemi Hossein , Akhavan-Safar Alireza , Malekinejad Hossein , Carbas Ricardo J. C. , da Silva Lucas F. M.
Published: November 2024

The interlayering method effectively enhances resistance against delamination in laminated composites. However, synthesis methods for interlayers have been limited and, at times, expensive. Consequently, this study investigates the effect of innovative 3D-printed wood–PLA interlayers on the mode II interlaminar fracture toughness (ILFT) of glass/epoxy composites. These interlayers feature a geometric structure comprising rhomboidal cell shapes, enabling the filament to maintain an equal volume percentage to the resin at the delamination interface. To this end, end-notch flexure (ENF) specimens were prepared, and the mode II ILFT was determined using the compliance-based beam method. The experimental results demonstrate a substantial increase in initiation load tolerance (≅32%) due to the 3D-printed interlayer. The R-curve analysis of the specimens with interlayers reveals significant enhancement in critical delamination parameters, including the length of the fracture process zone (≅23%), initiation ILFT (≅80%), and propagation ILFT (≅44%), compared to the samples without interlayers. The fracture surface analysis of the reinforced specimens with interlayers demonstrated that the interlayer positively impacts the delamination resistance of the ENF specimens. They create a larger resin-rich area and increase surface friction at the delamination interface. Also, this facilitates a crack front pinning mechanism and changes the direction of crack growth.
Deep Learning-Based Method for Detecting Traffic Flow Parameters Under Snowfall
Authors: Jian Cheng , Xie Tiancheng , Hu Xiaojian , Lu Jian
Published: November 2024

In recent years, advancements in computer vision have yielded new prospects for intelligent transportation applications, specifically in the realm of automated traffic flow data collection. Within this emerging trend, the ability to swiftly and accurately detect vehicles and extract traffic flow parameters from videos captured during snowfall conditions has become imperative for numerous future applications. This paper proposes a new analytical framework designed to extract traffic flow parameters from traffic flow videos recorded under snowfall conditions. The framework encompasses four distinct stages aimed at addressing the challenges posed by image degradation and the diminished accuracy of traffic flow parameter recognition caused by snowfall. The initial two stages propose a deep learning network for removing snow particles and snow streaks, resulting in an 8.6% enhancement in vehicle recognition accuracy after snow removal, specifically under moderate snow conditions. Additionally, the operation speed is significantly enhanced. Subsequently, the latter two stages encompass yolov5-based vehicle recognition and the employment of the virtual coil method for traffic flow parameter estimation. Following rigorous testing, the accuracy of traffic flow parameter estimation reaches 97.2% under moderate snow conditions.
Comparative Study on Hydrodynamic Characteristics of Under-Water Vehicles Near Free Surface and Near Ice Surface
Authors: Xu Pei , Chen Jixiang , Guo Yingchun , Luo Wanzhen
Published: November 2024

In this paper, the commercial computational fluid dynamics software STAR-CCM+ (18.04.008-R8) is utilized to analyze the hydrodynamic performance of BB2 underwater vehicles under various navigation conditions, as well as the flow field disturbances caused by the free surface and ice surface during navigation. After dividing the computational domains based on different navigation scenarios, numerical simulations are conducted for BB2 underwater vehicles (without a propeller) at infinite depth, near the free surface, and near the ice surface under various operating conditions. The analysis focuses on changes in resistance, velocity fields, and pressure fields of the BB2 at different velocities and navigation depths, followed by a comparison of the navigation differences of BB2 vehicles under varying operating conditions. Furthermore, to simulate realistic navigation conditions for underwater vehicles, numerical simulations are performed for BB2 underwater vehicles equipped with a propeller under different operating conditions. The results indicate that both the free surface and ice surface significantly influence the resistance, velocity field, and pressure field of the BB2. When the navigation depth exceeds 2D, the impact of ice on the vehicle can be nearly disregarded, and when the navigation depth exceeds 3D, the influence of the free surface on the vehicle can also be considered negligible.
Graphics Processing Unit-Accelerated Propeller Computational Fluid Dynamics Using AmgX: Performance Analysis Across Mesh Types and Hardware Configurations
Authors: Zhu Yue , Gan Jin , Lin Yongshui , Wu Weiguo
Published: November 2024

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has become increasingly prevalent in marine and offshore engineering, with enhancing simulation efficiency emerging as a critical challenge. This study systematically evaluates the application of graphics processing unit (GPU) acceleration technology in CFD simulation of propeller open water performance. Numerical simulations of the VP1304 propeller model were performed using OpenFOAM v2312 integrated with the NVIDIA AmgX library. The research compared GPU acceleration performance against conventional CPU methods across various hardware configurations and mesh types (tetrahedral, hexahedral-dominant, and polyhedral). Results demonstrate that GPU acceleration significantly improved computational efficiency, with tetrahedral meshes achieving over 400% speedup in a 4-GPU configuration, while polyhedral meshes reached over 500% speedup with a fixed mesh count. Among the mesh types, hexahedral-dominant meshes performed best in capturing flow field details. The study also found that GPU acceleration does not compromise simulation accuracy, but its effectiveness is closely related to mesh type and hardware configuration. Notably, GPUs demonstrate more significant advantages when handling large-scale problems. These findings have important practical implications for improving propeller design processes and shortening product development cycles.
The Effect of Ar and N2 Background Gas Pressure on H Isotope Detection and Separation by LIBS
Authors: Jõgi Indrek , Ristkok Jasper , Paris Peeter
Published: November 2024

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is one candidate for analyzing the fuel retention in ITER plasma-facing components during maintenance breaks when the reactor is filled with near atmospheric pressure nitrogen or dry air. It has been shown that using argon flow during LIBS measurements increases the LIBS signal at atmospheric pressure conditions and helps to distinguish the hydrogen isotopes. However, atmospheric pressure might be suboptimal for such LIBS measurements. The present study investigated the effect of argon or nitrogen gas at different pressures on the hydrogen Hα line emission intensity during the LIBS measurements. Laser pulses with an 8 ns width were used to ablate a small amount of a molybdenum (Mo) target with hydrogen impurity. The development of the formed plasma plume was investigated by time- and space-resolved emission spectra and photographs. Photographs showed that the plasma plume development was similar for both gases, while the total intensity of the plume was higher in argon. Space-resolved emission spectra also had stronger Hα line intensities in argon. Shorter delay times necessitated the use of lower pressures to have sufficiently narrow lines for the distinguishing of the hydrogen isotopes. At the same line widths, the line intensities were higher at lower gas pressures and in argon. Hα and Mo I line emissions were spatially separated, which suggests that the geometry of collection optics should be considered when using LIBS.
Screening Aspergillus flavus, Talaromyces purpureogenus, and Trichoderma koningiopsis for Plant-Growth-Promoting Traits: A Study on Phosphate Solubilization, IAA Production, and Siderophore Synthesis
Authors: Moropana Thabo J. , Jansen Van Rensburg Elbert Lukas , Makulana Livhuwani , Phasha Nkateko N.
Published: November 2024

The global rise in population has led to an increased demand for food production, necessitating the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. Traditional methods often rely on synthetic chemicals that negatively impact both human health and the environment. This study aimed to screen soil fungal strains for plant-growth-promoting traits, specifically focusing on their ability to solubilize phosphates, produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and synthesize siderophores. Fungal strains were identified using rDNA sequencing of the ITS regions, and their growth-promoting abilities were assessed in vitro. Aspergillus flavus JKJ7, Talaromyces purpureogenus JKJ12, and Trichoderma koningiopsis JKJ18 exhibited varying degrees of phosphate solubilization, with T. purpureogenus JKJ12 solubilizing the highest amount of tricalcium phosphate (TCP), while A. flavus JKJ7 was the most effective in solubilizing phytic acid calcium salt (PCS). In terms of IAA production, A. flavus JKJ7 produced the highest auxin concentration (68.51 mg/L), followed by T. koningiopsis JKJ18 and T. purpureogenus JKJ12. Additionally, A. flavus JKJ7 produced the highest amount of siderophores (83.7%), indicating its potential for improving iron uptake in plants. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed distinct functional capabilities among the strains, particularly in phosphate solubilization and IAA production, suggesting their complementary use in consortium formulations. These results indicate that these fungal strains possess significant plant-growth-promoting traits and could be used as bioinoculants for sustainable agriculture, either as single strains or in combination
Oxidative Stress in Mussel Mytilus trossulus Induced by Different-Sized Plastics
Authors: Dovzhenko Nadezhda Vladimirovna , Slobodskova Valentina Vladimirovna , Mazur Andrey Alexandrovich , Kukla Sergey Petrovich , Istomina Aleksandra Anatolyevna , Chelomin Victor Pavlovich , Beskhmelnov Dmitriy Denisovich
Published: November 2024

Polyethylene and polystyrene are massively used around the world in various applications and are the most abundant plastic waste. Once in the marine environment, under the influence of physical and chemical factors, plastic products degrade, changing from the size category of macroplastics to microplastics. In order to study the effect of plastic on marine organisms, we modeled the conditions of environmental pollution with different-sized plastic—polystyrene microparticles of 0.9 µm and macro-sized polyethylene fragments of 10 cm—and compared their effect on biochemical parameters in the tissues of the bivalve mollusk Mytilus trossulus. Using biomarkers, it was found that regardless of the size and type of polymer, polystyrene microparticles and polyethylene macrofragments induced the development of oxidative stress in mussels. A significant decrease in the level of lysosomal stability in mussel hemocytes was observed. Increases in the level of DNA damage and the concentration of malonic dialdehyde in the cells of gills and the digestive gland were also shown. The level of total antiradical activity in cells varied and had a tissue-specific character. It was shown that both ingested polystyrene particles and leachable chemical compounds from polyethylene are toxic for mussels.
Fitting the Seven-Parameter Generalized Tempered Stable Distribution to Financial Data
Authors: Nzokem Aubain , Maposa Daniel
Published: November 2024

This paper proposes and implements a methodology to fit a seven-parameter Generalized Tempered Stable (GTS) distribution to financial data. The nonexistence of the mathematical expression of the GTS probability density function makes maximum-likelihood estimation (MLE) inadequate for providing parameter estimations. Based on the function characteristic and the fractional Fourier transform (FRFT), we provide a comprehensive approach to circumvent the problem and yield a good parameter estimation of the GTS probability. The methodology was applied to fit two heavy-tailed data (Bitcoin and Ethereum returns) and two peaked data (S&P 500 and SPY ETF returns). For each historical data, the estimation results show that six-parameter estimations are statistically significant except for the local parameter, μ. The goodness of fit was assessed through Kolmogorov–Smirnov, Anderson–Darling, and Pearson’s chi-squared statistics. While the two-parameter geometric Brownian motion (GBM) hypothesis is always rejected, the GTS distribution fits significantly with a very high p-value and outperforms the Kobol, Carr–Geman–Madan–Yor, and bilateral Gamma distributions.
Anderson–Fabry Disease: Focus on Ophthalmological Implications
Authors: Giovannetti Francesca , D’Andrea Mattia , Bracci Federico , Frustaci Andrea , Chimenti Cristina , Mangiantini Pietro , Lambiase Alessandro , Marenco Marco
Published: November 2024

Fabry disease (FD) is a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disorder with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, including severe complications, such as end-stage renal disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and cerebrovascular disease. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), when initiated early, has been shown to reduce the incidence of severe events and slow disease progression. In the classic form, characterized by the absence of α-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) enzyme activity, diagnosis is straightforward. However, when residual activity is present, the delayed and less obvious presentation can make diagnosis more challenging. Ophthalmological alterations, which can be detected through non-invasive examinations may play a crucial role in correctly assessing the patient in terms of diagnosis and prognosis, particularly in these atypical cases. Recognizing these ocular signs allows for timely intervention with ERT, leading to improved patient outcomes. This review highlights the importance of ophthalmological findings in FD, emphasizing their role in diagnosis and treatment planning. By raising awareness among ophthalmologists and healthcare specialists, this review aims to improve disease management, offering tools for early detection and better long-term prognosis in patients with FD.
A Mini Review of Advances in Porous Materials Designing for Hydrogen Isotope Separation
Authors: Zhu Huafeng , Xu Liangbo , Li Jia , He Duanwei , Wang Jingchuan
Published: November 2024

The separation of mixtures of hydrogen isotopes is one of the greatest challenges of modern separation technology. A newly proposed separation mechanism, the quantum sieving (QS) effect, is expected to achieve high separation factors, the main desired properties for hydrogen isotope separation (HIS). Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and zeolites are excellent candidates to study these quantum effects because of their well-defined and tunable pore structure and the potential to introduce strong adsorption sites directly into the framework structure. This paper briefly discusses the fundamentals of QS of hydrogen isotopes in nanoporous materials, mainly including kinetic quantum sieving (KQS) and chemical affinity quantum sieving (CAQS). Recent experimental advances in the separation of hydrogen isotopes from MOFs and zeolites are highlighted.
Green Synthesis of CuO Nanoparticles—Structural, Morphological, and Dielectric Characterization
Authors: Neiva Joana , Benzarti Zohra , Carvalho Sandra , Devesa Susana
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the structural, chemical, and morphological properties of CuO nanoparticles synthesized via a green synthesis route using Opuntia ficus-indica cladode extract, with a focus on the effects of stepwise versus direct calcination. Raman spectroscopy revealed the presence of CuO, Na2CO3, and Na2SO3, with the latter two being associated with elements inherited from the cactus extracts. XRD patterns confirmed the presence of crystalline CuO and Na2CO3 phases, with the low content of Na2SO3 inferred to be amorphous. Rietveld refinement estimated a CuO content of approximately 77% in the stepwise-calcined sample and 75% in the directly calcined sample, with lattice parameters closely aligning with reference values. SEM micrographs revealed a tendency for CuO nanoparticles to aggregate, likely due to high surface energy and interaction with the viscous plant extract used in the green synthesis. Crystallite size estimates, along with morphological observations, suggest that stepwise calcination enhances crystallinity and particle definition without altering the fundamental nanoparticle morphology. These findings highlight the influence of calcination method and natural extracts on the composition and morphology of green-synthesized CuO nanoparticles, offering insights into potential applications, namely in microelectronics, due to their promising dielectric properties.
Magnetic Field Effect on the Electric and Dielectric Properties of the Linear Magnetoelectric Compound Co4Nb2O9
Authors: Apostolova Iliana N. , Apostolov Angel T. , Wesselinowa Julia M.
Published: November 2024

Using Green’s function theory and a microscopic model, the multiferroic properties of Co4Nb2O9 are investigated theoretically. There are some discrepancies in the discussion of the electric and dielectric behavior of CNO with and without external magnetic fields. We try to clarify them. It is observed that the polarization and the dielectric constant do not show a peak at the antiferromagnetic phase transition temperature TN without an external magnetic field h. But applying h, there appears a peak around the Neel temperature TN, which increases with increasing h and then shifts to lower temperatures. The magneto-dielectric coefficient MD(T,h) is also calculated. Moreover, the magnetization rises with an increasing external electric field below the Neel temperature. This shows strong magnetoelectric coupling in Co4Nb2O9. The obtained results are compared with the existing experimental data. There is a good qualitative agreement.
The Effects of Waterborne Polyurethane-Modified Cement on the Mechanical Characterization of Grouting Concretion Stone
Authors: Zhang Jingyu , Chen Sili , Duan Xinchao , Meng Jinzhu , Wang Junxiang
Published: November 2024

To improve the safety and stability of tunnel structures, developing grouting materials suitable for cold regions with excellent performance is crucial. Herein, waterborne polyurethane (WPU) was used to modify cement grouting materials. Through orthogonal testing analysis, the optimal mixing ratio of the modified cement grouting materials was determined to be as follows: a water–cement ratio of 0.5, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) content of 0.05%, WPU content of 5%, water-reducing agent (WRA) content of 0.2%. Furthermore, the dynamic mechanical properties of grouting concretion stones were studied. The influence of various external parameters on the compressive strength of the grouting concretion stones cured for different ages was evaluated. The influence degree of stone particle size on the dynamic compressive strength of the grouting stone body was d5–10 mm > d5–20 mm > d5–30 mm. The split Hopkinson pressure bar experiment was performed to show that for the same strain rate, the absorbed energy and energy utilization rate first increase and then decrease with increasing stone particle size. When the stone particle size was 5–20 mm, the absorption energy and energy utilization rate of the grouting stone body were the highest.
Regulation of TS-1 Zeolite with Small Particle Size by Colloidal Silicon Seed-Induced Synthesis and Application in Oxidative Desulfurization
Authors: Ren Tieqiang , Sun Yue , Wang Yujia , Wang Lulu , Yu Qian , Liang Lisheng , Kong Xianming , Wang Haiyan
Published: November 2024

The dosages of colloidal silicon seeds in the seed-induced synthesis of TS-1 zeolites were investigated in detail. The characterization results revealed that the colloidal silicon seeds not only reduced the particle sizes but also promoted the incorporation of titanium atoms into the framework of TS-1 zeolites as prepared. SEM images and particle size distribution (PSD) confirmed that the particle sizes of TS-1 zeolite could be effectively reduced to about 150 nm. The lattice plane [2 1 0] and [0 2 0] of 7.0-Seed-TS-1 zeolite were well exposed, as observed by the HRTEM images. It is worth noting that the ratio of non-framework Ti atoms incorporated onto the surface of TS-1 zeolites increased slightly to 0.11% by XPS. By regulating the dosage of colloidal Si seeds and promoting rapid nucleation, the size of the crystals could be easily tuned, and then the resulting high external specific surface area and pore volume ensured the reactant accessibility to the active site. The TS-1 zeolites regulated by the 5.0~7.0% dosages of colloidal silicon seeds possessed high external specific surface areas (148.1 m2/g and 130.9 m2/g) and small particle sizes (about 150 nm). The oxidative desulfurization of 500 ppm DBT by 7.0-Seed-TS-1 zeolite could reach to 100%.
Synthetic, Natural and Natural-Synthetic Hybrid Magnetic Structures: Technology and Application
Authors: Gareev Kamil G.
Published: November 2024

The magnetic properties of various types of structures based on iron oxides and the other ferri- or ferromagnets strongly correlate with their origin [...]