bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thrust Prediction of Aircraft Engine Enabled by Fusing Domain Knowledge and Neural Network Model
Authors: Lin Zhifu , Xiao Hong , Zhang Xiaobo , Wang Zhanxue
Published: May 2023

Accurate prediction of aircraft engine thrust is crucial for engine health management (EHM), which seeks to improve the safety and reliability of aircraft propulsion. Thrust prediction is implemented using an on-board adaptive model for EHM. However, the conventional methods for building such a model are often tedious or overly data-dependent. To improve the accuracy of thrust prediction, domain knowledge can be leveraged. Hence, this study presents a strategy for building an on-board adaptive model that can predict aircraft engine thrust in real-time. The strategy combines engine knowledge and neural network architecture to construct a prediction model. The whole-model architecture is divided into separate modules that are mapped in a one-to-one form using a domain decomposition approach. The engine domain knowledge is used to guide feature selection and the neural network architecture design in the method. Furthermore, this study explains the relationships between aircraft engine features and how the model can predict engine thrust in flight condition. To demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the architecture, four different testing datasets were used for validation. The results show that the thrust prediction model created by the given architecture has maximum relative deviations below 4.0% and average relative deviations below 2.0% on all testing datasets. In comparison to the performance of the models created by conventional neural network architecture on the four testing datasets, the model created by the presented architecture proves more suitable for aircraft propulsion.
N-Nitrosamine Impurities in Ethalfluralin: Determination of an Overlooked Deleterious Source in Pesticides
Authors: Balayiannis George P. , Karasali Helen
Published: May 2023

N-nitrosamines are a class of carcinogenic chemical compound. Considering the large-scale application of agrochemicals globally, the elimination of N-nitrosamines from pesticides should be a priority for manufacturers and regulators. A set of methods was developed and validated for the determination of the toxicologically relevant N-nitrosamine impurity of ethalfluralin (ethyl-N-(2-methylallyl) N-nitroso amine—EMANA) in 33% w v−1 emulsifiable concentrate (EC) formulations. Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) was compared with the “dilute and shoot” approach. Gas chromatography (GC) was combined with Flame Ionization Detection (FID) and mass spectrometry (MS). For MS, two mass filtering modes (Selective Ion Monitoring—SIM, tandem mass spectrometry—MS/MS) and two ionization modes (Electron Ionization—EI, Positive chemical ionization—PCI) were applied. It was concluded that, in the case of samples with high nitrosamine concentration (>90 μg g−1), the “dilute and shoot” approach can be applied without compromising the quality of the results. SPE, however, is required to attain the LOQ (0.33 μg g−1) with good recovery (97.4–110.67%), linearity (R > 0.99) and precision (%RSD 0.68–1.74). The LOQ supersedes the limit set by EFSA (1 μg g−1) in the Technical Active Substance—TAS. The concentration range of the methods is 0.05–110 μg g−1. The methods were applied for the official surveillance program of the Greek agrochemicals market.
Chili Pepper Farmers’ Pesticide Use and Residues under Thailand’s Public Good Agricultural Practices Standard: A Case Study in Chiang Mai Province
Authors: Amekawa Yuichiro , Hongsibsong Surat , Sawarng Nootchakarn , Gebre Girma Gezimu
Published: May 2023

This multi-level study focuses on Thailand’s public good agricultural practices certification standard (Q-GAP) and compares the performance of 100 certified and 229 uncertified growers regarding their pesticide use practices and the levels of pesticide residues detected in on-farm samples. Chili pepper, a crop primarily marketed domestically, was the focal point of this study conducted in the production context of Chiang Mai province. The data for the study were collected through field interview surveys and chili pepper sample collections. The collected crop samples underwent organophosphate pesticide and synthetic pyrethroid analyses using gas chromatography. Statistical analysis techniques, including one-way ANOVA, chi-square tests, probit regression, and multiple linear regression, were employed to analyze the numerical data using the Stata software. The study’s findings revealed several key points. The certified farmers’ main motivation for adopting Q-GAP was to meet market requirements, rather than ensuring safety assurance. They exhibited a significantly lower adoption of insecticides compared to the uncertified farmers, but no significant differences were observed for fungicide or herbicide adoption. The analysis of the pesticide residue results yielded mixed findings, making it challenging to conclude whether certified farmers have better control over pesticide residues compared to uncertified farmers. A probit regression analysis highlighted the critical importance of training for growers’ adoption of the standard.
Ivy Geranium (Pelargonium peltatum (L.) L’Hér.) Plant Growth and Flowering as Affected by Mineral or Biofertilizer with or without Compost Amendment
Authors: Altobaishi Sultan F. , Almana Fahed A. , Abd-ElGawad Ahmed M. , Al-Yafrsi Mohammed A. , Elhindi Khalid M.
Published: May 2023

Sustainable agriculture aims to eliminate the excessive usage of chemical fertilizers and can be crucial for soil fertility. A factorial pot experiment in a randomized complete block design was carried out in King Khaled International Airport Nursery, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during 2019/2020, to evaluate the role of a biofertilizer (i.e., Bio-Fert, nitrogen-fixing microorganisms; Biot-Phos, phosphorus-released microorganism; and Bio-Potas, potassium-released microorganisms, either alone or in combinations) and slow-release compound chemical fertilizer (Osmocote), with or without compost, on Pelargonium peltatum plant growth, flowering, chlorophyll level, and ion percentage. Soil amendment with compost in general significantly increased plant growth and flowering attributes as well as chlorophyll level, nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K) percentage over garden soil (without compost). All growth and flowering traits as well as ion percentage and chlorophyll level were significantly increased by biofertilizer treatments either alone or in combinations. The supreme treatment was the triple interaction over single or double interactions or untreated plants. Osmocote application increases chlorophyll levels, ions, flowering, and vegetative growth relative to untreated plants. Additionally, the data also revealed that all interactions between either osmocote or biofertilizers with compost significantly increased all studied attributes over each treatment alone or untreated control plants. Accordingly, it is recommended to add compost to the soil along with a triple mixture of biofertilizers for obtaining high plant growth and flowering attributes along with soil fertility.
Eco-Efficiency and Its Determinants: The Case of the Italian Beef Cattle Sector
Authors: Cecchini Lucio , Romagnoli Francesco , Chiorri Massimo , Torquati Biancamaria
Published: May 2023

In recent years, eco-efficiency assessment has proven to be an effective tool to reduce the environmental damages of agricultural activities while preserving their economic sustainability. Hence, this paper aims to assess the eco-efficiency of a sample of 148 beef cattle farms operating in the extensive livestock system of Central Italy. The analysis is based on Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) economic data in the year 2020 and includes, as environmental pressures, farm expenditure for the use of fuels, electricity and heating, and fertilizers. A two-stage approach was implemented: in the first stage, an input-oriented DEA model including slack variables was used to quantify farm eco-efficiency scores and determine the polluting inputs’ abatement potentials. In the second stage, the influence of possible influencing factors on eco-efficiency scores was tested using a regression model for truncated data. The analyzed farms were found to be highly eco-inefficient, as they could abate their environmental pressures, on average, in a range from 56% to 60% while keeping the value of their global production constant. Fertilizers and fuel consumption were identified as the least efficiently operating inputs, with potential reductions in terms of the related expenditures fluctuating between 9% and 42%. Farms showing a high-intensity livestock system, a low labor intensity, and a larger farm area were recognized as the most eco-efficient. Environmental and animal welfare subsidies were found to not affect eco-efficiency, while a negative influence was estimated for a single farm payment, which does not seem to be an incentive mechanism for farms to operate efficiently.
Evaluation of Population and Hybrid Varieties of Winter Rye in the Conditions of Eastern Siberia
Authors: Pomortsev Anatolii V. , Dorofeev Nikolay V. , Zorina Svetlana Yu. , Katysheva Natalia B. , Sokolova Lada G. , Zhuravkova Anna S. , Mikhailova Elena V.
Published: May 2023

Winter rye has a high adaptive capacity to abiotic and biotic stressors compared to other winter crops (wheat, triticale, barley, and oats). High resistance of winter rye to adverse environmental factors and a wide range of its uses increase interest in this crop. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the adaptive capacity of population and hybrid varieties of winter rye and to identify varieties suitable for the soil and climate conditions of Eastern Siberia. A number of winter rye varieties of various geographical origins were tested during three field seasons. In all the field seasons, the population varieties (Tagna, Mininskaya, and Chulpan) were the most productive and most resistant to adverse environmental factors compared to the hybrid wheat (KWS Aviator, KWS Prommo, and KWS Ravo). Statistically significant (p < 0.001 in 2019/2020 and p < 0.001 in 2021/2022) differences in field survival and yield between the population and hybrid varieties were noted.
Resistance to Anthracnose Rot Disease in Capsicum
Authors: Cui Lei , van den Munckhof Michiel C. , Bai Yuling , Voorrips Roeland E.
Published: May 2023

Pepper (Capsicum spp.) is an important vegetable crop worldwide with high economic and nutritional value. The Capsicum genus comprises more than 30 species, of which C. annuum, C. chinense, C. baccatum, C. frutescens, and C. pubescens are the five domesticated ones. Anthracnose fruit rot, caused by Colletotrichum spp., is one of the most destructive fungal diseases of pepper. In this review, we compiled up-to-date information from 40 publications on anthracnose resistance in Capsicum species. In total, 375 accessions were described as showing different levels of resistance against Colletotrichum spp. These accessions belonged to different species, including C. annuum (160), C. baccatum (86), C. chacoense (4), C. chinense (90), and C. frutescens (16), as well as 19 accessions of which the species were not reported. High levels of resistance were mainly present in C. baccatum and C. chinense. For some of the resistant accessions, resistance genes or quantitative trait loci (QTL) were reported. Using associated molecular markers, we located 31 QTLs and 17 resistance-related genes in the recently published Capsicum genomes, including C. annuum CM334 version 1.6, C. chinense version 1.2, and C. baccatum version 1.2. Our results could be helpful for making use of some reported accessions in the breeding of pepper cultivars with resistance to anthracnose rot disease.
Relationship between Phenotypes and Chemical Profiling of Boesenbergia rotunda Collected from Different Habitats of Northern Thailand
Authors: Thomya Sureerat , Wongkaew Malaiporn , Bundithya Weenun , Lumsangkul Chompunut , Jantrawut Pensak , Sommano Sarana Rose
Published: May 2023

Fingerroot [Boesenbergia rotunda (Linn.) Mansf] is known to consist of compounds such as panduratin A and pinostrobin with inhibitory property against SARS-CoV-2 infection at both the pre-entry and post-infection phases. Consequently, demand for good phenotype selection has increased in the post-pandemic era. However, the availability of important active ingredients may be influenced by genetic variables and agronomic aspects. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between characteristics and genotype, and to preliminarily compare the phytochemical profiles of the landraces collected in Northern Thailand. Five local landraces and two wild types were gathered for ex situ collection for morphological assessments, genetic evaluation, and bioactive ingredients (mainly antioxidative potentials and amounts of the active flavonoids). The morphological data were able to distinguish the plant samples to those of wild, cultivated, and adaptive types, which was confirmed by their distinctive genetic variations. However, there was no correlation between the physical attributes and the amount of their bioactive constituents. It was also observed that the adaptation of plants to environmental conditions had a pronounced impact on secondary metabolite biosynthesis, and that such adaptations were likely influenced by genetic differentiation. The findings from this study could potentially be used to improve the cultivation, selection, and breeding of this plant species for desired traits such as increased bioactive compound content, or for conservation and restoration efforts of the landraces and wild types.
Bioponics—An Organic Closed-Loop Soilless Cultivation System: Yields and Characteristics Compared to Hydroponics and Soil Cultivation
Authors: Gartmann Florentina , Hügly Julian , Krähenbühl Nikita , Brinkmann Nadine , Schmautz Zala , Smits Theo H. M. , Junge Ranka
Published: May 2023

Sustainable food production has become increasingly important. Soilless cultivation systems offer several advantages, such as water and nutrient use efficiency, and can be implemented where traditional agriculture is impossible. Bioponic systems use locally or regionally available nutrient sources from organic waste streams (either fluid or solid) and can thus contribute to closing nutrient cycles locally. Bioponics harnesses the metabolic processes of microorganisms which release nutrients from organic matter. This study aimed to set up a bioponic system, by using biogas digestate concentrate and biochar as nutrient sources, and promoting nutrient release from the organic sources by including a biofilter in the system. The development of water quality, plant growth, and quality was monitored extensively. In addition, the influence of either the fungal biocontrol agent Trichoderma atrobrunneum or UV-C treatment of the nutrient solution on plant health and growth was investigated. Three cultivation cycles with Lactuca sativa (“HAWKING” Salanova®) in bioponic (BP), hydroponic (HP), and soil (SO) cultivation were performed. The study showed that healthy lettuces could be produced in BP systems, using a biogas digestate concentrate and biochar as nutrient sources, despite salt accumulation in the nutrient solution. In plant sap analyses, lettuces cultivated in BP systems contained less nitrate but more ammonium and chloride. The yield of the lettuces grown in the BP systems was intermediate, compared to the HP and the SO. The fungus, T. atrobrunneum, strain, T720, survived in soil and soilless cultivation systems. Compared to the HP and the SO systems, the shoot height of lettuces grown in the BP system, with the application of Trichoderma, was significantly increased. In SO systems with Trichoderma application, a significantly higher chlorophyll and flavonoid content, but significantly lower shoot height was observed. The fresh weight of lettuce roots was significantly higher in HP systems with Trichoderma treatment. Cultivating plants by using organic waste streams requires commitment and experience from producers. In BP systems, a biofilter (either within the system or externally, to increase nutrient levels) can help to rapidly convert the ammonium-rich fertilizer to plant-available nutrients. Unlike conventional HP systems, in BP systems, nutrients are released slowly over time, requiring close monitoring and adjustments. In conclusion, healthy lettuces for human consumption can be produced in BP systems, and the application of the biocontrol agent used has some beneficial influence on plant growth.
Machine-Learning-Based Prediction Modelling in Primary Care: State-of-the-Art Review
Authors: El-Sherbini Adham H. , Hassan Virk Hafeez Ul , Wang Zhen , Glicksberg Benjamin S. , Krittanawong Chayakrit
Published: May 2023

Primary care has the potential to be transformed by artificial intelligence (AI) and, in particular, machine learning (ML). This review summarizes the potential of ML and its subsets in influencing two domains of primary care: pre-operative care and screening. ML can be utilized in preoperative treatment to forecast postoperative results and assist physicians in selecting surgical interventions. Clinicians can modify their strategy to reduce risk and enhance outcomes using ML algorithms to examine patient data and discover factors that increase the risk of worsened health outcomes. ML can also enhance the precision and effectiveness of screening tests. Healthcare professionals can identify diseases at an early and curable stage by using ML models to examine medical pictures, diagnostic modalities, and spot patterns that may suggest disease or anomalies. Before the onset of symptoms, ML can be used to identify people at an increased risk of developing specific disorders or diseases. ML algorithms can assess patient data such as medical history, genetics, and lifestyle factors to identify those at higher risk. This enables targeted interventions such as lifestyle adjustments or early screening. In general, using ML in primary care offers the potential to enhance patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and boost productivity.
Identifying and Prioritising Behaviours to Slow Antimicrobial Resistance
Authors: Tull Fraser , Bamert Rebecca S. , Smith Liam , Goodwin Denise , Lambert Karen
Published: May 2023

As a nation with relatively low levels of AMR, due to both community and agricultural stewardship, as well as geographical isolation, Australia is somewhat unique. As this advantage is being eroded, this project aimed to investigate the spectrum of human behaviours that could be modified in order to slow the spread of AMR, building upon the argument that doable actions are the best-targeted and least complex to change. We conducted a workshop with a panel of diverse interdisciplinary AMR experts (from sociology, microbiology, agriculture, veterinary medicine, health and government) and identified twelve behaviours that, if undertaken by the public, would slow the spread of AMR. These were then assessed by a representative sample of the public (285 Australians) for current participation, likelihood of future participation (likelihood) and perceived benefits that could occur if undertaken (perceived impact). An impact-likelihood matrix was used to identify four priority behaviours: do not pressure your doctor for antibiotics; contact council to find out where you can safely dispose of cleaning products with antimicrobial marketing; lobby supermarkets to only sell antibiotic free meat products; and return unused antibiotics to a pharmacy. Among a multitude of behavioural options, this study also highlights the importance of tailoring doable actions to local conditions, increasing community education, and emphasizing the lack of a one-size fits all approach to tackling this global threat.
The Role of Natural Antioxidant Products That Optimize Redox Status in the Prevention and Management of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Tuell Dawn S. , Los Evan A. , Ford George A. , Stone William L.
Published: May 2023

The worldwide prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and prediabetes is rapidly increasing, particularly in children, adolescents, and young adults. Oxidative stress (OxS) has emerged as a likely initiating factor in T2D. Natural antioxidant products may act to slow or prevent T2D by multiple mechanisms, i.e., (1) reducing mitochondrial oxidative stress, (2) preventing the damaging effects of lipid peroxidation, and (3) acting as essential cofactors for antioxidant enzymes. Natural antioxidant products should also be evaluated in the context of the complex physiological processes that modulate T2D-OxS such as glycemic control, postprandial OxS, the polyol pathway, high-calorie, high-fat diets, exercise, and sleep. Minimizing processes that induce chronic damaging OxS and maximizing the intake of natural antioxidant products may provide a means of preventing or slowing T2D progression. This “optimal redox” (OptRedox) approach also provides a framework in which to discuss the potential benefits of natural antioxidant products such as vitamin E, vitamin C, beta-carotene, selenium, and manganese. Although there is a consensus that early effective intervention is critical for preventing or reversing T2D progression, most research has focused on adults. It is critical, therefore, that future research include pediatric populations.
Optimization Method of Square Hole Measurement Based on Generalized Point Photogrammetry
Authors: Zhao Chengli , Fan Chenyang , Zhao Zhangyan
Published: May 2023

The theory of generalized point photogrammetry extends the traditional point-based photogrammetry to line-based photogrammetry, expanding the application scope of photogrammetry in engineering. In order to solve the problem of accurate positioning between the square rod and the square hole in the current project, the position of the square hole should be accurately measured first. For this purpose, an optimization method of square hole measurement based on generalized point photogrammetry is proposed. This method first uses the traditional photogrammetric method to calculate the initial coordinates of the four points of the square hole and extract the four line segments on the image. The error equation based on generalized photogrammetry is constructed by the constraint conditions between the four spatial points, and the iterative calculation is carried out until the error is less than the threshold or the iteration number is reached. The reliability of the method is verified by numerical simulation experiments and engineering experiments. The experimental results show that the method can effectively improve the measurement accuracy and can rapidly converge. The method has high engineering application value.
Detecting Fake Reviews in Google Maps—A Case Study
Authors: Gryka Paweł , Janicki Artur
Published: May 2023

Many customers rely on online reviews to make an informed decision about purchasing products and services. Unfortunately, fake reviews, which can mislead customers, are increasingly common. Therefore, there is a growing need for effective methods of detection. In this article, we present a case study showing research aimed at recognizing fake reviews in Google Maps places in Poland. First, we describe a method of construction and validation of a dataset, named GMR–PL (Google Maps Reviews—Polish), containing a selection of 18 thousand fake and genuine reviews in Polish. Next, we show how we used this dataset to train machine learning models to detect fake reviews and the accounts that published them. We also propose a novel metric for measuring the typicality of an account name and a metric for measuring the geographical dispersion of reviewed places. Initial recognition results were promising: we achieved an F1 score of 0.92 and 0.74 when detecting fake accounts and reviews, respectively. We believe that our experience will help in creating real-life review datasets for other languages and, in turn, will help in research aimed at the detection of fake reviews on the Internet.
Calculation Method of Loose Pressure in Surrounding Rock Mass
Authors: Gao Hongjie , Ma Weibin , Zou Wenhao , Zhang Jinlong , Li Xinyu , Han Jiaqiang
Published: May 2023

With the implementation of the regional coordinated development strategy, traffic flow has grown explosively. The construction of a larger tunnel section becomes an effective way to solve the highway network’s insufficient transport capability problem. Currently, there is little research on the factors influencing and methods of calculating the loose pressure in the surrounding rock mass for highway tunnels with super-large cross-sections. Based on the Bifurcation Tunnel, which is one of the sign projects in the past five years, this paper discusses the influencing factors for the range of loose zone in deeply buried tunnels using a combination of a numerical analysis and an orthogonal test. The weight of influencing factors is calculated via an efficiency evaluation method. This paper establishes a limit analysis model of the loose pressure in the surrounding rock mass under a non-linear failure criterion based on the fitted boundary function and upper bound limit analysis method and deduces the correlations of the loose pressure. The distribution law of the loose pressure, obtained via the limit analysis method, is consistent with the pressure-monitoring results, verifying the correctness of the proposed calculation method. This study can provide a calculation basis for the design of a supporting structure and the selection of similar super-section tunnel projects.
Exploring the Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, and Antimicrobial Capacity of Phenolics from Blueberries and Sweet Cherries
Authors: Gonçalves Ana C. , Nunes Ana R. , Meirinho Sara , Ayuso-Calles Miguel , Roca-Couso Rocío , Rivas Raúl , Falcão Amílcar , Alves Gilberto , Silva Luís R. , Flores-Félix José David
Published: May 2023

(1) Background: Nowadays, special attention has been paid to red and purple fruits, including blueberries and sweet cherries, since they are highly attractive to consumers due to their organoleptic properties, standing out due to their vibrant red and purple colours and sweet flavour, and nutritional value. (2) Methods: The present study evaluated the phenolic profile of phenolic-enriched extracts from blueberries and sweet cherries and explored their antioxidant potential against DPPH, superoxide and nitric oxide radicals, and ferric species, and their potential to inhibit the α-glucosidase enzyme. Furthermore, their antimicrobial activity was also determined by microdilution method against four Gram-positive strains (Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778, Listeria monocytogenes LMG 16779, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923) and five Gram-negative strains (Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica ATCC 13311 serovar Typhimurium, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 13883, Proteus mirabilis CECT 170, Serratia marcescens CECT 159, and Acinetobacter baumannii LMG 1025). (3) Results: By chromatographic techniques, eight anthocyanins were detected in blueberry coloured fraction and total extract, and five anthocyanins were detected in sweet cherry total extract and coloured fraction, while quercetin aglycone and chlorogenic acids were the dominant non-coloured compounds in blueberries and sweet cherries, respectively. All extracts demonstrated significant antioxidant properties, as well as the ability to inhibit the activity of α-glucosidase enzyme and the development of various microorganisms. (4) Conclusion: The obtained data evidence the promising biological potential of blueberries and sweet cherries, being highly correlated with the presence of phenolic compounds.
Comprehensive Method for Obtaining Multi-Fidelity Surrogate Models for Design Space Approximation: Application to Multi-Dimensional Simulations of Condensation Due to Mixing Streams
Authors: Galindo José , Navarro Roberto , Moya Francisco , Conchado Andrea
Published: May 2023

In engineering problems, design space approximation using accurate computational models may require conducting a simulation for each explored working point, which is often not feasible in computational terms. For problems with numerous parameters and computationally demanding simulations, the possibility of resorting to multi-fidelity surrogates arises as a means to alleviate the effort by employing a reduced number of high-fidelity and expensive simulations and predicting a much cheaper low-fidelity model. A multi-fidelity approach for design space approximation is therefore proposed, requiring two different designs of experiments to assess the best combination of surrogate models and an intermediate meta-modeled variable. The strategy is applied to the prediction of condensation that occurs when two humid air streams are mixed in a three-way junction, which occurs when using low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation to reduce piston engine emissions. In this particular case, most of the assessed combinations of surrogate and intermediate variables provide a good agreement between observed and predicted values, resulting in the lowest normalized mean absolute error (3.4%) by constructing a polynomial response surface using a multi-fidelity additive scaling variable that calculates the difference between the low-fidelity and high-fidelity predictions of the condensation mass flow rate.
Preservation of Food Sugar Beet via the Control of Rhizoctonia solani AG 2-2IIIB by Extreme Factors
Authors: Hovorukha Vira , Tashyrev Oleksandr , Kalinichenko Antonina , Moliszewska Ewa
Published: May 2023

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is a valuable sugar-providing crop accounting for around 25% of global white sugar production. It is an integral part of the food industry. Several factors cause a decrease in the yield of this food crop. The infection of phytopathogenic fungi is one of the most hazardous. Though several methods to control Rhizoctonia solani have been developed, the problem is still not solved. Thus, the goal of this work was to investigate the effect of abiotic factors (pH, Eh, presence or absence of O2) and biotic ones (microbial community) on the fungal pathogen R. solani AG 2-2IIIB for its control and sugar beet protection. Microbiological methods were used to conduct the research. Thermodynamic calculations were applied to determine the conditions necessary for suppression of R. solani AG 2-2IIIB. As a result, a comparison of the effect of abiotic and biotic mediated factors on the efficiency of the growth of Rhizoctonia solani AG 2-2IIIB was carried out. Obtained data showed the following: mainly the abiotic factors provided via chemical buffers or removal of oxygen caused the inhibition of R. solani; the values of 5.5 ≤ pH ≤ 8.5, Eh ≤ −200 mV, and oxygen absence inhibited its growth. The maintenance of these factors via microbial communities enhanced the suppressive effect, bringing about the death of mycelium. The study of microbial strains revealed the inhibitory effect of microbial metabolites and provided more effective control of Rhizoctonia solani AG 2-2IIIB.
Plasma Surface Modification of PDMS-Glass Microfluidic Chips for Oil Recovery Studies
Authors: Yakimov Anton S. , Pryazhnikov Andrey I. , Pryazhnikov Maxim I. , Skorobogatova Angelica D. , Minakov Andrey V.
Published: May 2023

Wetting hysteresis is the most important characteristic of microfluidic chips for modeling multiphase flows in rocks, including for oil production problems. Plasma modification of surface wetting characteristics is well studied, but there is a problem of stabilizing the resulting surface for use in a liquid hydrocarbon media. In this work, a simple and accessible technology for modifying the surface of PDMS and glass using a dielectric barrier discharge in a chamber based on the d’Arsonval apparatus has been developed. The surface wetting hysteresis for PDMS and glass was studied as a function of the plasma treatment time. It is shown that with the help of plasma treatment it is possible to change the wetting angles of the walls of microfluidic chips in a very wide range, thereby simulating the conditions of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic rocks. At the same time, PDMS has the widest possible range of changes in the wetting angle; the advancing contact angle decreases from 120° to 10°; receding contact angle—from 70° to 0° during plasma treatment. It has been shown that plasma treatment of a microfluidic chip, together with a 30 min primary extraction with oil and salt water, leads to a significant change in the wetting characteristics of its surface. This in total leads to an increase in the oil displacement efficiency from the chip by about 10%. In general, the results of the study showed that plasma surface treatment for the hydrophilization of microfluidic chips is a simple and affordable technology for controlling the wetting characteristics of microfluidic chips. PDMS in this case is a promising material.
Advanced Prediction for Cyclic Bending Behavior of RC Columns Based on the Idealization of Reinforcement of Bond Properties
Authors: Shao Peilun , Watanabe Gakuho , Tita Elfrido Elias
Published: May 2023

The bonding characteristics between steel bars and concrete in reinforced concrete (RC) structures are crucial for the prediction of load-bearing capacity for seismic design. Nevertheless, most previous studies on bond-slip performance focus on the bond strength based on the pull-out experiments, it is often overlooked that the effect on the failure modes of RC members and the deformation performance due to the bond characteristics. In this research, the effect of the diameter and its arrangement of the reinforcement of the RC column on the bond failure mode and load-bearing capacity based on the cyclic loading tests and the FE analysis are carried out. In the cyclic loading test, it was found that two RC columns with different diameters and reinforcement arrangements showed distinct load-bearing capacity, deformation performance, and failure mode. Despite those columns having the same longitudinal reinforcement ratios. In addition, by applying an advanced finite element analysis using a bond-slip model that induces splitting failure, we succeeded in reproducing the cyclic deformation behavior and local damage obtained in experiments with high accuracy. The proposed model brings in the advanced prediction of the seismic behavior of RC structures and the enhancement of seismic resistance of social infrastructure facilities to earthquake disasters.
Manifolds-Based Low-Rank Dictionary Pair Learning for Efficient Set-Based Video Recognition
Authors: Gao Xizhan , Wei Kang , Li Jia , Shi Ziyu , Zhao Hui , Niu Sijie
Published: May 2023

As an important research direction in image and video processing, set-based video recognition requires speed and accuracy. However, the existing static modeling methods focus on computational speed but ignore accuracy, whereas the dynamic modeling methods are higher-accuracy but ignore the computational speed. Combining these two types of methods to obtain fast and accurate recognition results remains a challenging problem. Motivated by this, in this study, a novel Manifolds-based Low-Rank Dictionary Pair Learning (MbLRDPL) method was developed for a set-based video recognition/image set classification task. Specifically, each video or image set was first modeled as a covariance matrix or linear subspace, which can be seen as a point on a Riemannian manifold. Second, the proposed MbLRDPL learned discriminative class-specific synthesis and analysis dictionaries by clearly imposing the nuclear norm on the synthesis dictionaries. The experimental results show that our method achieved the best classification accuracy (100%, 72.16%, 95%) on three datasets with the fastest computing time, reducing the errors of state-of-the-art methods (JMLC, DML, CEBSR) by 0.96–75.69%.
Effect of 2-Aminoethoxydiphenyl Borate (2-APB) on Heart Rate and Relation with Suppressed Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels: Larval Drosophila Model
Authors: Hensley Nicole , Elliott Elizabeth R. , Abul-Khoudoud Maya O. , Cooper Robin L.
Published: May 2023

Cardiac contractile cells depend on calcium in order to function. Understanding the regulation of calcium influx, efflux, and release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum is essential. The focus of this investigation is to address how a reduction of functional Ca2+-activated K+ (KCa) channels, via a mutational line, might impact the heart rate in larva when the SER is also modulated through Ca2+ loading and stimulation. The larval heart tube is exposed in situ and flushed with saline. With a known saline composition, a potential therapeutic pharmacological agent, 2-Aminoethyl diphenylborinate (2-APB), was examined for its effect on heart rate, as well as to determine the contribution from KCa channels. In this study, it was determined that mutation in the K(Ca) channel (i.e., Slo) showed a different trend than the wild-type CS strain. Exposure to high concentrations of 50 µM 2-APB decreased heart rate in the Slo strain and increased it in the wild-type CS strain. Serotonin increased heart rate in both thapsigargin- and 2-APB-treated larvae, with no significant difference between the strains.
Prefabrication of a Lithium Fluoride Interfacial Layer to Enable Dendrite-Free Lithium Deposition
Authors: Ni Jie , Lei Yike , Han Yongkang , Zhang Yingchuan , Zhang Cunman , Geng Zhen , Xiao Qiangfeng
Published: May 2023

Lithium metal is one of the most attractive anode materials for rechargeable batteries. However, its high reactivity with electrolytes, huge volume change, and dendrite growth upon charge or discharge lead to a low CE and the cycle instability of batteries. Due to the low surface diffusion resistance, LiF is conducive to guiding Li+ deposition rapidly and is an ideal component for the surface coating of lithium metal. In the current study, a fluorinated layer was prepared on a lithium metal anode surface by means of chemical vapor deposition (CVD). In the carbonate-based electrolyte, smooth Li deposits were observed for these LiF-coated lithium anodes after cycling, providing excellent electrochemical stability for the lithium metal anode in the liquid organic electrolyte. The CE of Li|Cu batteries increases from 83% for pristine Li to 92% for LiF-coated ones. Moreover, LiF-Li|LFP exhibits a decent rate and cycling performance. After 120 cycles, the capacity retention of 99% at 1C is obtained, and the specific capacity is maintained above 149 mAh/g. Our investigation provides a simple and low-cost method to improve the performance of rechargeable Li-metal batteries.
Readily Accessible M-Ferrocenyl-Phenyl Sulfonate as Novel Cathodic Electrolyte for Aqueous Organic Redox Flow Batteries
Authors: Fang Dawei , Zheng Junzhi , Li Xi , Wang Diandian , Yang Yuxuan , Liu Zhuling , Song Zongren , Jing Minghua
Published: May 2023

Ferrocene derivatives are amongst the most promising electroactive organic electrolytes. The bottleneck problems of their application in aqueous redox flow batteries are their poor solubility and lower potential as well as the complexity of the modification methods to solve these problems. In this study, a benzenesulfonic acid group is easily introduced into the ferrocene structure by a mature diazotization reaction, and the synthesized sodium m-phenylferrocene sulfonate BASFc is used as the novel cathodic electroactive electrolyte for AORFB. The hydrophilicity and the electron-absorbing effect of the introduced benzenesulfonic group can effectively improve the water solubility and redox potential of ferrocene. Moreover, the introduction of phenyl extends the conjugated structure of ferrocene and increases its structural dimension, which may be conducive to reducing its membrane permeability and improving the structural stability to some extent. The physical structure and the electrochemical properties of BASFc are studied systematically; the feasibility of its application as a cathodic electrolyte in AORFBs is verified by assembling the half-cell and full-cell. The results verify the good electrochemical reaction kinetics of BASFc in acid electrolyte and the corresponding AORFB shows satisfactory efficiency and stability.
PPG2ECGps: An End-to-End Subject-Specific Deep Neural Network Model for Electrocardiogram Reconstruction from Photoplethysmography Signals without Pulse Arrival Time Adjustments
Authors: Tang Qunfeng , Chen Zhencheng , Ward Rabab , Menon Carlo , Elgendi Mohamed
Published: May 2023

Electrocardiograms (ECGs) provide crucial information for evaluating a patient’s cardiovascular health; however, they are not always easily accessible. Photoplethysmography (PPG), a technology commonly used in wearable devices such as smartwatches, has shown promise for constructing ECGs. Several methods have been proposed for ECG reconstruction using PPG signals, but some require signal alignment during the training phase, which is not feasible in real-life settings where ECG signals are not collected at the same time as PPG signals. To address this challenge, we introduce PPG2ECGps, an end-to-end, patient-specific deep-learning neural network utilizing the W-Net architecture. This novel approach enables direct ECG signal reconstruction from PPG signals, eliminating the need for signal alignment. Our experiments show that the proposed model achieves mean values of 0.977 mV for Pearson’s correlation coefficient, 0.037 mV for the root mean square error, and 0.010 mV for the normalized dynamic time-warped distance when comparing reconstructed ECGs to reference ECGs from a dataset of 500 records. As PPG signals are more accessible than ECG signals, our proposed model has significant potential to improve patient monitoring and diagnosis in healthcare settings via wearable devices.
Cholestatic Pruritus in Children: Conventional Therapies and Beyond
Authors: Rodrigo Minna , Dong Xinzhong , Chien Daphne , Karnsakul Wikrom
Published: May 2023

Pruritus in the setting of cholestatic liver disease is difficult to treat and occurs in patients ranging in age from infancy to adulthood. Likely multifactorial in etiology, this symptom often involves multimodal therapy targeting several pathways and mechanisms proposed in the underlying etiology of cholestatic pruritus. Many patients in both the pediatric and adult populations continue to experience unrelenting pruritus despite maximal conventional therapy. Options are further limited in treating pediatric patients due to sparse data regarding medication safety and efficacy in younger patients. Conventional therapies for the treatment of cholestatic pruritus in children include ursodeoxycholic acid, cholestyramine, hydroxyzine, and rifampin. Certain therapies are more routinely used in the adult populations but with limited data available for use in child and adolescent patients, including opioid antagonists and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Recently, ileal bile acid transport inhibitors have been shown to alleviate pruritus in many children with Alagille syndrome and progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis and is an additional therapy available for consideration for these patients. Ultimately, surgical options such as biliary diversion or liver transplantation are considered in specific circumstances when medical therapies have been exhausted and pruritus remains debilitating. While further investigation regarding underlying etiologies and effective therapies are needed to better understand itch pathogenesis and treatment in pediatric cholestasis, current considerations beyond conventional management include the use of opioid antagonists, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, ileal bile acid transport inhibitors, and surgical intervention.
Occurrence and Distribution of Tetrabromobisphenol A and Diversity of Microbial Community Structure in the Sediments of Mangrove
Authors: Jiang Yongcan , Wang Qiang , Du Yunling , Yang Dong , Xu Jianming , Yan Chongling
Published: May 2023

The occurrence and distribution characteristics of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and its relationship with microbial community diversity in different mangrove sediments need further investigation. The results of this study indicated levels of TBBPA in mangrove sediments from the Zhangjiang Estuary (ZJ), Jiulongjiang Estuary (JLJ), and Quanzhou Bay (QZ) in Southeast China ranging from 1.80 to 20.46, 3.47 to 40.77, and 2.37 to 19.83 ng/g dry weight (dw), respectively. Mangrove sediments from JLJ contained higher levels of TBBPA, possibly due to agricultural pollution. A correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation between total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and TBBPA distribution in ZJ and JLJ mangrove sediments, but not in QZ mangrove sediments. TOC significantly affected the distribution of TBBPA in mangrove sediments, but pH had no effect. High-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that Pseudomonadota dominated the sediment bacteria followed by Chloroflexota, Actinobacteota, Bacillota, Acidobacteriota, Bacteroidota, and Aminicenantes in mangrove sediments. Although the microbial community structure of the ZJ, JLJ, and QZ mangrove sediments was similar, the taxonomic profile of their sensitive responders differed markedly. The genus Anaerolinea was dominant in the mangrove sediments and was responsible for the in situ dissipation of TBBPA. Based on redundancy analysis, there was a correlation between TBBPA, TOC, TN, C/N, pH, and microbial community structure at the genus level. Combining TBBPA, TN, and TOC may induce variations in the microbial community of mangrove sediments.
MiRNA-Based Therapies for Lung Cancer: Opportunities and Challenges?
Authors: Yang Han , Liu Yufang , Chen Longqing , Zhao Juanjuan , Guo Mengmeng , Zhao Xu , Wen Zhenke , He Zhixu , Chen Chao , Xu Lin
Published: May 2023

Lung cancer is a commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, posing a serious health risk. Despite new advances in immune checkpoint and targeted therapies in recent years, the prognosis for lung cancer patients, especially those in advanced stages, remains poor. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to modulate tumor development at multiple levels, and as such, miRNA mimics and molecules aimed at regulating miRNAs have shown promise in preclinical development. More importantly, miRNA-based therapies can also complement conventional chemoradiotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies to reverse drug resistance and increase the sensitivity of lung cancer cells. Furthermore, small interfering RNA (siRNA) and miRNA-based therapies have entered clinical trials and have shown favorable development prospects. Therefore, in this paper, we review recent advances in miRNA-based therapies in lung cancer treatment as well as adjuvant therapy and present the current state of clinical lung cancer treatment. We also discuss the challenges facing miRNA-based therapies in the clinical application of lung cancer treatment to provide new ideas for the development of novel lung cancer therapies.
Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Colitis: An Update
Authors: Losurdo Giuseppe , Angelillo Daniele , Favia Nicolas , Sergi Maria Chiara , Di Leo Alfredo , Triggiano Giacomo , Tucci Marco
Published: May 2023

Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) nowadays has indications for several solid tumors. The current targets for ICIs are CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1 receptors. Despite the clinical advantages derived from ICIs, a variety of side effects are linked to overstimulation of the immune system. Among these, ICI-related colitis is one of the most common, with a disabling impact on the patient. Diarrhea, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, cramping, and hematochezia are the most common ICI enterocolitis presenting symptoms. The most frequently used grading system for assessment of the severity of ICI enterocolitis is called the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) grading. With regard to the histological picture, there is no specific feature; however, microscopic damage can be classified into five types: (1) acute active colitis, (2) chronic active colitis, (3) microscopic colitis-like, (4) graft-versus-host disease-like, and (5) other types. Supportive therapy (oral hydration, a bland diet without lactose or caffeine, and anti-diarrheal agents) is indicated in mild colitis. Symptomatic treatment alone or with loperamide, a low-fiber diet, and spasmolytics are recommended for low-grade diarrhea. In more severe cases, corticosteroid treatment is mandatory. In refractory cases, off-label use of biological therapies (infliximab or vedolizumab) was proposed.