bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Glycated Haemoglobin (HBA1c) on Cardiorespiratory Fitness (CRF) in a Population with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM): A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Dixit Snehil , Bassi-Dibai Daniela , Dibai-Filho Almir Vieira , Mendes Renata G. , Alqahtani Abdulfattah S. , Alshehri Mohammed M. , Aldhahi Monira I. , Alkhamis Batool Abdulelah , Reddy Ravi Shankar , Tedla Jaya Shanker , Borghi-Silva Audrey
Published: November 2024

Background and Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) measures, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max), and minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2 slope and others) among the T2DM population based on glycated haemoglobin (HBA1c). Material and Methods: The present study comprised a cross-sectional design, with two groups, based on HbA1c values (≤7 and ≥7.1). Laboratory samples were taken to evaluate glycated haemoglobin and fasting blood glucose (FBS). Cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed to calculate various fitness-related parameters. Data analysis: An independent t-test was used to analyse the outcomes in the two groups. p < 0.05 was considered significant. Linear regression was used to examine the influence of predictor variables on dependent variables. Results: A total of 70 patients agreed to participate in the study, with 19 females and 51 males. The mean (standard deviation) BMI (body mass index) of all participants was 29.7(5.2), the mean (SD) weight was 84.4 (18.9) kg, and the mean height was 167.4 (23) cm. The average age of the individuals was 52 ± 8 years. The independent t-test revealed a significant difference between the two groups in terms of CRF measures. Conclusions: The current research identified the presence of poor glycaemic control and cardiorespiratory fitness measures among the Brazilian population with T2DM. HBA1c, duration of diabetes, age, and BMI can be employed to predict the ventilatory threshold (VT) and VO2 max.
Model of Dynamic Mechanical Parameters and Vibration Analysis in Hot Rolling
Authors: Zhang Ming , Huang Zihao , Yang Yanbo
Published: November 2024

As the core equipment of metal shaping processing, the vibration problem of rolling mill seriously affects the product quality and production efficiency. To address the problem of the limited prediction of mill vibration due to small sample data in non-steady states, we propose to predict dynamic mechanical parameters (rolling force and rolling torque) based on the TCN-LSTM step strategy transfer model. The prediction accuracies of the TCN-LSTM step strategy transfer model under 1000 sets of training data reach 95.8% and 93.2%, respectively, and at the same time, it saves the time of training and regulation of the deep learning model and can better meet the needs of online prediction. The horizontal-torsion hot rolling vibration model is further established to quantitatively analyze the relationship between process parameters and mill vibration. The experimental results show that with the vibration suppression measures of 10% reduction of the rolling speed and 10% reduction of the entrance thickness, the horizontal vibration displacement amplitude is reduced from 0.687 × 10−4 m to 0.229 × 10−4 m, and the rotational displacement amplitude is reduced from 0.0273 m to 0.0117 m, which effectively suppresses the vibration of the mill and improves the stability of the rolling process.
Impact of the Stress Response on Quaternary Ammonium Compound Disinfectant Susceptibility in Serratia Species
Authors: McCarlie Samantha , Bragg Robert R.
Published: November 2024

The well-known problem of antibiotic resistance foreshadows a similar threat posed by microbial resistance to biocides such as disinfectants and antiseptics. These products are vital for infection control, yet their overuse during the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the development of resistant microorganisms. This study investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying disinfectant resistance in Serratia sp. HRI. The transcriptomic responses of Serratia sp. HRI were used to identify significant gene expression changes during exposure to QACs and revealed increased methionine transport and polyamine synthesis. Polyamines, crucial in cellular stress responses, were notably upregulated, suggesting a pivotal role of the stress response in disinfectant resistance. Further, our susceptibility tests revealed a marked decrease in susceptibility to QACs under various stress conditions, supporting the hypothesis that stress responses, mediated by polyamines, decrease susceptibility to QACs. This research highlights polyamines as key players in disinfectant resistance, offering novel insights into resistance mechanisms and antimicrobial susceptibility. Our findings emphasise the need for continued investigation into disinfectant resistance and the role of stress responses, particularly polyamine-mediated mechanisms, to direct strategies for preserving disinfectant efficacy and developing future antimicrobial agents.
Benefits of Crotalaria juncea L. as Green Manure in Fertility and Soil Microorganisms on the Peruvian Coast
Authors: Arone Gregorio J. , Ocaña Roger , Sánchez Arcadio , Villadas Pablo J. , Fernández-López Manuel
Published: November 2024

The soils of the Barranca valley are among the best soils in Peru, but with so many years of application of agrochemicals and other agricultural practices, they are losing their productive capacity. Consequently, it was suggested to assess the impact of Crotalaria juncea L. as a green manure on soil fertility and the populations of bacteria and fungi present in the soil. Crotalaria was cultivated for 75 days and incorporated as green manure. After 90 days, the presence of bacteria and fungi was evaluated. Metabarcoding was employed, and the 16S rRNA and ITS2 amplicons were sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform. The sequences were processed using various bioinformatics tools. The results indicate that soils have a high diversity of bacteria and fungi. Likewise, in plots where the presence and action of natural biocontrol is suppressed (C0 and P0), pathogenic fungi increase their population in the fallow period (C1), while in P1, the addition of Crotalaria as a green manure promotes an increase in the population of bacteria and fungi, and at the same time it suppresses pathogenic fungi. The genera (bacterial and/or fungal) that increase due to the effect of Crotalaria are beneficial because they are involved as degraders of organic matter, promotion of plant growth and biological control of pathogens. Crotalaria is an alternative to improve soil fertility, increase the beneficial bacterial population, and reduce pathogenic fungi.
Soil Bacteria in Archaeology: What Could Rank Abundance Functions Tell Us About Ancient Human Impacts on Microbial Communities?
Authors: Köhler J. Michael , Ehrhardt Linda , Günther P. Mike , Cao Jialan
Published: November 2024

Metagenomic analysis of soil bacterial communities based on 16S rRNA reflects a typical community composition containing a low number of high-abundance types and a very high number of low-abundance types. Here, the formation of characteristic rank order functions of bacterial abundance is investigated by modelling the dynamics of soil bacterial communities, assuming a succession of different bacterial populations that grow rapidly and decay more slowly. We found that the characteristic shape of typical rank order functions is well reflected by simulations. In addition, our model allowed us to investigate strong disturbances in the soil, which could be expected in cases of strongly changing local environmental conditions in soil, e.g., after translocation and covering of soil material. Such events could lead to the formation of shoulders in the rank order functions. Abundance rank orders observed in cases of some archaeological soil samples do indeed show such a shoulder and could be well interpreted by simulated rank order functions. As a result, it can be concluded that the investigations herein support our hypothesis that abundance rank orders contain information about the temporal order of developing bacterial types in changing communities and thus store information about local environmental conditions in the past, including ancient humans’ impact on soil. This information can be used for interpretation of archeological findings and for reconstruction of different former human activities, as well as knowledge on the translocation of soil material in the past.
Antibacterial, Herbicidal, and Plant Growth-Promoting Properties of Streptomyces sp. STD57 from the Rhizosphere of Adenophora stricta
Authors: He Dan , Gao Congting , Zhao Shen , Chen Hongmin , Li Peng , Yang Xishan , Li Deping , Zhao Tingting , Jiang Hong , Liu Chongxi
Published: November 2024

Bacterial wilt triggered by the soil-borne pathogenic bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum is one of the most serious diseases in tomato plants, leading to huge economic losses worldwide. Biological control is considered an environmentally friendly and sustainable way to manage soil-borne diseases. In this study, Streptomyces sp. STD57 isolated from the rhizosphere of Adenophora stricta showed strong antibacterial activity against R. solanacearum. Pot experiments showed that strain STD57 exhibited a significant biocontrol effect (81.7%) on tomato bacterial wilt in the greenhouse environment. Furthermore, strain STD57 could inhibit the growth of weeds (Amaranthus retroflexus, Portulaca oleracea, and Echinochloa crusgalli) but promote the growth of crops (wheat, rice, and tomato). The plant growth-promoting substance was identified as indoleacetic acid (IAA) by high-pressure liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and genome analysis. Coarse separation of the fermented extracts revealed that the antibacterial and herbicidal substances were mainly in the fermentation supernatant and belonged to different products. These findings suggested that strain STD57 may be a potential biocontrol and bioherbicide agent useful in agriculture.
Impacts of Nano-Composite of Copper and Carbon on Intestinal Luminal Micro-Ecosystem and Mucosal Homeostasis of Yellow-Feather Broilers
Authors: Wang Xianglin , Xiao Chunlong , Wu Shuqing , Lin Qingjie , Lin Shiying , Liu Jing , Ye Dingcheng , Wang Changkang , Guo Pingting
Published: November 2024

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the impacts of nano-composites of copper and carbon (NCCC) on the intestinal luminal micro-ecosystem and mucosal homeostasis of yellow-feather broilers. A total of two-hundred and forty 1-day-old male yellow-feather broilers were randomly allocated into four groups, each with five replications of twelve birds. The control (CON) group received a corn-soybean basal diet, while the N50, N100, and N200 groups were supplemented with 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of NCCC in basal diets, respectively. The trial duration was 63 days. The findings demonstrated that there were slight impacts of NCCC addition on the intestinal luminal micro-ecosystem of broilers, with the fecal moisture content in the N100 group being slightly higher on Day 3 in the starter phase (p < 0.05). The cecal microbiota structure also did not obviously change (p > 0.05), in spite of the fall in the relative abundance of the Ruminococcus torques group in the N50 group and norank Clostridia UCG-014 in N200 group (p < 0.05). But for intestinal mucosal homeostasis, NCCC played a crucial part in jejunal morphology, tight junction, immunologic status, and antioxidant capacity. There was linear growth in villus height and a quadratic increase in villus height, crypt depth and their ratio with the increase in NCCC dosage (p < 0.05), and 100 mg/kg NCCC supplementation could intensify the expression of CLDN-3 genes (p < 0.05). In addition, IL-4 and IL-10 linearly increased after NCCC treatment (p < 0.05), along with some irregular changes in sIgA (p < 0.05). In addition, higher jejunal mucosal total antioxidant capacities in N50 and N200 groups were also observed (p < 0.05). Overall, NCCC treatment optimized the intestinal mucosa function of broilers in terms of physical barrier and immune and antioxidant capacities, but exerted subtle influence in the luminal environment of yellow-feather broilers. More precisely, dietary supplementation with 50 mg/kg NCCC is recommended for intestinal homeostasis of broilers.
Raman Quantitative Measurement on the Cl− Molarity of H2O-NaCl-CO2 System: Application to Fluid Inclusions
Authors: He Xian , Wang Wei-Qi , Liu Yu-Zhen , Sun Qiang
Published: November 2024

In this study, Raman spectroscopy is applied to determine the salinity of fluid inclusions in the H2O-NaCl-CO2 system. In the work, various systems are prepared, such as H2O-NaCl, H2O-CO2, and H2O-NaCl-CO2. For the H2O-NaCl system, the addition of NaCl salts decreases the intensity of the sub-band below 3330 cm−1 but increases the intensity of the sub-band above 3330 cm−1. According to the structural analysis of the H2O-NaCl system, the spectral changes are mainly related to the interactions between Cl− and water. After the Raman OH stretching bands are fitted into two sub-bands, the intensity ratio between them is used to calculate the Cl− concentrations (molarity scale) of NaCl solutions. Additionally, based on the measured Raman spectra, the effects of CO2 on water structure may be weak. It is reasonable to ignore the impact of dissolved CO2 on Raman OH stretching bands. The procedure above can be extended to quantitatively determine the Cl− molarity of the H2O-NaCl-CO2 system. To demonstrate its reliability, this method is applied to determine the salinity of synthetic and natural fluid inclusions containing CO2.
Coal Mine Dust Size Distributions, Chemical Compositions, and Source Apportionment
Authors: Wang Xiaoliang , Abbasi Behrooz , Elahifard Mohammadreza , Osho Bankole , Chen Lung-Wen Antony , Chow Judith C. , Watson John G.
Published: November 2024

Current regulations mandate the monitoring of respirable coal mine dust (RCMD) mass and crystalline silica in underground coal mines to safeguard miner health. However, other RCMD characteristics, such as particle size and chemical composition, may also influence health outcomes. This study collected RCMD samples from two underground coal mines and performed detailed chemical speciation. Source apportionment was used to estimate RCMD and silica contributions from various sources, including intake air, fire suppression limestone dust, coal dust, diesel engine exhaust, and rock strata. The mine dust mass-based size distributions were comparable to those recorded over a decade ago, with a peak around 10 μm and the majority of the mass in the supermicron size range. The current mine conditions and mining practices do not appear to have significantly increased the generation of smaller particles. Limestone rock dust was prevalent in many locations and, along with coal dust, was the main contributor to RCMD at high-concentration locations. Silica accounted for over 10% of RCMD mass at several active mining locations, primarily from limestone and rock strata dust. Reducing the concentration of limestone dust and its silica content could reduce RCMD and silica levels. Further cleaning of the intake air could also improve the overall mine air quality.
Green Synthesis of 2-Mercapto 5,6-Dihydro-4H-1,3-Thiazines via Sequential C–S Couplings
Authors: Liu Wenjie , Wang Shuo , Pan Li , Bi Xiaojing , Shi Enxue
Published: November 2024

The six-membered N,S-heterocyclic 1,3-thiazines and their derivatives are widely acknowledged as pharmaceutical molecules with a wide range of biological activities. In this study, we developed a unique thiol-involved cascade reaction that enables the efficient construction of the 5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-thiazine scaffold through consecutive intermolecular thiol-isothiocyanate and intramolecular thiol-halogen click reactions. Structurally diverse 2-mercapto dihydrothiazines including three antitumour candidates of bis-dihydrothiazines were readily obtained in high yields from the readily available thiols and 3-chloroisothiocyanate in the green solvent EtOH/H2O (1:1) using K2CO3 (0.6 equiv.) as the base. Between the two synthesis procedures investigated, the microwave-assisted reaction generally behaved more efficiently than that under routine heating conditions. Furthermore, DFT calculation confirmed the sequential addition–substitution mechanism. This cascade C–S coupling reaction methodology offers several advantages, including rapid completion, high reliability, easy purification, and benign conditions.
A Qualitative Study on Digital Aesthetics and Sound Interaction
Authors: Yildirim Yalcin , Arefi Mahyar
Published: November 2024

Many disciplines—from science to art and education—engage with the postdigital concept, where human activities transform into digital activities. The post-COVID-19 era has involved new consequences for societies, where education has increasingly utilized online platforms. Having said that, online pedagogy, with the directions and discourses of the senses, particularly visual and aural, remains under-explored. Studies have addressed the educational implications of the aural sense, but this study explores the nexus between digital aesthetics and sound pedagogy and delves deeper into students’ primarily descriptive learning outcomes. A multi-disciplinary class covered aesthetic terminologies, followed by a series of digital arts that envisioned digital, aesthetic, and listening practices. Considering the global agenda’s recent “new norms”, this study contributes to the postdigital era of sound and acoustic-related sciences.
A Comprehensive Review of Multimodal XR Applications, Risks, and Ethical Challenges in the Metaverse
Authors: Kourtesis Panagiotis
Published: November 2024

This scoping review examines the broad applications, risks, and ethical challenges associated with Extended Reality (XR) technologies, including Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR), within the context of Metaverse. XR is revolutionizing fields such as immersive learning in education, medical and professional training, neuropsychological assessment, therapeutic interventions, arts, entertainment, retail, e-commerce, remote work, sports, architecture, urban planning, and cultural heritage preservation. The integration of multimodal technologies—haptics, eye-, face-, and body tracking, and brain–computer interfaces—enhances user engagement and interactivity, playing a key role in shaping the immersive experiences in the Metaverse. However, XR’s expansion raises serious concerns, including data privacy risks, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, cybersickness, addiction, dissociation, harassment, bullying, and misinformation. These psychological, social, and security challenges are further complicated by intense advertising, manipulation of public opinion, and social inequality, which could disproportionately affect vulnerable individuals and social groups. This review emphasizes the urgent need for robust ethical frameworks and regulatory guidelines to address these risks while promoting equitable access, privacy, autonomy, and mental well-being. As XR technologies increasingly integrate with artificial intelligence, responsible governance is essential to ensure the safe and beneficial development of the Metaverse and the broader application of XR in enhancing human development.
Chalcogenides in Perovskite Solar Cells with a Carbon Electrode: State of the Art and Future Prospects
Authors: Bidikoudi Maria , Stathatos Elias
Published: November 2024

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have been on the forefront of advanced research for over a decade, achieving constantly increasing power conversion efficiencies (PCEs), while their route towards commercialization is currently under intensive progress. Towards this target, there has been a turn to PSCs that employ a carbon electrode (C-PSCs) for the elimination of metal back contacts, which increase the cost of corresponding devices while at the same time have a severe impact on their stability. Chalcogenides are chemical compounds that contain at least one chalcogen element, typically sulfur (S), selenium (Se), or tellurium (Te), combined with one metallic element. They possess semiconducting properties and have been proven to have beneficial effects when incorporated in a variety of solar cell types, including dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs), and Organic Solar Cells (OSCs), either as interlayers or added in the active layers. Currently, an increasing number of studies have highlighted their potential for achieving high-performing and stable PSCs. In this review, the most promising results of the latest studies regarding the implementation of chalcogenides in PSCs with a carbon electrode are presented and discussed, merging two research trends that are currently on the spotlight of solar cell technology.
Fabrication of Large-Area High-Resolution Templates by Focused Ion Beam Combined with Colloidal Nanoparticle Dimer Deposition for SERS Substrates
Authors: Ignatane Liga , Ignatans Reinis , Prikulis Juris , Trausa Annamarija , Tipaldi Ciro Federico , Vanags Edgars , Zubkins Martins , Smits Krisjanis , Sarakovskis Anatolijs
Published: November 2024

This article presents an examination of well-controlled patterns created using a Ga+-based focused ion beam (FIB) on glass, while silicon substrates were used to evaluate the FIB performance by its achievable feature size versus time constraints. The pattern creation on glass was developed with the aim of studying potential surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) applications. Furthermore, the FIB was used to create dimer systems of periodically and randomly positioned dumbbell-shaped pits on the glass (each dimer occupies an area of 203 × 87 nm2). By following the bitmap pattern files, the FIB ensured there was 3000 dimer fabrication over a 20 × 20 μm2 large area, with a pit size and position variation below 10 nm. The article highlights that FIB can be used for precise large-area nano-fabrication. The gold nanoparticle dimers were formed on the prepatterned surface via capillary force-assisted deposition. The fabricated nanostructures were tested in SERS measurements. The enhancement factor for Rhodamine B molecule reached ~105, demonstrating the potential application of the method to create nanostructures in the sensor domain.
Psycho-Emotional Aspects of Pregnant Women Diagnosed with a Rare Disease: A Systematic Review
Authors: Cortés-Martín Celia , Sánchez-García Juan Carlos , Piqueras-Sola Beatriz , Cortés-Martín Jonathan , Reinoso-Cobo Andrés , Martínez-Linares Jose Manuel , Rodríguez-Blanque Raquel
Published: November 2024

Background: Psycho-emotional aspects as a cross-cutting theme have gained relevance and scientific interest in recent years. Pregnant women diagnosed with a rare disease constitute a vulnerable population, experiencing psycho-emotional challenges due to their specific circumstances. It is essential that this group is informed and receives the proper to manage the physical, emotional, and psychological challenges linked to their condition. Objectives: The aim of this review is to understand how the diagnosis of a rare disease affects the psycho-emotional aspects of a pregnant woman. Methods: The research question posed is how does the diagnosis of a rare disease affect the psycho-emotional aspects of a pregnant woman? This systematic review has been carried out following the PRISMA model and has been registered in PROSPERO with registration number CRD42024558523. A literature search was conducted in the databases of Scopus, PubMed, Cinahl, Scielo, and the Cochrane Library. Articles were selected on the basis of the following inclusion criteria: publication in the last twenty years and all languages. Results: In the end, 28 articles were selected. The main results highlight that there is a negative impact on the psycho-emotional level in these patients, altering aspects such as anxiety, stress, social rejection, and self-stigma. Conclusion: The role of nursing in addressing this psycho-emotional dimension as a mediator between families and other branches of the health sciences environment stands out.
Antiviral Development for the Polio Endgame: Current Progress and Future Directions
Authors: Xie Hang , Rhoden Eric E. , Liu Hong-Mei , Ogunsemowo Folake , Mainou Bernardo A. , Burke Rachel M. , Burns Cara C.
Published: November 2024

As the world is approaching the eradication of wild poliovirus serotype 1, the last of the three wild types, the question of how to maintain a polio-free world becomes imminent. To mitigate the risk of sporadic vaccine-associated paralytic polio (VAPP) caused by oral polio vaccines (OPVs) that are routinely used in global immunization programs, the Polio Antivirals Initiative (PAI) was established in 2006. The primary goal of the PAI is to facilitate the discovery and development of antiviral drugs to stop the excretion of immunodeficiency-associated vaccine-derived poliovirus (iVDPV) in B cell-deficient individuals. This review summarizes the major progress that has been made in the development of safe and effective poliovirus antivirals and highlights the candidates that have shown promising results in vitro, in vivo, and in clinical trials.
Detection of Mycoplasma DNA Using Conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction in Canine Abortion, Stillbirth, and Neonatal Mortality Cases in Central Italy
Authors: Marenzoni Maria Luisa , Chierchia Filomena , Sylla Lakamy , Rossi Elisa , Beccaglia Michela , Marini Daniele , Moretta Iolanda , Cuteri Vincenzo
Published: November 2024

Mycoplasma spp. has been involved in canine infertility, but research on this topic is limited and shows conflicting results, as it has also been isolated from vaginal swabs of healthy dogs. This study aimed to retrospectively research Mycoplasma DNA by a conventional dual Polymerase Chain Reaction from 114 cases of canine abortion, stillbirth, and neonatal mortality that occurred in Central Italy. In addition, four fetal membranes from dystocic dams were analyzed. In total, 7 out of 114 cases (6.14%) and one of the fetal membranes tested positive for Mycoplasma DNA. From five of them (62.5%), other microorganisms were identified, particularly Canid herpesvirus-1 (2/8, 25%) and Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and/or Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (3/8, 37.5%), notoriously responsible for infertility in bitches or neonatal mortality. In two different litters, only one puppy of each one tested positive for Mycoplasma DNA. Additionally, Mycoplasma DNA was detected in fetal membranes collected during a cesarean section of a bitch whelping Mycoplasma-negative puppies, supporting that Mycoplasma spp. is part of the normal genital microflora of the female. The detection of Mycoplasma DNA in association with other major pathogens and its detection in the female genital tract without transmission to puppies support the hypothesis that Mycoplasma belongs to the autochthonous genital microflora or, at most, may play a secondary role in canine abortion and neonatal mortality.
Relationship Between Aberration Coefficients of an Optical Device and Its Focusing Property
Authors: Aït-Ameur Kamel , Hasnaoui Abdelkrim
Published: November 2024

The best focus point of a focused Gaussian beam subject to a phase aberration is generally shifted with respect to the focal plane of the focusing lens. This focus shift is attributed to a lensing effect that belongs to the phase aberration, which mean focal length can be determined from the aberration coefficients determined in the framework of a Zernike polynomial decomposition. In this paper, we have checked the validity of this procedure, already available in literature, applied to three aberration types: a pure primary spherical aberration, the Kerr effect induced by a Gaussian beam, and an axicon illuminated by a Gaussian beam. Note that usually, the mean focal length of an aberrated lens is based on the relation between the effective radius of curvature of the wavefront before and after the lens. However, in this paper, the focal length associated with the phase aberration under study is defined from the point of the best focus, where the diffracted intensity on the axis is the maximum.
Research on Resource Allocation Algorithm for Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access Visible Light Communication
Authors: Liang Jingyuan , Pang Mingzhi , Ke Xizheng
Published: November 2024

In order to satisfy the large-scale access of visible light communication (VLC) users, as well as the demand for user request rate, the resource allocation problem of visible light communication with drone-assisted non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) technique is investigated. An efficient scheme for joint optimization of power allocation and access point (AP) location is proposed. According to the state of user channel information, a user pairing strategy with uniform channel gain difference for any number of users is designed, and an objective function of maximizing the average user data rate with constraints is constructed. For this non-convex NP-hard problem, the optimization problem with constraints is transformed into an optimization problem without constraints by introducing the idea of a penalty function and then solved by the Harris Hawk Optimization (HHO) algorithm based on the nonlinear energy convergence factor, and ultimately, the optimal user power allocation factor, as well as the location of the AP, are found. The simulation results show that the scheme in this paper can improve the average user data rate better compared to other classical schemes. The system performance of the HHO algorithm is improved by about 20.31% compared to the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm. The HHO algorithm based on the nonlinear energy convergence factor improves the convergence speed by about 50% compared to the classical HHO algorithm.
Application of an Efficient Enhancer in Gene Function Research
Authors: Guo Feng-Xian , Yang Rui-Xue , Yang Xia , Liu Jing , Wang Yin-Zheng
Published: November 2024

Although great progress has been made in transgenic technology, increasing the expression level and thus promising the expected phenotypes of exogenous genes in transgenic plants is still a crucial task for genetic transformation and crop engineering. Here, we conducted a comparative study of the enhancing efficiency of three putative translational enhancers, including Ω (natural leader from a plant virus), OsADH 5′ (natural leader from a plant gene), and ARC (active ribosomal RNA complementary), using the transient gene expression systems of Nicotiana benthamiana and Chirita pumila. We demonstrate that three tandem repeats of ARC (3 × ARC) are more efficient than other enhancers in expression. The enhancing efficiency of 6 × ARC is further increased, up to 130 times the expression level without the insertion of enhancers. We further evaluated the enhancing efficiency of 6 × ARC under agrobacterium-mediated transformation systems. In C. pumila, 6 × ARC significantly amplifies the phenotypic effect of CpCYC1 and CpCYC2 in repressing stamen development and yellow pigmentation. In Arabidopsis thaliana, 6 × ARC and the AtAP1 promoter work together to promote the accumulation of anthocyanin pigments in vegetative and reproductive organs. Most significantly, the fusion of 6 × ARC in a CpCYC1/2 transgenic system in C. pumila fully reveals that these genes have the complete function of repressing the yellow spots, displaying an advantage in manifesting the function of exogenous genes. This study highlights the application potential of the enhancer 6 × ARC in gene function research in plants.
Divergent Molecular Responses to Heavy Water in Arabidopsis thaliana Compared to Bacteria and Yeast
Authors: Wang Pengxi , Novák Jan , Kopecká Romana , Čičmanec Petr , Černý Martin
Published: November 2024

Heavy water (D2O) is scarce in nature, and despite its physical similarity to water, D2O disrupts cellular function due to the isotope effect. While microbes can survive in nearly pure D2O, eukaryotes such as Arabidopsis thaliana are more sensitive and are unable to survive higher concentrations of D2O. To explore the underlying molecular mechanisms for these differences, we conducted a comparative proteomic analysis of E. coli, S. cerevisiae, and Arabidopsis after 180 min of growth in a D2O-supplemented media. Shared adaptive mechanisms across these species were identified, including changes in ribosomal protein abundances, accumulation of chaperones, and altered metabolism of polyamines and amino acids. However, Arabidopsis exhibited unique vulnerabilities, such as a muted stress response, lack of rapid activation of reactive oxygen species metabolism, and depletion of stress phytohormone abscisic acid signaling components. Experiments with mutants show that modulating the HSP70 pool composition may promote D2O resilience. Additionally, Arabidopsis rapidly incorporated deuterium into sucrose, indicating that photosynthesis facilitates deuterium intake. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms that dictate differential tolerance to D2O across species and lay the groundwork for further studies on the biological effects of uncommon isotopes, with potential implications for biotechnology and environmental science.
In Vitro Propagation of Alyssum Species with Different Metal Accumulation Strategies
Authors: Górecka Mirosława , Koszelnik-Leszek Anna , Rusaczonek Anna , Marek Natalia , Matz Oliwia , Muszyńska Ewa
Published: November 2024

The Alyssum genus, with its many metal-adapted species, is a good candidate for research on phytoremediation and metal tolerance mechanisms. These goals can be supported by elaborating on an in vitro multiplication protocol. Our study aimed to determine the aseptic conditions for the growth and effective propagation of Alyssum murale, A. alyssoides, and A. montanum, each exhibiting different adaptation strategies to nickel ions. Firstly, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were investigated in the biological Lepidium test to find their optimal concentrations that could improve the germination attributes of tested Alyssum species. The concentration of 0.5 mM H2O2 or SNP was selected for research on Alyssum seeds, which were the initial material to start in vitro cultivation. Regardless of the species, H2O2 harmed germination percentage; however, its application accelerated radicle emergence, especially in metal-sensitive genotypes, while in both metal-tolerant ones, the germination time of H2O2-treated seeds was similar to that of treated with SNP. These findings provide a novel insight into the effect of H2O2 or SNP on seeds, contributing to a better understanding of their role in the germination of different genotypes. Among tested media compositions, the synchronous plant regeneration of all species was achieved on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L 2iP and 0.1 mg/L IAA, making an essential advancement in the in vitro protocols for metallophytes.
Biennial Variation and Herbivory Affect Essential Oils of Ipomoea murucoides and Stomata Density of Neighbor Plants
Authors: Sandoval-Moreno José Manuel , Serrano-Ocampo Lilibeth , Rios Maria Yolanda , Ramírez-Cisneros María de los Ángeles , Flores-Palacios Alejandro , Tapia-Maruri Daniel , Perea-Arango Irene de la Concepción , Arellano-García José de Jesús , Vergara-Torres Carmen Agglael , Valencia-Díaz Susana
Published: November 2024

Essential oils (EOs) are mixtures of volatile organic compounds that mediate plant interactions and are also appreciated for their biological properties in aromatic plants. However, the study of EOs in wild plants with biological activity has been neglected. Ipomoea murucoides is a wild species with allelopathic and insecticide activities; however, the climate factors associated with EOs and their role in intra- and interspecific interactions are still unknown. We investigated the effects of temperature, rain, and solar irradiance for two years on the EOs of I. murucoides and documented the effect of herbivory (without, <20%, >20%, and mechanical damage) on their composition. We evaluated the receptivity to possible infochemicals in conspecific and congeneric neighbors to I. murucoides plants exposed to methyl jasmonate (MeJA), herbivory by Ogdoecosta biannularis and without an elicitor. We measured the stomatal density and aperture in the second leaf generation of the neighbor plants. The year and herbivory >20% affected the composition of EOs. Nerolidol could be a biological marker for herbivory. We concluded that herbivory and rain irregularity contribute to EOs changing. The response in the stomatal density in plants not consumed by I. pauciflora but near I. murucoides under MeJA or herbivory gives evidence of interspecific plant–plant communication.
Unravelling the Nexus of Beach Litter and Plant Species and Communities Along the Mediterranean Coasts: A Critical Literature Review
Authors: Calderisi Giulia , Cogoni Donatella , Fenu Giuseppe
Published: November 2024

Beach litter, an anthropogenic and hazardous component, can interact with psammophilous plant species and communities. These are particularly prominent in the Mediterranean Basin, renowned for its highly specialized and unique flora but recognized as one of the areas that is globally most severely affected by marine litter. To provide a comprehensive picture and outline possible future directions, data on beach litter in the Mediterranean coastal ecosystems were collected through a bibliographic research. Overall, 103 studies investigated the presence of beach litter on the Mediterranean coasts, of which only 18 considered its relationship with psammophilous plant species and communities. Our research highlights that this topic is rather underexplored in the Mediterranean Basin and the need to develop a standardized protocol for the assessment of beach litter that can be applied consistently across different beaches and countries. Information collected through a standardized protocol might improve the management and conservation strategies for these fragile ecosystems.
Correction: Chow et al. Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Wastewater Sludge: A Review of Potential Co-Substrates and Operating Factors for Improved Methane Yield. Processes 2020, 8, 39
Authors: Chow Wei Ling , Chong Siewhui , Lim Jun Wei , Chan Yi Jing , Chong Mei Fong , Tiong Timm Joyce , Chin Jit Kai , Pan Guan-Ting
Published: November 2024

The journal is publishing this correction to update the name of the Academic Editor listed on this published paper [...]
Efficient Recovery of Silver and Aluminum from End-of-Life Photovoltaics: A Two-Step Leaching Approach
Authors: Mwase James Malumbo , Wahl Stefanie , Meyer Sylke , Yilmaz Duygu
Published: November 2024

Recycling solar panels is crucial to mitigating the environmental impact of the growing volume of end-of-life photovoltaic waste and to conserve valuable resources, while achieving high purity in recovered materials ensures their effective reuse in the manufacturing of new solar panels, contributing to a sustainable and circular economy. This study proposes a two-step leaching process to recover Ag and Al from the silicon fraction of EoL photovoltaics (PVs). In the first-stage laboratory scale tests, 99% Al was extracted using 5% HCl at room temperature (19 °C) for 3 h The Al was precipitated as oxide from the solution. The silicon residue was then leached with 0.5 M HNO3 at 85 °C for 2 h, extracting 99% Ag and producing Si with 99.83% purity. The silver was precipitated to produce metallic Ag with >99.9% purity. Then, 95.63% of Pb in the nitric acid effluent was removed using ion exchange resins. Further, methods to mitigate the effluent solutions were recommended and the entire process was presented in a flowsheet.
Comparative Analyses of Dynamic Characteristics of Gas Phase Flow Field Within Different Structural Cyclone Separators
Authors: Sun Liqiang , Xie Ming , Man Maoli , Li Jiangfei , Dong Yingjuan , Song Jianfei
Published: November 2024

The gas phase flow field inside a cyclone separator is crucial to the particle separation process. Previous studies have paid attention to the steady-state characteristics of the gas phase flow field, while research on its dynamic characteristics remains insufficient. Meanwhile, cyclone separators often adopt different structural forms according to the process requirements, the evolution laws of the dynamic characteristics flow field within them are still not well understood. Therefore, in this study, a hot-wire anemometer (HWA) was employed to measure the instantaneous tangential velocity of the gas phase flow fields within different structural cyclone separators (cylinder type, cylinder–cone (no hopper), and cylinder–cone (with hopper)). Comparative analyses and discussions were conducted regarding the dynamic characteristic distribution rules of the flow field in the time domain and the frequency domain. The results revealed that the dimensionless tangential velocity distributions of different types of cyclone separators all conformed to the Rankine vortex structure. The instantaneous tangential velocity fluctuated with low frequency and high amplitude, and the low-frequency velocity fluctuation exhibited a transfer behavior along the radial direction. Compared with the cylinder–cone-type cyclone separator, the tangential velocity in the cylinder-type cyclone separator fluctuated more greatly, and its quasi-periodic behavior was also more obvious. The time-averaged tangential velocity, the tangential velocity fluctuation intensity (Sd), and the dominant fluctuation frequency all had obvious attenuation along the axial direction in the cylinder-type cyclone separator, while the above-mentioned parameters had no attenuation along the axial direction in cylinder–cone-type cyclone separators. Additionally, the backflow from the hopper of the cylinder–cone-type cyclone separator (with hopper) led to an increase in the instantaneous tangential velocity fluctuation intensity of the local flow field near the dust outlet, as well as the occurrence of the “double dominant frequencies” phenomenon.
Maximizing the Hesperidin Extraction Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide and Ethanol: Theoretical Prediction and Experimental Results
Authors: Ortiz-Sanchez Mariana , Agudelo-Patiño Tatiana , Cardona Alzate Carlos Ariel
Published: November 2024

Agroindustrial waste can be valorized towards the obtaining of several products such as pigments, proteins, fibers, and polyphenolic compounds with antioxidant capacity. Orange peel waste is a promising source of polyphenolic compounds such as hesperidin. However, conventional extraction techniques present some environmental limitations such as high solvent consumption and high wastewater generation. Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) has emerged as a green extraction technique due to the low use of solvent. The aim of this study was to maximize the hesperidin extraction based on theoretical predictions of the operating conditions from empirical thermodynamic models using SFE with carbon dioxide (CO2) as a solvent. The theoretical conditions were validated experimentally on a semi-pilot scale. The extracts were evaluated in terms of hesperidin content, total polyphenol content, and antioxidant capacity. Thermodynamic prediction of the operating conditions showed that the ethanol used as a co-solvent promotes hesperidin extraction. The optimum operating conditions were 25 °C, 80 bar, and a volumetric co-solvent concentration of 10%. The validation of the operating conditions resulted in a final hesperidin concentration of 11.5 ± 0.03 g/kg of orange peel waste. The experimental results were 30.26-times higher using 10% vol of ethanol than the extraction of hesperidin with pure ethanol as a co-solvent. The total polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity resulted in 831.92 ± 40.01 mg Galic acid/100 g orange peel waste, 15.41± 0.91 EC50/mL, and 5.31 ± 0.67 µMolTrox/100 g orange peel. Finally, the prediction of operating conditions from empirical thermodynamic models such as the Peng–Robinson equation of state with some modifications (Stryjek Vera) for solid–gas equilibrium solubility calculations, allows for maximizing the content of the polyphenolic compounds using SFE.
Research on the Calculation Method and Diffusion Pattern of VCE Injury Probability in Oil Tank Group Based on SLAB-TNO Method
Authors: Zhang Xixiang , Yang Yufeng , Cheng Wanzhou , Chen Guohua , Xu Qiming , Gao Tingyu
Published: November 2024

Accidental leakage from oil–gas storage tanks can lead to the formation of liquid pools. These pools can result in vapor cloud explosions (VCEs) if combustible vapors encounter ignition energy. Conducting accurate and comprehensive consequence analyses of such explosions is crucial for quantitative risk assessments (QRAs) in industrial safety. In this study, a methodology based on the SLAB-TNO model to calculate the overpressure resulting from a VCE is presented. Based on this method, the consequences of the VCE accident considering the gas cloud concentration diffusion are studied. The probit model is employed to evaluate casualty probabilities under varying environmental and operational conditions. The effects of key parameters, including gas diffusion time, wind speed, lower flammability limit (LFL), and environment temperature, on casualty diffusion are systematically investigated. The results indicate that when the diffusion time is less than 100 s, the VCE consequences are significantly more severe due to the rapid spread of the gas cloud. Furthermore, increasing wind speed accelerates gas dispersion, reducing the spatial extent of casualty isopleths. The LFL is shown to have a direct impact on both the mass and diffusion of the flammable gas cloud, with higher LFL values shifting the explosion’s epicenter upward. The environmental temperature promotes gas diffusion in the core area and increases the mass of the combustible gas cloud. These findings provide critical insights for improving the safety protocols in oil and gas storage facilities and can serve as a valuable reference for consequence assessment and emergency response planning in similar industrial scenarios.
Eliminating Scraps in Refrigerator Door Sealing—A Six Sigma Case Study
Authors: Enache Ioana-Cătălina , Chivu Oana Roxana , Raduică Florin-Felix
Published: November 2024

This paper applies the Six Sigma method to an investigation and analysis of the factors contributing to sealing problems encountered in a refrigerated appliance model. By adopting a rigorous and systematic approach, the Six Sigma method relies on the use of advanced statistical and analytical tools to minimize variability and optimize processes. By utilizing the Six Sigma methodology, this work not only identifies and remedies sealing-related problems, but also contributes to a robust and efficient manufacturing process. The proposed methodology adopts the DMAIC approach and its associated tools to evaluate the impact of waste on the production process. This study aims to demonstrate how the DMAIC approach can effectively assist the company in minimizing scrap. Furthermore, detailed recommendations regarding the application and implementation of DMAIC tools are provided, enabling the company to thoroughly assess its existing processes. These insights will empower the company to identify areas for improvement and implement strategies for ongoing enhancement and operational excellence.