bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Physicochemical Characterization, Fatty Acid Profile, and Nutritional Indices of the Greek Traditional Cheese “Tsalafouti”
Authors: Samara Antonia , Alexandraki Maria , Meleti Ermioni , Manouras Athanasios , Malissiova Eleni
Published: March 2024

Tsalafouti cheese, a traditional Greek spreadable cheese, has experienced remarkable popularity over the last decade due to the strong dairy production heritage links that it presents, alongside the special nutritional and sensory attributes that it holds. The aim of this study was to chemically characterize the Greek cheese Tsalafouti, with a special focus on its fatty acid profile and the potential nutritional effect it may have. Standard methods were used to assess the physicochemical profile of Tsalafouti cheese, while a fatty acid profile was determined using gas chromatography. The analysis revealed average values, including a pH of 3.94, moisture content of 75.05%, protein content of 8.86%, and fat content of 11.3%. The fatty acid profile highlighted the predominance of health-important fatty acids, such as oleic acid, known for its well-established health benefits. Additionally, the health lipid indices of Tsalafouti were assessed by calculating the atherogenicity index (IA), the thrombogenicity index (IT), the ratio of hypocholesterolemic to hypercholesterolemic fatty acids (HH), the health-promoting index (HPI), and the PUFA-n-6/PUFA-n-3 ratio. The values of these indices indicate the quality concerning proatherogenicity, prothrombogenicity, and the risk of cardiovascular issues. Notably, all the above health indicators are consistent with known health effects. Importantly, the ratio of ω6/ω3 fatty acids aligns with the nutritional recommendations of the World Health Organization. Based on these results, Tsalafouti cheese emerges as a low-fat product and source of protein with potential functional properties, distinguishing itself from other cheeses in the market.
Ozone Treatment for the Management of Caries in Primary Dentition: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies
Authors: Veneri Federica , Filippini Tommaso , Consolo Ugo , Vinceti Marco , Generali Luigi
Published: March 2024

Dental caries in children is a frequent and debilitating condition, whose management is often challenging. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the effectiveness of ozone applications for the treatment of caries in primary dentition. According to PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature search was performed up to 6 January 2024. Clinical studies using ozone to treat caries of deciduous teeth were considered for inclusion. Out of the 215 records retrieved, seven studies were eventually included in the review, all of which used gaseous ozone. Four studies were judged at high risk of bias, two at low risk, and one of some concerns. The great heterogeneity of designs, outcomes, and protocols made it impossible to conduct a meta-analysis. Despite some limitations, the evidence yielded by the included studies suggests that ozone application, regardless of the protocol applied, is comparable to other interventions in terms of clinical outcomes and anti-bacterial activity, with no reported adverse effects and good patient acceptance. Therefore, ozone application may be a non-invasive approach to treat caries in primary dentition, especially in very young and poorly cooperative patients. Further standardized and rigorous studies are, however, needed to identify the best clinical protocols for this specific field.
Research of Slamming Load Characteristics during Trans-Media Aircraft Entry into Water
Authors: Liu Xinyu , Tan Liguo , Zhang Xinbin , Li Liang
Published: March 2024

The trans-media aircraft water entry process generates strong slamming loads that will seriously affect the stability and safety of the aircraft. To address this problem, we design a fixed-wing aircraft configuration and employ numerical simulations with the volume of fluid (VOF) multiphase flow model, standard k-epsilon turbulence model, and dynamic mesh technique. We explore the characteristics of aircraft subjected to bang loads under different conditions. The results show the following: the pressure load on the aircraft surface increases with higher water entry velocity; larger entry angles lead to more drastic changes in the aircraft’s drag coefficient, demonstrating strong nonlinear characteristics; the greater the angle of attack into the water, the greater the pressure load on the root underneath the wing, with little effect on the pressure load on the head; and the water entry drag coefficient and average pressure load follow an increasing order of conical head, hemispherical head, and flat head. These findings provide theoretical references for studying the load characteristics during trans-media water entry of various flying bodies and optimizing fuselage structural strength.
Digital Progression and Economic Growth: Analyzing the Impact of ICT Advancements on the GDP of European Union Countries
Authors: Magoutas Anastasios I. , Chaideftou Maria , Skandali Dimitra , Chountalas Panos T.
Published: March 2024

This research thoroughly examines the dynamic relationship between the European Union’s economic growth and rapid advancements in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Specifically, it assesses how certain ICT indicators are associated with significant economic growth. Utilizing an extensive dataset from the Digital Economy and Society Index 2022 (DESI), the Statistical Office of the European Union (EUROSTAT), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), this study encompasses data from all 27 European Union member states. Employing structural equation modelling, our analysis illustrates the positive correlation between ICT development and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) index. Our findings highlight the critical role of swiftly evolving technological landscapes, emphasizing the growing influence of new Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in business sectors. Furthermore, this study showcases the need to enhance human capital and expedite the growth of e-government technologies. These advancements are pivotal in strengthening the infrastructure supporting citizens and public enterprises across European countries, thereby contributing to their economic vitality.
Nursing Students’ Motivation, Awareness, and Knowledge of Women’s Health: A Norwegian Quasi-Experimental Study
Authors: Tørris Christine
Published: March 2024

Background: The knowledge of sex and gender differences in disease are crucial for nursing students. Methods: This quasi-experimental study assesses nursing students’ motivation, awareness, and knowledge related to women’s health before and after a pathology course for first-year nursing students, using a pre–posttest design (pretest: n = 312, posttest: n = 156). Results: More than 90% of students were motivated to learn about sex and gender differences in pathology. Awareness increased significantly for the following topics: cardiovascular disease (CVD), osteoporosis, and breast cancer (BC). The knowledge level was low for CVD and high for BC, where the knowledge level increased significantly for BC. Having another first language predicted CVD (B −2.123, 95% CI −3.21 to −1.03) and osteoporosis (B −0.684, 95% CI −0.98 to −0.39) knowledge negatively, while age group (≥21 years) predicted menstruation (B 0.179, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.33) and BC (B 0.591, 95% CI 0.19 to 1.00) knowledge positively, in the total sample (pre- and postdata, n = 468). Conclusion: There is a lack of pathology knowledge among nursing students, especially related to CVD and symptoms of heart attacks in women. To ensure equality in health for women, these perspectives should be systematically integrated into the nursing students’ curriculum in the future.
A Novel Photovoltaic Power Prediction Method Based on a Long Short-Term Memory Network Optimized by an Improved Sparrow Search Algorithm
Authors: Chen Yue , Li Xiaoli , Zhao Shuguang
Published: March 2024

Photovoltaic (PV) power prediction plays a significant role in supporting the stable operation and resource scheduling of integrated energy systems. However, the randomness and volatility of photovoltaic power generation will greatly affect the prediction accuracy. Focusing on this issue, a prediction framework is proposed in this research by developing an improved sparrow search algorithm (ISSA) to optimize the hyperparameters of long short-term memory (LSTM) neural networks. The ISSA is specially designed from the following three aspects to support a powerful search performance. Firstly, the initial population variety is enriched by using an enhanced sine chaotic mapping. Secondly, the relative position of neighboring producers is introduced to improve the producer position-updating strategy to enhance the global search capabilities. Then the Cauchy–Gaussian variation is utilized to help avoid the local optimal solution. Numerical experiments on 20 test functions indicate that ISSA could identify the optimal solution with better precision compared to SSA and PSO algorithms. Furthermore, a comparative study of PV power prediction methods is provided. The ISSA-LSTM algorithm developed in this paper and five benchmark models are implemented on a real dataset gathered from the Alice Springs area in Australia. In contrast to the SSA-LSTM model, most MAE, MAPE, and RMSE values of the proposed model are reduced by 20∼60%, demonstrating the superiority of the proposed model under various weather conditions and typical seasons.
Empowering Energy Communities through Geothermal Systems
Authors: Battaglia Vittoria , Ceglia Francesca , Laudiero Davide Maria , Maione Alessandro , Marrasso Elisa , Vanoli Laura
Published: March 2024

The Renewable Energy Directive II introduces renewable energy communities, enhancing energy sharing. However, many existing initiatives, focussing only on electricity, overlook the substantial energy demand in building sector comprising residential and commercial spaces. Energy communities in this sector can leverage district heating and cooling technology for thermal energy sharing, contributing to carbon neutrality by enhancing efficiency and reducing primary energy usage. Advanced strategies such as integrating renewables into heating and cooling grids, sector coupling, and utilising waste heat are key in moving away from fossil fuels. The Campania Region (Italy), abundant in geothermal energy potential, chose a district in which to implement the GeoGRID system. This innovative setup combines a four-pipe district heating and cooling network with an Organic Rankine Cycle plant, tapping into geothermal energy from the Solfatara area. The geothermal fluid’s heat feeds the ORC evaporator and then powers the thermal network, allowing direct heating and domestic hot water supply during winter. A thorough techno-economic analysis assessed the energy potential extractable from the geothermal fluid. Crucial aspects of this study are the evaluation of the energy and environmental efficiency of the system within the renewable energy community framework. Additionally, the paper introduces a methodology applicable for assessing geothermal energy communities on a global scale.
Reinforcement Learning for Energy Community Management: A European-Scale Study
Authors: Palma Giulia , Guiducci Leonardo , Stentati Marta , Rizzo Antonio , Paoletti Simone
Published: March 2024

Efficient management of renewable energy resources is imperative for promoting environmental sustainability and optimizing the utilization of clean energy sources. This paper presents a pioneering European-scale study on energy management within renewable energy communities (RECs). With a primary focus on enhancing the social welfare of the community, we introduce a reinforcement learning (RL) controller designed to strategically manage Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs) and orchestrate energy flows. This research transcends geographical boundaries by conducting an extended analysis of various energy communities and diverse energy markets across Europe, encompassing different regions of Italy. Our methodology involves the implementation of an RL controller, leveraging optimal control theory for training and utilizing only real-time data available at the current time step during the test phase. Through simulations conducted in diverse contexts, we demonstrate the superior performance of our RL agent compared to a state-of-the-art rule-based controller. The agent exhibits remarkable adaptability to various scenarios, consistently surpassing existing rule-based controllers. Notably, we illustrate that our approach aligns with the intricate patterns observed in both Italian and European energy markets, achieving performance levels comparable to an optimal controller assuming perfect theoretical knowledge of future data.
Battery Energy Storage Systems: A Review of Energy Management Systems and Health Metrics
Authors: Nazaralizadeh Solmaz , Banerjee Paramarshi , Srivastava Anurag K. , Famouri Parviz
Published: March 2024

With increasing concerns about climate change, there is a transition from high-carbon-emitting fuels to green energy resources in various applications including household, commercial, transportation, and electric grid applications. Even though renewable energy resources are receiving traction for being carbon-neutral, their availability is intermittent. To address this issue to achieve extensive application, the integration of energy storage systems in conjunction with these resources is becoming a recommended practice. Additionally, in the transportation sector, the increased demand for EVs requires the development of energy storage systems that can deliver energy for rigorous driving cycles, with lithium-ion-based batteries emerging as the superior choice for energy storage due to their high power and energy densities, length of their life cycle, low self-discharge rates, and reasonable cost. As a result, battery energy storage systems (BESSs) are becoming a primary energy storage system. The high-performance demand on these BESS can have severe negative effects on their internal operations such as heating and catching on fire when operating in overcharge or undercharge states. Reduced efficiency and poor charge storage result in the battery operating at higher temperatures. To mitigate early battery degradation, battery management systems (BMSs) have been devised to enhance battery life and ensure normal operation under safe operating conditions. Some BMSs are capable of determining precise state estimations to ensure safe battery operation and reduce hazards. Precise estimation of battery health is computed by evaluating several metrics and is a central factor in effective battery management systems. In this scenario, the accurate estimation of the health indicators (HIs) of the battery becomes even more important within the framework of a BMS. This paper provides a comprehensive review and discussion of battery management systems and different health indicators for BESSs, with suitable classification based on key characteristics.
Forecasting Solar Energy Generation and Household Energy Usage for Efficient Utilisation
Authors: Raudys Aistis , Gaidukevičius Julius
Published: March 2024

In this study, a prototype was developed for the effective utilisation of a domestic solar power plant. The basic idea is to switch on certain electrical appliances when the surplus of generated energy is predicted one hour in advance, for example, switching on a pump motor for watering a garden. This prediction is important because some devices (motors) wear out if they are switched on and off too frequently. If a solar power plant generates more energy than a household can consume, the surplus energy is fed into the main grid for storage. If a household has an energy shortage, the same energy is bought back at a higher price. In this study, data were collected from solar inverters, historical weather APIs and smart energy meters. This study describes the data preparation process and feature engineering that will later be used to create forecasting models. This study consists of two forecasting models: solar energy generation and household electricity consumption. Both types of model were tested using Facebook Prophet and different neural network architectures: feedforward, long short-term memory (LSTM) and gated recurrent unit (GRU) networks. In addition, a baseline model was developed to compare the prediction accuracy.
Predicting Liquid Water Condensation in PEM Fuel Cells by Coupling CFD with 1D Models
Authors: Schmitz Maximilian , Matthiesen Fynn , Dirkes Steffen , Pischinger Stefan
Published: March 2024

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells are a promising technology for future transportation applications. However, start-up procedures that are not optimized for low temperatures can lead to the early failure of the cells. Detailed CFD models can support the optimization of cold start procedures, but they often cannot be solved in a stable way due to their complexity. One-dimensional (1D) models can be calculated quickly but are simplified so that the behavior of the cells can no longer be determined accurately. In this contribution, a coupling between a 2D CFD model of the gas channels and a 1D model of the Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) is realized. This method allows not only to determine the location and amount of the condensed water but also to calculate the exact concentration of the reactant gases along the channels. The investigations show that the concentrations of the gases and the relative humidities in the gas channels are strongly influenced by the current density. It has been found that it is not possible to avoid the formation of liquid water at low operating temperatures by controlling the current density.
Assessing the Energy Performance and Retrofit Potential of the 1980–1990s’ Residential Building Stock in China’s Jiangsu Province: A Simulation-Based Study
Authors: Chen Xi , Cimillo Marco , Chow David , Chen Bing
Published: March 2024

The building operation sector in China represents 22% of the national energy consumption and 22% of the carbon emission, of which urban residential buildings accounted for 24% in 2019. Such figures for the housing sector are projected to increase sharply in the near future, while China aims to peak CO2 emissions by 2030 and reach neutrality before 2060. To reduce the impacts of the urban housing sector and address the energy use and waste generated by large-scale demolition and reconstruction, the central government started promoting the energy retrofit of urban residential buildings, raising such policies to the national strategic level. Jiangsu Province is one of the most urbanised, with a rapid growth in the energy consumption of residential buildings. The Multi-Danyuan and Single-Danyuan Apartment built in 1980–1999 are the most representative residential types in its urban areas. While still adequate functionally, they were designed and built to low energy standards and show significant potential for energy retrofit. Nonetheless, their current performance and energy-saving potential are under-researched, while more detailed and reliable data would be critical to support retrofit design and policy making. This study investigates and characterises the typical use and energy performance of the two building types. Additionally, seven measures and six retrofit scenarios were identified based on the optimal energy reductions and regulations from selected countries. The simulations indicate that, without intervention, the energy consumption of the typical urban residential buildings can reach 122 kWh/m2 under the typical high-energy user scenario. By selecting a set of effective energy-saving measures, the operational energy use for heating and cooling can be reduced by up to 52.4%. Current local standards prove cost-efficient, although less effective in reducing energy use compared to international best practices, indicating potential improvements to the contribution of building retrofit towards achieving the national carbon reduction goals.
Eddy–Viscosity Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes Modeling of Air Distribution in a Sidewall Jet Supplied into a Room
Authors: Hurnik Maria , Ciuman Piotr , Popiolek Zbigniew
Published: March 2024

Air velocity is one of the key parameters affecting the sensation of thermal comfort. In mixing ventilation, the air is most often supplied above the occupied zone, and the air movement in a room is caused by jets that generate recirculating flows. An effective tool for predicting airflow in a room is CFD numerical modeling. In order to reproduce the air velocity distribution, it is essential to select a proper turbulence model. In this paper, seven Eddy–Viscosity RANS turbulence models were used to carry out CFD simulations of a sidewall air jet supplied into a room through a wall diffuser. The goal was to determine which model was the most suitable to adopt in this type of airflow. The CFD results were validated using experimental data by comparing the gross and integral parameters, along with the parameters of the quasi-free jet model. The numerical results obtained for Std k-ε and EVTM models were most consistent with the measurements. Their error values slightly exceeded 15%. On the contrary, the k-ω and RNG k-ε models did not reproduce the quasi-free jet parameters correctly. The research findings can prove beneficial for simulating air distribution in supplied air jets during the initial conceptual phases of HVAC system design.
Antagonism of Estrogen Receptor α-Driven Transcription Mediated by AP-1 in Breast Cancer Therapy
Authors: Leclercq Guy
Published: March 2024

The evolution of breast cancers results from the emergence of epithelial cell subpopulations containing variant Estrogen Receptor α which is able to bypass conventional treatments aimed at antagonizing the activity of this tumor-promoting receptor. The present investigation concerns a few estradiol derivates bearing substituents in position 11β that might not only contribute to the development of drugs to alleviate this unfortunate issue but that may be also helpful in identifying molecular aspects of resistance to this receptor in order to elaborate other therapeutic approaches. In this regard, AP-1 assisted and ERE-directed ERα transcriptions are demonstrated to be key factors in this area: AP-1 transcriptions are shown to antagonize ERE transcriptions, thereby limiting their tumor-promoting activity. This property results from a conformal change in the receptor, which is induced essentially by estrogenic ligands which, inserted into a cavity of ERα’s ligand-binding pocket, govern this regulatory mechanism. Flexible 11β side-chains favor this insertion, in contrast to their rigid counterparts, which counteract it; these properties give rise to strong estrogenic, SERM or SERD profiles. Suspected extracellular regulatory mechanisms resulting from these ligand-induced transcriptions are elaborated on in the present work in the context of breast cancer development.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Hand Hygiene, Mask Use, and Social Distancing among Public Hospital and Polyclinic Nurses in Barbados during the Coronavirus 2019 Pandemic
Authors: Gaur Uma , Sealy Wendy , Bharatha Ambadasu , Sobers Natasha P. , Krishnamurthy Kandamaran , Campbell Michael H. , Cumberbatch Cara , Drakes Maia , Gibbs Marielle , Alexander Charisse , Harewood Heather , Adams O. Peter , Gupta Subir , Parsa Ali Davod , Kabir Russell , Majumder Md Anwarul Azim
Published: March 2024

Background: Nurses are essential members of the healthcare workforce and were among the first-line carers for patients in community and hospital settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, they were at a heightened risk of infection, resulting in several reported deaths among nursing staff. Several preventive measures were adopted to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This study aims to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of nurses regarding hand hygiene, mask wearing, and social distancing measures in healthcare settings in Barbados during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: An online survey of nurses working in public hospitals and polyclinics (public primary care clinics) in Barbados from March 2021 to December 2021 was conducted. A nonsystematic convenience sampling method was employed to recruit nurses who were readily available and willing to participate. A questionnaire captured the sociodemographic information and knowledge and practices related to hand hygiene, the use of face masks, and social distancing. Each correct response received one mark. Overall knowledge scores were categorized as poor (<60%), average (60–80%), or good (>80–100%). Results: Of the 192 participants, the majority were female (82.8%) and had >5 years of experience (82%). The findings revealed that 45.8% had poor knowledge of hand hygiene, and that the knowledge of 43.8% of respondents was average. Multivariable logistic regression showed that, after adjustment for age and gender, registered nurses had 2.1 times increased odds (95% confidence interval 1.0, 4.2) of having good knowledge compared to other nursing categories. Regarding mask wearing, 53.6% of nurses had average knowledge, and 27.1% had good knowledge. Multivariable logistic regression showed that, after adjustment for age and gender, registered nurses had 3.3 times increased odds (95% confidence interval 1.5, 7.4) of having good knowledge compared to nursing assistants. A total of 68.6% of respondents followed the correct steps of handwashing every time, and 98.3% wore a mask in public places. More than half of the nurses (51.2%) kept a safe distance from others to avoid spreading SARS-CoV-2; one-third were in a crowded place(s) in the past three months, and 55.8% usually followed guidelines for social isolation as recommended by the WHO. Conclusions: The study identified knowledge deficiencies related to hand hygiene and wearing masks among nurses. It is imperative to provide additional training on infection control measures.
Exploring Transcriptional Regulation of Beta Cell SASP by Brd4-Associated Proteins and Cell Cycle Control Protein p21
Authors: Manji Jasmine , Pipella Jasmine , Brawerman Gabriel , Thompson Peter J.
Published: March 2024

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a metabolic disease resulting from progressive autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. Although the majority of beta cells are lost in T1D, a small subset undergoes senescence, a stress response involving growth arrest, DNA damage response, and activation of a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). SASP in beta cells of the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse model of T1D and primary human islets is regulated at the level of transcription by bromodomain extra-terminal (BET) proteins, but the mechanisms remain unclear. To explore how SASP is transcriptionally regulated in beta cells, we used the NOD beta cell line NIT-1 to model beta cell SASP and identified binding partners of BET protein Brd4 and explored the role of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21. Brd4 interacted with a variety of proteins in senescent NIT-1 cells including subunits of the Ino80 chromatin remodeling complex, which was expressed in beta cells during T1D progression in NOD mice and in human beta cells of control, autoantibody-positive, and T1D donors as determined from single-cell RNA-seq data. RNAi knockdown of p21 during senescence in NIT-1 cells did not significantly impact viability or SASP. Taken together, these results suggest that Brd4 interacts with several protein partners during senescence in NIT-1 cells, some of which may play roles in SASP gene activation and that p21 is dispensable for the SASP in this beta cell model.
Emerging Microplastics Alter the Influences of Soil Animals on the Fungal Community Structure in Determining the Litter Decomposition of a Deciduous Tree
Authors: Wang Xin , Ye Rumeng , Li Bai-Lian , Tian Kai
Published: March 2024

Microplastics enter forest ecosystems in a variety of ways, including through atmospheric deposition, anthropogenic waste, and leaching. There is growing evidence of the ecotoxicity of microplastics to soil decomposers. Soil animals and microorganisms are the main decomposers of plant litter, and their interactions play important roles in determining the terrestrial biochemical cycle. However, how emerging microplastics in forests affect the influence of soil animals on the fungal community in decomposed litter is still unclear. Here, by constructing a rigorous mesocosm experiment, we investigated soil enzyme activities and the variation in fungal community characteristics in the leaf litter of a deciduous tree, Lindera glauca, which was decomposed by contrasting decomposer structures (with or without soil animals) under different contamination conditions (with or without microplastic contamination), aiming to determine the impacts of these factors on litter decomposition. We found that soil animals can significantly depress the litter decomposition rate by reducing fungal diversity and largely changing the community structure in the litter. However, these critical changes caused by soil animals were inhibited in the mesocosms contaminated with high-density polyethylene microplastics (HDPE−MPs), during which soil animal activities were significantly reduced. These findings represent a step forward in illustrating the potential effect of emerging contamination stress on forest litter decomposition and biogeochemical cycles under global environmental change.
Colletotrichum Species Causing Cyclocarya paliurus Anthracnose in Southern China
Authors: Zheng Xiang-Rong , Zhang Mao-Jiao , Chen Feng-Mao
Published: March 2024

Cyclocarya paliurus, native to China, is a medicinal and edible plant with important health benefits. Anthracnose is an emerging disease in southern China that causes severe economic losses and poses a great threat to the C. paliurus tea industry. However, to date, the species diversity of pathogens causing C. paliurus anthracnose has remained limited. From 2018 to 2022, a total of 331 Colletotrichum isolates were recovered from symptomatic leaves in eight major C. paliurus planting provinces of southern China. Phylogenetic analyses based on nine loci (ITS, GAPDH, ACT, CHS-1, TUB, CAL, HIS3, GS and ApMat) coupled with phenotypic characteristics revealed that 43 representative isolates belonged to seven known Colletotrichum species, including C. brevisporum, C. fructicola, C. gloeosporioides sensu stricto, C. godetiae, C. nymphaeae, C. plurivorum and C. sojae. Pathogenicity tests demonstrated that all species described above were pathogenic to wounding detached leaves of C. paliurus, with C. fructicola being the most aggressive species. However, C. brevisporum, C. plurivorum and C. sojae were not pathogenic to the intact plant of C. paliurus. These findings reveal the remarkable species diversity involved in C. paliurus anthracnose and will facilitate further studies on implementing effective control of C. paliurus anthracnose in China.
Adaptive Distribution and Vulnerability Assessment of Endangered Maple Species on the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhang Huayong , Sun Pengfei , Zou Hengchao , Ji Xiande , Wang Zhongyu , Liu Zhao
Published: March 2024

Climate change has had an almost irreversible impact on the distribution patterns of tree species on the Tibetan Plateau, driving some vulnerable species to the brink of extinction. Therefore, it is important to assess the vulnerability of tree species in climate-sensitive areas under the following three IPCC-CMIP6 scenarios: SSP126, SSP370, and SSP585. The MaxEnt model was used to predict adaptive distribution for one endangered (Acer wardii W. W. Smith (A. wardii)) and six vulnerable maple plants on the Tibetan Plateau under current and future conditions. We then evaluated their vulnerability using the landscape fragmentation index. Our results showed that the current adaptive areas of vulnerable maple species were mainly distributed in the southeast of the Tibetan Plateau. The dominant factors affecting adaptive areas were temperature annual range (BIO7) for Acer sikkimense Miq. and Acer sterculiaceum Wall.; annual precipitation (BIO12) for Acer cappadocicum Gled.; precipitation of driest month (BIO14) for Acer pectinatum Wall. ex G. Nicholson, Acer taronense Hand.-Mazz., and A. wardii; and subsoil clay fraction (S_CLAY) for Acer campbellii Hook.f. & Thoms. ex Hiern (A. campbellii) Under the three future scenarios, the adaptive areas of maple on the Tibetan Plateau area shifted to the northwest, and habitat suitability increased in the northwestern part of the adaptive areas. In the SSP370 scenario, all seven species showed an increase in adaptive areas, while certain species decreased in some periods under the SSP126 and SSP585 scenarios. The status of the endangered maple species is likely to be even more fragile under the three future scenarios. A. wardii and A. campbellii are more vulnerable and may face extinction, requiring immediate attention and protection. In contrast, the vulnerability of the remaining five species decreased. In conclusion, this study provides recommendations for conserving vulnerable maple species on the Tibetan Plateau. Our data support understanding the distributional changes and vulnerability assessment of these tree species.
Lactic Acid Production by Enterococcus durans Is Improved by Cell Recycling and pH Control
Authors: Barroso Raissa Gabriela Martins Reis , Damaso Mônica Caramez Triches , Machado Fabricio , Gonçalves Sílvia Belém
Published: March 2024

Lactic acid bacteria are widely used because they produce lactic acid naturally, are resistant to acidic pH and a wide temperature range, and frequently produce lactic acid as a primary metabolite. In this study, Enterococcus durans isolated from buffalo milk was employed in lactic acid fermentation with the primary goal of obtaining fermentation parameters for an effective process enabling the use of lactose as an alternative carbon source. Fermentative parameters such as initial concentration of carbon source, dissolved oxygen concentration, cell recycling, and batch with pulse operation mode were studied to find the best conditions for L-(+)-lactic acid production. The association of 20 g·L−1 of lactose with 10 g·L−1 of glucose enabled the best bioconversion to lactic acid. Anaerobiosis did not contribute to increasing lactic acid production. Batch fermentation with cell recycling was the strategy that enhanced lactic acid production and lactose consumption, reaching 26.07 g·L−1, 0.36 g·L−1·h−1 of productivity and yielding about 0.86 g·g−1. It is fundamental to evaluate the parameters of lactic acid fermentation and provide efficient and sustainable production methods.
A Multicriteria Geographic Information System Analysis of Wildfire Susceptibility in the Andean Region: A Case Study in Ibarra, Ecuador
Authors: Arias-Muñoz Paúl , Cabrera-García Santiago , Jácome-Aguirre Gabriel
Published: March 2024

The uncontrolled spread of fire can have huge effects on ecosystems. In Ecuador, in 2022, wildfires caused a loss of 6566.66 hectares of vegetation cover. Ibarra is an Andean canton that has also been exposed to wildfires and their effects. The aim of this study was to map wildfire susceptibility in the Ibarra canton. Seven factors that directly affect these fires were examined: precipitation, temperature, water deficit, potential evapotranspiration, slope, proximity to roads, and land cover and land use. The variables were reclassified using Geographic Information Systems and a multicriteria analysis. The results showed that Ibarra has four susceptibility categories: very low, moderate, high, and very high. The more susceptible areas are those considered to have high and very high exposure, occupying 82% of the surface. Consequently, the most susceptible land covers are crops, pastures, shrub vegetation, and forests.
Pipe Formation by Fluid Focalization in Bilayered Sediments
Authors: Gay Aurélien , Tangavelou Ganesh , Vidal Valérie
Published: March 2024

Pipe structures are commonly encountered in the geophysical context, and in particular in sedimentary basins, where they are associated with fluid migration structures. We investigate pipe formation through laboratory experiments by injecting water locally at a constant flow rate at the base of water-saturated sands in a Hele–Shaw cell (30 cm high, 35 cm wide, gap 2.3 mm). The originality of this work is to quantify the effect of a discontinuity. More precisely, bilayered structures are considered, where a layer of fine grains overlaps a layer of coarser grains. Different invasion structures are reported, with fluidization of the bilayered sediment over its whole height or over the finer grains only. The height and area of the region affected by the fluidization display a non-monotonous evolution, which can be interpreted in terms of fluid focusing vs. scattering. Theoretical considerations can predict the critical coarse grains height for the invasion pattern transition, as well as the maximum topography at the sediment free surface in the regime in which only the overlapping finer grains fluidize. These results have crucial geophysical implications, as they demonstrate that invasion patterns and pipe formation dynamics may control the fluid expulsion extent and localization at the seafloor.
A Class of Fifth-Order Chebyshev–Halley-Type Iterative Methods and Its Stability Analysis
Authors: Wang Xiaofeng , Guo Shaonan
Published: March 2024

In this paper, a family of fifth-order Chebyshev–Halley-type iterative methods with one parameter is presented. The convergence order of the new iterative method is analyzed. By obtaining rational operators associated with iterative methods, the stability of the iterative method is studied by using fractal theory. In addition, some strange fixed points and critical points are obtained. By using the parameter space related to the critical points, some parameters with good stability are obtained. The dynamic plane corresponding to these parameters is plotted, visualizing the stability characteristics. Finally, the fractal diagrams of several iterative methods on different polynomials are compared. Both numerical results and fractal graphs show that the new iterative method has good convergence and stability when α=12.
Fibrin-Based Hydrogels with Reactive Amphiphilic Copolymers for Mechanical Adjustments Allow for Capillary Formation in 2D and 3D Environments
Authors: Wein Svenja , Schemmer Carina , Al Enezy-Ulbrich Miriam Aischa , Jung Shannon Anna , Rütten Stephan , Kühnel Mark , Jonigk Danny , Jahnen-Dechent Wilhelm , Pich Andrij , Neuss Sabine
Published: March 2024

This study focuses on enhancing controllable fibrin-based hydrogels for tissue engineering, addressing existing weaknesses. By integrating a novel copolymer, we improved the foundation for cell-based angiogenesis with adaptable structural features. Tissue engineering often faces challenges like waste disposal and nutrient supply beyond the 200 µm diffusion limit. Angiogenesis breaks through this limitation, allowing the construction of larger constructs. Our innovative scaffold combination significantly boosts angiogenesis, resulting in longer branches and more capillary network junctions. The copolymer attached to fibrin fibers enables precise adjustment of hydrogel mechanical dynamic properties for specific applications. Our material proves effective for angiogenesis, even under suppression factors like suramin. In our study, we prepared fibrin-based hydrogels with and without the copolymer PVP12400-co-GMA10mol%. Using a co-culture system of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), we analyzed angiogenetic behavior on and within the modified hydrogels. Capillary-like structures were reproducibly formed on different surfaces, demonstrating the general feasibility of three-dimensional endothelial cell networks in fibrin-based hydrogels. This highlights the biomaterial’s suitability for in vitro pre-vascularization of biohybrid implants.
Mentoring and Networking as the “Silver Lining” of Being Women Leaders: An Exploratory Study in Top World Forestry Schools
Authors: Larasatie Pipiet , Barnett Taylor , Hansen Eric
Published: March 2024

Although there are multiple efforts to increase gender equality in the forest sector, women are still underrepresented in the forest sector workforce, even more so in top leadership of forest sector companies. This underrepresentation is also found in higher education, and many forestry undergraduate programs still struggle to matriculate and graduate women. A way to attract and retain women is through mentoring and networking. Utilizing interviews, we found that it is quite challenging to find a woman mentor/role model in the forest sector because women are still underrepresented. To find a good mentor, young women are encouraged to be proactive in utilizing different channels, both formal and informal. When it comes to gender, our respondents emphasize the different benefits of having a woman vs. man as a mentor. In a men-dominated field such as the forest sector, women mentors enhance social belonging, confidence, and motivation in relatively alienating environments due to “been there-done that” experiences. Same-gender role models might also protect women from negative stereotypes and show how women can advance despite existing gendered barriers.
Complex Hippocampal Response to Thermal Skin Injury and Protocols with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Filipendula ulmaria Extract in Rats
Authors: Krstic Bojana , Selakovic Dragica , Jovicic Nemanja , Krstic Milos , Katanic Stankovic Jelena S. , Rosic Sara , Milovanovic Dragan , Rosic Gvozden
Published: March 2024

The aim of this study was to evaluate the alterations of the hippocampal function that may be related to anxiogenic response to thermal skin injury, including the morpho-functional alterations, and the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and Filipendula ulmaria (FU) extract in the treatment of anxiety-like behavior that coincides with thermal skin injury. A rat thermal skin injury experimental model was performed on 2-month-old male Wistar albino rats. The evaluated therapeutic protocols included HBO and/or antioxidant supplementation. HBO was applied for 7 days in the hyperbaric chamber (100% O2, 2.5 ATA, 60 min). Oral administration of FU extract (final concentration of 100 mg/kg b.w.) to achieve antioxidant supplementation was also applied for 7 days. Anxiety level was estimated in the open field and elevated plus-maze test, which was followed by anesthesia, sacrifice, and collection of hippocampal tissue samples. HBO treatment and FU supplementation significantly abolished anxiogenic response to thermal skin injury. This beneficial effect was accompanied by the reduction in hippocampal pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic indicators, and enhanced BDNF and GABA-ARα2S gene expression, previously observed in untreated burns. The hippocampal relative gene expression of melatonin receptors and NPY positively responded to the applied protocols, in the same manner as µ and δ opioid receptors, while the opposite response was observed for κ receptors. The results of this study provide some confirmations that adjuvant strategies, such as HBO and antioxidant supplementation, may be simultaneously applied in the treatment of the anxiety-like behavior that coincides with thermal skin injury.
A New Strategy to Investigate RNA:DNA Triplex Using Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Merici Giovanni , Amidani Davide , Dieci Giorgio , Rivetti Claudio
Published: March 2024

Over the past decade, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been recognized as key players in gene regulation, influencing genome organization and expression. The locus-specific binding of these non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) to DNA involves either a non-covalent interaction with DNA-bound proteins or a direct sequence-specific interaction through the formation of RNA:DNA triplexes. In an effort to develop a novel strategy for characterizing a triple-helix formation, we employed atomic force microscopy (AFM) to visualize and study a regulatory RNA:DNA triplex formed between the Khps1 lncRNA and the enhancer of the proto-oncogene SPHK1. The analysis demonstrates the successful formation of RNA:DNA triplexes under various conditions of pH and temperature, indicating the effectiveness of the AFM strategy. Despite challenges in discriminating between the triple-helix and R-loop configurations, this approach opens new perspectives for investigating the role of lncRNAs in gene regulation at the single-molecule level.
Functional MICA Variants Are Differentially Associated with Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases
Authors: Wang Chin-Man , Tan Keng-Poo , Wu Yeong-Jian Jan , Zheng Jian-Wen , Wu Jianming , Chen Ji-Yih
Published: March 2024

As the principal ligand for NKG2D, MICA elicits the recruitment of subsets of T cells and NK cells in innate immunity. MICA gene variants greatly impact the functionality and expression of MICA in humans. The current study evaluated whether MICA polymorphisms distinctively influence the pathogenesis of psoriasis (PSO), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Taiwanese subjects. The distributions of MICA alleles and levels of serum soluble NKG2D were compared between healthy controls and patients with PSO, RA, and SLE, respectively. The binding capacities and cell surface densities of MICA alleles were assessed by utilizing stable cell lines expressing four prominent Taiwanese MICA alleles. Our data revealed that MICA*010 was significantly associated with risks for PSO and RA (PFDR = 1.93 × 10−15 and 0.00112, respectively), while MICA*045 was significantly associated with predisposition to SLE (PFDR = 0.0002). On the other hand, MICA*002 was associated with protection against RA development (PFDR = 4.16 × 10−6), while MICA*009 was associated with a low risk for PSO (PFDR = 0.0058). MICA*002 exhibited the highest binding affinity for NKG2D compared to the other MICA alleles. Serum concentrations of soluble MICA were significantly elevated in SLE patients compared to healthy controls (p = 0.01). The lack of cell surface expression of the MICA*010 was caused by its entrapment in the endoplasmic reticulum. As a prevalent risk factor for PSO and RA, MICA*010 is deficient in cell surface expression and is unable to interact with NKG2D. Our study suggests that MICA alleles distinctively contribute to the pathogenesis of PSO, RA, and SLE in Taiwanese people.
Oxy-Inflammation in Humans during Underwater Activities
Authors: Vezzoli Alessandra , Mrakic-Sposta Simona , Brizzolari Andrea , Balestra Costantino , Camporesi Enrico Maria , Bosco Gerardo
Published: March 2024

Underwater activities are characterized by an imbalance between reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (RONS) and antioxidant mechanisms, which can be associated with an inflammatory response, depending on O2 availability. This review explores the oxidative stress mechanisms and related inflammation status (Oxy-Inflammation) in underwater activities such as breath-hold (BH) diving, Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) and Closed-Circuit Rebreather (CCR) diving, and saturation diving. Divers are exposed to hypoxic and hyperoxic conditions, amplified by environmental conditions, hyperbaric pressure, cold water, different types of breathing gases, and air/non-air mixtures. The “diving response”, including physiological adaptation, cardiovascular stress, increased arterial blood pressure, peripheral vasoconstriction, altered blood gas values, and risk of bubble formation during decompression, are reported.