bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Overview of Emerging and Sustainable Technologies for Increased Energy Efficiency and Carbon Emission Mitigation in Buildings
Authors: Ma Zhenjun , Awan Muhammad Bilal , Lu Menglong , Li Shengteng , Aziz Muhammad Shahbaz , Zhou Xinlei , Du Han , Sha Xinyi , Li Yixuan
Published: October 2023

The building sector accounts for a significant proportion of global energy usage and carbon dioxide emissions. It is important to explore technological advances to curtail building energy usage to support the transition to a sustainable energy future. This study provides an overview of emerging and sustainable technologies and strategies that can assist in achieving building decarbonization. The main technologies reviewed include uncertainty-based design, renewable integration in buildings, thermal energy storage, heat pump technologies, thermal energy sharing, building retrofits, demand flexibility, data-driven modeling, improved control, and grid-buildings integrated control. The review results indicated that these emerging and sustainable technologies showed great potential in reducing building operating costs and carbon footprint. The synergy among these technologies is an important area that should be explored. An appropriate combination of these technologies can help achieve grid-responsive net-zero energy buildings, which is anticipated to be one of the best options to simultaneously reduce building emissions, energy consumption, and operating costs, as well as support dynamic supply conditions of the renewable energy-powered grids. However, to unlock the full potential of these technologies, collaborative efforts between different stakeholders are needed to facilitate their integration and deployment on a larger and wider scale.
A Comparative Study on the Distribution Models of Incident Solar Energy in Buildings with Glazing Facades
Authors: Lu Shunyao , Huang Xiaoqing , Chen Tao , Wang Zhengzhi
Published: October 2023

The accurate distribution of solar energy on indoor walls is the basis of simulating the indoor thermal environment, and its specific distribution changes all the time due to the influence of solar azimuth and altitude angle. By analyzing the assumptions of each model, the existing solar energy distribution models are eight kinds in all and are divided into three categories. The solar radiation models in TRNSYS, EnergyPlus, and Airpak software all use the absorption-weighted area ratio method, which assumes that a single interior surface is a whole, but the detailed assumptions of the models used in the three software are different. In the Radiosity-irradiation method, the indoor surfaces are discretized into small surfaces for calculation. The calculation accuracy of solar radiation distribution indoors can be controlled by the number of discrete small surfaces. The Radiosity-irradiation method is implemented by using Matlab software programming in this paper. Through the numerical calculation and analysis of typical cases, the solar distribution results of the absorption-weighted area ratio method and the Radiosity-irradiation method all show the asymmetry. The asymmetrical ratio of direct solar radiation varies during the time between 7.96–9.89, and the minimum turns up at 11:30 in the summer solstice. The asymmetrical ratio of diffuse solar radiation is 3.23 constantly. The asymmetrical ratio of total solar energy is mainly influenced by the direct and diffuse solar feat gain and its value changes in the range from 3.4 to 4.45 in the summer solstice. Calculation comparison and error analysis on the solar radiation models used in TRNSYS, EnergyPlus, and Airpak software are conducted. There are significant errors in the simulation results of all three software. TRNSYS has the highest error among the three software as its results do not change over time. For EnergyPlus, the distribution ratio of floor 1 is too large. Airpak has the smallest error, but the solar radiation distribution ratios of the indoor surfaces near the south glazing facade are underrated, especially the indoor surfaces that have not been exposed to direct solar radiation.
Effect of Atomic-Layer-Deposited Hydroxyapatite Coating on Surface Thrombogenicity of Titanium
Authors: Abushahba Faleh , Areid Nagat , Kylmäoja Elina , Holopainen Jani , Ritala Mikko , Hupa Leena , Tuukkanen Juha , Närhi Timo
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the surface characteristics of a nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite coating made through atomic layer deposition (ALD-HA) on titanium surfaces and to investigate its effect on blood coagulation and platelet adhesion. Grade 2 square titanium discs (0.7 cm, 1 mm thick) were used (n = 108). Half of the substrates (n = 54) were coated with ALD-HA, and the other half were used as the non-coated control. Surface free energy (SFE), contact angle (CA), surface roughness (Ra), and chemical composition were evaluated. Blood thrombogenic properties were assessed on ALD-HA and non-coated surfaces using the kinetic clotting time method. The platelets’ adhesion and morphology were also evaluated. The ALD-HA-coated surfaces demonstrated significantly higher polar SFE (p < 0.001) and lower CA (p < 0.001) values compared to the non-coated surfaces. In addition, the surface roughness was significantly lower for the ALD-HA (p < 0.001) than for the non-coated surfaces. Platelets adhered to both surfaces; however, there was variability in platelet morphologies in different areas with higher platelet density on the ALD-HA surfaces. There was no significant difference in the overall absorbance values of the hemolyzed hemoglobin for both substrates, and the total clotting time was achieved at 60 min. It can be concluded that the ALD-HA coating of titanium can enhance surface wettability, increase surface free energy, and support blood coagulation and platelet adhesion.
Deformation Behavior and Processing Map of AlCoCrFeNiTi0.5 High-Entropy Alloy at High Temperature
Authors: Liu Xinbin , Li Tiansheng , Wang Yong , Kong Xianghua , Zhao Chenyang
Published: October 2023

AlCoCrFeNiTi0.5 high-entropy alloy (HEA) shows excellent properties in hardness and corrosion resistance. AlCoCrFeNiTi0.5 HEA was prepared using a non-consumable vacuum arc furnace. Hot-deformation behavior of AlCoCrFeNiTi0.5 HEA was explored under 1073–1373 K with a strain rate between 0.001 and 1 s−1 using a Gleeble-3800 thermomechanical simulator. The constitutive equation was established using the Arrhenius model, and the deformation activation energy and material constant were obtained. The processing map of HEA within 0.3–0.6 deformation was drawn according to dynamic material model (DMM). The results show that the hot-deformation process of HEA is dominated by work hardening combined with dynamic recovery, and dynamic recrystallization. The flow stress of HEA is significantly affected by deformation temperature and strain rate. The constitutive equation was constructed and verified, and the correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.9873 indicated that the constitutive equation can be used to accurately predict the flow stress of HEA. The processing map of HEA shows that the optimal hot-working process parameters are in the range of temperature 1150–1300 K and strain rate 0.002–0.05 s−1. This work will provide theoretical guidance for the hot-processing of HEA, which effectively promotes the application of the HEA in industry.
Characteristics of Grassland Plant Community Change with Elevation and Its Relationship with Environmental Factors in the Burqin Forest Region of the Altai Mountains
Authors: Zhang Xi , Ye Mao , Pan Xiaoting , He Qingzhi , Chen Weilong , Zeng Guoyan , Li Miaomiao
Published: October 2023

The change grassland plant communities demonstrate with elevation has been one of the hot issues in ecological research, and there remain many unsolved problems. In order to further elucidate the rules of grassland plant community change with elevation, this study took the Burqin forest area as a research object, using field survey, redundancy analysis and grey correlation analysis to comprehensively assess the characteristics of change in grassland plant communities with elevation and the relationship of this evolution with environmental factors. The results showed that (1) the numbers of species, community biomass, community cover and community densities of grassland plant communities showed an “M” pattern with the increase in elevation. There were significant changes in the importance values and dominance of plants at different elevations; with increasing elevation, grassland plants became primarily dominated by cold-tolerant and well-adapted perennials. (2) The similarity coefficients of grassland plant communities at different elevations ranged from 0.06 to 0.62, i.e., from very dissimilar to moderately similar. (3) As the elevation increased, the Margalef species richness index, Shannon–Wiener diversity index, Simpson dominance index and Alatalo evenness index all showed an “M” pattern trend. (4) The degrees of correlation between temperature and precipitation and community biomass and species diversity were at a high level, and these were the most important environmental factors affecting the biomass and species diversity of grassland plant communities in the Burqin forest area. The results of this study can provide a theoretical basis for the rational utilization of grassland resources and for the sustainable development of grassland ecosystems in the Burqin forest area.
Investigating and Analyzing the Potential for Regenerating Excess Energy in a Helicopter UAV
Authors: Kodchaniphaphong Chindanai , Pukrushpan Jay-tawee , Klumpol Chaiwat
Published: October 2023

Energy consumption is a critical parameter in the development of helicopter Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Today, helicopter UAVs are playing an increasingly pivotal role in various applications, from surveillance and reconnaissance to package delivery and search and rescue missions. However, their energy efficiency remains a pressing issue, as it directly impacts their operational duration and payload capacity. One of the key challenges in optimizing energy consumption is the existence of excess power during flight, arising from the intricate interplay between helicopter aerodynamic behavior and safety design. Typically, this excess energy is dissipated, resulting in a suboptimal performance and efficiency. This study investigated the behavior of excess power in a helicopter Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Typically, this excess energy is wasted in conventional helicopters and helicopter UAVs. A dual-method approach, encompassing numerical and experimental methodologies, was employed to provide comprehensive insights into the helicopter UAV’s performance under various conditions. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed to analyze the UAV’s aerodynamics. The simulations were validated by comparing the lift force with wind tunnel experimental data, resulting in acceptable deviations. The experimental analysis was conducted using a wind tunnel and a small-sized helicopter UAV. The experiments were designed to examine the excess power behavior of the UAV under two distinct flight conditions: hover and forward flight. The power output from the generator and power input from the battery were measured under various angular velocities and pitch angles. The results revealed a maximum excess power of 6.84% for hover conditions and 9.83% for forward flight conditions. This indicates that the maximum excess power percentage attributable to the helicopter UAV’s safety measure is 6.84% and that resulting from aerodynamics is 2.99%. The findings of this study contribute valuable knowledge to the optimization of helicopter UAV performance and the potential for harnessing excess power during flight operations. When this excess energy is harnessed, it can contribute significantly to the overall performance and efficiency of the UAV, potentially extending its flight duration or accommodating additional payload capacity that could potentially pave the way for the development of hybrid helicopter UAV models in the future.
Research on Resource Allocation of Autonomous Swarm Robots Based on Game Theory
Authors: He Zixiang , Sun Yi , Feng Zhongyuan
Published: October 2023

To address the issue of resource allocation optimization in autonomous swarm robots during emergency situations, this paper abstracts the problem as a two-stage extended game. In this game, participants are categorized as either resource-providing robots or resource-consuming robots. The strategies of the resource-providing robots involve resource production and pricing, whereas the strategies of the resource-consuming robots consist of determining the quantity to be purchased based on resource pricing. In the first stage of the game, the resource-providing robots use the Cournot game to determine the resource production according to market supply and demand conditions; in the second stage of the game, the resource-providing robots and the resource-consuming robots play the price game and establish the utility function of the swarm robots to seek the optimal pricing and the optimal purchasing strategy of the swarm robots. After the mathematical derivation, this paper demonstrates the existence of a single Nash equilibrium in the constructed game. Additionally, the inverse distributed iterative search algorithm solves the game’s optimal strategy. Finally, simulation verifies the game model’s validity. This study concludes that the designed game mechanism enables both sides to reach equilibrium and achieve optimal resource allocation.
Learning-Based Collaborative Computation Offloading in UAV-Assisted Multi-Access Edge Computing
Authors: Xu Zikun , Liu Junhui , Guo Ying , Dong Yunyun , He Zhenli
Published: October 2023

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have gained considerable attention in the research community due to their exceptional agility, maneuverability, and potential applications in fields like surveillance, multi-access edge computing (MEC), and various other domains. However, efficiently providing computation offloading services for concurrent Internet of Things devices (IOTDs) remains a significant challenge for UAVs due to their limited computing and communication capabilities. Consequently, optimizing and managing the constrained computing, communication, and energy resources of UAVs are essential for establishing an efficient aerial network infrastructure. To address this challenge, we investigate the collaborative computation offloading optimization problem in a UAV-assisted MEC environment comprising multiple UAVs and multiple IODTs. Our primary objective is to obtain efficient offloading strategies within a multi-heterogeneous UAV environment characterized by limited computing and communication capabilities. In this context, we model the problem as a multi-agent markov decision process (MAMDP) to account for environmental dynamics. We employ a multi-agent deep deterministic policy gradient (MADDPG) approach for task offloading. Subsequently, we conduct simulations to evaluate the efficiency of our proposed offloading scheme. The results highlight significant improvements achieved by the proposed offloading strategy, including a notable increase in the system completion rate and a significant reduction in the average energy consumption of the system.
Influence of PPD and Mass Scaling Parameter on the Goodness of Fit of Dry Ice Compaction Curve Obtained in Numerical Simulations Utilizing Smoothed Particle Method (SPH) for Improving the Energy Efficiency of Dry Ice Compaction Process
Authors: Górecki Jan , Berdychowski Maciej , Gawrońska Elżbieta , Wałęsa Krzysztof
Published: October 2023

The urgent need to reduce industrial electricity consumption due to diminishing fossil fuels and environmental concerns drives the pursuit of energy-efficient production processes. This study addresses this challenge by investigating the Smoothed Particle Method (SPH) for simulating dry ice compaction, an intricate process poorly addressed by conventional methods. The Finite Element Method (FEM) and SPH have been dealt with by researchers, yet a gap persists regarding SPH mesh parameters’ influence on the empirical curve fit. This research systematically explores Particle Packing Density (PPD) and Mass Scaling (MS) effects on the agreement between simulation and experimental outputs. The Sum of Squared Errors (SSE) method was used for this assessment. By comparing the obtained FEM and SPH results under diverse PPD and MS settings, this study sheds light on the SPH method’s potential in optimizing the dry ice compaction process’s efficiency. The SSE based analyses showed that the goodness of fit did not vary considerably for PDD values of 4 and up. In the case of MS, a better fit was obtained for its lower values. In turn, for the ultimate compression force FC, an empirical curve fit was obtained for PDD values of 4 and up. That said, the value of MS had no significant bearing on the ultimate compression force FC. The insights gleaned from this research can largely improve the existing sustainability practices and process design in various energy-conscious industries.
Promoting Energy Efficiency and Emissions Reduction in Urban Areas with Key Performance Indicators and Data Analytics
Authors: Juan Angel A. , Ammouriova Majsa , Tsertsvadze Veronika , Osorio Celia , Fuster Noelia , Ahsini Yusef
Published: October 2023

With the increasing demand for sustainable urban development, smart cities have emerged as a promising solution for optimizing energy usage, reducing emissions, and enhancing the quality of life for citizens. In this context, the combined use of key performance indicators (KPIs) and data analytics has gained significant attention as a powerful tool for promoting energy efficiency and emissions reduction in urban areas. This paper presents a comprehensive conceptual framework in which a series of KPIs are proposed to serve as essential metrics for guiding, monitoring, and assessing energy efficiency and emissions reduction levels in smart cities. Some of the included KPIs in the analysis are 'annual energy consumption per person', 'reduction in greenhouse gas emissions', 'public transport use', and 'adoption of renewable energy'. By incorporating these KPIs, city planners and policymakers can gain valuable insights into the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives. Furthermore, the paper explores how the integration of KPIs with data analytics can be used for monitoring and assessing the overall performance of the city in terms of energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and the enhancement of urban living conditions. Visualization tools, such as radar plots, and time series analysis forecasting methods allow data to be processed and patterns to be identified, enabling informed decision-making and efficient resource allocation. Real-life case studies of ongoing smart city projects are presented in the paper, which also provides a KPI comparison among different European cities, as well as models to forecast the evolution of KPIs related to energy usage and emissions reduction in different European cities.
Polynomial Regression Model Utilization to Determine Potential Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) Calories in Indonesia
Authors: Luqman Luqman , Madenda Sarifuddin , Prihandoko Prihandoko
Published: October 2023

Waste-to-energy (WTE) is one of the Indonesian government’s programs aiming to meet the target of achieving a new and renewable energy (NRE) mix, as well as one of the solutions proposed to overcome the problem of waste. One of the products of WTE is energy derived from raw material waste (refuse-derived fuel/RDF). Using the formula y = 0.00003 x5 − 0.0069 x4 + 0.6298 x3 − 24.3245 x2 + 432.8401 x + 55.7448 with R2 = 0.9963, which was obtained by comparing a scatter plot diagram from the RDF calorie test dataset produced through a bio-drying process, the potential RDF calories produced using the waste composition dataset taken from each region in Indonesia can be calculated. The results of the calculations using the determined equations produce a list of provinces with RDF calorie potential, ordered from the largest to the smallest, using which the government can determine which areas are the main priority for processing waste into energy. Thus, through this method, the target of 5.1% renewable energy sourced from waste can be achieved by 2025.
Effects of Mycorrhizal and Extraradical Hyphae of Subtropical Native Tree Species on Soil Enzyme Activities and Their Stoichiometric Ratios
Authors: Chen Yuepeng , Li Shikai , Zeng Lu , An Bo , Xiao Tingqi , Mao Rong , Zhang Yun
Published: October 2023

We aimed to study the effects of mycorrhizal and extraradical hyphae on soil physical and chemical properties and enzyme activity characteristics in a subtropical plantation and to explore its indicative effect on the effectiveness of soil nutrients. In this study, three native afforestation tree species, Cunninghamia lanceolata, Schima superba, and Liquidambar formosana, with different biological characteristics, root functional traits, and nutrient acquisition strategies in subtropical regions were selected as the research objects. Based on the method of in-growth soil cores, the nylon mesh with different pore sizes was used to limited the root system and hypha into the soil column. The soil physical and chemical properties of five kinds of hydrolase related to the carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) cycles were determined in this study. The correlation of different tree species, roots, and mycelia with soil physicochemical properties, enzyme activity, and stoichiometric ratios was analyzed. The results revealed that mycorrhizal treatment significantly affected the soil total carbon (TC) and pH but had no significant effect on hydrolase activity and its stoichiometric ratio. Tree species significantly affected soil physical and chemical properties, soil β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG), β-1,4-glucosidase (βG), and cellobiohydrolase (CB) activities and soil enzyme stoichiometric ratios. The soil enzyme activity and stoichiometric ratio of the Chinese fir forest had higher values than in monoculture broad-leaved stands of both Schima superba and Liquidambar formosana. There was no significant interaction effect of mycorrhizal treatments and tree species on all soil properties, enzyme activities, and stoichiometric ratios. In addition, the soil enzyme activity and stoichiometric characteristics were mainly affected by the pH. In this study, the soil enzyme activity ratios In(BG + CB):In(AP) and In(NAG + LAP):In(AP) were lower values than the global scale, while the ratios of In(βG + CB):In(NAG + LAP) were higher than the average, indicating that the soil microorganisms in this area were limited by C and P. Moreover, the soil enzyme activity and chemical metrology characteristics were mainly affected by the pH change. In conclusion, differences in litter quality and root functional traits of tree species affected the soil enzyme activity and its stoichiometric characteristics through the shaping of the forest environment by organic matter input, and the influence of pH was the main regulating factor.
Valorization of Fermented Food Wastes and Byproducts: Bioactive and Valuable Compounds, Bioproduct Synthesis, and Applications
Authors: Faria Douglas José , Carvalho Anna Paula Azevedo de , Conte-Junior Carlos Adam
Published: October 2023

Significant amounts of fermented food waste are generated worldwide, promoting an abundance of residual biomass that can be used as raw material to extract bioactive peptides, fermentable sugars, polyphenols, and valuable compounds for synthesizing bioproducts. Therefore, generating these high-value-added products reduces the environmental impact caused by waste disposal and increases the industrial economic value of the final products. This review presents opportunities for synthesizing bioproducts and recovering bioactive compounds (employing wastes and byproducts from fermented sources) with several biological properties to support their consumption as dietary supplements that can benefit human health. Herein, the types of fermented food waste and byproducts (i.e., vegetables, bread wastes, dairy products, brewing, and winery sources), pre-treatment processes, the methods of obtaining products, the potential health benefits observed for the bioactive compounds recovered, and other technological applications of bioproducts are discussed. Therefore, there is currently a tendency to use these wastes to boost bioeconomic policies and support a circular bioeconomy approach that is focused on biorefinery concepts, biotechnology, and bioprocesses.
Is It All about Profit? Greek Fishers’ Motives and Objective Profiles
Authors: Sintori Alexandra , Konstantidelli Vasilia , Liontakis Angelos , Mantziaris Stamatis , Tzouramani Irene
Published: October 2023

Fishing contributes significantly to food security and offers employment and income to many coastal communities worldwide. On the other hand, it has been recognized as a dangerous and demanding activity that involves high economic risk and uncertainty as well as outdoor work and interactions with nature, which makes fishing more of a way of life rather than just a way to make a living. Non-monetary attributes of fishing have been reported to affect fishers’ decision-making and management and can explain the resilience and sustainability of the sector, even in difficult economic circumstances that hinder profitability. This study uses multivariate statistical analysis to identify profiles of Greek fishers according to their motives and objectives and to link them to the main demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Overall, five fisher profiles are identified, including “profit maximizers”, “business-oriented” and “subsistence” fishers. Our analysis indicates that all fishers value the non-monetary attributes of the activity higher than monetary values like profit, though large-scale fishers seem to be more business-oriented than small-scale fishers. The identification and understanding of the objective profiles provide useful insights to researchers, advisors and policymakers regarding fishers’ decision-making and can ultimately lead to more efficient policy design and fisheries management.
Impact of a Starch Hydrolysate on the Production of Exopolysaccharides in a Fermented Plant-Based Dessert Formulation
Authors: Ait Chekdid Aldjia , Kahn Cyril J. F. , Lemois Béatrice , Linder Michel
Published: October 2023

Plant-based desserts are becoming increasingly popular with and appreciated by consumers. However, they are limited by the choice of ingredients, which are often expensive and unstable with a random texture. Therefore, the aim of the research is to propose a new product that offers an advantageous texture and flavour in a fermented dessert based on a flour mix supplemented with an enzymatic hydrolysate. This study involved the development of two processes: (i) an enzymatic hydrolysis of oat flour and (ii) a fermentation of a flour mixture (oat, chickpea, and coconut) by lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus). The result of the oat flour hydrolysate shows a significant decrease in starch after 60 min of reaction, followed by an increase in sugar content. During 23 days of storage at 4 °C, the formulations used showed post-acidification, water retention capacity decrease, and hardness increase related to the hydrolysate rate (p < 0.05). All formulations allowed the viability of lactic bacteria (over 5 log10 CFU/mL) and verified their ability to produce exopolysaccharides (0.23–0.73 g/100 g). The prototyping of such a product represents a key step in meeting the growing demand for plant-based alternatives, with qualitative sensory characteristics without additives.
Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the MADS Gene Family in Tulips (Tulipa gesneriana)
Authors: Lu Jiaojiao , Qu Lianwei , Xing Guimei , Liu Zhenlei , Lu Xiaochun , Han Xiaori
Published: October 2023

To investigate the cold response mechanism and low temperature regulation of flowering in tulips, this study identified 32 MADS-box transcription factor family members in tulips based on full-length transcriptome sequencing, named TgMADS1-TgMADS32. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these genes can be divided into two classes: type I and type II. Structural analysis showed that TgMADS genes from different subfamilies have a similar distribution of conserved motifs. Quantitative real-time PCR results demonstrated that some TgMADS genes (e.g., TgMADS3, TgMADS15, TgMADS16, and TgMADS19) were significantly upregulated in buds and stems under cold conditions, implying their potential involvement in the cold response of tulips. In summary, this study systematically identified MADS family members in tulips and elucidated their evolutionary relationships, gene structures, and cold-responsive expression patterns, laying the foundation for further elucidating the roles of these transcription factors in flowering and the cold adaptability of tulips.
Effects of Insulin on Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Ferroptosis in Primordial Germ Cells via PI3K-AKT-mTOR Signaling Pathway
Authors: Ye Liu , Liu Xin , Jin Kai , Niu Yingjie , Zuo Qisheng , Song Jiuzhou , Han Wei , Chen Guohong , Li Bichun
Published: October 2023

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are essential for the genetic modification, resource conservation, and recovery of endangered breeds in chickens and need to remain viable and proliferative in vitro. Therefore, there is an urgent need to elucidate the functions of the influencing factors and their regulatory mechanisms. In this study, PGCs collected from Rugao yellow chicken embryonic eggs at Day 5.5 were cultured in media containing 0, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 μg/mL insulin. The results showed that insulin regulates cell proliferation in PGCs in a dose-dependent way, with an optimal dose of 10 μg/mL. Insulin mediates the mRNA expression of cell cycle-, apoptosis-, and ferroptosis-related genes. Insulin at 50 μg/mL and 100 μg/mL slowed down the proliferation with elevated ion content and GSH/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in PGCs compared to 10 μg/mL. In addition, insulin activates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway dose dependently. Collectively, this study demonstrates that insulin reduces apoptosis and ferroptosis and enhances cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner via the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway in PGCs, providing a new addition to the theory of the regulatory role of the growth and proliferation of PGC in vitro cultures.
The Potential of Digital Screening Tools for Childhood ADHD in School Environments: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Gabaldón-Pérez Ana-Marta , Martín-Ruiz María-Luisa , Díez-Muñoz Fernando , Dolón-Poza María , Máximo-Bocanegra Nuria , Pau de la Cruz Iván
Published: October 2023

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a highly prevalent developmental disorder in children. However, accurately identifying ADHD in early childhood remains a crucial challenge. Electronic health (e-health) systems offer promising possibilities to enhance the diagnostic process for ADHD, particularly concerning the executive functions (EFs) that play a direct role. This study aims to validate an evidence-based tool for screening ADHD through EFs in the school environment. The tool, named Sendero Gris, is designed for tablet devices and is based on a previously validated test with the same name. To ensure its validity, a comparison was made between the results obtained from the tool to be validated and the original format of the test. The analysis revealed no statistically significant differences between the two approaches at a 90% confidence level (p-value = 0.49). Moreover, a user experience study focusing on usability was conducted to assess the children’s inclination to use the developed tool, yielding highly positive results. The implementation of Sendero Gris on a tablet device, with its objective and versatile nature, seems to maintain the potential of the original format as a screening tool for ADHD.
Psychological Antecedents of Italian Sport Coaches’ Coaching Behaviors: The Role of Basic Psychological Needs, Motivation and Subjective Vitality
Authors: Inguglia Cristiano , Ingoglia Sonia , Leale Ignazio , Iannello Nicolò Maria , Gennaro Antonino , Manzano-Sánchez David , Gómez-López Manuel , Battaglia Giuseppe
Published: October 2023

The extant literature has identified some variables that are associated with sport coaches’ coaching style, like their basic psychological need satisfaction, their motivation for coaching, and their psychological well-being. Framed from a conceptual framework based on Self-Determination Theory applied to sport coaches, the current study explored how sport coaches’ basic psychological needs are associated with their motivation (intrinsic vs. external), subjective vitality, and coaching behaviors (autonomy-supporting vs. need-thwarting). Participants were 184 Italian sport coaches (males = 65%, Mage = 40.22, SD = 11.55, age range 19–74 years) from the “Centro CONI” project. They were requested to fill out online self-report questionnaires assessing the study variables. Structural equation modeling analyses suggested that sport coaches’ satisfaction of basic psychological needs was associated with higher levels of intrinsic motivation to train as well as with higher levels of vitality that, in turn, were associated with coaching behaviors supporting athletes’ autonomy. Moreover, sport coaches’ frustration of basic psychological needs was associated with higher levels of external motivation to train that, in turn, were associated with higher levels of a need-thwarting coaching style. Overall, the findings provided additional support for understanding how sport coaches’ basic psychological needs relate to their coaching styles.
Digital Repository as a Service (D-RaaS): Enhancing Access and Preservation of Cultural Heritage Artifacts
Authors: Tsipi Lefteris , Vouyioukas Demosthenes , Loumos Georgios , Kargas Antonios , Varoutas Dimitrios
Published: October 2023

The employment of technology and digitization is crucial for cultural organizations to establish and sustain digital repositories for their cultural heritage artifacts. This exploitation is also essential in facilitating the presentation of cultural works and exhibits to a broader audience. Consequently, in this work, we propose a custom-developed digital repository that functions as software-as-a-service (SaaS), primarily promoting the safe storage, display, and sharing of cultural materials; enhancing accessibility; and fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of cultural heritage. The proposed digital repository service is designed as a multitenant architecture, which enables organizations to expand their reach, enhance accessibility, foster collaboration, and ensure the preservation of their content. Moreover, our technology stack incorporates robust and reliable backend technologies, such as Django, to ensure data security and efficient management. Meanwhile, the frontend is powered by Angular, which guarantees a user-friendly and engaging interface for exploring and interacting with cultural materials. Specifically, this project aims to assist each cultural institution in organizing its digital cultural assets into collections and feeding other digital platforms, including educational, museum, pedagogical, and games, through appropriate interfaces. The creation of this digital repository offers a cutting-edge and effective open-access laboratory solution. It allows organizations to have a significant influence on their audiences by fostering cultural understanding and appreciation. Additionally, it facilitates the connection between different digital repositories and national/European aggregators, promoting collaboration and information sharing. By embracing this innovative solution, cultural institutions can benefit from shared resources and features, such as system updates, backup and recovery services, and data analytics tools, attributes that are currently provided by the platform.
Exploring Wild and Local Fruits as Sources of Promising Biocontrol Agents against Alternaria spp. in Apples
Authors: Tulukoğlu-Kunt Keziban Sinem , Özden Mustafa , Di Francesco Alessandra
Published: October 2023

Biological control agents (BCAs) are a promising option for managing postharvest diseases. Their environmentally friendly nature makes them valuable for sustainable and eco-friendly postharvest disease management. This study evaluated the antagonistic potential of epiphytic yeasts isolated from a local apple genotype known as “Niğde Elması” and a range of wild fruits: rosehip, hawthorn, and wild pear. There were 375 yeast isolates obtained and screened in vitro and in vivo. Initially selected were 32 isolates able to inhibit the growth of Alternaria alternata mycelia in the in vitro experiments and identified using molecular methods as candidate BCAs. These isolates were identified as Aureobasidium pullulans using sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the translation elongation factor EF-1α gene (EF1α). Based on two rounds of in vivo screening, four isolates were subsequently selected for their capability to control the infection of apple fruits under high inoculum pressure. Finally, their volatile and non-volatile antimicrobial activity was tested against Alternaria spp. These findings showed how wild fruits and a local apple genotype could represent a promising source for new BCA isolation. However, further studies are needed to reveal the mechanisms of action of these putative BCAs for application during the postharvest processing and storage of apples.
A Hybrid POI Recommendation System Combining Link Analysis and Collaborative Filtering Based on Various Visiting Behaviors
Authors: Darapisut Sumet , Amphawan Komate , Leelathakul Nutthanon , Rimcharoen Sunisa
Published: October 2023

Location-based recommender systems (LBRSs) have exhibited significant potential in providing personalized recommendations based on the user’s geographic location and contextual factors such as time, personal preference, and location categories. However, several challenges (such as data sparsity, the cold-start problem, and tedium problem) need to be addressed to develop more effective LBRSs. In this paper, we propose a novel POI recommendation system, called LACF-Rec3, which employs a hybrid approach of link analysis (HITS-3) and collaborative filtering (CF-3) based on three visiting behaviors: frequency, variety, and repetition. HITS-3 identifies distinctive POIs based on user- and POI-visit patterns, ranks them accordingly, and recommends them to cold-start users. For existing users, CF-3 utilizes collaborative filtering based on their previous check-in history and POI distinctive aspects. Our experimental results conducted on a Foursquare dataset demonstrate that LACF-Rec3 outperforms prior methods in terms of recommendation accuracy, ranking precision, and matching ratio. In addition, LACF-Rec3 effectively solves the challenges of data sparsity, the cold-start issue, and tedium problems for cold-start and existing users. These findings highlight the potential of LACF-Rec3 as a promising solution to the challenges encountered by LBRS.
Steady-State and Time-Resolved Fluorescence Study of Selected Tryptophan-Containing Peptides in an AOT Reverse Micelle Environment
Authors: Gałęcki Krystian , Kowalska-Baron Agnieszka , Nowak Katarzyna E. , Gajda Anna , Kolesińska Beata
Published: October 2023

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the utility of time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy in the detection of subtle changes in the local microenvironment of a tryptophan chromophore in a confined and crowded medium of AOT reverse micelles, which mimic biological membranes and cell compartmentalization. For this purpose, fluorescence properties of L-tryptophan and several newly synthesized tryptophan-containing peptides in buffer and in an AOT reverse micelle medium were determined. It was shown that insertion of tryptophan and its short di- and tripeptides inside micelles led to evident changes in both the steady-state emission spectra and in fluorescence decay kinetics. The observed differences in spectral characteristics, such as a blue shift in the emission maxima, changes in the average fluorescence lifetime, and the appearance of environmental-dependent fluorescent species, showed the utility of time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy as a sensitive tool for detecting subtle conformational modifications in tryptophan and its peptides induced by changes in polarity, viscosity, and specific interactions between chromophores and water molecules/polar groups/ions that occur inside reverse micelles.
Deciphering Potential Molecular Signatures to Differentiate Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) with BCR::ABL1 from Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) in Blast Crisis
Authors: Boucher Lara , Sorel Nathalie , Desterke Christophe , Chollet Mélanie , Rozalska Laura , Gallego Hernanz Maria Pilar , Cayssials Emilie , Raimbault Anna , Bennaceur-Griscelli Annelise , Turhan Ali G. , Chomel Jean-Claude
Published: October 2023

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with BCR::ABL1 has recently been recognized as a distinct subtype in international classifications. Distinguishing it from myeloid blast crisis chronic myeloid leukemia (BC-CML) without evidence of a chronic phase (CP), remains challenging. We aimed to better characterize this entity by integrating clonal architecture analysis, mutational landscape assessment, and gene expression profiling. We analyzed a large retrospective cohort study including CML and AML patients. Two AML patients harboring a BCR::ABL1 fusion were included in the study. We identified BCR::ABL1 fusion as a primary event in one patient and a secondary one in the other. AML-specific variants were identified in both. Real-time RT-PCR experiments demonstrated that CD25 mRNA is overexpressed in advanced-phase CML compared to AML. Unsupervised principal component analysis showed that AML harboring a BCR::ABL1 fusion was clustered within AML. An AML vs. myeloid BC-CML differential expression signature was highlighted, and while ID4 (inhibitor of DNA binding 4) mRNA appears undetectable in most myeloid BC-CML samples, low levels are detected in AML samples. Therefore, CD25 and ID4 mRNA expression might differentiate AML with BCR::ABL1 from BC-CML and assign it to the AML group. A method for identifying this new WHO entity is then proposed. Finally, the hypothesis of AML with BCR::ABL1 arising from driver mutations on a BCR::ABL1 background behaving as a clonal hematopoiesis mutation is discussed. Validation of our data in larger cohorts and basic research are needed to better understand the molecular and cellular aspects of AML with a BCR::ABL1 entity.
Different Dietary Sources of Selenium Alleviate Hepatic Lipid Metabolism Disorder of Heat-Stressed Broilers by Relieving Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
Authors: Wang Jiayi , Jing Jinzhong , Gong Zhengyi , Tang Jiayong , Wang Longqiong , Jia Gang , Liu Guangmang , Chen Xiaoling , Tian Gang , Cai Jingyi , Kang Bo , Che Lianqiang , Zhao Hua
Published: October 2023

As global warming continues, the phenomenon of heat stress (HS) in broilers occurs frequently. The alleviating effect of different selenium (Se) sources on HS-induced hepatic lipid metabolism disorders in broilers remains unclear. This study compared the protective effects of four Se sources (sodium selenite; selenium yeast; selenomethionine; nano-Se) on HS-induced hepatic lipid metabolism disorder and the corresponding response of selenotranscriptome in the liver of broilers. The results showed that HS-induced liver injury and hepatic lipid metabolism disorder, which were reflected in the increased activity of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), the increased concentration of triacylglycerol (TG) and total cholesterol (TC), the increased activity of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase (DGAT) and fatty acid synthase (FAS), and the decreased activity of hepatic lipase (HL) in the liver. The hepatic lipid metabolism disorder was accompanied by the increased mRNA expression of lipid synthesis related-genes, the decreased expression of lipidolysis-related genes, and the increased expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress biomarkers (PERK, IRE1, ATF6, GRP78). The dietary supplementation of four Se sources exhibited similar protective effects. Four Se sources increased liver Se concentration and promoted the expression of selenotranscriptome and several key selenoproteins, enhanced liver antioxidant capacity and alleviated HS-induced ER stress, and thus resisted the hepatic lipid metabolism disorders of broilers exposed to HS. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of four Se sources (0.3 mg/kg) exhibited similar protective effects on HS-induced hepatic lipid metabolism disorders of broilers, and the protective effect is connected to the relieving of ER stress.
Plant Extracts as Skin Care and Therapeutic Agents
Authors: Michalak Monika
Published: October 2023

Natural ingredients have been used for centuries for skin treatment and care. Interest in the health effects of plants has recently increased due to their safety and applicability in the formulation of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Long-known plant materials as well as newly discovered ones are increasingly being used in natural products of plant origin. This review highlights the beneficial effects of plants and plant constituents on the skin, including moisturizing (e.g., Cannabis sativa, Hydrangea serrata, Pradosia mutisii and Carthamus tinctorius), anti-aging (e.g., Aegopodium podagraria, Euphorbia characias, Premna odorata and Warburgia salutaris), antimicrobial (e.g., Betula pendula and Epilobium angustifolium), antioxidant (e.g., Kadsura coccinea, Rosmarinus officinalis, Rubus idaeus and Spatholobus suberectus), anti-inflammatory (e.g., Antidesma thwaitesianum, Helianthus annuus, Oenanthe javanica, Penthorum chinense, Ranunculus bulumei and Zanthoxylum bungeanum), regenerative (e.g., Aloe vera, Angelica polymorpha, Digitaria ciliaris, Glycyrrihza glabra and Marantodes pumilum), wound healing (e.g., Agrimonia eupatoria, Astragalus floccosus, Bursera morelensis, Jatropha neopauciflora and Sapindus mukorossi), photoprotective (e.g., Astragalus gombiformis, Calea fruticose, Euphorbia characias and Posoqueria latifolia) and anti-tyrosinase activity (e.g., Aerva lanata, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Dodonaea viscosa, Lonicera japonica and Schisandra chinensis), as well as their role as excipients in cosmetics (coloring (e.g., Beta vulgaris, Centaurea cyanus, Hibiscus sabdariffa and Rubia tinctiorum), protective and aromatic agents (e.g., Hyssopus officinalis, Melaleuca alternifolia, Pelargonium graveolens and Verbena officinalis)).