bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Green Energy Revolution and Substitution of Hydrocarbons with Hydrogen: Distribution Network Infrastructure Materials
Authors: Ghomashchi Reza
Published: December 2023

Global warming is an accepted fact of life on Earth, posing grave consequences in the form of weather patterns with life-threatening outcomes for inhabitants and their cultures, especially those of island countries. These wild and unpredictable weather patterns have persuaded authorities, governments, and industrial leaders to adapt a range of solutions to combat the temperature rise on Earth. One such solution is to abandon fossil fuels (hydrocarbons) for energy generation and employ renewable energy sources, or at least use energy sources that do not generate greenhouse gases. One such energy carrier is hydrogen, which is expected to slowly replace natural gas and will soon be pumped into the energy distribution pipeline network. Since the current energy distribution network was designed for hydrocarbons, its use for hydrogen may pose some threat to the safety of urban society. This is the first time an overview article has examined the replacement of hydrocarbons by hydrogen from a totally different angle, by incorporating material science viewpoints. This article discusses hydrogen properties and warns about the issue of hydrogen embrittlement in the current pipeline network if hydrogen is to be pumped through the current energy distribution network, i.e., pipelines. It is recommended that sufficient study and research be planned and carried out to ensure the safety of using the current energy distribution network for hydrogen distribution and to set the necessary standards and procedures for future design and construction.
Oleaginous Yeast Biorefinery: Feedstocks, Processes, Techniques, Bioproducts
Authors: Lopes da Silva Teresa , Fontes Afonso , Reis Alberto , Siva Carla , Gírio Francisco
Published: December 2023

The world climate crisis has triggered the search for renewable energy sources. Oleaginous yeasts are a potential renewable source of biofuels. However, the yeast-derived biofuels cost is still non-competitive with the fossil fuel prices. To improve the sustainability of yeast-derived biofuels, it is necessary to valorize all yeast biomass fractions, an approach based on the biorefinery concept. This review describes the present situation of the oleaginous yeast biorefinery research, emphasizing the feedstock, processes and techniques involved in this concept, as well as on potential bioproducts that can be obtained from oleaginous yeast biomass.
Free and Bound Phenolic Profiles and Antioxidant Activities in Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Pulp: Comparative Study on Six Widely Consumed Varieties Planted in Hainan Province
Authors: Wang Yuxi , Gao Heqi , Guo Zhiqiang , Peng Ziting , Li Shuyi , Zhu Zhenzhou , Grimi Nabil , Xiao Juan
Published: December 2023

Bound phenolic compounds in the melon pulp have seldom been investigated. This study revealed considerable differences in the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of the free and bound phenolic extracts in the pulps of six melon varieties from Hainan Province, China. Naixiangmi and Yugu demonstrated the highest free TPC, while Meilong showed the highest bound and total TPC and antioxidant activity. UHPLC-QQQ-MS identified and quantified 30 phenolic compounds. The melon cultivars markedly differed in the amount and content of their free and bound phenolic compounds. Xizhoumi No. 25 and Meilong afforded the most phenolic compounds. Hongguan emerged with the highest free phenolic compound content and total content of phenolic compounds; however, Meilong possessed the highest bound phenolic compound content. Hierarchical cluster analysis divided the melon varieties into four different taxa. The present study provides a scientific basis for developing the health-promoting effects of melon pulp.
Intelligent Electrochemical Point-of-Care Test Method with Interface Control Based on DNA Pyramids: Aflatoxin B1 Detection in Food and the Environment
Authors: Wu Wenqin , Bai Yizhen , Zhao Tiantian , Liang Meijuan , Hu Xiaofeng , Wang Du , Tang Xiaoqian , Yu Li , Zhang Qi , Li Peiwu , Zhang Zhaowei
Published: December 2023

Sensitive, intelligent point-of-care test (iPOCT) methods for small molecules like aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) are urgently needed for food and the environment. The challenge remains of surface control in iPOCT. Herein, we developed an electrochemical sensor based on the DNA pyramid (DNP), combining a smartphone, app, and mobile electrochemical workstations to detect AFB1. The DNP’s structure can reduce local overcrowding and entanglement between neighboring probes, control the density and orientation of recognition probes (antibodies), produce uniform and orientational surface assemblies, and improve antigen–antibody-specific recognition and binding efficiency. Simultaneously, the hollow structure of the DNP enhances the electron transfer capacity and increases the sensitivity of electrochemical detection. In this work, the biosensor based on DNP was first combined with electrochemical (Ec) iPOCT to simultaneously achieve ordered interface modulation of recognition probes and intelligent detection of AFB1. Under optimal conditions, we found a detection limit of 3 pg/mL and a linear range of 0.006–30 ng/mL (R2 = 0.995). Further, using peanut, soybean, corn, and lake water as complex matrices, it recorded recoveries of 82.15–100.53%, excellent selectivity, acceptable stability, and good reproducibility. Finally, this Ec iPOCT provides consistent results compared to the high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method.
Occurrence of Glyphosate and Other Polar Pesticides in Honey from Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna Regions in Italy: Three-Year Monitoring Results
Authors: Butovskaya Elena , Gasparini Mara , Angelone Barbara , Cancemi Gabriella , Tranquillo Vito , Prestini Giovanni , Bosi Filippo , Menotta Simonetta
Published: December 2023

Intensive agricultural practices, such as pesticides use, may negatively affect bee health and hive products. Glyphosate is one of the most widely used polar pesticides applied in crops for weed control. In this study, honey samples, collected from beekeeping farms located in the Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna regions in Italy in the framework of regional monitoring plans activated from 2020 to 2022, were analyzed for the presence of residues of polar pesticides. The analytical method based on ion chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry was applied to quantify glyphosate, glufosinate, ethephon, fosetyl aluminum, and their related metabolites. Residues of glyphosate were detected in around 28% of analyzed honey samples. Observations on the distribution of the honey-production-site locations suggest that honey samples originating from the provinces within the Lombardy region, where the agricultural sector is highly developed, were more affected by glyphosate contamination than the samples collected from the areas with low agricultural activity, where no glyphosate residues were detected over the three years of the monitoring program.
Common Bacterial Infections during the 3-Month Period after SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Cohen Bar , Shapiro Ben David Shirley , Rahamim-Cohen Daniella , Nakhleh Afif , Shahar Arnon , Yehoshua Ilan , Bilitzky-Kopit Avital , Azuri Joseph , Mizrahi Reuveni Miri , Adler Limor
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Correlations between SARS-CoV-2 and bacterial infections have mainly been studied in hospitals, and these studies have shown that such interactions may be lethal for many. In the context of community flora, less is known of the trends and consequences of viral infections relative to subsequent bacterial infections. Purpose: This study aims to explore the prevalence and characteristics of bacterial infections in the three months following SARS-CoV-2 infections, in a community, real-world setting. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we compared patients who completed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or an antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 during January 2022, the peak of the Omicron wave, and examined bacterial infections following the test. We searched these cases for diagnoses of the following four bacterial infections for three months following the test: Group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis, pneumonia, cellulitis, and urinary tract infections (UTI). Results: During January 2022, 267,931 patients tested positive and 261,909 tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. Test-positive compared to test-negative patients were significantly younger (42.5 years old vs. 48.5 years old, p < 0.001), smoked less, and had fewer comorbidities (including ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic renal failure). In the multivariable analysis, test-positive patients had an increased risk for GAS pharyngitis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.25, 95% CI 1.14–1.38, p-value < 0.001) and pneumonia (aOR = 1.25, 95% CI 1.15–1.35, p-value < 0.001), a trend towards an increased prevalence of UTI (aOR = 1.05, 95% CI 0.99–1.12, p-value = 0.092), and lower risk for cellulitis (aOR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.86–0.99, p-value < 0.05). Conclusions: A history of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the past three months increased susceptibility to respiratory tract bacterial infections and the prevalence of UTI.
Photosynthetic Characteristics of 20 Herbaceous Peony Cultivars
Authors: Xie Anqi , Wu Jingyue , Shi Yajie , Lei Fuling , Dong Lingling , Zhang Dongliang , Sun Limin , Sun Xia
Published: December 2023

To identify herbaceous peony cultivars with strong photosynthetic productivity, we compared the photosynthetic characteristics of 20 herbaceous peony cultivars based on four photosynthetic characteristics parameters and established light–response curves under a light intensity gradient, using CIRAS-3 portable photosynthetic dynamic monitoring. The net photosynthetic rate (Pn) showed a “unimodal” diurnal variation pattern, with a peak around 12:00. The diurnal pattern of the transpiration rate was the same as that of Pn. Stomatal conductance values (Gs) showed similar patterns among the cultivars, with only small differences. The daily variation in intracellular CO2 concentration (Ci) showed an opposite trend to that of Pn. When the photosynthetically active radiation was 0–400 μmol·m−2s−1, Pn increased linearly and gradually with increasing light intensity. ‘Xueyuanhonghua’, ‘Qingwen’, ‘Taohuafeixue’, ‘Chifen’, and ‘Qihualushuang’ showed high photosynthetic productivity. ‘Xueyuanhonghua’, ‘Fushi’, ‘Qingwen’, ‘Tianshanhongxing’, ‘Qingtianlan’, ‘Dafugui’, and ‘Hongfushi’ had high light saturation points and the highest light resistance. ‘Xueyuanhonghua’, ‘Qingwen’, ‘Taohuafeixue’, ‘Tianshanhongxing’, ‘Qingtianlan’, ‘Guifeichacui’, ‘Chifen’, and ‘Hongxiuqiu’ had low light compensation points. Thus, two cultivars with strong photosynthetic productivity, ‘Xueyuanhonghua’ and ‘Qingwen’, can be cross-bred to obtain both light- and shade-tolerant plants. This study provides a theoretical basis for breeding new cultivars with high photosynthetic productivity.
Harvesting Knowledge: Illuminating Advances in Brassica Crops Genomics and Breeding
Authors: Cai Xu , Wu Jian , Wang Xiaowu
Published: December 2023

Brassica crops encompass a diverse array, including vegetables, oil crops, ornamentals, and condiments [...]
Groundwater Recharge Potentiality Mapping in Wadi Qena, Eastern Desert Basins of Egypt for Sustainable Agriculture Base Using Geomatics Approaches
Authors: Megahed Hanaa A. , Farrag Abd El-Hay A. , Mohamed Amira A. , D’Antonio Paola , Scopa Antonio , AbdelRahman Mohamed A. E.
Published: December 2023

In arid and hyper-arid areas, groundwater is a precious and rare resource. The need for water supply has grown over the past few decades as a result of population growth, urbanization, and agricultural endeavors. This research aims to locate groundwater recharge potential zones (GWPZs) using multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) in the Wadi Qena Basin, Eastern Desert of Egypt, which represents one of the most promising valleys on which the government depends for land reclamations and developments. These approaches have been used to integrate and delineate the locations of high groundwater recharge and the potential of the Quaternary aquifer in the Wadi Qena basin. After allocating weight factors to identify features in each case based on infiltration, land use/land cover, slope, geology, topology, soil, drainage density, lineament density, rainfall, flow accumulation, and flow direction, these thematic maps were combined. The results of the GIS modeling led to the division of the area’s groundwater recharge potential into five groups, ranging from very high (in the western part) to very low (in the eastern part of the basin). The zones with the best prospects for groundwater exploration turned out to be the alluvial and flood plains, with their thick strata of sand and gravel. The groundwater recharge potential map was validated using data from the field and earlier investigations. The promising recharging areas show high suitability for soil cultivation. The results overall reveal that RS and GIS methodologies offer insightful instruments for more precise assessment, planning, and monitoring of water resources in arid regions and anywhere with similar setups for groundwater prospecting and management.
EndoNet: A Model for the Automatic Calculation of H-Score on Histological Slides
Authors: Ushakov Egor , Naumov Anton , Fomberg Vladislav , Vishnyakova Polina , Asaturova Aleksandra , Badlaeva Alina , Tregubova Anna , Karpulevich Evgeny , Sukhikh Gennady , Fatkhudinov Timur
Published: December 2023

H-score is a semi-quantitative method used to assess the presence and distribution of proteins in tissue samples by combining the intensity of staining and the percentage of stained nuclei. It is widely used but time-consuming and can be limited in terms of accuracy and precision. Computer-aided methods may help overcome these limitations and improve the efficiency of pathologists’ workflows. In this work, we developed a model EndoNet for automatic H-score calculation on histological slides. Our proposed method uses neural networks and consists of two main parts. The first is a detection model which predicts the keypoints of centers of nuclei. The second is an H-score module that calculates the value of the H-score using mean pixel values of predicted keypoints. Our model was trained and validated on 1780 annotated tiles with a shape of 100 × 100 µm and we achieved 0.77 mAP on a test dataset. We obtained our best results in H-score calculation; these results proved superior to QuPath predictions. Moreover, the model can be adjusted to a specific specialist or whole laboratory to reproduce the manner of calculating the H-score. Thus, EndoNet is effective and robust in the analysis of histology slides, which can improve and significantly accelerate the work of pathologists.
Changing Arctic Northern Sea Route and Transpolar Sea Route: A Prediction of Route Changes and Navigation Potential before Mid-21st Century
Authors: Zhang Yu , Sun Xiaopeng , Zha Yufan , Wang Kun , Chen Changsheng
Published: December 2023

Sea ice concentration and thickness are key parameters for Arctic shipping routes and navigable potential. This study focuses on the changes in shipping routes and the estimation of navigable potential in the Arctic Northern Sea Route and Transpolar Sea Route during 2021–2050 based on the sea ice data predicted by eight CMIP6 models. The Arctic sea ice concentration and thickness vary among the eight models, but all indicate a declining trend. This study indicates that, under the two scenarios, the least-cost route will migrate more rapidly from the low-latitude route to the high-latitude route in the next 30 years, showing that the Transpolar Sea Route will be navigable for Open Water (OW) and Polar Class 6 (PC6) before 2025, which is advanced by nearly 10 years compared to previous studies. The sailing time will decrease to 16 and 13 days for OW and PC6 by 2050, which saves 3 days compared to previous studies. For OW, the navigable season is mainly from August to October, and the Northern Sea Route is still the main route, while for PC6, the navigable season is mainly from July to January of the following year, and the Transpolar Sea Route will become one of the important choices.
IV Iberoamerican Congress of Naval Engineering—Summary
Authors: Carral Couce Luis Manuel , Cartelle Barros Juan José , Lamas Galdo María Isabel , Tarrío Saavedra Javier , Naya Fernández Salvador
Published: December 2023

The IV Iberoamerican Congress of Naval Engineering was held in Seville (3–5 October) and Ferrol (6–7 October) [...]
Integrating Computer Vision and CAD for Precise Dimension Extraction and 3D Solid Model Regeneration for Enhanced Quality Assurance
Authors: Bhandari Binayak , Manandhar Prakash
Published: December 2023

This paper focuses on the development of an integrated system that can rapidly and accurately extract the geometrical dimensions of a physical object assisted by a robotic hand and generate a 3D model of an object in a popular commercial Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software using computer vision. Two sets of experiments were performed: one with a simple cubical object and the other with a more complex geometry that needed photogrammetry to redraw it in the CAD system. For the accurate positioning of the object, a robotic hand was used. An Internet of Things (IoT) based camera unit was used for capturing the image and wirelessly transmitting it over the network. Computer vision algorithms such as GrabCut, Canny edge detector, and morphological operations were used for extracting border points of the input. The coordinates of the vertices of the solids were then transferred to the Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software via a macro to clean and generate the border curve. Finally, a 3D solid model is generated by linear extrusion based on the curve generated in CATIA. The results showed excellent regeneration of an object. This research makes two significant contributions. Firstly, it introduces an integrated system designed to achieve precise dimension extraction from solid objects. Secondly, it presents a method for regenerating intricate 3D solids with consistent cross-sections. The proposed system holds promise for a wide range of applications, including automatic 3D object reconstruction and quality assurance of 3D-printed objects, addressing potential defects arising from factors such as shrinkage and calibration, all with minimal user intervention.
Automatic Evaluation of Functional Movement Screening Based on Attention Mechanism and Score Distribution Prediction
Authors: Lin Xiuchun , Huang Tao , Ruan Zhiqiang , Yang Xuechao , Chen Zhide , Zheng Guolong , Feng Chen
Published: December 2023

Functional movement screening (FMS) is a crucial testing method that evaluates fundamental movement patterns in the human body and identifies functional limitations. However, due to the inherent complexity of human movements, the automated assessment of FMS poses significant challenges. Prior methodologies have struggled to effectively capture and model critical human features in video data. To address this challenge, this paper introduces an automatic assessment approach for FMS by leveraging deep learning techniques. The proposed method harnesses an I3D network to extract spatiotemporal video features across various scales and levels. Additionally, an attention mechanism (AM) module is incorporated to enable the network to focus more on human movement characteristics, enhancing its sensitivity to diverse location features. Furthermore, the multilayer perceptron (MLP) module is employed to effectively discern intricate patterns and features within the input data, facilitating its classification into multiple categories. Experimental evaluations conducted on publicly available datasets demonstrate that the proposed approach achieves state-of-the-art performance levels. Notably, in comparison to existing state-of-the-art (SOTA) methods, this approach exhibits a marked improvement in accuracy. These results corroborate the efficacy of the I3D-AM-MLP framework, indicating its significance in extracting advanced human movement feature expressions and automating the assessment of functional movement screening.
Analysis of Colorectal and Gastric Cancer Classification: A Mathematical Insight Utilizing Traditional Machine Learning Classifiers
Authors: Rai Hari Mohan , Yoo Joon
Published: December 2023

Cancer remains a formidable global health challenge, claiming millions of lives annually. Timely and accurate cancer diagnosis is imperative. While numerous reviews have explored cancer classification using machine learning and deep learning techniques, scant literature focuses on traditional ML methods. In this manuscript, we undertake a comprehensive review of colorectal and gastric cancer detection specifically employing traditional ML classifiers. This review emphasizes the mathematical underpinnings of cancer detection, encompassing preprocessing techniques, feature extraction, machine learning classifiers, and performance assessment metrics. We provide mathematical formulations for these key components. Our analysis is limited to peer-reviewed articles published between 2017 and 2023, exclusively considering medical imaging datasets. Benchmark and publicly available imaging datasets for colorectal and gastric cancers are presented. This review synthesizes findings from 20 articles on colorectal cancer and 16 on gastric cancer, culminating in a total of 36 research articles. A significant focus is placed on mathematical formulations for commonly used preprocessing techniques, features, ML classifiers, and assessment metrics. Crucially, we introduce our optimized methodology for the detection of both colorectal and gastric cancers. Our performance metrics analysis reveals remarkable results: 100% accuracy in both cancer types, but with the lowest sensitivity recorded at 43.1% for gastric cancer.
A-Type Natriuretic Peptide Alters the Impact of Azithromycin on Planktonic Culture and on (Monospecies and Binary) Biofilms of Skin Bacteria Kytococcus schroeteri and Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Diuvenji Ekaterina V. , Nevolina Ekaterina D. , Solovyev Ilya D. , Sukhacheva Marina V. , Mart’yanov Sergey V. , Novikova Aleksandra S. , Zhurina Marina V. , Plakunov Vladimir K. , Gannesen Andrei V.
Published: December 2023

It has been established that the human atrial natriuretic peptide is able to alter the effect of azithromycin on Kytococcus schroeteri H01 and Staphylococcus aureus 209P monospecies and binary biofilms. The effect of the hormone depends on the surface type and cultivation system, and it may have both enhancing and counteracting effects. The antagonistic effect of the hormone was observed mostly on hydrophobic surfaces, whereas the additive effect was observed on hydrophilic surfaces like glass. Also, the effect of the hormone depends on the antibiotic concentration and bacterial species. The combination of azithromycin and ANP led to an amplification of cell aggregation in biofilms, to the potential increase in matrix synthesis, and to a decrease in S. aureus in the binary community. Also, ANP, azithromycin, and their combinations caused the differential expression of genes of resistance to different antibiotics, like macrolides (mostly increasing expression in kytococci), fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, and others, in both bacteria.
Comparative Genomic Analysis of Cutibacterium spp. Isolates in Implant-Associated Infections
Authors: Erbežnik Anja , Celar Šturm Andraž , Strašek Smrdel Katja , Triglav Tina , Maver Vodičar Polona
Published: December 2023

Bacteria of the genus Cutibacterium are Gram-positive commensals and opportunistic pathogens that represent a major challenge in the diagnosis and treatment of implant-associated infections (IAIs). This study provides insight into the distribution of different sequence types (STs) of C. acnes, and the presence of virulence factors (VFs) in 64 Cutibacterium spp. isolates from suspected or confirmed IAIs obtained during routine microbiological diagnostics. Fifty-three C. acnes, six C. avidum, four C. granulosum, and one C. namnetense isolate, collected from different anatomical sites, were included in our study. Using whole-genome sequencing and a single-locus sequencing typing scheme, we successfully characterized all C. acnes strains and revealed the substantial diversity of STs, with the discovery of six previously unidentified STs. Phylotype IA1, previously associated with both healthy skin microbiome and infections, was the most prevalent, with ST A1 being the most common. Some minor differences in STs’ distribution were observed in correlation with anatomical location and association with infection. A genomic analysis of 40 investigated VFs among 64 selected strains showed no significant differences between different STs, anatomical sites, or infection-related and infection undetermined/unlikely groups of strains. Most differences in VF distribution were found between strains of different Cutibacterium spp., subspecies, and phylotypes, with CAMP factors, biofilm-related VFs, lipases, and heat shock proteins identified in all analyzed Cutibacterium spp.
Two New Compounds from the Endophytic Fungi of Dryopteris crassirhizoma and Their Antimicrobial Activities
Authors: Hai Ping , Gao Yuan , Yang Lian , Chen Nie , Jia Haiyan , Wang Mengdie , Li Huan , Jiang Wenli , Yang Jian , Li Rongtao
Published: December 2023

Two endophytic fungi Trichoderma afroharzianum (HP-3) and Alternaria alstroemeriae (HP-7) were isolated and purified from the fresh root of Dryopteris crassirhizoma. Chemical investigation of the two fungi resulted in the isolation of two new phenols 2,4-dihydroxy-3-farnesyl-5-methoxy benzoic acid (1) and 2-hydroxyphenethyl 2-phenylacetate (2), together with 22 known compounds. Their structures were elucidated by NMR, UV, IR, HRESIMS, and comparison to the literature data. Compounds 15 and 16 showed significant antibacterial activity against Micrococcus lysodeikticus with MIC value of 6.25 μg/mL, while 8 and 14 displayed moderate inhibitory activities against several plant pathogenic fungi and clinically important bacterial strains. This is the first study to report the isolation, identification, and antimicrobial properties of metabolites from endophytic fungi of D. crassirhizoma. Our findings may provide lead compounds for the development of new antibacterial agents.
Influence of ZSM-5 Crystal Size on Methanol-to-Olefin (MTO) vs. Ethanol-to-Aromatics (ETA) Conversion
Authors: Dittmann Daniel , Kaya Elif , Strassheim Dennis , Dyballa Michael
Published: December 2023

Crystal size is a key parameter of zeolites applied as catalysts. Herein, ZSM-5 crystals with similar physicochemical and acid properties, few defects, and aluminum exclusively in tetrahedral coordination are synthesized and the influence of the crystal size on the MTO and ETA conversion is investigated. Short olefins are the main products of the MTO conversion, whereas larger olefins and aromatics dominate the products after ETA conversion. In the case of both feeds, an increased crystal size decreases the catalyst’s lifetime. The MTO conversion over larger ZSM-5 altered the product distribution, which was not the case for the ETA conversion. The reason is that the instantly available aromatics during ETA conversion lead to fast coking and zeolite crystals only active in the outer layers. Thus, the different reactivity of different-sized ZSM-5 is direct proof of a different conversion mechanism for both alcohols.
Residues of Deltamethrin in Pine Needles and Pine Nuts of Catalonia (Spain)
Authors: Bellot Marina , Teixidó Anna , Torrell Antoni , Aletà Neus , Gómez-Canela Cristian
Published: December 2023

In recent years, recurrent droughts have weakened stone pine (Pinus pinea) forests and facilitated the emergence of harmful pests and diseases, including the Leptoglossus occidentalis. The production of stone pine nuts has declined over the past five years. To control this hemipteran pest, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide called deltamethrin is being tested. However, it is necessary to estimate the residue left by these treatments in forest stands. Therefore, a fast and robust analytical procedure was developed based on QuEChERS clean-up extraction, followed by gas chromatography coupled with an electron capture detector. This optimized method can detect residual concentrations of deltamethrin in pine nuts and pine needles up to 0.1 and 6 μg kg−1, respectively, with a limit of quantification of 0.4 and 20 μg kg−1. Great recoveries (between 84 and 102%) were obtained for both matrices, and no matrix effect was observed. The results showed that two weeks after spraying, the deltamethrin content in the needles of stone pines decreased by up to 75%, and after nine months, its presence was like that of nontreated trees.
Identifying Chemical Differences in Cheddar Cheese Based on Maturity Level and Manufacturer Using Vibrational Spectroscopy and Chemometrics
Authors: Dewantier Gerson R. , Torley Peter J. , Blanch Ewan W.
Published: December 2023

Cheese is a nutritious dairy product and a valuable commodity. Internationally, cheddar cheese is produced and consumed in large quantities, and it is the main cheese variety that is exported from Australia. Despite its importance, the analytical methods to that are used to determine cheese quality rely on traditional approaches that require time, are invasive, and which involve potentially hazardous chemicals. In contrast, spectroscopic techniques can rapidly provide molecular information and are non-destructive, fast, and chemical-free methods. Combined with partner recognition methods (chemometrics), they can identify small changes in the composition or condition of cheeses. In this work, we combined FTIR and Raman spectroscopies with principal component analysis (PCA) to investigate the effects of aging in commercial cheddar cheeses. Changes in the amide I and II bands were the main spectral characteristics responsible for classifying commercial cheddar cheeses based on the ripening time and manufacturer using FTIR, and bands from lipids, including β’-polymorph of fat crystals, were more clearly determined through changes in the Raman spectra.
RNA-Seq-Based Transcriptomics and GC–MS Quantitative Analysis Reveal Antifungal Mechanisms of Essential Oil of Clausena lansium (Lour.) Skeels Seeds against Candida albicans
Authors: Ma Yinzheng , Sui Jinlei , Wang Yan , Sun Wanying , Yi Guohui , Wu Jinyan , Qiu Shi , Wang Lili , Zhang Aihua , He Xiaowen
Published: December 2023

Infections caused by Candida albicans (C. albicans) and increasing resistance to commonly used drugs lead to a variety of mucosal diseases and systemic infectious diseases. We previously confirmed that the essential oil of Clausena lansium (Lour.) Skeels seeds (CSEO) had antifungal activity against C. albicans, but the detailed mechanism between the chemical components and antifungal activity is unclear. In this study, a quantitative analysis of five volatile components of CSEO, including sabinene, α-phellandrene, β-phellandrene, 4-terpineol, and β-caryophyllene, was carried out using the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) method. Both the broth dilution and kinetic growth methods proved that the antifungal activity of CSEO against fluconazole-resistant C. albicans was better than that of its main components (sabinene and 4-terpineol). To further investigate the inhibitory mechanism, the transcriptional responses of C. albicans to CSEO, sabinene, and 4-terpineol treatment were determined based on RNA-seq. The Venn diagram and clustering analysis pattern of differential expression genes showed the mechanism of CSEO and 4-terpineol’s anti-C. albicans activity might be similar from the perspective of the genes. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that CSEO regulated adherence-, hyphae-, and biofilm-formation-related genes, which may be CSEO’s active mechanism of inhibiting the growth of fluconazole-resistant C. albicans. Overall, we preliminarily revealed the molecular mechanism between the chemical components and the antifungal activity of CSEO against C. albicans. This study provides new insights to overcome the azole resistance of C. albicans and promote the development and application of C. lansium (Lour.) Skeels seeds.
Determination of Some Heavy Metals in European and Polish Coal Samples
Authors: Karbowska Bożena , Włódarzewska Ewelina , Zembrzuski Włodzimierz , Zembrzuska Joanna , Janeba-Bartoszewicz Edyta , Bartoszewicz Jarosław , Selech Jarosław
Published: December 2023

This work presents coal analyses for heavy metal content (Tl, Cu, Zn, Cd, Fe). The tested coal samples came from a Russian deposit in the Kuzbass Basin (Novosibirsk and Kemerovo Oblasts, near Kazakhstan) and from Poland. The concentration of thallium in coal was determined using DPASV—differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry—and other metals were examined with FAAS, i.e., flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The study confirmed the presence of thallium in the tested coal sample. The coal samples from outside the European Union contained four times more thallium (the maximum content of thallium in coal has been determined to be 0.636 mg·kg−1) than the samples of Polish coal (where the maximum content of thallium was 0.055 mg·kg−1). Cadmium concentration was on average 1.99 mg·kg−1 in the samples from outside the European Union, and 1.2 mg·kg−1 in the samples of Polish coal. Zinc concentration in the samples from outside the European Union was on average 11.27 mg·kg−1, and in the samples of Polish coal approx. 7 mg·kg−1. In addition, iron concentration in all coal samples was determined as 14.96 mg·kg−1, whereas copper concentration in the samples from outside the European Union averaged as 3.96 mg·kg−1. The obtained results do not show any correlation between the presence of thallium and the presence of other metals. It is worth noting that heavy metals pose a threat to living organisms due to their persistence and bioaccumulation, particularly in the context of dust emissions to the atmosphere.
Extension of Fiber Bragg Grating Ultrasound Sensor Network by Adhesive Couplers
Authors: Kim Jee-Myung , Aboubakr Sherif , Peters Kara
Published: December 2023

Previous studies demonstrated coupling of acoustic guided waves from one optical fiber to another through a simple adhesive bond coupler. This paper experimentally utilizes such an adhesive bond coupler to easily extend an already existing sensor network. We experimentally demonstrate this concept for detecting simulated cracks growing from circular holes in a thin aluminum plate. A single, remotely bonded FBG sensor is used to detect the original crack growth, followed by the addition of other optical fiber segments using adhesive couplers to detect new crack growth locations on the plate. A laser Doppler vibrometer is also used to measure the guided wave propagation through the plate to verify that the changes in the FBG sensor measurements are due to the growth of the cracks.
Rapid Ascent of Hollow Particles in Water Induced by an Electric Field
Authors: Kimura Hiroshi
Published: December 2023

A novel method has been proposed to induce rapid upward movement of colloidal particles with a density lower than water by applying an electric field of several V/mm in water. This phenomenon, known as the Electrically Induced Rapid Sedimentation (ERS) effect, marks the first occurrence of ‘rapid upward movement of colloidal particles’ within the scope of this phenomenon. Focusing on hollow particles, an investigation of the ERS effect was conducted through transmittance measurement. The hollow particles in water showed a drastic increase in ascending velocity through the application of an electric field. The ascending velocity raised when increasing the electric field strength. Utilizing a quasi-DC electric field (an extremely low-frequency AC electric field), aggregate structures were captured for the first time.
A Systematic Review and Metanalysis on the Use of Hermetia illucens and Tenebrio molitor in Diets for Poultry
Authors: Dalmoro Yuri Katagiri , Franceschi Carolina H. , Stefanello Catarina
Published: December 2023

Insect meal as a protein source has been considered a sustainable way to feed animals. H. illucens and T. molitor larvae meal are considered high-protein sources for poultry, also presenting considerable amounts of fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. However, other potential components in insect meal and insect oil have been more extensively studied in recent years. Chitin, lauric acid, and antimicrobial peptides can present antimicrobial and prebiotic functions, indicating that low levels of their inclusion in insect meal can beneficially affect broilers’ health and immune responses. This systematic review was developed to study the impact of insect products on the health parameters of broilers, and a metanalysis was conducted to evaluate the effects on performance. A database was obtained based on a selection of manuscripts from January 2016 to January 2023, following the mentioned parameters. Both H. illucens and T. molitor meal or oil products had positive effects on poultry health status, especially on the ileal and cecal microbiota population, immune responses, and antimicrobial properties. The average daily gain was greater in broilers fed T. molitor meal compared to H. illucens meal (p = 0.002). The results suggest that low levels of insect meal are suitable for broilers, without resulting in negative effects on body weight gain and the feed conversion ratio, while the insect oil can totally replace soybean oil without negative impacts.
The real characteristics of destructive family conflicts
Authors:   Department of Social Psychology and Social Work FSBEI HE Ryazan State University named after S. A. Yesenin, Sukhov A. N.
Published: December 2023

This article deals with a wide range of issues related to the problem of destructive family conflicts. It reveals various approaches to understanding the essence of family conflicts. At the same time, the article presents the author’s definition of destructive family conflicts and their classification. The main attention is paid to the analysis of the relationship between certain types of violence and specific destructive family conflicts. The article provides a fairly deep scientific interpretation of various types of family violence.
The state and current problems of the development of the foster family institute in the Russian Federation
Authors:   Non-State Educational Private Institution of Higher Education Moscow Financial and Industrial University «Synergy», Blinova Yu. V.
Published: December 2023

The development of a civilized society is determined not only by its economic and socio-cultural level, but also by its attitude towards disadvantaged children. Orphanhood as a social phenomenon has existed as long as human society itself, and is an integral element of civilization. Wars, epidemics, natural disasters, and other causes led to the death of parents, as a result of which children became orphans. The article provides an assessment of the state of the institution of foster family in the Russian Federation and identifies current problems of its development.
Axiological and religious aspects of solving current social and pedagogical problems
Authors:   Department of Social Work, FSBEI HE Ufa University of Science and Technology, Ufa, Republic of Bashkortostan, Vildanova G. B.
Published: December 2023

The problem of religious and cultural upbringing and education is one of the pressing problems of social policy. Illiteracy in terms of knowledge of one’s historical roots and true cultural values, lack of spiritual and moral priorities among young people — all these factors can pose a threat to the national security of Russia in preserving its integrity. This article reveals some of the causes of social problems and suggests ways to resolve possible conflict situations.
Problems of implementation and protection of consumer rights in the field of public utilities
Authors:   Non-State Educational Private Institution of Higher Education Moscow Financial and Industrial University «Synergy, Blinova Yu. V.
Published: December 2023

The article considers the problems of implementation and protection of consumer rights in the field of public utilities and identifies current factors that hinder the stable development of the utility services and the protection of the rights of consumers of public utilities.
The use of feed additives in the diet of egg productivity chickens
Authors:   Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “South Ural State Agrarian University”, Russia, Chelyabinsk region, Troitsk, Ermolova E. M. , Ermolov S. M. ,   Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “South Ural State Agrarian University”, Russia, Chelyabinsk region, Troitsk, Bochkarev A. K. ,   Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “South Ural State Agrarian University”, Russia, Chelyabinsk region, Troitsk, Kosilov V. I. ,   Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Orenburg State Agrarian University”, Russia, Orenburg, Karmatskikh Yu. A. ,   Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Northern Trans-Ural State Agricultural University”, Russia, Tyumen
Published: December 2023

Due to the need to increase poultry production obtained at the lowest economic cost, there will always be a need to research the use of new feed additives and means. The inclusion of such additives in poultry compound feed increases productivity, improves metabolism and makes feed more eff ective. The purpose of the work was to analyze the use of feed additives in the diet of egg productivity chickens. In order to conduct the research, three groups of egg productivity chickens were formed: a control group and two experimental ones. Chickens of the 1st experimental group, in addition to the standard feed received the feed additive SibMos Pro in the amount of 0,1 g/kg live weight. For chickens of the 2nd experimental group the drug Immufon was added to the main diet in the dose 0,01 ml/ kg of live weight. It was established that the addition of the studied feed additives SibMos Pro to the diet of chickens in the 1st experimental group and the drug Immufon in the 2nd experimental group had a positive eff ect on the increase in live weight of chickens during the experimental period. Thus, the gain in live weight of one chicken diff ered between groups. The indicator ranged from 934,1 g in the control group to 964,0 g in the 2nd experimental group. The maximum gain in live weight was in the 2nd experimental group, where it was 3,2 % higher than in the control group. The reduction in feed consumption occurred due to better absorption of compound feed in chickens from this group, which was associated with the use of the drug Immufon, which promoted better absorption of feed nutrients. Thus, it was established that the highest productivity indicators were shown by chickens of the 2nd experimental group that received the drug Immufon, therefore we recommend that poultry farms with egg productivity use this drug in the compound feed for young animals at the dose of 0,01 ml/kg of live weight. We also recommend to use the feed additive SibMos Pro in the amount of 0,1 g/kg live weight.
Inteligencia Artificial y Realidad Aumentada como herramientas innovadoras en el desarrollo de cuentos educativos
Authors: Núñez Zavala Christian Xavier , Isín Vilema Manuel David , Jimenez Granizo Cristhy Nataly , Peñafiel Barros Geonatan Octavio
Published: December 2023

La investigación presenta los resultados de la utilización de cuentos educativos creados mediante inteligencia artificial y realidad aumentada como herramientas innovadoras para fomentar las habilidades lectoras en niños de instituciones educativas rurales de la ciudad de Riobamba. La población de estudio son 70 estudiantes de sexto año de educación general básica de dos instituciones educativas rurales que incluyó niños de 10 - 11 años. Se realizó un estudio con enfoque cuantitativo, diseño cuasiexperimental y con alcance descriptivo. La investigación se desarrolló en tres fases: (1) Recolección datos del estado inicial, (2) Diseño y elaboración de cuentos educativos y, (3) Recolección de datos luego de aplicar los cuentos como herramienta innovadora. La fase de diseño de cuentos se fundamenta en el diagnóstico inicial que, evidenció el género preferido por los estudiantes para la construcción de imágenes y texto mediante prompts, en aplicaciones de inteligencia artificial. Los resultados obtenidos luego de aplicar los cuentos interactivos a los estudiantes fueron positivos evidenciando un gran interés por parte de los encuestados en usar un cuento generado por inteligencia artificial con contenido de realidad aumentada esto demuestra que la incorporación de las TIC en los procesos de aprendizaje resulta ser una estrategia que beneficia los procesos educativos mediante la innovación.
HUMAN FACTOR OF THE MODERN ECONOMY: TRENDS IN CHANGING THE CONTENT OF CONCEPTS
Authors: Zuev V.M. , Novikov P.N. ,   All-Russian Research Institute of Labour, Moscow, Russia, Ishina M.S. ,   Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Moscow, Russia
Published: December 2023

The relevance of the research, which is staged in nature, is due to the following. In modern conditions, when, within the framework of the development of a sovereign national economy, human capital and a focus on its needs are declared as one of the basic, if not key, system-forming elements (and let us immediately clarify that it is not always transparent and unambiguous to understand what needs are meant: human, as an individual or as an economic resource), it seems appropriate and even necessary to study its semantic evolution and other scientific (and often everyday and even artistic) terms and concepts associated with it, often interchangeable with each other, in particular, competencies. The object of the study is the concepts of “human capital” and “competence”, and the subject is the trends of changes in the content of these common concepts, taking into account changes in social mentality. The purpose of the study is to assess the trends of changes in the content and understanding of the essence of concepts “human capital” and “competence” widely used in science and practice and substantiate the need to maintain a uniform understanding and interpretation of them. The methods of the paper are system analysis, synthesis, generalization, comparison, systematization, and analysis of scientific publications. The novelty of the study lies in the substantiation of the significance of getting rid of the fault, heterogeneity, and duality of perception of such scientific and even philosophical concepts, or rather, categories such as human capital, and competence, used at different times in national strategic documents, at all levels of government: from methodological projects of ministries and departments to speeches of various officials in the media. The article identifies the particular importance of distinguishing between the commercial and personal, social and humanitarian aspects of the semantic content of the objects under study, with the increasing importance of the first. The essential characteristics of the selected research objects have been clarified, direct and indirect factors of the negative impact of the duality of their perception on socio-economic processes, which ultimately cause deformation of the living environment, changes in social mentality, and consequently human consciousness, have been highlighted. Based on the results of the study, the authors concluded that a number of minimal measures are needed to counter the possible negative consequences of the trends under consideration.