bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Techniques for Sustainable Decision Making in Forest-to-Lumber Supply Chain: A Systematic Review
Authors: Mena-Reyes Jorge Félix , Vergara Francisco , Linfati Rodrigo , Escobar John Willmer
Published: February 2024

Sustainability has become a key issue in the forest industry; this research aims to analyze the quantitative techniques and metrics applied to the forest-to-lumber supply chain to achieve sustainable decision-making during the last six years. The methodology used was the PRISMA systematic literature review guide, which provides a complete and updated view of the situation. A total of 724 publications were collected from the Web of Science database. Consequently, 85 papers were selected for analysis and synthesis after applying inclusion criteria. The results show a growing interest in sustainability in the forest-to-lumber supply chain, with a peak of publications in 2019. Mathematical Programming and Simulation models are on top of the quantitative techniques applied. These techniques are applied to the supply chain components, classified according to the raw material’s degree of processing or transformation level in forest entities, sawmills, transportation, and other entities. The concluding remarks highlighted that 19 published works research the social dimension, 43 explore the environmental dimension, and 55 examine the economic dimension. Moreover, in the environmental dimension, there is a concentration on the use of metrics associated with greenhouse gases, and to a lesser extent, they have been concerned with soil and water. Additionally, in the social dimension, they have concentrated mainly on the workers, leaving the local communities around the supply chain in the second place. Our systematic review reports the techniques or quantitative methodologies applied in the forest-to-lumber supply chain and the metrics used to handle the dimensions of sustainability.
PwuWRKY48 Confers Drought Tolerance in Populus wulianensis
Authors: Wang Yan , Li Mengtian , Mu Yanjuan , Guan Lingshan , Wu Fusheng , Liu Kun , Li Meng , Wang Ning , Zhuang Zhenjie , Zhao Yunchao , Xu Jichen , Lu Yizeng
Published: February 2024

Populus wulianensis mainly grows in hilly and sloped areas and has strong resistance to adversity. Previous transcriptome studies have shown that a WRKY gene PwuWRKY48 is expression-induced under drought stress. In this study, we aim to characterize the gene’s structure and investigate its role in plant drought resistance. The results show that PwuWRKY48 (1113 bp) belongs to a class IIc WRKY subfamily and it was determined as a nuclear localization protein. The gene promoter region contains a variety of cis-elements in relation to stress resistance. Under drought stress, PwuWRKY48 was expression-induced in leaves and stems, 29.7 and 16.6 times those before treatment, respectively. Overexpressing PwuWRKY48 lines were associated with increased activities of peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), 2.5 and 1.6 times higher than those of the wild type. While malondialdehyde content (MDA), superoxide anion radical (O2·−), and relative conductivity were decreased by 20%, 30%, and 21.3%, proline and chlorophyll contents increased by 37.5% and 11.2%, respectively. This indicates that PwuWRKY48 efficiently improved the drought tolerance of transgenic plants. PwuWRKY48 can be used as a gene resource for molecular breeding of plant drought resistance.
Deep Learning-Based Fishing Ground Prediction Using Asymmetric Spatiotemporal Scales: A Case Study of Ommastrephes bartramii
Authors: Xie Mingyang , Liu Bin , Chen Xinjun , Yu Wei , Wang Jintao
Published: February 2024

Selecting the optimal spatiotemporal scale in fishing ground prediction models can maximize prediction accuracy. Current research on spatiotemporal scales shows that they are symmetrically distributed, which may not capture specific oceanographic features conducive to fishing ground formation. Recent studies have shown that deep learning is a promising research direction for addressing spatiotemporal scale issues. In the era of big data, deep learning outperforms traditional methods by more accurately and efficiently mining high-value, nonlinear information. In this study, taking Ommastrephes bartramii in the Northwest Pacific as an example, we used the U-Net model with sea surface temperature (SST) as the input factor and center fishing ground as the output factor. We constructed 80 different combinations of temporal scales and asymmetric spatial scales using data in 1998–2020. By comparing the results, we found that the optimal temporal scale for the deep learning fishing ground prediction model is 15 days, and the spatial scale is 0.25° × 0.25°. Larger time scales lead to higher model accuracy, and latitude has a greater impact on the model than longitude. It further enriches and refines the criteria for selecting spatiotemporal scales. This result deepens our understanding of the oceanographic characteristics of the Northwest Pacific environmental field and lays the foundation for future artificial intelligence-based fishery research. This study provides a scientific basis for the sustainable development of efficient fishery production.
KLHL40-Related Myopathy: A Systematic Review and Insight into a Follow-up Biomarker via a New Case Report
Authors: Buchignani Bianca , Marinella Gemma , Pasquariello Rosa , Sgherri Giada , Frosini Silvia , Santorelli Filippo Maria , Orsini Alessandro , Battini Roberta , Astrea Guja
Published: February 2024

Background: Mutations in the KLHL40 gene are a common cause of severe or even lethal nemaline myopathy. Some cases with mild forms have been described, although the cases are still anecdotal. The aim of this paper was to systematically review the cases described in the literature and to describe a 12-year clinical and imaging follow-up in an Italian patient with KLHL40- related myopathy in order to suggest possible follow-up measurements. Methods: Having searched through three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCO), 18 articles describing 65 patients with homozygous or compound heterozygous KLHL40 mutations were selected. A patient with a KLHL40 homozygous mutation (c.1582G>A/p.E528K) was added and clinical and genetic data were collected. Results: The most common mutation identified in our systematic review was the (c.1516A>C) followed by the (c.1582G>A). In our review, 60% percent of the patients died within the first 4 years of life. Clinical features were similar across the sample. Unfortunately, however, there is no record of the natural history data in the surviving patients. The 12-year follow-up of our patient revealed a slow improvement in her clinical course, identifying muscle MRI as the only possible marker of disease progression. Conclusions: Due to its clinical and genotype homogeneity, KLHL40-related myopathy may be a condition that would greatly benefit from the development of new gene therapies; muscle MRI could be a good biomarker to monitor disease progression.
Associations of Broader Parental Factors with Children’s Happiness and Weight Status through Child Food Intake, Physical Activity, and Screen Time: A Longitudinal Modeling Analysis of South Korean Families
Authors: Kim Kay W. , Wallander Jan L. , Kim Bokyung
Published: February 2024

This study investigated how broader parental factors including parental happiness, parental play engagement, and parenting stress are related to Korean children’s happiness and weight status across three years via indirect pathways through the children’s energy-related behaviors of healthy and unhealthy food intake, physical activity, and screen time. Data from 1551 Korean parent pairs and 7-year-old children in the Panel Study on Korean Children were analyzed. A path analysis and gender-based multi-group analysis were conducted. Maternal happiness was negatively related to child screen time. Maternal play engagement showed positive concurrent associations with child healthy food intake and physical activity and negative associations with screen time. Maternal parenting stress was negatively related to child healthy eating. There was one significant finding related to fathers’ role on children’s energy-related behaviors, happiness, and weight status: the positive association between parental happiness and boys’ unhealthy food intake. Child screen time was positively related to child weight status and negatively to child happiness at each age. Broader maternal parenting factors can serve as a protective factor for childhood happiness and weight status in 7-to-9-year-olds through being associated with a reduction in child screen time.
Prompt Placental Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Assessment after SARS-CoV-2 Infection during Pregnancy—Our Perspective of a Small Group
Authors: Popescu Daniela Eugenia , Roșca Ioana , Jura Ana Maria Cristina , Cioca Andreea , Pop Ovidiu , Lungu Nicoleta , Popa Zoran-Laurențiu , Rațiu Adrian , Boia Mărioara
Published: February 2024

Research indicates compelling evidence of SARS-CoV-2 vertical transmission as a result of placental pathology. This study offers an approach to histopathological and immunohistochemical placental observations from SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers compared to negative ones. Out of the 44 examined placentas, 24 were collected from patients with a SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and 20 were collected from patients without infection. The disease group showed strong SARS-CoV-2 positivity of the membranes, trophoblasts, and fetal villous macrophages. Most infections occurred during the third trimester of pregnancy (66.6%). Pathology revealed areas consistent with avascular villi (AV) and thrombi in the chorionic vessels and umbilical cord in the positive group, suggesting fetal vascular malperfusion (FVM). This study shows SARS-CoV-2 has an impact on coagulation, demonstrated by fetal thrombotic vasculopathy (p = 0.01) and fibrin deposition (p = 0.01). Other observed features included infarction (17%), perivillous fibrin deposition (29%), intervillous fibrin (25%), delayed placental maturation (8.3%), chorangiosis (13%), chorioamnionitis (8.3%), and meconium (21%). The negative control group revealed only one case of placental infarction (5%), intervillous fibrin (5%), delayed placental maturation (5%), and chorioamnionitis (5%) and two cases of meconium (19%). Our study sheds light on the changes and differences that occurred in placentas from SARS-CoV-2-infected mothers and the control group. Further research is necessary to definitively establish whether SARS-CoV-2 is the primary culprit behind these intricate complications.
Mucin Expression Profiles in Ulcerative Colitis: New Insights on the Histological Mucosal Healing
Authors: Leoncini Giuseppe , Cari Luigi , Ronchetti Simona , Donato Francesco , Caruso Laura , Calafà Cristina , Villanacci Vincenzo
Published: February 2024

A structural weakness of the mucus barrier (MB) is thought to be a cause of ulcerative colitis (UC). This study aims to investigate the mucin (MUC) composition of MB in normal mucosa and UC. Ileocolonic biopsies were taken at disease onset and after treatment in 40 patients, including 20 with relapsing and 20 with remitting UC. Ileocolonic biopsies from 10 non-IBD patients were included as controls. Gut-specific MUC1, MUC2, MUC4, MUC5B, MUC12, MUC13, MUC15, and MUC17 were evaluated immunohistochemically. The promoters of mucin genes were also examined. Normal mucosa showed MUC2, MUC5B, and MUC13 in terminal ileum and colon, MUC17 in ileum, and MUC1, MUC4, MUC12, and MUC15 in colon. Membranous, cytoplasmic and vacuolar expressions were highlighted. Overall, the mucin expression was abnormal in UC. Derangements in MUC1, MUC4, and MUC5B were detected both at onset and after treatment. MUC2 and MUC13 were unaffected. Sequence analysis revealed glucocorticoid-responsive elements in the MUC1 promoter, retinoic-acid-responsive elements in the MUC4 promoter, and butyrate-responsive elements in the MUC5B promoter. In conclusion, MUCs exhibited distinct expression patterns in the gut. Their expression was disrupted in UC, regardless of the treatment protocols. Abnormal MUC1, MUC4, and MUC5B expression marked the barrier dysfunction in UC.
Genome-Wide Identification of the GhANN Gene Family and Functional Validation of GhANN11 and GhANN4 under Abiotic Stress
Authors: Luo Jin , Li Meili , Ju Jisheng , Hai Han , Wei Wei , Ling Pingjie , Li Dandan , Su Junji , Zhang Xianliang , Wang Caixiang
Published: February 2024

Annexins (ANNs) are a structurally conserved protein family present in almost all plants. In the present study, 27 GhANNs were identified in cotton and were unevenly distributed across 14 chromosomes. Transcriptome data and RT-qPCR results revealed that multiple GhANNs respond to at least two abiotic stresses. Similarly, the expression levels of GhANN4 and GhANN11 were significantly upregulated under heat, cold, and drought stress. Using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), functional characterization of GhANN4 and GhANN11 revealed that, compared with those of the controls, the leaf wilting of GhANN4-silenced plants was more obvious, and the activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were lower under NaCl and PEG stress. Moreover, the expression of stress marker genes (GhCBL3, GhDREB2A, GhDREB2C, GhPP2C, GhRD20-2, GhCIPK6, GhNHX1, GhRD20-1, GhSOS1, GhSOS2 and GhSnRK2.6) was significantly downregulated in GhANN4-silenced plants after stress. Under cold stress, the growth of the GHANN11-silenced plants was significantly weaker than that of the control plants, and the activities of POD, SOD, and CAT were also lower. However, compared with those of the control, the elasticity and orthostatic activity of the GhANN11-silenced plants were greater; the POD, SOD, and CAT activities were higher; and the GhDREB2C, GhHSP, and GhSOS2 expression levels were greater under heat stress. These results suggest that different GhANN family members respond differently to different types of abiotic stress.
Cerebral Benefits Induced by Electrical Muscle Stimulation: Evidence from a Human and Rat Study
Authors: Chaney Rémi , Leger Clémence , Wirtz Julien , Fontanier Estelle , Méloux Alexandre , Quirié Aurore , Martin Alain , Prigent-Tessier Anne , Garnier Philippe
Published: February 2024

Physical exercise (EX) is well established for its positive impact on brain health. However, conventional EX may not be feasible for certain individuals. In this regard, this study explores electromyostimulation (EMS) as a potential alternative for enhancing cognitive function. Conducted on both human participants and rats, the study involved two sessions of EMS applied to the quadriceps with a duration of 30 min at one-week intervals. The human subjects experienced assessments of cognition and mood, while the rats underwent histological and biochemical analyses on the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and quadriceps. Our findings indicated that EMS enhanced executive functions and reduced anxiety in humans. In parallel, our results from the animal studies revealed an elevation in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), specifically in the hippocampus. Intriguingly, this increase was not associated with heightened neuronal activity or cerebral hemodynamics; instead, our data point towards a humoral interaction from muscle to brain. While no evidence of increased muscle and circulating BDNF or FNDC5/irisin pathways could be found, our data highlight lactate as a bridging signaling molecule of the muscle–brain crosstalk following EMS. In conclusion, our results suggest that EMS could be an effective alternative to conventional EX for enhancing both brain health and cognitive function.
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Comprehensive Review of Cellular, Animal, and Clinical Studies
Authors: Alkhalifa Amer E. , Al-Ghraiybah Nour F. , Kaddoumi Amal
Published: February 2024

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by several pathological hallmarks, including the deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, blood–brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction, increased oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. Current treatment options include monoclonal antibody drugs, acetylcholinesterase, and n-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists. Although those treatments provide some improvements in patients’ quality of life, they fail to prevent or cure AD. Current research aims to identify novel targets and tools for AD prevention and modification. In this context, several studies showed the beneficial effect of the Mediterranean diet in the prevention and treatment of AD. One integral component of the Mediterranean diet is olive oil and extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), which is high in phenolic compounds. EVOO and other olive-related phenolic compounds have been shown to reduce the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms by which EVOO and phenolic compounds exert neuroprotective effects, including modulation of AD pathologies and promotion of cognitive health. Findings indicate that EVOO and its phenolic constituents influence key pathological processes of AD, such as Aβ aggregation, tau phosphorylation, and neuroinflammation, while also enhancing BBB integrity and reducing oxidative stress. The human studies cited reveal a consistent trend where the consumption of olive oil is associated with cognitive benefits and a decreased risk of AD and related dementias. In conclusion, EVOO and its phenolic compounds hold promising potential for the prevention and treatment of AD, representing a significant shift towards more effective strategies against this complex neurodegenerative disorder.
Nuclear Binding Protein 2/Nesfatin-1 Affects Trophoblast Cell Fusion during Placental Development via the EGFR-PLCG1-CAMK4 Pathway
Authors: Dang Qinyu , Zhu Yandi , Zhang Yadi , Hu Zhuo , Wei Yuchen , Chen Zhaoyang , Jiang Xinyin , Cai Xiaxia , Yu Huanling
Published: February 2024

Previous studies have shown that nuclear binding protein 2 (NUCB2) is expressed in the human placenta and increases with an increase in the syncytialization of trophoblast cells. This study aimed to investigate the role of NUCB2 in the differentiation and fusion of trophectoderm cells. In this study, the expression levels of NUCB2 and E-cadherin in the placentas of rats at different gestation stages were investigated. The results showed that there was an opposite trend between the expression of placental NUCB2 and E-cadherin in rat placentas in different trimesters. When primary human trophoblast (PHT) and BeWo cells were treated with high concentrations of Nesfatin-1, the trophoblast cell syncytialization was significantly inhibited. The effects of NUCB2 knockdown in BeWo cells and Forskolin-induced syncytialization were investigated. These cells showed a significantly decreased cell fusion rate. The mechanism underlying NUCB2-regulated trophoblast cell syncytialization was explored using RNA-Seq and the results indicated that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-phospholipase C gamma 1 (PLCG1)-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CAMK4) pathway might be involved. The results suggested that the placental expression of NUCB2 plays an important role in the fusion of trophoblasts during differentiation via the EGFR-PLCG1-CAMK4 pathway.
Adhesion States Greatly Affect Cellular Susceptibility to Graphene Oxide: Therapeutic Implications for Cancer Metastasis
Authors: Morotomi-Yano Keiko , Hayami Shinya , Yano Ken-ichi
Published: February 2024

Graphene oxide (GO) has received increasing attention in the life sciences because of its potential for various applications. Although GO is generally considered biocompatible, it can negatively impact cell physiology under some circumstances. Here, we demonstrate that the cytotoxicity of GO greatly varies depending on the cell adhesion states. Human HCT-116 cells in a non-adhered state were more susceptible to GO than those in an adherent state. Apoptosis was partially induced by GO in both adhered and non-adhered cells to a similar extent, suggesting that apoptosis induction does not account for the selective effects of GO on non-adhered cells. GO treatment rapidly decreased intracellular ATP levels in non-adhered cells but not in adhered ones, suggesting ATP depletion as the primary cause of GO-induced cell death. Concurrently, autophagy induction, a cellular response for energy homeostasis, was more evident in non-adhered cells than in adhered cells. Collectively, our observations provide novel insights into GO’s action with regard to cell adhesion states. Because the elimination of non-adhered cells is important in preventing cancer metastasis, the selective detrimental effects of GO on non-adhered cells suggest its therapeutic potential for use in cancer metastasis.
Hyperpolarized Xenon-129 Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (HyperCEST) Molecular Imaging: Achievements and Future Challenges
Authors: Batarchuk Viktoriia , Shepelytskyi Yurii , Grynko Vira , Kovacs Antal Halen , Hodgson Aaron , Rodriguez Karla , Aldossary Ruba , Talwar Tanu , Hasselbrink Carson , Ruset Iulian C. , DeBoef Brenton , Albert Mitchell S.
Published: February 2024

Molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an emerging field that is set to revolutionize our perspective of disease diagnosis, treatment efficacy monitoring, and precision medicine in full concordance with personalized medicine. A wide range of hyperpolarized (HP) 129Xe biosensors have been recently developed, demonstrating their potential applications in molecular settings, and achieving notable success within in vitro studies. The favorable nuclear magnetic resonance properties of 129Xe, coupled with its non-toxic nature, high solubility in biological tissues, and capacity to dissolve in blood and diffuse across membranes, highlight its superior role for applications in molecular MRI settings. The incorporation of reporters that combine signal enhancement from both hyperpolarized 129Xe and chemical exchange saturation transfer holds the potential to address the primary limitation of low sensitivity observed in conventional MRI. This review provides a summary of the various applications of HP 129Xe biosensors developed over the last decade, specifically highlighting their use in MRI. Moreover, this paper addresses the evolution of in vivo applications of HP 129Xe, discussing its potential transition into clinical settings.
Identification of Candidate Male-Reproduction-Related Genes from the Testis and Androgenic Gland of Macrobrachium nipponense, Regulated by PDHE1, through Transcriptome Profiling Analysis
Authors: Jin Shubo , Xiong Yiwei , Zhang Wenyi , Qiao Hui , Wu Yan , Jiang Sufei , Fu Hongtuo
Published: February 2024

The previous publication identified that pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 (PDHE1) positively regulated the process of male reproduction in M. nipponense through affecting the expressions of insulin-like androgenic gland hormone. The present study aimed to identify the potential male-reproduction-related genes that were regulated by PDHE1 through performing the transcriptome profiling analysis in the testis and androgenic gland after the knockdown of the expressions of PDHE1 by the injection of dsPDHE1. Both RNA-Seq and qPCR analysis identified the significant decreases in PDHE1 expressions in the testis and androgenic gland in dsPDHE1-injected prawns compared to those in dsGFP-injected prawns, indicating the efficiency of dsPDHE1 in the present study. Transcriptome profiling analysis identified 56 and 127 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the testis and androgenic gland, respectively. KEGG analysis revealed that the energy-metabolism-related pathways represented the main enriched metabolic pathways of DEGs in both the testis and androgenic gland, including pyruvate metabolism, the Citrate cycle (TCA cycle), Glycolysis/Gluconeogenesis, and the Glucagon signaling pathway. Thus, it is predicted that these metabolic pathways and the DEGs from these metabolic pathways regulated by PDHE1 may be involved in the regulation of male reproduction in M. nipponense. Furthermore, four genes were found to be differentially expressed in both the testis and androgenic gland, of which ribosomal protein S3 was down-regulated and uncharacterized protein LOC113829596 was up-regulated in both the testis and androgenic gland in dsPDHE1-injected prawns. The present study provided valuable evidence for the establishment of an artificial technique to regulate the process of male reproduction in M. nipponense.
Genetic Algorithm-Based Optimisation of a Double-Wall Effusion Cooling System for a High-Pressure Turbine Nozzle Guide Vane
Authors: van de Noort Michael , Ireland Peter T.
Published: February 2024

Double-Wall Effusion Cooling schemes present an opportunity for aeroengine designers to achieve high overall cooling effectiveness and convective cooling efficiency in High-Pressure Turbine blades with reduced coolant usage compared to conventional cooling technologies. This is accomplished by combining impingement, pin-fin and effusion cooling. Optimising these cooling schemes is crucial to ensuring that cooling is achieved sufficiently at high-heat-flux regions and not overused at low-heat-flux ones. Due to the high number of design variables employed in these systems, optimisation through the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations can be a computationally costly and time-consuming process. This study makes use of a Low-Order Flow Network Model (LOM), developed, validated and presented previously, which quickly assesses the pressure, temperature, mass flow and heat flow distributions through a Double-Wall Effusion Cooling scheme. Results generated by the LOM are used to rapidly produce an ideal cooling system design through the use of an Evolutionary Genetic Algorithm (GA) optimisation process. The objective is to minimise the coolant mass flow whilst maintaining acceptable metal cooling effectiveness around the external surface of the blade and ensuring that the Backflow Margin for all film holes is above a selected threshold. For comparison, a Genetic Aggregation model-based optimisation using CFD simulations in ANSYS Workbench is also conducted. Results for both the reduction of coolant mass flow and the total optimisation runtime are analysed alongside those from the LOM, demonstrating the benefit of rapid low-order solving techniques.
Vehicle Driving Safety of Underground Interchanges Using a Driving Simulator and Data Mining Analysis
Authors: Liu Zhen , Yang Qifeng , Wang Anlue , Gu Xingyu
Published: February 2024

In the process of driving in an underground interchange, drivers are faced with many challenges, such as being in a closed space, visual changes alternating between light and dark conditions, complex road conditions in the confluence section, and dense signage, which directly affect the safety and comfort of drivers in an underground interchange. Thus, driving simulation, building information modeling (BIM), and data mining were used to analyze the impact of underground interchange safety facilities on driving safety and comfort. Acceleration disturbance and steering wheel comfort loss values were used to assist the comfort analysis. The CART algorithm, classification decision trees, and neural networks were used for data mining, which uses a dichotomous recursive partitioning technique where multiple layers of neurons are superimposed to fit and replace very complex nonlinear mapping relationships. Ten different scenarios were designed for comparison. Multiple linear regression combined with ANOVA was used to calculate the significance of the control variables for each scenario on the evaluation index. The results show that appropriately reducing the length of the deceleration section can improve driving comfort, setting reasonable reminder signs at the merge junction can improve driving safety, and an appropriate wall color can reduce speed oscillation. This study indicates that the placement of traffic safety facilities significantly influences the safety and comfort of driving in underground interchanges. This study may provide support for the optimization of the design of underground interchange construction and internal traffic safety facilities.
Fatigue Characteristics of Steel–Concrete Composite Beams
Authors: El-Zohairy Ayman , Salim Hani , Shaaban Hesham , Nawar Mahmoud T.
Published: February 2024

Fatigue in steel–concrete composite beams can result from cyclic loading, causing stress fluctuations that may lead to cumulative damage and eventual failure over an extended period. In this paper, the experimental findings from fatigue loading tests on composite beams with various arrangements are presented. Fatigue tests were performed up to 1,000,000 cycles using four-point loading, encompassing various ranges of shear stress at a consistent amplitude. Additionally, the effects of external post-tensioning and the strength of the shear connection were investigated. Static tests were run until failure to assess the enduring strength of the specimens subjected to fatigue. The cyclic mid-span deflections, slippages, and strains were measured during the testing. Based on the experimental findings, it was found that the damage region that the shear studs caused in the concrete slab, which resulted in a reduction in stiffness within the shear connection, grew as the loading cycles increased, leading to an increase in residual deflections and plastic slippages. Controlling the longitudinal fatigue cracks in the concrete slab was largely dependent on the strength of the shear connection between the steel beams and concrete slabs. Moreover, the applied fatigue loading range affected the propagation and distribution of fatigue cracks in the concrete slab. The strains in different parts of the composite specimens were significantly reduced by applying the external post-tensioning. With no signs of distress at the anchors, the tendons displayed excellent fatigue performance.
Application of Infrared Free-Electron Laser Irradiation of Protein Complexes Binding to Salen-Type Schiff Base Zn(II) Complexes Using Secondary Conformational Changes in the Proteins for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Takashima Hiroshi , Nakane Daisuke , Akitsu Takashiro
Published: February 2024

Alzheimer’s disease causes the destruction of cranial nerve cells and is said to be caused by neuronal cell death due to the accumulation of amyloid-β protein. One method for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease is to reduce the toxicity of the amyloid beta protein. Among the possibilities is to reduce toxicity by changing the secondary structure of the protein. In this study, the secondary structure of the protein was verified by binding a zinc complex to the protein and irradiating it with an infrared free-electron laser (IR-FEL). By binding Salen-Type zinc complexes to human serum albumin (HSA) and irradiating it with IR-FEL, structural changes were observed in the α-helix and β-sheet, the secondary structure of HSA. In addition to researching the possibility of binding zinc complexes to small proteins, docking simulations were examined. GOLD docking simulations showed that it is possible to bind zinc complexes to lysozyme (Lyz), a small protein. These results suggest that binding zinc complexes to amyloid-β and inducing a secondary conformational change through IR-FEL irradiation could be used for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease by making the complexes lose their toxicity.
Effect of Sintering Time and Cl Doping Concentrations on Structural, Optical, and Luminescence Properties of ZnO Nanoparticles
Authors: Khan Arshad , Mohamed Soheir E. , Al-Naggar Tayseer I. , Albargi Hasan B. , Algethami Jari S. , Abdalla Ayman M.
Published: February 2024

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were synthesized hydrothermally using zinc acetate dihydrate and sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate precursors. The synthesized powders were sintered in air at 600 °C for different durations with a Cl-doping concentration of 25 mg/g. The optimal sintering time was found to be 5 h, resulting in the successful formation of the ZnO phase with small particle sizes of around 90 nm, nominal atomic fractions of Zn and O (~50%, ~50%), and increased luminescence intensity. The ideal concentration of Cl was discovered to be 25 mg/g of ZnO, which resulted in the highest luminescence intensity. The ZnO luminescence characteristics were observed in emission bands peaking at approximately 503 nm attributed to the transition from oxygen vacancies. A considerable improvement in the emission intensity was observed with increased Cl doping concentration, up to eight orders of magnitude, compared to pristine ZnO nanoparticles. However, the luminescence intensity decreased in samples with higher concentrations of Cl doping due to concentration quenching. These preliminary outcomes suggest that Cl-doped ZnO nanoparticles could be used for radiation detector development for radon monitoring and other related applications.
The Genome of Arsenophonus sp. and Its Potential Contribution in the Corn Planthopper, Peregrinus maidis
Authors: Wang Yu-Hui , Mikaelyan Aram , Coates Brad S. , Lorenzen Marcé
Published: February 2024

The co-evolution between symbionts and their insect hosts has led to intricate functional interdependencies. Advances in DNA-sequencing technologies have not only reduced the cost of sequencing but, with the advent of highly accurate long-read methods, have also enabled facile genome assembly even using mixed genomic input, thereby allowing us to more easily assess the contribution of symbionts to their insect hosts. In this study, genomic data recently generated from Peregrinus maidis was used to assemble the genome of a bacterial symbiont, Pm Arsenophonus sp. This ~4.9-Mb assembly is one of the largest Arsenophonus genomes reported to date. The Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO) result indicates that this Pm Arsenophonus assembly has a high degree of completeness, with 96% of the single-copy Enterobacterales orthologs found. The identity of the Pm Arsenophonus sp. was further confirmed by phylogenetic analysis. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis indicates a major contribution by Pm Arsenophonus sp. to the biosynthesis of B vitamins and essential amino acids in P. maidis, where threonine and lysine production is carried out solely by Pm Arsenophonus sp. This study not only provides deeper insights into the evolutionary relationships between symbionts and their insect hosts, but also adds to our understanding of insect biology, potentially guiding the development of novel pest control methods.
A Review of Chinese Species of the Genus Oides Weber, 1801 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae)
Authors: Yang Meixia , Shen Jian , Ding Changping , Yang Xingke
Published: February 2024

In this study, 25 species of Oides Weber from China were reviewed. Among them, the following seven new species are described: Oides angustasp. nov., O. cystoprocessasp. nov., O. paraborerisp. nov., O. parabowringiisp. nov., O. parathibettanasp. nov., O. shimenensissp. nov., and O. yunnanensissp. nov.; Oides innocua Gahan has been recorded in China for the first time. A key to all the Chinese Oides species is provided.
Innovative Maritime Uncrewed Systems and Satellite Solutions for Shallow Water Bathymetric Assessment
Authors: Constantinoiu Laurențiu-Florin , Tavares António , Cândido Rui Miguel , Rusu Eugen
Published: February 2024

Shallow water bathymetry is a topic of significant interest in various fields, including civil construction, port monitoring, and military operations. This study presents several methods for assessing shallow water bathymetry using maritime uncrewed systems (MUSs) integrated with advanced and innovative sensors such as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and multibeam echosounder (MBES). Furthermore, this study comprehensively describes satellite-derived bathymetry (SDB) techniques within the same geographical area. Each technique is thoroughly outlined with respect to its implementation and resultant data, followed by an analytical comparison encompassing their accuracy, precision, rapidness, and operational efficiency. The accuracy and precision of the methods were evaluated using a bathymetric reference survey conducted with traditional means, prior to the MUS survey and with cross-comparisons between all the approaches. In each assessment of the survey methodologies, a comprehensive evaluation is conducted, explaining both the advantages and limitations for each approach, thereby enabling an inclusive understanding for the reader regarding the efficacy and applicability of these methods. The experiments were conducted as part of the Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping using Maritime Unmanned Systems 23 (REPMUS23) multinational exercise, which was part of the Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) experimentations.
Alterations in Surface Gloss and Hardness of Direct Dental Resin Composites and Indirect CAD/CAM Composite Block after Single Application of Bifluorid 10 Varnish: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Hamdy Tamer M. , Abdelnabi Ali , Othman Maha S. , Bayoumi Rania E.
Published: February 2024

The surface characteristics of the restorative material are essential to its longevity. Since resin composites are polymeric-based materials, they could be degraded when exposed to oral conditions and chemical treatment. Certain chemical solutions, such as fluoride varnish, have the potential to deteriorate the resin composite’s surface properties such as gloss and hardness. The current study aimed to assess and compare the surface gloss and hardness of different types of dental resin composites (nanohybrid, ormocer, bulk-fill flowable direct composites, and indirect CAD/CAM resin composite blocks (BreCAM.HIPC)) after a single application of Bifluorid 10 varnish. A total of 80 disc-shaped resin composite specimens were evenly distributed in four groups of 20 specimens. These were divided into two equal subgroups of specimens with topical fluoride (TF) application (n = 10) and without TF application (n = 10). The specimens were examined for surface gloss and hardness. Independent sample t-test was used to investigate statistically the effect of TF on the gloss as well as the hardness of each material. One-way ANOVA and post hoc tests were used to assess the difference in gloss and hardness among the materials without and with TF application. The significance level was adjusted to p ≤ 0.05. The results of gloss showed that the TF application led to a significant reduction in gloss values of all tested composites. The gloss among the various materials was significantly different. The TF had no significant effect on the hardness of nanohybrid, bulk-fill flowable, and BreCAM.HIPC composites (p = 0.8, 0.6, and 0.3, respectively). On the other hand, the hardness of ormocer was significantly reduced after TF application. Comparing the different resin composite materials, the hardness significantly differed. This study concluded that surface gloss and hardness seem to be impacted by the type and composition of the resin composites and vary depending on fluoride application.
Cross-Scale Reliability Analysis Framework for LNG Storage Tanks Considering Concrete Material Uncertainty
Authors: Liu Fupeng , Ma Jiandong , Ye Zhongzhi , Wang Lijia , Sun Yu , Yu Jianxing , Qin Yuliang , Zhang Dongliang , Cai Wengang , Li Hao
Published: February 2024

The reliability of liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage tanks is an important factor that must be considered in their structural design. Concrete is a core component of LNG storage tanks, and the geometric uncertainty of concrete aggregate material has a significant impact on their reliability. However, owing to the significant size difference between the concrete aggregate compared to the LNG storage tank, structural analysis using an accurate finite element model that includes all the geometric characteristics of the aggregate incurs significant analytical costs. In particular, for reliability analysis requiring a large number of samples, the computational costs incurred by finite element models are infeasible. Therefore, a dual acceleration strategy based on the asymptotic homogenization method and surrogate model technology is proposed to improve the efficiency of LNG storage tank reliability analysis. In the cross-scale analysis of a LNG storage tank based on asymptotic homogenization, order reduction of the LNG storage tank analysis model was realized. Based on this, a surrogate model construction method with the aggregate fraction and mass moment as inputs was proposed to further accelerate the reliability analysis of LNG storage tanks. Subsequently, a Monte Carlo method was used to perform a reliability analysis of the LNG storage tank considering the uncertainty of the concrete aggregate geometry and distribution under the action of liquid weight and wind load. The analysis showed that the wind load has a significant influence on the safety of the design of the roof of a LNG storage tank. The directionality of the wind load has a significant impact on the distribution of the sample point response for reliability analysis and the failure mode of the LNG storage tank. Owing to the directionality of the wind load, the response distributions of the maximum displacement and maximum stress of LNG were more concentrated, and the reliability of the LNG storage tank decreased after considering the wind load. In particular, the stress reliability of the tank decreased by 5.86%. When only the liquid load was considered, the maximum displacement and stress exhibited asynchronous failure, and the two almost never occurred simultaneously. When the wind load was considered, the failure mode of the LNG storage tank was dominated by the maximum stress. Moreover, the numerical example also demonstrated that the degree of freedom involved in structural analysis, as well as the time of structural analysis can be significantly reduced. So, the proposed cross-scale analysis framework can significantly improve the efficiency of reliability analysis. The conclusions established in this study provide theoretical and methodological guidance for the reliable design of LNG storage tanks.
A Data-Driven Approach to Identify Major Air Pollutants in Shanghai Port Area and Their Contributing Factors
Authors: Li Xing-Zhou , Peng Zhong-Ren , Fu Qingyan , Wang Qian , Pan Jun , He Hongdi
Published: February 2024

Air pollution is a growing concern in metropolitan areas worldwide, and Shanghai, as one of the world’s busiest ports, faces significant challenges in local air pollution control. Assessing the contribution of a specific port to air pollution is essential for effective environmental management and public health improvement, making the analysis of air pollution contributions at a selected port in Shanghai a pertinent research focus. This study aims to delve into the distribution patterns of atmospheric pollutants in port areas and their influencing factors, utilizing a data-driven approach to unveil the relationship between pollution sources and dispersion. Through a comparative analysis of pollution levels in the port’s interior, surrounding regions, and urban area concentrations, we ascertain that carbon monoxide (CO) and nitric oxide (NO) are the primary pollutants in the port, with concentrations significantly exceeding those of the surrounding areas and urban area levels. These two pollutants exhibit an hourly pattern, with lower levels during the day and higher concentrations at night. Employing a random forest model, this study quantitatively analyzes the contribution rates of different factors to pollutant concentrations. The results indicate that NO concentration is primarily influenced by operational intensity and wind speed, while CO concentration is mainly affected by meteorological factors. Further, an orthogonal experiment reveals that maintaining daily operational vehicle numbers within 5000 effectively controls NO pollution, especially at low wind speeds. Additionally, humidity and temperature exhibit similar trends in influencing NO and CO, with heightened pollution occurring within the range of 75% to 90% humidity and 6 °C to 10 °C temperature. Severe pollution accumulates under stagnant wind conditions with wind speeds below 0.2 m/s. The results help to explore the underlying mechanisms of port pollution further and use machine learning for early pollution prediction, aiding timely warnings and emission reduction strategy formulation.
Uncertainty Assessment of the Remaining Volume of an Offshore Gravity Fish Cage
Authors: Liu Zhongchi , Guedes Soares C.
Published: February 2024

The volume of a gravity cage is greatly reduced under a current due to the flexible structure, which affects the growth and health of the fish. Thus, an accurate assessment of cage volume is essential to determine the number of fishes in the cage. In this study, firstly, a numerical model was built to study the cage volume reduction of gravity cages due to the flexible net deformation when subjected to uniform flow. The remaining volume was calculated and compared with earlier experiments. Even though the flow velocity reductions were considered according to the data from previous experiments, the differences between the results from the numerical calculation and the towing tests are still significant. The physical model tests were treated as the reference value to investigate the uncertainty of the model results. Both the velocity-independent model error and velocity-dependent model error were calculated. With the help of the error models, the uncertainty of the remaining volume can be predicted. In addition, the velocity-dependent model error performs better in evaluating the uncertainty of the numerical calculation of the remaining culturing volume. Overall, the results show that the numerical model assisted by the model errors can calculate the cage volume accurately.
Histoplasmosis in Solid Organ Transplantation
Authors: Barros Nicolas , Wheat L. Joseph
Published: February 2024

Histoplasma capsulatum, the etiological agent for histoplasmosis, is a dimorphic fungus that grows as a mold in the environment and as a yeast in human tissues. It has a broad global distribution with shifting epidemiology during recent decades. While in immunocompetent individuals infection is usually self-resolving, solid organ transplant recipients are at increased risk of symptomatic disease with dissemination to extrapulmonary tissue. Diagnosis of histoplasmosis relies on direct observation of the pathogen (histopathology, cytopathology, and culture) or detection of antigens, antibodies, or nucleic acids. All transplant recipients with histoplasmosis warrant therapy, though the agent of choice and duration of therapy depends on the severity of disease. In the present article, we describe the pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical manifestations and management of histoplasmosis in solid organ transplant recipients.