bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anxiety-Reducing Effects of Lavender Essential Oil Inhalation: A Systematic Review
Authors: Yoo Onyoo , Park Sin-Ae
Published: November 2023

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent and disabling mental disorders, causing health-related burdens. With the increasing demand for and interest in safe and acceptable anxiolytics, several studies report the anxiolytic effects of lavender aromatherapy, providing evidence of its physiological and psychological effects. However, existing reviews comprehensively cover the effects of different modes of delivering aromatherapy. Therefore, this review assesses the efficacy of lavender essential oil inhalation in reducing anxiety. The titles and abstracts of relevant articles published over the last five years were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. This review only included clinical trials that utilized lavender inhalation for anxiety treatment. Eleven studies comprising 972 participants were included. Of these, 10 reported significantly decreased anxiety levels after lavender oil inhalation. The physiological measures of vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, pulse, and saturation, were conducted in three trials, showing that lavender oil inhalation could physiologically affect anxiety levels. Lavender oil inhalation is a safe and feasible anxiolytic intervention for treating people with diverse types of anxiety. Data from further studies with a high-quality design and accurate information are necessary to confirm the validity of these findings and elucidate the anxiety-reducing mechanisms of lavender inhalation.
Development of Cleaved Amplified Polymorphic Sequence Marker for Cap Color Identification in Pleurotus cornucopiae
Authors: Yang Yashu , Zhang Yan , Huang Chenyang , Chen Qiang , Gao Wei
Published: November 2023

Cap color is one of the most crucial commercial traits for oyster mushrooms, and dark-colored varieties are highly favored by consumers, yet they are relatively scarce on the market. There is an urgent need for the selection and breeding of dark oyster mushrooms. Previous studies identified PcTYR, a key gene that controls the cap color of Pleurotus cornucopiae, and four SNPs were identified based on a genome-level sequence comparison of the black and white gene pools for extreme traits in the segregating populations. In this study, we verified whether these SNPs were color-specific sites via specific primer design, PCR amplification, and enzyme digestion of the entire isolated population strains and developed CAPS/dCAPS markers for the early visual identification of cap color to assist material screening in cap color breeding. One CAPS marker, TYR-CAPS-3-2, was developed for identifying the cap color of oyster mushrooms. After digestion with the restriction endonuclease Mse I, the marker generated polymorphic bands that accurately and visually distinguished dark-colored (non-white) and white strains from the cap color-segregating population. Consequently, the application of this marker during the early growth stage of oyster mushrooms can facilitate molecular-marker-assisted selection, expediting the breeding process for dark-colored varieties.
Sustainable Viticulture of Italian Grapevines: Environmental Evaluation and Societal Cost Estimation Using EU Farm Accountancy Data Network Data
Authors: Frem Michel , Petrontino Alessandro , Fucilli Vincenzo , Sansiviero Carlo , Bozzo Francesco
Published: November 2023

Since the agriculture sector, such as Italian grapevine production, exert a pressure on the environment to some extent, this research aims to evaluate the environmental impacts and estimate the societal costs of four current grapevine production systems (i.e., vine grapes cultivated to produce common or quality wine using organic and non-organic agricultural practices), based on the Italian Farm Accountancy Network Data. For these purposes, the Life Cycle Analysis and Shadow Price techniques have been used. The results revealed that the levels of environmental impacts differed considerably between every cultivation system. Hence, the agricultural land occupation indicator induced the highest external costs, followed by climate change, terrestrial acidification, and freshwater eutrophication among the four grapevine cultivation systems. Accordingly, the assessment offers valuable insights into organic and non-organic viticulture practices to produce consistent and high-quality wine, as well as helping farmers make informed decisions that may improve environmental and societal impacts, leading to cost-effective management of their vineyards. We conclude that organic vineyard farming represents a promising sustainable viticulture production but is also important in exploring consumer perceptions and behavior towards this kind of grapevine production.
Evaluating the Ageing Sensitivity of the Asphalt Binder via Distinct Ageing Methods
Authors: Vijayan Vineesh , Mantalovas Konstantinos , Acuto Francesco , Di Mino Gaetano
Published: November 2023

Asphalt binder is a crucial component of asphalt pavements that undergoes ageing over time, which can result in the reduced performance and deterioration of pavements. Consequently, artificial ageing methods play a significant role in providing valuable insights into the ageing behaviour and long-term performance of asphalt binders. However, a consensus on the most effective method for simulating ageing behaviour remains elusive, leading to disparities in the outcomes across different research studies. To address this issue, the study utilises two thermo-oxidative ageing approaches, one focusing on the binder itself and another on the loose asphalt mixture. The study investigates the effect of these ageing methods on the behaviour of asphalt binder using physical, rheological, and chemical characterisation. For the binder ageing method, a rolling thin film oven (RTFO) and a pressure ageing vessel (PAV) were utilised, whereas the loose asphalt mixture ageing was performed in an oven at 95 °C for various durations. The results indicated that the ageing trend differed between the two oxidative ageing approaches as the ageing duration increased. However, by employing an ageing sensitivity index, comparable rheological properties were observed between the binders aged using the PAV for 20 h and the loose asphalt mixture for 5 days. The Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis revealed that the ageing methods influenced the functional groups associated with ageing in distinct ways, even though they exhibited similar rheological behaviour. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of different thermo-oxidative ageing approaches, their correlation, and their relevance to the studied field-aged binders.
Ammonium and Phosphonium Salts Containing Monoanionic Iron(II) Half-Sandwich Complexes [Fe(η5-Cp*)X2]− (X = Cl − I)
Authors: Zinke Julian , Bruhn Clemens , Siemeling Ulrich
Published: November 2023

Half-sandwich iron(II) dihalido complexes of the type [Fe(η5-Cp’)X2]− (Cp’ = C5H5 or substituted cyclopentadienyl) which are thermally stable at room temperature are extremely scarce, being limited to congeners containing the bulky C5H2-1,2,4-tBu3 ligand. We extended this to homologues [Fe(η5-Cp*)X2]− (X = Cl, Br, I) containing the particularly popular C5Me5 (Cp*) ligand. Corresponding ionic compounds ER4[Fe(η5-Cp*)X2] are easily accessible from FeX2, MCp* (M = Li, K) and a suitable halide source R4EX (E = N, P) in THF. Despite their high sensitivity towards air and moisture, the new compounds NnPr4[Fe(η5-Cp*)X2] (X = Cl, Br), NnPr4[Fe(η5-Cp*)BrCl], and PPh4[Fe(η5-Cp*)X2] (X = Cl, Br, I) were structurally characterised using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. NnPr4[Fe(η5-Cp*)Cl2] reacts readily with CO to afford [Fe(η5-Cp*)Cl(CO)2], indicating the synthetic potential of ER4[Fe(η5-Cp*)X2] in FeCp* half-sandwich chemistry.
Photocatalytic Degradation of Emerging Contaminants with N-Doped TiO2 Using Simulated Sunlight in Real Water Matrices
Authors: Gaggero Elisa , Giovagnoni Arianna , Zollo Alessia , Calza Paola , Paganini Maria Cristina
Published: November 2023

In the present work, the photodegradation performances of N-doped TiO2 photocatalysts with enhanced absorption of visible light were exploited for the abatement of some representative contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). Pristine TiO2 and N-TiO2 were synthesized using hydrothermal (HT) and sol–gel (SG) routes, they were characterized using XRD and UV-Vis spectroscopy, and their band gaps were determined via analysis in diffuse reflectance. Their photodegradation efficiency was tested on a mixture of recalcitrant organic pollutants, namely, benzotriazole, diclofenac, sulfamethoxazole, and bisphenol A, using a solar simulator lamp with two different cut-off filters (λ > 340 nm and λ > 400 nm). The evaluation of the photocatalytic performances was initially carried out in spiked ultrapure water and subsequently in aqueous matrices of increasing complexity such as Po River water and water coming from an aquaculture plant. The exclusive utilization of visible light (λ > 400 nm) highlighted the advantage of introducing the dopant into the TiO2 photocatalyst since this modification allows for the material to be responsive to visible light, which is not sufficient in the case of pristine TiO2 and the higher efficiency of materials obtained via the sol–gel route. Thanks to the doping, improved performance was obtained in both ultrapure water and real water matrices, indicating the potential of the doped material for future applications in the field.
Mini-Kilns for Charcoal-Making: An Eco-Friendly Solution for Small-Scale Production of Charcoal and Wood Vinegar
Authors: de Albuquerque Felipe Bento , de Melo Rafael Rodolfo , Pimenta Alexandre Santos , de Oliveira Paula Edgley Alves , Scatolino Mário Vanoli , Rusch Fernando
Published: November 2023

Charcoal is one of the most essential energy sources in the world and is used mainly for domestic and industrial purposes. Brazilian charcoal production occurs in rudimentary masonry kilns without concern for process safety or energy waste. This work aimed to develop a mini carbonization system of three kilns coupled to a vertical smoke burner for optimized and environmentally correct charcoal and wood vinegar (WV) production on small farms. The project was divided into three parts for dimensioning: the three-kiln set, the WV condensing device, and the smoke burner. The condenser was designed following the procedures from the standards of TEMA (Tubular Exchangers Manufacturers Association); ASME (Society of Mechanical Engineers of the United States) Section VIII, Division 1; and the NR-13 (Regulatory Standard) of ABNT (Brazilian Association of Technical Standards). In contrast to the current scenario, in which primitive carbonization technologies are still employed, bringing about low charcoal yields and significant pollution release, the use of a mini-kiln that allows charcoal production and wood vinegar recovery combined with pollutant smoke burning is an interesting eco-friendly solution. Thus, the mini-kiln model presented here brings a low cost and environmental safety to the charcoal production chain, reaching sustainability parameters and offering higher income opportunities to small producers.
Differences in Androgen Receptor Expression in Human Heart Tissue in Various Types of Cardiomyopathy and in Aortic Valve Stenosis
Authors: Eildermann Katja , Goldmann Sabrina , Krause Ulrich , Backhoff David , Schöndube Friedrich A. , Paul Thomas , Quentin Thomas , Müller Matthias J.
Published: November 2023

Background: Sex-specific differences in heart disease outcomes are influenced by the levels of the steroid hormones, estrogen and testosterone. While the roles of estrogen receptors in cardiac disease are well-studied in animals and humans, respective research on androgen receptors (AR) is limited. Here we investigate AR protein and mRNA expression in human myocardium of various cardiac diseases. Methods: AR expression was analyzed by western blotting in myocardium from human non-failing hearts (NF, n = 6) and patients with aortic stenosis (AS, n = 6), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM, n = 7), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM, n = 7), and ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM, n = 7). Using an AR45-specific antibody, a subsequent western blot assessed samples from male and female patients with HCM (n = 10) and DCM (n = 10). The same sample set was probed for full-length AR and AR45 mRNA expression. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) localized AR in myocardium from HCM and AS hearts. Results: Full-length AR was notably enriched in AS and HCM hearts compared to ICM, DCM, and NF. Similarly, AR45 was more abundant in HCM than in DCM. In contrast to the pattern observed for AR protein, full-length AR mRNA levels were lower in HCM compared to DCM, with no discernible difference for the AR45 isoform. Although gender differences in AR expression were not detected in western blots or qRT-PCR, IHC showed stronger nuclear AR signals in males than in females. Conclusions: Our findings indicate disease-specific regulation of AR mRNA and/or AR protein in cardiac hypertrophy, underscoring a potential role in this cardiac pathology.
Speckle-Tracking Analysis of the Right and Left Heart after Peak Exercise in Healthy Subjects with Type 1 Diabetes: An Explorative Analysis of the AppEx Trial
Authors: Zimmermann Paul , Schierbauer Janis , Kopf Niklas , Sourij Harald , Oliver Nick , Aberer Felix , Wachsmuth Nadine B. , Moser Othmar
Published: November 2023

In eight healthy participants with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) exercise-related dynamic cardiac remodeling was analyzed by performing two-dimensional echocardiography, including deformation analysis of the left-ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS), and the deformation pattern of the left atrium (LA) and right ventricle (RV) at rest and post-peak performance on a bicycle. The feasibility echocardiographic speckle-tracking analysis was performed on eight asymptomatic participants with T1D (n = 8, male n = 5, age: 23–65 years). The obtained echocardiographic data were compared for various echocardiographic parameters at rest and post exercise. Across our participating T1D individuals no structural echocardiographic abnormalities of concern could be revealed. All participating T1D subjects showed preserved contractile reserve of the LV and no significant diastolic dysfunction. Significant differences were found for the phasic LA contractile strain pattern at rest and post exercise (p < 0.001), whereby the dynamic RV (p = 0.5839 and p = 0.7419) and LV strain pattern (p = 0.5952) did not reveal significant differences in comparison to resting conditions. This descriptive secondary outcome analysis describes preserved contractile reserve of the LV and elucidates dynamic modification of the phasic LA contractile deformation pattern in asymptomatic T1D individuals after exhaustive exercise on a bicycle.
Early Exposure of Kidney Transplant Recipients with Chronic Antibody-Mediated Rejection to Tocilizumab—A Preliminary Study
Authors: Arrivé Capucine , Jacquet Marvin , Gautier-Veyret Elodie , Jouve Thomas , Noble Johan , Lombardo Dorothée , Rostaing Lionel , Stanke-Labesque Françoise
Published: November 2023

Tocilizumab prevents clinical worsening of chronic antibody-mediated rejection (CAMR) of kidney transplant recipients. Optimization of this treatment is necessary. We identified the determinants of early tocilizumab exposure (within the first three months) and investigated the relationship between early plasma tocilizumab exposure and graft function. Patients with CAMR who started treatment with tocilizumab were retrospectively included. Demographic, clinical, and biological determinants of the tocilizumab trough concentration (Cmin) were studied using a linear mixed effect model, and the association between early exposure to tocilizumab (expressed as the sum of Cmin over the three first months (M) of treatment (ΣCmin)) and the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) determined at M3 and M6 were investigated. Urinary tocilizumab was also measured in seven additional patients. Seventeen patients with 51 tocilizumab Cmin determinations were included. In the multivariate analysis, the ACR and time after tocilizumab initiation were independently associated with the tocilizumab Cmin. The ΣCmin was significantly lower (p = 0.014) for patients with an ACR > 30 mg/mmol at M3 and M6 than for patients with an ACR < 30 mg/mmol. Tocilizumab was detected in urine in only 1/7 patients. This study is the first to suggest that early exposure to tocilizumab may be associated with macroalbuminuria within the first six months in CAMR patients.
Perioperative Right Ventricular Dysfunction and Abnormalities of the Tricuspid Valve Apparatus in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Mattei Alessia , Strumia Alessandro , Benedetto Maria , Nenna Antonio , Schiavoni Lorenzo , Barbato Raffaele , Mastroianni Ciro , Giacinto Omar , Lusini Mario , Chello Massimo , Carassiti Massimiliano
Published: November 2023

Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction frequently occurs after cardiac surgery and is linked to adverse postoperative outcomes, including mortality, reintubation, stroke, and prolonged ICU stays. While various criteria using echocardiography and hemodynamic parameters have been proposed, a consensus remains elusive. Distinctive RV anatomical features include its thin wall, which presents a triangular shape in a lateral view and a crescent shape in a cross-sectional view. Principal causes of RV dysfunction after cardiac surgery encompass ischemic reperfusion injury, prolonged ischemic time, choice of cardioplegia and its administration, cardiopulmonary bypass weaning characteristics, and preoperative risk factors. Post-left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation RV dysfunction is common but often transient, with a favorable prognosis upon resolution. There is an ongoing debate regarding the benefits of concomitant surgical repair of the RV in the presence of regurgitation. According to the literature, the gold standard techniques for assessing RV function are cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and hemodynamic assessment using thermodilution. Echocardiography is widely favored for perioperative RV function evaluation due to its accessibility, reproducibility, non-invasiveness, and cost-effectiveness. Although other techniques exist for RV function assessment, they are less common in clinical practice. Clinical management strategies focus on early detection and include intravenous drugs (inotropes and vasodilators), inhalation drugs (pulmonary vasodilators), ventilator strategies, volume management, and mechanical support. Bridging research gaps in this field is crucial to improving clinical outcomes associated with RV dysfunction in the near future.
Non-Invasive Cardiac Output Measurement Using Inert Gas Rebreathing Method during Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing—A Systematic Review
Authors: Chwiedź Agnieszka , Minarowski Łukasz , Mróz Robert M. , Razak Hady Hady
Published: November 2023

Background: The use of inert gas rebreathing for the non-invasive cardiac output measurement has produced measurements comparable to those obtained by various other methods. However, there are no guidelines for the inert gas rebreathing method during a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). In addition, there is also a lack of specific standards for assessing the non-invasive measurement of cardiac output during CPET, both for healthy patients and those suffering from diseases and conditions. Aim: This systematic review aims to describe the use of IGR for a non-invasive assessment of cardiac output during cardiopulmonary exercise testing and, based on the information extracted, to identify a proposed CPET report that includes an assessment of the cardiac output using the IGR method. Methods: This systematic review was conducted by PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses) guidelines. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception until 29 December 2022. The primary search returned 261 articles, of which 47 studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. Results and Conclusions: This systematic review provides a comprehensive description of protocols, indications, technical details, and proposed reporting standards for a non-invasive cardiac output assessment using IGR during CPET. It highlights the need for standardized approaches to CPET and identifies gaps in the literature. The review critically analyzes the strengths and limitations of the studies included and offers recommendations for future research by proposing a combined report from CPET-IGR along with its clinical application.
Maturity Offset, Anthropometric Characteristics and Vertical Force–Velocity Profile in Youth Basketball Players
Authors: Jiménez-Daza Pablo , Teba del Pino Luis , Calleja-Gonzalez Julio , Sáez de Villarreal Eduardo
Published: November 2023

This work aimed to analyze the relationships between maturity offset, anthropometric variables and the vertical force–velocity profile in youth (12–18 years old) male basketball players. The vertical force–velocity profile was measured in 49 basketball players, grouped in competitive-age categories, i.e., under 14, 16 and 18 years of age (U-14, U-16 and U-18, respectively). A bivariate correlational analysis was carried out between maturity offset, anthropometric variables (height, body mass, % fat, muscle mass, bone mass and body mass index (BMI)) and vertical force–velocity profile (theoretical maximal force [F0], theoretical maximal velocity [V0], theoretical maximal power [Pmax], force–velocity imbalance [Fvimb] and force–velocity profile orientation). The results showed significant correlations (p < 0.05) between Fvimb and maturity offset at early ages of training (12–15 years). The anthropometric profile was correlated (p < 0.05) with F0 in U-14, V0 in U-16, and Pmax in U-18 basketball players. The current findings suggest a relationship between the vertical force–velocity imbalance and maturity offset and the main vertical force–velocity profile variables. The vertical force–velocity profile is hypothesized as a useful index to correct vertical force–velocity deficits according to the maturity offset of male basketball players.
Deep-Neural-Network-Based Receiver Design for Downlink Non-Orthogonal Multiple-Access Underwater Acoustic Communication
Authors: Zuberi Habib Hussain , Liu Songzuo , Bilal Muhammad , Alharbi Ayman , Jaffar Amar , Mohsan Syed Agha Hussnain , Miyajan Abdulaziz , Khan Mohsin Abrar
Published: November 2023

The excavation of the ocean has led to the submersion of numerous autonomous vehicles and sensors. Hence, there is a growing need for multi-user underwater acoustic communication. On the other hand, due to the limited bandwidth of the underwater acoustic channel, downlink non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) is one of the fundamental pieces of technology for solving the problem of limited bandwidth, and it is expected to be beneficial for many modern wireless underwater acoustic applications. NOMA downlink underwater acoustic communication (UWA) is accomplished by broadcasting data symbols from a source station to several users, which uses superimposed coding with variable power levels to enable detection through successive interference cancellation (SIC) receivers. Nevertheless, comprehensive information of the channel condition and channel state information (CSI) are both essential for SIC receivers, but they can be difficult to obtain, particularly in an underwater environment. To address this critical issue, this research proposes downlink underwater acoustic communication using a deep neural network utilizing a 1D convolution neural network (CNN). Two cases are considered for the proposed system in the first case: in the first case, two users with different power levels and distances from the transmitter employ BPSK and QPSK modulations to support multi-user communication, while, in the second case, three users employ BPSK modulation. Users far from the base station receive the most power. The base station uses superimposed coding. The BELLHOP ray-tracing algorithm is utilized to generate the training dataset with user depth and range modifications. For training the model, a composite signal passes through the samples of the UWA channel and is fed to the model along with labels. The DNN receiver learns the characteristic of the UWA channel and does not depend on CSI. The testing CIR is used to evaluate the trained model. The results are compared to the traditional SIC receiver. The DNN-based DL NOMA underwater acoustic receiver outperformed the SIC receiver in terms of BER in simulation results for all the modulation orders.
Benthic Respiration and Heavy Metal Benthic Fluxes in Artificial Shihwa Lake: Approaching In Situ Measurement
Authors: Cho Yu-Hyeon , Baek Ju-Wook , An Sung-Uk , Yoo Hyun-Ju , Baek Hyun-Min , Choi Jin Young , Kim Tae Ha , Kim Kyung-Tae , Lee Jae Seong , Kim Sung-Han
Published: November 2023

This study assessed the impact of intensive human activities on organic matter (OM) and heavy metal cycles in Shihwa Lake, South Korea. Sediment oxygen demand (SOD), benthic nutrient flux (BNF), and benthic heavy metal flux were estimated using in situ benthic chambers. The combined analysis of sediment trap and SOD showed that the vertical supply of OM was a major controlling factor for benthic respiration. The BNF accounted for 35–144% and 32–184% of the N and P required, respectively, for primary production (PP) in the water column. The higher SOD may have also accelerated the release of Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni from the sediment. Benthic fluxes of Cr, As, Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn were highest near the industrial complex, with ranges of 1.3 ± 0.9, 6.4 ± 4.9, 0.2 ± 0.1, 0.5 ± 0.4, 7.7 ± 1.4, and 452 ± 133 μmol m−2 d−1, respectively. Mn, Fe, Co, As, Pb, Ni, and Cu contributed more than 10% of the sediment to the current standing stock at Shihwa Lake.
Effects of Gurney Flaps on the Performance of a Horizontal Axis Ocean Current Turbine
Authors: Mao Zhaoyong , Zhang Tianqi , Yang Guangyong , Tian Wenlong
Published: November 2023

Gurney flaps can enhance the hydrodynamic efficiency of airfoils, and they are currently used in several applications, including racing cars and wind turbines. However, there is a lack of studies in the literature on the application of Gurney flaps on the Horizontal Axis Ocean Current Turbine (HAOCT). The influence of Gurney flaps on the hydrodynamic efficiency of the HAOCT is evaluated through numerical analysis. The effect of the Gurney flaps on the turbine is evaluated after the validation of the utilized numerical method is completed using the wind tunnel experimental data of the two-dimensional NACA 63415 airfoil and the water tunnel experimental data of the NACA 638xx series rotor on the clean blade. By calculating the velocity and pressure fields of the 2D airfoil by CFD, it was possible to analyze the lift improvement with the addition of the Gurney flaps by evaluating the pressure difference between the pressure surface and the negative pressure surface, and the drag improvement was due to the Gurney flaps obstructing the chordal flow of the fluid in the wake. For the 2D NACA-63415 airfoil, the drag coefficient increases with the increase in the head angle, while the lift coefficient increases and then decreases. The flap height divided by the local chord length of the Gurney flaps is 0.01, and the lift-to-drag ratio is the highest when the head angle is 4°. For the NACA-638xx turbine, the addition of Gurney flaps significantly increases the axial thrust coefficient. At lower tip speed ratios, the effect of the Gurney flaps on the rotor’s power coefficient is limited, with the greatest increase in the power coefficient at a tip speed ratio of 6 and a decrease in the power coefficient increase as the tip speed ratio increases. Increasing the height of the Gurney flaps can increase the peak power coefficient, but the power performance decreases at high tip speed ratios. The Gurney flaps distributed at the root of the rotor have less effect on the power performance. A 0.4 local radius spread of the Gurney flaps increases the peak turbine power coefficient by only 0.34%, while full-length Gurney flaps can increase the peaked blade power coefficient by 10.68%, indicating that Gurney flaps can be used to design a new HAOCT.
The Monothiol Glutaredoxin Grx4 Influences Iron Homeostasis and Virulence in Ustilago maydis
Authors: McCotter Sean W. , Kretschmer Matthias , Lee Christopher W. J. , Heimel Kai , Kronstad James W.
Published: November 2023

The corn smut fungus, Ustilago maydis, is an excellent model for studying biotrophic plant-pathogen interactions, including nutritional adaptation to the host environment. Iron acquisition during host colonization is a key aspect of microbial pathogenesis yet less is known about this process for fungal pathogens of plants. Monothiol glutaredoxins are central regulators of key cellular functions in fungi, including iron homeostasis, cell wall integrity, and redox status via interactions with transcription factors, iron-sulfur clusters, and glutathione. In this study, the roles of the monothiol glutaredoxin Grx4 in the biology of U. maydis were investigated by constructing strains expressing a conditional allele of grx4 under the control of the arabinose-inducible, glucose-repressible promoter Pcrg1. The use of conditional expression was necessary because Grx4 appeared to be essential for U. maydis. Transcriptome and genetic analyses with strains depleted in Grx4 revealed that the protein participates in the regulation of iron acquisition functions and is necessary for the ability of U. maydis to cause disease on maize seedlings. Taken together, this study supports the growing appreciation of monothiol glutaredoxins as key regulators of virulence-related phenotypes in pathogenic fungi.
Serendipita indica Promotes the Growth of Tartary Buckwheat by Stimulating Hormone Synthesis, Metabolite Production, and Increasing Systemic Resistance
Authors: Zheng Meijia , Zhong Shanpu , Wang Wenjing , Tang Zizhong , Bu Tongliang , Li Qingfeng
Published: November 2023

The main objective of this study was to investigate the influence of Serendipita indica on the growth of Tartary buckwheat plants. This study highlighted that the roots of Tartary buckwheat can be colonized by S. indica and that this fungal endophyte improved plants height, fresh weight, dry weight, and grain yield. In the meantime, the colonization of S. indica in Tartary buckwheat leaves resulted in elevated levels of photosynthesis, plant hormone content, antioxidant enzyme activity, proline content, chlorophyll content, soluble sugars, and protein content. Additionally, the introduction of S. indica to Tartary buckwheat roots led to a substantial rise in the levels of flavonoids and phenols found in the leaves and seeds of Tartary buckwheat. In addition, S. indica colonization reduced the content of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide when compared to non-colonized plants. Importantly, the drought tolerance of Tartary buckwheat plants is increased, which benefits from physiology and bio-chemical changes in plants after S. indica colonized. In conclusion, we have shown that S. indica can improve systematic resistance and promote the growth of Tartary buckwheat by enhancing the photosynthetic capacity of Tartary buckwheat, inducing the production of IAA, increasing the content of secondary metabolites such as total phenols and total flavonoids, and improving the antioxidant enzyme activity of the plant.
Comparative Study on the Antimicrobial Activities and Metabolic Profiles of Five Usnea Species from the Philippines
Authors: dela Cruz Thomas Edison E. , Timbreza Lawrence P. , Sangvichien Ek , Notarte Kin Israel R. , Santiago Krystle Angelique A.
Published: November 2023

The rapid emergence of resistant bacteria is occurring worldwide, endangering the efficacy of antibiotics. Hence, there is a need to search for new sources of antibiotics that either exhibit novel structures or express a new mechanism of action. The lichen Usnea, with its wide range of unique, biologically potent secondary metabolites, may solve this problem. In this study, Usnea species were collected in the Northern Philippines, identified through combined morphological and biochemical characterization, and tested for antimicrobial activities against the multidrug-resistant ESKAPE pathogens, i.e., Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter cloacae, two standard antibiotic-sensitive test bacteria, and a yeast. A total of 46 lichen specimens were collected and later identified as Usnea baileyi (10), U. diffracta (10), U. glabrata (12), U. longissima (4), and U. rubicunda (10). The results show that the crude extracts of the Usnea species exhibited promising in vitro inhibitory activities against standard antibiotic-sensitive (E. faecalis ATCC 29212) and multidrug-resistant (methicillin-resistant S. aureus and E. faecalis) Gram-positive bacteria. Additionally, lichen compounds of representative specimens per species were identified and profiled using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The detection of lichen acids (LA) via HPLC showed the presence of 24 peaks of lichen acids. TLC-bioautography identified the bioactive lichen acids as alectronic acid, connorstictic acid, consalazinic acid, diffractaic acid, echinocarpic acid, erythrin acid, galbinic acid, hypoconstictic acid, hyposalazinic acid, hypostictic acid, lobaric acid, menegazzaic acid, micareic acid, pannarin, salazinic acid, stictic acid, and usnic acid. Our study highlighted the wide spectrum of opportunities for using lichens for the discovery of potential antimicrobial agents.
The Effect of Short-Sale Restrictions on Corporate Managers
Authors: Liu Baixiao , McConnell John J. , Schrowang Andrew
Published: November 2023

This paper studies the effect of short selling on corporate managers from 2002 through 2010. We examine how the exemption of short-sale uptick tests due to the Regulation SHO pilot program affects managers’ decisions to abandon value-reducing acquisition attempts. We find that when deciding whether to abandon value-reducing acquisition attempts during the program, managers of pilot firms, whose stocks are less subject to short-selling impediments, are more sensitive to stock price changes than managers of nonpilot firms. We find no difference in managers’ sensitivity prior to nor post SHO. These results indicate that, despite their dislike of short sellers, managers believe that the level of informativeness from capital markets is superior when short sellers are less impeded.
The Impact of Non-Financial and Financial Variables on Credit Decisions for Service Companies in Turkey
Authors: Çetin Ali İhsan , Çetin Arzu Ece , Ahmed Syed Ejaz
Published: November 2023

This study aims to analyze and generalize the factors influencing credit decision-making in Turkey’s service sector, which has seen substantial growth and increased dynamism post-2000, coinciding with accelerated economic development. The evolving competitive landscape and shifting consumer purchasing perceptions have led companies within this sector to seek differentiation strategies to attain a competitive edge. In this context, access to credit emerges as a crucial enabler for companies to expand and capture market share. The research focuses on the financial and non-financial characteristics of medium-sized service sector firms seeking credit, recognizing that both sets of variables play a pivotal role in the credit allocation process conducted by banks. The core of this study involves applying established assumption tests from extant literature, followed by an extensive regression analysis. The primary objective of this analysis is to identify and underscore the key financial and non-financial factors that significantly impact credit decisions in the service sector. By examining these variables, the study seeks to contribute valuable insights into the credit decision-making process, addressing the nuanced and varied nature of the service sector. This approach not only provides a deeper understanding of the sector’s credit dynamics but also assists in formulating more informed strategies for businesses seeking financial support within this evolving economic landscape. The primary conclusion reached by the study is that non-financial variables exert a greater influence on credit decision-making in the service sector compared to financial variables.
Green Space and Apartment Prices: Exploring the Effects of the Green Space Ratio and Visual Greenery
Authors: Lee Jong-Won , Lee Sang-Woo , Kim Hai Gyong , Jo Hyun-Kil , Park Se-Rin
Published: November 2023

Urban green spaces provide various social, economic, health, aesthetic, environmental, and ecological benefits. This study aimed to investigate the influence of green spaces on apartment prices, with a particular emphasis on visual greenery and the proportion of green spaces. Hedonic pricing models have often been used to assess the impact of green spaces on housing prices. Herein, 16 variables were considered as factors affecting housing prices and divided into housing, neighborhood, and green space characteristics. The findings indicate that the presence of green spaces enhanced the value of apartment complexes. Moreover, both visual greenery and the proportion of green spaces within apartment complexes influenced housing prices. Additional analysis demonstrated the impact of green space characteristics within Seoul apartment complexes on housing price changes from 2016 to 2022, finding that higher green space proportions and visual greenery led to approximately 20% higher price increases, and structural equation modeling revealed that the proportion of green spaces within apartment complexes, directly and indirectly, influenced housing prices through visual greenery. Overall, this study emphasized the importance of ensuring well-managed green spaces within and around apartment complexes.
An Anthropogenically Created Landscape as a Habitat for the European Ground Squirrel Population Using the Example of the Muránska Planina National Park in the Western Carpathians (Slovakia)
Authors: Gregorová Bohuslava , Hronček Pavel , Urban Peter
Published: November 2023

The main goal of the study, based on historical-geographical research, was to reconstruct the history of an anthropogenically created cultural landscape on the southern edge of the Muránska Planina National Park in the Western Carpathians (Slovakia) as a potential European ground squirrel habitat. Humans began to change the original forest landscape in the second half of the 13th century in connection with the construction of Muráň castle, which became the economic center of the study area. The first written mention of the existence of Muráň castle (castro Muran) dates to 1271. The original deciduous forests were gradually removed and transformed into agricultural land. At the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries, we can almost certainly assume the existence of an agricultural landscape in the territory called Biele Vody (part of the study area) on the right side of the Muránsky Potok valley in such spatial dimensions as it is at present. The landscape created in this way provided suitable ecological conditions for the successful survival of the European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus). The analysis and reconstruction of the origins and development of the agricultural landscape were carried out based on detailed archival and terrain research. Map outputs are also the result of the reconstructions. Whether the European ground squirrel was already present in the locality before its conservation translocation (773 individuals were released at the site in 2000–2007) is discussed in detail in this paper. The current ground squirrel colony is dependent on feeding, mainly sunflowers (since 2011), on active management and maintenance of the landscape provided by a herd of donkeys (March–December) and sheep (May–July). The ground squirrel locality Biele Vody is currently a center of ecotourism and ecological education.
Agrobacterial Transformation Enhancement by Improved Competent Cell Preparation and Optimized Electroporation
Authors: Liu Xiang , Miceli Joseph , Patton Sabrina , Murray Melissa , Evans John , Wei Xiaoping , Wang Pohao
Published: November 2023

The introduction of plasmids into Agrobacterium cells is one of the key steps in the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of plants for gene editing applications. Depending on chromosomal background, some Agrobacterium strains exhibit a very low transformation efficiency, which results in a low number of colonies for subsequent screening and thus limits the potential for automated high-throughput transformation processes, especially with low copy or large plasmids. This study demonstrates improvements of transformation frequency by modifying the competent cell preparation process and optimizing electroporation parameters for two Agrobacterium strains. The competent cell preparation process was modified by prolonging bacterial growth in the log phase and optimizing the endpoint cell density for cell harvest which resulted in a significant cell yield increase and transformation frequency improvement. Optimization of electroporation by fine-tuning the parameters not only resulted in a 30-fold transformation frequency increase but also revealed a strain-dependent requirement for field strength and electric pulse length. To further improve transformation of a recalcitrant strain, different concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in recovery medium were examined. The study revealed an important role of DMSO in transformed cell recovery, with 5% DMSO resulting in the highest transformation frequency. The significant improvements in Agrobacterium transformation frequency addressed a critical bottleneck towards establishing a high throughput process.
The Effect of Copper–Graphene Composite Architecture on Thermal Transport Efficiency
Authors: Kazakov Arseny M. , Korznikova Galiia F. , Tuvalev Ilyas I. , Izosimov Artem A. , Korznikova Elena A.
Published: November 2023

This paper presents the results of molecular dynamic modeling, revealing that inserting confined graphene layers into copper crystal reduces the thermal conductivity of the whole composite, and the coefficient of thermal conductivity κ decreases upon an increase in the number of graphene layers. The injection of one, two, and three layers of 15 nm graphene leads to a change in the coefficient of thermal conductivity from 380 W/(m·K) down to 205.9, 179.1, and 163.6 W/(m·K), respectively. Decreasing the length of graphene layers leads to a decrease in the density of defects on which heat is dissipated. With one, two, and three layers of 8 nm graphene, the coefficient of thermal conductivity of the composite is equal to 272.6, 246.8, and 240.8 W/(m·K), appropriately. Meanwhile the introduction of an infinite graphene layer results in the growth of κ to 414.2–803.3 W/(m·K).
Development and Functional Validation Method of the Scenario-in-the-Loop Simulation Control Model Using Co-Simulation Techniques
Authors: Toth Balint , Szalay Zsolt
Published: November 2023

With the facilitated development of highly automated driving functions and automated vehicles, the need for advanced testing techniques also arose. With a near-infinite number of potential traffic scenarios, vehicles have to drive an increased number of test kilometers during development, which would be very difficult to achieve with currently utilized conventional testing methods. State-of-the-Art testing technologies such as Vehicle-in-the-Loop (ViL) or Scenario-in-the-Loop (SciL) can provide a long-term solution; however, validation of these complex systems should also be addressed. ViL and SciL technologies provide real-time control and measurement with multiple participants; however, they require enormous computational capacity and low-latency communication to provide comparable results with real-world testing. 5G (fifth-generation wireless) communication and Edge computing can aid in fulfilling these needs, although appropriate implementation should also be tested. In the current paper, a realized control model based on the SciL architecture was presented that was developed with real-world testing data and validated utilizing co-simulation and digital twin techniques. The model was established in Simcenter Prescan© connected to MATLAB Simulink® and validated using IPG CarMaker®, which was used to feed the simulation with the necessary input data to replace the real-world testing data. The aim of the current paper was to introduce steps of the development process, to present the results of the validation procedure, and to provide an outlook of potential future implementations into the state of the art in proving ground ecosystems.
A Study of Noise Effect in Electrical Machines Bearing Fault Detection and Diagnosis Considering Different Representative Feature Models
Authors: Moysidis Dimitrios A. , Karatzinis Georgios D. , Boutalis Yiannis S. , Karnavas Yannis L.
Published: November 2023

As the field of fault diagnosis in electrical machines has significantly attracted the interest of the research community in recent years, several methods have arisen in the literature. Also, raw data signals can be acquired easily nowadays, and, thus, machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) are candidate tools for effective diagnosis. At the same time, a challenging task is to identify the presence and type of a bearing fault under noisy conditions, especially when relevant faults are at their incipient stage. Since, in real-world applications and especially in industrial processes, electrical machines operate in constantly noisy environments, a key to an effective approach lies in the preprocessing stage adopted. In this work, an evaluation study is conducted to find the most suitable signal preprocessing techniques and the most effective model for fault diagnosis of 16 conditions/classes, from a low-workload (computational burden) perspective using a well-known dataset. More specifically, the reliability and resiliency of conventional ML and DL models is investigated here, towards rolling bearing fault detection, simulating data that correspond to noisy industrial environments. Diverse preprocessing methods are applied in order to study the performance of different training methods from the feature extraction perspective. These feature extraction methods include statistical features in time-domain analysis (TDA); wavelet packet decomposition (WPD); continuous wavelet transform (CWT); and signal-to-image conversion (SIC), utilizing raw vibration signals acquired under varying load conditions. The noise effect is examined and thoroughly commented on. Finally, the paper provides accumulated usual practices in the sense of preferred preprocessing methods and training models under different load and noise conditions.