bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spermidine Synthase and Saccharopine Reductase Have Co-Expression Patterns Both in Basidiomycetes with Fusion Form and Ascomycetes with Separate Form
Authors: Yang Yayong , Shi Lei , Xu Xinyu , Wen Jin , Xie Tianyue , Li Hui , Li Xiaoyu , Chen Mengyu , Dou Xinyi , Yuan Chengjin , Song Hanbing , Xie Baogui , Tao Yongxin
Published: March 2023

Gene fusion is a process through which two or more distinct genes are fused into a single chimeric gene. Unlike most harmful fusion genes in cancer cells, in this study, we first found that spermidine synthetase- (SPDS, catalyst of spermidine biosynthesis) and saccharopine reductase- (SR, catalyst of the penultimate step of lysine biosynthesis) encoding genes form a natural chimeric gene, FfSpdsSr, in Flammulina filiformis. Through the cloning of full-length ORFs in different strains and the analysis of alternative splicing in developmental stages, FfSpdsSr has only one copy and unique transcript encoding chimeric SPDS-SR in F. filiformis. By an orthologous gene search of SpdsSr in more than 80 fungi, we found that the chimeric SpdsSr exists in basidiomycetes, while the two separate Spds and Sr independently exist in ascomycetes, chytridiomycetes, and oomycetes. Further, the transcript level of FfSpdsSr was investigated in different developmental stages and under some common environmental factors and stresses by RT-qPCR. The results showed that FfSpdsSr mainly up-regulated in the elongation stage and pileus development of F. filiformis, as well as under blue light, high temperature, H2O2, and MeJA treatments. Moreover, a total of 15 sets of RNA-Seq data, including 218 samples of Neurospora crassa, were downloaded from the GEO database and used to analyze the expression correlation of NcSpds and NcSr. The results showed that the separate NcSpds and NcSr shared highly similar co-expression patterns in the samples with different strains and different nutritional and environmental condition treatments. The chimeric SpdsSr in basidiomycetes and the co-expression pattern of the Spds and Sr in N. crassa indicate the special link of spermidine and lysine in fungi, which may play an important role in the growth and development of fruiting body and in response to the multiple environmental factors and abiotic stresses.
The Effect of Ethics in Business on Happiness, Aggressiveness and Inconsistency of Efforts and Rewards
Authors: Al-Ameedee Saif Mahdi Muslim , Moradi Mahdi
Published: March 2023

The present study investigates the effect of business ethics on happiness, aggression and inconsistency of effort and reward of auditors in Iran and Iraq. The statistical population of the present study includes all partners, managers and auditors working in audit institutions in Iran and partners of the audit institutions, assistant auditors, auditors, individual second rank and individual first rank, with a total of 365 questionnaires completed by Iranian respondents out of 450 questionnaires and 250 questionnaires completed by Iraqi respondents out of 350 questionnaires, a total of 615 questionnaires from the two countries in 2022. Also, the methods of variance analysis and ordinary least squares regression and Smart PLS 3 and Stata 15 software were used to analyze the data and test the hypotheses. The results from testing this research’s hypotheses indicate a negative and significant relationship between business ethics and aggression, effort-reward mismatch and a positive and significant relationship between business ethics and happiness. Since the current research was conducted in the emerging financial markets of Iran and Iraq, which are highly competitive, along with having special economic conditions, and since the occupation of the ISIS terrorist group, the civil wars in Iraq, severe world economic sanctions against Iran and the global crisis of Covid-19 in Iran and Iraq have led to special conditions, the current research can bring helpful information to readers and help the development of science and knowledge in this field.
How Rail Transit Makes a Difference in People’s Multimodal Travel Behaviours: An Analysis with the XGBoost Method
Authors: Liu Lixun , Wang Yujiang , Hickman Robin
Published: March 2023

The rail transit system was developed in Chinese large cities to achieve more efficient and sustainable transport development. However, the extent to which the newly built rail transit system can facilitate people’s multimodality still lacks evidence, and limited research examines the interrelationship between trip stages within a single trip. This study aims to explore the interrelations between trip stage characteristics, socio-demographic attributes, and the built environment. It examines how rail transit is integrated as part of multimodal trips after it is introduced. The data are extracted from the Chongqing Urban Resident Travel Survey from 2014, three years after the new rail transit network was established. It applies an XGBoost model to examine the non-linear effect. As a result, the separate trip stage characteristics have more of an impact than the general trip characteristics. The non-linear effects revealed by the machine learning model show changing effects and thresholds of impact by trip stage characteristics on people’s main mode choice of rail transit. An optimal radius of facility distribution along the transit lines is suggested accordingly. Synergistic effects between variables are identified, including by groups of people and land use characteristics.
Beyond Homeownership? Examining the Mediating Role of Housing Tenure on Young People’s Subjective Well-Being
Authors: Mo Haitong , Yau Yung , Liu Yuting
Published: March 2023

Young people around the world are facing similar housing challenges, trapped between a costly and unaffordable homeownership sector and an unstable (private) rental sector. China has opted to promote renting as an alternative to homeownership to alleviate the housing difficulties of young people in big cities. However, the influences of promoting rental housing on the subjective well-being of different groups have not been well understood. Therefore, this study examines the mediating role of housing tenure in the relationship between individual attributes and subjective well-being. The study is based on 1,149 questionnaires conducted on the housing situations of residents in Guangzhou, and 618 samples were extracted for analysis based on the purpose of this study. It is found that individual, marital status, (local/nonlocal) hukou status, and income level have significant indirect effects on subjective well-being, with housing tenure as the mediator. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the influencing mechanisms of subjective well-being associated with housing tenure and human heterogeneity and specifies the key points for future research and policymaking.
A Bi-Gram Approach for an Exhaustive Arabic Triliteral Roots Lexicon
Authors: Mustafa Ebtihal , Bouzoubaa Karim
Published: March 2023

With the rapid development of science and technology, many new concepts and terms appear, especially in English. Other languages try to express these concepts with words from their vocabulary. In Arabic, there are many ways to find a counterpart for a particularly new concept, such as using an existing word to denote the new concept, derivation, and blending. When these methods fail, the new concepts are phonetically transliterated. Unfortunately, most of the transliterated terms do not conform to the rules of the Arabic language, and many languages, including Arabic, avoid the use of such terms. Some modern linguists call for using the generation strategy to translate new terms into Arabic based on the idea of the meanings of the Arabic letters. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a resource that contains all Arabic roots with a categorization of what is used, what is available for use, and what is rejected according to the phonetic system. This work provides a comprehensive lexicon that contains all possible triliteral roots and determines the status of each root in terms of usage and acceptability. Additionally, it provides a mechanism for giving preference to roots when there is more than one root that indicates the desired meaning.
The Role Classifiers Play in Selecting the Referent of a Word
Authors: Ma Weiyi , Zhou Peng , Golinkoff Roberta Michnick
Published: March 2023

An important cue to the meaning of a new noun is its accompanying classifier. For example, in English, X in “a sheet of X” should refer to a broad, flat object. A classifier is required in Chinese to quantify nouns. Using children’s overt responses in an object/picture selection task, past research found reliable semantic knowledge of classifiers in Mandarin-reared children at around age three. However, it is unclear how children’s semantic knowledge differs across different types of classifiers and how this difference develops with age. Here we use an arguably more sensitive measure of children’s language knowledge (the intermodal preferential-looking paradigm) to examine Mandarin-reared three-, four-, and five-year-olds’ semantic knowledge of four types of classifiers indicating animacy (human vs. animal distinction), configuration (how objects are arrayed), object shape, and vehicle function. Multiple factors were matched across classifier types: the number of classifiers, perceived familiarity and perceived typicality of the target, and the visual similarity of the two images paired together. Children’s performances differed across classifier types, as they were better with animacy classifiers than with configuration and vehicle function classifiers. Their comprehension was reliable for animacy, object shape, and vehicle function classifiers but not for configuration classifiers. Furthermore, we did not find conclusive evidence for an age-dependent improvement in the child’s performance. The analysis, including the oldest (five-year-olds) and youngest (three-year-olds) children, revealed a marginally significant age effect.
The Historic Materials and Structures Due to the Aspect of Their Actual Challenges
Authors: Bajno Dariusz , Grzybowska Agnieszka , Trzyński Ireneusz
Published: March 2023

The subject of the article is to assess the suitability of over materials over a hundred years old that are embedded in historic building structures in conditions of contemporary utility challenges in residential and public buildings. It is based on an example of technical condition evaluation of a ceramic staircase erected in 1840 and a structure of two reinforced concrete staircases from the year 1910. As a part of in-situ and laboratory tests, the physical and mechanical parameters of unique historical materials (brick, concrete) were determined. Then the conditions for their incorporation were inventoried and determined in order to save the unique material and technical solutions used in the first half of the 19th century and the first decade of the 20th century. The article is a summary of the research and analyzes carried out in terms of proper handling of historical materials, buildings and their elements that could still fulfill their original function and be a witness to the history of a certain era. Both a research case and an application case are described here. It will allow for the continuation of these studies directly in the facility, thus assessing the effectiveness and suitability of such methods for use in similar or other situations. The aim of this approach was to introduce a non-invasive reinforcing technique that would not change the valuable and authentic appearance of these historic structures. It would also not change their static schemes, and at the same time would ensure their proper load-bearing capacity, bearing in mind that the materials used here are not equivalent to current regulations and standards.
Synthesis and Characterization of Al Chip-Based Syntactic Foam Containing Glass Hollow Spheres Fabricated by a Semi-Solid Process
Authors: Son Yong-Guk , Park Yong-Ho
Published: March 2023

In this study, aluminum (Al) chip matrix-based synthetic foams were fabricated by hot pressing at a semi-solid (SS) temperature. The densities of the foams ranged from 2.3 to 2.63 g/cm3, confirming that the density decreased with increasing glass hollow sphere (GHS) content. These values were approximately 16% lower than the densities of Al chip alloys without GHS. The Al chip syntactic foam microstructure fabricated by the semi-solid process comprised GHS uniformly distributed around the Al chip matrix and a spherical microstructure surrounded by the Mg2Si phase in the interior. The resulting spherical microstructure contributed significantly to the improvement of mechanical properties. Mechanical characterization confirmed that the Al chip syntactic foam exhibited a compressive strength of approximately 225–288 MPa and an energy absorption capacity of 46–47 MJ/M3. These results indicate higher compressive properties than typical Al syntactic foam. The Al chip microstructure, consisting of the Mg2Si phase and GHS, acted as a load-bearing element during compression, significantly contributing to the compressive properties of the foam. An analysis was performed using an energy-dispersive spectrometer to validate the interfacial reaction between the GHS and the matrix. The results showed that MgAl2O4 was uniformly coated around GHS, which contributed not only to the strength of the matrix, but also to the mechanical properties via the appropriate interfacial reactive coating.
A Research on Preparation and Performance of Volcanogenic Sand Concrete from the Philippines
Authors: Bian Libo , Bian Jiapeng , Ding Linna , Zhao Yangguang , Lin Haichao , Song Shaomin
Published: March 2023

The river sand in the Santo Tomas River area of the Philippines is a kind of volcanogenic sand. The sand is fine sand with a fineness modulus of 2.2, an apparent density of 2380 kg/m3, a bulk density of 1320 kg/m3, a mud content of 6.7%, a methylene blue value of 1.2, a soluble chloride ion content of 0.00071%, and a light-matter content of up to 12.2%, which does not meet the requirements of the three-zone grading. Based on a series of experiments, this paper systematically studies and compares the workability, mechanical properties, and durability of two kinds of concrete with the river sand in the Santo Tomas River area and natural river sand in Beijing, China as fine aggregates, respectively. In addition, volcanogenic sand in the Philippines is technically optimized for the purpose of in-depth study. After optimization, such sand reaches the standard of Zone II-graded medium sand and is comprehensively improved in performance, which is evidenced by a fineness modulus of 2.4, an apparent density of 2570 kg/m3, a bulk density of 1550 kg/m3, a light-matter content of 6.0%, and a mud content of 6.7%. Study results show that in terms of mechanical properties, the concrete made of the optimized river sand in the Santo Tomas River area is superior to that made from the natural river sand in the Beijing area. In addition, separated light matter can be used as a natural light aggregate, which has a bulk density of 960 kg/m3, a cylindrical compressive strength of 2.5 MPa, and a 1 h water absorption of 8.2%, respectively.
Leaching of Copper Concentrate with Iodized Salts in a Saline Acid Medium: Part 1—Effect of Concentrations
Authors: Castellón César I. , Taboada María E.
Published: March 2023

One of the main problems in processing chalcopyrite ore with hydrometallurgical methods is its refractoriness, which is due to the formation of a layer that inhibits the contact of the ore with the leaching solution, thus reducing the dissolution rate. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the leaching potential of iodide ions in copper extraction from chalcopyrite concentrate in an acidic seawater medium. Leaching tests were carried out in glass reactors stirred at 45 °C. Parameters such as iodide salt concentration and acidity were evaluated in ranges of 0–5000 ppm and 0–1.0 M, respectively. According to the results obtained, adding iodide ions to a medium acid enhances the leaching kinetics in the chalcopyrite concentrate, observing that it improves copper extraction at low concentrations of 100 ppm KI compared to high concentrations of 5000 ppm KI. As a result, part of the iodide required to oxidize copper tends to sublimate or is associated with other ions producing iodinated compounds such as CuI. Copper extraction reached 45% within the first 96 h, while at 216 h, it reached an extraction of close to 70% copper. The recovery rate improves at potentials between 600 and 650 mV, while at lower potentials, the copper extraction decreases. The mineral surface was analyzed using SEM/EDS and XRD analyses for the identification of precipitates on the surface, finding porous elemental sulfur and precipitated jarosite. An increase in iodide ions improves the leaching kinetics in the chalcopyrite concentrate, observing that it improves copper extraction at low concentrations of 100 ppm KI compared to high concentrations of 5000 ppm KI. As a result, part of the iodide required to oxidize copper tends to sublimate or is associated with other ions producing iodinated compounds such as CuI. Copper extraction reached 45% within the first 96 h, while at 216 h, it reached an extraction of close to 70% copper. The recovery rate improves at potentials between 600 and 650 mV, while at lower potentials, the copper extraction decreases. The mineral surface was analyzed using SEM/EDS and XRD analyses for the identification of precipitates on the surface, finding porous elemental sulfur and precipitated jarosite.
Path Tracking Control of Commercial Vehicle Considering Roll Stability Based on Fuzzy Linear Quadratic Theory
Authors: Fan Zhixian , Yan Yang , Wang Xiangyu , Xu Haizhu
Published: March 2023

Commercial vehicles generally drive at a higher speed on structured expressways, and their higher center of mass leads to a lower rollover threshold and a greater rollover risk while steering. Therefore, the design of a lateral trajectory-tracking control strategy for commercial vehicles should not only consider the accuracy of trajectory tracking but also consider roll stability. Based on this control objective, a fuzzy linear quadratic controller was designed in this study to ensure rolling stability in the path-tracking control process and improve the adaptability of the strategy to the driving scenario. Firstly, a steering and braking cooperative control model based on the four-degree-of-freedom model and the multi-point preview model was established. Then, a path tracking controller considering roll stability was designed based on the linear quadratic theory. On this basis, a fuzzy linear quadratic controller was designed to realize the online optimization of cost function weights. Finally, the effectiveness of the control strategy was verified using co-simulation and hardware-in-loop experiments. The results show that the designed controller can effectively adjust the weight of path-tracking and stability according to the vehicle’s state. This effectively improves the vehicle’s control distribution problem.
Hybrid Attention Asynchronous Cascade Network for Salient Object Detection
Authors: Yang Haiyan , Chen Yongxin , Chen Rui , Liu Shuning
Published: March 2023

The highlighted area or object is defined as the salient region or salient object. For salient object detection, the main challenges are still the clarity of the boundary information of the salient object and the positioning accuracy of the salient object in the complex background, such as noise and occlusion. To remedy these issues, it is proposed that the asynchronous cascade saliency detection algorithm based on a deep network, which is embedded in an encoder–decoder architecture. Moreover, the lightweight hybrid attention module is designed to obtain the explicit boundaries of salient regions. In order to effectively improve location information of salient objects, this paper adopts a bi-directional asynchronous cascade fusion strategy, which generates prediction maps with higher accuracy. The experimental results on five benchmark datasets show that the proposed network HACNet is on a par with the state of the art for image saliency datasets.
Optimization Method for Solving Cloaking and Shielding Problems for a 3D Model of Electrostatics
Authors: Alekseev Gennadii , Lobanov Alexey
Published: March 2023

Inverse problems for a 3D model of electrostatics, which arise when developing technologies for designing electric cloaking and shielding devices, are studied. It is assumed that the devices being designed to consist of a finite number of concentric spherical layers filled with homogeneous anisotropic or isotropic media. A mathematical technique for solving these problems has been developed. It is based on the formulation of cloaking or shielding problems in the form of inverse problems for the electrostatic model under consideration, reducing the latter problems to finite-dimensional extremum problems, and finding their solutions using one of the global minimization methods. Using the developed technology, the inverse problems are replaced by control problems, in which the role of controls is played by the permittivities of separate layers composing the device being designed. To solve them, a numerical algorithm based on the particle swarm optimization method is proposed. Important properties of optimal solutions are established, one of which is the bang-bang property. It is shown on the base of the computational experiments that cloaking and shielding devices designed using the developed algorithm have the simplicity of technical implementation and the highest performance in the class of devices under consideration.
Market Volatility Spillover, Network Diffusion, and Financial Systemic Risk Management: Financial Modeling and Empirical Study
Authors: Meng Sun , Chen Yan
Published: March 2023

With the accelerated pace of financial globalization and the gradual increase in linkages among financial markets, correctly identifying and describing the risk spillover and network diffusion in the financial system is extremely important for the prevention and management of systemic risk. Based on this, this paper takes the equity markets of 17 countries around the world from 2007 to 2022 as the research object, measures the volatility spillover effect of global financial markets using R-Vine Copula and the DY spillover index, constructs the volatility spillover network of global financial markets, discovers the spillover and diffusion pattern of global financial market risks, and provides relevant suggestions for systemic risk management. It is found that (1) there are certain aggregation characteristics in the network diffusion of global financial market volatility spillover; (2) developed European countries such as the Netherlands, France, the UK, and Germany are at the center of the network and have a strong influence; (3) Asian countries such as China, Japan, and India are at the periphery of the network; and (4) shocks from crisis events enhance the global financial market volatility spillover effect. Based on the above findings, effective prevention of global financial market risk volatility spillover and network diffusion and reduction in systemic risk need to be carried out in two ways. First, by focusing on the financial markets of key countries in the network, such as the Netherlands, the UK, France, and Germany. The second approach is to mitigate the uneven development in global financial markets and reduce the high correlation among them.
Robust Graph Structure Learning with Virtual Nodes Construction
Authors: Zhang Wenchuan , Ou Weihua , Li Weian , Gou Jianping , Xiao Wenjun , Liu Bin
Published: March 2023

Graph neural networks (GNNs) have garnered significant attention for their ability to effectively process graph-related data. Most existing methods assume that the input graph is noise-free; however, this assumption is frequently violated in real-world scenarios, resulting in impaired graph representations. To address this issue, we start from the essence of graph structure learning, considering edge discovery and removal, reweighting of existing edges, and differentiability of the graph structure. We introduce virtual nodes and consider connections with virtual nodes to generate optimized graph structures, and subsequently utilize Gumbel-Softmax to reweight edges and achieve differentiability of the Graph Structure Learning (VN-GSL for abbreviation). We conducted a thorough evaluation of our method on a range of benchmark datasets under both clean and adversarial circumstances. The results of our experiments demonstrate that our approach exhibits superiority in terms of both performance and efficiency. Our implementation will be made available to the public.
Wavelet and Neural Network-Based Multipath Detection for Precise Positioning Systems
Authors: Kim O-Jong , Kee Changdon
Published: March 2023

Multipath errors are significantly challenging in radio navigation systems. In particular, multipath errors in indoor environments cause significant errors in the position domain because not only the building materials that surround the environment but also all objects inside the building can reflect the navigation signals. Multipath errors in outdoor environments, such as in global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signal applications, have been widely studied for precise positioning. However, multipath studies for indoor applications have rarely been conducted because of the complicated environment and the many objects made of various materials in small areas. In this study, multipath mitigation methods using a shallow neural network and a transfer learning-based deep neural network were respectively considered to overcome the complexity caused by the reflected signals in indoor environments. These methods classify each measurement according to whether the measurement exhibits a severe multipath error. Carrier-phase measurements broadcasted from the transmitter were used for the wavelet transform, and the magnitude values after the transform were used for neural network-based learning. Shallow and deep networks attain approximately 87.1% and 85.6% detection accuracies, respectively, and the positioning error can be reduced by 10.4% and 9.4%, respectively, after multipath mitigation.
A Duality Theorem for Hopf Quasimodule Algebras
Authors: Guo Huaiwen , Wang Shuanhong
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we introduce and study two smash products A★H for a left H-quasimodule algebra A over a Hopf quasigroup H over a field K and B#U for a coquasi U-module algebra B over a Hopf coquasigroup U, respectively. Then, we prove our duality theorem (A★H)#H*≅A⊗(H#H*)≅A⊗Mn(K)≅Mn(A) in the setting of a Hopf quasigroup H of dimension n. As an application of our result, we consider a special case of a finite quasigroup.
Cutaneous Deep Ulcerations as Initial Presentations of Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis: Two Case Reports and Differential Diagnosis
Authors: Qian Jiandan , Li Jiawen , Li Jun , Wang Guiqiang , Zhao Hong
Published: March 2023

Background: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is an antineutrophil-cytoplasmic-antibody (ANCA)-associated small-vessel vasculitis characterized by necrotizing granulomatous inflammation. Symptoms of skin involvement can appear in 30–50% of patients with GPA, and may present as the initial presentation. Case Presentation: We describe two patients who presented with multiple deep, large, nonhealing skin ulcers postoperatively with purulent drainage and fever. Both patients were diagnosed with GPA after an extensive evaluation, including histopathology. Infectious, connective tissue disease and malignant etiologies were excluded. Their cANCA and PR3-ANCA levels were positive. Patient 2 was diagnosed early and recovered well after treatment with corticosteroids and rituximab; however, Patient 1 had a poor prognosis due to a long disease course. Conclusions: Diseases with multiple deep, large skin ulcers and fever can be infectious or noninfectious. Atypical manifestations may lead to missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis. GPA may initially present in a localized form before progressing to a generalized disease. The two cases we have highlighted will prompt clinicians to nevertheless call for a low threshold for diagnosis.
Investigation on Solidification in Cu-20wt%Fe Alloy through In Situ Observation
Authors: Guo Junli , Lu Deping , Zou Jin
Published: March 2023

The performance of Cu-Fe alloy is related to the solidification structure, which is directly determined by the microstructure evolution during solidification. The solidification sequence, solid–liquid interface variation, and microstructural evolution of Cu-20wt%Fe alloy at three cooling rates (0.3, 1.5, and 5.0 °C/s) were investigated. The results indicate that the remelting of primary γ-Fe dendrites was directly observed through the solidification experiment, and the partial γ-Fe dendrite was fragmented owing to remelting. The Fe phase morphology changed from the cellular structure to the typical finer and longer dendrite structure with the cooling rate increasing. As the cooling rate increased, the constitutional undercooling caused by the decrease in the Fe atom concentration and the increase in the Cu atom concentration increased in the solidifying interface. There was a parabolic relationship between the growth rate of the dendrite tip and time. Meanwhile, the growth of the primary γ-Fe phase was inhibited by the insufficient diffusion of Fe and Cu at the solidification front, which resulted in a decrease in the Fe phase volume fraction, and the Fe content in the Fe dendritic phase decreased slightly.
A High Sensitivity AlN-Based MEMS Hydrophone for Pipeline Leak Monitoring
Authors: Zhi Baoyu , Wu Zhipeng , Chen Caihui , Chen Minkan , Ding Xiaoxia , Lou Liang
Published: March 2023

In this work, a miniaturized, low-cost, low-power and high-sensitivity AlN-based micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) hydrophone is proposed for monitoring water pipeline leaks. The proposed MEMS Hydrophone consists of a piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) array, an acoustic matching layer and a pre-amplifier amplifier circuit. The array has 4 (2 × 2) PMUT elements with a first-order resonant frequency of 41.58 kHz. Due to impedance matching of the acoustic matching layer and the 40 dB gain of the pre-amplifier amplifier circuit, the packaged MEMS Hydrophone has a high sound pressure sensitivity of −170 ± 2 dB (re: 1 V/μPa). The performance with respect to detecting pipeline leaks and locating leak points is demonstrated on a 31 m stainless leaking pipeline platform. The standard deviation (STD) of the hydroacoustic signal and Monitoring Index Efficiency (MIE) are extracted as features of the pipeline leak. A random forest model is trained for accurately classifying the leak and no-leak cases using the above features, and the accuracy of the model is about 97.69%. The cross-correlation method is used to locate the leak point, and the localization relative error is about 10.84% for a small leak of 12 L/min.
A Novel Symbiotic Beverage Based on Sea Buckthorn, Soy Milk and Inulin: Production, Characterization, Probiotic Viability, and Sensory Acceptance
Authors: Maftei Nicoleta-Maricica , Iancu Alina-Viorica , Goroftei Bogdan Roxana Elena , Gurau Tudor Vladimir , Ramos-Villarroel Ana , Pelin Ana-Maria
Published: March 2023

Nowadays, vegan consumers demand that food products have more and more properties that contribute to the prevention of some diseases, such as lower fat content, increased mineral content (calcium, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus), pleasant flavor, and low calorie values. Therefore, the beverage industry has tried to offer consumers products that include probiotics, prebiotics, or symbiotics with improved flavor and appearance and beneficial effects on health. The possibility of producing beverages based on soy milk with sea buckthorn syrup or sea buckthorn powder supplemented with inulin and fermented with the Lactobacillus casei ssp. paracasei strain was examined. The aim of this study was to obtain a novel symbiotic product that exploits the bioactive potential of sea buckthorn fruits. Tests were carried out in the laboratory phase by fermenting soy milk, to which was added sea buckthorn syrup (20%) or sea buckthorn powder (3%) and inulin in proportions of 1% and 3%, with temperature variation of fermentation (30 and 37 °C). During the fermentation period, the survivability of prebiotic bacteria, pH, and titratable acidity were measured. The storage time of beverages at 4 °C ± 1 °C was 14 days, and the probiotic viability, pH, titratable acidity, and water holding capacity were determined. Novel symbiotic beverages based on sea buckthorn syrup or powder, inulin, and soy milk were successfully obtained using the Lactobacillus casei ssp. paracasei strain as a starter culture. Moreover, the inulin added to the novel symbiotic beverage offered microbiological safety and excellent sensory attributes as well.
Clinicopathological and Radiological Features of Cats Presented with Infectious Respiratory Disease Signs: A Focus on Rhodococcus equi and Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Aslam Muhammad Waseem , Lau Seng Fong , Radzi Rozanaliza , Omar Sharina , Kaka Ubedullah , Ahmed Ishtiaq
Published: March 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of involvement of common viral organisms R. equi and K. pneumoniae and their clinicopathological and radiological features in respiratory disease of Malaysian domestic cats. A total of 34 feline cases with acute/chronic infectious respiratory disease signs were followed prospectively to investigate respiratory disease due to R. equi and K. pneumoniae and their relationship with concurrent viral infections in disease manifestation. All sampled cats (n = 27) were positive for FCoV antibodies and negative for FeLV. A significantly high antibody titer for FCV in n = 26 cases was also noticed. A single sample of pyothorax from a 3-months-old, non-vaccinated kitten was positive for R. equi. Bronchopneumonia with severe infiltration of the polymorphs and mononuclear inflammatory cells were prominent features of lungs histopathology from the kitten positive for R. equi. K. pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae was confirmed from tracheal swabs of two cats. Histologically, the tracheal tissues of the two cats positive for K. pneumoniae were normal. In diagnostic imaging, epicenter of the infectious URT disease was nasal conchae rostrally and nasal turbinates caudally, however for infectious LRT disease was bronchial tree. Conclusively, infectious respiratory disease is a complex illness in cats, predominantly for unvaccinated kittens and young adult cats, especially those kept in multi-cat household or shelter environments because of the involvement of multiple bacterial and viral organisms as primary or secondary invaders. Clinicians should not preclude feline rhodococcosis from differentials, especially in kittens with pyothorax and less than one year of age. Unlike R. equi, K. pneumoniae has the potential to colonize URT of cats which might be disseminating further to cause LRT disease.
Legionella pneumophila and Free-Living Nematodes: Environmental Co-Occurrence and Trophic Link
Authors: Hemmerling Christin , Labrosse Aurélie , Ruess Liliane , Steinert Michael
Published: March 2023

Free-living nematodes harbor and disseminate various soil-borne bacterial pathogens. Whether they function as vectors or environmental reservoirs for the aquatic L. pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaires’ disease, is unknown. A survey screening of biofilms of natural (swimming lakes) and technical (cooling towers) water habitats in Germany revealed that nematodes can act as potential reservoirs, vectors or grazers of L. pneumophila in cooling towers. Consequently, the nematode species Plectus similis and L. pneumophila were isolated from the same cooling tower biofilm and taken into a monoxenic culture. Using pharyngeal pumping assays, potential feeding relationships between P. similis and different L. pneumophila strains and mutants were examined and compared with Plectus sp., a species isolated from a L. pneumophila-positive thermal source biofilm. The assays showed that bacterial suspensions and supernatants of the L. pneumophila cooling tower isolate KV02 decreased pumping rate and feeding activity in nematodes. However, assays investigating the hypothesized negative impact of Legionella’s major secretory protein ProA on pumping rate revealed opposite effects on nematodes, which points to a species-specific response to ProA. To extend the food chain by a further trophic level, Acanthamoebae castellanii infected with L. pneumphila KV02 were offered to nematodes. The pumping rates of P. similis increased when fed with L. pneumophila-infected A. castellanii, while Plectus sp. pumping rates were similar when fed either infected or non-infected A. castellanii. This study revealed that cooling towers are the main water bodies where L. pneumophila and free-living nematodes coexist and is the first step in elucidating the trophic links between coexisting taxa from that habitat. Investigating the Legionella–nematode–amoebae interactions underlined the importance of amoebae as reservoirs and transmission vehicles of the pathogen for nematode predators.
Characterization of the Endometrial Microbiome in Patients with Recurrent Implantation Failure
Authors: Lozano Francisca Maria , Lledó Belén , Morales Ruth , Cascales Alba , Hortal Mónica , Bernabeu Andrea , Bernabeu Rafael
Published: March 2023

An abnormal endometrial microbiota has been associated with implantation failure; therefore, it may be important to evaluate it in order to improve reproductive outcomes in infertile patients. The main objective of our study was to compare the endometrial microbiome of patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) and control patients undergoing assisted reproduction treatment (ART). A prospective cohort study including forty-five patients with their own or donated gametes. The endometrial microbiome was analysed by massive sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. Different bacterial communities were detected in RIF and control patients. Lactobacillus stands out as the most frequent genus, with 92.27% in RIF patients and 97.96% in control patients, and significant differences were reported between the two groups (p = 0.002). No significant differences were found regarding alpha diversity index. In beta diversity analysis, a significant trend was observed in the separation of the bacterial community between established groups (p < 0.07). Relative abundance analysis identified genera Prevotella (p < 0.001), Streptococcus (p < 0.001), Bifidobacterium (p = 0.002), Lactobacillus (p = 0.002) and Dialister (p = 0.003). Our results demonstrated the existence of an endometrial microbiota characteristic of RIF patients and showed that there might be a relationship between population of the endometrial microbiome and embryo implantation failure, providing us the possibility to improve clinical results in this patients.
Special Issue: “Antimicrobial Resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa”
Authors: Hernando-Amado Sara , Martínez José Luis
Published: March 2023

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most prevalent pathogens causing nosocomial infections, mainly in patients presenting with basal pathologies or those who are immunocompromised [...]
Antibacterial Enhancement of High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filters Modified with Graphene-Silver Hybrid Material
Authors: Ciorîță Alexandra , Suciu Maria , Coroş Maria , Varodi Codruța , Pogăcean Florina , Măgeruşan Lidia , Mirel Valentin , Ștefan-van Staden Raluca-Ioana , Pruneanu Stela
Published: March 2023

Bacterial infections are a major concern as antibiotic resistance poses a great threat, therefore leading to a race against time into finding new drugs or improving the existing resources. Nanomaterials with high surface area and bactericidal properties are the most promising ones that help combating microbial infections. In our case, graphene decorated with silver nanoparticles Gr-Ag (5 wt% Ag) exhibited inhibitory capacity against S. aureus and E. coli. The newly formed hybrid material was next incubated with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, to obtain one with bactericidal properties. The modified filter had greater inhibitory action against the tested strains, compared to the control, and the effect was better against the Gram-negative model. Even if the bacteria remained attached to the filters, their colony forming unit capacity was affected by the Gr-Ag (5 wt% Ag) hybrid material, when they were subsequently re-cultured on fresh agar media. Therefore, the HEPA filter modified with Gr-Ag (5 wt% Ag) has high antibacterial properties that may substantially improve the existing technology.
Interactions between Gender and Sepsis—Implications for the Future
Authors: Lakbar Ines , Einav Sharon , Lalevée Nathalie , Martin-Loeches Ignacio , Pastene Bruno , Leone Marc
Published: March 2023

Sex and gender dimorphisms are found in a large variety of diseases, including sepsis and septic shock which are more prevalent in men than in women. Animal models show that the host response to pathogens differs in females and males. This difference is partially explained by sex polarization of the intracellular pathways responding to pathogen–cell receptor interactions. Sex hormones seem to be responsible for this polarization, although other factors, such as chromosomal effects, have yet to be investigated. In brief, females are less susceptible to sepsis and seem to recover more effectively than males. Clinical observations produce more nuanced findings, but men consistently have a higher incidence of sepsis, and some reports also claim higher mortality rates. However, variables other than hormonal differences complicate the interaction between sex and sepsis, including comorbidities as well as social and cultural differences between men and women. Conflicting data have also been reported regarding sepsis-attributable mortality rates among pregnant women, compared with non-pregnant females. We believe that unraveling sex differences in the host response to sepsis and its treatment could be the first step in personalized, phenotype-based management of patients with sepsis and septic shock.
Rumen Biogeographical Regions and Microbiome Variation
Authors: Soltis Macey P. , Moorey Sarah E. , Egert-McLean Amanda M. , Voy Brynn H. , Shepherd Elizabeth A. , Myer Phillip R.
Published: March 2023

The rumen is a complex organ that is critical for its host to convert low-quality feedstuffs into energy. The conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to volatile fatty acids and other end products is primarily driven by the rumen microbiome and its interaction with the host. Importantly, the rumen is demarcated into five distinct rumen sacs as a result of anatomical structure, resulting in variable physiology among the sacs. However, rumen nutritional and microbiome studies have historically focused on the bulk content or fluids sampled from single regions within the rumen. Examining the rumen microbiome from only one or two biogeographical regions is likely not sufficient to provide a comprehensive analysis of the rumen microbiome and its fermentative capacity. Rumen biogeography, digesta fraction, and microbial rumen–tissue association all impact the diversity and function of the entirety of the rumen microbiome. Therefore, this review discusses the importance of the rumen biographical regions and their contribution to microbiome variation.
Residues and Dietary Risk Assessment of Prohexadione-Ca and Uniconazole in Oryza sativa L. and Citrus reticulata Blanco by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Ye Hui , Luo Yuqin , Li Yanjie , Wang Xiangyun , He Hongmei , Jiang Jinhua , Yu Jianzhong , Zhang Changpeng
Published: March 2023

A simple and sensitive method for the simultaneous quantitation of prohexadione-Ca and uniconazole in the field experiment of Oryza sativa L. and Citrus reticulata Blanco was established using solid-phase extraction (SPE) with polymer anion exchange (PAX) and Florisil followed by LC-MS/MS. The method demonstrated excellent linearity (R2 > 0.999 0), trueness (recoveries between 95~105%), precision (CVs between 0.8~12%), sensitivity, and repeatability (LOQ of 0.05 and 0.01 mg/kg, respectively). Residue tests were conducted in the field at 12 representative sites in China, revealing final concentrations of prohexadione-Ca and uniconazole in brown rice, rice hull, and rice straw to be below 0.05 mg/kg, while in whole citrus fruit and citrus pulp, they were below 0.01 mg/kg. These were below the maximum residue limits specified in China. The chronic dietary risks of prohexadione-Ca and uniconazole in rice crops and citrus fruits were calculated to be 0.48% and 0.91%, respectively. Our research suggests that the chronic risk associated with the daily consumption of rice crops and citrus fruit at the recommended dosage is acceptable.
Identification of a Synthetic Polyhydroxyphenolic Resveratrol Analogue, 3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-Hexahydroxy-trans-Stilbene with Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Activity
Authors: Jäger Walter , Kicker Eva , Hardt Melina , Gawish Riem , Gattinger Pia , Böhmdorfer Michaela , Knapp Sylvia , Valenta Rudolf , Zatloukal Kurt , Szekeres Thomas
Published: March 2023

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus has been causing the COVID-19 pandemic since December 2019, with over 600 million infected persons worldwide and over six million deaths. We investigated the anti-viral effects of polyphenolic green tea ingredients and the synthetic resveratrol analogue 3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-hexahydroxy-trans-stilbene (HHS), a compound with antioxidant, antitumor and anti-HIV properties. In the TCID50 assay, four out of nine green tea constituents showed minor to modest cell protective effects, whereas HHS demonstrated the highest reduction (1103-fold) of the TCID50, indicating pronounced inhibition of virus replication. HHS was also a highly effective inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 proliferation in VeroE6 cells with an IC50 value of 31.1 µM. HSS also inhibited the binding of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor (RBD-ACE2) binding with 29% at 100 µM and with 9.2% at 50 µM indicating that the SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory effect might at least in part be attributed to the inhibition of virus binding to ACE2. Based on the chemical similarity to other polyphenols, the oral bioavailability of HHS is likely also very low, resulting in blood levels far below the inhibitory concentration of EGCG against SARS-CoV-2 observed in vitro. However, administration of HHS topically as a nose or throat spray would increase concentrations several-fold above the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the mucosa and might reduce virus load when administered soon after infection. Due to these promising tissue culture results, further preclinical and clinical studies are warranted to develop HHS as an additional treatment option for SARS-CoV-2 infection to complement vaccines, which is and will be the main pillar to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.