bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case report: Reconstruction of a complex maxillofacial gunshot defect using a titanium patient-specific implant in a dog
Authors: Yang Myungryul , Kang Jinsu , Kim Namsoo , Heo Suyoung
Published: November 2022

This report describes the surgical reconstruction of large maxillofacial defect caused by a short-range gunshot injury in a dog using titanium patient-specific implant (PSI). A 3-year-old male Wolf Shepherd was admitted for a large right facial defect with right nasal cavity exposure caused by a gunshot injury. Radiographic examination revealed severe loss of the right maxillary, nasal, and incisive bones, multiple fractures of both left and right palatine bones, and a comminuted fracture of the right mandible. Initial surgical procedure included computed tomography (CT) imaging for three-dimensional (3D) implant design. Open wound management was maintained for 18 days until the fresh granulation tissue fully covered the wound bed. The implant was designed in a “hand grasping shape” to cover the defect, align multiple fractured palatine bones, and make a snap fit function. Multiple holes, including cortical screw holes, were added to the final design. The implant was printed on a titanium alloy. Surgical application of titanium PSI was performed 19 days after the primary surgery. A free sublingual mucosal graft was used to reconstruct the mucosal layer of the right nasal cavity. The mucosa was then covered with collagen membrane to strengthen the structure of the nasal cavity. Blunt dissection of the hard palate mucoperiosteum above the palatine process and palatine bones, soft tissue above the maxilla was performed, and the 3D printed titanium implant was fastened in a preplanned position. The facial soft tissue defect was reconstructed, and the titanium PSI was covered using an angularis oris cutaneous flap. Partial flap necrosis occurred in the rostral aspect, and the wound was managed to heal by a second intension. Flap dehiscence at the junction of the flap and hard palate mucoperiosteum occurred with exposure of the implant 2 days postoperatively. Multiple attempts to close the defect failed, and the owner wanted to stop treatment. Healthy granulated tissue was observed proximal to the implant. The defect no longer increased in size and did not show any noticeable complications related to the defect at 60 days after titanium PSI application, and the dog was discharged. Six months post-operatively, the dog remained active with great appetite, gained weight, and showed acceptable facial symmetry without enlargement of the implant exposure or any implant-related problems.
Wind Tunnel Tests of 3D-Printed Variable Camber Morphing Wing
Authors: Jia Sijia , Zhang Zhenkai , Zhang Haibo , Song Chen , Yang Chao
Published: November 2022

This paper introduces the realization and wind tunnel testing of a novel variable camber wing equipped with compliant morphing trailing edges. Based on the aerodynamic shape and compliant mechanisms that were optimized in advance, a wind tunnel model called mTE4 was developed, in which the rigid leading edge, rigid wing box, and compliant trailing edge were manufactured by 3D printing technology using three different materials. Due to difficulties in the detailed design of a small-scale model, special attention is devoted to the implementation procedure. Additionally, the static and dynamic characteristics of the proposed wind tunnel model were evaluated by ground tests, and the aerodynamic characteristics were evaluated by numerical methods. Then, the aerodynamic performance and the static aeroelastic deformation of the compliant trailing edge were investigated in a low-speed wind tunnel. The load-bearing ability of the proposed compliant morphing trailing edge device was validated and the continuous outer mold surface was found to persist throughout the entire testing period. Notably, a maximum deflection range of 37.9° at the airspeed of 15 m/s was achieved. Additionally, stall mitigation was also achieved by periodically deflecting the morphing trailing edge, enabling a stall angle delay of approximately 1° and 13% increase in post-stall lift coefficient. Finally, the development procedure was validated by comparing the lift between numerical and experimental results.
Pan-Genome-Wide Identification and Transcriptome-Wide Analysis of DREB Genes That Respond to Biotic and Abiotic Stresses in Cucumber
Authors: Wang Can , Han Jing , Wang Ting , Chen Chunhua , Liu Junyi , Xu Zhixuan , Zhang Qingxia , Wang Lina , Ren Zhonghai
Published: November 2022

The production of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is often harmed by biotic and abiotic stresses. Although the dehydration-responsive element-binding (DREB) transcription factors, playing vital roles in stress responses, have been characterized in several plant species, little is known about the pan-genome characteristics of DREB genes and their expression patterns under different stresses in cucumber. In this study, we identified 55 CsDREBs from the cucumber pan-genomes of 13 accessions, but only four accessions had all the genes. Most of the CsDREB proteins had sequence length and/or amino acid variations, and only four of them had no variation among different accessions. Using the 55 CsDREBs from ‘9930’, we analyzed their gene structures, conserved domains, phylogenetic relationships, gene promoter’s cis-elements and syntenic relationships, and classified them into six groups. Expression pattern analysis revealed that eight CsDREBs showed constitutive expression (FPKM > 1 in all samples), and different CsDREBs showed specifically high expression in root, stem, leaf, tendril, male-flower, female flower, and ovary, respectively, suggesting that these genes might be important for morphogenesis and development in cucumber. Additionally, a total of 31, 22, 30 and nine CsDREBs were differentially expressed in responding to the treatments of heat, NaCl and/or silicon, power mildew and downy mildew, respectively. Interestingly, CsDREB33 could respond to all the tested stresses. Our results provide a reference and basis for further investigation of the function and mechanism of the DREB genes for resistance breeding in cucumber.
Effect of Temperature and Sucrose on In Vitro Seed Germination and Bulblet Production of Pancratium maritimum L.
Authors: Alexopoulos Alexios A. , Mavrommati Eleni , Kartsonas Epaminondas , Petropoulos Spyridon A.
Published: November 2022

Sea daffodil is a perennial medicinal plant with several beneficial health properties that is enlisted as an endangered and protected species. For the exploitation and conservation of such valuable species, sustainable propagation is a key factor. For this purpose, the establishment of in vitro cultures using botanical seeds is an effective way to produce a large number of microplants which can be used as propagating material and/or bulblets with further uses for the isolation–production of biocactive substances. In this work, we performed two separate experiments where we studied (a) the effect of temperature (10 °C, 15 °C, 20 °C, 25 °C, and 30 °C) on seed germination in vitro and (b) the effect of temperature (10 °C, 20 °C, and 30 °C) and sucrose concentration (40 and 80 g/L) in growth medium on microplant development and the production of bulblets. Seed germination rates were high (over 70%) at a wide range of temperatures (15–30 °C), although the fastest and the most uniform germination was observed at 20–25 °C. Regarding the effect of temperature on microplant development and bulblet production, low temperatures (10 °C) had a negative effect on the number of leaves, bulb diameter, and fresh weight (F.W.) and dry weight (D.W.) of leaves, roots, and bulblets. The best growth of microplants (number of leaves, F.W. and D.W. of leaves, roots) and bulblet production (diameter, F.W., and D.W.) were observed in culture media with sucrose concentration 40 g/L and temperature of 30 °C. In culture medium with a sucrose concentration of 80 g/L the production of bulbs (diameter, F.W., and D.W.) was not inferior to culture media with a sucrose concentration of 40 g/L, although microplants had less root growth. It is concluded that the best treatment for the production of well-rooted microplants with large bulblets that could be used as propagating material or for the production of bulblets as a source for twin scales explants or pharmaceutical substances was the culture at 30 °C in culture medium with sucrose concentration 40 g/L. On the other hand, culture medium with a sucrose concentration of 80 g/L at 30 °C or 20 °C could be also used for the production of bulblets.
Powdery Mildew Fungus Oidium lycopersici Infected-Tomato Plants Attracts the Non-Vector Greenhouse Whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, but Seems Impair Their Development
Authors: Qasim Muhammad , Akutse Komivi Senyo , Hussain Dilbar , Al-Zoubi Omar Mahmoud , Mustafa Tariq , Aguila Luis Carlos Ramos , Alamri Saad , Hashem Mohamed , Wang Liande
Published: November 2022

The mechanism underlying the mediation of the behavior and fitness of non-vector herbivores by fungal pathogen-infected host plants is still unclear. In this study, we experimentally assessed the effects of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) plant infection status on non-vector herbivores using tomato powdery mildew disease fungus (Oidium lycopersici) and the greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum as a model multitrophic plant-pathogen, non-vector herbivore interaction. In behavioral bioassays, powdery mildew-infected plants (PM) and plants damaged by combined attack of powdery mildew and whiteflies (PMWF) attracted significantly more whiteflies (32.6% and 58.1% for PM and PMWF, respectively) than control (Con) plants (16.5%) or plants damaged only by whiteflies (WF) (24.2%). Whiteflies feeding on PM or PMWF plants secreted almost twice as much honeydew as on the Con or WF plants. This indicated that whiteflies fed more on diseased plants than healthy plants. However, the preferences and increased feeding did not increase the fitness and immature growth of T. vaporariorum, but significantly prolonged their immature developmental durations, compared with those of whiteflies that developed on Con plants or WF plants. The results showed that powdery mildew infestation attracted more whiteflies but reduced their development and fitness.
The Progress towards Novel Herbicide Modes of Action and Targeted Herbicide Development
Authors: He Bo , Hu Yanhao , Wang Wen , Yan Wei , Ye Yonghao
Published: November 2022

To date, effectively controlling resistant weeds has been a great challenge in modern agricultural production. Developing new modes of action of herbicides would be an efficient, convenient, and timely means of controlling resistant weeds. In particular, new modes of herbicide action do not appear to have evolutionary resistance or cross-resistance with existing herbicides. However, a few successful herbicides with new modes of action (MoAs) have been marketed in the past 20 years. In this paper, we analyzed limiting factors for the slow development of novel herbicide MoAs. We then summarized the positive herbicide targets for the herbicides that have been discovered in recent years, such as Solanyl Diphosphate Synthase (SPS), Fatty Acid Thioesterase (FAT), Plastid Peptide Deformylase (PDEF), and Dihydroxy-Acid Dehydratase (DHAD). Some commercial herbicide varieties have been obtained based on novel herbicide targets, such as Homogentisate Solanesyltransferase (HST) and Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase (DHODH). This provides a new reference and idea for herbicide molecular design in the future. In addition, some practical and efficient methods were mentioned for the rational design, discovery, and development of targeted herbicides development. In order to overcome the adverse conditions of compound druggability, prodrug strategies are also used in herbicide development, which can optimize the administration, permeability, absorption, and distribution of the original drug molecule or a candidate compound and may provide more possibilities for the development of new herbicides. The development of new herbicides is fascinating, the challenges and rewards are great, and the path to success is becoming more apparent.
Uncertainty Analysis of HYDRUS-1D Model to Simulate Soil Salinity Dynamics under Saline Irrigation Water Conditions Using Markov Chain Monte Carlo Algorithm
Authors: Moghbel Farzam , Mosaedi Abolfazl , Aguilar Jonathan , Ghahraman Bijan , Ansari Hossein , Gonçalves Maria C.
Published: November 2022

Utilizing degraded quality waters such as saline water as irrigation water with proper management methods such as leaching application is a potential answer to water scarcity in agricultural systems. Leaching application requires understanding the relationship between the amount of irrigation water and its quality with the dynamic of salts in the soil. The HYDRUS-1D model can simulate the dynamic of soil salinity under saline water irrigation conditions. However, these simulations are subject to uncertainty. A study was conducted to assess the uncertainty of the HYDRUS-1D model parameters and outputs to simulate the dynamic of salts under saline water irrigation conditions using the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) based Metropolis-Hastings algorithm in the R-Studio environment. Results indicated a low level of uncertainty in parameters related to the advection term (water movement simulation) and water stress reduction function for root water uptake in the solute transport process. However, a higher level of uncertainty was detected for dispersivity and diffusivity parameters, possibly because of the study’s scale or some error in initial or boundary conditions. The model output (predictive) uncertainty showed a high uncertainty in dry periods compared to wet periods (under irrigation or rainfall). The uncertainty in model parameters was the primary source of total uncertainty in model predictions. The implementation of the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm for the HYDRUS-1D was able to conveniently estimate the residual water content (θr) value for the water simulation processes. The model’s performance in simulating soil water content and soil water electrical conductivity (ECsw) was good when tested with the 50% quantile of the posterior distribution of the parameters. Uncertainty assessment in this study revealed the effectiveness of the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm in exploring uncertainty aspects of the HYDRUS-1D model for reproducing soil salinity dynamics under saline water irrigation at a field scale.
Interactive Influence of Soil Erosion and Cropland Revegetation on Soil Enzyme Activities and Microbial Nutrient Limitations in the Loess Hilly-Gully Region of China
Authors: Tang Fangwang , Yao Yufei , Song Jinxi , Wang Chengcheng , Liu Yu
Published: November 2022

Soil erosion is a major form of land degradation, especially in agroecosystems, which has been effectively controlled by vegetation restoration. However, the interactive role of erosion and cropland revegetation on soil enzyme activities and microbial nutrient limitations is less understood. To address this issue, we examined carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) in bulk soils and microbial biomass, enzyme activities, and microbial nutrient limitations in the 0–200 cm soils in eroded and deposited landscapes occupied by cropland, revegetated forest, and grassland. The results showed that the activities of C-, N-, and P-acquiring enzymes were larger in the deposited landscape than in the eroded landscape for 0–20 cm soils in forest and grassland but not in cropland. Microbial metabolism was co-limited by N and P, and the threshold element ratio (TERL) indicated that P was the most limiting factor. Microbial N limitation was lower in the deposited than the eroded zone, especially in surface soils in revegetated forest and grassland. The TERL value was larger at the deposited than at the eroded zone, and a greater difference was found in the surface soils of forest and grassland. Microbial nutrient limitations were mostly explained by C/P and N/P. Conclusively, the deposited areas were characterized by ameliorated enzyme activities, decreased microbial N limitation but relatively strengthened microbial P limitation compared to the eroded area, and such variations existed in the revegetated forest and grassland but not in the cropland, which thus contributes to a better understanding of C and nutrient cycling for agroecosystems and revegetation ecosystems in eroded environments.
Conventional Tillage Effects on the Physico-Chemical Properties and Organic Matter of Chernozems Using 13C-NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Suleymanov Azamat , Suleymanov Ruslan , Polyakov Vyacheslav , Dorogaya Ekaterina , Abakumov Evgeny
Published: November 2022

In this study, we examined the influence of long-term conventional tillage on the water-physical, chemical properties, and composition of the organic matter of chernozems. The study has been conducted on an arable plot subjected to water and wind erosion in the Pre-Ural steppe zone (Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia). Soil samples were collected from non-eroded and eroded arable plots as well as from an adjacent pristine forest windbreak. Key structural fragments of soil organic matter under different land use types were identified and quantified using 13C-NMR spectroscopy. The results showed that the water-physical properties deteriorated in agrochernozems: the number of valuable soil aggregates decreased and the soil bulk density increased, which may limit the growth of crops. The soil organic matter content for the different samples varied in the following direction: arable non-eroded > forest windbreak > arable eroded. It has been found that long-term plowing by conventional methods decreases aliphatic and increases aromatic structures in soils. As a result of the reduced inputs of plant residues, the processes of humification slowed down compared to unplowed soils. To increase soil fertility and carbon sequestration potential, it is necessary to stop degradation processes and implement conservation tillage practices.
Antibiotics Self Medication among Children: A Systematic Review
Authors: Bert Fabrizio , Previti Christian , Calabrese Francesco , Scaioli Giacomo , Siliquini Roberta
Published: November 2022

The phenomenon of bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a rapidly growing global problem. Overuse and misuse of antibiotics as well as self-prescription are among the most important causes contributing to the growth of antibiotic resistance in humans. This systematic review describes the phenomenon of antibiotics self-medication (ASM) in children. The study was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist by searching PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science until July 2022. Published English language studies containing information regarding parents knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors in self-administration of antibiotics in children were included. A total of 702 articles were identified, and 57 were selected. A higher prevalence of ASM among children was found in the Middle-East (34%), Africa (22%), Asia (20%) and South America (17%), while the lowest prevalence was found in Europe (8%). High distance from hospital, and low income, such as having more than one child, are related with an increased risk of ASM in children. Fever and cough can also promote the misuse of antibiotics by parents. A greater attention to the regulation of the sale of antimicrobial drugs can certainly limit the risk of self-medicating behavior.
A Dual Perspective of Psycho-Social Barriers and Challenges Experienced by Drug-Resistant TB Patients and Their Caregivers through the Course of Diagnosis and Treatment: Findings from a Qualitative Study in Bengaluru and Hyderabad Districts of South India
Authors: Nagarajan Karikalan , Kumarsamy Karthikeyan , Begum Rehana , Panibatla Vikas , Reddy Rameshchandra , Adepu Rajesham , Munjattu Joseph Francis , Sellapan Senthil , Arangba Stephen , Goswami Amrita , Swamickan Reuben , Muniyandi Malaisamy
Published: November 2022

Qualitative insights regarding psycho-social barriers and challenges experienced by drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) patients and their caregivers are understudied in India. We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured qualitative interviews among treatment-completed DR-TB patients (n = 20) and caregivers (n = 20) in Bengaluru and Hyderabad districts, which represented two different socio-cultural settings in South India. Criterion sampling was used for recruiting the eligible participants who completed treatment with adherence. “Emotional issues and social barriers” were identified to represent a major challenge for patients and caregivers, which occurred acutely after disease diagnosis, characterized by fear and emotional distress due to their perceived loss of life prospects, severity of symptoms, discomfort, and disease denial. Medication intolerance, chronic symptoms, lack of visible signs of treatment progress, loss of weight, and physical concerns caused subsequent fear and distress during the treatment phases for patients along with experiences of stigma. External triggers generated “decisive moments” of hopelessness and life-ending thoughts for patients at the diagnosis and early treatment phase. Medication related challenges included the perceived burden and power of pills which caused emotional distress for patients and intolerance towards caregivers. Pill burden was found as consequential as the side effects of injections. Challenges related to lack of support were another major theme, in which caregivers lacked resources for treatment support and nutrition. Throughout treatment, caregivers and patients expressed concern about a lack of supportive care from family members, sympathy, and intangible social support. Challenges during hospital admission in terms of lack of privacy, quality of services, individual attention, and empathy from health care workers were reported by patients and caregivers. Despite better adherence, DR-TB patients and caregivers experienced considerable emotional and social consequences. Differentiating DR-TB patients and caregivers’ issues at different stages of diagnosis and treatment could help improve patient-centered outcomes in India and other high-burden nations.
Skeletal Muscle CSE Deficiency Leads to Insulin Resistance in Mice
Authors: Xu Miaomiao , Liu Xiaoguang , Bao Peng , Wang Yanjie , Zhu Xiaoyan , Liu Yujian , Ni Xin , Lu Jianqiang
Published: November 2022

Cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) is expressed in various tissues and generates H2S via an alternative desulfuration reaction. We sought to explore the functions of skeletal muscle CSE using skeletal muscle conditional knockout CSE (MCSEKO) mice. It was found that body weight, muscle morphology, and exercise capacity were not altered in MCSEKO mice compared with littermate wild-type mice. RNA-seq-based transcriptome analysis showed that 275 genes were differentially regulated in skeletal muscle and multiple signaling pathways including insulin signaling and mTOR, PI3K-AKT, and cGMP-PKG signaling pathways were enriched in MCSEKO mice. The intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test showed that glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were reduced in MCSEKO mice. Glucose transporter 4 (GLU4) and PKG-1 expression levels and insulin receptor substrate-1(IRS1)/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway were downregulated whilst the mTOR/S6K/S6 pathway was enhanced in MCSEKO mice. These effects were reversed by the H2S supplement. Aerobic treadmill training significantly promoted glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity and improved GLU4 and PKG-1 levels, promoted IRS1/PI3K/Akt signaling and suppressed mTOR/S6K/S6 signaling pathway in MCSEKO mice. Our data suggest that skeletal muscle CSE/H2S signaling is critical for the maintenance of insulin sensitivity, which is associated with maintaining the balance in PKG, PI3K/Akt, and mTOR/S6K/S6 signaling pathways in skeletal muscle.
Voice Maps as a Tool for Understanding and Dealing with Variability in the Voice
Authors: Ternström Sten , Pabon Peter
Published: November 2022

Individual acoustic and other physical metrics of vocal status have long struggled to prove their worth as clinical evidence. While combinations of metrics or “features” are now being intensely explored using data analytics methods, there is a risk that explainability and insight will suffer. The voice mapping paradigm discards the temporal dimension of vocal productions and uses fundamental frequency (fo) and sound pressure level (SPL) as independent control variables to implement a dense grid of measurement points over a relevant voice range. Such mapping visualizes how most physical voice metrics are greatly affected by fo and SPL, and more so individually than has been generally recognized. It is demonstrated that if fo and SPL are not controlled for during task elicitation, repeated measurements will generate “elicitation noise”, which can easily be large enough to obscure the effect of an intervention. It is observed that, although a given metric’s dependencies on fo and SPL often are complex and/or non-linear, they tend to be systematic and reproducible in any given individual. Once such personal trends are accounted for, ordinary voice metrics can be used to assess vocal status. The momentary value of any given metric needs to be interpreted in the context of the individual’s voice range, and voice mapping makes this possible. Examples are given of how voice mapping can be used to quantify voice variability, to eliminate elicitation noise, to improve the reproducibility and representativeness of already established metrics of the voice, and to assess reliably even subtle effects of interventions. Understanding variability at this level of detail will shed more light on the interdependent mechanisms of voice production, and facilitate progress toward more reliable objective assessments of voices across therapy or training.
Effects of Technology-Enhanced Board Game in Primary Mathematics Education on Students’ Learning Performance
Authors: Lin Yen-Ting , Cheng Ching-Te
Published: November 2022

In primary schools, mathematics is a fundamental and an important subject since mathematical concepts and skills are useful to address life and professional problems. Nevertheless, many mathematical concepts are abstract to primary students that may possibly cause them to learn mathematics with poor learning motivation and performance. To address this problem, it is important to promote students to review and apply mathematical concepts after they learn. In traditional mathematics classrooms, teachers usually assign exercises to students for conducting review and application activities after formal mathematics instructions. However, such learning activities may tend to make students less motivated to conduct them and further negatively affect their learning performance. Therefore, this study adopted a technology-enhanced board game to support teachers and students to conduct prime factorization education in traditional mathematics classrooms. The aim of this study is to apply the proposed board game to facilitate students to review and apply prime factorization concepts after traditional classroom learning, and further enhance their learning performance. To evaluate the proposed approach, 22 primary students were allocated to an experimental group and a control group to participate in an experiment. The experimental group was supported by the board game approach to conduct review and application activities after traditional mathematics learning, while the control group utilized a traditional exercise approach to conduct review and application activities after traditional mathematics learning. The research results revealed that the proposed approach not only promoted the students’ learning achievements in prime factorization education, but also improved their learning motivation and attitude.
Knowledge-Based Framework for Selection of Genomic Data Compression Algorithms
Authors: Alourani Abdullah , Tahir Muhammad , Sardaraz Muhammad , Khan Muhammad Saud
Published: November 2022

The development of new sequencing technologies has led to a significant increase in biological data. The exponential increase in data has exceeded increases in computing power. The storage and analysis of the huge amount of data poses challenges for researchers. Data compression is used to reduce the size of data, which ultimately reduces the cost of data transmission over the Internet. The field comprises experts from two domains, i.e., computer scientists and biological scientists. Computer scientists develop programs to solve biological problems, whereas biologists use these programs. Computer programs need parameters that are usually provided as input by the users. Users need to know different parameters while operating these programs. Users need to configure parameters manually, which leads to being more time-consuming and increased chances of errors. The program selected by the user may not be an efficient solution according to the desired parameter. This paper focuses on automatic program selection for biological data compression. Forward chaining is employed to develop an expert system to solve this problem. The system takes different parameters related to compression programs from the user and selects compression programs according to the desired parameters. The proposed solution is evaluated by testing it with benchmark datasets using programs available in the literature.
Antimicrobial and Odour Qualities of Alkylpyrazines Occurring in Chocolate and Cocoa Products
Authors: Cherniienko Alina , Pawełczyk Anna , Zaprutko Lucjusz
Published: November 2022

A total of 40 pyrazine compounds of cocoa and chocolate were discovered through a literature analysis. Data on the alkylpyrazines’ antibacterial properties were gathered. It was discovered that 12 substances were effective against bacteria, fungus and oomycetes. Following calculations using PASS and AntiBac-Pred, 15 substances were identified as potentially having the ability to inhibit the growth of the Picornavirus, Yersinia pestis, Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium bovis BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin), Micrococcus luteus and Corynebacterium jeikeium. The study of odour qualities led to the identification of the most potent odourants among alkylpyrazines as well as the aroma composition of cocoa and chocolate. Pyrazines have been given GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status by the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA) for use as flavouring additives in food, demonstrating that this class of chemicals is a secure substitute for managing and combating microbial contamination, which also provides beneficial odour properties to the recipient. A statistical evaluation of the correlation between the odour threshold and the probability of antibacterial activity was performed. A more in-depth investigation of the antimicrobial and olfactory activities of alkylpyrazines is required in the future.
A Hybrid of Fully Informed Particle Swarm and Self-Adaptive Differential Evolution for Global Optimization
Authors: Wang Shir Li , Adnan Sarah Hazwani , Ibrahim Haidi , Ng Theam Foo , Rajendran Parvathy
Published: November 2022

Evolutionary computation algorithms (EC) and swarm intelligence have been widely used to solve global optimization problems. The optimal solution for an optimization problem is called by different terms in EC and swarm intelligence. It is called individual in EC and particle in swarm intelligence. Self-adaptive differential evolution (SaDE) is one of the promising variants of EC for solving global optimization problems. Adapting self-manipulating parameter values into SaDE can overcome the burden of choosing suitable parameter values to create the next best generation’s individuals to achieve optimal convergence. In this paper, a fully informed particle swarm (FIPS) is hybridized with SaDE to enhance SaDE’s exploitation capability while maintaining its exploration power so that it is not trapped in stagnation. The proposed hybrid is called FIPSaDE. FIPS, a variant of particle swarm optimization (PSO), aims to help solutions jump out of stagnation by gathering knowledge about its neighborhood’s solutions. Each solution in the FIPS swarm is influenced by a group of solutions in its neighborhood, rather than by the best position it has visited. Indirectly, FIPS increases the diversity of the swarm. The proposed algorithm is tested on benchmark test functions from “CEC 2005 Special Session on Real-Parameter Optimization” with various properties. Experimental results show that the FIPSaDE is more effective and reasonably competent than its standalone variants, FIPS and SaDE, in solving the test functions, considering the solutions’ quality.
How Do Player Substitutions Influence Men’s UEFA Champions League Soccer Matches?
Authors: Iglesias Blanca , García-Ceberino Juan M. , García-Rubio Javier , Ibáñez Sergio J.
Published: November 2022

Coaches’ player substitution strategies can change the tactical behavior and the final result of matches. This empirical study aims to describe the relationship/association of player substitution variables with the results of men’s UEFA Champions League matches during the 2018–2019 season. A total of 125 matches were analyzed using an ad hoc observation sheet created for this purpose. To measure the degree and strength of association between the variables studied, Chi-square and Cramer’s V tests were used, respectively. In turn, the Adjusted Standardized Residuals from the contingency tables were calculated to detect patterns of association. Likewise, a decision tree, in particular, the CHAID method, was used to predict and identify interactions. Player substitutions affect the final result and the findings prove it. An own team’s goal after 5–10 minutes of player substitution was win-related (positive impact) (90.40%, ASRs = 10.40), while an opposing team’s goal after 5–10 minutes of player substitution was loss-related (negative impact) (90.30%, ASRs = 10.30). Regardless of the match status, the positive impact increased the winning percentage. Furthermore, the match status was postulated as an indicator of the need to make player substitutions. It showed that player substitutions could determine the final result when teams were tying. On the other hand, the match location was not a differentiating factor between winning and losing teams, although the winning percentage was somewhat higher for home teams. Coaches could use this information to establish player substitution strategies that would allow them to perform at their best.
A Solid Redox Mediator Analog as a Highly Efficient Catalyst for Na–O2 Batteries
Authors: Shen Qin-yin , Ma Jin-ling , Li Ming-lu , He Wei , Tan Ying-yue , Zhou Peng-yu , Wang Yu
Published: November 2022

During the discharge of Na–O2 batteries, O2 is reduced and combines with Na+ to form an insulating solid sodium oxide on the cathode, which severely hinders the mass transfer path, resulting in high polarization voltage, low energy efficiency, and short battery life. Hereby, we proposed a novel illumination-assisted Na–O2 battery in which bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) with few defects and high surface areas was used as the catalyst. It showed that the charge overpotential under photo assistance reduced by 1.11 V compared with that of the dark state one. Additionally, the insolating sodium oxide discharge products were completely decomposed, which was the key to running Na–O2 batteries over 200 cycles with a charge potential of no more than 3.65 V, while its counterpart (under dark condition) at 200 cycles had the charge potential higher than 4.25 V. The experiment combined with theoretical calculation shows that few defects, high surface areas, the altered electron transfer kinetics, and the low energy gap and low oxygen absorption energy of the (040) crystal face of monoclinic BiVO4 play an important role in catalyzing oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER).
An Experimental Study of Power Smoothing Methods to Reduce Renewable Sources Fluctuations Using Supercapacitors and Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Benavides Dario , Arévalo Paul , Tostado-Véliz Marcos , Vera David , Escamez Antonio , Aguado José A. , Jurado Francisco
Published: November 2022

The random nature of renewable sources causes power fluctuations affecting the stability in the utility grid. This problem has motivated the development of new power smoothing techniques using supercapacitors and batteries. However, experimental studies based on multiple renewable sources (photovoltaic, wind, hydrokinetic) that demonstrate the validity of power smoothing techniques under real conditions still require further study. For this reason, this article presents a feasibility study of a renewable grid-connected system, addressing various aspects based on power quality and energy management. The first of them is related to the fluctuations produced by the stochastic characteristics of renewable sources and demand. Two power smoothing algorithms are presented (ramp rate and moving average) combining photovoltaic, wind, and hydrokinetic sources with a hybrid storage system composed of supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries. Then, the self-consumption for an industrial load is analyzed by studying the energy flows between the hybrid renewable energy sources and the grid. The main novelty of this paper is the operability of the supercapacitor. The experimental results show that when applying the power smoothing ramp rate method, the supercapacitor operates fewer cycles with respect to the moving average method. This result is maintained by varying the capacity of the renewable sources. Moreover, by increasing the capacity of photovoltaic and wind renewable sources, the hybrid storage system requires a greater capacity only of supercapacitors, while by increasing the capacity of hydrokinetic turbines, the battery requirement increases considerably. Finally, the cost of energy and self-consumption reach maximum values by increasing the capacity of the hydrokinetic turbines and batteries.
A Review of Lithium-Ion Battery Capacity Estimation Methods for Onboard Battery Management Systems: Recent Progress and Perspectives
Authors: Peng Jichang , Meng Jinhao , Chen Dan , Liu Haitao , Hao Sipeng , Sui Xin , Du Xinghao
Published: November 2022

With the widespread use of Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries in Electric Vehicles (EVs), Hybrid EVs and Renewable Energy Systems (RESs), much attention has been given to Battery Management System (BMSs). By monitoring the terminal voltage, current and temperature, BMS can evaluate the status of the Li-ion batteries and manage the operation of cells in a battery pack, which is fundamental for the high efficiency operation of EVs and smart grids. Battery capacity estimation is one of the key functions in the BMS, and battery capacity indicates the maximum storage capability of a battery which is essential for the battery State-of-Charge (SOC) estimation and lifespan management. This paper mainly focusses on a review of capacity estimation methods for BMS in EVs and RES and provides practical and feasible advice for capacity estimation with onboard BMSs. In this work, the mechanisms of Li-ion batteries capacity degradation are analyzed first, and then the recent processes for capacity estimation in BMSs are reviewed, including the direct measurement method, analysis-based method, SOC-based method and data-driven method. After a comprehensive review and comparison, the future prospective of onboard capacity estimation is also discussed. This paper aims to help design and choose a suitable capacity estimation method for BMS application, which can benefit the lifespan management of Li-ion batteries in EVs and RESs.
Doxorubicin-Loaded Extracellular Vesicles Enhance Tumor Cell Death in Retinoblastoma
Authors: Farhat Wissam , Yeung Vincent , Kahale Francesca , Parekh Mohit , Cortinas John , Chen Lin , Ross Amy E. , Ciolino Joseph B.
Published: November 2022

Chemotherapy is often used to treat retinoblastoma; however, this treatment method has severe systemic adverse effects and inadequate therapeutic effectiveness. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are important biological information carriers that mediate local and systemic cell-to-cell communication under healthy and pathological settings. These endogenous vesicles have been identified as important drug delivery vehicles for a variety of therapeutic payloads, including doxorubicin (Dox), with significant benefits over traditional techniques. In this work, EVs were employed as natural drug delivery nanoparticles to load Dox for targeted delivery to retinoblastoma human cell lines (Y-79). Two sub-types of EVs were produced from distinct breast cancer cell lines (4T1 and SKBR3) that express a marker that selectively interacts with retinoblastoma cells and were loaded with Dox, utilizing the cells’ endogenous loading machinery. In vitro, we observed that delivering Dox with both EVs increased cytotoxicity while dramatically lowering the dosage of the drug. Dox-loaded EVs, on the other hand, inhibited cancer cell growth by activating caspase-3/7. Direct interaction of EV membrane moieties with retinoblastoma cell surface receptors resulted in an effective drug delivery to cancer cells. Our findings emphasize the intriguing potential of EVs as optimum methods for delivering Dox to retinoblastoma.
Ameliorating Fibrosis in Murine and Human Tissues with END55, an Endostatin-Derived Fusion Protein Made in Plants
Authors: Mlakar Logan , Garrett Sara M. , Watanabe Tomoya , Sanderson Matthew , Nishimoto Tetsuya , Heywood Jonathan , Helke Kristi L. , Pilewski Joseph M. , Herzog Erica L. , Feghali-Bostwick Carol
Published: November 2022

Organ fibrosis, particularly of the lungs, causes significant morbidity and mortality. Effective treatments are needed to reduce the health burden. A fragment of the carboxyl-terminal end of collagen XVIII/endostatin reduces skin and lung fibrosis. This fragment was modified to facilitate its production in plants, which resulted in the recombinant fusion protein, END55. We found that expression of END55 had significant anti-fibrotic effects on the treatment and prevention of skin and lung fibrosis in a bleomycin mouse model. We validated these effects in a second mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis involving inducible, lung-targeted expression of transforming growth factor β1. END55 also exerted anti-fibrotic effects in human lung and skin tissues maintained in organ culture in which fibrosis was experimentally induced. The anti-fibrotic effect of END55 was mediated by a decrease in the expression of extracellular matrix genes and an increase in the levels of matrix-degrading enzymes. Finally, END55 reduced fibrosis in the lungs of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who underwent lung transplantation due to the severity of their lung disease, displaying efficacy in human tissues directly relevant to human disease. These findings demonstrate that END55 is an effective anti-fibrotic therapy in different organs.
The Human Myofibroblast Marker Xylosyltransferase-I: A New Indicator for Macrophage Polarization
Authors: Ly Thanh-Diep , Wolny Monika , Lindenkamp Christopher , Birschmann Ingvild , Hendig Doris , Knabbe Cornelius , Faust-Hinse Isabel
Published: November 2022

Chronic inflammation and excessive synthesis of extracellular matrix components, such as proteoglycans (PG), by fibroblast- or macrophage-derived myofibroblasts are the hallmarks of fibrotic diseases, including systemic sclerosis (SSc). Human xylosyltransferase-I (XT-I), which is encoded by the gene XYLT1, is the key enzyme that is involved in PG biosynthesis. Increased cellular XYLT1 expression and serum XT-I activity were measured in SSc. Nothing is known so far about the regulation of XT-I in immune cells, and their contribution to the increase in measurable serum XT-I activity. We utilized an in vitro model, with primary human CD14+CD16+ monocyte-derived macrophages (MΦ), in order to investigate the role of macrophage polarization on XT-I regulation. The MΦ generated were polarized towards two macrophage phenotypes that were associated with SSc, which were classified as classical pro-inflammatory (M1-like), and alternative pro-fibrotic (M2-like) MΦ. The fully characterized M1- and M2-like MΦ cultures showed differential XT-I gene and protein expressions. The fibrotic M2-like MΦ cultures exhibited higher XT-I secretion, as well as increased expression of myofibroblast marker α-smooth muscle actin, indicating the onset of macrophage-to-myofibroblast transition (MMT). Thus, we identified XT-I as a novel macrophage polarization marker for in vitro generated M1- and M2-like MΦ subtypes, and broadened the view of XT-I as a myofibroblast marker in the process of MMT.
Distribution of Cutting and Welding Thermal Residual Stress in Steel Bone with and without Holes in the Partially Encased Composite Wall
Authors: Huang Yanan , Zhang Qilin
Published: November 2022

In order to ensure the mechanical reliability of a partially encased composite wall (the PEC wall), the distribution law of the thermal residual stress of the steel bone of the PEC wall needs to be deeply studied. In this study, we first conducted a cutting thermal conductivity analysis and stress analysis of the flange and webs. Second, based on the cutting residual stress of different sheet steel, the welding thermal conductivity analysis and stress analysis of I-shaped calculation units with and without a hole in the web were carried out. Finally, the difference in the distribution of the stress on the section during welding (or cutting) and after the cooling of the welding (or cutting) was clarified, the shape and size of the residual stress distribution in the two types of steel bone formed by the cutting and welding thermal processing were evaluated, and the approximate distributions of the residual stress of the flange and webs were obtained, respectively.
A New Technique of Lattice Beam Construction with Pre-Anchoring for Strengthening Cut Slope: A Numerical Analysis of Temporary Stability during Excavation
Authors: Fan Junwei , Yang Shijiao , Deng Bo , Sun Bing , Liu Taoying
Published: November 2022

In consideration of the temporary stability of the cutting slope during construction and its permanent stability under long-term service, a new technique of lattice beam construction with anchors pre-set in the slope from the original ground surface before cutting was proposed, and its construction process was briefly introduced. Compared with the model without pre-set anchors, the effectiveness of pre-setting anchors to strengthen the cutting slope during multi-excavation was verified in the numerical software FLAC3D. Various factors such as the factor of safety (FOS) and the maximum shear strain increment (MSSI) as well as the displacement for different stages were discussed. The results show that the anchors pre-set in the slope provide reinforcement step-by-step with excavations which changes the mechanical responses of the cutting slope and increases the factor of safety with a variation of 15.9–44.1% compared to the case without setting anchors. In addition, with excavations, the axial forces of the anchors pre-set in the stratum increase gradually, and the positions of the maximum axial forces gradually transfer from the vicinity of the cutting surface to the depth of the design slope. Numerical simulations prove that this new technique is beneficial for ensuring the temporary stability of the slope during excavations and is especially suitable for the advance anchorage of the cutting slope, in which the inclined original ground surface is cut at an angle steeper than it can stand safely and is close to the design slope surface after cutting. After the completion of slope excavation, the cast-in-place concrete lattice beam is immediately set on the design slope surface and connected with the anchor heads exposed on the cut slope surface to ensure the permanent stability of the slope. Therefore, this new technology has important guiding significance for both the temporary stability of slopes during construction and the permanent stability of slopes in service.