bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antibiotic Infographics Available on the Internet: Documentary Quality, Purpose, and Appropriateness as Educational Tools on Antimicrobial Resistance
Authors: López-Pintor Elsa , Gómez-Ramos Aitana , Sanz-Valero Javier
Published: February 2023

Antimicrobial resistance is a major threat to global health in the 21st century. In the age of the internet and social media, infographics may constitute an effective educational resource for transmitting complete messages about antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance and driving behavioural change. We aimed to evaluate the infographics on antibiotics available on the internet in terms of their documentary quality, purpose, and appropriateness as educational tools for explaining the strategic lines defined in the World Health Organization Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (GAP-AMR) and for conveying the One Health concept. We obtained the infographics for this cross-sectional study on 4 March 2021 by searching the terms “infographic” and “antibiotic” in Google Images. We verified infographic documentary quality by analysing the image, authorship, title, structure, date, and licence. To evaluate the purpose, we determined whether it coincided with one of the strategic objectives set out in the GAP-AMR. The degree of appropriateness depended on the type of key awareness message on antibiotic use. After obtaining these results, we performed a cross-sectional evaluation to determine how successfully these infographics conveyed the One Heath concept. We selected 247 infographics from 518 references. Of the included infographics, 97 (39%) were produced by public institutions; 58 (23%) read from left to right; 142 (57%) had an educational purpose; 156 (63%) focused on humans; 140 (57%) were subject to copyright; and 97 (39%) had no licence of any type. Almost one quarter (n = 57; 23%) included no key message on proper use of antibiotics. Infographics that included an author/promoter had a significantly higher mean number of messages that those without disclosure of authorship (1.67 vs. 0.50; p < 0.001). The infographics on antibiotics available on the internet are of moderate general quality. Most are produced by public institutions and have a clear and readable layout, but very few have a Creative Commons license to enable their reuse as informative material. The most common purpose is to improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance; few infographics focus on the remaining four strategic objectives of the GAP-AMR. It would be useful for authors of educational infographics on antibiotics to promote key messages related to antimicrobial resistance and the One Health concept, in accordance with the first objective of the WHO GAP-AMR.
Novel Arginine- and Proline-Rich Candidacidal Peptides Obtained through a Bioinformatic Approach
Authors: Ciociola Tecla , Giovati Laura , De Simone Tiziano , Bergamaschi Greta , Gori Alessandro , Consalvi Valerio , Conti Stefania , Vitali Alberto
Published: February 2023

Antimicrobial resistance is a major public health concern worldwide. Albeit to a lesser extent than bacteria, fungi are also becoming increasingly resistant to antifungal drugs. Moreover, due to the small number of antifungal classes, therapy options are limited, complicating the clinical management of mycoses. In this view, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a potential alternative to conventional drugs. Among these, Proline-rich antimicrobial peptides (PrAMPs), almost exclusively of animal origins, are of particular interest due to their peculiar mode of action. In this study, a search for new arginine- and proline-rich peptides from plants has been carried out with a bioinformatic approach by sequence alignment and antimicrobial prediction tools. Two peptide candidates were tested against planktonic cells and biofilms of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata strains, including resistant isolates. These peptides showed similar potent activity, with half-maximal effective concentration values in the micromolar range. In addition, some structural and functional features, revealing peculiar mechanistic behaviors, were investigated.
Antibacterial Properties of Eucalyptus globulus Essential Oil against MRSA: A Systematic Review
Authors: Elangovan Shakthi , Mudgil Poonam
Published: February 2023

Antimicrobial resistance is a huge threat against the public health sphere and is a major cause of global mortality and morbidity. Antibiotic misuse and overuse have led to the development of many resistant bacterial strains. One particular bacterium of concern is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which is the most common resistant bacteria in humans. Antibiotic development has been unable to keep up with the rapid evolution of antibiotic-resistant organisms, and there is an urgent need to identify alternative agents to combat this problem. The purpose of this systematic review is to explore the literature on the antibacterial properties of Eucalyptus globulus essential oil against MRSA. The articles used in this review were obtained through a systematic search of the literature across four databases, with the timeline being between 2002 and 2022. Twenty studies were included in this review, which used various methods to investigate the antibacterial properties of E. globulus essential oil, alone or in combination with other agents, against MRSA. The findings suggest that E. globulus essential oil has antibacterial properties against MRSA, which can be enhanced when used in combination with other agents, such as other essential oils and antibiotics.
Antimicrobial Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics in Critical Care: Adjusting the Dose in Extracorporeal Circulation and to Prevent the Genesis of Multiresistant Bacteria
Authors: Ruiz-Ramos Jesus , Gras-Martín Laura , Ramírez Paula
Published: February 2023

Critically ill patients suffering from severe infections are prone to pathophysiological pharmacokinetic changes that are frequently associated with inadequate antibiotic serum concentrations. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the causative pathogens tend to be higher in intensive care units. Both pharmacokinetic changes and high antibiotic resistance likely jeopardize the efficacy of treatment. The use of extracorporeal circulation devices to support hemodynamic, respiratory, or renal failure enables pharmacokinetic changes and makes it even more difficult to achieve an adequate antibiotic dose. Besides a clinical response, antibiotic pharmacokinetic optimization is important to reduce the selection of strains resistant to common antibiotics. In this review, we summarize the present knowledge regarding pharmacokinetic changes in critically ill patients and we discuss the effects of extra-corporeal devices on antibiotic treatment together with potential solutions.
Stimulation of Hepatic Ferritinophagy Mitigates Irp2 Depletion-Induced Anemia
Authors: Liu Yutong , Li Yuxuan , Yang Liu , Shen Jiaqi , Zhao Hongting , Dong Weichen , Chang Yanzhong , Qiao Tong , Li Kuanyu
Published: February 2023

Background: Iron regulatory proteins (IRPs) maintain cellular iron homeostasis. Due to aberrant tissue-iron distribution, Irp2-deficient mice suffer microcytic anemia and neurodegeneration, while iron overload occurs in the liver and intestine. We previously found that Irp2 deficiency-induced Hif2 plays an important role in neurodegeneration. Methods: To test the role of Hif2 in Irp2 deficiency-induced anemia, we used Irp2 global knockout mice. Following Hif2 inhibition, routine blood tests, iron availability in bone marrow, histological assays, and biochemical analysis were performed to assess anemia improvement and tissue iron distribution. Results: We found that Hif2 inhibition improved anemia. The increased iron bioavailability for erythropoiesis was mainly derived from hepatic iron release, and secondly from enhanced intestinal absorption. We further demonstrate that nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (Ncoa4) was upregulated for iron release via the process of ferritinophagy. The released iron was utilized not only for intracellular Fe-S biogenesis but also for erythropoiesis after being exported from the liver to circulation. The hepatic iron export reduced hepcidin expression to further support iron absorption through the hepcidin-ferroportin axis to alleviate intestinal iron overload. Conclusion: Irp2 not only regulates cellular iron homeostasis but also tissue iron distribution by managing the involvement of Hif2-Ncoa4.
Honey: A Promising Therapeutic Supplement for the Prevention and Management of Osteoporosis and Breast Cancer
Authors: Martiniakova Monika , Kovacova Veronika , Mondockova Vladimira , Zemanova Nina , Babikova Martina , Biro Roman , Ciernikova Sona , Omelka Radoslav
Published: February 2023

Osteoporosis and breast cancer are serious diseases that have become a significant socioeconomic burden. There are biochemical associations between the two disorders in terms of the amended function of estrogen, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa beta ligand, oxidative stress, inflammation, and lipid accumulation. Honey as a functional food with high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can contribute to the prevention of various diseases. Its health benefits are mainly related to the content of polyphenols. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge from in vitro, animal, and human studies on the use of honey as a potential therapeutic agent for osteoporosis and breast cancer. Preclinical studies have revealed a beneficial impact of honey on both bone health (microstructure, strength, oxidative stress) and breast tissue health (breast cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis, tumor growth rate, and volume). The limited number of clinical trials, especially in osteoporosis, indicates the need for further research to evaluate the potential benefits of honey in the treatment. Clinical studies related to breast cancer have revealed that honey is effective in increasing blood cell counts, interleukin-3 levels, and quality of life. In summary, honey may serve as a prospective therapeutic supplement for bone and breast tissue health.
The Effect of Storage and Pasteurization (Thermal and High-Pressure) Conditions on the Stability of Phycocyanobilin and Phycobiliproteins
Authors: Shkolnikov Lozober Hani , Okun Zoya , Parvari Galit , Shpigelman Avi
Published: February 2023

The utilization of natural blue pigments in foods is difficult as they are usually unstable during processing and the commonly applied pH. The current study focuses on natural blue pigment, possessing antioxidant properties, found in Arthrospira platensis (spirulina), and phycobiliproteins (PBP). These pigments are a complex of conjugated protein and non-protein components, known as phycocyanobilin. PBP has low stability during pasteurization (high-pressure or heat treatments), resulting in protein denaturation and color deterioration that limits the application. The phycocyanobilin pigment might also be liable to oxidation during pasteurization and storage, resulting in color deterioration. Yet, the instability of the pigment phycocyanobilin during the pasteurization process and storage conditions was never studied before, limiting the comprehensive understanding of the reasons for PBP instability. In this study, the stability of phycocyanobilin under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions was compared to the stability of phycobiliproteins. We revealed that phycobiliproteins have a higher color deterioration rate at 70–80 °C than at high-pressure (300–600 MPa) whereas phycocyanobilin remained stable during high-pressure and heat processing. During storage at pH 7, phycocyanobilin was oxidized, and the oxidation rate increased with increasing pH, while at lower pH phycocyanobilin had low solubility and resulted in aggregation.
Effects of Dietary Glutamine Supplementation on Heat-Induced Oxidative Stress in Broiler Chickens: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ncho Chris Major , Gupta Vaishali , Choi Yang-Ho
Published: February 2023

In avian species, heat stress (HS) is usually the result of being exposed to high ambient temperatures, whereas oxidative stress (OS) results from the overproduction of reactive oxygen species. The current literature suggests that HS often leads to OS. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effects of dietary supplementation of glutamine on the antioxidant status and growth performances in heat-stressed broilers. A total of 13 studies were deemed eligible after an exhaustive search of the literature from Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus. Briefly, the following criteria were used to select the studies: trials performed on broilers; publication in peer-review journals using English as the text language; and sufficient details about the design and inclusion of dietary glutamine as a treatment for HS. Two main categories of outcomes were extracted from the studies included in the review: growth parameters and OS markers. For the meta-analysis, a random effect model was used when the heterogeneity was higher than 50%, and a fixed effect model was applied otherwise. Pooled standardized mean differences (SMD), and mean differences (MD) with their confidence intervals (CI) from the studies revealed that dietary glutamine could increase body weight gain (SMD = 0.70, CI = 0.50 to 0.90, p < 0.05), and feed intake (FI) (SMD = 0.64, CI = 0.43 to 0.86, p < 0.05), and reduce the feed conversion ratio (MD = −0.05, CI = −0.07 to −0.02, p < 0.05) in heat-exposed birds. Additionally, higher glutamine (SMD = 1.21, CI = 1.00 to 1.43, p < 0.05), glutathione (SMD = 1.25, CI = 0.88 to 1.62, p < 0.05), superoxide dismutase (SOD) (SMD = 0.97, CI = 0.58 to 1.36, p < 0.05), and catalase (SMD = 0.94, CI = 0.72 to 1.16, p < 0.05) levels were recorded in the serum, breast, and thigh muscle after supplementation of glutamine. Furthermore, the subgroup analysis revealed that malondialdehydes levels were decreased only in the serum (SMD = −0.83, CI = −1.25 to −0.41, p < 0.001) and thigh muscle (SMD = −1.30, CI = −1.86 to −0.35, p < 0.001) while glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity was increased in the breast (SMD = 1.32, CI = 0.95 to 1.68, p < 0.05) and thigh muscle (SMD = 1.53, CI = 1.06 to 1.99, p < 0.05). Meta-regression models indicated that longer periods of heat exposure were inversely associated with the effectiveness of dietary glutamine in increasing FI, GPX, and SOD (p < 0.05). Besides, increasing the dietary concentration of glutamine led to higher GPX and SOD levels (p < 0.05). Taken together, results suggest that dietary supplementation of glutamine can effectively mitigate the deleterious effects of HS by enhancing the antioxidant status and increasing growth performances in broilers.
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Phytochemicals Found in the Yucca Genus
Authors: Culhuac Erick Bahena , Maggiolino Aristide , Elghandour Mona M. M. Y. , De Palo Pasquale , Salem Abdelfattah Z. M.
Published: February 2023

The Yucca genus encompasses about 50 species native to North America. Species within the Yucca genus have been used in traditional medicine to treat pathologies related to inflammation. Despite its historical use and the popular notion of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, there is a limited amount of research on this genus. To better understand these properties, this work aimed to analyze phytochemical composition through documentary research. This will provide a better understanding of the molecules and the mechanisms of action that confer such antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. About 92 phytochemicals present within the genus have reported antioxidant or anti-inflammatory effects. It has been suggested that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are mainly generated through its free radical scavenging activity, the inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism, the decrease in TNF-α (Tumor necrosis factor-α), IL-6 (Interleukin-6), iNOS (Inducible nitric oxide synthase), and IL-1β (Interleukin 1β) concentration, the increase of GPx (Glutathione peroxidase), CAT (Catalase), and SOD (Superoxide dismutase) concentration, and the inhibition of the MAPK (Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase), and NF-κB (Nuclear factor kappa B), and the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor) signaling pathway. These studies provide evidence of its use in traditional medicine against pathologies related to inflammation. However, more models and studies are needed to properly understand the activity of most plants within the genus, its potency, and the feasibility of its use to help manage or treat chronic inflammation.
Low Levels of Vitamin C during Pregnancy; a Risk Marker of Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 1 Diabetic Women?
Authors: Juhl Bente , Klein Flemming , Bek Toke , Petersen Line
Published: February 2023

Pregnancy is a risk factor for the development or aggravation of diabetic retinopathy. Here, we suggest a relationship between plasma vitamin C (vitC) status during pregnancy and into postpartum in type 1 diabetes and the possible progression of diabetic retinopathy based on data of 29 women. VitC was measured in first, second, and third trimesters and three months postpartum. The women had visual acuity testing and fundus photography performed at least twice during pregnancy and onto four months after birth. An overall retinopathy grade was assigned on a scale from 0 (no retinopathy) to four according to the International Clinical Diabetic Retinopathy scale. At baseline in 1st trimester, 12 women had no retinopathy; seventeen women had retinopathy in grade 1–3. The retinopathy grade increased in nine women; remained unchanged in 17 women, and improved in three women. No women had or developed proliferative retinopathy (grade 4). The level of vitC in 1st trimester predicted the possible progression of retinopathy—the lower the vitC, the more probable the progression (p = 0.03; OR 1.6 (95% CI:1.06–3.2); n = 29 (multiple logistic regression))—while the combined levels of 1st and 2nd trimesters and the mean vitC level of the whole pregnancy did not. The diabetes duration, retinopathy grade per se in 1st trimester, 24-h blood pressure measurements, kidney function, urinary protein, HbA1c, or lipid profile were not independent predictors of progression of retinopathy during pregnancy. Retrospectively, the women who experienced progression of their retinopathy during and into postpartum had significantly lower vitC levels in 1st trimester (p = 0.02; n = 9/20), combined level of vitC in 1st and 2nd trimester (p = 0.032; n = 7/18), and mean vitC level of the whole pregnancy (p = 0.036; n = 7/9), respectively. In conclusion, our results suggest that low vitC status in pregnancy could be associated with progression of diabetic retinopathy.
Promotive Role of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid or Salicylic Acid Combined with Citric Acid on Sunflower Growth by Regulating Manganese Absorption
Authors: Li Juanjuan , Pan Jianmin , Najeeb Ullah , El-Beltagi Hossam S. , Huang Qian , Lu Huaijian , Xu Ling , Shi Bixian , Zhou Weijun
Published: February 2023

Manganese (Mn) is an essential nutrient in most organisms. Establishing an effective regulatory system of Mn absorption is important for sustainable crop development. In this study, we selected sunflower as the model plant to explore the effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) or salicylic acid (SA) combined with citric acid (CA) on Mn absorption. Six-leaf-old sunflower plants were exposed to 0.8 g kg−1 Mn for one week and then treated with chelating agents, i.e., CA (10 mmol kg−1), and different concentrations of ALA and SA for one week. The results showed that Mn-treated plants had significantly increased H2O2, O2− and MDA contents in leaves compared with the control. Under the Mn + CA treatment, ALA or SA2 significantly activated the antioxidant defense system by increasing SOD, POD and CAT activities in leaves. Moreover, the application of CA significantly increased the Mn uptake in sunflower roots compared with Mn treatment alone; however, did not accelerate the translocation efficiency of Mn from sunflower roots to shoots. Moreover, ultrastructural and RT-qPCR results further demonstrated that ALA/SA could recover the adverse impact of excessive Mn accumulation in sunflowers. Like a pump, ALA/SA regulated the translocation efficiency and promoted the transportation of Mn from roots to shoots. This study provides insights into the promotive role of ALA/SA combined with CA on sunflower growth by regulating Mn absorption, which would be beneficial for regulating Mn absorption in soil with an Mn deficit.
Evolutionary Features for Dynamic Link Prediction in Social Networks
Authors: Choudhury Nazim , Uddin Shahadat
Published: February 2023

One of the inherent characteristics of dynamic networks is the evolutionary nature of their constituents (i.e., actors and links). As a time-evolving model, the link prediction mechanism in dynamic networks can successfully capture the underlying growth mechanisms of social networks. Mining the temporal patterns of dynamic networks has led researchers to utilise dynamic information for dynamic link prediction. Despite several methodological improvements in dynamic link prediction, temporal variations of actor-level network structure and neighbourhood information have drawn little attention from the network science community. Evolutionary aspects of network positional changes and associated neighbourhoods, attributed to non-connected actor pairs, may suitably be used for predicting the possibility of their future associations. In this study, we attempted to build dynamic similarity metrics by considering temporal similarity and correlation between different actor-level evolutionary information of non-connected actor pairs. These metrics then worked as dynamic features in the supervised link prediction model, and performances were compared against static similarity metrics (e.g., AdamicAdar). Improved performance is achieved by the metrics considered in this study, representing them as prospective candidates for dynamic link prediction tasks and to help understand the underlying evolutionary mechanism.
Research on Automatic Error Data Recognition Method for Structured Light System Based on Residual Neural Network
Authors: Ding Aozhuo , Xue Qi , Ding Xulong , Sun Xiaohong , Yang Xiaonan , Ye Huiying
Published: February 2023

In a structured light system, the positioning accuracy of the stripe is one of the determinants of measurement accuracy. However, the quality of the structured light stripe is reduced by noise, object shape, color, etc. The positioning accuracy of the low-quality stripe center will be decreased, and the large error will be introduced into measurement results, which can only be recognized by a human. To address this problem, this paper proposes a method to identify data with relatively large errors in 3D measurement results by evaluating the quality of the grayscale distribution of stripes. In this method, the undegraded and degraded stripe images are captured. Then, the residual neural network is trained using the grayscale distribution of the two types of stripes. The captured stripes are classified by the trained model. Finally, the data corresponding to the degraded stripes, which correspond to large errors in the data, can be identified according to the classified results. The experiment shows that the algorithm proposed in this paper can effectively identify the data with large errors automatically.
Data Exfiltration through Electromagnetic Covert Channel of Wired Industrial Control Systems
Authors: Sachintha Shakthi , Le-Khac Nhien-An , Scanlon Mark , Sayakkara Asanka P.
Published: February 2023

Industrial control systems (ICS) often contain sensitive information related to the corresponding equipment being controlled and their configurations. Protecting such information is important to both the manufacturers and users of such ICSs. This work demonstrates an attack vector on industrial control systems where information can be exfiltrated through a electromagnetic (EM) radiation covert channel from the wired Ethernet connections commonly used by these devices. The attack leverages compromised firmware for the controller—capable of encoding sensitive/critical information into the wired network as packet transmission patterns. The EM radiation from the wired network’s communication is captured without direct physical interaction using a portable software-defined radio, and subsequently demodulated on the attacker’s computer. This covert channel facilitates the exfiltration of data from a distance of up to two metres with a data rate of 10 bps without any significant data loss. The nature of this covert channel demonstrates that having strong firewalls and network security.
Stochastic Weight Averaging Revisited
Authors: Guo Hao , Jin Jiyong , Liu Bin
Published: February 2023

Averaging neural network weights sampled by a backbone stochastic gradient descent (SGD) is a simple-yet-effective approach to assist the backbone SGD in finding better optima, in terms of generalization. From a statistical perspective, weight-averaging contributes to variance reduction. Recently, a well-established stochastic weight-averaging (SWA) method was proposed, which featured the application of a cyclical or high-constant (CHC) learning-rate schedule for generating weight samples for weight-averaging. Then, a new insight on weight-averaging was introduced, which stated that weight average assisted in discovering a wider optima and resulted in better generalization. We conducted extensive experimental studies concerning SWA, involving 12 modern deep neural network model architectures and 12 open-source image, graph, and text datasets as benchmarks. We disentangled the contributions of the weight-averaging operation and the CHC learning-rate schedule for SWA, showing that the weight-averaging operation in SWA still contributed to variance reduction, and the CHC learning-rate schedule assisted in exploring the parameter space more widely than the backbone SGD, which could be be under-fitted due to a lack of training budget. We then presented an algorithm termed periodic SWA (PSWA) that comprised a series of weight-averaging operations to exploit such wide parameter space structures as explored by the CHC learning-rate schedule, and we empirically demonstrated that PSWA outperformed its backbone SGD remarkably.
Accuracy of Accelerometer-Based Navigation System Perseus for the Tibial Cut in Total Knee Arthroplasty: No Superiority Compared to Mechanical Instrumentation in Current Practice
Authors: Joseph Léopold , Batailler Cécile , Lustig Sébastien , Servien Elvire
Published: February 2023

Knee alignment after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is essential for implant survival. Several studies on accelerometer-based navigation systems have given controversial results, with or without improvement in knee alignment. The aim was to evaluate the accuracy of an accelerometer-based navigation system for tibial resection during total knee arthroplasty. Twenty TKAs performed with an accelerometer-based navigation system were included in this prospective–comparative study. They were matched (on age, body mass index, and preoperative mechanical axis of the lower limb) in a 2:1 ratio with TKA performed with a conventional technique. The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of the Perseus System for making the tibial cut on TKA. The primary endpoint was the tibial mechanical angle (TMA) measured on radiographic images at two months postoperatively. Secondary endpoints were the tibial slope and the mechanical axis of the lower limb (HKA angle, Hip-Knee-Ankle). The mean TMA in the accelerometer group was 87.6 ± 2.1° versus 89.1 ± 1.6° in the control group (p < 0.01). The tibial slope in the accelerometer group was 90.0 ± 1.9° versus 89.9 ± 1.3° in the control group (not significant). The mean HKA was 177.7 ± 1.8° in the accelerometer group and 177.5 ± 2.2° in the control group (not significant). This accelerometer-based navigation system during TKA did not improve the accuracy of the tibial cut compared to the conventional technique, but it restored the tibial slope.
Numerical Analysis on the Optimisation of Thermal Comfort Levels in an Office Located inside a Historical Building
Authors: Palka Bayard de Volo Eleonora , Pulvirenti Beatrice , Jahanbin Aminhossein , Guidorzi Paolo , Semprini Giovanni
Published: February 2023

The present study examines the possibility of thermal comfort optimisation inside an office room where, due to historical heritage, it is possible to modify neither the energetic characteristic of the envelope nor the position of the inlet air vents. The distribution of global and local thermal comfort indices is evaluated in both heating and cooling conditions by establishing a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model validated against experimental data. The obtained results demonstrate a striking asymmetry of the air velocity and temperature distribution due to the low energy efficiency of the building. In heating mode, the predicted mean vote (PMV) values were improved if the discharged air from the fan coil was at its maximal velocity. However, at the same time, the vertical air temperature gradient increased by around 0.5 °C in each working station. In the cooling condition, in the absence of the solar radiation, the minimal air-flow rate satisfied the acceptable range of the draught rate (DR), whereas in the presence of a solar load, it could not meet the required cooling load in all positions, leading to higher floor temperature. The findings of this study allow for identifying and rearranging the optimal position of working stations in terms of thermal comfort.
Fluorescence Masking Based Multifunctional Quantum Dots’ Assay for HSP90α Interactions Detection
Authors: Kishore Anusha , Fan Lu , Stahl Frank , Reichel Thomas , Krüger Karsten , Zeilinger Carsten
Published: February 2023

HSP90α is one of the most common stress proteins in cells; hence, it is a good target for developing drugs and testing systems for cancer or physical stress levels in humans. Streptavidin conjugated quantum dots (Sav-QDs) are widely used as fluorophores for biosensing to overcome chemical labelling problems. In this work, we have attempted to develop a multifunctional and robust assay for HSP90α. The detection technique was based on the masking of the fluorescence of spotted Sav-QDs on nitrocellulose chips (NC). Biotinylated ligand/antibody attaches to the spotted Sav-QD and then HSP90α is attached, which causes the masking of fluorescence. The masking of fluorescence was used to detect protein–ligand interactions, the effect of inhibitors, protein–protein interactions, and the presence of protein in the biological sample. The load of detection (LoD) of the assay lies in the nano molar range, making it a sensitive assay. The results from the experiments suggest that the used approach is promising for developing a multifunctional, robust, and sensitive assay for proteins that can be used for point-of-care detection in complex biological samples.
Removal of Riprap within Channelized Rivers: A Solution for the Restoration of Lateral Channel Dynamics and Bedload Replenishment?
Authors: Arfeuillère Anaïs , Steiger Johannes , Gautier Emmanuèle , Petit Stéphane , Roussel Erwan , Vautier Franck , Voldoire Olivier , Saillard Julien
Published: February 2023

Riverbank erosion is an essential morphodynamic process for the improvement of river health and the ecohydrogeomorphological functioning of alluvial rivers. Lateral channel dynamics and sediment supply caused by bank erosion largely create and maintain heterogeneous in-channel habitats for fauna and aquatic or riparian plant species. However, humans very early started to stabilize riverbanks in order to favour navigation or to prevent valuable land and infrastructures close to the channel from eroding. During the 20th century, bank protection works such as riprap considerably increased and blocked lateral channel erosion, causing a loss of local sediment supply, which in turn resulted in a decrease in local bedload transport and channel incision. The aim of the article is to evaluate to what extent riprap removal may be an efficient restoration measure in terms of the reactivation of bank erosion and the replenishment of the local bedload in gravel-bed floodplain rivers with a sufficient amount of freedom space. An experimental in situ restoration approach was chosen. First, riprap was removed at two geomorphologically contrasting sites on the Allier River, France. Second, bank retreat was monitored, and the volumes eroded were quantified using photogrammetric and LiDAR surveys. Third, in the case of post-restoration bank erosion, grain size and morphological channel evolution analyses were carried out. Our results suggested that the removal of riprap is an effective measure for certain but not all channelized floodplain reaches. The geomorphological and sedimentary contexts are two criteria that should be considered when selecting sites for restoration. Thus, this study helps river managers to better target the criteria to be taken into account for the selection of sites with high potential for the restoration of lateral channel dynamics.
Vertical Machining Center Feed Axis Thermal Error Compensation Strategy Research
Authors: Huang Bo , Xie Jiacheng , Liu Xiang , Yan Jiawei , Liu Kang , Yang Ming
Published: February 2023

CNC machine tools are a measure of national manufacturing and comprehensive national strength and how to reduce CNC machine errors in modern industry has received much attention from all walks of life. The thermal deformation of the feed axis of CNC machine tools is affected by the machine’s structure, installation, material properties, motion position, working conditions, and environmental temperature. Therefore, adopting a single thermal error model to the compensation implementation needs is difficult under changing motion parameters. In this paper, VMC655H is used as the research object and an embedded system is used as the control core. The model classification method is based on the approximate matching of the motion parameters of the thermal error model. Dynamic loading technology is used to fit multiple thermal error models as a technical means to reduce the impact of the machine feed axis’s thermal deformation on the positioning accuracy during the manufacturing process. The thermal error classification model for machine tool feed axes with variable motion parameters in an embedded environment can classify, identify, and load compensation device models within a limited range of motion parameters. This strategy can determine the current operating environment and compensate for the poor adaptability of a single thermal error model. The study of the actual operation effect of the compensation device under this strategy shows that the compensation strategy proposed in this paper can compensate for the thermal deformation of the ball screw feed axis under variable motion, and the X-axis positioning accuracy of its feed system can be improved by 53.11%. This study provides a new idea for the compensation method for thermogenic errors in machine tools.
Nonlinear Transport and Magnetic/Magneto-Optical Properties of Cox(MgF2)100-x Nanostructures
Authors: Ivkov Sergey A. , Barkov Konstantin A. , Domashevskaya Evelina P. , Ganshina Elena A. , Goloshchapov Dmitry L. , Ryabtsev Stanislav V. , Sitnikov Alexander V. , Seredin Pavel V.
Published: February 2023

The aim of this work was to comprehensively study the effect of the variable atomic composition and structural-phase state of Cox(MgF2)100-x nanocomposites on their nonlinear transport and magnetic/magneto-optical properties. Micrometer-thick nanocomposite layers on glass substrates were obtained by means of ion-beam sputtering of a composite target in the argon atmosphere in a wide range of compositions (x = 16–59 at.%). Using a low metal content in the nanocomposite, magnesium fluoride was kept in the nanocrystalline state. As the metal content increased, nanocrystalline cobalt was formed. The value of the resistive percolation threshold, xper = 37 at.%, determined from the concentration dependences of the electrical resistance of the nanocomposites coincided with the beginning of nucleation of the metallic nanocrystals in the MgF2 dielectric matrix. The absolute value of the maximum negative magnetoresistive effect in the nanocomposites was 5% in a magnetic field of 5.5 kG at a Co concentration of x = 27 at.%.
Extraction of Impermeable Surfaces Based on Multi-Source Nighttime Light Images of Different Geomorphological Partitions
Authors: Zhang Jiashuo , Zhou Zhongfa , Huang Denghong
Published: February 2023

Accurate extraction of impermeable surfaces is important for assessing land use change and improving the urban heat island effect. Nighttime light imagery has the advantage of being efficient and cost effective, providing a new perspective for monitoring and extracting impermeable surfaces and analyzing urban expansion processes. However, for the vast Karst terrain fragmentation area located in southwest China, the extraction of impermeable surface information faces many challenges due to surface landscape fragmentation and nighttime light image resolution. These challenges include light spillover, oversaturation and limited understanding of spatial links with surface types at fine scales. This study uses Luojia1-01, NPP-VIIRS, and Flint as remote sensing data sources to examine the applicability of nighttime light images in extracting impermeable surfaces from geomorphologically complex areas. The results show that Luojia1-01 data can provide finer spatial details and more accurate impermeable surface extraction results than NPP-VIIRS and Flint data. The relative error of extracted area in regions with large topographic relief is higher than that in regions with flat topographic cuttings. The extraction results of the three images are spatially similar; however, the overall accuracy is poor, and a single nighttime light image is not the best solution for obtaining impermeable surface information in large scale terrain fragmentation areas. However, the integrated application of multi-source light images is a trend for future regional research and development, and the best way to extract impermeable surfaces in complex terrain areas should be explored in conjunction with other remote sensing data sources in the future.
Characteristics of Resonant Tunneling in Nanostructures with Spacer Layers
Authors: Grishakov Konstantin , Katin Konstantin , Maslov Mikhail
Published: February 2023

The effect of spacer layers on electron transport through two-barrier nanostructures was studied using the numerical solution of the time-dependent Schrodinger–Poisson equations with exact discrete open boundary conditions. The formulation of the problem took into account both the active region consisting of a quantum well and barriers, as well as the presence of highly doped contact layers and spacer layers. The use of the time formulation of the problem avoids the divergence of the numerical solution, which is usually observed when solving a stationary system of the Schrodinger–Poisson equations at small sizes of spacer layers. It is shown that an increase in the thickness of the emitter spacer leads to a decrease in the peak current through the resonant tunneling nanostructures. This is due to the charge accumulation effects, which, in particular, lead to a change in the potential in an additional quantum well formed in the emitter spacer region when a constant electric field is applied. The valley current also decreases as the thickness of the emitter spacer increases. The peak current and valley current are weakly dependent on the thickness of the collector spacer. The collector spacer thickness has a strong effect on the applied peak and valley voltages. The above features are valid for all three different resonant tunneling nanostructures considered in this study. For the RTD structures based on Al0.3Ga0.7As/GaAs, the optimized peak current value Ipmax = 5.6 × 109 A/m2 and the corresponding applied voltage Vp = 0.44 V. For the RTD structures based on AlAs/In0.8Ga0.2As, Ipmax = 14.5 × 109 A/m2 (Vp = 0.54 V); for RTD structures based on AlAs/In0.53Ga0.47As, Ipmax = 45.5 × 109 A/m2 (Vp = 1.75 V).
Influence of Biological Maturation Status on Kinanthropometric Characteristics, Physical Fitness and Diet in Adolescent Male Handball Players
Authors: Romero-García David , Vaquero-Cristóbal Raquel , Albaladejo-Saura Mario , Esparza-Ros Francisco , Martínez-Sanz José Miguel
Published: February 2023

The aims of this research were to analyze the differences in kinanthropometric characteristics and physical performance as a function of biological maturation, as well as to analyze these differences with the inclusion of the covariates age, maturity offset and diet, and to know how the players were classified according to BMI z-score. Seventy-three handball players (mean age: 14.17 ± 0.61) underwent a kinanthropometric assessment, physical performance tests and self-completed the KIDMED questionnaire. The sample was divided into three groups based on age at peak height velocity (APHV). Significant differences were found for basic measurements, BMI, BMI z-score, Cormic Index, muscle mass, medicine ball throw and SJ jump (p < 0.000–0.048), with early maturers having the highest values. All covariates included had a determinant influence on the kinanthropometric characteristics (p < 0.000–0.014), and both age and maturity offset showed significant differences in most physical tests (p < 0.000–0.033), so these covariates should be considered in evaluations to predict the future performance of players. Finally, significant differences were found between the biological maturation groups in the distribution of the BMI classification, with the normal-weight grade being the predominant one.
Plasma-Activated Tap Water Production and Its Application in Atomization Disinfection
Authors: Xiao Ao , Liu Dawei , Li Yan
Published: February 2023

Plasma-activated tap water (PATW) is a new technology for obtaining a high concentration of active aqueous plasma substances by discharging underwater. Commonly plasma-activated water (PAW) is realized by activating deionized water or distilled water, which has problems such as high cost, a small discharge area, and insufficient dissolution of active substances. This paper reports the development of a dielectric barrier discharge array to generate a high concentration of active aqueous plasma substances. The device can realize a uniform, stable, and large-area discharge in a large volume of tap water, and it has the advantages of low cost, high integration, and reusability. Using the device to treat 1000 mL of tap water for 1 h can reduce the pH of the tap water from 8.10 to 2.54, and the logarithmic value of killing E. coli is greater than 5.0. We sprayed PATW onto clothes to sterilize the bacteria when people were through the disinfection door and verified that the PATW had a good sterilization effect. The short-lived substances, singlet oxygen, and superoxide anion radicals played a key role in the sterilization process by PATW.
Comparative Study of the Presence of Heavy Metals in Edible Vegetable Oils
Authors: González-Torres Pablo , Puentes Juan G. , Moya Alberto J. , La Rubia M. Dolores
Published: February 2023

Currently, the processes of obtaining and producing food as well as consumption habits give rise to new challenges for food safety. The presence of heavy metals in edible vegetable oils has harmful effects for humans. In this study, the scientific literature which reports the presence of heavy metals in different types of vegetable oils was analysed. More than 25 heavy metals are evaluated in 35 different oils from 24 countries. The widely studied metals are Cd, Pb, Cu, and Fe in olive oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, and corn oils, mainly in Brazil, Turkey, China, Iran, and India. Likewise, the presence of Antimony (Sb) as a product of migration from PET containers to edible vegetable oils is a topic of great interest in recent years. Additionally, the different analytical techniques used for this purpose and the standards are analysed. This study highlights the main findings and challenges in this research field.
Seville, a Cultured and Influential Court: The Palace of Ibn ‘Abbād
Authors: González Cavero Ignacio
Published: February 2023

The palace of Ibn ‘Abbād has long been the subject of study by numerous specialists, amongst whom its possible location has been considered to be the current site of the Reales Alcázares of Seville (Royal Palace and Fortress of Seville). The results derived from the archaeological interventions carried out in several sectors of this palatine complex have led us to undertake a review of all those studies that have dealt with this issue, to which we must add the rigorous analysis of the documentary sources to which we have access. In this sense, we intend to show the importance that this palace had between the 11th and 13th centuries, as well as its relationship with the rest of the official and residential spaces that make up the Alcazar of Seville. This made it necessary to return to the initial discussion regarding its location and to answer some questions that remain open to this day.
Early 21st Century Trends of Temperature Extremes over the Northwest Himalayas
Authors: Rahim Akif , Wang Xiuquan , Javed Neelam , Aziz Farhan , Jahangir Amina , Khurshid Tahira
Published: February 2023

The rising intensity and frequency of extreme temperature events are caused due to climate change and are likely to affect the entire world. In this context, the Himalayas are reported to be very sensitive to changes in temperature extremes. In this study, we investigate the variability of temperature extremes over the Northwest Himalayas in the early 21st century (2000–2018). Here, we used 14 temperature indices recommended by ETCCDI (Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices). The present study reveals the trends of extreme temperature indices on the spatial scale for the western part of the Northwest Himalayas. The 14 temperature indices were used to assess the behavior of extreme temperature trends with their significance. This study reports that the northwestern region of the study area has a cooling effect due to an increase in the trends of cold spells, cold days/nights, and frost days, while the southwestern region significantly shows the warming effects due to the increasing trends in warm spells, warm days/nights, and summer days. On the other hand, the eastern region of the study area shows mixed behavior, i.e., some places show warm effects while some reveal cold effects in the early 21st century. Overall, this study implies the northwestern parts have cooling trends while the southwestern and southeastern parts have warming trends during the early 21st century.