bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Virulence-Linked Mutations in Rubredoxin Reductase and Glutaredoxin: Impact on Antibiotic Susceptibility and Phage Therapy in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Sá Sara , Silva Carina , Dias Maria Clara , Veiga Marlene , Lopes Sofia , Fernandes Ruben , Rocha Ana Catarina , Pais Patrick J. , Oliveira Marco , Mendes João , Novais Gonçalo , Luís Carla , Gestoso Álvaro , Macedo José Mário , Martins-Mendes Daniela , Pereira Ana Cláudia , Baylina Pilar
Published: October 2023

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1) is an opportunistic pathogen, lethal in immunocompromised individuals. The clinical management of PAO1 infections still depends deeply on antibiotic therapy. However, this therapy has been alarmingly overpowered by growing bacterial resistance mechanisms over the years. One of these bacterial mechanisms is quorum sensing (QS). QS is involved in the production of biofilm, rhamnolipids and pyocyanin, among other factors. The present study aimed to study the effect of the mutations in the genes of rubredoxin (Rub A1 and Rub A2) and glutaredoxin (GLRx) in the production of virulence traits and susceptibility of PAO1 to the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (CIP) and to infection by a phage cocktail. Rub A1, Rub A2, and GLRx showed a decrease in the expression of genes lasI, lasR, mvfR, and rpsL when compared to the wild type, PAO1. Rub A1 and Rub A2 also showed a decrease in the expression of the gene pqsA, while the mutant GLRx showed an increase of over 200% in expression compared to PAO1. The biofilm produced by the mutants Rub A1, Rub A2, and GLRx increased more than 1.5 times in comparison to PAO1, with statistical significance (p < 0.0001). In the viability assay, the mutant strain Rub A2 was the most susceptible to ciprofloxacin in both concentrations tested (p < 0.0001). The production of proteases increased in the mutant strains when compared to PAO1 (p < 0.05). However, there was a decrease in the production of rhamnolipids and pyocyanins in the mutant strains. In the phage assay, we could perceive a reduction in the growth of the mutant strains when compared to PAO1. Additionally, after the addition of the phages, all the strains showed susceptibility to the phage assay (p < 0.0001), observed in the decrease in the absorbance values. These results may highlight the relevance of the genes Rub A1, Rub A2, and GLRX in the proliferation and treatment of infections with PAO1. Overall, this study gives preliminary insights into how gene expression may be helpful in strategies to overcome antibiotic resistance.
A Numerical Study on the Cement Slurry Penetration Performance of the Cyclic Grouting Method with High-Frequency Pulsating Pressure
Authors: Li Yongfeng , Chen Xiaobin , Li Jianzhong , Tang Lubo , Lin Fantong , Zhang Xinxin
Published: October 2023

The performance of traditional steady grouting is sometimes limited; therefore, a new high-frequency pulsed grouting method is proposed. Through the CFD method, this paper studies the cement slurry penetration performance of cyclic grouting under the influence of pulsating pressure and steady pressure. Firstly, the penetration shape and flow fields of the two grouting methods are investigated. Secondly, the effects of pulsation parameters on penetration performance are studied. Finally, the influence of various working conditions, such as soil properties, grout parameters, grouting pipe length, and back pressure, on penetration distance is also investigated. The results show that pulsating grouting achieves better penetration performance compared with steady pressure grouting. With the increase in frequency, pulsating grouting exhibits superior performance, while with the increase in pulsation amplitude, the penetration distance initially increases and then decreases. This is because part of the pulsating pressure is lower than the back pressure, which weakens the pulsating effect. As viscosity and back pressure increase and as porosity and particle size decrease, the proportion of lateral diffusion in pulsating grouting relative to steady pressure grouting increases. This indicates that lateral penetration performance achieves optimal results under high-flow-resistance conditions. However, when the flow resistance becomes excessively high, the vertical penetration distance may be affected. This study is expected to improve the grouting efficiency and provide a better understanding of pulsating grouting design and operation.
Prediction of Key Parameters of Wheelset Based on LSTM Neural Network
Authors: Ye Duo , Wen Jing , Zheng Shubin , Zhong Qianwen , Pei Wanrong , Jia Hongde , Zhou Chuanping , Gong Youping
Published: October 2023

As a key component of rail vehicle operation, the running condition of the wheelset significantly affects the operational safety of track vehicles. The wheel diameter, flange thickness, and flange height are key dimensional parameters of the wheelset, which directly influence the correct position of wheelsets on the track, and the train needs to be continuously monitored during the passenger operation. A prediction model for the key parameters of the wheelset is established based on LSTM (long short-term memory) neural network, and real measured data of wheelsets from the Shanghai Metro vehicles are selected. The predicted results of the model are compared and analyzed, and the results show that the LSTM-based prediction model for key parameters of wheelsets performs well, with the mean absolute percentage errors (MAPEs) for wheel diameter, flange thickness, and flange height being 0.08%, 0.42%, and 0.44%, respectively, for the left wheel and 0.07%, 0.35%, and 0.44%, respectively, for the right wheel. The prediction model for the train wheelset parameters established in this paper has a good prediction accuracy. By predicting the key parameters of the wheelset, the faults and causes of the wheelset can be found and determined, which is helpful for engineers to overhaul the wheelset faults, make maintenance plans, and perform preventive maintenance.
Analysis of Bifurcation Vibrations of an Industrial Robot Arm System with Joints Compliance
Authors: Gierlak Piotr , Warmiński Jerzy
Published: October 2023

This paper deals with the analysis of nonlinear vibration phenomena in the arm system of an industrial robot. The presented mathematical model of the robot takes into account the flexibility of the joints, which results in low-frequency vibrations in the arm. The study of vibration phenomena has been carried out using analytical, numerical and experimental methods. Special attention has been paid to bifurcation phenomena. The influence of two bifurcation parameters on the behaviour of the robot arm was studied. It was shown that the amplitude and frequency of the harmonic excitation create a nonlinear effect on the vibration amplitudes of the links. In bifurcation regions, the vibration amplitudes can even differ several times depending on the direction of changes in the bifurcation parameter. In general, the results indicate that, contrary to common practice, it is worth paying attention to nonlinear phenomena when analysing robot vibrations.
Effect of Source Emission Control Measures on Source of Atmospheric PM2.5 during “Parade Blue” Period
Authors: Xie Yangyang , Gao Yan , Ge Antong
Published: October 2023

During the “Parade Blue” period in 2015, Beijing and its surrounding areas implemented mandatory temporary source control strategies, which provided experimental conditions for studying the effects of source emission control measures on the sources of atmospheric PM2.5. Analyzing the source contribution rate of the main particulate matters via the source analysis method of the receptor model is an important method for studying the atmospheric pollution. Previous studies on the “Parade Blue” period only discussed the change in PM2.5 concentration during the source control period and the source non-control period, but did not select appropriate emission sources and acceptor components to analyze the contribution ratio of each emission source to fine particulate matter pollution. In this paper, based on the receptor component spectrum and emission source component spectrum, the chemical mass balance receptor model was used for source analysis. The results showed that outdoor PM2.5 concentration was 26.31 μg/m3 in the source control period, which was less than the 40.08 μg/m3 in the source non-control period. In the source control period, motor vehicle emissions, industrial combustion and urban fugitive dust contributed significantly to the fine particulate pollution, accounting for 76–81%, 8–9% and 11–16%, respectively. In the source non-control period, the contributions of motor vehicle emissions and industrial combustion accounted for 57–59% and 41–43%, respectively, significantly higher than that of urban fugitive dust, which accounted for less than 2%. The correlation between the contribution rate of emission sources and the source control strategy was studied and analyzed during the “Parade Blue” period, and the effectiveness of the source control strategy was proved.
A Low-Cost Wireless Sensor Network for Barn Climate and Emission Monitoring—Intermediate Results
Authors: Janke David , Bornwin Michael , Coorevits Kobe , Hempel Sabrina , van Overbeke Philippe , Demeyer Peter , Rawat Aditya , Declerck Arnout , Amon Thomas , Amon Barbara
Published: October 2023

A barn’s climate is vital for animal welfare and emissions control, including greenhouse gases like methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) and environmental gases like ammonia (NH3). The goal of this study was to investigate a developed low-cost online tool for monitoring barn climate and air pollutant emissions (OTICE) in naturally ventilated barns. OTICE employed a wireless sensor network with low-cost sensors for gases and climate variables, allowing scalable use across multiple barns. We evaluated the sensors for CO2, NH3, and CH4 for accuracy, both in controlled lab conditions and in a dairy barn in Germany, where measurements were carried out continuously for a duration of 12 days. For the averaged concentration levels over the measurement period, the low-cost sensors agreed well with the reference system, with relative deviations lower than 7% for all three gases, with maximum peak deviations up to 32% for CO2, 67% for NH3, and 65% for CH4, with strong Spearman correlations for CO2 and NH3 (ρCO2 = 0.8, ρNH3 = 0.68) and a rather weak correlation for CH4 with ρCH4 = 0.24. Further calibration and stability investigations are required, especially for CH4 sensing. However, the overall good results for NH3 and especially CO2 measurements indicate a huge potential of the low-cost system as a valuable tool for monitoring relative NH3 emission levels and the measurement of air exchange rates in naturally ventilated barns.
Online State-of-Health Estimation for Fast-Charging Lithium-Ion Batteries Based on a Transformer–Long Short-Term Memory Neural Network
Authors: Fan Yuqian , Li Yi , Zhao Jifei , Wang Linbing , Yan Chong , Wu Xiaoying , Zhang Pingchuan , Wang Jianping , Gao Guohong , Wei Liangliang
Published: October 2023

With the rapid development of machine learning and cloud computing, deep learning methods based on big data have been widely applied in the assessment of lithium-ion battery health status. However, enhancing the accuracy and robustness of assessment models remains a challenge. This study introduces an innovative T-LSTM prediction network. Initially, a one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1DCNN) is employed to effectively extract local and global features from raw battery data, providing enriched inputs for subsequent networks. Subsequently, LSTM and transformer models are ingeniously combined to fully utilize their unique advantages in sequence modeling, further enhancing the accurate prediction of battery health status. Experiments were conducted using both proprietary and open-source datasets, and the results validated the accuracy and robustness of the proposed method. The experimental results on the proprietary dataset show that the T-LSTM-based estimation method exhibits excellent performance in various evaluation metrics, with MSE, RMSE, MAE, MAPE, and MAXE values of 0.43, 0.66, 0.53, 0.58, and 1.65, respectively. The performance improved by 30–50% compared to that of the other models. The method demonstrated superior performance in comparative experiments, offering novel insights for optimizing intelligent battery management and maintenance strategies.
Characterization of a Human Neuronal Culture System for the Study of Cofilin–Actin Rod Pathology
Authors: Tahtamouni Lubna H. , Alderfer Sydney A. , Kuhn Thomas B. , Minamide Laurie S. , Chanda Soham , Ruff Michael R. , Bamburg James R.
Published: October 2023

Cofilactin rod pathology, which can initiate synapse loss, has been extensively studied in rodent neurons, hippocampal slices, and in vivo mouse models of human neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In these systems, rod formation induced by disease-associated factors, such as soluble oligomers of Amyloid-β (Aβ) in AD, utilizes a pathway requiring cellular prion protein (PrPC), NADPH oxidase (NOX), and cytokine/chemokine receptors (CCR5 and/or CXCR4). However, rod pathways have not been systematically assessed in a human neuronal model. Here, we characterize glutamatergic neurons differentiated from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for the formation of rods in response to activators of the PrPC-dependent pathway. Optimization of substratum, cell density, and use of glial-conditioned medium yielded a robust system for studying the development of Aβ-induced rods in the absence of glia, suggesting a cell-autonomous pathway. Rod induction in younger neurons requires ectopic expression of PrPC, but this dependency disappears by Day 55. The quantification of proteins within the rod-inducing pathway suggests that increased PrPC and CXCR4 expression may be factors in the doubling of the rod response to Aβ between Days 35 and 55. FDA-approved antagonists to CXCR4 and CCR5 inhibit the rod response. Rods were predominantly observed in dendrites, although severe cytoskeletal disruptions prevented the assignment of over 40% of the rods to either an axon or dendrite. In the absence of glia, a condition in which rods are more readily observed, neurons mature and fire action potentials but do not form functional synapses. However, PSD95-containing dendritic spines associate with axonal regions of pre-synaptic vesicles containing the glutamate transporter, VGLUT1. Thus, our results identified stem cell-derived neurons as a robust model for studying cofilactin rod formation in a human cellular environment and for developing effective therapeutic strategies for the treatment of dementias arising from multiple proteinopathies with different rod initiators.
Mechanical, Chloride Permeation, and Freeze–Thaw Resistance of Recycled Micronized Powder Polypropylene-Fiber-Engineered Cementitious Composites
Authors: Zheng Lei , Zhou Jinzhi
Published: October 2023

Research on engineered cementitious composites was carried out using recycled micronized powder from waste construction waste as a substitute for cement. Consequently, this paper focuses on the investigation of recycled micronized powder (RMP) as the subject of study. Using RMP-PP-ECCA0 as the control group, we explored the impact of polypropylene fiber content (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%) and the substitution rate of RMP (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%) on the mechanical properties, resistance to chloride ion penetration, and freeze–thaw durability of recycled micronized powder polypropylene-fiber-engineered cementitious composites (RMP-PP-ECCs). It was found that, with the increase in RMP substitution rate and fiber content, the mechanical, chloride ion permeation, and freeze–thaw resistance of recycled micronized powder polypropylene-fiber-engineered cementitious composites showed a trend of increasing and then decreasing when the RMP substitution rate was 10%, and the fiber content was 1.5%; the compressive, tensile, chloride ion permeation, and freeze–thaw resistance of recycled micronized powder polypropylene-fiber-engineered cementitious composites were most obviously improved. Compressive strength performance increased by 18.8%, tensile strength performance increased by 80.8%, maximum tensile strain increased by 314%, and electrical flux decreased by 56.3%. Meanwhile, when the recycled micronized powder substitution rate was 10%, the fiber content was 1%, with the most obvious improvement in flexural and freeze–thaw cycle resistance, compared with the control group 28 d flexural strength increased by 22%, after 150 freeze–thaw cycles, the mass-loss rate was reduced by 26%, and the relative dynamic elastic modulus was improved by 4%. In addition, the chemical composition of the regenerated microfractions and the defects in the matrix of the fracture surface of the tensile specimens, the distribution of polypropylene fibers, the surface morphology, and the failure mode were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.
Oligometastatic Disease (OMD): The Classification and Practical Review of Prospective Trials
Authors: Izmailov Timur , Ryzhkin Sergey , Borshchev Gleb , Boichuk Sergei
Published: October 2023

Oligometastatic disease (OMD) is currently known as an intermediate state of cancer, characterized by a limited number of systemic metastatic lesions for which local ablative therapy could be curative. Indeed, data from multiple clinical trials have illustrated an increase in overall survival (OS) for cancer patients when local ablative therapy was included in the systemic adjuvant therapy. Given that no driver and somatic mutations specific to OMD are currently established, the diagnosis of OMD is mainly based on the results of X-ray studies. In 2020, 20 international experts from the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) developed a comprehensive system for the characterization and classification of OMD. They identified 17 OMD characteristics that needed to be assessed in all patients who underwent radical local treatment. These characteristics reflect the tumor biology and clinical features of the disease underlying the development of OMD independently of the primary tumor type and the number of metastatic lesions. In particular, the system involves the characteristics of the primary tumor (e.g., localization, histology, TNM stage, mutational status, specific tumor markers), clinical parameters (e.g., disease-free interval, treatment-free interval), therapies (e.g., local, radical or palliative treatment, the numbers of the therapeutic regimens), and type of OMD (e.g., invasive). Based on the aforementioned criteria, an algorithm was introduced into the clinic to classify OMDs collectively according to their nomenclature. A history of polymetastatic disease (PMD) prior to OMD is used as a criterion to delineate between induced OMD (previous history of PMD after successful therapy) and genuine OMD (no history of PMD). Genuine OMD is divided into two states: recurrent OMD (i.e., after a previous history of OMD) and de novo OMD (i.e., a first newly diagnosed oligometastatic disease). de novo OMD is differentiated into synchronous and metachronous forms depending on the length of time from the primary diagnosis to the first evidence of OMD. In the case of synchronous OMD, this period is less than 6 months. Lastly, metachronous and induced OMD are divided into oligorecurrence, oligoprogression, and oligopersistence, depending on whether OMD is firstly diagnosed during an absence (oligo recurrence) or presence (oligoprogression or oligopersistence) of active systemic therapy. This classification and nomenclature of OMD are evaluated prospectively in the OligoCare study. In this article, we present a practical review of the current concept of OMD and discuss the available prospective clinical trials and potential future directions.
Investigating the Role of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes as Predictors of Lymph Node Metastasis in Deep Submucosal Invasive Colorectal Cancer: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Tamari Hirosato , Kitadai Yasuhiko , Takigawa Hidehiko , Yuge Ryo , Urabe Yuji , Shimamoto Fumio , Oka Shiro
Published: October 2023

The role of tumor-infiltrating T cells (TILs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) and their significance in early-stage CRC remain unknown. We investigated the role of TILs in early-stage CRC, particularly in deep submucosal invasive (T1b) CRC. Sixty patients with CRC (20 each with intramucosal [IM group], submucosal invasive [SM group], and advanced cancer [AD group]) were randomly selected. We examined changes in TILs with tumor invasion and the relationship between TILs and LN metastasis risk. Eighty-four patients with T1b CRC who underwent initial surgical resection with LN dissection or additional surgical resection with LN dissection after endoscopic resection were then selected. TIL phenotype and number were evaluated using triple immunofluorescence for CD4, CD8, and Foxp3. All subtypes were more numerous according to the degree of CRC invasion and more abundant at the invasive front of the tumor (IF) than in the center of the tumor (CT) in the SM and AD groups. The increased Foxp3 cells at the IF and high ratios of Foxp3/CD4 and Foxp3/CD8 positively correlated with LN metastasis. In conclusion, tumor invasion positively correlated with the number of TILs in CRC. The number and ratio of Foxp3 cells at the IF may predict LN metastasis in T1b CRC.
Gut Microbiota to Microglia: Microbiome Influences Neurodevelopment in the CNS
Authors: Bettag Jeffery , Goldenberg Daniel , Carter Jasmine , Morfin Sylvia , Borsotti Alison , Fox James , ReVeal Matthew , Natrop Dylan , Gosser David , Kolli Sree , Jain Ajay K.
Published: October 2023

The brain is traditionally viewed as an immunologically privileged site; however, there are known to be multiple resident immune cells that influence the CNS environment and are reactive to extra-CNS signaling. Microglia are an important component of this system, which influences early neurodevelopment in addition to modulating inflammation and regenerative responses to injury and infection. Microglia are influenced by gut microbiome-derived metabolites, both as part of their normal function and potentially in pathological patterns that may induce neurodevelopmental disabilities or behavioral changes. This review aims to summarize the mounting evidence indicating that, not only is the Gut–Brain axis mediated by metabolites and microglia throughout an organism’s lifetime, but it is also influenced prenatally by maternal microbiome and diet, which holds implications for both early neuropathology and neurodevelopment.
Investigation of the Gender-Specific Discourse about Online Learning during COVID-19 on Twitter Using Sentiment Analysis, Subjectivity Analysis, and Toxicity Analysis
Authors: Thakur Nirmalya , Cui Shuqi , Khanna Karam , Knieling Victoria , Duggal Yuvraj Nihal , Shao Mingchen
Published: October 2023

This paper presents several novel findings from a comprehensive analysis of about 50,000 Tweets about online learning during COVID-19, posted on Twitter between 9 November 2021 and 13 July 2022. First, the results of sentiment analysis from VADER, Afinn, and TextBlob show that a higher percentage of these Tweets were positive. The results of gender-specific sentiment analysis indicate that for positive Tweets, negative Tweets, and neutral Tweets, between males and females, males posted a higher percentage of the Tweets. Second, the results from subjectivity analysis show that the percentage of least opinionated, neutral opinionated, and highly opinionated Tweets were 56.568%, 30.898%, and 12.534%, respectively. The gender-specific results for subjectivity analysis indicate that females posted a higher percentage of highly opinionated Tweets as compared to males. However, males posted a higher percentage of least opinionated and neutral opinionated Tweets as compared to females. Third, toxicity detection was performed on the Tweets to detect different categories of toxic content—toxicity, obscene, identity attack, insult, threat, and sexually explicit. The gender-specific analysis of the percentage of Tweets posted by each gender for each of these categories of toxic content revealed several novel insights related to the degree, type, variations, and trends of toxic content posted by males and females related to online learning. Fourth, the average activity of males and females per month in this context was calculated. The findings indicate that the average activity of females was higher in all months as compared to males other than March 2022. Finally, country-specific tweeting patterns of males and females were also performed which presented multiple novel insights, for instance, in India, a higher percentage of the Tweets about online learning during COVID-19 were posted by males as compared to females.
Re-Imagining Education for All Children
Authors: McConkey Roy , McKenzie Judith
Published: October 2023

Universal education is an elusive goal in many countries, especially for disabled children. Nonetheless, determined efforts around the globe have shown that it can become a reality once existing systems were re-imagined by practitioners who arguably have been to the fore more so than academic researchers. Their efforts have identified new ways of thinking about children’s disabilities, the introduction of new practices in schools, forging partnerships between teachers and parents and mobilising community resources. Societal change is both a consequence of and a support to these local systems. The complexity of creating education for all may be daunting, but it is achievable when driven by committed, creative and inspirational leadership from practitioners, as is evident from the examples provided in this paper, which were further validated by research and evaluation into their efforts.
An Improved Method for Swing State Estimation in Multirotor Slung Load Applications
Authors: de Angelis Emanuele Luigi , Giulietti Fabrizio
Published: October 2023

A method is proposed to estimate the swing state of a suspended payload in multirotor drone delivery scenarios. Starting from the equations of motion of the coupled slung load system, defined by two point masses interconnected by a rigid link, a recursive algorithm is developed to estimate cable swing angle and rate from acceleration measurements available from an onboard Inertial Measurement Unit, without the need for extra sensors. The estimation problem is addressed according to the Extended Kalman Filter structure. With respect to the classical linear formulation, the proposed approach allows for improved estimation accuracy in both stationary and maneuvering flight. As an additional contribution, filter performance is enhanced by accounting for aerodynamic disturbance force, which largely affects the estimation accuracy in windy flight conditions. The validity of the proposed methodology is demonstrated as follows. First, it is applied to an octarotor platform where propellers are modeled according to blade element theory and the load is suspended by an elastic cable. Numerical simulations show that estimated swing angle and rate represent suitable feedback variables for payload stabilization, with benefits on flying qualities and energy demand. The algorithm is finally implemented on a small-scale quadrotor and is investigated through an outdoor experimental campaign, thus proving the effectiveness of the approach in a real application scenario.
Variation in the Basic Density of Woods Produced in the Brazilian Semiarid Region Subjected to Different Irrigation Regimes
Authors: Santos Márcia Ellen Chagas dos , Melo Rafael Rodolfo de , Correia Diva , Sousa João Alencar de , Santos Alisson Moura , Silva Ana Karla Vieira da , Paula Edgley Alves de Oliveira , Alves Allyson Rocha , Scatolino Mário Vanoli , Rusch Fernando , Mascarenhas Adriano Reis Prazeres , Pimenta Alexandre Santos , Stangerlin Diego Martins
Published: October 2023

The present work aimed to evaluate the wood of fourteen genetic materials (nine species, between native and exotic, and five clones of Eucalyptus) cultivated under two post-planting irrigation regimes in the Brazilian semiarid region. For each genotype, six trees (11 years old) were selected and subjected to two initial irrigation regimes (up to 12 months and up to 36 months) after planting. Discs of different stem heights were taken: 0% (base), breast height (DBH), 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%. Samples were extracted along the radial axis of each disk at three regions (the pith-adjacent region, intermediate region, and bark-adjacent region). Samples were subsequently saturated in water to determine their density via the water displacement method. The irrigation systems caused changes in the pattern of radial and longitudinal variation in the clones regarding the proportion of woody material in the stem. Among the native species, Angico stood out with a high density and little juvenile wood, and Pau d’arco, with a low density and a high rate of juvenile wood. Among the exotic species, Nim presented a high density and a low rate of juvenile wood, and Chichá presented a high rate of juvenile wood and a low density. In the Eucalyptus hybrids, VE38 stood out with a high density. Overall, there was an influence from irrigation management, observed with greater intensity in exotic species for Mahogany and Acacia and for the VE41 and AEC1528 clones of Eucalyptus. The values of basic densities in the trees varied from 0.35 to 0.85 g·cm−3. There was good adaptation of native and exotic species and clones to the planting area in the Semiarid region.
Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Logging Contractors in Sweden: A Survey on Personnel Absenteeism, Safety Measures and Economic Impacts
Authors: Kronholm Thomas
Published: October 2023

Forestry contractors perform the majority of forestry work in Sweden. Many contractors have small financial margins and may therefore be sensitive to disturbances. Recent years have been extraordinary due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the objective of this study was to clarify how Swedish logging contractors were affected by it. In 2022, a survey was sent to 1175 companies registered to perform logging, and finally, the responses of 205 contractors were analyzed. The results show that 32% of the contractors experienced a higher absence of personnel during the pandemic. A correlation between the number of employees and the degree to which the company suffered from personnel absenteeism was identified. The majority of contractors implemented safety measures to reduce the risk of infection, usually concerning personal hygiene and social contacts in the workplace. At the time of the study, 51% of the logging contractors perceived that their financial situation was worse than before the pandemic, with those primarily engaged in logging having been hit harder than those with a more varied range of services. The study concludes that, overall, the contractors seem to have handled the pandemic quite well, but high fuel prices and inflation pose major challenges to their finances.
Reinforcement Learning vs. Computational Intelligence: Comparing Service Management Approaches for the Cloud Continuum
Authors: Poltronieri Filippo , Stefanelli Cesare , Tortonesi Mauro , Zaccarini Mattia
Published: October 2023

Modern computing environments, thanks to the advent of enabling technologies such as Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC), effectively represent a Cloud Continuum, a capillary network of computing resources that extend from the Edge of the network to the Cloud, which enables a dynamic and adaptive service fabric. Efficiently coordinating resource allocation, exploitation, and management in the Cloud Continuum represents quite a challenge, which has stimulated researchers to investigate innovative solutions based on smart techniques such as Reinforcement Learning and Computational Intelligence. In this paper, we make a comparison of different optimization algorithms and a first investigation of how they can perform in this kind of scenario. Specifically, this comparison included the Deep Q-Network, Proximal Policy Optimization, Genetic Algorithms, Particle Swarm Optimization, Quantum-inspired Particle Swarm Optimization, Multi-Swarm Particle Optimization, and the Grey-Wolf Optimizer. We demonstrate how all approaches can solve the service management problem with similar performance—with a different sample efficiency—if a high number of samples can be evaluated for training and optimization. Finally, we show that, if the scenario conditions change, Deep-Reinforcement-Learning-based approaches can exploit the experience built during training to adapt service allocation according to the modified conditions.
Liquid and Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives Based on Cassava Starch and Gelatin Capsule Residue: Green Alternatives for the Packaging Industry
Authors: Monroy Yuliana , Rivero Sandra , García María Alejandra
Published: October 2023

Natural polymer-based adhesives are green alternatives, necessary to reduce the problems impacted by synthetic adhesives. Starch and gelatin have extraordinary potential for the synthesis of biobased adhesives. Citric acid (CA), a natural acid, induces the crosslinking and hydrolyzing of both gelatin and starch. In this sense, this work deals with the use of gelatin capsule residues as a promising material to produce biobased adhesives in combination with cassava starch in the presence of different CA concentrations characterizing their mechanical, physicochemical and microstructural properties. Depending on CA concentration, formulations adjusted to different applications can be obtained such as liquid and pressure-sensitive adhesive films. The inclusion of CA allows us not only to improve the applicability of the system since it modifies the flowability of the adhesives as evidenced by the observed changes in the viscosity (from 158.3 to 90.3 for formulations with 20 and 80% CA, respectively). In addition, mechanical profiles showed that the inclusion of CA increased the adhesive bond strength (from 2230.7 to 2638.7 for formulations with 20 and 80% CA, respectively). Structural modifications induced by CA in adhesive formulations were highlighted by ATR-FTIR analysis.
A New Technique for Solving a Nonlinear Integro-Differential Equation with Fractional Order in Complex Space
Authors: Shammaky Amnah E. , Youssef Eslam M. , Abdou Mohamed A. , ElBorai Mahmoud M. , ElSayed Wagdy G. , Taha Mai
Published: October 2023

This work aims to explore the solution of a nonlinear fractional integro-differential equation in the complex domain through the utilization of both analytical and numerical approaches. The demonstration of the existence and uniqueness of a solution is established under certain appropriate conditions with the use of Banach fixed point theorems. To date, no research effort has been undertaken to look into the solution of this integro equation, particularly due to its fractional order specification within the complex plane. The validation of the proposed methodology was performed by utilizing a novel strategy that involves implementing the Rationalized Haar wavelet numerical method with the application of the Bernoulli polynomial technique. The primary reason for choosing the proposed technique lies in its ability to transform the solution of the given nonlinear fractional integro-differential equation into a representation that corresponds to a linear system of algebraic equations. Furthermore, we conduct a comparative analysis between the outcomes obtained from the suggested method and those derived from the rationalized Haar wavelet method without employing any shared mathematical methodologies. In order to evaluate the precision and effectiveness of the proposed method, a series of numerical examples have been developed.
Analysis and Applications of Some New Fractional Integral Inequalities
Authors: Ramzan Sofia , Awan Muhammad Uzair , Dragomir Silvestru Sever , Bin-Mohsin Bandar , Noor Muhammad Aslam
Published: October 2023

This paper presents a novel parameterized fractional integral identity. By using this auxiliary result and the s-convexity property of the mapping, a series of fractional variants of certain classical inequalities, including Simpson’s, midpoint, and trapezoidal-type inequalities, have been derived. Additionally, some applications of our main outcomes to special means of real numbers have been explored. Moreover, we have derived a new generic numerical scheme for solving non-linear equations, demonstrating an application of our main results in numerical analysis.
Ultrasensitive Electroanalytical Detection of Pb2+ and H2O2 Using Bi and Fe—Based Nanoparticles Embedded into Porous Carbon Xerogel—The Influence of Nanocomposite Pyrolysis Temperatures
Authors: Rusu Mihai M. , Fort Carmen I. , Vulpoi Adriana , Barbu-Tudoran Lucian , Baia Monica , Cotet Liviu C. , Baia Lucian
Published: October 2023

Multifunctional materials based on carbon xerogel (CX) with embedded bismuth (Bi) and iron (Fe) nanoparticles are tested for ultrasensitive amperometric detection of lead cation (Pb2+) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The prepared CXBiFe-T nanocomposites were annealed at different pyrolysis temperatures (T, between 600 and 1050 °C) and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, N2 adsorption, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and electron microscopies (SEM/EDX and TEM). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWV) performed at glassy carbon (GC) electrodes modified with chitosan (Chi)-CXBiFe-T evidenced that GC/Chi-CXBiFe-1050 electrodes exhibit excellent analytical behavior for Pb2+ and H2O2 amperometric detection: high sensitivity for Pb2+ (9.2·105 µA/µM) and outstanding limits of detection (97 fM, signal-to-noise ratio 3) for Pb2+, and remarkable for H2O2 (2.51 µM). The notable improvements were found to be favored by the increase in pyrolysis temperature. Multi-scale parameters such as (i) graphitization, densification of carbon support, and oxide nanoparticle reduction and purification were considered key aspects in the correlation between material properties and electrochemical response, followed by other effects such as (ii) average nanoparticle and Voronoi domain dimensions and (iii) average CXBiFe-T aggregate dimension.
Identification of Molecular Mechanisms Responsible for the MMP-9-1562C/T Dependent Differential Regulation of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Expression in Human Neuron-like Cells
Authors: Pabian-Jewuła Sylwia , Ambrożek-Latecka Magdalena , Brągiel-Pieczonka Aneta , Nowicka Klaudia , Rylski Marcin
Published: October 2023

The MMP-9-1562C/T polymorphism exerts an impact on the occurrence and progression of numerous disorders affecting the central nervous system. Using luciferase assays and Q-RT-PCR technique, we have discovered a distinct allele-specific influence of the MMP-9-1562C/T polymorphism on the MMP-9 (Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase-9) promoter activity and the expression of MMP-9 mRNA in human neurons derived from SH-SY5Y cells. Subsequently, by employing a pull-down assay paired with mass spectrometry analysis, EMSA (Electromobility Shift Assay), and EMSA supershift techniques, as well as DsiRNA-dependent gene silencing, we have elucidated the mechanism responsible for the allele-specific impact of the MMP-9-1562C/T polymorphism on the transcriptional regulation of the MMP-9 gene. We have discovered that the activity of the MMP-9 promoter and the expression of MMP-9 mRNA in human neurons are regulated in a manner that is specific to the MMP-9-1562C/T allele, with a stronger upregulation being attributed to the C allele. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the allele-specific action of the MMP-9-1562C/T polymorphism on the neuronal MMP-9 expression is related to HDAC1 (Histone deacetylase 1) and ZNF384 (Zinc Finger Protein 384) transcriptional regulators. We show that HDAC1 and ZNF384 bind to the C and the T alleles differently, forming different regulatory complexes in vitro. Moreover, our data demonstrate that HDAC1 and ZNF384 downregulate MMP-9 gene promoter activity and mRNA expression in human neurons acting mostly via the T allele.
Identification and Profiling Analysis of microRNAs in Guava Fruit (Psidium guajava L.) and Their Role during Ripening
Authors: Mejía-Mendoza Mario Alejandro , Garcidueñas-Piña Cristina , Barrera-Figueroa Blanca Estela , Morales-Domínguez José Francisco
Published: October 2023

The guava (Psidium guajava L.) is a climacteric fruit with an accelerated post-harvest overripening. miRNAs are small RNA sequences that function as gene regulators in eukaryotes and are essential for their survival and development. In this study, miRNA libraries were constructed, sequenced and analyzed from the breaker and ripe stages of guava fruit cv. Siglo XXI. One hundred and seventy-four mature miRNA sequences from 28 miRNA families were identified. The taxonomic distribution of the guava miRNAs showed a high level of conservation among the dicotyledonous plants. Most of the predicted miRNA target genes were transcription factors and genes involved in the metabolism of phytohormones such as abscisic acid, auxins, and ethylene, as revealed through an ontology enrichment analysis. The miRNA families miR168, miR169, miR396, miR397, and miR482 were classified as being directly associated with maturation, whereas the miRNA families miR160, miR165, miR167, miR3930, miR395, miR398, and miR535 were classified as being indirectly associated. With this study, we intended to increase our knowledge and understanding of the regulatory process involved in the ripening process, thereby providing valuable information for future research on the ripening of guava fruit.
The Moderating Effect of Personal Assets in the Relationships between Subjective Health, Housing Expense, and Life Satisfaction for Korean Middle and Old-Aged
Authors: Sun Kyung-A , Moon Joonho
Published: October 2023

The proportion of the elderly in Korea has increased. Given the circumstances, this research is intended to explore the characteristics of the elderly. The aim of this research is to explore the antecedents of life satisfaction in the Korean elderly using subjective health. Next, the goal of this research is to appraise the moderating effect of personal assets in the relationship between life satisfaction and housing expenses. The study data consist of 7199 observations from the 2018 and 2020 waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLOSA). This research uses econometric analysis to test the research hypotheses, which include ordinary least squares, fixed-effects, and random-effects regression analyses. Following ordinary least squares, fixed-effects, and random-effects regression analyses, the results indicate a positive influence of subjective health on older Koreans’ life satisfaction. Additionally, personal assets positively moderate the association between housing expense and life satisfaction, the most valuable finding of the study. This research sheds light on the literature by revealing the moderating effect on the relationship between housing expense and life satisfaction. Moreover, the results could be used for better policy design with respect to the middle- and old-aged members Korean society.
An Agentic Familiarity: The Context of HIV/AIDS and Sexual Orientation for Older Canadians during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: de Vries Brian , Gutman Gloria , Beringer Robert , Gill Paneet , Karbakhsh Mojgan
Published: October 2023

This paper examines how experiences with a previous pandemic, particularly HIV/AIDS, may have informed approaches to COVID-19, with a focus on sexual orientation. Method: The sample was drawn from an online survey of Canadians 55+ conducted in 2020, comprising 1143 persons (mean age = 67; 88 gay or bisexual (GB) men, 65 lesbian or bisexual (LB) women, 818 heterosexual women, and 172 heterosexual men). Respondents reported if they, or someone close to them, “had been affected by” one or more pandemics and whether COVID-19 led them to “think more about their prior epidemic/pandemic experiences” and/or feel they “couldn’t handle it again”. Correlated items reflecting feeling “they have been here before”; “prepared for what is happening”; and “like they needed to act or do something” formed a scale named “agentic familiarity”. Results: About half of respondents reported thinking about their previous pandemic experience; about 5% reporting feeling like “they couldn’t handle it again” with no gender or sexual orientation differences. Higher agentic familiarity scores were found for GB men and for those with experience with HIV/AIDS vs. other pandemics. Discussion: These outcomes speak to resilience and growth experienced by LGBT (and especially GB) persons through shared stigma and trauma—with implications for current pandemic experiences and future actions, like advance care planning.
Transcriptome Analysis of Diploid and Autotetraploid Hemerocallis Response to Drought Stress
Authors: Misiukevičius Edvinas , Mažeikienė Ingrida , Gossard James , Starkus Aurelijus , Stanys Vidmantas
Published: October 2023

Chromosome doubling in ornamental plants, as shown by our study in daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.), has great potential to increase tolerance to abiotic stress. Drought is the most critical growth-limiting factor in a changing climate. Drought tolerance is one of the decisive factors for the survival, productivity, and appearance of perennial ornamental plants. Understanding and elucidating the molecular mechanisms that determine plant response to abiotic stress is essential. De novo transcriptome assembly of diploid and autotetraploid Hemerocallis spp. cv. Trahlyta was performed under artificially induced stress to elucidate the molecular mechanisms related to plant response to drought. In daylily mRNA, 237,886 transcripts were detected, and 42.4% of them were identified as annotated unigenes. In the experiment, diploid plants were more stressed, with 2871 upregulated or downregulated DEGs (differentially expressed genes) responding to drought, while tetraploid plants had 1599 DEGs. The proportion of upregulated DEGs differed by 1.3 times between diploid and autotetraploid genotypes, whereas the proportion of downregulated DEGs was 1.8 times greater in diploid plants. Signaling pathways related to the drought response were activated in daylilies, and key candidate genes were identified in both ploidy genotypes. In autotetraploid plants, more drought-related pathways were activated than in diploids—43 and 19, respectively. The most abundant DEGs in both cases were KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes), metabolic (ko01100), and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites (ko01110) pathways. Summarizing the data, it was found that autotetraploid plants of the daylily have a wider potential for adaptation to drought stress. Therefore, they adapt faster and better to adverse drought conditions by activating alternative signaling pathways. The comparative transcriptome analysis of diploid and autotetraploid plants allows us to understand the molecular mechanisms of drought resistance and it is also essential for daylily breeding programs to develop drought-resistant genotypes in the future.