bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of Closed-Loop Control Schemes Based on the GA-PID and GA-RBF-PID Algorithms for Brain Dynamic Modulation
Authors: Sun Chengxia , Geng Lijun , Liu Xian , Gao Qing
Published: November 2023

Neurostimulation can be used to modulate brain dynamics of patients with neuropsychiatric disorders to make abnormal neural oscillations restore to normal. The control schemes proposed on the bases of neural computational models can predict the mechanism of neural oscillations induced by neurostimulation, and then make clinical decisions that are suitable for the patient’s condition to ensure better treatment outcomes. The present work proposes two closed-loop control schemes based on the improved incremental proportional integral derivative (PID) algorithms to modulate brain dynamics simulated by Wendling-type coupled neural mass models. The introduction of the genetic algorithm (GA) in traditional incremental PID algorithm aims to overcome the disadvantage that the selection of control parameters depends on the designer’s experience, so as to ensure control accuracy. The introduction of the radial basis function (RBF) neural network aims to improve the dynamic performance and stability of the control scheme by adaptively adjusting control parameters. The simulation results show the high accuracy of the closed-loop control schemes based on GA-PID and GA-RBF-PID algorithms for modulation of brain dynamics, and also confirm the superiority of the scheme based on the GA-RBF-PID algorithm in terms of the dynamic performance and stability. This research of making hypotheses and predictions according to model data is expected to improve and perfect the equipment of early intervention and rehabilitation treatment for neuropsychiatric disorders in the biomedical engineering field.
Complexity Reduction in Analyzing Independence between Statistical Randomness Tests Using Mutual Information
Authors: Karell-Albo Jorge Augusto , Legón-Pérez Carlos Miguel , Socorro-Llanes Raisa , Rojas Omar , Sosa-Gómez Guillermo
Published: November 2023

The advantages of using mutual information to evaluate the correlation between randomness tests have recently been demonstrated. However, it has been pointed out that the high complexity of this method limits its application in batteries with a greater number of tests. The main objective of this work is to reduce the complexity of the method based on mutual information for analyzing the independence between the statistical tests of randomness. The achieved complexity reduction is estimated theoretically and verified experimentally. A variant of the original method is proposed by modifying the step in which the significant values of the mutual information are determined. The correlation between the NIST battery tests was studied, and it was concluded that the modifications to the method do not significantly affect the ability to detect correlations. Due to the efficiency of the newly proposed method, its use is recommended to analyze other batteries of tests.
What We Know about Successful School Leadership from Australian Cases and an Open Systems Model of School Leadership
Authors: Goode Helen , Drysdale Lawrie , Gurr David
Published: November 2023

In three devolved Australian school systems, for over 20 years, Australian researchers have been interested in understanding how successful school leaders lead schools that have a broad range of student and school outcomes that are above expectations. This paper draws upon findings from five Tasmanian, 18 Victorian, and one Northern Territory multiple-perspective case studies of successful primary, secondary, and special school principals. All cases are part of the International Successful School Principalship Project (ISSPP) and follow the methodologies of the ISSPP. At each school, data collected included interviews with the principal, senior teachers, teachers, students, parents, and school council members and document analysis. In addition, nine cases included observation of school activities, and two cases included a teacher survey. The cases reveal a complicated pattern of leadership activities by the principal and other school leaders that includes setting school directions, building positive cultures, developing supportive organisational structures, enhancing personal, professional, organisational, and community capacity, and developing networks, collaborations, partnerships, and stakeholder engagement. These areas of leadership action interact with school, staff, family, and broader contextual factors to develop outstanding teaching and learning that results in a wide array of positive student and school outcomes. Student outcomes include academic, extra-curricular, co-curricular, personal, and social areas. School outcomes include reputation, learning environment, resource allocation, community empowerment, and teacher quality areas. Successful school leadership is shown to be a complex endeavour, led by the principal but involving many and able to be sustained successfully over many years, leading to important and diverse student and school outcomes.
Self-Rectifying Resistive Switching Memory Based on Molybdenum Disulfide for Reduction of Leakage Current in Synapse Arrays
Authors: Jang DongJun , Kwon Min-Woo
Published: November 2023

Resistive random-access memory has emerged as a promising non-volatile memory technology, receiving substantial attention due to its potential for high operational performance, low power consumption, temperature robustness, and scalability. Two-dimensional nanostructured materials play a pivotal role in RRAM devices, offering enhanced electrical properties and physical attributes, which contribute to overall device improvement. In this study, the self-rectifying switching behavior in RRAM devices is analyzed based on molybdenum disulfide nanocomposites decorated with Pd on SiO2/Si substrates. The switching layer integration of Pd and MoS2 at the nanoscale effectively mitigates leakage currents decreasing from cross-talk in the RRAM array, eliminating the need for a separate selector device. The successful demonstration of the expected RRAM switching operation and low switching dispersion follows the application of a Pd nanoparticle embedding method. The switching channel layer is presented as an independent (Pd nanoparticle coating and MoS2 nanosheet) nanocomposite. The switching layer length (4000 μm) and width (7000 μm) play an important role in a lateral-conductive-filament-based RRAM device. Through the bipolar switching behavior extraction of RRAM, the formation of the conductive bridges via electronic migration is explained. The fabricated Pd-MoS2 synaptic RRAM device results in a high resistive current ratio for a forward/reverse current higher than 60 at a low resistance state and observes a memory on/off ratio of 103, exhibiting stable resistance switching behavior.
Automatic Stroke Measurement Method in Speed Skating: Analysis of the First 100 m after the Start
Authors: Park Yeong-Je , Moon Ji-Yeon , Lee Eui Chul
Published: November 2023

In speed skating, the number of strokes in the first 100 m section serves as an important metric of final performance. However, the conventional method, relying on human vision, has limitations in terms of real-time counting and accuracy. This study presents a solution for counting strokes in the first 100 m of a speed skating race, aiming to overcome the limitations of human vision. The method uses image recognition technology, specifically MediaPipe, to track key body joint coordinates during the skater’s motion. These coordinates are calculated into important body angles, including those from the shoulder to the knee and from the pelvis to the ankle. To quantify the skater’s motion, the study introduces generalized labeling logic (GLL), a key index derived from angle data. The GLL signal is refined using Gaussian filtering to remove noise, and the number of inflection points in the filtered GLL signal is used to determine the number of strokes. The method was designed with a focus on frontal videos and achieved an excellent accuracy of 99.91% when measuring stroke counts relative to actual counts. This technology has great potential for enhancing training and evaluation in speed skating.
Multi-Type Electric Vehicle Scheduling Optimization Considering Load Capacity, Battery-Allowed Mileage, and Recharging Duration
Authors: Cao Zhichao , Mao Zhimin , Wang Yaoyao , Zhang Silin
Published: November 2023

Pure electric public transport management optimization can promote the electrification evolution from conventional diesel emission to low/zero carbon transport revolution. However, emerging electric vehicle scheduling (EVS) takes into account battery capacity, battery-allowed mileage, and charging duration, which are a few concerns present at the conventional motor bus planning level. Concentrating on this new challenge, this paper builds a multi-type electric vehicle scheduling model, featuring rigorous load capacity, battery-allowed mileage, and recharging duration constraints. The binary decision variables involving the connection between departure and arrival times, as well as the recharging necessity, are judged simultaneously. The objective is to minimize the fleet size, idle mileage, and charging cost. A preprocessing-based genetic algorithm is used to handle this mixed-integer nonlinear programing model. Numerical examples are tested to validate the effectiveness of the proposed models and the solution algorithm. Compared with a single large-type vehicle scheme, the total cost of multi-type vehicle scheduling in one-trip, two-trip, and three-trip frequency scenarios are reduced by 20.8%, 6.3%, and 9.1%, respectively.
Design of Hardware IP for 128-Bit Low-Latency Arcsinh and Arccosh Functions
Authors: Chang Junfeng , Wang Mingjiang
Published: November 2023

With the rapid development of technologies like artificial intelligence, high-performance computing chips are playing an increasingly vital role. The inverse hyperbolic sine and inverse hyperbolic cosine functions are of utmost importance in fields such as image blur and robot joint control. Therefore, there is an urgent need for research into high-precision, high-performance hardware Intellectual Property (IP) for arcsinh and arccosh functions. To address this issue, this paper introduces a novel 128-bit low-latency floating-point hardware IP for arcsinh and arccosh functions, employing an enhanced Coordinate Rotation Digital Computer (CORDIC) algorithm, achieving a computation precision of 113 bits in just 32 computation cycles. This significantly enhances computational efficiency while reducing hardware implementation latency. The results indicate that, when compared to Python standard results, the calculated error of the proposed hardware IP does not exceed 8×10−34. Furthermore, this paper synthesizes the completed IP using the TSMC 65 nm process, with a total IP area of 2.1056 mm2. Operating at a frequency of 300 MHz, its power is 22.4 mW. Finally, hardware implementation and resource analysis are conducted and compared on an Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The results show that the improved algorithm trades a slight area increase for lower latency and higher accuracy. The designed hardware IP is expected to provide a more accurate and efficient computational tool for applications like image processing, thereby advancing technological development.
Investigation of the Information Interaction of the Sensor Network End IoT Device and the Hub at the Transport Protocol Level
Authors: Kovtun Viacheslav , Grochla Krzysztof , Połys Konrad
Published: November 2023

The study examines the process of information transfer between the sensor network end IoT device and the hub at the transport protocol level focused on using the 5G platform. The authors interpreted the researched process as a semi-Markov (focused on the dynamics of the size of the protocol sliding window) process with two nested Markov chains (the first characterizes the current size of the sliding window, and the second, the number of data blocks sent at the current value of this characteristic). As a result, a stationary distribution of the size of the sliding window was obtained both for the resulting semi-Markov process and for nested Markov chains, etc. A recursive approach to the calculation of the mentioned stationary distribution is formalized. This approach is characterized by linear computational complexity. Based on the obtained stationary distribution of the size of the sliding window, a distribution function is formulated that characterizes the bandwidth of the communication channel between the entities specified in the research object. Using the resulting mathematical apparatus, the Window Scale parameter of the TCP Westwood+ protocol was tuned. Testing has shown the superiority of the modified protocol over the basic versions of the BIC TCP, TCP Vegas, TCP NewReno, and TCP Veno protocols in conditions of data transfer between two points in the wireless sensor network environment.
Editorial Note to the Special Issue: “Trends and Applications in Information Systems and Technologies”
Authors: Ilieva Galina , Tsihrintzis George A.
Published: November 2023

In today’s fast-paced and competitive market, information technologies play a significant role in reshaping business models and enhancing company performance [...]
Assessing the Impact of Modifying the Fuel System of a Small Power Generator on Exhaust Emissions—A Case Study
Authors: Herkowiak Marcin , Adamski Mariusz , Marek Przemysław , Jarosz Zbigniew , Kapłan Magdalena , Klimek Kamila , Wałowski Grzegorz
Published: November 2023

Small power generators (up to 5 kW) with a dual-fuel function rely on the use of fuels with standardized quality parameters. The use of gaseous and liquid biofuels, produced by the prosumers themselves, to power the engines of these generators poses the problem of their impact on the operation of the fuel system and on exhaust gas emissions. The goal of this study was to indicate the environmental effects of adapting the internal combustion engine of a 2 kW multi-fuel generator to burn gaseous and liquid biofuels produced by the prosumer. Exhaust emission tests were carried out for the combustion of biogas, methanol, natural gas (methane) and conventional fuel. Forms of propellants that were generated at laboratory scale were used during the tests. Anaerobic organic waste management technologies were used in the tests. Biogas and biomethanol were generated for the tests. A modified SI generator fuel system: pressure reduction and fuel pre-conditioning, was tested burning gasoline, methanol, biogas and natural gas with 98% methane content. Exhaust gas emission tests in three operating states (idle, 50% load, 100% load) indicated CO2, CO, NOx and HC emission levels. The feasibility of using renewable fuels in a low-power generator was demonstrated, as well as the correct operation of the author’s system for supplying the generator with gaseous fuels. In the case of bioethanol, better complete combustion of the fuel was achieved than with gasoline, which was characterized by, among other things, 20% lower carbon monoxide emissions at full load. NOx emissions from the combustion of bioethanol compared to gasoline were 1.75 times lower at full load, and HC emissions were almost twice as low. In the case of biogas, there were significant carbon dioxide emissions due to the high carbon dioxide content of the fuel (40%). The other emission results for biogas were not significantly different from those from natural gas combustion.
Prediction of Lithium Battery Health State Based on Temperature Rate of Change and Incremental Capacity Change
Authors: Zhang Tao , Wang Yang , Ma Rui , Zhao Yi , Shi Mengjiao , Qu Wen
Published: November 2023

With the use of Li-ion batteries, Li-ion batteries will experience unavoidable aging, which can cause battery safety issues, performance degradation, and inaccurate SOC estimation, so it is necessary to predict the state of health (SOH) of Li-ion batteries. Existing methods for Li-ion battery state of health assessment mainly focus on parameters such as constant voltage charging time, constant current charging time, and discharging time, with little consideration of the impact of changes in Li-ion battery temperature on the state of health of Li-ion batteries. In this paper, a new prediction method for Li-ion battery health state based on the surface difference temperature (DT), incremental capacity analysis (ICA), and differential voltage analysis (DVA) is proposed. Five health factors are extracted from each of the three curves as input features to the model, respectively, and the weights, thresholds, and number of hidden layers of the Elman neural network are optimized using the Whale of a Whale Algorithm (WOA), which results in an average decrease of 43%, 49%, and 46% in MAE, RMSE, and MAPE compared to the Elman neural network. For the problem where the three predictions depend on different sources, the features of the three curves are fused using the weighted average method and predicted using the WOA–Elman neural network, whose MAE, RMSE, and MAPE are 0.00054, 0.0007897, and 0.06547% on average. The results show that the proposed method has an overall error of less than 2% in SOH prediction, improves the accuracy and robustness of the overall SOH estimation, and reduces the computational burden to some extent.
Post-Contingency Loading Margin through Plane Change in the Continuation Power Flow
Authors: dos Santos Wesley Prado Leão , Bonini Neto Alfredo , Gabriel Filho Luís Roberto Almeida
Published: November 2023

This paper introduces a parameterization technique to obtain complete P-V curves for electrical power systems under various conditions, including contingencies (N-1, N-1 severe, and N-2) as well as normal operating conditions N-0 (pre-contingency). The distinct feature of this methodology lies in the utilization of the new (θk, Vk) plane for constructing the P-V curve. In this new framework, the solution trajectory exhibits a linear characteristic in the vicinity of the maximum loading point (MLP), effectively mitigating any numerical challenges. Another crucial aspect is the point denoted as the center of the set of lines, point O (λ0, Vk0). This point can be adjusted along the ordinate axis, further enhancing the method’s ability to achieve a smoother ‘flat start’. The ‘flat start’ approach employed in the proposed methodology enables the determination of the loading margin for any system subjected to both simple and severe contingencies. Additionally, it facilitates the use of larger steps in acquiring complete P-V curves with a reduced number of iterations. A procedure presented is to not update the Jacobian matrix at each iteration but only when the system undergoes significant changes. This technique reduced the CPU Ratio by 29.74% in obtaining the P-V curve for all scenarios.
Selection of Reference Genes for Gene Expression Analysis in Acacia melanoxylon under Different Conditions
Authors: Chen Zhaoli , Bai Xiaogang , Li Xiangyang , Zeng Bingshan , Hu Bing
Published: November 2023

The research of functional genes in Acacia melanoxylon, a precious and fast-growing timber species with wide adaptability, has been greatly limited due to the absence of reliable and suitable reference genes. To fill this gap, five different algorithms (comparative ΔCt, NormFinder, geNorm, BestKeeper, and RankAggreg) were employed to assess the expression stability of ten candidate genes under nine different experimental sets and their three combined groups. The results showed that PP2a and RPL4 maintained stable expression in all 144 samples and a group of different tissues or organs. PAT10 and TIP41 were the best-performing genes in different clonal varieties, pinnate compound leaves at different growth states, salt, and indole acetic acid sets. PP2a and PAT10 were the top two choices for gibberellin and abiotic stress groups. PP2a and UBI11 exhibited stable expression in drought treatment. UBI3 combined with OTUD6B, RPL4, or PP2a were identified as the optimal reference genes in the heat, ethephon, or exogenous hormone groups, respectively. The reliability of the selected reference genes was further confirmed by evaluating the expression patterns of AmWRKY6 and AmWRKY33 genes. This study provides the first comprehensive evaluation of reference gene stability in A. melanoxylon and promotes future research on the gene expression analysis of the species.
Analysis of the Water Leakage Rate from the Cells of Nursery Containers
Authors: Kormanek Mariusz , Małek Stanisław
Published: November 2023

In container production, the key issue is proper irrigation and fertilization. Typically, the water required for plant growth is supplied through an irrigation ramp system, which can also perform fertilization. The frequency of irrigation and the amount of water supplied by the ramp depends on several factors, such as the species of plants grown, the container used, the substrate, and atmospheric factors accompanying production. For effective irrigation, the substrate in the container cell must retain the supplied water long enough for plant absorption. However, any excess water should drain from the container. To optimize irrigation, it is important to determine the parameter of the water outflow speed from the container cell, which is difficult to determine. This work proposes a new solution for a station that can measure the water outflow speed from various container cells (patent application P.443675 2022). In tests, the water outflow speed was assessed for two Styrofoam container types (V150—650/312/150 mm, 74 cells, and 0.145 dm3 cell volume; and V300—650/312/180 mm, 53 cells, and 0.275 dm3 cell volume). Both were filled with a peat and perlite substrate (95/5%) using the Urbinati Ypsilon line (V150 substrate moisture 75.7 ± 1.1%, and V300 75.9 ± 2.1%, efficiency of the line 400 containers∙h−1, vibration intensity of the vibrating table—maximum acceleration 12 G). The results indicated that the water outflow speed varied between container types. The V300 container had a higher outflow speed (0.0344 cm·s−1) compared to the V150 (0.0252 cm·s−1). This discrepancy may be due to differences in dry bulk density, with a correlation of r = −0.523. The V300 had a lower actual and dry bulk density (0.418 g·cm−3; 0.079 g·cm−3) compared to V150 (0.322 g·cm−3; 0.103 g·cm−3). This highlights the need for individual selection of parameters on the backfilling line for different container types when filling. Using identical parameters for diverse containers can lead to varying substrate volume densities, impacting water outflow rates.
Assessment of Metal Elements and Biochemical Constituents of Wild Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) Mushrooms Collected from the Shivalik Foothills of the Himalayas, India
Authors: Mostafa Yasser S. , Širić Ivan , Alamri Saad A. M. , Alrumman Sulaiman A. , Kumar Pankaj , Abou Fayssal Sami , Zjalić Slaven , Singh Rattan , Eid Ebrahem M.
Published: November 2023

Wild medicinal mushrooms are known to contain significant amounts of essential biochemical compounds with potential health benefits. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the metal elements and biochemical constituents of wild turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) mushrooms collected from the Shivalik foothills of the Himalayas, India. Mushroom samples were purposefully collected from eleven (11) sampling sites located in three (3) districts of North Indian states (Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand). The results of this study indicated that wild T. versicolor showed the presence of eight metal elements (Cd: 0.011–0.139, Cr: 0.225–0.680, Cu: 1.073–3.108, Fe: 4.273–8.467, Mn: 2.157–3.892, Zn: 3.069–4.478, Ni: 0.065–0.186, and Co: 0.035–0.120 mg/kg). The samples also showed a significant presence of total phenolics (51.81–70.13 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (9.02–14.01 mg QE/mg), lycopene (0.02–0.08 mg/g), and β-carotene (0.31–0.72 mg/g). The proximate analysis also showed that T. versicolor is a good source of carbohydrate (38.33%–41.94%), protein (8.12%–11.06%), fat (0.93%–1.26%), moisture (63.80%–70.64%), dietary fiber (9.59%–14.30%), and total ash (2.42%–3.48%). In addition, gas chromatography (GC-FID) analysis revealed the presence of the five most dominant fatty acids, including linoleic acid (18:2n6c), palmitic acid (C16:0), oleic acid (18:1n9c), linolenic acid (18:3n3), and stearic acid (C18:0). Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were helpful in identifying variations and similarities among different constituents of T. versicolor at selected sampling sites. Due to its low metal element content and rich biochemical profile, T. versicolor was highlighted in this research for its significant potential as a functional food or nutraceutical ingredient. This work promotes its sustainable use in the healthcare and food industries and lays the groundwork for further research into its therapeutic applications.
Effect of Vine Age, Dry Farming and Supplemental Irrigation on Color and Phenolic Extraction of cv. Zinfandel Wines from California
Authors: Casassa L. Federico , Alvarez Arredondo Jocelyn , Dodson Peterson Jean Catherine
Published: November 2023

A dry-farmed vineyard block with vines of varying ages including young vines (5 to 12 years old), control vines (2:1 ratio of old to young vines), and old vines (40 to 60 years old) was either submitted to irrigation or dry-farmed. The experimental design yielded six treatments, namely, Irrigated Control, Irrigated Young, Irrigated Old, Dry-farmed Control, Dry-farmed Young, and Dry-farmed Old. Irrigated Young wines were lower in alcohol, anthocyanins, and tannins, as well as higher in pH and hue angle values (H*), than the remaining treatments. Dry-farmed Young wines were higher in anthocyanins and small polymeric pigments, and showed higher color saturation and red hue. However, the magnitude of these differences was small. At pressing, the anthocyanin composition of these Zinfandel wines was largely dominated by malvidin-3-glucoside (60 to 65%), but after 15 months of bottle aging their anthocyanin profile shifted to 60% of anthocyanin derivatives, with small polymeric pigments accounting for more than 70% of the total polymeric pigment content of the wines. Irrigated Old wines and Dry-farmed Old wines did not differ to any significant extent in their basic chemistry, phenolic chemistry (including detailed anthocyanin composition), and chromatic composition.
GRAPH4: A Security Monitoring Architecture Based on Data Plane Anomaly Detection Metrics Calculated over Attack Graphs
Authors: Gori Giacomo , Rinieri Lorenzo , Al Sadi Amir , Melis Andrea , Callegati Franco , Prandini Marco
Published: November 2023

The correct and efficient measurement of security properties is key to the deployment of effective cyberspace protection strategies. In this work, we propose GRAPH4, which is a system that combines different security metrics to design an attack detection approach that leverages the advantages of modern network architectures. GRAPH4 makes use of attack graphs that are generated by the control plane to extract a view of the network components requiring monitoring, which is based on the specific attack that must be detected and on the knowledge of the complete network layout. It enables an efficient distribution of security metrics tasks between the control plane and the data plane. The attack graph is translated into network rules that are subsequently installed in programmable nodes in order to enable alerting and detecting network anomalies at a line rate. By leveraging data plane programmability and security metric scores, GRAPH4 enables timely responses to unforeseen conditions while optimizing resource allocation and enhancing proactive defense. This paper details the architecture of GRAPH4, and it provides an evaluation of the performance gains it can achieve.
Shear Strengthening of Reinforced Concrete Beams Using Engineered Cementitious Composites and Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Sheets
Authors: Emara Mohamed , Salem Mohamed A. , Mohamed Heba A. , Shehab Hamdy A. , El-Zohairy Ayman
Published: November 2023

This study evaluates the performance of Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams enhanced in shear using Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECCs) and Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (CFRPs). The experimental study encompasses fifteen RC beams. This set includes one control specimen and fourteen beams fortified in shear with Externally Bonded (EB) composites. Two of these specimens were enhanced with ECC layers, while the remaining were augmented with combined CFRP-ECC layers. Variables in the test included the ECC layer thickness, matrix type, number of CFRP layers, and strengthening configurations such as full wrapping, vertical strips, and inclined strips. The results indicated that the shear capacity of the fortified beams increased by 61.1% to 160.1% compared to the control specimen. The most effective structural performance was observed in the full wrapping method, which utilized a single CFRP layer combined with either 20 mm or 40 mm ECC thickness, outperforming other techniques. However, the inclined strip method demonstrated a notably higher load-bearing capacity than the full wrapping approach for beams with double CFRP layers paired with 20 mm and 40 mm ECC thicknesses. This configuration also exhibited superior ductility compared to the rest. Furthermore, the experimental shear capacities obtained were juxtaposed with theoretical values from prevailing design standards.
Correction: Zhang et al. Fucoidan from Laminaria japonica Ameliorates Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Association with Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Metabolites in Streptozocin-Treated Mice. Foods 2023, 12, 33
Authors: Zhang Chenxi , Jia Jinhui , Zhang Panpan , Zheng Weiyun , Guo Xiaoming , Ai Chunqing , Song Shuang
Published: November 2023

In the original publication, there was a mistake in Figure 3 as published [...]
Becoming a Developed and Sustainable Destination: La Siberia Biosphere Reserve in Spain
Authors: Sánchez-Hernández M. Isabel , Maldonado-Briegas Juan José
Published: November 2023

This paper reflects on the controversies to protect, and develop rural areas presenting the current situation, and the future, of the La Siberia Biosphere Reserve, located in the Extremadura region of Spain. Adopting a qualitative research design, we have gathered and examined the primary initiatives implemented for the Tourism Sustainability Plan of the reserve spanning from 2021 to 2023 and engaged in discussions regarding the potential of this region with the manager of the current Regional Development Centre, and a selection of key informants. In addition, opportunities and threats have been gathered from media. We employed the qualitative method and the content analysis, with ATLASti software (ATLAS.ti.7). We have noticed that soon, this region will develop new proposals by fostering private-public collaboration. The findings indicate that the preservation of natural resources, that has emerged as a pivotal source of innovation, must deal with new entrepreneurial activities that can put the sustainability of the territory at risk. What sets this work apart is its portrayal of Extremadura as a benchmark for sustainable social and economic development fostered by regional public policies. It is our conclusion that both academia and society should establish collaborative spaces that facilitate the formation of entrepreneurial ecosystems, fostering the cultivation of talent and effectively addressing the new regional challenges in Europe.
Variability in Chemical Profile and Bioactivities of the Flesh of Greek Pumpkin Landraces
Authors: Leichtweis Maria G. , Molina Adriana K. , Dias Maria Inês , Calhelha Ricardo C. , Pires Tânia C. S. P. , Pavli Ourania , Oliveira M. Beatriz P. P. , Petropoulos Spyridon A. , Barros Lillian , Pereira Carla
Published: November 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical profile of the flesh and yield parameters of Greek pumpkin genotypes, including nine local landraces and two commercially available cultivars, focusing on valorizing the genetic pool of Cucurbita sp. with high added value products. Yield parameters (mean fruit weight and total fruit yield) recorded high variability with genotypes V8 and V2 showing the highest fruit yield. Moreover, genotype V11 was the most abundant in glucose and total sugars and scored the highest sweetness index suggesting good taste and promising marketing attributes. The highest antioxidant activity (OxHLIA assay) was assessed in the V8 genotype, while the V2 genotype showed the highest α-, β- and total tocopherols content. Oxalic acid was the main organic acid, followed by malic and citric acids, while organic acid composition varied among the tested genotypes. Moreover, the flesh extracts showed varied antimicrobial activity against several bacteria and fungi, while no toxicity against non-tumor cells was recorded. In conclusion, our results make evident the presence of high innate variability in terms of crop performance, chemical composition and bioactive properties not only between the different genotypes but also at the intra-populational level. This finding is of high importance for the valorization of the local genetic pool of Cucurbita species through the selection of elite genotypes with high yield and quality of fruit, contributing to the conservation of valuable genetic material and limitation of the risk of genetic erosion due to neglect of local landraces.
Groundwater Bodies Subdivision in Corsica: A Critical Approach Based on Multivariate Water Quality Criteria Using Large Database
Authors: Lazar Hajar , Ayach Meryem , Barry Abdoul-Azize , Mohsine Ismail , Touiouine Abdessamad , Huneau Frédéric , Mori Christophe , Garel Émilie , Kacimi Ilias , Valles Vincent , Barbiero Laurent
Published: November 2023

The cross-referencing of two databases, namely the compartmentalization into groundwater bodies (GWB) and the quality monitoring (2830 observations including 15 physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters, on 662 collection points and over a period of 27 years) is applied to better understand the diversity of the waters of the island of Corsica (France) and to facilitate the surveillance and quality monitoring of the groundwater resource. Data conditioning (log-transformation), dimensional reduction (PCA), classification (AHC) and then quantification of the information lost during grouping (ANOVA), highlight the need to sub-divide the groundwater bodies in the crystalline part of the island in order to take better account of lithological diversity and other environmental factors (slope, altitude, soil thickness, etc.). The compartmentalization into 15 units, mainly based on structural geology, provides less information than the grouping into 12 units after subdivision of the crystalline region. The diversity of the waters in terms of chemical and bacteriological composition is discussed, and the results encourage a review of the compartmentalization of the island’s GWBs, with a view to more targeted monitoring based on this diversity.
Alcohol-Attributable Death and Burden of Illness among Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Populations in Remote Australia, 2014–2018
Authors: Unnikrishnan Renu , Zhao Yuejen , Chondur Ramakrishna , Burgess Paul
Published: November 2023

Harmful use of alcohol is a problem in the Northern Territory (NT), Australia. The aim of this study was to assess and compare alcohol-attributable deaths and the contribution of alcohol to the burden of disease and injury (BOD) among the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations in the NT between 2014 and 2018. The alcohol-use data for adults aged 15+ years old in the NT population was taken from the 2016 National Drug Strategy Household Survey. BOD was measured in disability-adjusted life years (DALY) as part of the NT BOD study. Population-attributable fractions were derived to analyse deaths and BOD. Between 2014 and 2018, 673 Aboriginal and 392 non-Aboriginal people died of harmful use of alcohol, accounting for 26.3% and 12.9% of the total deaths in the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal population, respectively. Alcohol caused 38,596 and 15,433 DALY (19.9% and 10.2% of the total), respectively, in the NT Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal population for the same period. The alcohol-attributable DALY rate in the Aboriginal population was 10,444.6 per 100,000 persons, six times the non-Aboriginal rate. This study highlights the urgent need to reduce harmful alcohol use in the NT, which disproportionately affects Aboriginal peoples in rural and remote areas.
The Role of Non-Coding RNAs in Epigenetic Dysregulation in Glioblastoma Development
Authors: Isachesku Ekaterina , Braicu Cornelia , Pirlog Radu , Kocijancic Anja , Busuioc Constantin , Pruteanu Lavinia-Lorena , Pandey Deo Prakash , Berindan-Neagoe Ioana
Published: November 2023

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a primary brain tumor arising from glial cells. The tumor is highly aggressive, the reason for which it has become the deadliest brain tumor type with the poorest prognosis. Like other cancers, it compromises molecular alteration on genetic and epigenetic levels. Epigenetics refers to changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype without the occurrence of any genetic mutations or DNA sequence alterations in the driver tumor-related genes. These epigenetic changes are reversible, making them convenient targets in cancer therapy. Therefore, we aim to review critical epigenetic dysregulation processes in glioblastoma. We will highlight the significant affected tumor-related pathways and their outcomes, such as regulation of cell cycle progression, cell growth, apoptosis, angiogenesis, cell invasiveness, immune evasion, or acquirement of drug resistance. Examples of molecular changes induced by epigenetic modifications, such as DNA epigenetic alterations, histone post-translational modifications (PTMs), and non-coding RNA (ncRNA) regulation, are highlighted. As understanding the role of epigenetic regulators and underlying molecular mechanisms in the overall pro-tumorigenic landscape of glioblastoma is essential, this literature study will provide valuable insights for establishing the prognostic or diagnostic value of various non-coding transcripts, including miRNAs.
Physiological and Transcriptomic Analysis Provides Insights into Low Nitrogen Stress in Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica L.)
Authors: Chen Erying , Qin Ling , Li Feifei , Yang Yanbing , Liu Zhenyu , Wang Runfeng , Yu Xiao , Niu Jiahong , Zhang Huawen , Wang Hailian , Liu Bin , Guan Yanan
Published: November 2023

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv) is an important food and forage crop that is well adapted to nutrient-poor soils. However, our understanding of how different LN-tolerant foxtail millet varieties adapt to long-term low nitrogen (LN) stress at the physiological and molecular levels remains limited. In this study, two foxtail millet varieties with contrasting LN tolerance properties were investigated through analyses of physiological parameters and transcriptomics. The physiological results indicate that JG20 (high tolerance to LN) exhibited superior biomass accumulation both in its shoots and roots, and higher nitrogen content, soluble sugar concentration, soluble protein concentration, zeatin concentration in shoot, and lower soluble sugar and soluble protein concentration in its roots compared to JG22 (sensitive to LN) under LN, this indicated that the LN-tolerant foxtail millet variety can allocate more functional substance to its shoots to sustain aboveground growth and maintain high root activity by utilizing low soluble sugar and protein under LN conditions. In the transcriptomics analysis, JG20 exhibited a greater number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) compared to JG22 in both its shoots and roots in response to LN stress. These LN-responsive genes were enriched in glycolysis metabolism, photosynthesis, hormone metabolism, and nitrogen metabolism. Furthermore, in the shoots, the glutamine synthetase gene SiGS5, chlorophyll apoprotein of photosystem II gene SiPsbQ, ATP synthase subunit gene Sib, zeatin synthesis genes SiAHP1, and aldose 1-epimerase gene SiAEP, and, in the roots, the high-affinity nitrate transporter genes SiNRT2.3, SiNRT2.4, glutamate synthase gene SiGOGAT2, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase gene SiFBA5, were important genes involved in the LN tolerance of the foxtail millet variety. Hence, our study implies that the identified genes and metabolic pathways contribute valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying LN tolerance in foxtail millet.
Phytochemistry and Biological Studies of Endemic Hawaiian Plants
Authors: Meesakul Pornphimon , Shea Tyler , Fenstemacher Roland , Wong Shi Xuan , Kuroki Yutaka , Wada Aya , Cao Shugeng
Published: November 2023

The Hawaiian Islands are renowned for their exceptional biodiversity and are host to a plethora of endemic plant species, which have been utilized in traditional Hawaiian medicine. This scientific review provides an in-depth analysis of the phytochemistry and biological studies of selected endemic Hawaiian plants, highlighting their medicinal properties and therapeutic potential. A literature search was conducted, utilizing major academic databases such as SciFinder, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and the Scientific Information Database. The primary objective of this search was to identify relevant scholarly articles pertaining to the topic of the review, which focused on the phytochemistry and biological studies of endemic Hawaiian plants. Utilizing these databases, a comprehensive range of literature was obtained, facilitating a comprehensive examination of the subject matter. This review emphasizes the rich phytochemical diversity and biological activities found in Endemic Hawaiian plants, showcasing their potential as sources of novel therapeutic agents. Given the unique biodiversity of Hawaii and the cultural significance of these plants, continued scientific exploration, conservation, and sustainable utilization of these valuable resources is necessary to unlock the full potential of these plant species in drug discovery and natural product-based therapeutics.
A New Era of Sustainability: Plant Biostimulants
Authors: Mannino Giuseppe
Published: November 2023

Today, environmental sustainability has become a fundamental concern in nearly every aspect of our daily lives, including the food sector [...]
Naphthyl-Substituted Indole and Pyrrole Carboxylic Acids as Effective Antibiotic Potentiators—Inhibitors of Bacterial Cystathionine γ-Lyase
Authors: Kuzovlev Andrey S. , Zybalov Mikhail D. , Golovin Andrey V. , Gureev Maxim A. , Kasatkina Mariia A. , Biryukov Mikhail V. , Belik Albina R. , Silonov Sergey A. , Yunin Maxim A. , Zigangirova Nailya A. , Reshetnikov Vasiliy V. , Isakova Yulia E. , Porozov Yuri B. , Ivanov Roman A.
Published: November 2023

Over the past decades, the problem of bacterial resistance to most antibiotics has become a serious threat to patients’ survival. Nevertheless, antibiotics of a novel class have not been approved since the 1980s. The development of antibiotic potentiators is an appealing alternative to the challenging process of searching for new antimicrobials. Production of H2S—one of the leading defense mechanisms crucial for bacterial survival—can be influenced by the inhibition of relevant enzymes: bacterial cystathionine γ-lyase (bCSE), bacterial cystathionine β-synthase (bCBS), or 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (MST). The first one makes the main contribution to H2S generation. Herein, we present data on the synthesis, in silico analyses, and enzymatic and microbiological assays of novel bCSE inhibitors. Combined molecular docking and molecular dynamics analyses revealed a novel binding mode of these ligands to bCSE. Lead compound 2a manifested strong potentiating activity when applied in combination with some commonly used antibiotics against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The compound was found to have favorable in vitro absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity parameters. The high effectiveness and safety of compound 2a makes it a promising candidate for enhancing the activity of antibiotics against high-priority pathogens.
Growing Crystals for X-ray Free-Electron Laser Structural Studies of Biomolecules and Their Complexes
Authors: Nanev Christo N. , Saridakis Emmanuel , Chayen Naomi E.
Published: November 2023

Currently, X-ray crystallography, which typically uses synchrotron sources, remains the dominant method for structural determination of proteins and other biomolecules. However, small protein crystals do not provide sufficiently high-resolution diffraction patterns and suffer radiation damage; therefore, conventional X-ray crystallography needs larger protein crystals. The burgeoning method of serial crystallography using X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) avoids these challenges: it affords excellent structural data from weakly diffracting objects, including tiny crystals. An XFEL is implemented by irradiating microjets of suspensions of microcrystals with very intense X-ray beams. However, while the method for creating microcrystalline microjets is well established, little attention is given to the growth of high-quality nano/microcrystals suitable for XFEL experiments. In this study, in order to assist the growth of such crystals, we calculate the mean crystal size and the time needed to grow crystals to the desired size in batch crystallization (the predominant method for preparing the required microcrystalline slurries); this time is reckoned theoretically both for microcrystals and for crystals larger than the upper limit of the Gibbs–Thomson effect. The impact of the omnipresent impurities on the growth of microcrystals is also considered quantitatively. Experiments, performed with the model protein lysozyme, support the theoretical predictions.
Total Flavonoids in Artemisia absinthium L. and Evaluation of Its Anticancer Activity
Authors: He Meizhu , Yasin Kamarya , Yu Shaoqi , Li Jinyao , Xia Lijie
Published: November 2023

To overcome the shortcomings of traditional extraction methods, such as long extraction time and low efficiency, and considering the low content and high complexity of total flavonoids in Artemisia absinthium L., in this experiment, we adopted ultrasound-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis to improve the yield of total flavonoids, and combined this with molecular docking and network pharmacology to predict its core constituent targets, so as to evaluate its antitumor activity. The content of total flavonoids in Artemisia absinthium L. reached 3.80 ± 0.13%, and the main components included Astragalin, Cynaroside, Ononin, Rutin, Kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, Diosmetin, Isorhamnetin, and Luteolin. Cynaroside and Astragalin exert their cervical cancer inhibitory functions by regulating several signaling proteins (e.g., EGFR, STAT3, CCND1, IGFIR, ESR1). Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis showed that the anticancer activity of both compounds was associated with the ErbB signaling pathway and FoxO signaling pathway. MTT results showed that total flavonoids of Artemisia absinthium L. and its active components (Cynaroside and Astragalin) significantly inhibited the growth of HeLa cells in a concentration-dependent manner with IC50 of 396.0 ± 54.2 μg/mL and 449.0 ± 54.8 μg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, its active components can mediate apoptosis by inducing the accumulation of ROS.