bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: When Nerve Cells Run Out of Power
Authors: Quatorze Marta , Silva Filomena , Duarte Ana I. , Cardoso João , Caetano Carolina , Ramalho-Santos João , Oliveira Paulo J. , Amaral Sara Varela
Published: May 2023

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a serious disease of the nervous system, in which the brain and spinal cord cannot communicate properly with the muscles to coordinate the body’s movements. Consequently, the muscles gradually stop working and things like walking, eating, breathing, and speaking become more and more difficult. Many aspects of ALS remain a mystery, but we know that cells called neurons run out of energy in ALS patients, resulting in the loss of communication with muscles. This happens due to defects in mitochondria—the tiny structures within our cells that produce energy. Researchers have been working hard to discover how to keep mitochondria healthy, avoid the death of nerve cells, and ultimately restore the communication between neurons and muscles.
On the Possibility of Cross-Flow Vortex Cancellation by Plasma Actuators
Authors: Abdullaev Amir , Kotvitskii Alexander , Moralev Ivan , Ustinov Maxim
Published: May 2023

Cancellation of the cross-flow vortices in a swept-wing boundary layer is attempted by plasma actuator array in numerical simulation. The response of the boundary layer to the stationary excitation by a single actuator section is measured experimentally and compared to the response obtained from the solution to the parabolized stability equations. A linear approach is shown to be held within the peak-to-peak magnitude of the stationary cross-flow vortices below 10% of the local potential flow velocity. Within the linear model, an optimal control strategy and a faster suboptimal one are developed to calculate voltage amplitude distribution across the electrodes, taking into account the forcing constraints. Simulation of the cancellation process is performed, showing up to a 20 dB reduction in the initial spanwise velocity modulation in the boundary layer. The minimal actuator resolution required for the successive implementation of the control is shown to be in the order of a quarter of the most amplified wavelength, or 3–4 displacement thickness of the boundary layer. Linear estimates predict up to a 150 mm (22% of flow acceleration region length) transition delay for an actuator momentum coefficient of 0.005%.
Sydnone Imines: A Novel Class of Plant Growth Regulators
Authors: Lukatkin Alexander S. , Sokolova Anastasia S. , Lukatkin Andrey A. , Cherepanov Ilya A. , Kalganova Natalia V. , Moiseev Sergey K.
Published: May 2023

An increase in the yield of the main cereal crops in the context of global climate changes requires additional impacts on plants. Natural and synthetic plant growth regulators (PGRs) are used to increase plant productivity and reduce the injury level caused by abiotic stressors. There is a growing need for novel highly effective plant growth stimulants to exhibit their effects at low doses and to not pose an environmental threat or injury to the crop quality. The derivatives of sydnone imine (SI), a mesoionic heterocycle possessing a 1,2,3-oxadiazole core, have been used as medicines until now but have not been used for agricultural applications. Some SI derivatives have recently been found to exhibit PGR properties. Herein, we report on the study of the PGR potential of nine SI derivatives bearing variable substituents at N(3), C(4), and N6 positions of the heterocycle designed to disclose the “molecular structure-PGR activity” relationship in this family. The SI derivatives were used in a wide concentration range (10−9–10−4 mol/L) for a pre-sowing treatment of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L., two cultivars) and maize (Zea mays L., two hybrids) seeds in germinating experiments. All compounds were found to affect the growth of the axial organs of germinants, with the growth-stimulating or -inhibitory effect as well as its rate being considerably different for wheat and maize and, in many cases, also for roots and shoots. In addition, a pronounced concentration dependence of the effect was disclosed for many cases. The features of the molecular structure of SIs affecting their growth-regulating properties were elucidated. Compounds 4, 6, 7, and 8, which had exhibited a growth-promoting effect in germinating experiments, were used at appropriate concentrations for pot experiments on the same crops. For all compounds, the experiments showed a stimulating effect on the growth of roots (up to 80%), shoots (up to 112%), leaf area (up to 113%), fresh weights of roots (up to 83%), and aerial parts of the plants (up to 87%) or only on some of these parameters. The obtained results show a healthy outlook for the use of SI derivatives as promoting agents for improving the growth of cereal crop plants.
Skin Microbiota of Salmonids: A Procedure to Examine Active Bacterial Populations Using an RNA-Based Approach
Authors: Pardo Alda , Villasante Alejandro , Romero Jaime
Published: May 2023

Fish microbiota studies have mostly addressed intestinal bacterial communities because of their role in fish physiology; however, the skin microbiota has been studied less despite its role as the first pathogen barrier in the host. DNA-based molecular techniques have contributed to improving our understanding of the skin microbiota, but this approach faces challenges, such as the low count of bacteria in healthy fish skin. To overcome this limitation, an RNA-based approach was developed to study the skin microbiota in salmonids, including tissue sampling, RNA extraction, and downstream procedures to obtain PCR amplicons for next-generation sequencing. The protocol originated in this work overcomes the limitations of low bacterial counts and is useful for describing active microbiota in fish skin. The application of the protocol to salmonids reared in both an experimental setting and on a farm revealed that the trout skin microbiota was dominated by bacteria from the phylum Proteobacteria (>65%). At the genus level, Piscirickettsia (46%) was highlighted as the most abundant in the experimental unit samples; in contrast, Pseudoalteromonas (26%), followed by Escherichia_Shigella (~25%), was the most abundant in farmed trout.
Identification Method of Source Term Parameters of Nuclear Explosion Based on GA and PSO for Lagrange-Gaussian Puff Model
Authors: Zheng Yang , Wang Yuyang , Wang Longteng , Chen Xiaolei , Huang Lingzhong , Liu Wei , Li Xiaoqiang , Yang Ming , Li Peng , Jiang Shanyi , Yin Hao , Pang Xinliang , Wu Yunhui
Published: May 2023

Many well-established models exist for predicting the dispersion of radioactive particles that will be generated in the surrounding environment after a nuclear weapon explosion. However, without exception, almost all models rely on accurate source term parameters, such as DELFIC, DNAF-1, and so on. Unlike nuclear experiments, accurate source term parameters are often not available once a nuclear weapon is used in a real nuclear strike. To address the problems of unclear source term parameters and meteorological conditions during nuclear weapon explosions and the complexity of the identification process, this article proposes a nuclear weapon source term parameter identification method based on a genetic algorithm (GA) and a particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) by combining real-time monitoring data. The results show that both the PSO and the GA are able to identify the source term parameters satisfactorily after optimization, and the prediction accuracy of their main source term parameters is above 98%. When the maximum number of iterations and population size of the PSO and GA were the same, the running time and optimization accuracy of the PSO were better than those of the GA. This study enriches the theory and method of radioactive particle dispersion prediction after a nuclear weapon explosion and is of great significance to the study of environmental radioactive particles.
OptEF-BCI: An Optimization-Based Hybrid EEG and fNIRS–Brain Computer Interface
Authors: Ali Muhammad Umair , Kim Kwang Su , Kallu Karam Dad , Zafar Amad , Lee Seung Won
Published: May 2023

Multimodal data fusion (electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)) has been developed as an important neuroimaging research field in order to circumvent the inherent limitations of individual modalities by combining complementary information from other modalities. This study employed an optimization-based feature selection algorithm to systematically investigate the complementary nature of multimodal fused features. After preprocessing the acquired data of both modalities (i.e., EEG and fNIRS), the temporal statistical features were computed separately with a 10 s interval for each modality. The computed features were fused to create a training vector. A wrapper-based binary enhanced whale optimization algorithm (E-WOA) was used to select the optimal/efficient fused feature subset using the support-vector-machine-based cost function. An online dataset of 29 healthy individuals was used to evaluate the performance of the proposed methodology. The findings suggest that the proposed approach enhances the classification performance by evaluating the degree of complementarity between characteristics and selecting the most efficient fused subset. The binary E-WOA feature selection approach showed a high classification rate (94.22 ± 5.39%). The classification performance exhibited a 3.85% increase compared with the conventional whale optimization algorithm. The proposed hybrid classification framework outperformed both the individual modalities and traditional feature selection classification (p < 0.01). These findings indicate the potential efficacy of the proposed framework for several neuroclinical applications.
Biomarkers of Neurodegeneration in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: An Integrative Review
Authors: Rajkumar Ravi Philip
Published: May 2023

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a chronic psychiatric disorder that occurs following exposure to traumatic events. Recent evidence suggests that PTSD may be a risk factor for the development of subsequent neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Identification of biomarkers known to be associated with neurodegeneration in patients with PTSD would shed light on the pathophysiological mechanisms linking these disorders and would also help in the development of preventive strategies for neurodegenerative disorders in PTSD. With this background, the PubMed and Scopus databases were searched for studies designed to identify biomarkers that could be associated with an increased risk of neurodegenerative disorders in patients with PTSD. Out of a total of 342 citations retrieved, 29 studies were identified for inclusion in the review. The results of these studies suggest that biomarkers such as cerebral cortical thinning, disrupted white matter integrity, specific genetic polymorphisms, immune-inflammatory alterations, vitamin D deficiency, metabolic syndrome, and objectively documented parasomnias are significantly associated with PTSD and may predict an increased risk of subsequent neurodegenerative disorders. The biological mechanisms underlying these changes, and the interactions between them, are also explored. Though requiring replication, these findings highlight a number of biological pathways that plausibly link PTSD with neurodegenerative disorders and suggest potentially valuable avenues for prevention and early intervention.
Impact of Aspirin Intake on Postoperative Survival after Primary Pancreatic Resection of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma—A Single-Center Evaluation
Authors: Hackner Danilo , Hobbs Mirianna , Merkel Susanne , Krautz Christian , Weber Georg F. , Grützmann Robert , Brunner Maximilian
Published: May 2023

(1) Background: The intake of aspirin (ASS) has been demonstrated to have a relevant impact on the pathogenesis, incidence and outcome in different solid gastrointestinal tumors. However, data on the effect of ASS on the short-term outcome and the long-term survival in patients with pancreatic carcinoma are still limited. (2) Methods: A total of 213 patients who underwent primary resection of PDAC at the University Hospital of Erlangen from January 2000 to December 2018 were included in this retrospective single-center study in total. Patients were stratified according to the aspirin intake into three groups: continuous aspirin intake (cASS), perioperatively interrupted aspirin intake (iASS) and no aspirin intake (no ASS) at the timepoint of surgery. The postoperative outcome as well as long-term survival were compared between the groups. (3) Results: There were no differences regarding postoperative morbidity (iASS: 54% vs. cASS: 53% vs. no ASS: 64%, p = 0.448) and in-hospital mortality (iASS: 4% vs. cASS: 10% vs. no ASS: 3%, p = 0.198) between the groups. The overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) did not differ in the groups when comparing the ASS-intake status (OS: iASS 17.8 months vs. cASS 19.6 months vs. no ASS 21.6 months, p = 0.489; DFS: iASS 14.0 months vs. cASS 18.3 months vs. no ASS 14.7 months, p = 0.957). Multivariate analysis revealed that age (hazard ratio (HR) 2.2, p < 0.001), lymph node-positive status (HR 2.0, p < 0.001), R status 1 or 2 (HR 2.8, p < 0.001) and differentiation with a grading of 3 (HR 1.7, p = 0.005) were significant independent prognostic factors regarding the OS. Moreover, age (HR 1.5, p = 0.040), lymph node-positive status (HR 1.8, p = 0.002) and high-grade (G3) carcinomas (HR 1.5, p = 0.037) could be identified as independent prognostic parameters for DFS. (4) Conclusions: In patients undergoing primary surgery for curative resection of pancreatic carcinoma, the perioperative intake of ASS had no significant impact on postoperative outcome, overall and disease-free survival.
Mass Cultivation of Microalgae: II. A Large Species Pulsing Blue Light Concept
Authors: Eilertsen Hans Chr. , Strømholt Jo , Bergum John-Steinar , Eriksen Gunilla Kristina , Ingebrigtsen Richard
Published: May 2023

If mass cultivation of photoautotrophic microalgae is to gain momentum and find its place in the new “green future”, exceptional optimizations to reduce production costs must be implemented. Issues related to illumination should therefore constitute the main focus, since it is the availability of photons in time and space that drives synthesis of biomass. Further, artificial illumination (e.g., LEDs) is needed to transport enough photons into dense algae cultures contained in large photobioreactors. In the present research project, we employed short-term O2 production and 7-day batch cultivation experiments to evaluate the potential to reduce illumination light energy by applying blue flashing light to cultures of large and small diatoms. Our results show that large diatom cells allow more light penetration for growth compared to smaller cells. PAR (400–700 nm) scans yielded twice as much biovolume-specific absorbance for small biovolume (avg. 7070 μm3) than for large biovolume (avg. 18,703 μm3) cells. The dry weight (DW) to biovolume ratio was 17% lower for large than small cells, resulting in a DW specific absorbance that was 1.75 times higher for small cells compared to large cells. Blue 100 Hz square flashing light yielded the same biovolume production as blue linear light in both the O2 production and batch experiments at the same maximum light intensities. We therefore suggest that, in the future, more focus should be placed on researching optical issues in photobioreactors, and that cell size and flashing blue light should be central in this.
Antecedents of Compliance Intention and Its Impact on Waste Separation Behavior: Based on Rational Choice Theory and Deterrence Theory
Authors: Kim Sohee
Published: May 2023

With the rapid growth of the urban population, the development of production and consumption, and improved living standards, waste generation has increased over time. The first positive step to solve the problem of household waste is waste separation behavior. Studying the determinants that prompt individuals to comply with waste separation policy (WSP) is worthwhile. The author aims to offer an integrated view of individuals’ compliance with waste separation policy based on rational choice and deterrence theories. Survey data collected from 306 households in South Korea are used to test the research model using partial least squares analysis. The study shows that WSP compliance intention is motivated by the perceived benefit and perceived effectiveness of WSP. Furthermore, the results show that perceived deterrent severity and perceived deterrent certainty positively influence WSP compliance intention. The implications for theory and policymakers are discussed to facilitate waste separation behavior.
The MAL Family of Proteins: Normal Function, Expression in Cancer, and Potential Use as Cancer Biomarkers
Authors: Labat-de-Hoz Leticia , Rubio-Ramos Armando , Correas Isabel , Alonso Miguel A.
Published: May 2023

The MAL family of integral membrane proteins consists of MAL, MAL2, MALL, PLLP, CMTM8, MYADM, and MYADML2. The best characterized members are elements of the machinery that controls specialized pathways of membrane traffic and cell signaling. This review aims to help answer the following questions about the MAL-family genes: (i) is their expression regulated in cancer and, if so, how? (ii) What role do they play in cancer? (iii) Might they have biomedical applications? Analysis of large-scale gene expression datasets indicated altered levels of MAL-family transcripts in specific cancer types. A comprehensive literature search provides evidence of MAL-family gene dysregulation and protein function repurposing in cancer. For MAL, and probably for other genes of the family, dysregulation is primarily a consequence of gene methylation, although copy number alterations also contribute to varying degrees. The scrutiny of the two sources of information, datasets and published studies, reveals potential prognostic applications of MAL-family members as cancer biomarkers—for instance, MAL2 in breast cancer, MAL2 and MALL in pancreatic cancer, and MAL and MYADM in lung cancer—and other biomedical uses. The availability of validated antibodies to some MAL-family proteins sanctions their use as cancer biomarkers in routine clinical practice.
Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel NaV1.7 Inhibitors with Potent Anticancer Activities in Medullary Thyroid Cancer Cells
Authors: Pukkanasut Piyasuda , Whitt Jason , Guenter Rachael , Lynch Shannon E. , Gallegos Carlos , Rosendo-Pineda Margarita Jacaranda , Gomora Juan Carlos , Chen Herbert , Lin Diana , Sorace Anna , Jaskula-Sztul Renata , Velu Sadanandan E.
Published: May 2023

Our results from quantitative RT-PCR, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and the tissue microarray of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) cell lines and patient specimens confirm that VGSC subtype NaV1.7 is uniquely expressed in aggressive MTC and not expressed in normal thyroid cells and tissues. We establish the druggability of NaV1.7 in MTC by identifying a novel inhibitor (SV188) and investigate its mode of binding and ability to inhibit INa current in NaV1.7. The whole-cell patch-clamp studies of the SV188 in the NaV1.7 channels expressed in HEK-293 cells show that SV188 inhibited the INa current in NaV1.7 with an IC50 value of 3.6 µM by a voltage- and use-dependent blockade mechanism, and the maximum inhibitory effect is observed when the channel is open. SV188 inhibited the viability of MTC cell lines, MZ-CRC-1 and TT, with IC50 values of 8.47 μM and 9.32 μM, respectively, and significantly inhibited the invasion of MZ-CRC-1 cells by 35% and 52% at 3 μM and 6 μM, respectively. In contrast, SV188 had no effect on the invasion of TT cells derived from primary tumor, which have lower basal expression of NaV1.7. In addition, SV188 at 3 μM significantly inhibited the migration of MZ-CRC-1 and TT cells by 27% and 57%, respectively.
Improved Synthesis and Coordination Behavior of 1H-1,2,3-Triazole-4,5-dithiolates (tazdt2−) with NiII, PdII, PtII and CoIII
Authors: Pardemann Nils , Villinger Alexander , Seidel Wolfram W.
Published: May 2023

A new synthetic route to 1H-1,2,3-triazole-4,5-dithiols (tazdtH2) as ligands for the coordination of NiII, PdII, PtII and CoIII via the dithiolate unit is presented. Different N-protective groups were introduced with the corresponding azide via a click-like copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne [3 + 2] cycloaddition (CuAAC) and fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy. Possible isomers were isolated and an alternative synthetic route was investigated and discussed. After removal of the benzyl protective groups on sulfur by in situ-generated sodium naphthalide, complexes at the [(dppe)M] (M = Ni, Pd, Pt), [(PPh3)2Pt] and [(η5-C5H5)Co] moieties were prepared and structurally characterized by XRD analysis. In this process, the by-products 11 and 12 as monothiolate derivatives were isolated and structurally characterized as well. With regioselective coordination via the dithiolate unit, the electronic influence of different metals or protective groups at N was investigated and compared spectroscopically by means of UV/Vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Complex [(η5-C5H5)Co(5c)] (10), is subject to a dimerization equilibrium, which was investigated by temperature-dependent NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy (solution and solid-state). The thermodynamic parameters of the monomer/dimer equilibrium were derived.
Methods and Analysis of Biological Contaminants in the Biomanufacturing Industry
Authors: Janghorban Mohammad , Kazemi Sara , Tormon Rigel , Ngaju Philippa , Pandey Richa
Published: May 2023

The advent of bioprocessing has revolutionized the biomanufacturing industry, leading to the rise of biotherapeutics derived from biologic products such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells used for targeted cancer treatment and the Vero cell line for the production of viral vectors and vaccines. Despite these promising developments, most biologic products are characterized by fragile macromolecular structures that are heterogenous with a purity profile that varies with each batch making them susceptible to microorganism contamination. Regulatory oversight of biologic products is imperative to ensure adherence to good manufacturing practices and compliance with quality management systems. Current quality assurance protocols during production include monoclonality during cell line development, real-time monitoring of process parameters, flow cytometry for microbial monitoring, polymerase chain reaction, and immunoassay techniques to amplify DNA sequences related to bacterial or biological contaminants. FDA guidance recommends the implementation of process analytical technology within biomanufacturing production to measure critical quality parameters, which includes screening for potential biological contamination. Future advancements in bioprocess monitoring and control should capitalize on providing cheap, real-time, and sensitive detection. Biosensors, mass spectrometry, and polymerase chain reaction present robust, rapid, and real-time capabilities for multiplexed detection of contaminant analytes and have shown promise in meeting these needs. This review discusses the main biological contaminants of bioprocesses, European Union and FDA regulatory guidelines for monitoring and control within biologics production, existing methods and their limitations, and future advancements for biological contamination detection.
Conductive Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (cMIPs): Rising and Versatile Key Elements in Chemical Sensing
Authors: Feldner Adriana , Völkle Julia , Lieberzeit Peter , Fruhmann Philipp
Published: May 2023

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have proven useful as receptor materials in chemical sensing and have been reported for a wide range of applications. Based on their simplicity and stability compared to other receptor types, they bear huge application potential related to ongoing digitalization. This is the case especially for conductive molecularly imprinted polymers (cMIPs), which allow easy connection to commercially available sensing platforms; thus, they do not require complex measuring setups. This review provides an overview of the different synthetic approaches toward cMIPs and the obtained limit of detections (LODs) with different transducing systems. In addition, it presents and discusses their use in different application areas to provide a detailed overview of the challenges and possibilities related to cMIP-based sensing systems.
A Novel Approach to Reducing Lung Metastasis in Osteosarcoma: Increasing Cell Stiffness with Carbenoxolone
Authors: Kita Kouji , Asanuma Kunihiro , Okamoto Takayuki , Kawamoto Eiji , Nakamura Koichi , Hagi Tomohito , Nakamura Tomoki , Shimaoka Motomu , Sudo Akihiro
Published: May 2023

Aim: Primary malignant bone tumor osteosarcoma can metastasize to the lung. Diminishing lung metastasis would positively affect the prognosis of patients. Our previous studies demonstrated that highly metastatic osteosarcoma cell lines are significantly softer than low-metastasis cell lines. We therefore hypothesized that increasing cell stiffness would suppress metastasis by reducing cell motility. In this study, we tested whether carbenoxolone (CBX) increases the stiffness of LM8 osteosarcoma cells and prevents lung metastasis in vivo. Methods: We evaluated the actin cytoskeletal structure and polymerization of CBX-treated LM8 cells using actin staining. Cell stiffness was measured using atomic force microscopy. Metastasis-related cell functions were analyzed using cell proliferation, wound healing, invasion, and cell adhesion assays. Furthermore, lung metastasis was examined in LM8-bearing mice administered with CBX. Results: Treatment with CBX significantly increased actin staining intensity and stiffness of LM8 cells compared with vehicle-treated LM8 cells (p < 0.01). In Young’s modulus images, compared with the control group, rigid fibrillate structures were observed in the CBX treatment group. CBX suppressed cell migration, invasion, and adhesion but not cell proliferation. The number of LM8 lung metastases were significantly reduced in the CBX administration group compared with the control group (p < 0.01). Conclusion: In this study, we demonstrated that CBX increases tumor cell stiffness and significantly reduces lung metastasis. Our study is the first to provide evidence that reducing cell motility by increasing cell stiffness might be effective as a novel anti-metastasis approach in vivo.
Protective Effects of Apamin on Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice
Authors: Jang Hyo-Jeong , Leem Jaechan , Kim Gyun Moo
Published: May 2023

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose can cause severe liver damage, but therapeutic options are limited. Apamin is a natural peptide present in bee venom and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Accumulating evidence suggests that apamin has favorable actions in rodent models of inflammatory disorders. Here, we examined the effect of apamin on APAP-evoked hepatotoxicity. Intraperitoneal administration of apamin (0.1 mg/kg) alleviated histological abnormalities and reduced serum levels of liver enzymes in mice injected with APAP. Apamin inhibited oxidative stress through an increase in the amount of glutathione and activation of the antioxidant system. Apamin also attenuated apoptosis with inhibition of caspase-3 activation. Moreover, apamin reduced serum and hepatic levels of cytokines in APAP-injected mice. These effects were accompanied by suppression of NF-κB activation. Furthermore, apamin inhibited chemokine expression and inflammatory cell infiltration. Our results suggest that apamin dampens APAP-evoked hepatotoxicity through inhibiting oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation.
Material Flow Cost Accounting as a Resource-Saving Tool for Emerging Recycling Technologies
Authors: Walls Caitlin , Putri Almy Ruzni Keumala , Beck Gesa
Published: May 2023

Material Flow Cost Accounting (MFCA) is an environmental management accounting method that allocates costs to material and energy flows through a process, thereby enabling a simultaneous reduction in environmental impacts alongside an improvement in business and economic efficiency. This study illustrates the versatility of MFCA beyond its usual application to existing production and manufacturing processes. In this paper, MFCA is used to assess the financial viability of two emerging recycling technologies, IRETA2 (Development and Evaluation of Recycling Routes to Recover Tantalum from Electronic Waste) and ReComp (Development of an Innovative, Economically and Ecologically Sensible Recycling Method for Metallised ABS and PC/ABS Composite Waste). These two projects differ in their process structure. Whilst IRETA2 is a strictly linear recycling process, ReComp consists of two process streams, split according to the treatment of its two material fractions. For both projects, the lab-scale experimental results were used to develop an MFCA model of the recycling process scaled at each project partner’s facilities. MFCA was utilised to calculate the projects’ overall profit or loss, the impact of the final products’ market conditions and processing rate (in the case of IRETA2), or machinery capacity (for ReComp) on the overall results. The results show that neither IRETA2 nor ReComp are financially viable based on the current output products’ market value and quantity produced. However, through a sensitivity analysis, it is demonstrated that IRETA2 could become financially viable if the processing rate or market conditions were to improve. Additionally, ReComp could become financially viable if there was an increase in machine capacity. Finally, this paper also explores possible implications of MFCA when applied to emerging recycling technologies on EU policy and strategy, particularly those related to the EU Green Deal, such as extended producer responsibility and supply chain acts.
Experimental and Machine Learning Studies on Chitosan-Polyacrylamide Copolymers for Selective Separation of Metal Sulfides in the Froth Flotation Process
Authors: Monyake Keitumetse , Han Taihao , Ali Danish , Alagha Lana , Kumar Aditya
Published: May 2023

The froth flotation process is extensively used for the selective separation of valuable base metal sulfides from uneconomic associated minerals. However, in this complex multiphase process, various parameters need to be optimized to ensure separation selectivity and peak performance. In this study, two machine learning (ML) models, artificial neural network (ANN) and random forests (RF), were used to predict the efficiency of in-house synthesized chitosan-polyacrylamide copolymers (C-PAMs) in the depression of iron sulfide minerals (i.e., pyrite) while valuable base metal sulfides (i.e., galena and chalcopyrite) were floated using nine flotation variables as inputs to the models. The prediction performance of the models was rigorously evaluated based on the coefficient of determination (R2) and the root-mean-square error (RMSE). The results showed that the RF model was able to produce high-fidelity predictions of the depression of pyrite once thoroughly trained as compared to ANN. With the RF model, the overall R2 and RMSE values were 0.88 and 4.38 for the training phase, respectively, and R2 of 0.90 and RMSE of 3.78 for the testing phase. As for the ANN, during the training phase, the overall R2 and RMSE were 0.76 and 4.75, respectively, and during the testing phase, the R2 and RMSE were 0.65 and 5.42, respectively. Additionally, fundamental investigations on the surface chemistry of C-PAMs at the mineral–water interface were conducted to give fundamental insights into the behavior of different metal sulfides during the flotation process. C-PAM was found to strongly adsorb on pyrite as compared to galena and chalcopyrite through zeta potential, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and adsorption density measurements. XPS tests suggested that the adsorption mechanism of C-PAM on pyrite was through chemisorption of the amine and amide groups of the polymer.
What Does “ITS” Say about Hybridization in Lineages of Sarsia (Corynidae, Hydrozoa) from the White Sea?
Authors: Prudkovsky Andrey , Vetrova Alexandra , Kremnyov Stanislav
Published: May 2023

Hydrozoans are widely known for their complex life cycles. The life cycle usually includes an asexual benthic polyp, which produces a sexual zooid (gonophore). Here, we performed an extensive analysis of 183 specimens of the hydrozoan genus Sarsia from the White Sea and identified four types of gonophores. We also compared the type of gonophore with haplotypes of the molecular markers COI and ITS. Analysis of COI sequences recovered that the studied specimens related to the species S. tubulosa, S. princeps and S. lovenii, and that the S. lovenii specimens divided into two COI haplogroups. More intraspecific genetic diversity was revealed in the analysis of the ITS sequences. The Sarsia tubulosa specimens divided into two ITS haplotypes, and presumably, hybrid forms between these lineages were found. For S. lovenii, we identified 14 ITS haplotypes as a result of allele separation. Intra-individual genetic polymorphism of the ITS region was most likely associated with intraspecific crossing between the different haplotypes. The diversity of the morphotypes was associated with the genetic diversity of the specimens. Thus, we demonstrated that the morphologically variable species S. lovenii is represented in the White Sea by a network of intensively hybridizing haplotypes. Hybridization affects the morphology and maturation period of gonophores and presumably affects the processes of speciation.
Vanilla planifolia Andrews (Orchidaceae): Labellum Variation and Potential Distribution in Hidalgo, Mexico
Authors: Maceda Agustín , Delgado-Alvarado Adriana , Salazar-Rojas Víctor M. , Herrera-Cabrera B. Edgar
Published: May 2023

Vanilla planifolia is a species of commercial importance. However, vanilla presents gene erosion problems due to its clonal reproduction. In the Huasteca of Hidalgo, there is no information on vanilla populations. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to identify the current populations and the potential distribution of, and the morphological variation in, the labellum of V. planifolia in the Huasteca of Hidalgo. Twenty-two accessions were located and selected. Based on 21 environmental variables, the niche modeling of the potential distribution was carried out with the MaxEnt program; with the Jackknife test being used to identify the variables that contributed to the model. Flowers from 22 accessions were collected and the labellum of each flower was dissected. Subsequently, 64 morphological variables were obtained and various multivariate analyses were performed. The results showed three regions, defined by the highest to the lowest probability that V. planifolia was distributed. The precipitation of the driest month, altitude, and vegetation cover delimited the distribution. Five different morphotypes were distinguished, and the main differences were associated with the middle part of the labellum as well as the entrance of pollinators to the flower; therefore, the characterization of the labellum showed an infraspecific variation in V. planifolia in populations of the Huasteca of Hidalgo.
New Records of Callinectes sapidus (Crustacea, Portunidae) from Malta and the San Leonardo River Estuary in Sicily (Central Mediterranean)
Authors: Vella Adriana , Giarrusso Enrico , Monaco Clara , Mifsud Clare Marie , Darmanin Sandra Agius , Raffa Alessandra , Tumino Carla , Peri Iuri , Vella Noel
Published: May 2023

The current study provides new data on the known records of the Atlantic blue crab, Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896, from the Maltese Islands through two ovigerous female specimens collected from Salini (Malta), a Natura 2000 site, in August 2020. Additional new records of the species were also presented from the San Leonardo River estuary, Syracuse (Sicily, Italy), in August 2022. The specimens collected from both Malta and Sicily were identified using both morphological and molecular analyses. The latter has shown that all the specimens analysed share their mitochondrial DNA barcode region with the most recorded haplotype of the same species from the Mediterranean Sea. Knowing the new distribution and range expansion records of alien species is important for the continuous monitoring of marine alien species, which is essential for the implementation of the best possible mitigation measures. This is especially relevant for C. sapidus, as it is considered one of the worst invaders of the Mediterranean Sea. Therefore, given that this alien species is edible, fishing for it may allow some control over its population size and further expansion. Knowing its distribution is crucial to inform fishers about its exact location, making such a mitigation measure more effective.
Wasserstein Distance-Based Deep Leakage from Gradients
Authors: Wang Zifan , Peng Changgen , He Xing , Tan Weijie
Published: May 2023

Federated learning protects the privacy information in the data set by sharing the average gradient. However, “Deep Leakage from Gradient” (DLG) algorithm as a gradient-based feature reconstruction attack can recover privacy training data using gradients shared in federated learning, resulting in private information leakage. However, the algorithm has the disadvantages of slow model convergence and poor inverse generated images accuracy. To address these issues, a Wasserstein distance-based DLG method is proposed, named WDLG. The WDLG method uses Wasserstein distance as the training loss function achieved to improve the inverse image quality and the model convergence. The hard-to-calculate Wasserstein distance is converted to be calculated iteratively using the Lipschit condition and Kantorovich–Rubinstein duality. Theoretical analysis proves the differentiability and continuity of Wasserstein distance. Finally, experiment results show that the WDLG algorithm is superior to DLG in training speed and inversion image quality. At the same time, we prove through the experiments that differential privacy can be used for disturbance protection, which provides some ideas for the development of a deep learning framework to protect privacy.
Forward and Backward Recalling Sequences in Spatial and Verbal Memory Tasks: What Do We Measure?
Authors: Melin Jeanette , Göschel Laura , Hagell Peter , Westergren Albert , Flöel Agnes , Pendrill Leslie
Published: May 2023

There are different views in the literature about the number and inter-relationships of cognitive domains (such as memory and executive function) and a lack of understanding of the cognitive processes underlying these domains. In previous publications, we demonstrated a methodology for formulating and testing cognitive constructs for visuo-spatial and verbal recall tasks, particularly for working memory task difficulty where entropy is found to play a major role. In the present paper, we applied those insights to a new set of such memory tasks, namely, backward recalling block tapping and digit sequences. Once again, we saw clear and strong entropy-based construct specification equations (CSEs) for task difficulty. In fact, the entropy contributions in the CSEs for the different tasks were of similar magnitudes (within the measurement uncertainties), which may indicate a shared factor in what is being measured with both forward and backward sequences, as well as visuo-spatial and verbal memory recalling tasks more generally. On the other hand, the analyses of dimensionality and the larger measurement uncertainties in the CSEs for the backward sequences suggest that caution is needed when attempting to unify a single unidimensional construct based on forward and backward sequences with visuo-spatial and verbal memory tasks.
Picture Books, Imagination and Play: Pathways to Positive Reading Identities for Young Children
Authors: Niland Amanda
Published: May 2023

Picture books are part of many young children’s lives, whether at home or in early childhood or school settings. Their unique creative combinations of words and visual images can engage children’s attention, stimulate their imagination, and support their development as meaning-makers. Nurturing a love of books in young children can foster the development not only of early literacy skills, but also positive reading identities. Early childhood educators therefore have key roles to play as selectors, analysts and mediators of picture books. This article aims to build educators’ awareness of these roles through the analytical discussion of a small group of picture books selected for their focus on children’s imaginative worlds. Children need to see themselves in books, and given that play and imagination are central to young children’s ways of being and learning, picture books about children engaged in imagination and play can be important resources for nurturing a love of reading and fostering positive reading identities in young children. This pedagogical position paper explores a small sample of such books and discusses their value as part of early literacy curriculum.
A Neural Network to Decipher Organic Electrochemical Transistors’ Multivariate Responses for Cation Recognition
Authors: Pecqueur Sébastien , Vuillaume Dominique , Crljen Željko , Lončarić Ivor , Zlatić Vinko
Published: May 2023

Extracting relevant data from real-world experiments is often challenging with intrinsic materials and device property dispersion, such as in organic electronics. However, multivariate data analysis can often be a mean to circumvent this and to extract more information when larger datasets are used with learning algorithms instead of physical models. Here, we report on identifying relevant information descriptors for organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) to classify aqueous electrolytes by ionic composition. Applying periodical gate pulses at different voltage magnitudes, we extracted a reduced number of nonredundant descriptors from the rich drain-current dynamics, which provide enough information to cluster electrochemical data by principal component analysis between Ca2+-, K+-, and Na+-rich electrolytes. With six current values obtained at the appropriate time domain of the device charge/discharge transient, one can identify the cationic identity of a locally probed transient current with only a single micrometric device. Applied to OECT-based neural sensors, this analysis demonstrates the capability for a single nonselective device to retrieve the rich ionic identity of neural activity at the scale of each neuron individually when learning algorithms are applied to the device physics.
Effect of the ZnSnO/AZO Interface on the Charge Extraction in Cd-Free Kesterite Solar Cells
Authors: Gobbo Carla , Di Palma Valerio , Trifiletti Vanira , Malerba Claudia , Valentini Matteo , Matacena Ilaria , Daliento Santolo , Binetti Simona , Acciarri Maurizio , Tseberlidis Giorgio
Published: May 2023

Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) is a promising absorber material to produce thin film solar cells thanks to its high absorption coefficient, low cost and low toxicity. CdS is commonly used as a buffer layer for CZTS solar cells but, beyond its toxicity, it has a nonoptimal band alignment with CZTS. ZnxSn1−xO (ZTO), based on earth-abundant and nontoxic elements and with a large and tunable band gap, is a suitable alternative buffer layer. In this paper, the atomic layer deposition (ALD) of ZTO was employed by testing different compositions and thicknesses. ALD not only leads to very compact and homogenous ZTO layers (enabling tuning the stoichiometry of the ZTO so prepared) but also makes the i-ZnO layer (usually sandwiched between the buffer layer and the transparent contact) redundant and detrimental. Through SCAPS simulation and impedance measurements, the ZnSnO/AZO interface impact on the Cd-free kesterite solar cells’ performances has been investigated, highlighting its leading role in achieving an effective charge extraction and the detrimental effect of the i-ZnO layer. With this approach, a solar cell based on an architecture simpler and more eco-friendly than the conventional one has been produced with comparable efficiencies.
Hydrogen Production from Catalytic Pyrolysis of Phenol as Tar Model Compound in Magnetic Field
Authors: Li Yalong , Zhao Baofeng , Guan Haibin , Liu Suxiang , Zhu Di , Song Angang , Li Huan , Sun Laizhi
Published: May 2023

Tar conversion during biomass pyrolysis is essential for hydrogen production. In this study, phenol and 10 wt.% Ni/CaO-Ca12Al14O33 were used as the tar model compound and catalyst, respectively. The purpose of the present investigation was to analyze the influence of varying magnetic field strength (ranging from 0 to 80 mT), reaction temperature (ranging from 550 to 700 °C), and carrier gas velocity (ranging from 20 to 30 mL/min) on the catalytic pyrolysis outcomes obtained from phenol. The findings indicated that the conversion rate of phenol and H2 output exhibited an increase with an escalation in magnetic field strength and reaction temperature but demonstrated a decrease with an upsurge in the carrier gas velocity. The ideal conditions for achieving the maximum phenol conversion (91%) and H2 yield (458.5 mL/g) were realized by adjusting the temperature to 650 °C, retaining the carrier gas velocity at 20 mL/min, and elevating the magnetic field intensity to 80 mT. These conditions resulted in a considerable increase in phenol conversion and H2 yield by 22.2% and 28.2%, respectively, compared with those achieved without magnetism. According to the kinetic calculations, it was indicated that the inclusion of a magnetic force had a beneficial effect on the catalytic efficacy of 10 wt.% CaO-Ca12Al14O33. Additionally, this magnetic field was observed to lower the activation energy required for the production of H2 when compared with the activation energy required during phenol catalytic pyrolysis. This consequently resulted in an enhancement of the overall efficiency of H2 production.
Sensitivity Analysis of Mechanical Parameters of Collapse Roof of Carbonate Rock Deep Buried Oilfield
Authors: Ding Yanzhi , Zhang Qiangyong , Xiang Wen , Lyu Xinrui , Zhang Longyun
Published: May 2023

Carbonate rock oilfields account for two-thirds of proven marine carbonate oilfield reserves, which are the primary way to increase future oil and gas energy reserves. Cave collapses occur during the process of oil reservoir development, seriously affecting oil production. In order to reveal the collapse failure mechanism of carbonate karst caves and predict whether the fracture cave type oil reservoir will collapse before drilling, a binary depth reduction method for determining the critical collapse depth of karst caves is proposed based on the Tahe fracture cave type oil reservoir. The sensitivity of karst cave collapses to multiple factors is analyzed, and a prediction formula for the critical collapse depth of karst caves with changes in the deformation modulus, the internal friction angle, and the cohesion is established through multiple regression analysis. By calculating and analyzing the numerical values of a large number of operating conditions under different mechanical parameters, the failure process, failure mode, and the change law of collapse depth during the Tahe oilfield destruction process were obtained. We used the established formula for predicting the collapse depth of karst caves to predict and analyze the actual distribution of karst caves in the Tahe oilfield. The calculation and analysis results showed that in the karst cave failure mode characterized by vertical shear failure, the cohesive force is the most sensitive factor affecting cave collapse, followed by the internal friction angle. The deformation modulus is hardly sensitive to the influence of the karst collapse. Through the geomechanical model test, the result verified the accuracy and reliability of the calculation results. The research results will provide necessary theoretical support for the large-scale safe extraction of deep petroleum resources, increase oil production in China, and have important theoretical significance and engineering application value.