bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Educating Residents in Abdominal Wall Closure: An Overview
Authors: Leavitt Justin , Hager Matthew , Edgerton Colston , Hooks W. Borden , Hope William
Published: December 2023

Background and Aims: Incisional hernia prevention has become an important concept for surgeons operating on the abdominal wall. Several techniques have been proposed to help decrease incisional hernia formation with suture closure of the abdominal wall being one of the cornerstones. Technical details that have been reported to decrease incisional hernia rates include achieving a 4:1 Suture to Wound length ratio and the use of a small bites technique. Despite evidence to support many of these techniques there appears to be a gap in practice patterns amongst practicing surgeons. Introducing and promoting these principles in surgical residency may help to close this gap. This paper reviews our experience with surgical training for abdominal wall closures at our institution.

Materials and Methods: Programs and projects related to abdominal wall closure were reviewed from our institution from 2010-Present. Type of project, intervention, and impact on education was evaluated and summarized.

Results: Seven projects were identified relating to surgical training and abdominal wall closure. Three projects dealt with skills training using an abdominal wall simulation model and related to suturing techniques. Two projects were clinical studies focused on suture to wound length ratios and improving outcomes with this variable in a residency training program. Two projects dealt with models relating to abdominal wall closure and education.

Conclusion: Implementation of educational programs in surgical residency programs can lead to improvements in technique and knowledge around abdominal wall closure and help in research endeavors.
Effect of Calcium Fertilization on Calcium Uptake and Its Partitioning in Citrus Trees
Authors: Morales Julia , Martínez-Alcántara Belén , Bermejo Almudena , Millos Jorge , Legaz Francisco , Quiñones Ana
Published: December 2023

Calcium (Ca) plays a vital role as a macronutrient in the growth and development of plants. In order of decreasing solubility, Ca can be found in vegetal tissues as soluble Ca (Fraction I), bound Ca (mainly pectates, Fraction II), inorganic insoluble Ca (mainly phosphates and carbonates, Fraction III) and organic insoluble Ca or oxalate (Fraction IV). To explore the impact of Ca fertilizer application on plant growth and its allocation among different fractions, young citrus trees were fed over a complete vegetative cycle with a 44Ca labeled fertilizer (T1-Ca), while control plants (T2) received no Ca fertilizer. The results showed that plants receiving Ca exhibited significantly greater biomass. 44Ca derived from the fertilizer was localized mainly in sink organs (new flush leaves–twigs and fibrous roots). The primary fraction responsible for total Ca partitioning was Fraction II, followed by Fraction III or IV. Citrus plants, commonly found in calcareous soils, demonstrated improved growth with calcium treatments, indicating a positive link between calcium supplementation and enhanced development. The calcium supplied through the fertilizer (44Ca) was predominantly concentrated in sink organs (mainly in Ca-pectate fraction), including new flush leaves and twigs above ground, as well as fibrous roots below ground.
Effect of Grass Buffer Strips on Nitrogen and Phosphorus Removal from Paddy Runoff and Its Optimum Widths
Authors: Miao Kexin , Dai Wanqing , Xie Zijian , Li Chunhua , Ye Chun
Published: December 2023

Paddy runoff pollution is one of the major contributors to limiting the improvement of water quality in Taihu Lake Basin. Grass buffer strips (GBSs) are an effective measure to control paddy runoff pollution. However, most studies only consider a single inflow condition, and few studies have considered the effect of high-frequency rainfall. In this study, a field runoff simulation experiment was constructed to simulate the effect of GBSs on runoff nitrogen and phosphorus removal at different inflow volumes, inflow velocities, inflow concentrations, and rainfall frequencies. Results demonstrated that the larger the inflow volume, the faster the inflow velocity, and the lower the inflow concentration, the higher the runoff pollutant interception rate that occurred in GBSs, and the interception rate improved significantly with increasing GBS widths. The peak change point of removal rate occurred at a width of 15 m for NO3−-N and TP and at a 25 m width for TN and NH4+-N. The cumulative removal rate increased slowly after the change point. Although the peak cumulative removal rate appeared at a GBS width of 35~45 m. Considering the pollutants intercepted by GBSs and the emerging demand for land in this basin, 25 m was recommended as the optimum width to remove runoff pollutants.
An Improved Method for Broiler Weight Estimation Integrating Multi-Feature with Gradient Boosting Decision Tree
Authors: Li Ximing , Wu Jingyi , Zhao Zeyong , Zhuang Yitao , Sun Shikai , Xie Huanlong , Gao Yuefang , Xiao Deqin
Published: December 2023

Broiler weighing is essential in the broiler farming industry. Camera-based systems can economically weigh various broiler types without expensive platforms. However, existing computer vision methods for weight estimation are less mature, as they focus on young broilers. In effect, the estimation error increases with the age of the broiler. To tackle this, this paper presents a novel framework. First, it employs Mask R-CNN for instance segmentation of depth images captured by 3D cameras. Next, once the images of either a single broiler or multiple broilers are segmented, the extended artificial features and the learned features extracted by Customized Resnet50 (C-Resnet50) are fused by a feature fusion module. Finally, the fused features are adopted to estimate the body weight of each broiler employing gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT). By integrating diverse features with GBTD, the proposed framework can effectively obtain the broiler instance among many depth images of multiple broilers in the visual field despite the complex background. Experimental results show that this framework significantly boosts accuracy and robustness. With an MAE of 0.093 kg and an R2 of 0.707 in a test set of 240 63-day-old bantam chicken images, it outperforms other methods.
Effects of Multiple Environmental Stressors on Zoobenthos Communities in Shallow Lakes: Evidence from a Mesocosm Experiment
Authors: Xu Xiaoqi , Su Guohuan , Zhang Peiyu , Wang Tao , Zhao Kangshun , Zhang Huan , Huang Jinhe , Wang Hongxia , Kong Xianghong , Xu Jun , Zhang Min
Published: December 2023

Multiple stressors, including climate change, eutrophication, and pesticide contamination, are significant drivers of the decline in lake zoobenthos. Zoobenthos play a crucial role in aquatic ecosystems, impacting energy dynamics, nutrient cycling, and sediment degradation. However, these stressors have led to a decrease in the abundance and diversity of zoobenthos, resulting in notable changes in species composition and structure. Eutrophication typically increases zoobenthos abundance while reducing taxonomic diversity. Climate change, such as warming and heatwaves, also affects the zoobenthos community structure, with different species exhibiting varying levels of adaptability to temperature changes. Additionally, pesticides like imidacloprid have negative effects on the survival and growth of zoobenthos. However, the interactions between imidacloprid and other stressors remain understudied. Here, we used 48 mesocosms (2500 L) to simulate shallow lakes. We combined nutrient loading, sustained warming, and the imidacloprid pesticide to test how these stressors interactively influence the survival and community of zoobenthos. The experimental results demonstrate that elevated temperatures have a significant impact on aquatic benthic organisms under different treatment conditions. The increase in temperature led to a notable rise in species richness and α-diversity, primarily attributed to the stimulation of metabolic activities in zoobenthos, promoting their growth and reproduction. This finding underscores the potential influence of climate change on aquatic benthic ecosystems, particularly in terms of its promoting effect on α-diversity. However, it is essential to note that elevated temperatures also reduced β-diversity among different sites, implying a potential trend toward homogenization in zoobenthos communities under warmer conditions. Moreover, this study revealed the interactive effects of multiple stressors on the diversity of aquatic benthic communities. Specifically, the pesticide imidacloprid’s impact on zoobenthos is not isolated but demonstrates complex effects within various treatment interactions. In the presence of both temperature elevation and the addition of imidacloprid, the presence of imidacloprid appears to counteract the adverse effects of temperature elevation, resulting in increased species diversity. However, when imidacloprid coincides with nutrient input, it significantly affects α-diversity negatively. These findings highlight the complexity of zoobenthos responses to multiple stressors and how these factors influence both α-diversity and β-diversity. They provide valuable insights for further research on the conservation and management of ecosystems.
Phylogeography and Ecological Niche Modeling of the Alashan Pit Viper (Gloydius cognatus; Reptilia, Viperidae) in Northwest China and Adjacent Areas
Authors: Xu Rui , Dujsebayeva Tatjana N. , Chen Dali , Mijidsuren Byambasuren , Xu Feng , Guo Xianguang
Published: December 2023

The joint impacts of historical geological events and Quaternary climatic oscillations in Northwest China on species evolution have been examined extensively in plant under a phylogeographic perspective. However, animal phylogeographic analyses in this region are still limited. The Alashan pit viper, Gloydius cognatus, occurs primarily in arid Northwest China and adjacent areas. Based on variation at two mtDNA genes (ND4 and Cytb) in 27 individuals representing 24 populations, the spatial genetic structure and demographic history of G. cognatus were examined across its geographic range. Phylogenetic analyses revealed two well-supported allopatric clades (each with two distinct subclades/lineages), distributed across the southern (Qaidam Basin, Lanzhou Basin, and Zoige Basin [S1]; Loess Plateau [S2]) and northern (Ily Basin [N1]; Junggar Basin and Mongolian Plateau [N2]) regions. AMOVA analysis demonstrated that over 76% of the observed genetic variation was related to these lineage splits, indicating substantial genetic differentiation among the four lineages. A strong pattern of isolation-by-distance across the sampling populations suggested that geographic distance principally shaped the genetic structure. The four lineages diverged by 0.9–2.2% for the concatenated data, which were estimated to have coalesced ~1.17 million years ago (Mya), suggesting that the expansions of the Badain Jaran, Tengger, and Mu Us deserts during the Xixiabangma glaciation likely interrupted gene flow and triggered the observed divergence in the southern and northern regions. Subsequently, the early Pleistocene integration of the Yellow River and associated deserts expansion promoted the differentiation of S1 and S2 lineages (~0.9 Mya). Both mitochondrial evidence and ecological niche modeling (ENM) reject the signature of demographic and range contractions during the LGM for G. cognatus. In addition, ENM predicts that the suitable habitat of G. cognatus will contract in the future. As such, the conservation and management of ESUs should be a priority. Our findings provide the first insights on the lineage diversification and population dynamics of the Alashan pit viper in relation to geological history and Pleistocene climatic oscillations in arid Northwest China.
DFCCNet: A Dense Flock of Chickens Counting Network Based on Density Map Regression
Authors: Lv Jinze , Wang Jinfeng , Peng Chaoda , Huang Qiong
Published: December 2023

With the development of artificial intelligence, automatically and accurately counting chickens has become a reality. However, insufficient lighting, irregular sizes, and dense flocks make this a challenging task. The existing methods cannot perform accurate and stable counting. In this article, a dense flock of chickens counting network (DFCCNet) is proposed based on density map regression, where features from different levels are merged using feature fusion to obtain more information for distinguishing chickens from the background, resulting in more stable counting results. Multi-scaling is used to detect and count chickens at various scales, which can improve the counting accuracy and ensure stable performance for chickens of different sizes. Feature convolution kernels are adopted to convolve feature maps, which can extract more accurate target information, reduce the impact of occlusion, and achieve more reliable and precise results. A dataset of dense flocks of chickens (namely Dense-Chicken) has been collected and constructed, which contains 600 images of 99,916 chickens, with labeled points and boxes. It can be accessed by researchers as benchmark data. The proposed method was compared with some state-of-the-art algorithms, to validate its effectiveness. With its robustness being verified by counting in three kinds of density situations, with the mean absolute error being 4.26, 9.85, and 19.17, respectively, and a speed of 16.15 FPS. DFCCNet provides an automatic and fast approach to counting chickens in a dense farming environment. It can be easily embedded into handheld devices for application in agricultural engineering.
The Role of Omega-3 in Attenuating Cardiac Remodeling and Heart Failure through the Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Pathways
Authors: Lazzarin Taline , Martins Danilo , Ballarin Raquel S. , Monte Marina G. , Minicucci Marcos F. , Polegato Bertha F. , Zornoff Leonardo
Published: December 2023

Cardiac remodeling is defined as molecular, cellular, and interstitial changes that manifest clinically as alterations in the size, shape, and function of the heart. Despite the pharmacological approaches, cardiac remodeling-related mortality rates remain high. Therefore, other therapeutic options are being increasingly studied. This review highlights the role of omega-3 as an adjunctive therapy to attenuate cardiac remodeling, with an emphasis on its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.
Elevating Cereal-Based Nutrition: Moringa oleifera Supplemented Bread and Biscuits
Authors: Ferreira Teresa , Gomes Sandra M. , Santos Lúcia
Published: December 2023

Enhancing the nutritional value of commonly consumed, cost-effective staple foods, such as bread and biscuits, by fortifying them with Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) and its phenolic-rich extract holds substantial potential for addressing malnutrition. This study evaluated the phenolic extract from MOLP obtained through Soxhlet extraction, focusing on its antioxidant, antibacterial, and antidiabetic properties. The resulting extract exhibited a total phenolic content (TPC) of 138.2 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g. The ABTS and DPPH assays presented IC50 values of 115.2 mg/L and 544.0 mg/L, respectively. Furthermore, the extract displayed notable α-amylase inhibition and no cytotoxicity towards human fibroblasts. The primary phenolic compounds identified were catechin, epicatechin, and caffeic acid. Subsequently, MOLP and its extract were incorporated into bread and biscuits, replacing 5% of wheat flour, resulting in fortified functional foods. The fortified products exhibited improved TPC and antioxidant activity compared to the non-fortified foods. Furthermore, they displayed the ability to inhibit microbial growth, leading to an extended shelf life. Sensory analysis indicated that the products incorporated with the extract were preferred over those with MOLP. These results have demonstrated the viability of using MOLP and its phenolic-rich extract as an environmentally sustainable strategy for enhancing the quality of cereal-based products.
Evolutionary Algorithm to Optimize Process Parameters of Al/Steel Magnetic Pulse Welding
Authors: Shim Jiyeon , Kim Illsoo
Published: December 2023

The Magnetic Pulse Welding (MPW) process uses only electromagnetic force to create a solid-state metallurgical bond between a working coil and outer workpiece. The electromagnetic force drives the outer tube to collide with the inner rod, resulting in successful bonding. However, due to the dissimilarity of the MPW joint, only a portion of the interface forms a metallurgical bond, which affects the quality of the joint. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of process parameters on joint quality through experimental work using RSM. Furthermore, an optimization algorithm is utilized to optimize the process parameters used in magnetic pulse welding. A1070 aluminum and S45C carbon steel were used as the materials, while peak current, gap between working coil and outer tube, and frequency were chosen as the process parameters for MPW. The welding conditions are determined through experimental design. After welding, the maximum load and weld length are measured to analyze the effect of the process parameters, and a prediction model is developed. Specifically, to achieve a high-quality joint, the process parameters are optimized using the Imperialist Competitive Algorithm (ICA) and Genetic Algorithm (GA). The results reveal that the peak current is a significant parameter, and the developed prediction model exhibits high accuracy. Furthermore, the ICA algorithm proves very effective in determining the process parameters for achieving a high-quality Al/Steel MPW joint.
“A Woman Clothed with the Sun”: The Diagnostic Study and Testing of Enzyme-Based Green Products for the Restoration of an Early 17th Century Wall Painting in the Palazzo Gallo in Bagnaia (Italy)
Authors: Colantonio Claudia , Lanteri Luca , Bocci Ramona , Valentini Valeria , Pelosi Claudia
Published: December 2023

A 17th century wall painting, representing the Virgin between two Saints, in a noble Italian renaissance palace, the Palazzo Gallo in Bagnaia (Viterbo, Italy), was restored in 2021 in the context of a wider restoration campaign involving the main room of the palace built by cardinal Sansoni Riario. Diagnostic analyses performed using traditional characterization techniques (optical microscopy on micro-stratigraphic sections, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) provided the identification of both the original painting and its restoration materials, while imaging investigations using the ultraviolet fluorescence photography, false color images and multispectral mapping provided by the hypercolorimetric multispectral imaging (HMI) technique enabled the evaluation of the state of conservation, the location of restoration interventions and supported the monitoring of the cleaning procedure. An altered protective Paraloid®-based coating dating from the early 2000s had to be removed due to the unpleasant glossy finishing it had given to the painted surface, making the scene barely readable. To pursue a restoration protocol based on environmental sustainability and green chemistry, enzyme-based gels marketed by the Nasier-Brenta© and CTS© companies were tested in different protocols for the cleaning of the mixture (known as beverone) covering the painting. Although some interesting results were observed, the enzymatic cleaning had limited effectiveness, and was more timing-consuming than was reasonable. Traditional chemical solvents such as Dowanol PM (methoxy propanol) and benzyl alcohol were necessary to complete the cleaning of the painting surface.
Photovoltaic-Based Residential Direct-Current Microgrid and Its Comprehensive Performance Evaluation
Authors: Pan Wangjie , Zhang Ye , Jin Wangwang , Liang Zede , Wang Meinan , Li Qingqing
Published: December 2023

The “dual carbon” strategy has drawn attention to distributed PV systems for their flexibility and variability, but the rising need for direct-current (DC) loads on the load side has created additional difficulties for microgrid system upgrades. In this article, a PV-based microgrid design approach for residential buildings is suggested, working on the assumption that distributed PV systems are given top priority to handle domestic DC needs. The residential DC microgrid system’s overall design concept is first put out, and the circuit system is then concentrated to supply the main idea for the ensuing verification of the system’s viability. Secondly, the actual power generation in the selected area was clarified by testing, and then the electricity consumption of DC loads accounted for about 20.03% of the total power consumption according to the survey of 100 users. In addition, the circuit system is subjected to spectral model measurements and physical measurements to verify the operational performance of the circuit system; the feasibility of the PV microgrid system is further verified using dual testing of the PV system and the circuit system. The test results show that the proposed DC microgrid system can accurately provide the required voltage for small household DC appliances, such as 24 V, 14 V, 5 V, etc. Finally, the system economics were analyzed, and the equipment payback years were estimated. The supply and demand of PV power generation and DC appliances can be balanced via the construction of a microgrid. This study offers a fresh concept for the use of PV technology. The concept behind this research can serve as a model for the creation and application of other new energy sources.
Bimetallic Gold–Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as Carriers of Methotrexate: Perspective Tools for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Batsalova Tsvetelina , Vasil’kov Alexander , Moten Dzhemal , Voronova Anastasiia , Teneva Ivanka , Naumkin Alexander , Dzhambazov Balik
Published: December 2023

Bimetallic nanoparticles (BMNPs) combine unique and synergistic properties of two metals, allowing new specific applications. In this study, bimetallic AuFe nanoparticles and their conjugates with methotrexate (MTX) were obtained with an environmentally safe method of metal-vapor synthesis. The composition and electronic structure of the particles were investigated with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrum and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XANES and EXAFS). The effects of BMNP-MTX conjugates on human primary cells and tumor cell lines were evaluated with neutral red uptake and MTT in vitro cytotoxicity assays. Bright-field microscopy analyses of tumor spheroid size and evaluations of tumor spheroid vitality based on SFDA AM staining were carried out. In vitro assays for an antibacterial activity evaluation of the generated samples were performed. The influence of BMNP-MTX on cytokine production with normal leukocytes was assessed using ELISA. X-ray analyses of the samples demonstrated that gold was in the ground state Au0 as well as Au+ and Au3+ states are present in small quantities, whereas iron existed as a mixture of non-histometric oxides with states close to Fe2+ and Fe3+. The modification of the AuFe system with MTX is accompanied by a threefold increase in the relative proportion of the Au+ state. BMNP-MTX conjugates demonstrated significant antitumor activity compared to the drug alone, which proves the ability of the generated nanoconjugates to improve the effectiveness of MTX therapy. This was confirmed by a marked reduction in the size and vitality of AuFe-MTX-treated 3D tumor spheroids. In addition to their selective antitumor activity, AuFe-MTX exhibited moderate antibacterial activity and induced sample-specific cytokine production with normal human leukocytes—which points to an immunostimulatory potential. The present findings indicate important and diverse biological properties of BMNP-MTX conjugates and thus highlight perspectives for their biomedical applications and new immune-specific abilities.
Dynamic Identification Method for Potential Threat Vehicles beyond Line of Sight in Expressway Scenarios
Authors: Zou Fumin , Xia Chenxi , Guo Feng , Cai Xinjian , Cai Qiqin , Luo Guanghao , Ye Ting
Published: December 2023

Due to the challenge of limited line of sight in the perception system of intelligent driving vehicles (cameras, radar, body sensors, etc.), which can only perceive threats within a limited range, potential threats outside the line of sight cannot be fed back to the driver. Therefore, this article proposes a safety perception detection method for beyond the line of sight for intelligent driving. This method can improve driving safety, enabling drivers to perceive potential threats to vehicles in the rear areas beyond the line of sight earlier and make decisions in advance. Firstly, the electronic toll collection (ETC) transaction data are preprocessed to construct the vehicle trajectory speed dataset; then, wavelet transform (WT) is used to decompose and reconstruct the speed dataset, and lightweight gradient noosting machine learning (LightGBM) is adopted to train and learn the features of the vehicle section speed. On this basis, we also consider the features of vehicle type, traffic flow, and other characteristics, and construct a quantitative method to identify potential threat vehicles (PTVs) based on a fuzzy set to realize the dynamic safety assessment of vehicles, so as to effectively detect PTVs within the over-the-horizon range behind the driver. We simulated an expressway scenario using an ETC simulation platform to evaluate the detection of over-the-horizon PTVs. The simulation results indicate that the method can accurately detect PTVs of different types and under different road scenarios with an identification accuracy of 97.66%, which verifies the effectiveness of the method in this study. This result provides important theoretical and practical support for intelligent driving safety assistance in vehicle–road collaboration scenarios.
Detailed Activity-Based Earthwork Scheduling Model to Aid during the Planning Stage of Road Construction
Authors: Lee Chanwoo , Cha Minsu , Kim Hyeonmin , Cho Hunhee
Published: December 2023

Earthwork scheduling (during the planning phase of road construction) is an important task that directly affects the cost and time of a project. However, the current scheduling methods are not performed at a detailed level and carry forward gaps from the actual schedule in the construction stage, causing problems, including time delays and additional costs, during the construction stage and thereby leading to the modification and supplementation of existing plans. Many studies related to scheduling have focused on process optimization or automation; therefore, the gaps between the planning and construction stages have not been studied well. These gaps must be determined in advance to solve the fundamental problem of earthwork scheduling in road construction. Therefore, this study proposes a detailed activity-based scheduling model for earthwork at the planning stage to minimize the gap between the planned schedule and the actual process at the construction stage. The proposed model comprises a detailed activity-based database of earthwork in road construction (DADER), which enables the subdivision of the existing earthwork schedule plan, and a dynamic programming (DP) procedure, which enables the combination of activities. The earthwork schedule at the case site, planned for only three activities, is subdivided using DADER into 36 activities. Additionally, the DP procedure is used to derive a combination of activity alternatives that minimizes the cost among the conditions that satisfied the input target duration. The model is verified through an expert survey using a 7-point Likert scale. Results show that the model has cost efficiency (4.19), onsite applicability (4.70), and task efficiency (4.48). The findings indicate that performing scheduling during the planning stage of earthwork projects can help reduce additional work caused by the gap between the site and the plan. This study will help improve the productivity of road construction projects by providing correct process optimization and automation research data.
The Role of the Volatility in the Option Market
Authors: Arraut Ivan , Lei Ka-I
Published: December 2023

We review some general aspects about the Black–Scholes equation, which is used for predicting the fair price of an option inside the stock market. Our analysis includes the symmetry properties of the equation and its solutions. We use the Hamiltonian formulation for this purpose. Taking into account that the volatility inside the Black–Scholes equation is a parameter, we then introduce the Merton–Garman equation, where the volatility is stochastic, and then it can be perceived as a field. We then show how the Black–Scholes equation and the Merton–Garman one are locally equivalent by imposing a gauge symmetry under changes in the prices over the Black–Scholes equation. This demonstrates that the stochastic volatility emerges naturally from symmetry arguments. Finally, we analyze the role of the volatility on the decisions taken by the holders of the options when they use the solution of the Black–Scholes equation as a tool for making investment decisions.
Spectral Shift and Split of Harmonic Lines in Propagation Affected High Harmonic Generation in a Long-Interaction Gas Tube
Authors: Seres Jozsef , Seres Enikoe , Serrat Carles , Dinh Thanh-Hung , Hasegawa Noboru , Ishino Masahiko , Nishikino Masaharu , Namba Shinichi
Published: December 2023

While generating high harmonics in long media of helium gas, at certain laser intensities and chirp, the spectral shift and split of the harmonic lines were experimentally observed, sometimes exceeding one harmonic order. Beyond reporting these results, numerical simulations were performed to understand the phenomenon. A 3D propagation model was solved under the strong field approximation. According to the simulations, the distortion of the laser beam profile during propagation and the consequently accused change in the conditions of phase matching are responsible for the observations. The observed phenomena can be an excellent tool to produce tunable narrow band harmonic sources covering a broad range around 13.5 nm for spectroscopy and for seeding X-ray lasers, and to understand non-desired detuning of the seed wavelength.
Imipramine Treatment Alters Sphingomyelin, Cholesterol, and Glycerophospholipid Metabolism in Isolated Macrophage Lysosomes
Authors: Albright Jacob M. , Sydor Matthew J. , Shannahan Jonathan , Ferreira Christina R. , Holian Andrij
Published: December 2023

Lysosomes are degradative organelles that facilitate the removal and recycling of potentially cytotoxic materials and mediate a variety of other cellular processes, such as nutrient sensing, intracellular signaling, and lipid metabolism. Due to these central roles, lysosome dysfunction can lead to deleterious outcomes, including the accumulation of cytotoxic material, inflammation, and cell death. We previously reported that cationic amphiphilic drugs, such as imipramine, alter pH and lipid metabolism within macrophage lysosomes. Therefore, the ability for imipramine to induce changes to the lipid content of isolated macrophage lysosomes was investigated, focusing on sphingomyelin, cholesterol, and glycerophospholipid metabolism as these lipid classes have important roles in inflammation and disease. The lysosomes were isolated from control and imipramine-treated macrophages using density gradient ultracentrifugation, and mass spectrometry was used to measure the changes in their lipid composition. An unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis revealed a clear differentiation between the imipramine-treated and control lysosomes. There was a significant overall increase in the abundance of specific lipids mostly composed of cholesterol esters, sphingomyelins, and phosphatidylcholines, while lysophosphatidylcholines and ceramides were overall decreased. These results support the conclusion that imipramine’s ability to change the lysosomal pH inhibits multiple pH-sensitive enzymes in macrophage lysosomes.
Structure–Function Analysis of the Biotechnologically Important Cytochrome P450 107 (CYP107) Enzyme Family
Authors: Padayachee Tiara , Lamb David C. , Nelson David R. , Syed Khajamohiddin
Published: December 2023

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYPs; P450s) are a superfamily of heme-containing enzymes that are recognized for their vast substrate range and oxidative multifunctionality. CYP107 family members perform hydroxylation and epoxidation processes, producing a variety of biotechnologically useful secondary metabolites. Despite their biotechnological importance, a thorough examination of CYP107 protein structures regarding active site cavity dynamics and key amino acids interacting with bound ligands has yet to be undertaken. To address this research knowledge gap, 44 CYP107 crystal structures were investigated in this study. We demonstrate that the CYP107 active site cavity is very flexible, with ligand binding reducing the volume of the active site in some situations and increasing volume size in other instances. Polar interactions between the substrate and active site residues result in crucial salt bridges and the formation of proton shuttling pathways. Hydrophobic interactions, however, anchor the substrate within the active site. The amino acid residues within the binding pocket influence substrate orientation and anchoring, determining the position of the hydroxylation site and hence direct CYP107’s catalytic activity. Additionally, the amino acid dynamics within and around the binding pocket determine CYP107’s multifunctionality. This study serves as a reference for understanding the structure–function analysis of CYP107 family members precisely and the structure–function analysis of P450 enzymes in general. Finally, this work will aid in the genetic engineering of CYP107 enzymes to produce novel molecules of biotechnological interest.
Biomimetic Surface Engineering to Modulate the Coffee-Ring Effect for Amyloid-β Detection in Rat Brains
Authors: Wang Changxin , Li Lei , Li Jiaze , Zhang Jun , Qu Zhi-Bei
Published: December 2023

Surface engineering of nanoparticles has been widely used in biosensing and assays, where sensitivity was mainly limited by plasmonic colour change or electrochemical responses. Here, we report a novel biomimetic sensing strategy involving protein-modified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), where the modulation strategy was inspired by gastropods in inhibition of coffee-ring effects in their trail-followings. The so-called coffee-ring effect presents the molecular behaviour of AuNPs to a macroscopic ring through aggregation, and thus greatly improves sensitivity. The assay relies upon the different assembly patterns of AuNPs against analytes, resulting in the formation or suppression of coffee-ring effects by the different surface engineering of AuNPs by proteins and peptides. The mechanism of the coffee-ring formation process is examined through experimental characterizations and computational simulations. A practical coffee-ring effect assay is developed for a proof-of-concept target, amyloid β (1–42), which is a typical biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease. A novel quasi-titrimetric protocol is constructed for quantitative determination of the target molecule. The assay shows excellent selectivity and sensitivity for the amyloid β monomer, with a low detection limit of 20 pM. Combined with a fluorescent staining technique, the assay is designed as a smart sensor for amyloid β detection and fibrillation evaluation in rat cerebrospinal fluids, which is a potential point-of-care test for Alzheimer’s disease. Connections between amyloid fibrillation and different courses of brain ischaemia are also studied, with improved sensitivity, lower sample volumes that are required, convenience for rapid detection, and point-of-care testing.
Memory, Emotion, and Quality of Life in Patients with Long COVID-19
Authors: Espinar-Herranz Katrina , Delgado-Lima Alice Helena , Villatoro Beatriz Sequeira , Garaboa Esther Marín , Gómez Valeria Silva , Vides Leonela González , Bouhaben Jaime , Delgado-Losada María Luisa
Published: December 2023

(1) Background: Persistent COVID is characterized by the presence of fatigue, mental fog, and sleep problems, among others. We aimed to study cognitive abilities (attention, executive functions, memory, language) and psychological and emotional factors in a group of participants of the population with persistent COVID-19 and asymptomatic or non-COVID-19-infected patients; (2) Methods: A total of 86 participants aged 18 to 66 years (X = 46.76) took part in the study, with 57 individuals (66.27%) in the experimental group and 29 (33.73%) in the control group. A comprehensive assessment included neuropsychological evaluations, evaluations of anxious and depressive symptomatology, assessments of the impact of fatigue, sleep quality, memory failures in daily life, and the perceived general health status of the participants; (3) Results: significant differences between groups were found in incidental learning within the Key Numbers task (U = 462.5; p = 0.001; p = 0.022) and in the Direct Digit Span (U = 562; p = 0.022), but not in the Inverse Digit Span (U = 632.5; p = 0.105). Differences were also observed in the prospective memory task of the Rivermead Prospective Memory Tasks (from the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test) in the recall of quotations (U = 610; p = 0.020) as well as in the recall of objects (U = 681.5; p = 0.032). Concerning the task of verbal fluency, significant differences were found for both phonological cues (p- and s-) (t = −2.190; p = 0.031) and semantic cues (animals) (t = −2.277; p = 0.025). In terms of the psychological impact assessment, significant differences were found in the emotional impact across all variables studied (fatigue, quality of sleep, memory lapses, and the perceived general health status), except for quality of life; (4) Conclusions: Our results suggest that the sequelae derived from persistent COVID may have an impact on people’s lives, with higher levels of anxiety and depression, worse sleep quality, a greater number of subjective memory complaints, and a greater feeling of fatigue and impact on quality of life. Furthermore, poorer performance was observed in memory and verbal fluency.
Narrative Approach and Mentalization
Authors: Frolli Alessandro , Cerciello Francesco , Ciotola Sonia , Ricci Maria Carla , Esposito Clara , Sica Luigia Simona
Published: December 2023

The core focus of this research centered on the intricate relationship between mentalization, the fundamental mental process underlying social interactions, and the narrative approach proposed by Bruner. Mentalization, encompassing both implicit and explicit interpretations of one’s and others’ actions, plays a pivotal role in shaping the complexity of social interactions. Concurrently, the narrative approach, as elucidated by Bruner, serves as the primary interpretative and cognitive tool through which individuals derive meaning from their experiences. Narrative, in essence, empowers individuals to imbue their experiences with significance, constructing knowledge and enabling a reinterpretation of their lives by reconstructing the meanings attached to events. This intertwining of mentalization and the narrative approach is particularly salient, given their shared reliance on autobiographical narratives and the inference of mental states. In the context of this study, our primary objective was to explore how practical and theoretical activities, rooted in the re-elaboration of personal life information and events, could serve as a catalyst for enhancing mentalization skills. By engaging students in activities specifically designed to encourage the reinterpretation of their life experiences, we aimed to bolster their ability to infer mental states effectively. These enhanced mentalization skills, we hypothesized, form the foundational basis for executing complex educational tasks rooted in constructed teaching methodologies. In summary, this research serves as a pioneering exploration into the synergistic interrelation of mentalization and the narrative approach, offering valuable insights for educators and practitioners aiming to foster enhanced social cognition and enriched educational experiences.
A Selective Fluorescent Optode for Lead(II) Based on the Dansylamidopropyl Pendant Arm Derivative of 1,4-Dioxa-7,13-dithia-10-azacyclopentadecane ([15]aneNS2O2)
Authors: Shamsipur Mojtaba , Mohammadi Moslem , Arca Massimiliano , Garau Alessandra , Lippolis Vito , Barati Ali
Published: December 2023

In this study, a novel highly sensitive and selective fluorescent optode membrane aimed at the determination of Pb(II) ion is proposed by incorporating N-(3-(1,4-dioxa-7,13-dithia-10-azacyclopentadecan-10-yl)propyl)-5-(dimethylamino)naphthalene-1-sulfonamide (L) as fluoroionophore in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) containing 2-nitrophenyl octylether (NPOE) as a plasticizer. In addition to high stability and reproducibility, the proposed optosensor showed a unique selectivity toward Pb(II) ion, with a wide linear range of molar concentrations (1.0 × 10−9–1.0 × 10−3 M) and a low detection limit of 7.5 × 10−10 M in solution at pH 5.0. The formation constants of the Pb(II) complexes with the fluoroionophore were evaluated by fitting the fluorescence data with a nonlinear least-squares curve-fitting program, and further information about the structures of the complexes were evaluated based on hybrid-DFT calculations. The optosensor exhibited a fast response time of less than three min, being easily regenerated by exposure to a solution of dithiothreitol. The sensor was applied to the determination of Pb(II) in real samples (canned tuna fish), and it provided satisfactory results comparable to those obtained via atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS).
Bibliometric Analysis of Bio- and Earth-Based Building Materials: Current and Future Trends
Authors: Rosa Latapie Séverine , Abou-Chakra Ariane , Sabathier Vincent
Published: December 2023

The energy and environmental transition in the building sector requires the development and use of low-impact materials. Despite the growing interest in bio-based and earth-based building materials, their widespread adoption is still limited due to a lack of hindsight, as their study is relatively recent. This study aims to contribute to the development of these materials by providing an extensive overview of key contributors (authors, countries, journals) in these fields. Then, the keywords of the corresponding publications were analyzed to reveal the main topics covered to date. First, a broad scale is presented, followed by a focus on sub-categories, specifically raw materials for bio-based building materials and implementation techniques for earth-based ones. Finally, a comparative analysis, with the themes covered by composite construction materials as a whole, completes the study. Using statistical analysis coupled with bibliometric network visualization software, this study provides clear, quantifiable, and objective insights into current trends. Furthermore, it facilitates the identification of new, promising research perspectives and highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. Physics, modeling, durability and microstructure studies emerge as relevant levers for advancing the future development of these eco-friendly building materials.
Emergency Endoscopic Interventions in Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Cohort Study
Authors: Mackiewicz-Pracka Anna , Nehring Piotr , Przybyłkowski Adam
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a common cause of emergency department admissions. The standard approach for the diagnosis and treatment of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGIB) involves an endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract. While daytime emergency endoscopy has been well studied, there is limited evidence regarding its effectiveness during the nighttime. Patients and Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a single center, analyzing adult patients with AUGIB referred for emergency endoscopy outside of regular hospital hours. Patients treated with endoscopic hemostatic methods were categorized into day-hours and night-hours groups based on the timing of the gastroscopy. The primary clinical endpoint was 120-day all-cause mortality, with secondary endpoints including hemostasis and recurrence. Results: In the population of 752 enrolled patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding symptoms, 592 had a gastroscopy during the day hours between 8.00 a.m. and 10.00 p.m., while 160 had procedures performed at night between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. In the day-hours group, the median time from symptom onset to endoscopy was 10 h (IQR 6–15), compared to 6 h (IQR 4–16) in the night-hours group. The gastroscopy duration (time to reach hemostasis during endoscopy) was significantly shorter during the night hours (p < 0.001). In both groups, endoscopic intervention after the sixth hour from symptom onset yielded improved outcomes, while treatment before the fifth hour resulted in poorer outcomes. Although the night-hours group had higher 120-day all-cause mortality, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that emergency therapeutic gastroscopy for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding is similarly effective during both day and night hours, particularly when performed after the sixth hour from symptom onset.
Dynamic Dead-Time Compensation Method Based on Switching Characteristics of the MOSFET for PMSM Drive System
Authors: Liu Xi , Li Hui , Wu Yingzhe , Wang Lisheng , Yin Shan
Published: December 2023

In order to effectively avoid the shoot-through issue of the semiconductor device (such as the power metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET)) adopted in the phase leg of the motor drives, a dead-time zone should be inserted. However, the nonlinearity caused by the dead-time effect will bring about voltage/current distortion, as well as high-order harmonics, which largely degrades the performance of motor drives, especially in low-speed operations with slight loads. In this paper, a dead-time compensation method is proposed to suppress such side effects caused by dead-time zones and improve the performance of motor drives. Compared with other existing methods, the proposed method is mainly focused on the switching characteristics of the power MOSFET, which is directly relative to the compensation time in each pulse-width modulation (PWM) period. Firstly, a detailed derivation process is elaborated to reveal the relationship between compensation time and the switching performance of the MOSFET. Meanwhile, the switching process of the MOSFET is also well analyzed, which summarizes the variations in the switching time of the MOSFET with a varied load current. Then, the multipulse test (MPT) is carried out to obtain accurate values of the switching time with the varied load current in a wide range (0–80 A) and form a 2D lookup table. As a result, the compensation method can easily be realized by combining the lookup table and linear interpolation based on the phase current of the motor dynamically. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified based on a 12 V permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) drive system. According to the relative experiment results, it can be clearly observed that the time-domain waveform distortion, high-order harmonics, and total harmonic distortion (THD) value are reduced significantly with the proposed dynamic compensation method.