bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Dietary Ferroporphyrin Supplementation on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity, Immune Response, and Oxygen-Carrying Capacity in Gibel Carp (Carassius auratus gibelio)
Authors: Wang Kai , Zhang Lu , Liang Hualiang , Ren Mingchun , Mi Haifeng , Huang Dongyu , Gu Jiaze
Published: October 2024

An eight-week experiment was conducted to study the effects of dietary ferroporphyrin (FPR) supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immune response, and oxygen-carrying capacity in gibel carp. The results demonstrated that the addition of FPR increased the moisture content of the whole fish body. Supplementation with 0.01% FPR significantly increased the plasma albumin (ALB), total protein (TP), and total cholesterol (TC) contents. The addition of 0.03% and 0.04% FPR significantly increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, respectively, while the glucose (GLU), TC, and total triglyceride (TG) levels showed opposite trends. In terms of antioxidant capacity, the 0.03% and 0.04% dietary FPR supplementation increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) exhibited an opposite trend to MDA levels. The supplementation of 0.03% of FPR resulted in a notable reduction in mRNA expression levels of nrf2, keap1, cat, and gpx. Regarding immunity, 0.01% FPR supplementation down-regulated the expression levels of il-1β mRNA, while 0.02% FPR down-regulated il-6 and nf-κb expression levels. Furthermore, 0.02% FPR supplementation significantly up-regulated the il-10 mRNA expression levels. In terms of oxygen-carrying capacity, high levels of FPR (0.03% and 0.04%) were found to influence the epo and vegf mRNA expression. In conclusion, the incorporation of dietary 0.01–0.02% FPR improved the immune system of gibel carp without affecting their antioxidant and oxygen-carrying capacity. However, supplementation with higher levels of FPR (0.03–0.04%) led to decreased antioxidant and oxygen-carrying capacity.
Prediction of the Relative Resource Abundance of the Argentine Shortfin Squid Illex argentinus in the High Sea in the Southwest Atlantic Based on a Deep Learning Model
Authors: Xiang Delong , Sun Yuyan , Zhu Hanji , Wang Jianhua , Huang Sisi , Han Haibin , Zhang Shengmao , Shang Chen , Zhang Heng
Published: October 2024

To analyze the impact of the marine environment on the relative abundance of Illex argentinus (high and low categories) in the southwest Atlantic, this study collected logbook data from Chinese pelagic trawlers from December 2014 to June 2024, including vessel position data and oceanographic variables such as sea surface temperature, 50 m and 100 m water temperature, sea surface salinity, sea surface height, chlorophyll-a concentration, and mixed layer depth. Vessel positions were used to enhance the logbook data quality, allowing an analysis of the annual trends in the resource center of this squid at a spatial resolution of 0.1° × 0.1° and a temporal resolution of ten days. The findings showed that the resource center is primarily located around 42° S in the north and between 45° S and 47° S in the south, with a trend of northward movement during the study period. Additionally, we constructed two ensemble learning models based on decision trees—AdaBoost and PSO-RF—aiming to identify the most critical environmental factors that affect its resource abundance; we found that the optimal model was the PSO-RF model with max_depth of 5 and n_estimators of 46. The importance analysis revealed that sea surface temperature, mixed layer depth, sea surface height, sea surface salinity, and 50 m water temperature are critical environmental factors affecting this species’ resources. Given that deep learning models generally have shorter running times and higher accuracy than other models, we developed a CNN-Attention model based on the five most important input factors. This model achieved an accuracy of 73.6% in forecasting this squid for 2024, predicting that the population would first appear near the Argentine exclusive economic zone around mid-December 2023 and gradually move east and south thereafter. The predictions of the model, validated through log data, maintained over 70% accuracy during most periods at a time scale of ten days. The successful construction of the resource abundance forecasting model and its accuracy improvements can help enterprises save fuel and time costs associated with blind searches for target species. Moreover, this research contributes to improving resource utilization efficiency and reducing fishing duration, thereby aiding in lowering carbon emissions from pelagic trawling activities, offering valuable insights for the sustainable development of this species’ resources.
Isolation and Characterization of a Novel Jumbo Phage HPP-Temi Infecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pa9 and Increasing Host Sensitivity to Ciprofloxacin
Authors: Olorundare Olufunke Olufunmilola , Zrelovs Nikita , Kabantiyok Dennis , Svanberga Karina , Jansons Juris , Kazaks Andris , Agada Godwin Ojonugwa , Agu Chibuzor Gerald , Morenikeji Oluwatoyin Ruth , Oluwapelumi Ogundeji Alice , Dung Thomas , Pewan Shedrach Benjamin
Published: October 2024

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacteria responsible for many hospital-acquired infections. Phages are promising alternatives for treating P. aeruginosa infections, which are often intrinsically resistant. The combination of phage and antibiotics in clearing bacterial infection holds promise due to increasing reports of enhanced effectiveness when both are used together. The aim of the study is to isolate and characterize a novel P. aeruginosa phage and determine its effectiveness in in vitro combination with antibiotics in controlling P. aeruginosa. In this study, a novel jumbo myophage HPP-Temi infecting P. aeruginosa Pa9 (PP334386) was isolated from household sewage. Electron micrographs of the phage were obtained to determine the morphological features of HPP-Temi virions. Complete genome analysis and a combination of Pseudomonas phage HPP-Temi with antibiotics were examined. The phage HPP-Temi was able to productively infect P. aeruginosa ATCC 9027 but was unable to infect a closely related genus. The phage was stable at 4–37 °C, 0.5% NaCl, and pH 8 for at least one hour. The HPP-Temi genome is a 302,719-bp-long dsDNA molecule with a GC content of 46.46%. The genome was predicted to have 436 ORFs and 7 tRNA genes. No virulence factor-related genes, antimicrobial resistance, or temperate lifestyle-associated genes were found in the phage HPP-Temi genome. Phage HPP-Temi is most closely related to the known or tentative representatives of the Pawinskivirus genus and can be proposed as a representative for the creation of a novel phage species in that genus. The phage and antibiotics (Ciprofloxacin) combination at varying phage titers (103, 106, 109) were used against P. aeruginosa Pa9 (PP334386) at 3.0 × 108 CFU/mL, which was carried out in triplicate. The result showed that combining antibiotics with phage significantly reduced the bacteria count at 103 and 106 titers, while no growth was observed at 109 PFU/mL. This suggests that the effect of phage HPP-Temi in combination with antibiotics is a potential and promising agent for the control of P. aeruginosa infections.
Microbiome and Resistome Studies of the Lithuanian Baltic Sea Coast and the Curonian Lagoon Waters and Sediments
Authors: Gyraitė Greta , Kataržytė Marija , Espinosa Rafael Picazo , Kalvaitienė Greta , Lastauskienė Eglė
Published: October 2024

Background: the widespread use of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine has contributed to the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance, posing significant environmental and public health risks. Objectives: this study aimed to examine the microbiome and resistome dynamics across a salinity gradient, analyzing water and sediment samples from the Baltic Sea coast and the Curonian Lagoon between 2017 and 2023. Methods: the composition of the water and sediment bacterial community was determined by Full-Length Amplicon Metagenomics Sequencing, while ARG detection and quantification were performed using the SmartChipTM Real-Time PCR system. Results: the observed differences in bacterial community composition between the Baltic Sea coast and the Curonian Lagoon were driven by variations in salinity and chlorophyll a (chl a) concentration. The genera associated with infectious potential were observed in higher abundances in sediment than in water samples. Over 300 genes encoding antibiotic resistance (ARGs), such as aminoglycosides, beta-lactams, and multidrug resistance genes, were identified. Of particular interest were those ARGs that have previously been detected in pathogens and those currently classified as a potential future threat. Furthermore, our findings reveal a higher abundance and a distinct profile of ARGs in sediment samples from the lagoon compared to water. Conclusions: these results suggest that transitional waters such as lagoons may serve as reservoirs for ARGs, and might be influenced by anthropogenic pressures and natural processes such as salinity fluctuation and nutrient cycling.
Antibiotic Resistance and Presence of Persister Cells in the Biofilm-like Environments in Streptococcus agalactiae
Authors: Lannes-Costa Pamella Silva , Fernandes Isabelle Rodrigues , Pena João Matheus Sobral , Costa Brunno Renato Farias Verçoza , Cunha Marcel Menezes Lyra da , Ferreira-Carvalho Bernadete Teixeira , Nagao Prescilla Emy
Published: October 2024

Objectives: This study investigated antibiotic resistance and presence of persister cells in Streptococcus agalactiae strains belonging to capsular types Ia/ST-103, III/ST-17, and V/ST-26 in biofilm-like environments. Results: S. agalactiae strains were susceptible to penicillin, clindamycin, and erythromycin. Resistance genes were associated with tetM (80%), tetO (20%), ermB (80%), and linB (40%). Persister cells were detected in bacterial strains exposed to high concentrations of penicillin, clindamycin, and erythromycin. S. agalactiae capsular type III/ST-17 exhibited the highest percentage of persister cells in response to penicillin and clindamycin, while type Ia/ST-103 presented the lowest percentages of persister cells for all antimicrobials tested. Additionally, persister cells were also detected at lower levels for erythromycin, regardless of capsular type or sequence type. Further, all S. agalactiae isolates presented efflux pump activity in ethidium bromide-refractory cell assays. LIVE/DEAD fluorescence microscopy confirmed the presence of >85% viable persister cells after antibiotic treatment. Conclusions: These findings suggest that persister cells play a key role in the persistence of S. agalactiae during antibiotic therapy, interfering with the treatment of invasive infections. Monitoring persister formation is crucial for developing strategies to combat recurrent infections caused by this pathogen.
Potential Beneficial Role of Nitric Oxide in SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Beyond Spike-Binding Inhibition
Authors: Sánchez-García Sergio , Castrillo Antonio , Boscá Lisardo , Prieto Patricia
Published: October 2024

SARS-CoV-2, the causative virus for the COVID-19 disease, uses its spike glycoprotein to bind to human ACE2 as a first step for viral entry into the cell. For this reason, great efforts have been made to find mechanisms that disrupt this interaction, avoiding the infection. Nitric oxide (NO) is a soluble endogenous gas with known antiviral and immunomodulatory properties. In this study, we aimed to test whether NO could inhibit the binding of the viral spike to ACE2 in human cells and its effects on ACE2 enzymatic activity. Our results show that ACE2 activity was decreased by the NO donors DETA-NONOate and GSNO and by the NO byproduct peroxynitrite. Furthermore, we found that DETA-NONOate could break the spike–ACE2 interaction using the spike from two different variants (Alpha and Gamma) and in two different human cell types. Moreover, the same result was obtained when using NO-producing murine macrophages, while no significant changes were observed in ACE2 expression or distribution within the cell. These results support that it is worth considering NO as a therapeutic agent for COVID-19, as previous reports have suggested.
Effect of Short-Term Restraint Stress on the Expression of Genes Associated with the Response to Oxidative Stress in the Hypothalamus of Hypertensive ISIAH and Normotensive WAG Rats
Authors: Makovka Yulia V. , Oshchepkov Dmitry Yu. , Fedoseeva Larisa A. , Markel Arcady L. , Redina Olga E.
Published: October 2024

Normotensive and hypertensive organisms respond differently to stress factors; however, the features of the central molecular genetic mechanisms underlying the reaction of the hypertensive organism to stress have not been fully established. In this study, we examined the transcriptome profiles of the hypothalamus of hypertensive ISIAH rats, modeling a stress-sensitive form of arterial hypertension, and normotensive WAG rats at rest and after exposure to a single short-term restraint stress. It was shown that oxidative phosphorylation is the most significantly enriched process among metabolic changes in the hypothalamus of rats of both strains when exposed to a single short-term restraint stress. The analysis revealed DEGs representing both a common response to oxidative stress for both rat strains and a strain-specific response to oxidative stress for hypertensive ISIAH rats. Among the genes of the common response to oxidative stress, the most significant changes in the transcription level were observed in Nos1, Ppargc1a, Abcc1, Srxn1, Cryab, Hspb1, and Fosl1, among which Abcc1 and Nos1 are associated with hypertension, and Fosl1 and Ppargc1a encode transcription factors. The response to oxidative stress specific to hypertensive rats is associated with the activation of the Fos gene. The DEG’s promoter region enrichment analysis allowed us to hypothesize that the response to oxidative stress may be mediated by the participation of the transcription factor CREB1 (Cyclic AMP-responsive element-binding protein 1) and the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) under restraint stress in the hypothalamus of both rat strains. The results of the study revealed common and strain-specific features in the molecular mechanisms associated with oxidative phosphorylation and oxidative stress response in the hypothalamus of hypertensive ISIAH and normotensive WAG rats following a single short-term restraint stress. The obtained results expand the understanding of the most significant molecular targets for further research aimed at developing new therapeutic strategies for the prevention of the consequences of acute emotional stress, taking into account the hypertensive state of the patient.
Roasted Astragalus membranaceus Inhibits Aβ25–35-Induced Oxidative Stress in Neuronal Cells by Activating the Nrf2/HO-1 and AKT/CREB/BDNF Pathways
Authors: Ji Yun-Jeong , Kang Min Hye , Han Sin Hee , Kim Geum-Soog , Kim Hyung Don , Jang Gwi Yeong
Published: October 2024

(1) Background: Astragalus membranaceus (AM) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, but its specific mechanism of action in the brain is still unclear. In this study, we developed a roasting process to maximize the cognitive improvement impact of AM. We focused on enhancing physiological activity to enhance the brain neuron protection effect and alleviate neuronal damage caused by neurodegenerative diseases. (2) Methods: AM was roasted at 260 °C for 20, 30, or 40 min, and the hot water extracts were tested on HT22 cells for ROS levels, apoptosis, and antioxidant protein expression. The effect on the BDNF-AKT-CREB pathway under stress was also analyzed. (3) Results: Roasted AM decreased ROS production and the expression of apoptosis-related factors while activating the expression of antioxidant proteins in HT22 cells treated with Aβ25–35. In particular, 30 min roasting (R-AM2) significantly reduced ROS production, inhibited cell death, and increased antioxidant protein expression. The Nrf2 pathway was activated Bax, and cleaved caspase-3 levels were reduced. BDNF and p-CREB expression were increased by 20% and 50–70%, respectively. In the MAPK pathway, p-ERK levels were increased by 30%, and p-P38 levels were increased by approximately 20%. (4) Conclusions: These findings suggest that roasted AM upregulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in HT22 cells, providing neuroprotective effects by activating the AKT/CREB/BDNF pathway and inhibiting neuronal apoptosis. Therefore, roasted AM shows potential as a neuroprotective agent for preventing or treating neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, linked to BDNF deficiency.
No Post-Activation Performance Enhancement Following a Single Set of Plyometric or Flywheel Exercises in National Team Rugby Players
Authors: Loturco Irineu , Pereira Lucas A. , Zabaloy Santiago , Mercer Valter P. , Moura Túlio B. M. A. , Freitas Tomás T. , Boullosa Daniel
Published: October 2024

Post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) is a key objective following regular warm-up routines, especially in sports that rely heavily on sprinting speed and power. Rugby is a team sport characterized by a range of repeated high-intensity efforts, irrespective of positional roles or match demands. In this study, we examined and compared the effects of two different conditioning activities (CAs) on the power- and speed-related abilities of National Team rugby players. Thirteen male rugby union players sequentially performed countermovement jump (CMJ), 30 m sprint, and change-of-direction (COD) tests (pre-testing session) 5 min before executing either one set of six repetitions of 45 cm drop jumps or one set of six repetitions of flywheel eccentric-overload squats. In addition to the sport-specific tests, the muscle mechanical properties of the athletes were also assessed through the use of tensiomyography (TMG). At post-testing sessions conducted 5 and 10 min after the PAPE protocols, no significant changes were observed in any of the assessed variables, either in positions as backs or forwards. However, some meaningful variations were detected at the individual level when using the “true-changes” analysis. Despite some positive individual changes, it can be concluded that these specific protocols did not elicit the expected responses typically observed in other team-sport athletes. Practitioners are encouraged to implement more comprehensive (but not exhaustive) and tailored PAPE interventions prior to training sessions and competitions.
Analysis and Design of an SiC CMOS Three-Channel DC-DC Synchronous Buck Converter for High-Temperature Applications
Authors: Martinez Andres , Torres Felipe , Marin Jorge , Rojas Christian A. , Gak Joel , Rommel Mathias , May Alexander , Wilson-Veas Alan H. , Miguez Matias , Rossi Chiara , Schraml Michael , Calarco Nicolas
Published: October 2024

In this study, we present the design, simulation, and implementation of a DC-DC synchronous buck converter utilizing IISB’s 2 μm 4H-silicon carbide (SiC) complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) technology. The converter is designed to meet the demands of modern integrated circuits, particularly in the field of integrated power management. The SiC technology offers enhanced performance and reliability at high temperatures, making it especially suitable for applications that operate in these conditions, including automotive systems, and aerospace, among others. The power transistors and gate drivers are fully integrated on-chip, optimizing efficiency and minimizing footprint. Additionally, the study contributes to the understanding of SiC technology and its application in integrated circuit design. Simulation results demonstrate a peak efficiency of 86.6% at 120 mA load current and 84.8% at 300 mA load current, showing the converter performance under different operating conditions. Furthermore, at high temperatures (295 °C), the converter achieves an efficiency of 89.6%, demonstrating its robustness and versatility in extreme environments. These findings contribute to the advancement of integrated circuit design and facilitate advancements in more efficient and robust power management solutions.
Phenolic Content, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Hawthorn (Crataegus orientalis) Fruit Extracts Obtained via Carbohydrase-Assisted Extraction
Authors: Takó Miklós , Tunali Fatma , Zambrano Carolina , Kovács Tamás , Varga Mónika , Szekeres András , Papp Tamás , Tugay Osman , Kerekes Erika Beáta , Krisch Judit , Vágvölgyi Csaba
Published: October 2024

The enzyme-assisted approaches for plant phenolics extraction are more eco-friendly methods compared to acid or alkaline hydrolysis. Carbohydrase enzymes can release free phenolics from plant materials by cleaving the glycosidic bonds between phenolic compounds and cell wall polymers. In this study, the efficiency of carbohydrase-assisted treatment approaches was evaluated to extract bioactive phenolics from hawthorn (Crataegus orientalis) fruit residues. Enzymatic treatment of the fruits was operated by using a crude cellulolytic enzyme cocktail from Rhizomucor miehei NRRL 5282 and a pectinase preparate from Aspergillus niger. Both cellulase and combined cellulase–pectinase treatments improved the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of extracts. The TPC increased to 1899 ± 27 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g dry matter during the combined enzyme treatment, showing a strong correlation with the average antioxidant capacity determined by ferric-reducing antioxidant power (1.7-fold increment) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (1.15-fold increment) reagents. The major phenolics in enzyme-treated extracts were vanillic and ferulic acids, the concentrations of which increased 115.6-fold and 93.9-fold, respectively, during carbohydrase treatment. The planktonic growth of Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Chromobacterium violaceum was slightly inhibited by the extracts with minimum inhibitory concentration values between 15.0 and 77.9 mg/mL, while the yeasts tested were quite resistant to the samples. B. subtilis and yeast biofilms were sensitive to the enzyme-treated extracts, which also showed quorum-sensing inhibitory effects against C. violaceum. The obtained bioactive hawthorn extracts hold potential as a natural source of antioxidants and antimicrobials.
Stochastic Green’s Function Method Considering Non-Uniform Rise Time Distribution to Simulate 3D Broadband Ground Motion
Authors: Ji Longfei , Xie Xu , Pan Xiaoyu
Published: October 2024

The stochastic Green’s function method has been widely used in the field of ground motion simulation in recent years. It is generally assumed that the rise time of each subfault is the same in this method. Since the rise time significantly influences the amplitude of simulation results in the intermediate frequency band, to improve the accuracy of stochastic Green’s function method for near-fault broadband ground motion simulation, referring to the numerical simulation results of Day, the rise time is assumed to be non-uniformly distributed on the fault, and an improved approximate expression of rise time on a rectangular fault considering that the rupture starting point may be at any position and the aspect ratio may be arbitrary is proposed. Additionally, the contributions of P, SV and SH wave are considered, respectively, and an improved stochastic Green’s function method is proposed for 3D broadband ground motion simulation. Taking the 1994 Northridge earthquake in America and 2013 Lushan earthquake in China as examples, under different subfault division numbers, the synthesized source spectra are compared with the omega-squared theoretical source spectra of the large earthquake, and the simulated ground motions at observation points are compared with observed records to verify the effectiveness of the improved method. The results show that when the Northridge earthquake fault and Lushan earthquake fault are divided into 9 × 10 subfaults and 11 × 7 subfaults, respectively, the simulation results obtained using the improved method are close to the observed records in the broadband frequency range. Therefore, the improved method can effectively simulate the 3D ground motion in near-fault regions.
Region-Based Approach for Machining Time Improvement in Robot Surface Finishing
Authors: Pušnik Tomaž , Hace Aleš
Published: October 2024

Traditionally, in robotic surface finishing, the entire workpiece is processed at a uniform speed, predetermined by the operator, which does not account for variations in the machinability across different regions of the workpiece. This conventional approach often leads to inefficiencies, especially given the diverse geometrical characteristics of workpieces that could potentially allow for different machining speeds. Our study introduces a region-based approach, which improves surface finishing machining time by allowing variable speeds and directions tailored to each region’s specific characteristics. This method leverages a task-oriented strategy integrating robot kinematics and workpiece surface geometry, subdivided by the clustering algorithm. Subsequently, methods for optimization algorithms were developed to calculate each region’s optimal machining speeds and directions. The efficacy of this approach was validated through numerical results on two distinct workpieces, demonstrating significant improvements in machining times. The region-based approach yielded up to a 37% reduction in machining time compared to traditional single-direction machining. Further enhancements were achieved by optimizing the workpiece positioning, which, in our case, added up to an additional 16% improvement from the initial position. Validation processes were conducted to ensure the collaborative robot’s joint velocities remained within safe operational limits while executing the region-based surface finishing strategy.
Distributed Photovoltaic Communication Anomaly Detection Based on Spatiotemporal Feature Collaborative Modeling
Authors: Di Li , Lv Zhuo , Chang Hao , Cai Junfei
Published: October 2024

As distributed photovoltaic (PV) technology rapidly develops and is widely applied, the methods of cyberattacks are continuously evolving, posing increasingly severe threats to the communication networks of distributed PV systems. Recent studies have shown that the Transformer model, which effectively integrates global information and handles long-distance dependencies, has garnered significant attention. Based on this, our research proposes a model named STformer, which is applied to the task of attack detection in distributed PV communication. Specifically, we propose a temporal attention mechanism and a variable attention mechanism. The temporal attention mechanism focuses on capturing subtle changes and trends in data sequences over time, ensuring a highly sensitive recognition of patterns inherent in time-series data. In contrast, the variable attention mechanism analyzes the intrinsic relationships and interactions between different variables, uncovering critical correlations that may indicate abnormal behavior or potential attacks. Additionally, we incorporate the Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP) dimensionality reduction technique. This technique not only helps reduce computational complexity but, in certain cases, can enhance anomaly detection performance. Finally, compared to classical and advanced methods, STformer demonstrates satisfactory performance in simulation experiments.
Numerical Simulations of Flow and Heat Exchange in Zigzag-Shaped Microchannels
Authors: Staszak Maciej , Musielak Grzegorz
Published: October 2024

Cooling of electronic components is of great importance currently. One of the most important methods of integrated circuit cooling is the use of microchannel heat sinks. The aim of this work is to analyze the cooling capacity of zigzag shaped microchannels. The heat exchange for four different microchannels was tested depending on the flow rate of the cooling liquid (water) and the temperature of the cooled element. The system of differential equations that describe fluid flow and heat transport is presented in the paper. The equations were solved using the finite volume method. The work showed that both the increase in the number of zigzag sections and the increase in the flow velocity cause an increase in the flow resistance. In contrast, an increase in the temperature of the cooled element causes a decrease in fluid viscosity, which results in a decrease in flow resistance. From the point of heat exchange, both the increase in the number of segments, the flow rate, and the temperature of the cooled element increase the cooling capacity of the microchannel. Research shows that zigzag shaped microchannels are excellent cooling elements, especially for geometrically small heat sources such as electronic components.
A Novel Liquid–Solid Fluidized Bed of Large-Scale Phase-Changing Sphere for Thermal Energy Storage
Authors: Qu Xiaohang , Qi Xiaoni , Fang Da
Published: October 2024

The storage of thermal energy has been hindered by the low heat-transfer rate of the solid phase of the phase-changing materiel. With water being the heat-transfer fluid as well as the liquid phase in the liquid–solid two-phase system, a novel type of fluidized bed is designed in this study. Numerous hollow spheres are fabricated with phase-changing materiel encapsulated. Adding the solid–liquid phase-change material capsules to the flowing fluid, the capsules are dispersed suspended in the carrier. The large spheres, 25 mm in present experiment, possess the merits of guaranteeing energy-storage density and tolerating internal interface chaotic motion. Both the fluidization status and phase-changing process are recorded by photography combined with image-processing technology. It is found that the large spheres, with density less than water, can be fluidized by the downward flowing fluid. As the flow rate increases, the expansion ratio of the solid phase increases and the regimes of incipient fluidization and bubbling fluidization can be observed. In comparison to the fixed bed, the oscillation of pressure drop across a fluidized bed is more severe, but the averaged value is less than the fixed bed. The melting and solidifying can be accelerated by 22.6% and 50%, respectively, thus proving the superiority of the fluidized bed in improving the heat-transfer rate while charging/discharging the thermal energy. Three types of basic movement of the spheres are shown to contribute to the enhanced phase-changing rate, which are shifting, colliding and rotating.
In Vitro Evaluation of Root Surface Temperature Using Different Endodontic Filling Techniques
Authors: Külzer Lea , Saban Theresia , Braun Andreas , Wenzler Johannes-S.
Published: October 2024

Depending on the obturation technique, the tooth and surrounding tissues may heat up during root canal filling, particularly with warm methods. This study aimed to analyze the temperature increase in the periradicular and -apical region during various warm obturation techniques with a present simulated periodontal blood flow. Seventy-five extracted human teeth were shortened to 11 mm (cut-grinder Primus diamond cutting device; Walter Messner GmbH, Oststeinbek, Germany) and prepared using the ProTaper Gold system (Dentsply Sirona Inc., Charlotte, NC, USA) ISO size 40/.06. Specimens were prepared to ensure stable fluid circulation in an artificially created periodontal space, and the procedure was recorded with a thermal infrared camera (VarioCAM HD; InfraTec GmbH Infrarotsensorik und Messtechnik, Dresden, Germany). The following obturation methods were applied: I, cold single-cone obturation (control group); II, gutta-percha-coated rigid carrier technique (GuttaFusion); III, squirting technique (injection technique); IV, continuous wave technique; and V, Schilder technique. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal–Wallis test, followed by the Mann–Whitney pairwise test using the sequential Bonferroni procedure for significant differences (p < 0.05). The Schilder technique with 0 mL/min showed the lowest temperature change, with a median of 0.00 °C (max. 0.00 °C, min. 0.00 °C, IQR 0.00 °C). In contrast, the continuous wave technique at a circulation rate of 2.6 mL/min exhibited the highest temperature change, with a median of 3.76 °C (max. 5.33 °C, min. 2.42 °C, IQR 1.46 °C). Although warm obturation techniques can increase surface temperature, none of the methods produced changes that were potentially damaging to the periodontium or surrounding bone.
A Literature Review on the Uncommon Use of Extraoral Periapical Radiography
Authors: Yeung Andy Wai Kan
Published: October 2024

Periapical radiography is a regular radiographic procedure performed by dentists. However, at times, it may not be possible to position the image receptor into a patient’s mouth in an optimized or practical way. For these cases, some dentists advocated the use of extraoral periapical radiography (EOPA). This literature review aimed to review the dental literature on the use of EOPA. In October 2023, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched to identify papers that reported on the use of EOPA, supplemented by manual reference tracing and Google Scholar searches. After screening, 18 papers published between 2003 and 2022 were identified, including 14 original articles and 4 reviews. From very limited and conflicting evidence, it was found that root length/working length measurements between EOPA and IOPA did not significantly differ or EOPA showed inferiority. No data were available to compare EOPA with other extraoral modalities such as panoramic radiography. The technique used in EOPA to visualize posterior teeth in the maxilla and mandible varied across studies, such as the vertical angulation of the primary beam, whether mouth should be opened or closed, and whether a holder should be used or not. At the current time, EOPA probably should not be advocated for regular use.
How Can Land Use Management in Traditional Cultural Landscapes Become a Policy Instrument for Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration and Climate Change Mitigation? A Transylvanian Case Study
Authors: Macicasan Vlad , Ocrain Andreea , Balc Ramona , Dicu Tiberius , Bodmer Max D. V. , Roba Carmen
Published: October 2024

Changes in land use from high-nature-value grasslands to arable fields reduce the organic carbon stock in soil, increasing atmospheric carbon concentrations. Maintaining grasslands through traditional agricultural techniques can mitigate climate change by transferring atmospheric carbon to the soil. Benefits of soil organic carbon sequestration include improved soil properties and enhanced ecosystem services and biodiversity. With Romania’s ratification of the Paris Agreement, it is crucial to review climate-related agricultural policies and incentivize carbon sequestration practices in organic soils. This paper presents a soil carbon study in Transylvania’s Târnava Mare region, Romania, known for its preserved cultural landscapes. Soil samples were taken at a depth of 60 cm to assess organic carbon pools under grassland and arable land management across three soil classes: Cernisoils, Hidrisoils, and Luvisoils. Several statistical tests were applied to evaluate the most significant drivers of soil organic carbon sequestration including land use, soil class, and soil depth. The results indicate that land management has the largest impact, with grasslands storing 45% more carbon than arable land on average. This finding should be integrated into national climate action plans, prioritizing the preservation of grasslands and sustainable agricultural practices to support soil organic carbon sequestration.
Development of a Flexible Information Security Risk Model Using Machine Learning Methods and Ontologies
Authors: Barlybayev Alibek , Sharipbay Altynbek , Shakhmetova Gulmira , Zhumadillayeva Ainur
Published: October 2024

This paper presents a significant advancement in information security risk assessment by introducing a flexible and comprehensive model. The research integrates established standards, expert knowledge, machine learning, and ontological modeling to create a multifaceted approach for understanding and managing information security risks. The combination of standards and expert insights forms a robust foundation, ensuring a holistic grasp of the intricate risk landscape. The use of cluster analysis, specifically applying k-means on information security standards, expands the data-driven approach, uncovering patterns not discernible through traditional methods. The integration of machine learning algorithms in the creation of information security risk dendrogram demonstrates effective computational techniques for enhanced risk discovery. The introduction of a heat map as a visualization tool adds innovation, facilitating an intuitive understanding of risk interconnections and prioritization for decision makers. Additionally, a thesaurus optimizes risk descriptions, ensuring comprehensiveness and relevance despite evolving terminologies in the dynamic field of information security. The development of an ontological model for structured risk classification is a significant stride forward, offering an effective means of categorizing information security risks based on ontological relationships. These collective innovations enhance understanding and management of information security risks, paving the way for more effective approaches in the ever-evolving technological landscape.
Validating an In-House Method for Assessing Effluent Discharge Toxicity Using Acartia tonsa in the Black Sea
Authors: Bisinicu Elena , Harcota George , Coatu Valentina , Lazar Luminita
Published: October 2024

The marine copepod Acartia tonsa is an important bioindicator in ecotoxicological studies due to its sensitivity to pollutants and ecological importance. This research evaluates the effects of reference toxicant on the survival of A. tonsa, aiming to validate an in-house method that assesses the sensitivity and reliability of the species for testing in the Black Sea. A. tonsa individuals were exposed in controlled laboratory conditions to varying 3,5-dichlorophenol (reference toxicant) concentrations, with their survival rates monitored over 48 h. Survival data were analyzed to determine the lethal concentration (LC50), a metric for assessing toxicity. The derived LC50 values offer important benchmarks for assessing the environmental impact of different effluent discharges in the Black Sea region. The outcomes will contribute to improving the accuracy and consistency of environmental monitoring and risk assessment practices in the Black Sea region, ensuring that variations in toxicity data are attributable to environmental factors rather than methodological discrepancies.
Performance Metrics for Multilabel Emotion Classification: Comparing Micro, Macro, and Weighted F1-Scores
Authors: Hinojosa Lee Maria Cristina , Braet Johan , Springael Johan
Published: October 2024

This study compares various F1-score variants—micro, macro, and weighted—to assess their performance in evaluating text-based emotion classification. Lexicon distillation is employed using the multilabel emotion-annotated datasets XED and GoEmotions. The aim of this paper is to understand when each F1-score variant is better suited for evaluating text-based multilabel emotion classification. Unigram lexicons were derived from the annotated GoEmotions and XED datasets through a binary classification approach. The distilled lexicons were then applied to the GoEmotions and XED annotated datasets to calculate their emotional content, and the results were compared. The findings highlight the behavior of each F1-score variant under different class distributions, emphasizing the importance of appropriate metric selection for reliable model performance evaluation in imbalanced multilabel datasets. Additionally, this study also investigates the effect of the aggregation of negative emotions into broader categories on said F1 metrics. The contribution of this study is to provide insights into how different F1-score variants could improve the reliability of multilabel emotion classifier evaluation, particularly in the context of class imbalance present in the case of phishing emails.
Air Pollutant Concentration Forecasting with WTMP: Wavelet Transform-Based Multilayer Perceptron
Authors: Wang Xiaoling , Tao Liangzhao , Fu Mingliang , Wang Qi
Published: October 2024

Atmospheric pollutants’ real-time changes and the internal interactions among various data make it challenging to efficiently predict concentration variations. In order to extract more information from the time series of pollutants and improve the accuracy of prediction models, we propose a type of Multilayer Perceptron model based on wavelet decomposition, named Wavelet Transform-based Multilayer Perceptron (WTMP) model. This model decomposes pollutant data through overlapping discrete wavelet transforms to extract non-stationarity and nonlinear dependencies in the time series. It combines the decomposed data with static covariate information such as data collection time and inputs them into an improved Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) model, reconstructing and outputting the prediction results. Finally, the model is validated using atmospheric pollutant data collected at a specific location in Ruian City, Zhejiang Province, China. The results indicate that the model performs well with minimal prediction errors.
Transformations of Critical Lithium Ores to Battery-Grade Materials: From Mine to Precursors
Authors: Ahmed Sabbir , Madikere Raghunatha Reddy Anil Kumar , Zaghib Karim
Published: October 2024

The escalating demand for lithium has intensified the need to process critical lithium ores into battery-grade materials efficiently. This review paper overviews the transformation processes and cost of converting critical lithium ores, primarily spodumene and brine, into high-purity battery-grade precursors. We systematically examine the study findings on various approaches for lithium recovery from spodumene and brine. Dense media separation (DMS) and froth flotation are the most often used processes for spodumene beneficiation. Magnetic separation (MS) and ore gravity concentration techniques in spodumene processing have also been considered. To produce battery-grade lithium salts, the beneficiated-concentrated spodumene must be treated further, with or without heat, in the presence of acidic or alkaline media. As a result, various pyro and hydrometallurgical techniques have been explored. Moreover, the process of extracting lithium from brine through precipitation, liquid–liquid extraction, and polymer inclusion membrane separation employing different organic, inorganic, and composite polymer sorbents has also been reviewed.
Identifying Ventricular Dysfunction Indicators in Electrocardiograms via Artificial Intelligence-Driven Analysis
Authors: Makimoto Hisaki , Okatani Takayuki , Suganuma Masanori , Kabutoya Tomoyuki , Kohro Takahide , Agata Yukiko , Ogata Yukiyo , Harada Kenji , Llubani Redi , Bejinariu Alexandru , Rana Obaida R. , Makimoto Asuka , Gharib Elisabetha , Meissner Anita , Kelm Malte , Kario Kazuomi
Published: October 2024

Recent studies highlight artificial intelligence’s ability to identify ventricular dysfunction via electrocardiograms (ECGs); however, specific indicative waveforms remain unclear. This study analysed ECG and echocardiography data from 17,422 cases in Japan and Germany. We developed 10-layer convolutional neural networks to detect left ventricular ejection fractions below 50%, using four-fold cross-validation. Model performance, evaluated among different ECG configurations (3 s strips, single-beat, and two-beat overlay) and segments (PQRST, QRST, P, QRS, and PQRS), showed two-beat ECGs performed best, followed by single-beat models, surpassing 3 s models in both internal and external validations. Single-beat models revealed limb leads, particularly I and aVR, as most indicative of dysfunction. An analysis indicated segments from QRS to T-wave were most revealing, with P segments enhancing model performance. This study confirmed that dual-beat ECGs enabled the most precise ventricular function classification, and segments from the P- to T-wave in ECGs were more effective for assessing ventricular dysfunction, with leads I and aVR offering higher diagnostic utility.
Improving EEG Forward Modeling Using High-Resolution Five-Layer BEM-FMM Head Models: Effect on Source Reconstruction Accuracy
Authors: Nuñez Ponasso Guillermo , Wartman William A. , McSweeney Ryan C. , Lai Peiyao , Haueisen Jens , Maess Burkhard , Knösche Thomas R. , Weise Konstantin , Noetscher Gregory M. , Raij Tommi , Makaroff Sergey N.
Published: October 2024

Electroencephalographic (EEG) source localization is a fundamental tool for clinical diagnoses and brain-computer interfaces. We investigate the impact of model complexity on reconstruction accuracy by comparing the widely used three-layer boundary element method (BEM) as an inverse method against a five-layer BEM accelerated by the fast multipole method (BEM-FMM) and coupled with adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) as forward solver. Modern BEM-FMM with AMR can solve high-resolution multi-tissue models efficiently and accurately. We generated noiseless 256-channel EEG data from 15 subjects in the Connectome Young Adult dataset, using four anatomically relevant dipole positions, three conductivity sets, and two head segmentations; we mapped localization errors across the entire grey matter from 4000 dipole positions. The average location error among our four selected dipoles is ∼5mm (±2mm) with an orientation error of ∼12∘ (±7∘). The average source localization error across the entire grey matter is ∼9mm (±4mm), with a tendency for smaller errors on the occipital lobe. Our findings indicate that while three-layer models are robust under noiseless conditions, substantial localization errors (10–20mm) are common. Therefore, models of five or more layers may be needed for accurate source reconstruction in critical applications involving noisy EEG data.
An Exoskeleton Design and Numerical Characterization for Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Copilusi Cristian , Dumitru Sorin , Dumitru Nicolae , Geonea Ionuț , Mic Cristian
Published: October 2024

This research addresses a feasibility study for validating an exoskeleton with kinematic considerations. The designed exoskeleton will be used for children with congenital disorders, especially for a case study characterized by Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The research core focuses on virtual simulations carried out through the multibody systems theory under an MSC Adams 2012 software environment, with an exoskeleton constructive solution. The designed exoskeleton mechanism is characterized by simplicity, low-cost, and easy-operation features criteria. The results obtained through a numerical processing analysis validate the feasibility study of the proposed prototype.