bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Paraoxonase 2 (PON2) Deficiency Reproduces Lipid Alterations of Diabetic and Inflammatory Glomerular Disease and Affects TRPC6 Signaling
Authors: Hagmann Henning , Khayyat Naghmeh Hassanzadeh , Oezel Cem , Papadakis Antonios , Kuczkowski Alexander , Benzing Thomas , Gulbins Erich , Dryer Stuart , Brinkkoetter Paul T.
Published: November 2022

Diabetes and inflammatory diseases are associated with an altered cellular lipid composition due to lipid peroxidation. The pathogenic potential of these lipid alterations in glomerular kidney diseases remains largely obscure as suitable cell culture and animal models are lacking. In glomerular disease, a loss of terminally differentiated glomerular epithelial cells called podocytes refers to irreversible damage. Podocytes are characterized by a complex ramified cellular architecture and highly active transmembrane signaling. Alterations in lipid composition in states of disease have been described in podocytes but the pathophysiologic mechanisms mediating podocyte damage are unclear. In this study, we employ a genetic deletion of the anti-oxidative, lipid-modifying paraoxonase 2 enzyme (PON2) as a model to study altered cellular lipid composition and its effects on cellular signaling in glomerular disease. PON2 deficiency reproduces features of an altered lipid composition of glomerular disease, characterized by an increase in ceramides and cholesterol. PON2 knockout mice are more susceptible to glomerular damage in models of aggravated oxidative stress such as adriamycin-induced nephropathy. Voltage clamp experiments in cultured podocytes reveal a largely increased TRPC6 conductance after a membrane stretch in PON2 deficiency. Correspondingly, a concomitant knockout of TRPC6 and PON2 partially rescues the aggravated glomerular phenotype of a PON2 knockout in the adriamycin model. This study establishes PON2 deficiency as a model to investigate the pathophysiologic mechanisms of podocyte dysfunction related to alterations in the lipid composition, as seen in diabetic and inflammatory glomerular disease. Expanding the knowledge on these routes and options of intervention could lead to novel treatment strategies for glomerular disease.
Synthesis and Characterization of Gold-Shell Magnetic Nanowires for Theranostic Applications
Authors: Dragos-Pinzaru Oana-Georgiana , Buema Gabriela , Herea Dumitru-Daniel , Chiriac Horia , Lupu Nicoleta , Minuti Anca Emanuela , Stoian George , Shore Daniel , Pierre Valerie C. , Tabakovic Ibro , Stadler Bethanie J. H.
Published: November 2022

Increasing interest has been given in recent years to alternative physical therapies for cancer, with a special focus on magneto-mechanical actuation of magnetic nanoparticles. The reported findings underline the need for highly biocompatible nanostructures, along with suitable mechanical and magnetic properties for different configurations of alternating magnetic fields. Here, we show how the biocompatibility of magnetic nanowires (MNWs), especially CoFe, can be increased by gold coating, which can be used both in cancer therapy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This study provides a new approach in the field of theranostic applications, demonstrating the capabilities of core–shell nanowires to be used both to increase the cancer detection limit (as T2 contrast agents) and for its treatment (through magneto-mechanical actuation). The MNWs were electrodeposited in alumina templates, whereas the gold layer was electroless-plated by galvanic replacement. The gold-coated CoFe nanowires were biocompatible until they induced high cellular death to human osteosarcoma cells via magneto-mechanical actuation. These same MNWs displayed increased relaxivities (r1, r2). Our results show that the gold-coated CoFe nanowires turned out to be highly efficient in tumor cell destruction, and, at the same time, suitable for MRI applications.
Controllable Preparation of Silver Nanowires and Its Application in Flexible Stretchable Electrode
Authors: Liao Qingwei , Hou Wei , Zhang Jingxin , Qin Lei
Published: November 2022

Silver nanowires (AgNWs), as conductive materials for flexible stretchable electrodes, do not only have high conductivity but also have a high specific surface area, excellent stretchability, and mechanical stability, showing great potential applications in flexible electronics such as foldable, stretchable electrodes and wearable devices, etc. This work successfully synthesized AgNWs with controllable morphology by an improved dual-alcohol process. The diameter, length, and size uniformity of AgNWs were effectively regulated by studying the reaction temperature, different control agents, and the dropping rate of the AgNO3 solution. The flexible stretchable electrodes were prepared using PDMS, paper, and nonwoven fabrics as substrate materials, and the impregnation method prepared the flexible stretchable electrodes of conductive fabrics. The properties of flexible stretchable electrodes of AgNWs based on different substrates were compared.
Measuring the Cohesion of Informal Economy in Agriculture in New European Union Member States
Authors: Morkunas Mangirdas
Published: November 2022

The present paper evaluates the size and development of the informal economy in agriculture in 10 new EU member states from 2004–2020. A novel agriculture-tailored multiple indicators Multiple Causes model was derived to estimate the size of the informal economy in agriculture. It was revealed that the share of the informal economy in agriculture has decreased from 40 to 31%. The level of cohesion of the informal economy in agriculture shows an opposite trend compared with other economic sectors, indicating an increasing divergence from mainstream economic trends.
ArRASA: Channel Optimization for Deep Learning-Based Arabic NLU Chatbot Framework
Authors: Alruily Meshrif
Published: November 2022

Since the introduction of deep learning-based chatbots for knowledge services, many research and development efforts have been undertaken in a variety of fields. The global market for chatbots has grown dramatically as a result of strong demand. Nevertheless, open-domain chatbots’ limited functional scalability poses a challenge to their implementation in industries. Much work has been performed on creating chatbots for languages such as English, Chinese, etc. Still, there is a need to develop chatbots for other languages such as Arabic, Persian, etc., as they are widely used on the Internet today. In this paper, we introduce, ArRASA as a channel optimization strategy based on a deep-learning platform to create a chatbot that understands Arabic. ArRASA is a closed-domain chatbot that can be used in any Arabic industry. The proposed system consists of four major parts. These parts include tokenization of text, featurization, intent categorization and entity extraction. The performance of ArRASA is evaluated using traditional assessment metrics, i.e., accuracy and F1 score for the intent classification and entity extraction tasks in the Arabic language. The proposed framework archives promising results by securing 96%, 94% and 94%, 95% accuracy and an F1 score for intent classification and entity extraction, respectively.
Soil Organic Nitrogen Components and N−Cycling Enzyme Activities Following Vegetation Restoration of Cropland in Danxia Degraded Region
Authors: Wang Chao , Yang Qiannan , Zhang Chi , Zhou Bo , Li Xiangdong , Zhang Xiaolong , Chen Jing , Liu Kexue
Published: November 2022

Soil organic nitrogen (SON) components are a key indicator of soil fertility and plant growth. The Danxia degraded region (DDR) is an ecologically fragile area in southern China, where the “Grain for Green” project has been implemented to prevent further land degradation. However, little is known about the effects of vegetation restoration on SON components in the DDR or the factors that influence them. We compared three vegetation restoration types, namely, grassland, shrubland, and arbor forest, with cropland to determine the relationship between SON components and N−cycling enzyme activities. Vegetation restoration increased the soil amino sugar N and amino acid N and reduced the proportion of non−hydrolyzable N. Compared with forest restoration measures, restoration to grassland was more beneficial to SON levels and N−fixation capacity. Vegetation restoration also increased soil nitrate reductase, denitrifying enzyme, protease, β−1,4−N−acetylglucosaminidase activities, and soil microbial biomass. Vegetation restoration in the DDR changed the SON components through the “mineralization−fixation” of organic matter via amorphous iron and proteases, which, in turn, affected the level of available soil N. Vegetation restoration improved the soil N structure and promoted the intrinsic soil N cycle, providing a scientific basis for soil quality restoration in the DDR.
Consolidation and Dehydration of Waterlogged Archaeological Wood from Site Huaguangjiao No.1
Authors: Liu Xinyou , Tu Xinwei , Ma Wanrong , Zhang Changjun , Huang Houyi , Varodi Anca Maria
Published: November 2022

The Huaguangjiao I is an ancient Chinese wooden shipwreck from the South Song Dynasty (AD 1127–1279) discovered in the South China Sea in 1996. The first phase of its conservation, desalination and desulfurization, was completed in 2016. In this paper, three archaeological wood samples exhibiting different degrees of deterioration from Huaguangjiao No. 1 were consolidated with PEG-4000 and dehydrated via freeze drying and supercritical CO2 drying methods. The dimensional stability, hygroscopicity, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to evaluate the effects of consolidation and dehydration. The results showed that PEG4000 was an efficient consolidation material that also effectively decreased shrinkage during dehydration. Furthermore, both vacuum-freeze and supercritical CO2 drying were efficient methods for treating waterlogged archaeological wood. After PEG4000 impregnation, the shrinkage percentage of the waterlogged archaeological wood became slightly lower than sound wood. The moisture absorption of the experimental specimens ranged within 3.35%–4.53%, and they comprised 50% sound wood, resulting in a marked improvement in dimensional stability. FTIR spectra indicated that impregnation improved wood dimensional stability by reducing hydrophilic groups. These results show that this method can effectively treat waterlogged wood for preservation purposes.
The Influence of Stand Structure on Understory Herbaceous Plants Species Diversity of Platycladus orientalis Plantations in Beijing, China
Authors: Cui Ranran , Qi Shi , Wu Bingchen , Zhang Dai , Zhang Lin , Zhou Piao , Ma Ning , Huang Xian
Published: November 2022

Species diversity is a crucial index used to evaluate the stability and complexity of forest ecosystems. Studying the relationship between stand structure and understory herbaceous plants species diversity is useful for managers to formulate the best forest structure optimization method with the goal of improving herbaceous species diversity. In this research, Platycladus orientalis plantations in Beijing were taken as the research object. Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to explore the single-factor correlation between stand structure and understory herbaceous plants species diversity; furthermore, a typical correlation analysis and multiple linear regression were used to explore the multi-factor correlation and analyze the dominant stand structure parameters affecting understory herbaceous plants species diversity. In the range of stand structures studied, the results showed that canopy density was negatively correlated with the Shannon–Wiener index and Simpson index (p < 0.01), and tree density was negatively correlated with the Shannon–Wiener index (p < 0.05). In terms of stand spatial structure, the mingling degree was positively correlated with the Shannon–Wiener index, Simpson index, Margalef richness index and Pielou evenness index (p < 0.05), while the uniform angle was negatively correlated with the Pielou evenness index (p < 0.05). The correlation coefficient of the first group of typical variables in the typical correlation analysis was 0.90 (p < 0.05); from this group of typical variables, it can be concluded that canopy density is the most influential indicator affecting the comprehensive index of understory herbaceous plants species diversity, with a load of −0.690, and the Shannon–Wiener index and Simpson index are the most responsive indicators of changes in the comprehensive index of stand structure, with loads of 0.871 and 0.801, respectively. In the process of the management of Platycladus orientalis plantations under a low altitude, south slope, thin soil layer and hard soil parent material, in order to improve the herbaceous species diversity, the canopy density of the overstory and tree density should be appropriately reduced. Additionally, it is necessary to regulate the horizontal spatial structure of stands. When the trees are randomly distributed and the mingling degree is high, the species diversity of herbs can be increased.
Editorial for the Special Issue “Selected Papers from the 9th Annual Conference ‘Comparative Media Studies in Today’s World’ (CMSTW’2021)”
Authors: Bodrunova Svetlana S.
Published: November 2022

This Special Issue of Future Internet features the best papers from the 9th annual conference “Comparative Media Studies in Today’s World (CMSTW’2021)”, which was held between 20 and 21 April 2021, in St [...]
Tumorigenesis Mechanisms Found in Hereditary Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Review
Authors: Webster Bradley R. , Gopal Nikhil , Ball Mark W.
Published: November 2022

Renal cell carcinoma is a heterogenous cancer composed of an increasing number of unique subtypes each with their own cellular and tumor behavior. The study of hereditary renal cell carcinoma, which composes just 5% of all types of tumor cases, has allowed for the elucidation of subtype-specific tumorigenesis mechanisms that can also be applied to their sporadic counterparts. This review will focus on the major forms of hereditary renal cell carcinoma and the genetic alterations contributing to their tumorigenesis, including von Hippel Lindau syndrome, Hereditary Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma, Succinate Dehydrogenase-Deficient Renal Cell Carcinoma, Hereditary Leiomyomatosis and Renal Cell Carcinoma, BRCA Associated Protein 1 Tumor Predisposition Syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis, Birt–Hogg–Dubé Syndrome and Translocation RCC. The mechanisms for tumorigenesis described in this review are beginning to be exploited via the utilization of novel targets to treat renal cell carcinoma in a subtype-specific fashion.
Gender-Specific Effect of Couple-Based Intervention on Behavioral and Psychological Outcomes of Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes during the COVID-19 Partial Lockdown in Guangzhou, China
Authors: Yang Conghui , Xu Yingxin , Zhi Jingyi , Zheng Huiqiong , Sun Zhenhua , Wu Xueji , Liao Jing
Published: November 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the gender-specific effect of a couple-based intervention on the management behaviors and mental well-being of community-dwelling older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus during the COVID-19 partial lockdown in Guangzhou. Out of 207 participants involved in a prior randomized controlled trial (Trial no. ChiCTR1900027137), 156 (75%) completed the COVID-19 survey. Gendered differences in management behaviors and depressive symptoms between the couple-based intervention group and the patient-only control group were compared by distance to the high-risk areas cross-sectionally and longitudinally using random intercept models. Cross-sectionally, female patients of the intervention group had more positive behavior change scores (β = 1.53, p = 0.002) and fewer depressive symptoms (β = −1.34, p = 0.02) than the control group. Over time, female patients lived closer to the high-risk areas (<5 km) and showed decreasing depressive symptoms (β = −4.48, p = 0.008) in the intervention group vs. the control group. No statistically significant between-group difference was found for males. Females tended to benefit more from the coupled-based intervention than males did, particularly among these closer to the high-risk areas. Chronic disease management can be better sustained with active spousal engagement.
Development of Chitosan/Gelatin-Based Hydrogels Incorporated with Albumin Particles
Authors: Bańkosz Magdalena
Published: November 2022

The research subject of this paper are natural polymer-based hydrogels modified with albumin particles. The proteins were obtained via the salt-induced precipitation method, and next characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), UV-Vis spectroscopy and FT-IR spectroscopy. The most favorable composition showing monodispersity and particles with a size lower than 40 nm was selected for modification of hydrogels. Such systems were obtained via the photopolymerization performed under the influence of UV radiation using diacrylate poly(ethylene glycol) as a crosslinking agent and 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropiophenone as a photoinitiator. Next, the hydrogels’ swelling ability, mechanical properties, wettability and surface morphology were characterized. Moreover, FT-IR spectroscopy, incubation studies in simulated physiological liquids, pro-inflammatory activity analysis and MTT reduction assay with L929 murine fibroblasts were performed. The release profiles of proteins from hydrogels were also verified. Materials modified with proteins showed higher swelling ability, increased flexibility even by 50% and increased surface hydrophilicity. Hydrogels’ contact angles were within the range 62–69° while the tensile strength of albumin-containing hydrogels was approx. 0.11 MPa. Furthermore, the possibility of the effective release of protein particles from hydrogels in acidic environment (approximately 70%) was determined. Incubation studies showed hydrogels’ stability and lack of their degradation in tested media. The viability of fibroblasts was 89.54% for unmodified hydrogel, and approx. 92.73% for albumin-modified hydrogel, and such an increase indicated the positive impact of the albumin on murine fibroblast proliferation.
Excellent Adsorption of Dyes via MgTiO3@g-C3N4 Nanohybrid: Construction, Description and Adsorption Mechanism
Authors: Modwi Abueliz , Elamin Mohamed R. , Idriss Hajo , Elamin Nuha Y. , Adam Fatima A. , Albadri Abuzar E. , Abdulkhair Babiker Y.
Published: November 2022

This report investigates the elimination of hazardous Rhodamine B dye (RhB) from an aqueous medium utilizing MgTiO3@g-C3N4 nanohybrids manufactured using a facile method. The nanohybrid MgTiO3@g-C3N4 was generated using an ultrasonic approach in the alcoholic solvent. Various techniques, including HRTEM, EDX, XRD, BET, and FTIR, were employed to describe the fabricated MgTiO3@g-C3N4 nanohybrids. RhB elimination was investigated utilizing batch mode studies, and the maximum removal was attained at pH 7.0. The RhB adsorption process is more consistent with the Langmuir isotherm model. The highest adsorption capacity of MgTiO3@g-C3N4 nanohybrids for RhB was determined to be 232 mg/g. The dye adsorption followed a pseudo-second-order model, and the parameters calculated indicated that the kinetic adsorption process was spontaneous. Using ethanol and water, the reusability of the nanomaterial was investigated, and based on the results; it can be concluded that the MgTiO3@g-C3N4 nanohybrids are easily regenerated for dye removal. The removal mechanism for the removal of RhB dye into MgTiO3@g-C3N4 nanohybrids was also investigated.
Kairomonal Effect of Aphid Alarm Pheromones and Analogs on the Parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae
Authors: Qin Yaoguo , Zhang Shangyang , Li Zhengxi
Published: November 2022

Aphid alarm pheromones, as important semiochemicals, not only mediate behavioral response of aphids, but can also act as kairomones to attract their natural enemies. The sesquiterpene (E)-β-farnesene (EβF), the major alarm pheromone component of most aphid species, has been shown to have a kairomonal effect on the predators of aphids, but other alarm pheromone components, especially the monoterpenes and analogs, are rarely investigated. Here, two EβF analogs were successfully synthesized via the nucleophilic substitution reaction, and we then examined the kairomonal effects of four alarm pheromone components and two EβF analogs on the aphid parasitoid, Diaeretiella rapae. In olfactory bioassays, D. rapae females generally showed no significant behavioral response to these alarm pheromone components and analogs under low concentrations (0.1 μg/μL). Nevertheless, their olfactory response to these compounds gradually enhanced with increasing concentrations. Among the four pheromone components, EβF showed the highest attractive activity, but the parasitoid preferred blends over single compounds. Moreover, the response time decreased as the concentration increased. We confirmed the kairomonal effect of monoterpene alarm pheromone components and their blends, in addition to EβF, on the natural enemies of aphids. This is the first report that the blend of alarm pheromone components and their analogs has a stronger kairomonal effect than do the single components on the natural enemies of aphids. This study contributes to our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of parasitoid behaviors by kairomones and provides a promising opportunity for designing kairomones for the aphid parasitoid to mediate aphid populations in the field.
Identification and Field Evaluation of Sex Pheromone Components and Its Antagonist Produced by a Major Tea Pest, Archips strojny (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)
Authors: Fu Nanxia , Magsi Fida Hussain , Zhao Yingjie , Cai Xiaoming , Li Zhaoqun , Bian Lei , Xiu Chunli , Chen Zongmao , Luo Zongxiu
Published: November 2022

Pesticide application is the only known control method for the tea tortrix Archips strojny (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), which is a major pest of spring tea in China. To develop sex pheromone-based, environmentally safe control strategies, here we identified the sex pheromone components of this species. The male moths’ antennae responded electrophysiologically to two compounds in female pheromone gland extracts. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis indicated that the two bioactive compounds were (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (Z11-14:Ac) and (Z)-11-tetradecenyl alcohol (Z11-14:OH). Field trapping assays showed that lures baited with only the major component Z11-14:Ac were the most attractive to male moths, and the attractiveness decreased significantly when the lure was impregnated with increased relative ratios of the minor component Z11-14:OH. Our study demonstrated that Z11-14:Ac was the major attractant in the A. strojny sex pheromone, and the minor component Z11-14:OH seemed to serve as an antagonist. The results indicate that lures baited with 1 mg of Z11-14:Ac could be used as a monitoring or mass trapping tool for A. strojny management in Chinese tea plantations. Furthermore, Z11-14:Ac was identified as a common sex pheromone attractant of nine Archips species; these results lay the foundation for developing mating disruption techniques that target multiple leafroller pests.
Association between Abnormal Echocardiography and Adverse Obstetric Outcomes in Low-Risk Pregnant Women
Authors: Hennessey Kerrilynn C. , Ali Thara S. , Choi Eunjung , Ortengren Alexandra R. , Hickerson Leigh C. , Lee Jennifer May , Taub Cynthia C.
Published: November 2022

Maternal mortality in the United States is a public health crisis of preventable deaths among young women. The role of echocardiography in the evaluation of pregnant women with cardiovascular symptoms or risk factors without known heart disease is unclear. We retrospectively examined the clinical characteristics of consecutive pregnant patients without established heart disease who underwent echocardiography and evaluated associations between abnormal exam findings and obstetric outcomes. Among low-risk women undergoing echocardiography during pregnancy, older age, higher parity and a history of chronic hypertension are associated with a higher likelihood of echocardiographic abnormalities, which in turn are associated with a higher likelihood of adverse obstetric outcomes including caesarean section and preterm delivery.
Being Intelligent with Emotions to Benefit Creativity: Emotion across the Seven Cs of Creativity
Authors: Sundquist Daniel , Lubart Todd
Published: November 2022

In this review of emotion, emotional intelligence (EI) and creativity, we look at the various ways that these topics can be explored together using the seven Cs of Creativity as a structuring framework. The seven Cs of creativity are: creators, creating, collaborations, contexts, creations, consumption and curricula, representing the different facets of creativity research. The question of emotion and creativity has a long historical lineage, which has led up to the study of intelligent and dynamic aspects of emotion and their impact on creativity. Previous and emerging work on EI, related emotional aspects and creativity offer promising ways to advance this field of research. However, we show that some aspects of creativity and EI are less explored than others. We offer several implications for the direction of future work.
AIS-Enabled Weather Routing for Cargo Loss Prevention
Authors: Spyrou-Sioula Kalliopi , Kontopoulos Ioannis , Kaklis Dimitrios , Makris Antonios , Tserpes Konstantinos , Eirinakis Pavlos , Oikonomou Fotis
Published: November 2022

The operation of any vessel includes risks, such as mechanical failure, collision, property loss, cargo loss, or damage. For modern container ships, safe navigation is challenging as the rate of innovation regarding design, speed profiles, and carrying capacity has experienced exponential growth over the past few years. Prevention of cargo loss in container ship liners is of high importance for the Maritime industry and the waterborne sector as it can lead to potentially disastrous, harmful, or even life-threatening outcomes for the crew, the shipping company, the marine environment, and aqua-culture. With the installment of onboard decision support system(s) (DSS) that will provide the required operational guidance to the vessel’s master, we aim to prevent and overcome such events. This paper explores cargo losses in container ships by employing a novel weather routing optimization DS framework that aims to identify excessive motions and accelerations caused by bad weather at specific times and locations; it also suggests alternative routes and, thus, ultimately prevents cargo loss and damage.
Spatial Distribution of Canine Sporotrichosis in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1998–2018) and Its Correlation with Socioeconomic Conditions
Authors: Figueiredo Anna Barreto Fernandes , Magalhães Mônica de Avelar Figueiredo Mafra , Tassinari Wagner de Souza , Gremião Isabella Dib Ferreira , Miranda Luisa Helena Monteiro de , Menezes Rodrigo Caldas , Pereira Sandro Antonio
Published: November 2022

Canine sporotrichosis is a poorly described global disease and a spatial approach has not yet been used to assess the disease in dogs. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the occurrence of canine sporotrichosis in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 1998 to 2018 and its correlation with socioeconomic characteristics using exploratory spatial data analysis. A total of 295 cases of canine sporotrichosis were identified and 249 were georeferenced. There was a higher concentration of cases in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, as well as along the border of the city and the adjacent municipalities in the great metropolitan area. The cases occurred in areas where most of the dwellings are houses. Moreover, no focus of disease density was found in the southern part of Rio de Janeiro city over the period studied, possibly due to better socioeconomic conditions. Areas with a high concentration of canine sporotrichosis cases coincided with regions that possessed a low proportion of households without paving, suggesting that the disease is not necessarily linked to extreme poverty. The mapping of areas with a greater density of cases is fundamental to formulate targeted and strategic plans in order to implement effective public health prevention and control measures.
Rare Earth Doped Glasses/Ceramics: Synthesis, Structure, Properties and Their Optical Applications
Authors: Pisarski Wojciech A.
Published: November 2022

Glasses, glass-ceramics and ceramics belong to three important classes of engineering materials, which are useful in numerous multifunctional and industrial applications [...]
A New 2D Displacement Measurement Method Based on an Eddy Current Sensor and Absolute Encoding
Authors: Ma Kunlong , Yang Qianyun , Zhang Jin , Dang Xueming , Hu Penghao
Published: November 2022

A new method of two-dimensional (2D) plane displacement measurement based on an eddy current sensor is proposed in this paper. A series of grooves with different widths and depths are graved on the linear displacement table to form 2D absolute coding using the idea of pseudorandom coding. The eddy current sensor array is arranged above the groove to identify the coding. An artificial neural network is used to establish a measurement model which is the mapping relationship between the output of the eddy current sensor array and the 2D displacement of the workbench. A feasibility experiment showed that in the range of 20 × 20 mm, the root mean square error of measurement in the X- and Y-directions are 83 and 73 μm, respectively. The new method integrates eddy current sensor and artificial neural network modeling to realize 2D displacement measurement, which provides a new solution for displacement and angle measurement.
Finite-Control-Set Model Predictive Control for Low-Voltage-Ride-Through Enhancement of PMSG Based Wind Energy Grid Connection Systems
Authors: Ali Syed Wajahat , Verma Anant Kumar , Terriche Yacine , Sadiq Muhammad , Su Chun-Lien , Lee Chung-Hong , Elsisi Mahmoud
Published: November 2022

Grid faults are found to be one of the major issues in renewable energy systems, particularly in wind energy conversion systems (WECS) connected to the grid via back-to-back (BTB) converters. Under such faulty grid conditions, the system requires an effective regulation of the active (P) and reactive (Q) power to accomplish low voltage ride through (LVRT) operation in accordance with the grid codes. In this paper, an improved finite-control-set model predictive control (FCS-MPC) scheme is proposed for a PMSG based WECS to achieve LVRT ability under symmetrical and asymmetrical grid faults, including mitigation of DC-link voltage fluctuation. With proposed predictive control, optimized switching states for cost function minimization with weighing factor (WF) selection guidelines are established for robust BTB converter control and reduced cross-coupling amid P and Q during transient conditions. Besides, grid voltage support is provided by grid side inverter control to inject reactive power during voltage dips. The effectiveness of the FCS-MPC method is compared with the conventional proportional-integral (PI) controller in case of symmetrical and asymmetrical grid faults. The simulation and experimental results endorse the superiority of the developed FCS-MPC scheme to diminish the fault effect quickly with lower overshoot and better damping performance than the traditional controller.
Reconstructing the Semiconductor Band Structure by Deep Learning
Authors: Yang Shidong , Liu Xiwang , Lin Jinyan , Zuo Ruixin , Song Xiaohong , Ciappina Marcelo , Yang Weifeng
Published: November 2022

High-order harmonic generation (HHG), the nonlinear upconversion of coherent radiation resulting from the interaction of a strong and short laser pulse with atoms, molecules and solids, represents one of the most prominent examples of laser–matter interaction. In solid HHG, the characteristics of the generated coherent radiation are dominated by the band structure of the material, which configures one of the key properties of semiconductors and dielectrics. Here, we combine an all-optical method and deep learning to reconstruct the band structure of semiconductors. Our method builds up an artificial neural network based on the sensitivity of the HHG spectrum to the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) of a few-cycle pulse. We analyze the accuracy of the band structure reconstruction depending on the predicted parameters and propose a prelearning method to solve the problem of the low accuracy of some parameters. Once the network is trained with the mapping between the CEP-dependent HHG and the band structure, we can directly predict it from experimental HHG spectra. Our scheme provides an innovative way to study the structural properties of new materials.
Consumers Behavior Determinants on Online Local Market Platforms in COVID-19 Pandemic—A Probit Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Ciucan-Rusu Liviu , Vasile Valentina , Stefan Daniel , Comes Calin-Adrian , Stefan Anamari-Beatrice , Timus Mihai , Oltean Anca , Bunduchi Elena , Popa Maria-Alexandra
Published: November 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy was strongly affected by the restrictions imposed by the authorities to prevent the spread of the virus, and local online platforms and e-commerce experienced an accelerated rate of growth. Small producers had no chance of staying on the market if they did not choose to reorient their business to the online environment. The purpose of this study is to highlight the determinants of consumer behavior on online market platforms, as well as the barriers that affect the intention to shop online. By conducting a qualitative survey and applying a probit OLS binary choice model, the analysis was centered on several variables with expected important impact on quick and flexible response/adaptation to new market profile, such as the age of the respondents, the level of income, the trend of online purchasing of different categories of goods, and the propensity towards online payment. The results underlined the importance perceived by the respondents of local producers, especially by people with a high level of education. At the same time, the role of the age variable as a determinant of consumer behavior before, during, and after the removal of the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic is highlighted.
Response of Intestinal Microbiota to the Variation in Diets in Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
Authors: Yang Gang , Xiang Yuhan , Wang Shanshan , Tao Yujie , Xie Lichen , Bao Lixin , Shen Kaikai , Li Jiamin , Hu Baoqing , Wen Chungen , Kumar Vikas , Peng Mo
Published: November 2022

The intestinal microbiota is important for the nutrient metabolism of fish and is significantly influenced by the host’s diet. The effect of ryegrass and commercial diets on the intestinal microbiota of grass carp was compared in this study. In comparison to ryegrass, artificial feed significantly reduced the microbial diversity in the intestine, which was measured by a decrease in the observed OTUs, ACE, Shannon, and the InvSimpson index. Although grass carp fed with ryegrass and artificial feed shared a dominant phyla Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, the microbial composition was clearly distinguishable between the two groups. In grass carp fed with ryegrass, Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, and Actinobacteria predominated, whereas Bacilli was significantly higher in the artificial feed group due to an increase in Weissella and an unassigned Bacillales bacteria, as well as a significant increase in a potential pathogen: Aeromonas australiensis. Grass carp fed with ryegrass exhibited a more complex ecological network performed by the intestinal bacterial community, which was dominated by cooperative interactions; this was also observed in grass carp fed with artificial feed. Despite this, the increase in A. australiensis increased the competitive interaction within this ecological network, which contributed to the vulnerable perturbation of the intestinal microbiota. The alteration of the microbial composition through diet can further affect microbial function. The intestinal microbial function in grass carp fed with ryegrass was rich in amino acids and exhibited an increased energy metabolism in order to compensate for a low-nutrient diet intake, while the artificial feed elevated the microbial lipid metabolism through the promotion of its synthesis in the primary and secondary bile acids, together with a notable enhancement of fatty acid biosynthesis. These results indicated that diet can affect the homeostasis of the intestinal microbiota by altering the microbial composition and the interspecific interactions, whilst microbial function can respond to a variation in diet.
Preparation of FeCo/C-N and FeNi/C-N Nanocomposites from Acrylamide Co-Crystallizates and Their Use as Lubricant Additives
Authors: Uflyand Igor E. , Burlakova Victoria E. , Drogan Ekaterina G. , Zabiyaka Igor Yu. , Kydralieva Kamila A. , Kugabaeva Gulsara D. , Dzhardimalieva Gulzhian I.
Published: November 2022

FeCo and FeNi nanoalloy particles encapsulated in a nitrogen-doped carbonized shell (FeCo/C-N and FeNi/C-N) were synthesized by thermolysis at 400 °C of polyacrylamide complexes after frontal polymerization of co-crystallizate of Fe and Co or Ni nitrates and acrylamide. During the thermolysis of polyacrylamide complexes in a self-generated atmosphere, Co(II) or Ni(II) and Fe(III) cations are reduced to form FeCo and FeNi nanoalloy particles, while polyacrylamide simultaneously forms a nitrogen-doped carbon shell layer. This unique architecture provides high chemical and thermal stability of the resulting nanocomposites. The average crystallite size of FeCo and FeNi nanoparticles is 10 and 12 nm, respectively. The nanocomposites were studied by X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The nanocomposites have been tested as antifriction and antiwear additives in lubricating oils. The optimal concentrations of nanoparticles were determined, at which the antifriction and antiwear properties of the lubricant manifest themselves in the best possible way.
Impact of Lithologic Heterogeneity on Brittleness of Cenozoic Unconventional Reservoirs (Fine-Grained) in Western Qaidam Basin
Authors: Li Xiang , Wu Kunyu , Wang Jiangong , Yang Shaoyong , Zhang Qinghui , Zhang Qiang
Published: November 2022

In order to understand the impact on reservoir brittleness of lithologic heterogeneity in the continental mixed fine-grained sedimentary rocks in the western Qaidam Basin, the mechanical properties of the rocks and their correlation with mineral composition and petrographic characteristics were studied. A total of 20 samples from two parallel groups (10 samples in each group) were analyzed by triaxial stress test mineralogy, and morphology. The results show that the reservoir rocks can be divided into five different types according to the mechanical properties of the reservoir (characterized by stress–strain curves), among which Types I and III belong to a similar elastoplastic failure model, Type II shows a special pulse failure mode for plastic material, Type IV shows a failure mode of mixed characteristics, and Type V exhibits a typical plastic failure model. The correlation between minerals and mechanical properties indicates that quartz and feldspar, which are often considered brittle minerals, do not contribute much to the brittleness of these continental fine-grained sedimentary rocks. The main minerals affecting the reservoir brittleness are dolomite and clay minerals, contributing positively and negatively to it, respectively. The petrographic analysis results prove that the abnormal correlation between rock mechanical properties and quartz and feldspar is caused by the different rock fabrics. When dolomite forms a rock skeleton, it typically exhibits greater strength, brittleness and physical properties than other minerals. Based on the results, a brittleness evaluation standard for continental unconventional reservoirs (fine-grained) is proposed, and the validity of the standard is verified by the spatial correlation between the lithology probability model and the micro-seismic monitoring data. This indicated that the spatial heterogeneity of the dolomite-rich rock is the main controlling factor for the effective development of the Cenozoic continental unconventional reservoirs (fine-grained) in the Western Qaidam Basin.
FDTD Simulations of Shell Scattering in Au@SiO2 Core–Shell Nanorods with SERS Activity for Sensory Purposes
Authors: Kon Igor , Zyubin Andrey , Samusev Ilia
Published: November 2022

The article describes the results of Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) mathematical modeling of electromagnetic field parameters near the surfaces of core–shell gold-based nanorods in the Au@SiO2 system. Three excitation linewidths (λ = 532, 632.8, and 785 nm) were used for theoretical experiments. Electric field parameters for Au nanorods, Au@SiO2 nanorods, and hollow SiO2 shells have been calculated and evaluated. The correlations between electric field calculated parameters with nanorod morphology and shell size parameters have been clarified. The optical properties of nanoobjects have been simulated and discussed. The highest maximum calculated value of the electric field tension was E = 7.34 V/m. The enhancement coefficient was |E/E0|4 = 3.15 × 107 and was obtained on a rod with a SiO2 shell with dimensional parameters of height 70 nm, rod width 20 nm, and shell thickness 20 nm. As a result, a flexible simulation algorithm has been developed for the simulation of electric field parameters in each component of the Au@SiO2 system. The developed simulation algorithm will be applicable in the future for any other calculations of optical parameters in any similar component of the core–shell system.
Donor Impurity in CdS/ZnS Spherical Quantum Dots under Applied Electric and Magnetic Fields
Authors: Hasanirokh Kobra , Radu Adrian , Duque Carlos A.
Published: November 2022

This article presents a theoretical study of the electronic, impurity-related, and nonlinear optical properties of CdS/ZnS quantum dots subjected to electric and magnetic fields. The magnetic field is applied along the z-axis, with the donor impurity always located in the center of the quantum dot. In the case of the electric field, two situations have been considered: applied along the z-axis and applied in the radial direction (central electric field). In both cases, the azimuthal symmetry (around the z-axis) is preserved. In the absence of a magnetic field and considering a central electric field, the system preserves its spherical symmetry both in the presence and in the absence of the donor impurity. The study is carried out in the effective mass approximation and it uses the finite element method to find the eigenfunctions and their corresponding energies, both in the presence and in the absence of the impurity. This work investigates the optical absorption coefficient and the relative change of the refractive index, considering only intraband transitions between l = 0 states (states with azimuthal symmetry concerning the z-axis). Calculations are for z-polarized incident radiation. The study shows that the combined effects of a central electric field and a z-directed magnetic field can give rise to a typical core/shell-like quantum confinement with oscillations of the electron ground state. Additionally, it is shown that the presence of the donor impurity suppresses such oscillations and it is responsible for blue shifts in the optical properties and magnifications of the corresponding resonances.
RNA-Mediated Regulation of Meiosis in Budding Yeast
Authors: Pondugala Vidya Vardhini , Mishra Krishnaveni
Published: November 2022

Cells change their physiological state in response to environmental cues. In the absence of nutrients, unicellular fungi such as budding yeast exit mitotic proliferation and enter the meiotic cycle, leading to the production of haploid cells that are encased within spore walls. These cell state transitions are orchestrated in a developmentally coordinated manner. Execution of the meiotic cell cycle program in budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is regulated by the key transcription factor, Ime1. Recent developments have uncovered the role of non-coding RNA in the regulation of Ime1 and meiosis. In this review, we summarize the role of ncRNA-mediated and RNA homeostasis-based processes in the regulation of meiosis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
A Review of Pickering Emulsions: Perspectives and Applications
Authors: de Carvalho-Guimarães Fernanda Brito , Correa Kamila Leal , de Souza Tatiane Pereira , Rodríguez Amado Jesus Rafael , Ribeiro-Costa Roseane Maria , Silva-Júnior José Otávio Carréra
Published: November 2022

Pickering emulsions are systems composed of two immiscible fluids stabilized by organic or inorganic solid particles. These solid particles of certain dimensions (micro- or nano-particles), and desired wettability, have been shown to be an alternative to conventional emulsifiers. The use of biodegradable and biocompatible stabilizers of natural origin, such as clay minerals, presents a promising future for the development of Pickering emulsions and, with this, they deliver some advantages, especially in the area of biomedicine. In this review, the effects and characteristics of microparticles in the preparation and properties of Pickering emulsions are presented. The objective of this review is to provide a theoretical basis for a broader type of emulsion, in addition to reviewing the main aspects related to the mechanisms and applications to promote its stability. Through this review, we highlight the use of this type of emulsion and its excellent properties as permeability promoters of solid particles, providing ideal results for local drug delivery and use in Pickering emulsions.
MLN4924 Treatment Diminishes Excessive Lipid Storage in High-Fat Diet-Induced Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) by Stimulating Hepatic Mitochondrial Fatty Acid Oxidation and Lipid Metabolites
Authors: Ge Mengxiao , Huang Linlin , Ma Yinjun , Sun Shuangyi , Wu Lijun , Xu Wei , Yang Dongqin
Published: November 2022

MLN4924 is a selective neddylation inhibitor that has shown great potential in treating several cancer and metabolic diseases, including obesity. However, it remains largely unknown whether MLN4924 has similar effect on non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD), which is closely associated with metabolic disorders. Here, we investigated the role of MLN4924 in NAFLD treatment and the underlying mechanism of the action using primary hepatocytes stimulated with free fatty acid, as well as high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD mouse models. We found that MLN4924 can inhibit the accumulation of lipid and reduce the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), a key player in adipocyte differentiation and function in both in vivo and in vitro models. Moreover, we verified its important role in decreasing the synthesis and accumulation of fat in the liver, thus mitigating the development of NAFLD in the mouse model. The body weight and fat mass in MLN4924-treated animals were significantly reduced compared to the control group, while the metabolic activity, including O2 consumption, CO2 and heat production, also increased in these animals. Importantly, we demonstrated for the first time that MLN4924 can markedly boost mitochondrial fat acid oxidation (FAO) to alter liver lipid metabolism. Finally, we compared the metabolites between MLN4924-treated and untreated Huh7 cells after fatty acid induction using lipidomics methods and techniques. We found induction of several metabolites in the treated cells, including Beta-guanidinopropionic acid (b-GPA) and Fluphenazine, which was in accordance with the increase of FAO and metabolism. Together, our study provided a link between neddylation modification and energy metabolism, as well as evidence for targeting neddylation as an emerging therapeutic approach to tackle NAFLD.