bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurement of Relaxation Modulus of Viscoelastic Materials and Design of Testing Device
Authors: Wan Lunlun , Lin Fuyan
Published: May 2023

Viscoelastic parameters of viscoelastic materials should be measured to ensure their effective use. Unfortunately, devices for effective and accurate measurement of the relaxation modulus of materials are not currently available. In this study, we designed a mechanical device that can control the spherical indenter to press on the material at a uniform speed to allow measurement of the relaxation modulus of a viscoelastic material. The results showed that the device is accurate and easy to operate. The load expressions of ramp loading (the motion of the indenter is a uniform velocity) and ramp-constant loading (the motion of the indenter is stationary after uniform velocity) were derived for the spherical indenter. The relaxation modulus function of the material was calculated by measuring the displacement and load of the indenter and fitting it using the non-negative least square method. The relaxation modulus expression of viscoelastic materials calculated using the ramp loading experiment was substituted into the derived load expression of ramp-constant loading. The values were compared with the load values obtained using the ramp-constant loading experiment and the error was evaluated. The error was less than 2.5%, indicating high feasibility and practicability of the experimental device designed in this study.
Distinguishing Malignant Melanoma and Benign Nevus of Human Skin by Retardance Using Mueller Matrix Imaging Polarimeter
Authors: Wang Wen’ai , Chen Guoqiang , Li Yanqiu
Published: May 2023

Malignant melanoma is considered the most serious type of skin cancer. In clinical practice, the conventional technique based on subjective visual examination has a high rate of misdiagnosis for malignant melanoma and benign nevus. Polarization imaging techniques have great potential in clinical diagnosis due to the advantages of improving sensitivity to functional structures, such as microfiber. In this paper, a set of human skin tissue sections, including 853 normal, 851 benign nevus, and 874 malignant melanoma, were analyzed and differentiated using a homemade high-fidelity Mueller matrix imaging polarimeter. The quantitative result using support vector machine algorithms confirmed that, while scalar retardance yields lower accuracy rates, vectorial retardance results in greater accuracy for both the training and testing sets. In particular, the cross-validation accuracy for the training set increased from 88.33% to 98.60%, and the prediction accuracy for the testing set increased from 87.92% to 96.19%. This tackles the limitation of the examination based on clinical experience and suggests that vectorial retardance can provide more accurate diagnostic evidence than scalar retardance. Unfortunately, it is inconvenient and time-consuming to read and analyze each component of the vectorial retardance simultaneously in the qualitative assessment. To address this clinical challenge, a color-encoded vectorial retardance imaging method was implemented. This method can provide superior tissue-specific contrast and more fiber details than scalar retardance. The anisotropic microfiber variation among different skin lesions, including the orientation and distribution, can be clearly highlighted. We believe that this work will not only enable early and rapid diagnosis of skin cancer but also provide a good observation and analysis of the state of cancer progression.
The Concept of Interactive Dynamic Intelligent Virtual Sensors (IDIVS): Bridging the Gap between Sensors, Services, and Users through Machine Learning
Authors: Persson Jan A. , Bugeja Joseph , Davidsson Paul , Holmberg Johan , Kebande Victor R. , Mihailescu Radu-Casian , Sarkheyli-Hägele Arezoo , Tegen Agnes
Published: May 2023

This paper concerns the novel concept of an Interactive Dynamic Intelligent Virtual Sensor (IDIVS), which extends virtual/soft sensors towards making use of user input through interactive learning (IML) and transfer learning. In research, many studies can be found on using machine learning in this domain, but not much on using IML. This paper contributes by highlighting how this can be done and the associated positive potential effects and challenges. An IDIVS provides a sensor-like output and achieves the output through the data fusion of sensor values or from the output values of other IDIVSs. We focus on settings where people are present in different roles: from basic service users in the environment being sensed to interactive service users supporting the learning of the IDIVS, as well as configurators of the IDIVS and explicit IDIVS teachers. The IDIVS aims at managing situations where sensors may disappear and reappear and be of heterogeneous types. We refer to and recap the major findings from related experiments and validation in complementing work. Further, we point at several application areas: smart building, smart mobility, smart learning, and smart health. The information properties and capabilities needed in the IDIVS, with extensions towards information security, are introduced and discussed.
Biomass from Green Areas and Its Use for Energy Purposes
Authors: Zardzewiały Miłosz , Bajcar Marcin , Saletnik Bogdan , Puchalski Czesław , Gorzelany Józef
Published: May 2023

In the current situation, fossil fuels are the primary source for electricity production. As a result of activities related to environmental protection, other sources are also used to produce energy. One of the renewable sources is biomass, which is becoming more and more popular for economic reasons. Biomass produced in green areas is a source of energy that has not been used in an appropriate way so far. This scientific article presents the possibility of using biomass from parks and gardens for the production of pellets and the assessment of their properties in terms of the possibility of using them for energy purposes. Coniferous sawdust was an additional component of the pellets. The produced pellets were tested for mechanical, thermogravimetric, and calorimetric properties. It was found that pellets made of biomass consisting of fir (493.12 N) and pine (450.84 N) cones with an addition of coniferous sawdust were the most resistant to mechanical damage. The amount of ash in the analyzed pellets was below 3%, and their calorific value ranged from 16.95 to 19.54 MJ·kg−1. Additionally, during pellet combustion, the lowest emission of sulfur dioxide was recorded for pellets made of sawdust from coniferous trees and acorns (1.01 mg·m3), while the lowest emission of nitrogen oxides was recorded for pellets made of a mixture of coniferous sawdust and pinecones (65.33 mg·m3). The emission of the tested gases decreased as a result of the addition of coniferous sawdust to the tested types of biomass. On the basis of the conducted research, it was noted that waste biomass formed in green areas can be a raw material for energy production.
MDPN: Multilevel Distribution Propagation Network for Few-Shot Image Classification
Authors: Wu Jie , Zhang Haixiang , Feng Jie , Ma Hanjie , Zhang Huaxiong , Jiang Mingfeng , Shao Mengyue
Published: May 2023

Due to a shortage of labeled examples, few-shot image classification frequently experiences noise interference and insufficient feature extraction. In this paper, we present a two-stage framework based on the distribution propagation graph neural network (DPGN) called the multilevel distribution propagation network (MDPN). An instance-segmentation-based object localization (ISOL) module and a graph-based multilevel distribution propagation (GMDP) module are both included in the MDPN. To create a clear and full object zone, the ISOL module generates a mask that eliminates background and pseudo-object noises. The GMDP module enriches the level of features. We carried out comprehensive experiments on the few-shot dataset CUB-200-2011 to show the usefulness of MDPN. The results demonstrate that MDPN indeed outperforms DPGN in terms of few-shot image classification accuracy. Under 5-way 1-shot and 5-way 5-shot settings, the classification accuracy of MDPN exceeds the baseline by 8.17% and 1.24%, respectively. MDPN also outperforms the majority of the existing few-shot classification methods in the same setting.
Probabilistic Forecasting of Electricity Demand Incorporating Mobility Data
Authors: Fatema Israt , Lei Gang , Kong Xiaoying
Published: May 2023

Due to extreme weather conditions and anomalous events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, utilities and grid operators worldwide face unprecedented challenges. These unanticipated changes in trends introduce new uncertainties in conventional short-term electricity demand forecasting (EDF) since its result depends on recent usage as an input variable. In order to quantify the uncertainty of EDF effectively, this paper proposes a comprehensive probabilistic EFD method based on Gaussian process regression (GPR) and kernel density estimation (KDE). GPR is a non-parametric method based on Bayesian theory, which can handle the uncertainties in EDF using limited data. Mobility data is incorporated to manage uncertainty and pattern changes and increase forecasting model scalability. This study first performs a correlation study for feature selection that comprises weather, renewable and non-renewable energy, and mobility data. Then, different kernel functions of GPR are compared, and the optimal function is recommended for real applications. Finally, real data are used to validate the effectiveness of the proposed model and are elaborated with three scenarios. Comparison results with other conventional adopted methods show that the proposed method can achieve high forecasting accuracy with a minimum quantity of data while addressing forecasting uncertainty, thus improving decision-making.
Multi-Domain Substructure Synthesis with Normalized Interpolation Technique for Non-Matching Interfaces
Authors: Chen Zhaoyue , Liu Li , Chen Shulin
Published: May 2023

The dynamic prediction of large spacecraft is a time-consuming process. The impulse-based substructuring (IBS) method is an efficient and accurate method for the dynamic analysis of large-scale structures. The ordinary IBS method couples the substructure impulse response functions (IRFs) with coincident interface nodes. However, the interface nodes in a practical structure are usually mismatched. This paper extends the ordinary IBS method and presents a method for coupling multi-domain substructures, including IBS, FEM and modal substructures, with non-matching interfaces. Both displacement compatibility and force equilibrium are satisfied on the non-matching interfaces of substructures by introducing the normalized interpolation technique into the framework of IBS. To evaluate the performance of the proposed method, numerical models and a practical application with a lunar lander and a rover are presented. The main bodies of the lander and the rover are coupled by non-matching interfaces, and the coupled system is excited by a buffer load. With the employment of this proposed method, the computing time of the landing simulation of the lunar lander is dramatically reduced, and the results show strong agreement with references. It is demonstrated that the proposed method is accurate and efficient in the transient dynamic analysis of engineering structures.
A Retrospective Cohort Study of Traumatic Root Fractures in Primary Dentition: Can Splinting Type Improve Therapeutic Outcomes?
Authors: Murgia Martina Salvatorina , Zerman Nicoletta , Cubeddu Stefano , Carboni Laura , Spinas Enrico
Published: May 2023

(1) Introduction: Deciduous traumatic dental injuries pose a serious global health concern. Root fractures show an incidence rate of approximately 2%; however, the literature is limited regarding the appropriate treatment and prognosis of affected teeth. This retrospective study aims to analyze the long-term outcomes of orthodontic splinting using brackets compared with composite resin-only splinting in two homogeneous samples affected by root fractures. The study also examines the onset and patterns of root resorption. (2) Methods: The first group included 25 patients with 27 deciduous upper incisors affected by root fracture; Group 2 consisted of 35 patients with 38 root fractures of maxillary deciduous teeth. The categorical data for both groups were analyzed using the chi-squared homogeneity test. Age groups were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test; p < 0.005 was considered statistically significant. (3) Results: In both groups, the male gender predominated similarly. In Group 1, early decidual loss occurred in 16% of cases, whereas in Group 2 it occurred in 51% of cases. Pulp canal obliteration was observed in 68% of deciduous teeth in Group 1, compared with 30% in Group 2. No complications affecting permanent teeth were noted in Group 1; in Group 2, 29% developed enamel dysplasia and 26% experienced delayed eruption, with statistically significant differences in these proportions. Apical fragment resorption was observed in 92% of cases in Group 1 and 30% in Group 2. (4) Conclusions: The treatment of deciduous tooth root fractures using orthodontic splints can yield significant benefits, such as reduction of early tooth loss. Furthermore, the study confirms that early resorption of the distal fragment of fractured roots is a common physiological phenomenon in primary teeth and typically occurs within a year following trauma.
Morphological Evaluation of Cranium Facial Asymmetry in Class III Malocclusion Patients
Authors: Ono Sayumi , Tachiki Chie , Morikawa Taiki , Aihara Yasuo , Matsunaga Satoru , Sugahara Keisuke , Watanabe Akira , Kawamata Takakazu , Nishii Yasushi
Published: May 2023

The maxillofacial region of patients with facial asymmetry is deformed not only in the mandible but also in the maxilla, suggesting that the head region may also be deformed. Therefore, in this study, skeletally originated mandibular prognathism with facial asymmetry was evaluated in relation to cranial morphology. The cranial morphology of patients who visited the Chiba Dental Center of Tokyo Dental College and were diagnosed with skeletal mandibular prognathism with facial asymmetry (asymmetry group: ANB 0° or less; Menton deviation 4 mm or more; 30 subjects) and without facial asymmetry (symmetry group: ANB less than 0°; Menton deviation less than 3 mm) was measured and evaluated. As a method, the length and area of the cranium were measured using axial cephalometric radiographs. In the asymmetry group, there was a significant difference in the left–right difference in the long diameter of the posterior part of the cranium compared to the symmetry group (p = 0.009). The asymmetry group also had significant differences in the central and occipital areas of the cranium on the left and right sides compared to the symmetry group (p < 0.001). In the asymmetry group, the direction of Menton deviation and the direction of head region deviation coincided in about 70% of the cases. There was also a positive correlation between head deviation and the amount of Menton deviation. The results of this study suggested that patients with facial asymmetry had greater head deformity than patients without facial asymmetry.
A Novel Design of Permanent Magnets for the Air Gap Magnetic Field of Hollow-Cup Motor
Authors: Sun Jinji , Sun Haoxi , Xu Xueping
Published: May 2023

Spacecraft motors are often driven with trapezoidal phase currents to achieve higher output torque. For hollow cup motors (HCM) driven by trapezoidal wave currents, parallel magnetised permanent magnet (PM) motors produce an air gap magnetic field (AMF) waveform which is significantly different from the trapezoidal wave, causing the motor to generate noise or vibration. The existing control optimisation method or structure improvement design method is difficult to directly apply to HCM due to its large gas gap. In this paper, according to the fundamental theory of a constant magnetic field, the AMF of HCM is analysed using the equivalent surface current method (ESCM) and its mathematical model is established. The analytical expression of the AMF is solved, and the influencing parameters of the AMF are clarified. The structural design of the HCM with eccentric PMs sintered with high-performance NdFeB is further improved. On this basis, a prototype motor is designed. Simulation results show that the structure can effectively increase the width of the flat section of the AMF and make the AMF close to an ideal trapezoidal wave (ITW). Experiments verify the correctness of the method.
Exploring Microscopic Characteristics of Bicycle Riders’ following Behaviors in a Single-File Movement
Authors: Dias Charitha , Abdullah Muhammad , Hussain Qinaat , Salehi Ahmad Mohammadtayeb , Nishiuchi Hiroaki
Published: May 2023

Cycling can bring a wide range of social, economic, and health benefits to individuals and communities. The safety and efficiency of bicycle facilities can be significantly impacted by the interactions among riders. This study aims to examine the microscopic characteristics of how cyclists interact with each other when they are in a single file movement based on the trajectory data collected from an experiment. Reaction delay was obtained by optimizing the correlation between relative speed and acceleration curves for individual cyclists and it was found that even for a given cyclist, this characteristic time delay could vary considerably, and be situation-dependent. Furthermore, it was found that the distribution of reaction delay, which has an average (±SD) of 0.66 s (±0.33 s), followed a log-normal distribution. The strong correlation observed between relative speed and time-delayed acceleration resembles the behavior observed in car-following situations, highlighting that relative speed is an essential factor influencing the acceleration behavior of cyclists. Multiple linear regression models were used to understand the association between acceleration and other key microscopic variables, e.g., spacing and relative speed, which are commonly used in microscopic behavior models. While the spacing between cyclists was found to have a significant impact on acceleration behavior, its effect was not as significant as that of relative speed. The outcomes of this study provide valuable insights into the cyclists’ behavior and can aid in the development of microscopic simulation models.
Ensiling Typha (Typha latifolia) Forage with Different Additives for Ruminant Feeding: In Vitro Studies
Authors: de Evan Trinidad , Musa Ahmad Rufai , Marcos Carlos N. , Alao Johnson Sunday , Iglesias Eva , Escribano Fernando , Carro Maria Dolores
Published: May 2023

Typha is a wild plant with invasive growth that causes environmental problems in different areas worldwide. This study investigated the ensiling potential of typha (Typha latifolia) to be preserved and used for ruminant feeding. Four silage treatments were evaluated: typha with no additives (CON); with formic acid (FA; 4 mL/kg); with urea and molasses (UM; 19 and 24 g/kg, respectively); and with formic acid, urea, and molasses (FAUM; all at previous concentrations). Three bags of each silage were prepared and stored for 4 months before being analysed and fermented in vitro with ruminal fluid from sheep. All of the silages were well preserved, and their pH was greater (p < 0.05) for UM and FAUM (8.50 and 7.70, respectively) compared with CON and FA (5.39 and 4.75). The high concentrations of volatile fatty acid and ammonia−nitrogen in the UM and FAUM silages indicated undesirable fermentations and precluded their use in practice. However, neither CON nor FA silages improved the in vitro ruminal degradability of pre-ensiling typha (61.7, 58.2, and 65.2%, respectively), which was lower than that of a medium-quality triticale hay (68.0%). The results indicate that typha silage could replace low-quality forages in ruminant diets, being adequate especially for low-producing animals or for those under maintenance conditions. More studies with different doses of additives are needed to identify the optimal conditions for ensiling typha and increasing its nutritive value.
Effects of Toolpath Parameters on Engagement Angle and Cutting Force in Ellipse-Based Trochoidal Milling of Titanium Alloy Ti-6Al-4V
Authors: Zhou Xu , Zhou Jinhua , Qi Qi , Zhang Congpeng , Zhang Dinghua
Published: May 2023

Trochoidal milling is an efficient strategy for the rough machining of difficult-to-cut materials. The true trochoidal toolpath has C2 continuity and avoids sharp changes in engagement angle and cutting load, resulting in smooth machine tool movement. However, its total length is too long, and its engagement angle is uneven. These factors limit further improvements in the material removal rate. Based on the true trochoidal toolpath model, this paper develops an ellipse-based trochoidal toolpath generation method by introducing a compression ratio in the trochoidal step direction. The analytical model of engagement angle and the mechanistic model of the cutting force are proposed. A series of simulations and milling experiments were conducted to analyze the effects of toolpath parameters on the engagement angle and the cutting force. The results show that the compression ratio has the most significant effects. A compression ratio of 50% is optimal, using which the total toolpath length is reduced by 34.0%, and the variance of the engagement angle is reduced by 31.2% compared with that of the true trochoidal toolpath. The profile of the total cutting force corresponds to that of the engagement angle.
A Jacobian-Free Newton–Krylov Method to Solve Tumor Growth Problems with Effective Preconditioning Strategies
Authors: Kadioglu Samet Y. , Ozugurlu Ersin
Published: May 2023

A Jacobian-free Newton–Krylov (JFNK) method with effective preconditioning strategies is introduced to solve a diffusion-based tumor growth model, also known as the Fisher–Kolmogorov partial differential equation (PDE). The time discretization of the PDE is based on the backward Euler and the Crank–Nicolson methods. Second-order centered finite differencing is used for the spatial derivatives. We introduce two physics-based preconditioners associated with the first- and second-order temporal discretizations. The theoretical time and spatial accuracies of the numerical scheme are verified through convergence tables and graphs that correspond to different computational settings. We present efficiency studies with and without using the preconditioners. Our numerical findings indicate the excellent performance of the newly proposed preconditioning strategies. In other words, when we turn the preconditioners on, the average number of GMRES and the Newton iterations are significantly reduced.
The Lisa and John Slideshow (2017): A Play about Photography
Authors: Moore David
Published: May 2023

The Lisa and John Slideshow is a theatrical response to my own earlier photographic project, Pictures from the Real World. Colour Photographs, 1987–88, interrogating recurring theoretical questions that challenge the discourse of social documentary photography through an expanded practice. As a significant piece of research, devised through participation with those depicted within the image, the forty-five-minute play questions representational methods through an alternate medium. The project evokes what else was knowable from the terrain of possibilities when the sovereign images of the former project were captured, as it reaches into photographs, opening contextual focus on the social, political and relational aspects of production. This paper is drawn from my Ph.D. thesis, What the Subject Does. Lisa and John and Pictures from the Real World submitted to the University of Sussex in December 2022. The question asked within this commentary is: How can unequal power relations within photographic representation of working-class communities be renegotiated through trans-media practice and the use of theatre?
ERA5 Reanalysis of Environments Conducive to Lightning-Ignited Wildfires in Catalonia
Authors: Pineda Nicolau , Rodríguez Oriol
Published: May 2023

In the climate change context, wildfires are an increasing hazard in the Mediterranean Basin, especially those triggered by lightning. Although lightning activity can be predicted with a reasonable level of confidence, the challenge remains in forecasting the thunderstorm’s probability of ignition. The present work aims to characterise the most suitable predictors to forecast lightning-ignited wildfires. Several ERA5 parameters were calculated and compared for two different samples, thunderstorm episodes that caused a wildfire (n = 961) and ordinary thunderstorms (n = 1023) that occurred in Catalonia (NE Iberian Peninsula) in the 2006–2020 period. Lightning wildfires are mostly associated with dry thunderstorms, characterised by: weak-to-moderate Mixed-Layer Convective Available Potential Energy (MLCAPE, 150–1100 J kg−1), significant Dew Point Depression at 850 hPa (DPD850, 3.3–10.1 °C), high Most-Unstable Lifted Condensation Level (MULCL, 580–1450 m) and steep 500–700 hPa Lapse Rate (LR, −7.0–−6.3 °C). Under these conditions, with relatively dry air at lower levels, thunderstorms tend to be high-based, the rain evaporating before reaching the ground and lightning occurring without significant rainfall. Specifically forecasting the probability of LIW occurrence would be of great assistance to the forest protection tactical decision-making process, preparing for “dry” thunderstorm days where multiple ignitions can be expected.
Modeling Socioeconomic Determinants of Building Fires through Backward Elimination by Robust Final Prediction Error Criterion
Authors: Untadi Albertus , Li Lily D. , Li Michael , Dodd Roland
Published: May 2023

Fires in buildings are significant public safety hazards and can result in fatalities and substantial financial losses. Studies have shown that the socioeconomic makeup of a region can impact the occurrence of building fires. However, existing models based on the classical stepwise regression procedure have limitations. This paper proposes a more accurate predictive model of building fire rates using a set of socioeconomic variables. To improve the model’s forecasting ability, a backward elimination by robust final predictor error (RFPE) criterion is introduced. The proposed approach is applied to census and fire incident data from the South East Queensland region of Australia. A cross-validation procedure is used to assess the model’s accuracy, and comparative analyses are conducted using other elimination criteria such as p-value, Akaike’s information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), and predicted residual error sum of squares (PRESS). The results demonstrate that the RFPE criterion is a more accurate predictive model based on several goodness-of-fit measures. Overall, the RFPE equation was found to be a suitable criterion for the backward elimination procedure in the socioeconomic modeling of building fires.
Design of Finite Difference Method and Neural Network Approach for Casson Nanofluid Flow: A Computational Study
Authors: Arif Muhammad Shoaib , Abodayeh Kamaleldin , Nawaz Yasir
Published: May 2023

To boost productivity, commercial strategies, and social advancement, neural network techniques are gaining popularity among engineering and technical research groups. This work proposes a numerical scheme to solve linear and non-linear ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The scheme’s primary benefit included its third-order accuracy in two stages, whereas most examples in the literature do not provide third-order accuracy in two stages. The scheme was explicit and correct to the third order. The stability region and consistency analysis of the scheme for linear ODE are provided in this paper. Moreover, a mathematical model of heat and mass transfer for the non-Newtonian Casson nanofluid flow is given under the effects of the induced magnetic field, which was explored quantitatively using the method of Levenberg–Marquardt back propagation artificial neural networks. The governing equations were reduced to ODEs using suitable similarity transformations and later solved by the proposed scheme with a third-order accuracy. Additionally, a neural network approach for input and output/predicted values is given. In addition, inputs for velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles were mapped to the outputs using a neural network. The results are displayed in different types of graphs. Absolute error, regression studies, mean square error, and error histogram analyses are presented to validate the suggested neural networks’ performance. The neural network technique is currently used on three of these four targets. Two hundred points were utilized, with 140 samples used for training, 30 samples used for validation, and 30 samples used for testing. These findings demonstrate the efficacy of artificial neural networks in forecasting and optimizing complex systems.
FAST (Flexible Acetylcholine Sensing Thread): Real-Time Detection of Acetylcholine with a Flexible Solid-Contact Potentiometric Sensor
Authors: Amirghasemi Farbod , Soleimani Ali , Bawarith Shahd , Tabassum Asna , Morrel Alayne , Mousavi Maral P. S.
Published: May 2023

Acetylcholine (ACh) is involved in memory and learning and has implications in neurodegenerative diseases; it is therefore important to study the dynamics of ACh in the brain. This work creates a flexible solid-contact potentiometric sensor for in vitro and in vivo recording of ACh in the brain and tissue homogenate. We fabricate this sensor using a 250 μm diameter cotton yarn coated with a flexible conductive ink and an ACh sensing membrane that contains a calix[4]arene ionophore. The exposed ion-to-electron transducer was sealed with a 2.5 μm thick Parylene C coating to maintain the flexibility of the sensor. The resulting diameter of the flexible ACh sensing thread (FAST) was 400 μm. The FAST showed a linear response range from 1.0 μM to 10.0 mM in deionized water, with a near-Nernstian slope of 56.11 mV/decade and a limit of detection of 2.6 μM. In artificial cerebrospinal fluid, the limit of detection increased to 20 μM due to the background signal of ionic content of the cerebrospinal fluid. The FAST showed a signal stability of 226 μV/h over 24 h. We show that FAST can measure ACh dynamics in sheep brain tissue and sheep brain homogenate after ACh spiking. FAST is the first flexible electrochemical sensor for monitoring ACh dynamics in the brain.
Oswaldocruzia ukrainae (Nematoda: Molineidae)—A Parasite of European Green Toad Bufotes viridis: Morphological and Molecular Data
Authors: Kirillova Nadezhda Yu. , Kirillov Alexander A. , Shchenkov Sergei V. , Chikhlyaev Igor V.
Published: May 2023

Nematodes of the genus Oswaldocruzia are common parasites of the small intestine of amphibians and reptiles. Our recent molecular analysis of Oswaldocruzia nematodes revealed that only Oswaldocruzia filiformis, which possesses high morphological variability, parasitizes amphibians and reptiles in European Russia. Here we present the study of Oswaldocruzia nematodes from the European green toad Bufotes viridis (Anura, Bufonidae) collected at different localities of the Middle Volga region in 2018–2022. We analyzed the morphological characteristics of the Oswaldocruzia spp. taxonomy together with novel molecular phylogenetic data. The data on phylogenetic analysis (based on partial CoxI mtDNA gene sequences) showed that Bufotes viridis is parasitized by two Oswaldocruzia species, the host-specific parasite Oswaldocruzia ukrainae and species generalist Oswaldocruzia filiformis. Broad morphological variability was revealed in O. ukrainae nematodes both from the same host specimen and from various toad individuals from different localities. Our results highlight the need for further biodiversity research of morphologically similar Oswaldocruzia species from amphibians and reptiles in the Western Palearctic using molecular genetic methods.
Phytoremediation of Wastewater Containing Lead and Manganese Ions Using Algae
Authors: Diaconu Loredana Ioana , Covaliu-Mierlă Cristina Ileana , Păunescu Oana , Covaliu Leon Dumitru , Iovu Horia , Paraschiv Gigel
Published: May 2023

Heavy metal pollution of water from industrial discharge is a major problem worldwide. Thus, the quality of the environment and human health are severely affected. Various conventional technologies have been applied for water treatment, but these can be expensive, especially for industrial water treatment, and may have limited treatment efficiencies. Phytoremediation is a method that is successfully applied to remove metal ions from wastewater. In addition to the high efficiency of the depollution treatment, this method has the advantages of a low cost of the operation and the existence of many plants that can be used. This article presents the results of using algae (Sargassum fusiforme and Enteromorpha prolifera) to treat water containing manganese and lead ions. It was observed that maximum efficiencies for wastewater treatment were obtained when was used the algae Enteromorpha prolifera for a 600 min contact time period. The highest wastewater treatment efficiency obtained using Sargassum fusiforme was 99.46%.
Intra- and Interspecific Foraging and Feeding Interactions in Three Sea Stars and a Gastropod from the Deep Sea
Authors: Stuckless Brittney , Hamel Jean-François , Aguzzi Jacopo , Mercier Annie
Published: May 2023

Competitive interactions come in a variety of forms and may be modulated by the size and number of individuals involved, and/or the resources available. Here, intra- and interspecific competitive behaviours for food (i.e., foraging/food search and feeding/food ingestion) were experimentally characterized and quantified in four co-existing deep-sea benthic species. Three sea stars (Ceramaster granularis, Hippasteria phrygiana, and Henricia lisa) and one gastropod (Buccinum scalariforme) from the bathyal Northwest Atlantic were investigated using video trials in darkened laboratory conditions. A range of competitive or cooperative behaviours occurred, depending on species (conspecific or heterospecific), comparative body size, and the number of individuals involved. Contrary to expectations, small individuals (or smaller species) were not always outcompeted by larger individuals (or larger species) when foraging and feeding. Moreover, faster species did not always outcompete slower ones while scavenging. Overall, this study sheds new light on scavenging strategies of co-existing deep-sea benthic species in food-limited bathyal environments, based on complex behavioural inter- and intraspecific relationships.
New Insights into NF-κB Signaling in Innate Immunity: Focus on Immunometabolic Crosstalks
Authors: Iacobazzi Dominga , Convertini Paolo , Todisco Simona , Santarsiero Anna , Iacobazzi Vito , Infantino Vittoria
Published: May 2023

The nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is a family of transcription factors that, beyond their numberless functions in various cell processes, play a pivotal role in regulating immune cell activation. Two main pathways—canonical and non-canonical—are responsible for NF-κB activation and heterodimer translocation into the nucleus. A complex crosstalk between NF-κB signaling and metabolism is emerging in innate immunity. Metabolic enzymes and metabolites regulate NF-κB activity in many cases through post-translational modifications such as acetylation and phosphorylation. On the other hand, NF-κB affects immunometabolic pathways, including the citrate pathway, thereby building an intricate network. In this review, the emerging findings about NF-κB function in innate immunity and the interplay between NF-κB and immunometabolism have been discussed. These outcomes allow for a deeper comprehension of the molecular mechanisms underlying NF-κB function in innate immune cells. Moreover, the new insights are important in order to perceive NF-κB signaling as a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory/immune chronic diseases.
Gold Nanoparticles Inhibit PMA-Induced MMP-9 Expression via microRNA-204-5p Upregulation and Deactivation of NF-κBp65 in Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Farhana Aisha , Alsrhani Abdullah , Nazam Nazia , Ullah Muhammad Ikram , Khan Yusuf Saleem , Rasheed Zafar
Published: May 2023

Objective: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy in females globally. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is crucial to the invasion, progression and spread of BC. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have an anti-tumorigenic role, but their therapeutic role in microRNAs (miRNAs) regulation has not been explored. This study determined the potential of AuNPs against MMP-9 overexpression/production and miRNA-204-5p regulation in BC cells. Methods: AuNPs were newly engineered, and their stability was analyzed using the zeta potential, polydispersity index, surface-plasmon-resonance peak and transmission electron microscopy. A bioinformatics algorithm was used to predict the pairing of miRNA in the 3′untranslated-region (3′UTR) of MMP-9 mRNA. TaqMan assays were carried out to quantify miRNA and mRNA, whereas MMP-9-specific immunoassays and gelatin zymography were used to determine protein secretion and activity. The binding of miRNA in MMP-9 mRNA 3′UTR was verified by luciferase reporter clone assays and transfection with anti-miRNAs. In addition, NF-κBp65 activity was determined and confirmed with parthenolide treatment. Results: Engineered AuNPs were highly stable and spherical in shape, with a mean size of 28.3 nm. Tested in MCF-7 BC cells, microRNA-204-5p directly regulates MMP-9. AuNPs inhibit PMA-induced MMP-9 mRNA and protein via hsa-miR-204-5p upregulation. Anti-miR-204 transfected MCF-7 cells demonstrated enhanced MMP-9 expression (p < 0.001), while AuNPs treatment attenuated MMP-9 expression in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). Moreover, AuNPs also inhibit PMA-induced NF-κBp65 activation in anti-hsa-miR-204 transfected MCF-7 cells. Conclusion: Engineered AuNPs were stable and non-toxic to BC cells. AuNPs inhibit PMA-induced MMP-9 expression, production and activation via NF-κBp65 deactivation and hsa-miR-204-5p upregulation. These novel therapeutic potentials of AuNPs on stimulated BC cells provide novel suggestions that AuNPs inhibit carcinogenic activity via inverse regulation of microRNAs.
Moderate Grazing Promotes Arthropod Species Diversity in an Alpine Meadow
Authors: Guan Huanhuan , Zhang Shangyun , Huangpu Yifei , Yan Han , Niklas Karl J. , Mipam Tserang Donko , Sun Shucun
Published: May 2023

Livestock grazing is an important tool used in grassland land management practices. Studies have substantially addressed the effect of grazing on plant species diversity, revealing that moderate grazing increases plant species diversity. However, few studies have dealt with the relationship between grazing and arthropod species diversity, which remains unclear. Here, we hypothesize that moderate grazing promotes arthropod species diversity because arthropods are directly or indirectly dependent on plant diversity. In this study, we conducted a two-year plant and arthropod survey from 2020 to 2021 at four levels of grazing intensity, i.e., nongrazing (as a control), light grazing, moderate grazing, and heavy grazing, of the long-term grazing experiment starting in 2016. The data show that plant species diversity peaked in the moderate grazing treatment, and herbivore species diversity was positively correlated with plant species diversity (and hence peaked in the moderate grazing treatment). Moderate grazing promoted parasitoid species diversity, which was positively correlated with herbivore species diversity. However, predator species diversity did not significantly differ among the four treatments. In addition, saprophage species diversity decreased, whereas coprophages increased with increasing grazing levels, such that species richness (but not species diversity of detritivores statistically) was highest in the moderate grazing treatment. Consequently, the species diversity of arthropods as a whole peaked at the moderate grazing level, a phenomenology that is consistent with the intermediate disturbance hypothesis. Considering that moderate grazing has been found to increase plant species diversity, facilitate soil carbon accumulation, and prevent soil erosion, we suggest that moderate grazing would maximize multi-functional ecosystem services.
Compatible Consortium of Endophytic Bacillus halotolerans Strains Cal.l.30 and Cal.f.4 Promotes Plant Growth and Induces Systemic Resistance against Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Tsalgatidou Polina C. , Thomloudi Eirini-Evangelia , Delis Costas , Nifakos Kallimachos , Zambounis Antonios , Venieraki Anastasia , Katinakis Panagiotis
Published: May 2023

Evaluating microbial-based alternatives to conventional fungicides and biofertilizers enables us to gain a deeper understanding of the biocontrol and plant growth-promoting activities. Two genetically distinct Bacillus halotolerans strains (Cal.l.30, Cal.f.4) were evaluated for the levels of their compatibility. They were applied individually or in combination under in vitro and greenhouse conditions, using seed bio-priming and soil drenching as inoculum delivery systems, for their plant growth-promoting effect. Our data indicate that application of Cal.l.30 and Cal.f.4 as single strains and as a mixture significantly enhanced growth parameters of Arabidopsis and tomato plants. We investigated whether seed and an additional soil treatment with these strains could induce the expression of defense-related genes in leaves of young tomato seedling plants. These treatments mediated a long lasting, bacterial-mediated, systemic-induced resistance as evidenced by the high levels of expression of RP3, ACO1 and ERF1 genes in the leaves of young tomato seedlings. Furthermore, we presented data showing that seed and soil treatment with B. halotolerans strains resulted in an effective inhibition of Botrytis cinerea attack and development on tomato leaves. Our findings highlighted the potential of B. halotolerans strains as they combine both direct antifungal activity against plant pathogens and the ability to prime plant innate immunity and enhance plant growth.
Searching for a Home Port in a Polyvectic World: Molecular Analysis and Global Biogeography of the Marine Worm Polydora hoplura (Annelida: Spionidae)
Authors: Radashevsky Vasily I. , Malyar Vasily V. , Pankova Victoria V. , Choi Jin-Woo , Yum Seungshic , Carlton James T.
Published: May 2023

The spionid polychaete Polydora hoplura Claparède, 1868 is a shell borer widely occurring across the world and considered introduced in many areas. It was originally described in the Gulf of Naples, Italy. Adult diagnostic features are the palps with black bands, prostomium weakly incised anteriorly, caruncle extending to the end of chaetiger 3, short occipital antenna, and heavy sickle-shaped spines in the posterior notopodia. The Bayesian inference analysis of sequence data of four gene fragments (2369 bp in total) of the mitochondrial 16S rDNA, nuclear 18S, 28S rDNA and Histone 3 has shown that worms with these morphological features from the Mediterranean, northern Europe, Brazil, South Africa, Australia, Republic of Korea, Japan and California are genetically identical, form a well-supported clade, and can be considered conspecific. The genetic analysis of a 16S dataset detected 15 haplotypes of this species, 10 of which occur only in South Africa. Despite the high genetic diversity of P. hoplura in South Africa, we tentatively propose the Northwest Pacific, or at the most the Indo–West Pacific, as its home region, not the Atlantic Ocean or the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The history of the discovery of P. hoplura around the world appears to be intimately linked to global shipping commencing in the mid-19th century, followed by the advent of the global movement of commercial shellfish (especially the Pacific oyster Magallana gigas) in the 20th century, interlaced with continued, complex dispersal by vessels and aquaculture. Given that P. hoplura has been detected in only a few of the 17 countries where Pacific oysters have been established, we predict that it may already be present in many more regions. As global connectivity through world trade continues to increase, it is likely that novel populations of P. hoplura will continue to emerge.
Screening of Comprehensive Panel of Cultivated and Wild Vigna Species for Resistance to Pulse Beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis L.
Authors: Sahu Prince , Singh Mahendra , Pandey Rakesh , Mishra Mukesh Kumar , Singh Akhilesh Kumar , Singh Bhupendra Kumar , Singh Surendra Kumar , Rai Ashutosh , Chugh Vishal , Shukla Gaurav , Singh Saurabh , Singh Kartikey , Kumar Mukul , Singh Chandra Mohan
Published: May 2023

Pulses are a key source of dietary proteins in human nutrition. Despite several efforts to increase the production, various constraints, such as biotic and abiotic factors, threaten pulse production by various means. Bruchids (Callosobruchus spp.) are the serious issue of concern, particularly in storage conditions. Understanding host–plant resistance at morphological, biochemical and molecular levels is the best way to minimize yield losses. The 117 mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) genotypes, including endemic wild relatives, were screened for resistance against Callosobruchus chinensis; among them, two genotypes, PRR 2008-2 and PRR 2008-2-sel, which belong to V. umbellata (Thumb.), were identified as highly resistant. The expression of antioxidants in susceptible and resistant genotypes revealed that the activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) was upregulated in the highly resistant wild Vigna species and lower in the cultivated susceptible genotypes, along with other biomarkers. Further, the SCoT-based genotyping revealed SCoT-30 (200 bp), SCoT-31 (1200 bp) and SCoT-32 (300 bp) as unique amplicons, which might be useful for developing the novel ricebean-based SCAR markers to accelerate the molecular breeding programme.
The Selective CB2 Agonist COR167 Reduced Symptoms in a Mice Model of Trauma-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy through HDAC-1 Inhibition
Authors: Borgonetti Vittoria , Mugnaini Claudia , Corelli Federico , Galeotti Nicoletta
Published: May 2023

Neuropathic pain is a chronic disabling condition with a 7–10% of prevalence in the general population that is largely undertreated. Available analgesic therapies are poorly effective and are often accompanied by numerous side effects. Growing evidence indicates cannabinoids are a valuable treatment opportunity for neuropathic pain. The endocannabinoid system is an important regulator of pain perception through the CB1 receptors, but CB1 agonists, while largely effective, are not always satisfactory pain-relieving agents in clinics because of their serious adverse effects. Recently, several CB2 agonists have shown analgesic, anti-hyperalgesic, and anti-allodynic activity in the absence of CB1-induced psychostimulant effects, offering promise in neuropathic pain management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-neuropathic activity of a novel selective CB2 agonist, COR167, in a preclinical model of peripheral neuropathy, the spared nerve injury (SNI). Oral COR167, in a dose-dependent manner, attenuated mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia after acute and repeated administration, showing the absence of tolerance induction. At anti-neuropathic doses, COR167 did not show any alteration in the locomotor behavior. SNI mice showed increased microglial levels of HDAC1 protein in the ipsilateral side of the spinal cord, along with NF-kB activation. COR167 treatment prevented the HDAC1 overexpression and the NF-kB activation and increased the levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 through a CB2-mediated mechanism. Oral administration of COR167 shows promising therapeutic potential in the management of neuropathic pain conditions.