bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rabbit Manure Compost for Seedling Nursery Blocks: Suitability and Optimization of the Manufacturing Production Process
Authors: Li Rangling , Wang Hongying , Duan Enze , Fan Jiayu , Wang Liangju
Published: December 2022

Using rabbit manure to prepare growing media is an effective method to solve environmental pollution and realize resource utilization. The solution to rabbit manure management is the composting process which could produce compost suitable for seedling nursery blocks, which could improve transplanting efficiency and seedlings’ survival rate. Seedling nursery blocks were obtained by mixing rabbit manure compost, vermiculite, rice straw, and peat. The effect of cold pressing parameters, including moisture content (25–45%), binder content (1–5%), molding compression ratio (2.5–4.5:1), and strain maintenance time (0–120 s), were investigated on blocks quality (i.e., ventilatory porosity, relaxation density, compressive resistance, and specific energy consumption) through a general rotation combined experiment. These results showed there were significant interaction effects between molding compression ratio and moisture content, moisture and binder content, binder content and strain maintenance time, and molding compression ratio and binder content on block quality. The optimal parameters for manufacturing blocks were that the molding compression ratio, moisture content, binder content, and strain maintenance time were 4:1, 33.5%, 3.1%, and 60 s, and the relaxation density, ventilation porosity, and specific energy consumption were 363.31 kg/m3, 18.72%, and 0.44 J/g, which could achieve emergence performance.
Online Gain Tuning Using Neural Networks: A Comparative Study
Authors: Hill Ashley , Laneurit Jean , Lenain Roland , Lucet Eric
Published: December 2022

This paper addresses the problem of adapting a control system to unseen conditions, specifically to the problem of trajectory tracking in off-road conditions. Three different approaches are considered and compared for this comparative study: The first approach is a classical reinforcement learning method to define the steering control of the system. The second strategy uses an end-to-end reinforcement learning method, allowing for the training of a policy for the steering of the robot. The third strategy uses a hybrid gain tuning method, allowing for the adaptation of the settling distance with respect to the robot’s capabilities according to the perception, in order to optimize the robot’s behavior with respect to an objective function. The three methods are described and compared to the results obtained using constant parameters in order to identify their respective strengths and weaknesses. They have been implemented and tested in real conditions on an off-road mobile robot with variable terrain and trajectories. The hybrid method allowing for an overall reduction of 53.2% when compared with a predictive control law. A thorough analysis of the methods are then performed, and further insights are obtained in the context of gain tuning for steering controllers in dynamic environments. The performance and transferability of these methods are demonstrated, as well as their robustness to changes in the terrain properties. As a result, tracking errors are reduced while preserving the stability and the explainability of the control architecture.
Studies Regarding the Antimicrobial Behavior of Clotrimazole and Limonene
Authors: Schroder Verginica , Radu Nicoleta , Cornea Petruta Calina , Coman Oana Andreia , Pirvu Lucia Camelia , Mohammed Mohammed Shaymaa Omar , Stefaniu Amalia , Pintilie Lucia , Bostan Marinela , Caramihai Mihai Dan , Roman Viviana
Published: December 2022

The paper presents the results of the studies performed to establish the effect of the mixtures between limonene and clotrimazole against microbial pathogens involved in dermatological diseases, such as Candida albicans, Staphyloccocus aureus, and Escherichia coli. Preliminary data obtained from the studies performed in microplates revealed a possible synergism between the mixture of clotrimazole and limonene for Staphylococcus aureus. Studies performed “in silico” with programs such as CLC Drug Discovery Workbench and MOLEGRO Virtual Docker, gave favorable scores for docking each compound on a specific binding site for each microorganism. The tests performed for validation, with the clotrimazole (0.1%) and different sources of limonene (1.9% citrus essential oils), showed a synergistic effect on Staphylococcus aureus in the case of the mixtures between clotrimazole and the essential oils of Citrus reticulata or Citrus paradisi. The studies performed on Staphylococcus aureus MRSA showed a synergistic effect between clotrimazole and the essential oils obtained from Citrus bergamia, Citrus aurantium, or Citrus paradisi. In the case of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, essential oils and clotrimazole used alone did not exhibit antimicrobial activities, but the mixtures between clotrimazole and the essential oils of Citrus bergamia or Citrus sinensis exhibited a synergistic antimicrobial effect.
Molecular Genetic Epidemiology of an Emerging Antimicrobial-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Clone (ST307) Obtained from Clinical Isolates in Central Panama
Authors: Núñez-Samudio Virginia , Pimentel-Peralta Gumercindo , Herrera Mellissa , Pecchio Maydelin , Quintero Johana , Landires Iván
Published: December 2022

Klebsiella pneumoniae has been among the main pathogens contributing to the burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the last decade, and K. pneumoniae AMR strains predominantly cluster in the ST258 clonal complex. However, ST307 is emerging as an important high-risk clone. In Central America, there have been few studies on the molecular epidemiology of the K. pneumoniae strains involved in infections. Materials and Methods: We conducted an epidemiological study in three reference hospitals in the central region of Panama, using isolates of K. pneumoniae involved in infections, and identifying their AMR profile, associated clinical risk factors, and molecular typing using a multilocus sequence typing (ST) scheme. Results: Six STs were detected: 307 (55%), 152, 18, 29, 405, and 207. CTX-M-15- and TEM-type beta-lactamases were identified in 100% of ESBL-producing strains; substitutions in gyrA Ser83Ile and parC Ser80Ile were identified in all ST307s; and in ST152 gyrA Ser83Phe, Asp87Ala, and parC Ser80Ile, the qnrB gene was detected in all strains resistant to ciprofloxacin. Conclusions: We present the first report on ST307 in three reference hospitals in the central region of Panama, which is a high-risk emerging clone and represents a public health alert for potential difficulties in managing K. pneumoniae infections in Panama, and which may extend to other Central American countries.
Profiling of Redox-Active Lipophilic Constituents in Leaf Mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.) Cultivars Using LC-MS and GC-MS
Authors: Saini Ramesh Kumar , Yu Ji-Woo , Song Min-Ho , Ahn Hui-Yeon , Lee Jung-Hoon , Keum Young-Soo , Lee Ji-Ho
Published: December 2022

Leaf mustard is an important commercial and culinary vegetable. However, only limited information is available on the content and composition of the nutritionally important lipophilic constituents in these leaves. This research presents information on the contents and composition of carotenoids, tocols, phytosterols, and fatty acids in four cultivars of leaf mustard. The carotenoids and tocols were analyzed utilizing liquid chromatography (LC)–mass spectrometry (MS) with single ion monitoring (SIM), while phytosterols and fatty acids were analyzed using gas chromatography (GC)–MS and GC-flame ionization detection (FID), respectively. The LC-MS results revealed the dominance of (all-E)-lutein, within the range of 37.12 (cv. Asia Curled)—43.54% (cv. Jeok) of the total carotenoids. The highest amount of all of the individual carotenoids and total carotenoids (143.85 µg/g fresh weight; FW) were recorded in cv. Cheong. Among the studied leaf samples, 67.16 (cv. Asia Curled)—83.42 µg/g FW (cv. Cheong) of α-tocopherol was recorded. Among the phytosterols, β-sitosterol was the most dominant one among the studied mustard leaves, accounting for 80.42 (cv. Jeok)—83.14% (cv. Red frill) of the total phytosterols. The fatty acid analysis revealed the presence of a significant amount of rare hexadecatrienoic acid (C16:3n3) in the studied mustard leaves, which accounted for 27.17 (cv. Asia Curled)—32.59% (cv. Red frill) of the total fatty acids. Overall, the cv. Cheong represented the highest contents of carotenoids, tocols, and phytosterols. Moreover, cv. Red frill contains the highest amount of n-3 PUFAs and antioxidant compounds. Thus, these cultivars can be promoted in cuisines which can be eaten to obtain the highest health benefits.
A Denoising Method for Seismic Data Based on SVD and Deep Learning
Authors: Ji Guoli , Wang Chao
Published: December 2022

When reconstructing seismic data, the traditional singular value decomposition (SVD) denoising method has the challenge of difficult rank selection. Therefore, we propose a seismic data denoising method that combines SVD and deep learning. In this method, seismic data with different signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) are processed by SVD. Data sets are created from the decomposed right singular vectors and data sets divided into two categories: effective signal and noise. The lightweight MobileNetV2 network was chosen for training because of its quick response speed and great accuracy. We forecasted and categorized the right singular vectors by SVD using the trained MobileNetV2 network. The right singular vector (RSV) corresponding to the noise in the seismic data was removed during reconstruction, but the effective signal was kept. The effective signal was projected to smooth the RSV. Finally, the goal of low SNR denoising of two-dimensional seismic data was accomplished. This approach addresses issues with deep learning in seismic data processing, including the challenge of gathering sample data and the weak generalizability of the training model. Compared with the traditional denoising method, the improved denoising method performs well at removing Gaussian and irregular noise with strong amplitudes.
Visualization and Data Analysis of Multi-Factors for the Scientific Research Training of Graduate Students
Authors: Liu Yanan , Li Guojun , Yin Yulong , Zhang Leibao
Published: December 2022

With the change of graduate education from quantity expansion to quality promotion, how to improve the quality of graduate cultivation has aroused wide concern. However, existing scientific quantitative methods tend to investigate the results of graduate training, with a lack of attention to the multidimensional data during the training process. Thus, exploratory analysis of multidimensional data in the graduate training process and accurate grasp of the key process factors affecting graduate academic competence is an indispensable task for achieving the stated goals of graduate education. In this paper, a visual analytic system of graduate training data is proposed to help users implement in-depth analysis based on the graduate training process. First, a questionnaire is designed about the training process to identify multidimensional data timely and accurately. Then, a series of data mining methods are utilized to further detect key factors in the training process, which will be used to make academic predictions for first-year graduates. Meanwhile, an interactive visual analytic system has been developed to help users understand and analyze the key factors affecting the graduate training process. Based on the results of the visual analysis, effective suggestions will be provided for graduate students, supervisors, and university administrators to improve the quality of graduate education.
Performance Analysis of Two Systems Combining Heat Pump and Water Vapor Compression for Waste Heat Recovery
Authors: Zhang Chunwei , Chai Dongdong , Pan Xi , Xie Junlong , Chen Jianye
Published: December 2022

In the area of the heating industry, a heat pump is an efficient alternative technology to achieve energy saving and carbon emission reduction. The conventional heat pump has gradually been applied to replace the traditional direct electrical heating method while the required temperature is below 100 °C. A heat pump with temperatures between 100–140 °C is in the stage of rapid development. However, a heat pump with temperatures above 150 °C has received relatively little attention. In this paper, two systems combining a heat pump and water vapor compression (CHPVC and HPTVC) have been studied for waste heat recovery from 45 °C to a water vapor supply with a temperature above 150 °C. A thermodynamic model has been proposed to analyze the performance of the two systems, and a twin-screw compressor model has been developed to calculate the isentropic efficiency of the compressor applied in the heat pump. Four different parameters have been used to analyze the energy efficiency. The simulation results show that while the inlet water temperature is 45 °C and the required vapor temperature is 150 °C, the optimal COPs of CHPVC and HPTVC are 2.432 and 2.436, respectively. Moreover, CHPVC is more suitable for the large saturation temperature lift, and HPTVC is more suitable for a relatively small temperature difference between the inlet water and the required vapor. Compared with the direct electrical heating method or the conventional two-stage heat pump, these two systems are remarkably efficient and show good energy-saving potential.
Development of 0.34 THz Sub-Harmonic Mixer Combining Two-Stage Reduced Matching Technology with an Improved Active Circuit Model
Authors: Feng Wei , Yang Penglin , Sun Xuechun , Liang Shixiong , Zhang Yaxin
Published: December 2022

In this paper, a high-performance 0.34 THz sub-harmonic mixer combining two-stage reduced matching technology with an improved active circuit model is established and analyzed. The mixer’s improved active circuit model is realized by decomposing passive functional models into basic transmission line units and their impedance matching and filtering are realized through automatic optimization. The improved active circuit model takes out the RF (radio frequency) transition model separately to set an optimization goal instead of operating directly in the mixing circuit. Compared with traditional active circuit models in the SDM (subdivision design method) and GDM (global design method), it provides a massive optimization space, larger working bandwidth, and better results. In the RF frequency range of 320–360 GHz, the SSB (single sideband) conversion loss of the 0.34 THz sub-harmonic mixer is below 9.5 dB and the RF return loss is less than 12 dB.
Optimization of Driving Speed of Electric Train Using Dynamic Programming Based on Multi-Weighted Cost Function
Authors: Byun Yeun Sub , Jeong Rag Gyo
Published: December 2022

Trains are a large-capacity means of transportation, and they are preferred for long as well as short distances. Although trains are one of the most efficient modes of transportation for freight and passengers, they consume a significant amount of energy. Therefore, energy-efficient approaches have been studied over the years. Various optimal-control methods that integrate dynamic programming (DP) algorithms have been introduced to reduce the overall energy consumption. The purpose of optimizing the operation speed of the train according to the operating conditions using the DP algorithm is to find a speed profile that consumes minimum energy, under the condition that the target travel time is satisfied according to the given mileage. Here, a specific weight is applied to the cost function to find a velocity profile that satisfies the target travel time. In this case, the computation time increases proportionally to the number of times the weight is changed. In addition, because the weight versus the target travel time has a non-linear characteristic, various approaches have been proposed to reduce the number of iterations according to the weight change to satisfy the target travel time. This study suggests a method to quickly and effectively find the optimal solution for electric trains in a different way from previous studies. We present a DP algorithm for matrix processing, by arranging multiple weights within the applicable minimum and maximum weights and applying them to the cost function. The time taken to find the optimal solution can be reduced by half compared to the existing one, and the travel time and energy consumption corresponding to each weight can be checked at once. In addition, this result can be used as an indicator for effectively changing or establishing an electric-train operation plan. For a detailed comparison between the proposed and existing methods, the execution time results for each number of weights under the same calculation conditions are presented. In addition, to verify that there are no errors in the multi-weighting process, some of the multi-weighting coefficients were used to check whether the speed profile in the single-weighted calculation method was consistent.
Long-Term Behavior of Concrete Containing Wood Biomass Fly Ash
Authors: Gabrijel Ivan , Skazlić Marijan , Štirmer Nina
Published: December 2022

Wood biomass is widely used in the European Union as a fuel for the production of heat and electrical energy, generating a considerable amount of ash. The disposal of ash, especially its finest fraction, requires proper engineering solutions, since these particles contain heavy metals and caneasily pollute soil, groundwater, or air. In this work, wood fly ash with a high amount of pozzolanic oxides and one with a high CaO content were used in concrete as a 15% and 30% cement replacement. Incorporation of wood ash in concrete reduced the 28-day compressive strength of concrete by up to 37%, which was attributed to the low stiffness of the wood ash particles, while the 2-year compressive strength indicated very low pozzolanic reactivity. The capillary absorption of concrete increased with the increase in the ash content, but almost no influence on the gas permeability was observed. Wood fly ash with high CaO content reduced the drying shrinkage of concrete by up to 65% after 1 year. In a mix with 30% of high CaO fly ash, swelling occurred in the first days of hydration, which was attributed to the volume expansion due to the formation of portlandite and brucite, but did not lead to cracking or a decrease in long-term compressive strength.
Assessment of Variable Geometry Orifice Compressor Technology Impact in a New Generation of Compression Ignition Powertrains at Low-End and Transient Operation
Authors: Serrano José Ramón , Climent Héctor , Gomez-Vilanova Alejandro , Darbhamalla Aditya , Guilain Stéphane
Published: December 2022

Surge is a phenomenon that limits the operating range of the compressor at low engine speeds and high boost pressure in turbocharged powertrains. This article assesses two prototype turbochargers of variable geometry orifice (VGO) which compensate for the limitation of the boost pressure at low engine speeds. The VGO prototypes modify the inlet compressor section, extending the compressor characteristic map into lower mass flows (surge limit region). The VGO turbochargers analyzed are also both equipped with variable geometry turbine (VGT) technology. The experiments focus on low-end torque operation ranges in steady and transient engine running conditions. The experimental results are used to validate a 1D physical model. From the modelling perspective, a comprehensive study of the VGO-VGT prototypes is assessed. Results reveal the benefits of VGO technology in terms of attaining higher boost pressure, improved compressor efficiency, and overall engine performance at low engine speeds.
“More than Just a Poet”: Konstantin Batiushkov as an Art Critic, Art Manager, and Art Brut Painter
Authors: Pilshchikov Igor
Published: December 2022

This paper focuses on the Russian Golden Age author Konstantin Batiushkov’s involvement with fine arts. He is recognized as an exquisite elegist, an immediate predecessor of Alexander Pushkin in poetry, and “a pioneer of Russian Italomania.” Much less known is that Batiushkov was always deeply involved with painting, drawing, and sculpture—not only as a poet but as Russia’s first art critic, an ad-lib art manager, who worked on behalf of the President of the Russian Academy of Arts Aleksei Olenin, and an amateur artist. The paper offers addenda to the commentary on his essay devoted to the 1814 academic exhibition, commonly referred to as the earliest significant example of Russian art criticism. Many of Batiushkov’s extant paintings and drawings belong to the time when he was mentally insane. Since he was a self-taught artist, his visual works of this period can be categorized as early examples of art brut.
Performing Venice’s Stones: Vedute Manoeuvre Redux
Authors: Yeung Heather H.
Published: December 2022

‘Venice excels in blackness and whiteness; water makes commerce between them’. So writes Adrian Stokes, in his 1947 study of the city, its architectures, and its art. This very sentence performs a problem of Venice that has vexed those who have made art, literature, and other writing of the city, in the city, from the city: Venice asks us to take its measure, its shadows and light, its water and stones—but this is even more complex than a chiaroscuro, ‘commerce’, aesthetic and economic, plays with what is clear and what is not, tipping us between registers we fail to fully comprehend. And thus we are brought too often to perform and replicate such confusion and inability to ‘account for’ the polytropic, polymaterial, and polytemporal registers the city simultaneously operates upon, or ‘makes commerce between’. And yet there is an artistic method that can account for the strange and often highly problematic spoliate economies of Venice, a method which also bridges walking practice as political performance art, and situated performance as art historical practice. This is a poetic-performance method that is provided by the artist Tim Brennan’s Vedute Manoeuvre, first performed in the Venice Biennale 2011, and re-performed as part of the research work documented here. Vedute Manoeuvre, I claim, is a method whose polyvocalic polyvisual modes, whose art-act as common experience and experience of the complexity of the artistic and architectural commons and commerce of Venice, is perhaps the only way of ‘giving voice to’ the polytropic, polymaterial, and polytemporal problems we encounter when we encounter Venice, its water, and its stones. We thus re-orientate the multiple other ways that spoliate, colonial, archipelagic Venice has been found difficult in previous attempts to perform an accounting of (and, indeed, of artistic commerce with) this vexed and vexing city, with Vedute Manoeuvre as invitation toward a performance ‘redux’, as crux and as solution. The work presented here—an essay in the truest sense—is also a mode of performance which demonstrates in its own attitudes to the question of the manoeuvre the act and art of manoeuvre itself.
Implementing Machine Learning Algorithms to Predict Particulate Matter (PM2.5): A Case Study in the Paso del Norte Region
Authors: Mahmud Suhail , Ridi Tasannum Binte Islam , Miah Mohammad Sujan , Sarower Farhana , Elahee Sanjida
Published: December 2022

This work focuses on the prediction of an air pollutant called particulate matter (PM2.5) across the Paso Del Norte region. Outdoor air pollution causes millions of premature deaths every year, mostly due to anthropogenic fine PM2.5. In addition, the prediction of ground-level PM2.5 is challenging, as it behaves randomly over time and does not follow the interannual variability. To maintain a healthy environment, it is essential to predict the PM2.5 value with great accuracy. We used different supervised machine learning algorithms based on regression and classification to accurately predict the daily PM2.5 values. In this study, several meteorological and atmospheric variables were retrieved from the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality’s monitoring stations corresponding to 2014–2019. These variables were analyzed by six different machine learning algorithms with various evaluation metrics. The results demonstrate that ML models effectively detect the effect of other variables on PM2.5 and can predict the data accurately, identifying potentially risky territory. With an accuracy of 92%, random forest performs the best out of all machine learning models.
The Role of Phytoplankton Biomacromolecules in Controlling Ocean Surface Roughness
Authors: Jayasinghe Amadini , Elliott Scott , Gibson Georgina A. , Vandemark Douglas
Published: December 2022

Satellite altimetric data routinely map sea surface topography by measuring the ocean return signal. One source of altimeter measurement contamination occurs when the radar ocean backscatter becomes unusually large, a situation termed a Sigma-0 bloom. Past research suggests Sigma-0 blooms are associated with weak wind and natural surface slick conditions where capillary waves at the air–sea interface are suppressed. To date, no explicit connection between these conditions and Sigma-0 bloom presence has been provided. Using a series of simplified equations, our reduced model determines capillary wave heights from estimates of planktonic carbon concentrations and regional wind speed. Our results suggest that the radar signal reflection increases as capillary wave height decreases. This relationship depends on surfactant concentration, surfactant composition, and wind speed. Model sensitivity analysis indicates that the interface reflectivity depends on biological activity and wind speed. Our proposed simplified model provides a method to identify potential Sigma-0 bloom regions. We conclude that because of the demonstrated impact of biological surfactants on ocean roughness, it is necessary to consider the biological activity, i.e., phytoplankton bloom events, when interpreting signals from radar altimetry and when developing ocean hydrology models.
Rapid Response to Experimental Warming of a Microbial Community Inhabiting High Arctic Patterned Ground Soil
Authors: Newsham Kevin K. , Danielsen Birgitte Kortegaard , Biersma Elisabeth Machteld , Elberling Bo , Hillyard Guy , Kumari Priyanka , Priemé Anders , Woo Cheolwoon , Yamamoto Naomichi
Published: December 2022

The influence of climate change on microbial communities inhabiting the sparsely vegetated patterned ground soils that are widespread across the High Arctic is poorly understood. Here, in a four-year experiment on Svalbard, we warmed patterned ground soil with open top chambers and biannually irrigated the soil to predict the responses of its microbial community to rising temperatures and precipitation. A 1 °C rise in summertime soil temperature caused 44% and 78% increases in CO2 efflux and CH4 consumption, respectively, and a 32% increase in the frequency of bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA genes. Bacterial alpha diversity was unaffected by the treatments, but, of the 40 most frequent bacterial taxa, warming caused 44–45% reductions in the relative abundances of a Sphingomonas sp. and Ferruginibacter sp. and 33–91% increases in those of a Phenylobacterium sp. and a member of the Acetobacteraceae. Warming did not influence the frequency of fungal internal transcribed spacer 2 copies, and irrigation had no effects on the measured variables. Our study suggests rapid changes to the activities and abundances of microbes, and particularly bacteria, in High Arctic patterned ground soils as they warm. At current rates of soil warming on Svalbard (0.8 °C per decade), we anticipate that similar effects to those reported here will manifest themselves in the natural environment by approximately the mid 2030s.
Characterization of a Stress-Enhanced Promoter from the Grass Halophyte, Spartina alterniflora L.
Authors: Sengupta Sonali , Pehlivan Necla , Mangu Venkata , Rajasekaran Kanniah , Baisakh Niranjan
Published: December 2022

Stress-inducible promoters are vital for the desirable expression of genes, especially transcription factors, which could otherwise compromise growth and development when constitutively overexpressed in plants. Here, we report on the characterization of the promoter region of a stress-responsive gene SaAsr1 from monocot halophyte cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora). Several cis-acting elements, such as ABRE (ABA-responsive element), DRE-CRT (dehydration responsive-element/C-Repeat), LTRE (low temperature-responsive element), ERE (ethylene-responsive element), LRE (light-responsive element), etc. contributed at varying degrees to salt-, drought- and ABA-enhanced expression of gusA reporter gene in Arabidopsis thaliana under the full-length promoter, pAsr11875 and its deletion derivatives with an assortment of cis-regulatory motifs. The smallest promoter, pAsr1491, with three cis-acting elements (a CCAAT box-heat responsive, an LRE, and a copper responsive element) conferred drought-enhanced expression of gusA; pAsr1755 (with an ABRE and a DRE) presented the highest expression in ABA and drought; and pAsr1994 with seven ABREs and two DREs conferred optimal induction of gusA, especially under drought and ABA. Arabidopsis transgenics expressing a known abiotic stress-responsive gene, SaADF2 (actin depolymerization factor 2), under both pAsr11875 and p35S promoters outperformed the wild type (WT) with enhanced drought and salt tolerance contributed by higher relative water content and membrane stability with no significant difference between pAsr11875:SaADF2 or p35S:SaADF2 lines. However, pAsr11875:SaADF2 lines produced healthy plants with robust shoot systems under salt stress and control compared to slightly stunted growth of the p35S:SaADF2 plants. This reestablished the evidence that transgene expression under a stress-inducible promoter is a better strategy for the genetic manipulation of crops.
UV Radiation Induces Specific Changes in the Carotenoid Profile of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Badmus Uthman O. , Crestani Gaia , Cunningham Natalie , Havaux Michel , Urban Otmar , Jansen Marcel A. K.
Published: December 2022

UV-B and UV-A radiation are natural components of solar radiation that can cause plant stress, as well as induce a range of acclimatory responses mediated by photoreceptors. UV-mediated accumulation of flavonoids and glucosinolates is well documented, but much less is known about UV effects on carotenoid content. Carotenoids are involved in a range of plant physiological processes, including photoprotection of the photosynthetic machinery. UV-induced changes in carotenoid profile were quantified in plants (Arabidopsis thaliana) exposed for up to ten days to supplemental UV radiation under growth chamber conditions. UV induces specific changes in carotenoid profile, including increases in antheraxanthin, neoxanthin, violaxanthin and lutein contents in leaves. The extent of induction was dependent on exposure duration. No individual UV-B (UVR8) or UV-A (Cryptochrome or Phototropin) photoreceptor was found to mediate this induction. Remarkably, UV-induced accumulation of violaxanthin could not be linked to protection of the photosynthetic machinery from UV damage, questioning the functional relevance of this UV response. Here, it is argued that plants exploit UV radiation as a proxy for other stressors. Thus, it is speculated that the function of UV-induced alterations in carotenoid profile is not UV protection, but rather protection against other environmental stressors such as high intensity visible light that will normally accompany UV radiation.
The Precise Breakpoint Mapping in Paracentric Inversion 10q22.2q23.3 by Comprehensive Cytogenomic Analysis, Multicolor Banding, and Single-Copy Chromosome Sequencing
Authors: Karamysheva Tatyana V. , Gayner Tatyana A. , Elisaphenko Eugeny A. , Trifonov Vladimir A. , Zakirova Elvira G. , Orishchenko Konstantin E. , Prokhorovich Mariya A. , Lopatkina Maria E. , Skryabin Nikolay A. , Lebedev Igor N. , Rubtsov Nikolay B.
Published: December 2022

Detection and precise genomic mapping of balanced chromosomal abnormalities in patients with impaired fertility or a clinical phenotype represent a challenge for current cytogenomics owing to difficulties with precise breakpoint localization in the regions enriched for DNA repeats and high genomic variation in such regions. Here, we present a comprehensive cytogenomic approach to breakpoint mapping in a rare paracentric inversion on 10q (in a patient with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia and necrozoospermia) that does not affect other phenotype traits. Multicolor banding, chromosomal microarray analysis, chromosome microdissection with reverse painting, and single-copy sequencing of the rearranged chromosome were performed to determine the length and position of the inverted region as well as to rule out a genetic imbalance at the breakpoints. As a result, a paracentric 19.251 Mbp inversion at 10q22.2q23.3 was described. The most probable location of the breakpoints was predicted using the hg38 assembly. The problems of genetic counseling associated with enrichment for repeats and high DNA variability of usual breakpoint regions were discussed. Possible approaches for cytogenomic assessment of couples with balanced chromosome rearrangements and problems like reproductive failures were considered and suggested as useful part of effective genetic counseling.
The Importance of Pore-Forming Toxins in Multiple Organ Injury and Dysfunction
Authors: Abrams Simon T. , Wang Lijun , Yong Jun , Yu Qian , Du Min , Alhamdi Yasir , Cheng Zhenxing , Dart Caroline , Lane Steven , Yu Weiping , Toh Cheng-Hock , Wang Guozheng
Published: December 2022

Background: Multiple organ injury and dysfunction often occurs in acute critical illness and adversely affects survival. However, in patients who survive, organ function usually recovers without permanent damage. It is, therefore, likely that there are reversible mechanisms, but this is poorly understood in the pathogenesis of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Aims: Based on our knowledge of extracellular histones and pneumolysin, as endogenous and exogenous pore-forming toxins, respectively, here we clarify if the extent of cell membrane disruption and recovery is important in MODS. Methods: This is a combination of retrospective clinical studies of a cohort of 98 patients from an intensive care unit (ICU) in a tertiary hospital, with interventional animal models and laboratory investigation. Results: In patients without septic shock and/or disseminate intravascular coagulation (DIC), circulating histones also strongly correlated with sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores, suggesting their pore-forming property might play an important role. In vivo, histones or pneumolysin infusion similarly caused significant elevation of cell damage markers and multiple organ injury. In trauma and sepsis models, circulating histones strongly correlated with these markers, and anti-histone reagents significantly reduced their release. Comparison of pneumolysin deletion and its parental strain-induced sepsis mouse model showed that pneumolysin was not essential for sepsis development, but enhanced multiple organ damage and reduced survival time. In vitro, histones and pneumolysin treatment disrupt cell membrane integrity, resulting in changes in whole-cell currents and elevated intracellular Ca2+ to lead to Ca2+ overload. Cell-specific damage markers, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and cardiac troponin I (cTnI), were released from damaged cells. Once toxins were removed, cell membrane damage could be rapidly repaired and cellular function recovered. Conclusion: This work has confirmed the importance of pore-forming toxins in the development of MODS and proposed a potential mechanism to explain the reversibility of MODS. This may form the foundation for the development of effective therapies.
Visualized Failure Prediction for the Masonry Great Wall
Authors: Du Hongkai , Yu Jiaxin , Wang Yuandong , Zhu Yuhua , Tang Yuyang , Wang Haimeng
Published: December 2022

The cultural, architectural, and historical heritage value of the Great Wall of China drives the need to maintain, rehabilitate, and restore its structural integrity from artificial and natural damage. In this study, a hybrid architectural visualization and structural collapse simulation of the Ming Great Wall (1368–1644 AD) are conducted in Blender based on the unit blocks and a physics engine (i.e., Bullet Constraint Builder). Visualized failure predictions caused by four damages, i.e., stone layer collapse, step collapse, parapet walls inward tilting, and stone layer bulge, are developed and performed on a strength basis. The main input parameters are brick dimensions, friction coefficient, and adhesive/glue strength, while the primary output includes collapse, and global and local stabilities. Finally, the results show that the combination of unit blocks and a physical engine can visually simulate the occurrence process of the Great Wall’s failures with preliminary engineering outcome, especially those related to collapse, and can also predict the adverse consequences of the precipitating factors.
CRC Therapy Identifies Indian Hedgehog Signaling in Mouse Endometrial Epithelial Cells and Inhibition of Ihh-KLF9 as a Novel Strategy for Treating IUA
Authors: Zhou Xinhao , Kang Yiyi , Chang Yuntzu , Xia Siyu , Wu Ming , Liu Jun , Dong Dirong , Zhang Wei , Chen Hong , Li Hui
Published: December 2022

Intrauterine adhesion (IUA) causes menstrual disturbance and infertility. There is no effective treatment available for moderate to severe IUA cases. Stem cell-based therapy has been investigated for treating IUA but is limited in clinical applications due to issues including the precise induction of differentiation, tumorigenesis, and unclear molecular mechanisms. In our recent study, we isolated and expanded the long-term cultures of conditional reprogrammed (CR) mouse endometrial epithelial cells. Treating IUA mice with these CR cells (CRCs) restored the morphology and structure of the endometrium and significantly improved the pregnancy rate. In this study, our data with high-throughput sequencing, CRISPR knockout Ihh−/−CRCs, and transplantation identified for the first time that the Indian hedgehog (Ihh) gene plays a critical role in the regulation of endometrial epithelial cell proliferation. We also found that aberrant activated Ihh-krüppel-like factor 9 (KLF9) signaling contributes to the inhibition of normal progesterone receptor (PR) function in IUA mice. Thus, we hypothesized that inhibition of the Ihh-KLF9 pathway may be a novel strategy to treat IUA. Our data demonstrated that treatment with the hedgehog signaling inhibitor Vismodegib restored the morphology, structure, and microenvironment of the endometrium, and greatly improved the pregnancy rate in IUA mice. This study suggests a promising application of hedgehog inhibitors as a targeted drug in the IUA clinic.
The Challenge of Dimethyl Fumarate Repurposing in Eye Pathologies
Authors: Manai Federico , Govoni Stefano , Amadio Marialaura
Published: December 2022

Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is a small molecule currently approved and used in the treatment of psoriasis and multiple sclerosis due to its immuno-modulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. As an Nrf2 activator through Keap1 protein inhibition, DMF unveils a potential therapeutical use that is much broader than expected so far. In this comprehensive review we discuss the state-of-art and future perspectives regarding the potential repositioning of this molecule in the panorama of eye pathologies, including Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). The DMF’s mechanism of action, an extensive analysis of the in vitro and in vivo evidence of its beneficial effects, together with a search of the current clinical trials, are here reported. Altogether, this evidence gives an overview of the new potential applications of this molecule in the context of ophthalmological diseases characterized by inflammation and oxidative stress, with a special focus on AMD, for which our gene–disease (KEAP1-AMD) database search, followed by a protein–protein interaction analysis, further supports the rationale of DMF use. The necessity to find a topical route of DMF administration to the eye is also discussed. In conclusion, the challenge of DMF repurposing in eye pathologies is feasible and worth scientific attention and well-focused research efforts.
Preparation and Photoluminescent Properties of Tb3+-Doped Lu2W3O12 and Lu2Mo3O12 Green Phosphors
Authors: Huang Nihui , Lu Guojun , Bai Bihai , Chen Zijun , Zhang Min , Li Yuechan , Cao Chunyan , Xie An
Published: December 2022

Tungstate and molybdate phosphors have received great attention for their excellent photoluminescent properties and thermal stabilities. In the article, Tb3+-activated tungstate and molybdate green phosphors were prepared by a solid-state reaction method at different caline temperatures and were compared and studied. The crystal structures and the morphologies of samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images. The energy-dispersive spectra (EDS) proved the compositions of the prepared samples. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra showed that the PL excitation spectra of Tb3+-doped Lu2W3O12 and Lu2Mo3O12 green phosphors consisted of a broad and strong charge transfer band (CTB) and 4f–5d transitions of Tb3+ in the ultraviolet (UV) wavelength range and some narrowed excitation peaks from the 4f–4f transition of Tb3+ in the near ultraviolet (NUV) wavelength region. The PL emission spectra of the phosphors exhibited the characteristic green emissions owing to the 5D4→7F5 transition of Tb3+ located at about 547 nm. The values of energy gap Eg were calculated based on the diffuse reflection spectra (DRS). The measuring temperature-dependent PL spectra illustrated the thermal stabilities of phosphors. The Tb3+-doped Lu2Mo3O12 phosphor presented normal thermal quenching phenomena and the values of the thermal activation energy Ea were calculated based on the measuring temperature dependent PL emission spectra. The Tb3+-doped Lu2W3O12 phosphor exhibited abnormal thermal enhancing CTB excitation intensity at about 170 °C. Furthermore, the PL decay curves suggested that the lifetime corresponding to the 5D4 level of Tb3+ in the Lu2W3O12 host lattice was longer than that in the Lu2Mo3O12 host lattice. Compared the Tb3+-doped Lu2Mo3O12 phosphor, the Tb3+-doped Lu2W3O12 phosphor has shown potential as an application in temperature sensors.
Study on Using Microbubbles to Reduce Surface Damage of Mercury Target for Spallation Neutron Source
Authors: Sun Xu , Lin Fuzhong , Yang Yanzhen , Xue Yuan , Fu Yongjian , Hang Wei , Zou Shiqing
Published: December 2022

A liquid mercury target, which is used to explore the neutrons produced by spallation reactions, has been installed at the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF) in the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC). As the proton beams bombard the target, pressure waves are generated on the interface between liquid and solid metals due to thermal shock. The negative-pressure-induced cavitation causes severe pitting damage to the vessel surface of the mercury target. To reduce the surface damage of the mercury target and prolong its service life, we developed vibratory horn experiments in bubbly water. In this study, the effect of microbubbles on cavitation damage on the workpiece surface was investigated using ultrasonic erosion tests. Experimental results showed that surface damage was significantly reduced under the condition of injecting microbubbles. Additionally, we developed a simulation code to analyze the change in pressure waves in the water. The analysis results showed that the pressure amplitude of the pressure waves was significantly reduced under the condition of injecting microbubbles, and the fluctuation of the pressure waves became more regular when injecting microbubbles. We also found that the pressure amplitude of the pressure waves was decreased with a decrease in the diameter of the microbubbles.
Fundamental Results of Cyclic Codes over Octonion Integers and Their Decoding Algorithm
Authors: Sajjad Muhammad , Shah Tariq , Serna Robinson-Julian , Suárez Aguilar Zagalo Enrique , Delgado Omaida Sepúlveda
Published: December 2022

Coding theory is the study of the properties of codes and their respective fitness for specific applications. Codes are used for data compression, cryptography, error detection, error correction, data transmission, and data storage. Codes are studied by various scientific disciplines, such as information theory, electrical engineering, mathematics, linguistics, and computer science, to design efficient and reliable data transmission methods. Many authors in the previous literature have discussed codes over finite fields, Gaussian integers, quaternion integers, etc. In this article, the author defines octonion integers, fundamental theorems related to octonion integers, encoding, and decoding of cyclic codes over the residue class of octonion integers with respect to the octonion Mannheim weight one. The comparison of primes, lengths, cardinality, dimension, and code rate with respect to Quaternion Integers and Octonion Integers will be discussed.
Double-Lumen Endotracheal Tube—Predicting Insertion Depth and Tube Size Based on Patient’s Chest X-ray Image Data and 4 Other Body Parameters
Authors: Chang Tsai-Rong , Yuan Mei-Kang , Pan Shao-Fang , Chuang Chia-Chun , So Edmund Cheung
Published: December 2022

In thoracic surgery, the double lumen endotracheal tube (DLT) is used for differential ventilation of the lung. DLT allows lung collapse on the surgical side that requires access to the thoracic and mediastinal areas. DLT placement for a given patient depends on two settings: a tube of the correct size (or ‘size’) and to the correct insertion depth (or ‘depth’). Incorrect DLT placements cause oxygen desaturation or carbon dioxide retention in the patient, with possible surgical failure. No guideline on these settings is currently available for anesthesiologists, except for the aid by bronchoscopy. In this study, we aimed to predict DLT ‘depths’ and ‘sizes’ applied earlier on a group of patients (n = 231) using a computer modeling approach. First, for these patients we retrospectively determined the correlation coefficient (r) of each of the 17 body parameters against ‘depth’ and ‘size’. Those parameters having r > 0.5 and that could be easily obtained or measured were selected. They were, for both DLT settings: (a) sex, (b) height, (c) tracheal diameter (measured from X-ray), and (d) weight. For ‘size’, a fifth parameter, (e) chest circumference was added. Based on these four or five parameters, we modeled the clinical DLT settings using a Support Vector Machine (SVM). After excluding statistical outliers (±2 SD), 83.5% of the subjects were left for ‘depth’ in the modeling, and similarly 85.3% for ‘size’. SVM predicted ‘depths’ matched with their clinical values at a r of 0.91, and for ‘sizes’, at an r of 0.82. The less satisfactory result on ‘size’ prediction was likely due to the small target choices (n = 4) and the uneven data distribution. Furthermore, SVM outperformed other common models, such as linear regression. In conclusion, this first model for predicting the two DLT key settings gave satisfactory results. Findings would help anesthesiologists in applying DLT procedures more confidently in an evidence-based way.