bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Review on Cooling Systems for Portable Energy Storage Units
Authors: Eslami Majd Alireza , Tchuenbou-Magaia Fideline , Meless Agnero M. , Adebayo David S. , Ekere Nduka Nnamdi
Published: September 2023

Achieving the global electricity demand and meeting the United Nations sustainable development target on reliable and sustainable energy supply by 2050 are crucial. Portable energy storage (PES) units, powered by solid-state battery cells, can offer a sustainable and cost-effective solution for regions with limited power-grid access. However, operating in high-dust and high-temperature environments presents challenges that require effective thermal management solutions. This paper is a comprehensive review of thermal management systems for PES units, with a specific focus on addressing the challenge of overheating in airtight designs. The review of various active and passive cooling systems is conducted through extensive study of the relevant literature, which is significant in providing insights into the operation, performance parameters, and design options for different cooling system technologies. The findings from this review show heat pipe (HP) technologies as key cooling-system solutions for airtight PES units. Specifically, loop and oscillating HPs, as well as the vapour chamber, offer desirable features such as compactness, low cost, and high thermal conductivity that make them superior to other alternatives for the cooling systems in PES. The insights and knowledge generated via this review will help facilitate the design and development of innovative, efficient, and reliable PES units, thereby contributing to the advancement of off-grid renewable energy applications and enabling sustainable power solutions worldwide. Furthermore, an appropriate design of PES units can help in reducing capital and maintenance costs.
Influencing Factors of Carbon Emission from Typical Refining Units: Identification, Analysis, and Mitigation Potential
Authors: Da Hongju , Xu Degang , Li Jufeng , Tang Zhihe , Li Jiaxin , Wang Chen , Luan Hui , Zhang Fang , Zeng Yong
Published: September 2023

As the global third-largest stationary source of carbon emissions, petroleum refineries have attracted much attention. Many investigations and methodologies have been used for the quantification of carbon emissions of refineries at the industry or enterprise scale. The granularity of current carbon emissions data impairs the reliability of precise mitigation, so analysis and identification of influencing factors for carbon emissions at a more micro-level, such as unit level, is essential. In this paper, four typical units, including fluid catalytic cracking, Continuous Catalytic Reforming, delayed coking, and hydrogen production, were chosen as objects. A typical 5-million-ton scale Chinese petroleum refinery was selected as an investigating object. The Redundancy analysis and multiple regression analysis were utilized to explore the relationship between the process parameters and carbon emissions. Three types of influencing factors include reaction conditions, processing scale, and materials property. The most important mitigation of carbon emission, in this case, can be summarized as measures of improving energy efficiency via optimizing equipment parameters or prompting mass efficiency by upgrading the scale for material and energy flow.
Using Multi-Criteria Decision Making in Quality Function Deployment for Offshore Renewable Energies
Authors: García-Orozco Selef , Vargas-Gutiérrez Gregorio , Ordóñez-Sánchez Stephanie , Silva Rodolfo
Published: September 2023

Quality function deployment (QFD) is now used in various fields, such as product development, design, manufacturing, planning, and quality management services, as a planning tool to achieve customer requirements and needs while improving performance and sustainability concerns. This paper presents a systematic literature review of multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methodologies integrated into QFD over the last year. In 2022, 56 research papers on planning strategies, the supply chain, and product development using QFD were published. Other fields such as energy, academia, and environment have also shown considerable interest in the integration of MCDM methodologies in QFD to improve decision-making processes. This research shows that the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solutions (TOPSIS) methodologies are mainly used to rank customer requirements and weigh their importance in the house of quality (HoQ) structure. The use of fuzzy logic has been incorporated into the correlation matrix to evaluate the relationships between customer requirements and technical requirements. Methodologies such as decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) and fuzzy cognitive maps are implemented to deal with contradictions, and they have also been used to rank engineering characteristics. In the field of energy and renewable technologies, only few studies related to the integration of MCDM methodologies in QFD were found, but it is forecasted that their use will be used more often as they offer improvements and benefits in the ocean energy sector.
Optimization Approaches for Cost and Lifetime Improvements of Lithium-Ion Batteries in Electric Vehicle Powertrains
Authors: Meddour Aissam , Rizoug Nassim , Leserf Patrick , Vagg Christopher , Burke Richard , Larouci Cherif
Published: September 2023

With the increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), optimizing lithium-ion battery capacity is critical for overall powertrain performance. Recent studies have optimized battery capacity in isolation without considering interactions with other powertrain components. Furthermore, even when the battery is considered within the full powertrain, most works have only modeled the electrical behavior without examining thermal or ageing dynamics. However, this fails to capture systemic impacts on overall performance. This study takes a holistic approach to investigate the effects of battery capacity optimization on convergence of the full EV powertrain. A battery multiphysics model was developed in MATLAB/Simulink, incorporating experimental data on electrical, thermal, and ageing dynamics and interactions with other components. The model was evaluated using real-world WLTP and Artemis driving cycles to simulate realistic conditions lacking in prior works. The findings reveal significant impacts of battery optimization on total powertrain performance unaccounted for in previous isolated studies. By adopting a system-level perspective and realistic driving cycles, this work provides enhanced understanding of interdependent trade-offs to inform integrated EV design.
Desiccation Sensitivity Characteristics and Low-Temperature Storage of Recalcitrant Quercus variabilis Seed
Authors: Zhang Ming-Jia , Wang Yong-Zheng , Xian Yang , Cui Cheng-Cheng , Xie Xiao-Man , Tong Bo-Qiang , Han Biao
Published: September 2023

This study aims to investigate the desiccation sensitivity characteristics and the critical moisture content of the recalcitrant Quercus variabilis seed. Additionally, cryopreservation of the recalcitrant seeds were studied. Wild-collected Q. variabilis seeds were used in this research. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was employed to evaluate the critical moisture content and germination indices at different moisture contents were measured. The initial moisture content of the seeds and embryonic axes decreased from 33.1% and 40.9%, respectively, to 10.0%, accompanied by a germination rate decrease of 95.6% and 90.0% to 6.3% and 60.0%, respectively. The theoretical critical moisture content of the embryonic axis was calculated to be 11.55%. As dehydration progressed, drastic changes were observed in the antioxidant enzyme system. Initially, the levels of PRO and SOD in the seeds increased and then decreased, while the levels of POD and MDA consistently increased. The cryopreservation of the embryonic axis was achieved using vitrification. The embryonic axis with a moisture content of 10% had a 15% survival rate when pretreated with PVS2 for 60 min prior to cryopreservation. The results demonstrated that the cryopreservation of the Q. variabilis embryonic axis is possible, but the method needs adjustment to increase the recovery survival rate.
Effect of Citric Acid on the Properties of Sapwood of Pinus sylvestris Submitted to Thermomechanical Treatment
Authors: Crisostomo Matheus , Del Menezzi Cláudio , Militz Holger , Kurkowiak Katarzyna , Mayer Aaron , Carvalho Luisa , Martins Jorge
Published: September 2023

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of citric acid on the properties of solid pine wood, which were submitted to thermomechanical treatment. A preliminary test was performed in a previous study to evaluate the influence of different temperatures of pressing and concentrations of citric acid on the physical properties of wood. After choosing the best treatments (170 °C and 5% and 10% of citric acid), the effect of these on the chemical properties (SEM, FTIR and pH); on the density profile using an X-ray microtomography and on the resistance to aging through an abrasion test were evaluated. The result of the chemical analysis showed an increase of the presence of ester functional groups, as well as better coverage and higher acidity of the surface. The density profile technique allowed us to observe the formation of peaks of density on the surface where the acid was applied. Lastly, it was also possible to verify an increase in the resistance to abrasions because of the application of citric acid.
Effects of Multiple-Metal-Compound Contamination on the Soil Microbial Community in Typical Karst Tea Plantations
Authors: Huang Xianfei , Wang Xingfu , Wu Qing , Zhang Zhenming , Yang Huili , Wen Ximei
Published: September 2023

In this study, the effects of pollution levels and heavy metal pollution on soil microbial diversity in karst tea plantations are reported. Four tea plantations from plateau hills, under forests, by lakesides and on steep slopes in the South China karst were used as research regions. Soil samples were taken from these tea plantations, the soil heavy metals Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn, Ni and Cu were tested using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, and Hg and As were tested via atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The soil microbes were analyzed via high-throughput sequencing technology. Heavy metal pollution was evaluated via the single factor index and pollution load index, and the correlation between soil heavy metals and the microbial community was analyzed via SPSS 18.0 and Canoco 5.0 software. The results showed that the studied tea plantation soils were greatly polluted by the heavy metals, Cd and Hg, to a low to moderate degree. The comprehensive pollution of multiple heavy metals occurred only in lakeside tea plantations, in which pollution reached a low degree. It is also suggested that Hg and Cd were the major contributors, followed by Cu. The soil microbial diversity in soil samples from lakeside tea plantations was the highest; however, the discrepancy in its dominant species composition was also the highest. When the pollution load index was close to 0.6, the microbial diversity decreased sharply. Afterward, the diversity and heterogeneity generally gently increased, and the dominant composition was more obvious. These results reveal that the impact of heavy metal pollution on soil microbial diversity was not very distinct, but the impact on the dominant microbial community composition was obvious. In addition, the heavy metals, Cd, Hg and Cu, were the key factors that impacted the soil microbial community composition.
Quantifying the Spatiotemporal Variation of NPP of Different Land Cover Types and the Contribution of Its Associated Factors in the Songnen Plain
Authors: Lin Nan , Li Jiaxuan , Jiang Ranzhe , Li Xin , Liu Shu
Published: September 2023

Net primary productivity (NPP) of vegetation is considered an important indicator for ecological stability and is the main object for analyzing the factors influencing the terrestrial carbon cycle. Recent studies have made clear the changes in the NPP of vegetation and its influencing factors at various scales. However, the variations in NPP based on different land cover types under various natural conditions, along with their driving factors, remain not well understood. In this study, spatial overlay analysis was used to investigate the link among climatic, soil moisture (SM), and topographic parameters and NPP of various land cover types after analyzing the spatial and temporal trends of NPP in the Songnen Plain from 2001 to 2020. Additionally, the contribution of each influence factor to the NPP of different land cover types was calculated using the elastic net regression model. The elastic net regression model eliminates the multicollinearity among the influencing factors while maintaining the model stability, and the R2 of all lands is greater than 0.62, which can effectively quantify the contribution of each influencing factor to NPP. The results show a continuously increasing trend of the overall NPP in the research area over the selected 20 years, and NPP increased most significantly in forest land (FOR). Precipitation (PRE) and NPP showed high correlations in all the different land cover types, while the correlations between NPP and other influencing factors were significantly different. In addition, we found that perennials led to a more significant degree of NPP enhancement, and the effect of topographic conditions on NPP was mainly reflected in differences in moisture conditions due to surface runoff. From the results of the modeling calculations, the cumulative contribution of PRE to NPP ranks first in all land types and is the most vital influencing factor of NPP in the Songnen Plain. SM was an important influence, but the contribution of NPP was greater in land classes with shallow root systems. The results of the study revealed the positive transformation relationship of NPP among land cover types in ecologically fragile areas, which provides a reference for ecological restoration and rationalization of land use structure in zones such as intertwined agricultural and pastoral zones.
Synergistic Effects of Stirring and Aeration Rate on Carotenoid Production in Yeast Rhodotorula toruloides CCT 7815 Envisioning Their Application as Soap Additives
Authors: Ribeiro Renata M. M. G. P. , Picão Bruno W. , Gonçalves Daniele O. , Scontri Mateus , Mazziero Vitor T. , Mussagy Cassamo U. , Raghavan Vijaya , Astudillo-Castro Carolina , Córdova Andrés , Cerri Marcel O. , Tambourgi Elias B.
Published: September 2023

The production of carotenoids by microbial organisms has gained significant interest due to the growing demand for natural products. Among the non-model oleaginous red yeasts, Rhodotorula toruloides stands out as an appealing host for natural carotenoid production. R. toruloides possesses the natural ability to metabolize a wide range of substrates, including lignocellulosic hydrolysates, and convert them into lipids and carotenoids. In this study, we focused on utilizing xylose, the main component of hemicellulose, as the major substrate for R. toruloides. We conducted a comprehensive kinetic evaluation to examine the impact of aeration and agitation on carotenoid production. Results in stirred-tank reactor demonstrated that under milder conditions (300 rpm and 0.5 vvm), R. toruloides accumulated over 70% of its cell mass as lipids. Furthermore, the highest carotenoid yields were achieved at high agitation rates (700 rpm), with carotenoid levels reaching nearly 120 µg/mL. Several carotenoids were identified, including β-carotene, γ-carotene, torularhodin, and torulene, with β-carotene being the major carotenoid, accounting for up to 70% of the total carotenoid content. The carotenoid-rich extract produced by R. toruloides under evaluated conditions was successfully incorporated into soap formulations, demonstrating the addition of antioxidant properties. This work provides a comprehensive understanding of xylose conversion into natural carotenoids by R. toruloides, presenting a promising avenue for their application in cosmetics. Furthermore, this study highlights the potential of a renewable and cost-effective approach for carotenoid production in the soap industry.
Evaluating Fire Performance: An Experimental Comparison of Dovetail Massive Wooden Board Elements and Cross-Laminated Timber
Authors: Ilgın Hüseyin Emre , Karjalainen Markku , Alanen Mika , Malaska Mikko
Published: September 2023

The use of adhesives and metal connectors is vital in engineered wood product (EWP) composition. However, the utilization of adhesives poses sustainability and recyclability challenges due to the emission of toxic gases. Similarly, metal fasteners negatively impact the disposal, reusability, and recyclability of EWPs. An alternative solution that exclusively employs pure wood, known as dovetail massive wooden board elements (DMWBEs), eliminates the need for adhesives and metal fasteners. This paper presents an experimental comparative assessment of the fire/charring performance of DMWBEs and cross-laminated timber (CLT). Model-scale test specimens measuring 200 mm in thickness, 950 mm in width, and 950 mm in length were vertically tested according to EN 1363-1. The charring behavior of DMWBEs closely resembled that of solid timber, with only a slight increase in the charring rate. Charring primarily occurred in the third lamella layer out of five, with no observable flames or hot gases on the unexposed side. The dovetail detail effectively prevented char fall-off with the tested lamella thickness. CLT specimens exhibited a notable rise in the charring rate due to the fall-off of the first lamellae layer.
Small-Scale Fisheries in the Colombian Pacific: Understanding the Impact of Climate Change on Fishermen’s Livelihoods
Authors: Selvaraj John Josephraj , Rosero-Henao Leidy Viviana , Cifuentes-Ossa Maria Alejandra
Published: September 2023

While few have contemplated the potential impacts of climate change on small-scale fisheries and fishermen in the Colombian Pacific, understanding these effects is crucial for devising effective adaptation strategies. This study presents the outcomes of a vulnerability assessment related to climate change for fishermen in the Colombian South Pacific. The assessment employed a multivariable model that considered the sensitivity of marine and coastal ecosystems that support fishing resources alongside fishermen’s adaptability to changes in the biophysical environment. Socioeconomic factors were also scrutinized. The study revealed that 80% of the surveyed fishermen are at a medium to high level of vulnerability due to changes in the distribution of key commercial species, which influences the productivity of their traditional fishing sites. Their vulnerability is primarily attributed to low usage of fishing technologies, the boat engine’s limited propulsion capacity, and a lack of diversity and sustainability in fishing gear. These elements increase their reliance on fishing sites close to the coast (approximately 3 km to 5 km from the shoreline), resulting in a low adaptive capacity for the fishermen. The dominant factor driving the sensitivity component was the economic significance of the fishing gear and the fact that the gear could be more diverse and durable. These findings provide a critical scientific basis for assessing the fishing sector’s vulnerability to climate change and informing future collaborative decision-making in managing small-scale fisheries in the Colombian South Pacific Ocean.
Effect of Astragalus membranaceus on Transcriptome and Survival of Hybrid Yellow Catfish (Pseudobagrus vachellii ♂ × Tachysurus fulvidraco ♀) in Response to Aeromonas hydrophila Challenge
Authors: Pan Tingshuang , Yang Min , Jiang He , Li Tong , Duan Guoqing , Ling Jun , Gao Qian
Published: September 2023

Intensive culturing of hybrid yellow catfish (Pseudobagrus vachellii ♂ × Tachysurus fulvidraco ♀) has increased their mortality. Astragalus membranaceus has been used as an immune stimulant and antioxidant in fish for several years. A. membranaceus was decocted and mixed with the diet. After feeding for 28 d, the hybrid yellow catfish were challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila. To better understand the function of A. membranaceus in the defense of hybrid yellow catfish against A. hydrophila, we analyzed the spleen transcriptome data and relative percentage survival (RPS). There were 396 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the A. membranaceus and control groups at 24 h after A. hydrophila stimulation, including 263 upregulated and 133 downregulated DEGs. A significant enrichment of DEGs was found in the A. membranaceus group when the GO enrichment terms in the spleen were analyzed. The qRTPCRresults for the five upregulated and two downregulated DEGs from the spleen, intestine, and liver were consistent with the transcriptome data. The relative percentage survival of A. membranaceus was 85.71% after the fish were challenged with A. hydrophila.
Quality, Nutritional Properties, and Glycemic Index of Colored Whole Wheat Breads
Authors: Koksel Hamit , Cetiner Buket , Shamanin Vladimir P. , Tekin-Cakmak Z. Hazal , Pototskaya Inna V. , Kahraman Kevser , Sagdic Osman , Morgounov Alexey I.
Published: September 2023

The main aim of this study was to investigate the quality and nutritional properties (dietary fiber, phenolic, antioxidant contents, and glycemic index) of breads made from whole wheat flours of colored wheats. White (cultivar Agronomicheskaya 5), red (Element 22), purple (EF 22 and Purple 8), and blue (Blue 10) colored wheats were used in the study. The whole wheat flours of Blue 10 and Purple 8 had higher farinograph stability, lower softening degree, and higher quality numbers indicating that they had better rheological properties. Bread produced from whole wheat flour of blue-colored grain had significantly higher loaf volume and better symmetry, crust color, crumb cell structure, and softness values among others (p < 0.05). The whole wheat bread produced using Element 22 had the highest crust and crumb L* color values, while Purple 8 and EF 22 had the lowest crust and crumb L* color values, suggesting that purple-colored grains have a tendency to make whole wheat bread with darker crust and crumb color. Bread produced from cultivar Blue 10 had the lowest firmness values while Element 22 had the highest firmness values. The highest total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity values were obtained from the whole wheat bread sample from purple-colored wheat (Purple 8). The whole wheat flour of Element 22 had the highest total dietary fiber content among all samples (p < 0.05). The differences between whole wheat bread samples in terms of total dietary fiber and glycemic index were not statistically significant. The results of the present study indicated that colored wheats can be used to produce whole wheat breads with higher nutritional properties and acceptable quality characteristics.
A Comprehensive Comparative Analysis of Deep Learning Based Feature Representations for Molecular Taste Prediction
Authors: Song Yu , Chang Sihao , Tian Jing , Pan Weihua , Feng Lu , Ji Hongchao
Published: September 2023

Taste determination in small molecules is critical in food chemistry but traditional experimental methods can be time-consuming. Consequently, computational techniques have emerged as valuable tools for this task. In this study, we explore taste prediction using various molecular feature representations and assess the performance of different machine learning algorithms on a dataset comprising 2601 molecules. The results reveal that GNN-based models outperform other approaches in taste prediction. Moreover, consensus models that combine diverse molecular representations demonstrate improved performance. Among these, the molecular fingerprints + GNN consensus model emerges as the top performer, highlighting the complementary strengths of GNNs and molecular fingerprints. These findings have significant implications for food chemistry research and related fields. By leveraging these computational approaches, taste prediction can be expedited, leading to advancements in understanding the relationship between molecular structure and taste perception in various food components and related compounds.
Sucrose Esters and Beeswax Synergize to Improve the Stability and Viscoelasticity of Water-in-Oil Emulsions
Authors: Shu Mingjun , Zhou Yuling , Liu Yuanfa , Fan Liuping , Li Jinwei
Published: September 2023

W/O emulsions are commonly used to prepare stable low-fat products, but their poor stability limits widespread applications. In this study, sucrose ester (SE) and beeswax were utilized to prepare an oil dispersion system in rapeseed oil, which was used as the external oil phase to further synergistically construct the W/O emulsion systems. The results show that spherical and fine crystals are formed under the synergistic effect of SE and BW (1.5 SE:0.5 BW). In this state, a dense interfacial crystal layer was easily formed, preventing droplet aggregation, leading to droplet size reduction (1–2 μm) and tight packing, improving viscoelasticity and resistance to deformation, and increasing the recovery rate (52.26%). The long-term stability of W/O emulsions containing up to 60 wt% water was found to be more than 30 days. The increase in the aqueous phase led to droplet aggregation, which increased the viscosity (from 400 Pa·s to 2500 Pa·s), improved the structural strength of the emulsion, and increased the width of the linear viscoelastic region (from 1% strain to 5% strain). These findings provide some technical support for the further development of stable low-fat products.
Foaming with Starch: Exploring Faba Bean Aquafaba as a Green Alternative
Authors: Ramos-Figueroa Josseline S. , Tse Timothy J. , Shen Jianheng , Purdy Sarah K. , Kim Jae Kyeom , Kim Young Jun , Han Bok Kyung , Hong Ji Youn , Shim Youn Young , Reaney Martin J. T.
Published: September 2023

The demand for sustainable and functional plant-based products is on the rise. Plant proteins and polysaccharides often provide emulsification and stabilization properties to food and food ingredients. Recently, chickpea cooking water, also known as aquafaba, has gained popularity as a substitute for egg whites in sauces, food foams, and baked goods due to its foaming and emulsifying capacities. This study presents a modified eco-friendly process to obtain process water from faba beans and isolate and characterize the foam-inducing components. The isolated material exhibits similar functional properties, such as foaming capacity, to aquafaba obtained by cooking pulses. To isolate the foam-inducing component, the faba bean process water was mixed with anhydrous ethanol, and a precipitated fraction was obtained. The precipitate was easily dissolved, and solutions prepared with the alcohol precipitate retained the foaming capacity of the original extract. Enzymatic treatment with α-amylase or protease resulted in reduced foaming capacity, indicating that both protein and carbohydrates contribute to the foaming capacity. The dried precipitate was found to be 23% protein (consisting of vicilin, α-legumin, and β-legumin) and 77% carbohydrate (amylose). Future investigations into the chemical structure of this foam-inducing agent can inform the development of foaming agents through synthetic or enzymatic routes. Overall, this study provides a potential alternative to aquafaba and highlights the importance of exploring plant-based sources for functional ingredients in the food industry.
Probiotic Yeasts and How to Find Them—Polish Wines of Spontaneous Fermentation as Source for Potentially Probiotic Yeasts
Authors: Staniszewski Adam , Kordowska-Wiater Monika
Published: September 2023

One approach towards maintaining healthy microbiota in the human gastrointestinal tract is through the consumption of probiotics. Until now, the majority of probiotic research has focused on probiotic bacteria, but over the last few years more and more studies have demonstrated the probiotic properties of yeast, and also of species besides the well-studied Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii. Probiotic strains have to present the ability to survive in harsh conditions of the host body, like the digestive tract. Must fermentation might be an example of a similar harsh environment. In the presented study, we examined the probiotic potential of 44 yeast strains isolated from Polish wines. The tested isolates belonged to six species: Hanseniaspora uvarum, Pichia kluyveri, Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Metschnikowia ziziphicola, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Starmerella bacillaris. The tested strains were subjected to an assessment of probiotic properties, their safety and their other properties, such as enzymatic activity or antioxidant properties, in order to assess their potential usefulness as probiotic yeast candidates. Within the most promising strains were representatives of three species: H. uvarum, M. pulcherrima and S. cerevisiae. H. uvarum strains 15 and 16, as well as S. cerevisiae strain 37, showed, among other features, survivability in gastrointestinal tract conditions exceeding 100%, high hydrophobicity and autoaggregation, had no hemolytic activity and did not produce biogenic amines. The obtained results show that Polish wines might be a source of potential probiotic yeast candidates with perspectives for further research.
Clinical Factors Predicting Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 and Type 4 in Patients with Neuroendocrine Tumors
Authors: Faggiano Antongiulio , Fazzalari Beatrice , Mikovic Nevena , Russo Flaminia , Zamponi Virginia , Mazzilli Rossella , Guarnieri Vito , Piane Maria , Visco Vincenzo , Petrucci Simona
Published: September 2023

The aim of this study is to evaluate the predictive role of specific clinical factors for the diagnosis of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type-1 (MEN1) and type-4 (MEN4) in patients with an initial diagnosis of gastrointestinal, bronchial, or thymic neuroendocrine tumor (NET). Methods: Patients referred to the NET Unit between June 2021 and December 2022 with a diagnosis of NET and at least one clinical criterion of suspicion for MEN1 and MEN4 underwent molecular analysis of the MEN1 and CDKN1B genes. Phenotypic criteria were: (1) age ≤ 40 years; (2) NET multifocality; (3) MEN1/4-associated manifestations other than NETs; and (4) endocrine syndrome related to NETs or pituitary/adrenal tumors. Results: A total of 22 patients were studied. In 18 patients (81.8%), the first-level genetic test was negative (Group A), while four patients (25%) were positive for MEN1 (Group B). No patient was positive for MEN4. In Group A, 10 cases had only one clinical criterion, and three patients met three criteria. In Group B, three patients had three criteria, and one met all criteria. Conclusion: These preliminary data show that a diagnosis of NET in patients with a negative family history is suggestive of MEN1 in the presence of ≥three positive phenotypic criteria, including early age, multifocality, multiple MEN-associated manifestations, and endocrine syndromes. This indication may allow optimization of the diagnosis of MEN in patients with NET.
Land Use and Land Cover Changes in Kabul, Afghanistan Focusing on the Drivers Impacting Urban Dynamics during Five Decades 1973–2020
Authors: Hekmat Hayatullah , Ahmad Tauseef , Singh Suraj Kumar , Kanga Shruti , Meraj Gowhar , Kumar Pankaj
Published: September 2023

This study delves into the patterns of urban expansion in Kabul, using Landsat and Sentinel satellite imagery as primary tools for analysis. We classified land use and land cover (LULC) into five distinct categories: water bodies, vegetation, barren land, barren rocky terrain, and buildings. The necessary data processing and analysis was conducted using ERDAS Imagine v.2015 and ArcGIS 10.8 software. Our main objective was to scrutinize changes in LULC across five discrete decades. Additionally, we traced the long-term evolution of built-up areas in Kabul from 1973 to 2020. The classified satellite images revealed significant changes across all categories. For instance, the area of built-up land reduced from 29.91% in 2013 to 23.84% in 2020, while barren land saw a decrease from 33.3% to 28.4% over the same period. Conversely, the proportion of barren rocky terrain exhibited an increase from 22.89% in 2013 to 29.97% in 2020. Minor yet notable shifts were observed in the categories of water bodies and vegetated land use. The percentage of water bodies shrank from 2.51% in 2003 to 1.30% in 2013, and the extent of vegetated land use showed a decline from 13.61% in 2003 to 12.6% in 2013. Our study unveiled evolving land use patterns over time, with specific periods recording an increase in barren land and a slight rise in vegetated areas. These findings underscored the dynamic transformation of Kabul’s urban landscape over the years, with significant implications for urban planning and sustainability.
Implementation of the Displacement Discontinuity Method in Geotechnical Case Studies
Authors: Xiroudakis George , Saratsis George , Lazos Ilias
Published: September 2023

This paper uses the displacement discontinuity method, one of the boundary element methods, to solve two major engineering problems. The first one addresses the safe design of underground excavations in fractured rock masses. The implemented method was used to control the slip of discontinuities passing through a circular opening at 45°. Special contact elements were used to simulate a possible slip on the cracks. At the same time, stress intensity factors (SIFs) were calculated using the gradient elasticity theory (special tip elements where numerical integrations are needed were excluded). The crack propagation due to shear slip occurrence was defined using the criterion of maximum tangential stress at an angle of 71° from the initial crack direction. The second one involved in the crack’s propagation was solved by applying pressure to the circular opening, while a part of it was transferred to the cracks, approximating the mechanism of hydraulic fracture. Finally, the implementation of higher elasticity elements in the cracks provided an accurate estimation of SIFs, showing an error of about 4%, as confirmed by comparisons with existing type I loading solutions.
Vermicompost Improves Tomato Yield and Quality by Promoting Carbohydrate Transport to Fruit under Salt Stress
Authors: Wu Di , Chen Chunlan , Liu Yifei , Zhang Guoxian , Yang Lijuan
Published: September 2023

To explore the effect of vermicompost on the yield and quality of tomato cultivated in salty soil, we investigated the soil chemical properties, the yield, vitamin C, organic acid, soluble solids, and nitrate of fruit, photosynthesis, and carbohydrates of plants grown under various salt levels applied with the application of either commercial chemical fertilizers, cow manure, or vermicompost. Results showed that the tomato yield was not increased from the chemical fertilizer application, while there was an increase from the cow manure and vermicompost (increased 31.7% and 65.2%, respectively) under salt stress. Compared to no salt stress, the contents of vitamin C, organic acid, soluble solids, and nitrate increased 26.55%, 40.59%, 46.31%, and 35.08%, respectively, under salt stress (2 g NaCl·kg−1 soil). Compared with the Control, the application of chemical fertilizers failed to improve the sugar/acid ratio but increased nitrate content, while cow manure and vermicompost improved the sugar/acid ratio by 42.0% and 73.1%, respectively. Particularly, vermicompost increased vitamin C and reduced nitrate to the greatest extent among the different fertilizer treatments. The decrease in sodium (Na+) in the roots and leaves, increase in carbohydrates in fruit, and photosynthetic efficiency of leaves imply an amendment effect of vermicompost on salt stress. Moreover, vermicompost also facilitated the transit of carbohydrates from leaves to fruits by increasing the accumulation of nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium in fruits, leaves, and roots, while decreasing proline and soluble protein accumulation in leaves and roots. In conclusion, vermicompost could alleviate the adverse effect of salt stress and improve tomato yield and fruit quality by improving the photosynthetic capacity and promoting carbohydrate transport to fruit. The findings give a new perspective on the beneficial effect of vermicompost on tomato yield and quality.
Identification of Fusarium solani f. sp. cucurbitae Causing Zucchini Fruit Rot in Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Yang Yongqing , Li Zhengnan , Sun Hongxia , Jian Caiyuan , Zhang Qingping , Li Ziqin
Published: September 2023

Fruit rot is one of the major diseases impacting the production and quality of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo). In August 2021, fruit rot symptoms were observed on the zucchini fruit ‘Jindi 1’ in the Wuyuan region in Inner Mongolia, China with an incidence ranging from 10% to 30%. Where the pepo was in contact with the soil, dark grey and spongy corky lesions 4–5 cm in diameter with a light brown halo were observed. The internal necrosis of the fruit rind was also recorded. From the affected fruits, fungal colonies belonging to the Fusarium species were exclusively isolated. Molecular analysis of the ITS, TEF-1α, and RPB2 sequences identified the isolates as Fusarium solani f. sp. cucurbitae. Inoculated on ‘Jindi 1’, the strain Fx-1a induced typical fruit rot on the pepo and wilting on seedlings, while negative-controls remained asymptomatic. The impact of this disease on seed quality and yield in zucchini seed production needs to be further studied.
Design of LPSO Phases in Mg-Y-Ni Alloys to Impact Hydrogenation Kinetics
Authors: Nicholson Kyle S. , Skripnyuk Vladimir , Xu Chunjie , Gao Xiang , Rabkin Eugen , Hodgson Peter D. , Lapovok Rimma
Published: September 2023

A series of Mg-Y-Ni alloys with different volume fractions of long-period stacking-ordered (LPSO) phase were prepared, by controlling the alloy composition, heat treatment, and single-pass extrusion, to assess the influence of increasing LPSO phase volume fraction on the hydrogen absorption and desorption properties of the extruded alloys. The LPSO phase volume fraction in the alloys increased with increasing solute concentration, from ~24% LPSO in Mg97Y2Ni1 (at.%) to ~60% LPSO in Mg93Y4Ni3 (at.%) up to ~92% LPSO in Mg91Y5Ni4 (at.%). The most refined microstructure was obtained in the alloy with highest volume fraction of LPSO phase. After 100 s at 300 °C, the Mg91Y5Ni4 alloy absorbed 4.6 ± 0.2 wt.% H while the Mg97Y2Ni1 and Mg93Y4Ni3 alloys each absorbed 3.8 ± 0.2 wt.% H. After 10,000 s at 300 °C, all three alloys had absorbed a maximum of 5.3 ± 0.2 wt.% H with no further significant difference in hydrogen absorption kinetics. The Mg91Y5Ni4 alloy desorbed 1.8 ± 0.2 wt.% H after 100 s at 300 °C against a vacuum while the Mg97Y2Ni1 and Mg93Y4Ni3 alloys desorbed 0.8 ± 0.2 wt. H and 0.6 ± 0.2 wt.% H, respectively. After 10,000 s at 300 °C, the Mg91Y5Ni4 and Mg97Y2Ni1 alloys completely desorbed 5.2 ± 0.2 wt.% H and 5.4 ± 0.2 wt.% H, respectively, but the Mg93Y4Ni3 alloy desorbed only 3.7 ± 0.2 wt.% H. Hydrogen absorption and desorption kinetics were fastest in the Mg91Y5Ni4 alloy with the highest LPSO volume fraction, but no consistent trend with LPSO phase volume fraction was observed with the Mg93Y4Ni3 alloy, which showed the slowest absorption and desorption kinetics. The hydrogen pressures corresponding to metal–hydride equilibrium did not vary with LPSO phase volume fraction or alloy composition, indicating that the (de)hydrogenation thermodynamics were not significantly changed in any of the alloys. Hydrogen absorption experiments with thin foils, made of extruded Mg91Y5Ni4 alloy with the highest LPSO phase fraction, demonstrated that the LPSO structures decompose into Mg phase, Mg2Ni phase, lamellar Mg/Mg-Y structures, and YHx particles. This study shows that hydrogen kinetics can be impacted in Mg-Y-Ni alloys by controlling the LPSO phases using common metallurgical techniques.
Metagenomic Insight into the Microbiome and Virome Associated with Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes in Manado (North Sulawesi, Indonesia)
Authors: Bernadus Janno Berty Bradly , Pelealu Jantje , Kandou Grace Debbie , Pinaria Arthur Gehart , Mamahit Juliet Merry Eva , Tallei Trina Ekawati
Published: September 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate the microbial diversity encompassing bacteria, fungi, and viruses within the composite microbial community associated with Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Manado, Indonesia, using a whole-genome shotgun metagenomics approach. Female mosquitoes were collected and grouped into pools of 50 individuals, from which genomic DNA (gDNA) and RNA were extracted separately. Whole-genome shotgun metagenomics were performed on gDNA samples. The bioinformatics analysis encompassed quality assessment, taxonomic classification, and visualization. The evaluation of the microbial community entailed an assessment of taxa abundance and diversity using Kraken version 2.1.2. The study delineated the prevalence of dominant bacterial phyla, including Proteobacteria, with varying abundance of Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, and Actinobacteria, and notable occurrence of Tenericutes. Furthermore, the presence of the fungal phylum Ascomycota was also detected. Among the identified barcodes, Barcode04 emerged as the most abundant and diverse, while Barcode06 exhibited greater evenness. Barcode03, 05, and 07 displayed moderate richness and diversity. Through an analysis of the relative abundance, a spectrum of viruses within Ae. aegypti populations was unveiled, with Negarnaviricota constituting the most prevalent phylum, followed by Nucleocytoviricota, Uroviricota, Artverviricota, Kitrinoviricota, Peploviricota, Phixviricota, and Cossaviricota. The presence of Negarnaviricota viruses raises pertinent public health concerns. The presence of other viral phyla underscores the intricate nature of virus–mosquito interactions. The analysis of viral diversity provides valuable insights into the range of viruses carried by Ae. aegypti. The community exhibits low biodiversity, with a few dominant species significantly influencing its composition. This has implications for healthcare and ecological management, potentially simplifying control measures but also posing risks if the dominant species are harmful. This study enriches our comprehension of the microbiome and virome associated with Ae. aegypti mosquitoes, emphasizing the importance of further research to fully comprehend their ecological significance and impact on public health. The findings shed light on the microbial ecology of Ae. aegypti, offering potential insights into mosquito biology, disease transmission, and strategies for vector control. Future studies should endeavor to establish specific associations with Ae. aegypti, elucidate the functional roles of the identified microbial and viral species, and investigate their ecological implications.
Light-Dependent Control of Metabolism in Plants
Authors: Kocsy Gábor , Müller Maria
Published: September 2023

The energy of sunlight is converted into chemical energy during photosynthesis in plants [...]
Blocking CCN2 Reduces Established Palmar Neuromuscular Fibrosis and Improves Function Following Repetitive Overuse Injury
Authors: Lambi Alex G. , DeSante Robert J. , Patel Parth R. , Hilliard Brendan A. , Popoff Steven N. , Barbe Mary F.
Published: September 2023

The matricellular protein cell communication factor 2/connective tissue growth factor (CCN2/CTGF) is critical to development of neuromuscular fibrosis. Here, we tested whether anti-CCN2 antibody treatment will reduce established forepaw fibro-degenerative changes and improve function in a rat model of overuse injury. Adult female rats performed a high repetition high force (HRHF) task for 18 weeks. Tissues were collected from one subset after 18 wks (HRHF-Untreated). Two subsets were provided 6 wks of rest with concurrent treatment with anti-CCN2 (HRHF-Rest/anti-CCN2) or IgG (HRHF-Rest/IgG). Results were compared to IgG-treated Controls. Forepaw muscle fibrosis, neural fibrosis and entheseal damage were increased in HRHF-Untreated rats, compared to Controls, and changes were ameliorated in HRHF-Rest/anti-CCN2 rats. Anti-CCN2 treatment also reduced phosphorylated-β-catenin (pro-fibrotic protein) in muscles and distal bone/entheses complex, and increased CCN3 (anti-fibrotic) in the same tissues, compared to HRHF-Untreated rats. Grip strength declines and mechanical sensitivity observed in HRHF-Untreated improved with rest; grip strength improved further in HRHF-Rest/anti-CCN2. Grip strength declines correlated with muscle fibrosis, entheseal damage, extraneural fibrosis, and decreased nerve conduction velocity, while enhanced mechanical sensitivity (a pain-related behavior) correlated with extraneural fibrosis. These studies demonstrate that blocking CCN2 signaling reduces established forepaw neuromuscular fibrosis and entheseal damage, which improves forepaw function, following overuse injury.
Highly Porous Carbon Materials Derived from Silicon Oxycarbides and Effect of the Pyrolysis Temperature on Their Electrochemical Response
Authors: Merida Jose , Colomer Maria T. , Rubio Fausto , Mazo M. Alejandra
Published: September 2023

The design of a material porous microstructure with interconnected micro-meso-macropores is a key issue for the successful development of carbon-derived materials for supercapacitor applications. Another important issue is the nature of these carbon materials. For those reasons, in this study, novel hierarchical micro-meso-macroporous silicon oxycarbide-derived carbon (SiOC-DC) was obtained via chlorine etching of carbon-enriched SiOC prepared via pyrolysis (1100–1400 °C) of sol-gel triethoxysilane/dimethyldiphenysiloxane hybrids. In addition, and for the first time, non-conventional Raman parameters combined with the analysis of their microstructural characteristics were considered to establish their relationships with their electrochemical response. The sample pyrolyzed at 1100 °C showed planar and less-defective carbon domains together with the largest specific surface area (SSA) and the highest volume of micro-meso-macropores, which upgraded their electrochemical response. This sample has the highest specific capacitance (Cs = 101 Fg−1 (0.2 Ag−1)), energy (Ed = 12–7 Wh−1 kg−1), and power densities (Pd = 0.32–35 kw kg−1), showing a good capacitance retention ratio up to 98% after 10,000 charge–discharge cycles at 0.5 Ag−1. At a pyrolysis temperature ≥ 1200 °C, the carbon domains were highly ordered and tortuous with a high degree of interconnection. However, SSA and pore volumes (micro-meso-macropores) were significantly reduced and downgraded the Cs, Ed, and Pd values.
Hemostatically Active Proteinase Produced by Aspergillus ochraceus: Key Specific Properties and Effect on Target Proteins
Authors: Osmolovskiy Alexander A. , Kreyer Valeriana G.
Published: September 2023

The effect of A. ochraceus proteinase on the proteins of the human hemostasis system, fibrin, fibrinogen, plasminogen, protein C, and factor X, was studied. These proteins are key targets for proteolytic enzymes in therapy and diagnosis of thromboembolic complications. It was shown that A. ochraceus proteinase efficiently cleaves fibrin and fibrinogen, but does not act precisely, since it cuts all three subunits of these proteins. The proteinase did not have an activating effect on the plasminogen, a precursor of plasminogen and plasmin. The proteinase of A. ochraceus was shown to be the first fungal proteinase with proven activating activity towards the human hemostasis system factors protein C and factor X. For protein C activation, A. ochraceus proteinase requires Ca2+ ions. The enzyme was found to be sensitive to thrombin inhibitors, but not to plasmin inhibitors. A proteolytic action profile of the scope of this proteinase as a proteinase with activating protein C, factor X, and plasmin-like activity was proposed.