bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploration of the Biocontrol Activity of Bacillus atrophaeus Strain HF1 against Pear Valsa Canker Caused by Valsa pyri
Authors: Yuan Hongbo , Shi Bingke , Wang Zhuoni , Qin Genhong , Hou Hui , Tu Hongtao , Wang Li
Published: October 2023

Valsa pyri-induced pear Valsa canker is among the most prevalent diseases to impact pear quality and yields. Biocontrol strategies to control plant disease represent an attractive alternative to the application of fungicides. In this study, the potential utility of Bacillus atrophaeus strain HF1 was assessed as a biocontrol agent against pear Valsa canker. Strain HF1 suppressed V. pyri mycelium growth by 61.20% and induced the development of malformed hyphae. Both culture filtrate and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) derived from strain HF1 were able to antagonize V. pyri growth. Treatment with strain HF1-derived culture filtrate or VOCs also induced the destruction of hyphal cell membranes. Headspace mixtures prepared from strain HF1 were analyzed, leading to the identification of 27 potential VOCs. Of the thirteen pure chemicals tested, iberverin, hexanoic acid, and 2-methylvaleraldehyde exhibited the strongest antifungal effects on V. pyri, with respective EC50 values of 0.30, 6.65, and 74.07 μL L−1. Fumigation treatment of pear twigs with each of these three compounds was also sufficient to prevent the development of pear Valsa canker. As such, these results demonstrate that B. atrophaeus strain HF1 and the volatile compounds iberverin, hexanoic acid, and 2-methylvaleraldehyde exhibit promise as novel candidate biocontrol agents against pear Valsa canker.
Garden Cress Seed Oil Abrogates Testicular Oxidative Injury and NF-kB-Mediated Inflammation in Diabetic Mice
Authors: Abu-Khudir Rasha , Badr Gehan M. , Abd El-Moaty Heba Ibrahim , Hamad Rabab S. , Al Abdulsalam Najla K. , Abdelrahem Aml Sayed Ali , Alqarni Saleha , Alkuwayti Mayyadah Abdullah , Salam Sherine Abdel , Abd El-Kareem Hanaa F.
Published: October 2023

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder associated with various complications encompassing male reproductive dysfunction. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of biologically active Lepidium sativum seed oil (LSO) against the testicular dysfunction associated with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Male adults (n = 24) were divided into four groups: control, LSO-administered, diabetic (D), and LSO-treated diabetic (D+LSO) groups. LSO was extracted from L. sativum seeds, and its chemical composition was determined using GC-MS. Serum testosterone levels, testicular enzymatic antioxidants (catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)), an oxidative stress (OS) biomarker, malondialdehyde (MDA), pro-inflammatory markers (NF-kB, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α), and the expression level of NF-kB were assessed. In addition, histopathological changes were evaluated in testicular tissues. The results obtained showed that the chemical composition of LSO indicated its enrichment mainly with γ-tocopherol (62.1%), followed by 2-methylhexacosane (8.12%), butylated hydroxytoluene (8.04%), 10-Methylnonadecane (4.81%), and δ-tocopherol (3.91%). Moreover, LSO administration in the D+LSO mice significantly increased testosterone levels and ameliorated the observed testicular oxidative damage, inflammatory response, and reduced NF-kB expression compared to the diabetic mice. Biochemical and molecular analyses confirmed the histological results. In conclusion, LSO may prevent the progression of diabetes-induced impairment in the testes through inhibition of the OS- and NF-kB-mediated inflammatory response.
Biological Characteristics and Functional Analysis of the Linoleic Acid Synthase Gene ZjFAD2 in Jujube
Authors: Jiang Junjun , Shi Qianqian , Li Xi , He Xueying , Wu Cuiyun , Li Xingang
Published: October 2023

Jujube fruit is rich in linoleic acid and other bioactive components and has great potential to be used for the development of functional foods. However, the roles of FAD2 genes in linoleic acid biosynthesis in jujube fruit remain unclear. Here, we identified 15 major components in jujube and found that linoleic acid was the main unsaturated fatty acid; major differences in the content and distribution of linoleic acid in the pulp and seeds were observed, and levels of linoleic acid decreased during fruit maturation. Analysis of the fatty acid metabolome, genome, and gene expression patterns of cultivated and wild-type jujube revealed five ZjFAD2 family members highly related to linoleic acid biosynthesis. The heterologous expression of these five ZjFAD2 family members in tobacco revealed that all five of these genes increased the content of linoleic acid. Additionally, transient expression of these genes in jujube fruit and the virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) test further confirmed the key roles of ZjFAD2-11 and ZjFAD2-1 in the biosynthesis of linoleic acid. The results of this research provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanism underlying linoleic acid synthesis in jujube and will aid the development of quality-oriented breeding strategies.
Exploring the Role of the Plant Actin Cytoskeleton: From Signaling to Cellular Functions
Authors: Yuan Guoqiang , Gao Huanhuan , Yang Tao
Published: October 2023

The plant actin cytoskeleton is characterized by the basic properties of dynamic array, which plays a central role in numerous conserved processes that are required for diverse cellular functions. Here, we focus on how actins and actin-related proteins (ARPs), which represent two classical branches of a greatly diverse superfamily of ATPases, are involved in fundamental functions underlying signal regulation of plant growth and development. Moreover, we review the structure, assembly dynamics, and biological functions of filamentous actin (F-actin) from a molecular perspective. The various accessory proteins known as actin-binding proteins (ABPs) partner with F-actin to finely tune actin dynamics, often in response to various cell signaling pathways. Our understanding of the significance of the actin cytoskeleton in vital cellular activities has been furthered by comparison of conserved functions of actin filaments across different species combined with advanced microscopic techniques and experimental methods. We discuss the current model of the plant actin cytoskeleton, followed by examples of the signaling mechanisms under the supervision of F-actin related to cell morphogenesis, polar growth, and cytoplasmic streaming. Determination of the theoretical basis of how the cytoskeleton works is important in itself and is beneficial to future applications aimed at improving crop biomass and production efficiency.
Unraveling the Immunopathological Landscape of Celiac Disease: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Patt Yonatan Shneor , Lahat Adi , David Paula , Patt Chen , Eyade Rowand , Sharif Kassem
Published: October 2023

Celiac disease (CD) presents a complex interplay of both innate and adaptive immune responses that drive a variety of pathological manifestations. Recent studies highlight the role of immune-mediated pathogenesis, pinpointing the involvement of antibodies against tissue transglutaminases (TG2, TG3, TG6), specific HLA molecules (DQ2/8), and the regulatory role of interleukin-15, among other cellular and molecular pathways. These aspects illuminate the systemic nature of CD, reflecting its wide-reaching impact that extends beyond gastrointestinal symptoms to affect other physiological systems and giving rise to a range of pathological landscapes, including refractory CD (RCD) and, in severe cases, enteropathy-associated T cell lymphoma. The existing primary therapeutic strategy, a gluten-free diet (GFD), poses significant challenges, such as low adherence rates, necessitating alternative treatments. Emerging therapies target various stages of the disease pathology, from preventing immunogenic gluten peptide absorption to enhancing intestinal epithelial integrity and modulating the immune response, heralding potential breakthroughs in CD management. As the understanding of CD deepens, novel therapeutic avenues are emerging, paving the way for more effective and sophisticated treatment strategies with the aim of enhancing the quality of life of CD patients. This review aims to delineate the immunopathology of CD and exploring its implications on other systems, its complications and the development of novel treatments.
RETRACTED: Beta-Caryophyllene, a Plant-Derived CB2 Receptor Agonist, Protects SH-SY5Y Cells from Cadmium-Induced Toxicity
Authors: Mannino Federica , Pallio Giovanni , Imbesi Chiara , Scarfone Alessandro , Puzzolo Domenico , Micali Antonio , Freni José , Squadrito Francesco , Bitto Alessandra , Minutoli Letteria , Irrera Natasha
Published: October 2023

Cadmium (Cd) is a transition heavy metal that is able to accumulate in the central nervous system and may induce cell death through reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated mechanisms and inactivating the antioxidant processes, becoming an important risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. The antioxidant effects of cannabinoid receptor modulation have been extensively described, and, in particular, β-Caryophyllene (BCP), a plant-derived cannabinoid 2 receptor (CB2R) agonist, not only showed significant antioxidant properties but also anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and neuroprotective effects. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate BCP effects in a model of Cd-induced toxicity in the neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line used to reproduce Cd intoxication in humans. SH-SY5Y cells were pre-treated with BCP (25, 50, and 100 μM) for 24 h. The day after, cells were challenged with cadmium chloride (CdCl2; 10 μM) for 24 h to induce neuronal toxicity. CdCl2 increased ROS accumulation, and BCP treatment significantly reduced ROS production at concentrations of 50 and 100 μM. In addition, CdCl2 significantly decreased the protein level of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) compared to unstimulated cells; the treatment with BCP at a concentration of 50 μM markedly increased Nrf2 expression, thus confirming the BCP anti-oxidant effect. Moreover, BCP treatment preserved cells from death, regulated the apoptosis pathway, and showed a significant anti-inflammatory effect, thus reducing the pro-inflammatory cytokines increased by the CdCl2 challenge. The results indicated that BCP preserved neuronal damage induced by Cd and might represent a future candidate for protection in neurotoxic conditions.
Variation in Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase Beta Gene and Its Effect on Carcass and Meat Traits in Gannan Yaks
Authors: Zhu Chune , Qi Youpeng , Wang Xiangyan , Mi Baohong , Cui Changze , Chen Shaopeng , Zhao Zhidong , Zhao Fangfang , Liu Xiu , Wang Jiqing , Shi Bingang , Hu Jiang
Published: October 2023

Acetyl-CoA carboxylase beta (ACACB) is a functional candidate gene that impacts fat deposition. In the present study, we sequenced exon 37–intron 37, exon 46–intron 46, and intron 47 of yak ACACB using hybrid pool sequencing to search for variants and genotyped the gene in 593 Gannan yaks via Kompetitive allele-specific polymerase chain (KASP) reaction to determine the effect of ACACB variants on carcass and meat quality traits. Seven single nucleotide polymorphisms were detected in three regions. Eight effective haplotypes and ten diplotypes were constructed. Among them, a missense variation g.50421 A > G was identified in exon 37 of ACACB, resulting in an amino acid shift from serine to glycine. Correlation analysis revealed that this variation was associated with the cooking loss rate and yak carcass weight (p = 0.024 and 0.012, respectively). The presence of haplotypes H5 and H6 decreased Warner–Bratzler shear force (p = 0.049 and 0.006, respectively), whereas that of haplotypes H3 and H4 increased cooking loss rate and eye muscle area (p = 0.004 and 0.034, respectively). Moreover, the presence of haplotype H8 decreased the drip loss rate (p = 0.019). The presence of one and two copies of haplotypes H1 and H8 decreased the drip loss rate (p = 0.028 and 0.004, respectively). However, haplotype H1 did not decrease hot carcass weight (p = 0.011), whereas H3 increased the cooking loss rate (p = 0.007). The presence of one and two copies of haplotype H6 decreased Warner–Bratzler shear force (p = 0.014). The findings of the present study suggest that genetic variations in ACACB can be a preferable biomarker for improving yak meat quality.
Deep-Learning-Based Multitask Ultrasound Beamforming
Authors: Dahan Elay , Cohen Israel
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we present a new method for multitask learning applied to ultrasound beamforming. Beamforming is a critical component in the ultrasound image formation pipeline. Ultrasound images are constructed using sensor readings from multiple transducer elements, with each element typically capturing multiple acquisitions per frame. Hence, the beamformer is crucial for framerate performance and overall image quality. Furthermore, post-processing, such as image denoising, is usually applied to the beamformed image to achieve high clarity for diagnosis. This work shows a fully convolutional neural network that can learn different tasks by applying a new weight normalization scheme. We adapt our model to both high frame rate requirements by fitting weight normalization parameters for the sub-sampling task and image denoising by optimizing the normalization parameters for the speckle reduction task. Our model outperforms single-angle delay and sum on pixel-level measures for speckle noise reduction, subsampling, and single-angle reconstruction.
Biotechnical Control of Varroa in Honey Bee Colonies: A Trade-Off between Sustainable Beekeeping and Profitability?
Authors: Vercelli Monica , Croce Luca , Mancuso Teresina
Published: October 2023

Beekeeping faces several challenges, such as the Varroa mite. Few studies have measured the economic performance of farms in relation to the practices used for Varroa control. Our study analyzed various biotechniques (total brood removal, TBR; queen caging, QC; royal cell insertion, CI) and other methods (chemical treatments, CT; thymol use, THY) adopted by Italian beekeepers to show whether the adoption of biotechniques leads to farm profitability or a necessary trade-off between sustainability and profitability. Beekeepers were interviewed about the methods and operations conducted on their farms. The net incomes (NIs) of the farms were calculated and inter- and intrafarm comparisons were performed. A detailed schema of each practice was designed. The net income derived from TBR was the highest in eight out of the nine case studies, followed by CI and then QC. The NI calculated for farms using CT was lower than that for farms using other methods in two of the case studies. We also analyzed different biotechniques applied by the same farm and found that the NI resulting from TBR was higher than that achieved from the use of QC and CI. Our study suggests that use of biotechniques represents a long-term sustainable solution for reducing the level of Varroa infestation, which affects farm net income.
Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion versus Novel Oral Anticoagulation for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation—One-Year Survival
Authors: Tiosano Shmuel , Banai Ariel , Mulla Wesam , Goldenberg Ido , Bayshtok Gabriella , Amit Uri , Shlomo Nir , Nof Eyal , Rosso Raphael , Glikson Michael , Guetta Victor , Barbash Israel , Beinart Roy
Published: October 2023

Aim To compare the 1-year survival rate of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) following left atrial appendage occluder (LAAO) implantation vs. treatment with novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs). Methods: We have conducted an indirect, retrospective comparison between LAAO and NOAC registries. The LAAO registry is a national prospective cohort of 419 AF patients who underwent percutaneous LAAO between January 2008 and October 2015. The NOACs registry is a multicenter prospective cohort of 3138 AF patients treated with NOACs between November 2015 and August 2018. Baseline patient characteristics were retrospectively collected from coded diagnoses of hospitalization and outpatient clinic notes. Follow-up data was sorted from coded diagnoses and the national civil registry. Subjects were matched according to propensity score. Baseline characteristics were compared using Chi-Square and student’s t-test. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves, log-rank test, and multivariable Cox regression, adjusting for possible confounding variables. Results: This study included 114 subjects who underwent LAAO implantation and 342 subjects treated with NOACs. The mean age of participants was 77.9 ± 7.44 and 77.1 ± 11.2 years in the LAAO and NOAC groups, respectively (p = 0.4). The LAAO group had 70 (61%) men compared to 202 (59%) men in the NOAC group (p = 0.74). No significant differences were found in baseline comorbidities, renal function, or CHA2DS2-VASc score. One-year mortality was observed in 5 (4%) patients and 32 (9%) patients of the LAAO and NOAC groups, respectively. After adjusting for confounders, LAAO was significantly associated with a lower risk for 1-year mortality (HR 0.38, 95%CI 0.14–0.99). In patients with impaired renal function, this difference was even more prominent (HR 0.21 for creatinine clearance (CrCl) < 60 mL/min). Conclusions: In a pooled analysis of two registries, we found a significantly lower risk for 1-year mortality in patients with AF who were implanted with LAAO than those treated with NOACs. This finding was more prominent in patients with impaired renal function. Future prospective direct studies should further investigate the efficacy and adverse effects of both treatment strategies.
Vascular Complications Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation, Using MANTA (Collagen Plug-Based) versus PROSTAR (Suture-Based), from a French Single-Center Retrospective Registry
Authors: Benic Clément , Nicol Pierre Philippe , Hannachi Sinda , Gilard Martine , Didier Romain , Nasr Bahaa
Published: October 2023

TAVI requires a large-bore arteriotomy. Closure is usually performed by the suture system. Some studies report a vascular complication rate of up to 21%. MANTA is a recently developed percutaneous closure system dedicated to large caliber vessels based on an anchoring system. Early studies report a lower rate of vascular complications with MANTA devices. This single-center retrospective study included all patients who underwent femoral TAVI at the Brest University Hospital from 20 November 2019 to 31 March 2021. The primary endpoint is the rate of vascular complications (major and minor) pre and post-TAVI procedure. In total, 264 patients were included. There were no significant differences in vascular complications (major and minor) between the two groups (13.6% in the MANTA group versus 21.2% in the PROSTAR group; p = 0.105), although there was a tendency to have fewer minor vascular complications in the Manta group (12.1% versus 20.5%; p = 0.067). Manta was associated with a lower rate of bleeding complications (3.8% versus 15.2%; p = 0.002), predominantly minor complications with fewer closure failures (4.5% versus 13.6%; p = 0.01), less use of covered stents (4.5% versus 12.9%; p = 0.016), and with no difference in the need for vascular surgery compared to the Prostar group (1.5% versus 2.3%; p = 0.652). On the other hand, Manta was associated with a higher rate of femoral stenosis (4.5% versus 0%; p = 0.013) without clinical significance (1.5% versus 0%; p = 0.156). The Manta and Prostar devices are equivalent in terms of vascular complications. The Manta, compared to the Prostar, is associated with fewer bleeding complications.
The Influence of Slice Thickness, Sharpness, and Contrast Adjustments on Inferior Alveolar Canal Segmentation on Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Scans: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Issa Julien , Riad Abanoub , Olszewski Raphael , Dyszkiewicz-Konwińska Marta
Published: October 2023

This retrospective study aims to investigate the impact of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) viewing parameters such as contrast, slice thickness, and sharpness on the identification of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAC). A total of 25 CBCT scans, resulting in 50 IACs, were assessed by two investigators using a three-score system (good, average, and poor) on cross-sectional images. Slice thicknesses of 0.25 mm, 0.5 mm, and 1 mm were tested, along with varying sharpness (0, 6, 8, and 10) and contrast (0, 400, 800, and 1200) settings. The results were statistically analyzed to determine the optimal slice thickness for improved visibility of IAC, followed by evaluating the influence of sharpness and contrast using the optimal thickness. The identified parameters were then validated by performing semi-automated segmentation of the IACs and structure overlapping to evaluate the mean distance. Inter-rater and intra-rater reliability were assessed using Kappa statistics, and inferential statistics used Pearson’s Chi-square test. Inter-rater and intra-rater reliability for all parameters were significant, ranging from 69% to 83%. A slice thickness of 0.25 mm showed consistently “good” visibility (80%). Sharpness values of zero and contrast values of 1200 also demonstrated high frequencies of “good” visibility. Overlap analysis resulted in an average mean distance of 0.295 mm and a standard deviation of 0.307 mm across all patients’ sides. The study revealed that a slice thickness of 0.25 mm, zero sharpness value, and higher contrast value of 1200 improved the visibility and accuracy of IAC segmentation in CBCT scans. The individual patient’s characteristics, such as anatomical variations, decreased bone density, and absence of canal walls cortication, should be considered when using these parameters.
Breast Cancer Tissue Explants: An Approach to Develop Personalized Therapy in Public Health Services
Authors: Carranza-Rosales Pilar , Valencia-Mercado Daniel , Esquivel-Hernández Olga , González-Geroniz Manuel Ismael , Bañuelos-García José Inocente , Castruita-Ávila Ana Lilia , Sánchez-Prieto Mario Alberto , Viveros-Valdez Ezequiel , Morán-Martínez Javier , Balderas-Rentería Isaías , Guzmán-Delgado Nancy Elena , Carranza-Torres Irma Edith
Published: October 2023

Breast cancer is one of the main causes of death worldwide. Lately, there is great interest in developing methods that assess individual sensitivity and/or resistance of tumors to antineoplastics to provide personalized therapy for patients. In this study we used organotypic culture of human breast tumor slices to predict the experimental effect of antineoplastics on the viability of tumoral tissue. Samples of breast tumor were taken from 27 patients with clinically advanced breast cancer; slices were obtained and incubated separately for 48 h with paclitaxel, docetaxel, epirubicin, 5-fluorouracil, cyclophosphamide, and cell culture media (control). We determined an experimental tumor sensitivity/resistance (S/R) profile by evaluating tissue viability using the Alamar Blue® metabolic test, and by structural viability (histopathological analyses, necrosis, and inflammation). These parameters were related to immunohistochemical expression of the estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. The predominant histological type found was infiltrating ductal carcinoma (85.2%), followed by lobular carcinoma (7.4%) and mixed carcinoma (7.4%). Experimental drug resistance was related to positive hormone receptor status in 83% of samples treated with cyclophosphamide (p = 0.027). Results suggest that the tumor S/R profile can help to predict personalized therapy or optimize chemotherapeutic treatments in breast cancer.
A Comparative Study of Perceptions of Destination Image Based on Content Mining: Fengjing Ancient Town and Zhaojialou Ancient Town as Examples
Authors: Ding Jiahui , Tao Zheng , Hou Mingming , Chen Dan , Wang Ling
Published: October 2023

Ancient canal towns in Jiangnan have become important tourist destinations due to their unique water town scenery and historical value. Creating a unique tourist image boosts these ancient towns’ competitive edge in tourism and contributes significantly to their preservation and growth. The vast amount of data from social media has become an essential source for uncovering tourism perceptions. This study takes two ancient towns in Shanghai, Zhaojialou and Fengjing, as case study areas. In order to explore and compare the destination images of the towns, in the perception of tourists and in official publicity, machine learning approaches like word embedding and K-means clustering are adopted to process the comments on Sina Weibo and publicity articles, and statistical analysis and correspondence analysis are used for comparative study. The results reveal the following: (1) Using k-means clustering, destination perceptions were categorized into 16 groups spanning three dimensions, “space, activity, and sentiment”, with the most keywords in “activity” and the fewest in “sentiment”. (2) The perception of tourists often differs significantly from the official promotional materials. Official promotions place a strong emphasis on shaping the image of ancient towns based on their historical resources, presenting a more general picture. Tourist perception, which is fragmented, highlights emerging elements and the experiential activities, along with the corresponding emotional experiences. (3) Comparing the two towns, Fengjing Ancient Town stands out, with more diverse tourist perceptions and richer emotional experiences. This underscores the effectiveness of tourism activities that use space as a media to evoke emotions, surpassing the impact of the spaces themselves.
Identification of Inefficient Urban Land for Urban Regeneration Considering Land Use Differentiation
Authors: Jin Rui , Huang Chunyuan , Wang Pei , Ma Junyong , Wan Yiliang
Published: October 2023

Accurately identifying inefficient urban land is essential for urban regeneration and mining underutilized assets. Previous studies have primarily focused on examining the overall efficiency of land use without adequately considering the heterogeneity of urban land use types and comprehensive characteristics of urban quality. As a result, the spatial accuracy and precision of research findings have been relatively low. To address this gap, we developed a comprehensive method to identify inefficient urban lands for residential, commercial, and industrial use. The method integrated multi-source geographic data to quantitatively characterize the efficiency of different land use types considering six key dimensions, including building attribute, urban service, transportation condition, environmental quality, business performance, and production efficiency, utilized principal component analysis to reduce the multicollinearity and the dimensionality of the data, and identified land clusters with similar features that were inefficiently used by means of hierarchical clustering. By applying the method to Changsha, China, we validated its effectiveness. The results demonstrate that the method can accurately identify inefficient residential, commercial, and industrial land, with kappa coefficients of 0.71, 0.77, and 0.68, respectively. The identification results reveal the spatial distribution patterns of different types of inefficient land. Inefficient residential land is concentrated towards the city center, particularly in central areas. Inefficient commercial land is relatively evenly distributed, mainly outside the core commercial regions. Inefficient industrial land clusters towards the periphery, forming several agglomeration areas centered around industrial parks. By precisely identifying inefficient urban land and focusing on the key influencing factors, the proposed method enables the site selection of urban regeneration, site redevelopment evaluation, and optimization of urban resources.
The ‘Ands’ and ‘Buts’ in Kahlil Gibran’s English Works: A Corpus Stylistics Perspective
Authors: Khachan Victor
Published: October 2023

The sentence-initial coordinating conjunctions (and, but), referred to in the literature as SIA and SIB, have been well established as discourse markers beyond their syntactic function as connectors of related propositions. In reference to the proof-editing process of The Prophet, Kahlil Gibran’s most internationally acclaimed work in English, records show that Gibran tends to “overuse” “Ands” and “Buts”. In this context, this study traces Gibran’s use of sentence-initial coordinating conjunctions (and, but) in The Prophet and his seven other works in English, attempting to determine whether his use of SIA and SIB can be stylistically characterized. In this context, this study adopts a corpus stylistics approach to look into the frequency of SIA and SIB across Gibran’s English works. The findings of this study reveal that Gibran’s frequent use of SIA and SIB is statistically “meaningful” and his use of SIA and SIB is a “conscious” act of discourse marking, similar in nature to their “unique” use in King James Bible and William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and of Experience (Gibran’s most influential and inspirational literary sources). In addition, the collocational networks for both SIA and SIB display that Gibran depends heavily on the coordinating conjunction (and) to verbalize his arguments and points of view, shifting his prose-poetry as close as possible to “orality”—a biblical stylistic feature par excellence
Exploring the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Facilitating Assessment of Writing Performance in Second Language Learning
Authors: Jiang Zilu , Xu Zexin , Pan Zilong , He Jingwen , Xie Kui
Published: October 2023

This study examined the robustness and efficiency of four large language models (LLMs), GPT-4, GPT-3.5, iFLYTEK and Baidu Cloud, in assessing the writing accuracy of the Chinese language. Writing samples were collected from students in an online high school Chinese language learning program in the US. The official APIs of the LLMs were utilized to conduct analyses at both the T-unit and sentence levels. Performance metrics were employed to evaluate the LLMs’ performance. The LLM results were compared to human rating results. Content analysis was conducted to categorize error types and highlight the discrepancies between human and LLM ratings. Additionally, the efficiency of each model was evaluated. The results indicate that GPT models and iFLYTEK achieved similar accuracy scores, with GPT-4 excelling in precision. These findings provide insights into the potential of LLMs in supporting the assessment of writing accuracy for language learners.
Grammar in Adults with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Scoping Review from the Last 10 Years
Authors: Smith Giuditta , Janetti Benedetta Bianchi , Sarin Megha , Garraffa Maria
Published: October 2023

Little is known of the trajectory of grammar in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) once adulthood and language maturity are reached. Yet, impairments in grammar are reported in children with both communication NDDs, such as Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), and other NDDs, including ASD and ADHD. In the present study, we review studies collected in the last ten years on the grammar of adults with NDDs. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were applied. Included studies assessed sentence-level grammatical abilities through quantitative experiments on adults with a diagnosis of a developmental disorder. Out of 1550 contributions, 29 were selected. The studies included in the review showed that individuals with NDDs show a language deficit when compared to healthy adults. However, a lack of a unified approach to investigations of grammar prevents comparisons on the nature of the language disorder across NDDs, consequently highlighting the existence of a gap in knowledge. This gap must be filled to the benefit of speech pathologists and, ultimately, their patients.
Quasi-Static Modelling of a Full-Channel Effective Magnetorheological Damper with Trapezoidal Magnetic Rings
Authors: Wu Huan , Hu Yiming , Li Yinong , Gu Sanbao , Yue Ziyang , Yang Xiaoxue , Zheng Ling
Published: October 2023

Magnetorheological damper (MRD) has been successfully applied to vehicle suspension systems as an intelligent core component. Most conventional MRDs have closed rectangle-shaped magnetic circuits, resulting in a short effective working length and negligible damping force. To address the above issues, a novel full-channel effective MRD with trapezoidal magnetic rings (FEMRD_TMR) is proposed. The trapezoidal magnetic ring can shunt the magnetic circuit, distributing it evenly along the damping channel and increasing the effective working length. Additionally, which has the same variation trend as the magnetic flux through it, makes the magnetic induction intensity distribution more uniform to reduce the magnetic saturation problem. Theoretically analyzing the damping characteristics of the FEMRD_TMR, a quasi-static model is developed to forecast the output damping force. The structural design of MRD is challenging since conventional quasi-static models rely on the yield stress of magnetorheological fluid (MRF) to reflect the rheological property, which cannot be directly observed and is challenging to calculate. The Takagi–Sugeno (T–S) fuzzy neural network and a unique magnetic circuit computation are offered as a novel quasi-static modeling approach to address the issue. The MRF’s yield stress is linearized into magnetic induction intensity functions by the T–S fuzzy neural network and then converted into the MRD’s structural size by the special magnetic circuit calculation. Therefore, the proposed quasi-static model can directly reflect the relationship between the damping force and structure size, simplifying MRD’s structure design. The novel quasi-static model is shown to be more straightforward and understandable than the conventional Bingham quasi-static model and to have approximately accurate damping force prediction when compared to experimental data.
Hydrogen Storage Properties of Ball Milled MgH2 with Additives- Ni, V and Activated Carbons Obtained from Different By-Products
Authors: Grigorova Eli , Markov Pavel , Tsyntsarski Boyko , Tzvetkov Peter , Stoycheva Ivanka
Published: October 2023

The hydrogen sorption of materials based on 80 wt.% MgH2 with the addition of 15 wt.% Ni or V and 5 wt.% activated carbons synthesized from polyolefin wax, a waste product from polyethylene production (POW), walnut shells (CAN), and peach stones (CPS) prepared by milling under an inert Ar atmosphere for a period of 1 h, is investigated. All precursors are submitted to pyrolysis followed by steam activation in order to obtain the activated carbons. The hydrogen sorption evaluations are carried out for absorption at 473 and 573 K with pressure of 1 MPa and for desorption at 623 and 573 K with pressure of 0.15 MPa. The composition of the samples after milling and hydrogenation is monitored by X-ray diffraction analyses. The 80 wt.% MgH2–15 wt. %Ni–5 wt.% POW or CAN after absorption–desorption cycling and in a hydrogenated state at 573 K and 1 MPa are analyzed by TEM.
An Improved Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization-Based Hybrid Intelligent Algorithm for Index Screening of Underwater Manned/Unmanned Cooperative System of Systems Architecture Evaluation
Authors: Zhou Hao , Mao Yunsheng , Guo Xuan
Published: October 2023

An improved multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm is combined with a machine learning classifier to meet the needs of underwater manned/unmanned cooperative warfare architecture evaluation. Firstly, based on the traditional Cauchy variation method, the particles in the population are disturbed in a dynamic way so that the particles trapped in the local optimal can jump out of the local optimal, and the convergence performance of the particle swarm optimization is improved. Secondly, the accuracy of the index set is analyzed based on the CART decision tree algorithm and the IWRF algorithm. A screening method of key indexes with fewer evaluation indexes and high evaluation accuracy is developed to solve the problem of a large number of evaluation indexes and unclear correlation of the underwater combat system. Through simulation, the extraction results of key indicators were verified, and the reliability coefficient of the final simulation experiment was 0.93, which can be considered as high reliability and effectiveness of the key indicators extracted in this study. By combining multi-objective optimization with machine learning and weighing evaluation efficiency and accuracy, a high-precision and rapid evaluation of a few indicators is achieved, which provides support for establishing an evaluation model of SoS architecture for underwater manned/unmanned cooperative operations. This research result can provide inspiration for the evaluation and evaluation of the system in order to analyze the accuracy of indicators and the evaluation effect and carry out research by simulating the actual system with tools with a high simulation degree.
On the Concept of Equilibrium in Sanctions and Countersanctions in a Differential Game
Authors: Zhukovskiy Vladislav I. , Zhukovskaya Lidiya V.
Published: October 2023

This paper develops the methodology for modeling decision processes in complex controlled dynamic systems. The idea of balancing such systems (driving them to equilibrium) is implemented, and a new mechanism for the equilibria’s stability is proposed. Such an approach involves economic–mathematical modeling jointly with systems analysis methods, economics, law, sociology, game theory, management, and performance measurement. A linear-quadratic positional differential game of several players is considered. Coefficient criteria under which the game has an equilibrium in sanctions and countersanctions and, simultaneously, no Nash equilibrium are derived. The economic and legal model of active equilibrium is studied through the legal concept of sanctions, which enlarges the practical application of this class of problems.
Bioactivity-Guided Isolation and Antihypertensive Activity of Citrullus colocynthis Polyphenols in Rats with Genetic Model of Hypertension
Authors: Iftikhar Neelam , Hussain Abdullah Ijaz , Fatima Tabinda , Alsuwayt Bader , Althaiban Abdullah K.
Published: October 2023

Background and Objectives: Citrullus colocynthis belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and is a wild medicinal plant used in folk literature to treat various diseases. The purpose of the current study was to explore the antihypertensive and antioxidant potentials of Citrullus colocynthis (CC) polyphenol-rich fractions using a spontaneous hypertensive rat (SHR) model. Materials and Methods: The concentrated aqueous ethanol extract of CC fruit was successively fractioned using solvents of increasing polarity, i.e., hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. The obtained extracts were analyzed for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and total flavonol content (TOF). Moreover, the CC extracts were further evaluated for radical scavenging capacity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assays and antioxidant activity using inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation and determination of reducing potential protocols. The phytochemical components were characterized by HPLC–MWD–ESI–MS in positive ionization mode. Results: The results showed that ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) exhibited a higher content of phenolic compounds in term of TPC (289 mg/g), TFC (7.6 mg/g) and TOF (35.7 mg/g). EAF showed higher antioxidant and DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities with SC50 values of 6.2 and 79.5 µg/mL, respectively. LCMS analysis revealed that twenty polyphenol compounds were identified in the EAF, including phenolic acids and flavonoids, mainly myricetin and quercetin derivatives. The in vivo antihypertensive activity of EAF of CC on SHR revealed that it significantly decreased the mean arterial pressure (MAP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressures (DBP) and pulse pressure (PP) as compared to normal and hypertensive control groups. Moreover, EAF of CC significantly reduced the oxidative stress in the animals in a dose-dependent manner by normalizing the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NOx) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Furthermore, the treatment groups, especially the 500 mg of EAF per kg body weight (EA-500) group, significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved the electrocardiogram (ECG) pattern and pulse wave velocity (PWV). Conclusion: It was concluded that the EAF of CC is a rich source of polyphenols and showed the best antioxidant activity and antihypertensive potential in SHR.
Technical Note on Vestibuloplasty around Dental Implants Using Erbium YAG Laser-Assisted Periosteal Fenestration (LA-PF)
Authors: Lim Kyeong-Ok , Lee Won-Pyo
Published: October 2023

Various vestibuloplasty techniques have been reported to increase the attached mucosa (AM) and vestibular depth around dental implants. However, these surgical methods have disadvantages, such as limitations in manipulation, necessity of suturing, postoperative discomfort, swelling, and pain. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of laser-assisted periosteal fenestration (LA-PF) in treating patients with a shallow vestibule and insufficient AM around dental implants. LA-PF was performed using an Erbium YAG laser (Er:YAG laser). First, a partial-thickness, apically positioned flap was used. A horizontal periosteal fenestration was performed using an Er:YAG laser to expose the bones. Periosteal suturing was not required. After 12 months, sufficient AM and deep vestibules were obtained and maintained. Thus, the LA-PF technique may be a simple and predictable treatment modality for shallow vestibules with insufficient AM around dental implants.
A Compact Stacked RF Energy Harvester with Multi-Condition Adaptive Energy Management Circuits
Authors: Liu Xiaoqiang , Li Mingxue , Chen Xinkai , Zhao Yiheng , Xiao Liyi , Zhang Yufeng
Published: October 2023

This paper presents a compact stacked RF energy harvester operating in the WiFi band with multi-condition adaptive energy management circuits (MCA-EMCs). The harvester is divided into antennas, impedance matching networks, rectifiers, and MCA-EMCs. The antenna is based on a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) substrate using the microstrip antenna structure and a ring slot in the ground plane to reduce the antenna area by 13.7%. The rectifier, impedance matching network, and MCA-EMC are made on a single FR4 substrate. The rectifier has a maximum conversion efficiency of 33.8% at 5 dBm input. The MCA-EMC has two operating modes to adapt to multiple operating conditions, in which Mode 1 outputs 1.5 V and has a higher energy conversion efficiency of up to 93.56%, and Mode 2 supports a minimum starting input voltage of 0.33 V and multiple output voltages of 2.85–2.45 V and 1.5 V. The proposed RF energy harvester is integrated by multiple-layer stacking with a total size of 53 mm × 43.5 mm × 5.9 mm. The test results show that the proposed RF energy harvester can drive a wall clock (30 cm in diameter) at 10 cm distance and a hygrometer at 122 cm distance with a home router as the transmitting source.
Taxonomic Re-Classification and Expansion of the Phylum Chloroflexota Based on over 5000 Genomes and Metagenome-Assembled Genomes
Authors: Wiegand Sandra , Sobol Morgan , Schnepp-Pesch Luca Kristina , Yan Geng , Iqbal Sajid , Vollmers John , Müller Jochen A. , Kaster Anne-Kristin
Published: October 2023

The phylum Chloroflexota (formerly Chloroflexi) encompasses metabolically diverse bacteria that often have high prevalence in terrestrial and aquatic habitats, some even with biotechnological application. However, there is substantial disagreement in public databases which lineage should be considered a member of the phylum and at what taxonomic level. Here, we addressed these issues through extensive phylogenomic analyses. The analyses were based on a collection of >5000 Chloroflexota genomes and metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from public databases, novel environmental sites, as well as newly generated MAGs from publicly available sequence reads via an improved binning approach incorporating covariance information. Based on calculated relative evolutionary divergence, we propose that Candidatus Dormibacterota should be listed as a class (i.e., Ca. Dormibacteria) within Chloroflexota together with the classes Anaerolineae, Chloroflexia, Dehalococcoidia, Ktedonobacteria, Ca. Limnocylindria, Thermomicrobia, and two other classes containing only uncultured members. All other Chloroflexota lineages previously listed at the class rank appear to be rather orders or families in the Anaerolineae and Dehalococcoidia, which contain the vast majority of genomes and exhibited the strongest phylogenetic radiation within the phylum. Furthermore, the study suggests that a common ecophysiological capability of members of the phylum is to successfully cope with low energy fluxes.
Petrogenesis of Eocene Lamprophyre Dykes in Northern Qiangtang Terrane, Tibetan Plateau: Implications for the Tethyan Mantle Metasomatism and Tectonic Evolution
Authors: Zeng Xiaohui , Gong Tingting , Zhao Han , Xiong Fuhao
Published: October 2023

Post-collisional (ultra)potassic lamprophyre dykes are the key probes for understanding mantle metasomatism and reconstructing tectonic evolution. In this study, we present new petrological, geochronological, geochemical and zircon Lu-Hf isotopic data for lamprophyre dykes in the northern Qiangtang terrane (central Tibet), aiming to constrain their petrogenesis and geodynamic setting. The studied lamprophyres are minettes with phenocrysts of siderophyllite and phlogopite, which intrude into Triassic granite of 236.9 Ma. These lamprophyres yield zircon U-Pb ages of 39.7–40.9 Ma. They exhibit high contents of K2O (7.61–8.59 wt.%) and ultrapotassic features with high K2O/Na2O (11.43–14.38) ratios. They are characterized by increased values of Mg# (69.1 to 72.1) and high concentrations of compatible elements (e.g., Cr = 277–529 ppm, Ni = 232–322 ppm), which are diagnostic of mantle-derived primitive magma. The studied lamprophyres have a high abundance of rare earth elements (∑REE = 902–1061 ppm) with significantly fractionated REE patterns ((La/Yb)N = 66.3–100.6), and they are enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILE) and light rare earth elements (LREE), but depleted in high field strength elements (HFSE) (e.g., Nb, Ta and Ti) and heavy rare earth elements (HREE) with enriched zircon Hf isotopes (εHf(t) from −6.40 to 3.80). This indicates their derivation from an enriched mantle source which was metasomatized by subduction-related fluids and sediment-derived melts. A petrogenetic study suggests that the lamprophyres were generated by the partial melting of a phlogopite-bearing lherzolite within the garnet stability field. We propose that the Cenozoic ultrapotassic mafic rocks in the central Tibetan Plateau originated in the lithospheric mantle metasomatized by the subduction-related components, and are the magmatic response to the detachment of the subducted Tethyan slab.
Ergot Alkaloids on Cereals and Seeds: Analytical Methods, Occurrence, and Future Perspectives
Authors: Silva Ângela , Mateus Ana Rita Soares , Barros Sílvia Cruz , Silva Ana Sanches
Published: October 2023

Ergot alkaloids are secondary metabolites resulting from fungi of the genus Claviceps that have proven to be highly toxic. These mycotoxins commonly infect cereal crops such as wheat, rye, barley, and oats. Due to the increase worldwide consumption of cereal and cereal-based products, the presence of ergot alkaloids in food presents a concern for human safety. For this reason, it is essential to develop several analytical methods that allow the detection of these toxic compounds. This review compiles and discusses the most relevant studies and methods used in the detection and quantification of ergot alkaloids. Moreover, the decontamination techniques are also addressed, with special attention to sorting, cleaning, frying, baking, peeling, and ammonization methods, as they are the only ones already applied to ergot alkaloids.