bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimizing genome editing efficiency in
Streptomyces fradiae
via a CRISPR/Cas9n-mediated editing system
Authors: Wu Yuhan , Jin Hui , Yu Qiang , Wei Zihan , Zhu Jiang , Qiu Xiangqi , Luo Gan , Li Junhui , Zhan Yangyang , Cai Dongbo , Chen Shouwen
Published: January 2025

Streptomyces fradiae
is an important bioresource to produce various antibacterial natural products, however, the time-consuming and labor-intensive genome editing toolkits hindered the construction and application of engineered strains, and this study aimed to establish an efficient CRISPR/Cas9n genome editing system in
S. fradiae
. Initially, the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing tool was employed to replace those awkward genome editing tools that relied on homologous recombination, while the off-target Cas9 exhibited high toxicity to
S. fradiae
Sf01. Therefore, the nickase mutation D10A, high-fidelity mutations including N497A, R661A, Q695A, and Q926A, and thiostrepton-induced promotor P

tipA

were incorporated into the Cas9 expression cassette, which reduced its toxicity. The deletion of single gene
neoI
and long fragment sequence (13.3 kb) were achieved with efficiencies of 77.8% and 44%, respectively. Additionally, the established tool was applied to facilitate the rapid deletion of
nagB
, replacement of P

frr

with P

ermE

*, and integration of exogenous
vgbS
, with respective efficiencies of 77.8%, 100%, and 67.8%, and all of the above modification strategies benefited neomycin synthesis in
S. fradiae
. Taken together, this research established an efficient CRISPR/Cas9n-mediated genome editing toolkit in
S. fradiae
, paving the way for developing high-performance neomycin-producing strains and facilitating the genetic modification of
Streptomyces
.

IMPORTANCE

This study describes the development and application of a genome editing system mediated by CRISPR/Cas9n in
Streptomyces fradiae
for the first time, which overcomes the challenges associated with genome editing caused by high GC content (74.5%) coupling with complex genome structure, and reduces the negative impact of “off-target effect.” Our work not only provides a facile editing tool for constructing
S. fradiae
strains of high-yield neomycin but also offers the technical guidance for the design of a CRISPR/Cas9n mediated genome editing tool in those creatures with high GC content genomes.
High-pressure continuous culturing: life at the extreme
Authors: Foustoukos Dionysis I. , Houghton Jennifer L.
Published: January 2025

Microorganisms adapted to high hydrostatic pressures at depth in the oceans and within the subsurface of Earth’s crust represent a phylogenetically diverse community thriving under extreme pressure, temperature, and nutrient availability conditions. To better understand the microbial function, physiological responses, and metabolic strategies at
in-situ
conditions requires high-pressure (HP) continuous culturing techniques that, although commonly used in bioengineering and biotechnology applications, remain relatively rare in the study of the Earth’s microbiomes. Here, we focus on recent developments in the design of HP chemostats, with particular emphasis on adaptations for delivery and sampling of dissolved gases. We present protocols for sterilization, inoculation, agitation, and sampling strategies that minimize cell lysis, applicable to a wide range of chemostat designs.
Comparative metagenomics of tropical reef fishes show conserved core gut functions across hosts and diets with diet-related functional gene enrichments
Authors: Wu Derek G. , Harris Cassandra R. , Kalis Katie M. , Bowen Malique , Biddle Jennifer F. , Farag Ibrahim F.
Published: January 2025

Fish gut microbial communities are important for the breakdown and energy harvesting of the host diet. Microbes within the fish gut are selected by environmental and evolutionary factors. To understand how fish gut microbial communities are shaped by diet, three tropical fish species (hawkfish,
Paracirrhites arcatus
; yellow tang,
Zebrasoma flavescens
; and triggerfish,
Rhinecanthus aculeatus
) were fed piscivorous (fish meal pellets), herbivorous (seaweed), and invertivorous (shrimp) diets, respectively. From fecal samples, a total of 43 metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs) were recovered from all fish diet treatments. Each host-diet treatment harbored distinct microbial communities based on taxonomy, with
Proteobacteria
,
Bacteroidota
, and
Firmicutes
being the most represented. Based on their metagenomes, MAGs from all three host-diet treatments demonstrated a baseline ability to degrade proteinaceous, fatty acid, and simple carbohydrate inputs and carry out central carbon metabolism, lactate and formate fermentation, acetogenesis, nitrate respiration, and B vitamin synthesis. The herbivorous yellow tang harbored more functionally diverse MAGs with some complex polysaccharide degradation specialists, while the piscivorous hawkfish’s MAGs were more specialized for the degradation of proteins. The invertivorous triggerfish’s gut MAGs lacked many carbohydrate-degrading capabilities, resulting in them being more specialized and functionally uniform. Across all treatments, several MAGs were able to participate in only individual steps of the degradation of complex polysaccharides, suggestive of microbial community networks that degrade complex inputs.

IMPORTANCE

The benefits of healthy microbiomes for vertebrate hosts include the breakdown of food into more readily usable forms and production of essential vitamins from their host's diet. Compositions of microbial communities in the guts of fish in response to diet have been studied, but there is a lack of a comprehensive understanding of the genome-based metabolic capabilities of specific microbes and how they support their hosts. Therefore, we assembled genomes of several gut microbes collected from the feces of three fish species that were being fed different diets to illustrate how individual microbes can carry out specific steps in the degradation and energy utilization of various food inputs and support their host. We found evidence that fish gut microbial communities share several core functions despite differences in microbial taxonomy. Herbivorous fish harbored a functionally diverse microbial community with plant matter degraders, while the piscivorous and invertivorous fish had microbiomes more specialized in protein degradation.
Exploring animal food microbiomes and resistomes via 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and shotgun metagenomics
Authors: Ge Beilei , McDonald Ryan C. , Yang Qianru , Domesle Kelly J. , Sarria Saul , Li Xin , Hsu Chih-Hao , Jarvis Karen G. , Tadesse Daniel A.
Published: January 2025

As a diverse and complex food matrix, the animal food microbiota and repertoire of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes remain to be better understood. In this study, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and shotgun metagenomics were applied to three types of animal food samples (cattle feed, dry dog food, and poultry feed). ZymoBIOMICS mock microbial community was used for workflow optimization including DNA extraction kits and bead-beating conditions. The four DNA extraction kits (AllPrep PowerViral DNA/RNA Kit, DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kit, DNeasy PowerSoil Kit, and ZymoBIOMICS DNA Miniprep Kit) were compared in animal food as well as the use of peptide nucleic acid blockers for 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Distinct microbial community profiles were generated, which varied by animal food type and DNA extraction kit. Employing peptide nucleic acid blockers prior to 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was comparable with post-sequencing
in silico
filtering at removing chloroplast and mitochondrial sequences. There was a good agreement between 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and shotgun metagenomics on community profiles in animal feed data sets; however, they differed in taxonomic resolution, with the latter superior at resolving at the species level. Although the overall prevalence of AMR genes was low, resistome analysis of animal feed data sets by shotgun metagenomics revealed 10 AMR gene/protein families, including beta-lactamases, erythromycin/lincomycin/pristinamycin/tylosin, fosfomycin, phenicol, and quinolone. Future expansion of microbiome and resistome profiling in animal food will help better understand the bacterial and AMR gene diversity in these commodities and help guide pathogen control and AMR prevention efforts.

IMPORTANCE

With the growing interest and application of metagenomics in understanding the structure/composition and function of diverse microbial communities along the One Health continuum, this study represents one of the first attempts to employ these advanced sequencing technologies to characterize the microbiota and AMR genes in animal food. We unraveled the effects of DNA extraction kits on sample analysis by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and showed similar efficacies of two strategies at removing chloroplast and mitochondrial reads. The in-depth analysis using shotgun metagenomics shed light on the community compositions and the presence of an array of AMR genes in animal food. This exploration of microbiomes and resistomes in representative animal food samples by both sequencing approaches laid important groundwork for future metagenomic investigations to gain a better understanding of the baseline/core microbiomes and associated AMR functions in these diverse commodities and help guide pathogen control and AMR prevention efforts.
MASP1 modulation as a novel therapeutic target in severe pediatric pertussis: insights from a multi-omics approach
Authors: Xu Lin , Wang Caiying , Liu Yuhuan , Zhang Yanlan , Li Zhen , Pang Lin
Published: January 2025

Pertussis, a severe infectious disease in children, has become increasingly prominent in recent years. This study aims to investigate the role of the MASP1 protein in severe pertussis in children through multi-omics analysis, providing a theoretical basis for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. The study retrieved macro-genome and 16S rRNA data of pediatric pertussis from public databases to analyze microbial diversity and specific flora abundance, conducting pathway functional enrichment analysis. Differential expression analysis of transcriptome data and Gene Ontology (GO)/Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional enrichment analysis, combined with machine learning, identified the key gene MASP1. A
Bordetella pertussis
infection model was established using human bronchial epithelial cell line HBE135-E6E7 to validate MASP1 expression changes and investigate its relationship with airway epithelial cell damage by constructing cell lines overexpressing and knocking down MASP1. Finally, the impact of inhibiting MASP1 expression on infection symptoms was evaluated using a mouse pertussis infection model. The results revealed significant differences in microbial diversity and specific flora abundance between healthy children and those with pertussis, with MASP1 significantly upregulated in severe pertussis and its inhibition alleviating infection symptoms. The study highlights the critical role of MASP1 in pertussis, providing a crucial foundation for developing therapeutic strategies targeting MASP1.
TSST-1 promotes colonization of
Staphylococcus aureus
within the vaginal tract by activation of CD8
+
T cells
Authors: Dufresne Karine , Al Kait F. , Craig Heather C. , Coleman Charlotte E. M. , Kasper Katherine J. , Burton Jeremy P. , McCormick John K.
Published: January 2025

Toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) is a superantigen produced by
Staphylococcus aureus
and is the determinant of menstrual toxic shock syndrome (mTSS); however, the impact of TSST-1 on the vaginal environment beyond mTSS is not understood. Herein, we assessed how TSST-1 affects vaginal colonization by
S. aureus
, host inflammatory responses, and changes in microbial communities within the murine vagina. We demonstrated that TSST-1 induced a CD8
+
T-cell-dependent inflammatory response in 24 h that correlated with
S. aureus
persistence within the vaginal tract. This increase was due to superantigen-dependent T-cell activation that triggered a change in microbial composition within the vaginal tract. Altogether, this study demonstrates that within the vaginal tract, TSST-1 modulates the vaginal microbiota to favor the survival of
S. aureus
in the absence of mTSS.

IMPORTANCE

Toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) is a superantigen toxin produced from
Staphylococcus aureus
that causes the menstrual form of toxic shock syndrome. This research demonstrates that TSST-1 also has a wider function within the vaginal tract than previously expected. We show that TSST-1, by activating CD8
+
T cells, induces an inflammatory environment that modifies the vaginal microbiota to favor colonization by
S. aureus
. These are important findings as
S. aureus
can colonize the human vaginal tract efficiently and subsequently trigger dysbiosis within the microbial communities leading to several adverse outcomes such as decreased fertility, increased risks for sexually transmitted diseases, and issues related to pregnancy and birth.
Anidulafungin is a useful surrogate marker for predicting
in vitro
susceptibility to rezafungin among five
Candida
species using CLSI methods and interpretive criteria
Authors: Winkler Marisa L. , Deshpande Lalitagauri , Kimbrough John H. , Karr Maura , Rhomberg Paul , Klauer Abby L. , Castanheira Mariana
Published: January 2025

This study addresses the use of other echinocandins as surrogate markers to predict the susceptibility of rezafungin against the six most common
Candida
spp. The Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) reference broth microdilution method was performed to test 5,720 clinical isolates of six different
Candida
species. Species-specific interpretative criteria by CLSI breakpoints or epidemiological cutoff values were applied. Essential agreement was 100% within two doubling dilutions for all species and comparisons. The categorical agreement of rezafungin using anidulafungin against all
Candida
spp. was 97.6% (2.9% very major errors [VMEs], 0.2% major errors [MEs], and 2.2% minor errors [miEs]); for caspofungin, it was 99.6% (11.4% VME, 0.09% ME, and 0.19% miE); and for micafungin, it was 99.6% (14.3% VME, 0.15% ME, and 0.17% miE). There were species-specific differences that led to unacceptably high VME for
Candida dubliniensis
with all agents and for
Candida parapsilosis
when caspofungin or micafungin but not anidulafungin was used as the comparator. Genetic analysis showed rezafungin nonsusceptibility correlated well with FKS hotspot mutations. The best-performing surrogate was anidulafungin, which can be used to predict rezafungin susceptible or nonsusceptible in
Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis,
and
Candida krusei
with low error rates and ≥90% essential and categorical agreement. Micafungin or caspofungin can also be used as a surrogate marker for predicting rezafungin susceptible or nonsusceptible in
C. albicans
,
C. glabrata
,
C. tropicalis
, and
C. krusei
. No surrogate performs appropriately to determine rezafungin susceptibility for
C. dubliniensis
.
High astrovirus diversity in an endemic bat species suggests multiple spillovers from synanthropic rodents and birds
Authors: Leong Rachel , Hoarau Axel O. G. , Carcauzon Victoria , Köster Marie , Dietrich Muriel , Tortosa Pablo , Lebarbenchon Camille
Published: January 2025

Beyond the role of bats as natural host reservoirs of infectious agents, the impact of viral spillover from other animal species to bats has been neglected. Given the limited virus-host specificity of astroviruses (AstVs) and their propensity for cross-species transmission, we hypothesized that AstVs could be transmitted within animal communities (rodents, birds, and bats) and that native endemic bats may be exposed to viruses hosted by other species. We investigated the presence of AstV RNA in 3,796 biological samples collected in Reunion Island from
Mormopterus francoismoutoui
(
N
= 3421), an endemic free-tailed bat species, and also from small terrestrial mammals and birds:
Rattus rattus
(
N
= 146),
Rattus norvegicus
(
N
= 74),
Mus musculus domesticus
(
N
= 36),
Suncus murinus
(
N
= 99), and
Columba livia
(
N
= 20). We found significant differences in AstV prevalence between species (ranging from 1% ± 1.97% in
S. murinus
to 75% ± 18.9% in
C. livia
) as well as variation of pairwise identity of AstV sequences among host species, with a high diversity in
M. francoismoutoui
(mean pairwise identity: 53.2% ± 11.2%). Phylogenetic analyses further revealed that AstVs detected in bats did not cluster in a single clade and were genetically related to AstVs found in birds, rodents, pigs, dogs, cats, and reptiles. Our study suggests that bats may be exposed to viruses associated to synanthropic and alien species. Cascade effects of virus spillover toward endemic and endangered bat species need to be fully assessed.

IMPORTANCE

Epidemiological consequences of cross-species transmission of zoonotic viruses are mostly considered from a health and economic perspective. Virus spillovers resulting from human-introduced species are much less considered, although they may have major consequences on the conservation of endemic and endangered bat species, in particular in an island context. Based on astrovirus detection and sequencing in an endemic bat species and five non-native species on a tropical island, we identified multiple and repeated viral introductions from synanthropic rodents and birds to bats, rather than the opposite. Such findings call for more investigations in these isolated and vulnerable ecosystems to better understand and mitigate the risks associated with pathogen spillovers.
Retreatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C, subtype 3a, and cirrhosis, who previously failed a regimen containing second-generation NS5A inhibitors with sofosbuvir + glecaprevir/pibrentasvir and ribavirin for 16–24 weeks
Authors: Fedorchenko Sergii V. , Klimenko Zhanna , Martynovich Tatiana , Solianyk Iryna , Suprunenko Tatiana
Published: January 2025

The outcomes of retreatment patients infected with hepatitis C virus genotype 3, cirrhosis, with velpatasvir may be affected by treatment failure with velpatasvir. The efficacy of SOF+GLE/PIB+RIB 16–24 weeks of treatment has been shown. The presence of NS5A resistance-associated substitution mutations, including Y93H, and the number and regimens of the past failed therapy do not influence the likelihood of achieving sustained virological response. When velpatasvir treatment fails, pibrentasvir should be used as the first choice for retreatment.
Paediatric primary intraosseous meningioma of the calvarium
Authors: Jeswani Sakshi , Pande Shilpa Namdev , Dhok Avinash , Ratnaparkhi Chetana Ramesh
Published: January 2025

A boy in his middle childhood presented with a gradually enlarging, mildly tender swelling in the left frontal region, noticed after minor trauma. Skull radiograph and non-enhanced CT revealed a diffuse sclerotic lesion involving the left frontal bone and overlying subcutaneous soft tissue, suggestive of an intraosseous haemangioma. Contrast-enhanced MRI showed an expansile, hypointense lesion in the frontal bone on the left side with enhancing extraosseous components and a small extra-axial cyst. FNAC findings were consistent with meningioma. A complete resection of the tumour was performed. Histopathology revealed WHO grade I meningo-epithelial meningioma with microscopic dural involvement. Postoperative scans showed complete tumour excision, with a persistent intracranial cyst. Follow-up MRI showed no recurrence. This case emphasises primary intraosseous meningioma as one of the possibilities in osteoblastic slow-growing bony lesions which can be easily misdiagnosed with other common causes of lumps and bumps in the paediatric population.
Implementing recommendations for routine mismatch repair (MMR) immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing of endometrial cancer and subsequent patient management
Authors: Shawky Mohamed , Murrey Maria , Morrison Jo
Published: January 2025

Lynch syndrome is associated with an increased risk of cancer, including endometrial cancer. We audited the introduction of a nurse-led testing and management pathway for Lynch syndrome. All 191 patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust between January 2022 and December 2023 were tested for mis-match repair (MMR) protein immunohistochemistry; germline testing was offered to all 13 who were eligible. Seven patients were diagnosed with Lynch syndrome; all were referred for bowel screening and Helicobacter pylori testing. Information about prophylactic aspirin recommendations was missing for 3/7 patients. We established an effective, nurse-led Lynch syndrome testing pathway, in line with national guidelines.
On the analytic generalization of particle deflection in the weak field regime and shadow size in light of EHT constraints for Schwarzschild-like black hole solutions
Authors: Pantig Reggie C.
Published: January 2025

In this paper, an analytic generalization of the weak field deflection angle (WDA) is derived by utilizing the current non-asymptotically flat generalization of the Gauss–Bonnet theorem. The derived formula is valid for any Schwarzschild-like spacetime, which deviates from the classical Schwarzschild case through some constant parameters. This work provided four examples, including Schwarzschild-like solutions in the context of Bumblebee gravity theory and the Kalb–Ramond framework, as well as one example from a black hole surrounded by soliton dark matter. These examples explore distinct mechanisms of Lorentz symmetry breaking, with results that are either new or in agreement with existing literature. The WDA formula provided a simple calculation, where approximations based on some conditions can be done directly on it, skipping the preliminary steps. For the shadow size analysis, it is shown how it depends solely on the parameter associated with the metric coefficient in the time coordinate. A general formula for the constrained parameter is also derived based on the Event Horizon Collaboration (EHT) observational results. Finally, the work realized further possible generalizations on other black hole models, such as RN-like, dS/AdS-like black hole solutions, and even black hole solutions in higher dimensions.
Analyzing the Evolution of the Chinese Vehicles Market by Lotka–Volterra Model
Authors: Li Jiaorui , Zhang Yuxiao
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the dynamic evolution of the new energy vehicle (NEV) and the traditional fuel vehicle (TFV) industries in China by employing the Lotka–Volterra model. Considering the reality of the Chinese automobile market, we focus on the three stages of the development of the NEV industry to analyze the stability of the fixed point of the system. The result demonstrates the gap in market share between the NEV and the TFV industries is decreasing year by year. With the model analysis on policy intensity from the government to the TFV and the NEV industries from 2025 to 2034, we find that the relative policies about automobile markets from the government play a key role in the development of the NEV, especially in automobile electrification transition. In about five years, the market share of the NEV industry will exceed that of the TFV industry. And eventually, most of the TFVs will have been replaced by the NEV by 2035.
Weighted double character sums with Beatty sequences
Authors: Jing Mengyao , Liu Huaning
Published: January 2025

Let [Formula: see text] be an irrational number and let [Formula: see text] be a real number. The corresponding Beatty sequence is defined as [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is the largest integer not exceeding [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we answer an open problem of Shparlinski. More specifically, bounds for weighted double character sums with Beatty sequences of the shape [Formula: see text] are obtained, where [Formula: see text] is a prime, [Formula: see text] is a multiplicative character modulo [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] is a positive integer, [Formula: see text] are subsets, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are complex numbers.
A Robust Visual-Inertial Navigation Method for Illumination-Challenging Scenes
Authors: Qu Jiankang , Lyu Xu , Meng Ziyang , Gu Pengfei , Wang Jun
Published: January 2025

Visual-inertial odometry (VIO) has been found to have great value in robot positioning and navigation. However, the existing VIO algorithms rely heavily on excellent lighting environments and the accuracy of robot positioning and navigation is degraded largely in illumination-challenging scenes. A robust visual-inertial navigation method is developed in this paper. We construct an effective low-light image enhancement model using a deep curve estimation network (DCE) and a lightweight convolutional neural network to recover the texture information of dark images. Meanwhile, a brightness consistency inference method based on the Kalman filter is proposed to cope with illumination variations in image sequences. Multiple sequences obtained from UrbanNav and M2DRG datasets are used to test the proposed algorithm. Furthermore, we also conduct a real-world experiment for the proposed algorithm. Both experimental results demonstrate that our algorithm outperforms other state-of-art algorithms. Compared to the baseline algorithm VINS-mono, the tracking time is improved from 22.0% to 68.2% and the localization accuracy is improved from 0.489[Formula: see text]m to 0.258[Formula: see text]m on the darkest sequences.
A Review on Trustworthiness of Digital Assistants for Personal Healthcare
Authors: Bailoni Tania , Dragoni Mauro
Published: January 2025

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is widely used within the healthcare domain. One of the branches of digital health concerns the design and development of digital assistant solutions. AI-enabled digital assistants highlight the need to be trustworthy given their intrusiveness within people’s lives. Such solutions aim to provide intelligent tools to ease the management of care pathways or to enhance the capabilities of healthcare organizations in deploying health prevention campaigns by monitoring the lifestyles of healthy people. In this work, we intend to analyze the recent literature concerning integrating AI techniques within digital assistants. We focus on the contributions published during the last 10 years and perform a careful analysis of whether and how trustworthy pillars have been addressed. We also discuss the risks of designing digital assistants without considering trustworthy pillars and present some recommendations to mitigate them.
The Voltage Oracle: A Foundation Model for Probabilistic PEM Fuel Cell Voltage Prediction
Authors: Klass Lukas , Holz Laurin , König Lukas , Kabza Alexander , Sehnke Frank , Strecker Katharina , Hölzle Markus
Published: January 2025

Long-term operation of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells requires precise monitoring to detect and prevent harmful anomalies. Cell voltage is a sensitive indicator for the fuel cell’s state of health. However, its dependency on fuel cell operating conditions impedes the detection of anomalies. To overcome this limitation, we present a machine learning driven foundation model for probabilistic fuel cell voltage prediction. The foundation model can be fitted to new fuel cell designs using transfer learning for anomaly detection. Since the availability and variance in real fuel cell test data sets is very limited, a physics-based fuel cell simulation model is used to generate 30,000 data points to train the machine learning model. To improve the prediction accuracy of the foundation model, additional steps such as feature engineering and target balancing are introduced and their individual effects are analyzed. The performance of the pre-trained foundation model is then tested by transfer learning the foundation model using real measurement data from two different automotive fuel cell designs. It is shown that with sufficient training data, the machine learning model outperforms the physics-based simulation model by an RMSE improvement of up to 37% and respectively by 61% on the two test data sets.
Electrochemical Detection of Paracetamol with a Polypyrrole-Cobalt Oxide Nanocomposite Modified Sensor
Authors: Sathappan Aakash Santhakumar , Madhivanan Keerthana , Atchudan Raji , Arya Sandeep , Sundramoorthy Ashok K.
Published: January 2025

We present the development of an electrochemical sensor for detecting paracetamol, utilizing nanomaterial modified electrode. Cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanoparticles were synthesized via a hydrothermal method using cobalt (II) nitrate hexahydrate. This was followed by the polymerization of pyrrole with ferric chloride serving as the oxidizing agent. Equal ratios of polypyrrole (PPy) and Co3O4 were then subjected to sonication. The structural and compositional characteristics of the resulting nanocomposite were analyzed using various techniques. XRD confirmed the crystalline structure of the PPy/Co3O4 composite, while UV–vis spectroscopy identified distinct absorption peaks corresponding to both PPy and Co3O4. FT-IR analysis revealed specific functional groups present in the nanocomposite, and FE-SEM provided visual confirmation of the successful integration of PPy and Co3O4. Additionally, EDAX offered insights into the elemental composition of the composite. Cyclic voltammetry showed that the PPy/Co3O4 modified electrode generated significantly enhanced current responses and well-defined redox peaks compared to the individual components. The PPy/Co3O4 modified sensor demonstrated excellent stability, high catalytic current for paracetamol (200 μM), highlighting its increased sensitivity. This new sensor showed a detection limit of 0.49 μM and supported a linear detection range from 20 μM to 200 μM, allowing for precise quantification of paracetamol concentrations.
Evaluation of Nanocrystalline Magnetic ErFeO3 Composite for the Sorptive Removal of Cesium and Cobalt Ion from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Abdel-Latif I. A. , Hassan H. S. , Moustafa A. M. , Gad S. A. , Hussein Sh I. , Roumaih Kh M.
Published: January 2025

The effect of nano-scale size in the magnetic semiconductor rare Earth ferrite system, ErFeO3, has been studied. The orthorhombic crystal structure in the nano-scale was found for ErFeO3 prepared by the sol-gel method to be 8 nm. Fe-O stretching vibration was identified in the IR band at around 561 cm−1, whereas the O-Fe-O deformation vibration was identified in the band at about 437 cm−1. The semiconducting behavior of ErFeO3 was found, and its energy gap equals 1.75 eV. As the frequency increases, the charge transport mechanism showed transition from the small polaron model, dominated by thermally activated hopping, to a quantum mechanical tunneling model, where charge carriers move through the material by tunneling between localized states without trapping. This transition is driven by the charge carriers having less time to become localized at higher frequencies, allowing for more direct tunneling transport. The new application of nano-crystalline ErFeO3 to remove hazardous elements was evaluated. The adsorption isotherm of Cs(I) and Co(II) by ErFeO3 nanocomposite was studied. The findings of the present studies highlight the potential use of ErFeO3 as a new, efficacious sorbent for removing Cs(I) and Co(II) from the waste stream, providing a reliable and efficient solution to environmental pollution.
Could Biofloc Technology (BFT) Pave the Way Toward a More Sustainable Aquaculture in Line With the Circular Economy?
Authors: Emerenciano Maurício Gustavo Coelho , Khanjani Mohammad Hossein , Sharifinia Moslem , Miranda-Baeza Anselmo
Published: January 2025

Aquaculture is a growing industry, but current practices and raw material utilization must be reviewed to ensure a resilient and sustainable development. In this sense, the transition from a linear economy (take, make, dispose) to a circular one (renew, remake) is accelerating. The biofloc technology (BFT) is a relatively new cultivation system that can be adopted to accomplish more sustainable aquaculture and circularity goals. This document discusses BFT and its association with the circular economy (CE), the current aquaculture challenges, and the role of BFT in overcoming those challenges. This manuscript adopts Cramer’s 10 R’s and Muscat et al.’s five P’s frameworks to understand whether a functioning BFT and its key compartments (i.e., feed, environment, water, system, and microbials) align with CE’s core principles. In addition, the present work provides and discusses relevant insights regarding the further (industry and academia) application of CE approaches, especially in a biofloc‐based farming context. According to the findings and connections with Cramer’s 10 R’s and Muscat et al.’s five P’s frameworks, BFT encompasses several transitioning steps into circularity and could play a crucial role toward a more sustainable aquaculture in line with the CE.
Exploring the Potential of Microalgae Cocultivation on Bacterial Community Dynamics in a Nile Tilapia and Garlic Aquaponic System
Authors: Tiwari Surya Prasad , Suhr Marvin , Bang Corinna , Schulz Carsten , Hornburg Stéphanie Céline
Published: January 2025

The cocultivation of microalgae in aquaponic systems can improve nutrient removal and enhance water quality. Moreover, it can promote the biological and physicochemical balance in aquaponic ecosystems. However, the bacterial communities in aquaponic systems have not yet been comprehensively characterized and the effects of microalgae cocultivation remain unclear. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we sought to elucidate the effects of a cocultivation of Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus species, and Spirulina platensis cocultivation on the bacterial communities in the rearing tanks and the biofilter of a garlic (Allium sativum L.) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) aquaponic system during a 56‐days experiment. Feed intake, weight gain, and survival rates of Nile tilapia significantly improved in experimental groups cocultivated with microalgae compared to the control group, while garlic plant biomass, leaf number, and shoot length were not significantly different from the control. Alpha‐diversity analysis revealed significantly higher richness and evenness in the bacterial communities from the biofilter and rearing tanks of the cocultivated systems when compared with the control system. The cocultivation also had a statistically significant effect on the bacterial composition: nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis of a Bray–Curtis dissimilarity matrix demonstrated unique clustering patterns, indicating distinct bacterial communities in the biofilter and rearing tank water cocultivated with microalgal strains. We found significantly decreased abundances of the potentially pathogenic bacterial genera Janthinobacterium, Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, and Flavobacterium in aquaponic systems cocultivated with microalgae when compared to the control. Furthermore, the beneficial bacterial genera Fusibacter, Geothrix, Thiobaca, and Treponema were significantly enriched in the microalgae cocultivated systems. The results clearly demonstrate that integrating microalgae into an aquaponic recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), not only improves weight gain and survival rates of Nile tilapia, but also enriches beneficial bacterial genera and reduces potentially pathogenic microorganisms, offering a promising strategy to reduce antibiotic use and enhance water quality in aquaponics, without growth impairments of cocultivated plants.
Investigating the Safety of Run‐Off‐the‐Road Vehicles on Vertical and Horizontal Curves With the Foreslope Using Multiple Regression Analysis
Authors: Abdi Kordani Ali , Attari Ali , Hosseinian Seyed Mohsen
Published: January 2025

The run‐off‐the‐road (ROR) vehicle from the curves, as one of the most accident‐prone sections of roads, has always received special attention. Centrifugal force on vehicles and human error are the two main causes of accidents in these areas, which will eventually lead to overturning or sliding of vehicles. Based on previous research, few studies have been conducted on the influence of friction factors over horizontal and vertical curves with foreslopes for ROR vehicles considering various factors such as vehicle type, speed, departure angle, and foreslope slope through the vehicle dynamics simulation. Thus, in this research, the safety of ROR vehicles on curves over the foreslope was investigated from the perspective of the vehicle dynamics simulation. Finally, by simulation outputs for each of the vehicles used (Sedan, SUV, and truck), a multiple regression modeling was presented to examine the side friction factor of horizontal and vertical curves with a foreslope. The results showed that for horizontal curves, the first third of the beginning of the curve was the most dangerous part when vehicles deviated from the curves. Also, in vertical curves, the departure angle of 15 and 25° for vehicles, and foreslopes of 1: 3 and 1: 4, had the greatest effect on the overturning points of the vehicles. In addition, trucks had fewer friction factors at all speeds in comparison with Sedans and SUVs, and consequently, they had lower skidding potential in all specified conditions. On the other hand, an increase in skidding potential was observed in all tests on steeper foreslopes, which was caused by increasing the side friction factors and decreasing the margin of safety of vehicles on these types of foreslopes. Finally, based on the multiple regression analysis, the best model was presented to predict the side friction factor for various vehicles on horizontal and vertical curves with a foreslope, and it was indicated that the obtained models had a good correlation for all the test conditions. The study’s findings can be applied to improve road safety by modifying road geometry, adjusting foreslope angles, enhancing pavement friction, and informing vehicle design and driver education programs.
Mpox Virus as a Global Public Health Emergency: A Scoping Review
Authors: Sankar Sathish , Balakrishnan Pachamuthu , Yong Yean K. , Raju Sivadoss , Velu Vijayakumar , Shankar Esaki M. , Larsson Marie
Published: January 2025

The monkeypox (Mpox) virus has emerged as a global public health emergency of international concern recently. The virus that was endemic in West and Central Africa has now been reported with chains of global transmission to several countries. A scoping review was carried out from the relevant literature available from PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. This comprehensive analysis describes the virus epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, complications including secondary bacterial infections, diagnosis, treatment and vaccination. The article underscores the significance of key viral and immune mediators of infection and discusses updated recommendations on therapeutic strategies and vaccination.
Recent Advances in Phase Change Energy Storage Materials: Developments and Applications
Authors: Abdullah Md. , Obayedullah Mohammad , Musfika Sawda Ahmed
Published: January 2025

Phase change energy storage (PCES) materials have attracted considerable interest because of their capacity to store and release thermal energy by undergoing phase changes. This paper offers a thorough examination of the latest developments in PCES materials (PCESMs) and their wide‐ranging applications in several industries. The text focuses primarily on the most recent advances in the design and creation of PCESMs. It emphasizes the investigation of new phase change materials (PCMs) that possess specific features, such as high latent heat, thermal conductivity, and cycling stability. The study investigates advanced methods such as nano structuring, hybridization, and encapsulation to improve the efficiency and dependability of PCESMs. PCESMs are employed in the construction industry for passive solar heating, thermal regulation, and energy‐efficient building designs. They facilitate effective thermal dissipation in electronics, hence, improving the efficiency and durability of electronic devices. Moreover, PCESMs are essential in enabling the incorporation of intermittent energy sources like solar and wind power into the grid, hence, supporting renewable energy storage. Furthermore, the research examines upcoming patterns and potential outcomes in the domain of PCESMs, including the progress of versatile PCES composites, integration with intelligent materials, and breakthroughs in thermal energy conversion technologies. These advancements have enormous promise to tackle worldwide energy concerns, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and promote sustainable development. Recent advancements in PCESMs have opened up opportunities for their extensive use in many industries, providing inventive solutions for effective energy storage, thermal regulation, and ecological sustainability. Ongoing research and technological breakthroughs in this field are anticipated to propel further advancements and facilitate the achievement of a more environmentally friendly and energy‐efficient future.
Distribution Transformer Winding Fault Detection Based on Hybrid Wavelet‐CNN
Authors: Afandi Orkhan , Najafi Atabak
Published: January 2025

This paper presents a new decision logic approach for protecting and distinguishing internal faults in power transformers. This method uses the feature extraction technique based on wavelet transform and artificial neural network. The proposed method is designed based on the difference between the energies of the wavelet transform coefficients produced by short circuit fault currents in a certain frequency band. First, the operation of the transformer under phase‐to‐ground and phase‐to‐phase short circuit faults was examined. Then, the resulting secondary winding current was transferred to the discrete wavelet transform. This method is used to analyze components of the signal at different scales. Based on the results, it has been shown that due to the good temporal and frequency characteristics of the wavelet transform, the features extracted by the wavelet transform have more distinct features than those extracted by the fast Fourier transform. As a result, the fault detection process was improved by integrating the obtained wavelet transform values into artificial intelligence models. This step allows the analysis process to be automated and faults to be identified more quickly and accurately. The proposed method is more efficient and faster and achieves a higher success rate than the traditional method.
A Prognostic Riskscore Model Related to Helicobacter pylori Infection in Stomach Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Peng Jing , Yan Qi , Pei Wennan , Jiang Yi , Zhou Li , Li Ruoqing
Published: January 2025

Background: Helicobacter pylori (HP) is associated with the development of various stomach diseases, one of the major risk factors for stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD).

Methods: The HP infection score between tumor and normal groups was compared by single‐sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA). The key modules related to HP infection were identified by weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA), and functional enrichment analysis was conducted on these module genes. Further, the limma package was used to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between HP‐positive and HP‐negative STAD. The prognostic genes were obtained to construct the riskscore model, and the performance of the model was validated. The correlation between riskscore and tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) was analyzed by Spearman’s method. The single‐cell atlas of HP‐positive STAD was delineated. The mRNA expression levels of the prognostic genes were verified using STAD cells, and the migration and invasion capacities of STAD cells were evaluated by using the wound healing assay and transwell assay.

Results: The HP infection score in the tumor group was significantly higher than that in the normal group. The purple and royal blue modules showed higher correlation with HP infection in STAD, and these module genes were enriched in the immune‐related pathway. Further, five prognostic genes (CTLA4, CPVL, EMB, CXCR4, and FAM241A) were screened from the HP infection–related DEGs, which were utilized for establishing the riskscore model, with good robustness. Riskscore exhibited strong correlation with TIME in STAD. Single‐cell atlas of HP‐positive STAD revealed that CXCR4 is highly expressed in Epithelial Cell 1, Epithelial Cell 2, and parietal cells of the tumor group. CPVL, EMB, CTLA4, FAM241A, and CXCR4 showed high expression in STAD cells, and the silencing of CPVL could suppress the migration and invasion of STAD cells.

Conclusion: This study established a riskscore model based on HP infection–related genes, which could provide reference for prognostic prediction and treatment targets of STAD.
Mechanical and Thermal Performances of Banana Fiber–Reinforced Gypsum Composites
Authors: Rouf Md. Abdur , Alam Md. Rubel , Belal Shah Alimuzzaman , Ali Yeasin , Rahman Md Zillur
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the use of alkali‐treated banana fibers at different weight percentages (0%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 16%, and 24%) as natural reinforcement in gypsum, aiming to assess their effects on the physical, mechanical, thermal, and morphological characteristics, as well as functional groups of composites. It is found that the density of banana fiber–reinforced gypsum composites (BFRGCs) decreases with increasing banana fiber content, reaching a minimum of 0.83 gm/cm3 at 24 wt.% fiber loading, while water absorption peaks at 98% for the same fiber loading due to the hydrophilic nature of banana fibers. Among the composites, the gypsum composite reinforced with 16 wt.% banana fiber exhibits superior mechanical characteristics, with a significantly higher tensile modulus (4.57 MPa) and flexural modulus (154.25 MPa), as well as tensile and flexural strengths of 0.81 MPa and 1.64 MPa, respectively, compared to the neat gypsum board. Further increasing fiber content to 24 wt.% results in lower tensile and flexural properties. However, adding a 24 wt.% fiber results in a substantial improvement (about 248%) in impact strength compared to the neat gypsum board. The hardness and thermal conductivity of BFRGCs reduce with increasing fiber, with the minimum hardness and thermal conductivity of 57.75 Shore A and 3.42 W/m2°C, respectively, at 24 wt.% fiber loading. Beyond 135°C, BFRGCs with 16 wt.% fiber and neat gypsum plaster lose around 15% and 19% of their mass. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrates that alkali treatment improves the fiber–gypsum interfacial bonding, whereas Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirms the existence of hydrogen bonds but shows minimal bond formation between the fibers and gypsum. The findings of this study provide insights into lightweight BFRGCs, highlighting their potential for applications in interior partition walls, false ceilings, decorative panels, and so on.
Length–Weight Relationships of Elasmobranchs Caught by Artisanal Fisheries From Southern Gabon
Authors: Mvomo Minko Youri Ivann , Sadio Oumar , Mbega Jean-Daniel , Schaal Gauthier , Le Loc’h François
Published: January 2025

Establishing length–weight relationships (LWRs) is essential for conserving fish populations, especially where gaps hinder efforts, particularly crucial for elasmobranch populations in the Gulf of Guinea. This study presents LWRs established for six species of elasmobranchs landed by artisanal maritime fishing in Mayumba, located in the south of Gabon. The data were collected in May 2022 and between September 2022 and March 2023. This work provides the first LWRs for six elasmobranch species that have not yet been referenced at the regional level. One of these species, Paragaleus pectoralis, lacks referenced data on FishBase.