bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bubbling Phenomena in Liquid-Filled Transformers: Background and Assessment
Authors: Gmati Ghada , Rao Ungarala Mohan , Fofana Issouf , Picher Patrick , Arroyo-Fernàndez Oscar , Rebaine Djamal
Published: May 2023

The degradation of the insulation system in liquid-filled power transformers is a serious concern for electric power utilities. The insulation system’s ageing is accelerated by moisture, acids, oxidation products, and other decay particles (soluble and colloidal). The presence of these ageing by-products is detrimental to the insulation system and may further lead to premature ageing and serious consequences. The ageing mechanisms of oil-paper insulation are complex, highly interrelated, and strongly temperature-dependent. The operating temperature of the transformer insulating system has a direct relationship with the loading profile. The major aspect that is witnessed with the fluctuating temperatures is moisture migration and subsequent bubble evolution. In other words, gas bubbles evolve from the release of water vapor from the cellulosic insulation wrapped around the transformer windings. The models presented in the existing standards, such as the IEC Std. 60076-7:2018 and the IEEE Std. C57.91:2011, are mainly based on the insulation temperature, which acts as a key parameter. Several studies have investigated the moisture dynamics and bubbling phenomenon as a function of the water content in the paper and the state of the insulation system. Some studies have reported different prototypes for the estimation of the bubble inception temperatures under selected conditions. However, there are various attributes of the insulation system that are to be considered, especially when expanding the models for the alternative liquids. This paper reviews various evaluation models reported in the literature that help understand the bubbling phenomenon in transformer insulation. The discussions also keep us in the loop on the estimation of bubbling behavior in alternative dielectric liquids and key attributable factors for use in transformers. In addition, useful tutorial elements focusing on the bubbling issue in transformers as well as some critical analyses are addressed for future research on this topic.
Windows of Opportunities: Orientation, Sizing and PV-Shading of the Glazed Area to Reduce Cooling Energy Demand in Sub-Sahara Africa
Authors: Kabanshi Alan , Choonya Gasper , Ameen Arman , Liu Wei , Mulenga Enock
Published: May 2023

In hot climates, such as sub-Sahara Africa, window sizing and orientation pose challenges as they add, through solar insolation, to the building cooling energy demand and thus the cause of indoor overheating risk. This risk can be reduced through passive building-design-integrated measures, e.g., optimizing the window size, orientation and solar shading strategies. Through an IDA-ICE building performance simulation tool, the current study explores the impact of window size, optimization and building-integrated PV panels as shading strategies on cooling energy demands in three cities (Niamey, Nairobi and Harare) in sub-Sahara Africa. Results show that thermal comfort and cooling energy demand are sensitive to a window-to-wall ratio (WWR) > 70%, while the need for artificial lighting is negligible for a WWR > 50%, particularly in the north for cities in the Southern hemisphere and the south in the Northern hemisphere. A WWR > 70% in the east and west should be avoided unless shading devices are incorporated. Internal blinds perform better in improving occupant thermal comfort but increase artificial lighting while integrating PV panels, as external shading overhangs reduce cooling energy but also produce energy that can be utilized for building services, such as air conditioning. In this study, the results and implications of the optimization of window size, orientation and building-integrated shading and operation are discussed.
A Low-Density Polyethylene-Reinforced Ternary Phase-Change Composite with High Thermal Conductivity for Battery Thermal Management
Authors: Yu Yueliang , Qin Hongmei , Ran Shusen , Song Jinhui , Xia Wenlai , Wang Shan , Xiong Chuanxi
Published: May 2023

Paraffin phase change materials (PCMs) exhibit great potential in battery thermal management (BTM); nevertheless, their application has been hampered by the handicap of low thermal conductivity, leakage, and volume expansion during phase transition. In this work, ternary composite PCMs formed of paraffin, expanded graphite (EG), and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were developed for application in BTM. The structure and properties of the composite PCMs were characterized via X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermal constant analysis. The result shows that EG can form a large-size graphite frame as heat conduction paths to improve the thermal conductivity of the composite PCM, and LDPE can form an interpenetrating network within the composite PCM to resist the internal stress of paraffin expansion and prevent deformation. The latent heat and thermal conductivity of the composite PCMs loaded with 10 wt% EG and 4 wt% LDPE can reach 172.06 J/g and 3.85 Wm−1K−1 with a relatively low leakage ratio of 6.2 wt%. Remarkably, the composite PCMs could reduce the temperature rise of the battery by 55.1%. In brief, this work provides a feasible route to develop high-performance PCMs for BTM.
Active Thermal Management of Electric Motors and Generators Using Thermoelectric (Peltier Effect) Technology
Authors: Lucas Stephen , Marian Romeo , Lucas Michael , Ogunwa Titilayo , Chahl Javaan
Published: May 2023

Electric motors and generators underpin life in today’s world. They are numerous and widespread and consume approximately 45% of the world’s energy. Any improvements in efficiency or reductions in their whole-of-life costs are actively and continually being sought. While designs accommodate the removal of heat caused by internal losses because of inefficiencies, temperature variations due to load changes and environmental temperature fluctuations, and system harmonic content still stresses electrical insulation systems. This causes the fretting of insulation, combined with moisture ingress, which leads to leakage currents and, consequently, the early failure of the electrical insulation. This paper explores the addition of thermoelectric coolers/heaters (TECs) or Peltier effect devices. We show that these solid-state devices can actively support the thermal management of a motor by keeping its internals hot, reducing moisture ingress when off, and assisting in heat removal when under load, resulting in a more thermally stable internal environment. A thermally stable environment inside the electrical machine reduces the mechanical stresses on the electrical insulation, resulting in a longer operational life and reducing the whole-of-life costs.
Electrical Vehicle Battery Charger Based on Smart Microgrid
Authors: Petreus Dorin , Patarau Toma , Szilagyi Eniko , Cirstea Marcian
Published: May 2023

The need to reduce pollution and the shortage of fossil fuels has led to the increased development of hybrid and full electric vehicles. There is also increased development and an increased use of renewable energy resources such as photovoltaic, wind, tidal, etc. These two trends pose serious challenges to the existing grids: a lack of supply power when the demand is high, deficient management of excess power, an increased number off grid faults, grid instabilities and others. One way to increase the penetration of electric vehicles (EV) into the market and to keep the existing grid infrastructure is to combine renewable energy resources with the grid and local battery packs to make EV charging stations. This paper focuses on developing such an EV charging station. The main advantages of the proposed EV charger include the fact that it uses only off-the-shelf inverters, and it is intended to be used in households where the maximum installed power is 3.6 kW to enable fast-charging operation modes or to reduce the costs of energy while charging the EV battery; it can reduce the energy demand from the grid during peak power consumption; it has the potential to lower electrical energy costs; it offers the possibility of vehicle-to-home (V2H) implementation; it is modular (if other technologies become available and more affordable, the consumers can easily update the system, adding more power or adding other types of renewable resources).
Detection Stability Improvement of Near-Infrared Laser Telemetry for Methane Emission from Oil/Gas Station Using a Catadioptric Optical Receiver
Authors: Geng Dai , Wang Di , Li Yushuang , Zhou Wei , Qi Hanbing
Published: May 2023

Open-path laser telemetry of methane leakage yields security guarantees of energy storage and transportation for oil/gas station production operation. In order to further improve the long-term detection stability under the condition of long-distance non-cooperative targets, a catadioptric optical receiver (COR) consisting of a Fresnel lens, cone reflector and parabolic reflector is proposed to focus the laser echo light that deviates gradually with the increase in atmospheric turbulence. The geometric configuration parameters of COR are optimized by the ray-tracing method, and the condensing performance of COR is further verified. The self-developed methane laser telemetry system coupled with COR is calibrated in the laboratory and then moved to the field for a signal receiving stability experiment under turbulence interference. The results show that the receiving angle of COR increases 3.8 times compared with the Fresnel lens optical receiver (FOR). The RMSE and IS of the COR system are 0.00173 V and 84.79%, respectively. For comparison, these two evaluating indicators of the FOR system are 0.00288 V and 76.23%. This self-developed methane laser telemetry system coupled with COR is feasible for improving the long-term detection stability of remote leakage monitoring in oil/gas stations.
Cloud-Based Deep Learning for Co-Estimation of Battery State of Charge and State of Health
Authors: Shi Dapai , Zhao Jingyuan , Wang Zhenghong , Zhao Heng , Eze Chika , Wang Junbin , Lian Yubo , Burke Andrew F.
Published: May 2023

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are currently the most viable option for energy storage systems in electric vehicle (EV) applications due to their high specific energy, falling costs, and acceptable cycle life. However, accurately predicting the parameters of complex, nonlinear battery systems remains challenging, given diverse aging mechanisms, cell-to-cell variations, and dynamic operating conditions. The states and parameters of batteries are becoming increasingly important in ubiquitous application scenarios, yet our ability to predict cell performance under realistic conditions remains limited. To address the challenge of modelling and predicting the evolution of multiphysics and multiscale battery systems, this study proposes a cloud-based AI-enhanced framework. The framework aims to achieve practical success in the co-estimation of the state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH) during the system’s operational lifetime. Self-supervised transformer neural networks offer new opportunities to learn representations of observational data with multiple levels of abstraction and attention mechanisms. Coupling the cloud-edge computing framework with the versatility of deep learning can leverage the predictive ability of exploiting long-range spatio-temporal dependencies across multiple scales.
Research Progress of Battery Life Prediction Methods Based on Physical Model
Authors: Wang Xingxing , Ye Peilin , Liu Shengren , Zhu Yu , Deng Yelin , Yuan Yinnan , Ni Hongjun
Published: May 2023

Remaining useful life prediction is of great significance for battery safety and maintenance. The remaining useful life prediction method, based on a physical model, has wide applicability and high prediction accuracy, which is the research hotspot of the next generation battery life prediction method. In this study, the prediction methods of battery life were compared and analyzed, and the prediction methods based on the physical model were summarized. The prediction methods were classified according to their different characteristics including the electrochemical model, equivalent circuit model, and empirical model. By analyzing the emphasis of electrochemical process simplification, different electrochemical models were classified including the P2D model, SP model, and electrochemical fusion model. The equivalent circuit model was divided into the Rint model, Thevenin model, PNGV model, and RC model for the change of electronic components in the model. According to the different mathematical expressions of constructing the empirical model, it can be divided into the exponential model, polynomial model, exponential and polynomial mixed model, and capacity degradation model. Through the collocation of different filtering methods, the different efficiency of the models is described in detail. The research progress of various prediction methods as well as the changes and characteristics of traditional models were compared and analyzed, and the future development of battery life prediction methods was prospected.
Wetland Water-Level Prediction in the Context of Machine-Learning Techniques: Where Do We Stand?
Authors: Jayathilake Tharaka , Gunathilake Miyuru B. , Wimalasiri Eranga M. , Rathnayake Upaka
Published: May 2023

Wetlands are simply areas that are fully or partially saturated with water. Not much attention has been given to wetlands in the past, due to the unawareness of their value to the general public. However, wetlands have numerous hydrological, ecological, and social values. They play an important role in interactions among soil, water, plants, and animals. The rich biodiversity in the vicinity of wetlands makes them invaluable. Therefore, the conservation of wetlands is highly important in today’s world. Many anthropogenic activities damage wetlands. Climate change has adversely impacted wetlands and their biodiversity. The shrinking of wetland areas and reducing wetland water levels can therefore be frequently seen. However, the opposite can be seen during stormy seasons. Since wetlands have permissible water levels, the prediction of wetland water levels is important. Flooding and many other severe environmental damage can happen when these water levels are exceeded. Therefore, the prediction of wetland water level is an important task to identify potential environmental damage. However, the monitoring of water levels in wetlands all over the world has been limited due to many difficulties. A Scopus-based search and a bibliometric analysis showcased the limited research work that has been carried out in the prediction of wetland water level using machine-learning techniques. Therefore, there is a clear need to assess what is available in the literature and then present it in a comprehensive review. Therefore, this review paper focuses on the state of the art of water-level prediction techniques of wetlands using machine-learning techniques. Nonlinear climatic parameters such as precipitation, evaporation, and inflows are some of the main factors deciding water levels; therefore, identifying the relationships between these parameters is complex. Therefore, machine-learning techniques are widely used to present nonlinear relationships and to predict water levels. The state-of-the-art literature summarizes that artificial neural networks (ANNs) are some of the most effective tools in wetland water-level prediction. This review can be effectively used in any future research work on wetland water-level prediction.
Geographic Variation in Opisthonema oglinum (Lesueur, 1818) in the Southeastern Brazilian Bight Inferred from Otolith Shape and Chemical Signatures
Authors: Vaz-dos-Santos André Martins , Rautenberg Kathleen Angélica , Augusto Cristiane Gallego , Ballester Eduardo Luis Cupertino , Schwingel Paulo Ricardo , Pinto Edgar , Almeida Agostinho , Correia Alberto Teodorico
Published: May 2023

The thread herring Opisthonema oglinum (Lesueur, 1818) is a small pelagic fish distributed in the western margin of the Atlantic Ocean from the United States to Argentina. It is a target species for diverse commercial fisheries, including the Brazilian industrial purse seine fleets that operate in the Southeastern Brazilian Bight. To investigate the geographic variation in the thread herring populations in this fishing ground, sagittal otoliths were collected from two areas: Rio de Janeiro (RJ: 23°04′ S, 44°03′ W) and Santa Catarina (SC: 26°05′ S, 48°18′ W). Otolith shape analyses and multi-elemental signatures were statistically evaluated using elliptical Fourier descriptors and elemental/Ca ratios. Remarkable differences in the thread herring otoliths between the two areas were found. The previous scenario in which the thread herring constitutes a single panmictic population in the Atlantic Ocean is now debatable. The implications of these results in terms of rational fisheries management for this species are highlighted.
Isolation and Identification of Pathogenic Vibrio Species in Black Rockfish Sebastes schlegeli
Authors: Liu Xiaoling , You Cuirong , Zeng Yong
Published: May 2023

Four pathogenic Vibrio species were isolated from three diseased black rockfish Sebastes schlegeli in Yantai, Shandong Province, China. The strains were identified based on physiological and biochemical characteristics and 16S rDNA sequencing and named SF-2, SF-3, SF-5, and SF-6, respectively. SF-2 was Vibrio scophthalmi, SF-3 was V. harveyi, SF-5 was V. alginolyticus, and SF-6 was V. parahaemolyticus. This is the first time that V. scophthalmi was isolated from black rockfish. The present research shows that V. scophthalmi is a potential pathogen. Detection of virulence genes using polymerase chain reaction showed that SF-3, SF-5, and SF-6 carried FlaB; SF-5 and SF-6 carried TcpA; and SF-2, SF-5, and SF-6 carried ToxS. Tdh, Trh, Tlh, ToxR, and Zot were not detected. SF-3, SF-5, and SF-6 all had protease, gelatinase, lipase, and lecithinase. They were all intermediately sensitive to erythromycin, whereas SF-2, SF-5, and SF-6 were sensitive to spectinomycin, and SF-3 was sensitive to cotrimoxazole and chloramphenicol. They were resistant to most antibiotics and multidrug resistance was obvious.
Investigating the Relationship between Aquaculture Investments, Training, and Environmental Factors in Guangdong: An Alternative Perspective
Authors: Wang Peiwen , Mendes Isabel , Franić Ramona
Published: May 2023

This study investigates the interplay between investment, training, and environmental factors in the aquaculture industry in the Guangdong region of China. Using NIPALS regression to address multicollinearity, we identify the factors that significantly impact losses of aquaculture products due to environmental factors. Our findings highlight the importance of targeted training and education for fisherfolks and extension staff to enhance environmental management practices and reduce losses. We also emphasize the need to consider regional variability and challenges in developing universal models. Based on our results, we propose using innovative technology, fostering public–private partnerships, and adapting to regional variability to address environmental challenges. Finally, we suggest establishing a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system to assess the effectiveness of interventions and promote evidence-based decision-making for sustainable development in the region’s aquaculture sector.
Transglutaminase-Catalyzed Glycosylation Improved Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Lentinus edodes Protein Fraction
Authors: Wu Shan-shan , Han Wei , Cheng Yan-fen , Yun Shao-jun , Chang Ming-chang , Cheng Fei-er , Cao Jin-ling , Feng Cui-ping
Published: May 2023

Lentinula edodes has high nutritional value and abundant protein. In order to develop and utilize edible mushroom protein, this study was designed to investigate the effects of TGase-catalyzed glycosylation and cross-linking on the physicochemical and functional properties of Lentinus edodes protein fraction. The results showed that within a certain time, glycosylation and TGase-catalyzed glycosylation decreased the total sulfydryl, free sulfydryl, disulfide bond, surface hydrophobicity, β-fold and α-helix, but increased the fluorescence intensity, random coil, β-turn, particle size and thermal stability. The apparent viscosity and the shear stress of the protein with an increase in shear rate were increased, indicating that TGase-catalyzed glycosylation promoted the generation of cross-linked polymers. In addition, the TGase-catalyzed glycosylated proteins showed a compact texture structure similar to the glycosylated proteins at the beginning, indicating that they formed a stable three-dimensional network structure. The flaky structure of proteins became more and more obvious with time. Moreover, the solubility, emulsification, stability and oil-holding capacity of enzymatic glycosylated Lentinus edodes protein fraction were significantly improved because of the proper TGase effects of glycosylation grafting and cross-linking. These results showed that glycosylation and TGase-catalyzed glycosylation could improve the processing characteristics of the Lentinula edodes protein fraction to varying degrees.
Measuring the Effectiveness of Food Policy Councils in Major Cities in the United States
Authors: Range Camille , O’Hara Sabine , Jeffery Tia , Toussaint Etienne C.
Published: May 2023

The United States food system is comprised of a diversity of stakeholders representing a range of sectors including agriculture, health, hospitality, and other sectors of the economy. Coordinating these wide-ranging aspects of the food system is a challenging responsibility of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its counterparts at the state and county level. While the USDA acknowledges the institutional importance of diversity, it has only recently begun to meaningfully consider the agricultural needs of urban environments, the unique experiences from communities of color, and opportunities for urban agriculture in its purview. This study provides a framework for food systems leaders, specifically in food policy councils (FPCs) in large urban communities, to assess the visibility and effectiveness of their diversity and inclusion initiatives represented across three key domains: (1) leadership and governance structures, (2) key stakeholder engagement strategies, and (3) advance food justice. A cluster analysis of the study results for FPCs in 19 U.S. cities and metropolitan areas across these three domains revealed four distinct groups of food policy councils. Results from the assessment of the urban FPCs reveal that they succeed in embedding diversity and inclusion in all three diversity measures, with key stakeholder engagement receiving the highest score at 73%. On average, FPCs received a score of 54% when assessing diversity and inclusion in their leadership and governance and a score of 49% in their activities to advance food justice. Results of the analysis also highlights opportunities to improve individual, thematic, and cumulative scores. Participation from food systems leadership groups such as food policy councils will be vital in advocating for equitable food systems through urban producer and consumer programs in the upcoming reauthorization of the U.S. farm bill in 2024.
Microencapsulation of Propolis and Honey Using Mixtures of Maltodextrin/Tara Gum and Modified Native Potato Starch/Tara Gum
Authors: Ligarda-Samanez Carlos A. , Choque-Quispe David , Moscoso-Moscoso Elibet , Huamán-Carrión Mary L. , Ramos-Pacheco Betsy S. , De la Cruz Germán , Arévalo-Quijano José C. , Muñoz-Saenz Jenny C. , Muñoz-Melgarejo Mauricio , Quispe-Quezada Uriel R. , Gutiérrez-Gómez Edgar , Luciano-Alipio Rober , Zamalloa-Puma Miluska M. , Álvarez-López Genaro Julio , Sucari-León Reynaldo
Published: May 2023

Ethanolic extracts of propolis and bee honey contain substances beneficial to human health. Mixtures of wall materials were compared in spray-drying microencapsulation of ethanolic extracts of propolis and bee honey rich in bioactive compounds. Maltodextrin and tara gum were used to obtain microencapsulates A, and modified native potato starch and tara gum were used for microencapsulates B. High values of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity were obtained in microcapsules A and B, and the results obtained in terms of encapsulation efficiency, yield, hygroscopicity, solubility, moisture, Aw, bulk density, and color were typical of the spray-drying process. On the other hand, spherical and elliptical microparticles of sizes between 7.83 and 53.7 µm with light and medium stability were observed. Thermogravimetric properties were similar in both microencapsulates; total organic carbon, SEM-EDS, and FTIR analyses corroborated the encapsulation. X-ray diffractogram exhibited amorphous structures, and the release kinetics of phenolic compounds presented high values from 8.13 to 12.58 mg GAE/g between 7 and 13 h. Finally, modified potato starch is a better encapsulant than maltodextrin because it has better core protection and controlled release of the encapsulated bioactive compounds.
Investigation and Application of Fractals in Civil Engineering Materials
Authors: Wang Lei , Tang Shengwen
Published: May 2023

Fractals is a new branch of nonlinear science that was established in the 1970s, focusing on irregularities, haphazard phenomena and self-similarities in nature [...]
Bifurcation of Traveling Wave Solution of Sakovich Equation with Beta Fractional Derivative
Authors: Almulhim Munirah A. , Al Nuwairan Muneerah
Published: May 2023

The current work is devoted to studying the dynamical behavior of the Sakovich equation with beta derivatives. We announce the conditions of problem parameters leading to the existence of periodic, solitary, and kink solutions by applying the qualitative theory of planar dynamical systems. Based on these conditions, we construct some new solutions by integrating the conserved quantity along the possible interval of real wave propagation in order to obtain real solutions that are significant and desirable in real-world applications. We illustrate the dependence of the solutions on the initial conditions by examining the phase plane orbit. We graphically show the fractional order beta effects on the width of the solutions and keep their amplitude approximately unchanged. The graphical representations of some 3D and 2D solutions are introduced.
Some Properties of Fractal Tsallis Entropy
Authors: Preda Vasile , Sfetcu Răzvan-Cornel
Published: May 2023

We introduce fractal Tsallis entropy and show that it satisfies Shannon–Khinchin axioms. Analogously to Tsallis divergence (or Tsallis relative entropy, according to some authors), fractal Tsallis divergence is defined and some properties of it are studied. Within this framework, Lesche stability is verified and an example concerning the microcanonical ensemble is given. We generalize the LMC complexity measure (LMC is Lopez-Ruiz, Mancini and Calbert), apply it to a two-level system and define the statistical complexity by using the Euclidean and Wootters’ distance measures in order to analyze it for two-level systems.
Doubling Smith Method for a Class of Large-Scale Generalized Fractional Diffusion Equations
Authors: Yu Bo , Li Xiang , Dong Ning
Published: May 2023

The implicit difference approach is used to discretize a class of generalized fractional diffusion equations into a series of linear equations. By rearranging the equations as the matrix form, the separable forcing term and the coefficient matrices are shown to be low-ranked and of nonsingular M-matrix structure, respectively. A low-ranked doubling Smith method with determined optimally iterative parameters is presented for solving the corresponding matrix equation. In comparison to the existing Krylov solver with Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) for the sequence Toeplitz linear system, numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed method is more effective on CPU time for solving large-scale problems.
The Effect of Cosmetic Treatment and Gel Laser Therapy on the Improvement of Comedogenic Skin Type
Authors: Pavlačková Jana , Pecháčková Hana , Egner Pavlína , Mokrejš Pavel , Gál Robert , Janalíková Magda
Published: May 2023

Comedogenic skin care receives little attention compared to the care or treatment of more serious acne manifestations. Traditional therapies may have limited success with potential side effects. Cosmetic care supported by the effect of a biostimulating laser may offer a desirable alternative. The aim of the study was to evaluate the biological effectiveness of combined cosmetic treatment with lasotherapy on comedogenic skin type using noninvasive bioengineering methods. Twelve volunteers with comedogenic skin type underwent a 28-week application of Lasocare Basic 645® cosmetic gel containing Lactoperoxidase and Lactoferrin in combination with laser therapy (Lasocare® method). The effect of treatment on skin condition was monitored using noninvasive diagnostic methods. The parameters were the amount of sebum, the pore count, the ultraviolet-induced red fluorescence assessment of comedonic lesions (percentage of the area and quantification of orange-red spots), hydration, transepidermal water loss, and pH. A statistically significant decrease in sebum production was observed on the skin of the treated volunteers, as well as a decrease in porphyrins, indicating the presence of Cutibacterium acnes populating comedones and causing enlarged pores. The balance of epidermal water in the skin was regulated adjusting the acidity of the skin coat in individual zones, which decreased the presence of Cutibacterium acnes. Cosmetic treatment in combination with the Lasocare® method successfully improved the condition of comedogenic skin. In addition to transient erythema, there were no other adverse effects. The chosen procedure appears to be a suitable and safe alternative to traditional treatment procedures known from dermatological practice.
Encapsulation of Concentrated Solution Obtained by Block Freeze Concentration in Calcium Alginate and Corn Starch Calcium Alginate Hydrogel Beads
Authors: Orellana-Palma Patricio , Macias-Bu Loren , Carvajal-Mena Nailín , Petzold Guillermo , Guerra-Valle Maria
Published: May 2023

A model (sucrose and gallic acid) solution was concentrated by block freeze concentration (BFC) at three centrifugation cycles, and the solutions were encapsulated in calcium alginate and corn starch calcium alginate hydrogel beads. Static and dynamic tests determined the rheological behavior, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) established thermal and structural properties, and the release kinetics was evaluated under in vitro simulated digestion experiment. The highest efficiency encapsulation value was close to 96%. As the concentrated solution increased in terms of solutes and gallic acid, the solutions were fitted to the Herschel–Bulkley model. Moreover, from the second cycle, the solutions exhibited the highest values of storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″), contributing to form a more stable encapsulation. The FTIR and DSC results demonstrated strong interactions between corn starch and alginate, establishing a good compatibility and stability in the bead formation. The kinetic release model under in vitro conditions was fitted to the Korsmeyer–Peppas model, demonstrating the significant stability of the model solutions inside the beads. Therefore, the present study proposes a clear and precise definition for the elaboration of liquid foods obtained by BFC and its incorporation inside an edible material that facilitates the controlled release in specific sites.
Crosstalk between miR-144/451 and Nrf2 during Recovery from Acute Hemolytic Anemia
Authors: Yang Lei , He Sheng , Ling Ling , Wang Fangfang , Xu Lei , Fang Lei , Wu Fan , Zhou Shuting , Yang Fan , Wei Hongwei , Yu Duonan
Published: May 2023

miR-144/451 and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) regulate two antioxidative systems that have been identified to maintain redox homeostasis in erythroid cells by removing excess reactive oxygen species (ROS). Whether these two genes coordinate to affect ROS scavenging and the anemic phenotype, or which gene is more important for recovery from acute anemia, has not been explored. To address these questions, we crossed miR-144/451 knockout (KO) and Nrf2 KO mice and examined the phenotype change in the animals as well as the ROS levels in erythroid cells either at baseline or under stress condition. Several discoveries were made in this study. First, Nrf2/miR-144/451 double-KO mice unexpectedly exhibit similar anemic phenotypes as miR-144/451 single-KO mice during stable erythropoiesis, although compound mutations of miR-144/451 and Nrf2 lead to higher ROS levels in erythrocytes than single gene mutations. Second, Nrf2/miR-144/451 double-mutant mice exhibit more dramatic reticulocytosis than miR-144/451 or Nrf2 single-KO mice during days 3 to 7 after inducing acute hemolytic anemia using phenylhydrazine (PHZ), indicating a synergistic effect of miR-144/451 and Nrf2 on PHZ-induced stress erythropoiesis. However, the coordination does not persist during the whole recovery stage of PHZ-induced anemia; instead, Nrf2/miR-144/451 double-KO mice follow a recovery pattern similar to miR-144/451 single-KO mice during the remaining period of erythropoiesis. Third, the complete recovery from PHZ-induced acute anemia in miR-144/451 KO mice takes longer than in Nrf2 KO mice. Our findings demonstrate that complicated crosstalk between miR-144/451 and Nrf2 does exist and the crosstalk of these two antioxidant systems is development-stage-dependent. Our findings also demonstrate that miRNA deficiency could result in a more profound defect of erythropoiesis than dysfunctional transcription factors.
Molecular Cloning and Characterization of WRKY12, A Pathogen Induced WRKY Transcription Factor from Akebia trifoliata
Authors: Wen Feng , Wu Xiaozhu , Zhang Lishen , Xiao Jiantao , Li Tongjian , Jia Mingliang
Published: May 2023

WRKY transcription factors (TFs), which are plant-specific TFs, play significant roles in plant defense. Here, a pathogen-induced WRKY gene, named AktWRKY12, which was the homologous gene of AtWRKY12, was isolated from Akebia trifoliata. The AktWRKY12 gene has a total length of 645 nucleotides and an open reading frame (ORF) encoding 214 amino acid polypeptides. The characterizations of AktWRKY12 were subsequently performed with the ExPASy online tool Compute pI/Mw, PSIPRED and SWISS-MODEL softwares. The AktWRKY12 could be classified as a member of WRKY group II-c TFs based on sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis. The results of tissue-specific expression analysis revealed that the AktWRKY12 gene was expressed in all the tested tissues, and the highest expression level was detected in A. trifoliata leaves. Subcellular localization analysis showed that AktWRKY12 was a nuclear protein. Results showed that the expression level of AktWRKY12 significantly increased in A. trifoliata leaves with pathogen infection. Furthermore, heterologous over-expression of AktWRKY12 in tobacco resulted in suppressed expression of lignin synthesis key enzyme genes. Based on our results, we speculate that AktWRKY12 might play a negative role in A. trifoliata responding to biotic stress by regulating the expression of lignin synthesis key enzyme genes during pathogen infection.
The Application of Optical Genome Mapping (OGM) in Severe Short Stature Caused by Duplication of 15q14q21.3
Authors: Ke Xiaoan , Yang Hongbo , Pan Hui , Jiang Yulin , Li Mengmeng , Zhang Hanzhe , Hao Na , Zhu Huijuan
Published: May 2023

(1) Background: Optical genome mapping (OGM) is a novel approach to identifying genomic structural variations with high accuracy and resolution. We report a proband with severe short stature caused by 46, XY, der (16) ins (16;15) (q23; q21.3q14) that was detected by OGM combined with other tests and review the clinical features of patients with duplication within 15q14q21.3; (2) Methods: OGM, whole exon sequencing (WES), copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq), and karyotyping were used; (3) Results: The proband was a 10.7-year-old boy with a complaint of severe short stature (−3.41SDS) and abnormal gait. He had growth hormone deficiency, lumbar lordosis, and epiphyseal dysplasia of both femurs. WES and CNV-seq showed a 17.27 Mb duplication of chromosome 15, and there was an insertion in chromosome 16 found by karyotyping. Furthermore, OGM revealed that duplication of 15q14q21.3 was inversely inserted into 16q23.1, resulting in two fusion genes. A total of fourteen patients carried the duplication of 15q14q21.3, with thirteen previously reported and one from our center, 42.9% of which were de novo. In addition, neurologic symptoms (71.4%,10/14) were the most common phenotypes; (4) Conclusions: OGM combined with other genetic methods can reveal the genetic etiology of patients with the clinical syndrome, presenting great potential for use in properly diagnosing in the genetic cause of the clinical syndrome.
Mitogenomes of Eight Nymphalidae Butterfly Species and Reconstructed Phylogeny of Nymphalidae (Nymphalidae: Lepidoptera)
Authors: Yan Zhen-Tian , Fan Zhen-Huai , He Shu-Lin , Wang Xue-Qian , Chen Bin , Luo Si-Te
Published: May 2023

The Nymphalidae family of cosmopolitan butterflies (Lepidoptera) comprises approximately 7200 species found on all continents and in all habitats. However, debate persists regarding the phylogenetic relationships within this family. In this study, we assembled and annotated eight mitogenomes of Nymphalidae, constituting the first report of complete mitogenomes for this family. Comparative analysis of 105 mitochondrial genomes revealed that the gene compositions and orders were identical to the ancestral insect mitogenome, except for Callerebia polyphemus trnV being before trnL and Limenitis homeyeri having two trnL genes. The results regarding length variation, AT bias, and codon usage were consistent with previous reports on butterfly mitogenomes. Our analysis indicated that the subfamilies Limenitinae, Nymphalinae, Apaturinae, Satyrinae, Charaxinae, Heliconiinae, and Danainae are monophyletic, while the subfamily the subfamily Cyrestinae is polyphyletic. Danainae is the base of the phylogenetic tree. At the tribe level, Euthaliini in Limenitinae; Melitaeini and Kallimini in Nymphalinae; Pseudergolini in Cyrestinae; Mycalesini, Coenonymphini, Ypthimini, Satyrini, and Melanitini in Satyrinae; and Charaxini in Charaxinae are regarded as monophyletic groups. However, the tribe Lethini in Satyrinae is paraphyletic, while the tribes Limenitini and Neptini in Limenitinae, Nymphalini and Hypolimni in Nymphalinae, and Danaini and Euploeini in Danainae are polyphyletic. This study is the first to report the gene features and phylogenetic relationships of the Nymphalidae family based on mitogenome analysis, providing a foundation for future studies of population genetics and phylogenetic relationships within this family.
Genetic Diversity and Population Differentiation of a Chinese Endangered Plant Ammopiptanthus nanus (M. Pop.) Cheng f.
Authors: Li Aoran , Ma Miao , Li Haotian , He Songfeng , Wang Shugao
Published: May 2023

Ammopiptanthus nanus (M. Pop.) Cheng f. is a very important resource plant that integrates soil and water conservation, afforestation of barren mountains, and ornamental, medicinal, and scientific research functions and is also a critically endangered plant in China, remaining in only six small fragmented populations in the wild. These populations have been suffering from severe anthropomorphic disturbances, causing further losses in genetic diversity. However, its genetic diversity level and genetic differentiation degree among the fragmented populations are still unclear. Inthis study, DNA was extracted from fresh leaves from the remnant populations of A. nanus, and the inter-simple-sequence repeat (ISSR) molecular marker system was used to assess its level of genetic diversity and differentiation. The result was that its genetic diversity is low at both species and population levels, with only 51.70% and 26.84% polymorphic loci, respectively. The Akeqi population had the highest genetic diversity, whereas the Ohsalur and Xiaoerbulak populations had the lowest. There was significant genetic differentiation among the populations, and the value of the genetic differentiation coefficient (Gst) was as high as 0.73, while the gene flow value was as low as 0.19 owing to spatial fragmentation and a serious genetic exchange barrier among the populations. It is suggested that a nature reserve and germplasm banks should be established as soon as possible for elimination of the anthropomorphic disturbances, and mutual introductions between the populations and introduced patches of the species, such as with habitat corridors or stepping stones, should be performed simultaneously to improve the genetic diversity of the isolated populations for the conservation of this plant.
The Genomic Landscape of Melanoma and Its Therapeutic Implications
Authors: Yang Ting-Ting , Yu Sebastian , Ke Chiao-Li Khale , Cheng Shih-Tsung
Published: May 2023

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive malignancies of the skin. The genetic composition of melanoma is complex and varies among different subtypes. With the aid of recent technologies such as next generation sequencing and single-cell sequencing, our understanding of the genomic landscape of melanoma and its tumor microenvironment has become increasingly clear. These advances may provide explanation to the heterogenic treatment outcomes of melanoma patients under current therapeutic guidelines and provide further insights to the development of potential new therapeutic targets. Here, we provide a comprehensive review on the genetics related to melanoma tumorigenesis, metastasis, and prognosis. We also review the genetics affecting the melanoma tumor microenvironment and its relation to tumor progression and treatment.
Organization and Characterization of the Promoter Elements of the rRNA Operons in the Slow-Growing Pathogen Mycobacterium kumamotonense
Authors: Sánchez-Estrada Ricardo , Méndez-Guerrero Oscar , García-Morales Lázaro , González-y-Merchand Jorge Alberto , Cerna-Cortes Jorge Francisco , Menendez María Carmen , García María Jesús , León-Solís Lizbel Esperanza , Rivera-Gutiérrez Sandra
Published: May 2023

The slow-growing, nontuberculous mycobacterium Mycobacterium kumamotonense possesses two rRNA operons, rrnA and rrnB, located downstream from the murA and tyrS genes, respectively. Here, we report the sequence and organization of the promoter regions of these two rrn operons. In the rrnA operon, transcription can be initiated from the two promoters, named P1 rrnA and PCL1, while in rrnB, transcription can only start from one, called P1 rrnB. Both rrn operons show a similar organization to the one described in Mycobacterium celatum and Mycobacterium smegmatis. Furthermore, by qRT-PCR analyses of the products generated from each promoter, we report that stress conditions such as starvation, hypoxia, and cellular infection affect the contribution of each operon to the synthesis of pre-rRNA. It was found that the products from the PCL1 promoter of rrnA play a pivotal role in rRNA synthesis during all stress conditions. Interestingly, the main participation of the products of transcription from the P1 promoter of rrnB was found during hypoxic conditions at the NRP1 phase. These results provide novel insights into pre-rRNA synthesis in mycobacteria, as well as the potential ability of M. kumamotonense to produce latent infections.
Donkey Oil-Based Ketogenic Diet Prevents Tumor Progression by Regulating Intratumor Inflammation, Metastasis and Angiogenesis in CT26 Tumor-Bearing Mice
Authors: Zhang Huachen , Xie Lan , Zhang Ning , Qi Xingzhen , Lu Ting , Xing Jingya , Akhtar Muhammad Faheem , Li Lanjie , Liu Guiqin
Published: May 2023

Colon cancer is one of the typical malignant tumors, and its prevalence has increased yearly. The ketogenic diet (KD) is a low-carbohydrate and high-fat dietary regimen that inhibits tumor growth. Donkey oil (DO) is a product with a high nutrient content and a high bioavailability of unsaturated fatty acids. Current research investigated the impact of the DO-based KD (DOKD) on CT26 colon cancer in vivo. Our findings revealed that DOKD administration significantly lowered CT26+ tumor cell growth in mice, and the blood β-hydroxybutyrate levels in the DOKD group was significantly higher than those in the natural diet group. Western blot results showed that DOKD significantly down-regulated Src, hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), extracellular signal-related kinases 1 and 2 (Erk1/2), snail, neural cadherin (N-cadherin), vimentin, matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), and it significantly up-regulated the expressions of Sirt3, S100a9, interleukin (IL)-17, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) p65, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), MyD88, and tumor necrosis factor-α. Meanwhile, in vitro validation results showed that LW6 (a HIF-1α inhibitor) significantly down-regulated the expressions of HIF-1α, N-cadherin, vimentin, MMP9, and VEGFA, which supported those of the in vivo findings. Furthermore, we found that DOKD inhibited CT26+ tumor cell growth by regulating inflammation, metastasis, and angiogenesis by activating the IL-17/TLR4/NF-κB p65 pathway and inhibiting the activation of the Src/HIF-1α/Erk1/2/Snail/N-cadherin/Vimentin/MMP9 and Erk1/2/HIF-1α/STAT3/VEGFA pathways. Our findings suggest that DOKD may suppress colon cancer progression and help prevent colon cancer cachexia.
Hereditary Cancer Syndromes: A Comprehensive Review with a Visual Tool
Authors: Garutti Mattia , Foffano Lorenzo , Mazzeo Roberta , Michelotti Anna , Da Ros Lucia , Viel Alessandra , Miolo Gianmaria , Zambelli Alberto , Puglisi Fabio
Published: May 2023

Hereditary cancer syndromes account for nearly 10% of cancers even though they are often underdiagnosed. Finding a pathogenic gene variant could have dramatic implications in terms of pharmacologic treatments, tailored preventive programs, and familiar cascade testing. However, diagnosing a hereditary cancer syndrome could be challenging because of a lack of validated testing criteria or because of their suboptimal performance. In addition, many clinicians are not sufficiently well trained to identify and select patients that could benefit from a genetic test. Herein, we searched the available literature to comprehensively review and categorize hereditary cancer syndromes affecting adults with the aim of helping clinicians in their daily clinical practice through a visual tool.