bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chaotic Synchronization in Mobile Robots
Authors: Wu Lili , Wang Dongyun , Zhang Chunwei , Mohammadzadeh Ardashir
Published: December 2022

Chaos dynamics is an interesting nonlinear effect that can be observed in many chemical, electrical, and mechanical systems. The chaos phenomenon has many applications in various branches of engineering. On the other hand, the control of mobile robots to track unpredictable chaotic trajectories has a valuable application in many security problems and military missions. The main objective in this problem is to design a controller such that the robot tracks a desired chaotic path. In this paper, the concept of synchronization of chaotic systems is studied, and a new type-3 fuzzy system (T3FLS)-based controller is designed. The T3FLS is learned by some new adaptive rules. The new learning scheme of T3FLS helps to better stabilize and synchronize. The suggested controller has a better ability to cope with high-level uncertainties. Because, in addition to the fact that the T3FLSs have better ability in an uncertain environment, the designed compensator also improves the accuracy and robustness. Several simulations show better synchronization and control accuracy of the designed controller.
Stationary Condition for Borwein Proper Efficient Solutions of Nonsmooth Multiobjective Problems with Vanishing Constraints
Authors: Huang Hui , Zhu Haole
Published: December 2022

This paper discusses optimality conditions for Borwein proper efficient solutions of nonsmooth multiobjective optimization problems with vanishing constraints. A new notion in terms of contingent cone and upper directional derivative is introduced, and a necessary condition for the Borwein proper efficient solution of the considered problem is derived. The concept of ε proper Abadie data qualification is also introduced, and a necessary condition which is called a strictly strong stationary condition for Borwein proper efficient solutions is obtained. In view of the strictly strong stationary condition, convexity of the objective functions, and quasi-convexity of constrained functions, sufficient conditions for the Borwein proper efficient solutions are presented. Some examples are given to illustrate the reasonability of the obtained results.
Guanosine Prevents Spatial Memory Impairment and Hippocampal Damage Following Amyloid-β1–42 Administration in Mice
Authors: Coelho Victor , Binder Luisa Bandeira , Marques Naiani Ferreira , Constantino Leandra Celso , Mancini Gianni , Tasca Carla Inês
Published: December 2022

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative illness responsible for cognitive impairment and dementia. Accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides in neurons and synapses causes cell metabolism to unbalance, and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to neuronal death and cognitive damage. Guanosine is an endogenous nucleoside recognized as a neuroprotective agent since it prevents glutamate-induced neurotoxicity by a mechanism not yet completely elucidated. In this study, we evaluated behavioral and biochemical effects in the hippocampus caused by the intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of Aβ1–42 peptide (400 pmol/site) in mice, and the neuroprotective effect of guanosine (8 mg/kg, i.p.). An initial evaluation on the eighth day after Aβ1–42 infusion showed no changes in the tail suspension test, although ex vivo analyses in hippocampal slices showed increased ROS production. In the second protocol, on the tenth day following Aβ1–42 infusion, no effect was observed in the sucrose splash test, but a reduction in the recognition index in the object location test showed impaired spatial memory. Analysis of hippocampal slices showed no ROS production and mitochondrial membrane potential alteration, but a tendency to increase glutamate release and a significant lactate release, pointing to a metabolic alteration. Those effects were accompanied by decreased cell viability and increased membrane damage. Guanosine treatment prevented behavioral and biochemical alterations evoked by Aβ1–42, suggesting a potential role against behavioral and biochemical damage evoked by Aβ in the hippocampus.
In Vitro and In Vivo Toxicometabolomics of the Synthetic Cathinone PCYP Studied by Means of LC-HRMS/MS
Authors: Hemmer Selina , Wagmann Lea , Pulver Benedikt , Westphal Folker , Meyer Markus R.
Published: December 2022

Synthetic cathinones are one important group amongst new psychoactive substances (NPS) and limited information is available regarding their toxicokinetics and -dynamics. Over the past few years, nontargeted toxicometabolomics has been increasingly used to study compound-related effects of NPS to identify important exogenous and endogenous biomarkers. In this study, the effects of the synthetic cathinone PCYP (2-cyclohexyl-1-phenyl-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-ethanone) on in vitro and in vivo metabolomes were investigated. Pooled human-liver microsomes and blood and urine of male Wistar rats were used to generate in vitro and in vivo data, respectively. Samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry using an untargeted metabolomics workflow. Statistical evaluation was performed using univariate and multivariate statistics. In total, sixteen phase I and one phase II metabolite of PCYP could be identified as exogenous biomarkers. Five endogenous biomarkers (e.g., adenosine and metabolites of tryptophan metabolism) related to PCYP intake could be identified in rat samples. The present data on the exogenous biomarker of PCYP are crucial for setting up analytical screening procedures. The data on the endogenous biomarker are important for further studies to better understand the physiological changes associated with cathinone abuse but may also serve in the future as additional markers for an intake.
Metabolites of De Novo Purine Synthesis: Metabolic Regulators and Cytotoxic Compounds
Authors: Souckova Olga , Skopova Vaclava , Baresova Veronika , Sedlak David , Bleyer Anthony J. , Kmoch Stanislav , Zikanova Marie
Published: December 2022

Cytotoxicity of de novo purine synthesis (DNPS) metabolites is critical to the pathogenesis of three known and one putative autosomal recessive disorder affecting DNPS. These rare disorders are caused by biallelic mutations in the DNPS genes phosphoribosylformylglycineamidine synthase (PFAS), phosphoribosylaminoimidazolecarboxylase/phosphoribosylaminoimidazolesuccinocarboxamide synthase (PAICS), adenylosuccinate lyase (ADSL), and aminoimidazole carboxamide ribonucleotide transformylase/inosine monophosphate cyclohydrolase (ATIC) and are clinically characterized by developmental abnormalities, psychomotor retardation, and nonspecific neurological impairment. At a biochemical level, loss of function of specific mutated enzymes results in elevated levels of DNPS ribosides in body fluids. The main pathogenic effect is attributed to the accumulation of DNPS ribosides, which are postulated to be toxic to the organism. Therefore, we decided to characterize the uptake and flux of several DNPS metabolites in HeLa cells and the impact of DNPS metabolites to viability of cancer cell lines and primary skin fibroblasts. We treated cells with DNPS metabolites and followed their flux in purine synthesis and degradation. In this study, we show for the first time the transport of formylglycinamide ribotide (FGAR), aminoimidazole ribotide (AIR), succinylaminoimidazolecarboxamide ribotide (SAICAR), and aminoimidazolecarboxamide ribotide (AICAR) into cells and their flux in DNPS and the degradation pathway. We found diminished cell viability mostly in the presence of FGAR and AIR. Our results suggest that direct cellular toxicity of DNPS metabolites may not be the primary pathogenetic mechanism in these disorders.
scFASTCORMICS: A Contextualization Algorithm to Reconstruct Metabolic Multi-Cell Population Models from Single-Cell RNAseq Data
Authors: Pacheco Maria Pires , Ji Jimmy , Prohaska Tessy , García María Moscardó , Sauter Thomas
Published: December 2022

Tumours are composed of various cancer cell populations with different mutation profiles, phenotypes and metabolism that cause them to react to drugs in diverse manners. Increasing the resolution of metabolic models based on single-cell expression data will provide deeper insight into such metabolic differences and improve the predictive power of the models. scFASTCORMICS is a network contextualization algorithm that builds multi-cell population genome-scale models from single-cell RNAseq data. The models contain a subnetwork for each cell population in a tumour, allowing to capture metabolic variations between these clusters. The subnetworks are connected by a union compartment that permits to simulate metabolite exchanges between cell populations in the microenvironment. scFASTCORMICS uses Pareto optimization to simultaneously maximise the compactness, completeness and specificity of the reconstructed metabolic models. scFASTCORMICS is implemented in MATLAB and requires the installation of the COBRA toolbox, rFASTCORMICS and the IBM CPLEX solver.
The Optimal Management of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infections
Authors: Ursu Ramona Gabriela , Luchian Ionut , Damian Costin , Porumb-Andrese Elena , Cobzaru Roxana Gabriela , Nichitean Giorgio , Ripa Carmen , Costin Diana , Sandu Darius , Andrioaie Ioana-Maria , Iancu Luminita Smaranda
Published: December 2022

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is one of the most frequent etiologic agents of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). Untreated asymptomatic gonococcal infection in women can lead to spreading of the infection in the sexually active population and could lead to late consequences, such as sterility or ectopic pregnancies. One important issue about N. gonorrhoeae is its increasing resistance to antibiotics. This paper summarized the newest molecular antimicrobial resistance (AMR) detection assays for Neisseria gonorrhoeae connected with the latest therapeutic antimicrobials and gonococcal vaccine candidates. The assays used to detect AMR varied from the classical minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) detection to whole-genome sequencing. New drugs against multi drug resistant (MDR) N. gonorrhoeae have been proposed and were evaluated in vivo and in vitro as being efficient in decreasing the N. gonorrhoeae burden. In addition, anti-N. gonorrhoeae vaccine candidates are being researched, which have been assessed by multiple techniques. With the efforts of many researchers who are studying the detection of antimicrobial resistance in this bacterium and identifying new drugs and new vaccine candidates against it, there is hope in reducing the gonorrhea burden worldwide.
Study on the Effect of Relaying on Norovirus Reduction from Crassostrea gigas Oysters
Authors: Battistini Roberta , Masotti Chiara , Maurella Cristiana , Costa Erica , Orlandi Mino , Feletti Mirvana , Ercolini Carlo , Serracca Laura
Published: December 2022

Norovirus (NoV) is the most important cause of seafood-borne gastroenteritis worldwide, mainly associated with the consumption of raw oysters. NoV is often present in oysters that comply with existing control standards for shellfish. Therefore, the improvement of post-harvest treatments and practices can represent one of the main strategies to reduce the incidence of viral diseases related to shellfish. This study aimed to investigate long-term relays for the reduction of NoV levels in live oysters, during the high-risk cold months, by transferring the oysters from a more contaminated site to two sites with lower NoV levels. The efficacy of relaying was evaluated by analyzing oyster samples collected at days 0 (T0) and 30 (T30) for NoV levels using a real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The NoV level at the relay sites was consistently lower than at the harvest site. The relay process for 30 days in seawater with a lower NoV level resulted in a decrease in the NoV load compared to day 0 with significant reductions depending on the site and genogroup of NoV considered. These results suggest that long-term relaying of oysters to reduce NoV levels is promising and could help growers to improve oyster safety; however, further investigations are needed.
Activity of Mono-, Bi-, and Trimetallic Catalysts Pt-Ni-Cr/C in the Bicyclohexyl Dehydrogenation Reaction
Authors: Kalenchuk Alexander N. , Kustov Leonid M.
Published: December 2022

The influence of metals with different redox properties and a carbon carrier on the activity of mono-, bi- and trimetallic Pt-Ni-Cr/C catalysts has been studied in the bicyclohexyl dehydrogenation reaction as the hydrogen release stage in hydrogen storage. An increase in the conversion (X > 62%) of bicyclohexyl and selectivity for biphenyl (S > 84%) was observed on trimetallic catalysts Pt-Ni-Cr/C compared with the monometallic catalyst Rt/C (X > 55%; S > 68%). It has been established that the increase in the conversion of bicyclohexyl and selectivity for biphenyl in the dehydrogenation reaction on trimetallic catalysts is due to an increase in the activity of Pt nanoparticles in the vicinity of local Cr-Ni clusters of solid substitution solutions.
Green Synthesis of NiO-SnO2 Nanocomposite and Effect of Calcination Temperature on Its Physicochemical Properties: Impact on the Photocatalytic Degradation of Methyl Orange
Authors: Haq Sirajul , Sarfraz Anum , Menaa Farid , Shahzad Nadia , Din Salah Ud , Almukhlifi Hanadi A. , Alshareef Sohad A. , Al Essa Ethar M. , Shahzad Muhammad Imran
Published: December 2022

Background: Nickel stannate nanocomposites could be useful for removing organic and toxic water pollutants, such as methyl orange (MO). Aim: The synthesis of a nickel oxide–tin oxide nanocomposite (NiO-SnO2 NC) via a facile and economically viable approach using a leaf extract from Ficus elastica for the photocatalytic degradation of MO. Methods: The phase composition, crystallinity, and purity were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The particles’ morphology was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The elemental analysis and colored mapping were carried out via energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The functional groups were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS) was used to study the optical properties such as the absorption edges and energy band gap, an important feature of semiconductors to determine photocatalytic applications. The photocatalytic activity of the NiO-SnO2 NC was evaluated by monitoring the degradation of MO in aqueous solution under irradiation with full light spectrum. The effects of calcination temperature, pH, initial MO concentration, and catalyst dose were all assessed to understand and optimize the physicochemical and photocatalytic properties of NiO-SnO2 NC. Results: NiO-SnO2 NC was successfully synthesized via a biological route using F. elastica leaf extract. XRD showed rhombohedral NiO and tetragonal SnO2 nanostructures and the amorphous nature of NiO-SnO2 NC. Its degree of crystallinity, crystallite size, and stability increased with increased calcination temperature. SEM depicted significant morphological changes with elevating calcination temperatures, which are attributed to the phase conversion from amorphous to crystalline. The elemental analysis and colored mapping show the formation of highly pure NiO-SnO2 NC. FTIR revealed a decrease in OH, and the ratio of oxygen vacancies at the surface of the NC can be explained by a loss of its hydrophilicity at increased temperatures. All the NC samples displayed significant absorption in the visible region, and a blue shift is seen and the energy band gap decreases when increasing the calcination temperatures due to the dehydration and formation of compacted large particles. NiO-SnO2 NC degrades MO, and the photocatalytic performance decreased with increasing calcination temperature due to an increase in the crystallite size of the NC. The optimal conditions for the efficient NC-mediated photocatalysis of MO are 100 °C, 20 mg catalyst, 50 ppm MO, and pH 6. Conclusions: The auspicious performance of the NiO-SnO2 NCs may open a new avenue for the development of semiconducting p–n heterojunction catalysts as promising structures for removing undesirable organic pollutants from the environment.
Organic Disordered Semiconductors as Networks Embedded in Space and Energy
Authors: Cuadra Lucas , Salcedo-Sanz Sancho , Nieto-Borge José Carlos
Published: December 2022

Organic disordered semiconductors have a growing importance because of their low cost, mechanical flexibility, and multiple applications in thermoelectric devices, biosensors, and optoelectronic devices. Carrier transport consists of variable-range hopping between localized quantum states, which are disordered in both space and energy within the Gaussian disorder model. In this paper, we model an organic disordered semiconductor system as a network embedded in both space and energy so that a node represents a localized state while a link encodes the probability (or, equivalently, the Miller–Abrahams hopping rate) for carriers to hop between nodes. The associated network Laplacian matrix allows for the study of carrier dynamics using edge-centric random walks, in which links are activated by the corresponding carrier hopping rates. Our simulation work suggests that at room temperature the network exhibits a strong propensity for small-network nature, a beneficial property that in network science is related to the ease of exchanging information, particles, or energy in many different systems. However, this is not the case at low temperature. Our analysis suggests that there could be a parallelism between the well-known dependence of carrier mobility on temperature and the potential emergence of the small-world property with increasing temperature.
Nano TiO2 and Molybdenum/Tungsten Iodide Octahedral Clusters: Synergism in UV/Visible-Light Driven Degradation of Organic Pollutants
Authors: Marchuk Margarita V. , Asanov Igor P. , Panafidin Maxim A. , Vorotnikov Yuri A. , Shestopalov Michael A.
Published: December 2022

Emissions of various organic pollutants in the environment becomes a more and more acute problem in the modern world as they can lead to an ecological disaster in foreseeable future. The current situation forces scientists to develop numerous methods for the treatment of polluted water. Among these methods, advanced photocatalytic oxidation is a promising approach for removing organic pollutants from wastewater. In this work, one of the most common photocatalysts—titanium dioxide—was obtained by direct aqueous hydrolysis of titanium (IV) isopropoxide and impregnated with aqueous solutions of octahedral cluster complexes [{M6I8}(DMSO)6](NO3)4 (M = Mo, W) to overcome visible light absorption issues and increase overall photocatalytic activity. XRPD analysis showed that the titania is formed as anatase-brookite mixed-phase nanoparticles and cluster impregnation does not affect the morphology of the particles. Complex deposition resulted in the expansion of the absorption up to ~500 nm and in the appearance of an additional cluster-related band gap value of 1.8 eV. Both types of materials showed high activity in the photocatalytic decomposition of RhB under UV- and sunlight irradiation with effective rate constants 4–5 times higher than those of pure TiO2. The stability of the catalysts is preserved for up to 5 cycles of photodegradation. Scavengers’ experiments revealed high impact of all of the active species in photocatalytic process indicating the formation of an S-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst.
Edge States and Strain-Driven Topological Phase Transitions in Quantum Dots in Topological Insulators
Authors: Puzantian Benjamin , Saleem Yasser , Korkusinski Marek , Hawrylak Pawel
Published: December 2022

We present here a theory of the electronic properties of quasi two-dimensional quantum dots made of topological insulators. The topological insulator is described by either eight band k→·p→ Hamiltonian or by a four-band k→·p→ Bernevig–Hughes–Zhang (BHZ) Hamiltonian. The trivial versus topological properties of the BHZ Hamiltonian are characterized by the different topologies that arise when mapping the in-plane wavevectors through the BHZ Hamiltonian onto a Bloch sphere. In the topologically nontrivial case, edge states are formed in the disc and square geometries of the quantum dot. We account for the effects of compressive strain in topological insulator quantum dots by means of the Bir–Pikus Hamiltonian. Tuning strain allows topological phase transitions between topological and trivial phases, which results in the vanishing of edge states from the energy gap. This may enable the design of a quantum strain sensor based on strain-driven transitions in HgTe topological insulator square quantum dots.
Dynamic Light Scattering Plus Scanning Electron Microscopy: Usefulness and Limitations of a Simplified Estimation of Nanocellulose Dimensions
Authors: Tarrés Quim , Aguado Roberto , Zoppe Justin O. , Mutjé Pere , Fiol Núria , Delgado-Aguilar Marc
Published: December 2022

Measurements of nanocellulose size usually demand very high-resolution techniques and tedious image processing, mainly in what pertains to the length of nanofibers. Aiming to ease the process, this work assesses a relatively simple method to estimate the dimensions of nanocellulose particles with an aspect ratio greater than 1. Nanocellulose suspensions, both as nanofibers and as nanocrystals, are subjected to dynamic light scattering (DLS) and to field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The former provides the hydrodynamic diameter, as long as the scatter angle and the consistency are adequate. Assays with different angles and concentrations compel us to recommend forward scattering (12.8°) and concentrations around 0.05–0.10 wt %. Then, FE-SEM with magnifications of ×5000–×20,000 generally suffices to obtain an acceptable approximation for the actual diameter, at least for bundles. Finally, length can be estimated by a simple geometric relationship. Regardless of whether they are collected from FE-SEM or DLS, size distributions are generally skewed to lower diameters. Width distributions from FE-SEM, in particular, are well fitted to log-normal functions. Overall, while this method is not valid for the thinnest fibrils or for single, small nanocrystals, it can be useful in lieu of very high-resolution techniques.
N, S Co-Doped Carbons Derived from Enteromorpha prolifera by a Molten Salt Approach: Antibiotics Removal Performance and Techno-Economic Analysis
Authors: Zhang Mengmeng , Huang Kexin , Ding Yi , Wang Xinyu , Gao Yingli , Li Pengfei , Zhou Yi , Guo Zheng , Zhang Yi , Wu Dapeng
Published: December 2022

N, S co-doped bio-carbons with a hierarchical porous structure and high surface area were prepared using a molten salt method and by adopting Entermorpha prolifera (EP) as a precursor. The structure and composition of the bio-carbons could be manipulated by the salt types adopted in the molten salt assisted pyrolysis. When the carbons were used as an activating agent for peroxydisulfate (PDS) in SMX degradation in the advanced oxidation process (AOP), the removal performance in the case of KCl derived bio-carbon (EPB-K) was significantly enhanced compared with that derived from NaCl (EPB-Na). In addition, the optimized EPB-K also demonstrated a high removal rate of 99.6% in the system that used local running water in the background, which proved its excellent application potential in real water treatment. The degradation mechanism study indicated that the N, S doping sites could enhance the surface affinity with the PDS, which could then facilitate 1O2 generation and the oxidation of the SMX. Moreover, a detailed techno-economic assessment suggested that the price of the salt reaction medium was of great significance as it influenced the cost of the bio-carbons. In addition, although the cost of EPB-K was higher (USD 2.34 kg−1) compared with that of EPB-Na (USD 1.72 kg−1), it was still economically competitive with the commercial active carbons for AOP water treatment.
Rizatriptan-Loaded Oral Fast Dissolving Films: Design and Characterizations
Authors: Shah Kiramat Ali , Li Guifeng , Song Lina , Gao Binbin , Huang Linyu , Luan Dazhi , Iqbal Haroon , Cao Qingri , Menaa Farid , Lee Beom-Jin , Alnasser Sulaiman M. , Alshahrani Sultan M. , Cui Jinghao
Published: December 2022

Rizatriptan (RZT) is an efficient anti-migraine drug which belongs to the class of selective 5 HT (1B/1D) serotonin receptor agonists. Nevertheless, RZT elicits several adverse effects and RZT nasal sprays have a limited half-life, requiring repeated doses that could cause patient noncompliance or harm to the nasopharynx and cilia. The current research aimed to develop orally disintegrating films (ODFs) of RZT employing maltodextrin (MTX) and pullulan (PUL) as film-forming polymers, as well as propylene glycol (PG) as a plasticizer. The ODFs were prepared by solvent casting method (SCM). The technique was optimized using Box–Behnken design (BBD), contemplating the ratios of PUL: MTX and different levels of PG (%) as factor variables. The influence of these factors was systematically analyzed on the selected dependent variables, including film thickness, disintegration time (D-time), folding endurance (FE), tensile strength (TS), percent elongation (%E), moisture content (%), and water uptake (%). In addition, the surface morphology, solid state analysis, drug content uniformity (%), drug release (%), and pH of the RZT-ODFs were also studied. The results demonstrated a satisfactory stable RZT-ODFs formulation that exhibited surface homogeneity and amorphous RZT in films with no discernible interactions between the model drug and polymeric materials. The optimized film showed a rapid D-time of 16 s and remarkable mechanical features. The in vitro dissolution kinetics showed that 100% RZT was released from optimized film compared to 61% RZT released from conventional RZT formulation in the initial 5 min. An animal pharmacokinetic (PK) investigation revealed that RZT-ODFs had a shorter time to achieve peak plasma concentration (Tmax), a higher maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), and area under the curve (AUC0−t) than traditional oral mini capsules. These findings proposed a progressive approach for developing anti-migraine drugs that could be useful in reducing the complications of dysphagia in geriatric and pediatric sufferers.
Development of a Protocol Using the Delphi Method for the ad interim Supply of Hormonal Contraceptives in Swiss Pharmacies
Authors: Yous Tamara , Spinatsch Esther , Allemann Samuel , Lutters Monika
Published: December 2022

(1) Background: Pharmacists are often challenged with situations where women are already on hormonal contraceptives (HC) but have no valid prescription. By Swiss law, pharmacists are allowed to supply prescription-only drugs in exceptional situations without a physician’s prescription. Because eligibility for HC can change, women at risk for complications, such as serious side effects, need to be identified. We aimed to develop a protocol to assist pharmacists in clarifying and documenting eligibility for HC. (2) Methods: We conducted a survey using the Delphi method to identify relevant clarifications and develop a protocol for pharmacists. Proposed material was created based on the literature and existing toolkits/protocols aimed at verifying eligibility for HC. A multidisciplinary expert panel, consisting of gynecologists and pharmacists, reviewed the proposed material and provided anonymized feedback over two survey cycles. (3) Results: This Delphi survey revealed items essential to the clarification of eligibility for HC in pharmacies for women who are already using it. This resulted in a protocol that maps “best practices” regarding these ad interim supplies of HC given without a prescription in Switzerland. (4) Conclusions: This survey, made using the Delphi method, allowed us to create a protocol for pharmacists that aims to verify and document eligibility for HC in Switzerland, where HC is frequently supplied without a prescription.
An Orbital-Angular-Momentum- and Wavelength-Tunable 2 μm Vortex Laser
Authors: Zhao Xinmiao , Liu Jingliang , Liu Mingming , Li Ruobing , Zhang Luan , Chen Xinyu
Published: December 2022

In this paper, dual tuning of orbital angular momentum (OAM) and the wavelength of a Tm:YLF vortex laser was realized by off-axis pumping and F-P etalon. The tuning of Hermite–Gaussian (HG) modes by off-axis pumping was theoretically analyzed. In the experiment, the highest 17th order HG17,0 mode was realized by off-axis pumping. The threshold power increased from 2 to 17.51 W with the increase in off-axis distance, and the curve of threshold power vs. off-axis distance was partially consistent with the theoretical simulation analysis. The Laguerre–Gaussian (LG) modes carrying OAM were produced by mode converter, and the beam quality of LG modes was good. The phase distribution of the LG modes was verified by interference. Subsequently, an F-P etalon was inserted into the resonant cavity to tune the wavelength. Finally, the OAM tuning of the vortex beam from LG1,0(OAM = −1ℏ) to LG16,0(OAM = −16ℏ) was realized, and the corresponding wavelength tuning range was from 1898–1943 nm to 1898–1937 nm.
Modulation Format Identification Based on Signal Constellation Diagrams and Support Vector Machine
Authors: Huang Zhiqi , Zhang Qi , Xin Xiangjun , Yao Haipeng , Gao Ran , Jiang Jinkun , Tian Feng , Liu Bingchun , Wang Fu , Tian Qinghua , Wang Yongjun , Yang Leijing
Published: December 2022

In coherent optical communication systems, where multiple modulation formats are mixed and variable, the correct identification of signal modulation formats provides the foundation for subsequent performance improvement using digital algorithms. A modulation format identification (MFI) scheme based on signal constellation diagrams and support vector machine (SVM) is proposed. Firstly, the signal constellation diagrams are divided by the fractal dimension of the weighted linear least squares (WLS-FD) algorithm, and the fractal dimension (FD) in each region is calculated, which is regarded as one of the image features. Then, the feature values of the image in different directions are extracted by the gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM), and their mean and variance are calculated, which is regarded as another feature. Finally, the two features are input into the modulation format classifier constructed by the SVM to achieve MFI in coherent optical communication systems. To verify the feasibility and superiority of the scheme, we compare it with the MFI scheme based on higher-order statistical (HOS) features, GLCM features, and FD features, respectively. Further, we built a 30 GBaud coherent optical communication system with fiber lengths of 80 km and 120 km, where the optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) ranges from 0 dB to 30 dB. The proposed MFI scheme identifies seven modulation formats: QPSK, 8QAM, 16QAM, 32QAM, 64QAM, 128QAM, and 256QAM. The results show that compared with the other three schemes, our proposed scheme has a better identification accuracy at low OSNR. In addition, the identification accuracy of this scheme can reach 100% when the OSNR ≥ 10 dB.
Responses of Spring Barley to Zn- and Cd-Induced Stress: Morphometric Analysis and Cytotoxicity Assay
Authors: Mandzhieva Saglara , Chaplygin Victor , Chernikova Natalia , Fedorenko Aleksey , Voloshina Marina , Minkina Tatiana , Rajput Vishnu , Elinson Maria , Wong Ming
Published: December 2022

Heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) could be dangerous and pollute the environment due to their high migration ability, robust bioavailability, and acute toxicity to soil biota and plants. Considering the above characteristics of these elements, the study’s aim was to explore the individual and combined impact of Cd and Zn contamination of Haplic Chernozem on growing two-row spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). The accumulation and distribution of Cd and Zn in various parts of H. vulgare have also been studied, which showed that Cd accumulation by H. vulgare occurred more intensely than that by Zn up to eight times. Cadmium and Zn suppress plant growth up to two times, more effect was noted by the combined impact of Cd and Zn. The study of plant morphological characteristics revealed that growth suppression and structural changes in the root and leaf tissues increased in proportion to Cd and Zn concentrations. Detailed analysis of the localizations of Zn and Cd in various organelles of H. vulgare cells was performed. Heavy metals change the ultrastructure of prominent energy-producing organelles in leaf cells, especially chloroplasts and mitochondria. Overall, the current findings offer insights into phytotoxicity induced by Cd and Zn individual application as well as in combination with the H. vulgare plant. Zinc showed protective effects against high doses of Cd under the combined application. These antagonistic interactions reduce their accessibility to H. vulgare. The present work can be useful in restricting the entry of these elements into the food chain and preventing creating a threat to human health.
Antioxidative and Immunomodulating Properties of Aronia melanocarpa Extract Rich in Anthocyanins
Authors: Bushmeleva Kseniya , Vyshtakalyuk Alexandra , Terenzhev Dmitriy , Belov Timur , Nikitin Evgeny , Zobov Vladimir
Published: December 2022

The fruits of Aronia melanocarpa are well known due to their high anthocyanin content that may be effective in preventing certain health disorders arising from oxidative stress. Various polyphenolic compounds such as anthocyanins and flavonoids are responsible for the multiple effects of chokeberry. The aim of this study was to determine in vitro how active the black chokeberry anthocyanins are in scavenging radicals and to evaluate in vivo their immunomodulating capacity. Using the method of column chromatography, we extracted the anthocyanins of black chokeberries, i.e., cyanidin-3-O-galactoside with a purity of over 93.7%. Using HPLC and spectrophotometric analysis, the flavonoid content was determined. Following the analysis of the tests with AAPH and DPPH, the chokeberry cyanidin-3-O-galactoside was found much better than individual anthocyanins in regard to antioxidant capacity. The range of concentrations was revealed, showing the protective effect of anthocyanins on the RPMI-1788 cell culture against cyclophosphamide, as well as against osmotic and peroxide hemolysis. An immunomodulating effect on the functional activity of phagocytes was revealed in vivo as a result of oral administration of chokeberry cyanidin-3-O-galactoside and a mixture composed of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and cyanidin-3-O-galactoside standards. Consequently, anthocyanins, in particular cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, play an important role, demonstrating immunomodulating effects when chokeberries are consumed.
A Jasmonate-Responsive ERF Transcription Factor Regulates Steroidal Glycoalkaloid Biosynthesis Genes in Eggplant
Authors: Shoji Tsubasa , Saito Kazuki
Published: December 2022

Steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs) are a class of cholesterol-derived anti-nutritional defense compound that are produced in species of the genus Solanum, such as tomato (S. lycopersicum), potato (S. tuberosum), and eggplant (S. melongena). However, the regulation of defense-related metabolites in eggplant remains underexplored. In tomato and potato, the JASMONATE-RESPONSIVE ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR 4 (JRE4) transcription factor positively regulates a large number of genes involved in SGA biosynthesis. Here, we report that the overexpression of eggplant JRE4 (SmJRE4) induces numerous metabolic genes involved in SGA biosynthesis in leaves. We demonstrate the jasmonate-dependent induction of SmJRE4 and its downstream metabolic genes and show that ethylene treatment attenuates this induction. Our findings thus provide molecular insights into SGA biosynthesis and its regulation in this major crop.
Simulating the Effects of Different Textural Soils and N Management on Maize Yield, N Fates, and Water and N Use Efficiencies in Northeast China
Authors: Meng Fanchao , Hu Kelin , Feng Puyu , Feng Guozhong , Gao Qiang
Published: December 2022

Determining the best management practices (BMPs) for farmland under different soil textures can provide technical support for improving maize yield, water- and nitrogen-use efficiencies (WUE and NUE), and reducing environmental N losses. In this study, a two-year (2013–2014) maize cultivation experiment was conducted on two pieces of farmland with different textural soils (loamy clay and sandy loam) in the Phaeozems zone of Northeast China. Three N fertilizer treatments were designed for each farmland: N168, N240, and N312, with N rates of 168, 240, and 312 kg ha−1, respectively. The WHCNS (soil Water Heat Carbon Nitrogen Simulator) model was calibrated and validated using the observed soil water content, soil nitrate concentration, and crop biological indicators. Then, the effects of soil texture combined with different N rates on maize yield, water consumption, and N fates were simulated. The integrated index considering the agronomic, economic, and environmental impacts was used to determine the BMPs for two textural soils. Results indicated that simulated soil water content and nitrate concentration at different soil depths, leaf area index, dry matter, and grain yield all agreed well with the measured values. Both soil texture and N rates significantly affected maize yield, N fates, WUE, and NUE. The annual average grain yield, WUE, and NUE under three N rates in sandy loam soil were 8257 kg ha−1, 1.9 kg m−3, and 41.2 kg kg−1, respectively, which were lower than those of loam clay, 11440 kg ha−1, 2.7 kg m−3, and 46.7 kg kg−1. The order of annual average yield and WUE under two textural soils was N240 > N312 > N168. The average evapotranspiration of sandy loam (447.3 mm) was higher than that of loamy clay (404.9 mm). The annual average N-leaching amount of different N treatments for sandy loam ranged from 5.1 to 13.2 kg ha−1, which was higher than that of loamy clay soil, with a range of 1.8–5.0 kg ha−1. The gaseous N loss in sandy loam soil accounted for 14.7% of the fertilizer N application rate, while it was 11.1%in loamy clay soil. The order of the NUEs of two textural soils was: N168 > N240 > N312. The recommended N fertilizer rates for sandy loam and loamy clay soils determined by the integrated index were 180 and 200 kg ha−1, respectively.
Pulicaria dysenterica (L.) Bernh.—Rightfully Earned Name? Identification and Biological Activity of New 3-Methoxycuminyl Esters from P. dysenterica Essential Oil
Authors: Radulović Niko S. , Mladenović Marko Z. , Vukićević Dušan R. , Stojanović Nikola M. , Randjelović Pavle J. , Stojanović-Radić Zorica Z. , Boylan Fabio
Published: December 2022

Motivated by the ethnopharmacological use of Pulicaria dysenterica, in the present study, the antimicrobial potential of the extracted essential oil was investigated against a panel of eighteen microorganism strains. Additionally, anti-acetylcholinesterase and antispasmodic (isolated rat distal colon) activities, general acute toxicity (Artemia salina model), and immunomodulatory properties (cytotoxicity on isolated mouse macrophages) were studied. Detailed analyses of the essential oil led to the identification of 3-methoxycuminyl 2-methylbutanoate (a new natural product) and 3-methoxycuminyl 3-methylbutanoate (a rare natural product). The obtained esters and intermediates in the synthesis of the starting alcohol (3-methoxycuminol) were subjected to a battery of 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments. The synthesized esters were additionally characterized by GC–MS, IR, and UV–Vis. The synthesized compounds (ten in total) were biologically tested in the same way as the extracted P. dysenterica essential oil. The obtained low acute toxicity and promising antimicrobial potential suggest that the P. dysenterica essential oil might partially explain the ethnopharmacological application of P. dysenterica plant material for the treatment of gastrointestinal infections.
MIX-NET: Deep Learning-Based Point Cloud Processing Method for Segmentation and Occlusion Leaf Restoration of Seedlings
Authors: Han Binbin , Li Yaqin , Bie Zhilong , Peng Chengli , Huang Yuan , Xu Shengyong
Published: December 2022

In this paper, a novel point cloud segmentation and completion framework is proposed to achieve high-quality leaf area measurement of melon seedlings. In particular, the input of our algorithm is the point cloud data collected by an Azure Kinect camera from the top view of the seedlings, and our method can enhance measurement accuracy from two aspects based on the acquired data. On the one hand, we propose a neighborhood space-constrained method to effectively filter out the hover points and outlier noise of the point cloud, which can enhance the quality of the point cloud data significantly. On the other hand, by leveraging the purely linear mixer mechanism, a new network named MIX-Net is developed to achieve segmentation and completion of the point cloud simultaneously. Different from previous methods that separate these two tasks, the proposed network can better balance these two tasks in a more definite and effective way, leading to satisfactory performance on these two tasks. The experimental results prove that our methods can outperform other competitors and provide more accurate measurement results. Specifically, for the seedling segmentation task, our method can obtain a 3.1% and 1.7% performance gain compared with PointNet++ and DGCNN, respectively. Meanwhile, the R2 of leaf area measurement improved from 0.87 to 0.93 and MSE decreased from 2.64 to 2.26 after leaf shading completion.
Genetic Dissection of Alkalinity Tolerance at the Seedling Stage in Rice (Oryza sativa) Using a High-Resolution Linkage Map
Authors: Singh Lovepreet , Coronejo Sapphire , Pruthi Rajat , Chapagain Sandeep , Bhattarai Uttam , Subudhi Prasanta K.
Published: December 2022

Although both salinity and alkalinity result from accumulation of soluble salts in soil, high pH and ionic imbalance make alkaline stress more harmful to plants. This study aimed to provide molecular insights into the alkalinity tolerance using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population developed from a cross between Cocodrie and Dular with contrasting response to alkalinity stress. Forty-six additive QTLs for nine morpho-physiological traits were mapped on to a linkage map of 4679 SNPs under alkalinity stress at the seedling stage and seven major-effect QTLs were for alkalinity tolerance scoring, Na+ and K+ concentrations and Na+:K+ ratio. The candidate genes were identified based on the comparison of the impacts of variants of genes present in five QTL intervals using the whole genome sequences of both parents. Differential expression of no apical meristem protein, cysteine protease precursor, retrotransposon protein, OsWAK28, MYB transcription factor, protein kinase, ubiquitin-carboxyl protein, and NAD binding protein genes in parents indicated their role in response to alkali stress. Our study suggests that the genetic basis of tolerance to alkalinity stress is most likely different from that of salinity stress. Introgression and validation of the QTLs and genes can be useful for improving alkalinity tolerance in rice at the seedling stage and advancing understanding of the molecular genetic basis of alkalinity stress adaptation.
Traditional Knowledge, Phytochemistry, and Biological Properties of Vachellia tortilis
Authors: Taha Douae , El Hajjaji Souad , Mourabit Yassine , Bouyahya Abdelhakim , Lee Learn-Han , El Menyiy Naoual , Tarik Aanniz , Benali Taoufiq , El Moudden Hamza , Gallo Monica , Iba Naima , Bourais Ilhame
Published: December 2022

Vachellia tortilis is a medicinal plant of the Fabaceae family, widely distributed in arid and semi-arid regions of North, East and Southern Africa, the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula. In traditional medicine. It’s commonly used to treat certain ailments, including diabetes, asthma, hepatitis and burns. Different scientific search databases were used to obtain data on V. tortilis, notably Google Scholar, Scopus, Wiley Online, Scifinder, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and PubMed. The knowledge of V. tortilis was organized based on ethnomedicinal use, phytochemistry, and pharmacological investigations. Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of a variety of phytocompounds, including fatty acids, monosaccharides, flavonoids, chalcones, and alcohols. Essential oils and organic extracts prepared from V. tortilis showed several biological properties, specifically antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antioxidant, antiproliferative, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Antimicrobial and antiparasitic activities are due to the disturbance of cellular membranes and ultra-structural changes triggered by V. tortilis phytochemicals. While physiological and molecular processes such as apoptosis induction, preventing cell proliferation, and inflammatory mediators are responsible for the anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, further investigations concerning pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics should be carried out to validate their clinical applications.
Green Manufacturing-Oriented Polyetheretherketone Additive Manufacturing and Dry Milling Post-Processing Process Research
Authors: Zhou Hao , Cheng Xiang , Jiang Xiuli , Zheng Guangming , Zhang Junfeng , Li Yang , Tang Mingze , Lv Fulin
Published: December 2022

The application of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) in additive manufacturing (AM) can effectively reduce material and energy waste in the manufacturing process and help achieve lightweight parts. As a result, AM PEEK is considered an emerging technology in line with green manufacturing concepts. However, 3D-printed PEEK parts often suffer from low mechanical strength and poor surface quality due to the immaturity of the manufacturing process. Therefore, this research investigates the feasibility of improving the surface quality of 3D-printed parts by dry milling post-processing. Meanwhile, the mechanical strength of the parts is improved by optimizing the printing process parameters, and the effects of mechanical strength on milling quality are investigated. The novelty of this research is to design experiments based on the anisotropy of 3D-printed parts. For the first time, the delamination of the milling post-processing surface of 3D-printed PEEK parts is investigated. The results show that the milled surfaces of 3D-printed PEEK parts are prone to delamination problems. The printing direction has a significant effect on the quality of milling post-processing, whereas the milling directions have little effect on milling post-processing quality. The delamination problem can be significantly improved by a side milling process where the specimen is printed at 90° and then milled. Milling surface delamination is caused by the poor mechanical strength (internal bonding) of 3D-printed PEEK parts. By improving the mechanical strength of 3D-printed PEEK parts, the delamination of its milled surfaces can be significantly improved.