bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Spatial Landscape Changes for the Period from 1998 to 2021 Caused by Extreme Flood Events in the Hornád Basin in Eastern Slovakia
Authors: Gergelova Marcela Bindzarova , Kovanič Ludovit , Abd-Elhamid Hany F. , Cornak Anton , Garaj Miroslav , Hilbert Radovan
Published: February 2023

Tracking changes in the structure of landscape dynamics as a result of flood activity is a complex process. This study presents a model for determining changes to landscapes caused by flood events by evaluating a specific territory in Eastern Slovakia, which has been affected by repeated large-scale flood events in the past. The area has not been subject to a comprehensive monitoring of changes in the landscape structure. Based on the observation of several sets of data, a combination of statistical methods and GIS spatial analysis tools (visualizing tools for compare categories, mapping, and modelling techniques, spatial analysis models for land use change and flood modelling) were used to identify changes in the landscape structure in the period from 1998 to 2021. The results point to the significance of the year 2010, with the precipitation totals for this year showing a level significantly higher than the rolling average and confirming the occurrence of an extreme flood event. The dynamics of landscape structure changes were evaluated based on changes in the representation of selected types of land cover classes. The results of a spatial evaluation of the Corine Land Cover demonstrate that the most-significant area changes were recorded in 2012 in the pasture class, with a decrease of 31% or approximately 96.5 ha. The identified difference in the frequency of representation of individual values of the normalized differential vegetation index confirms the loss of landscape diversity and the emergence of a more homogeneous type of landscape. An assessment of the state of pastures in the study area shows that this class has completely disappeared from the site near the watercourse.
The Configuration of Romanian Carpathians Landscape Controls the Volume Diversity of Picea Abies (L.) Stands
Authors: Crişan Vlad-Emil , Dincă Lucian , Bragă Cosmin , Murariu Gabriel , Tupu Eliza , Mocanu George Danut , Drasovean Romana
Published: February 2023

The present study analysed how growth of the Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H.Karst.) is influenced by site conditions throughout the Eastern and Southern Romanian Carpathians. In order to achieve the aim and the objectives stated in the present study, the volume of spruce stands was taken into account and grouped into six transects, both in the north–south direction in the Southern Carpathians and in the east–west direction in the Eastern Carpathians. We used data that were extracted from the forest management plans of the areas, carried out during the period of 1980–2005. For the Eastern Carpathians, the results revealed that at the same altitudes (700–1000 m), the volumes were higher on the eastern cline than on the western. In the case of the Southern Carpathians, for altitudes between 1300 and 1600 m, the volume of trees in the southern cline was greater than that of the trees in the northern cline. It was also found that the pure spruce stands had higher growth than the mixed ones for the same age and altitude; this was true in the cases of both the Eastern and Southern Carpathians.
Multisource Open Geospatial Big Data Fusion: Application of the Method to Demarcate Urban Agglomeration Footprints
Authors: Priyashani Nelunika , Kankanamge Nayomi , Yigitcanlar Tan
Published: February 2023

Urban agglomeration is a continuous urban spread and generally comprises a main city at the core and its adjoining growth areas. These agglomerations are studied using different concepts, theories, models, criteria, indices, and approaches, where population distribution and its associated characteristics are mainly used as the main parameters. Given the difficulties in accurately demarcating these agglomerations, novel methods and approaches have emerged in recent years. The use of geospatial big data sources to demarcate urban agglomeration is one of them. This promising method, however, has not yet been studied widely and hence remains an understudied area of research. This study explores using a multisource open geospatial big data fusion approach to demarcate urban agglomeration footprint. The paper uses the Southern Coastal Belt of Sri Lanka as the testbed to demonstrate the capabilities of this novel approach. The methodological approach considers both the urban form and functions related to the parameters of cities in defining urban agglomeration footprint. It employs near-real-time data in defining the urban function-related parameters. The results disclosed that employing urban form and function-related parameters delivers more accurate demarcation outcomes than single parameter use. Hence, the utilization of a multisource geospatial big data fusion approach for the demarcation of urban agglomeration footprint informs urban authorities in developing appropriate policies for managing urban growth.
Monitoring of Water and Tillage Soil Erosion in Agricultural Basins, a Comparison of Measurements Acquired by Differential Interferometric Analysis of Sentinel TopSAR Images and a Terrestrial LIDAR System
Authors: Sánchez-Crespo Francisco A. , Gómez-Villarino María Teresa , Gallego Eutiquio , Fuentes José M. , García Ana I. , Ayuga Francisco
Published: February 2023

Agricultural production, the main pillar of food security, is highly dependent on soil quality, and threatened by erosion processes that degrade soil quality. This article is part of a research to verify the usefulness of differential interferometric analysis on TopSAR (Terrain Observation with Progressive Scans SAR, Synthetic Aperture Radar) images to measure water and tillage erosion in small agricultural basins. For this, images from the Sentinel 1 mission are used, analyzing the deformations on the earth’s surface. The purpose of this research is to verify the accuracy of the proposed method by comparing its measures with the ones taken with the gold standard laser terrestrial LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) system, as well as to establish a basic step period framework that guarantees an admissible loss of coherence. The results on a pilot plot in El Molar (north of Madrid, Spain) showed that the differences lay within the range of the error associated with the very LIDAR system and showed that coherence losses correspond with the deformations measured. Given the economic and labor advantages of the differential interferometric analysis, this method could be regarded as an excellent alternative to the use of LIDAR in large-scale studies for measuring ground deformation caused by water and tillage erosion.
Localization of FGF21 Protein and Lipid Metabolism-Related Genes in Camels
Authors: Gao Yuan , Zhao Shuqin , Zhang Wangdong , Tang Huaping , Yan Meilin , Yong Fang , Bai Xu , Wu Xiaochun , Zhang Yong , Zhang Quanwei
Published: February 2023

With the ability to survive under drought and chronic hunger, camels display a unique regulation characteristic of lipid metabolism. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 21 is a peptide hormone that regulates metabolic pathways, especially lipid metabolism, which was considered as a promising therapeutic target for metabolic diseases. To understand the FGF21 expression pattern and its potential relationship with lipid metabolism in camels, this study investigated the distribution and expression of FGF21, receptor FGFR1, and two lipid metabolism markers, leptin and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), using an immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay. The results showed that FGF21 was widely expressed in camel central nerve tissue and peripheral organs but absent in lung and gametogenic tissue, including the testis, epididymis, and ovary. In striated muscle, FGF21 is only present at the fiber junction. FGFR1 is expressed in almost all tissues and cells, indicating that all tissues are responsive to FGF21 and other FGF-mediated signals. Leptin and HSL are mainly located in metabolic and energy-consuming organs. In the CNS, leptin and HSL showed a similar expression pattern with FGFR1. In addition, leptin expression is extremely high in the bronchial epithelium, which may be due to its role in the immune responses of respiratory mucosa, in addition to fat stores and energy balance. This study found that FGF21 showed active expression in the nervous system of camels, which may be related to the adaptability of camels to arid environments and the specific regulation of lipid metabolism. This study showed a special FGF21-mediated fat conversion pattern in camels and provides a reference for developing a potential therapeutic method for fat metabolism disease.
Examination of Different Sporidium Numbers of Ustilago maydis Infection on Two Hungarian Sweet Corn Hybrids’ Characteristics at Vegetative and Generative Stages
Authors: Szőke Lóránt , Moloi Makoena Joyce , Kaczur Dávid , Radócz László , Tóth Brigitta
Published: February 2023

Corn smut is one of the major diseases in corn production. The cob infection causes high economic and quality loss. This research investigated the effects of three different concentrations of corn smut infection (2500, 5000, and 10,000 sporidia/mL) on two Hungarian sweet corn hybrids (Desszert 73 and Noa). Plants were infected at the vegetative (V4–V5) and the generative (V7) stages. The effects of the corn smut infection were evaluated at 7 and 14 days after the pathogen infection (DAPI) at vegetative and at 21 DAPI at generative stages. The photosynthetic pigments (relative chlorophyll, chlorophyll-a and b, and carotenoids), malondialdehyde (MDA), and proline concentration, activities of the antioxidant enzymes [ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (POX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)], morphological characteristics (plant height, stem and cob diameter, cob length, cob and kernel weights), mineral contents (Al, B, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Pb, S, Sr, and Zn), and quality parameters (dry matter, fiber, fat, ash, nitrogen, and protein) were measured. At both sampling times (7 and 14 DAPI) in both hybrids, the corn smut infection reduced the photosynthetic pigments (relative chlorophyll, chlorophylls-a, and b, and carotenoids) irrespective of the spore concentration. Under the same conditions, the MDA and proline contents, as well as the activities of APX, POX, and SOD increased at both sampling times. The negative effects of the corn smut infection were also observed at the generative stage. Only the 10,000 sporidia/mL of corn smut caused symptoms (tumor growth) on the cobs of both hybrids at 21 DAPI. Similarly, this treatment impacted adversely the cob characteristics (reduced cob length, kernel weight, and 100 grains fresh and dry weight) for both hybrids. In addition, crude fat and protein content, Mg, and Mn concentration of grains also decreased in both hybrids while the concentration of Al and Ca increased. Based on these results, the sweet corn hybrids were more susceptible to corn smut at the vegetative stage than at the generative stage.
DOCK2 Mutation and Recurrent Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: Reiff Daniel D. , Zhang Mingce , Cron Randy Q.
Published: February 2023

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a syndrome resulting from uncontrolled hyper-inflammation, excessive immune system activation, and elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines. HLH can be caused by the inability to downregulate activated macrophages by natural killer (NK) and CD8 cytotoxic T cells through a process reliant on perforin and granzyme B to initiate apoptosis. Homozygous genetic mutations in this process result in primary HLH (pHLH), a disorder that can lead to multi-system organ failure and death in infancy. Heterozygous, dominant-negative, or monoallelic hypomorphic mutations in these same genes can cause a similar syndrome in the presence of an immune trigger, leading to secondary HLH (sHLH). A genetic mutation in a potential novel HLH-associated gene, dedicator of cytokinesis 2 (DOCK2), was identified in a patient with recurrent episodes of sHLH and hyperinflammation in the setting of frequent central line infections. He required baseline immune suppression for the prevention of sHLH, with increased anti-cytokine therapies and corticosteroids in response to flares and infections. Using a foamy-virus approach, the patient’s DOCK2 mutation and wild-type (WT) control DOCK2 cDNA were separately transduced into a human NK-92 cell line. The NK-cell populations were stimulated with NK-sensitive K562 erythroleukemia target cells in vitro and degranulation and cytolysis were measured using CD107a expression and live/dead fixable cell dead reagent, respectively. Compared to WT, the patient’s DOCK2 mutation was found to cause significantly decreased NK cell function, degranulation, and cytotoxicity. This study speaks to the importance of DOCK2 and similar genes in the pathogenesis of sHLH, with implications for its diagnosis and treatment.
Non-Similar Solutions of Dissipative Buoyancy Flow and Heat Transfer Induced by Water-Based Graphene Oxide Nanofluid through a Yawed Cylinder
Authors: Khan Umair , Zaib Aurang , Abu Bakar Sakhinah , Soid Siti Khuzaimah , Ishak Anuar , Elattar Samia , Abed Ahmed M.
Published: February 2023

The fluid flow through blunt bodies that are yawed and un-yawed frequently happens in many engineering applications. The practical significance of deep-water applications such as propagation control, splitting the boundary layer over submerged blocks, and preventing recirculation bubbles is explained by the fluid flow across a yawed cylinder. The current work examined the mixed convective flow and convective heat transfer by incorporating water-based graphene oxide nanofluid around a yawed cylinder with viscous dissipation and irregular heat source/sink. To investigate the heat diffusion across the system of buoyancy effects, the mathematical formulation of the problem was modeled in terms of coupled, nonlinear partial differential equations. The boundary value problem of the fourth-order (bvp4c) solver was operated to find the non-similarity solution. The outcomes indicated that the velocity in both directions enlarged owing to the higher impacts of yaw angle for the phenomenon of assisting flow but decreased for the instance of opposing flow, while the temperature of nanofluid increased because of heightened estimations of yaw angle for both assisting and opposing flows. In addition, with larger impacts of nanoparticle volume fraction, the shear stresses were enhanced by about 0.76% and 0.93% for the case of assisting flow, while for the case of opposing flow, they improved by almost 0.65% and 1.38%, respectively.
Measurement for Lubricant Distribution in an Angular Contact Ball Bearing and Its Influence Investigation
Authors: Wen Baogang , Li Yemin , Wang Meiling , Yang Yang
Published: February 2023

Oil lubrication is widely adopted in rolling bearings, the characteristics of which affect the oil film formation and friction state, and also the heat generation and dissipation characteristics. However, it is difficult to measure the internal lubrication of rolling bearings in practice, which is of great importance for lubrication and structure design. In this work, one measurement system for lubricant distribution was built and installed on a test rig to obtain original pictures of the lubricant in bearings. Grayscale images were obtained by picture processing to characterize the lubricant distribution, and the image pixels were evaluated for the characterization of lubricant volume. Finally, the measurement of the lubricant distribution in the angular ball bearing was carried out under different lubrication and cage groove conditions, and their influences were investigated. The results show that the lubricant distribution is affected by the oil jet nozzle angle, operating speed, and cage structure. The lubricant capacity among balls and the cage pocket in bearings gradually increased with the increase in the nozzle angle and the depth of the cage grooves, but decreased with the increasing operating speed. The experimental results are helpful to provide a basis for the structure and lubrication design of ball bearings.
Impact Performance Prediction and Optimization of a Circumferentially Corrugated Tube with Variable Wall Thickness Using Support Vector Machine
Authors: Li Zhixiang , Yang Chengxing , Yao Shuguang
Published: February 2023

Based on the hypothesis that multi-corner and multi-cell structures can effectively improve energy absorption behavior, this paper designed a multi-cell circumferentially corrugated tube (MCCT) for energy absorption. The MCCT was designed as a variable thickness form to study the influence of the materials distribution on the cross section on energy absorption. The energy absorption performance of the MCCT was investigated under impact condition with finite element simulation validated by a drop hammer test. Support vector machine, a machine learning technique, was used to predict the energy absorption performance and was further used for optimization of the MCCT. The results show that under the same mass, the MCCT with variable decreasing wall thickness (corners thicker than other regions) shows 4.81%, 30.67% and 37.70% improvement, respectively, in PCF, SEA and CFE, compared to the MCCT with variable increasing wall thickness (corners thinner than other regions). Moreover, the optimization results show that most samples in Pareto front lie in the region of tc > tm. These results all indicate that the MCCT with variable decreasing wall thickness performs better than with increasing wall thickness with regards energy absorption. In conclusion, arranging more materials in the corner element area can effectively improve the energy absorption characteristics of the thin-walled tube. This paper highlights the importance of designing thin-walled tubes as multi-corner and variable thickness configurations for energy absorption.
The Role of Coupling Agents in the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Polypropylene/Wood Flour Composites
Authors: Zárate-Pérez Cecilia , Ramírez-Aguilar Rodrigo , Franco-Urquiza Edgar A. , Sánchez-Alvarado Carlos
Published: February 2023

This work is a collaborative effort between academia and industry to promote the development of new sustainable and profitable materials for manufacturing products. Incorporating wood flour particles (WF) in polypropylene (PP) grants environmental advantages in developing products that use renewable resources to manufacture PP/WF composites using the melt intercalation process. However, the interaction between a hydrophilic strengthening phase (wood flour) with a nonpolar polymer matrix (PP) is poor, resulting in deficient mechanical performance. This investigation details the use of graft and masterbatch coupling agents to evaluate their effects on mechanical parameters. The low compatibility between the constituents favors increasing the composites’ thermal properties because the reinforcing phase acts as a nucleating agent. PP showed typical mechanical behavior, with a marked necking and a wide deformation capacity of approximately 180%. The mechanical behavior of the PP/WF composites revealed an elastic region followed by a termination after their yield point, shortening the stress–strain curves and reducing their ductility at strain values of approximately 2–4%. Graft coupling agents have better intermolecular performance with PP than masterbatch coupling agents. The modulus of elasticity of the composites increased to around 82% relative to PP. Processing methods influenced the thermal properties of the composites. The melt-blending process promoted molecular orientation, while injection molding erased the thermomechanical history of the extruded pellets. The melting temperature was similar in the composites, so there was no evidence of thermal degradation. The results showed that the coupling agents favor the crystallinity of the PP over tensile strength. SEM observations showed insufficient adhesion between the WF and PP, which promotes a reduction in stress transfer during tensile testing. The WF particles act as fillers that increase the stiffness and reduce the ductility of composites.
Lattice Enumeration with Discrete Pruning: Improvements, Cost Estimation and Optimal Parameters
Authors: Luan Luan , Gu Chunxiang , Zheng Yonghui , Shi Yanan
Published: February 2023

Lattice enumeration is a linear-space algorithm for solving the shortest lattice vector problem (SVP). Extreme pruning is a practical technique for accelerating lattice enumeration, which has a mature theoretical analysis and practical implementation. However, these works have yet to be applied to discrete pruning. In this paper, we improve the discrete pruned enumeration (DP enumeration) and provide a solution to the problem proposed by Léo Ducas and Damien Stehlé regarding the cost estimation of discrete pruning. We first rectify the randomness assumption to more precisely describe the lattice point distribution of DP enumeration. Then, we propose a series of improvements, including a new polynomial-time binary search algorithm for cell enumeration radius, a refined cell-decoding algorithm and a rerandomization and reprocessing strategy, all aiming to lift the efficiency and build a more precise cost-estimation model for DP enumeration. Based on these theoretical and practical improvements, we build a precise cost-estimation model for DP enumeration by simulation, which has good accuracy in experiments. This DP simulator enables us to propose an optimization method of calculating the optimal parameters of DP enumeration to minimize the running time. The experimental results and asymptotic analysis both show that the discrete pruning method could outperform extreme pruning, which means that our optimized DP enumeration might become the most efficient polynomial-space SVP solver to date. An open-source implementation of DP enumeration with its simulator is also provided.
Research into the Relationship between Personality and Behavior in Video Games, Based on Mining Association Rules
Authors: Gao Mengyang , Wang Jun , Yang Jing
Published: February 2023

Nowadays, people have started to spend more and more time using the Internet, which has a crucial impact on people’s lives. Individual personality type is often the main factor dictating the various behaviors that people carry out, and it dominates their activities when socializing, communicating, and making choices in the virtual world. This study is dedicated to uncovering how the six dimensions of personality traits relate to players’ in-game behavior. This research is divided into two studies. Study 1 uses the K-means method to classify players in “Clash of Kings”, an online strategy video game, according to their activities. Using apriori algorithm, this research analyzes the correlation between in-game behavior and personality. In Study 2, the correlations are validated. In conclusion, not all personality traits are related to in-game behaviors. Players with high extraversion demonstrate more killings and attacks in games. Conscientiousness is negatively related to deaths. Emotionality shows strong extremes. The highest or lowest emotionality scores are associated with killings and attacks, while players with moderate emotionality will behave irregularly. Honesty/humility, agreeableness, and openness to experience are not predictive of in-game behaviors. For game manufacturers, players’ personality traits can be inferred through their corresponding in-game behaviors, to use in order to carry out targeted promotions.
Forecasting Financial and Macroeconomic Variables Using an Adaptive Parameter VAR-KF Model
Authors: Promma Nat , Chutsagulprom Nawinda
Published: February 2023

The primary objective of this article is to present an adaptive parameter VAR-KF technique (APVAR-KF) to forecast stock market performance and macroeconomic factors. The method exploits a vector autoregressive model as a system identification technique, and the Kalman filter is served as a recursive state parameter estimation tool. A further development was designed by incorporating the GARCH model to quantify an automatic observation covariance matrix in the Kalman filter step. To verify the efficiency of our proposed method, we conducted an experimental simulation applied to the main stock exchange index, real effective exchange rate and consumer price index of Thailand and Indonesia from January 1997 to May 2021. The APVAR-KF method is generally shown to have a superior performance relative to the conventional VAR(1) model and the VAR-KF model with constant parameters.
Associations between Body Mass Index and Prostate Cancer: The Impact on Progression-Free Survival
Authors: Popovici Dorel , Stanisav Cristian , Pricop Marius , Dragomir Radu , Saftescu Sorin , Ciurescu Daniel
Published: February 2023

Background and objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of body mass index on PCa outcomes in our institution and also to find if there are statistically significant differences between the variables. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed to extract information about all male patients with prostate cancer between 1 February 2015, and 25 October 2022, and with information about age, weight, height, follow-up, and PSA. We identified a group of 728 patients, of which a total of 219 patients resulted after the inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival, which was defined as the length of time that the patient lives with the disease, but no relapses occur, and this group included 105 patients. In this case, 114 patients had a biological, local or metastatic relapse and were included in the progression group. Results: Our study suggests that prostate cancer incidence rises with age (72 ± 7.81 years) in men with a normal BMI, but the diagnostic age tends to drop in those with higher BMIs, i.e., overweight, and obese in the age range of 69.47 ± 6.31 years, respectively, 69.1 ± 7.51 years. A statistically significant difference was observed in the progression group of de novo metastases versus the absent metastases group at diagnostic (p = 0.04). The progression group with metastases present (n = 70) at diagnostic had a shorter time to progression, compared to the absent metastases group (n = 44), 18.04 ± 11.37 months, respectively, 23.95 ± 16.39 months. Also, PSA levels tend to diminish with increasing BMI classification, but no statistically significant difference was observed. Conclusions: The median diagnostic age decreases with increasing BMI category. Overweight and obese patients are more likely to have an advanced or metastatic prostate cancer at diagnosis. The progression group with metastatic disease at diagnostic had a shorter time to progression, compared to the absent metastases group. Regarding prostate serum antigen, the levels tend to become lower in the higher BMI groups, possibly leading to a late diagnosis.
Dual-Modular Versus Single-Modular Stems for Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Long-Term Survival Analysis
Authors: Fokter Samo K. , Noč Nejc , Levašič Vesna , Hanc Marko , Zajc Jan
Published: February 2023

Background and Objectives: Increased revision rate of dual-modular (DM) femoral stems in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) because of modular-neck breakage and adverse local tissue reactions (ALTRs) to additional junction damage products is well established and some designs have been recalled from the market. However, some long-term studies of specific DM stems did not confirm the inferiority of these stems compared to standard single-modular (SM) stems, and a head-to-head comparison THA is missing. The objectives of this multicentre study were to determine the survivorship and complication rates of a common DM stem design compared to a similar SM stem. Materials and Methods: In a time frame from January 2012 to November 2015, a cohort of 807 patients (882 hips) consecutively underwent primary cementless THAs at two orthopaedic centres. 377 hips were treated with a Zweimüller-type DM stem THA system and 505 hips with a similar SM stem THA system, both including a modern press-fit acetabulum. Kaplan-Meier survivorship and complication rates were compared between both groups in a median follow-up of 9.0 years (maximum, 9.9 years). Results: The 9-year survivorship of the DM stem THA system (92.6%, 95% CI 89.9–95.3) was significantly lower than that of the SM stem THA system (97.0%, 95% CI 95.2–98.8). There were no differences in revision rates for septic loosening, dislocation, and periprosthetic fractures between the two groups. One ceramic inlay and one Ti-alloy modular neck breakage occurred in the DM stem THA system group, but the main reason for revision in this group was aseptic loosening of components. Conclusions: The survivorship of the DM stem THA system was lower than the similar SM stem THA system in a comparable clinical environment with long-term follow-up. Our results confirmed that no rationale for stem modularity exists in primary THAs.
The LipoDerm Method for Regeneration and Reconstruction in Plastic Surgery: A Technical Experimental Ex Vivo Note
Authors: Alharbi Ziyad , Qari Sarah , Bader Maryam , Khamis Sherif , Almarzouqi Faris , Vogt Michael , Opländer Christian
Published: February 2023

The combination of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and dermal scaffolds has been shown to be an approach with high potential in soft tissue reconstruction. The addition of dermal templates to skin grafts can increase graft survival through angiogenesis, improve regeneration and healing time, and enhance the overall appearance. However, it remains unknown whether the addition of nanofat-containing ASCs to this construct could effectively facilitate the creation of a multi-layer biological regenerative graft, which could possibly be used for soft tissue reconstruction in the future in a single operation. Initially, microfat was harvested using Coleman’s technique, then isolated through the strict protocol using Tonnard’s technique. Finally, centrifugation, emulsification, and filtration were conducted to seed the filtered nanofat-containing ASCs onto Matriderm for sterile ex vivo cellular enrichment. After seeding, a resazurin-based reagent was added, and the construct was visualized using two-photon microscopy. Within 1 h of incubation, viable ASCs were detected and attached to the top layer of the scaffold. This experimental ex vivo note opens more dimensions and horizons towards the combination of ASCs and collagen–elastin matrices (i.e., dermal scaffolds) as an effective approach in soft tissue regeneration. The proposed multi-layered structure containing nanofat and dermal template (Lipoderm) may be used, in the future, as a biological regenerative graft for wound defect reconstruction and regeneration in a single operation and can also be combined with skin grafts. Such protocols may optimize the skin graft results by creating a multi-layer soft tissue reconstruction template, leading to more optimal regeneration and aesthetic outcomes.
Comparative Study about Dimensional Accuracy and Surface Finish of Constant-Breadth Cams Manufactured by FFF and CNC Milling
Authors: Zayas-Figueras Enrique E. , Buj-Corral Irene
Published: February 2023

In this work, the design, manufacture and measurement process of constant-breadth cams is presented. The motion law of the cam was designed by means of Bézier curves and the corresponding design desmodromic constraints. The cams were manufactured in two different materials employing two different processes: PLA cams with fused filament fabrication (FFF) and aluminium cams with computer numerical control (CNC) milling. The main aim of this work is to compare both types of cams regarding dimensional accuracy and surface finish, in order to evaluate if it would be possible to temporally replace a metallic cam with a plastic one during the repair of the first one. Dimensions were measured with micrometres and surface roughness with a contact roughness meter. The results show that, in diametral dimensions, similar dimensional error values were obtained for both the 3D-printed and the machined cams. However, in longitudinal dimensions, whose direction is perpendicular to the 3D-printed layers, the 3D-printed cams showed higher dimensional error than the machined ones. The average roughness Ra in the 3D-printed cams was 20 times higher than in the milled cams. According to the results, it would be recommended to temporally replace metallic cams with plastic ones in applications of low-power transmission. Given that in the literature little information is available about the measurement of 3D-printed desmodromic cams, this work will contribute to the study and analysis of this kind of 3D printed mechanism.
Barrier Performance of Spray Coated Cellulose Nanofibre Film
Authors: Shanmugam Kirubanandan , Chandrasekar Narendhar , Balaji Ramachandran
Published: February 2023

Cellulose nanofibre (CNF) is the sustainable nanomaterial used for developing high-performance barrier materials that are renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable. The CNF film has very low oxygen permeability; however, its water vapor permeability is significantly higher than that of conventional packaging plastics. The fabrication method influences their barrier properties of the film. A spray-coating CNF on a stainless-steel plate was developed to form a compact film with two unique surfaces, namely a smooth layer on the base side and rough layer on the free side. It improves both the ease of preparation of the film and reduces the water vapour permeability via tailoring the basis weight and thickness of the film through simple adjusting CNF content in the suspension. The air permanence of the film from 1.0 wt.% to 2.0 wt.% CNF suspension is less than 0.003 µm/Pa·S confirming that is an impermeable film and proves a good packaging material. SEM, optical profilometry, and AFM revealed that the spray-coated surface was smooth and glossy. For sprayed CNF films with basis weight between 86.26 ± 13.61 and 155.85 ± 18.01 g/m2, WVP were ranged from 6.99 ± 1.17 × 10−11 to 4.19 ± 1.45 × 10−11 g/m·Pa·S. In comparison, the WVP of 100 g/m2 vacuum filtered CNF film was 5.50 ± 0.84 × 10−11 g/m·Pa·S, spray-coated film (of 96.6 g/m2) also show similar permeability at around 5.34 ± 0.603 × 10−11 g/m·Pa·S. The best performance was achieved with spraying of 2.0 wt.% CNF and a water vapour permeability of 3.91 × 10−11 g/m·s·Pa. Spray coated CNF film is impermeable against air and water vapour and a potential alternative to synthetic plastics.
Comparative Analysis between Salmonella enterica Isolated from Imported and Chinese Native Chicken Breeds
Authors: Shi Wenjian , Tang Wenli , Li Yafei , Han Yu , Cui Lulu , Sun Shuhong
Published: February 2023

Salmonella enterica is considered a significant threat to the global poultry industry and public health. In recent decades, antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella enterica has attracted increasing concern throughout the world. However, limited information is available on Salmonella enterica among different breeds of breeder chickens. Thus, this study aimed to compare the prevalence, serotype distribution, emergence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), antimicrobial resistance, and genetic resistance mechanisms in Salmonella enterica among different breeds of breeder chickens. A total of 693 samples (dead embryos, cloacal swabs, water, feed, environmental swabs, and meconium of newly hatched chicks) were selected and cultured for Salmonella from four breeder chicken farms in Shandong province, China, representing one imported and three native breeds, and the isolates were further serotyped. Of the Salmonella isolates, susceptibility to 11 antimicrobials of 5 classes, ESBL screening, and the presence of 21 antimicrobial resistance genes were determined in the present study. Overall, 94 (13.6%) isolates were recovered, which were divided into 3 serotypes (Salmonella Pullorum (n = 36), Salmonella Thompson (n = 32), and Salmonella Enteritidis (n = 26)). The results showed that the prevalence of Salmonella enterica isolates from the imported breeds was higher compared with the three domestic breeds. Eight of the ninety-four isolates were ESBL-positive strains, which were recovered from a domestic breed chicken farm. These eight ESBL-producing isolates were serotyped to Pullorum. Surprisingly, Salmonella Enteritidis (S. enteritidis) and S. pullorum were simultaneously isolated from a single dead embryo observed among one native breed. Meanwhile, among the Salmonella isolates, 53.2% (50/94) were multidrug-resistant strains, and 44.7% (42/94) of the isolates presented resistance to at least five antibiotics. Nearly all of the isolates (97.9%, 92/94) were resistant to at least one antimicrobial; one isolate of S. Thompson was resistant to seven antimicrobial agents belonging to four different classes. The carriage rate of three resistance genes (tetA, tetB, and sul1) among isolates from the imported breeds (87%, 70%, and 65.2%) was higher than that in those from domestic breeds (35.2%, 36.6, and 14.1%). To our knowledge, this is the first report of ESBLs-producing Salmonella isolated from a Chinese native breed of breeder chickens. Our results also highlight that a high prevalence of multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica contamination is widespread among different breeds of breeder chickens, which is a major risk of food-borne diseases and public health.
Plant Microbiome: An Ocean of Possibilities for Improving Disease Resistance in Plants
Authors: Ali Sajad , Tyagi Anshika , Bae Hanhong
Published: February 2023

Plant diseases pose a serious threat to crop production and the agricultural economy across the globe. Currently, chemical pesticides are frequently employed to combat these infections, which cause environmental toxicity and the emergence of resistant pathogens. Moreover, the genetic manipulation of plant defense pathways and the breeding of resistant genes has attained limited success due to the rapid evolution of pathogen virulence and resistance, together with host range expansion. Additionally, due to climate change and global warming, the occurrence of multiple stresses during disease outbreak has further impacted overall crop growth and productivity, posing a serious threat to food security. In this regard, harnessing the plant beneficial microbiome and its products can provide novel avenues for disease resistance in addition to boosting agricultural output, soil fertility and environmental sustainability. In plant–beneficial microbiome interactions, induced systemic resistance (ISR) has emerged as a key mechanism by which a beneficial microbiome primes the entire plant system for better defense against a wide range of phytopathogens and pests. In this review, we provide the recent developments on the role of plant beneficial microbiomes in disease resistance. We also highlight knowledge gaps and discuss how the plant immune system distinguishes pathogens and beneficial microbiota. Furthermore, we provide an overview on how immune signature hormones, such as salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene (ET), shape plant beneficial microbiome. We also discuss the importance of various high-throughput tools and their integration with synthetic biology to design tailored microbial communities for disease resistance. Finally, we conclude by highlighting important themes that need future attention in order to fill the knowledge gaps regarding the plant immune system and plant-beneficial-microbiome-mediated disease resistance.
U-Pb Dating, Lead Isotopes, and Trace Element Composition of Pyrite Hosted in Black Shale and Magmatic Rocks, Malaysia: Implications for Orogenic Gold Mineralization and Exploration
Authors: Makoundi Charles , Zaw Khin , Endut Zakaria
Published: February 2023

Several orogenic/sediment-hosted gold deposits are widely distributed in the Central Belt of Peninsular Malaysia. This study combines U-Pb dating with the isotope composition of lead as well as gold content in ore and magmatic rock-hosted pyrite. It aims to investigate the age of gold mineralization and possibly establish a link between gold mineralization and magmatic intrusion in the district. The results show that the S-type magmatic rocks yield crystallisation ages ranging from 204.1 ± 4.7 Ma to 223 ± 3.2 Ma with low magnetic susceptibility measurements below 3 × 10−3 SI unit. These ages fit within the 200–250 Ma Pb-Pb model age of the Pb isotopic composition of K-feldspars. Pyrite trace element mapping has shown that gold and lead show zoning patterns occurring at the same time in pyrite. The Pb isotope composition of the cores of pyrite grains indicate that the approximate model age of gold mineralization is 200 Ma. This age is close to 197–199 Ma (Early Jurassic), previously determined by K-Ar dating of sericite which was interpreted to be the age of gold mineralization. In this study, gold content varies up to 793 ppb in the analysed magmatic rock-hosted pyrites, indicative of a likely magmatic contribution to gold mineralization.
Performance Analysis of HRC™ HPGR in Manufactured Sand Production
Authors: de Almeida Júlio , Delboni Homero , Bento Rafael , Reggio Alfredo , Cremonese Everson
Published: February 2023

The costs related to comminution in the mineral industry are significant, thus representing the main challenge for optimizing such a process. During the last few decades, the technology of High-Pressure Grinding Rolls (HPGR) has been consolidated as an important alternative for comminution circuits, due to the relatively low operational cost, as well as a relatively high energy efficiency. Due the initial high capital costs, HPGR applications are limited to high-capital projects. However, Metso Outotec has recently developed a relatively low-cost HPGR equipment mainly applied to aggregates segment. Accordingly, this work aims to evaluate the performance of HRC™ HPGR in the production of manufactured sand, based on surveys carried out in an existing industrial plant. The performance assessment indicates that the HRC™ was an adequate alternative for manufactured sand production. The analysis also includes the comparisons of the resulting products based on Brazilian Standards for sands used in concrete and filters.
A Review of Bifunctional Catalysts for Zinc-Air Batteries
Authors: Phuc Nguyen Huu Huy , Anh Tu Tran , Cam Loc Luu , Xuan Viet Cao , Thi Thuy Phuong Pham , Tri Nguyen , Van Thang Le
Published: February 2023

Zinc–air batteries are promising candidates as stationary power sources because of their high specific energy density, high volumetric energy density, environmental friendliness, and low cost. The oxygen-related reactions at the air electrode are kinetically slow; thus, the air electrode integrated with an oxygen electrocatalyst is the most critical component, and inevitably determines the performance of a Zn–air battery. The aim of this paper was to document progress in researching bifunctional catalysts for Zn–air batteries. The catalysts are divided into several categories: noble metal, metal nanoparticle (single and bimetallic), multicomponent nanoparticle, metal chalcogenide, metal oxide, layered double hydroxide, and non-metal materials. Finally, the battery performance is compared and discussed.
Improving Bundle Routing in a Space DTN by Approximating the Transmission Time of the Reliable LTP
Authors: Lent Ricardo
Published: February 2023

Because the operation of space networks is carefully planned, it is possible to predict future contact opportunities from link budget analysis using the anticipated positions of the nodes over time. In the standard approach to space delay-tolerant networking (DTN), such knowledge is used by contact graph routing (CGR) to decide the paths for data bundles. However, the computation assumes nearly ideal channel conditions, disregarding the impact of the convergence layer retransmissions (e.g., as implemented by the Licklider transmission protocol (LTP)). In this paper, the effect of the bundle forwarding time estimation (i.e., the link service time) to routing optimality is analyzed, and an accurate expression for lossy channels is discussed. The analysis is performed first from a general and protocol-agnostic perspective, assuming knowledge of the statistical properties and general features of the contact opportunities. Then, a practical case is studied using the standard space DTN protocol, evaluating the performance improvement of CGR under the proposed forwarding time estimation. The results of this study provide insight into the optimal routing problem for a space DTN and a suggested improvement to the current routing standard.
Masticatory Functionality in Post-Acute-COVID-Syndrome (PACS) Patients with and without Sarcopenia
Authors: Pugliese Bruno Davide , Garuti Giovanna , Bergamini Lucia , Khamaisi Riccardo Karim , Guaraldi Giovanni , Consolo Ugo , Bellini Pierantonio
Published: February 2023

Musculoskeletal symptoms are common in both acute COVID-19 disease and post-acute sequelae (Post-Acute COVID Syndrome). The purpose of this study is to investigate whether there are reduced levels of masticatory function in patients with PACS (Post Acute COVID Syndrome) who suffer from sarcopenia, under the hypothesis that the latter may also involve the masticatory muscles. This study includes 23 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 between February 2020 and April 2021 and currently suffering from PACS. Among these PACS patients, 13/23 (56%) suffer from sarcopenia, 5/23 (22%) complain of asthenia but do not suffer from sarcopenia and the remaining 5/23 (22%) do not present muscle symptoms (non-asthenic non-sarcopenic). Oral health indices of all patients were collected. The masticatory strength was assessed with a gnathodynamometer based on piezoresistive sensors, and the masticatory effectiveness was measured by administering the “chewing gum mixing ability test” by having patients perform 20 masticatory cycles on a two-color chewing gum and analyzing the outcome through the ViewGum© software. Moreover, we gathered data with a hand grip test and gait speed test. The data collected in this study show that PACS sarcopenic patients have decreased masticatory effectiveness and strength compared to PACS asthenic non-sarcopenic patients and PACS non-asthenic non-sarcopenic patients.
Synthesis and Wittig Rearrangement of 3- and 4-Benzyloxyphenylphosphonamidates
Authors: Aitken R. Alan , Inwood Ryan A.
Published: February 2023

A series of seven O-ethyl-N-butylphenylphosphonamidates with benzyl ether substituents at the para or meta position have been prepared and fully characterised. Upon treatment with n-butyllithium in THF at RT, these undergo Wittig rearrangement in six cases to give the novel phosphonamidate-substituted diarylmethanols in moderate to good yield.