bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dispositional Awe and Self-Worth in Chinese Undergraduates: The Suppressing Effects of Self-Concept Clarity and Small Self
Authors: Zhang Benyu , Lin Rongmao
Published: July 2023

Background: The positive role of dispositional awe has been seen in personality and in health. However, its impact on self-worth and internal mechanisms have been unclear. Purposes: This study explored the relationship between dispositional awe and self-worth and the roles of self-concept clarity and the small self in this association. Methods: With a cluster sampling, a cross-sectional sample of 1888 Chinese undergraduates were recruited from Fuzhou, a southeast coastal city in the P.R.C. All the data were analyzed with Pearson’s correlations and the structural equation model (SEM) based on SPSS 25.0 and Mplus 8.1. Results: Dispositional awe was positively correlated with both personal-oriented and social-oriented self-worth (rs = 0.12, 0.27) and was also positively correlated with small self (r = 0.33) but negatively correlated with self-concept clarity (r = −0.18); in the full model, the direct effect of dispositional awe on society-oriented self-worth was 0.36 (75%); the indirect effects of small self and self-concept clarity were −0.09 (18.8%) and −0.01 (2.1%), respectively; and the chain indirect effect was −0.02 (4.2%). Similarly, the direct effect of dispositional awe on person-oriented self-worth was 0.50 (83.3%); the indirect effects of small self and self-concept clarity were −0.07 (11.7%) and −0.01 (1.7%), respectively; and the chain indirect effect was −0.02 (3.3%); all the indirect effects were suppressing effects, for they were contrary to the direct effects. Conclusion: This study suggested that dispositional awe could help people better understand themselves and enhance their sense of self-worth.
Female Sex Determination Factors in Ceratitis capitata: Molecular and Structural Basis of TRA and TRA2 Recognition
Authors: Perrotta Maryanna Martina , Lucibelli Francesca , Mazzucchiello Sarah Maria , Fucci Nicole , Hay Mele Bruno , Giordano Ennio , Salvemini Marco , Ruggiero Alessia , Vitagliano Luigi , Aceto Serena , Saccone Giuseppe
Published: July 2023

In the model system for genetics, Drosophila melanogaster, sexual differentiation and male courtship behavior are controlled by sex-specific splicing of doublesex (dsx) and fruitless (fru). In vitro and in vivo studies showed that female-specific Transformer (TRA) and the non-sex-specific Transformer 2 (TRA2) splicing factors interact, forming a complex promoting dsx and fru female-specific splicing. TRA/TRA2 complex binds to 13 nt long sequence repeats in their pre-mRNAs. In the Mediterranean fruitfly Ceratitis capitata (Medfly), a major agricultural pest, which shares with Drosophila a ~120 million years old ancestor, Cctra and Cctra2 genes seem to promote female-specific splicing of Ccdsx and Ccfru, which contain conserved TRA/TRA2 binding repeats. Unlike Drosophila tra, Cctra autoregulates its female-specific splicing through these putative regulatory repeats. Here, a yeast two-hybrid assay shows that CcTRA interacts with CcTRA2, despite its high amino acid divergence compared to Drosophila TRA. Interestingly, CcTRA2 interacts with itself, as also observed for Drosophila TRA2. We also generated a three-dimensional model of the complex formed by CcTRA and CcTRA2 using predictive approaches based on Artificial Intelligence. This structure also identified an evolutionary and highly conserved putative TRA2 recognition motif in the TRA sequence. The Y2H approach, combined with powerful predictive tools of three-dimensional protein structures, could use helpful also in this and other insect species to understand the potential links between different upstream proteins acting as primary sex-determining signals and the conserved TRA and TRA2 transducers.
Progress in Functional Urology Reflected in Recent Papers in the Journal of Clinical Medicine
Authors: Michel Martin C.
Published: July 2023

Benign conditions of the lower urinary tract, including benign prostatic hyperplasia, overactive bladder syndrome, and stress urinary incontinence, are frequent in the general population. Despite their benign nature, they have major adverse effects on the quality of life of the afflicted patients and their partners. Despite major progress in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions, improved understanding and management of these patients remain substantial medical needs. This editorial discusses some recent high-quality articles published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine on the understanding of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic, and treatment of benign diseases of the lower urinary tract tissues such as the bladder and prostate.
Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes and Treatment Algorithm for Septic Arthritis in Children
Authors: Caldaci Alessia , Testa Gianluca , Vaccalluzzo Marco Simone , Vescio Andrea , Prestianni Ignazio , Lucenti Ludovico , de Cristo Claudia , Sapienza Marco , Pavone Vito
Published: July 2023

Background: Septic arthritis (SA) in children is an acute inflammatory disease of the joints. If not treated promptly, it could become a surgical emergency. The incidence of the disease in children in Europe is approximately 2–7 per 100,000 children. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate which of these treatments—arthrocentesis, arthrotomy, and arthroscopy—provides better results in children and when to use them. Methods: Three independent authors conducted a systematic review of PubMed, ScienceDirect, and MEDLINE databases to assess studies with any level of evidence that reported the surgical outcome of SA. Two senior investigators evaluated and approved each stage’s findings. Results: A total of 488 articles were found. After screening, we chose 24 articles that were suitable for full-text reading based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results of our analysis showed that there are no numerically significant differences reported in the literature on clinical and radiographic outcomes by surgical technique. Conclusions: We developed an algorithm that could be used if septic arthritis is suspected. Based on our results, the surgical technique to be used will depend on the operator who will perform it.
An X-ray and Neutron Scattering Study of Aqueous MgCl2 Solution in the Gigapascal Pressure Range
Authors: Yamaguchi Toshio , Fukuyama Nami , Yoshida Koji , Katayama Yoshinori , Machida Shinichi , Hattori Takanori
Published: July 2023

The structure of electrolyte solutions under pressure at a molecular level is a crucial issue in the fundamental science of understanding the nature of ion solvation and association and application fields, such as geological processes on the Earth, pressure-induced protein denaturation, and supercritical water technology. We report the structure of an aqueous 2 m (=mol kg−1) MgCl2 solution at pressures from 0.1 MPa to 4 GPa and temperatures from 300 to 500 K revealed by X-ray- and neutron-scattering measurements. The scattering data are analyzed by empirical potential structure refinement (EPSR) modeling to derive the pair distribution functions, coordination number distributions, angle distributions, and spatial density functions (3D structure) as a function of pressure and temperature. Mg2+ forms rigid solvation shells extended to the third shell; the first solvation shell of six-fold octahedral coordination with about six water molecules at 0 GPa transforms into about five water molecules and one Cl− due to the formation of the contact ion pairs in the GPa pressure range. The Cl− solvation shows a substantial pressure dependence; the coordination number of a water oxygen atom around Cl− increases from 8 at 0.1 MPa/300 K to 10 at 4 GPa/500 K. The solvent water transforms the tetrahedral network structure at 0.1 MPa/300 K to a densely packed structure in the GPa pressure range; the number of water oxygen atoms around a central water molecule gradually increases from 4.6 at 0.1 MPa/298 K to 8.4 at 4 GPa/500 K.
Invasive Cutaneous Melanoma: Evaluating the Prognostic Significance of Some Parameters Associated with Lymph Node Metastases
Authors: Vița Octavia , Jurescu Aura , Văduva Adrian , Cornea Remus , Cornianu Marioara , Tăban Sorina , Szilagyi Diana , Micșescu Cristian , Natarâș Bianca , Dema Alis
Published: July 2023

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to assess the clinical-pathological profile of patients with invasive cutaneous melanomas and to identify the parameters with a prognostic role in the lymph nodal spread of this malignant tumor. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective study on patients with invasive cutaneous melanomas who underwent surgery in the “Pius Brînzeu” County Clinical Emergency Hospital from Timișoara, Romania, and were evaluated for the status of loco-regional lymph nodes. We selected and analyzed some parameters searching for their relationship with lymph node metastases. Results: We identified 79 patients with invasive cutaneous melanomas (29 men and 50 women, mean age 59.36 years). A percentage of 58.3% of melanomas had Breslow tumor thickness >2 mm; 69.6% of melanomas showed a Clark level IV–V. Tumor ulceration was present in 59.5% of melanomas. A mitotic rate of ≥5 mitoses/mm2 was observed in 48.1% of melanomas. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), non-brisk, were present in 59.5% of cases and 22.8% of patients had satellite/in-transit metastasis (SINTM). Tumor regression was identified in 44.3% of cases. Lymph nodes metastases were found in 43.1% of patients. Statistical analysis showed that lymph node metastases were more frequent in melanomas with Breslow thickness >2 mm (p = 0.0002), high Clark level (p = 0.0026), mitotic rate >5 mitoses/mm2 (p = 0.0044), ulceration (p = 0.0107), lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.0182), SINTM (p = 0.0302), and non-brisk TILs (p = 0.0302). Conclusions: The Breslow thickness >2 mm, high Clark level, high mitotic rate and ulceration are the most important prognostic factors for lymph nodal spread in cutaneous melanomas. However, some melanomas without these clinical-pathological features can have an unexpected, aggressive evolution, which entails the necessity of close and prolonged clinical follow-up of patients, including those with lesions considered without risk.
Changes in pNFH Levels in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Motor Evolution after the Loading Dose with Nusinersen in Different Types of Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Authors: Badina Mihaela , Bejan Gabriel Cristian , Sporea Corina , Padure Liliana , Mirea Andrada , Leanca Madalina-Cristina , Axente Mihaela , Grigoras Florin Petru , Bejan Mihaela , Shelby Elena-Silvia , Neagu Elena , Ion Daniela Adriana
Published: July 2023

Aim and Objectives: The objective of our retrospective study was to investigate the changes in pNFH levels in cerebrospinal fluid, which is a reliable marker of neuronal damage, after the loading dose of nusinersen in different types of spinal muscular atrophy. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the spinal muscular atrophy types, the number of copies of the SMN2 gene, and the progression of the motor status using specific motor function scales in a group of 38 patients with spinal muscular atrophy types 1, 2, and 3. Results: We found a significant inverse correlation between pNFH levels and patient age, progress on functional motor scales, and nusinersen administration. Our results also revealed that the neurofilament levels in the cerebrospinal fluid were higher in patients with 2 SMN2 copies than those with more than 2 copies, although the association was not statistically significant due to the abnormal distribution of the values. Conclusions: We identified several predictors of favorable evolution under nusinersen treatment, including spinal muscular atrophy type 1, children aged ≤ 30 months, and the presence of only 2 copies of SMN2. Our study provides important insights into the use of pNFH as a biomarker to monitor disease progression and responses to treatment in patients with spinal muscular atrophy.
A Flexible Kenics Mixer for Applications in Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Dsk Prachet , Fodor Petru S. , Kothapalli Chandrasekhar R.
Published: July 2023

Miniaturization of liquid chromatography could help enhance sensitivity, reduce solvent usage, and detect small quantities of peptides. However, it demands better sample homogenization of the mobile phase. We here developed a mixer design based on the inline Kenics geometry, consisting of a periodic arrangement of twisted blades placed inside a cylindrical capillary that repeatedly cut and stack fluid elements to achieve rapid mixing in laminar flow regimes. The mixer design was optimized with respect to the twist angle and aspect ratio of the mixing units to achieve complete mixing at minimum pressure load cost. Results suggest that for optimal designs, for a mixer volume of ~70 μL, complete mixing is achieved within a distance smaller than 4 cm for a broad set of flow rate conditions ranging from 75 μL·min−1 to 7.5 mL·min−1. A salient feature that we introduce and test for the first time is the physical flexibility of the cylindrical capillary. The performance of the design remained robust when the mixing section was not rigid and bent in different topologies, as well as when changing the chemical composition of the mobile phase used.
Potency of Xanthone Derivatives from Garcinia mangostana L. for COVID-19 Treatment through Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 and Main Protease Blockade: A Computational Study
Authors: Suhandi Cecep , Alfathonah Siti Sarah , Hasanah Aliya Nur
Published: July 2023

ACE2 and Mpro in the pathology of SARS-CoV-2 show great potential in developing COVID-19 drugs as therapeutic targets, due to their roles as the “gate” of viral entry and viral reproduction. Of the many potential compounds for ACE2 and Mpro inhibition, α-mangostin is a promising candidate. Unfortunately, the potential of α-mangostin as a secondary metabolite with the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity is hindered due to its low solubility in water. Other xanthone isolates, which also possess the xanthone core structure like α-mangostin, are predicted to be potential alternatives to α-mangostin in COVID-19 treatment, addressing the low drug-likeness of α-mangostin. This study aims to assess the potential of xanthone derivative compounds in the pericarp of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) through computational study. The study was conducted through screening activity using molecular docking study, drug-likeness prediction using Lipinski’s rule of five filtration, pharmacokinetic and toxicity prediction to evaluate the safety profile, and molecular dynamic study to evaluate the stability of formed interactions. The research results showed that there were 11 compounds with high potential to inhibit ACE2 and 12 compounds to inhibit Mpro. However, only garcinone B, in addition to being indicated as active, also possesses a drug-likeness, pharmacokinetic, and toxicity profile that was suitable. The molecular dynamic study exhibited proper stability interaction between garcinone B with ACE2 and Mpro. Therefore, garcinone B, as a xanthone derivative isolate compound, has promising potential for further study as a COVID-19 treatment as an ACE2 and Mpro inhibitor.
Broad-Spectrum, Potent, and Durable Ceria Nanoparticles Inactivate RNA Virus Infectivity by Targeting Virion Surfaces and Disrupting Virus–Receptor Interactions
Authors: Fox Candace R. , Kedarinath Kritika , Neal Craig J. , Sheiber Jeremy , Kolanthai Elayaraja , Kumar Udit , Drake Christina , Seal Sudipta , Parks Griffith D.
Published: July 2023

There is intense interest in developing long-lasting, potent, and broad-spectrum antiviral disinfectants. Ceria nanoparticles (CNPs) can undergo surface redox reactions (Ce3+ ↔ Ce4+) to generate ROS without requiring an external driving force. Here, we tested the mechanism behind our prior finding of potent inactivation of enveloped and non-enveloped RNA viruses by silver-modified CNPs, AgCNP1 and AgCNP2. Treatment of human respiratory viruses, coronavirus OC43 and parainfluenza virus type 5 (PIV5) with AgCNP1 and 2, respectively, prevented virus interactions with host cell receptors and resulted in virion aggregation. Rhinovirus 14 (RV14) mutants were selected to be resistant to inactivation by AgCNP2. Sequence analysis of the resistant virus genomes predicted two amino acid changes in surface-located residues D91V and F177L within capsid protein VP1. Consistent with the regenerative properties of CNPs, surface-applied AgCNP1 and 2 inactivated a wide range of structurally diverse viruses, including enveloped (OC43, SARS-CoV-2, and PIV5) and non-enveloped RNA viruses (RV14 and feline calicivirus; FCV). Remarkably, a single application of AgCNP1 and 2 potently inactivated up to four sequential rounds of virus challenge. Our results show broad-spectrum and long-lasting anti-viral activity of AgCNP nanoparticles, due to targeting of viral surface proteins to disrupt interactions with cellular receptors.
Zein as an Effective Carrier for Hesperidin Delivery Systems with Improved Prebiotic Potential
Authors: Sip Szymon , Sip Anna , Miklaszewski Andrzej , Żarowski Marcin , Cielecka-Piontek Judyta
Published: July 2023

Hesperidin is a polyphenol derived from citrus fruits that has a broad potential for biological activity and the ability to positively modify the intestinal microbiome. However, its activity is limited by its low solubility and, thus, its bioavailability—this research aimed to develop a zein-based hesperidin system with increased solubility and a sustained release profile. The study used triple systems enriched with solubilizers to maximize solubility. The best system was the triple system hesperidin-zein-Hpβ-CD, for which the solubility improved by more than six times. A significant improvement in the antioxidant activity and the ability to inhibit α-glucosidase was also demonstrated, due to an improved solubility. A release profile analysis was performed in the subsequent part of the experiments, confirming the sustained release profile of hesperidin, while improving the solubility. Moreover, the ability of selected probiotic bacteria to metabolize hesperidin and the effect of this flavonoid compound on their growth were investigated.
Adsorption Performance of Magnetic Covalent Organic Framework Composites for Bisphenol A and Ibuprofen
Authors: Zhang Beibei , Tian Ye , Gao Xuezhen , Zheng Hui , Niu Yuzhong , Liu Junshen
Published: July 2023

As typical environmental endocrine disruptors and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, bisphenol A and ibuprofen in water supplies can cause great harm to the ecological environment and human health. In this study, magnetic covalent organic framework composites Fe3O4@COF-300 were synthesized by the hydrothermal method and used to remove bisphenol A and ibuprofen from water. Fe3O4@COF-300 could be rapidly separated from the matrix by external magnetic fields, and could selectively adsorb bisphenol A and ibuprofen in the presence of coexisting compounds such as phenol, Congo red, and amino black 10B. The removal efficiency of ibuprofen was 96.12–98.52% at pH in the range of 2–4 and that of bisphenol A was 92.18–95.62% at pH in the range of 2–10. The adsorption of bisphenol A and ibuprofen followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir model, and was a spontaneous endothermic process with the maximum adsorption amounts of 173.31 and 303.03 mg∙g−1, respectively. The material presented favorable stability and reusability, and the removal efficiency of bisphenol A and ibuprofen after 5 cycles was still over 92.15% and 89.29%, respectively. Therefore, the prepared composite Fe3O4@COF-300 exhibited good performance in the adsorption of bisphenol A and ibuprofen in water.
Indole-Based Macrocyclization by Metal-Catalyzed Approaches
Authors: Cheekatla Subba Rao , Barik Debashis , Anand Geethanjali , Mol K. M. Rakhi , Porel Mintu
Published: July 2023

This review is dedicated to the different varieties of macrocycles synthesis bearing indole units in their architecture by metal-catalyzed strategies. The progress of the new macrocyclization approaches is persisted be a keen area of research. Macrocycles contain a wide variety of molecules, and among those, heteroaryl motifs are valuable constituents that provide an attractive feature to macrocyclic systems. Indole represents one of the privileged pharmacophores against a variety of targets with various biological applications. Among the nitrogen-based heterocycles, indole plays a prominent role in organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry, pharmaceuticals, natural products synthesis, agrochemicals, dye and fragrances, and drug design. These scaffolds are widely distributed in several bioactive natural products and synthetic macrocycles constructed against a specific biochemical target and the most common constituents of naturally occurring molecules. Due to its immense importance, the progress of novel approaches for the synthesis of indole-based scaffolds has increased steadily. The majority of the macrocycles synthesis proceeds through the macrolactamization and macrolactonization, as well as the C–C bond macrocyclization process described by metal-catalyzed ring-closing metathesis (RCM) and coupling reactions. Among macrocyclizations, metal-catalyzed approaches are considered one of the most powerful tools for synthetic chemists in the design of a variety of macrocycles. This review aims to give a comprehensive insight into the synthesis of varieties of macrocycles bearing indole scaffold catalyzed by various transition metals that emerged in the literature over the last two decades. We hope that this review will persuade synthetic chemists to search for novel strategies for the C–C bond macrocyclization by metal-catalyzed protocols.
The Effect of Adjunctive Use of Hyaluronic Acid on Prevalence of Porphyromonas gingivalis in Subgingival Biofilm in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Alshehri Fahad A. , Alharbi Meshal S.
Published: July 2023

Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is a Gram-negative anaerobic bacterium that plays an important role in the development and progression of periodontitis. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan that has previously demonstrated antibacterial potential in vitro against multiple bacterial species, including P. gingivalis. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the effectiveness of HA as an adjunctive topical antibacterial agent to non-surgical mechanical therapy of periodontitis in reducing the prevalence of P. gingivalis in subgingival biofilms. Five clinical studies were identified that satisfied the eligibility criteria. Only three trials were suitable for the meta-analysis as they provided data at three and six months. Data on the prevalence of P. gingivalis in each study were collected. The odds ratio (OR) for measuring the effect size with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was applied to the available data. The results did not favor the use of HA during non-surgical mechanical therapy to reduce the prevalence of P. gingivalis in subgingival biofilm (odd ratio = 0.95 and 1.11 at three and six months, consecutively). Within their limitations, the current data do not indicate an advantage for using HA during mechanical periodontal therapy to reduce the prevalence of P. gingivalis.
Liposome-Micelle-Hybrid (LMH) Carriers for Controlled Co-Delivery of 5-FU and Paclitaxel as Chemotherapeutics
Authors: Hassan Md. Musfizur , Romana Bilquis , Mao Guangzhao , Kumar Naresh , Sonvico Fabio , Thordarson Pall , Joyce Paul , Bremmell Kristen E. , Barnes Timothy J. , Prestidge Clive A.
Published: July 2023

Paclitaxel (PTX) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) are clinically relevant chemotherapeutics, but both suffer a range of biopharmaceutical challenges (e.g., either low solubility or permeability and limited controlled release from nanocarriers), which reduces their effectiveness in new medicines. Anticancer drugs have several major limitations, which include non-specificity, wide biological distribution, a short half-life, and systemic toxicity. Here, we investigate the potential of liposome-micelle-hybrid (LMH) carriers (i.e., drug-loaded micelles encapsulated within drug-loaded liposomes) to enhance the co-formulation and delivery of PTX and 5-FU, facilitating new delivery opportunities with enhanced chemotherapeutic performance. We focus on the combination of liposomes and micelles for co-delivery of PTX and 5_FU to investigate increased drug loading, improved solubility, and transport/permeability to enhance chemotherapeutic potential. Furthermore, combination chemotherapy (i.e., containing two or more drugs in a single formulation) may offer improved pharmacological performance. Compared with individual liposome and micelle formulations, the optimized PTX-5FU-LMH carriers demonstrated increased drug loading and solubility, temperature-sensitive release, enhanced permeability in a Caco-2 cell monolayer model, and cancer cell eradication. LMH has significant potential for cancer drug delivery and as a next-generation chemotherapeutic.
Wound Healing Effect of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Datura metel L. Leaves Extracts: An In Vitro Study of Anti-Inflammation, Cell Migration, MMP-2 Inhibition, and the Modulation of the Sonic Hedgehog Pathway in Human Fibroblasts
Authors: Ruksiriwanich Warintorn , Linsaenkart Pichchapa , Muangsanguan Anurak , Sringarm Korawan , Jantrawut Pensak , Arjin Chaiwat , Sommano Sarana Rose , Phimolsiripol Yuthana , Barba Francisco J.
Published: July 2023

Datura metel L. (thorn apple) has been used in Thai folk wisdom for wound care. In this study, we chose supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (scCO2) to develop crude extraction from the leaves of the thorn apple. The phytochemical profiles were observed using liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS). The biological activities of D. metel were performed through antioxidant assays, anti-inflammation based on the Griess reaction, the migration assay, the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and regulatory genes in fibroblasts. Dm1 and Dm2 extracts were obtained from scCO2 procedures at different pressures of 300 and 500 bar, respectively. Bioactive compounds, including farnesyl acetone, schisanhenol B, and loliolide, were identified in both extracts. The antioxidant properties of both D. metel extracts were comparable to those of l-ascorbic acid in hydrogen peroxide-induced fibroblasts with no significant difference. Additionally, Dm1 and Dm2 significantly inhibited the nitrite production levels of 1.23 ± 0.19 and 1.52 ± 0.05 μM, respectively, against the lipopolysaccharide-treated group (3.82 ± 0.39 μM). Interestingly, Dm1 obviously demonstrated the percentage of wound closure with 58.46 ± 7.61 and 82.62 ± 6.66% after 36 and 48 h of treatment, which were comparable to the commercial deproteinized dialysate from the calf blood extract. Moreover, both extracts were comparable to l-ascorbic acid treatment in their ability to suppress the expression of MMP-2: an enzyme that breaks down collagen. The gene expressions of SHH, SMO, and GLI1 that control the sonic hedgehog pathway were also clearly upregulated by Dm1. Consequently, the scCO2 technique could be applied in D. metel extraction and contribute to potentially effective wound closure.
Genome-Wide Association Study of Xian Rice Grain Shape and Weight in Different Environments
Authors: Wang Nansheng , Zhang Wanyang , Wang Xinchen , Zheng Zhenzhen , Bai Di , Li Keyang , Zhao Xueyu , Xiang Jun , Liang Zhaojie , Qian Yingzhi , Wang Wensheng , Shi Yingyao
Published: July 2023

Drought is one of the key environmental factors affecting the growth and yield potential of rice. Grain shape, on the other hand, is an important factor determining the appearance, quality, and yield of rice grains. Here, we re-sequenced 275 Xian accessions and then conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on six agronomic traits with the 404,411 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) derived by the best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) for each trait. Under two years of drought stress (DS) and normal water (NW) treatments, a total of 16 QTLs associated with rice grain shape and grain weight were detected on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, and 12. In addition, these QTLs were analyzed by haplotype analysis and functional annotation, and one clone (GSN1) and five new candidate genes were identified in the candidate interval. The findings provide important genetic information for the molecular improvement of grain shape and weight in rice.
Analysis of Growing Season Normalized Difference Vegetation Index Variation and Its Influencing Factors on the Mongolian Plateau Based on Google Earth Engine
Authors: Yan Yujie , Xin Zhiming , Bai Xuying , Zhan Hongbin , Xi Jiaju , Xie Jin , Cheng Yiben
Published: July 2023

Frequent dust storms on the Mongolian Plateau have adversely affected the ecological environmental quality of East Asia. Studying the dynamic changes in vegetation coverage is one of the important means of evaluating ecological environmental quality in the region. In this study, we used Landsat remote sensing images from 2000 to 2019 on the Mongolian Plateau to extract yearly Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data during the growing season. We used partial correlation analysis and the Hurst index to analyze the spatiotemporal characteristics of the NDVI before and after the establishment of nature reserves and their influencing factors on the GEE cloud platform. The results showed that (1) the proportion of the region with an upwards trend of NDVI increased from 52.21% during 2000–2009 to 67.93% during 2010–2019, indicating a clear improvement in vegetation due to increased precipitation; (2) the increase in precipitation and positive human activities drove the increase in the NDVI in the study region from 2000 to 2019; and (3) the overall trend of the NDVI in the future is expected to be stable with a slight decrease, and restoration potential is greater for water bodies and grasslands. Therefore, it is imperative to strengthen positive human activities to safeguard vegetation. These findings furnish scientific evidence for environmental management and the development of ecological engineering initiatives on the Mongolian Plateau.
Separation and Characterization of Plastic Waste Packaging Contaminated with Food Residues
Authors: Tretsiakova-McNally Svetlana , Lubarsky Helen , Vennard Ashlene , Cairns Paul , Farrell Charlie , Joseph Paul , Arun Malavika , Harvey Ian , Harrison John , Nadjai Ali
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we present the development of a novel processing technology to tackle hard-to-recycle plastic packaging waste contaminated with food residues. The proof-of-concept (POC) technology can effectively separate food residual amounts from plastic waste materials to a level acceptable for further re-use or recycling of the plastic packaging. To assess this technology, we have conducted spectroscopic, thermal, and calorimetric characterizations of the obtained fractions, such as cleaned mixed plastics (CMP), food waste with mixed plastics (FWMP), and a mixture of microplastics (MP). The analyses were carried out with the aid of Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Microcone Combustion Calorimetry (MCC), and ‘bomb’ calorimetry. The highest ratio of CMP to FWMP and the lowest amount of MP were obtained utilizing 700 rpm blade rotational speed and 15 s residence time of contaminated plastics in a cutting mill chamber. The plastics were freed from food contamination by 93–97%, which highlights a strong potential of the POC as a solution for ‘dry-cleaning’ of similar wastes on a larger scale. The main components of the CMP fraction were low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which are recyclable plastics. The knowledge and understanding of thermal degradation behaviours and calorimetric attributes of separated fractions, determined in this study, are essential in informing the industrial players using pyrolysis as a technique for recycling plastics.
A Picosecond Delay Generator Optimized by Layout and Routing Based on FPGA
Authors: Zhu Min , Cui Tang , Qi Xihan , Gao Qiang
Published: July 2023

A delay generator is a timing control device that can generate a delay for the input signal according to the actual requirements. A delay generator with a combination of rough delay and precise delay is implemented on a Xilinx Kintex-7 series FPGA with a design scheme based on carry delay chain. The delay generator uses the delay time parameters sent by the upper monitor to work and to reflect the current working state to the upper monitor. In this article, a theoretical model of the delay generator is designed, and a delay compensation scheme is proposed to make the working state of the theoretical model closer to the actual circuit. Through simulation experiments, the time resolution of the delay generator is 54 ps, and the time accuracy is less than 50 ps. The delay scheme adopted in this article is highly scalable, and the time resolution and time accuracy can be further improved. Finally, a theoretical model of the delay generator with relatively high time resolution is implemented through low resource occupancy rate and little workload.
Assessing the Feasibility of Replacing Subjective Questionnaire-Based Sleep Measurement with an Objective Approach Using a Smartwatch
Authors: Gaiduk Maksym , Seepold Ralf , Martínez Madrid Natividad , Ortega Juan Antonio
Published: July 2023

In order to ensure sufficient recovery of the human body and brain, healthy sleep is indispensable. For this purpose, appropriate therapy should be initiated at an early stage in the case of sleep disorders. For some sleep disorders (e.g., insomnia), a sleep diary is essential for diagnosis and therapy monitoring. However, subjective measurement with a sleep diary has several disadvantages, requiring regular action from the user and leading to decreased comfort and potential data loss. To automate sleep monitoring and increase user comfort, one could consider replacing a sleep diary with an automatic measurement, such as a smartwatch, which would not disturb sleep. To obtain accurate results on the evaluation of the possibility of such a replacement, a field study was conducted with a total of 166 overnight recordings, followed by an analysis of the results. In this evaluation, objective sleep measurement with a Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 was compared to a subjective approach with a sleep diary, which is a standard method in sleep medicine. The focus was on comparing four relevant sleep characteristics: falling asleep time, waking up time, total sleep time (TST), and sleep efficiency (SE). After evaluating the results, it was concluded that a smartwatch could replace subjective measurement to determine falling asleep and waking up time, considering some level of inaccuracy. In the case of SE, substitution was also proved to be possible. However, some individual recordings showed a higher discrepancy in results between the two approaches. For its part, the evaluation of the TST measurement currently does not allow us to recommend substituting the measurement method for this sleep parameter. The appropriateness of replacing sleep diary measurement with a smartwatch depends on the acceptable levels of discrepancy. We propose four levels of similarity of results, defining ranges of absolute differences between objective and subjective measurements. By considering the values in the provided table and knowing the required accuracy, it is possible to determine the suitability of substitution in each individual case. The introduction of a “similarity level” parameter increases the adaptability and reusability of study findings in individual practical cases.
Effects of Gamified Mobile Apps on Purchase Intentions and Word-of-Mouth Engagement: Implications for Sustainability Behavior
Authors: Doğan-Südaş Hatice , Kara Ali , Karaca Emre
Published: July 2023

In today’s competitive environment, stimulating and maintaining customer engagement through gamified apps seems essential for gaining a sustainable competitive advantage. Consequently, gamification in marketing apps has garnered increased attention from companies interested in exploring how gaming processes and experiences can be utilized to create more engaging digital platforms. The objective of this study is to examine how consumer experiences and satisfaction with mobile gaming apps influence their purchase intentions and propensity to participate in word-of-mouth (WOM) communication. A total of 351 study participants who have used gamified mobile apps completed an online survey. The study results indicate that user experience with the gamified mobile apps has a positive influence on consumers’ perceived value and satisfaction. Furthermore, perceived value and satisfaction mediate the relationships between gamified mobile app experience and marketing outcomes, specifically purchase intentions and WOM communication. The implications for sustainable behavior are also discussed.
Parameters Identification of Photovoltaic Cell and Module Models Using Modified Social Group Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Kraiem Habib , Touti Ezzeddine , Alanazi Abdulaziz , Agwa Ahmed M. , Alanazi Tarek I. , Jamli Mohamed , Sbita Lassaad
Published: July 2023

Photovoltaic systems have become more attractive alternatives to be integrated into electrical power systems. Therefore, PV cells have gained immense interest in studies related to their operation. A photovoltaic module’s performance can be optimized by identifying the parameters of a photovoltaic cell to understand its behavior and simulate its characteristics from a given mathematical model. This work aims to extract and identify the parameters of photovoltaic cells using a novel metaheuristic algorithm named Modified Social Group Optimization (MSGO). First, a comparative study was carried out based on various technologies and models of photovoltaic modules. Then, the proposed MSGO algorithm was tested on a monocrystalline type of panel with its single-diode and double-diode models. Then, it was tested on an amorphous type of photovoltaic cell (hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si: H)). Finally, an experimental validation was carried out to test the proposed MSGO algorithm and identify the parameters of the polycrystalline type of panel. All obtained results were compared to previous research findings. The present study showed that the MSGO is highly competitive and demonstrates better efficiency in parameter identification compared to other optimization algorithms. The Individual Absolute Error (IAE) obtained by the MSGO is better than the other errors for most measurement values in the case of single- and double-diode models. Relatedly, the average fitness function obtained by the MSGO algorithm has the fastest convergence rate.
An Electric Vehicle Charging Method Considering Multiple Power Exchange Modes’ Coordination
Authors: Zeng Long , Chen Si-Zhe , Tang Zebin , Tian Ling , Xiong Tingting
Published: July 2023

To achieve sustainable environmental development, numerous countries and governments have been vigorously promoting the proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs) through a series of policy measures and economic subsidies. With the increasing number of EVs, multiple EV charging modes are being researched to satisfy owners’ requirements. In this paper, an EV charging method considering multiple power exchange modes’ coordination is proposed for meeting owners’ requirements with cost-effectiveness. In the proposed method, the battery swapping (BS) station, building-to-vehicle (B2V) station, and grid-to-vehicle (G2V) station are considered. In G2V stations, EVs charge from the power grid. In B2V stations, distributed renewable energy generation is considered as the energy provider. This study contemplates the use of photovoltaic power systems in B2V stations for the charging of EVs. In BS stations, the power exchange among batteries and the power grid is considered. The battery energy storage is utilized for reducing the battery degradation cost (BDC) and power cost. EVs are dispatched to the corresponding charging stations according to the electric price, BDC, and so on. In the dispatching process, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm and Hungarian algorithm are applied. Several case studies are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method and the power matching between EVs and charging modes is discussed.
Spatio-Temporal Evolution and Influencing Factors of the Resilience of Tourism Environmental Systems in the Yangtze River Economic Belt of China
Authors: Wang Kun , Zhao Songxin , Chen Xiangtai , Lei Zhenxian , Zhou Xiao
Published: July 2023

The resilience of a tourism environmental system (TESR) is an important aspect of sustainable tourism growth. Based on the construction of an evaluation system for the TESR, this study used 126 prefecture-level cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) as a case study and attempted to explore the spatio-temporal evolution features and influencing mechanism of the TESR. The primary conclusions are as follows: (1) Despite significant improvement in TESR in the YREB, the overall resilience level and growth rate remain relatively low, with ample potential for improvement. (2) Positive spatial correlation and type agglomeration impact are evident in the urban TESR. (3) Relatively frequent transitions of the TESR occur with spatial dependence and spillover effects in the transition paths, i.e., high-level cities can improve the TESR of neighboring cities through positive spillover effects. (4) Several factors, such as city economic, social, industrial, and policy factors, jointly impact the evolution of the pattern of the TESR in the YREB, with heterogeneous effects.
A Performance Study on 3D-Printed Bioplastic Pots from Soybean By-Products
Authors: Dey Arup , Rahman Md Mahbubar , Gupta Anunay , Yodo Nita , Lee Chiwon W.
Published: July 2023

Sustainability is a key factor in the development of new materials for plant pots, given the significant environmental impact of traditional plastic-based pots. Researchers have paid attention to developing biodegradable and sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based pots. In this study, two novel bioplastic formulations are developed, which incorporated soy-based by-product fractions to produce plant pots with self-fertilizing capability while also being cost-competitive. A 3D-printing process, fused filament fabrication, is used to produce plant containers from the filaments of soy-based new materials. Further, a small-scale greenhouse experiment is conducted to compare the performance of the soy-based 3D-printed bioplastic pots with pure polylactic acid (PLA) 3D-printed pots and traditional plastic pots, by growing a fruit-bearing plant (tomato) and a flowering plant (zinnia). Plant growth properties and root circling are analyzed, and the results show that the soy-based pots performed comparably to traditional plastic pots, especially in dry conditions, and also reduced root circling. While a more in-depth analysis is necessary, these initial findings suggest that using soy-based fractions and 3D-printing technology could provide a sustainable approach to developing plant pots, which could reduce the environmental impact of plastic-based containers and improve plant health.
Extraction and Spatiotemporal Evolution Analysis of Impervious Surface and Surface Runoff in Main Urban Region of Hefei City, China
Authors: Fang Gang , Li Han , Dong Jie , Teng Hanyang , Pablo Renato Dan A. , Zhu Yin
Published: July 2023

The biophysical composition index (BCI)-based linear spectral mixture model (LSMM) is used in this study to extract the impervious surface (IS), vegetation, and soil coverage of the main urban region (MUR) of Hefei City over the 2001–2021 period. In addition, the Soil Conservation Service-Curve Number (SCS-CN) model is first applied to simulate the surface runoff (SR) in the MUR of Hefei City over the past 21 years, then assessed for simulation accuracy using typical waterlogging points in the study area. On this basis, the spatiotemporal evolution of IS and SR and their relationships in the MUR of Hefei City are investigated and discussed in this study. The obtained results showed that (1) the root-mean-square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and systematic error (SE) values of the BCI index-based LSMM are smaller than those of the LSMM, demonstrating a higher extraction accuracy of urban IS extraction of the BCI index-based LSMM. (2) The IS area of the MUR of Hefei City exhibits an increasing trend from 107.555 km2 in 2001 to 387.660 km2 in 2021. In addition, the change rate and change intensity values indicate an increasing–decreasing–increasing trend. The highest change rate and change intensity values are 24.839 km2/year and 23.094%, respectively, and were observed in the 2001–2005 period. (3) The simulated SR (165–195 mm) in the MUR of Hefei City demonstrates an increasing trend in the 2001–2021 period at a rainfall intensity value of 200 mm/d. In addition, the simulated SR amount in the central area exhibits slight changes, while that in the surrounding areas shows substantial variations. (4) The distribution of IS and SR in the MUR of Hefei City reveals strong directional variations, which are all affected by geographical conditions. The IS coverage and SR show high positive correlation coefficients in different years. (5) The present study provides primary data for effective urban planning, water resources management and regulation, and disaster prevention and mitigation in Hefei City, as well as a scientific reference for future studies on urban IS, SR, and their quantitative relationships in other regions.
An Evolutionary Game Analysis of the Relationship between Core Stakeholders of Forest Governance
Authors: Xu Huiyong , Zhao Xuejiao , Zhang Dahong
Published: July 2023

The interest relationship among forest governance stakeholders will change with the influence of political, economic, cultural, and other factors. Studying the logical relationship between various stakeholders in the process of forest management is an important measure to adhere to the “clear water and green mountains are gold hills and silver mountains” and implement the concept of green development under the new form. In this paper, the evolutionary game method is used to build a dynamic evolutionary game model, analyze the evolutionary stability strategy and replicator dynamics of the three core stakeholders of government, enterprises, and rural community residents, and calculate the equilibrium stability point. The behavioral strategy selection and evolutionary stability conditions of each game player are analyzed. The results show that the “guidance” of the government is a strong guarantee for the realization of the tripartite equilibrium. The government is in a very active and strong position and needs the guidance of the government to achieve stability. The results show that the “guidance” of the government is a strong guarantee for the realization of the tripartite equilibrium. The government is in a very active and strong position and needs the guidance of the government to achieve stability. Therefore, the government should actively encourage rural community residents to participate in forest management, strengthen the supervision of forestry enterprises, and achieve effective management of forest resources.