bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
O-GlcNAcylation: The Underestimated Emerging Regulators of Skeletal Muscle Physiology
Authors: Liu Yang , Hu Ya-Jie , Fan Wen-Xuan , Quan Xin , Xu Bin , Li Shi-Ze
Published: May 2022

O-GlcNAcylation is a highly dynamic, reversible and atypical glycosylation that regulates the activity, biological function, stability, sublocation and interaction of target proteins. O-GlcNAcylation receives and coordinates different signal inputs as an intracellular integrator similar to the nutrient sensor and stress receptor, which target multiple substrates with spatio-temporal analysis specifically to maintain cellular homeostasis and normal physiological functions. Our review gives a brief description of O-GlcNAcylation and its only two processing enzymes and HBP flux, which will help to better understand its physiological characteristics of sensing nutrition and environmental cues. This nutritional and stress-sensitive properties of O-GlcNAcylation allow it to participate in the precise regulation of skeletal muscle metabolism. This review discusses the mechanism of O-GlcNAcylation to alleviate metabolic disorders and the controversy about the insulin resistance of skeletal muscle. The level of global O-GlcNAcylation is precisely controlled and maintained in the “optimal zone”, and its abnormal changes is a potential factor in the pathogenesis of cancer, neurodegeneration, diabetes and diabetic complications. Although the essential role of O-GlcNAcylation in skeletal muscle physiology has been widely studied and recognized, it still is underestimated and overlooked. This review highlights the latest progress and potential mechanisms of O-GlcNAcylation in the regulation of skeletal muscle contraction and structural properties.
Spatially and Temporally Distributed Complexity—A Refreshed Framework for the Study of GRN Evolution
Authors: Minelli Alessandro , Valero-Gracia Alberto
Published: May 2022

Irrespective of the heuristic value of interpretations of developmental processes in terms of gene regulatory networks (GRNs), larger-angle views often suffer from: (i) an inadequate understanding of the relationship between genotype and phenotype; (ii) a predominantly zoocentric vision; and (iii) overconfidence in a putatively hierarchical organization of animal body plans. Here, we constructively criticize these assumptions. First, developmental biology is pervaded by adultocentrism, but development is not necessarily egg to adult. Second, during development, many unicells undergo transcriptomic profile transitions that are comparable to those recorded in pluricellular organisms; thus, their study should not be neglected from the GRN perspective. Third, the putatively hierarchical nature of the animal body is mirrored in the GRN logic, but in relating genotype to phenotype, independent assessments of the dynamics of the regulatory machinery and the animal’s architecture are required, better served by a combinatorial than by a hierarchical approach. The trade-offs between spatial and temporal aspects of regulation, as well as their evolutionary consequences, are also discussed. Multicellularity may derive from a unicell’s sequential phenotypes turned into different but coexisting, spatially arranged cell types. In turn, polyphenism may have been a crucial mechanism involved in the origin of complex life cycles.
The Usefulness of Autoradiography for DNA Repair Proteins Activity Detection in the Cytoplasm towards Radiolabeled Oligonucleotides Containing 5′,8-Cyclo-2′-deoxyadenosine
Authors: Boguszewska Karolina , Karwowski Bolesław T. , Kaźmierczak-Barańska Julia
Published: May 2022

Autoradiography of 32P-radiolabeled oligonucleotides is one of the most precise detection methods of DNA repair processes. In this study, autoradiography allowed assessing the activity of proteins in the cytoplasm involved in DNA repair. The cytoplasm is the site of protein biosynthesis but is also a target cellular compartment of synthetic therapeutic oligonucleotide (STO) delivery. The DNA-based drugs may be impaired by radiation-induced lesions, such as clustered DNA lesions (CDL) and/or 5′,8-cyclo-2′-deoxypurines (cdPu). CDL and cdPu may appear in the sequence of STO after irradiation and subsequently impair DNA repair, as shown in previous studies. Hence, the interesting questions are (1) is it safe to combine STO treatment with radiotherapy; (2) are repair proteins active in the cytoplasm; and (3) is their activity different in the cytoplasm than in the nucleus? This unique study examined whether the proteins involved in the DNA repair are affected by the CDL while they are still present in the cytoplasm of xrs5, BJ, and XPC cells. Double-stranded oligonucleotides with bi-stranded CDL were used (containing AP site in one strand and a (5′S) or (5′R) 5′,8-cyclo-2′-deoxyadenosine (cdA) in the other strand located 1 or 4 bp in both directions). The results have shown that the proteins involved in the repair were active in the cytoplasm, but less than in the nucleus. The general trends aligned for cytoplasm and nucleus—lesions located in the 5′-end direction inhibited the course of DNA repair. The combination of STO with radiotherapy should be applied carefully, as unrepaired lesions within STO may impair their therapeutic efficiency.
Progressive Respiratory Insufficiency in a Teenager with Diaphragmatic Hypomotility Due to a Novel Combination of Gliomedin Gene Variants
Authors: Eurich Benjamin , Nitsche Catharina , Lau Margot , Hanker Britta , Spiegler Juliane , Stichtenoth Guido
Published: May 2022

Lethal congenital contracture syndrome 11 (LCCS11) is a form of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) which is associated with mutations in the gliomedin gene (GLDN) and has been known to be severely life-shortening, mainly due to respiratory insufficiency. Patients with this condition have been predominantly treated by pediatricians as they usually do not survive beyond childhood. In this case report, we present a young adult who developed severe progressive respiratory insufficiency as a teenager due to diaphragmatic hypomotility and was diagnosed with LCCS11 following the discovery of compound heterozygous pathogenic variants in GLDN. This case demonstrates the importance of screening for neuromuscular diseases in well-child visits and follow-ups of patients at risk for gross and fine motor function developmental delay. It also underscores the significance of including LCCS11 and other axonopathies in the differential diagnosis of juvenile onset of respiratory insufficiency, highlights that patients with this condition may present to adult practitioners and questions whether the nomenclature of this condition with various phenotypes should be reconsidered due to the stigmatizing term ‘lethal’.
Line Patterns and Fractured Coatings in Deposited Colloidal Hydrochar on Glass Substrates after Evaporation of Water
Authors: Wang Xia , Hedin Niklas
Published: May 2022

Patterns of assembled colloidal particles can form on substrates due to solvent evaporation, and here we studied such phenomena in the drying of monodispersed colloidal hydrochar dispersions prepared by the hydrothermal carbonization of glucose and purified by dialysis. During the evaporation of water, line patterns or, in some cases, mud-like patterns formed. The line formation was investigated as a function of the pH of the dispersion, substrate shape, particle concentration, and concentration of sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS). The lines comprised dense assemblies of hydrochar particles. The line width increased with the successive evaporation of water. Sharper lines formed with the addition of SDS, which was ascribed to the effects of solubilization or moderated interactions. At greater particle concentrations, we also observed a continuous layer of colloidal particles between the lines. A mechanism for the line pattern formation derived from the literature on other colloids was proposed. Mud-like patterns formed on the substrate in concentrated samples without SDS addition and were put in the context of the formation of cracks in the drying of colloidal coatings. Hydrochars belong to carbon-rich colloids, which are of fundamental and technological importance. This research could be useful for in situ line printing within microfluidic devices, for example.
Reduction Model Checking for Multi-Agent Systems of Group Social Commitments
Authors: AlFawwaz Bader M. , Al-Saqqar Faisal , AL-Shatnawi Atallah
Published: May 2022

Innumerable industries now use multi-agent systems (MASs) in various contexts, including healthcare, security, and commercial deployments. It is challenging to select reliable business protocols for critically important safety-related systems (e.g., in healthcare). The verification and validation of business applications is increasingly explored concerning multi-agent systems’ group social commitments. This study explains a novel extended reduction verification method to model-check business applications’ critical specification rules using action restricted computation tree logic (ARCTL). In particular, we aim to conduct the verification process for the CTLGC logic using a reduction algorithm and show its effectiveness to handle MASs with huge models, thus, showing its importance and applicability in large real-world applications. To do so, we need to transform the CTLGC model to an ARCTL model and the CTLGC formulas into ARCTL formulas. Thus, the developed method was verified with the model-checker new symbolic model verifier (NuSMV), and it demonstrated effectiveness in the safety-critical specification rule support provision. The proposed method can verify up to 2.43462 × 1014 states MASs, which shows its effectiveness when applied to real-world applications.
Living-Donor Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Impact of the MELD Score and Predictive Value of NLR on Survival
Authors: Hung Hao-Chien , Lee Jin-Chiao , Wang Yu-Chao , Cheng Chih-Hsien , Wu Tsung-Han , Wu Ting-Jung , Chou Hong-Shiue , Chan Kun-Ming , Lee Wei-Chen , Lee Chen-Fang
Published: May 2022

Background: Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tend to be referred for liver transplantation (LT) at an early stage of cirrhosis, with lower pre-LT Model of End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores. We investigated the impact of high MELD scores on post-LT outcomes in patients with HCC and validated the prognostic significance of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). Patients and Method: This retrospective single-center cohort study enrolled 230 patients with HCC who underwent LDLT from 2004–2019 in our institute. We defined a high MELD score as ≥20. Results: The MELD < 20 and MELD ≥ 20 groups comprised 205 and 25 cases, respectively. Although there was no significant difference in disease-free survival between the two groups (p = 0.629), the incidence of septic shock (p = 0.019) was significantly higher in the high MELD group. The one-, three-, and five-year overall survival rates were not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.056). In univariate analysis, a high pre-LT NLR was associated with poorer survival in the high MELD group (p = 0.029, hazard ratio [HR]: 1.07, 90% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–1.13). NLR cut-off values of ≥10.7 and <10.7 were predictive of mortality, with an AUC of 0.705 (90% CI: 0.532–0.879). The one-, three-, and five-year post-LT survival rates were significantly higher among the recipients with an NLR < 10.7 than those with an NLR ≥ 10.7 (p = 0.005). Conclusions: Pre-LT MELD score ≥ 20 was associated with a higher risk of developing post-LT septic shock and mortality. The pre-LT serum NLR is a useful predictive factor for clinical outcomes in patients with HCC with high MELD scores.
Overdetection of Breast Cancer
Authors: Yaffe Martin J. , Mainprize James G.
Published: May 2022

Overdetection (often referred to as overdiagnosis) of cancer is the detection of disease, such as through a screening program, that would otherwise remain occult through an individual’s life. In the context of screening, this could occur for cancers that were slow growing or indolent, or simply because an unscreened individual would have died from some other cause before the cancer had surfaced clinically. The main harm associated with overdetection is the subsequent overdiagnosis and overtreatment of disease. In this article, the phenomenon is reviewed, the methods of estimation of overdetection are discussed and reasons for variability in such estimates are given, with emphasis on an analysis using Canadian data. Microsimulation modeling is used to illustrate the expected time course of cancer detection that gives rise to overdetection. While overdetection exists, the actual amount is likely to be much lower than the estimate used by the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care. Furthermore, the issue is of greater significance in older rather than younger women due to competing causes of death. The particular challenge associated with in situ breast cancer is considered and possible approaches to avoiding overtreatment are suggested.
Quality Control Impacts on Total Precipitation Gauge Records for Montane Valley and Ridge Sites in SW Alberta, Canada
Authors: Barnes Celeste , Hopkinson Chris
Published: May 2022

This paper presents adjustment routines for Geonor totalizing precipitation gauge data collected from the headwaters of the Oldman River, within the southwestern Alberta Canadian Rockies. The gauges are situated at mountain valley and alpine ridge locations with varying degrees of canopy cover. These data are prone to sensor noise and environment-induced measurement errors requiring an ordered set of quality control (QC) corrections using nearby weather station data. Sensor noise at valley sites with single-vibrating wire gauges accounted for the removal of 5% to 8% (49–76 mm) of annual precipitation. This was compensated for by an increase of 6% to 8% (50–76 mm) from under-catch. A three-wire ridge gauge did not experience significant sensor noise; however, the under-catch of snow resulted in 42% to 52% (784–1342 mm) increased precipitation. When all QC corrections were applied, the annual cumulative precipitation at the ridge demonstrated increases of 39% to 49% (731–1269 mm), while the valley gauge adjustments were −4% to 1% (−39 mm to 13 mm). Public sector totalizing precipitation gauge records often undergo minimal QC. Care must be exercised to check the corrections applied to such records when used to estimate watershed water balance or precipitation orographic enhancement. Systematic errors at open high-elevation sites may exceed nearby valley or forest sites.
The Optimal Error Estimate of the Fully Discrete Locally Stabilized Finite Volume Method for the Non-Stationary Navier-Stokes Problem
Authors: He Guoliang , Zhang Yong
Published: May 2022

This paper proves the optimal estimations of a low-order spatial-temporal fully discrete method for the non-stationary Navier-Stokes Problem. In this paper, the semi-implicit scheme based on Euler method is adopted for time discretization, while the special finite volume scheme is adopted for space discretization. Specifically, the spatial discretization adopts the traditional triangle P1−P0 trial function pair, combined with macro element form to ensure local stability. The theoretical analysis results show that under certain conditions, the full discretization proposed here has the characteristics of local stability, and we can indeed obtain the optimal theoretic and numerical order error estimation of velocity and pressure. This helps to enrich the corresponding theoretical results.
Spatial-Temporal Sensitivity Analysis of Flood Control Capability in China Based on MADM-GIS Model
Authors: Zhang Weihan , Liu Xianghe , Yu Weihua , Cui Chenfeng , Zheng Ailei
Published: May 2022

To facilitate better implementation of flood control and risk mitigation strategies, a model for evaluating the flood defense capability of China is proposed in this study. First, nine indicators such as slope and precipitation intensity are extracted from four aspects: objective inclusiveness, subjective prevention, etc. Secondly, the entropy weight method in the multi-attribute decision making (MADM) model and the improved three-dimensional technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (3D-TOPSIS) method were combined to construct a flood defense capacity index evaluation system. Finally, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the Taylor plot method were innovatively used to test the model and indicators. The results show that nationwide, there is fine flood defense performance in Shandong, Jiangsu and room for improvement in Guangxi, Chongqing, Tibet and Qinghai. The good representativity of nine indicators selected by the model was verified by the Taylor plot. Simultaneously, the ROC calculated area under the curve (AUC) was 70%, which proved the good problem-solving ability of the MADM-GIS model. An accurate assessment of the sensitivity of flood control capacity in China was achieved, and it is suitable for situations where data is scarce or discontinuous. It provided scientific reference value for the planning and implementation of China’s flood defense and disaster reduction projects and emergency safety strategies.
CycleGAN-Based Singing/Humming to Instrument Conversion Technique
Authors: Lai Wen-Hsing , Wang Siou-Lin , Xu Zhi-Yao
Published: May 2022

In this research, singing/humming to instrument conversion techniques are proposed. In humming to instrument, two models based on cycle-consistent adversarial networks (CycleGAN) on viola are experimented. From the objective and subjective evaluations conducted, the converted audio is more similar to viola compared to humming, and the quality of the converted sound is fair to listeners. In singing to instrument, to fix the problem of the gap between singing and instrument, a dual conversion model consisting of singing to humming and humming to instrument is proposed. The objective and subjective experimental results show that the dual conversion has better converted audio quality than conversion by singing to instrument directly.
Monocular Depth Estimation from a Single Infrared Image
Authors: Han Daechan , Choi Yukyung
Published: May 2022

Thermal infrared imaging is attracting much attention due to its strength against illuminance variation. However, because of the spectral difference between thermal infrared images and RGB images, the existing research on self-supervised monocular depth estimation has performance limitations. Therefore, in this study, we propose a novel Self-Guided Framework using a Pseudolabel predicted from RGB images. Our proposed framework, which solves the problem of appearance matching loss in the existing framework, transfers the high accuracy of Pseudolabel to the thermal depth estimation network by comparing low- and high-level pixels. Furthermore, we propose Patch-NetVLAD Loss, which strengthens local detail and global context information in the depth map from thermal infrared imaging by comparing locally global patch-level descriptors. Finally, we introduce an Image Matching Loss to estimate a more accurate depth map in a thermal depth network by enhancing the performance of the Pseudolabel. We demonstrate that the proposed framework shows significant performance improvement even when applied to various depth networks in the KAIST Multispectral Dataset.
The Evolution of the Spatial-Temporal Differences of Municipal Solid Waste Carbon Emission Efficiency in China
Authors: Chu Xu , Jin Yiying , Wang Xuan , Wang Xiankun , Song Xiaoqian
Published: May 2022

Municipal solid waste (MSW) treatment is one of the major contributors to carbon emissions. The improvement in MSW treatment carbon emission efficiency is crucial for China to achieve its CO2 emission targets. Firstly, this study used the super-efficiency SBM-DEA model to calculate the MSW treatment carbon emission efficiency in 31 provinces in China from 2010 to 2019. The results show that the MSW treatment carbon emission efficiency in all provinces except Shanghai and Jiangsu is less than 1, and the provinces with high efficiency are mainly located in eastern China. Secondly, the spatial auto correlation model and spatial Markov chain are used to test the regional differences and the spatial spillover effect of efficiency. The results show that the national average efficiency shows a fluctuating downward trend, and only the western region achieves a gradual increase. The regional differences in China’s MSW processing efficiency of carbon emissions show a fluctuating upward trend, and the regional background affects the spatiotemporal evolution pattern of the efficiency. Finally, the special error model was used to analyze the factors and influence paths that affect the efficiency, and to find that the degree of government intervention as an influencing factor that restricts the improvement of efficiency. Based on the research results, we put forward countermeasures and suggestions to improve the MSW treatment carbon emission efficiency in each province and the country as a whole.
Towards Predictive Crude Oil Purchase: A Case Study in the USA and Europe
Authors: Lee Jen-Yu , Nguyen Tien-Thinh , Nguyen Hong-Giang , Lee Jen-Yao
Published: May 2022

Crude oil price volatility impacts the global economy in general, as well as the economies of Europe and the United States in particular; it is supremely difficult to describe its tendency precisely, hence it leads to a forecasting methodology. This study aims to use the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA), and seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) approaches to cope with this problem in the United States and Europe. The data was gathered from the U.S. Energy Information Administration and federal research economic data (FRED) from January 2017 to September 2021. Simultaneously, values from January 2017 to March 2021, with 51 observations accounting for 90% of the total samples, were employed for the training phase, and the rest were used for the testing phase. The forecast result also indicated that the root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) values, applied by ARIMA models in Europe and the United States, have higher accurate indicators than SARIMA models. As a result, the ARIMA model achieved the best accuracy in both Europe and the USA, with  MAPEEurope−ARIMA = 0.05, and MAPEUSA−ARIMA=0.05. Based on these accuracy parameters, the forecasting models appear incredibly reliable; similarly, the study results might assist governing bodies in making significant decisions, thereby accelerating socio-economic development in the world’s two largest economies.
Grid-Forming Operation of Energy-Router Based on Model Predictive Control with Improved Dynamic Performance
Authors: Najafzadeh Mahdieh , Strzelecka Natalia , Husev Oleksandr , Roasto Indrek , Nassereddine Kawsar , Vinnikov Dmitri , Strzelecki Ryszard
Published: May 2022

The focus of this study is on the grid-forming operation of the Energy Router (ER) based on Model Predictive Control (MPC). ER is regarded as a key component of microgrids. It is a converter that interfaces the microgrid (s) with the utility grid. The ER has a multiport structure and bidirectional energy flow control. The ER concept can be implemented in Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEB) to provide flexible energy control. A concept is proposed where the ER works as a single grid-forming converter. The challenge is to keep the predefined reference voltage and frequency inside the NZEB in all possible modes, including the idle operation mode, current sources, and nonlinear load control. To gain stability and output voltage quality, the MPC is proposed. The design of the modified MPC algorithm with improved dynamics performance is explained. PLECS software is utilized to verify the proposed algorithm. The results demonstrate the suitable performance of the proposed control method in terms of total harmonic distortion of the output voltage. The influence of weighting coefficiencies is evaluated, showing the higher impact of the capacitor filter voltage on lowering the total harmonics distortion of the output voltage. Finally, the capability of the control system toward step change in the reference value is evaluated.
An Adaptable Net Zero Model: Energy Analysis of a Monitored Case Study
Authors: Moghaddasi Haleh , Culp Charles , Vanegas Jorge , Das Saptarshi , Ehsani Mehrdad
Published: May 2022

Increased efforts toward climate change mitigation and achieving net zero (NZ) are occurring globally. This research addresses three challenges to meeting the target NZ goals: (1) quantifying energy use reduction approaches, including energy efficiency and renewable power; (2) obtaining measured data to verify NZ achievements; and (3) providing NZ definitions to a globally understandable concept. To do so, a reorganized NZ concept (NZX%(ORG)) is proposed that is practical, measurable, and adaptable to different regions and requirements. The “X%” presents the fraction of renewable energy to the total energy used, and the “ORG” defines the organization’s NZ definition that a project uses. The objective of this proposal is to create a universally NZ concept and method, using measured utility power data, by (1) determining a baseline NZX%(ORG); (2) projecting an optimized NZX%(ORG); (3) measuring and reporting the actual NZX%(ORG). This application is extendable from a building level to the community, city, and country levels (NZCX%(ORG)). The Serenbe community, a monitored case study in Georgia, was analyzed. The baseline NZ rating using metered data was NZC16%(ASHRAE). The analysis showed that improved energy efficiency measures (lighting, windows glazing, air sealing) along with increased on-site solar power generation (from 10% to 25% of all roof space), provided a projected NZC80%(ASHRAE). In addition, publicly available documentation of the measured utility power is required for reporting the actual NZCX%(ORG) in Serenbe. Using NZX%(ORG) provides recognition of partial success in moving toward 100% renewable power.
Towards the Integration of Sustainable Transportation and Smart Grids: A Review on Electric Vehicles’ Management
Authors: Casella Virginia , Fernandez Valderrama Daniel , Ferro Giulio , Minciardi Riccardo , Paolucci Massimo , Parodi Luca , Robba Michela
Published: May 2022

In this paper, a survey is presented on the use of optimization models for the integration of electric vehicles (EVs) and charging stations (CSs) in the energy system, paying particular attention both to planning problems (i.e., those problems related to long term decisions such as the siting and sizing of CSs), and operational management problems (i.e., the optimal scheduling of EVs in smart grids, microgrids and buildings taking into account vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities). Moreover, specific attention was dedicated to decision problems that couple transportation and electrical networks, such as the energy demand assessment for a vehicle over a path and routing and charging decision problems for goods and people transportation. Finally, an effort was dedicated to highlighting the integration and the use of EVs in very recent regulation frameworks, with specific reference to the participation in the balancing market through the figure of an aggregator and the inclusion in the management of Energy Communities (ECs) and sustainable districts.
Adaptive Charge-Compensation-Based Variable On-Time Control to Improve Input Current Distortion for CRM Boost PFC Converter
Authors: Liu Xinjun , Zhang Donglai , Wang Wanyang , Zhang Fanwu , Yuan Jun , Liu Ningyu
Published: May 2022

For boost power factor correction (PFC) converters operating in critical conduction mode (CRM), charge compensation strategies are utilized to improve input current distortion. However, since massive calculations are required under complex working conditions, it is difficult to achieve accurate charge compensation with limited real-time computing resources. To solve this issue, this paper proposes an adaptive charge-compensation-based variable on-time (ACVOT) control strategy. The ACVOT controller calculates the required switching on-time by adding a fundamental value and an extended on-time. The fundamental value is adjusted by the loop compensator in each half-line cycle to provide a basic bias. The extended on-time is calculated based on partial charge compensation equation in each switching cycle to reduce the distortion. Compared with conventional digital variable on-time (VOT) control, the proposed strategy improves the input current total harmonics distortion (THD) and reduces the LUT/register resources by 54%/43% in FPGA realization. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed strategy, a 200 W prototype is built using the GaN HEMT transistor, where the THD is reduced to 1.4% at full load.
Capturing Consumers’ Awareness and the Intention to Support Carbon Neutrality through Energy Efficient Consumption
Authors: Immonen Anne , Kopsakangas-Savolainen Maria
Published: May 2022

The EU has several directives aiming toward carbon neutrality and is attempting to promote and encourage individual electricity consumers to participate in this endeavor. The key idea behind consumer awakening and activation is to push consumers to become aware of their electricity consumption behavior. The purpose of this paper was to examine the current consumption behavior of Finnish electricity consumers and their intention to support the goals of carbon neutrality through energy efficient consumption. The aim was to reveal how far the consumption behavior of people was from the intention to tackle climate change. To reach this goal, a qualitative research method was applied to evaluate the consumer awareness and intentions. A consumer survey was conducted to enable standardized and consistent data collection. The research utilized a key performance indicator (KPI) approach to evaluate the results: the social KPIs connected with qualitative values provide a comprehensive approach. According to the results, the awareness of consumers of their consumption behavior was not very high, and some data needs can be identified. In addition, clear intentions can be detected among the residents to support the environment and to save energy. However, the consumers did not seem to be aware of the available data and existing services that could help them to improve their energy efficiency. Therefore, more motivation and communication is still required to affect the electricity consumption behavior.
Optimization of Numerical Simulation Algorithm for Spontaneous Combustion in Goaf via a Compression Storage and Solution Method of Coefficient Matrix
Authors: Cai Yongbo , Zhang Yanlu , Qi Qingjie , Qin Yueping , Zhou Tianbai , Sun Zuo
Published: May 2022

In coal mine engineering, numerical software is used to analyze the behavior of coal rock damage and fluid migration. The order of the coefficient matrix used in numerical calculations is increasing, and this increases the computation steps in obtaining the coefficient matrix solution. The storage and solution of the coefficient matrix are key factors influencing the efficiency of the numerical software. Therefore, to save storage space and reduce the computation steps, the coefficient matrix must be effectively compressed and stored. In this work, the structural characteristics of different coefficient matrices are analyzed in detail, and we find that for different computational regions, as long as the nodes are numbered according to certain rules, the corresponding coefficient matrices will have similar structural characteristics. The nonzero elements are symmetrically distributed in the diagonal band, and all the elements on both sides outside the band are zero. Based on this, the coefficient matrix is compressed by a pivoting scheme, and the compressed matrix is directly eliminated by dislocation Gaussian elimination. Thus, a compressed storage method that integrates the compression and solution of the coefficient matrix is established. The compressed storage and calculation module is incorporated into our self-developed simulation software COMBUSS-3D to simulate the evolution of the temperature field in the goaf of Luling Coal Mine. Compared with the conventional method, the compressed storage module can significantly improve the computing rate of the simulation, by approximately 80%.
Infectivity and Transmissibility of Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease Associated Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Frozen Shrimp Archived at −80 °C
Authors: Lee Chorong , Jeon Hye Jin , Kim Bum Keun , Choi Seong-Kyoon , Kim Sumi , Jang Gwang Il , Kim Ji Hyung , Han Jee Eun
Published: May 2022

Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus (VpAHPND) has been reported in commodity shrimp, but the potential risk of its global spread via frozen shrimp in the shrimp trade is yet to be fully explored. We hypothesized that frozen shrimp with AHPND could be a source of VpAHPND transmission; thus, the infectivity of frozen shrimp with AHPND was evaluated using a shrimp bioassay. To prepare infected frozen shrimp, 12 Penaeus vannamei (average weight, 2 g) were exposed to VpAHPND by immersion in water with a VpAHPND concentration of 1.55 × 107 CFU mL−1; once dead, the shrimp were stored at −80 °C for further analysis. After two weeks, a PCR assay was used to confirm AHPND positivity in frozen shrimp (n = 2), and VpAHPND was reisolated from the hepatopancreases of these shrimp. For the infectivity test, 10 P. vannamei (average weight, 4 g) were fed with the hepatopancreases of VpAHPND -infected frozen shrimp (n = 10). After feeding, 70% of the shrimp died within 118 h, and the presence of VpAHPND was confirmed using a PCR assay and histopathology examination; moreover, VpAHPND was successfully reisolated from the hepatopancreases of the dead shrimp. We are the first to evaluate the potential transmissibility of VpAHPND in frozen shrimp, and our results suggest that frozen shrimp with AHPND are a potential source of disease spreading between countries during international trade.
Design of a Signal-Amplified Aptamer-Based Lateral Flow Test Strip for the Rapid Detection of Ochratoxin A in Red Wine
Authors: Liu Yinyin , Liu Dan , Cui Shuangshuang , Li Can , Yun Ziguang , Zhang Jian , Sun Fengxia
Published: May 2022

In order to improve the weak optical performance of gold nanoparticles and realize the signal amplification of lateral flow chromatography test strips, individual gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were aggregated into gold nanoparticle aggregates through functional groups around polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers. A signal-amplified aptamer-based lateral flow chromatography test strip was constructed for the rapid determination of ochratoxin A (OTA). Under optimal conditions, the visual detection limit of this test strip was 0.4 ng mL−1 and the semi-quantitative limit of detection (LOD) was 0.04 ng mL−1. Compared with other traditional aptamer lateral flow chromatography test strips, its sensitivity was improved about five times. The whole test could be completed within 15 min. The aptamer-based strip was applied to the detection of OTA in red wine; the average recoveries ranged from 93% to 105.8% with the relative standard deviation (RSD) varying from 3% to 8%, indicating that the test strip may be a potentially effective tool for the on-site detection of OTA.
Next Generation Ingredients Based on Winemaking By-Products and an Approaching to Antiviral Properties
Authors: Pascual Guillermo , López María Dolores , Vargas Marisol , Aranda Mario , Cañumir Juan Antonio
Published: May 2022

Management of waste and use of winemaking by-products plays an important role in the development of new ingredients, especially with antiviral properties. Although the richness of bioactive compounds from wine waste is known, less is known about potential antiviral action. Bioactive compounds and health-enhancing effects of winery by-products make them potential candidates for use in antiviral ingredients. The design of new formulations by using nano-microencapsulation techniques will be necessary to successfully control diseases produced by viruses. Outcomes about the use of winery by-products, bioactive compounds found in winery wastes, green extraction techniques to concentrate these compounds, and development of formulations to obtain new ingredients were extracted from research around the world to be discussed and updated in this manuscript. The evidence collected in this review aims to encourage transfer of in vitro and in vivo knowledge to a new step for the development of antiviral and treatments.
Synergistic Action of Mild Heat and Essential Oil Treatments on Culturability and Viability of Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 Tested In Vitro and in Fruit Juice
Authors: Di Gregorio Luciana , Tchuenchieu Alex , Poscente Valeria , Arioli Stefania , Del Fiore Antonella , Costanzo Manuela , Giorgi Debora , Lucretti Sergio , Bevivino Annamaria
Published: May 2022

The strengthening effect of a mild temperature treatment on the antimicrobial efficacy of essential oils has been widely reported, often leading to an underestimation or a misinterpretation of the product’s microbial status. In the present study, both a traditional culture-based method and Flow Cytometry (FCM) were applied to monitor the individual or combined effect of Origanum vulgare essential oil (OEO) and mild heat treatment on the culturability and viability of Escherichia coli in a conventional culture medium and in a fruit juice challenge test. The results obtained in the culture medium showed bacterial inactivation with an increasing treatment temperature (55 °C, 60 °C, 65 °C), highlighting an overestimation of the dead population using the culture-based method; in fact, when the FCM method was applied, the prevalence of injured bacterial cells in a viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state was observed. When commercial fruit juice with a pH of 3.8 and buffered at pH 7.0 was inoculated with E. coli ATCC 25922, a bactericidal action of OEO and a higher efficiency of the mild heat at 65 °C for 5′ combined with OEO were found. Overall, the combination of mild heat and OEO treatment represents a promising antimicrobial alternative to improve the safety of fruit juice.
Cluster Oscillation of a Fractional-Order Duffing System with Slow Variable Parameter Excitation
Authors: Li Xianghong , Wang Yanli , Shen Yongjun
Published: May 2022

The complicated dynamic behavior of a fractional-order Duffing system with slow variable parameter excitation is investigated. The stability and bifurcation behavior of the fast subsystem are analyzed by using the dynamic theory of fractional-order systems. The pitchfork bifurcation, Hopf bifurcation and limit cycle bifurcation are discussed in detail, and it was found that Hopf bifurcation only happens while the fractional order is bigger than 1. On the other hand, the influence of the amplitude of parametric excitation on cluster oscillation models is discussed. The results show that amplitude regulates cluster oscillation models with different bifurcation types. The point–point cluster oscillation only relates to pitchfork bifurcation. The point–cycle cluster oscillation includes pitchfork bifurcation and Hopf bifurcation. The point–cycle–cycle cluster oscillation involves three kinds of bifurcation, i.e., the pitchfork bifurcation, Hopf bifurcation and limit cycle bifurcation. The larger the amplitude, the more bifurcation types are involved. The research results of cluster oscillation and its generation mechanism will provide valuable theoretical basis for mechanical manufacturing and engineering practice.
Fractional Integral Inequalities of Hermite–Hadamard Type for (h,g;m)-Convex Functions with Extended Mittag-Leffler Function
Authors: Andrić Maja
Published: May 2022

Several fractional integral inequalities of the Hermite–Hadamard type are presented for the class of (h,g;m)-convex functions. Applied fractional integral operators contain extended generalized Mittag-Leffler functions as their kernel, thus enabling new fractional integral inequalities that extend and generalize the known results. As an application, the upper bounds of fractional integral operators for (h,g;m)-convex functions are given.
Stationary Wong–Zakai Approximation of Fractional Brownian Motion and Stochastic Differential Equations with Noise Perturbations
Authors: Viitasaari Lauri , Zeng Caibin
Published: May 2022

In this article, we introduce a Wong–Zakai type stationary approximation to the fractional Brownian motions and provide a sharp rate of convergence in Lp(Ω). Our stationary approximation is suitable for all values of H∈(0,1). As an application, we consider stochastic differential equations driven by a fractional Brownian motion with H>1/2. We provide sharp rate of convergence in a certain fractional-type Sobolev space of the approximation, which in turn provides rate of convergence for the solution of the approximated equation. This generalises some existing results in the literature concerning approximation of the noise and the convergence of corresponding solutions.
Petrographical and Geochemical Study of Syn-Rift Sediments, Pranhita-Godavari Intracratonic Gondwana Basin, India: Genesis and Paleo-Environmental Implications
Authors: Dasgupta Sanghita , Banerjee Santanu , Ghosh Parthasarathi
Published: May 2022

The approximately 2 km thick fluvio-lacustrine deposits of Pranhita-Godavari Gondwana syn-rift basin, ranging in age from 235 to 196 Ma, track the compositional changes from the Middle Triassic to Early Jurassic. Mineralogical and geochemical investigations, as well as paleocurrent data of the siliciclastic deposits of the four conformable formations—Yerrapalli, Bhimaram, Maleri and Dharmaram—trace the source of sediments to the south and southwest of the Gondwana basin. The dominance of arkosic to sub-arkosic sandstones in all the formations suggests mostly felsic sources. The high value of Zr/Sc, as well a high content of Hf, reflects the addition of zircon by sediment recycling. The index of compositional variability (ICV) and chemical index of alteration (CIA) values of these Gondwana samples suggest intermediate weathering of Proterozoic shales, granites and gneisses. The concentration of Cr and Ni, ratios of Eu/Eu* and (GdN/YbN) suggest a dominant post-Archean source. The insignificant variation in ICV and CIA values across the studied Mesozoic formations corroborates the continuation of syn-rift tectonics of the Pranhita-Godavari Gondwana basin since the Late Paleozoic. Sandstone samples show a gradual shift from arkose to subarkose in Yerrapalli, Barakar and Maleri formations, and to sublithic arenite sandstones in the younger Dharmaram formation, indicating recycling. However, the insignificant variation of feldspar and/or quartz content throughout these Mesozoic formations suggests lesser tectonic activity. The paleocurrent direction, shifting from NNW to NE direction, suggests a change in basin tectonism and/or sediment supply, which is corroborated by mineralogical and geochemical data.
Difference in Quality of Vision Outcome among Extended Depth of Focus, Bifocal, and Monofocal Intraocular Lens Implantation
Authors: Chao Chen-Cheng , Lin Hung-Yuan , Lee Chia-Yi , Mai Elsa Lin-Chin , Lian Ie-Bin , Chang Chao-Kai
Published: May 2022

We aimed to compare the postoperative quality of vision among patients who received extended depth of focus (EDOF), bifocal, and monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. A retrospective study was conducted, and 87 patients who underwent cataract surgery were enrolled. Patients were categorized into different groups according to IOL design, with 24, 29, and 34 individuals constituting bifocal, EDOF, and monofocal groups. Preoperative and postoperative visual acuity (VA), biometry data, refractive status, contrast sensitivity (CS), higher-order aberrations (HOAs), and a quality of vision questionnaire that consisted of 11 questions were obtained 1 month postoperatively. The Kruskal–Wallis test and Pearson’s chi-square test were applied for statistical analyses. The postoperative CDVA was better in the EDOF group than in the bifocal group (p = 0.043), and the residual cylinder was lower in the EDOF groups than in the other two groups (both p < 0.05). The CS was worse in the EDOF group than in the other two groups (all p < 0.05), while the spherical aberration and trefoil were lower in the EDOF group than in the bifocal group (both p < 0.05). In terms of the quality of vision, the scores were better in the monofocal group than in the EDOF group in seven items (all p < 0.05), and the quality of vision in the bifocal group was better than in the EDOF group in small print reading (p = 0.042). In addition, the incidence of glare was lower in the monofocal group than in the other two groups (p < 0.001), while the spectacle dependence ratio was significantly higher in the monofocal group compared to the other two groups (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the general quality of vision was better in the monofocal group compared to the bifocal and EDOF groups, while the spectacle dependence ratio was significantly higher in the monofocal group than in the other two groups.
The Associations between Childhood Experiences and Occupational Choice Capability, and the Mediation of Societal Gender Roles
Authors: Koçak Orhan , Ergin Meryem , Younis Mustafa Z.
Published: May 2022

Experiences in family, school, and social life during childhood are associated with gender roles and occupational choice capability. This study examines how competent individuals are in occupational choice capability and the relationships of childhood experiences and gender roles with their competencies in occupational choice capability. The research is composed of 805 individuals aged 18 and older, who reside in Turkey. In the research, we used the Personal Information Form, Childhood Experiences Scale, Gender Roles Attitude Scale, and The Scale of Occupational Choice Capability. The SPSS 25 program and PROCESS-Macro were used to analyze the variables. The relationship between the scales was investigated using Pearson correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. According to the findings we obtained, individuals’ family and school life were positively correlated with their career choices, and family function sexism harmed their choice of profession. We also found gender roles had a mediating role in the relationship between school life and career choice.
Care Dependency of Hospitalized Stroke Patients Based on Family Caregivers’ and Nurses’ Assessments: A Comparative Study
Authors: Nursiswati Nursiswati , Halfens Ruud J. G. , Lohrmann Christa
Published: May 2022

Stroke impacts care dependency, and thus the patient needs home care after suffering a stroke. This study was carried out to investigate similarities and differences between the assessments made by family caregivers and nurses regarding the care dependency level of stroke patients in Indonesian hospitals. This study was a comparative study of the care dependency of stroke patients. Data were collected on the stroke wards on the day of admission using the Care Dependency Scale (CDS). The sample consisted of 118 family caregivers and 21 nurses. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed to determine the mean differences between the paired data collected by family caregivers and nurses. The results of this study show that significant differences exist between the family caregivers’ and nurses’ assessments regarding the care dependency levels of stroke patients. Nurses assigned higher scores to all CDS items than family caregivers did. Significant differences between the family caregivers’ and nurses’ assessments were observed on numerous items of the Care Dependency Scale. This study contributes to efforts to raise awareness of potential differences in perceived care dependency levels of stroke patients. The findings can help nurses plan the patient’s discharge together with family caregivers.