bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Natural Pollution Accumulation Characteristics of Insulators for Railroads in High-Altitude Environment
Authors: Zhang Zhijin , Chen Siyi , Jiang Xingliang , Hu Jianlin , Hu Qin
Published: August 2023

Railway system insulators are affected by pollution, altitude, and other environmental situations during operation, which causes reduced electrical performance or even flashover accidents. These factors threaten the safety of railway operations in high-altitude areas. However, the natural contamination characteristics of a railroad in a plateau area is still unclear. In this study, a natural pollution accumulation test for railway insulators in a high-altitude area was carried out, and the distribution rules of nonsoluble deposit density (NSDD), equivalent salt deposit density (ESDD), NSDD/ESDD ratio, and nonuniformity (T/B) of the pollution distribution of the tested insulators were calculated. Meanwhile, the chemical compositions of the pollution from different test sites were analyzed. The differences of pollution accumulation between railway insulators and suspended insulators of a power system and the influencing factors were compared and analyzed by combining with a numerical simulation. The results show that the pollution level of railroad insulators is mainly distributed in level b and above. A pollution sample is mainly composed of sodium chloride, while the NSDD/ESDD ratio of pollution is mostly distributed from 0 to 5, with T/B value ranges from 1/0.62 to 1/1.76. The amount of insulator contamination is influenced by the location inside and outside the tunnel. Additionally, the pollution amount is influenced by the structure and type of insulators. Finally, this paper studies the creepage distance and structural height required by railway insulators in a plateau area according to the natural pollution accumulation characteristics of railway insulators, which can provide a reference for a railway electrical external insulation configuration in a high-altitude area.
Photovoltaic-Assisted Photo(electro)catalytic Hydrogen Production: A Review
Authors: Samsudin Mohamad Fakhrul Ridhwan
Published: August 2023

The idea of supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has inspired researchers around the world to explore more environmentally friendly energy generation and production methods, especially those related to solar and hydrogen energy. Among the various available sustainable energy technologies, photo(electro)catalytic hydrogen production has been competitively explored, benefiting from its versatile platform to utilize solar energy for green hydrogen production. Nevertheless, the bottleneck of this photo(electro)catalytic system lies within its high voltage required for water electrolysis (>1.23 V), which affects the economic prospects of this sustainable technology. In this regard, coupling the photo(electro)catalytic system with a solar-powered photovoltaic (PV) system (PV-PEC) to unleash the fascinating properties and readiness of this system has heightened attention among the scientific community. In this context, this review begins by elucidating the basic principles of PV-PEC systems, followed by an exploration of various types of solar PV technology and the different types of semiconductors used as photocatalysts in the PEC system. Subsequently, the main challenges faced by the PV-PEC system are presented, covering areas such as efficiency, stability, and cost-effectiveness. Finally, this review delves into recent research related to PV-PEC systems, discussing the advancements and breakthroughs in this promising technology. Furthermore, this review provides a forecast for the future prospects of the PV-PEC system, highlighting the potential for its continued development and widespread implementation as a key player in sustainable hydrogen production.
Effect of the Flagellar Gene fliL on the Virulence of Pseudomonas plecoglossicida to Hybrid Grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × E. lanceolatus ♂)
Authors: Shi Lian , Zhang Junjie , Zhao Lingmin , Li Qi , Huang Lixing , Qin Yingxue , Yan Qingpi
Published: August 2023

Pseudomonas plecoglossicida is the pathogen of visceral white spot disease in marine fish, which usually occurs at 16–19 °C and has resulted in heavy economic losses. Our previous RNA sequencing revealed that the expression of the fliL gene in P. plecoglossicida was significantly up-regulated during infection of the host. In order to study the influence of the fliL gene on the virulence of P. plecoglossicida, the fliL gene of the NZBD9 strain was knocked out by the homologous recombination method, the fliL gene-deleted strain (ΔfliL strain) constructed, and complemented the fliL gene to the ΔfliL strain to obtain the C-ΔfliL strain. The growth curves of the NZBD9 strain, ΔfliL strain, and C-ΔfliL strain did not show significant differences. Compared with the NZBD9 strain, the motility, adhesion, and biofilm formation ability were tendered in the ΔfliL strain (p < 0.05); the complement of the fliL gene enhanced these abilities to the level of the NZBD9 strain. The results of artificial infection experiments showed that the LD50 of NZBD9 strain, ΔfliL strain, and C-ΔfliL strain in hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × E. lanceolatus ♂) were 5.0 × 103 CFU/fish, 6.3 × 104 CFU/fish, and 1.3 × 103 CFU/fish, respectively. RNA sequencing was performed on wild-type strains and ΔfliL strains. A total of 126 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened (p < 0.05), of which 114 were downregulated and 12 were upcontrolled, among which several genes related to the six-type secretion system and transport activity were significantly downregulated. The DEGs were aligned to the GO and KEGG databases and enriched to 44 GO pathways and 39 KEGG pathways, respectively. The active pathways of ABC transporters were significantly enriched in both databases. These results indicate that the fliL gene is related to the movement, biofilm formation, and adhesion ability of P. plecoglossicida, and may reduce virulence by affecting substance transport and bacterial secretion.
Trapped Solitary Waves in a Periodic External Force: A Numerical Investigation Using the Whitham Equation and the Sponge Layer Method
Authors: Flamarion Marcelo V. , Ribeiro-Jr Roberto , Vianna Diogo L. S. S. , Sato Alex M.
Published: August 2023

This paper concerns the interaction between solitary waves on the surface of an ideal fluid and a localized external force, which models a moving disturbance on the free surface or an obstacle moving at the bottom of a channel. Previous works have investigated this interaction under the assumption that the external force moves with variable speed and constant acceleration. However, in this paper we adopt a different approach and consider the scenario in which the external force moves with variable speed and non-constant acceleration. Using the Whitham equation framework, we investigate numerically trapped waves excited by a periodic external force. Our experiments reveal regimes in which solitary waves are spontaneously generated and trapped for large times at the external force. In addition, we compare the results predicted by the Whitham equation with those of the Korteweg–de Vries equation.
Use of Tandem Mass Spectrometry Quantitative Proteomics to Identify Potential Biomarkers to Follow the Effects of Cold and Frozen Storage of Muscle Tissue of Litopenaeus vannamei
Authors: Chen Yu , Ning Qian , Wu Zhenzhen , Zhou Hanlin , Liao Jun , Sun Xiangyun , Lin Jing , Pang Jie
Published: August 2023

L. vannamei has become one of the most productive species. However, it is susceptible to microbial contamination during fishing, transportation, and storage, which can lead to spoilage and quality deterioration. This study investigates the relationship between changes in the proteome of Litopenaeus vannamei (L. vannamei) muscle and quality characteristics during low-temperature storage using the tandem mass spectrometry technology of quantitative proteomics strategy. The differential expression of proteins under cold storage (4 °C, CS), partial slight freezing (−3 °C, PFS), and frozen storage (−18 °C, FS) conditions was compared with the fresh group (CK), resulting in 1572 proteins identified as differentially expressed. The purpose of this research is to identify potential biochemical markers by analyzing quality changes and relative differential proteins through searches in the UniProt database, Gene Ontology database, and Genome Encyclopedia. Correlation analysis revealed that seven DEPs were significantly related to physical and chemical indicators. Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that most DEPs are involved in binding proteins, metabolic enzymes, and protein turnover. Additionally, some DEPs were identified as potential biomarkers for muscle decline. These findings contribute to understanding the mechanism of freshness decline in L. vannamei under low-temperature storage and the changes in muscle proteome.
Effect of Ball-Milling on Starch Crystalline Structure, Gelatinization Temperature, and Rheological Properties: Towards Enhanced Utilization in Thermosensitive Systems
Authors: de Oliveira Barros Matheus , Mattos Adriano Lincoln Albuquerque , de Almeida Jessica Silva , de Freitas Rosa Morsyleide , de Brito Edy Sousa
Published: August 2023

Starch’s crystalline structure and gelatinization temperature might facilitate or hinder its use. Ball milling has frequently been mentioned in the literature as a method for reducing starch size and as a more environmentally friendly way to change starch, such as by increasing surface area and reactivity, which has an impact on other starch properties. In this study, starch samples were milled for varying durations (1, 5, 10, 20, and 30 h) and at different starch-to-ball mass ratios (1:6 and 1:20). Microscopy and XRD revealed that prolonged milling resulted in effective fragmentation and a decrease in crystallinity of the starch granules. Increasing milling times resulted in an increase in amylose content. Rheology and thermal studies revealed that gelatinization temperatures dropped with milling duration and that viscosity and thixotropy were directly influenced. The samples milled for 10, 20, and 30 h at a ratio of 1:20 were the most fragmented and upon drying formed a transparent film at ambient temperature, because of the lower gelatinization temperature. Starch ball milling could lead to the use of this material in thermosensitive systems.
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Application to Dry-Cured Pastrami in Egyptian Pastrami Factories
Authors: El-Mougy Rehab Mohammed , Abd-Elghany Samir Mohammed , Imre Kálmán , Morar Adriana , Herman Viorel , Sallam Khalid Ibrahim
Published: August 2023

The current study established a HACCP tactic for all hazards related to Egyptian dry-cured pastrami production. All types of hazards that could occur at each production step were depicted. The fabrication steps of pastrami were originally based on the processes and conclusions presented in two previous publications by members of the research team; thus, the current scientific paper is considered a completion of the two previous publications. All operations executed and products manufactured outside the pastrami factory were excluded. The HACCP system was only applied to dry-cured pastrami production stages from receiving frozen raw meat and non-meat ingredients until packaging and storing the final product. Four CCPs were detected and taken into account. The permissible critical limits of additives and non-meat ingredients were considered. Suitable corrective actions were arranged. Regular HACCP plan review, proper recording of detected CCPs and critical limits were necessary for validation processes. Following up with the supply chain by obtaining the certified suppliers, together with the importance of the verification procedures of the elaborated HACCP plan, were essential in order to ensure the production of safe food without defects.
Identification of Contributory Factors That Affect the Willingness to Use Shared Autonomous Vehicles
Authors: Triantafillidi Eirini , Tzouras Panagiotis G. , Spyropoulou Ioanna , Kepaptsoglou Konstantinos
Published: August 2023

Shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs) aspire to change not only vehicles but also the way people and goods move in urban areas. However, the promotion of such services, that is, whether travelers are willing to share their trips with other service users, is still a challenge. This study aims to examine the contributory factors that influence the willingness of individuals to use shared autonomous vehicles by simultaneously identifying the differences in terms of preferences with conventional competitive transport modes, namely, private cars and public transport. A stated preference experiment combined with perception ratings was designed and conducted in Athens, Greece. Based on the collected responses, a multinomial logit model was estimated. The results show that the flexibility of SAVs and, particularly, the possibility of performing door-to-door trips has a serious added value that travelers are willing to pay. Compared with public transport, additional waiting time does not increase the disutility. Furthermore, people who belong to high-education and -income groups expressed a higher willingness to use SAVs and socialize while traveling. The familiarity of each potential user with technology is a necessary precondition. Lastly, it is confirmed that environmentally conscious people are more positive about using these new services.
Acetylated α-Tubulin and α-Synuclein: Physiological Interplay and Contribution to α-Synuclein Oligomerization
Authors: Calogero Alessandra Maria , Basellini Milo Jarno , Isilgan Huseyin Berkcan , Longhena Francesca , Bellucci Arianna , Mazzetti Samanta , Rolando Chiara , Pezzoli Gianni , Cappelletti Graziella
Published: August 2023

Emerging evidence supports that altered α-tubulin acetylation occurs in Parkinson’s disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the deposition of α-synuclein fibrillary aggregates within Lewy bodies and nigrostriatal neuron degeneration. Nevertheless, studies addressing the interplay between α-tubulin acetylation and α-synuclein are lacking. Here, we investigated the relationship between α-synuclein and microtubules in primary midbrain murine neurons and the substantia nigra of post-mortem human brains. Taking advantage of immunofluorescence and Proximity Ligation Assay (PLA), a method allowing us to visualize protein–protein interactions in situ, combined with confocal and super-resolution microscopy, we found that α-synuclein and acetylated α-tubulin colocalized and were in close proximity. Next, we employed an α-synuclein overexpressing cellular model and tested the role of α-tubulin acetylation in α-synuclein oligomer formation. We used the α-tubulin deacetylase HDAC6 inhibitor Tubacin to modulate α-tubulin acetylation, and we evaluated the presence of α-synuclein oligomers by PLA. We found that the increase in acetylated α-tubulin significantly induced α-synuclein oligomerization. In conclusion, we unraveled the link between acetylated α-tubulin and α-synuclein and demonstrated that α-tubulin acetylation could trigger the early step of α-synuclein aggregation. These data suggest that the proper regulation of α-tubulin acetylation might be considered a therapeutic strategy to take on PD.
Investigation of the Mitigation of DMSO-Induced Cytotoxicity by Hyaluronic Acid following Cryopreservation of Human Nucleus Pulposus Cells
Authors: Munesada Daiki , Sakai Daisuke , Nakamura Yoshihiko , Schol Jordy , Matsushita Erika , Tamagawa Shota , Sako Kosuke , Ogasawara Shota , Sato Masato , Watanabe Masahiko
Published: August 2023

To develop an off-the-shelf therapeutic product for intervertebral disc (IVD) repair using nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs), it is beneficial to mitigate dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-induced cytotoxicity caused by intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Hyaluronic acid (HA) has been shown to protect chondrocytes against ROS. Therefore, we examined the potential of HA on mitigating DMSO-induced cytotoxicity for the enhancement of NPC therapy. Human NPC cryopreserved in DMSO solutions were thawed, mixed with equal amounts of EDTA-PBS (Group E) or HA (Group H), and incubated for 3–5 h. After incubation, DMSO was removed, and the cells were cultured for 5 days. Thereafter, we examined cell viability, cell proliferation rates, Tie2 positivity (a marker of NP progenitor cells), and the estimated numbers of Tie2 positive cells. Fluorescence intensity of DHE and MitoSOX staining, as indicators for oxidative stress, were evaluated by flow cytometry. Group H showed higher rates of cell proliferation and Tie2 expressing cells with a trend toward suppression of oxidative stress compared to Group E. Thus, HA treatment appears to suppress ROS induced by DMSO. These results highlight the ability of HA to maintain NPC functionalities, suggesting that mixing HA at the time of transplantation may be useful in the development of off-the-shelf NPC products.
The Lung Microbiome in COPD and Lung Cancer: Exploring the Potential of Metal-Based Drugs
Authors: O’Shaughnessy Megan , Sheils Orla , Baird Anne-Marie
Published: August 2023

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer 17 are two of the most prevalent and debilitating respiratory diseases worldwide, both associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. As major global health concerns, they impose a substantial burden on patients, healthcare systems, and society at large. Despite their distinct aetiologies, lung cancer and COPD share common risk factors, clinical features, and pathological pathways, which have spurred increasing research interest in their co-occurrence. One area of particular interest is the role of the lung microbiome in the development and progression of these diseases, including the transition from COPD to lung cancer. Exploring novel therapeutic strategies, such as metal-based drugs, offers a potential avenue for targeting the microbiome in these diseases to improve patient outcomes. This review aims to provide an overview of the current understanding of the lung microbiome, with a particular emphasis on COPD and lung cancer, and to discuss the potential of metal-based drugs as a therapeutic strategy for these conditions, specifically concerning targeting the microbiome.
Systematic Development of Vanadium Catalysts for Sustainable Epoxidation of Small Alkenes and Allylic Alcohols
Authors: Ferraz-Caetano José , Teixeira Filipe , Cordeiro Maria Natália Dias Soeiro
Published: August 2023

The catalytic epoxidation of small alkenes and allylic alcohols includes a wide range of valuable chemical applications, with many works describing vanadium complexes as suitable catalysts towards sustainable process chemistry. But, given the complexity of these mechanisms, it is not always easy to sort out efficient examples for streamlining sustainable processes and tuning product optimization. In this review, we provide an update on major works of tunable vanadium-catalyzed epoxidations, with a focus on sustainable optimization routes. After presenting the current mechanistic view on vanadium catalysts for small alkenes and allylic alcohols’ epoxidation, we argue the key challenges in green process development by highlighting the value of updated kinetic and mechanistic studies, along with essential computational studies.
Placental Pathology and Pregnancy Complications
Authors: Kingdom John , Hutcheon Jennifer A. , Gordijn Sanne J. , El-Demellawy Dina , Grynspan David
Published: August 2023

Placental pathology assessment following delivery provides an opportunity to identify the presence and type of disease that can mediate major obstetrical complications, especially in cases where the fetus is growth-restricted, born premature, or stillborn, or if the mother suffers from severe hypertensive morbidities [...]
Hourly Network Anomaly Detection on HTTP Using Exponential Random Graph Models and Autoregressive Moving Average
Authors: Li Richard , Tsikerdekis Michail
Published: August 2023

Network anomaly detection solutions can analyze a network’s data volume by protocol over time and can detect many kinds of cyberattacks such as exfiltration. We use exponential random graph models (ERGMs) in order to flatten hourly network topological characteristics into a time series, and Autoregressive Moving Average (ARMA) to analyze that time series and to detect potential attacks. In particular, we extend our previous method in not only demonstrating detection over hourly data but also through labeling of nodes and over the HTTP protocol. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our method using real-world data for creating exfiltration scenarios. We highlight how our method has the potential to provide a useful description of what is happening in the network structure and how this can assist cybersecurity analysts in making better decisions in conjunction with existing intrusion detection systems. Finally, we describe some strengths of our method, its accuracy based on the right selection of parameters, as well as its low computational requirements.
Effect of Printing Direction and Post-Printing Conditions on Bending Properties of ULTEM 9085
Authors: Glaskova-Kuzmina Tatjana , Dejus Didzis , Jātnieks Jānis , Kruuv Partel-Peeter , Zolotarjovs Aleksejs , Einbergs Ernests , Vanags Edgars
Published: August 2023

The purpose of this study was to reveal the effect of printing direction and post-printing conditions on static and fatigue bending characteristics of Ultem 9085 at two stress levels. Right after the printing, the Ultem samples were subjected to three cooling conditions: cooling in the printer from 180 to 45 °C for 4 h, rapid removal from the printer and cooling in the oven from 200 to 45 °C during 4 h, and removal from the printer and cooling at room temperature. Static 3-point bending tests were performed to estimate the flexural characteristics of Ultem 9085 samples after subjecting them to different post-printing conditions. The flexural strain was evaluated and applied for the stress ratios such as 75% and 50% of σmax. Thus, displacement-controlled fatigue tests were carried out to reveal the effect of post-printing conditions on fatigue bending characteristics. The results obtained for the X and Y printing directions proved that the Ultem samples subjected to the cooling conditions in the printer and the oven had a similar static and fatigue behavior, while a lower performance was obtained for the samples cooled at room temperature. Regardless of the cooling regime, significantly lower bending performance was revealed for the samples printed in the Z-direction since they have intra-layer filaments parallel to the stress plane, and, accordingly, intra-layer adhesion has a crucial influence on mechanical performance.
Real-Time Instance Segmentation for Detection of Underwater Litter as a Plastic Source
Authors: Corrigan Brendan Chongzhi , Tay Zhi Yung , Konovessis Dimitrios
Published: August 2023

Thousands of tonnes of litter enter the ocean every day, posing a significant threat to marine life and ecosystems. While floating and beach litter are often in the spotlight, about 70% of marine litter eventually sinks to the seafloor, making underwater litter the largest accumulation of marine litter that often goes undetected. Plastic debris makes up the majority of ocean litter and is a known source of microplastics in the ocean. This paper focuses on the detection of ocean plastic using neural network models. Two neural network models will be trained, i.e., YOLACT and the Mask R-CNN, for the instance segmentation of underwater litter in images. The models are trained on the TrashCAN dataset, using pre-trained model weights trained using COCO. The trained neural network could achieve a mean average precision (mAP) of 0.377 and 0.365 for the Mask R-CNN and YOLACT, respectively. The lightweight nature of YOLACT allows it to detect images at up to six times the speed of the Mask R-CNN, while only making a comparatively smaller trade-off in terms of performance. This allows for two separate applications: YOLACT for the collection of litter using autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and the Mask R-CNN for surveying litter distribution.
Model-Driven Deep-Learning-Based Underwater Acoustic OTFS Channel Estimation
Authors: Zhang Yuzhi , Zhang Shumin , Wang Yang , Liu Qingyuan , Li Xiangxiang
Published: August 2023

Accurate channel estimation is the fundamental requirement for recovering underwater acoustic orthogonal time–frequency space (OTFS) modulation signals. As the Doppler effect in the underwater acoustic channel is much more severe than that in the radio channel, the channel information usually cannot strictly meet the compressed sensing sparsity assumption in the orthogonal matching pursuit channel estimation algorithm. This deviation ultimately leads to a degradation in system performance. This paper proposes a novel approach for OTFS channel estimation in underwater acoustic communications, utilizing a model-driven deep learning technique. Our method incorporates a residual neural network into the OTFS channel estimation process. Specifically, the orthogonal matching pursuit algorithm and denoising convolutional neural network (DnCNN) collaborate to perform channel estimation. The cascaded DnCNN denoises the preliminary channel estimation results generated by the orthogonal matching pursuit algorithm for more accurate OTFS channel estimation results. The use of a lightweight DnCNN network with a single residual block reduces computational complexity while still preserving the accuracy of the neural network. Through extensive evaluations conducted on simulated and experimental underwater acoustic channels, the outcomes demonstrate that our proposed method outperforms traditional threshold-based and orthogonal matching pursuit channel estimation techniques, achieves superior accuracy in channel estimation, and significantly reduces the system’s bit error rate.
Tribocatalysis Induced Carbon-Based Tribofilms—An Emerging Tribological Approach for Sustainable Lubrications
Authors: Huynh Khai K. , Pham Sang T. , Tieu Kiet A. , Wan Shanhong
Published: August 2023

To comply with the high demand for efficient and sustainable lubrications, carbon-based tribofilms and/or nanomaterials have emerged as a potential solution that can resolve the current major shortcomings of phosphorus- and sulphur-rich tribofilms and protective coatings. Although their employment is still in the early stages of realization and research, these tribofilms receive significant interest due to their capability to continuously and in situ repair/replenish themselves during sliding, which has been an ultimate goal of all moving mechanical systems. Structurally, these tribofilms are complex and predominantly amorphous or disordered with/without graphitic domains (e.g., graphene/graphite, onion-like carbon, etc.). Chemically, the compositions of these tribofilms vary significantly with environments, conditions, and material precursors. Yet, the structural properties of carbon-based tribofilms remain largely ambiguous, which precludes a full understanding of the mechanisms underlying the formation and lubrication performance. This review will summarize the current state-of-art research about the in situ carbon-based tribofilms that have been published since the pioneering works. Particularly, this work will highlight the recent approaches to generate these tribofilms, their associated lubrication performance, current understanding of the formation mechanics, common analytical approaches for these tribofilms, and the compatibility of these tribofilms with other additives. Together, the overall outlooks will be drawn, demonstrating the knowledge gaps and proposing further investigation tactics to tackle these emerging issues.
Monitoring Built-Up Edge, Chipping, Thermal Cracking, and Plastic Deformation of Milling Cutter Inserts through Spindle Vibration Signals
Authors: Jatakar Keshav , Shah Varsha , Binali Rüstem , Salur Emin , Sağlam Hacı , Mikolajczyk Tadeusz , Patange Abhishek D.
Published: August 2023

Condition monitoring provides insights into the type of damage occurring in the cutting tool during machining to facilitate its timely maintenance or replacement. By detecting and analyzing machining consequences (vibrations, chatter, noise, power consumption, spindle load, etc.), correlating them with different tool conditions enables real-time monitoring and the automated detection of tool failures. Machine learning (ML) plays a vital role in making tool condition monitoring (TCM) frameworks intelligent, and most research is geared toward classifying various types of tool wear. However, monitoring built-up edges, chipping, thermal cracking, and plastic deformation of milling cutter inserts are challenging and need careful consideration. To effectively monitor these phenomena, spindle vibrations can narrate the corresponding dynamic behavior of tool conditions and therefore have been investigated in this research. The acquired vibration data are then analyzed using histogram features and trained through the Partial C4.5 (PART) classifier to extract meaningful recommendations related to the milling cutter inserts condition.
Uncertainty Analysis and Design of Air Suspension Systems for City Buses Based on Neural Network Model and True Probability Density
Authors: Li Cheng , Jing Yuan , Ni Jinting
Published: August 2023

The accuracy of uncertainty analysis in suspension systems is closely tied to the precision of the probability distribution of sprung mass. Consequently, traditional assumptions regarding the probability distribution fail to guarantee the accuracy of uncertainty analyses results. To achieve more precise uncertainty analysis outcomes, this paper proposes a data-driven approach for analyzing the uncertainties in bus air suspension systems. Firstly, a bus vehicle dynamics model is established to investigate the influence of sprung mass on suspension system performance. Subsequently, a deep neural network model is trained using road test data, for the accurate identification of the sprung mass. The historical mass of the bus is then computed using vehicle network data to obtain the true probability density of the sprung mass. Lastly, the real probability distribution of the sprung mass is utilized to perform uncertainty analysis on the bus suspension system, and the results are compared with those obtained by assuming a probability distribution. Comparative analysis reveals substantial disparities in uncertainty response, with a maximum relative error of 9% observed for wheel dynamic loads, thus emphasizing the significance of precise probability distribution information concerning the sprung mass.
Dynamics of Non-Magnetic Droplets and Bubbles in Magnetic Fluids in Microfluidic Channels under the Influence of a Magnetic Field
Authors: Kalyuzhnaya Dariya , Sokolov Evgeniy , Vasilyeva Anastasia , Sutarina Irina , Shabanova Irina , Ryapolov Petr
Published: August 2023

The microfluidics of magnetic fluids is gaining popularity due to the possibility of the non-contact control of liquid composite systems using a magnetic field. The dynamics of non-magnetic droplets and gas bubbles in magnetic fluids were investigated for various configurations of magnetic fields, coatings, and channel geometries, as well as the rate of component supply and their physical properties. Optimal regimes for forming droplet and bubble flows were determined. The mechanism for non-contact control of the size of droplets and bubbles using a magnetic field is proposed in this article. The dependences of the sizes of non-magnetic inclusions in magnetic liquids on the continuous phase flow rate and the displacement of magnets were obtained. The obtained dependences of the volume of non-magnetic inclusions on the flow rate of the continuous phase follow the classic dependences. Changing the size of air bubbles can be achieved by shifting the magnet from −5 mm to +2 mm. The ratio of the maximum and minimum breakaway inclusion varies from 5 to 2 depending on the flow rates of the continuous phase. The range of changing the size of oil droplets with the displacement of magnets is from 1.1 to 1.51. These studies show how, with the help of various mechanisms of influence on microfluidic flows, it is possible to control the size of bubbles and droplets forming in microchannels. The obtained data can be applied for controlled microfluidic dosing and counting devices.
To the Problem of Discontinuous Solutions in Applied Mathematics
Authors: Vasiliev Valery V. , Lurie Sergey A.
Published: August 2023

This paper addresses discontinuities in the solutions of mathematical physics that describe actual processes and are not observed in experiments. The appearance of discontinuities is associated in this paper with the classical differential calculus based on the analysis of infinitesimal quantities. Nonlocal functions and nonlocal derivatives, which are not specified, in contrast to the traditional approach to a point, but are the results of averaging over small but finite intervals of the independent variable are introduced. Classical equations of mathematical physics preserve the traditional form but include nonlocal functions. These equations are supplemented with additional equations that link nonlocal and traditional functions. The proposed approach results in continuous solutions of the classical singular problems of mathematical physics. The problems of a string and a circular membrane loaded with concentrated forces are used to demonstrate the procedure. Analytical results are supported with experimental data.
The Yamaguchi–Noshiro Type of Bi-Univalent Functions Connected with the Linear q-Convolution Operator
Authors: Breaz Daniel , El-Deeb Sheza , Aydoǧan Seher , Sakar Fethiye
Published: August 2023

In the present paper, the authors introduce and investigate two new subclasses of the function class B of bi-univalent analytic functions in an open unit disk U connected with a linear q-convolution operator. The bounds on the coefficients |c2|,|c3| and |c4| for the functions in these new subclasses of B are obtained. Relevant connections of the results presented here with those obtained in earlier work are also pointed out.
On Ricci Curvature of a Homogeneous Generalized Matsumoto Finsler Space
Authors: Li Yanlin , Gupta Manish Kumar , Sharma Suman , Chaubey Sudhakar Kumar
Published: August 2023

The characterization of Finsler spaces with Ricci curvature is an ancient and cumbersome one. In this paper, we have derived an expression of Ricci curvature for the homogeneous generalized Matsumoto change. Moreover, we have deduced the expression of Ricci curvature for the aforementioned space with vanishing the S-curvature. These findings contribute significantly to understanding the complex nature of Finsler spaces and their curvature properties.
Novel Management of Granuloma Formation Secondary to Dermal Filler with Intralesional 1444 nm Nd:YAG Laser Technique
Authors: Piccolo Domenico , Mutlag Mohammed Hussein , Pieri Laura , Pennati Beatrice Marina , Conforti Claudio , Bonan Paolo
Published: August 2023

Background: Dermal fillers for soft tissue for the treatment of face sagging, volume loss, and wrinkles have become popular among patients of all ages and ethnicities, and their use is becoming increasingly widespread. Aim: the goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a micro-pulsed, 1444 nm Nd:YAG laser on dermal filler complications, in particular on granuloma management. Methods: A subcutaneous, 1444 nm Nd:YAG laser was used on five female patients (range age 52–68 years) with hyaluronic filler granulomas located on the face (two on the cheek area and three on the lips); three patients had self-injected the filler, buying it online. Before and after the therapy, the patients received a skin ultrasound to determine the form and location of the granulomas and to determine if there had been a full or partial resolution. During this study, all possible adverse effects at the treatment site were monitored. The 5-point Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) (0 point—no change; 1 point—25%, mild improvement; 2 points—50%, moderate improvement; 3 points—75%, good improvement; 4 points—100%, excellent improvement) was recorded at a 3-month follow-up. Results: good results were obtained in the treatment of filler granulomas with the intralesional 1444 nm laser, even if just a single treatment was performed (one intervention was effective for curing granulomas up to 5 mm in diameter). Three patients were satisfied with excellent improvement, and two patients experienced good improvement. The results are functional and aesthetically satisfying, as shown by photographic assessment. At the last follow-up, the granuloma had reduced or completely disappeared in all cases, and no infections, burns, scarring or fibrosis, episodes of severe bleeding, or other serious adverse effects had been reported. All subjects tolerated the post-treatment period well. Conclusions: Our findings showed that granuloma treatment with an intralesional 1444 nm Nd:YAG laser is a minimally invasive, easy, fast, efficient, and low-risk procedure.
Gallbladder Pancreatic Heterotopia—The Importance of Diagnostic Imaging in Managing Intraoperative Findings
Authors: Şerboiu Crenguţa Sorina , Aliuș Cătălin , Dumitru Adrian , Țăpoi Dana , Costache Mariana , Nica Adriana Elena , Alexandra-Ana Mihăilescu , Antoniac Iulian , Grădinaru Sebastian
Published: August 2023

Pancreatic heterotopy is a rare entity defined as the presence of abnormally located pancreatic tissue without any anatomical or vascular connection to the normal pancreas. Heterotopic pancreatic tissue can be found in various regions of the digestive system, such as the stomach, duodenum, and upper jejunum, with the less commonly reported location being the gallbladder. Gallbladder pancreatic heterotopia can be either an incidental finding or diagnosed in association with cholecystitis. Pancreatitis of the ectopic tissue has also been described. In this context, we report three cases of heterotopic pancreatic tissue in the gallbladder with different types of pancreatic tissue according to the Heinrich classification. One patient was a 24-year-old male who presented with acute pancreatitis symptoms and an ultrasonographical detected mass in the gallbladder, which proved to be heterotopic pancreatic tissue. The other two cases were female patients aged 24 and 32, respectively, incidentally diagnosed on histopathological examination after cholecystectomy for symptomatic cholelithiasis. Both cases displayed chronic cholecystitis lesions; one of them was also associated with low grade dysplasia of the gallbladder. Although a rare occurrence in general, pancreatic heterotopia should be acknowledged as a possible incidental finding in asymptomatic patients as well as a cause for acute cholecystitis or pancreatitis.
Plasmodium falciparum Development from Gametocyte to Oocyst: Insight from Functional Studies
Authors: Ouologuem Dinkorma T. , Dara Antoine , Kone Aminatou , Ouattara Amed , Djimde Abdoulaye A.
Published: August 2023

Malaria elimination may never succeed without the implementation of transmission-blocking strategies. The transmission of Plasmodium spp. parasites from the human host to the mosquito vector depends on circulating gametocytes in the peripheral blood of the vertebrate host. Once ingested by the mosquito during blood meals, these sexual forms undergo a series of radical morphological and metabolic changes to survive and progress from the gut to the salivary glands, where they will be waiting to be injected into the vertebrate host. The design of effective transmission-blocking strategies requires a thorough understanding of all the mechanisms that drive the development of gametocytes, gametes, sexual reproduction, and subsequent differentiation within the mosquito. The drastic changes in Plasmodium falciparum shape and function throughout its life cycle rely on the tight regulation of stage-specific gene expression. This review outlines the mechanisms involved in Plasmodium falciparum sexual stage development in both the human and mosquito vector, and zygote to oocyst differentiation. Functional studies unravel mechanisms employed by P. falciparum to orchestrate the expression of stage-specific functional products required to succeed in its complex life cycle, thus providing us with potential targets for developing new therapeutics. These mechanisms are based on studies conducted with various Plasmodium species, including predominantly P. falciparum and the rodent malaria parasites P. berghei. However, the great potential of epigenetics, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and functional genetic studies to improve the understanding of malaria as a disease remains partly untapped because of limitations in studies using human malaria parasites and field isolates.
Accelerating Chloroplast Engineering: A New System for Rapid Generation of Marker-Free Transplastomic Lines of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Taunt Henry N. , Jackson Harry O. , Gunnarsson Ísarr N. , Pervaiz Rabbia , Purton Saul
Published: August 2023

‘Marker-free’ strategies for creating transgenic microorganisms avoid the issue of potential transmission of antibiotic resistance genes to other microorganisms. An already-established strategy for engineering the chloroplast genome (=plastome) of the green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii involves the restoration of photosynthetic function using a recipient strain carrying a plastome mutation in a key photosynthesis gene. Selection for transformant colonies is carried out on minimal media, such that only those cells in which the mutated gene has been replaced with a wild-type copy carried on the transgenic DNA are capable of phototrophic growth. However, this approach can suffer from issues of efficiency due to the slow growth of C. reinhardtii on minimal media and the slow die-back of the untransformed lawn of cells when using mutant strains with a limited photosensitivity phenotype. Furthermore, such phototrophic rescue has tended to rely on existing mutants that are not necessarily ideal for transformation and targeted transgene insertion: Mutants carrying point mutations can easily revert, and those with deletions that do not extend to the intended transgene insertion site can give rise to a sub-population of rescued lines that lack the transgene. In order to improve and accelerate the transformation pipeline for C. reinhardtii, we have created a novel recipient line, HNT6, carrying an engineered deletion in exon 3 of psaA, which encodes one of the core subunits of photosystem I (PSI). Such PSI mutants are highly light-sensitive allowing faster recovery of transformant colonies by selecting for light-tolerance on acetate-containing media, rather than phototrophic growth on minimal media. The deletion extends to a site upstream of psaA-3 that serves as a neutral locus for transgene insertion, thereby ensuring that all of the recovered colonies are transformants containing the transgene. We demonstrate the application of HNT6 using a luciferase reporter.
A Novel One Health Approach concerning Yeast Present in the Oral Microbiome of the Endangered Rio Skate (Rioraja agassizii) from Southeastern Brazil
Authors: Oliveira Manoel Marques Evangelista , Lopes Amanda Pontes , Pinto Tatiane Nobre , da Costa Gisela Lara , Goes-Neto Aristóteles , Hauser-Davis Rachel Ann
Published: August 2023

The current climate change scenario caused by anthropogenic activities has resulted in novel environmental pressures, increasing the occurrence and severity of fungal infections in the marine environment. Research on fungi in several taxonomic groups is widespread although not the case for elasmobranchs (sharks and rays). In this context, the aim of the present study was to screen the oral fungal microbiota present in artisanally captured Rioraja agassizii, a batoid that, although endangered, is highly fished and consumed worldwide. Oropharyngeal samples were obtained by swabbing and the samples were investigated using morphological and phenotypic methods by streaking on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) and subculturing onto CHROMagar Candida (BD Difco) and CHROMagar Candida Plus (CHROMagarTM), as well as molecular techniques by amplification of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 ribosomal DNA region and a MALDI-TOF MS assessment. The findings indicated the presence of Candida parapsilosis (seven isolates), Candida duobushaemulonii (one isolate) and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (three isolates), several of these reported for the first time in Rioraja agassizii. In addition, a 100% agreement between the MALDI-TOF results and partial ITS region sequencing was noted, demonstrating that the MALDI-TOF MS is a rapid and effective alternative for yeast identification in Rioraja agassizii isolates and potentially in other elasmobranch species. These findings highlight the need for further research to determine the potential impact on elasmobranch health, ecology, and commercial fisheries. Furthermore, this research is paramount in a One Health framework and may be employed to predict elasmobranch responses to an evolving ocean, keep healthy populations in check, monitor species, and assess the public health consequences of consuming these species.
Evaluation of a Lateral Flow Immunochromatography Assay (LFIA) for Diagnosis and Surveillance of Brucellosis in French Alpine Ibex (Capra ibex)
Authors: Freddi Luca , Vicente Acacia Ferreira , Petit Elodie , Ribeiro Maëline , Game Yvette , Locatelli Yann , Jacques Isabelle , Riou Mickaël , Jay Maryne , Garin-Bastuji Bruno , Rossi Sophie , Djokic Vitomir , Ponsart Claire
Published: August 2023

France has been officially free of bovine brucellosis since 2005. Nevertheless, in 2012, as the source of two human cases, a bovine outbreak due to B. melitensis biovar 3 was confirmed in the French Alpine Bargy massif, due to a spillover from wild, protected Alpine ibex (Capra ibex). In order to reduce high Brucella prevalence in the local ibex population, successive management strategies have been implemented. Lateral flow immunochromatography assay (LFIA) was thus identified as a promising on-site screening test, allowing for a rapid diagnosis far from the laboratory. This study compared a commercial LFIA for brucellosis diagnosis with the WOAH-recommended tests for small ruminants (i.e., Rose Bengal test (RBT), Complement fixation test, (CFT) and Indirect ELISA, (iELISA)). LFIA showed the same analytical sensitivity as iELISA on successive dilutions of the International Standard anti-Brucella melitensis Serum (ISaBmS) and the EU Goat Brucella Standard Serum (EUGBSS). Selectivity was estimated at 100% when vaccinated ibex sera were analyzed. When used on samples from naturally infected ibex, LFIA showed high concordance, as well as relative sensitivity and specificity (>97.25%) in comparison with RBT and CFT. This work shows high reliability and ensures a better standardization of LFIA testing for wild ruminants.