bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemical Insights into Topical Agents in Intraocular Pressure Management: From Glaucoma Etiopathology to Therapeutic Approaches
Authors: Patton Geewoo Nam , Lee Hyuck Jin
Published: February 2024

Glaucoma encompasses a group of optic neuropathies characterized by complex and often elusive etiopathology, involvihttng neurodegeneration of the optic nerve in conjunction with abnormal intraocular pressure (IOP). Currently, there is no cure for glaucoma, and treatment strategies primarily aim to halt disease progression by managing IOP. This review delves into the etiopathology, diagnostic methods, and treatment approaches for glaucoma, with a special focus on IOP management. We discuss a range of active pharmaceutical ingredients used in glaucoma therapy, emphasizing their chemical structure, pharmacological action, therapeutic effectiveness, and safety/tolerability profiles. Notably, most of these therapeutic agents are administered as topical formulations, a critical aspect considering patient compliance and drug delivery efficiency. The classes of glaucoma therapeutics covered in this review include prostaglandin analogs, beta blockers, alpha agonists, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, Rho kinase inhibitors, and miotic (cholinergic) agents. This comprehensive overview highlights the importance of topical administration in glaucoma treatment, offering insights into the current state and future directions of pharmacological management in glaucoma.
Cystoseira compressa and Ericaria mediterranea: Effective Bioindicators for Heavy- and Semi-Metal Monitoring in Marine Environments with Rocky Substrates
Authors: Pagana Ilaria , Nava Vincenzo , Puglia Giuseppe D. , Genovese Claudia , Emma Giuseppe , Salonia Carla , Cicero Nicola , Alongi Giuseppina
Published: February 2024

Marine environmental monitoring is essential to ensure that heavy-metal (HM) concentrations remain within safe limits. Most seawater analyses currently consider sediment or water samples, but this approach does not apply to rocky substrates, where water samples can only indicate immediate contamination. We used two common Mediterranean algae species, Cystoseira compressa and Ericaria mediterranea, as bioindicators living in the intertidal zone on rocky substrates along the seacoast. HM concentrations were assessed over a one-year period in the perennial base crust and in the seasonal frond, considering marine sites characterised by different contamination risks. Both algae showed that HMs accumulate mainly in the perennial base rather than in the seasonal frond. Furthermore, the algae species always showed a different order of bioaccumulation factors: Cd > Ni > Pb > Cr > Cu > Mn > Zn for the frond and Pb > Cr > Ni > Cd > Mn > Cu > Zn for the base. Our study shows that C. compressa and E. mediterranea accumulate HM consistently with the types of sites analysed and differentially with respect to the part of the thallus. These results demonstrate that these algae can be effectively used as reliable bioindicators to assess the presence of HM in marine environments with rocky substrates, providing both short- and long-term monitoring.
A MaxEnt Model of Citrus Black Fly Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) under Different Climate Change Scenarios
Authors: da Silva Nilson Rodrigues , Souza Philipe Guilherme Corcino , de Oliveira Gildriano Soares , da Silva Santana Alisson , Bacci Leandro , Silva Gerson Adriano , Barry Edmond Joseph Djibril Victor , de Aguiar Coelho Fernanda , Soares Marcus Alvarenga , Picanço Marcelo Coutinho , Sarmento Renato Almeida , da Silva Ricardo Siqueira
Published: February 2024

The citrus blackfly (CBF), Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby, is an exotic pest native to Southeast Asia that has spread rapidly to the world’s main centers of citrus production, having been recently introduced to Brazil. In this study, a maximum entropy niche model (MaxEnt) was used to predict the potential worldwide distribution of CBF under current and future climate change scenarios for 2030 and 2050. These future scenarios came from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6), SSP1-2.6, and SSP5-8.5. The MaxEnt model predicted the potential distribution of CBF with area under receiver operator curve (AUC) values of 0.953 and 0.930 in the initial and final models, respectively. The average temperature of the coldest quarter months, precipitation of the rainiest month, isothermality, and precipitation of the driest month were the strongest predictors of CBF distribution, with contributions of 36.7%, 14.7%, 13.2%, and 10.2%, respectively. The model based on the current time conditions predicted that suitable areas for the potential occurrence of CBF, including countries such as Brazil, China, the European Union, the USA, Egypt, Turkey, and Morocco, are located in tropical and subtropical regions. Models from SSP1-2.6 (2030 and 2050) and SSP5-8.5 (2030) predicted that suitable habitats for CBF are increasing dramatically worldwide under future climate change scenarios, particularly in areas located in the southern US, southern Europe, North Africa, South China, and part of Australia. On the other hand, the SSP5-8.5 model of 2050 indicated a great retraction of the areas suitable for CBF located in the tropical region, with an emphasis on countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, and India. In general, the CMIP6 models predicted greater risks of invasion and dissemination of CBF until 2030 and 2050 in the southern regions of the USA, European Union, and China, which are some of the world’s largest orange producers. Knowledge of the current situation and future propagation paths of the pest serve as tools to improve the strategic government policies employed in CBF’s regulation, commercialization, inspection, combat, and phytosanitary management.
Effect of Water Absorption on Electric Properties of Temperature-Resistant Polymers
Authors: Watanabe Kaito , Kaneko Masahiro , Zhong Xianzhu , Takada Kenji , Kaneko Tatsuo , Kawai Mika , Mitsumata Tetsu
Published: February 2024

The effects of water absorption on the electric resistivity and dielectric constant of polyimide (PI) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) were investigated, and the mechanism of deterioration in electrical insulation properties was discussed. The polyimides are poly(oxydianiline pyromellitimide) (PMDA–ODA) and poly(para-phenylene diamine biphenyltetracarboxydiimide) (BPDA–PDA). These polymer films were immersed in pure water for various immersion times at room temperature, and the water absorption ratio was evaluated. The electric resistance for these films was measured at room temperature using a high-resistance meter, and the dielectric constant at room temperature was measured using an LCR meter in a frequency range of 200 kHz to 2 MHz. The absorption ratios at equilibrium absorption for PMDA–ODA, BPDA–PDA, and PET were 2.7, 2.5, and 0.5%, respectively. The critical volume fraction of the percolation threshold of electric conductivity due to water absorption was 0.034 for both PMDA–ODA and BPDA–PDA. On the other hand, PET did not show a significant decrease in the resistivity. For both PIs and PET, the dielectric constant observed could be explained by a series model of the respective capacitances of pure water and polymer. Actually, the resistivity of samples cut from the edges of the film after water absorption was almost the same value as that in the dry state. These results suggest that the absorbed water molecules are not uniformly dispersed in the film but are localized at the edges of the film even after the absorption equilibrium has been reached.
Optimizing Salt Leakage Mitigation and Comparing Sorption–Desorption Characteristics of Polyacrylamide-Based Hydrogels
Authors: Liu Yimo , Liu Zhongbao , Qie Zhipeng , Wang Zepeng , Sun Weiming
Published: February 2024

Solid hygroscopic materials are extensively utilized in diverse fields, including adsorption heat transfer, adsorption heat storage, atmospheric water harvesting (AWH), and air conditioning dehumidification. The efficacy and energy efficiency of these materials in practical applications are significantly influenced by their adsorption and desorption properties. Yet, the introduction of inorganic salts to boost adsorption performance can result in issues like salt leakage. In this research, we prepared a polyacrylamide hydrogel through free radical polymerization, and its water-absorbing capabilities were improved by incorporating the hygroscopic salt lithium chloride. We compared it to a salt-based porous adsorbent, AlFum-LiCl, which also exhibited strong water adsorption properties and the potential for large-scale production. While AlFum-LiCl suffered from limited pores and salt leakage during high water uptake, the optimized PAM-LiCl displayed superior water sorption capabilities, showing no salt leakage even at water uptake of up to 3.5 g/g. At 25 °C, PAM-LiCl achieved equilibrium water uptake of 1.26 g/g at 30% RH and 3.15 g/g at 75% RH. In this context, utilizing 20 g of PAM-LiCl for the AWH experiment yielded daily water outputs of 8.34 L/kg at 30% RH and 16.86 L/kg at 75% RH. The salt-optimized PAM-LiCl hydrogel offers the benefit of application in higher relative humidity environments without the risk of deliquescence, underscoring its promise for atmospheric water harvesting.
The Effect of Feeding Sequence on the Structure and Properties of the Ethylene/1-Octene Copolymer in the Semi-Continuous Polymerization Reaction System
Authors: He Qiqi , Zhang Ruijun , Hu Yuexin , Li Junhua , Yu Hongbo , Zheng Yong , Qian Jianhua
Published: February 2024

The performance of ethylene/1-octene copolymer primarily depends on the microstructure of the polymer chain. This study employed a new method to control the inter-distribution of hexyl chain branches directly on the backbone of the ethylene/1-octene copolymer. Three ethylene/1-octene copolymers with different inter-distributions of hexyl chain branches were synthesized using [Me2Si(C5Me4) (NtBu)] TiCl2 (Ti–CGC) by different feeding sequences in the semi-continuous polymerization reaction system. The three copolymers were named according to the feeding sequence of the materials: ethylene/1-octene/Ti–CGC (EOC), 1-octene/Ti–CGC/ethylene (OCE), and ethylene/Ti–CGC/1-octene (ECO), respectively. The structure and properties of the copolymers were characterized using HT-GPC, 13C-NMR, DSC, WAXD, DMA, MI, and Uniaxial Tension Test. The results showed that the feeding sequence greatly affected the comonomer distribution of the molecular chains, molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, and chemical composition of the copolymers, consequently influencing their thermal performance and mechanical properties. Thus, it is probable that one could obtain an ethylene/1-octene copolymer with designed properties by controlling the feeding sequence during the ethylene/1-octene semi-continuous copolymerization process.
Electrospun Polycaprolactone Membranes Expanded with Chitosan Granules for Cell Infiltration
Authors: Vieira Tânia , Rebelo Ana Margarida , Borges João Paulo , Henriques Célia , Silva Jorge Carvalho
Published: February 2024

The small pore size of electrospun membranes prevents their use as three-dimensional scaffolds. In this work, we produced polycaprolactone (PCL) electrospun fibrous membranes with expanded pores by incorporating chitosan (CS) granules into the PCL solution. Scanning electron microscopy images confirmed the presence of the CS granules embedded in the PCL fibers, creating an open structure. Tensile testing results showed that the addition of CS decreased both Young’s modulus and the yield stress, but co-electrospun membranes (PCL fibers blended with CS-containing PCL fibers) exhibited higher values compared to single electrospun membranes (CS-containing PCL fibers). Human fibroblasts adhered to and proliferated on all scaffolds. Nuclear staining revealed that cells populated the entire scaffold when CS granules were present, while in PCL membranes, cells were mostly limited to the surface due to the small pore size. Overall, our findings demonstrate that electrospun membranes containing CS granules have sufficiently large pores to facilitate fibroblast infiltration without compromising the mechanical stability of the structure.
On Using CFD and Experimental Data to Train an Artificial Neural Network to Reconstruct ECVT Images: Application for Fluidized Bed Reactors
Authors: Montilla Carlos , Ansart Renaud , Majji Anass , Nadir Ranem , Cid Emmanuel , Simoncini David , Negny Stephane
Published: February 2024

Electrical capacitance volume tomography (ECVT) is an experimental technique capable of reconstructing 3D solid volume fraction distribution inside a sensing region. This technique has been used in fluidized beds as it allows for accessing data that are very difficult to obtain using other experimental devices. Recently, artificial neural networks have been proposed as a new type of reconstruction algorithm for ECVT devices. One of the main drawbacks of neural networks is that they need a database containing previously reconstructed images to learn from. Previous works have used databases with very simple or limited configurations that might not be well adapted to the complex dynamics of fluidized bed configurations. In this work, we study two different approaches: a supervised learning approach that uses simulated data as a training database and a reinforcement learning approach that relies only on experimental data. Our results show that both techniques can perform as well as the classical algorithms. However, once the neural networks are trained, the reconstruction process is much faster than the classical algorithms.
Advanced Modeling of Biomanufacturing Processes
Authors: Penloglou Giannis , Kiparissides Alexandros
Published: February 2024

The multi-layered and complex nature of cellular regulation enhances the need for advanced computational methodologies that can serve as scaffolds for organizing experimental data to facilitate the inference of meaningful relationships [...]
Gap-MK-DCCA-Based Intelligent Fault Diagnosis for Nonlinear Dynamic Systems
Authors: Wu Junzhou , Zhang Mei , Chen Lingxiao
Published: February 2024

In intelligent process monitoring and fault detection of the modern process industry, conventional methods mostly consider singular characteristics of systems. To tackle the problem of suboptimal incipient fault detection in nonlinear dynamic systems with non-Gaussian distributed data, this paper proposes a methodology named Gap-Mixed Kernel-Dynamic Canonical Correlation Analysis. Initially, the Gap metric is employed for data preprocessing, followed by fault detection utilizing the Mixed Kernel-Dynamic Canonical Correlation Analysis. Ultimately, fault identification is conducted through a contribution method based on the T2 statistic. Furthermore, a comparative analysis was conducted using Canonical Variate Analysis, Dynamic Canonical Correlation Analysis, and Mixed Kernel-Dynamic Canonical Correlation Analysis on the Tennessee Eastman process. Experimental results indicate varying degrees of improvements in the detection rate, false alarm rate, missed detection rate, and detection time compared to the comparative methods, demonstrating the industrial value and academic significance of the method.
Inversion of Tidal Flat Topography Based on the Optimised Inundation Frequency Method—A Case Study of Intertidal Zone in Haizhou Bay, China
Authors: Ma Shengxin , Wang Nan , Zhou Lingling , Yu Jing , Chen Xiao , Chen Yanyu
Published: February 2024

Coastal tidal flat wetlands are valuable natural resources that provide diverse habitats and important ecological barriers. The physical environment of the intertidal zone poses many challenges to the monitoring of tidal flat topography, making it difficult to implement traditional measurement methods, and satellite remote sensing combined with tide level information makes it possible to invert coastal tidal flat topography more conveniently over large areas. Current methods based on inundation frequency fail to consider the effect of water level distribution of remote sensing images, and usually use all available remote sensing images. However, the uneven distribution of image tide levels will increase the error of the tidal flat construction. Therefore, in this study, according to the distribution characteristics of the water level in remote sensing images, we adaptively exclude the images with a concentrated water level distribution, so as to make the water level distribution more uniform, and thus reduce the topographic inversion error. The validation results of the inversion accuracy show that the root mean squared error of the tidal flat topographic inversion improved by about 5 cm compared with the previous inundation frequency method, which is suitable for reconstructing the tidal flat topography on a large scale and a long-time scale, and it can be used as a basis for coastal tidal flat protection and restoration decision making.
Significant Improvement in Soil Organic Carbon Estimation Using Data-Driven Machine Learning Based on Habitat Patches
Authors: Yu Wenping , Zhou Wei , Wang Ting , Xiao Jieyun , Peng Yao , Li Haoran , Li Yuechen
Published: February 2024

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is generally thought to act as a carbon sink; however, in areas with high spatial heterogeneity, using a single model to estimate the SOC of the whole study area will greatly reduce the simulation accuracy. The earth surface unit division is important to consider in building different models. Here, we divided the research area into different habitat patches using partitioning around a medoids clustering (PAM) algorithm; then, we built an SOC simulation model using machine learning algorithms. The results showed that three habitat patches were created. The simulation accuracy for Habitat Patch 1 (R2 = 0.55; RMSE = 2.89) and Habitat Patch 3 (R2 = 0.47; RMSE = 3.94) using the XGBoost model was higher than that for the whole study area (R2 = 0.44; RMSE = 4.35); although the R2 increased by 25% and 6.8%, the RMSE decreased by 33.6% and 9.4%, and the field sample points significantly declined by 70% and 74%. The R2 of Habitat Patch 2 using the RF model increased by 17.1%, and the RMSE also decreased by 10.5%; however, the sample points significantly declined by 58%. Therefore, using different models for corresponding patches will significantly increase the SOC simulation accuracy over using one model for the whole study area. This will provide scientific guidance for SOC or soil property monitoring with low field survey costs and high simulation accuracy.
A Statistical Evaluation of the Connection between Underwater Optical and Acoustic Images
Authors: Chinicz Rebeca , Diamant Roee
Published: February 2024

The use of Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) in autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) surveys has found applications in archaeological searches, underwater mine detection and wildlife monitoring. However, the easy confusability of natural objects with the target object leads to high false positive rates. To improve detection, the combination of SAS and optical images has recently attracted attention. While SAS data provides a large-scale survey, optical information can help contextualize it. This combination creates the need to match multimodal, optical–acoustic image pairs. The two images are not aligned, and are taken from different angles of view and at different times. As a result, challenges such as the different resolution, scaling and posture of the two sensors need to be overcome. In this research, motivated by the information gain when using both modalities, we turn to statistical exploration for feature analysis to investigate the relationship between the two modalities. In particular, we propose an entropic method for recognizing matching multimodal images of the same object and investigate the probabilistic dependency between the images of the two modalities based on their conditional probabilities. The results on a real dataset of SAS and optical images of the same and different objects on the seafloor confirm our assumption that the conditional probability of SAS images is different from the marginal probability given an optical image, and show a favorable trade-off between detection and false alarm rate that is higher than current benchmarks. For reproducibility, we share our database.
Brain Wearables: Validation Toolkit for Ear-Level EEG Sensors
Authors: Correia Guilherme , Crosse Michael J. , Lopez Valdes Alejandro
Published: February 2024

EEG-enabled earbuds represent a promising frontier in brain activity monitoring beyond traditional laboratory testing. Their discrete form factor and proximity to the brain make them the ideal candidate for the first generation of discrete non-invasive brain–computer interfaces (BCIs). However, this new technology will require comprehensive characterization before we see widespread consumer and health-related usage. To address this need, we developed a validation toolkit that aims to facilitate and expand the assessment of ear-EEG devices. The first component of this toolkit is a desktop application (“EaR-P Lab”) that controls several EEG validation paradigms. This application uses the Lab Streaming Layer (LSL) protocol, making it compatible with most current EEG systems. The second element of the toolkit introduces an adaptation of the phantom evaluation concept to the domain of ear-EEGs. Specifically, it utilizes 3D scans of the test subjects’ ears to simulate typical EEG activity around and inside the ear, allowing for controlled assessment of different ear-EEG form factors and sensor configurations. Each of the EEG paradigms were validated using wet-electrode ear-EEG recordings and benchmarked against scalp-EEG measurements. The ear-EEG phantom was successful in acquiring performance metrics for hardware characterization, revealing differences in performance based on electrode location. This information was leveraged to optimize the electrode reference configuration, resulting in increased auditory steady-state response (ASSR) power. Through this work, an ear-EEG evaluation toolkit is made available with the intention to facilitate the systematic assessment of novel ear-EEG devices from hardware to neural signal acquisition.
The Effects of Different Motor Teaching Strategies on Learning a Complex Motor Task
Authors: Kunavar Tjasa , Jamšek Marko , Avila-Mireles Edwin Johnatan , Rueckert Elmar , Peternel Luka , Babič Jan
Published: February 2024

During the learning of a new sensorimotor task, individuals are usually provided with instructional stimuli and relevant information about the target task. The inclusion of haptic devices in the study of this kind of learning has greatly helped in the understanding of how an individual can improve or acquire new skills. However, the way in which the information and stimuli are delivered has not been extensively explored. We have designed a challenging task with nonintuitive visuomotor perturbation that allows us to apply and compare different motor strategies to study the teaching process and to avoid the interference of previous knowledge present in the naïve subjects. Three subject groups participated in our experiment, where the learning by repetition without assistance, learning by repetition with assistance, and task Segmentation Learning techniques were performed with a haptic robot. Our results show that all the groups were able to successfully complete the task and that the subjects’ performance during training and evaluation was not affected by modifying the teaching strategy. Nevertheless, our results indicate that the presented task design is useful for the study of sensorimotor teaching and that the presented metrics are suitable for exploring the evolution of the accuracy and precision during learning.
Design of a Compact and Minimalistic Intermediate Phase Shifting Feed Network for Ka-Band Electrical Beam Steering
Authors: Verho Sebastian , Chung Jae-Young
Published: February 2024

Intermediate phase shifting is a footprint- and cost-reduction technique for reconfigurable feed networks. These feed networks are utilized in antenna arrays to perform electrical beam steering. In intermediate phase shifting, a phase shifter is shared between two adjacent antennas. Conventionally, antennas only have individual phase shifters. With shared phase shifters, we reduce the number of components and the footprint by 25%. Consequently, this decreases the price and enables designs at millimeter-wave frequencies where space is limited due to frequency-dependent antenna spacing. This intermediate phase shifting is demonstrated by designing a reconfigurable feed network for the Ka-band that generates a continuous phase shift profile for beam steering. Due to the use of varactors and a novel biasing method, it does not require expensive beamformer integrated chips or lumped components for biasing. The feed network is combined with a 4 × 4 antenna array to demonstrate its beam-steering capabilities. The result is a high-density and minimalistic design that fits in a small volume of 25.6 × 25.6 × 0.95 mm3. With this small antenna array, the main beam is steered at ±40∘ broadside, providing full 1D and restricted 2D steering. It is a potential candidate for wireless sensor and mobile networks.
Point Cloud Painting for 3D Object Detection with Camera and Automotive 3+1D RADAR Fusion
Authors: Montiel-Marín Santiago , Llamazares Ángel , Antunes Miguel , Revenga Pedro A. , Bergasa Luis M.
Published: February 2024

RADARs and cameras have been present in automotives since the advent of ADAS, as they possess complementary strengths and weaknesses but have been underlooked in the context of learning-based methods. In this work, we propose a method to perform object detection in autonomous driving based on a geometrical and sequential sensor fusion of 3+1D RADAR and semantics extracted from camera data through point cloud painting from the perspective view. To achieve this objective, we adapt PointPainting from the LiDAR and camera domains to the sensors mentioned above. We first apply YOLOv8-seg to obtain instance segmentation masks and project their results to the point cloud. As a refinement stage, we design a set of heuristic rules to minimize the propagation of errors from the segmentation to the detection stage. Our pipeline concludes by applying PointPillars as an object detection network to the painted RADAR point cloud. We validate our approach in the novel View of Delft dataset, which includes 3+1D RADAR data sequences in urban environments. Experimental results show that this fusion is also suitable for RADAR and cameras as we obtain a significant improvement over the RADAR-only baseline, increasing mAP from 41.18 to 52.67 (+27.9%).
A Novel Biosensor for the Detection of Glucose Concentration Using the Dual-Peak Long Period Grating in the Near- to Mid-Infrared
Authors: Sahoo Namita , Sun Bing , Tan Yidong , Zhou Kaiming , Zhang Lin
Published: February 2024

In this article, we demonstrate an improved efficient fibre sensor with a high sensitivity to measure glucose concentrations in the physiological range of human beings, operating in a broad spectral bandwidth from the near- to mid-infrared. The sensor consists of a dual-peak long period grating (DPLPG) with a period of 150 μm inscribed in an optical fibre with a diameter of 80 μm. The investigation of sensing for refractive index results in a sensitivity of ~−885.7 nm/refractive index unit (RIU) and ~2008.6 nm/RIU in the range of 1.30–1.44. The glucose measurement is achieved by the immobilisation of a layer of enzyme of glucose oxidase (GOD) onto the fibre surface for the selective enhancement of sensitivity for glucose. The sensor can measure glucose concentrations with a maximum sensitivity of −36.25 nm/(mg/mL) in the range of 0.1–3.0 mg/mL. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest sensitivity ever achieved for a measurement of glucose with a long period grating-based sensor, indicating its potential for many applications including pharmaceutical, biomedical and food industries.
Exposure Time Control Method for Higher Intermediate Frequency in Optical Heterodyne Imaging and Its Application to Electric-Field Imaging Based on Electro-Optic Effect
Authors: Sasagawa Kiyotaka , Okada Ryoma , Akamatsu Yoshihiro , Mizuno Maya , Takehara Hironari , Haruta Makito , Tashiro Hiroyuki , Ohta Jun
Published: February 2024

We propose and demonstrate a method for equivalent time sampling using image sensors to selectively detect only the target frequency. Shortening the exposure time of the image sensor and using equivalent time sampling allows for the detection of frequency components that are higher than the frame rate. However, the imaging system in our previous work was also sensitive to the frequency component at 1/4 of the frame rate. In this study, we control the phase relationship between the exposure time and observed signal by inserting an additional interval once every four frames to detect the target frequency selectively. With this technique, we conducted electric field imaging based on the electro-optic effect under high noise conditions in the low-frequency band to which the conventional method is sensitive. The results demonstrated that the proposed method improved the signal-to-noise ratio.
Enhancing the Deposition Rate and Uniformity in 3D Gold Microelectrode Arrays via Ultrasonic-Enhanced Template-Assisted Electrodeposition
Authors: Yadav Neeraj , Giacomozzi Flavio , Cian Alessandro , Giubertoni Damiano , Lorenzelli Leandro
Published: February 2024

In the pursuit of refining the fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) microelectrode arrays (MEAs), this study investigates the application of ultrasonic vibrations in template-assisted electrodeposition. This was driven by the need to overcome limitations in the deposition rate and the height uniformity of microstructures developed using conventional electrodeposition methods, particularly in the field of in vitro electrophysiological investigations. This study employs a template-assisted electrodeposition approach coupled with ultrasonic vibrations to enhance the deposition process. The method involves utilizing a polymeric hard mask to define the shape of electrodeposited microstructures (i.e., micro-pillars). The results show that the integration of ultrasonic vibrations significantly increases the deposition rate by up to 5 times and substantially improves the uniformity in 3D MEAs. The key conclusion drawn is that ultrasonic-enhanced template-assisted electrodeposition emerges as a powerful technique and enables the development of 3D MEAs at a higher rate and with a superior uniformity. This advancement holds promising implications for the precision of selective electrodeposition applications and signifies a significant stride in developing micro- and nanofabrication methodologies for biomedical applications.
Industrial Process Management Model to Improve Productivity and Reduce Waste
Authors: Ortiz César , Quezada Luis , Oddershede Astrid
Published: February 2024

One of the challenges facing operations management is the design, choice, and implementation of action plans adapted to the magnitude of the deviations from the variables of an industrial process. Making conscious and quick decisions is crucial to achieving improvements in productivity. This will be achieved if the organization’s internal and external communication model is strategically designed, considering specific cultural factors and the symmetry or asymmetry required in the communication model. However, how do we organize ourselves and through what channels do we communicate within a production process to generate Big Data that combines data from technologies and the perception, comprehension, and projection of experienced humans? Our hypothesis suggests that the implementation of our model generates a continuous improvement system that could provide significant benefits to the company by connecting management with the place where the work happens (Gemba), streamlining multiple processes, thereby fostering sustainability. The developed model, “Group Situational Awareness Model”, was implemented in an operations management team, following the guidelines of an action researcher methodology. This resulted in the design of an operations management model and a detailed methodology for its implementation, achieving significant improvements in the metrics of the current process, making it a success story.
Synthesis and Accumulation of Phytocompounds in Field-, Tissue-Culture Grown (Stress) Root Tissues and Simultaneous Defense Response Activity in Glycyrrhiza glabra L.
Authors: Bansal Yashika , Mujib Abdul , Mamgain Jyoti , Kumar Shubham , Dewir Yaser Hassan , Magyar-Tábori Katalin
Published: February 2024

Harsh climates, i.e., drought, extreme temperatures, and toxic gases, pose issues to agriculture by altering plants’ growth and yield. Biotechnology with biochemical defense approaches is beneficial for generating new plants/varieties with extra resilience to adverse conditions. In response to stress, cultures show an enriched level of secondary metabolite synthesis. Here, an efficient in vitro propagation method using axillary shoot proliferation, along with callus formation, was established in Glycyrrhiza glabra L. The phytochemical composition of in vitro and in vivo grown tissues was analyzed using a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) technique, and the biochemical attributes were measured and compared in different investigated tissues. Callus formation from root explants was achieved with a frequency of 88.89% on MS medium containing 2.0 mg/L BAP and 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D. Axillary shoot proliferation was obtained from dormant buds when cultured onto MS supplemented with BAP alone, or in combination with, IAA. The maximum shoot proliferation (94.44%) was recorded on MS with 1.0 mg/L BAP with an average shoot length of 10.5 cm. The regenerated shoots were subcultured and transferred to the root induction medium, supplemented with various concentrations of IAA/IBA, wherein 2.0 mg/L IBA resulted in the best rooting frequency (88.89%). The GC–MS-based phytocompounds analysis of the methanolic extracts of root-derived callus and in vivo- and in vitro- grown root tissues was conducted. These samples revealed the presence of more than 35 therapeutically important bioactive compounds, such as methylglabridin, sitosterol, lupeol, squalene, stearic acid, linoleic acid, etc. The biochemical parameters, like total phenolic content, flavonoid content, DPPH scavenging activity, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase activity were also measured. All the biochemical attributes were found to be higher in in vitro derived roots than the callus and in vivo grown root (donor) samples. These findings demonstrated that callus (root derived) and in vitro roots are a stable and potent source of multiple phytocompounds, encompassing medical significance with wide applications. This study may serve as an alternative opportunity in the sustained and continuous synthesis of important compounds without harming natural vegetation and normal environment.
Environmental and Economic Assessment of Membrane Capacitive Deionization (MCDI) and Low-Pressure Reverse Osmosis (LPRO) for Sustainable Irrigation in the Mediterranean Region
Authors: Ben Saad Marwa , Cañas Kurz Edgardo E. , Hong Sun-Hea , Scagnetti Carla , Hellriegel Ulrich , Hoinkis Jan , Anane Makram
Published: February 2024

Ensuring the sustainability of a product or a system requires a thorough evaluation of its environmental and socioeconomic impacts. In this context, one of the objectives of the EU-PRIMA SmaCuMed project is to evaluate the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of the Smart Cube system. The Smart Cube was developed for the PV-powered desalination of brackish groundwater with membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI) and low-pressure reverse osmosis (LPRO); it additionally uses smart sensors for controlled irrigation in remote agricultural areas in Morocco, as an example for the North African region. Based on the Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment approach, this paper aims to assess the environmental and economic impacts of the Smart Cube, using Life Cycle Costing (LCC) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analyses for environmental evaluation. Various scenarios have been defined for both environmental and economic assessments. Based on 1 m3 of produced desalinated water, the LCC results showed that, when using the desalination technologies directly connected to the grid, the prices are lower than those obtained when it was supplied by the PV system. This is only due to the very low energy prices from the Moroccan grid (EUR 0.10/kWh). The LCC results showed that LPRO is a more cost-effective option for producing desalinated water, with a lower total cost compared to MCDI. However, LCA results indicated that LPRO has a higher environmental impact compared to MCDI. If higher water production capacity is a priority, MCDI connected to PV is the best choice, with lower carbon emission but higher overall water costs.
Bertrand Offsets of Slant Ruled Surfaces in Euclidean 3-Space
Authors: Almoneef Areej A. , Abdel-Baky Rashad A.
Published: February 2024

In this paper, we investigate and specify the Bertrand offsets of slant ruled and developable surfaces in Euclidean 3-space E3. This is accomplished by utilizing the symmetry of slant curves. As a consequence of this, we present the parameterization of the Bertrand offsets for any slant ruled and developable surfaces. In addition to this, we investigate the monarchies of these ruled surfaces and assign them their own unique classification. Also, we illustrate some examples of slant ruled surfaces.
Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis of a Curved Sandwich Beam with a Time-Dependent Viscoelastic Core Using the Generalized Differential Quadrature Method (GDQM)
Authors: Serveren Mehmet Mert , Demir Ozgur , Arikoglu Aytac
Published: February 2024

This paper focuses on the geometrically nonlinear dynamic analyses of a three-layered curved sandwich beam with isotropic face layers and a time-dependent viscoelastic core. The boundary conditions and equations of motion governing the forced vibration are derived by using Hamilton’s principle. The first-order shear deformation theory is used to obtain kinematic relations. The spatial discretization of the equations is achieved using the generalized differential quadrature method (GDQM), and the Newmark-Beta algorithm is used to solve the time variation of the equations. The Newton–Raphson method is used to transform nonlinear equations into linear equations. The validation of the proposed model and the GDQM solution’s reliability are provided via comparison with the results that already exist in the literature and finite element method (FEM) analyses using ANSYS. Then, a series of parametric studies are carried out for a curved sandwich beam with aluminum face layers and a time-dependent viscoelastic core. The resonance and cancellation phenomena for the nonlinear moving-load problem of curved sandwich beams with a time-dependent viscoelastic core are performed using the GDQM for the first time, to the best of the authors’ knowledge.
Developmental Toxicity of PEDOT:PSS in Zebrafish: Effects on Morphology, Cardiac Function, and Intestinal Health
Authors: Yang Guan , Gou Dongzhi , Bu Ling-Kang , Wei Xing-Yi , Hu Huan , Huo Wen-Bo , Sultan Marriya , Pei De-Sheng
Published: February 2024

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is a conductive polymer commonly used in various technological applications. However, its impact on aquatic ecosystems remains largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated the toxicity effects of PEDOT:PSS on zebrafish. We first determined the lethal concentration (LC50) of PEDOT:PSS in zebrafish and then exposed AB-type zebrafish embryos to different concentrations of PEDOT:PSS for 120 h. Our investigation elucidated the toxicity effects of zebrafish development, including morphological assessments, heart rate measurements, behavioral analysis, transcriptome profiling, and histopathological analysis. We discovered that PEDOT:PSS exhibited detrimental effects on the early developmental stages of zebrafish, exacerbating the oxidative stress level, suppressing zebrafish activity, impairing cardiac development, and causing intestinal cell damage. This study adds a new dimension to the developmental toxicity of PEDOT:PSS in zebrafish. Our findings contribute to our understanding of the ecological repercussions of PEDOT:PSS and highlight the importance of responsible development and application of novel materials in our rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Pesticides in Formulations: New Revolutionary Findings
Authors: Seralini Gilles-Eric
Published: February 2024

Everything began with the discovery that pesticides have long had unintended side effects on non-target species, which is illustrated by Ponepal et al [...]
Revisiting the Importance of Orthobunyaviruses for Animal Health: A Scoping Review of Livestock Disease, Diagnostic Tests, and Surveillance Strategies for the Simbu Serogroup
Authors: O’Connor Tiffany W. , Hick Paul M. , Finlaison Deborah S. , Kirkland Peter D. , Toribio Jenny-Ann L.M.L.
Published: February 2024

Orthobunyaviruses (order Bunyavirales, family Peribunyaviridae) in the Simbu serogroup have been responsible for widespread epidemics of congenital disease in ruminants. Australia has a national program to monitor arboviruses of veterinary importance. While monitoring for Akabane virus, a novel orthobunyavirus was detected. To inform the priority that should be given to this detection, a scoping review was undertaken to (1) characterise the associated disease presentations and establish which of the Simbu group viruses are of veterinary importance; (2) examine the diagnostic assays that have undergone development and validation for this group of viruses; and (3) describe the methods used to monitor the distribution of these viruses. Two search strategies identified 224 peer-reviewed publications for 33 viruses in the serogroup. Viruses in this group may cause severe animal health impacts, but only those phylogenetically arranged in clade B are associated with animal disease. Six viruses (Akabane, Schmallenberg, Aino, Shuni, Peaton, and Shamonda) were associated with congenital malformations, neurological signs, and reproductive disease. Diagnostic test interpretation is complicated by cross-reactivity, the timing of foetal immunocompetence, and sample type. Serological testing in surveys remains a mainstay of the methods used to monitor the distribution of SGVs. Given significant differences in survey designs, only broad mean seroprevalence estimates could be provided. Further research is required to determine the disease risk posed by novel orthobunyaviruses and how they could challenge current diagnostic and surveillance capabilities.
Meeting Report of the Second Symposium of the Belgian Society for Viruses of Microbes and Launch of the Phage Valley
Authors: Desmecht Salomé , Latka Agnieszka , Ceyssens Pieter-Jan , Garcia-Pino Abel , Gillis Annika , Lavigne Rob , Lima-Mendez Gipsi , Matthijnssens Jelle , Vázquez Roberto , Venneman Jolien , Wagemans Jeroen , Briers Yves , Thiry Damien
Published: February 2024

The second symposium of the Belgian Society for Viruses of Microbes (BSVoM) took place on 8 September 2023 at the University of Liège with 141 participants from 10 countries. The meeting program covered three thematic sessions opened by international keynote speakers: two sessions were devoted to “Fundamental research in phage ecology and biology” and the third one to the “Present and future applications of phages”. During this one day symposium, four invited keynote lectures, nine selected talks and eight student pitches were given along with thirty presented posters. The president of the Belgian Society for Viruses of Microbes, Prof. Yves Briers, took advantage of this symposium to launch the Phage Valley concept that will put the spotlight on the exceptionally high density of researchers investigating viruses of microbes as well as the successful triple helix approach between academia, industry and government in Belgium.
Advancements in Vaccine Strategies for Chronic Liver Disease Patients: Navigating Post-COVID Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Al-Dury Samer , Kanberg Nelly
Published: February 2024

This review addresses the vital role of vaccinations in managing patients with chronic liver disease (CLD), especially in the context of the post-COVID-19 landscape. The pandemic has highlighted the unique vulnerabilities of CLD patients, including those awaiting liver transplantation and post-transplant individuals, who face heightened risks of infection due to compromised immune responses. Recent advancements in vaccine technology, such as mRNA platforms, novel adjuvants, and advanced delivery systems, have significantly accelerated vaccine development, enhancing both speed and efficacy. Moreover, the emergence of personalized vaccines, tailored to everyone’s unique immunological profile, presents new opportunities, particularly for those with chronic conditions. This review synthesizes the current state of evidence regarding vaccine recommendations for CLD patients, focusing on their response to vaccinations and proposing effective strategies to protect this vulnerable group from vaccine-preventable diseases. It also explores the challenges in implementing these strategies and considers the impact of emerging vaccine delivery systems on improving outcomes for CLD patients. The paper aims to provide nuanced guidance on vaccination in the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, addressing both technological innovations and comprehensive patient care strategies.
The Efficacy of Encapsulated Phytase Based on Recombinant Yarrowia lipolytica on Quails’ Zootechnic Features and Phosphorus Assimilation
Authors: Ovseychik Ekanerina A. , Klein Olga I. , Gessler Natalia N. , Deryabina Yulia I. , Lukashenko Valery S. , Isakova Elena P.
Published: February 2024

In this study, we used the Manchurian golden breed of quails. We assessed the efficacy of the food additives of the phytase from Obesumbacterium proteus encapsulated in the recombinant Yarrowia lipolytica yeast, which was supplied at a concentration of 500 phytase activity units per kg of the feed. One hundred fifty one-day-old quails were distributed into six treatment groups. The results showed that adding the O. proteus encapsulated phytase to the quails’ diets improved live weight, body weight gain, and feed conversion compared to those in the control groups and the groups using a commercial phytase from Aspergillus ficuum. The results obtained during the experiments indicate a high degree of assimilation of phytate-containing feeds if the encapsulated phytase was fed by the quails compared to that in the other groups. We can conclude that the class D encapsulated phytase is an expedient additive to the diets possessing better kinetic features compared to the PhyA and PhyC classes phytases when it acts inside the quail’s chyme.