bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Network Structure of Depressive Symptomatology in Elderly with Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Pyo Jeehyung , Lee Hyukjun , Lee Jakyung , Lee Daseul , Yu Hyeona , Lim Shinn-Won , Myung Woojae , Kim Doh-Kwan
Published: April 2024

Objective and objectives: Patients with cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) frequently exhibit depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms can be evaluated with various measures and questionnaires. The geriatric depression scale (GDS) is a scale that can be used to measure symptoms in geriatric age. Many questionnaires sum up symptom scales. However, core symptoms of depression in these patients and connections between these symptoms have not been fully explored yet. Thus, the objectives of this study were (1) to determine core symptoms of two cognitive disorders, Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment, and (2) to investigate the network structure of depressive symptomatology in individuals with cognitive impairment in comparison with those with Alzheimer’s disease. Materials and Methods: This study encompassed 5354 patients with cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer’s disease (n 1889) and mild cognitive impairment (n = 3464). The geriatric depression scale, a self-administered questionnaire, was employed to assess depressive symptomatology. Using exploratory graph analysis (EGA), a network analysis was conducted, and the network structure was evaluated through regularized partial correlation models. To determine the centrality of depressive symptoms within each cohort, network parameters such as strength, betweenness, and closeness were examined. Additionally, to explore differences in the network structure between Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment groups, a network comparison test was performed. Results: In the analysis of centrality indices, “worthlessness” was identified as the most central symptom in the geriatric depression scale among patients with Alzheimer’s disease, whereas “emptiness” was found to be the most central symptom in patients with mild cognitive impairment. Despite these differences in central symptoms, the comparative analysis showed no statistical difference in the overall network structure between Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment groups. Conclusions: Findings of this study could contribute to a better understanding of the manifestation of depressive symptoms in patients with cognitive impairment. These results are expected to aid in identifying and prioritizing core symptoms in these patients. Further research should be conducted to explore potential interventions tailored to these core symptoms in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment. Establishing core symptoms in those groups might have clinical importance in that appropriate treatment for neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with cognitive impairment could help preclude progression to further impairment.
Revisiting Membranes—An Open Access Membrane Science and Technology Journal
Authors: Kolev Spas D.
Published: April 2024

Membranes is celebrating its 13th anniversary this year [...]
Development of New Predictive Equations for the Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) of Women with Lipedema
Authors: Jeziorek Małgorzata , Wronowicz Jakub , Janek Łucja , Kujawa Krzysztof , Szuba Andrzej
Published: April 2024

This study aimed to develop a novel predictive equation for calculating resting metabolic rate (RMR) in women with lipedema. We recruited 119 women diagnosed with lipedema from the Angiology Outpatient Clinic at Wroclaw Medical University, Poland. RMR was assessed using indirect calorimetry, while body composition and anthropometric measurements were conducted using standardized protocols. Due to multicollinearity among predictors, classical multiple regression was deemed inadequate for developing the new equation. Therefore, we employed machine learning techniques, utilizing principal component analysis (PCA) for dimensionality reduction and predictor selection. Regression models, including support vector regression (SVR), random forest regression (RFR), and k-nearest neighbor (kNN) were evaluated in Python’s scikit-learn framework, with hyperparameter tuning via GridSearchCV. Model performance was assessed through mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and cross-validation, complemented by Bland–Altman plots for method comparison. A novel equation incorporating body composition parameters was developed, addressing a gap in accurate RMR prediction methods. By incorporating measurements of body circumference and body composition parameters alongside traditional predictors, the model’s accuracy was improved. The segmented regression model outperformed others, achieving an MAPE of 10.78%. The proposed predictive equation for RMR offers a practical tool for personalized treatment planning in patients with lipedema.
High Starch Induces Hematological Variations, Metabolic Changes, Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory Responses, and Histopathological Lesions in Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)
Authors: Xie Yuanyuan , Shao Xianping , Zhang Penghui , Zhang Hao , Yu Jiaxing , Yao Xinfeng , Fu Yifan , Wei Jiao , Wu Chenglong
Published: April 2024

This study evaluated effects of high starch (20%) on hematological variations, glucose and lipid metabolism, antioxidant ability, inflammatory responses, and histopathological lesions in largemouth bass. Results showed hepatic crude lipid and triacylglycerol (TAG) contents were notably increased in fish fed high starch. High starch could increase counts of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils and serum contents of TAG, TBA, BUN, and LEP (p < 0.05). There were increasing trends in levels of GLUT2, glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and LDH in fish fed high starch through the AKT/PI3K signal pathway. Meanwhile, high starch not only triggered TAG and cholesterol synthesis, but mediated cholesterol accumulation by reducing ABCG5, ABCG8, and NPC1L1. Significant increases in lipid droplets and vacuolization were also shown in hepatocytes of D3–D7 groups fed high starch. In addition, high starch could decrease levels of mitochondrial Trx2, TrxR2, and Prx3, while increasing ROS contents. Moreover, high starch could notably increase amounts of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, TNF-α, etc.) by activating NLRP3 inflammasome key molecules (GSDME, caspase 1, etc.). In conclusion, high starch could not only induce metabolic disorders via gluconeogenesis and accumulation of glycogen, TAG, and cholesterol, but could disturb redox homeostasis and cause inflammatory responses by activating the NLRP3 inflammasome in largemouth bass.
Research on Vibration Accumulation Self-Powered Downhole Sensor Based on Triboelectric Nanogenerators
Authors: Wang Rui , Ren Jianchao , Ding Weibo , Liu Maofu , Pan Guangzhi , Wu Chuan
Published: April 2024

In drilling operations, measuring vibration parameters is crucial for enhancing drilling efficiency and ensuring safety. Nevertheless, the conventional vibration measurement sensor significantly extends the drilling cycle due to its dependence on an external power source. Therefore, we propose a vibration-accumulation-type self-powered sensor in this research, aiming to address these needs. By leveraging vibration accumulation and electromagnetic power generation to accelerate charging, the sensor’s output performance is enhanced through a complementary charging mode. The experimental results regarding sensing performance demonstrate that the sensor possesses a measurement range spanning from 0 to 11 Hz, with a linearity of 3.2% and a sensitivity of 1.032. Additionally, it exhibits a maximum average measurement error of less than 4%. The experimental results of output performance measurement indicate that the sensor unit and generator set exhibit a maximum output power of 0.258 μW and 25.5 mW, respectively, and eight LED lights can be lit at the same time. When the sensor unit and power generation unit output together, the maximum output power of the sensor is also 25.5 mW. Furthermore, we conducted tests on the sensor’s output signal in conditions of high temperature and humidity, confirming its continued functionality in such environments. This sensor not only achieves self-powered sensing capabilities, addressing the power supply challenges faced by traditional downhole sensors, but also integrates energy accumulation with electromagnetic power generation to enhance its output performance. This innovation enables the sensor to harness downhole vibration energy for powering other micro-power devices, showcasing promising application prospects.
Comparative Analysis of Bisexual and Parthenogenetic Populations in Haemaphysalis Longicornis
Authors: Zhao Chaoyue , Cai Guonan , Zhang Xing , Liu Xinyu , Wang Pengfei , Zheng Aihua
Published: April 2024

Haemaphysalis longicornis, a three-host tick with a wide host range, is widely distributed in different countries and regions. It stands out among ticks due to its unique feature of having both parthenogenetic and bisexual populations. Despite their morphological resemblance, the characteristics of the parthenogenetic population have been overlooked. In this comprehensive study, we systematically compared the similarities and differences between these two populations. Our investigation revealed that the parthenogenetic H. longicornis, widely distributed in China, was found in ten provinces, surpassing the previously reported distribution. Notably, individuals from the parthenogenetic population exhibited a prolonged blood-feeding duration during the larval and nymph stages compared to their bisexual counterparts. Additionally, the life cycle of the parthenogenetic population was observed to be longer. A flow cytometry analysis indicated a DNA content ratio of approximately 2:3 between the bisexual and parthenogenetic populations. A phylogenetic analysis using whole mitochondrial genome sequences resulted in the separation of the phylogenetic tree into two distinct branches. A molecular analysis unveiled a consistent single T-base deletion at nucleotide 8497 in the parthenogenetic population compared to the bisexual population. Both populations displayed high viral infection capability and significant resistance to ivermectin. Intriguingly, despite these differences, the parthenogenetic population exhibited a similar life cycle to the bisexual population, retaining the ability to transmit pathogens such as Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) and Heartland Virus (HRTV). These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the distinct characteristics and similarities between different populations of H. longicornis, laying the foundation for future research in this field.
Acute Hepatitis of Unknown Origin in Children: Analysis of 17 Cases Admitted to the Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital in Rome
Authors: Di Maio Velia Chiara , Gentile Leonarda , Scutari Rossana , Colagrossi Luna , Coltella Luana , Ranno Stefania , Linardos Giulia , Liccardo Daniela , Basso Maria Sole , Pietrobattista Andrea , Landi Simona , Forqué Lorena , Ciofi Degli Atti Marta , Ricotta Lara , Onetti Muda Andrea , Maggiore Giuseppe , Raponi Massimiliano , Perno Carlo Federico , Russo Cristina
Published: April 2024

This study described 17 cases of children admitted to the Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital with acute hepatitis of unknown origin between mid-April and November 2022. Following the World Health Organization’s working case definition of probable cases, 17 children, with a median age of 2.1 years (interquartile range: 1.0–7.1), presenting with acute hepatitis non-AE, with serum transaminase >500 IU/L, were included in the study. A pre-specified set of microbiological tests was performed on different biological specimens for all pediatric patients. All patients resulted negative for the common hepatotropic viruses. The most common pathogen detected in blood specimens was human-herpes-virus-7 (52.9%). Adenovirus was detected more frequently in stool specimens (62.5%) than in respiratory (20.0%) or blood samples (17.6%). Regarding Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, one child tested positive two days after admission, while antibodies against spike and nucleoprotein were present in 82.3% of patients. A co-pathogen detection was observed in 94.1% of children. Overall, 16 children recovered without clinical complications, while one patient required liver transplantation. In these cases of acute hepatitis of unknown origin, adenovirus was mainly detected in stool samples. A co-pathogen detection was also frequently observed, suggesting that the etiology of this acute hepatitis is most probably multifactorial.
The Smallest “Miner” of the Animal Kingdom and Its Importance for Raw Materials Exploitation
Authors: Xiroudakis George , Saratsis George , Manoutsoglou Emmanouil
Published: April 2024

The mining industry is the leading supplier of raw materials in modern society. This sector of human activity has experienced a severe crisis due to the energy transition and has been revived in recent years due to the need for critical metals that are essential in the post-coal era. In underground and open pit mining, processes such as extraction, transportation, safety, underground ventilation, waste management, and rehabilitation are of major importance, and their “design” is critical to the economic survival of the mine. All the above processes required to operate a mine are strongly reminiscent of an example of nature’s workman: the ant. The sympatric insect uses the same processes as the ones aforementioned during the creation of its nest. The ants dig to “extract material from the ground”, and they transport this material from the nest‘s site to the waste deposition location. The ants ensure the safety of the underground opening and the proper ventilation needed for them to live there for a long time. This article attempts to identify the relations between all the above processes and sub-processes, and how human mining and ant colony development correlate with each other. Furthermore, we examine how an ant colony has aided in the development of mining technology, and what more humans can learn and adopt from a “miner” that is 66 million years old, in order to improve their processes.
Maternal One-Carbon Nutrient Intake and Risk of Being Overweight or Obese in Their Offspring—A Transgenerational Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Bogl Leonie H. , Strohmaier Susanne , Hu Frank B. , Willett Walter C. , Eliassen A. Heather , Hart Jaime E. , Sun Qi , Chavarro Jorge E. , Field Alison E. , Schernhammer Eva S.
Published: April 2024

We aimed to investigate the associations between maternal intake of folate, vitamin B12, B6, B2, methionine, choline, phosphatidylcholine and betaine during the period surrounding pregnancy and offspring weight outcomes from birth to early adulthood. These associations were examined among 2454 mother–child pairs from the Nurses’ Health Study II and Growing Up Today Study. Maternal energy-adjusted nutrient intakes were derived from food frequency questionnaires. Birth weight, body size at age 5 and repeated BMI measurements were considered. Overweight/obesity was defined according to the International Obesity Task Force (<18 years) and World Health Organization guidelines (18+ years). Among other estimands, we report relative risks (RRs) for offspring ever being overweight with corresponding 95% confidence intervals across quintiles of dietary factors, with the lowest quintile as the reference. In multivariate-adjusted models, higher maternal intakes of phosphatidylcholine were associated with a higher risk of offspring ever being overweight (RRQ5vsQ1 = 1.16 [1.01–1.33] p-trend: 0.003). The association was stronger among offspring born to mothers with high red meat intake (high red meat RRQ5vsQ1 = 1.50 [1.14–1.98], p-trend: 0.001; low red meat RRQ5vsQ1 = 1.05 [0.87–1.27], p-trend: 0.46; p-interaction = 0.13). Future studies confirming the association between a higher maternal phosphatidylcholine intake during pregnancy and offspring risk of being overweight or obese are needed.
Dietary Influence on Drug Efficacy: A Comprehensive Review of Ketogenic Diet–Pharmacotherapy Interactions
Authors: Marinescu Simona Cristina (Nicolescu) , Apetroaei Miruna-Maria , Nedea Marina Ionela (Ilie) , Arsene Andreea Letiția , Velescu Bruno Ștefan , Hîncu Sorina , Stancu Emilia , Pop Anca Lucia , Drăgănescu Doina , Udeanu Denisa Ioana
Published: April 2024

It is widely acknowledged that the ketogenic diet (KD) has positive physiological effects as well as therapeutic benefits, particularly in the treatment of chronic diseases. Maintaining nutritional ketosis is of utmost importance in the KD, as it provides numerous health advantages such as an enhanced lipid profile, heightened insulin sensitivity, decreased blood glucose levels, and the modulation of diverse neurotransmitters. Nevertheless, the integration of the KD with pharmacotherapeutic regimens necessitates careful consideration. Due to changes in their absorption, distribution, metabolism, or elimination, the KD can impact the pharmacokinetics of various medications, including anti-diabetic, anti-epileptic, and cardiovascular drugs. Furthermore, the KD, which is characterised by the intake of meals rich in fats, has the potential to impact the pharmacokinetics of specific medications with high lipophilicity, hence enhancing their absorption and bioavailability. However, the pharmacodynamic aspects of the KD, in conjunction with various pharmaceutical interventions, can provide either advantageous or detrimental synergistic outcomes. Therefore, it is important to consider the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions that may arise between the KD and various drugs. This assessment is essential not only for ensuring patients’ compliance with treatment but also for optimising the overall therapeutic outcome, particularly by mitigating adverse reactions. This highlights the significance and necessity of tailoring pharmacological and dietetic therapies in order to enhance the effectiveness and safety of this comprehensive approach to managing chronic diseases.
Residential Greenness, Lifestyle, and Vitamin D: A Longitudinal Cohort of South Asian Origin and Caucasian Ethnicity Women Living in the South of the UK
Authors: Santana Keila Valente de Souza de , Ribeiro Helena , Darling Andrea , Rios Israel Henrique Ribeiro , Lanham-New Susan
Published: April 2024

The global population is at risk of vitamin D deficiency due to low exposure to sunlight and low intake of the vitamin through diet. The aim of this study was to investigate in women the association between vitamin D status and parathyroid hormone (PTH), ultraviolet radiation, lifestyle, ethnicity, social conditions, and residential greenness. A 1-year longitudinal study assessed vitamin D status in 309 women living at latitude 51°14′ N. Blood samples were taken four times throughout the year for analysis of 25(OH)D and serum PTH concentration. After each seasonal visit, the individuals completed 4-day diet diaries and used two dosimeter badges for 1 week to estimate weekly UVR exposure. A questionnaire was applied to provide information about lifestyle and their ethnicity. Residential greenness was measured by Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), within a 1000 m radius around each participant’s home address. Women living in greener spaces were more likely to have improved vitamin D status (RR: 1.51; 95%CI: 1.13–2.02), as well as those who were more exposed to UVR (RR: 2.05; 95%CI: 1.44–2.92). Our results provide an insight into the connection between residential greenness, lifestyle, and vitamin D status comparing two ethnicities in a country with a temperate climate and with a high degree of urbanization.
Higher Numbers of Family Meals and Social Eating Behavior Are Associated with Greater Self-Esteem among Adolescents: The EHDLA
Authors: López-Gil José Francisco , Gutiérrez-Espinoza Héctor , Manzano-Sánchez David
Published: April 2024

Background: the aim of this study was to assess the associations of family meals and social eating behavior with self-esteem levels among Spanish adolescents. Methods: This was a secondary cross-sectional study including 706 participants (aged 12 to 17 years; 56.1% girls) from the Eating Habits and Daily Life Activities (EHDLA) study. The evaluation of the frequency of family meals involved participants providing information in physical education classes on how frequently they, along with other members of their household, had shared meals in the previous week. Social eating behavior was assessed by three different statements: “I usually have dinner with others”, “Having at least one meal a day with others (family or friends) is important to me”, and “I enjoy sitting down with family or friends for a meal”. To assess overall self-esteem, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was used. Results: In the adjusted models, a positive association was observed between the frequency of family meals and the self-esteem score (unstandardized beta coefficient [B] = 0.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.003 to 0.12, p-adjusted = 0.040). Furthermore, the same positive association was also identified between social eating behavior and the self-esteem score (B = 0.23; 95% CI 0.07 to 0.40, p-adjusted = 0.005). Conclusions: Although self-esteem is complex and can be influenced by numerous factors, both family meals and social eating behavior may exert a relevant role in adolescents. Encouraging consistent participation in family meals and promoting positive eating practices could be valuable approaches in public health actions targeting the enhancement of self-esteem levels in adolescents.
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: What Can Medical Nutrition Therapy Do?
Authors: Wei Xiaoyi , Zou Hong , Zhang Tingting , Huo Yanling , Yang Jianzhong , Wang Zhi , Li Yu , Zhao Jiuxiang
Published: April 2024

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the common complications during pregnancy. Numerous studies have shown that GDM is associated with a series of adverse effects on both mothers and offspring. Due to the particularity of pregnancy, medical nutrition treatment is considered to be the first choice for the treatment of GDM. This contribution reviews the research progress of medical nutrition treatment in GDM, summarizes the international recommendations on the intake of various nutrients and the influence of nutrients on the prevalence of GDM, and the improvement effect of nutritional intervention on it, in order to provide references for research in related fields of GDM and the targeted development of enteral nutrition.
Caffeine Improves Sprint Time in Simulated Freestyle Swimming Competition but Not the Vertical Jump in Female Swimmers
Authors: Acar Kürşat , Mor Ahmet , Mor Hakkı , Kargın Zehra , Alexe Dan Iulian , Abdioğlu Mekki , Karayiğit Raci , Alexe Cristina Ioana , Cojocaru Adin Marian , Mocanu George Danuț
Published: April 2024

Caffeine (CAF) has been shown to be an effective ergogenic aid in enhancing sports performance, including vertical jump (VJ), sprint, balance, agility, and freestyle swimming performance (FSP). However, whether acute CAF supplementation improves FSP in moderately trained female swimmers has not been well documented. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of CAF intake on vertical jump, balance, auditory reaction time (ART), and swimming performance in female swimmers. In a double-blind, cross-over design, eight moderately trained female swimmers (age: 21.3 ± 1.4 years, height: 161.2 ± 7.1 cm, body mass: 56.3 ± 6.7 kg, body mass index (BMI): 21.9 ± 1.3 kg/m2, and habitual CAF intake: 246.4 ± 111.4 mg/day) ingested caffeine (CAF) (6 mg/kg) or a placebo (PLA) 60 min before completing VJ, balance, ART, and 25/50 m FSP. CAF supplementation resulted in a significantly lower time both in 25m (p = 0.032) and 50m (p = 0.033) FSP. However, CAF resulted in no significant difference in VJ, ART, and RPE (p > 0.05). Balance test results showed a non-significant moderate main effect (d = 0.58). In conclusion, CAF seems to reduce time in short-distance swimming performances, which could be the determinant of success considering the total time of the race. Thus, we recommend coaches and practitioners incorporate CAF into swimmers’ nutrition plans before competitions, which may meet the high performance demands.
Increased FGF-21 Improves Ectopic Lipid Deposition in the Liver and Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Jia Ying , Yu Huixin , Liang Jia , Zhang Qiang , Sun Jiawei , Yang Hongqing , Yan Haijing , Zhang Shuping , Li Yana , Jin Yongjun , Yang Meizi
Published: April 2024

Obesity can lead to excessive lipid accumulation in non-adipose tissues, such as the liver and skeletal muscles, leading to ectopic lipid deposition and damaging target organ function through lipotoxicity. FGF-21 is a key factor in regulating lipid metabolism, so we aim to explore whether FGF-21 is involved in improving ectopic lipid deposition. We observed the characteristics of ectopic lipid deposition in the liver and skeletal muscles of obesity-resistant mice, detected the expression of FGF-21 and perilipin, and found that obesity-resistant mice showed a decrease in ectopic lipid deposition in the liver and skeletal muscles and increased expression of FGF-21. After inhibiting the expression of FGF-21, a more severe lipid deposition in liver cells and skeletal muscle cells was found. The results indicate that inhibiting FGF-21 can exacerbate ectopic lipid deposition via regulating lipid droplet synthesis and decomposition, as well as free fatty acid translocation and oxidation. In conclusion, FGF-21 is involved in improving ectopic lipid deposition caused by obesity in the liver and skeletal muscles.
Ponatinib Induces a Procoagulant Phenotype in Human Coronary Endothelial Cells via Inducing Apoptosis
Authors: Krajcsir Bálint , Pócsi Marianna , Fejes Zsolt , Nagy Béla , Kappelmayer János , Beke Debreceni Ildikó
Published: April 2024

BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are effective drugs in the treatment of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia. However, based on clinical studies, ponatinib was associated with the development of thrombotic complications. Since endothelial cells (ECs) regulate blood coagulation, their abnormal phenotype may play a role in the development of thrombotic events. We here aimed to investigate the effect of ponatinib on the procoagulant activity of cultured endothelial cells in vitro. Human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) were incubated with 50, 150, and 1000 nM of ponatinib. Subsequently, phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure and endothelial microvesicles (EMVs) were measured by flow cytometry. In addition, EC- and EMV-dependent thrombin generation was analyzed. To investigate pro-apoptotic effects of ponatinib, the level of Bax and Bcl-xL proteins were studied using Western blot and F3, THBD, and VCAM1 mRNAs were quantified by qPCR. Therapeutic concentrations of ponatinib significantly increased PS expression on ECs and the amount of EMVs which significantly shortened the time parameters of thrombin generation. In addition, these changes were associated with an increased ratio of Bax and Bcl-xL proteins in the presence of the decreased THBD mRNA level. Overall, ponatinib enhances the procoagulant activity of ECs via inducing apoptosis, which may contribute to thrombotic events.
The Expression of Key Ethylene and Anthocyanin Biosynthetic Genes of ‘Honeycrisp’ Apples Subjected to the Combined Use of Reflective Groundcovers and Aminoethoxyvinylglycine in the Mid-Atlantic US
Authors: Miah Md Shipon , Farcuh Macarena
Published: April 2024

The decreased profitability of important apple cultivars, such as ‘Honeycrisp’, results from the poor red skin coloration and high fruit drop in the mid-Atlantic US. Apple red skin coloration is determined by the anthocyanin concentration. Reflective groundcovers promote red skin coloration, whereas aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) decreases the ethylene production and fruit drop, thus reducing the coloration. Although our previous study showed that combinations of these practices impact the fruit quality and color, research is lacking regarding their effects at the gene and metabolite levels. In this work, for two years, we compared the differences in the internal ethylene concentration (IEC), red skin coloration, fruit drop, transcript accumulation of key ethylene and anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway-related genes, and total anthocyanin concentration of ‘Honeycrisp’ apples. The fruit was treated with combinations of reflective groundcover (Extenday) and AVG (130 mg L−1) and was assessed throughout ripening. Extenday-only-treated fruit displayed the highest upregulation of ethylene and anthocyanin biosynthetic-related genes and of total anthocyanins, exceeding 50% blush, while boosting the IEC. In contrast, AVG significantly decreased the expression of key ethylene and anthocyanin biosynthetic-related genes and total anthocyanins, thus preventing apples from reaching 50% blush, while also decreasing the IEC and fruit drop. The combination of Extenday x AVG fine-tuned the transcript accumulation of ethylene and anthocyanin biosynthetic-related genes as well as the total anthocyanins, allowing the ‘Honeycrisp’ fruit to exceed 50% blush, while increasing the IEC moderately and reducing the fruit drop (as compared to Extenday-only and control), thus enhancing the fruit economic value.
Changes in Growth and Heavy Metal and Phenolic Compound Accumulation in Buddleja cordata Cell Suspension Culture under Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn Enrichment
Authors: Vazquez-Marquez Alicia Monserrat , Bernabé-Antonio Antonio , Correa-Basurto José , Burrola-Aguilar Cristina , Zepeda-Gómez Carmen , Cruz-Sosa Francisco , Nieto-Trujillo Aurelio , Estrada-Zúñiga María Elena
Published: April 2024

Buddleja cordata cell suspension cultures could be used as a tool for investigating the capabilities of this species to tolerate heavy metals (HMs) and for assessing the effects of HMs on the accumulation of phenolic compounds in this species. It grows in a wide range of habitats in Mexico, including ultramafic soils, and mobilizes some HMs in the soil. The mobilization of these HMs has been associated with phenolic substances. In addition, this species is used in Mexican traditional medicine. In the present study, a B. cordata cell suspension culture was grown for 18 days in a culture medium enriched with Cu (0.03–0.25 mM), Fe (0.25–1.5 mM), Mn (0.5–3.0 mM), or Zn (0.5–2.0 mM) to determine the effects of these HMs on growth and HM accumulation. We also assessed the effects of the HMs on phenolic compound accumulation after 1 and 18 days of HM exposure. Cells were able to grow at almost all tested HM concentrations and accumulated significant amounts of each HM. The highest accumulation levels were as follows: 1160 mg Cu kg−1, 6845 mg Fe kg−1, 3770 mg Mn kg−1, and 6581 mg Zn kg−1. Phenolic compound accumulation was affected by the HM exposure time and corresponded to each HM and its concentration. Future research should analyze whole plants to determine the capabilities of Buddleja cordata to accumulate abnormally high amounts of HM and to evaluate the physiological impact of changes in the accumulation of phenolic compounds.
Ultrarobust Actuator Comprising High-Strength Carbon Fibers and Commercially Available Polycarbonate with Multi-Stimulus Responses and Programmable Deformation
Authors: Sheng Jie , Jiang Shengkun , Geng Tie , Huang Zhengqiang , Li Jiquan , Jiang Lin
Published: April 2024

Polymer-based actuators have gained extensive attention owing to their potential applications in aerospace, soft robotics, etc. However, poor mechanical properties, the inability of multi-stimuli response and programmable deformation, and the costly fabrication procedure have significantly hindered their practical application. Herein, these issues are overcome via a simple and scalable one-step molding method. The actuator is fabricated by hot-pressing commercial unidirectional carbon fiber/epoxy prepregs with a commodity PC membrane. Notable CTE differences between the CF and PC layers endow the bilayer actuator with fast and reliable actuation deformation. Benefiting from the high strength of CF, the actuator exhibits excellent mechanical performance. Moreover, the anisotropy of CF endows the actuator with design flexibility. Furthermore, the multifunction of CF makes the actuator capable of responding to thermal, optical, and electrical stimulation simultaneously. Based on the bilayer actuator, we successfully fabricated intelligent devices such as light-driven biomimetic flowers, intelligent grippers, and gesture-simulating apparatuses, which further validate the programmability and multi-stimuli response characteristics of this actuator. Strikingly, the prepared gripper possesses a grasping capacity approximately 31.2 times its own weight. It is thus believed that the concept presented paves the way for building next-generation robust robotics.
NIR-Mediated Deformation from a CNT-Based Bilayer Hydrogel
Authors: Long Shijun , Liu Chang , Ren Han , Hu Yali , Chen Chao , Huang Yiwan , Li Xuefeng
Published: April 2024

Shape-shifting polymers are widely used in various fields such as intelligent switches, soft robots and sensors, which require both multiple stimulus-response functions and qualified mechanical strength. In this study, a novel near-infrared-light (NIR)-responsible shape-shifting hydrogel system was designed and fabricated through embedding vinylsilane-modified carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into particle double-network (P-DN) hydrogels by micellar copolymerisation. The dispersed brittle Poly(sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane-1-sulfonate) (PNaAMPS) network of the microgels can serve as sacrificial bonds to toughen the hydrogels, and the CNTs endow it with NIR photothermal conversion ability. The results show that the CNTs embedded in the P-DN hydrogels present excellent mechanical strength, i.e., a fracture strength of 312 kPa and a fracture strain of 357%. Moreover, an asymmetric bilayer hydrogel, where the active layer contains CNTs, can achieve 0°–110° bending deformation within 10 min under NIR irradiation and can realise complex deformation movement. This study provides a theoretical and experimental basis for the design and manufacture of photoresponsive soft actuators.
Advancing the Characterization of Recycled Polyolefin Blends with a Combined Experimental and Numerical Approach to Thermomechanical Behavior
Authors: Hao Pei , Siebers Charmayne , Ragaert Kim , Gilabert Francisco A.
Published: April 2024

The blending of polyolefins (POs), such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), is a growing area of research, particularly for recycling mixed polyolefin (MPO) waste through flotation sorting techniques. However, understanding the thermomechanical behavior of these recycled blends is challenging due to limitations in the existing characterization methods. This paper introduces a combined experimental and numerical method to accurately assess the complex mechanical behavior of high-density PE, PP, and their blends. We conducted detailed thermomechanical analyses using a high-speed stereo digital image correlation (DIC) system paired with an infrared camera to capture temperature variations alongside mechanical stress and strain. This approach allowed us to correct for distortions caused by necking and to derive accurate stress–strain relationships. We also applied a cutting-edge unified semi-crystalline polymer (USCP) model to simplify the analysis, focusing on the effects of strain rate and temperature, including self-heating and thermal softening phenomena. Our results, which closely match experimental observations of stress–strain behavior and temperature changes, offer new insights into the thermomechanical properties of PO blends, which are essential for advancing their practical applications in various fields.
Distribution System State Estimation Based on Enhanced Kernel Ridge Regression and Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition
Authors: Chu Xiaomeng , Wang Jiangjun
Published: April 2024

In the case of strong non-Gaussian noise in the measurement information of the distribution network, the strong non-Gaussian noise significantly interferes with the filtering accuracy of the state estimation model based on deep learning. To address this issue, this paper proposes an enhanced kernel ridge regression state estimation method based on ensemble empirical mode decomposition. Initially, ensemble empirical mode decomposition is employed to eliminate most of the noise data in the measurement information, ensuring the reliability of the data for subsequent filtering. Subsequently, the enhanced kernel ridge regression state estimation model is constructed to establish the mapping relationship between the measured data and the estimation residuals. By inputting the measured data, both estimation results and estimation residuals can be obtained. Finally, numerical simulations conducted on the standard IEEE-33 node system and a 78-node system in a specific city demonstrate that the proposed method exhibits high accuracy and robustness in the presence of strong non-Gaussian noise interference.
Hildegard of Bingen: Philosophical Life and Spirituality
Authors: Harteloh Peter
Published: April 2024

Hildegard of Bingen (1098–1179) was a medieval mystic. From a young age, she had many colorful visions and became well known and influential not only in her own time but in ours as well. Her music reached the mellow house scene in the 1990s, reviving Hildegard’s spirituality for people today. In this paper, I will approach Hildegard as a philosophical practitioner and conduct an imaginary philosophical consultation. I will study her biography, listen to her words by some authentic text fragments and propose a spiritual exercise on her music in order not to just think about Hildegard of Bingen but to try and think like Hildegard of Bingen, in line with the principles of philosophical practice. This way, I will try to understand Hildegard in a practical way and not (just) annotate the regular (theoretical) interpretations of her life. I will distinguish three phases in her life as movements towards spirituality: (1) her relationship with the world, (2) her relationship with God, and (3) her relationship with herself as a spiritual being. I will argue that her life is an example of a philosophical life. Hildegard’s “not fitting in any place” (being átopos) and her development define such a life as a path towards an authentic self, attained by spirituality. The paper intends to contribute both to the understanding of philosophical consultations and to the understanding of Hildegard of Bingen.
Environmental and Land-Use Changes as a Consequence of Land Reform in the Urej River Catchment (Western Tajikistan)
Authors: Rahmonov Oimahmad , Szypuła Bartłomiej , Sobala Michał , Islamova Zebiniso B.
Published: April 2024

Mountain societies are strongly linked to natural resources and their rational management. The growing population has led to the management of mountain areas according to emerging human needs. The study was conducted in the Urej River catchment (The Fann Mountains, Tajikistan). This paper aims to present changes in land use in 1988–2023 resulting from environmental conditions and land reform. Pasturelands predominate in the study area (93.8%), while built-up with kitchen garden and irrigated areas cover 1.8% and 4.0% of the area, respectively. Kitchen gardens and irrigated areas provide food for the residents. Significant land-use changes were observed along the Uroz River, where the irrigation system was developed in areas that have not yet been used for plant cultivation. This is typical of many areas in Tajikistan, where it is impossible to obtain crops without irrigation due to climatic conditions. Until 1988, the study area was not as intensively cultivated as it is today. Under the ongoing lease system based on the Dehkan Farm Act, grazing land is still owned by the state, but inhabitants have access to it. The leased land does little to improve the economic situation of households but contributes to preventing ecosystem degradation on the slopes caused by humans.
InSAR Digital Elevation Model Void-Filling Method Based on Incorporating Elevation Outlier Detection
Authors: Hu Zhi , Gui Rong , Hu Jun , Fu Haiqiang , Yuan Yibo , Jiang Kun , Liu Liqun
Published: April 2024

Accurate and complete digital elevation models (DEMs) play an important fundamental role in geospatial analysis, supporting various engineering applications, human activities, and scientific research. Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) plays an increasingly important role in DEM generation. Nonetheless, owing to its inherent characteristics, gaps often appear in regions marked by significant topographical fluctuations, necessitating an extra void-filling process. Traditional void-filling methods have operated directly on preexisting data, succeeding in relatively flat terrain. When facing mountainous regions, there will always be gross errors in elevation values. Regrettably, conventional methods have often disregarded this vital consideration. To this end, this research proposes a DEM void-filling method based on incorporating elevation outlier detection. It accounts for the detection and removal of elevation outliers, thereby mitigating the shortcomings of existing methods and ensuring robust DEM restoration in mountainous terrains. Experiments were conducted to validate the method applicability using TanDEM-X data from Sichuan, China, Hebei, China, and Oregon, America. The results underscore the superiority of the proposed method. Three traditional methods are selected for comparison. The proposed method has different degrees of improvement in filling accuracy, depending on the void status of the local terrain. Compared with the delta surface fill (DSF) method, the root mean squared error (RMSE) of the filling results has improved by 7.87% to 51.87%. The qualitative and quantitative experiments demonstrate that the proposed method is promising for large-scale DEM void-filling tasks.
EAD-Net: Efficiently Asymmetric Network for Semantic Labeling of High-Resolution Remote Sensing Images with Dynamic Routing Mechanism
Authors: Hu Qiongqiong , Wang Feiting , Li Ying
Published: April 2024

Semantic labeling of high-resolution remote sensing images (HRRSIs) holds a significant position in the remote sensing domain. Although numerous deep-learning-based segmentation models have enhanced segmentation precision, their complexity leads to a significant increase in parameters and computational requirements. While ensuring segmentation accuracy, it is also crucial to improve segmentation speed. To address this issue, we propose an efficient asymmetric deep learning network for HRRSIs, referred to as EAD-Net. First, EAD-Net employs ResNet50 as the backbone without pooling, instead of the RepVGG block, to extract rich semantic features while reducing model complexity. Second, a dynamic routing module is proposed in EAD-Net to adjust routing based on the pixel occupancy of small-scale objects. Concurrently, a channel attention mechanism is used to preserve their features even with minimal occupancy. Third, a novel asymmetric decoder is introduced, which uses convolutional operations while discarding skip connections. This not only effectively reduces redundant features but also allows using low-level image features to enhance EAD-Net’s performance. Extensive experimental results on the ISPRS 2D semantic labeling challenge benchmark demonstrate that EAD-Net achieves state-of-the-art (SOTA) accuracy performance while reducing model complexity and inference time, while the mean Intersection over Union (mIoU) score reaching 87.38% and 93.10% in the Vaihingen and Potsdam datasets, respectively.
Solar Wind Charge-Exchange X-ray Emissions from the O5+ Ions in the Earth’s Magnetosheath
Authors: Zhang Zhicheng , He Fei , Zhang Xiao-Xin , Liang Guiyun , Wang Xueyi , Wei Yong
Published: April 2024

The spectra and global distributions of the X-ray emissions generated by the solar wind charge-exchange (SWCX) process in the terrestrial magnetosheath are investigated based on a global hybrid model and a global geocoronal hydrogen model. Solar wind O6+ ions, which are the primary charge state for oxygen ions in solar wind, are considered. The line emissivity of the charge-exchange-borne O5+ ions is calculated by the Spectral Analysis System for Astrophysical and Laboratory (SASAL). It is found that the emission lines from O5+ range from 105.607 to 118.291 eV with a strong line at 107.047 eV. We then simulate the magnetosheath X-ray emission intensity distributions with a virtual camera at two positions of the north pole and dusk at six stages during the passing of a perpendicular interplanetary shock combined with a tangential discontinuity structure through the Earth’s magnetosphere. During this process, the X-ray emission intensity increases with time, and the maximum value is 27.11 keV cm−2 s−1 sr−1 on the dayside, which is 4.5 times that before the solar wind structure reached the Earth. A clear shock structure can be seen in the magnetosheath and moves earthward. The maximum emission intensity seen at dusk is always higher than that seen at the north pole.
A New Extended Target Detection Method Based on the Maximum Eigenvalue of the Hermitian Matrix
Authors: Xu Yong , Zhu Yongfeng , Song Zhiyong
Published: April 2024

In the field of radar target detection, the conventional approach is to employ the range profile energy accumulation method for detecting extended targets. However, this method becomes ineffective when dealing with non-stationary and non-uniform radar clutter scenarios, as well as long-distance targets with weak radar cross sections (RCSs). In such cases, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the target echo is severely degraded, rendering the energy accumulation detection algorithm unreliable. To address this issue, this paper presents a new extended target detection method based on the maximum eigenvalue of the Hermitian matrix. This method utilizes a detection model that incorporates observed data and employs the likelihood ratio test (LRT) theory to derive the maximum eigenvalue detector at low SNR. Specifically, the detector constructs a matrix using a sliding window block with the available data and then computes the maximum eigenvalue of the covariance matrix. Subsequently, the maximum eigenvalue matrix is transformed into a one-dimensional eigenvalue image, enabling extended target detection through analogy with the energy accumulation detection method. Furthermore, this paper analyzes the proposed extended target detection method from both theoretical and experimental perspectives, validating it through field-measured data. The results obtained from the measured data demonstrate that the method effectively enhances the SNR in low SNR conditions, thereby improving target detection performance. Additionally, the method exhibits robustness across different scattering center targets.
Monitoring Total Phosphorus Concentration in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River Using Sentinel-2 Satellites
Authors: Yang Fan , Feng Qi , Zhou Yadong , Li Wen , Zhang Xiaoyang , He Baoyin
Published: April 2024

Total phosphorus (TP, a non-optical sensitivity parameter) has become the primary pollutant in the Yangtze River, the third largest river in the world. It is strongly correlated with turbidity (an optical sensitivity parameter) in rivers. In this study, we constructed a turbidity-mediated TP retrieval model using Sentinel-2 observations and field-measured daily-scale water quality. The model was successfully applied to estimate the temporal and spatial variations of TP concentration in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River (MYR) from 2020 to 2023. Our results show: (1) the model accuracy of TP concentration retrieval with turbidity is significantly higher (R2 = 0.71, MAPE = 15.78%) than that for the model without turbidity (R2 = 0.62, MAPE = 16.38%); (2) the turbidity and TP concentration in the MYR is higher in summer and autumn than in winter and spring; and (3) the turbidity and total phosphorus (TP) concentration of the Yangtze River showed a significant increase after passing through Dongting Lake (p < 0.05).