bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nanoparticle Metrology of Silicates Using Time-Resolved Multiplexed Dye Fluorescence Anisotropy, Small Angle X-ray Scattering, and Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Doveiko Daniel , Martin Alan R. G. , Vyshemirsky Vladislav , Stebbing Simon , Kubiak-Ossowska Karina , Rolinski Olaf , Birch David J. S. , Chen Yu
Published: April 2024

We investigate the nanometrology of sub-nanometre particle sizes in industrially manufactured sodium silicate liquors at high pH using time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy. Rather than the previous approach of using a single dye label, we investigate and quantify the advantages and limitations of multiplexing two fluorescent dye labels. Rotational times of the non-binding rhodamine B and adsorbing rhodamine 6G dyes are used to independently determine the medium microviscosity and the silicate particle radius, respectively. The anisotropy measurements were performed on the range of samples prepared by diluting the stock solution of silicate to concentrations ranging between 0.2 M and 2 M of NaOH and on the stock solution at different temperatures. Additionally, it was shown that the particle size can also be measured using a single excitation wavelength when both dyes are present in the sample. The recovered average particle size has an upper limit of 7.0 ± 1.2 Å. The obtained results were further verified using small-angle X-ray scattering, with the recovered particle size equal to 6.50 ± 0.08 Å. To disclose the impact of the dye label on the measured complex size, we further investigated the adsorption state of rhodamine 6G on silica nanoparticles using molecular dynamics simulations, which showed that the size contribution is strongly impacted by the size of the nanoparticle of interest. In the case of the higher radius of curvature (less curved) of larger particles, the size contribution of the dye label is below 10%, while in the case of smaller and more curved particles, the contribution increases significantly, which also suggests that the particles of interest might not be perfectly spherical.
Research on the Synthesis of Zinc–Ammonium Phosphate Using Galvanic Waste Sludge as a Source of Zinc
Authors: Morgovan Claudia Mona , Petrehele Anda Ioana Gratiela , Badea Gabriela Elena , Fodor Alexandrina , Toderaș Monica , Marian Eleonora
Published: April 2024

This paper presents the extraction of zinc ions from waste resulting from the galvanic industry, such as sludge from acid zinc electroplating baths, and their revaluation in mineral fertilizer as zinc–ammonium phosphate. The purpose of this work is to extract zinc ions from the sludge that forms directly in the zinc bath, which can only contain zinc and small amounts of iron, to revalorize zinc into the form of zinc–ammonium phosphate. The process of obtaining zinc–ammonium phosphate is presented using waste sludge from the galvanic industry. In order to obtain zinc–ammonium phosphate, the solution resulting from the dissolution of the sludge with a 20% hydrochloric acid solution was used in reaction with diammonium phosphate and a 25% ammonia solution. After the chemical analysis of the obtained products, zinc–ammonium phosphate was characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, infrared FT-IR spectroscopy and electronic microscopy (SEM) analysis. The results obtained indicate a promising approach to sustainable resource utilization in the production of zinc–ammonium phosphate.
Lightweight 3D Lithiophilic Graphene Aerogel Current Collectors for Lithium Metal Anodes
Authors: Guo Caili , Ge Yongjie , Qing Piao , Jin Yunke , Chen Libao , Mei Lin
Published: April 2024

Constructing three-dimensional (3D) current collectors is an effective strategy to solve the hindrance of the development of lithium metal anodes (LMAs). However, the excessive mass of the metallic scaffold structure leads to a decrease in energy density. Herein, lithiophilic graphene aerogels comprising reduced graphene oxide aerogels and silver nanowires (rGO-AgNW) are synthesized through chemical reduction and freeze-drying techniques. The rGO aerogels with large specific surface areas effectively mitigate local current density and delay the formation of lithium dendrites, and the lithiophilic silver nanowires can provide sites for the uniform deposition of lithium. The rGO-AgNW/Li symmetric cell presents a stable cycle of about 2000 h at 1 mA cm−2. When coupled with the LiFePO4 cathode, the assembled full cells exhibit outstanding cycle stability and rate performance. Lightweight rGO-AgNW aerogels, as the host for lithium metal, can significantly improve the energy density of lithium metal anodes.
Low-Frequency Bandgap Characterization of a Locally Resonant Pentagonal Phononic Crystal Beam Structure
Authors: Zhang Shengke , Qian Denghui , Zhang Zhiwen , Ge Haoran
Published: April 2024

This paper proposes a local resonance-type pentagonal phononic crystal beam structure for practical engineering applications to achieve better vibration and noise reduction. The energy band, transmission curve, and displacement field corresponding to the vibration modes of the structure are calculated based on the finite element method and Bloch-Floquet theorem. Furthermore, an analysis is conducted to understand the mechanism behind the generation of bandgaps. The numerical analysis indicates that the pentagonal unit oscillator creates a low-frequency bandgap between 60–70 Hz and 107–130 Hz. Additionally, the pentagonal phononic crystal double-layer beam structure exhibits excellent vibration damping, whereas the single-layer beam has poor vibration damping. The article comparatively analyzes the effects of different parameters on the bandgap range and transmission loss of a pentagonal phononic crystal beam. For instance, increasing the thickness of the lead layer leads to an increase in the width of the bandgap. Similarly, increasing the thickness of the rubber layer, intermediate plate, and total thickness of the phononic crystals results in a bandgap at lower frequencies. By adjusting the parameters, the beam can be optimized for practical engineering purposes.
Approaches for the Treatment and Resource Utilization of Electroplating Sludge
Authors: Guo Song , Wang Huimin , Liu Xiaoming , Zhang Zengqi , Liu Yu
Published: April 2024

The disposal of electroplating sludge (ES) is a major challenge for the sustainable development of the electroplating industry. ESs have a significant environmental impact, occupying valuable land resources and incurring high treatment costs, which increases operational expenses for companies. Additionally, the high concentration of hazardous substances in ES poses a serious threat to both the environment and human health. Despite extensive scholarly research on the harmless treatment and resource utilization of ES, current technology and processes are still unable to fully harness its potential. This results in inefficient resource utilization and potential environmental hazards. This article analyzes the physicochemical properties of ES, discusses its ecological hazards, summarizes research progress in its treatment, and elaborates on methods such as solidification/stabilization, heat treatment, wet metallurgy, pyrometallurgy, biotechnology, and material utilization. It provides a comparative summary of different treatment processes while also discussing the challenges and future development directions for technologies aimed at effectively utilizing ES resources. The objective of this text is to provide useful information on how to address the issue of ES treatment and promote sustainable development in the electroplating industry.
Analysis of Queueing System with Dynamic Rating-Dependent Arrival Process and Price of Service
Authors: D’Apice C. , Dudin A. N. , Dudina O. S. , Manzo R.
Published: April 2024

We consider a multi-server queueing system with a visible queue and an arrival flow that is dynamically dependent on the system’s rating. This rating reflects the level of customer satisfaction with the quality and price of the provided service. A higher rating implies a higher arrival rate, which motivates the service provider to increase the price of the service. A steady-state analysis of this system using the proposed mechanism for changing the rating and a threshold strategy for changing the price is performed. This is carried out via the consideration of a suitably constructed multidimensional Markov chain. The impact of the variation in the threshold defining the strategy for changing the price on the key performance indicators is numerically illustrated. The results can be used to make managerial decisions, leading to an increase in the effectiveness of system operations.
Real-Time Motorbike Detection: AI on the Edge Perspective
Authors: Akhtar Awais , Ahmed Rehan , Yousaf Muhammad Haroon , Velastin Sergio A.
Published: April 2024

Motorbikes are an integral part of transportation in emerging countries, but unfortunately, motorbike users are also one the most vulnerable road users (VRUs) and are engaged in a large number of yearly accidents. So, motorbike detection is very important for proper traffic surveillance, road safety, and security. Most of the work related to bike detection has been carried out to improve accuracy. If this task is not performed in real-time then it loses practical significance, but little to none has been reported for its real-time implementation. In this work, we have looked at multiple real-time deployable cost-efficient solutions for motorbike detection using various state-of-the-art embedded edge devices. This paper discusses an investigation of a proposed methodology on five different embedded devices that include Jetson Nano, Jetson TX2, Jetson Xavier, Intel Compute Stick, and Coral Dev Board. Running the highly compute-intensive object detection model on edge devices (in real-time) is made possible by optimization. As a result, we have achieved inference rates on different devices that are twice as high as GPUs, with only a marginal drop in accuracy. Secondly, the baseline accuracy of motorbike detection has been improved by developing a custom network based on YoloV5 by introducing sparsity and depth reduction. Dataset augmentation has been applied at both image and object levels to enhance robustness of detection. We have achieved 99% accuracy as compared to the previously reported 97% accuracy, with better FPS. Additionally, we have provided a performance comparison of motorbike detection on the different embedded edge devices, for practical implementation.
Correction: Jasim et al. Optimized Sizing of Energy Management System for Off-Grid Hybrid Solar/Wind/Battery/Biogasifier/Diesel Microgrid System. Mathematics 2023, 11, 1248
Authors: Jasim Ali M. , Jasim Basil H. , Baiceanu Florin-Constantin , Neagu Bogdan-Constantin
Published: April 2024

In the original publication [...]
Global Solution and Stability of a Haptotaxis Mathematical Model for Complex MAP
Authors: Chen Hongbing , Jia Fengling
Published: April 2024

A critical function of polymeric matrices in biological systems is to exert selective control over the transport of thousands of nanoparticulate species. Utilizing “third-party” molecular anchors to crosslink nanoparticulates to the matrix is an effective strategy, and a trapped nanoparticulate formed a desired complex MAP that is necessary to keep the nanoparticulate immobilized at any given time. In this paper, the global solution and stability of a parabolic–ordinary-parabolic haptotaxis system to complex MAP are studied. First, the existence of a local classical solution to system (4) has been observed using fixed point argument and parabolic Schauder estimates. Furthermore, some a priori estimates that can raise the regularity estimate of the solution for the relatively complicated first equation of system (3) from Lρ to L2ρ (ρ≥1) are given; then, the local classic solution can thus extend to the global classic solution when the space dimension N≤3. Lastly, by using various analytical methods, a threshold value ξ00(ξ00<0) is found, such that positive constant steady state (u∗,v∗,w∗) becomes unstable when ξ<ξ00. Our results show that the haptotaxis plays a crucial role in determining the stability to the model (3), that is, it can have a destabilizing effect.
Trends and Paradoxes of Competitive Evolution in the Predation Mechanism
Authors: Sanchez-Palencia Evariste , Aziz-Alaoui M. A.
Published: April 2024

We give a series of numerical examples of competitive evolution in the predation system, showing in some cases how the choice is made to increase the efficiency of the predation mechanism (or other significant parameters) to the detriment of populations (both of prey and predators). We then develop the mathematical theory that enables us to understand the causality involved, and we identify a trend towards the emergence of the functional predation mechanism as such (and not of populations of the species involved). The realization of this trend only takes place when the conditions for it are offered by the hazards proposed to successive competitive choices. The logical structure of this trend is similar to that of the “tendency of rate of profit to fall” in certain economic models.
Management of Abdominal Paraganglioma: A Single Center’s Experience
Authors: Battistella Enrico , Pomba Luca , Mirabella Marica , Toniato Riccardo , Opocher Giuseppe , Toniato Antonio
Published: April 2024

Background and Objectives: Paragangliomas (PGLs) are rare neuroendocrine extra-adrenal tumors that could be secreting mass. The symptoms are the typical triad of paroxysmal headache, hypertension and sweating, but could also be accompanied by symptoms involving multiple organs. Surgery is the gold standard treatment for both PGLs and pheochromocytomas (PHEOs). Material and Methods: We used a computerized endocrine surgery registry to record the demographic and clinical data of 153 patients who underwent surgery for PPGL between 2010 and 2023 at our hospital. Results: Thirteen patients (8.43%) with paragangliomas underwent surgery at our institute. Five patients presented symptomatic syndrome. Preoperative investigations included enhanced abdominal CT (nine patients) and enhanced MRI (seven patients). In cases of suspicious mass, we performed 131I-MIBG scans (two patients) or 68GA-DOTATOC PET-CT scans (11 patients). Laparoscopic approach was used in four cases (30.7%) and abdominal laparotomy in the other nine (69.3%). Biochemical tests were performed on all patients. Conclusions: In this retrospective study, we discuss the multidisciplinary management in our institute of this rare disease, from its challenging diagnosis to the surgical strategy for PGLs. Laparoscopic surgery is the gold standard, but a tailored approach should be adopted for each patient.
Application of Salivary Alpha-1 Antitrypsin in the Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Pilot Study
Authors: Chung Sang Wan , Hong Seung-Jae
Published: April 2024

Background and Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which joints are gradually destroyed. Early diagnosis and treatment before joint deformation or destruction is important. The detection of novel RA biomarkers in saliva may facilitate early detection of RA before disease onset. This study aimed to evaluate salivary concentration of α1-antitrypsin (A1AT) in healthy patients and those with RA, and to assess the diagnostic value of salivary A1AT. Materials and Methods: In total, 80 participants were included: 20 healthy participants, and 60 patients with RA. Saliva and serum samples were obtained from all the patients. Levels of A1AT and cytokines, including interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6, and IL-10 in saliva and serum, were evaluated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit and Luminex assay. Data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows. Results: There was a higher level of A1AT in the saliva of patients with RA (median: 2388.66 ng/mL) than that in healthy controls (1579.06 ng/mL). There was a positive mild-to-moderate accuracy (area under the curve: 0.57–0.85) of A1AT in saliva to diagnose RA. The cut-off level (ng/mL) of A1AT in saliva for detecting RA was 1689.0. Conclusions: The obtained data can promote the application of the measurements of A1AT in saliva to diagnose RA.
Neutrophil–Creatinine Index: A New Prognostic Factor for Severity of Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Sahin Abdurrahman
Published: April 2024

Background and Objectives: Determining the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP) is the main goal in the early stage of AP. The aim of this study was to compare laboratory parameters and indices, including the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the neutrophil–creatinine index (NCI), at admission in order to predict the severity of AP. Materials and Methods: Data from 421 patients who were admitted with a diagnosis of AP were collected retrospectively. Disease severity was assessed using the Bedside Index of Severity in Acute Pancreatitis (BISAP) and the revised Atlanta classification (RAC). BISAP was graded as mild and severe, and RAC was graded as mild (MAP), moderately severe (MSAP), and severe (SAP). The laboratory parameters and indices, including the NLR and NCI, were compared. Results: Of the patients, 70 (16.6%) had severe AP according to BISAP; the AP subgroups according to the RAC were as follows: MAP (n = 213), MSAP (n = 158), and SAP (n = 50). The NCI had the highest area under the receiver operator characteristic (AUROC) curve value (0.862), demonstrating severe disease according to BISAP, with a sensitivity of 78.6% and a specificity of 79.8%. Age (OR:1.046), white blood cell count (WBC) (OR:1.141), hematocrit (OR:1.081), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (OR:1.040), and NCI (OR:1.076) were independently associated with severe disease, according to the multivariate analysis results, and were determined as components of the newly developed nomogram. The AUROC of the nomogram (0.891) was superior to the AUROCs of all the components of the nomogram except the NCI. Moreover, the NCI was the only parameter to distinguish MSAP from MAP (OR:1.119, 95% CI: 1.015–1.235, p = 0.023) and SAP from MSAP (OR:1.095, 95% CI: 1.031–1.162, p = 0.003). Conclusions: The present study enabled the identification of the neutrophil–creatinine index as a new prognostic tool for the assessment of AP severity at hospital admission.
Differential Protective Effect of Zinc and Magnesium for the Hepatic and Renal Toxicity Induced by Acetaminophen and Potentiated with Ciprofloxacin in Rats
Authors: Ciocan (Moraru) Alexandra , Ciubotariu Diana , Ghiciuc Cristina Mihaela , Hurmuzache Mihnea Eudoxiu , Lupușoru Cătălina Elena , Crișan-Dabija Radu
Published: April 2024

Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence induced by magnesium chloride (MgCl2) and zinc gluconate (ZnG) supplementation on liver and kidney injuries experimentally induced with acetaminophen (AAPh) and potentiated by a ciprofloxacin addition in rats. Material and Methods: The experiment was performed on five animal groups: group 1—control, treated for 6 weeks with normal saline, 1 mL/kg; group 2—AAPh, treated for 6 weeks with AAPh, 100 mg/kg/day; group 3—AAPh + C, treated for 6 weeks with AAPh 100 mg/kg/day and ciprofloxacin 50 mg/kg/day, only in the last 14 days of the experiment; group 4—AAPh + C + Mg, with the same treatment as group 3, but in the last 14 days, MgCl2 10 mg/ kg/day was added; and group 5—AAPh + C + Zn, with the same treatment as group 3, but in the last 14 days, zinc gluconate (ZnG), 10 mg/kg/day was added. All administrations were performed by oral gavage. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for biochemistry examinations. Results: Treatment with AAPh for 6 weeks determined an alteration of the liver function (increases in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactic dehydrogenase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase) and of renal function (increases in serum urea and creatinine) (p < 0.001 group 2 vs. group 1 for all mentioned parameters). Furthermore, the antioxidant defense capacity was impaired in group 2 vs. group 1 (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity decreased in group 2 vs. group 1, at 0.001 < p < 0.01 and 0.01 < p < 0.05, respectively). The addition of ciprofloxacin, 50 mg/kg/day during the last 14 days, resulted in further increases in alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, urea, and creatinine (0.01 < p < 0.05, group 3 vs. group 2). MgCl2 provided a slight protection against the increase in liver enzymes, and a more pronounced protection against the increase in serum urea and creatinine (0.001 < p < 0.01 group 4 vs. group 3). MgCl2 provided a slight protection against the decrease in superoxide dismutase (0.01 < p < 0.05 group 4 vs. group 3), but not against decrease of glutathione peroxidase. The improvement of mentioned parameters could also be seen in the case of ZnG, to a higher extent, especially in the case of alanine aminotransferase and lactic dehydrogenase (0.01 < p < 0.05 group 5 vs. group 4). Conclusions: This study presents further proof for the beneficial effect of magnesium and zinc salts against toxicity induced by different agents, including antibacterials added to the analgesic and antipyretic acetaminophen; the protection is proven on the liver and kidney’s function, and the antioxidant profile improvement has a key role, especially in the case of zinc gluconate.
Efficacy of Sorafenib-Based Therapies for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Hendrixson Morgann , Gladkiy Yevgeniy , Thyagarajan Anita , Sahu Ravi P.
Published: April 2024

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, with a poor prognosis. Of the two types, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the major and most prevalent type and associated with low response rates to the current treatment options. Sorafenib, a multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor used for various malignancies, gained attention for its potential efficacy in NSCLC. This review paper focuses on the findings of recent in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies regarding the efficacy of sorafenib. Overall, sorafenib has shown definitive therapeutic potential in NSCLC cell lines, xenografts, and human subjects. Novel approaches to sorafenib delivery may improve its efficacy and should be the focus of further studies.
The Replacement of Fish Meal with Poultry By-Product Meal and Insect Exuviae: Effects on Growth Performance, Gut Health and Microbiota of the European Seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax
Authors: Rimoldi Simona , Di Rosa Ambra Rita , Armone Rosangela , Chiofalo Biagina , Hasan Imam , Saroglia Marco , Kalemi Violeta , Terova Genciana
Published: April 2024

This study addressed the urgent need for sustainable protein sources in aquaculture due to the depletion of marine resources and rising costs. Animal protein sources, particularly poultry by-product meal (PBM) and insect exuviae meal, were investigated as viable alternatives to fishmeal (FM). The research study confirmed the successful replacement of FM with a combination of PBM and insect exuviae meal (up to 50%) in the diet of European seabass without compromising growth, feed conversion, gut health, and liver fat content. In particular, growth was robust with both PBM formulations, with the 25% PBM diet showing better results. Histological examinations showed good gut and liver health, contradicting the concerns of previous studies. This paper emphasizes the importance of holistic analyzes that go beyond growth parameters and include histomorphological investigations. The results show that PBM in combination with insect/exuviae meal is well tolerated by seabass, which is consistent with reports in the literature of it mitigating negative effects on gut health. A detailed analysis of the microbiota revealed a decrease in the Firmicutes/Proteobacteria ratio due to an increase in potentially pathogenic bacteria. However, the formulation containing insect exuviae partially counteracted this effect by preserving the beneficial Lactobacillus and promoting the synthesis of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly butyrate. Chitin-rich components from insect exuviae were associated with improved gut health, which was supported by the increased production of SCFAs, which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. This paper concludes that a combination of PBM and insect/exuviae meal can replace up to 50% of FM in the diet of seabass, supporting sustainable aquaculture practices. Despite some changes in the microbiota, the negative effects are mitigated by the addition of insect exuviae, highlighting their potential as a prebiotic to increase fish productivity and contribute to a circular economy in aquaculture.
Single and Combined Effects of Phenanthrene and Silver Nanoparticles on Denitrification Processes in Coastal Marine Sediments
Authors: Sun Pengfei , Bai Jie , Lian Jie , Tan Yongyu , Chen Xi
Published: April 2024

The increasing production and utilization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and commercial silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have raised concerns about their potential environmental release, with coastal sediments as a substantial sink. To better understanding the effects of these contaminants on denitrification processes in coastal marine sediments, a short-term exposure simulation experiment was conducted. We investigated the effects of single and combined contamination of phenanthrene (Phe) and AgNPs on denitrification processes in a coastal marine sediment. Results showed that all contaminated treatment groups had different degrees of inhibitory effect on denitrification activity, denitrifying enzyme activity, total bacteria count and denitrifying genes. The inhibitory effect sequence of each treatment group was combined treatment > AgNPs treatment > Phe treatment. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of denitrifying genes were much larger than that of total bacteria count, indicating that the pollutants had specific toxic effects on denitrifying bacteria. The sequence of sensitivity of three reduction process to pollutants was N2O > NO2− > NO3−. All contaminated treatment groups could increase NO3−, NO2− and N2O accumulation. Furthermore, according to the linear relationship between functional gene or reductase and denitrification process, we also found that the abundance of denitrifying genes could better predict the influence of Phe and AgNPs on sediment denitrification than the denitrifying bacterial diversity. In addition, at the genus level, the community structure of nirS- and nosZ-type denitrifying bacteria changed dramatically, while changes at the phylum level were comparatively less pronounced. Single and combined contamination of Phe and AgNPs could reduce the dominance of Pseudomonas, which may lead to a potential slow-down in the degradation of Phe and inhibition of denitrification, especially the combined contamination. Overall, our study revealed that combined contamination of Phe and AgNPs could lead to an increase in NO3−, NO2− and N2O accumulation in coastal sediment, which poses a risk of eutrophication in coastal areas, exacerbates the greenhouse effect and has adverse effects on global climate change.
Broiler Chicken Cecal Microbiome and Poultry Farming Productivity: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Deryabin Dmitry , Lazebnik Christina , Vlasenko Ludmila , Karimov Ilshat , Kosyan Dianna , Zatevalov Alexander , Duskaev Galimzhan
Published: April 2024

The cecal microbial community plays an important role in chicken growth and development via effective feed conversion and essential metabolite production. The aim of this study was to define the microbial community’s variants in chickens’ ceca and to explore the most significant association between the microbiome compositions and poultry farming productivity. The meta-analysis included original data from 8 control broiler chicken groups fed with a standard basic diet and 32 experimental groups supplemented with various feed additives. Standard Illumina 16S-RNA gene sequencing technology was used to characterize the chicken cecal microbiome. Zootechnical data sets integrated with the European Production Effectiveness Factor (EPEF) were collected. Analysis of the bacterial taxa abundance and co-occurrence in chicken cecal microbiomes revealed two alternative patterns: Bacteroidota-dominated with decreased alpha biodiversity; and Bacillota-enriched, which included the Actinomycetota, Cyanobacteriota and Thermodesulfobacteriota phyla members, with increased biodiversity indices. Bacillota-enriched microbiome groups showed elevated total feed intake (especially due to the starter feed intake) and final body weight, and high EPEF values, while Bacteroidota-dominated microbiomes were negatively associated with poultry farming productivity. The meta-analysis results lay the basis for the development of chicken growth-promoting feed supplementations, aimed at the stimulation of beneficial and inhibition of harmful bacterial patterns, where relevant metagenomic data can be a tool for their control and selection.
Recognition of Community Pharmacists’ Behaviors Related to Information Sharing: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Kumaki Ryota , Kiyozuka Chika , Naganuma Mika , Yuge Satoshi , Tsukioka Ryota , Sakurai Hidehiko , Kishimoto Keiko
Published: April 2024

With the recent shift in community pharmacist services toward in-person services and the growing need for centralized and continuous medication management/monitoring, pharmacist–patient information sharing is crucial. This study investigated the pharmacist–patient gap in the recognition of pharmacists’ behaviors regarding information sharing and assessed the potential impact of such recognition on patient trust and willingness to self-disclose. This cross-sectional study included 600 patients (aged 21–85 years) using pharmacy services (surveyed online in December 2020) and 591 community pharmacists with ≥1 year of experience (surveyed from September to November 2021). Both groups responded to items on the recognition of pharmacists’ behaviors regarding information sharing. There were patient-specific items on trust in community pharmacists and willingness to self-disclose. For all items on the recognition of pharmacists’ behaviors, patients’ scores were significantly lower (4–5) than pharmacists’ own scores (≥5), revealing a notable perception gap. Patients’ recognition had a positive, direct effect on trust and willingness, and trust had a positive, direct effect on willingness. Patients’ recognition and trust positively influenced their willingness to self-disclose. Pharmacist communication with clear intent is important to bridge the gaps in pharmacist–patient recognition and foster effective patient–pharmacist relationships.
Experimental Observation of Surface Wave States at the Gold–Silver Interface
Authors: Smolyaninova Vera N. , Soloviova Daryna , Schaefer David M. , Kozyrev Alexander B. , Smolyaninov Igor I.
Published: April 2024

We demonstrate that a gradual interface between gold and silver supports the propagation of a novel kind of surface electromagnetic wave, which is different from the more well-known surface plasmon polaritons. The existence of such surface waves leads to a paradoxical situation in which a continuous metal barrier which does not have any pinholes may exhibit considerably increased light transmission if the barrier is made of two different metals. A spectroscopic study of this effect is reported.
Studies on Candidate Genes Related to Flowering Time in a Multiparent Population of Maize Derived from Tropical and Temperate Germplasm
Authors: Ran Fengyun , Wang Yizhu , Jiang Fuyan , Yin Xingfu , Bi Yaqi , Shaw Ranjan K. , Fan Xingming
Published: April 2024

A comprehensive study on maize flowering traits, focusing on the regulation of flowering time and the elucidation of molecular mechanisms underlying the genes controlling flowering, holds the potential to significantly enhance our understanding of the associated regulatory gene network. In this study, three tropical maize inbreds, CML384, CML171, and CML444, were used, along with a temperate maize variety, Shen137, as parental lines to cross with Ye107. The resulting F1s underwent seven consecutive generations of self-pollination through the single-seed descent (SSD) method to develop a multiparent population. To investigate the regulation of maize flowering time-related traits and to identify loci and candidate genes, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted. GWAS analysis identified 556 SNPs and 12 candidate genes that were significantly associated with flowering time-related traits. Additionally, an analysis of the effect of the estimated breeding values of the subpopulations on flowering time was conducted to further validate the findings of the present study. Collectively, this study offers valuable insights into novel candidate genes, contributing to an improved understanding of maize flowering time-related traits. This information holds practical significance for future maize breeding programs aimed at developing high-yielding hybrids.
Comparative Analysis of Vitamin, Mineral Content, and Antioxidant Capacity in Cereals and Legumes and Influence of Thermal Process
Authors: Moisa Corina , Brata Anca Monica , Muresan Iulia C. , Dragan Felicia , Ratiu Ioana , Cadar Oana , Becze Anca , Carbunar Mihai , Brata Vlad Dumitru , Teusdea Alin Cristian
Published: April 2024

Cereals, as the world’s most consumed food, face challenges related to nutrient quality due to climate change and increased production impacting soil health. In this study, we investigated the vitamin and mineral content, polyphenols, and antioxidant activity in cereals from Western Romania, analyzing whole and hulled wheat, rye, oat, and soybeans before and after heat treatment. Samples from 2022 crops were processed into dough and subjected to 220 °C for 30 min. The results reveal that, despite efforts to optimize nutrient content, cereals, particularly after heat processing, exhibited lower vitamin and mineral levels than the recommended daily intake. The decrease in polyphenols and antioxidant capacity was notable, with rye flour experiencing the largest decline (15%). Mineral analysis showed copper levels in decorticated wheat decreased by 82.5%, while iron in rye decreased by 5.63%. Soy flour consistently displayed the highest calcium, magnesium, and potassium levels, whereas oat flour had the highest zinc and copper levels before and after heat processing. The study highlights the concerningly low vitamins and minerals contents in cereals, as well as in the final products reaching consumers in the Western part of Romania, and contributes to the assessment of measures that are meant to improve the contents of these minerals.
Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Research on the Germination Process of Panax ginseng Overwintering Buds
Authors: Li Ranqi , Li Yashu , Tang Miaomiao , Qu Zhengyi , Shao Cai , Zheng Peihe , Hou Wei
Published: April 2024

Ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) is a perennial plant with a long dormancy period. While some researchers employ gibberellin and other substances to stimulate premature germination, this method is limited to laboratory settings and cannot be applied to the field cultivation of ginseng. The mechanism underlying the germination of ginseng overwintering buds remains largely unexplored. Understanding the internal changes during the dormancy release process in the overwintering buds would facilitate the discovery of potential genes, metabolites, or regulatory pathways associated with it. In this study, we approximately determined the onset of dormancy release through morphological observations and investigated the process of dormancy release in ginseng overwintering buds using transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches. Our analyses revealed that the germination process of ginseng overwintering buds is regulated by multiple plant hormones, each acting at different times. Among these, abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA) serve as classical signaling molecules regulating the dormancy process, while other hormones may promote the subsequent growth of overwintering buds. Additionally, metabolic pathways associated with arginine may be involved in the dormancy release process. Polyamines synthesized downstream may promote the growth of overwintering buds after dormancy release and participate in subsequent reproductive growth. This study provides insights into the germination process of ginseng overwintering buds at the molecular level and serves as a reference for further exploration of the detailed mechanism underlying ginseng overwintering germination in the future.
Effects of Salt Stress on Salt-Repellent and Salt-Secreting Characteristics of Two Apple Rootstocks
Authors: Zhang De , Zhang Zhongxing , Wang Yanxiu
Published: April 2024

The effects of NaCl-induced salinity on biomass allocation, anatomical characteristics of leaves, ion accumulation, salt repellency, and salt secretion ability were investigated in two apple rootstock cultivars (Malus halliana ‘9-1-6’ and Malus baccata), which revealed the physiological adaptive mechanisms of M. halliana ‘9-1-6’ in response to salt stress factors. This experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using a nutrient solution pot. Salt stress was simulated by treating the plants with a 100 mM NaCl solution, while 1/2 Hoagland nutrient solution was used as a control (CK) instead of the NaCl solution. The results showed that the two rootstocks responded to salt environments by increasing the proportion of root biomass allocation. According to the stress susceptibility index, ‘9-1-6’ exhibits a lower salt sensitivity index and a higher salt tolerance index. The thickness of the leaf, upper and lower epidermis, palisade tissue, and mesophyll tissue compactness (CTR) of the two rootstocks were significantly decreased, while the thickness of sponge tissue and mesophyll tissue looseness (SR) were significantly increased, and the range of ‘9-1-6’ was smaller than that of M. baccata. With an extension of stress time, the accumulation of Na+ increased significantly, and the accumulation of K+ decreased gradually. The stem and leaves of ‘9-1-6’ showed a lower accumulation of Na+ and a higher accumulation of K+, and the roots displayed a higher ability to reject Na+, as well as young and old leaves showed a stronger ability to secrete Na+. In conclusion, within a certain salt concentration range, the ‘9-1-6’ root part can maintain lower salt sensitivity and a higher root-to-shoot ratio by increasing the proportion of root biomass allocation; the aerial part responds to salt stress through thicker leaves and a complete double-layer fence structure; the roots and stem bases can effectively reduce the transportation of Na+ to the aerial parts, as well as effectively secrete Na+ from the aerial parts through young and old leaves, thereby maintaining a higher K+/Na+ ratio in the aerial parts, showing a strong salt tolerance.
Modification of Copper Benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxy Late (Cu-BTC) Composites with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and Amino Groups for Enhanced CO2/CH4 Selective Adsorption Performance and Water Stability
Authors: Jian Weiwei , Hai Qiuyan , Youlidaxi Adili , Liu Tianqiang , Ma Danzhu , Jia Fengrui
Published: April 2024

CNT-NH2-Cu-BTC was prepared via hydrothermal synthesis for the adsorption and separation of CO2/CH4 mixtures with 2, 6, and 10% multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) additions. NH2-BTC composites were synthesized by changing the organic ligand and adding NH2-BDC (15, 25, 35, and 45%) to improve the adsorption capacity. MWCNTS were loaded to enhance the water stability of the material. The structure, surface morphology, and pore size distribution of the composites were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and specific surface area and pore structure measurements. The CO2/CH4 selective adsorption performance was studied via breakthrough experiments using a self-made adsorption device. The CO2 adsorption capacity of Cu-BTC increased due to the addition of NH2-BDC, with 35%NH2-Cu-BTC exhibiting the best CO2 adsorption property, i.e., a CO2 adsorption capacity of 1.82 mmol/g and a CO2/CH4 separation coefficient of 1.44 at 35 °C and 20 mL/min. After adding MWCNTs, 6%CNT-NH2-Cu-BTC exhibited the best CO2 adsorption property and water stability, with the CO2 adsorption capacity increasing to 2.06 mmol/g. 6%CNT-NH2-Cu-BTC with wet impregnation retained 79% of the CO2 adsorption capacity of the sample without wet impregnation, demonstrating its excellent water stability under humid conditions. Cyclic experiments with and without wet impregnation were performed.
Improving Computer Vision-Based Wildfire Smoke Detection by Combining SE-ResNet with SVM
Authors: Wang Xin , Wang Jinxin , Chen Linlin , Zhang Yinan
Published: April 2024

Wildfire is one of the most critical natural disasters that poses a serious threat to human lives as well as ecosystems. One issue hindering a high accuracy of computer vision-based wildfire detection is the potential for water mists and clouds to be marked as wildfire smoke due to the similar appearance in images, leading to an unacceptable high false alarm rate in real-world wildfire early warning cases. This paper proposes a novel hybrid wildfire smoke detection approach by combining the multi-layer ResNet architecture with SVM to extract the smoke image dynamic and static characteristics, respectively. The ResNet model is improved via the SE attention mechanism and fully convolutional network as SE-ResNet. A fusion decision procedure is proposed for wildfire early warning. The proposed detection method was tested on open datasets and achieved an accuracy of 98.99%. The comparisons with AlexNet, VGG-16, GoogleNet, SE-ResNet-50 and SVM further illustrate the improvements.
Modeling Challenges in Low-Carbon Manufacturing Adoption Using the ISM-MICMAC Approach: A Case of Green Tech Projects of the Chinese Automotive Industry
Authors: Yu Hanqin , Zhang Yi , Ahmad Naveed
Published: April 2024

In addressing the issue of climate change, the Chinese government has established a definitive objective to attain its peak carbon emissions by 2030 and strive for carbon neutrality by 2060. This effort aims to progressively achieve a state of net-zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. In the given scenario, this research examines challenges in promoting low-carbon manufacturing (LCM) within the Chinese automotive sector, specifically in the context of Green Tech projects. In view of greater emphasis on environmental sustainability and technological innovation, this study aims to uncover challenges restraining the adoption of LCM in one of the world’s largest automotive markets, China. A three-step methodology was adopted by incorporating a literature review, the Delphi method, Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM), and MICMAC analysis. In the first stage, relevant articles were selected scientifically to identify the main challenges in previous studies by following the relevant keyword criteria. Further, challenges identified from the comprehensive literature review were screened through the Delphi method, and finally, challenges were modeled and clustered through ISM and MICMAC analysis. Data collected from the experts highlight that “difficulties in the transition towards energy efficient technologies”, “insufficient operational efficiency”, and “information imbalances and asymmetry” were the most critical challenges that hinder LCM initiatives in the automotive industry. This research serves as a valuable resource for academia, industry professionals, and policymakers in the quest to adopt LCM in the dynamic context of the Chinese automotive sector.
Experimental Study on Plastic Deformation of EH690 Steel with the V-Notch during Falling Weight Impact Based on DIC
Authors: Xu Xinfeng , Shi Jian , Zhao Yuanjing
Published: April 2024

In this study, a falling weight impact test was conducted on EH690 steel specimens with V-notches using Digital Imaging Correlation (DIC). In conjunction with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the plastic deformation and crack initiation processes were examined at the notch of the specimen under different impact energies (90 J, 120 J, 135 J and 150 J). ABAQUS was used to simulate the plastic deformation of an EH690 specimen. The results show that the strain at the notch tip experienced some elasticity and yielding as the load increased under different impact energies. The load remains unchanged or decreases slightly when a plastic hinge forms at the tip of the notch. According to the microscopic images, there are three areas on the fracture surface: a fiber area, a radiation area, and a shear lip area. With increasing deformation, a crack source forms in the middle of the V-shaped notch and propagates to the inside and outside surfaces of the sample. Cracks are primarily caused by ductile tears. The use of DIC to analyze the surface strain of EH690 steel specimens was verified by comparing DIC with finite element analysis. Both curves have the same trend and the maximum error in the load-time curve is 9.42%, the maximum error in the displacement–time curve is 5.61%, and the maximum error in the strain-time curve is 10.68%.
Rotating Machinery Fault Diagnosis under Time–Varying Speed Conditions Based on Adaptive Identification of Order Structure
Authors: Yu Xinnan , Chen Xiaowang , Du Minggang , Yang Yang , Feng Zhipeng
Published: April 2024

Rotating machinery fault diagnosis is of key significance for ensuring safe and efficient operation of various industrial equipment. However, under nonstationary operating conditions, the fault–induced characteristic frequencies are often time–varying. Conventional Fourier spectrum analysis is not suitable for revealing time–varying details, and nonstationary fault feature extraction methods are still in desperate need. Order spectrum can reveal the rotational–speed–related time–varying frequency components as spectral peaks in order domain, thus facilitating fault feature extraction under time–varying speed conditions. However, the speed–unrelated frequency components are still nonstationary after angular–domain resampling, thus causing wide–band features and interferences in the order spectrum. To overcome such a drawback, this work proposes a rotating machinery fault diagnosis method based on adaptive separation of time–varying components and order feature extraction. Firstly, the rotational speed is estimated by the multi–order probabilistic approach (MOPA), thus eliminating the inconvenience of installing measurement equipment. Secondly, adaptive separation of the time–varying frequency component is achieved through time–varying filtering and surrogate test. It effectively eliminates interference from irrelevant components and noise. Finally, a high–resolution order spectrum is constructed based on the average amplitude envelope of each mono–component. It does not involve Fourier transform or angular–domain resampling, thus avoiding spectral leakage and resampling errors. By identifying the fault–related spectral peaks in the constructed order spectrum, accurate fault diagnosis can be achieved. The Rényi entropy values of the proposed order spectrum are significantly lower than those of the traditional order spectrum. This result verifies the effective energy concentration and high resolution of the proposed order spectrum. The results of both numerical simulation and lab experiments confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method in accurately presenting the time–varying frequency components for rotating machinery diagnosing faults.
Mary’s Prophethood Reassessed: Overlooked Medieval Islamic Perspectives in Contemporary Scholarship
Authors: Calis Halim
Published: April 2024

This paper offers a reevaluation of contemporary Western scholarship concerning the historical discourse on Mary’s prophethood within Islamic tradition. Recent research has primarily focused on Andalusian scholars, such as Ibn Ḥazm and al-Qurṭubī, and has neglected an essential aspect: the acknowledgement of Mary’s prophethood by Abū al-Ḥasan al-Ash‘arī, one of the founders of Orthodox Sunni theology. As a result, modern studies have reached conclusions lacking a solid foundation, due to their failure to consider this significant perspective. By incorporating this overlooked perspective, this study seeks to provide a more thorough and coherent understanding of the historical debates surrounding Mary’s prophethood.