bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation and Characterization of Cumin Essential Oil Nanoemulsion (CEONE) as an Antibacterial Agent and Growth Promoter in Broilers: A Study on Efficacy, Safety, and Health Impact
Authors: Jabbar Muhammad , Baboo Irfan , Majeed Hamid , Farooq Zahid , Palangi Valiollah , Lackner Maximilian
Published: October 2024

This research characterized and explored the effect of cumin essential oil nanoemulsion (CEONE) on broiler growth performance, serum biochemistry, hematological parameters, and cecal microbial count. Day-old (n = 96) broilers (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to six treatments with five replicates of three broilers each. The dietary treatments consisted of negative control (only basal diet), positive control (basal diet + 200 µL of enrofloxacin), 25 µL (basal diet + 25 µL of CEONE), 50 µL (basal diet + 50 µL of CEONE), 75 µL (basal diet + 75 µL of CEONE), and 100 µL (basal diet + 100 µL of CEONE). The broiler’s body weight gain (BWG) after 42 days of treatment exhibited increased weight in the CEONE group (976.47 ± 11.82–1116.22 ± 29.04). The gain in weight was further evidenced by the beneficial microbe load (107 log) compared to the pathogenic strain. All the biochemical parameters were observed in the normal range, except for a higher level of HDL and a lower LDL value. This safety has been validated by pKCSM toxicity analysis showing a safe and highly tolerable dose of cuminaldehyde. In conclusion, this research observed the potential of CEONE as a multifunctional agent. It is a valuable candidate for further application in combating bacterial infections and enhancing animal health and growth.
The Immune Defense Response and Immune-Related Genes Expression in Macrobrachium nipponense Infected with Decapod Iridescent Virus 1 (DIV1)
Authors: Gao Xiaojian , Zhu Yujie , Qian Qieqi , Chen Anting , Qin Lijie , Tang Xinzhe , Jiang Qun , Zhang Xiaojun
Published: October 2024

Macrobrachium nipponense is a significant cultivated species in China. However, decapod iridescent virus 1 (DIV1), as a newly discovered crustacean-lethal virus, has resulted in significant financial losses for the M. nipponense industry. In order to examine the immunological response of M. nipponense to DIV1, we conducted transcriptome analysis of the hepatopancreas from M. nipponense infected with DIV1 using RNA-seq. RNA sequencing analysis identified a combined total of 41,712 assembled unigenes, and 7014 genes that showed differential expression were identified in the group infected with DIV1, compared to the control group. Among these DEGs, 3952 were found to be up-regulated, while 3062 were down-regulated; many well-characterized DEGs were involved in innate immune defense, particularly involving the C-type lectin receptor signaling pathway, complement and coagulation cascades, phagosome, lysosome and PPAR signaling pathway. Moreover, the expression levels of well-known immune-related genes (dorsal, wnt6, lectin, caspase, integrin, hsp70) in the hepatopancreas and hemolymph were investigated by Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and the findings demonstrated a significant increase in gene expression in the hepatopancreas and hemolymph at various time points after infection. The results acquired in this study offered further comprehensive understanding of the immunological response of M. nipponense to DIV1 infection.
Poultry Preslaughter Operations in Hot Environments: The Present Knowledge and the Next Steps Forward
Authors: Vieira Frederico Márcio Corrêa , Portugal Miguel Angel Guillen , de Borba Leonardo Piffer , Angrecka Sabina , Herbut Piotr , Jongbo Ayoola Olawole , De-Sousa Karolini Tenffen , Deniz Matheus
Published: October 2024

Poultry production faces significant challenges, including high feed prices, diseases, and thermal stress, which impact broiler welfare and productivity. Despite advances in cooling technologies and ventilation, preslaughter operations still lead to considerable losses. This review highlights the need for the improved management of thermal environments and animal logistics. Preslaughter operations typically involve fasting broilers for 8–12 h to reduce gastrointestinal contents and contamination. Following fasting, broilers are caught, crated, and transported. Stress levels vary based on distance and conditions, with manual catching often causing stress and injuries. Catching should occur during cooler periods to minimise these issues, and transport conditions must be carefully managed. Lairage, the waiting period after transport, should be kept short (1–2 h) in climate-controlled environments to avoid stress and deterioration. Proper handling and efficient unloading are essential to prevent injuries and reduce economic losses. Stunning methods, such as electronarcosis and a controlled atmosphere, aim to minimise suffering before slaughter, though practices vary culturally and religiously. Logistics and real-time monitoring technology are crucial for enhancing animal welfare during transportation. Effective planning and the optimisation of transport processes is vital for reducing stress and losses, especially with regard to rising global temperatures and production demands.
Emotion-Driven Moral Evaluation: A Mechanistic Study Based on the Drift-Diffusion Model
Authors: Lin Junfei , Zhao Xinlu , Zhao Nian , Liu Tour
Published: October 2024

Background: Moral evaluation is identified as the first stage in the theory of moral judgment, and academics believe that it may align with the social intuitionist model. This study aims to prove that the model’s emotional dominance hypothesis applies to moral evaluation by presenting a computational decision-making model that mathematically formalizes this emotional dominance decision-making process. We also compared different types of valence evaluation tasks to test the emotional priority hypothesis. Methods: We used a convenience sampling method to randomly recruit 30 enrolled college students. The drift-diffusion model was employed to analyze reaction times for words with various emotional and moral valences Additionally, we designed different valence evaluation tasks based on the response relevance hypothesis and evaluated the processing order through reaction time comparisons. Results: The analysis revealed that the emotional mechanism of immoral evaluation differs from moral evaluation. An increase in emotional valence accelerates the speed of evidence accumulation (v) for moral evaluation (M = 1.21, 0.2% < 0 < 99.8%) but lowers decision caution (a) in immoral evaluation (M = −0.64, 96.1% < 0 < 3.9%). In contrast, moral valence does not have a significant influence on evaluation processes (v, M = −0.28, 72.1% < 0 < 27.9%; a, M = −0.32, 79.3% < 0 < 20.7%). Furthermore, We found no significant difference in reaction times between moral and immoral words in the emotional evaluation task (F(1,29) = 0.55, p = 0.464, partial η2 = 0.02), but a significant difference existed in the moral evaluation task (F(1,29) = 17.99, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.38), indicating that the tendency of relatively fast immoral evaluation in emotional evaluation tasks may be caused by emotional priority. Conclusions: Our findings support the intuitive model’s emotional dominance hypothesis and introduce a new emotional mechanism into moral evaluation. This study clarifies the distinct emotional processes in moral and immoral evaluations, fills a gap in the research on moral evaluation, and offers insights into human decision-making in moral contexts.
Topology Optimization of an Automotive Seatbelt Bracket Considering Fatigue
Authors: Hassan Ali Abdelhafeez , Biswas Bikram
Published: October 2024

Technological progress is leading to the incorporation of digital twinning and artificial intelligence, causing engineering design and scientific procedures to transition into an AI-driven age. Digital twinning and modeling have been increasingly included into engineering design optimization, particularly via processes like topology optimization and generative design, to provide modern design solutions efficiently. The integration of topology optimization with additive manufacturing is revolutionizing the design optimization process in the automotive industry, where there is a pressing demand for lightweight design and improving production efficiency. A design optimization methodology has been developed to optimize an Automotive Seatbelt Bracket subjected to dynamic load and fatigue. The innovative design is lighter and consolidates the entire assembly into a single body that can be manufactured using additive manufacturing.
Employing Huber and TAP Losses to Improve Inter-SubNet in Speech Enhancement
Authors: Hung Jeih-Weih , Huang Pin-Chen , Li Li-Yin
Published: October 2024

In this study, improvements are made to Inter-SubNet, a state-of-the-art speech enhancement method. Inter-SubNet is a single-channel speech enhancement framework that enhances the sub-band spectral model by integrating global spectral information, such as cross-band relationships and patterns. Despite the success of Inter-SubNet, one crucial aspect probably overlooked by Inter-SubNet is the unequal perceptual weighting of different spectral regions by the human ear, as it employs MSE as its loss function. In addition, MSE loss has a potential convergence concern for model learning due to gradient explosion. Hence, we propose further enhancing Inter-SubNet by either integrating perceptual loss with MSE loss or modifying MSE loss directly in the learning process. Among various types of perceptual loss, we adopt the temporal acoustic parameter (TAP) loss, which provides detailed estimation for low-level acoustic descriptors, thereby offering a comprehensive evaluation of speech signal distortion. In addition, we leverage Huber loss, a combination of L1 and L2 (MSE) loss, to avoid the potential convergence issue for the training of Inter-SubNet. By the evaluation conducted on the VoiceBank-DEMAND database and task, we see that Inter-SubNet with the modified loss function reveals improvements in speech enhancement performance. Specifically, replacing MSE loss with Huber loss results in increases of 0.057 and 0.38 in WB-PESQ and SI-SDR metrics, respectively. Additionally, integrating TAP loss with MSE loss yields improvements of 0.115 and 0.196 in WB-PESQ and CSIG metrics.
Deconstructing Two Roads: Applying the Psychology of Regret to Resolve the Mystery Surrounding Robert Frost’s Most Beloved Poem
Authors: Carte Donald Thomas
Published: October 2024

In the lifetime anthology of Robert Frost’s poetry, one poem consistently stands out as the most beloved and recognizable of his works. To the average reader, for over a hundred years “The Road Not Taken” has engendered images of individuality and the need to avoid following the crowd; this despite clear evidence within the verse that contradicts that reading. Most Frost scholars would agree the poem is the most misunderstood poem in Frost’s collection, and the academy has presented several intelligent and deeply introspective alternatives. However, none of these have garnered enough of a consensus to displace the initial misunderstanding. Through an interdisciplinary approach that makes use of the added epistemic approaches of historical research and the psychology of regret, this paper will uncover a hidden creation story for “The Road Not Taken”, and through a fulsome review of the poem’s origination, reveal a more basic axiom as to the purpose behind Frost’s two roads.
Rust Disease Changes the Abundance and Composition of Bacterial Community in Iris lactea Rhizosphere
Authors: Zhang Haiyan , Zhang Xu
Published: October 2024

The microbial community plays a vital role in root–environment interactions, which affect plant performance under biotic stress. Rust disease significantly affects plant growth, which may also affect rhizosphere microbial community. However, there is a scarcity of studies investigating the microbial community of rhizosphere under rust disease stress. Iris lactea is a widely utilized plant in gardening and landscaping due to its versatility and ornamental value, but it is often susceptible to rust disease in landscape settings. In this study, we compared the bacterial communities between bulk soil (non-cultivated control), rhizosphere soil of healthy Iris lactea plants, and rhizosphere soil of Iris lactea plants infected with rust disease (rhizosphere-R). Results revealed significant alterations in the abundance and composition of bacterial communities associated with rust disease infection. Specifically, the rhizosphere-R samples exhibited a decreased Shannon index at 1.9% compared to bulk soil and the relative abundance of Proteobacteria was increased at 31.65%. Moreover, distinct changes in β-diversity were shown between bulk soil and rhizosphere samples. Notably, potentially pathogenic bacteria increased in abundance under rust disease stress, while beneficial bacterial taxa decreased. Overall, our results show that rust disease affects the rhizosphere microbial community, which emphasizes the ecological implications of plant–microbe interactions under biotic stress and implications for developing targeted rhizobacterial-based biocontrol strategies.
Charting the Characteristics of Public Health Approaches to Preventing Violence in Local Communities: A Scoping Review of Operationalised Interventions
Authors: Mennear Peter John , Hurst Alison , Wyatt Katrina Mary
Published: October 2024

Interpersonal violence is a global driver of significant physical and mental ill health. Violence prevention is now a public health priority, and there have been international calls for the development of public health approaches to address this problem. This systematic scoping review identifies the scope of the literature and characteristics of operationalised public health approaches to prevent violence in communities. Synthesising what is meant by a public health approach to violence and the characteristics of operationalised approaches will assist future intervention development. Systematic searches of published sources (published following the World Health Assembly (WHA) declaration of violence as a public problem, June 1996 to April 2023 inclusive) were completed across six leading databases. For each identified approach, and reflecting a realist-informed methodology, data were extracted under the themes of major drivers, values and principles, key components, and community involvement. Of the 43 included studies, most were conducted in high-income countries and focussed on preventing weapon-related and youth violence. The studies from middle- and low-income countries also included responses to varying sexual and gender-based violence. There is a wide variety of identified characteristics, reflecting the diversity of violent behaviours public health approaches aim to impact. Approaches included focusing on changing norms and stopping violence at the individual level, to attempts to influence wider structural prevention opportunities.
Common Home Remedies Do Not Deter Argentine Ants, Linepithema humile (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), from a Preferred Harborage
Authors: Holloway Jacob B. , Suiter Daniel R. , Davis Jerry W. , Gardner Wayne A.
Published: October 2024

In two laboratory trials, natural products, including freshly picked leaves from spearmint, rosemary, and tansy plants, a water extract from soybean plants, peels from a common cucumber, and 1% peppermint oil in hexane, were placed in a moist harborage preferred by Argentine ants, Linepithema humile (Mayr), and the number of ants entering the harborage after two and four hours was counted. None of the recommended home remedies (tansy, cucumber, or soybean extract) deterred ants from an attractive, moist harborage in either trial, even when the quantity of these treatments was increased 4- to 10-fold. Freshly picked leaves from rosemary and spearmint plants deterred ants from harboring, and the 1% peppermint oil was the most deterrent of all treatments.
Investigation of the Effect of Preparation Parameters on the Structural and Mechanical Properties of Gelatin/Elastin/Sodium Hyaluronate Scaffolds Fabricated by the Combined Foaming and Freeze-Drying Techniques
Authors: Qamash Mansour , Imani S. Misagh , Omidi Meisam , Glancy Ciara , Tayebi Lobat
Published: October 2024

This paper aimed to evaluate the effects of different preparation parameters, including agitation speed, agitation time, and chilling temperature, on the structural and mechanical properties of a novel gelatin/elastin/sodium hyaluronate tissue engineering scaffold, recently developed by our research group. Fabricated using a combination of foaming and freeze-drying techniques, the scaffolds were assessed to understand how these parameters influence their morphology, internal microstructure, porosity, mechanical properties, and degradation behavior. The fabrication process used in this study involved preparing a homogeneous aqueous solution containing 8% gelatin, 2% elastin, and 0.5% sodium hyaluronate (w/v), which was then subjected to mechanical agitation at speeds of 500, 1000, and 1500 rpm for durations of 5, 15, and 25 min. This mixture was subsequently frozen at −20 °C and −80 °C, followed by freeze-drying and cross-linking. Morphological analyses using laser microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated that the scaffolds had pore sizes ranging from 100 to 300 µm, which are conducive to effective cell interaction and tissue regeneration. This confirmed the efficacy of the combined foaming and freeze-drying method in creating highly interconnected porous structures. Our findings indicated that chilling temperature slightly influenced pore size. In contrast, higher agitation speeds and longer duration times led to increased porosity and degradation rate but decreased modulus. Mathematical estimators were developed for the porosity and compressive modulus of the scaffolds by statistical analysis of the preparation parameters. The estimators were validated experimentally, with the error between estimated and experimental values being less than 6% for porosity and less than 21% for compressive modulus.
Uncovering How Information Quality Shapes Diverse User Engagement on Content Community Platforms: Harnessing Deep Learning for Feature Extraction
Authors: Wang Yanzi , Wang Min , Zhu Zhen , Ye Haoxiang
Published: October 2024

The success of content community platforms (CCPs) heavily depends on the active engagement of users attracted by externally generated content. Previous research has highlighted the differentiation among various forms of user engagement, such as likes, comments, and retweets, in shaping the dynamics of value co-creation on CCPs. Our objective is to uncover distinct patterns of impact that information quality features have on these different forms of user engagement. Specifically, we employed deep learning techniques to extract information quality features and identified them as persuasive factors operating through central and peripheral routes based on the elaboration likelihood model (ELM), stimulating user engagement. Our dataset was derived from MaBeeWoo, China’s largest specialized CCP for travelogues with minimal barriers for creating text and image-based travelogues. By utilizing a negative binomial model, our analysis reveals significant differences in antecedents between retweets and likes/comments while also highlighting variations in the impact levels of specific content quality features between likes and comments. These findings suggest contrasting patterns regarding how content quality features influence information production and dissemination on CCPs, underscoring the necessity for platform sponsors to develop adaptive mechanisms aligned with their strategic objectives for incentivizing specific quality features.
Mechanical Characterization of Flax and Hemp Fibers Cultivated in Romania
Authors: Stochioiu Constantin , Ciolcă Miruna , Deca Anca-Loredana
Published: October 2024

This study examines the mechanical properties, specifically strength and stiffness, of technical hemp and flax fibers grown in Romania. Tensile testing was employed to determine stress–strain curves and the Young’s modulus and to assess the failure strength of both fiber types. Although samples of various lengths were tested, no significant length-dependent variations were observed. However, a strong dependence on fiber diameter was noted, with the smallest diameters approaching the documented strength of elementary fibers. Due to the considerable variability in the experimental results pertaining to the characteristics of the reinforced fibers, a statistical analysis using a two-parameter Weibull distribution was employed. The analysis revealed three distinct stress–strain curve profiles, i.e., linear, bi-linear, and tri-linear patterns, with the average ultimate stress ranging from 412 to 566 MPa for hemp and 502 to 598 MPa for flax.
Impact of Surface Finishing on Ti6Al4V Voronoi Additively Manufactured Structures: Morphology, Dimensional Deviation, and Mechanical Behavior
Authors: Bregoli Chiara , Mohajerani Shiva , Fiocchi Jacopo , Mehrpouya Mehrshad , Elahinia Mohammad , Tuissi Ausonio , Vergani Laura Maria , Biffi Carlo Alberto
Published: October 2024

Additively manufactured medical devices require proper surface finishing before their use to remove partially adhered particles and provide adequate surface roughness. The literature widely investigates regular lattice structures—mainly scaffolds with small pores to enhance osseointegration; however, only a few studies have addressed the impact of surface finishing on the dimensional deviation and the global and local mechanical responses of lattice samples. Therefore, the current research investigates the impact of biomedical surface finishing (i.e., corundum sandblasting and zirconia sandblasting) on Voronoi lattice structures produced by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) with large pores and different thicknesses on the surface morphology and global and local mechanical behaviors. MicroCT and SEM are performed for the assessment of dimensional mismatch and surface evaluation. The mechanical properties are investigated with 2D digital image correlation (DIC) in quasi-static compression tests to estimate the impact of surface finishes on local maps of strain. In the quasi-static tests, both the global mechanical performances, as expected, and local 2D DIC strain maps were mainly affected by the strut thickness, and the impact of different surface finishings was irrelevant; on the contrary, different surface finishing processes led to differences in the dimensional deviation depending on the strut thickness. These results are relevant for designing lattice structures with thin struts that are integrated into medical prostheses that undergo AM.
Electrochemical Performance of LiTa2PO8-Based Succinonitrile Composite Solid Electrolyte without Sintering Process
Authors: Kim Nayoung , Park Wongyeong , Kim Hyeonjin , Yoon Seog-young
Published: October 2024

Solid-state batteries (SSBs) have been widely studied as next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) for many electronic devices due to their high energy density, stability, nonflammability, and chemical stability compared to LiBs which consist of liquid electrolytes. However, solid electrolytes exhibit poor electrochemical characteristics due to their interfacial properties, and the sintering process, which necessitates high temperatures, is an obstacle to the commercialization of SSBs. Hence, the aim of this study was to improve the interfacial properties of the lithium tantalum phosphate (LTPO) solid electrolyte by adding succinonitrile (SN) on the interface of the LTPO particle to enhance ionic conductivity without the sintering process. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), the Li symmetric cell test, and the galvanostatic cycle test were performed to verify the performance of the SN-containing LTPO composite electrolyte. The LTPO composite solid electrolyte exhibited a high ionic conductivity of 1.93 × 10−4 S/cm at room temperature (RT) compared to the conventional LTPO. Also, it showed good cycle stability, and low interfacial resistance with Li metal, ensuring electrochemical stability. On the basis of our experimental results, the performance of solid electrolytes could be improved by adding SN and lithium salt. In addition, the SN can be used to fabricate the solid electrolytes without the sintering process at high temperatures.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Study of Erosion on 900 MW Steam Turbine ND-45 Blades Using 3D Scanning
Authors: Bzymek Grzegorz , Bryk Mateusz , Kruk-Gotzman Sylwia , Ziółkowski Piotr Józef
Published: October 2024

This paper presents a comprehensive study on the impact of erosion on the flow characteristics through the blade of the last stage of a 900 MW steam turbine. The primary objective is to understand how surface erosion, caused by prolonged steam exposure, affects flow behavior and the overall efficiency of a 900 MW class turbine. The research process began with a 3D scan of the turbine blade, using advanced laser scanning technology to create a detailed geometric model. As one of the longest blades used in steam turbines, it posed both a technical challenge and was an innovative aspect of this study. The resulting 3D model served as the basis for numerical simulations using Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) methods, which allowed for the analysis of steam flow over the eroded blade surface. Key flow parameters, including velocity, pressure, and turbulence, were assessed to determine the impact of erosion. The study revealed significant changes in flow characteristics depending on the degree of erosion, providing valuable insights for turbine optimization and maintenance. The novelty of this research lies not only in the use of advanced scanning technologies but also in analyzing one of the longest blades in industrial practice, with findings that could enhance turbine efficiency and inform new erosion risk management strategies.
Tight 9-Cycle Decompositions of λ-Fold Complete 3-Uniform Hypergraphs
Authors: Zhao Hongtao , Gu Jianxiao
Published: October 2024

For 2≤t≤m, let Zm denote the group of integers modulo m, and let TCm(t) denote the t-uniform hypergraph with vertex set Zm and hyperedge set {{i,i+1,i+2,…,i+t−1}:i∈Zm}. Any hypergraph isomorphic to TCm(t) is a t-uniform tight m-cycle. In this paper, we consider the existence of tight 9-cycle decompositions of λ-fold complete 3-uniform hypergraphs. According to the recursive constructions, the required designs of small orders are found. For hypergraphs with large orders, they can be recursively generated using some designs of small orders. Then, we obtain the necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of TC9(3)-decomposition of λKn(3). We show there exists a TC9(3)-decomposition of λKn(3) if and only if λn(n−1)(n−2)≡0(mod54), λ(n−1)(n−2)≡0(mod6) and n≥9.
Microscopic Simulation of RE3+ Migration in Ion-Type Rare Earth Ores Based on Navier–Stokes Equation—Exchange Reaction—Ion Migration Coupling
Authors: Wang Dan , Wu Fuyu , Rao Yunzhang , Zhao Zhilian , Xu Wei , Han Min
Published: October 2024

In the in-situ leaching method of ionic rare earth, ion exchange reaction between rare earth ions and leaching agent ions is carried out, which allows the rare earth ions to be leached from the ore body as the leaching solution flows through the pores. This indicates that the leaching process of rare earth ions is closely related to the seepage field, ion exchange field, and ion migration process of the leaching solution. In this study, an ionic rare earth mine located in Longnan of Jiangxi Province was taken as the research object. By conducting nuclear magnetic resonance scanning on the ore samples of this mine and vectorizing the nuclear magnetic resonance images, a two-dimensional geometric model of pores was obtained. Then, COMSOL Multiphysics software was used to establish a coupled numerical model of seepage–exchange–migration of the ionic rare earth mine during the leaching process at the pore scale to study the seepage situation of leaching solution with different injection strengths and concentrations, as well as the exchange and migration process. The results show that increasing the concentration of magnesium ions can increase the difference of ion diffusion concentration, accelerate the forward exchange rate of ions, promote the forward exchange reaction, and improve the concentration gradient of rare earth ions in the leaching solution. The more significant the diffusion effect, the higher the ion migration rate, while at the same time inhibiting the reverse adsorption of rare earth ions, and accelerating the leaching efficiency of rare earth ions. In addition, increasing the strength of the injection solution allows rare earth ions to leach out of the ore body earlier, shortens the leaching cycle, and thus reduces the peak concentration of leached rare earth ions. By analyzing the effects of the strength of the injection solution and leaching concentration on ionic rare earth leaching, the influence of those two factors on engineering economy can be briefly evaluated, which can be provided as a reference for the optimization of ionic rare earth mining technology.
IR-Drop-Based Temperature Distribution in Large-Size AMOLED Panel
Authors: Feng Qibin , Ren Hongtao , Dong Zhe , Wang Zi , Lv Guoqiang
Published: October 2024

Large-size and high-resolution AMOLED displays have become one of the most attractive display technologies. However, the dependence of the luminance of AMOLED on temperature severely limits wider applications. The accurate temperature distribution is important for implementing compensation into a panel to improve display uniformity. With the increase in size and resolution, the voltage drop (IR-drop) caused by the resistance of the power supply line cannot be ignored, which has influence on temperature distribution. Therefore, this paper proposes a temperature distribution analysis method based on IR-drop. Firstly, an accurate solution of IR-drop of AMOLED panels is achieved by exploiting the sparse representation in the field of artificial intelligence. Secondly, the IR-drop-based power model is established, and the output of the power model is used as the input of the AMOLED thermal simulation model. Finally, the temperature distribution of the AMOLED panel is obtained by finite-element analysis. The temperature measurements are performed on a 95-inch 8K AMOLED panel. The simulation results are compared with the actual measurements, and it is found that the temperature distribution based on IR-drop matches well with the actual measurements than that without considering IR-drop. The analysis method proposed in this paper presents high accuracy and high practicability.
Synthesis, Anti-Cancer Activity, Cell Cycle Arrest, Apoptosis Induction, and Docking Study of Fused Benzo[h]chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidine on Human Breast Cancer Cell Line MCF-7
Authors: Khoder Zainab M. , Mohamed Mosaad S. , Awad Samir M. , Gharib Amal F. , Aly Omnia , Khodair Marwa Abd El-Fattah , Fatahala Samar S. , El-Hameed Rania H. Abd
Published: October 2024

Breast cancer is the predominant form of cancer among women and ranks as the second most prevalent cancer globally, affecting both developed and less developed countries. Presently, accessible cancer treatment methods either employ recently created, secure, and efficient chemotherapeutic medications or directly target innovative pathways that cause apoptosis. One of the indirect strategies for treating this fatal illness has mostly depended on its essential role in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction, as well as the antagonistic interaction between the Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 proteins, in order to avert major health repercussions. We reported that newly synthesized fused chromenopyrimidines (3a and 4a) showed potential cell cycle arrest and dual Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 inhibitory characteristics. Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 were the targets of a molecular docking procedure. The previous docking results are in line with the biological data and suggest that 3a may have promising anti-cancer activity.
The Effects of Omeprazole on the Neuron-like Spiking of the Electrical Potential of Proteinoid Microspheres
Authors: Mougkogiannis Panagiotis , Adamatzky Andrew
Published: October 2024

This study examines a new approach to hybrid neuromorphic devices by studying the impact of omeprazole–proteinoid complexes on Izhikevich neuron models. We investigate the influence of these metabolic structures on five specific patterns of neuronal firing: accommodation, chattering, triggered spiking, phasic spiking, and tonic spiking. By combining omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, with proteinoids, we create a unique substrate that interfaces with neuromorphic models. The Izhikevich neuron model is used because it is computationally efficient and can accurately simulate the various behaviours of cortical neurons. The results of our simulations show that omeprazole–proteinoid complexes have the ability to affect neuronal dynamics in different ways. This suggests that they could be used as adjustable components in bio-inspired computer systems. We noticed a notable alteration in the frequency of spikes, patterns of bursts, and rates of adaptation, especially in chattering and triggered spiking behaviours. The findings indicate that omeprazole–proteinoid complexes have the potential to serve as adaptable elements in neuromorphic systems, presenting novel opportunities for information processing and computation that have origins in neurobiological principles. This study makes a valuable contribution to the expanding field of biochemical neuromorphic devices and establishes a basis for the development of hybrid bio-synthetic computational systems.
Extraction, Structural Characterization, and Physicochemical and Biological Properties of Water-Soluble Polysaccharides from Adlay Bran
Authors: Hu Peng , Chen Guangjing
Published: October 2024

Adlay bran, often discarded or used as animal feed, holds untapped potential. This study explores the beneficial properties of water-soluble polysaccharides (ABPs), extracted using a hot water method, with the aim of transforming what is commonly regarded as waste into a valuable resource. The response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to fine-tune the extraction parameters, establishing conditions at 80.0 °C, 2.5 h, and a water-to-material ratio of 31.6 mL/g. Structural studies showed that ABPs consist of different monosaccharides, including rhamnose, arabinose, glucosamine, glucose, galactose, xylose, mannose, and glucuronic acid, with respective molar ratios of 2.12%, 2.40%, 0.52%, 77.12%, 7.94%, 3.51%, 2.55%, and 3.82%. The primary component of these polysaccharides has a molecular weight averaging 12.88 kDa. The polysaccharides feature eight distinct linkage types: →3,4)-Rhap-(1→ at 5.52%, →4)-Glcp-(1→ at 25.64%, Glcp-(1→ at 9.70%, →3,4)-Glcp-(1→ at 19.11%, →4)-Xylp-(1→ at 7.05%, →3)-Glcp-(1→ at 13.23%, →3,4)-Galp-(1→ at 9.26%), and →4,6)-Gclp-(1→ at 12.49%. The semi-crystalline properties of ABPs and their shear-thinning characteristics were validated by X-ray diffraction and rheology tests. In vitro assays highlighted the strong antioxidant activities of ABPs, as evidenced by DPPH and ABTS hydroxyl radical scavenging tests, along with significant metal chelating and reducing powers. Additionally, ABPs showed significant inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase, making them attractive as versatile additives or as agents with antioxidant and blood-sugar-lowering properties in both the food and pharmaceutical sectors. These findings support the utilization of adlay bran for higher-value applications, harnessing its bioactive components for health-related benefits.
Red Grape By-Products from the Demarcated Douro Region: Chemical Analysis, Antioxidant Potential and Antimicrobial Activity against Food-Borne Pathogens
Authors: Silva Adriana , Martins Raquel , Silva Vanessa , Fernandes Fátima , Carvalho Rosa , Aires Alfredo , Igrejas Gilberto , Falco Virgílio , Valentão Patrícia , Poeta Patrícia
Published: October 2024

Wine production is one of the most important agricultural activities. The winemaking process generates a considerable volume of different residues characterized as by-products, such as pomace, seeds, stems, and skins. By-products are rich in polyphenols with antioxidant and antibacterial properties and may act as bacteriostatic or bactericidal agents against food-borne pathogens, improving food safety by enhancing antibiotic efficacy and reducing bacterial resistance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of grape components (skins, seeds, and stems) from three red grape varieties (Periquita, Gamay, and Donzelinho Tinto) and determine their antibacterial activity against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including Escherichia coli in food-producing animals and Listeria monocytogenes from food products and food-related environments. Ten phenolic compounds were quantified in these red grape varieties, with specific compounds found in different parts of the grape, including phenolic acids and flavonoids. Flavonoids are abundant in seeds and stems, malvidin-3-O-glucoside being the main anthocyanin in skins. The ethanolic extract from the seeds showed in vitro concentration-dependent activity against reactive species like •NO and O2•−. Gamay extract was the most effective, followed by Donzelinho Tinto and Periquita. Extracts showed varying antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with stronger effects on Gram-positive bacteria. L. monocytogenes was more susceptible, while E. coli was limited to three strains. Seeds exhibited the strongest antibacterial activity, followed by stems. The results of our study provide evidence of the potential of grape by-products, particularly seeds, as sources of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and antibacterial properties, offering promising avenues for enhancing food safety and combating antibiotic resistance in food production and related environments.
Reaction Thermodynamic and Kinetics for Esterification of 1-Methoxy-2-Propanol and Acetic Acid over Ion-Exchange Resin
Authors: Liu Xinyu , Wang Shu , Wang Mingxia , Chen Lifang , Qi Zhiwen
Published: October 2024

The esterification of 1-methoxy-2-propanol (PM) and acetic acid (AA) is an important reaction for the production of 1-methoxy-2-propyl acetate (PMA). Herein, we used the macroporous ion-exchange resin Amberlyst-35 as a catalyst to explore the effects of reaction conditions on the reaction rate and equilibrium yield of PMA. Under the optimized conditions of a reaction temperature of 353 K, using the initial reactant PM/AA with a molar ratio of 1:3, and a catalyst loading of 10 wt%, the PMA equilibrium yield reached 78%, which is the highest equilibrium yield so far. The reaction equilibrium constants and activity coefficients were estimated to obtain reaction thermodynamic properties, indicating the exothermicity of the reaction. Furthermore, pseudo-homogeneous (PH), Eley–Rideal (ER), and Langmuir–Hinshelwood–Hougen–Watson (LHHW) kinetic models were fitted based on experimental reaction kinetic data. The results demonstrate that the LHHW model is the most consistent with experimental data, indicating a surface reaction-controlled process and exhibiting an apparent activation energy of 62.0 ± 0.2 kJ/mol. This work represents a valuable example of calculating reaction thermodynamics and kinetics, which are particularly essential for promising industrial reactor designs.
ZnI2-Mediated cis-Glycosylations of Various Constrained Glycosyl Donors: Recent Advances in cis-Selective Glycosylations
Authors: Ishiwata Akihiro , Zhong Xuemei , Tanaka Katsunori , Ito Yukishige , Ding Feiqing
Published: October 2024

An efficient and versatile glycosylation methodology is crucial for the systematic synthesis of oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates. A direct intermolecular and an indirect intramolecular methodology have been developed, and the former can be applied to the synthesis of medium-to-long-chain glycans like that of nucleotides and peptides. The development of a generally applicable approach for the stereoselective construction of glycosidic bonds remains a major challenge, especially for the synthesis of 1,2-cis glycosides such as β-mannosides, β-L-rhamnosides, and β-D-arabinofuranosides with equatorial glycosidic bonds as well as α-D-glucosides with axial ones. This review introduces the direct formation of cis-glycosides using ZnI2-mediated cis-glycosylations of various constrained glycosyl donors, as well as the recent advances in the development of stereoselective cis-glycosylations.
A Virtual Reality Game-Based Approach for Shoulder Rehabilitation
Authors: Moreira Moisés , Vilhena Estela , Carvalho Vítor , Duque Duarte
Published: October 2024

In recent years, with widespread access to virtual reality (VR) headsets, VR has become an affordable supplement to physiotherapy. Researchers explore the use of existing commercial games or develop new ones to enhance physiotherapy sessions, finding that gamers exhibit reduced nervousness, report less pain, and experience increased enjoyment. However, ensuring consistent exercise adherence poses a challenge. Another area of interest involves integrating robots to aid patients. In our study, we seamlessly integrated a Kuka LBR Med 7 R800 with Unity through a meticulously developed Application Programming Interface (API). This fusion of robotics and video games assists in physiotherapeutic exercises. The games were developed specifically for compatibility with the Oculus Quest 2 virtual reality headset, chosen as the preferred VR platform for this study. Two games, using common game-design concepts with distinct approaches, were evaluated for system acceptance via the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and usability through the System Usability Scale (SUS). In a well-distributed group of 15 participants with an average age of 22 years, greater technology acceptance was observed among women. Those playing more hours per day reported lower perceived ease of use, though one game achieved an excellent SUS rating of 83.3. Conversely, the other game, which was tested with 11 participants with an average age of 20 years, showed a potential negative impact on behavioral intention. The particular sample used in the study has limitations, so the study should be repeated to obtain more reliable and conclusive results. In conclusion, the successful integration of VR and robot assistance in physiotherapy games relies on the proper application of the game design principle.
A Thermosensitive and Degradable Chitin-Based Hydrogel as a Brucellosis Vaccine Adjuvant
Authors: Ju Ruibao , Lu Yanjing , Jiang Zhiwen , Chi Jinhua , Wang Shuo , Liu Wanshun , Yin Yanbo , Han Baoqin
Published: October 2024

Brucellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease that has long endangered the development of animal husbandry and human health. Currently, vaccination stands as the most efficacious method for preventing and managing brucellosis. Alum, as the most commonly used adjuvant for the brucellosis vaccine, has obvious disadvantages, such as the formation of granulomas and its non-degradability. Therefore, the aims of this study were to prepare an absorbable, injectable, and biocompatible hydroxypropyl chitin (HPCT) thermosensitive hydrogel and to evaluate its immunization efficacy as an adjuvant for Brucella antigens. Specifically, etherification modification of marine natural polysaccharide chitin was carried out to obtain a hydroxypropyl chitin. Rheological studies demonstrated the reversible temperature sensitivity of HPCT hydrogel. Notably, 5 mg/mL of bovine serum albumin can be loaded in HPCT hydrogels and released continuously for more than one week. Furthermore, the L929 cytotoxicity test and in vivo degradation test in rats proved that an HPCT hydrogel had good cytocompatibility and histocompatibility and can be degraded and absorbed in vivo. In mouse functional experiments, as adjuvants for Brucella antigens, an HPCT hydrogel showed better specific antibody expression levels and cytokine (Interleukin-4, Interferon-γ) expression levels than alum. Thus, we believe that HPCT hydrogels hold much promise in the development of adjuvants.
The Transcendental Status of Beauty: Evaluating the Debate among Neo-Thomistic Philosophers
Authors: Miller Anthony Michael
Published: October 2024

Over the past 150 years, Thomists have been divided over whether or not St. Thomas Aquinas himself held to the transcendentality of beauty. Francis J. Kovach divides the Thomists into three groups: (1) the transcendentalists, (2) the anti-transcendentalists, and (3) the undecided. Some contemporary Thomist philosophers in the transcendentalist camp, such as Étienne Gilson, see beauty as the forgotten transcendental. We will briefly trace the historical context of the debate by mentioning how philosophers viewed the transcendentality of beauty in ancient and medieval times. Then, we will summarize a contemporary Thomistic transcendentalist view of the nature of beauty and its transcendental status, followed by a contemporary Thomistic anti-transcendentalist view of the nature of beauty and its transcendental status. After that, we will evaluate the nature of beauty according to St. Thomas, as well as the criteria which determines transcendentality. Finally, both the transcendentalist and anti-transcendentalist positions on beauty’s transcendental status will be evaluated to determine whether it is metaphysically consistent to regard beauty as a transcendental according to Thomistic thought.
Adverse Outcomes Following Exposure to Perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA) in Larval Zebrafish (Danio rerio): A Neurotoxic and Behavioral Perspective
Authors: David Nikita , Ivantsova Emma , Konig Isaac , English Cole D. , Avidan Lev , Kreychman Mark , Rivera Mario L. , Escobar Camilo , Valle Eliana Maira Agostini , Sultan Amany , Martyniuk Christopher J.
Published: October 2024

Toxicity mechanisms of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), a chemical class present in diverse ecosystems, as well as many of their precursors, have been increasingly characterized in aquatic species. Perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA, C8H2F17NO2S) is a common precursor of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), a long-chain PFAS. Here, we assessed sub-lethal endpoints related to development, oxidative stress, transcript levels, and distance moved in zebrafish embryos and larvae following continuous exposure to PFOSA beginning at 6 h post-fertilization (hpf). PFOSA decreased survival in fish treated with 1 µg/L PFOSA; however, the effect was modest relative to the controls (difference of 10%). Exposure up to 10 µg/L PFOSA did not affect hatch rate, nor did it induce ROS in 7-day-old larvae fish. The activity of larval fish treated with 100 µg/L PFOSA was reduced relative to the solvent control. Transcripts related to oxidative stress response and apoptosis were measured and BCL2-associated X, apoptosis regulator (bax), cytochrome c, somatic (cycs), catalase (cat), superoxide dismutase 2 (sod2) were induced with high concentrations of PFOSA. Genes related to neurotoxicity were also measured and transcript levels of acetylcholinesterase (ache), elav-like RNA binding protein 3 (elavl3), growth-associated protein 43 (gap43), synapsin II (syn2a), and tubulin 3 (tubb3) were all increased in larval fish with higher PFOSA exposure. These data improve our understanding of the potential sub-lethal toxicity of PFOSA in fish species.