bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-Degree Collisional Moments of Inelastic Maxwell Mixtures—Application to the Homogeneous Cooling and Uniform Shear Flow States
Authors: Sánchez Romero Constantino , Garzó Vicente
Published: January 2023

The Boltzmann equation for d-dimensional inelastic Maxwell models is considered to determine the collisional moments of the second, third and fourth degree in a granular binary mixture. These collisional moments are exactly evaluated in terms of the velocity moments of the distribution function of each species when diffusion is absent (mass flux of each species vanishes). The corresponding associated eigenvalues as well as cross coefficients are obtained as functions of the coefficients of normal restitution and the parameters of the mixture (masses, diameters and composition). The results are applied to the analysis of the time evolution of the moments (scaled with a thermal speed) in two different nonequilibrium situations: the homogeneous cooling state (HCS) and the uniform (or simple) shear flow (USF) state. In the case of the HCS, in contrast to what happens for simple granular gases, it is demonstrated that the third and fourth degree moments could diverge in time for given values of the parameters of the system. An exhaustive study on the influence of the parameter space of the mixture on the time behavior of these moments is carried out. Then, the time evolution of the second- and third-degree velocity moments in the USF is studied in the tracer limit (namely, when the concentration of one of the species is negligible). As expected, while the second-degree moments are always convergent, the third-degree moments of the tracer species can be also divergent in the long time limit.
Limiting Performance of the Ejector Refrigeration Cycle with Pure Working Fluids
Authors: Fu Jiawei , Liu Zhenhua , Yang Xingyang , Jin Sumin , Ye Jilei
Published: January 2023

An ejector refrigeration system is a promising heat-driven refrigeration technology for energy consumption. The ideal cycle of an ejector refrigeration cycle (ERC) is a compound cycle with an inverse Carnot cycle driven by a Carnot cycle. The coefficient of performance (COP) of this ideal cycle represents the theoretical upper bound of ERC, and it does not contain any information about the properties of working fluids, which is a key cause of the large energy efficiency gap between the actual cycle and the ideal cycle. In this paper, the limiting COP and thermodynamics perfection of subcritical ERC is derived to evaluate the ERC efficiency limit under the constraint of pure working fluids. 15 pure fluids are employed to demonstrate the effects of working fluids on limiting COP and limiting thermodynamics perfection. The limiting COP is expressed as the function of the working fluid thermophysical parameters and the operating temperatures. The thermophysical parameters are the specific entropy increase in the generating process and the slope of the saturated liquid, and the limiting COP increases with these two parameters. The result shows R152a, R141b, and R123 have the best performance, and the limiting thermodynamic perfections at the referenced state are 86.8%, 84.90%, and 83.67%, respectively.
Lean Methane Mixtures in Turbulent Jet Ignition Combustion System
Authors: Pielecha Ireneusz , Szwajca Filip
Published: January 2023

The development of modern vehicle drives is aimed at reducing fuel consumption (i.e., crude oil) and minimizing the exhaust emission of toxic components. One such development is the implementation of a two-stage combustion system. Such a system initiates ignition in the prechamber, and then the burning mixture flows into the main chamber, where it ignites the lean mixture. The system allows the efficient combustion of lean mixtures, both liquid and gaseous fuels, in the cylinder. This article proposes a solution for internal combustion engines with a cylinder capacity of approx. 500 cm3. The tests were carried out on a single-cylinder engine powered by pure methane supplied through a double, parallel injection system. A wide range of charge ignitability requires the use of an active chamber containing an injector and a spark plug. The tests were carried out at n = 1500 rpm with three load values (indicated mean effective pressure, IMEP): 2, 4 and 6 bar. All of these tests were carried out at a constant value of the center of combustion (CoC), 8 deg CA. This approach resulted in the ignition timing being the control signal for the CoC. As a result of the conducted research, it was found that an increase in the load, which improved the inter-chamber flow, allowed for the combustion of leaner mixtures without increasing the coefficient of variation, CoV(IMEP). The tests achieved a lean mixture combustion with a value of λ = 1.7 and an acceptable level of non-uniformity of the engine operation, CoV(IMEP) < 8%. The engine’s indicated efficiency when using a two-stage system reached a value of about 42% at λ = 1.5 (which is about 8 percentage points more than with a conventional combustion system at λ = 1.0).
Proof of Work Consensus Based Peer to Peer Energy Trading in the Indian Residential Community
Authors: Saini Vikash Kumar , Purohit Chandra Shekhar , Kumar Rajesh , Al-Sumaiti Ameena S.
Published: January 2023

Rooftop solar power generation is becoming more widespread in residential microgrids. As well as new concepts of electricity markets, such as peer-to-peer (P2P) markets, where consumers and prosumers can directly exchange locally generated energy with each other without any intermediary third party for sustainable development. Data security is a big concern with energy trading; therefore, blockchain technology is being used more and more in energy markets. It has the potential to simplify P2P energy trading. In this paper, blockchain is designed to fit into the decentralized nature of the P2P market, securing the payment mechanism and transaction data store. The blockchain-enabled platform is developed using the Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus algorithm, and is verified with the help of the Postman application programming interface (API). All transactions involving the buying and selling of energy are handled by a miner without the help of any third parties. The study of a five-user residential community, whether the strategy is recommended or not, is validated through simulation findings. An overview of the results revealed that all users benefited from the developed, secure P2P platform.
Pre-Treatment of Separately Collected Biowaste as a Way to Increase Methane Production and Digestate Stability
Authors: Bernat Katarzyna , Le Thi Cam Tu , Zaborowska Magdalena , Kulikowska Dorota
Published: January 2023

To produce a valuable final product from anaerobic digestion (AD), one of the preferred methods of organic recycling, high quality feedstock must be ensured. In this study, separately collected real biowaste (B) was used, consisting of 90% food waste and 10% green waste. The priority issues of AD are both high methane production (MP) and high organics removal efficiency (as organic matter, OM and dissolved organics, and DCOD), which may be improved after pre-treatment. In this study, the effect of hydrothermal pre-treatment (BHT) and enzymatic additives (BE) on MP and organics removal from biowaste in mesophilic (37 °C) conditions was analyzed. To assess the adequacy of pre-treatment application, biowaste without treatment (BWT) was used. Pre-treatment of biowaste prior to AD affected the maximal MP, the removal effectiveness of both OM and DCOD, and the kinetic parameters of these processes. For BWT, the maximal cumulative MP reached 239.40 ± 1.27 NL/kg OM; the kinetic coefficient of MP (kCH4) and the initial MP rate (rCH4) were 0.32 ± 0.02 d−1 and 76.80 ± 1.10 NL/(kg OM·d), respectively. After hydrothermal pre-treatment, the MP of BHT (253.60 ± 1.83 NL/kg OM) was 6.3% higher than BWT. However, the highest MP was found for BE, 268.20 ± 1.37 NL/kg OM; to compare, it increased by 12.1% and 5.5% with BWT and BHT, respectively. However, the kinetic parameters of MP were highest with BHT:kCH4 0.56 ± 0.02 d−1 vs. 0.32 ± 0.02 d−1 (BWT) and 0.34 ± 0.02 d−1 (BE); rCH4 141.80 ± 0.02 NL/(kg OM·d) (BHT) vs. 76.80 ± 1.10 NL/(kg OM·d) (BWT) and 89.80 ± 0.50 NL/(kg OM·d) (BE). The effectiveness of OM removal was highest with BE, similarly to the MP with the use of an enzymatic additive. The kinetics of OM removal (rOM, kOM) were highest with BHT, similarly to the kinetics of MP (rCH4, kCH4). The highest effectiveness of OM and, consequently, its lowest final content obtained with BE means that the organics were used most efficiently, which, in turn, may result in obtaining a more stable digestive system.
Multicriteria Design and Operation Optimization of a Solar-Assisted Geothermal Heat Pump System
Authors: Zouloumis Leonidas , Karanasos Angelos , Ploskas Nikolaos , Panaras Giorgos
Published: January 2023

This work focuses on the determination of the design and operation parameters of a thermal system depending on the optimization objective set. Its main objective and contribution concern the proposal of a generalized methodological structure involving multiobjective optimization techniques aimed at providing a solution to a practical problem, such as the design and dimensioning of a solar thermal system. The analysis is based on system operation data provided by a dynamic simulation model, leading to the development of multiple surrogate models of the thermal system. The thermal system surrogate models correlate the desired optimization objectives with thermal system design and operation parameters while additional surrogate models of the Pareto frontiers are generated. The implementation of the methodology is demonstrated through the optimal design and operation parameter dimensioning of a solar-assisted geothermal heat pump that provides domestic hot water loads of an office building. Essentially, energy consumption is optimized for a desired domestic hot water thermal load coverage. Implementation of reverse-engineering methods allows the determination of the system parameters representing the optimized criteria.
Real-Time Economic Dispatch of CHP Systems with Battery Energy Storage for Behind-the-Meter Applications
Authors: Sigalo Marvin B. , Das Saptarshi , Pillai Ajit C. , Abusara Mohammad
Published: January 2023

The use of combined heat and power (CHP) systems has recently increased due to their high combined efficiency and low emissions. Using CHP systems in behind-the-meter applications, however, can introduce some challenges. Firstly, the CHP system must operate in load-following mode to prevent power export to the grid. Secondly, if the load drops below a predefined threshold, the engine will operate at a lower temperature and hence lower efficiency, as the fuel is only half-burnt, creating significant emissions. The aforementioned issues may be solved by combining CHP with a battery energy storage system (BESS); however, the dispatch of CHP and BESS must be optimised. Offline optimisation methods based on load prediction will not prevent power export to the grid due to prediction errors. Therefore, this paper proposes a real-time Energy Management System (EMS) using a combination of Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural networks, Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP), and Receding Horizon (RH) control strategy. The RH control strategy is suggested to reduce the impact of prediction errors and enable real-time implementation of the EMS exploiting actual generation and demand data on the day. Simulation results show that the proposed method can prevent power export to the grid and reduce the operational cost by 8.75% compared to the offline method.
Thermal Management and Energy Consumption in Air, Liquid, and Free Cooling Systems for Data Centers: A Review
Authors: Xu Sijun , Zhang Hua , Wang Zilong
Published: January 2023

The thermal management and reduction of energy consumption in cooling systems have become major trends with the continued growth of high heat dissipation data centers and the challenging energy situation. However, the existing studies have been limited to studying the influences of individual factors on energy saving and thermal management and have not been systematically summarized. Thus, this paper reviews the key factors in achieving thermal management and reducing energy consumption in each cooling system, the corresponding research, and optimization methods. To achieve these goals, in this paper, literature surveys on data center cooling systems are investigated. For data center air cooling, thermal management is mainly related to the uniform distribution of hot and cold air. Adjusting the porosity of perforated tiles can reduce energy consumption. For liquid cooling and free cooling systems, climate conditions, cooling system structural design, coolant type, and flow rate are key factors in achieving thermal management and reducing energy consumption. This paper provides the power usage effectiveness (PUE) values of the cooling systems in some cases. A summary of the key factors can provide directions for research on thermal management and energy reduction, and a summary of previous research can provide a basis for future optimization.
The Effect of Velocity Loss on Strength Development and Related Training Efficiency: A Dose–Response Meta–Analysis
Authors: Zhang Xing , Feng Siyuan , Li Hansen
Published: January 2023

The velocity loss method is often used in velocity–based training (VBT) to dynamically regulate training loads. However, the effects of velocity loss on maximum strength development and training efficiency are still unclear. Therefore, we conducted a dose–response meta–analysis aiming to fill this research gap. A systematic literature search was performed to identify studies on VBT with the velocity loss method via PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, EBSCO, and Cochrane. Controlled trials that compared the effects of different velocity losses on maximum strength were considered. One–repetition maximum (1RM) gain and 1RM gain per repetition were the selected outcomes to indicate the maximum strength development and its training efficiency. Eventually, nine studies with a total of 336 trained males (training experience/history ≥ 1 year) were included for analysis. We found a non–linear dose–response relationship (reverse U–shaped) between velocity loss and 1RM gain (pdose–response relationship < 0.05, pnon–linear relationship < 0.05). Additionally, a negative linear dose–response relationship was observed between velocity loss and 1RM gain per repetition (pdose–response relationship < 0.05, pnon–linear relationship = 0.23). Based on our findings, a velocity loss between 20 and 30% may be beneficial for maximum strength development, and a lower velocity loss may be more efficient for developing and maintaining maximum strength. Future research is warranted to focus on female athletes and the interaction of other parameters.
Policy Analysis of the Integration of Sports and Medicine against the Backdrop of “Healthy China”: A Qualitative Study Using NVivo
Authors: Wang Baihui , Lin Qinqin , Wang Yawei , Tang Shaokai
Published: January 2023

In China, the aim of integrating sports and medicine is part of a national health promotion policy. It is important to clarify the relevant policy points, policy practice distribution, and practical tools, as well as to find the weak links in the policy. In the study, there are 34 primary child nodes, 12 secondary child nodes and four parent nodes that were formed. In this study NVivo 11 software was used to analyze the content of 15 national guidelines in terms of integrating sports and medicine. From 2014 to 2021, the policy development of the integration of sports and medicine went through the beginning and growth stages. The evolutionary logic presents an inverse relationship between the policy practice’s duration and the degree of state intervention. In the sequential developmental phases, policy tools were set up in an orderly transition from a single mandatory policy tool to a voluntary or hybrid policy tool, supplemented by essential policy tools. With respect to the policy content, the attention to specific service groups and sports risk assessment is insufficient. In the future, we should actively focus on the division of particular service groups and their service supply, pay closer attention to the social needs and value manifestation of sports risk assessment, and balance the proportion of policy tools in the development of the integration of sports and medicine.
Flow Experience Is a Key Factor in the Likelihood of Adolescents’ Problematic TikTok Use: The Moderating Role of Active Parental Mediation
Authors: Qin Yao , Musetti Alessandro , Omar Bahiyah
Published: January 2023

TikTok use and overuse have grown rapidly in recent years among adolescents. However, risk factors for problematic TikTok use are still largely unknown. In addition, drawing on the flow theory and parental mediation theory, this study aims to examine how adolescents’ perceptions of enjoyment, concentration, and time distortion affect their problematic TikTok use behavior. Further, we examined the moderating effect of active parental mediation. An online survey in China received responses from a sample of 633 adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 (males: 51.2%; Mage = 15.00; DS = 0.975). Our findings showed that enjoyment was positively associated with concentration and, in turn, with time distortion. We also found significant positive effects of concentration and time distortion on problematic TikTok use. The effect of enjoyment, however, was non-significant, indicating that hedonic mood was not associated with problematic TikTok use. Out of the three moderated relationships examined in this study, only active parental control was found to be a significant moderator for the relationship between concentration and problematic TikTok use. The significant negative moderation result showed that as active parental mediation grows, the impact of adolescents’ concentration on problematic TikTok use is reduced. Future research directions and implications are discussed.
Association of Individual and Neighborhood Characteristics to Problematic Internet Use among Youths and Adolescents: Evidence from Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Thao Thi Phuong , Do Ha Ngoc , Vu Thao Bich Thi , Vu Khanh Long , Nguyen Hiep Duy , Nguyen Dung Tuan , Do Hoang Minh , Nguyen Nga Thi Thu , La Ly Thi Bac , Doan Linh Phuong , Nguyen Tham Thi , Nguyen Huong Lan Thi , Do Hoa Thi , Latkin Carl A. , Ho Cyrus S. H. , Ho Roger C. M.
Published: January 2023

Introduction: This study aimed to determine latent profiles from the Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire Short Form-6 (PIUQ-SF-6) score of Vietnamese youths and adolescents, which supports the diagnosis of problematic internet use among a large sample size. Moreover, it also explored factors that affect each latent profile of the PIUQ-SF-6 score among participants. Methods: A sample of 1477 Vietnamese people, aged 14 to 24, across five provinces participated in the study. Multinomial logistic regression determined factors related to the levels of the Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire Short Form-6 (PIUQ-SF-6) after using latent profile analysis. Results: Participants were divided into three profiles, including those at low, moderate, and high risk of internet addiction. The high-risk latent profile was obtained for 23.1% of adolescents, and the remaining percentages were, respectively, 40.2% and 36.7% of adolescents belonging to the moderate and low-risk groups. Moreover, factors including age, living alone, high Kessler psychological distress scale, excessive time on the internet, living in central cities, and high neighborhood disorder scores were found to be related to moderate- and high-risk internet addiction profiles. Conclusions: Factors analyzed according to individual and social characteristics further explore the reasons underlying increasing internet addiction among Vietnamese youths and inform early interventions.
Quality of Life and Sense of Coherence in Cancer Patients of German, Turkish and Polish Origin—A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Lieb Marietta , Erim Yesim , Morawa Eva
Published: January 2023

Background: Due to a variety of symptoms and side-effects of cancer treatment, quality of life can be considerably impaired in cancer patients. Especially, cancer patients with a migration background seem to be at risk. The objective of our study is to investigate the quality of life and sense of coherence in adult cancer patients of German, Turkish and Polish origin. Methods: We assessed sociodemographic, migration-specific and cancer-related parameters. Quality of life was measured via the EORTC QLQ-C30, sense of coherence was measured with the SOC-13. Results: We included 227 patients in the study (59.5% native Germans, 40.5% with migration background). Native Germans did not differ in quality of life compared to all migrants. However, more nausea and vomiting (NV) and higher appetite loss (AP) was found in Turkish migrants compared to Polish migrants and native Germans. For sense of coherence, we observed significantly higher scores for native Germans compared to all migrants. Turkish migrants had significantly lower scores compared to native Germans. Conclusions: A Turkish migration background seems to play an important role in the perception of symptoms, especially of nausea and vomiting and appetite loss. Culture-specific aspects should be considered in cancer care.
Correction: Mei et al. Bombyx mori C-Type Lectin (BmIML-2) Inhibits the Proliferation of B. mori Nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) through Involvement in Apoptosis. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23, 8369
Authors: Mei Xianghan , Li Chun , Peng Peilin , Wang Jue , He Enxi , Qiu Zhiyong , Xia Dingguo , Zhao Qiaoling , Shen Dongxu
Published: January 2023

In the original publication [...]
Bioengineering of Soybean Oil and Its Impact on Agronomic Traits
Authors: Song Huan , Taylor David C. , Zhang Meng
Published: January 2023

Soybean is a major oil crop and is also a dominant source of nutritional protein. The 20% seed oil content (SOC) of soybean is much lower than that in most oil crops and the fatty acid composition of its native oil cannot meet the specifications for some applications in the food and industrial sectors. Considerable effort has been expended on soybean bioengineering to tailor fatty acid profiles and improve SOC. Although significant advancements have been made, such as the creation of high-oleic acid soybean oil and high-SOC soybean, those genetic modifications have some negative impacts on soybean production, for instance, impaired germination or low protein content. In this review, we focus on recent advances in the bioengineering of soybean oil and its effects on agronomic traits.
Endothelial Cell Phenotypes Demonstrate Different Metabolic Patterns and Predict Mortality in Trauma Patients
Authors: Henriksen Hanne H. , Marín de Mas Igor , Nielsen Lars K. , Krocker Joseph , Stensballe Jakob , Karvelsson Sigurður T. , Secher Niels H. , Rolfsson Óttar , Wade Charles E. , Johansson Pär I.
Published: January 2023

In trauma patients, shock-induced endotheliopathy (SHINE) is associated with a poor prognosis. We have previously identified four metabolic phenotypes in a small cohort of trauma patients (N = 20) and displayed the intracellular metabolic profile of the endothelial cell by integrating quantified plasma metabolomic profiles into a genome-scale metabolic model (iEC-GEM). A retrospective observational study of 99 trauma patients admitted to a Level 1 Trauma Center. Mass spectrometry was conducted on admission samples of plasma metabolites. Quantified metabolites were analyzed by computational network analysis of the iEC-GEM. Four plasma metabolic phenotypes (A–D) were identified, of which phenotype D was associated with an increased injury severity score (p < 0.001); 90% (91.6%) of the patients who died within 72 h possessed this phenotype. The inferred EC metabolic patterns were found to be different between phenotype A and D. Phenotype D was unable to maintain adequate redox homeostasis. We confirm that trauma patients presented four metabolic phenotypes at admission. Phenotype D was associated with increased mortality. Different EC metabolic patterns were identified between phenotypes A and D, and the inability to maintain adequate redox balance may be linked to the high mortality.
Neuromuscular and Neuromuscular Junction Manifestations of the PURA-NDD: A Systematic Review of the Reported Symptoms and Potential Treatment Options
Authors: Mroczek Magdalena , Iyadurai Stanley
Published: January 2023

PURA-related neurodevelopmental disorders (PURA-NDDs) are a rare genetic disease caused by pathogenic autosomal dominant variants in the PURA gene or a deletion encompassing the PURA gene. PURA-NDD is clinically characterized by neurodevelopmental delay, learning disability, neonatal hypotonia, feeding difficulties, abnormal movements, and epilepsy. It is generally considered to be central nervous system disorders, with generalized weakness, associated hypotonia, cognitive and development deficits in early development, and seizures in late stages. Although it is classified predominantly as a central nervous syndrome disorder, some phenotypic features, such as myopathic facies, respiratory insufficiency of muscle origin, and myopathic features on muscle biopsy and electrodiagnostic evaluation, point to a peripheral (neuromuscular) source of weakness. Patients with PURA-NDD have been increasingly identified in exome-sequenced cohorts of patients with neuromuscular- and congenital myasthenic syndrome-like phenotypes. Recently, fluctuating weakness noted in a PURA-NDD patient, accompanied by repetitive nerve stimulation abnormalities, suggested the disease to be a channelopathy and, more specifically, a neuromuscular junction disorder. Treatment with pyridostigmine or salbutamol led to clinical improvement of neuromuscular function in two reported cases. The goal of this systematic retrospective review is to highlight the motor symptoms of PURA-NDD, to further describe the neuromuscular phenotype, and to emphasize the role of potential treatment opportunities of the neuromuscular phenotype in the setting of the potential role of PURA protein in the neuromuscular junction and the muscles.
Carbon and Nitrogen Allocation between the Sink and Source Leaf Tissue in Response to the Excess Excitation Energy Conditions
Authors: Milić Dejana , Živanović Bojana , Samardžić Jelena , Nikolić Nenad , Cukier Caroline , Limami Anis M. , Vidović Marija
Published: January 2023

Plants are inevitably exposed to extreme climatic conditions that lead to a disturbed balance between the amount of absorbed energy and their ability to process it. Variegated leaves with photosynthetically active green leaf tissue (GL) and photosynthetically inactive white leaf tissue (WL) are an excellent model system to study source–sink interactions within the same leaf under the same microenvironmental conditions. We demonstrated that under excess excitation energy (EEE) conditions (high irradiance and lower temperature), regulated metabolic reprogramming in both leaf tissues allowed an increased consumption of reducing equivalents, as evidenced by preserved maximum efficiency of photosystem II (ФPSII) at the end of the experiment. GL of the EEE-treated plants employed two strategies: (i) the accumulation of flavonoid glycosides, especially cyanidin glycosides, as an alternative electron sink, and (ii) cell wall stiffening by cellulose, pectin, and lignin accumulation. On the other hand, WL increased the amount of free amino acids, mainly arginine, asparagine, branched-chain and aromatic amino acids, as well as kaempferol and quercetin glycosides. Thus, WL acts as an important energy escape valve that is required in order to maintain the successful performance of the GL sectors under EEE conditions. Finally, this role could be an adaptive value of variegation, as no consistent conclusions about its ecological benefits have been proposed so far.
Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Neuroinflammation Elicited by Occupational Injuries and Toxicants
Authors: Pathak Dhruba , Sriram Krishnan
Published: January 2023

Occupational injuries and toxicant exposures lead to the development of neuroinflammation by activating distinct mechanistic signaling cascades that ultimately culminate in the disruption of neuronal function leading to neurological and neurodegenerative disorders. The entry of toxicants into the brain causes the subsequent activation of glial cells, a response known as ‘reactive gliosis’. Reactive glial cells secrete a wide variety of signaling molecules in response to neuronal perturbations and thus play a crucial role in the progression and regulation of central nervous system (CNS) injury. In parallel, the roles of protein phosphorylation and cell signaling in eliciting neuroinflammation are evolving. However, there is limited understanding of the molecular underpinnings associated with toxicant- or occupational injury-mediated neuroinflammation, gliosis, and neurological outcomes. The activation of signaling molecules has biological significance, including the promotion or inhibition of disease mechanisms. Nevertheless, the regulatory mechanisms of synergism or antagonism among intracellular signaling pathways remain elusive. This review highlights the research focusing on the direct interaction between the immune system and the toxicant- or occupational injury-induced gliosis. Specifically, the role of occupational injuries, e.g., trips, slips, and falls resulting in traumatic brain injury, and occupational toxicants, e.g., volatile organic compounds, metals, and nanoparticles/nanomaterials in the development of neuroinflammation and neurological or neurodegenerative diseases are highlighted. Further, this review recapitulates the recent advancement related to the characterization of the molecular mechanisms comprising protein phosphorylation and cell signaling, culminating in neuroinflammation.
Homologs of Ancestral CNNM Proteins Affect Magnesium Homeostasis and Circadian Rhythmicity in a Model Eukaryotic Cell
Authors: Gil Sergio , Feord Helen K. , van Ooijen Gerben
Published: January 2023

Biological rhythms are ubiquitous across organisms and coordinate key cellular processes. Oscillations of Mg2+ levels in cells are now well-established, and due to the critical roles of Mg2+ in cell metabolism, they are potentially fundamental for the circadian control of cellular activity. The identity of the transport proteins responsible for sustaining Mg2+ levels in eukaryotic cells remains hotly debated, and several are restricted to specific groups of higher eukaryotes. Here, using the eukaryotic minimal model cells of Ostreococcus tauri, we report two homologs of common descents of the Cyclin M (CNNM)/CorC protein family. Overexpression of these proteins leads to a reduction in the overall magnesium content of cells and a lengthening of the period of circadian gene expression rhythms. However, we observed a paradoxical increase in the magnesium content of the organelle fraction. The chemical inhibition of Mg2+ transport has a synergistic effect on circadian period lengthening upon the overexpression of one CNNM homolog, but not the other. Finally, both homologs rescue the deleterious effect of low extracellular magnesium on cell proliferation rates. Overall, we identified two CNNM proteins that directly affect Mg2+ homeostasis and cellular rhythms.
Phycobilisomes and Phycobiliproteins in the Pigment Apparatus of Oxygenic Photosynthetics: From Cyanobacteria to Tertiary Endosymbiosis
Authors: Stadnichuk Igor N. , Kusnetsov Victor V.
Published: January 2023

Eukaryotic photosynthesis originated in the course of evolution as a result of the uptake of some unstored cyanobacterium and its transformation to chloroplasts by an ancestral heterotrophic eukaryotic cell. The pigment apparatus of Archaeplastida and other algal phyla that emerged later turned out to be arranged in the same way. Pigment-protein complexes of photosystem I (PS I) and photosystem II (PS II) are characterized by uniform structures, while the light-harvesting antennae have undergone a series of changes. The phycobilisome (PBS) antenna present in cyanobacteria was replaced by Chl a/b- or Chl a/c-containing pigment–protein complexes in most groups of photosynthetics. In the form of PBS or phycobiliprotein aggregates, it was inherited by members of Cyanophyta, Cryptophyta, red algae, and photosynthetic amoebae. Supramolecular organization and architectural modifications of phycobiliprotein antennae in various algal phyla in line with the endosymbiotic theory of chloroplast origin are the subject of this review.
Identification of Annonaceous Acetogenins and Alkaloids from the Leaves, Pulp, and Seeds of Annona atemoya
Authors: Al Kazman Bassam S. M. , Harnett Joanna Elizabeth , Hanrahan Jane Rouse
Published: January 2023

Annonaceae is a large family composed of more than 119 genera and more than 2500 species that are distributed in both tropical and subtropical areas. The Annona genus is a member of Annonaceae family, which encompasses about 175 species, most of which are native to Brazil and tropical America. This plant is commonly found on tropical and subtropical continents. Annona atemoya is a commercially important hybrid of A. squamosa and A. cherimola. Phytochemical investigations of A. atemoya leaves, fruit, and seeds have been conducted in limited studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the constituents of the leaves, fruit pulp, and seeds of A. atemoya because few studies have reported their constituents. Annonaceous acetogenins were identified in the leaves and pulp of A. atemoya for the first time. Twenty compounds were identified: sixteen were acetogenins and four were alkaloids. Additionally, two compounds were isolated, and their structures were confirmed by spectroscopic analysis and compared with the results of previous studies. The concentration of acetogenins in the pulp was very low compared with that in the leaves, whereas the seeds were found to contain the highest concentrations and greatest diversity of compounds.
Management of Obesity and Obesity-Related Disorders: From Stem Cells and Epigenetics to Its Treatment
Authors: Cruciani Sara , Delitala Alessandro Palmerio , Cossu Maria Laura , Ventura Carlo , Maioli Margherita
Published: January 2023

Obesity is a complex worldwide disease, characterized by an abnormal or excessive fat accumulation. The onset of this pathology is generally linked to a complex network of interactions among genetic and environmental factors, aging, lifestyle, and diets. During adipogenesis, several regulatory mechanisms and transcription factors are involved. As fat cells grow, adipose tissue becomes increasingly large and dysfunctional, losing its endocrine function, secreting pro-inflammatory cytokines, and recruiting infiltrating macrophages. This long-term low-grade systemic inflammation results in insulin resistance in peripheral tissues. In this review we describe the main mechanisms involved in adipogenesis, from a physiological condition to obesity. Current therapeutic strategies for the management of obesity and the related metabolic syndrome are also reported.
Opposing Effects of Interleukin-36γ and Interleukin-38 on Trained Immunity
Authors: Teufel Lisa U. , Netea Mihai G. , van de Veerdonk Frank L. , Dinarello Charles A. , Joosten Leo A. B. , Arts Rob J. W.
Published: January 2023

Trained immunity is the process of long-term functional reprogramming (a de facto innate immune memory) of innate immune cells such as monocytes and macrophages after an exposure to pathogens, vaccines, or their ligands. The induction of trained immunity is mediated through epigenetic and metabolic mechanisms. Apart from exogenous stimuli, trained immunity can be induced by endogenous compounds such as oxidized LDL, urate, fumarate, but also cytokines including IL-1α and IL-1β. Here, we show that also recombinant IL-36γ, a pro-inflammatory cytokine of the IL-1-family, is able to induce trained immunity in primary human monocytes, demonstrated by higher cytokine responses and an increase in cellular metabolic pathways both regulated by epigenetic histone modifications. These effects could be inhibited by the IL-36 receptor antagonist as well as by IL-38, an anti-inflammatory cytokine of the IL-1 family which shares its main receptor with IL-36 (IL-1R6). Further, we demonstrated that trained immunity induced by IL-36γ is mediated by NF-κB and mTOR signaling. The inhibitory effect of IL-38 on IL-36γ-induced trained immunity was confirmed in experiments using bone marrow of IL-38KO and WT mice. These results indicate that exposure to IL-36γ results in long-term pro-inflammatory changes in monocytes which can be inhibited by IL-38. Recombinant IL-38 could therefore potentially be used as a therapeutic intervention for diseases characterized by exacerbated trained immunity.
SARS-CoV-2 as an Oncolytic Virus Following Reactivation of the Immune System: A Review
Authors: Bounassar-Filho Joao P. , Boeckler-Troncoso Laura , Cajigas-Gonzalez Jocelyne , Zavala-Cerna Maria G.
Published: January 2023

The effects SARS-CoV-2 inflicts on human physiology, especially in patients who developed COVID-19, can range from flu-like symptoms to death, and although many lives have been lost during the pandemic, others have faced the resolution of aggressive neoplasms that once proclaimed a poor prognosis following traditional treatments. The purpose of this review was to analyze several fortunate case reports and their associated biomolecular pathways to further explore new avenues that might provide oncological treatments in the future of medicine. We included papers that discussed cases in which patients affected by COVID-19 suffered beneficial changes in their cancer status. Multiple mechanisms which elicited a reactivation of the host’s immune system included cross-reactivity with viral antigens and downregulation of neoplastic cells. We were able to identify important cases presenting the resolution/remission of different aggressive neoplasms, for which most of the time, standard-of-care treatments offered little to no prospect towards a cure. The intricacy of the defense mechanisms humans have adopted against cancer cells through the millennia are still not well understood, but SARS-CoV-2 has demonstrated that the same ruinous cytokine storm which has taken so many lives can paradoxically be the answer we have been looking for to recalibrate the immunological system to retarget and vanquish malignancies.
A Mission to Mars: Prediction of GCR Doses and Comparison with Astronaut Dose Limits
Authors: Ramos Ricardo L. , Carante Mario P. , Ferrari Alfredo , Sala Paola , Vercesi Valerio , Ballarini Francesca
Published: January 2023

Long-term human space missions such as a future journey to Mars could be characterized by several hazards, among which radiation is one the highest-priority problems for astronaut health. In this work, exploiting a pre-existing interface between the BIANCA biophysical model and the FLUKA Monte Carlo transport code, a study was performed to calculate astronaut absorbed doses and equivalent doses following GCR exposure under different shielding conditions. More specifically, the interface with BIANCA allowed us to calculate both the RBE for cell survival, which is related to non-cancer effects, and that for chromosome aberrations, related to the induction of stochastic effects, including cancer. The results were then compared with cancer and non-cancer astronaut dose limits. Concerning the stochastic effects, the equivalent doses calculated by multiplying the absorbed dose by the RBE for chromosome aberrations (“high-dose method”) were similar to those calculated using the Q-values recommended by ICRP. For a 650-day mission at solar minimum (representative of a possible Mars mission scenario), the obtained values are always lower than the career limit recommended by ICRP (1 Sv), but higher than the limit of 600 mSv recently adopted by NASA. The comparison with the JAXA limits is more complex, since they are age and sex dependent. Concerning the deterministic limits, even for a 650-day mission at solar minimum, the values obtained by multiplying the absorbed dose by the RBE for cell survival are largely below the limits established by the various space agencies. Following this work, BIANCA, interfaced with an MC transport code such as FLUKA, can now predict RBE values for cell death and chromosome aberrations following GCR exposure. More generally, both at solar minimum and at solar maximum, shielding of 10 g/cm2 Al seems to be a better choice than 20 g/cm2 for astronaut protection against GCR.
5-Vinyl-1H-tetrazole
Authors: Krygina Daria M. , Sivtsov Eugene V. , Pavlyukova Yuliya N. , Chernova Ekaterina N. , Skryl’nikova Mariya A. , Baigildin Vadim A. , Puzyk Aleksandra M. , Oskorbyn Alexander A. , Trifonov Rostislav E. , Aleshunin Pavel A. , Ostrovskii Vladimir A.
Published: January 2023

Highly purified 5-vinyl-1H-tetrazole was synthesized, which is in great demand in modern medicine and industry as a monomer for obtaining nitrogen-rich macromolecular compounds and a reagent for the complete synthesis of biological compounds. The molecular structure was studied experimentally with sequential X-ray diffraction analysis and theoretically with ab initio quantum chemical calculations. The data from differential scanning calorimetry, nuclear magnetic resonance (1H, 13C, 1H-15N, HMBC), high-resolution mass spectrometry and vibrational spectroscopy were analyzed. The results are useful for evaluating the possibility of extending the polymerization of 5-vinyl-1H-tetrazole to synthesize polymers with predictable molecular weight and thermodynamic parameters.
Ratiometric Electrochemical Sensor for Butralin Determination Using a Quinazoline-Engineered Prussian Blue Analogue
Authors: Monteiro Marcio Cristiano , Winiarski João Paulo , Santana Edson Roberto , Szpoganicz Bruno , Vieira Iolanda Cruz
Published: January 2023

A ratiometric electrochemical sensor based on a carbon paste electrode modified with quinazoline-engineered ZnFe Prussian blue analogue (PBA-qnz) was developed for the determination of herbicide butralin. The PBA-qnz was synthesized by mixing an excess aqueous solution of zinc chloride with an aqueous solution of precursor sodium pentacyanido(quinazoline)ferrate. The PBA-qnz was characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. The stable signal of PBA-qnz at +0.15 V vs. Ag/AgCl, referring to the reduction of iron ions, was used as an internal reference for the ratiometric sensor, which minimized deviations among multiple assays and improved the precision of the method. Furthermore, the PBA-qnz-based sensor provided higher current responses for butralin compared to the bare carbon paste electrode. The calibration plot for butralin was obtained by square wave voltammetry in the range of 0.5 to 30.0 µmol L−1, with a limit of detection of 0.17 µmol L−1. The ratiometric sensor showed excellent precision and accuracy and was applied to determine butralin in lettuce and potato samples.
Uniaxial Compressive Stress–Strain Model of Jujube Nucleus Concrete following Exposure to Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Li Jieqi , Jia Mingming , Gao Shan , Yuan Jian
Published: January 2023

Aiming to provide a solution for natural resource consumption and agricultural waste pollution, jujube nucleus is utilized as a substitute for coarse aggregate in the preparation of lightweight aggregate concrete. The effect of the jujube nucleus (JN) replacement ratio and the elevated temperature on the uniaxial compressive stress–strain curves of jujube nucleus concrete (JNC) are experimentally studied. The results show that the failure of the JNC prisms became more serious with the increase in the JN replacement ratio. The linear proportion in ascending branch and the descending slope of the stress–strain curves for JNC increased gradually with the increase in the JN replacement ratio and elevated temperature, which is probably owing to the higher porosity and lower stiffness of the jujube nucleus, compared to natural aggregate. Moreover, as the JN replacement ratio and the elevated temperature increase, the peak stress and elastic modulus in the stress–strain curves of JNC decrease gradually, whilst an increase in the peak strain shows up, which is possibly due to the growth of hydrate calcium silicate and calcium hydroxide hampered by sucrose molecules. Based on the test results, a series of theoretical formulas are proposed to predict the compressive performance of JNC. A material constitutive model is developed for describing the stress–strain relationship of JNC by considering the JN replacement ratio and elevated temperature.
Facet Connectivity-Based Estimation Algorithm for Manufacturability of Supportless Parts Fabricated via LPBF
Authors: Lee Seung-Yeop , Lee Jae-Wook , Yang Min-Seok , Kim Da-Hye , Jung Hyun-Gug , Ko Dae-Cheol , Kim Kun-Woo
Published: January 2023

Recent advances in additive manufacturing have provided more freedom in the design of metal parts; hence, the prototyping of fluid machines featuring extremely complex geometries has been investigated extensively. The fabrication of fluid machines via additive manufacturing requires significant attention to part stability; however, studies that predict regions with a high risk of collapse are few. Therefore, a novel algorithm that can detect collapse regions precisely is proposed herein. The algorithm reflects the support span over the faceted surface via propagation and invalidates overestimated collapse regions based on the overhang angle. A heat exchanger model with an extremely complex internal space is adopted to validate the algorithm. Three samples from the model are extracted and their prototypes are fabricated via laser powder bed fusion. The results yielded by the fabricated samples and algorithm with respect to the sample domain are compared. Regions of visible collapse identified on the surface of the fabricated samples are predicted precisely by the algorithm. Thus, the supporting span reflected by the algorithm provides an extremely precise prediction of collapse.
Nanolithographic Fabrication Technologies for Network-Based Biocomputation Devices
Authors: Meinecke Christoph R. , Heldt Georg , Blaudeck Thomas , Lindberg Frida W. , van Delft Falco C. M. J. M. , Rahman Mohammad Ashikur , Salhotra Aseem , Månsson Alf , Linke Heiner , Korten Till , Diez Stefan , Reuter Danny , Schulz Stefan E.
Published: January 2023

Network-based biocomputation (NBC) relies on accurate guiding of biological agents through nanofabricated channels produced by lithographic patterning techniques. Here, we report on the large-scale, wafer-level fabrication of optimized microfluidic channel networks (NBC networks) using electron-beam lithography as the central method. To confirm the functionality of these NBC networks, we solve an instance of a classical non-deterministic-polynomial-time complete (“NP-complete”) problem, the subset-sum problem. The propagation of cytoskeletal filaments, e.g., molecular motor-propelled microtubules or actin filaments, relies on a combination of physical and chemical guiding along the channels of an NBC network. Therefore, the nanofabricated channels have to fulfill specific requirements with respect to the biochemical treatment as well as the geometrical confienement, with walls surrounding the floors where functional molecular motors attach. We show how the material stack used for the NBC network can be optimized so that the motor-proteins attach themselves in functional form only to the floor of the channels. Further optimizations in the nanolithographic fabrication processes greatly improve the smoothness of the channel walls and floors, while optimizations in motor-protein expression and purification improve the activity of the motor proteins, and therefore, the motility of the filaments. Together, these optimizations provide us with the opportunity to increase the reliability of our NBC devices. In the future, we expect that these nanolithographic fabrication technologies will enable production of large-scale NBC networks intended to solve substantially larger combinatorial problems that are currently outside the capabilities of conventional software-based solvers.