bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of GPU Network-on-Chip for Real-Time Video Super-Resolution Reconstruction
Authors: Peng Zhiyong , Du Jiang , Qiao Yulong
Published: May 2023

Deep learning has a better output quality compared with traditional algorithms for video super-resolution (SR), but the network model needs large resources and has poor real-time performance. This paper focuses on solving the speed problem of SR; it achieves real-time SR by the collaborative design of a deep learning video SR algorithm and GPU parallel acceleration. An algorithm combining deep learning networks with a lookup table (LUT) is proposed for the video SR, which ensures both the SR effect and ease of GPU parallel acceleration. The computational efficiency of the GPU network-on-chip algorithm is improved to ensure real-time performance by three major GPU optimization strategies: storage access optimization, conditional branching function optimization, and threading optimization. Finally, the network-on-chip was implemented on a RTX 3090 GPU, and the validity of the algorithm was demonstrated through ablation experiments. In addition, SR performance is compared with existing classical algorithms based on standard datasets. The new algorithm was found to be more efficient than the SR-LUT algorithm. The average PSNR was 0.61 dB higher than the SR-LUT-V algorithm and 0.24 dB higher than the SR-LUT-S algorithm. At the same time, the speed of real video SR was tested. For a real video with a resolution of 540×540, the proposed GPU network-on-chip achieved a speed of 42 FPS. The new method is 9.1 times faster than the original SR-LUT-S fast method, which was directly imported into the GPU for processing.
Anti-Insect Properties of Penicillium Secondary Metabolites
Authors: Nicoletti Rosario , Andolfi Anna , Becchimanzi Andrea , Salvatore Maria Michela
Published: May 2023

In connection with their widespread occurrence in diverse environments and ecosystems, fungi in the genus Penicillium are commonly found in association with insects. In addition to some cases possibly implying a mutualistic relationship, this symbiotic interaction has mainly been investigated to verify the entomopathogenic potential in light of its possible exploitation in ecofriendly strategies for pest control. This perspective relies on the assumption that entomopathogenicity is often mediated by fungal products and that Penicillium species are renowned producers of bioactive secondary metabolites. Indeed, a remarkable number of new compounds have been identified and characterized from these fungi in past decades, the properties and possible applications of which in insect pest management are reviewed in this paper.
A Comparison between the Standard Heterogeneity Test and the Simplified Segregation Free Analysis for Sampling Protocol Optimisation
Authors: Chieregati Ana Carolina , Prado Gabriela Cardoso , Fernandes Flavia L. , Villanova Fernando L. S. P. , Dominy Simon C.
Published: May 2023

Estimating the heterogeneity of base and precious metal mineralisation is a great challenge for mining engineers and geologists who undertake resource evaluation, grade control and reconciliation. The calculation of the minimum broken sample mass to represent a given lot of mineralisation at a given comminution size is based on the estimation of IHL, the constant factor of constitution heterogeneity. IHL can be derived by different heterogeneity testwork or calibration approaches. Three methodologies are well known in the mining industry: the standard heterogeneity test, the segregation free analysis, and the sampling tree experiment or duplicate sample analysis. However, the methodologies often show different results, especially when it comes to gold. These differences are due to many reasons. Assuming the variances added by sample preparation and analysis to be equivalent for all tests, the reasons for the differences may include the nugget effect (particularly the presence of coarse gold), the segregation effect and the procedure of collecting/splitting the samples when performing the tests. This paper analyses and compares two heterogeneity tests: the original heterogeneity test and the simplified segregation free analysis, both performed on mineralisation from different Brazilian operations. The results show clear differences between the tests, highlighting the complexity of estimating the heterogeneity of mineral deposits. The study reports the importance of using proper methodologies for constitution heterogeneity estimation so that minimum sample masses and relative standard deviations of the fundamental sampling error can be relied upon. It also provides recommendations for practitioners on the application of testwork/calibration studies.
Revealing Unknown Aspects: Sparking Curiosity and Engagement with a Tourist Destination through a 360-Degree Virtual Tour
Authors: Petousi Dimitra , Katifori Akrivi , Boile Maria , Kougioumtzian Lori , Lougiakis Christos , Roussou Maria , Ioannidis Yannis
Published: May 2023

Over the past decades, 360-degree virtual tours have been used to provide the public access to accurate representations of cultural heritage sites and museums. The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to a rise in the popularity of virtual tours as a means of engaging with locations remotely and has raised an interesting question: How could we use such experiences to bring the public closer to locations that are otherwise unreachable in real life or not considered to be tourist destinations? In this study, we examine the effectiveness of promoting engagement with a city through the virtual presentation of unknown and possibly also inaccessible points of interest through a 360-degree panoramic virtual tour. The evaluation of the experience with 31 users through an online questionnaire confirms its potential to spark curiosity, promote engagement, foster reflection, and motivate users to explore the location and its attractions at their leisure, thus enabling them to experience it from their personal point of view. The outcomes highlight the need for further research to explore this potential and identify best practices for virtual experience design.
Impact of Screen Time on Children’s Development: Cognitive, Language, Physical, and Social and Emotional Domains
Authors: Panjeti-Madan Vaishnavi N. , Ranganathan Prakash
Published: May 2023

Technology has become integral to children’s lives, impacting many aspects, from academic to socialization. Children of today’s generation are growing up with digital devices, such as mobile phones, iPads, computers, video games, and smart gadgets; therefore, screen time has become ubiquitous in children’s daily routines. This paper provides a review of screen time usage and its impact in children across multiple developmental domains: cognitive, language, physical, and socio-emotional domain of children under eight years of age. The cognitive domain considers factors such as attention span and memory; language domain examines vocabulary, speech, and language development; physical domain focuses on motor development, exercise, sleep, and diet; and social-emotional domain considers relationships, self-identity, and emotional behaviors/regulation. Our findings are mixed, as there are both benefits and drawbacks in technology use, but screen time in children requires controlled observation and monitoring for sustainable improved progress across developmental domains. Specific recommendations advise that children’s screen time per day should be limited to zero minutes (min) (0–2 years), <60 min (3–5-years), and 60 min (6–8 years).
A Comparative Study of the Biodurability and Persistence of Gold, Silver and Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Using the Continuous Flow through System
Authors: Mbanga Odwa , Cukrowska Ewa , Gulumian Mary
Published: May 2023

The potential for nanoparticles to cause harm to human health and the environment is correlated with their biodurability in the human body and persistence in the environment. Dissolution testing serves to predict biodurability and nanoparticle environmental persistence. In this study, dissolution testing using the continuous flow through system was used to investigate the biodurability and persistence of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) in five different simulated biological fluids and two synthetic environmental media to predict their behaviour in real life situations. This study examined the physicochemical properties and agglomeration state of gold, silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles before and after dissolution tests using three different techniques (UV-vis, XRD and TEM). The UV-vis spectra revealed that all three nanoparticles shifted to higher wavelengths after being exposed to simulated fluids. The titanium powder was found to be mixed with both rutile and anatase, according to XRD examination. The average diameter of gold nanoparticles was 14 nm, silver nanoparticles were 10 nm and titanium dioxide nanoparticles were 25 nm, according to TEM images. The gold and silver nanoparticles were observed to be spherical, but the titanium dioxide nanoparticles were irregular in shape, with some being spherical. The level of dissolved nanoparticles in simulated acidic media was higher in magnitude compared to that dissolved in simulated alkaline media. The results obtained via the continuous flow through dissolution system also displayed very significant dissolution rates. For TiO2 NPs the calculated half-times were in the range of 13–14 days, followed by AuNPs ranging between 4–12 days, significantly longer if compared to the half-times of AgNPs ranging between 2–7 days. AuNPs and TiO2 NPs were characterized by low dissolution rates therefore are expected to be (bio)durable in physiological surroundings and persistent in the environment thus, they might impose long-term effects on humans and the environment. In contrast, AgNPs have high dissolution rates and not (bio)durable and hence may cause short-term effects. The results suggest a hierarchy of biodurability and persistence of TiO2 NPs > AuNPs > AgNPs. It is recommended that nanoparticle product developers should follow the test guidelines stipulated by the OECD to ensure product safety for use before it is taken to the market.
“Alperujo” Compost Improves Nodulation and Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation of Soybean Inoculated with Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens
Authors: Tortosa Germán , Mesa Socorro , Delgado María J. , Amaya-Gómez Carol V.
Published: May 2023

The utilization of compost to enhance plant productivity and symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) has been recognized as an effective alternative to synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. This environmentally sustainable method is readily accessible to farmers. This study investigated the effect of olive pomace (“alperujo”, AL) compost on the nodulation and SNF of soybeans (Glycine max L.) and their natural symbiont (Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens). For that, soybean plants were subjected to several doses of AL compost under controlled greenhouse conditions. At the end of the experiment, the dry weight of plant biomass (aerial part and roots), the number and fresh weight of nodules, and nitrogen and leghaemoglobin contents were analyzed. The application of AL compost significantly improved soybean growth, as demonstrated by an increase in both plant biomass and height. Furthermore, nodular leghaemoglobin content and nitrogen content were found to be enhanced by the addition of AL compost (7 and 40%, respectively), indicating an increase in nodule effectiveness and symbiotic efficiency. Our results provide clear evidence of the synergetic effect of AL compost on the soybean-B. diazoefficiens association, probably due to AL-compost improved soybean roots development, and rhizospheric organic matter and nutrients assimilation by rhizobia.
Mediterranean Diet Adherence and Its Relationship to Metabolic Markers and Body Composition in Portuguese University Students
Authors: Lopes Sofia , Fontes Tatiana , Menezes Regina , Rodrigues Luís , Ferreira-Pêgo Cíntia
Published: May 2023

Background: Transitioning to university involves several changes, which might affect dietary habits. The present study aimed to assess the potential relationships involving adherence to the MedDiet, body composition, and metabolic markers within a Portuguese university sample. Methods: A cross-sectional study involved 70 participants, 52 women, and 18 men (23.00 ± 7.00 years old and a BMI of 21.99 ± 2.79 kg/m2). The average MedDiet adherence of participants was 9.23 points, as evaluated by the 14 point validated questionnaire, with classifications of low and high (under or over 9 points, respectively). Body composition was assessed using X-ray dual densitometry (DXA), and metabolic markers were collected from capillary blood. Results: Statistically significant differences in HDL cholesterol and the total/HDL cholesterol ratio were found between groups. Lower levels (p < 0.05) of visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), BMI, and waist circumference were found in the higher MedDiet adherence group. Those measures were negatively correlated (p < 0.05) with the adherence scores to the MedDiet. Conclusion: Higher adherence to MedDiet seemed to have a favorable and important impact on lipid profiles, primarily HDL-c. A positive relationship between MedDiet adherence and body composition distribution was also described, mostly due to the influence of higher adherence to MedDiet at lower levels of VAT and SAT in Portuguese university students.
Clinical Application of a Multiplex Droplet Digital PCR in the Rapid Diagnosis of Children with Suspected Bloodstream Infections
Authors: Liu Wenxin , Wang Chun , Pan Fen , Shao Jingbo , Cui Yun , Han Dingding , Zhang Hong
Published: May 2023

Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) recently has been shown to be a potential diagnostic tool for adults with bloodstream infections (BSIs); however, its application in children remains obscure. In this study, 76 blood samples of children with suspected BSIs were synchronously detected by traditional blood cultures (BCs) and ddPCRs. Our team validated the diagnostic performance of ddPCR including sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. The 76 pediatric patients from the hematology department (67.1%), the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU, 27.6%), and other departments (5.2%) were enrolled. The positive rate of ddPCR results was 47.9%, whereas that for BC was 6.6%. In addition, the time consumption of ddPCR was shorter, only for 4.7 ± 0.9 h, in comparison with the detection timing of BC (76.7 ± 10.4 h, p < 0.01). The levels of agreement and disagreement between BC and ddPCR were 96.1% and 4.2%, and the negative agreement reached 95.6%. The sensitivity of ddPCR was 100%, with corresponding specificities ranging from 95.3 to 100.0%. In addition, a total of nine viruses were identified by ddPCR. In China, the multiplexed ddPCR first could be a tool for the rapid and accurate diagnosis of children with suspected BSIs and can be an early indicator of the possibility of viraemia in children with immunosuppression.
Resveratrol Enhances Cytotoxic Effects of Cisplatin by Inducing Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Ovarian Adenocarcinoma SKOV-3 Cells through Activating the p38 MAPK and Suppressing AKT
Authors: Hankittichai Phateep , Thaklaewphan Phatarawat , Wikan Nitwara , Ruttanapattanakul Jirapak , Potikanond Saranyapin , Smith Duncan R. , Nimlamool Wutigri
Published: May 2023

In the current study, we identified a mechanism of resveratrol (RES) underlying its anti-cancer properties against human ovarian adenocarcinoma SKOV-3 cells. We investigated its anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects in combination with cisplatin, using cell viability assay, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence study and Western blot analysis. We discovered that RES suppressed cancer cell proliferation and stimulated apoptosis, especially when combined with cisplatin. This compound also inhibited SKOV-3 cell survival, which may partly be due to its potential to inhibit protein kinase B (AKT) phosphorylation and induce the S-phase cell cycle arrest. RES in combination with cisplatin strongly induced cancer cell apoptosis through activating the caspase-dependent cascade, which was associated with its ability to stimulate nuclear phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), well recognized to be involved in transducing environmental stress signals. RES-induced p38 phosphorylation was very specific, and the activation status of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was not mainly affected. Taken together, our study provides accumulated evidence that RES represses proliferation and promotes apoptosis in SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells through activating the p38 MAPK pathway. It is interesting that this active compound may be used as an effective agent to sensitize ovarian cancer to apoptosis induced by standard chemotherapies.
A Novel Semi-Solid Self-Emulsifying Formulation of Aprepitant for Oral Delivery: An In Vitro Evaluation
Authors: Nazlı Hakan , Mesut Burcu , Akbal-Dağıstan Özlem , Özsoy Yıldız
Published: May 2023

Aprepitant is the first member of a relatively new antiemetic drug class called NK1 receptor antagonists. It is commonly prescribed to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Although it is included in many treatment guidelines, its poor solubility causes bioavailability issues. A particle size reduction technique was used in the commercial formulation to overcome low bioavailability. Production with this method consists of many successive steps that cause the cost of the drug to increase. This study aims to develop an alternative, cost-effective formulation to the existing nanocrystal form. We designed a self-emulsifying formulation that can be filled into capsules in a melted state and then solidified at room temperature. Solidification was achieved by using surfactants with a melting temperature above room temperature. Various polymers have also been tested to maintain the supersaturated state of the drug. The optimized formulation consists of CapryolTM 90, Kolliphor® CS20, Transcutol® P, and Soluplus®; it was characterized by DLS, FTIR, DSC, and XRPD techniques. A lipolysis test was conducted to predict the digestion performance of formulations in the gastrointestinal system. Dissolution studies showed an increased dissolution rate of the drug. Finally, the cytotoxicity of the formulation was tested in the Caco-2 cell line. According to the results, a formulation with improved solubility and low toxicity was obtained.
Simultaneous and Multiplexed Measurement of Curvature and Strain Based on Optical Fiber Fabry-Perot Interferometric Sensors
Authors: Zhu Chen , Zheng Hongkun , Alsalman Osamah , Naku Wassana , Ma Lingmei
Published: May 2023

Optical fiber sensors that have a compact size and the capability for multi-parameter sensing are desired in various applications. This article reports a miniaturized optical fiber Fabry-Perot interferometric sensor with a length of hundreds of µm that is able to simultaneously measure variations of curvature, temperature, and strain. The sensor is easy to fabricate, requiring only the fusion splicing of a short section of the silica capillary tube between two single-mode fibers (SMFs). The combined mechanism of the Fabry-Perot interference occurred in the two interfaces between the capillary and the SMFs, and the antiresonant guidance induced by the capillary tube makes the device capable of realizing multi-parameter sensing. A simplified coefficient matrix approach is developed to decouple the contributions from different parameters. In addition, the capability of the device for multiplexing is investigated, where four such prototypes with different air cavity lengths are multiplexed in a system in parallel. The spectral behavior of an individual device for measuring curvature and strain is reconstructed and investigated, showing reliable responses and little crosstalk between different devices. The proposed device is easy to fabricate, cost-effective, robust, and could find potential applications in the field of structural health monitoring and medical and human–machine interactive sensing.
Deep Compressed Super-Resolution Imaging with DMD Alignment Error Correction
Authors: Xu Miao , Wang Chao , Shi Haodong , Fu Qiang , Li Yingchao , Dong Lianqing , Jiang Huilin
Published: May 2023

In the field of compressed imaging, many attempts have been made to use the high-resolution digital micromirror array (DMD) in combination with low-resolution detectors to construct imaging systems by collecting low-resolution compressed data to reconstruct high-resolution images. However, the difficulty of achieving micrometer-level alignment between DMD devices and detectors has resulted in significant reconstruction errors. To address this issue, we proposed a joint input generative adversarial network with an error correction function that simulates the degradation of image quality due to alignment errors, designed an optical imaging system, and incorporated prior imaging system knowledge in the data generation process to improve the training efficiency and reconstruction performance. Our network achieved the ability to reconstruct 4× high-resolution images with different alignment errors and performed outstanding reconstruction in real-world scenes. Compared to existing algorithms, our method had a higher peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and better visualization results, which demonstrates the feasibility of our approach.
Dimensional Analysis of Double-Track Microstructures in a Lithium Niobate Crystal Induced by Ultrashort Laser Pulses
Authors: Gulina Yulia , Zhu Jiaqi , Gorevoy Alexey , Kosobokov Mikhail , Turygin Anton , Lisjikh Boris , Akhmatkhanov Andrey , Shur Vladimir , Kudryashov Sergey
Published: May 2023

Double-track microstructures were induced in the bulk of a z-cut lithium niobate crystal by 1030 nm 240 fs ultrashort laser pulses with a repetition rate of 100 kHz at variable pulse energies exceeding the critical Kerr self-focusing power. The microstructure topography was characterized by atomic force microscopy in piezoelectric response mode. The spatial positions of laser-induced modification regions inside lithium niobate in the case of laser beam propagation along the crystal optical axis can be directly predicted by simple analytical expressions under the paraxial approximation. A dimensional analysis of the morphology of the double-track structures revealed that both their length and width exhibit a monotonous increase with the pulse energy. The presented results have important implications for direct laser writing technology in crystalline dielectric birefringent materials, paving the way to control the high spatial resolution by means of effective energy deposition in modified regions.
New Insight into the Function of Dopamine (DA) during Cd Stress in Duckweed (Lemna turionifera 5511)
Authors: Wang Wenqiao , Yang Yunwen , Ma Xu , He Yuman , Ren Qiuting , Huang Yandi , Wang Jing , Xue Ying , Yang Rui , Guo Yuhan , Sun Jinge , Yang Lin , Sun Zhanpeng
Published: May 2023

Dopamine (DA), a kind of neurotransmitter in animals, has been proven to cause a positive influence on plants during abiotic stress. In the present study, the function of DA on plants under cadmium (Cd) stress was revealed. The yellowing of duckweed leaves under Cd stress could be alleviated by an exogenous DA (10/20/50/100/200 μM) supplement, and 50 μM was the optimal concentration to resist Cd stress by reducing root breakage, restoring photosynthesis and chlorophyll content. In addition, 24 h DA treatment increased Cd content by 1.3 times in duckweed under Cd stress through promoting the influx of Cd2+. Furthermore, the gene expression changes study showed that photosynthesis-related genes were up-regulated by DA addition under Cd stress. Additionally, the mechanisms of DA-induced Cd detoxification and accumulation were also investigated; some critical genes, such as vacuolar iron transporter 1 (VIT1), multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) and Rubisco, were significantly up-regulated with DA addition under Cd stress. An increase in intracellular Ca2+ content and a decrease in Ca2+ efflux induced by DA under Cd stress were observed, as well as synchrony with changes in the expression of cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel 2 (CNGC2), predicting that, in plants, CNGC2 may be an upstream target for DA action and trigger the change of intracellular Ca2+ signal. Our results demonstrate that DA supplementation can improve Cd resistance by enhancing duckweed photosynthesis, changing intracellular Ca2+ signaling, and enhancing Cd detoxification and accumulation. Interestingly, we found that exposure to Cd reduced endogenous DA content, which is the result of a blocked shikimate acid pathway and decreased expression of the tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) gene. The function of DA in Cd stress offers a new insight into the application and study of DA to Cd phytoremediation in aquatic systems.
Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Profiling of Pathogenesis-Related Protein 1 (PR-1) Genes in Durum Wheat (Triticum durum Desf.)
Authors: Zribi Ikram , Ghorbel Mouna , Haddaji Najla , Besbes Malek , Brini Faiçal
Published: May 2023

Pathogen-related proteins (PRs) are diversified proteins with a low molecular weight implicated in plant response to biotic and abiotic stress as well in regulating different functions in plant maturation. Interestingly, no systematical study has been conducted in durum wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. durum). In the present study, 12 PR-1 genes encoding a CAP superfamily domain were identified in the genome of Triticum turgidum subsp. durum, which is an important cereal, using in silico approaches. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis showed that the PR-1 genes were classified into three groups based on their isoelectric point and the conserved motif domain. Moreover, our analysis showed that most of the TdPR-1 proteins presented an N-terminal signal peptide. Expression patterns analysis showed that the PR-1 gene family presented temporal and spatial specificity and was induced by different abiotic stresses. This is the first report describing the genome-scale analysis of the durum wheat PR-1 gene family, and these data will help further study the roles of PR-1 genes during stress responses, leading to crop improvement.
Comparative Study of Phytochemistry, Antioxidant and Biological Activities of Berberis libanotica Fruit and Leaf Extracts
Authors: Dawra Michella , Nehme Nancy , El Beyrouthy Marc , Abi Rizk Alain , Taillandier Patricia , Bouajila Jalloul , El Rayess Youssef
Published: May 2023

Berberis libanotica Ehrenb. ex C.K. Schneider of the Berberidaceae family is an endemic Lebanese plant and is widely used in folk medicine. This study highlights the phytochemical composition and biological activities (in vitro) of fruit and leaf extracts. The two organs were extracted by cold maceration with four solvents of increasing polarity: cyclohexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol. The extracts were screened for their chemical composition by HPLC-DAD to identify and quantify the phenolic compounds. Volatile compounds were detected by GC-MS. The antioxidant capacity through DPPH inhibition was tested. The anti-acetylcholinesterase, antibacterial and anti-proliferative activities were evaluated. Thirteen compounds, including 12 phenolics, were detected in the fruits, whereas 8 phenolic compounds were identified in the leaves. A total of 137 volatile compounds were identified in both organs. At 50 μg/mL, the methanolic leaf extract presented the highest antioxidant capacity, with an inhibition percentage of 54.9%. The dichloromethane fruit extract reduced the acetylcholinesterase activity by 65.3%. The cyclohexane leaf extract reduced the proliferation of the HCT-116 cells by 54.8%, while the dichloromethane fruit extract exhibited the best inhibition against the Caco-2 cells (54%). Interestingly, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of the cyclohexane fruit extract against Salmonella enterica serovar Kentucky was 2.4 μg/mL, and the MIC value of the cyclohexane leaf extract against E. coli was 9.7 μg/mL.
Light Regulation of LoCOP1 and Its Role in Floral Scent Biosynthesis in Lilium ‘Siberia’
Authors: Liu Yang , Wang Qin , Abbas Farhat , Zhou Yiwei , He Jingjuan , Fan Yanping , Yu Rangcai
Published: May 2023

Light is an important environmental signal that governs plant growth, development, and metabolism. Constitutive photomorphogenic 1 (COP1) is a light signaling component that plays a vital role in plant light responses. We isolated the COP1 gene (LoCOP1) from the petals of Lilium ‘Siberia’ and investigated its function. The LoCOP1 protein was found to be the most similar to Apostasia shenzhenica COP1. LoCOP1 was found to be an important factor located in the nucleus and played a negative regulatory role in floral scent production and emission using the virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) approach. The yeast two-hybrid, β-galactosidase, and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays revealed that LoCOP1 interacts with LoMYB1 and LoMYB3. Furthermore, light modified both the subcellular distribution of LoCOP1 and its interactions with LoMYB1 and MYB3 in onion cells. The findings highlighted an important regulatory mechanism in the light signaling system that governs scent emission in Lilium ‘Siberia’ by the ubiquitination and degradation of transcription factors via the proteasome pathway.
Development of a Pressurized Green Liquid Extraction Procedure to Recover Antioxidant Bioactive Compounds from Strawberry Tree Fruit (Arbutus unedo L.)
Authors: Bebek Markovinović Anica , Milošević Sanja , Teslić Nemanja , Pavlić Branimir , Putnik Predrag , Brčić Karačonji Irena , Jurica Karlo , Lasić Dario , Bursać Kovačević Danijela
Published: May 2023

Strawberry tree fruits (Arbutus unedo L.) are a natural source of valuable biologically active compounds. Therefore, the aim of this work was to develop a green extraction approach using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) to provide the highest yield of bioactive compounds. Different extraction solvents (distilled water, 50% and 96% ethanol) and different PLE parameters were investigated: temperature (40, 80, and 120 °C), static extraction time (5 and 10 min), and number of cycles (1 and 2). Total phenolic contents (TPC), hydroxycinnamic acids (HCA), flavonols (FL), total flavonoids (TF), condensed tannins (CT), and antioxidant capacity (DPPH and FRAP) were determined in PLE extracts. Solvent type, temperature, static extraction time, and number of cycles had a statistically significant effect on all bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity (p ≤ 0.05). All bioactive compounds were positively correlated with temperature, except for TPC and DPPH. For all polyphenols studied, the optimal PLE parameters were a temperature of 120 °C, a static extraction time of 10 min and 2 cycles. The best solvent for most bioactive compounds was 96% ethanol, except for TPC, for which 50% ethanol was better. This study suggests that PLE is a promising tool to intensify the extraction of bioactive compounds from strawberry tree fruits.
Application of Nanocellulose-Based Aerogels in Bone Tissue Engineering: Current Trends and Outlooks
Authors: Zhang Yaoguang , Jiang Shengjun , Xu Dongdong , Li Zubing , Guo Jie , Li Zhi , Cheng Gu
Published: May 2023

The complex or compromised bone defects caused by osteomyelitis, malignant tumors, metastatic tumors, skeletal abnormalities, and systemic diseases are difficult to be self-repaired, leading to a non-union fracture. With the increasing demands of bone transplantation, more and more attention has been paid to artificial bone substitutes. As biopolymer-based aerogel materials, nanocellulose aerogels have been widely utilized in bone tissue engineering. More importantly, nanocellulose aerogels not only mimic the structure of the extracellular matrix but could also deliver drugs and bioactive molecules to promote tissue healing and growth. Here, we reviewed the most recent literature about nanocellulose-based aerogels, summarized the preparation, modification, composite fabrication, and applications of nanocellulose-based aerogels in bone tissue engineering, as well as giving special focus to the current limitations and future opportunities of nanocellulose aerogels for bone tissue engineering.
Dynamic Process and Damage Evaluation Subject to Explosion Consequences Resulting from a LPG Tank Trailer Accident
Authors: Wang Kan , Liu Yang , Wang Hao , Liu Xiaolei , Jiao Yu , Wu Yujian
Published: May 2023

The involvement of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which is highly combustible and explosive, greatly increases risk in road transport. A 3D numerical model was conducted in FLACS, which depicts the dynamic process and variation of combined effects along the multi-directions of LPG explosion under an actual case. With the simulation of scenarios, power-law explosion and fireball models were used to reproduce the results, and the dynamic evolution of specific parameters during the LPG explosion process was analyzed. The results reveal that the LPG explosion’s expansion around the expressway moved along the spaces between obstacles, while conditions at the site of the accident had an enhancement effect on LPG/air mixture accumulation. The propagation trajectory of the shock wave in the horizontal direction presented a regular circle within 623.73 ms, and the overpressure was enough to lead to extensive damage to surrounding structures. Further, shock wave-driven overpressure brought hazards to buildings further afield with multiple peak values. The influence of the LPG explosive fireball evolution is significantly reflected in the injury range of the heat flux; the maximum diameter of the on-site fireball eventually extended to 148.19 m. In addition, the physical effect indicated that the turbulence intensity induced by the surrounding buildings in the accident site significantly promoted the interaction between the shock wave and flame propagation. This research proposes a detailed analysis of damage coupling characteristics caused by an LPG tank trailer explosion integrated with a FLACS-mirrored model, which are useful for blast-resistant design and disposal planning under similar accidental circumstances.
Experimental Study on Downhole Acoustic Wave Propagation Characteristics in Curved Drill String
Authors: Wang Qing , Bi Chenguang , Zhang Jiawei , Wang Haige , Guan Zhichuan
Published: May 2023

Aiming at the problem of the unclear sound wave attenuation in the signal transmission of the load-bearing drill string, an experimental device for the sound wave propagation characteristics in the curved drill string was set up. The influence of the drill string structure and acoustic excitation parameters on the sound propagation characteristics in the drill string under different loads is different. The results show that the curvature of the drill string has an influence on the propagation of the sound wave in the drill string, and its rule is related to the curvature of the drill string and the frequency of the sound wave. The pulse repetition rate, excitation voltage, and pulse width only affect the passband amplitude, and the effect is significantly greater than the curvature of the drill string. The main influencing factor of its sound transmission characteristics is the degree of drill string curvature. The low-frequency signal should be preferentially selected as the carrier of downhole information transmission after considering the influence of drill string bending on acoustic transmission.
Bionic Optimization Design and Discrete Element Experimental Design of Carrot Combine Harvester Ripping Shovel
Authors: Zhou Wenqi , Ni Xue , Song Kai , Wen Nuan , Wang Jinwu , Fu Qiang , Na Mingjun , Tang Han , Wang Qi
Published: May 2023

Aiming at the common problems of the high working resistance, low soil disturbance, and high rates of missed extraction in the operation of carrot combine harvesters, a high-efficiency drag-reducing bionic soil-loosening shovel was designed in this study. The physical parameters of the soil and carrots were measured, and the bionic drag-reducing shovel was designed using the badger claw toe as a bionic prototype. The shovel wing structures were designed. Based on the EDEM discrete element simulation technology, a multi-element simulation model of the shovel–soil–carrot contact was established to determine the effects of the operating speed and sliding angle of the shovel handle on the resistance. The effects of the blade inclination angle and blade opening angle on the resistance, carrot extraction force, and soil disturbance rate were also studied. The results show that the resistance increases with an increase in operating speed. With a blade angle (α) and blade inclination angle (β) of 120.27° and 47.37°, respectively, the performance of the high-efficiency drag-reducing soil-loosening shovel is the best, with the resistance and carrot extraction force being 1908.76 N and 55.37 N, respectively. The virtual simulation experiment shows that this efficient drag-reducing shovel can effectively solve the problems of the low soil disturbance, high resistance, and high missing carrot rates of carrot combine harvester shovels, while also improving the harvesting quality and efficiency of carrot combine harvesters and meeting the agronomic requirements of carrot harvesting.
The Impact of Radar Radial Velocity Data Assimilation Using WRF-3DVAR System with Different Background Error Length Scales on the Forecast of Super Typhoon Lekima (2019)
Authors: Chen Jiajun , Xu Dongmei , Shu Aiqing , Song Lixin
Published: May 2023

This study explores the impact of assimilating radar radial velocity (RV) on the forecast of Super Typhoon Lekima (2019) using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model and three-dimensional variational (3DVAR) assimilation system with different background error length scales. The results of two single observation tests show that the smaller background error length scale is able to constrain the spread of radar observation information within a relatively reasonable range compared with the larger length scale. During the five data assimilation cycles, the position and structure of the near-land typhoon are found to be significantly affected by the setting of the background error length scale. With a reduced length scale, the WRF-3DVAR system could effectively assimilate the radar RV to produce more accurate analyses, resulting in an enhanced typhoon vortex with a dynamic and thermal balance. In the forecast fields, the experiment with a smaller length scale not only reduces the averaged track error for the 24-h forecasts to less than 20 km, but it also more accurately captures the evolutions of the typhoon vortex and rainband during typhoon landing. In addition, the spatial distribution and intensity of heavy precipitation are corrected. For the 24-h quantitative precipitation forecasts, the equitable threat scores of the experiment with a reduced length scale are greater than 0.4 for the threshold from 1 to 100 mm and not less than 0.2 until the threshold increases to 240 mm. The enhanced prediction performances are probably due to the improved TC analysis.
Mountain Glacier Flow Velocity Retrieval from Ascending and Descending Sentinel-1 Data Using the Offset Tracking and MSBAS Technique: A Case Study of the Siachen Glacier in Karakoram from 2017 to 2021
Authors: Liang Qian , Wang Ninglian
Published: May 2023

Synthetic Aperture Radar images have recently been utilized in glacier surface flow velocity research due to their continuously improving imaging technology, which increases the resolution and scope of research. In this study, we employed the offset tracking and multidimensional small baseline subset (MSBAS) technique to extract the surface flow velocity of the Siachen Glacier from 253 Sentinel-1 images. From 2017 to 2021, the Siachen Glacier had an average flow velocity of 38.25 m a−1, with the highest flow velocity of 353.35 m a−1 located in the upper part of a tributary due to the steep slope and narrow valley. The inter-annual flow velocity fluctuations show visible seasonal patterns, with the highest flow velocity observed between May and July and the lowest between December and January. Mass balance calculated by the geodetic method based on AST14DEM indicates that the Siachen Glacier experienced a positive mass change (0.07 ± 0.23 m w.e. a−1) between 2008 and 2021. However, there was significant spatial heterogeneity revealed in the distribution, with surface elevation changes showing a decrease in the glacier tongue while thickness increased in two other western tributaries of the Siachen Glacier. The non-surface parallel flow component is correlated with the strain rate and mass balance process, and correlation analysis indicates a positive agreement between these two variables. Therefore, using glacier flow velocities obtained from the SAR approach, we can evaluate the health of the glacier and obtain crucial factors for the glacier’s dynamic model. Two western tributaries of the Siachen Glacier experienced mass gain in the past two decades, necessitating close monitoring of flow velocity changes in the future to detect potential glacier surges.
A Novel Multistage Back Projection Fast Imaging Algorithm for Terahertz Video Synthetic Aperture Radar
Authors: Zheng Qibin , Shang Shuangli , Li Yinwei , Zhu Yiming
Published: May 2023

Terahertz video synthetic aperture radar (THz-ViSAR) has tremendous research and application value due to its high resolution and high frame rate imaging benefits. However, it requires more efficient imaging algorithms. Thus, a novel multistage back projection fast imaging algorithm for the THz-ViSAR system is proposed in this paper to enable continuous playback of images like video. The radar echo data of the entire aperture is first divided into multiple sub-apertures, as with the fast-factorized back projection algorithm (FFBP). However, there are two improvements in sub-aperture imaging. On the one hand, the back projection algorithm (BPA) is replaced by the polar format algorithm (PFA) to improve the sub-aperture imaging efficiency. The imaging process, on the other hand, uses the global Cartesian coordinate system rather than the local polar coordinate system, and the wavenumber domain data of the full aperture are obtained step by step through simple splicing and fusion, avoiding the amount of two-dimensional (2D) interpolation operations required for local polar coordinate system transformation in FFBP. Finally, 2D interpolation for full-resolution images is carried out to image the ground object targets in the same coordinate system due to the geometric distortion caused by linear phase error (LPE) and the mismatch of coordinate systems in different imaging frames. The simulation experiments of point targets and surface targets both verify the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed algorithm. Under the same conditions, the running time of the proposed algorithm is only about 6% of FFBP, while the imaging quality is guaranteed.
Sine-Cosine-Adopted African Vultures Optimization with Ensemble Autoencoder-Based Intrusion Detection for Cybersecurity in CPS Environment
Authors: Almuqren Latifah , Al-Mutiri Fuad , Maashi Mashael , Mohsen Heba , Hilal Anwer Mustafa , Alsaid Mohamed Ibrahim , Drar Suhanda , Abdelbagi Sitelbanat
Published: May 2023

A Cyber-Physical System (CPS) is a network of cyber and physical elements that interact with each other. In recent years, there has been a drastic increase in the utilization of CPSs, which makes their security a challenging problem to address. Intrusion Detection Systems (IDSs) have been used for the detection of intrusions in networks. Recent advancements in the fields of Deep Learning (DL) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have allowed the development of robust IDS models for the CPS environment. On the other hand, metaheuristic algorithms are used as feature selection models to mitigate the curse of dimensionality. In this background, the current study presents a Sine-Cosine-Adopted African Vultures Optimization with Ensemble Autoencoder-based Intrusion Detection (SCAVO-EAEID) technique to provide cybersecurity in CPS environments. The proposed SCAVO-EAEID algorithm focuses mainly on the identification of intrusions in the CPS platform via Feature Selection (FS) and DL modeling. At the primary level, the SCAVO-EAEID technique employs Z-score normalization as a preprocessing step. In addition, the SCAVO-based Feature Selection (SCAVO-FS) method is derived to elect the optimal feature subsets. An ensemble Deep-Learning-based Long Short-Term Memory–Auto Encoder (LSTM-AE) model is employed for the IDS. Finally, the Root Means Square Propagation (RMSProp) optimizer is used for hyperparameter tuning of the LSTM-AE technique. To demonstrate the remarkable performance of the proposed SCAVO-EAEID technique, the authors used benchmark datasets. The experimental outcomes confirmed the significant performance of the proposed SCAVO-EAEID technique over other approaches with a maximum accuracy of 99.20%.
Electrocardiogram Monitoring Wearable Devices and Artificial-Intelligence-Enabled Diagnostic Capabilities: A Review
Authors: Neri Luca , Oberdier Matt T. , van Abeelen Kirsten C. J. , Menghini Luca , Tumarkin Ethan , Tripathi Hemantkumar , Jaipalli Sujai , Orro Alessandro , Paolocci Nazareno , Gallelli Ilaria , Dall’Olio Massimo , Beker Amir , Carrick Richard T. , Borghi Claudio , Halperin Henry R.
Published: May 2023

Worldwide, population aging and unhealthy lifestyles have increased the incidence of high-risk health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, sleep apnea, and other conditions. Recently, to facilitate early identification and diagnosis, efforts have been made in the research and development of new wearable devices to make them smaller, more comfortable, more accurate, and increasingly compatible with artificial intelligence technologies. These efforts can pave the way to the longer and continuous health monitoring of different biosignals, including the real-time detection of diseases, thus providing more timely and accurate predictions of health events that can drastically improve the healthcare management of patients. Most recent reviews focus on a specific category of disease, the use of artificial intelligence in 12-lead electrocardiograms, or on wearable technology. However, we present recent advances in the use of electrocardiogram signals acquired with wearable devices or from publicly available databases and the analysis of such signals with artificial intelligence methods to detect and predict diseases. As expected, most of the available research focuses on heart diseases, sleep apnea, and other emerging areas, such as mental stress. From a methodological point of view, although traditional statistical methods and machine learning are still widely used, we observe an increasing use of more advanced deep learning methods, specifically architectures that can handle the complexity of biosignal data. These deep learning methods typically include convolutional and recurrent neural networks. Moreover, when proposing new artificial intelligence methods, we observe that the prevalent choice is to use publicly available databases rather than collecting new data.