bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dialkyl Carbamoyl Chloride–Coated Dressing Prevents Macrophage and Fibroblast Stimulation via Control of Bacterial Growth: An In Vitro Assay
Authors: Ortega-Peña Silvestre , Chopin-Doroteo Mario , Tejeda-Fernández de Lara Alberto , Giraldo-Gómez David M. , Salgado Rosa M. , Krötzsch Edgar
Published: September 2022

In this work, we evaluated the direct effect of a dialkyl carbamoyl chloride (DACC)-coated dressing on Staphylococcus aureus adhesion and growth in vitro, as well as the indirect effect of the dressing on fibroblast and macrophage activity. S. aureus cultures were treated with the dressing or gauze in Müller-Hinton medium or serum-supplemented Dulbecco’s modified Eagle medium. Bacterial growth and attachment were assessed through colony-forming units (CFU) and residual biomass analyses. Fibroblast and macrophage co-cultures were stimulated with filtered supernatants from the bacterial cultures treated with the DACC-coated dressing, following which tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α/transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 expression and gelatinolytic activity were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and zymography, respectively. The DACC-coated dressing bound 1.8–6.1% of all of the bacteria in the culture. Dressing-treated cultures presented biofilm formation in the dressing (enabling mechanical removal), with limited formation outside of it (p < 0.001). Filtered supernatants of bacterial cultures treated with the DACC-coated dressing did not over-stimulate TNF-α or TGF-β1 expression (p < 0.001) or increase gelatinolytic activity in eukaryotic cells, suggesting that bacterial cell integrity was maintained. Based on the above data, wound caregivers should consider the use of hydrophobic dressings as a first option for the management of acute or chronic wounds.
Extracellular Vesicle Subproteome Differences among Filifactor alocis Clinical Isolates
Authors: Bao Kai , Claesson Rolf , Belibasakis Georgios N. , Oscarsson Jan
Published: September 2022

Filifactor alocis is a Gram-positive asaccharolytic, obligate anaerobic rod of the Firmicutes phylum, which has recently been implicated in oral infections. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are crucial conveyors of microbial virulence in bacteria and archaea. Previously, in highly purified EVs from the F. alocis reference strain ATCC 35896 (CCUG 47790), 28 proteins were identified. The present study aimed to use label-free quantification proteomics in order to chart these EV proteins, in the reference strain, and in nine less-well-characterized clinical F. alocis isolates. In total, 25 of the EV proteins were identified and 24 were quantified. Sixteen of those were differentially expressed between the ten strains and the novel FtxA RTX toxin and one lipoprotein were among them. Consistent expression was observed among ribosomal proteins and proteins involved in L-arginine biosynthesis and type IV pilin, demonstrating a degree of EV protein expression preservation among strains. In terms of protein–protein interaction analysis, 21 functional associations were revealed between 19 EV proteins. Interestingly, FtxA did not display predicted interactions with any other EV protein. In conclusion, the present study charted 25 EV proteins in ten F. alocis strains. While most EV proteins were consistently identified among the strains, several of them were also differentially expressed, which justifies that there may be potential variations in the virulence potential among EVs of different F. alocis strains.
Full-Length Transcriptomic Sequencing and Temporal Transcriptome Expression Profiling Analyses Offer Insights into Terpenoid Biosynthesis in Artemisia argyi
Authors: Xu Ran , Ming Yue , Li Yongchang , Li Shaoting , Zhu Wenjun , Wang Hongxun , Guo Jie , Shi Zhaohua , Shu Shaohua , Xiong Chao , Cheng Xiang , Wang Limei , You Jingmao , Wan Dingrong
Published: September 2022

Artemisiae argyi Folium is a traditional herbal medicine used for moxibustion heat therapy in China. The volatile oils in A.argyi leaves are closely related to its medicinal value. Records suggest that the levels of these terpenoids components within the leaves vary as a function of harvest time, with June being the optimal time for A. argyi harvesting, owing to the high levels of active ingredients during this month. However, the molecular mechanisms governing terpenoid biosynthesis and the time-dependent changes in this activity remain unclear. In this study, GC–MS analysis revealed that volatile oil levels varied across four different harvest months (April, May, June, and July) in A. argyi leaves, and the primarily terpenoids components (including both monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes) reached peak levels in early June. Through single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing, corrected by Illumina RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq), 44 full-length transcripts potentially involved in terpenoid biosynthesis were identified in this study. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) exhibiting time-dependent expression patterns were divided into 12 coexpression clusters. Integrated chemical and transcriptomic analyses revealed distinct time-specific transcriptomic patterns associated with terpenoid biosynthesis. Subsequent hierarchical clustering and correlation analyses ultimately identified six transcripts that were closely linked to the production of these two types of terpenoid within A. argyi leaves, revealing that the structural diversity of terpenoid is related to the generation of the diverse terpene skeletons by prenyltransferase (TPS) family of enzymes. These findings can guide further studies of the molecular mechanisms underlying the quality of A. argyi leaves, aiding in the selection of optimal timing for harvests of A. argyi.
Catalyst-Controlled Selectivity Switch in Three-Component Reaction: An NHC-Catalyzed Strategy for the Synthesis of δ-Lactone-Fused Spirobenzofuran-3-ones
Authors: Wang Zhanyong , Yang Ting , Liu Dongfang , Chen Rongxiang , Wang Nan , Liu Hong , Li Jiarong , Wang Kaikai , Liu Hongxin
Published: September 2022

An efficient, three-component reaction of aldehydes and benzofuran-3-ones was developed. This process provides a new approach for the preparation of synthetically and biologically important spirobenzofuran-3-one derivatives with moderate-to-good yields under mild conditions. A switch of intramolecular to intermolecular domino Michael–aldol–lactonization leading to differential product formation was achieved by different NHCs catalysis.
Recent Advances in PLA-Based Antibacterial Food Packaging and Its Applications
Authors: Shao Linying , Xi Yuewei , Weng Yunxuan
Published: September 2022

In order to reduce environmental pollution and resource waste, food packaging materials should not only have good biodegradable ability but also effective antibacterial properties. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is the most commonly used biopolymer for food packaging applications. PLA has good physical properties, mechanical properties, biodegradability, and cell compatibility but does not have inherent antibacterial properties. Therefore, antibacterial packaging materials based on PLA need to add antibacterial agents to the polymer matrix. Natural antibacterial agents are widely used in food packaging materials due to their low toxicity. The high volatility of natural antibacterial agents restricts their application in food packaging materials. Therefore, appropriate processing methods are particularly important. This review introduces PLA-based natural antibacterial food packaging, and the composition and application of natural antibacterial agents are discussed. The properties of natural antibacterial agents, the technology of binding with the matrix, and the effect of inhibiting various bacteria are summarized.
Phytochemical Evaluation and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Miconia albicans (Sw.) Triana Extracts
Authors: Manzano Mariana Inocencio , Centa Ariana , Veiga Alan de Almeida , da Costa Nayara Souza , Bonatto Sandro J. R. , de Souza Lauro M. , Smiderle Fhernanda Ribeiro
Published: September 2022

The plant Miconia albicans (Sw.) Triana has been popularly used in Brazil to treat chronic inflammatory disturbances, such as osteoarthritis. This disease affects 250 million people worldwide, and is associated with intense pain and loss of articular function. There is a lack of information about the phytochemistry and bioactivity of M. albicans. Therefore, this study determined the chemical composition of some extracts and evaluated their cytotoxicity, along with their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, activities using in vitro models. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts were prepared. Afterwards, a liquid–liquid partition was developed using chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol. The extracts were characterized by LC–MS, and their biological activities were evaluated on epithelial cells (Vero), tumoral hepatic cells (Hep-G2), and THP-1 macrophages. LC–MS analyses identified several flavonoids in all fractions, such as quercetin, myricetin, and their glycosides. The crude extracts and n-butanol fractions did not present cytotoxicity to the cells. The non-toxic fractions presented significant antioxidant activity when evaluated in terms of DPPH scavenging activity, lipid peroxidation, and ROS inhibition. THP-1 macrophages treated with the n-butanol fraction (250 µg/mL) released fewer pro-inflammatory cytokines, even in the presence of LPS. In the future, it will be necessary to identify the phytochemicals that are responsible for anti-inflammatory effects for the discovery of new drugs. In vivo studies on M. albicans extracts are still required to confirm their possible mechanisms of action.
Impact of Different Storage Regimes on the Levels of Physicochemical Characteristics, Especially Free Acidity in Talh (Acacia gerrardii Benth.) Honey
Authors: Raweh Hael S. A. , Badjah-Hadj-Ahmed Ahmed Yacine , Iqbal Javaid , Alqarni Abdulaziz S.
Published: September 2022

This study investigates how storage conditions (temperature and duration) may affect the physicochemical parameters, especially free acidity (FA), of Talh honey originating from Acacia gerrardii that have naturally high FA levels. Fresh Talh honey samples were kept at 0, 25, 35, and 45 °C, and analyzed monthly over a period of eight months. The Talh honey was monofloral with 69% A. gerrardii pollen content. The free acidity (FA) of freshly harvested Talh honey samples was higher (93 ± 0.3 meq/kg) than that of standard limits (≤50 meq/kg) and remained stable at 0 °C throughout the storage period. A significantly increase in FA started to occur after storage for 6 months at 25 °C (103 ± 0.2 meq/kg), 2 months at 35 °C (108 ± 0.3 meq/kg), and 1 month at 45 °C (112 ± 0.3 meq/kg). After 8 months of storage, the highest FA level was recorded at 45 °C (159 ± 0.5 meq/kg), followed by 127 ± 0.3 meq/kg at 35 °C, 105 ± 0.2 meq/kg at 25 °C, and 94 ± 0.3 meq/kg at 0 °C. It was found that 0 °C was an appropriate temperature for storing honey for long time. The electrical conductivity (EC) of fresh Talh samples (1.46 ± 0.0 mS/cm) was above the accepted limit (≤0.8 mS/cm), which was slightly increased (non-significant) throughout the storage period under all the storage temperatures. Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), diastase activity (DN), and reducing sugars (RSs) showed normal levels only at 0 °C and 25 °C throughout the storage period. However, HMF exceeded the standard limits after the first month at 45 °C (127 ± 9.6 mg/kg) and after the second month at 35 °C (90 ± 23.5 mg/kg), DA decreased below standard limits after the second month (5 ± 1 DN) under 45 °C and after the seventh month under 35 °C (7 ± 2 DN, and RSs decreased below 60% after 2 months under 45 °C and after 6 months at 35 °C. The physicochemical parameters (moisture content, pH, color, and sucrose) were the least affected and were within the standard range throughout the storage period under all the storage temperatures. The levels of FA and EC in fresh Talh samples were higher than the acceptable limits. The moisture content, pH, color, and sucrose content were not affected by storage conditions and remained within the acceptable limits. HMF, DA, and RSs were significantly affected by storage conditions only at 35 and 45 °C. The storage of honey at low temperatures (0 and 25 °C) for up to eight months presented the least amount of changes in the honey, and the honey was unchanged from its fresh status. Honey storage at 35 and 45 °C resulted in significant changes. It is recommended that Talh honey, which normally has high acidity levels, should be stored at temperatures not exceeding 25 °C.
Mo-Doped Cu2S Multilayer Nanosheets Grown In Situ on Copper Foam for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Xie Yajie , Huang Jianfeng , Xu Rui , He Danyang , Niu Mengfan , Li Xiaoyi , Xu Guoting , Cao Liyun , Feng Liangliang
Published: September 2022

Metal sulfide electrocatalyst is developed as a cost-effective and promising candidate for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this work, we report a novel Mo-doped Cu2S self-supported electrocatalyst grown in situ on three-dimensional copper foam via a facile sulfurization treatment method. Interestingly, Mo-Cu2S nanosheet structure increases the electrochemically active area, and the large fleecy multilayer flower structure assembled by small nanosheet facilitates the flow of electrolyte in and out. More broadly, the introduction of Mo can adjust the electronic structure, significantly increase the volmer step rate, and accelerate the reaction kinetics. As compared to the pure Cu2S self-supported electrocatalyst, the Mo-Cu2S/CF show much better alkaline HER performance with lower overpotential (18 mV at 10 mA cm−2, 322 mV at 100 mA cm−2) and long-term durability. Our work constructs a novel copper based in-situ metal sulfide electrocatalysts and provides a new idea to adjust the morphology and electronic structure by doping for promoting HER performance.
Oxidative Desulfurization Activity of NIT Nitroxide Radical Modified Metallophthalocyanine
Authors: Tian Min , He Yang , Zhang Gai , Wang Haibo
Published: September 2022

In the present study, metallophthalocyanines were modified with NIT nitroxide radicals through chemical bonds to prepare a series of metallophthalocyanines–NIT catalysts (MPcTcCl8-NIT, M=Mn2+, Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+) applied for oxidative desulfurization of thiophene (T) in model fuel. The MPcTcCl8-NIT catalysts were characterized by FTIR, UV-Vis, ESR, and XPS spectra. The oxidative desulfurization activity of MPcTcCl8-NIT catalysts was studied in a biomimetic catalytic system using molecular O2 as the oxidant. The MPcTcCl8-NIT catalysts exhibited high catalytic activities for the oxidation of thiophene in model fuel. The desulfurization rate of ZnPcTcCl8-NIT for thiophene reached to 99.61%, which was 20.53% higher than that of pure ZnPcTcCl8 (79.08%) under room temperature and natural light. The results demonstrated that MPcTcCl8-NIT catalysts could achieve more effective desulfurization rate under milder conditions than that of the metallophthalocyanines. The NIT nitroxide radicals also could improve the catalytic activity of metallophthalocyanine based on the synergistic oxidation effect. The stability experiments for ZnPcTcCl8-NIT showed that the catalyst still had a high desulfurization rate of 92.37% after five times recycling. All these findings indicate that the application of MPcTcCl8-NIT catalysts provides a potential new way for the desulfurization performance of thiophene in fuel.
Association between Mediterranean Diet and Fatty Liver in Women with Overweight and Obesity
Authors: Leone Alessandro , Bertoli Simona , Bedogni Giorgio , Vignati Laila , Pellizzari Marta , Battezzati Alberto
Published: September 2022

Obesity is a risk factor for NAFLD. However, not all people with obesity have an excessive intrahepatic fat content. Adherence to a high-quality dietary pattern may also promote liver health in obesity. A cross-sectional study of 2967 women with overweight and obesity was carried out to assess the association between a Mediterranean diet and fatty liver. All women underwent clinical examination, anthropometric measurements, blood sampling, ultrasound measurements of abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat, and assessment of adherence to the Mediterranean diet using the 14-item MEDAS questionnaire. Fatty liver index (FLI), NAFLD fatty liver steatosis (NAFLD-FLS) and hepatic steatosis index (HSI) were calculated. In women with obesity, the MEDAS score was inversely associated with FLI (β = −0.60, 95% CI: −1.04, −0.16, p = 0.008), NAFLD-FLS (β = −0.092, 95% CI: −0.134, −0.049, p < 0.001) and HSI (β = −0.17, 95% CI: −0.30, −0.04, p = 0.011). Stronger associations were observed in premenopausal women with obesity. Mediterranean diet was inversely associated with NAFLD-FLS in women with overweight, independently of menopausal status. In conclusion, Mediterranean diet is associated with a better liver status in women with overweight and obesity. This may have a public health impact and be useful in drafting nutritional guidelines for NAFLD.
Metabolism and Bioavailability of Olive Bioactive Constituents Based on In Vitro, In Vivo and Human Studies
Authors: Nikou Theodora , Sakavitsi Maria Eleni , Kalampokis Evangelos , Halabalaki Maria
Published: September 2022

Consumption of olive products has been established as a health-promoting dietary pattern due to their high content in compounds with eminent pharmacological properties and well-described bioactivities. However, their metabolism has not yet been fully described. The present critical review aimed to gather all scientific data of the past two decades regarding the absorption and metabolism of the foremost olive compounds, specifically of the phenylalcohols hydroxytyrosol (HTyr) and tyrosol (Tyr) and the secoiridoids oleacein (Olea), oleocanthal (Oleo) and oleuropein (Oleu). A meticulous record of the in vitro assays and in vivo (animals and humans) studies of the characteristic olive compounds was cited, and a critical discussion on their bioavailability and metabolism was performed taking into account data from their gut microbial metabolism. The existing critical review summarizes the existing knowledge regarding the bioavailability and metabolism of olive-characteristic phenylalchohols and secoiridoids and spotlights the lack of data for specific chemical groups and compounds. Critical observations and conclusions were derived from correlating structure with bioavailability data, while results from in vitro, animal and human studies were compared and discussed, giving significant insight to the future design of research approaches for the total bioavailability and metabolism exploration thereof.
Serum Resistance of Mycoplasma agalactiae Strains and Mutants Bearing Different Lipoprotein Profiles
Authors: Sommer Katja , Kowald Saskia , Chopra-Dewasthaly Rohini
Published: September 2022

In order to spread systemically, resistance against complement and other factors present in serum is an important trait in pathogenic bacteria. The variable proteins of Mycoplasma agalactiae (Vpmas) have been shown to affect differential adhesion, invasion and immune evasion, and undergo high-frequency phase-variation in expression. However, nothing is known about their involvement in M. agalactiae’s serum susceptibility. To evaluate this, the PG2 strain, the GM139 strain and the six Vpma phase-locked mutants (PLMs, PLMU to PLMZ) were tested for their ability to survive in the presence of non-sensitized and sensitized sheep serum, as well as guinea pig complement. Additionally, the reactivity of the sensitized sheep serum was analysed on the strains via western blotting. Overall data demonstrate PG2 strain to be more susceptible to sheep serum compared to the GM139 strain bearing a different Vpma profile. Significant differences were also observed between the different PLMs, with PLMU and PLMX showing the highest serum susceptibility in serum, while the other PLMs expressing longer Vpma proteins were more resistant. The results are in good correlation with previous studies where shorter lipoprotein variants contributed to a higher susceptibility to complement. Since none of the tested strains and PLMs were susceptible to non-sensitized sheep serum, antibodies seem to play an important role in serum killing.
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Infection after Kidney Transplantation: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Sorohan Bogdan Marian , Ismail Gener , Tacu Dorina , Obrișcă Bogdan , Ciolan Gina , Gîngu Costin , Sinescu Ioanel , Baston Cătălin
Published: September 2022

Tuberculosis (TB) in kidney transplant (KT) recipients is an important opportunistic infection with higher incidence and prevalence than in the general population and is associated with important morbidity and mortality. We performed an extensive literature review of articles published between 1 January 2000 and 15 June 2022 to provide an evidence-based review of epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of TB in KT recipients. We included all studies which reported epidemiological and/or outcome data regarding active TB in KT, and we approached the diagnostic and treatment challenges according to the current guidelines. Prevalence of active TB in KT recipients ranges between 0.3–15.2%. KT recipients with active TB could have a rejection rate up to 55.6%, a rate of graft loss that varies from 2.2% to 66.6% and a mortality rate up to 60%. Understanding the epidemiological risk, risk factors, transmission modalities, diagnosis and treatment challenges is critical for clinicians in providing an appropriate management for KT with TB. Among diagnostic challenges, which are at the same time associated with delay in management, the following should be considered: atypical clinical presentation, association with co-infections, decreased predictive values of screening tests, diverse radiological aspects and particular diagnostic methods. Regarding treatment challenges in KT recipients with TB, drug interactions, drug toxicities and therapeutical adherence must be considered.
Attenuated Risk Association of End-Stage Kidney Disease with Metformin in Type 2 Diabetes with eGFR Categories 1–4
Authors: Yang Aimin , Lau Eric S. H. , Wu Hongjiang , Ma Ronald C. W. , Kong Alice P. S. , So Wing Yee , Luk Andrea O. Y. , Fu Amy W. C. , Chan Juliana C. N. , Chow Elaine
Published: September 2022

Type 2 diabetes (T2D)-associated end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is a global burden, while the renoprotective effects of metformin remain controversial. In a population-based cohort (2002–2018) including 96,643 patients with T2D observed for 0.7 million person-years, we estimated the risk association of metformin and its dose-relationship with ESKD in a propensity-score overlap-weighting (PS-OW) cohort by eGFR categories. Amongst 96,643, 83,881 (86.8%) had eGFR-G1/G2 (≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2), 8762 (9.1%) had eGFR-G3a (≥45–60 mL/min/1.73 m2), 3051 (3.2%) had eGFR-G3b (≥30–45 mL/min/1.73 m2), and 949 (1.0%) had eGFR-G4 (≥15–30 mL/min/1.73 m2). The respective proportions of metformin users in these eGFR categories were 95.1%, 81.9%, 53.8%, and 20.8%. In the PS-OW cohort with 88,771 new-metformin and 7872 other oral glucose-lowering-drugs (OGLDs) users, the respective incidence rates of ESKD were 2.8 versus 22.4/1000 person-years. Metformin use associated with reduced risk of ESKD (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.43 [95% CI: 0.35–0.52] in eGFR-G1/G2, 0.64 [0.52–0.79] in eGFR-G3a, 0.67 [0.56–0.80] in eGFR-G3b, and 0.63 [0.48–0.83] in eGFR-G4). Metformin use was associated with reduced or neutral risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (7.2 versus 16.0/1000 person-years) and all-cause mortality (14.6 versus 65.1/1000 person-years). Time-weighted mean daily metformin dose was 1000 mg in eGFR-G1/G2, 850 mg in eGFR-G3a, 650 mg in eGFR-G3b, and 500 mg in eGFR-G4. In a subcohort of 14,766 patients observed for 0.1 million person-years, the respective incidence rates of lactic acidosis and HR in metformin users and non-users were 42.5 versus 226.4 events/100,000 person-years (p = 0.03) for eGFR-G1/G2 (HR = 0.57, 0.25–1.30) and 54.5 versus 300.6 events/100,000 person-years (p = 0.01) for eGFR-G3/G4 (HR = 0.49, 0.19–1.30). These real-world data underscore the major benefits and low risk of lactic acidosis with metformin use down to an eGFR of 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 and possibly even 15 mL/min/1.73 m2, while reinforcing the importance of dose adjustment and frequent monitoring of eGFR.
The Hydrodynamics of a Rod-Shaped Squirmer near a Wall
Authors: Ye Hao , Lin Jianzhong , Ouyang Zhenyu
Published: September 2022

The hydrodynamic characteristics of a rod-shaped squirmer swimming near a wall were studied numerically using the immersed boundary-lattice Boltzmann method in the swimming Reynolds number range of 0.1 ≤ Res ≤ 2.0, where the number of assembled squirmers was 2 ≤ i ≤ 4 and the distance between two adjacent assembled squirmers was 0.75 d ≤ s ≤ 1.5 d (d is the diameter of a single squirmer). The effect of Res, i and s on the swimming mode of the squirmer was explored. The results showed that there are four swimming modes after the first collision between the rod-shaped squirmer and the wall. There are also four swimming modes when Res changes from 0.1 to 2.0. Puller, pusher and neutral squirmers showed different swimming modes when i changed, and the effect degree of the flow at the previous moment on the squirmer’s motion was different for different values of i. The change in s only affected the trajectory of the squirmer without changing its motion mode. Puller, pusher and neutral squirmers showed different swimming modes and velocity changes when s changed.
Research on Dam Deformation Prediction Model Based on Optimized SVM
Authors: Xing Yin , Chen Yang , Huang Saipeng , Wang Peng , Xiang Yunfei
Published: September 2022

Although constructing a dam can bring significant economic and social benefits to a region, it can be catastrophic for the population living downstream when it breaks. Given the dynamic and nonlinear characteristics of dam deformation, the traditional dam prediction model has been unable to meet the actual engineering demands. Consequently, this paper advocates for a novel method to solve this issue. The proposed method is based on the optimization of improved chicken swarm (ICSO) and support vector machine (SVM). To begin with, the mean square error is used as the objective function, and then, we apply the improved chicken swarm algorithm to iterate continuously, and finally, the optimal SVM parameters are obtained. Through the modeling and simulation experiments of a nonlinear system, the validity of the improved chicken swarm algorithm to optimize an SVM model has been verified. Based on the horizontal displacement monitoring data of FengMan Dam, this paper analyzed the influencing factors of horizontal displacement. According to the results, three prediction models have been established, respectively: the SVM prediction model optimized by the improved chicken swarm algorithm, the SVM prediction model optimized by the basic chicken swarm algorithm and the BP neural network prediction model optimized by the genetic algorithm. The obtained results from the experiment authenticate the validity and superiority of the proposed method.
How Can Islamic Primary Schools Contribute to Social Integration?
Authors: Beemsterboer Marietje
Published: September 2022

The first Islamic primary schools were established in the Netherlands in 1988. Since then, the schools have regularly come under fire. Critics fear that religious segregation hinders the social integration of children. In contrast, this article shows, based on the results of my previous research, how Islamic schools can contribute to the reciprocal process of social integration in the Dutch plural society.
Auto-Weighted Structured Graph-Based Regression Method for Heterogeneous Change Detection
Authors: Zhao Lingjun , Sun Yuli , Lei Lin , Zhang Siqian
Published: September 2022

Change detection using heterogeneous remote sensing images is an increasingly interesting and very challenging topic. To make the heterogeneous images comparable, some graph-based methods have been proposed, which first construct a graph for the image to capture the structure information and then use the graph to obtain the structural changes between images. Nonetheless, previous graph-based change detection approaches are insufficient in representing and exploiting the image structure. To address these issues, in this paper, we propose an auto-weighted structured graph (AWSG)-based regression method for heterogeneous change detection, which mainly consists of two processes: learning the AWSG to capture the image structure and using the AWSG to perform structure regression to detect changes. In the graph learning process, a self-conducted weighting strategy is employed to make the graph more robust, and the local and global structure information are combined to make the graph more informative. In the structure regression process, we transform one image to the domain of the other image by using the learned AWSG, where the high-order neighbor information hidden in the graph is exploited to obtain a better regression image and change image. Experimental results and comparisons on four real datasets with seven state-of-the-art methods demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Multi-Agent Multi-View Collaborative Perception Based on Semi-Supervised Online Evolutive Learning
Authors: Li Di , Song Liang
Published: September 2022

In the edge intelligence environment, multiple sensing devices perceive and recognize the current scene in real time to provide specific user services. However, the generalizability of the fixed recognition model will gradually weaken due to the time-varying perception scene. To ensure the stability of the perception and recognition service, each edge model/agent needs to continuously learn from the new perception data unassisted to adapt to the perception environment changes and jointly build the online evolutive learning (OEL) system. The generalization degradation problem can be addressed by deploying the semi-supervised learning (SSL) method on multi-view agents and continuously tuning each discriminative model by collaborative perception. This paper proposes a multi-view agent’s collaborative perception (MACP) semi-supervised online evolutive learning method. First, each view model will be initialized based on self-supervised learning methods, and each initialized model can learn differentiated feature-extraction patterns with certain discriminative independence. Then, through the discriminative information fusion of multi-view model predictions on the unlabeled perceptual data, reliable pseudo-labels are obtained for the consistency regularization process of SSL. Moreover, we introduce additional critical parameter constraints to continuously improve the discriminative independence of each view model during training. We compare our method with multiple representative multi-model and single-model SSL methods on various benchmarks. Experimental results show the superiority of the MACP in terms of convergence efficiency and performance. Meanwhile, we construct an ideal multi-view experiment to demonstrate the application potential of MACP in practical perception scenarios.
Metasurfaces for Sensing Applications: Gas, Bio and Chemical
Authors: Tabassum Shawana , Nayemuzzaman SK , Kala Manish , Kumar Mishra Akhilesh , Mishra Satyendra Kumar
Published: September 2022

Performance of photonic devices critically depends upon their efficiency on controlling the flow of light therein. In the recent past, the implementation of plasmonics, two-dimensional (2D) materials and metamaterials for enhanced light-matter interaction (through concepts such as sub-wavelength light confinement and dynamic wavefront shape manipulation) led to diverse applications belonging to spectroscopy, imaging and optical sensing etc. While 2D materials such as graphene, MoS2 etc., are still being explored in optical sensing in last few years, the application of plasmonics and metamaterials is limited owing to the involvement of noble metals having a constant electron density. The capability of competently controlling the electron density of noble metals is very limited. Further, due to absorption characteristics of metals, the plasmonic and metamaterial devices suffer from large optical loss. Hence, the photonic devices (sensors, in particular) require that an efficient dynamic control of light at nanoscale through field (electric or optical) variation using substitute low-loss materials. One such option may be plasmonic metasurfaces. Metasurfaces are arrays of optical antenna-like anisotropic structures (sub-wavelength size), which are designated to control the amplitude and phase of reflected, scattered and transmitted components of incident light radiation. The present review put forth recent development on metamaterial and metastructure-based various sensors.
Research on Performance of Cooperative FSO Communication System Based on Hierarchical Modulation and Physical Layer Network Code
Authors: Qin Huaijun , Cao Yang , Peng Xiaofeng , Zhang Zupeng
Published: September 2022

To solve the problem that the channel conditions in asymmetric cooperative FSO communication systems are not fully utilized, and the data reliability deteriorates due to high-order modulation, we proposed a layered modulation, joint physical-layer network coding scheme. In this scheme, we first designate the data priority of the information to be transmitted at the source node. Then, the transmission power of different proportions is allocated to the data based on its priority. Then, the modulated data is sent to each node, and physical-layer network coding is performed on the received data at the relay node. Finally, the relay node sends the encoded information to the destination node, and the destination node recovers the original information using the physical-layer network coding scheme. The simulation results showed that when the average signal-to-noise ratio of the channel was 15 dB, the BER of the cooperative FSO communication system could be reduced to below 10−8. In the strong atmospheric turbulence channel, the cooperative FSO communication system can obtain a signal-to-noise ratio gain of about 1.5 dB. Under strong atmospheric turbulence, this scheme could also improve the average channel capacity performance of a cooperative FSO communication system.
Licensed Professionals and Intergenerational Big-, Meso- and Micro-Class Immobility within the Upper Class; Social Closure and Gendered Outcomes among Italian Graduates
Authors: Ruggera Lucia , Erola Jani
Published: September 2022

This article examines how processes of social closure promote persistence at the top of the occupational hierarchy and how they vary by gender. We focus on the links between professional closure strategies and intergenerational immobility in professional employment among Italian graduates. Italy displays the highest levels of service market regulation across Europe, and professionals are the largest occupational group within the upper class; therefore, it is crucial to analyse the link between professional closure and labour market outcomes among Italian graduates. Using ISTAT’s survey on Italian graduates’ labour outcomes and replicating the analyses of men in the ILFI survey, the origin-destination association is investigated at the big-, meso-, and micro-levels. We employ log-linear nested models and logistic regressions. The SPL sample offers a unique opportunity to analyse social mobility at the beginning of professionals’ careers and provide in-depth explanations of the micro-level dynamics of social reproduction. The analyses indicate that children of regulated professionals have a higher propensity to follow in their parents’ footsteps (micro-classes). Self-employment among professionals strongly increases intergenerational immobility at the top of the occupational hierarchy. The findings demonstrate that the combination of specific parental resources strongly helps professionals’ sons and daughters to avoid social demotion.
A Study on the Rationality of Land Use Change in the Dianchi Basin during the Last 40 Years under the Background of Lake Revolution
Authors: Wu Qiuju , Yang Renyi , Yang Zisheng
Published: September 2022

(1) Background: Dianchi Lake is the largest freshwater plateau lake in southwest China. Since the 1970s, with the large-scale lake reclamation and rapid urbanization, the land use/cover of the Dianchi Basin has changed dramatically, directly hindering the sustainable development of the watershed. It is urgent to study the rationality of land use change in order to promote the “win-win” of eco-environment protection and sustainable economic and social development in Dianchi Basin. (2) Methods: The rationality judgment criteria of land use change in Dianchi Basin was constructed from ecological values, land suitability, laws and regulations, and the rationality of land use change in the Dianchi Basin from 1980 to 2020 was evaluated. (3) Results: The rational degree of land use change in the Dianchi Basin was 71.76%, and the level of rationality was low rationality. The rational degree of change in cultivated land, woodland, grassland, water area and construction land was 74.41%, 69.11%, 77.11%, 3.07% and 98.26%, respectively. Among the irrational land changes, 86.59% of the land had changed to construction land. (4) Conclusions: The main problems of irrational land change in the Dianchi Basin are the massive reduction in high-quality cultivated land, the degradation of woodland, and the unordered expansion of construction land. In order to achieve sustainable development, it is important to protect cultivated land, woodland, grassland and lakes.
Performance Enhancement of Radial Power Distribution Networks Using Network Reconfiguration and Optimal Planning of Solar Photovoltaic-Based Distributed Generation and Shunt Capacitors
Authors: Kandasamy Muthukumar , Thangavel Renugadevi , Arumugam Thamaraiselvi , Jayaram Jayachandran , Kim Wook-Won , Geem Zong Woo
Published: September 2022

In this work, an efficient hybrid optimization approach entitled harmony search and particle artificial bee colony algorithm is proposed to deal with the distribution network reconfiguration and solar photovoltaic-based distributed generation and shunt capacitor deployment in power distribution networks to improve the operating performance of power distribution networks. The proposed hybrid algorithm combines the exploration and exploitation capability of both algorithms to achieve optimal results. The optimization problem is formalized which includes distributed generation and shunt capacitor locations, open/close state of switches as discrete decision variables, and the optimum operating point of compensation devices as continuous variables. An efficient spanning tree approach is utilized to track the optimal topology of the network. The validity of the proposed hybrid algorithm in handling the optimal planning problem of the distribution network is assured through eight different operating scenarios at three discrete load levels. The efficiency of the proposed performance enhancement approaches was validated using 69 node and 118 node distribution networks. The obtained results are compared against similar techniques presented in the literature.
Symplectic Polar Duality, Quantum Blobs, and Generalized Gaussians
Authors: de Gosson Maurice , de Gosson Charlyne
Published: September 2022

We apply the notion of polar duality from convex geometry to the study of quantum covariance ellipsoids in symplectic phase space. We consider in particular the case of “quantum blobs” introduced in previous work; quantum blobs are the smallest symplectic invariant regions of the phase space compatible with the uncertainty principle in its strong Robertson–Schrödinger form. We show that these phase space units can be characterized by a simple condition of reflexivity using polar duality, thus improving previous results. We apply these geometric constructions to the characterization of pure Gaussian states in terms of partial information on the covariance ellipsoid, which allows us to formulate statements related to symplectic tomography.
A Study of the Critical Velocity of the Droplet Transition from the Cassie to Wenzel State on the Symmetric Pillared Surface
Authors: Wu Zhulong , Li Yingqi , Cui Shaohan , Li Xiao , Zhou Zhihong , Tian Xiaobao
Published: September 2022

A droplet hitting a superhydrophobic surface will undergo the Cassie to Wenzel transition when the wetting force exceeds the anti-wetting force. The critical velocity of the droplet’s Cassie to Wenzel state transition can reflect the wettability of the surface. However, the critical velocity research is still at the microscale and has not been extended to the nanoscale mechanism. A cross-scale critical velocity prediction model for superhydrophobic surfaces with symmetric structures is proposed here based on a mechanical equilibrium system. The model’s applicability is verified by experimental data. It demonstrates that the mechanical equilibrium system of droplet impact with capillary pressure and Laplace pressure as anti-wetting forces is more comprehensive, and the model proposed in this study predicts the critical velocity more precisely with a maximum error of 12% compared to the simulation results. Furthermore, the correlation between the simulation at the nanoscale and the evaluation of the macroscopic symmetrical protrusion surface properties is established. Combined with the model and the correlation, the relationship between the microscopic mechanism and the macroscopic examination of droplet dynamics on the superhydrophobic surface be presented, and the wettability evaluation method of macroscopic surfaces based on the molecular simulation mechanism can be realized.
Numerical Study on Stratigraphic and Structural Deformation Patterns Considering Surface Load with Pile-Beam-Arch Method Construction
Authors: Zeng Yu , Bai Yao , Zou Yu , Huang Bo
Published: September 2022

Due to soil disturbance during the construction of metro stations, the initial stress of the stratum is modified, leading to ground settlement within a particular range, fracturing the surrounding buildings and even causing significant ground deformation and building collapse. This paper employed the Pile-Beam-Arch method to assemble the Daguanying Station of Beijing Metro Line 7 as the engineering background. The numerical calculation method was used to study the regulations of ground settlement and structural deformation throughout the construction stage. Meanwhile, the effect of surface loading was taken into account and surface settlement control strategies were suggested. Finally, the Stochastic medium theory was used to predict surface settlement. It was evident from the study’s findings that the pilot tunnels excavation and the arches installation accounted for 67% and 23.1% of the total surface settlement, respectively, and produced the most surface settlement. Surface settlement can be significantly reduced by utilizing grouting reinforcement technology and the pilot tunnels excavation approach of “upper first, then lower and side first, then middle”. The structure was much less stressed during the pre-construction stage, with the maximum principal stress ranging from 1 to 5 MPa; after construction was finalized, the maximum principal stress reached 14.203 MPa, concentrating mostly in the middle column part, which was the consequence of the combined action of the upper load and the lower soil uplift. Additionally, there was a linear relationship between the surface load and ground settlement. The bottom slab and the middle column were situated where the structure’s most unfavorable components were concentrated. The conclusions of the surface settlement prediction demonstrated that there were discrepancies between the theoretical calculation and the simulated; thus, the prediction results were more conservative. The study results can serve as a reference for construction sites.
MLTSP: New 3D Framework, Based on the Multilayer Tensor Spectrum Pyramid
Authors: Kountcheva Roumiana , Mironov Rumen , Kountchev Roumen
Published: September 2022

A tensor representation structure based on the multilayer tensor spectrum pyramid (MLTSP) is introduced in this work. The structure is “truncated”, i.e., part of the high-frequency spectrum coefficients is cut-off, and on the retained low-frequency coefficients, obtained at the output of each pyramid layer, a hierarchical tensor SVD (HTSVD) is applied. This ensures a high concentration of the input tensor energy into a small number of decomposition components of the tensors obtained at the coder output. The implementation of this idea is based on a symmetrical coder/decoder. An example structure for a cubical tensor of size 8 × 8 × 8, which is represented as a two-layer tensor spectrum pyramid, where 3D frequency-ordered fast Walsh–Hadamard transform and HTSVD are used, is given in this paper. The analysis of the needed mathematical operations proved the low computational complexity of the new approach, due to a lack of iterative calculations. The high flexibility of the structure in respect to the number of pyramid layers, the kind of used orthogonal transforms, the number of retained spectrum coefficients, and HTSVD components, permits us to achieve the desired accuracy of the restored output tensor, imposed by the application. Furthermore, this paper presents one possible application for 3D object searches in a tensor database. In this case, to obtain the invariant representation of the 3D objects, in the spectrum pyramid, the 3D modified Mellin–Fourier transform is embedded, and the corresponding algorithm is shown.
Research on Path Planning in 3D Complex Environments Based on Improved Ant Colony Algorithm
Authors: Zhou Hang , Jiang Ziqi , Xue Yuting , Li Weicong , Cai Fanger , Li Yunchen
Published: September 2022

Aiming at the problems of complex space, long planning time, and insufficient path security of 3D path planning, an improved ant colony algorithm (TGACO) is proposed, which can be used to solve symmetric and asymmetric path planning problems. Firstly, the 3D array is used to access the environment information, which can record the flight environment and avoid the inefficiency of planning. Secondly, a multi-objective function of distance and angle is established to improve the efficiency and safety of the path. Then, a target-guided heuristic function is proposed, and an anti-deadlock mechanism is introduced to improve the efficiency of the ant colony algorithm. Next, the node pheromone update rules are improved to further improve the efficiency of the algorithm. Finally, experiments prove the effectiveness of the improved algorithm, TGACO, and its efficiency in complex environments has obvious advantages. In the 20×20×20 environment, compared with the ant colony algorithm (ACO), the improved algorithm (TGACO) in this paper improves the path length, total turning angle, and running time by 17.8%, 78.4%, and 95.3%, respectively.