bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Principal Approach to the Detection of Radiation-Induced DNA Damage by Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy and Its Dosimetric Application
Authors: Kolyvanova Maria A. , Klimovich Mikhail A. , Belousov Alexandr V. , Kuzmin Vladimir A. , Morozov Vladimir N.
Published: October 2022

Using cholesteric liquid-crystalline dispersion (CLCD) of DNA, we demonstrate that the molecularly organized systems may be used both for qualitative assessment of the degree of radiation-induced DNA damage, as well as for detection of radiation doses in a very wide range. The doses up to 500 Gy do not cause any significant changes in optical signals of DNA in solution. However, when irradiated molecules are used to prepare the CLCD by addition of crowding polymer, a clear correlation of its optical signals with an absorbed dose is observed. For example, at a dose of 500 Gy, a maximum drop in the circular dichroism (CD) signal for DNA solution and for CLCD formed from preliminary irradiated molecules is ≈20% and ≈700%, respectively. This approach can also be used to expand the dosimetric capabilities of DNA CLCD. Compared to the case of irradiation of ready-made DNA CLCD, formation of the dispersed system from irradiated DNA allows to increase its sensitivity by more than 2 orders of magnitude. A similar decrease in the CD signal (≈1.45-fold) is observed in these systems at the doses of 100 kGy and 200 Gy, respectively. This principal approach seems to be relevant for other biomolecules and molecularly organized systems.
Nano-Bismuth-Sulfide for Advanced Optoelectronics
Authors: Li Zimin , Tian Ye
Published: October 2022

Bi2S3is a semiconductor with rational band gap around near-IR and visible range, and its nanostructures (or nano-Bi2S3) have attracted great attention due to its promising performances in optoelectronic materials and devices. An increasing number of reports point to the potential of such nanostructures to support a number of optical applications, such as photodetectors, solar cells and photocatalysts. With the aim of providing a comprehensive basis for exploiting the full potential of Bi2S3 nanostructures on optoelectronics, we review the current progress in their controlled fabrication, the trends reported (from theoretical calculations and experimental observations) in their electrical properties and optical response, and their emerging applications.
Herniarin, Dimethylfraxetin and Extracts from Tagetes lucida, in Psychosis Secondary to Ketamine and Its Interaction with Haloperidol
Authors: Porras-Dávila Sandra Liliana , Jiménez-Ferrer Enrique , Román Ramos Rubén , González-Cortazar Manasés , Almanza-Pérez Julio César , Herrera-Ruiz Maribel
Published: October 2022

Tagetes lucida Cav., is a medicinal plant used in Mexico to alleviate different disorders related to alterations of the central nervous system, such as behaviors associated with psychosis. The present work evaluated the effect of different extracts separated from this plant, TlHex, TlEA, TlMet, and TlAq, and of two isolated coumarins, herniarin (HN) and dimethylfraxetin (DF), on haloperidol-induced catalepsy (HAL), and psychotic behaviors provoked with a glutamatergic antagonist, ketamine (KET) on ICR mice. The extracts TlEA, TlAq, and the isolated compounds HN and DF, induced an increment of the cataleptic effect of HAL. Schizophrenia-like symptoms caused by KET were analyzed through the behavior of the animals in the open field (OFT), forced swimming (FST), passive avoidance test (PAT), and social interaction test (SIT). Treatments derived from T. lucida could interact with this substance in all tests except for FST, in which only TlMet blocks its activity. Mainly, TlEA, TlAq, HN, and DF, blocked the effects of KET on stereotyped behavior, hyperlocomotion, cognitive impairment, and detriment in the social interaction of rodents. T. lucida interacted with dopaminergic and glutamatergic systems.
Intraspecific Leaf Trait Variation across and within Five Common Wine Grape Varieties
Authors: Macklin Samantha C. , Mariani Rachel O. , Young Emily N. , Kish Rosalyn , Cathline Kimberley A. , Robertson Gavin , Martin Adam R.
Published: October 2022

Variability in traits forming the Leaf Economics Spectrum (LES) among and within crop species plays a key role in governing agroecosystem processes. However, studies evaluating the extent, causes, and consequences of within-species variation in LES traits for some of the world’s most common crops remain limited. This study quantified variations in nine leaf traits measured across 90 vines of five common wine grape (Vitis vinifera L.) varieties at two growth stages (post-flowering and veraison). Grape traits in these varieties covary along an intraspecific LES, in patterns similar to those documented in wild plants. Across the five varieties evaluated here, high rates of photosynthesis (A) and leaf nitrogen (N) concentrations were coupled with low leaf mass per area (LMA), whereas the opposite suite of traits defined the “resource-conserving end” of this intraspecific LES in grape. Variety identity was the strongest predictor of leaf physiological (A) and morphological traits (i.e., leaf area and leaf mass), whereas leaf chemical traits and LMA were best explained by growth stage. All five varieties expressed greater resource-conserving trait syndromes (i.e., higher LMA, lower N, and lower Amass) later in the growing season. Traits related to leaf hydraulics, including instantaneous water-use efficiency (WUE), were unrelated to LES and other resource capture traits, and were better explained by spatial location. These results highlight the relative contributions of genetic, developmental, and phenotypic factors in structuring trait variation in the five wine grape varieties evaluated here, and point to a key role of domestication in governing trait relationships in the world’s crops.
Phytochemical Investigation and Biological Studies on Selected Searsia Species
Authors: Koki Mkhuseli , Yalo Masande , Makhaba Masixole , Nako Ndikho , Rautenbach Fanie , Badmus Jelili A. , Marnewick Jeanine , Hussein Ahmed A. , Mabusela Wilfred T.
Published: October 2022

Searsia is the more recent name for the genus Rhus, which contains over 250 individual species of flowering plants in the family Anacardiaceae. Several Searsia species are used in folk medicine and have been reported to exhibit various biological activities. Although known to exhibit different terpenoids and flavonoids, the chemistry of the Searsia genus is not comprehensively studied due to the structural complexity of the compounds. In this study, the extraction, isolation, and identification of secondary metabolites from three Searsia species (Searsia glauca, S. lucida, and S. laevigata) were conducted using chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques and afforded five known terpenes, viz., moronic acid (1), 21β-hydroxylolean-12-en-3-one (2), lupeol (11), α-amyrin (9), and β-amyrin (10), in addition to six known flavonoids, myricetin-3-O-β-galactopyranoside (3), rutin (4), quercetin (5), apigenin (6), amentoflavone (7), and quercetin-3-O-β-glucoside (8). The structural elucidation of the isolated compounds was determined based on NMR (1D and 2D) and comparison with the data in the literature. Biological assays, such as antioxidant and enzyme inhibition activity assays, were conducted on the plant extracts and the isolated compounds. The antioxidant capacities of hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and butanol main extracts were investigated using ferric ion reducing power (FRAP), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays. The results showed high antioxidant activities for methanol and butanol extracts of the three plants. The isolated compounds were tested against alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase, and the results showed the potent activity of moronic acid (C1) (IC50 10.62 ± 0.89 and 20.08 ± 0.56 µg/mL, respectively) and amentoflavone (C7) (IC50 5.57 ± 1.12 µg/mL and 19.84 ± 1.33 µg/mL, respectively). Isolated compounds of and biological assays for S. glauca, S. lucida, and S. laevigata are reported for the first time.
Effect of Mycotoxin Cytochalasin A on Photosystem II in Ageratina adenophora
Authors: Jiang Mengyun , Yang Qian , Wang He , Luo Zhi , Guo Yanjing , Shi Jiale , Wang Xiaoxiong , Qiang Sheng , Strasser Reto Jörg , Chen Shiguo
Published: October 2022

Biological herbicides have received much attention due to their abundant resources, low development cost, unique targets and environmental friendliness. This study reveals some interesting effects of mycotoxin cytochalasin A (CA) on photosystem II (PSII). Our results suggested that CA causes leaf lesions on Ageratina adenophora due to its multiple effects on PSII. At a half-inhibitory concentration of 58.5 μΜ (I50, 58.5 μΜ), the rate of O2 evolution of PSII was significantly inhibited by CA. This indicates that CA possesses excellent phytotoxicity and exhibits potential herbicidal activity. Based on the increase in the J-step of the chlorophyll fluorescence rise OJIP curve and the analysis of some JIP-test parameters, similar to the classical herbicide diuron, CA interrupted PSII electron transfer beyond QA at the acceptor side, leading to damage to the PSII antenna structure and inactivation of reaction centers. Molecular docking model of CA and D1 protein of A. adenophora further suggests that CA directly targets the QB site of D1 protein. The potential hydrogen bonds are formed between CA and residues D1-His215, D1-Ala263 and D1-Ser264, respectively. The binding of CA to residue D1-Ala263 is novel. Thus, CA is a new natural PSII inhibitor. These results clarify the mode of action of CA in photosynthesis, providing valuable information and potential implications for the design of novel bioherbicides.
Transcriptome and Proteome Co-Profiling Offers an Understanding of Pre-Harvest Sprouting (PHS) Molecular Mechanisms in Wheat (Triticum aestivum)
Authors: Park Sang Yong , Jung Woo Joo , Bang Geul , Hwang Heeyoun , Kim Jae Yoon
Published: October 2022

While wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a widely grown and enjoyed crop, the diverse and complex global situation and climate are exacerbating the instability of its supply. In particular, pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) is one of the major abiotic stresses that frequently occurs due to irregular climate conditions, causing serious damage to wheat and its quality. In this study, transcriptomic analysis with RNA-seq and proteomic analysis with LC-MS/MS were performed in PHS-treated spikes from two wheat cultivars presenting PHS sensitivity and tolerance, respectively. A total of 13,154 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 706 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified in four comparison groups between the susceptible/tolerant cultivars. Gene function and correlation analysis were performed to determine the co-profiled genes and proteins affected by PHS treatment. In the functional annotation of each comparative group, similar functions were confirmed in each cultivar under PHS treatment; however, in Keumgang PHS+7 (K7) vs. Woori PHS+7 (W7), functional annotations presented clear differences in the ”spliceosome” and ”proteasome” pathways. In addition, our results indicate that alternative splicing and ubiquitin–proteasome support the regulation of germination and seed dormancy. This study provides an advanced understanding of the functions involved in transcription and translation related to PHS mechanisms, thus enabling specific proposals for the further analysis of germination and seed dormancy mechanisms and pathways in wheat.
An Overview of Genus Malachra L.—Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activity
Authors: Cervantes-Ceballos Leonor , Sánchez-Hoyos Jorge , Sanchez-Hoyos Fredys , Torres-Niño Erick , Mercado-Camargo Jairo , Echeverry-Gómez Amparo , Jotty Arroyo Karick , del Olmo-Fernández Esther , Gómez-Estrada Harold
Published: October 2022

The genus Malachra L. belongs to the family Malvaceae. It includes herbs or subshrubs of nine accepted species with approximately thirty synonyms, and it has been widely used in community folk medicine to treat health problems including inflammation, nasal obstruction, leishmaniasis, malaria, childbirth, kidney disorders, fever, respiratory tract diseases, among others. From the genus Malachra L., flavonoids, steroids, triterpenes, anthocyanins, leucoanthocyanins, saponins, carbohydrates, phenols, glycosides, and alkaloids have been isolated and identified. Some pharmacological reports have indicated that the genus has antidiarrheal, antiepileptic, antiulcerogenic, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, antiviral, anticancer, antibacterial, anthelmintic, and hepatoprotective properties. However, there have been limited studies of bioactive molecules with pharmacological and biological activities associated with Malachra alceifolia Jacq., Malachra capitata (L.) L., Malachra fasciata Jacq., Malachra radiata (L.) L., Malachra ruderalis Gürke., Malachra rudis Benth., Malachra helodes Mart., Malachra urens Poit. ex Ledeb. & Alderstam., and Malachra officinalis Klotzsch. In this review, we consider the conservation of these species to save the ancestral knowledge of their traditional use in populations, and their pharmacological potential for future studies in search of alternatives for solutions to diseases in humans and animals and tools for the design and search of potential bioactive compounds against infectious and non-infectious agents.
Chemical Composition and Cytotoxic Activity of Extracts from Carpesium divaricatum: In Vitro- versus Field-Grown Plants
Authors: Malarz Janusz , Galanty Agnieszka , Stojakowska Anna
Published: October 2022

Carpesium divaricatum Sieb. & Zucc. is a plant species rich in terpenoids of anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activity, especially germacranolides of potential medicinal value. The present study describes in vitro multiplication of C. divaricatum, analysis of active constituents in the multiple shoots, and assessment of cytotoxic activities of extracts prepared from in vitro- and field-grown plants. The plant extracts were evaluated for cytotoxicity using two melanoma cell lines (HTB140 and A375); human keratinocytes (HaCaT); two colon cancer cell lines (Caco2 and HT29); human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2); two lines of prostate cancer cells (DU145 and PC3) and prostate epithelial cells (PNT2). Chemical compositions of the assayed extracts were analyzed by HPLC/DAD, in reference to isolated compounds. Maximum of 4.07 ± 1.61 shoots regenerated from a nodal explant of C. divaricatum, cultivated in a liquid MS medium supplemented with thidiazuron (1 μM). In vitro grown shoots and plantlets of C. divaricatum accumulated terpenoids that are known as active constituents of the intact plant. Cytotoxic activity of the extracts prepared from the in vitro cultured plants was like that demonstrated by the extracts prepared from field-grown plants and seemed to be more selective than cytotoxicities of the individual germacranolides.
Development of a Specific Nested PCR Assay for the Detection of 16SrI Group Phytoplasmas Associated with Sisal Purple Leafroll Disease in Sisal Plants and Mealybugs
Authors: Wang Guihua , Wu Weihuai , Tan Shibei , Liang Yanqiong , He Chunping , Chen Helong , Huang Xing , Yi Kexian
Published: October 2022

Sisal purple leafroll disease (SPLD) is currently the most destructive disease affecting sisal in China, yet its aetiology remains unclear. In our previous research, it was verified to be associated with phytoplasmas, and nested PCR based on the 16S rRNA gene using universal primers R16mF2/R16mR1 followed by R16F2n/R16R2 was confirmed as the most effective molecular method for the detection of phytoplasmas associated with SPLD (SPLDaP). However, the method has a shortcoming of inaccuracy, for it could produce false positive results. To further manage the disease, accurate detection is needed. In this study, we developed a specific nested PCR assay using universal primers R16F2n/R16R2, followed by a set of primers designed on 16Sr gene sequences amplified from SPLDaP, nontarget bacteria from sisal plants, and other phytoplasma subgroups or groups. This established method is accurate, specific, and effective for detection of 16SrI group phytoplasma in sisal, and its sensitivity is up to 10 fg/μL of total DNA. It also minimized the false positive problem of nested PCR using universal primers R16mF2/R16mR1 followed by R16F2n/R16R2. This method was further used to verify the presence of phytoplasma in Dysmicoccusneobrevipes, and the results showed that D. neobrevipes could be infected by SPLDaP and thus could be a candidate for vector transmission assays.
Nutritional Quality, Chemical, and Functional Characteristics of Hemp (Cannabis sativa ssp. sativa) Protein Isolate
Authors: El-Sohaimy Sobhy Ahmed , Androsova Natalia Vladimirovna , Toshev Abduvali Djabarovich , El Enshasy Hesham Ali
Published: October 2022

(1) Background: Hemp seeds are a source of plant-based protein, making them an appropriate supplement to a plant-based diet. The current work was focused on the preparation of the protein isolate from the hemp seeds with eco-friendly and cheap technology. Moreover, it evaluated the physicochemical and functional properties of hemp protein isolate for its potential application in food manufacturing. (2) Methods: The protein content of hemp seeds has been isolated through two main steps: (1) extraction of the protein content of an alkaline pH (10–12); (2) precipitation of the extracted protein on an acidic pH as an isoelectric point (pH = 4.5). (3) Results: The edastin protein is the most predominant protein in the protein profile with a molecular weight of 58.1 KDa beside albumin with a molecular weight of 31.5 KDa. The FTIR spectrum detected the absorption peaks of the amide I at 1750 and 1600 cm−1, which pointed to C=O stretching while N-H stretching at 1650–1580 cm−1. The peak at 3250 is found to be related to N-H stretching of the aliphatic primary amine (3400–3300 cm−1) and the N-H stretching for the secondary (II) amine appeared at 3350–3310 cm−1. The Hemp protein isolate (HPI) showed a high content of arginine (15.52 g/100 g), phenylalanine + tyrosine (9.63 g/100 g), methionine + cysteine (5.49 g/100 g), leucine + isoleucine (5.21 g/100 g), and valine (4.53 g/100 g). It contains a moderate level of threonine (3.29 g/100 g) and lysine (2.50 g/100 g) with tryptophan as the limiting amino acid (0.22 g/100 g). The HPI showed an appropriate water-and-oil holding capacity (4.5 ± 2.95 and 2.33 ± 1.88 mL/g, respectively). The foaming capacity of the HPI was increased with increasing the pH values to reach the maximum value at pH 11 (67.23 ± 3.20%). The highest emulsion ability index of the HPI was noted at pH 9 (91.3 ± 2.57 m2/g) with low stability (19.15 ± 2.03). (4) Conclusions: A strong positive correlation (r = 0.623) was shown between protein concentration and solubility. The current easy-to-use, cheap, and eco-friendly technology provides the industrial sector with a cheap protein isolate for manufacturing protein-rich diet and beverages. The HPI showed a good nutritional quality and functional properties that might be helpful in utilizing it in different food products such as beverages and bakery products.
Crabs Marine Waste—A Valuable Source of Chitosan: Tuning Chitosan Properties by Chitin Extraction Optimization
Authors: Gîjiu Cristiana Luminița , Isopescu Raluca , Dinculescu Daniel , Memecică Maria , Apetroaei Manuela-Rossemary , Anton Mirela , Schröder Verginica , Rău Ileana
Published: October 2022

Chitin extraction from crab shells was studied experimentally and optimized aiming to obtain chitosan with predefined deacetylation degree and molecular mass. To find out the optimum operating conditions that ensure the obtaining of a chitosan with highest deacetylation degree and specific molecular mass four parameters were varied: the concentration of NaOH and the temperature for deproteinization step, respectively HCl concentration and the number of acidic treatments for the demineralization stage. The experiment was carried on following Taguchi orthogonal array L9, and the best combination of factors was found using the desirability function approach. The optimization results showed that 5% NaOH concentration and low temperatures lead to a chitosan with high deacetylation degree. High molecular mass chitosan is obtained when a single step acidic treatment is used, while a chitosan with low molar mass is obtained for multiple acid contacts and higher HCl concentration.
Micromechanical Deformation Processes and Failure of PBS Based Composites Containing Ultra-Short Cellulosic Fibers for Injection Molding Applications
Authors: Aliotta Laura , Gasenge Mattia , Gigante Vito , Lazzeri Andrea
Published: October 2022

The use of biobased thermoplastic polymers has gained great attention in the last years as a potential alternative to fossil-based thermoplastic polymers. Biobased polymers in fact offer advantages not only in terms of reduced dependence on fossil resources but they also lower the CO2 footprint in accordance with sustainability and climate protection goals. To improve the properties of these materials, reinforcement with biobased fibers is a promising solution; however, it must be kept in mind that the fibers aspect ratio and the interfacial adhesion between the reinforcement and the matrix plays an important role influencing both physical and mechanical properties of the biocomposites. In this paper, the possibility of producing composites by injection molding, based on polybutylene succinate and ultra-short cellulosic fibers has been explored as a potential biobased solution. Thermo-mechanical properties of the composites were investigated, paying particular attention to the local micromechanical deformation processes, investigated by dilatometric tests, and failure mechanisms. Analytical models were also applied to predict the elastic and flexural modulus and the interfacial properties of the biocomposites. Good results were achieved, demonstrating the that this class of biocomposite can be exploited. Compared to pure PBS, the composites with 30 wt.% of cellulose fibers increased the Young’s modulus by 154%, the flexural modulus by 130% and the heat deflection temperature by 9%.
Microwave-Hydrogen Peroxide Assisted Anaerobic Treatment as an Effective Method for Short-Chain Fatty Acids Production from Tannery Sludge
Authors: Tuci Giulia Adele , Valentino Francesco , Bonato Edoardo , Pavan Paolo , Gottardo Marco
Published: October 2022

Tannery sludge is disposed of in landfills as it is considered a special residue by the Italian legislation, creating pollution and waste. This paper aims at evaluating the performance of the anaerobic fermentation process to obtain short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) from this waste. The assessment of the most appropriate conditions, in terms of pH, temperature, initial total solids (TSs) content, and application of oxidizing-thermal pretreatment has been developed. The batch test trials revealed that the combined microwave and hydrogen peroxide (MW-H2O2) pretreatment followed by thermophilic conditions gave the best results, in terms of the acidification yield (0.31 gCODSCFA/gVS0) and maximal SCFA concentration (above 26 g CODSCFA/L). In the tests conducted without pretreatment, the mesophilic temperature should be preferred since the acidification performances were comparable to or even better than their thermophilic counterparts. The SCFA composition analysis showed that in mesophilic fermentation, tannery sludge can generate up to 50% acetic acid (CODAc/CODSCFA), if previously pretreated (MW-H2O2). This research acts as a forerunner for the appropriate handling of this resource, to employ it for the development of a new tannery industry focused on a circular approach, rather than to simply dispose of it in landfills.
Jamun (Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels) Seed: A Review on Nutritional Profile, Functional Food Properties, Health-Promoting Applications, and Safety Aspects
Authors: Kumar Manoj , Zhang Baohong , Nishad Jyoti , Verma Aman , Sheri Vijay , Dhumal Sangram , Radha  , Sharma Niharika , Chandran Deepak , Senapathy Marisennayya , Dey Abhijit , Rajalingam Sureshkumar , Muthukumar Muthamiselvan , Mohankumar Pran , Amarowicz Ryszard , Pateiro Mirian , Lorenzo José M.
Published: October 2022

Jamun (Syzygium cumini L. Skeels) is highly perishable with a very short shelf life, hence, jamun fruit is either consumed fresh as soon as it is harvested or converted to value-added products such as jam, wine, juice, and jellies. The processing of jamun fruit generates a large quantity of seeds as the primary waste. Jamun seeds are a rich source of macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, minerals, and vitamins, thus making them an important ingredient in the food industry. The valorization of underutilized, nutritionally rich byproducts of the food processing industry has been providing new ways for unlocking their potential in the functional food industry or therapeutic food formulations. This review presents a detailed nutritional profile of jamun seeds and its potent application in the food industry as a possible functional ingredient. Along with its beneficial nutritional profile, the review also throws light upon the safety aspects associated with jamun seed consumption along with its acceptable daily intake. Safety and toxicity studies have motivated researchers and industrialists to search for possible applications in the food industry. Jamun seeds with array of nutritional benefits can be an important functional ingredient; however, further extensive research is necessary to find suitable levels of application of jamun seed in food products for harnessing its nutritional potential without affecting the products’ sensory palatability.
Liquid-Ammonia-Mediated Dyeing Process of Wool at a Lower Temperature
Authors: Shang Xianqin , Wang Qiang , Jiang Zhe , Ma Haitao , Zhang Denglu
Published: October 2022

Liquid ammonia as a non-aqueous medium has many physical properties close to water, such as small molecular weight and strong permeability. It has been widely used for the ecological processing of cellulosic fibers to improve their luster, softness and dyeing properties. However, there are few reports on the dyeing of wool treated with liquid ammonia, especially at a lower temperature. Herein, a continuous liquid ammonia finishing machine was used to batch process wool followed by dyeing in a commonly-used wool dyeing machine. The results showed that many scale flakes and some cuticle cracking were seen on the fiber surface, and the disulfide bonds of cystine were broken down after liquid ammonia treatment, which promoted the diffusion of dyestuff into the fiber. Moreover, the uptakes and K/S value of wool dyed with Lanaset and Lanasol CE dyes were higher than the untreated wool, and the dyeing temperature could decrease to 85 °C, while the degree of fiber strength reduction merely decreased by 3–5%. Furthermore, for the reactive dyes, the dyeing temperature can reduce to 70 °C with the chemical auxiliaries Miralan LTD, while the degree of strength reduction decrease by 8–10%. Liquid ammonia treatment can be used for dyeing at a lower temperature than boiling temperature (100 °C), reduce energy consumption and reduce the degree of fiber strength reduction of wool. The method shows considerable to great value and is significant in providing a feasible approach for the industrial application of low-temperature dyeing technology.
Quality Changes of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Recyclates from the Pretreatment Process with a Cationic Surfactant and a Nonionic Surfactant as Cleaning Agents Upstream of Extrusion
Authors: Guo Jinyang , Kim Youngju , Chong Zhi Kai , Alassali Ayah , Chacon Jose Pablo , Gottschalk Dieter , Kitzberger Magdalena , Kuchta Kerstin
Published: October 2022

Low-density polyethylene is the most applied packaging plastic. The recycling rate of LDPE is low, especially for the material from the post-consumer source. The quality of the LDPE post-consumer recyclates is influenced by different contaminations, either intentionally or non-intentionally. Printing ink is one of the substances that is regarded as having a negative influence on the quality of LDPE recyclates. This study used a new type of nonionic surfactant oxirane, methyl-, polymer for de-inking as a pretreatment. Afterward, the LDPE film flakes were mechanically recycled in the laboratory. A melt flow index (MFI), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and tensile strength analysis were carried out. This work reported the de-inking effect of a new type of nonionic surfactant. However, no evidential correlation between the rate of color removal and the improvement in the rheological, thermal, and mechanical properties can be identified from the result of this study.
Hydrothermal In-Reservoir Upgrading of Heavy Oil in the Presence of Non-Ionic Surfactants
Authors: Kholmurodov Temurali , Aliev Firdavs , Mirzaev Oybek , Dengaev Aleksey , Tajik Arash , Vakhin Alexey
Published: October 2022

The most widely applied methods to unlock heavy oil and natural bitumen resources in the world are still based on steam injection techniques. Improving the efficiency of hydrothermal processes poses a great challenge. The co-injection of various additives is practiced to lower the steam-to-oil ratio (SOR), viscosity alteration and to improve heavy oil properties. Organic solvents, non-condensable gases, air and surfactants are the preferred chemicals to be combined with steam. This study provides an investigation of the surfactant-assisted hydrothermal upgrading of heavy oil at 200 °C. The thermal stability and salt resistivity of two non-ionic surfactants (SA–3 and Biolub Green) were investigated. Moreover, the improved performance of the surfactants was established by performing an SARA analysis, elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, and EPR analysis, and by studying the viscosity reduction degree. The experimental results showed that surfactants lead to the in-depth destructive hydrogenation of the high-molecular components of heavy oil such as resins and asphaltenes. However, the content of light fractions increased. According to the results of the elemental analysis, the surfactants assist in the hydrodesulphurization of heavy oil. Overall, the physical and chemical consequences of hydrothermal upgrading in the presence of surfactants led to the irreversible viscosity reduction of heavy oil.
Progress in Developing an Emulation of a Neuromorphic Device That Is Predicted to Enhance Existing Cortical Prosthetic Vision Technology by Engaging Desired Visual Geometries
Authors: Pavloski Raymond
Published: October 2022

The utility of currently available cortical prosthetic vision systems is disappointing. The essential features of a neuromorphic device that is predicted to enhance vision provided by available systems follow from a hypothesis which states that the objective and subjective aspects of cortical prosthetic vision jointly constitute patterns that emerge from specified synaptic interactions. The research reported here completes several required steps in developing an emulation of this device: (1) replication of small-scale simulations that are consistent with the hypothesis using the NEST (Écublens, Vaud, Switzerland) simulator, which can also be used for full-scale network emulation by a neuromorphic computer; (2) testing whether results consistent with the hypothesis survive increasing the scale and duration of simulations; (3) establishing a method that uses numbers of spikes produced by network neurons to report the number of phosphenes produced by cortical stimulation; and (4) simulating essential functions of a neuromorphic device which is predicted to enhance current prosthetic systems. NEST simulations replicated early results and increasing their scale and duration produced results consistent with the hypothesis. A decision function created using multinomial logistic regression correctly reported the expected number of phosphenes for three sets of 2080 spike number distributions in which half of each set arises from simulations expected to yield continuous visual forms by engaging a desired visual geometry. A process for modulating electrical stimulation amplitude based on intermittent population recordings that is predicted to produce desired visual geometries was successfully simulated. Implications of these results for future research are discussed.
The Emotional Resources Group: A Mixed Methods Practice-Based Study of a Transdiagnostic Emotion Regulation Group Intervention
Authors: Moore Rebekah , Gillanders David , Stuart Simon
Published: October 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to understand if the emotional resource group (ERG), a transdiagnostic group intervention, significantly improved emotion regulation (ER) in the short and long term. Methods: Participants completed pre- and post-measures of emotional regulation, psychological distress, wellbeing, self-efficacy and confidence in managing mental health problems. Measures were repeated at three and six months post intervention. 14 participants completed a qualitative interview. Results: ER ability and secondary measures improved following the intervention, but the improvement was not maintained over the three and six month follow-up period. From the themes identified through thematic analysis, the ERG was part of a wider process of learning and change for most participants. Participants described changes in awareness, and implementation of new skills to manage their emotional difficulties. Conclusion: Overall the ERG was a positive experience for most participants, providing improvements in ER and other aspects of mental health. However, it is unclear if these improvements are sustained in the longer term. There may be many reasons for this, including fidelity to the ERG model and the short-term nature of the group. The ERG should be considered an option for participants with ER difficulties and further intervention should be offered when the ERG ends.
Compulsory Heterosexuality in Indonesia: A Literary Exploration of the Work of Ayu Utami
Authors: Widianti Santi
Published: October 2022

The fall of Suharto from the presidency in the Reformation of 1998 created space for greater freedom of expression, including for women, in the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, Indonesia. Ayu Utami is an Indonesian writer whose first novel, Saman, was published at the time of the Indonesian Reformation to critical and commercial acclaim. Other women writers followed her lead, expressing their work on women and sexuality. Through her writing, Utami challenges a patriarchal culture which continues to marginalise women. This paper focuses on the two of Utami’s literary works, Si Parasit Lajang: Seks, Sketsa dan Cerita (The Single Parasite: Sex, Sketches and Stories) (2003) and Pengakuan Eks Parasit Lajang (Confessions of a Former Single Parasite) (2013). These two books have parallel themes, representing Utami’s challenges to dominant discourses on women and marriage. In the first book, Utami shows that women face discrimination if they remain single. Her political stance to remain unmarried is a way to show that women can choose alternative ways of life, rather than submit to the valorised option: to get married. Utami’s shift of position, as elaborated in the second book through the story of her autobiographical character A, who is a Catholic, has to do with a developing tendency of the Islamic conservatism in Indonesia to silence the expression of minority groups, including minority religious communities. This paper argues that to understand Utami’s shift in position on marriage, we must understand the ways in which her position as a member of a minority and, sometimes endangered, religious community shapes her position.
Macroeconomic Components of the Risks to Fiscal Sustainability in Hungary
Authors: Ábel István , Kóbor Ádám
Published: October 2022

Introducing uncertainty under fiscal sustainability conditions for the public debt provides a framework for analyzing debt dynamics. Such methods are commonly used for fiscal projections, but our aim here is retrospective; we evaluate the sudden jump in the Hungarian public debt following the global financial crisis in 2008. Based on a traditional debt-deficit stock-flow identity combining the fiscal component (primary deficit) and the interactions among real sector components, we model the debt dynamics by a vector error correction model (VECM). Uncertainty is represented in the model by shocks that are identified in the VECM framework. Using this method for simulation starting from 2006, we found that the debt-to-GDP ratio in 2008 and after could not be ruled out by 90 percent probability. Such an event was coded in the Hungarian debt dynamics and very likely would have materialized even without the unfortunate events of the global financial crisis.
Remote Sensing of Coastal Wetland Degradation Using the Landscape Directional Succession Model
Authors: Cui Linlin , Li Guosheng , Liao Huajun , Ouyang Ninglei , Li Xingyue , Liu Dan
Published: October 2022

In recent decades, human activities have impaired the structure, function, and diversity of coastal wetland ecosystems, and there is a need for the rational planning of ecological restoration to curb wetland degradation. However, the challenge remains to quickly and accurately identify degraded wetland areas and their degradation levels. In this study, we used remote sensing interpretation data from 1980 to 2020 and the wetland degradation evaluation method based on a landscape directional succession model to quantify the spatial and temporal characteristics of wetland degradation in Jiangsu Province, China. The key findings showed that 3020.67 km2 of wetlands became degraded over the 40 years of this study, accounting for 42.74% of the total area of coastal wetlands, and that the overall degradation was mild. This degradation presented significant spatial differences, with the wetland degradation in Yancheng City observed to be more serious than that in Nantong City. Degradation mainly occurred in Sheyang County, Dafeng District, Dongtai City, and Rudong County, and the spatial distribution pattern of severe and moderate degradation, mild degradation, and non-degradation was observed from land to sea in that order. The degradation of wetlands was observed to have obvious stages, and the degradation of coastal wetlands in the study area from 1980 to 2020 showed a significant increasing trend. The comprehensive score of wetland degradation in 2020 (1.67) was 3.70 times that in 1985 (0.45), and the turning point occurred in 2000. The types of wetland degradation were dominated by the transformation of natural wetlands into construction land (coastal industry), fish farming, and arable land, as well as the invasion of exotic species. Although great efforts have been made in recent years to protect and restore coastal wetlands, the development and utilization of coastal wetland resources should be strictly controlled to achieve the goal of sustainable development in coastal areas.
Ensemble Three-Dimensional Habitat Modeling of Indian Ocean Immature Albacore Tuna (Thunnus alalunga) Using Remote Sensing Data
Authors: Mondal Sandipan , Wang Yi-Chen , Lee Ming-An , Weng Jinn-Shing , Mondal Biraj Kanti
Published: October 2022

This study evaluated the vertical distribution of immature albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) in the Indian Ocean as a function of various environmental parameters. Albacore tuna fishing data were gathered from the logbooks of large-sized Taiwanese longline vessels. Fishery and environmental data for the period from 1998 to 2016 were collected. In addition to the surface variable, the most influential vertical temperature, dissolved oxygen (OXY), chlorophyll, and salinity layers were found at various depths (i.e., 5, 26, and 53 m for SST; 200, 244, and 147 m for OXY; 508, 628, and 411 for SSCI; and 411, 508, and 773 m for SSS) among 20 vertical layers based on Akaike criterion information value of generalized linear model. Relative to the 20 vertical layers base models, these layers had the lowest Akaike information criteria. For the correlation between the standardized and predicted catch per unit effort (CPUE), the correlation values for the generalized linear model (GLM), generalized additive model (GAM), boosted regression tree (BRT), and random forest (RF) model were 0.798, 0.832, 0.841, and 0.856, respectively. The GAM-, BRT-, and RF-derived full models were selected, whereas the GLM-derived full model was excluded because its correlation value was the lowest among the four models. From March to September, a higher immature albacore standardized CPUE was mainly observed from 30°S to 40°S. A northward shift was observed after September, and the standardized CPUE was mainly concentrated at the south coast of Madagascar from November to January.
ANFIS-EKF-Based Single-Beacon Localization Algorithm for AUV
Authors: Zhao Wanlong , Zhao Huifeng , Liu Gongliang , Zhang Guoyao
Published: October 2022

Singe-beacon localization technology can help Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) to obtain precise positions by deploying only one beacon. It is considered as a promising way, benefiting from saving much time and labor compared with traditional Long-Baseline Localization (LBL). A typical single-beacon localization scheme contains two essential questions: the initial observability problem and long-endurance trajectory tracking problem. Aiming at these core problems, a comprehensive solution for single-beacon localization is described in this paper. An multi-hypothesis initial position discriminant method is proposed firstly, which helps to achieve accurate initial location based on observability analysis. Then, an Adaptive Network Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS)-improved Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) method is proposed, in which single-beacon measuring information is fused with off-the-shelf sensors, including DVL, Compass, etc. ANFIS-EKF can help to improve trajectory tracking precisions by restraining the heavy loss of linearization in conventional EKF. Both simulation and field tests are conducted to verify the performance of the proposed algorithms.
Assessment of Geo-Kompsat-2A Atmospheric Motion Vector Data and Its Assimilation Impact in the GEOS Atmospheric Data Assimilation System
Authors: Lee Eunhee , Todling Ricardo , Karpowicz Bryan M. , Jin Jianjun , Sewnath Akira , Park Seon Ki
Published: October 2022

Korea’s second geostationary meteorological satellite, Geo-Kompsat-2A (Geostationary-Korean Multi-Purpose Satellite-2A, GK2A), was successfully launched on 4 December 2018. GK2A generates Atmospheric Motion Vectors (AMVs) every 10 min in the full disk area. This data has been disseminated via Global Telecommunication System (GTS) since 25 October 2019. This article evaluates the quality of GK2A AMVs in the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) atmospheric data assimilation system (ADAS). The data show slow wind speed biases at 200–300 hPa and 600–800 hPa in the northern and southern hemispheres. These biases are caused by observation height assignment errors near jet streams. The Equivalent Blackbody Temperature (EBBT) method of GK2A tends to assign clouds at higher altitude, which mainly causes slow wind speed biases, especially in the lower atmosphere. The IR/WV intercept method of GK2A assigns clouds slightly lower in the atmospheric layers below the altitude of 400 hPa, which causes positive biases. Quality control (QC) criteria to select the most suitable GK2A AMV data for assimilation are presented based on these quality assessments. A new QC criterion utilizing height errors within the GEOS ADAS is introduced to exclude data with slow wind speed biases and large errors. GEOS forecast accuracy is slightly improved after assimilating GK2A AMVs along with other conventional, radiance, and satellite winds which include AMVs made by the Himawari-8 satellite in nearly the same observational area of GK2A. Additionally, the present work shows that GEOS forecasts can be significantly improved, especially in the tropics and southern hemisphere after assimilating GK2A data in the absence of Himawari-8 AMVs. This study demonstrates that GK2A AMV data is a valuable data source to enhance the robustness of GEOS ADAS.
A Comparison of Random Forest Algorithm-Based Forest Extraction with GF-1 WFV, Landsat 8 and Sentinel-2 Images
Authors: Peng Xueli , He Guojin , She Wenqing , Zhang Xiaomei , Wang Guizhou , Yin Ranyu , Long Tengfei
Published: October 2022

Forests are an essential part of the ecosystem and play an irreplaceable role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem and protecting biodiversity. The monitoring of forest distribution plays an important role in the conservation and management of forests. This paper analyzes and compares the performance of imagery from GF-1 WFV, Landsat 8, and Sentinel-2 satellites with respect to forest/non-forest classification tasks using the random forest algorithm (RF). The results show that in the classification task of this paper, although the differences in classification accuracy among the three satellite datasets are not remarkable, the Sentinel-2 data have the highest accuracy, GF-1 WFV the second highest, and Landsat 8 the lowest. In addition, it was found that remotely sensed data of different processing levels show little influence on the classification accuracy with respect to the forest/non-forest classification task. However, the classification accuracy of the top of the atmosphere reflectance product was the most stable, and the vegetation index has a marginal effect on the distinction between forest and non-forest areas.
Retrieval of Water Quality Parameters Based on Near-Surface Remote Sensing and Machine Learning Algorithm
Authors: Zhao Yubo , Yu Tao , Hu Bingliang , Zhang Zhoufeng , Liu Yuyang , Liu Xiao , Liu Hong , Liu Jiacheng , Wang Xueji , Song Shuyao
Published: October 2022

With the development of industrialization and urbanization, the consumption and pollution of water resources are becoming more and more serious. Water quality monitoring is an extremely important technical means to protect water resources. However, the current popular water quality monitoring methods have their shortcomings, such as a low signal-to-noise ratio of satellites, poor time continuity of unmanned aerial vehicles, and frequent maintenance of in situ underwater probes. A non-contact near-surface system that can continuously monitor water quality fluctuation is urgently needed. This study proposes an automatic near-surface water quality monitoring system, which can complete the physical equipment construction, data collection, and processing of the application scenario, prove the feasibility of the self-developed equipment and methods and obtain high-performance retrieval results of four water quality parameters, namely chemical oxygen demand (COD), turbidity, ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N), and dissolved oxygen (DO). For each water quality parameter, fourteen machine learning algorithms were compared and evaluated with five assessment indexes. Because the ensemble learning models combine the prediction results of multiple basic learners, they have higher robustness in the prediction of water quality parameters. The optimal determination coefficients (R2) of COD, turbidity, NH3-N, and DO in the test dataset are 0.92, 0.98, 0.95, and 0.91, respectively. The results show the superiority of near-surface remote sensing, which has potential application value in inland, coastal, and various water bodies in the future.