bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spectral Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Chenodeoxycholic Acid Complexes with Zn(II), Mg(II), and Ca(II) Ions
Authors: Almehizia Abdulrahman A. , Naglah Ahmed M. , Al-Omar Mohamed A. , Bhat Mashooq A. , Alanazi Fhdah S. , Alotaibi Fatimah A. , Al-Wasidi Asma S. , Refat Moamen S. , Adam Abdel Majid A.
Published: July 2023

Chenodeoxycholic acid (CA) is a naturally occurring bile acid that is produced in the liver from cholesterol. Three CA complexes using Zn(II), Mg(II), and Ca(II) ions were synthesized to examine the chelation tendencies of CA towards these metal ions. The complexation reaction of CA with the metal ions under investigation was conducted with a 1:1 molar ratio (CA to metal) at 60–70 °C in neutralized media, which consisted of a binary solvent of MeOH and H2O (1:1). The resulting CA complexes were characterized using elemental data (metal, H, C, and Cl analysis) and spectral data (UV–visible, FT-IR, and 1H NMR). The results suggested that CA in anion form utilized oxygen atoms of the carboxylate group (-COO−) to capture Zn(II), Mg(II), and Ca(II) ions. This produced complexes with the general compositions of [Zn(CA)(H2O)Cl], [Mg2(CA)2(H2O)4Cl2], and [Ca2(CA)2(H2O)4Cl2]·2H2O, respectively. The Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion assay was then used to explore the bioactivity of the CA complexes toward three fungal species (Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, and Penicillium sp.), three Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Bacillus subtilis), and two Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli). The Ca(II) and Mg(II) complexes exhibited marked inhibitory effects on the cell growth of the fungal species Aspergillus niger with potency equal to 127 and 116% of the activity of the positive control, respectively. The Zn(II) and Ca(II) complexes strongly inhibited the growth of Penicillium sp., while the Zn(II) and Mg(II) complexes showed strong growth inhibition towards the Gram-negative species Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Centrality Learning: Auralization and Route Fitting
Authors: Li Xin , Bachar Liav , Puzis Rami
Published: July 2023

Developing a tailor-made centrality measure for a given task requires domain- and network-analysis expertise, as well as time and effort. Thus, automatically learning arbitrary centrality measures for providing ground-truth node scores is an important research direction. We propose a generic deep-learning architecture for centrality learning which relies on two insights: 1. Arbitrary centrality measures can be computed using Routing Betweenness Centrality (RBC); 2. As suggested by spectral graph theory, the sound emitted by nodes within the resonating chamber formed by a graph represents both the structure of the graph and the location of the nodes. Based on these insights and our new differentiable implementation of Routing Betweenness Centrality (RBC), we learn routing policies that approximate arbitrary centrality measures on various network topologies. Results show that the proposed architecture can learn multiple types of centrality indices more accurately than the state of the art.
Non-Kochen–Specker Contextuality
Authors: Pavičić Mladen
Published: July 2023

Quantum contextuality supports quantum computation and communication. One of its main vehicles is hypergraphs. The most elaborated are the Kochen–Specker ones, but there is also another class of contextual sets that are not of this kind. Their representation has been mostly operator-based and limited to special constructs in three- to six-dim spaces, a notable example of which is the Yu-Oh set. Previously, we showed that hypergraphs underlie all of them, and in this paper, we give general methods—whose complexity does not scale up with the dimension—for generating such non-Kochen–Specker hypergraphs in any dimension and give examples in up to 16-dim spaces. Our automated generation is probabilistic and random, but the statistics of accumulated data enable one to filter out sets with the required size and structure.
Network Analytics Enabled by Generating a Pool of Network Variants from Noisy Data
Authors: Mandviwalla Aamir , Elsisy Amr , Atique Muhammad Saad , Kuzmin Konstantin , Gaiteri Chris , Szymanski Boleslaw K.
Published: July 2023

Mapping network nodes and edges to communities and network functions is crucial to gaining a higher level of understanding of the network structure and functions. Such mappings are particularly challenging to design for covert social networks, which intentionally hide their structure and functions to protect important members from attacks or arrests. Here, we focus on correctly inferring the structures and functions of such networks, but our methodology can be broadly applied. Without the ground truth, knowledge about the allocation of nodes to communities and network functions, no single network based on the noisy data can represent all plausible communities and functions of the true underlying network. To address this limitation, we apply a generative model that randomly distorts the original network based on the noisy data, generating a pool of statistically equivalent networks. Each unique generated network is recorded, while each duplicate of the already recorded network just increases the repetition count of that network. We treat each such network as a variant of the ground truth with the probability of arising in the real world approximated by the ratio of the count of this network’s duplicates plus one to the total number of all generated networks. Communities of variants with frequently occurring duplicates contain persistent patterns shared by their structures. Using Shannon entropy, we can find a variant that minimizes the uncertainty for operations planned on the network. Repeatedly generating new pools of networks from the best network of the previous step for several steps lowers the entropy of the best new variant. If the entropy is too high, the network operators can identify nodes, the monitoring of which can achieve the most significant reduction in entropy. Finally, we also present a heuristic for constructing a new variant, which is not randomly generated but has the lowest expected cost of operating on the distorted mappings of network nodes to communities and functions caused by noisy data.
Security-Informed Safety Analysis of Autonomous Transport Systems Considering AI-Powered Cyberattacks and Protection
Authors: Illiashenko Oleg , Kharchenko Vyacheslav , Babeshko Ievgen , Fesenko Herman , Di Giandomenico Felicita
Published: July 2023

The entropy-oriented approach called security- or cybersecurity-informed safety (SIS or CSIS, respectively) is discussed and developed in order to analyse and evaluate the safety and dependability of autonomous transport systems (ATSs) such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned maritime vehicles (UMVs), and satellites. This approach allows for extending and integrating the known techniques FMECA (Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis) and IMECA (Intrusion MECA), as well as developing the new SISMECA (SIS-based Intrusion Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis) technique. The ontology model and templates for SISMECA implementation are suggested. The methodology of safety assessment is based on (i) the application and enhancement of SISMECA considering the particularities of various ATSs and roles of actors (regulators, developers, operators, customers); (ii) the development of a set of scenarios describing the operation of ATS in conditions of cyberattacks and physical influences; (iii) AI contribution to system protection for the analysed domains; (iv) scenario-based development and analysis of user stories related to different cyber-attacks, as well as ways to protect ATSs from them via AI means/platforms; (v) profiling of AI platform requirements by use of characteristics based on AI quality model, risk-based assessment of cyberattack criticality, and efficiency of countermeasures which actors can implement. Examples of the application of SISMECA assessment are presented and discussed.
Evaluating the Hierarchical Contagion of Economic Policy Uncertainty among the Leading Developed and Developing Economies
Authors: Alkan Serkan , Akdağ Saffet , Alola Andrew Adewale
Published: July 2023

An array of global events, including the global financial crisis, natural disasters, and the recent coronavirus pandemic, have consistently shown the vulnerability of global systems and humans to externally undesirable contagions. In order to further provide alternative approaches to information valuation, this study utilized the economic policy uncertainty (EPU) of 21 leading developed and developing economies (Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Russia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America) over the period January 1997 to May 2021. The information theory reveals the hierarchy of degrees of randomness in the EPU indices; it shows the information flow among the EPU indices through the mutual information metric and the graphical illustration of the information flows using network theory. Importantly, the Entropy measures indicate higher predictability of the Netherlands and Ireland’s EPU indices, suggesting that they have less randomness than other indices. Contrarily, Greece and the United Kingdom share the lowest predictability of the EPU indices. Moreover, the complex networks analysis shows that the EPU indices is generally shaped by geographic location. In order of significance, the United States of America’s EPU index exhibits the strongest correlation with other countries’ EPU indices and followed by the EPU indices of France, the United Kingdom (UK), and Germany. In general, the result of the investigation communicates relevant policy measures that potentially ameliorate shocks from external contagions.
Geospatial Analysis of Scour in Offshore Wind Farms
Authors: Matutano Molina Clara , Velasco-Gallego Christian , Portillo-Juan Nerea , Negro Valdecantos Vicente , Cubo-Mateo Nieves
Published: July 2023

Climate change has highlighted the need to promote renewable energies. The offshore wind industry is growing exponentially because of some political strategies supported by various organizations, such as the European Union. The implementation of these strategies is commonly associated with significant investments, public acceptance, or achieving better installations and greater cumulative capacities. To ensure that offshore renewable energy projects could reach their ambitious targets, this study promotes the implementation of political strategies or planning decisions using data mining techniques and analytical tools. Strategic decisions based on real data analysis could help to achieve more suitable and optimal infrastructures. The scour phenomenon jeopardizes the operability of offshore wind farms, making it necessary to study its evolution over the years. In this work, extensive research on the scour phenomenon in offshore wind farms using real data (from the Lynn and Inner Dowsing offshore wind farms located in the UK) was performed, which revealed an evident lack of consideration of this phenomenon for data-driven decision-making processes. As a novelty, this research develops a detailed geospatial analysis of data, studying the possible autocorrelation of scour data measured from each turbine between 2011 and 2015. The conclusions obtained could be used to improve future planning tasks in offshore wind farms.
Investigation of the Influencing Factors on Consumers’ Purchase Willingness towards New-Energy Vehicles in China: A Questionnaire Analysis Using Matrix Model
Authors: Wang Wen , Xie Zhicheng , Feng Mingfeng , Qi Yu , Dou Yi
Published: July 2023

New-energy vehicles (NEV), particularly electric vehicles, are globally popular with political and financial support from governments, which aim at reducing energy consumption and environmental pollution in the transportation sector. This paper designs a matrix model which identifies the factors influencing the decision-making process on purchasing NEVs, and applies the model on a Chinese case to investigate the impact of influencing factors on Chinese consumers’ purchase behavior to NEVs. The influencing factors are divided into five groups: economic, political, social, technological and environmental. Through a detailed questionnaire survey of 526 consumers in China, this paper conducts a correlation and difference analysis between these consumers’ status and the influencing factors on the purchase decision-making of NEVs through SPSS software. The results indicate that economic, technological and political factors have a strong influence on purchase behavior, while social and environmental factors have a weaker influence. Additional principal component analysis on influencing factors’ preference reveals that consumers’ preferences have two tendencies: practicability or appearance, with the former is attracting far more attention. Rather than practicability or appearance, consumers care more about economic and political factors. According to these results, this paper suggests several policy implications on enhancing the consumers’ willingness to purchase NEVs.
Human-Cyber-Physical Systems for Energy Internet—A Review
Authors: Cao Junwei , Jin Jian , Ming Yangyang , Sun Chuang , Zeng Xiping , Jiao Zhenzhen , Ai Songpu
Published: July 2023

As the research of HCPS in EI is ongoing, an increasing number of problems should be addressed, such as the leading role or aid function definition of humans, the coordination of humans with cyber and physical equipment, the state awareness of information handling, etc. Therefore, an increasing number of advanced techniques should be considered and adopted, such as IOT, AI and big data, etc., the main target of which is to improve the timely, digitalized, informationized and intelligent characters of the related tasks. This paper first introduces the applications of CPS in every industry, especially in the power grid and EI (Energy Internet), the introduction of which can be classified as a framework design, support technologies and algorithms, system function, power ancillary service, Energy Internet realization, etc. Then, this paper summarizes the related technologies of Human-Cyber-Physical Systems, which mainly include the areas of system design, theoretical analysis, technique development and application forecasting, which emphasizes its applications in EI. For the development of HCPS, it uses the human-in-the-loop concept and digital transformation as the future research and development directions, the performance of which can be largely promoted through these means. With the aid of HCPS, the optimal system performance of EI can be achieved more robustly, which finally evolves into an integrated and comprehensive modern power grid.
Experimental Analysis on the Operating Line of Two Gas Turbine Engines by Testing with Different Exhaust Nozzle Geometries
Authors: Catana Razvan Marius , Badea Gabriel Petre
Published: July 2023

This paper presents a special analysis study about the gas turbine operating line, and an overall description of a gas turbines project, based on experimental data from two particular applications, in order to convert two different types of aero engines into the same engine configuration. The experimental works were carried out with the aim of converting an Ivchenko AI-20K turboprop and a Rolls-Royce Viper 632-41 turbojet into free turbine turboshaft engines, to be used in marine propulsion, and also to obtain an experimental database to be used in other gas turbine applications. In order to carry out the experimental work, the engines were tested in turbojet configuration, to simulate the free turbine load by using jet nozzles with different geometries of the outlet cross-section. Following the engines’ tests, a series of measured data were obtained, through which it was possible to experimentally determine the operating line of some engine components such as the compressor, turbine, and exhaust jet nozzle. This paper is comprehensive and useful through its scientific and technical guidelines, the operation curves coming in handy in the thermodynamic analysis and testing methodology for researchers dealing with similar applications.
Lowering the Temperature and Increasing the Fill Factor of Silicon Solar Cells by Filtering of Sub-Bandgap Wavelengths
Authors: Gindi Or , Fradkin Zeev , Itzhak Anat , Beker Peter
Published: July 2023

Silicon-based photovoltaic (PV) cells are currently the most prevalent and cost-effective solution for solar energy generation. Given their dominance in the market and the extensive research dedicated to them, they are ideal targets for efficiency enhancement through innovative yet straightforward methods. This study explores the potential for improving the efficiency of these cells by managing the PV’s temperature using an infrared (IR) filter. The filter allows photons that can generate free electron–hole pairs to pass while reflecting those with wavelengths below the semiconductor bandgap, which otherwise contribute to performance degradation. Various techniques were applied, including I–V analysis, impedance measurements, and atmospheric scanning electron microscope (Air-SEM) observations, to examine the temperature’s impact on silicon PVs. By integrating IR filters, the results showed a 3% increase in the fill factor and a temperature reduction of approximately 10 degrees Celsius. These findings highlight the potential of this cooling approach for silicon cells, which can enhance the cell’s longevity and efficiency, paving the way for future industrial applications.
A Control Algorithm for Tapering Charging of Li-Ion Battery in Geostationary Satellites
Authors: Park Jeong-Eon
Published: July 2023

Recently, as the satellite data service market has grown significantly, satellite demand has been rapidly increasing. Demand for geostationary satellites with weather observation, communication broadcasting, and GPS missions is also increasing. Completing the charging process of the Li-ion battery during the sun period is one of the main tasks of the electrical power system in geostationary satellites. In the case of the electrical power system of low Earth orbit satellites, the Li-ion battery is connected to the DC/DC converter output, and the charging process is completed through CV control. However, in the case of the regulated bus of the DET type, which is mainly used in the electrical power system of geostationary satellites, a Li-ion battery is connected to the input of the DC/DC converter. Therefore, a method other than the CV control of the DC/DC converter is required. This paper proposes a control algorithm for tapering charging of the Li-ion battery in the regulated bus of the DET type for Li-ion battery charge completion operation required by space-level design standards. In addition, the proposed control algorithm is verified through an experiment on a geostationary satellite’s ground electrical test platform. The experiment verified that it has a power conversion efficiency of 99.5% from the solar array to the battery. It has 21 tapering steps at the equinox and 17 tapering steps at the solstice.
Investigation of the Influence of Electrode Surface Structures on Wettability after Electrolyte Filling Based on Experiments and a Lattice Boltzmann Simulation
Authors: Wanner Johannes , Birke Kai Peter
Published: July 2023

The filling of the electrolyte and the subsequent wetting of the electrodes is a quality-critical and time-intensive process in manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries. The exact influencing factors are the subject of research through experiments and simulation tools. Previous studies have demonstrated that wetting occurs mainly in the transition between the materials but leads to gas entrapments. Therefore, this paper investigates the influence of the electrode surface structures, situated between anode and separator, on the wetting progress, through experimental capillary wetting and simulated with a lattice Boltzmann simulation. The results show that the simulations can identify the exact pore size distribution and determine the wetting rates of the entire materials. Furthermore, the experiments reveal a negative correlation between fast wetting and rougher surface properties. This enables a more precise determination of the wetting phenomena in lithium-ion cell manufacturing.
Analysis of the Conservation Status, Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Endangered Ostrya rehderiana Resources Using SSR Markers
Authors: Zhou Qi , Wang Guangjiong , Li Yingang
Published: July 2023

Climate change and anthropogenic habitat destruction have led to the extinction of many species. Ostrya rehderiana (Betulaceae) is a typical rare and endangered species, and only five wild individuals have survived. In the 1980s, the offspring of the five wild trees were planted for ex situ conservation and have grown into stable cultivated populations. To protect O. rehderiana resources, the genetic diversity and genetic structure of this species were analysed using SSR markers. A total of 167 alleles were detected among 116 individuals from the only wild population and five cultivated populations at 12 SSR loci. The genetic diversity level of O. rehderiana was He = 0.88. Genetic differentiations occurred among populations (Fst = 0.17), which was also validated via an analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA). The cultivated populations TM1, TM2 and WC showed considerable genetic differences from the wild population WP based on Bayesian clustering analysis, phylogenetic tree reconstruction and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA). The cultivated populations had more genetic diversity than the wild one. It is speculated that novel alleles may have emerged out of natural processes of evolution and adaptation. The cultivated population QY with the most unique alleles has begun to propagate seedlings naturally, and the small population size and geographical isolation may negatively influence the founding of this population. To weaken the effects of bottlenecks and genetic drift, anthropogenic gene flow among populations is necessary. In addition to the wild population, the cultivated population QY and six individuals from populations QY and WC were also found to be important for the conservation of O. rehderiana. The results of this study may guide the development of conservation policies for endangered O. rehderiana.
Effect of Drought on Photosynthesis of Trees and Shrubs in Habitat Corridors
Authors: Urban Josef , Matoušková Marie , Robb William , Jelínek Boleslav , Úradníček Luboš
Published: July 2023

Drought and high evapotranspiration demands can jeopardise trees and shrubs in windbreaks and habitat corridors, where they are more exposed to the effects of extreme weather than in the forest. This study utilised chlorophyll fluorescence to assess how the leaf-level physiological processes of 13 woody species typically planted in Czech habitat corridors responded to the effects of naturally occurring drought and their ability to recover after rain. Linear electron flow (LEF) responded only weakly to the drought, indicating high levels of photorespiration. Trees and shrubs increased the proportion of energy which was dissipated in a harmless way (ΦNPQ) during drought and decreased the proportion of energy dissipated through non-regulated processes (ΦNO). In this way, they reduced processes potentially leading to the production of reactive oxygen species. All species except Tilia cordata Mill. maintained high ΦNPQ even after its release from drought. Tilia cordata was potentially the most susceptible tree to drought due to its low LEF and high ΦNO. The most drought-resistant tree species appeared to be Acer campestre L. and shrubs such as Prunus spinosa L., Viburnum lantana L, and Crataegus monogyna L. These shrubs may be planted at the sunny edges of habitat corridors. The woody species identified as resistant to drought in habitat corridors may also be considered resistant in a warming climate or suitable for planting in the urban environment which is generally warmer and drier than in a forest.
Tree Skeletonization with DBSCAN Clustering Using Terrestrial Laser Scanning Data
Authors: You Lei , Sun Yian , Liu Yong , Chang Xiaosa , Jiang Jun , Feng Yan , Song Xinyu
Published: July 2023

A tree skeleton reflects the geometric and structural characteristics of a tree. Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) provides an effective means to construct tree skeletons that can capture the surface and topological features of trees. However, it is difficult to construct a tree skeleton located at the geometric centre of the tree with a detailed hierarchy of branches because of the natural intricate topology of the tree and the defects of the tree point cloud scanned by TLS. In this study, we presented a tree-skeletonization method based on density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) using TLS data. First, outliers were removed using DBSCAN, and the point-traversal order of each point was recorded. Next, a tree point cloud was divided into several tree slices using contour planes, and several tree segments were obtained by applying DBSCAN to each tree slice. Tree skeleton points were retrieved from each tree segment after the point-inversion transformation. Then, the adjacent relationship between skeleton points and the flow weight of each skeleton point was calculated based on the point-traversal order. After that, the skeleton points were classified into stems and different levels of branch points using the flow weights of the skeleton points, and the branch hierarchies were identified. Finally, the tree skeleton was optimized using the angle consistency. The positional deviation dp and directivity deviation dd were presented in this study to verify the validity of the constructed tree skeleton. From the visualization results, the constructed tree skeleton effectively reflected the geometrical structure and branch hierarchies of the tree. The averages of dp and dd were 0.418 cm and 8.474 degrees, respectively. The results demonstrated the validity of the presented method. It will help improve the visualization and accurate measurement of trees.
Testing the Production Potential of Paulownia Clon In Vitro 112® in the Czech Republic
Authors: Kadlec Jiří , Novosadová Kateřina , Kománek Martin , Pokorný Radek
Published: July 2023

Paulownia is a deciduous fast-growing tree with intensive sprouting ability and is well adapted to various climatic and soil conditions. Its native area extends from the middle to the lower section of the Yangtze River. The aim of our research was to test the potential of Paulownia Clon in vitro 112® for production of saw timber in the conditions of the Czech Republic. In 2016, three private plantations were established—Střelice, Vlčatín and Vorel. The parameters that were measured were the total height, the height of the live above-ground part of each plant after the winter, the stem thickness at 10 cm above the ground, and the stem thickness at breast height. The measurements were taken from 2016 to 2021. At all plantations, the plants achieved very small mean annual increments in height (under 1 m) and thickness (under 1 cm). On average, 39% of the upper above-ground part of each plant was damaged by frost each winter and the cumulative mortality was 28% to 53%.
Vegetation Dynamics and Their Response Patterns to Drought in Shaanxi Province, China
Authors: Su Jingxuan , Fan Liangxin , Yuan Zhanliang , Wang Zhen , Wang Zhijun
Published: July 2023

Effective water and vegetation management requires a better understanding of vegetation dynamics, and their response patterns to drought. Here, based on the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI), we investigate the vegetation response patterns to drought in Shaanxi Province (SAX), using Spearman’s correlation analysis. The results show that the NDVI increased significantly (p < 0.01) from 2000 to 2019, with a trend of 0.054/10 yr. The maximum correlation coefficient between the NDVI and the SPEI (Rmax) showed a significantly positive correlation (p < 0.05) in most areas (84.5%) of SAX. The Rmax of Northern Shaanxi (NS, median = 0.55) was higher than that of Central Shaanxi (CS, median = 0.53) and Southern Shaanxi (SS, median = 0.52). The corresponding timescale of Rmax was longer in CS (median = 7 months) than NS (median = 4 months) and SS (median = 3 months). The occurrence date of Rmax in NS (median = July) lagged that in CS and SS (median = May). The vegetation response patterns to drought varied with elevation; the Rmax decreased significantly (p < 0.01) with increasing elevation, while the corresponding timescale exhibited fluctuations. Additionally, Hurst exponent analysis indicated that 78.6% of the areas in SAX will exhibit a humidification trend in the future, and that vegetation growth in 74.7% of the areas in the region will be promoted.
Effect of In Situ Large Soil Column Translocation on CO2 and CH4 Fluxes under Two Temperate Forests of Northeastern China
Authors: Xu Xingkai , Xu Tingting , Yue Jin
Published: July 2023

Global warming has a significant impact on soil carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) fluxes in temperate forests. However, due to a lack of field observations, limited information is available about the responses of soil CO2 and CH4 fluxes to changes in temperature during the non-growing season and throughout the year in temperate forests. The broadleaf and Korean pine mixed mature forest (MF) and adjacent secondary white birch forest (BF) at different succession stages in the Changbai mountain region in northeastern China were selected, to study the effect of in situ soil column translocation on CO2 and CH4 fluxes in temperate forests. On average, the air temperature and soil temperature at 5 cm depth under BF stands from October 2018 to October 2022 increased by 0.64 and 0.42 °C during the non-growing season and by 0.49 and 0.43 °C throughout the year, respectively, compared with those under MF stands. Based on multi-year measurements in field experiments, it was shown that during the non-growing season, fluxes of CO2 and CH4 from soil columns under MF and BF stands ranged from 0.004 to 1.175 and from 0.015 to 1.401 (averages of 0.321 and 0.387) μmol CO2 m−2 s−1, and from −1.003 to 0.048 and from −1.037 to −0.013 (averages of −0.179 and −0.250) nmol CH4 m−2 s−1, respectively, accounting for approximately 20.8% and 25.3%, and 48.8% and 69.1% of the corresponding average fluxes during the growing season. When undisturbed soil columns of MF were transferred to a BF stand, to simulate warming, the cumulative soil CO2 emissions and CH4 uptake increased by 23.5% and 15.3% during the non-growing season, and by 9.5% and 16.3% across the year, respectively. However, when soil columns of BF were transferred to a MF stand, to simulate cooling, the cumulative soil CO2 emissions decreased by 16.9% and 0.1% during the non-growing season and across the year, respectively. Upon cooling, the cumulative soil CH4 uptake decreased by 21.8% during the non-growing season but increased by 15.4% across the year. The soil temperature and moisture at 5 cm depth in soil columns could explain 84–86% of the variability in CO2 fluxes and 16–51% of the variability in CH4 fluxes under the two forest stands throughout the field measurement period. The results of the in situ soil column translocation experiments highlight that a small climate warming in nature can increase soil CO2 emissions and CH4 uptake in the temperate forests of northeastern China, particularly during the non-growing season, which should be considered when predicting soil C fluxes in the temperate forests of northeastern China under global warming scenarios.
Inconsistent Responses of Rhizosphere Microbial Community Structure and Extracellular Enzyme Activity to Short-Term Nitrogen and Phosphorus Additions in Chinese Fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) Plantations
Authors: Hu Zhilong , Xiang Wenhua
Published: July 2023

Rhizosphere is a hot zone formed by root–microbial interaction, and microbial activities in this zone differ from those in bulk soil. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) inputs are able to change forest soil nutrient availability, affecting microbial communities and extracellular enzyme secretion. However, the impact of N and P additions on the structure and functions of rhizosphere microbial community in Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook) plantations are not yet clear. To reveal the impact of short-term N and P inputs on microbial community structure and functions in rhizosphere soil, soil physicochemical properties, phospholipid fatty acids, and seven hydrolytic enzyme activities were measured in Chinese fir rhizosphere soil after one year of nutrient addition. N addition reduced the rhizosphere’s pH and increased ammonium N, but the rhizosphere’s available N (AN) initially wentdown and then up along the P-addition gradient. The rhizosphere fungi:bacteria ratio showed a decline after N addition, while a concave peak change occurred as rhizosphere AN under P addition. Moreover, rhizosphere extracellular enzyme activities and microbial C limitation climbed markedly with N addition rates, while this also showed an obviously unimodal pattern along the P-addition gradient. P addition did not alleviate rhizosphere microbial P limitation. Our findings suggest inconsistent responses of rhizosphere microorganisms of Chinese fir soil to N and P additions. Rhizosphere N availability can regulate microbial community structure and extracellular enzymes by influencing microbial C limitation. The study provides more knowledge on microbial activities in rhizosphere soil of subtropical forests under global changes.
Validation of Pasteurisation Temperatures for a Tomato–Oil Homogenate (salmorejo) Processed by Radiofrequency or Conventional Continuous Heating
Authors: Kravets Marina , Cedeño-Pinos Cristina , Abea Andrés , Guàrdia Maria Dolors , Muñoz Israel , Bañón Sancho
Published: July 2023

Salmorejo is a viscous homogenate based on tomato, olive oil and breadcrumbs commercialised as a “fresh-like” pasteurised–chilled purée. Due to its penetration, dielectric heating by radiofrequency (RF) might improve pasteurisation results of conventional heating (CH). The objective was to validate the pasteurisation temperature (70–100 °C, at 5 °C intervals) for salmorejo processed by RF (operating at 27.12 MHz for 9.08 s) or conventional (for 10.9 s) continuous heating. The main heat-induced changes include: orangeness, flavour homogenisation, loss of freshness, thickening, loss of vitamin C and lipid oxidation. Both CH and RF equivalent treatments allowed a strong reduction of total and sporulated mesophilic microorganisms and an adequate inhibition of the pectin methylesterase, peroxidase and, to a lesser extent, polyphenol oxidase but did not inhibit the polygalacturonase enzyme. Pasteurisation at 80 °C provided a good equilibrium in levels of microbiological and enzymatic inhibition and thermal damage to the product. Increasing this temperature does not improve enzyme inactivation levels and salmorejo may become overheated. A “fresh-like” good-quality salmorejo can be obtained using either conventional or radiofrequency pasteurisers.
Culinary and Gastronomic Practices during the Periods of Restrictions on Movement Caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Province of Alicante (Spain)
Authors: Tormo-Santamaria Maria , Català-Oltra Lluís , Pereto-Rovira Alexandre , Ruíz-García Ángeles , Bernabeu-Mestre Josep
Published: July 2023

Introduction: The third wave of COVID-19 had a large impact on the autonomous Region of Valencia, which gave rise to restrictions on movement and access to collective eating establishments. The objective of this study is to analyse the culinary and gastronomic behaviour exhibited by the population of the province of Alicante during the period of restrictions, in early 2021, in order to compare the results with an identical survey carried out during the first lockdown of 2020. Methods: observational and repeated cross-sectional study. Results: The frequency and time dedicated to cooking were similar, as was the tendency to cook as a family, although the percentage of meals ate alone increased and the presence of audiovisual devices during meals persisted. Recipes, cookbooks, websites and online courses became the principal sources of learning and the self-perception of improvements in culinary skills was greater. The cooking of traditional dishes of the Mediterranean diet predominated to the detriment of ready meals, but 41.6% of those surveyed preferred to improvise. The recipes most consulted were those for main courses. Conclusions. In spite of certain changes and setbacks, which in many cases led to a regression to the situation prior to the pandemic, many of the improvements made during the lockdown of 2020 persisted. Changes were made in culinary and gastronomic practices that can help to achieve a more conscious, healthy and sustainable diet but which require educational policies and actions to reinforce and consolidate them.
Chinese Baijiu and Whisky: Research Reservoirs for Flavor and Functional Food
Authors: Li Jinchen , Zhang Qiuyu , Sun Baoguo
Published: July 2023

Baijiu is a traditional spirit with high reputation in the Chinese community, and whisky, on the other hand, is a renowned spirit in Western culture, with both contributing a major proportion to the consumption and revenue in the global spirit market. Interestingly, starting with similar raw materials, such as grains, diverse production methods lead to different organoleptic profiles. In addition, such enormous attention they attract renders them as a crucial part in food and the related industry. Therefore, great efforts are made in improving product quality and optimizing production processes, such as flavor enhancement, facility development, and deep utilization of byproducts. Given the huge impacts and great involvements of these spirits in the general food industry, research focusing on either spirit is of referential significance for other relevant fields. With the aim of facilitating such collaboration, this review discusses the current research status, in a comparative manner, of both spirits in respect to key production processes-oriented sensory and flavor analysis, deep utilization of byproducts, and spirit-derived functional food investigations. Finally, the internal correlations based on the abovementioned criteria are identified, with research prospects proposed.
Study on Bioresponsive Gelatin-Hyaluronic Acid-Genipin Hydrogel for High Cell-Density 3D Bioprinting
Authors: Khatun Mst Rita , Bhattacharyya Amitava , Gunbayar Maral , Jung Minsik , Noh Insup
Published: July 2023

The Development of bioresponsive extrudable hydrogels for 3D bioprinting is imperative to address the growing demand for scaffold design as well as efficient and reliable methods of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. This study proposed genipin (5 mg) cross-linked gelatin (1 to 1.5 g)-hyaluronic acid (0.3 g) hydrogel bioink (20 mL) tailored for 3D bioprinting. The focus is on high cell loading and a less artificial extra-cellular matrix (ECM) effect, as well as exploring their potential applications in tissue engineering. The bioresponsiveness of these hydrogel scaffolds was successfully evaluated at 37 °C and room temperature (at pH 2.5, 7.4, and 9). The rheological and mechanical properties (more than three times) increased with the increase in gelatin content in the hydrogel; however, the hydrogel with the least amount of gelatin showed the best extrusion capability. This optimized hydrogel’s high extrusion ability and post-printing shape fidelity were evident from 3D and four-axis printing of complex structures such as hollow tubes, stars, pyramids, and zigzag porous tubular (four-axis) scaffolds (printed at 90 kPa pressure, 70 mm/s speed, 22G needle, fourth axis rotation of 4 rpm). 3 million/mL MC3T3-E1 mouse osteoblast cells were used in preparing 3D bioprinted samples. The in vitro cell culture studies have been carried out in a CO2 incubator (at 37 °C, 5% CO2). In the cytocompatibility study, almost three times more cell viability was observed in 3 days compared to day 1 control, proving the non-toxicity and cell-supportiveness of these hydrogels. High cell viability and cell-to-cell interactions observed at the end of day 3 using this moderately stable hydrogel in 3D bioprinting exhibit high potential for precise cell delivery modes in tissue engineering as well as regenerative medicine.
The Effect of Hydrocolloids on Penetration Tests and Syneresis of Binary Gum Gels and Modified Corn Starch–Gum Gels
Authors: Lin Hong-Ting Victor , Tsai Jenn-Shou , Liao Hsiao-Hui , Sung Wen-Chieh
Published: July 2023

The interactions among agar, gellan gum, gelatin, and modified waxy corn starch in the formation of mixed gels were examined in five different ratios. Binary hydrocolloid gels were prepared using three ingredients: two hydrocolloids (total hydrocolloid concentration: 0.5 wt%, ratios of mixture: 0/0.5, 0.1/0.4, 0.2/0.3, 0.3/0.2, 0.4/0.1, and 0.5/0) and water. The textural properties of the hydrocolloid gels were studied by measuring the gel strength, rigidity, breaking force, breaking point, and syneresis as functions of the mixing ratio. The higher syneresis percentage of binary modified waxy corn starch and gum gels than that of mixed gum gels after cold storage was mainly due to the retrogradation of amylopectin. Agar was shown be the most influential with regards to increasing the gel strength, breaking force, and rigidity among the three kinds of gum, while gellan gum was more effective against syneresis than agar and gelatin for storage periods of 7 and 14 days. In the mixed gels, a dramatic increase in the breaking point from 0 to 0.5% was only exhibited for gellan gum. The results provided useful information, including gel strength, rigidity, breaking force, breaking point, and syneresis, for gum and modified corn starch ingredients selected from refrigerated binary gum gels such as pudding for food product development.
Aerogels for Thermal Protection and Their Application in Aerospace
Authors: Jin Runze , Zhou Zihan , Liu Jia , Shi Baolu , Zhou Ning , Wang Xinqiao , Jia Xinlei , Guo Donghui , Xu Baosheng
Published: July 2023

With the continuous development of the world’s aerospace industry, countries have put forward higher requirements for thermal protection materials for aerospace vehicles. As a nano porous material with ultra-low thermal conductivity, aerogel has attracted more and more attention in the thermal insulation application of aerospace vehicles. At present, the summary of aerogel used in aerospace thermal protection applications is not comprehensive. Therefore, this paper summarizes the research status of various types of aerogels for thermal protection (oxide aerogels, organic aerogels, etc.), summarizes the hot issues in the current research of various types of aerogels for thermal protection, and puts forward suggestions for the future development of various aerogels. For oxide aerogels, it is necessary to further increase their use temperature and inhibit the sintering of high-temperature resistant components. For organic aerogels, it is necessary to focus on improving the anti-ablation, thermal insulation, and mechanical properties in long-term aerobic high-temperature environments, and on this basis, find cheap raw materials to reduce costs. For carbon aerogels, it is necessary to further explore the balanced relationship between oxidation resistance, mechanics, and thermal insulation properties of materials. The purpose of this paper is to provide a reference for the further development of more efficient and reliable aerogel materials for aerospace applications in the future.
Clinical and Genetic Features of NR2E3-Associated Retinopathy: A Report of Eight Families with a Longitudinal Study and Literature Review
Authors: Xiao Sainan , Yi Zhen , Xiao Xueshan , Li Shiqiang , Jia Xiaoyun , Lian Ping , Sun Wenmin , Wang Panfeng , Lu Lin , Zhang Qingjiong
Published: July 2023

(1) Background: NR2E3 encodes a nuclear receptor transcription factor that is considered to promote cell differentiation, affect retinal development, and regulate phototransduction in rods and cones. This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics and observe the prognosis of autosomal dominant retinopathy (ADRP) and autosomal recessive retinopathy (ARRP) associated with NR2E3; (2) Methods: NR2E3 variants were collected from our exome sequencing data and identified per the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics criteria. Data from our cohort and a systemic literature review were conducted to explore the NR2E3 variants spectrum and potential genotype-phenotype correlations; (3) Results: Nine pathogenic variants/likely pathogenic variants in NR2E3, including five novel variants, were detected in eight families (four each with ADRP and ARRP). Follow-up data showed schisis/atrophy in the macula and retinal degeneration initiation around the vascular arcades with differences in ADRP and ARRP. A systemic literature review indicated patients with ADRP presented better visual acuity (p < 0.01) and later onset age (p < 0.0001) than did those with ARRP; (4) Conclusions: Macular schisis and retinal degeneration around vascular arcades may present as the prognosis of NR2E3-retinopathy, dominant, or recessive. Our data might further enrich our understanding of NR2E3 variants and associated inherited retinopathy.
Deep Isolated Aquifer Brines Harbor Atypical Halophilic Microbial Communities in Quebec, Canada
Authors: Gagnon Jean-Christophe , Beauregard-Tousignant Samuel , Marcil Jean-Sébastien , Lazar Cassandre Sara
Published: July 2023

The deep terrestrial subsurface, hundreds of meters to kilometers below the surface, is characterized by oligotrophic conditions, dark and often anoxic settings, with fluctuating pH, salinity, and water availability. Despite this, microbial populations are detected and active, contributing to biogeochemical cycles over geological time. Because it is extremely difficult to access the deep biosphere, little is known about the identity and metabolisms of these communities, although they likely possess unknown pathways and might interfere with deep waste deposits. Therefore, we analyzed rock and groundwater microbial communities from deep, isolated brine aquifers in two regions dating back to the Ordovician and Devonian, using amplicon and whole genome sequencing. We observed significant differences in diversity and community structure between both regions, suggesting an impact of site age and composition. The deep hypersaline groundwater did not contain typical halophilic bacteria, and genomes suggested pathways involved in protein and hydrocarbon degradation, and carbon fixation. We identified mainly one strategy to cope with osmotic stress: compatible solute uptake and biosynthesis. Finally, we detected many bacteriophage families, potentially indicating that bacteria are infected. However, we also found auxiliary metabolic genes in the viral genomes, probably conferring an advantage to the infected hosts.
A Study on Online Health Community Users’ Information Demands Based on the BERT-LDA Model
Authors: Xiang Minhao , Zhong Dongdong , Han Minghua , Lv Kun
Published: July 2023

As the economy and society develop and the standard of living improves, people’s health awareness increases and the demand for health information grows. This study introduces an advanced BERT-LDA model to conduct topic-sentiment analysis within online health communities. It examines nine primary categories of user information requirements: causes, symptoms and manifestations, examination and diagnosis, treatment, self-management and regulation, impact, prevention, social life, and knowledge acquisition. By analyzing the distribution of positive and negative sentiments across each topic, the correlation between various health information demands and emotional expressions is investigated. The model established in this paper integrates BERT’s semantic comprehension with LDA’s topic modeling capabilities, enhancing the accuracy of topic identification and sentiment analysis while providing a more comprehensive evaluation of user information demands. This research furthers our understanding of users’ emotional reactions and presents valuable insights for delivering personalized health information in online communities.