bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seroprevalence of human toxocariasis in Latin America and the Caribbean: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ulloque-Badaracco Juan R. , Hernandez-Bustamante Enrique A. , Alarcón-Braga Esteban A. , Huayta-Cortez Miguel , Carballo-Tello Ximena L. , Seminario-Amez Rosa A. , Rodríguez-Torres Alejandra , Casas-Patiño Donovan , Herrera-Añazco Percy , Benites-Zapata Vicente A.
Published: June 2023

Introduction:

The current study aimed to quantitatively synthesize available evidence regarding the seroprevalence of human toxocariasis in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Methods:

A systematic research involving six electronic databases was conducted using a research strategy that combined MeSH terms with free terms. Article selection and information extraction were performed using a double and independent approach. The Newcastle-Ottawa tool was used to assess the risk of bias in the included articles. The meta-analysis used the random-effects approach, with subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis for risk of bias also being performed.

Results:

We included 101 articles with a total of 31,123 participants. The studies were conducted between 1990 and 2022, with Brazil accounting for the largest number of studies (n = 37). The overall seroprevalence of human toxocariasis was 31.0% (95% CI: 27.0-35.0%, I2 = 99%). The prevalence of the main characteristics observed in seropositive patients were as follows: ocular toxocariasis (30.0%), asymptomatic (26.0%), and presence of dogs at home (68.0%). In addition, the seroprevalence was lower in studies including only adults than in those including children or both. In contrast, no differences in seroprevalences were found between studies conducted in the community and hospital.

Conclusion:

The overall seroprevalence of human toxocariasis in Latin America and the Caribbean was high. Notably, our findings showed that the seroprevalence was increased among populations who kept a dog at home but was decreased in populations comprising only adults. Our findings can be used to establish epidemiological surveillance strategies for the prevention and early identification of toxocariasis.
The effectiveness of educational interventions in the community that aim to improve informal carers knowledge of dementia anatomy, physiology, progression, and impact on behavior: a systematic review
Authors: Bushell Dayna , Jones Cindy , Moro Christian
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Dementia education is a vital component of dementia care and management for patients and their informal carers and family. To fully understand dementia, some knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the brain may be necessary and would help informal carers understand behaviors of dementia to help cope with care provision.

Method

This integrative review aims to identify, appraise, and assess whether dementia education resources include information detailing the anatomy of the brain and its relationship with dementia and whether this information improves knowledge (PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42022320530). Literature published from 2012 until May 4, 2022 was searched in eight databases with six articles meeting the inclusion criteria.

Results

Using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (2018) methodological quality varied across studies. There are limited educational interventions which incorporate information on the anatomy and the physiology of the brain. None of the interventions focused solely on providing neurological education; however, all contained at least some content that addressed this, as per inclusion criteria. In most cases, the educational interventions were well-received and delivered, which did not differ, whether they were delivered in person or virtually. The majority of the studies reported an increase in dementia knowledge (measured pre-post or perceived) following the intervention.

Discussion

Educational interventions on brain anatomy and physiology remain limited, and if included, are often not the focus, and as such more rigorous study is required to investigate the effect of educational interventions on dementia knowledge and their role in dementia care.
Perceptual video quality assessment: the journey continues!
Authors: Saha Avinab , Pentapati Sai Karthikey , Shang Zaixi , Pahwa Ramit , Chen Bowen , Gedik Hakan Emre , Mishra Sandeep , Bovik Alan C.
Published: June 2023

Perceptual Video Quality Assessment (VQA) is one of the most fundamental and challenging problems in the field of Video Engineering. Along with video compression, it has become one of two dominant theoretical and algorithmic technologies in television streaming and social media. Over the last 2 decades, the volume of video traffic over the internet has grown exponentially, powered by rapid advancements in cloud services, faster video compression technologies, and increased access to high-speed, low-latency wireless internet connectivity. This has given rise to issues related to delivering extraordinary volumes of picture and video data to an increasingly sophisticated and demanding global audience. Consequently, developing algorithms to measure the quality of pictures and videos as perceived by humans has become increasingly critical since these algorithms can be used to perceptually optimize trade-offs between quality and bandwidth consumption. VQA models have evolved from algorithms developed for generic 2D videos to specialized algorithms explicitly designed for on-demand video streaming, user-generated content (UGC), virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR), cloud gaming, high dynamic range (HDR), and high frame rate (HFR) scenarios. Along the way, we also describe the advancement in algorithm design, beginning with traditional hand-crafted feature-based methods and finishing with current deep-learning models powering accurate VQA algorithms. We also discuss the evolution of Subjective Video Quality databases containing videos and human-annotated quality scores, which are the necessary tools to create, test, compare, and benchmark VQA algorithms. To finish, we discuss emerging trends in VQA algorithm design and general perspectives on the evolution of Video Quality Assessment in the foreseeable future.
The interactive medical simulation toolkit (iMSTK): an open source platform for surgical simulation
Authors: Moore Jacob , Scheirich Harald , Jadhav Shreeraj , Enquobahrie Andinet , Paniagua Beatriz , Wilson Andrew , Bray Aaron , Sankaranarayanan Ganesh , Clipp Rachel B.
Published: June 2023

Introduction: Human error is one of the leading causes of medical error. It is estimated that human error leads to between 250,000 and 440,000 deaths each year. Medical simulation has been shown to improve the skills and confidence of clinicians and reduce medical errors. Surgical simulation is critical for training surgeons in complicated procedures and can be particularly effective in skill retention.

Methods: The interactive Medical Simulation Toolkit (iMSTK) is an open source platform with position-based dynamics, continuous collision detection, smooth particle hydrodynamics, integrated haptics, and compatibility with Unity and Unreal, among others. iMSTK provides a wide range of real-time simulation capabilities with a flexible open-source license (Apache 2.0) that encourages adoption across the research and commercial simulation communities. iMSTK uses extended position-based dynamics and an established collision and constraint implementations to model biological tissues and their interactions with medical tools and other tissues.

Results: The platform demonstrates performance, that is, compatible with real-time simulation that incorporates both visualization and haptics. iMSTK has been used in a variety of virtual simulations, including for laparoscopic hiatal hernia surgery, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, osteotomy procedures, and kidney biopsy procedures.

Discussion: iMSTK currently supports building simulations for a wide range of surgical scenarios. Future work includes expanding Unity support to make it easier to use and improving the speed of the computation to allow for larger scenes and finer meshes for larger surgical procedures.
Microspatial distribution of trace elements in feline dental hard tissues: early life exposure to essential and toxic elements
Authors: Wright Alexandra L. , Fiani Nadine , Peralta Santiago , Arora Manish , Austin Christine
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Trace elements play a key role in dental tissue development, as dental hard tissues accumulate both essential and toxic trace elements during mineralization. Characterization of the spatial accumulation pattern of trace elements may provide insight into exposure to toxic elements over time and to the nature of disease processes affecting the hard dental tissues. Here, we present the first report of the use of laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) to map the microspatial distribution of multiple trace elements, essential and toxic, across feline dental hard tissues.

Methods

Eleven teeth were extracted from 8 cats. Nine teeth were from 7 cats diagnosed with idiopathic tooth resorption on intraoral radiographs prior to extraction. Two teeth were included from a cadaver that had no signs of tooth resorption on intraoral radiographs. The normal dental tissue was analyzed from each sample using LA-ICP-MS to map the microspatial distribution of essential and toxic trace elements across feline enamel, dentin, and cementum.

Results

Results showed a higher accumulation of barium and strontium in coronal dentin as compared to root dentin. The timing of the accumulation mirrors nursing timelines seen in teeth from human and non-human primates, consistent with barium and strontium being sourced from maternal milk. Results also showed a higher uptake of lead in the coronal dentin, suggesting this lead exposure was likely passed from mother to offspring.

Discussion

This work characterizes a baseline for elemental distribution in feline teeth linked to early life exposure to toxic elements such as lead and provides a framework for future studies investigating long-term environmental exposures to trace elements, essential and toxic, and their involvement in feline systemic and dental diseases.
Chronic HCV infection promotes cytotoxicity in antigen-specific CD8+ T cells regardless of virus specificity
Authors: Maretti-Mira Ana C. , Salomon Matthew P. , Hsu Angela M. , Matsuba Chikako , Golden-Mason Lucy
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Despite advancements in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection treatment, HCV still represents a significant public health burden. Besides progressive hepatic damage, viral persistence has lasting effects on innate and adaptive immune responses. Lack of a complete understanding of the factors driving an effective HCV response contributes to the failure to develop a vaccine for prevention. This study advances the existing knowledge on HCV-specific CD8+ T cells and describes the impact of current or past HCV infection on CD8+ T cells specific for other viruses.

Methods

We used barcoded-dextramers to identify and sort CD8+ T cells specific for HCV, cytomegalovirus, and influenza, and characterized them using single-cell RNA sequencing technology. Our cohort included chronic (cHCV), spontaneously resolved (rHCV), and subjects undergoing direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy.

Results

We show that HCV-specific CD8+ T cells have cytotoxic features in patients with cHCV, which is progressively reduced with DAA therapy and persists 12 weeks after treatment completion. We also observe a shift in the CD8+ T cell phenotype on DAA treatment, with decreased effector memory and exhausted cell signatures. In rHCV, we also detected a smaller proportion of effector memory cells compared to cHCV. The proportion of CD8+ exhausted T cells in cHCV and rHCV subjects was comparable. Moreover, we also observed that non-HCV virus-specific CD8+ T cells exhibit robust cytotoxic traits during cHCV infection.

Discussion

Altogether, our findings suggest that cHCV infection promotes cytotoxicity in CD8+ T cells regardless of virus specificity. The immunological changes caused by cHCV infection in CD8+ T cells may contribute to worsening the ongoing hepatic damage caused by HCV infection or exacerbate the immune response to possible co-infections. Our data provide a resource to groups exploring the underlying mechanisms of HCV-specific T cell spontaneous and treatment-induced resolution to inform the development of effective vaccines against HCV infection.
Energy Management of Sowing Unit for Extended-Range Electric Tractor Based on Improved CD-CS Fuzzy Rules
Authors: Wu Zhengkai , Wang Jiazhong , Xing Yazhou , Li Shanshan , Yi Jinggang , Zhao Chunming
Published: June 2023

In order to ensure the continuity and endurance mileage requirements during sowing operations, it is necessary to establish accurate modeling for the working condition of the electric tractor sowing unit by adopting a reasonable energy management strategy and realizing accurate energy prediction. The existing electric tractor sowing unit battery energy management strategy is not optimal since it is mostly based on extensive rules. In this paper, according to the requirements of the sowing conditions, a precise model of electric energy consumption in the sowing cycle was established and an energy management strategy of sowing unit of extended-range electric tractor with power CD-CS was proposed. Fuzzy control rules of the dynamic SOC correction factor were established in the battery maintenance stage, and the NSGA-II algorithm was used to optimize the fuzzy control rules to optimize the battery charging and discharging efficiency. A hardware-in-the-loop simulation test platform was built, and the proposed CD-CS strategy was compared with the fuzzy improvement strategy. The simulation results show that the proposed fuzzy improvement strategy extended the battery life of the power consumption stage by 2131.9 s, which is a significant improvement. The field practical results showed that the SOC decreased by 7.21% and the simulation by 4.94% in terms of power consumption in a cycle. The power consumption variance was within a reasonable range, which further verifies the feasibility of the strategy.
Effects of Straw Maize on the Bacterial Community and Carbon Stability at Different Soil Depths
Authors: Fan Wei , Yuan Jingchao , Wu Jinggui , Cai Hongguang
Published: June 2023

In order to test the short-term effects of straw amendment on soil organic C (SOC) stabilization, SOC protection mechanisms, and soil bacterial community, we examined which bacterial taxonomic groups were associated with protected C fractions via different soil depths. We conducted a 5-year field experiment including a total of four treatments: S0 (no straw amendment), S1 (0–20 cm straw-amended soil), S2 (0–40 cm straw-amended soil) and S3 (0–60 cm straw-amended soil). The core method was used for soil sampling, and 180 soil samples was collected. Our results showed that straw amendment significantly increased bulk soil C content, enhanced the constituents of physically separated fractions and their OC contents, and changed the soil bacterial community composition at different soil depths. SOC was more accelerated in macroaggregate-derived unprotected and microaggregate-derived physically protected fractions at soil depths of 0–20 cm. Physically protected and physico-biochemically protected fractions were the major C protection mechanisms at soil depths of 20–40 cm and 40–60 cm soil depths. Our study also provides evidence that straw amendment significantly increases the bacterial phyla abundance of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes at each soil depth. Moreover, straw amendment enhanced the relative abundances of Gemmatimonadetes and Nitrospirae at soil depths of 40–60 cm and have a positive correlation with physically and physico-biochemically protected C pools. These results indicate that straw amendment can regulate C sequestration processes by enhancing SOC physical protection and modulating bacterial community, especially in the deep soil. In addition, straw amendment in subsoil (0–40 cm or 0–60 cm) is more beneficial for C storage and stabilization.
Distinguishing Seed Cultivars of Quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) Using Models Based on Image Textures Built Using Traditional Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Ropelewska Ewa , Kruczyńska Dorota E. , Mieszczakowska-Frąc Monika
Published: June 2023

Different cultivars of seeds may have different properties. Therefore, distinguishing cultivars may be important for seed processing and product quality. This study was aimed at revealing the usefulness of innovative models developed based on selected image textures built using traditional machine algorithms for cultivar classification of quince seeds. The quince seeds belonging to four cultivars ‘Uspiech’, ‘Leskovac’, ‘Bereczki’, and ‘Kaszczenko’ were considered. In total, 1629 image textures from different color channels for each seed were extracted from color images acquired using a flatbed scanner. Texture parameters were used to build models for a combined set of selected textures from all color channels, sets of selected textures from color spaces RGB, Lab, and XYZ, and individual color channels R, G, B, L, a, b, X, Y, and Z using algorithms from different groups. The most successful models were developed using the Logistic (group of Functions), IBk (Lazy), LogitBoost (Meta), LMT (Trees), and naïve Bayes (Bayes). The classification accuracy reached 98.75% in the case of a model based on a combined set of textures selected from images in all color channels developed using the Logistic algorithm. For most models, the greatest misclassification of cases was observed between seeds ‘Bereczki’ and ‘Kaszczenko’. The developed procedure can be used in practice to distinguish quince seeds in terms of a cultivar and avoid mixing seed cultivars with different properties intended for further processing.
Effect of Solid Digestate Amendment on The Dynamics of N Soluble Forms in Two Contrasting Soil Profiles under Mediterranean Environment
Authors: Badagliacca Giuseppe , Lo Presti Emilio , Gelsomino Antonio , Monti Michele
Published: June 2023

Use of solid agricultural digestate as a substitute for chemical fertilizers in Mediterranean cropping systems can be a valuable approach to improving soil fertility. However, it is important to accurately assess its mineralisation dynamics in order to avoid uncontrolled nutrient releases in agroecosystems. With this aim, a field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of solid digestate application on total soil nitrogen (TSN), extractable organic N (EON) and mineral N forms (NH4+-N and NO3−-N) in two Mediterranean soil profiles (clay and sandy-loam) over one year. The solid digestate increased TSN and EON concentrations in the upper soil layer (0–20 cm) of both soils, more in the clay soil, with a decreasing effect in the lower soil layers (20–40 and 40–60 cm). The amendment increased NH4+-N concentrations, with a greater and longer-lasting effect in the clay soil, especially in the first two soil layers (0–20 and 20–40 cm), while in the lowest, it was limited at the first sampling epoch. The NO3−-N copied the NH4+-N trends in both soils, with a greater effect on the 0–20 cm soil layer at all sampling epochs. The present study suggests that solid digestate, applied at a dose of 30 Mg ha−1, can be a useful alternative to mineral N fertilisers for clay and sandy-loam soils in Mediterranean orchards.
Effect of Nitrogen Management on Wheat Yield, Water and Nitrogen Utilization, and Economic Benefits under Ridge-Furrow Cropping System with Supplementary Irrigation
Authors: Yang Yi , Qin Qun , Li Qi , Nangia Vinay , Lan Bing , Mo Fei , Liao Yuncheng , Liu Yang
Published: June 2023

Supplemental irrigation under a ridge-furrow (RF) cropping system is a valuable cropping practice that balances resource efficiency and high crop yield. However, the effects of nitrogen management on crop growth, yield formation, and economic benefits under RF systems have not been clearly investigated. In this study, the experiment was designed with three experimental factorials, including three cropping systems (RF, RF cropping with 80 mm irrigation; TF1, traditional flat cropping with 200 mm irrigation; and TF2, traditional flat cropping with 80 mm irrigation), two nitrogen application rates (NL, 180 kg N ha−1; NH, 240 kg N ha−1), and two fertilizer application models (B, all nitrogen fertilizers were applied basally at the pre-sowing stage; BT, nitrogen fertilizer was applied at both the pre-sowing and jointing stages at a ratio of 1:1). A two-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of nitrogen fertilizer management on wheat yield, water and nitrogen utilization, and economic benefits under the RF cropping system. The results showed that the RF system significantly increased the soil moisture content and improved the water productivity (WP) and grain yield of wheat. Nitrogen reduction (NL) under the RF system did not affect the water use of the wheat compared with traditional high nitrogen application (NH) but increased the nitrogen uptake and fertilizer productivity of the wheat. Although NL led to a reduction in aboveground dry matter accumulation, it did not significantly affect the yield of wheat but increased the net income of wheat cultivation. Under NL conditions, the BT nitrogen application model promoted nitrogen uptake in wheat and ameliorated the reduction in grain protein content due to plastic film mulching, and this model is an integrated planting practice that trades off wheat yield and quality. These findings suggest that NLBT is a promising and recommendable cropping practice under RF systems considering resource utilization, high yield and quality, and economic efficiency.
Enhancing Essential Grains Yield for Sustainable Food Security and Bio-Safe Agriculture through Latest Innovative Approaches
Authors: Albahri Ghosoon , Alyamani Amal A. , Badran Adnan , Hijazi Akram , Nasser Mohamad , Maresca Marc , Baydoun Elias
Published: June 2023

A key concern in agriculture is how to feed the expanding population and safeguard the environment from the ill effects of climate change. To feed a growing global population, food production and security are significant problems, as food output may need to double by 2050. Thus, more innovative and effective approaches for increasing agricultural productivity (hence, food production) are required to meet the rising demand for food. The world’s most widely cultivated grains include corn, wheat, and rice, which serve as the foundation for basic foods. This review focuses on some of the key most up-to-date approaches that boost wheat, rice, corn, barley, and oat yields with insight into how molecular technology and genetics may raise the production and resource-efficient use of these important grains. Although red light management and genetic manipulation show maximal grain yield enhancement, other covered strategies including bacterial-nutrient management, solar brightening, facing abiotic stress through innovative agricultural systems, fertilizer management, harmful gas emissions reduction, photosynthesis enhancement, stress tolerance, disease resistance, and varietal improvement also enhance grain production and increase plant resistance to harmful environmental circumstances. This study also discusses the potential challenges of the addressed approaches and possible future perspectives.
Transfer Learning-Based Lightweight SSD Model for Detection of Pests in Citrus
Authors: Wang Linhui , Shi Wangpeng , Tang Yonghong , Liu Zhizhuang , He Xiongkui , Xiao Hongyan , Yang Yu
Published: June 2023

In citrus cultivation, it is a difficult task for farmers to classify different pests correctly and make proper decisions to prevent citrus damage. This work proposes an efficient modified lightweight transfer learning model which combines the effectiveness and accuracy of citrus pest characterization with mobile terminal counting. Firstly, we utilized typical transfer learning feature extraction networks such as ResNet50, InceptionV3, VGG16, and MobileNetV3, and pre-trained the single-shot multibox detector (SSD) network to compare and analyze the classification accuracy and efficiency of each model. Then, to further reduce the amount of calculations needed, we miniaturized the prediction convolution kernel at the end of the model and added a residual block of a 1 × 1 convolution kernel to predict category scores and frame offsets. Finally, we transplanted the preferred lightweight SSD model into the mobile terminals developed by us to verify its usability. Compared to other transfer learning models, the modified MobileNetV3+RPBM can enable the SSD network to achieve accurate detection of Panonychus Citri Mcgregor and Aphids, with a mean average precision (mAP) up to 86.10% and the counting accuracy reaching 91.0% and 89.0%, respectively. In terms of speed, the mean latency of MobileNetV3+RPBM is as low as 185 ms. It was concluded that this novel and efficient modified MobileNetV3+RPBM+SSD model is effective at classifying citrus pests, and can be integrated into devices that are embedded for mobile rapid detection as well as for counting pests in citrus orchards. The work presented herein can help encourage farm managers to judge the degree of pest damage and make correct decisions regarding pesticide application in orchard management.
Genome-Wide Association Study for Fusarium Head Blight Resistance in Common Wheat from China
Authors: Shi Chaonan , Chao Huaiyu , Sun Xiaonan , Suo Yongqiang , Chen Zeyu , Li Zhikang , Ma Lin , Li Jiaqi , Ren Yan , Hua Wei , Lan Caixia , Chen Feng
Published: June 2023

As a devastating wheat disease, Fusarium head blight (FHB) causes large losses in yield and quality. The purpose of this study was to detect the genetic loci for FHB resistance based on a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using two panels genotyped by the Wheat 660 K SNP array and Wheat 90 K SNP array. Phenotypic investigation results showed that 43.6–51.6% of the test varieties showed an infection type of more than 3, indicating that substantial improvement in the level of resistance was urgently required. GWAS detected 1264 SNPs associated with FHB response distributed on all wheat chromosomes. Fourteen QTL were stably detected in two environments. gFHB-1B (582.9~607.9 Mb on chromosome 1B) and gFHB-5A (577.9~596.5 Mb on 5A) were two novel resistance loci that were detected in two wheat panels. Haplotype analysis of both gFHB-1B and gFHB-5A indicated that varieties with gFHB-1B_R and gFHB-5A_R had consistently less FHB than varieties carrying a one or no resistance QTL. The application frequency of the FHB-resistant alleles gFHB-1B and gFHB-5A showed a gradually decreasing trend in FHB resistance breeding. This study identified new genetic loci for the control of FHB and provides useful information for marker-assisted selection in wheat FHB resistance.
Utilization of Digestate as an Organic Manure in Corn Silage Culture: An In-Depth Investigation of Its Profound Influence on Soil’s Physicochemical Properties, Crop Growth Parameters, and Agronomic Performance
Authors: Zoui Oulaya , Baroudi Mustapha , Drissi Saad , Abouabdillah Aziz , Abd-Elkader Omar H. , Plavan Gabriel , Bourioug Mohamed
Published: June 2023

The agricultural valorization of organic waste, including digestate from anaerobic digestion, can be a good tool to remedy the problem of soil depletion by intensive crops. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of digestate application on the chemical characteristics of the soil, including N, P, and K content, pH, and electrical conductivity, as well as the agronomic performance of forage corn (Zea mays L.). Digestate was applied and incorporated into the soil at different rates (0; 0+ recommended NPK rates; 15, 30, and 60 t dry weight (DW) ha−1). Digestate application at increasing doses improved soil chemical characteristics at harvest, and the application of 15, 30, and 60 t DW ha−1 significantly decreased soil pH by 0.15, 0.23, and 0.39 units, respectively. For electrical conductivity, the average values recorded are 196, 212, and 255 uS m−1, respectively, to 15, 30, and 60 t DW ha−1 doses. A significant organic matter enrichment of the topsoil layer was observed only for treatments receiving 30 and 60 t DW ha−1. Similarly, our results showed that the N, P, and K contents increased significantly with digestate application at both rates compared to the positive control. Morphological characteristics of the corn plants (height, leaf number, and collar diameter) and ecophysiology (stomatal conductance and chlorophyll) increased in a global manner compared to the negative control. Indeed, the obtained results showed that this improvement was not proportional to the applied doses for all analyzed parameters. However, there was no significant difference between the obtained values in amended plants with 15 t DW ha−1 and those in the positive control (recommended dose in NPK). In comparison to this previous one, height, leaf number, and collar diameter increased by 15%, 13%, and 20%, respectively, with a 30 t DW ha−1 dose and by 34%, 20%, and 24% with a 60 t DW ha−1 dose. Concerning the relative chlorophyll content and stomatal conductance, the values recorded in the plants amended with 60 t DW ha−1 are 1.7 and 2.2 times higher compared with the positive control. The fresh biomass, dry biomass, and root length parameters increased proportionally to the applied dose.
Optimization of DIC-Tripolium Ecofriendly Extraction Process: Recovery of Hesperidin from Orange Byproducts, Antioxidant and α-Amylase Inhibition of Extracts
Authors: Ben Abdallah Mariem , Chadni Morad , M’hiri Nouha , Brunissen Fanny , Rokbeni Nesrine , Ioannou Irina , Allaf Karim , Besombes Colette , Boudhrioua Nourhene
Published: June 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effect of an innovative ecofriendly process—instant controlled pressure drop technology, also known as “détente instantanée contrôlée” or DIC—coupled with Tripolium extraction (DIC-Tripolium), on the hesperidin recovery, and antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of orange byproduct extracts. A DIC pretreatment was applied to partially dried orange byproducts (~16% wet basis). A central composite rotatable design (CCRD), composed of 13 experimental trials (four factorial points, four-star points, and five repetitions for the central point), was followed by a Tripolium process consisting of successive intermittent extraction periods using ethanol/water solvent at 20 ± 1 °C, 5 kPa for 5 min and m/v ratio = 5 g/50 mL. The DIC pretreatment, coupled with the Tripolium process, increased the extractability of hesperidin (from 1.55- to 4.67-fold compared to untreated DIC orange byproducts). The radical scavenging activities of the extracts were also enhanced or preserved in different DIC–Tripolium extracts. The α-Amylase inhibition percentage varied between 55.6 ± 0.02 and 88.30 ± 0.01% according to DIC–Tripolium conditions. The multi-criteria optimized condition of DIC–Tripolium extraction, allowing for the maximization of the hesperidin content, radical scavenging activities, iron chelating activity, and α-amylase inhibition of extracts, corresponds to a DIC saturated steam pressure of 599.4 kPa and a DIC pretreatment time of 38 s.
Highly Stable CsPbI3 Perovskite Quantum Dots Enabled by Single SiO2 Coating toward Down-Conversion Light-Emitting Diodes
Authors: Pan Zhangcheng , Zhu Xiaolin , Xu Tianyue , Xie Qingyu , Chen Haitao , Xu Feng , Lin Hao , Wang Jia , Liu Yongfeng
Published: June 2023

All-inorganic CsPbI3 perovskite quantum dots (PeQDs) have sparked widespread research due to their excellent optoelectronic properties and facile synthesis. However, attaining highly stable CsPbI3 perovskite quantum dots (PeQDs) against heat and polar solvents still remains a challenge and hinders any further practical application. Here, by exploiting (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) as the sole silica (SiO2) precursor, we report a one-step in situ synthesis of single SiO2-coated CsPbI3 (SiO2-CsPbI3) PeQDs, namely that one SiO2 particle only contains one CsPbI3 PeQD particle. The obtained SiO2-CsPbI3 PeQDs are cubic in shape, have a more uniform size distribution, and possess narrow emission, with near unit photoluminescence quantum yields of up to 97.5%. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirm the formation of SiO2 through the hydrolysis of APTES on the CsPbI3 PeQDs surface. Furthermore, they have a significantly improved stability against storage, heat, and ethanol. By combining purple-emission GaN light-emitting diodes, the SiO2-CsPbI3 PeQDs were successfully employed as down-conversion emitters and exhibited considerable enhanced luminous performance and excellent stability, demonstrating their promising future in the practical application of solid-state lighting fields.
Mass–Energy Profiles Obtained by Quantum Chemical Computing Applied in Mass Spectrometry: A Case Study with Identification of a Group of Acetalized Monosaccharide Isomers
Authors: Cojocariu Carolina , Dinca Nicolae , Georgescu Marius , Sisu Eugen , Serb Alina , Pascariu Mihai-Cosmin
Published: June 2023

Accurate modeling of small molecules substantially reduces the logistical effort and time consumption to discover and then obtain chemicals with various applications. Molecular stereochemistry is fundamentally involved in the intermolecular interactions that give rise to biological activity. Establishing the configuration of the asymmetric carbon in diastereomers can be decisive in drug design. In the presented analytical technique, on the basis of quantitative structure–fragmentation relationship (QSFR), mass–energy profiles obtained by electron ionization mass spectrometry (EI-MS) for analytes are used, along with some profiles for candidate structures calculated by quantum chemical (QC) methods. Our paper establishes the analytical conditions that lead to the best matching scores of such profiles corresponding to the actual structures for some isomers of acetalized monosaccharides. The optimization was achieved by group validation of five analytes, using four independent variables: the QC method, the descriptor of calculated energy, the impact energy of electrons, and the descriptor of experimental energy. The true structures were obtained using experimental profiles obtained at low electronic impact energies, and profiles were calculated using the DFT (B3LYP/6-31G) and RM1 QC methods. The double quantification of the ionic mass and the energy that generates it, for only a few primary ions of the mass spectrum, even allows the differentiation of acetalized diastereomers.
In Vitro Evaluation of Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activity of Different Chlorhexidine-Containing Mouthwash Formulations against Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Mensitieri Francesca , Caggiano Mario , Gaudino Giulia , Charlier Bruno , Coglianese Albino , Amato Alessandra , Di Spirito Federica , Amato Massimo , Dal Piaz Fabrizio , Izzo Viviana
Published: June 2023

Daily use of mouthwash is generally recommended to control dental plaque development and limit further adhesion of oral bacteria. To this purpose, Chlorhexidine di-gluconate (CHG)-containing products are still the most used antiseptic in oral health. The aim of this study was to compare the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of three different mouthwash commercial formulations containing CHG at the same concentration (0.2%) on the main etiological agent of dental plaque, Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). Liquid Chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to confirm the CHG concentration in the commercial formulations. The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimal Bactericidal concentration (MBC) were measured to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of mouthwashes on planktonic cells. The biofilm prevention concentration (BPC) and CHG formulation activity towards mature biofilm were investigated. Both total cell titer and viability in S. mutans pregrown biofilms were evaluated after treatment with formulations at different time points and concentrations, using Crystal Violet (CV) and tetrazolium dye assay (MTT). The Shapiro–Wilk and Levene tests were used to evaluate the normality and overall homogeneity of the datasets, respectively. The chi-square test, Fischer’s exact test and Student’s t-test were used to evaluate the inhibitory capacity of the commercial formulations in CV and MTT assays. Results showed that even though only slight differences in MIC and MBC values were found on planktonic bacteria, the antibiofilm effect of the different formulations exhibited wide variation when mature biofilms were treated. In addition, results were discussed based on the different compositions of the three formulations, suggesting that herbal extracts, when present in mouthwash formulations, may not always have a beneficial effect, especially when mature biofilms are concerned.
Activation Analyses of Disposal Options for Irradiated Be12Ti
Authors: Pereslavtsev Pavel , Cortes Pierre , Elbez-Uzan Joelle
Published: June 2023

The activity and disposal options for irradiated Be12Ti were assessed for the HCPB DEMO blankets making use of a code system that enables performing 3D activation calculations by linking the Monte Carlo transport code MCNP and the fusion inventory code FISPACT through an appropriate interface. The dedicated full-scale geometry MCNP model of the 11.25 degree HCPB DEMO torus was adapted to the requirements for the coupled 3D neutron transport and activation calculations. Special attention was paid to the use in the activation calculations of the commercial materials containing technological impurities. This has a crucial effect on the results and the impurities must be accounted for in any nuclear safety analyses. The short-term activity is formed by the radionuclides produced through the activation of Be and Ti nuclei and the long-term activity is formed by the products of the neutron irradiation taking place on the impurities. A prerequisite for the disposal or the recycling of the irradiated Be12Ti is its deep detritiation; otherwise, the very high-tritium activity would fully prevent any attempt for its treatment. The most preferable is the use of the Be12Ti with the composition including less material impurities, especially uranium. There could be the option to dispose the Be12Ti intermediate-level wastes in the French repository after 1 year of cooling, assuming the detailed control of the impurities that fulfil the French authority requirements. The USA near-ground repositories could be an alternative to the European sites. The recycling of the irradiated Be12Ti must first be elaborated and approved to ensure its treatment in a safe and efficient way. The remote handling technique must be developed for the re-fabrication of the Be12Ti blocks.
Airtightness Sealing Performance and Failure Mechanism of the Circumferential Joint in the Low-to-Vacuum Maglev Segment Tunnel
Authors: Zhou Jianjun , Shi Long , Wang Dongyuan , Cui Kai
Published: June 2023

Segment lining structure is one of the choices to be used for low-to-vacuum maglev tunnels in the future. The airtightness at the joints of the lining structures is one of the critical problems that need to be addressed. However, little attention has been devoted to this problem until now. In this paper, a new apparatus was invented and used to study the mechanical behavior and airtightness sealing capacity of the gasket-in-groove, and a finite element analysis (FEA) model, validated by the test, was developed and used to further investigate thoroughly the sealing performance and sealing failure mechanism of the gasket-in-groove. The results obtained by the above two methods were discussed and compared, and a series of findings were presented. The results showed that the initial pressure distribution on the gasket–gasket contact surface is not uniform due to the presence of the inner holes in the gasket and the grooves between the gasket legs and an approximate “W” shape distribution in this study. The effect of vacuum pressure on the contact pressure distribution is very significant and shows an overall decreasing trend with increasing vacuum pressure. A higher initial maximum contact pressure would provide a better sealing effect but a lower sealing safety factor. Airtightness failure induced by evacuation is a contact surface separation process in which the maximum contact pressure shows a tendency to rise sharply with vacuum pressure increases, followed by a slow drop, and then declines dramatically to zero.
Transformer Fault Diagnosis Method Based on Incomplete Data and TPE-XGBoost
Authors: Wang Tonglei , Li Qun , Yang Jinggang , Xie Tianxi , Wu Peng , Liang Jiabi
Published: June 2023

Dissolved gas analysis is an important method for diagnosing the operating condition of power transformers. Traditional methods such as IEC Ratios and Duval Triangles and Pentagon methods are not applicable in the case of abnormal or missing values of DGA data. A novel transformer fault diagnosis method based on an extreme gradient boosting algorithm is proposed in this paper. First, the traditional statistical method is replaced by the random forest regression algorithm for filling in missing values of dissolved gas data. Normalization and feature derivation of the outlier data is adopted based on the gas content. Then, hyperparameter optimization of the transformer fault diagnosis model based on an extreme gradient boosting algorithm is carried out using the tree-structured probability density estimator algorithm. Finally, the influence of missing data and optimization algorithms on transformer fault diagnosis models is analyzed. The effects of different algorithms based on incomplete datasets are also discussed. The results show that the performance of the random forest regression algorithm on missing data filling is better than classification and regression trees and traditional statistical methods. The average accuracy of the fault diagnosis method proposed in the paper is 89.5%, even when the missing data rate reaches 20%. The accuracy and robustness of the TPE-XGBoost model are superior to other machine learning algorithms described in this paper, such as k-nearest neighbor, deep neural networks, random forest, etc.
A Three-Year Prospective Study Comparing Stereolithography Printed Models to Classical Impression and Plaster Cast Models in Orthodontic Therapy: A 3D Objectification Approach
Authors: Nocar Adam , Procházka Aleš , Kloubcová Magdaléna , Hyšpler Pavel , Schatz Martin , Dostálová Tatjana
Published: June 2023

The integration of computational intelligence and augmented reality has become increasingly prevalent in dental practices. Three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques have now become routine in orthodontics, prosthetics, and maxillofacial surgery. The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of stereolithography (SLA) printed models compared to traditional plaster casts over a three-year period. The experimental dataset consisted of 36 orthodontic patients, each with SLA printed models and plaster casts for both the upper and lower jaws, resulting in a total of 72 scans in the form of Standard Template Library (STL) files and 72 traditional impressions. The upper dental arch models were constructed using an SLA 3D printer, employing a blue 405 nm laser beam to solidify a liquid polymer. The classical plaster casts were prepared in a dental laboratory. The models were retained for long-term orthodontic therapy control. To evaluate the differences between the dental models, a laboratory scanner was used to generate virtual casts. The meshes obtained were adjusted and pre-aligned using the best-fit algorithm. Subsequently, registration of the models was performed using the iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm. Distances between the point clouds and meshes for each point of the printed model were calculated by determining the nearest triangle on the reference mesh (cast). Additionally, the model surfaces were assessed using a scanning electron microscope and a stereomicroscope. The results from 22 experimental datasets indicated a high level of agreement between the plaster casts and virtual surfaces, with a mean absolute difference of 0.018 mm and a standard deviation of 0.17 mm. These values were obtained by averaging 231,178 data points for each comparison. Overall, this study demonstrates the comparability and accuracy of SLA printed models in relation to traditional plaster casts, supporting their potential as reliable alternatives in dental practice.
A Double Interpolation and Mutation Interval Reconstruction LMD and Its Application in Fault Diagnosis of Reciprocating Compressor
Authors: Zhao Haiyang , Li Xue , Liu Zujian , Wen Haodong , He Jinyi
Published: June 2023

The accuracy and stability of the envelope estimation function are enduring issues throughout the research process of LMD. This paper presents double interpolation and mutation interval reconstruction local mean decomposition (DIMIRLMD) to improve the stability of the demodulation process and the accuracy of PF components. DIMIRLMD first proposes a mutation interval reconstruction envelope algorithm using extreme symmetry points to suppress the demodulation mutation phenomenon, which disturbs the stability of the demodulation process, and then selects the optimal PF component from a double interpolation PF component library based on the index of orthogonality (IO) for a better hierarchical property. DIMIRLMD was employed to analyze the simulation signal and vibration signal of a reciprocating compressor in an oversized bearing clearance state, and the results illustrate its performances are more excellent than those of three other LMD methods. Furthermore, the envelope frequency spectrum obtained from the proposed LMD presents a clear double rotation fault frequency and lower noise disturbance.
A Data Quality Measurement Framework Using Distribution-Based Modeling and Simulation in Real-Time Telemedicine Systems
Authors: Jánki Zoltán Richárd , Bilicki Vilmos
Published: June 2023

In modern telemedicine systems, the data path can be exceedingly complex, with data passing through a number of phases and processes before reaching its ultimate state. It is extremely difficult to predict the effects of lacking data or improperly processed data on the final outcome. In real-time systems, and particularly in the field of telemedicine, it is crucial to rapidly identify and rectify issues in order to prevent the loss of large amounts of data and the degradation of data quality. A basic simulation is insufficient for a comprehensive examination of the system; instead, modeling approaches are required. However, a minor system’s state space can be immense. We present a methodology and a hybrid framework that incorporate simulation, emulation, and modeling in order to evaluate the state space and potential consequences of a sufficiently large system in a more targeted and condensed manner. In this paper, we demonstrate the structure and operation of our framework using an actively researched telemedicine use case, as well as how data quality can fluctuate and new anomalies can emerge if data is corrupted during an intermediate phase. According to our real-time Atrial Fibrillation (AF) and classification use case, data loss can be as high as 15%.