bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular identification and antiprotozoal activity of silver nanoparticles on viability of Cryptosporidium parvum isolated from pigeons, pigeon fanciers and water
Authors: Abou Elez Rasha M. M. , Attia Amira S. A. , Tolba Hala M. N. , Anter Reham G. A. , Elsohaby Ibrahim 
Published: February 2023

AbstractCryptosporidium is a protozoan that causes acute gastroenteritis, abdominal pain, and diarrhea in many vertebrate species, including humans, animals and birds. A number of studies have reported the occurrence of Cryptosporidium in domestic pigeons. Thus, this study aimed to identify Cryptosporidium spp. in samples collected from domestic pigeons, pigeon fanciers, and drinking water, as well as to investigate the antiprotozoal activity of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the viability of isolated Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum). Samples were collected from domestic pigeons (n = 150), pigeon fanciers (n = 50), and drinking water (n = 50) and examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. using microscopic and molecular techniques. The antiprotozoal activity of AgNPs was then assessed both in vitro and in vivo. Cryptosporidium spp. was identified in 16.4% of all examined samples, with C. parvum identified in 5.6%. The highest frequency of isolation was from domestic pigeon, rather than from pigeon fanciers or drinking water. In domestic pigeons, there was a significant association between Cryptosporidium spp. positivity and pigeon's age, droppings consistency, housing, hygienic and heath conditions. However, Cryptosporidium spp. positivity was only significantly associated with pigeon fanciers' gender and heath condition. The viability of C. parvum oocysts was reduced using AgNPs at various concentrations and storage times in a descending manner. In an in vitro study, the highest reduction in C. parvum count was observed at the AgNPs concentration of 1000 µg/mL after a 24 h contact time, followed by the AgNPs concentration of 500 µg/mL after a 24 h contact time. However, after a 48 h contact time, a complete reduction was observed at both 1000 and 500 µg/mL concentrations. Overall, the count and viability of C. parvum decreased with increasing the AgNPs concentration and contact times in both the in vitro and in vivo studies. Furthermore, the C. parvum oocyst destruction was time-dependent and increased with increasing the contact time at various AgNPs concentrations.
MicroRNA expression in immune tissues of adult chickens after embryo stimulation with bioactive substances
Authors: Dunislawska Aleksandra , Pietrzak Elzbieta , Wishna Kadawarage Ramesha , Siwek Maria 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe microbiota has a profound impact on the host organisms. The interaction between the host and its microbiota has an epigenetic mode of action. In poultry species, gastrointestinal microbiota might be stimulated before hatching. This stimulation with bioactive substances has a broad spectrum and long-term effects. This study aimed to examine the role of miRNA expression stimulated by host-microbiota interaction via administering a bioactive substance at the stage of embryonic development. This paper is a continuation of earlier research in the field of molecular analyzes in immune tissues after in ovo administration of bioactive substances. Eggs of Ross 308 broiler chicken and Polish native breed chicken (Green-legged Partridgelike) were incubated in the commercial hatchery. On day 12 of incubation, eggs were injected: the control group with saline (0.2 mM physiological saline), probiotic—Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris, prebiotic—galactooligosaccharides, and synbiotic—mentioned above prebiotic with probiotic. The birds were intended for rearing. miRNA expression analysis was performed using the miRCURY LNA miRNA PCR Assay in the spleen and tonsils of adult chickens. Six miRNAs differed significantly, at least between one pair of treatment groups. The most miRNA changes were observed in the cecal tonsils of Green-legged Partridgelike chickens. At the same time, only miR-1598 and miR-1652 showed significant differences between the treatment groups in the cecal tonsils and spleen of Ross broiler chickens. Only two miRNAs showed significant GeneOntology (GO)enrichment with the ClueGo plug-in. gga-miR-1652 target genes showed only 2 GOs significantly enriched: chondrocyte differentiation and early endosome. gga-miR-1612 target genes, the most significant GO was regulating the RNA metabolic process. The enriched functions were associated with gene expression or protein regulation, the nervous system, and the immune system. Results suggest that early microbiome stimulation in chicken might regulate the miRNA expression in different immune tissues in a genotype-dependent manner.
Mechanistic insight into the protective effects of fisetin against arsenic-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats
Authors: Ijaz Muhammad Umar , Haider Saqlain , Tahir Arfa , Afsar Tayyaba , Almajwal Ali , Amor Houda , Razak Suhail 
Published: February 2023

AbstractArsenic is one of the most hazardous environmental contaminants, which adversely affects the dynamics of male reproductive system. Fisetin (FIS) is a bioactive flavonoid, which is known to exert strong antioxidative effects. Therefore, the current research was planned to evaluate the alleviative efficacy of FIS against arsenic-induced reproductive damages. Forty-eight male albino rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 12), which were treated as follows: (1) Control, (2) Arsenic-intoxicated group (8 mg kg−1), (3) Arsenic + FIS-treated group (8 mg kg−1 + 10 mg kg−1), and (4) FIS-treated group (10 mgkg−1). After 56 days of treatment, the biochemical, lipidemic, steroidogenic, hormonal, spermatological, apoptotic and histoarchitectural profiles of rats were analyzed. Arsenic intoxication reduced the enzymatic activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GSR), in addition to glutathione (GSH) level. Conversely, the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were increased. Moreover, it escalated the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides and total cholesterol, while declining the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Furthermore, steroidogenic enzymes expressions, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD), 17β-HSD, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (CYP11A1) and 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20-lyase (CYP17A1), were found to be reduced, which brought down the level of testosterone. Besides, the levels of gonadotropins (LH and FSH) were decreased. Additionally, a decline in sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), motility, epididymal sperm count and hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) coil-tailed sperms was observed, whereas the dead sperms and structural damages (head, midpiece and tail) of sperms were escalated. Moreover, arsenic exposure up-regulated the mRNA expressions of apoptotic markers, namely Bax and caspase-3, whereas lowered the expression of anti-apoptotic marker, Bcl-2. In addition, it induced histoarchitectural changes in testes of rats. However, FIS treatment resulted in remarkable improvements in testicular and sperm parameters. Therefore, it was inferred that FIS could serve as a therapeutic candidate against arsenic-generated male reproductive toxicity attributing to its anti-oxidant, anti-lipoperoxidative, anti-apoptotic, and androgenic efficacy.
An ultralow-cost portable centrifuge from discarded materials for medical applications
Authors: Franco Jovany J. , Nagata Tatsuo , Okamoto Takayuki , Mukai Shizuo 
Published: February 2023

AbstractReliable centrifugation for medical applications has historically required access to expensive, bulky, and electricity-dependent commercial devices, which are generally unavailable in resource-poor settings. Although several portable, low-cost, non-electric centrifuges have been described, these solutions have predominately been designed for diagnostic applications requiring sedimentation of relatively small volumes. Moreover, construction of these devices frequently requires access to specialized materials and tools that are often unavailable in underserved areas. Herein, we describe the design, assembly, and experimental validation of the CentREUSE—an ultralow-cost, portable, discarded material-based, human-powered centrifuge for use in therapeutic applications. The CentREUSE demonstrated a mean centrifugal force of 10.5 relative centrifugal force (RCF) ± 1.3. Sedimentation of 1.0 mL triamcinolone acetonide suspension for intravitreal use after 3 min of CentREUSE centrifugation was comparable to that achieved after 12 h of gravity-mediated sedimentation (0.41 mL ± 0.04 vs. 0.38 mL ± 0.03, p = 0.14). Sediment compactness after 5 min and 10 min of CentREUSE centrifugation was similar to that observed after centrifugation with a commercial device for 5 min at 10 RCF (0.31 mL ± 0.02 vs. 0.32 mL ± 0.03, p = 0.20) and 50 RCF (0.20 mL ± 0.02 vs. 0.19 mL ± 0.01, p = 0.15), respectively. Templates and instructions for construction of the CentREUSE are included as part of this open-source publication.
Formation, stabilization and fate of acetaldehyde and higher aldehydes in an autonomously changing prebiotic system emerging from acetylene
Authors: Diederich Philippe , Geisberger Thomas , Yan Yingfei , Seitz Christian , Ruf Alexander , Huber Claudia , Hertkorn Norbert , Schmitt-Kopplin Philippe 
Published: February 2023

AbstractMany essential building blocks of life, including amino acids, sugars, and nucleosides, require aldehydes for prebiotic synthesis. Pathways for their formation under early earth conditions are therefore of great importance. We investigated the formation of aldehydes by an experimental simulation of primordial early earth conditions, in line with the metal-sulfur world theory in an acetylene-containing atmosphere. We describe a pH-driven, intrinsically autoregulatory environment that concentrates acetaldehyde and other higher molecular weight aldehydes. We demonstrate that acetaldehyde is rapidly formed from acetylene over a nickel sulfide catalyst in an aqueous solution, followed by sequential reactions progressively increasing the molecular diversity and complexity of the reaction mixture. Interestingly, through inherent pH changes, the evolution of this complex matrix leads to auto-stabilization of de novo synthesized aldehydes and alters the subsequent synthesis of relevant biomolecules rather than yielding uncontrolled polymerization products. Our results emphasize the impact of progressively generated compounds on the overall reaction conditions and strengthen the role of acetylene in forming essential building blocks that are fundamental for the emergence of terrestrial life.
A decentralized crypto network with dynamic threshold change
Authors: Song Wenpeng , Pei Xin , Li Ming 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe threshold proxy re‐encryption (tPRE) algorithm not only ensures the separation of data ownership and use right, but also prevents a single data proxy from doing evil. In order to avoid collusion of multiple data proxies, this paper constructs a decentralized crypto network (DCN) based on blockchain technology and tPRE. DCN is more than a key management system, while expanding the data storage capacity of blockchain network. Combined with existing distributed storage schemes, it can store massive data. Due to Byzantine failure in distributed networks, the data proxy nodes can join or leave at will. In order to ensure that the number of data proxy nodes in the DCN network meets the requirements of the re‐encryption threshold, and the data authorization operation can be carried out smoothly, this paper presents a dynamic refresh method of tPRE fragments. When there are fragments that meet the threshold number in the network, the allocation of encrypted fragments can be adjusted non‐interactivity and self‐adaptively. Non‐interactivity means that each data proxy node independently refreshes its old fragments into new fragments without collecting old fragments from other nodes in the DCN, and then distributes the new fragments to other data proxy nodes in the DCN. Self‐adaptability refers to monitoring the changes of data proxy node sets in the DCN, and automatically refreshing fragments. Finally, the performance of critical algorithms is calculated in the proposal.
Block workshop spatial scheduling based on cellular automata modelling and optimization
Authors: Chen Yong , Lin Xuanhao , Yi Wenchao 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBlock fabrication is the process that has the greatest impact on shipbuilding efficiency, so block spatial scheduling is widely studied as the key to improving shipbuilding efficiency. The shipbuilding spatial scheduling problem addresses the coupling characteristics of time and space. It is difficult to balance these two aspects. Based on the characteristics of spatial scheduling problems in shipbuilding enterprises, a three‐dimensional space that uses time as the third dimension is imported, and a cellular automata model along with some evolutionary rules is built, which includes shape optimization rules, cluster or edge rule‐based layout rules, and First Come First Service dispatching rules. The objectives are to achieve the minimum total completion time, the largest utilization of space and machine, and the least number of delay blocks. Taking the real data in a block workshop of a shipbuilding enterprise as an example, the feasibility and effectiveness of the algorithm are verified by comparing the statistical analysis with other algorithms.
Design and implementation of flyback converter design and control of driving power supply for unmanned robot
Authors: Meng Lingfeng , Dai Yingpeng , Wang Songfeng , Zhuang Keyu , Sun Fushan , He Dengfeng , Wang Aihua 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIn accordance with the requirements of unmanned robot driving power supply for power supply reliability, strong power output, and portability, this paper introduces a design scheme for unmanned robot driving power supply on the basis of a flyback converter, establishes the mathematical model of driving power supply (flyback converter), designs the transformer part of a flyback converter, and recommends a straightforward and efficient clamping circuit to enhance it. The controller of the flyback converter is designed in detail. Ultimately, the feasibility and effectiveness of the design method in the driving power supply of unmanned robots are demonstrated by simulation and experiments.
Autonomous control of multiple quadrotors for collision‐free navigation
Authors: Raj Jai , Raghuwaiya Krishna , Havea Robin , Vanualailai Jito 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThis paper addresses the development of a set of novel autonomous control laws for the navigation of multiple mini or micro quadrotors in a workspace populated with cylindrical obstacles. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first time that such a set of control inputs for the autonomous control of multiple quadrotors and avoidance of cylindrical obstacles is being derived from a single Lyapunov function. The avoidance of the cylindrical obstacles is achieved via a Minimum Distance Technique that allows a quadrotor to avoid the closest point on the curved surface of a cylinder at every unit time. In addition, the novel controllers ensure a near‐to‐horizontal orientation of a quadrotor at every unit time and the hovering motion exhibited by the quadrotor in a neighborhood of its target. The hovering capability has been solved completely in this paper by solving the underactuatedness of the quadrotor which allows for the design of the maximum translational velocities needed for vertical take‐off and landing, and hovering. This is important in applications where payloads are sensitive to acrobatic orientations. Computer simulations that mimic real‐life scenarios using cylindrical towers as obstacles in a city‐like environment illustrates the effectiveness of the controllers.
A combined unsupervised learning approach for electricity theft detection and loss estimation
Authors: Xu Liangcai , Shao Zhenguo , Chen Feixiong 
Published: February 2023

AbstractElectricity theft is a great trouble for power companies. As the means of tampering with smart meters continue to increase, the electricity theft behaviours become more diversified and covert, which are difficult to be identified using the existing electricity theft detection method. In addition, the existing methods usually cannot estimate the economic losses caused by electricity theft. To address these issues, a combined unsupervised learning approach for electricity theft detection and loss estimation is proposed in this study. First, three anomaly measurement indexes including the mean index, fluctuation index, and trend index are proposed to capture different anomalies respectively. Then, based on historical electricity consumption data, we develop two unsupervised learning techniques including the sample‐to‐subsamples decomposition algorithm and clustering algorithm to obtain the typical ranges of index values, and the load samples whose index values are not in the typical ranges will be considered fraudulent. Furthermore, three anomaly measurement indexes are combined to judge whether the load sample is fraudulent, and the user whose most load samples are judged fraudulent will be considered as an electricity thief. Finally, an economic loss estimation method is proposed, which quantifies the losses of electricity theft. Numerical experiments are carried out based on the Irish smart meter dataset, and the results demonstrate the effectiveness and the superior performance of the proposed method compared with a series of electricity theft detection methods.
InGaAsSb/GaAsSb quantum dot structures
Authors: Oleiwi Mushtaq Obaid , Al‐Nashy Baqer O. , Ajeel Sadeq Kh. , Al‐Khursan Amin H. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThis work studies the modal gain from quaternary quantum dots (QD) structures at different mole fractions of the structure. The quaternary structures are more flexible in attaining lattice‐matching systems. First, the In‐ and As‐mole fractions are varied. Four In‐mole fractions are studied and 0.07), and their emitted wavelengths cover the range . Both In‐ and the As‐mole fraction increment results in a red‐shifted wavelength. Doping is also investigated where the structures are exhibited five times increment of modal gain, and the wavelength is blue‐shifted under doping. A multi‐peak behaviour is exhibited by these structures, which is essential in applications for choosing the required wavelength. These results promise that these structures can work in UV, visible, and infrared (IR) wavelength ranges.
Transient stability constrained distributed optimal dispatch for microgrids: A state‐based potential game approach
Authors: Yuan Wenkai , Chen Laijun , Zheng Tianwen , Deng Sicheng , Mei Shengwei 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe increasing proportion of renewable energy generation (REG) brings severe challenges to the optimal dispatch and stability control of microgrids. On the one hand, the dynamics of REG result in new stability problems. On the other hand, it is difficult to harmonize the benefits of distributed generators (DGs) since they often belong to different owners. To this end, this paper proposes a distributed optimal dispatching method using state‐based potential game theory, which considers both system stability and individual economy. First, an optimal dispatching model is constructed for microgrid containing various DGs. The transient stability constraint (TSC) of microgrid is given based on dissipation theory. Then, by treating each node as an agent, the optimization model is converted into a multi‐agent potential game with a state space. And a distributed algorithm is developed which is capable of handling coupled constraints. To implement the proposed method, updating rules are designed with respect to TSC based on Gerschgorin theorem, and the convergence of the algorithm are discussed. Simulation and experimental results show that the proposed method can maximize the benefits of each DG without the participation of control centre, while the ability of the microgrid to resist large disturbances is also guaranteed.
Effective scale‐generation scheme based shape descriptor for fast leaf recognition and retrieval
Authors: Xu Guoqing 
Published: February 2023

AbstractPlant species recognition using leaf images is a very challenging task in the field of pattern recognition. In this paper, an effective scale‐generation scheme is proposed to extract leaf contour features. For each point on sampled leaf contour, the scale‐generation scheme iteratively utilized trisections of leaf contour to find paired neighbour points under different scales. Then paired neighbour points under each scale were used to extract angle information to form multi‐scale angle representation. Subsequently, Fast Fourier transform was applied on the multi‐scale angle representation to make it compact and facilitate similarity measurement. City block metric was used to compute similarity between leaves for retrieval task. Both Support Vector Machine and 1‐nearest neighbour were used as classifiers for recognition. Finally, the proposed descriptor was evaluated on four challenging leaf datasets, including Swedish, Flavia, MEW2012 and ImageCLEF 2012 datasets. The recognition accuracy of the proposed descriptor over Swedish and Flavia datasets reaches 97.03% and 94.03%, respectively. The mean average precision scores over Swedish, Flavia, MEW2012 and ImageCLEF 2012 datasets are 77.39%, 69.47%, 47.51% and 37.13%, respectively. Performance comparisons with both classical and state‐of‐the‐art methods were made in terms of performance evaluation metrics. The results demonstrate that the proposed method has prominent performance.
COP’INF : influence de la formation aux gestes et soins d’urgence sur les stratégies d’ajustement mises en place par les étudiantes en soins infirmiers face à une situation d’urgence simulée
Authors: Soares Cécile , Tuzin Nicolas , Delacour Chloé 
Published: February 2023

Contexte : Les étudiantes en soins infirmiers (ESI) de première année peuvent être confrontées à la difficulté de gérer leur stress face à une situation d’urgence dès leurs premiers stages. Buts : Cette étude a pour objectif de connaître l’impact de la formation aux gestes et soins d’urgence (GSU) sur les stratégies d’ajustement mises en place par les ESI face à une situation d’urgence simulée. Méthodes : Il s’agit d’une étude interventionnelle comparative recourant à un échantillon contrôle de disponibilité. Dix-huit ESI ayant bénéficié de la formation aux GSU lors de leur première année d’études et 18 ESI n’ayant pas encore bénéficié de cette formation ont toutes été confrontées à une simulation d’un malaise hypoglycémique. Les stratégies d’ajustement des deux groupes ont été évaluées à l’aide du questionnaire d’ajustement « Ways of coping checklist ». Une analyse descriptive a permis de présenter et de comparer les caractéristiques des deux groupes d’étudiantes. Une analyse multivariée sur les stratégies d’ajustement centrées sur le problème et sur l’émotion a été ensuite réalisée. Résultats : À la suite d’une formation aux GSU, les ESI de première année optent plus en faveur de stratégies d’ajustement centrées sur le problème et moins en faveur de celles centrées sur l’émotion. Conclusion : Dans les conditions de l’étude, une formation préalable aux GSU de niveau 1 avant leur départ en stage permettrait aux ESI de mieux gérer leur stress face à une situation d’urgence dans un dispositif recourant à la simulation. Le transfert d’un tel bénéfice en contexte professionnel réel reste à documenter.