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In the field of the cosmetic industry, significant efforts are made to develop methods that are not only cost effective and time effective but are also environmentally friendly and cruelty free. Cosmetic tests using in vivo animal models are currently banned in the
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In the field of the cosmetic industry, significant efforts are made to develop methods that are not only cost effective and time effective but are also environmentally friendly and cruelty free. Cosmetic tests using in vivo animal models are currently banned in the European Union. To fulfil regulatory requirements, new approach methodologies (NAMs) are implemented, and thereupon, in silico techniques have constantly acquired significance. This review aimed to show the general picture of the available computational methods and approaches, give some examples of their applications, present capabilities and limitations, and propose the way forward. The general information about in silico modelling and examples of its usage in the context of cosmetics and its legal regulation are presented. The review is divided with a focus on three endpoints of interest: (1) safety assessment, (2) exposure assessment, and (3) formulation characterization. With this comprehensive analysis, we try to answer the question as to whether we are using the opportunity.
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Lubricants must exhibit good tribological behavior at low temperatures to ensure reliable startups in very cold regions. This study investigates the performance of lubricants, with a specific focus on their capacity for high-temperature lubrication and ensuring reliable low-temperature startup in engines. Experiments were
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Lubricants must exhibit good tribological behavior at low temperatures to ensure reliable startups in very cold regions. This study investigates the performance of lubricants, with a specific focus on their capacity for high-temperature lubrication and ensuring reliable low-temperature startup in engines. Experiments were conducted to assess the friction and wear characteristics of polydiethylsiloxane in conjunction with a Si3N4 ball and M50 (8Cr4Mo4V) steel across a temperature range of −80 °C to 25 °C. The results indicate that the coefficient of friction, as determined through friction and wear tests at various temperatures, remained below 0.1. As temperatures progressively decreased, the system’s friction coefficient increased, and wear volumes recorded at 25 °C and −60 °C were 9749.513 µm³ and 105.006 µm³, respectively, culminating in lubrication failure at −100 °C. This failure is primarily attributed to the increased viscosity and decreased mobility of polydiethylsiloxane at extremely low temperatures. Additionally, the reduced temperature increases the strength of the quenched steel, leading to hard particles or protrusions on the material’s surface, which collide with the Si3N4 ball during friction, causing adhesion and spalling. Despite this, polydiethylsiloxane forms a stable protective oil film on the surface, enhancing the system’s lubrication performance. However, below −80 °C, this oil film begins to tear, leading to diminished lubrication efficacy. This study provides valuable data supporting the field of cryogenic lubrication.
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The composition of human breast milk is an ideal combination of substances necessary for the healthy development of an infant’s body while protecting from pathogens and the balanced development of the microbiota. Its composition is dynamic and changes with the age of the
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The composition of human breast milk is an ideal combination of substances necessary for the healthy development of an infant’s body while protecting from pathogens and the balanced development of the microbiota. Its composition is dynamic and changes with the age of the child, meeting their current needs. The study provides a thorough overview of human milk components, such as immunological components, growth factors, hormones, carbohydrates, lipids, minerals, and vitamins. Authors focus on capturing the most important aspects of the effects of these substances on a newborn’s body, while also looking for specific connections and describing the effects on given systems. Supplementation and the use of ingredients are also discussed. The purpose of this paper is to present the current state of knowledge about the bioactive components of human milk and their impact on the growth, development, and health of the young child.
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Spatialization of biomass and carbon stocks is essential for a good understanding of the forest stand and its characteristics, especially in degraded Mediterranean cork oak forests. Furthermore, the analysis of biomass and carbon stock changes and dynamics is essential for understanding the carbon
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Spatialization of biomass and carbon stocks is essential for a good understanding of the forest stand and its characteristics, especially in degraded Mediterranean cork oak forests. Furthermore, the analysis of biomass and carbon stock changes and dynamics is essential for understanding the carbon cycle, in particular carbon emissions and stocks, in order to make projections, especially in the context of climate change. In this research, we use a multidimensional framework integrating forest survey data, LiDAR UAV data, and extracted vegetation indices from Landsat imagery (NDVI, ARVI, CIG, etc.) to model and spatialize cork oak biomass and carbon stocks on a large scale. For this purpose, we explore the use of univariate and multivariate regression modeling and examine several types of regression, namely, multiple linear regression, stepwise linear regression, random forest regression, simple linear regression, logarithmic regression, and quadratic and cubic regression. The results show that for multivariate regression, stepwise regression gives good results, with R2 equal to 80% and 65% and RMSE equal to 2.59 and 1.52 Mg/ha for biomass and carbon stock, respectively. Random forest regression, chosen as the ML algorithm, gives acceptable results, explaining 80% and 60% of the variation in biomass and carbon stock, respectively, and an RMSE of 2.74 and 1.72 Mg/ha for biomass and carbon stock, respectively. For the univariate regression, the simple linear regression is chosen because it gives satisfactory results, close to those of the quadratic and cubic regressions, but with a simpler equation. The vegetation index chosen is ARVI, which shows good performance indices, close to those of the NDVI and CIG. The assessment of biomass and carbon stock changes in the study area over 35 years (1985–2020) showed a slight increase of less than 10 Mg/ha and a decrease in biomass and carbon stock over a large area.
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To realize the large-scale utilization of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash in the field of building materials and to reduce the cost of coal mine backfill mining, the effects of the mixing ratio of cementitious materials, the particle size distribution of
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To realize the large-scale utilization of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash in the field of building materials and to reduce the cost of coal mine backfill mining, the effects of the mixing ratio of cementitious materials, the particle size distribution of aggregates, and the amount and mass concentration of cementitious materials on the properties of backfill materials were experimentally investigated, and the microstructure of the hydration products was analyzed. The results showed that as the mass ratio of MSWI fly ash to bottom ash increased, the rate of expansion of the cementitious system continued to increase, and the compressive strength of the cementitious system continued to decrease. The Al (aluminum) and AlN (aluminum nitride) in the fly ash reacted with water to generate gas, causing the expansion of the cementitious materials; NaOH increased the alkalinity of the solution, which promoted the formation of more bubbles, thereby improving the expansion performance of the cementitious material. When the content of NaOH was 0.9%, the sample rate of expansion could reach 15.9%. The addition of CaCl2 promoted the early hydration reaction of the cementitious material, forming a dense microstructure, thus improving the early strength and rate of expansion of the cementitious material. The compressive strength of the backfill body increased as the fractal dimension of the aggregate particles increased, and the particle grading scheme of group S1 was optimal. The 1-day, 3-day, and 28-day strengths of the backfill body of group S1 reached 0.72 MPa, 1.43 MPa, and 3.26 MPa, respectively. It is recommended to choose a backfill paste concentration ranging between 78.5% and 80% and a reasonable amount of cementitious material between 20% and 25%. After the MSWI fly ash was prepared as a backfill material, the leaching of potentially harmful elements in the fly ash was greatly reduced, and the concentration of dioxin was reduced to 13 ng TEQ/kg. This was attributed to the dilution of the cement, the physical encapsulation of gel products, and the isomorphous replacement of Ca2+ in calcium aluminate chloride hydrate.
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Background and Objectives: Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) represents one of the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted diseases. This study aims to explore the relationship between HLA alleles/genotypes/haplotypes and C. trachomatis infection to better understand high-risk individuals and potential complications. Materials and Methods [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) represents one of the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted diseases. This study aims to explore the relationship between HLA alleles/genotypes/haplotypes and C. trachomatis infection to better understand high-risk individuals and potential complications. Materials and Methods: This prospective study recruited participants from Transylvania, Romania. Patients with positive NAAT tests for C. trachomatis from cervical/urethral secretion or urine were compared with controls regarding HLA-DR and -DQ alleles. DNA extraction for HLA typing was performed using venous blood samples. Results: Our analysis revealed that the presence of the DRB1*13 allele significantly heightened the likelihood of C. trachomatis infection (p = 0.017). Additionally, we observed that individuals carrying the DRB1*01/DRB1*13 and DQB1*03/DQB1*06 genotype had increased odds of C. trachomatis infection. Upon adjustment, the association between the DRB1*01/DRB1*13 genotype and C. trachomatis remained statistically significant. Conclusions: Our findings underscore the importance of specific HLA alleles and genotypes in influencing susceptibility to C. trachomatis infection. These results highlight the intricate relationship between host genetics and disease susceptibility, offering valuable insights for targeted prevention efforts and personalized healthcare strategies.
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Nearly 60% of asthmatics in the USA suffer from obesity. Asthma is a comorbid condition alongside obesity, commonly accompanied by conditions such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes. The positive effect of bariatric surgery on patients suffering from hypertension and type 2 diabetes,
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Nearly 60% of asthmatics in the USA suffer from obesity. Asthma is a comorbid condition alongside obesity, commonly accompanied by conditions such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes. The positive effect of bariatric surgery on patients suffering from hypertension and type 2 diabetes, which leads to either a reduction in the dose of medication taken for the aforementioned diseases or the withdrawal of the disease, is quite well proven in the literature. Currently, the impact of bariatric operations on the control and course of bronchial asthma and pharmacological treatment has not been fully recognized and described, requiring further research; therefore, the following review of the literature was conducted.
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by
Tamara Castaño-Bonilla, Raquel Mata, Daniel Láinez-González, Raquel Gonzalo, Susana Castañón, Francisco Javier Díaz de la Pinta, Carlos Blas, José L. López-Lorenzo and Juan Manuel Alonso-Domínguez
Medicina2024, 60(5), 807; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60050807 (registering DOI) - 14 May 2024
Spontaneous remissions (SRs) in blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasms (BPDCNs) are infrequent, poorly documented, and transient. We report a 40-year-old man presenting with bycitopenia and soft tissue infection. The bone marrow exhibited 3% abnormal cells. Immunophenotyping of these cells revealed the antigens CD45+
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Spontaneous remissions (SRs) in blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasms (BPDCNs) are infrequent, poorly documented, and transient. We report a 40-year-old man presenting with bycitopenia and soft tissue infection. The bone marrow exhibited 3% abnormal cells. Immunophenotyping of these cells revealed the antigens CD45+ (dim), CD34+, CD117+, CD123+ (bright), HLA-DR+ (bimodal), CD56+ (bright), CD33+, CD13+, CD2+, and CD22+ (dim) and the partial expression of the CD10+, CD36+, and CD7+ antigens. All other myeloid, monocytic, and lymphoid antigens were negative. Genetic studies showed a complex karyotype and mutations in the TP53R337C and KRASG12D genes. On hospital admission, the patient showed a subcutaneous nodule on the right hand and left lower limb. Flow cytometry multiparameter (FCM) analysis showed the presence of 29% abnormal cells with the previously described immunophenotype. The patient was diagnosed with BPDCN. The patient was treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics for soft tissue infection, which delayed therapy for BPDCN. No steroids or chemotherapeutic or hypomethylating agents were administered. His blood cell counts improved and skin lesions disappeared, until the patient relapsed five months after achieving spontaneous remission. About 60% of abnormal cells were identified. No changes in immunophenotype or the results of genetic studies were observed. The patient underwent a HyperCVAD chemotherapy regimen for six cycles. Consolidation therapy was performed via allogeneic bone marrow transplantation with an HLA-unrelated donor. One year after the bone marrow transplant, the patient died due to the progression of his underlying disease, coinciding with a respiratory infection caused by SARS-CoV-2. In the available literature, SRs are often linked to infections or other stimulators of the immune system, suggesting that powerful immune activation could play a role in controlling the leukemic clone. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism of this phenomenon is not clearly understood. We hypothesize that the immune system would force the leukemic stem cell (LSC) to undergo a state of quiescence. This loss of replication causes the LSC progeny to die off, resulting in the SR of BPDCN.
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Analyzing two key figures in Elif Shafak’s novel The Island of Missing Trees—a schoolgirl’s scream and a narrating fig tree—this essay analyzes the intersection between susceptibility and resilience, particularly as these terms are developed in psychology, trauma studies, and ecology. I argue
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Analyzing two key figures in Elif Shafak’s novel The Island of Missing Trees—a schoolgirl’s scream and a narrating fig tree—this essay analyzes the intersection between susceptibility and resilience, particularly as these terms are developed in psychology, trauma studies, and ecology. I argue that the novel’s resonant scream critiques the discourse of psychological resilience on multiple counts: its inadequacy as a response to complex trauma, its focus on autonomous individuals, its assumption that responsibility for resilience rests on victims rather than perpetrators of harm, its construction of a “resistance imperative” and its disavowal of the inequalities in access to resilience-building resources. By contrast, the novel’s fig tree, I contend, exemplifies an ecological model of resilience rooted in a recognition of the interdependence of the multiple and diverse organisms that comprise an ecosystem, and of susceptibility as an advantageous suite of capacities that are crucial to resilience. These contrasting conceptions of resilience lead me to advocate for a politics of susceptibility, an eco-psychosocial politics based on the recognition that individuals cannot become resilient on their own, through their own volition, intention, or “self-efficacy”, and that focuses instead on building systemic and sustainable forms of resilience inclusive of the diverse subjects that comprise a community, society or ecosystem; that, rather than fetishizing independence, liberty and rights, fortifies interdependence and reinforces mutual responsibilities; and that rather than exploiting susceptibility as a weakness, nurtures it as the soul of resilience itself.
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Infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC) is an eye disease caused by Mycoplasma conjunctivae that affects domestic and wild caprines, including Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica), a medium-sized mountain ungulate. However, its role in IKC dynamics in multi-host communities has been poorly studied. This study
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Infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC) is an eye disease caused by Mycoplasma conjunctivae that affects domestic and wild caprines, including Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica), a medium-sized mountain ungulate. However, its role in IKC dynamics in multi-host communities has been poorly studied. This study assessed M. conjunctivae in Iberian ibex and seasonally sympatric domestic small ruminants in the Natural Space of Sierra Nevada (NSSN), a mountain habitat in southern Spain. From 2015 to 2017, eye swabs were collected from 147 ibexes (46 subadults, 101 adults) and 169 adult domestic small ruminants (101 sheep, 68 goats). Mycoplasma conjunctivae was investigated through real-time qPCR and statistically assessed according to species, sex, age category, year, period, and area. The lppS gene of M. conjunctivae was sequenced and phylogenetically analysed. Mycoplasma conjunctivae was endemic and asymptomatic in the host community of the NSSN. Three genetic clusters were shared by ibex and livestock, and one was identified only in sheep, although each host species could maintain the infection independently. Naïve subadults maintained endemic infection in Iberian ibex, with an epizootic outbreak in 2017 when the infection spread to adults. Wild ungulates are epidemiologically key in maintaining and spreading IKC and other shared diseases among spatially segregated livestock flocks.
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This study aims to optimize the thermodynamic performance of a cold storage distribution box through the integration of a ventilation system. To achieve this goal, a prototype constructed from expanded polystyrene is developed, incorporating an active ventilation system to ensure cold temperature uniformity.
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This study aims to optimize the thermodynamic performance of a cold storage distribution box through the integration of a ventilation system. To achieve this goal, a prototype constructed from expanded polystyrene is developed, incorporating an active ventilation system to ensure cold temperature uniformity. Thermocouples are integrated into the device to monitor the temporal temperature evolution with and without ventilation. Concurrently, a 2D thermo-aerodynamic investigation is conducted using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The numerical modeling of the thermodynamic behavior of the cold source employs polynomial laws as input data for the computational code (UDF functions). A comparison between experimental and numerical results reveals the computational code’s accurate prediction of the temporal temperature evolution in the cold storage distribution box, particularly under forced convection conditions. The findings indicate that in the absence of ventilation, thermal exchanges primarily occur through air conduction, whereas with ventilation, exchanges are facilitated by convection. Overall, forced convection induced by the inclusion of a ventilation device enhances thermal transfers and the thermodynamic performance of the cold storage distribution box. Furthermore, air mixing limits thermal stratification, thereby facilitating temperature homogenization.
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It is postulated that there is negative correlation between milk yield and reproductive performance. However, some studies definitely doubt this causality. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between milk production and fertility on three dairy farms. The production parameter
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It is postulated that there is negative correlation between milk yield and reproductive performance. However, some studies definitely doubt this causality. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between milk production and fertility on three dairy farms. The production parameter was the milk yield (in kg), and fertility was expressed by the number of inseminations per conception (AI index), as well as by the length of the service period (in days). A total of 13 012 lactations from cows with their first three lactations completed were analysed. The number of inseminations was significantly correlated with the milk yield and with the studied farm (p < 0.0001), but its correlation with the lactation number was not significant (p = 0.9477). A similar relationship was found after evaluating the length of the service period. A multiplicative model showed that a 2000 kg milk increase extended the service period by 9% and increased the AI index by 13%. Thereafter, using quartiles of the cows, the service period of the highest-producing group rose by 41.5 days, and the AI index by almost 1, compared to the lowest quartile. Our results indicate a definitive decline in reproductive indicators parallel to an increase in milk production but did not prove an inevitable correlation.
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A detailed understanding of the interactions between wax and asphaltenes with other components of crude oils and the effect of treatments with paraffin inhibitors (PIs) and asphaltene dispersants (ADs), with a focus on identifying specific structure-activity relationships, is necessary to develop effective flow
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A detailed understanding of the interactions between wax and asphaltenes with other components of crude oils and the effect of treatments with paraffin inhibitors (PIs) and asphaltene dispersants (ADs), with a focus on identifying specific structure-activity relationships, is necessary to develop effective flow assurance strategies. The morphological and rheological consequences of treating wax and asphaltenes in oils of differing composition with a series of ADs having structural features in common with an alpha olefin-maleic anhydride (AO-MA) comb-like copolymer PI were assessed alone and in combination with said PI. Of the four ADs studied, two were identified as being effective dispersants of asphaltenes in heptane-induced instability tests and in a West Texas (WT) crude. The degree to which a low concentration of asphaltenes stabilizes wax in the absence of treatment additives is lessened in oils having greater aromatic fractions. This is because these stabilizing interactions are replaced by more energetically favorable aromatic–asphaltene interactions, increasing oil viscosity. Treatment with AD alone also reduces the extent of wax–asphaltene interactions, increasing oil viscosity. In concert with the PI, treatment with the AD having greater structural similarity with the PI appears to improve wax solubility in both the presence and absence of asphaltenes. However, the viscosity of the treated oils is greater than that of the oil treated with PI alone, while treatment with AD having lesser structural similarity with the PI does not adversely affect oil viscosity. These data suggest that rather than treating both wax and asphaltenes, AD may poison the function of the PI. These data illuminate the pitfalls of designing flow assurance additives to interact with both wax and asphaltenes and developing treatment plans.
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Physalis philadelphica, a member of the Solanaceae family, commonly known as Physalis, is a one-year-old herbaceous plant with both medicinal and edible properties, as well as ornamental value. At present, only limited research is available on the flower color of P. philadelphica. [...] Read more.
Physalis philadelphica, a member of the Solanaceae family, commonly known as Physalis, is a one-year-old herbaceous plant with both medicinal and edible properties, as well as ornamental value. At present, only limited research is available on the flower color of P. philadelphica. This study aimed to elucidate the metabolic characteristics underlying the flower color of P. philadelphica and to identify key genes associated with flower color metabolism. We selected two representative varieties of P. philadelphica with significant differences in flower color, namely, “Tieba” (yellow flower) and “Qingjin” (yellow-purple flower), as the experimental materials. The analysis of related pigment components and the determination of relative content by high-performance liquid chromatography were conducted to investigate the flower color-related metabolic pathways of P. philadelphica. Through next-generation sequencing, these pathways were further investigated for the characteristics and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with flower color formation. The results of the research show that: Anthocyanin is the main component of petal coloring of P. philadelphica var. Qingjin, while malvidin pigment, pelargonidin, delphinidin, and cyanidin are the main components of flower color intensity. Carotenoids are the main components of the petal coloring of P. philadelphica var. Tieba and β-carotene is the main component of flower color intensity. Comparing different developmental stages of these two kinds of Physalis pubescens, we identified two key transcription factors (TFs) (eBP and STAT) that were involved in the inhibition of anthocyanin synthesis and regulate the inhibition of pf05G124640 (dihydroflavonol 4-reductase) and pf09G224140 (anthocyanin synthase) in anthocyanin synthesis. One heat shock transcription factor was found to regulate the flavonoid and flavonol synthesis pathway of pf01G020090 (anthocyanin 3-O-glucosyltransferase); two key TFs (NAC and G2-Like), pf10G255070 (isoricin dehydrogenase) and pf09G237080 (abscisic acid 8′-hydroxylase), played important roles in carotene biosynthesis. This study provides new insights for further exploration of the genetic diversity of petal coloring in P. philadelphica and establishes a foundation for subsequent molecular breeding efforts.
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This study investigates the determinants of trading activity in the U.S. corporate bond market, focusing on the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and macroeconomic announcements. Employing the General-to-Specific (Gets) Autometrics methodology, we identify distinct behavioral responses between retail and institutional investors to
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This study investigates the determinants of trading activity in the U.S. corporate bond market, focusing on the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and macroeconomic announcements. Employing the General-to-Specific (Gets) Autometrics methodology, we identify distinct behavioral responses between retail and institutional investors to SAD, noting a significant impact on retail trading volumes but not on institutional trading or bond returns. This discovery extends the understanding of behavioral finance within the context of bond markets, diverging from established findings in equity and Treasury markets. Additionally, our analysis delineates the influence of macroeconomic announcements on trading activities, offering new insights into the market’s reaction to economic news. This study’s findings contribute to the broader literature on market microstructure and behavioral finance, providing empirical evidence on the interplay between psychological factors and macroeconomic information flow within corporate bond markets. By addressing these specific aspects with rigorous econometric techniques, our research enhances the comprehension of trading dynamics in less transparent markets, offering valuable perspectives for academics, investors, risk managers, and policymakers.
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The impact of cryogenic pretreatments on drying performance was studied in blueberries, seabuckthorn fruits and green grapes. The fruits were immersed in liquid nitrogen in 2 min freezing/thawing cycles (one to five). Untreated samples were used as the control. Drying experiments were carried
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The impact of cryogenic pretreatments on drying performance was studied in blueberries, seabuckthorn fruits and green grapes. The fruits were immersed in liquid nitrogen in 2 min freezing/thawing cycles (one to five). Untreated samples were used as the control. Drying experiments were carried out on treated and non-treated berries at 50 °C and 1 m/s (hot-air-drying), 50 °C and 25″ Hg vacuum (vacuum-drying), 30 mTorr total pressure and 25 °C shelf temperature (freeze-drying). The weight loss evolution of the foodstuffs was measured as a function of time. Microscopic (SEM and optical) determinations of the epicarp were performed. A visual inspection was performed and color changes and volume reductions were assessed before and after dehydration. The thickness of the berries’ epicarp decreased between 20 and 50% (depending on the fruit) after 3–5 immersions in liquid N2. The drying kinetics was accelerated significantly for the three tested drying processes (i.e., drying time decreased from 48 to 16 h for blueberry freeze-drying). The best quality of dried berries was observed for pretreated blueberries after freeze-drying, keeping their volume, shape and color after the process. This work shows that “tailor-made” dried berry products with desired properties can be achieved and drying performance can be improved by the application of ultra-low temperature pretreatments.
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We present experimental results for the controlled mitigation of the electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) produced in the interactions of a 1 PW high-power 30 fs Ti:Sa laser VEGA-3 with solid-density targets transparent to laser-forward-accelerated relativistic electrons. This study aims at the band of very
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We present experimental results for the controlled mitigation of the electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) produced in the interactions of a 1 PW high-power 30 fs Ti:Sa laser VEGA-3 with solid-density targets transparent to laser-forward-accelerated relativistic electrons. This study aims at the band of very high frequencies (VHFs), i.e., those in the hundreds of MHz, which comprise the fundamental cavity modes of the rectangular VEGA-3 vacuum chamber. We demonstrate mode suppression by a tailoring of the laser-produced space charge distribution.
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Microbial nitrogen sources are promising, and soy protein as a plant-based nitrogen source has absolute advantages in creating microbial culture medium in terms of renewability, eco-friendliness, and greater safety. Soy protein is rich in variety due to different extraction technologies and significantly different
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Microbial nitrogen sources are promising, and soy protein as a plant-based nitrogen source has absolute advantages in creating microbial culture medium in terms of renewability, eco-friendliness, and greater safety. Soy protein is rich in variety due to different extraction technologies and significantly different in the cell growth and metabolism of microorganisms as nitrogen source. Therefore, different soy proteins (soy meal powder, SMP; soy peptone, SP; soy protein concentrate, SPC; soy protein isolate, SPI; and soy protein hydrolysate, SPH) were used as nitrogen sources to culture Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus lactis, and Streptomyces clavuligerus to evaluate the suitable soy nitrogen sources of the above strains. The results showed that B. subtilis had the highest bacteria density in SMP medium; S. lactis had the highest bacteria density in SPI medium; and S. clavuligerus had the highest PMV in SPI medium. Nattokinase activity was the highest in SP medium; the bacteriostatic effect of nisin was the best in SPI medium; and the clavulanic acid concentration was the highest in SMP medium. Based on analyzing the correlation between the nutritional composition and growth metabolism of the strains, the results indicated that the protein content and amino acid composition were the key factors influencing the cell growth and metabolism of the strains. These findings present a new, high-value application opportunity for soybean protein.
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Insurance pricing is the process of determining the premiums that policyholders pay in exchange for insurance coverage. In order to estimate premiums, actuaries use statistical based methods, assessing various factors such as the probability of certain events occurring (like accidents or damages), where
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Insurance pricing is the process of determining the premiums that policyholders pay in exchange for insurance coverage. In order to estimate premiums, actuaries use statistical based methods, assessing various factors such as the probability of certain events occurring (like accidents or damages), where the Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) are the industry standard method. Traditional GLM approaches face limitations due to non-differentiable loss functions and expansive variable spaces, including both main and interaction terms. In this study, we address the challenge of selecting relevant variables for GLMs used in non-life insurance pricing both for frequency or severity analyses, amidst an increasing volume of data and variables. We propose a novel application of the Genetic Algorithm (GA) to efficiently identify pertinent main and interaction effects in GLMs, even in scenarios with a high variable count and diverse loss functions. Our approach uniquely aligns GLM predictions with those of black box machine learning models, enhancing their interpretability and reliability. Using a publicly available non-life motor data set, we demonstrate the GA’s effectiveness by comparing its selected GLM with a Gradient Boosted Machine (GBM) model. The results show a strong consistency between the main and interaction terms identified by GA for the GLM and those revealed in the GBM analysis, highlighting the potential of our method to refine and improve pricing models in the insurance sector.
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Fresh-cut potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) are susceptible to browning and microbial contamination during storage. In this study, the effects of trans-2-hexenal (E2H), ascorbic acid (VC), dimethyl dicarbonate (DMDC), and the combined treatment of E2H, VC, and DMDC on quality deterioration in fresh-cut
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Fresh-cut potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) are susceptible to browning and microbial contamination during storage. In this study, the effects of trans-2-hexenal (E2H), ascorbic acid (VC), dimethyl dicarbonate (DMDC), and the combined treatment of E2H, VC, and DMDC on quality deterioration in fresh-cut potatoes were investigated. The response surface methodology (RSM) demonstrated that E2H, VC, and DMDC concentrations of 0.010%, 0.65%, and 240 mg/L, respectively, were the optimum conditions for fresh-cut potato preservation. Further analysis showed that the combined treatment of E2H, VC, and DMDC was the most effective method of reducing quality deterioration in potatoes compared to the control and individual treatments. Furthermore, the combined treatment of E2H, VC, and DMDC could decrease the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via improving antioxidant enzyme activities. Meanwhile, energy-metabolism-related enzyme activities and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity were enhanced, while γ-aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T) activity was reduced via the combined treatment of E2H, VC, and DMDC, which contributed to maintaining high energy levels and GABA content in potatoes. These findings suggested that the combined treatment of E2H, VC, and DMDC could protect membrane integrity through enhancing antioxidant capacity, energy levels, and GABA content to maintain quality in fresh-cut potatoes.
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An analysis of the features of measurements and correction of phase distortions in optical waves propagating in the atmosphere at various levels of turbulence was performed. It is shown that with increasing intensity fluctuations, the limiting capabilities of phase correction decrease, and the
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An analysis of the features of measurements and correction of phase distortions in optical waves propagating in the atmosphere at various levels of turbulence was performed. It is shown that with increasing intensity fluctuations, the limiting capabilities of phase correction decrease, and the phase of an optical wave that has passed through a turbulence layer consists of two components: potential and vortex. It was found that even in the region of weak fluctuations there is an overlap of spectral filtering functions for intensity and phase fluctuations. Areas of turbulence inhomogeneities have been identified that will have mutual influence and negatively affect the operation of the phase meter. It is noted that correlation functions, both phase and intensity, are less susceptible to this compared to structural functions. The results of experimental studies on the reconstruction of the wavefront of laser radiation distorted by atmospheric turbulence using a Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensor during vignetting and central screening of the entrance pupil in the optical system are presented. Studies have been carried out on the propagation of laser radiation along a horizontal atmospheric path for various levels of turbulence. The results are analyzed in terms of Zernike polynomials.
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A guaranteed performance event-triggered adaptive consensus control is established for uncertain multiagent systems under time-varying actuator faults. To eliminate the impact caused by actuator faults, an adaptive neural network compensation strategy is developed. Simultaneously, by implementing the asymmetric barrier Lyapunov function and transform
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A guaranteed performance event-triggered adaptive consensus control is established for uncertain multiagent systems under time-varying actuator faults. To eliminate the impact caused by actuator faults, an adaptive neural network compensation strategy is developed. Simultaneously, by implementing the asymmetric barrier Lyapunov function and transform function, a prescribed time consensus control with guaranteed performance, is constructed. Furthermore, to reduce the frequency of information transmission, an adjustable switching event-triggered control (ASETC) is proposed by using a modified hyperbolic tangent function. It combines the advantage of the relative threshold strategies and the characteristics of the hyperbolic tangent function, giving better flexibility in saving network resources and guaranteeing system performance. By applying the constructed control method, systems with prescribed performance consensus in a prescribed time are achievable while limited network resources and unknown time-varying faults are present. Some simulation examples implemented in MATLAB (R2022a) are given to demonstrate the above results.
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Periodontal defects present a significant challenge in dentistry, necessitating innovative solutions for comprehensive regeneration. Traditional restoration methods have inherent limitations in achieving complete and functional periodontal tissue reconstruction. Tissue engineering, a multidisciplinary approach integrating cells, biomaterials, and bioactive factors, holds tremendous promise in
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Periodontal defects present a significant challenge in dentistry, necessitating innovative solutions for comprehensive regeneration. Traditional restoration methods have inherent limitations in achieving complete and functional periodontal tissue reconstruction. Tissue engineering, a multidisciplinary approach integrating cells, biomaterials, and bioactive factors, holds tremendous promise in addressing this challenge. Central to tissue engineering strategies are scaffolds, pivotal in supporting cell behavior and orchestrating tissue regeneration. Natural and synthetic materials have been extensively explored, each offering unique advantages in terms of biocompatibility and tunable properties. The integration of growth factors and stem cells further amplifies the regenerative potential, contributing to enhanced tissue healing and functional restoration. Despite significant progress, challenges persist. Achieving the seamless integration of regenerated tissues, establishing proper vascularization, and developing biomimetic scaffolds that faithfully replicate the natural periodontal environment are ongoing research endeavors. Collaborative efforts across diverse scientific disciplines are essential to overcoming these hurdles. This comprehensive review underscores the critical need for continued research and development in tissue engineering strategies for periodontal regeneration. By addressing current challenges and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, we can unlock the full regenerative potential, paving the way for transformative advancements in periodontal care. This research not only enhances our understanding of periodontal tissues but also offers innovative approaches that can revolutionize dental therapies, improving patient outcomes and reshaping the future of periodontal treatments.
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