Search Results (33)

In predicting slope stability, updating datasets with new cases necessitates retraining traditional machine learning models, consuming substantial time and resources. This paper introduces the Incremental Learning Bayesian (ILB) model, combining incremental learning theory with the naive Bayesian model, to address this issue. Key slope parameters—height; slope angle; unit weight; cohesion; internal friction angle; and pore water ratio—are used as predictive indicators. A dataset of 242 slope cases from existing literature is compiled for training and evaluation. The ILB model’s performance is assessed using accuracy, area under the ROC curve (AUC), generalization ability, and computation time and compared to four common batch learning models: Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP). Variable importance and partial dependence plots are used to explore the relationship between prediction results and parameters. Validation is performed with real slope cases from the Lala Copper Mine in Sichuan Province, China. Results show that (1) The ILB model’s accuracy and AUC improve as the dataset grows. (2) The ILB model outperforms GBM, SVM, and MLP in accuracy and AUC, similar to RF. (3) It demonstrates superior generalization and lower computation time than batch learning models. (4) Internal friction angle, slope angle, and pore water ratio are the most important predictors. Full article

The rheology control of water-based drilling fluids at ultra-high temperatures has been one of the major challenges in deep or ultra-deep resource exploration. In this paper, the effects of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonimide) (ILA), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (ILB) and N-methyl, butylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonimide) (ILC) on the rheological properties and filtration loss of polymer-based slurries at ultra-high temperatures (200 °C and 240 °C) are investigated by the American Petroleum Institute (API) standards. The results show that ionic liquids with different structures could improve the high-temperature rheological properties of polymer-based drilling fluids. The rheological parameter value (YP/PV) of the polymer-based slurry formulated with ILC is slightly higher than that with ILA at the same concentration, while the YP/PV value of the polymer-based slurry with ILA is slightly higher than that with ILB, which is consistent with the TGA thermal stability of ILA, ILB, and ILC; the thermal stability of ILC with pyrrolidine cations is higher than that of ILA with imidazole cations, and the thermal stability of ILA with bis(trifluorosulfonyl)amide anions is higher than that of ILB with tetrafluoroborate anions. Cation interlayer exchange between organic cation and sodium montmorillonite can improve the rheological properties of water-based drilling fluids. And meantime, the S=O bond in bis(trifluorosulfonyl)amide ions and the hydroxyl group of sodium montmorillonite may form hydrogen bonds, which also may increase the rheological properties of water-based drilling fluids. ILA, ILB, and ILC cannot reduce the filtration loss of polymer-based drilling fluids at ultra-high temperatures. Full article

Background: Patterns of humoral immune responses represent a major hurdle in terms of pig-to-human xenotransplantation approaches. The best-known xenogeneic glycan antigens present in pigs are the αGal (Galili antigen) and the non-human sialic acid Neu5Gc. As there are further differences between porcine and human cellular surface glycosylation, a much broader range of glycan epitopes with xeno-reactive relevance can be anticipated. Therefore, we set out to chemically modify porcine cellular surface glycans in a global approach by applying sodium periodate (NaIO₄) oxidation. Methods: Porcine endothelial cells were exposed to oxidation with 1 to 5 mM NaIO₄ for different time periods at 37 °C or 4 °C and under static or dynamic conditions. The impact on cellular survival was determined by applying live/dead assays. Oxidation of αGal-epitopes was assessed by fluorescence microscopy-based quantification of isolectin-B4 (IL-B4) staining. Overall immunogenicity of porcine cells was determined by human serum antibody binding. Results: Treatment of porcine endothelial cells and tissues with NaIO₄ led to reduced binding of the αGal-specific IL-B4 and/or human serum antibodies. NaIO₄ was revealed to be cytotoxic when performed at elevated temperatures and for a prolonged time. However, by applying 2 mM NaIO₄ for 60 min at 4 °C, a high extent of cellular viability and a relevant reduction in detectable αGal epitope were observed. No differences were detected irrespectively on whether the cells were oxidized under static or flow conditions. Conclusions: Glycan epitopes on living cells can be oxidized with NaIO₄ while maintaining their viability. Accordingly, this strategy holds promise to prevent immune reactions mediated by preformed anti-glycan antibodies. Full article

Faba bean (Vicia faba) is a temperate grain legume of major importance for food and feed. Powdery mildews are an important group of diseases in many crops, although in faba bean, it is still considered to be of only minor and local relevance. Here, we report the occurrence of powdery mildew in southern Spain, which was identified through ITS sequencing as Erysiphe trifolii. Resistance screenings allowed the identification of a wide range of responses to the disease, with accessions BPL-710 and ILB-4708 outstanding due to their high levels of resistance. Histological studies showed that the mechanisms of resistance may involve the inhibition of germination and impairment of fungal development, as shown by a limited number of primary and secondary hyphae compared to those of the susceptible accessions. This work permitted a better understanding of the interaction of faba bean and powdery mildew, laying the ground for breeding programs for resistance if needed in the future. Full article

Groundwater pollution by metal elements is a serious issue due to its probable risks to the ecosystem and human health. In the present study, 75 groundwater samples were collected from the Ibinur Lake Basin (ILB) of NW China. The contents of As, Se, Pb, Cu, Cr(Ⅵ), Zn, Mn, and Cd were determined. The levels, pollution degrees, and potential ecological risks of metals in groundwater were systematically analyzed for the first time in this area. The potential sources of metals were also discussed. It was observed that the mean contents of metals in groundwater in the ILB were lower than the Class III thresholds of the Standard for Groundwater Quality of China (GB/T 14848–2017), whereas the maximum contents of As, Se, Pb, Cr(Ⅵ), and Mn exceeded the Class III thresholds values. The pollution index of each metal and the Nemerow comprehensive index (NPI) caused by the overall pollution by all these metals in groundwater showed the pollution-free level. The single and comprehensive potential ecological risk index of analyzed metals in groundwater showed a relatively low level of potential ecological risk. Additionally, spatial distribution patterns of contents, pollution levels, and ecological risks of metals in groundwater in the ILB were found to be substantially heterogeneous. Furthermore, As and Se in groundwater originated from anthropogenic sources such as agriculture and mining, whereas Mn mainly originated from natural factors, and Pb, Cu, Cr(Ⅵ), Zn, and Cd were correlated with both natural and anthropogenic sources. Overall, As was identified as the main pollution factor, while As and Se were identified as the main ecological risk factors in the groundwater in the ILB. These results can provide important information for groundwater management in the ILB and will guide authorities in taking the necessary measures to ensure the safety of groundwater supply in the northwestern arid regions of China. Full article

During the mandatory acidification process in the oil and gas industry, carbon steel unfortunately suffers significant corrosion damage. From this perspective, for the first time a new ionic liquid called 1-(2-(4-bromophenyl)-2-oxoethyl)-4-(tert-butyl)pyridin-1-ium bromide (ILB) has been used as an effective inhibitor for the carbon steel corrosion in aggressive HCl solution (15%) at 298 K. The experiments were managed with a number of different chemical and electrochemical techniques including weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), and impedance spectroscopy (EIS). ILB has good inhibitory performance as an acidizing corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel even at low dosing levels of 1 × 10⁻³ M. The findings were promising as an inhibition efficiency of about 97% was achieved when ILB was added at low concentrations to the corrosive media. EIS results showed a significant rise in charge transfer resistance (R_ct) values with increasing doses of ILB. PDP studies confirmed that ILB is a mixed type and obey Langmuir adsorption isotherm with chemical nature. The metal surface morphologies were inspected using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). Additionally, Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Molecular Dynamic Simulation (MDS) indicates that ILB molecules function as inhibitors more successfully. There is a high degree of concordance between practical and theoretical studies. Full article

In this article, we examine toxic masculinity, anti-feminist, anti-globalisation, and anti-military conscription positions in the narratives of what constitutes success and failure among young South Korean men during the COVID-19 pandemic. Misogynistic accounts attributed to the globalised effects of neoliberalism and its evolution through South Korean meritocratic competition, compounded by the social isolation of the pandemic, remain a puzzle psychologically, despite their toxic emotionality. We use the analytical framework of ressentiment to consolidate references to moral victimhood, indignation, a sense of destiny, powerlessness, and transvaluation, as components of a single emotional mechanism responsible for misogynistic accounts. In an empirical plausibility probe, we analyse qualitative surveys with young South Korean men and examine the content of the far-right social sharing site Ilbe (일베) which hosts conversations of young men about success and self-improvement. Our findings show envy, shame, and inefficacious anger transvaluated into to moral victimhood, misogynistic hatred, vindictiveness against women and feminists, and anti-globalisation stances. We discuss how the content of these narratives of success and failure in ressentiment relates to the electoral win of the right-wing People Power party in March 2022 which capitalised on anti-feminist grievances. We also consider the socio-political consequences of ressentiment narratives in the highly gendered and polarised South Korean society and expand the study of ressentiment outside the context of Western democracies where it has been most extensively elaborated. Full article

To evaluate the performance of wheat plant height and spike-related traits under delayed sowing conditions, a screening trial was conducted for wheat germplasm that exhibits resistance to late sowing and early maturity. The differences and stability of plant height and spike-related traits under different sowing dates were analyzed using 327 wheat germplasm sources from a wide range of areas. The results showed that mean values of wheat plant height and spike-related traits generally decreased along with the delay in sowing dates. Broad-sense heritability of plant height (PH), internode length below spike (ILBS), spike length (SL), spikelet per spike (SPS), and spike number (SN) under multiple environments were all above 85%. Ten varieties, including Xiangmai 35, Pingyang 27, Huaimai 23, Huaimai 22, Emai 6, Zhenmai 12, Xiaoyan 81, Shannong 7859, Annong 1589, and Shuiyuan 86 indicated stable performance under different sowing dates, which harboring good resistance to late sowing. The results of this study laid a foundation for breeding high-yield wheat varieties that are resistant to late sowing. Full article

With the development of indoor location-based services (ILBS), the dual foot-mounted inertial navigation system (DF-INS) has been extensively used in many fields involving monitoring and direction-finding. It is a widespread ILBS implementation with considerable application potential in various areas such as firefighting and home care. However, the existing DF-INS is limited by a high inaccuracy rate due to the highly dynamic and non-stable stride length thresholds. The system also provides less clear and significant information visualization of a person’s position and the surrounding map. This study proposes a novel wearable-foot IOAM-inertial odometry and mapping to address the aforementioned issues. First, the person’s gait analysis is computed using the zero-velocity update (ZUPT) method with data fusion from ultrasound sensors placed on the inner side of the shoes. This study introduces a dynamic minimum centroid distance (MCD) algorithm to improve the existing extended Kalman filter (EKF) by limiting the stride length to a minimum range, significantly reducing the bias in data fusion. Then, a dual trajectory fusion (DTF) method is proposed to combine the left- and right-foot trajectories into a single center body of mass (CBoM) trajectory using ZUPT clustering and fusion weight computation. Next, ultrasound-type mapping is introduced to reconstruct the surrounding occupancy grid map (S-OGM) using the sphere projection method. The CBoM trajectory and S-OGM results were simultaneously visualized to provide comprehensive localization and mapping information. The results indicate a significant improvement with a lower root mean square error (RMSE = 1.2 m) than the existing methods. Full article

In a previous study, we found that administration of ILB^®, a new low molecular weight dextran sulphate, significantly improved mitochondrial functions and energy metabolism, as well as decreased oxidative/nitrosative stress, of brain tissue of rats exposed to severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI), induced by the closed-head weight-drop model of diffused TBI. Using aliquots of deproteinized brain tissue of the same animals of this former study, we here determined the concentrations of 24 amino acids of control rats, untreated sTBI rats (sacrificed at 2 and 7 days post-injury) and sTBI rats receiving a subcutaneous ILB^® administration (at the dose levels of 1, 5 and 15 mg/kg b.w.) 30 min post-impact (sacrificed at 2 and 7 days post-injury). Additionally, in a different set of experiments, new groups of control rats, untreated sTBI rats and ILB^®-treated rats (administered 30 min after sTBI at the dose levels of 1 or 5 mg/kg b.w.) were studied for their neurocognitive functions (anxiety, locomotor capacities, short- and long-term memory) at 7 days after the induction of sTBI. Compared to untreated sTBI animals, ILB^® significantly decreased whole brain glutamate (normalizing the glutamate/glutamine ratio), glycine, serine and γ-aminobutyric acid. Furthermore, ILB^® administration restored arginine metabolism (preventing nitrosative stress), levels of amino acids involved in methylation reactions (methionine, L-cystathionine, S-adenosylhomocysteine), and N-acetylaspartate homeostasis. The macroscopic evidences of the beneficial effects on brain metabolism induced by ILB^® were the relevant improvement in neurocognitive functions of the group of animals treated with ILB^® 5 mg/kg b.w., compared to the marked cognitive decline measured in untreated sTBI animals. These results demonstrate that ILB^® administration 30 min after sTBI prevents glutamate excitotoxicity and normalizes levels of amino acids involved in crucial brain metabolic functions. The ameliorations of amino acid metabolism, mitochondrial functions and energy metabolism in ILB^®-treated rats exposed to sTBI produced significant improvement in neurocognitive functions, reinforcing the concept that ILB^® is a new effective therapeutic tool for the treatment of sTBI, worth being tested in the clinical setting. Full article

In this article, a new one parameter survival model is proposed using the Kavya–Manoharan (KM) transformation family and the inverse length biased exponential (ILBE) distribution. Statistical properties are obtained: quantiles, moments, incomplete moments and moment generating function. Different types of entropies such as Rényi entropy, Tsallis entropy, Havrda and Charvat entropy and Arimoto entropy are computed. Different measures of extropy such as extropy, cumulative residual extropy and the negative cumulative residual extropy are computed. When the lifetime of the item under use is assumed to follow the Kavya–Manoharan inverse length biased exponential (KMILBE) distribution, the progressive-stress accelerated life tests are considered. Some estimating approaches, such as the maximum likelihood, maximum product of spacing, least squares, and weighted least square estimations, are taken into account while using progressive type-II censoring. Furthermore, interval estimation is accomplished by determining the parameters’ approximate confidence intervals. The performance of the estimation approaches is investigated using Monte Carlo simulation. The relevance and flexibility of the model are demonstrated using two real datasets. The distribution is very flexible, and it outperforms many known distributions such as the inverse length biased, the inverse Lindley model, the Lindley, the inverse exponential, the sine inverse exponential and the sine inverse Rayleigh model. Full article

Thyroid hormones are normally involved in glycaemic control, but their excess can lead to altered glucose metabolism and insulin resistance (IR). Since hyperthyroidism-linked increase in ROS results in tissue oxidative stress that is considered a hallmark of conditions leading to IR, it is conceivable a role of ROS in the onset of IR in hyperthyroidism. To verify this hypothesis, we evaluated the effects of vitamin E on thyroid hormone-induced oxidative damage, insulin resistance, and on gene expression of key molecules involved in IR in the rat liver. The factors involved in oxidative damage, namely the total content of ROS, the mitochondrial production of ROS, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, the in vitro susceptibility to oxidative stress, have been correlated to insulin resistance indices, such as insulin activation of hepatic Akt and plasma level of glucose, insulin and HOMA index. Our results indicate that increased levels of oxidative damage ROS content and production and susceptibility to oxidative damage, parallel increased fasting plasma level of glucose and insulin, reduced activation of Akt and increased activation of JNK. This last result suggests a role for JNK in the insulin resistance induced by hyperthyroidism. Furthermore, the variation of the genes Pparg, Ppara, Cd36 and Slc2a2 could explain, at least in part, the observed metabolic phenotypes. Full article

Considering the importance of salinity stress and genotype screening under stress conditions, the current study evaluated faba bean genotypes in response to saline stress and identified those that were tolerant and determined the influential ratio of each yield component on seed yield under both conditions. As a result, 12 faba bean genotypes were tested under 2 levels of salt stress (100 mM and 200 mM) and a control. The study was analyzed with multivariate (descriptive, ANOVA, PCA, biplot, cluster analysis, and indices) analysis techniques to determine the tolerance level of each genotype. Similarly, the cluster analysis results reported that faba bean genotypes were divided into two groups under the control and 100 mM salinity levels; however, the 200 mM salinity level recorded three groups of faba bean genotypes, showing that salinity stress may limit phenotypic variability among faba bean genotypes. The descriptive analysis results showed a wide range of diversity among the studied characteristics under control and salinity stress conditions. The number of seeds/plants recorded a significant association with plant height (cm) (PH), stomatal conductance (SC), days to flowering (DF), the number of pods, and seed weight (g) (SW); however, an insignificant association was recorded with leaf temperature (LT), fresh weight (g) (FW), Na⁺, K⁺, and Na/K ratio. The first three principal components (PCs) represent 81.45% of the variance among the studied traits. The most significant characteristics that contributed the most to the diversity were (PH, leaf area, SPAD reading, stomatal conductance, DF, number of pods/plants, number of seeds/pods, SW, K, and total chlorophyll content); however, the significant genotypes (Hassawi-2, Sakha, ILB-4347, Misr-3, FLIP12501FB) were present in PC1 under both conditions. The results predicted that Hassawi-2, ILB-4347, Sakha, Misr-3, and Flip12501FB were the significant (tolerant) genotypes. However, FLIP12504FB represents a sensitive genotype based on its final grain yield. The results of the indices also recorded significant index correlations with grain yield, demonstrating that these indices are effective tools for screening faba bean-tolerant genotypes under salinity stress conditions. Full article

In the present work, novel modality for lung cancer intervention has been explored. Primary literature has established the potential role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor in regression of multiple forms of carcinomas. To overcome its poor water solubility and boost anticancer activity, etoricoxib (ETO) was chosen as a therapeutic candidate for repurposing and formulated into a nanoemulsion (NE). The prepared ETO loaded NE was characterized for the surface charge, droplet size, surface morphology, and in vitro release. The optimized ETO loaded NE was then investigated for its anticancer potential employing A549 lung cancer cell line via cytotoxicity, apoptotic activity, mitochondrial membrane potential activity, cell migration assay, cell cycle analysis, Caspase-3, 9, and p53 activity by ELISA and molecular biomarker analysis through RT-PCR test. The developed ETO-NE formulation showed adequate homogeneity in the droplet size distribution with polydispersity index (PDI) of (0.2 ± 0.03) and had the lowest possible droplet size (124 ± 2.91 nm) and optimal negative surface charge (−8.19 ± 1.51 mV) indicative of colloidal stability. The MTT assay results demonstrated that ETO-NE exhibited substantial anticancer activity compared to the free drug. The ETO-NE showed a substantially potent cytotoxic effect against lung cancer cells, as was evident from the commencement of apoptosis/necrotic cell death and S-phase cell cycle arrests in A549 cells. The study on these molecules through RT-PCR confirmed that ETO-NE is significantly efficacious in mitigating the abundance of IL-B, IL-6, TNF, COX-2, and NF-kB as compared to the free ETO and control group. The current study demonstrates that ETO-NE represents a feasible approach that could provide clinical benefits for lung cancer patients in the future. Full article

Adjunct cultures are used in cheesemaking to improve the sensory characteristics of the ripened cheeses. In addition, it is known that different adjunct cultures are capable of producing enzymes with the specificity to hydrolyze caseins, leading to the release of various bioactive compounds (bioactive peptides, amino acids, etc.). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of adjunct heat-treated starter XT–312 and a cheese culture Lb. helveticus LH-B01 on the proteolytic activity and angiotensin converting enzymes inhibitors (ACE) in cheese models during ripening. Seven different cheese models were evaluated for: proteolytic activity using the spectrophotometric method with ortho-phthaldialdehyde (OPA), soluble nitrogen (SN), trichloroacetic acid-soluble nitrogen (TCA-SN) phosphotungstic acid-soluble nitrogen (PTA-SN), total nitrogen (TN), pH, contents of water, fat, as well as for total bacteria count (TBC), count of Lactococcus genus bacteria, count of Lb. helveticus, and number of non-starter lactic acid bacteria (NSLAB). Presence of adjunct bacterial cultures both in the form of a cheese culture LH-B01 and heat-treated XT–312 starter promoted primary and secondary proteolysis, which resulted in acceleration of the ripening process. ACE inhibitory activity and proteolytic activity was the highest throughout of ripening for cheese model with LH-B01 culture. The cheese models with the adjunct heat-treated starter were characterized by lower TBC, NSLAB and lower count of Lactococcus genus bacteria during ripening, compared to control cheeses. Full article